Striking The Heart
Do You Know What it's Like?
...But five deep bellowing words shot through her mind…
…"Your wish has been granted"…
Wilhem threw forth his fist, and at the same time, her eyes closed.
She expected pain…she expected contact…she expected death…but none came…
She opened her eyes, her face centimetres from his fist. But there was someone else's hand in the way…
She blinked a few times, the situation startling her, confusing her even. She suddenly realised what had happened and that someone had saved her. She let out the breath she was somehow holding and turned her head to look up at her rescuer.
She thought she was going to be sick at the sight…Sick from the shock, sick from the disbelief…sick from the relief…
"Goku" she croaked out, her bottom lip trembling, her eyes watering with tears.
Wilhem looked just as perplexed and confused. He scanned over Goku's body, wondering how on Earth he was standing there when he was clearly dead a minute ago.
"I don't understand. How can this be?" he muttered. Goku smirked.
"You underestimate me and the people of this planet Wilhem. You also underestimate the power of Shenron" Wilhem gasped and turned rapidly around to peer up at the gigantic form of Shenron. What did that humungous beast have to do with it?
"I…I can't believe it" Gohan cried, his body hurting, the tears clear in his dark onyx eyes. Videl sat beside him, a smile upon her young beautiful face.
"I knew it Gohan. I just knew your father would come through for us" she told him. He nodded.
Goten sat in a puddle of tears, Trunks sat next to him, his lip bloody and his one eye half closed.
"Okay, why are you crying now? Your dad's just fine just like I said" Trunks moaned.
"It's…its just….I….I thought I lost…sniff…him" he cried. Trunks patted his friend's back and then took his attention to his father who lay upon the ground.
"Kakarot" he whispered, "I knew it" he let out silently, his eyes closing in relief. Bulma ran out from the lookout, Dende and Popo not too far behind. Looking at the mess caused by Wilhem, she was suddenly very grateful that Dende had saved her and took her inside when he did. The first she aided to was Trunks, who shrieked when she grabbed him and held him close, kissing him and crying over him. He had never been so embarrassed in his whole life.
Wilhem pulled back his hand from Goku's, his eyes still not believing what they saw.
"That poison killed you. I saw it with my own eyes. Everybody saw it; no Dragon could have saved you"
"The point is Wilhem I'm alive and I'm back to stop you"
"Maybe you are alive, but you do not posses that power to stop me. I have your power plus my own remember?"
"I remember clearly. But Shenron can help me out there" he said with a smirk, his voice almost too casual for Wilhem's liking. Wilhem cocked an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" he demanded. Goku only grinned some more.
"Let me show you" Goku whispered dangerously, his once casual face vanishing into one of complete hate.
"Shenron…" he began, Wilhem stood in confusion, the others in curiosity.
"Give me my power back" Shenron smiled if possible and he replied.
"Your wish….has been granted" his eyes turned red for a few seconds and before Wilhem could protest, Goku's body began to light up, a yellow flame flaring around him.
Chichi stood back in astonishment as Goku's body become that of light. His hands fisted up, his muscles tensing, the veins close to popping she thought. A storm began above him, that of lighting and power. The dark sky flashed several times, the lookout shaking, the atmosphere rumbling. She gasped when a strike of electricity hit Goku's body, his form taking it with no pain. He screamed in rage…in power…maybe even relief for finally having it all back within him…to have back what he claimed was his…
The warriors that were conscious watched in amazement at Goku's display of power. Bulma cried, mostly from the shock but also from the fact Goku was alive and standing there. Krillin laughed, the pain going unnoticed by him as he let joyful tears run down his cheeks.
"Goku…Buddy…I knew it…I knew it wasn't possible…for you to leave us…I just knew" he cried, 18's arms suddenly circling around him, little Marron beside her.
Goku's reclaiming stopped just as quick as it started. The sky was now silent and the storm ceased to be. There were no more powerful gusts of wind forcefully trying to knock the warriors off their feet. It seemed like it was all over…
Goku stood still, a smile upon his face as he inspected himself. He was back, he was sure of that, and boy did he feel good. He peered over at Wilhem, the face he had told him how shocked he was.
