"Chi-Chi I know it's hard to believe, but I swear to you it's true. I know how you must feel, I had the same thoughts when she first showed up here half dead, but I can say this...she's been looking after your granddaughter for months now. Even now Trunks and her are out there risking their lives to bring Pan home safely."
Chi-Chi who was laying back on the couch in the living room brought her hands to her face, before rubbing her forehead. "...Bulma how were you able to move past all this? Don't you hate her with every fiber of your being?"
Bulma offered a slight smile as she leaned against the couch. "At first yes. But I also realized that if I could fall in love with a man that commited galactic genocide and forgive him, then I could forgive anyone. You know as well as I do that many of the warriors who ended up on our side didn't start that way." she paused a moment, before letting out a soft sigh.
"Besides there's nothing good that comes from looking back at all that pain. As much as we've lost there's still a life here on Earth we can make for ourselves. If They can end this mess with Cell once and for all we can travel to Namek and restore the damage the Earth hs sustained and while we can't wish all of our friends and family back...we should be able to unite you with your Daughter in law and your father. With little Pan that's still a family...that's still something worth living for Chi-Chi."
The other woman's eyes widened. "I...I never thought I'd ever have a piece of my baby boy...or of my Goku in my life ever again, but Pan...I really have a granddaughter..." she mused as a rare smile pulled at her weathered features.
"I know the rest is a hard pill to swallow, but give it some time. There's been enough pain, this planet needs time to heal."
Chi-Chi's face grew a bit more serious. "I still don't like that android being around...however I trust that if she ever does step out of line that your boy Trunks will be able to handle it. I just hope she doesn't hurt anyone if that day ever comes."
Bulma nodded. "I don't think you have to worry about that, but thankyou Chi-Chi."
Both women bolted upright as the door to Capsule Corp flew open.
They turned to see Trunks and Pan standing in the doorway with Eighteen still cradled in the Half-Saiyan's arms.
"Trunks what happened?! Is it over?" Bulma asked with a worried look on her face.
The lavendar haired warrior stoic expression shifted into a smile as did Pan who stood next to him. "It's over Mom. It's finally over..." he breathed.
The blue haired woman rested a hand over her chest, before smiling. "I never thought I'd hear those words." she mused, before she eyed Eighteen. "Is she? "she asked as a troubled look showed on her face.
Trunks shook his head. "No just unconciousness. It's a long story. I'm going to wait for her to wake up. She went throught a lot today. We all did. " he said as he trudged forward past the two women as he glanced over his shoulder at Pan.
"I told Pan the important details, she should be able to tell you everything you need to know. I'm sure Chi-Chi and Pan have plenty to talk about." he mused with a smile as he continued on his way towards Lazuli's bedroom.
Pan looked between the two women.
Bulma smiled as she looked at the Demi-Saiyan. "Pan this here is Chi-Chi she is an old friend of mine and someone that really wants to talk to you."
The small girl blinked as she looked at the black haired woman.
"Um It's nice to meet you Miss Chi-chi."
Tears sprang to Chi-Chi's eyes as she knelt down to Pan's level. "It's nice to meet you too dear. I'm your Grandmother."
The child's eyes lit up at that. "Really?! " she exclaimed excitedly.
The older woman laughed as she nodded her head. "Yes...you remind me so much of myself at your age...it's wonderful to meet you." she sniffed.
Pan smiled brillantly as she skipped forward, before throwing her arms around the older woman. "Granny!"
Chi-Chi blinked for a moment, before her smile deepened as she hugged the girl tightly.
Bulma who watched could only smile. This was the beginning of a new chapter on the Earth.
Trunks sat with his arms folded as he stared at the unconcious blonde. He reached out without even thinking as he brushed aside one of the errant bangs that was in her face, a gesture he'd watched her do countless times before. He was throughly exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. And yet he was geninunely happy. While he was still uncertain what lay ahead for him and blonde and even in general...the fact that Cell was gone...that he'd ascended further and in the process cast aside a burden he'd carried for so long made him feel so liberated.
