The Fight for Happiness

The Fight for happiness Chapter 2 Part 2: Round One

Dear Journal Log

It’s been about a week and a half since my run in with the corrupted bears. I sent out a letter to Celestia and she sent a couple of Vanguards to check it out, they stopped by to get some info on them and asked if I would be joining them. I could not do to my injuries which I made sure to convince Twilight that they were fine and I didn’t need to be examined to spare myself the embarrassment. Also my pay for tracking and taking care of some bears came in, made 230 bits. I’ve decided to accompany Twilight into the market this afternoon, since I’ve been held up in the library since I made it back from the Everfree.

“Drake Are you coming.” Asked Twilight As she trotted towards the door.

“Of course, I’m ready when you are.” Said Drake closing his journal and tucking it into his robes.

“Well let’s go I want to get to the market before all the ripe fruit is gone.”

“Right behind you.” Said Drake as he levitated his bit pouch and tied it to his belt.

The two walked out the door of the library and made their way to the market. Drake was having some trouble walking looking somewhat in pain but he was getting used to it. Twilight looked at the tear in his robes and could see the bandages that were covering the wound.

“You should have really let me take a look at that injury; you still look pretty hurt Drake.” Said Twilight with a hint of concern in her voice

“It’s fine, I’ve been applying some of the solvents I got from Zecora when I first got here and putting on new bandages every day.”

“I know, but I have some healing spells that could dull the pain.”

“It’s fine, pain is just weakness leaving the body.”

“Do you seriously believe that?”

“No, but it sounded cool.”

Twilight giggled and continued on her way with Drake. The two started making conversation about the events that took place in Canterlot. Twilight went into more detail about the changeling queen and the invasion, and how the wedding was saved. Drake listened to her every word and was intrigued with the happenings of the wedding. It wasn’t long after Twilight finished her story that the two could see the market from where they were. As they approached the crowded market Drake could hear the sound of speeding hooves on a cobble street, but before he could turn around he felt a tug at his waist and was knocked down bumping into Twilight. While on the ground Drake took a look at the pony and saw a blue pegasus in a brown cloak, he then checked his belt and noticed that his bits were stolen. Drake got up and started to gallop after the thief but was stopped by a lavender magic field.

“Twilight what are you doing? That thief just took fifty bits from me!” Shouted Drake.

“Calm down Drake you don’t want to injure yourself further.”

Twilight’s horn started to glow even brighter as a large sphere of purple light appeared in front of them. As the light disappeared a blue pony was seen on his back holding a pouch full of bits in his mouth. The pony dropped the bits and tried to get up but was being held down by a magical aura.

“How dare you try to steal from me you no good thief.” Said Drake as he approached the pony

Drake pulled down the hood to be surprised by what he saw. A pony with white hair and orange eyes was seen starring back at Drake with the goofiest smile that he could muster. Drake just started laughing and so did the blue pony, Twilight backed up and looked at them confused. Drake helped the pony up and gave him a hug, as they continued to laugh.

“Drake what is going on, do you know this pony?”

Drake and the blue pony finally started to settle down and broke the hug.

“Twilight I want you to meet my good friend Cloud Walker, we were friends back in Canterlot.”

“Were friends? I’m pretty sure we are still friends because if we weren’t friends you would have socked me one for trying to steal from you.”

“Your just lucky I took off your hood first you cheeky bastard.” Said Drake levitating his bit pouch as he tied it to his belt

“Well it’s nice to meet you sorry for the whole teleportation thing it can startle a few ponies, Drake I assume you want to catch up with your friend here I’ll be in the market if you need me.”

“Alright I’ll catch up in a little while.”

“It was nice meeting you too Twilight”

As Twilight trotted into the market the two ponies found a bench and sat. It took Drake a bit longer to settle into his spot but he eventually came to a resting point.

“So what brings you to Ponyville Cloud Walker?”

“Well after I helped Fight off the changeling’s that invaded Canterlot, I was given two weeks to nurse my wounds. So I thought what better way to nurse wounds than to come here and meet with an old friend. Also couldn’t pass up the chance to pull that old prank on you.” Said Cloud Walker showing Drake his shoulder wound

“Yeah I heard about the changeling attack. So how many changeling’s did Quick Silver put down?”

“Seven, but she’s been down on herself lately. Shadow Stepper got injured real badly in the attack and he was under our watch.”

“Having someone hurt while under your command never feels good, but Quick Silver has always been hard on herself.”

