//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Fitting in // Story: Champion of Equestria // by Buddy Hooves //------------------------------// It was yet another sunny and peaceful day in Ponyville, and I was enjoying every minute of it. Seriously, back on Earth, it would rain almost every other week. But here, the pegasi controlled and planned out what the weather was gonna be. It was still a strange concept to get behind, but I wasn't going to complain. Fluttershy told me that the pegasi took great pride in what they did, and nopony was more filled with pride and confidence then Rainbow Dash. She was Ponyville's local weather pony and adventure junkie, always the first to jump in when danger's a brewing. I heard she even had her own fan club, if you could believe that. Today I was hanging out with Rainbow Dash, as she practiced her aerial moves just outside of Ponyville. Twilight and Spike were off to the train station to wait for the arrival of her sister in-law, Princess Cadence. A letter arrived at the castle the other day, telling us that she was planning on spending some time off to spend time in Ponyville. Twilight squeed with joy the moment she read the letter, and had been busy making plans for Princess Cadence's arrival ever since. Not wanting to get in the way, I jumped at the offer to hang out with Dash today. After explaining to Twilight that I'd meet up with Cadence later, I left the castle and met up with Dash. "I call this one the Buccaneer Blaze!" Dash yelled in the sky, before she started doing yet another air trick. I watched in amazement as she started to pull off complex turns and twists in the air, zipping between clouds. I must admit, I was dumb-founded by how wonderful she was in the sky. She's like an aerial Goddess! I thought as I watched her with my jaw hanging open. No wonder she was able to defeat Gilda in the sky. She flys in the air like a pro! "So, what do you think?" Dash asked as she landed near me. "Like a BOSS!" I answered with a big grin. "Thanks." She cooly replied, but I could tell she was beaming. "With moves that good, I don't see why the Wonderbolts just make you a member already!" "Well, I'm good.... but not that good. Yet." She chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head. "Still, my talent has gotten me recognized by the Wonderbolts, and even helped me become a member of their reserves. Someday though, I'll become a full fledged member of the team." "Yeah, well... keep it up and I bet that it'll happen sooner rather then later." I replied. She looked away for a second, but I think she was blushing a little. Could she be..... Nahhh! She couldn't have been though, seeing as I pegged her as a hard, tomboy type mare. "So, Dash...." I started to change the topic. "You said you wanted to speak to me about something?" "Yeah, I did." She said, snapping out of whatever she was thinking about and focusing on the subject now. "Lyra and Bon Bon said that before they showed up you tried to hold the griffons off. And later, when you used some of your powers, you whipped up on them almost without effort." "Yeah. Only for a few minutes. Most of the fight, I was having my butt handed to me." I thought back on how they ganged up on me three to one. "Damn dirty birds! Too chicken to face me one on one." I spewed, as the thought made me alittle angry. "Ha! Chicken. That's a good one." Dash laughed at my statement. "Thanks. I'll be sure to use it next time." I smirked. "So Mark, you know how to fight?" She asked. "Alittle. I was bullied alot in school as a colt, so my dad had me take some karate lessons." "You know karate?" She asked, surprised. "Not much. I only trained for a year. But most of the basics stuck with me." I answered. "Wow! I can't believe that your world has Martial Arts as well." Dash said, amazed at the concept. "I guess it's pretty funny how alot of things about our worlds are the same." "Yeah, I guess so." She chuckled. Then her face went serious as she gave a strange glare. "Show me." "What?" "You heard me. Show me your fighting skill." She demanded as she took what looked like a fighting pose. Hard to tell, as I'm more used to human poses then ponies. "You mean, like sparring?" I asked. She nodded with a small smirk. "I don't know Dash..." "Oh come on, Mark! It's the only way for you to get better." She protested. "Twilight maybe teaching you how to get better on how to use that magic of yours, but it won't matter if you can't hit your opponent." She had a point. "Plus, your an earth pony. Your suppost to rely more on your strenght anyway." She said as she pointed at me. "Unicorns are the ones that rely on their magic, us pegasi rely on our wings and speed, and earth ponies on strenght." I remain silent, but pondered on that. "Besides, you want to pay back that merc leader, right? Think of how cool it'll be to whip him without having to use your magic to bail you out." "I guess your right." I sighed. "I could use the practice, and it might be fun." "That's the spirit!" Dash smirked. "Let's set out some ground rules. One, no hitting too hard. This is just practice after all." Dash nodded. "Two, keep the fight on the ground. No using your wings to just fly the whole time." "Fine." She huffed. "But you can't use magic either. No magic blasts." "Deal." And with that, we both looked at each other with serious expressions as we took our fighting stances. I hated this part: gauging your opponent by studing their stance, face expressions and body language. In karate class, I was always pitted against small and younger