The Diplomatic Attempt
El Toro Fuerte carefully finished his preparations for his upcoming match, going through his usual rituals before a big fight. First, he made certain his cape clasp was well maintained, so it would fall away easily without a struggle once he was in the ring. Then he made certain his championship belt was polished to a brilliant sheen, to show his pride in the ring he fought in and the honor his foes had paid him with their defeats. He then made certain his mask had no tears or stains, and that the stone Ox sewn in - his lucky charm - was situated firmly at his forehead where it belonged. It would be terribly embarrassing if part of his mask fell off during the ring.
With that done, he began limbering up his muscles in preparation for the match, which was still some time away. Having already changed into his wrestling outfit, he worked his well muscled figure through a series of warm up exercises. Before he'd made it through more than a few, however, he heard a knock on his dressing room door, low to the ground. This was odd, as everyone who worked there knew better than to disturb him as he prepared for a match. Besides, they didn't have anyone that short working here. "Who is it?" he demanded, his voice firm.
"Autograph, please?" a high-pitched, feminine voice pleaded.
El Toro couldn't stop the smile from crossing his face. One thing he enjoyed even more than a match in the ring was meeting his more adventurous fans. While he did have a set time where he officially signed autographs, many fans wanted a more personal touch, and often tried to sneak into his dressing room to meet him face to face...and possibly get away with a memorabilia of some sort. The staff at the ring preferred to discourage this, so only the quick and cunning of his fans made it to his door...or window. Someone as young as the voice dictated...this was a fan he definitely wanted to meet. "Un momento, por favor!" he called out, schooling his expression to give the appearance of the strong, unbeatable warrior that his fans most enjoyed on first glance. Once that was done, he opened the door, looking down to greet this fan.
He found himself staring at a pristine white unicorn with large green eyes and a curling pink and purple mane, wearing a curious pendant around her neck and clutching an autograph book and pen in her mouth as she stared up at him eagerly. "Hurfee!" she cheered around the notebook.
Realizing he was staring, he stepped back. "Please, come in," he instructed. Once the unicorn entered the dressing room, he shut the door and sat down. He hadn't thought the meat in his lunch sandwich had been off, but he did tend to eat fast...
The unicorn glanced up at him as her horn ignited, levitating the notebook and pen out of her mouth. "Sign, please?" she begged, floating it over to him.
"...forgive me if this seems an odd question, but is the notebook floating?" he asked curiously.
The unicorn tilted her head, seeming confused by his question. "Uh...yes?"
El Toro breathed a sigh of relief. "That is a relief. I was beginning to get concerned about the condiments of my lunch." He took the notebook and pen out of the air, seeing the glow fade as he took them. "Who am I signing to?"
"Sweetie Belle!" the unicorn piped up happily, offering a spelling on request, since he wasn't sure if that was ie or y, or if it was 'shake to ring' or 'French beauty'.
Having finished signing, he handed it back to her. "I have never signed an autograph for a unicorn before," he mumbled, still unsure if he actually was.
Sweetie Belle froze. "Huh?" She tilted her head to stare at him...and then her eyes and horn glowed green. "Hmm...no innate magical ability, but a strong synchronization with the artifact...I guess that makes you immune..."
"Immune? Artifact?" El Toro asked, now thoroughly confused.
Sweetie Belle tapped the pendant she was wearing. "This generates a magical field around me that makes me seem normal to non-magical vision. Unless you have a natural talent for magic or are magical yourself, you aren't supposed to notice anything odd about me." She giggled softly. "It's how I got in here so easily. Everyone who worked here just assumed I was supposed to be here."
"I see," El Toro admitted cautiously. He had always believed in magic himself, but it was one thing to say "I believe" and another to have it presented to you complete with instruction manual. Still, he could feel the old excitement of discovery stirring inside him. "What did you mean about synchronization with an artifact?"
"The Talisman in your mask," Sweetie Belle explained, floating up her pen to tap his lucky charm. "It's one of a set of 12 magical Talismans based in the signs of the Chinese Zodiac. You've had it for a while, haven't you?"
"But of course!" El Toro insisted. "I found it when I was very young, exploring the ziggurat on a dare. I took it as a sign, and strapped it to my forehead as I trained myself, until I became as strong as an ox. I have worn it ever since, making it a part of my mask when I began my wrestling career."
"That explains the strong synchronization," Sweetie deduced. "Your chi has realigned itself to naturally flow along the same lines as the Talisman's magic as you trained yourself. Still doesn't tell me what magic it has, though..." She shrugged her shoulders. "Either way, it puts you in danger."
"Danger?" El Toro asked, surprised. "El Toro Fuerte laughs in the face of danger!" Putting his clenched fists on his hips, he let out a loud belly laugh.
"Even if the danger is ninjas made of living shadow that come in an unending swarm?" the unicorn clarified.