His thoughts were interrupted as the blonde before him bolted upright, before quickly glancing around. "Was I just having a nightmare? Did none of that really happen" she wondered aloud, before her eyes settled on Trunks.
The Half-Saiyan offered the blonde a small smile as he shook his head. "No it wasn't a dream. It's all over now. Cell is gone for good."
Lazuli's eyes widened, as she stared down at her hands a moment, before looking back at Trunks. "Then how am i...how am I alive? and Pan is she alright?!" her words came out frantically.
Trunks leaned forward as he rested one of his hands over Eighteen's, before squeezing it. "Pan is doing just fine. I managed to free you from Cell, before I destroyed him. I couldn't have done it without you."
A small flush appeared on the blonde's cheeks. "But how were you able to free me?...and how did I possibly help?"
"I finally was able to let go of the past. When you sacrificed yourself like that...for Pan...it helped me finally let go of all that resentment and hate I'd felt. Without that burden and with the anger I felt at losing you...I was able to ascend to a new level. I couldn't have done it with without you. he paused a moment as he thought about how to word his thoughts.
Trunks smiled momentairly, before his expression grew a bit more serious. "I owe you an apology Lazuli.." he breathed.
The blonde blinked. "If it's about Cell don't...there was no good way of handling that mess. It worked out in the end anyways. Don't you think?"
Trunks laughed. "Yeah I guess it did, but that wasn't why I was apologizing."
"Then what is it?" the blonde asked with a look of worry on her face.
"It's about what you said before you surrendered yourself today and about last night. I-"
The blonde cut him off as she adverted her gaze. "I...I didn't expect I'd ever see you again. I sort of figured that even if you did beat Cell my decision had a one way course and about what I said...I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. I didn't expect I'd ever face you again. I mean I wanted to see you again...I just never thought.." she began to prattle on as she grew more and more embarassed. "I should just shut up I'm only m-" she was cut off as Trunks leaned down, before gently raising her chin up as he leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. The blonde was frozen for a moment, before she melted into the kiss as she began kissing back. Though he had little to no experience he tried to express his thoughts well enough in the gesture as he deepend the kiss momentairly as his tongue slipped into her mouth lightly brushing across her own tongue, before he slowly broke the liplock as he rested his forehead against hers.
"I...I...wow." the blonde breathed as she curled her arms around the Half-Saiyan's neck.
The Half-Saiyan stared at the blonde for a long moment, before speaking. "I lied when I told you that I didn't feel anything. I denied it to myself, but when I saw you sacrifice everything...I began to feel the resentment I've carried for years leave me. One of the only things I could think of was that I might not be able to tell you the truth. "
"What truth?" the blonde asked quietly as her eyes searched his.
The Half-Saiyan offered her a rare smile. "That somehow through all this mess, you've become precious to me. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I...I'd like to see where things go from here." he mused as he once more gently squeezed her hand.
The blonde's cheeks flushed once more, before smiling shyly. "I'd like that very much."
"She sacrificed herself to save you?" Chi-Chi asked an edge of disbelief in her tone.
"Uh huh. I was really mad at first, but...she gave everything for me. I remember feeling really sad and confused, before waking up after that creep absorbed her and started glowing. I woke up later and Trunks told me he managed to gain some new kind of super awesome power!" she exclaimed as she punched the air for emphasis.
Bulma let out a giggle as she covered her mouth. "Well I'm just glad it's over Pan and that everyone came home safely."
"Me too! I thought it was all over and...I...I'm glad Zuli is still alive. " she decided.
"Grandma are you ok?" the small girl asked as she tilted her head to stare at the older woman.
Chi-Chi fell quiet her thoughts were still on the blonde cyborg who now confused her. She still loathed the other woman, but she couldn't in any circumstance think of a reason as to why the cyborg would have saved Pan other than that she must in some sense care about the child. She sighed...she would never be friends with the android, but at the very least it seemed as if she indeed had no intent on causing any further harm. Besides it was clear that everyone else here had made their peace with the cyborg or were working towards it.
Finally Chi-Chi offered a tired smile as she reached out and ran a hand through the girl's hair. "I'm fine dear. I'm just glad it's finally over."
