How Future Goku Killed Frieza and King Cold, According to Dragon Ball Unseen

Future Trunks arrived in age 764 to warn Goku and the others about the post apocalyptic future he was born into and what they needed to prepare for. In that future, Goku and his allies were already dead, and Trunks was the last Saiyan warrior standing before Goku showed up on Earth. Trunks himself destroyed Frieza and his father in cold blood when they arrived in the present timeline, and Goku admits he sensed Frieza's energy and could have used his new teleportation technique to intervene, but held back because he sensed the energy of the mysterious youth instead.

Because of that, fans have wondered for decades what actually happened back in Trunks' own future timeline, and how Goku might have handled Frieza and King Cold there before his own death. This retelling sets out to answer exactly that.

Frieza Taunts Goku's Arrival and Boasts About Killing His Friends

The scene opens with Frieza gloating before Goku even lands, saying he cannot wait to see the look on "that monkey's face when he sees the corpses of all his precious friends." When Goku shows up, Frieza needles him for coming to Earth "half dead in a tin suit" for revenge, remarking that Goku has gotten stronger while also claiming he himself has "a few new tricks up my sleeve."

Frieza reveals how he traveled to Earth without a ship, wearing what Goku recognizes as Yardrat clothing. Frieza confirms he learned the trick from the Yardrats after Captain Ginyu was ordered to conquer that planet, noting that "legend has it they have secret knowledge of strange and unique abilities," and that the legend turned out to be true.

Goku Gives Frieza One Last Chance to Leave Earth

Goku tells Frieza plainly that this is different from their fight on Namek because this time it is Earth, his home, and he is only going to give Frieza one chance to turn around and leave. Frieza mocks him for not training and calls him not worth his time, prompting Goku's final warning: "last chance Frieza, leave Earth now." Frieza refuses, telling Goku that if he loves the planet so much, he can die with it.

Goku responds by transforming into a Super Saiyan. After trading blows, he kills Frieza with a blast. Reflecting on the moment, Goku says it is "really unfortunate," adding that Frieza "would have made a great rival if he wasn't so evil," leaving nothing behind but what he calls "a back scratcher."

King Cold Reveals a Transformation "Not Even My Son Knows About"

King Cold reacts to his son's death by telling Goku he does not know if all Saiyans are the same, but calling Frieza "a bad seed" and acknowledging Goku's strength. He even suggests they could be an "unstoppable force" together, an offer Goku rejects outright, telling him "killing innocent people and enslaving them isn't really my style."

King Cold calls Goku a "battle crazed Saiyan" and dares him to transform fully, insisting Goku stand there and let him witness it, since he wants him "at your best." He then unveils a transformation he says makes Goku the only mortal in the universe to witness the true power of King Cold, a form he says "not even my son knows about."

Goku Defeats King Cold, Calling It "Wasted Potential"

Once transformed, King Cold overpowers Goku for a stretch, mocking him by claiming he expected more from a "legendary Super Saiyan" and boasting he will go down in history as the one who killed a Super Saiyan. Goku counters by pointing out King Cold's real weakness, telling him he would be far stronger if he was not content sitting on a "pretend throne" all day.

Goku warns he does not want to kill him but will if he has to, then finishes the fight, telling King Cold "such wasted potential, what a shame" as he falls.

Goku's Victory Comes Before the Heart Virus That Changes His Future

After the fight, Goku saves Earth once again and goes on to reunite with his friends and family and live in peace. But within a few short years, he is killed by an unpredictable foe he never even sees with his own eyes: a heart virus, which changes the fate of the future. Even though Goku is unable to protect his home a second time, the retelling notes that another hero, brought new hope to humanity in his place.

What do you think actually happened between Goku, Frieza, and King Cold in that devastated future timeline?