Hero of the Despaired Future!
Chapter 34: Equestria Is Saved! Tapion? Who's That? A Hero!?
Previous Chapter Next Chapter"What are you doing here, Gohan?" Spike asked.
"Also, why aren't you... ponified?" He asked.
Gohan looked into the palm of his hand.
"I don't know. I just don't have that kind of body here." He said.
"Also I just wanted to visit, but..." He added.
"Shouldn't 'Gohan' here properly introduce himself...?" Rarity asked.
"You're right." Gohan said.
"My name is Son Gohan. I'm Twilight's friend from another place. I thought I'd drop by and say hi, but I didn't know an invasion was occurring." He said.
"We're really lucky he did." Starlight said.
"If it hadn't been for him... I don't know what would've happened, really." She said.
"Give yourself some credit." Gohan said.
Thorax nodded in agreement.
"Though, this was a huge crapshoot." Gohan said.
"I couldn't destroy the throne without weakening her, and she was able to gain a lot of power from you, but I managed to stop her from gaining too much." He said.
"Oh, really?" Starlight asked.
Gohan sighed and looked down.
'I'm not strong enough for all threats...' He thought.
"I'm glad this is over." He said, looking up and putting his hands on his hips.
He was unusually calm and not angry for a Super Saiyan.
"...Wait." Fluttershy said.
"Twilight... Didn't you show us Son Gohan before...?" She asked.
"Oh, yeah..." Rainbow Dash said.
"That's why ya looked so familiar." Applejack said.
"I'm still somewhat lost..." Rarity said.
"When Twilight came back...?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh! Yes, that's right..." Rarity said.
"If he's from that other place, does he already know our names?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Obviously, Rainbow Dash." Gohan said, smiling.
"Would be creepy, but thankfully, it's not." Rainbow Dash said.
"Son Gohan..." Luna said.
"We believed you would be a valuable asset in Equestria's defenses, and we were right." She said.
"We are in your debt." Celestia said.
The ponies all bowed their heads.
Even Discord, because why not.
Along with the changelings, surprisingly.
"Uh... Well..." Gohan said, not knowing how to process this...
Being recognized by princesses and other high ranking beings is quite an accomplishment.
But...
'This feels the same as the principals and students doing the same exact thing.' He thought.
They all stood back up.
"Twilight's told us about your abilities." Cadence said.
"They seem to have... done a number, here..." She said.
"I didn't mean to..." Gohan said.
"That's fine." Thorax said.
"I'm really sorry for beating you up..." Gohan said to the changelings.
"Hey." A red female changeling piped up.
"As long as we're on the same side now, we're good." She said.
"Besides." Thorax said.
"The Changeling Kingdom definitely needs to be rebuilt, and you leveled the place for us with your powers!" He said.
"Speaking of powers..." Rainbow Dash said.
"How did you learn how to fly without wings?" He asked.
...Gohan reverted back to his base form.
"Well, that's a long winded explanation I'm not ready to give today." He said.
"Wait, how did you...?" Rarity asked.
"Duh!" Pinkie said.
"He's a Saiyan, he can turn into a Super Saiyan, that was a Super Duper Saiyan, and now he's back to normal!" She said.
"...Yeah, that's not really helpful." Rainbow Dash said.
"Pinkie..." Twilight said.
"I never told you what it was. How did you know?" She asked.
"Twilight." Applejack said.
"I know, but this is on a new level, Applejack." Twilight said.
"You said that last time." Applejack said.
"I don't think it's called Super Duper Saiyan." Gohan said.
"Well then whaddaya call it?" Pinkie asked.
"...I don't have a name for it." Gohan said.
"I hereby name it-" "-I'm not letting you name it!" Gohan interrupted.
"Come on!" Pinkie whined.
"You know better than to trust yourself to name it, too." Gohan said.
"...Yeah, I guess." Pinkie said.
"We were certainly lucky for your arrival..." Celestia said.
"Yeah... Thanks for coming." Twilight said.
"...As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I should head home." Gohan said.
