A Fighting Chance

by Stunt Monkey

Ch.8 The Final Countdown.

"Box you legend!" Stryker shouted from a distance as he golloped to his brother, Rarity trotted slowly behind him. Stryker had seen his brother fought the same pony before, but he seemed more excited then Boxing remembers. "Is something wrong Stryker?" Boxing asked.

"Wrong? pft..." Stryker stood tall in front of his younger brother. "Quite the opposite actually. Thanks to you, we already have more than half the money we need to start up our club!"

Club? Boxing panicked.

"You mean our Bar?" Boxing asked confusingly.

"Heh... about that. Listen, I've been doing some thinking about it and I'd like to go further with our business plan. Rarity's already introduced me to somepony who is willing to move to Ponyville and work for us!" Stryker looks to Rarity.

"That's correct darling, her name is Tropical Punch, she is quite the expert on beverages from all over Equestria."

"Stryker! There are already two clubs in Ponyville. Why do you want to open a third?" Boxing complained as he started walking down the corridor, Applejack followed him.

"See that's the thing," He galloped up to him and walked by his side. "With the money I've won I can make and offer to buy one of them." Boxing stopped and turned to his brother, Money you won?

"What do you mean you won money?" Boxing asked.

"From your match. I placed a four hundred bit bet and won ba-ooff!"

"YOU DID WHAT?" Boxing slammed his hooves up against Stryker, pinning him to the stone wall.

"I placed money on your win, I won four thousa-urk.." Boxing's hooves moved to his neck and began slowly chocking the life out of him as Stryker began to gag and splutter, desperately trying to breath.

"BOX! STOP!" Applejack tugged at his arms, but he was too strong. "Please! Stop." Applejack was scared, she never had to restrain any pony before. Boxing's hooves weakened as his arms began to tremble, "Fine." he released his grip.

"Koff!" Stryker choked a cough, "Why... is this... a problem?" He spoke between breaths.

"You've done nothing but spend money this entire trip!" Boxing shouted and pointed a hoof at him. "Ever since that day five years ago! You think that if you can support everypony, everything will be fine. Well it's not, okay?" Tears formed in Boxing's eyes. "It's your fault he's dead, Sunny is dead because of YOU!" he poked him harshly one last time before walking off in a huff. A few seconds passed, Boxing was gone.

"Who's Sunny?" Applejack asked.

"It's a long story." Stryker collapsed to the floor, still gasping for breath. "It all happened five years ago..."

Stryker drifted into a flashback as he remembered what happened on that eventful day. "Give up while you can Little Boxy, this match is mine. Korn had said, I was on the side watching up close. Boxing was doing well, but something was off about him. I watched them have it out for what felt like a good 20 minuets, we expected Sunny to show up from the beginning and support him, but he never showed. I saw Korn pull Box in close while he punched, I couldn't hear it from where I was but he mumbled something into Boxy's ear. And right then and there Boxing gave up, I know the ponies in the stands didn't notice it, but I did. He was K.O'ed by a punch he could easily have blocked." A tear streamed down Stryker's cheek.

"It wasn't until afterwards that I found out why he dropped so easily. It was because of a wager I made with some unfriendly unicorns, and that sinister griffon was responsible for Sunshine's disappearance. It was because of the bet that I made, I put Sunny's life in danger. And because Boxing lost I owed them money, but I couldn't afford it... And they came after us for the money, A fight broke out and Sunshine kept us safe. But... they killed him. He sacrificed himself for us."

"How heroic of him." Rarity said as she wiped a tear from her cheek, the result of Stryker's story.

"Ah' don't get it, how are y'all related to this Sunny fella'?" Applejack asked.

"Sunshine Glory was a pegasus that Boxing loved and Sunny felt the same way about him." Stryker answered

"Ya' mean, he really was a Coltcud... Uh- I mean, Boxing was tellin' the truth when he said he retired because of Korn?"