"What's the matter Wilhem? Cat got your tongue?" Wilhem snarled at him.
"This wasn't how it was supposed to be!" he cursed out loud. Goku flexed his arms, a confident yet determined smile upon his handsome face.
"I'm sorry to have spoiled your dream. But you stole away my dream and I want it back" he said, his face now one of anger and detest.
"This will not happen…this will not happen!" Wilhem shouted, enraged.
"It already has" Goku whispered, his body suddenly taking off from the ground and charging at his unguarded self. He shrieked slightly as Goku's fist came into contact with his jaw. He yelped, the force sending him flying across the ground, some of the tiles coming up from the collision. Goku shot over to him, Wilhem up within the instant as they fought.
Fists met fists, knees met knees and Glares met glares as they continued to battle over the fate of Earth. Wilhem growled angrily, still unsure whether he was having a nightmare or not as he threw forward his large black fist which Goku blocked. Goku held onto him, suddenly swinging Wilhem's larger form around rapidly, soon letting go to collide once more with the tiles below.
Bulma and Yamcha fell over from Wilhem's contact with the ground. Chichi fell also, her eyes still on her husband as he hovered gracefully in the sky. She smiled and clasped her hands together.
"I believe in you" she whispered, "You can do this"
Fire erupted from the tile hole in which Wilhem crashed into. He shot out of it, blood flowing from his nose and forehead as he charged head on at his rival. Goku prepared his fists for impact and frowned deeply.
"Too long have you tortured me…too long have you tortured them…but no more…it all ends…now" he said to himself, his eyes turning green as he yelled out, his hair standing up into golden spikes.
"It's over Wilhem! We will suffer no more!" he shouted out. Wilhem ignored him and resumed his rapid flight and within seconds they both collided, a loud bang echoing through the air, the force felt from below.
The war was fierce now. Every blow was the best, both fighters enveloping a powerful aura, yet getting weaker with each passing second. Blood flew from both of them as they pounded each other, screams and yelps, winces and cries echoing around the atmosphere as the continued to battle.
Thoughts and memories shot through the Saiyan's head as he battled. Not thoughts of victory but thoughts of death…
He remembered Chichi…he remembered her death…her last moments…his crying form holding her cold dead body…the months of hell without her…the desolation, the pain and misery it brought along with it…it was all still there…clear In his mind like it happened just yesterday…and it would never go away…it would remain there…in his nightmares…in his heart…
He kicked Wilhem hard, a loud cry flowing from the villain's white lipped mouth. Goku could feel the pain of loss….he could feel the loneliness and the suffering from her death….he could feel it all, haunting him…torturing and tormenting him to no end.
It refused to fade away…it refused to listen to Goku's mind protests telling the thoughts to leave him alone…but they became stronger, making him stronger, urging and encouraging him as he fought harder with more supremacy.
Wilhem was tiring out. He didn't know how and he couldn't understand why but Goku was without doubt…getting stronger…
He looked deep into Goku's eyes, the fire and power there building up, the authority and supremacy lingering on and on…
Wilhem was afraid…
Fear was nothing to him before…fear was just something that you could find in the form of a dictionary…fear was something he would usually inflict on others….not something they would inflict on him…
He couldn't comprehend why he was afraid….he had never been before…maybe it was because he was loosing…maybe it was because he had no way of escaping the Saiyan's wrath and anger. He had underestimated the Saiyan…he hadn't given him enough credit and hadn't believed he could accomplish a victory after the past events. But how could have he? He was dead wasn't he? He was dead to the ground…nothing more and nothing less…he had the right to be overconfident with the Saiyan, he had the right to be cocky because he was going to win…but not anymore…
He grit his teeth and fought back. Goku was giving him his everything, even his emotions as he threw punches and endless kicks…
Wilhem was panting now…panting from exhaustion…panting from fear…
Goku could feel Wilhem's loss…just like he could feel the pain of his own. He briefly glanced down at Chichi, her beautiful perfect features full of worry yet he could sense her belief in him….he had to end this…for her…for them…for him…
He could feel his children as Wilhem grasped him and tried to take control, he could see Gohan…Goten and Gosha…he could see them in his mind and feel them in his heart…he had to do this for them…
It was going to end now…Goku knew it as he threw Wilhem off of him. Wilhem punched him down, Goku's body flipping over to land on his feet. He looked up at the monster he once trusted and respected and growled venomously at him.
