Martial Arts of Friendship

The three boys smirked as the crowd went into an uproar at their words.

“Who are these varmints?” Asked Applejack with a frown. “Ain’t no one allowed to come crashin’ in here without registering.”

“You clearly don’t know who you're dealing with.” the red boy with a Mohawk approached and knelt down at the edge of the ring. “The names Garble, of the Burning Dragon tribe.”

“Dragon!” Twilight and spike looked to each other nervously.

“We don’t care who you are. Get out before we kick your dragon butts out ourselves.” Spoke Rainbow cracking her knuckles.

“Aw, you pony style fighters get so cute when you’re mad.” Laughed Garble. “My pal Clump overthere could take you all on with no sweat.” He pointed to the blue haired male.

“Heh, heh, wimpy Pegasus.” Laughed Clump.

“What did you just call me!” Rainbow fumed. “Why you bloated...grah!” she ran to him with her fist raised, ready to punch him.

“Rainbow, no!” Twilight called.

“Our time!” Garble called out and vanished from sight.

“What the- GAK!” Rainbow Dash got the air knocked out of her with one kick from Garble who reappeared in front of her with a smirk as Rainbow gasped for air.

“Rainbow Dash!” the girls ran out to her.

“Heh, ya see that boys? One kick and she’s already down, some fighter.” Laughed Garble walking back to the ring with the other two joining in.

“What was that?!” Pinkie cried.

“I tried to warn you Rainbow, dragon style fighters are dangerous. They’re able to use greed based mantras to boost their power levels to incredible heights the more they say them.”

“Cheap…...shot….” Rainbow got out while glaring at Garble.

“Those punks!” Shining armor was about to jump in to intervene when Celestia stopped him.

“I will handle this Captain.” the Grandmaster pulled off her robes showing she was wearing her Gi under them, then launched into the ring below.

“Oh look, it’s the great and powerful master.” Mocked the blonde haired male with a laugh.

“I am Grandmaster Celestia and you three have caused enough of a scene.” Celestia channeled her energy and formed her great wings.

“Heh, this’ll be good. Spear, take care of her.” Spoke Garble.

“Our time!” the blonde boy vanished, but instead of going for Celestia, Spear grabbed Rarity who was standing out side the fighting ring and formed a claw at her throat. “Got her!”

“What?” Celestia's wings dropped in shock.

“Rarity!” Cried the girls as Spike stared in horror.

“Psyched ya!” Garble exclaimed with a grin “We’re not so dumb as to pick a direct fight with you. You’d mop the floor with us easy.”

“You let her go!” Yelled Pinkie.

“Not until we get what's ours.” Garble looked around at the crowd seeing he had there undivided attention. “For many years the Burning Dragon Tribe has been sneered at and treated as nothing but animals that can’t even form complete sentences. They wouldn’t let my father register in any tournament five years in a row before he just quit all together. Well I say if we can’t be aloud to earn the prize fairly, then we'll take it! This year, IT’S OUR TIME!”

“OUR TIME! OUR TIME! OUR TIME! OUR TIME! OUR TIME! OUR TIME!” The boys chanted boosting their power.

“Uh, Twilight? How long can they keep boosting their power like that?” Asked Applejack in slight worry.

“If there allowed to continue, infinitum.” she spoke keeping her eyes on the display.

Their energy formed into more draconic shapes. With claws on their hand and feet, tails, wings and even horns.

“Oh no.” Fluttershy hid behind Applejack in fear as Rarity tried getting out of Spear’s grip.

Garble smiled and cackled. “So….. What's it gonna be? Give up the grand prize or does Spear have take more than a little off the top?”

Rarity froze as the claw touched her neck and looked to the Grandmaster for help.

Celestia was flabbergasted at their brutality and felt helpless in the situation.

Spike gripped the windowsill, gritting his teeth. His blood was boiling and all he could see was red. This didn’t go unnoticed by the Grandmaster who at that moment had an idea.

“Very well Garble,” she smiled you may have the prize.”

“Master!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Hah! I knew you’d give in.” grinned the leader.

“But,” she raised a finger. “You must face a warrior of my choosing first.”

“You forget, we’re the one with one of your fighters. So we call the shots, not you.” Frowned Garble.

“Isn’t taking the prize fairly what you wanted? I mean if you think your not strong enough that's fine, but-”

“Just one Ding-Dang minute! Any of us could take any one of these weak little fighters without any problems.” Growled Garble.

“So you accept the challenge?” Celestia smirked.

“Yeah, we accept. Bring out this fighter and we’ll clean their clock.” Spoke Clump.

“Very well I choose…Spike.”

“Spike?” Garble sounded lost.

“Spike!” The girls spoke in surprise.

“That’s right, I pick Spike as your opponent, oh Spike dear, come on out.”

Spike huffed after hearing his name and walked out of the room and to the ring with his fists clenched and breathing hard.

“That’s Spike!?” Spear commented. “He’s nothing but a pipsqueak!” He laughed out loud with his pals while pointing at Spike.

“You… threatened… Rarity.” he growled

“Who? Her?” Garble pointed to the girl. “What, is she your girlfriend? Ahahahahah! I can feel my ribs breaking!”

“Nobody!...threatens… MY… friends… Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.” Spike growled while his energy started flowing out of his body. “Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine!”

The three males were shocked to see Spike’s energy started forming claws on his hands and feet.

“The shorty’s a dragon!?” Cried out Clump.

“Twilight, explain please?” asked Pinkie.

“Well Spike’s my adopted brother... from the burning dragon tribe.” She admitted. “But I never knew he knew mantras they used to get stronger. Usually those raised in the dragon tribe are trained and taught for years to hone their power. The only way he could know the mantras was if he found a book about some basic ones.”

“MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNEE!” Spike roared.

“Let the battle begin!” Celestia flew out of the arena.

“Let me take care of this small fry, I’ll make it quick.” Spoke Clump.

“Be my guest Bro!” Garble waved off

Spike glared at Clump with slit pupils, getting into a defensive stance.

“This’ll be a good laugh.” Smirked Spear.

“Here it comes runt!” Clump dashed off. “Our time!”

“Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine!” Spike kept chanting without taking his eyes off the dragon tribe member.

The rotund not went for a punch with enough power to knock the boy out of the ring, but to his and everyone’s amazement, Spike stopped it with one hand.

“What?!” The other two cried out while the girls and crowd were speechless.

The smaller boy jump and kicked his opponent in the face, sending him flying until he landed back in the ring bouncing on his over sized gut.

“Woah.” spoke Rainbow with wide eyes. “Twilight, can Spike really take that guy on?”

Said girl did not hear her as her eyes remained focused on the fight at hand.

“Ah, what? That squirt actually sent me flying.” Clump groaned to himself as he stood up and glared as Spike walked across the ring.

“Guess he’s got some moves after all.” Garble frowned. “Clump back out.”

“What? No way. I can take this squirt on. That kick was nothing but dumb luck.”

“He blocked your power punch. How many boulders did you have to smash to get that move down?”

Clump didn’t say anything and gritted his teeth while glaring at the smaller fighter.

“If you're just gonna fight with brute strength then back out and save your energy, other wise I suggest you start fighting smart.”

Clump sent another glare at Spike before slowly calming his breathing down.

“That’s more like it.” Garble nodded. “Now put this squirt in his place.”

“Right!” Clump rushed the boy again only this time he meant to grab him.

Spike saw the opening and rammed into the boy's gut with great speed. Clump gasped and saw the boy’s fist move up before it slammed against his nose with a sickening crunch.

“I figured as much.” Garble spoke, not even phased that his friend was hurt. “The kid doesn’t have much physical strength so he depends on quick strikes and precision. Nicely done Clump, you did your job very well, sorry we had to use you to get a read on him though.”

“No big… I live.” Clump replied as he walked out holding his nose in one hand and his abdomen with the other.

“You were using him?” Rarity was aghast. “How could you do that, I thought you were friends?”

“We are friends, dudette.” Spear spoke. “Which is why Clump let himself get clobbered. He knew what Garble meant by ‘fight smart’ and opened himself up for an attack so we could get a better read on how he moves.”

“Spear, I’ll hold the girl, your turn to deal with him.”

“You got it brah.” Smiled Spear. He passed Rarity to Garble before jumping up into the ring. “You're in trouble now little dude, they don't call me Spear for nothing, I'm the fastest thing on land or in the skies.” the dark purple boy gave a few kicks in demonstration.

“The fastest, hah!” scoffed Rainbow “I'd leave this poser in the dust.”

Spike kept muttering the mantra while glaring at the male.

“Our time!” Spear lunged in the air going for flying kick.

Spike jumped out of the way and ran around the ring on all fours, his flawed hands and feet making small scratches on the stone tiles.

“Little fella’s runnin’ around like a chicken with it's tail feathers on fire.”

“He looks like a wild animal.” Fluttershy murmured.

“Heh, what are you doing? Trying to make me dizzy?” Taunted Spear before flinging his tail and grabbing the boy's neck. “You gotta do better than that.” Spear chuckled and repeatedly slammed him on the arena floor.

“Spike!” Cried the girls with Twilight trying to keep herself from jumping in.

“MINE!” Spike  twisted so he’d land on his feet and grabbed the energy tail. He made sure his claws had a tight grip before swinging Spear up by it and brought himself onto the floor.

“Why you…!” the blonde jumped back to his feet and kicked at Spike with lightning speed, but before it landed its mark, Spike slapped it away.

Spear’s mouth hung open before shaking his head. “Okay try these.” he threw multiple high speed kicks trying to hit the younger dragon, but each strike was either blocked or redirected as Spike showed off his amazing reaction time.

‘How is he doing that!’  Spear grit his teeth in frustration.

Spike grabbed Spear’s foot in his hands and twisted it with all his might, sending the teen spinning in the air.

“Woah!” Cried Spear in surprise as his body spun and Spike crouched down before jumping up at the male. He put his hands together and slammed them into the blonde's side dropping him to the floor.

“Woohoo!” Cheered Pinkie as the male made several cracks from the impact.

“So...not...cool.” Spear grunted while he dragged himself out of the ring and next to Clump against the wall.

“Care to forfeit this whole thing?” Celestia grinned to Garble from her seat.

“Not a chance!” Garble pushed Rarity away and channeled his energy. “Alright punk no more fooling around! I'm not holding anything back just because we're kin. Feast your eyes on a real dragon!”

Garble got into a ready stance with his arms up. “OUR TIME!” his energy flared and took shape. He flew up into the air raising his palm with his energy forming into a ball. “Let's see you dodge this!” Garble sent the sphere hurling at Spike.

The young dragon moved out of the way as it came down and exploded against the arena. The explosion made some pieces fly out as Spike crouched down growling.

“An energy blast! That's against the rules!” Shining Armor shouted, fearing his little brothers safety.

“It would be if this were an actual tournament fight.” Celestia said to the captain. “However, this is a battle between dragon’s meaning there are no holds bard in this one.”

“But what if Spike gets seriously injured!”

“I have faith he’ll find a way.” The woman smiled. “Trust in me.”

“Y-Yes… Grandmaster.”

Garble sent more energy blasts at Spike who dodged one after the other as he ran on all fours again. “I guess you were never trained to fly, don’t you know a downed dragon can only do so much? How do you expect to win if you can’t even reach me?”

