Trunks – along with his father, sister, and two other selves – had chosen to visit the lookout for proper farewells instead of asking the residents there to return to the Earth below.
Of course, as the proffered resolution to the time-travelling dilemma had come about during the night hours, the group had chosen to wait until the late morning for their visit. However, Trunks and Bulla didn't sleep the night through.
In the interest of having their biological clocks aligned to the past they'd be returning to, the two siblings had unanimously piled into Future Trunks' time machine, capsuled the other two devices, and he'd taken them to the next morning. He'd reassured everyone that his presence meant none of the future timeline would be reset, and they'd simply just skipped over several hours in a practical way.
"Don't worry, we're not going to wind up with any more copies of anybody," he'd said.
After the blink-of-an-eye trip and the landing, the three of them went inside the house, Trunks and his sister going to their borrowed rooms to change back into the clothes they'd first arrived to the future in. Vegeta and Old Trunks had awoken a while prior, and once everyone was ready the five Saiyan-blooded people began their flight to Dende's roost in the sky.
Once again, the lookout residents were waiting for them near the edge of the platform, though their cordial greetings became shocked or confused stares upon seeing not two, but three Trunkses descend onto the tiles, alongside Vegeta with Bulla in his arms.
"What on Earth have you done now?" growled Piccolo as he looked at the group of visitors.
"Weren't you watching, Piccolo?" Dende spoke up. "That Trunks there is not the same as the other two. He arrived with a time machine."
"I assumed that had something to do with it, but you think they wouldn't be careless enough to – oh," he said, cutting himself off upon realizing what the Guardian of Earth meant.
"I know who you are," Eighteen stepped in, looking at Future Trunks.
"Android Eighteen," he replied, his posture going rigid. "And Android Seventeen. So you really have made something different of yourselves in this timeline. That aside..."
He drifted off, his gaze going to the others gathered as welcome. "It's nice to see you after so long, Dende, Piccolo, Mr. Popo. And – and you, Gohan."
Gohan scratched the back of his head. "Um, nice to see you too."
Trunks realized that Gohan hadn't quite caught the gist of things. "Gohan, this is Trunks from the future who showed up to give Goku the heart medicine, right around the time myself and Old Trunks here were born."
Gohan instantaneously brightened up. "Huh? Trunks, is that really you? I can't believe it! It's been so long, you haven't aged a day!"
After more salutations and smiles going around the group, Future Trunks spoke again, happiness evident on his features.
"It's so nice to see you all again. Although," he admitted, his expression shifting to confused, "I don't think I've ever met you before."
The person – or being – in question was Majin Buu, who merely smiled and replied in his trademark childish voice.
"Me Buu, silly purple boy!" the pink humanoid said, and Future Trunks seemed to just accept it as he turned back to Gohan.
"It's a long story," the eldest half-blood replied.
"You wouldn't believe half the craziness we got into the years after you left," Trunks added.
"I could say the same," said Future Trunks.
"Yeah, well, at least you didn't have to deal with Bulla growing up," Trunks said.
"You're so mean. Can I take a different Trunks home?" the blue-haired girl pouted.
The group had spent a good deal of time explaining that this was Trunks and Bulla's final visit, the pair giving their goodbyes as they now had a way home. After a few final hugs and sincere words, Vegeta, Bulla, and all three Trunkses had left the lookout with parting waves as they took to the air.
Eighteen had once again promised to give her answer after a little more thought, which Vegeta didn't seem to mind, as occupied with returning his children home as he was at the moment. In fact, it was the aforementioned point that had Trunks' attention, as he wondered what would become of his father after the situation was resolved.
Old Trunks had apparently rejected Vegeta's request, but the younger Trunks felt sorry that his father would be leaving the only family he had behind.
Therefore, Trunks resolved to have a few words with his older self to see what he could do about it.
The five of them had flown back to the house to give the very last send-off, a more personal form of farewell with only Vegeta and Old Trunks remaining to bid the departing pair good luck. Future Trunks tagged along, of course, though he was maintaining a somewhat physical and emotional distance that Trunks did not miss – though he assumed it was because the other version of himself was simply accustomed to goodbyes like this often in his line of work.
