Gohan stared at his father, frozen in disbelief. His eyes told him he was real, that his father really was standing before him, yet he couldn't believe him. He took a hesitant step towards him, and that was enough for his father to suddenly lunge forwards and embrace him in his arms. His father hugged him tightly, squeezing him so hard it seemed like he would never let go.
Gohan hesitated only for a moment longer before he returned the embrace. The first thing he noticed was the smell. It was his dads smell, that familiar musk of sweat and ash, the burning crispness from Ki blasts. Once, he'd disliked that smell, the reminder of his dad's constant focus on training, but there was nothing more comforting in the world as he breathed it in deep.
"Dad… Is it really you?"
"I-…" His dad paused, swallowing down air as he took shaky breaths. "It's me. It's really me Gohan."
The small affirmation almost had his legs giving way, only for the complete rejuvenation of energy from his father's presence having him throw himself even tighter into the embrace.
"Dad!" He managed a single cry of joy before tears began to flow, and his voice was taken away by choking sobs.
His dad cried too. It was the first time in his life that he'd ever known his dad to cry. His dad was so strong, so much more powerful than any challenge he'd ever had to face. He'd rarely seen his father angry, let alone so upset. He couldn't imagine what life had been like for him in the years since he had left.
His dad pulled back to look him up and down, smiling brightly despite the tears on his face. "Gohan! You're… you're so tall!"
Gohan laughed, his father laughed, both finding the hilarity in Gohan's drastic change since the years gone by.
"I uh… I went through puberty. It's… It's been seven years Dad."
Sudden guilt washed over his face, and Goku fought back the grief-stricken sobs that threatened to spill over. "I know, I know son. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I tried to get you, I really did. We used the dragonballs every chance we could, we looked everywhere for you. There was a Kai who was holding you on this planet in hiding, and there was this barrier and I-"
Gohan embraced his father once again, quieting the man's desperate apologies and excuses. "It's okay Dad, it's okay. I knew you wouldn't leave me. That barrier, I saw it. I didn't understand it, didn't know if I should try and break it or not… guess it didn't matter though. I wasn't strong enough until just now, and I guess it's gone now anyway."
"I couldn't sense you, not until the barrier was broken. It was the spirit bomb, right? That's how you did it?"
He nodded as he spoke. "Yeah, well kind of. Uh-…" He turned to the others, only just now remembering that he was surrounded by others. "It was thanks to them. The planet wouldn't survive a spirit bomb blast, so I absorbed it into myself. I… how did you all manage to do that? Did you tell them dad?"
"It wasn't him." Mikasa said, taking a step forward to introduce herself from the crowd. "His voice isn't the same as the one I heard. It was that King Kai guy." Mikasa saw Gohan's suddenly raised eyebrows but spoke up again before he could get distracted. "Gohan, care to introduce him?"
The one's who knew him best had figured it out already, but it was a good way of getting him back on track. Embarrassed, Gohan stammered out an answer. "Er, everyone, this is Son Goku, my dad."
Goku gave them a goofy smile and wave, not reacting at all to the ripples of shock that went through the crowd. "Hi everyone! I take it you all know Gohan?"
"You could say that." Petra chuckled, stepping forwards as Gohan quickly took her hand in his and pulled her over for introductions.
"Oh, Dad! This is Petra. She's my girlfriend. Petra, this is my dad."
"It's a pleasure to meet you-" Petra stepped forwards to shake his hand, only to be abruptly pulled into a hug by Goku.
"My son has a girlfriend! Oh it's so nice to meet you, Miss Petra. Chi-Chi is gonna have so many questions for you, uh- hey Gohan, has anyone explained to you what marriage is yet? Just so you know, it's not a food."
Gohan balked, a blush spreading across his cheeks as his comrades looked to him in confusion. He may have mentioned that his father was not the most educated man, but he might have left out the extent to which that was so glaringly obvious. "Um, yes dad. I know what marriage is."
"Ahem." Another voice spoke up, and Gohan realised that the crowd of soldiers had parted to allow Queen Historia, Ymir, Pixis, and Erwin to walk through side by side. Though out of her Titan form, Historia was still predominantly dressed in her more practical clothes, though an aide was dressing her with a more regal gown as she looked to them with a smile. "I don't believe you actually completed all the introductions, Gohan."
"Erk, yes." His embarrassment was only growing as he quickly realised the number of eyes that were on him expectantly. "Dad, this is some of the soldiers of the Eldian Army. Please allow me to introduce Commander Erwin Smith, Premier Dot Pixis, her royal highness Queen Historia Reiss and her wife Ymir."
