Order of Legends

Chapters

Chapter 1: Fresh Failures
Champion Spotlight: Royalty
Chapter 2: Worrisome Wins
Champion Spotlight: Elements
Chapter 3: Cheeky Changes
Champion Spotlight: Changelings

Chapter 1: Fresh Failures

A grayish earth pony with a dark gray mane holding a large cello strapped to her side ran as fast as she could through thick woods, passing by a pack of timber wolves and eventually a massive stone golem. Occasionally she would stop for a moment to play a momentary chord on her cello which seemed to amplify her speed. As she came to a shallow river a hoof reached up to grab a little tiny totem that popped out of a stone necklace she wore. She tossed the hoof sized totem and it landed in a bush before growing to a few feet tall and revealing all in the bush, not that anything was there.

She grinned and kept going, running to a small cave opening just besides the river. Inside a massive purple bear that was partially see through with a crescent moon on its head could be seen standing up and seemed to be waiting, the ursine major. The mare, Octavia, let out a sigh of relief before reaching into her bag and tossing another small totem, this one purple, directly in the entrance of the cave. Her heart nearly stopped when the magic of the totem revealed two more totems, ones she hadn't placed, nearby.

She turned to run but it was already to late. She heard a soft wind up of an engine and completely froze as large boxing gloves shot out and grabbed her before pulling her into a nearby bush. “It's party time!” A large robot, known as the pinkie-sprite-bot, knocked her straight into the air. It had a large tv for a head, with an image of a pink earth pony on it, and large wheels and wings making up the lower part of its body.

Black flames enveloped her and she was dead before she even hit the ground. Her world turned dark as she whimpered. “I-I'm sorry, I-”

“Why do you constantly have to feed? Now we have to contend major four v five!” an angry voice yelled at her.

“B-but I was just doing what you said, you wanted me to ward major and-”

“We told you to ward it, not feed them even more. Seriously how did we get stuck with such a lousy support? You should have stunned the bush the moment you arrived,” another voice yelled at her. A loud female announcer could be heard moments later.

'Enemy double kill. Enemy TRIPLE kill. Quadra kill! Aced,” the voice said.

“There, you see? Now we lost because of you. Good going.”

“B-but I was just, I was only doing what you said. I was just trying to...” she struggled to defend herself as soon the world changed. Five ponies, wearing large black cloaks were standing in a small room, each holding a small orb through which their magic flowed. The mare in question was a unicorn with a dark purple coat covered in light purple stripes. Her mane was a light green color and shaped in a spiky mohawk while her tail was cut short.

“You were completely useless! If we hadn't chosen someone like you we would have aced this test, instead we went five to thirty-eight! With your talent how can you possibly be so bad?!” an earth pony, wearing a strange metal apparatus on his head, yelled at her and advanced aggressively.

The mare quickly backed up until she hit the wall and then cowered trying to make herself as small as possible. “I-I'm sorry, I was just, I-I was just trying to d-do what you said, I-” she was mercifully cut off as a door opened to the room. An orange unicorn stallion stepped in with a clip board.

“Ah, team... Alldahkillz? I'm afraid your test has been failed. There is no need for you here. Please pack up your things and leave,” the unicorn said.

“What? But it's her fault we did bad! We would have won if she had just properly-”

“Shut up. Your entire team failed on every front. Horrible team fights, horrible communication, horrible synergy, in fact the only one of you who did half way decent was the jungler.” A pegasus wearing a similar apparatus as the earth pony smirked smugly. “and I imagine the only reason he didn't do horribly was because he did his best to avoid ever getting into lane so he could die. So even he was a failure.” That killed the smile. “None of you are-” He was stopped for a moment as the purple striped unicorn galloped past. “needed. Now please leave.”

The little mare didn't stop running until she was out of the large institute building and clear across the majestic royal city of Canterlot, finally stopping at the park. She tossed her cloak off onto the ground and slowly trotted off towards a secluded little spot. The black cloak marked her as a summoner, one who fought in the massive gladiatorial ten-creature matches by controlling the bodies and powers of those who volunteered or were voluntold to compete. It was all very humane, in a way, Discords powerful magics prevented any actual death and by using them rather than open warfare many power struggles had been avoided. Due to this all summoners automatically received a small level of respect and recognition wherever they went.

But she didn't want that, not now. She laid down by the river and wept. It wasn't fair! She tried so hard and yet every time she just failed! Her special talent WAS summoning, her cutey mark was even an image of a small portal! How could she have a special talent in summoning magic and then be one of the worst summoners in the city? She whimpered and laid on her back, staring at the sky. In only a few weeks her summoners license was going to expire if she didn't get accepted into a real team by then. Which would mean she'd have to go crawling to her sister to beg for the registration fee money. Again.

She rolled on her side and tried to think. She guessed there were still other options she could take. Maybe head to one of the other contending countries, fight for the gryphons, dragons, or even the changelings. After a moment she shook her head. Even if she could get into one of their teams she didn't WANT to fight for them. She wanted to fight for ponies! These were her people! This city was her home now!

A third option popped into her mind. Home. She could always head back to zebra lands. Tell her parents she gave up on living in the big cities, that she came home and would stay and help them with their research into the lives of zebra kind. Heck she already had the stripes tattoo'd on her body so it would hardly be a difficult transition. All she'd have to do is give up her life here, all her dreams and hopes, and just follow in the same hoof steps her parents had already started. Just the thought of that brought a painful throbbing to her stomach.

She shook her head and got to her hooves. All her other plans just SUCKED! She knew what she had to do. When she got home she'd make a delicious supper and then when her big sister got home and ate and was all happy and content and possibly a little drunk if they had some wine and totally susceptible to her charms she would ask for the bits for another summoners license fee. She'd promise to practice even harder, use the training grounds every day!

She and her sister lived in a small low rent apartment in the lower class areas of Canterlot, which was still more expensive than some house payments. She slowly walked by some ponies doing their petty crimes, the usual loitering, defacing the sidewalk with chalk and most heinous of all, disrespecting their elders and calling them foul names like tail snapper or ruffly mane or even... baldo. She had tried sticking up to them once and telling them off for their bad attitude but all their name calling eventually brought her to tears, so now she just walked by them and avoided eye contact.

She slowly walked through the little grass yard of their small apartment complex, waving at one of her fellow tenants as she walked. She gulped before steping into her home on the ground floor and closing the door behind her. She froze in her steps. She smelt stew. Oh buck.

“Rift Mane, is that you?” a voice called from the kitchen. Oh buck oh buck oh buck.

“Y-yes,” she squeaked as she slowly walked into the kitchen. An older, fully matured mare was stirring a pot of carrot and potato stew. The mare looked a lot like her, except she was a lighter purple with dark purple stripes. Their parents thought it would be cute if they matched. The mares mane and tail was red and looked like it was made of cotton mixed with gum and taffy, which was ironically how she got her name. “Hi Sticky Mane. You're home early, any uhhh... reason?”

“I'm not early, team practice got out hours ago. You're just late.”

Rift turned to look at the clock and let out a gasp. It was almost seven! How had she let herself mope so long?! “I-I'm really sorry, I meant to-”

“Don't worry dear. So I take it you got accepted into the team? That's why it took so long?” the sound of hope in her words made the little purple unicorn's heart flop.

“I... uhhhh... T-they said I did fine but that ummm, there was... no need for me right now,” she said softly. The look of disappointment on her elder sister's face hurt far worse than the rejection. Well, a little worse than the rejection.

“I see. Well it can't be helped. Start setting up the table, okay?”

“Y-yes Sticky,” Rift said as she started setting up the table. Okay! She'd ask during dinner. Her sister was in a supporting mood today so how could she say no? Before to long they were eating their stew and she finally worked to break the question. “H-hey, Sticky?”

“Yes, dear?” the unicorn asked between bites as she watched her little sister.

“W-well. Ummmm, in a few weeks my summoner license will wear out and, I-I've been practicing a lot harder and I'll start using the practice fields every day a-and I'll do the dishes and take out the trash e-every time for a month and I was wondering if you'd be willing to um... um...” she cowered meekly from her sister's gaze.

“Now Rift,” uh oh, her name, “if it was up to me I'd give you all the time in the world to practice and hone your skills until you were able to get in a team. But I'm sorry, life just doesn't work that way. I'm still only a high gold summoner and I barely make enough money to support the both of us.” Every word made the younger mare feel smaller and smaller. “There simply isn't enough money to pay for yet another summoner's license. If you can't find a team by the time it expires I'm afraid you'll just have to get a normal job like every pony else.”

“B-but I don't want a normal job!” Rift shrieked, “I want to be a summoner, like you! Summoning magic is my specialty! It's my talent! It's not fair that I can't use it!”

