A sprite roused Stronghoof hours before the sun would rise, on his own orders.

“Tell the guards to let her in, and have her wait for me.” Stronghoof yawned and wiped an eye. “I will be there shortly.”

Though he yearned for sleep, duty came first.

Especially concerning predators.

He arrived to find a young but grown impala ewe shivering under a blanket, with metal horns strapped to her head.

“J-Jarl Stronghoof. I am—”

“You are cold.” Stronghoof interrupted. “Walk with me. We will discuss this with food and fire, and you may stay at my lodge as a guest.”

The sprite flew ahead to see to preparations as he led her back. She was too chilled and tired to object.

Shortly after in the night, a guard straightened to stand at attention.

“I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're not allowed—”

Velvet glared at him with bags under her wide eyes and a frizzy, unkempt floof.

“I’m here to help. Stand aside!”

The guard gulped as he felt the area cool rapidly.

“I’ll get the door,” he offered.

Dasher woke up with a squeak as he was shaken awake by Velvet and opened his eyes to see her looming over him.

“Get up and get some oats. We have training to do if you are going to beat my rival.”

Dasher didn't try to argue, and Dancer pretended to be asleep.

“Oo, who are you?”

Paprika stretched her neck across the table to the impala, who answered with a “What?”

“Pardon her, she's hard to understand at first,” Arizona said. “She just asked who you are. And what species are ya? Ah’m a bit fuzzy on folks outside the prairie.”

“Trudene. I'm an impala.” Trudene's face and tone hardened. “An’ I am de Champion of de Bushveld.”

“Howdy, then!” Arizona reached across to shake hooves. “Ah’m Arizona, Champ’een of the Prairie. Pleased ta meet’cha! And she's the Champ’een of the High Plains!”

“Good to meet you, too.” Trudene’s eyes shifted from them to Stronghoof in bewilderment. “So, are you a champion as well?”

“No, that honor belongs to my daughter.” Stronghoof smiled, but his eyes told her that he recognized her doubt.

“An mi name Shanty, Champion fi di Isles!” Shanty said around a mouthful of salad as she ate too quickly.

When her gaze turned to the last guest at the table, Sofrito held up a hoof. “I am merely a diplomat, of sorts.”

“Aww, you're more than that!” Paprika pulled him into a hug, getting a resigned scowl from him. “You're smart and you'll make a great leader someday, I just know it! Ooh, and with a little more polish you'll be a good fighter, too.”

“I'm happy to just be a diplomat for now.” Sofrito sighed in relief as she released him. “But I'll be whatever I need to be to keep my tribe safe.”

Trudene glanced at the floor as Stronghoof cleared his throat. “While you are all here, there’s been a small bit of information on the Key, courtesy of Arizona.”

Arizona opened her mouth, but closed it to let Stronghoof continue.

“Apparently, Oleander, the Champion of the Woodlands, welding some dark magic I would not expect from unicorns, was also seeking the Monolith. This implies that they may know something we don’t.”

“Is there anything else we can do to help?” Everyone turned to Arizona. “Ah’m probably not much help with books, but I hate just waitin’ around.”

“You should focus on the tournament finals today!” Stronghoof pointed to her. “But I promise to keep you in the loop. If there is any other business you need to attend to, this may be a good time; the scholars at the museum said it will take at least a week to get through some new reference materials that just arrived.”

Stronghoof paused.

“But if you don’t mind, I would like you to take a look at an exceptionally valuable new item in our museum first: A Longma Ball. I believe you managed to find two of them, and I would like to confirm that.”

After breakfast, Stronghoof led Trudene down a hall to his office.

“Come, ask what you wish in private.”

Vetr shut the doors behind them, and she took a moment before speaking.

“Dose are de Champions?!”

“Yes,” Stronghoof said plainly.

“Children an’ a crazy alpaca?”

“That is not entirely wrong, but you underestimate them.” Stronghoof took a seat on a cushion.

Trudene refused to sit and swept a hoof through the air for emphasis as she spoke.

“How can dey possibly be de best deir species have to offer? Is dis a joke?”

“I can personally attest to their skill.” Stronghoof’s eyes narrowed.

“An’ I can attest to what de predators can do,” Trudene met his gaze. “Do you really trust dem?”

“They have more to learn, but I believe in them.” Stronghoof stared back, but his tone brightened. “Come to the finals of our tournament and see their strength for yourself!”

Stronghoof continued after she scowled. “You would do well to get to know them. You may come to depend on them in the future. When she is available, I will introduce you to my daughter: Velvet, the Champion of the Tundra.”

“An’ how'd she get dat position?” Trudene stared up at him.

“She earned it by defeating all challengers.” Stronghoof stood and loomed over her. “I would never dishonor the Hoofstrong family name with nepotism in this matter, nor risk the fate of Fœnum for personal gain.”

“Sorry.” Trudene recoiled. “I was just expecting you to be champion. Nataki said you were eager to fight.”

A guffaw broke Stronghoof's stare. “Ha! It would be a great honor! But I am needed here. Reine needs its Jarl, and some warriors must defend the hearth.”

Seeing that shake Trudene, he took on a gentler tone.

“But make no mistake: this world needs Champions to go out and face them. The Key is our only true hope of safety.”

“Tanks.” Trudene forced herself to meet his eyes. “I just hope we're enough.”

“Seeing them in action should brighten that mood. But I have some time before our arrangements can be made now, if you would like to do some training.”

“I- Of course.” Trudene nodded. “Let me get my tings.”

On her way back to her room, Paprika ambushed her with words she couldn’t understand.

“Hi! I made you a sweater!”

CRACK!

Another ice statue shattered after a midair kick from Dasher sent it crashing to the ground.

He collapsed, panting as he landed.

“More height! Zhat is not enough for her!” Velvet ordered, already making a new cow statue.

Dasher groaned. “Where did that technique come from, anyway?! You don’t even fight up close!”

“I do vhen I must, and part of being ze best is practicing new moves. Now, up up!”

Dasher sighed and got to his hooves, but a doe with purple antlers and a warm brown coat speckled with beige interrupted before they could begin.

“Dasher! We came as soon as we could!” Satin squeezed him into a hug, with Dancer and their father smiling nearby.

“Good to see you, mom!” Dasher hugged her back and moved to his dad, with a grey coat and darker teal horns than him, accented by dark brown streaks on his tail, forehead, and legs.

“I— We were just practicing.” Dasher looked back to Velvet with wide eyes as his father approached her.

“Velvet Hoofstrong!” Waltz shook her hoof. “I wish I could have seen your match, but I heard everything!”

“It vas not my best vork.” Velvet scowled.

“I got lucky,” Dasher hastily added.

“Don’t downplay yourself, I’m proud of you!” Waltz looked back to Velvet. “And it takes more than luck to beat our Champion, right?”

“Indeed.” Velvet’s eyes shifted to Dasher. “And he vill have to train hard if he vants to repeat zhat.”

“Speaking of that, thank you for training our fawns!” Satin smiled as Dasher and Dancer shared a nervous glance.

“It is my pleasure.” Velvet locked eyes with them. “Trust me, you vill not recognize zhem ven I am done!”

Dasher and Dancer gulped, but their parents didn’t seem to notice.

“Vell, Dasher needs to rest for his match, and I vill not keep you from family time. See you at ze tournament!”

Velvet smirked at Dasher as he glanced away.

“Bye!” Waltz and Satin waved.

“She’s nicer than I remember,” Satin said.

“You’re not the one training with her.” Dasher stretched a hindleg.

“So,” Dancer changed the subject, “see anything interesting on your route?”

“Plenty, business is good!” Waltz set his saddlebags down and rummaged through them. “Here’s a souvenir from the Goatani Isles!”

They draped seashell and coral necklaces over their fawns’ horns.

