The Grand Ceremonial Hall of the Imperial Palace stretched very, very far.
Its vast ceiling lost in atmospheric haze, its walls so distant they appeared as mere suggestions on the horizon.
Crystalline chandeliers containing miniature artificial stars illuminated the space lit up the place.
Lord Toji Fushiguro stood at the entrance, a pillar of darkness against the opulent splendor.
His Darth Vader regalia absorbed light rather than reflected it, the mechanical breathing apparatus providing a steady, ominous rhythm that seemed to resonate through the vast chamber.
The black cape billowed behind him without any perceptible breeze, as if moved by the sheer force of his presence.
Behind him stood his entourage – Vegeta and Nappa in formal Saiyan armor, Goku looking uncomfortable but impressive in his own attire, and Bulma resplendent in a gown that complemented her Saiyan armor while still maintaining her own ways of fashion.
"The Imperial Court recognizes Lord Toji Fushiguro, Lord Protector of the Eastern Quadrant and Father to the Imperial Heir," announced a court herald, his voice Ki amplified to reach every corner of the immense hall.
As Toji began his measured advance, the assembled court members – hundreds of the most powerful beings in the galaxy – dropped to one knee in waves, creating a rippling effect of submission that spread outward from his path.
King Cold awaited him at the far end, seated upon an obsidian throne that seemed to devour light.
To his right, on a slightly smaller throne, sat Freeza in her fifth form, her white hair cascading over a long white coat that complimented her bio-armor.
Between them, in a specially constructed cradle of precious metals and crystals, lay Megumi, the focus of much of the evening's ceremony.
"This is ridiculous," Vegeta's telepathic voice grumbled to their private mental link. "The pomp, the ceremony – it's all designed to reinforce their supposed superiority. Like we are in need of them."
"I think it's fascinating," Bulma countered mentally. "The socio-"
"Is anyone else hungry?" Goku interrupted. "I smell something amazing coming from those tables."
"Kakarot, focus!" Vegeta snapped. "This isn't a buffet!"
Toji's mental voice cut through their bickering: "Enough. Remember why we're here."
As they reached the central area, King Cold rose from his throne – an honor that sent murmurs rippling through the assembly. The Emperor never stood for anyone.
"Lord Toji Fushiguro," Cold announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the vast space, "we welcome you formally to the Imperial Court as Lord Protector of the Eastern Quadrant, Third Power of the Empire, and Father to the Heir of the Cold Dynasty."
The mechanical breathing filled the momentary silence before Toji responded, his voice deepened and altered by the modulator: "I am honored by Your Majesty's welcome and accept the responsibilities of my position."
Cold gestured toward Megumi. "Today we also formally recognize Megumi Fushiguro as Heir to the Cold Dynasty, fourth in the line of our illustrious bloodline."
The assembled court members raised their voices in a ritualistic response: "Hail to the Heir! May his reign be glorious!"
As the formalities concluded, Cold announced, "Let the celebration commence!"
Music filled the air. Servants appeared with trays of exotic foods and beverages, offering them to the guests as they mingled.
"Lord Toji," a voice called, and he turned to find himself facing a towering, four-armed reptilian being adorned in gleaming armor. "I once again formally introduce myself- I am Grand Marshal Talon, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military Forces. It is an honor to meet the warrior who matched the Empress in combat."
The mechanical breathing continued for two cycles before Toji responded: "Grand Marshal. Your reputation precedes you."
'Like hell it does, I don't even know you besides that last time we met- but then I didn't really care to focus. Still, it's the correct and probably true thing to say,' thought Toji to himself.
Talon's scales shifted color slightly, betraying his pleasure at the recognition. "The tales of your power have spread throughout the empire, my lord. They say you halted the Empress's Death Beam with your bare hand – a feat previously thought impossible!"
"The Force of Ki is strong with me," Toji replied.
'I kind of wish Gohan was here, he'd love these references I'm making.'
Before Talon could respond, a crystalline being approached, her faceted body refracting light in beautiful patterns. "Lord Toji," she began, her voice creating musical tones with each word and speeding up with each word,
"I am Lady Crystallis, Imperial High Chancellor. I've prepared seventeen different diplomatic strategies for your integration into the court, though I fear twelve of them may already be obsolete given the Emperor's unprecedented show of respect, which suggests a paradigm shift in court dynamics that could potentially-"
"Lady Crystallis," Toji interrupted, "your thoroughness is appreciated."
'God, woman, stop talking. You're giving me a headache.'