colts then me, so I never learned how to read people. Plus, I sucked at poker and did I mention that I've hardly ever fought? As a kid, I didn't have to fight until I was in 5th grade. The worst school year of my life. Seriously, I was made fun of almost ever week there. That was when my dad had me take up karate. But in karate, you're taught not to start the fight, but finish it. At least I was. So that being said, I hardly ever got into fights. Trying to read Rainbow Dash was like trying to read a mountain lion. You know the damn thing's going to attack, but you don't know when. Plus she had a small smirk on her face, which gave her an air of confidence. I tried to keep a calm mind and expression as we faced off. She looked like she was loving this and couldn't wait to get started. But maybe I could use that to my advantage. Her friends where always going on that she could get too cocky for her own good, and cocky people make mistakes. Maybe I could get her to slip up and.... Whoosh A sudden hoof flying towards my face broke me out of my train of thought, and I was barely able to dodge the blow. Looks like we started! I thought as I took a defensive pose. She then sent out a flurry of punches at me that were so fast that I couldn't do anything but block. She was fast! Every hit made me step back, and quite a few broke through my defenses. After one good hit to the face caused me to stumble, she backed off. Taking a pose as I tried not to fall flat on my face. "Oh, come on Mark! You can do better then that!" She said while I gained back my footing. Or whould it be hoofing? Not saying anything, I re-took my fighting pose as I glared at her. She's toying with me. I thought as I watched her grin at me. Fuck it! You only live once.... I then gave a small yell before charging straight at her. At least that wiped the grin off her face. I released a flurry of punches at her as fast and furious as I could, trying to break her defenses. She was able to block every one of my attacks as we danced around the field, blocking out everything around us as we fought. The only thing that mattered at that moment was the fight. Swatting away one of my strikes, Dash then began to take the offensive once again. As I blocked her attacks I couldn't help but smirk, as I was beginning to get into this. A thought of Mortal Kombat popped into my head, and I suddenly had an idea. Ducking as low as I could, I out stretched my leg as I did a leg sweep. That caught Dash off guard as she was forced to jump back to avoid my attack, leaving her open for a counter attack. Jumping back on my hooves, I once again charged at her. She must have seen my attack coming, because as I threw the first punch she twisted with it, grabbing my arm. With her back infront of me and my arm over her shoulder, she tossed me over her with a wicked grapple throw. I landed on my back with a a huge thud, knocking the wind right out of my lungs. By the time I recovered, Dash was on top of me, as she had her hooves on my arms pinning me to the ground. She looked down at me with a smirk on her face. "Looks like I win this one." She said, getting off of me. "Guess so." I replied, getting myself off the ground. "You're really good." "Thanks. I'm not as good as some ponies out there, but I'm still pretty high up there." "What belt color are you?" I asked. "Black. What about you?" "I only made it to yellow belt before I dropped out." "Huh... you wouldn't think that with the way you fight. You really got some awesome moves on you." "You really think so?" "Totally. With my help, you could become one of the most skilled fighters in all of Equestria." Dash boasted. "We should train more like this every week." I gulped at that. "Right.... well, look at the time! I promised Twilight I'd meet her and Cadence at town later, and I don't want to be late." "Okay. See you later Mark." Dash waved at me as I took off. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "......And then I told him that he could worry about that later." Princess Cadence said. "That sounds like something my brother would do." Twilight giggled. About half an hour later, I found Twilight and Cadence walking around Ponyville. Talking about current events in the Crystal Empire and about boring daily stuff. After joining them, I mostly stuck in the back and kept quiet and listened to them. Only answering questions asks towards me, and just nodded or gave short answers. I'd liked to think I was channeling Silent Bob, and couldn't help but laugh at the image of Jay and Silent Bob in Equestria. That would be one movie I'd pay to see. We were now at a restaurant that had tables and stuff on the outside, so customers could enjoy the beautiful day. I have to admit the hayfries were really good, and the place had a real relaxing enviroment. Even if the waiter came off as a bit of a snoot. I found it funny how most of the other ponies didn't pay us much attention. Some would look our way, and some even waved or said hello, but most just went on with their business. I guess they were used to two princesses just chilling out in the open. Not Earth, though. "So Mark, Twilight was telling me all about you." Cadence began. I looked up at her after taking a bite of my fish sandwitch. Yes, I said fish. With extra katsup. "Is it true that you got strange magic powers from a crystal?" "Eeeyep." I answered after swallowing my bite, before taking a drink of my carrot juice. Strange, but tastey. "And a strange pony is sending out threats to capture and take your magic. Hmmmm....." Cadence pondered as