After an embarrasing incident with Rarity, Spike is feeling weaker than ever. Now he desperately wants to make himself a stronger, braver, tougher dragon, through training in martial arts. But when he darns his first belt, he will soon meet a challenge that will forever prove himself as a warrior. Can Spike live up to the challenge, and find the dragon within? ...eh, we'll give him two weeks...
Spike walked down the Ponyville street, carrying an oversized stack of luggage. With him was his dream mare, Rarity, who only carried a small carryon saddlebag. The scrawny little dragon and his fair unicorn lady entered the train station on a clear day under Celestia's sun. Spike was hauling Rarity's stylish travel chests, with his face almost grazing the pavement, as he lifted the heavy cases on his back. Rarity stopped her graceful stride when they entered the platform.
"Spike dear," she said sweetly. "Are you sure you don't need help with my bags?"
Spike replied under strain. "No, no, I got it. Not a problem." He grunted. "Anything for the most beautiful mare I know."
"Oh Spike, you're such a charmer." Rarity gave a flick of her hoof. "I certainly am going to miss you and the girls while I'm away in Vanhoover."
"I'll miss you too, Rarity. But I just know you're going to knock 'em dead at that fashion expo."
"Ooh, I just cannot wait to show off my latest masterpieces. It's going to be quite a week." Rarity then levitated her saddlebag off her back. "Spikey, would you mind holding this for me? I just need to use the little filly's room."
"Sure thing, Rarity. The train won't come for another fifteen minutes."
"Thank you, darling." Rarity rested the saddlebag on top of the mountain of cases and trotted off.
Spike finally collapsed under the weight of the baggage and lay in a daze. He let out a tiresome moan not bothering to pull himself up. After a minute of rest, Spike suddenly heard a shriek from behind the building for the bathrooms. He poked his head out of the luggage pile and heard the desperate cries of distress.
"Ah! Help me! Please, somepony help me!"
It was unmistakably Rarity's voice. Spike quickly squeezed himself out and rushed towards the trouble as fast as his little legs could run. He turned the corner of the bathroom wall and stopped. To his horror, the pearly white unicorn was backed against the wall with a terrifyed expression. A rugged grayish stallion, disguised in a turtleneck and ski mask, stared her down threateningly.
"Come on, lady, hand over your money!" the robber spoke in a harsh rasp.
"But I don't have any on me!" Rarity pleaded.
"Please, I saw you with all those bags; you're loaded. Now fork over the bits!"
"Leave me alone you scoundrel! Oh somepony help! Thief!"
Spike could only stare in shock at his crush being mugged. He was frozen with fear, but Spike knew he couldn't let this ruffian terrorize the love of his life. He stepped up to the thief, trying to hide his nervousness.
"Hey you!" he called at the thief who then turned his head to him. "Leave the lady alone!"
"Beat it, shorty," sneered the thief. "You didn't see nothing."
"Spike, help me!" cried Rarity.
Spike puffed out his chest and continued. "I'm warning you, pal. You better back off or, uh, I'll put the hurt on you!"
"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try, lizard."
Instantly regreting his own bluff, Spike stared in panic not knowing if he could actually take down this stallion. But that lizard comment hit home, and he didn't back down. Spike threw his claws up into little fists, and shut his eyes tight. He began to randomly swing his fists in front of him, hoping to lay some definition of a punch. But as he clumsily swiped through air, Spike was suddenly knocked off his feet by a quick mule kick from the thief, sending him plummeting to the ground.
"Spikey!" gasped Rarity in shock.
"Pff, weakling." The robber scoffed, then turned his attention back to his victim. "Alright, I've had enough. Give me your money! Now!" He pinned Rarity against the wall, trapping her completely.
"Ah! Oh please! Somepony help! He's hurting me!"
Just then, a loud whoosh of air was heard as something dove from the sky. In one fell swoop, the thief and the damsel in distress were swept away by a rapid multicolored streak which then dissapeared around the corner. The sound of a brief squabble was heard before the thief was tossed back out into sight, now badly bruised; he lay on the ground slipping away from conciousness. Spike blinked at the battered criminal, but couldn't explain what he had just seen. Then, in the corner of his vision, a light blue blur flew out from behind the corner and hovered in the air. Above him was Rainbow Dash flapping her wings and holding Rarity princess style; both were unscathed. Spike watched in disbelief as Rarity smiled at her savior.
"Rainbow Dash!" she beamed and wrapped her hooves around the pegasus. "You saved me!"
Rainbow lowered safely back to the ground and let Rarity stand on her own. "Aw it was nothing." She said proudly. "That creep didn't know what hit him."
"Thank you so much, Rainbow. How can I ever repay you?"
"No need, Rarity. I'm just happy to help out a friend."
Rarity gave her another grateful hug. "Oh Rainbow, you're my hero!"
As the two mares hugged, Spike only watched from where he sat. A sense of guilt and jealousy rose within him after seeing Rainbow's swift rescue; he wished he could have been Rarity's hero. Spike sighed with disdain.
...
Later that day, Spike found himself planted on a couch in the Ponyville library, with his face in his claws. He had just seen Rarity off at the train station, after Rainbow Dash had rescued her. But he sulked in thought of that horrifying incident with the robber. Twilight Sparkle took notice of his self-pity and made a pot of tea which she placed on the table in front of him.
"Don't beat yourself up, Spike," she said sympathetically. "It wasn't your fault."
"I'm a loser, Twilight." sighed Spike. "Rarity was being robbed in plain sight and I just stood there with my eyes closed; I was a total bystander! She must hate me right now."
"Oh come on," Twilight sat on the couch next to him. "Anypony would've gotten scared in a situation like that. I'm sure she doesn't blame you at all."
"But I blame myself. You should've seen how awesome Rainbow Dash was. She rescued Rarity from that thief in just seconds. That should've been me. If only I wasn't such a weakling, then I could save anypony from all kinds of robbers and villains. I just wish I was...tougher." He looked up at Twilight with sad reptilian eyes. "Don't you think so?"
"What? Of course not, Spike." She put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled. "I don't care if you're not the toughest dragon there is. You're my dragon, and I love you just the way you are." Twilight then hugged him warmly.
Spike smiled in her loving embrace, but only sighed again. "Thanks, Twi, you're a good friend. But right now, I feel more pathetic than those sappy romance novels Rarity lets you borrow."
Twilight broke away and blushed. "Uh, what are you talking about?" she laughed nervously. "I don't read any of those. Come on, uh, what kind of pony do you think I am? Heh heh! Heh!..."
Just then, a loud knock pounded on the front door of the library. Twilight turned her attention to it and walked over, expecting to find an angry visitor outside. But when she opened the door, there stood Derpy with a mail bag slung over her back. The gray pegasus greeted Twilight with a salute.
"Hiya, Twilight Sparkle!" she smiled and gave her a stack of papers from her bag. "Got your mail for ya, today!"
Twilight looked at her with lowered eyelids. "Derpy, it's Sunday." She took the papers anyway.
"It sure is! Have a good one now, Twilight!" Derpy then flapped her wings and quickly took off, flying away in a beeline.
Twilight shut the door and walked back inside sorting throuh the mail. "Junk, junk, junk, well that figures." She levitated the stack of advertisements on the coffee table and dissapeared upstairs to her room.
Spike glanced at the junk mail when something caught his eye. He took the flyer on the top of the stack and read the advertisement to himself.
"Do you want to find your inner warrior?" he continued to read with piqued interest. "If you want to find a better, stronger you, then learn to master the traditional art of Tail Kwon Do. You will be tested to hoan your strength through hoof to hoof combat and self defense techniques. And, you will have the honor of learning all this and more from five time sparring champion, Master Yin. Stop by his class today and learn what it takes to find your inner warrior by becoming a Tail Kwon Do master!"
He then looked at the bottom of the flyer to see a picture of a pony who was standing in a martial artist's stance; he knew it had to be this "Master Yin". The stallion, who appeared to be from the far east, had a blue coat, silvery white mane, and grayish eyes with wrinkles showing middle age. His cutie mark was the white half of a Taijitu symbol. Spike stared at the flyer and an idea finally crystalized in his mind.
"That's it! That's how I'll become thougher. I am going to master Tail Kwon Do! Then, everypony will see just how strong and tough old Spike really is. Hm, this flyer says classes start on Monday. I better find this Master Yin guy. Woohoo!" Spike instantly ran out the door in an excited sprint.
After he left, Twilight reentered the front room. "Spike? Spike, where did you go?" she called. She listened for a response before finally convincing herself that the library was empty. Then she breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally." Twilight levitated a paperback novel in front of her and sat on the couch. She prepared herself for an afternoon of The Steamy Stallion.
After stumbling upon the miracle flyer ealier that day, Spike had set out to find the address of Master Yin's school. He had found a previously unoticed building close to Sugarcube Corner and found a door leading down a narrow hallway inside. Now he found himself alone staring at a large sliding door labeled "OFFICE", not knowing what to expect on the other side. Readying himself, Spike slid open the door.
It certainly wasn't what he expected an office to be. The room was well lit with a soothing aroma filling the air, and the sound of tranquil eastern music resonated from an unseen record player. The walls were adorned with old photographs and traditional artifacts and caligraphy from Feoul. And then, there he was. Sitting on the far side of the peaceful room, between two vessels of burning essence, was a blue stallion pony, with his front hooves upon his crossed rear legs. Noticing the white mane, cutie mark and aged face, Spike instantly recognized this stoic pony as Master Yin. The pony sat with his eyes gently shut as he seemed to be breathing slowly and deeply, inhaling the homeopathic essence. Spike walked up, without stirring up any reaction.
