“Svele in ze morning?”

Velvet looked up at her father as a sprite delivered her plate.

“For our guests.” Stronghoof raised a hoof to Arizona.

“I’ve heard that ‘pancakes’ are a customary prairie breakfast, is that right?”

“They’re a special treat!” Arizona smiled as the food was delivered, still overwhelmed by the service. “Ya didn’t have to, but thank ya kindly!”

“It is my pleasure.” Stronghoof summoned some strange small ice tools to cut the svele as Arizona, Paprika, and Shanty dove in.

Of their guests, only Sofrito attempted to use the silverware that had been set for them.

“This is great!” Paprika spoke between bites. “Reindeer can really cook!”

“Actually, the sprites did the cooking.” Stronghoof corrected.

Velvet scowled at their table manners, but her eyes widened as Arizona chugged down a mug of milk.

“Ah, just like home.” Arizona went back to the svele.

“You are a cow, but you drink milk?” Velvet tried to hide her distaste.

“Yeah, all the time. Why?” Arizona reached for another mug.

“But doesn’t it come out of you?” Velvet recoiled as Arizona spit her drink out.

“It’s not my milk, and ah’m too young for that!” Arizona blushed.

“Apologies.” Velvet took a breath. “Didn’t realize it vas a sensitive topic. But… you know who ze milk comes from most of ze time, yes?”

“Yeah, from my ma, mostly.”

Velvet covered her mouth with a gag as Arizona leaned in.

“An’ what’s wrong with that? It’s more natural than some deer drinkin’ cow milk!”

“Vell, we don’t usually know who ze milk is coming from, and ve certainly aren’t related. It is very strange!”

“But yer eatin’ with those icy things!” Arizona pointed to her utensils.

“These didn’t come out of me, and we only eat shaved ice!”

“Shaved what now?”

“Fancy ting dem deer do,” Shanty explained, “make some thin ice an pour syrup on it. It’s a treat.”

“I’ll have the sprites prepare some for you.” Stronghoof wiped his mouth and stood up from the table, “it’s very popular in our warmer holdings. But I must go now; I have business to attend to.”

“Thank ya again!” Arizona wiped her mouth.

Paprika was too busy enjoying a pancake to answer.

Sofrito bowed his neck. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You are always welcome. The tournament will begin at three in the afternoon, and contestants must gather by two. Listen for the town bell at one to announce it.”

“See you at two!” Paprika stuffed her face with one last pancake and zoomed off.

Shanty’s quick eating eventually slowed down at the abundance of food.

Dem just keep bring more! Mi could get used to dis champion ting, but haffi stay sharp an get di salt!

As she was considering stepping away to go train, Sofrito leaned to her side.

“Do you mind if I ask a question on the isles?”

“Sure.” Shanty shrugged.

“Do you know of any fertile, unoccupied islands?” Sofrito’s formal tone was not matched by Shanty’s reply.

“There’s nuffa dem deh. Neva pay much attention to dem.”

Sofrito took a moment to work out what she said. “Do you know of the leaders of any Goantani tribe who I should speak to about settling one?

“Wi nuh so formal. Nobady nah go care if yuh set up on a random island.” Shanty waved a hoof and narrowed her eyes with a smirk. “Haffi watch out fi pirates, though—especially di Goatani Greats!"

Velvet hid her reaction.

Well, they didn’t pick her for her subtlety.

Sofrito’s eyes widened. “Are they dangerous?”

“Eh,” Shanty shrugged again. “Not if yah pay dem off. Just nuh cross dem.”

Arizona slammed a hoof on the table. “I’d rather fight ‘em. No good bandits!”

“I like yuh spirit!” Shanty smirked. “Let’s see if yuh can back it up.”

“Don’t vorry about zhem,” Velvet cut in, “Reine has a navy hunting zhose miscreants.”

“Ha!” Shanty got a look from Velvet. “Nodady can beat di Greats on di isles, but yuh welcome fi try!”

“I just might.” Velvet turned her nose up. “After I get the key and save the world, that is.”

“Not if ah beat ya to it!” Arizona and Velvet leaned in for another stare, but it was cut short by Sofrito asking Arizona a question.

“Would you mind telling me of the prairie? Do you think my tribe could live there?”

“It’s kinda like the high plains, I reckon.” Arizona tapped a hoof in thought. “But with more sun, heat, and less cliffs. Grass gets pretty sparse though, so we gotta move around all the time, but y’all are used to that. But you should talk to mah pa, Texas! He’s the Head Bull of the biggest herd around, an’ everyone listens to him.”

“Ah, so your tribe’s leader is your father.” Sofrito nodded. “I did not realize that we shared that in common.”

“Yeah, he’s a big deal.” Arizona smiled.

With breakfast done, the champions were about to go their separate ways when Paprika appeared in front of Shanty.

“Surprise! Your present is done!”

Paprika shoved a sweater in Shanty’s face as she recoiled.

“Wha?” Shanty glanced from it to her, noting that it matched her bandana.

“She said it’s a gift.” Arizona translated and tapped her earmuffs and sweater. “She made them for me, too.”

Why does hers get dye?

“Uh…” For the first time in a while, Shanty wasn’t sure how to react. “Why?”

“Because you’re cold, silly!”

“‘Cause it’s cold.” Arizona spoke for Paprika.

Shanty blinked.

Why she just give it to mi? We nuh even know each odda! But it is cold…”

“Thanks, den!” Shanty took it and put it on as Paprika buttoned it without being asked.

“Is it warm?”

“Cozy.” Shanty guessed with her response.

Can mi even call dis plunder? Bah, she just crazy.

Vixen threw another snowball and watched Dasher leave the circle again as he dodged it.

“Sorry! Ready again!” He stepped back in.

“Boo!” Vixen poked her head forward, spooking him to jump out of bounds as she shook her head. “You’ll never beat Velvet if you give up space zat easily.”

