//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Warframe: Rebirth // by REDMAMBA //------------------------------// Chapter 7 Over the weeks, Raven met every day with her therapist. Her ability to walk had quickly returned, it was sluggish and she couldn't walk for long periods of time without the help of a cane. It was and was not a surprise to Cross. Her recovery was rather fast compared to most cases she sees, but then again, she has never met a filly that couldn't walk because of a lack of use. A large diet and the help of Cross, Bubbles, and Celestia had allowed Raven to gain the use of her legs yet again. But with the gaps in their language barrier, it would be a long time before they learned what lead to the events of that day. The wound in her side had healed and left nothing but a large scar, that could only be seen if Raven removed her shirt. Not like she did that much anyway. So, the scar would stay hidden for a long time to come. When Cross mentioned that to Celestia, the solar matriarch had commented that ‘Raven will have to make up some overly dramatic story for that scar’. That received a good chuckle from the medical mare. Raven's vocabulary was slowly starting to increase as well. Even if it was broken. She could make simple requests, but her ability to write complete and complex sentences was astounding. Perhaps Celestia could enroll her faster than she had first anticipated? A decision for a later date. For now, Celestia and Raven wandered the halls of the castle. Well, Celestia had a destination in mind, Raven was along for the ride, her cane in her hand, just in case. The duo casually entered through a final door and into a large, open room. Said room was massive, the size of a Lunaro arena, as Raven would describe. In the center of the room was a large dirt pit, encircled by a tall stone wall. Inside the pit, two ponies, dawned in golden battle armor accented with a single white stripe on the right arm, dueled with wooden shields and swords. On the far right of the pit, sat a rack of weapons and armor. Off to the left side, on the outside of the arena, sat an area dedicated to weights and weight lifting. Bars, weights and other training equipment sat, all of which had a pony occupying them. Mares and stallions alike were exercising. None of them looked old enough to be mature by Ravens standards. Teens perhaps? New recruits maybe? Ravens attention moved to a lone, taller stallion standing in the bleachers barking orders to the two on the pit. “Shield up, Spear! Watch your hooves Dawn! You won’t amount to anything if you can't keep your hooves under you!” the stallion yelled before he turned his head towards the door, only to see the smiling face of the princess, who stood nearby. His eyes widened. “Attention! Princess on deck!” Everyponies ears perked and they turned their attention to their commanding officer before moving towards the princess and her partner, their eyes widened all at once. There was a flurry of grunts, groans and the shuffling of hooves on dirt and tile as every mare and stallion shuffled into a standing position, all of them going ramrod to attention. Raven nodded her head very slightly. “Impressive…” she mumbled under her breath in Orokin. Celestia paid no mind as the larger stallion approached and saluted. “Princess!” “Bronze’” she smiled down at the shorter stallion. “At ease.” The stallion lowered his arm and relaxed his stance. “How are you?” “Good Princess,” he replied. “Just training the new recruits.” “So, I can see.” As the pair continued to converse, Raven paid them little mind as her attention wandered to the arena. She eyed the two standing armored ponies. The one to her left was a bright red stallion with light blue eyes, his tail was hidden behind his closed legs and his mane was covered by his helmet, poking out from his helmet though, was a spiraled horn. To Ravens right, was another unicorn mare who had a bright yellow coat and dark blue eyes. Raven blinked her one good eye as the pair of young ponies glanced at her before back to the far wall. Moving her attention away, she entered the pit and headed for the armor and weapons rack. In front of her sat various pieces of armor, helmets, chest plates, arm guards and a few gloves, either laying on the ground or hanging from hooks. Next to the armor sat a large wooden rack of various weapons from daggers to halberds, some wood, others metal without a sharped edge; trainers. Reaching out, she pulled one of the metal swords from the rack. Behind her, Celestia and Bronze continued, oblivious to the child examining the weapons. “Of course!” Bronze replied to the princess. “Recruit Armor! Front and center!” He yelled at the group over at the weightlifting area. A young white unicorn stallion with two tone blue hair and light blue eyes, dressed in nothing but his black training shorts went stiff before running over and next to the princess and his commanding officer. The young stallion saluted. “Sir!” “At ease son,” Bronze ordered. The young cadet did as he was told and relaxed, much like when Bronze earlier. “Cadet Armor here is our top student, Princess,” Bronze explained as he turned his attention