After waste another entire afternoon trying to find a solution for Gohan and Videl, the Princess decided to read the most recent Twilight letter. Apparently, they became very known on Ponyville because Gohan's demonstrations of strength and Videl's skill. Anyway, both of them were helpful, kind and trustable. And also, Gohan was an excellent reader. When he wasn't working or training the Cutie Mark Crusaders, he was learning all of he can in Twilight's library.
But the things called Princess' attention were the fact the Cutie Mark Crusaders were learning all what they can from Gohan and Videl. Martial arts required both concentration and discipline, and the three fillies were progressing in that two skills, and also physical skills. And Twilight ended her letter telling Celestia about all the meditation the martial arts required. According to Gohan, meditation and concentration were the key to master the advanced techniques.
"Meditation? Advanced techniques?" the Princess asked to herself. "Well, I bet this is going to be interesting…"
Spike expelled the Princess' letter with a burp, and passed the letter to Twilight. The purple unicorn opened the letter in expectation.
"What is it, Twi?" Spike asked. Twilight was confused.
"Well, it's not a letter, is an invitation for the Budokai Tenaichi" Spike raised an eyebrow.
"The greatest martial arts tournament? But you don't like that kind of events. Why will she send us something like that?" Twilight thought for a little.
"I think I know. It's for Gohan and Videl. Remember than in my last letter I told the Princess of how they were training the Cutie Mark Crusaders in martial arts. Probably the Princess wants to see their abilities, considering there's a children's section in the tournament"
Spike jumped in excitement. "It's going to be amazing, I hope for that time Gohan already taught them what he call advanced"
"Well, I think I'm going to tell them. See'ya Spike"
Applejack was working as always when she saw her friend approaching. "Twilight!" She greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Hi Applejack, I'm looking for Gohan and Videl. Princess Celestia sent me an invitation for the Budokai Tenkaichi as an answer for my previous letter and I came to see if they were interested to participate." Applejack walked with her friend.
"I'm coming with you, long time no seeing the Crusader's progress."
They were approaching to the club house. The most they approached the most they heard the fighting sounds. Applejack raised an eyebrow.
"They're in practice combats" she said.
In the air, Gohan was supervising the Crusader's progress. Videl was Apple Bloom's opponent while Sweetie Belle was fighting with Scootaloo. When they started the fights training, the opponents were alternated, but recently Apple Bloom said she felt she advanced more training with Videl so she became her official opponent. Gohan was calmed during his supervising when suddenly he felt Applejack's and Twilight's Ki; so he made a sing to the fighters so they landed and continued fighting in the ground. They obeyed but grumped, the girls really wanted to show their new abilities to their older sisters. Videl didn't like that neither but she was already used to Gohan's secrets. Then, the older ponies arrived.
"Ey girls! I can see you're getting better and better. If you continue like this you'll soon use Rainbow as a mope just as Videl" giggled Applejack.
The fillies laughed and Videl blushed proud of herself. After the first encounter, Rainbow challenged her to fight another couple of times, with the same result. But those times Rainbow could punch her at least once. Gohan cleared his throat.
"Alright, what brings you two here, Miss Applejack, Miss Twilight.
Twilight passed them the invitation smiling.
"Annually we celebrate in Canterlot the Equestria's most famous martial arts tournament, the Budokai Tenkaichi. I told the Princess of how you train the fillies in martial arts so I guess she wanted to see their progress; and also your abilities so she sent us the invitation"
Gohan scratched his head a little nervous.
"You see Miss Twilight, I don't like to participate in events like that. Let's say I prefer to be a peon in a farm instead a world famous martial arts champion". Gohan grinned.
"Come on Gohan, don't be so boring. After all what happened last time, you still owe me a fight. It's gonna be cool and look: there's a children's section.
The fillies jumped in excitement when they heard that and came to see the invitation. Apple Bloom looked at her sister with bright eyes.
"Can I go, sis?"
Applejack nodded. "But what your teachers say? Are you ready for such a test?"
Videl grinned. "They're going wipe out the competition, no matter who they fight, no one will match them."
"Gohan?" Twilight asked. The young saiyan smiled very confident.
