The Frost Demon of Universe 7

The darkness was all-encompassing, a void that seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions. Within this emptiness, a consciousness stirred, slowly coming to awareness.

'The last thing I remember was sitting on a plane headed back to the U.S. after visiting my Grandparents in the UK,' the consciousness mused, its thoughts echoing in the vast nothingness. 'Now only darkness surrounds me. I feel alive, yet at the same time, not. It's a peculiar feeling, really.'

As if in response to these thoughts, a voice resonated through the void, clear and distinct:

[Welcome to the Dragon Ball Multiverse! Your soul was selected through a lottery of the gods to be reincarnated here. My name is Oracle, I will be your assistant during this life.]

The consciousness pondered this information, surprised by its own lack of emotional response. 'Oddly enough, despite hearing that I've died, I felt nothing by that news. It was like I could remember my past life, but rather than living it, it was more like being a spectator rather than experiencing it firsthand.'

This detachment from its previous existence was intriguing, and the consciousness decided to focus on its current situation instead.

'Interesting,' it thought, directing its attention to the entity called Oracle. 'First, can you tell me what I am, where I am, and what year it is, Oracle?'

The response came promptly, filled with information that would have been overwhelming if not for the strange calm that permeated the consciousness's being:

[It is currently 220 years Before Age, 750 years before the Saiyans found Planet Plant, later known as Planet Vegeta. You are a Frost Demon, the same race as King Cold and his family. We are currently on Planet Geyser in the South Area of Universe 7.]

The consciousness absorbed this information, recognizing the references to the Dragon Ball universe it knew from its past life. Being a Frost Demon, a member of one of the most powerful races in this universe, was certainly an interesting development.

The darkness suddenly gained context as Oracle's voice echoed through the consciousness's mind:

[You inhabited the body of a frost demon who recently died in an Ice Storm. I reconstructed the body; however, you are currently 5000 meters below the surface in one of the many Liquid Nitrogen oceans on the planet.]

'So that's why it's so dark,' the consciousness mused, now aware of its surroundings. The oppressive weight of the ocean and ice above became apparent, though strangely, it felt no discomfort.

Oracle continued: [Above, the ocean froze over in the storm and has essentially buried you. Due to the frost demon physiology, you can move and go through your normal respiratory functions.]

'Well, besides being practically buried alive, at least I will be fine,' the consciousness thought, a hint of dry humor coloring its internal voice. 'So, what are your major functions?'

Without hesitation, Oracle replied: [Acquire, store, and manage information, Upgrade Techniques, Acquire the genetic material of other races, and modify the host's race.]

The consciousness pondered this. 'Those individually do not sound powerful but can create something incredible together. How do I get out of this situation?'

[Well, that's up to you, host!] Oracle responded, a note of excitement in its voice. [Currently, you are in your 3rd Restricted Form with a base power of 263,657. By my calculations, it would take a Power level of 60 million to break that ice.]

'60 million?' the consciousness exclaimed internally, shocked. 'Frieza destroyed a planet with a power level of 500,000 or so! Also, what is this restricted form?'

Oracle's explanation was thorough: [Planet Geyser is a Special Planet. Frost Demons have 3 types of Transformations: Restriction, Augmentation, and Ultimate. Because frost demons get more powerful naturally the older they get, Restriction forms are created to keep that ever-growing power in check so they won't cause harm to themselves or their environment. There are a Maximum of 3 Restriction forms which reduces the power level by an average of 2 times.

Augmentation Transformations are like the Saiyan's "Super Saiyan." This transformation is what Cooler's Final Form is; the conditions for acquiring it are unknown.

Ultimate Transformations are when Frost Demons push beyond what is normally the limit for their species and Achieve the True Limit of a Mortal. Golden and Black are performed by Frieza.]

The consciousness absorbed this information, fascinated by the complexities of its new race. 'Oh, that's pretty awesome,' it thought, before realizing something. 'Didn't really answer my question about Planet Geyser though.'

[It's just a special Planet, Host,] Oracle replied, its tone somehow both informative and evasive.

