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Now, onward to the chapter.

Chapter 13: Sacrificial Lion

The training was going well. Trunks was finally able to hold his own against him. He no longer had to fight him with kid's gloves.

Although, he still had a long way to go before he could really challenged him. Even without going Super Saiyan, he was able to dodged and parry Trunks' attacks with little problem. If he couldn't handle him at this level, the androids would tear him apart.

On top of his lack of power, Trunks was far too rash and easily baited to attack, leaving him opened and predictable. These were weaknesses that the androids would exploit. In many ways, he was liked him.

How he wished he could teach Trunks more. Since he wasn't a master himself, Trunks was receiving incomplete and subpar training. He needed someone far more experience to truly bring out his latent power.

That person wasn't him. He couldn't even make Trunks go Super Saiyan.

Gohan inwardly sighed.

Despite his promised to Bulma, he no longer had a choice but to teach Trunks how to fight. The fight with the androids had dragged on and Trunks would no longer be left behind, especially after the androids attacked West City again a few years ago, killing hundreds.

Thankfully, Bulma and her family were able to take shelter in one of their bunkers. Some parts of Capsule Corp were destroyed, but the garden where Piccolo and the others' monuments stood somehow remained undamaged. He thanked whatever god existed for that small miracle.

After seeing the androids' cruelty first hand and helping him find and buried the dead, Trunks insisted that he be allowed to fight. Nothing he or Bulma told him could sway him. He didn't like it, but if Trunks was going to fight the androids by his side, he needed to become a Super Saiyan. No normal Saiyan, regardless of talent, could face those monsters.

He thought the process would be straightforward. Trunks had the power needed to transform since he was stronger than his father and him when they first ascended, he was pure of heart, and he had the rage.

Or at least he thought. For reasons he didn't fully understand, Trunks couldn't become angry enough to transform.

Unlike Vegeta or even Bulma, Trunks wasn't a foul temper person. He never really lost control of himself in a fit of rage. He was angry at the androids for everything they'd done, but it took more than righteous anger to become a Super Saiyan. He needed to feel rage. He needed to fill his pure, innocent heart with hate.

He now understood why his father feared the Super Saiyan and chose to stay away until he could control it. Filling oneself with so many powerful negative emotions couldn't be good for ones' mental health, but they had no choice. If it took the power of hatred to destroy the androids, then he was more than willing to lose himself to it. He only wish he could have saved Trunks from that pain.

"Let's break for a while," Gohan ordered as he knocked Trunks off his feet.

Trunks huffed in exhaustion as he attempted to catch his breath. "Even with one arm, I'm no match for you at all."

Gohan chuckled. "I'm far more experience."

Trunks looked up at his master smiled. "Still, you're as strong as ever despite your injures. Once you've fully recovered, I'm sure you can beat the androids."

"I don't know about that," Gohan said as he sat down on a nearby rock. "I'll feel more confident about our chances once you've become a Super Saiyan. When that happens, we can finally fight the androids on their own terms."

Trunks looked down at his boots and growled. "If I become a Super Saiyan."

Gohan stared at him.

"What...what I'm I doing wrong?" Trunks asked in frustration. He looked towards the older boy. "You're my master, Gohan, you can tell me. Why can't I do it?"

"You can," Gohan answered, surprising Trunks. "You just need to find the right motivation." He paused and narrowed his eyes. "For me, it's simple. All I have to do is think about how the androids killed Piccolo and Krillin." He stopped talking as the memories of that horrible day rushed back to him. He could still remembered 18 snapping Krillin's neck and him looking at Piccolo's broken and lifeless body. That day was forever burnt into his memories and still gave him nightmares. "Then, I feel a horrible hurt. And then the pain for that turns into rage. I don't ever want it to happen again. Something that unfair... And then suddenly, the dam breaks."

Trunks took in his words. "So, to become a Super Saiyan, you must lose someone?"

Gohan didn't answer right away. "I think only an extreme amount rage is needed. A rage so powerful that it turns into hatred. It's that hate that grants a Super Saiyan their power."

Trunks frowned. "But I do hate the androids. I hate them more than anything, yet I still can't transform."

Gohan said nothing as he looked into the clear sky.

