Sailor Moon©Naoko Takeuchi
Dragon Ball Z©Akira Toriyama

Alas, the last chapter. Thank you all who have supported me throughout my writing of this story. It's been an honor that you guys love this story a lot. While I couldn't please everyone, the feeling inside is just so good that a modest amount of people loved this story. I'd like to thank my friend and beta reader, Rainstorm, for helping me write this story at its finest craft. I do hope you check out my future story(/stories) on this site in the future.

Again, thank you everyone! You're the best! :)

Chapter 21

Dawning of Redemption

"You... MONSTER!" Gohan charged towards Xexet, whom he could see just ahead of him! As Xexet turned around, he looked with great shock upon Gohan!

The Saiyan teen tackled him with great force! Crushing the tyrant into the ground, Gohan pinned him down and clenched his hands around Xexet's neck, impaling his fingers deep within the throat of the enemy.

However, as Gohan looked into the eyes of Xexet, all he could see was pity. Xexet laughed faintly as he was being strangled by the hero. Gohan slowly softened his grip, wondering what it is that this wicked king found humorous.

"What are you laughing about?" Gohan muttered.

"There's absolutely no point in killing me a second time... You've succeeded in killing the beast, but the spirit of the Noire will exist on forever, boy," Xexet said, gazing upward towards Gohan's enraged face.

"You're lying. I saw you die, along with him. I've decimated your forces, and annihilated all of those who were loyal to you. What hope do you possibly have left?" Gohan said, pushing him deeper into the grounds. Xexet simply closed his eyes and tilted his head more upward.

"You fail to understand. Chaos, that is what corrupted us all. It's more than a mere entity of discord and destruction. It plagues us, consumes us, and it remains as an omnipresent force in the entire universe and beyond. The desire to do evil is just so great, it is what we refer to as temptation - the lust to commit actions that bring more chaos. It is only the will of a mortal that can defeat this Chaos,"

Gohan considered these words. He stood up, completely releasing his grip on the adversary. He stood silently as Xexet rose to his feet, as well.

"Then I guess I'll leave it to the will of those who remain in the universe if they choose to defeat it," Gohan responded under his breath.

"So be it,"

Gohan looked upwards and noticed Xexet had vanished. In this white world - possibly the gateway into the afterlife - he could only see before him a cloud of black dust that would waft away in moments. The silence had returned, and he was alone. As now the spirit and entire presence of Xexet had faded away, Gohan closed his eyes to await what would happen. He would eventually meet his father now, and he could only expect to feel the joys once more of embracing each other.

However, it didn't seem like it should have ended here for him. It just couldn't have, at all.

"Gohan," There was that familiar voice again. As he opened his eyes, he was no longer in heaven nor hell, but back on Earth. His eyes wide open, he found himself in the same condition as he was in before igniting the final Kamehameha. Turning around, there stood his friend - Trunks, Chibiusa, Sailor Pluto, and Hotaru.

Dazed at this situation, he looked above their heads and his own head only to find no halos. He was alive, indeed. But how? He thought. Suddenly, he heard a bulleting sound coming from above. There they were, scattering across the world once more - the Dragon Balls!

Suddenly, walking from behind Sailor Pluto's leg was a small, green being - it was Dende! Dende had been missing this entire time, even when he had arrived here days before on Kami's Lookout!

"Sorry about that, Gohan. Sailor Pluto had to take me to Namek in order to ensure my safety in the case that something grave happened here," Dende murmured. Gohan simply stared.

"By a major request to the leaders of Namek, I was able to convince them to use three wishes to completely restore your world, including all of its people. Gohan, you have succeeded in this mission. It's about time to-..." Sailor Pluto said but was interrupted when Gohan suddenly ran towards them with his arms wide-open!

Tackling Trunks happily, the two Saiyan boys laughed with joy! Chibiusa jumped on Gohan's back, embracing both of the boys tightly. They were all smiling and laughing one out of another in this reunion. After all that they've been through in so much time, they could finally share a moment in joy.

