Chapter Text
He was always avoided. No one dared look in his eyes. He was deemed scary. No one spoke more than a few sentences to him. He was deemed wild and savage. No one wanted to get close to him. He was a murderer. No one wanted to talk to him except two: the Ice Bitch and the Ice Queen.
They ran the facility he had been locked in for ten years. The Ice Bitch funded and built this facility while the Ice Queen ran it only cowering to the demands of the Ice Bitch. He has been in worse places and treated brutally on other planets but this place, even with all their amenities, was still a prison.
He was confined to a room the size of an apartment. He had access to food. He was given reading materials, music, movies and television to understand the world around him.
But it was still a prison. The air he breathed was tainted to keep him weak. Twice a week, he was allowed to leave the room but his wrists were bound in wristbands filled with kilotons of electricity. One wrong move and he could be zapped like a bird on an unsealed powerline. He was away from his room for two hours. It wasn’t enough time to restore his strength. The Ice Bitch made sure of that.
The first three years, he tried to escape and in the last seven years, he resigned himself to this perilous fate. Seven years ago, Raditz lost his motivation to leave. Never did he imagine when the Ice Bitch visited, she would say the words he wanted to hear.
Goku is alive again. He’s back on Earth.
Thanks to the Ice Queen, Raditz knew of the Tenkaichi Budokai. He wanted to see how his nephews fare but the cameras were destroyed. The Ice Queen showed generosity providing him with a radio where they could listen to the tournament. It was here he learned Son Goku was a contestant. He thought it was a strange coincidence since that was the name his brother went by on Earth. Ice Queen was confused, too, but hours later when a monster calling himself Majin Boo destroyed cities, his brother battled the monster and disappeared.
That burned in Raditz’s mind for days and after the destruction and revival of Earth, the Ice Bitch visited. Raditz wanted answers.
“I saw Kakarot! You told me he was dead! Why did you lie to me?!”
“I didn’t lie. Goku was dead for seven years but he was allowed to visit for a day. Because of Majin Boo, he was granted a new life and he’s back on Earth.”
“And you deliberately kept his visit from me.” Raditz wouldn’t argue years ago the Ice Bitch was justified to keep the knowledge of his existence quiet but not after these years where he showed change. “I want to see him.”
“Goku’s busy reuniting with his family.”
“I’m his family!”
“You’re not the family he wants or did you forget he rejected you?”
Raditz didn’t care his brother rejected him then. Raditz was disgusted at the weak Saiyan his brother grew up to be. Now… it did hurt. “Things were different. I’m not that Saiyan anymore. I want to see my brother!”
But the Ice Bitch wouldn’t hear anymore. She left with the Ice Queen who didn’t agree with the Ice Bitch. She voiced her difference when they walked away from his cell.
“I don’t think you should forbid him, Bulma.”
“Don’t go against me on this, Adira. I’m already pissed with you. How could you let Raditz know about the tournament?”
“Is this because of Son Goku? You didn’t tell me he was returning.”
“You didn’t need to know like Raditz didn’t need to know about the Tenkaichi Budokai.”
“His nephews were participating. I thought he’d want to see them.”
“He doesn’t have a relationship with them.”
“How can he when he’s stuck here?”
“He kidnapped his eldest nephew when he was four years old!”
“He doesn’t seem to be that man anymore, Bulma. I think the years mellowed him like it did Vegeta.”
The Ice Bitch snorted. “Don’t let the mellowing appearance fool you. It could be a trap to let our guard down.”
“I think you’re saying that because of what Vegeta did.”
The rejection left Raditz with one option. If he wanted to see his brother, he had to escape. Over the years, Raditz learned a few things about his brother. The Ice Bitch wasn’t aware during their conversations, he was gathering information he could use later.
“Are you Kakarot’s concubine?”
“I’m too rich and beautiful to be anyone’s concubine. I was gathering dragon balls when I met Goku. I convinced him to be my bodyguard and look for dragon balls with me.”
“How? By opening your legs?”
“No! Goku was a kid. He was too dumb to see how hot I was at sixteen. It’s not his fault. He grew up on Mount Paozu.”