“Sorry.” Dasher's ears fell back. “I'm just nervous.”

“Clearly.” Vixen put a hoof on his shoulder. “We need to build you some confidence.”

“But it's Velvet! And I'm just—”

Vixen pulled the younger deer into a hug.

“You're one of the Elite, and ze sprites saw so much potential that zhey picked you as a little fawn; you're not ‘just’ anything.”

“Thank you, I needed that.” He hugged her back with some of the tension leaving his body. “But she's beaten all of us, and I was lucky to beat Comet.”

“You veren’t lucky.” Vixen narrowed her eyes.“You trained and improved while she got overconfident. I won't stand for you downplaying yourself like zhis.”

“But—”

Dasher went cross eyed as Vixen put a hoof over his mouth.

“No buts! Repeat after me: I am Dasher, I am an Elite, and I am going to show it!”

“I am Dasher, I am an elite, and I am going to show it!”

“Better.” Vixen smiled. “Remember that no one is unbeatable, not even Velvet. Do you know how I managed to beat her once?”

“Because you’re incredible.”

Vixen snickered at his response. “Because I believed I could, even after losing many times.”

“I don't like my odds, though.” He looked down.

Vixen sighed. “It is possible that you vill lose; it is impossible that you must lose. I believe zat if you believe in yourself and do your best, you vill make a good showing.”

Dasher paused in thought before smiling.

“That's enough for me, then.” He surprised her with another hug. “Thanks, Vixen.”

“You're always velcome.”

Donner and Blitzen locked horns and dug their hooves in as each tried to shove the other back.

Blitzen pushed forward, but lost his footing as Donner twisted his neck and flipped him on his side.

“Good round.” Donner immediately offered a hoof. “Ready for a break?”

“Sure.” Blitzen waved Thundra to fetch more water as they both sat, panting.

Donner broke the silence as Blitzen drank from his ice cup. “So, excited for your next round?”

“The newest against the first.” Blitzen scoffed. “Hardly a fair fight. I was hoping for a rematch with Paprika before that questionable display.”

“She must have different priorities, but the other was good for a beginner.” Donner paused for a drink. “But you have more to think about today. Fighting Cupid will be an introduction to him, of a sort.”

“Indeed.” Blitzen got up and started stretching. “I must show him why I am the leader.”

“Just don’t forget that there’s more to leadership than strength.” Donner stood. “He’s more of a Prancer than a Vixen; he will need our encouragement and support.”

“Fair enough.” Blitzen took his place again. “Then I’ll look for what I can help Cupid improve on in our match. Ready?”

“On three!”

Dancer sped forward on her skates, racing around an empty clearing.

She jumped and spun in a bladed kick, landing and backing up on her hindlegs as her forehooves threw a pair of blades.

Still not fast enough!

“Bravo! Bravo!” Velvet stomped her hoof in applause.

Dancer nearly tripped. “Oh, uh, hi! Wasn't expecting an audience.”

“Vell, I couldn't resist a private performance.” Velvet seamlessly skated over to her. “And I thought you'd like a training partner.”

“Well, I kind of came here to be alone…” Dancer glanced away before looking up to her. “But what did you have in mind?”

“Don't be nervous!” Velvet conjured seats of ice for both of them. “You've improved with your ice magic with that stunt yesterday, and I thought I could share a few tricks.”

Dancer hesitated before taking her seat. “I’d appreciate it, but you've never trained with me before.”

“You never asked.” Velvet smiled. “I'm always happy to have more training partners—maybe ask your brother and that new deer if they'd be interested.”

“Oh.” Dancer blinked. “So everyone except—”

“Yes.” Velvet's eyes narrowed briefly. “Everyone except him.”

Velvet cleared her throat and regained her friendly voice. “But I'm not here to ruffle your floof before the tournament. We can just drill on some new techniques, and in exchange, maybe you can give me a skating lesson.”

“Ah,” Dancer tried to sound casual with a chuckle. “So there is a catch.”

“Training partners help each other, nothing unusual.” Velvet got up as her seat vanished. “Everyone knows you're the best skater in Reine, and I'd like to improve on that to face my rival… But if you stop her with my advice, I still vin!”

That got a genuine laugh from Dancer as she stood. “Fair enough. I'll just ask that you go easy on my brother after—well, after the match.”

“Of course! I don't bite.” Velvet leaned in as Dancer’s eyes widened. “Outside of ze ring, at least. Besides, Vixen would kill me.”

“She told me I should talk to you.” A faint smile formed on Dancer’s muzzle. “Wish I'd done it sooner.”

“Any time!”

“Aaah!”

Cupid fell flat on the snow after another flying attempt.

“Good try.” Prancer helped him up. “I think we should start with simpler wind magic, though.”

“Yeah, it's a really advanced technique.” Comet sounded a bit too proud of herself as Prancer stared. “Happy to share my expertise, though.”

Cupid stood and shook snow off. “Never had a knack for ice or wind.”

He jumped as Paprika poked her head out of a snow pile.

“Aw, I'm sure you'll figure it out!” Her fur poofed and sent the snow everywhere. “But why not work on what you're good at?”

“When did you…” Comet blinked as she tried to think of when Paprika could have possibly gotten in there unnoticed.

“Oh, ah.” Cupid took a step back. “I guess that makes sense. Good to see you again.”

“I wanted to make sure my friend was ready!” She bounced in place. “I'd love to help you train!”

Prancer stepped up to her. “Paprika, isn't it? I'm curious what training you'd recommend.”

“Well, we could practice flips!” Paprika jumped back, pushed off the ground with her forehooves, and landed on all fours.

Cupid smiled and copied the backflip.

“That's pretty good!” Comet tried to copy it and caught her antlers on the ground, landing on her face.

“Don't feel bad.” Prancer picked her up as she groaned. “That looks pretty advanced.”

The others chuckled as Comet stared.

