Book 4: The Dissonance of The Earthling Saiyan

by Espeon804

Book 4. Humanity has proved itself a threat. Their ultimate creation backfires and becomes their worst enemy. A Bio-Android goes by the name of Cell - an insect like organism who absorbs anyone it can get to... but for what purpose? Saiyan, Human, Namekian, and Android are forced to join forces. This is indeed a dissonance. It seems that Goku is struggling with himself.

30. What it means to be a warrior

Chapter 30 Plot:

THE FINAL CHAPTER - Chapter 30: "What it means to be a warrior." In the present and the future… it's time to make a final score with old enemies. Raditz and the others begin their research to track and prevent anymore destruction. Future Trunks stands firm, stronger than ever, and ready to bring peace to his timeline once and for all. Meanwhile, Gine holds her promise to protect her children, no matter what. They all will encounter what was once a major threat. Never again shall they dare to bring any harm to anyone! What does it mean to be a warrior? The answer will vary, but a fight will always come!

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AT LONG LAST…

A chapter comes to a close. The world is no longer threatened by the Androids, but peace won't last forever. Everyone begins to formulate their next actions for the many years to come…

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A/N: Espeon804 here with another great chapter!

HEY! Chapters 29 and 30 got published on the same day, so if you somehow got here to chapter 30, you might want to check and see if you've read 29 first!

THE FINAL CHAPTER AT LAST!

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PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 9TH, 2025!

WORDS: 17,397

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Usually I would add chapter themes here, but I have a question for you instead.

Are you familiar with the DBZ Kai song, "A Lone Warrior"? I hope you are.

It'll be the only song I have for this chapter. The one number indicator will be there. ;)

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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN DB, DBZ, DBGT, DBZKAI, OR DBS! Akira Toriyama does!

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Key:

"Talking"

"Foreign Language"

'Thoughts'

'Telepathy'

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- Saga finale - CHAPTER 30: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WARRIOR! - Saga finale -

The purple and foggy depths of Hell are a sight Gine can't say she missed. What she did miss, are the company of her old allies…and her husband. She stuck to him like glue, to Bardock's displeasure. (Although, he is terrible at hiding that he actually does enjoy her clinginess after being away from it for some time.)

Bardock has been doing his own research of The Demon Realm, asking every ogre he comes across about it. To his displeasure, either they didn't want to talk, or they knew very little about it. The only useful information he managed to pull was how everyone from there has pointy ears, which was the most useless fact he was given.

"They are doing their best too, you know," Gine tells him. She has always been able to read his emotions with such little effort. "I'm sure Raditz won't rest until he destroys that thing. Our boys are really determined once they have their mind set on something. I wonder where they got it from?"

"Tch." Bardock crosses his arms. "That can be a good and bad thing…"

"This isn't the first time they've been faced with a difficult challenge. I have faith that they will pull through this one."

"They are your children," Fasha says with a chuckle. "I have a hunch they will find this so-called Demon Realm and drag that demon back to their world by his ears."

"Sounds like something Bardock would do for sure!" Shugesh laughs.

"Still, none of this would have ever been a problem if those humans had not screwed with Kakarot's mind," Tora says. "The fact they were mere humans makes it all the more insulting."

Gine freezes, and she tucks a finger under her chin.

"Hold on Gine."

"Hm?" Gine turns around. "What's the matter, Bardock?"

"I know that look." Bardock crosses his arms, somewhat curious. "Before you came back here, you mentioned something about having some business to take care of? What could that possibly be?"

"Well…" Gine says with a smile. "Do me a favor and back me up. I'm afraid it will cause a scene and give them a reason for me to stay down here."

"What?" He is a bit alarmed now.

"I'll be right back! See you!" She waves cheerfully and walks away.

Bardock just watches her go. "Back you up? What are you about to do?! Gine! Hey!"

"Leave her be, Bardock," Fasha says. "I actually want to see what she has planned."

Borgos grins. "This should be fun, don't you think?"

"Usually when she has a grand idea…I end up in the middle of it," Bardock grumbles.

…

After walking for several minutes, and being stared at in question by all those she passes, Gine approaches a small group who are talking among themselves, all wearing similar uniforms.

The high-ranking members of The Resistance Army are startled by her presence. Standing there are Fillet, Oister, Dumpli, Skrimp, Alfredo, Nomals…

…and Chille.

They notice her arrival in an instant. Almost all of them move back, frightened by why a Saiyan would bother to approach them.

"Looks like all of you got sentenced to Hell. I'm not even surprised." Gine says.

"Who are you?" Fillet demands. "Wait. A tail?! Eugh! Go away! I've seen enough of you Saiyan freaks down here!"

"I've just started speaking to you, and you've decided that I'm not worth speaking to already?" Gine chuckles as she rubs the back of her head. "Then I suppose that makes both of us. Makes things a little easier, don't you think?"

"What?" Skrimp is lost.

"Wait a second. Those eyes…and that mannerism." Chille steps from the crowd and points. "You're the mother of that freak, aren't you?"

"If that freak is Kakarot, then yes. I am. Good observation." Gine drops her smile as she crosses her arms. "I'll be blunt and say I hate you, but you already figured that out."

"You gave birth to that monkey. So I suppose we are even." Chille spits. "He killed me, which is humiliating enough. What are you here for? To rub it in my face?"

Gine shakes her head. "Actually, no. I'm here to share a piece of my mind."

"What?"

"Don't play dumb. I know Aqua is still alive. I'm sure she's carrying out your plan, which was…what? Turning my youngest son into your greatest weapon? You'll what? Capture him again and torture him to the point his mind completely breaks? If he's out of your grasp, will you target the others? The children…?"

"Whatever it takes to get rid of you freaks of nature. I'm not giving up, even while I'm down here. Someone will pick up my slack. At least you are familiar with that much."

Gine's smile returns. "Well, too bad for you the Dragon Balls don't exist anymore. So I can get away with doing this, don't you think?"

She rockets forward before anyone could utter a word. She grabs Chille by the collar of his shirt and soars from the ground.

"Chille!" The others are shocked.

"Now then…" Gine searches the ground and the cliffs, ignoring Chille's thrashing. "Where is that pesky thing…? I've seen it around here before…oh! There it is!"

Chille grunts as he is dropped on a plateau. He scrambles back from the Saiyan mother, frightened by how easily she manhandled him. "What…what could you possibly do to me here? We are already dead! Even if you do kill me, I'll just come back! You can't destroy a soul in the afterlife!"

"Oh, I know. That's why I've found an alternative solution!" Gine claps her hands together.

Chille is more confused than worried. "Huh…?"

Gine performs a backflip and lands atop a bulk coated by a blanket. She tears it free, revealing a giant hunk of red metal…a vehicle with two hoses.

Chille stumbles back, recognizing it in an instant.

"You wouldn't! Don't you realize how much trouble you'll get into?!" he shrieks. "Unauthorized use of that will have you banished into the depths of Hell!"

"Is that supposed to scare me?" Gine asks. "There is nothing far more insufferable than my time serving King Cold. I had my fair share of neutralizing inhabitants of other worlds. It just broke my heart to do it. But do you know what makes you different? You have this ugly habit of bringing out the worst side of those who are around you. So maybe…maybe this machine will bring me joy…since I can't kill you."

She lets out a chuckle.

Chille takes several frightened steps back, his face goes pale once he notices the red shine in her eyes. He breaks into a sprint, a bold decision to jump off the cliff.

"I don't think so!" Gine flips the switch, and the hoses spew out snow. Chille is caught in its path. He screams as he bats away the chilling powder, only to find that his motion is already slowing down. Ice crystals cling on to his arms, his legs…

They grow into sheets of ice that merge like armor. His muscles go stiff, but he struggles on, clawing, desperate, until the ice climbs up his neck and coats his head.

Layers upon layers upon layers, until he is trapped in a massive chunk of ice.

"Aw…you poor thing." Gine flips the machine off and makes her lunge down. "It's too bad there is no way for you to melt out of there. If I just so happen to accidentally drop you, you'll shatter to a million pieces, and there would be no way to put you back together…oops."

She purposely knocks him off from the edge of the cliff, and the chunk of ice plummets to a shatter below.

"Gine!"

She turns around, seeing Bardock landing nearby

"What the hell, Gine?! Did you just freeze him?!" Bardock pauses as soon as he sees the ice on the ground. "You actually did it…how the hell did you even find it?!"

"Don't tell King Yemma…but I snooped through his files when he wasn't looking," Gine says. "Such a poor place to put this machine. They ought to lock it away somewhere."

"What's going on here?" A distant, angry voice calls.

"Now Bardock." Gine flashes him a smile. "Remember what I said about you having my back?"

"I remember. Why?" Bardock frowns.

"Hey! You!" The angry voice is coming from a distant ogre. He isn't alone.

There has to be about twenty of them, and they all carry a cage.

"Unauthorized freezing of souls is a grave offense!" the ogre shouts.

"Aw. You want me to fight these guys?" Bardock finds it more of a chore. Getting no response, he turns to where she is.

Or… Was. She's already running.

"Gine!" Bardock gawks.

"Hey! Get back here!" The ogre begins to chase.

Bardock sighs. "Even after death, I have to save your ass…" He clenches his fists and rockets forward with a warrior cry. The ogres stop running, realizing they have a bigger problem to deal with.

Meanwhile at the judgment desk, King Yemma has a single hand on his head, experiencing a massive headache. With a growl, he slammed his fists on the table. His roaring voice shakes the entire building.

"Damn it, GIIIIIIIIIIINEEEEEE!"

- OOOOOO -

Mount Paozu.

Several Months Later…

A tiny fist reaches for the sky high above. Baby Trunks, in the trees, clings on to the bark as he giggles against the leaves that tickle his nose. A soft coo escapes him as a butterfly flutters past.

Sitting on the branch next to him is Zhanahitao. Metal prongs replace the legs he had lost, which only grew back halfway. His twin tails twitch as he peers at the ground beneath him.

Footsteps, Trunks hears them. He looks down and smiles wider.

"Boly!"

By the tailfin, a pair of gigantic man-eating fish are dragged across the morning dew grass. Without skipping a beat, Broly approaches the polished structure of the grounded ship. He steps in front of the door and knocks.

Kauli answers almost in an instant. She peers past Broly, taking note of the fish, and nods. "Do you need help with that?"