Until Trunks felt the anguished of losing someone precious to him, he didn't know what hatred was. He certainly didn't until Nappa murdered Piccolo and even then, it paled to the feelings of anger and hatred that filled his heart that day in South City.

Perhaps the pain of lost was necessary to become a Super Saiyan.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, an explosion ripped him from his musings.

Below where they rested, a city was being attacked. This would be the third attack in less than a month, the most aggressive they've been since that time after South City.

Gohan growled in anger as he stood up. The people of Earth wasn't even given a moment of peace anymore.

"Damn those two!" Trunks yelled over the roar of the energy blasts.

"This is ridiculous," Gohan sneered as he felt the life forces of dozens of people disappear. Those who died instantly were the lucky ones.

He ignored the last two attacks since he was still very weak and he wanted Trunks to become a Super Saiyan before he confronting them again. It was hard, but he knew waiting was their best option.

But...no matter how illogical it was, he couldn't ignore this. Not when it was happening right in front of his eyes. He couldn't stand here and watched those people be mercilessly murdered. Not when he had the power to help.

He had to fight.

With a loud shout, he transformed.

"Gohan, you can't go," Trunks said in worry.

Gohan glanced down at him. "Look, Trunks, no matter what happens, stay here."

"Are you crazy!?" Trunks shouted in horror. "No way! I can't let you fight those two alone!"

He glared at the young boy. "Listen, I'm a lot more vulnerable when you're there with me."

It was harsh and blunt, but it was the truth. Trunks was much stronger than he was several months ago, but he was useless to him until he became a Super Saiyan. He was barely able to protect Trunks when he had both of his arms.

Trunks wasn't having it. "But I'm must stronger this time! Come on, I can't let you go alone with your injures!"

Gohan stared stern face at Trunks, his eyes hard and cold. Trunks returned the glare with a look of defiance.

"Please, Gohan," Trunks was closed to begging, "take me with you."

Gohan continued to glare at young boy. He wasn't going to back down. Just as stubborn as his father. As things stood, there was only one way to resolve this.

"Alright, Trunks, you win," Gohan conceded with a smile, hiding his intentions. "Let's go get them."

Trunks returned the smile and nodded. He turned towards the city, ready to confront the androids.

As soon as his head was turned, Gohan firmly hit him on the back of the neck.

Trunks gave a gasped of pain before his body slumped over.

Gohan grabbed his shirt, making sure Trunks landed gently on the ground. He hated resorting to such a dirty tactic, but he had no options. "Sorry about that, Trunks, but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you," he spoke in a gentle voice. "This is my battle for now, little brother. You're not quite ready yet."

He stared tenderly at Trunks and smiled at his own words.

Little brother? That was the first time he ever referred to Trunks as his brother. But it was all true. Trunks was the brother he always wanted.

Before his father's death, he remembered his mother wanting another child and father desired the same not long after Trunks was born. It would have been nice to have an expanded family with a little brother to guided and played with. Unfortunately, it never happened. So he thought.

Through the trials of training for the androids, learning the deal with the lost of their love ones, and living in a ruined world, Trunks and he became brothers.

The bond they shared was the most precious thing in the world to him. It made this nightmare a little more bearable. Too bad neither of them could've lived in a peaceful world.

Perhaps….when Bulma got the time machine to worked, they could live in a world at peace. Who knew? Perhaps in that other world mom and dad could also have that other child and truly make a united family.

An explosion refocused his attention.

He had no time to think of a world that didn't exist, especially when this one was suffering so much. He had to leave soon. But, he couldn't stop staring at Trunks.

In the back of his mind, something told him that he would never see him again. Was this to be his last battle? Was this the day the androids finally killed him?

He wasn't at his prime. No matter how much he tried to play it off, the lost of his arm was a devastating blow. In time, he could grow used to the lost, but he wasn't there yet. His body also still ached from the last encounter. As things stood, he may very well die today.

All common sense told him not to go. To turn around, continued to trained Trunks, and lived to fight another day.

Despite the world being a living hell, there were things he still wanted to do. He wanted to see the world at peace again. He wanted to see Trunks finally be allowed to have a peaceful life. He wanted to go home and see his mother. He wanted to see Videl again.

