The Strength of Friendship

Chapter 4 "Stepping Hoof Into The Square Circle"

The glowing spectacle of the gold and ivory colored Royal Canterlot Stadium shined so brightly. Like a eye gazing up towards the star-glittered sky. The night of the greatest sporting event of the Pony Wrestling Federation was playing its' glory for the ponies of Equestria in the center of the capital of the land. Ponies from all across the vast kingdom descended on the city to view the live event, Hoovamania. Numbers were large in the amount of attendance. Tens of thousands was the best way to round out the number of those attending the show. Ponies and unicorns, as well as some pegasi, were seated all around the wrestling ring; not a single space was left vacant. Other pegasi observed the matches from on top of clouds floating above the open roof of the stadium. The wrestling event had already been going on for over an hour and the level of excitement from the passionate crowd was intense.

The view from the first few rows was the place to see the best of the action. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had three spaces in the first row alongside the ring. Seated beside them were the Apple Family members Big Macintosh and Granny Smith. The five ponies received their tickets from the other six ponies who were unable to use the tickets themselves. The three little fillies cheered with so much enthusiasm. While Sweetie Belle once stated that she wasn't into the sport of wrestling, her liveliness brought in a new perspective to the small unicorn.

To the opposite side of the ring from the young fillies sat the play-by-play live feed of the evening's event. They were P.W.F. veteran commentator, Michael Colt, and aristocratic resident of Canterlot, Fancypants. Throughout the night, the two unicorns had been catching the matches and highlights broadcasted via radio to those across the world not personally in attendance. "Wow! Even after seven hard fought matches, the excitement is so strong that you could cut it with a knife," Michael Colt spoke into his headset microphone. "We've had two championship titles already change hooves with the World Heavyweight Championship still to come later tonight. Fancypants, what are your thoughts on the night so far?"

"All I can say is it's been splendid. No, splendid isn't the best word to describe it. Incredible is a better way to make of how Hoovamania has been tonight. All these wrestlers are great athletes and have shown fantastic talent for all these fine ponies with us here at Canterlot Stadium. It has been an astonishing time being a part of this event and I look forward to the upcoming main event," the white upper class unicorn responded to the commentator seated next to him.

"But before we can get to that main event, we still have a special match approaching our way shortly. A match many here in attendance have patiently waited for. A twelve-mare tag team elimination match between the Pony World Order and six ponies known as the Elements of Harmony from the neighboring town of Ponyville. And you have met these Ponyville ponies before, haven't you Fancypants?"

"Indeed I have," Fancypants replied. "I met them several months ago at the Royal Garden Party at Canterlot Castle. They are an interesting herd of friends. While I'm not very familiar with most of them, the one named Rarity I did become quite acquainted with. A lovely young unicorn she is and a talented seamstress. But I do wonder what she and her friends will do tonight inside the ring."

"It's best to also let our viewers know that these six little ponies were the saviors of Equestria on two occasions."

"That's correct, Michael, but I do believe they did those with the help of the magical Elements of Harmony. As here in the P.W.F., magic and wing power are prohibited. We'll have to see what kind of wrestling talent they'll be able to bring."

"Point well taken, Fancypants," Michael Colt agreed with his co-host. "So stay tuned everypony, the six-mare tag team match is coming up in a short time."