to Celestia. The mare smiled down at the recruit. Just like his classmates and those before him, Cadet Armor was starting to fill out like a guard, his shoulders were broad, his arms and chest toned, and a small six pack had formed under his fur. “Cadet Armor,” the mare greeted, offering a hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” He took her hand and shook it. “Princess!” Releasing her hand, his went to his side while hers went behind her back. “I do hope you are able to pull your weight like the rest of your squad?” she asked, almost teasingly. “Of course!” “Good,” she replied with a smile. “Because the Royal Guard works as a team. No lone wolf stuff… and that goes for all of you!” she said a little louder for all to hear. “You are a team, so work as one!” A chorus of shouts graced her ears, “Yes Princess!” In the arena, Cadet Dawn glanced to her left. “Captain, sir?” The elder stallion turned around while Celestia leaned to look past him and Cadet Armor turned his head to look at Cadet Dawn. Once all eyes were on her, she gestured her head to the left. Nearby, Raven stood lost in her own little world while she swung one of the training swords back and forth, testing it. As she came to a stop, she held the blade up and examined it with a watchful eye. Straight, like it should be, lowering it she ran a hand along the edge. Only to get zapped. Hard… Very hard... She yelped loudly and immediately dropped the blade and stepped away, shaking the sharp, painful sensation from her hand as she yelled various obscenities in her native tongue. Her seemingly innocent mistake guarded a chuckle from the others in the room... well, all but Celestia, who looked rather concerned for the child. “It would appear somepony is not familiar with enchanted training blades,” Bronze commented with a chuckle. “Interesting too, because she looked like she knew what she was doing.” Celestia just sighed as she approached the girl, who was still rubbing her partially numb hand. “You okay sweetie?” she asked when she was close enough. Raven looked back and nodded her head before looking back down at the training sword. Almost trying to glare it down into the dirt... or fearing it would jump up and attack her. Whichever came first. “Here,” Celestia said, grabbing the girl's hand in her own. The mare closed her eyes and channeled her magic and conjured up a quick healing spell. Seconds past as the pain in Raven's hand faded. Celestia opened her eyes and gazed down at Raven with a smile. “Better?” The dark-haired girl flexed her fingers a few times and nodded before lowering her arm. Captain Bronze and Cadet Armor approached. “I would have thought she would have known about that with what happened at the hospital?” Bronze commented before bending over and picking up the blade. “These things are designed to make sure you know when you are hit.” To further his point, and without warning, he jabbed Cadet Armor in the side, causing the young stallion’s muscles to lock up as he screamed before stepping away. “Son of a-” “Don't you dare curse in front of the Princess!” Bronze ordered with a loud shout and a point of the blade at the Cadet. all guards were expected to show the utmost respect for their ruler at all times! Cadet Armor rubbed his pain filled side and nodded weakly. “...Yes sir.” Celestia rolled her eyes and sighed before holding her head in her hands and shaking it. Next to her, Raven was on the verge of tears at the unplanned revenge that just took place. “That is your lesson for the day too, Cadets!” Bronze yelled for all to hear as he turned in a slow circle. “You must be prepared at all times! An attack may come at any moment! So be prepared!” As he came around he smiled at the Princess, who had looked up between her fingers at the stallion in front of her. “You are so insufferable at times…” she mumbled, almost embarrassed. Bronze replied with a knowing smirk and a shrug before turning around and leaving. “As you were!” he ordered before glancing back at Raven and tossing her the sword. She caught it by the handle with her right hand before slowly lowering her arm and glancing at Celestia. The two looked at each other for a second before Raven gestured to Bronze with her head, as if she were asking a silent ‘can I’? The mare, still holding her head in her hand, went from looking at Raven, to Bronze and Cadet Armor, then back to Raven. With a slow nod, she confirmed the child's request. Without missing a beat, Raven spun the sword in her hand and headed for the pair, a determined look on her face. The two stallions conversed lightly, the younger still rubbing his side, unaware of the target on their backs. Once Raven was close enough, she spun the blade again and chose her target, Bronze’s open and vulnerable side. She swung… Captain Bronze and Cadet Armor spun on their heels in shock as the arena air filled with the sound of a very loud ‘clack’ of wood hitting metal. Both their eyes fell on the not only the metal sword inches from Bronze’s side, but the wood one that stopped it. “What was that about being prepared, Sir?” Cadet Dawn remarked before she pulled her sword up, dragging it across the metal before she