Everyone, including Gohan, Goten, the two princesses, Mane 6, Starlight and Sunburst were in Canterlot's throne room.

Apparently Sunburst had brought some sort of book belonging to Star Swirl the Bearded.

Celestia and Luna were reading it.

"I've always wondered what happened to Star Swirl. This is quite a discovery, Sunburst." Celestia said.

"So it's genuine? You can verify that this journal really belonged to Star Swirl the Bearded!?" Twilight asked with enthusiasm.

"Indeed. From the looks of it, the last thing he wrote before facing the Pony of Shadows." Luna said, reading the book.

"Uh... So, the Pony of Shadows was really real?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It appears so." Celestia said.

"We never met the other Pillars, and we were too young to understand the danger they faced." Luna said.

"Hold on a second now. All those legendary ponies were real, too? And they went off with Star Swirl to face the Pony of Shadows, and then none of them were ever heard from again?" Applejack said.

"Uh, yeah. Weren't you listening?" Pinkie asked.

"I've heard of the Pony of Shadows in theory, but now that it's real... Well, it can't be so bad now." Gohan said.

"But what happened to them all?" Fluttershy asked.

"They must have defeated the villain, since Equestria is still full of light and hope." Rarity said.

"That wouldn't be the case without an alien or two. Or three, I guess." Rainbow Dash said.

'You told them about my intervention?' Goku asked.

'I'm surprised you know that word. Yeah, I did.' Gohan said.

"Well... Eh... I wouldn't be around if you hadn't taken care of me, so... It's you guys?" Gohan asked.

"Don't make us seem like saints." Applejack said.

"Can we change the subject?" Goten asked.

"Where did they go?" Starlight asked, doing just that.

"My Olde Ponish is a bit rusty, but I wonder if the answers can be found somewhere within the pages of this book." Celestia said.

"Olde Ponish! I love Olde Ponish!" Gohan and Twilight happened to say excitedly at the same time.

"You studied Olde Ponish?" Everyone but Goten asked.

"Does that actually come as a surprise to you all?" Gohan asked.

"...Actually, it shouldn't." Fluttershy said.

"I guess we have two Olde Ponish experts in here! But I've memorized every one of Star Swirl's ancient texts!" Twilight said.

"Same here." Gohan said.

"Oh yeah?" Twilight asked with a smirk.

"Oh, now you've done it!" Rainbow Dash said.

***

"Huh. I guess you were right." Twilight said.

"That was torture." Rainbow Dash said.

'I'm sorry, what just happened? I don't speak spaghetti.' Goku said.

"With a brain that can perceive actions exponentially faster than anypony, it should really come as no surprise." Luna said.

"I study a lot." Gohan said.

'Just like Mom would've wanted me to!' He thought.

'You mean not turn into... I think she called me a delinquent. Yeah, a delinquent?' Goku asked.

'Exactly.' Gohan said.

"We have fond memories of our old teacher. If you could discover what happened to him, we would be most grateful." Luna said.

"Solving a thousands-year-old mystery could take forever! Think of the research! The re-reading! The re-re-reading!" Sunburst asked with enthusiasm with the reading.

"I know!" Gohan, Twilight and Goten said, squealing like little girls.

"You might find you need help." Celestia said.

"Luckily, she's got a whole bushel o' helpers right here." Applejack said.

"Totally! Uh... how long will all this research take, exactly?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, according to my-" "NO! In English!" Rainbow Dash said.

"About nineteen-" "In French!" Rainbow Dash interrupted, trying to get him to shush.

"Vu la taille de sa bibliothèque, les vitesses de mon frère et de moi, et la vitesse moyenne d'un poney, cela devrait nous prendre environ dix-neuf minutes." Gohan said.

...

Everyone around him was just shocked.

"...What? I gave her the translation." Gohan said.

"I didn't expect you to speak French!" Twilight said.

"My last Christmas apart from killing Santa with my dad, Piccolo, my real dad and my other friends consisted of reading Moby Dick in French. Before that my mother made me learn more eight languages." Gohan said.

"What eight?" Twilight asked.

"No!" Everyone else except Gohan and Goten yelled.

"Tell me when we get home." Goten said.

'Me too! I forgot that you learned that much.' Goku said.

***

Now they were at the Temple of Ponhenge.

Well, everyone excluding the two princesses.

Twilight was carrying the book which had the answers.

And Goten found it!

And Gohan managed to read the sloppy writing.

"This is Ponhenge?" Goten asked.

"Think of it as the mountain dad used to go fishing on when he was your age." Gohan said.

"What kind of dad does that!?" Rainbow Dash asked.

'This one! I used to think women had weiners.' Goku said.

'Irrelevant.' Gohan said.

'I don't know what that means, but I feel hungry for the first time.' Goku said.

'Speaking of which... Same here.' Gohan said.

'Huh. I guess it runs on your hunger.' Goku said.

"I've never seen magical runes like these before! Have you?" Sunburst asked.

"Uh-uh." Twilight said.

"I don't think anypony's seen any of this for a LONG time." Rainbow Dash said, trying to pull off a vine.

She failed and landed in a bush.

Applejack pulled her out.

"It'd take a whole team of ponies to clear away all this brush." She said.

Goku was internally laughing.

"I mean, we do have them." Pinkie said, pointing at the family.

"I'm not sure we'd find out what happened here over a thousand years ago." Fluttershy said.