"Um, excuse me, are you Master Yin?" he asked, trying not to disturb.
Without opening his eyes, Yin finally spoke. "Who is speaking?" His voice was firm yet soothing.
"Uh, my name is Spike, sir. I found your flyer and I wanted to join your class."
Yin opened one eyelid halfway and sized Spike up. "You want to learn Tail Kwon Do?" he asked.
Spike brimmed sensing enthusiasm from the elderly pony. "Oh definitely, sir!"
"Hmm, I have never trained a dragon before." Yin surveyed his visitor more then closed his eye again. "And I shall continue not to."
"Wh- what?" Spike frowned. "Why not?!"
"I apologize," replied Yin calmly, still keeping his eyes shut. "But I can not train any being that is not a pony. I would not allow it."
"You can't be serious." Spike glared. "Who says I can't learn Tail Kwon Do? I have a tail, don't I?!"
"The techniques perfected in Tail Kwon Do are only meant for earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. The anatomy of any other species would not suit the art."
"But you don't understand, I'm sick of being a wimp. I want to learn how to become a tough fighter like you. Please, teach me how to be a warrior!"
"I apologize again. Now if you'll excuse me, I am busy meditating." Yin became silent again, leaving an air of akwardness in the room.
"Meditating?" Spike narrowed his eyes and walked up close to him.
He waved a purple hand in front of the master's face with no reaction. Then, feeling the right opportunity, Spike began to stretch his face and make faces at Yin without a single response. That is, until Yin thrusted a hoof, at split second speed, into his chest launching him backward. Spike slammed into the far wall, causing an antique pony helmet to knock loose and clonk him on the head. After he lay there spiraling with headache, Spike then shook himself and immediately saw Yin standing right over him. The surly stallion now had both eyes open revealing steely gray irises, and they looked upon Spike with assertiveness.
"Learning to fight is only half of what it takes to become a warrior." Yin said a bit harshly. "You must also have mental content. I did not get where I am today just by being 'tough'. I learned to control my mind and emotions through concentration and meditation. It is only through balancing mind and body can one be able to become a true martial artist."
Spike lowered his head ashamed. Although he had no idea what Yin was talking about, he started to feel that all hope was lost at becoming a tough fighter. Then, Yin breathed a soft sigh.
"But you certainly are persistent in wanting to learn." He continued. "I suppose you must have some mental strength if it means that much to you. I always look for that when meeting new students."
Spike looked up with newfound hope. "Then, you'll train me?"
"Why not?" Yin shrugged. "Teaching a non-pony is not technically illegal. It will be interesting teaching a dragon techniques perfected by ponies. Young Spike, I shall teach you the ways of Tail Kwon Do."
"Oh yes!" Spike cheered as he began hopping and dancing in place. "I'm gonna be a real fighter!"
"But I must warn you," said Yin as he stopped his little dance. "Mastering a martial art is not easy. You will be put through years of vigorous training, and you must make sure every move you make is perfect down to the last detail. But most importantly, you must keep total control of your mind."
"I'll do whatever it takes, sir." Spike saluted.
"In that case, wait here." Yin then proceeded to the back of the room and opened a closet. He walked back to Spike with a folded up white martial artist's tunic and matching pants. "This is your uniform. You must wear it every class."
With glee, Spike took the clothes. "Wow, my very own uniform!"
"One more thing." Then, Yin held out a long neatly folded white band made of cotton. "You must also wear your white belt."
"White belt?" Spike eyed the white band. "Why does it have to be white?"
"A martial artist's experience is shown by the color of their belt. The color white represents you as a beginner. Once you have completed all the training for this belt, you will then graduate to a yellow belt, then orange, then green, then purple, etc."
"How long will it take for me to earn my yellow belt?"
"That all depends on how well you learn."
Spike gulped, not bothering ask how long it would take him to earn a black belt. "Don't worry Master Yin, I'm going to pass your training with flying colors!"
"We shall see." Yin turned around back toward his meditation seat. "Stop by tomorrow at three. You will be joined with the rest of my class. Now please get out of my office before you knock more things off my wall."
...
It was a proud day for Spike. He waltzed into Master Yin's gym, brandishing his new uniform and belt, with a look of eagerness across his face. Then as he walked in, he was met with the sight of twenty something ponies standing in a square formation and facing away from the entrance. As he waddled over looking for a spot to stand in, Spike noticed the uniforms the ponies were wearing similar to his. The only difference was that their belts ranged in color, from green, to blue, to yellow, to red, to even red with a white stripe; but not one white belt. Spike found a spot upfront, and looked more at the ponies around him. There were both stallions and mares, some were earth ponies, others were unicorns or pegasi. But they all had the same blank surly expression Yin had the day before, as they gazed ahead without a word. Then, right on time, the master himself stepped in from the back and faced the group.
"Good day, class." Yin greeted.
Spike had the urge to say "Good day, Master Yin!" but immediately stopped himself when everypony else remained silent.
"After seeing your performance from last session," continued Yin. "I can see that you all have made great improvement. But for today, we have two new students joining our class."
"Wait. Two?" Spike pondered to himself.
"I would like you to welcome our new white belts. Spike...the dragon."
With a cocky smile, Spike waved to the higher ranked ponies who only looked back at him blankly. Awkwardly, he put his hand down and let Yin continue.
"And...Fluttershy."
"What?!"
Spike quickly snapped his head around at the group of ponies. Sure enough, standing in the middle of the formation was a yellow pegasus mare with a long pink mane, sporting a white uniform and matching belt. Fluttershy smiled and waved to him.
"Hi Spike!" she said calmly. "I didn't know you were in this class too."
Spike turned back ahead and blinked with surprise.
"Now, to break in our new students," said Yin. "This will just be an average day of practicing. So make sure to pair up and spar, while they are introduced."
"Alright! Now I get to see some action!" Spike whispered to himself.
"But first, let us meditate."
Immediately, Yin sat down cross-legged in his spot, and the other ponies followed suit including Fluttershy. Spike darted around in confusion as they began to close their eyes and sit in silence. Breathing a dissapointed sulk, he sat down and reluctantly joined the crowd.
After about a minute of silent nothingness, Yin ordered everypony back up.
"Now, all of you go and begin practicing your forms." He announced.
With that, the ponies dispersed throughout the small gym and began to spar with each other. Curious, Spike walked up to Fluttershy as he was left alone with her.
"Fluttershy, what are you doing here?" he asked. "No offense, but you're the last pony I'd expect to find at a martial arts class."
"Oh, um, well, I wanted to take up Tail Kwon Do so I can control my anger." Fluttershy answered.
"What anger? Since when do you- wait a minute. Is this because of that whole Iron Will thing?"
"Oh no, definitely not. But last week, I stubbed my hoof on my bed, took Princess Celestia's name in vane, and took my anger out by ripping the tag off the mattress. Oh, sometimes I can be such a brute. But thankfully Master Yin will help me tame my agressiveness."
"But...I...eh...you...uh...oh never mind."
"Well, uh, I'll see you after class, Spike. Good luck." She trotted off to watch some of the other ponies duel.
Spike scratched his head as he watched the gentle caretaker getting involved in hoof-to-hoof combat. But then, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and standing there was Master Yin looking serious as ever.
"Punch me." He simply said.
"Uh, excuse me?" queried Spike.
"Try to land a punch on me."
Spike stood silent at his master's odd request. But he chose not to refuse his word and clenched his right claws into a fist. As quick as he could, he hurled his fist aiming at Yin's cheek. But before he could comprehend it, his punch was blocked by Yin's left forehoof which seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Try again." Yin ordered calmly.
Without hesitation, Spike swung his left fist, this time aiming at his master's torso. But the blow was immediately halted by Yin's other hoof making a lower block. Now standing on his hind legs, Yin readied his rear left hoof and prepared to make a swift kick. Spike flinched, expecting the stunning blow; but after a few seconds, it never came. He opened his eyes to see Yin balancing on one hind leg with the other hanging in the air, just inches away from his nose. Yin got back down on all fours and spoke.
"That will be the first part of your training: blocking your opponent's attacks."
"Blocking?" Spike replied skeptically. "Now wait a minute, how can I be able to fight when all I'm doing is shielding myself?"
"Tail Kwon Do is all about self-defense. If you cannot protect yourself, you will be unable to attack."
"Please! Being able to attack is the whole reason I'm here. C'mon, show some real awesome moves, like that kick you were about to knock my block off with."
Yin simply rolled his eyes and, in a split second, rammed his hoof into Spike's chest, launching the little dragon backward again. Spike lay on his back, moaning from the pain of the sudden blow. Yin towered over him, looking down with shaming eyes.
"You were not ready for that because you refused to defend yourself." He then lowered his head getting up close to Spike's face. "You have much to learn, young dragon. Much...much...to learn."
Spike gulped as a sudden feeling of puke began to rise within him.
Spike paced the wooden floor clad in his Tail Kwon Do uniform and belt. With his fists clenched, he stared down his opponent menacingly as he mustered up all his strength to fight. After pacing the room for a bit more, he finally stopped and spoke to his rival.
"So, you thought you could just come in here and dishonor the house of Spike?" he said threateningly.
His opponent remained silent.
"You don't know who you're messing with, pal," continued Spike. "I have been trained in the art of Tail Kwon Do. And soon, I'll be the greatest master of it in Equestria."
Still, no response came from his foe.