Videl….

He promised her months ago that he would come and visit her. He had been so busy with Trunks that he kept putting off his visits. The last time he saw her; he still had both of his arms. Videl would be pissed once she saw what he did to himself. At those times, she was scarier than an android or even his mom.

In the back of his mind, he scolded himself for getting close to anyone. He knew that something like this could happen. That a day would come where his death was all but certain. This was the reason why he never visited mom or anyone he once knew except for Bulma.

But, the part of him that longed for companionship, physical contact, and loved overwhelmed his common sense. It was that reason why he kept seeing Videl. It was that reason why they became intimate the last time they were together. In this broken and dying world, they bonded together and gave themselves a feeling of normalcy. For a while, he even considered asking Videl to marry him.

Such foolish sentiments. Who would consider starting a family so they could be hunted by the androids like rabid animals? To live a life in terror, never knowing happiness? He would bring no child into this wretched world.

Another explosion knocked him away from his thoughts and he could hear screams in the distance. More life forces also disappeared.

His decision was made.

He knew the logical decision was to stay put, but he wasn't thinking logically. For every second he stood there hesitating, countless people were being murdered. As one of the last of this world's protectors, he would rather die fighting than run. Perhaps it was his Saiyan blood and pride, or the teachings of his father flowing through him.

"See you later, Trunks," Gohan whispered as he flew towards the city.

It didn't take long for him to find them. 17 was doing one of his favorite hobbies, destroying buildings like it was a shooting gallery. He was so focused on his game that he failed to notice him.

Gohan took full advantage of this and ruthlessly kicked the android in the face, sending him flying several feet into a building.

It only took a few seconds for 17 to get back on his feet. He was more than a little pissed from the sneak attack. His clothes were badly torn in several places, making him looked even more like a punk.

Instead of being mad for her brother, 18 busted into laugher and pointed at him. "Oh my god! Your shirt is torn!"

17 ignored his sister and continued to glare daggers at Gohan. "That's quite an entrance you made. I hope you enjoyed it because it's going to cost you your life. And you trashed my favorite shirt!"

Gohan didn't flinched at the androids words. They hadn't changed at all even after all these years. They still acted like rebellious teenagers. They killed billions and all 17 could complain about was his clothes. Did Gero do something to them to keep them stuck in this state?

17 smiled, losing some of his anger. "I'm glad you came though. You can be our tie-breaker."

18 landed by her brother's side. "First one to kill him wins. It's Sudden Death. No ties."

"You know you can't win," Gohan said defiantly. "You can't destroy what I am! Even if you do manage to kill this body, someone stronger will surface and take my place!"

As he spoke those words, images of Trunks rushed to his mind.

He now understood what Piccolo and Krillin felt the day they died. When they put all their hopes on a lone light. He now understood that it wasn't him who was destined to kill the androids. His duty was to train and guide the person who would.

Trunks couldn't become a Super Saiyan because he never truly felt the pain of lost. He saw people die around him all the time, but those he truly cared for were still alive. He never had to deal with burying or cremating his friends and family. He needed a lost so great that it would awaken the hatred within his heart.

He was that spark.

"Not one death will go unaccounted for! NOT ONE!" Gohan screamed as he powered up. If this were to be his final battle, he would show them Hell!

17 and 18 charged, but Gohan was more than ready for them. After years of fighting them, he knew their battle style like the back of his hand. He created a ball of energy and slammed it on the ground, blinded them.

Their first major weakness, they needed their eyes to see.

He flew up and could hear the androids following him. They attempted to blast him from all sides, but he shielded himself with a barrier. 17 came at his back, but he easily caught the punch. He was, however, taking off guard by 18, who rammed him from behind.

Gohan slammed to the ground, taking several buildings with him.

That was careless. Even if he knew the androids, it doesn't give him that much of an advantage since there were two of them. Dammit, if only could separate them or kill at least one of them.

He had to move fast as 17 and 18 attempted to flank him. He jumped away and used his one hand to create a Kamehameha Wave. The androids both released a blast of their own and they were soon locked in a beam-of-war. It was dead even.

