The Strength of Friendship

CHAPTER 10 "THE STRENGTH OF FRIENDSHIP"

"It's now down to the wire. It's near the end of the game. The audience is waiting. The sheep are howling," Pinkie Pie spoke into her microphone. "Wait! Sheep don't howl. They go 'Baaaa! Baaaaaaaa!'"

"Pinkie Pie!!" Michael Colt shouted over to the pink pony on the other side of Fancypants. "Will you stop with these interruptions!"

Pinkie sat up from her seat. She and Michael stood face to face. Their noses were almost touching. They could smell each other's breath.

"They go 'Baaaaa! Baaaaa!" Pinkie repeated her impersonation of a sheep.

"I don't care what sound a sheep makes. Nopony here cares," shouted Michael.

"Baaaaa! Baaaaa!" Pinkie continued with the sheep noises.

As Pinkie and Michael spouted insults and incoherent babbling towards each other, Fancypants kept his complete focus on the wrestling match.

"As Pinkie Pie mentioned, it is now down to the wire. Twilightlicious and Violet Velvet are the remaining ponies in this elimination match. These two have shown the least amount of participation in the match up until this point so they are both still full of energy. This shall be an interesting final bout," Fancypants observed.

The two rival ponies walked around the ring, circling each other. Their eyes carefully watching the other's movements. Three Count was standing off to the side. He, like the two wrestlers, also kept a keen eye. Who was going to strike first was the main thought going through his mind. The same couldn't be further from the truth in the minds of the two ponies.

"It has come down to us, Violet. I'm not afraid to face you alone. I have faced danger alone before. This is no different," said Twilight.

"Save your psyching out for some other pony," Violet snapped back. "I may be the only P.W.O. pony left, but I have saved my strength for you, Little Miss Protégé. Your friends are counting on you to capitalize on the end of this match and the two Princesses are hoping for the same outcome. They will all be disappointed. This will be in my favour. This will be the greatest victory for the Pony World Order!"

Violet became the one to make the first move. She bolted towards the purple unicorn. She wanted to take her down in one quick strike. Twilight lifted her front legs up and blocked the attack from her enemy. She then pushed back with her hooves. Violet wasn't impressed with the defence put up by Twilight and went for another blow on her. Twilight dodged her second attempt completely by cartwheeling to the side of her body. Twilight then quickly grabbed Violet from behind and locked the angry opponent's front legs around her own and pulled back into a full nelson suplex. Twilight kept the grip as Three Count went in to give a count of the pinfall. One! Two! Violet kicked out. Violet regaining her footing first and kicked Twilight in the stomach. She then locked Twilight's head into a headlock and hoisted her up towards the air above. Twilight kicked her back legs aggressively causing Violet to lose control and force to let go. Twilight landed behind her opponent. Violet spun around to face the purple pony. Twilight met her before she could make another move and scooped her up and then down into a bodyslam. Violet rushed back up only to be met by a bucking of Twilight's back hooves into her upper body sending her flying into the ring corner. Twilight didn't waste any momentum. She leapt up into the ring corner, landing with her back legs on the middle layered ropes. Twilight began striking Violet in the head below her with her hoof. Over and over without miss did the hoof collide with the cranium of the red unicorn. The stadium of thousands of ponies counted out with their loud vocals in unison every time Twilight punched Violet in the head. Three Count also counted from the side, but for different reasons as his job was referee. By the time Twilight reached the sixth blow to her enemy, Violet wrapped her front legs around Twilight's mid-body, moving away from the ring corner and putting a stop to the physical assault. Violet brought Twilight down quickly for an inverted atomic drop. Twilight countered the drop, avoiding injury to the groin region of her body. She retaliated with a swift clothesline, taking Violet down onto the canvas.

This isn't going to be easy, Twilight thought to herself. Violet is strong and determined to defeat me. I can't risk letting my guard down for one second. I have to find a way to defeat her and get this match over with.