With access to books and maps, Raditz found Mount Paozu but he needed information on where he is and how far he will have to travel to find his brother. On the days he was allowed to step out of the facility, Raditz studied his surroundings. He noticed the trees and animals on the island. He had casual conversations with the Ice Bitch and Ice Queen to learn what food grew here and what food was shipped. He studied the seasons and discovered the weather varied from warm to hot. It never snowed and never received yearly water storms Earth people call hurricanes. He applied all this knowledge to his books and discovered he was likely on an island off a large mainland. There’s nothing popular about this land except it was home to the Red Ribbon Army.
Mount Paozu was on the other side of the world. It would be a journey finding his brother without his scouter but Raditz knew he could do it. This was his only chance to see his brother again. He couldn’t waste this opportunity like last time.
“He’s destroyed most of the world! What are you gonna do when he finds this place?!” Raditz was pissed. Some maniac was killing everyone on Earth. In the last twenty-four hours, television stations went offline. Phone coverage was spotty and only static was heard on the radio. Raditz didn’t care people were dead but he hated not knowing where Majin Boo was. That monster could find this place and Raditz wanted to be ready for him. “You may want to sit on your ass and wait for death but that’s not the Saiyan way. We have our pride. Even if it’s a lost cause, it’s better to go down fighting instead of doing nothing!”
The Ice Queen tried to reason with Raditz. “You could die against him.”
Raditz almost laughed. “Are you caring about me? The Ice Queen has a heart?”
“I’m being practical.”
“Practical,” Raditz knew he shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up. “Typical Ice Queen.”
“You’re still calling me that,” she huffed frustrated. “I hate that name!” The Ice Queen never cared when he called her that. She wasn’t rattled and nothing appeared to get under her skin hence his nickname for her but Majin Boo cracked her cool façade. “So many people are dead, Raditz. My parents are gone. We’re probably among the last group on Earth. Call me by my name.”
“Fine….. Adira. Majin Boo will find this place and blow us up like he’s done all the cities on this planet. Give me my honor and pride back and let me die fighting.”
Raditz expected Adira to say ‘No’. Her stare could be cold and clinical but there were times her eyes gave away her thoughts. She wasn’t like the Ice Bitch. She was a genius like her but humble and reserved. Perhaps it was her being the only constant woman in ten years but Raditz thought Adira was attractive for an Earthling. Her sable hair reminded him of Saiyan women. Over the years, she changed it from short to long and curled to straight. Her hair was everchanging like her eyes. He was struck when he noticed how wondrously violet her eyes were under lights and away it appeared a cobalt blue as deep as the ocean. Sometimes he stared at her to see the colors bounce between blue and purple. She never noticed his stares. She was too cold and clinical.
“All right,” Adira gave in. “I’ll let you go. I’ll free you.” As Adira typed in the code to open the door, showers of pink light doused the area. Raditz jumped around avoiding the light. He didn’t know what it was but instincts told him to avoid it. When the showers passed, Raditz saw pieces of his room charred. The door still bolted the room shut but the weird showers created holes in the glass barrier.
“Adira?” Did the showers force her to run away? Raditz stepped out of his room. “Where are you?” Raditz walked around the facility. How far did she go? Raditz knew from Adira the fully staffed facility was reduced to a skeleton crew. Majin Boo caused many workers to leave and be with their families.
Adira, despite having parents and siblings, stayed.
Raditz picked up a cell phone off the floor. He listened for a voice but heard nothing. Walking further, Raditz saw an open book and an iPad on the floor. The screen was scratched. It gave Raditz a cold feeling. The pink shower was Majin Boo’s energy. He killed everyone touched by it.
“Adira.” Majin Boo killed her and he didn’t see it.
Raditz rationed his next move. Majin Boo wouldn’t return so soon after killing everyone here. He also needed to prepare. The room he was enclosed in had doctored air. It weakened him. Raditz needed hours before feeling at full strength. Until then, he ate to replenish himself and exercised. A couple of hours passed when Raditz felt strong enough to try flying. He stepped out of the facility to see the skies turning a dark pink. The ground under him trembled.
“What the----” Raditz gasped as a massive wave swallowed the island. Raditz swam while his body jostled in the ocean. His ears were deafened by the crashing waves and the facility structure breaking in the water. Bouncing around Raditz couldn’t tell if he was swimming up or down. He just swam hoping to reach the surface.
There! He saw it. Light! Raditz swam toward it thinking it was the surface. Almost there he told himself. A little further he--- The light was moving to him and getting brighter.