"Oh! Yes, of course," she replied, her crystalline body reconfiguring slightly. "I've also drafted contingency plans should any diplomatic incidents occur during tonight's festivities, including but not limited to assassination attempts (probability 3.7%), cultural misunderstandings (probability 28.9%), or catastrophic structural failure of the ceremonial hall (probability 0.02%, but still worth planning for)."
As Lady Crystallis continued her anxious monologue, Toji noticed a mechanical body with a brain floating in green fluid approaching.
"Inefficient conversation detected," the newcomer stated, speaking at 2.5 times normal speed, even faster than the Lady.
"Lady Crystallis, your anxiety-driven verbosity wastes valuable oxygen. Lord Toji, I am Arch-Scientist Neuron, Director of Imperial Research and Development. Your power readings exceed established parameters for organic beings. Request permission to study your cellular structure."
"Request denied," Toji responded flatly.
'Great, from one weirdo to another. It seems I finally understand where Freeza got her sensibilities in subordinates. First the Ginyu Force now these guys. It's probably hereditary. If so I need to beat it out of Megumi before it fully establishes when he grows up.'
"Anticipated response. Alternative proposal: limited non-invasive scanning during your residence. Data would advance imperial science by approximately 47.3 years."
Before Toji could respond, a golden-skinned being approached, his body seeming to flow like liquid metal as he moved.
"Lord Toji! What an honor!" the golden being exclaimed. "Lord Aurum, Imperial Treasurer, at your service. Please accept this modest token of welcome."
He extended his hand, revealing an intricate sculpture made from what appeared to be compressed stardust.
"This represents only 0.0001% of the resources now under your jurisdiction," Aurum continued enthusiastically. "I've already established development funds for fifty worlds in your territory to stimulate economic growth. Would you prefer this platinum ceremonial armor as well? I have seventeen more sets."
Toji accepted the stardust sculpture with a slight nod. "Your generosity is... noted, Lord Aurum."
'Let me guess, the first one is a paranoid perpetually anxious woman who appears to talk a lot, the second is some brain in a jar that has no semblance of understanding of privacy and is as blunt as a hammer with his words, this guy is probably one that can not stop giving people things...'
Throughout the evening, more court members approached: a masked figure known as High Inquisitor Void who spoke in riddles; a silver-skinned shapeshifter called Regent Helix whose form subtly mimicked whoever he spoke to;
a maternal figure named Matron Sylvana who inappropriately discussed Megumi's genetic potential; an electrical being introduced as Admiral Tempest who could barely speak without shorting nearby equipment; and many others.
"These people are insane," Nappa commented telepathically to the group.
"They're fascinating!" Bulma countered. "Everyone of them is different, and unique with their own perspectives and roles! I can't wait to get to know them better!"
"I don't trust any of them," Vegeta added. "Especially that shapeshifter. We should keep our guard up."
As the evening progressed, Grand Marshal Talon approached Toji again, this time with a formal bow. "Lord Toji, tradition dictates that conventional new members of the Inner Circle demonstrate their worthiness through skill rather than power alone. Would you honor me with a formal duel?"
A hush fell over the nearby courtiers, all eyes turning to witness Toji's response.
"A duel?" Toji's mechanical voice betrayed no emotion.
"A demonstration of martial skill," Talon clarified, his four arms gesturing expressively.
"Without the use of Ki beyond the power level of 10,000 - I myself am one of the few beings in the universe capable of controlling my power level - and no flight permitted. I would not dare challenge the full might of one who equaled the Empress herself. This would be merely... ceremonial."
Toji considered the request. His conversation with Freeza the previous evening had left him in an unusually good mood.
Perhaps humoring this tradition would help establish his position in the court.
"I accept your challenge, Grand Marshal."
Talon's scales rippled with excitement as he bowed deeply. "You honor me, Lord Toji! I shall select my weapons."
The crowd parted, creating a circular arena in the center of the hall.
Servants brought forth an ornate weapons rack, from which Talon selected four different weapons – one for each of his arms. A massive sword, a spiked club, a double-headed axe, and a war hammer, each sized appropriately for his ten-foot frame.
"And what weapon will you choose, Lord Toji?" Talon inquired, his yellow eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Toji remained motionless for a moment, the mechanical breathing filling the silence. Then, with a subtle gesture, he extended his hand toward the weapons rack.
A sword flew from the rack, sailing across the space to land perfectly in his outstretched palm. The crowd gasped at this casual display of telekinesis.
