Hope of a Saiyan

Years Ago

Sombra hovered, using a spell to create a levitation spell. He watched from the cliffside the carnage and destruction he wrought. A smirk was on his muzzle. "It is done." he muttered, watching as thestrals, changelings and dark dragons sought to burn Ponyville.

Standing beside him were Starlight and Chrysalis. "We've done quite a lot in just a short time. Canterlot and Ponyville are ashes and the Guardians have perished. Tirek should be draining the princesses of their magic as we speak."

Nodding, Sombra replied, "Ah. Wonderful. Everything is going according to plan. What do you have to say, Starlight?"

Tears ran down the unicorn's wide eyes, "Y-You monsters..." she whispered through a sob. "D-Doing this..." her sob was halted by Sombra using a spell, shooting her with a beam. Her tears and crying ceased and gave an unemotional stare upon the destruction.

"Quite clever thinking, Chrysalis." Sombra said. "She's better off a puppet." he admitted.

Chrysalis put a hoof to her chest, "Why thank you, Sombra. Indeed, it was better to have her join our ranks. To throw Twilight and her friends for a loop."

As their laughter echoed, three fillies and a dragon hid behind a wall, avoiding the dark army patrol. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Applebloom and Spike did their best to cease their crying. "W-Why?" asked Spike. "Why did he come back?"

"W-Where's R-Rarity... Twilight... W-Where?" muttered Sweetie.

Scootaloo turned her head around a corner, seeing that the coast was clear. She gestured for the others to follow her, doing her best to hide her emotions. Once they were in cover again, she inhaled, "What do you think? They're gone!"

"Sc-Scoots..." Sweetie muttered. "You don't k-know that..."

Slamming her hooves on the floor, the orange pegasus nearly shouted at her friends. "We have to face facts. They're dead, Sweetie. They were the targets. And Ponyville's in ashes." a quiet beat was passed among the four after Scootaloo's outburst. "I-I'm sorry..." she let out a quiet sniffle, "B-But... There's no way..."

Spike wrapped his around around the filly, "It-It's alright, Scootaloo. We just c-can't accept it though."

Sweetie wiped her nose, "Y-Yeah..."

Applebloom remained silent, the dragon ready to say something else to the filly.

"I-I know. There has to be something we can do." Spike agreed.

"What do you mean?" Sweetie and Spike asked.

Scootaloo shook her head, "These... bad guys can't win. I don't care how long it takes or how we do it, but Equestria needs somepony to protect it now more than ever. Even though our sisters and friends are... gone. We can keep fighting."

Spike nodded, "She's right. But we don't know who else is alive." he said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Then we have to look. We have to try. If being with Rainbow Dash taught me anything, it's to not give up." Scootaloo added.

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked to their friend, "We're with you all the way, Scoots." said Sweetie, with Applebloom slowly nodding in agreement.

The dragon gave them a sincere grin, "Count me in as well. I have a bone to pick with Sombra anyhow."

"Then what does that make us? Equestrian Crusaders?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

"..." Scootaloo paused, bringing a hoof to her eye. "I guess we are."

The others looked to the farmpony, "Applebloom? You've been awfully silent."

The yellow earth pony sighed, "I'm fine." she lied. "Just shaken up."

"We understand." Spike replied, patting the pony's back in assurance. Showing that they had each other at least.

Now

Trunks sat, listening to the whole story. Sitting across from him were the three Crusaders and Spike, the dragon getting slightly taller as time passed, but still able to live in the hideout. The Saiyan absorbed every word. "I-I had no idea... No idea that this was so personal for each of you."

"I-It's fine, Trunks. We've been fighting them for years now." Sweetie assured.

Spike put a claw to his chin, "But it seems everytime we make some progress they always seem to take us a few steps back. We haven't taken down any of them in all this time."

Trunks folded his arms, "I see. That's not your fault then. I can see you've been fighting, that you're making an impact on these Dark Masters to have them know that there is someone, somewhere fighting against them."

Applebloom narrowed her eyes, "Like that's good enough."

"Applebloom." Scootaloo hissed.

The Saiyan looked down, despite getting rest, a part of him still felt tired. Tired of all the fighting, of all the destruction, death. But he knew that he had to win. No matter the cost. He heard Spike talk and listened, "But now you know what's happening. I think we're all wondering why you're here, Trunks?"

Sighing, the Saiyan looked to the Crusaders. "For the same reason as you... War."

"What?" Sweetie asked.

Trunks spoke up, "My world... There is almost nothing left. First, there were the Androids and Cell. I was the sole defender and strived to become stronger. Once I achieved that strength, I finally defeated them and thought to have brought peace."

"That doesn't sound so bad." Spike admitted.

Trunks closed his eyes, "But then he showed up. He dared to take the face of a beloved ally, a hero gone in my world. We call him Goku Black as we know it's an imitation. He... He..." he lut his hands to his head, recalling every detail. "He sought divine justice and then proceeded to massacre every city on the planet, killing any human in the way. I'm the only one strong enough to face him, but even I cannot end him." he muttered in distraught.

Sweetie put a hoof to Trunks' leg, "What did Black do?"

"Black... My world is in ruins because of him. I barely make it out alive each time we fight. I was in the process of getting help. I have a time machine."

"You what?" Scootaloo nearly yelled, "Can we use it?"

The Saiyan looked to the pegasus, "Sorry... But it's inactive right now. There was very little fuel my mother could gain and create before... Before Black got to her."

The Crusaders, except Applebloom, gasped upon his words. "I'm sorry, Trunks." Sweetie apologized.

"It's alright." Trunks assured, "But if I went back in time, I could get some help like I did with the Androids and Cell. My father, Gohan, Piccolo, and the real Goku. Before, I made sure they survived before going back to my time. They would no doubt be strong enough to face Black and end him before my world becomes ash."

Spike sat up, "So, instead of going back in time, you ended up here? Why?'

The blue-haired Saiyan shrugged, "I'm not sure. But I'm glad I arrived though. I can't let this world fall. Even if it means stalling against Black for a bit, this is important too."

"Do you think he's coming?" Sweetie asked.

Trunks shook his head, "I'm not sure. I haven't sensed him if that makes you feel any better. I wish to be gone by the time he figures it out though, so you all won't get involved in facing against him. The casualties are high enough as it is."

Earth

Goku Black hovered atop the destroyed city. "Just where did you end up, filthy Saiyan?" he asked. The god was unable to sense his energy. It was like he vanished. "Have you abandoned your world like a coward?" he asked no one in particular.

The dark Saiyan extended a hand, "Very well. The blood of these remaining mortals will be on your hands. Justice shall be brought at last." he declared.

On the ground was Mai and a few resistance soldiers, leading the remaining civilians to safety, making sure that Black doesn't find them below. A giant orb of energy nearly fell towards them, but luckily she found a manhole and blasted it open, allowing access. "Get in!" she ordered.

Everyone jumped into the sewers, closing the manhole behind them. Once they got to a surface. Mai wiped the sweat off her face. The hideout wasn't too far. Her face appeared bruised and bandaged, no doubt treated from distracting Black.

Mai sighed, 'Get back soon, Trunks. I'm not sure how much longer we can stall him for.'