'???' The consciousness's confusion was palpable. The vague answer about Planet Geyser's special nature only served to pique its curiosity further.

'Well,' I began, the surreal reality of my situation slowly sinking in, 'let's organize everything we know about Frost Demons. Since this is my new life, I might as well make the best of it.'

[Affirmative. Organizing data...]

Oracle's voice was calm, yet tinged with a mechanical precision that only a machine-like intelligence could offer.

**[Here is the current data on Frost Demons:

Reproduction: Frost Demons reproduce asexually, given the absence of female members in their species. They can create offspring by cloning or genetic splicing from their own cells, but such offspring are rare as Frost Demons are highly selective and xenophobic.

Xenophobia: They are an isolationist and warlike race. Their inherent distrust of other species leads them to destroy any race they perceive as a potential threat. This behavior has kept their genetic pool relatively pure, but it also limits their social evolution.

Current Population: In this era, long before the rise of the Planet Trade Organization, the majority of Frost Demons remain on Planet Geyser. Only a few have ventured off-world, mainly out of curiosity or by necessity.

Training and Techniques: Due to their immense natural power, Frost Demons rarely feel the need to train. As a result, there are very few combat techniques native to their species. Their power lies in their raw strength and transformations rather than refined combat skills.

Longevity and Potential: Frost Demons possess near-infinite lifespans and the potential to grow exponentially stronger over time. Unlike most species, their power does not plateau with age, making them one of the most dangerous races in existence.]**

He mulled over the data, letting it settle in his mind. 'So,' he thought, 'not only am I slated to be forever alone because I reproduce asexually, but there's also no one else around here likely to understand the concept of teamwork or alliances. Lovely. Just perfect.'

Still, self-pity wasn't going to get him anywhere. Shaking off the negativity he refocused.

The Frost Demon assumed a meditative position, his body assaulted by the heavy pressure of the nitrogen ocean.

A faint hum of power began to resonate around him, and his cyan aura flared to life, its ethereal glow acting as a beacon in the dark sea. His appearance was a striking combination of sharp elegance and latent menace. His visage mirrored a blend of Chilled and Cooler, with a sleek, angular face framed by two prominent horns jutting from the sides of his head. His broad shoulders were armored with natural plating that gleamed under the icy sunlight, and his barbed tail curled idly behind him, occasionally twitching as if responding to the pulsing energy within him.

Zero, as he had decided to name himself, took a deep breath and allowed his ki to expand outward. He strained to sense the flicker of life around him, attempting the delicate art of Ki Sensing. It was a skill he had yet to master, and the effort was painfully clear—his reach was clumsy, his focus scattered. Still, he persevered, searching for any trace of life on this massive, desolate world.

The minutes turned to hours, and as the realization dawned on him that his current abilities were insufficient to detect beings over great distances, Zero shifted his focus inward. If he could not sense others, he reasoned, he would first master himself. He channeled all his effort into refining his ki, shaping it with precision and control.

The tales of his lineage echoed in his mind, particularly the legend of Frieza—the only Frost Demon known to have achieved complete mastery over ki. Frieza had gained the ability to wield power on par with that of a God of Destruction, bending energy to his will with terrifying efficiency. Zero's resolve hardened as he thought of this pinnacle of strength. To live without fear in a universe dominated by the strong, he too would achieve such mastery.

The cyan aura surrounding him grew steadier, more defined, as his control improved. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. He sat unmoving, a monument to determination, as the barren planet bore silent witness to his transformation. The once wild and chaotic energy now swirled around him in disciplined flows, responding to his every thought and intention.

Finally, a voice within him broke the silence:

[Ki Understanding and Control Mastered.]

Zero's eyes snapped open, their glow matching the intensity of his aura.

"How long did that take?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with a quiet edge of satisfaction.

[6 months, 21 days, 19 hours, and 43 minutes.]

"Awesome," Zero thought to himself, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "I don't know if that was fast or slow, but considering I'm technically the first to ever do this, I'd say it was fast." A surge of pride bubbled within him as his eyes flickered closed, once again embracing the calm and endless darkness of his meditation.

