The Arena

Rippling Tides could feel the breeze in his spiky mane. Breathing in the salty air deeply, he placed a smile upon his face. He held Flood, his surfboard, close. The two were inseparable. He had this surfboard for as long as he could remember. He gazed out upon his beach with pride. The sun towered high above, allowing the waters to glisten from the sun's light. Showing off all the sea life below the surface of the waves as the waves calmly whisked against the white, sandy shores. Some Pegasi flew high above, advertisements tied onto their back hooves as they flew. Showing off all the newest products that the media had to offer. Large banners fluttered in the sky, guided by their pegasi.

Others stayed on the grounds, wandering the beach or playing in the water. Some ponies stayed on the sand and were busy soaking up the rays that the sun made, in hope of getting 'Sick Tans'. The younger ponies dashed along the sandy shores with unlimited energy, that was common among fillies and foals that lived here. It was a perfectly fine day, nothing could go wrong. Just thinking those very words could Jinx a pony. Rippling Tides looked out upon the beach's waves, seeing no trouble upon first glance. Though, upon a closer inspection, his eagle eyes spotted a small fin above the water. A sharp, scythe like fin poked up above the soft waves. The water, crystal clear, revealed what it belong to. A large shark. One posed to snatch some of the ponies in the water. It swam slowly, sneakily. Rippling Tides ran into his post, opening the door and frantically looking around for the megaphone. He found the megaphone sitting upon his empty desk. Snatching it, he ran back out. Clicking on the Megaphone, he screeched through it.

"SHARK HAS BEEN SPOTTED! GET OUT OF THE WATER!"

He screeched, the megaphone magnifying his voice upon the beach. Panic quickly hit as ponies scrambled out of the water. The shark now isolated in the water as ponies clamored from its sight, and onto land. Safe from the sharp and predatory jaws of the sea creature. Ponies grumbled to eachother, looking at the shark in astonishment as they stood safely on the beach. The sea beast swerved in hopes to catch some of the retreating ponies, but failed in doing so. It turned it's attention off into the distance. Luckily for Rippling, no pony got injured by this shark, at least, no pony that he saw. Rippling Tides scanned the waters for any ponies stuck out there.

"My child! You have to help!"

The cliched line came from a distressed mare that had ran up the stairs of the lifeguard post, and was now tugging on Rippling Tide's hoof frantically. Rippling looked back out, and among the waves he spotted a small purple filly swimming innocently in the water. Wearing multiple floaties on her hooves. The shark's body flowed through the water, heading to the small and unsuspecting filly. Rippling shot up into the air, dropping the megaphone on the post roughly onto the wooden floor. His wings slapped against the air as he torpedoed down to the child, as fast as he could go. He grabbed the small filly in his hooves, and much to his surprise, she was extremely heavy. He heaved her above the water, higher and higher as the shark continued it's approach. Rippling Tides carried the purple earth pony across the waves, much to her delight. Her back hooves slid along the surface of the water while Rippling's hold on the child slowly started to slip. Luckily, when he did drop her, it was on shore. He panted, looking back at the child who rushed up to her panicked mother. Kicking up sand in her wake. Rippling Tides couldn't help but smile at the two. The mother calmed down, as the mother and daughter couple awaited for the lifeguard's return. Trotting through the burning white sand, Rippling Tides reproached his post.

"I'm extremely in your debt, thank you so much."

The mare thanked, in which Rippling Tides replied with his signature smirk, which his friends had called his 'Yeah, I know. I'm awesome.' smirk. He was a cocky one.

"You're welcome 'mam."

