Main Eventby SHLChaptersPrologueChapter 1: The ChallengeChapter 2: Mad MaresPrologue“Oh Celestia, is he gonna do what I think he’s going to do?” “It looks like that Coof! This isn’t a match anymore, this is a fight. Its time to take some risks!” A big, black coated stallion nearly as tall as Big Macintosh was climbing the turnbuckle until he reached the top. His eyes were fixed on his objective: a smaller unicorn with a light green coat who was lying in the middle of the ring with lost eyes. “Black Hooves has evil intentions here Bradshaw! He’s going for the ‘Big Headbutt’!” “This is the end! Amazing Green is finished!” The stallion pointed to his opponent with a hoof, opened his forelegs and then jumped against the poor green unicorn, however the unicorn reacted just in time and rolled aside quickly. “Nopony at home!” Microph Coof exclaimed right after Black landed in the ring face first. Even though he was tired and hurt, Green stood up as fast as he could and ran to the ropes to gain momentum. Black Hooves struggled to get his head off the mat when Amazing ran directly to him and then he twisted in midair striking the earth pony’s nose with his left hock. “Green Shining! Green Shining!” screamed Fore ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield with excitement. “He’s knocked out!” Microph said with a very loud voice. “This is his chance!” The unicorn was breathing in rapid gasps, lying down and exhausted. With his last strength he covered the bigger stallion with his foreleg. The referee; an elderly earth pony, slid immediately to his side and began the count, the whole crowd counted with him. “ONE! TWO! THREE!” The explosion of cheers was unbelievable. The commentators had difficulties hearing one another even with the headphones on their heads. “He did it!” Coof exclaimed. “No way!” Bradshaw replied in shock. “He did it! Amazing Green is the first unicorn to become the Equestrian Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Champion!” The referee was holding the belt while Green was trying to stand up, big tears of happiness running down his cheeks. The ponies in the crowd were crazy, stamping their hooves and chanting again and again “You’re Amazing!”. The whole place was shaking, it was surprise it didn’t fall apart. “This kid is incredible.” Bradshaw spoke “Black Hooves used everything he had to destroy Amazing, but he survived to beat the big pony when nopony thought he could.” “You’re right, Layfield,” his partner answered, “Black dominated his opponent for most of the match. Black is quite possibly the strongest pony ever to step into the ring, and at sixty pounds heavier and two feet taller he seemed to have the match in the bag. It took a lot of heart to beat that.” In that moment, the referee gave the championship belt to the unicorn wrestler, who raised it with a joyous cry, tears running down his face. “History has been made tonight!” Microph said with solemn voice “Tonight, Amazing Green became the first unicorn ever to win the EWF World Heavyweight Championship.” Meanwhile Amazing stood at one of the corners with the title celebrating with the fans, one pony was watching all from her home with an excited look on her face. “That. Was. Awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, raising her forelegs and causing Tank to leap into the air from the surprise. Chapter 1: The Challenge“..And then Amazing Green hit Black Hooves with his ‘Green Shining’ move and knocked him out! It was… It was so awesome!” Rainbow Dash told her friends for the tenth time. It was a lovely, sunny afternoon in Ponyville. Like every Monday, the six friends were in the park with their pets. This time however Spike was present, since they had all prepared a little picnic for that afternoon. Twilight and the others would have invited Discord to make him feel more integrated in the group after the Tirek incident, but he was busy doing some social work as a punishment for his actions. That was why he couldn’t be in Ponyville for at least four more days. The seven friends sat while the daredevil pegasus was telling them yet again about the whole championship match. As excited as she was, that wasn’t the problem, the problem was that the only one who was really listening to her was the equally excited baby dragon. “Whoa!” Spike exclaimed, awe printed in his eyes, “I wish I could have seen it!” “You bet. It was a match for the ages.” Rainbow Dash answered with a cocky grin, “If only somepony didn’t send you to the bed so early.” “For the last time, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight sighed, “Spike is a baby dragon. He needs more rest than us,” she ignored Rainbow’s rolling eyes. “Besides, I don’t think that watching such violence would be good for him.” “Oh come on Twilight.” Spike protested “I’m not that young.” “Yeah,” Rainbow nodded in agreement, “and it’s not that violent. It’s a competition with a little extra spicy story between the wrestlers. They are athletes after all.” “I’m afraid that I must agree with Twilight, darling.” Rarity entered in the conversation, taking a moment to sip some tea from her cup “Spikey-Wikey is a child and, after all, ponies fighting each other is just so... so… so uncouth.” “Eer… Hello?” Even if it was his crush who had talked, Spike couldn’t keep his mouth shut “I’m the one who at the end of the day, saved the Crystal Empire. Doesn’t anypony remember?” “Well, yes. That was very dangerous.” Twilight admitted. “Besides, the six of us have often been in mortal danger, being the Elements of Harmony and Saviors of Equestria.” Dash explained “Heck, I could hurt myself really bad in any of my practices.” The way her friends stared at the daredevil made her to look away “I mean, again. The same happens with the Wonderbolts.” “But, mmm-” Fluttershy started to talk with a quiet tone “-that’s only a risk and it isn’t violent at all. I mean, well—” she tried to hide behind her pink mane, her ears drooped down. “I think it’s fun!” Pinkie Pie pulled out her nose from the picnic basket with her lips stained with chocolate. Gummy was with her, or, more specifically biting her mane. “Excuse me?” Rarity raised an eyebrow, looking at her pink friend. “Yes!” Pinkie exclaimed, licking her lips “Many colts and fillies talk about it when they’re in the bakery and they always look so excited. Even more than me sometimes!” The other six looked at one another with similar disbelieving looks. “They often tell me things about the matches and I feel myself absorbed by the ‘Oh!’” Pinkie started to make faces, “the ‘Whoaaa!’, the ‘Yeah!’, the—” “Okay, okay, we get it Pinkie.” Twilight cut her off. Rainbow Dash grinned, shaking her head a little. “Well, at least somepony—” “Hey!” Spike protested. “—and a dragon is with me.” Dash looked at Applejack, the only one who still didn’t share her opinion “And you? You’re also with me. Right?” “Mm?” Applejack blinked, swallowing the bit of cake she was eating “Ah, no. Ah don’t wanna get involved in this.” “Why not?” Curiosity appeared in Twilight’s voice. “We already gave our opinions.” “Indeed, darling. There is no shame if you don’t agree with Rainbow.” Rarity pointed and Dash stuck out her tongue in response. “It’s not that Rares-” The farm mare started to say. “Aw, come on Applejack.” Pinkie pleaded. With a sigh, the cowpony nodded. “Fine. Since Ah’m responsible of mah little sister, Ah’m with Twi and Rarity that maybe the kids shouldn’t see two ponies fighting.” a groan came from Rainbow, but Applejack ignored it “Also, Ah understand that they train a lot and all that stuff but-” She made a pause, shrugging. “-But Ah don’t buy it.” “What?” The daredevil was looking at her orange friend in disbelief. “Ah mean, Ah think that it all is prepared in advanced. They pretend they fight, but it’s only acting.” AJ explained. The others didn’t say anything against that point of view, but Rainbow who had jumped to hover in the air faced Applejack clearly upset. “Are you bucking kidding me!? How could you say that?” Nopony expected Rainbow’s reaction, that was for sure. Rarity was the first to speak . “Rainbow dear. Relax. There is no need to react like that,” she said politely to try and calm her down. “Of course there is!” For a reason any of her friends could guess, Dash seemed offended. Even her ears were twitching. She was still looking to AJ who was confused. “Those ponies get hurt really bad sometimes you know!” “Hold on a second, Dash.” Applejack requested. “Ah’m not saying that they don’t take any risks—” “Buzzsaw Cut broke his neck after receiving a piledriver. With thirty-four years, his career ended right there!” Rainbow started to list some examples. “Lifting Rocks completely tore his pastern, needing two surgeries and a whole year before he could compete again! And did you say that they ‘act’? I can’t believe it!” She moved towards Applejack until she was a hairs’ breadth away. “So in your words, if I get hurt flying, it’s not really important because I was performing tricks and ‘acting’, is that it?” “What?” AJ looked shocked. “No! Ah didn’t say anything like