A/N: Is anyone excited for the new DBSuper movie? I am. I'm quite keen to see how they'll do a canon Broly and what kind of backstory and personality he'll have this time around...as long as he still has his sadistic sense of humour and he wrecks Frieza, I'm cool.

Watching Trunks get tortured by Black spurred Pan into action without thought; she dived off the Lookout and transformed into Super Saiyan 2 for the speed boost, hoping to reach her mentor in time. As she flew, she was so focused on saving Trunks that she didn't realise that someone was following her until she was halfway there.

"Azure, what are you doing?" Pan called when she finally realised she was being followed.

"I'm going with you," Azure replied, in her Super Saiyan form. "I have to help Mom and Papa."

"It's too dangerous for you. Stay on the Lookout."

"I can't. I have to help. I want to help."

"You're not strong enough," the teenager tried to placate.

"I'm not a baby, Pan."

Pan sighed in resigned frustration; Azure inherited her parents' stubbornness and as much as she couldn't allow the child onto the battlefield, she couldn't dawdle with her decision, not when Trunks was in terrible danger, so she made a decision that she hoped wouldn't come back to bite her.

"Alright, fine, let's go, but we have to hurry and you have to do exactly as I say," Pan stated as the child nodded. "So if it gets too heavy down there and I tell you to run, you do exactly that, got it?"

"Got it."

Already doubting her decision, Pan resumed her journey, hoping she could reach the battle in time, hoping that she wasn't leading Azure to her death…the teenager would never forgive herself if something happened to the young girl.

Sensing Trunks' energy was fleeting, Pan increased her speed, desperation driving her and she reached the city where the battle was taking place when there was a flash explosion and Zamasu shot past her and Azure. With the hope that Trunks had turned the tides, the teenager flew onto the field of battle – and stopped dead in shock as she saw the person approaching the battered Trunks.

It was a trick…it had to be a trick, yet Pan couldn't detect anything malicious about the man, even though he'd been recently terrorising the world and yet…there was a glimmer of hope in her heart.

"Dad?"

-X-

He looked exactly the same as the last time Trunks had seen him: he still had the facial scar, but he also had his left arm and he wore the same gi outfit Trunks always knew him to wear – the half-Saiyan couldn't believe what he was seeing and he fell to his knees as the pain and shock overtook him – Gohan went down on one knee before him, a reassuring hand on Trunks' shoulder.

"Is it…is it really you…Gohan?" Trunks stammered in his surprise.

"Yeah, buddy, it's really me. It's good to see you again," Gohan smiled warmly and the younger (now older) hybrid looked at the space above his head.

"Aren't you supposed to be dead? Where's your halo?"

"A favour from a friend," came the reply. "And I believe we now have a mutual friend."

It took Trunks a moment to realise. "Wu-kon?"

Gohan nodded and his tail waved into view, catching Trunks' attention. "But that's not the only gift I have. Let me show you something that is bestowed to an apprentice of the Supreme Kai."

His hands glowed with warm light and Trunks felt all his pain melt away as his strength returned to him. Once he was fully healed, he accepted Gohan's hand and was helped to his feet.

"Wait…Lazuli," Trunks cried hurriedly. "You have to help Lazuli."

Gohan paused for a moment and Trunks couldn't really blame him. "The Android?"

Black burst up from his position, irritated as he created his energy blade, but he stopped when he saw Gohan, catching the original's attention. "It's like looking in a mirror."

"So, that's the creep who's been using my body to commit atrocities," Gohan murmured.

A sudden commotion attracted Trunks' attention and he saw Pan and Azure fighting against Zamasu and his heart filled with dread at the sight of his young daughter engaged in battle. "Please, help her."

Gohan gave Black one last look. "Alright, I'm on it."

Trunks transformed into the Saiyan God form and he punted Zamasu away with a kick, then rounded on the two quarter-Saiyans. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping you," Pan retorted. "Trunks…is that…is that really my dad?"