But Toji wasn't finished. With deliberate showmanship, he gripped the sword's blade in his fist and, with a flex of his immense strength, shattered it – leaving only the hilt in his hand.
"Lord Toji, that was a priceless artifact from-" Talon began, but stopped as Toji raised the broken hilt.
Focusing his Ki, Toji channeled his energy into the hilt – not just any energy, but a specific emotion. He concentrated on pure malice, on bloodlust, on the primal urge to dominate and destroy- a trick he'd learned after being so close to Freeza's Ki for so long and on the receiving end of her Death Beam.
A cylinder of brilliant red Ki emerged from the hilt, extending about three feet and humming with power. Heat radiated from the energy blade, causing the air around it to shimmer.
"Are you seriously making a lightsaber right now?" Bulma's mental voice was filled with amused disbelief. "You're enjoying this Vader role way too much."
"Shut up," Toji grumbled mentally, giving her a gentle mental shove that contained no real annoyance.
Talon's eyes widened with delight. "Magnificent! A weapon of pure energy! This shall be a duel worthy of epic tales!"
"I shall oversee this match," King Cold suddenly offered from his throne, causing the person who stepped forward to be referee to step back with a deep bow towards the King.
The Grand Marshal took his position, each of his four arms wielding a different weapon with practiced ease.
Toji stood opposite him, the red Ki-saber held in a relaxed grip at his side, his cape settling around him dramatically.
"Begin!" King Cold commanded from his throne.
Talon moved with immense speed, all four weapons coordinating in an attack pattern. The sword came in high, the axe low, while the club and hammer approached from opposite sides – a perfect four-pronged assault that would be impossible for most beings to defend against.
Toji didn't move until the last possible moment. Then, with a single fluid motion, he pivoted, the red Ki-saber tracing an arc that intercepted all four weapons simultaneously.
Sparks flew as the energy blade connected with metal, the impact sending vibrations through Talon's arms.
"Impressive!" the Grand Marshal exclaimed, recovering quickly and launching into his next attack sequence.
What followed was a dance focused on how precise and skilled the warriors were.
Talon used his four weapons as well as he could, constantly switching up to new ways of attacking when one failed. Toji himself responded with casual ease to each new way of attack, his Ki-saber leaving trails of red light as he deflected, parried, and countered.
The court watched in fascination. It was rare to see such skilled warriors fight.
Talon's attacks grew increasingly elaborate, his weapons becoming a blur as he attempted to find an opening in Toji's defense. "Your technique is remarkable for one so young!" he called out, genuine respect in his voice. "How long have you trained in the martial arts?"
"The way of the ones born strong is one of many abilities some would consider to be... unnatural," Toji replied, as he blocked all four weapons simultaneously above his head with ease- sparks flying.
He was enjoying this little exercise.
----------------------------
In a hidden base carved into an asteroid at the edge of the capital galaxy, five figures gathered around a holographic display showing the Imperial Capital from orbit.
"The moment has come," Supreme Commander Lyra Stardust announced, her green skin illuminated by the hologram's glow. The scar across her face seemed to pulse with the intensity of her focus.
"For the first time in centuries, the Cold Family and the highest ranks of the Empire are gathered in one location. The probability of success is exactly 42.7%. For Argos-9."
"Beautiful day to die gloriously, isn't it? HA HA HA!" General Kaz "Wreckage" Demolus boomed, his cybernetic eye glowing red with excitement. The Saiyan survivor's remaining organic parts tensed with anticipation. "Seventy years we've waited for this chance!"
"The firing sequence requires..." Dr. Nema Whisperwind began, her voice barely audible through her exosuit, "...careful calibration. The less you understand about the full process, the safer we all..."
"And now, Captain Silvertongue observes the historic moment, his mercury heart pumping with the thrill of imminent vengeance!" declared the shapeshifter, his silver form rippling as he narrated his own actions.
"The World Terror's power cells are at 97.3% capacity, my sweet darling weapon," Engineer Grit Rustbucket muttered, her six arms working various controls simultaneously. "There's only a 78.9% chance we'll all be vaporized by feedback. We're all going to die, but at least we'll take Cold with us."
"We feel your resolve," intoned The Voice, a chorus of harmonized tones emanating from the unremarkable humanoid's glowing throat. "We all share your purpose. For those who died. For those who will live free."
Supreme Commander Stardust raised her hand, her green fingers trembling slightly. "Seventy years, two hundred thirteen days, seven hours and fifty four minutes we have waited. Today, we act. For Homeworld." She brought her hand down decisively. "Fire."
