This takes place after Dragonball Gt when Goku leaves on Shenron. What everybody thinks about Goku's leaving and how they cope.

Chapter One

He Was Like A Hero In A Fairytale book...

-Krillin

Do you remember back when you were a kid?

Remember all your innocence and naivety? Do you recall your childhood heroes? Like Superman and Batman? Or Spider man even? Those superheroes who u soon learned were nothing but a figment of ones imagination. Those super powered humans who seemed so invincible and strong.

You grew up. Got older, more mature and all that childlike ignorance vanished along with those superheroes.

So while you forgot about Superman, I met a man similar to him.

And his name was Goku.

A savior, a man of peace, a rescuer, a conqueror, a champion, a very very brave man.

Much Like A Hero.

I remember when I first met him. We were both little kids, competing against each other for the chance to be trained by the legendary Master Roshi, as we called hm back then. And I'll tell you, I felt sorry for the little guy. He seemed...well just flat out dumb. Stupid and too immature for his age.

He was real easy to trick and I took advantage of that every chance I got. He lost most of the challenges Roshi put out for us and he's luck wasn't all that grand. But the little fighter never gave up. With every loss he seemed to grow stronger and more confident. Every mistake made him better. He might of been stupid but he wasn't weak.

I gained respect for Goku. And after some time, we grew a bit closer until we actually called each other friends. I remember those days like it was yesterday. The tournaments, the parties, our friends. And even all the bad times. The death, the enemies, our losses, the hurt.

Through it all, Goku never faulted.

He stayed with us through everything and saved the earth countless of times. Sometimes I wondered what he felt about his real origin. One of the last surviving Saiyans, a strong race. I wondered if he ever felt lonely or afraid, like I had.

I had been orphaned far before I had met Goku and the loneliness was enough to tear even the greatest warrior apart with time. I had been a total outcast. A freak, as some called it. But then Goku came. This little weird haired boy popped up and turned my life upside down. He was always so cheerful and full of life. Sometimes I idolized him and other times I even envied or despised him.

I found it unfair! How had Goku managed to cope with the loneliness? How had he managed to be so optimistic and merry at even the worst of times. The thought made me angry. All the hurt I endured through my childhood and Goku had not shed a tear through his.

His smile was contagious. And his attitude always kept me assured that everything was going to turn out alright. He even trusted me with his sons! Hehe, I find it so funny now.

His firstborn Gohan was such a fighter. So eager and innocent exactly like his father. He was a fierce little kid who had the heart of a protector.

And his second born, Goten. The little cute, look-alike of Goku. The one who had spent seven years before he finally got to see his father in all his glory.

It hurt me inside when I think about all the sacrifices Goku made for Earth. All the joy and pain he missed with his family that could never be made up.

And now he was gone.

I don't know if Chichi realizes it yet. I don't think anybody does. When Goku left on that eternal dragon as a kid, that was it. He would not be coming back. It's been about eight years now since anybody has last seen him and still they cling onto false hope.

I use to ask myself: why? Why did they believe that Goku would come back. After all this time, they await his return. During the first year I had thought the same. I had been so sure that Goku would come back. I actually said I knew he'd return. I mean, it was impossible. Without Goku...how would life be?

Days passed, months passed, years passed. Still no Goku. At first I was scared. What if evil attacked again? How would we defend ourselves without our protector? What if the Earth got wiped out? That would mean all Goku's actions throughout the years would have been for nothing. Then I came to realize how selfish I was being! The whole time I thought that Goku had to return so he'd be here to save all of us from another crisis. Instead, I hadn't looked at the big picture.

My bestfriend was gone.

Goku, the FIRST friend I had and the most realest, would not come back to save us this time. He was gone, for good. No more hanging out with him. No more reminiscing about our childhood. No more ANYTHING! It hit me like a rock. The sadness was too much to bear. The loneliness, that Goku had made go away back when we were kids, had returned. That kind of pain tore me up. The memories, the pictures, just the sound of his voice...

Gone.

Worst of all, I hadn't even begun to think of the things Chichi and her family was going through. It might have hit the whole gang pretty hard but Chichi probably had been in the worst shape.

You know, I had never been worried about Goku dying before. I mean, we could always wish him back with the dragon balls right?

Wrong. Piccolo was down in HFIL, trapped down there for all eternity probably, god rest his soul. The eternal dragon would probably never return either and the dragon balls had been either destroyed completely or vanished with the dragon.

We were so vulnerable. No Piccolo. No Dragon balls. No Goku. No confidence.

Of course, Vegeta had taken it upon himself to become the new 'Goku'. He trained even harder and his attitude changed a bit, for the better. Still, he seemed...unfulfilled. Even the mighty Prince was a tad shaken by the realization. Without Goku, Vegeta had no aim. No ambition. Who was he training to get stronger then? Where was his competition?

A shrine was made to Goku a while back. It was a huge statue of him, smiliing and giving a thumbs up. It had been placed at the World Tournament palace. We don't go as often anymore but when we do, we make it top priority to visit the shrine and pay our respects.

I don't know if Goku can hear me or if he's even watching us but we're doing Okay for the time being. No threats or intergalactic aliens, thank god. But if you are listening Goku then I'm proud to say that Gohan is pursuing his mother's dreams of being a scholar. He's still hitting the books and training when he gets the time. Goten is in college. Doing his best with whatever it is he's trying to do. They both miss you very much.

Chichi is...well. She was very ill a while ago but she's OK now and better then ever. But I think she's the only one who thinks about you everyday and even cries herself to sleep. Pan is big now and in high school. She's not much of a tomboy anymore though and she's beautiful, just like her mother.

The rest of the gang sorta split up but they drop in from time to time to see whats happening.

Bulma's just being herself. She's back to being the owner of Capsule Corp. since Trunks quit and left with his wife and new born.

Vegeta...is just being himself too. Training and getting stronger. I think you have a positive influence on him even though you aren't around anymore.

Their daughter Bulla is fine too. She's grown and out touring the world due to her modeling business. We don't see her much anymore.

Tien and Yamcha? I'm sorry but I've actually lost contact with them. They should drop by soon, we hope. Roshi and Oolong are doing OK and are being very generous with letting me and my family continue staying with them.

My little girl is all grown up and I miss her since she's moved out. Eighteen said I spoiled her too much. Hehe, I kinda agree.

Well, it's late now and I've got to get some shut eye.

Where ever you are Goku, I hope you know this one thing: We all still love you and care about you. We miss you dearly and appreciate everything you did for us.

And, this just coming from me: You're my hero.

Superman Has Nothing On you...