"Yeah, it is, Pan. I'll handle Black; you go say hi to him. Azure, you stay back; you shouldn't be here."

"I didn't want to see you get hurt," Azure replied, determination shining in her emerald eyes.

Black flew at the trio and Trunks intercepted him, dodging the blade and firing a ki blast at close-range; Black shook it off, but was hit with a Finish Buster and it blasted him away. Meanwhile, Gohan reached the critically-injured Lazuli and he knelt gently before her, drawing her attention and understandably, her eyes went wide.

"Gohan?" she cried, blood dripping from her mouth. "How…how? You're dead…I killed you."

"I know," Gohan said softly, ignoring the sound of battle behind him as he gently removed the sword from her abdomen; to her credit, she didn't cry out in pain, just gritted her teeth and went with it. The blood flowed freely, but he placed a glowing hand to her wound. "For years in the afterlife, that fateful night haunted me and I only came to terms with it when you and 17 were finally killed; I had closure after that. But then…you returned to life…and you…later changed your ways…something I never thought would ever happen."

The wound healed and Lazuli restored to full health, she pushed herself into a sitting position, the guilt returning with fervour. She had made peace with her past long ago, but to have Gohan in the flesh before her, the real Gohan…she never expected this moment to ever happen and it was causing all sorts of havoc on her mind.

"Gohan…I'm sorry," Lazuli said softly. "I'm sorry for what I've done, I'm sorry that I killed you, I'm sorry for a lot of things…and I don't expect you to forgive me on the spot for what I've done, but…just know that I am truly sorry."

Gohan gave her a small, warm smile. "Like I said, I've made my peace with it and I'm been watching you, Eight – Lazuli. You've been good to Trunks and you've been good to Pan as well, helping Trunks and Videl to look after her in my…absence. And," he said, watching Azure fire a Double Buster at Zamasu, "it seems that you have quite the child yourself. You've made Trunks happy, you've put your past behind you and that's more than I can ask for."

A building exploded in the background, the street was torn up and Pan could be heard using the Kamehameha Wave, but Lazuli didn't pay attention to any of it, just the man in front of her. "I know, but it still doesn't make up for what I've done."

"So, keep fighting. There's a world that needs our help, so let's fight for it."

He rose and held out his hand; after a brief hesitation, Lazuli took it and was helped to her feet; Gohan flashed a smile and the Android couldn't help but return one. After another explosion, the calm friendliness vanished from Gohan's face, replaced by the battle-hardened expression Lazuli had always known him to wear. With a shout, he powered up, transforming into a Saiyan God and he watched as Lazuli transformed into her Super Android form and fly off to assist Trunks against Black. Seeing Pan and Azure holding their own against Zamasu (although he was pressuring them), Gohan flew at the Supreme Kai and battered him away with an elbow strike – and he slowly turned towards Pan.

"Hey, kid," Gohan said, his voice catching in his throat. He was at a loss for words at seeing his daughter, properly, for the first time in his life and he couldn't be any prouder of Videl for raising her. "It's good to finally see you."

"How is this possible?" Pan asked. "Aren't you dead?"

"Not anymore. I'm alive again, although this was not exactly how I imagined our reunion to go," Gohan admitted. "But…wow…I can't believe how much you've grown. I mean, obviously I knew, because I'd be watching you and your mom whenever I could, but…to see you in person like this…how I wished I could've been there from the start."

"Galick Gun!" Azure suddenly cried as she launched the beam at Zamasu.

The Supreme Kai easily dodged the beam, but he was unable to dodge Gohan's fist.

"You are supposed to be dead," Zamasu said.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I couldn't sit back and let you destroy the world," Gohan responded. "Especially when you're using my body to do it!"

Zamasu smirked. "Ah, but you were the perfect choice, the perfect example of the errors of gods and mortals. But then again, I wouldn't expect a simple mortal like you to understand-"

A fist crashed into his face and Gohan followed up with a roundhouse kick. "Shut up!" As Zamasu slammed into the side of a building, Gohan turned to the two quarter-Saiyans. "I'll send Eight – I mean, Lazuli, over to help you. I need to take care of my doppelganger."