"No thanks." Broly stacks the fish right next to the entrance before he steps inside the ship.

"I guess that was a dumb question anyway," Kauli sighs. She turns her attention towards the fish as she steps outside. "Genuine question…are these mutant fish leftover from Chille's nonsense? I'm beginning to question if it's safe to eat these."

"Had that been the case, I'm quite sure you would have died a long time ago."

Kauli gasps and spins around. With no one present, she looks towards the roof of the ship, where Turles stands. "How long were you up there?!"

"You know, I thought you had this sensing energy thing down already, but it seems I've been mistaken. You're still a novice," Turles says, ignoring her question. "Had I been an enemy, you would be dead right about now."

"Well I'm sorry I didn't know I have to be talented in sensing suppressed energy signals! I'm trying. And tried, I did. This whole energy manipulation thing is still new to me. You want to see? Because you're already annoying me, and I will blast you if you keep bothering me. Go somewhere."

Turles chuckles, which turns into a small laugh.

"What? What's so funny?"

"You're rusty," Turles teased. "Your insults don't sting as much as they used to."

"And…and you think that's a bad thing?" Kauli is even more confused. "Seriously…what the hell is wrong with you Saiyans? You're the only people I know who like getting insulted and beaten up. I don't see how that is amusing."

His smile grows. "It's amusing, because it comes from someone who knows they stand no chance against the person they are insulting. You had the gall to stand up against Vegeta…and I find that most impressive."

"Yeah, but it still hurt," Kauli says, rubbing her neck. "You bruise his ego and he tries to kill you."

"And you told him off when he practically gave up when we fought against Cell," Turles adds.

"You find that impressive? I was only telling the truth."

"Then keep telling him the truth," Turles hums. "It's music to my ears to see you belittle that high-and-mighty bastard."

He jumps down and lands in front of her. Kauli takes several steps back.

"Relax. I'm not going to pull any stunts with you. I have dinner to grill." Turles motions a hand towards the pair of fish. "Perhaps we can resume this conversation later over dinner, hm?"

"You're…acting weird. Inviting me?" Kauli frowns. "Are you…?"

"Am I…what?"

"Are you asking me out?"

Turles' face twists. "Asking you out? Is…is that a real sentence, or are you forgetting something?"

Kauli huffs. "A date, genius. Are you asking me out on a date?"

For a split-second, Turles looked almost shocked. Confusion crosses his face as he tries to make sense of things. "What are you talking about? What dates? We don't have any of those! Or… Do you want to go to harvest fruit or something?"

"Oh my—" Kauli slaps a hand on her head. "I forgot how dense you Saiyans are…nevermind. I'll be inside. Don't burn the food."

"I am not careless enough to let good food go bad!" Turles almost snaps at her.

"I know. What kind of Saiyan would want to waste food anyway?" Kauli stops at the door, and she looks back. "I'll take your offer though."

"My…offer? What are you—"

"Urgh. Idiot. Didn't you just say you wanted to talk over dinner? Or…"

She tilts her head, puzzled.

"Shit. Wait. Am I the idiot here…? How does it even work for Saiyans…?"

Turles smiles. "Oh. Kauli calling herself an idiot? That's a new one. Something must really be on your mind today…"

Kauli clears her throat to fight the heat that tries to surface on her race. "Wh-whatever. Listen, Turles. I'll just go ahead and say it: What Earthlings call dating is…sorta like an invitation. I want to get to know you."

"An invitation? You're serious. You already know me," Turles almost laughs. "And this is over dates? Why can't we do this over oranges instead, since they taste better? Actually, no. You tell me how this works."

"You— I'm not talking about the food—" Kauli pinches her nose. "Fine. I'll dumb it down even more. Maybe…I've decided I'm a little interested in you."

Turles almost asks what she could mean, but he catches the nervous tension of her tail. She refuses to look at him. This time, he lets a laugh slip out. "Interested…?"

Kauli throws her hands up and allows them to drop. "Do I have to spell everything out to you?"

"Well, let's see it like this," Turles begins to explain. "We grew up in different worlds. So whatever it is you are trying to tell me is very confusing to me. Same reason you don't understand half of what we do. So I guess we are both idiots here."

Kauli sighs. "Good point. What am I even doing…trying to explain this?"

"You do realize you can just show me if words aren't working. You're forgetting I can remember things at a glance?"

"You want me to show you?" Kauli asks. "What if you decide you don't like it then?"

"Then I walked myself into it. I can't very well complain about it."

"I see. In that case…"

She turns around and closes the gap between them, her steps slow. Without any explanation, she reaches towards his head, and pulls him down, her soft blue eyes meeting his at last. The gentlest of smiles forms across her lips.

"This is what I mean."

The clueless look on Turles' face shifts as she leans forward. Her nose bumps against his, and she freezes, scoffing at her own clumsiness. The nervous tension in her core almost strangles her.

"Ah…an invitation…" Turles hums, pulling her by her waist. The soft brush of his tail intertwines with her own. The light squeeze has Kauli frozen in place as he pulls her closer, a smirk on his face. "I see…"

'Vulnerability…' Kauli remembers what Raditz said. For half a second, fear overtakes her. 'It was real…'

Turles turns his head, and Kauli's hammering heart is deafening in her ears. Again, it is happening again. Yet, somehow, it feels a lot more suffocating than the first. Once their lips brush, Kauli shut her eyes. She is sure she lost the ability to breathe. It wasn't like the previous one at all.

She realizes, it's because she's the one who invited it this time. The blisters in her veins weren't a trick from the mind after all. They have returned, concentrated to her very core. Her body at some point pressed against his. All a blur…but she didn't care. Her fears melted as the warmth flooded her body. Her lips parted.

He responds by deepening the kiss, almost as if he is starved. It was real, terribly real. Kauli took in every second, savouring the softness she never imagined she would see from him.

It's as if ages passed by, when the very connection merely lasted several heartbeats. She opened her eyes, feeling her head pressing against his, looking into his dark eyes…

The ridiculousness of it all, it makes her laugh. It actually happened…she initiated it like a foolish schoolgirl.

Maybe…she found him a little more than interesting.

"Here's a little secret… " Turles almost whispers, having forgotten the common tongue. "I already knew what a date was…"

As her tail snakes away from his, it takes several seconds for Kauli to process his words. She can't tell if it's because the Saiyan language is still strange to her ears, or if her mind is that scrambled…

Wait. What did he just say?

"Urgh! You ass!" Kauli shoves him off his feet, and he falls to the ground with a laugh. "You were playing with me!"

"Does that upset you? I don't think so…" Turles hums as he stands up. "From what I've seen…you were more than willing to show me your intentions. And I will say; you are devilish, Kauli. I didn't think you had it in you."

Kauli feels angry words at the top of her tongue, but they fade away in an instant. The way he looks at her is nothing she has ever seen before. Her stomach twists, flooded with a restless swarm of butterflies.

She takes a step back, feeling enticing thoughts trying to surface.

"Dinner." The word was practically forced. She knows she has to go. "If you're late…I'm going to kick your ass."

"Hm." Turles watches as she clumsily steps back. His eyes don't leave her as she turns around. Even as she steps inside the ship, he won't look away. As she turns the corner, she looks back, wearing a sly smile, and Turles finds himself frozen in place.

Once she is out of sight, his warm smile grows as he chuckles to himself. He crouches down in front of the fish, spinning a large knife in his hand. His fingers slip and it falls on the grass, but he doesn't care. He is too giddy to care.

"Kakarot…this curse of yours has me held in a chokehold…"

He plucks the blade from the ground, and he looks at his reflection. That stupid smile refuses to leave his face. He turns his gaze towards the clouds. He laughs again, unable to pin down the swirling emotions that clouds his mind.

"It feels like I'm soaring, but I'm sure both of my feet are on the ground…"

…

Near the other side of the door, Tarble's arms fall limp as he falls against the wall. An agonizing chill stabs deep into his sinking heart. His legs almost give out. The back of his head slams against the metal surface as a groan escapes him.

"Damn it…"

His gloved hands claw at his scalp, but it doesn't ebb the pain away. He bangs his head against the wall again.

"Damn it…!"

Sinking…sinking… Drowning…

Thunk… Thunk… Thunk…

"Hey! Mr. Tarble!" Karot's voice calls. "Over here!"

His head stills before it can make contact against the cold steel again. A voice… The child's voice…

Tarble pushes himself off the wall, following Karot's voice. There is no time for him to sulk, not when there's still much work to be done. He made enough progress already.

The ship is set to be mostly operational by the next several months. He can't afford to let anything slow him down.

Inside, the lobby had been renovated, with new lights and polished walls. Working on the monitor is Karot, who stands crouched above where the keyboard would usually be. His tail hangs limp against the structure as he reaches deep into the wires and pulls out a rusted bolt.

"I found it, Mr. Tarble!" Karot announces. "I think this came from the door hinge."

As hollow as he feels inside, Karot's excited chatter is the one thing keeping Tarble from sinking into the ground. He already wishes he can forget the lovely words he heard exchanged outside. The invitation…whatever a date was. A human concept to display endearment…

"Mr. Tarble?'

Karot's worried tone is more than enough to push Tarble forward. He walks over to his side and offers his hand. Once the bolt is dropped to his palm, he closes his hand around it for a decent feel. "How did it even find its way in there is the better question. It's far too deteriorated to work with. I'll just have it melted into something else, I suppose."

'Mend my own broken heart as well…' Tarble mentally adds. 'But if she's happy…'

He tosses it back to Karot.

'If she's happy then…that's all that… Agh. Stop thinking about it. You have work to do!'

"Put it with the rest of the rubbish," he instructs the child. "Let's see what we can do."

Karot nods and hops down. He races across the room and stops at a cardboard box, where rusted metal parts of all sorts were gathered into a scrap mess. He drops the bolt inside before picking up a strange structure of what looks to be a panel. "What's this?"

"I can't tell you when you don't describe it to me," Tarble answers, as he fits the keyboard back into place.

"Uh…I don't know what it is. It's a bunch of strange lights. Nothing I've seen before, I don't think so. It's designed like a coil or something—"

"Outer world technology. Came from Cold's ship I'm sure," Tarble says. "Do me a favor. Sort what you recognize into one pile."

"Uh, okay."