"I think they're going to be the stars of the tournament. Get ready girls, we're going to fight with the professionals"
The Crusaders yelled in excitement. Twilight smiled to them and then she turned to Gohan. "All right, just don't forget about send your inscription forms; you can find some in the post office. Anyway, continue with your training, we're leaving"
"Bye"
When the older ponies left, masters and students had a meeting. Gohan smiled. "Very well girls, he'd train a lot and let me tell you I'm really proud of you. I'd never taught anypony before with the exception of my little brother and of course Videl. So I'm happy to see how fast you mastered all my techniques of meditation and flying. Now it's time to get serious when the tournament approaching"
Sweetie Belle's eyes illuminated. " , does that mean you finally will teach us how to use energy attacks?"
Gohan nodded. "That's right. But remember: when we finally get the tournament, I don't want you to use that if you're not fighting between you. Remember those are very destructive and powerful techniques and it's a completely unfear advantage over your opponents. Using it at a competition is forbidden. Forbidden.
Videl couldn't believe what she just heard. "Gohan, are you telling me you're going to allow them use that during the tournament?
"But of course. After all I had to pass to unsuccessfully hide my identity as the Great Saiayan to you, I learned secrets don't last. Anyway, I always thought somepony knew about my powers they'll consider me a monster, but this girls doesn't think that way and I have a certain fame of good person here in Ponyville"
"Everypony will know you're amazing " said Scootaloo smiling.
"Sorry if I ask, but, why did you indicated us to land if there's gonna be no more secrets?" Videl asked.
Gohan winked. "Because I don't think Miss Applejack or Miss Rarity will approve I'm teaching their sisters techniques that could destroy an entire building in no time".
Videl had to agree. In fact, she constantly asked herself if she was going to allow Gohan, Goku or anyone in the Son family teach them some techniques to their future children. Anyway, there's no use to think about it, so she followed Gohan to a hidden spot in Sweet Apple Acres where he brought dozens of gigantic rocks he found on the Everfree Forest. Gohan looked at the fillies, who were listening carefully.
"Very well girls, today I'm going to teach you how to transform your Ki in powerful and devastating attacks. But understand something: I'm doing this because I trust you'll never use it without a reason because those are very dangerous stuff. Do you understand?"
The girls nodded and prepared for the battle. Gohan nodded and raised a hoof and the girls did same. "I need to everypony concentrate your Ki in the hoof you raised. Ok?
The Crusaders concentrated their Ki. They started to form a small disc of energy, just as Gohan; the only difference was that Gohan's was bigger. Then, the master shot his energy to one of the rock, what immediately exploded. The girls did same with one rock each one. They were amused how easily they mastered the Ki attack, but after all the training they 'd done, this was a piece of cake. Gohan gave more instructions.
"Girls, I want you to continue until the rock be nothing but dust. I'll invite a dessert from Sugar Cube Corner to the first one to destroy her rock."
He didn't have to repeat, the Cutie Mark Crusaders started the wave of attacks to the rocks. Scootaloo noticed the more she concentrated her Ki, the most powerful the detonation was. Gohan noticed it and made a mental note. Sweetie Belle was doing small attacks, but really fasts; she launched three or four while Apple Bloom made two and Scootaloo one. Gohan wrote that down too. Apple Bloom was in the middle; she charged her attack and throws it. And once again noticed and took note of the detail; actually, he was thinking in which filly will master which technique.
Videl noticed what Gohan was thinking and smiled. That Equestria Budokai Tenkaichi was going to be more interesting than ever for the ponies. And then, when the rocks were nothing but dust as Gohan said, he raised his hoof to ask them to stop; ant then, he brought more rocks.
"Alright girls, now the next exercise is to make sure you control your Ki perfectly. What I want you to do is shoot directly to the rock in front of you, but in the last second you have to change the course of the energy blast and destroy the rock on the right or left, but not the one you have in front of you. This is very hard but I know you can do it, and remember: after this, we're going to the post office to send our inscription forms to the Budokai Tenkaichi.
The girls made a small scream of excitement and stated the hard training. They succeeded some times and sometimes not. Gohan understood and finished that day's lessons. The girls were exhausted; the energy blasts were the most tiring part of all the hard training, especially for beginners and Gohan knew it. Satisfied for the girl's progress, Gohan loaded Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle; while Videl was taking care of Apple Bloom, the two of them became really close during the training. With no rush, they went to Ponyville to the post office.