“Well, I would be happy to share my expertise.” Cupid chuckled and turned from Comet to Paprika. “Any other ideas?”

“Well, you're a good hugger!” She held out her arms, and after some hesitation he gave in and hugged her as Prancer and Comet shared a look.

But to his surprise her grip tightened painfully before releasing.

“Oh! Sorry, I thought we were practicing.” Paprika lowered her head.

“It's fine.” He rubbed his side. “Didn’t think your grip was that tight.”

“Oh, that was just a warm-up.” Paprika blew a raspberry and picked up a training log from the sleigh. “Watch this!”

The deer looked puzzled as she hugged it, jumped as they heard a crack, and winced as splinters flew and it snapped in two.

“Now you try!” Paprika shoved a log to Cupid as his mouth hung open.

“Uh… Maybe something softer first?”

“Great idea!” Paprika gasped and pulled him onto a hug again.

Comet tested summoning a snow veil and jumping back as Cupid practiced his grappling.

“Work on what you’re good at, eh? I’ve got an idea.”

With her new sweater making the cold more bearable, Shanty went for a run along the wall to warm up.

Bein’ a champion has some nice perks, fi sure. But mi haffi stay focused! Haffi get di key!

Shanty chuckled to herself as she shifted to running on the wall.

Hah! Guess that's di idea of a champion anyway. Just haffi memba who's really on mi side. Bravura will make me her new first mate - nay - Captain after dis! Mi a go hit di big time and show her I'm a real pirate! But fi now, haffi focus pon dat prize salt.

She stopped to wave at a plump deer looking to the wall through a window, who dropped her ice ice cream cone.

Ha! Mi can sneak roun and nuh even worry ‘bout being caught!

She decided to scamper up on the ramparts to look out on the city, and peeked over to see a pair of guards.

She crept up behind them and breathed in for an Aye!, but stopped as one started talking.

“How is she not tired yet?”

“Don't know, just glad she's not breaking the ground in our streets.”

“Who's breaking ground?” Shanty ran between them to peer out as they both jumped to the side.

“I-you’re not supposed to be here!” The first guard tried to regain composure.

“Yeah, yeah.” Shanty waved a hoof. “It's too easy fi sneak past ya. But who yuh a look pont?”

“Her.” The other guard pointed to Arizona stomping in the distance.

“Thanks!” Shanty scampered down the wall.

After a pause, the first guard asked, “Why do we even have a wall?”

Shanty arrived to find Arizona retying her lasso after checking it and comparing ropes laid on a rock.

The goat snuck up on her out of habit and peered over.

“Honda knot, eh?”

Arizona startled and dropped the rope end she had in her mouth.

“Oh, it's you. I can talk later, but ah need to get this ready and get back to practicing.”

“Lemme see it.” Shanty scooted the rope over and had it in a perfect lasso in seconds. “Deh yuh go!”

Arizona leaned in to inspect it. “Color me impressed! Didn't think you'd know your knots.”

“Bah!” Shanty scowled. “Goats dem di best at it! Yuh haffi know dem fi be a real sailor—lemme show ya!”

Before Arizona could protest, she had the lasso undone and was retying something else.

“Now dis is a netting knot, great for hammocks!”

“Bowline!”

“Sheet Bend!”

“Clove hitch!”

“This Pirate-…Rope-…Ah-……Thingamajig!”

“Golly, you weren't kidding!” Arizona couldn't take her eyes away as Shanty showed off every knot she knew and many she didn't.

“Aaand Honda knot!” Shanty finished by retying the lasso and setting it by her.

Arizona stomped a hoof in applause. “That's mighty impressive! But can ya do this?”

Arizona grabbed the rope and spun it in a stationary loop in the air before jumping through it as she sent it left and right.

“Fancy trick!” Shanty smiled as she watched. “Mine’s more practical, though.”

Before she realized what was happening, Arizona had the lasso roped around her neck.

“You were sayin’?”

“Alright den, we call it even.” Shanty pulled the rope off her head.

“Deal.” Arizona looped the rope and put it back in her saddlebag.

“Cattlekind mostly use rope to pull our covered wagons, everything you'd need for home on wheels! The tricks are just fun.”

Shanty folded her forehooves and leaned on the rock. “Sounds like a ship on wheels. Guess you don't have much water.”

“That we don't.” Arizona chuckled. “But you shoulda seen our last river crossing though—Pa near lost a whole wagon aiming for a shortcut! Makes me miss my folks, been away awhile.”

Arizona gave a wistful look to nothing in particular before snapping out of it.

“So, what about your folks? What's it like on the islands?”

“Oh!” Shanty scrambled for something to say, hiding an old hurt behind a smile. “Pretty much di same, we sail anyweh we want on ships. Sometimes we jus chill pon di beach, though.”

In her head, Shanty replayed rare memories of one on one time with Bravura.

“Mi Mama taught me how fi fight deh.”

“My Pa taught me everything I know, least about adventuring and fighting.” Arizona smiled. “Guess we've got a lot in common! If you're ever in the prairie, look for Texas’s herd and tell ‘em Arizona sent ya!”

“Guess we do.” Shanty’s smile faltered for a blink before she put the mask back on. “Mi family sails around a lot though, probably hard fi find dem.”

The fighters met again when the bell rang, with the other contestants invited to attend.

Comet and Prancer were giving Cupid some last pointers when Blitzen approached and cleared his throat.

“Regardless of how our match goes, I am honored to welcome you to the Elite. We must train together when this is over.”

“The honor is mine.” Cupid tried to compose himself. “Grew up watching ‘The Blitz’ break record after record as a fawn.”

“Hmph!” Blitzen grinned. “Be careful with nicknames, Cup, or they might stick.”

Velvet and Vixen met in the back, watching the Elite twins converse from a distance.

“So how did he do?” Velvet asked.

“He's improved.” Vixen turned to her. “But he has confidence issues. He's not ready for your snark, if you can hold back.”