"Yep, he stayed clear of competitions, well until this one anyway. We needed money to start our bar, so we saved up, but coming on this trip has already made our dream possible."

"Ah' think Ah' should to him." Applejack turned and cantered off.

"Applejack wait, you don't know where he ran off to." Rarity called after her but it was too late she was already gone.

Boxing ran far, far enough to end up in Grand Celestia's Park. He sat under the same oak tree he and Applejack sat under earlier in the day, he closed his eyes and relaxed, giving short breaths. I should never have done this, I should never have brought AJ or Rarity into our families troubles. If I fight tomor-

"Boxin', there ya are." Applejack interrupted his thoughts.

"What do you want?" he huffed.

"Ah' came to talk to you." she sat down next to him.

"I don't want to, I'm mad at Stryker. There. Chit chat over."

"Why're you mad at him?" Applejack asked calmly.

"Because he placed money on my win! We came on this trip to win money, but he's taking it too far, what if I had lost against Emerald? We'd be broke!"

"But ya' did win, we all knew you could do it."

"That's not the point, I want him to stop placing bet on my matches. You would not believe what happened last time I lost a major match, my best friend died." Boxing placed his hooves over his eyes as he started to cry. "You mean Sunny?" Applejack struck a nerve as Boxing looked up at her.

"What? How do you- No, Never call him that."

"You really loved him. Didn't you."

"I did... He was everything to me." Boxing sniffed and wiped his eyes. "But he's gone... And I'm dealing with that."

"You see that's just it, you don't have to deal with it. I remember when I was small and my parents passed on, Granny Smith had to take care after me, mah' big lug of a brother and little baby Applebloom too. Mac felt responsible for their death, he weren't of course, but It took so long for all of us to convince him that it was't his fault. It was nopony's fault." Applejack leaned in a nuzzled him gently. Boxing felt a heavy weight lifted from his chest, all the guilt he felt had suddenly vanished.

"Thank you Applejack, this means a lot to me." he turned to face her. "I should go find Stryker and apologize."

"That's the spirit."

"Before I go." Boxing leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "Thanks." he smiled at her then turned and galloped.

The door to his hotel opened, "Stryker? Are you here?" Boxing asked the empty room. He walked around to every room, all empty, eventually he ended up at the bedroom, the only room that Boxing had not searched. He pushed the door open with his hoof "Stryker are you in he- OH MY CELESTIA!" He covered his eyes with a hoof when he caught Stryker and Rarity in the middle of their 'lovemaking', low moans from the white unicorn filled the room.

Does she really have that pierced?

"I'm sorry! I'll let you two finish!" Boxing awkwardly backed out of the door with a hoof still covering his eyes, Stryker panicked and grabbed the quilt to cover himself and Rarity. "Box?!" Stryker almost yelled. "I'm sorry about this, hold on." A wet slurp noise filled the room as Stryker pulled out of her and fumbled around the bed trying to regain his balance on the soft mattress, "Wait we can talk." he hopped out of the bed and walked over to the door awkwardly with the quilt still wrapped around him.

"Sorry you had to see that." Stryker closed the door behind him. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Stryker, I'm sorry I was a jerk earlier, I shouldn't have lashed out on you like that. I know your not the reason Sunny is dead." Boxing looked into Stryker's eyes. "But I want you to promise me one thing."

"Anything little brother."

"I never want you to gamble on my victories ever again."

"I promise Boxing, I will never place bets on your victories." Stryker patted his head with a hoof. "Now, I'm going to need the bedroom for a while, so..." Stryker trailed off, hoping that Boxing would take his hint.

"Oh! Right, yes of course. Uh- I think I'll sleep with Applejack tonight." Boxing said.

"Confident are we?" Stryker smirked.

"No. You know what I meant."

"Hahaha, Come on have a laugh." Stryker stood back up and turned to the door, "Relax, have a good time." he stepped inside and closed the door behind him, leaving Boxing outside.

