93 Chapter 93 To Us 2000 Years Ago

Life went on as time passed by.

Following the return of people to the world, unification and world peace had come… slowly. A cease fire had been easy, and no wars had flared up, but public opinion had been varied to say the least. A world council had been formed using the surviving government officials, who had naturally been more favourable to peace and accepting of the Eldian people. The populace who had survived had felt likewise, but as predicted the return of previous generations had brought with them their own issues. Returning government officials had wanted their positions back and had argued heavily against the Eldian people to varying degrees, backed by many of the returning people.

It was during these times that Gohan had to make his presence known and felt more prominently. Establishing his role as Guardian of the World, he had been present everywhere he was needed, distributing food and medicine, and protecting people from attacks and stopping natural disasters. As much as many had long established grudges against the Eldian people, it was an undeniable fact that he had been responsible for the return of them and their loved ones, and when he appeared to knock back a tsunami with a clap of his hands, he found less and less detractors each time.

It had all taken time, a long time, but time he'd spent dutifully. After a short while, his father reluctantly returned to their world when he knew it was all in safe hands. Piccolo, had not. Instead, Piccolo had opted to remain in the world with Gohan, continuing to teach him knowledge of magic and Ki techniques, and help guide the world by his side. Piccolo's strongest tie in his life was to Gohan and being without him for so many years had been agonizing, and so he'd refused to go through with it again. His father had his mother, and Goten to raise alongside a world to protect, but Piccolo did not, and so he had stayed.

With Piccolo by his side, he and Gohan had built a lookout of their own. Not floating in the sky, but in one of the mountains in Paradis Island. Accessible by land, Gohan did not want to appear detached from the world, but he was also separated out from the main Eldian settlements, it had been vital that he not appear too biased to the Eldians in spite of all his prior actions.

Some had flocked to him, establishing a small village around the outskirts of his new home, and reluctantly turning him into something of a mayor. It was there that he lived with Petra, who later became his wife, and they established something new for the world. Their own generation of Z fighters. The Eldians had of course had several people already qualified to become fighters, but Gohan had made it a point that he would only accept a limited number of disciples from each nation.

Such an act may have eased global tensions but had of course left him with a lot of work to do in teaching new people about the existence of Ki and easing tensions between the teams. Internally, many of the new Z fighters came from a variety of backgrounds. His Eldian members chosen had been surprisingly, Mina and Jean, the two most already capable and willing and able to leave their lives in the military. The two people from Marley had been two soldiers that he didn't know but had apparently been present at both Liberio and some of the few evacuated to Paradis Island following the retreat from the mainland. For the remaining nations, many of their chosen people had not actually been from the present time. A sad number had been from the past and been those who had died early, and despite their gratitude at being alive had prejudices that ran deep.

Years would be spent fostering improved relations between the teams, the nations, and spreading knowledge and aid worldwide. Paradis Island would undergo a transformation during those years, with access to heightened knowledge, power, and with its ruling legacy secured, the nation would flourish and spread across the continent, flooded with formerly deceased Eldians, refugees from former internment zones, and migrants from other nations seeking a better life.

Dot Pixis would remain as premier, serving until his retirement a few years before his death of old age, where he would be succeeded by Erwin Smith. Though a confident and capable leader, few could deny that there was a spark that had seemed to have left Erwin in his success. His drive for knowledge and the secrets of the world answered, Erwin found little to motivate him as it once did, and he would retire from the military far earlier than had been expected, retiring to a small home in the countryside where he would raise a family in peace.

Nile Dok would briefly oversee the transformation of the government's new police form, helping to institute structures and procedures from the bones of the former Military Police role. He would not retain the position for long, as feeling he had failed to prevent or reduce the level of corruption in the Military Police, he transferred the position over to another and became an educator instead, teaching at the Paradis Police Academy on management skills.

