Celestia and Novo had trouble sleeping through the night, but for varying reasons. Celestia was worried that she may never see her friend again. After winning the second match, the Storm King told them that the for the final match, they would be forced to face off against each other. In a desperate plea, Novo insisted that she face off against the Storm King instead, to which he gladly accepted. The prospect of Novo facing off against this brute worried Celestia like a mother concerned for her child.
Novo, on the other hand, was eager to get the match started. She wanted to settle things once and for all. Ever since the Storm King invaded Mount Aris and killed her husband all those years ago, she felt incredible guilt. For years she had to live in fear that the Storm King might find out where she was, and strike once again. This paranoia affected her in a way, having strict curfews on her subjects and making sure no one leaves the safety of Seaquestria. She turned away outsides in fear that they would be discovered, and word-of-mouth might tip off the Storm King. She bottled up this fear for so long, but now, she was tired of hiding, tired of being afraid. She now had the chance to settle the score, and perhaps, this will allow her to avenge Waverider's death and let her be at peace with herself.
The Guards arrived to get Novo. She got up. She was ready. Celestia was still concerned.
"Novo," she said, "please reconsider."
"I'm sorry, Celestia." Novo said. "I have to do this. For you. For our kingdoms."
The guards escorted Novo to get her armor on, and into the arena. Celestia was all alone in the cell, and she started to cry.
In the arena, Novo walked out, all decked out in her armor. She saw that the crowd was even bigger than it was for the other two matches, to the point of it seemingly overflowed. Word-of-mouth spread quickly across the kingdom, and many flocked to the Colosseum to see what would be one of the biggest matches in the kingdom's history: The Storm King vs. Queen Novo.
Soon, the gate opened on the other side to reveal the Storm King, who was decked out in armor as well. In one of his hands he wielded a large spiked mace, and made his way to the center of the arena to make his announcement. Novo glared at him, wanting to get the match started. The Storm King soon addressed the audience as he has done with the previous two matches.
"Welcome, my dear subjects, for another exciting day here at the Colosseum! We had an unexpected change in events, as Queen Novo has challenged me to the final match. You all may know how my army and I decimated her kingdom many years ago, and instead of fighting back, she hid like the coward that she is! Doesn't it seem ironic that she would challenge me when she fled during our first encounter? Well now we finally get to have the fight we were meant to have! If she loses, I will finish off Celestia myself and send an onslaught upon Equestria and Mount Aris! Now then, let us begin the match!"
The gong was hit and Novo and the Storm King charged at each other. They clashed with such force that it was almost unheard of. They fought each other with such ferocity. Novo especially fought aggressively. All the pain she endured came out in full force. The Storm King took a few hits, but he managed to dodge many of Novo's attacks. He swung his mace, hitting Novo and knocking her off her feet.
"I told you you were out of your league facing me." The Storm King taunted. "Though you fight pretty well for being such a massive coward."
As he walked closer to Novo, she struck back by slashing at him with her talons.
"AAAAHHHHHGGGHHHHH!!!"
The Storm King wailed in pain and covered his face. As Novo got up, the Storm King uncovered his face, revealing 3 long scars freshly made from Novo's talons across his face. In retaliation, the Storm King charged forward and swung at Novo again, only this time Novo dodged his swing. The two of them went at it once more. As this was happening, the crowd roared in cheer at the spectacle they were witnessing.
Back in her cell, Celestia couldn't see what was going on outside. The Guards watching her wanted to watch the match instead. Seeing as how Celestia was helpless with the magic blocker on her horn, the Guards decided to leave her so they get a better view of the match. Now completely alone, Celestia was able to try something out. She tried using her magic, but she was she met with a jolt of electricity. The pain was awful, but Celestia thought if she tried hard enough, she could possibly break free from the magic blocker. So she tried once again, hoping to get the magic blocker off her.
Back in the arena, Novo and the Storm King were still in heated combat. They both fought like they never have before. Both their armor had scratches on them from all the hits they delivered to each other. Novo kicked and slashed at the Storm King with her talons, and the Storm King returned by swinging his mace at her. Soon, they butted heads and tried to shove each other away.
"You're showing signs of weakening." The Storm King continued to taunt Novo, hoping she would slip up. "Don't worry my dear, this will be all over soon. Perhaps I'll pay a visit to your daughter once I am finished with you!"
"Shut up!" Novo shouted, and she tossed him to the side. It was clear that she wasn't playing around. The Storm King got up and charged, his mace in both hands, and Novo charged back. They resumed combat once again, and the crowd went crazy.
Back in her cell, Celestia tried to get the magic blocker off her horn, but every attempt was met with jolts of electricity. As painful as it was, she couldn't give up. She had to save her friend before anything happens to her. Her groans of pain alerted the Guards, who were watching the match from the other side. They headed for the cell to see what she was up to, and before they could get close, a massive burst of energy emerged from the cell, knocking the bars down. As the light simmered, Celestia was visible, and she successfully managed to remove the magic blocker. As she recovered, she saw that she was finally able to use her magic at last, and the Guards charged at her. Celestia responded by blasting them with her magic.
"Hah, that's better." She said. She then remembered the match was still going on, and she ran out her cell, fearing that she might be too late to save Novo.
Meanwhile, as the match continued, things were not going very well for Novo. Despite her ferocity, the Storm King was toying with her insecurities, causing her to stumble. The Storm King viciously attacked her, hitting her with his mace. The pain was too much for Novo, as the Storm King delivered each powerful blow to her. She finally fell, seemingly defeated. She tried getting up, but the Storm King pinned her down. He then picked her up and tossed her to the other side of the ring. It seemed that the match was finally over. The crowd was cheering on as the Storm King headed for Novo to finish her off.