"Is Boxing alright darling?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah he's fine, he's going to be with Applejack tonight, so that means we can get back to our activities." he smiled as he climbed back into the bed, wrapping his hooves around Rarity. "You know, I'm afraid Boxing will lose to Applejack tomorrow." Rarity said as she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"What do you mean?" Stryker pulled away from her, looking confused. "Well, your story about Sunshine. Boxing would have sacrificed everything to be with his love. If he truly has the same feelings about Applejack, then he will lose, he won't be able to put Applejack in harm's way."

"Really?"

"Why of course. Now, where were we." Stryker giggled as Rarity sliped beneath the covers and resumed their 'activities'.

I hope Applejack hope won't mind me and Rarity switching places for tonight, I mean it's not like we're strangers or anything. I just need to relax and quit panicking, just place your hoof on the door and knock.

Knock Knock.

"Hold on. I'ma comin'." Boxing heard the noise of hooves rushing to the door, after a small click the door opened, Applejack stood in the door way. "Oh Boxin' what'r you doin' here?"

"Can I stay here tonight please? Rarity and Stryker are... well yeah."

"Yeah, 'course you can. Come on in." Applejack opened the door all the way and let Boxing walk inside, "What's wrong? you seem a down?"

"I'm fine, I'm just very tired. Today was exhausting; you know?"

"Yeah, Ah' know the feeling. Why don't we sit fer' a spell, Ah'll get us some drinks." Boxing slumped down on the couch, his eyes wandered to Applejack wiggling rump. Mmm, those flanks. Not now! Go away thoughts! You have to beat the flying feather out of her tomorrow. Boxing forced the thought out of his head. "Do you want Marelot or Cider?" Applejack called out.

"Cider thanks." Boxing replied.

Applejack walked back into the room and sat down next to Boxing, she held a dark green bottle with a white wrapper in her teeth. She poured the contents into the two tall crystal whine glasses that were rested on the nearby coffee table, Boxing reached in and picked up his glass with both hooves, Applejack did the same. "So do we still have an agreement tomorrow?" Boxing asked.

"You mean don't go easy on each other?" Applejack sipped at her glass.

"Yep." Boxing drank from his glass.

"Boxin' what ever happens tomorrow, we're going to do our very best." She drank again.

"Thank you Applejack, I wouldn't want this any other way."

Applejack placed her glass on the table, leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder as he sat back, relaxed into the comfort of the couch. Boxing lifted his arm over her, bringing her in close. She is warm. Boxing noticed. "So." Applejack looked up to him. "Do you wanna' fool around in the hay?" Boxing took the hint and leaned in to kiss her.

Applejack pinned her self on top of Boxing, her muzzle locked with his as their tongues danced together. He rolled over, pinning the farm mare under him as he broke the kiss. He smiled at her, she smiled back. Applejack felt up Boxing's muscles as her hooves explored his body, she leaned in and kissed his neck. A shiver went down his spine. Applejacks hooves had finished exploring as they stopped between his legs, he leaned in a kissed her deeply. Her hooves grasped the surprise that was growing between his legs. "Mmmmff." He moaned as their lips were still together, Boxing pulled away suddenly. "Wait."

"What's th' matter?" Applejack released him from her grip, she flicked her tail provocatively as best she could while she was pinned under him.

"It's jus- Well, I really want this, I do. But I'm exhausted, I just want to hold you in my hooves and never let go." He kissed her on the cheek.

"Box, Ah'm not gonna force you into nuthin' if you don't want to." Boxing shifted his body to beside Applejack and embraced her. "Thank you Applejack." He hugged her tightly and the both of them fell asleep in each others arms.

The next day, Applejack and Boxing had woken up early in the morning, the both of them had eaten a large meal to give them the energy that they needed for their training day. After all, they were expected to fight each other later tonight for the ten thousand bit reward. Applejack and Boxing had spent six hours training together, with only one break for lunch. This is amazing, I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun training. Boxing thought to himself.

