//------------------------------// // Temple Secrets // Story: Enter The Dragon (Spike's Story) // by Stratocaster //------------------------------// Chapter 5: Temple Secrets The blazing yellow sun of Celestia crossed the sky, racing aganst the little pegasus flying below. Fluttershy flapped her wings vigorously across the ocean off the coast of Los Pegasus; she would've stopped to rest, if she weren't mere feet from dropping into nothing but water. Atop her back was Spike with a backpack and an eager look on his face. Ignoring his partner's strain, he busied his imagination with thoughts about Yang's temple. He envisioned himself, a taller and more muscular self, taking down nameless henchponies before being swarmed by grateful mares and claiming the winning gems. As he daydreamed, Fluttershy spoke between panting. "Spike, remind me again why we couldn't just take a boat?" she asked. "The invitation said to keep the location of the temple secret." Spike answered, snapping back to reality. "We can't raise suspicion, so we have to find our own way." "Well if the location is a secret, how do we know where we're going?" "Huh, I haven't really thought about that. I assumed we just keep flying out into sea until we find the island." "What?!" "Just keep going, it shouldn't be that much longer." Spike then reached into his pack and pulled out a plastic bag. He opened it and began muncing loudly. Fluttershy peered up. "Are you eating trail mix?" "A martial artist's gotta keep up his energy, right?" he said with a full mouth. "Can I have some?" "Nah, it's probably not a good idea to eat while flying. Drink some water, it'll make you less hungry." "It's salt water." She glowered. "So what? It puts hair on your chest." Fluttershy groaned to herself. A couple more hours passed as Fluttershy arduously flew over the calm waters of the Pocific Ocean with her passenger on her back. When it seemed like she would make a sudden slashdown, something manifested far off in the distance. Ahead was a small landmass that appeared to be an island filled with lush jungle. A smile of sweet relief stretched across Fluttershy's face as the island came closer and closer in view, with rolling waves crashing against the rocky shores. At long last, she landed upon a wooden dock that jutted out into the water; standing on it was a mysterious turquoise mare. She wore an elaborate red silk dress with her purple mane tied in a bun, and greeted the two with a smile and a bow of her head. "Greetings, fair warriors," she said in a sensual tone. "Welcome to the Temple of Yang. I shall show you to your accomodations, if you will follow me. Your beds have just been made." "Beds? Oh..." Fluttershy moaned with relief and began to sway. Immediately, her knees lost strength and she collapsed on the dock. Several minutes later, Spike finally got her up and followed the guiding mare up a stone path through the thick jungle growth. Before long, they came to a clearing and marveled at their destination. An elaborate pagoda stood high surrounded by a stone wall with a decorated gate opening up. As they entered the temple complex, Spike and Fluttershy looked all around the grassy courtyard to see square formations of ponies wearing gray martial artists' uniforms. They faced their seperate instructors and repeatedly through punches in syncronized turns, shouting 'HIYA's with each strike. The turquoise guide pony eventually led the pair inside the pagoda, where they proceeded down a red hued hallway lined with paper windows; the decor included ink paintings, aligraphy, busts, suits of armor and other artifacts from the far east. At the end of the hall, the escort stopped and opened a gilded door. "Here is your suite." The guide pony gestured them inside. "I will give you some time to unpack. There is a feast starting in about half an hour in the arena. If you need anything until then, please let me know. Oh, and good luck in the tournament." "Thank you, ma'am." Spike waved her off as she closed the door. Fluttershy sighed as she plopped onto one of the two plush beds. "Hah, just a few minutes of rest is all I need." "Don't get too comfortable, Fluttershy." Spike said. "It sounds like everypony is getting ready for this feast. This might be our chance to get some dirt on this Yang dude." But he only heard gentle snoring coming from her direction. Fluttershy had already dozed off, letting her tired wings unfurl limp on the heavenly sheets. Spike shook his head, then opened a wooden wardrobe. Inside was a pair of yellow uniforms with black competitors' belts. He hummed with intrigue as he looked at the uniforms. Later, both Spike and Fluttershy found themselves seated next to each other in the temple arena. It was large square room surrounded by the familiar paper walls and featured a flat fighting platform in the center. A crowd of ponies sat around the square in three rows, sitting on silk cushions with a bar table in front; some were dressed in the same yellow competitors' uniforms while others were simply esteemed guests spectating from the back. On the north side of the room was a band of musicians playing eastern tunes, complete with flutes, samisens, and taiko drums. In the center, a troop of dancers twirled bamboo staffs around three ponies manipulating a snake-like dragon costume; Fluttershy was amazed, but Spike was a bit cheesed off by the performance. Standing along the perimeter of the room were several of the ponies in gray uniforms from outside. They seemed to be standing guard as they surveyed all who entered. "Wow, I didn't know so many ponies were invited." Fluttershy said looking around at the turnout. "It's a good thing