Year 766
Flashback
It was a rainy day at the end of November.
Chi-chi had just prepared a big breakfast early in the morning for her saiyan husband and son, so she told Bulma on the phone. Everything was fine and normal at that point.
But then Gohan suddenly started to yell that something was wrong with his dad. Chi-Chi was startled. The food-loaded dishes fell from her arms and shattered on the floor as she ran upstais to their bedroom. She nearly fainted at the sight of him:
Goku was lying on the ground. He clutched his chest with a pained yelp and was unable to breath. He gasped for air. Sweat was running down his face while his body cramped and shook uncontrollably. Gohan tried his best ho hold his dad down but to no avail. Tears ran down his face as he screamed at his father to hold on.
It was a horrible sight for her and came so suddenly that no one ever saw it coming.
Goku never spoke of any sympthoms bothering him.
Piccolo was there (he was allways near his young pupil) and tried his best to calm wife and son but even he looked pale at the sight of Goku. They tried to feed him a senzu bean. Hoping his condition was caused by an internal injury, caused by a sparring match, and curable with it.
But the bean did not change anything.
That was the moment Chi-Chi called Bulma.
As fast as they could they brought him to a hospital in west city. It was a well known clinic building full of the most competent men and women. It had the best reputation and Bulma paid them a small fortune for the treatment of her friend. They promised to do everything in their power to save him.
Goku was examinated for hours. Heart specialists were consulted. He was scanned from head to toe and given the best medical treatment.
But no one knew what was wrong.
The next day Goku fell into a coma.
His friends visited him. Yamcha, Tien, Krillin, Roshi and all the others that fought and laughed with him. Chi-Chi and Gohan never left his side. They begged him to wake up. To return to them. But not even the promise of the tastiest food, a stupid idea of Yamcha, brought Goku to move a muscle.
It looked bad.
Bulma spoke to him too. Spoke about their shared adventures. Enemies that fell thanks to their teamwork. Hoping it might reawaken his thrill of living and his love for natures beauty.
To no avail.
Two weeks later the doctors apologized for their inabillity to cure him. It was an unknown illness to them that virtually ate the cells of Gokus heart. Bulma was horrifyed. Chi-Chi and Gohan downright devastated. No one could do anything to stop the virus. Not even Shenron would be helpful. The eternal dragon was not allowed to cure a naturally appearing decease. Even if he wanted.
The doctors told them to take Goku home. To give him the possibillity to fade away in a familiar, peaceful enviroment instead of the cold hospital that couldn't help him.
The flight back home was a silent one.
No one dared to speak. She was trying to comfort wife and son of Goku. But it seemed futile. Chi-Chi and Gohan tried to be strong as they stood motionless next to the dying saiyan. But she saw how broken they were. Everyone was heartbroken. Even the stoic Tien had tears on his face as he stood next to Yamcha, who maneuvered the small air craft.
It hurt to see them that way.
At that moment Bulma realized for the first time that Vegeta was with them. Probably for the whole time since Gokus admission to the hospital. Without ever speaking a single word she never noticed his presence before. And she felt bad for it. No one even tried to talk to him.
His armes crossed his dark eyes never left Goku. Even though his face showed no emotion Bulma saw his struggle on the inside. This was probably the saiyan way of saiying 'goodbye'.
A silent salute.
Bulma walked to the prince. She wanted to embrace him. To seek comfort in his arms but also to hold him close and comfort him. Knowing he soon would be the last of his kind Vegeta must have been terrifyed on the inside. Terrifyed of being alone.
The last pure blooded saiyan. She stood next to him and gently put an arm around his waist. Just stood there closely to him to give him silent support.
The prince however didn't move a muscle.
Two days later ... Goku succumbed to his illness. It was an unknown decease that destroyed his heart. A Saiyan heart, full of love and joy. A heart that could forgive even the greatest sin. It had meen seemingly made out of gold and was stronger than any force on earth and beyound.
And one day it suddenly stopped beating due to a microscobic virus.
It was as rediculous as heartbreaking.
He was her best friend. He was family. And she would never see his childish smile again.
This was however only the beginning of the warriors downfall.
One day, one fateful day the terrifying androids attacked and everything spiraled into a frenzy of chaos and despair.
And nothing could stop it.