"Now then…" Tarble crouches down on the floor and opens a hatch. His fingers graze across a switch. "Ah, there you are. Now let's see if this actually works this time…"

He flicks it. The screen flickers to life in an instant. He stands and begins to type on the monitor keyboard. "Let's have a test run."

He presses a button.

Nothing of significance happens.

"Ah. It appears removing the blockage didn't do much else. Looks like I'll have to replace that part all together. How bothersome—"

Thick steel shutters fly down across the door, then the windows, starling Tarble off his feet. The series of loud crashes are like thunder as they circulate around the ship, barricading every door and window and blocking out the sunlight. Every light in the ship turns off in an instant, and the ship fills with startled screams.

Once the crashing comes to an end, blue energy engulfs the sealed surfaces in a low hum. Tarble takes a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

"TARBLE!" Several voices scream at once.

Tarble flinches. "Oh dear…"

"TARBLE, WHAT THE HELL?!" Kauli's muffled voice screams from another room.

His heart sinks.

"Er…m-my apologies!" Tarble calls back. "It was a delayed response!"

He groans and slaps his forehead. What stings more than embarrassing himself, was embarrassing himself around Kauli out of all people.

Kauli, who likely wants nothing to do with him anymore. Or maybe…she was never into him at all.

And it's his own fault…

'Good job, idiot. You made things even worse for yourself!'

"Well, can you hurry it up?"

Raditz's angry voice snaps Tarble out of his thoughts.

"I have things to do! I would rather not be held in one room against my will!"

"J-just give me a moment!" Tarble shouts back.

He shakes his head, trying to rid his mind of the troubling thoughts that plagued him. What's more important…is to assure no accidents happen.

"I am going to have to prioritize this as a fix before someone loses their head," he tells himself more than Karot. "Good grief… At least I know it works."

"Can you lift the security system?" Karot asks.

"That's precisely what I am doing." Tarble types a quick command. It takes a moment, but the shields flicker away and the barricades are pulled back into the ceiling. All the lights are turned back on.

The door to the training room hisses open, and Vegeta walks out. "I see that you almost have it working. You're lucky no one was walking between the rooms when it triggered. How about a warning?"

"I didn't anticipate it would be that violent," Tarble says honestly. "I will have to slow down the momentum…add some sensors. Ah, why didn't I think about the sensors? So much more work to do."

"While you are doing that, how about any luck with your research."

"About the Demon Realm? Nothing new, I'm afraid. It's unheard of," Tarble answers. He can feel Vegeta's judgement, so he bites his tongue before he says something unsavory. "The…only individuals who would be well-informed about it are the Kaioshin, but King Kai said the odds of us ever meeting any are slim to none. We mere insects to them, remember?"

"Insects." Vegeta echoes the term, as if it has insulted his very being since it was spoken. It's hard for him to comprehend that there is something that exists that could have easily destroyed Frieza with little effort if they truly wanted to.

But they didn't, because they only saw all the combat as toddler squabbling! It's…

It's far too surreal to think about!

"But they were interested in this planet enough to drop off that crown!" Vegeta argues. "They created the stupid thing to control one Saiyan!"

Tarble almost rolls his eyes. "Its purpose was to contain destructive evil. Not a Saiyan."

"Whatever. Point still stands."

Tarble kicks the hatch closed and takes a step back. "Well, I'll work more on this later. I'll just do the smaller repairs for now."

"While you do that…when is dinner going to be served?" Vegeta asks. "I've been starving since the last two hours!"

Tarble sighs. He finally caves and turns to face him, his arms firmly crossed. "Well, Vegeta, we have to consider that Gine is no longer here to lend a cooking hand. Oh, and ChiChi has been ordered by Raditz to remain stationary— Ah-ah, and before you ask, it's not recommended for any mother so late into term to be on her feet for long periods of time. So how about you at least pretend to be considerate before you say anything."

Vegeta rolls his eyes. "Fine. But what about the green woman? Isn't she still here?"

"Cheelai? She and Lemo are out running their own errands."

"You actually took the time to remember their names?"

"They can't exactly leave this planet like we can, and they are associated with Broly. It would be wise to know them," Tarble says. "Have some patience. Raditz has cooked alone before. I'm sure Broly brought the fish by now, so we'll have…tch."

Tarble averts his gaze, although it makes no difference to him.

"We'll have…Turles skin and grill it outside."

"Do you have any idea how long it takes to grill a fish of that size?" Vegeta asks him.

"A late dinner it is then," Tarble sighs.

Vegeta growls. "Why can't we ask Kauli to cook then?"

The mere mention of her name stung. "I…I don't think she's much of a cook, Vegeta."

"You've got to be kidding me! If she…"

Vegeta's voice trails off. For what reason, Tarble can't decipher. What could he possibly—

"Judging from the look on your face…it seems the woman finally made her decision."

That stung far worse.

What's worse than being witness to it…is for his big brother to slap him across the face with a blunt reminder.

"Tch. You are in no right mind to operate any sort of machinery. Go do something about that, before you accidentally kill someone."

"The repairs…need to be on a schedule—"

"Take the day off. One day won't kill you," Vegeta says with a scowl. "You look like a helpless child right now, and it's getting on my damn nerves. Go fly around or something!"

He walks away, leaving Tarble alone with his troubled thoughts.

"Can't be angry with anyone but yourself…" Tarble utters, the Saiyan words spoken in a soft and pained hiss.

A hand falls on his shoulder, startling him. It takes a second for his mind to register the giant palm belonging to Nappa.

"Come on, prince. I'm sure the kid can take over from here," he says.

Tarble pushes Nappa's hand off his shoulder. "I didn't ask for anyone's pity… Leave me for a while, won't you?"

Nappa says nothing else as Tarble heads for a seat.

Raditz walks from the kitchen carrying a small steaming bowl. He casts the two elites a strange look before heading down the hall towards the bedrooms.

He stops at a door and gives it a knock.

"You can come in," ChiChi says from inside.

The doors open, and Raditz steps inside the room. He walks over to ChiChi who sits at the edge of the bed. A disapproving huff escapes him.

"You're supposed to be resting," Raditz says. "I don't need Tarble chewing me out because you refuse to listen."

"I don't exactly like the idea of staying in bed all day!" ChiChi takes the bowl of food from his hand. "But thank you."

Raditz steps back, placing a fist above his waist. "How are you feeling? Any…strange happenings? A fever? Have you been drinking plenty? Make sure you finish that bowl, you are feeding two people. If you need a second helping—"

"I should be the one asking if you are unwell. What's gotten into you?" ChiChi asks. "It's unlike you to worry yourself to death. Not long ago, you were willing to kill me."

"Bah…you're a stubborn one is why. If we say nothing, you might go doing something reckless. Besides…"

Raditz looks down the hall.

"Kakarot wouldn't want anything terrible to happen to you. So…out of respect, maybe I'm trying to make sure his wife and unborn child stay healthy."

ChiChi smiles. "That's actually very sweet of you."

"I never said I was doing this because I wanted to!" Raditz almost snaps at her. "I am not sweet, damn it! I'm just doing the bare minimum to make sure your heart doesn't give out!"

"Sure. Bringing the food right to me is doing the bare minimum. I am capable of walking, you know."

Raditz rolls his eyes as he turns around. "Say what you want. Just eat the food so I can tell Tarble you ate or whatever."

He heads down the hall, a mental list already on his mind. What was next to cook? The poultry? It would take some time until that would be ready…

"Raditz…?"

With a long sigh, Raditz slows and turns around. "What is it? A glass of water? I was on my way to do that—"

"Water…"

The soft response was almost alien to hear from her. "What…? That's what I said. I was going to—"

"It…I think it just broke."

"What?" Raditz'a face twists. "But I didn't even…what the hell are you—"

"The baby…!"

"I don't quite get what—"

"THE BABYYYYYYYY!" ChiChi snaps at him. "THE BABY IS COMING, YOU IDIOT!"

Raditz's face pales.

"Oh…shit."

He sprints out the room.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" ChiChi screams at him. "You're going to leave me?!"

"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" Raditz lunges into a short flight, almost losing control in his panic. All eyes are on him as soon as he darts inside the lobby. "Is anyone here a baby expert?!"

"What?" Vegeta is a bit taken back to hear the Saiyan screaming in his native tongue. "You have a son."

"I only know how to take care of one! I don't know how to deliver them!" Raditz snaps.

"Oh, that is a different task," Tarble says. "To deliver a baby…well, I can't exactly say how the process goes since I never…wait."

Tarble snaps his head towards him and shoots up from his seat, almost knocking the chair down.

"Did you say deliver? She's in LABOR?!"

"In what?!" Vegeta blinks. "Already?!"

"What's going on?" Karot asks, unable to understand more than a few words of the panic. "Common language please?"

"Your mother is…in labor," Tarble explains.

Karot gasps. "Mom's having the baby?!"

The four stood in silence, speechless.

"Panicking isn't going to do anything but make things worse," Nappa tells everyone. "Can't believe I'm the one having to say this."

"RADIIIITZ!" ChiChi screams in fury. It's loud enough to make everyone in the room flinch.

"Aaaaaa what do I do?!" Raditz almost panics. "What do I do? How do you deliver a baby? I've never done this before!"

"Wait, wait hold on. She's having the baby now?!" Turles races from outside. "I thought she had another month! Did we count wrong?!"

"Ah, damn it!" Raditz pulls at his head. "Kakarot had to be there before! What would he do?! What…wait. Wait! Kauli! Kauli! KAULIIII!"

"Hot damn! How many times are you going to call my name?!" Kauli leaves from the library. "Aaand…why does everyone look like a ghost walked in here—"

"Mom's having a baby," Karot explains.

"Oh." Kauli's anger shifts to shock. "Wait. Now?"

"Don't worry about that! You're the only Earthling present here! What do you do when mothers are in labor?!" Raditz snaps at her.

"Don't yell at me! How do you not know the basics!" Kauli shouts back. "She needs to lie down and have someone help her!"

"I was born from an incubator, you idiot! My mother never had a natural birth!"

"Good point." Kauli frowns. "Well, shit. Uhhh, I'm gonna be honest with y'all. I never delivered a baby before, so I'm going off what I do know."

"Then we can combine our brains then," Nappa says.

"Are…are you sure?" Kauli asks.

He nods. "I've been around when natural births were still commonplace among Saiyans. You can say I am your best shot. So I'll stick around, in case anything goes wrong."

