It had taken a great deal of charming, haggling and threatening, but everyone eventually managed to get their entries approved and moved through to the arena. The Colosseum had a single grand arena, surrounded by a circular stand meant to seat thousands. Above the first level of spectators were a set of private boxes, owned by some of the most important Canterlot families, and above them was raised the Princesses’ personal area. Although the arena itself was rarely used anymore, as the competition had a tendency of putting the spectators at risk, even with Princess Celestia herself offering protection, the opening ceremonies still took place there as a form of tradition. The stadium, both the stands and the arena, were packed to capacity, with more people crowded outside trying to get in. Flanked by her personal guard, Celestia looked down over her subjects, joy filling her heart. She had created a world where people could safely gather and rejoice in festivities, without fear or danger. In this, she was content.
“You know, one well placed hex and you could turn half this crowd raving mad. Imagine the spectacle, wouldn’t it be wondrous?”
Discord. The Princess of the Sun cringed inwardly. Even after many thousands of years, she’d never gotten used to the idea of having someone else inside her head. It was creepy and disturbing on an unrivalled level. Although she’d learned quickly that Discord had little real power other than to be an occasional nuisance.
“I get the feeling I’m being severely underappreciated here!”
He also had the habit of popping up at the most awkward times.
“Aww, you know you love it!” Celestia tried her best to ignore him. That usually worked. Emphesis on usually. “You know none of this is going to last, right?” the demon inside her continued, unperturbed by her silence. “The seal is nearing its end. When it breaks, harmony will be gone forever!”
“Hollow threats Discord,” she muttered. “You’ve said it before, and you haven’t succeeded yet.”
“The thousand years Dawn will be the dawn of Chaos once more. You know it is inevitable dear. If you start the fun now, I may even repeal some of your personal punishment. Go on, you know you want to.” Celestia’s face didn’t change as she looked over her beloved subjects once more. She gave an imaginary smile, just for Discord’s benefit, and mentally conjured up one of her Anti-Discord images. This one was of her taking a chisel to his infuriating goatee, cleaving it from his stony, smug face in one satisfying whack. She felt Discord’s consciousness cringe, and he fell silent. Celestia allowed herself a moment of satisfaction, but her doubts refused to stay at bay. The gnawed at her soul, threatening to break her apart. But she stayed strong, forcing them down with a simple argument.
“It is out of my hands now. She must find the path, and I have absolute trust in her. She will not fail.” She looked up at the sun, and a wave of exhaustion swept over her. It had been so long now, and she was so very tired.
“Princess,” a voice rung through her exhaustion. “Princess Celestia, it’s time for the opening greeting.” Composing herself, she turned to face the Guard Captain, Shining Armour. The tall, strapping young man stood to attention, as he always did in her presence, no matter how many times she told him not to. His purple plate armour shone almost as brightly as Celestia, a combination of perfect maintenance and a touch of magic. A plumed galea covered his deep blue hair. His face now was stoic, a depressing characteristic she’d been trying to work out of her guards for centuries, but she knew it could break into a massive grin at the slightest provocation. He was strong and dependable, and a true prodigy to his position. He also happened to be the brother of one high strung apprentice.
“Of course Captain.” With one last look over her subjects, she turned to follow her captain. “Just a few more days now. A few more days.”
“Would you quit it?!”
In amongst the throngs of competitors, Rainbow Dash squirmed under Applejack’s relentless gaze. She hadn’t said a word, but had followed her, Fluttershy and Gilda since the registration and it was making Rainbow Dash nervous.
“Seriously, quit it! What are you still doing here?”
“I’m making sure none of y’all cheat,” Applejack replied bluntly, never breaking her gaze.
“We’re not even in the event yet, how are we going to cheat now?”
“I ain't takin' no chances.” Gilda had had just about enough of people challenging her and Dash, and decided to get rid this particular nuisance. Drawing herself up to her full height, she walked up to Applejack and glared down at her with eyes that could kill puppies.
“Get lost!” Applejack didn’t flinch or falter, and casually pushed past Gilda to continue staring at the suspicious Rainbow Dash. Confused, Gilda stared after the cowgirl with a sense of lost meaning. Spotting Fluttershy, nervously clutching at her hair and jumping whenever someone brushed against her, she rushed her and gave another deathly glare. Fluttershy instantly shrank down with a squeak. Her confidence restored, Gilda walked back to Dash’s side.