“Thanks!” Dasher smiled into Waltz’s ice mirror, though it faded as he lowered it. “But are the roads still safe?”

“Maybe it’d be better to shelter in Reine for a while.” Dancer added. “We can spare some salt if you need it.”

“Nonsense!” Waltz looked between them. “We’re safe traveling in caravans, and not being on the road at night when it’s just us.”

“If things get dangerous, we’ll get to safety.” Satin put a foreleg around her husband. “Promise!”

Elsewhere, Cupid was recovering from his own intense training, after being flung into a pile of cushioning snow from another antler lock.

“You’re doing better!” Blitzen offered a hoof to pull him up. “Just need to work on your balance and build those neck muscles.”

“Thanks Blitz— I mean, Blitzen!” Cupid hastily corrected.

“Either is fine.” Blitzen smiled, but noticed Vixen motioning to him in the distance with a head tilt. “Let’s take a break here, then we’ll go back to practicing your keep-away.”

“Sure!” Cupid nodded. “Thanks again for training me.”

“It’s the least I could do; have to make sure you have a good showing! Be right back.”

He followed Vixen around the corner to find Donner and Prancer waiting as well.

“Breaking in our newest member, I see?” Vixen said.

“He asked to train with me, and it was the least I could do.” Blitzen locked eyes with her.

“You vere playing pretty rough with zhose throws.” Vixen stared back.

“If you have something to say, say it.” Blitzen narrowed his eyes.

“Fine.” Vixen dropped all subtlety. “Are you doing vat is best for him or your ego?”

Blitzen sighed. “I will admit, it is humiliating to lose to a new recruit, and it is tempting—”

“He’s got talent.” Prancer interrupted. “You shouldn’t feel that—”

“But,” Blitzen continued. “I would not stoop that low. And he’s oddly humble about winning. Hard to stay mad at him, really.”

“I can see how zhat feels unusual.”

Blitzen shot Vixen a look as she smirked.

“He looks up to you.” Donner stepped forward. “Kept asking me questions and worrying that you’d think his win was cheap or you’d be angry with him. I told him that training with you is a good introduction.”

“Ah.” Blitzen blinked. “I’ll be careful with him, then.”

“I think he’s having the time of his life with his hero, but he’s sensitive,” Donner added. “Just remember that.”

As Arizona practiced, she lassoed rocks out of the air as Paprika tossed them for her, but Paprika was in the mood to talk while she threw.

“Having fun in the tournament?”

Annoyed at the interruption but not wanting to seem ungrateful, Arizona released the rope from her teeth to reply.

“Yeah, I’ve never had this much of an audience. Reindeer aren’t so different from cattlekind afterall.”

Arizona reached for the rope again with her mouth when Paprika asked a follow-up question.

“Seems like you’ve made some new friends!”

Arizona sighed and sat down. “The Elites seem like good folk; it’s been nice hanging out with the twins. Still not sure about Velvet, though.”

“She takes this so seriously.” Paprika said. “I say just have fun with it!”

“Well, gettin’ serious can be part of the fun.” Arizona said. “I get her being competitive and all. But ah need to practice to do my best for a friend next round.”

“Ooo, then let’s get to it!” Paprika smiled.

“Okay, ready!”

Stronghoof left on business after an intense but appreciated training session with Trudene, leaving her to warm up and relax in the lodge.

She was just about to find something else to do when Sofrito walked in.

“Is this a bad time to talk? As a diplomat, I mean.”

A child diplomat an’ a crazy champion. Trudene glanced at her new Paprika fleece sweater on the ground as she sat up. Alpacas seem strange.

“Not really. What is it?”

Sofrito composed himself as best he could. “The ancestral home of the Alpake, the High Plains, has always been inhospitable, but it is more dangerous than ever with the arrival of the predators. I came to ask if the Bushveld is safe from predators, and if my tribe might be welcome there.”

Trudene froze at those words, and Sofrito tilted his head in confusion.

“No!” She took a breath to steady herself. “I mean, no, it is not safe. An’ de safer places are already crowded.”

Sofrito recoiled. “I am sorry, I did not mean to pry.”

Trudene took a breath. “Stronghoof is organizing a meeting concerning it later today. You can hear it den if you want.”

“I understand.” Sofrito nodded.

An awkward silence passed before he spoke again. “Stronghoof offered my tribe refuge on an empty, but lush island. Perhaps it could be safe for impalas also, if the Bushveld is also dangerous.”

“Dey need more dan grass.” Trudene shook her head. “No offense, but we are not nomads.”

“Understood,” Sofrito said.

After another pause, Trudene asked, “I also do not mean to pry, but did somet’ing happen to make you want to leave your ancestral home?”

“No, it’s what I’m worried might happen.” Sofrito shook his head. “The High Plains has always been unforgiving with the lava, earthquakes, floods, sandstorms, and other dangers, but the caves and cloud cover are what concern me. Predators can roam in the day most of the time, and easily hide in caves whenever the sun is out.”

Trudene’s eyebrow had raised higher at each disaster. “Why did you stay dere at all, den?”

“Tradition, mostly.” Sofrito said. “We endure in the same lands we have always endured. That and, until now, outsiders would rarely bother us.”

“I can see why,” Trudene remarked. “If you can survive dere, any refuge shouldn’t be a problem.”

“That’s what I’ve said.” Sofrito scowled. “But my father, our leader, insists we stay put. He says the unknown may be more dangerous.”

“Ah, so you’re trying to convince him.” Trudene looked him over again.

“Yes, and the rest of the herd.” Sofrito sighed. “But they are stubborn.”

“Your effort is admirable, at least.” Trudene put a hoof on his shoulder. “Fœnum could use more leaders like you.”

“Thank you.” Sofrito smiled at the compliment. “Just a scout and messenger now, though.”

“But tell me,” Trudene said, “Why did dey choose DAT as champion?”

“Oh.” Sofrito motioned to the sweater. “I see she caught up with you. To tell the truth, she was exiled from the herd until recently for her recklessness. But I cannot think of a better choice.”

“Not many warriors, I’m guessing?” Trudene raised a hoof.

“We are not warriors.” Sofrito shook his head. “But we are tough; we have to be to survive the High Plains. But Paprika, somehow, always made it seem effortless. She is eccentric and easily distracted, but she is also strong. She’s always been cheerful, even in hard times, and as annoying as that can be I’ve missed it. In truth, I envy her some.”

“I hope you are right about her strength.”

Bored with warm-ups, Shanty decided to check out the museum.

Old books an pots? Mi did a hope fi see treasure.

The paintings were only slightly more interesting, but she stopped at a special display in the west wing that she’d been looking for. The jade orb housed in gold caught the light in a way that made her eyes sparkle.

Now dis is treasure!

Unbeknownst to her, a sprite watched through a hidden slit in the wall nearby.

If it important like dem seh, mi sure Bravura would be impressed, bet mi coulda—

Shanty shook her head.

No! Haffi get di key, cya blow mi cover.

She sighed and resigned herself to staring at her reflection in it, not caring about the nervous docent saying ‘Take your time.’

Plus, it kinda nice fi be champion.

“Good luck!”

“We’ll be cheering for you!”

Satin and Waltz hugged Dasher and Dancer in turn.

“Thanks.” Dasher’s ears tilted as he glanced over to the other Elites waiting. “Gotta get going, though. See you in the intermission!”

Dasher glared at Comet as she snickered.

“What?” Comet said. “It’s sweet. Got a chance to show off for them, and see if you last as long as your sister.”

“He doesn’t need more pressure.” Dancer scolded.

The rest of the Elite wished them good luck before they left to unwind.

Velvet appeared to be asleep when Vixen took her place beside her.

Shanty was caught staring at the fawns and their parents, and she startled when Paprika chirped something and held her forelegs wide.

“Wah?! No, mi nuh need no hug!”