“Zhen I vill not use zat weapon.” Velvet smirked. “I’ll just have to make do with my unstoppable Winter Magic.”

“How humble of you.” Vixen rolled her eyes.

“Vell, I have done some mentoring of my own.”

“Oh?” Vixen raised an eyebrow.

“I met up with Dancer and showed her a few things. Nice girl, but shy.”

“You have zat effect on others.” Vixen returned Velvet's stare. “But I'm proud of you for reaching out!”

Vixen narrowed her eyes with a grin. “Or vas zat about getting her to knock out your rival so you don't have to?”

“Hmph!” Velvet huffed. “I'm getting my rematch no matter what, but I did pick up something to beat her in ze deal.”

Paprika walked in with Sofrito. “So how was your nap?”

The younger alpaca yawned, but the long days of travel were gone from his eyes. “Lovely. I needed that.”

Cupid broke off from the group to meet them. “Hey, if you don't mind, could we do the breathing exercises again?”

Sofrito blinked before nodding. “Of course. Sit with me.”

Paprika didn't last long with them breathing deep with their eyes closed, but Dasher and Dancer decided to join them in Sofrito’s instruction.

“Breathe in… Breathe out.”

“How are you doing?” Paprika walked up to Arizona doing stretches. “Haven't seen you much today.”

“I'm fine, just trainin’ mostly.” Arizona returned a hug from Paprika. “Once this wraps up, we can check more stuff off your list.”

“Just being with my friends is enough.” Paprika pulled her closer.

“Reindeer, Sprites, and all visitors to our fair city, welcome to the second day of the First Reine Tournament of Champions!” Stronghoof announced as the bracket schedule was revealed.

Dancer
(M1) Vs.
Arizona

Dasher
(M4) Vs.
Velvet

Cupid
(M2) Vs.
Blitzen

Stronghoof
(M3) Vs.
Shanty

“Eight warriors have made it to the second round: three Champions, four of the Elite 8, and of course, your Jarl!”

He let the crowd cheer before continuing.

“And for the first match of the day, I call Dancer of the Elite 8 and Arizona, Champion of the Prairie!”

“Good luck.” Dasher shared a smile with his sister and nodded to Arizona. “Both of you.”

Arizona clearly saw Dancer’s unease as she skated up.

Arizona bowed. “However this goes, we’re still friends.”

Dancer bowed with a small smile. “Right.”

In the stands, Dasher leaned forward with his forehooves over the booth wall.

Donner joined him there. “So, who are you rooting for?”

Dasher’s ears fell. “Just want them both to do well. Worried about Dance.”

“That’s fair.” Donner patted him on the back. “She didn’t get to round two on luck, though. Have some faith.”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Arizona opened with a quick one-hoof stomp, expecting Dancer to retreat as she’d done before, but, instead, she jumped and scored a spinning jump kick on her head.

“Yeowch!”

Arizona raised one forehoof too late to block on instinct, and, as she recovered, Dancer blew on her other forehoof, freezing it to the ground as Arizona tried to pull it loose.

“Come on! Just—”

Dancer reared up and stomped with both hooves, nearly matching Arizona’s form.

But instead of shaking the ground, a pillar of ice burst from it and sent Arizona flying.

Dancer immediately threw a pair of ice blades and both hit, sending Arizona into a tumble before hitting the ground hard on the other side of the arena.

“Good form!” Velvet shouted from the booth.

When Arizona recovered, she saw Dancer breathing frost on the ground as her horns dimmed, covering most of the area in ice.

Arizona raised a hoof to stomp, but was forced to block a flying blade instead as Prancer skated backwards on her hind legs.

Arizona narrowed her eyes. “Bring it on!”

“My pleasure.” Dancer smiled back and threw another blade, which Arizona broke with a headbuck.

Dancer spun into a pirouette, flinging a hail of ice blades at Arizona. She dodged the first and blocked the next two with hoof and horn, but took four direct hits as she spun and threw them faster and faster.

Prancer sure made it look easy. Got to get rid of that ice!

Arizona forced herself up to continue blocking, and finally seized an opening and stomped with one hoof while deflecting a blade with her horns, cracking the receding ice.

But moments later, she had to dodge a spinning blade curving through the air following a fast direct one. Dancer used the time to breathe on the ground again as she skated, renewing the ice rink.

Arizona noted that she was battered and breathing heavily while Dancer’s horns had their color again.

This ain't working, I can't take much more of this!

Remembering one of her dad’s favorite moves, Arizona went back to blocking patiently, advancing as the ice receded and waiting for Dancer to renew it.

Arizona blocked with a headbuck, a stomp, another horn slice, and a punch, but flinched as a curving blade burst on her side with two more hitting while her guard was down before ducking the next one.

Her opening finally came as Dancer threw a curving blade to cover her frost breath.

Arizona stomped and twisted her hooves, pushing the ground as a pillar of rock stabbed out of and shattered the blade on the way up.

Not near as big as Pa's, and it won't last forever, but that's somethin’.

Dancer looked up from renewing the ice with wide eyes.

“Didn't think you could do that, smart!”

“Ah still have some tricks in the bag!” Arizona called back as she hid behind the narrow pillar, trying to think of something else and noting that it barely covered her.

Her reprieve didn't last long as a curving blade nearly blindsided her before she ducked.

I'm harder to hit here, but I also can't see what she's up to. If I stomp this pillar’s goin’ down, then I'm toast if she jumps in!

Dancer started to circle the pillar, speeding up and getting closer as her blades got harder and harder to dodge and another hit home.

With the ice finally ringing the pillar, Arizona made a desperate plan.

Hope this works!

She kicked off the ground and slid into the ice backwards, barely staying on her hooves with her one day of skating practice.

Dancer mistook it as a miss and pivoted to charge her.