Spike stood on his feet glaring daggers at the boy above. “Mine. Mine. Mine.” Spike raised his tail while putting more of his energy to it.

“What’s Spike doin?” Asked Applejack.

The boy slammed the energy made appendage to the ground. Propelling him up in front of Garble’s face. Said teen was wide eyed as Spike growled and swung his fist at him and slammed it against his face. His wings deteriorated and he started to fall. “That little-” Garble was silenced when he saw Spike readying an energy blast of his own.

“MINE!” Spike roared and fired his attack straight at his opponent.

“AHH!” Cried Garble as the sphere hit him and engulfed him in an explosion as he hit the arena.

“Garble!” his friends shout in panic while trying to find him in the cloud of dust.

The dust soon clears and Garble lays on his back in a crater.

“Bro, you okay?” Spear calls out.

“I….I think….so.” the going man tries to catch his breath as Spike lands next to him a grabbed him by the vest and hoisted him up and tossed him into the other two, sending them to the ground before roaring out at the top of his lungs, swiping at the air.

“He’s out of control!” Shining Armor leans over the edge of the box.

“MINE! MINE! MINE!” Roared Spike as his energy got bigger.

Celestia moved back down into the fighting ring and spread out her wings and sent them to form a bubble round the boy. “Be calm, young one. The fight is done.” she resized the bubble until he could not move. She breathed deeply and sent her own energy through him.

He let out another roar while the energy flowed through him, soothing every muscle and nerve and brought down his energy level. “Ugh.”

“There now, right as rain.” Celestia released the boy, letting him collect his bearings.

“Uh, my head is spinning.” He groaned wobbling on his feet.

“Spike!” Twilight ran up and hugged her little brother. “I was so worried about you!”

“Huh? What happened? Did I get hurt?” he looked over himself.

“I wouldn’t say the same thing about them.” Spoke Rainbow pointing to the three males.

“They look terrible.” Spike remarked.

“Well darling you did do quite a number on them.” Rarity remarked. “Did you teach him to fight as well Grandmaster?”

“No, I didn’t.” she replied. “And in truth, Spikes never had a day of training in his life.” Twilight revealed.

“SAY WHAT!” Garble looked up and dashed into the ring grabbing the boy's shirt and held him up. “IS SHE FOR REAL MAN! YOU NEVER TRAINED AT ALL IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE?!”

“Uh, yeah that’s pretty much the gist of it.” Nodded Spike.

Garble’s jaw dropped before he let go of Spike and let the boy fall on his rump. “W….W…..We were beaten…..by a total rookie.”

“Majorly harsh brah…” Spear looked up from his spot on the ground.

“My dad’s gonna bust my hide for this one.” Clump needed a moment to sit down.

“But...but...but...The mantra. How did you…” Garble tried to find his words

“Honestly I was just doing what felt natural.” the boy shrugged. “My friend was in danger so just rolled with it.”

“Oh you adorably gallant little fighter.” Rarity pulled him into a hug and gave him a chaste kiss that made him go red all over.

*DING DING*

His arm shot to his forehead in salute before he fell to the floor and lost consciousness.

“I think that’s enough excitement for this guy.” Chuckled Rainbow as Twilight carefully picked him up.

“As for you three.” Celestia looked to the dragons.

Garble crossed his arms and looked away like a pouting child. “Yeah yeah, just get it over with.”

“You… fought well today.” She nodded with a smile.

“What?” Spoke the girls and dragons in confusion.

“I am well aware of how other portray your tribe and understand why you are upset, but this was not the way to deal with it.”

“Oh? And what do you think is?” Spoke Spear with doubt.

“You could have just come speak with me at the palace in Canterlot. I am more than happy to see any who feel they are being treated unfairly.”

“Oh.” Garble blinked and shrink in shame.

“And I’d be happy to try and help, but that doesn’t change the fact you three interrupted this tournament that affects the entire nation.”

“We’re sorry.” they lowered their heads.

“You are more than welcome to enter next year's tournament, provided you go through the proper procedures and follow the rules. By then I’ll have personally had a long talk with the registration committee on this matter.”

“That’d be appreciated.” Spoke Garble.

“But unfortunately you still have to be punished which is why you will help clean up this mess you made.” she gestures to the battle arena.

“Aw man.” Groaned Spear.

The Grandmaster flew into the air to address the audience. “Everyone, while we repair the arena the tournament shall be put on hold, if you wish to go get snacks or drinks do so now!”

The crowd groaned at hearing it would be put on hold, but others were realized since this would give them a chance to get something to eat, drink, or use the bathroom.

Twilight put her brother on a cot while her master stood beside her.

“He put up quite the fight, wouldn’t you agree my young student?”

“Yes, but that was intense. What if Spike got really hurt, or what if he ran wild and hurt someone?”

“You noticed how his eyes turned into slits, yes?”

“Yes.” nodded Twilight.

“Well not many dragon style fighters can do that. It is the mark of a Dragon Master. Your own brother has an in born talent for combat.”

“Oh boy. This is gonna be tough.” Sighed Twilight. “First I had to worry about his greedy instinct, now this?”

“Oh the little dear just needs to be humbled a little.” Rarity spoke up.

“Um, will he be alright?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Quite.” Celestia giggled. “He seems to have affections for pretty girls. I wouldn’t be surprised if he calmed down after hearing your voice Rarity.”

“Master, that thing you did with the bubble, what was that?” Twilight asked.

“A technique known as Chaos Breaker. It’s meant to calm wild rage and lower the negative energy of your opponent. Of course it… has other uses.”

“Like what?” Asked Twilight in curiosity.

“...I suppose it's time I told you about the Heretic Master, Nightmare Moon.”