Arizona went through her stretching routine with time to spare before the tournament started, making sure she wasn’t stiff from a morning of practice with Paprika.

As she scanned the room, she saw Cupid and Sofrito going through breat exercises again, Paprika attempting to talk to an annoyed Shanty, and the other Elites dispersed to their usual places to watch together.

But something seemed off with Dasher and Dancer.

“Mind if I sit with ya for a bit?” Arizona walked over.

“Uh, sure! No problem.” Dasher startled and straightened his seated posture as she sat down.

“So I reckon those were your parents.” Arizona tried to break the ice. “They seem nice.”

“They are.” Dasher nodded. “Sure they’d love to meet you later.”

“You can introduce us, then!” Arizona smiled. “Ah’d be happy to meet ‘em.”

Some time passed in silence before Arizona spoke again.

“Is somethin’ botherin’ you, if ya don’t mind my askin’?

Dancer opened her eyes and glanced up at Arizona from a prone position with her head on crossed hooves.

Dasher paused and sighed.

“Our parents work as traveling merchants, it’s why they weren’t here for the last fight.”

“That sounds nice,” Arizona said.

“It’s also dangerous, especially now,” Dancer added.

“Oh.” Arizona glanced at the floor before looking up with a firm expression. “Well, all the more reason for me to stop these varmints.”

“I appreciate it.” Dasher’s smile fell. “I just wish I could be there with them to keep them safe.”

“We both do.” Dancer sat up. “But we have duties as Elites, and finding the Key is Velvet’s job.”

“Well ya did manage to beat her—” Arizona was cut off by Dasher.

“She won the title, and I'd have probably lost quickly if she had taken me seriously.”

“But you’re…” Arizona paused to think as they stared back at her. “That’s fair, I guess. She’s a strong champ’een for sure. Blitzen said the Elites keep folks safe, though.”

“Folks in the Tundra, at least,” Dasher said. “But there's plenty of guards for that. Just feel like I could be doing more.”

“Why not ask Blitzen, then?” Arizona said.

Dancer snorted a laugh. “He calls himself leader, but we all work for the Sprites, really.”

“Ask them then.” Arizona tapped a hoof.

“Hard to know what they'll say.” Dasher squinted in thought. “But it will be months before Winter comes for our big mission.”

His expression brightened as he tapped a hoof. “I will ask them. Thanks!”

“It was nothin’.”

“Reindeer, Sprites, and all visitors to our fair city: welcome to the final day of the First Reine Tournament of Champions! We are about to witness a showdown of Fœnum’s finest warriors!”

Shanty
(M1) Vs.
Cupid

Dasher
(M2) Vs.
Arizona

The crowd cheered as the bracket was revealed. Stronghoof glanced at Trudene in her booth nearby before continuing.

“The Grand Finals will take place after a five-hour intermission for our finalists to rest, but, now, it is time for our first match. I call Shanty, Champion of the Isles, and Cupid of the Elite 8!”

Shanty cartwheeled out to show off to the crowd with Cupid following suit; both of them ended in improvised poses standing on their hind legs.

“Wicked moves!” Shanty stepped back to her starting position. “Now let's see how yuh dance.”

“With flair!” Cupid turned with a wisp of snow.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM

Shanty jumped forward and sliced the air with a kick, missing and sailing over Cupid as he dropped flat on the ground.

She shifted into a roll on landing and ducked under Cupid's double hindleg kick as he pushed himself up with his forelegs.

Both turned and recovered at the same time. They circled each other as snow began to fall.

“Good duck!” Shanty said. “But dat was just a warmup.”

“Then maybe we should cool off.” Cupid summoned a veil of snow and charged forward with his antlers, hoping to catch Shanty chasing him in a feigned retreat.

But she wasn't there.

“Fancy trick!”

Cupid only had time to turn as Shanty shot off the wall behind him, slammed into his side, and sent him rolling lengthwise.

“But mi see dat already!”

Rolling over a snow drift slowed and stabilized Cupid. He dodged back on his hind legs a hair before Shanty's head slammed down from a standing headbuck.

As Shanty caught herself on her forelegs, Cupid countered by blowing frost over her back.

Shanty managed to step back from a stomp of his hooves stomping down and mostly block his antler strike with her own horns, but the chill impeded her retreat and cut off the option of retaliatory strikes.

Shanty took a jab across the cheek but managed to deflect another with her forehoof.

Cupid inhaled deeply for another frost breath to break through her guard, but Shanty spun and knocked the wind out of him with a quick hindleg kick.

Unfortunately for Shanty, her kick released all of Cupid’s built up frost onto her as the wind was knocked out of him. It froze her to a crawl as Cupid stumbled back and summoned a snow cloud with a glow from his horns.

His labored breathing normalized as Shanty shook the frost off, leaving them out of hoof reach with snow drifts building between and around them.

Cupid slowly stepped back as Shanty stepped forward. Both watched each other's movements as they started to circle again.

Cupid tilted his head and sent a snowball hurtling towards her, but Shanty dodged it easily with a smirk and a hop to the side.

“Missed me!” Shanty taunted.

“Try this then!” Cupid launched snowball after snowball at her but focused on his positioning more than aim: bringing Shanty behind a snow drift as they circled.

“Burn all di magic yuh want!” Shanty called. “Yuh never gonna ketch me!”

“Wasn't aiming for you.” Cupid smiled.

Her eyes widened as Cupid spun on a forehoof and swiped the drift with a hindhoof kick.

She thought she was out of range of his hoof, but as the snow scattered, it glowed and chilled her again, making her flinch from the cold.

As Cupid readied himself to charge, Shanty jumped back to the wall to buy time, but she slipped off as she noticed too late that it was covered in slick snow.

Cupid caught Shanty out of the air as she slid off the wall and drew her into a freezing hug.

“G-get offa me!” Shanty yelled.

“Be free!” Cupid released her spinning on a hindhoof toward a sheet of ice he conjured on the ground, but Shanty managed to fall forward and pull herself into a roll, accelerating on momentum despite the chill.

Cupid hesitated in surprise at her escape before shifting to stand on a forehoof and swiping at her with a spinning hindleg kick, but it was too late to catch Shanty before she rolled into a snow drift.

“Did you forget my last round?” Cupid recovered to lunge and touch the snow with his glowing antlers, and it vanished into a white mist.

It cleared to show Shanty crouching, catching herself with a hoof to spring out of her roll, but motionless in the cold.

Cupid relaxed and smiled as he walked over and reached a hoof down to tap her head. “Thought it'd take more than that.”

He recoiled as Shanty smirked, which gave her the perfect opportunity to launch him through the air with a headbuck.

“It do!”

As Cupid flipped through the air, Shanty ran with his trajectory and stopped his fall with a headbuck to his barrel, with her head rising up to catch him as he fell down.

Cupid flopped on the ground, wheezing, and tapped out.

“And the winner is Shanty! Excellent planning on both sides!” Stronghoof smiled as he saw Trudene cheer with the crowd following the announcement.

In the ring, Shanty helped Cupid’s sprite pull him up on his feet. “Nice hoofwork, but yuh need fi work pon yuh hits.”

Cupid held a hoof to his barrel as his breathing stabilized.

“Coming from you, that’s a good compliment. That was a clever trap.”

“You were both amazing!” Paprika yanked Cupid into a hug as soon as he got back, and when she stepped away, a rose red sweater with gold-dyed accents was buttoned around him. “Also finished your sweater, do you like it?”

Cupid blinked and looked it over. “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“Yep!” Paprika grinned.

“Love it, thank you for that.” He nodded to Sofrito standing next to her. “And thank you for helping me calm down.”

“Any time.” Sofrito bowed.

“Great work! That got close!” Blitzen tilted his head for Cupid to sit by him, and he eagerly ran over. “It seems we both fell for some trickery.”

