[Intro.]
High over the horizon, a long, serpentine-like dragon, Shenron, soars through skies. Upon his head were the likes of Gohan, Goten, and Trunks enjoying the ride. Moments later, a portal opens. Flying past the dragon, Vegeta, and Piccolo enters the portal first as the trio looks on in awe. Shenron lets out a roar as he follows the two through it. The scenery quickly changes from Earth to Equis.
Celestia was enjoying a cup of tea on her balcony with her sister Luna as Shenron exits the portal in the background. Fluttershy was busy tending to the animals in her sanctuary as Angel bunny frantically points to the dragon above. The yellow pegasus looks up and gasps at the sight. Over in Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack hauling in her product before a large gust of wind from Shenron's passing blows her hat off. The farm mare puts down her produce and gives chase. In Ponyville, Pinkie gasps as she hovers in the air while Shenron passes. A moment later, the party mare disappears, leaving behind an outline of smoke. At the carousel boutique, Rarity struggling on a new line featuring the combat Gi's Spike and Scootaloo wore before Shenron passes by her window. A look of inspiration hit the fashion mare as she quickly stretches something out before running outside. Rainbow Dash was resting on a cloud when she spotted Shenron in the skies. Looking at their destination, Rainbow shot off her perch with her signature sonic rain-boom. The trios of Saiyans leap off the great dragon while landing in front of the castle. There, Twilight is standing at the entrance, waving them over. The rest of the elements of harmony, Piccolo and Vegeta were there to greet them.
Elsewhere, Dragonlord Ember was walking through a hellish landscape. The silhouette of a massive dragon was reaching toward her. She closes her eyes only to open them again as Spike looks at her with concern. In a coliseum filled with cheering spectators, Scootaloo walks in with the E.A.T. belt around her waist. Her opponent was a man in a brown and white Gi that sported an afro. She shots her opponent a confident grin as the two charges one another. A second later, Scootaloo sends her rival out of bounds as two announcers - one blond human and Earth pony of similar features - declare her the winner. High above the castle of Friendship, the Great Saiyaman floats above the structure as the sun rises. He smirks as he flies off into the rising sun.
The sunsets as the moon rising over a statue of Goku. Spike and Scootaloo stood there wearing somber expressions at the loss of their beloved mentor. However, the transparent image of Goku puts a reassuring hand on Scootaloo's and Spike's shoulders. They turn around in shock at his appearance. He smiles at his pupils before he fades away, with the two of them chasing after him. They don't get far as several figures cloaked in shadows appear before them. Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, Trunks, and Goten land beside them as they all take combat stances. There was a staredown between the two factions before they collide in an explosion of light. Finally, the ponies and dragons stand next to the Z fighters in front of the School of Friendship. Goku lands between his wife while draping his arm over Gohan's shoulder. They both share wide grins that for their friends and family.
[Earth - Son Family Home - Third Person POV.]
"Come on, Gohan," Goten said, pulling Gohan by the arm. The nimbus cloud rested in front of their home. "Bye, mom. Gohan is going to train with me this time!"
"Don't be too rough with Goten, Gohan," Chi-Chi called out.
"We'll be back before the others get here," Gohan said.
"What others? Gohan?" Chi-Chi asked, but the two were already gone.
The two brothers landed at the bottom of a cliffside. There was a widespread of grass mixed with Earth while tree leaves fluttered in the distance. Gohan donned a blueish-purple Gi with black boots and a red slash tied to his waist. Goten himself wore a similar Gi to his father - save for some minor alterations - his version had long blue sleeves with a blue slash tied to his waist. Gohan smiled at that. Goten never knew his father, being born shortly after the Cell games. Thankfully, thanks to his mother and Gohan himself, Goten was not misinformed about what a great man his father is to everyone he knew.
"Man, Goten, your a spitting image of our father. I can't wait for you to meet him,"
"Is it true that our dad was the strongest fighter in the world. Trunks always say his dad is the strongest,"
Gohan rubs his head as he chuckles. "It's hard to say between the two of them. My dad and Vegeta have always been the fiercest of rivals. They both push themselves so that neither is left behind-- Especially Vegeta. But, it was our dad that was the first to become a Super Saiyan,"
"Super Saiyan? What's that?"
Gohan smirks as he gestures for Goten to step back. Gohan raises his fists to his waist as he adopted a serious expression. "Ha!" Goten's mouth fell agape as Gohan was instantly shrouded in a golden light while his hair turned blonde, and his eyes turquoise.
"Whoa...!"
"Haha, I take it your impressed," Goten merely nods. "Alright, let's start with something simple. Pick up a couple of works over there," Gohan dug his heel into the soil as Goten came back. "Okay, now Goten, stand at this line. I'm going to stand over here. I want you to throw those rocks at me,"
"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you,"
"Don't worry about it, sport. Now lay it on me!"
