As usual, don't own it!

It's always a sad thing when good things come to an end. It happened with DBZ (the last episode aired recently…sniff) and it happens with this little fic. Sadly, this is the 9th and final chapter to Cries of Pain. It's nice and long…six pages long, which is the longest chapter I have ever written. ^_^

I'll write more at the end, for now, enjoy the last chapter.

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At last it's finally over

Couldn't take this town much longer

Being half-dead wasn't what I planned to be

Now I'm ready to be free

   A dazzling blue light drew closer to the duo. The intense heat burned everything in its destructive path. It was surely the end of the young Saiya-Jins. Their fight had been a waste, and the world would be destroyed.

   What ever happened to the fairy tales where evil never prevailed? Where are they now? Where are our knights in shinning armor? Who is supposed to protect the earth, when its only hope has failed?

   Why did it have to end this way?

   Trunks's eyes went wide as the wave of destruction neared him and Goten. Frantically searching around, he tried to find a place to hide. The land was barren, with no hiding spots. Taking in raspy breaths of air, he searched through his mind for a way to evade the attack.

   Counter attack, duh, He thought. There was only one problem though. Trunks only had his left arm to work with. He had destroyed his right arm while fighting Cell, and now it hung limp by his side, useless. Gritting his teeth, Trunks brought his right hand by his side, chanting the most infamous attack ever heard.

   "Kamehameha!" Trunks screamed, thrusting his arm forward. A blue light surged through his hand and towards the wave coming towards him. Lightning crackled as the two attacks clashed. Trunks put all his energy into the blast, yet it was still too weak. Cell was going to easily overcome him at the rate they were going. Trunks looked to Goten for help.

   "Goten…help me…"

   Goten looked up at Trunks, "I have no energy left…"

   Trunks gasped. How could he do this now? He was too weak to fight, let alone give excessive energy to kill Cell. One thing kept him going though. A memory he barely remembered. Actually, he could not see anything. He only heard a voice…

   My son, you have to listen to me. I know you are too young to understand this now, but someday you will. Danger is drawing close, and we may not live through it. No, not we, because you will live. I may not live through this. Trunks…you are the prince of a warrior race. No matter how diminished we are, our pride lives on. If I die fighting these androids, you must defeat them. Protect everything you love, and you will never regret anything you do. I will always be proud of you, remember that…

   It was the only time Trunks had ever heard Vegeta's voice, yet somehow it stuck out in his mind. Even though Trunks was only one years old when Vegeta talked to him, the voice was etched into his memory for him to always hold onto. When things got rough, those words kept him going.

   He felt himself fade. The energy grew weaker as Cell's attack started to overtake Trunks's wave.

   "Goten! Help me!"

   Goten nodded weakly, cupping his hands to his side. Thrusting them forward, he let out his own Kamehameha wave, adding to Trunks's diminishing power. They both had to be strong; people were counting on them to win.

   Goten's conversation with his father kept replaying in his mind…

   "Goten, you must listen to me." Goku looked down at his son, a serious frown set on his lips.

   "What is it?"

   "You are part of a warrior race called the Saiya-Jins. You hold a dangerous power if not used responsibly. Use this power to defeat Cell. You must defeat him and save the earth. So many people have died because of that monster, and it needs to be stopped."

   "But what if I can't? What if he's too strong? I'm too young to die…" Goten looked up at Goku, his bright innocent eyes filling with tears.

   "Never doubt your power. Use the pain of loss to gather your energy. Feed off the anger you feel when you think about how Cell killed everyone you love, and use that as your power. Fight with your emotions, and you will come out as the winner."

   Goten screamed as he put more power into his attack. Cell gruesomely killed them all. He killed ChiChi and Videl, two of the most important people in his life. He killed Goku and Gohan, causing him to be fatherless and brother less. All this pain in the world was Cell's fault. The emotionless beast took away everything, and he was going to pay for it.

   But didn't Goten think that before? He was going to beat Cell as soon as his mother died. That never happened though. Instead, Goten almost got himself killed. What if they were too weak? What if they attacked, pouring every inch of their being into this attack, and it did not work? What then? What would happen then?

   There was no choice to make. He had to find out his answers. Goten powered up into a Super Saiya-Jin, releasing more energy. The two raging energies around Goten and Trunks united into one as they both powered up. They both screamed, making their attack more powerful.

   They might have a chance. They could win if they want it enough.

   Fear struck Cell. These two boys could defeat him at any moment if they wanted to. Why didn't he just kill them when he had the chance? He was too blind to their real power, that's why. Every part of Cell shook with a mixture of fear and excitement. He could win…just a little more energy would defeat them.

   He started to overpower the defense.