The contested bout between the leaders of the Elements of Harmony and the P.W.O. forwarded on. If there was a sign of who would possibly become the winner, it was nowhere to be seen. Both ponies gave everything they had. Speed, agility, energy, it was all there. High-flying acrobatics, hard takedowns, swift counterattacks, they performed them all. If one was being trodden down, they found a way to regain their ground on their hooves. Many near-pinfalls were made and kick-outs right before the count of three brought aggravation to the two competitors. Eyes from all the ponies viewing the fight were locked onto the spectacle, none were looking away. Everypony was waiting for that final pinfall.

"Looking at the clock right now, these two have been battling it out for over fifteen minutes since the last elimination. The sheer amount of power flowing through these two to keep going this long is just astounding to me," Michael Colt spoke.

"Absolutely, Michael," Fancypants agreed. "I do say, these two ponies don't want the other to show them up. Giving everything they got is among the best ways to show your opponent that you're not letting up one drop of defeat."

Twilight lifted up Violet from the ring canvas. She wrapped her legs around the red unicorn's body, ready to throw her into another bodyslam. Violet countered with two hits of her hooves against Twilight's upper back. This time, Violet scooped Twilight up into her front legs, but not into a bodyslam, a falling powerslam. Twilight moaned out in pain from the impact. Both ponies had used everything they had given. They were tired, exhausted, but still very much willing to go on. Violet stood up and stared down Twilight, still laid down on the canvas and in pain.

"Enough is enough. It is time I finish you," Violet growled.

Violet ran to the opposite side of the ring. She positioned herself into a charging stance. She kicked her hoof back twice. She was planning on stampeding at Twilight once she got back on her legs.

"I don't care what pain you'll be in. Once I strike you with my Stampede Spear into that ring corner, the last of that magic that's keeping you going with wash away and the P.W.O. will claim another win over you Elements," Violet spoke to herself.

Twilight collected herself and slowly climbed back up onto her hooves. Her mind was still in a bit of daze due to the powerslam. She was unfortunately unaware of the danger lurking and waiting behind her.

"Say goodnight, Twilightlicious!" Violet growled again.

The red unicorn began her stampede towards the oblivious pony. Spike screamed at Twilight to turn around and move. Twilight could barely hear him to the current daze still slightly plaguing her. Violet was getting closer, the end to a long match-up was closing in for her. Twilight finally turned her head to view the other side. A glance of the charging pony briefly caught her eye. The moment of impact was only less than a second way. Violet finally reached Twilight's position. Did she score a direct hit? Twilight, her mind finally catching up with her, made a split decision and propelled herself out of the way right before a possible end. Violet missed her target. But unseen to her and even to Twilight, Three Count was in the unfortunate obscured position right behind the purple unicorn. Violet had kept going past Twilight and collided with Three Count, crashing him into the ring corner at full force. The referee pony collapsed to the ring floor. He was motionless; possibly knocked out.

Violet quickly became aware at what she had done, but only uttered harsh words, "Stupid referee."

Violet returned her attention back to Twilight only to be met by a purple hoof to the face. And another hoof to the face by Twilight. The last member of the Elements of Harmony was fighting back strong. The crowds cheered and hollered for their favourite pony to win. Twilight took several wrestling moves to Violet, softening her up. The smell of victory was in the air. The end was that much closer. The stride for it was running deep inside Twilight, keeping her going. She whipped Violet towards the ropes. Violet reversed and Twilight headed to the ropes. She bounced off them and headed on a return course back to Violet. Violet went for a clothesline. Twilight ducked and bounced off the adjacent ropes. Violet tried again for a clothesline. This time, Twilight slid below between her opponents legs. Violet turned around to meet her challenger. Twilight leapt up and wrapped her bottom legs around Violet's head, dragging her overtop and onto the canvas. Twilight ended on top of her and grabbed onto Violet's bottom legs and held on tightly. It was a pinfall. Violet struggled to get loose. Twilight held a strong grip, not going to let go. It was a victory. The time for a count of three went past. But, where was the referee, Three Count? He was still down and out. Not much movement was seen by him. It was a hard hit he received from that Stampede Spear. Twilight was still holding on. She could see that the referee was facedown on the ring floor. She called to him, but no response was returned.