He took off towards the other battle, arriving in time to stop Black from using his energy whip against Trunks – he grabbed the imposter's wrist, catching his attention and then drove a fist into his copy's face. Upon Gohan's arrival, Lazuli spotted the quarter-Saiyans and without a word, she flew to assist them, stomping on Zamasu's back and driving him into the ground.

"Well now, isn't this interesting?" Black smirked as he looked upon Gohan. "Sending you here? What a waste of time, but, perhaps I'll keep you around long enough to witness the rebirth of the beauty of the universe before I send you back to the Other World."

"The only one going to Other World is you, Black," Gohan said sternly. "You stole my body and you've used it to slaughter millions, all the while proclaiming that it is justice. Obviously, there is only one kind of justice and that will be your death."

Black rolled his eyes and sighed. "I give up trying to explain it to you stupid mortals. Clearly, you cannot comprehend my decision; of course not, you are mortals and you could never understand the ways of the gods, even when you try to put yourselves on our level. Best to just kill you and end my suffering."

"You know what, Gohan," Trunks said. "I think he talks too much."

"Yeah, you got that right. Ready?" Gohan grinned.

"Let's go."

Black snapped his whip, separating the pair as they flew at him. Reverting the whip into a blade, he forced Trunks to avoid getting his head chopped off – Gohan slammed a fist into Black's jaw. Trunks followed suit and it took him back to his childhood, when he would fight alongside his mentor. It was exhilarating for Trunks to have Gohan alive and fighting side-by-side once more, like the rhythm they'd established hadn't been broken by death and time and he thanked whoever had made it possible for Gohan to return to life, to help him in his time of need.

For Gohan, he was thankful for the opportunity at a second life, even though he'd been given it simply to help save the universe. For years after his death, he'd been training with his father in the Other World, even travelling to the Sacred World of the Kais to train under the Supreme Kai (who never returned from his attempt to stop Majin Buu's revival, but that had been ultimately successful thanks to Trunks) and unlocking his full potential with the help of the Elder Kai, but it still left Gohan frustrated when he would look upon Earth and see his growing daughter, unable to be involved in her life and always longing to return. Even when his mother died from a broken heart and joined him and his father, Gohan felt morose, but eventually, he accepted that the only way he'd ever get to see his daughter was when her time finally came.

Then Black arrived, having stolen his body from another timeline and with his threat to the universe clear, Gohan pleaded and begged with the Elder Kai for some way to return to Earth and help stop the threat; the Elder Kai eventually agreed and in a surprising act, he gave up his own life, gifting it to Gohan. Grateful and refusing to waste such a precious gift, the half-Saiyan immediately travelled to Sadal to train under Wu-kon so he could at least be on the same playing level as Trunks and Black. It hadn't been easy trying to convince the God of Saiyans to help him, but Gohan had prevailed in the end and gained the power of the Saiyan God. Perhaps with two Saiyan Gods against his doppelganger would give them the advantage they needed to win. Didn't mean it would be easy.

Black caught Trunks' fist and kicked him in the flank, a second kick to his head smashed him aside. Gohan lunged in with a punch; Black dodged with a grin, kneed him in the gut and slammed him into the ground with an axe-handle strike. He extended his energy whip, wrapped it around Gohan's ankle and hurled him into the incoming Trunks. He saw Zamasu getting ganged up and he went to assist his comrade – Trunks and Gohan slammed into him together at the same time, unleashing blow after blow in a synchronised manner, the half-Saiyans trying to keep the evil pair separated.