The familiar grey stallion with a spiky electric blue mane arrived, "Hey guys, how goes the training?" Boxing threw one last hard punch at his bag of sand. "Stryker. What brings you here?"

"Me what about you? I haven't seen you since yesterday night." Stryker said.

"Well... I've been here with AJ all mornin'." Boxing said.

"Mornin'?" Stryker said with a confused look on his face.

"Yeah all day." Boxing said.

"I think your accent is starting to rub off on him, hehe, you two have fun." Stryker turned and started walking. Applejack smiled at Boxing. "Oh. And your match starts at eight, don't be late."

"Don't worry we'll be fine." Boxing turned back his bag of sand, resuming his punching combo.

Stryker's horn glowed and the glass door before him swung open, he trotted to the front of the building and found himself in the bar. He approached the bar and sat on a stool, "Beer thanks." the mare poured the drink in front of him. "Busy day boss?"

"Boss?" Stryker looked up to see the Earth pony pouring his drink, a mare with an orange coat slightly darker than Applejack with a bright lime green mane that almost glowed like a neon light. Her cutie mark was a cocktail glass with a slice of lime on the edge of the galss and small coloured umbrella poking out of the top.

"I'm sorry miss, have we met?" Stryker asked politely.

"Well, I know you but you don't know me. Yet." She smiled.

"Is that so?"

"Yep," She held out her hoof towards him. "Punch, Tropical Punch." She giggled. And then it hit him, she was the mare that Rarity had talked about, the one that had agreed to move in with Rarity back in Ponyville and work for him and Boxing in their newly opened club.

"Of course! Miss Punch, lovely to finally meet you." He took his hoof into his and shook it. "You work here?"

"Yup! Well, for 16 more days anyway." She looked into his eyes. "And then I'm moving in with a friend in Ponyville, where I will be working for a very handsome stallion." she fluttered her eyes. Stryker knew what she was trying to do, he quickly had to think of a way to let her down easy. "Well, what a coincidence. I happen to be dating a mare from Ponyville, she is here in Manehatten with me." Stryker drank from his glass.

"Oh." Her smiled turned into a disappointed frown.

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" Stryker asked.

"Not at all, fire away."

"How do you go about serving an Atomic Airship?" Stryker asked his first question.

"Easy, just fill a beer glass with vodka and fill a shot glass with beer. Drop the shot of beer into the glass of vodka and down it." Tropical Punch answered. "Very good, what about a harder one?"

"I'd like you to give me a harder one." Her face blushed bright red after she had just realised what she said.

"What's in a Drake's Boot?" Stryker quizzed her.

"A glass of crushed ice, add your choice of liquor and fill with pineapple juice. Shake it fast, not slow, garnish with orange slice and serve. What's next?" she gloated.

"Celestial Fruitopia?"

"A shot of almond liqueur, a shot of coconut rum and a shot of lemon liqueur. Fill it up with one part orange juice and one part pineapple juice, stir it and add in a dash of syrup." Tropical answered swiftly. "Excellent, excellent. Ok one more. Sex on the beach?" Stryker saw her face blush. "One third vodka, one third melon liqueur and one third raspberry. Then top it off with pineapple juice."

"Very good! You passed!" He gulped down the last of his drink and placed his empty glass on the bench. "This was a test?" she asked.

"Why yes of course, I need to know my employees have the know-how if they want to work for me. Welcome aboard!" he said, Tropical filled Stryker's glass once more. Tropical served another patron and Stryker turned around on his stool taking in the rest of his surroundings, a few other ponies sat at table enjoying their beverages. Over on the far right of the room was a familiar shady looking earth pony, although Stryker promised Boxing he would never place money on Boxing, he never said anything about Applejack. After all, hearing what Rarity said, it is almost a guaranteed win.

He got off of his stool and walked over the the earth pony, he sat opposite him. "Back to try your luck?" the pony said.

