The halls of the castle seemed ever-winding as Amore explored further. So far, this area of her mind just confused her as she tried harder and harder to make sense of it all. Finally giving up and coming to an old oak door, Amore opens it to explore the room within. Her expression at its contents only increased her frustration.

"What are you doing back in here?" Amore asks, folding her arms.

On a table covered in books sits Serenity. She is amusing herself by flicking through a grimoire before turning her attention to Amore.

"I'm stuck in your chest, where else would I be? Your memories make an interesting read since I've been in your scissor blade." Serenity comments as she closes the book and places it beside her.

"Maybe that was my mistake all along..." Amore mutters as she starts to look around.

"It was..." Serenity stands up.

Amore turns to Serenity with a confused look. "Letting you live was a mistake?"

"You don't get it... Before when you drank the last required blood intake, there was only ever two entities present. That Octavia was a product of your subconscious to help you deal with the situation. That 'other' Amore was a fake normal version conjured by yourself as you believed to be different from how you used to be. In reality, only you and I existed in that meeting. The problem is that it is still 'you and me', rather than just 'you'. We are two sides of the same coin, the same pony. The fact that I am still here means that 'we' are half of what we could be." Serenity explains before sighing deeply.

"Basically the answer to my question literally lies in here..." Amore touches her chest.

"We cannot keep existing at the same time. You need to come to terms with what we are and what we are capable of." Serenity states.

"What is that suppose to mean? 'What we are capable of'?" Amore asks.

"You never cared before how hard you pushed yourself or how much strength you used. Since becoming a full vampire, you have purposefully limited yourself and what you can do. However, all this will accomplish is getting our loved ones hurt." Serenity frowns.

"What is the point of protecting them if I can't control myself? You know how much I lose myself out there... I didn't care before, but now..." Amore sighs.

"If you're so afraid of losing control, then find a way to gain control. I'm going to look around and leave you to think for a bit... Do try not to hurt yourself." Serenity comments as she leaves the room.

Amore paces around for a few seconds rubbing her neck and groaning before finally kicking over the table in frustration.

"Fuck... Why does everything have to seem so damn complex... Or am I really so dense?" Amore asks herself, before ruffling her own hair and groaning in annoyance.

The arena air buzzed with anticipation as students, teachers and guests from both academies got settled into their seats. The announcers prepared themselves in the booth to direct what was shaping up to be one very exciting Supernatural Games.

"Welcome everypony to the one on one elimination finals of the Supernatural Games fighting sector!" Silver Vase announces which causes the audience to roar into a cheer.

"That's right Vase, and as per usual the other sectors have finished in order to watch this exciting lineup." Sandstone Mike continues.

"It's also at this time we show the total rally for the Supernatural Games so far. It would seem that the cooking sector fell victim to the masterful baking skills of Sugar Belle's cooking club." Silver Vase informs them.

"That's true for this year Vase, it seems that Sugar Belle has trained her club very well. However, the same can also be said for Crystal Preps science and magic clubs as they absolutely dominated during their sector." Sandstone Mike adds.

"Which brings us to our totals for the current state of the games. Armonia academy sits at 600 points." Silver Vase makes a digital scoreboard appear above the arena.

The Armonia side of the arena lights up in a loud cheer.

"However, Crystal Prep is ahead with 700 points, with a grand total of 1,000 points being able to be awarded per sector." Sandstone Mike states, adding the Crystal Prep score.

Crystal Prep's side of the arena lets out a loud cheer at their higher score.

"As normal, the majority of the games hinders on the outcome of the fighting sector and who stands victorious when the dust settles." Silver Vase states, making the crowd roar together into another loud cheer.

Veronica and the rest of team Bloody Love are sitting in the waiting area, watching the big screen as the announcers do their bit.

"Do you think it's randomly selected or?" Aqua Streak asks, taking deep breaths.

"I believe so... Least that's what Octavia said." Veronica replies, juggling one of her throwing knives.

"Where are Selene and her team?" Scarlet Orange asks.

"On the other side of the arena preparing for their matches. When it comes to the finals they have both teams on opposite waiting lounges in the arena. It's so they can do dramatic entrances and stuff to emphasize the finals." Silver Stitch informs them.

"They also give the fighters 10 minutes to prepare themselves for the fight. Whoever is fighting next will show up on this screen at that time so we know who has to go out." Tranquil Wind adds.

Scarlet Orange points to the screen. "You mean like that?"