“Rift Mane!” her sister snapped, silencing the mare. “Yes, your talent is summoning magic. But this isn't just about summoning this is about being able to control a powerful warrior and work as a team. I'm sorry but if you can't get on a team you'll just have to use your special talent elsewhere and that's final!” Sticky slammed her hoof down on the table, making it shake. Within moments she stopped cold and her gaze softened. “Now dear, don't cry...” She slowly moved around the table and hugged her little sister. “It's okay... Shhh... It'll just be for a little bit, okay? Once I get higher and become a platinum summoner I'll make more and maybe I can afford to give you another shot. But for now this is for the best.”

“I... I don't want to give up though. I-I want to be a good summoner. An amazing summoner...” she said softly.

“... I tell you what. I'll ask around see if I can find any fresh teams looking for support players, okay?”

“R-really?” Rift asked as she gazed up at her sister with teary eyes.

“Yes dear. Now finish your dinner and go wash up for bed. You'll need to get up early tomorrow if you wanna get started on your training.”

Rift nodded and gobbled down her dinner before darting off. Sticky let out a sigh and shook her head as she began picking up the dishes. A part of her wondered if it was right to actually help the little mare. Being a summoner could be dangerous, not to mention emotionally scaring. She wished her sister would just focus on less dangerous work.

Far away in the headquarters of the order, Discord paced back and forth in annoyance. On occasion he would stop to look at the large tube filled with purple goo and the three ponies, a unicorn, an earth pony and a pegasus who monitoring some screens by the goo.

“Is this really the best you can do?” the spirit of chaos asked.

“Y-yes sir. We've been looking for new champions for a while now but this... creature has met and exceeded all tests we've given it,” the unicorn said nervously.

“Sigh... Very well then. I suppose this 'Smooze' will have to do,” Discord grumbled as he turned to walk from them. As the 'neutral' runner of the order it was his duty to oversee all new contenders that were added to the roster. Unfortunately while he had plenty in mind who he would love to bring to their dimension as contenders the rules in place forbid him from drawing alternate beings against their will. Such a sad state of affairs when the spirit of chaos and disharmony was required to follow rules and organize things.

He skulked into his office and sat down at his chair, glaring at the roster, Celestia in particular. He bet the whole 'wanting to fight for her country' thing was just a sham, she just wanted to watch him suffer and use his magic for 'good' as she put it. Bah, if nothing else at least the fights themselves were an organized chaos and he got to alter the very threads of death and life to maintain them.

That and he did manage to find some fun from the minor thrills of life as he snapped his fingers. The file cabinets across the building had their contents switched with each other as files disappeared and reappeared. He did so enjoy watching the little ponies running around and trying to find out who was messing up their precious alphabetized sorting system... Man he needed to find a hobby before he went insane. Er.

Champion Spotlight: Royalty

Here it is, the first champion spotlight for the story! Written for those who wanna play their favorite ponies champion counter part, see who is based on who or just for those who are bored and want a quick laugh, here they are! This chapters focus is on the royalty of Equestria!

Name: Celestia

Based on: Leona

Brief summary: Celestia was one of the first to enter the order, along with her sister and Discord. A tough contender, she uses the power of the sun to attack her enemies. She namely depends on her own natural durability as an alicorn and her royal armor to keep her safe from even the strongest foes. For the safety of all that fight in the Order she and her sister wear inhibitors to stop them from accidentally vaporizing someone permanently.

Name: Luna

Based on: Diana

Brief summary: Having joined with her sister, Luna was one of the first to enter the order as well. As opposed to her sister she wears very little armor and instead attacks with the full (suppressed) might of the moon. In terms of destructive capabilities she is one of the most damaging and painful champions to face. Over time many a champion has fallen to her lunar strikes.

Name: Cadence

Based on: Soraka

Brief summary: A recent joiner to the order. Cadence entered soon after her husband, Shining Armor, signed up. Lacking any real offensive capabilities she instead uses her magic of love and kindness to demoralize her enemies and increase the morale of her allies, as well as relieve them of their pain and suffering. She also tends to be the first one on the scene whenever out of arena horse play gets out of hand. She has managed to save many lives with her new healing spells.

Name: Shining Armor

Based on: Garen

Brief summary: No one was surprised to see the prince take up a sword and enter the order. What did surprise them was how skilled he was in wielding his magic crystal blade. Many a champion has fallen to his blade as he used his trade mark skill of calling out to the Crystal Empire followed by whirling death. Unsurprisingly, he is a crowd favorite back home.

Name: Blueblood

Based on: JarvanIV

Brief summary: NO ONE expected to see this prince join the order. When he initially offered he was practically laughed out of the building, even by his aunts(well great great great etc so and so removed aunts but still aunts technically!). Using his resources he slowly amassed a magical armory of weapons and other items with which to fight and prove his worth. Despite many initial set backs even the princesses cannot deny that his participation in the order has done wonders for his behavior.

Name: Nightmawe Woon

Based on: Annie

Brief summary: With the sheer number of alicorns representing the pony kingdoms the other countries began to worry they would eventually be overwhelmed by their might, especially if the order was just a means by which they could stall. Nightmawe Woon was an attempt to counter act this power. A failed attempt.

Whoever created her is unknown, what is known is that she stormed the palace and demanded that Celestia and Luna surrender to her the kingdom for eternal night. Considering she was only a filly instead she got a glomp, a d'awwww, then a swift spanking for trying to take over the kingdom. It was truly a crushing defeat and as she laid in bed after supper with no dessert, she plotted.

A few days later she demanded entry into the order and was promptly kicked out. The next day she demolished the order headquarters by dropping and ursine minor in the middle of it. After that Discord found the entire thing so hilarious he let her right in. The jerk.

Despite her young(or ancient depending on how you look at it) age she is still a very powerful mage, able to contend with the strongest of them. Unfortunately for her she is one of the only champions with a bed time so still has to miss most the late night battles.

Chapter 2: Worrisome Wins

You have been slain. An ally has been slain. Triple kill. Quadra kill. Pentakill. Defeat. Defeat. Aced. Defeat. Aced. An ally has been slain defeat defeat DEFEAT! Rift Mane banged her head on the wall in frustration as she tried to control herself and stop from bursting into tears. She had been practicing all day, using the order's training arenas. All she had to show for it was a long list of defeats.

They all started the same. They'd do fine but then someone would get killed and she would lose focus, or she'd focus to hard and not notice the enemy coming to sneak up on them, or she'd try to sneak up on an enemy and then not only die but likely get whoever was with her killed as well.

She just couldn't do it! She was to jumpy! Every time she had to do something she'd freeze or lock up, afraid to mess up and get yelled at. Whenever her allies yelled at her all she could do was cringe and take it. The longer the games went the worse she did as she struggled to follow whoever called her, but then tried to use her own judgment and head back to help the rest of the party. Then she got caught alone and she'd die and the person she went out to help would die and just get her yelled at more. That or she'd accidentally get a kill when she and her ally were chasing an enemy. Oh heaven help her if she did that. The screams and language they used on her eventually made her stop trying to damage the enemies at all... which eventually got her yelled at for not helping.

She finally gave up and just walked to a small diner outside the order headquarters, a small place run by a mr. Donut Joe. Apparently it had great reviews from many of the champions that fought for the order. She spent the last of her days food money on a small doughnut with strawberries and whipped cream, which was really more of a dough-parfait. She dug her spoon into the delicious comfort food, but midway to her mouth she was interrupted.

“Ummm miss, are you okay?” Slowly Rift looked towards the source of the voice. A pegasus stallion, about her age and wearing the same exact cloak as her, was standing across the table from her.

“I'm fine! Why do you ask?” she asked in annoyance. She was in no mood to be nice, in fact she was considering just telling the pony to go away.

“Well, ummm, it's just...” the pony looked awkwardly off to the side. “I ummm... It's just... You're sitting on my helmet.”

She froze and slowly looked down. Sure enough she was sitting on a small golden helmet with blue plumes. She jumped off it with a shriek before looking between him and the helmet. She quickly dusted it off and held it out. “I'm so so so sorry! I didn't mean to, I just, I thought the table was empty and I didn't look and please don't arrest me!”

The pony just stared for a few moments before laughing. “I'm not going to arrest you, relax. Is everything alright?”

“What? Ummm, yes. Everything is alright.” She slowly looked him over again. Under the cloak she could see the metal golden armor, the wings, the blue tail, the white coat, the orange star... Wait a moment. Orange star? She let out a sigh of relief. He was an initiate! That was all! She nearly burst into laughter herself then.

“I uhhh... What's so funny?” the stallion asked nervously as he put the helmet on his head.

“I'm sorry! I mean, I just thought you were a guard! A real guard. Well, I mean. An official one,” she said as she cringed at the look of annoyance on his face. “Not that there's anything wrong with being an initiate, I just ummm... Hi, my name's Rift Mane. Nice to meet you.” She awkwardly held out her hoof.