Looking away from his youngest self, who was speaking to Vegeta a little ways off, Trunks returned his focus to his oldest self.
"I'll be weird, with you guys gone. I was just getting used to having other people around, Dad – and Bulla – included," Old Trunks mused.
"You could always convince him to stay. Dad, I mean," Trunks replied.
"I doubt it. You know how stubborn he is when he has his mind made up," Old Trunks said.
"Yeah, we'll I'm stubborn too – we both are. You're gonna let Dad abscond into space by himself again, with maybe Eighteen going with him? I guess they do get along, but that's only because they're both kinda vain and are allergic to small-talk. Dad's colder moods alone are enough to freeze goldfish just by looking, so I can't imagine how unbearably stuffy things will be with the two of them put together."
Old Trunks smiled a bit. "He did ask me to go with him, just before you guys showed up. I told him no, but it didn't seem like he was going to give it up just like that. Then he came back with you two. It isn't that I want him to leave and never see him again. It's just that... the only others with Saiyan blood are here, excluding Goku. And Goten... I'm still waiting on the chance for his return. If I could convince Dad to stay, I would."
It was the first time the man had given any true mention to Goten, but Trunks could tell it was a sensitive topic. Even though he and the youngest son of Goku had grown apart to a certain degree, Trunks didn't know how he would feel if the other simply left and never came back. They'd grown up together, even if their adult lives had taken different paths. He could understand why the chance of Goten's return would be a valid reason to stay.
"I think it's worth a shot to keep trying," Trunks said. He didn't have any other advice to offer. Even if he found his own life to be like Old Trunks' after the years went by – which he doubted, knowing changes were inevitable – he would want his family to stay together. His father and sister included, although he didn't know what he could do about his mother.
After more consideration, Trunks continued. "If Dad isn't connected to his grandkids, you're kind of the only family he has left. And, I don't mean to offend you when I say this, but you don't seem to be connected to your children either. I mean, you're about a hundred years old and you look like you're thirty-something, so I can understand where the issues might spring from..."
"My children know about their heritage, but my grandchildren don't. It's been a long time since the Earth has needed someone beyond ordinary human limits – we really are an aberration. But I also have human blood, and so I'll always feel a connection here. If Goku is really gone, Dad is the last of his kind. Piccolo will eventually come to the same problem, because he's so different he doesn't belong with the other Namekians. I have no idea who'll take care of Buu, since neither Mr. Satan nor Uub are around anymore."
"If it's any consolation," interrupted Future Trunks, who had exited his own conversation with Vegeta to approach his other selves, "Otherworld has even more to explore than you can imagine. Eventually you'll all get there, and you can have an eternity to be reunited. I can't imagine the Kais will be happy with the ruckus you guys will kick up, though."
"That's right," Bulla piped up, appearing from behind Trunks' back. "Maybe Grandpa Son's already there anyway, he can teleport too. And I can't imagine Daddy being happy to just leave and never see you again, even if it is to chase Pan's grandpa – but no matter what happens, we'll all see each other again, just like sword guy says. Plus, most of you have already been dead before."
"That's true," Trunks acknowledged, and his older self laughed.
"What's true?" Vegeta asked as he approached.
"Oh, we were talking about dying. Fun stuff," Trunks said. "But I guess I should be talking about saying goodbye. Because for us, they're very different things, aren't they?"
Future Trunks took a step away from the conversation, summoning his time machine in a cloud of smoke. Trunks knew the other man was trying to give them some space for their last farewells.
"Well, I know I'm gonna miss you," Trunks said as he clapped Old Trunks on the shoulder, quite literally giving himself a pat on the back.
"Likewise," Old Trunks returned as he pulled Trunks into a brief embrace. Then, Old Trunks turned to Bulla and did the same.
"Gonna miss you too, Squirt," he said. "Don't drive your brother too crazy, alright?"
"I'll try my best," the blue-haired girl replied. Bulla then turned to Vegeta and plunged into his arms without warning.
"I know I have another Daddy waiting for me back home, but I was really glad I got to meet you. I won't forget about you," she said to him.
