The kitchen of Capsule Corp smelled of sugar and strawberries.Bulma took the freshly prepared Strawberry Sundae. "Perfect," she said proudly. "The ultimate strawberry sundae."
She leaned back, licking the spoon. "Now, let's see if I can reach that lazy angel."
Pulling out her communicator, Bulma pressed the button connecting to Whis's staff. A faint static buzz answered. No voice.
"Whis? You there? Hellooo?"
Nothing.
She frowned, tapping the screen. "Oh, come on. You can't be busy with something when Freiza is almost here!"
Still silence. She tried again, shaking the device like it was a stubborn TV remote. "Goku! Vegeta! Frieza's coming, you idiots!"
Static.
Bulma groaned. "Ugh! The universe's strongest protectors, and I can't even reach them!"
She shoved the communicator aside and sighed, taking a spoonful of her sundae. "Figures. Guess it's up to me… again."
Jaco beside her flashed a winning smile, "Told you Beerus's just a myth."
Bulma glared at him as she grabbed her phone and opened her contact list. "Alright, time to call the B-team."
She dialed the first number. "Come on, pick up…"
A distant siren wailed through the speaker, followed by the sound of skidding tires.
"Uh—Bulma? Now's not a great time!" Krillin's voice yelled over the noise.
"Krillin! Frieza's been revived and he's on his way to Earth!"
"WHAT?!"
A crash followed. "Freeze! Uh—no, not you! I mean, stop right there!" Krillin shouted at someone off-screen.
Bulma sighed. "Are you fighting robbers?"
"Yeah, yeah—give me a sec!"
She heard punches, a couple of yelps, and then silence.
Krillin voice came back. "Okay… robbers handled. What did you say about Frieza?"
"He'll be here in less than an hour!" Bulma snapped. "You'd better prepare for what's about to come!"
"An hour?!" Krillin's voice wavered. "I—uh, right, yeah! I'll… tell Master Roshi. We'll be ready!"
"Good. And maybe wear your gi this time instead of that police uniform!"
"Hey! I happen to look very heroic in this outfit!"
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Sure you do, Officer Hero."
The call disconnected as Krillin blasted into the air toward Kame House.
Next on her list — Gohan.
She hit call and waited.
Gohan's calm voice answered. "Hey, Bulma. What's going on?"
"Frieza's coming," she said quickly. "He's been revived."
Gohan froze mid-sentence. "…Frieza? As in the Frieza?"
"Yes, the short white-purple psycho! He'll be here any minute!"
He adjusted his glasses, standing up. "Understood. I'll be there soon."
Gohan slipped on his jacket and turned to Piccolo, who sat nearby, holding baby Pan as she reached curiously for his antenna.
"Piccolo," Gohan said, serious now. "Frieza's coming."
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "Frieza? Hmph. Guess peace never lasts."
Pan giggled, tugging at his arm.
Gohan smiled gently. "Sorry, Pan. Daddy's got to go."
Piccolo handed her back to Videl, who had just entered the room. "We'll handle things here," he said.
Gohan nodded. "Let's go."
The two shot into the sky together, leaving the faint echo of Pan's laughter behind.
Bulma rubbed her forehead. "That's three calls down, one galaxy-wide headache to go."
Then she froze. "Wait… Razor."
She smacked her forehead. "I completely forgot he's still on Earth!"
She immediately called 18. The phone rang twice before 18 answered, sounding relaxed.
"Bulma? What's up?"
"Frieza. He's been revived. He's coming here within the hour."
Silence.
Then 18's tone hardened. "You're serious?"
"Deadly serious. I need you to tell Razor. He's been completely off the radar, but we need every powerhouse we can get."
"Got it," 18 said firmly. "We'll be ready."
At that moment, Razor and Rizze were mid-spar outside their home. Dust clouds swirled as their fists collided.
Rizze grinned, her aura sparking gold. "You're holding back again Dad!"
Razor smirked faintly. "You're improving fast. But you still are far from pushing me."
A sudden shout broke their rhythm. "RAZOR!"
18 ran out from the porch, her expression tense.
Razor lowered his stance. "What's wrong?"
"It's Frieza," she said quickly. "He's coming to Earth. Somehow, he's been revived."
Razor raised an eyebrow. "Frieza? The same weakling Goku defeated?"
"Yes, that one."
Razor scoffed, brushing dust off his shoulder. "Then I don't see the problem. Goku and Vegeta can handle him."
18 folded her arms. "They're off-world, remember? And we don't know if Bulma's even reached them yet."
Before Razor could respond, Rizze's eyes lit up. "Wait—Frieza? The space tyrant that uncle Goku defeated after transforming into a super saiyan?!"
Razor nodded slowly. "Yes."
Rizze clenched her fists, her aura flaring. "Then I wanna see! I wanna watch the fight!"
18 turned sharply. "Absolutely not."
"But mom!" Rizze protested. "I've never seen him! Please!"
"Out of the question," 18 said sternly. "He's dangerous."
Rizze pouted. "Dad would protect me!"
Razor chuckled. "She's not wrong."
18 glared at him. "You're not helping."
He smirked faintly. "Think about it. It'll be good training for her. She will be fighting under my supervision. I'll make sure she stays safe."
18 crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "You always say that right before something explodes."
Razor shrugged. "Explosions are part of learning."
Rizze clasped her hands together, giving her mother pleading eyes. "Please, Mom? I'll stay by Papa's side!"
18 sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You two are impossible…"
She looked at both of them — father and daughter wearing identical grins. Finally, she relented. "Fine. But I'm coming too."
Razor nodded. "Good. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Rizze jumped with excitement, sparks crackling around her hair. "Yes! This is gonna be awesome!"
18 turned to Razor. "You'd better be right about this."
He looked up at the sky, his expression calm yet sharp. "If Frieza's foolish enough to return to this planet… then it's time he learns Earth isn't defenseless anymore."
Back at Capsule Corp, Bulma paced nervously near the sundae, communicator in hand. "Come on, Whis… answer me already…" she muttered.
No response.
She looked up at the horizon.
"An hour, huh?" she whispered, tightening her grip.