This wasn’t sunlight Raditz realized as the heat of Majin Boo’s energy swallowed him. It was instant and painless.
Raditz’s memories were fuzzy after that. He remembered a temple and a large man behind a desk. That was all he could recall before he found himself on the island again.
Raditz wasn’t alone. Adira and the rest of the staff were on the island, too. They were trying to piece together what happened when Raditz heard his brother and Prince Vegeta above them.
“Earthlings!! Do you want to be killed by Majin Boo again?! You have a chance to save your planet!!”
“Everyone! Please! Give all the energy you can! We can’t stop Majin Boo without you!”
“Is that Prince Vegeta and Kakarot?”
“They want us to raise our hands.” Adira raised her hands. “How will this help defeat Majin Boo?”
“Prince Vegeta and Kakarot found a way to defeat Majin Boo.” Raditz raised his hands. “We should do it.” Only he and Adira had their hands up. “What are you waiting for?!” Raditz barked at the other staff members. “Do it!”
Everyone raised their hands. Raditz was going to curse their resistance when he saw Adira smiling at him. “What?”
“You used to hate them. Now you’re helping them. You’ve changed.”
Adira’s smile was slightly unnerving. She smiled but never at him. Despite their loss of energy, everyone kept their hands up until the battle was over. Cheers broke out when Mr. Satan confirmed Majin Boo was gone, but when the cheers died, reality sunk in Raditz was not in his cell and not wearing the wristbands he was forced to wear outside.
Security quickly drew their guns on Raditz. Each gun had massive charges of electricity. Raditz rationed he could subdue them but he would suffer injuries, too. “Come at me,” Raditz challenged them.
“Wait!” Adira jumped between Raditz and security. “You need to go back to your cell.”
Raditz laughed. “That room can’t hold me. It received massive damage. I can kill you and finally leave this place.”
“You could.” Even Adira knew Raditz couldn’t be stopped. “But you proved you have changed. I can
present this to Bulma. You’ll be free to leave on your own.”
“I can do that now.”
“You’re still naïve to the world. You need a guide. I’ll help you,” she offered. “I’ll help you get a place and integrate. It’ll be easier with a guide than on your own.”
Adira’s offer was better than the alternative. It wouldn’t be easy and after ten years of confinement, Raditz wanted an easier life. Raditz stayed in a spare room while repairs quickly went underway to his cell. When he returned, Raditz noticed his room wasn’t secure. There was a hole not repaired. Fresh air leaked into the room doctoring the tainted air he was forced to breathe. Raditz kept this to himself as he waited for Bulma to return. He waited a month.
Adira went over a rehabilitation plan for Raditz. Raditz didn’t care about being around humans. He was excited to be free and he wanted to see his brother.
When Bulma returned, Adira excitedly explained Raditz’s behavior over the Majin Boo ordeal and her plan to integrate him into society. Years ago, Bulma offered Raditz a new life on Earth if he changed. Then, Raditz was vengeful, murderous and filled with anger. He didn’t want to change but ten years of confinement softened Raditz to consider her and now she reneged.
This drove Raditz to coordinate his escape.
It was still dark when the chime of Bulma’s phone awakened her. She was in a deep fog of sleep and didn’t recognize the tone. Who would be calling her this early?
“Shut that thing off before I shut it for you,” Vegeta sleepily threatened as he rolled over.
Bulma reached for the phone on her nightstand as the ringing stopped. 3:12 a.m. Calls at this time can’t be good but Bulma figured it was a wrong number. She didn’t bother to check the name on her missed call as she rolled back in bed.
Her phone rang again.
“Bulma….” Vegeta warned.
Bulma brushed off Vegeta’s annoyance as she rolled over. “It’s not as if you have to get up early for work.” Bulma picked up the phone again and bolted upright when she saw the person calling her.
Adira.
“What is it?” The room was dark but Vegeta noticed Bulma’s shuffling.
“Work.” Bulma swung her legs out of bed and stood up. “I’ll take it in the other room. Go back to sleep.” She closed off their bedroom door and leaned against it. “Adira?” Bulma whispered.
“Sorry, Bulma. This can’t wait until morning. We got a problem.”
“I figured.” Bulma fought off a yawn. “What did he do this time?”
“He almost broke out.”
“What?!” Bulma clamped her hand over her mouth. She stepped away from the door and settled on the sofa of her adjacent suite. “How?”