Gohan took pride that it took both 17 and 18 to hold him off even with one arm. It confirmed what he suspected for a long time. He was stronger than them, at least individually. In a fair fight, he could killed them, even with his injure body.

But this wasn't a fair fight.

Overpowering one android meant crap. That was something the androids taught him over and over again. 17 and 18 might fight like cats and dogs among themselves, but their greatest strength was their teamwork. They fought as one so perfectly it was like they had a single brain.

Before the androids, he was taught to fight mostly one-on-one, which worked well against the Saiyans, Frieza, and his men since most of them fought alone. Those who did attacked in groups were weak and easily picked off. With the androids, they showed him the shortcomings of his fighting style.

He wondered if his father would've had this problem. His father also focused on fighting an individual, but he had shown several times that he could handle groups of enemies like the Ginyu Force. But had he really fought people who were just as strong as him in a group?

It didn't matter. His father couldn't help him. If he could from the grave, he would've done it years ago.

His father...if he did lived he would had beating the androids, he was certain of it. He may surpass his father in power, but he didn't have his father's talent for fighting. That edge and calmness that told him what was needed for victory. To see and exploit the weaknesses within his enemies. It was a talented that even Vegeta didn't possessed.

Despite his resolved to fight and die on this battlefield, he wanted to live so he could use Bulma's time machine. To see his father again and asked him what he has been doing wrong for so long. To get the guidance he lacked. The guidance he ignored when he was alive.

He prayed when he died that Trunks could find the answers for him. If the time machine worked, he could received the training that he couldn't give because of his own shortcomings.

Gohan narrowed his eyes. It was too late for these thoughts. The only thing that mattered now was this battle. He would either die or take one of these monsters with him.

He pushed more energy into the Kamehameha, overwhelming the two androids. They were blasted backwards and slammed into the nearby rubble.

Gohan flew forward to finished them, but 17 was ready and shot at him. He easily deflected the blast, but was punched in the face by 17. The attack didn't hurt much, but it did stun him.

17 chased after him and Gohan fired several energy blasts. The android was able to deflect some of them, but one hit dead on by the last energy discharged, causing him to cry in pain.

From the corner of his eye, Gohan saw 18 trying to blindside him again. Gohan moved quickly and seemingly disappeared from view. When he reappeared, he slammed his elbow into 18's back. As she was falling, he grabbed her leg and rammed her into several buildings before tossing her.

Gohan retreated to the ground and waited.

True to form, the androids recovered with only minor injuries. Still, they both looked more than a little annoyed. Gohan was certain this was the first time they had to really exert themselves. Something else to take pride in.

Still, this wouldn't do. He had to hit them with an attack powerful enough to completely destroy them. Although he could overpower them, they were still more-and-less even and he wasn't sure he had any technique that could instantly kill them. He would need something on the level of Vegeta's Big Bang and it would take too long charged a Kamehameha.

He was so focused on the battle that he failed to notice that the sky had turned black and thunder could be heard. Soon, drops of rain fell until it turned into a downpour. It was like the heavens were providing the atmosphere for his final fight.

This wasn't lost to 17. "This thunderstorm is the perfect backdrop for your demise."

All the playfulness from earlier was gone. They were truly ready to kill him. He wouldn't have it any other way. It took years, but they were finally taking him seriously.

"There's no end for me! No end!" Gohan repeated his creed from earlier.

The androids attacked, using the full force of their teamwork.

Gohan found himself on the defensive, barely able to keep up with the both of them. They were holding nothing back. This was the full power of the androids. They were truly monsters.

Now, he truly cursed his missing arm.

18 suddenly tripped him with a sweeping kick, but Gohan was able to regain his balance. He flew to get himself some space, but they relentlessly pursued him. They weren't going to let him divide them again.

One of them shot a blast in front of Gohan, causing a nearby building to explode. The dust stunned him long enough for the androids to ram him into the side of a building.

Before he could move, the androids ruthlessly blasted him. The blasts came so fast that Gohan couldn't move at all. He could only scream as the energy blasts tore through his body, ripping him apart a piece at a time.

This was the end.