"Uh-huh," Goten brings back his right arm and tosses the stone at blinding speeds. Gohan's confidence morphs into panic as he narrowly evades. The stone continued on its path, punching a hole through the cliffside, leaving Gohan stupified. "Was that good?"
Gohan frantically shakes his hand at his brother. "Whoa! Hold on there, sport! Sheesh! Where were you last season for the Red foxes? Let's move you back a bit, okay?" Gohan ushers Goten back, making a new line in the soil. "Okay, that should be good. Let 'er rip, Goten!"
Goten nods as hurls the stone with the caliber of a machine gun. With the new spacing, Gohan was dodging much more efficiently. However, after five minutes of the Saiyan version of dodgeball, Goten drops the stones. "Huh? Is something the matter sport?"
"I was wondering if I could become like you. You know, a Super Saiyan!"
Gohan blinks at his little brother as he laughs. "Maybe when your a little older, Goten, becoming a Super Saiyan isn't easy. I was twice your age when I first transformed--" As Gohan began his lecture, Goten levels his fists outward from his chest. In a flash, Goten transformed, leaving Gohan baffle. "W-What?!?! Goten! You're a-a Super Saiyan! How?"
"It happens one time when I was training with mom. Although, I think I freaked her because she started crying about another monster in the family,"
"Yeah, that sounds like mom. But still, dad and I had to work extremely hard to become Super Saiyans. And Vegeta - Man - what a case he was at the time. Can Trunks turn into a Super Saiyan too?"
"Uh-huh,"
"Geez, what's with your generation?" Gohan hums in thought. "We should head back. I don't want anyone catching us as Suer Saiyans,"
Gohan takes to the skies and begins to head back before Goten shouts out to him. "Hey, no fair!"
Huh? What do you mean?"
"I want to do that too! Teach me how to fly!!!"
Gohan let out a deep groan as he landed. "Great, another student added to the list..."
[Back at the Son Family Residence]
"Gohan!" Chi-Chi said sharply. "I wasn't expecting so many guests to arrive..."
"Yeah, I wasn't either..." Gohan said, rubbing his head. "Let me introduce the exchange students first. Sandbar, Ocellus, Yona, Silverstream, Gallus, Cozy Glow," Gohan then gestures to Videl. "And this is Videl,"
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Videl said.
Chi-Chi gave the students and Videl a critical look - more so with Videl - as she walked up to them. Chi-Chi was already familiar with the mares in Gohan's herd, giving them a simple nod. "And what's the reason for your visit?"
Chi-chi steps back as Cozy Glow flew in front of her. "Hello, Gohan's mom. I am so sorry you inconvenience you in any way. But there's a big tournament coming up. And since Gohan is a big-time hero, who better to touch us than him. We'll do our best to help around the house,"
Chi-Chi smiles sweetly at the little filly. "Thank you, Cozy. I'm glad to see someone with manners at such a young age,"
Gallus huffs as he crosses his arms in annoyance. "No creature said anything about doing chores..."
"It's not so bad. We make messes all the time," Sandbar said, causing Chi-Chi to arch a brow.
"This day is perfect! First, I came from Seaquestria. Then, I am staying in Equestria, and now I'm on Earth!" Silverstream flew over to the backdoor. "Wow. Earth doors feel the same as Equis doors! I can see your stairs!?"
"You want to see our stairs?" Chi-Chi asked. Silverstream nods her head enthusiastically. "Sure, go ahead..."
"EEEE!!!!" Silverstream let out a squeal of excitement as she ran inside the home.
Chi-Chi shakes her head as she gestures to her home. "Alright, then, how about I fix you all some lunch. It's never good to start training on an empty stomach,"
"I'll help any way I can," Cozy said.
"Yay! Yona has been hungry since the trip over from school. Yona likes Gohan's Dri!" The young yak hosted Chi-Chi up, earning a startled yelp from her. Yona nearly knocked the door off the hinges as she went inside.
Before Gohan could follow, Videl tugs at his arm with a frown adorning her features. "So, what gives? You were only supposed to be training me!"
"Funny story, to be honest, Cozy let it slip about my secret identity around the exchange students. Now, they want to learn too,"
Videl frowns deepens. "And the peanut gallery?" Videl points to Gohan's herd mates.
"Oh, Scootaloo offered to help train the students while the girls wanted to visit Earth,"
"Uh-huh," Videl's was skeptical as she walked inside.
Gohan noted that the girls were quick to follow behind her. However, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Sweetie Belle all whipped their tails against his back. "What was that for?" The girls look back at him in a bemused manner before Applebloom shakes her head while Sweetie, Diamond, and Silver turned their snouts up.
[Later that day - Open Fields.]
"Aw, this is perfect! A nice open space to stretch our wings," Scootaloo said, hovering in the air. She peers out to the lush landscape. The gentle breeze of the wind was a welcome sensation. She tilts back into a freefall, startling those below before she gracefully lands next to Gohan. "Alright, grunts. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your lives. By the end of this training session, we'll have you on par with the Wonderbolts! Who wants to see a Yak fly?"