He replied, trotting back into the post. He had grabbed his surfboard before going into the post, of coarse. He would leave his best friend out there. He also got the megaphone and had placed it on one of the wooden shelves of the post. The mare and child were seen trotting off from his post, with a heavy sigh from the life guard. Chubby one, that filly. The mare could have atleast given him some bits or something. He kinda sorta saved her daughter's life. But to be a hero, he would do it for pride. Or respect. Or Ego. Or whatever it was other than bits. Rippling Tides wasn't exactly the most wealthy stallion, so he always appreciated the shiny golden tokens. His two jobs paid him well enough for a house. His main job was being a life guard, while the other was a private surfing instructor. Now, Rippling Tides enjoyed surfing. He really did. His job as a lifeguard usually prevented him from actually GOING out on the water, because ponies were smart enough to not drown now a days. Drown.. Drown..

Rippling Tides shivered. Drowning was his fear. He hated the idea of being swallowed by the thing he loved the most. It used to happen all the time. All because of them. He had driven them out for as long as he could, but now they had started to return. They were the Tsunami Clan. An old clan Rippling used to be apart of. Now, Tsunami Clan was a surfing clan. Seems pretty innocent at first, doesn't it? Well, it wasn't. When Rippling had joined their ranks, they taught him how to cheat. How to sabotage. Their lessons had stayed with him to this very day. They forced him into his first competition, where something very peculiar had happened.

"We've got a newcomer!"

The announcer shouted into the microphone as Rippling Tides paddled through the water on Flood, joining the other young surfers. This was his first competitive race. His friends back on the shore had told him what to do when he was out on the water. Wait for the signal and pull back. Very simple commands. The signal was Jagged Leaf flying to the next cloud, and making the cloud rain. The orange and neon green Pegasus kept her head poked up above the grey cloud, a sinister grin upon her face. She was a really nice mare, and Rippling Tides appreciated her help. They were going to help him win his first competition. They hadn't told him what they planned to do, except for his two commands. Rippling Tides joined the line of surfers, as they took this time to taunt him.

"Hey, BLANKFLANK. You think you can handle these skills?"

His neighbor taunted, almost shouting to Rippling. Like he was trying to talk to all the other racers as well. His competitors giggled. Rippling was indeed a blankflank. He hadn't yet found his special talent, but it never bothered him. Who needs a stupid tattoo on your butt anyways? Although the tattoo dictates your future and job.. Rippling could wait for it. He wanted to be as carefree as he could before he got his cutiemark. Rippling Tides looked behind him, looking back at the decently large crowd that was to spectate on the festivities. He had located some of his older friends in the crowd, chatting between eachother. Rippling took a deep breath of the salty air, calming his senses and clearing his mind. He listened for the sound. The sound that would start the race. Now, this race would have the fillies and foals paddling out to get on a wave, where they would attempt to show off some tricks while getting to the front of the wave. If you didn't get out, you were swallowed by the wave. Though they had taken precautions just incase anypony got hurt. An ambulance was stationed on the shore, along with the local police department. Only a small squad of them, obviously. They stood idly, listening to the radios on their uniforms. Rippling gulped, looking back forward at the waves that approached.

"Get on your marks!"

The announcer yelled, the speakers hooked to the microphone magnified his voice so that the entire beach could hear.

"Get set!"

The announcer continued, as Rippling posed to get to the incoming wave first. His friends had told him he needed to get there first. That's what he planned to do.

"GO!"

Rippling's front hooves smashed against the water, propelling himself forward as he continued to do a swimming motion. He had shot out of the starting line, closely followed by his rivals. They slowly approached him, copying his motions as they headed for the wave. Rippling flapped his tiny wings, in hope of getting there faster. His surfboard was the first to hit the wave, as he sprung to his hooves. Seeing that he was already taken over by his previously taunting neighbor, a fellow foal. Furiously, Rippling propelled himself through his wings. In hopes of reclaiming the first spot. He didn't want to be caught in the vortex that was soon to form behind the wave. Rippling was staring at the backside of his earth pony competitor who somehow kept his first place spot. The earth pony was busy doing tricks, while Rippling Tides furiously caught up.