"I agree. If we just move stuff around, we might not even find anything new. We might even destroy evidence." Gohan said.

Twilight put her book on one of the runes.

"You're right. I suppose it was a long shot." She said, suddenly giving up.

"I guess I hoped we'd get here and the mystery would just magically be explained." She said.

Then her book started glowing.

Then it opened and Star Swirl the Bearded came out of it!

A projection, really.

"Star Swirl!? I... I've wanted to meet you my whole life! I can't believe you're here!" Twilight fangirled.

"I don't think he's really there... It's probably an illusion or a projection." Gohan said.

"I don't think any of them are!" Sunburst said.

Then ponies started appearing on all the runes.

Then Star Swirl blasted his horn at the middle, creating...

The Pony of Shadows!?

He laughed evilly.

"You summon me at your peril, Star Swirl! Once I defeat all of you, this realm will embrace the darkness as I did so long ago!" He yelled before roaring.

All the ponies backed away, but the Saiyans looked closer in astonishment.

The other ponies were caught in some sort of rope.

And they struggled to even stand...

"Drawing me here will only make me stronger. You will never defeat me!" The Pony of Shadows said.

"We did not come here to defeat you." Star Swirl said, breaking the rope, or vine, actually.

He used a projection of Twilight's book to free everyone else.

The items they held were glowing, and formed a gem.

"What... What are you doing!?" The Pony of Shadows asked.

"We came to contain you." Star Swirl said.

They all rose, and the Pony of Shadows yelled and then they all blew up and then the various items fell and then they cracked into nothing.

Confused yet?

...

"Well, you did ask for a magical explanation." Pinkie said.

"Uh... What just happened?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It looked like Star Swirl cast a spell that banished the Pony of Shadows." Starlight said.

"Of course! Powerful magic like that would leave an impression on this place. Bringing the book back here let us see what happened." Sunburst said.

"Which was what?" Applejack asked.

"Star Swirl and the rest of the Pillars sacrificed themselves to save Equestria." Twilight said.

***

Back at Twilight's castle...

"It's amazing to think one of the greatest mysteries of Equestria was solved with a musty old book from an antique shop." Starlight said.

"It's amazing to think anyone can fly without wings." Rainbow Dash said.

"And be faster than-" She said, before Gohan covered her mouth.

"We already went over this. You are faster." He lied.

"Then what happened here just a few hours ago!?" Sunburst asked.

"I can read faster, but travel speed is more her thing." Gohan said.

"I know I've finished one of Star Swirl's spells before, but this one was on a whole different level! Was it an explosion of magical feedback? An evocation? A kind of incantation? It's Star Swirl, so the possibilities are endless! And once Gohan set me on the right track with his crazy hornwriting-" Twilight said before laughing and snorting.

"I mean, he was a genius, so I guess we can forgive a little messiness- I went through the journal again, and it's amazing!" She said.

"Twilight, darling. We understand you're excited, but that's all we understand." Rarity said.

"What exactly is so amazing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"What!? Only how Star Swirl and the other Pillars sent the Pony of Shadows to limbo!" Gohan said.

"They did what now?" Applejack asked.

'I remember when Master Roshi was sent to limbo.' Goku said.

Twilight and Gohan pulled out a tiny replica they happened to make of the runes.

"They used their magic to open a portal between worlds, to limbo, and pulled the Pony of Shadows inside." Twilight said, making the diorama explode.

"Your diorama!" Rarity said.

"We made more!" Gohan said, pulling out yet another.

"They're over there, too." Twilight said, pointing at the arts and crafts Picasso.

"Star Swirl thought the only way to trap the Pony of Shadows in limbo was for the Pillars to take him there." She said.

"So they got stuck, too!" Applejack said.

"The Pony of Shadows must have been really awful for them to do that." Fluttershy said.

"I suppose being trapped for all time with a super-duper bad guy in limbo might be okay if you were doing the limbo, but that's still pushing it." Pinkie said, doing the limbo.

"The thing is, I think I can get them out." Twilight said.

"Twilight, are you serious? You can save the most legendary ponies of all time?" Sunburst asked.

"I-I don't know. Opening portals between worlds didn't work out well for me. Are you sure it's safe?" Starlight asked.

"First of all, you opened portals through time. And second of all, Star Swirl wrote the spell you used to do it. If he'd been here, he could have stopped it. Equestria would be safer with him in it. We have to save him." Twilight said.

"I'm all for that, but at the same time, I don't know if that's a good idea... I mean, the Pony of Shadows can't be that bad for Goten and I, but I really don't wanna deal with that." Gohan said.

"You'd be savin' ALL the Pillars, right? A-And they disappeared ages ago." Applejack said.

"That's the thing about limbo. It isn't one place or another. It's in between, so time stands still. If we can pull them out, it'll be like they never left. I actually built a model to demonstrate-" Twilight said, before Rainbow Dash groaned and smashed her head on the table.

"What can we do to help?" Spike asked.

"If I'm right, we need to find items that are connected to the Pillars in some way." Twilight said.

"You mean, like, stuff that belonged to them?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"How would we know what to look for? Or where?" Fluttershy asked.

"Luckily, Star Swirl took a lot of notes. And I memorized them! 'My compatriots are as varied as the realm itself and hail from every corner of our land, bringing with them artifacts and talismans of great power.'" Gohan said.

The there was a glow above Gohan and Twilight that they didn't notice.