Levi Ackerman remained in the military, teaching his knowledge of Ki to cadets as a head instructor. Well respected by all, he was considered one of the most popular instructors in the military, even if his manner of leadership left few able to consider him as a friend. Though not staying in the military, Isabel and Furlan remained close confidants of Levi for the remainder of their lives, staying close by each other's sides as the only two to truly call Levi a best friend.

Hange Zoe would remain in the military for some time as she took a leading role in helping to organise personnel and keep order on Paradis Island. Though her true passion remained with science, she did not truly pursue her desires until she had left the military and she became a researcher at Paradis' first truly modern university, studying the knowledge supplied by Bulma and researching further, ever eager to learn more. Though sociable and friendly, Hange was not known to have married, and rarely known to date beyond brief relationships, her focus ever elsewhere.

Relationships blossomed everywhere on Paradis Island and worldwide, a baby boom following the return of life and complete declaration of peace. Mike Zacharius and Ilse Langnar had three children and remained together for the rest of their lives, serving proudly in the military first as soldiers, and later as assistant instructors. With Ilse being the one who brought Gohan back to Wall Rose, and Mike's own fearsome reputation during the days of the scouts, the two of them became living legends in the military even far into their retirement.

Marco Bodt would eventually marry Carly Stratmann and have two children. Marco remained in his position as part of royal security, rising in seniority until he retained the position of head of security for several years. Carly would eventually find work as a chemist, putting her degree to work more legitimately and eventually even funding a charity to help addicts of the drug she had once helped manufacture.

Historia would reign as Queen for eighty years, serving her nation dutifully with her wife proudly by her side. Her sister Frieda would remain in the shadows, ostracised by the public for the royal families' numerous secret actions against the people, most would either fail to make a bid for the crown or change their names and disappear into the lives of the common public. Frieda did neither, retaining her name but acting in constant support of her half-sister, becoming a symbol of the shame of the previous family. Her life was difficult, but she wore a smile always as she lived to see the woman Historia became.

Ymir struggled with life as the wife of a Queen and the expectations and the prejudices which came with it. Though never regretful of Historia's choice, when their child was born Ymir distanced herself from her previous role and preferred to focus on being a mother. Full of doubts and fears, she nevertheless became a loving and successful mother, and eventual grandmother. When the time of Historia's passing came, an international mourning took place. Passing away in her sleep of old age, her son took the crown as the next king, with Ymir following her wife to the afterlife just a few days later.

Grisha and Carla never rekindled a romantic relationship, though they did manage to remain friends after Grisha's many apologies for the secrets he had kept from her during their marriage. Instead, Grisha would return to his romantic partnership with Dina, and spend the remainder of his life attempting to mend his relationship with Zeke. Zeke himself would spend much of his time traveling the world, neither able to fully accept the new world Gohan had created, nor return to Marley and its ways.

Carla would instead spend the remainder of her life with Hannes, the two unlikely lovers having unified from a shared life caring for one another post Shiganshina, and a friendship that bloomed into parenthood. They welcomed their first child, another boy, only a few short months after the wish returned the world to life. They would have a second child a few years later, Carla finally having another daughter to call her own aside from Mikasa. Though remaining in the military allowed Hannes additional Ki training to endure the hardships of parenthood, he would find his age catching up with him more often than he liked, and they would not have more children, instead raising the two to become highly educated professionals, living a peaceful life away from the combat that had seemed so likely to consume their lives.

Mikasa and Eren would live long and happy lives together, marrying a few years after the wish and retiring to a peaceful life in the countryside leaving the world of war and bloodshed behind. Their lives would be spent peacefully, Mikasa reconnecting with her parents as Eren reconnected with his father. The pair would remain in the military for some time before they would retire to other works, Mikasa finding success as a fighter in the worlds martial arts championship as its first champion, and eventually as a teacher as a result of her fame and success. She would open a dojo, though never expanded it as much as opportunity allowed, instead keeping it small and simple, with only ever a maximum of around a dozen students to occupy her. She and Eren would find additional joy in their lives when they welcomed their child into the world. Only ever having one, they were a handful enough for both parents, inheriting Eren's stubbornness alongside Mikasa's potent abilities, their daughter swiftly became a recognised force of nature, growing up to compete in many martial arts competitions herself.