Vegeta's reply was muttered so that only Bulla could hear it, but the fondness was obvious between the two. Bulla sniffled as she pulled away after a long moment of holding her father.
Trunks shifted on his feet, unsure of how to proceed.
"I know I'm going to be seeing you again in a few minutes," he began, "but since it's a different you, I think I owe you a real goodbye." Trunks outstretched his arm, offering a handshake.
Vegeta took the offer, but instead of following through with the handshake he pulled Trunks into a hug as well.
Trunks felt awkward for a second, then returned the embrace.
"Bye, Dad," he mumbled.
Vegeta said nothing, but upon releasing he gave Trunks a look that communicated everything he needed it to.
After a heavy moment of silence, Bulla trotted over to Future Trunks' machine and jumped the entire way up the side.
"Alright! Let's do the time warp again!" she cried.
"Enthusiastic as always, Princess," Trunks said as he strode over and followed her lead.
"What, you aren't happy to be getting home?" she asked.
"No, I'm actually quite excited. Really looking forward to getting back and, you know, seeing my cat. Gotta have my priorities in order."
Bulla punched him in the arm as he settled into the cockpit, laughing at her expression.
"So I was thinking," Bulla said, changing the topic as Future Trunks hopped into the machine last, "if Shenron can grant almost any wish, shouldn't he be able to give Mom and Mrs. Chi-Chi and Mr. Krillin the same natural lifespans as their spouses? We should really look that up after we get home."
"That – that's actually a good idea," Trunks said. He didn't know why no one had ever thought of it before, but he supposed a situation like the one they'd been in forced them to confront the reality of such a matter.
As the glass cover of the time machine descended, Trunks and his sister broke from their conversation to give a last wave to the two on the ground watching them go. When the lid clicked shut, the outside sounds became muffled, but that didn't stop all three half-bloods inside the machine from continuing their goodbyes until Future Trunks fired up the contraption.
Trunks didn't look away from his future father and future self until they began to fade from view as the device took off.
The first time he and Bulla had done this, Trunks had been panicking and hadn't thought to take notice what was going on outside the machine at all. Calm and aware this time, he was awed by the spectrum of colours that stretched on endlessly, swirling around and through each other, casting reflections through the glass covering.
"That's incredible," Trunks breathed, and was about to say more when his sister interrupted.
"Oh my god," Bulla said, straightening up with a start. "I just realized I forgot my phone."
Both men turned to look at her, Trunks from his seat on the floor and the other from the driver's chair, until they caught the teen's mischievous grin.
"Just kidding. It's right here," she explained.
"I swear to god, when we get home, I'm going to find a way for you to get grounded," Trunks muttered.
"Nuh-uh. This entire thing was your fault, so you're the one who's gonna get grounded," Bulla retorted.
"Bulla, I can't get grounded. The last time I was, I was fifteen, and it wasn't like I ever listened anyway."
"Fine. You win this round."
"I'm getting the feeling that most of your conversations sound like this," Future Trunks interjected.
"This? This is minor. Once when she was nine, she threw a motorcycle at me after my cat ate a sweater she left at my house," Trunks said.
"In my defence, I only threw it because animal abuse is wrong and you're strong enough to catch a flying vehicle. Plus, ripping trees out of the ground is a lot more work and you can't put those back together," Bulla reasoned.
Trunks rolled his eyes and Future Trunks wore a contained smile.
"So, on a different topic, how long does this trip take?" Bulla asked.
"Only a few more minutes," Future Trunks said, then paused as if he wanted to say something else.
"You two... There's something you should know," he continued in an odd tone after what seemed like an internal struggle.
"Hm? Is something wrong?" Trunks asked.
"Well, no, not anymore," Future Trunks said.
Trunks raised an eyebrow. "Not anymore? You mean the time anomaly is fixed, right?"
Did his other self know something about their future or return home that they didn't?
"Yes. With your presence no longer there, the timeline has gone back to normal. But you can't ever return to that future," the other Trunks said.
"Yeah, I know – you said something about taking our copy of the time machine because it was illegal," Trunks elaborated.