"Um, Yona don't like heights,"
Ignoring Yona, Scootaloo turns to Ocellus. "Are you ready to blow a mountain sky high?!"
"That seems dangerous?" Ocellus said in an unsure tone.
"Are you done messing around? I'd like to get this over with before sundown!" Videl called out.
Scootaloo snorted at that before answering. "Alright then, you can start by bringing out your Ki,"
"My what?"
"You don't know what Ki is? Isn't it a human power?" Diamond Tiara taunt from the side.
Gohan steps up as Videl shot the Earth pony a glare. "Actually. It is a power anyone can wield. Think of it as a latent power buried deep within your body--"
"My body?! Who are you to talk about my body?!!"
"It's not like it's much to look at anyway," Silver Spoon whispered.
"You two ave something to say!!!" Videl shouted, a crimson blush across her face.
Gohan instantly got between the three females before things could escalate. "Uh, let's all settle down, alright?"
"Human power is inside Yona?" The yak began looking at her hands and under her thick fur.
"If it's inside of us, how do we get it out?" Sandbar asked.
"Come on, every creature, it obvious..." A shadow covers Gallus features as dark glint flashes from his eyes. "Surgery,"
"W-what?" Ocellus asks, nervousness clear in her voice.
Gallus began approaching his friends while fiddling his talons. "Yeah. The power locked on the inside of us. So, they got to take out our guts. Then, sow us back together with a piece of hair and a rusty nail,"
The students went into a panic as Gallus fell on the floor. Scootaloo was snickering at their reaction, only to earn a flat stare from Gohan. "Okay, everyone needs to relax. No one is going to cut you open. Gallus was only joking..." Upon hearing his name, the griffin freezes up at Gohan's hard glare. "...Right, Gallus?"
"Y-yeah, just mess with you scaredy cats," Gallus said.
"Excuse me, Gohan. But, I'm afraid some of us don't understand what you mean," Cozy Glow said, shifting a glance toward Videl. "Maybe you could show us?"
"I got it," Goten said. He extends an open palm toward a small bolder in the distance. A moment later, the rock explodes into a thousand pieces. "Like that,"
Videl wore a gobsmack expression as the dust settles. Gohan facepalm at his brother's actions. 'Way to go, Goten...' He thought. "Yeah, pretty much like that, exactly,"
"That was amazing!!!" Silverstream exclaimed.
"Yona want to smash rock like that!!!" Yona stated.
"I didn't feel any magic at all," Ocellus said
"It was alright, I guess," Gallus said unconvincingly.
"Gosh, you are super powerful. It must've been hard getting that strong!" Cozy Glow praised.
"Ahaha, it was nothing," Goten said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Nothing!?" Videl stated, snapping out of her funk. "You just blew that boulder to pieces, and you're acting like it's a common occurrence. Normal humans can't do this stuff!!!"
"It sort of is common - at least, among my family - what do normal people call it?" Gohan asks.
"Well, it's a trick,"
This time, Applebloom had trouble hiding her laughter. "If that's the case then Scoots is a magician,"
"Yeah, she can give Trixie a run for her bits," Sweetie agreed.
Videl lets out a low growl at the comments. Before she could say anything, Gohan takes a seat. "It works like this: Ki energy and magic do share similar traits. However, magic is more like an external force. Twilight told me that everything in Equis is bathed in magic because it resides within the very air and soil of the planet. All the creatures on Equis can draw from this force. Ki energy requires you to draw from your life force..." Gohan brings his hands together as everyone came closer. A small energy orb forms in his hands. Videl stares in awe at the ball of light, leaning in closer, and making lean back slightly. "Pretty cool, right?" Everyone nods wordlessly in agreement.
"Okay, so how do we do that?" Gallus asks.
Scootaloo chose this moment to chime into the conversation. "People that know martial arts are better at drawing out their Ki. During my training, Goku took us into the Everfree forest. It was scary, hard, and exhausting, but worth it,"
"Y-you're going to take us into the Everfree?" Sandbar nervously asks.
"Nah. I heard from Twilight that the other nation is calling back their citizens for the tournament. That's why Smolder isn't here. Spike is training her personally. We're going to give you all the basics in Ki control and fighting skills,"
"But, first, let's see where all of are at right now," Gohan said, standing back up. "Try and copy what I just did,"
Gohan and Scootaloo were watching intently for any sign of Ki manifestation. The students all mirrored Gohan's postures while forming a space between their hands. Silverstream and Sandbar were looking at the hands like magnifying glasses. Yona had her tongue sticking out as she concentrated. Gallus was constantly fidgeting while trying to force something out. Ocellus was a stark contrast. She sat still with the occasional twitch of the wing. Videl - by far - was focusing the hardest. She was glaring a hole through her palms while twitching her fingers. One could hear a few grunts of frustration as time passes.
"So, what do you think? How are we going to do this?" Scootaloo asked.
