"Cheers!" Bulma said, raising her glass.
Everybody clinked their glasses together, and merrily repeated, "Cheers!" Bulma, Trunks, Ranch, Launch, Chi-Chi, Gohan, Bulla and the twins were all back at Capsule Corp sitting around a table loaded with a scrumptious meal as they celebrated both Black's defeat and their new guardian. Dende was also among them, although all he was having was water.
"Mommy, I don't feel good," Bulla began to complain, holding her stomach.
"That's what you get for letting your past grandma stuff you with sweets," Ranch said sagely, feeding Vegeta.
"Geez, Bulla," Gohan began confidently, "toughen up a bit more wo—" He stopped talking as he practically gagged.
"You were saying," said Trunks, feeding Raditz.
"Hey, we earned it!" Gohan insisted. "Gramps and grandpa wanted to do some training with us before we left."
"Oh, I was wondering why it took you guys so long to get back," Ranch said.
"I can't say I blame our past selves," Bulma said, amused.
"I know what you mean," said Launch. "I'd go a bit over the top if I suddenly had grandkids show up."
Chi-Chi groaned. "What I wouldn't do to meet Pan. I bet she's just adorable…"
"She is, Aunt Chi-Chi," Ranch said kindly. "And the Gohan there is alive and well. I'm glad knowing just that."
"You're right," she sighed. Chi-Chi held up the picture of Gohan and his family that was given to her. "Just knowing that there's a Gohan out there that's thriving is enough."
The dinner went on normally. The adults chatted, mostly about the past and how the other reality was so different. Ranch and Trunks briefly told Dende how they had met his counterpart in the past. The kids, though, had to get over their stomachaches so that they could shovel down the food that was before them.
After dinner was over and the table was cleared, Bulla gasped. "Kitty's back!" Everyone turned to look. The Supreme Kai, Beerus, and Whis were now standing outside on the balcony.
"Huh, so those are the Beerus and Whis you guys were talking about?" said Bulma curiously.
Tensely, Ranch said, "Mom, take the kids to the other room."
"Right," said Launch with a nod. "Come on, you two." She got up and took hold of Vegeta, while Chi-Chi took Raditz, and together they led Gohan and Bulla away. "Dende, you should come, too."
Trunks and Ranch nodded at each other. They had expected a visit from the deities but not so soon. Thankfully the past Bulma informed them on how to best handle the eventuality. They both took a deep breath and hitched up a smile, and went outside with Bulma in tow to greet their guests.
"Supreme Kai, it's good to see you again," Ranch opened.
Bulma said, "It's good to know that the wish made on the Super Dragon Balls worked."
"Yes, thank you for bringing us back," Supreme Kai said appreciatively.
"Interesting," Beerus commented, looking over Trunks and Ranch. "Here I thought that Frieza had wiped out the Saiyans."
"Actually, my lord, they seem to be Saiyan-human hybrids," Whis informed him.
"Uh, yeah, our fathers and one other Saiyan survived and settled here on Earth," Trunks quickly explained.
"Fascinating," Beerus said sarcastically. "I'd tell Whis to introduce ourselves but I've got a feeling it's not needed. Start explaining."
They gulped nervously, having been previously informed what their stance on time travel was, and began to talk.
"So to save your own necks you risked tearing apart the fabric of reality?" Beerus shouted angrily after they finished speaking. "And not only that, but it spiraled so far out of control that it actually resulted in the gods being wiped out by that maniac!"
"Beerus, calm down," Supreme Kai pleaded. "They didn't know! And they were the ones to bring us back."
"That doesn't matter! They were just cleaning up their own mess!" he continued to yell. "I should just destroy this whole damn planet just to get it over with! In fact, I'm amazed that my counterpart didn't do just that when he was told all this! What could have possibly made him decide it was a good idea to spare you?"
"Well, he's apparently a fan of the food," Bulma immediately answered.
That managed to distract him from his anger. "The food? Is…Is it really that good?"
"Would you like to try?" she asked, pressing the advantage.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt."