"Um... Gohan? Twilight? What are you doing?" Starlight asked.

Everyone looked up to see lights with items in them.

Those items fell to a part on the map.

...

"I guess we don't need to figure out what to get. And who to get them." Twilight said.

Gohan groaned for a moment, but perked up.

"Goten?" He asked.

"Alright!" Goten said.

Those two were out faster than you can say hi.

***

"Oh! You're back." Twilight said.

Gohan and Goten carried various items in their hands.

"Ugh. We had to do a lot to just get these, dang it!" Gohan said.

"Like what?" Starlight asked.

"I do not want to go into detail, there was something as nifty as trimming bushes and extreme as lava surfing." Gohan said.

"Okay, that sounds awesome." Rainbow Dash said.

"I nearly fried myself." Goten said.

***

They were back at the runes...

"I can't believe I'm going to meet Star Swirl the Bearded! I mean, outside my dreams." Twilight said.

"I can't believe you're actually going through with it." Starlight said.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"I'm all for pushing the envelope, obviously, but this is pretty out there for you, Twilight." Starlight said.

"What's "out there" about saving the most legendary ponies of all time from a thousands-year-old prison?" Sunburst asked.

"Well... nothing when you say it like that. Unless "the most legendary ponies of all time" knew what they were doing, and we shouldn't mess with it." Starlight said.

"I'm sure Star Swirl and the Pillars did the best they could back then, but magic has come a long way. Mostly because of the work they did." Sunburst said.

"That's true. And you did get your wings from finishing one of Star Swirl's spells." Starlight said to Twilight.

"Exactly." Twilight said.

"But then I messed with one and nearly destroyed the universe, so..." Starlight said.

"Well, more like the world. The universe is a bit of a stretch." Gohan said.

"Starlight, Star Swirl the Bearded is the greatest wizard who ever lived. The chance to have him back in Equestria is worth the risk." Twilight said.

"That's good news." Spike said.

"Otherwise, ALL THIS STUFF WE BROUGHT... Would go straight to waste." Gohan said.

"Yep! Let's do this!" Twilight said.

The unicorns and alicorn blasted their magic into the book!

The gem was formed again, and all the items flew into the sky.

A flash of light, then a bunch of ponies and boulders fell from the sky!

So Goten did freestyle ki blasts with his hands and feet to blast the boulders...

Y'know, to save the ponies.

And the rest of the Mane 6 caught the ponies before they fell to their doom.

They were all standing.

"What... What has happened...?" Star Swirl asked.

"It worked! We brought you back!" Twilight said.

"To where?" Star Swirl asked.

"You and the others have been trapped in limbo for over a thousand years, but we figured out how to get you ho-" "What!?" Star Swirl interrupted Twilight.

"No, no, no, no! You must undo what you've done!" He said.

"What? Why? I mean, I don't think I can." Twilight said.

"You cannot bring us back!" Star Swirl said.

"But I did. I brought all the Pillars back." Twilight said.

"Uh... Twilight? I don't think that was the only thing you brought back... Which is what I meant earlier." Gohan said.

There was some smoke forming in the center...

And it molded into the Pony of Shadows!

Who cackled.

"Oh no!" Twilight said.

The Pony of Shadows cackled.

"Your pitiful attempt to imprison me has failed, Star Swirl!" He said.

Star Swirl tried blasting him, but had no magic to use.

He was tapped out.

"You must return us to limbo. It's the only way to stop him." Star Swirl said.

"I only figured out how to bring you back." Twilight said.

"Working on it! No table of contents!" Sunburst said, looking through the books.

"Allow me to assist." The Pony of Shadows said.

He sent spikes everywhere!

Everyone managed to dodge.

But the book...

Was stabbed into a rune.

He exploded them all!

Now there was half a book.

More like 56.7826%, but...

"There! Without the power of Ponhenge, your banishing spell is useless!" The Pony of Shadows said.

"Please, tell me you have any form of backup!" Star Swirl pleaded to Twilight.

"I got just the guy!" Twilight said, pointing at Gohan.

Gohan sighed...

"Not on my watch!" He said, smashing his fist into his palm.

"You can't! Monkeys don't possess magic!" Star Swirl said.

...

"You know, Gohan is like, the one who defeated Nightmare Moon with us, Discord, Tirek, Frieza, and a number of other things." Rainbow Dash said.

"Wait! I want a turn!" Goten said.

"What?" Gohan asked.

"Rock paper scissors?" Goten asked.

"Fine." Gohan said.

"I can't believe that the world is in danger and they're playing Rock Paper Scissors to see who gets to save it." Starlight said.

"At this point, they don't even have to try." Applejack said.

"I win!" Gohan said.

"Aww!" Goten said, walking back.

"Is a mere monkey planning to stop me!?" The Pony of Shadows asked.

"This Saiyan/Human hybrid is GOING to stop you." Gohan said, facing him.

"Don't make me laugh!" The Pony of Shadows yelled, firing black magic at Gohan.

Gohan yelled as he uppercutted it into the sky!

He wasn't done there, he aimed his palms at the Pony of Shadows and fired a powerful blast!

He yelped.

"This monkey... He can't be this strong...!" He said.

"It's stronger than Star Swirl...!" He said.

"Extraordinary! What form of magic is this!?" Star Swirl asked.

"It isn't magic." Twilight said.

"It's a little something called ki." Goten said.

"Life energy? What tremendous life energy..." Star Swirl said, actually understanding it.