"From what I can see, Yona, Sandbar, and Gallus are closer than the others. But, I kept feeling something swell between Ocellus and Silverstream," Gohan stated.
"And Cozy Glow? I'm surprised I'm picking anything up from her. But, I can see the energy building up in her hands. But, I guess I'm not one the talk,"
"She is surprising. Maybe Pegasi are more talented? Anyway, I think an idea. Say, girls,"
"Yeah?" Applebloom responded.
"Can you ask my mother what chore she needs to get done?"
"Can do, partner. Come on, girls. Ms. Chi-Chi might need help cleaning,"
Diamond and Silverspoon were instantly put off by this. "Hey! That's not what we agreed--" Whatever complaint Diamond had was cut off by a yellow magical aura covering her muzzle. She quickly shot a glare a Sweetie Belle who was innocently whistling despite her horn glowing. Smiling a Cheshire grin, Sweetie pulls D.T. towards the house.
"Sweetie! You can't-- EEP!!" Silverspoon found herself in a similar predicament as Applebloom hoisted her up on her shoulders.
"Come on, you two, we ain't much help out her. Like Applejack likes to say: An empty hoof works best at bucking apple trees," Silversppoon both huff as they accept their fates.
[Field Work]
"Wow, that's a lot of radishes," Silverstream said. There were ten rows of radish heads sticking out of the ground in the backyard.
"How are we suppose to draw our Ki doing farm work?" Gallus asked, skepticism permeating his tone.
"This activity was a favorite training method for my father. Your task is to pull out the radishes without bruising them as fast as you can. Then, you spread the fertilizer for reuse, before finally, planting new seeds," Gohan explains. "Try and finish your lane in twenty minutes,"
Several of the juniors voiced their displeasure with a series of groans. Gohan watches as everyone picked a lane. The flyers were collecting the radishes at a decent pace. However, the training requires one to tend the field by hand while on the ground. So Gohan barred any usage of wings. That rule, of course, leads to more groaning. Yona and Sandbar excelled the most-- being ground-based gave them the advantage. Gohan could feel the Ki energy surging to the surface in small bursts from the two of them. Videl was a close second - clearing at least three vegetables at a time and moving further down her lane. However, it became apparent that no one was going to finish in time. Everyone collapsed on the ground, covered head to toe in dirt and grim. Analyzing their progress, Yona and Sandbar cleared out twenty-five percent of their lanes. Videl cleared out fifteen while flyer barely made any headway. The students look at the remaining produce in dismay while echoing their thoughts.
"Well, you all made a good start," Gohan said tentatively.
"This is impossible!" Gallus exclaimed.
"I got dirt stuck in between my talons," Silverstream whined.
"It's better than feeling it in your carapace..." Ocellus stated.
Sandbar wipes the sweat from his brow. "I don't know. It was kind of fun, like the time I had an ant farm, those little guys were so cute,"
"Yona had fun. Yaks always push back snow. It's no different here. Yona want to smash dirt down now,"
"How can anyone clear out all these vegetables in an hour?" Videl asks.
"Goten didn't have a problem," Gohan said.
Everyone turned to Goten's lane to see it devoid of any radishes. The young Saiyan had a bright smile direct a baffled group. "Should I get the rest, Gohan?"
"Sure, knock yourselves out. We got to move on to fertilizing and seeding,"
"Okay," In an instant, Goten zooms to the remaining lanes, picking and collecting all the radishes in an insane pace, before moving to the next row.
"That kid ain't normal..." Gallus said in shock.
"He already finished three lines of radishes..." Ocellus noted in disbelief.
Sandbar gawks at Gohan as Goten completes his task. "Your does this kind of farm work every day?"
"Yeah, it's not that different from what I seen the apples do at their orchard," Gohan said. "Alright everyone, let's start the next step,"
Goten nods as he runs to the house. Moments later, he came back with two large bags, both bigger than he is, and place them by the fields. There was a pungent odor coming from one of the bags that made the students gag out in disgust. "Wow, mom got the smelly one this time," Goten said.
"That just means it's more potent. Everyone ready?" Gohan asks. Everyone gave each other a sideways glance of nervousness.
[Fishing.]
"Is there a reason we couldn't use the shower? And why are we at a lake?" Videl asks.
Look at the group, Gohan could tell 'Goten might've been a bit overzealous with the manure. Good thing we're at a lake,'
"What are we doing now? Are we going swimming?" Cozy said with a smile. Although, Gohan was more unnerved by the patches of filth cling to her.
"In a sense, yes. This lake is a natural habitat for the chomper fish. They're easy to spot, and we're running low back home. The water isn't that deep so you won't have to worry about drowning,"
Videl marched right into Gohan's face with a deep frown. "Is this training, or are we going your groceries? I didn't come here to waste time!"
"It's not a waste of time, I promise!" Gohan placated. "Everything we're doing is to help to unlock your latent energy, right Scoots?"