The new world of martial arts would be dominated by challengers from around the world, newcomers finding more success as the knowledge of Ki was spread wider and to every corner. One regular competitor would end up being the child of Annie and Bertholdt. The two warriors would leave Paradis Island with their compatriots, though would never find true peace with their past actions. Annie would speak to her father only one time before she moved on, unable to reconcile her love for him with the horrific actions he'd raised her to do. Bertholdt would follow her out of love, one eventually shared enough for the two to become parents. Though their relationship would not last, the two eventually separating after only a few years, the two would remain a strong presence in their child's life, Annie teaching their daughter many of the same martial arts her father had taught her.

Reiner would struggle with trauma for the remainder of his life for his part in the suffering on Paradis Island, and the conflicting memories of Bertholdt that remained from his devouring. Though he would recover enough to endure his life thanks to the return to life of the dead and greater medical knowledge to help with trauma, he would remain reclusive for the majority of his life. Establishing a farm, he would live a peaceful if isolated life, interacting with only his family on a personal basis, separating away from all others, never marrying or raising children.

Upon his return to life, Connie would seek out medical assistance for his mother with the new technology brought to the world. Gohan would assist with both the technology and a little magical assistance to make the task easier. Retiring from the military, Connie would spend much of his time in Ragako village before once more leaving to take up a trade in the central city district, finding the life fulfilling in a way that military life had never been. He would meet a nice woman and marry her in a simple but happy ceremony. Thanks to a drunk bet, Sasha would act as Connie's best man at the wedding, complete with suit and tie, while Connie would be forced to return the favour, dressing as Sasha's maid of honour when the food lover eventually married a chef. Connie and Sasha would remain firm friends, never becoming distant in spite of whatever physical distance laid between them, Sasha and Connie's, eventual, Ki training helping them to make any distance meaningless.

For some time after the wish, the military of Paradis Island swelled in number. Numerous hands being required to help police new districts and cities, as well as help with re-settlement projects. With peace remaining throughout the world, Ki training rendering larger numbers less valuable, and more important careers needed, the military would see a drastic reduction over the course of ten years and seeing a large shift in focus. The military would eventually become considered as a government funded martial arts academy, many of its graduates becoming competitors and winners of the Worlds Martial Arts Championship. Higher ranking and longer serving members saw greater retention rates, teams such as Scouts former Special Operations Squad would largely remain in duty alongside the Garrison Veterans who had fought at Trost and Mitras.

Marley would undergo a tumultuous change following the events of the wish. Despite attempts to prepare for the arrival and shifts in opinion, the aftermath was chaotic regardless. Government officials argued over positions, the public would fight over rights and territories, and through it all Gohan would force the peace. For several years, Gohan was the busiest he had ever been, constantly present in numerous places over the country thanks to the multi-form technique and his super speed. Whenever riots began to build, or armies were prepared for battle, Gohan would be present to pacify the situation, preventing bloodshed and knocking out as many people as needed to forcibly de-escalate situations. He would also be present as a protector of Marley, stopping any dispute between nations from escalating into violence, such as when the Mid-East Alliance attempted to forcibly reclaim territories once lost. Whether they liked it or not, Gohan would force all nations to talk to one another and come to a peace agreement, with violence not a possible option.

Around the world, hatred began to fade and dim, grudges were eased, and a peace not only of conflict, but of the mind would reign. As time went by, less and less people would care about the borders that had defined them, and free travel became the standard.

Travel between the two universes continued likewise. As was promised, Gohan kept in touch with his family, all of them coming to visit on a regular basis. His mother grew close with Mrs Jaeger, thanking the woman profusely every time she saw her for looking after Gohan. When Gohan and Petra had their first child, the visits grew more intense as Chi-Chi got her wish for grandchildren. In spite of Gohan's constant work, the days were overall peaceful and happy. Long, yet so short.

