Author's Note

This chapter and the next are mostly fighting, and introducing the 4 spirits. Wasn't sure how you guys would respond, but its a good way to keep the story progressing xD

As always: if I didn't catch an error, blame my grammar Biyatch, Fallblau

Mad Pip in: Thunderdome

Once Pinkamena had put her papers back in order, she rejoined Pip outside her laboratory.
“Now that I’ve repaired that catastrophe, it is time for you to prepare yourself for a fight," she said. "Come with me, Pip.”
Pip stood up and followed behind Pinkamena while Sylphie Pie continued to hop around in his vision. The two traveled from tunnel to tunnel, before arriving at a door sealed with a strange, futuristic lock.

“I see you’re already equipped with the most basic of tools, Pip, but if you are to survive, and if I am to gather the data I need, then I believe you should consider taking some of my relics.”

Pinkamena pushed a couple of buttons on the lock's key pad, and with an electronic ‘beep’, the door swung open, revealing a room with various failed inventions, as well as a few weapons.

“Wow, what is all this, Pinkamena?” Pip said, walking in and sifting through the strangely organized room.

“This is my storage room. As you can see, over the years I’ve worked on quite a few projects.”

Pip walked over to a glass case containing a strange leather weapon.

“What is this? I can’t say I’ve ever seen a weapon like it before.”

“Ah, that is what I call a ‘whip’. While it cannot do more than simply annoy most creatures, my studies found that it has a strange effect on the undead, as well as vampires and demons. For some reason unbeknownst to science, it is the most efficient means of killing the undead.”

Pip took the whip and placed it in his satchel, while Pinkamena retrieved a sword from the corner of the room.

“Wait, but I already have a sword, Doctor. What would be the point in two?”

Shaking her head, she drew the sword from its sheath, showing it to be made of a mysterious, dark metal.

“This is no simple sword, Pip. This is the world’s first non-lethal sword. When you land a strike that would have been fatal, this sword instead seals the creature in a more basic form, from which it reverts back to its normal state after a few weeks. If you are to fight, I would request you use this, as I wouldn’t want to see anypony hurt in the name of science.”

Taking the sword, Pip attached it to his side, next to his original one. Feeling that her subject was ready, Pinkamena lead our hero through the tunnel network and up a flight of stairs, greeting the sunlight once more

“So, which way is Gran Celestia, Pinkamena?” Pip asked, looking behind him to see she had brought an umbrella with her to shield her from the sunlight

“It’s not far at all, Pip. As a matter of fact, we are on the outskirts of it currently. Just follow me and we shall arrive in no time.”

Leading Pip through a small patch of trees, city streets, and back alleyways, Pinkamena stopped infront of a massive marble structure, the likes of which Pip had never seen before

“Sweet Celestia, what is this place?!” Pip said in amazement, stepping forward, but being stopped by a guard pony

“Ticket please,” he said calmly, looking down at our unlikely hero.

Pinkamena reached into her lab coat and gave the guard a hoof full of bits, and with a wink and a nod, he allowed the pair to pass.
“This, my subject, is called a ‘coliseum’, and here is where the finest of ponies and changelings come to do battle in the name of glory. However, today you shall be joining them in the name of science.”

“Wait, changelings come here too?!” Pip asked, looking worried

“Yes, our reigning champions are changelings, actually. Though most of us believe it is because the colts who sign up are simply perverts who plan to lose all along. I trust you will keep your pants on?”

Pinkamena looked over at Pip, who nodded and took a deep breath.

“Yes, I’ve taken a strict vow to never have sex with changelings. It’s part of being a hero, after all.”

“Good, then head in to the challenger's room. I’ll go ahead and sign you up. I trust you will give it your all, if you wish to see your partner again.”

Pinkamena pointed Pip in the direction of the waiting room, while she took her leave. Walking in to the room, he saw several colts much larger than him, clad in shining armor and holding swords he could only dream of.

“Hey there little guy, first time at the coliseum?” a blue unicorn asked, walking over to Pip.

“Y-yeah, actually. Should I be worried?”

“Worried? Ha! Theres nothing to worry about. You just wait your turn, they call your name, and then you go out and fight a little. Once you put on a good show, just trip on ‘accident’ and the changelings give you the time of your life!”

Looking repulsed at the colt's words, Pip remained silent and sat in a chair, waiting as the first colt was called out. He heard a large crowd cheer, followed by a few minutes of swords clashing, the grunts of battle, and then the final cheer as he heard the changeling win. Three more fights went by the exact same way, before Pip heard his name called.

Standing up, he straightened his tunic, drew his new black sword, and stepped into the bright light of the outside. He looked up and saw many rows of seats filled with ponies cheering, along with Pinkamena who sat patiently in the front row with a notepad.

A large wooden gate was opened as a changeling entered the pit with him, her insect form disguised to look more like a large canine.

“My, my, you have to be the smallest colt I’ve ever seen in the coliseum. I’m sure you know the rules though, just put on a good show, and I’ll treat you to a real nice reward,” the changeling said with a smirk. She showed her sharp claws to him, and Pip grasped his sword with both hooves, ready.

A bell rang, signaling the fight to begin. However, unlike his previous fights, Pip felt a strange force take over his body, and he felt lighter than air now.

“Alrighty, my bestest best friend, just let me have control and I’ll show you what Sylphie can do!” said a voice inside Pip’s head. A feeling of calmness washed over him, as he felt his worries go away.

The changeling slashed furiously at Pip, and his body moved before he could even think, dodging the slash with a backflip.
Countering upon his landing, Pip swung and struck her across the chest, making her pull away in pain.

“What in the name of Tartarus was that?” she asked in shock, before angrily slashing over and over at him

“Weee! This is super-duper fun, isn’t it Pippy?!” the voice in Pip’s head said as Sylphie made his body duck, dodge, and flip out of the way of every attack, delivering a swift finishing blow to the changeling once she had tired herself out.

The changeling gasped and looked at herself as she shattered, a small dog being left in her place as the scientifically enhanced sword transformed her in to a far less threatening form. She ran back to her holding pen as the crowd gave confused glances at each other, before clapping happily for him.

Pip stood proudly and listened to the crowd cheer for him, before making his way back to the waiting room for his next match.