“Why is that?” Asked Cloud Walker with a look of intrigue on his face

“When we were training to be Vanguards we would go into the Everfree forest to learn about it and practice so we were in danger a lot. One day It was me, her and Strong Steel our friend and training partner, he was sort of like a teachers assistant since he was older than us so we stuck away from him to have some fun. On our little adventure through the forest we found a baby timber wolf, so Quick Silver picked it up and put it on her back to take care of it. We walked a little further and the baby timber wolf started to yelp, I tried to see what was wrong with it but it jumped off her back and in to a bush. I went after it for her like the gentlecolt I am and ventured towards the bush, big mistake. An adult timber wolf pounced on me out of the bush, and started clawing at me, Quick Silver just fell back and screamed. I'm just glad that Strong Steel found us when he did, he sent his back legs flying into the timber wolfs head and picked us up and ran us out of the forest. Once I got patched up a bit and back to Canterlot Quick Silver would hardly leave my side. but after that day Quick Silver found it her duty to keep everyone in her command safe.

“She’s told me about Strong Steel before, but she said she hasn’t talked to him in a while. Whatever happened to him?”

“Well, when Strong Steel was little his parents passed away, first his mom when he was real little, then his father when he was a bit more grown up. After that our old mentor took him in and raised him as his own.”

“What happened next?”

“Do you remember that training facility that burned down a little more than a years ago?”

“Yeah it was all over the news, the owner was burned alive inside.”

“Well that was were we trained at, after that Strong Steel just sort of disappeared. It is a real shame that one pony had to go through so much grief in his life time.”

“That is rather sad.”

“Yes, but let’s not dwell on the past. Now help me up and let’s go find some lunch.” Said Drake patting his friend on the back

“Help? You’re getting old on me Drake.”

“You’re  hilarious.” Said Drake

“So how old are you now Drake, fifty five, Sixty? Asked Cloud Walker while while helping up his friend.

“Twenty three.”

“Damn, you are old.”

The two ponies made their way into the market heading for a large colorful bakery. Drake started to tell Cloud Walker about the ponies he’s met here, and how nice everypony is. He also told him about his latest exploration into the Everfree showing him the tear in his robes. Cloud Walker seemed impressed how fast Drake was back up after taking a hit like that. The two made it into Sugar Cube Corner and approached the counter. The restaurant was somewhat crowded, as most of the tables where taken but a few empty ones littered the area. A familiar pink pony was working the counter and talking to a white unicorn. The pink pony’s attention shot to the two ponies approaching the counter

“Hey Drake, hey Cloud Walker.”

“Hello Pinkie Pie, how do you know Cloud Walker?”

“I gave him the tour and the welcoming song like I do with everypony new to Ponyville, but this time I put the cake batter in the oven and the confetti in the confetti canons. It wasn’t as fun but it was still pretty fun. So can I get you something to eat?”

“Yeah I’ll take a couple of chocolate cupcakes and some tea.” Said Drake

“I’ll take the same.”

“Alright, I’ll be back in two shakes of a leg.” Said Pinkie Pie speeding into the kitchen

“So Rarity, how have you been lately?”

“I’ve been fine Drake, a little over worked but fine. Oh my, what happened to your robes?”

“I was working in the forest and…”

“Say no more, bring them by my shop and I will fix them up for you.”

“Thank you Rarity, I’ll bring them by later today.

“Well it was nice seeing you again Drake, but I have to get back to the boutique I have a large order to work on, I’ll have to catch up with you and your friend some other time.”

“Alright, have a nice day Rarity.”

Rarity trotted out of the restaurant at a quick pace, as the two ponies went to go find a seat and spotted one near the back corner. They sat and waited for their meal.

“So Cloud Walker, That’s your first actual injury in combat isn’t it?”

“Yeah, a throwing knife to the shoulder is not fun.”

“Been there done that.”

“So Drake, nopony finds your robes odd? I mean you seem a bit out of place in those.”

“Nah, from what I hear they just think I’m some sort of Canterlot elite so it’s fine.”

At that moment Pinkie pie came by with a tray on her back, Drake levitated the tray off her back and onto the table.

“Alrighty! Here’s your super scrumptious sweets.”

“Thank you Pinkie Pie.”

“No problem Drakey, enjoy!” Said the pony bouncing back to the counter

The two ponies dug right in and started munching down on their food. Drake took a bite of his cupcake taking out a good chunk of it, while Cloud Walker finished off his first cupcake in one bite. Drake laughed at his friends eating habits and took a sip of his tea. Cloud Walker did the same but instead of taking a sip he chugged the whole thing, the hot liquid stinging his throat a little.