"I could drink to that. In fact I might later tonight." Bulma mused with a chuckle.
Pan blinked. "Can I drink to it too?"
The two older women exchanged a look, before laughing.
"Maybe when you're older Pan." Bulma said.
The black haired girl folded her arms, before huffing illicting another fit of giggles from the two women.
"It's nice to hear that sound in the house..." Trunks mused as he walked into view with Eighteen at his side.
Pan's eyes lit up as she sniffed, before bolting across the room as she crashed into Eighteen who nearly toppled over as she caught the girl, before letting out a chuckle. "I guess we're sisters again?" the blonde asked, before the small girl pried herself away momentairly, before vigrously nodding her head as tears filled her eyes.
"Uh huh."
Lazuli's features softened. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm sorry for everything Panny."
The girl mumbled against the blonde's side as she hugged her tighter.
The rest of the group even including Chi-Chi couldn't help but smile.
"You look beat girl! How are you feeling ?" Bulma asked smiling as she looked at the blonde.
Lazuli ruffled Pan's hair as she let out a yawn. "I've felt better, just been a long day. I think after a long shower and a copious amount of sleep I'll be fine." she mused.
Trunks chuckled as he rubbed his eyes momentairly. "To be honest...I think everyone here could use that. "
"Agreed.." Chi-Chi mused quietly.
While Bulma merely nodded her head, before speaking. "Well then we rest tonight and tomorrow we start the finishing touches for our trip to Namek."
"We can expect Visitors in the near future." A deep voice mused as a very tall Namekian warrior walked into a small building where two other Namekians stood. Physically he greatly resembled the late Piccolo save the fact he was at least a foot and a half taller and was much thicker in the chest.
The younger of the two Namekians was in his mid to late twenties and bore red and white robes.
The older Namekian was well over a century old and bore a much darker skin tone. He also from his appearance seemed to carry a great sadness about him.
"You had another vision Ocarin?" the younger Namekian asked as he stared at the large Namekian Warrior.
"Indeed. Though unlike the last visitor who came here...I do not sense any malicious intent Dende."
Dende let out a sigh of relief. "Well...that's good. With there being only three Namekians left...we can't afford much more trouble."
"None sense my boy. Even if someone did intend us harm Ocarin here would make short work of them. Don't forget he is the result of the last of our race joining together in one of our darkest hours."
Dende frowned. "I'll never forget father.."
Many years ago Cooler the brother of Frieza had arrived on New Namek with the power of the Big Gete Star. With the Earth being terrorized by the androids, the Z-Fighters never made a trip to New Namek in this timeline leaving the Nameks to fend for themselves. almost a single Earth year passed as the Big Gete Star assimilated more and more life forms until only Several dozen Namekians were left. Though the details were lost through what followed, one of the Namekian warriors managed to free himself and in desperation turned to the only salvation the Namekians could find at the time...fusion. One by one the single Namekian warrior freed his fellow Namekian and joined body,mind, and soul till only Elder Moori and the last child of Namek, Dende were left. Cooler had never anticipated that such power could be achieved from the Namekians. It would be his undoing as the new warrior simply known as Ocarin obliterated the tyrant along with the Big Gete Star finally freeing the world from it's clutches.
However things could never return to as they were. With Elder Moori still alive the Dragonballs had been gathered and Porguna had been summoned. The dragon had been able to undo the damage caused upon Namek, however as a Namekian year only lasted 130 days too much time had elapsed for Porguna to revive anyone had not already fused to create Ocarin. Leaving New Namek barren save the three lone Namekians.
"Ocarin do you know anything more about these visitors? " Moori asked.
The tall warrior shook his head. "No. As you know...we...I can only catch glimpses of what is to come."
Moori bowed his head. "Of course...It's certainly better than knowing nothing. I just hope as you say that these visitors come in peace."
"Eh Trunks?! Boy I remember when you were no bigger than this..." Roshi mused as he held how his hands for emphasis.