"Okay, okay gotcha." Kauli frowns. "Okay then. I need…everyone involved to wash their hands. Warm water, soap. I need towels, a bucket of warm water. Tarble you're the doctor, so I'm going to need you too."

"Uh—of course!" Tarble nods.

"You trust him to help her with labor?" Raditz throws an arm out towards Tarble.

"I can repair and build things fine. I think things will be just fine," Tarble says, almost offended.

"The baby is not a machine!"

Kauli claps her hands.

"Ooo-okay, come on! Let's go! We could be here all night!"

"All night?" Vegeta gawks.

"Labor ain't a quick process. If we are lucky, the baby would be born within half a day's time."

"You're serious?!"

"Nobody's sleeping tonight!" Kauli answers.

Turles just stares at Kauli grabs a clean towel from a nearby closet and heads down the hall. He meets her apologetic gaze before he vanishes out of sight.

"Twelve hours…? That's the minimum…?" Turles turns to Nappa. "She's kidding, right?"

"I don't think she is." Nappa heads down the hall as well, leaving a very defeated Turles.

"Gah…"

A raincheck. Just what he needed.

- 0000 -

As the first rays of the morning sun bleed into the ship, the shrill cry of an infant floods the air.

Nearly every single body stands right outside the door. Many eyes, especially Karot's, try to see into the window, but it has been blocked off.

"I want to see!" Karot bounces on his feet. "How much longer do we have to wait?"

"Until we get the approval," Cheelai says as she steps away from the door. "Which, I doubt we'll get anytime soon. Your mother needs her rest. She's been awake all night, you know."

The door begins to open, and everyone steps away.

Tarble is the first to step out, letting out a long breath.

"Well, I'm going to have quite a migraine…but the good news is the delivery was successful," he tells them. "And, it was…quite an experience. But all you need to know is that nothing went wrong. We will have to keep an eye on them for some time, just in case we missed something."

"Okay, so the child is born." Turles crosses his arms. "What is Nappa doing?"

"Checking what I can't see," Tarble answers.

"And Kauli?"

Tarble huffs as he walks past. "She's asleep. Best you leave her be."

"She's asleep?" Turles peers past the door, but he couldn't see her from where he stood. He steps closer, but Nappa steps out, and in his way.

"No one is to enter. The mother is exhausted and doesn't want all the attention," Nappa explains. "Although there are some exceptions. Raditz, kid, you two are needed."

Karot's smile almost takes up his entire face as he bolts inside.

Raditz is more confused than anything. "What? Why me?"

"Because she specifically asked for you. Why? Hell should I know? She refuses to tell me. You better go see what the big deal is."

Nappa steps aside, and Raditz steps inside. He almost curses his brother for plaguing his mind with racing thoughts. Nervous energy refuses to settle as he makes his way across the room. He catches the sight of Kauli collapsed against a chair. She was in a deep sleep, just as Tarble said.

As soon as he spots ChiChi, he slows his pace. A thin blanket is just enough to keep the slightest chills off her body, and her head was propped up by a few pillows. Held in her arms was a bundle of fabric. Karot is already standing at her bedside. To say that ChiChi looks exhausted would be an understatement. He decides to keep that comment to himself.

ChiChi spots him, and she lets out a long sigh. "Walk a little faster. I would actually like to go to sleep…"

Once Raditz stands at her side, she doesn't wait a second longer. She turns the bundle around, revealing a tiny, tiny face inside.

Karot lets out an excited laugh. Raditz finds himself almost speechless.

"He's so…tiny," Raditz says.

If ChiChi had the energy to dramatically roll her eyes, she would have. "Of course he is. That's what newborns look like. Goodness…you sound so much like Goku right now."

"S-sorry." Raditz frowns. "It's been so long since I've seen a newborn. It's easy to forget how small they are— Is he supposed to look like that…? He'll break if you hold him wrong."

ChiChi glares at him. "I will kick you out of this room."

"It's just a question! It's just, we usually don't take infants out of incubation until they are developed further than this."

"Really…? I guess…that makes sense." ChiChi looks a bit disturbed by the new information.

"You wanted me to see the baby. Is that it?" Raditz asks.

"Ugh…" ChiChi tilts her head back. "First of all, the baby is a boy. Secondly, that's not the only reason I called you, if you would give me a chance to explain."

"Wow! A little brother!" Karot cheers. "This is amazing!"

"Does…he have a name?" Raditz asks.

"What kind of stupid question is that! Of course he does!" ChiChi snaps, startling both Raditz and Karot. She lowers her tone as she looks down at her newborn son. "His name is Goten."

"Goten, huh?" Raditz doesn't find the name all too impressive. Nothing more than another strange Earthling name, but it's not his place to judge.

"Hi… Hi Goten!" Karot smiles. "My name is Gohan! But uh, most of everyone calls me Karot. But you can call me whatever you want once you can talk of course!"

He grins.

"It's nice to meet you!"

ChiChi smiles at Karot's introduction. She looks up at Raditz, who immediately clears his throat.

"Uh…yes. My name is Raditz!" Raditz knows he sounds foolish. He looks foolish, introducing himself to a newborn who probably can't comprehend the mere concept of colors yet. However, to spare himself from unnecessary scolding, he carries on the ridiculous thing anyway. "I'm your uncle! One of your uncles, actually. I have a feeling you and my son will get along just fine…once you can walk of course."

"Isn't he precious?" ChiChi asks.

Her smile slowly fades as she pulls the towel off the baby's head. Black, spiky hair takes its time to rise, freed from the pressure. As it parts…Raditz feels his throat tightening. The very concept of words left his grasp.

It is a striking pattern…just like Kakarot's.

ChiChi's voice quivers as she strokes the baby's head. "Would you believe it…? A full-head of hair. I…always thought it was so strange Gohan was born the same way. I mean…some babies are born with hair but…not thick like this. I…can only guess it's because of Saiyan genetics…is that right?"

Raditz forces himself to nod. Karot reaches for his baby brother's head, feeling the strands of hair to assure it is real.

"But what's even more strange…? He looks…so much like his father, don't you think?"

Raditz can't formulate an answer.

"You know…Goku and I had a discussion some time ago," ChiChi says. "We thought about a bunch of names…and there were some disagreements. We eventually came to a middle-ground. I chose a name that reflects his Earthling roots. But…Goku really wanted him to have a traditional Saiyan name."

"He did…?" Raditz blinks. He isn't so surprised. Well, that's a lie. He's more surprised that ChiChi agreed to it.

"Yes. I…don't know anything about how that works. So that's why I called you here."

She looks at Raditz, her smile returning.

"You'll be the one to name him."

Raditz takes a step back, baffled. "Wh-what? Me? I can't…do that. You're his mother. Aren't you—"

"About Goku," she interrupts. "he was stumped about picking out a Saiyan name. I at first…didn't want any of that, but he was so stubborn."

She sighs.

"He couldn't think of any names that weren't another version of his own, so he asked me to ask you instead."

"What…?"

Raditz's almost didn't recognize the meekness in his own voice. He stares at ChiChi, wondering if she is pulling some sort of twisted joke. Or perhaps she is going to ask him to not bother following such a request. Or perhaps…

Well, Raditz doesn't know what else to expect. The longer ChiChi's tired gaze remains on him, the more nervous he finds himself feeling. He realizes…she is serious about this.

For a second, his mind wanders back to that idiotic grin his youngest brother always wore.

'You always find a way to give me a hard time, Kakarot,' Raditz thinks to himself. 'Even after death, you had…the nerve to put me in such a complicated position…'

The unbearable heat, it begins to sting his eyes. Raditz's vision reduces to a blur. Clenching his teeth does nothing to quell the bind in his throat.

As soon as the first few of his tears fall, Raditz turns away, swiping an arm over his eyes. A futile attempt. Only more tears fall in response.

"Do you…need a moment…?" ChiChi's voice was almost as gentle as Gine's.

"Bah…hah…" Raditz clears his face again. "No…no. I'm fine. Don't bother fretting over me. I just…"

'Humiliating…you choose now to let yourself go?'

He is thankful that no one says a word. No one tries to approach him. Even so, the embarrassment he is feeling almost stings far too much.

He is simply glad Nappa isn't around to see it, or he will never let it go.

"Do you have anything in mind?" ChiChi asks after a while.

Raditz takes a deep breath to compose himself, and he nods. "Yeah… Yeah. I've got a name for him."

…

"Adaikon, huh?" Turles stands outside with Raditz, the young Trunks awkwardly held in his arms. He turns away from the baby that tries to grab his nose. "Not a bad name actually. Leave it to you to take a common one and twist it around."

"Same thing that mother did with Kakarot," Raditz replies. "I guess you can say I am honoring the fool in a way."

"If he were here, he would probably call you a genius," Turles says.

"All because of a slight change in a common name? It's a lot more foolish than genius," Raditz says. "But you're right. He would praise me for it. Ha…he would."

Turles sets Trunks on the ground, who immediately grabs his legs. He lightly shakes the baby off. "You understand you can fly, right? Why are you so persistent with being carried?"

"Up!" Trunks reaches up high. "Up, up!"

"You need to walk. It's good for your legs," Raditz tells him. "Why not play with Karot for a bit? Go on."

Trunks lowers his arms, somewhat disappointed. As soon as he spots his cousin, everything is forgotten as he laughs and sprints after him in an awkward waddle-like style.

"You really have this father thing down," Turles says. "That kid of yours is going to grow up to become someone interesting."

"I know. I've seen it."

Raditz will admit it to himself. He does miss the future kid…but he's back in his own timeline, where he belongs. It would be foolish to expect him to stick around forever.

At least he gets to give his son a better upbringing.

"But…what about you?" Raditz casts his brother a knowing look.

Turles doesn't get the message. "What?"

"Don't think I haven't noticed. You present yourself like a giddy fool," Raditz says. "You're playing a dangerous game. Am I expecting another brat to spawn anytime soon?"

Turles' face flushes red as he strikes Raditz atop his head.

"Ow! What the hell?!"

"Nothing happened, you idiot!" Turles hisses at him. "I'm not going to make any quick moves on her, not like you did with that cursed woman!"

Raditz's face turns red in an instant. "The hell are you trying to say?! Since when did you have more class than me?!"

"The difference here is that Kauli is a Saiyan. Did you forget what father said?!"