Time moved on, and on.

Days to weeks to months to years, each passing by faster than the last.

Gohan first noticed it when he became a father, seeing Pan grow so quickly it seemed near instantaneous. But those days had been happy, filled with joy. Then had come the funerals. Dot Pixis had been old, a wiser man than he presented but old, when his time came it hadn't been a surprise. Keith Shadis had been later, the drill instructor not as old as Pixis but the days of the cadet life seeming a lifetime ago, it was around that point that Gohan felt a real shift in his life. More names, the people he had known, people who had started off so much older than he and yet with each name they came closer and closer to his age.

The funeral of Erwin Smith had been an event. Speeches given by Historia, now decades older and joined by her fully grown child, about how Erwin had been a driving force that had seen their nation freed from both monsters and lies. Gohan had seen many familiar faces in attendance at the time, all looking so much older.

It hadn't seemed very long after when others had passed away, time claiming them where no enemy ever could. Levi's funeral. Hange's funeral. Jean's. Connie's. Eren's…

It was the second time Gohan had known Eren to die, though in an altogether different circumstance. It was a good day when they'd had the ceremony. Mikasa had been standing strong even if she was supported by their child. By the time it came, both of them had seen their own parents' funeral's, a more peaceful end being a blessing they had once believed they would never receive. Surviving friends, old and new were in attendance, alongside grandchildren and even a great grandchild. Gohan was there too alongside Petra and their family, the guardian of the planet entranced by the snapshot of where Eren's life had led him. From an angry young boy, vowing to exterminate all Titans, to a man who had lived his life to the fullest and died at peace, surrounded by loved ones and eternal memories.

But the funerals didn't stop. One by one, Gohan watched each of the people he called friends go, and then those he had been so much more. His mother passed away without Gohan knowing, only learning during one of his fathers' visits through the time machine. The funeral had been small, simple, with a few words said and a hearty meal enjoyed. It was what his mother would have wanted, but Gohan still felt an emptiness within himself.

That emptiness only grew when the time came for Petra to pass. The two of them had lived a long and happy life together, explored and done everything they could have ever wished to do. But Petra was human, and Gohan was part Saiyan, when the time came Petra looked every bit the old woman she was, whilst Gohan had seemed to have barely aged out of his 40's. The emptiness grew, a void that he knew would never end until his own time came, as every day he spent missing his wife, his second half.

But it was worse than Gohan had realised. Becoming the guardian of the planet had in at least part, made him a kind of deity, cursing him with a lifespan that seemed so cruel to a man who felt so old. Piccolo passed away next. A fighter to the end, the namekian never feared or worried as he aged, until time enough had passed to finally defeat the warrior.

His father passed too. Each visit came slower and slower, until one day only his younger brother came to tell him the news. More funerals came. Other friends, the children of his comrades, his own children in time… Gohan outlived them all, standing a vigil over the planet as he waited and waited. All powerful, ever defending the planet from any threat that came near it, yet ever lonelier. He watched, and waited, studying the people of the planet and how they changed.

His task was accomplished, his mission done, and yet still he waited. Waited for the person he needed.

"Lauch." His voice was unmistakably that of an old man, but the strength was still there, and the young man turned to him without delay. "Tell me, what do you see?"

The young man turned away from Gohan and looked outwards across the lookout, studying those present as they moved through their motions. Each of them held a Kaio Ken with full calmness as they flowed from through stance after stance, from demon to Saiyan to Marley to turtle style, each of the student here would become a master of all as they practiced day in and day out.

Lauch watched them all carefully, scrutinising each of them in great detail as Gohan probed the young man's thoughts. "Nothing special sensei, is there something I should see?"

Gohan chuckled, patting him on the shoulder contentedly. "No, not really."