we're not really competing." Spike replied as he peered toward the front where the band was seated. Just then, as the last of the guests piled in, a large gong was heard from behind the north wall and the band immediately stopped playing and exited; the dancers froze in their place as well. Everypony looked to the front where the turqoise guide mare stood and announced. "Welcome, esteemed guests and competitors." She smiled. "It is my honor to introduce the owner of this fair temple and the founder of this tournament. Please welcome, his exaltedness, Master Yang!" With another gong crash, the mare exited and the wall was opened by two sliding paper doors. And there he was. In walked the fiery red stallion from Yin's photograph. Yang strode in regally to the front of the arena, adorned in a royal purple silk robe with gold trim. His face seemed to be wrinkled from middle age, and his soot black mane was even a tad grayed. But Yang faced his crowd with a stony smile as he spoke in a bold deep voice. "Welcome, my honored guests! I am pleased to see you have all answered my invitations. I have no doubt in my mind that this will be a remarkable tournament." "Remarkable? Hmph," muttered Spike. "I have a few 'remarks' for him." But Fluttershy shushed him as Yang continued. "You have all been gathered here because you represent the best that the sacred art of Tail Kwon Do has to offer. But only one of you shall rise above the rest, as your skills will be put to the ultimate test against each other. Each day, we will pick ten competitors at random and pair them in five different fights. Soon, we shall work our way up the competition ladder until the final duel decides the ultimate victor. And so, without further adieu, I shall pick the first ten fighters to face off tomorrow." The turqoise mare then gave Yang a small box filled with tiny slips of paper. Yang reached in and pulled out one slip at a time, reading the names on them out loud. "Jockey Chan vs. Buck Norris! Sylvester Stallion vs. Arnold Schwarzeneighger! Keanu Hooves vs. Steed McQueen! Fluttershy-" "What?!" squeaked Fluttershy. "-vs. O'Mara!" Then, Fluttershy looked as a male competitor from across the arena stood up and faced her. The tan stallion had a tall fit physique and a long wavy brown mane with a thick beard; his face featured a prominent scar stretching down over his left eye. The stallion named O'Mara narrowed his partially scarred eyes at Fluttershy with intimidation. She whimpered quietly. Yang then called the last two names. "And finally, Polo vs. Spike the Dragon!" Hearing his name, Spike immediately stood from his cushion and waved to the crowd with a cocky smile. But he quickly felt awkward when nopony applauded. All he heard was guffawing from across the arena. Spike looked as another competitor arose and stared him down with a crazed smile. The grayish stallion, who was most likely Polo had a bulky build and a bit of face fat. As he grinned at Spike, he picked up a spoon from his table and effortlessly twisted it into a contorted steel knot. Spike gulped at the hulking brute. "You're paying for that!" scolded Yang at Polo. "Now that tomorrow's fighter's are selected, you may now go and train. But first, enjoy this exquisite feast I had prepared; after all, a martial artist needs to eat. So for now, enjoy the luxuries of my fine temple; tonight you shall sleep well, and tomorrow you shall fight hard! Thank you, and welcome again." Yang exited through where he entered as the band returned to continue their music; the dancers resumed their performance. Then, through the doors that Yang had entered, a group of hoofmaidens filed in two lines, carrying food and drinks on their backs. They wore skimpy red silk dresses and their manes tied in buns; their faces were covered in white powder with red lipstick. The graceful servants gave flirting smiles to the competitors as they offered their confections. "Those must be Yang's slave mares." Fluttershy pointed. "Wow, they're...beautiful!" Spike lit up. "Spike, they're being forced against their will!" scorned Fluttershy. "Well they don't look very sad about it. I mean what could possibly..." he stopped as something caught his eye. One of the beautiful mares looked oddly familiar to him. There, serving the guests, was an alabastor unicorn with a dark purple mane and coral blue almond shaped eyes. Spike could not believe it at first, but his worst fear was right there in front of him. It was his dream mare herself, sporting a red silk dress and lifting a tray of sake cups which she distributed to the competitors. Unlike the rest of the servants, she kept a straight face saving whatever dignity she had left. "Rarity?!" Spike grimaced at the sight of Rarity being forced to serve the brutish stallions. "What is she doing here?!" "Oh my gosh!" gasped Fluttershy. "Rarity must be one of the hoofmaidens. How did she get here?" "I...I don't know. Do you think she knows we're here?" "She doesn't see us. But we can't call her; we might get in trouble." Fluttershy darted her eyes at the guards in gray. "This can't be happening." Spike stared longingly at Rarity who soon exited the room with an empty tray; she gave a forlorn sigh before dissapearing. "Here you are, fair warriors." One of the other hoofmaidens set plates of food before Spike and Fluttershy. They were filled with rice and flower pedals stuffed in steamed tea leaves, with various soups and veggies on the side. "Why don't you have some food, Spike?" said Fluttershy. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow." "I'm not that hungry." Spike narrowed his eyes. "Things have just gotten too personal. Yang must pay!"