Chapter 10: Three Years of Growth!

Two shadowy figures were fighting on a wide, rock-strewn plain, their figures blurring as each one threw a multitude of savage blows. Afterimage upon afterimage appearing, some flickering across the ground, while others danced through the air. As the two figures continued to clash, the resulting shockwaves caused the ground beneath them to crumble, creating shallow craters in the landscape.

With one final clash, the two figures separated, finally revealing their true forms. One was a young boy with spiky black hair and a long, furry tail wrapped around his waist. The other was a six-foot humanoid with whitish purple "biological armor" covered skin, with a long purple tail. They were Arlic and Cooler.

Taking up distance from each other, they charged up energy attacks. Cooler raised a single hand in the air as black energy coated in purple arcs of electricity took form. Arlic took a crouching stance with his left hand facing forward, the other curled upwards at his side as a red [Energy Sphere] with a gleaming white center gathered in his palm.

Cooler was now floating in the air as he finished forming his attack, the [Death Ball], which cast a long shadow across the ground. Smiling, he tossed it towards Arlic, whom in response sent forth his own attack, which he called [Colossal Impact]. Arlic's [Colossal Impact] traveled towards Coolers [Death Ball], growing larger from the moment it left his hand. Both combatants yelled as their respective attack finally met midair.

"Come Arlic! Show me what you've learned these past two years!"

Cooler kept feeding his attack more power, trying to push Arlic to his limits. With a mad grin on his face, Arlic responded.

"Then allow me to oblige you, teacher!"

Feeding [Ki] into his attack, Arlic gave it his all. It was an intense struggle between their respective attacks. One moment Arlic was pushed back, the next it was Cooler. They continued neck and neck for five whole minutes before they could go no further, though not from lack of trying.

The blasts violently exploded, as dust and rubble flew everywhere. With the dust started to clear, it could be seen that Cooler was still in the air, while Arlic was kneeling on the ground. A massive crater in now lay between them. As Cooler descended in front of Arlic, he held out his hand, a smile on his face.

"You've improved during these last two years."

Coolers smile dimmed a bit as he continued.

"Are you certain you don't wish to join me, Arlic?"

Arlic accepted Coolers hand with a sad smile of his own.

"I'm sorry teacher, but I must finish my training here. Besides, I still plan to surpass you one day, remember?"

Cooler only smiled at that. If it had been two years ago, he might have taken offense. After teaching Arlic however… he found himself looking forward to seeing his student's growth. It proved to be an unfamiliar concept for Cooler, but it wasn't one he found unpleasant.

"There is also the matter of your brother destroying my world."

At Arlic's last words Cooler sighed. He was there that day, even allowing a departing vessel to escape. After training Arlic, he came to regret not doing more. While he was not particularly close to his brother Frieza, he realized that his siblings spoiled nature had cost his family powerful allies. Especially if they could all grow like Arlic.

After all, he wasn't like his father and brother, he believed in hard work and if all Saiyan's were like his student, they more than deserved a seat at the table. Instead, his brother's paranoia had turned potentially powerful allies into equally dangerous enemies.

He once even thought about killing young Arlic in order to eliminate such a threat but decided that if that day came… then he would meet his student in battle as a fellow warrior. Coming out of his thoughts, Cooler nodded his head while smiling sadly.

"I wish it were different, but I understand. Should you ever change your mind, seek me out."

Holding out his hand, Cooler spoke again.

"Farewell, my student… I hope we meet again."

Arlic nodded, reaching out his own hand in return.

"Likewise, teacher. I will miss our sparring sessions."

Smiling while shaking Cooler's hand, Arlic continued.

"Take care of yourself!"

Releasing his grip, Cooler only waved in response, already flying off toward his ship as it descended from the sky. Arlic watched Cooler leave aboard his vessel. With one last act of respect, Arlic bowed to his departing teacher, as a stray thought echoed in his mind.

'I hope we can still smile at one another the next time we meet, teacher...'

---

Flying off towards Elder Pybara's training hall, Arlics thoughts took him back to a month ago. Cooler had received a communication from his father summoning him home. Before he left, Cooler wanted to see just how much Arlic had grown under his tutelage. Wanting to know how much he would measure up in a real fight, Arlic had agreed.

Now nearly at the temple, he found himself thinking of what was to come. He was now eight years and one month old, it was currently [Age 739]. He only had one more year before he would have to leave this world behind.

'If I am to have a future here, then I have a lot to do. It'll be difficult, but my strength should be up to the task… hopefully.'

Arlic had learned a great deal about both the Yardratian [Ki] method and their various techniques. He had nearly mastered [Spirit Control], while achieving a great boost to both his [Ki Control] and [Ki Senses].

That was a good thing, as the Yardratian techniques of [Instant Transmission], [Cloning], [Gigantification], and [Healing] were all a part of the [Spirit Control] technique. And now they were all in his arsenal. Well, except for one, which was [Forced Spirit Fission]. Arlic wasn't overly talented to begin with, but that last part was proving to be very difficult to learn.

'Difficult is an understatement.'

Since he no longer had to train with Cooler, however, Arlic could focus all his attention doing so.

'I hope it doesn't take too much longer, though…'

Arriving above Pybara's training hall, Arlic placed two fingers on his brow, and vanished. Reappearing in the main hall near the one of the other students, he quickly went to his dorm room. Once there, Arlic disrobed and climbed into the bath he had prepared before leaving earlier in the day.

Finishing up quickly, he put on a fresh set of clothing and headed for his afternoon training session with Elder Pybara himself. Pybara quickly began putting Arlic through his paces, starting with a spirit growth exercise.

---

Night after night, day after day, month after month Arlic learned all that Pybara had to teach him… and before he realized it, he'd spent three years on [Planet Yardrat]. At the end of his training, once he had finally mastered [Forced Spirit Fission], Elder Pybara patted him on the shoulder.

"That will do Arlic… that will do."

A reminiscent gaze settled in Pybara's eyes as he continued.

"I have nothing more to teach you. Take what you have learned and do what you will with it."

Nodding his head, Arlic felt a bit sentimental. He had become quite fond of the old man over the years. It was almost like he was saying goodbye to a beloved family member. Remembering the kindness that Pybara had shown him, Arlic decided to show the old man his respect. Stepping forward, he bowed.

"Thank you for everything, Master."

Still bowing, Arlic continued in a humble voice.

"I've learned so much from you… and the patience and generosity you've shown me over these last three years are something I will never forget."

Arlic stood up, revealing misty eyes.

"I… I must leave this world. But I make you this promise, I will one day return."

Pybara noticed something strange about that last remark, as if there were another intent behind it. He wanted to question the child, but as this was a time for farewell, he chose to speak only briefly. This was where their fates diverged, after all.

"Try not to hide so much of yourself. It's not good for the soul…"

Smiling kindly, he pat Arlic's shoulder again.

"Farwell child, know that you will always have a home here."

Tears now streaming down his face, Arlic placed two fingers on his brow. Using [Instant Transmission], he appeared beside Inaki. He had Inaki, whom he had formed a friendship with over the years, wait by his ship everyday he trained with Cooler.

Not because he wanted to annoy Inaki, but because he fully expecting betrayal on Coolers part. He might be a child in this reality, but that didn't mean he thought like one. Thanking Inaki for one last favor and taking time to say his farewells, he stepped into his [Space Pod] and shot off into void.