"Is it too late to put money on tonight's match?"

"Not at all, how much you putting down?" he asked in a sly voice.

"Four thousand on Applejack." Stryker said.

"The farm girl? Lost your faith in yer' yellow buddy?"

"No, I trust him with my life."

The whole day passed by as the two champions trained for hours upon hours, now they both stood beside each other right behind the same red velvet curtain they had walked through so many times. Stryker and Rarity had seen them before the match to wish them luck and to do their best, hundreds of ponies cheering in unison filled the stadium. Well this is it, time for the final fight.

"BOXING GLOOOVE!" A voice boomed.

Ok, here I go. He winked to Applejack and galloped out towards the ring.

"AND. ALSO FROM PONYVILLE. AAAPPLEJAAACK!!" The Minotaur shouted. Applejack galloped out from behind the curtain and jumped through the ropes, she removed her gloves from around her neck and fitted them to her hooves. Boxing did the same.

"LET ME HEAR YOU ROAR." Spectators responded to the Minotaur with cheering and thudding hooves. "Alright you two, here it is, the last fight. Good luck to the both of you." Iron Will stepped out of the ring and raised his hands, the crowd roared and cheered again. The official stepped in and nodded to both Applejack and Boxing, then signalled a pegasus standing beside iron Will.

DING!

Nothing happened, Boxing expected her to strike first and Applejack assumed the same about him, but neither of them moved. The official looked each of them in the eyes. "Ahem. That's your cue." Both of the fighters stepped forward to attack first, only to land hoof to hoof with each other. A loud audible thud sounded as they connected. Boxing stepped back in hopes that Applejack would attempt to strike again, and she did, she stepped forward rushing her right hoof forward. Boxing lifted his hooves to block, another soft thud. Applejack swung her other hoof forward, hitting the very same spot as before. Something was worrying Boxing, Is she even trying? I know she can do better than this. She's holding back for some reason. Boxing thought to himself.

"Why are you holding back AJ?" Boxing rushed forward to strike, only to have it blocked by her defence.

"Me? What 'bout you!" Applejack pushed his hoof away and punched back as hard as she could, landing a hit on his right shoulder. Boxing winced in pain. She's right, I was holding back too.

"Fine." Boxing threw his punch directly to her chest, forcing her to step back. Applejack coughed hard. Boxing brought his other hoof around to complete his combo, but it was too late, Applejack had already dodged out of the way. She knocked his approaching hoof out of the way and hit Boxing square in the face, Boxing's reaction was too slow, Applejacks other hoof came into contact with his gut, sending pain through his entire body.

Boxing stepped back and resisted the urge to vomit, forcing the thought out of his mind, he stepped forward. Applejack rose her defence just in time to block Boxing's punch, but she didn't expect the second punch to follow through so quickly after the other. Darting his other hoof forward, Boxing penetrated her defence and landed a hard hit onto her chest. Applejack stepped back again. The two of them rushed forward at each other both hooves raised, Boxing right hoof connected with her left and his left with her right. It was a fight for power right now, they both leaned closer, trying to overpower the other. Every single pony went silent after what happened next, up in that audience was Rarity and Stryker.

"Oh my..." Rarity eyes widened at what she and hundreds of other ponies just witnessed.

Applejack kissed him. And Boxing kissed her back, the two of them locked muzzles until the official blew his whistle. Applejack tore herself away from him and dropped her hooves, "Sorry. Won't happen again." It wasn't the most romantic kiss due to their mouthpieces, but she loved every second of it.

"I hope not, I mean it's not exactly a rule, but I'm calling it. No making out or touching flanks." The official blew his whistle once more and the fight continue. Boxing still lost in euphoria, didn't see Applejack's next blow coming. Swiftly she drove her hoof forward landing the hit right into his muzzle and knocking him down. The official rushed to his side and started pounding his hoof. "ONE... TWO.."

What am I doing, Stryker already has five thousand or so, my job here is done. I should just tell her.

