Author's Note

Written for a Q&S Panic contest with the prompt 'Vintage Hammer'.

Test Of Strength

"The fabled quake hammer. Said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, it's mighty power was kept safe in the restricted section of the Canterlot Archives… UNTIL NOW!"

Many ponies stared confused at the purple unicorn holding what looked to be a rusty, yet very large hammer. It was carved with runes and covered in vines. Catching on to the attention she was attracting, Twilight laughed sheepishly and bolted as fast as she could. Catching sight of Pinkie and Rainbow playing the ring toss, she quickly set course for her friends.

"What!? I totally landed that! This game is rigged!" shouted Rainbow angrily as Twilight neared. Pinkie was giggling and was somehow cooking an omelette with an oven in the middle of the fair. Deciding not to question it she strolled over to Rainbow.

"Hey Rainbow, what are you up to?"

"Oh, nothing just getting scammed by dumb… carnival… okay what the heck is that?"

Twilight grinned with glee at Rainbow's question. "It's the fabled quake hammer. Said to–"

"Yeah yeah yeah, get on with it, why are you carrying that around."

Pushing away her annoyance at Rainbow's ignorance for history, Twilight donned a devilish smile. "I'm carrying it because this is the year I finally beat you at the strength test!"

Upon hearing this, Rainbow broke into laughter, rolling on the ground and ruffling her fur with grass. Twilight stared annoyed at Rainbow waiting for her to finish.

"Ha! Ha. Oh, you sure are a practical joker Twi!"

"I'm not joking!" Twilight screeched.

"Wait, really? Alright then. Let's get this over with."

As they walked over to the strength test, everypony else who was there backed out of the way, fully aware of the friendly rivalry between the two that had been going on for years.

This is it Twilight, you're going to win! The year of reckoning for one Rainbow Dash has finally come and I shall be the champion!

"Alright, your turn Twi," said Rainbow, backing away. Twilight shook her head, breaking away from her fantasies and looked at the high number Rainbow had scored.

Walking up to the podium of power, Twilight mustered up as much muscle in her magic as she could and swung.

Immediately upon impact, the quake hammer, said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, broke off. The power slider went up very slightly before dropping back down.

Twilight stared at the broken hammer in frustration with only one thought on her mind.

Stupid vintage artifacts...