//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Swords and Magic 
// by Shadow Watcher 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow’s mind came to three conclusions at the same time. 

First, Celestia, the Empress of Equestria, had been incredibly sarcastic in wishing her luck.

Second, the sword and shield prepared for her awaited her in the center of the arena.

Lastly, it was now three against one. Three Elites. Worse still, she recognized them. To her left, Captain Spitfire. To her right Sir Fleetfoot. And straight ahead was Sir Soarin. 

Well, Celestia wanted her to prove herself. She wanted a show, she’d get one. 

Rainbow Dash was not a magus. Magi dedicated their lives to specializing in magic. Knights used two specialized types of magic: combat and void. 

Without a delay, Rainbow burst forward. The three Elites were mere seconds behind her. Soarin was rushing her. She sensed Fleetfoot still to her right, but her position suggested an intercept path. That left... She leapt forward and up, barely avoiding a wave of fire. As she angled her body, she saw Spitfire prepping another spell. Diving into a roll, she sprang forward. The air sizzled behind her. 

Soarin beat her to the center, holding aloft a two handed blade. He cooked himself as he watched her approach. Spitfire was no longer firing at her. Which meant Fleetfoot was right on her tail. 

Rainbow had to time this right. Time slowed. Soarin swung; she watched the blade slowly come at her. With perfect ease, she stepped around it, as easily as if she had been walking. 

From Fleetfoot and Soarin’s perspective, it was like she had suddenly vanished. Their eyes widened as the large blade came down and smacked Fleetfoot head on. A barrier formed around her upon impact, the runes on Soarin’s sword activating. 

Fleetfoot would live, not even scratched. The force of the impact still knocked her off her feet, sending her flying a few feet. A loud clanking thunk signaled her landing. 

Rainbow Dash finished securing her shield before grabbing her sword, just as a ball of fire came hurtling towards her. She threw up her shield, letting the flame disperse harmlessly off it. The small barrier she’d summoned on the shield fizzled out. 

Fleetfoot was climbing back to her feet, shaking her head of the daze Soarin’s hit had induced. Soarin watched her appraisingly. Spitfire stood off to the side, fire playing across her fingertips. 

They knew about her speed now. It was apparent in the way they held themselves. She’d caught them off guard, but now they’d be mentally regrouping. They were communicating, but no words were spoken. Telepathy? Made sense. 

And this was just the start. Rainbow couldn’t help but grin.  

Falling into one of her stances, she charged forward. Soarin barely moved his blade to block her strike, but she was already stepping around him. A quick kick to his back sent him stumbling forward. Two steps back, thrust her shield forward, she clipped Fleetfoot in the side, sending her to the ground again. Throw her shield up to block Spitfire’s next fire attack. 

She did not see Fleetfoot’s fist coming from the side, followed quickly by a kick. Rainbow skid back several feet, her armor absorbing some of the blow. She would definitely be feeling the bruise later. For now, she grit her teeth and clung on.