After school I decided to head to the sporting goods store and buy myself a practice sabre. He might have some tricks up on his sleeves and know how to impress people but I knew that with enough practice I could defeat him.

Although I have to say he is pretty talented: some of what he did that day are believed to be some of the hardest things for a fencer. But still, I decided I'm not going to give up that easily to him.

I practiced a lot that day with my new sabre. But still I couldn’t just let go of how I lost. Me, Sunset Shimmer, the undefeated member of the fencing club got turned into a turtle when the new member arrived!

The next day I meet up with the girls and then I headed right towards the library. Just when I was about to go in, Twilight called me.

"Sunset!"

"What is it?"

Can you stay after school for a while to help me and Steely Armor with our magic research?"

Why do you need me?"

"Actually he wants to hear the whole story."

"About you and me?"

"About all of us.!"

"Oh"

That was not good news. I really didn’t want to talk about that again. But I just said "OK, I'll see what happens."

Then I went into the library and sat down behind one of the computers. I needed to know more about Flaming Star so I started researching.

I was surprised at how much I found out. He's quite famous in this world. I was really surprised to learn he won a gold medal in fencing when he was only 10! But having dueled against him, I shouldn't have been that impressed. And his Father, "Bright Flame ," was a very well-known businessman, apparently from a rich family. There was more about his father, to be honest, but actually there were some more stories about Flaming star too, but it wasn't very helpful. Also, I couldn't find anything about his mother which was odd.

I understood that if I'm going to fight him again I'd be going up against a champion, so I decided I was going to take it more seriously. But as intimidating as it seemed, having to tell my story to Steely Armor.....I was not looking forward to that. Not at all. Especially when I still owed him an apology and an explanation for why I stool his project!

I was wondering in the hallway by myself when I heard someone practicing piano in the music room. The curiosity got the better of me and I headed in. It was Flaming Star! someone that I happened to be looking for.

"hi Flaming Star!"

"oh hi!" he got up from behind the piano, "you wanted to practice?"

"no, I just heard you when I was passing by and got curios, I still don't know how you can play four instruments this perfectly!"

"It's more of a passion thing! and dedication I guess."

"I see, now there was something I wanted to tell you actually."

"what is it?"

"I challenge you to a fencing duel!"

"what?" he asked shocked.

"I said I challenge you to a fencing duel!" I repeated.

"Let me guess: you weren't satisfied with the way you lost. Right?" His smile was very irritating. In that moment I was full of hate. "then Come to Slaughter Alley downtown. I'll meet you there Friday. "

"I'll be there!" I couldn't back out now.

"Just to let you know: it's a bit more of a free style than you are used to it."

That was kind of a shock to hear since I didn’t really understand what he meant. But I didn't want to showcase that I didn't know what he was talking about. so I just left afterward.

Now I had to stay and tell the truth about myself about to Steely Armor. Now that was a challenge.

Author's Note

Check out the other chapters too.

Special thanks to my editor Daniel Drazen.