Chapter 10: Three Years of Growth

Two shadowy figures were fighting on a wide, rock-strewn plain, their figures blurring as each figure 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 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 black center gathered in his palm. Cooler was now floating in the air 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. "Then allow me to oblige you, teacher!" Arlic fed [Ki] into his attack, giving it his all. Their struggle began, 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, dust and rubble flying everywhere. As the dust started to clear, Cooler was still in the air while Arlic was kneeling on the ground, a massive crater in between them.

Cooler descended in front of Arlic, he held out his hand, a smile on his face. "You've definitely improved during the last two years. 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 still have to 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. "Then there's the matter of your brother destroying my world." At Arlic's last words Cooler sighed, 'Damn you brother!', he thought.

While he was not particularly close to his Frieza, he realized that his spoiled nature had cost his family powerful allies. Especially if they could all grow like Arlic. 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 the young Arlic in order to eliminate such a threat, but decided that if that day came, he would meet his student in battle as a fellow warrior.

Cooler nodded his head, smiling sadly. "I wish it were different, but I understand. Should you ever change your mind, seek me out." Holding out his hand he said, "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. "And please teacher, remember to take care of yourself!" Releasing his grip Cooler only waved in response, already flying off toward his ship as it descended from the sky. As one last act of respect, Arlic bowed to his departing teacher.

Flying off towards Elder+ Pybara's training hall, his 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 how much Arlic had grown under his tutelage. Wanting to know how much he would measure up in a real fight, Arlic 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.

While he wasn't training with Cooler, he was training with Elder Pybara. Arlic had learned a great deal about both Yardratian [Ki] method and technique. He had nearly mastered [Spirit Control], while achieving a great boost to both his [Ki Control] and [Ki Senses]. 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]. He was no genius, but he did not expect it would be this difficult to learn.

That said, he now gave all his focus to learn the technique, since he no longer had to train with Cooler. 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, there he disrobed and climbed into the bath he had prepared before he left earlier. Finishing up quickly he put on a fresh set of clothing and headed for his afternoon training 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 he learned all Pybara had to teach him. 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. 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 come to be fond of the old man, standing at attention he bowed. "Thank you for everything, Master. My time here has been most enlightening. I can only thank you for your incredible patience over these last three years." He teared up a bit at this point.

"I must leave this world. I still have much left to do. 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, but as this was a time for farewell, he said only this. "Try not to hide so much of yourself. Have confidence in what you have learned and never stop striving for even greater knowledge." Smiling kindly, he pat Arlic's shoulder again. "Farwell child, know that you will always have a home here." Smiling in return, 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, expecting betrayal on Coolers part. He may be a child in this reality, but he was no fool. Thanking Inaki for one last favor and taking time to say his farewells, he stepped into his [Space Pod] and shot off into void.