Within the labyrinth of long corridors and countless closed rooms backstage away from the sights of the spectators, the six ponies from Ponyville prepared themselves in one of the many locker rooms set up for wrestlers. Two weeks before, they were confronted and tested to face off against the tough members of the Pony World Order at Hoovamania. They all accepted the challenge. For those weeks, they all trained their hooves and skilled their wrestling abilities. With the fight only minutes away, the herd of friends were awaiting the call to be ready. While not showing it on the outside, they knew in their hearts that the night was going to be difficult and unsure on what the outcome would become.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack both were putting in some final stretches. Due to the no flying rule, Rainbow Dash, along with Fluttershy, had to add clips to their wings to prevent any sort of takeoff. Fluttershy was adding the remaining portions of her wrestling costume and gear to her body. Being the most worried of the bunch, she wasn't taking any chances. She slipped on thicker kneepads to each of her legs. Her pet bunny, Angel, was with her for moral support. He was standing on her upper back tightening a set of amateur wrestling headgear around his guardian's head. Next to the yellow pegasus, Twilight Sparkle was applying face paint to Pinkie Pie. The pink earth pony's face was bright with various reds, blues and yellows within two capital 'Ps' centered around her eyes trailing down to her cheeks. Rarity was sitting near them at the mirror applying her own makeup and styling her mane. Rainbow Dash took some discontent at the white unicorn's current priority. "Rarity, this a wrestling match. Not a beauty contest," the rainbow pegasus spoke up.

"Oh Rainbow Dash, I know that," Rarity replied as she apply some fake eyelashes. "I still need to look fabulous."

"Why put it on now? After the match is over, you'll need to put on more makeup," Dash spoke back.

The comment caught Rarity off guard. Her magic dropped the hairbrush that was styling her mane. The unicorn turned and frowned at the cyan-colored pegasus.

"Was that an insult, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked with a small tone of anger in her voice. "Cause if it was, I'll have a match with you here right now."

Despite being friends, once in a while, minor disputes occurred between this herd. Rarity and Rainbow Dash didn't often see eye to eye on things. This was no exception. While Rarity was into fashion and makeup, Rainbow Dash was a speedster and sports fan.

The two ponies glared at each other. Was the team about to break apart before their scheduled match? Applejack quickly intervened; standing in between them.

"Settle down you two," Applejack told her friends. "We already have one fight on our plate. We don't need another." The heat quickly dissolved between the unicorn and pegasus.

Twilight applied the final colors to Pinkie's face. The earth pony peeked at herself in the mirror. Her face was colorful. Pinkie Pie smiled with a great glow. She then began bouncing around the small locker room.

"This is so exciting. I'm super-duper excited. Going out and entertaining thousands of other ponies and putting up our hooves. I can't wait!" the pink pony joyfully cheered.

"Thousands?" Fluttershy asked. The announcement of a large number like that started to give the pegasus a sliver of shivers.

"Last I counted, it was forty-three thousand six hundred and nineteen," Pinkie told the already trembling Fluttershy.

The shakes rapidly took over Fluttershy. Her face was filled with nervous fright. The yellow pegasus quickly bolted into a nearby locker and slammed the metal door. Her fellow pegasus friend, Rainbow Dash, approached the locker and slowly opened it. Fluttershy was cowering on the floor of the metal storage.

"Fluttershy, this is not the time to be scared," Dash told the scared pegasus on the bottom of the locker.

"But Rainbow Dash, that's a big number and I'm not sure I'll be able to do it in front of that many," Fluttershy peeking up at Rainbow Dash standing before her.

"You're going to have to be brave, Fluttershy," said Rainbow Dash.

"Brave?" Fluttershy opened her eyes wider at Dash's words.

"Yes, brave," Rainbow Dash reiterated. "That may be a large amount, but all those numbers will be cheering for us. Not only do you have to be brave for them, but you also have to brave for the match. You've stood up to bigger monsters and challenges than those bullies out there. This is something you need to do Fluttershy and we're counting on you."

"Yeah," Pinkie Pie hopping into the conversation with the pegasi. "It's not like they're giant, scary, fire-breathing dragons."

"Dragons?!" Fluttershy's body trembled again. Her fear of big dragons was now drowning her bravery. She slammed the locker door once again.

"Thanks, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash grumbled at Pinkie Pie. The pink earth pony only smiled in return and continued on bouncing around the room as Rainbow Dash began again to talk to Fluttershy.

The room door quickly swung open. Spike poked his small head inside to see his pony friends.

