Chapter 2: Radditz's Search
It was hard to tell whether the Saiyan stepping from the transport was a boy or a man. His face still had the look of youth, and his small stature suggested he'd been born just over a decade ago. Still, the wild, dark mane of hair that ran down his back and reached to his knees said that this was no boy, but a warrior born to fight, and a true example of what a young Saiyan should be.
He walked quickly across the landing strip, trading nods with the few workers he knew by name.
"Nice job on Pantos, kid!" one of them called. "I hear you didn't leave a trace!"
"You heard right." He never even slowed down, for he had a purpose in mind. I'm going to find you this time…whoever you are.
"So you're the one called Radditz?" a voice asked.
Radditz stopped as he recognized the owner of the voice, and slowly turned around, his eyes widening in surprise. "Y-Yes, s-sir," he stammered.
Prince Vegeta smiled thinly at the older boy's hesitation. "And is it true that you're the son of a low-level soldier?"
Radditz blinked slowly, then frowned. "My father is dead."
"Are you sure?"
"No, but he might as well be. He wouldn't matter to me unless he was an Elite, or better."
"A good attitude to have," Vegeta said amiably. "Walk with me, Radditz. We have things to discuss, you and I."
Startled by the prince's invitation, Radditz only nodded and fell in step beside him as they left the landing strip. I guess my search can wait a few more hours. But I know he's here; I can sense it! I'm going to find you, Father. Then we'll see what kind of Saiyan you really are, and if you can live up to my expectations.
* * * * *
Bardock wasn't sure what he expected Fasha's room to look like. However, he certainly hadn't expected…
"Candles?!" he snickered.
Fasha glared at him. "Some of us need a break from the destruction every once and a while. They help me relax, and they're good for meditation." "You meditate?" Bardock managed to hold in his snicker this time.
"Yes, it's good for focus. You should try it. Maybe you wouldn't get wounded as much in fights."
He narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means since there's more of you than me, there's more of you to hit. Watch and learn." Fasha slammed a fist into his abdomen, smirking with satisfaction as he crumpled to the floor. "That was for the candles remark. Dragging yourself over to the bed should be punishment enough for wanting to laugh at the meditation."
Bardock took a deep breath and managed to glare up at her retreating back. "Enjoy being able to do that while you can!" He groaned and slowly crawled over to the bed. It only took him three tries to actually sit on it. I soon as I get my strength back, I'll teach her some respect. Then we'll see how quick she is to throw a punch at me. Where'd she go, anyway?
"I assume you don't care for tea, either?" Fasha asked, suddenly behind him.
He grunted. "Nothing's bad if you drink it fast enough."
Fasha shook her head and handed him the mug. "Well, I made it really hot. You might want to take your time."
Bardock was already wiping his mouth before she was done. "What?"
She sighed. "Never mind. Take off your armor."
He stiffened noticeably. "Why?"
"You just got out of the tank, so your pores are wide open. That's the best time for a massage." She grinned at his back. "I'm not gonna hit you anymore, if that's what you're worried about. Unless, of course, you give me a reason to."
Bardock turned to look back at her. "And this has nothing to do with you wanting to see my chest?"
"Of course not. I see that all the time, as much abuse as your armor takes. Although it's not soaked in blood right now…"
He considered that, then began to slide the armor off.
As Fasha went to gather the oil, she heard Bardock call her. "What?"
"What's a massage?" he asked.
Fasha chuckled. "I should've known. The man's probably never relaxed a day in his life."
* * * * *
"Ah, here it is!" The attendant dusted off a stack of files and rifled through them. "Let's see…what's his name again?"
Prince Vegeta glanced at Radditz, who turned a slight shade of red. "Actually…I don't know. I was hoping I could search all the files for the third sector."
The attendant frowned. "I can't allow that. You'd need authorization-"
"He has it," Vegeta interrupted, glaring at the man.
The attendant gulped. "Yes, s-sir!" He quickly pulled out the files and dropped them on the desk. "Anything else I can help you with?"
"No," Vegeta replied. "Leave now."
The attendant hurried off as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Well, that should do it." Vegeta brushed some dust from his gloves. "Let me know if you find anything interesting."
Radditz nodded. "I will. Thank you, Prince."
Vegeta returned the nod and walked away. It must be strange, never knowing your father. Of course, if he isn't one of the Elite, there's almost no point in finding him…
Radditz sat down and began to look through the files. I'll find you, Father. Even if it takes all week, I'll find you.
* * * * *
It wasn't a very crowded funeral. All the same, Bardock knew that the person in the coffin was important. They've got to be, if Prince Vegeta showed up.
The prince stood in front of the mourners. He had grown considerably, and was now a man. He wore his usual armor with a dark blue cape hanging from the shoulder pads. "We are gathered here today to bid a true Saiyan farewell."
Bardock stopped listening and looked at some of the people in attendance. He was surprised to find a man that looked a lot like him. That's impossible! Unless, it's…Kakarott? And the one beside him…that must be Radditz! I'd know that hair anywhere!
Prince Vegeta's voice suddenly broke into his thoughts. "And so we say goodbye to Bardock…"
No big surprise there. It's not like I haven't died in my dreams before. Only this time, something's really bothering me…
But then Vegeta added something that made Bardock's blood run cold.
"He is survived by his three sons: Radditz, Kakarott, and a nameless third son."
What? Nameless third son…? Every Saiyan has a name, why wouldn't he?
Suddenly, the mourners vanished, and Bardock found himself standing before at tombstone. He had a good idea of who was buried there, but decided to read the inscription anyway.
"Here lies Bardock, father of Radditz, Kakarott, and ______."
He still doesn't have a name. Why…?
"Oh, I have a name," a voice behind him said. "You just don't know it."
Bardock spun around, coming face to face with the third son. He was tall, but at average height for a healthy Saiyan. His wild hair seemed to explode from his head, much like Bardock's. Although his skin was a few shades darker, there was no doubt in Bardock's mind that this was his son.
I almost thought he was Kakarott at first…they look so much alike! But something's wrong…his eyes…yes, that must be it. There's something wrong…with his…eyes…
His eyes were filled with something more than hatred, something beyond evil intentions. They were filled with chaos, mercilessness, and destruction.
"I have a name, Father," the son repeated. "But I had to give it to myself, because no one else cared enough to give me one. They tried to kill me; they said I was too weak to be a real Saiyan. Do I look weak? No, of course not. I made myself strong, and I'll never stop until I am the most powerful force in the universe. And when I reach that point, I'll destroy everything that reminds me of where I came from…and I'll start…WITH YOU!"
Before Bardock could move, the son's hands were around his throat, strangling him.
"Yes, that's it! Beg! Even though you won't get any from me, BEG FOR MERCY!"
Bardock fell to his knees, gagging and trying to pull away, but the grip was too strong to fight.
The son smiled evilly, and his voice fell to a whisper. "You wanted to know my name, Father? Well, I'll tell you." He leaned in close, staring deep into Bardock's eyes. "I am the one that will destroy you and everything you care about. I am both your destiny, and your doom. I…am…TURLES!!!"
Continued in Chapter 3: The Beginning of the End
Radditz gets closer to finding his father, while Bardock reveals his nightmares to Fasha. However, her reaction is a very unexpected one…