Bam! A hard kick stung against Twilight's face. Was it from Violet? Did she figure a way out from her trap? The kick came from her tag team partner, Ice Cold. With no referee awake in the ring, Ice Cold had galloped down to the ring and saved her team captain. But she wasn't alone. Stormer, Sky Chaser, Whiplash and Honeycrisp also ran down to join in the joint assault on Twilight Sparkle. The five ponies kicked and stomped on Twilight, who barely could defend herself from the mass attack. Violet yelled at her partners to beat Twilight, to her hurt. Boos and jeers from the audience howled all around. The noise was ignored by the P.W.O.. Their only concern was to do damage to Twilight Sparkle, the last member of the Elements of Harmony team. Spike wanted to enter and help his pony friend out, but he knew his small size and being outnumbered was out of the question. He could only watch helplessly.

"This is absurd!" Fancypants jeered at the onslaught taking place in the ring. "Those other ponies were eliminated from the match. They have no business being back down here. This is outrageous! You must be just as angered by this form of behaviour, Pinkie Pie, right? Wait. Where's Pinkie?"

The pink party pony had vanished from the commentary table she wildly entertained for majority of the match. Fancypants panned left and right to find her. She was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh good, she's gone?" Michael asked, feeling a bit relieved that the annoyance he received from her had disappeared.

"Wait a minute! There she is!" Fancypants finally noticed her.

The pink pony was standing on top of the turnbuckle close to the commentary table. Pinkie was staring down into the gang attack on Twilight Sparkle. She saw her friend trying to cover herself with her hooves. Twilight was in pain, unable to really defend herself. Pinkie's eyes narrowed in on the attackers, the look of anger etched on her face. She had to save her friend.

"Pinkie Pie! What is in good heavens are you doing?!" Fancypants yelled towards her. Pinkie didn't respond back.

"Time for the Ultimate Pony to crash this party," Pinkie quietly muttered to herself.

Pinkie leapt off the top of the turnbuckle. Her four legs spread wide open. She hollered loudly as she descended. The P.W.O. ponies turned to the blare that was quickly approaching them. Before any real reaction, Pinkie landed onto the mass of black-shirted ponies, taking them all off her hooves. A loud roar from the crowd shook the foundation around the ring. Pinkie stood up before any of the other ponies could regain control. She continued to scream out in a fiery passion and began launching punches and kicks at any of the enemy ponies that try to get near Twilight again.

"Ultimate Pony will stop you from hurting Twilightlicious!" Pinkie shrieked, dawning her wrestling persona despite no longer wearing the costume nor face paint.

"So the Ultimate Phony wants to suffer another hard loss?" Stormer asked. "I'm pretty okay with that. Let's get her girls!"

The P.W.O. ponies agreed in unison to target Pinkie Pie for the moment.

"Hold on!" a voice shouted from behind the enemy ponies. As the ponies turned to see who spoke up against them, they were met by an unfortunate sight. The voice was from the Masked Rainbow. But she wasn't alone. 'Nature's Wonder' Fluttershy, 'Applemazing' Applejack, and 'The Queen' Rarity stood along side her. "If you're going to fight Ultimate Pony and Twilightlicious, you have to fight all of us."

Sky Chaser took the first swing at the Elements by going after the one that eliminated her, Masked Rainbow. Her wallop was met with a hard front kick to her head. The other Element ponies launched forward and began duelling it out for a second time against the Pony World Order. It was utter chaos in the ring. Bodies were flying everywhere. Strikes and crashes were occurring in every inch of the ring. Neither side was letting up, but the Elements were taking the advantage in order to save and protect the last member still involved in the legal match. The crowd was going nuts. Even though this was a vicious attack by the P.W.O. and a counterattack brought on by the Elements of Harmony, every pony in the seating were on their hooves. They were loving the fierce struggle being decided inside the squared ring.

Spike continued to stay out of the fight, but ran over to Three Count, trying everything he could get him conscience again.

The fighting between the eliminated ponies spilled out of the ring onto the stadium floor. The Element ponies dominated over their P.W.O. counterparts. Legs and hooves were hitting everywhere. Slowly, each member of the Pony World Order began to retreat to the inner corridors of the stadium. Enough of the fighting for them. Whiplash and Stormer were the last of eliminated members of their team remaining at ringside. Outnumbered and weakened from the brawl.