“I think I’ve of that name before.”

“She was once known as Luna. She and I lived in a monastery that was built in the forest just outside of Ponyville. She and I sparred many times, yet not once could she best me. This made her jealous and resentful to the point where she would use dirty moves. We started arguing more and more until ten years later our squabbling turned into a violent battle, in desperation for power, she let her negative emotions temper her energy into a dark force. This changed her inside and out. Luna was lost and Nightmare Moon was born.”

“My goodness!” Cried Rarity in horror.

“I hate sore losers.” Rainbow dash spoke out.

“I hope you gave her quite the thrashing she deserved.” Rarity spoke.

“I tried fighting her...and I nearly lost.” The grand master admitted.

“She must have been quite the fighter.” Spoke Applejack.

“It wasn’t just her skills, Luna was someone near and dear to me, seeing what she had become… it all but broke my heart. She soon sought after the station as grandmaster. So in order to stop her I called upon the power of the Elements of Harmony. Six mystic gemstones that grant unimaginable power. They gave me the power I needed to stop the Heretic Master with my Chaos Breaker Technique, but instead of healing her I…..I ended up trapping her in prison of my own energy.”

“Oh man.” Spoke Rainbow in concern that was shared with everyone.

“She was frozen in mid attack, unmoving and untouched by time. Neither she nor I have aged since that day because it was of the Elements will. I shut down the monastery and and to this day she remains trapped inside, because if me if I had only give her the respect she deserved maybe it could have been avoided.”

“WAAAAAHAHAHA,” Pinkie’s tears were like waterfalls. “That’s the saddest story I ever heard!”

The others sniffled a little with Rainbow trying to wipe them away without being seen.

“The Elements are fickle and do as they wish. When energy is channeled through them it is magnified, but is also subject to them. They too are also hidden in my old Monastery where none would think to look for them.”

“Wow…..that’s a lot to take in.” spoke Twilight.

“You should not concern yourself with the past when you have more important matters to tend to in the present.” she gestured a hand outside. “The rings repair should be nearly complete and other fighters will be returning shortly.”

“Yes master.” Bowed Twilight.

The grandmaster walked out with the fighters having a newfound respect for her.

“Your robes ma’am.” Shining Armor held them out to Celestia as she returned.

“Have them folded and sent back to my suit. I’ll just stay in my Gi for the remainder of the tournament.”

“Yes ma’am.” the captain nodded.

“Waaaa! I can’t believe that all happened!” Cried Pinkie blowing into a tissue.

“A Heretic Master who has remained trapped in the Grandmaster’s own energy for the past ten years. Those Elements of Harmony sound quite powerful indeed.” Rarity thought aloud.

“Eh, I could still kick any butt without them.” Spoke Rainbow. “But what that Luna chick did was just….. so immature, and that's coming from me.”

“Frankly I’d rather listen to Celestia and keep focus on what’s happenin’ now.” Spoke Applejack.

“Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but now with our arena repaired let's get the next battle underway. Grandmaster, if you would?”

She pulled out another pair of slips and read the names.

“Fluttershy of Ponyville against Ditsy Doo of Ponyville.”

“Ditzy, I never heard of her in the roster.” Twilight spoke.

“Everyone in town just calls her Derpy Hooves.” said Pinkie

“Oh no.” Spoke Fluttershy walking out to the ring.

“Break a leg Flutters!” Called Rainbow Dash.

“Eep!”

“Are you nuts! That’ll just make her more nervous.” Spoke Pinkie.

The butter skinned girl stepped up to the ring, shaking like a leaf. Across from her stood a girl with gray skin and a white gi that had bubbles all across it with short blonde hair. She also seemed crosseyed. “Hey Fluttershy, how’s it going?”

“Oh um, hello Derpy I’m fine.” She replied.

“You wanna grab some muffins after I win, my treat.”

“That sounds nice.” Smiled the fighter.

Both their energies formed wings showing both girls were Pegasus fighters.

“Ready, BEGIN!”

“Here I come flutters!” Called Derpy as she flapped her wings.

Fluttershy started flapping her own wings in panic before covering her eyes and blocking the incoming girl with her wings. Ditsy hit them and bounced off before shaking her head.

“Spike told me she used her wings like that, but I didn’t expect them to be so strong, especially considering how timid she is.” Twilight spoke.

“That’s because they’re strengthened by her inner instinct of self preservation.” Explained Applejack. “She can just stand there and Derpy won't even touch her.”

The grey girl looked around her opponent in confusion, wondering what to do next.

“Oh come on Ditzy, make a move already!” Rainbow shouted.

“She’s got her eyes covered, it doesn’t seem right to just hit her!” the odd eyes girl frowned.

“Oh for the love of…!”Rainbow groaned while both fighters stayed in their positions.

“Eh, sorry Fluttershy, nothing personal.” Ditzy breathed deep and ran at Fluttershy, trying to aim properly and swing for her head.

“Eeep!” one of her wings shifted and blocked her again.

“How did she do that!” Twilight exclaimed “Her eyes were closed.”

“Fluttershy’s hearing has been tuned for battle since she was a kid,” rainbow replied “when she covers her eyes she can hear the enemy attack coming.”

“That sounds like..,” Twilight thought for a moment until realization made her gasp. “The Pansy Shield!”

“Hey! Now that’s just uncalled for!” Frowned Pinkie.

“No no no! The Pansy Shield is a technique that was named after its creator, Private Pansy. Fluttershy must be one of her descendants.”

“Or she could just be a genius with it.” Spoke Rainbow.

“Hey come on now, quit hiding and fight!” Ditzy Doo called out.

“No thank you.” Spoke Fluttershy.

“Okay, then I’ll just keep swinging until I got you!” she swung her fists wildly and totally at random. Each one hitting against the shield that moved quickly to block her.