   "Trunks! This isn't going to work!" Goten screamed, trying to desperately add more energy.

   "It has to! It's our only chance!"

   "Distract him Trunks! I can take care of it here…I think."

   Trunks shook his head, "As soon as I leave your side, you'll be dead!"

   Goten powered up more, "GO! Do anything to divert his attention!"

   Trunks nodded. He couldn't believe he was taking orders from Goten. Trunks flew to the side and behind Cell. He quickly powered up a ki blast, and shot it at Cell. The attack bounced off Cell's back, but it was enough of a shock to divert his attention. Cell looked back at Trunks, a shocked look on his face.

   Bad move Cell.

   Trunks instantly was back at Goten's side. Each of them poured their heart and souls into the wave, each contributing a newfound energy. ChiChi, Videl, Goku, Gohan, Bulma, Vegeta…they would all be avenged. Cell would pay. Oh, he would be so miserable, his death would become an angel from above.

   Their wave started to overtake Cell's attack. It was working! They were winning!
   Soon, the wave engulfed Cell's body, ripping it limb to limb. Cell let out a blood-curdling scream, making it pierce through the thick smoke. There was an amazing explosion, and then all was quiet.

   Too quiet…

~*~

   "Did they do it?" ChiChi peered into the crystal ball, hypnotized by the fight.

   "I think they did…" Goku smiled, falling back onto the grass.

   ChiChi laughed, falling next to Goku, "They did it! I can't believe it! Now they can wish us back! Dende's still alive, right?"

   "Yeah!"

   "We can be a family again! Wait until Gohan and Videl hear this." ChiChi looked up at Goku, who looked saddened, "Goku, what's wrong?"

   "ChiChi, I don't think I'll be coming back…"

    ChiChi looked at Goku with a shocked expression on her face. What? Not coming back? He had to be crazy. Why wouldn't he want to come back? ChiChi looked down at the ground. She didn't want Goku to see her cry.

   "ChiChi, I'm sorry. It's better this way."

   ChiChi looked up at Goku, her bright eyes now filled to the brim with salty tears. "How? How can it be better? How can you tell me that you don't want to come back when you have a wife and two kids?"

   Goku wrapped his arms around ChiChi, "I know. That's why I can't come back. I attract danger. Think about it for a minute. Radditz, Vegeta for a little bit, Freiza, The Androids, Cell…they all wanted to kill me."

   ChiChi shook her head, tears spilling to the side, "No! I won't let you! I've lived too long without you! I just want you to come home!"

   "I'm sorry…"

   ChiChi buried her face into Goku's shoulder. She punched him in the arm, "No! Don't give me that! I…I…" ChiChi collapsed, the tears falling furiously down her face.

   Goku stayed silent. What could he say to her? He knew he had to stay in the afterlife. His decision was not made because he didn't love her, but because he loved her so much. Sometimes it felt like too much. It was to keep his family safe. It was the only option he had left.

   The only thing he could do is try to comfort her. He wrapped his arms around ChiChi, and closed his eyes.

   "Yay! He did it! My son, the hero!" Bulma screamed out, jumping up and down. She felt so much pride rise within herself. Her son defeated the monster, the one who had killed almost the entire planet!

   Vegeta smirked and crossed his arms. His boy, a Super Saiya-Jin. He defeated something he himself could not. At a young age, his son was so strong it was amazing.

   I'm always proud…always…

~*~

   Slowly, the dust disintegrated from the air. Nervously, Goten and Trunks peered around to see if they were alone. You can never be too careful with these types of situations. For all they knew, Cell was patiently waiting in an unknown place, plotting his next move. He could be anywhere, waiting to kill them.

   Goten fell to his knees. Breathing out a sigh relieve, he closed his eyes and took in the friendly rays from the sun. The sunlight bouncing off his face was a wonderful feeling.

   Cell had to be gone. The sun wouldn't come out if he were still around.

   Trunks smiled in content. They had finally done it. After everything they had gone through, they had finally beaten Cell.

   No more suffering…

   No more pain…

   No more people dying…

   No more.

   Trunks looked down at Goten, "What now?"

   Goten opened his eyes and looked at Trunks, "We get the Dragonballs of course. Mom told me about them one time. We can ask the Dragon to bring everyone back form the dead."

   Trunks raised an eyebrow, "We can do that?"

   Goten smiled, and nodded, "Uh-huh. Dende might have them. I heard he lives in the sky somewhere."

   "Then let's go! What are we waiting for?" Trunks lifted himself into the air, and prepared to lift off. He tried to blast off towards the direction he needed, but he ended up falling to the ground.

   "What the heck? Why can't I fly?"