that! Y’know that when yah were in the hospital, even when ya faked it, Ah was worried like the rest!” “Well for me it’s the same. How they get hurt or I get hurt.” Rainbow pointed out, her expression wasn’t of offence but that of disappointment. “We want to be the best!” Without saying anymore or letting anypony react, she called Tank with a whistle and then she flew away at her signature speed. The others stayed there, confused expressions on everyponys’ faces. Applejack was the first to move, looking at her friends. “What did Ah say?” “I don’t know Applejack,” Twilight shook her head, “I really don’t know.” Three days later Applejack hadn’t seen Rainbow Dash again after that afternoon and she was starting to worry, she knew that Dash was fine because her other friends had met her and they had told AJ. Besides, it was strange not to find the pegasus napping in a Sweet Apple Acres tree or coming to chat with her best friend. So the cowpony concluded that she was the only one who Rainbow didn’t want to see. For the farm mare that was enough of a reason to worry about. She didn’t think that she did or had said anything that could offend Rainbow, but apparently she did and she knew that she shouldn’t wait any longer to fix it. The problem was Applejack didn’t know how to. Once AJ finished her chores at the farm she went straight to Ponyville hoping to find Rainbow Dash. After all, they had always been the best friends and a little problem couldn’t change that. “She’ll be napping on a cloud, Ah bet mah hat.” She was telling herself when she reached Ponyvilles’ market. She was interupted from her search when somepony called her. “Applejack! Over here!” Applejack turned her head to see that Twilight and Pinkie were coming straight to her. “Howdy, girls. How’re y’all doing?” The first who answered was Pinkie, big smile on her face. “Super-duper-ific! And you?” “Fine, thanks.” Twilight said without waiting for Applejack to reply. “What are you doing here, Applejack? Are you going to replace Big Mac in the market stand?” The cowpony shook her head. “Nope. Ah’m-” For a second, she looked aside nervous. “Ah’m looking for Rainbow. Have ya see her?” “Yeah!” Pinkie Pie answered cheerfully. “She came to Sugarcube Corner this morning and bought one of my double extra chocolate cupcakes. She really loves those.” Applejack blinked. “And did you see her more—uhh—recently?” “Oh.” Pinkie thought for a second and grinned “Nope!” After a sigh from the cowpony, she looked at her other friend; Twilight. The alicorn shook her head, “sorry, Applejack. I haven’t seen her today. However, she should come to the castle later. We have one of our reading times this afternoon.” Twilight explained with a soft smile before she tilted her head. “Why do you ask?” Applejack rubbed one of her forelegs with the other, her ears fell flat against her head. She was clearly a little nervous. “Well, Ah want to talk with her. Or try, at least.” Her two friends looked at each other with a serious look. “It’s about what happened at the picnic, right?” Twilight asked politely. “Eeyup,” AJ nodded. “Ah haven’t seen Rainbow Dash since then. Not even napping in one of my trees and that just ain’t right.” Twilight and Pinkie knew that she was right. “So, if Ah have really screwed things that bad, Ah wanna fix it.” “Maybe we can help you with that?” Twilight suggested, tapping her chin with a thoughtful look, “We were also there after all.” “Thanks, Twi,” Applejack said with a soft smile, “but first Ah need to find her.” “I have a better idea.” The alicorn grinned, already forming a plan in mind. “You should wait where you know that she will eventually be.” “What?” AJ looked confused. “Ya mean?—” “—To come with me to the castle and wait there for Rainbow.” Twilight continued. “Pinkie?” “Yes?” Pinkie Pie smiled at her alicorn friend. “Could you please tell Rarity and Fluttershy to come to the library as soon as possible?” Twilight asked, smiling too. “Yes ma’am! On my way!” Pinkie saluted before she bounced away. Applejack looked worried.“Yer sure of this, Twi? Ah don’t want to cause ya any problem with Dash.” “Don’t worry, AJ.” Twilight was totally calm and confident. “It’s better this way. First, you don’t have to look for Rainbow Dash. Second, it will be easiest to talk with her if we are all in the same place. And thirdly, if she is too stubborn and tries to get away before the two of you can chat, stopping her inside the library will be a piece of cake.” Applejack considered her options rubbing her chin, nodding seconds after. “Sure, Twi, let’s go.” A tense atmosphere dominated the inside of the Friendship Castle. At least Applejack felt like it did. She was pacing slowly in circles and her ears were dropped down. All her friends, except Rainbow Dash were there with her. Her friends seemed visibly calmer that the farmpony. Twilight was reading, Fluttershy and Spike were in the kitchen making some tea, Pinkie Pie was guarding the cupcakes that she brought and Rarity was relaxing laying on a few cushions. “She’s late,” nervousness tinged Applejack’s voice. “Ah bet that she knows that Ah’m here and she won’t come!” “Applejack, calm down.” Twilight spoke without looking up at her, stretching her wings and turning the page at the same time. “Rainbow is usually late, stop worrying. She will arrive at any mom—” “Sorry Twilight!” A loud voice from upstairs cut in. “I’m late again!” Rainbow Dash came down grinning but her smile faded as she saw that they weren’t alone. “Oh.” was the only word that came from Rainbow’s mouth. She looked around just in time to see Spike and Fluttershy coming from the kitchen with the tea cups. “So, everypony is here.” She mumbled so that nopony else could hear. Twilight was prepared in case Rainbow Dash tried to leave, but she didn’t show it. “Hi, Rainbow.” She grinned cheerfully, “You came just in time, the tea is ready.” “Yeah... but...” Rainbow cleared her throat, looking to everypony, “I figured there would only be the two of us. Why are they here?” Before Twilight could answer, Applejack took a step. “It’s my fault. Twilight thought that this was the best way to help me.” AJ swallowed hard, making an effort to look at Rainbow Dashs’ eyes. “Ah... wanted to talk with you Rainbow. Look, Ah’m really sorry for what happened the the other day. A...Ah don’t know what Ah said to offend ya, but Ah swear that it wasn’t on purpose.” Rainbow was looking at Applejack while she talked. By the end, Dash’s wings were twitching slightly, leading Twilight to believe that she was preparing to fly away. However, a few seconds later the pegasus relaxed a little, sighing. “That all?” Nopony expected that reaction. Applejack could only blink as a response. “Um, Rainbow.” Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the one who broke the silence with her characteristic soft tone. “Applejack said that she hasn’t seen you since the pet play-date. It’s quite unusual. Are you angry with her or us?” She swallowed, looking aside. “I mean If you don’t mind me asking that is.” Dash put a hoof on her face and shooked her head slowly, taking a moment before she opened her mouth. “Listen, girls, I’m not angry with Applejack or any of you for that matter.” She looked at the cowpony, who was listening closely. “Okay, I admit that maybe I’m a little upset with you, but I'll get over it in no time. I know that you never wanted to offend me.” “So,” Rarity intervened politely, “why did you fly away with such rudeness?” “I already told you, Rares.” Dash’ said in an annoyed tone. “But we don’t know why.” Pinkie Pie spoke that time and soon she started to develop her own theories. “Oh, it’s because do you have wrestlers in your fami-?” She suddenly gasped and put her nose against Rainbow’s “Oh my Gosh! Did any of them get injured doing it? Or died?” Pinkie Pie caught her friend to shake her. “Please! Tell me it didn’t happen!” “Pinkie, calm down!” Rainbow exclaimed, separating her friend enough to recover her personal space. “It’s nothing like that! How could you think something like that?” “Oh.” Pinkie stopped as quickly as she started, smiling at the moment. “Sorry, it was a just a hunch.” “The worst kind, Pinks.” Dash frowned. Twilight cleared her throat as loudly as she could to call everyone's attention. “Then Rainbow please, could you explain us the reason why you got upset with Applejack?” Rainbow Dash looked around to find six pairs of eyes staring at her waiting for a response. She sighed with a defeated expression, downing her head and ears. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you. But could I eat some cupcakes first? I’m starving.” All her friends smiled and a few minutes later they had almost finished the cupcakes and the tea. The time passed calmly; they even chatted a little about other topics. Finally, Dash coughed to catch everypony’s attention. “Ok, all of you remember what we talked about the other day, right?” Her friends nodded. “Well, when Applejack said that she thought that the wrestlers act in their matches, I felt bad because-” She paused, clearing her throat and looking to AJ. “Because I felt like you didn’t believe in my dream of becoming a Wonderbolt.” “Beg pardon?” Applejack was very confused at that statement. How are the Wonderbolts and wrestling related? She thought. “Let me explain it.” Rainbow Dash said. “You all know that being a Wonderbolt means being one of the best fliers of Equestria, right?” Her friends nodded before she continued. “Well, the wrestlers want the same. When a pony becomes one, they want to be the champion. To be the best. Like me. We put ourselves at risk for that goal because it’s our dream. That is what we have in common. At least,” The rainbow-maned mare lowered her head, “I believe that.” As she said that, Applejack finally understood: Her friend Rainbow felt connected to the wrestling ponies and she respected them as athletes and as ponies with a dream. Unintentionally the cowpony had taken lightly to Dash’s feelings. “Dash, Ah’m really, really sorry.” She apologised again. “Ah didn’t think it in that way.” “I know, I know.” Rainbow rubbed a foreleg with the other. “Maybe...No! I did overreact a little, leaving all of you in the park like that and without stopping in Sweet Apple Acres since then.” Dash chucked softly looking at her Applejack. “I confess that I missed some of my favourite nap spots.” Applejack and the others couldn’t avoid laughing after that last sentence, all of them happy because the farmpony and Rainbow seemed to fix their misunderstanding without anymore problems. However, Applejack felt like she should do more to apologise to the daredevil. “Really, Rainbow, Ahm sorry. If there’s anything that Ah could do—” She was visibly more relaxed as she spoke. “Don’t worry, AJ, everything is fine.” Rainbow cut her, grinning. “No, not everything.” Applejack insisted with a serious look. “Ah feel that Ah need to do something to compensate ya. Ah took your feelings lightly, after all.” Rainbow looked to her friend and chuckled when she found out how serious she was. “Whoa, the return of the stubborn mare, ladies and gentlecolts.” Dash joked, grinning until she saw Applejack frowned. “Ok, ok, I get it. You’re serious. Gimme a second to think.” “Only a second?” That was Applejack’s turn to joke but Rainbow didn’t answer. Meanwhile, their friends’ gazes went between the two mares, waiting. Maybe some of them thought that Applejack’s request wasn’t really necessary, but that was a matter between the two competitive ponies so they didn’t say a word. “I got it!” Rainbow suddenly said with a big and cocky grin. “What it is?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Help ya with another trick? A barrel of cider?” “The last one sounds much too tempting, but no.” Rainbow shook her head. “Neither of those.” She cleared her throat and pointed to Applejack with a hoof, her wings flared out. “Applejack, at this very moment and in front of our friends. I, Rainbow Dash, challenge you to a wrestling match.” Chapter 2: Mad MaresThe only sound that was heard right after Rainbow’s words was Spike spitting out his tea. Meanwhile the other five mares; especially Applejack, were speechless. It took almost two minutes before any of them reacted and of course; the farmpony was the first. “What? Are ya outta yer mind!?” She exclaimed, glaring at Rainbow. “I’m totally serious about this AJ.” Dash answered. “Okay, yer officially a feather brain.” Applejack rubbed her eyes. “Hey!” Rainbow retorted. “Applejack, darling,” Rarity stepped forward, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, “take a deep breath and relax, yes?” Applejack nodded with a sigh. The unicorn cleared her throat and looked to the pegasus. “Rainbow, I think that what Applejack is trying to say is that such an idea is, well-” She tapped her chin, thinking of the best way to explain it. “I think that it’s a little excessive.” “And, um… dangerous.” Fluttershy whispered, hiding behind her mane. “Yes, exactly! Thank you darling.” Rarity nodded with a soft smile and then she looked at Rainbow Dash. “You said it before yourself.” “Yeah, I said it. I remember.” The pegasus raised an eyebrow. “But AJ and I are action mares and besides, it’s the best way.” She grinned, full of confidence. “Best way to what?” Applejack had an irritated look in her face. “To break our spines?” “To finally find who is the best.” Dash replied, even more serious. For several seconds, silence reigned inside the palace. Everypony except Dash was looking between them with confused faces. Finally, it was Twilight who broke the silence. “Uh, Rainbow, could you explain to us what you mean?” The pegasus put a hoof on her face and sighed. “I thought that it was obvious, but okay. Do you remember the Running of the Leaves?” Her friends nodded. “Applejack and I tied every year since the first one we participated in. Also, when we tried to know who was the most daring pony, we also tied.” Rainbow looked to Pinkie Pie. “Am I right?” “Oh! Let me check!” Pinkie exclaimed before starting to look for something inside her own mane, pulling out other things in the process. “A balloon, my favourite rubber duck, the Fluttershy costume… Ah, here it is!” She exclaimed, pulling out a black notebook. Pinkie opened it and read it with a serious look. “Mmm, yeah. This, and this. Yeah!” She grinned. “Dashie’s right! You’re still tied.” Applejack sighed. “Okay, we’re tied. What does that have to do with your crazy challenge?” “Don’t you see it?” Rainbow, who was now hovering in the air, pointed to Applejack. “You and I are the most athletics ponies in Ponyville without a doubt. We’re maybe among the best in all of Equestria. But none of us could get an upper hoof against the other. Until now. This is the way, AJ. If we have this match, we’ll finally know who is the best athlete and most daring pony.” Applejack blinked slowly. Twice. Although she wasn’t really a competitive mare, her rivalry with Rainbow Dash was totally different. Since the day the two had met, they became best friends and better rivals. It was something natural between them. For that reason, and for Rainbow’s reasoning, the challenge started to seem logical to her. A fact that her friends saw clearly. “Oh, no.” Rarity’s eyes were wide open with a scared look. “You really couldn’t take that seriously, Applejack. It’s too dangerous!” “Calm down Rarity, Ah didn’t say a word.” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. “But you’re thinking about it.” Twilight joined the conversation. “I know that look on your face, Applejack. I’ve seen it before.” “Of course she’s thinking about it.” Rainbow Dash was grinning and looking to Applejack. “You know that I’m right. Also, you aren’t a chicken. You never back down from a challenge.” Just looking at Applejack’s face was enough to see that Dash hit the spot with those words. The farmpony knew that the pegasus was trying her best to convince her. Applejack looked closely to Rainbow’s eyes before she asked. “What happens with your wings if Ah accept? Ya could use them to trick me, like in the Iron Pony contest.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I was sure that you would bring that up, Applejack.” She had a cocky smile in her lips. “But you don’t have to worry about my wings. The wrestling rules forbid the use of wings or magic even in the most extreme matches. The reason is because when the wrestling was created the only competitors were earth ponies and all the promoters want to respect that spirit.” The concern in some of their friend’s faces was very obvious, especially after those words. “Oh, no.” Fluttershy muttered, biting her lower lip. All of them knew that without magic or wings it would be a fair competition, just the way that Applejack liked. In fact, she rubbed her chin, thinking for a few minutes before looking Rainbow Dash straight in the eye. “Yer on.” Applejack sentenced, following her words with a spit in her hoof before she lent it towards the pegasus, who grinned and mimicked her to seal the deal. “Girls, wait—!” Twilight tried to stop them. “Oooooh, this is gonna be fantastic!!” Pinkie Pie cut in, bouncing in excitement. “Pinkie Pie!” Rarity looked to her over-sugared friend with a shocked look. “How you could react like that? This is serious!” She turned her head to Rainbow Dash and Applejack to apparently say something. “Pinkie is right!” Spike was excited too. “It will be awesome!” “Spike! Don’t encourage them!” Twilight scolded him before turning her attention back to the mares involved in the challenge. “Girls, seriously. You two are joking, right?”· “Not at all.” Rainbow stated and looked to Applejack. “Are you joking, AJ?” “Nope. But yer a fool, Dash.” “Who is most foolish? The fool or the fool who follows it?” The pegasus stuck out her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, as you said.” Applejack chuckled. “Applejack, Rainbow, please!” Twilight flared her wings out. “Be serious for a minute, okay? What you want to do is dangerous.” “Maybe for normal ponies, Twilight.” Rainbow grinned. “But we’re not. We’re tough, fast and also we know how to fight.” “That’s not the point.” Rarity’s voice was a little too loud, tingled with worry. “You hope to hit and hurt each other for a silly reason like your rivalry. You’re friends for Celestia’s sake! You can’t do this!” “Rarity, this won’t be a brawl.” Applejack tried to calm her down, looking to Rainbow right afterwards with a raised eyebrow. “It won’t be, right?” “Of course not.” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs. “There are a lot of rules in wrestling, with little differences between promotions. Also, we’ll have a referee for the match, like the rules said, to keep things right.” “Uhm, Rainbow.” Fluttershy spoke shyly. Clearly, she was the most worried for her friends. “You don’t have a ring.” Dash opened her mouth, a hoof raised, but no word came out. She then rubbed her chin, thinking. “Horseapples. You’re right.” She admitted. “Clearly you didn’t realize that when you proposed the challenge.” Twilight sighed in relief. “Now, please, could we forget—?” “We should build one!” Rainbow exclaimed suddenly with a big smile. “Yes, you should—What!?” Twilight’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Ya sure we could do it?” Applejack was uncertain about it. “Yeah!” Once again, Dash sounded very confident. “How many barns have you built? How many platforms or stuff for my tricks have I built? It will be a piece of cake.” Applejack shook her head, pulling her hat a bit backwards with a chuckle. “Ah don’t think that it will be so easy. But yer right, we can build it.” “I’ll help you!” Pinkie Pie raised her hoof, still bouncing. “Me too!” Spike joined her, not seeing Twilight’s glare. “G-girls, please.” Fluttershy mumbled, looking to Applejack and Rainbow. “Don’t do it. It’s dangerous.” “Relax, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash smiled at her. “We’ll be fine. We’ve done worse things before, remember?” She winked and then turned to Applejack, Spike and Pinkie. “Alright, we need to start making plans for everything!” Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged worried looks while the others were talking about the future match. “We need to do something.” The unicorn’s ears were pressed against her head. “They’re planning to act like savages just to solve a friendly rivalry!” “Agreed.” Twilight nodded. “But they’re too stubborn and proud to see reason.” She looked to her other four friends and let out a sigh. “This won’t be easy.” Two days later, Twilight thought that Applejack and Rainbow Dash had forgotten about the wrestling match, since she hadn’t heard anything about it. Good, they probably realized that it was a really bad idea. She thought to herself happily to while she was organizing her new books. After some time, Twilight felt a bit hungry and decided to take a break, going to the kitchen to eat a snack. However, she then noticed before that they didn’t have any apples and since the market didn’t open until the next day, Twilight decided to not wait and to visit Applejack to buy a few. “Spike!” The alicorn called. “I have to go to Sweet Apple Acres to buy some apples, take care of the castle!” Twilight didn’t get an answer and raised an eyebrow. “He’s awfully quiet today.” Twilight shrugged before leaving. “Nevermind.” Twilight flew calmly to the farm, smiling the whole trip. Everything was fine in Equestria since defeating Tirek. No menaces of any kind, no crazy situations, no- “What in Equestria?” Her thoughts were cut short when she arrived at the farm. In the same place where Applejack and Rainbow Dash had their Iron Pony Competition, they stood with Discord, Spike and Pinkie Pie next to a pile of construction materials. The draconequus, dressed as a construction worker, was arguing with the farmpony and the hovering pegasus. “Girls, seriously, I can make the ring appear in a blink.” Discord said. “Thanks fer th’ offer, Discord, but that’s not necessary.” Applejack answered politely, scratching the back of her head. “We-umm-prefer to build it ourselves.” “Yeah.” Dash nodded energetically. “We don’t need any chaotic surprises in our ring. The match could be crazy enough without those.” “Oh, please, what makes you think that I would do something like that?” Discord asked with a fake tone and a halo over his head. Both mares looked at him with incredulity and he frowned. “You ponies can be really boring sometimes.” Discord muttered. “Hello?” Twilight landed near the group, looking at everyone with a puzzled expression. “What is happening here? And what are you doing here, Spike?” “Whoa!” Spike jumped at the surprise, a bit nervous. “Twilight! W-well, I—” He scratched his neck, looking away. “Hey, Twi!” Rainbow Dash waved at the alicorn alongside the others, smiling. “How are you doing?” “I’m fine, thanks.” Twilight answer but then frowned a bit. “But could somepony answer me, please?” “We’re building the ring, silly!” Pinkie Pie answered in her characteristic cheerfully tone. “What!?” Twilight opened wide her eyes and spread her wings with a shocked expression. She glared at Spike, who gulped. “And you’re helping them with this madness?” “Eh, I’m not doing anything mad now!” Discord replied, drawing plans for differents kinds of rings, pools and even birdhouses while wearing a straitjacket. “Discord, I’m not talking to you.” Twilight glared at the draconequus. “Calm down sugarcube.” Applejack said softly. “Ya look—” “Overreacting.” Rainbow Dash pointed, bending her head sidewards. “Ah was gonna say ‘stressed’, Rainbow.” Applejack stared at the pegasus, who simply shrugged. “Overreacting?” Twilight’s nostrils flared. “I am not overreacting! You two keep going with this crazy idea of a wrestling match! Not only that, but they are helping you!” She pointed to Discord, Pinkie Pie and Spike, whom shied away from the alicorn. “Oh, come on, Twilight.” Rainbow groaned, crossing her forelegs over her chest. “There’s no reason to act like that. It’s our decision, okay? And they agree with us.” “But you could get hurt!” Twilight exclaimed, facing the two of them before turning her head to Applejack. “Does your family know about it?” “Ah didn’t explain them all the details.” Applejack confessed, her face flushing slightly. “Ah don’t want to worry them and more importantly, to give Applebloom or her friends any more silly ideas.” She scratched her head. “Besides, this is between me and RD.” “Then why are they here?” Twilight questioned, her glare softening slightly. “We want to help, silly.” Pinkie Pie jumped suddenly on Twilight’s rump, rubbing her head with a hoof. “What are friends for? They can’t do all the work alone. After all, they’ll be the stars of the show!” Twilight’s horn glowed, forcing Pinkie Pie off her back and causing her to “Ooooh” in amazement. “Okay, you and Spike already know about this thing since you were present when they agreed to do it. But that doesn’t explain why Discord is here.” “Me?” The draconequus blinked, rotating his neck like an owl to look at Twilight. “Well, Fluttershy told me about this when I came back yesterday from my silly community work in Canterlot and I simply love the idea.” Some hearts appeared around Discord’s head and even his own eyes were hearts in that moment. “You have got to be kidding me.” Twilight mumbled, rubbing her forehead and frowning. “Could you explain to me why?” “Because I’m a good friend.” Discord said, raising his paw. However, at Twilight’s impassible look, he frowned. “Don’t look me like that, it’s one of the reasons.” “And the others?” She insisted on with an eyebrow raised. “Well,” A miniaturized Discord lay down on Twilight’s ear, “when I changed my ways I tried to look for something entertaining to do or see that didn’t end with me turned to stone again.” He pointed, pinching the alicorn’s cheek. “Eventually, Fluttershy mentioned this wrestling thing.” The draconequus spoke dramatically, falling on a divan much too similar to Rarity’s own - in fact, a desperate cry rang out in the distance -. “So I decided to give it a try and I found it marvelous!” Discord jumped like a filly. “So unpredictable, so chaotic! Why wasn’t I going to help two of my awesome friends to have their own match?” “You know that they could get seriously hurt, right?” Twilight was tired to say those words. “Twilight, for the love of Celestia,” Rainbow spoke before Discord could, “we’re grown mares!. We know what we’re doing.” “No, you don’t!” Twilight looked as if she was about to explode. “It’s the most dangerous idea you two have ever had! Even for you Rainbow Dash!” “Hey!” The pegasus protested, facing Twilight. Fortunately, Applejack restrained Dash, looking her and the alicorn. “Both of ya calm down, okay?” Then she turned to Twilight. “Sugarcube, let’s talk about this-” “No, Applejack.” Twilight interrupted the cowpony, shaking her head. “I can’t stay when two of my best friends are going to risk their lives for stupid reasons.” She looked to Pinkie Pie, Discord and Spike. “Neither should the three of you. Spike, let’s go.” “Uh, Twilight-” The dragon spoke softly, just to be teleported over Twilight’s back. “I said, let’s go.” They took off as their friends could only watch them leave. I have to find a way to stop those two mad mares.