“So any reason you’re eating like a pig or do I just bring out your worst qualities?” Asked Drake

Cloud Walker said something snarky but Drake couldn’t understand it because Cloud Walkers whole second cupcake was shoved in his mouth.

“Is that a yes?”

“I said, I hardly ever get to eat any sweets, and that you bring out the worst in everypony.” Said Cloud Walker finally swallowing his food.

Drake just laughed and eventually finished his food and the two went to the counter to pay for their meal. The bubbly pink pony was still working the counter.

“How much will it be Pinkie Pie?”

“Twelve bits.”

“Alrighty.” Said Drake as he levitated twelve bits onto the counter to pay for their food.

“Thank you, also Drake I have something for you. Wait right here.”

Pinkie Pie was gone and back in the blink of an eye.

“It’s a VIP pass for you and Twilight to my Spectacularly Super-Duper Semi-annual block party, it’s the sixth one”

“I’ll be sure to get this to her, I look forward to the party Pinkie.”

“Okie dokie the party is in two weeks, bye Drake and Cloud Walker.”

“See you later pinks” Said Cloud Walker as they walked out the building

“So Drake what do you want to do now?”

“Well I need to get this to Twilight before I forget or lose it, feel free to accompany me.”

“Nah, I’m going to explore the town a bit more, catch you later Drake.”

“Catch you later Cloud Walker.”

“Reset the training room floor.” Demanded a Silver pony as she reloaded her crossbow

Three unicorns sighed in frustration at this command

“Come on Quick Silver, You’ve been at this for almost three hours now. You’re going to push so hard you’ll become useless.” Said a brown female unicorn with golden hair.

“Useless!?!? I didn’t hear about you doing anything when the changelings attacked.”

“I didn’t call you useless; I was just saying that you’re going to push yourself to hard.”

“I know my limit; now do you job and set up the training room floor.”

“Setting up the training room floor isn’t my job I'm doing it so you can work of some steam and I don’t like the tone you’re taking with me. Just because you think that it’s your fault that Shadow Stepper got injured doesn’t mean you have to take it out on us.” Said the brown pony stepping up to Quick Silver

“You don’t like the tone I’m taking to you with? You know what; I don’t feel much like hitting practice dummies anymore.” Said Quick Silver getting into the Brown ponies face.

“I’m not afraid to fight you.”

“Well then I guess we both get to have some fun now.”

The two ponies got on two opposite sides of a circular floor. The both of them staring at each other ready to fight. A group of about 10 ponies gathered in an area looking down on the fight arena.

“Oh Celestia, what has Desert Sun got herself into” Asked a khaki colored earth pony

“I don’t know but I’ve got twenty bits on Quick Silver winning this fight.” Responded a green pegasus

“Hey, let me get in on some of that action.” Shouted a pony from the back

“Alright are both of you ready” Asked a red pegasus.

They both just stared at each other.

“I’ll take that as a yes, three, two, one, hoof to hoof training begin”

The two ponies charged at each other on all fours, as they got closer Quick Silver stood on her hind legs losing sight of her target for a second, Desert Sun continued to charge at her on all fours. Quick Silver side stepped and punched at the back of Desert Sun’s head, Quick Silver’s hoof went right through Desert Sun literally. As she finished her full swing Desert Sun shimmered away, Quick Silver looked confused until a sharp pain hit her in the rib cage. She turned around to see Desert Sun standing on her hind legs, the group in the raised area looking over the fight cheered. Quick Silver swung at her only for here to roll out of her field of vision, when she turned to combat her two Desert Suns where charging her. The one closest to her she tried to block but its punch passed right through her, she got ready to hit the other one but was met with a sharp pain in her side. She turn and swung blindly and finally landed a hit on the brown pony, who feel to the ground after being struck in the face. She quickly got back up and prepared to fight.

“So you like using magic to help you fight, huh?” Asked Quick Silver

“I use my strengths to exploit weaknesses in others.”

“And my weakness is?”

“You like talking to mirages.”

Quick Silver's eyes widened as she quickly turned around to counter an incoming Desert Sun; she ducked and would have hit her stomach if she didn’t go right through her. As she went through the mirage she felt a heavy impact at the back of her head causing her to fall down.

"Also you're to easily tricked."

Desert Sun went in for another attack only to completely miss as Quick Silver rolled out of the way and got back up on her hind legs. Quick Silver went at her again searing with frustration; Desert Sun tried to dodge out of the way and create another mirage of herself but was met with a hoof to the face. She did successfully make a mirage that charged at Quick Silver, but she wasn’t fooled this time. She approached Desert Sun and hit her in the stomach as she tried to block her face, and then her face as she tried to block her stomach causing her to fall to the ground. Quick Silver stood over Desert Sun on all fours and went to stomp on her chest, as she stomped down Desert Sun rolled out of the way and got on all fours.