"Wow, golly. So many people." His father didn't know the half of it, there were still so many comrades of his that he hadn't introduced, though he sent them a quick telepathic message that he would introduce them later. His momentary distraction prevented him from stopping his dad from walking straight up to Queen Historia and grabbing her hand to shake it. "Nice to meet you Historia! Wow, a Queen huh? We have a king too, but he's a dog, so I don't know if it's quite the same. Do you guys have dogs here too? I'm surprised to see you're all human looking, most aliens I've seen don't look like humans, except for Saiyans I guess."
If the Queen's entourage were caught off guard by Goku's sudden introduction to her royal highness, his speech left that downright lost. Fortunately, Historia laughed along with his antics, waving off any concerned glances from her security detail.
"It's nice to meet you too Mr Son. Gohan has told us much about you, and I must say that you have raised an amazing child. He has saved our world so many times now, and saved countless people. You must be very proud."
Goku turned back to Gohan, a proud smile on his face. "I am, I really am."
"Thanks Dad." Gohan blushed and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, before he quickly realised something. "Uh, hey Dad? How did you get here? How did you find me?"
"Oh, well I just used the-… OH NO I LEFT THEM ALL BEHIND!" Goku's sudden panic would have been hilarious had Gohan not so recently been in combat, and still somewhat on edge.
The crackle of electricity and warping of the air had his aura flaring as he turned to see a machine flash into existence just a short distance away on the ground. His head cocked in recognition as he saw just how similar it looked to Trunks' old time machine. As his mouth opened in preparation to ask a question, the door suddenly opened and Gohan was floored by Piccolo as the Namekian flew out and tackled him in a hug.
"Kakarot you idiot! You left without us." Vegeta complained, stalking out of the machine with a pout, followed by a crowd of familiar faces.
"Heh heh, sorry guys. I got a bit eager." Goku admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a laugh that was interrupted by a scream.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!?"
Gohan didn't recognise the soldier who had shouted, but he quickly recognised that the finger was pointed at Piccolo, and sighed as he knew that he really needed to do some more introductions.
Eren watched the scene unfold with a sigh of relief.
"A happy ending. I didn't think it was possible…" He knew things weren't over, and it certainly wasn't happy for everyone. But watching Gohan be reunited with his father and friends, there was a sense of optimism and joy that was beyond infectious. Smiling, he turned to look back at Ymir, who was likewise watching the scene with a tear rolling down her cheek. "So… what happens to me now?"
Eren's appearance in her realm was an abnormality, and one only allowed thanks to Ymir's intervention. He figured now he would go onto the world beyond, whatever it turned out to be.
"Well, I haven't decided yet young man," came a new voice, "but I'll think of something."
Eren hadn't thought he'd ever see Ymir caught off guard, but he too was shocked as they both turned to see a petite and pinkish skin walking towards them. She wore a warm and friendly smile on her face, but her clothing and appearance was so unmistakably alien that he felt very little reassurance.
"Sorry to startle you two, my name is Chronoa, and I am the Supreme Kai of Time." Though she said it without haughtiness, there was an invisible but not missed weight to what she said. Gohan had explained briefly what he knew of the gods from his world, and though her name didn't ring a bell she was clearly from the same crowd of people. "I should have been here to see you much sooner Miss Ymir, but alas the Supreme Kai of this universe was doing something he shouldn't have."
In spite of her own diminutive size, she spoke to Ymir with a motherly tone as she walked towards her and placed a gentle hand on the Titan mothers' shoulder. "Sorry Ymir, I should have been there sooner for you." She gave an apologetic smile, before puffing up her chest and standing up straight with her hands on her hips. "But I'm here now. So, if you would like to come with me, I can explain everything that's been going on to you. But first, I think you would be due for a little bath missy. Then maybe some pudding, and a nice long sleep, what do you say?"
Ymir clearly couldn't say anything. Not only due to her general muteness, but the shear shock of what was being said to her. Though he was no less lost than her, Eren took the step forwards to ask the burning question on her behalf.
"Um, excuse me, Miss Chronoa?"
"Yes Eren?"
He pushed past the anxiousness about how she knew his name when neither of them had made any sort of introduction. It must have been part of her god powers. "I guess I have to ask, why?"
She seemed confused at first, before quickly realising why they both seemed so anxious. "Ah, I guess I should have explained first. I am the Supreme Kai of Time, and my responsibility is to keep order with the flow of time and to ensure reality stays safe. No matter what timeline, I keep an eye on it. But sometimes, there are a few anomalies who mess with that flow of time. Sometimes it's a young man going on a time travel trip to save his world, other times it's a being like young Ymir here." She turned to face her directly. "These powers that you have, the ability to view and change timelines? Well, they're not meant to happen. The Supreme Kai of this universe thought he could control you by containing you to this world, but that's just a terrible job. I want to bring you with me, back to my world. I'll teach you to control your powers better, and we will keep you and the other timelines safe. I know you're just an innocent in all of this, so I just want to keep you safe."
