"The princess wants us in Canterlot again?" Gohan asked.

"Yes, and we have to hurry! To the train!" Twilight said, running to the train.

Gohan flew and grabbed Twilight to take her to the train station.

***

Gohan and Twilight entered the room.

"I'm prepared for this test, Princess Celestia!" Twilight said, showing all her supplies.

"This is a different kind of test." Celestia said, putting Twilight's supplies back in her saddlebag.

"The Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked.

She frantically looked through her books.

"I'm sorry, I thought I had studied! I don't think there's anything in my books that-" "There wouldn't be." Celestia said.

"Few remember it ever existed at all." Celestia said, using her magic to levitate a crystal.

"What's important about the Crystal Empire?" Gohan asked.

The crystal was laid on the floor, to reveal what was the Crystal Empire. It was beautiful, even showing the crystal ponies.

"I do not know much. But I know it contains a powerful magic." Celestia said.

"1000 Years ago, King Sombra, who's heart was as black as night, took over the Crystal Empire." Celestia said.

The Crystal Empire projection turned into a wasteland.

Then a projection of King Sombra appeared.

The Crystal Empire was ruled by an evil looking guy, according to Gohan.

Crystal ponies were slaves to Sombra.

"He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow." Celestia said, showing a projection of her and Luna destroying Sombra.

"He was banished to the ice of the Arctic North. But not before he put a curse upon the empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air." Celestia said.

The projection of the Crystal Empire disappeared.

Celestia raised the gem with her magic.

"If the empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria." She said, making the gem shine rainbows.

"If hatred and fear take hold..." Celestia said, using dark magic to create dark crystals around Twilight and Gohan.

She destroyed them soon after.

"Which is why I need your help to find a way to protect it." Celestia said.

"You want me to help protect an entire empire?" Twilight asked.

"It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass." Celestia said.

Twilight seemed doubtful, but soon turned serious. "How do I begin?" She asked.

"By joining Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire." Celestia said.

"My brother's there?" Twilight asked.

"He is. And your Ponyville friends will join you as well." Celestia said.

"So, we just need to keep hatred from entering the Crystal Empire?" Gohan asked.

"Correct." Celestia said.

They walked/trotted away from the throne room.

"I believe you will succeed. And when you do, You'll be on the next level of your studies." Celestia said.

Luna was waiting outside.

She had a serious face towards Twilight.

Gohan scowled at her because he thought it was a contest.

"But what if I fail?" Twilight asked.

"You won't." Celestia said.

"But... What if?-" Twilight after before Celestia put a hoof on Twilight.

"You won't." She said.

Gohan and Luna were having a scowling staring contest at this point.

"That's enough you two." Celestia said, giggling afterwards.

"Good game!" Gohan said with a smile.

"As to you." Luna said with a smile.

"Now Gohan, you will be a great addition to Twilight's journey. However, it is her alone who can assist Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the empire." Celestia said.

"Alright." Gohan said.

"Do you two understand?" Celestia asked.

"Yes!" Twilight said.

"Yes, ma'am!" Gohan said, saluting the princesses.

"Then go. There is no time to lose." Celestia said, closing the doors.

"Don't worry, you can do it." Gohan said.

"I hope..." Twilight said.

***

Spike, Gohan and the Mane 6 were all on their way to the Crystal Empire. On a train.

They got off at the Frozen North.

"Hah. I packed many scarves." Rarity said.

Spike was carrying Rarity's stuff. There were many suitcases and bags.

"Uh... Do you need help?" Gohan asked.

"No... I can... Do this..." Spike said.

"Twilight!" Shining Armor called.

He was approaching in a mask.

"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked.

"Twily, you made it!" He said.

They hugged.

"We better get moving. There are things we can run into that we don't want to run into after dark." Shining Armor said.

"What kind of things?" Fluttershy asked, scared.

"Let's just say... The empire isn't the only thing that's returned." Shining Armor said.

"Okay, let's go." Gohan said.

"Oh, Gohan! Didn't even notice you!" Shining Armor said.

"Let's get going before the frostbite hits you." Gohan said.

"What about you?" Twilight asked.

"This is not cold for me." Gohan said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's a breeze." Rainbow Dash said.

***

As the Mane 6, Spike, Gohan and Shining Armor traveled, they were hit by tremendous weather.

Gohan was the only one unfazed.

"Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's unicorn who originally cursed the place!" Shining Armor said.

"But Princess Celestia said I was centered to find a way to protect the empire! If King Sombra can't get in, it must already be protected!" Twilight said.

A loud howl was heard.

A high strength could be sensed by Gohan.

"We have to get to the Crystal Empire, now!" Shining Armor said.

A dark magic figure appeared.

It was smoke, practically.

"That's it." Shining Armor said.

"GO! I'll take it on!" Gohan yelled, running in front of the figure.

The others already ran.

However, the figure blasted rocks of some sort at the others.

Gohan blasted them away.

Gohan blasted the weird dust magic thing away.

But it was coming back.

It shot out weird rocks if some sort at Gohan's hands.

Gohan tried blasting him again, but it didn't work!

"What!?" Gohan asked.

The figure was closing in.

He smashed the figure with his fists, but it turned whole again and seemed unfazed.

"So it's a spirit!" Gohan said, flying away.

It was chasing Gohan.

"Time to leave! SOLAR FLARE!" Gohan said, performing the Solar Flare.

The figure shrieked.

Gohan flew away, where the others were.

***

They entered the barrier around the Crystal Empire.

The Mane 6 and Spike marveled at the Crystal Empire.

Gohan arrived shortly after.

"Gohan! What happened back there?" Twilight asked.

"I think that thing's a spirit. No wonder I couldn't destroy it with just a few simple blasts. I couldn't use my ki with my hands... Let me try again." Gohan said.

Gohan powered up, and it didn't remove the rocks.

"Okay, let's try THIS!" Gohan said, turning Super Saiyan.

This got the rocks off.

"Okay, I got it." He said.

"Gohan, just look at how amazing the Crystal Empire looks!" Rarity said, pointing her hoof at it.