Being Brave part II

"So, you wanna learn some self defense huh?" Asked Rainbow Dash after demonstrating a few moves.

"Mmm Hmm." Cory responded.

"You've come to the right pony. After all, what better than to put some Tae Kwon Dash into your routine."

It was now later in the day. Cory had now found himself in a vast field in the middle of Ponyville. Rainbow Dash had sported herself a coaches hat and whistle while Cory donned a workout t-shirt and sweatpants to which Dash supplied him for his first day of training. Though a bit much, he was still eager to get into shape.

"So let's start off with a few cardio warm ups." Said Rainbow Dash. "I'm gonna start ya off easy with a track and field that involves climbing up a hill and I'll see how fast you can go. Got it?"

Cory nodded

And with the blow of her whistle Cory was on his feet running. But it wasn't long before he ran short of breath. He couldn't understand it. Last time he ran he was perfectly fine. Maybe it's because he was running from something. Like a threat. Only then did he run faster than ever before. Rainbow Dash flew over to him to see if he was OK.

"Uh...Maybe we should try something simpler." She said. Then she picked him up by his arms and flew him over to a flat track field.

"This seems much more easy." She said as she gently dropped him to the ground. " All ya gotta do is run 10 laps around this track and I'll time you. All right?"

Cory nodded. Rainbow blew her whistle and off he went. This was much more easy since he was on flat terrain. Though he had to walk to catch his breath a couple of times, he managed to get back on it and started running again. As he kept going, he saw Rainbow Dash flying by his side, yelling. But not as in "not good enough" or "faster" yelling, but in a more cheering, pep talk, "you can do it" yelling. He heard things like "Cmon you can do it" or "You're almost there" "You're doin great kid." He never had this kind of treatment from a coach before. This athletic Pegasus was encouraging him and even commending him rather than just criticizing like his old coach. For the first time ever, he was able to run a whole 10 laps without falling down exhausted. Mostly this was because of the optimistic environment he was placed in. As he finished his final lap and slowed down to catch his breath, he looked in pride at what he'd just done. Rainbow Dash came over and gave him a high hoof.

"So, ready to learn some self defense?" she asked

Cory nodded

"Great!" She blew her whistle "Derpy!!!" she shouted

Down from the sky came what looked like a grey cross eyed Pegasus with a yellow mane and bubbles for a cutie mark. She crash landed on the ground with a painful sounding thud, though she got up with a dopey smile on her face.

"Uh, nice..landing..." Said Rainbow Dash, then gained her attention back to Cory.

"This is my practice dumm..I mean, Assistant Derpy. She's going to help me demonstrate ways to defend yourself in combat. Let's pretend we're in scenario you described to me. Derpy, try to attack me."

Derpy clumsily ran towards her as if to attack her. But Rainbow Dash dodged her as she fell into a nearby pile of mud.

"See what I did back there?"asked Rainbow Dash.

Cory shrugged.

"Exactly! One of the key things to making your enemy look like a fool is to take their strength and use it against them." Exhibit A:"

She pointed to Derpy in the mud as Derpy made a sheepish grin.

"Now, when your enemy grabs you by the forearm," She winked at Derpy as she flew up to her and grabbed her foreleg. "all you do is wrap your arm around theirs, smack your palm into their face, and kick em in the stomach, cause that's a body part they're not focusing."

Derpy gulped as Rainbow Dash did just that.

"But when he or she grabs you from the back." To which Derpy promptly did.

"Use your arm nearest to theirs and elbow plant it in the chest." Derpy gulped

"From there, face plant them with your palm, trip them to the ground, and break their arm with your elbow." and Rainbow dash did all that to Derpy, except of course the arm breaking part.

"And when someone plows you to the wall or the floor with their legs, Just say two words: HEADS UP!!!" Rainbow Dash then headbutted Derpy causing her to spiral out of control towards the ground, making a small crater in the earth.

"Alright Derpy." She said as she flew towards her. "You're good for today." Derpy then gleefully flew away, as if to escape the agony.

"But remember, same time tomorrow." She shouted as Derpy zoomed off cautiously.

"So you ready to give these moves a try?"

Cory gulped as she asked that.

"Maybe a little practice will get you in the swing of things. Now lets see how many push ups you can do." Then with the blow of her whistle he started the exercise.

Though he tried with all his might to do at least one, it was no use as he collapsed from exhaustion. So he tried again, and again, and yet again. Finally, after several tries, he managed to do three full push ups. Then he fell down face first in the earth. He never felt so pathetic and doughy before in so long as wheezed for his breath . But strangely, Rainbow Dash wasn't mad at him. In fact, she was congratulating him for his small progress.

"Alright, good job today Cory." She said as she picked him up. "I think we got a lot covered. Why don't you go back and practice those moves and we'll pick this up same time tomorrow. Sound good?"

Cory thought for a moment and nodded.

"Great job today Cory!" She commented.

As she gave him a high hoof, he realized he had something he hadn't had in a long time: A supporting team. Though not the most conventional team, it was still supportive all the same. And for that, as we walked back to Sweet Apple Acres,he was truly grateful.