“If she keeps that up this fight will be pretty short lived.” Rarity took to painting her nails as she watched.

“Come on Fluttershy! Throw a punch at least!” Called Rainbow.

The girl quivered in her spot until Ditzy’s attacks slowed down and she became exhausted.

“JUST HIT HER FLUTTERSHY!” Shouted Rainbow in anger.

“EEK!” the pink haired girl’s wings swung outward, slapping Derpy’s face and sending her over the edge.

“Thank you!” Rainbow threw her hands up in exasperation.

“And the winner is Fluttershy!”

“Oh! Derpy! Are you okay? I didn’t mean it, honest.”

“Everything is spinning.” Spoke Ditzy while her eyes rolled around in her head.

“Huh, so she can use the Pansy Shield.” Shining Armor rubbed his chin. “I must say, I'm impressed.”

“Thinking about adding her to the guard?” Joked Celestia.

“That kind of defense might would prove useful, but it’d be cruel to put a girl like her in the heat of battle.”

“I know, I was just making a joke.”

“Ugh, what is wrong with you Fluttershy? Why do you have to make me yell at you to get you to make a move? You think I like doing it?”

Fluttershy just looked away and shook her head.

“You gotta stop hiding behind your wings and start throwing punches. That move won’t save you forever.”

“Actually if that really is the Pansy Shield, it could.” Twilight spoke out.

“Pansy Shield?” Fluttershy felt hurt by the name and it showed on her face.

“A soldier named Private Pansy invented the technique ages ago, her Shield was so strong that it was named most powerful defence, and made Pansy one of her Commander’s favored troops.” Twilight recited each word exactly how she read them from one of her history book. “That technique is legendary. Hundreds even thousands have tried and failed in recreating it.”

“So that’s good?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Very good, You have something that no one else has. It was the key to many victories for the Pegasus army, and if you focused on training, you might just make a powerful attack out of it.”

“Really?” Rainbow looked to Fluttershy with a grin and raised eyebrow. “Then we’re getting you trained, BIG TIME!”

“Oh no.”

“Rainbow Dash of Ponyville against Ahuitzotl of the Wilds.” Celestia called.

“Alright! Watch me end this in seconds.” Grinned Rainbow walking out to the ring.

Her opponent had dark grayish persian blue skin, very dark sapphire blue hair with dark grayish phthalo blue highlights, and pale, light grayish olive eyes. His gi was yellow with red trim and an earring on his right ear.

“Hola Señorita.”

“Yo man. Don’t feel bad if you get knocked out fast, I’m the best fighter in this town.” Grinned Rainbow.

“Oh, bueno! It wouldn’t be fun crushing you if I had to hold back.”

Spike came to and walked over to Twilight. “Hey Twi, how long was I out, who's fighting next?”

“Rainbow’s up next and she’s fighting some guy from the wilds.”

“Let me see.” the minute Spike saw him, he freaked. “That guy! T-That's him!”

“Spike what’s wrong?” Asked Twilight in concern.

“That's the guy who put his opponent in a neck brace during the preliminaries!”

“Say what?” Twilight turned with the man grinning. “This isn’t good.”

“Begin!”

Rainbow brought her energy out to form her wings and slowly ascended above the ring.

Her opponent merely stood in his spot grinning confidently. “You remind me of a bruha I’ve encountered many times in the past, only her hair was grey and her skin was different, but you share similar facial features so I will enjoy winning this fight and crushing every bone in your weak body.”

“Hah! Bring it on!” she dared.

“Yes, you share a fire like her, Very well!” the male’s energy flared out and was very defined at his arms. “Face me coward!”

“Coward? Oh that’s it!” Rainbow dove at him with a glare.

As she came close, the male dodged and his energy formed a third arm at base of his spine before it grabbed the girl by the neck.

Rainbow’s eyes widened as the male brought her to look him in the eyes.

“Foolish little girl, my name should have been a dead give away to my fighting style.”

“W-What?” She gasped out while trying to get the extra hand off her neck.

“I am an Ahuitzotl style fighter. I can create a third arm with my energy, and I punch very hard!” he pulled back his arm and slammed it into her stomach.

“Gah!” She gasped out while he started to repeatedly slam his fist into her gut while his third arm kept her in place and unable to escape.

“You are no Daring Do, but you’re just as fun to hit. Let's how tough you are compared to my mortal enemy.” he chuckled and used his tail arm to bring her high up into the air and throw her into the arena with incredible force.

Rainbow gasped as she heard cracks form and felt her body cry out with pain.

She tried picking herself up but Ahuitzotl brought a foot on her head.

“I suffered countless defeats at the hands of Daring Do. Time and time again she has humiliated me, robbed me of my dignity and honor. Seeing you battered and broken will provide a wonderful picture if I just imagine you are her.” he applied pressure to her skull. “Now let's hear you scream in agony to complete the picture.”

“AHHH!” Screamed Rainbow from the pressure as she glared at the man.

“Yes that's it! Now lets see much you can take before you start to cry.” he reached out his tail and grabbed her ankles and lifted her up again. “I hope you won’t give out on me before I'm done with you.”

Rainbow groaned while the girls and Spike looked on in horror and anger.

“That tail has to count as a weapon or at least violate some rule, right?” Spike looked around at them.

“I wish it was, but it’s not. That’s still considered energy, meanin that fella can get away with this.” Growled Applejack.

“You creep!” Rainbow swung her fists. “Bring me closer so I can slug you!”

“Sorry, but I suggest you save your breath. You’ll need it after this.” He tightens his grip on the upside down girls ankles before bringing his arm down on her face. It met her cheek and he kept her in the air with her swinging back into his punches each time. “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I could do this all day, provided you even last that long!”