she spinned the spork in her hooves. "Twilight, you don't think it's Sombra.... do you?" "That was Celestia's first guess." Twilight answered. "However, there has been little to prove that he IS behind it. There has been no sign of any armies in the land, and any reports of dark magic have all but vanished." "Hopefully, they went into hiding, and won't shop up again for some time." Cadence said, being optimistic about it. "With any luck, they won't try anything until after the Gala next week." Twilight replied. "But just in case, Celestia has been making sure things run smoothly this year." "Speaking of which.... Mark, are you planning on going?" Cadence asked me, taking me completely by surprise. "What?" I asked, dumbfounded. "The Grand Galloping Gala. It's an annual royal ball to celebrate Canterlot begin completed after the founding of Equestria." Twilight explained. "It's attended every year by high class ponies and celebrities. And in order to attend one must posses a golden ticket, which are very rare and very expensive." I chuckled at that. I got a golden ticket! I sung in my head, thinking back to that classic film, and not the shitty re-make. "So will you be there, Mark?" Cadence re-asked. "Will you?" I countered. "I can't go this year because of my duties in the Crystal Empires." "No..... I don't think I will." "What? Why not?!" Both mares looked up at me in complete shock. "Because I don't think I'd fit in." I answered. "I mean, it's just a fancy party for rich folk. And besides, I don't have one of those golden tickets." "Oh, you don't have to worry about that." Twilight reassured me. "Because I'm a princess, I get in for free. Plus I get to invite whoever I what there as well." "Yeah, but..." "Trust me Mark. You're one of my friends. And I think it'll be fun if you come with us!" "Ohhh.... alright." I caved in. I hate how these mares knew how to push my buttons. Both mares smiled at me, excited I agreed to go as well. Twilight continued finishing her meal, while Cadence looked at me with a studing look. "So, what does your suit look like?" Cadence asked. "I bet you'd look like quite the stud." "Actually, I don't have one yet." I replied before taking another drink. "That's right! I forgot you haven't had a chance to get one made yet." Twilight said as she looked at me with realization. "You should go to Rarity's and have her make you one." "But I don't have any money." "Don't worry about it. Just have her put it on my tab." Twilight waved her hoof dismissively. "Okay, okay. After I eat, I'll go down to the Carousel Boutique and get one fitted." I sighed. Twilight gave me a confirming nod. "So Mark, tell me more about these game shows." Cadence inquired. I just rolled my eyes. This is going to be a long day. In the throne room of Caterlot Castle, Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna, wait patiently as they wait for their guest to arrive. Luna gaze was feeled with angry, as she was unhappy that they were waiting so long. While Celestia kept a cool, but firm, expression on her face, masking her true feeling on the matter. Suddenly, Discord appeared infront of them in a flash of light, holding a bag of popcorn and humming to himself. "What took you so long?" Luna shouted. "How dare you keep us waiting for so long!" Discord just stared blankly at her. "Easy sister." Celestia whispered. She then cleared her voice before beginning. "Yes, well... so glad you could finally join us, Discord. We were beginning to wonder when you'd show." "Sorry Tia. Fluttershy was praticing singing to the animals, and then I couldn't help but mess with angel alittle." He explained with a chuckle. "That bunny just makes it too easy." "Anyway, I trust you remember why you were called here." Luna glared at the draconequus. Just because she had to work with him, didn't mean that she trusted him. Especialy after the events with Tirek. "Yes. Yes. That Mark Less fellow." He waved his paw dismissively. "Indeed. While I believe he doesn't mean anypony harm, and that the element bearers have grown close to him.... I can't deny the events that surround him." Celestia said. "The strange powers he posseses, the golem and the griffons sent after him, the dark magic signature we felt hiding in the mountains." "Which is why we believe the culprit behind it all may try something during the Grand Galloping Gala." Luna Stated. "So we've made sure to place extra defenses during the event." "I'm already aware this. Surely, that isn't the thing you wanted to speak with me about." Discord quipped, earning a hateful look from Luna. "No. The main reason we summoned you was to discuss something that I prey I'm wrong about, and to plan for it in case I'm right." Celestia said with a sigh. This caused Luna to look at her with a hint of worry, while Discord raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "As we all know, Mark's powers and ability to control them are becoming stronger and stronger." "Yes. Fluttershy was telling me about his display at the picnic the other day." Discord nodded. "But what the elements don't know, is that his release of power at the Ghastly Gorge had a hint of dark magic to it as well." Luna nodded her head. "It was so faint, not even Twilight would have picked it up." "I noticed that." Discord stroked his beard. "The fact that all this came from a crystal has me worried. Only one pony with dark magic would use crystals for his evil plans." Celestia stated. "Sister, you don't think..." "I'm afraid it is. I don't know how. I don't know why. But Sombra might have returned."