//------------------------------// // Golden vs. Bass // Story: League of Bronies // by darkironpony //------------------------------// [Bass's P.O.V. Tournament area.] "Welcome mares and gentlecolts, to the division finals!" the announcer shouted enthusiastically. He went on and on about how huge today was. I ignored him and examined the other remaining combatants. I saw Goldie practicing on the heavybag. How did he get better so fast? I thought Shadow implied he would take long to recover if he ever did. I saw Adven sitting against a wall examining his sword. I guess he was trying to strategize what he would do. A few feet from Adven was the other finalist of the armed division. The combatant wore a coat which hid many of its features. The only thing I could see was bright white teeth stretched in an enormous grin. He must be excited about fighting Adven. Too bad that will be his last fight. I saw the shapeshifter talking with the pony that could create gems. Aren't those two going to be fighting one another? Well it is good to see there is some good sportsmanship. The gem pony gave me a look of contempt. Or not. I saw to the far back were a griffin and a minotaur. Before I could observe anything else the announcer's voice chimed in,"Okay folks lets get the matchs started. The first division final we get to witness is...the unarmed division!" "Golden, looks like we’re up," I said over my shoulder heading towards the ring. "Right behind you," I heard him say with confidence. We entered the ring and turned to face one another. [Golden's P.O.V. Play this ] The announcer gave the signal and we rushed to meet one another in the middle of the ring. I threw a quick right hoof to Bass's side. He blocked my hoof with his own. He proceeded and tried to hit me with a left karate chop to my neck. I backed up and blocked it with both of my arms. Not wanting to be beaten by my blocking Bass threw more energy into his attack. It wasn't enough and I was able to push him back a few feet. As Bass was in the process of being pushed back I ran up and gave him a quick right uppercut to his jaw. That sent him flying through the air a few more feet. I ran to his destination to continue my assault. I began to throw a few punches getting ready to receive him. Before his body could land near my punches it spun to the right. It landed few feet to my left. Landed wasn’t the correct way to put it. He just landed his right back hoof to launch the rest of his body at me?! Before I could consciously react my hooves rose to block Bass's incoming blow. "Hah. That is not going to work Bass," I taunted maintaining my defensive position. "You should just," I stopped instantly when I realized Bass hadn't connected. I risked a look lowering my defense for a minute. He vanished?! He couldn't have. That’s impossible! I worked to steady my body in order to focus. Now what should I do? What can I do? The best way to defeat a hiding opponent is to act like you're letting them think they are hidden from you. I put on a fake grin,"That isn't going to work Bass. I know exactly where you are!" "Good I was getting tired of hiding anyway!" I hear somepony say from above the ring. I look up to find Bass coming straight at me from about ten feet. How the?! How did he get up there?! Unfortunately Bass's right front hoof connected with the left side of my face. The momentum of the blow sent me to the edge of the ring. Bass is definitely stronger than I remember him to be. [Bass's P.O.V.] "Ow!" I winced in pain waving my hoof back and forth. [Martial Art taught me as an earth pony or rather zebra I was stronger in my hooves than pegasi and unicorns. I didn't expect I could even jump as high as I did.] I was about to raise my hoof when I realized one thing. Why haven't I been declared the winner yet? That is when I looked around and saw Golden flailing his body wildly trying to remain in the ring. Should I just help him or leave him alone? This is kinda funny. I found myself laughing uncontrollably until Golden was able to stabilize his position. "Ready for round two?" he asked trying to sound tough. I narrowed my eyes and gave him a quick smile. Hm. Now what? That is when I saw Golden's face again. That is it! I ran straight towards Golden with my guard down and only one goal in mind. I slid to Golden's left side. Unfortunately Golden was able to focus and threw a hoof. The air was hit out of me but I ignored the fatigue and pain it caused me. Now it is my turn! I threw a quick right uppercut to Golden's left side of his face. Golden's body fell a few feet away. I saw as his body flew past me his eyes were dazed. I didn't think I put that much force into that punch. The audience went silent as they saw Golden's body land hard on the ring's floor. "Hey I think you are suppose to start the count now," I said angrily panting. The announcer gave me a slow nod and began the count. When the count reached nine I breathed a sigh of relief. Looks like that is it. What?! I thought I laid him out?! Somehow Golden had gotten up again. Before I could react Golden landed a flurry of punches all over my body. The only thing that prevented it from being worse was Golden deciding to hit me with a double uppercut. [ That attack always looked a little silly to me. Just saying.] If I don't move first he will get me. Golden began to slowly advance to meet me. Something is wrong. Why would he? Of course! That is why! "Hey everypony this is what I like to call a tactical withdrawal!" I shouted feigning fear I ran. Golden began to move towards where I was. "What is he doing?" I hear someone from the audience say. "I think he is giving up. What a coward," one commented bitterly. "Excelsior!" I heard another one say. What the? Since I was distracted Golden was able to land a few punchs on me. Still I inched closer to the edge of the ring. "Come on and get me Golden. If you can," I taunted urging Golden to charge at me. Come on. Please let this work. Golden let out a fierce battlecry and charged straight for me. At the last millisecond I jumped. Golden's body didnt fall out. Instead Golden's body reaquainted itself with its old friend the floor. "One," the announcer began. "Uh. You can stop there ," I said picking up Golden's body. [The look on the announcer's face when I interrupted him was priceless.] I placed it gently as possible outside of the ring. "I win," I blurt out before I fall onto the floor panting. "Well there you have it folks. Bass is the winner of the unarmed division and will be proceeding to the next round," the announcer happily shouted. Whatever. Now I can rest. I sat peacefully where I was still attempting to breath normally again. "And speaking of the next round," the announcer continued,"The special division final is up next!" Wait! That means whoever wins the next fight could be my next opponent. I thought of the two finalists of the special division. Great. I either get a weredragon or a diamond pony. I guess I should get working on my will now. I fell down and slept. [Hey what can I say. I don't do exhaustion very well.]