"And that's it." Rainbow Dash finished. She and Fluttershy were talking about their training to their companions while Mr. Popo prepared the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for the next visit.
"It sounds quite challenging." Rarity commented with the slow nods of the four who had already entered the room of spirit and time.
"It was... interesting." Fluttershy responded with her usual shyness, a trait she hadn't lost in her year of training. "I found it very difficult for the first few months but it got easier as time went by."
"I wouldn't worry about it for you two." Rainbow Dash said, gazing over at Rarity and Twilight who both looked concerned as they knew they were next. "Me and Fluttershy are both used to being in the air so the tough gravity was a huge problem with us as we couldn't fly. You on the other hand could probably use your magic to nullify the gravity when you need to."
Twilight gave Rainbow an impressed look, "If it wasn't for the fact that you had a whole year to get smarter I would have questioned the major intelligence of your statement, Rainbow."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow laughed.
The small reunion of the six friends was interrupted by the reappearance of Mr. Popo, "I am sorry to interrupt your conversations, but I would like to inform Twilight Sparkle and Rarity that the Hyperbolic Time Chamber is now ready. I suggest you say your goodbyes quickly and follow me." The genie explained, turning around and walking towards the inner palace.
Applejack sighed, "That sucks. I thought we'd have a little more time to chat again. For some of us, we haven't seen each other for a whole year."
The guardians of Equestria said their goodbyes for another year (a day in some cases) and Twilight and Rarity followed the mysterious black genie to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber where they would spend the next year doing something they never thought they'd do; fight.
"You're the manifestation of chaos itself. You're more vile than Discord ever was when he was on the side of evil." The imprisioned princess growled.
Rakosh grinned as he continued to maintain the spell holding the powerful magic user in place, "Don't flatter me, princess. And I must ask, why do you even bother talking? Everything you've said about me being the bringer of death and most recently, the manifestation of chaos has achieved nothing other than satisfy me greatly. These titles are splendid, please keep them coming."
Celestia closed her eyes and sighed, "I just wondered if there was any of the old you left inside. What came over you, Rakosh? You were once one of the bravest and most loyal of warriors in the kingdom. Your betrayal hurt my father more than words can describe. He considered you the son he never had."
The words of a saddened princess hit deep within the demon king's minds, awakening locked away memories that he had desperately tried to avoid unleashing. He stopped abruptly and his flaming body began to shake. However, within seconds his facial expression turned to that of anger and the demon lord clenched his fists as he bottled away what made him weak. He turned towards the princess and smiled, "Nice try, but you can't break me that easily."
"Incredible. If for a split second I felt the energy signature of the old Rakosh. The pure side; the one that my sister fell in love with. He has to be in there somewhere. He has to be!" Celestia thought to herself with a carefully hidden smile. If she could just aid Rakosh's struggle to gain control over his evil personality then she could prevent anymore destruction and mark the return of a great warrior to their side.
Her recent attempt at restoration caused a flood of old memories to reappear and implant themselves within the core of her thoughts...
Rakosh stood tall and proud on a balcony overlooking the kingdom he sought to defend. Only recently had he just stopped an attempted assassination on the wise king and the people praised him. The night stars shone over him and the night sky looked even more beautiful than before; perhaps a reward for his participation in the war effort from his dearest Princess Luna.
"Hi there, Rakosh." A younger and teenaged Celestia said, walking out of the palace and onto Rakosh's balcony.
"Greetings, Princess Celestia. May I aid you in any way?" He asked before turning around and bowing to the princess of the sun as he usually did.
Celestia giggled, "You don't have to treat me like I'm your superior just because I'm a princess. We're friends, treat me like one. It's embarrassing."
Rakosh nodded and returned the laughter, "Of course. My dearest apologises."
The sun princess rolled her eyes, "At least the war hasn't hindered your kind personality."
"The war is not an issue, remember that princess. We shall win this war. At this point of time, we've won nearly every single battle we've been in. It is only a matter of time before we assault Discord's citadel and restore peace to the innocent victims of his kingdom. That tyrant must fall." The general said his speech heroically and with pride.
"I know. I am certain we can't lose. Anyway, I came here to tell you that my father has requested you investigate some reported sightings of Discord's followers lurking outside the city. He is certain they are spies." Celestia explained the situation to the general of Twilight.
Rakosh bowed once more to the messenger, "Very well. Tell Luna I will return to her side within the next hour."
The young Celestia watched as the general left the palace and trotted towards the disturbances rumored to be held outside the citadel alongside some of his most loyal warriors.
And that was the last time Princess Celestia ever saw Rakosh until his reappearance on this very day. She remembered how she took the news of his betrayal and the annihilation of the army in the north east. She and her sister were busy helping out a poor village when the messenger gave them the grave news.