stepped between her commanding officer and fellow cadet. She then took a step forward while forcing Raven to step back. “I will admit that I didn’t expect to be attacked by a civilian in the training grounds,” the elder stallion admitted. The two females glared at each other like cats before Dawn spun her sword over her head right at Raven. The other lifted hers and blocked before parrying and taking a swing of her own. Dawn took a step back and dodged the attack before retaliating with another low swing, which Raven stepped back to avoid. Cadet Dawn didn't relent and continued her forward attack. She swung multiple times, each resulting in a miss or a parry from Raven. The two continued to swing with utmost precision and training, Dawn was to be expected, Raven, was a bit of a shock. Celestia and Bronze were slightly surprised, the rest of the cadets watched in awe as a civilian went hoof to hoof with a trainee. The two locked blades and pushed with all their strength, neither relented. Baring her teeth, Raven continued to shove, moving Cadet Dawns blade back an inch. The younger mare’s eyes widen for a millisecond as she caught sight of the girl’s canines, she would be lying if she said a shiver didn’t run up her spine at the predator in front of her. The two continued the stalemate before Raven, with skill unknown to all, hooked her blade around Cadet Dawn’s with a spin and shove, she twisted the wooden sword from the mare’s hand and further into the pit. Cadet Dawn was to stunned to block the attack she didn't know what happened before it was too late! She looked down in horror, terrified at what she saw. Raven was almost pressed right up against the mare, her left hand wrapped around the cadets right armored bicep. The two looked each other in the eye for what felt like an eternity before Cadet Dawn glanced down at the hilt of the sword in her opponent's hand… The blade in between her arm and her abdomen… A killing blow if it were a real fight. It was clear that Raven had won and Cadet Dawn had lost. The two continued to stare at each other before they were knocked out of their fight at the sound of clapping. As reality drifted back in, the two turned their heads to see Captain Bronze clapping slowly. “Very impressive,” he commented while lowering his arms. “But both of you still need work.” He approached the duo with a lesson in mind. Just before he was close enough, the two looked back at each other before Raven released Cadet Dawn, both taking a few steps back. Bronze turned his attention to his Cadet. “You still need to work on your hoof work Dawn.” he went up and stood next to her. “Bend your knees more and dig in as much as you can,” he explained while doing just that, slapping his right thigh to accentuate his point. “The guard don’t always have dirt and grass to fight on, you have to learn how to get comfortable on stone and cobble.” He stood up straight and pointed at the mare. “Most of our patrols are either in, or around the city. Or in the case of the Royal Guard, inside the castle on solid marble.” He placed both hands on his hips. “Your shoes only go so far, guards have been known to slip from time to time in them. Got it?” “Yes sir!” the cadet shouted. He nodded curtly. “Good!” He then turned his attention the foreign child near him. Silently, the stallion started to examine her. Now that he could see her, she wore a simple white t-shirt with the princess’s cutie mark embroidered on the front, a pair of grey sweat pants, and her hooves seemed to throw him off the most. They were much longer instead of the flatness of a hoof or the short design of a griffin paw. He could hazard a guess as to what they looked like, but they were covered by what appeared to be a type of dark sock. Leaning in closer, he examined the large scar and metallic eye patch that covered her right eye before moving to her solid white one. “I’m impressed enough that she can fight with just one eye,” he commented aloud before leaning back, “But even more so mostly blind…” he murmured while rubbing his chin. “WHAT!?” All the cadets in the room stood slack-jawed and wide-eyed at the news, Cadet Dawn more so. From what they understood, a child, no older than 10 or 11, missing an eye, just took on a soldier in training in a sword duel… was blind!? Blinder than before!? “Actually,” Celestia cut in as she stepped up next to Bronze with both her arms crossed under her bosom. “She isn’t blind. We were worried about that after she awoke in the hospital and she was given a full eye exam with her physical. She has a very rare eye color of her irises.” Celestia held her hand out, gesturing to Raven. “White in this case.” The mare crossed her arms yet again. “Her doctor, Red Cross, said it was the first case of white eye pigment she has seen in all her years of practicing medicine.” “So, she can see?” Bronze asked bluntly. Celestia rolled her eyes at his bluntness. “Yes Bronze… she can see just fine,” she groaned before facepalming yet again. “Oh gods above… what am I going to do with you?” Bronze just shrugged before chuckling lightly. The rest of the cadets picked up their jaws off the ground and started to converse lightly with