“You should have stay—”

Her eyes widened as Arizona’s lasso shot out, and she barely had time to feel relieved on it missing before it clotheslined her from the side and looped around the rock pillar.

Arizona yanked the rope to send herself hurtling toward Dancer, and she sent her skidding across the ice with a sliding headbuck.

As soon as Arizona was back on steady ground, she reared up and slammed the ground with all her might.

“EEEYAAH!”

The shockwave flung Dancer high in the air as the audience bounced from their seats, and all the ice on the ground shattered alongside the pillar.

Arizona took a moment to recover her lasso as Dancer crashed, giving her time to get up as Arizona dashed forward.

Dancer jumped back to dodge a jab, leaving a trail of ice that Arizona slipped on in her pursuit, followed by Dancer tripping her with a sliding kick to her forelegs.

“Ach!

Dancer started to skate backward on her hindlegs, but, as she moved a foreleg to throw an ice blade, Arizona's lasso closed around it.

“Uhhagh!”

Dancer was yanked toward her opponent, sped up by her own ice slick before a lariat from Arizona's horns slammed her to the ground.

Dancer’s head spun until her vision cleared to see Arizona pinning her with a hoof.

Dancer tapped out.

“And our first winner is, Arizona!” Stronghoof called.

Both contestants were battered and bruised as Arizona helped her up.

“Great work out there! Ya almost got me.”

“Thanks.” Dancer winced and put a hoof to her head. “Yowch, you hit hard!”

“Heh, you should see my pa.”

Dasher was the first to greet them, moving to let his sister lean against him on the way to her seat.

“You were incredible, both of you!”

“Of course zhey vere.” Velvet walked up. “My student and my rival.”

“Student?” Arizona tilted her head as Dancer smiled..

“I showed her some things.” Velvet grinned at her. “Easy to teach someone with so much talent.”

“Thanks.” Dancer blushed.

“A glorious showing from Dancer, and a battle worthy of a champion!”

Stronghoof played up the crowd.

“And now for our second match, I call Cupid and Blitzen of the Elite Eight!”

Blitzen bowed. “Let’s give them a show worthy of the Elite!”

Cupid bowed. “I’ll do my best.”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Blitzen lunged with a boost of wind, catching Cupid as he tried to jump back.

Cupid locked horns defensively, but lost control as Blitzen forced him off balance with a twist of his head and threw him to the ground.

A veil of snow swirled around him as Blitzen turned and charged, and Blitzen’s antlers scraped the empty ground as it cleared.

Blitzen jumped back, but it was too late as a glowing snowball burst on him, slowing him with a chill.

“Clever.” Blitzen parried another snowball with frozen antlers. “But I didn’t come for a snowball fight!”

Blitzen rushed forward with ice extending his already large antlers.

Cupid backflipped and summoned a wave of snow from the sky, but the extra reach clipped him and sent him spinning as the snow stopped Blitzen’s momentum.

Blitzen shook it off, leaving a pile of snow around him as he lowered his antlers to block again, but Cupid used the time to move away and left more snow behind him.

“Your chill has already worn off, and I am unscathed.” Blitzen stared him down. “Don’t let me win on time.”

“I promised my best, and I’ll give it!” Cupid bowed and vanished behind another snow veil.

Blitzen readied himself to parry a snowball and dash, looking for which side Cupid dashed to, but Cupid appeared in front of him. Before he could react, Cupid squeezed him with a frigid grab.

“Let's dance!”

Chilled to the bone, Blitzen tried to push against him, but he was released, spinning on newly created ice, and he slipped and fell flat on his chest.

Cupid waved to the crowd as his horns shone and snow piled thick on the stage.

“Enough of this nonsense!”

Blitzen was furious, charging as Cupid spun to lock horns.

Cupid spun and started lowering his antlers to block Blitzen's charge, but Blitzen slid on a sudden sheet of ice to hit his exposed floof under them.

Blitzen flung Cupid into the air with a double back kick, sending him tumbling into a mound of snow that partly cushioned his fall.

Blitzen glared into his eyes as he pushed forward. “Take the fight seriously, or you'll end up like the Alpaca.”

Blitzen rushed forward again, and this time Cupid managed to lock horns after struggling to get up.

“I trained hard for this.” Cupid’s back neared the wall as he struggled to avoid being flipped. “Trying to impress you. She taught me the value of a distraction.”

“Dis—” Blitzen's eyes widened as Cupid let himself be backed into the corner, suddenly spotting an enormous snowball rolling at him from the side.

Blitzen broke the antler lock by shoving Cupid and pulling back, jumping out of the way, but he was caught and slowed by Cupid’s frost breath.

Cupid pushed the snowball with his glowing horns as it turned, speeding up and growing as he chased Blitzen down.

The snowball engulfed Blitzen completely, and Cupid let it roll across the field.

Cupid smiled and trotted behind it as it continued to grow. “And Vetr showed me the power of teamwork. Thanks, Aphrodite!”

“Thanks for giving me a role!”

Cupid and his sprite exchanged a high five as his horns glowed and the snowball slowed.

“And now for the big reveal!”

The snowball exploded into mist as he tapped it with a hoof, leaving a surprised Blitzen statue falling to the ground from standing on his hind legs, frozen solid and wobbling on the ground..

Cupid stood him up with a hoof around his neck to stabilize him and try to make the pose look natural, and waved to the crowd before turning to look him in the eyes. “Hope I made a good first impression.”

Blitzen almost tipped over again as Cupid hastily steadied him with a hoof.

“And the winner is Cupid!” Stronghoof called as Sprites loaded Blitzen onto a sled on his back. “What a remarkable first showing as an Elite!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and hoof taps as Cupid bowed and pulled the sled to the booth.

Velvet cackled as they entered. “You're quite beautiful, vhen you're not moving.”

Vixen sighed. “Vas zat really necessary?”

“Yes.” Velvet giggled.

Paprika had Cupid in a too-tight hug the moment he detached the harness.