Keeping the edge of his on the sky, Rippling retook the first place spot. His earth pony competitor had stopped his tricks and snarled at the newest placeholder. The wave started crashing down behind them, forming the vortex that he had so feared. Water splashed onto Rippling from all directions, in hope to make him fail. He wouldn't give up. The earth pony had shoved Rippling with his hoof. A dirty move. Rippling flailed, almost unable to keep his balance as his hooves wobbled on Flood. Rippling soon found himself in a bipedal stance, receiving many gasps from the crowd. Though the crowd's noise was drowned out by the crashing wave that had already taken multiple racers out. Unsteadily, Rippling Tides collapsed back onto his fours. Much to the crowd's disappointment. The end of the wave slowly came into sight.

Then he noticed the signal. With a heavy heart, Rippling fell back, stopping his flapping wings as other racers took his spot. Jagged Leaf disappeared from his sight. He was now within the cyclone of water. The cruel laughter of the pony first place filled the tunnel. Rippling did his best to stay away from the cyclone's stomach, and just stay in the mouth. The laughter echoed around the moving water cave, as salt water sprayed his face from all directions. He cringed as his eyes made contact with the water. He blinked multiple times to get it out, as his vision blurred. Suddenly, there was the sound of screams that filled the laughter's spot. Rippling shook his head. Pulling forward to get out of the cyclone.

"The wave has started to fully collapse!"

The announcer yelled, keeping his enthusiastic sounding voice. The 'wave' had been closing in on both sides. Collapsing in on both sides.

Rippling gasped. Out of fear and selfishness, his instincts kicked in. He had to get out of the wave, lest he be sucked into the water and loose. He pulled out to the front of the wave, facing shore as it propelled him forward. Multiple racers had been caught from the wave collapsing. Rippling had used his wings, a cheat, to win. The wave smashed down behind him, as he felt himself being flung forward with tremendous force. The foam of the wave caught to his board as he crashed back onto shore. The crowd was silent as Rippling Tides smacked onto shore. The rest of the racers had wiped out, all except for this one. Rippling spat out the sand that had forced its way into his mouth as he held his head, dazed. He looked back upon the ocean, noticing the lack of racer's heads above the water. Lifeguards flew and ran past the young foal, as Rippling took this time to look upon something he had noticed was different. While craning his neck to look back, he had noticed a certain Tattoo, engraved upon his flank. A large wave. This made him want to Squee in delight, but the dread of the situation came first. Lifeguards meant that somepony was drowning. Rippling couldn't do anything. He sat on shore as the lifeguards rushed to the other racers. Rippling's ears sat flat upon his head as he looked upon the situation with a fearful frown.

Nopony had died that day, but Rippling knew that in some way it was his fault that they had almost drowned. That he was guilty of charge. He didn't know why he felt this way. He felt connected to the dangerous aspect of the other racer's possible death. Nopony was injured either, not majorly atleast. A few ponies were mentally injured, but that was none of the paramedic's concerns. As soon as everypony was returned to land and accounted for, the winner was to be announced.

They had this large, black podium set up on the beach, with large letters upon each podium. One for first, one for second, one for third. Rippling anxiously awaited for the results to be read, almost jumping up and down as the judges conversed.

"Third place goes to.. Juniper Coco."

One of the judges read, as a brown furred filly with a red mane jumped up onto the third place stand.

"Second place goes to Grape Juice."

Rippling Tides watched as his previously taunting neighbor shambled up onto the second place podium. He was a purple foal with a yellow and white striped mane.

"First place goes to our new comer, Rippling Tides."

Rippling Tides gasped in total shock. Who would have guessed that the only pony who didn't get wiped out was the one who had won? Rippling bolted onto the first place podium, an innocent smile upon his face as he held Flood by his side. Confetti sprayed from the heavens above as the judges clapped their hooves simultaneously. Cheers from the crowd erupted as soon as he was announced to be the winner. A trophy was brought to him by one of the judges, as he stared at it, wide eyed by it's golden beauty. The trophy stood upon a black marble base, with a small golden plaque on it.

