There was a knock on the front door of the complex belonging to The Tiger and their gang.
"Nnnyeeeess?" a voice said, trying to sound snarky and distinguished at the same time, with partial success.
A distinguished lady's voice -sounding more than slightly miffed- replied, "Tell The Tiger that their 4:00 has arrived."
"The Tiger don't see people at this time."
"Tough. I'm seeing them, one way or the other."
"Look, toots. I donno who ya think ya are, but even we go t'rough a proxy. An' we're EMPLOYED by The Tiger. What makes ya think that y'can get off talkin' to the boss when we can't?" a second voice on the other side of the gate injected.
"Would a warrant for their arrest work?" A hologram of a piece of paper phased through the gate door.
The first voice looked and said, "That looks awfully immaterial."
"Oh, be assured. We have the real document right here. But it's most likely to get torn apart if i were to hand it over to you."
The second voice said to the first, "She's goooood."
"Really good." the first concurred.
"And also, if I'm not let in, I have authorization to force my way in."
"HA! This gate's eight inches thick. What makes you think ya can-"
On the other side of the gane, there was a sound of tapping in several places. Then a whisper. "Right here, darling. Together, now"
*WHAM!!*
A large bulge appeared in the thick metal.
"You see, boys," the feminine voice said, "Every material has pressure points, from the human body to diamond itself."
*WHAM!*
Another, larger bulge appeared elsewhere on the portal.
"One of my abilities is to see those points and how to apply pressure to them in juuust the proper manner..."
*WHAM!!!* *CRUNCH*
With a final hit, the metal door burst open, revealing two half-equine horned women, still in a kicking position. "To tear it to shreds with the least amount of effort. So imagine what ONE well placed kick could do to you."
"SHOOT 'EM!"
Guns were drawn and bullets were fired, only to hit a barrier of Song Energy.
"Did I mention that I wasn't alone?" the taller of the two mockingly inquired.
A red button was pressed and an alarm signal blared throughout the compound. "Enemy at the front gate!"
More men gathered about the front side of the complex.
"Not that we don't have backup too." the shorter of the two said. "NOW!"
Around the back, that gate was blasted open as a mob of angry people stormed in, carrying whatever they could find.
"Fools attack from the front. Smarter people attack from the back or the sides. Even smarter people do both." The taller pony-girl said as bullets were deflected or absorbed by the field of energy. "You see, the townsfolk were unsrprisingly welcoming to us, despite our strange forms. And you know what they say about birds in danger. Combat's typically not my forte, I much prefer fashion, but I think in this case an exception can be made." Looking at the smaller, she said, "Frequency two, darling."
On cue, the barrier shifted to a green colour, and bullets that were deflected before became reflected instead, usually into arms or legs. Then the two separated, individual shields splitting off from the larger and shaping over their forms, producing a thinner coat of bullet-protective armour.
They each made toward their first target, striking with pinpoint accuracy. Kicks and punches were delivered, leaving many falling to the ground, clutching their doubled wounds.
When most of the men targeted the taller of the two, she said, "You're all in range. I've wanted to try this for a long time." she said, shifting her stance. "Ten Trigrams: 128 palms."(1)
As the first man attempted a strike with a katana, she slapped him on the chest. "Two palms!"
Another came, getting twice the pain. "Four palms!"
Two more leaped toward her, getting a similar treatment. "Eight palms!"
More and more dashed at her and were all repelled, unable to move from there they fell. "16 palms! 32 palms! 64 palms! 128 palms!"(2)
All of her opponents on the ground, groaning, she cracked her knuckles in a most unladylike fashion. "MAN that felt good!" she commented. "Tell the medics that Pinpoint sent you."
Meanwhile, the other figure was getting surrounded similarly. Suddenly, her coat shifted in colour from alabaster to ebony and she began to sing a different tune, a chilling ghostly chorus joining her as the music -and by extension the energy in the air- swelled.
The song started out relatively slowly as she dodged strikes and bullets. Then as the chorus of the song came into play she started bouncing from target to target, felling one opponent after another, whether by her strikes, that of their allies, or in some cases, both.
As the song came to a close, she slammed the last two victims with one hoof each, punctuated by bones breaking, the two hitting the ground on the last note.
She changed back to her original colour saying, "Songstress thanks you for the dance. Your footwork could use some work, though."
By that point, the complex was swarming with irate townspeople, the hunters becoming the hunted. Many fell, but the rest deemed that it was worth it to finally be fighting back. To be doing some damage against their oppressors.
Suddenly, a raspy voice rang out from the center of the complex. "What's with this racket?! Don't you fools know how to defeat a few angry townspeople?!"
Atop the building in the middle of the area, an old woman stood, She was obviously originally a different colour, but all over her body were tiger style stripes. "You asked for Tiger Bai,(3) well, here I am. I am not afraid to die. It has been over 150 yeas. If today is that day, then the Tiger will fight with the very last of her energy! Her claws are still sharp."