"Tapped out? My turn." Gohan said, jumping at the Pony of Shadows.

Oh damn.

I mean, DAMN!

"ATATATATATATATA!"

And he was just getting the crap beaten out of him.

Like...

I feel bad.

"H-How...!?" Star Swirl asked.

Gohan ended his tiny yet enormous assault.

"Had enough? Surrender, and you won't face death." He said.

"Even in my weakened state... He managed to stop the might of Shadows..." The Pony of Shadows said, barely standing.

"But I'm not done! Hrrragh!" He yelled, firing more black magic at Gohan.

Gohan extended a palm and calmly fired a blue blast.

It ripped through the black magic and got a direct hit on him!

Made him backflip over, if you can believe that.

"Know this, fiend! We will not rest until we find a way to return you to limbo!" Star Swirl said.

"Or take you to the place you belong!" Goten said.

"Where's that?" Star Swirl asked.

"Hell." Gohan said.

"Hell?" Star Swirl asked.

"We'll talk later." Gohan said.

The Pony of Shadows growled.

"Never! Your days of glory are through, Star Swirl. Now my dark power will reign, and you six will bow to me!" He yelled, teleporting away.

Rainbow Dash and the other Pegasus, Flash Magnus flew up to the sky.

"Uh... Where'd he go?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He escaped. Darn. I guess you have a go at him next time, Goten." Gohan said.

"That is a riddle we must unravel. And quickly." Somnambula, the Egyptian one said.

"How long have we been gone?" Mage Meadowbrook asked.

"Then my spell worked- BEFORE it was meddled with. And the realm has been at peace for a millennia!" Star Swirl said, giving Twilight the evil eye.

Twilight hid under her wing in shame.

"No it hasn't." Gohan said.

"What do you mean?" Star Swirl asked.

"Are you kidding? Enemies from not just this planet, but even space came here and threatened order!" Gohan said.

"I mean, half the time this kid had to clean up the mess, BUUUT... There was Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, King Sombra, Tirek, Frieza, everyone from hell, Janemba, Super Janemba, more, more, and I don't know what else on the other side!" Pinkie said.

"You mean to tell me Discord and Lord Tirek were taken down by this creature!?" Star Swirl asked.

"What are the names of these two creatures? They look quite adorable." Mage Meadowbrook said, squishing Goten's cheeks.

"I'm Goten! And this is my big brother, Gohan!" Goten said, patting Gohan's shoulder.

"We're Saiyan/Human hybrids." Gohan said.

"Gohan and Goten... Have you ponies played a part with their crazed adventures?" Star Swirl asked.

"Somewhat. I mean, a few times we ended up making it worse for them, but against Nightmare Moon... Yeah, I guess." Twilight said.

"If you are truly this accomplished, we will stop the Pony of Shadows twice as fast together." Flash Magnus said.

"Or with just us." Goten said.

"We shall see. It is an easy thing to SAY you have saved the world. It is quite another to do it." Star Swirl said.

"Pfft. Gohan's saved the world more than you can handle, Beardo!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Eh... P-Please don't brag on my behalf..." Gohan said.

"Galactic tyrant from space, practically his entire army, a weird monster in hell, a giant phantom Majin that was summoned again, and... Well, Discord. I mean, I don't want to list everything." Starlight said.

"Be that as it may, the problem of locating the Pony of Shadows remains, and this land is vast." Star Swirl said.

"I can't sense him either. So that's ruled out." Gohan said.

"Oh. So... What do we do?" Twilight asked.

"I got it. Travel every square inch of the land until we find him!" Goten said.

"That would take a long time, even with everyone's speed! There's also the possibility he can just hide in a shadow?" Gohan said.

"How long, exactly?" Star Swirl asked.

"Approximately-" "-NO!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

Gohan crossed his arms and pouted.

***

"We have this map to use." Rarity said.

Everyone was at the Castle of Friendship.

At the Cutie map.

"Something about this magic seems familiar..." Star Swirl said.

Star Swirl used his magic and made the Harmony Tree appear on the map.

Everyone was surprised and amazed.

"Did you know he can do that?" Rarity asked.

"He's Star Swirl! He can do anything! Well, almost anything." Twilight said.

"This map, and indeed this very castle, are grown from the seed we planted over a thousand years ago." Star Swirl said.

"Then it DID work!" Rockhoof said.

"What worked?" Sunburst asked.

"Each of us infused a crystal seed with our magic in hopes that it would grow into a force for good." Somnambula said.

"We wanted to leave something to protect the realm in our absence, but we never dreamed our gift would become so powerful." Mistmane said.

'Powerful... Eheheheh!' Goku laughed.

'To them it is, dad.' Gohan said.

"So the Elements of Harmony came from y'all?" Applejack asked.

"That's pretty amazing. Such power just from one seed." Gohan said.

'Yeah, I know. I made two~!' Goku joked.

'What are you- Oh, you're sick!' Gohan said, understanding the vulgar joke.

Goku was internally laughing.

'Don't worry! Heheh... You'll make one too! Hahahah!' He laughed.

Gohan facepalmed out of nowhere.

"Uh... Are you alright?" Mistmane asked.

"Sorry, lamenting." Gohan said.

"That doesn't sound very good." Twilight said.

"My father." Gohan said.

"Oh. Nevermind." Twilight said.

They all knew of Goku's stupidity.

Goku said so, anyway.

