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Chapter 2: A Second Chance

Raditz expertly descended from the skies, landing within half a mile away from his space pod, still holding onto a wailing Gohan. The damn kid wouldn't shut the hell up the whole flight back, and as annoying as it was to put up with, it was probably the only way to get his brother back to his senses. They needed as many Saiyans as possible if they wanted to overthrow Frieza one day, plus due to a certain occurence involving the end of his home planet, the Saiyan race was nearly extinct save for a few of them, so if his pathetic excuse of a Saiyan of a brother could clean up his act, then their chances of getting rid of Frieza would increase.

Raditz scrunched up his face in annoyance, getting tired of hearing his nephew's continous wails. Without a moment's hestitation, Raditz harshly threw Gohan into his space pod, effectively muffling Gohan's crying. Once Gohan was in the space pod, Raditz crossed his arms over his broad chest, and waited patiently. He could only hope that Kakarot would do as he said. If not, then he was afraid his brother wouldn't be seeing his son again. Perhaps, he could even take the brat back with him.

From the looks of things, the kid could use some toughening up. He probably didn't even know about his Saiyan heritage seeing as his damn moron of a father didn't even know he was a Saiyan himself. The fool thought he was an Earthling.

This backwater planet should have been empty, all other inhabitants killed and dead already. If his brother could kill a hundred people by tomorrow, then maybe there was hope for him, after all. But even so, he seriously doubted Kakarot had the audacity to do it. This planet has made him too soft, he became too soft. What a shame. He, Vegeta, and Nappa could use another comrade. If only he accepted his offer the first time, then he wouldn't be in this mess to begin with.

Kakarot had no one to blame, but himself.

He was interrupted from his thoughts when his scouter went off, signaling that two power levels were heading his way at incredible speeds. Why am I not surprised, Raditz thought to himself, smirking as he watched Kakarot and the Namekian descend and land not too far away from him. "Well, well," he began mockingly," look who we have here. If it isn't my brother, Kakarot, and it seems as if he brought a friend along as well."

"We're not here for games, Raditz! Now tell me where my son is! " Goku demanded.

"You have nothing to worry about." Raditz answered calmly, as if Goku had no reason to be upset. "My nephew is safe for now, but I highly suggest you kill a hundred people if you want your son back."

Goku let out a low growl, "And you say you're my brother?! Something must be terribly wrong, because any brother of mine that hunt and kill people like animals is no brother of mine! "

Raditz scowled. "Just as I suspected, you're soft - "

"I hate to ruin the family reunion," Piccolo interrupted impatiently, grasping his white cape and turban, "but we did come here for a reason, right Goku?"

"Right!" Goku turned his head back to Raditz, staring at his older brother with nothing but pure determination. " You're going down!"

Raditz threw his head back, his shoulders moving up and down as he laughed boisterously. And here, he thought his brother couldn't get any more hopeless. Apparently, he was mistaken. "Don't be delusional, Kakarot."

Raditz watched as his younger brother charged at him with a battle cry, and than began throwing multiple attacks at him ranging from punches to kicks.

Raditz dodged all of Goku's attacks skillfully with ease, and sent a couple of swift punches at his brother, causing Goku to scream in pain each time one of his punches made contact.

Piccolo then stepped in, charging at Raditz, and fighting along side with Goku. Despite their efforts, however, neither of them were lasting long, forcing Piccolo and Goku, to quickly realize that unless they came up with something - anything - then they stood no chance of defeating the ridiculously long-haired Saiyan. It was as if no matter what they did, their attempts proved to be futile, and that statement proved to be true every time Raditz easily countered or deflected their attacks as if it was nothing, even when the both of them attempted to take him on simultaneously.

"You don't seem to value your life, Namekian."

Raditz sent Piccolo flying backwards with a blast, a blast so powerful that it shredded Piccolo's arm. He smirked at the sight, obviously pleased with the damage he dished out, before turning his attention back to his brother, "All of this could have been avoided, if you just listened," mocked Raditz as he continued to fight his brother, before suddenly delivering a hard kick towards Goku, sending him flying back as well due to the force of his kick.

Goku panted heavily as he staggered up, determined to win. He'd get his son back at all costs. He wouldn't let Raditz attain victory, brother or not, he had to be defeated. And with that thought in mind, Goku was prepared to charge again, but halted his movements when he heard Piccolo call his name.

"Huh? What is it?" Goku answered.

"I have a plan. I have an attack that can end him now, but you have to keep him busy for five minutes.

Goku nodded, "Okay. Got it." Five minutes he reminded himself mentally. All he had to do was keep him occupied for five minutes, and then this would all come to an end.

Goku charged at Raditz again. The both of them duking it out as soon as Goku reached his older brother, though it was needless to say that it was mostly one-sided on Goku's part, and Goku was well aware that'd it be one-sided, but he refused to back down. His son was counting on him, and he wouldn't let him down. So, if that meant that he had to engage Raditz in a battle he had no chance of winning at the moment, then so be it. He had all of his faith in Piccolo's plan.