In reality, he had cheated. Immensely. More then he had known, actually. Though this cheating brought him more fortune then misfortune, and that is where he  went wrong. Cheating would come back to bite him.

Reminiscing on his childhood and his gaining of his cutiemark made Rippling scrunch his nose up in anger. Blast those idiots. Blast them all to Tartarus. He hated them. He hated them with ALL of his soul. He smacked his hooves against the wall, before snapping back to reality. He spent several minutes picking out splinters that he had gained from punching the old wooden walls. He had almost forgotten it was around that time he would go out to the aquarium to visit Crystal Waters. His best friend. After a few minutes of whining about the pain from his splinter-less hooves, Rippling Tides made his way outside. Using his wings to spare his hooves. Making his way from the beach, Rippling Tides flew into the town, flying over the wooden boardwalk.

He could see the large, circular aquarium in the distance. The aquarium had large, masterfully painted sea animals on it, swimming along the walls of the aquarium. Rippling flew over the buildings and businesses to the large, colorful aquarium. He approached the entrance, landing softly on the ground as he looked around. The ticket booth to his right, with a large line of ponies up to it. Snickering, Rippling walked past the booth that regular ponies had to go to. Rippling no longer needed to buy his admission, seeing as he was a friend of the Aquarium owner's daughter. Plus, he wouldn't have bought an admission anyways. Trotting up to the large glass double doors, Rippling pushed them open with his hooves, and entered the aquarium once more. It was the same as usual.

At the entrance, to his immediate right was the gift shop. Littered with toys and stocked with candy and souvenirs. Souvenirs that all had "White Shores Aquarium" plastered onto them. To the left, was the bathrooms.

In the lobby, large, fake orcas hung overhead, floating through the air. The walls were decorated with waves and fish, as two sets of stairs wrapped around both sides of the walls, leading up to a balcony. At the back of the room was a large glass wall that held fish and sea mammals of all sorts behind it. A snack bar sat close by to the tank, as a lounge was stationed right infront of the tank. The balcony overlooked the lounge, and also looked down at the tank below their feet. On the second floor of the Aquarium, large circular tunnels were carved into the wall. Each one having a different sign overhead, telling about what they contained. Rippling could care less about the tunnels, he really only cared about the mare who was standing by the tank at the back of the room. The aquarium hadn't opened yet, so she was the only one by the tank.

"Hey Crystal!"

He called out from across the room to the white Pegasus mare. The mare was facing the tank, but as soon as she heard her name, she turned to see who had called her. She waved at her friend who was now trotting to her.

"Hello Rippling."

She greeted, her soft voice barely making it to his ears. She was a quiet one, she preferred to stay silent. She didn't like to talk all that often.

"What's up? I totally saved a kid from a shark today,"

Rippling put on his trademark smirk.

"It was awesome."

He bragged, as Crystal giggled. She knew he over-exaggerated sometimes, but he was an honest stallion most of the time.

"I'm doing the usual."

Crystal commented, which received a smile from Rippling. The usual stuff meant tending to the sea creatures in the aquarium. Her cutiemark, a small blue diamond shaped image with a cyan ripple through the middle literally meant she was good at taking care of sea creatures. She was sorta doomed to the Aquarium tending life.

"Don't you ever get kinda bored just doing the usual stuff? You could help save ponies from sharks like me."

Rippling asked, as Crystal felt her smile twitch.

"Oh, no! I really like minding the aquarium. It never gets boring."

She answered, which received a speculating stare from Rippling.

"Is it because I'm always here to tell you awesome stories, or what?"

Rippling laughed, flying over to the snack bar and snagging a small chip bag.

"That, and I get to work with animals. Like sharks and seals."