"Whiplash, let's get out of here!" Stormer called out to her teammate.

"Right!" Whiplash agreed. "These ponies don't need the Elements of Harmony. They are the Elements of Harmony!" The two of them quickly galloped away from the carnage towards the exit of the stadium.

The Elements of Harmony remained together around ringside. Fluttershy and Applejack were catching their breath from the beat-back they endured. Rarity and Pinkie Pie joined with Spike to try to help Three Count, still barely awake from the earlier hit he took. Rainbow Dash called on Twilight to get up and get the victory. Twilight was still weak from the gang attack she suffered. Slowly she was regaining her energy back. She climbed back up onto all fours. She shook her head to clear her senses. Suddenly, she felt a cut off to her breathing. She struggled to the unknown force that had taken a hold of her. The unknown force was Violet Velvet. With the referee still down and his eyes not set on the match, Violet took it the opportunity to make a quick way to get the win. By choking Twilight out. She had wrapped her leg around Twilight's neck, a blatant and illegal move in the realm of professional wrestling. But she didn't care. Everything wasn't going as planned for her and her company. She wanted to end the fight any way possible, even through cheating. Twilight struggled and kicked, but nothing worked. Her physical strength was fading. Violet forced Twilight down to her back knees. Twilight's body was slowly beginning to subside. Her friends could only watch. They could enter back into the ring and save her since Three Count still hadn't fully gotten back up, but none of them wanted to stoop to the level the P.W.O. did. They only yelled at Twilight to fight back.

"The flow of oxygen to your brain will slowly be cut off and you'll be out like a light. You can struggle all you want. It's no use. Your friends can't help you now. Once I defeat you, the P.W.O. will be victorious over the Elements of Harmony. The truth will be seen before everypony that you really are a loser and perhaps the Princess will find a better student to be her protégé," Violet mocked Twilight as she continued the choke around the purple unicorn's neck.

Twilight's predicament was becoming more dire. Her body started to go quiet. Her whaling struggles had left. Only weak movements of her legs remained in view. Her grasps for air were slowly waving away. The eyelids of the purple pony resisted to stay open, but the work they were doing were fading away fast. It was only a matter of time till her pupils will be closed on and her awaken conscience will be put to sleep.

Her friends watched helplessly. Their calls fell on silence from Twilight. They were fearing the worst. Violet was going to have Twilight beaten. Rarity and Pinkie resumed in trying to get the referee back into doing his job. Three Count was still dizzy and not fully alert of his surroundings. Spike ran over to Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy, joining in the screams and yells to the near-out Twilightlicious.

"Twilight! Don't give in! Hang in there! Twilight! Don't go down like this!" the little dragon yelled to his pony friend.

It all seemed useless. No response from her. Her eyes had now shut. Her mouth appeared to give out one last breath. Her legs hung silently at her side. Violet grinned evilly. She felt no further movements from her opponent. She could only feel the victory in front of her. Twilight's teammates were in dismay. Their leader was no longer fighting or resisting. It all seemed over now in their minds.

"Tw--Twilight," Fluttershy spoke softly while attempting to hold back tears.

The small dragon on the ring canvas couldn't keep his eyes away from the horror before him. He looked at his other pony friends realizing they too were felt helpless. Fluttershy had turned away. She did not want to witness the end of her dear friend. The other four's faces began to shape into sadness. Defeat was about to be declared. It was all over now they thought.

"TWILIGHT!!" Spike screamed with all the might his little body could muster. "Twilight! Twilight!" The dragon's shouts of his friend's name feel on deaf ears next to him. It didn't matter any longer. Spike continued to scream her name. He pounded his tiny clawed fists on the lower rope. Spike soon got into a simple rhythm with his pounds and calls, repeating over and over.

Unseen to everypony, Twilight's ears felt the vibration of her name travelling down the chambers. The sounds began to grow louder with every second. Her mentality recognized those words and who was saying them.

"Sp--ike," Twilight was able speak under a small breath.