"It isn't that. The future you were in... it's gone. It doesn't exist anymore. If you found a way to go back, nothing would be the same. They wouldn't even remember you."
"What... What do you mean?" Bulla asked.
"Just your presence there wasn't the only problem. Didn't you find it odd that I never worried about them having a time machine, albeit a broken one? Eventually, that Trunks could've learned how to repair it. Here's the thing – if the timeline had been sequenced properly, you would've arrived in a future where you two had been gone for those seventy-five years. That obviously wasn't the case," Future Trunks said.
"I don't understand how that means it no longer exists. When you came back to defeat the androids, things happened differently both because of your interference, but also independently. I was told Goku got sick later than he should have," Trunks enquired.
"That's right. But no mortal had ever had access to time travel before. When events differ so greatly between each other, it's almost easier to think of it like you've created another dimension. Your home timeline and mine are a good example of this. However, once I got involved with the Kai, things changed. Without intentional action on my part or hers, any new timelines created can be only ghosts. Those people were echoes of you and your loved ones and nothing more – it was your presences there that gave them life because they were just one potential future of yours. The moment you left that future, it was destined to become a shadow. I'm sorry."
"Is that really true?" Bulla said.
"I'm afraid so. It's happened more times than you think," Future Trunks explained.
Trunks had known he was unlikely to, if ever, see those future versions of himself and his father again. Even so, he'd never considered that they would be erased altogether. They weren't just living out their lives forever separate – they weren't dead – they were gone like they'd never been there.
Trunks stared at his hands, unsure of what to do with them.
"I can assure you that your real loved ones are just as you left them. The only thing I have to tell you is that we're arriving about an hour or two after you first left. Travelling to the past is a different matter altogether," Future Trunks said as he hit a few buttons on the panel in front of him.
The hum of the machine began to change frequency as it began its landing.
"And I think it's only fair," he went on, withdrawing something from his pocket, "that I let you keep your time machine. I know how much work Mom puts into her projects, and there might come a time when you really need it. I have no right to judge – besides, I'll know if you ever do use it."
"Th – thanks," Trunks said, surprised. He met his other self's eyes, which blinked back with understanding.
"Wait. What about you? Will we ever see you again?" Bulla cut in.
Future Trunks gave a soft smile. "No, but you never know for sure. I think I'll be seeing you again before you see me." He then turned away to look out over the rim of the machine as the glass lifted.
"We're right outside Capsule Corp. Actually, we're on the roof. I don't think it'll be long before your energy will catch everyone's attention. Remember, you've only been gone a little over an hour," he said as he leaped out of the device.
Trunks and Bulla climbed out, a chill nighttime breeze rustling their hair as they confirmed they were indeed on the roof. The time machine vanished as Future Trunks returned it to its capsule.
"I can keep myself hidden until I'm sure everything is normal," he said.
"But wait, what do we tell everyone?" Trunks wanted to know. "How do we explain where we were and how we got back? Will it mess time up if we say anything?"
"You can tell them what you need to, but try to keep me out of it. I'm supposed to be incognito, remember?" Future Trunks smirked, making Trunks wonder whether the other man was serious or not.
Trunks did not have time to ask before Future Trunks gave the two disoriented siblings a gentle push off the roof.
"Wai-ahhhh!" Bulla wailed, grabbing onto her brother as they tumbled over the edge.
In his surprise, Trunks hadn't had time to catch himself, so he landed against the familiar, manicured lawn as Bulla's cushion.
"Argh... Trunks, you jerk!" the teen growled as she rolled off her brother to sit in the grass.
"I think your elbow punctured my liver," Trunks groaned from where he was still sprawled out.
"Come on, let's go, I want to find Mom and Dad. They can't be that far off," Bulla said as she got to her feet.
"Oh no, I think I'm having sudden organ failure, you'll have to go on without me," Trunks exaggerated with a dramatic sweep of his arm over his face. He was miffed that she'd pulled him off the roof; even though he'd already been pushed, he wanted to pester her. He felt giddy now that he was home, regardless of whether he had reunited with his family yet or not.