He wouldn't survive this. They would be no last minute miracle. No second wind. His father or Piccolo wouldn't swoop down from the heavens and saved him like they did so many times in the past. The androids would keep shooting until they were certain that he was dead.

In the end….he couldn't even kill one of them.

Piccolo…Krillin...

He silently apologized to them. That he couldn't do what they asked of him. That he couldn't avenge them despite his vow. That he wasted their sacrifice.

He apologized to Trunks for leaving him alone with such a heavy burden to carry.

He apologized to his mother and grandfather for making them bury him and that he never visited them.

He apologized to Videl for breaking his promised of seeing her again. He wished...he wished he could have told her that he loved her. Now, she would never know his feelings towards her.

And...he apologized to his father for not being able to take his place. When the world needed a hero, he had fallen flat.

"Trunks...." Gohan thought as he felt darkness take him. "I'm sorry. I leave everything to you...my little brother."

As he faded, he swore he saw an image of his father. It was reaching for him. Without any hesitation, he grabbed the figure's hand and found it warm. It was a warmth that he had missed for years.

"Father..." he whispered.

His father smiled at him. "You fought well, Gohan. Thank you for protecting this world for as long as you could. Now, take a short rest, my son. You've earned."

Gohan smiled, feeling tears run down his eyes. Soon, there was nothing.

Bulma couldn't stop a smirk of satisfaction from appearing on her worn face. It was finally coming together. After years of research, trial-and-error, and failed prototypes, she was on the verged of creating a working time machine. It was still in its infancy, but she was certain she had it this time.

"Soon, very soon," Bulma murmured to herself as she finished the blueprints. "Soon it will be finished. Then, we can change our futures."

The quest to create a time machine, which started as more of a pet project, had evolved to consuming her entire life. She barely paid any attention to Capsule Corps' business. She left to her father.

In the last few years, things had taken a downward turn.

The androids were becoming more aggressive in their hunting of the surviving humans, Gohan was badly hurt in the last confrontation, and there were no more senzu beans left in the world. The last one was used to save Trunks' life. Despite Gohan downplaying the lost of one of his limbs, it was a major blow. He had one less tool to use against the androids.

Bulma stopped her worked and sighed in exhaustion.

She knew, now that Gohan was permanently maimed, that Trunks would have to pick up more of the burden. He has been fighting by Gohan's side long before the older boy lost his arm, despite Gohan's attempts to hide his involvement from her. Trunks was strong, but he has yet to become a Super Saiyan. Without becoming the legendary warrior he was all but deadweight to Gohan.

Yet, Trunks' need to help others continued to dragged him into battle. It was that desired that caused Gohan to be so badly hurt. She was forever grateful to Gohan for saving her precious boy, but she wished he could have been saved without Gohan losing so much. At the rate things were going Gohan and Trunks would be...

She didn't dare to finish that thought. She had to keep hoping that they would be alright. After all, the time machine would be worthless if either of them got themselves killed. She would also never forgive them if they dared died on her. She's already lost too many precious people. Her heart couldn't take anymore.

Bulma shook her head.

Why was she so morbid today? This should be a happy moment, yet this feeling of foreboding wouldn't go away. It was much like the day Vegeta was...

She stood up from her chair, nearly knocking it over. She needed air. The stuffy environment of the lab was doing nothing for her mental health.

She walked into the kitchen where her mother was washing dishes, humming absently to herself.

"Oh, Bulma. Finally up for dinner," she said happily.

Bulma blinked in confusion. She forgotten she hadn't eating today. She was so busy with the time machine that food was the furthest thing from her mind.

"Yeah. Didn't realize how hungry I was," Bulma said as she sat at the table.

"You need to take better care of yourself. All this working is going to make you sick. You already have premature winkles," Mrs. Briefs said as she began to warm the food.

Bulma rubbed her tired eyes. There was once a time she would have been upset at being reminded at her less than perfect skin. She took great pride in her beauty to the point of vanity. Now, she didn't give a damn. "I can't stop now. I'm so close to completely the time machine."

"Oh, all I ever hear about is that time machine from you and Gohan," Mrs. Briefs said with a slight whine.

"It's our best hope to stop the androids," Bulma said as she narrowed her eyes. "We can stop them before they ruined the world. Before they're allowed to kill everyone."