“Nice to meet you too. My name's Lightning Clash,” he said as he shook her hoof. “You're a summoner, right?”

“... Yes,” she grumbled as she sat back down and poked at her doughnut.

“Summoner named Mane? I know it's a bit of a weird question, but I don't suppose you know Sticky Mane, do you?” the pony continued on, not seeming to notice the upset mare.

“Yeah, she's my sister. Why do you-” she yelped as the pony practically jumped her.

“She's your sister?! That's amazing! I've been watching her ever since she came to the city and got into team Lunar Protectors! She's a real up and comer with her jungle and her...” the pony just went on and on, fawning over her sister as she moped even more. Great. Just what she wanted. To hear about how amazing and wonderful her sister was. Even worse, he was still going when she finished her snack.

“Well, it was nice meeting you,” she interrupted his speech on how 'graceful' her older sister's jungle was. “I really need to go though. I have a lot of practice I need to get in,” she said as she pushed off from the chair and grabbed her plate with her magic.

“Wait!” Clash said as he jumped to block her way. “You must be a really great summoner, right? Why don't we join up for a few matches?”

She froze and dropped her plate. The pieces of porcelain scattered as she looked down in worry. “S-sorry, I'll pick it up!” She began to gather the chunks up. “I'm sorry Crash, but that wouldn't be a good idea. You see my sister she's... Far better than I am. A hundred times better. I'm a horrible summoner, so I'd just end up bringing you down,” she mumbled as she tossed the pieces into the trash.

“It's Clash, not crash. I don't mind. Besides, I doubt you're that bad, I mean-”

“Eight wins.”

“That's not so-”

“Out of almost two-hundred battles.”

He went completely silent then. She imagined it was the kind of thing he would do at a funeral.

“So you see-”

“Let's do it anyway!” Clash said firmly as he grabbed her hoof and started dragging her off.

“What? Why? We'll just lose! Stop it! Are you mad?!”

“Yes! Well, probably. But who cares? I'm sure you'll be fine,” he continued to tug her towards the training facilities.

Rift tried to avoid shaking as she slowly flipped through her options. Every summoner was limited to one random champion to begin with and could get licenses to use others via two means. Either A. spending bits to permanently unlock it to your summoner's license, or B. get special points by performing in regularly scheduled matches and temporarily adding the champion to your license. Unfortunately all the points and temporary champions disappeared the moment your license expired or needed to be renewed. It was a brilliant way to get money for all the tools and magical equipment needed to run the order. The rich and powerful would often times step in to fund their own team, both for their country and for their own prestige. Many good summoners had managed to survive comfortably due to this.

Good summoners. AKA some pony who wasn't her. She had only been able to participate in a few scheduled matches so her options were limited to three. Octavia, the only champion she had permanently unlocked thanks to her sister. Rarity, one of the elements of harmony and a powerful fighter. Last, but not least, was Cadence. Honestly she only got the alicorn because she thought the princess's husband was charming and very attractive and not to mention he just made her feel all googly inside! Not that she'd ever admit that.

She sighed before finally choosing Octavia. She used the starting resources she was granted to craft a few small items like a necklace and some of the totems before heading down. Now came the fun part! Where she died over and over. Get yelled at. Told how she was a horrible pony just to top it all off. She waited at about halfway down the path with her back to a large magical tower that would attack their enemies. Off in the distance she could see a similar tower, but an enemy one.

She let out another soft sigh as she did the best she could until the inevitable happened. After many minutes it happened. Sudden a yellow-coated pink-maned pegasus, wearing a large tree suit, was seen by one of her totems. “W-we need to pull back. They, they are going to get us,” she said meekly to the other pony by her side. He, of course, ignored her and charged forward towards one of their enemies who was low on health. Almost instantly a large exploding bush landing by
him and hit him. Seconds later three ponies jumped him and he was dead. She squeaked and tried to do something, ANYTHING, as she ran for her life. She used an enchanted song to stop them for a few seconds, but sadly missed all but the tree. The safety of her tower looked miles away as the first thing hit her. She screamed and closed her eyes.

“An enemy has been slain,” the announcer said.

Wait, what?

“Double kill. Triple kill!”

WHAT?! That was impossible! How? When? She slowly lowered her hooves from her eyes to see a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored-mane, Rainbow Dash, standing a bit away, breathing heavily. Her wing blades glistened in the light as she motioned forward. “Come on!” the pony said as she took off. Within moments the two had made their way to the enemies tower and together they destroyed it!

The two quickly ran back to the safety of their own tower, aided by Octavia's magical cello to increase their speed, and she leaned against it while gasping for breath. “You, how did you, when did you, what, hey!”

“Still got a lot to do! Never slack off!” Rainbow said as blue light enveloped her. Rift blinked and then gasped, right! Still a lot to do! But hey, they were in the lead! She disappeared and it all began again.

The match went on for almost an hour. In the end she kept making simple mistakes and awaited the inevitable consequences, the insults, the yelling, the name calling. But it never happened. Whenever she failed Rainbow was there. Even when she was as good as dead and being chased by half the opposing team the pegasus never hesitated to throw herself into the fray to save the celloist. She only died four times! For her that was like a record!

Finally the words she longed to hear filled her ears. “Victory.”

She practically shrieked when she returned to the chamber and wrapped her arms around Clash's neck so hard he couldn't breath. “Crash you were amazing! I can't believe it! You were just, were just... Err, sorry.” She quickly let go as he gasped for breath. Her gaze turned downwards as she backed off from him. “I-I'm sorry. I did say I wasn't very good.”

After a short bit of taking deep breaths the pony just smiled at her. “Nonsense! You were fine. You even saved my life a few times when you stunned them. Also, the name's Clash,” he said as he patted her head. “Come on, let's go try another one.”

“O-okay,” she squeaked softly. As they headed towards a new chamber to meet a new group she couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach. She'd won a game! She'd actually won! She could still feel her heart pounding and the rush of adrenaline from that final push to break the enemies base. Pardon her language, but she felt bucking great!

So of course next fight she died first. “S-sorry,” she squeaked out pathetically. She had been caught in a double attack from princess Celestia and Daring Doo. Never stood a chance.

Before anyone could yell at her for giving the enemy team free kills, or feeding, Clash's voice chimed in. “No worries. Deaths happen.”

No pony else said anything and she slowly began to relax. Match by match she played with him and by the fourth one she found she was actually doing rather well. She was landing her attacks, rarely being caught in a bad position and even putting the little totems down right. Even when she screwed up he was always there to help her get back. By the end of the day her wins had doubled! They had still lost a few, but even that didn't get her down. She was doing well. Heck, she was even pivotal during one game.

“Crash you were amazing!” she shrieked in the midst of giving him what had to be his twentieth choke-hug of the day. “Your Rainbow Dash is AMAZING! How did you get so good?”

“Well, I have been playing for a while. Also, for the fiftieth time, it's Clash. I don't crash,” he paused for a moment, “often. Besides I'm really not that good and you're not nearly as bad as you think. I mean well...” he blushed a little as he looked off to the side. “I haven't played support often but I think you did a good job. Were usually there when I went in to kill things so there is that. Ummm... Wanna play some more tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Yes! I'd love too!”

“Who knows? Maybe you could even invite your sister to come too. We could all practice together.”

She froze at those words. Oh. Of course. It all made sense now. “I'll see what I can do. See you tomorrow...” she said in a dejected tone as she walked off. He watched her with confusion, but soon wandered off as well.

“I wasn't a good support at all. Crash just wanted me to introduce him to my sister. Fine then, if he wants to play that game we can play that game,” she snapped as she stomped her hooves. For a moment she wondered if he had set all those wins up. Maybe even bribed their opponents... then she realized that was a really stupid idea. No pony was that desperate, even if her sister was one of the best players in the kingdom, a platinum, she doubted anyone would go that far. Maybe if she was considered a diamond level summoner, but those were the best in the world.

Her mood sufficiently ruined she headed home and began to plot how she would get back at him for trying to use her. Before long a wicked, evil grin formed on her lips. She couldn't help but cackle a bit as she turned in to bed that night.

Morning came and she ate her breakfast quickly, not even stopping to chat with Sticky.

“Hold it! Where are you off to in such a rush?” the older mare called out when she was half way out the door.

“Oh, I ummm... I'm heading out to meet some ponies. Training, I swear.” She brought up a hoof to cross her heart.

“Fine, I guess. Here. I found a new team that's just starting out, looking for fresh faces. Try outs will be today at seven and- Hey! Rift listen when I talk to you!”

“I heard, I heard. Try outs for a new team today, at seven. I...” she paused malevolently. Ohhh. This would be perfect. She could get her vengeance all the quicker! “Can I bring a friend?”

Sticky Mane froze for a second before nodding. “I suppose. But I'd make sure you feel comfortable playing with them.”