The group turn to the screen and see two large cards appear with a giant 'V.S' in the middle. The cards flip over to show Tranquil Wind and Aries.

"Yeah, exactly like- Son of a bitch!" Tranquil Wind groans and slaps her face.

"Well, looks like you're up darling. Do break a leg... Preferably hers." Silver Stitch smiles and kisses Tranquil Wind's cheek.

Tranquil Wind groans in response and reluctantly heads back to their preparation room.

The arena is united in clapping and cheering as they await the first match up. The ceiling suddenly begins to close and the lights come on one by one to illuminate the fighting area. As soon as the ceiling shuts entirely, the announcers can be heard.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlecolts to the first match of the finals!" Silver Vase states, eliciting a cheer from the crowd.

"Y'all know how this work so we're going to get right down to it!" Sandstone Mike adds.

The lights flash all around the arena and some fireworks are let off into the air above them.

"The first match is between two hard hitting mares, that pack equal power behind their fists. Born and raised mostly in Cloudsdale by her parents, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. Sitting at the top of her class, this mare climbed up the academic ladder almost as fast as Twilight did. It gives me immense pleasure to introduce the Armonia Academy's Book Club president... Tranquil Wind!" Silver Vase states before a track is played across the arena.

Fireworks and lights flash all over the combat area as Tranquil Wind slowly steps out of the waiting lobby gate. She wears a pair of black shorts, a slightly tight white top and a pair of purple fingerless gloves. Starting with a run up she leaps from the waiting lobby entrance to land on her starting position a fair distance away. Slamming her fists together, she lets out a challenging roar which could only come from a Lycan. The music died down so the announcers can introduce her opponent.

"Stepping out to face our athletic bookworm is the daughter of Crystal Prep's very own Principal Nike and her husband Bulk Biceps. It gives me equal pleasure to introduce Crystal Prep's head of the Disciplinary Committee... Aries!" Sandstone Mike states as another track is played.

More fireworks and flashing lights are used to signal Aries' entrance into the arena from her team's lobby. She wears dull gold shorts, a dull gold shirt that stops above her belly, a brown open jacket that is a little longer than her shirt, and a pair of gold fingerless gloves. Aries slowly walks to her starting position before the music stops.

"I didn't expect to be fighting so soon." Aries states, looking around.

"Well, neither did I, but here we are. I plan to make the most of it." Tranquil Wind states, stretching.

Aries smiles and cracks her knuckles. "As do I."

Both girls take rather different fighting stances before Silver Vase lays out the rules.

"The match will continue till either fighter is knocked unconscious or yields. Without further delay, let the match begin!" Silver Vase shouts as he rings a bell and Sandstone Mike flips a disc into the CD player tray.

The mares collide with shear force as they begin passing a flurry of dodges and punches back and forth between each other. Mixing it up a little, Tranquil Wind attempts to throw some kicks into the fight but has her leg grabbed by Aries. Smiling, the mare begins to spin Tranquil Wind around in a circle and throws her across the arena floor. Tranquil Wind comes to a harsh stop using her hands and hooves. Standing up, she loosens her shoulders and clouds her eyes like Selene did. Sprinting off the spot she catches up to Aries in record time in order to throw much faster, harder punches her way. Not quite as fast as the Lycan mare, Aries is able to deflect the blows using her forearms. Chuckling, Aries grabs Tranquil Wind's right arm and twists it behind her back, holding her there tightly.

"Bulk and Nike huh?" Tranquil Wind struggles against Aries.

"Not your ideal couple, I know. Mother tends to bring a sense of direction to father's abilities." Aries states, holding Tranquil Wind's arm tightly.

"So it seems. I hear he does lovely charity work." Tranquil Wind comments.

Aries throws Tranquil Wind away from her with force. Tranquil Wind spins in the air before landing, facing Aries. The rainbow maned mare readies herself in a starting position before sprinting towards Aries, who prepares herself to intercept. Dodging to the side, Tranquil Wind delivers a hard blow to the back of Aries' leg joint, making her lose balance and kneel slightly. Using her momentum, Tranquil Wind circles around Aries so she can sprint back towards her and catch her neck in a tight close line manoeuvre. Not stopping, Tranquil Wind keeps running until she plummets Aries into the arena wall using sheer speed. Taking several steps back, Tranquil Wind pants and waits for the dust to settle.

"You are one tough bitch..." Tranquil Wind pants slightly.