Lauch looked at him in confusion. "Then, why ask me what I see?"

"I wanted to see if you'd lie." Gohan chuckled again at the young man's expression, before he motioned him to follow by poking him with his staff before walking away. Relatively young compared to Gohan, Lauch was in his 20's and had been a student of the guardian for all his life. Part of that was because of his exceptional potential, another part of it was simple personal biases.

Lauch held a mixture of features that blended well together, yet Gohan could pick out with ease. The ever-slight shaping of his eyes that came from Mikasa, and the unnatural but moderate spikiness to his otherwise soft brown hair. Gohan could see the intertwining legacies of his and Petra's genetics and how they had intertwined with the descendants of Eren and Mikasa. There were many other family lines intertwined in the boy, several generations having passed between the ancestors that Gohan had known as friends and the man standing before him, but Gohan didn't stop himself enjoying the nostalgia at seeing those reminders.

"Do you know how many times I ask someone a question, and they give me an answer they expect me to hear? Far too much. No I simply wanted to know if you would speak to me honestly, or if you would try to convince yourself there was something there of note."

"There wasn't?" The young man asked, still looking at him with those same worshipping eyes Gohan saw on all of his students.

Gohan simply shrugged. "You could see anything of value if you were interested enough, but it's nothing you haven't seen before." Gohan paused, his staff tapping the ground as the pair came to a stop. "This world is beautiful, truly. But I think I saw it all a long time ago."

Lauch nodded in understanding, Gohan's long age no secret, and having become clearly visible many years ago. "This is a beautiful world indeed sensei, though I admit I don't think I've seen as much as you have."

"No." Gohan agreed with a mutter. "Not yet." He passed his staff over to Lauch, who took it in surprise. "Give the staff a polish, would you? It's been long overdue; I've been getting lazy in my old age. Take care of it well."

"I will sensei." Lauch held the staff as if it were a sacred object, gazing over it in awe before he noticed Gohan's departure towards the inside of the temple. "Sensei? Where are you going?"

"To bed. I am tired, so very tired…"

"Oh… sleep well then Sensei, I'll see you tomorrow."

Gohan said nothing as he continued his walk, making his way swiftly through the inner workings and towards the simple bedroom he called his own. Gohan had nothing more to say now. He had learned all he could, done all he could, and taught all that he could. And now he truly was tired. He'd been tired for years, worn down physically and emotionally by the burden he'd chosen to carry, and decided that now it was time to let himself rest.

The bedroom was decorated with pictures of all kinds, photos of loved ones and friends spanning decades upon decades. He hadn't put a new photo out in such a long time, never seeing much of the point. He'd had his time, made his memories, and loved every moment of them.

Now it was time to rest.

Pulling back the covers on the bed, he laid down on his side of the bed made for two. Even after all the time since his wife had last shared his bed, he always kept a space set aside for her, it wouldn't have felt right otherwise.

He was so tired.

His joints ached everywhere on his body, and even laying down in bed he felt like he weighed a million tonnes. The soft mattress gave some relief, a gentle cushioning on his body as he let himself sag and rest.

He was so very, very tired.

And as he shut his eyes, he felt a peace with all he had done. No more regrets. No work left to be done. All was finished now, and soon sleep claimed him.

"Gohan? Hey, Gohan!"

Opening his eyes, Gohan knew he was elsewhere. The otherworldly sky over his head, the body that felt without pain, and a face he hadn't seen in far too long.

"Petra." He smiled at her, and his wife smiled back at him.

"We've been waiting for you, took you long enough."

She pulled him up to his feet, and he found his body to be like hers, returned to the prime of his life, a young man once more. Standing tall and straight, his eyes looked out across the people that had been waiting for him.

His father.

His mother.

His friends.

His family.

They smiled warmly at him, inviting him to come with them, to rest easy in the great beyond. And Gohan accepted with a smile of his own. A new life with his family, with the ones he loved. In his own, personal, heaven.