“Oh, don't worry. I feel very comfortable playing with this person. He'll make me look very good. Mwa hah hah- OW!” Rift rubbed her flank where her sister pinched her.

“Don't you dare start doing that laugh again. I don't care how it sounds in books, it makes you sound ridiculous,” her elder snapped.

The little purple unicorn nodded before running off. Once she was out of sight of course she began her evil laugh again. She finally managed to contain herself by the time she met back up with Clash. “So are you ready for today?”

“Sure, is your sister coming?” the hope in his eyes filled her with rage as she reconfirmed that, yes, while her plan was cruel it was definitely necessary.

“Not yet, but she might later. I actually wanted to talk with you about something. I have a team try out today and I was hoping you'd be able to come with me. If we do well enough I'm sure my sister would be impressed. If we do well enough she might even want to play a few games with you,” she said with a wicked grin. “What do you say, Crash?”

“It's Clash! Also, sure. Sounds like it could be fun. Wanna get some games in to practice first?” he asked as he motioned towards the training arena's. “I even got a surprise for you later.”

“Oh... Yes. I'd love to. Eh heh heh heh,” she said as she rubbed her hooves together malevolently, ignoring his last words. Yesssss. Train with me Crash. I'll teach you to rue the day you decided to use me!

Many sessions later, with a much lower win to loss ratio than the day before, she couldn't help but grin.

“Hey, Rift? Can I speak with you for a moment?” He asked after their eighth game, a loss.

“Sure, whatever about?”

“Well, it just seems that... err, I don't know how to put this but uhhh... Are you feeling okay?”

Yesss! Squirm you worm! Squirm on your belly! Or hooves! Or... whatever! Just squirm. “Oh? What do you mean?”

“Well I can't help but notice that ummm... Well... You've been playing horribly today! I mean, yesterday you were doing pretty good. You were hitting the enemy, running about, securing things for me. But now it seems the moment I come to help anywhere you back away, you don't heal me when I'm low, and I can't help but notice you forget to use your speed boosts whenever I'm being chased and you're near me.”

“O-oh! I'm ever so sorry!” she said in a slightly sarcastic tone. “I'm really trying to play my best, honest! I just keep... locking up whenever you come into lane.” She was unable to suppress the grin on her lips. 'Oh yes,' she thought, 'it's not like I'm trying to make you look bad or anything.'

“Well, it's not only that. Whenever we fight and the team is on their way, you keep backing off even though we can easily take them. I just wanted to know if everything's okay? Everything alright at home?”

Oh, of course! Comes right back to her sister, doesn't it?! Not subtle in the slightest! She felt anger burn inside her like a knife as she ground her hoof into the ground. “Yes everything is fine at home! My sister is amazing and a far better player than I'll ever be, okay?! You don't have to keep bringing it up!”

“I... What? What are you talking about? I wasn't talking about your sister. Why would you even thi-”

“Oh drop the act!” Rift snapped angrily. “I know EXACTLY what you're up to, Crash! I'd have to be blind not to!” Buck the plan! She had been holding this in since last night and she was going to let it all out! “I'm not a good summoner and you know it! You're just being nice to me so you can get close to my sister and get on her team or get lessons from her!” she paused for a moment. “Or possibly ask her out! I don't know which but you're trying it and I hate it! And you're a bad pony! And... and I don't like you any more!” she yelled before galloping off! Yeah, that showed him! That would teach him to play with her and lie about how good she was. That and carrying her through a bunch of games. Not to mention giving her a better win ratio. Possibly carrying her through her team game and oh buck what had she done?!

Her stomach was fluttering a mile a minute when she arrived at the teams meeting area. At least twenty ponies had gathered for the auditions and she could already see a few she recognized. She was less than thrilled to see her team from the last time she tried out. It didn't take her long to get grouped with another four ponies, but that was only because she tended to control support and most summoners hated doing such a role.

She tried to suppress her anxiety, but she could feel it building inside her. Waiting to billow out. What if she failed? What if this was her only chance? What if she had to give up being a summoner and had to use her magic for something like... working in a shipping job? Or worse, head back home? What if she headed home and it turned out her parents didn't want her-

“STRIPES!” a pony yelled in her ear, distracting her from her panic attack, temporarily.

“What? Huh? Who? Yes?” she squeaked as she looked at her team mates who glared back.

“We're up. We got our first game, let's go.”

“R-right. Yes. Of course. Coming,” she squeaked pathetically. Oh she was going to buck this up horribly, she knew it. She brought up her champion select and let out a soft gasp. She had four to choose from! SHE HAD FOUR! The pinkie-sprite-bot! A surprised grin formed on her lips as she selected it. Her sister must have gotten it for her, as a good luck gift. It couldn't have been cheap, buying it for her.

She took a deep breath as she formed the magical orb of control in her hands. With such a gift she just knew she couldn't lose. The game began and she giggled a little at her partner. Daring Doo! Perfect.

The matches went relatively well. Her death count was low, she got Daring Doo a number of kills, and, most importantly, she was feeling the tension ebbing away as she got more and more comfortable with her champion. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew a good chunk of her calmness was because she had spent so much time practicing with Clash. She didn't even freeze the one time she was caught out of position, instead managing to use her grab to severely damage one of them and allowing Daring Doo to finish off. Match by match they slowly began to win most of their fights against the other teams. After her battle against her old team mates she even went so far as to stick her tongue out at them when the judge wasn't looking.

They only had one more fight before the team members would be decided and she could barely contain her excitement. She had played well! Sure, she wasn't the best ever, but she had performed relatively well. They had only lost two of their many fights and both had been close.

As she was led into the room to meet her opponents before the next battle she froze in mid step. One of her team mates, a unicorn, turned to her. “Are you okay?”

“I-I'm fine. J-just ummm, hurt my ankle a little. Cramp. Eh heh,” she squeaked as she looked at their opponents. HIM! Crash! What was HE doing here? Oh buck oh buck! How was he her opponent? How did he even know about this?! Wait, when she asked him to join her and... that... that... backward winged dodo! How could he go to such lengths just to make sure she didn't get on the team?! HOW? She greeted the enemy team before, her mind in a daze, heading towards the summoning chambers to begin the match. All her anxiety was back and she couldn't resist. She burped a little acidic belch. “Excuse me...”

“You sure you're okay? We can't have you losing it midway through the match,” the unicorn said with a slight glare.

“I-I'll be fine,” she squeaked as she slowly went through her champions. This wasn't good. He knew all her moves. She had told him her strength and weaknesses. He likely told the enemies all about her champions and... and... and there was no way he could know about her newest one. He would be expecting a healing selection. Not a big robot. She locked in and the fight began.

She was not doing well at all. She was jumpy and scared and as time went on it just got worse. She knew how he played. She knew the moment she made one mistake Crash would be there to crush her into the ground. She jumped almost a foot in the air when the announcer yelled 'First blood'. It took her a few seconds to realize it wasn't their team, it was the enemies! Maybe she could win this! Maybe they would! Maybe- AHHHHHH! “Rainbow Dash is coming!” she screamed as she told her partner to turn and run. It wasn't enough. The rainbow pony was on them!

“An enemy has been slain.”

She slowly opened her eyes. Rainbow Dash had... Died? What? But she hadn't done anything! Her partner had killed the pegasus, alone? HOW? Three kills later she understood. Crash was... feeding them kills. Albeit subtly. For example, running in to close so she could grab him, running towards their team when it was two versus one, equipping himself with a decent but easily killed armor. Heck, he even ran into her grabs once. In the end there was nothing the enemy could do once they got more and more money from slaughtering him. The word 'Victory' never felt so good and so dirty at the same time.

She remained silent as they were led away towards a waiting room to sit and talk. She smiled and nodded at her comrades but couldn't stifle the butterflies in her stomach as she occasionally glanced to Crash. Every so often she caught him looking towards her as well. She wished she knew why he did it. Being on a team was amazing! He couldn't be on one already if he tried for this, so he must have wanted it. She was on the verge of running over and apologizing when a red pegasus walked into the room. “Ahem. The ponies chosen to join our new team are-”

Oh buck oh buck! She held her stomach as she tried her best not to throw up. She had to be chosen! She had to! Please oh please oh please! Tears welled up in her eyes as her stomach tied itself in knots as the pony rattled off names.

“Rift Mane.”

Her scream was so loud the pony froze in shock. Right before he shrieked as she jump hugged him so hard they went tumbling to the ground. “Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!”

“Err, well, I, ummm, p-please head inside...” the pony squeaked before letting out a pained groan as she trampled him in her rush.

“Sorry!”

She ran down the hall towards the next room as she summoned up a small folder. Inside housed all her information, date of birth, place of birth, magic she knew, summoner number, basically all the information the team would need to register her. She was so excited she didn't notice the pony in a red robe until she collided straight into him, sending her file and the other ponies files, across the ground. “I'm sorry! Here, let me help. I'm really sorry!” She said as she grabbed her file back up and began helping the pony put everything back together. “I'm so, so sorry. I just have a meeting with one of the team leaders and I'm just squeal!” She was unable to contain herself, darting off the moment she had helped the pony pick up (most) of his paperwork.