"Why?" Twilight asked.
"I want to get my mother berating me for fighting again over with." Gohan said.
"Even if ya just saved the world?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Apparently studying is more important than saving the world. Her words, not mine." Gohan said.
"Wow. That sucks." Rainbow Dash said.
"Son Gohan." Celestia said.
"I will make sure Twilight reminds you to come back for a proper reward at a suitable time." She said.
"I-I don't need a reward, but thanks..." Gohan said, holding his hands up.
"We insist." Starlight said.
"...Of course, you won't hog all the spotlight." Discord said.
"Well... Alright." Gohan said.
He gave a thumbs up.
"I'll see you later, then." He said.
Then, instantly...
His aura flared white for two seconds, and-
He flew off.
He just disappeared from sight, into the skies, in mere seconds.
Everyone but Twilight and Spike gawked...
"...Twilight, did he tell you how he does that?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah, but I don't understand it." Twilight said.
"It's not natural talent." Spike said.
"Maybe his anger is." Twilight said.
"I don't understand why he wouldn't get all patched up here before going home." Applejack said.
"Listen, that guy is just crazy." Spike said.
"He has the cojones to take on three sirens at the same time!" He said.
"...Now." Celestia said, turning to Thorax.
"Thorax, as the new leader of the changelings, I look forward to discussing how we can improve our relationship in the future. However, for the moment, perhaps it is best that we leave the Changeling Kingdom to the changelings." She said.
"Splendid idea!" Discord said.
"Now who's ready for some celebratory tea at Fluttershy's!?" He asked.
"Oh! Uh, everypony?" Fluttershy asked.
That's a small cottage.
"Actually..." Starlight said.
"Now that you can snap your claws and send us absolutely anywhere again, I think I have a better option." She said.
Gohan's flight was too fast for Equestria.
Clouds nearby were misshaped by his aura.
The ponies flying with the clouds had no idea what just flew past them.
And in little to no time...
He was already at the castle, flying above.
He flew in through the window, and his aura died.
The throne room was as empty as ever.
But the sunlight made it much clearer to see.
Surprisingly, in the throne room, the changelings just disappeared.
But, he paid no mind to that.
He slowly walked to the library, and that's where the portal was.
Now that he was looking at it, this strange contraption...
Wood, dials, and a crap ton of machinery...
Just for this mirror?
"Why does this exist?" He asked himself.
But, he didn't care about that right now.
He knew better than to mess with it, too.
Also, he was tired. It's time to go home.
He slowly stepped into the mirror, and disappeared from this world...
The moment he stepped back into his own world...
He heard a very familiar gasp.
And he looked up to see Fluttershy sitting on the steps...
...And this mysterious old red man with tons of wrinkles sitting next to her.
He wore a large black cap, had hair white as the clouds, and a yellow robe...
Also, he held a strange white box at his side.
It had an intricate design with black lines all over it...
It also looked like marble, to a degree.
"Gohan, what happened to you?" Fluttershy asked.
She rushed up to him, looking closely at the few cuts on his face and rips on his clothes.
The old man also stood up.
Fluttershy got a wee bit too close, and Gohan had to take a step back...
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Er... Yeah... Apparently an invasion was happening as I visited..." Gohan said.
"You beat it, right?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well, yeah..." Gohan said.
"As expected of the strongest man in the world..." Fluttershy said, smirking.
"...Fluttershy, I don't think I'm ready for another adventure right now." Gohan said.
"Also, you don't know that." He added.
"That isn't what she's talking about..." The old man said.
"Oh. Nice to meet you, sir." Gohan said.
"I'm Son Gohan, and you are...?" He asked.
"My name is Hoi..." The old man said.
"How did you two meet?" Gohan asked.
"Well, about ten minutes ago..." Fluttershy said.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were just walking in the streets.
It was a weekend, so the city was naturally packed.
"So, you can measure power now..." Rainbow Dash said.
"I know. I don't even want to know how high it can get..." Fluttershy said.