Fluttershy kept herself hidden for a few seconds after Gilda left, not daring to even raise her head to check. When she did, she was still too scared to do more than peek out from behind her hands. Fluttershy didn’t hate many things; the idea of such a strong emotion scared her, but she hated this. The crowds, the idea of fighting, HER, it was all too much. She just wanted to crawl away somewhere and hide. But Rainbow Dash needed her here, she knew that. Fluttershy just wished that her friend would take more notice of her.
Sighing, the shy girl began to move off, but was quickly reduced to her hiding self as a gang stormed past her. They were big, strong and looked vicious, three things Fluttershy was very scared of. The two leaders were the worst of all. One was taller than even Gilda and built like a tank. His torn leather, covered in flaming patterns, purposely revealed his tough skin. The other was lanky and hunched with a vicious glint in his eye and a dog’s collar around his neck. Fluttershy hid, and prayed that they’d just walk past. And they almost did, but at the last moment the big leader stopped, sniffing the air. The other leader stopped, looking annoyed.
“What isss it now?” He hissed as he spoke, making him seem even creepier. “We don’t have time for thissssss.”
“I smell fear,” the other said, sniffing again. “You can’t expect a member of the Drakes to just ignore that. I don’t expect someone like you to understand Rover.” Rover clutched his head like he had a migraine, seething at his companion.
“For the last time Garble that’s not fear, that’s your own body odour. Now hurry up! We have a prize to win.” Rover hurried off, and after one last glare around, Garble followed. Once they were out of sight, Fluttershy allowed herself a whimper. Before she’d been scared of having to fight Gilda or Rainbow, but those two looked truly cruel. She knew she wouldn’t last a second against them. Now even more scared than before, Fluttershy hurried back to the others, where yet another argument had sparked between Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
“If you’re so worried about people cheating, then why aren’t you watching Rarity?”
“I would be, but the little witch slipped off somewhere!”
“Excuse me!” Rarity’s voice cut through their row. “I am a lady, not a witch, and I will not be called such horrendous names behind my back thank you very much.” Any reply the others could have mustered was silenced by their looks of complete befuddlement at Rarity’s new appearance.
“What…”
“…on”
“…huh?!”
Her new attire looked like it had been dragged out from the Renaissance. She wore a very tight corset, long sleeves accompanied by oversized shoulder pads, fabric faulds over tights and thigh high boots. Like her previous attire, it was all pure white and studded with many different precious gems and the hems were lined with lace.
“This is the classical battle garments of the Transcendent clan,” Rarity explained. “Personalized and modernized of course. It’s always fashionable to wear these during the Harmony Games.”
“It looks ridiculous.” Applejack said bluntly. Rainbow Dash was lost for words, so she just nodded along with Applejack.
“I think it looks pretty,” Fluttershy murmured almost to herself, earning her a humongous grin from Rarity.
“Thank you dear. At least someone has a sense of style around here.”
“It ain’t a matter of style, it’s a matter of use. That thing is completely unsuited for any sort of combat.”
“Oho, you who know so little. A transcendent does not need movement to defeat the likes of you.” Rarity ran her finger along one of the seams of diamond, watching them sparkle with magical energy. “We have power that you cannot hope to fathom.”
“Even so, ah reckon there ain’t gonna be another person silly enough to wear that getup. In fact, if there is I’ll eat my…” Applejack stopped herself as a white haired girl in a blue version of Rarity’s dress, but tighter and accompanied by an even more ridiculous purple hat and cape, waltzed by, followed by a wave of onlookers. The intended taunt was not lost on Rarity.
“What was that dear?”
“Lunch,” Applejack muttered sourly. “I’ll eat my lunch.” Her face triumphant, Rarity left the others, who had taken up upon mocking Applejack, to catch the blue mistress. Another with such fine taste in clothing deserved her attention. After a few moment of careful weaving though the crowds, she managed to reach stranger, signing autographs left and right. Rarity though she’d seen her before, on a promotional poster or flyer, but she couldn’t remember the name.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you all for you support and adoration.”
That was it. She was a performer, a rather famous one now that Rarity thought of it, who claimed to have the most powerful magic in Equestria. It was an intimidating claim, but Rarity had confidence in herself. Now that she was closer, Rarity was astounded to find that she was flawless. Her skin was unblemished, her hands unworn and (probably) soft. It was like staring upon a goddess. Jealousy tweaked inside her for a second, but she suppressed it and walked up to Trixie, intent upon applauding her fashion taste. But she never got the chance, for Trixie saw her first, and adopted a smug sneer.