Twilight's eyelids opened only by a sliver. She could see Spike behind the ropes calling her name. The passion he was expressing was intense in her eyes. She knew he was give all he could to motivate her to continue on. Soon enough, her friends caught on with Spike's technique and joined in calling Twilight's name. They clopped their hooves together with the rhythmic sounding out of their friend's name.

"G-girls," Twilight spoke again.

Her front legs began to move again, reaching out towards the ponies and dragon in front of her vision. Violet felt the pony's revival and continued to apply pressure to the choke. Twilight's legs gained enough strength to connect with the rhythm that vibrated in her direction against the canvas. The chants for her waved into the audience. All ponies united in the unison for Twilight Sparkle from the front rows reaching all the way above to the overseeing clouds and VIP box with the Princesses. Twilight could hear everypony saying that one word; her name. Violet couldn't believe her sight. The unity against her was immense. But she wasn't going to let this go. Her grip on Twilight remained strong, but the energy she had sapped away from her was beginning to fill up again.

"What is all this?!" Violet asked surrounded by all the calls for one pony.

"It's the sound of ponies cheering for this pony you call a loser," said Twilight as she began to rise back up. "They haven't lost hope in me."

Twilight regained her footing back on her back hooves and struck back at Violet with her upper knees, releasing the violent chokehold that was applied to her. The thousands of ponies cheered at the return of Twilight Sparkle in the match. The purple unicorn coughed and shook off the strain she was under for those several long minutes.

"This is not happening!" Violet yelled angrily.

"Even without the Elements, you have seen first hoof how strong we six ponies really are. We have the skills that make each of us unique. We all something that means so much to ourselves that keeps each one of us longing for. Applejack loves her family; Rainbow Dash wants to be a Wonderbolt someday; Fluttershy will stand up for herself; Rarity will defend her honour; and Pinkie Pie will party on. You may be tough, mean, and strong, but that doesn't stop the one strength that keeps me going. The strength of friendship!" Twilight proclaimed.

"What a load of horse apples!" Violet grunted back, not believing a single thing Twilight said to her. "You Elements of Harmony aren't going to have this victory. This victory is mine!

Violet bolted towards Twilight. She was in the midst of pure anger. She wanted to win badly. She would take down Twilight Sparkle at any cost. She approached her destination and forwarded her hoof in for an attack on her opponent. Twilight ducked underneath the attack and caught Violet with a wraparound with her front legs.

"No, it's not," Twilight spoke into Violet's ear as she held Violet enclosed around her legs. Twilight hoisted Violet quickly into space above her while still having a tight wrap on her opponent. "Sparkling Destiny!"

Slam! Twilight slammed Violet hard onto the ring floor. The entire ring shook after that sudden impact. The red unicorn's strength was finally out of steam. She lied with very little motion from her body and muscles. Twilight acted quickly and covered Violet for the pinfall. Three Count, finally fully aware of the events going on around him, slid in and tapped his hoof against the canvas.

"One! Two! Three!" the referee pony counted.

The bell rang for the final time. The match was over. Ponies all across the seating of the stadium rose up in jubilation. Deafening cheers reverberated in every direction. Spike and the other five ponies climbed into the ring, rushing over to their winner, Twilight Sparkle. She did it. She got the final pinfall and victory for the team. Her friends helped her back on her hooves, giving out hugs of happiness to her. Spike especially gave her a huge hug.

"You did it, Twilight! You won!" Spike said joyfully to his close friend. Twilight easily smiled back to him and said thanks in return.

"Twilightlicious, the sole survivor of the Twleve Mare Elimination Match. She brought home the victory for the Elements of Harmony. Truly an exhausting match they all put on tonight. I have to be honest, this was by far one of the most entertaining matches I have ever covered in all the years I've been involved with professional wrestling," Michael Colt spoke beside his commentary partner, Fancypants.

"Indeed, Michael," Fancypaints agreed. "Twilight displayed extraordinary flair and talent throughout the entire match and when it seemed all hope lost near the end, she pulled through and rose to be the winner. Quite the fighter she is."