"Enough talk, let's end this once and for all!" Spike posed in a combat stance. "Taste my Purple Punches of Pain!"
After a brief silence, the opponent simply ruffled his feathers and hooted. "Hoot!" said Owlowiscious."
Spike groaned with dissapointment. "C'mon, Owlowiscious, I have to train if I want my next belt. The least you can do is make this fight more believable."
"Hoot!"
"What do you mean I got no chance?! I've been working my scales off for days. It's the only way I'll ever become tough."
"Hoot!"
"Don't back sass me!"
"Hoot!"
"My mother what?"
Just then, the door to Twilight's bedroom opened and the purple unicorn herself stepped in. "Spike, will you please stop trying to fight my owl?" she asked, eyelids lowered.
"But Twilight," Spike retorted. "If I want that yellow belt, I've got to train as much as I can. You know how badly I need to become a real fighter."
"Hoot!" added Owlowiscious who flew over and perched on Twilight's back.
"It's okay, Owlowiscious," she smiled at him. "I'll try to talk some sense into him." Twilight turned back to Spike. "Look Spike, I think it's great that you want to devote yourself to Tail Kwon Do. But you don't have to prove anypony how tough you are. It's who you are that makes you a true fighter."
"Thanks for the philosophy, Twi. But I don't have to prove myself to anypony...except maybe Rarity. This is my chance to improve myself and finally quit being a coward and a weakling. Pretty soon, you're gonna be looking at the new Tail Kwon Do champion of Equestria."
"Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch?"
"Nope! Now if you'll excuse me, my class starts in half an hour and I have to be going. I'll be home tonight, with a different belt of course." He said smugly.
Twilight sulked. "Well, I hope you at least learn something from this."
"Psh, I don't need to worry about learning stuff. That's what I have you for. Later, Twi!" Spike strode out the room to exit the library with a self satisfaction.
After the front door closed, Owlowiscious spoke to his mistress. "Hoot!"
"Are you trying to tell me something, Owlowiscious?" she asked curiously.
later that night...
Pinkie Pie scrubbed the front counter at Sugarcube Corner waiting for a customer. Mr. and Mrs. Cake had jsut put her on duty and it was looking to be a slow night of service. As she hummed to herself, the bell of the front door jingled and in trudged a young dragon in a martial arts uniform who had been bruised and beaten. He slumped over to one of the small tables and sat down with a pained grunt. Pinkie called over to him.
"Hiya Spike!" she greeted. "You look like you've had a long day."
"Just get me a chocolate milkshake, Pinkie," replied Spike dejected. "...with hay fries."
"Okie dokie, Spikey!" Pinkie turned back to the drink fountain.
After a hiss from the whipped cream dispencer, she brought Spike his beverage and sat across from him. "Here ya go; the fries will be ready soon."
"Thanks, Pinkie." He slurped his shake with less than enthusiasm.
"What's gotten you down, Spike? Where's that dragon smile that I love so much?"
Spike sighed. "Well, I've been taking up Tail Kwon Do recently so I can become tougher. I worked so hard to become a master at it, but I'm still a beginner. I couldn't even get my second belt today; Master Yin kept beating me at every move I made. How can I possibly call myself a fighter when I can't even move on from my white belt?" He let his head fall on the table. "I'm all talk and no tough."
"Well, what did your master tell you?"
"He said I needed to control my emotions. Master Yin's always nagging me about keeping 'mental strength' or whatever."
"Maybe that's the problem." Pinkie eagerly suggested. "You just need emotional control."
"Pinkie, my emotions were just fine; until now, that is. I was being serious as a lawyer back there. I didn't need any 'emotional control'."
"That's the thing. Maybe you shouldn't be too serious."
Spike picked his head up and cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"It's easy, Spike, you just have to think like me. I hardly ever take things seriously; that is unless it's about FUN! What I'm saying is that you should relax and be happier when training for your master. That'll make you feel tons better!"
"So basically, I just have to take it easy and...be happy?"
"Of course! The less stressed you are, the easier it'll be to get that belt."
"Huh, that actually makes a lot of sense."
A bell rang from behind the counter. "Oop, the fries are ready!" Pinkie skipped back to the kitchen humming again.
"So that's emotional control, huh?" Spike pondered to himself. "Could it really be that easy?"
Just as soon as she got up, Pinkie returned to the table with a platter of hay fries and a strawberry milkshake for herself. "I just know you're gonna get that belt, Spike. And just remember: think like Pinkie!"
"Think like Pinkie." He repeated then smiled. "Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll show Master Yin just how 'controlled' my emotions are."
"I'll drink to that!" Pinkie raised her glass and clinked it with Spike's as they both drank to a toast, before Spike began rolling on the floor with agonizing brainfreeze.
the next day...
As Yin approached the center of the gym, Spike stood before him with a bright grin on his face. Yin stared at him with his same old stony expression.
"Are you sure you want a second chance to test for your yellow belt, dragon?" he asked.
"Absolutely, sir." Spike answered eagerly. "I got this test in the bag!"
Yin looked puzzled at his student's new spry attitude. "Well, let us just hope you will live up to your words. But this time, you will not be sparring with me. Instead, you will be put against one of your classmates."
"Bring it on, Master Yin," said Spike with a snap. "I'll show em' my true metal. Give me your best student; it'll be no big deal."
"Very well then. Fluttershy, you are up with Spike."
"Say what now?"
To Spike's shock, Fluttershy trotted over to Yin, this time brandishing a yellow belt around her uniform. She looked at Yin nervously.
"Um, are you sure, master?" she asked meekly. "Because, um, Spike is my friend and, well, I don't want to hurt him by accident."
"Not to worry, Fluttershy." Yin replied. "You have shown the most improvement in my class. I am confident you will give Spike a fair fight."
Without further anticipation, Yin stepped out from the center to join the rest of the class and watch. Fluttershy approached her dragon friend sheepishly.
"Fluttershy, how are you Yin's best student?" asked Spike.
"Well, he said that I was very good at keeping mental control." Fluttershy told him with a smile and a shrug. "It's kind of funny since I've only been here for as long as you."
Spike rolled his eyes, and returned focus on thinking like Pinkie. "Well, I promise to go easy on you. Don't want you getting too badly hurt."
Fluttershy raised a brow. "What does that mean?"
"Well, I'm just saying I know how delicate you are, so I'll try to be careful. No sweat."
Suddenly feeling a tad offended, Fluttershy narrowed her eyelids and scowled at Spike. "Oh it is so on." She muttered under her breath.
"You may begin." Yin announced.
The pegasus and the dragon bowed to each other, then stood in their ready combat stances. They stared each other down in waiting.
"Remember," continued Yin. "Three hits to the torso wins. Fight!"
Still with a cocky smile, Spike mad the first move. "I can feel that belt around my waist already!" He quickly swung his right leg around aiming for his opponent's side.
But suddenly, a yellow hoof swiftly rose upward in a high block, flinging Spike's leg up and landing him on his spiny back. he grunted and looked up to see a stoic Fluttershy standing closer to him, poised on her back legs with her wings spread out to keep balance. Time seemed to slow down as she raised a rear leg toward the ceiling and brought it down to slam on her opponent's underbelly.
Spike's eyes widened and he instinctly rolled to left before the the heavy axe kick could blast the air out of him. Thinking on pure adrenaline, he stood back up and attempted to make another kick, this time pushing his left leg forward at her torso.
But Fluttershy saw his foor coming and easily stepped back once, letting Spike stumble as he kicked nothing but air. Then, as he stood confused and exposed in that brief moment, she hurled an air splitting fore hoof at his chest, hitting instantly.
"Oof!" Spike fell back on his tail as he took his first hit.
"One for Fluttershy." Yin announced.
Spike shook himself off and stood up. He took a deep breath as he repeated under his breath. "Think like Pinkie. Think like Pinkie." With a quick exhale, he returned to his combat stance and smiled again, believing his next tactic would be a sinch. Again, he raised his right leg to make another roundhouse kick. But as Fluttershy prepared to block, he then retracted his foot, and instead slid forward pushing with his left one. At that point, Spike was more than sure he would land his first hit.
However, Fluttershy saw the clumsy trick coming a mile away and did not move. As a result, Spike's foot did not stretch far enough to make contact and he simply took an awkward step forward. Now with his front exposed again, Fluttershy pivoted on her back left hoof to the left and made a swift hook kick with the other. She retracted her hoof and swept the heel to the right, hitting Spike square on the same spot on his chest again. As expected, the little dragon stumbled backward and fell.
"Two for Fluttershy. One more and you fail." Yin called to him.
Coughing a bit, Spike sat up and pondered to himself. "How in Equestria did she learn to fight like that? I just can't get to her no matter what." He growled. "That's it, I can't think like Pinkie for much longer. It's time to get mad." With that, he stood back up, slightly wobbling, and faced his winged foe. With a glare, Spike flicked his hand to motion her towards him.
Fluttershy caught his drift. Now with her right side facing him, she slid forward, pivoted on her right hoof and prepared to land a roundhouse on his exposed side.
But before the blow could come, Spike simply slid forward as well, avoiding the lethal hoof, and brought a fist to her stomach.
Fluttershy stood unscathed by the tiny fist, but she knew that he had made his first hit.
"One for Spike." Yin called.
Drowning out his master's words, Spike then turned ninety degrees clockwise on his left leg, and in one quick motion, he slid backward, pivoted on his left again and pushed a strong side kick into Fluttershy's ribs.
The kick surprisingly made Fluttershy fall on her side and she rolled over to look up.