"Match begins in five minutes," the little dragon revealed to the six ponies. With the information given to the ponies, Spike shut the door, leaving them to put together final preparations.

Rainbow Dash finally coaxed Fluttershy out of the locker. Rarity finished plastering her face with makeup. Applejack and Pinkie Pie folded up the last of their exercises. Twilight Sparkle motioned to her friends to gather together. Facing her friends who for the night were also her tag team partners, Twilight gave them all a final talk.

"Okay girls, this is it. We were challenged into this; a match we never wanted to partake in. For the past two weeks, we have trained our hardest. We may not be allowed to use our magic, wings nor the Elements, but we are going to go out there and show not only those P.W.O. ponies, but all of Equestria, what six little ponies like us are capable of. We are bonded together by our friendship. Tonight might be one of our toughest tests, but we must prevail. We can do this and we will--together." Twilight placed her front hoof towards her friends. Each of them took a hoof and place it together with Twilight's. All six friends smiled with determination. The time had come to meet their challenge.

To the unseeing eye, it would be believed that either the ponies in the front rows or the pegasi above on clouds had the best seats in the entire stadium. To some, maybe. The best seats had to go to Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, and her little sister, Princess Luna. Perched well above the crowd, bordering the upper perimeter of the stadium, situated the Royal Canterlot Suite luxury box. Unless it was royalty, upper class or a VIP guest, no pony had access to this special stadium seating. From this location, it was like staring down into a fish bowl; everything was in sight from there. Celestia and Luna sat side by side watching the events unfold below them. Alicorn royal guards stood at bay at the entrance to the luxury box and along with the Princesses. "It has been a wonderful show so far," Princess Celestia spoke to Luna.

"Yes, it has," Luna replied quietly.

"Is there something wrong, little sister?" Princess Celestia could see that Luna was worried about something. The quiet sad tone of Luna's voice was what gave it away.

"Sister, I cannot help but feel responsible for our friends from Ponyville. It was I who came up with the idea to invite them to this event. I only intended for them to be here to observe Hoovamania with us. But now they have been challenged into fighting in one of the matches against a team that most certainly won't be kind to them. I especially hold concern for your pupil, Twilight Sparkle."

"There is no need to feel guilty, my little sister. Twilight Sparkle and her friends are very talented. They have faced challenges well beyond their strength and in the end, they have pulled through together. My confidence in them is strong. They will perform greatly tonight."

The cheers and hollers from the vast scene of ponies echoed through the stadium as the ring announcer, Mic Check, entered the ring to announce the next match. The match many of the attendance had been waiting all night to see take place. Mic Check stood in the center of the ring surrounded by forty-three thousand plus audience. "Fillies and gentlecolts, the next bout is a twelve-mare tag team elimination match," Mic Check announced on the microphone to the huge crowd. Within the second of his announcement, the theme music of the first team blared throughout the stadium. "First, introducing the challengers: Sky Chaser, Whiplash, Stormer, Ice Cold, Honeycrisp and Violet Velvet! The P.W.O.: The Pony World Order!"

The proclamation of P.W.O. brought a rousing rebound of boos and jeers from the pony audience. The six Pony World Order members walked out the entrance to the ring aisle; meeting the strong vibration of boos echoing all around. They didn't care. As they walked down the aisle, sporting their usual black P.W.O. shirts, they simply scoffed or insulted at the ponies they passed. They approached the wrestling ring and climbed into it, still shouting out verbal abuse to all around them. Sweetie Belle noticed the honey-colored member of the team and asked to her friend sitting next her, "Hey Apple Bloom, isn't that your cousin?"

Apple Bloom was already showing displeasure at the sight of her cousin, Honeycrisp, after what she was told about her by Applejack. "Yea and she turned her back on her family and insulted what we Apples do for a living."

Apple Bloom's brother, Big Macintosh, also showed his dislike for her by joining in the sea of boos flooding the stadium while Granny Smith shouted out, "Traitor!"