Trunks who now stood wearing a new capsule corp jacket rubbed the back of his neck, before laughing. "Yeah mom tells me that all the time. It's really nice to meet you sir!"
"Good lord how time has passed. Though I'm no worse for wear. I'm just glad all that mess is finally over...we'd just run out of supplies for the Submarine.." he mused as he motioned with his stick over at the beached Sub where Oolong along with Puar and Turtle could be seen trying to drag different personal effects out of the craft.
Trunks smiled. "I know what you mean, but we can all start living again. But there is something my mom says that you can help with sir if you don't mind."
The turtle hermit wiggled his eyebrows. "Help eh? How's your mom doing these days is she still...Mm...in shape? I'd be more than happy to help." he giggled pervertedly as he reached up to adjust his sunglasses.
Trunks bowed his head as he decided to just tune the Hermit's perverted antics out. "Uh...actually it's not like that. She says that you have a way of reaching someone called Fortunetellar Baba?"
Roshi's expression soured a bit. "Oh well yeah. Must admit not the direction I was hoping this was going, but I can get a hold of her...we keep a long range kind of relationship. Anything you're looking for in particular?"
Trunks nodded. "Yes my mom wants to know the coordinates of the New Namek. We're planning on leaving at the end of the week to head there, but we could use some directions or else we'd be flying blind and without a course."
Roshi tousled his beard a moment. "Well it's the least this old man can do. Most use I've been in years. Give me just a few minutes and I'll have you some answers." he said as he turned placing one hand on his back as he strode towards the Kame House.
Trunks closed his eyes a few minutes as he listened to the waves crash against the beach. There was so many things he'd never experienced, things that he intended to appreciate now that the Earth would soon be back on his feet. With the new power he'd obtained it would be easier to protect the planet, but he'd not forgotten the potential threats that loomed. The fact was the Earth needed more heroes and he couldn't allow himself to become complacent.
His thoughts were broken by a cough.
His eyes opened slowly as he saw Roshi standing there once more with a piece of paper extended.
"Hehe I couldn't remember all these numbers she was spouting so I figured I'd just write them down. It's gibberish to me, but I bet that mother of yours can make sense of it."
Trunks nodded his head as he reached out and took the paper. "No doubt! and thank you so much. My mother says that you should come visit sometime...but that if you make any perverted cracks that she'd do something unpleasant involving your favorite stick and ...uh.." he trailed off as he shook his head. "You get the idea..."
Roshi paled. "Oh yes...indeed. I'll be on my best behavior if I make it out that way..." he laughed nervously.
Trunks couldn't help but grin as he kicked off the ground and took skyward.
*Approximately A week and a half ago in Otherworld*
"I certainly hope you are right Son Goku..I'd like to think your faith in your son is well placed." a voice said behind the pair.
The father and son immediately bolted to their feet as they saw a short purple skinned man with a mohawk standing there.
"Uh who are you?" Goku asked as he scratched the back of his head.
"S-Supreme Kai! Your grace!" a voice yelled as North Kai could be seen dashing across the torn up grass, before bowing his head repeatedly in quick succession.
"Supreme Kai huh? He doesn't look that strong." Goku mused.
King Kai's eye twitched as he hopped up before promptly smacking Goku in the back of the head earning a grumble from the Saiyan.
"Enough North Kai. That's not necessary. I'm here on pressing business. Son Goku...Son Gohan, I am the Supreme Kai. There is a threat that puts the whole galaxy at stake."
Gohan stepped forward a serious look in his eyes. "We know all about it. The Androids right? What took you so long to step in?"
"Gohan..." Goku chastised before Supreme Kai bowed his head slightly. King Kai looked mortified.
"Son Gohan...I can sense how deep your anger goes and I can't fault you for it, but there is a reason why I have not assisted thus far with the situation on Earth. There is a far greater threat."
"Greater threat?" Gohan spat as he clenched his fists.
"Those monsters have killed billions. How long is going to take before they become a large enough threat for you to take action?"