Gohan looks over to his mare friend for support. But, instead, a lascivious grin greeted him. "Or maybe Gohan like the idea of getting all these mares wet~," Gohan turned beet red as the other mares caught onto to Scootaloo's teasing.
"How scandalous, Gohan~," Diamond Tiara said.
"I didn't know you were so adventous~," Silverspoon said.
"N-no! That's not what I mean," Gohan denied, growing more nervous at Videl's worsening mood.
"But, we don't have bathing suits," Sweetie pointed out.
"Don't need bathing suits to skinny dip," Applebloom offered. The girls all broke out into laughter after that.
"Yona is confused. What grown-up are human and ponies saying?"
"I am getting some weird emotions from them. Is it normal for humans to have random bouts of jealousy?" Ocellus asked.
"Wait, who's jealous of what?" Sandbar asked.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Gallus dismissed. "Say, teach? Do you mind if I skip out on this training?"
"Huh? Oh, right. I guess you can't swim well, being a flyer. Alright, you and the others won't have to participate in this exercise--"
"Cannonball!!!" Silverstream exclaimed, splashing water upon her entry.
"Silverstream!" Everyone called out.
A moment later, she breaks the surface while waving at everyone with her fins. "What?"
"Wow! That's awesome! Are you a mermaid?" Goten asks. He jumps in to get a closer look at her newly acquired fin.
"A mermaid? No, hippogriffs can go on land and sea. The water's great, and I saw that fish you were talking about down here!"
Without further prompting, Videl dives into the water. Scootaloo shrugs her shoulders and jumps in after her. Yona made a big splash upon entry while Sandbar and Ocellus walk into the lake. Ocellus took the form of another hippogriff as the exercise began. It didn't take long for the rest of the students to spy the fish. It was mostly blue with a gaping maw. There were several skools of them swimming about before they notice everyone. The fish began swimming away as the group gave chase. So far, only Gohan, Goten, Scootaloo, Ocellus, and Silverstream were keeping pace with the aquatic creatures. Videl was having trouble react to their swift movements. Yona was sorely lacking, her larger frame making swimming more difficult. Poor Sandbar had to leave the water. The chomper fish saw him as their next meal-- forcing Scootaloo to pull the colt out of the lake. By the end of the training, Gohan and Goten caught two each. Scootaloo caught two while Ocellus and Silverstream caught one each. Videl came ashore with one meager chomper fish in tow. It was shorter than the others by comparison - an annoying fact, she thought- and not at all worth the effort she put into catching it.
"Alright, this session turned out to be a good haul. We'll take these back home and begin the next activity," Gohan said. As Gohan says this, Yona began shaking the water off of her-- soaking everyone that was still dry. "...And probably freshen up with a shower and change of clothes..."
Gallus wipes the water from his brow as h grumbles. "I hope Smolder is having a 'good' time like us..."
[Dragonlands - Gauntlet of Fire Path]
The teenage drakina was flying for her life. The trial of the gauntlet of fire was taxing for any dragon. However, Smolder was currently on her sixth run through the grueling test. Her eyes widen with panic as several flaming stones - each one three times her size - flew toward her. She proceeds to dodge most of them, but time was critical. Bringing her claws forward, Smolder rips every rock to shreds. A smile graces her snout as she makes her way to the island's cave system. Her moment of happiness drops when she lays her eyes upon the new obstacles before her. She heard about the crystal pillars from her brother. The sharp point stabbing against the ground and walls made the little drakina swallow nervously. Smoulder took a runner's stance and dashed through the death trap. She slid, jumped, and under each spear as the entrance to the inner sanctum appeared. Smolder dives through the opening - just as several crystal spikes puncture the Earth - and rolls inside. The objective was simple: retrieve the Bloodstone specter, but Smolder knew better. Otherwise, she wouldn't be here again.
"Well?" Smolder said out loud. "Where's the catch? The specter disappearing? A cave-in? Lava pouring from the sky?" There was no response save for three distinct thuds against the ground. Three adult dragons appeared before her, all of them ready for a fight, as Smoulder sighs. "...I had to ask..."
[Skipping.]
(Inspire by this video)
"Why do we have these water containers?" Cozy Glow asks. Everyone was now carrying a crate of water in their hands.
"And what does this or any of the things we did have to do with unlocking our energy?!" Videl demand. Gohan noted that frown on Videl's only grows as time passes. "So far, all we've been doing is your grunt work!"
Instead of abolishing or arguing against it, Gohan nods in agreement. "Well, you're technically right,"
Videl was visibly seething before she calmed down. "Technically?"
"This training might seem like grunt work. But, you're all closer to unlocking your power. Now, for this routine, we'll be taking the water to my families' shrine," Gohan said.
"Where is it?" Sandbar asks.
"It's about two miles north of our house," A fresh round of bemoaning sounded off. "Also, flyers can use their wings. However, you have to flap at the same pace as use on the ground,"
Goten became excited as he stood next to his older brother. "Can we do the Skipping song?"