"Two for Spike. One more to pass!" said Yin.
With increasing adrenaline, Spike moved quickly to end the test and claim his third hit. He stepped forward with his left leg and then raised his right. His heel pointed downward at the dazed Fluttershy preparing to make a devastating axe kick. Spike yelled as he finally hammered down his heel.
But the drop was immediately halted as Fluttershy caught his foot with both front hooves, saving her torso. Spike looked down in surprise and expected to be flipped over like a scaly pancake. But instead, he saw Fluttershy wearing her usual kindly smile on her face.
"I knew you could do it, Spike." She whispered and dropped his foot on her chest.
"Three hits. Spike is the victor!" Yin announced as the other ponies stomped their hooves politely.
Spike was overcome with joy as he helped his opponent up. "Thanks, Fluttershy." He said. "You were actually really good."
Fluttershy blushed. "Oh sorry. Like I said, I can be such a brute sometimes."
After the two bowed and hugged, Yin joined in with something in his hoof. This time, he wore a calm smile which Spike had never seen before. "You have certainly surprised me, Spike. It seems that you have learned that once you learn to control your emotions, you will perform better once you release them. That is why I am proud to give you this."
Spike beamed as Yin held out his hoof revealing a folded yellow belt. He snatched it up and held it dearly. "Yes! Finally! Can I talk big game or what?!"
"Well, it is a start." Yin replied. "But keep it up and you will rise through the ranks easily."
"Thank you, master." Spike bowed to him, then turned aside walking next to Fluttershy.
"You seemed pretty confident at first Spike," she said. "Especially after feeling so bad yesterday. What made you suddenly so optimistic?"
Spike puased to think. "Well, I guess if wanted to see yellow, I just had to think pink."
Master Yin paced his office with a troubled expression. His student was now late for a private meeting and he had something of the utmost urgency to tell him. After pacing the floor for a few more minutes, not bothering to sit and meditate, the door finally slid open and Spike strode in.
"Sorry I'm late, master." He greeted. "Twilight was just making me write a report for her friend Rainbow Dash; something about a turtle or whatever. Anyway, what's up?"
"There is something I must inform you about, Spike." Yin said soberly. "There is a letter for you, but that pegasus mailpony delivered it here by mistake. It was already opened and I could not help reading it. It is an invitation."
"An invitation?" repeated Spike with glee. "You mean to a party? I don't know about any parties coming up soon. Although I think Pinkie is having one for the anniversary of her first poundcake."
"I am afraid it is far bigger news than a party." He stepped closer to his student. "Spike, you have been chosen to compete in a Tail Kwon Do tournament."
Spike's eyes bulged. "A tournament?! Me?! But, who sent the invitation?"
"My twin brother, Yang." Yin then walked over to a framed photo on the wall. In the photo posed a pony who eerily resembled him. The stallion was bright red with a black mane and the same pair of silvery eyes; his cutie mark was the black half of a Taijitu symbol. The red stallion sported a martial arts uniform similar to Yin's, and a devious looking smile across his face.
Yin resumed. "Like me, Yang is also a master of Tail Kwon Do. But he has misused his experience through exhibition, by staging illegal fights for money. Eventually, he earned enough wealth to buy out an entire Tail Kwon Do temple, located on a remote island off the coast of Neighjing. It is there that he hosts an annual tournament, inviting only the most elite martial artists from all over Equestria."
"Elite martial artists?" queried Spike. "But why would Yang want to invite me? I've only moved up one belt for crying out loud."
"Apparently, he has caught whiff of your training, and thinks that entering a dragon in the tournament will draw a larger crowd. My brother has always been showbonistic; exploiting martial artists just to bring himself prestige and attention. Why he has even gone as far as to make the tournament prize ten thousand bits cash, plus a trophy filled with gems."
Spike stood silent for a brief moment. "Did you say...g- g- g- gems?!" his mouth began to salivate as he moaned with pleasure. "Now that's a prize I'm willing to compete for! Master Yin, you should totally let me enter. Uh, you know, to prove myself as a martial artist, and stuff."
"There is more to this competition than you think, dragon. It is my understanding that Yang is using it as an elaborate cover-up for something far more sinister."
"Oh come on, what could be so bad that he has to cover it up with a Tail Kwon Do tournament?"
Yin gave him a stern look. "Slavery."
Spike gasped with shock. "What?! Wh- wh- what do you mean slavery? How can you be sure?"
"Because I have competed in my brother's tournament as well. When I was staying there, I did some spying around the island and found that under the temple, Yang keeps a stronghold of young mares who have been shanghaied and forced to work as his hoofmaidens."
"That's...that's horrible! Why didn't you stop him?"
"I tried to, but when Yang's guards caught me sneaking through the temple, he had me disqualified and deported back here. I warned Princess Celestia herself about the slave trade, but she said she could not launch a formal investigation since Yang has bought himself diplomatic immunity. To this day, there is still no evidence of my brother's dastardly crime; but I have seen the mares with my own eyes."
"So how come you never went back?"
"Unfortunately, my age has caught up with my strength. Yang has grown too powerful; if I tried to stop him, he would see me a mile away and I may meet a worse fate than deportation. However, he'll never expect to be overthrown by one of his own guests."
"Uh, I think I hear Twilight calling me."
"Spike, it is up to you now. You must enter Yang's tournament and uncover his slave hold."
"But, why me?"
"Because Yang has invited you himself. I understand you are still a novice, but unfortunately, there is no other choice. This is the perfect opportunity to infiltrate my brother's temple and stop him once and for all. Will you not go?"
Spike darted his eyes. "I...I...I don't know. I mean, what if I fail? What if Yang catches me and beats me to a pulp? Or worse?! I barely managed to earn a yellow belt. How am I supposed to beat your twin brother?! I wanted to prove myself as a tough fighter, but this is just too much."
Yin placed a sympathetic hoof on his shoulder. "I know you doubt yourself; if I was in your position now, I would feel afraid as well. But sometimes to prove ourselves, we must rise to challenges that we cannot perceive. And as long as you remember my teachings, you..." he paused to consider his words. "May have a...pretty good chance at succeeding...probably."
Spike looked up with hope. "You really think I can defeat him?"
"I do not think you can, I know you will." Yin exaggerated with a smile. "Plus, you will not be going it alone. The invitation says that you are allowed to bring one friend to compete in the tournament. Like I said, I cannot go without raising suspicion. But I wish you the best of luck regardless."
Immediately, Spike began to feel strangely better thanks to his master's words. With his newfound confidence, he put his hands together and bowed to Yin. "Thank you so much, Master Yin. I promise I won't fail you."
"I will hold you to that." Yin replied flatly then gave Spike a folded paper. "Here is the invitation. The directions to Yang's island are included as well as the starting date. Good luck, dragon; it has been...interesting to train you."
After one more exchange of bows, Spike exited the office, leaving Yin to sigh to himself. "That dragon has a better chance of liberating slaves than winning a martial arts tournament. I need a cider."
Outside the gym, Spike read the invite as he walked off. "Huh, it says I can bring one friend to compete. I think I know just the pony."
...
"You want me to what?!"
"C'mon, Fluttershy!" pleaded Spike. "You're the only one of my friends who knows any Tail Kwon Do. Please come with me?"
"But Spike," cringed Fluttershy as she sat on her couch. "An entire temple of expert martial artists? With everypony watching?! That's so...scary." She shuddered. "And if I can't handle it, what makes you think you can? Oh, I mean, no offense."
"But I have to go. Master Yin says it's important that I do."
"What could be so important about a trophy full of gems?"
Spike hunched over as he drooled again. "Ah...gems..." he moaned, then shook himself off. "That's not what this is about. This Yang guy is bad news. He's making servants out of innocent mares and using this tournament to hide it all. And I have to stop him."
"What? Oh my, how awful! But why is Master Yin making you go?"
"Because I'm the only one of his students to be invited. If I go and infiltrate the temple, Yang will never see it coming. But I can't do it alone, and that's why I need you to come along and help me."
"I just don't know, Spike. It seems so...dangerous. I'm sorry but I don't think I can bring myself to join you."
Spike joined her on the couch. "Fluttershy, I'm just as scared as you are. But if we do this together, it'll be better than going it alone. Come on, you've helped me and Twilight plenty of times before, even in my training. Now I need your help again. Besides, we're both Yin's students, aren't we?"
"Well...I guess so. But I'm still not sure." Fluttershy ducked behind her long mane to hide her cowardice.
"If you help me out," sighed Spike. "I'll fluff Angel's tail every week."
"Deal!" she smiled and hugged him tightly. "But wait, how are we going to get to Yang's island?"
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!"
The next day, Spike stayed alone in his room, while Fluttershy was outside admiring the island animals. He focused hard on practicing his moves for his fight later on. As he kept the image of Rarity in his head, he jumped here and there perfecting his kicking and making comical yelps. But then, he stopped when he saw the door open. Spike turned and saw O'Mara standing in the doorway and staring at him with a menacing expression. The scarred pony spoke to him flatly.
"You must attend a morning ritual in uniform." He said.
Spike shrugged. "Um, okay."
And with that, O'Mara closed the door leaving Spike to practice more in peace.
That afternoon, the competitors and guests of Yang gathered in the temple arena to witness the first leg of the tournament. Three fights had already passed as Yang himself sat on an elaborate throne with an impressed smile on his face. A harem of mares sat around him, adding more to his prestige. After another successful fight, he announced to the victor.
"Well done, Keanu Hooves, you will going on the next leg of the tournamet. Now for our next two competitors: Fluttershy vs. O'Mara! Fighters, please step into the ring."
