A/N: Once again, please check out "From Father to Son", which is a story that takes place right after this one. If you would like to use this story as a foundation to help launch your own AU fic, feel free to use it by directing people here. Lastly please, review and check out my other works. Thank you.
Alternative End: Part 2
-Schwoon-
Goku and his friends suddenly appeared at the Lookout thanks to his teleportation technique.
"Ah, Gohan!" Dende cried as he ran towards the bunch.
Wincing as he knelt down, Goku gently laid his son on the floor to be healed by the small Namekian.
"Goku, you're hurt too." Dende observed.
"It's not too bad. Please heal Gohan first, he's been through a lot." He replied as he sat by his son's side.
Dende nodded and began to heal his friend. Within a few moments all the wounds on the demi-saiyan's body were gone. Gohan opened his eyes.
"Eh?" He sat up. "Dende?"
"I'm so relieved you're OK." Earth's guardian said cheerfully. He made his way over to Goku to heal him. "You too Goku. And everyone."
Unaware of what his father had done and thus why he was injured, Gohan gave him a puzzled look. "Huh? Dad, what happened to you? Did Trunks not give you a senzu bean?" He asked referring to when he stole back the senzu bag from Cell and asked Trunks to hand them around.
"I did, but your dad was injured afterwards." Trunks answered for him. Gohan grew more curious. "When the explosion occurred we saw you plummet back towards the Earth. Your father realized you were unconscious and in danger from the impact, so he teleported to you. He couldn't stop the both of you from colliding with the ground but he was able to break your fall, saving you."
"Dad?" The young warrior looked back towards his father.
Goku humbly smiled in response as Gohan's eyes started to well up. His father had saved him. It was a touching moment permeated by silence. No words needed to be exchanged; they were both grateful for one another and that they were both alive.
"Gohan." Said Piccolo. "What happened with Cell to cause the explosion?" Due to how quick everything transpired, none of them knew just what exactly had occurred.
The demi-sayian looked down in shame. "After dad convinced me that I needed to end the fight, I wanted to have one last word with Cell. I shouldn't have but I wanted to let him know why I wasn't going to keep dragging it on. That it was because of you guys." Gohan lifted his head back up. "And Dad." He said facing his father. "I wanted him to understand that despite everything he did, it was you who asked me to not to continue with any unnecessary violence." Gohan dropped his head back down. "I provided him too much time to think about it. As I explained that all I ever wanted was peace, I sensed the energy growing inside him. Dad warned me that he might try to destroy the Earth since he knew he couldn't win the battle against me, and he was right. Cell was going to self-destruct."
"What?!" "Was he crazy?" Yamcha and Krillin asked simultaneously.
"No, he was desperate." Gohan responded, still looking down. "When I realized what was going on I knew that he had already gathered enough energy to blow up a sizable chunk of Earth and kill all of us in the process. I grabbed a tighter hold of him and flew straight up as fast as I could. Once we were as far up as my body would allow I let go. Every moment counted so I had to deliver a blow right away, despite the fact that I couldn't get a safe distance between us. That's when I quickly used all of my energy to unleash a Kamehameha at him so as to destroy him once and for all. After it penetrated his body, the resulting explosion knocked me unconscious. I thought for sure I was going to die, but I accepted that as my fate for not getting rid of him sooner. I put everyone is danger by not doing so. I was foolish." Tears started to stream down his face as he recollected on his actions. He was ashamed of the choices he had made and faced immense guilt.
"Gohan." Goku said gently. He placed a hand on his son's shoulder. After Gohan continued to sob, he knelt down, placing his other hand on his shoulder. "Gohan listen to me. Nobody thinks that. You were acting on your Saiyan instinct and the desire to see Cell punished for his crimes. But you have to understand that opponents like him don't fight with the same honor that you do. He fought dirty, which is what I wanted to warn you about. The important thing is that you made the right choice in the end. You even tried to impart upon him the humanity we share in order to get him to think about his actions. And when he tried to self-destruct you're quick acting and selfless behavior saved us. What you did was incredibly brave Gohan. I've never been more proud of you my son. We owe you our lives."
The young warrior looked up at his father, tears continuing to make their way down his face.
"You fought well kid." Piccolo added. "You're father's not the only one who's proud with the man you've become."
The others nodded in agreement.
Hearing these words from his father and friends lightened his heavy heart. He still managed to feel some guilt regarding the situation but their words of encouragement prevented him from falling into utter despair. His father was right, he had made a mistake but in the end he chose the right action. More so than ever he was just happy that everyone was alive and well. Wiping more tears from his eyes, Gohan faced all of them with a smile. "Thank you everyone."
A few moments of silence passed by before Yamcha decided to shift the tone. "Well I don't know about you guys but I say we end on a high note by summoning this dragon."