“It was a good trick, at least.” Cupid made a bed of snow and laid down on it.

Elsewhere in the booth, Arizona gave Shanty a hoofbump, but she turned and saw Dasher breathing heavily.

I’m the last reindeer in the tournament. If I blow it in front of everyone—

Arizona interrupted those thoughts with a hoof on his shoulder.

“I ain’t goin’ easy on ya, but I believe in you. Let’s get out there and show them what we can do!”

Dasher smiled as the words settled in. “You got it!”

Dancer grinned behind them, and called “Good luck!” as they left.

Vixen chuckled from her distant corner of the booth. “So, vich one are you rooting for?”

“Either vorks for me.” Velvet yawned. “But zhey better beat zhat goat!”

“For the last match of our semi-finals, I call Arizona, Champion of the Prairie, and Dasher of the Elite 8!”

Dasher took his steps and bowed.

“It is an honor to fight you.”

Arizona bowed.

“Show me how hard you've been trainin’. I'm ready for ya!”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM

Arizona started with a quick one-hoof stomp, but Dasher dodged it by hopping back.

As soon as he landed, Dasher rushed forward with a burst of wind and lowered his antlers, but Arizona caught them with her horns.

She slid back from the momentum of his charge as he tried to push forward, but, after digging her hooves in, she flung him away to break the horn lock.

Dasher slid back once he landed. Arizona threw her lasso, but he deflected it with an exhaled gust of wind.

“Not a bad start!” Arizona grinned, but her expression hardened as she deflected another wind-backed antler rush as Dasher tried to catch her off guard.

As Dasher slid back on the snowy ground, he took a breath to recover and charged again. Arizona braced herself to counter, but Dasher landed midway in the rush to jump over her, striking her in the back of the head with his hind hooves before alighting a safe distance away.

“Ugh!” Arizona winced at the kick. Predicting that she would not have time to turn and face him, she raised her hooves up to stomp.

Dasher readied another gale as he pivoted into position, seeing an opportunity in her back being turned to him.

BOOM

Arizona's heavy stomp hit the ground as Dasher jumped and pushed himself with wind, sending him far higher than he intended in an uncontrolled spin.

She tried to lasso him out of the air, but the extra speed from his wind foiled her timing; it also cost him when he splatted onto the snow-covered wall and slid down.

Arizona pushed off the ground for a dash of her own, but the time lost from the lasso attempt and Dasher's speed let him escape.

As he dashed away, Arizona noticed his horns had dimmed, and, from what she’d seen in previous fights, she understood that his magic had begun to wane.

So, she walked toward him slowly, ready to stomp at any moment.

Dasher gave ground while keeping his guard up.

He quickly saw that she was herding him into a corner, but he also noticed a snow drift left over from the last match.

Maybe…

“Come on, make a move!” Arizona’s voice would have sounded reassuring in a different context.

Dasher let his horns glow before it was necessary to signal his attack as he coiled to charge.

“That's more like it!” Arizona readied herself.

Dasher rocketed toward Arizona on a gale but dug his hooves in to slow down as soon as he was up to speed. The gale continued on and blew a cloud of snow at her.

Arizona closed her eyes and rammed forward with a headbuck, ready to catch and overpower Dasher’s hit.

But the clash never came, and, as she stumbled in recovery, Dasher launched her into the air with an antler strike as icy wind spiraled around them.

“Yes!” Velvet yelled from the stands. “Remember your height!”

Arizona flipped through the air as it carried her up, with hooves striking her from all angles until she faced the ground as the wind died down, and she felt hooves on her back.

Dasher called a downburst to make them fall faster and jumped off her back at the last moment.

SLAM!

Arizona hit ground hard face-first, but, in his effort to hit as hard as possible, Dasher missed his landing, fell, and tumbled away.

“Not zhat ender!” Velvet shouted from the stands.

Dasher scrambled to his hooves to face Arizona again, and his mouth fell open.

No way… She's still up?!

Arizona pulled herself to her hooves, battered but with more determination in her eyes than ever.

“Good one! Now it's a real scrap!”

“You’re even tougher than you look.” In a ploy to buy time for his magic to recover, Dasher approached carefully as Arizona did the same.

Arizona stopped short with a light stomp disguised as a step to catch Dasher off-guard, but he noticed it in time and closed the distance with a small dash where he was slightly airborne.

Dasher jabbed at Arizona’s stomping hoof but missed as she stepped back.

Arizona deflected another jab from his other forehoof with her other foreleg, then braced herself as Dasher spun for a double hindleg kick.

She managed to mitigate the damage with a block from both forelegs while she let herself slide back from the blow, but she didn't count on the airburst he summoned with his kick.

Arizona's guard faltered as her back hit the wall and loose snow fell on her face.

Blinded for a moment, she stood back on four legs and lowered her head to feign a low block.

Dasher flew toward her and landed to jump for another air attack as she crouched—

And was flung high in the air by a wide sweep from Arizona’s horns.

The crowd gasped as it appeared that Dasher would land on them, but a lasso caught his hindleg and yanked him back to the arena in an arc.

SLAM!

Dasher hit the ground hard on his back, wheezing with the wind knocked out of him.

As he tried to dislodge his antlers from the ground, Arizona’s hoof on his floof pushed him back down.

Dasher tapped out.

“And the winner is Arizona!” Stronghoof called as the crowd cheered after sighs of relief. “But it was gloriously close. Let's hear it for Dasher!”

Arizona helped Dasher pull his antlers loose as stomping applause echoed around them.

“How'd you know what I'd do? I thought you were blind.” Dasher stumbled to his hooves.

“I was. Tried to bait you into hitting high, but I had to guess.” Arizona moved to let him lean against her as they walked back. “Gotta act on instinct sometimes. That was a great fight though! I'd love to spar more later.”

“I'd love it as well!” Joy at the compliment briefly overpowered Dasher's headache.

Dancer ran up to hug Dasher as he returned.

“That was incredible! You were sooo close!”

“I'd say your match was closer,” Comet said. She got a blush from Dancer as she turned her head.

“Hush, you,” Arizona replied before turning back to them. “Ya both almost got me, You were great!”

“Indeed, zhey vere vonderful fights!” Velvet said. Dasher and Dancer both stepping back from her. “Don’t vorry, you have been great students.”

Velvet's gaze hardened as she turned to Arizona.

“I just hope you know what zis means. You better win ze finals!”

Arizona stared back as they both leaned in. “Ah won't make you look bad until our rematch, don’cha worry!”

“And now we take an intermission for our finalists to recover. I invite all participants to a celebratory lunch, and Shanty and Arizona to our finest hospitality to be at their best.”

Stronghoof smiled as he stepped down, joining Trudene to lead her out of the stadium.

“So, were you impressed?”

“Very,” Trudene said. “Dey have potential.”

“Good to hear,” Stronghoof said. “Now, are you ready for the meeting?”

“Of course, though dis has been a nice distraction,” Trudene said. “But are you sure de children are ready for dat?”

“They have to be.”

Shanty had never felt so overwhelmed with attention and good food, and she was loving it.

“Wasn't expecting a goat to handle cold that well.” Cupid took another delicate bite with an ice fork as Shanty chowed down.

“You'd be surprised by how cold rainy nights pon di deck can get.” Shanty swallowed. “But dat trick woulda come in handy in di isles.”

“Maybe I should visit sometime,” Cupid said.

“Don't forget your duties.” Blitzen cut in. “You are an Elite now, and the Tundra needs you.”

“O-of course.” Cupid startled. “I'm proud to be an Elite!”

“Don't worry, there are still breaks,” Blitzen said. “But I look forward to working with you.”

Elsewhere at the table, Paprika excitedly recapped the match in a voice some of the guests could not understand.