“Don’t know. Security is still looking into it. We had to gas the building. Security had to use three times as much electro charges on him. He’s contained but he was hurt.”
“Any fatalities?”
“No. He’s different now.”
“Different? Did you forget the outbreaks when we first contained him? Ten men died.”
“That was years ago. Raditz could’ve killed but he didn’t. He disarmed and knocked security out. Raditz won’t kill again. He wants out and to see his brother.”
Bulma wanted that to be true but recent experiences left her cautious. “It could be a trap.”
“He hasn’t tried to break out in seven years. He’s read books. He’s studied maps. He’s trying all kinds of cuisines. He’s watching sports games. He wants to embrace our world.”
Bulma flipped on a lamp and sifted the drawer of the end table for her cigarette case and lighter. “I made an offer to him years ago and he rejected it. ‘As soon as I get out of here, I will kill everyone on this planet. Starting with you, Ice Bitch.’ Those were his exact words.”
“He’s mellowed since then.”
Bulma closed the drawer annoyed. Vegeta either hid or threw out her case and lighter. Again. “I thought the same with Vegeta until the Tenkaichi Budokai.”
Adira knew that was a sore spot for Bulma. Cameras were destroyed so no one outside the stadium saw the footage. Adira and Raditz listened to the radio broadcast of Vegeta killing people. Reports came out hours later people who were killed at the tournament were alive. It would’ve been a major news story for days if not for Majin Boo. Adira thought that was a good thing since it meant everyone forgot what Vegeta did. If the news researched and tied him to Bulma. It would’ve created a massive media mess for Bulma and her family. It could’ve put what they were doing with Raditz in the spotlight.
“You told me he wasn’t in his right mind. He’s not at fault.”
Adira didn’t know the full truth and Bulma didn't want to tell her. That day had Bulma second-guessing everything. “We should be extra cautious. Vegeta has lived openly among humans for years and he fell off the wagon. We can’t trust Raditz. He tried to break out again.”
“What choice did he have after you refused to give Raditz a chance?!” Adira lost her patience. “He’s been cooped here for a decade.”
“Oh, please!” Bulma slammed another draw shut. Did Vegeta throw away all her cigarettes? “It’s not a real jail. Raditz’s room is half the size of a gymnasium. He can exercise. He has a kitchen. He has a bath. He has a TV and access to books, music and movies.”
“It’s not the same as real experience and,” Adira braced herself for Bulma’s blowup. “….. he has a family.”
“A brother who would not want to see him.”
“I don’t know Son Goku, Bulma, but maybe he would want to see his brother. You have to give him that choice. Raditz should hear it from his brother.”
Bulma plopped on the sofa giving up her search for cigarettes. “You weren’t there, Adira. You didn’t see what Raditz did. He was heartless. He hurt Goku. He took his son. Goku died because of Raditz.”
“And you revived Raditz knowing all that,” Adira reminded Bulma. “You have to come clean with this. If you don’t, I will.”
“What?”
“You brought me on this project to reach a goal with Raditz. We did that. The least we can do is give Raditz what he wants. Let him meet his brother.”
Bulma knew that wasn’t as easy as it sounded. She was there that day when Raditz told Goku he wasn’t human, knocked him down with one punch and kidnapped his son. Bulma went into this with the best intentions but unintentionally created secrets that would hurt the people she cared for.
If Goku finds out about Raditz and what I did, he’ll hate me. What will Vegeta do?
“Raditz wants to see you, too.”
“I figured as much.” Bulma squeezed the bridge of her nose wondering how to work this out without drawing suspicions. Her father knew about it but not her mother. If her mother knew, this secret would’ve been exposed years ago and the first person she would have told is Vegeta. “I’ll let my parents know they have to get Trunks ready for school. I can be there in two hours.”
Bulma turned off her phone and pushed herself off the sofa. Dammit. What a mess. She had to shower and get some coffee in her before she left. “I need a cigarette,” Bulma yawned as she opened the door. She jolted when Vegeta stood on the other side. Bulma took a step back fearing the worst. He wasn’t Namekian but Saiyans do have sharp ears.
“Bulma, what the hell have you been up to?”
Bulma brushed past him and pretended she didn’t know. “Up to what, Vegeta? It was a work call. Unlike Saiyans who train all day, Earthlings have to work.”