“Grandmaster you have to stop this insanity, please give me an order!” Shining armor urged Celestia.

“We can do nothing for her.” Celestia frowned.

“We gotta do something!” Cried Pinkie tugging on her hair.

“We can’t, Rainbow will be disqualified and that varmint will move on.” Applejack pointed out. “Rainbow will kill us if we let that happen.”

“So she’d rather handle all those injuries than get help?” Asked Twilight. “Is she insane?”

“It’s who she is, kinda like my cousin when you fought him, stubborn.”

Fluttershy didn’t want to watch and yet she couldn’t look away, Her energy would protect from any majors damage, but eventually that would give out.

Ahuitzotl smiled and reeled back his fist for a finishing blow that would most definitely put her in the emergency room. “Good bye, Señiorita.”

“FIGHT RAINBOW DASH!” Fluttershy screamed as he threw the punch. “DON’T BE A COWARD AND FIGHT!”

Rainbow’s eyes shot open before grabbing his wrist.

“What!” He cried out in surprise while pushing his fist against her grip.

“Now look what you did, even Fluttershy’s calling me a coward!”

“Oh my…” Fluttershy covered her mouth looking to the others. They all had wide eyes and looked surprised. “Sorry.”

“Let go you pathetic Pegasus!” He growled trying to pull his arm free, but Rainbow seemed to grip even tighter. He yanked back hard which proved to be a mistake as it brought her hands near his face letting her punch him square between the eyes. “Gah!” his hands went to his face and lost grip on her ankles.

She managed to land on her feet, but she winced in the pain from her back.

“YOU INSOLENT DOG!” He tried to grab her again, but she knew now to stay out of reach of his tail.

She jumped back and had to figure out a way to end this quickly. She flew up and thought out her next move. “Okay time to show this chump my signature move. I just hope I get it right this time.” she flew down and rushed at him at top speed.

He looked up and grinned. “Again? I will make sure to put you down this time.” he reached at her with his tail, but she circled out of the way and reached to grab him, pinning his arms to his sides, before flying into air above. “Que! What are you doing?! Release me!”

“Not just yet, you're about to help me perfect my Sonic Rainboom Slam!”

“Oh no.” spoke Applejack in dread.

“Is that bad?” asked Twilight.

“She’s been tryin’ to ‘perfect’ that move for years and it never works the way she wants and she always gets hurt.”

“Ho boy.” Twilight looks up in worry.

“I just need to get us up high enough,” Rainbow says. “fifty feet should do it.”

“Hah! This move of yours will fail! With the damage sustained, you’ll just be killing yourself.”

“Heh, then I guess I'll have add another twenty feet so that if this fails at least I’ll take you with me.”

“What?!”

“Here we go!” she arched her back and barreled for the ground.

“You are loco! Muy loco!”

“I get that a lot, better hope your energy can protect you otherwise there's going to be one heck of a splat!”

He looked and saw them getting closer and closer to the ground. He quickly put all his energy into shielding himself before his captive tossed him, sending him crashing to the ground.

“Darn it!” Rainbow shouted while pulling up. “It didn’t work again!”

Ahuitzotl lay unconscious against the arena, leaving many to wonder what she was trying to achieve.

“Wooh, that was close.” Smiled Applejack breathing calmer.

Rainbow was declared the winner, but limped back with the others as if she’d lost. “Another flop.”

“What do you mean? You won.” Spoke Twilight.

“I mean my move! There was supposed to be a rainbow like sonicboom that adds flash to the crash.” Rainbow plopped down in a seat with a huff.

“That’s it?”

“It's complicated Twilight I’ll explain later right now, could someone get me a medic? Ouch.” Rainbow winced.

“I’m on it.” Pinkie ran off.

While the doctor looked over Rainbow Dash, the tournament got through another round which actually was more like twin salesmen making a pitch until they were thrown out.

“You can’t do this to the Flim Flam brothers.” spoke the one with a mustache.

“Yeah. We were making a great offer and at a reasonable price.” Spoke the one with no peach fuzz.

“You two are holding up the tournament.” Shining Armor pushed them out. “If you want to make sales, do it like everyone else. You're disqualified, now get out.”

“Come brother, we’ll show off our amazing product somewhere else.” Huffed the mustache one.

“How those two got passed the preliminary rounds is a mystery in its own right.” the captain shook his head. “Hey Twilight, how's Rainbow?”

“Still mad she couldn’t do her flashy move, but if she takes it easy, her muscles should heal up in no time.”

“Twilight, aren’t you going to introduce us to your dashing brother?” Rarity smiled at him.

“Shining Armor, these are the girls I’ve met ever since I got here, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and you already know about Rainbow Dash.”

“A pleasure to meet you captain.” Rarity fluttered her eyelashes.

“Any friend of Twilights is a friend of mine, and my girlfriend’s.”

Rarity deflated at the last part. Yet Twilight went stiff.

“You have a girlfriend!? When were you planning on telling me this?!”

“E-Easy Twilight!” He held up his hands. “I was gonna make it a surprise after the tournament and figured it would be a bigger reveal, but the situation here… well surprise!”

“I think you should go back to your seat big brother BEFORE I PUNCH YOU THROUGH THE WALL!” Twilight brought out her energy for emphasis of her rage.

Shining Armor grew nervous and turned before bolting, lest he suffer Twilight’s wrath. “Man, she’s scary sometimes.”

“Easy Twi, deep breaths.” Spike said trying to calm her down. “Try not to let it get to you.”

She sighed and let herself relax. “Just great, now I'm gonna have to get acquainted with future in laws.”

“Maybe the girl’s really nice.” Spoke Fluttershy.