Crystal laughed all the same. Rippling was a cool friend to have. Though he could be a klutz at times, he was working to get over it. Crystal had suggested all sorts of ways to get over his clumsiness. All of which seemed to work, because now he wasn't tripping over air whenever he talked to her. Rippling fiddled with the chip bag in his hooves, tugging at it madly in an attempt to open it.

"I guess you work with sharks every day huh? Savin lives, protectin the innocent?"

Rippling asked while he continued to tug and pull at the bag. The bloody thing wouldn't open, much to his displeasure.

"Really, it's more of me just feeding them."

Crystal humbly answered, as Rippling finally tore open the bag. An explosion of chips came from the bag and flung themselves onto the floor. Rippling smacked his forehead with his hoof as he held the now half empty chip bag in his other. Crystal couldn't help but let some laughter escape from her mouth at the stallion's grief. It was rather funny. She calmed herself as she helped pick up the chips with her wing.

"Ugh. Sorry."

Rippling groaned as he plucked chips from the clean floor. Their salty flavor spreading onto the solid floor.

"It's alright."

Crystal said, getting most of the chips. She brought them over to the snack bar, where she promptly went to the back of the bar and deposited the chips into the bowl that the staff would eat out of. She snickered as she did so. Rippling did the same, as the two continued talking.

"Anyways, that is why I'm more awesome then the element of loyalty."

Rippling lied, bragging about the skills he thought he had. Crystal rolled her eyes, trying to keep a sarcastic remark back as she nodded in agreement. Trying to keep her friend content as she showed him to the door.

"I'll see ya tomorrow."

Rippling held out his front hoof, awaiting a hoof bump from his favorite Pegasus mare. In which he did receive. With a content smile, Rippling pushed back through the doors of the aquarium, and walked forward into the incoming crowd of ponies waiting to see the sea's marvels. Seeing as it was no longer his shift, and he didn't have any lessons today, Rippling was free to go. His now refreshed and reenergized wings took him into the air, barely getting over the crowd of ponies in nick of time. He watched as a rainbow of colorful ponies rushed into the aquarium. Ready to spend some bits. Sometimes, Rippling wished he was Crystal. Being the son of the aquarium's owner. He would basically be rich. Do it for the love of the job, not for the bits, bla-de-blah.

Rippling couldn't wait to get back to his home. Flying from the Aquairum, it would be around a two minute trip to get home. White Shores, despite being a large tourist attraction, was a rather small town. So it was easy to get from one place to another, wether it be by hoof or wing. Rippling preferred to go by wing. He headed north, to the suburban area. Where small, square, one story beach houses were all located along the green grasses. They were all nicely packed together, not enough to be a fire hazard, but just enough so that your neighbors were only a couple feet away. The ponies who loved to parkour grew up in White Shores. Practicing on jumping roof tops of the beach homes. Rippling soon spotted his home. He knew it was his because of the gigantic claw mark he had gotten on the side of the roof. He thought it was cool.

He had bought it a couple weeks ago, a few builders came by and chipped it into the side of the roof. Mimicked the claw mark of a dragon. He liked it. It also have his home a bit of a personal touch. Rippling landed on the sidewalk of his home, looking at the front. The door was the regular oak wood, as a small dark oak path walked him up to the door step. A patio was stationed out by the door, as the roof extended out to give them shade from the sun. A lawn chair sat on the patio, barely used. The grass of the home was nicely mowed, as per usual. Coral Reef was an awesome housemate. The best one could have. She always wanted things clean, no matter what they may be. The house was always spick and span thanks to her. Rippling knocked on the door, waiting for a response from his Batpony housemate. She couldn't exactly leave the house during the day, because she was a Batpony.

"Gimme a second!"

Coral Reef called from the other side of the door, as Rippling waited for the door to open. Sure enough, it did. Coral Reef, the Batpony, stood on the other side. Her gray eyes staring him down.

"Hey Sunburn."

He greeted, as she opened the door for him. He entered gladly, looking around the entrance hallway. Sunburn, as Rippling called her, closed the door behind him.