Prologue“Oh Celestia, is he gonna do what I think he’s going to do?” “It looks like that Coof! This isn’t a match anymore, this is a fight. Its time to take some risks!” A big, black coated stallion nearly as tall as Big Macintosh was climbing the turnbuckle until he reached the top. His eyes were fixed on his objective: a smaller unicorn with a light green coat who was lying in the middle of the ring with lost eyes. “Black Hooves has evil intentions here Bradshaw! He’s going for the ‘Big Headbutt’!” “This is the end! Amazing Green is finished!” The stallion pointed to his opponent with a hoof, opened his forelegs and then jumped against the poor green unicorn, however the unicorn reacted just in time and rolled aside quickly. “Nopony at home!” Microph Coof exclaimed right after Black landed in the ring face first. Even though he was tired and hurt, Green stood up as fast as he could and ran to the ropes to gain momentum. Black Hooves struggled to get his head off the mat when Amazing ran directly to him and then he twisted in midair striking the earth pony’s nose with his left hock. “Green Shining! Green Shining!” screamed Fore ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield with excitement. “He’s knocked out!” Microph said with a very loud voice. “This is his chance!” The unicorn was breathing in rapid gasps, lying down and exhausted. With his last strength he covered the bigger stallion with his foreleg. The referee; an elderly earth pony, slid immediately to his side and began the count, the whole crowd counted with him. “ONE! TWO! THREE!” The explosion of cheers was unbelievable. The commentators had difficulties hearing one another even with the headphones on their heads. “He did it!” Coof exclaimed. “No way!” Bradshaw replied in shock. “He did it! Amazing Green is the first unicorn to become the Equestrian Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Champion!” The referee was holding the belt while Green was trying to stand up, big tears of happiness running down his cheeks. The ponies in the crowd were crazy, stamping their hooves and chanting again and again “You’re Amazing!”. The whole place was shaking, it was surprise it didn’t fall apart. “This kid is incredible.” Bradshaw spoke “Black Hooves used everything he had to destroy Amazing, but he survived to beat the big pony when nopony thought he could.” “You’re right, Layfield,” his partner answered, “Black dominated his opponent for most of the match. Black is quite possibly the strongest pony ever to step into the ring, and at sixty pounds heavier and two feet taller he seemed to have the match in the bag. It took a lot of heart to beat that.” In that moment, the referee gave the championship belt to the unicorn wrestler, who raised it with a joyous cry, tears running down his face. “History has been made tonight!” Microph said with solemn voice “Tonight, Amazing Green became the first unicorn ever to win the EWF World Heavyweight Championship.” Meanwhile Amazing stood at one of the corners with the title celebrating with the fans, one pony was watching all from her home with an excited look on her face. “That. Was. Awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, raising her forelegs and causing Tank to leap into the air from the surprise.
Chapter 1: The Challenge“..And then Amazing Green hit Black Hooves with his ‘Green Shining’ move and knocked him out! It was… It was so awesome!” Rainbow Dash told her friends for the tenth time. It was a lovely, sunny afternoon in Ponyville. Like every Monday, the six friends were in the park with their pets. This time however Spike was present, since they had all prepared a little picnic for that afternoon. Twilight and the others would have invited Discord to make him feel more integrated in the group after the Tirek incident, but he was busy doing some social work as a punishment for his actions. That was why he couldn’t be in Ponyville for at least four more days. The seven friends sat while the daredevil pegasus was telling them yet again about the whole championship match. As excited as she was, that wasn’t the problem, the problem was that the only one who was really listening to her was the equally excited baby dragon. “Whoa!” Spike exclaimed, awe printed in his eyes, “I wish I could have seen it!” “You bet. It was a match for the ages.” Rainbow Dash answered with a cocky grin, “If only somepony didn’t send you to the bed so early.” “For the last time, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight sighed, “Spike is a baby dragon. He needs more rest than us,” she ignored Rainbow’s rolling eyes. “Besides, I don’t think that watching such violence would be good for him.” “Oh come on Twilight.” Spike protested “I’m not that young.” “Yeah,” Rainbow nodded in agreement, “and it’s not that violent. It’s a competition with a little extra spicy story between the wrestlers. They are athletes after all.” “I’m afraid that I must agree with Twilight, darling.” Rarity entered in the conversation, taking a moment to sip some tea from her cup “Spikey-Wikey is a child and, after all, ponies fighting each other is just so... so… so uncouth.” “Eer… Hello?” Even if it was his crush who had talked, Spike couldn’t keep his mouth shut “I’m the one who at the end of the day, saved the Crystal Empire. Doesn’t anypony remember?” “Well, yes. That was very dangerous.” Twilight admitted. “Besides, the six of us have often been in mortal danger, being the Elements of Harmony and Saviors of Equestria.” Dash explained “Heck, I could hurt myself really bad in any of my practices.” The way her friends stared at the daredevil made her to look away “I mean, again. The same happens with the Wonderbolts.” “But, mmm-” Fluttershy started to talk with a quiet tone “-that’s only a risk and it isn’t violent at all. I mean, well—” she tried to hide behind her pink mane, her ears drooped down. “I think it’s fun!” Pinkie Pie pulled out her nose from the picnic basket with her lips stained with chocolate. Gummy was with her, or, more specifically biting her mane. “Excuse me?” Rarity raised an eyebrow, looking at her pink friend. “Yes!” Pinkie exclaimed, licking her lips “Many colts and fillies talk about it when they’re in the bakery and they always look so excited. Even more than me sometimes!” The other six looked at one another with similar disbelieving looks. “They often tell me things about the matches and I feel myself absorbed by the ‘Oh!’” Pinkie started to make faces, “the ‘Whoaaa!’, the ‘Yeah!’, the—” “Okay, okay, we get it Pinkie.” Twilight cut her off. Rainbow Dash grinned, shaking her head a little. “Well, at least somepony—” “Hey!” Spike protested. “—and a dragon is with me.” Dash looked at Applejack, the only one who still didn’t share her opinion “And you? You’re also with me. Right?” “Mm?” Applejack blinked, swallowing the bit of cake she was eating “Ah, no. Ah don’t wanna get involved in this.” “Why not?” Curiosity appeared in Twilight’s voice. “We already gave our opinions.” “Indeed, darling. There is no shame if you don’t agree with Rainbow.” Rarity pointed and Dash stuck out her tongue in response. “It’s not that Rares-” The farm mare started to say. “Aw, come on Applejack.” Pinkie pleaded. With a sigh, the cowpony nodded. “Fine. Since Ah’m responsible of mah little sister, Ah’m with Twi and Rarity that maybe the kids shouldn’t see two ponies fighting.” a groan came from Rainbow, but Applejack ignored it “Also, Ah understand that they train a lot and all that stuff but-” She made a pause, shrugging. “-But Ah don’t buy it.” “What?” The daredevil was looking at her orange friend in disbelief. “Ah mean, Ah think that it all is prepared in advanced. They pretend they fight, but it’s only acting.” AJ explained. The others didn’t say anything against that point of view, but Rainbow who had jumped to hover in the air faced Applejack clearly upset. “Are you bucking kidding me!? How could you say that?” Nopony expected Rainbow’s reaction, that was for sure. Rarity was the first to speak . “Rainbow dear. Relax. There is no need to react like that,” she said politely to try and calm her down. “Of course there is!” For a reason any of her friends could guess, Dash seemed offended. Even her ears were twitching. She was still looking to AJ who was confused. “Those ponies get hurt really bad sometimes you know!” “Hold on a second, Dash.” Applejack requested. “Ah’m not saying that they don’t take any risks—” “Buzzsaw Cut broke his neck after receiving a piledriver. With thirty-four years, his career ended right there!” Rainbow started to list some examples. “Lifting Rocks completely tore his pastern, needing two surgeries and a whole year before he could compete again! And did you say that they ‘act’? I can’t believe it!” She moved towards Applejack until she was a hairs’ breadth away. “So in your words, if I get hurt flying, it’s not really important because I was performing tricks and ‘acting’, is that it?” “What?” AJ looked shocked. “No! Ah didn’t say anything like that! Y’know that when yah were in the