Author's Note

Apple Bloom becomes a spectator for the Wonderbolts vs. the Washouts. The battle:

CHAMP'D UP

June 30-Champ'd Up

Lying down on her bed, Apple Bloom is still upset at Applejack's maneuver during 'The Wheel of Enormous Proportions'. She thought that Applejack did that to further punish her. The next day, the heartbroken girl walk along a nice park. As she was sitting down, a shadowy figure watched with interest. This mysterious stranger saw that Apple Bloom is still tearing up and is shaking.

"Just like Rarity figured." The stranger said. "She's still shaking with fear and sadness."

Just then, it sped off in a rainbow blur, and wrapped up Apple Bloom with a hunk of rope. This left her more nervous.

"What happened?" Apple Bloom wondered nervously. "Who did this to me?"

Soon, she saw Rainbow Dash next to her.

"Hi, Apple Bloom." Rainbow Dash calmly said. "You okay?"

"No, I'm not." Apple Bloom replied. "YOU'RE HERE! Did Applejack tell you to do this?"

"Calm down, AB. Rarity figured that you're still shaky after yesterday. So, I came here with that rope I used to make sure you don't hurt yourself."

Apple Bloom sat sadly with tears coming down her face. Dash came over to comfort her.

"Listen, Apple Bloom." Rainbow said. "These things happen. It wasn't arranged to be against you. Applejack felt bad after what happened. I think she's starting to regret being mad at you."

This made the farm kid feel a little better. Rainbow even gave her a comforting hug.

"Anyway," Dash informed, "I'm just waiting for my fellow Wonderbolts coming over here. We're taking a trip to the Scrawleseum."

"Scrawleseum?" Apple Bloom gasped. "That's the setting for 'Champ'd Up'. Isn't it?

"You got it."

Soon, a mini bus came by. Spitfire was driving it. And, Soarin Skies, Vapor Trail, and Sky Stinger are with her. Rainbow escorted Apple Bloom aboard.

"Welcome aboard, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire greeted. "I see you're bringing Apple Bloom with you."

"You bet." Dash replied. "I had to restrain her so she'll be safe."

"Okay, Wonderbolts. Next stop: The Scrawleseum!"

The bus went down the road to it's destination. They arrived at a stadium where Misty Fly and Fleetfoot were waiting. The team disembarked from the bus.

"Welcome to the Scrawleseum." Misty Fly greeted.

"Thank you." Spitfire replied. "Please, take Apple Bloom to the lounge so she can watch the action."

The two girls escorted Apple Bloom to a comfortable room with a couch, chairs, and a large viewing screen. After helping the farm girl to the couch, the two Wonderbolts sat with her.

"So, there are eight players in 'Champ'd Up'." Apple Bloom said. "Who are the other three in this case?"

"The Washouts." Fleetfoot said grimly. "They claim they can draw fighters better than we can."

"I guess Lightning Dust, Rolling Thunder, and Short Fuse are causin' trouble for you guys again."

"You bet. We'll show them how to draw great fighters!"

The screen showed a big arena. Apple Bloom watched with interest. I'm just glad Dash didn't tie my legs together. Otherwise, I wouldn't have walked with her.

"Welcome to the Scrawleseum!" Said the voice of an announcer. "It's here where top fighters bring creations they made into the ring for battle. Get ready, fans. It's time to get Champ'd Up!"

The crowd cheered. In separate rooms, Rainbow Dash and her fellow Wonderbolts were shown titles to fight for. Then, they drew appropriate fighters. Unfortunately, so did the Washouts.

"Wait until Spitfire and her chronies see what I drew." Lightning Dust said. "I'll win this game for sure."

The battles are underway. Rainbow Dash drew a cloud with a colorful bolt of lightning. She's battling an electrified tornado drawn by Sky Stinger. The announcer was heard. "Let's see who is The Champion of Storms!"

The drawings were battling each other. Just as the tornado was spinning again, the thundercloud blasted it with it's lightning. The bolt spread colorful sparks as the tornado fell. Apple Bloom was impressed with this interesting battle.

"Sorry, Sky Stinger." Rainbow Dash said via communication link. "I just got lucky."

"Win or lose," Sky Stinger replied, "this is fun."

The Washouts have been getting lucky. Lightning Dust sent a Broken Mirror to defeat Vapor Trail's four leaf clover (The Battle of Lucky Omens).
Rolling Thunder and Short Fuse got lucky in their battles. Round one was over. And Lightning Dust was in the lead with Spitfire close behind her in second.

"Poor Wonderbolts." Apple Bloom said. "I hope they can recover from this."

"Don't worry, Apple Bloom." Fleetfoot assured. "Round two is coming. The fighters will now draw new fighters. And, during battle, those drawings can tag in previous drawings."

Misty Fly felt Apple Bloom's heart. "Looks like you've calmed down quite a bit. I think it's safe to untie you."

As Round two proceeds, the fighters gave it their all. Rainbow Dash drew a soccer player and she faced Lightning Dust's drawing. A jungle gorilla. These fighters were tough. Lightning was confident that her gorilla will win. But, the soccer player gave one big push, and the gorilla fell. Desperate, Lightning tagged her creature out and brought in a living lightning ball.

This wasn't an easy battle. But, Rainbow's substitution for a coiled up snake she had earlier defeated the lightning. Lightning Dust was shocked. But, she acknowledged Rainbow's victory. Later, the announcer was heard. "Okay, we saw the final battle. The judges have calculated each player's point values. Now, let's see who the big winner is."

The winner was... Spitfire! Her drawings of a chemical bottle, a fireball, green veggies, and a Trivia Murder Party plushie were displayed. Everybody was impressed. Lightning Dust went up to the winner.

"Congratulations, Spitfire." Lightning Dust said as she shook Spitfire's hand.

"Thank you, LD." Spitfire replied. "I thought there's some honor within you."

"I guess so. But, there's always next time."

Later, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts boarded the bus. Apple Bloom was walking alongside Dash.

"Aren't you glad you're not tied up anymore?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"You bet." AB answered. "Sorry I got upset earlier."

"It's okay. At least you realized you had bad luck yesterday."

As Apple Bloom was taken back to Kevin and Amy's house, she feels relieved that she'll be able to get through this summer.