Taking in the spa atmosphere, Rarity soaked in the top grade waters and let the hot tub jets caress her aching muscles. A towel wrapped her indigo mane as she reflected on her time training Applejack, her hands cradling her head. “It’s so unusual. Applejack already holds 4 inches of height on Twilight, 2 inches of reach, and an immense power edge, yet she still trains to widen the gap. Exactly how hard does she want to punch the poor thing? Perhaps she seeks to end it in one shot and shorten the amount of punishment she absorbs. After all, 10 rounds is grueling enough for professional boxers, never mind someone who’s only lifted literature before this whole fiasco.”
“Hey there, Rare!” Said a towel wrapped Applejack, dipping into the hot tub. “Thanks again for treatin’ me to a day at the spa”
“Don’t mention it, darling. You’ve put in a lot of work these past couple months, you’ve earned the pampering. The free publicity doesn’t hurt much either, if the stacks of inquiries at my shop mean anything”
“Ain’t that the truth. Sweet Apple Acres’s been busy as a beehive, and the only thing I’m doin’ is what I do naturally! Can’t say it’s been all easy going, though, considerin’ how ragged you’re runnin’ me with all these power lifts, clap push ups and rock flips and such”
“Do you expect me to let you step out into that ring and be anything less than magnificent?”
“‘Spose not, Rare” A chuckle quickly followed her reply. “I’m guessin’ RD wants the same thing for Twi, knowin’ how competitive she gets.”
“It takes two to do the tango, and you two dance like it’s second nature. Really, it feels like you two been at it since the day we all met, even in something as simple as drinking milkshakes. Oh, the heaving that day brought.”
“I admit it wasn’t my brightest idea, but it made for some fun times, didn’t it?” Rarity smiled and nodded. “Besides, The princess said it herself: done proper, conflict can bring out the best in us and let folks release their energy and frustrations in as controlled an environment as the circumstances allow; I’m sure some would feel different about it, though. Ain’t that right, Fluttershy?” Applejack glanced beside her at the person in question, both of them chest deep into the waters.
“Well, games can be fun, but this is Boxing, one of the most dangerous games one can play”
“That’s true, but this ain’t exactly a back alley, bare knuckle brawl. When it’s fight night in Las Pegasus, the best medics in the business are always ready for action”
“That doesn’t change that it’s basically two fighters making a sport of bruising and concussing each other. How can causing concussions possibly bring out the best in them? Some of their best can’t even talk straight by the time they retire”
“Hazard of the craft. Lots of sports out there are just civilized combat, and I figure those risks ain’t far from the minds of those playin’ ‘em”
“If you knew all that, then why did you decide to fight Twilight?” AppleJack stretched her arms upwards, scratching lightly at her crown
“In all honesty, the thought never crossed my mind ‘til the princess proposed it. I’m still not keen on the whole idea, but considerin’ she exiled her own kin to the moon for a 1000 years, I don’t think she’s the kind you turn down”
“Does that mean you’ll go easy on her?” AppleJack gestured towards Rarity, who shook her head softly and briefly
“There’s your answer. She may be a ‘egghead,’ as RD puts it, but that don’t mean she’ll fall over if I so much as flinch at ‘er. Speaking of which, I heard you laced ‘em up against Twi not too long, Rare. How’d she do?” Rarity scrubbed her arms with a loofah.
“As your trainer, I say this with the utmost respect for your skills, power and toughness: if you sleep on her, she will put you to sleep.”
“What, from how long it takes her to get anything goin’? Don’t tell me you actually went down”
“Of course not. When we fought, she was far too rough to land many significant shots, so I fainted her into exactly what I wanted to execute.”
“And how’d that work out?”
“With her face down on the canvas, naturally. Can’t say it was easy to do, though.”
“What makes ya say that?” Rarity cast her relaxed gaze towards Fluttershy
“Fluttershy, do you remember when you and Twilight sparred?”
“I do, but what does that have to do with her?”
“From what I recall, you displayed an excellent grasp on blocking and counter punching, yet I don’t ever remember you having a background in the sport. Is this natural talent, or is there something you’ve yet to divulge about your downtime habits?”
“Well, I’ve been wanting to get stronger for a while, so I could better serve and protect the animals. That’s what lead me to ask my workout partner to teach me how to box.”
“And they taught you well, as Rainbow Dash has done for Twilight and continues to. May I ask who your workout partner is, by the way?”
“Umm...Ms. Cheerilee, if I’m not mistaken?” AppleJack’s jaw dropped the second she heard that name.
“Cheerilee? Apple Bloom’s teacher? How in Tarnation is that possible?”
“She was actually an amateur boxer when she was in college, and she taught me a lot of the stuff Rarity brought up”
“Stuff I’m thankful you’re takin’ the time to pass onto me, even if you do feel as shaky as Apple Bloom does about me enterin’ the ring” AppleJack looked down at her reflection in the water and sighed
“I thought your family was excited over the idea. Every time I’m down there, they’re more than willing to help with training.”
“They are, Apple Bloom ain’t. Ever since Scootaloo told her about concussions in the sport, she’s done everything short of headin’ to Appleloosa to remove herself from all this. Why, I doubt even the promise of a cutie mark could convince ‘er to get involved. Hey Rare, am I on the money about this?” Rarity shot her a nod
“When Sweetie Belle went off to join her friend at the gym, she mentioned how vehemently Apple Bloom refused her invitation, as well as extolling the quality of Twilight’s instruction. From what my dear sister’s shown, Twilight’s gained quite a bit of skill at the craft. Who knows? She may even find a way to best you in the ring”
“Are you serious?”
“Well you’ve both had all this time to do your due diligence in the ring, not to mention she’s being trained by one of the finest athletes in the land”
“So with you and Fluttershy training me, what does that give me?”
“Impeccable defense, precision counterpunching and the art of deception paired with the steeliness and power molded by your years of work at the farm”
“Sounds like a winning formula, if you ask me” Rarity shook her head and chuckled
“You do remember The Tortoise and the Hare, don’t you? I’m positive you remember that this tortoise has already bested you once, and will again, if you take her lightly. Once the bell rings, she will put her all towards making taste her leather. I would suggest you respond in kind if you want your hand raised.”
“Bet on it, sugarcube. I hope the stretcher don’t have to make an appearance when it’s all said and done, though.”