His appearance today was unusual and very different to his previous form. His figure was similar to that of the earthlings as he walked on his back legs. However, his skin was bright red and covered in molten flames.
The only way she recognized him was his voice; it didn't change at all. The demon shared the once calm and friendly voice she had grown to admire.
Her concentration shivered when she heard the same voice she was imagining, "So, Princess Celestia. We have arrived, watch now as I decimate the town you call Ponyville. I hope you enjoy it."
Several hours had passed since the two unicorns left to begin their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Piccolo had ordered the boys to perform yet another Fusion Dance, this time as Super Saiyans.
Gohan was ready for any disobedience; he was ready to take off and catch Gotenks if he decided to fly off.
The two boys performed the dance somewhat hesitantly with Piccolo and Gohan's keen eyes glaring onto them. Thankfully, this didn't disrupt the technique and it was a success.
Piccolo stared at the powerful fighter, "Tell me, do you have any self control?"
Gotenks looked up at Piccolo and grinned for a few seconds. Suddenly, he took off from the ground and charged at Gohan, leaving a direct punch to his chest. Chi Chi and the rest of the Z fighter supporters could only gasp in surprise at this strange turn of events.
Gohan guarded himself against the flurry of attacks coming his way from the fused warrior, "Gotenks?! What's happened to you? Why are you attacking me?"
Gotenks stopped and spoke, "If I can't fight Buu, I'll test my new strength on you!"
The eldest son of Goku calmed down and smiled, "I suppose Trunks inherited a lot of Vegeta. Bring it on."
Gotenks charged up an energy blast within a second and fired it at Gohan, who deflected it with ease. The Mystic powered warrior used the smoke created by the attack to use a basic instantaneous movement technique to teleport behind Gotenks. He delivered a quick elbow to the back without even turning around.
This attack hit a pressure point on Gotenks and his Super Saiyan aura faded out instantly and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.
"G-Gohan!" Piccolo yelled out. "I... I knew you were stronger, but not this strong!"
"Keep it mind Gotenks hasn't had his time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train his new body and develop new moves and techniques." Gohan commented.
Gohan's former master smiled and nodded, "I see. I predict the boy will awake in a few minutes. My suggestion would be to keep training the two until it's their time in the chamber. A head start will do them good."
"Of course. He will be one of many instruments leading the way to Majin Buu's defeat. I'm certain I could have defeated Buu with ease if he just hadn't absorbed that dragon. I'll need the hidden power dwelling within Gotenks by my side if we are to stand a chance against Buu's extraordinary powers."
Gohan was distracted by a faint tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw someone who gave him a smile. Videl smiled at Gohan, "Hi there. You've been on this lookout for a few days and you haven't even gave me a proper conversation. Thanks."
Gohan tried to look as innocent as he could, "Well... uhm... you know, I was busy... with other things?"
Videl let out a sigh of relief, "At least you haven't changed. You seemed so different recently. I guess the fate of the world can really put its toll on you."
Before the half saiyan could respond, his eyes got distracted by something and he suddenly gazed up towards the sky, "What's that?"
Piccolo glared at his former student, "What's the matter, Gohan?"
"I don't know. I just felt a faint power level lurking somewhere in space. It's very strong. For some reason, I can't sense it now, how bizarre. I guess it's nothing, though."
"It appears we have underestimated Gohan."
"Yes, we got too close to Earth that we got within his sensing range."
"How is the training of our newest recruit going?"
"He was a little hard to control at first, but when we mentioned that he would finally get his revenge on Kakarot, he reluctantly agreed to have our training. His power is massive, we've had to repair the training chamber a few times because of his brute strength. It's amazing yet terrifying."
"Very good, his destructive power will prove very useful when the war begins. The mass power of the other recruits we have gathered from hell will also prove instrumental in our victory."
"Sir, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, what is it? Be quick."
"I'm not trying to question your tactics, but why not attack the Earth now? We'd have the element of surprise since they are all focusing on the threat of Majin Buu."
"I understand your reasoning, but my strength is on par with the strength of Gohans and I must get stronger before I face him in battle in case of that chance that overpowers me. Our other warriors must grow stronger as well to face the other warriors such as Gotenks, Piccolo and the Bearers of Harmony."
"Very well sir, time is of the essence."
"It is. Do not worry, by the time they have defeated Buu and are recovering, they'll be at their weakest. We'll swoop in and secure the destruction of Planet Earth. It will be a day to remember. Once our victory is ensured, no one will be able to stop my crusade from conquering the universe with the strongest fighters of justice out of the picture."