"Anyway... What are these 'Elements' you speak of?" Star Swirl asked.

"You know, the sparkly crystal things that grow from the Tree of Harmony and represent each of us? Laughter, honesty, generosity, loyalty, kindness, and magic!" Pinkie said, acting it all out with all the other ponies.

"Then... What do I represent?" Gohan asked.

"Uh... Strength?" Pinkie asked.

"I really don't know." Twilight said.

"What are you talking about?" Star Swirl asked.

"They are reflections of our own elements of hope, strength, beauty, bravery, healing, and sorcery. Only six." Somnambula said.

"Then how come I ended up being the seventh?" Gohan asked.

"Perhaps your friendship with us sparked a new one?" Rarity asked.

"I guess it could represent all but magic...?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know. What do you think?" Gohan asked his brother.

"I think it does!" Goten said.

"I think we can all agree." Rarity said.

The Mane 6 all promptly agreed.

"Then that's settled, then..." Gohan said.

"We had no idea our small seed would bloom into the living spirit of the land. I am glad our mantles have passed to such capable ponies." Made Meadowbrook said.

Then she looked at Gohan. "Well, ponies and Saiyan/Human." She said, actually memorizing that.

Goku was internally snickering.

'Dad...!' Gohan said.

"More importantly, we no longer need Ponhenge to send our foe back to limbo. We can use the stored magic in this Tree of Harmony." Star Swirl said.

"But doesn't a banishing spell take a lot of power? We'd have to sacrifice the Elements for that." Twilight said.

Star Swirl nodded in response.

"They'd be gone... Forever?" Fluttershy asked.

"Star Swirl, I don't think the Tree can survive without the Elements. If it dies, Equestria will suffer." Twilight said.

"If the Pony of Shadows has his way, your land will not exist. So unless you have a better idea..." Star Swirl said.

"Uh, we do." Rainbow Dash said.

Goten jumped up onto the table. "It's my turn next!" He said.

"Oh, right. I forgot." Star Swirl said.

"Our foe will seek dark places from which to draw power." He said.

"Then... We need to find a place secluded in darkness." Gohan said.

"It seems there are fewer dark corners in the realm these days." Star Swirl said, marking places on the map.

"I know I studied on the geography of Equestria, but I can't really think of many dark places other than caves." Gohan sad.

"I remember that there was a place really dark! It was right around the corner of Foal Mountain...?" Goten asked.

"How are we going to find him? We don't have the time in the world to search every cave and find every dark place imaginable!" Sunburst said.

Twilight pondered...

And didn't realize her cutie mark was glowing.

"Twilight? The thing is happening again." Gohan said, happening to be glowing yellow.

The Mane 6 all looked at their cutie marks, and they were all glowing.

The marks on all the seats flew up and circled Twilight's mark.

Yes, including the kanji.

They all floated to the Hollow Shades...

Goten snapped his fingers. "That's where I was talking about!" He said.

"The Hollow Shades. I think a branch of the Apple family lives there." Applejack said.

"They'd have to be pretty distant. The Hollow Shades was abandoned eons ago." Sunburst said.

"Hmm, that's odd. The only time the map's called all of us to one place was Starlight's village." Rarity said.

"So it's like a super-villain tracker!" Rainbow Dash said, then realized Starlight was there.

"No offense." She said.

Starlight just raised an eyebrow.

"The only other place the map sends me to is the other world." Gohan said.

"I find that hilarious." Twilight said while giggling.

"Do you think the map could be trying to tell us where the Pony of Shadows is?" She asked Star Swirl.

"Well, obviously. Unless there's a pony there with a Friendship problem." Gohan said.

"Hmm... The Tree of Harmony acting to protect the light of the realm... Yes. A good thought, Twilight." Star Swirl said.

She squealed in response since she's a fan girl.

"Ready yourselves for battle." Star Swirl said.

"Already done!" Goten said.

"Uh, I know I'm not as experienced as all of you, but is ending him really the only option? I mean, it's been a long time. Maybe the Pony of Shadows is ready to talk?" Starlight asked.

"That's actually something I hadn't thought of. Maybe he's misunderstood." Gohan said.

"I doubt we can save our homeland with a conversation." Star Swirl said.

"Wouldn't be the first time..." Starlight said.

"Starlight, I'm sure Star Swirl and the others did try." Twilight said.

"The Pony of Shadows was not interested in reconciliation. Once a villain, always a villain." Star Swirl said.

"Hey... That's not true!" Gohan said.

"Whatever do you mean?" Star Swirl asked.

"We know tons of evil people who are good now! Well, they're dead, but still good!" Goten said.

"Like who?" Star Swirl asked.

"Tienshinhan used to be a con artist and tried to kill our father, but they became friends and fought evil... Piccolo tried to rule the world, and tried protecting it until he died... Vegeta, or Trunks' dad tried blowing up the planet but then protected it until he died... Yadda yadda." Gohan said.

"Then there's Discord, who doesn't use chaos on Equestria anymore." Twilight said.

"I'm sorry, who are all these ponies? Except Discord, I know him." Star Swirl said.

"Oh, it's our old friends." Goten said.

"I see... I'm sorry for all your losses." Star Swirl said.

"Thanks. But, I was saved! They tried so hard..." Goten said.

"What do you mean?" Mage Meadowbrook asked.

"That's a story for another day." Gohan said.

"...You two are just raising more questions the more you speak." Star Swirl said.

"That happens a lot." Gohan said.