“Look here, what was Trixie saying mere moments ago. No one in this arena has the power and style to match the Great and Powerful Trixie.” With two steps she was in Rarity’s face, her tall hat making her seem much taller than she naturally was. Like a predator studying its prey she circled. “A tacky knockoff, barely even worth mentioning.” She picked at one of the hems, her nails creating flaws in her stitching. “Badly made to. Wait, are these handmade?!” She laughed, and the crowd around her joined in, few realizing what they were laughing at. “Oh you poor thing! I bet you don’t even have enough magic to repair it!” Rarity face flushed, biting back some very unladylike retorts. Her dress was handcrafted, by her hands because she knew it was better quality than anything else in the world. The dress was actually charmed to be self repairing, but no one seemed to notice this. “No response? Then the Great Trixie must be right!” The performer flicked her wrist, her horn appearing apparently unbidden. It was the same blue as her clothes, dead straight and topped with a star and moon symbol. With a second flick she caused a localized downpour of water over Rarity, causing her to scream and quickly drenching her. Trixie laughed cruelly again, but was cut short by a trumpet fanfare signalling that Princess Celestia was about to speak. The crowd dispersed from the scene, and Trixie went to follow, but before she did she whispered one last taunt to Rarity. “If I were you, I’d just pull out of the competition altogether.”
Not even when Trixie was well out of sight did Rarity let her anger surface. She was in public, and she had an image to keep. Never mind that she’d been humiliated and shamed, she would prove she was the better lady. Drawing her horn, pure white with three blue diamonds studded at the hilt, she tapped one of the jewels on her soggy outfit. A ripple of energy radiated from the gem, drying and puffing every part of the dress. Twirling it above her head, she dried and restyled her hair to its former curly glory. Satisfied, she headed for where all the contestants had gathered. And rest assured, she now knew she had three people to destroy in this competition.
“It’s traditional Pinkie. People have been wearing this for centuries. It dates back the eras of the second Changeling invasion and WOULD YOU STOP LAUGHING AND LISTEN TO ME!”
“But Twilight (giggle, snort) it makes you look so silly (pffft, hehe). You really should look at yourself, you look like…” At this point Pinkie completely lost it and crumpled into a laughing heap. Twilight rolled her eyes and tried to distance herself from the pink heap, but Pinkie followed her even in her apparently helpless state, keeping a constant distance between them. Like Rarity, she’d changed into her battle outfit. Unlike Rarity’s, this one looked old and tatty but the magic flowing through it was so strong that it seemed to infect the air around it. As Pinkie Pike had pointed out, it was also incredibly unflattering.
“This was a gift from Princess Celestia herself. It was made from the same cloth as that of the Court Magicians of the First Era. Great masters of magic have worn this, and it is a great honour.” The trumpets sounded a second time, signalling that the Princess was about to speak. Over the heads of the other competitors around her, Twilight could see the portions of the tall, radiant figure as she stepped out onto her personal terrace to a rousing round of applause. She rushed to silence her ecstatic companion, managing only to indirectly tickle her and make the problem worse.
“My precious citizens.” Celestia said. The sheer volume drowned out all other sounds, bringing almost complete silence in its wake. Twilight knew from personal experience that the Princess did not use magic to amplify her voice; it was one of her many extraordinary talents. It still astounded her that someone who could speak so softly and sweetly could also create such a great and terrible sound. Apparently this astonishment reached her face, causing Pinkie Pie to burst into another fit of giggles, much to her infuriation. “It is once again my great delight to proceed over these, the Harmony Games. This contest marks a very special event: A Thousand years of peace and prosperity in our fair kingdom, and the champion here will be glorified for decades. Many of you have come here seeking fame, wealth, or glory. Other come seeking personal goals and absolution. I hope there are some of you here merely to enjoy yourselves. To each of you I wish …” The princess paused, listening. Without her booming voice there was a distinct sound of laughter, accompanied by hurried shushing and hissed whispered. The princess smiled to herself, finding the source of the noise. It seemed her apprentice was making better progress than she could have hoped for. But still… “Twilight Sparkle! Are you quite done now?” Twilight stood bolt upright, causing another fit of giggles from Pinkie. Finally losing her patience, Twilight pulled out her horn and cast a silence charm over Pinkie Pie, effectively ending her giggles.
“Yes Princess,” she called, going redder by the second as thousands of eyes stared at her.
“Good. As I was saying, to each of you I wish the best of luck. Let the Games Begin!” With her final words, the princess shot out her hands both infused with magic. There was a sudden flash of light, a crash like thunder, and the arena was empty.