“It just makes me so mad! We use to be so close now he hardly tells me anything!”

“How? I mean, you’re the student of the grand master and he’s the captain of her guard. If anything, you two should be closer than before.”

“I have no idea.” Twilight slumped.

“Applejack of Ponyville against Vinyl Scratch.” Celestia announced.

A white skinned girl with cobalt and cyan hair stood from her seat giving a thumbs up to Applejack.

“Who’s she?” Asked Twilight.

“The town DJ. Girls got an ear for sound.” Rainbow explained.

Applejack walked out with said DJ putting a pair of headphones over her ears.

“Guess she wouldn’t hear me if I wished her luck.” Remarked Applejack to herself.

The two walked into the arena and waited for the fight to start. Vinyl channeled her energy and from how concentrated at her hands. Her types was made clear.

“So she is a Unicorn,” Twilight examined.

“Yeah. In the preliminaries she blasted her opponent out of the ring.” Spike added.

“Ready, BEGIN!”

Vinyl breathed deep, cupping her hands around her mouth and screamed, creating a sonic attack. It hit Applejack who tried covering her ears from the volume of it.

“I heard of loud mouths, but this is crazy!” Twilight plugged her ears with her fingers.

Applejack gritted her teeth and keep her feet planted on the ground while trying to push against the waves of sound.

Once she got close, Vinyl went silent and side stepped.

Applejack stumbled forward and almost fell.

Vinyl got behind her and attacked again. But due to the closer ranger, Applejack got hit with it worse since she didn’t cover her ears in time as well as getting blown aways away. To stop herself she buried her feet in the ring for traction.

‘Dang it! If I don’t do somethin and fast, I’m gonna get shot out of here!’

Celestia created a barrier to block out the high decibels.

“Thank you Grandmaster, I thought my ears were gonna start bleeding.” Spoke the guard captain.

“Quite a clever girl, using her energy around her hands to increase her voices volume like an amplifier, but even this has a devastating flaw.”

Vinyl’s scream continued until her lungs burned for oxygen. She started to stop screaming which Applejack noticed.

“Yeah! Now I got it.” the blonde turned and ran at Vinyl. “Come on ya screamin’ banshee, give me your best shot!”

Vinyl saw Applejack run at her and her eyes widened as the girl got in close with her right fist glowing with her energy. The alabaster girl put more powers into her next attack.

Applejack dug her feet into the ground and grinned while covering her ears. “That's it, you just keep on screamin’ yer head off!”

“Looks like Applejack figured it.” said Celestia.

“Figured what out?” asked Shining Armor.

“The more Vinyl screams, the more she deprives her body of air, And the less air she takes in, the sooner her body and a mind will give out.”

Vinyl kept screaming while Applejack waited. She could see Vinyl start to feel the effects of her own attack before she started coughing and dropped to her knees.

‘Wouldn’t be very sportin’ to take her out like this, I'll just let her catch her breath for a minute.’

After nearly loading her lunch, Vinyl pulled off her headphones and got back to her feet.

“Gotta remember to breath Vinyl.” Applejack quipped taking a stance. “Now get yourself ready.”

The girl nodded before getting into a basic stance.

Applejack ran at her with the energy at her legs giving a boost of speed. She swung her leg up and aimed it towards Vinyl’s face, but was blocked by one hand. She punched with the other and this time landed its mark at AJ’s abdomen and pushed her back.

“Looks like you still got some fight left in ya. Okay then, ah'll get serious!” Spoke the farm girl. She ran to Vinyl, but quickly diverted most of her energy to her arms and legs.

The Dj inhaled some air to try another scream. But to keep that from happening AJ, struck at her throat. She gasped and stumbled back while trying to get her air while AJ lunged in right up at her. And kicked her side making her stumble some more until her feet came to the edge.

“Off ya go.” Applejack poked Vinyl’s forehead, making the girl fall out of the ring.

“Applejack wins!”

“Well… that’ wasn’t so hard.” Remarked Applejack as she headed back to the girls.

“Wonder when Vinyl came up with that trick?” Rainbow’s ears were still ringing.

“What!” Yelled Pinkie rubbing her ears.

“Only one more fight in the first round, who’s left?”

“Those two.” Spike pointed to a girl in purple gi with silver hair and light blue skin and a someone in a cloak who was standing at the back. The blue one’s named Trixie Lulamoon, and the other ones-”

“Zecora!” the girls gasped.

“Who’s she?” Asked Twilight.

“Creepy voodoo witchdoctor who lives in a tree in the forest.” Pinkie whispered. “Or as I like to call her, she’s an evil enchantress, she’ll put you in a trance!”

“Uh huh.” Twilight looked at the other girls. “Are you sure about all that?”

“All she does is live in the forest by herself, and some have said about curses she’ll put on anyone who wander around her land.” Spoke Rainbow.

“Zecora of the Everfree Forest against Trixie Lulamoon.”

“Prepare to lose to the great and powerful Trixie!” the silver haired girl declared.

“Big words from your mouth, your moral compass must often face South.” she smirked at Trixie.

“She also rhymes,” Spoke Fluttershy hiding behind Rarity. “All the time.”

Zecora looked to them. “I can hear all that you speak, my ears are far from weak.”

“Ah! See what I mean? She’s an evil enchantress-” started Pinkie before Rarity covered her mouth.

“Know that I look forward to meeting you on the battlefield, if only to make your insults yield.”

“I, the great and powerful Trixie won’t sweat a drop in this fight.” Grinned Trixie.

The the two walked out with Zecora keeping on her cloak.

“Ready, BEGIN!”

“You may have the first move, it's clear you came with something to prove.”

“That was your first mistake.” Trixie’s energy moved out of her body and down around her arms and legs. She swung her arm to punch her, but her fist passed right through the woman before she faded away.