As Fluttershy sat hesitantly next to Spike, she saw O'Mara who eyed her threateningly from the other side of the arena. She whispered to her pal.
"I don't know about this, Spike," she shuddered. "He looks awfully...intimidating."
"Don't worry, Fluttershy," whispered Spike. "He'll probably go easy on you."
Stepping into the ring, O'Mara then tossed a 2x4 into the air in front of him and immediately through a punch. His hoof went straight through the board as if it were liquid paper, and it snapped in half as it fell to the ground.
Spike winced. "Uh, break a leg out there." He patted her back. "That's what they say, right?"
"Spike, that's for actors!" retorted Fluttershy.
"So act like you're not afraid of him. Good luck."
Fluttershy gulped and stepped in to face her opponent. She and O'Mara faced off at the center and bowed before Yang announced again.
"Remember, the winner must take down their opponent three times. Ready..." he said as they took their stances. "Fight!"
With that, Fluttershy and her menacing opponent took their stances. For the first several seconds, she expected O'Mara to make the starting move; but he remained eerily stoic. Fluttershy shook in place, too afraid to commence with the fight. With no other option, she closed her eyes and hurled her hoof forward in a blindfire punch. When she opened her eyes, she saw that her hoof only reached just a few inches from O'Mara, who still stood like a stone. Off to the side, Yang gave an unimpressed yawn. Somehow, Fluttershy felt more confident in claiming her first hit. She shook off the embarrassment of her first punch, and swung her back leg up in a fast roundhouse kick. But O'Mara turned the tables.
In a blink of an eye, he raised his hoof up, instantly blocking the kick. Fluttershy gasped as her leg was now stuck in midair; she could not move without making herself vulnerable. Then, as quickly as his first block, O'Mara brought up his other forehoof and knocked Fluttershy's leg toward the ceiling, sending her flipping backward. She fell hard as the crowd began clapping politely.
Fluttershy sat up and shook the haze off from her head. This stallion was faster than she was; he had already gotten his first point. She had to buck up.
With a few exhales, Fluttershy stood back up and returned to her stance. She then began hurling more punches and kick combos at her foe. But O'Mara blocked each and every strike, without moving an inch from his original spot. Eventually, he caught her with both forehooves blocked on the outside. With the perfect opportunity open, O'Mara thrusted his back leg forward and kicked Fluttershy back, sending her tumbling to the ground again. The crowd clapped as O'Mara claimed his second hit.
Flutterhsy sat on her side, catching her breath from the blow to the stomach. It seemed hopeless; she just wasn't fast enough to get past O'Mara's blocks without being knocked back again. She hesitated to get up.
"C'mon, Fluttershy," whispered Spike. "You can do this."
Fluttershy looked back at him. She suddenly began to realize how he felt when she was beating him during his yellow belt test. Enough was enough; she had to bring her A game.
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned back and then leaped forward with a flying kick and a war cry. But before her hoof could even come close, Fluttershy was suddenly snatched and suspended in midair. She looked to realize that O'Mara was now dangling her by her own wings. She flailed her hooves desperately, but could do nothing to stop the brute from readying his back leg for a final kick. It was then that something snapped within Fluttershy.
"Let go of me!" she shouted.
Then, as the kick came hurdling towards her, Fluttershy grabbed the hoof and gave a swift yank. The close move caused O'Mara to be pulled by his leg upward and fall on his back. Fluttershy stood on his chest having regained her dignity, as the crowd gave an even louder applause.
But as she stepped off him, O'Mara lifted his head and growled with rage. Having lost his stability, he charged after Fluttershy with wide swings of his hooves. But Fluttershy was able to dodge the sweeping blows, as she was finally back in the zone. After a few more misses, O'Mara became slightly dizzy and foolishly turned his back toward his opponent. Now having dazed the deadly stallion, Fluttershy gave one final smack to the back of his head and he immediately began swaying before finally tumbling to the floor. A second round of applause came for the near victorious mare.
With another snarl, O'Mara stood up and changed tactics. He turned to a front row table and grabbed two glass bottles in his hooves, which he smashed into sharp broken ends. The crowd gave a series of 'ooh's.
"Now this just got interesting!" smiled Yang as he was hoof-fed grapes.
On the sidelines, Spike gulped with anxiety; but Fluttershy remained ever vigilant. Without hesitation, O'Mara came lunging at her with his sharpened glass weapons. But as they came close to hitting her, Fluttershy quickly knocked each bottle from his grasp, leaving him defenseless. After disarming him, Fluttershy then gave and quick upward kick to O'Mara's chin, one to his stomach, and finally a pounding elbow to his shoulder, sending him crashing to the floor. But she was not finished yet.
In one final blow, she leaped into the air and came down upon the fallen O'Mara's back with all four hooves. Fluttershy landed with a chilling yell.
She slowly gave a crazed look to the audience who now looked on with shock and awe. As an eerie silence fell in the arena, a weak voice uttered from beneath her hooves.
"Ow! My back!" shouted O'Mara.
With that, Yang stood from his throne and smiled. "Winner...Fluttershy!"
"Alright Fluttershy!" cheered Spike as the rest of the crowd gave one more rousing applause.
Fluttershy smiled with a blush as she bowed to Yang then returned to her seat.
"That was amazing, Fluttershy!" said Spike. "You showed that pony who's boss!"
"Well, I just don't like having my wings grabbed." Fluttershy shrugged.
"Wow, I don't think I can compete with that. Who am I fighting again?"
"Next challengers:" announced Yang. "Spike vs. Polo!"
"Oh...right."
With a knot in his stomach, Spike stepped out into the square to face his opponent. The hulking grayish stallion stared him down with a grizzly toothy smile. Spike simply outstretched a friendly yet nervous hand.
"Uh, may the best man win?"
Polo simply held up what appeared to be a toothpick sculpture of Spike and smashed it to the floor under his trunk-like hoof.
"Where did you find the time to make a toothpick sculpture of me?" asked Spike, a bit disturbed.
"Ready stance..." called Yang, with a mouthful of grapes. "Fight!"
The match began and the two fighters took their stances. Immediately, Spike started off with a flying kick straight toward his foe's chest. But this would cost him dearly, as Polo caught his leg out of the air, and dangled him up high. Then, he twirled the little dragon around like a lasso, tightening the knot in his stomach. Polo cackled as he finally grabbed Spike with both hooves, spun him upside down, and slammed him to the floor square on his cranium. The crowd clapped politely as Polo had already earned his first point; Fluttershy only winced, unable to watch her friend's beating.
Spike managed to hold his head up as he lay there in a daze. "Ugh, you gotta be kidding me!" he uttered to himself. "This guy's practically a sumo wrestler."
Wobbling, he returned to his feet and prepared for plan B. Spike threw up his fists and gestured to Polo to make the next move. The sinister pony stepped forward and quickly batted the tiny fists out of his way. Then, with one foreleg, he lifted Spike over his shoulder as if he were a rolled up rug. Spike began desperately pounding on the behemoth's back, but it did nothing to scape his grasp. Meanwhile, Yang chatted with one of his fine mares.
"So, do you know what Yang means in my country?" he asked in a suave manner.
After humiliating the dragon long enough, Polo suddenly leaped and landed on his back, faceplanting Spike in the process. Some of the spectators gave uncomfortable 'ooh's before giving the stallion another round of applause. This time, Spike did not bother to pick himself back up from the floor. He simply lied there as Polo knelt down and wrapped his hooves around his scaly neck in a crushing hold.
"Oh Spike," worried Fluttershy to herself. "I can't watch!"
As Spike was being squeezed under Polo's sleeper hold, it seemed as if he would be going home early. But then, something caught his eye. Over on his throne, Yang was making a strange gesture, crossing his neck with his hoof. Spike looked up to see Polo nod to the high sign; immediately, he began to loosen his suffocating grip. At last, Spike saw his opportunity, squeezed himself out and swung a hammer fist to the side, catching Polo on the cheek. The strike was not nearly as powerful, but somehow, the bulky stallion fell over like a tree. The audience instantly became impressed by the effect of the punch and supported the dragon competitor.
A sparkle came to Spike's eye as he stood back up with newfound confidence. Before Polo could return to his stance, Spike kept him on the floor with a solid kick the chin. Again, the hulking pony fell over a bit overdramatically, followed by more courteous clapping. Finally, Spike approached the swaying Polo to make the third and last blow.
"Finish him!" seethed Yang under his breath.
With a cocky smile, Spike brought his fist far backward and let out a war cry of his own.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyya!"
He landed the punch straight into his opponent's stomach. At first, Polo didn't move from the finishing blow. But then, after looking around at the waiting audience, he slowly toppled over and fell flat on his back, his tongue hanging out comically.
"Huh?" Spike looked confused at the result of his shot-in-the-dark punch.
But his attention was soon gained by the sound of single clapping. Yang stood up from his throne with a broad smile. "Winner...Spike the dragon!"
The crowd gave a standing ovation to the dark horse dragon. It was a real spectacle for them to see one of his kind perform such an athletic feat. Spike stood awkwardly and stared around at his fans. Then, he was swept up in a squeezing hug from Flutterhsy.
"Spike, you were terrific!" she cheered as she gripped him tightly. "I can't believe you took him down so easily."
"Yeah, me neither." Spike replied under strain. "Um, Fluttershy, I think I've had enough spine crushing for one day."