The pony just shook his head as he started off again towards Discord's office. “Buncha brats, as if it's not difficult enough keeping all this straight with ponies constantly messing with our filing system. Charging through the halls willy nilly... Grumble rumble rabble rabble...”

“Thank you, Crash. Thank you! Crash! I'm really sorry, Crash. Thank you so much for helping me, Crash! I couldn't have done it without you, Crash! Argghhhh!” Rift growled at herself in the bathrooms mirror as she ruffled her mane with her hooves. How did she talk to him after what she said?! Despite that he still helped her. Maybe she could just beg. Yes, begging for forgiveness worked. Surely he couldn't be-

“You know you're in the stallions rest room, right?” a voice said from behind her.

Rift turned with a shriek. “D-don't do that!”

“Sorry. I saw you come in here and was gonna tell you. But then you just looked so funny talking to yourself,” Clash said with a small smirk. “Should I leave?”

“Yes. No. I... I don't know,” she then looked around a bit before sighing again. “I want to thank you. For ummm, that. I mean... you know you can get in a lot of trouble if anyone finds out, right? I mean, you could get black listed on any team from here to Fillydelphia.”

“Relax,” he said as he patted her head with his hoof. “I didn't let anyone know who I was and I lied on the admission sheet. No pony will know it was me.”

“S-still! You could have gotten in a lot of trouble. I ummm... don't know how to thank you. So I'll introduce you to my sister,” she said softly. “You kinda went to a lot of trouble just to meet her though. I mean, she's good and all but-”

“I didn't do this to meet her. I did it for you,” he said before turning red. “I-I mean, not for you. Well, for you. But cause you're my friend! Besides, you didn't do to bad. I saw how fast you picked up the champion I added to your license and-” he eeked as he suddenly found himself pushed against the wall and staring into Rift's eyes.

“You?! You bought me that?! Why? When? WHY?” she snapped as she felt more and more guilt enveloping her.

“I-I bought it after you ran off today. You looked so angry and upset. Not to mention you seemed to think I was just using you and I didn't want you to feel that way,” he said with such sincerity that it made her stomach twist.

Truly she was the greatest monster to ever roam these halls. Considering some of the things they had summoned to fight it wasn't a small feat. “I... I'm sorry Crash. Please forgive me. It was just... thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.”

“Well, uhhh, no problem. You can let me go now.”

She eeped and pulled away, blushing softly. “I'll find a way to repay you for this one day, I promise. I just... I need to go.” She charged out the bathroom door, startling another pony as she darted by, and galloped away.

She finally got on a team and wouldn't be dead weight on her sister any more. All the things she wanted were finally happening. So why did she feel lower than a parasprite with plucked wings?

The pony in the red cloak slowly walked into Discord's office, his head low. While he knew he was in no actual danger, except for maybe spending a week with his tail coming out of his nose or something equally ridiculous, he... Well actually that was a really good reason to be tense around the spirit of chaos. Fortunately his high and powerful seemed to be asleep at the desk.

The little pony slowly tip toed over and placed the folders on the desk as softly as he could before turning around.

“Hello there,” Discord said as he looked down at the pony.

The pony screamed like a banshee before turning around to look back at the now empty desk. “How, when, what? I, it, there, information on new champion! Pending your approval! Please don't turn me into a duck!!”

“A duck?” Discord said as he picked up the top folder. “Water fowl are so two days ago. Now I'd probably turn you into a new invention of mine, the platypus. Perhaps you could...” he trailed off as the door to his office slammed shut. He did so enjoy doing that.

He deposited himself back in his chair before picking up the little yellow folder. It turned a swirly purple. It was always the same, summoner additions in red folders, team scores in the blue folders and of course new champion additions in the yellow folders. He really wished they would stop keeping it all so organized. Didn't see why he had to... had to... His mind trailed off as he looked through the folder. Slowly a wicked grin formed on his lips as he let out a happy chuckle.

Now this was the kind of chaos he was talking about.

Champion Spotlight: Elements

This week we delve into the ones, the onlys, the elements of harmony! That's right, the six ponies who have saved all of equestria again and again. Even going so far as to turn Discord into a nice(ish) guy. Also the key reason the order fights use 5 champions and not six. Here they are!

Name: Twilight

Based on: Ahri

Brief summary: While technically a princess, Twilight is first and foremost a bearer of the elements. Once the order began she and the other elements stepped forth to battle for their country and forged their elements into mighty weapons. She uses her powerful spells, enhanced with her element, to teleport around the battlefield and rain powerful destruction on her enemies. Not only that, she is also able to use her want it need it spell to temporarily disable her enemies.

Name: Rarity

Based on: Taric

Brief summary: While not a fan of fighting(it has a nasty habit of ruining ones hooficure) Rarity was quickly willing to fight for her country. She melded her element with a gem hammer and uses it to give of her own power to her allies. A little known fact, she has designed 80-90% of all uniforms the champions wear. She has also been caught more than once trying to alter the traditional robes of the summoners... well as traditional as such a new order could have them.

Name: Applejack

Based on: Gragas

Brief summary: Not one to let her friends go off into battle alone Applejack joined the order immediately. However, being a savvy business pony and noticing how popular the fights were becoming, she decided to drum up some extra business for the farm. As such, her weapon of choice is a barrel of apple cider and some zap apple jam. No pony knows how it works. May are pissed that it works as well as it does. They blame the element latched onto the barrel.

Name: Pinkie Pie

Based on: Jayce

Brief summary: When you gotta fight and can have a hammer or a gun, why not take both? That was Pinkie's reasoning and when she joined the order she held one of the most unique weapons on the field. There is no doubt that the weapon houses great power, with the element on it and all, but she is still one of the least used champions in the order. This mainly has to do with her talking to the summoner when they control her. By name. More than a few are a bit freaked out by this.

Name: Fluttershy

Based on: Maokai

Brief summary: When the others joined the order Fluttershy refused. The idea of waging a never ending war, even to avoid a much larger and deadly one, horrified her. In the end she was finally able to see the need and took her place amongst their ranks, though she has constantly been trying to make the countries end their fighting. Rather than arming herself with weapons she instead uses nature itself, drawing on the trees of the arena to envelop and fight with her.

Name: Rainbow Dash

Based on: Master Yi

Brief summary: She gets to be famous, kick butt, and move at lightning speeds. What ISN'T to like? The first of them to join the order, after Twilight, Rainbow obviously enjoys all the attention and adoring fans. Her speed allows her to become little more than a blur, especially when she uses her sonic rainboom. Her blades cut through even the toughest champions in mere moments. In the end she has always been a crowd favorite.

Name: Spike

Based on: Shyvana

Brief summary: While not technically an element of harmony, Spike has always been a valuable member of the group. Not to mention Twilight's number one assistant and stand in Rainbow Dash. While Twilight was against letting him join the conflict he eventually managed to wear her down. Despite his youth, his dragon heritage has made him a powerful contender. His weapon of choice are small magical gauntlets forged from enchanted lava, a weapon only a dragon could wield. Twilight has warned him if he leaves them out one more time she is taking them away, for good.

Chapter 3: Cheeky Changes

Cake! Pie! The weird stuff that was kinda like pudding but not quite but still tasted really good! Rift's tummy was bloated by all these things as her sister threw the biggest party she'd ever been too, well aside from birthday partys. Festivals too. There was also that time Orange Lotus got lost in the woods and they found her and... Okay it wasn't the biggest party she'd ever been too at all. But her sister was throwing it and that made her happy enough as it was.

Sticky had taken off early from practice to celebrate the good news and the two were now eating at the pink tail. Apparently it was endorsed by one of the elements of harmony and was the only place in the city with an all you can eat dessert bar. On some days they even brought out something that they only referred to as 'Mmmm.' It was a tad expensive but that didn't matter at all! Soon Rift would have her own money coming in and they'd be able to afford everything they needed.

But for now all the little pony wanted was a doctor as she struggled helplessly to nibble at her apple pie slice. “I-I give... T-the pastries win...” Rift said with a soft groan as she closed her eyes and rolled over onto a cushion, tossing a cupcake up in defeat. It unceremoniously landed on her head with a squish sound.

“Pfft. Push over,” Sticky said as she ate what had to be her tenth slice of pie. Where she put it all no pony would ever know. Nor how she managed to get cinnamon frosting in her mane when they hadn't been near the cinnamon rolls all night.

“You're... just a b-bottomless hole... think I'm going to explode...” the younger sister grumbled miserably.

“Heh, don't think I'm rolling you home. Don't forget, you have a busy day tomorrow. Need to make sure you're up nice and early so you can get ready for your first day of practice. Do you know who you'll be working with?”