“...And then you flew over the crowd, then Woosh! That looked so fun! Can I try?”

Dasher and Arizona exchanged a look.

“Ah dunno, Pap,” Arizona said. “I think that'd hurt.”

“I'll say,” Dasher said. “Not sure which of us hurt more.”

“Ah, it's all about gettin’ back up.” Arizona nudged him with an elbow. “Bad luck with those antlers getting stuck.”

“At least you didn't get a lariat.” Dancer touched a hoof to her throat.

With the guests well-fed, Stronghoof cleared his throat.

“If I may have your attention, there is an urgent matter I wish to discuss. You are free to leave, but I'd appreciate the presence of the Elite concerning an important issue. And the champions and diplomats, if you would not mind.”

Murmurs filled the room, but no one got up from their seats.

“Excellent!” Stronghoof tapped the table and continued.

“As you must be aware, the predators have been growing as a threat: amassing in dark places and making the roads unsafe when there is no light. But I regret to inform you that the conflict has escalated further. A town has been attacked and its inhabitants forced to flee. Trudene, explain your plight to those here.“

Stronghoof nodded to her, and she spoke from her place beside him.

“I am Trudene, Champion of de Bushveld, an’ my home was attacked. De predators can amass in de desert, hiding under de sands in de day, but many in de Bushveld thought we were a safe distance from dem. But all it took to make my herd refugees was a rainstorm in de wrong place at de wrong time. Many brave Impalas gave deir lives so dat others could live, including my fat’er, de chief. I will do everyt’ing in my power to protect others from dat fate. So I have come to you for help.

"A whole town?!" Arizona said quietly, mostly to herself. She suddenly looked younger and more vulnerable at the news.

Even Paprika and Shanty seemed lost in thought. Velvet and Vixen’s faces hardened, while Dancer and Cupid’s ears fell.

But Prancer was outraged, and he was the first to speak up.

"Is there anything we can do to help?"

“You have our deepest sympathies.” Blitzen cut in. “But all regions are threatened by the predators, and we must ensure that the Tundra is secure.”

“We can't just wait here!” Comet cut in.

“Indeed.” Stronghoof nodded. “Not all regions are equally threatened.”

“The High Plains, ancestral home of the Alpake, is likely to be overrun with them, I fear,” Sofrito interjected. “Clouds often blot out the sky night and day, and dark caves are everywhere. Thus, I have been seeking refuge for my herd. Others may be in similar danger.”

“I have heard of that from our crew on our ship,” Donner said. “We could offer transportation, at least.”

“Indeed.” Prancer nodded.

Sofrito bowed. “I would greatly appreciate it, but I will need to convince them first.”

“That touches on the purpose of this meeting,” Stronghoof said. “I would like to send ambassadors to the other civilizations to foster cooperation in information and defense against these predators. And since the museum staff assures me that translation could still take weeks, it may be a good time for champions to strike out as well.”

“Ambassadors of Reine?” Blitzen pointed. “The other Jarls have not agreed to this, let alone the Council of Elders.”

“The Jarls think they can wait this out behind walls.” Stronghoof scoffed. “As if what goes on outside will not affect them. And the Council is indecisive; we need to act more nimbly outside of their structure and build bridges that can be made more official later.”

“We?” Blitzen said. “You are Jarl of Reine, but the Elite work for the Sprites, even if our headquarters is in Riene. We are under their orders.”

“Of course.” Stronghoof nodded. “You have no obligation to join me in this. But I have conferred with them. Vetr!”

Stronghoof tilted his head for Vetr to speak, and he translated his words for the non-reindeer.

“So long as they are confident that the Tundra is secure, particularly the Reindeer and us, the Winter Sprites see the wisdom in proactively intervening to stop the threat. The Sprites approve the plan for the Elite to serve as ambassadors and assist other lands, so long as they will return when called and perform their Midwinter duty.”

“Vell, zhat settles zhat,” Vixen said. “But are you sure that ze Tundra vill be safe without us?”

“I have made extensive preparations and increased the guard,” Stronghoof said. “The Tundra is secure. As Jarl and Warrior, I swear to keep it that way.”

“Very well.” Blitzen nodded. “So what is your plan, exactly?”

“As Vetr said, I would like to send as many of you as possible as ambassadors of Reine,” Stronghoof said. “Your mission would be to gather and share information on the predators, the Key, the Hold, and the movements of other champions as well as assist them in their struggles, as needed. The roads will be dangerous, so I would only trust the Elite to this task, whether you go in pairs or alone.”

“For my part,” Velvet cut in, “I vill be paying ze Order of ze Horn a visit and finding out vat zhey know.”

“Mi can come?” Shanty spoke up.

“Can you even read?” Velvet looked down on her.

“No, but mi can reason wid dem.” Shanty said. “Plus, mi never see dat place yet, an mi coulda keep yuh safe.”

Velvet scowled before looking up in shock as Stronghoof spoke.

“That could work. A little team building between champions, perhaps?”

Velvet glared at Stronghoof. “Ve can discuss zis later, but I von’t hold up ze meeting.”

Donner waved a hoof to Sofrito and Paprika. “If you wish to return to the High Plains, I would be happy to accompany you if I am not needed elsewhere. Perhaps I could help convince your tribe, and my ship is in the docks now to leave.”

“I can also come, if I’m not needed elsewhere,” Prancer said.

“I would greatly appreciate it,” Sofrito said. “Given what I have heard, I fear we are running out of time.”

“I'll go with you, then!” Paprika hugged Sofrito. “I’ll keep everyone safe and sound till they're on that pretty island!”

Paprika poked her head to Arizona. “You can come too!”

“I'd love to, Pap,” Arizona started, “but this talk has me worried about my own folks. Ah’d like to check on them, make sure everyone's okay.”.

“Oh. Okay…” Paprika frowned.

“Hey, promise we'll meet up later,” Arizona said. “Ah can tell you our usual route, just in case. And we'll need to grab the Key whenever we've got more to go on.”

“Okay, we'll meet up right after!” Paprika grinned.

“And you'll have me, at least.” Sofrito winced as Paprika's hug tightened.

“I, um…” Dasher hesitated as all eyes turned to him. “I would like to volunteer to be an ambassador to the prairie—if you'll have me.” He glanced from Stronghoof to Arizona. “Nomadic herds may know more about the predator’s movements and be more at risk.”

“Ya don't need my permission.” Arizona smiled. “Ah’d be happy to have ya, whatever good this ambassador thing could do.”

“C-can I have a moment with my brother in private?” Dancer forced herself to speak up, clearly wary of being the center of attention.

“Granted,” Stronghoof said. Clearly, he had already guessed the conversation. “We will wait for you.”

After Dasher and Dancer closed the door in an isolated room, her tone changed completely.

“Do you have any idea what you're signing up for? The prairie is hot and dry, and cattlekind pull heavy wagons through it all day without walls at night.”

“If Mom and Dad can do it, so can we,” Dasher objected, but he stepped back as she poked his floof.

“We've grown up pampered here; neither of us are used to that life at all. And even Mom and Dad didn't venture as far as the cattlekind do all the time. This would be hard and dangerous, and if it's about spending more time with your crush, she’d have to leave soon to get the Key.”

“It's not—I mean, that's a bit of it.” Dasher blushed. “But this isn't just about her. Remember how we talked about the roads getting less safe for people like Mom and Dad? I'd like to do something about that, and it'd bother me every day if I stayed.”

Dancer took a deep breath. “That's a better reason, but are you really willing to stick with this, whether or not she accepts you and after she has to leave?”

Dancer stared into Dasher's eyes as he answered.

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and how well we did in the tournament proves that we're ready. But honestly, I probably needed the nudge from her.”

Dancer studied him silently for a moment.

“If you really believe that, then I am in as well. We may be needed in different places, and I'd prefer to stay where it's comfortable, but I also want to make a difference.”