“Ooh, your timing was perfect! I loved your show!”

“Couldn't have done it without you.” He hugged back, resigning himself to being stuck. “But from what I saw in training, you should have won.”

“I did win!” Paprika said. “I had fun and made a great friend!”

Cupid blushed as Donner, Prancer, and Comet approached.

“Great work!” Donner said. “Not many deer can lock horns with Blitzen for so long.”

“Prancer taught me.” Cupid looked at him as Donner smiled.

“Well, then he taught you well.”

“Just passing it on.” Prancer rubbed a leg and glanced away.

“Love your magic!” Comet leaned in. “Super creative! We have got to talk sometime—maybe work out some new techniques.”

“I have a lot of old ones to learn, too,” Cupid said.

Sofrito shook his hoof in congratulations.

“Well fought! But you left yourself open with that wave.”

“He was getting in his head, silly!” Paprika shook his hoof with both forelegs. “The mind games are half the fun!”

“Something like that.” Cupid nodded.

“Are you sure about this?”

Vetr whispered to Stronghoof in the break between matches.

“Only if it's close.” Stronghoof whispered back. “The plan will work better if she's engaged with the tournament longer.”

He cleared his throat to make the announcements.

“And now for our third match, I call Shanty, Champion of the Isles, to face the Jarl of Reine!”

Shanty ran to the stage and cartwheeled, landing on her back legs with her forehooves spread to play to the crowd, though Stronghoof got more applause jumping down to meet her.

Shanty bowed. “Heard you're a tough one!”

Even Bravura couldn't beat him! Shanty thought to herself.

Stronghoof bowed. “I want to see your best!”

They stepped away as the replacement announcer counted down and Stronghoof's eyes narrowed.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Stronghoof lunged with a dagger of ice to stop Shanty's approach as Shanty stepped forward, but it didn’t come close as she shimmied back.

They circled and stared each other down for a few seconds. Shanty kept her eyes locked with Stronghoof's as she noted Vetr circling the other direction.

Goin’ fi some two on one, eh?

She waited a second before suddenly—

“Aye!”

Stronghoof flinched at the surprise as Shanty listened for and heard Vetr flying on wind behind her.

Vetr flew in to grab her from behind, but Shanty sailed over him with a backflip, kicking him in the back before she landed with so much force that he slammed into Stronghoof's face and knocked him up onto his hind legs.

Shanty was under him before Vetr could pull away, knocking his breath out with a rising headbuck, then dashed back to get momentum for another attack.

Vetr pulled away from Stronghoof's face and barely dodged Shanty slamming down in a leaping headbuck.

Stronghoof's eyes barely had time to widen before their heads collided. He crumpled at impact as Shanty flipped from the force of the impact and landed on her hindhooves behind him.

Stronghoof groaned and started to stand as Shanty ran in on two legs to slam down for a finisher, but Vetr knocked her off balance with a slash from the dagger, which shattered on impact.

“Yow!”

Shanty pushed off the ground as she fell, launching herself to kick Vetr as he tried to follow up with a punch.

“Which of you is mi opponent any—Yaaa!”

A massive hammer sent Shanty flying across the field, bouncing off the wall and back into a shield bash that sent her tumbling into a different part of it.

“Reindeer and Sprites work together.” Stronghoof stood with a thrill in his eyes. “But you must face me! Take a rest, Vetr.”

Vetr floated off to the side, too battered to rejoin the fight.

Shanty rolled away and dodged an ice spear with a jump.

"Just you and me, den!"

Shanty and Stronghoof circled each other.

Shanty stood with a headbuck ready but feinted to the side to dodge a great axe slicing down.

She slid under a hammer strike but took an ice-covered hoof kick to the head and was sent skidding back, though her thick skull mostly blocked it.

Stronghoof swung a greatsword down at an angle with enough force to embed it into the ground in front of her as she jumped to avoid it.

As Stronghoof readied an axe for his next attack, Shanty ran up the flat end of the sword.

Stronghoof brought the axe down and shattered it, but Shanty had already jumped into a spin over him.

For a split second, Stronghoof saw an opening to knock her out of the air by rearing up and swiping with his horns, but he smiled and chose not to take it.

A worthy battle!

Shanty plummeted from the air on the momentum of a falling hindleg kick, crumpling Stronghoof to the ground as it connected with his back and knocking him flat on his chest.

“Enough!” Stronghoof held up a hoof as Shanty stood up again for a headbuck. “You are victorious!”

Hope this was worth it.

Shanty cartwheeled in the air and landed on a standing wave to the crowd, as gasps and murmurs made way for stomping applause.

“You pack a punch!” Shanty smirked as Stronghoof dusted himself off. “Haffi be faster than that fi catch mi, though.”

“You fought well!" Stronghoof stood up slowly with a wince as he stretched his back. "I must invite you to a rematch.”

“Maybe afta mi win fi tourney.” Shanty grinned up at him as they parted ways.

In the booth, Velvet’s eyes narrowed in thought.

Was this part of your plan, or were you simply bested? Regardless, the Hoofstrong legacy falls to me. Of course it does.

“Thinking about your match?” Vixen nudged her out of it. “Last of the day, but no pressure.”

“Bah!” Velvet turned her muzzle up. “I’m glad to see him improve, but I’m not losing to Dasher.”

“Careful.” Vixen’s smile dropped. “Ze last time you talked like zat, you made a new rival. And he’s been training hard with her and me.”

“Zhen maybe it vill be interesting.” Velvet stretched. “Watch ze master at work.”

Vixen shook her head as Velvet walked off and winked at Blitzen, leaning against Cupid as he stood to prop him up where he could watch the match while sprites built a fire to thaw him.

Meanwhile, after giving Shanty a hoof bump, Arizona joined Dasher and Dancer.

“Just believe in yourself.” Dancer put a hoof on his shoulder. “So long as you can get a hit in, you’ll look good. I mean, you’re against Velvet.”

