We're on the final chapter, ladies and gentlemen. Let's do this!

Trunks looked over the time machine one last time, before he left. He checked every nook and cranny of it, making sure everything was in its proper place. No screws were unloose. The fuel tank was completely filled. All of the buttons were connected and working.

But as he looked over it from the bottom, it felt like it was missing something. He couldn't put his finger on it.

As he stared at the machine, it came to him. He ran back into his mother's lab and grabbed something, before running back outside. It was a small bucket of black paint. Without a paintbrush, he dipped the tip of his pointer finger into the paint and floated up to one side of the machine. Carefully, he painted on the side. It was a reminder of what this project meant for the future.

He jumped back down, wiping the paint off with a spare rag. When he looked at his work, he smiled. Painted on that side of the machine was one word.

HOPE!

Piccolo walked up next to him, looking up at the time machine. "You sure had your work cut out for you. I honestly didn't think you could do it."

"Yeah, you can say that, again." He tossed the rag onto the ground. "I'll take the time machine down to the ground. Once I'm done, I'll get back here as soon as I can."

He laughed. "Don't think time is much of an issue, now that we've got that thing." He looked down at Trunks with a serious gaze. "Remember everything we talked about. See to it that I don't fuse with Kami and that Goku stays alive. If that happens, this new timeline will already be in a better place."

He nodded. "I will. I promise."

"Good. I'll see you when you get back."

Trunks turned around and capsulated the time machine, sticking it into his jacket pocket. Then, he powered up and flew off of the Lookout.

Piccolo watched, as he disappeared into the sky. In retrospect, he should have known Trunks would have been able to complete the time machine. That boy could do anything he set his mind to. Just through willpower, alone. Yet the worst battles were still ahead of them. Another confrontation with the androids was inevitable. And Trunks needed to be ready for them.

He shut his eyes and sighed. When Bulma came back into his life, he thought she was his way to redemption. That if he helped her and saved her, it would somehow make up for what happened to Goku. But he failed her, too. When he felt Trunks' energy dropping the last time he fought the androids, he had flown there as fast as the wind could carry him. If he had gotten there a second late, he would have been a goner.

At that moment, Piccolo made a vow to himself. He might have failed Goku and he might have failed Bulma. But he was not going to fail Trunks.

Seventeen years earlier

Trunks arrived in the past safe and unharmed, with a few hours to spare. He spent those last hours meditating, mentally preparing himself for the battle ahead.

The moment he felt a giant energy on top of him, he knew it was Frieza.

He quickly made it to the battlefield, watching from a distance as the ship landed. As Frieza stepped outside, Trunks couldn't help but shudder. He was every bit as terrifying as he'd been told. Still, he stayed hidden, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Then, Piccolo jumped forward, looking ready for battle. And there was another man fighting alongside him. That must have been Goku. Trunks couldn't help but be excited to see his mentor in his prime. Even now, he was still incredible. And Goku was as amazing as he'd heard. Even though he was vastly outclassed, he still gave it his all.

As Frieza ordered his men to leave, Trunks readied his sword. Now was his chance. He'd get in there and show everyone what he was made of. Faster than they could fly away, he swooped down, slashing each of them with his sword, before sheathing it just as quickly. They all fell to the ground with a thud, as their comrades looked on in fear.

Trunks landed on the ground in front of Frieza, glaring at him.

He looked more annoyed than anything. "What do you want? Make it fast, or move along."

He stayed silent.

"What are you waiting for? Either say something or get out of here. My patience runs thin when my time is wasted."

"I'm here to kill you, Frieza," he finally said.

He opened his eyes, and looked at him. "You know who I am." He chuckled. "My reputation does precede me, even on this backwater planet. If you know who I am, then you must know that you are trifling with the strongest being in the universe. Or did no one have the courtesy to tell you that?"

"Listen, kid," Piccolo said behind him. "This is more than you can imagine. Get out of here, before things get rough."

Trunks' expression softened. Even if this wasn't his Piccolo, he was still looking out for him. He looked over his shoulder, pausing for a moment before he spoke. "I know what I'm doing, Piccolo. You don't need to protect me."

"You'd be better off taking the Namekian's advice," said Frieza, "lest you want to get yourself killed."

Trunks glared back at Frieza. "That won't happen. You're going to die, today."

THE END

Hey, we made it! Of course, this isn't the actual end. Because there's still the rest of A Wondrous Place to look forward to! Now that this story is completely finished and posted, I'll be getting back to posted more of the main story. So definitely start looking forward to that. As well as everything else coming up in this thrilling saga.

But that's all for now. Thank you to everyone who's been reading and following this story. I hope you'll continue to do so in the future. Take care, everyone!