each other. Raven glanced at the wooden sword on the ground several feet away. Walking over, she picked it up before returning to Cadet Dawn's side and offering the blade. Dawn glanced at it for a second before taking it from the furless girl. Once the weapon was taken from her hand, Raven bowed lightly, a show of respect for her opponent. Bronzed watched the duo with a hint of wonder. He chewed the inside of his lip for a second as he thought. “How about a duel?” asked out of blue while turning his head towards Celestia. The princess reeled back slightly. “Excuse me?” “A dual,” the stallion repeated. “She clearly knows how to handle a blade! I mean… look!” the stallion gestured to the two young females that had started a simpler dual. Their blades knocking together as they collided. “I want to see what she can do!” “But she's no more than ten!” Celestia countered. “I’ve been swinging since I was five!” Bronze said, countering her counter. “Come on Princess,” he begged. “One match. Best of five!” he asked while holding out a hand. Celestia nervously bit her lip. She knows how hard her guard trains, and those enchanted swords hurt… a lot. The mother in her battled with her inner curious side. On one side, she didn't want to see Raven hurt more than what she has gone through, on the other though, she did hold her own without taking a single hit. “... Raven, sweetie?” She was making a horrible decision. The girl in question looked at the mare as the two stopped their little battle. Both turning to look at the princess. “Would you be willing to participate in a short dual?” Raven blinked once before answering with a shrug. She went back to her match with Cadet Dawn. “I will take that as a yes!” Bronze all but shouted excitedly. “Cadet Armor!?” The stallion in question snapped to attention. “Sir!?” “Get your gear boy!” Bronze ordered. “Sir!” Cadet Armor confirmed before turning and heading for the armory. Bronze turned his attention to Raven. "Cadet Dawn!” The mare stopped her fighting again and turned to the stallion. “Sir?” “Hook this filly up with a set of armor and a sword!” *** Raven stood opposite of Cadet Armor in the pit. She wore a set of golden armor, whereas her opponent, wore a set of purple and golden armor. Must have indicated his rank amongst the cadets? Raven was not comfortable whatsoever, the armor was heavy and bulky, limiting her ability to move, and her helmet was not built for her. It alone sat very loosely on her head, the armor was poorly padded and loose in the chest, it was built for a mare that was more endowed than her preteen body. To top it all off, the armor clanked loudly with every stiff move she made. Finally, the shield on her left arm threw her balance off. In the bleachers, Celestia, Bronze and all the Cadets sat, waiting for the dual to start. “Alright! First to win three matches wins! Killing blow or a pin wins the match! Ready!?” Bronze shouted. Raven just grunted, either from her armor or a confirmation, Bronze accepted it as a 'yes' anyway, opposite of the arena, Cadet Armor hollered a hearty ‘yes sir!’ “Alright!” Bronze held his hand up. “Only rules are no magic! And no aiming for the face! Otherwise, all attacks are fair! Ready!?” Cadet Armor took his stance and raised his shield. Raven grunted again in an attempt to acquire her footing. “Set!” Cadet armor started to plan his first move while Raven held up her shield to the best of her ability. “Fight!” Bronze yelled with a drop of his arm, signaling the start of the fight. Cadet Armor started by slowly approaching his opponent, Raven did her best to move, but struggled under her armor. She had a hard time lifting the shield and in doing so, was forced to adjust her helmet to see. Just as she adjusted it could see yet again, it was too late. She grunted in pain as Cadet Armor bashed her with his shield, throwing her from her feet and onto her back, her armor banging against itself as she fell and landed on the dirt floor of the pit, knocking the wind out of her small form! “Round one to Cadet Armor!” Cadet Armor walked away while Raven grunted in an attempt to try and to get to her feet. After several seconds of struggling and feeling like an overturned turtle, she was enveloped in a bright blue aura and lifted to her feet. She glanced over at the stands to see Bronze’s horn glowing faintly before dissipating. “Round two!” he shouted while crossing his legs and both arms. “Fight!” “Is this even fair?” Cadet Armor asked the stallion while holding both arms slightly. “I don't feel comfortable fighting an untrained, half blind civilian Sir!” “She agreed!’” Bronze shot back. “So, you either fight or forfeit, Cadet Armor!” The last half of the statement sounded almost as though the cadets comment insulted the elder veteran. Not one to back away from a challenge, Cadet Armor accepted it and took his stance yet again. This time however, Raven was ready. When Cadet Armor attacked her, this time, she could block his blade with her shield, but stumbled backwards from the force. He hit like a raging bull! She barely had time to recover and haphazardly swing her blade to block his second attack. When the third came, she was