"Did you get the bits?"

She asked, trotting back down the entrance hallway. Past the small closet and multiple photos hung on the wall. She stopped at the wall mirror, obviously in an attempt examine herself, but was greeted with nothing.

"Yeah."

Rippling answered, looking into the mirror and joining Sunburn. She quickly trotted away from him, and into the living room. The living room was connected to the kitchen, as the two usually ate all their meals on the couch while watching television or playing video games. Directly to the right of the entrance hallway was the white tiled kitchen. A small counter walled off some of the kitchen, except for one side that you could enter from. A small flower pot stood on the kitchen counter, as the hum of the refrigerator still hummed strongly. After fixing his mane in the mirror, Rippling trotted into the kitchen, and started scavenging through the cupboards.

"Oh yeah, you got some mail, left it on the counter for you."

Sunburn commented as she lounged on the pure white couch, adorned with grey and black pillows. She pushed her head up against one of the grey pillows as she grabbed the television remote. She pointed it at the television that hung off the wall, and clicked it on. The current channel was talking about news. Something about politics. Wasn't very interesting. Rippling stopped his scavenging and looked around on the white counter for the letter, eventually finding it by the plant. He grabbed it, examining the letter. Well, to be honest, it was more of a scroll. The scroll was rolled nicely, with a strange seal upon it. It was a cyan seal, with a pointed crystal in the middle of the circular seal. Rippling knew what this seal meant.

It was Royal Mail. From the Crystal Empire. He jumped for Joy, rushing over to the living room and to his housemate.

"Do you know what this means?!"

He yelled, pointing at the seal. Sunburn nonchalantly looked at the seal and back up at Rippling like he was crazy. She shrugged silently, as he was about to burst with happiness.

"This is Crystal Empire mail! CRYSTAL EMPIRE! That place that was gone for a thousand years!"

He squeed, as Sunburn did not share his enthusiasm.

"I don't see what's so special about it."

She simply said, as Rippling flailed his hooves around while he laid back against the couch.

"It's where all the rich ponies go! It's the second richest capital of Equestria next to Canterlot!"

He almost yelled. This made Sunburn share his enthusiasm. She grew a grin as she shook him madly.

"Open it!"

She demanded as Rippling tore open the scroll, unfolding it to reveal the letter within.

Dear Rippling Tides,

We are grateful to inform you that you have been chosen to come to the Crystal Empire capital, free of all charges. The reason being this, you have been selected out of the many ponies of Equestria to participate in the Arena. By Princess's Cadence's high demands, we ask that you accept this letter and send it back on the same day you have received it. Your name has been recorded, and if you do not co-operate, we will be forced to take drastic actions to bring you to the Crystal Empire to participate in the festivities. We hope you can join us without that happening. Your tickets are attached to this letter. We expect you to be in the Crystal Empire by Thursday.

~Captain of The Crystal Guard

~Please Sign Here Then Return~

_______________________

Rippling could feel his heart almost explode as he looked at the gleaming blue ticket stuck to the bottom of the letter. He shook Sunburn madly as the two shared a hug.

"I'm going to the crystal empire! Crystal Empire! By Cadence's demands! Crystal Empire! Crystal Empire!"

He chanted, as the two started to sing an improved song about how awesome and amazing the Crystal Empire was. Rippling suddenly leapt up off the couch and flew to the hallway to the bedroom, which was directly to the right of the living room. He came back out of the hallway with a pen. Flying back onto the couch, he wrote his name where he needed to sign. Not even questioning why they would take drastic actions if he did not participate. He plucked the ticket off the paper then rolled up the scroll once more, and he shot out the door. Rushing out into the blue expanse of the sky. Not even giving his housemate the time to react to his sudden leaving.

What he had signed would be his death. That scroll was a wicked, family and friend destroying monster that he had just happily agreed to. He agreed to going into the world's harshest blood battle, only reserved for the unlucky and criminals.