“Earthlings don’t get middle-of-the-night calls unless they are leaders.”
“And owners of billion Zeni companies.” Bulma pulled a dress from her closet.
“Where are you going?”
“There’s an issue at one of our facilities. An explosion,” Bulma lied. “I’m checking the damages. I’ll be gone for a few hours.”
Vegeta extended his arm in front of the bathroom. “Are you using this to get away from me?”
Bulma pushed but Vegeta wouldn’t move. “Not everything is about you, Vegeta.”
“I apologized. It was a mistake. I won’t do it again.”
“Because Bobbidi isn’t here? What happens when the next wizard shows up with unlimited power and all you have to do is sell your soul?”
Vegeta didn’t resist when Bulma pushed again. She brushed past Vegeta into the bathroom and shut the door. When Bulma stepped out, Vegeta was gone. He left a note on the door. “Coffee and your airship will be ready for you. I’ll inform your parents to watch Trunks.”
Bulma smiled at the card tenderly. She was angry with Vegeta but he was trying to atone. Maybe when this Raditz thing is settled we can talk.
Bulma grabbed her coffee and hopped into the airship Vegeta left running for her. She was unaware of Vegeta hiding in the back. The Saiyan knew Bulma was hiding something from him. Bulma always shared issues going on with Capsule Corporation. He didn’t offer an opinion but he noticed when Bulma didn’t share. He noticed when Bulma took calls in front of him and the rare times she left the room. He felt it in his blood Bulma was hiding something from him and with things strained with them, he couldn’t allow it to go further. So he stowed on the airship to find answers.
When the ship touched down, Vegeta immediately felt a Ki. It was familiar but Vegeta couldn’t pinpoint who it was. He stayed on the ship as Bulma greeted Adira and walked in the opposite direction of the Ki. This allowed Vegeta to track it alone. He followed the Ki to the lower levels of the facility. There was security around but no one questioned Vegeta’s appearance since they knew of him and his connection to the Briefs family.
Vegeta tracked the Ki to an iron door guarded by two armed men. They noticed Vegeta and acknowledged him with a nod. “Open the door,” he commanded. One armed man looked hesitant but did as ordered and unlocked the door.
“He’s dangerous,” the armed guard warned Vegeta. “We had a hard time containing him.”
“Understood,” Vegeta played along. “But I can handle him.” Vegeta stepped into the dark room wondering who they were referring to and why his Ki felt familiar. Lights from the cell drew Vegeta that when he reached it, he froze.
It’s impossible. He should be dead!
In a cylinder cell, Raditz stood bound with chains on his wrists and collar. His clothes torn in his attempt to escape was stripped in confinement which left him in black boxers. There were dark, red burns on Raditz’s chest. If not for his long hair, Vegeta suspected burns were on his back, too. He wore a mask over his mouth. His head was bowed and his eyes were closed. He hadn’t noticed Vegeta circling his prisoned chamber.
He hasn’t mastered sensing Ki.
“Raditz.”
Raditz’s tired eyes opened and widened slightly when he saw Vegeta. “Prince Vegeta.”
“Oh, shit.”
Vegeta turned at that soft voice. Bulma and Adira arrived. Adira appeared calm while Bulma was horrified. He could see it in her eyes her shock at him. “How did you get here?”
“Fuck that.” Vegeta wasn’t going to answer when she owed him an explanation. “What the hell is this, Bulma?”
Earlier, Adira greeted Bulma on the heliport when she touched down. Bulma stepped out of the ship and looked around. From the outside, the facility looked in perfect condition. “I expected some damage.” Bulma removed her dark shades and walked with Adira inside the building. “Raditz’s last major escape damaged the East Wing for months.”
“We fortified things since but there’s heavy damage internally. He got the East Wing again. The armory received heavy damage. Two of the labs are destroyed.”
As Adira talked, Bulma surveyed the damage. There were basketball-sized holes in walls and light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Two hallways were unsafe to cross. The elevator wasn’t serviceable so they took the stairs to the underground area where Raditz was held.
“Any updates on how Raditz got out?”
“We found an air leak in his room. We did a rush job fixing Raditz’s room after Majin Boo no one caught it.”
“Ah, damn,” Bulma groaned. “He’s been getting stronger all this time and waited for the right moment. Is he properly sealed?”