"You see what you've done Wilhem…you see what you've made me become…its all your fault…its all your doing…you made me into this…you made me suffer…you killed me! You struck my heart! I can't take that anymore!" he cried out, the tears begging to be released from the emotion he felt. "So now Wilhem…it's all over! I will not let you harm or destroy anyone else!" He bellowed, his serious voice echoing around the area, the yellow flames building up around his body as he ascended further.
He powerfully placed his strong male hands to his side in a cupping position, his gaze fixed on the rogue above…
He let a single tear fall…one single drop of pain from the hundreds he released before…
"It's over Wilhem" he spoke calmly. Wilhem glared down at the young man, his black skin letting the veins show though from his anger, his white teeth expressed as he growled down.
Goku began to from a ball of blue energy in his hands, his muscles and flesh tensing in the process.
"Kaaaaa-meeeee-haaaaa-meeee" Wilhem screamed in rage, the situation overwhelming him and in desperation he shot off into the sky. The warriors gasped in shock at his retreat and cowardliness but Goku only smiled.
"HAAAAAAAAAAA" He screamed out, the powerful wave of power erupting like a powerful storm from his hands, its direction at Wilhem into the sky. The lookout shook, the warriors' shook, the Earth below shook as Goku released his wave of monstrosity up at Wilhem.
Wilhem flew as fast as he could, hoping he could escape the blast…hoping that maybe he could be free. He suddenly stopped, afraid to move, afraid of the fact he couldn't go anywhere for he couldn't breathe in space. He looked down at the approaching attack, the blast only metres away. He didn't know what to do or say, he just couldn't think of anything but death…
He yelled out a protest as the wave hit him head on, his body took with it as it shot off into the darkness of the sky and into the emptiness of space.
Before anyone knew it…he was gone…
The blast vanished into thin air, leaving Goku standing alone on the ground, his eyes searching the atmosphere. He couldn't see him or feel him…did that mean it was over?
Vegeta stood up and held his bloody broken arm. He gazed up at the darkened sky, Wilhem's Ki no longer visible. He smiled his smile knowing it was over and done with. He also laughed to himself at how frightened Wilhem was. After all, he had all Goku's powers, wouldn't he have just used one of Goku's techniques to save himself?
"Stupid fool" Vegeta chuckled under his breath, "Even I was smarter than that" Vegeta peered over at Goku. He seemed relieved. But why wouldn't he be? After all he had been through…who wouldn't be relieved?
The cries of his friends and children could be heard as they all raced towards him. Goku spun around and laughed at them all, nearly falling over as Goten jumped into his awaiting arms.
"Daddy!" he cried as he curled up into his father's arms.
"Hey…it's okay kiddo. Daddy's fine…everything's gonna be okay now son" Goten sniffed but smiled at his father's words before snuggling back in.
"Oh Goku" Bulma sighed, hugging him around the waist. Goku chuckled and patted her back.
"I missed you too Bulma" he said as he let her go and put Goten down. Gohan limped over; his arms already open to embrace his father, his eyes tearful for obvious reasons.
"Dad" he managed to say as he collapsed into him. Goku caught him and held him tight as Gohan held him close.
"I was so scared dad…so scared to loose you again…"
"Its okay son…I'm not going anywhere…not again" he murmured to him. Gohan smiled, overjoyed with the outcome of the fight and slowly he pulled back to show his father how much he was. Goku could only return it warmly, soon a nudging to his side taking his attention.