Raditz rubs the top of his aching head. "That choosing a mate is the most dangerous thing for a Saiyan to do…? Why are you so surprised? It always looked like you liked a woman who could kill you—OW!"

Turles lifts his fist from Raditz's head with a growl. "Shut up!"

"You stop hitting me!" Raditz snaps at him. "You're the one who asked!"

"I never asked for unnecessary comments!"

Raditz's anger morphs into amusement. "Haha…don't tell me you are actually scared. You've won her over, and now your tail is between your legs."

"I am not afraid, Raditz."

"Do you want to know what Nappa told me once I was old enough to know? Maybe it's best I pass this knowledge down to you before things escalate. I don't want to lose my other brother."

"Actually, this conversation is done." Turles takes a step back.

"She's going to destroy you!" Raditz almost cackles as Turles' reddening face. "Why are you so afraid, brother? You made the decision, so now you have to live with it! Nappa told me that Saiyan women are absolute monsters in b—"

"I SAID SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Redder than a tomato, Turles throws a panicked punch that is dodged with ease. Raditz roars with laughter as Turles chases after him like a mad dog.

As the pair of brothers race around the field, Karot watches from against a tree, taking a bite of an apple.

"Hm. I thought adults hate playing tag. Or…is that a Saiyan-version of tag…?"

"Go-on!"

A tiny gleeful voice.

Karot takes notice of his cousin's arrival and opens his arms. Trunks lunges and knocks him to the ground. Their laughter fills the air.

"You're getting so strong, Trunks!" Karot chuckles. "You might send me flying one of these days!"

Trunks throws a hand towards the sky. "Fly!"

"I'm going to teach you everything I know," Karot promises. "How about that?"

Trunks giggles. It all comes to a halt as he turns his head back. Something caught his eye.

Karot turns around. "Oh, Prince Tarble!"

Trunks points a finger at the prince. "Arble!"

"Karot," Tarble nods as he turns to the baby. "How is he?"

"Being his normal self, I guess." Karot leans back in time to avoid being slapped by the small hands. "He has a lot of energy today. I guess he knows the baby was born today."

"Children typically have a good intuition," Tarble agrees. "I have a feeling we will have our hands full once your infant brother grows enough to cause trouble."

"I'll just have to make sure they don't get themselves into any then," Karot says. "If they get together, they might burn the ship down!"

"Ah…how about we don't speak that into existence?"

Trunks reaches his arms out towards Tarble. "Up… Up peas?"

"Well, well. Who has been teaching your manners? Certainly can't be your father." Tarble reaches down and lifts Trunks into his arms. His smile almost vanishes as the young child claps his hands.

Such a happy child…

"You're thinking about it too, aren't you?" Karot asks.

"Pardon?" Tarble turns to Karot's direction.

"How our future counterparts trained him and all. I promise that you're nothing like him…the other you I mean."

"I am aware…but the thought still troubles me," Tarble says. "I know what we do won't change the timeline the future Seleriak came from…but I still feel like I have to make up for everything. Even if I myself didn't do it. I just…want to make sure this child has a brighter future. One without pain. One when he can come to us without fear of being punished or harmed…"

Karot smiles. "Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Are you thinking about being his guardian or something?"

"Guardian…?"

"Someone who is like a parent, but not really," Karot says. "Someone who looks after him whenever Raditz is too busy or something."

"That's just a fancier way of saying 'babysitter', don't you think?"

Karot almost laughs.

"But oh well, I suppose," Tarble says. "Someone needs to teach these children the curriculum. They won't stay small forever."

"Heeee-eeeey!"

Cheelai's voice from inside the ship pierced the air.

"Snacks are done! It's not much, but it should hold everyone until lunch!"

"Splendid," Tarble says. He looks down at Trunks. "Shall we?"

Turles joins the small group, almost completely winded. "She's…she's been trusted…to handle snacks?"

"If she wanted to poison us, I'm sure she would have a long time ago," Raditz says as he heads for the ship. "Which I doubt she considered, since she needs us alive to leave this planet."

"That's implying she feels any animosity at all." Turles follows, almost confused.

"Come on, Trunks!" Karot crouches towards the ground. "I'll race you!"

Trunks wiggles himself free from Tarble's hold, and he takes off without warning.

"Hey!" Karot chases him. "That's cheating! I didn't say go!"

Tarble follows at his own pace, somewhat amused by the children' laughter.

Karot's idea…it doesn't seem so foolish.

"Guardian, hm? I suppose it can't be too bad."

He stops at the entrance, his tail frozen in place. He sniffs at the air as he turns around.

"Tarble! What's holding you?" Vegeta calls from inside. "Hurry it up, unless you would rather starve!"

"Tch. Give me a moment," Tarble grumbles.

He tilts his head towards the sky, his eyes squinting out of habit. Surely, his nose didn't play any tricks on him. Or perhaps it was the food…? Grilled fruit was on the menu.

With a shake of the head, he turns to the ship and steps inside. The door seals shut behind him.

The wind picks up, kicking leaves from the ground and towards the sky in a fluttering spiral. They brushed past one another, one sticking against fabric before being nudged free.

"What a strange development…"

Just below the clouds, a pair of strangers hover in the sky, their eyes focused on the ship far beneath them. The pair are dressed in royal tunic vests draped over long sleeves and pointed boots.

The tall stranger observes with cold, sharp eyes. His appearance only shares the structure to that of a human. Red skin wrinkled with age, long pointed ears, and white, silky hair sprouting from his head and down his back.

Next to him is a much younger individual half his height: Lavender skin, and white hair slanted in the style of a strange mohawk. He speaks in a well-mannered and soft spoken voice.

"These are the ones who defeated Frieza, and the creature that was created in his image…?"

The taller stranger turns to the other. "Supreme Kai… The crown. It's not here."

"Yes. I don't sense it anywhere. That crown was perhaps the last option we had. But as it seems, the Guardian of Earth decided to use it for other means. I suppose I should have been more specific had I known the outcome."

"We can't expect mortals to understand the grand scale of things."

"Kibito." The Supreme Kai turns his focus to his assistant.

"I know. Forgive me."

"My reasons for leaving it here are quite obvious. But…it appears King Yemma speaks the truth of how it's been misplaced. It's a simple setback I can work around. I just wanted to come here to see for myself…"

Kibito stares at The Supreme Kai in disbelief. "Wait. You're not actually considering—"

The Supreme Kai taps his yellow earrings before his eyes shift over to his assistant.

"Hm. You're right, Kibito. It is far too soon to act now. We will just have to wait and observe a little longer to assure I'm not making any false assumptions. Perhaps by then…we will see what happens."

A white light engulfs them both, and the duo vanishes.

- OOOOOO -

20 Years into The Future…

Ever since Trunks returned to his own timeline, it felt as if nothing had changed. The very concept and laws of time travel is a complicated matter Trunks is yet to fully understand. But…what he does know is that whatever happened in the past does not affect his present. He also learned that no matter how long he stayed in the past, once he returned home, the day did not change at all.

It makes sense, considering the time period he had pinned in the coordinates, but regardless…

…he is back home.

Perhaps it is foolish to try to save a world that is beyond saving. Perhaps it will be better to let things be. There is no telling how much of humanity remains, or how they will rebuild…considering the majority of the population had been wiped out during the Saiyan invasion.

There's no telling how many good people remain in such a world where everyone gave in to their cruelest desires, where even children are never spared.

But this is his home, and Trunks has every intention of repairing it…

…even if the future seems hopeless.

Crouched at the very top of a skyscraper, Trunks can see the remnants of what used to be West City: Mountains of concrete and steel, clouds of smoke that block out the sun. The sounds of sirens never cease, stuck in a strained loop that is grating to the ears.

For weeks now, he silently followed the destructive path the Androids left in their rampage. To locate them has been difficult, but he did find a pattern.

For some reason, they liked to come back here. More specifically, they returned every Friday evening. For what reason, Trunks isn't sure. They always found a new way to torment the survivors who were unfortunate enough to cross their path. To make matters worse, the Androids didn't just blow up things…no. They fished out people, and played with their victims before killing them.

Such a fitting style…a common sight. Trunks bore witness to many people doing the same thing. It was always astonishing how easily they turned against each other, how they kicked each other under the bus. They are always so quick to trade someone else's life to preserve their own…it didn't matter who it was. Of course…his mentors had their fair share of tormenting others. Their eyes always swelled with glee whenever they had their victims screaming and pleading for it to end. All it did was fuel them further.

Trunks almost gave into that temptation. He understands now…why Karot and Tarble found it so entertaining…

…and it makes him feel sicker than he already felt before.

Never again will he feed into that darkness. Especially here, where Youzi reigns supreme. The demon would love to corrupt a mind like Trunks'. The things he would have him do…Trunks doesn't even want to try to think about it.

Because of that, ever since he returned home, he trained his mind and body every single day. And finally, today, he knows he is ready. It didn't take as long as he thought it would, and that only makes things easier. After today…no one else will have to—

A distant explosion erupts like a geyser, sending chunks of concrete and asphalt flying in the air.

Trunks narrows his eyes, and he makes his lunge from his post. He dives down and zips around the mountains of scraps before he touches down on the ravaged road.

A horrible, rage-fueled scream floods the air as a car is kicked in an arc. It flips mid-air and tumbles down the road. An energy blast pierces through the metal structure, and it explodes. Trunks is forced to shield his face as smoking metal scraps fly past him.

"I hate you! UrrRRHGH!"

'Sounds like Android 18,' Trunks realizes. 'What could have made her so worked-up?'

"Hey, it's not my fault you picked out such a faulty car," Android 17's voice replies, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I told you that they all don't work as well as they used to."

"And whose fault was that?!" Android 18's voice snaps.

"Hey. Don't pretend it's only my fault. Now, the deal's still on. You lost, so I get the cool ride from the car lot. And…you're not allowed to drive it."

"Oh yeah? That's what we're going to do, huh?"

Trunks ducks under a chunk of road as 18 kicks herself into flight above. She scans the ground below, searching for something.

Her eyes fall on Trunks, and he braces himself.

Her attention shifts ahead, and she thrusts her arm forward, firing another blast. A distant explosion sends tremors through the earth.

"Hey! What the hell, 18!" Android 17 snaps at her.