"Sounds good to me." Tien joined in.
"I'll get the dragonballs." Mr. Popo remarked as he turned towards hut.
"Uhh, Dende. Before we summon the dragon, could you do me a favor?" Krillin asked nervously.
"Yes Krillin?"
"Could you heal #18 here? She's was absorbed by Cell so her power has been drained." He proceeded to lay her down.
"Yes of course!" Dende replied, feeling a bit flustered with himself that he had not previously noticed the woman in Krillin's arms. As he started his healing ritual, Yamcha expressed his concerns once again. "Krillin, do you think this is a good idea?"
"Of course it's not a good idea." Vegeta interjected.
"Relax you two." Tien said. "Let Dende do his thing."
As the healing powers took effect, #18 opened her eyes and quickly sprung to her feet.
"Don't be scared. You're at Kami's Lookout. You're safe now. Gohan defeated Cell." Krillin reassured her.
"G-Gohan?" #18 was quite surprised by this news. However, instead of focusing on this fact she shifted her attention to her new environment. "But how did I get here?"
Piccolo answered for her. "Cell involuntarily expelled you from his body before Gohan destroyed him. Krillin took it upon himself to watch over you from there."
#18 looked back at the short man before her who was blushing. "Well, I couldn't let you get killed, that's all."
"Oh I get it!" Goku and Gohan said in unison, coming to the same realization. "Krillin is in love with #18." Both were quickly dealt a swipe to the back of the head by their small friend. "You don't know anything!" Krillin shouted.
"Hmph." #18 responded, agitated. "Did you expect a thank you for what you did? Don't be ridiculous; I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help." The Android abruptly shot off leaving behind a dejected Krillin.
"Ohhh." Mr. Popo said as he came out with the dragonballs. "Did I miss something?"
"No." Krillin replied sorrowfully. "Let's just summon the stupid dragon."
Knowing there was little they could do for their friend, the others gathered around the dragonballs.
"Shenron," Chanted Dende as the sky grew black. "I summon you."
Instantly, a burst of yellow energy erupted, twirling and climbing to the astronomical heights. As the bright aura faded the dragon was revealed.
The commotion caught the attention of #18. Her eyes grew wide as she turned around. "W-What is that?" She muttered to herself, seeing Shenron for the first time in her life. The Android quickly made her way back to investigate and hid behind a pillar on the Lookout so as to be seen.
"Speak your wish." The dragon bellowed.
"Shenron, we wish that all of those killed by Cell and the other Androids to be brought back to life." Yamcha yelled back with much enthusiasm.
"You're wish shall be granted." Shenron replied as his eyes glowed. A few seconds passed. "I have done as you asked. I can grant you one more wish."
Everyone looked at each other. They had forgotten that there would be a another wish. "What should we wish for?" Asked Yamcha.
"I don't know. We were so focused on reviving everyone I never even thought of a second wish." Tien replied.
As the other discussed it amongst themselves, Krillin summoned up his courage and spoke. "D-Dragon." He shouted. Everyone proceeded to focus on him but he kept going. "Could you turn Androids #18 and #17 into humans?"
"What?" #18 let out an inaudible gasp.
The dragon thought for a moment. "I currently do not have the power to grant this wish. Ask for something else."
"Krillin, why #17? Wasn't he destroyed?" Yamcha inquired.
"No, everyone Cell absorbed should have been brought back to life. This includes #17." Piccolo commented.
Krillin thought again. "Well… can you at least remove the explosive devices from their bodies?"
"…This can be done." The dragon replied. His eyes glowed once more. "You're wish has been granted. I bid you farewell." In other immense burst of energy, Shenron disappeared back into the dragonballs, which then floated into the sky and shot off into the far corners of the Earth. The sky became clear once again.
"You wanted to remove their explosive devices?" Trunks questioned.
"Yeah. I mean… it was something Dr. Gero implanted in them and well, I- I guessed it wouldn't be comfortable for them living with something so dangerous inside their body. I'm sorry, I probably should have asked everyone before I made the wish."
"I thought it was a kind wish Krillin." Gohan smiled.
"But why #17 too?" Tien asked.
"Ugh, well even though I like #18 I know that her and #17 are a couple, right? So it was just something nice to do for them."
"Idiot!" #18 jumped out from behind the pillar, surprising everyone.
"#18?" Krillin exclaimed.
"You don't know anything do you?! #17 and I aren't a couple, he is my brother!" She yelled
"B-brother?"
"Hmph. Even so, don't get any ideas. You still won't get any thanks from me for what you did." #18 turned around to fly off, leaving a once again dejected Krillin. But before doing so she turned her head back to face him. "… See you again." She then ran off and flew away from sight.