"Stop being weird," she demanded, grabbing his wrists and trying to move him. "This isn't the time for your stupid sense of humour, come on, I wanna go."
He refused to get up and she proceeded to start dragging him across the lawn by his arms, griping all the while as he laughed at her.
"Trunks, cut it out," she whined. "You're heavier than you look, but that's probably because you seem to have rocks in your skull instead of a brain. You're not funny."
"You're the one willing to drag me all the way across our parents' front lawn," Trunks said.
Abruptly, there was a brief movement in the air and then it was replaced with Son Goku, who withdrew his hand from his forehead and widened his eyes.
"There you are, lil' princess!" the man greeted in relief. "Everybody's been looking for you and your brother! Where – um..."
The Saiyan trailed off as he looked at Trunks laying on the ground, with Bulla still clasping his wrists.
"Uh, this isn't what it looks like," Bulla said, releasing her brother.
Trunks suppressed a chortle and rolled to his feet, dusting himself off.
"Goku! It's you," he said, regaining his composure. Trunks then noticed that he felt unusual, an instant later realizing it was the weight of Goku's aura. During the days the half-bloods had been gone, Goku's overpowering ki had been, of course, absent – it was strange, having to readjust to the strong presence once more.
"I think I should be surprised! Where have you guys been?" the Son patriarch said.
"Well, we -" Trunks began, but Goku cut him off.
"Wait, wait, hold on a sec, I'm gonna go get the others. Your parents are worried, wait right here," Goku said before putting his fingers back to his forehead and vanishing just as he'd come.
The pair of siblings stood there in the aftermath of Goku's whirlwind, waiting in silence for his return. On a whim, Trunks turned to look up at the roof, where he knew his other self was still waiting.
"You have grass in your hair," Bulla noted out of nowhere.
Trunks turned back to give her a look, brushing his hands through his hair to dislodge any plant blades. He was still doing so when Goku reappeared – with company.
Trunks froze in place as he met his parents' eyes.
"Mom! Daddy!" Bulla squealed, dashing forwards to hug her father and mother. Vegeta looked surprised, but his relief soon echoed Bulma's as he returned their daughter's embrace, though the teen's momentum had almost knocked them over.
While Goku vanished again, presumably to fetch everyone else, Trunks moved forward to join his family hug – to hold his living, breathing mother, and his father who looked young and had an air of vitality as he should.
Trunks felt small pangs in his heart as he followed his sister, seizing their parents in an embrace.
The four of them wound up in a tangled bear hug, Bulma reciprocating the embrace despite her confusion and Vegeta going along as well, albeit embarrassed over the affectionate display. Both Briefs parents were asking questions, but the words were lost in the wake of their children's joy.
When Bulla's relief became weeping, the hug had untangled somewhat to the teen girl clinging to Vegeta and Trunks picking his mother up and spinning her around.
"Eek! Trunks, not so fast! What on Earth..." Bulma cried as Trunks responded and stopped the exuberant motion.
"I missed you so much, Mom," Trunks said, giving her one last squeeze before releasing her.
It was at that moment that Goku reappeared, bringing with him everyone else who had been at the party.
Amongst the many questions now peppering the air, most managed to quiet down as a few select persons in the gathering began their interrogation.
"You scared us all half to death!" cried Pan, making soothing rubbing motions on Bulla's back, who was still clinging to Vegeta.
"Where did you go?! You've been missing for over an hour!" cried Goten, grabbing Trunks' shoulders.
"Were you trying to give your feeble human mother a heart attack?" cried Vegeta as he continued to hold his daughter.
"Did you just call me feeble? I swear, if our kids weren't already in more serious trouble, you would be," Bulma retorted, shifting her attention for a moment.
"Trunks, I'd like a statement in five words or less telling us where you both have been. Right now," Vegeta demanded.
"Er... On a field trip?" Trunks supplied. He couldn't name a specific place to his father because they hadn't been in one specific place. Unless 'the future' counted as an accurate enough depiction.
"A field trip?" asked Goku with more than a little excitement in his tone. "Why didn't you invite – ow!"
The man was interrupted as Bulma pinched his arm hard enough for him to get the message.