"We would be delighted," said Whis.
"Then how about you guys take a seat?" Bulma insisted, trying not to sound desperate and ushering them all inside. In an undertone she told Trunks, "Boil a kettle of water!"
Upon having the deities seated Bulma pulled out of her pocket a case full of capsules that her past self gave them. She took a capsule out, pushed the button and tossed it. A crate appeared that Bulma opened and she took out three cups of instant ramen. They were in need of something quick and delicious to hopefully keep Beerus pacified, and they had no time to cook up something elaborate. When the water in the kettle was boiling, Bulma peeled the lids off the cups and poured in the water. She gave each of them chop sticks, and when the ramen was ready she told them to dig in.
One bite and Beerus exclaimed, "What is this? My taste buds are practically dancing right now! How has something this delicious eluded me for so long?"
"Goodness! This is delightful!" Whis said joyously.
The Supreme Kai didn't say anything but he looked visibly relieved as he ate.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. I've got a bit more food that you might like to try stocked up," said Bulma, waving the case in her hand. "And soon enough when we get everything straight here on Earth we'll be able to make even more."
Beerus slurped up the last of the noodles and then drank the broth. "Is that so? Well I look forward to it." He pushed his empty cup away and then became more serious. "Alright, so there's one last thing I'd like to know. You say that you and some others defeated Zamasu. What I want to know is how a god was defeated by a bunch of mortals."
They began to tell him that it was a matter of technique and luck, describing the Evil Containment Wave, their use of fusion, and their Saiyan transformations. When Beerus asked about the transformations Trunks and Ranch told him all they could, including the information on Super Saiyan God and Blue they had gotten from their Saiyan relatives in the past.
"Super Saiyan God…" Beerus said curiously. If he recalled correctly the Oracle Fish mentioned something about that quite some time ago. He gave them a sharp look. "Show me."
"Man, I hope this works," Ranch said nervously.
"Well, it's not as if he said he'd destroy the planet if it doesn't," Trunks whispered to her. "Calm down or the twins will be flustered."
"Yeah, you're right."
Ranch held hands with Gohan on her left and Bulla on her right. They did their best with what their fathers from the past had told them when they briefly described the ceremony. Bulla and Gohan put their free hand against Trunks' back, while Trunks held the twins in each arm. Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Launch all looked on in wonder, not exactly sure what was about to happen. Beerus, Whis, and the Supreme Kai observed with professional curiosity. Ranch, Gohan, and Bulla began focusing positive energy into Trunks. The twins must have had no idea what was happening, but thankfully they were all smiles as they held onto their dad.
Suddenly the six of them began to glow as Trunks and Ranch ended up automatically transforming into Super Saiyans. As the golden aura surrounded them, everyone also became engulfed by a blue glow. While not yet Super Saiyans themselves, all the kids' hair also became a golden color. Trunks began to glow even brighter than the rest, and a golden beam shot into the sky with the blue aura spinning around it. The wind kicked up, and the clouds swirled high above them until it all came to a stop. Nothing seemed to have happened at first, but then another bright light appeared in the middle of them, and shot another beam upwards the expanded to swallow the area around them. When the light dissipated up into the sky it created a huge gap in the clouds, resulting in a variety of intense weather.
Ranch, Gohan, and Bulla continued concentrating on pouring their energy into Trunks, who then began to glow gold before it suddenly turned red. Ranch powered down from Super Saiyan, and she backed off with Gohan and Bulla to admire what was happening before them. Trunks was hovering above them, still holding onto the twins, who didn't seem bothered by what was happening to their dad. The light then eventually faded, and Trunks was now before them with red hair and red eyes.
When Trunks touched back down on the ground, Ranch ran forward and unloaded the twins off him. Vegeta and Raditz seemed to have the energy sapped out of them in the process, and they were now snoozing soundly. Stepping back, Ranch looked at Trunks in awe. She might not feel the energy coming off of him, but she could definitely tell that Trunks was now at a completely different level.
"Amazing!" Shin remarked. "To think that such a power existed!"
