AS22: Okay, once more, I have used a quote by Thomas Drovin. I've been trying to mark his quotes so everyone can see, but it doesn't show up on the site. Oh well… next chapter…
Chapter 38: Adieu Goku
I had to lean on Codie, but we managed to walk over to Goku. Everyone able to move ran and cheered Goku. Vegeta stood to the sideline as usual, so I gestured him to join. He smirked and came in closer.
The two Dragonballs I had started to glow, and all seven rolled to join together. Shenron appeared.
"You have defeated the Shadow Dragons and restored the 7 Dragonballs, but because of this disaster there will be no more wishes for 100 years."
"What!" I cried, standing on my own. No, Mirai, Kanji, Andy! I can't live without you.
"Isn't there another way?" Codie asked.
"Shenron, can't you just grant one more wish, for old times sake?" Goku asked.
Everything, everyone got real quiet, hoping Shenron would agree.
He has to agree, he just has to!"Very well, speak the wish."
"Restore earth and all her people back to the way it was before HFIL opened on earth." Goku said.
Shenron's eyes glowed red.
"It has been done. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah." Goku said.
"Goku?" Chi-chi said. Goku ran to her, and floated off the ground to become level with her.
"I love you, Chi-chi, but this is something I had to do." he kissed her, then jumped on top of Shenron.
"Goku, you can't go yet! Earth still needs you!" Videl cried.
Goku sat for a moment, looking at all of us.
"You're right, earth needs a protector, but I can't stay. Gohan, you were trained for years by Piccolo and me to becomes Earth's protector. You are my son, but I have to admit there is one more suited for this job." Goku hopped down and started walking back toward us.
Who does Goku mean? Goten? Codie? Vegeta?
"I understand, dad."
"I've thought of this before, but I didn't think it would be so hard to choose now that the time has come. I've decided on you, Katie. I choose you to protect earth now."
"What? Me? Why me?" I stammered, looking at everyone. No one seemed to protest Goku's choice.
"You're more experienced than my sons, for one thing. You aren't prideful during battle, and you're powerful. You're a great warrior and a loving person. You love the earth as much as I do. You can do this. In a few years, if you don't feel up to it any longer, then you can pass the torch, but my decision is you. I know you can do it."
"Thank you, Goku. I'm honored that you have chose me." I said, my eyes starting to become watery. I was doing my best not to cry.
"The honor is all mine, Katie." Goku said, shaking my hand. He looked over at Vegeta once more, and Vegeta just smirked.
"Until we meet again, Kakorot." Goku smiled and nodded as he hopped back onto Shenron's head.
The Dragonballs floated around Goku, and were absorbed into his body, with the four-star Dragonball going into his forehead.
"Bye, Goku!" I waved, tears falling down my face. I don't know if everyone understood, but Goku gave his life to restore earth.
"Grandpa!" Pan cried, but it was no use. Shenron and Goku flew off into the distance.
I sighed deeply. I knew this was the end. No more evil, I hoped anyway.
"Katrin."
"Yeah, Vegeta?"
"I can guess at what you're thinking. But remember this. There is always evil to be fought. Evil thrives on neglect. It thrives on ignorance, on apathy, on hypocrisy. It thrives wherever we allow these things to grow unchallenged. It thrives wherever we turn our face away from need. Wherever we close our eyes, evil thrives."
"Yeah… and you know what, Vegeta? Not only are you right… but that's sad. That's really sad…"
Codie teleported us home, and there waiting for us was our family. Mirai, Kanji, and Andy were back home, as it should be.
"Dad!" Codie was happy, but I was more so because my family was whole again.
"Mom, you did good out there." Kanji said. Andy nodded in agreement.
"How else do you expect me to fight?" I said. We all hugged, and it was really mushy, but their deaths were the reason I had lost my mind. Then again, Arina was replaced with Shikara over a year ago.
"Katie-" Mirai was going to say something, but I stopped him.
"Shut up, you don't have to say anything." The moon was rising, and most of us had been fighting all day, so bed was a welcomed luxury.
I was lying in bed with my head on Mirai's chest, and he stroked my hair like always.
"By Kami I missed you." I said, holding Mirai's hand.
"I know. I watched you the entire time, and that only increased my longing to return home."
"Mirai… was it you that… did you keep me from dying?"
"Yeah, I prayed that it would work. You heard me."
"Mirai, once I've healed up, I'm going to HFIL again. I've got a score to settle down there."
"You know I can't stop you. Especially now that you can become a Super Sayjin 4. But I don't like it."
"That only worked because of the machine Bulma made, and Omega destroyed it."
"Katie, you didn't know?" Mirai asked.
"Know what?" I asked, sitting up.
"Mom's machine was destroyed, but the effect was permanent. What use would it be if you could only transform with a shot from that machine?"
"Wow, I didn't know." I said, lying back down, "But I'm glad I know now. I can really transform anytime…"
"What kind of score do you have to settle?"
"It doesn't matter, I can handle it with Super Sayjin four. I'm sure going to miss Goku, though."
"We all will." Mirai agreed.
"You know, I still don't get something."
"What's that?"
"How your hair has turned gray and mine is still dark." I said, changing the subject to something less morbid.
"Well I am half human. Besides, you're old too, you know." Mirai kissed me, and it felt so good. I truly felt whole again.
"You're only as old as you feel, and at my current rate, I'll die a teenager! …Oh shit, I just remembered something!"
"What is it?"
"Oceanus Shenron attacked Seaside Village. That's where Tyde, Sam, and Ariel live!" as if by fate, Giru floated in the room. (Giru, giru!) "Giru? What are you doing here?"
"Giru stay with Trunks, so Giru explore house! Giru, giru!"
"At this time at night?" Mirai asked.
"No one bother Giru at dark, giru, giru."
"Makes sense." Mirai commented.
"Giru, I need you to remember something for me. Do you remember Goku fighting Oceanus Shenron?"
"Oh yes, Giru know! Giru show that dragon!" Giru did a flip and kick it the air, but hit the ceiling and fell on the bed, rubbing his head, "Very painful, too. Giru, giru." I laughed.
"You seem awfully brave. Did you and the others meet with a sea monster, Tyde? Or perhaps Dr. Billows and his daughter?"
"Memory banks show no record of Billows… giru-giru… no monster called Tyde either. Giruuu."
"I'll have to go visit for myself." I sighed.
"What's this all about Katie?" Mirai asked. Giru looked at me and blinked.
"Some old friends, from when I traveled around the world. I have to go see that they're okay."
I hope Shenron restored animals as well…"I'll come with you, tomorrow if you like." Mirai said.
"Yeah, the sooner, the better."
That night… well, let's just say it was cold, and we kept each other warm.
AS22: think it's over? No way… 5 chapters to go, I'll post either Sunday or Monday.