Ymir stepped back. She wasn't afraid of Chronoa, but of the kindness from her. Twice in such a short space of time, Ymir had gone from knowing a lifetime of slavery and abuse, to being treated with unconditional love and kindness. She didn't know how to react, and for some time she didn't. Fortunately, in part of her role as the Supreme Kai of Time, Chronoa was a being of incredible patience, and so she waited with a calm and relaxed smile on her face.
As the silence dragged on, Eren stepped forwards. "So… what happens to me?"
Chronoa smiled at him. If she was bothered by the slight interruption, she didn't show it. "You young man, you transcend to the afterlife. The real afterlife. You and almost two thousand years of lost souls. Ever since young Ymir gained her powers, every soul that should have transcended from this world has instead been trapped here, yourself included. Right now, every soul is passing on to be judged and sent to heaven or hell. When you wish, you will too."
He hesitated. There was a sudden realisation of finality to her words that hadn't truly registered with him before. Ever since discussing his plan with Mikasa, he had been aware of his oncoming death, but to be told that soon he would be departing his world truly and moving fully into the afterlife… it was something else. After a deep breath, he finally spoke again. "Not before Ymir." The two Eldians looked to each other, Eren with certainty whilst Ymir looked back to him with disbelief. "I won't leave her alone, not until she's ready."
She looked away and was once again quiet for several minutes. Now, both Eren and the Supreme Kai waited with patience before Ymir finally took a step forwards. She walked to the Supreme Kai, and with a hesitant hand, she took the one offered by Chronoa.
Bright white light began to fill their ethereal world, and though it lasted a moment, Eren realised what it was. The complete dismantling of the realm, and the Titan powers. As both he and Ymir were taken away from their world, the connection between the realm and the planet was severed. The consequences would be instantaneous, he knew it. No more Titan powers for anyone, Eldian or otherwise.
But as the white light consumed him and all he saw, all he could feel was a sense of peace. Peace, and a curious question. Would he see his father again?
The explanations and introductions of the Z fighters took time. Quite a substantial amount of it in fact. They had eventually returned to the palace, passing through the city and the cheers of the people, celebrating their victory and the return of their saviour. Goku and the others watched the scene with pride in Gohan, seeing him get the recognition he deserved as a true hero. But Gohan saw more.
He saw the world that Eren had shown him, the one desolated by the hatred of bigotry and grudges, torn away. Side by side, Marleyan and Eldian alike cheered for him and the train they rode. He stood in clear view, by the side of both Queen Historia, and General Calvi. The tensions were not over, and history had not been forgotten. There was a great deal of bloodshed and injustices which were owed penance. But he saw the opportunity for reconnection, he saw with certainty that this world had a future once again.
And it was all thanks to Eren.
The man had seen what would come of the world. There had been a world where he had lived, where he had been able to spend the remainder of his life in peace. But also, a world where in the end, they had torn themselves apart. Eren hadn't accepted it though, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for what he believed in.
He rode the train back to the palace in thought. He too, could not leave the world as it was. There was much to do. Nations to reunite, cities to rebuild, and if he would have his way, lives to return.
With his fathers return, the promise and possibilities of the dragonballs help had come with them. But what he would wish for, he needed to consider. The choices whirled through his mind, but he didn't speak anything until they all arrived at the palace.
"Wow…" Goku whistled as he walked around the grounds, taking in the sights and decorations. "This place is pretty. Big too. I think it's even bigger than Bulma's house."
"The hell it is!" Vegeta barked, his pride in his wife's family home under threat. Yamcha snorted, only to be quickly silenced as Vegeta glared at him.
"Hate to say it dad, but he's right. This is bigger." Trunks admitted, looking in appreciation of the palace with no shame at all.
Vegeta only grunted, mumbling under his breath about how Capsule Corp was of far higher quality than such simple rocks and paint. Though he felt the urge to smile, Gohan remained serious as he turned to face them all.
"Before we get started, I have to ask… has anyone told Mrs Jaeger? About Eren?"
Though the Z fighters didn't understand, Mikasa dropped her head in grief-stricken shame. "She… she knows. A message was passed on before we returned to Paradis Island. I haven't see her yet though, I don't… I don't know if I can."
Of course, Mikasa still felt such guilt as she had known that Eren's plan had involved his death. In her mind, she had killed the son of the woman who had helped raise her, a betrayal she could never amend. But Gohan knew of a way she could.
"Can we send someone to get her? I have a plan to bring Eren back. Not just him, but everyone we've lost."