Mrs. Briefs put the food on the table. "But didn't you mention that changing the past won't effect us."

"Even if it didn't, I would be at peace with any reality where the androids never existed," Bulma said, picking at her food. "And maybe, we can learn from the past how to defeat them here. Some weakness we overlooked. Those things aren't invincible. If nothing else, maybe Goku could train Gohan," She broke out of her thoughts as she realized something. "Where's Trunks?"

"Oh, he went out hours ago with Gohan," Mrs. Briefs answered. "They wanted to do more Super Saiyan training."

Bulma sighed. "Gohan has been really pushing him. If they can equal one of the androids, they could win. But...even if Trunks becomes a Super Saiyan he would only be as strong as Vegeta."

Mrs. Briefs tilted her head. "What's wrong with that? Vegeta was very strong."

"Yet, he was easily killed by the androids," Bulma pointed out, her mind returning to its morbid line of thought.

How did Goku do it? Whenever an enemy stronger than him appeared he always found a way to become stronger within a short amount of time. He went from being no matched against his older brother, to fighting equally against Vegeta in less than a year. Not to mention the giant jumped in power when he came to Namek to save them. He also destroyed Frieza when they were more-and-less even when they first fought. So, why couldn't Gohan and Trunks reproduce the same results?

Gohan was a strong, talented fighter who greatly surpassed his father when he was a child. He fought against monsters like the Saiyans and Frieza and survived. Yet, he couldn't seem to overcome the power of the androids. Surely, Gohan should have surpassed those monsters by now. He's been fighting for over thirteen years.

Then there was Trunks. He was Vegeta's son and was already stronger than Gohan at the same age, minus the Super Saiyan part. Which also confused her. Why was he having so much trouble becoming one? If a pure heart and anger was all that was needed, Trunks had plenty.

Trunks, unlike her and his father, had a heart as pure as Gohan's. He also had more than enough anger over the androids to surpass any hang-ups Vegeta had. Yet, that wasn't enough to pushed him. Was death of a love one a requirement for becoming a Super Saiyan?

Again, there goes her thoughts going into dark territory. She supposed the depressing thoughts of death were unavoidable. It was getting harder to remember a time where death wasn't so present. She could barely remembered being happy.

She ate her meal in silent, actually wanting to enjoy her food and get her mind off the topic of androids and Super Saiyans.

Despite her mom's food being as excellent as ever, it tasted dry and lifeless on her tongue. Something was wrong, but she couldn't figure out what. Maybe the stress of building the time machine has finally gotten to her.

A loud booming sound got her attention. At first, she feared it was the androids. Her fears quickly subsided when she heard the door open.

It had to be Trunks. Most likely returning after a day of training. Although, it was a little early. Usually, Gohan and him would remain out until nightfall, some times even camping out. Maybe they overdid it and came for first aid.

"MOM!"

This got Bulma out of her seat and running towards the front door.

"Trunks, what's wro..." Bulma stopped in mid-sentence when she reached the entrance.

Trunks stood with a limp Gohan slumped over his shoulders. Blood covered her son, although she didn't see any injures on him. It had to be Gohan's.

"Gohan..." Bulma spoke slowly.

He was in much worst shape than he was months ago when he lost his arm. He was burned all over his body to the point where she could smell it.

She quickly gathered her thoughts. This wasn't the time to be a deer in the headlights. "Get him into the infirmary! We need to stop the bleeding before..."

"It's too late, mom," Trunks interrupted in a dead voice.

This stopped Bulma in her tracks. "What..."

"He's dead..." Trunks stated, his voice hiccupping. "He's dead, mom."

It was like the entire floor dropped from under her.

Dead? Gohan was dead?

That couldn't be. After all the training he's done and all this fighting, he couldn't be dead. Not like this. Not when the time machine was finally coming together.

"No..." she choked, unable to form a comprehensive sentence.

She stared at the lifeless body being held in her son's arms. It was hard to believe that this...corpse was the same young man she saw just a couple hours ago. That this was the same man she's known since he was a child lying dead before her. It was like some cruel joke. It was like the day Goku died.

"Gohan..." she whispered. "The androids..."