“Nope! One of the ponies who competed I'm guessing,” she said proudly.

“Okay... Do you know what time practice is?”

“... No...” she said a bit less proudly.

“... Do you have any idea what kind of composition they'll be wanting the teams to work with?”

“...” Rift hung her head in shame as her sister just shook her head, or at least attempted too despite laying on the cushion.

“Okay. Tomorrow just go to the head office and bring your license. From there they'll tell you when your next practice time has been assigned and just make sure you show up an hour early. That way you have more time to talk with your sponsor, okay?” Sticky shook her head, trying to act disappointed but was unable to hide her smile. “It'll be fine. You're going to love being in a team, it's completely different from going solo,” the older unicorn said as she started on a donut.

“Different? How?” Rift said as she managed to haul herself back up, tummy and all.

“Communication. Team work. It's like having a second family almost. You learn each others strengths and weaknesses and before you know it you see those you work with as brothers or sisters,” she paused for a moment as a knowing grin flashed on her face, “and sometimes even more.”

“W-what?” the younger unicorn squeaked as she pretended to be fascinated by the contours of her slice of pie. “I-I have no idea what you could possibly mean.”

“Oh, you will, eventually. If you want we can leave, I can get something else to eat on the way home.”

“... How are you not the size of a blimp?” Rift groaned. Moments later she shrieked as her older sister stuffed a cupcake into her mouth and down her throat. She hacked and coughed between glares. “Are you trying to kill me?!!”

“Just making sure you have plenty of sugar and energy for tomorrow,” the unicorn said with a little smirk. “A nice gift from the blimp.”

“I said how are you not the size of one not that you are one... Trying to kill me on the day before my first practice huh? I see how it is,” she said with a mischievous grin as she grabbed a nearby platter of pudding and tossed it in her sisters face! After a few moments the platter fell to the ground and the unicorn stared back with a blind fury, her face coated in pudding. The rest of the customers all went silent and stared at the sudden disturbance.

“Very well, little sister. If you wish to act like a child. I shall beat you like a child,” Sticky said as her horn began to glow and a number of pies lifted from a nearby trolley.

“No, don't! I'm-” but it was to late. Before she could finish her apology she was covered in pies. Fortunately, they were dessert pies so she didn't get burns. Unfortunately most of them were filled with icy treats so she was now freezing. “... It. Is. So on!” she shrieked as she jumped to her feet with her horn aglow.

“You know, we might not have gotten banned if you hadn't dumped that bowl of jello down the cashier's head,” Rift said as she walked through the cities streets, her sister besides her. Both were covered horn to hoof in crusts, fruit filling and whipped cream.

“Oh we were going to be banned anyway. He totally deserved it after he called us two-toned savages,” Sticky said with a snicker.

“Well we did make a huge mess. He was probably really upset when he stepped in that pie too,” Rift said with a soft snicker. “We're lucky they didn't try to press charges. I can't believe you went so far!”

“I went so far?! You started it!”

“I threw one thing of pudding. You threw an entire trolley of pies. You escalated it, not me.”

“You started it! I was merely... defending... uh oh,” she stopped and stared at the entrance to their home. Three royal guards were standing outside, along with none other than Shining Armor. “Oh by Celestia's mane we're going to be arrested,” she squeaked nervously.

“N-no way. I-I bet it's just a mistake. W-worse comes to worse w-we'll just pay for the damages. The tender told us to leave!” Rift said in a squeaky voice. “Y-you know what? I bet it's not even for us. I bet it's someone else. Maybe someone got robbed.” Though she didn't believe it. The prince was here! The actual prince! He was even more rugged and handsome in real life and she couldn't help but admire the way he filled out his armor for a few seconds, even if she was nervous and frightened.

“Just keep your head down, don't look at them. Walk by casually,” her sister said nervously as they stepped forward.

“HALT!” Shining's voice boomed out like a clap of thunder as they passed by. “One of you are Rift Mane, correct?”

“...” In every mare's life there comes a point when they must stand firm by their convictions and look the object of their demise straight in the eye. This. Was not one of those times. She hurtled herself at his feet and started to cry. “I'm sorry I don't know what I did but please don't arrest me I didn't mean too I'm so sorry I'll pay for whatever I did but please don't send me to prison!”

“I, what? I, p-please stop crying miss. There's no need to get upset. Ummm, there there child,” the prince said nervously as he patted the mares head. The two guards behind him, to their credit, didn't even snicker. “I've come to tell you your introductory match will be tomorrow at noon.”

“... What?” the little mare asked before staring up at the prince. “Why would you, I mean, you're the prince, and, but... so I'm not under arrest?”

“No. Discord himself asked that I bring you that message, I am sorry if my presence evoked such fear. Please have a good day,” the unicorn said before turning and walking away. Both sisters stared at his exit for quite a bit longer than was appropriate.

“So, I guess... ummm... wow. Did they do that when you were going to do your first match?” Rift asked as she watched the tail disappear around the corner.

“Well no. But I had a few days to practice before hand. I'm surprised they're putting your first match so soon, that's probably why they sent him. Though I can't believe they sent him of all ponies,” Sticky said as she watched the corner, a little hopeful that he'd come back around so she could watch him leave again.

“GAHHH!” Rift shrieked as she looked down. “I can't believe he saw me looking like this! I look like a cake topping!” she wailed as she charged to their home, tossed open the door and made a beeline for the shower. “Of all the ponies in the world to see me, why did it have to be him?!”

Her elder sister merely snickered as she headed into the apartment and waited for her chance to shower, but not before taking and hiding the last towel. That would teach the brat to start a food fight.

Rift laid awake in bed, many hours after she should have been asleep. She glanced at her bedside clock, a glow-in-the-dark Luna moving over the glow-in-the-dark numbers. She couldn't calm herself though. Tomorrow she would be fighting for her team. People she barely knew who would be funding her stay. Assuming she didn't screw it up and end up getting kicked from the team in a few months. But even if she was kicked, her license would be refreshed and she'd have paid her sister back a little bit, not to mention it was far easier to get on a team once you'd been on one. So why did she have this awful weight in the pit of her stomach?

Crash. She knew he did all that to help her, but she couldn't stop the guilt from twisting her stomach. Even after she yelled at him he still went out of his way to help her. Truly she was the lowest level of scum, even below pond. She rolled onto her side and gently run a hoof along the wall. She finally jumped out of bed and moved to her desk, taking out a small piece of paper and began to write a note. She knew how to make it up to him! Before to long she note was finished and she added his name to it, she'd leave it at the summoner headquarters to be delivered later. For a moment she considered sealing it with a kiss but no, that would just be silly.

Her mind calmed the mare jumped into bed and tried to fall back to sleep. It wasn't long before she was dreaming of being out in the fields again, a legendary summoner who all admired and envied for her talent. One who never missed her skill shots or paniced when everyone charged at her. Not at all.

“AHHHHH!” Rift screamed as she galloped through the streets, startling and nearly trampling a good many passerbys. She was late! Extremely late! She had barely managed to choke down a muffin before barreling out the door, her sister having left hours before to meet with her group. While the screaming was not necessary it did alert others to her running prescience and made her feel better.

When she finally arrived it was twenty past noon and she actually slammed into the desk clerk's desk. After a few moments the ponies head popped over the edge of his large desk. “Miss? Are you okay?”

“My... everything... h-hurts. I think my heart exploded too,” she groaned as she stared up at the pony. With difficulty she pulled her license out and showed it to the pony, “W-which room a-am I supposed to go too?”

The stallion glanced at the card for a moment before his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You're, I mean, you're Rift? Mane? Oh, ummm, down the east hall, down the stairs and behind the golden door. Just show your card to the griffon and you can get in.”

“T-thanks,” Rift groaned as she got to her hooves and dropped a small letter on the desk. “P-please deliver this to a L-Lightning Crash. Thanks,” she said as she began to gallop again. She couldn't wait to get started! She wouldn't have to run anymore.

Getting through the guard wasn't to hard, he took one look at her ID and let her pass. She wondered if all teams had guards at the door. She guessed it made sense. She walked inside and looked around in confusion. It wasn't a summoning chamber at all. Instead it looked like a lounge and THERE WAS DISCORD!

“Ah. You're late,” the spirit of chaos said as he drank the strawberries out of his apple pie. If she was less panicked about being late she'd have tried to figure out how that made sense. That and staring at the immortal spirit of chaos and disharmony.

“Y-you're... You're... P-please don't turn me into a monkey or a beaver or anything else like that!” she screamed as she laid down on her stomach and covered her head.

“Charming. Oh no, I've just come to wish you good luck. After all, it is your first game and we're expecting quite the demonstration. I hope you'll do us proud.”

“S-summoned? I... what? Huh? Why would you come for my first match?”