"Like I said," the Storm King teased, exhausted but still wanting to mess with his defeated opponent, "you are out of your league challenging me. You and your kind are weak. Why else would I have attacked your kingdom so easily? You never stood a chance. And now I get the pleasure of attacking your kingdom once again! You should have fought your friend instead, Queen Novo."
He raised his mace, really to deliver the final blow. "Do you have any last words before I finish you off?"
Novo, weakened, mumbled as she tried to get up.
"What was that, my dear?" The Storm King said. "I can't hear you whimpering like a coward."
"This...... is........ for........ WAVERIDER!!!! RAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!"
Just then, Novo sprang forward, completely catching him off guard. She furiously slashed and kicked him, causing him to drop his mace. Novo grabbed it and started hitting him as much as she could. Her anger was in full show, and there was no holding her back. She screamed angrily as she hit the Storm King with his mace, knocking him into the ground. She then grabbed his neck and raised the mace in the air. The Storm King felt the full wrath of an angry Queen, whom lost almost everything because of him.
"G-acck! T-this can't be!" The Storm King struggled to say as Novo's grip grew even tighter. "Alright, you win! You might as well finish me off now..."
"As if I need you to say that." Novo growled, lifting the mace up.
"Wait! NO!" The Storm King panicked. There was no reasoning with Novo now. She wanted to finish things once and for all. The Storm King knew what was coming to him, and he closed his eyes, waiting for the final blow.
"NOVO!"
Suddenly, a voice echoed through one of the gates of the arena. Novo turned around to see who it was, and the Storm King opened his eyes, in disbelief that he was still alive. As it turned out, it was Celestia.
"Novo, what are you doing?" Celestia said, in utter shock at Novo's bloodthirsty demeanor.
"Stay out of this, Celestia!" Novo insisted. "I'm doing what I should have done years ago." She pinned the Storm King down and raised the mace up again.
"Please!" Celestia protested. "Think before your act, Novo! This isn't like you!"
"I said STAY OUT OF THIS!" Novo snapped. "I'm saving both our kingdoms here! And your own life too!"
"This isn't the way to do it, Novo! Look at him! He's clearly defeated. He can't harm us anymore! You no longer have to fight!"
"You have no idea what this monster has done! What he has taken away from me!" Novo said, growing ever more impatient. "And now I'm gonna return the favor!"
"Novo, please. Listen to me!" Celestia grew more and more desperate to snap Novo out of her zealous rage. "Do you think Waverider would want you to do this?"
Novo suddenly paused. Her heart sank. She knew what Waverider would want. He would strongly disapprove of this blind aggression. Tears ran down her eyes. She dropped the mace, and tried to compose herself. She then turned to the Storm King, still on the ground, and picked him up by the neck.
"If you ever come after me, my friends, or my kingdom ever again," she told him, "I promise that I will not spare you."
She then tossed him to the ground. The Storm King looked up at Novo, who limped to Celestia. They have managed to beat the odds. They successfully won all three matches. Novo may not have gotten to finish things off permanently, but she managed to obtain some inner peace with herself, and prove to be the tougher fighter for not finishing off the Storm King in his helpless state. It's not what Waverider would have wanted.
As the rulers left the Colosseum, they were greeted by some unwelcome visitors. Several members of the Storm Guard were waiting for Celestia and Novo. It seemed that the Storm King had one last trick in store for them. They knew that they couldn't withstand another battle, especially Novo.
"Do you have some sort of plan to get us out of here?" Novo asked.
"Just one," Celestia replied, "RUN!"
They sprinted as fast as they possibly can, with the Storm Guard not far behind. Celestia had no trouble keeping ahead, but Novo was falling behind, exhausted from her battle with the Storm King. Celestia headed to the aid of her friend, and the two fled the Storm Guard together. They managed to give them the slip, and headed for the airship dock.
"I guess we'll have to take to the wing now." Novo said.
"In your condition?" Celestia cautiously added? "I don't think you're in any condition to fly."
"Great." Novo added. "So we're just a couple of sitting ducks."
In the distance, things were about to get much worse. Their lead over the Storm Guard has not lasted, as they soon spotted the rulers and charged ahead. Celestia stood her ground, ready to give another magic blast. Novo grew increasingly worried, as she was too weak from the fight to help. Things seem to look incredibly bleak for the pair, until a voice was heard from the distance.
"Mom! Miss Celestia!"
Novo and Celestia turned around to see what appeared to be an airship in the distance. The voice shouted again.
"Mom! Miss Celestia!"
"Skystar?" Novo said. Surely enough, the Queen's daughter was piloting an airship loaned from the Royal Hippogriff Navy. She lowered the vessel to allow the Celestia and Novo to board.
"Princess Skystar!" Celestia cheered. "We're so glad to see you!"
"I am too!" The young Princess replied. "But you can tell me all about it when you get on board!"
Celestia helped Novo board the ship, but the Storm Guard were getting closer and closer. Desperate, Celestia charged up her magic and blasted near the Guard as they got close. This ensured that they could make a quick escape and that they would halt their pursuers. After the airship goes out of sight, the Storm King, still sore and beaten from his fight against Novo, arrived to survey. One of the Guard members grunted, seemingly asking if they need to be perused.
"No," the Storm King said, "I kept my word. We shall let them go and take no action against their kingdoms. For now..."