After the first leg of the tournament was complete, the fighters and guests dispersed throughout the temple to return to the many luxuries. Spike stood at the sink in one of the lavish bathrooms, washing his face and hopefully the blue bruises inflicted on it. That's when he heard one of the toilets flushing and a stall opening up. He looked suddenly in the mirror to see Yang stepping out and noticing him.
"Ah, well if it isn't my esteemed dragon guest." He said, joining next to Spike at the sinks. "I've heard quite a lot of buzz about you throughout my temple. And I must say I'm impressed."
"Uh, thank you, Master Yang."
"Yes, it seems my friend Polo was no match for your surprising skill. My brother must have taught you well."
Spike looked up in confusion. "Wait, you know I was trained by Master Yin?"
"Well of course. That's how I found out about you; I have my ways of finding new talent for my competition. And I sure am glad I found you, young dragon."
"Yeah, well, with all due respect, sir, it kind of seems like I got off easy with that fight. It almost looked like Polo took a dive for me."
Yang chuckled as he turned off the sink. "There are no rules on my island; other than the ones made by me of course."
"But why, sir? That pony could've beaten me easily. Why make him take a dive?"
"Let me be honest with you, dragon," said Yang, taking him under his hoof. "I've been waiting for an underdog to invite to my tournament. I understand you are still fairly new at this fine sport, but just think how big a crowd I'll attract with my first ever dragon victor. It was unfortunate that you had to go up against Polo first; he is in fact one of my strongest guards. So, I had a word with him and told him to fake his loss to you at the last moment. He agreed when I offered something in return."
"Wow, what'd you give him?"
"Freedom...I mean, cash! Yes, cash, that's what I gave him."
"So, you actually want me to win? I don't know, Master Yang, this all seems pretty shady."
"Trust me, Spike the dragon. Soon, I'll make it worth your while. When you stand on that pedestal with the trophy in your grasp, everypony will chant for the first dragon champion. And you will have riches beyond your wildest imagination; not to mention, all the gems you could eat."
"Gems?" he began to drool at the very thought.
"Gems of all colors and cuts. And of course, who can say no to all the fine mares who will flock to your feet, eager to pleasure their winning hero."
Spike's head began to swell with heat as he imagined the rewards the devious stallion was putting through his mind. A small sense of dragon greed was starting to conflict with his original intention.
"So stick around for your next fight." Yang continued. "I promise you that at the end of this tournament, you will become one of the greatest martial artists of them all. And I bet you that's something the mares can definitely respect, if you know what I mean." He then made for the door. "Good luck out there, champion."
As Yang exited the bathroom, Spike hunched over the sink and stared into the mirror. Suddenly, the perks of winning this tournament weren't sounding all too bad. But he knew deep down that everything Yang had just told him was morally unethical. He took a deep sigh.
"Will I ever get a chance like this again?" he asked.
"I don't know. Are you going to leave a tip?" replied the bathroom attendant who had been sitting there the whole time.
As darkness fell on the remote island, Spike lay awake in his bed staring up at the ceiling of his suite in deep thought. Yang's words were still ringing in his head, about his potential to be a successful champion. But he wasn't the only one not getting any sleep that night.
"Poor Rarity," moaned Fluttershy, lying on the adjacent bed. "It must be awful being held captive in this temple." She then turned on her side. "What are you thinking about, Spike?"
With a long sigh, Spike replied, still looking upward. "I don't know, Fluttershy. You ever think about the kind of situation we're in right now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we have a chance to prove ourselves as martial artists. The whole reason I took up Tail Kwon Do in the first place was to become tougher so I wouldn't look like a coward in front of everypony. I know Yang's tournament is a sham, but now that I have his trust, maybe...maybe I should...wait a little longer."
Fluttershy gasped as she sat up in her bed. "Spike, you're not seriously considering waiting to win the tournament, are you? What if you lose your next fight?"
"You don't get it, Fluttershy," retorted Spike, meeting her level. "I finally have a chance to become a master martial artist. It's my only way of proving myself to Rarity."
"But Rarity is the whole reason we're here!"
Spike was taken aback by her response. He scanned his eyes across the floor, guiltily realizing what he had just heard himself say.
"Look Spike," continued Fluttershy, sympathetically. "I know you still feel insecure. But our friend is in trouble and we might not have another opportunity to save her. If you care about Rarity that much, we can't play foal to Yang's games."
In that moment, Spike quickly regained his determination. The utter thought of Rarity crying out in distress sparked newfound confidence as he narrowed his eyes. After a moment of pondering, he finally got up to the floor and made for the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" asked Fluttershy.
"You're right, Fluttershy," he spoke stoically. "I'm not gonna wait any longer while Rarity is still being imprisoned. I'm going to bust Yang's slave hold wide open!"
"What?!" she stammered. "You're actually going out into the temple now?"
"Well yeah. You said we can't stick around for long."
"Yes, but I meant we should save Rarity when Yang least expects it. Sneaking out in the middle of the night? Spike, there are guards everywhere! If we get caught, Yang might kick us off the island; or worse!"
"But you said it yourself. I don't want to take another beating tomorrow; that big oaf nearly crushed my spine. Besides, do you really want to face another guy like O'Mara?"
Fluttershy whimpered and clutched her pillow at the very thought.
"Listen Fluttershy, Yang is not the problem anymore. This isn't about sneaking into his tournament to complete Master Yin's mission. I'm tired of being a coward, and if I want to look brave in front of the mare I love, then now is the time to do it. If it means being beaten to a pulp by every goon in this temple, then that's a risk I'm willing to sacrifice; for Rarity's sake."
After listening to Spike's revelation, Fluttershy looked upon him with admiration and smiled. "Wow, Spike, that's really noble of you." She got up to join next to him. "I'm sure Master Yin would be very proud."
"Hey yeah. I wonder what he's doing right now."
...
Meanwhile, back in the training gym of Ponyville, Master Yin surveyed his newest potential student.
"So, you wish to master the sacred art of Tail Kwon Do. Well I assure you, this is not an easy accomplishment. You will be put through years of vigorous training and dicipline, and it will not be for the weak of heart. But if you learn to balance mind and might, you will have what it takes to become a true martial artist. So, are you ready to accept the challenges of my class?"
The student ruffled his feathers and responded. "Hoot!"
"Very well then," said Yin. "Your training begins next week."
Just then, the door flew open revealing Twilight entering the office. "There you are, Owlowiscious! What have you been up to?"
Owlowiscious turned his head all the way backward to face her. "Hoot!" he said and gave a wink which seemed to say "I have a score to settle with the dragon."
...
The temple was eerily silent with all the guests and fighters sleeping the night away. Spike and Fluttershy slowly made their way down the paper lined hallway, trying to muffle their every step. Upon rounding a corner, Spike immediately spotted an oblivious guard standing just down the next corridor, and stepped back to press his back against the wall.
"Um, Spike," whispered Fluttershy. "Do you even know where you're going?"
"The mares are being kept somewhere," he replied. "We just need to find a clue to help us get to them."
The two chose a different hallway to continue through, hoping to find less guard activity. As they crept along, Spike's tail just barely brushed a jade vase, causing it to rock on its pedestal. Fluttershy gasped and looked on in fright as the vessel tilted close to falling off; fortunately, it remained still. She let out a quiet sigh of relief and brushed her long mane aside, only to graze the top heavy vase again. This time, the jade artifact leaned over the edge and came plummeting toward the floor. In a split second, Fluttershy supressed a shriek and dove under the falling vase, just in time for it to land on her soft back.
"Oof!" she grunted, as the vase rested in her wings.
Spike spun around to see the comotion and simply gave her a hard shush, before proceeding on. Fluttershy sighed again and replaced the vessel ever so gently.
At one point, the pair came across a door opened a crack and curiously peeked inside. Spike hoped that it would be some kind of entrance to the hoofmaidens' quarters. But his hopes were immediately dashed away as he and Fluttershy both gagged at the sight of Yang soaking in a steaming, bubbling jacuzzi filled with cider.
"Ah, goodbye wrinkles," sighed the pampered crime boss. "And hello chocolate covered dates!" He then began snacking on a box of chocolates.
Spike and Fluttershy quickly turned away. "I don't think I'll ever be able to unsee that." Fluttershy said with a traumatized look.
After snooping around the dimly lit halls for a good while, the two eventually found themselves outside by a zen garden. They kept out of the light from the outdoor lamps upon seeing a few guards patrolling the outer temple wall. Spike sat down on a decorative polished stone.
"This is hopeless," he grumbled. "We must have searched all over this stuffy temple, and we still have no clue where we can find Rarity."
"Don't give up now, Spike," replied Fluttershy. "The mares have to be here somewhere. Maybe we just have to look harder. It just makes sense that Yang would keep his slave hold hidden."
"Agh, I have a feeling his guards will spot us before we even get close." Spike was starting to vent out anger. "That dirty rotten loaf! What does he need guards for anyway? What is he trying to protect himself from? I hate this whole gosh darn island!" He then began kicking up the sand in the garden in frustration.
Fluttershy frowned as the dragon ruined the neatly raked wavy lines. "Spike, no! That's a zen garden. You can't step on it or else you'll disturb the good energy."
"Who cares, Fluttershy?!" he snapped. "There's nothing good about this place. If I want to kick up Yang's precious sand, then that's what I'm going to do!" Spike raised his foot high up to his shoulder and brought it down in a hammering axe kick to the fragile garden.
Suddenly, Spike was caught by surprise as the zen garden began to shake. He darted his head around in confusion while the sand seemed to be collapsing in on itself. Then, a large void opened up in the middle of the garden where the loose grains fell through. Spike gawked in fright as he was swept up with the cascade and fell straight through the ground.