   "You idiot!" Goten exclaimed, "We just killed Cell! Of course we're not going to have the energy to fly!" Goten fell backwards onto his back, both his arms and legs spread out. "Let's rest first, I'm tired." Goten promptly closed his eyes and fell asleep.

   Trunks shook his head and smiled. Sleep sounded good. He lay down next to Goten, and fell asleep.

~*~

   Dende looked over the edge of the lookout. He smiled to himself as the dark clouds started to disappear. He never doubted those two for a second. Dende knew they could win.  The sons of Goku and Vegeta would never lose to the likes of Cell. Turning around, he briskly walked into the lookout. A few moments later, he emerged with a long black case. He set it on the ground, and unlocked the hatch. Carefully lifting the top, he took out the seven orange balls out of the red velvet lining. He smiled, setting the balls in a circle.

   He would wait for them to awake and come to him.

~*~

    A few hours later, Goten and Trunks both woke up. Stretching, Goten stood up, and lifted himself into the air.

   "Come on Trunks, let's go." Goten powered up, feeling a renewed energy within himself. Trunks nodded, and quickly followed. They both flew upwards, searching for this place in the sky. Soon, they found a gorgeous sanctuary with gardens outlining the area. A teenager waved at them as they flew down.

   "Goten, Trunks! I've been expecting you!" He said, running over to them.

   "Wow…you're…green…" Goten blinked a few times.

   Trunks laughed nervously, "Um, excuse Goten here, he's a little thick headed. You know, a lot of space between those ears of his," Trunks paused, and the continued, "Who are you?"

   The green teenager laughed, "I'm Dende! Guardian of the planet!"

   Trunks peered behind Dende, "What are those?"

   Dende led the two boys over to the orange balls, "These are the Dragonballs. We can summon Shenlong and he can grant you any two wishes that you want."

   Goten cocked his head to the side, "I thought it was only one wish."

   "This is my version. The old dragon disappeared when Kami fused with Piccolo. Well, should we use these?"

   "Yes!" Trunks and Goten both screamed out, making Dende jump. Dende then walked in front of the Dragonballs and stretched his arms in front of him. He chanted a few words. Immediately, the sky turned a deep midnight black as the Dragonballs glowed a brilliant orange.

   In a flash of light, a great dragon emerged from the Dragonballs. It twisted and turned up into the sky, his massive body stretching a great distance. Slowly, it's mouth moved up and down as it spoke, it's deep voice rumbling the surface.

   "Who has awaken me from my slumber?"

   Trunks bravely stepped forward. It wasn't every day that you saw a huge, talking dragon that could grant wishes, "We want to bring back everyone who was killed by Cell."

   Shenlong's eyes glowed red, "It has been done. What is your second wish?"

   Trunks scratched his head. What would the second wish be?

   "We want you to bring our family and friends back up here!" Goten screamed out, catching Trunks off guard.

   Shenlong's eyes glowed red again, "It has been done. Until next time, so long!" In a flash, he disappeared, and the Dragonballs lifted into the air and blasted off in different directions.

   A few seconds later, people started popping up at the lookout. Unfortunately, Trunks and Goten did not know any of them. There was a short man, a man in orange gi, another green man, and a man with three eyes.

   "Are we alive?" The man with orange gi asked. The short one shrugged.

   "I don't know, man. We have to be…why would we be on the lookout?"

   "He looks like Goku!" Everyone diverted their attention to the one with three eyes.

   Goten walked over to them, "Who are you?"

   "I'm Tien," The man with three eyes said, "And that's Yamcha, Krillin, and Piccolo," He pointed to the respective people.

   "Were you friends with my dad?" Goten asked,

   "Yeah. Wow, you look a lot like him." Yamcha said, "Down to the hair and clothes."

   Goten smiled sheepishly, "I know."

   Suddenly, someone squealed. ChiChi came dashing across the lookout, her arms wide open. "Goten! My baby! You're alive!" She caught Goten in a tight hug, practically suffocating him. Goten twisted himself out of the death grip.

   "We did it Mom…we beat Cell."

   A tear ran down ChiChi's face, "I know…" She took him back into her arms into a warmer hug. Goten hugged her back, happy that she was home.

   Trunks looked around. Where were they? They had to come back…

   "Trunks…Trunks is that you?" Trunks turned around to where the voice was coming from. There stood a woman with blue hair.

   "Trunks? Wow…you've gotten so big…"

   Trunks quickly ran over to her. Bulma fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around him.

   "I'm so sorry," She said through tears, "I'm sorry for leaving you…"

   "It wasn't your fault. I'm happy your home." Trunks said through his own tears. "Is Dad here somewhere?"

   Bulma regretfully took Trunks out of her arms. Her son, her only son had practically grown up without her! Okay, so maybe he was only nine but still! Almost his whole childhood had gone by without her there.

