"So, you wanna learn some self defense huh?" Rainbow Dash asked after demonstrating some moves in the air.
"Mmm-Hmmm." Cory replied with a nod.
"You've come to the right pony. After all, what better than to put some Tae-Kwon-Dash, in your routine."
It was the next day. Cory had found himself in the middle of a large track and field, complete with goal posts and painted stripes. The sky was fitted with a few tufted clouds and the temperature was just right. AJ had helped him find some old but efficient jogging wear they used to use. A good fit for such an occasion.
"Alright, today we're gonna start with some cardio exercises." Rainbow proclaimed. " I like to see you take about 3-4 laps around this field. Can you do that?"
"Are you going to laugh and make fun of me for the way I jog?" Cory asked.
"Of course not." Rainbow reassured him. "It's only your first day."
Cory shrugged and took his position. He focused on the white line in front of him as he started to jog. At first, everything seemed easy to him. After all, he did run a lot to escape from his troubles. But eventually, his limits caught up with him and he ran out of breath. Next was jogging in place, and though it seemed less challenging, it was nonetheless excruciating. This was followed by lifting some weights, punching some bags, and doing a few sit ups, which he of course did lousily on.
"I told ya I was awful." Cory said under his exhausting breath.
"Hey don't sweat it kid." Rainbow Dash replied. "I've had my share of pitfalls in my day. But I just got better each time."
"How."
"With some training of course. Now let's move onto what we came out here for. Some serious self-defense."
She put her hoof to her mouth and gave a sharp whistle. From out of the sky came a gray Pegusi with a set of eyes that looked like she made a funny face and it stuck. As expected, she made a clumsy landing on the field, leaving a small crater in her wake.
"This is Derpy." Rainbow exclaimed. "She is our dummy..I mean, assistant for the day. I'm going to use her to demonstrate how to defend yourself against certain attacks. Now, suppose one of your opponents is sneaking up right behind you."
She gave Derpy a signal, signaling her to come forward.
"When he/she grabs you by the shoulder, you twist you same forearm around theirs, trip their bottom leg, and thus will pummel them to the ground."
She proceeded to do so with a demonstration, much to Derpy's discomfort.
"But obviously that's not all your opponent can do." She continued. "Suppose he or she plans a sneak attack on you when you're looking face down on them."
"How so?" Cory asked.
"Well, let's say, her bottom limb tries to kick you in the shin when you aren't looking."
"How do you avoid that?"
"Simple. All you've got to do is to tighten your lower limbs together, plant them on the ground, and muscle yourself onto the other's body, until they have no choice but to tap out."
Derpy took a worried sigh as Rainbow planted herself onto her like an overweight teddy bear on a bed.
"But suppose you're the one who's being planted on the ground." Rainbow dash warned as Derpy shrugged and pinned her down. "What do you do then?"
Cory shrugged.
"Well this is where you're in luck." Rainbow replied. "If you're opponent has your knees pinned to the ground and is holding your arms apart.."
She nodded and Derpy spread her forelegs out, stretching them in both directions.
"...all you've got to say is just two words."
"What are they?" Cory asked.
"Heads up."
And with those words Rainbow head butted Derpy right in the forehead, causing her to fall a few feet back. After which, Cory could swear he saw some stars spinning around Derpy's mane. 'No wonder her eyes are so messed up' he thought.
"So, are you ready give it a try?" Rainbow asked. "Oh, and Derpy you're done for the day."
Derpy took a sigh of relief and flew back into the clouds.
"I might as well." Cory replied.
So Cory took his fighting position as Rainbow Dash tried to sneak behind him. Though he clumsily failed the first time, he got up and tried again. As they moved on to the other two routines, he noticed something he never experienced in P.E. no one booing at him, or calling him names. In fact, his coach was cheering him on saying things like 'nice try' and 'good effort.' These were things no ever said to him before, with the exception, or course, being his old friends. Still, these words of encouragement were more than enough to keep him going, to get through the day without worry.