Rarity and Fluttershy were walking around the twon when they saw Gohan and Videl caring the fillies. Rarity greeted happily.
"Afternoon darlings, how was the training?" she asked.
Gohan showed them the fillies sleeping pleasantly in his back.
"They're very dedicated little girls, they insist to continue until they almost faint. I love to be their master, especially when I see their progress and hard work" the young saiyan said.
Rarity giggled and used her magic to place her little sister in her back. The action awaked the Crusaders. Still a little dizzy for the pleasant sleep, Sweetie Belle smiled to Rarity. "Sis…" she started, but Rarity silenced her gently.
"Shh… you need to rest, go back to sleep; we're going to be in home in no time and I'll place you in your bed. So now…"
Sweetie Belle moaned.
"But sis, this is important. I want to ask you something". Rarity smiled. "Very well, what do you need, Sweetie?"
Sweetie Bell smiled a little.
"You see, I want you to take me to the Budokai Tenkaichi. Is gonna be so cool and Mr. Gohan said we're ready and we're going to raze the competition".
Fluttershy gasped. "But girls, isn't the Budokai Tenkaichi a little too dangerous?" Rarity shook her head. "And dirty, I'm sorry but I don't want to fight, is going to ruin my beautiful mane."
The Crusaders started to laugh. Sweetie Belle finally managed to calm down.
"With all respect sis, they're going to beat you in your first combat. But no, you just have to cheer me up when I fight. The Teinakichi is just a competition and we're going to win the children's section. Come on, Applejack already gave her permission to Apple Bloom, so please." Rarity was confused, what her parents will do? "I don't know" she said.
Sweetie Belle gave her a supplicant look. Rarity saw Gohan and Videl, who just nodded. Finally Rarity nodded too.
"But you have to promise me, if I take you, you have to win at least second place"
Sweetie Bell hugged her sister and started a kind of victory dance with her friends, but it doesn't least because they were still tired for the training. With all resolved, Gohan walked to the post office.
"Very well girls, let's go to fill the inscription forms".
The girls followed their master and filled and sent the inscription. The kind and helpful employee, Derpy, wished them look and everypony get back to their homes happier than usual.
Back in their barn, Gohan checked his stuff until he found what he was looking for: a small watch or what in looks like a watch. Really that was a container of his superhero suit. Smiling, Gohan put the watch in one hoof. Videl raised an eyebrow.
"What's that for? There's no crime in Equestria thanks to Celestia's peaceful and fair rule"
Gohan activated his Grat Saiyaman suit and started to pose in front of a mirror.
"Is not for that Videl; you see: the inscription form said one can participate with an alias. So once again, I'm going to be the Great Saiyaman."
Videl smiled a little. Gohan was still Gohan. "Do as you please. Just make sure the fillies master the Ki soon so we don't have accidents during the tournament."
…
"Miss Cherrylee" called Apple Bloom.
The teacher turned. "Yes?" she asked with a warm smile.
"You see, can my friends and I use the empty gym during the recess? We're going to participate in the Budokai Tenkaichi and we need to train as much as possible and we can't concentrate in the yard, so can we?"
Miss Cherrylee surprised. "The Budokai Tenkaichi? Well, that's kind of unexpected. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Apple Bloom grinned. "We have the greatest master, and we're really strong after all the time we trained with him. Besides, I think we could win the adults section if it wasn't our master is participating too."
Cherrylee blinked a little unable to react but then she smiled to the filly. "Very well, go ahead. I really want to see you three wining the competition. Also, I think is a good idea to organize a school trip to cheer you. I think you'll be pleased to show your classmates your newly acquired martial arts abilities".
Apple Bloom didn't had to think it twice. After a very energetic "YES" she went back to her friends to start with the training.
With the tournament getting closer, and the training getting harder, the girls felt closer than ever to obtain a Cutie Mark. And the best thing was each one was mastering one of the best Gohan's techniques.
Videl and Celestia were right: the Budokai Tenkichi was going to be more interesting than ever.