“Oh, no reason. No reason. I'd say oh... three... two... one...” As the spirit finished the entire room went quiet, but nothing happened.

“What was the point of counting to one-” she was cut off as electricity shot through her and she reappeared at the top of a stone stair case on a platform. “-if nothing... wha? Huh? Where am... ahh!” she shrieked as she realized who was on the platform with her. Shining? Cadence? Blueblood?! PINKIE PIE?! What the buck was going on?! “What? Where? Why?” she looked down at herself, trying to figure out what champion she had been logged in as.

It took her a few seconds to realize she was herself. On the field. With the other four. Oh buck. “Oh no no no no,” she said fearfully as she moved forward. “What's going on? I'm not supposed to be here! I'm supposed to be, well, here, but not here here, there here, not there here here, but there! While here!”

“Child, are you well?” Cadence asked softly, giving the girl a confused look.

“NO! Yes! No! I mean, why am I here? I'm not one of you! I'm a summoner, I'm... I'm...” wait, no. She was still in control. Kinda. If she focused she realized she could see the information she had as a summoner. She could see her 'skills', only a handful of the spells she knew. She saw her stats. She could even see the mini map. What she couldn't see is any reason SHE should be HERE! “I'm a summoner, there has to be some sort of mistake, I can't, I'm...”

“You are Rift Mane, are you not?” Shining asked as he moved by her, a few potions tossed into his pack.

“Yes. But-”

“Then you are the newest member to represent Canterlot. Don't worry so much,” he said as he patted her head. “This is merely an exhibition match. You'll be fine. Just grab some items and head down to the middle lane.”

“But... but but...” she squeaked to no avail as the other four headed down to their respective locations. She whimpered as she turned to the middle lane, surrounded by trees and holding a few tall turrets. Funny, it never looked so terrifying and ominous before. She gulped nervously before purchasing a single small blue ring and heading down the lane. The opening in the trees made her envision at any moment an entire swarm of ponies or others charging out to tear her limb from limb. She made her way slowly down it, jumping at every sound or movements, until she was huddled under her turret and looking out.

Then she saw her. Just out of turret range. A tiny little filly of dark wickedness. “Sho you are dah one I gonna beat up today?” Oh my gosh it was Nightmawe Woon! She felt her heart tighten at the sight of the adorable little filly sticking her tongue out.

“Errr... Y-yes. Nice to meet you,” she squeaked before slowly stepping out. The moment she came within range a ball of shadows slammed into her chest and she stumbled back. “W-what? Why? I was-”

“Not nice to meet you! I'm gonna smash you inta dusht!” the princess said with a smirk.

Rift gulped and moved back to the turret before thinking about her spells again. She had three to pick from though two she imagined would be useless. The third however... She put a point in it before aiming it once at the ground right behind the turret. A small blue circle formed in the ground behind it.

“Hah! Your aim shucksh, I'm nowhare neaw-” the filly was interrupted as the striped unicorn aimed a hoof at her and moments later a red circle formed under her. She shrieked as she fell through it and appeared out the other side, right behind Rift's turret, as the small circles closed. “AHHHHH!” she screamed as she ran, but was just a tad to slow.

“First blood,” the announcer called out.

The unicorn gulped and stared. She had never gotten first blood before! Well, she had but this time her team was actually congratulating her! Even Shining. She squealed with delight as she practically danced towards the middle of the lane as small little minions began popping up. Right until the moment she was encircled by black flames. She coughed a little before looking down towards a very angry looking alicorn.

“Youw shooo dead when I get my hoovesh on you!” the little princess shrieked in rage. Rift merely whimpered in
response as the fights began. It was a slow affair with her slowly knocking out the little tiny minions as they came around and Nightmawe Woon continuously taking pot shots at the unicorn. Before to long she had all three of her main spells available.

Which was good. Because right as she got her third one a changeling came bounding out of the woods besides the lane, charging at her with a gleaming razor sharp dagger. Rift shrieked and ran towards her turret, but she was far to pushed out as magical spikes broke from the ground in a line from the changeling and slashed at her. Acting quickly she cast one of her new spells. The spikes almost hit her but were blocked as a portal formed between her and them and absorbed the powerful attack. Moments later the spikes shot out from the portal and struck the changeling, confusing it for a moment.

It kept pursuing her though as she ran towards the turret. For a moment black flames encircled her and froze her in place, giving the changeling a few free shots before she was able to run again. “AHHHH!” she screamed as she continued her charge. She turned and cast her next spell as yet another portal formed between her and the changeling and water flew out from the portal, knocking the changeling away a bit.

It didn't stop the creature though, it could smell blood and if it caught Rift, she was toast. As it gained on her she cast the spell again and this time snow billowed out from the portal and knocked the changeling back once again, making it shriek at the sudden avalanche.

She was almost there! Almost! A spike slashed across her flank as she looked back. STILL?! Not fair! The changeling was still had over three-fourths its hp! She was down to a sliver after that last blow! One final time she unleashed the spell as this time lava shot out and sent the changeling flying! “Holy bu-” BAM! She was cut off as she slammed head first into the tower, groaning. “Ow...” She glanced back at the changeling, who looked furious. Just out of turret range. Wait a moment...

A wicked grin formed on her face as she formed the portal directly behind the turret.

“WUN YOU FOOL! YOUW GONNA-” But Nightmawe Woon's warning came to late as a portal formed under the startled changeling's hooves.

Rift ran as fast as she could towards the base as moments later the announcer called out, “An enemy has been slain.” She did it! She couldn't believe it! She won! She was the greatest at this! She was the best, she... ran straight into the turret again with a pained whimper.

All things considered she was doing well! She thought so at least. She didn't know what items to buy so she just bought a fancy hat and a big stick. Truly those were the kinds of items any wise magician would need! Despite her earlier success she found they weren't falling for her portal tricks any more and were giving her a wide berth when she was by her turret. Luckily the royal ponies were doing well, especially Pinkie.

She was actually beginning to feel quite confident as she traded hits with the little princess, she had even made sure to ward her bushes so she wouldn't get taken by surprise again and she was beginning to get the hang of how her skills worked. Her fourth and final skill was the only one she hadn't tested yet. The call went out as she used her three use portal spell to push a lot of the enemy minions away and then she headed down through the woods. They were going to try to do something dangerous. Something deadly. Something that could very well get their entire team slaughtered if they weren't careful.

They were going to try and defeat the dragon and earn its horde.

At any time they could be ambushed and crushed by the enemy team and lose the treasure if they weren't careful. Fortunately Daring Doo had been forced to retreat a moment ago so they had a small window to try and take it down. Before she even made it all the way down she stepped into a small bush and shrieked as the changeling was already there!

“GAHHH!” she quickly used her portal barrier but it only blocked one use of the spikes. She turned to run as fast as she could, using her knock back spells but it wasn't enough, she couldn't make it! Finally letting out a worried gulp she turned and faced the changeling, her horn glowing with powerful magic. A purple arcane circle formed across the ground at her hooves as a large green portal formed over head. From within came a loud howl as a timberwolf, large and powerful, jumped out and landed between the two. It took one look at the changeling and tackled it, claws and fangs tearing into it.

“W-wow. G-go timberwolf! You're doing it! You're awesome!” she cheered as the two fought. She wasn't paying nearly as much attention as she should have as a black fireball slammed into her, stunning her in place as another wave of flame washed over her. Moments later her timberwolf fell and her only route of escape was blocked off by a tiny alicorn princess.

“N-no, c-come on guys, can't we talk about- GAHHHHH!” she screamed as she was torn to pieces by the two.

She appeared back on the stone alter with a little whimper. “Ow...”

“Purple team has defeated the dragon.” Aw dang it. They lost the- wait a moment. SHE was on purple team! They got the horde! Right on time her wallet increased as her share of the gold filled it. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad. Maybe- “A turret has been destroyed.” Down went her turret. She hung her head and let out a soft sigh. Wonderful. She was going to fail, she just knew it. She bought a few tiny totems and then headed back towards her lane.

Yep, true to her expectations three of their five enemies were in her lane and pushing back. She used her water-snow-lava spell but it did little more than deter them for a few moments. They were pushing down hard with a number of the smaller minions taking the hits from the turret, so her little portal spell did next to nothing.

Then the unthinkable happened. They darted after her, even under the turret. She screamed and tried to run but they were on her, attacking over and over. Even with the turret pounding on them they didn't stop.

With a yellow flash a powerful voice filled the air. “CRYSTAL EMPIRE!” Shining Armor yelled as he flashed in from the forest, his sword spinning over his head like a windmill.

“For Canterlot!” another voice rang out as suddenly prince Blueblood jumped from the other side of the lane, his magical spear held aloft. He landed between two of her attackers as the ground lifted up, trapping them all in a temporary circle of rock. The two princes, changelings and the little princess. Rift gulped and once again summoned a timberwolf to help them, before running away for her life lest she get caught in the brawl.