hospital, even when ya faked it, Ah was worried like the rest!” “Well for me it’s the same. How they get hurt or I get hurt.” Rainbow pointed out, her expression wasn’t of offence but that of disappointment. “We want to be the best!” Without saying anymore or letting anypony react, she called Tank with a whistle and then she flew away at her signature speed. The others stayed there, confused expressions on everyponys’ faces. Applejack was the first to move, looking at her friends. “What did Ah say?” “I don’t know Applejack,” Twilight shook her head, “I really don’t know.” Three days later Applejack hadn’t seen Rainbow Dash again after that afternoon and she was starting to worry, she knew that Dash was fine because her other friends had met her and they had told AJ. Besides, it was strange not to find the pegasus napping in a Sweet Apple Acres tree or coming to chat with her best friend. So the cowpony concluded that she was the only one who Rainbow didn’t want to see. For the farm mare that was enough of a reason to worry about. She didn’t think that she did or had said anything that could offend Rainbow, but apparently she did and she knew that she shouldn’t wait any longer to fix it. The problem was Applejack didn’t know how to. Once AJ finished her chores at the farm she went straight to Ponyville hoping to find Rainbow Dash. After all, they had always been the best friends and a little problem couldn’t change that. “She’ll be napping on a cloud, Ah bet mah hat.” She was telling herself when she reached Ponyvilles’ market. She was interupted from her search when somepony called her. “Applejack! Over here!” Applejack turned her head to see that Twilight and Pinkie were coming straight to her. “Howdy, girls. How’re y’all doing?” The first who answered was Pinkie, big smile on her face. “Super-duper-ific! And you?” “Fine, thanks.” Twilight said without waiting for Applejack to reply. “What are you doing here, Applejack? Are you going to replace Big Mac in the market stand?” The cowpony shook her head. “Nope. Ah’m-” For a second, she looked aside nervous. “Ah’m looking for Rainbow. Have ya see her?” “Yeah!” Pinkie Pie answered cheerfully. “She came to Sugarcube Corner this morning and bought one of my double extra chocolate cupcakes. She really loves those.” Applejack blinked. “And did you see her more—uhh—recently?” “Oh.” Pinkie thought for a second and grinned “Nope!” After a sigh from the cowpony, she looked at her other friend; Twilight. The alicorn shook her head, “sorry, Applejack. I haven’t seen her today. However, she should come to the castle later. We have one of our reading times this afternoon.” Twilight explained with a soft smile before she tilted her head. “Why do you ask?” Applejack rubbed one of her forelegs with the other, her ears fell flat against her head. She was clearly a little nervous. “Well, Ah want to talk with her. Or try, at least.” Her two friends looked at each other with a serious look. “It’s about what happened at the picnic, right?” Twilight asked politely. “Eeyup,” AJ nodded. “Ah haven’t seen Rainbow Dash since then. Not even napping in one of my trees and that just ain’t right.” Twilight and Pinkie knew that she was right. “So, if Ah have really screwed things that bad, Ah wanna fix it.” “Maybe we can help you with that?” Twilight suggested, tapping her chin with a thoughtful look, “We were also there after all.” “Thanks, Twi,” Applejack said with a soft smile, “but first Ah need to find her.” “I have a better idea.” The alicorn grinned, already forming a plan in mind. “You should wait where you know that she will eventually be.” “What?” AJ looked confused. “Ya mean?—” “—To come with me to the castle and wait there for Rainbow.” Twilight continued. “Pinkie?” “Yes?” Pinkie Pie smiled at her alicorn friend. “Could you please tell Rarity and Fluttershy to come to the library as soon as possible?” Twilight asked, smiling too. “Yes ma’am! On my way!” Pinkie saluted before she bounced away. Applejack looked worried.“Yer sure of this, Twi? Ah don’t want to cause ya any problem with Dash.” “Don’t worry, AJ.” Twilight was totally calm and confident. “It’s better this way. First, you don’t have to look for Rainbow Dash. Second, it will be easiest to talk with her if we are all in the same place. And thirdly, if she is too stubborn and tries to get away before the two of you can chat, stopping her inside the library will be a piece of cake.” Applejack considered her options rubbing her chin, nodding seconds after. “Sure, Twi, let’s go.” A tense atmosphere dominated the inside of the Friendship Castle. At least Applejack felt like it did. She was pacing slowly in circles and her ears were dropped down. All her friends, except Rainbow Dash were there with her. Her friends seemed visibly calmer that the farmpony. Twilight was reading, Fluttershy and Spike were in the kitchen making some tea, Pinkie Pie was guarding the cupcakes that she brought and Rarity was relaxing laying on a few cushions. “She’s late,” nervousness tinged Applejack’s voice. “Ah bet that she knows that Ah’m here and she won’t come!” “Applejack, calm down.” Twilight spoke without looking up at her, stretching her wings and turning the page at the same time. “Rainbow is usually late, stop worrying. She will arrive at any mom—” “Sorry Twilight!” A loud voice from upstairs cut in. “I’m late again!” Rainbow Dash came down grinning but her smile faded as she saw that they weren’t alone. “Oh.” was the only word that came from Rainbow’s mouth. She looked around just in time to see Spike and Fluttershy coming from the kitchen with the tea cups. “So, everypony is here.” She mumbled so that nopony else could hear. Twilight was prepared in case Rainbow Dash tried to leave, but she didn’t show it. “Hi, Rainbow.” She grinned cheerfully, “You came just in time, the tea is ready.” “Yeah... but...” Rainbow cleared her throat, looking to everypony, “I figured there would only be the two of us. Why are they here?” Before Twilight could answer, Applejack took a step. “It’s my fault. Twilight thought that this was the best way to help me.” AJ swallowed hard, making an effort to look at Rainbow Dashs’ eyes. “Ah... wanted to talk with you Rainbow. Look, Ah’m really sorry for what happened the the other day. A...Ah don’t know what Ah said to offend ya, but Ah swear that it wasn’t on purpose.” Rainbow was looking at Applejack while she talked. By the end, Dash’s wings were twitching slightly, leading Twilight to believe that she was preparing to fly away. However, a few seconds later the pegasus relaxed a little, sighing. “That all?” Nopony expected that reaction. Applejack could only blink as a response. “Um, Rainbow.” Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the one who broke the silence with her characteristic soft tone. “Applejack said that she hasn’t seen you since the pet play-date. It’s quite unusual. Are you angry with her or us?” She swallowed, looking aside. “I mean If you don’t mind me asking that is.” Dash put a hoof on her face and shooked her head slowly, taking a moment before she opened her mouth. “Listen, girls, I’m not angry with Applejack or any of you for that matter.” She looked at the cowpony, who was listening closely. “Okay, I admit that maybe I’m a little upset with you, but I'll get over it in no time. I know that you never wanted to offend me.” “So,” Rarity intervened politely, “why did you fly away with such rudeness?” “I already told you, Rares.” Dash’ said in an annoyed tone. “But we don’t know why.” Pinkie Pie spoke that time and soon she started to develop her own theories. “Oh, it’s because do you have wrestlers in your fami-?” She suddenly gasped and put her nose against Rainbow’s “Oh my Gosh! Did any of them get injured doing it? Or died?” Pinkie Pie caught her friend to shake her. “Please! Tell me it didn’t happen!” “Pinkie, calm down!” Rainbow exclaimed, separating her friend enough to recover her personal space. “It’s nothing like that! How could you think something like that?” “Oh.” Pinkie stopped as quickly as she started, smiling at the moment. “Sorry, it was a just a hunch.” “The worst kind, Pinks.” Dash frowned. Twilight cleared her throat as loudly as she could to call everyone's attention. “Then Rainbow please, could you explain us the reason why you got upset with Applejack?” Rainbow Dash looked around to find six pairs of eyes staring at her waiting for a response. She sighed with a defeated expression, downing her head and ears. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you. But could I eat some cupcakes first? I’m starving.” All her friends smiled and a few minutes later they had almost finished the cupcakes and the tea. The time passed calmly; they even chatted a little about other topics. Finally, Dash coughed to catch everypony’s attention. “Ok, all of you remember what we talked about the other day, right?” Her friends nodded. “Well, when Applejack said that she thought that the wrestlers act in their matches, I felt bad because-” She paused, clearing her throat and looking to AJ. “Because I felt like you didn’t believe in my dream of becoming a Wonderbolt.” “Beg pardon?” Applejack was very confused at that statement. How are the Wonderbolts and wrestling related? She thought. “Let me explain it.” Rainbow Dash said. “You all know that being a Wonderbolt means being one of the best fliers of Equestria, right?” Her friends nodded before she continued. “Well, the wrestlers want the same. When a pony becomes one, they want to be the champion. To be the best. Like me. We put ourselves at risk for that goal because it’s our dream. That is what we have in common. At least,” The rainbow-maned mare lowered her head, “I believe that.” As she said that, Applejack finally understood: Her friend Rainbow felt connected to the wrestling ponies and she respected them as athletes and as ponies with a dream. Unintentionally the cowpony had taken lightly to Dash’s feelings. “Dash, Ah’m really, really sorry.” She apologised again. “Ah didn’t think it in that way.” “I know, I know.” Rainbow rubbed a foreleg with the other. “Maybe...No! I did overreact a little, leaving all of you in the park like that and without stopping in Sweet Apple Acres since then.” Dash chucked softly looking at her Applejack. “I confess that I missed some of my favourite nap spots.” Applejack and the others couldn’t avoid laughing after that last sentence, all of them happy because the farmpony and Rainbow seemed to fix their misunderstanding without anymore problems. However, Applejack felt like she should do more to apologise to the daredevil. “Really, Rainbow, Ahm sorry. If there’s anything that Ah could do—” She was visibly more relaxed as she spoke. “Don’t worry, AJ, everything is fine.” Rainbow cut her, grinning. “No, not everything.” Applejack insisted with a serious look. “Ah feel that Ah need to do something to compensate ya. Ah took your feelings lightly, after all.” Rainbow looked to her friend and chuckled when she found out how serious she was. “Whoa, the return of the stubborn mare, ladies and gentlecolts.” Dash joked, grinning until she saw Applejack frowned. “Ok, ok, I get it. You’re serious. Gimme a second to think.” “Only a second?” That was Applejack’s turn to joke but Rainbow didn’t answer. Meanwhile, their friends’ gazes went between the two mares, waiting. Maybe some of them thought that Applejack’s request wasn’t really necessary, but that was a matter between the two competitive ponies so they didn’t say a word. “I got it!” Rainbow suddenly said with a big and cocky grin. “What it is?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Help ya with another trick? A barrel of cider?” “The last one sounds much too tempting, but no.” Rainbow shook her head. “Neither of those.” She cleared her throat and pointed to Applejack with a hoof, her wings flared out. “Applejack, at this very moment and in front of our friends. I, Rainbow Dash, challenge you to a wrestling match.”
Chapter 2: Mad MaresThe only sound that was heard right after Rainbow’s words was Spike spitting out his tea. Meanwhile the other five mares; especially Applejack, were speechless. It took almost two minutes before any of them reacted and of course; the farmpony was the first. “What? Are ya outta yer mind!?” She exclaimed, glaring at Rainbow. “I’m totally serious about this AJ.” Dash answered. “Okay, yer officially a feather brain.” Applejack rubbed her eyes. “Hey!” Rainbow retorted. “Applejack, darling,” Rarity stepped forward, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, “take a deep breath and relax, yes?” Applejack nodded with a sigh. The unicorn cleared her throat and looked to the pegasus. “Rainbow, I think that what Applejack is trying to say is that such an idea is, well-” She tapped her chin, thinking of the best way to explain it. “I think that it’s a little excessive.” “And, um… dangerous.” Fluttershy whispered, hiding behind her mane. “Yes, exactly! Thank you darling.” Rarity nodded with a soft smile and then she looked at Rainbow Dash. “You said it before yourself.” “Yeah, I said it. I remember.” The pegasus raised an eyebrow. “But AJ and I are action mares and besides, it’s the best way.” She grinned, full of confidence. “Best way to what?” Applejack had an irritated look in her face. “To break our spines?” “To finally find who is the best.” Dash replied, even more serious. For several seconds, silence reigned inside the palace. Everypony except Dash was looking between them with confused faces. Finally, it was Twilight who broke the silence. “Uh, Rainbow, could you explain to us what you mean?” The pegasus put a hoof on her face and sighed. “I thought that it was obvious, but okay. Do you remember the Running of the Leaves?” Her friends nodded. “Applejack and I tied every year since the first one we participated in. Also, when we tried to know who was the most daring pony, we also tied.” Rainbow looked to Pinkie Pie. “Am I right?” “Oh! Let me check!” Pinkie exclaimed before starting to look for something inside her own mane, pulling out other things in the process. “A balloon, my favourite rubber duck, the Fluttershy costume… Ah, here it is!” She exclaimed, pulling out a black notebook. Pinkie opened it and read it with a serious look. “Mmm, yeah. This, and this. Yeah!” She grinned. “Dashie’s right! You’re still tied.” Applejack sighed. “Okay, we’re tied. What does that have to do with your crazy challenge?” “Don’t you see it?” Rainbow, who was now hovering in the air, pointed to Applejack. “You and I are the most athletics ponies in Ponyville without a doubt. We’re maybe among the best in all of Equestria. But none of us could get an upper hoof against the other. Until now. This is the way, AJ. If we have this match, we’ll finally know who is the best athlete and most daring pony.” Applejack blinked slowly. Twice. Although she wasn’t really a competitive mare, her rivalry with Rainbow Dash was totally different. Since the day the two had met, they became best friends and better rivals. It was something natural between them. For that reason, and for Rainbow’s reasoning, the challenge started to seem logical to her. A fact that her friends saw clearly. “Oh, no.” Rarity’s eyes were wide open with a scared look. “You really couldn’t take that seriously, Applejack. It’s too dangerous!” “Calm down Rarity, Ah didn’t say a word.” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. “But you’re thinking about it.” Twilight joined the conversation. “I know that look on your face, Applejack. I’ve seen it before.” “Of course she’s thinking about it.” Rainbow Dash was grinning and looking to Applejack. “You know that I’m right. Also, you aren’t a chicken. You never back down from a challenge.” Just looking at Applejack’s face was enough to see that Dash hit the spot with those words. The farmpony knew that the pegasus was trying her best to convince her. Applejack looked closely to Rainbow’s eyes before she asked. “What happens with your wings if Ah accept? Ya could use them to trick me, like in the Iron Pony contest.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I was sure that you would bring that up, Applejack.” She had a cocky smile in her lips. “But you don’t have to worry about my wings. The wrestling rules forbid the use of wings or magic even in the most extreme matches. The reason is because when the wrestling was created the only competitors were earth ponies and all the promoters want to respect that spirit.” The concern in some of their friend’s faces was very obvious, especially after those words. “Oh, no.” Fluttershy muttered, biting her lower lip. All of them knew that without magic or wings it would be a fair competition, just the way that Applejack liked. In fact, she rubbed her chin, thinking for a few minutes before looking Rainbow Dash straight in the eye. “Yer on.” Applejack sentenced, following her words with a spit in her hoof before she lent it towards the pegasus, who grinned and mimicked her to seal the deal. “Girls, wait—!” Twilight tried to stop them. “Oooooh, this is gonna be fantastic!!” Pinkie Pie cut in, bouncing in excitement. “Pinkie Pie!” Rarity looked to her over-sugared friend with a shocked look. “How you could react like that? This is serious!” She turned her head to Rainbow Dash and Applejack to apparently say something. “Pinkie is right!” Spike was excited too. “It will be awesome!” “Spike! Don’t encourage them!” Twilight scolded him before turning her attention back to the mares involved in the challenge. “Girls, seriously. You two are joking, right?”· “Not at all.” Rainbow stated and looked to Applejack. “Are you joking, AJ?” “Nope. But yer a fool, Dash.” “Who is most foolish? The fool or the fool who follows it?” The pegasus stuck out her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, as you said.” Applejack chuckled. “Applejack, Rainbow, please!” Twilight flared her wings out. “Be serious for a minute, okay? What you want to do is dangerous.” “Maybe for normal ponies, Twilight.” Rainbow grinned. “But we’re not. We’re tough, fast and also we know how to fight.” “That’s not the point.” Rarity’s voice was a little too loud, tingled with worry. “You hope to hit and hurt each other for a silly reason like your rivalry. You’re friends for Celestia’s sake! You can’t do this!” “Rarity, this won’t be a brawl.” Applejack tried to calm her down, looking to Rainbow right afterwards with a raised eyebrow. “It won’t be, right?” “Of course not.” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs. “There are a lot of rules in wrestling, with little differences between promotions. Also, we’ll have a referee for the match, like the rules said, to keep things right.” “Uhm, Rainbow.” Fluttershy spoke shyly. Clearly, she was the most worried for her friends. “You don’t have a ring.” Dash opened her mouth, a hoof raised, but no word came out. She then rubbed her chin, thinking. “Horseapples. You’re right.” She admitted. “Clearly you didn’t realize that when you proposed the challenge.” Twilight sighed in relief. “Now, please, could we forget—?” “We should build one!” Rainbow exclaimed suddenly with a big smile. “Yes, you should—What!?” Twilight’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Ya sure we could do it?” Applejack was uncertain about it. “Yeah!” Once again, Dash sounded very confident. “How many barns have you built? How many platforms or stuff for my tricks have I built? It will be a piece of cake.” Applejack shook her head, pulling her hat a bit backwards with a chuckle. “Ah don’t think that it will be so easy. But yer right, we can build it.” “I’ll help you!” Pinkie Pie raised her hoof, still bouncing. “Me too!” Spike joined her, not seeing Twilight’s glare. “G-girls, please.” Fluttershy mumbled, looking to Applejack and Rainbow. “Don’t do it. It’s dangerous.” “Relax, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash smiled at her. “We’ll be fine. We’ve done worse things before, remember?” She winked and then turned to Applejack, Spike and Pinkie. “Alright, we need to start making plans for everything!” Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged worried looks while the others were talking about the future match. “We need to do something.” The unicorn’s ears were pressed against her head. “They’re planning to act like savages just to solve a friendly rivalry!” “Agreed.” Twilight nodded. “But they’re too stubborn and proud to see reason.” She looked to her other four friends and let out a sigh. “This won’t be easy.” Two days later, Twilight thought that Applejack and Rainbow Dash had forgotten about the wrestling match, since she hadn’t heard anything about it. Good, they probably realized that it was a really bad idea. She thought to herself happily to while she was organizing her new books. After some time, Twilight felt a bit hungry and decided to take a break, going to the kitchen to eat a snack. However, she then noticed before that they didn’t have any apples and since the market didn’t open until the next day, Twilight decided to not wait and to visit Applejack to buy a few. “Spike!” The alicorn called. “I have to go to Sweet Apple Acres to buy some apples, take care of the castle!” Twilight didn’t get an answer and raised an eyebrow. “He’s awfully quiet today.” Twilight shrugged before leaving. “Nevermind.” Twilight flew calmly to the farm, smiling the whole trip. Everything was fine in Equestria since defeating Tirek. No menaces of any kind, no crazy situations, no- “What in Equestria?” Her thoughts were cut short when she arrived at the farm. In the same place where Applejack and Rainbow Dash had their Iron Pony Competition, they stood with Discord, Spike and Pinkie Pie next to a pile of construction materials. The draconequus, dressed as a construction worker, was arguing with the farmpony and the hovering pegasus. “Girls, seriously, I can make the ring appear in a blink.” Discord said. “Thanks fer th’ offer, Discord, but that’s not necessary.” Applejack answered politely, scratching the back of her head. “We-umm-prefer to build it ourselves.” “Yeah.” Dash nodded energetically. “We don’t need any chaotic surprises in our ring. The match could be crazy enough without those.” “Oh, please, what makes you think that I would do something like that?” Discord asked with a fake tone and a halo over his head. Both mares looked at him with incredulity and he frowned. “You ponies can be really boring sometimes.” Discord muttered. “Hello?” Twilight landed near the group, looking at everyone with a puzzled expression. “What is happening here? And what are you doing here, Spike?” “Whoa!” Spike jumped at the surprise, a bit nervous. “Twilight! W-well, I—” He scratched his neck, looking away. “Hey, Twi!” Rainbow Dash waved at the alicorn alongside the others, smiling. “How are you doing?” “I’m fine, thanks.” Twilight answer but then frowned a bit. “But could somepony answer me, please?” “We’re building the ring, silly!” Pinkie Pie answered in her characteristic cheerfully tone. “What!?” Twilight opened wide her eyes and spread her wings with a shocked expression. She glared at Spike, who gulped. “And you’re helping them with this madness?” “Eh, I’m not doing anything mad now!” Discord replied, drawing plans for differents kinds of rings, pools and even birdhouses while wearing a straitjacket. “Discord, I’m not talking to you.” Twilight glared at the draconequus. “Calm down sugarcube.” Applejack said softly. “Ya look—” “Overreacting.” Rainbow Dash pointed, bending her head sidewards. “Ah was gonna say ‘stressed’, Rainbow.” Applejack stared at the pegasus, who simply shrugged. “Overreacting?” Twilight’s nostrils flared. “I am not overreacting! You two keep going with this crazy idea of a wrestling match! Not only that, but they are helping you!” She pointed to Discord, Pinkie Pie and Spike, whom shied away from the alicorn. “Oh, come on, Twilight.” Rainbow groaned, crossing her forelegs over her chest. “There’s no reason to act like that. It’s our decision, okay? And they agree with us.” “But you could get hurt!” Twilight exclaimed, facing the two of them before turning her head to Applejack. “Does your family know about it?” “Ah didn’t explain them all the details.” Applejack confessed, her face flushing slightly. “Ah don’t want to worry them and more importantly, to give Applebloom or her friends any more silly ideas.” She scratched her head. “Besides, this is between me and RD.” “Then why are they here?” Twilight questioned, her glare softening slightly. “We want to help, silly.” Pinkie Pie jumped suddenly on Twilight’s rump, rubbing her head with a hoof. “What are friends for? They can’t do all the work alone. After all, they’ll be the stars of the show!” Twilight’s horn glowed, forcing Pinkie Pie off her back and causing her to “Ooooh” in amazement. “Okay, you and Spike already know about this thing since you were present when they agreed to do it. But that doesn’t explain why Discord is here.” “Me?” The draconequus blinked, rotating his neck like an owl to look at Twilight. “Well, Fluttershy told me about this when I came back yesterday from my silly community work in Canterlot and I simply love the idea.” Some hearts appeared around Discord’s head and even his own eyes were hearts in that moment. “You have got to be kidding me.” Twilight mumbled, rubbing her forehead and frowning. “Could you explain to me why?” “Because I’m a good friend.” Discord said, raising his paw. However, at Twilight’s impassible look, he frowned. “Don’t look me like that, it’s one of the reasons.” “And the others?” She insisted on with an eyebrow raised. “Well,” A miniaturized Discord lay down on Twilight’s ear, “when I changed my ways I tried to look for something entertaining to do or see that didn’t end with me turned to stone again.” He pointed, pinching the alicorn’s cheek. “Eventually, Fluttershy mentioned this wrestling thing.” The draconequus spoke dramatically, falling on a divan much too similar to Rarity’s own - in fact, a desperate cry rang out in the distance -. “So I decided to give it a try and I found it marvelous!” Discord jumped like a filly. “So unpredictable, so chaotic! Why wasn’t I going to help two of my awesome friends to have their own match?” “You know that they could get seriously hurt, right?” Twilight was tired to say those words. “Twilight, for the love of Celestia,” Rainbow spoke before Discord could, “we’re grown mares!. We know what we’re doing.” “No, you don’t!” Twilight looked as if she was about to explode. “It’s the most dangerous idea you two have ever had! Even for you Rainbow Dash!” “Hey!” The pegasus protested, facing Twilight. Fortunately, Applejack restrained Dash, looking her and the alicorn. “Both of ya calm down, okay?” Then she turned to Twilight. “Sugarcube, let’s talk about this-” “No, Applejack.” Twilight interrupted the cowpony, shaking her head. “I can’t stay when two of my best friends are going to risk their lives for stupid reasons.” She looked to Pinkie Pie, Discord and Spike. “Neither should the three of you. Spike, let’s go.” “Uh, Twilight-” The dragon spoke softly, just to be teleported over Twilight’s back. “I said, let’s go.” They took off as their friends could only watch them leave. I have to find a way to stop those two mad mares.