"You are really testing my patience," Black growled as he began a counterattack, parrying their strikes and landing his own blows. "If you just accepted death in the first place, this wouldn't be happening, but you are both gluttons for punishment." He vanished before Gohan's fist could connect, re-appeared behind him and pressed a Power Ball to his back. Gohan yelped as he was blasted away and when Trunks tried to attack, Black dodged and grabbed him in a rear sleeper hold. "Your world is crumbling into ruins, Saiyan and you have no-one to blame but yourself. Even your friend came back from the grave and what a pointless gesture that was, since I'm only going to send him back. How does that make you feel? Please tell me the answer is useless."

Trunks choked as he tried to break the hold, but the taunting words enraged him and his aura burst to life as he drove his elbows into Black's ribs. The body-snatcher ignored the pain, but Gohan struck him from behind and the hold was broken and Trunks blasted Black with a Maximum Flasher. Black slammed into the ground, but he quickly recovered from the impact, exchanging looks between the two Saiyan Gods and Zamasu fighting in the background; he wanted to help his comrade, even though he wasn't overly concerned, given Zamasu's immortality, but the two Saiyan Gods were still irritating. Individually, they were no match for him, but paired together and their apparent history of fighting together meant they were quite the thorn in his side.

"Why do you insist on fighting?" Black questioned. "Oh right, I forgot: you Saiyans are a simple and barbaric race; fighting is all you know, even when the cause is futile."

"And yet, you wear the body of a Saiyan," Gohan pointed out. "My body, in fact."

"Yes, and I've elevated it. This body is the result of the sins of mortals and gods; how could I not use it as a symbol of my justice and righteous rage?"

Gohan snarled, his aura flaring around him and he flew at Black. The doppelganger smirked and slashed with his sword – Gohan dodged and drove his fist into Black's face, the rage of his body being maliciously used fuelling his strength and he landed another powerful blow that rocked his evil copy.

"You call it justice, huh?" the half-Saiyan growled as he darted around Black's blade and landed punishing blows, his fury giving him the burst of strength. Black slashed, Gohan caught his wrist and slammed home an uppercut. "Steal the body of a family man and use it to commit genocide across the universe, believing it will create a utopia?" Black snarled in frustration and attempted a stab; Gohan avoided the blade and clocked his jaw. "You're no different than Frieza, despite what you claim; just another thug and I will do everything I can to take you down!"

He drove his aura-coated fist into Black's gut, driving the wind out of him with the powerful blow and he kicked his imposter away, firing a swift Masenko – Black narrowly dodged it and flew in rapidly and slashed wide – a faint pink tear appeared on Gohan's torso. With a shout, Trunks slammed his fist into Black's jaw, then grabbed his gi and tossed the body-thief into the sky – gathering his energy together, Trunks unleashed the Heat Dome Attack. Black snarled in a rage when the fierce beam drove him further into the sky, culminating in an explosion that brought light to the clouds for a brief moment. Trunks lowered his hands, unable to sense Black's energy.

"You think that's done it?" Gohan asked.

"I'm not sure, but I'm hoping it's enough," Trunks replied honestly and he looked over at the battle against Zamasu. "For now, one down and one to go. Let's finish this."

Zamasu was frustrated. His attempts to kill the brats were hampered by Lazuli, who delighted in kicking him around, even though she couldn't kill him and even the oldest of the quarter-Saiyans got in on the act. Black's energy suddenly disappeared and just as the Supreme Kai frowned in confusion, trying to locate his comrade, his body was assaulted by invisible strands of energy.

"You insolent pests!" Zamasu snarled at Zangya. "You will pay dearly for your impertinence."

"Oh dear, someone has a temper problem," the Hera smirked as she strengthened her Psycho Threads, severely restricting Zamasu's movements. "Tapion, would you be a dear and get rid of him?"

His arm restored (he had eventually lost that argument with his lover), Tapion brought the ocarina to his lips and began playing a melody – one that spoke of hope and Zamasu froze when he felt the effects of the tune, his body twisting and warping in response.

"What is this?" he growled, trying to free himself. "No, I won't allow it!"