“Not helping.” He frowned. “And you set the bar pretty high.”

“Almost got me.” Arizona stepped up to him. “She surprised me out there, and I reckon you’ll surprise yourself.”

“Thanks.” He smiled, then flinched as Paprika poked her head in.

“You’ll be great! Oo, I’m so excited!”

Sofrito pushed Paprika away. “We have time for one more breathing exercise.”

“Sure, thanks.” Dasher sat with him.

“Breathe in… Breathe out. Breathe in…”

Just as Dasher had managed some calm, Stronghoof’s voice echoed again.

“And the winner is: Shanty! It brings joy to my heart to face such a worthy opponent. Truly, she brings pride to the Islands!”

Shanty actually blushed at the compliment and applause.

Not a lot of goats would say dat.

“And now,” Stronghoof continued, “It is time for the final match of the day: Dasher of the Elite 8 against our very own Champion of the Tundra, Velvet Hoofstrong!”

Dasher gulped as Arizona patted him on the back.

“Go get ‘er!”

Velvet strutted out with her head held high.

Velvet bowed. “So you’re my rival’s student now. Impress me!”

Dasher bowed. “I’ll try.”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Dasher summoned a gale to close the distance as fast as possible for a headbuck,

Velvet sidestepped him with a wink as his momentum carried him far across the field.

With a tilt of her head, a patch of slick ice formed where Dasher landed, causing him to slip, faceplant, and flip again on his back before his speed wore off, leaving him far away from his opponent.

Velvet waved to him instead of pressing her advantage.

“Dash, you're more clever zan zat!”

“Don't let her get in yer head!” Arizona yelled out. “Kick that snooty moose!”

Velvet shot a glare to the booth, then turned to Dasher as icicles formed around her.

“Watch zis, cow. You're next!”

With that, she unleashed a flurry of icicles, but Dasher dodged them all with another gale and a jump to the side.

He's going to burn out if he keeps doing zat.

Velvet kept launching icicles, but she noticed him rationing his magic, dodging with smaller wind bursts and only using it half the time.

His pattern was too random to be caught by the spikes she made stab out from the ground as he hovered out of reach of her bigger ice attacks.

You really have been training with Vixen. But if you won't attack, I'm happy to win on time.

Dasher's nerves and panic made way for a focused confidence as he weaved through her attacks.

I'm actually doing it! I'm dodging Velvet!

He preserved his magic as much as possible until he found a perfect opportunity.

Velvet had started to zone on autopilot, almost bored as she waited on the clock, so she did not notice Dasher spinning in the air, redirecting and accelerating an icicle back at her until it was too late. Her eyes widened.

Crash!

The icicle broke through her incomplete ice shield and shattered on her floof.

Velvet's surprise slowed her reaction more than the attack alone would have.

That gave Dasher the second he needed to dash up to her and use a combo Arizona taught: hammering his antlers for a headbuck, jabbing her jaw, and then spinning for a double kick from his hind legs boosted by wind, sending her flying with her back slamming against the wall.

“Vat?!”

Velvet pushed off the wall and summoned a cyclone of wind and ice, hovering in it with a powerful wind blowing out from her.

“BOW BEFORE THE ICE QUEEN!”

"Ach!"

Dasher was pushed away by the sudden wind, and he let it carry him back to dodge a rain of icicles crashing from the sky.

Velvet sent a fan of four icicles out at once. Dasher was forced to block with a headbuck, but as he tried to gain ground, he was tripped and sent tumbling by ice spikes sliding across the ground.

"YOU DID WELL TO MAKE IT ZIS FAR, BUT ZIS IS GOODBYE!"

“I’m not giving up!”

Dasher stood again as Velvet summoned a rain of hailstones, but Dancer charged through as his horns started to glow. He sped up as his wind pushed against Velvet's and blew her hailstones to the side.

Velvet sent another wave of ice spikes across the ground, but Dasher jumped as his horns shone.

If this doesn’t work, I gave it my all.A howling gale shot Dasher through the air, flying into Velvet as she started to form another flurry of icicles and slamming her against the wall. Velvet slumped against it as the crowd gasped.

Dasher stomped her floof with both forehooves as they hit the ground, knocking the air out of Velvet as she curled up.

He stomped a hoof to the side of her head in a traditional submission move, and when she did not react in time, Stronghoof called it.

“The winner is Dasher! What a marvelous upset!”

Stomping applause filled the stadium as the words registered for Dasher.

I won?! I didn't make it past the first round last time!

Dancer yanked her brother into a hug as soon as he made it to the booth.

“That was awesome! Just wait till mom and dad hear about it!”

Paprika joined the hug. “I knew you could do it!”

“What'd ah tell ya?” Arizona grinned. “Just believe in yourself!”

“Thanks.” Dasher blushed. “Couldn't have done it without you though, or… Where's Vixen?”

“Velvet.” Prancer answered softly.

“Oh.” Dasher’s ears fell.

“I e-expected better from her. ACHOO!” Blitzen sneezed as his sprite fetched another blanket.

Velvet stormed through the booth to the private washroom, slamming the door and collapsing to the ground.

“How?!” She sobbed. “How did I let that little runt of a fawn win?!”

“Velvet?” She heard a knock on the door.

She took a moment to compose herself and wipe her eyes before opening it.

Vixen locked the door behind her.

“This is what I warned you about.” Vixen tried to use as much sympathy as possible in her voice, but the words still stung.

“I know!” Velvet snapped back. “I don't need a lecture!”

“Maybe we just sit together.” Vixen laid down. “Talk if you want, or don't.”

Velvet took a deep breath and laid down beside her. Eventually, her breathing slowed, and she leaned against Vixen, crying into her coat.

“I'm supposed to be ze best!” Velvet broke the ice. “But now I look like a fool!”

Vixen paused to measure her words. “Or Dasher looks skilled. But I still think you are the best.”