Trunks' eyes narrowed in hatred. "Those bastards! They murdered him! Just like they murdered all those people in the city!" Tears flowed from his eyes. He was shaking badly. "They left his body in the middle of the street like trash! Look...look what they did to him!"

Bulma held her breath. She had never seen Trunks so mad. But she couldn't blame him. Gohan was far more than his teacher. Gohan was his friend and brother. To have his older brother viciously murdered with no way to help was a far more personal blow than the androids destroying a city.

She felt her son's hate. She shared it too. If she could, she would dismantled those heartless monsters herself.

"I won't forgive them... I won't forgive either of them. I'll beat them. I'll beat them both for all they've done. I WILL MAKE THEM PAY!" Trunks screamed as his hair turned gold and his eyes a greenish-blue.

Bulma jumped back in shock. He's done it. He has finally become a Super Saiyan. All that training Gohan has done had paid off.

But...it came too high a price. Why did Gohan have to die for Trunks to achieve this transformation? Why did Chi-Chi have to be left without her child?

Chi-Chi. She was now left alone in the world with only her aging father to keep her company. No mother should bury their child.

"Take him to the medical room. We need to clean him," Bulma said, feeling completely numb. "I...I also need to call his mom."

Harsh sobs left Trunks. "I should have been there. I should have been there to fight by his side. Why did Gohan have to knock me out? If we fought together, we could've beating those monsters!"

So that was what happened and why Trunks didn't have a scratch on him. Gohan must have felt something like this was going to happened and made sure Trunks couldn't follow him.

Selfless idiot, just like his father. Didn't he care about the pain Trunks was going to be in? If he remotely felt like he was going to be killed, he should have stood down. Saved his power for the day he could win. Not go and die to make himself a martyr.

"He...he did what he thought was right," Bulma answered, somehow making her voice calm. Gohan was dead. There was no point berating his choice. "He wanted to make sure you survived. That we have a future."

"What future!?" Trunks yelled in disgust. "So what if I become a Super Saiyan!? Gohan was one for years and he couldn't even kill one of them! He should have lived! HE SHOULD HAVE LIVED!"

At the thunderous yell, Trunks collapsed to the floor with his mentor's body. He sobbed loudly and harshly.

Bulma got on her knees and hugged her son, getting some of Gohan's blood on her, but she didn't give a damn about that.

Another life stolen by the androids. Now, more than ever, she would complete the time machine. She couldn't let this injustice stand anymore. She couldn't let any more lives be taken in vain.

The day was calm and clear. The songs of nature filled her ears and the sun warmed her chilled skin. It was like any other day. Where they stood was untouched by the androids. It remained the same as it did thirteen years ago. Even the weather was similar. It would seem that the heavens weren't without a sense of irony.

Bulma tore her thoughts away from the weather and looked down at the brown casket in front of her. It seemed just like yesterday that she was here attending Goku's burial. Where she was forced to say goodbye to her dear friend. Before the androids, she considered that to be the worst day of her life.

Then Vegeta was killed. His death hurt far worse than even Goku's. Partly because the last words spoken to him was that of anger and the fact that she did loved him. Despite never taking vows, it was like she lost her husband that terrible day.

With Gohan, the pain wasn't quite as bad as those two. Gohan's death hurt, but after over a decade of tragedy and pain, she has become somewhat numb. Death was simply part of her life and she was fully aware that Gohan could be killed fighting those mechanical demons.

What made Gohan's death so unbearable were the reactions of Chi-Chi and Trunks.

Chi-Chi has been inconsolable since she broke the news. From what the Ox-King told her, she screamed and cried for days unable to accept that the last of her family was dead. Chi-Chi was so out of it that it fell to Ox-King and her to plan the burial.

Trunks wasn't doing much better. He blamed himself for not being there when Gohan met his end. He was convinced that if he were there, Gohan would have lived. Hurt and broken, but alive.

A shuddered breath left her as she glanced at Chi-Chi who stared with blank eyes at her son's coffin.