Fluttershy gasped and hurried to the edge of the newly formed hole. "Spike!" she called without alerting the sentries. "Spike, are you alright?"
Peering downward, she saw Spike lying on his back on what appeared to be an underground floor, with the sand raining down over him. Fluttershy stretched out her wings and floated down to her pal who was now completely buried in a thick pile of meditative zen releasing gravel. Upon landing, she looked around in all directions to see that he had landed in a long hallway cut through the earth, with magic lighting illuminating all the way. There was a pillar of arrow signs on the wall, pointing in both directions, which read in order, "LAUNDRY", "FREEZER", "CIDER CELLAR", "OPIUM DEN", "SERVANTS' QUARTERS". The last sign caught Fluttershy's attention and it instantly dawned on her, as a dazed Spike dug himself out from the pile.
"Spike, you did it!" she smiled. "We found the way to the hoofmaidens!"
"Yay." He cheered in a beaten voice as he kncoked sand out of his ears. After shaking off the haze, Spike grinned triumphantly. "Come on, Fluttershy, it's time for a jailbreak!"
With no sign of the patrols throughout the underground corridor, the dragon and the pegasus charged in the direction of Yang's prison. A few minutes of wandering the snaking tunnel later, they finally reached their target and screeched to a halt. Spike and Fluttershy stared in horror.
They had come across a chamber lined with conjoining reinforced glass cells which were secured shut by key locks. But it was the ponies inside them that stuck home. The cells were occupied by young pegasi, unicorn and earth mares of all colors. They appeared frail and weak, due to starvation by the guards who kept them, and their sullen angelic faces showed hardly a sign of spirit. Some of the mares tried to sleep off a hard day's service, while others were culred up in their corners weeping; the rest simply stared at the floor, their eyes void of hope. But that soon changed when they spotted the two strangers at the entrance of the chamber. In a flood of emotion, the hoofmaidens approached the thick glass and cried for help, some of them banging on the glass.
"Help us!" "Please get me out of here!" "Oh thank Celestia you came!" "They've come to save us!" "Please help!"
It pained Spike inside to see their pretty faces in desperation. Several of the young mares did not even respond to the rescue, as they had already given up faith. Deep down, he wanted to help every single one; but there was only one particular mare on his mind, as he guiltily walked down the row of cells. Meanwhile, Fluttershy did her best to ease the servants' minds.
"It's okay." She said to them in a calming tone. "We're going to get you out. Just hang tight."
As Spike searched the cells one by one, he still had not found his dream mare and was beginning to fear the worst. Then, he reached the last occupied cell and sprang to excitement. Inside the glass prison was an alabaster white unicorn lying on her cot in a fetal position and facing the wall. The cutie mark depicting sparkling diamonds was all Spike needed to tap on the glass and speak.
"Rarity!" he called ecstatically. "Rarity, it's me, Spike!"
Just as he hoped, the unicorn lifted her head and sat up in the cot. She turned to face the source of the familiar voice and gasped in astonishment. With a spark of joy in her coral blue eyes, Rarity sprang to her hooves.
"Spike!" she cried out and pressed against the glass. "Spike, what ever in Equestria are you doing here?"
"I'll explain later." He replied. "But how did you get here in the first place?"
"Oh, it was awful!" moaned Rarity. "It all started when I was showing off my work at the fashion show, and I met a stallion who claimed to be a modeling agent. He said he enjoyed my dresses and that he would love to see me in them; so he offered me a chance to model. After I so foolishly accepted, he invited me to a 'private fitting'. But it was a trap! When I got into his carriage, I was immediately bound, gagged, and blindfolded for the next several hours. The next thing I knew, I was thrown into this slave hold and forced to wear a hoofmaiden's dress."
"That's awful." Spike added.
"I know! The fabric was poorly sewn and the color scheme was just ghastly! But ever since, I was made to serve Master Yang and his guests just like the others." She began to tear up. "It's been an absolute nightmare, Spike; I did...horrible things. I don't even remember how long I've been here."
Spike stared longingly at his caged crush. Rarity looked like she hadn't eaten in days and the luster in her silky purple mane and supple white coat was lost. Her eyes sagged from sleepless nights and countless hours of degrading servitude. He couldn't stand to see the mare he loved so broken; Spike gave her an encouraging smile.
"Don't worry, Rarity," he said. "You're safe now. I'm gonna get you out of here."
Rarity wiped her a tear away and returned his smile. "Oh Spike, darling, I missed you so much." She put her hoof on the glass, matching Spike's hand on the other side. They looked into each other's eyes in wanting before Fluttershy's voice was heard.
"Ahem, um, Spike?" she mumbled. "Shouldn't we find a way to open these cells?"
"Fluttershy?!" gawked Rarity. "You're here too?"
"Oh, um, hi Rarity." Fluttershy smiled sheepishly.
"You're right," said Spike. "We got to bust these doors open."
"You need the key from the guards, Spike." Rarity explained. "It's the only way. This glass is too thick to break through, and I don't know any escape spells."
"No problem, Rarity." Spike grinned. "We'll just sneak up on one of those thugs, take him down with a little Tail Kwon Do, and steal his key. You'll be free in no time."
"Oh thank you so much, you two," sighed Rarity. "You're such great friends."
"Well, I guess we should get going if we want that key." Fluttershy shrugged.
"Right, let's see if we can find a nice guard to kick around."
But as the two martial artists turned around, they instantly froze. In front of them stood a whole gaggle of guards staring them down threateningly. There must have been enough to fill the entire temple arena; some of them were even equipped with nunchucks. But standing above them all was their eccentric boss, who parted through the army and approached his two missing competitors with a deep chuckle.
"Sneaking out amongst the temple grounds, dragon?" mocked Yang as he approached the intruders. "I take it the accomodations were not to your liking?"
Spike stood his ground. "Stow it, Yang. Your little slave drive is over. These ponies are coming with us."
"That's a shame." Yang continued. "And here I though you would be such a promising champion. I should've known my brother sent you here destroy my operation. Oh well, easy come easy go. Although, I'm afraid you won't go very easy at all."
The mares within the glass cells cowarded as their abusive owner stared down their rescue.
"Spike, what do we do now?" whispered Fluttershy, nervously.
"And Miss Fluttershy," said Yang. "You showed much prowess in the arena. It is also unfortunate that I have to ban you from my island now."
Pausing, Fluttershy searched her mind for the right words to sound brave. "Um, I'm not leaving without my friends." She said firmly.
"In that case," grinned Yang. "I suppose you won't mind staying for some more combat."
With a tap from their boss's hoof, several of the guards immediately swarmed Fluttershy and seized her. "You're coming with us, lady."
But the pegasus was pushed to her last nerve as the thugs crowded her personal space. "Don't...touch...my...wings!" She managed to shake off one of the guards, throw him forward over her head, and kick him clear across the cell chamber.
"Take her down!" ordered Yang.
Fluttershy broke out in rage as the rest of the goons closed in on her. "You want a piece of me, dirtbags?!"
Like a bug zapper in a swarm of mosquitos, Fluttershy began knocking out guards left and right. One by one, the nameless henchmen were hurled out of the bunch by her yellow light speed hooves. Spike watched from afar and knew he had to take action.
"I'm coming, Fluttershy!" he said as he prepared to enter the fray. But his path was instantly blocked by his nemesis.
"Actually, Spike," said Yang deviously. "You and I still have some business to take care of."
"What are you playing at, Yang?" retorted Spike.
"It seems you have become quite smitten in one of my hoofmaidens; the white unicorn over there. As it happens, she is also one of my best servants."
"She is nopony's servant! She's a dear friend and the love of my- eh, uh, ahem, she's a very dear friend."
"I see how protective you are. Why don't we make this a little fun with a duel? If you win, you and your enchanting friend will go free. But if I win, she's still mine and you will be imprisoned on this island for the rest of your life; that is until we can find something else to do with you. What do you say, dragon?"
Spike remained silent. He knew this was not a battle he could ever win. But one glance at a concerned Rarity, standing in her cell with a sullen face, was enough to restore his confidence. "Alright, we'll duel." He said simply.
"Spike, don't!" fretted Rarity. "I've seen him train in his study before. He's much too strong!"
"Don't worry, Rarity," said Spike, in over his head. "He doesn't seem so tough to me." He then turned back to the crime boss. "Bring it on, old man! I'm going home with my girl and there's nothing you can-"
But in a split second, the dragon was launched backwards by a ramming red hoof, sending him careening into the far wall.
"Spikey!" shrieked Rarity.
He lay in a dizzy state as he tried to regain his now shaken vision. It was then that Spike finally started to notice Yang's surprisingly well toned muscles. With a spit on the floor, he spoke at last. "You...you didn't even bow first?"
"There is no mercy when I'm in the ring." Yang cackled as he stepped closer to his challenger. "Come, make a move already."
After dusting himself off, Spike stood up and regained his composure. He then charged off toward his foe with a clenched fist ready to strike his first blow. But the fist was effortlessly batted away by Yang who then shot an upward kick to his chin. Spike actually flipped through the air a few times like a baton before landing hard on the floor.
He gurgled as he lay there on his belly. "Ugh, I am already in a very large amount of pain!"
"Spike, hold on!" Fluttershy called over. But the gaggle of guards hindered her from helping her endangered friend. She continued to kick and punch here and there.
Yang chuckled evily and lifted the dazed dragon's head. "Come on, Spike, what happened to that talent I saw in the arena?"