"Sure thing, sport, Let's begin!"
"Yeah! Skip, two, three, four. Skip, two, three, four," Goten got into a rhythm while skipping ahead.
"Golly, that looks like fun!" Cozy said, landing beside Goten. "Skip, two, three, four. Skip, two, three, four!"
"More like embarrassing..." Gallus grumbles, but he stumbles and nearly drops his container. Yona was doing the yak version of skipping. That meant jumping on the ground hard enough to make it tremble. "Yona!"
"What? Yona like the skipping dance," She proceeds to follow along while everyone gives her some space so they can walk.
The griffins grumble again while joining Silverstream and Ocellus in the air. The trip was pleasant for a quarter of the path. Then, all the pleasantries turned into agony. It was a common reoccurring theme at this point. Gohan, Goten, and Scootaloo were fine with the pacing. But the students struggled with each flap and step. Cozy Glow long gave up skipping and relied on her wings. Gallus, Ocellus, and Silverstream found themselves grounded. Yona and Sandbar had it the worst. There was a copious amount of sweat. Videl was struggling again. Her face was flush from the heat and exhaustion of her task. But, a force determination was still present in her eyes. After two more hours, the group made it to the Son family shrine.
Gohan and Goten step to their shrine and open the doors. "It's dark in here," Silverstream said.
"Let me guess: we have to travel across the continent to find a light source," Gallus said flippantly.
Goten moves past everyone to the center of the room. He pours the contents inside a well as Gohan does the same. "Fill this well with the water. After that, we'll only have one more thing to do today. Oh, and don't worry about the lights. Goten, you want to do the honors?"
"Yeah!" Goten exclaimed, moving in front of the well as everyone added their water. Goten closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Bringing up his hands, Goten forms a small ball of Ki. He raises it above his head before pulling his arms apart. The orb breaks into three parts while following his hand motions. The Ki orbs dance around his body like fireflies. The room was silent - transfixed on Goten's every move - as if watching a play. Goten began shooting mini Ki blast in random directions. Each of the shots finding an unlit candle. For the finale, Goten extends his arms outward, firing the two original Ki orbs. They struck two pyres as the third one calmly sinks into the water-- giving it an alluring glow. Goten concludes his ritual with a bow of respect. "How was that?"
"...Amazing..." Videl was the first to say.
Bashful, Goten rubs the back of his head. "Hehe, it was nothing,"
Cozy Glow was in Goten's face faster than he could blink. "Nothing? That was amazing! Golly, I can't wait to do that myself. Do you think you could show me again later?"
The previous bashfulness grew in volume. "Um, sure!"
"So, what was that?" Ocellus asks.
"That was a ritual my grandpa practices. He taught my dad, and dad taught me..." Gohan goes over pats Goten on the head, earning a giggle. "...And I taught it to Goten. It's a song of respecting the departed and showing personal growth. When you all unlock your Ki, I'd like for you all to try it,"
The students' attitude seems to uplift after that. "So, what do we do now teach?" Gallus asks with a smile.
"Now, we try again. Come sit in front of the shrine," Following Gohan's instruction, everyone sat in a circle. "This time, try and relax. Don't force it or strain yourself. Drawing your energy is as natural as breathing air,"
Gohan carefully observed the group. The mood was different than when they first started. Everyone was more focused, yet relaxed. He could feel their Ki energies surging more to the surface. It was no longer a matter of if they would as it was now who would be first. The answer came in the form of a nudge to the arm. Gohan looks to Scootaloo, who gestures to the young changeling. The nymph in question had her eyes shut. There was a subtle twitch of her wings every so often. But, what drew Gohan's attention was her horn. It was glowing with magic, but trace amounts of Ki energy that was steadily growing. Gohan leans in with a smirk on his face. Ocellus Ki began to shape into a ball above her horn as Goten took notice.
"Hey, you're doing it!" Goten exclaimed.
Ocellus opens her eyes and looks at her horn. A bright smile spreads forms on her features. "I did it?" Looking for confirmation, Gohan and Scootaloo nod.
"Whelp, that's one," Scootaloo stated.
"I did it. I did it. I did it!!!" Silverstream exclaim, holding a ball of Ki. She brought it close to her face. "It's so shiny like the glow fish, but I can make it!"
A scoff drew their attention to Gallus. He was holding a ball of Ki of his own. "I don't see what the big deal is about making a ball. Magic, Ki, it's all the same," Despite his indifferent tone, Gallus couldn't hide his sense of accomplishment.
"Am I doing it right, Goten?" Cozy Glow said.
Goten takes a few steps back from how close Cozy Glow was to him. "Y-yeah, that's fine,"
"So, this is what a unicorn feels like when they're doing their magic tricks," Sandbar said, mesmerized by his ball.
"The shiny ball is too small. Can Yona make it bigger?"