"Whoa," Trunks said, looking over himself in wonder. "So this is the power that they felt. This is unreal!"
Beerus then stepped forward. "It's certainly more impressive the power you had before," he said. "Let's test this, shall we? On top of the food, if the challenge you provide is good enough then it might make this whole debacle easier to swallow."
Trunks turned to face Beerus, nodding. "If you wish, Lord Beerus."
Whis then announced to everyone, "I suggest everyone keep their distance as things are about to get quite violent." Not needing to be told twice, all the spectators were quick to back off.
Trunks and Beerus stared each other down for a second or two. Deciding to simply get this started, Trunks launched himself at Beerus, who calmly stared him down as he approached. Then just Trunks threw his punch, Beerus stuck his hand out and blocked it, causing a massive shockwave that created a crater beneath them. Trunks' punch came to a dead stop, and he kept on pushing as Beerus just looked on with a superior smirk while easily holding him back.
Despite that slight setback, Ranch was in awe of what she was seeing, recalling the power that her father and uncle had displayed. "Yo, Trunks!" she shouted. "I'm next!"
Giving her a quick glance, Beerus said to Trunks, "I can't say I blame her. It must feel exhilarating suddenly wielding the power of a god."
"Yes, it's incredible," he confirmed.
Beerus then pushed him back before floating up to the sky with Trunks following. The two then began to exchange several hits, which got heavier each passing second. In order to get used to new newfound strength, Trunks held back at first, but he slowly put out more power with every punch, kick, or whatever else he threw. But Beerus blocked a lot of Trunks' attacks, and those that did land didn't seem to do much damage. And each strike of Beerus' that Trunks wasn't able to block, it hit with a force more powerful than anything he took before.
A punch from Beerus caught Trunks in the face, and he sent hurdling down to the city below. Seeing where he was headed, Trunks stopped himself just before he hit a newly restored building. The populace below, understandably fearing another attack, ran for their lives. Not wanting to cause any damage or panic in the city, Trunks powered up to take off at top speed away from the city.
Beerus angrily growled, "Running already?" He sped off after his opponent.
As Shin went to follow, Ranch handed the twins off to Launch, and told Bulma, "People are probably freaking out! See if you can get word out that there's nothing to worry about."
"Wouldn't that be a lie?" asked Chi-Chi.
"Hopefully not," she said, powering up and taking to the sky.
"Wait up!" Gohan shouted, going to follow.
"We want to watch too!" Bulla cried, right behind her brother.
When they were gone, Whis asked the women, "So, would you happen to have any other tasty treats on hand?"
Trunks managed to get to an empty area, when Beerus came out of nowhere from above and kicked him down. He careened downwards, and carved a huge trench upon hitting the ground.
"Pathetic," said Beerus, approaching Trunks. "A Saiyan running from a fight? From what I understand your race should be too proud for that."
Aching, Trunks got up, and loudly declared, "The people of this planet have been through enough hell! I wasn't about to let our fight cause any damage to them!"
"So you're saying I mistook your noble intentions for cowardice?" asked Beerus, rather intrigued. When Trunks didn't respond, he went on, "Well, since we're away from dwellings now, how about I put a bit more effort into it?"
Trunks nodded. "Alright, I will too."
"What?" Beerus blurted out in astonishment. "You haven't been going all out?"
"Well, yeah, I wanted to get used to this form," he said obviously.
Beerus growled, "After all that's happened I would've thought you at least learned not to take gods so lightly, mortal!" He closed the distance between him and Trunks, and threw a punch that Trunks managed to block with both his arms. Trunks took to the air, Beerus followed, and they once against began zipping around exchanging blows.
Just then Shin, Ranch, Gohan, and Bulla arrived.
"Yeah! Go, dad!" shouted Gohan.
"You got him, daddy!" added Bulla.
"Yup, he sure does," said Ranch. Yeah, Trunks is screwed, she thought worriedly.
When the two backed off from one another, Beerus asked Trunks, "Well, still holding back, mortal?"