"Oh, Krillin. 'See you again.' I think she likes you." Goku jabbed his friend.
"Really?!" Krillin asked, grabbing his friend's shirt enthusiastically.
"I mean, it sounds like she might." Goku stated, scratching the back of his head.
His friend let go of him and blushed. Did #18 really like him? And if so would he ever see her again?
A few moments passed by before Tien faced away from the group. "I think I'm going to head back home now. It's been a long day."
"It has been." Goku agreed as he looked down at his son and the back up. "Trunks, will you be going back to the future soon?"
"Ah, yes. I'll get a good nights sleep tonight and leave tomorrow."
"We'll come see you off." Krillin commented.
"Piccolo, are you going to stay at the Lookout?" Gohan asked.
The Namekian nodded. "Yeah, I will be able to watch after Earth better from here. And, since I have Kami's memories, I can help Dende as he learns how to be Earth's guardian."
Dende beamed with happiness. "Thank you Piccolo."
"Gohan, we should probably get going too. You're mother has to be worrying about us." The young warrior agreed with his father's sentiment. It had been a long day for everyone and it would be nice to go home.
"In that case I will see everyone tomorrow to say goodbye to Trunks." Tien remarked before waving goodbye and flying off.
Yamcha started to ascend into the air. "I guess we'll be off too."
Krillin quickly followed him. "We'll see you all tomorrow. And Gohan…"
"Huh?" Gohan faced his friend.
"You did well." Krillin said as he gave his friend a thumbs-up.
"Thank you." Gohan reciprocated with a peace sign.
"Krillin. I'll race you back to Kame House." Yamcha challenged before quickly jetting off.
"Oh, hey no fair!" His friend yelled back before flying off to catch up.
This caused laughter by the father-son pair.
"Kakkarot!" Vegeta shouted.
"Hmm?" Goku turned to see the Saiyan prince walking towards him.
"Kakkarot, now that Cell and the Androids are gone you owe me a rematch! Don't forget that."
The two stared at each other intensely before Goku let out a smirk. "Of course Vegeta. I look forward to it."
"Hmmph." Vegeta grunted. He then looked down at Gohan and gave him a nod before walking off. "Are you coming or not Trunks?" He asked as he flew off the Lookout, heading back towards Capsule Corporation.
"Yes, of course." Trunks ran after him. He got to the edge of the platform and turned back around. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Rest well." Gohan waved as Trunks flew off to catch up with his father.
Once everyone was outside of sight, Goku put his hand on his son's back. "Ready Gohan?"
"Yup!" Gohan answered cheerfully. He turned to Piccolo and the others, waving. "Bye bye."
"Bye Gohan. Make sure to come and visit!" Dende responded as he waved.
Goku placed two fingers to his forehead and in a flash they were gone.
Chi-Chi sat nervously on her couch, biting her nails. She recently heard over the radio that Mr. Satan defeated Cell. While she knew this wasn't true, it meant that the battle was indeed over. This provided her some relief but now she was just waiting for her husband and son to come home.
"Why aren't they back yet?" She asked her father.
"Chi-Chi, you shouldn't fret. At least we know the battle is over and that they won." Replied Ox-king as he sat down next to her. "They will be back soon enough. You just have to be patient."
His daughter quickly gave him a harsh glare. "Don't tell me to be patient!" She stood up and began pacing the floor. Ox-King sighed. He had just gotten her to sit down and now she was back up, as anxious as ever.
"Mom. Grandpa." A voice called out.
Chi-Chi's head snapped towards the door.
"We're home." Another voice joined in.
"GOHAN! GOKU!" She screamed, rushing across her living room and bursting open the door. What she was unaware of, though, was that her husband and son were standing at the entrance ready to turn the knob. They were subsequently knocked down by Chi-Chi's force.
"Huh?" She questioned. Nobody was there.
Then she heard a slight whimper come from behind the door. "Owwww."
Chi-Chi peaked her head around to see her husband and son on the ground, dazed. "GOKU! GOHAN!" She yelled once again as she came to their side and embraced both of them in a hug. Expectedly, she started to sob at being reunited once again.
"Ah Chi-Chi. Don't cry. We're both back, safe and sound." The latter point was more relative given what had just happened but Goku tried to comfort her nonetheless.
His wife broke from their embrace and scowled at him. "Son Goku how could you put me through that? Do you know how worried I was? Gohan should never have gone to fight." She started to lightly beat his chest as she continued to sob.
"No, Chi-Chi." He sternly commented. His wife stopped and looked at him through watery eyes. "It's because of Gohan we are alive. He was the one who defeated Cell."