unable to protect herself from it when her helmet fell over her eye yet again, blinding her fully. Cadet Armor finished the attack with another shield bash, putting Raven on her back a second time. As she laid there, dirty and embarrassed, she took a couple of deep breaths before growling angrily. That was it! If she was going to do this, it would be on her own terms! She was lifted yet again by Bronze and put back on her feet. “Round two goes to Cadet Armor!” Bronze announced before leaning closer to a now concerned Celestia and whispering, “And here I thought she had so much potential.” Raven growled angrily yet again. Before Bronze could announce the start of the third round, she spun on her heels and marched away from her opponent. “What is she doing?” She tossed the sword away like a piece of scrap metal and released the shield from her grip, both clanging and banging on the ground as they landed. She wasted no time and pulled the helmet from her head and throwing it, reaching around her body with her right hand, she unclasped the buckle to the front and back pieces of her torso armor before she pulled it up and over her head, tossing it to the ground with a loud bang. Next was the codpiece that protected her crotch and butt and finally, she came to a stop and removed both shin guards before stomping her way towards the weapons rack. “I think we're done here,” Celestia said with a frown and a hint of anger to her tone as she stood up. “I will be expecting an apology Captain!” His ears fell back and he felt rather hurt from the hurtful comment, but before he could reply one of the cadets pointed out into the pit. “Look!” Raven stood in front of the weapons rack and examined her choices. Her eye examined the swords, the daggers, the axes and the maces and hammers, but they didn't have what she was looking for! Her gaze though, soon landed on the large halberd leaning against the left side of the rack. The pole was long and straight, like it should be, made from a fine wood she couldn't place and painted black for style. The top held a large, curved blade, perfect for stabbing and slicing, on the bottom of the weapon was a counter spike, both for fighting and a weight to add balance. It was perfect! Grabbing the weapon, she turned on her heals and spun the weapon in her hands, testing it. It shall suffice! Returning to her spot, she watched and waited, her face forming in a slight and angry frown. Celestia sat back down as Bronze spoke. “It would appear she is ready?” It came out more like a question than a statement. “Alright… ready… set… fight!” Now that Raven could move, she used her newfound freedom to attack as she pleased. Her feet dug in as she launched herself from her spot. She was light on her feet, her covered feet barely making a sound on the dirt floor of the pit. She was fast, faster that Cadet Armor had anticipated. But he was ready… When he felt she was close enough, he swung his blade. Raven, seeing the attack did what no one had expected. They expected her to step to the side, block with her weapon, anything but what she did. She kicked her left foot out, extending her leg and pulled her right one under her. She slid… Throwing her head back she slid under the blade. Gasps filled the arena while Cadet Armor, still mid swing, locked eyes with Raven. A moment of pure awe. None of the guard could move like that, and in all his years of military experience, Bronze had never seen any military force on the planet attack like that. Celestia did though… once, a very long time ago. But the practice of this fighting style had died out a few centuries prior… As Cadet Armor took a step, his blade catching nothing but air, Raven slid past him, his back fully exposed. In one fluid motion, like it was almost practiced and honed by years of combat experience, she dug her heels into the dirt, spinning to face her target. She bent her legs as low as she could go, putting all her strength into the next attack. Her grip tightened around the handle as she pulled the halberd in close to her body. She jumped… With everything she had, she pushed herself forward, up and off the ground. She spun like a football through the air, nothing but a white and grey blur that glistened in the light. A bullet, a very sharp bullet. Cadet Armor only had enough time to raise his shield out of reflex. There was a loud clang as the blade and shield connected, Cadet Armor was thrown from his hooves and his shield from his hand as he fell backwards onto the ground. Raven loomed over him with her blade to his neck. “Round three goes to Raven!” She pulled the blade away and turned around, heading back to her side of the arena. Cadet Armor pushed himself up and retrieved his shield and took up his position opposite of Raven. In the bleachers, all the cadets murmured amongst themselves. “I’ve never seen anything like that before!” “How do I do that?” “Who taught her that?” "I gotta pee!" The whispers continued but the duo in the pit ignored the voices, along with Bronze and Celestia. “Fight!” the stallion ordered, silencing the talking. Cadet Armor was going to have to change up his strategy this time around. It was very clear to him