Striking the Heart
The Prologue
It was early Monday morning and Goku's alarm buzzed off at six as usual. Turning it off, he turned over to his slumbering wife who was still fast asleep. He smiled. She was beautiful during her last hour of sleep. She was at peace and she looked so calm. He kissed her shoulder gently before climbing out of bed to get ready for work.
The Earth had been in peace and tranquillity for two years. Buu was over and life was safe and without fear for the inhabitants of Earth. The Son family had finally settled back down together in this time of peace. Gohan was a great scholar at Orange high, along with Videl. Goten had just started school in the city. Unlike before, Goten use to study with his mother, but with a new comer on the way, he had to go to school. Goku had got a job a year ago, to keep his wife happy. But it was a job he enjoyed. Hercule helped him get it, Bulma too. He was a police officer and considering he had only been going there for a year, he was pretty good at it. The money was pretty rewarding too. Chichi was a happy house wife as always and since Goku returned, the two were more loved up than ever. Goku was even brave enough to kiss and cuddle her in the public eye now! And to make things even more exciting…the couple were due to have another baby any time this week!
Reaching the headquarters that morning, Goku had a lot of thoughts on his mind whilst eating his take away breakfast. His thoughts were of his life at that specific moment…and of his wife and children. Things have changed so much in the last two years. Things had changed so much for him, that he had become a completely different man. He was loving, caring, always there for his family, and always on time! He smiled at the thought of having a baby girl soon. Chichi was due anytime soon, and he couldn't wait for it.
Chichi was in the town, shopping for the usual groceries and baby clothes. Goku had dropped her off half an hour ago after taking Goten to school, before heading to work in his car. She was so proud of her husband. Having the background he had, you would expect getting a job to be very hard. But Goku did it! Sure, he needed some help and guidance, but he got there.
Passing a baby shop she smiled and sauntered inside. The baby's room was all ready now. Goku and her had made the crib but bought the rest. Looking around at the cuddly toys and cute newborn outfits, Chichi just couldn't wait to be a mommy again. Goten was still her baby boy, being only eight years old, but she was going to have another baby to look after. After selecting a few girls' outfits, Chichi paid and left the shop. Standing outside, she rubbed her enlarged tummy and smiled.
"Only a few more days and I'll be holding you" she whispered contently. She giggled as she felt her kick.
Sauntering down the road of shoppers, she was lost in her own little world whilst cheerfully humming to herself.
Walking a little further, Chichi found herself amongst a crowd, ready to cross over the road, but as she was about to cross over she felt her breath leave her and darkness enter her as an explosion erupted in the middle of the city.
Goku was in his office, seated with his office workers, Tenshu and Li. They were all sat quietly doing paper work when a huge bang could be heard. The whole building shook as the explosion set off, blowing out to a fifty mile radius, sending debris and people everywhere. Goku and his colleagues jumped out of their seats and glued themselves to their office window. They gasped on in shock and horror as the huge ball of fire and smoke evacuated into the air. Goku swallowed. This was horrific.
Along with several others, they rushed to the scene in their police cars but as soon as they got there, they wished they could go back. The dead lay amongst the rubble in what looked like the remains of the city, fire had sprung up upon stalls and buildings and smoke fumes filled the air. Though only a small part of the city was torn apart, from where they were standing, it looked like the whole world had been destroyed. Steeping out of his vehicle, Goku stared at the scene before him. Ambulances and fire engines were arriving at every second, people were screaming and crying and the dead lay bloody and helpless.
"These people didn't stand a chance" Goku whispered. Suddenly, a pain in his heart caught his attention. He felt this kind of pain a few minutes ago, but thought nothing of it. Now, he was beginning to worry.
"Goku what's wrong?" asked Tenshu. Goku swallowed hard whilst holding his chest.
"Something's wrong" he under toned looking on in worry.
"Sir?" "What is it?" asked another police officer who had been at the scene for a while. Goku stood speechless and worried. He had just remembered that he had dropped Chichi off here today…now where was she? Was she home? Was she safe? Was she…
"Goku!" came a call from his left. Goku turned from his thoughts to find inspector Fang approaching him.