"As of right now the Earth has lost nearly 3/4 of it's original population. Or in other terms 4-5 billion people. Now picture a threat that if not countered could do the same thing to your Earth in a blink of an eye. A monster that could wipe out all of the galactic civilization and kill trillions. Sometimes in my position I have to make difficult decisions. I won't always be loved, but I would sacrifice another 4 billion lives if it means saving 4 trillion lives in return."
Gohan felt his father's hand touch his shoulder. After a moment he shut his eyes as he tried to calm himself.
"What kind of monster is this?" Goku asked as he took a step forward.
Supreme Kai sighed. "It's a creature born of magic. It's true origins are a mystery to me it would seem only the Wizard behind it's creation would know more , but his son who still lives seeks to release this creature upon the galaxy once more."
Goku's eyes widened. "Wow this creature must be super strong! What I wouldn't give to fight it!"
"A-are you insane?! This monster is the single greatest threat the galaxy has ever known. The last time it was free 6 billion years ago, it nearly wiped out everything."
"You'll have to excuse my pupil. Goku rarely heeds warnings." King Kai chimed in.
Goku sighed. "I hate being dead at times like this."
Gohan's eyes finally opened. "Which makes me wonder. Why are you here in the first place? a couple of dead warriors won't be of much use to you."
"Right you are. That's why I'm offering a gift that has only ever been granted once in our recorded history. "
"Gift?" King Kai questioned as he blinked apparently confused.
"New Life. A new chance at life. Resurrection."
Goku scratched his head. "So you collected some sort of Dragonballs ?" he asked earning a face vault from the Supreme Kai.
"Wouldn't do us much good considering you died of Natural causes and it's been almost 5 years since I died." Gohan mused.
"...No this isn't using the magic of the Dragonballs you're familiar with, but rather the power of one of the Gods. "
"Wait...I thought you were the closest thing to a God in this universe. " Gohan said as he felt a glimmer of hope he'd not felt since he'd died.
"In a sense you're right. All of the Kai's including myself govern different aspects of the universe. It all falls into a hierarchy of sorts. First there is the North,South, East, and Western Kai's. They look out for their quadrant of the Galaxy. Then there is the Grand Kai who supervises them and keeps a sense of order between the lower Kai's. Above the Grand Kai I handle matters that impact and threaten the Galaxy on a major scale such as Majin Buu. As for the Gods they possess powers that exceed anything a mere mortal can comprehend. Each of the twelve gods exist in their own realm and at times will not be seen for Millenia. They are often considered fickle and are very rarely drawn into afairs of the other realms unless such a crisis proves to be much for the Heiarchy of the Kai's. "
Goku scratched his head even more. He was clearly even more confused then before. "So these Gods...their helping us? "
"Not exactly. Only one of them. She is known as the Goddess of Rebirth. Many cultures believe in some form of reincarnation, some souls who wish to experience the mortal world again elect to have their souls reborn and start a new in the Galaxy. This is done so through her immense power. Usually she only uses her power to guide souls into the world to start anew, however she possesses the gift of restoring life. However she has only done this once before and she will only do so this again a single time with only one individual. I need you to decide amongst yourselves who deserves this gift. I need only the best, Majin Buu must not be allowed to walk the realm of man again and though it pains me to say it...I do not possess the strength required to deal with Babidi and his followers alone."
"Just one of us?" Gohan asked as he bowed his head.
"Father you should take it...The only one even close to you is Vegeta and Me...and there's no guarantee that offer extends to Vegeta considering his circumstance. "
Vegeta in this timeline had not been able to live long enough, nor right enough of his past crimes to avoid Hell upon his death.
Goku smiled as he clapped his son on the shoulder. "No way Son. Heart Virus or not...I died of natural causes and my place is now here. You deserve a chance to live a full life. To make sure your daughter lives to know the Earth we grew up loving."
Gohan bowed his head in response at the same time Supreme Kai spoke.
"Son Goku are you certain? I would perfer that only the strongest of you accompany me on this quest."
Goku's signature goofy grin returned. "Exactly that's why Gohan is going with you. He's way stronger than me.."
Gohan's eyes widened, before a rare smile spread across his face. "Thanks Dad."