"Yes, you will," Lazuli responded as she created a Lightning Hell Cutter and launched it with deadly accuracy – it sliced cleanly through Zamasu's neck, separating his head from his body, leaving a shocked expression on his face

Azure shrieked in horror at the sudden decapitation, but it had the intended effect, quieting the Supreme Kai and his body went limp in the Psycho Threads. Tapion stopped his melody, unsure if he should continue, but Lazuli waved her hand, urging him on and he continued playing the ocarina. As the immortality struggled to put Zamasu back together, his body warped and shimmered, fading into Tapion's body, becoming one with the Konatsian until nothing remained of the Supreme Kai.

"He's strong," Tapion winced. "But I can hold him…just need some time…"

"Take all the time you need," Zangya told him. "You've got this, baby."

He nodded and tried to focus on containing the Supreme Kai – he yelled when he was suddenly blasted by a pink Power Ball and he slammed into the ground with such force that he was out cold – Zamasu re-appeared, his head attached and he stared at his hands in surprise. Zangya was the next to be taken out by a Power Ball and Lazuli spun around in time to avoid the Violent Fierce God Slicer – Gohan and Trunks had already leapt into action, as Black snapped his whip and Lazuli was sent flying back into the pair. Pan and Azure unleashed a combined Masenko – Black stopped the twin beams with one hand and with the other, he snapped his whip, taking out both quarter-Saiyans. He took a quick glance around the battlefield and rushed to Zamasu's side.

"Are you okay?" Black asked. "What did they do to you?"

"They tried to trap me in one of their bodies," Zamasu said, anger bleeding into his voice, maddened that he'd nearly come close to being defeated, for lack of a better word, but it was true. The Zero Mortal Plan had nearly come to an abrupt halt because he'd underestimated his opponents' abilities. His fist clenched in anger. "They must be punished for their transgression."

"Oh, that's easy done," Black smirked as he cupped his hands together. He caught sight of Gohan flying at him and his smirked widened as he unleashed the Rose Kamehameha Wave.

In response, Gohan fired a Kamehameha Wave of his own, trying to push his opponent's beam back. Trunks fired the Galick Gun, combining it with Gohan's Kamehameha and together, they drove the Rose Kamehameha back towards Black. His eyes widened in surprise and he growled, increasing the strength of his beam. Zamasu created a large energy ball and launched it at the half-Saiyans, hoping to take them out while they were distracted – Lazuli intercepted it with her Full-Powered Pressure Wave and it obliterated the energy ball as it drilled into Zamasu. Unwilling to stand aside, Zangya and Tapion fired a powerful energy beam each (she used the Galactic Buser) – and combined with the Galick Gun and the Kamehameha Wave, they assisted in driving Black's Rose Kamehameha Wave back upon him and the resulting explosion destroyed the surrounding area, dust and debris flying everywhere from the cataclysmic eruption. The city shook from the nuclear force and it felt like forever for the dust to clear, but when it finally did, there wasn't a single sign of Black to be seen anywhere and the same could be said for Zamasu. Trunks hesitantly lowered his hands; he was half-expecting Black to pop out of nowhere, having prevailed in similar situations before and he didn't dare hope that the body-snatcher had finally been vanquished…not yet at least. He couldn't sense either Supreme Kais, but he wasn't lowering his guard any time soon.

"Is it…is it finally over?" Trunks unsurely asked.

Gohan waited a moment before answering; he needed to be absolutely sure that he was correct. "I can't sense them and given the power of that blast…I'd be surprised if he survived."

"After everything we've thrown at him so far, I wouldn't be surprised," Trunks said cynically. "But you're right – I can't sense him either and if he's gone, we'd just have to wait until Zamasu shows up again. Immortal or not, he should realise he doesn't stand a chance against us."

"He seemed resolute about his ideals, but let's hope you're right," Gohan replied and with a deep sigh, he relaxed his powers, resuming his normal form and beside him, Trunks did the same.