"Imagine that guy with Super Saiyan? Gotta be in the millions." Rainbow Dash said.
But then, they stumbled upon a crowd looking at the sky.
"What's happening?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I don't know. What are they looking at?" Fluttershy asked, looking up.
She gasped.
At the top of building...
Hoi was at the edge of the roof!
He was ready to jump off!
"I'll do it!" He yelled.
"Oh no!" Fluttershy said.
"What the heck!?" Rainbow Dash asked.
And, with that...
Hoi leapt.
Time slowed down.
Everything was going slowly.
Rainbow Dash couldn't let this happen.
And she had the ability to stop it.
Instantly...
Her wings and pony ears popped out.
"Oh no, ya don't!" She yelled, leaping off the ground and leaving a rainbow trail behind her.
She zigzagged her way to the falling old man.
And caught him, instant flying back to the ground and making him stand.
Hoi was just so confused as to what just happened.
He was saved that quickly?
...But then now people were staring at her, so-
"Too many witnesses." She muttered.
She grabbed the old man's arm, and flew with a rainbow trail once more.
Then, she flew by Fluttershy and grabbed her too.
She flew directly up, then straight forward again, off into the distance.
The crowd was left shocked.
In the span about 6 seconds... this happened.
Rainbow Dash hadn't taken them too far, and put them on a building.
"W-What just happened?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'm supposed to ask that!" Hoi yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, shaddup. Why were ya trying to kill yourself?" Rainbow Dash asked.
...Hoi smirked.
"Well, I might've staged the whole thing." He said.
"...You what?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Her wings and her ears suddenly disappeared.
"See..." Hoi said.
"I'm trying to warn this planet's strongest warriors." He said.
"Have you heard of Tapion?" He asked.
"No. Fluttershy, have you?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No." Fluttershy said.
"You mean to telI me you've never
heard of Tapion, the brave?" Hoi asked.
"That sounds about right." Rainbow Dash said.
"He was only the hero who single-handedly saved Planet Conose of the South Galaxy a thousand years ago! What do they teach you kids in school anyway!?" Hoi asked.
"We don't learn a shred about history on other planets." Rainbow Dash said.
"You don't even pay attention in history class." Fluttershy said.
Rainbow Dash grunted...
"...But this Tapion guy sounds awesome." She said, smiling.
"You think we could meet him?" Fluttershy asked.
"Fluttershy, a thousand years ago is a long time ago." Rainbow Dash said.
"Actually..." Hoi said.
He pulled out a white box with a crank.
A musical box.
"He's right here." He said.
"...Are you for real?" Rainbow Dash asked, unamused.
"I am. Unfortunately, he's been confined in this mysterious music box." Hoi said.
"Huh? Isn't he a hero?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah... Why would he be confined?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"A conundrum that beckons to be solved." Hoi said, smirking.
"Quit the mysterious crap and just tell us why." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, you don't have respect for your elders... Anyway. Planet Conose was spared, but the same crisis now threatens Earth." Hoi said.
"Crisis?" Fluttershy asked, genuinely scared.
"The evil will ravage Earth, then the universe, consuming all. There's nothing you can do to stop it. Only Tapion can save you now. That's why I've come. That's why I've spent the last thirty years searching for this music box!" Hoi said.
"Alright. Open it." Rainbow Dash said.
"Don't you think I've tried!?" Hoi asked.
"It's just a music box. It can't be rocket science." Rainbow Dash said, crossing her arms.
"The honor of opening it is yours." Hoi said, smirking.
He held the box out her.
"Heh. Alright." Rainbow Dash said, taking it.
She grabbed the crank, and-
"What the...?" She asked.
She tried even harder, and-
"What's this thing made of, anyway!?" She asked.
Eventually, she gave up.
"It must be jammed..." Fluttershy said.
"No, it is not stuck." Hoi said.
"It requires a powerful power to open it. Magic, strength, anything... Then, Tapion will live!" He said.
"Magic?" Rainbow Dash asked, smiling.
"We could always get Gohan to try it..." Fluttershy said.