“She vanished?” Spoke Twilight.

“AHHHHH! SHE’S A GHOST!” Pinkie screamed in horror.

“Where’d she go?’  Trixie looked around.

“Did she leave the arena?” Applejack questioned.

“No.” Fluttershy said with her eyes closed. “I can hear her cloak, but…. it's sounds like it's everywhere.”

“Where are you!” Trixie called.

“There’s no need to shriek,” Zecora spoke after appearing behind Trixie who jumped in surprise. “I was merely showing my after image technique.”

“Duh,” Twilight slapped her forehead. “of course it was an after image.”

“Well let the great and powerful Trixie show you her kick!” She raised her foot before launching it at Zecora. However like before it only went through her and she disappeared again. “Quit hiding and fight me!”

“Okay I'm lost,” Rarity scratched her head “where is she? She can’t be in the ring.”

“She is, I can hear her.” Spoke Fluttershy.

“And your ears don’t lie Fluttershy. Look at the ring, you can see small clouds of dust being kicked up.” Twilight pointed. “She’s moving at such a high speed that she’s invisible to the naked eye.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact she gives me the creeps.” Spoke Rainbow.

“Oh wow, not even you can run as fast as she is Rainbow.” Fluttershy listened. “Even my ears can barely keep up with her.”

Rainbow frowned hearing that while Trixie kept whipping her head around, trying to find Zecora.

‘After image, she must be fast to pull that one off, but if I try and find her with my ears instead of my eyes….’ Trixie closed her eyes and focused. ‘...where are you.’

She slowly honed in on the sound of feet with them all around her.

‘Wait….wait….THERE!’  Trixie held out her foot, tripping the women into the ground. “Hah! The great and powerful Trixie has found a flaw in your technique!”

Zecora growled and jumped to her feet.

“You run in a pattern as you move, but that cloak of yours makes you easy to detect. Even a novice could have found you.”

“You talk a big game, but your own fighting is lame.” the woman replied. “And yet I can’t deny you are right, this garment will only hinder my ability to fight.”

“So now you’re going to show yourself? Good, I want to see your face when the great and powerful Trixie crushes you.”

Zecora reached for her hood and pulled it back, revealing her Gray skin with a black and white mohawk, gold earrings, several gold rings around her neck and strong cyan eyes. She pulled off her cloak to show her outfit made from animal pelts.

“My word! T-Those colors and style! I feel faint.” Spoke Rarity.

“A zebra style fighter? Here in Equestria.” Twilight blinked.

“Ready to lose now?” Grinned Trixie with her fists up.

“Victory will be sweet once you have tasted defeat.” Zecora released her energy, but unlike most fighters, it formed into rings around her arms, legs, and body.

“What can a zebra style fighter do?” Asked Spike to his sister.

“Well for one, those rings can be used in many ways like form into strips that can be used as rope, or hardened into staffs, Zebras are also known to concentrate their energy with pinpoint accuracy.”

“So in short, they’re dangerous warriors.” Spoke Applejack.

“Again I allow you to go first, it does not mean the rights outcome will be reversed.”

Trixie grinned before crouching and lunging at Zecora, however the rings at her legs shaped into spirals which acted as springs to help her jump high in the air.

Trixie looked up and saw Zecora start spinning forward into the air like a ball that headed towards the girl. She quickly acted, forming a barrier in front of her and pushing it to bash her away.

Zecora bounced back, but stopped spinning and used the stripes to spring her forward again and straight at Trixie.

“Look out Trixie!” Pinkie Pie screamed.

Trixie tried forming another barrier, but Zecora broke through before it was done and rammed into the girl’s gut. The impact coupled with the backlash from her barrier being broken doubled the pain.

“She’s down.” Rainbow clenched her fists.

Trixie fell on her back and groaned while Zecora stood back up.

“Give up while you can, this fight was over before it began.” Zecora crossed her arms.

“T-The great and powerful….Trixie will not quit.” Groaned the girl. She got to her feet and took a stance. “I will fight!”

“You are stubborn this is true, but now… I bid you adieu.” Zecora Springs off for another charge, but Trixie leaned out of the way and kicks her in the back, making her lose balance and stumble out of the ring.

“And Trixie is the winner!”

“WAHOO, WAIT TO GO TRIXIE! YOU BEAT HER!” Pinkie jumped up and down.

“Eat it Zecora!” Rainbow chuckled.

Trixie soaked in the praise from the crowds while Zecora glared at the girl and the two others. She went around the ring and retrieved her cloak.

“Alright now Zebra, run along now, shoo, shoo.” Rarity waved her hands.

Zecora narrowed her eyes and put her her cloak back on. She stormed over to the window with a hand raised.

“Eep! Don’t curse me!” Fluttershy hid behind Applejack who went on the defensive.

“I am leaving while I still have my dignity,” Zecora pointed to them all. “but know that none of you will never again have my sympathy.” She turned and walked out of the ring with a scowl on her face.

“Uh, guys? Maybe you went a little overboard.” Spoke Twilight.

“Yeah that was really uncool.” Spike shook his head.

“Hey! She’s nothing but bad news, we were doing what was best.” Spoke Rainbow.

“Trixie!” Pinkie ran over and hugged the blue girl. “You were super duper out there.”

“Unhand me!” Trixie shouted and pushed the girl away. “The great and powerful Trixie will not associate with the enemy until after she has won this tournament, humph!” the girl walked away with her nose in the air.

Pinkie felt tears in her eyes at Trixie’s coldness while the others felt anger and disgust.

“Still think she’s better than Zecora?” Asked Spike with a deadpanned expression.

The woman in question walked away from the arena shedding tears while her heart slowly started to break.