that Raven preferred movement over protection. With her lack of armor, her range of movement and speed were increased. That would put her on the attack. Without his magic, he was relying on pure skill alone to win this! So he would have to go on the defensive. Not his area of preference or expertise but he could manage. Another limiting factor was her range. He was going to have to get in close and plan his attacks more thoroughly. Hiding behind his shield with only his eyes and the top of his head peering over its top, he started to run options and plans of attack through his mind. Opposite of him, Raven held her blade at the ready, the tip pointed right at Cadet Armor’s nose. The two started to slowly circle each other, waiting for an attack. Unbeknownst to Cadet Armor, Raven had a plan. She anticipated his thought process and decided to take the defensive herself. Throw him off a little before she changed tactics and attacked herself. The two had almost made it full circle and everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting with anticipation. Raven went first… She stomped her foot and made a false lunge at Cadet Armor, causing him to flinch back and reflexively lift his shield a bit higher to protect himself. Realizing the joke, he scowled at Raven behind his shield while she smiled playfully. It caught him by surprise alright. The two continued to glare each other into submission before Cadet Armor decided to change his tactic. Going on the offensive he brought his blade back… His eyes widened as he was forced to block a jab from Raven. He stumbled backwards from the blow, spinning full circle before recovering. He didn't even see that 'till last second! She was faster, much faster than he had anticipated. It would almost appear… That she knew much more than she let on? Recovered, Cadet Armor wasted no time charging her. His shield impacted against her blade, digging his hooves in, he pushed Raven back with all his might. Her feet dragged across the ground, a small dust cloud left in their wake. The two pushed away and Raven wasted no time and spun her weapon, the blade impacting off Cadet Armors raised shield. But there was no time for another counter… Raven comboed her attack, she turned her body, bent her legs and spun the halberd. Just like she had done before against unsuspecting Grineer soldiers. She jumped into the air, going inverted with her feet to the ceiling and the blade parallel to the ground, like a strange propeller, she performed what would be a gravity defying attack. “Woah!” “What in the world!” “What kind of messed up attack is that!?” "Bow, let me go! I can't see the fight!" The rest of the cadets watched on, utterly confused and mystified. Celestia had reeled back in shock and Bronze had snapped to his hooves, both their mouths open wide for all to see. There was no way a pony, not even a pegasus could perform such an attack, let alone on the fly! The awe continued after Raven performed several aerial spins before turning midair and landing on her feet. Cadet Armor raised his head from his position on the ground, forced to make a dive to avoid the attack. Using her momentum to her advantage, the weapon spun clockwise against her right side before she dragged it across the ground before clipping the bottom of Cadet Armor’s helmet, removing it from his head with a loud clang. He stared at his helmet that spun on the ground several feet away. His attention soon moved to the now panting girl that held the halberd to his face. He gulped… Perhaps this was a bad idea? Little did he know, this was the start of a long-lasting feud between them for a long time to come. With an angry growl himself, Cadet Armor slapped the halberd blade with his glove covered hand. Ignoring the pain in his hand, he stomped his way over to his helmet and placed it over his head. Bronze, for his part, continued to watch Raven, unable to utter a single word. After several seconds, he dropped back onto his seat, “In all my years in the military…” he slowly turned his head towards the still stunned mare next to him. “I have never seen anything that ridiculous and yet so powerful…” he slowly turned his dumbfounded brain and head towards Raven yet again. “Like… at all…” He shook his head quickly, regaining a semisolid train of thought. “Round four goes to Raven! Next round decides it!” Both took their stances for the final time. Their eyes narrowing at each other. This is it, the final battle. Well… Final for now… “Fight!” Cadet Armor wasted no time in charging Raven, she herself retaliated by charging him. The two raced towards each other, Cadet Armor’s armor clinking and clacking with every step, Ravens feet patted along almost silently. When the two were close enough, Raven dropped her blade, shoving it deep into the dirt. Using the weapon as a makeshift pole vault, she held on firm with both hands and kicked both feet out. Cadet Armor blocked with his shield as her feet connected. Lifting his arm, he attempted to throw her off. In a feat of amazing acrobatics, she used his momentum and flipped backwards, pulling her weapon from the ground just before she landed. There was no time to rest as she lifted