He looked up to see Piccolo standing there, a trickle of blood dried upon is lip, a cut across his chin.
"I should really give you more credit Goku"
"Nah…its Krillin you should have given credit to. He's the one that brought me back you know" Krillin cocked his eyebrow.
"I am?"
"Yeah, you begged Shenron to get rid of the poison…and he did" Goku told him. Krillin laughed.
"Who knew begging could bring so much happiness. I feel so…so proud" Goku laughed, 18 only smiling warmly down at her crying husband.
"Goku" Piccolo quietly called. He glanced over at Chichi then back at him. Goku did the same. He saw his wife standing there, her eyes focusing on the ground, her face shocked.
"I think she's a little overwhelmed" Yamcha said slowly. Goku just stared at her…her beauty startling him all over again. He swallowed and walked past the others and over to her. His friends became silent.
He reached her spot, his throat quite dry yet his face happy. She looked up at him, a little shaky from what happened.
"Hey" he whispered.
"Hey" she whispered back. Goku's warm smile lingered and so did hers until it faded and was replaced with a frown. Before Goku could question it she kicked him hard in the knee, his body jumping in surprise a loud yelp escaping his mouth.
"Aah, Chichi what was that for?" he whimpered.
"What was that for? WHAT WAS THAT FOR? For dying on me that's what! I thought I lost you again and that I would be alone again! I couldn't handle you leaving me again! I really thought you had gone Goku!" she cried. But he only smiled at her as she cried.
"Yet you think it's funny? What's the matter with you, you over grown-" she was silenced with a firm kiss from him. She jumped a little, her eyes wide, her body still. He slowly pulled away his deep eye contact never leaving hers. She blinked a few times before swallowing.
"And you think that's going to make me feel better?" she questioned with slight anger. He shrugged.
"I hoped" he whispered.
With that she jumped up on him, her feminine sinewy arms wrapping around his neck as she firmly placed her lips on his. He smiled within it, his arms immediately wrapping around her waist as he kissed back with everything he had.
Bulma and 18 smiled, leaving the guys to laugh at the loving scene. Goten blushed whilst Trunks and Vegeta rolled their eyes. But even so, Vegeta felt slightly happy inside for his fellow comrade.
Dende came outside, the little bundle of joy in his small arms. He saw the scene and blushed immediately, Mr Popo laughing also.
"Thank Kami everything is over" he whispered.
The kiss lingered on until Goku heard Gosha's gurgling. He pulled away slowly with a smile, Chichi only giggling as he reached for Gosha. He picked her up out of Dende's arms and held her up in the air.
"Guess what Gosha! Daddy's staying after all" Gosha chuckled and waved her arms around as Goku gently swung her around before placing her in his arms where Chichi kissed her small forehead.
"And mommy's staying too" she said to her child. Gosha smiled and reached for Chichi's loose hair, the lot of them laughing as she tried to pull it. Goten tugged at his father's pants.
"Does this mean we can go home now dad? All of us?" he asked happily.
"Absolutely" said Chichi as she picked her little boy up and balanced him on her hip. He laughed as she kissed his forehead too.
From that moment Goku felt his heart lift. Looking at his family now and his friends that surrounded them, there was no way he could leave again. No way could he once more abandon them. He loved and missed them too much to do so.
He didn't know what the future would bring…he couldn't predict it, but he knew that whatever happens he will be there for them as a good husband and father and friend should…after all, who would want to go through all that suffering?
He knew what it was like to have his world torn apart…he knew what It was like to have everything he ever had taken from him…He knew what it was like to loose the one he loved…the one he protected, lost to the darkness, lost to place he couldn't go…He knew how it felt to die yet live at the same time…
He knew the meaning of pain…he knew the feeling of anguish…
He tasted the tears, he felt the anger…
…He knew how it felt to have someone striking his heart…
But it was over now. He had his family back.
And that was all that mattered ...
The End
Thank you everyone for sticking with me and for reading/and/or/reviewing! Thank you so much!