Pony Kombat

In the hot and heavy foundry, Zecora and another Changeling were loading the firearms Sunset Shimmer had bought from Vinyl into crates, preparing for an assault on Equestria.

“That is all of them,” Zecora said. The other Changeling held up a gun the wrong way, pointing it at Zecora. Zecora noticed and took it out of the Changeling’s grasp.

“That is no toy!” She yelled. “It belongs to Sunset Shimmer. We are finished. Return to your post.” The Changeling left the foundry as Zecora put the gun back. She heard the entryway open. Rarity walked in. Zecora blocked her path.

“Stand aside,” Rarity ordered. “I will see Pinkie Pie.”

“Nopony enters the tower!” Zecora said.

“You are an excellent guard dog, Zecora,” Rarity said. “But you must learn to heel.”

“I do not take orders from you!” Zecora yelled. She and Rarity began to fight. Rarity used her long staff and boomerang to gain an advantage over Zecora’s blades. Rarity quickly ended the fight.

“Good boy,” Rarity taunted. Zecora groaned. She couldn’t get up.

“Canterlot kind have no loyalty,” Zecora said.

“Blind loyalty is not a good thing as I have learned,” Rarity said as she stood over Zecora. “You must keep your eyes open to anticipate the finishing blow.”

“What are you talking…” Zecora demanded. But before she could finish, Rarity stomped on her face, knocking her out.

“You make it too easy,” Rarity said. She left the foundry and entered the tower. She found Pinkie Pie tied to a statue. Chrysalis was talking to her.

“If you had not dishonored yourself…” Chrysalis said, but was cut off by Pinkie Pie.

“Rarity!” Pinkie Pie cried. Chrysalis looked over and saw Rarity.

“My orders are clear,” she said. “Nopony is allowed in the tower.

“Yet as you can see,” Rarity said. “I am here.”

“Here to help the Princess escape,” Chrysalis said. “You would deny her execution?! The only means of regaining her honor?!”

“We have very different concepts of honor, Changeling,” Rarity informed. Chrysalis attacked Rarity. Rarity countered with her staff to Chrysalis’s head. The fight seemed evenly matched, but eventually, Rarity won.

“Not much of a jailer, are you?” Rarity said. She walked up to Pinkie Pie.

“Now then your highness,” she said. “Let us see how quickly we can remove these bonds.”

“Rarity, I…” Pinkie started to apologize.

“I am too,” Rarity said. From beyond the entrance, Zecora could faintly be heard yelling.

“Stop her!” Zecora cried.

“Don’t let her get away!” Pinkamena said.

“Go,” Pinkie said. “Find Celestia. Ask for her help.” Rarity reluctantly left Pinkie Pie alone to seek out Celestia.

~~~

Rarity ran as far as she could from the tower out onto the beach.

“That should distance me from any pursuers,” she thought out loud. Just then, Pinkamena appeared in front of her. Rarity gasped.

“Others pursue,” Pinkamena said. “I find.”

“By the gods,” Rarity gasped. “You are Pinkamena.”

“You must return with me,” Pinkamena creepily said. “There is to be a celebration for my sister. She’s going awaaa-aaay.” Creeped out by the tone in Pinkamena’s voice, Rarity immediately engaged in combat. Rarity used her staff and boomerangs to her advantage against Pinkamena’s savage nature. Pinkamena’s sai kept her up and fighting for a while, but Rarity eventually won.

“I am more of a sister to Pinkie Pie than you,” she said. “I must find Celestia.”

“She is here,” Celestia said as she teleported in front of Rarity. Derpy stormed up to Rarity, mistaking Pinkamena for Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie turns away from Nightmare Moon, so you attack her rather than join her?!” She fumed. Rarity was confused.

“This is not…”

“Derpy, stop!” Celestia said. “That is not Pinkie Pie.”

“You will come no closer,” Derpy raged. She attacked Rarity. Through self-defense, Rarity fought back. She ran behind Derpy and ran her staff into Derpy’s gut, bruising it. She then broke Derpy’s spine with her staff’s short end. Rarity knocked Derpy back and won.

“I did not wish to do that,” Rarity said. Celestia walked over to Derpy to help her up.

“Princess Celestia,” Rarity said. “I come at the request of…”

“Princess?” Shining Armor asked as Rarity went on. “I was with Derpy. I thought she was a bad guy. Bad girl. Guess she turned another one. What’s Celestia got that I haven’t got?”

“God-like power?” Twilight Sparkle said, knowing she was right.

“A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?” Babs Seed added.

“Jerks,” Shining Armor said. Twilight and Babs Seed chuckled.

“…she is to be executed,” Rarity finished. “We do not have much time.” Twilight overheard and ran over to Rarity.

“Pinkie Pie?” she asked. “Executed? Where is she?”

“Held captive in the tower of Nightmare Moon’s fortress. Twilight Sparkle started to speak, but Celestia cut her off.

“I am not pleased with this outcome either, Twilight,” Celestia said. “But there is no time. We must return to the tournament.”

“But you are responsible for her capture!” Twilight Sparkle stormed. “You persuaded her to turn against Nightmare Moon!”

“Princess Celestia,” Babs Seed said. “We can free her as others fight in our stead, then join you thereafter.” Celestia gave this matter some thought.

“Very well,” She said. Babs Seed and Twilight Sparkle left.

“We will meet you at the coliseum,” Babs Seed called as they left. Celestia felt that this course of action was extremely risky. What if Equestria lost the tournament while Twilight and Babs Seed were freeing Pinkie Pie? Lives hang in the balance, and time is running out.