The very idea of such a thing sent a chill down El Toro's spine, but he steeled himself. Finding the Talisman in the ziggurat had taught him the rewards of confronting and dominating one's fear. "They may come from sunrise to sunrise, and I will neither flag nor falter! El Toro Fuerte will conquer whatever foe tries to face him!"
Sweetie Belle sighed softly. "If you're that synchronized to the Talisman, you just might be able to," she admitted worriedly. "Still, you're a wrestler. While I don't doubt your prowess, the ones coming after you won't be following any rules." She scratched her chin. "I have...a rather skilled relative. While he isn't a wrestler by training, he is a powerful combatant. Will you accept his challenge? If he wins, you'll let us take the Talisman to be protected from the forces of darkness. If you win, it will be proof you can be trusted with its protection. Deal?"
"El Toro Fuerte never turns down a challenge!" El Toro proclaimed proudly. "Tell your relative I will see him in the ring after my match tonight, and to make sure to wear a mask!"
Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded. "Will do," she promised, turning and leaving. As the door closed, El Toro could hear her mumbling, "Jackie's not gonna like this..."
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That certainly could've gone much worse.
And 5 seconds later, all windows in a 2 mile radius shatter when she remembers sh has El Toro Fuerte's autograph.
At least Jackie won't be humiliated too badly.
Ah El Toro, never change...
Chapter Twenty Nine
"Aiyah!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 23
"One More Thing!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 42
Leave it to Sweetie Belle to try the direct approach and totally get away with it, just because he's the only one that can recognize her as what she is.
So how long do we think it will till until Paco gets let in on the secret? Before or after the Oni mask, because only Tats knows.
Is this the first entirely Uncle-less chapter?
Early update. Nice!
Way to go, Sweetie Belle!
I think you meant Ziggurats
7403606
Was provided the incorrect spelling in a comment last chapter.
7403521 Maybe?
That fight's going to be good, better warm up the popper now.
good chapter, and a well planned use of the diplomatic method. and this fight should be a lot better then the one in canon, as this time it will be a actual match as opposed to Jackie ad-libing an attempt to steal the Talisman during a match.
In all honesty, I hope the dark hand crashes the private match, and (briefly) gets the talisman by threatening Paco and/or the girls as that would be the only thing that would make Jackie and El Toro surrender.
Man, I forgot what a ham this guy was...
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
As always, an awesome fan explanation in the show; this time, behind El Toro Fuerte's prowess.
At least Sweetie Belle tried.
why is it that i want to see a Nacho Libre refrence in the next chapter? other than my weird inclination good chapters just caught up on the this and the previous 2
El Toro managed to... mask his surprise quite well.
Good thing Sweetie knows when opportunity comes knocking on your door.
At least we now know that El Toro is... Nsync.
Go Sweetie Belle! The sheer power of her adorable should not be underestimated!
7404032 That last one isn't up to your usual level. Couldn't think of a good third pun, could you?
I see much pain in Jackie's future.
Too bad Sweetie could not use her puppy eyes to ask him for the Talismas.
(1) Un momento por favor
7403915 most of that is a stage persona, its actually very common for wrestlers of all types to have one, makes for a better show in the ring and for the fans...
Once again: GET READY FOR LUCHA LIBRE!!!
Adorable chapter, I can so see El Toro gaining strength from Sweetie's cheering him on even if he's lost the Talisman and picking up Tohru to throw him away from his newest fan. Plus, the match with Jackie should be more relaxed and El Toro knows what is at stake.
now that was a great sweet chapter.
Quick request for the next chapter, do you mind making a reference to this?
7404066 Not really, I tried wrestling for a good one but I went into a headlock and was pinned down at that point.
7404616 Much better, now things are back in balance.
Music for the match: RAWK HAWK!
[youtube=Mll2EwvxnrM]
7405184
Ugh, THAT guy...
This was an truly adorable chapter, making El Toro be able to recognize her true nature was a nice touch.
7403521 Noo.
You must look for the hidden letters.
They sahll spell out...
ONE MORE THING!
7407809 Wait... seriously? I mean, I wouldn't put it past the author, but... seriously?
7407978 Given her Cutie Mark, I'm inclined to believe she WILL manage to fly someday.
If they fail to put it in the show, though, I will be seriously irked.
Soon we will see Uncle's greatest power, to scold Jackie through space and time
7408147 No. But the letters are there.
7409958 That's it! Thank you.
Methinks the talisman might also be affecting El Toro's judgement a smudge.
She should have said that it was the talisman that made him strong so wearing it he was cheating.
7415889 she didn't know the talisman gave him super-human strength so how can she say that?
Heh. Now that it's a formal challenge with all cards on the table, the upcoming fight pretty much still is the diplomatic approach.
7566265 A gentleman's challenge, clear as crystal.
No need to end another's life; just prove you have the skill and willpower to succeed.
Why is it when I hear a low belly laugh, I keep thinking that everything shakes with it?
8073601
The Night Before Christmas’ presentation of Santa Claus as having a “round belly/ that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly”, perhaps?