"It actually the more they do things rather than talk." Twilight said.

"So... Did you know the Pony of Shadows before he became what he is now?" Starlight asked.

"Yes, we did. Stygian was the name he abandoned before taking the form of which he is now." Star Swirl said.

"Stygian was a pony like the rest of us, though more scholar than hero. He recognized our emerging world would need champions to defend it." Rockhoof said.

"He may have gathered us together, but he himself was just an ordinary unicorn who soon grew jealous of our abilities." Flash Magnus said.

"He stole objects from each of us. Artifacts to use in a spell." Mistmane said.

"And we cast him out for it." Mage Meadowbrook said.

"We always thought he'd return and seek forgiveness. But when we saw him again, his heart was bent on revenge. He dashed even MY hope of saving him." Somnombula said.

"But why did he steal the artifacts from you?" Starlight asked.

"No doubt it was an enchantment to take our powers for himself." Mage Meadowbrook said.

"So, we can't talk the Pony of Shadows out of doing evil?" Starlight asked.

"It is impossible." Star Swirl said.

"But the map only calls us to locations for Friendship problems, not a villain locator." Starlight said.

"In a sense." She added.

"He wanted more power than he had, and that desire led him down a path from which there is no return! Evil!" Star Swirl said.

"We just established that that isn't true." Gohan said.

"But this case is different! He turned on us." Star Swirl said.

'Like I don't know THAT feeling.' Gohan thought.

"Then... I guess it's decided." Twilight said.

"Well, then. Let's go! Grab on!" Gohan said, putting two fingers to his forehead.

"Er... How will we get there if we grab on to you?" Star Swirl asked.

"Teleportation." Gohan said.

"Oh, I see. But... How?" Star Swirl asked.

"I know where the Hollow Shades are." Gohan said.

"Oh. I see." Star Swirl said.

"Do you even want to come?" Gohan asked.

"We will spectate for our own reasons." Star Swirl said.

***

Hollow Shades.

Desolate, full of abandoned homes and dear God what is that view?

"I don't remember reading anything that said the Hollow Shades was like this." Sunburst said.

"Ohhh. The Pony of Shadows must have twisted it to his purposes." Mistmane said.

They traveled inward.

'There's a power level below you.' Goku said.

"You can sense that?" Gohan accidentally said out loud.

"Sense what?" Twilight asked.

"Oop. Sorry. Talking to myself." Gohan said.

'Uh... You might wanna move out of the way.' Goku said.

The ground beneath them crumbled...

Cracks appeared, and the shaking got louder.

Then everyone fell!

***

Well, lookie here!

A labyrinth!

Oh, and everyone helped each other up.

"I definitely would've remembered reading about this." Sunburst said.

Then evil laughter was heard.

"That's your cue, Goten." Gohan said.

Goten stepped up to the plate.

Not literally, but you know.

Smoke formed in front of them.

More laughter...

Star Swirl put up a barrier in retaliation.

"Oh, no. Allow me." Gohan said.

He just barely moved to create a yellow barrier.

"Oh... Okay." Star Swirl said, putting down his flimsy defense.

And the a small portion of the smoke turned into the Pony of Shadows.

"Welcome to the Well of Shade! When you turned your backs on me, I discovered this place. The darkness spoke to me of a power beyond any I could imagine, and I listened. The shadow and I became one. Soon, all of the realm will be the same. Then all ponies will feel the despair I did when you cast me out!" He said.

Then he looked at his challenger.

"A baby monkey is now wanting to do battle with me? Hah!" He said.

"We did what we had to do. You tried to steal our powers for yourself." Star Swirl said.

"No! It was YOU who were selfish! And now you will pay!" The Pony of Shadows yelled, firing even more powerful black magic.

Goten jumped up to kick it towards the wall.

"You still won't beat me!" He yelled.

He flew over to the Pony of Shadows to deliver a quick uppercut.

"Argh! You will not leave here unscathed!" He yelled, firing black magic at Goten.

A hit, I guess.

Nothing serious.

In the chest, sent him back a bit.

Goten put his palms together and fired three blasts before landing.

He then dashed at him alongside the ki blasts.

The Pony of Shadows smirked before turning to smoke near the ki blasts.

Well, a surprising technique.

Goten stopped running in confusion.

He couldn't sense him anywhere, and smoke was everywhere.

Smoke attacks, or smoke that hardened smashed into Goten from behind!

Goten retaliated by swinging his arm around, letting out a wave of yellow ki.

It just made the smoke separate.

Then the smoke behind him somewhat hardened and clubbed him in the back.

Goten fired a ki blast in retaliation only to not hit him.

"You're lost! You cannot hit what you cannot see!" The Pony of Shadows yelled.

Goten could see a larger smoke traveling around the smaller smoke.

Or, it basically traveled inside it.

Goten fired a ki blast at it, to actually hit the Pony of Shadows out of his smoke form!

"Argh! You pass... However! I won't be so lenient now!" The Pony of Shadows yelled as he turned to smoke.

He did not have that bigger smoke weakness anymore.

Again, more attacks on Goten from behind, and more misses from Goten.

'Wait... If he's tangible... Then...' He thought.

"He is losing! I knew this was a terrible idea!" Star Swirl said.

"That poor boy..." Mage Meadowbrook said.

"Goten isn't losing." Gohan said.

"What?" Star Swirl asked.

"He'll adapt. Look now." Gohan said.

