Honor, Guts, and Glory

Strength of the Moon

Luna called Twilight over to her, eyes contemplative. Twilight was interested in what she wanted her for, if anything.

“We must ask you a favor, Twilight Sparkle. If you do not mind that is.” Luna politely made eye contact with her, the gears in her mind turning quickly.

Twilight smiled. “Of course, anything you need princess Luna.”

“Could you go and intercept the warrior who saved your brother? Tell him me and my sister desire his presence at tonight's dinner. He will be a guest of honor for his selfless actions.”

Celestia nodded her head, she on the other hand, looked skeptical and suspicious.

“Yes, we would like to reward him for yesterday, and ask him how he survived such attacks without any effort. It's unheard of.”

Twilight bowed and started walking off. “I'll be right back!” Her friends waved, AppleJack followed her. She didn't want Twilight alone in a crowd this big.

Luna focused back on her sister, her face full of concern.

“Dear sister, what is worrying you?” She placed a comforting hand on Celestia's shoulder.

Celestia smirked, her eyes betrayed her worry. “That samurai. Something is odd about him. Didn't you notice yesterday, at the dinner?”

Luna gave her sister a look. “No. As you should remember, we were too busy fighting with some of the royalty to enjoy our selves at all.” Her eyes narrowed at the memory.

Celestia did not falter. “I looked around, to see if there was any nobility from the eastern lands. There were none. At all.” She looked back down at Kagatsuchi, he was exiting his ring.

Luna raised an eye brow. “And this means what, if I may ask?”

Celestia looked back to her sister. “It means he has no master. He isn't representing anyone Luna.”

Luna smirked, her entire body relaxed. “Dear sister, you worry yourself too much. Sure he might be a ronin. So what? That can't be all there is to it, for you to worry about it like this.” She knew her sister was holding back on something, and it concerned her.

Celestia frowned. “I. I guess you're right Luna. I will stop my silly worrying.” Celestia went silent, then looked back to her sister.

“Your match is up soon Lulu. Go get ready!” She playfully shoved her sister from her seat. Luna laughed.

“Tia! We must remain professional in public.” Despite her lecturing, Luna pushed her sister back and flew off to prepare herself.

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Twilight and AppleJack waited outside the preparation rooms, watching for Kagatsuchi. After a few minutes, they spotted his form, armor and weapons still equipped.

Twilight nodded to AJ, AJ's mouth tightened. “Hey Kagatsuchi!” Twilight and AJ waved towards him.

He looked in their direction, and walked toward them. Each step carried him forward at an alarming pace, one they did not expect from him.

“Anything I can do for you two?” He asked, his posture straight and strong. His right hand rested on top of the blades he wore at his side.

Twilight smiled. “Yes. We have a message from the princesses, they have requested your presence tonight at the castle, for dinner.”

AJ nodded. “Ya can't say no this time.”

Kagatsuchi smirked, and crossed his arms. “Strange for them to ask for my presence. I haven't done much of anything.”

AJ laughed. “You saved their Captain of the Guard, and friend, from death. That aint nuthin if ya ask me. “ Twilight nodded in agreement.

Kagatsuchi looked at the two of them, before laughing. “Which Princess asked for my presence?”

“Both of them did sir. You can't refuse two princesses!” Answered Twilight, a friendly smile still on her face.

He looked out into the crowd, before turning back to answer. “It would be an honor to dine in their presence. Tell them I will be there early.” He relaxed his pose, arms now at his side.

“Glad ya decided to show. Don know how they would take a refusal without a good reason.” AJ relaxed and let herself smile. For some reason, he felt more genuine today.

Twilight laughed. “I agree. We will tell them the good news, I'm sure they will be happy to hear you can make it.”

Kagatsuchi bowed. “It's an honor. The Princess of the Night fights soon does she not?”

Both of the girls eyes widened. “Gosh darn it! We better get back to our seats Twi.” AJ turned on her heels, and began walking back. Twilight said goodbye to Kagatsuchi, and followed after AppleJack.

Twilight approached the princess, and AppleJack sat back down in her seat.

“Kagatsuchi has accepted the invitation, your highness. He said he would show up early.” Twilight gave a short bow, and looked into her mentors eyes.

Celestia smiled back at her student. “Wonderful. I'm sure Luna will be pleased.” She reached out and ruffled Twilight's hair affectionately.

“I sure hope so! It will be interesting.” Twilight went back to her seat, and started socializing with her friends.

Celestia smile turned apprehensive, 'Oh. Yes. It shall be interesting indeed.'