The music of the heels slowly dissipated. They gathered together in one corner of the ring awaiting the opponents they'll fight against. Mic Check stood once again in the center of the ring holding a microphone in his hoof.

"And now, their opponents." Like to his previous announcement, music sounded from speakers on all sides of the facility. Only this time, an explosion of cheers jolted the entire stadium. "From Ponyville: 'Nature's Wonder' Fluttershy, The Masked Rainbow, 'The Queen' Rarity, 'Applemazing' Applejack, The Ultimate Pony and Twilightlicious! The Elements of Harmony!"

Followspot spotlights penetrated the night's sky with their illuminated beams, swaying back and forth across the sea of onlookers. A vibrant of multi-colored laser lights speared in all directions around the entrance way. Ghostly fog flooded around the curtains and swirled across the floor. A small dark figure began to slowly walk out into the open. Dawning a blue tracksuit and a towel resting around the back of his neck, the baby dragon, Spike, emerged from the hidden view of the backstage venue. The small reptile stepped off to the side of the curtained doorway and extended his arm to it in a welcoming gesture. One by one, the ponies known as the Elements of Harmony walked out to the overjoyed crowd. Each of the Ponyville ponies was wearing a costume and wearing attire fitting to their own appeal.

'The Queen' Rarity was very much royalty, like her personality acts so divine on a daily basis. She wore a light blue leotard decorated with a flow of designs of glittering gems. A purple cape draped over her back. On top of her head sat a shimmering silver crown. A triangle of three diamonds shined embedded in front of the metal headwear.

'Nature's Wonder' Fluttershy took the safety measures from before of wearing thicker knees and wrestling headgear. Her outfit was also a leotard like Rarity's, only her design was that of natural surroundings. It was green with an elaborate array of leaf and vine patterns covered all over. Fluttershy also had her pink mane tied back in a ponytail. Her pet bunny, Angel, rode on her back; being an aid and moral support for her.

'Applemazing' Applejack was going the way of her family, cowgirl getup. Aside from her traditional cowboy hat, the orange earth pony had a saddle strapped around her back. Loops of lasso rope were wrapped around all four of her legs. Her mane and tail were braided and tied back.

The Ultimate Pony, easily recognizable as Pinkie Pie, meant it when she said that she would be ultimate. Aside from the multitude of colors painted on her face inside two capital 'Ps', the earth pony also wore a leotard decked in a wave of colors, streams and shapes. Multi-colored tassels decorated around each of her upper legs. An appearance fit for a party pony.

The Masked Rainbow was none other than the speedster pegasus, Rainbow Dash. Disguising herself from head all the way down to her hooves, Dash's costume resembled that of a Wonderbolt's uniform in design. The main portion was light gray. Yellow lighting balls encircled around the eyeholes. Extending on the side of each leg were thin rainbows converging together to form a larger rainbow on the underside. The rainbow followed up to Dash's neck meeting at a yellow lightning bolt. Dash's rainbow-colored mane and tail flowed freely outside of the slick attire.

Twilightlicious stood in the center between her friends. A white jacket worn around her back glittered with tiny ivory gems. Blue sunglasses obscured the view of her purple eyes from the observing audience.

The Elements of Harmony. The six young mares from the neighboring town of Ponyville stood silently side by side. Their sights were all around the vast stadium. Over forty three thousand ponies cheering and hollering for them. It took them a moment to fully feel the presence they stepped into. Twilight gave the signal for team to proceed onward down the long aisle towards the ring. They were met by hundreds of reached out hooves from ponies seeking to receive a brohoof. The girls were more than happy to share the appreciation they were gaining.

"Listen to the capacity crowd!" Michael Colt commented into the microphone. "The noise is deafening! It's not difficult to determine who the fan favorites are here tonight."

"I say, I agree with that wholeheartedly," Fancypants agreed. "These six mares I believe are receiving the biggest ovation of any pony so far here at Hoovamania."