"It was a stupid car anyway," Android 18 grumbles. "and I don't need you showing it off. Now we are even."

"Okay, asshole. I get that you're angry for losing and all, but you didn't have to go and destroy what I won! That's probably the last model in the entire world! Where are we going to find more cars?"

Android 18 scoffs. "Uh, it's called the other side of the world, dumbass. You know, the parts of the world we haven't seen yet? Don't you think it's getting dull seeing the same places all the time? I need to go somewhere new. It's beyond trashed here. I've seen better scrapyards."

Android 17 sighs. "Well, I guess you have a point. Although there's no telling what's left over there since the Saiyan's had their fun long ago."

"There's more people to play with at least," Android 18 answers, her hands on her hips. "Imagine all the fun games we'll have with them? We can play hide n' go seek again. I think the kids would love that one."

Android 17 chuckles. "Oh, man. It's been ages since we've last played that one. Alright. I'm in."

"But I'll be the seeker this time. You took the last five rounds!" Android 18 reminds him. "If you do as much as try to steal the fun like you did last time, I will kill you."

"Okay, okay. I hear you sis. Relax. What has you all worked up?"

Android 18 growls. "Shut the hell up."

"Oookay. Touchy."

Android 17 flies into view at last, joining Android 18's side. His sister shoots him a glare before she flies ahead.

A stray blast strikes her on the back. Android 18 screams as she spins around with her hand pressed against the smoking injury. "Where the hell did that come from?!"

"I didn't think there were any heroes left," Android 17 mused, with a hand under his chin.

Trunks narrows his eyes.

'This is it.'

He steps out from hiding. "Then I hate to disappoint you."

"Huh…?" Android 17 tilts his head, confused. "Who the hell are you?"

"It's only been a month, and you don't recognize me?" Trunks asks.

Android 18 takes a moment to think. Recognition flashes in her eyes as she shakes a single finger towards Trunks. "Hey…is this the same idiot who got away from us in that weird ship?"

"Is it? I see that his tail fell off," Android 17 says. "But what's with the hair? Are you wearing some kind of wig, because I don't think hair is supposed to grow that fast. And…am I seeing things or…did you get taller?"

"Why should it matter to you?" Trunks bluntly asks.

Android 17 chuckles. "Well, well. Doesn't matter to me. I just assumed you ran away for good."

"I'm done running."

"Oh? Going to try to fight again? Who will save you this time? Because, the last time I checked, the ones who saved you before are both dead. You sure did choose a poor time to show your face. It's been really boring around here, so I'm not just going to pass up this opportunity of fun."

"Hold on, 17." Android 18 holds out an arm, casting him a warning glare. "You stay out of this."

"Huh?" Android 17 almost huffs. "What gives?"

"I want to have this one all to myself," Android 18 explains. "I'm already in a bad mood, so I don't care if you want to keep him alive. He's as good as dead!"

Android 17 shrugs. "Well, alright. If that's what you want."

"Thank you." Android 18 allows gravity to take hold of her as she drops down to the ground.

Android 17's attention falls down on Trunks. "You hear that? My sister is pretty pissed, so she's not going to play nice with you. But hey! Look at the bright side! At least you'll be reunited with your old pals. So, we are doing you a favor. K?"

"I'm not the one dying today," Trunks responds. "Take one last good long look at each other. I'm killing you both for good."

The Android twins exchange glances before Android 18 scoffs. "Okay, the only growth he had was that he got even more annoying! I'm going to make you wish you never showed your face here!"

"You'll be the one feeling regret soon enough!" Trunks clenches his hands and teeth as he crosses his arms over his face. With a brief shout and a swing, his energy flares gold, and he transforms into a Super Saiyan.

"Stealing my style, are you?! You're dead!" Android 18 kicks herself forward, leaving a trail of dust behind. She pulls back a fist and swings.

Trunks side steps aside and retaliates with a backhand blow. He watches as she is knocked back several feet, tumbling across the asphalt.

Android 17 whistles. "Not bad. Lucky shot though."

Android 18 slams a hand down as she props up one leg. Her burning eyes are locked in her target. "You son of a…!"

She rockets forward, her punches a blur. One is dodged, the other swatted away. Trunks catches her leg and elbows her across the face. He spins his body with a rear kick. The impact turns her into a bullet as she crashes through the wall of an eroded building, into the darkness.

Android 17 crosses his arms. "Hm. 18, I think you've gotten rusty."

"Shut up!"

Am explosion of light tears through the wall, reducing it to flying pieces. Android 18 steps out of the rubble, her clothes already torn and scorched into holes. After a quick look at her condition, she stomps through the ground.

"I just got this from the…urrGh! Now I'm pissed!"

"Uh-oh." Android 17 looks at Trunks. "Alright big shot. You got better. 18 is actually about to lose her mind over here, so maybe that's worth some praise. I think it's about time I join in before she does something reckless."

Android 18 glares at her brother as he lands behind her. "Agh! Buzz off, 17! I don't need your—"

"Usually I would leave you alone, but take a good look at yourself one more time," Android 17 says. "Remember the last person who gave you that much trouble? You almost didn't make it."

Android 18 opens her mouth to argue, but she can't seem to come up with any counter. With a sigh, she shifts her fighting stance. "Fine. Fine. Are we doing the same thing we did last time?"

"Of course we are. Let's take out the trash."

Trunks doesn't even have to ask who they were referring to. He could almost see Karot's bloodied and lifeless body beneath him. Rage bubbles in his core.

The Android twins lunge forward, their cold eyes focused on their target. Trunks ducks his head to avoid a flying kick from Android 17, and he kicks him aside in return. He blocks a punch from Android 18, another from Android 17. He crosses his arms over each other, and the twins crash against one another before a single blast sends them both bulldozing through the ground.

Android 17 is the first to rise, shoving a chunk of asphalt from his body. Android 18 rises behind him, more livid than before.

"What the hell is going on—whoa!" Android 17 makes a lunge. A massive blast explodes on the ground where he stood just a second prior. As he lands in a stagger, he clenches his fists. "Talk about a buzzkill. Can't even have a little fun this time…!"

His energy engulfs his body before he lunges from the ground. Android 18 joins his side, her energy flaring like an angry flame. They spiral towards Trunks, who has not left his position.

They both kick. Trunks dodges one, and the other strikes him across the face. Android 18 gives him no chance to recover, throwing a heavy punch against his stomach. As the motion sends Trunks into a crouch, Android 17 throws out his leg, kicking Trunks under his jaw and sending him to a maddening flip to the ground.

Trunks only has time to spit out gravel as Android 18 fires a massive blast. He counters with his own, and Android 17 appears behind him, kicking him on the back. With his focus broken, Trunks staggers forward. Another blast swallows him, the heat almost scorching.

The twins jump back as a massive explosion overtakes their target. It reduces into a cloud of smoke.

Trunks stands at the center, his bruised arms crossed over his ducked head.

"Well, sis, looks like we don't have much of a choice here," Android 17 says. "He's actually a problem."

Android 18 throws up a single arm. "Scorch the earth.'

Android 17 follows suit. "Exactly what I was thinking."

Trunks looks up in time to see the series of beasts raining down on him. He kicks himself into flight, circling and darting around the destructive strands. He swats one aide, sending it through the rubble below.

Android 18 clenches her teeth and fires a blast too late. Trunks shoots past them both. She and Android 17 look up, and are met with a massive blast that sends them both through the ground.

The dust settles. They are nowhere to be seen.

Trunks scans the ground for any suspicious movement. He looks behind him, then above, but not a single Android appears.

'It couldn't have been that easy.'

As soon as the thought crosses his mind, a stray blast busts from underground. Trunks kicks himself back, almost grazed by the blinding attack.

A pair of arms lock around his shoulders.

"What?!" Trunks looks over his shoulder. Android 17 has him restrained in a full-nelson, no matter how much he tries to shake him off.

"He's all yours, 18!" Android 17 shouts.

Android 18 drops from above, her palm spread as a purple sphere of energy grows just above the surface.

"Funny how you think you've won," Trunks says, after failing to shake Android 17 off the fifth time.

With her free hand, Android 18 brushes strands of hair from her face. "Uh, hello? Do you not see the position you are in right now?"

Trunks closes his eyes and takes in a sharp breath. With his blood boiling, imagining the lifeless forms of Karot and Tarble only fueled the fire.

"I do…but you forget yourself," he spat. "This fight is already over."

Android 18 growls and fires.

Bolts of static jump from Trunks' body as he snarls. His energy explodes, consuming the blasts, and blowing Android 17 away. Trunks' enraged scream rings in the air as the sky becomes bathed in the golden beacon of light.

After wiping the dust from his eyes, Android 17 squints towards the golden aura. He doesn't miss the bolts of lightning that jump across Trunks' body. Upon locking on to the chilling deep blue eyes, Android 17 found himself reeling back.

"What the hell did you—"

Trunks vanishes.

Android 17 turns and looks in nearly every direction.

"17!" Android 18 screams.

Android 17 spins around, and a fist explodes out his back.

Unable to scream, Android 17 coughs out a mouthful of blood. He tries to speak, but instead he sputters. Disbelief and horror turns his face pale as he meets Trunks' hardened gaze.

"This…is for Gohan," Trunks hisses.

The Android's body is torn from the inside, swallowed by a gigantic blast.

Android 18 hovers, speechless as the blast shrinks into nothing. Embers of her brother's remains rain down to the ground.

"SEVENTEEEEN!" Android 18's shrill scream echoes through the wasteland.

Trunks descends towards her, curling his zapping hand towards his face. From just how easy it was, he finds himself almost disappointed.

His cold glare falls to Android 18 as she stares back, her face pale.

In panicked desperation, Android 18 kicks herself backwards, seeing just how outmatched she is. Her energy explodes as she takes off like a rocket in the opposite direction.

The air zips, and Trunks appears right in front of her.

Android 18 gasps as her body recoils. She throws a punch, and Trunks snatches her arm. He twists it around and jerks his hand back.

A snap. She screams. A second hand clenches around her mouth, muffling her. Trunks yanks her close to his face, unphased by her desperate kicks.

"You're listening?" he asks, his words seething in poison. "Good."

A growing bright light of energy illuminates the fear in the Android's eyes…a sight he didn't imagine he would ever see in a thousand years.

How much he would love to make the moment last longer…just to bask in her terror—the same agony she inflicted on him for the majority of his miserable life…

…Focus.