"I'll be honest, I am enjoying this far more than I thought I would." Tranquil Wind can hear Aries state.

"Oh for fuck sake..." Tranquil wind straightens up as the dust settles and Aries is standing up stretching.

"You didn't think this would be over quickly did you? I hope you're ready for part two." Aries states before charging at Tranquil Wind.

Amore opens and walks through a strange door which leads to a plain white landscape where the floor is water. Amore cautiously steps out of the doorway to stand on the water as if it were a solid. Looking around she can't see anything distinctive in the room which confuses her.

"Quite amazing isn't it. What our minds are capable of constructing. What we are capable of thinking." A male voice states to Amore.

Amore turns around to see a hooded stallion wearing an outfit similar to the one Princess Luna wore.

"I suppose so... Who are you?" Amore asks.

"I'm a figment of your imagination who has been manifested to help you through this difficult time. Least, that's what your subconscious believes." The stallion chuckled.

"So, what is this room?" Amore asks as she looks down at her reflection in the water.

"I believe it's meant to show you what is truly blocking your path. Although that still won't help you with how to get through it." The stallion states, appearing beside Amore.

"But all I see is my reflection..." Amore sighs.

"Exactly. The answer is simple yet complex. Even if you know what the problem is, till you understand the problem itself, solving it will be impossible." The stallion gently places his hand on Amore's shoulder.

The contact makes her jerk back up straight and looks around the room, but she cannot see anyone. She then looks back down at the water to see no reflection.

"I'm the problem... I know that much, but how do I fix it... Remind me to bitch slap my sister when I get out of here." Amore sighs deeply before leaving the room and closing the door.

The stallion stands a little way from the door with his hands behind his back. Taking a deep breath, he smiles to himself before vanishing.

Tranquil Wind is forcefully thrown across the arena floor before regaining her balance. Upon getting to her hooves she is punched in the face by Aries who quickly followed her. The two clash fists, sending out a shockwave which cracks the ground below them. Aries gains the upper hand and one-two punches Tranquil Wind to knock her back.

"Where do you get your endurance from?!" Tranquil Wind asks, spitting out some blood.

"That's also one of my father's gifts. Have you had enough, yet?!" Aries asks throwing a punch towards Tranquil Wind.

Tranquil Wind grabs her fist just in time and growls.

"I won't be beaten, yet!" Tranquill Wind exclaims, pulling Aries forward.

After getting her off balance, Tranquill Wind slams her knee into Aries' stomach before kicking her across the floor. Taking several steps
back, Tranquill Wind is given a small breather before the mare in front of her gets up again. The two get their bearings back before staring at each other.

"I'm quite impressed if I'm honest. Not many can keep up with me, but that ends now!" Aries charges at Tranquill Wind.

The rainbow haired mare sizes up her options before settling on one that might be her last shot. Taking a deep breath and pushing her pain aside she prepares herself. Once Aries reaches her, Tranquill Wind uses all her agility and flexibility to duck under the thrown punch, sliding around Aries in a fluent motion, so she can lock her arms around Aries' neck. Tranquill Wind then locks her legs around the mare's stomach and holds on for everything she has. Aries tries with all her might to reach behind her and pull Tranquill Wind off but cannot get the grip. After several seconds Aries falls to her knees before slowing down entirely and falling fully onto the floor. Tranquill Wind lets go and rolls over, panting heavily before raising her fist up into the air making the crowd erupt into a cheer for Armonia.

"That's all she wrote folks!" Sandstone Mike exclaims.

"Tranquill Wind has defeated the Crystal Prep Disciplinary Chair with a chokehold manoeuvre we can only recognise as Rainbow's signature takedown!" Silver Vase explains.

Tranquill Wind nudges Aries a few times, making her groan and stir.

"What happened?" Aries asks, looking at Tranquill Wind.

"I choked you out using my mother's technique. It's a very fluent and graceful motion that ends in a chokehold. You were too tired to effectively get out of it." Tranquill Wind explains.

"I see. I suppose this is your win. I'll expect a rematch at some point, stripes." Aries smiles lightly before rolling over onto her back.

Tranquill Wind stretches her arm out towards Aries, offering her fist. Aries chuckles and presses her own fist to Tranquill Wind's to return the gesture.

Author's Note

Took a while to get proofed, but the start of the finals is here at last. I hope everyone enjoys music filled fights and entrances befitting those competing in the Supernatural Games fighting section.