The Supreme Kai simply bowed his head. "Very Well then. Before we proceed with your resurrection. I need you to come with me. There is much to be done, before then. You will under go training on the planet of the Kai's. "
Gohan frowned. "Why wait? We could take the fight to this Babidi character now and I could make sure everyone on Earth is alright."
The Supreme Kai offered a small smile. "It would seem from what my associate tells me that things for now are under control on Earth. Your friend Trunks has returned. This is a package deal Gohan. You either do things my way or I'll find someone else who will agree to my terms. I will not waste this precious gift of ressurection just for you to be killed at the hands of Babidi or one of his servants. Will you accept my terms?"
Gohan took a deep breath as he pushed aside his anger, before slowly nodding his head. "Very well sir. We'll do this your way."
Shin's expression softened slightly. "Excellent now let us go, we need every moment we can get." he said as he reached out and touched the Half-Saiyan's arm, before the pair vanished from sight.
*End Flashback*
Gohan frowned as he dropped the sword he'd been holding allowing it to slam into the ground creating a giant crater. "It's useless. This thing is so heavy...How is this thing suppose to hurt this Buu creature? Furthermore why can't I go home ?"
Kibito frowned. "You should show more respect to our ways boy."
The Supreme Kai held up his hand to silence his comrade. "I know it must be hard Gohan, but the legends speak of untold power coming from this blade. You must press onward, I know you wish to return home to your family, but it would seem that your pupil has managed to end the conflict and the menace that plagued your world and is working to rebuild in your absence. I won't waste this chance that a goddess is giving us by sending you back to Earth unprepared. You need to think of the bigger picture here."
Gohan took a deep breath as he slowly relaxed his body, before simply nodded his head. "You're right. I'm sorry...I'll keep working on it." he said, before he began to walk down the crater towards the fallen sword.
The Supreme Kai smiled, before he turned away. "Kibito I will leave him in your capable hands."
"Going somewhere master?" Kibito asked as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Yes. I have to continue to search for Babidi, before he discovers Majin Buu's whereabouts."
"There's something else that troubles you isn't there ?"
Shin slowly inclined his head. "Yes. We know that Bibidi hid Buu's chamber on Earth, but it was hidden by the Wizard and is likely impossible to find without the use of Babidi's magic. What concerns me is this..." he mused as he pulled a small device from his robes, before holding it up. It seemed to be some sort of audio device.
"What is it?" Kibito questioned with a quirk of a brow.
"It's a recording I stumbled upon while following Babidi's trail. He still seems intent on finding Majin Buu however he mentioned in the recording that he'd found some of his father's old texts and was trying to discern how he went about the process of creating Majin Buu in the first place."
Kibito swallowed. "D-do you think he may intend on creating his own monster?"
Shin frowned. "Perhaps. There's really know way to know if Babidi has what it takes to do such a thing. After all I have no idea how Bibidi created Majin Buu in the first place. Whatever the case may be...the sooner Gohan masters his power...the sooner we can end this."
*AN* And Cliffhanger ending! Lol.
Actually the flashback scene posted in this chapter is a continuation of a short scene I wrote in chapter 6. The only difference is I continued the scene here. To be honest I didn't want to allude or introduce the Supreme Kai or any of the other major plot points until the Cell Arc was completely finished. I hope I don't divide people going forward, but I will be doing OC's mainly because this timeline is for the most part untapped so it leaves me with plenty of room to expand. That being said I will endeavor to avoid making Mary Sue/ Gary Sue type characters.
Ocarin is a pun because Namekian names are generally based on slugs and musical instruments. His character takes great inspiration to Dragonball Multiverse and the concept of many Nameks fusing to stop a great threat.
Also I know that there were a lot of points of view in this chapter, I don't want anyone to worry. Going forward this still remain a story focused on Trunks/ Eighteen. I just need the other POV's at times to introduce new plotlines and to show certain events going on in the background.
Also If anyone want's to ask any questions or what not I'll start posting questions and or comments with answers in the following chapter. I want those who are following this fic to feel connected to me.
Anyways thank you all again for reading and I'll see you again soon!