“Yes,” Adira hesitantly answered, “He’s weaker again, bound and suffered some bruising from the electro charges, but, Bulma, I don’t agree with this protocol. It’s not humane.”
“Not humane?” Bulma gestured to the destruction around them. “Look at what Raditz did. We can’t go easy on him.”
“I know,” Adira agreed. “I was here when it happened but…..” how to explain she wondered. “It’s not right.”
“Is there something I should know?” Adira always followed Bulma’s orders on dealing with Raditz when he got out of line. This was the first time Adira questioned her authority. “Do you have feelings for Raditz?”
“Bulma.” Adira was offended. “I’ve watched Raditz over the years. I’ve seen him change. I’m speaking as a professional and his doctor.”
Bulma wagged a finger. Something wasn’t right about this. “I wondered about you since your divorce.”
“That was five years ago.”
“You haven’t dated much.” That was a red flag to Bulma. Adira was beautiful. She had a movie star face and a tall and statuesque model figure. A woman with her looks and brains would not be single long unless she wanted it or had eyes on someone. “Most of your time has been here with Raditz. He’s affecting you.”
They were approaching the iron door. Adira scanned her badge on the door. It opened. “He’s not affecting me. I think what Vegeta did is blinding you from rationality.”
“Miss Briefs,” an armed guard tried to warn Bulma but she stepped into the room with Adira and ignored the guard.
“I have my problems with Vegeta now but he’s--- oh, shit.” Vegeta! He was standing in front of Raditz’s cell. What was he doing here? Did he follow her? “How did you get here?”
“Fuck that.” Vegeta brushed off her question. “What the hell is this, Bulma?”
Her heart never beat so fast. She never felt so exposed. She never saw Vegeta so livid at her.
No. Not now. This wasn’t how Bulma wanted Vegeta to know. She wanted to ease him into the situation gently. “I can explain.”
“I hope you can because what the hell, Bulma?!” Vegeta roared. Bulma could annoy him but she never angered him. He never felt betrayed by her but that’s what he felt seeing Raditz chained and bruised. “Why is Raditz here? Why is he like this?!”
It galled him to see a fellow Saiyan like this. Years ago, he wouldn’t have cared but when Goku died and the remaining Saiyans were Gohan, Trunks and eventually Goten, Vegeta’s mindset changed. He felt a responsibility to the last of his kind and to see a fellow Saiyan in this condition and knowing his mate had a hand in it, sickened him.
“It doesn’t look like it, Vegeta,” Bulma began her story, “but I wanted to do the right thing.”
Twelve Years Ago
Goku was dead. Gohan was kidnapped by Piccolo and wouldn’t return him for a year. Their reunion was a disaster and as Bulma. Master Roshi and Krillin stared down Raditz’s dead body, they were lost on their next move.
“What do we do with him?” Krillin wondered. “Can we leave a dead body lying like this?”
“Wouldn’t be a smart idea, Krillin. We passed that farmer on the way over. Someone will come looking for him. They’ll find Raditz.” Master Roshi had one solution to the dilemma. “We gotta get rid of him.”
Krillin caught Bulma and Master Roshi’s stares. “You’re kidding me!” Krillin protested. “Why do I have to bury him?”
“I’m not touching a dead body.” Bulma opened her pocket of capsules. “I’m sure I have shovels in here.”
Master Roshi removed his surcoat. “I’ll help you, Krillin.”
Once Raditz was buried, Bulma flew Krillin and Master Roshi back to the island. Burying Raditz sounded like the right idea but hours later, Bulma had doubts. “It’s a shame Goku had a brother and he turned out like that. We could’ve learned so much.”
“About kidnapping uncles?” Krillin quipped.
“About Saiyans. Imagine scientifically what we could’ve learned. Think of what Goku could’ve learned about his parents. His past is a blank.”
“Goku doesn’t care about that stuff.” Krillin pulled off his shoes and shook the dirt off. “I learned unless he’s from Earth, the only good Saiyan is a dead Saiyan. Bulma, we got two more of these coming to Earth to kill us. If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask them then?”
Vegeta couldn’t mask his disgust at how this story began. “If you buried Raditz, what the hell did you do? Dig him back up?!”
“No.” Bulma would never do that. “My Dad did.” Vegeta threw his hands up. “While Krillin and I were getting Yamcha and Tien caught up, I called my Dad and told him about Raditz. He agreed with me. He got the robots to dig up Raditz’s body and put him in the capsule I stored Krillin and Master Roshi in when King Piccolo was causing trouble.”