"You staged that fight!" hissed Spike.
"Oh yes," he smiled. "So I did. You should be lucky I didn't have Polo snap your spine. You wouldn't have had the privilege of letting me do it. Now stand up and take your beating."
Panting, Spike wiped the blood from his mouth and wobbled to his feet once again. It took a moment to get his balance back, but he still managed to swing another fist at Yang. Surprisingly, he actually made contact with the stallion's face; but it didn't do justice. Yang only looked as though he had been punched by a teddy bear. Amazed by the middle aged pony's strength, Spike prepared for another try. He swung his foot in a roundhouse kick to his opponent's leg. But Yang's muscle toned thigh only absorbed the blow from the kick. The smiling crime boss offered him one more try as he kept himself from laughing at the dragon's futile attempts.
Spike grunted as his temper grew. On his third desperate try, he leaped into the air to hopefully land a side kick right in Yang's face. But his chance was instantly shot down as Yang knocked him out of his leap with a straight punch to the chest. And before he could land, Spike was given a swift kick to the stomach, another to the ribs, and one more punch to the temple, all while he was still airborne. As he lay on the floor once again, recoiling from the onslaught, Yang stood over his pressing his hoof on his already battered chest.
"I don't think you understand, dragon," he sneered. "Nopony has ever beaten me in a Tail Kwon Do sparring match. You should have turned down my offer to fight; I might have let you leave my island with your bones intact. But now it's too late. These mares aren't leaving this island and neither are you. I am unstoppable!"
Spike weezed as he clawed the floor trying to get up. "I'm...not...giving...up..."
"So be it."
Yang finished his words with a ruthless kick to Spike's spleen. From then on, Spike attempted again and again to get up and retaliate. But Yang would always inflict more pain on his meager body, with a punch to the eye here, a kick to the shin here, an elbow to the back there, and so on. Rarity could only watch in horror as her little dragon was beaten to a pulp.
"Spike, no!" she cried.
After a few more minutes of pummeling, Yang finally took a break from his workout and let his victim lie. Spike moaned in agony as he rolled over on his underbelly, no longer able to stand. He spit out a loosened fang as he struggled to speak.
"Fine, go ahead," he weezed. "Beat me up all you want. I don't care if you break every bone in my body; I've failed as a martial artist. But please, I beg you, at least let Rarity go free. I can't stand to see her imprisoned like this. She means so much to me. Please, do what you want to me; just let her go."
"Hmm, I might be able to honor your finaly wish." Yang said slyly. "Perhaps, I will let the white one go free." Then, he knelt down to speak directly into his face. "Although, I will deeply miss her; she certainly gives a nice sponge bath."
In that moment, something snapped in Spike's mind. All the bruises and fractures in his body suddenly seemed to loose their effect as a sense of anger began to broil inside him. Astoundingly, he found the strength to get back to his feet and let out a growl of rage.
"I'll kill you!"
Yang only scoffed. "Is that so? Have you already forgotten? I'm unstoppable! Nopony has ever beaten me!"
Spike narrowed his eyes and spoke deeply. "Obviously, you've never fought a dragon."
Then, he raised his hands up to his face and, with a slow inhale, he breathed a burst of flame around them. Spike balled up his hands creating two fiery fists of fury! Yang suddenly began to feel uneasy as the enraged bruised and bloodied dragon spoke.
"You have disgraced my family, and you have disgraced a Tail Kwon Do temple."
With that, Spike charged after Yang with a loud battle cry. Yang buckled down and raised his hoof to bat him away, but his opponent knew better. Spike quickly ducked from the blocking hoof and landed a punch to the stomach, singing Yang's coat. Immediately after, he gave another flaming fist to the stallion's face, also burning off the red fur on his cheek.
"GAH!" Yang yelled as he covered the burned areas, leaving him exposed.
Spike then began throwing punches all over his body, leaving lasting burns every time. Stepping back, Yang tried to block the hot strikes and fight back, but somehow, his opponent's attacks proved faster than his with the protection of the dragon's fire. Eventually, he managed to jump back from the fiery barrage and jump forward. Yang came down on Spike with a frontward kick to the chest, knocking him to his knees. At first, Yang thought he had finally ended it. But the little dragon remained standing, with only a long gash left on his chest. With a cold stare, Spike wiped the blood from his chest and licked it off his finger with intimidation. Yang gulped.
As the crime boss backed away some more, Spike then blew fire on his feet. He charged after Yang and began landing flaming kicks to the shaken stallion, creating more burns. Spike continued his bombardment of fiery punches and kicks, as the imprisoned mares began cheering him on.
"Spike! Spike! Spike! Spike! Spike!"
After another minute of brutal retaliation, he finally puased to see if Yang had had enough. But he would not go down easy. Instead, the enfuriated crime boss grabbed a large wooden table from aside and lifted it over his head with a monstrous roar. He stood over Spike with his once imposing body riddled with singe marks.
"You think you have won?!" he snarled as he prepared to drop the heavy weight upon Spike. "Nopony has ever beaten me! NOPONY!"
But little did he know that Fluttershy had already finished off his army of goons.
"Leave him alone you big dumb meany!" she yelled from afar, amongst a field of unconscious guards.
Then, the pegasus leaped an impressive distance from where she stood and hurdled toward Yang with her outstretched hoof. She made contact with the stallion with a solid kick to the face, that could have only been viewed carefully in slow motion. Reeling from the blow, Yang wobbled on his back legs as the large table came down upon his head, breaking in two. The battered exhibitionist swayed dizzily from side to side before Spike approached him closely. He gave Yang a satisfied smile before simply blowing a puff of air, with a hint of flame, into hsi face. At last, Yang toppled to the ground like a withered tree and dared not even try to stand back up. Spike and Fluttershy stood over him as he uttered whatever words he could manage to say.
"How...how is this possible?" he spat.
"Sorry, Yang," said Spike. "But your slave operation is finished. You lose."
"No! This can't be!" argued Yang. "Nopony has ever beaten me!"
"Well, I think this pony just did." Spike smiled as he pointed his thumb at his pegasus pal.
Fluttershy gave a blushing smile as she hid behind her mane. "Teehee."
"But don't worry, Yang," continued Spike. "At least you'll get to be the first pony to be beaten by a dragon. That is, once you fess up to Princess Celestia."
"Oh please!" Yang rolled his blackened eyes. "And just how is Celestia going to know?"
Without answering, Spike found a quill and paper from the broken table and happily began scribbling something.
"What are you doing?" asked Yang impatiently.
"Just writing a little note for the princess, telling about your little scheme. Tell her I said hi when you see her."
"Buh-bye!" waved Fluttershy cutely.
Then, with one more inhale, Spike blew fire around his rolled up message, magically carrying it away. Then, the magic aura of the messaging spell enveloped Yang and lifted him into the air as well.
"Wait, what? What's going on?!" he griped. "No! Put me down! This isn't over!"
Both Spike and Fluttershy waved as the perplexed criminal was carried away with the letter, down the underground tunnel and out the nearest exit.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
With that, Spike and Fluttershy knuckle bumped as they watched him dissapear. Then, the two dug around the pile of beaten guards for a key and finally began opening the cells, freeing the mares. The overjoyed hoofmaidens crowded Fluttershy with grateful hugs; but Spike had his own lady to save. He opened Rarity's cell and was immediately swept up in her pearly white hooves.
"Oh Spike, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she rejoiced. "That was so brave of you to save me like that!"
Spike blushed. "Well, I couldn't let you be cooped up in here any longer. This whole thing was about you."
"What do you mean?"
"After that whole incident with that robber at the train station, I felt so bad about not doing anything while you were being mugged. I felt like such a weakling that I decided to take up Tail Kwon Do, just to prove that I'm not a wimp. I guess I was just trying to impress you by becoming a figher."
Then, to his surprise, Rarity laid a hoof on Spike's cheek and gave him a long loving kiss on the lips. After holding for a good while, she looked at him with a bright smile. "You don't have to prove how brave you are to me, Spike. You're my hero just the same."
Spike looked back elated. "Really?"
"Absolutely." She replied as she nuzzled his neck. "That was some of the best martial arts fighting I have ever seen."
Spike melted with flattery as he held his embrace with his dream mare. But their moment was interrupted again by Fluttershy, who spoke without trying to be rude.
"Um, not that I'm not happy that everypony is free, but how are we going to get off this island?"
Rarity answered happily. "Oh, I just remembered that Yang has a private ship docked outside. We can just sail home!"
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Fluttershy smiled as she headed off with the jailbreak of cheering mares.
"You all go ahead." Spike said. "I just forgot one thing back in the temple."
"What could that be?" asked Rarity curiously.
"I want to find where Yang keeps that trophy full of gems." Spike grinned and tightened his yellow belt.
...
That night, Princess Celestia curled up by the fire in her cozy study, reading a good novel. But as she continued her reading, the flames within the fireplace began to flare up. She looked over with intrigue, expecting another letter sent by Spike. But she was perplexed as the parchment that shot out of the fire was followed by a badly beatened old stallion who landed with a grunt. Yang opened his eye and peered around at just where he was and stood up with a devious smile.
"Aha! Princess Celestia, we meet at last!" he cackled. "I'll have you know that I won't be going down as easy as you think. Nopony has beaten me, except maybe for one, but I still am a master marital artist. I am unstop-"
His sentence was cut short when Celestia gave him a swift roundhouse kick to the head, finally knocking him out cold. Then, she looked at the letter that came with the pathetic stallion and unrolled it with a sigh.