"Well, yeah, but you should take it slow--" Yona didn't hear as she pours more power into her ball. The result was oblivious as the ball grew too large for a novice to handle. Thus, it flew out of the yak's hands, destroying a portion of the shrines' roof in the process. "--Before an accident might happen..."
"...Sorry..."
"I suppose this place was due for a remodeling," Gohan said. The broken roof didn't dampen his mood at all as he looked around. However, he grew concerned when Videl was the only one not holding a ball of Ki. Scootaloo notices this too and frowns.
'It doesn't look like she can do it," Scootaloo said telepathically.
'We don't know that for sure,' Gohan defended.
Scootaloo was about to retort when a small light began to form in Videl's palms. She had done it. "It feels warm..." Videl softly said. She lets out a breath of relief before turning to everyone present. There was no longer a frown adorning her features, but a grateful smile. "So, what's next, teach?"
Scootaloo shot up from her position as she spoke. "What else? It's time to hit the skies!"
[Dragonlands - Throne room.]
Smolder drew a ragged breath as she kneeled on the ground. Her stomach felt like ground beef, and her scales adorned scoff marks. 'Hurts! Everything hurts!!!' She thought. 'Stupid test. Stupid tournament! Stupid Dragon--'
A sharp and condescending voice interrupted her thoughts. "Is that it? That's all you have to offer?" She lifts her head to glare at the one causing her misery. Spike shakes his head as a chuckle escapes his snout. "See, I don't get it. I made you my student because you had potential, despite who your brother was, and you fail my test seven times! Does that reflect on my teachings, or are you a failure?"
It took a moment for Smolder to catch her breath. "You kept changing the course! It got harder and harder each time! How can I beat three adult dragons by myself?!" Smolder looks over to the Dragonlord as if expecting back up. However, Ember looks on impassively.
Spike nods in agreement. He began walking around Smoulder as if stalking his next meal. "That's right. Do you think the tournament will go the way you want it? Do you know whose going to be there? I can tell you this; your opponents will be worth a thousand dragons easy. I was in the finals, you know. I expect you - as my student - to win!" Spike stops in front of Smolder and glares down at her Smolder seen a lot of dragons size each other up. She's done so herself on several occasions. Yet, looking into Spike's eyes made her want to run away. "Or am I wasting time with you? Are you a mighty dragon, or a weak hatchling?"
Smolder snarls at this. "I'm not weak..."
"Really? You're looking weak right now. Maybe you want your brother to take over? Oh, wait, I forgot. He's more worthless than you are right now,"
Smolder shot up, glaring balefully at her teacher. "SHUT UP!!!"
"Make me!"
At that moment, a white aura with dark orange whips shot from Smolder's body. She opens her maw as energy gathers from within it. Ember stands up and forms a shield around the two. Smolder hardly cared for the precautions. She only wanted payback. She flung her head forward as a beam reports from her maw. Spike smirks as he brings up his guard. The beam connects and echoes throughout the throne room. The blast slowly subsides as Ember deactivates her barrier. Spike stood with his arms across his face. Several smoke trails were coming off his body, but he was unhurt. Smolder huffs angrily at her attack's ineffectiveness. She was about to attack again when Spike started laughing. He brings his arms down to reveal a toothy grin.
"Better, Smolder, better. Remember that feeling - that power - that's what it will take to win! Now..." Spike took a combat stance as his aura flares outward. "Round 2?"
"Gladly!"
As the two engaged, Ember stares longingly at her mate. Spike has been getting more and more competitive as the tournament drew closer. She regarded his current and past actions, which made her concerned grow. "What happened to you, Spike?"
[Son Family Shrine.]
"Was this how you started flying, Gohan?" Sweetie Belle asks. She was back with the rest of the herd.
"Well, my first flying experience was harrowing, to say the least..." Gohan said, thinking back when he met with Piccolo.
The students stood in a line. Each of them trying various ways to attain flight. Videl stood stiff as broad as she balanced on the tip of her shoes. She looked more like she was trying to stretch herself out, rather than trying to fly. Sandbar took the process further by reaching for the sky. Goten's method involved hopping up and down. It wasn't a problem until Yona decided to join him, which threw everyone off because of the shaking. The four flyers had it the worst. They used their wings several times during the exercise, completely ignoring using their Ki. After a few minutes of this, Scootaloo stops them.
"Alright, stop! You're all doing it wrong!" Scootaloo said. She walks up to the flyers to set them straight. "Having working wings makes this harder, huh? I get it, but you have to ignore the impulse to flap,"
"Easy for you to say," Gallus stated. "You've been using this Ki stuff far longer than any of us,"
"I have to agree. It's hard for those of us able to use our wings to switch them off," Cozy Glow said.
Scootaloo arches a brow at the phrasing before brushing it off. Then, an idea came to her. "You're right. So, let's fixed that problem," She holds up her hand and makes four rings made of Ki. The rings shot out and bind themselves to the student's wings. "There. Now you have to use your Ki unless you like being flightless for the rest of your lives," Scootaloo laughs as the former flyers assault her with protests.