The poor woman hadn't seen her child since the memorial service for Vegeta and the others. Gohan simply refused to go home, not until the androids were destroyed. She was certain that Chi-Chi carried the hoped that Gohan would beat the androids and returned home by her side. Now, that dream was dead along with so many others. The thought of the pain Chi-Chi was experiencing made her want to cry for her.

"If there's nothing else, we should bury him," Ox-King said in a low somber voice.

Trunks nodded as the Ox-King and him lowered Gohan's casket into the ground and began to pile the dirt on him.

She looked towards the grave where Goku rested. Even after all this time, the memorial she commissioned still stood high and strong. It was only fitting that Gohan shared this spot with his father. For they were both the world's heroes.

Once the burial was finished, no one moved or spoke. It was like everyone was in there own world.

Bulma looked around and shook her head at how small the group was.

Out of all of them, Chi-Chi, Ox-King, Trunks, Master Roshi, Oolong, Puar, and herself were all that were left. Even the cowardly Yajirobe was gone, killed fighting the androids not long after the others were murdered. She supposed even he felt the need to do something, even if it was for nothing.

"This is wrong," Master Roshi suddenly spoke. He had remained silent throughout the burial. "Someone so young shouldn't die in such a way." He shook in rage. "And here I am, still alive and powerless to do anything as those creatures destroyed our world. It's so infuriating!"

Puar began to sob loudly.

Oolong wiped his own tears. "Poor, Gohan. He fought so hard for so long and yet..."

No one else spoke. No one wanted to say or even think that Gohan may have died for nothing.

After a few more minutes, the group slowly began to leave. Soon, only Chi-Chi, Trunks, and herself remained.

Chi-Chi just kept staring blankly at her child's grave. It was like she turned into a statue.

"Mrs. Son," Trunks spoke as he walked toward the grieving mother. "I know...I know you must hate me right now. I wasn't by Gohan's side when he died. I...I just wanted you to know that I'll get them back. For everyone, especially Gohan. I won't allow the years he spent training me go the waste. One day...we will wake up to a world without the androids."

Chi-Chi turned her eyes away from the grave and stared at Trunks. Slowly, a smile crept on her face. "Oh, Trunks. I've never blamed you for what happened to Gohan. He went the way he wanted, fighting to protect this world. Somewhere in the afterlife, I know Goku must be proud and welcomed him with open arms." Her voice hitched at the mention of her long dead husband. "Gohan is safe now and...I look forward to seeing him again in Otherworld."

Bulma turned her head when she heard those words.

After all of this, she doubted that Chi-Chi was long for this world. Maybe Ox-King could keep her going for a while, but without her family to keep her going she feared that the younger woman wouldn't make a year. Chi-Chi already looked older than her because of all the grief she's been through. Perhaps...that was for the best. In death, she would be with her husband and son again.

"Mom, I'm ready to go."

Bulma turned towards her child. "Trunks?"

"I need to get back and train," Trunks said in determination. "As I am now, I can't match the androids. That's why I need to train and become stronger. I need to train to push beyond my limits and become stronger than Gohan ever was. I can't...I can't let this be in vain. I must pick up Gohan's mantle as the hope of this world!"

"Hope..." Bulma said more to herself.

They made Gohan into their hope and looked where they got him. He was forced to carry the weight of the world and die a painful, miserable death. She didn't want that for Trunks. But...it didn't matter what she wanted anymore. Trunks was indeed the last. The only one left in the universe who carried Saiyan blood.

Goku's bloodline was dead. The last of his physical presence died with Gohan. In that twisted and sick way, Gero got exactly what he wanted. He wiped Goku away from this world.

No, that wasn't right. Yes, Goku's blood was dead, but not his spirit. That still lived on through Trunks, which was given to him by Gohan. No matter what, she wouldn't let Gero get the last laugh from Hell. They would win this, by crock or by forced.

"Yeah. Let's get going," Bulma said as they made their way towards the airship.

Can't lie, this chapter hurts. Writing Goku and the other Earth's warriors' deaths was bad, but this far worse. Gohan gave so much for so long and he just got a dog's death. The fact the androids actually gunned him down was just heart-wrenching. I also know how Bulma's feels when you want to cry for someone else who has been badly hurt. I feel that way every time I look at my grandmom.

On the bright side, this is the last truly depression.