Pinkie Pie galloped around the whole ring taking as many brohoofs as possible. She hollered in return to the excited spectators, rallying them even more with her hyperness.

Applejack approached her family seated in the front row adjacent to the ring. "You look amazing, Applejack!" Apple Bloom was the first to speak to her older sister.

"Make us proud!" Applejack's grandmother, Granny Smith, exclaimed.

"Thanks family," Applejack returned. Applejack swooped off her hat catching it in her teeth. She leaned in and slipped it onto her little sister's head. "Hay Apple Bloom, think you can watch mah hat fer me once again?"

Apple Bloom's face brighten with a huge smile and the little filly responded, "Sure thing, Applejack. And be sure to give Honeycrisp a hard buck for me."

"You got it!" Applejack smiled back.

With the arrival of Applejack into the squared wrestling ring, twelve ponies were present for the elimination match plus Three Count, the referee pony. The Elements of Harmony girls continued to greet and embrace the welcoming ovation from the enthusiastic crowd. Twilight and Rarity waved their hooves to all those they could see with their own eyes. Fluttershy also waved, but due to still being a bit nervous, only slowly swayed a hoof. Pinkie resumed to work and excite the onlookers by shaking the ring ropes with her hooves and bellowing out loud howls. Rainbow Dash leapt on top of the ring corner turnbuckle starring up towards the pegasi viewing her below. She noticed several pegasi that brought a huge amount of surprise to herself. The Wonderbolts. Resting on one cloud sat Wonderbolt members Soarin', Fleetfoot and the captain herself, Spitfire. Rainbow Dash's eyes widen at the sight of her idols; the ponies she'd like to fly alongside with one day. A boost to Dash's motivation to see them in attendance. Rainbow Dash pointed her front hooves up towards the three uniformed pegasi. She then performed a complete back-flip from the top turnbuckle and landed on all four hooves.

"The Masked Rainbow is awesome!" Scootaloo declared from her seat at ringside with her friends. "But where's Rainbow Dash? I thought she was on the team. Did she get injured or something?" Scootaloo was completely unaware that Rainbow Dash had dawned the persona and disguise of The Masked Rainbow.

"You got to be kidding me," Sweetie Belle said at her friend's blind questioning.

The P.W.O. watched on as their opponents enjoyed the limelight of thousands of ponies. They snickered and made small chat amongst themselves. They didn't feel threatened by the arrival of the six mares from a small Equestrian town. Violet Velvet walked into the center of the ring, meeting her Elements of Harmony counterpart, Twilight Sparkle. "So, you and your friends showed up. And you're willing to be defeated in front of your teacher? Guess you aren't afraid to fail," Violet spoke to her rival.

Twilight lifted the sunglasses above her eyes and returned to Violet, "That's not going to happen. Never underestimate those you face. They might just surprise you."

"Sorry to burst your magic, Twilight, oh I'm sorry, Twilightlicious, but my girls and I don't plan to go easy on any of you. I look forward to pinning you in this ring in front of both Princesses," Violet said to Twilight.

Like when she surprised her Ponyville friends back in town when they first encountered the World Order ponies, Pinkie popped up in between Twilight and Violet Velvet armed with a microphone in hoof. "Finally, The Ultimate Pony has come back to Canterlot!!" she yelled out with her voice amplifying throughout the full stadium.

"Pinkie!" Twilight growled at the party pony. The purple unicorn gripped Pinkie Pie by her costume and dragged her back to their corner of the ring as Violet returned to her side with her team.

High above the excitement in the balcony of the Royal Canterlot Suite luxury box, Luna and Celestia smiled at the sight of the six ponies they knew too well. "They have received a great ovation," Luna acknowledged. "I also have to admit, they look cute in their costumes."

Princess Celestia nodded in approval to her little sister. "They sure do. I think it's best my dear sister that we quietly observe this match."

"Agreed," Luna concurred.