"No, I'm not," he told him.
"Well, I don't believe you," claimed Beerus. "Maybe you need a little bit motivation to take this seriously. I know, what if I say that unless you beat me I'm destroying this planet!"
Eyes growing wide with fear, Trunks pleaded, "No! Please, we've fought for this planet for so long!"
"What does that matter to a god like me?" he replied, as he went back in to continue the fight.
Ranch, Gohan, and Bulla were frozen with shock. Ranch then rounded on Shin, asking, "Shin! Can't you talk sense into him?"
Shin closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can say to get through to him. I'm afraid the best I can offer is take you and your family off world."
The fight continued with Trunks now not only not holding back, but he also fought with even more desperation than before. Trunks fought Beerus ferociously, and the two went higher and higher into the sky until they were practically up in space.
Battered and exhausted, Trunks backed off and looked at his opponent angrily. The cyborgs. Babidi. Black. If Trunks wasn't able to win then it'll all have been in vain! Drawing himself in, Trunks yelled as he began gathering up as much power as he could. Beerus looked on in amusement, pleasantly surprised at just how much the Saiyan was able to fight back. He watched as Trunks' fiery aura began glowing evermore brighter, and he wondered what he had in store.
Trunks thrust both hands forward connected at the heels. "Final Flash!" A humungous and powerful beam that illuminated the ground far below shot out of Trunks and right at Beerus, who put out both his hands to catch it. When the beam hit Beerus, he was pushed back but just barely. Trunks continued firing, but Beerus then began pushing forward.
Despite seeing him get closer, Trunks didn't relent on his attack. But he was forced to stop his attack when Beerus got right in Trunks' face, grabbed his wrist, and wrenched it upwards. All Trunks could do was stare back at him in horror, as Beerus smirked and landed a powerful head-butt. As Trunks was dazed by the attack, Beerus followed up with a punch right in his gut, causing Trunks to double over. The wind knocked out of him, Trunks reverted back to his base form and lost consciousness.
The spectators down below had descended to the ground. They were gazing upwards when Whis showed up with some ice cream.
"Goodness, who knew that something so cold could be so delicious," he commented joyfully. "How is this made?"
Ranch shrugged. "I know milk and sugar is involved but that's it. Ask my mom, she made it."
"I most certainly will."
Suddenly, Gohan shouted, "Look!"
Beerus was coming down as he held Trunks's limp form with one hand by his wrist. When they got low enough, he just tossed him in front of Ranch and the kids.
"Trunks!"
"Dad!"
"Daddy!"
"I suppose it's over, then?" asked Whis casually.
Trunks woke up with a groan, and upon seeing his family looking down at him, he said, "I'm sorry."
Shin sighed sadly. "Beerus, do you really plan on going through with it?"
Beerus asked, "Go through with what?"
Surprised, Shin elaborated, "With destroying the planet! What else?"
Beerus plainly responded, "I believe my exact words were, 'what if I say unless you beat me I'm destroying this planet'. I never actually said I was going to do it." Trunks, Ranch, and the kids all breathed a huge sigh of relief. Looking down at Trunks, he told him, "Just so you know, Saiyan, you're second most powerful opponent I've faced."
"Wow, who's the first?" he asked.
"Whis," answered Beerus. "He's my teacher." Beerus turned to look away. "Well, we got the answers we were looking for, had some good food, and I even had an interesting match. Let's take our leave, Whis."
"Very well, my lord," Whis obediently replied.
Looking satisfied, Shin said to the family, "Thank you for everything. Until we meet again…"
Ranch murmured to Trunks in an undertone, "Hopefully not for a while."
As Shin approached Beerus and Whis, Whis said, "By the way, Whis, what is that?"
"Ice cream, my lord," he dutifully answered.
"You'll be sharing that, of course." Before they could hear Whis' response, the three disappeared.
After a moment of silence, Ranch looked at Trunks, and flatly told him, "Speaking of sharing, don't think you're hogging Super Saiyan God all to yourself."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Trunks said.