"What!?" General Calvi's outburst brought a great deal of eyes onto him, not that it seemed to bother him at all. "The hell are you talking about? You can't bring back the dead."
"Well of course you can, dragonballs." Goku spoke up as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and was surprised when General Calvi seemed to only be further lost.
"The dragons what!?"
"Kakarot you idiot, not every planet has dragonballs remember? It was the whole reason Nappa and I came to earth in the first place." Vegeta may have enjoyed insulting Goku, but the mans annoyance at his constant stupidity truly was irritating.
"Really? But they're so convenient…"
Piccolo spoke up before Vegeta got angry enough to punch him. "The dragonballs are magical orbs, gather them together and you can make a wish. Such as, wishing to bring back all those killed by Cell."
"Right… um, thank you, Mr Alien man." As the least experienced with anything out of the ordinary, the discussions of Ki, alternate universes, magic, aliens, and gods, had all been something of a rough introduction for him.
"Ooh ooh!" Goku jumped around with his hand in the air. "Also, Dende modified them so we can make two wishes now. But depending on the wishes, it changes how long before we can use them again."
"Two wishes, one year recharge." Piccolo clarified for them. "You can fix the planet and bring back those killed by Cell. We do it… probably a little too much, but it works."
"It's a good plan," Gohan admitted, before hesitantly added, "for starters, anyway." The confused eyes looked to him, and he took a breath before he continued with the speech he had been mentally preparing for. "I want to do more than just undo Cell's damage. This world… Dad, Piccolo, you don't know what it's like here. There's so much bloodshed and hate. I want to undo it all. I want to bring back everyone. Not just from Cell, but from everyone who's died because of the Titans."
"Gohan, the Titans have been around for over a thousand years. Our records date back to almost two, you can't bring back that many people." General Calvi said, only barely coming to grips with fully understanding the scope of what he was talking about. "There wouldn't be enough room on the planet. Let alone, how would you feed them all?"
"He's right Gohan." Queen Historia continued, mind working through the logistics of it all. "It would be chaos. Food wouldn't last a day, let alone be sustainable. There would be no shelter, no order, diseases would run rampant."
"Then the last hundred years, at least." Gohan pushed. "Since the end of the Eldian Empire, when Paradis Island was first formed. We've made a foothold in the memories of the people who are alive, but this isn't just about undoing the damage of the recent years, it's about righting the wrongs. Generational injustices, and giving a chance for everyone to make things better."
"A hundred years of hatred Gohan." Erwin corrected, his eyes showing a weariness as he imagined the oncoming challenges they would face. "One hundred years of people, who have only ever known the Eldians as monsters. They won't know what you did for them, what has changed. The wounds from the Eldian empire will be fresh and raw."
"We'll tell them." To Gohan's surprise, General Calvi was the one to speak up, looking at Gohan with a growing awe at the possibilities. "Every Marleyan would know what you did for them. The truth of what happened, and what we did. I don't intend to let our sins be ignored, and I won't have the old grievances be continued. You said you would bring back everyone, not just Eldian's right? I… Ten years ago, I had a boy, only two years old. He drowned in a river, I… You can bring him back?"
Gohan nodded. "I can. I will. Him and everyone else's loved ones." He looked around the room, to each of his friends and comrades. "Eren and his father, Mikasa, your parents too. Connie. Levi. The ones who died against Cell, and in the civil war. Everyone we ever lost in the 104th. Everyone who died in Shiganshina, and before, trying to forge a path through the Titans. Everyone who was sacrificed to prevent overpopulation." He turned to Historia. "Frieda too."
"We're convinced Gohan," Pixis affirmed, though his tone was cautious, "but the immense potential doesn't get rid of the issues we will face. Shelter, organisation, food… you're still looking at a population boom in the billions."
"You're right." Gohan had of course known what a herculean task his wish would take to accomplish. "But I know a way we can prepare. We'll need to set up a new world council, to unite once and for all. And for resources… I think Bulma would be happy to help right?"
Though his question was directed at the Z fighters in general, it was Krillin who spoke up in response, Vegeta having not paid attention to any of the specifics of his wife's resources, and Trunks too out of the loop coming from his future world. "She's the richest and most powerful person in the world. It might take her some time, but there's nothing she can't do."
Gohan grinned, before turning back to the Queen and the officials by her side. "Then I think we'd best go pay her a visit. The time machine has enough space for a group of us to travel. Let's go get Mrs Jaeger and Hannes and bring them with us."
He couldn't help the excitement that was building in his voice as he spoke, almost vibrating on the spot. "I can show you all my home! Give you medical technology, the resources we need, advanced sciences and information, and… and I can see mom again. I can finally see mom."