   Trunks found a man with spiky hair leaning against a pillar. Smiling, Trunks marched up to him.

   "Hi father," Trunks said to him.

   "What do you want?" Vegeta asked ruefully.

   Trunks smiled more. It was the exact response he thought he was going to get. He drew in a deep breath and continued, "I wanted to thank you."

   Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "Why? I've never done anything for you."

   "But you have. Think really hard, and you may know. Thanks Dad. Thanks for everything." Trunks turned to walk away.

   "Wait a second, Trunks, " Vegeta said.

   Trunks turned around, "What?"

   Vegeta paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right words, "Nothing. Forget it."

   "It's okay. You don't have to say it," Trunks turned around, and walked away. Vegeta was exactly like he heard. Hard as a rock on the outside, but if you dug deep enough, you could find that he cared. Being rude was just the way he showed it.

    Trunks walked over to Goten. They were both thinking the same thing. Where the heck was Videl?

    "Goten! Trunks! Over here!"

   Goten and Trunks looked over their shoulders. Huge smiled broke out on both of their faces. There she was. They both immediately ran over to her, practically taking her to the ground with their hugs.

   "Goten! Trunks! You're choking me!" Videl said weakly in their death grip. Goten and Trunks crawled off of her to let her sit up. She smiled at them, and rubbed the back of her head, which was pounding in pain from the fall she had taken.

   "Videl, you've only been back for only a few moments, and guys are already hitting on you." A teenage boy walked over to Videl, Goten, and Trunks. He sat down next to Videl and smiled at the two boys.

   "I take it you're Goten. Wow, you look just like dad."

   Goten's eyes widened. Oh my god…

   "Go..Gohan? Wow, is it really you?"

   He nodded.

   "Gohan!" Goten screamed, tackling his brother to the ground. They both laughed, as they were happy to finally see each other.

   Videl smiled t the situation. It was too cute, seeing both Gohan and Goten together. Saying that she had fallen in love with both of them was an understatement. Gohan and Goten both meant so much to her, that she could feel nothing but happiness for them. Maybe one day she could really be part of their family too. The day she married Gohan would be the best day of her life…

   Stop kidding yourself Videl, it'll never happen. She thought to herself.

   But you know, fate is a funny thing. It can bring the most unlikely people together, and tear the most likely people apart.

   Yeah…it'll happen…

   Krillin scanned the lookout. Something was missing. One face…one face was missing.

   "Um…where's Goku?" He asked. The lookout grew quiet. Only a few of them knew the bad news.

   ChiChi looked at her hands as her fingers involuntarily twitched, "He's not coming back. He said it was to protect us." She said quietly.

   No one said a word. What would everyone do without him? Sure, now they were in a time of peace, but what if something happened? No one would be there to protect them, and the pain would start all over again.

   "We shouldn't be sad. We should be happy. That's what he would want," ChiChi looked up at everyone, a small smile set on her lips, "There's no point in being sad all the time. Life's too short, as we all found out. Let's celebrate our second—"

   "Um…it's my third…" Krillin said. Everyone glared at him to shut up. To tell you the truth, no one really cared…

   ChiChi continued, "Our second chance at life. We'll make it even better than before, and we'll have lots of good stories to tell Goku when our time comes."

   "Nicely said," Bulma smiled, "Let's enjoy ourselves…how about some food?"

   "Food? Did I hear food?" Goten came running over, his mouth practically watering. Yes, Goten was definitely his father's son. Everyone laughed at this, recognizing the similarity. Goten smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. Another Son trait…

   Everyone then headed off the lookout, some flying, some in helicopters.  

   Laughing was the only sound heard around the world that day.

   The day they kill the beast. The day two small boys had mustered up enough courage to take on the unbeatable.

   And they succeeded.

   What happened to the Cries of Pain? The Cries of Pain disappeared for a long time. Rarely was it ever seen, and never to the extent of Cell.

   The Cries of Pain were extinguished with Cell. Pain, agony, and terror all blew away like the wind.

  The people's angels had arrived.

   They came, they saw, they conquered.

So here I am

It's in my hand

And I'll savor every moment of this

So here I am

Alive at last

And I'll savor every moment of this

Savor every moment of this

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Hope you liked that chapter. Everyone, thanks for the awesome reviews. If you liked the dramatic and angsty parts in this fic, make sure you check out some of my other fics, 'cause almost all of them are like that. ^_^.

Anyway, the last episode of DBZ aired here in the States. All I have to say is that Goku is a bad, bad man. I'm sure we all have read ahead to find out what happens, but if not, I won't say anything, 'cause I know my friends up and Canada are just getting them. ^_^