“Thanks for understanding.” Dasher smiled as they hugged.

“I still think you're crazy, but your heart is in the right place.”

“We're in.” Dancer spoke softer and faster at the meeting. “Whether you need me in the prairie or elsewhere.”

“The prairie borders other regions, and ambassadors may have to travel between them.” Stronghoof scratched his chin. “Perhaps you can go together and make a judgment call there.”

“Glad to have ya then!” Arizona said.

The planning talks went on for hours, but with their destinations set, Arizona, Dasher, and Dancer left early.

Arizona couldn't help but notice their concern.

“Don'cha worry, my herd’ll treat ya like family! They're nice folks.”

“If they're anything like you, I'm sure they are.” Dasher gave a shy smile.

“Ah, shucks!” Arizona smiled. “I should be thankin’ you with all your hospitality. Still, ah am kind of homesick.”

“Is it hot there?” Dancer asked as diplomatically as possible.

“Afraid so,” Arizona answered. “But it gets cool at night. You can ride in a wagon, though. I can handle your weight easy.”

Dancer paused and blinked at the implication before she caught up.

“Thanks, I guess. Am I really that light?”

“By cattlekind standards, yeah.” Arizona said. “Ah’m still a lightweight calf myself.”

“You seem strong for your size, at least,” Dancer said, suddenly worried about other cows.

“Ha! Guess that's fair.” Arizona said. “Not a lot of other folks can spar with my Pa.”

“I look forward to meeting him,” Dasher said before stepping in front and turning to face her. He suddenly seemed unsure. “Look, before we go, I should let you know that I, well, I like you.”

Arizona tilted her head in a puzzled look before shrugging and smiling. “Well, ah like you too. Is that odd for reindeer to say, or somethin'?

Dasher blinked as Dancer's mouth hung open.

“Uh, not really,” Dasher said. “Just, well, nerves I guess.”

“Don’t worry, it'll be fun!” Arizona patted him on the shoulder. “Ah gotta do some warm-ups, but I'll talk with y'all later!”

Dancer whispered as soon as she was out of earshot.

“She's not the brightest girl you could pick.”

“She's just focused!” Dasher protested.

“And now it is time for the final match of our great Tournament of Champions! With glory, praise, and ten thousand salt on the line!”

The crowd cheered as Stronghoof raised his hoof.

“Let these matches assure you that Fœnum can stand united and strong against this darkness. And now, I have the great honor of calling Arizona, Champion of the Prairie, and Shanty, Champion of the Isles!”

Arizona bowed. “May the best Champ’een win!”

Shanty bowed. “Forget that! It's gonna be me!”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Arizona stomped a hoof as soon as the drum sounded, but Shanty casually hopped to avoid the shockwave.

“Gotta be faster dan dat!” Shanty said.

Arizona stared her down for a second before throwing her lasso at Shanty's head.

She dodged it with a sidestep as she leaned away and yawned.

Arizona dashed in with a jab, but Shanty stopped her yawn instantly to jump away. She turned into a run as she dodged a standing horn swipe.

She turned to wink at Arizona and checked her position, seeing her digging her hooves in.

Arizona lunged with a headbuck as Shanty jumped to and off the wall, flipped, and landed on Arizona's back.

“YAAR!” Shanty yelled in Arizona's ear and kicked off. Arizona flinched, which put her off-balance and let the move easily flip her onto her side.

Shanty tumbled in the air and came down with a powerful kick, but Arizona rolled away just in time.

Dust flew as Shanty's hindhoof struck the ground where her head was. Shanty stood as she alighted for a quick bipedal headbuck.

But Arizona tripped her with a sweep of her horns from the ground.

“Wahohoh!” Shanty yelled as she fell on Arizona's back as the cow stood up.

“Giddy up!” Arizona bounced Shanty on her back and off it in the perfect position for a hindhoof kick, sending her rolling to slam into the wall.

As she recovered, she noticed Arizona’s lasso tangled on her hoof, and she got an idea.

Shanty got to her feet quickly as Arizona kept her distance after turning to face her warily.

“Nice save!” Shanty said. “Mi did worry it'd be done too quick.”

“Had to get ya off mah back and in the corner,” Arizona said, hoof raised and ready to stomp.

In response, Shanty jumped to the wall and ran across it.

“Yuh forget mi a goat? Mi love di corner!”

Arizona stepped to the side with her eyes glued to her opponent.

Shanty jumped off the wall in a flip as Arizona grabbed and sent her rope in a flash, but it was untied; the end flapped uselessly near Shanty.

“Huh?!“ Arizona was cut off by Shanty’s hindhoof as it slammed down on her head.

Before she could recover, Shanty stunned her with a headbuck between her horns and sent her spinning onto the ground with a sweeping kick to the cheek.

Shanty broke into a run as Arizona turned over and braced herself. She laid down to block Shanty’s sliding trip attempt with her forelegs flat on the ground.

Shanty stood for another headbuck, but Arizona met it with her own and bulled her back with her head.

As Shanty stumbled back, Arizona raised a hoof to feint a stomp, which prompted Shanty to jump back in with a headbuck, but instead Arizona stepped forward and swiped Shanty with her horns, catching and flinging her through the air.

Arizona’s hooves pushed up a slab of rock before she hurtled toward Shanty. “Y’all in for a Beatin’!”

Shanty jumped as high as she could as soon as she landed, barely making it thanks to to time it took Arizona to turn. She’d already planned her next attack as Arizona passed under her.

Arizona jumped off the wall, then flew toward Shanty from behind with a double hindleg kick. “Plow through you!”

Arizona's hooves spiked Shanty into a hard landing, and she lay on the ground dazed as Arizona dashed across the stadium to pin her with a hoof on her chest.

Shanty tried to roll away, but she scowled as the hoof pressed harder to lock her in place. “Fiine, you win.”

“And the winner of our First Tournament of Champions is Arizona, Champion of the Prairie!’ Stronghoof's voice blasted at his highest volume, and cheers quickly matched it.

“You were great! That was close!” Arizona helped Shanty up. “Glad to have ya on our side.”

“Yeah, well, enjoy di salt.” Shanty grunted before she composing herself. “An’ good fight.”

“Arizona, approach!” Stronghoof called again, “It is time to say a few words as victor and receive your prize!”

“Uhh…” Arizona locked eyes with him before walking up, head lowered as she tried to think of something.

Stronghoof nodded to her with a smile as he stepped away to let her take the announcer stand by a huge salt chest. “I yield the floor to you.”

“Uh, that was a great hoedown! Love the stadium ya got here.” Arizona gulped as murmurs filled the stands. “But, ah really wanted to say that I'm glad Fœnum’s got so many great fighters defendin’ her. Your Elites are somethin’ else, and y’all have a great Champ’een. Ah'll do whatever I can to help keep everyone safe.”

Arizona smiled as they cheered again, and she stepped aside for Stronghoof.

“As shall I! And with that in mind, I would like to announce my new diplomatic plan for the safety and cooperation of all herds against this threat…”

“Congratulations!” Paprika squeezed Arizona outside the stadium. “I knew you could do it!”

“Thanks, Pap,” Arizona spoke through a limited ability to breathe as she hugged back.

“That was incredible!” Dasher walked up.

“A vorthy fight, I suppose.” Velvet strode up to her and narrowed her eyes. “But ve still have a rematch to do before you go.”

Arizona pulled away from Paprika to face her. “You’re on! First thing tomorrow!”

Velvet turned and smiled as she looked back. “You’ve done vell. I expect to see your best!”

After some meetings over his announcement, Stronghoof joined the contestants for the last feast of the tournament.

He grinned at Arizona and her friends as they celebrated. “We will keep your salt safe in our bank until you require it, if that suits you.”