Alas, Gohan laid eyes on Hotaru, who was just standing in her place, staring towards Gohan. Trunks and Chibiusa gently let go of him, and the two stared at one another. Without hesitation, Hotaru dashed towards Gohan and wrapped her arms around him tightly. They embraced each other tightly, never to let go of one another in such a moment of happiness. Looking above Hotaru's shoulder, he could see Dende standing at there. With a smile, the young Namekian nodded in agreement. Gohan shot a wink back, holding a thumbs-up to return this sign of approval.

"Gohan, I'm glad to see you in a state of good health and joy, but I must tell you the news right now," Sailor Pluto exclaimed.

Gohan suddenly backed away, noticing Hotaru facing downward. He looked confused, wondering why suddenly she went from utmost joy to sadness.

"What's the matter, Hotaru?" Gohan asked, holding her shoulders.

"I knew that this would come, that this would happen before I came to your world. It pains me to say that I regret wanting to return. I want to stay here for an eternity, where I've finally found happiness now,"

Gohan's eyes widened, "What, what are you talking about?"

Trunks placed his hand on Gohan's shoulder. Turning around, he noticed the disappointment in his friend's face, too, "I heard about it already, Gohan. I don't like it any more than you do,"

"They're right," Sailor Pluto said, "It's only the inevitable that the three of us - I, Hotaru, and Chibiusa - return to our home this instant. With the phenomenal powers of the Dragon Balls of the Planet Namek, every bit of the destruction caused by the Noire has been neutralized. Both of our universes are safe, and every sign of life has been resurrected," She paused, then blinked, "We are to return this very moment, you two. You've helped us and succeeded, but we now have our duties in a distant universe to fulfill,"

Gohan gasped, "That means..." He turned to Hotaru, "Your father is alive?"

She nodded slowly, "Everything was brought back. The Noire was never corrupted by Chaos to begin with,"

"She's right," Sailor Pluto said, "He does not even remember that he ever went aboard the Noire's ship, as the events never occurred to begin with as of now,"

Gohan turned back to Sailor Pluto, "B-but... I don't understand... Why do you have to return? I want Hotaru and Chibiusa to stay. They prefer being here, so please...Can't you let them choose their destinies, Sailor Pluto?"

"I'm afraid not, Gohan," Trunks said, "This entire timeline we each created the past few months would never have happened had it not been for them. A future also rests within the hands of the Sailor Scouts and their friends back in their world. Just like my own future with the Androids, I chose to remain here for a little longer, but I really shouldn't have,"

"Time is an unbelievable force of nature, as it affects every world in the entire body of universes. Ours requires the presence of Hotaru and Chibiusa once more, as Hotaru will defend our world again as Chibiusa will grow into a Princess of a great kingdom one day,"

Chibiusa nodded a little and began to tear up, hugging her Luna P, "I don't even know if I care anymore about our world..."

Immediately, Trunks kneeled down and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back, the both of them beginning to tear up. Gohan saw Trunks in sadness, as this is probably the only time he's ever witnessed him displaying emotion. It probably wasn't the only time, as Trunks' future would probably say something otherwise. Nevertheless, it was very surprising for Gohan.

He turned to Hotaru, looking at her again, "I guess she brings up a good point, huh?"

"Yes..." Hotaru murmured.

Suddenly a strange wormhole-like object appeared in front of the door of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! It appeared to be projected by Sailor Pluto's Rod, and this must have been projected by her power alone.

"That must be your ride home," Dende said.

"Indeed, it is," Sailor Pluto said. She had turned to Trunks and Gohan a final time, "I'm sorry, you both. I really am... You have no idea how much I thank you right now for saving our worlds from Armageddon, and I, too, understand the feelings you are all emitting right now. I bid you both farewell, and best of luck in your future endeavors, Gohan and Trunks," Sailor Pluto then walked over to the portal, then waited silently for the other two.

"Trunks..." Chibiusa said, still tearing while leaning over and kissing his cheek, "I'll miss you,"

"So will I, my friend," Trunks said, "You're going to make a fine ruler one day of Crystal Tokyo, I just know it,"

Chibiusa suddenly giggled, "How do you know about all that?"

