//------------------------------//
// Test Your Flight 
// Story: Hooves of Fury Part 1 
// by Lock Target 
//------------------------------//

Three days pass. After Granny Smith teaches Fluttershy her best moves (With General's help) and Twilight casting her walk on clouds spell on Spike, AJ and General, our heroes make their way to Cloudsdale right after Fluttershy's match with Bone Crusher. Fluttershy flies toward the city while the others follow by her side in a balloon.

"That Bone Crusher guy went down so easily" Said Spike, "Who'd have thought he'd chicken out just when Fluttershy got angry?"

"I think it was because she gave him the Stare" replied AJ.

"Be on your guard, everypony" said General, "The enemy's likely got a plan to shake things up in the tournament"

"One thing gets me about all this" AJ said while resting her hoof on a pillow, "Why is it that Fluttershy is the one that has to beat ALL the other opponents?"

"That's what I'D like to know" replied a nervous Fluttershy.

"I think I know" Started Spike. "The MC must be working for T. He's deploying a plan set by T. possibly to wear Fluttershy out so she wouldn't stop them in getting revenge on us!"

AJ laughed saying, "That's a bit of a wild speculation there, sport"

"I've been taking insight classes" Spike replied.

General catches a glimpse of Cloudsdale saying, "We're here"

Our heroes exit the balloon as Fluttershy fastens it to a steak. They make their way to an area where two big, maneless Pegasi. The one on the left gestures Fluttershy to follow him. The one on the right guides AJ, Spike and General to their seats. They are seated as the crowd begins to cheer when the Host comes to the center of the arena on his balloon. Several balloons are seen above. Fluttershy and Grace are standing on pedistals as the Host begins to speak.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome to the second round of the semi-finals! On my left, she grappled with a Griffin, she beat and battered a batty baker, she sent a big bad Earth Pony crying for mommy! The Pink-Haired Pummeler herself, HIDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN DRAGOOOOOOOOOOON!" The crowd cheers making Fluttershy cringe in fear. "And on my right, she took the sizzle out of Santamaneica Sassy's spark, that half-breed with the stinging knight, the one, the only, GRAAAAAAAACE THE GRIFFICOOOOOOORE!" The crowd goes wild as the Host floats up over the ring. "LET THE CLASH BEGIN" he shouts ringing the bell.

The two combatants enter the ring. They begin to circle each other.

"You and I sparked a friendship with each other" said Grace, "But like my cousin, I won't pull punches"

"I don't feel too good about this, are you sure it's okay?" asked Fluttershy.

"Don't worry" Grace reassured, "My pals and I spar all the time. It's what keeps us on our toes"

"Well...Okay..." said Fluttershy making the opening move.

She flies at Grace who counters with a tail strike that Fluttershy dodges. She then strikes Grace with a kick. Ride of the valkyries begins to play as they collide in the air. Both of them deliver the other a series of blows. Just then, the stadium's rim opens up revealing several missiles rising and aimed at the ring. AJ and Co. noticed this and warn our two heroes.

"GRACE! FLUTTERSHY!"

"LOOK OUT, Y'ALL!"

"BOGIES AROUND THE CLOCK!"

But they couldn't hear them through the roar of the crowd. It wasn't until they were at a stare-down on the ring when they noticed the misiles. Fluttershy flips back to normal, screams then goat faints. Grace takes flight making a few of them go in to different directions.

"Heat-seakers, I should've known" said Grace.

She acts fast grabbing a few causing collision corses with them. After destroying all of the missiles, Grace decends back down onto the ring, reviving Fluttershy from her shock. A frightened Fluttershy then looks around seeing that the missiles were gone.

"Thank you, Grace" said Fluttershy, "That was so scary!"

Grace then walks over to the edge of the ring. "It's not my fight" she said, "I'll be more useful to you out of competiton" She then jumps out of the ring and exits the arena.

"...I guess...Hidden Dragon moves on?" said the host.

The crowd cheered. AJ and Co. rushed to find Grace with AJ being carried by General.

"Hold up there, sugrarcube!"

"That was a gutsy move, soldier"

"What was THAT all about?"

Fluttershy enters the scene.

"Why did you throw the match?"

"Like I said, I'll be more help to you guys if I'm not all banged up"

Hearing this from within a nearby balloon, the Flim Flam Brothers look at each other with sneaky looks in their eyes. Moments later, our heroes make it to the outskirts of Appleloosa.

"Your match with Robocolt is tomarrow" Said AJ, "We'll bring him up to speed in the meantime"

Just then, an army of ninjas arrives.

"ARE YOU BEAKIN' SERIOUS!?"

Fluttershy, General and Grace start fighting the ninjas. Fluttershy and General doing well, but it was soon too much for Grace as she was swarmed on and beaten to within an inch of her life. The ninjas then retreat and Grace has a note attached to her shirt. Spike takes it off and begins to read"

"Very clever, Hidden Dragon, but not clever enough. You may have help, but there is a limit. Break this rule again, and you will all suffer. By the way, do you know how Applejack sprained her hoof? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Signed...T."

"THAT T. SIDWINDER DID THIS TO ME!?"

An angry Fluttershy growls at this.

"That's the last straw. HEAR ME, T., I CAN HANDLE MOST OF WHAT YOU DO TO ME! FORCE ME TO PARTAKE IN THIS TOURNAMENT, FINE! SEND NINJAS AFTER ME, WHATEVER! But when you put my friends' lives in danger, that's where I draw the line! Get ready, T....You Hurt my friends...Your journey ends!"

To Be Continued