the weapon over her head and used the handle to block Cadet Armor’s first sword attack that he could connect. She pushed back and rolled to her left, his blade sinking into the dirt as he caught nothing but air. Spinning to reorient herself, she jumped at him, pushing the blade forward. Cadet Armor rolled himself, dodging the attack. The two seemed to be locked in a stalemate! Both were panting, exhausted from their fighting! Raven was feeling weak in the knees, never having been up this long without help or rest. Cadet Armor’s armor was started to get real heavy for his liking, and he was sweating all over, heated from both the physical movement and his lack of breathable armor. Cadet Armor, much to his chagrin, bent over and placed both hands on his knees for support. Opposite of him Raven used her halberd as a crutch, both her legs shaking. After several seconds, Cadet Armor straightened his back while Raven locked her knees and held her weapon in one hand. He cracked his neck loudly before holding up his shield. With a loud battle cry, he charged his opponent, blood on the mind. Raven, calm and collective as all soldiers should be, slowly spun the weapon once, then twice, again and again each attack came faster and faster, the blade connecting and scaring the ground of the pit. She spun in a circle, her weapon doing the same behind her back. Once she felt she had enough momentum… She let go of the weapon… It slid through her open palms and just before she lost it for good, she grabbed the handle close to the spear point. She held it over her head and used her momentum to her advantage. Spinning on the balls of her feet she used the blade like some giant and horrible blade from a blender. Cadet Armor came to a sliding stop, both his eyes widening. He dropped his sword and held his shield with both hands, knowing how hard this was going to hit! There was an extremely loud tang as metal connected with metal. Cadet Armors arms and shoulders screamed in agony as the blade was dragged across his metal shield. His left arm reeled back from the force, leaving his abdomen exposed… But that was not her target… Cadet Armor didn’t know how to respond. Time slowed as he floated through the air, his hooves swept out from under him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Raven, her face stoic and calm, the halberd held high into the air. How? That was all he could ask himself… How? That speed, the maneuverability, all of it! He was dumbfounded and mystified. No book, story, or tomb spoke of such power! How did she master this power? And who could he talk to learn it? “Ahhhhh!” A scream pulled him from his thoughts. But that didn't matter at the moment. All he really wondered was how did he not hit the ground yet? “Oof!” he grunted loudly as the wind was knocked from him, his body folding in half around the handle that was dropped onto his stomach. There was a loud clang when his back connected with the ground, both his back and chest hurting. To finish the battle, Raven lifted the weapon high, spike to the sky. Cadet Armor’s eyes widened before he closed them in fear. He flinched when the halberd blade dug deep into the ground. He slowly opened his eyes, half his vision filled with the bright glint of steel before he slowly looked up at the filly looming over him, panting like a dog as she leaned against the handle. “I give…” he whimpered. Raven took a few more breaths before pushing off the partially hilted halberd, turning and walking towards the exit. She made it several steps before she stumbled, her legs giving out completely. Raven landed with a painful grunt before she proped herself up on her elbows. “I think that was enough for a very long time.” She was wrapped in a warm golden glow and lifted into the air. She hovered for a second before a pair of large, white arms pulled her in close to two massive mounds of flesh and held her bridle style. Celestia gave Raven a worried look. “You okay sweetie?” Raven blinked once before nodding with a small smile of her own. She was exhausted and a nap sounded really nice right about then. “Good!” The mare lifted her head and turned her attention to Captain Bronze. The stallion wilted under her glare. “Next time. If she decides to do this, she better be off that cane!” Bronze gulped nervously. “Y-Yes… your majesty!” Celestia’s scowl softened into her usual smile. “Good!” her attention then moved to a still shocked and very floored stallion. “Cadet Armor?” he slowly turned his head to look at the solar princess, his armor clacking softly. “Go and remove your armor and rest. You earned it.” He slowly nodded while going back to staring at the ceiling with a dumb expression. Satisfied, Celestia gave a curt nod before turning and leaving the arena. Bronze just sighed as his shoulders sagged. “Cadets… uh… head to the lockers, shower, and you are all relieved for the day…” From the far end of the room, Captain Bronze heard a faint shout. “I will expect that formal written and verbal apology by sundown, Bronze!” The stallion went stiff as all the Cadets started to laugh loudly. Even Cadet Armor snorted out a small laugh. "I'm so screwed..." The stallion went stiff.