"And her friends and tag team partners there taking in the celebrations came up solid for her during that assault by the P.W.O. late in the match. These ponies' friendship is strong and that bond seems to have a tight lock on it," Michael continued.

The music blared loudly, but almost overtaken by the sheer vocals of the adoring crowd of ponies still on their hooves for the Elements of Harmony. The bright beams of followspot spotlights returned alongside the multitude of coloured laser lights, dancing all across the stadium walls and skyline. The ponies inside the ring waved and smiled to every pony they could see. The excitement had fully overtaken them. Applejack lifted Twilight onto her back for a better view for the audience. Twilight sprouted her front legs into the air and gave her biggest smile to the grateful mass of ponies.

"You can't have a celebration without one thing. My party cannon!" Pinkie Pie cheered as she swung out her cannon like it came out of nowhere. "Let's set it to Super-Duper-Mega-Best-Party level!"

With a turn of a small knob at the bottom of the cannon, Pinkie's little invention began firing off streamers and confetti all far reaching in a multi-layer of directions. The celebration was a sight to see. Everypony enjoyed what they were observing. A big victory for a big match.

High above every other pony, the Princesses gazed down below at all the wonderful dancing and cheering playing out through the entire interior of the Royal Canterlot Stadium.

"Sister, that was an excellent bout we witnessed together," Luna spoke to Celestia. "While I was nervous at the beginning before the match even started, I am relieved that they completed it and are victorious."

"I told you I had confidence in them, my dear sister," Celestia responded.

Hoovamania concluded later that evening. Everypony enjoyed the year's biggest wrestling event. But the evening wasn't finished in the realm of professional wrestling. Outside the Royal Canterlot Stadium within the lavish and beautiful courtyard, hundreds of ponies from the mass crowd that viewed the night's great event met with the chance to greet and meet many of the wrestlers of the Pony Wrestling Federation; get their autographs, photos and exchange greetings of peace. Wrestlers of both face and heel set aside their differences for these type of occasions. Underdog wrestlers, tag teams, champions, all wrestlers from the Hoovamania show were onsite to meet their fans and friends. Well, not all were present. There were no signs of any the Pony World Order ponies. The most likely thought everypony had was they were too humiliated to show up and left the city early.

Every wrestler pony had a line-up of young and old fans ready to greet them and share a brief time with them. The Elements of Harmony ponies were met with some of the largest lines. Almost every pony wanted to meet the six who won an exciting match over the Pony World Order. The level of appreciation was overwhelming. Of the six mares, Twilight was meeting the longest line of anticipating spectators. Dawning her Twilightlicious jacket and sunglasses, the purple unicorn happily signed autograph after autograph and snapped a photo here and there. She always said thanks to each one who met with her. After she signed another autograph for a young filly, the next in line approached her. "Nicely done out there, Twilightlicious," the pony complemented.

Twilight was adjusting her sunglasses at the moment and hadn't look at the pony yet. "Why thank you--,"

Twilight was viewing into the face of one of the wrestlers of the evening's event; Wendi Rawhide. A blue earth pony with dark brown mane and tail. Her mane sparkled like stars in the sky. Her wrestling attire including a red and pink striped leotard and matching kneepads. Multicoloured leg bands on each one of her legs and a matching one around her head. A gold championship belt was wrapped around her mid-body.

"Wendi Rawhide. You won the P.W.F. Mare Championship earlier tonight," Twilight commented.

"Hay yeah!" Wendi replied back. "And you Twilightlicious, were outstanding this evening. I have never seen a mare pull so much effort and determination against any of the P.W.O. like you did. Going on that long with Violet Velvet and coming out on top, I'm amazed you're still new at this. You could be line for a shot at the Mare Championship Title."

"Really?" Twilight asked with a twinkle of flattery.

"Absolutely!" Wendi replied. "Give me a call sometime and I'll put this title on the line someday against you."

Twilight didn't know what to say. Did she just get challenged into another match or was Wendi Rawhide just being nice? Wendi extended her hoof and Twilight did the same and both shook on good terms.

"Catch you later, girl," said Wendi before she walked off, being followed by other fans.