He builds the energy's intensity, his lips curling back.

"Do me a favor. Tell Tarble…that Seleriak sent you."

The blast is unleashed, tearing through her head and disintegrating body. As the energy dies, there is nothing left of her. Only the fading smoke lingers in the air.

Trunks lowers his arm to the side as he takes in a deep breath and holds it in. The cooling sensation overtakes the unbearable heat scorching through his veins. After several painful seconds, his flowing energy evaporates as his golden form fades out. A strained exhale escapes him as his lavender hair falls back on his shoulders. He sinks to the ground, dripping to his hands and knees.

"Damn it Trunks…too close…"

He almost gave into it again, allowing it to bathe him. Sickening…it's sickening…

But he won over it. He destroyed the Androids in a swift motion, just as he promised he would.

"Hah…take that…Vegeta."

He falls on his back, his eyes focused on the parting sky. It isn't that he is exhausted…he just needs a moment to clear his head. The hundreds of thoughts running through them…all of his years of torment…

Is it finally over…?

He flexes his fingers high above his head, and pretends to crush a cloud between them.

"I did it… Master… Teacher. They are gone for good."

As much as he desires a celebration, he knows he only got through the first half of his mission.

"But there is one last thing I need to do."

Three future years later…

The greatest advantage Trunks has is knowing exactly the kind of enemy he is dealing with.

As he wanders through the ruins of West City, kicking up old rocks and rusted metal, he checks his pockets to make sure he didn't leave it behind. Feeling the smooth surface, he feels confident to proceed with his mission. It was the same routine, and searching through the rubble everyday proves to be a daunting task. However, he knows he is close.

Maybe his sense of smell isn't as sharp as Tarble's, but he recognizes the stinging scent that makes his nose curl up. As it burns his nose, he slaps his hands over it and turns his head away.

'Eugh! It smells worse than death!'

Once he finds his bearings, Trunks pushes aside a large boulder, uncovering a large, gaping hole in the ground. The putrid scent attacks his face in an instant, pushing his body back to the point he has to anchor his feet. He can't afford to turn back, not when he is so close.

So, without a second of hesitation, he drops down into the murky darkness.

He lands in a crouch, the sound of his landing bouncing through the underground walls. The scent is at its strongest here, almost enough to make him gag. From how thick and musky the air is, Trunks can only cover his nose with his sleeve while holding his breath. At this moment, he loathes his keen sense of smell.

It tells him he is where he needs to be, at least.

Trunks remains crouched until his eyes adjust in the darkness. He listens for the subtle shifting of stone as he rises to his feet, his eyes darting in every direction. The only sound that fills the underground ruins is the occasional drip of water disturbing a distant water source. He takes his first steps forward, listening for anything amiss. The farther he creeps, the more his footsteps echo. He would rather hover from the ground to listen to his screaming instincts, but he buries the desire. It won't help him. Not now.

He follows his nose instead, only briefly, finding that the horrid smell worsens with every step. He stops once it claws in his brain. He spits out air, assaulted.

He stands before a solid marbled path that is a short drop away. For what reason his body stopped, it wasn't just the smell. He long ago learned that his instincts were a guide, and it was up to him to decide what it was telling him.

Crouching to the ground, Trunks picks up a large chunk of asphalt. It felt a lot lighter in his hands than usual, so he dropped it and picked up a slab of concrete instead. After weighing it in his hand several times, he gives it a decent toss down the hall, watching it arc down towards the marbled path.

Water erupts in a loud splash. The putrid scent swarms in the air as droplets shot in the air and rained back down. Almost in a panic, Trunks leaps back to avoid even the smallest drop from touching his body, watching the cursed rain fall where he stood just a second prior.

Stillwater. He was convinced it was solid ground.

The very thought of accidentally plunging in makes him shudder. It was the sort of water that no living thing would find any use for…except perhaps a few insects that didn't care about the consequences that didn't affect them.

And insects it is. Something surfaces as the water begins to settle. Half of a purple shell, shaped like a giant chestnut. The familiar sight almost sends Trunks' heart into a raging rhythm. He has to press his hand against his chest just to calm his blood.

It wasn't just blind anger, no. The anticipation is almost overwhelming, how easily it shifts into excitement. He has to press his lips together to keep himself from grinning.

'Let's not get rash here. Keep going.'

He turns right, feeling the walls. Sunspots spill into the darkness from places where the ceiling long ago caved in. He steps around chunks of eroded stone and rain puddles. Specks of dust flood the room like a swarm of flies.

The darkness, the large room…there it is. As thick as the dust is, Trunks still knows exactly what he stumbled across. Just seeing the bars in the darker places confirms it. He has to bite down a smile just to keep himself still.

"The Animal Kingdom room…"

Trunks picks up his pace into a small jog. He stops directly in front of a long table, where old books and files have been long abandoned. He picks up a folder and looks across the room. The computer…he wonders if it still works. Maybe if he gives it a jumpstart—

Everything in the table spills over, some shattering upon hitting the ground. Startled, Trunks turns around, seeing that the table is almost cleared of everything laid out on it.

Behind him, an empty clothes rack is knocked from its stand, tipping over and hitting the ground. Trunks turns again, confused when he never touched it—

No. He felt it.

He looks over his shoulder, and his stomach drops at the sight of his old adversity.

"Why doesn't this thing ever grow back normally?"

Trunks grabs hold of the tail. No matter how many times it happens, he never gets used to it. But what confuses him further is how it's the first time it ever grew back without him being in any sort of danger. He would expect it to stop growing, or at least take it's time to grow back.

Unless…

Trunks lifts his hand, as if it's raining. He knows he won't feel anything, but it's an odd habit. "Maybe it's because I'm so close to his lab. Probably the source of those Blutz Waves to scout out any potential Saiyans…"

He clips a capsule from his belt. Everyone is lining up perfectly.

"It's a good thing I'm always prepared…but still…"

Tossing it, it bursts as a cloud. Falling in his hand is an Oozaru pendant, the replacement Tarble gave him before his departure.

Once it hangs from his neck, Trunks hurries across the room. He dusts off the old computer and taps the power button. As expected, there is no response. His bright idea of giving it a jumpstart is suddenly a stupid one. Of course the entire power grid has to be long gone. There is no reviving power even if he wanted to.

But there is a flashdrive, and he does have something that will make use of it.

He pauses, listening. Once he finds that nothing has changed, he pulls the capsule from his pocket and tosses it to a clearing. From a cloud of smoke was his time machine, which he hops inside. A few button taps was enough to make it hum to life.

"Let's see what they've been planning…" Trunks says aloud, his voice bouncing from the walls.

The slightest shift of gravel has him still.

Trunks looks back as he listens. He sniffs the air, picking up exactly what he was waiting for.

He can't hold down the growing smile on his face.

"I was expecting you."

He lunges from where he sat, avoiding the green tail that would have otherwise snagged his neck. He lands and spins around, facing a pair of red eyes that stare him down from the darkness.

Cell—the imperfect form he's in—takes a cautious step back. It's almost amusing, seeing how he is already cautious.

"Hello insect. Nice to see you again," Trunks greets him.

"A-again…?" The insect's face twists. "I don't believe we have ever met."

"Maybe not you, but I have."

"What…? That doesn't make any—"

Trunks lunges forward with a spiraling kick. Cell crashes through the ceiling, and a new skylight is created. Trunks soars after him, back into the fresher outside air, and into the skies.

Cell regains control of his flight, his limbs stiff as he shakes away the stinging pain. A soft laugh bellows from his chest.

"It's going to take a lot more than that if you want to kill me, kid," Cell says. "Although I hate to say you are outmatched already. Maybe I failed to take you by surprise, but this fight is already over before it even started! Since you destroyed the Androids…I'm going to take your little time machine by force and—"

"Go to a different timeline to obtain your perfect form?" Trunks interrupts.

Cell almost forgets how to speak. "How…how did you—"

"I already told you. We've met already," Trunks says with a flick of his tail. "And it was you in your perfect state by the way. Too bad for you, it didn't last very long."

Cell growls as he thrusts his hand forward. "You lie!"

A blast is unleashed and strikes Trunks head-on. A thick cloud of smoke spews.

Cell lowers his hand with a scoff. "He already beat me? That's impossible. You can't beat perfection…it's ridiculous! He's just buffing!"

Trunks soars out the smokescreen in his Super Saiyan form. Meeting Cell's stunned expression, he punches him across the face, sending him flying.

"Do you think I'm bluffing now?" Trunks soars after him, charging a one-handed blast.

It's fired, and Cell narrowly dodges. His own body becomes cloaked in the golden aura as he twists himself around in the nick of time, blocking Trunks' knee-strike. The powerful impact sends air slicing as a shockwave. Almost in an instant, he is overpowered by its strength, and his hand slips. An elbow strike stabs the crown of his head, and he's sent into a plummet.

"AAAAGH!"

Cell stretches out his body and halts the fall in an instant. He glares up at Trunks, who hovers high above. "This shouldn't be possible! How is a mere child able to overpower me?!"

He glares at his own trembling hands.

'This is fine. Even if he is stronger than me…he's still a Saiyan brat. I just have to let him get close enough…and he'll be dead beneath my feet!'

Trunks scoffs, and he makes his dive. In a spike of speed, he vanishes from Cell's line of sight. The bio-Android only has time to turn around when an uppercut breaks through his jaw. A kick against the chest sends him flying back. Trunks pursues him, a fist drawn back.

In a world of pain, Cell opens his eyes. He growls as Trunks draws close.

Cell shoots down. The first flies past his head. His fingers snag the lavender tail into a strangle.

"Gotcha!"

Trunks' body goes still as he looks back.

Cell laughs. "Stupid Saiyan! Didn't your parents ever teach you to keep your tail tucked away? Now you're mine!"

His laughter is cut short as bolts of pink static snake down the limb. Before he can try to comprehend it, his entire body is attacked with a powerful discharge. His muscles stiffen, unable to move an inch as the electrocution fries him from the inside.

With his tail freed, Trunks grabs Cell by the wrist before gravity can pull him down. Cell can only stare back, frightened by the seething glare sinking into his bones.

The pink bolts turn white, and his Super Saiyan aura flares. Turquoise eyes darken to a deep blue, reflecting the fear etched across Cell's face.