"THREE... FOUR... FIVE..."

No! I can't give up now. I'm getting up!

"SIX-" The official stopped counting as Boxing rose up and stood firmly on his hooves. He nodded to him and stepped away. Boxing raised his hooves and winked at Applejack, his smile was obstructed by his mouthpiece which had been stained with crimson blood. Applejack stepped forward again throwing another punch, Boxing blocked it and stepped to her left. This was his chance, he rushed his own hoof forward and landed a harsh blow to her shoulder. "You are brilliant AJ."

"Thanks, not so bad yer'self." She prepared to strike back. With incredible speed she rushed her hoof forward, Boxing dodged out of the way but didn't attempt to strike. "Please Applejack, oof!" he blocked another punch from her, "Give up. I don't want to hurt you." She ignored him and struck his block again, and again.

"The feelin's mutual." She hit him again.

"Then why are you doing this?!" he shouted loud enough to cause her to stop moving, Boxing lowered his guard. "'Cause I- I-"

"Do you know why I'm holding back? Because I don't need this, I don't need money, I just need you! I love you." Boxing relaxed his shoulders and stood straight. "I love you Applejack, go ahead and do it." Boxing stepped forward. "Box, what'r you sayin'?"

"Knock me down and take the reward, you are the most trustworthy and honest pony I've ever met. If anypony deserves this, it is you."

"I love you too Box." Tears welled up in her eyes. Applejack raised her right hoof, she was ready to strike. Boxing forced his eyes shut as Applejack pushed her hoof forward, she hammered right into Boxing's chest. He fell backwards, his rump connected with the canvas as the rest of his body fell. The crowds cheering grew louder. The official stepped beside him and started stomping his hoof. "ONE... TWO... THREE... FOUR... FIVE... SIX... SEVEN... EIGHT... NINE... TEN... OUT!"

DING!

The crowd erupted with cheering as they pounded their hooves, they chanted her name. Iron Will jumped over the rope and threw his arms up in the air. "GIVE IT UP FOR YOUR NEW MANEHATTEN CHAMPION! AAAPLEJAACK!" He stood next to her and flashes of light from the photographers lit up the area. Applejack ignored him and ran to Boxing's side to help him up. "Thank you Box, thank you so much."

The towering Minotaur walked over to Applejack. "Excuse me miss but we need you to take a photo with this." he produced a large over-sized cheque. "No, ah' need a doctor for Boxing."

"AJ, It's alright. I'll be fine." he placed a hoof on her shoulder for balance.

Applejack, Rarity, Boxing and Stryker are all sitting together on the train, folded in half and stuffed in between Applejack's chair and the wall of the train is the cheque Iron Will presented to her. Rarity stared into her mirror as she used her magic to comb her purple mane, Stryker patted a mysterious suitcase he had acquired sometime in between the fight yesterday and the train ride back to Ponyville today.

"What with the suitcase Stryker?" Boxing asked.

"This? Uh- Promise you won't get mad." He placed the suitcase next to him and leaned close to Boxing who as oppisite him. "Remember when I said I wouldn't place bets on you?"

"Tell me you didn't."

"I did not gamble money on you."

"Phew... For a momen- Hang on, then what the hay is the suitcase for?" Boxing said.

"I may have placed a bet on Applejack." Stryker said with a stupid grin across his face. Boxing's curious look turned into a frown as snatched up the suitcase from beside him. "You did what?!" Boxing opened the suitcase to reveal Stryker's winnings stashed away inside. "By Luna's Mane! Stryker how much is here?"

"Twenty four thousand. Your not mad are you?" Stryker reached over and closed the case.

"I'm mad that you still haven't learned your lesson. But I think I will forgive you this one time." Boxing handed the suitcase back to Stryker and he placed it back to his side. "Look we're almost there!" Applejack called out and pointed out the window, buildings started to come into view.

Ah. It's good to be home.

The End.