The woman struck a very intimidating figure. She obviously had charisma in spades, with some diamonds for good measure. Her Presence was palpable. Her experience obvious. Pinpoint stepped up. "Tiger Bai, I challenge you to honourable single combat. If I lose, we leave, no questions asked. If I win, you must tell us the location of all of our valuables and be turned in to the proper authorities with your men. Do you accept?"
The Tiger gave a surprisingly toothy smile for someone of her age. "Very well, young one. I accept your challenge. I wish to add a few rules, as I am ostensibly evil, but fair. One: The match will continue until one or the other of us is unconscious. Two: No interference. My men will not interrupt, I expect the same. Third: This will be hand to hand combat only. No weapons, no items. and No. Magic. Agreed?"
Pinpoint nodded and leapt to where The Tiger was waiting. The two bowed to each other respectfully. "I have waited a long, long time for a worthy opponent. I do hope that you are so."
"I shall strive to impress. I always do." was the reply.
"Good. Good." The Tiger said, before leaping at her newest -possibly last- adversary.
The two matched each other block for block, blow for blow. It was clear that Tiger Bai was very experienced, and surprisingly tough, but Pinpoint/Rarity had a knack for accuracy and had youthful energy on her side, not to mention the power inherent in a Pony. It was a battle of attrition, both shedding blood at various times. At one point, they broke to catch their breaths.
Tiger Bai laughed. "It has been so long since I've felt so alive as at this very moment." she said, tears in her eyes, a smile on her face. "Let us finish this." She started to glow with energy. "I am repurposing the third rule. Fight me with all of your strength. Tiger versus Pony. Harmony versus Evil." Then she intoned, "Leaping Tiger!"
Rarity shifted her stance. "Thousand Cuts!" she intoned, glowing with her own aura.
The two leapt at each other with a yell, fighting with all of their power. Each solid blow was even more devastating than before, but neither gave ground if they could help it. Blood was coughed up and wounds were opened.
At length, Rarity knocked the Tiger backward and time slowed as she shifted stance again. "Paralyzing Palm!"
She slammed her opponent several times, causing her to go rigid and fall to the ground.
"You... were holding back, weren't you?" The Tiger queried.
"Never. I fought within the parameters of the duel. I fought with all the strength that i have with my... limited practice."
"Regardless, you have claimed the victory." Tiger Bai shakily, -and with a great amount of effort- took off the hat she was wearing, and from an inner pocket she took a keyring with several very strange looking keys. "On 32nd street there is a warehouse. There you will find the valuables taken, plus a few chests that these keys will open. Take them... with my blessing." she said. "Now, It is time for me to go."
"What?! We agreed that-"
"I suppose... I... lied." looking to the sky, The Tiger said, "My daughters... I'll see you... soon."
With that, the light in her eyes left and she crumbled to dust.
Pinpoint bowed. "Tell them that Rarity Belle sends you with her regards. Sic Semper Tyrannis, Tiger. But rest well."
Keys in hand, she left the scene, calling her sister after her, who applied some much-needed healing with her magic.
Sure enough, on 32nd street was a warehouse with several unique locks. Inserting a very unique key into each lock, the door was soon opened. Inside, as promised, were the very valuables that the people had been missing. There was the temptation to rush forward, but Rarity quickly curbed that. "Ah! Ah! Let's do this in an orderly manner, hmm? Line up and one by one collect your valuables. Carefully. Some of these are fragile, fter all."
Soon enough, the people were coming and going in a relatively orderly fashion. Some hours later, only the sisters were left, with their grandparents' urn and the promised four chests from The Tiger. One contained two very ornate sets of swords, their craftsmanship incredible. In another was a set of clearly enchanted trinkets, nearly as good as armour. Bangles, gloves, rings, necklaces, and so forth. In the third was a ring and a letter. In the fourth were two sets of samurai-like armour, seemingly retracted. Light like a feather, but harder than diamond.
Rarity unfolded the letter.
My successor,
If you are reading this, I am most likely dead.
You have bested me in fair combat. Thank you for that chance. Evil, I am. Ungrateful, I am not.
This ring has been in our family for generations, older yet than the armour and weapons. It will only respond to you, now.
Make use of these, and show the world what you are made of. Go forth with my blessing... samurai.
A quick equipment montage later, the sisters were clad in complementary coloured armour sets. One was a rich golden, the other a shining silver. The armour somehow slid under the jewelry, ending in arm and leg guards. At will, it all retracted to become more portable.
The armour made them look like oriental archangels, ready for combat. With it, they would save others who were in troubled times. So rose the Rare Angels. But the chapter isn't quite done yet.
Back in town, the townsfolk praised their heroines, eternally grateful for their aid. Sure enough, there was much rejoicing, celebrating the heroism of the two pony-girls. The celebration went on for days on end, with music, dancing, food, and more. Now that they weren't getting tithed, the people could concentrate on others, not just themselves.
The mooks from the complex willingly turned themselves in, those who could walk, that is. They were confident that one day they'd find a new master to serve. It was just a matter of time, right?
Right?
Right?