Trunks' lips part into a twisted grin.

"You've been dead long before you were born, Cell."

He begins to spin his body around, turning Cell into a sling. The momentum spikes as he releases him towards the sky. Cell's scream fades as he flies past the clouds.

Trunks spreads out his fingers, building pink and black bolts until they condensed into spiraling spheres of lethal energy. Pulling his arms back, he snarls towards the clouds.

"IT'S OVERRERR!"

He thrusts both hands forward, and the pair of gigantic blasts merge into one. The air roars and screams as it flies through the clouds, and towards Cell.

By the time Cell notices the purple light, all he can do is scream. It tears through his body, ripping through the exoskeleton, and vaporizing every existing cell making up his body. As the blast thins into mere threads, only a thick cloud of smoke remains.

After confirming there are no surprises, Trunks' form returns to normal. He closes his eyes and allows the wind to brush his face. The air whistles through his ears as he drops to the ground, and he lands with a soft click of his boots.

"I did it…everyone. Cell is gone. I…I did it…"

He takes a deep breath. It feels nice to finally breathe.

After his brief celebration, he returns to the Animal Kingdom room and retrieves his time machine that he used as bait. With the flashdrive in hand, he can return to his makeshift home and—

Chirp?

Trunks halts in his tracks, his tail moving in a single beat. He looks towards the cage bars, his eyes squinting at the darkness.

What he sees at first, he believes is an illusion. As it moves against the walls, its many eyes fixed on him, Trunks realizes it is real.

"Zhanshitao?"

The figure goes still, as if the name has startled it. Perhaps it did.

Holding down his own excitement of seeing a familiar face, Trunks kneels towards the ground, offering his hand. "Zhanshitao…it's okay. You can trust me."

He can't believe it. The Giantula is alive. Trunks isn't sure if he wants to claim it's because of his small size, or if he had no choice but to eat the deceased, or something else…but what matters is that Zhanshitao is alive.

He's not all alone in this world after all.

"You know Raditz, don't you?" Trunks asks the cautious creature. "He's my father."

There is no immediate response. Zhanshitao blinks at him, then he drops his hostile stance. Finally, he makes his way down the wall and across the floor, until he is a lunge away from Trunks.

"Do you know any Human who has a tail?" Trunks asks him.

Zhanshitao takes notice of the lavender tail, and how it almost waves like a flag for his attention. He takes another good look at Trunks' friendly face.

"Rrriiidiii…?"

Trunks nods once. "Yeah. That's right."

Any signs of hesitation extinguishes as Zhanshitao bolts for Trunks. He leaps and lands on his arm, squeaking in a fashion Trunks can only assume are the cries of feeling overjoyed. As the fuzzy arachnid crawls up his chest and under his chin, he finds himself laughing.

"Hey! That tickles! S-stop it! Hahahaha!"

There is no telling how long Zhanshitao had been alone. How long did he stay by Raditz's side when he was struck down?

It must've been years since the little creature felt any sort of happiness. How contagious it is…Trunks can't contain his laughter as he falls on his back.

Zhanshitao is on his chest again, crawling close to his chin and nuzzling him.

"It's good to see you too," Trunks says.

After they both sit around to regain their composure, Trunks stands. He almost flinches at the sensation of pressure on his tail. It takes a second for him to realize it was no other than Zhanshitao choosing his favorite spot to ride.

"Hang on tight. We are going to fly out of here."

Once he soars out and hovers several feet above the underground structure, he looks back at Zhanshitao. "Ready to say goodbye to this place?"

Zhanshitao nods.

With a brief shout, Trunks destroys the entire room in a single blast. As it erupts into flames, as the steel bars fall and the structure caves in, a heavy weight leaves his shoulders. All of his torment…it was as if it was being destroyed before his eyes.

A part of him wishes someone had seen it all, that the entire world would know how they are free from torment. But, he knows it's not true. In their perspective, for as long as they see that he exists…they will never feel free.

It would be best…for the world to remain oblivious to his existence. The world will heal easier that way.

"Well…what to do now?" he wonders to himself. "Demon hunting…? Looks like I have a lot of research to do."

He brings out the flashdrive again. From what he remembers, it holds all of Chille's files. The reads are going to be quite interesting, and a part of Trunks isn't exactly looking forward to it.

But if it brings him one step closer to freeing the world from the endless darkness…he will do it.

Zhanshitao chirps as he climbs up to his shoulder. Trunks gives his chin a small scratch. He pockets the flash drive and lands on the ground. Over his shoulder, the thick clouds of smoke continue to rise from the underground fires. It won't take long until some straggler investigates. He won't be greeted with a warm welcome. It was time to move.

Down the ruined road Trunks goes, taking his first steps of freedom. With one battle out the way, another has surfaced, but he is more than ready to face the challenge.

He made his resolve a long time ago.

1) He throws a fist towards the sky, with the strength of newfound determination. The soft breeze of wind sweeps his long and flowing hair off his back. His tail swings to the side, no longer hiding from the rest of the world.

"Whatever happens, no matter how much the world rejects me, I will continue to fight for it. No matter how many people fear and curse me, I will fight to protect them. I will be the unsung hero to protect our future. I promise. I swear it.

"Father…Turles…everyone in the past… I'll lend you my strength. Let me help you fight.

"Let me help you…change fate one more time."

END

---

A/N: Cuts to black. Credits roll.

At long last, book 4 has concluded!

So, what now?

I can't confirm if book 5 will be made or not. Considering it took me 7 years just to finish this book, I don't want to jump the gun just yet. Although I am aware there are still unanswered questions and possibilities that could happen, the last thing I want to do is start a new book, only to leave it unfinished.

So for now, book 4 is the conclusion.

I started this series when I was 16. It's been around ten years. I'm an adult now with things to do. I don't chuck out chapters as much as I used to.

And yes, I am writing other works, but those works don't feel as pressuring as this one. I don't know. It's hard to explain. I'm not saying I was forced to write this, but I made my promise to finish this book, and I did. AND…I did it without chugging through it "just to get it out the way". I wanted to wrap up this book with the same amount of effort I gave the other chapters. I wanted to write these last two chapters with the same drive and motivation I had before. It's why the updates took so long. But, I would rather upload works with passion put into them instead of rushed nonsense.

Now I can close it with a deep breath. It feels nice.

The only reason I'm not announcing the book 5 title is because, again, I can't promise book 5 will be a thing. It's still in the air, but I'm not going to force myself to write it if I lack the motivation to. If I am going to write it, I'll take a different approach. Maybe I'll do an outline or something? Who knows.

To be honest, I really, really do want to write a fifth book. I have several ideas floating around in my head, and it does make me excited. So I would say stay tuned…? But with uh, cautious optimism.

---

Possible Questions:

PQ1: "Will we see Future Trunks again?"

A: Uhhhh

(Glances as Super)

I don't think I'm going to get that far. So yeah. But I'll miss him.

As for his DBZ Kai theme song, the one I mentioned before, I had no idea where to put it. Could be against the Androids, or Cell. In the end, I decided when he threw a fist in the air as he and Zhanshitao headed out into the world with newfound determination….it was perfectly fitting.

His story wraps up here.

PQ2: "Kauli and Turles?!"

A: Funfact: That entire scene was the hardest to write in this entire chapter. Lol.

Funfact 2: I had to abandon that scene and polish the others like five times because I was so embarrassed. This is why I can't write fluff. I'm a chicken.

Someone please do better than me.

Although, listening to DBZ Kai's "At The Battle's End" while writing it did make the process a lot smoother. You should give it a listen while reading it…maybe.

Raditz's reaction was perhaps the most adult joke made in this entire book. "Oh yeah this is rated M. I can do that."

I apologize.

I'm going to be 100% honest. I was torn about this myself. I had scenarios for if Kauli were to choose one or the other, but in the end, Turles won because uh…Tarble kinda threw his opportunity away. We all heard Kauli's reaction to what Nappa said during the Cell fight…

You know how you write something, uncertain of where it would go? Yeah, it was one of those things. I didn't know where the Kauli situation would go until like, chapter 21ish. Thought maybe Tarble had a chance. Then Nappa exposed him. And yeah that was gone. (Sigh).

I feel pretty bad. Poor guy's heartbroken. But…he'll be okay.

I would say that maaaaaybe in the Future Trunks timeline, Kauli and Tarble dated, but that's really up to you to decide. Unfortunately, Future Kauli is dead so…yeah…

In Chapter 15, Trunks' thoughts said "Nobody had to die in this timeline for Tarble to transform." Hmm I sure do wonder what triggered Future Tarble's very first Super Saiyan transformation.

Future Kauli's death may have started Future Tarble's descent to madness. Maybe. Just a biiiiit….

PQ3: "Any plans for Goten?"

A: As I said, book 5 is still in the air. What I will do with him remains unknown for now.

Although his Saiyan name is what I picked out since 2017. Funfact I guess.

PQ4: "What will become of Tarble?

A: He's going to take a much different route here. A lot of guilt is eating him alive, so he wants nothing more than to make sure Trunks and Goten have the best future he can give them.

He refuses to be anything like his future counterpart.

Plans, plans…I have them.

PQ5: "Frozen Chille?"

A: He was frozen with the very same machine Goku used against Cell and Frieza in GT. Considering souls have no body heat, he has no chance of thawing out.

Gine will be fine.

PQ6: "Book 5 plans?"

A: The idea of writing the cast again after a huge time jump is pretty exciting. Unfortunately as of now, I only have brief ideas in my head. None have been written down yet.

But remember when I said how I hate how some characters got sidelined too much? Or they've been absolutely useless to the plot?

If I do write book 5, well…I'm going to have a lot of fun with something. Especially considering an individual is my favorite character in the Buu saga. You know what that means!

So if I do start working on book 5, I'll announce it. Keep an eye on my bio (Fanfiction and Quotev readers) or my announcements (Wattpad) for possible updates. I never stop writing, so while I won't be working on OTES anytime soon, I still have other works around!

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But seriously. Thank you all, for keeping up with this hectic series for 10 years. It means a lot to me. This series has grown along with me, so as messy as it is, it is interesting to look back and see how it started.

I still can't get over how my obsession with watching the Saiyan saga led me to wanting to write this "what if". Then it exploded into a series. Oops.

Best mistake I ever made?

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End of Book 4

Until next time!

-Espeon804