Several months had passed since the realization that ki usage was all about intent, and in that time he had explored all sorts of ways to use ki, quickly refining his previously rough control.
Through these several months, he had set up a sort of schedule, training every other day while spending the remaining days at Kukki's home.
But this day was different. He had flown out of the solar system when he saw a large spaceship approaching his location.
Axiom decided to fly over to the ship, curious as to why it was here. He didn't remember any records of spaceships coming here at this point in time.
The spaceship stopped as Axiom got closer, the pilot's shocked expression visible from outside.
Axiom merely waved, seeing the pilot bark out orders to a crewmate, slightly amused at his frantic expression.
Suddenly, Axiom heard something opening. Looking over, he saw a door on the side had opened. He flew in, curious about what these beings wanted.
Upon entering, the door behind him closed and the door in front of him opened, revealing the pristine interior of the spaceship.
Quickly, a small alien with a rectangular head rushed over and bowed. "Welcome, my lord. We are part of the Planet Trade Organization."
Axiom smirked at being called "Lord" and decided to play the part. "May I know the state of this organization?" He spoke politely, but the alien knew that no member of Frieza's race truly allowed them the choice of whether to answer.
"Um... we are fractured, sir. Our previous leaders, Frieza and Cold, were killed by Son Goku from the planet Earth."
Axiom hummed in thought. This could be a great opportunity for him, but first he had to find out something. "Why did you come here? I doubt you would approach this place lightly."
The alien spoke obediently. "We picked up a large power level that slightly surpassed our previous leader's."
Axiom smirked. "And what? You thought I was Frieza? Why?" He pressed the alien for answers.
"Well, it was outside of a habitable planet, so we thought it would certainly be Frieza." The alien provided clear reasoning. It was true — races that could survive in space were few, and those with power equivalent to Frieza's were virtually nonexistent.
Axiom hummed to himself, knowing the tiny alien was correct, but he still wanted one more answer. "Why are you referring to me as 'Lord'? Surely you would have pledged your allegiance to Frieza and his immediate family, no?"
The alien tensed, sweat starting to pour as he tried to think of a reason. If he said something that upset Axiom, that would be the end of him and everyone on the ship — at least, that was what he believed, knowing Frieza's race to be innately cruel.
"We assumed you were related to Frieza. Are you not?" These words were exceptionally risky to say, but the resemblance was almost uncanny, and there was a good chance it was true.
Axiom smiled, pleased at the alien's answer. "You would be correct with that little assumption of yours. Good answer."
The alien sighed in relief and decided to ask a question for once. "May we know your name, my lord?"
Axiom paused, wondering if he should change his name before deciding that it shouldn't matter. "Axiom. Remember it."
The alien looked confused for a moment before steeling his expression. If Axiom interpreted that confusion as disrespect, it would be over for him. But it made him wonder — was that really what his father had named him?
"My lord, I know this is impertinent of me, but may I ask another question?"
Axiom's smirk faded slightly. He preferred questioning others, not being questioned, but since the tiny creature had asked nicely, he would allow it. "You may."
The alien sensed the change in mood and immediately regretted asking, but there was no turning back now. "Was that name the one your father gave you?"
Axiom visibly paused. He hadn't expected that question, but responded nonetheless. "I have no father. I gave this name to myself. And before you ask any other questions, I'm four months old — and that's all you're getting." Axiom's tone had lost its politeness, though it hadn't become hostile. Not yet.
The tiny alien thought to himself. Frieza's race was incredibly rare — could Cold have laid an egg before dying, and Axiom had just hatched from it? That could explain everything. In fact, it was the only explanation that made sense.
"Understood, my lord. And my name is Shitaki." Shitaki took the chance to introduce himself.
Axiom thought about Shitaki's name, licking his lips slightly. It reminded him of the mushrooms Kukki sometimes used in her cooking. "I'll remember the name, Shitaki."
Shitaki nodded happily. He doubted Axiom would bother remembering the name of someone he might kill. "Let me show you around, my lord."
Axiom seemed like an almost perfect replacement for Frieza — the familial ties were there, the intelligence would undoubtedly be there — but the only thing holding him back was the name. Shitaki thought something like Chill, Kori, or Eis would be far better names to claim the throne with, but that was slightly beyond his pay grade. So he decided to simply show Axiom around the spaceship.