Vegeta was vaguely aware of that story and the preservation capsules. “So, when I came to live with you, Raditz was there?”
“Raditz was here. I thought about going back on my plan when you moved in but you were so closed off about Saiyans and you can’t tell us anything about Goku’s parents. When Goku was on Yardrat, I looked for the dragon balls with Yamcha.”
“He knows?!”
If Yamcha knew, he never would’ve helped. “I told him I wanted to collect dragon balls in case we needed them for an emergency.”
“Wait,” Vegeta remembered that day the skies darkened in the afternoon. “Was that the day you confessed using dragon balls to find your missing purse?!”
“Yeah,” Bulma confessed sheepishly. Vegeta wasn’t the only one to question her. Yamcha and Piccolo did, too. “Raditz was in a state of rage. He destroyed the capsule, robots and killed a couple of guards. It wasn’t easy containing him but we did. I offered Raditz a second chance and he rejected it so I kept him here.”
“I see.” Vegeta understood Raditz’s rage. He would’ve done the same. He looked at Adira. “And how do you fit into all of this?”
“I couldn’t be here monitoring Raditz all the time,” Bulma explained. “Besides, my genius level of science is in engineering and tech. Adira’s specialties are genetics, biology and physiology. She’s the best person to monitor Raditz and study Saiyans.”
“Study Saiyans.” It was so insulting to Vegeta. “He’s not a lab rat! He’s a Saiyan. A warrior!”
“We never poke and prodded Raditz, Vegeta. We provided him with a comfortable room. He had plenty of food, a bathroom, books and a TV.”
Raditz snarled. She spoke as if it was a paradise. “That room had tainted air to keep me weak. You let me out of that cage twice a week for two hours.” He raised his hands to show his steel wristbands. “I had to wear these whenever I left and if I got out of line, I was electrocuted!”
“I ordered that because the first three years you were out of control! You were constantly trying to break out. Ten men died because of you while more were injured.” Bulma knew the methods were cruel but felt she didn’t have a choice. Raditz could not be reasoned with. “When Vegeta came to live with me, he never acted like you even though he was a murderer then.”
“All right,” Vegeta intervened. If he hadn’t, Bulma and Raditz would be arguing with each other and blaming the other for Raditz’s imprisonment. “Did you check on him?”
“Every few months. I talked about you and Goku. I thought that would inspire him to change. He knows about you two being Super Saiyans. He knows Freeza is gone. He knows about Cell.”
“Kakarot is back. Does Raditz know?”
Bulma had her eyes on Adira when she said, “I would have broken the news differently but someone jumped the gun.”
Adira ignored the blame pushed on her. Instead, she noted Vegeta’s anger and thought to use that to Raditz’s advantage to bring the one who could resolve this. “Son Goku’s return triggered Raditz’s outbreak. When Son Goku died at the Cell Game, Raditz changed. He stopped trying to break out. He began accepting life on Earth. He was curious about his nephews. He wanted to fight Majin Boo and when he heard you and Son Goku ask for power, he raised his hands. He got the rest of us to donate, too.”
“Majin Boo.” Vegeta was still processing Raditz was alive. It hadn’t clicked he was here when Majin Boo was destroying the planet.
“Yes. The facility was damaged. Raditz could’ve left but he stayed to show he wasn’t a killer anymore. He wants to show he can be trusted.”
Vegeta had an idea what happened but he asked. “What happened after that?”
Bulma’s silence forced Adira to talk. “Bulma didn’t think Raditz was ready. Raditz lost hope he would get out and he broke out. He did it because he wants to see his brother.”
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?” Bulma didn’t answer but Vegeta knew it was true. “Dammit.”
“I was being cautious,” Bulma defended her decision. “I wanted to give Raditz more time to prove himself. His break out validates my concerns.”
“Validate. Validate,” Vegeta muttered as he paced. He was so angry. How could Bulma do this? “You have the nerve to be pissed over what happened with Bobbidi while you’ve been hiding this shit for years?! I’ve been walking on eggshells around you! Fuck!” Vegeta punched the glass cylinder holding Raditz. It shattered under his impact. Vegeta stepped over the broken glass and ripped the mask over Raditz’s mouth.