"What?!" Exclaimed Ox-king who had made his way outside. Both he and Chi-Chi looked towards Gohan for confirmation. The young warrior let out a small smile and nodded.
"My little boy…" Chi-Chi muttered before she embraced the both of them and started crying once again.
With a happy reunion set, the family eventually made their way back inside the house. The two warriors got cleaned up and prepared for a much-deserved meal. Chi-Chi's emotional cries soon turned into laughter as the group talked and shared stories for the next several hours over the dinner table. For the first time in a long time they all were able to sit down together without a threat looming over their shoulders and it made for a much more relaxing and enjoyable evening. Time quickly passed and night soon fell upon the peaceful household.
Gohan slipped into his pajamas, and sat on the edge of his bed looking out at the stars. It had become a ritual for him. Either he looked out and wondered about loved one's he knew where millions of miles away or he would try to find a shooting star so that he may wish for peaceful times. But now he didn't need to do any of that. All those years of wishing had finally paid off. Everyone was happy and healthy, and there was no dark force they were preparing to battle. For the first time since his uncle Raditz had arrived, everything was perfect. So why was he feeling so emotional?
"Hey Gohan." Goku said as he appeared in the doorway to his son's room. "We'll see you in the morning OK."
Gohan sniffed and turned away from him in hopes of covering up the fact that he was crying. "OK dad."
"Gohan?" His father asked, recognizing something distressing in his son's voice. When he was greeted by a muffled cry Goku walked up and sat on the bed next to him. "Gohan, what's wrong?"
His son had curled up with his faced buried into his knees. "I… I just don't know how to feel right now." He finally answered. "Everyone is alive and happy, which makes me happy, but I can't shake the feeling that this is only temporary." Gohan looked up to face Goku. "Something bad has always been around the corner for us and I'm just scared for what comes next. What if someone stronger than Cell appears? What if I can't stop them?"
"Hey, listen to me." Goku calmly reassured. He was about to tell him that none of that would happen. That they would all be OK and nothing would ever bother them again. But he knew there was no way he could guarantee that. Besides, his son was smart enough to know that the unexpected can, and often does, happen.
He sighed. "Gohan, to be honest I don't know what life has in store for us next. You and I both know that it can throw us a curve ball at any given moment. But keep in mind that while fate may deal you a hand, it is up to you to decide what to do with that hand. And whatever comes next, whether it be another battle or peace, I promise you we will face it together. You are never alone son."
"But what if I make the wrong decisions, like I did today? What if I let my power cloud my judgment?"
"Gohan we all make mistakes, you have to understand that. I was only able to recognize what was happening today because I did the same thing with Frieza. You can't keep beating yourself up because of what happened." After mentioning Frieza, something stirred within Goku making him become very contemplative.
He had not learned from his own past mistakes. "If anything… I am at fault."
"Huh?"
"When you transformed, your Saiyan instincts went into overdrive and you developed a thirst for revenge. I mentioned that something similar happened to me when I first became a Super Saiyan in my battle with Frieza. You probably experienced the same feelings when you first became a Super Saiyan in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. However, since I was so focused on training you I ignored it. I got caught up in training you from a physical standpoint that I overlooked any mental training you deserved."
Goku shook his head. How could he be so stupid?
"Piccolo even pointed it out to me during your battle with Cell. I was so focus on getting you angry in order to make you transform that I couldn't see how scared you were. I put such a heavy burden on your shoulders without adequately preparing you for it." He paused, reflecting back on the decisions he made. "I'm so sorry Gohan."
"Dad." Gohan said sympathetically as he gave his father a big hug. "… I guess we both made mistakes today."
They sat there for a long moment before Goku eventually broke the embrace. He held onto his son's shoulders. "I want you to know that I meant what I said at the Lookout. I'm very proud of you son." He proclaimed with a tear in his eye.
"Thank you dad."
Once again they hugged. While they knew they had each had made mistakes, they also knew they were able to forgive each other. No matter what happened, nothing would ever be able to break the bond between them.
Night turned into day and by mid-morning the Z-warriors had gathered at Capsule Corp to see Trunks off.
Bulma gave her future son a hug. "Trunks, take care of yourself."
"Will do."
Trunks then turned to Vegeta and extended his hand. "Father."
Vegeta paused before ultimately shaking his son's hand. While no words were exchanged between the two, they understood the respect they had developed for each other.
Climbing aboard his time machine, the demi-saiyan punched a few numbers into the system. As it rose into the air he waved one last goodbye to all of his friends.
"Goodbye." "Bye." "Thank you for everything." "Be safe." The crowd cheered.
"Goodbye everyone." Trunks waved. The time machine vanished, taking Trunks back to his timeline and bringing a final close to an unforgettable chapter in everyone's lives.
It was a new era of peace.