Goten turned Super Saiyan!

He let his aura flare continuously.

"W-What is this!?" Star Swirl asked.

"It's called a Super Saiyan." Gohan said.

"It changes the mane and color of the mane! It also increases all abilities tens of times over!" Twilight said.

"Amazing...!" Mage Meadowbrook said.

"Beings who can alter their battle levels..." Star Swirl muttered.

"It looks like he's figured out how to win." Gohan said with a smile.

"Changing your mane won't help you!" The Pony of Shadows yelled.

He made smoke behind Goten into a spike.

It was about to stab him!

But Goten roundhouse kicked that thing in half!

"What!?" The Pony of Shadows yelled.

"I can sense you now!" Goten yelled.

The larger smoke traveled behind Goten.

Goten did a backhand smack on the smoke, which instantly turned the Pony of Shadows visible again.

"Ack! How!?" He yelled.

"I can see you now..." Goten said.

The Pony of Shadows turned to smoke again.

He tried attacking with a club of sorts from behind.

"BELIEVE IT!" Goten yelled, turning around and blasting that foolish fool!

That foolish foolhardy foolish fool...

Yeah, I got nothing.

"Impressive... I can't perceive how he can see his attacks from behind." Star Swirl said.

Goten just punched the Pony of Shadows in the side.

"Neither can I." Twilight said.

Goten dodged numerous swipes and magic attacks.

"It's because of his aura." Gohan said.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

Goten's aura flared as he pummeled the Pony of Shadows repeatedly.

"Goten's releasing his ki in all directions. They reflect off of the Pony of Shadows. He can sense that, and act against it." Gohan said.

Goten grabbed a blade from behind and threw it into the wall.

"Oh. What an immensely useful skill." Star Swirl said.

Goten blasted the Pony of Shadows away.

"I thought I'd seen warriors in my day, but you two take the cake." Rockhoof said.

Gohan just sheepishly chuckled.

"RAAAAGH!" The Pony of Shadows screamed.

Goten just stood in front of him with a saucy smirk.

"Done yet?" He asked.

"You deplorable little snot! I will end this RIGHT NOW!" He screamed.

He started charging black magic in his horn...

Since his rage was real, there was some extra power!

"Oh, sure! I'll just let you power up and gather your strength." Goten said.

"BIG MISTAKE!" The Pony of Shadows screamed.

"What is he doing!?" Star Swirl asked.

"Trust us, he is not in trouble." Rainbow Dash said.

The Pony of Shadows fired the 'devastating' blast with all his might, and-

...

Pfft...

Goten casually lifted a hand and fired a powerful yellow beam.

See, that's REAL power and devastation.

The Pony of Shadows was quickly overpowered and shocked at this display of power.

BOOM!

He collapsed!

"Did... Did that young man just defeat something we took ages to do?" Mistmane asked.

"Hey, it's like with Nightmare Moon. It took 1000 years, and this one decides to step in, despite being incredibly wounded." Twilight said, pointing a hoof at Gohan.

"Nightmare Moon...?" Star Swirl asked.

"We'll talk later." Gohan said.

The Pony of Shadows struggled to get up.

"Give up!" Goten yelled, firing a barrage of ki blasts at him.

"Augh! Urgh! Ah!" The Pony of Shadows grunted as he was being pushed back.

And...

Some blue hair stuck out of his chest.

No... No...

It started to turn into a head...

Trying to get out?

"There's... A pony in there!" Twilight said.

Goten realized and stopped his assault.

"What the heck...?" He said.

The Pony of Shadows collapsed, but the head shrunk back in.

"Uh... Gohan...? What do I do?" Goten asked.

"Since there's a pony in there, we can't end him..." Gohan said.

"That was Stygian. Of course you must end him!" Star Swirl said.

"Hey, now. We can try reasoning with the source. The Pony of Shadows might be some darkness controlling him." Gohan said.

"There can be no such thing!" Star Swirl said.

'I really thought this guy was the smartest...' Twilight thought.

"No, there is. Princess Luna was once consumed by darkness, and now she's on our side!" Twilight said.

"Luna... My old student..." Star Swirl reminisced.

Gohan put down his barrier and walked closer to that collapsed enemy.

"What was that pony...?" He asked as he tried poking it with his finger.

To everyone's surprised, his finger just went through.

"Er... Something must be inside...? Should I go in?" Gohan asked.

"Eh. Try." Goten said.

***

Well, this is a dark place.

Extremely dark.

'Suddenly I'm getting a feeling of deja mustard.' Goku said.

'It's deja vu.' Gohan thought, feeling a presence nearby.

"Hello?" He asked, making his aura flare as a Super Saiyan for light.

There was a pony with brown rags.

Sitting there, miserably.

"Uh... Sir? Are you Stygian?" Gohan asked, getting closer.

"I was, once. Until my friends betrayed me." Stygian said.

He actually looked at Gohan.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Son Gohan. It looks like two stories aren't adding up... Star Swirl says that you betrayed him and his comrades for their magic." Gohan said.

"No! I wanted their respect. I brought them together. I planned strategy, and I read all I could about the beasts we faced. But I didn't have magic or strength, so nopony ever noticed me. I went to Ponhenge to make my own copies of the artifacts. With them, I thought I could be a Pillar, too, and stand by their side in battle. I never wanted to steal their power. But instead of sharing and letting me help, my friends threw me out." Stygian said.