“About that.” Arizona swallowed and composed herself. “I was thinkin’ that with the Alpake and the Impalas movin’ and such and y’all volunteering to help, ah’d like to do somethin’. I can’t be everywhere at once, but maybe some salt would help.”

Sofrito’s eyes widened. “You would do that for us?”

“It’s the least I could do.” Arizona glanced at Stronghoof. “Ah’ve never been great with figures, but do ya think splittin’ it half and half would make a dent?”

Shanty choked on her drink as Stronghoof answered.

“Five thousand salt would go a long way to securing supplies and transportation. But are you sure this is how you’d want to spend it?”

“You should keep some for yourself!” Trudene leaned forward. “If only to help your herd with deir needs; de world is not as safe as it once was.”

“Ah.” Arizona blinked. “I suppose you have a point. How about ah hold one of five parts, and the other rest gets split between them?”

“That would be very generous,” Sofrito said.

Dasher raised his voice. "I'll make that split as well with my winnings."

Cupid paused in thought for a moment before shrugging. "I'll split half of my winnings. I'd also like to do something."

All eyes turned to Shanty, though they seemed more curious than demanding.

"Eh, mi think 'bout it." Shanty frowned.

"It's your salt." Sofrito said. "We will have plenty to work with: no pressure in giving it up."

"You are already helping as Champion." Trudene seconded. Shanty's eyes flicked away for a split second.

Shanty watched them as they talked over the details, lost in thought.

She get ten thousand salt an she’s just… giving it away?! Nuh even to her own herd?

“Hey,” Cupid’s voice snapped her out of it, “great match out there. Could have gone either way.”

“Thanks,” Shanty said. “Second place nuh get half di salt, though.”

“Fair, but it does give prestige,” Cupid said. “Think about it, you placed higher than any of the reindeer in Reine—and you had to fight the Jarl.”

“Aye.” Shanty smiled. “Dat mek fi a good story, at least.”

“Choose one book,” Satin insisted. “The wisest travelers have the lightest packs!”

Dancer scowled as her parents made most of her packing decisions for her.

“I can keep more on the wagon,” Dancer protested. “Arizona even offered to pull me.”

“But you need to make a good impression!” Waltz looked up from instructing his sprite. “Can’t have you sitting in there all day. But I suppose a few books in a wagon wouldn’t hurt.”

“Thank you.” Dancer tapped three more books, which her sprite quickly stowed away.

“Have you heard any news from the Prairie?” Dasher asked.

“Nothing they wouldn’t know in Reine,” Waltz replied. “It’s been years since we’ve been there. It’s typically a place merchants pass through”

“Makes sense,” Dasher said. “Still, I’m looking forward to it.”

“It will be hot, dry, and sparsely populated,” Satin said. “Not sure what there is to look forward to.”

“Well… I’ll be with a friend.” Dasher paused. “And the difficulty’s part of the point. I know we’ve had it easy here in Reine, and I’d like to prove I can make it there.”

“I’m sure you will.” Satin pulled him into a hug.

Elsewhere in the HQ, Blitzen walked into Cupid’s room.

“Do you require assistance? How much travel— “

Cupid let out an ‘Eeek!’ as Blitzen spotted him packing a Blitzen plush, with a full collection of Elite plushies on display beside it.

Cupid’s ears fell back in an awkward silence before Blitzen spoke.

“...We’re traveling together. You don’t need him as well.”

Prancer deflected another knife with his ice sword as Trudene leapt over him, but he tripped as she landed and swept his legs.

“You fight well.” She helped him up. “But we need more dan one extra warrior.”

Prancer shook the back leg she hit. “If we can get nations talking together, that could lead to something more.”

“Maybe.” Trudene picked up a knife with her mouth and slid it back into its foreleg pouch.

“But if that fails, I’ll still be there to help you.” Prancer said.

“Me?” Trudene looked up after she’d stowed the second knife.

“The only way to stop the predators is to find the Key, and as Champion, that is your duty. If I can do anything to make that job safer or faster, I'm happy to just be a bodyguard.”

“More like a sidekick.” Trudene gave a smirk that fell quickly. “But I don't even know where to look, and I'd rather not see anyone risk demselves for me.”

“It is my duty to protect Fœnum; if there is anything I can do to end this threat sooner, I will do it,” Prancer insisted. “It is shameful for a warrior to wait safely behind walls as others suffer.”

Trudene's smile returned. “I can respect dat. Fine, if I need a sidekick, I'll let you know.”

Arizona relaxed in the hot springs with the alpacas. She resigned herself to being hugged by Paprika the whole time. “Sorry we didn't get through everything on your list.”

“Don't worry about that, I had a great time!” Paprika tightened the hug as Arizona flinched. “Met new friends, got to watch you in a tournament, and we went skating! We should do this again sometime!”

“Sure, Pap,” Arizona said. “But we've got other stuff to do, first.”

“Right, right.” Paprika nodded. “I'm going to take my tribe on an adventure!”

Arizona blinked. “Well, that's one way to think about it.”

“I doubt they will see it that way,” Sofrito said. “But we may be running out of time.”

“Ah get not wanting to leave your home, but stayin’ ain't an option,” Arizona said. “Ah’m sure you'll convince ‘em.”

“I wish I had your confidence.” Sofrito frowned. “Ack!”

Paprika yoinked him into the hug. “Ah, you'll do fine. And I'll be right there with you!”

That night, Shanty snuck out of the lodge.

She passively cased the bank under the cover of snow on a rooftop, noting the guard patrols, the lighting, and windows for entry: but her planning was overshadowed by other thoughts.

Who just gi salt way like dat?! Dat cow mad. If mi did win, mi woulda…

Her thoughts grew conflicted as she remembered Trudene's story.

…mi woulda gi dem a likkle, maybe. Mi could just tek a likkle fi miself now. Who would even notice?

Shanty stared at the bank as moments passed by.

Betta nuh risk it. Plus, mi a go win it proper next time!

With that, she shook off the snow and leapt from roof to roof as she made her way back to the lodge.

"Eh, mi need fi talk wid yuh."

"Go on." Stronghoof replied.

"Mi want yuh fi split 1000 a mi salt fi di donation." Shanty's tone was oddly uncertain as she pointed a hoof. "But nuh tell dem! Nuh want dem fi think mi get soft and mi a go gi dem all a mi salt."

Stronghoof smiled. "My lips are sealed. If you would like cover for it, I could say it's a little extra donation from me."

"Aye, dat sound good." Shanty glanced to the floor, wanting a change in topic. "So, yuh have any more a dat shaved ice?"

"I will have it brought out to you." Stronghoof said.

"How about banana and mango dis time." Shanty called back as she abruptly cantered off to join the others at the fire.

Stronghoof watched her leave as Vetr spoke in words she could not understand.

"Maybe she can be a champion after all."

Stronghoof nodded. "Could use more manners, but I see the potential in her."

The next morning, deer filtered into the stadium for an unofficial match as Velvet and Arizona strode in to face each other.

“I underestimated you before, but now you have my full attention.” Velvet’s horns glowed as her eyes narrowed. “Show me zhat you are a rival vorth ze effort!”

“Ah just won the tournament, ya know.” Arizona squinted. One of her forehooves scraped the ground. “But ah promise to give this my all!”

“On my mark!” Stronghoof called, back in the announcer seat.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

BOOM!

Arizona stomped the ground hard with both hooves, expecting Velvet to step away like she had in their match before.

Instead, she jumped back into the air and formed an icicle.

Recalling that her icicles had vanished when she was struck, Arizona dashed in for a quick hoof strike, but she was surprised by Velvet shifting to the side to dodge it instead of trying to block with ice.

Smack!

Velvet's forehoof slapped Arizona's face twice with more force than she remembered, which bought time for the icicle to slam down and shatter against her, followed by a double hindhoof kick that knocked her on her back.