Moments later “An enemy has been slain. Double kill,” was announced. From there everything continued to go up hill and before she knew it “Victory!”

She appeared back in the same room she had been in before, her entire body shaking like a leaf as she fell on her stomach. There he was. Discord. “So, have fun?”

“You... You... There isn't a word I can think of to call you that could suffice for how I feel! GRAHHHH! You... GAHHH! Tail... Bucking... sniffer... hoof... Thing!” she struggled to put her emotions into words. Sadly her talents weren't designed for that. Her shaking finally got the best of her as she fell to the ground. “I could have been killed! I was killed! Multiple times! And then I won, and I, you, it... GAHHH!”

“Oh? But that's what the life of a champion is. Fighting for one's kingdom. Isn't that something all of you ponies want?”

“Yes! But I want to be a summoner, not a champion! I can't fight, my talent is summoning!” she shrieked and finally managed to get to her hooves again.

“Oh. Oh dear. Well I suppose if you don't want to fight for your country you'll have to be removed from the roster.”

“I... What? Really? It's just that easy?”

“Oh of course dear child. We'd hate to make you fight if your talent is... being a summoner, as you say,” he hummed as swirly red glasses formed on his head and a small stack of papers formed in his hand. “Right, Rift Mane, Rift Mane... Ah, it says here your... oh dear... Well I'm sure that won't be a problem.”

“... What?” the unicorn asked as dread seeped inside her.

“Well, since you've become a champion your license has been revoked. It seems you'll have to do the tests over again...”

She gulped nervously as her hooves started to quiver again. “W-what? But... but I... But the tests are so expensive. I-I just got into a team and... and I need my license or I...” she felt the tears form in her eyes as the spirit of chaos tormented her so.

“Really? You know on a champions salary you could afford the test in just a little over a week. As well as affording a few champions...” he said with a wicked little grin.

“...” she stared at the draconequus for a moment before taking a deep breath. She couldn't believe she was considering this as she watched the smiling spirit. She couldn't help but remember some of the old stories she was told about making deals with creature's such as this. “What exactly are the benefits of becoming a champion?”

Rift took a deep breath as she stared at the door to their apartment. On the one hoof it was getting cold out here, on the other hoof her sister was inside and likely aware of today’s little exhibition match. With a fearful whimper she slowly reached out and turned the knob, gently pushing it open.

“RIFT!” the voice boomed out instantly, causing the mare to cower.

“Y-yes?” she squeaked, considering the advantages of just running for the hills.

“Come in and help me with this, will you?”

“Huh?” she slowly peeked her head inside and stared, wide eyed, at the baskets that filled their small living space. There had to be dozens, possibly hundreds! Each filled with little candies, or treats, one even had a little stuffed bear. “W-what happened? Where did all this come from?”

“Well apparently when a brand new champion appears without any previous hint and she happens to have once been a summoner, people tend to get a little excited,” Sticky Mane turned and glared at her sister, a newspaper flying up from the coffee table. The words 'From controller to controlled, what will the order's newest shake up mean for the future of summoners everywhere?'

“I... I can explain,” Rift stuttered nervously as she closed the door behind her. “Y-you see I was, I ummm, it... I fell?”

“... What in Equestria are you going on about? How come you didn't tell me? This is awesome!” the older pony said as she plopped the newspaper on the table. “I don't know how you pulled it off, but it's brilliant!”

“I... it is? Really? What?” Rift asked, her mouth agape.

“Of course! Becoming a champion? When you stop teams will be crawling over themselves to get you in them! You'll become one of the most well known names out there. Seriously, how did you pull it off? You have to tell me. We're sisters. It's like the law.”

The mare looked off to the side and smiled nervously, “Errr... well, you see I uhhhh...” she let out a soft little cough as she struggled to find the words. “I just... had a talk with Discord and he-”

“YOU TALKED WITH DISCORD?! Oh my gosh! What did he say? Is it true that he has a dragon's arm? I hear he does all kinds of weird things! Tell me everything!” Sticky was practically hopping up and down at this point.

“I... it was easy. I just offered my services and he said sure!” she lied while paying extra attention to the floor. “I just need to go and uhhh, talk to him one more time tomorrow and then I'm in, for now. Until I decide to leave.”

“Okay. This is going to be awesome! Heh heh. I bet I can scrounge up enough bits to unlock you on my license. I've made a celebratory feast for tonight so I hope you're hungry! Not as big as last night but still, this is going to be amazing!”

“Oh, starved. I'm just gonna go clean up before hand. I'll be back in a moment,” she mumbled as she waved to her sister one more time before galloping up the stairs. She sighed as she glanced towards her open window, the curtains billowing in the breeze. Slowly she walked towards it and looked around Canterlot, or at least the street she could see.

How was she going to do this? Her magic was no where near powerful enough to contend with the true champions that she was being forced to fight! She wasn't that fast, or strong, or durable, all she just had was a bunch of tricks! What happened when... was that a knife poking into the back of her neck? Oh yes it was. That was definitely a knife. She let out a soft whimper as the changeling appeared besides her in a small green flame.

She recognized the changeling almost instantly. Why? Because she had died to him sooooo many times in the past, including a few times in today's fight. Fang. To Rift's credit she managed to not wet herself, barely.

“H-hello,” she squeaked out moments before two more changelings appeared in the room. Twitchy and Trappy. She was so going to die.

“So you're the new champion out on the field? Frankly I'm not impressed with the showing you gave us today...” the changeling said as he whispered into the mare's ear, the cold edge of the knife stroking along the unicorn's mane.

“W-what do you w-want from me?” she asked softly.

“From you? Nothing. I've just come to give you a little friendly warning...” the creature said as he whispered in to the frightened girl's ear. “there are already plenty of ponies who are allied with that fat sun queen on her throne. If one was to disappear no one would notice.”

“I-I see...” she said as she tried to avoid bursting into tears. She was going to die, she knew it.

“Times are coming pony... This little truce won't last forever. So remember when the time comes to remember to back the right side. Understood?”

“C-crystal,” she said softly. A sigh of relief escaped her throat as the knife was pulled away.

“Good. I'd advise against telling any pony about our little talk. Unless you want an accident to happen,” the changeling warned a moment before he and the other two departed through the open window, disappearing a few moments after they were outside.

The moment they were gone she closed and latched the window, her entire body shaking. What had she gotten herself into?

Bonus champion spotlight, Rift Mane!

Q: Surrounds the target in a temporary barrier. The next ranged attack to strike the target is reflected back in the direction it came.

W: Summons water/snow/lava to knock enemy back and deal damage, with a short delay where it can be used a second and third time before going on cooldown.

E: Makes a portal at target location. Can make a second portal within ten seconds. The first champion to touch either portal appears in the opposite portal. Portal can only be activated once and disappears after twenty seconds.

Ult: summons 1-3 timber wolves.

Champion Spotlight: Changelings

This spotlight we delve into the sneakiest champions in the order, changelings! Ruled by Queen Chrysalis these pony-ish beings have taken up arms in order to bring glory and prestige to their species as well as to help feed off the love and adoration of their fans. Little is known about these creature's and some believe there are dozens of them who switch places, rather than the handful who are registered. Surprisingly the queen herself has yet to have joined, instead using a few, in theory, select soldiers to represent her army. Utilizing their transformation abilities to seem to disappear by blending into their surroundings these champions tend to have the scariest reputations. Their heavy use of poisons fails to help keep these reputations at bay.

Name: Fang

Based on: Evelynn

Summary: The seeming leader of the changelings currently operating in Equestria, his espionage abilities are almost unparalleled. His weapons of choice are two small daggers which he, with his speed and stealth, enjoys getting in close to the target and shredding them apart. He manages to be one of the most hated and loved champions in the order but his true motivations, as well as what the changelings are truly after, still remains a mystery. All that is certain is that quite a few ponies who have had issues with him or attempted to stand in his way have since had mysterious accidents, though nothing has yet been proven.

Name: Trappy

Based on: Teemo

Summary: A trap master who has an affinity for poison plants, many a champion has met an accidental death at the hooves of one of his well placed tunnel shrooms. His ability to hide is nowhere near as impressive as his comrades but his ambushes are second to none. This changeling's cooking skills are just as impressive, with his stuffed mushrooms having once caused a street brawl as ponies fought for the last few on sale. No pony is quite sure how a thing that eats love can be such an amazing chef.

Name: Twitchy

Based on: Twitch

Summary: The jumpiest of all the changelings and, as some would put it, fruit bat insane! This changeling has entered matches covered in everything from timber wolf droppings to a giant pink cake. His weapon of choice is a crossbow with bolts that are coated in Celestia-doesn't-wanna-know what. All they know is it's toxic, nasty and not friendly to pony skin or coats. Other than these two small facts no pony has dared trying to learn more about him, or at least none who came back to tell the tale.