The ponies and Saiyan outside were able to listen to that.

"Are we still sure this isn't a friendship problem!?" Starlight asked.

"I think it is." Twilight said.

Stygian stood up, clearly angry.

A dark flame began to envelop him.

"So I became stronger than any of them! The darkness welcomed me when no pony would, and I will do what I must to protect it!" He yelled, looking incredibly threatening.

He was pretty much a mini Pony of Shadows lacking the size and complete color.

Gohan didn't budge an inch, though.

"I'm really sorry to hear about your friends betraying you. Trust me, I've been there. If the Pillars knew how you felt, I'm sure they wouldn't have turned their backs on you. The shadow isn't who you really are. Darkness isn't the way, Stygian." Gohan said.

Stygian looked a little remorseful...

But...

"Even if my friends did still care, what makes you think you have the power to help me?" Stygian retorted.

...

Gohan just gave him an 'Are you serious right now?' Face.

"So, getting beaten to near death isn't enough power in your opinion." He said.

"How can you reverse my actions!?" Stygian asked.

"That's a scientific impossibility. Time travel may be real, but what you do stays there. We can help you get back to normal again to reconcile." Gohan said.

"I... I want to believe you..." Stygian said, actually trying.

But...

"But the darkness will not be stopped!" He screamed, suddenly growing black wings and whatnot.

The real Pony of Shadows on the outside stood up, growing in size.

Goten powered up and got into a fighting pose.

"I'm going to disprove that!" Gohan and Goten yelled.

He grabbed Stygian and tried flying him out.

Gohan was out, but Stygian was kind of trapped.

Goten ran up to Gohan and tried helping him.

"Twilight...!" Gohan yelled.

His hooves were sticking out, at least.

The Pony of Shadows was screeching and yelling in pain because of this.

"What am I supposed to do!?" Twilight asked.

"Bitching! Lecturing about Friendship!" Gohan yelled.

"Oh. Right." Twilight said.

"Fight the darkness, Stygian! You don't need it anymore! Revenge isn't what you want! Friendship is!" She said.

"At this rate, we'll end up pulling your hooves off!" Gohan yelled.

"Just give up the evil stuff already!" Goten yelled.

"The shadow won't let go of him. He wants to stop, but he can't do it alone." Twilight said.

"Then he needs our friendship!" Star Swirl said.

"We won't betray you like we did before, Stygian!" He yelled.

The Pony of Shadows recoiled.

"We'll really listen, we will!" Rockhoof said.

"But you must let go!" Mistmane said.

"I REALLY do NOT want to pull off your hoof by trying as much as I can!" Gohan yelled.

Stygian...

Decided.

BOOM!

Out of this house! The power of Christ compels you!

Stygian was out, the Pony of Shadows was shrinking and dying, and the job was done.

Eventually that thing just shriveled up and died.

Star Swirl helped Stygian stand up.

"Long ago, you needed our help, Stygian. But instead of listening, we turned our backs on you. Pride clouded my judgment. I owe you an apology. Thank you for helping us see the errors of our ways, Twilight and Son Gohan. It seems I never accounted for Friendship." He said.

Twilight started fangirling because her idol just complimented her.

"Thank you, Swirlstar! Uh, Star Swirl!" She said.

"...Thank you... All I ever wanted was that." Stygian said, smiling.

Starlight cleared her throat. "Soooo... apparently a conversation CAN save Equestria?" She asked.

"Starlight... That wasn't really a conversation. That was more like a choice between dying of infection and pain or living. I even heard his muscles stretch." Gohan said.

***

Well, everyone was in the throne room now.

I mean everyone.

And base form Gohan and Goten.

"I simply cannot believe how tall you've gotten!" Star Swirl said.

"Well, it has been over a thousand years. Will you stay here and teach magic once again? My sister and I have such fond memories of your lessons." Celestia said.

"As long as you don't ask for those essays we owed you before you disappeared." Luna said.

Star Swirl chuckled. "I'm not certain Canterlot is where I belong. The realm has grown, and I believe I'll have a look around before I settle in any one place." He said.

"And I long to see what has become of my home." Mage Meadowbrook said.

"I believe we all do." Mistmane said.

"...Huh. Wonder how my home's doing." Gohan said.

***

Earth...

...

WHERE THE FUCK IS EVERYONE!?

THE FUCKING PLANET'S STILL THERE!

THAT DAMN VILLAIN IS GONE!

He'll come back...

But why the hell is Earth still there?

***

"Then I hope you will return to Canterlot on occasion and share the wisdom and power of your great experience with the next generation of ponies." Celestia said.

"We would be honored. But if it is wisdom you seek, look no further than your own pupil. She showed me that the power of friendship is a magical force indeed. And that in turning away from others, you hurt yourself as well." Star Swirl said.

"And, well, if it's strength you seek..." He added, pointing a hoof at the brothers.

"I believe they have all the strength you need." He said.

'Well, at least he complimented me.' Gohan thought.

"On more than one occasion." Celestia said.

"Oh, no. Not this again..." Gohan said.

"What?" Twilight asked playfully.

"We did this, JUST THIS MORNING!" Gohan yelled.

Author's Notes:

Holy Dumb Fuck. This took an assload of a while to come out. I've just been studying my ass off. There's a lot more coming up in five years. I really want to get that done before the Grand not really finale but it'll look like it because it's gonna be among the hardest opponents yet.

Sorry, you've all been very patient.