"But of course, I was kidnapped by Xexet who knew all about it, wasn't I?" Trunks leaned over and kissed her forehead, "No more tears, Chibiusa," He wiped away the last one from her face, "Just be happy, and that will make me happy as well," Trunks said with one final tear running down his cheek.

Chibiusa walked silently over next to Sailor Pluto. She had finally stopped crying and now smiled towards the two boys.

"Hotaru..." Gohan said, "Sailor Saturn told me that-..."

"She wasn't lying." Hotaru responded, "I do feel it, exactly how she described. I-It feels like I've been by your side for so long, that I've cared for you so deeply... I've long awaited to hold you, and embrace you forever. B-but it just can't happen anymore, I-..."

Hotaru was suddenly interrupted when she felt her lips being pressed upon. She held her breath when she immediately noticed Gohan kissing her passionately. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms gently around him, holding him tight. They did not separate from this moment of romance, and like Hotaru described, they felt like they had embraced infinitely - never to let go of one another. Whether it be passion, faith, or love, it was the greatest feeling they had both felt. They would never be apart, no matter what distance that stood in between them.

"Return home, Hotaru." Gohan whispered, "You're needed there."

"Sailor Saturn had already told you, but please hear it from me..." She paused, "I love you, Gohan..." Hotaru murmured and shed a tear.

"I love you, too," Gohan whispered, "I will remember you, forever."

Hotaru was the last to follow with her company. The girls turned to the Saiyans, and they were each smiling. They each felt the everlasting happy moments they shared with one-another in the past few months, but they each knew it was also time to part. The wormhole now shined brightly. The boys blinked, suddenly noticing that Chibiusa was now wearing a Sailor outfit - supposedly Sailor Chibi-Moon that Trunks had heard about briefly - and Sailor Saturn. However, behind them was even more awe-striking. All of the Sailor Scouts: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and even Tuxedo Kamen were all behind them. Even Professor Tom - whom Gohan now knew as Professor Tomoe - was also standing there. They were all looking towards the Saiyans, each of them smiling in pleasure to meet their heroes.

"Thank you, both of you." Sailor Saturn said. The wormhole had vanished, and so did they.

The two Saiyan boys were silent, now. Looking at one-another, they simply shrugged.

"It sure was something these past couple months, wasn't it?" Trunks said.

"You bet it was," Gohan murmured, "But what now?"

They heard a powerful surge of energy coming towards their location! The boys detected it, but couldn't tell what the essence of the ki was - pure or evil. Preparing for combat, the boys entered a fighting stance, looking in the direction where the ki was coming from.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" Trunks remarked, raising his energy levels.

"I did. Just prepare for anything..." Gohan said.

Suddenly, they noticed that there were more than one sources of ki coming their way! It turned out to be about five - each with power levels strikingly above any of the Neru!

"Hey buddies, what's the matter?" Alas, one of them spoke upon entering their sight. It was a short, bald guy - it was Krillin! Beside them were more of their friends - Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and Vegeta! They had landed before them on the Lookout, staring at the two Saiyan boys in confusion. Immediately, Trunks and Gohan lowered their energy levels, only to find in relief that their friends were alive!

"Father! You're alive!" Trunks dashed up to Vegeta happily and hugged him ever so tightly.

"But of course I'm alive, do you think I would've died by just searching the entire planet for when you two idiots went missing?" Vegeta said.

Gohan gasped. They weren't even on this planet the past few months, they were in space trying to detect the Noire that was heading this way. However, he remembered Sailor Pluto mentioning that the Noire ceased to exist on their reign of terror, so there was no reason for them to even leave Earth to begin with.

"Same old father. I'm sure mom is okay, too?" Trunks said in an unusually cheerful tone.

"Is something wrong, Trunks? Maybe we should take you to a doctor or something." Tien remarked. He and the rest of the company were all simply staring at Trunks and Gohan in confusion.

"And look at yourself, Gohan. What happened to your clothes and were you beating yourself up while we were looking for you? You look even worse than when you fought Cell!" Krillin said, shooting a devastated look towards Gohan. Gohan simply replied with a chuckle.

"Do I have a story to tell you all."