The massive weapon – a planetoid that had been hollowed out and converted into a weapon of unimaginable destruction – began to glow with yellow energy.
Decades of accumulated Ki for this weapon - like the blasters of the Freeza Force soldiers but immensily larger - harvested from countless sources, focused into a single point before erupting in a beam the size of a small moon.
The yellow energy streaked across space, crossing light-years in moments through artificial wormhole technology, aimed directly at the throne world of the Imperial Capital.
"For the fallen," Lyra whispered, tears streaming down her scarred face.
-------------------------
Back at the Imperial banquet, Toji was about to disarm Grand Marshal Talon with a particularly clever maneuver when he suddenly froze, his head turning sharply upward.
A distant rumbling shook the ceremonial hall. Courtiers looked around in confusion as chandeliers swayed and drinks rippled in their glasses.
Through the massive skylight above, the night sky suddenly blazed with yellow light – as if a second sun had appeared directly above the palace.
Panic erupted among the court members. Beings of all species scrambled for exits or cowered in fear.
Only a select few remained calm – King Cold, still seated on his throne; Freeza, who moved protectively toward Megumi; and Toji's companions, who looked surprised but not particularly worried- Vegeta as well put up a barrier around Bulma and himself.
Without a word, Toji casually raised his left hand toward the ceiling, his right still holding the Ki-saber.
Outside, visible through the skylight, the moon-sized yellow energy beam halted in place, suspended above the planet's atmosphere as if it had struck an invisible barrier.
King Cold rose from his throne casually and approached Toji, a glass of red wine in his hand, seemingly unsurprised by the events unfolding. "Oh, so that's where it was!" he remarked conversationally. "I thought it was lost, and no longer functional, but it seems I was misinformed."
Toji turned his head slightly toward Cold, his hand still raised, effortlessly holding the massive energy beam at bay. "What is this?" he asked, his voice betraying no strain despite the monumental feat he was performing.
"The Terror World," Cold explained, sipping his wine. "A weapon designed to destroy entire solar systems for more efficient imperial expansion. It was stolen by rebels seventy years ago."
"The scientist who created it was killed by a traitor who deleted all the information we had of it. In retaliation I sent Cooler to hunt the rebels down to near extinction. He did a good enough job, but never recovered the Terror."
He shrugged elegantly. "I assumed it had been lost or rendered non-functional."
Around them, scientists from the court were frantically taking readings, their instruments struggling to quantify what they were witnessing.
"This is impossible!" one exclaimed. "The Terror was the greatest technological achievement in imperial history! Its power was calculated to be unstoppable!"
"Lord Toji is holding it back with one hand!" another whispered in awe. "The mathematical implications are staggering!"
Toji's mechanical breathing filled the momentary silence before he spoke: "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy worlds is insignificant next to the power of Ki."
With that statement, he clenched his raised hand into a fist and swiped it sideways. Outside, the moon-sized yellow beam compressed instantly, crushed into particles that scattered harmlessly into space.
The court erupted in astonished murmurs and exclamations. Many dropped to their knees in renewed submission, while others stared in silent shock.
Toji turned to King Cold. "I'll handle this," he stated simply.
Before anyone could respond, Toji crouched slightly, then launched himself upward with such force that the floor beneath him cracked.
He crashed through the skylight, becoming a streak of darkness against the night sky as he ascended toward the Terror World's position.
--------------------------
Minutes later - after traversing the galaxy with that jump - Toji crashed like a burning comet onto the Terror World's central command center, where he had sensed the concentration of the strongest beings.
The impact created a crater in the metal floor, sending rebel soldiers flying in all directions.
"Wha-"
"Fu-"
"Who in the-"
"Aaaa-"
It was a chorus of yells and curses.
As the dust settled, a red glow illuminated the darkened corridor. The mechanical breathing echoed ominously as Lord Toji stepped forward through the cloud of debris, his Ki-saber casting crimson light across the terrified faces of the Rebellion's leadership.
"Who is your master?"
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
Do tell me how you it was to you.
So, did you guys like the Terror World? If it isn't already obvious, its based on the Death Star.
And crazy thing that it is, it's not even farfetched, since those blasters the Freeza Force soldiers use, is ones charged with Ki.
This is simply one the size of a moon, inside of a planet sized carrier.
Also, I'm enjoying Toji making references a damn lot. Hope you guys are as well.
Especially the whole, formal talk, followed by what he really is thinking.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)