After the battle was over, Goku summoned Shenron once more. The colossal dragon coiled above Kami's Palace.
"Your second wish has been granted. Speak your final wish," Shenron intoned, his voice echoing across heaven and earth.
The others exchanged glances. The cities Cell had destroyed and the innocent lives lost on Earth had just been fully restored by their second wish.
Young Trunks stepped forward and looked up at Shenron, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Shenron, can you also restore the Future Timeline where Gohan and I lived—the world Ultimate Cell destroyed?"
Shenron's red, vertical pupils flickered. Then he spoke in a low voice. "I'm afraid that wish is beyond my power."
At his words, the light in Young Trunks's eyes dimmed.
Future Trunks stepped forward and gently patted his shoulder. He had expected this might be the answer, but hearing it with his own ears still left him feeling disappointed.
"It's all right," Future Trunks said softly, trying to comfort him. "At least the tragedy didn't happen again in this world. And you still have your big brother Gohan, and all of us."
"If there are no more wishes you want granted, then I shall take my leave," Shenron said, his low voice echoing once again.
"We don't have any other wishes for now. Thank you, Shenron," Goku said.
As Shenron shot into the sky in seven streaks of golden light, Goku swiftly gathered all the Dragon Balls again and handed them to Popo to keep, in case they were needed.
At last, everything had settled.
But amid the celebrations, Krillin seemed a little downcast. All he could think about was the lovely figure of the blonde beauty who had appeared before Cell, and the soft words that had lingered by his ear.
Since Son Gohan had completely vaporized Cell—including his nucleus—with a Massive Kamehameha, Cell hadn't spat out Android 18 as he had in the original story.
Krillin scratched his head. For some reason, he felt as if he had lost something, though he couldn't say what.
In the days that followed, Earth finally enjoyed true peace once more.
The Dragon Balls had already restored the ruined cities, and the streets were once again filled with the hustle and bustle of traffic, as if nothing had ever happened.
The Z Fighters returned to their peaceful lives.
Mount Paozu, the Son Family home.
"Gohan's going back to school?" Goku sat at the dining table with his mouth full of steamed buns, asking indistinctly.
Kid Gohan wore a neat shirt and carried a schoolbag. He nodded a little shyly. "Mm-hm, Dad. I want to become a great scholar. Fighting is important too, but I still like studying more."
Nearby, Chi-Chi wiped away tears of joy and pulled Kid Gohan into a tight hug. "Wonderful! My good Gohan is finally getting his life on track! Just what I'd expect from my sweet boy!"
Goku swallowed his food and scratched his head. Honestly, after seeing Adult Gohan's world-shattering power, he had thought Kid Gohan would be fired up to fight too. He hadn't expected the boy to choose his textbooks after all.
Goku was a little disappointed, but everyone had their own aspirations, and he wouldn't force his son.
"Well, if that's what you've decided, then study hard!" Goku grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
Kid Gohan nodded vigorously. "I will, Dad!"
Watching Kid Gohan walk away, Goku turned to gaze out the window. The terrifying power Adult Gohan had displayed, and the terrifying form called Super Saiyan 4, had drawn him and Vegeta in like a giant magnet.
There was still a long road ahead. Son Goku was determined to see the sights of higher dimensions!
During this time, Future Trunks said goodbye to everyone and returned to the Future Timeline.
At Turtle Hermit House, the sound of the waves carried on as always.
Every day, Krillin and Yamcha did some basic training, then lay on the beach to sunbathe.
Bulma returned to her home in West City and plunged into her laboratory, feverishly studying the remaining data she had collected from Android 16, trying to crack its extraordinary energy model.
Another week passed.
Western Wilderness.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Deafening sonic booms rang out across the sky. Three figures blurred as they fought, colliding from the ground all the way up into the air. Each clash sent visible shock waves rippling outward.
"Watch out, Dad! Uncle Goku!" Young Trunks shouted. His nimble figure abruptly changed direction in midair.
He crossed his arms and braced himself against Vegeta's descending kick, then used the force to spin in midair, whipping his right leg toward Son Goku, who was attacking from the side.
Thud!
Son Goku crossed his arms in front of his chest to block, but the tremendous force sent him flying hundreds of meters. He tumbled through the air several times before barely steadying himself, his face flushed red.
"Impressive, Trunks!" Son Goku said, adjusting his stance as a white aura flared around him.
Vegeta wiped the dust from his face and shouted, "Again!"
The two men turned into streaks of light once more, closing in on Young Trunks from the left and right.
Young Trunks's expression grew serious as he took up a fighting stance. After suffering a crushing blow, his resolve to become a mighty warrior and protect those he loved had only grown stronger. I have to get stronger. If I were strong enough, I wouldn't need to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. I could defeat the Androids and Cell. Mom wouldn't have to die!
At the thought, Trunks almost lost control of his energy. Flecks of gold began to spill from his aura.
On a tall cliff some distance away.
Piccolo and Son Gohan watched the battle in the sky.
"Trunks's hand-to-hand skills have improved quite a bit," Son Gohan said, sitting on the ground and grabbing a piece of roast meat from beside him. He stuffed it into his mouth and spoke indistinctly. "But Dad and Vegeta have improved a lot too. Their energy's much stronger than before."
"Those Saiyans really are monsters!" Piccolo stood nearby with his arms crossed and couldn't help marveling.
"Galick Gun!" Vegeta shouted, the veins on his forehead bulging as he thrust both hands forward and fired a dazzling yellow beam, forcing Trunks back.
The three fought with blow after blow, shock waves gouging deep furrows into the wilderness below.
Neither side had transformed into a Super Saiyan. They were fighting in their base forms.
Vegeta snorted and folded his arms, looking as sour as if someone owed him millions. "Trunks, your technique is terrible. You're disgracing the Saiyans. Release all your energy and fight me properly."
Son Gohan chuckled and turned to Vegeta. "You're expecting too much, Uncle Vegeta. His martial arts foundation is still weak. If he loses control of his strength, your current base-form power won't be able to take it."
At the words "base-form power," Vegeta's eye twitched.
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