"No, Fluttershy, we can use the magic of friendship to open it!" Rainbow Dash said.
"But everyone isn't here for that to happen." Fluttershy said.
"You're right..." Rainbow Dash said.
"...I actually have a soccer game in about twenty minutes, too. I gotta book it." She said, turning to her side, and walking.
Then, she realized what she's done, and-
"I hate myself." She said.
"...We'll take the stairs together." Fluttershy said.
"...Then she went to her game, and we were hoping you could open the box." Fluttershy said.
"Magic, huh...? I'm not sure I can just do it with raw strength." Gohan said.
"Wait- Who the heck is this Tapion hero?" He asked.
"Like the girl explained." Hoi said.
"But what's the threat to Earth...?" Gohan asked.
"The monster, Hirudegarn... He will ravage the entire universe!" Hoi said.
"Are you sure...?" Gohan asked.
Hoi held out the music box to Gohan.
"You might as well try. If we manage to open this, Tapion will save us all!" Hoi said.
Gohan took the box.
He's kinda tired, but-
"Alright..." He said.
He clenched the crank, and-
He grunted trying to move it.
It just wouldn't budge...
"Dang...!" He muttered, still trying.
Eventually...
"I can't do it." He said.
"Why don't you turn Super Saiyan?" Fluttershy asked.
"I might break the crank off." Gohan said.
"I've heard of the special dragon balls..." Hoi said.
"Do you think they can do it?" He asked.
"Nope. They're permanently defunct." Gohan said.
"Drat... Why?" Hoi asked.
"The creator of the dragon balls died, so now they're just useless stones." Gohan said, handing the box back to Hoi.
"...But we can gather everyone here tomorrow. Maybe your magic can open the box." He said, looking to Fluttershy.
"I hope..." Fluttershy said.
"For the sake of Earth." Hoi said.
"You won't try killing yourself again, right?" Fluttershy asked.
"It was all a bait, don't fret, child." Hoi said.
"That's an extreme measure to be taken to warn someone..." Gohan said.
"...But I doubt the masses would believe you, so..." He said.
"Yes, only the talented would ever save me and listen to me..." Hoi said.
"Well, come back here tomorrow morning, and we'll try opening this box." Gohan said.
"Fluttershy, can you let the others know?" He asked.
"I have it covered." Fluttershy said.
"Then I bid you adieu... Until tomorrow!" Hoi said, walking off.
When he finally got out of sight...
"...What the heck happened over there?" Fluttershy asked.
"You came back without getting too hurt, at least..." She said.
"It was just another fight. By tomorrow, or the day after, I'll be completely fine." Gohan said.
"Gohan, I worry about you..." Fluttershy said.
"...I understand your concerns, Fluttershy. But I just want to protect everyone, alright?" Gohan said.
"Scratch that- Need to." He said.
"I know that..." Fluttershy said.
"Even when the day I'll be too weak to do anything comes, all that matters to me is everyone else is safe. Whether it be in the short or long run." Gohan said.
"If that day comes... You'll still be the strongest in my heart." Fluttershy said.
"Er... What?" Gohan asked.
Then Fluttershy blushed.
"N-Nevermind, I said nothing..." She said, clearly embarrassed.
"No, that just makes no sense to me..." Gohan said.
"...Well, not just physically, I mean. You've gotten this far in life, with all of those nasty things happening to you since early childhood... I think you saw more murder at five years old than people in general." Fluttershy said.
"You're not wrong..." Gohan said.
"Nobody, and I mean nobody can take on what you've done. You're the strongest, Gohan." Fluttershy said confidently.
Gohan was... somewhat touched.
He smiled and blushed lightly.
"...I would've never been able to do it without the people by my side." He said.
He would've explained further, but...
"Oh! I have to head to the animal shelter now!" Fluttershy said.
She ran off.
"See you tomorrow!" She called.
"See ya!" Gohan called.
'...I wonder why she'd say that.' He thought.
'She's just naturally sweet, I guess.' He thought.