What Zero didn't realize was that his luminous cyan aura, the vibrant beacon of his training, had not gone unnoticed.

Within the frigid depths of the seas, strange and ancient creatures stirred. Drawn by the brilliant energy radiating from Zero, they crept closer, their massive forms gliding silently through the dark waters. For months, they observed him, their unblinking eyes fixed on the Frost Demon.

These creatures were alien and predatory, their bodies sleek and covered in scales that shimmered faintly creating a dim light. Long, eel-like forms coiled and twisted in the icy currents, while others resembled monstrous amalgamations of crustaceans and sea serpents, their jagged limbs and serrated jaws primed for the hunt.

They watched him with an eerie intelligence, their eyes reflecting the cyan glow of his aura as they took in every detail—every movement, every twitch, every ripple of energy that emanated from his meditating form. At first, they were cautious, keeping their distance as individuals. But over the weeks, their numbers grew, more of them drawn to the radiant anomaly on the surface. They moved like shadows in the water, their movements silent and calculated.

It was only when they felt their numbers were sufficient—when the frigid depths teemed with their kind, hundreds strong—that they decided to strike.

The water beneath the ice trembled as the creatures began to rise, their forms breaking through the calm in a sudden, synchronized assault. The first wave emerged from the shadows, their alien bodies writhing with lethal grace, their jagged teeth glinting like shards of black ice. The air was filled with the sound of cracking ice and guttural screeches as they surged toward Zero, their eyes locked on their prey.

Zero's meditation was shattered by the onslaught. His eyes snapped open, and his aura flared instinctively, casting a bright, cyan glow across the battlefield allowing him to see the incoming threat. His tail lashed behind him as he rose to his feet, his expression shifting from calm contemplation to sharp focus. The predators had come to feast—but they had underestimated the Frost Demon who had just spent months mastering his ki.

"These creatures... they're powerful!" Zero thought, his mind racing as he darted away from the first wave of attacks, his movements fluid and precise. The icy water wrapped around him as the sea creatures lunged, their razor-sharp limbs and coiled tails slicing through the space he'd occupied mere moments before. Their speed and ferocity were unlike anything he had seen or imagined. "I've never seen anything like this in the show! What are these things?!"

The Frost Demon didn't have the luxury of pausing to consider their origins. His instincts took over as fighting underwater was far more challenging than he thought, his cyan aura flaring like a shield as he prepared a counterattack. Energy crackled around him, and with a sharp motion of his hand, he unleashed a barrage of ki blasts toward the creatures below.

Several of the creatures screeched as the blasts struck, their scaled forms thrown back, yet more surged forward, their numbers seemingly endless. The Ocean trembled around Zero as the larger ones emerged, towering beasts with thick, armored hides and jagged appendages that glinted like obsidian.

[The Dragon Ball series focuses more on the characters and their story, rarely delving into the environments or ecosystems. Planet Geyser, for instance, was never visited in the show. However, there is a fundamental truth that cannot be ignored:]

Zero's mind processed the words as he twisted to evade a tendril-like limb that lashed out toward him. His tail snapped behind him, balancing his movement as he countered with another ki blast, striking the appendage and forcing the creature back.

[Watching something and experiencing it are completely different things.]

The message resonated with him. This wasn't a scene from an anime to marvel at from the safety of a screen—this was reality, raw and unforgiving. The creatures weren't mere villains of the week; they were part of this planet's ecosystem, apex predators honed by the brutal environment.

"If I let my guard down, I'm done for," he realized, his expression hardening as he focused on the battle. His training, his mastery of ki, his very survival—all would be tested here and now.

Zero landed lightly on a jagged outcrop of ice, his aura pulsing rhythmically as he took a brief moment to assess the situation. The creatures were relentless, their predatory instincts guiding their every move. He could feel the pressure of their collective intent bearing down on him like a storm.

'Fine,' he thought, his voice laced with determination. He raised his hand, summoning a dense sphere of energy that shimmered with cyan light. It was time to push his newfound control to its limits. 'Let's see if you can handle this!'