"Is it really over?" Lazuli asked, also resuming her base form, although like her husband, she was hesitant to believe that Black was truly gone.

"Fingers crossed," Trunks gave her a crooked smile and suddenly, he was accosted by Azure in her normal state. "Hey, munchkin."

"I was worried, Papa, when I saw the bad men hurting you," the child said.

"Well, I'm all good now. Azure, there's someone I want you to meet," Trunks said as he faced his daughter towards Gohan. "This is Gohan, an old friend of mine."

"Hi, sir," Azure greeted her father's mentor with confidence. "It is nice to meet you."

Gohan gave a small chuckle, even as he was hugged by his own daughter. "It is nice to meet you too, Azure. You have a cute kid, Trunks, although I'd say she got her looks from her mother."

"I never knew you were good with the flattery," Lazuli said with a small smirk. The bridge she was slowly starting to build with Gohan was tentative, given their entwined pasts, but she was completely willing to forget that and forge a better future, especially if he was going to remain living alongside them. Her smirk was friendly, trying to show him that she was offering an olive branch.

Gohan laughed. "It's not my strongest point, but trust me when I say I've met people in the afterlife who've given me some great tips."

"Well, this seems like a lovely reunion, but this whole thing has been quite stressful," Zangya cut in and she grabbed Tapion's hand. "We'll be grabbing our baby and heading home, where I hope we'll be left alone for the next six months. If there's a disaster during that time, you're on your own."

"Thank you for your help," Trunks said. "I greatly appreciate it."

Zangya shrugged; Tapion gave a small wave and the couple floated into the sky, prepared to leave – and the city rumbled. Trunks paled, his blood running cold at the possibility.

"No…please no…he should be dead."

He powered up to Super Saiyan; it wasn't that Saiyan God was strenuous on his body or energy, like Super Saiyan 3, but rapidly transforming and using it for long periods left a telling mark upon him; he was staying in his Super Saiyan form until he was ready for the powerful upgrade and in this state, he was being cautious, hoping that the rumble was the city suffering from the aftereffects of the brutal battle that'd raged.

The city rumbled again and Zangya and Tapion returned to the ground, as it began to shake and split, jagged cracks crisscrossing with the previous rips and there was an explosion of power, as Gohan Black burst up from the ground and rose into the sky, an enraged look on his face. Beside him, Zamasu hovered, sharing a similar expression.

"How the hell did you survive, Black?" Trunks demanded.

"My rage kept me hanging by a thread until Zamasu took care of me," Black growled. "By rights, I should tear each and every single one of you to shreds for what you've done."

"That said, it appears we have underestimated you," Zamasu added with calm authority. "Mortals who had reached the power of the gods and fighting on our level; mortals who use dirty tricks to stop the Zero Mortal Plan. No, that simply will not do. We could keep fighting until you are dead, but that would open us up to more of your filthy mortal tricks."

"The hour is at hand," Black declared triumphantly. "I guess I have to commend you mortals for giving us such a good fight, but it is time for the ultimate act of the Zero Mortal Plan to play its part and when judgement comes, you will see the light."

"What the hell are you on about?" Gohan demanded.

"Ah, they're just talking smack because we gave them a good hiding," Lazuli said dismissively. "So, I'm hoping your refusal to keep fighting means you surrender?"

Black laughed. "Pitiful mortal. You do not understand, do you? Of course not, you are not a god, not a divine being filled with beauty and righteous might. Perhaps we can make you understand. Zamasu, are you ready?"

"Of course, Zamasu. Let the true judgement begin," Zamasu replied with a smug smirk.

He unclipped the Potara earring from his left ear – and clipped it onto his right ear, a direct opposite to Black. The body-snatcher grinned as the power of the Potara yanked him towards Zamasu and when their bodies touched each other, there was a bright, blinding flash of light that engulfed the pair. As the light diminished to reveal a singular person, Trunks felt his heart drop in his chest as he sensed the power of the being before them.

"We are screwed."