Not even two minutes later after the spiky-haired Saiyan's resoultion, Raditz easily overpowered him, ultimately worsening his condition. But Goku, in a desperate need to buy time, suddenly held out his hands and positioned them, a blue orb beginning to come to life. "Kaaa-meeeh- haaa-meeh- HA!"

The long-haired Saiyan jolted back, startled at such a display, his eyes wide. How was that even possible? That amount ki coming from one attack. His scouter beeped, detecting the same thing happening with the Namekian. He immediately turned his attention towards Piccolo and growled. Damn it! He could do it, too?

Raditz was just about to launch at Piccolo, seemingly forgetting about his brother's earlier display, but Goku, whom had been preparing his attack the whole time, fired the Kamehameha wave, seizing the opportunity of Raditz being distracted.

Raditz cursed when he saw Goku's attack approaching, and quickly realizing that he wouldn't be able to run from it, held out his hands, nullifying the attack once it came close enough. Damn, he thought to himself, he couldn't get distracted like that again. With that said, he then fired a blast of his own, hitting Goku dead on and severely wounding him as a result.

The older brother of Goku stalked towards his brother in order to finish him off, but was interrupted, "SPECIAL BEAM CANON! "

Raditz mentally chastised himself, just barely dodging Piccolo's attack; for the attack hit his shoulder pads and injured his shoulder. Damn it! That was the second time! "I'm going to kill you!," he yelled angrily as he prepared to launch at Piccolo.

Goku quickly grabbed his tail, seizing yet another opportunity. "Piccolo!" Goku shouted loudly. "Do it again!"

Raditz eyes widened in fear. If he got hit with that, then it was over for him! And damn it, he wasn't ready to die yet! "No, wait! I'll change my ways!"

"Don't fall for it! It's a trick!" Piccolo called out, seeing the internal struggle Goku was having immediately following Raditz's words. He knew from experience just how soft-hearted and naïve Goku was. That fool was merciful, and had his head foolishly and blindly wrapped around the belief of giving second chances.

Goku loosened his hold and Raditz laughed evilly. The idiot actually fell for it! He couldn't believe it. "You fool! Now, you're going to die! " Raditz called out, flipping Goku over him in the process, before cruelly proceeding to stomp on his chest without mercy, causing him to scream out in agony.

"That was dirty!" yelled Goku.

Raditz shrugged, still stomping his chest, crushing a few of his ribs, smirking in the process. It wasn't his damn fault he fell for it. What the hell could he say? He was a manipulative bastard. He didn't fight fair, and certainly didn't play fair.

A sudden noise, the explosion of the space pod, caught everyone's attention, immediately diverting the two Saiyans and the Namekian's attention towards the source.

"LEAVE MY DADDY ALONE! " Gohan screamed in rage.

Raditz looked on at Gohan in shock, his mouth slightly agape as his nephew stared at him in pure anger along with murderous intent. He quickly checked his scouter, trying to find an answer as to how much Gohan's power level was stated to be. His power level ...it was so high, Raditz thought to himself when the scouter finally gave a reading. Something must be wrong with this thing, Raditz concluded afterwards, refusing to believe that Gohan's power level was as high as the scouter deemed it to be.

"How did you break out - "

Raditz words was cut off as soon as Gohan head butted him in the chest, cracking his armor in the process due to such unbelievable force, leaving Raditz wounded. Whether or not it was serious or not, he didn't have time to ponder on it.

"You little brat!" he growled in anger as he kicked him, knocking him out effectively and resulting him landing on the ground with a thud.

If his power was that high when his emotions went haywire. Then he needed to eliminate him for good.

Just as he was about to attack Gohan, he felt someone behind him. He turned his head to face the person that was behind him only to see the one person he'd nearly stomped to death. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Kakarot?"

Goku grabbed Raditz, ignoring his brother's question as he tightened his hold on him, this time having him in the full Nelson. He wasn't going to let go. Not this time. He wouldn't be tricked again! He wouldn't be fooled twice! "Piccolo, are you ready?!"

"Give me another minute! "

"You shouldn't have turned your back on us. Soon as you were attacked by Gohan, that left you open and as a result you die."

Raditz eyes widened, "No! Anything but that! I'll change my ways! I promise this time! You have to believe me!" He couldn't die!

"It's ready! " Piccolo informed.

"Piccolo, wait! "

Piccolo ignored Goku and fired the attack, the attack piercing through both, Goku and Raditz.

%%%

"Goku! Hold on, buddy! "

Krillin frantically ran to his best friend's side. "Are you okay? "

"I'll be okay. Tell Bulma to get Gohan for me, will you. "

"Sure thing, buddy. Here, you're just in luck. I happen to have a sensu bean on me. "

"That's good... Do me a favor and hand it to Raditz. "

"What?! Are you insane?!" Krillin inquired in shock.

"Trust me on this."

Krillin nodded, reluctantly walking over to Raditz to put the sensu bean in his mouth.

Raditz sat up, the affects of the sensu bean kicking into action. What the hell? Wasn't he just literally moments away from dying? "What is the meaning of this? Why didn't you let me die?"