They both just stared at each other with fire in their eyes, both tired and full of anger. They both stood up on their hind legs, and continued to stare at each other both breathing heavily. They both started to walk towards each other with their hooves up; they were now going at each other punch for punch. Every time Quick Silver would land a punch Desert Sun would land a punch and vice versa, until Quick Silver put all of her strength into throwing one powerful hay maker to try and end the fight. Desert Sun ducked out of the way and went to hit Quick Silver square in the nose, but Quick Silver turned to her left and blocked a punch while the other Desert sun passed through her. As Quick Silver blocked the punch from the real Desert sun she knocked away her hooves and delivered a heavy hit right to the brown pony’s jaw knocking her on the ground. Desert Sun tried to get back up but was too tired and stumbled back to the ground and lost consciousness the last thing she saw was a silver pony falling to the ground with her.

A couple hours after the fight passed and a group of ponies gathered in the medical bay, as three ponies lay in there. A Dark grey pony with a light gray mane who is heavily bandaged, and the two ponies from the battle in the arena. A small group of ponies surrounded the brown pony as she lay on the bed unconscious. While a couple of nurses checked on the dark gray pony and another checked on the silver one. The door to the medical bay swung open and in walked a red pegasus.

“Hey guys, how are our patients holding up.”

“Hey Flash, the doctor diagnosed Desert Sun here with a minor concussion, and Quick Silver with sleep deprivation.” responded an orchid unicorn pony with lime green hair.

“Damn, well it was a hell of a good fight any way.”

“Good fight? I lost like thirty bits betting on Desert Sun.” Said a teal colored pegasus pony with a navy colored mane.

“Well that’s because you’re always betting on the underdog to win so you can rake in the cash.” Responded the orchid pony

“Just you watch Ivy, this strategy will pay off eventually.”

Sure it will Sky Rocket and I’ll magically grow a horn and become king of Equestria.” Said Flash

“Guys she’s starting to wake up.” Said an enthusiastic khaki colored earth pony

“Calm down Sidewinder it’s not like she was in a coma or anything.” Said Ivy

“Hey there sleepy head, how are ya feeling?” Asked Sidewinder in a light voice

“Like I just got hit in the head with a hammer.”

“Here take this, the doctor told me to give it to you when you woke up.” Said Ivy as she levitated a blue pill into Desert Sun’s mouth.

“So did I win?” Asked Desert Sun after she swallowed the pill

“No, no you didn’t but you put up a hell of a fight I’ll give you that much.” Said a voice coming from the left side of her bed.

“Looks who’s up.” Said Flash looking at Quick Silver who was now at the brown ponies bed side.

“What do you want?” Said Desert Sun weakly

“Just wanted to tell you that you put up a good fight, and I look forward to sparring with you again sometime soon. You’re a good fighter Desert Sun; you just need to train a little bit more often and not to rely on your mirages so much, and speaking of practice I’ll be in the training room if anyone needs me.” Said Quick Silver as she walked out of the room.

“Why was she in here?” Asked Desert Sun

“She just came to pay a visit to our injured friendo over there; she laid down on the spare bed for a quick second and fell right asleep, and while were on the subject of sleep you should probably get some rest, we just stopped by to make sure you were okay.” Said Flash

“Well Except for Sidewinder here, he’s been at your side since you got in here.” Added Ivy.

Desert Sun sat up fighting the pain that racked her body and gave Sidewinder a long and passionate hug.

“Thanks Sidewinder but I’m fine now, go enjoy your day.”

“Alright now you do your best to get better.” Said Sidewinder returning the hug.

“Okay.” Responded Desert Sun as she broke the embrace

The group got up and left the medical bay and started on their way to the mess hall. Ivy was staring at Sidewinder with a grin on her face, he shot her a glance and she turned her head.

“So Sidewinder, you and Desert Sun. I didn’t know you guys are together.” Said Ivy

“Were not, she’s a childhood friend of mine, she is like a sister to me and I’m like a brother to her.”

“You want to bet on that.” Responded Ivy

“Let me get in on this action!” Shouted the light blue pony

“Sky Rocket, I think you have a betting problem.” Said Flash

“Want to bet on that?” Asked Sky Rocket

Everyone just shook their heads and laughed as they entered the mess hall.