"Yes sir" Goku replied in a murmur.
"I'm glad you've come. We have no idea how the explosion occurred. There are no gas tanks, petrol tanks or anything flammable near by. This explosion is a complete mystery" he said. Looking at Goku, he became annoyed. It seemed as though he wasn't paying attention, "Son Goku, are you even…"
"Have you seen my wife?" he asked in sudden fright. The inspector looked perplexed.
"Your wife?"
"YES! My wife! Have you seen her?" he begged turning to him fully.
"I'm afraid not. Where was she last?"
"She was here!" Goku said slowly.
"Alright. We'll have a look around for her, but I'm sure she's just fine. Whilst on your search, get your job done wont you? A lot of people will need your help today…we've got a lot of casualties" he said before walking off. Goku heard what he said, but he didn't take it in.
"I got to find her…I need to find her" he said in a fluster of anxiety.
"Alright Goku, we'll go and look around for her. Li…go and find out if his wife Chichi has been brought in as one of the casualties. I'll go with Goku" Li nodded and ran off. Goku walked on ahead of Tenshu, feeling his heart being squeezed and stabbed in pain. His knees were beginning to buckle beneath him and his breathing was fast. Something was terribly wrong for something was striking his heart. Trying to walk normally, he looked around at the uneven ground. The explosion had caused a lot of damage. He wondered who or what had done it and why? Shaking those thoughts away, he focused his eyes on the bodies before him. He hated to be here with all these dead people. He hated to see all this dismay and revulsion.
Reaching the end of the road he saw a baby shop where a woman was talking to police outside. It was just a thought, but maybe she knew where Chichi was. Maybe she had been in there.
He approached the woman in a hurry, soon recognised by his fellow officer.
"Mr Son Goku?" he questioned.
"Excuse me officer I need to ask her something" the woman looked up at him with fright still playing on her features. Goku could tell this woman was afraid. He could tell she would be scarred for life.
In the air a couple of miles away, Piccolo flew at a fast speed to reach the scene. He had felt the surge of power when the detonation hit and he knew something was wrong.
"Namek!" demanded a following Vegeta. Piccolo turned to look at him, "Are you sure it was an explosion?" "It seemed too powerful for an explosion"
"Well, it must have been. My ears are very sensitive Vegeta. They can pick up anything and I know it was a huge upsurge"
"Hey piccolo…is Goku down there? I think I can feel him" Krillin asked. He decided to tag along with Yamcha and Tien when he heard the news.
"Yeah, but something's up"
"What is it? Is Goku alright?" asked Krillin.
"I'm not too sure. I know he's fine in health and that he's unharmed, but something about his Ki signature is down" The gang pondered over what could be wrong as the city came into a distant view.
"I'm sorry sir…I do not know where she went. I do remember her coming in. She was the last person I saw…I'm so sorry" the woman said as tears washed over her again. The other officer tried to comfort her as Goku walked away. So she had been in there. But where was she now? He walked a little further, where his feet met what should be the end of the road. Walking further, a familiar figure caught his attention amongst the rubble. Taking a step closer his heart pounded when he realised…
…it was Chichi…
"Man, look at it" Yamcha mumbled sadly, "They didn't stand a chance". The group were hovering above the ruined city in shock.
"I bet it killed thousands of innocent people" "Whoever done this will pay" Tien threatened angrily.
"What? Do you think this was a deliberate attack?" asked Krillin.
"It has to be. What else here could have done it?" asked Yamcha looking down and around at the ruin.
"I guess. But we couldn't sense anybody"
"Maybe…but I got a feeling it's something strong" Piccolo commented. Krillin gulped. Man, it was just not his day.
"Let's go search for Goku. Maybe he knows something" Tien suggested.
"Yeah…I want to see if he's okay" Krillin agreed as Vegeta looked at him. He contemplated, himself, over the situation. What was going on? Who made the explosion? And what was wrong with Kakarot? Following the group as they descended towards the ground, he knew those questions would soon be answered.