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Luna calmly waited for the announcer to admit the fighters into their rings. She inspected her weapons and armor, making sure they were all on right. Luna took a practice swing of her beautifully crafted sword, she was to fight a Minotaur warrior for her first round. Her thoughts drifted to Kagutsuchi's fight, and how it awed the crowds. 'We will not be bested by some Eastern warrior. We will give our people a taste of how much strength we possess.'

Luna shot straight out of her thoughts, awoken by the announcement for the fighters to enter the ring.

___________________________________________________________________________________

“There she is, in the most visible ring of course.” Commented Celestia to the Elements of Harmony and the kids, giggling to herself.

All eleven of them cheered for her as loud as they could, until they were forced to calm down so the tournament could continue.

“Ready for some Actioooooon!” The announcers voice echoed through the stadium, everyone's cheers shook it's walls.

Luna analyzed her opponent, large and powerful. Proud, and unafraid, he would charge forward and go at it with everything he had. That was what Minotaur warriors were known for, absence of fear and enormous amounts of power. He held a large great sword, she could tell he knew how to use it by the way he handled it so effortlessly.

The Overseer looked back and forth between them asking if they were ready to start. Both nodded their heads yes, and took their stances.

Once the bell tolled, Luna charged forward to meet the Minotaur in the middle. Their swords met, sparks flew in all directions. The Minotaur pushed with all his strength, and it looked as if he would best the Princess of the Night.

Luna smirked at him, and applied a burst of power that spun the Minotaur around, and made him fall over onto his side. The crowd gasped, all eyes were on her and the Minotaur, despite all the other matches going on in the stadium.

Charger, whom was the Minotaur Luna had taken down, stood up angrily. He had heard about her incredible strength and skill, and in this moment he knew he would not win.

But if he was going to go down, he would go down with honor.

He jumped up into the air, and came back down with a crushing blow. Luna dodged to the left, his sword smashed the area she had filled moments before. She kneed him straight in the face, blood flew out of his mouth. He saw red and started swinging his sword about in a crazy manner, trying his best to hurt the Princess before him. A few connected with her sword, surprising her.

Luna had had enough, and simply stepped forward underneath one of his swings, and smashed his jaw with the pommel of her sword. He collapsed to his knees, his arm still swung this way and that, until Luna side kicked him onto his back. He was out cold.

Luna smirked 'This should send the message.'

Celestia laughed, clapped, and cheered, along with the others. Her sister hadn't lost much of her power. Perhaps, she had even gained more through her terrible experiences. The Minotaur she fought was one of the stronger competitors, who had the terrible luck to get stuck with her right off the bat.

Luna had took it easy on him, but she made sure she did it in a way to let him go down in honor. Now that was true strength.

Rainbow flew into the air yelling in excitement. “I had no idea Luna was so awesome! Well. I knew she was awesome, but not awesome like this!” She pumped her fists wildly. Even Flutter shy let out a small smile. Though she couldn't help but wonder if that Minotaur would be okay.

“Ah have ta say. I am mighty impressed with how Luna handled that guy. I had no idea she was so strong.”Aj upper cutted the air in front of her absentmindedly.

Twilight stayed silent, still shocked with Luna's power. She hadn't even used magic during her match. Twilight realized all she knew about combat, was meager compared to her mentors.

“Twilight dear, is something wrong?” Rarity waved her hoof in front of her friends face,  her smirk barely contained her excitement.

“Oh. No not at all! I was just. Admiring Luna's ability.”

Rarity giggled “I understand Twilight. I was shocked such a graceful lady could possess such barbaric strength.” Rarity dramatized every word and action.

RD and AJ rolled their eyes at Rarity, Apple Jack quickly turned her attention back to the princess. “Anymore interesting fights happenin today?” Inquired AJ. To which Princess Celestia shook her head.

“The first day doesn't contain as many matches as the rest. We have a few more to go. No more big names or people you know are going to fight today. But you are welcome to stay.” Her smile radiated warmth.

“We don't have anything else to do. Might as well.” Rainbow Dash slid back into her chair, eager for the next matches to start.

The rest of them voiced their agreement, and got comfortable.

Luna exited the preparation room, her first match had been successful. Every pony was looking at her with a different sort of respect now, and it felt great. She proudly marched onward, the crowd parting for her.

As Luna made her way back to her seat, she spotted Kagatsuchi buying some refreshments, and was tempted to get an idea of what kind of person he was.

But that could wait until later, no matter how tempting it was. She took off,  Celestia and the others congratulated her on a job well done once she got back. Luna felt embarrassed by all the praise.

"Please, it was not a big deal. We did our best is all."

Celestia rolled her eyes. "Whatever Luna. Let's pay attention to the rest of these matches like responsible adults."

This caused their guests to giggle, they had never seen the princesses act like this.

It was eye opening, to say the least.