"Ask Goku that," Krillin responded bitterly, not being able to look the Saiyan in the face that claimed to be Goku's brother. "That bean should have went to him." He shook his head in disbelief. Goku, he mentally thought, what were you thinking? Now...He shook his head, ceasing his thoughts. He didn't even want to think about it. He refused to think about it, but even so, he just knew that he'd be losing his best friend.

Raditz walked towards Goku and squatted beside him, ignoring the looks everyone else was giving him. "Why, Kakarot?" he questioned, truly curious. He was just going to do the same thing. He was just going to manipulate him again, and then kill him off, along with everyone else on this pathetic excuse of a planet. He had to have known that, right? Or had he really believed him? Guilt and remorse suddenly coursed within him, knowing full well that he didn't to deserve to be alive. Kakarot should be the one peering over him, not the other way around. He just didn't understand - No, he couldn't understand. After everything he has done to him...he was still treating him as if were a companion.

What was to say he wouldn't slaughter everyone off when his brother died? What was to say he wouldn't take Gohan with him in space?

Goku coughed, spitting up blood, diverting Raditz attention from his thoughts, and onto his dying brother. "I don't know." he answered honestly, shocking Raditz. "I really don't know... I even told myself that I wouldn't be... fooled twice. I had even told myself... that I would defeat you at all costs. I was even determined... yet, here I am...lying on the ground." He chuckled lightly, despite the situation. "I knew that you were probably just tricking me again, but I guess I just wanted to believe that there is some good in you, after all. It may not be there now, or it may be there...deep within you somewhere, but I..." Goku fell into a coughing fit, grimacing in pain.

Raditz looked at Goku in stunned silence, soaking in every thing his brother was telling him. He couldn't identify it, but he felt different somehow...he couldn't place it. He'd never been in a position in life where he was...confused? conflicted? Indecisive? Was those the words he was looking for? Was that how he was feeling right now? Everything in his life was just do or die, being under Frieza, those were the only options you had. Raditz gritted his teeth, aggravated with himself. Why the hell should he feel guilty? Why the hell was he feeling conflicted? And why the hell couldn't he think straight? He didn't ask for this. He was a Saiyan. He was a warrior, and he didn't need petty emotions. So what if Kakarott thought that there was some good in him. What the hell was that to him? Why should he care? He growled in frustration. Damn it! What the hell was wrong with him?

Goku smiled, closing his eyes. "The fact that you're so conflicted right now...has to mean that you have some good in you."

Raditz scowled, his eyebrows knitted together. "Kakarot, one last thing..." Raditz started, not sure why he was about to tell Kakarot something like this...but he supposed he deserved to know. "You should probably be informed of the arrival of my other two comrades: Vegeta and Nappa. They're Saiyans like us, and they'll be here in approxiamently two years. They're stronger than I..." He paused, his face suddenly contorting into an expression of aggravation, and frustration, before continuing, "this doesn't mean anything. Don't get any damn ideas because I didn't promise anything."

Goku nodded, coughing up blood as he did so, "Then, please, just promise me one thing..."

Realizing his brother didn't have much time left, he nodded instead of scowling and stating how he wouldn't promise anything, he replied, "What is it?"

"Just promise me...that you won't do anything to harm the inhabitants of Earth or this planet in any way until I come back."

Raditz shot Goku an incredulous look. "How is that even - "

"The dragon balls." he supplied.

"The stories are true, then?"

"I can't hold on much longer, but I'm pretty sure Bulma will inform you of everything. But before I go...I need to know what your answer is. "

Raditz scoffed. "Fine. I promise. " he stated. Just because he promised didn't mean he had to follow through with it. He just agreed because he at least thought he could tell him what he want to hear before he died, he at least owed him that, but like he said, that didn't mean he had follow through with it.

That answer seemed to satisfy Goku, for he exhaled one last time, before dying, his body vanishing moments afterwards.

"This is all you're fault, you know!" Krillin stated angrily."If you wouldn't have came here, then Goku would still be alive!"

Raditz looked at the short man, but said nothing, simply chosing to ignore him. His thoughts were running a mile a minute, and he didn't need the bald midget whining in his ear.

"Give me the kid." Piccolo demanded.

Everyone turned towards Piccolo, including Raditz.

"What do you want with him?" questioned Krillin, whirling around to face him.

"Not that it's any of your concern, but I'm going to train him. "

Raditz stood back up, "I'll come along, also."

Piccolo narrowed his eyes, proceeding to say no, but then a thought suddenly came to him. Keep your friends close - not that he had any friends; he had no need for something such as that - and keep your enemies closer. Make no mistake, he wasn't planning on keeping an eye on Raditz for the good of the Earth, or for Goku. No, he was simply making sure that Raditz didn't interfere with his plan for world domination. "Fine, just stay out of my way."

He snatched Gohan out of Bulma's hands and flew off.

Raditz growled. He could tell that he wasn't going to like this guy, but he took off behind him any way. In a way, he supposed that this was some sort of second chance, that he could either ignore or take. What that choice was going to be, he didn't know, nor did know why he was so conflicted or why his brothers words were repeatedly playing over and over in his head.

A/N: Thanks for all of your reviews :)

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Panxodakilla: I didn't expect anyone to be impressed the first chapter, but you probably will later on.