“Flattery won't—”

“I'm not done.” Vixen interrupted as Velvet looked up into her eyes. “I think you are the best, and that you can beat any Champion in Fœnum or any monster from The Hold. But your ego is holding you back. The Velvet I've sparred with would never have left openings like that.”

Velvet stared back before glancing away at the floor. “No, she wouldn't have.”

Vixen nuzzled her cheek. “Let's put it in the past, then. I believe in you, and I'll do whatever it takes to help zat Velvet reach her potential.”

“Right now, zat Velvet needs snuggles.”

Stronghoof came home to find the sprites making preparations and his daughter bombarding the practice range.

“I trust you understand why you lost?”

Velvet turned to face him.

“I was arrogant, and that made me sloppy. It won't happen again.”

“Good.” Stronghoof nodded. “You will face many predators who are or appear to be beneath your skill. You must not give them a chance.”

“I know.” Velvet looked away before staring back. “Did you give Shanty a chance?”

Stronghoof stroked his floof. “Only at the very end. She may be as formidable as Bravura.”

“Why?” Velvet asked.

“She may be bonding with the other champions, maybe even starting to see herself as one. The longer she's in the tournament, the more she'll be in that mindset. I want her to see that it's better than a pirate's life. That she can be appreciated here.”

Stronghoof, Shanty, Arizona, Dasher, Dancer, and Cupid were in high spirits at the tournament feast as Velvet and Blitzen sulked in opposite corners.

“Ow!” Arizona clutched her head in her forehooves. “What in tarnation?!”

“That's brain freeze.” Dasher chuckled. “You need to slow down on your shaved ice.”

“How can somethin' so tasty hurt like that?!” Arizona stared at her bowl as she waited it out.

Dancer broke away and walked up to Velvet, clearly nervous to speak up.

“Vat is it?” Velvet tried to hide her annoyance.

“I just wanted to say thanks for all the training.” Dancer crossed her forelegs. “It really helped a lot.”

But you still lost… Maybe she has a better mindset.

“You are always velcome.” Velvet forced a smile. “You vere a great student.”

“Thanks!” Dancer nodded. “So, uh, see you later, sometime!”

Velvet shook her head as Dancer scurried back to the group.

Am I really that intimidating?

“Fancy moves out there.” Shanty nudged Cupid. “For a deer, at least.”

Cupid blinked and turned his eyes away from Blitzen. “Oh. Thanks! I've heard goats can be acrobatic, but you were incredible!”

“Yeah, I was.” Shanty grinned. “Stronghoof wasn't a chump either.”

Too bad I can't tell all my best stories.

After hearing Shanty brag more and talking about dance moves with the alpacas joining in, Cupid excused himself to sit by Blitzen.

“Hey, sorry if—”

“Don't apologize.” Blitzen took a breath and gathered his thoughts.

What kind of a leader would I be if I scorned him for doing well?

“I underestimated you, and you won fair and square. If anything, I am at fault.”

“I really was trying to impress you.” Cupid looked away for a moment.

“And you have.” A small smile broke through from Blitzen. “It is an honor to have you on the team, and I eagerly await a rematch, if you would permit it.”

“I'll look forward to it too, then!” Cupid nodded.

After the Elite left, Arizona found Velvet alone in the hall with another bowl of shaved ice.

“Hey,” Arizona said, only getting a glance from Velvet as she sat across from her.

“I reckon we all expected this to go differently, but yer still my rival, and we can still have our rematch.”

Getting a pep talk from a calf.

Velvet thought.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

“Thanks.” Velvet scooped another ice spoonful into her mouth.

“You know, I lost to another champeen before comin’ h—”

“Vat?!” Velvet leaned in. “Who?!”

“She called herself Oleander, Champeen of the Woodlands.” Arizona scratched her head. “Can't recall everything.”

“Why didn't you say something sooner?!” Velvet exclaimed.

“Didn't get to that part of the story.” Arizona shrugged.

Stupid cow!

“There may be some important information zhere.” Velvet turned. “Linen!”

Her sprite flew over with another bowl, which Velvet pushed to Arizona.

“Fetch pen and paper and more sprites; zis needs to be written down.”

With that, Arizona told the story of how she found the Temple of the Ancestors, and her encounter with the black unicorn and what sounded awfully like a demon between bites of frozen ice.

Velvet had a new gleam in her eyes as the story finished.

“Thank you. I vill make sure to pass zis on.”

“You’re welcome, I guess.” Arizona blinked. “Just, if ya want to train or talk about things, you know where to find me.”

Velvet blinked.

After everything, she still vants to be friends?

“Thank you.” Velvet said. “But I have some vork to do in ze library.”

A unicorn was looking for the monolith. Maybe they know something we don't?

Author's Note

After receiving feedback, the Stronghoof vs Donner and Shanty vs Vixen fights in Chapter 2 have been retconned and extended slightly.

The results are still the same, but they seemed too one-sided before.

Dasher and Dancer’s first introduction in Chapter 1 now describes them as fawns to show their age more clearly.

The milk gag at the start of the chapter comes from a comic by V-Nico.

https://x.com/V_Nico_/status/1693250773960839336?t=Jf16wjFdGwOyXZYIensd8Q&s=19

Shanty being skilled with knots is obviously tied to her time sailing, but the idea comes from an old Mane6 doodle.

https://x.com/mane6dev/status/1311412784756920320

Dasher managing to beat Velvet is a huge upset, and I hope I have not downplayed her or Stronghoof too much.

I wasn’t sure Velvet had been through enough character development to learn more humility, and her losing to a weaker opponent trying his best because she didn’t take them seriously seemed fitting.

Ideally I don’t want fights to just be about who’s strongest or who the environment favors: they should also be swayed by who has a greater motivation to win, and if a character losing could tie into their traits.

Rest assured that Velvet will get a proper rematch with Arizona.