A few ponies away from Twilight stood 'Nature's Wonder' Fluttershy, joining along in the autograph signings with her teammantes. Normally shy around new ponies and the like, after her performance in the elimination match, she had opened up a little bit more towards the line-up of pony fans. It helped that everypony had been so nice to her and congratulating her over her win against Whiplash. A little filly found herself next to meet Fluttershy. She was very nervous and seemed a little scared too. She slowly approached the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy smiled looking down at the small pony.

"Hello," Fluttershy greeted the small one.

"Ah--um--hi," the filly nervously responded back. She was holding a Hoovamania poster in her hoof. She offered it out to Fluttershy. "C--could you--please autograph--this for me?"

"Sure I can," Fluttershy happily spoke. "What's your name?"

"Sweet Sunshine," the filly answered.

Fluttershy locked a marker between her teeth and signed the poster. 'To Sweet Sunshine, From 'Nature's Wonder' Fluttershy' is what Fluttershy signed onto the paper. The tiny pony nervously smiled at the autograph she received.

"What's wrong? Are you shy?" Fluttershy asked to Sweet Sunshine.

"Y-yes," Sunshine responded.

"It's okay to be shy sometimes. I still get shy around others I'm not used to. But it gets better, you'll see," Fluttershy assured to the small pony.

"Really?" Sweet Sunshine began to smile brightly.

"Yes," Fluttershy answered.

"Thank you so much," Sweet Sunshine happily told her newfound idol. "You're now my new favourite wrestler. Thank you, Fluttershy." Sweet Sunshine scurried back to her parents, jumping with joy over getting the autograph and having a new wrestler to look up to.

That moment make Fluttershy very happy. A moment to brighten up another pony's evening. The exchange was noticed by 'The Queen' Rarity next to Fluttershy.

"That was very kind of you, Fluttershy," Rarity commented as she signed autographs with aid of magic from her unicorn horn.

"Yes it was. She was so happy to meet me," said the pegasus. Fluttershy was even more happy for the kindness she had given to a new fan and awaited the next fan to greet.

Next up came an older teenage colt. He was not like the little Sweet Sunshine. Sporting a P.W.F. ball cap and matching shirt, the colt quickly approached Fluttershy much to her surprise. Nacho cheese surrounded the outer rim of his mouth. A strong scent of the milky substance was on his breath. His face beamed of excitement. He was your typical wrestling fan.

"Um--hi," Fluttershy nervously greeted the next pony.

"Hey Fluttershy! The wonder of nature! Burp! I must have a photo with you cause you are so cute and best wrestler I have ever met," the teenage colt smiled ever so greatly.

He quickly stood beside and wrapped his leg around the back of her neck waiting for his friend to snap a photo. Fluttershy embarrassingly smiled.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle waited patiently in line for the chance to meet the Masked Rainbow. Scootaloo was more excited than her unicorn filly friend. She hopped up and down, peering over the heads of other ponies in front of her to catch a glimpse of masked wrestler. Rainbow Dash signed autograph after autograph. She loved the attention she was getting from these fans and happy to return the love. It wasn't the Wonderbolts, but in her mind, it was just as worth it. The two finally arrived at the front of the line. Scootaloo rushed right over to the Masked Rainbow. Her face gleamed with anticipation. She was so animated.

"Hey there kid? What's your name?" Rainbow asked. She already knew who she was, but in the disguise of the Masked Rainbow, she had to play along.

"Scootaloo!" the little orange pegasus answered. She handed Rainbow a poster to sign. "I think you are so awesome Masked Rainbow. Just as awesome as this other pegasus I know named Rainbow Dash. Though I really wish she was here at Hoovamania. She would have loved to seen you in action tonight and meet you like I am." Scootaloo was still was oblivious to the fact that Rainbow Dash that dawned the masked wrestling persona for the evening's match.

"Oh for the love of--Scootaloo, this is Rainbow Dash!" Sweetie Belle voiced loudly to her friend.

"It is?" Scootaloo asked sceptically.

"What are you talking about? I'm the Masked Rainbow. Though I have heard of this Rainbow Dash and I think she is just as cool as me. Maybe even a little cooler," Dash answered back to Sweetie Belle while giving back the autograph to Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and walked off along with an ecstatically happy Scootaloo in toll.