"That's plum mean, Scoots," Applebloom said. Scootaloo's response was to stick her tongue out at her.
"Maybe, but Scootaloo has the right idea," Gohan said, gaining the attention. "Flying and hopping are to different things. And you won't get anywhere by stretching," Sandbar had the good sense to look embarrassed. Videl merely glares with a blush on her cheeks. "Use your energy,"
Everyone nods in understanding and tries again. However, Goten was the first to take flight. His power flowed from his feet, pushing the grass away from him as he started to rise. By the time everyone looked over to him, Goten was high above their head. "Look, Gohan, I'm flying. I'm flying!!!"
"No way..." Gallus said in disbelief.
"Come on, flyers! You going to let a kid show you up?" Scootaloo taunted.
Scootaloo's jeering was what the flyers needed. Ocellus began to levitate first - followed by Cozy Glow - then Gallus and Silverstream. "Whoa! Flying without flapping is like swimming!" Silverstream said, performing several backstrokes.
"At least one of us is having fun!" Gallus exclaimed. He was drifting upwards as he spun in the air.
Cozy flew up to Goten as he was doing loop-de-loops. She giggles to herself as she went to tap his back. "Tag, you're it!"
"Hey! No fair!" Goten shouted before giving chase. The giddy pegasi blow a raspberry as she retreats.
"Look! Look! Yona is a fancy dancer!"
"That's ballerina, Yona," Sandbar said, holding the yak above his head as a ballerina duo would.
"Wow, that's amazing! You guys are using you're energy like you were pros,"
"GOHAN! DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME!!!" Videl shouted, making everyone flinch.
"Urgh! Listen to that entitlement..." Diamond Tiara scoffs.
"Someone doesn't like being ignored..." Silverspoon added.
"Hehe, sorry about that, Videl. Just focus on your Ki," Gohan said. Videl takes a deep breath and tries again. Much like Goten, the grass flows beneath her. She levitates an inch off the ground before reaching one foot. Gohan couldn't contain his excitement for much longer. "That's it, Videl! You're doing it! Hahahaha!!!"
"Gohan, I'm trying to concentrate," Videl said as she floated back down.
"Congratulations, Videl. You may have been the last, but you're still one of the few humans to fly," Cozy Glow said.
"I guess this means you're going off on your own?" Gohan asks.
Videl quietly pulls out her capsule case. "I'll be back tomorrow,"
"Really? You know how to bring out your Ki now. I recommend some private study--"
"I want to make sure I got this flying thing down," Videl response sharply before glaring at Gohan. "Or, is my presence here a problem?"
Diamond and silver both open their mouths only for Sweetie and Applebloom to stop them. "Nope, just as long as you don't slow us down," Scootaloo teased.
"Trust me when I say you'll be the one eating my dust," Videl said.
"One last thing, Videl. I should cut your hair," Gohan said.
"Hmm? My hair?"
"It might better short,"
By now, the students and Gohan's herd was observing the scene. Videl took her locks in her hands as a small blush form on her face. "Do you mean you like girls with short hair. Gohan?"
Before Gohan could answer, a deathly chill crept up his spine. "I'd like to know that as well," Scootaloo said in a low tone.
"When did our mane style lose your interest?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"N-no, that not what I mean!" Gohan said.
"Then what do you mean?" Silverspoon asks.
"Yeah, is our manes too long, or do you prefer human mares?" Diamond Tiara said.
"No, of course not! No human girl could hold a candle to you girls," Gohan said, making the situation worse.
Videl lost her dreamy gaze and brought back her frown. "Excuse me!"
"Wait. That's not-- I mean, all I am saying is that your hair would be easy to grab in a fight--"
Videl snarls as her face turned redder. "WHY DON"T YOU LEAVE ME AND MY HAIR ALONE, YOU BIG JERK!!!!" With that said, Videl storms off the shrine in her vehicle, leaving a very confused and flustered Gohan.
"Now Ya went and done it," Applebloom said in disapproval,
"W-what did I do-- Ow!?" Gohan yelps as Scootaloo whips his back before leaving. "Scoots-- Ow!" Another two whips from Diamond and Silver as they followed Scootaloo. "Will you tell me what I did-- Ouch!!" Sweetie Belle huffed as she followed behind the others. Gohan rubs his back as Applebloom stands in front of him. Applebloom smirks and grabs his cheeks. Goan began to relax until Applebloom's tail whipped his backside from between his legs.
"Clueless," Applebloom said before joining the others.
"Um, what's going on?" Goten asks.
"Yeah, Yona don't understand,"
"Me neither," Silverstream added.
"I'll have to ask the professors about these emotions," Ocellus noted.
"A crummy romance drama?" Gallus huffs.
"It's okay, Goten. Gohan just doesn't understand a mare's heart," Cozy Glow said.
"Say, teach, are you going to be okay?" Sandbar asks.
"I. Don't. KNOW!!!" Gohan whimpers.