“Vegeta, don’t—”
Bulma tried to warn him but as Vegeta touched the manacles on Raditz’s wrists, a charge of electricity ripped through Raditz and Vegeta. While Raditz screamed in pain, the electrical charges stung Vegeta as if pricked with needles. Vegeta rippled the chains off Raditz’s wrists and collar and tossed them away. Weak, Raditz fell forward. Vegeta stumbled slightly at the sudden weight of the tall Saiyan against him.
Vegeta carried out Raditz and laid him on the floor. “I’ll be back,” he vowed and stormed past Bulma.
“Where are you going?!”
“To do what you should’ve done!”
“Vegeta!!” Bulma called but he didn’t come back. “Dammit!” She knew where Vegeta was going. It’s over.
Adira gently pulled Raditz to stand. “Uhh!” she wobbled at the heavy Saiyan pressing his weight on her. “We should get him out.” She slipped on a cracked glass but smacked her face against the wall. It hurt but she caught herself. “Vegeta could’ve helped get Raditz out of here. Where did he go?”
Bulma looked back at Adira struggling to hold up Raditz. He nearly swallowed her body which was no easy feat considering Adira was nearly six feet in height without heels. Bulma grabbed Raditz’s right arm and helped Adira drag him out.
“Vegeta’s getting Goku.”
“Vegeta?” Goku turned off his tractor as the Saiyan Prince descended from the sky. Vegeta never came to the farm unless forced to by Bulma. Goku stepped out of his tractor and wiped sweat from his face and neck. Farmwork didn’t tire him but the summer heat was strong this week. “I wonder what’s up.” Vegeta wasn’t wearing his normal scowl but Goku could tell something was on Vegeta’s mind. “I can’t spar today, Vegeta. It’s harvest week for the tomatoes and cucumbers. Maybe the peppers, too. Chi-Chi’s gonna check on them when she comes with lunch.”
“I’m not here for a spar, Kakarot.” He had the entire time from leaving the facility to think of the right words but he still didn’t know how to say it. Probably because I’m still in shock, too. I can’t believe he’s alive.
“What are you here for?” Goku went around to the other side of the tractor. He opened the door to dig into the cooler of drinks Chi-Chi packed for him.
For years, Vegeta hated Goku. He wanted him dead. This man destroyed his pride and humiliated him with his skills and strength, but he also inspired Vegeta, helping him to attain Super Saiyan and showing him there is life besides fighting. Ten years ago. Fifteen years ago, Vegeta would’ve loved to drop this news on Goku. He would’ve loved to see the shock and horror on his face. Now, Vegeta was empathetic to Goku and what this news will do to him.
“I have something to tell you, Kakarot. It’s serious.”
“A new enemy?” Goku guessed as he guzzled his water. “It’s so soon. We usually get a few years break. Chi-Chi won’t like it since that means I won’t be working on the farm but I’m always up to fight a strong opponent.”
Kakarot can beat him now. “I don’t think he’s an enemy anymore and you’re stronger than him now. He is someone from your past and he wants to see you.”
Goku put the empty bottle into the cooler and reached for another one. “Hmm.” Goku shook his frozen bottle. He gently raised his Ki to melt the ice. “Someone weak wants to see me? Who and how do you know him?”
“It’s complicated, Kakarot.” Just say it! his mind screamed but Vegeta couldn’t formulate the words and it didn’t help Goku wore his charismatic smile and looked at him with innocent eyes that sent Vegeta into a panic. “I didn’t know he was alive, Kakarot. I didn’t know he was here but I’m doing the right thing telling you.”
“You ain’t told me anything!” Why was Vegeta so hesitant to say who wants to see him? “Do you wanna tell Chi-Chi so she can tell me? She’s good at breaking news to me.”
Ah, hell no! I refuse to be in the same room when she knows!
“No!” Vegeta panicked. “No,” he repeated calmer. Vegeta exhaled. He faced Freeza. He faced Majin Boo. He can tell Goku this. “I was shocked when I saw him, Kakarot. I thought he was dead. I can’t believe he’s alive.”
There was something in Vegeta’s voice that worried Goku. It wasn’t fear but Vegeta was bothered and the way he insisted he didn’t know….. “Who?” Goku probed for an answer. “Who did you see, Vegeta?”
“Raditz, Kakarot,” Vegeta finally said. “Your brother…is alive.”