Pinkie Pie hopped and bounced all around the courtyard. She had dressed herself back up in the Ultimate Pony costume but didn't bother with the face make-up. Instead of fans approaching her, she approached them. She ran up to random ponies and signed them autographs. She jumped in beside her friends and spouted out to the fans about how great her friends were. All around, she performed complete randomness among wrestlers and spectators. Her friends were already use to her hyper and joyful attitude.

"--and then I put him in a submission hold and got him to submit and I gained a win over the enemy," Pinkie Pie went on about her experience at Hoovamania to several pony fans.

"Pinkie, you were the first one eliminated," Twilight commented hearing in on Pinkie's stories about the night's match thinking she was telling an alternate version of events.

"I'm not talking about what happened to me in the ring, Twilight. I'm talking about the ultimate commentary I did with Fancypants and Michael Colt. I think they love me and want me to come back to do the next show with them," Pinkie answered back to Twilight.

"The commentary wasn't as great as what mah sister Applejack did," Apple Bloom told to Pinkie Pie whiling standing next her sister, Applejack. "She defeated our cousin, Honeycrisp, teaching her not to turn her back on our family. Applejack was applemazing!" Apple Bloom enveloped a big hug around her sister.

Applejack embarrassingly smiled back at her little sister. Her mind was thinking whether she really came up with that apple pun of a word.

"Twilight, this has become such a wonderful evening," said Rarity. "These fans just keep on coming. They are showing so much dedication to us. They love us."

"Yeah they do," Twilight replied to her fellow unicorn. "We beat one wrestling team and it's like we save Equestria all over again. Though, I hope the Princesses enjoyed the evening."

"Tonight was fantastic!" an enthusiastic bellow reached over the gathering of ponies.

Everypony looked in the direction of the loud call. As they saw who spoke, ponies began to bow their heads in respect to the appearance of two important alicorn ponies.

"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!" the six mares called out in surprise.

The two Princesses walked calmly towards the Elements of Harmony team. The autographs and photography suddenly stopped. The six young mares smiled at the sight of the two royals they knew so well.

"Twilight, he, Twilightlicious, that was an amazing match you put on tonight for us," said Princess Celestia.

"We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. That was one of the greatest matches I have ever witnessed," Princess Luna applauded.

"Well, it was a whole new experience for all of us, Princess. One I don't any of us will ever forget," Twilight returned to Celestia. Her friends all nodded in agreement.

"And that speech you gave to Violet at the end of the match about moving towards your achievements and what makes you unique and strong, I take it that you learned an important lesson tonight, Twilight?" Twilight's teacher questioned.

"Indeed I did, Princess," Twilight answered back. "I learned that no matter what anypony says, you should stand up for what you believe in and do what you can to keep it. These ponies are my greatest friends and they were with me from the beginning. They helped me in the end to see how special they really are to me and why I treasure them so much. It is important to keep something that means so much to you close cause that is what gives you strength."

"Like flying a goal towards becoming a Wonderbolt," said Rainbow Dash.

"What family means to you," mentioned Applejack.

"Honour in your own talents," spoke Rarity.

"Being the ultimate party pony," cheered Pinkie Pie.

"Not being a pushover, but, I caused myself to get ejected from the match," said Fluttershy with a sadden look draping over her face.

Princess Luna touched the side Fluttershy's sad face with her hoof, slightly lifting the pegasus' face up.

"I'd wouldn't worry too much about that, dear Fluttershy," said Luna as she cheered up Fluttershy. "Perhaps that Whiplash will now think twice about facing you." Fluttershy smiled once again.

"So Twilight, do you and friends plan on staying with the Pony Wrestling Federation and bring us some more wonderful matches?" Celestia asked awaiting a response from her faithful student.

Twilight was unsure what to say at the moment. She glanced over at her friends who were also waiting for her take on the question. The purple unicorn looked up to the towering alicorn princess and answered, "With all due respect, Princess, I think we are going to go into retirement from wrestling. One match is more than enough."

All six mares burst into laughter followed by the two Princesses joining in.