“Spike!”

Arizona looked up to see a massive shard of ice crashing to the ground, and felt pieces of it scatter on her back as she rolled away.

Arizona had to duck an icicle flying across the stadium as she tried to stand, with Velvet a comfortable distance away.

“Good stuff—didn't think ya could hit that hard!” Arizona called to her.

“Zhank you, I've been training for zhis.” Velvet formed another icicle. “Now less talking. Ve fight!”

Arizona parried the icicle with a horn swipe, breaking it into mist as she stepped forward.

She then charged forward and braced herself for a snowflake striking her head, wincing but not slowing down at the impact.

Blinking as the pain almost blinded her from spikes jutting from the ground, she jumped forward as far as she could.

Velvet smirked as she formed another spike patch behind her, spun, and summoned wind to stall and reverse Arizona's momentum as it carried her up and away through the air.

Arizona pulled her lasso out and started to spin it through the air to get the speed she needed.

Velvet noted it flying forward as she pulled out of her spin, confident that it would fall short after she had secretly measured it in the night. Instead of dodging she focused on guiding Arizona to the spikes with her wind.

But she failed to notice that Arizona had tied two ropes together.

“Gotcha—Waaa!”

Both fighters yelped in shock as Velvet was flung through the air by the rope and Arizona noticed the spikes she was rapidly approaching.

Velvet did her best to stabilize her fall with wind, but she still ended up face planting on the ground, rolling over on her antlers and stopping belly up on the ground.

As she recovered from her dizziness Velvet called a fog of snow around her, hoping Arizona's recovery would also be slow as she pulled herself up.

The force of Arizona's rope pull sent her into a tumble in the air toward the patch of spikes.

Arizona missed them by several meters due to Velvet's wind being cut short, but it didn't matter as she hit the ground in an uncontrollable roll until the spikes shattered on her back.

“YEOWCH!”

Arizona curled up at the pain, but she forced herself to her hooves as soon as it receded.

When she got up, she was greeted by white all around her, hiding the stadium walls and the ground beneath her hooves.

Arizona spun around as she looked for her opponent until she spotted an antlered silhouette.

Arizona launched herself toward it from a slab of rock pulled up by her hind hooves, shattered the ice statue into pieces.

“TORNADO!”

A white swirl of wind flew over Arizona’s side, pulling her into its path across the stadium as the snow flew into the vortex.

“CHILL OUT!”

All of the cold from the wind and fog poured into Arizona, leaving her shivering and white with a coat of snow.

With Arizona slowed down, Velvet’s barrage of icicles seemed to accelerate faster than ever.

One deflected off a hoof, which forced her foreleg away as she caught another on her forehead, while another grazed her side, while another burst directly on her chest as she barely shuffled away from spikes rising beneath her.

Arizona's stamina was failing and her rope was far out of reach, but the rush of desperation warmed her body enough for her to move properly.

Spotting the head of the deer statue nearby against the wall, she dashed towards it: dodging past one icicle and ducking under another as she swiped her horns.

Velvet tilted her head to summon spikes under Arizona, seeing that she would not be able to avoid them laying flat on her chest, but she didn't register the ice head flying at her.

Crash!

Velvet raised her hooves to her head too late to block, and she was knocked clean off her hooves by the force of the impact.

Arizona wasted no time in rushing her with a headbuck horn swipe, but Velvet landed and slid just out of reach on skates she summoned on her hind hooves on ice she formed behind her on the ground.

Velvet’s skating momentum began to outpace Arizona’s run as she formed new icicles to launch.

Realizing this, Arizona drew on her last reserves of energy to push off the ground in another charge: smashing through a flying icicle and slamming her head into Velvet, which sent her flying.

Velvet rolled and skidded to a halt in a hard landing near the wall with Arizona running to catch up.

She resummoned her skates to slide back on a sheet of ice again, then stopped after a few short meters with her back to the wall.

Arizona raised a hoof to stomp. “You’re outta— Wah!”

Velvet spun once to summon a gale that blew toward her, and the lack of friction on the ice combined with Arizona only having three hooves on the ground caused Arizona to stumble as she slid forward.

Arizona managed to keep herself upright, only to be stopped by Velvet’s hoof on her muzzle as ice encased her hooves and cold seeped back into her body.

“Did you slip?” Velvet released the ice as Arizona jerked to break free of it, which caused her to fall by her own momentum.

As the cow scrambled up, Velvet took a deep breath. She hoped Arizona would stay still or try to dash in at the short distance.

“Now I’ve—” Arizona dashed forward with a hoof strike as quickly as she could through the cold.

Velvet breathed out a cloud of frost and forced herself to not flinch as Arizona’s hoof closed in on her muzzle.

“Gottcchhhyaaa!”

White snow filled the air, and Stronghoof could only make out the silhouette of a cow standing and a deer on the ground.

“And the winner is…” Stronghoof narrowed his eyes.

The snow cleared to show Velvet as she panted, out of breath and exposed.

But Arizona stood in place, motionless, with a confident smile frozen to her face and her hoof still outstretched.

Velvet pulled herself up halfway before she saw her opponent and slunk back down for a few more breaths.

“The winner is Velvet!” Stronghoof shouted at full volume despite the mostly empty stands.

Velvet finally stood. She smiled and walked up to her frozen opponent.

“Now zhis deserves a trophy!” Velvet waved at her sprites as she formed a cow statue, watching them carve the finer details into an exact likeness of Arizona’s pose.

“Perfect!” Velvet smirked and tipped the cow over with a flick of her hoof to the side of her muzzle. “Checkmate!”

“You both fought well,” Trudene said. “Seeing what you are capable of gives me hope for de future.”

Arizona shivered in front of the lodge fire as Paprika covered her with another blanket.

“Th-thanks, that was a good scrap.” Arizona glanced at Velvet as she tapped her shoulder with a hoof.

“Don’t be ashamed—you vere beaten by ze best!” Velvet chuckled at a groan from Arizona before continuing in a more genuine tone. “Zhat rope trick vas clever; you almost had me zhere. Just remember that we’re even now: I expect you to be stronger when ve meet again!”

“You’re on!” Arizona locked eyes with her. “You better train hard to keep up!”

“Of course, rival.”

Arizona and Velvet stared each other down with determined eyes, but everyone saw that they were both smiling beneath it.

Paprika held Arizona in her longest hug yet at the port.

“I’ll visit as soon as I can. Or you can visit me! Maybe we’ll meet back in Reine!”

“We’ve got a lot to do, but ah look forward to it.” Arizona pulled her tighter, not caring about the glances from nearby deer as minutes passed.

“...I’ll miss you.” Paprika frowned as she let her go.

“Ah’ll miss ya too. But we’ll meet up again. Ah promise.”

Author's Note

The end of the story's time in Reine, for now at least.

It may be overambitious to branch things out like this, but there are stories to be told in different parts of Foenum.

Someone Had Tae Do It's branch has a long way to go to catch up in the timeline, though.

I hope you've been enjoying the story so far, and as always I welcome any feedback.

Trudene is one of NotSoDogNinja's OCs, and I am using her with his permission.

Her tragic background of a predator attack seemed fitting to add urgency for the motivations of the characters and the pacing of the story.

I have no desire to be needlessly dark or edgy, but I want the predators to feel dangerous.

Trudene using metal as the Impala Champion of the Bushveld has some basis in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, which is rich with metals including Titanium and Vanadium, which can be used to make a lightweight steel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushveld_Igneous_Complex

I see that level of metal use as a fairly distinct feature of her herd, with her using strapped on metal horns to fight more like a male impala and the throwing knives as limited projectiles.

As a general rule conventional weapons feel out of place in Fœnum to me, and weapons of any kind are rare, but I think they can be interesting when they feel like a distinct part of the character and their culture.