"Could you be a little more specific, Trunks?" Vegeta commanded.
"Well, we... We were actually..." Trunks turned his eyes back behind him, towards the rooftop.
It was empty.
A soft wind tousled Trunks' hair as his gaze lingered on the vacant place for a long pause.
"Trunks? What is it?" Bulma asked.
"Nothing," the violet-haired man said, turning back to face everyone.
Bulla took the moment to wipe her eyes and clear her throat.
"It's a long story," she said.
A meteor shower graced itself in the foreground of the stars, and Bulla cooed.
After giving a rough explanation, which Trunks knew would warrant more in-depth questioning at a later time, everyone had been satisfied enough to return to the New Year's festivities and stargazing. Blankets were laid out on the grass, guests grouped all over them to have a comfortable place to view the cosmos. As it was later in the night, the stars were clear and bright as lanterns hanging in the sky.
Most, if not all, of the Earth's protectors were in attendance, everybody taking the time to catch up or just spend time with each other. No distinctions were made between who welcomed whom – Gohan laughed over a joke with Yamcha; Krillin held Vegeta's attention with some story. Trunks noticed that even Uub had arrived at some point, chatting with his mentor Goku.
Trunks sat with his sister. Both of them were quiet, regaining the feeling of being home again, absorbed in the surreal esthesis of their return.
Trunks still had the paper in his pocket, with the date of Bulla's onset of sickness that he'd already memorized. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone – not yet. He would wait until the time was right, when the celebrations were over.
"Well," Trunks said as he broke from his thoughts, "I really did get you out to see the stars like Mom asked."
"They are beautiful," Bulla admitted. She tightened her coat around herself, then leaned into her brother for more warmth. Trunks could tell she was drowsy; so was he.
"We should all go explore them more some time. Without the crazy alien battles that brought us there the last few runs-around," Trunks remarked.
"But there's so many of them. How will we know where to go?" his sister replied with a yawn.
"We're orbiting just one in a thousand stars, here. Does it matter as long as it's somewhere new?"
"I guess not. But if Earth is just one little place, what about all those stories you tell me? Events that changed the universe happened right here with you to see them. And even then, so much happened out there too. You'd have to live forever to see all those stars."
"This world may have only one moment set aside for each of us," Trunks replied, "and maybe we won't get to see it all. But who wants to live forever, anyway?"
When Bulla didn't answer, Trunks looked at her to confirm she was drifting asleep.
He smiled to himself and returned his focus to the stars above.
"Aw, that's so cute," Bulma whispered, approaching with Vegeta and Goku in tow. "I can't believe you two are getting along well enough for her to sleep on you."
"You get to take a turn as soon as the pins and needles start," Trunks said with a smirk.
Bulma and Vegeta sat down next to their son and sleeping daughter, Goku remaining standing nearby with his hands on his hips as he looked up.
"Look at all those shooting stars. I wonder how many wishes that is," Goku commented.
"Maybe you should fly up and catch me one," Bulma joked. However, Trunks knew from the look on the Saiyan's face that he'd taken the idea as a serious one.
"Hey, yeah, good idea! Come on, 'Geta, let's see who can get one for Bulma first!" he challenged.
"You're ridiculous, Kakarot," Vegeta said, but Trunks rolled his eyes as his father got up to answer the contest anyway.
"Last one to the stars is a rotten egg!" Goku called out as he took off into the sky, Vegeta only a moment behind.
Trunks watched the glow of their auras shrink as they flew away, blending into the night heavens.
A/N: Some of you may recognize one of Trunks' lines in this chapter. It's based off a song by Queen – "Who Wants to Live Forever." I just recently heard the original of this tune (apparently, I've been listening to a cover all this time) and as I was composing this final chapter, it just kind of... fit.
A thanks to everyone who reviewed/commented, and to all who took the time to sit down and read this. I hope this was a satisfying conclusion to something that was meant to be a lot shorter when I came up with it. All the ideas I penned down really did change the flow of the story, enough that the details surrounding the basic concept made it turn out quite different than I first pictured.
Once again, thank you all for reading, and Happy Holidays!