[Intro.]
High over the horizon, a long, serpentine-like dragon, Shenron, soars through the skies. Upon his head were the likes of Gohan, Goten, and Trunks enjoying the ride. Moments later, a portal opens. Flying past the dragon, Vegeta, and Piccolo enter the portal first as the trio looks on in awe. Shenron lets out a roar as he follows the two through it. The scenery quickly changes from Earth to Equis.
Celestia was enjoying a cup of tea on her balcony with her sister Luna as Shenron exits the portal in the background. Fluttershy was busy tending to the animals in her sanctuary as Angel bunny frantically points to the dragon above. The yellow pegasus looks up and gasps at the sight. Over in Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack hauling in her product before a large gust of wind from Shenron's passing blows her hat off. The farm mare puts down her produce and gives chase. In Ponyville, Pinkie gasps as she hovers in the air while Shenron passes. A moment later, the party mare disappears, leaving behind an outline of smoke. At the carousel boutique, Rarity struggling on a new line featuring the combat Gi's Spike and Scootaloo wore before Shenron passes by her window. A look of inspiration hit the fashion mare as she quickly stretches something out before running outside. Rainbow Dash was resting on a cloud when she spotted Shenron in the skies. Looking at their destination, Rainbow shot off her perch with her signature sonic rain-boom. The trios of Saiyans leap off the great dragon while landing in front of the castle. There, Twilight is standing at the entrance, waving them over. The rest of the elements of harmony, Piccolo and Vegeta were there to greet them.
Elsewhere, Dragonlord Ember was walking through a hellish landscape. The silhouette of a massive dragon was reaching toward her. She closes her eyes only to open them again as Spike looks at her with concern. In a coliseum filled with cheering spectators, Scootaloo walks in with the E.A.T. belt around her waist. Her opponent was a man in a brown and white Gi that sported an afro. She shots her opponent a confident grin as the two charges one another. A second later, Scootaloo sends her rival out of bounds as two announcers - one blond human and Earth pony of similar features - declare her the winner. High above the castle of Friendship, the Great Saiyaman floats above the structure as the sun rises. He smirks as he flies off into the rising sun.
The sunsets as the moon rising over a statue of Goku. Spike and Scootaloo stood there wearing somber expressions at the loss of their beloved mentor. However, the transparent image of Goku puts a reassuring hand on Scootaloo's and Spike's shoulders. They turn around in shock at his appearance. He smiles at his pupils before he fades away, with the two of them chasing after him. They don't get far as several figures cloaked in shadows appear before them. Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, Trunks, and Goten land beside them as they all take combat stances. There was a staredown between the two factions before they collide in an explosion of light. Finally, the ponies and dragons stand next to the Z fighters in front of the School of Friendship. Goku lands between his wife while draping his arm over Gohan's shoulder. They both share wide grins that for their friends and family.
[E.A.T. Colosseum - Third Person POV.]
"OH MY! WHAT AN BRUTAL DISPLAY OF POWER! I HEARD OF TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS, BUT I NEVER SEEN SOMEONE TAKE THE HORNS THEMSELVES!"
"STILL, ONE MUST WONDER HOW WILL THE REST OF THE JUNIOR DIVISION WILL GO WITH THIS RUTHLESS DRAGON ON THE PROWL! WILL ANY CREATURE BE ABLE TO STOP HER?!"
"IN ANY CASE, SMOLDER ADVANCES!!!"
Smolder's expression was indifferent toward her opponent. She glances at the horns in her hands before throwing them at the bull. Before she returned to the waiting area, Smolder spotted Ember and Spike returning. Spike had a bowl of popcorn and gems. Smolder sucks in her teeth in annoyance before going in the waiting area. The only ones who were brave enough to approach Smolder were her friends. Smolder barely gave any acknowledgment as they showered her with awe and praises.
Silverstream was the first one to her. "You were terrific! At first, I thought you were a goner. That bull was huge! But you lifted him like he was a feather!"
"..."
"It was a good fight, I guess," Gallus said dismissively. "I would've done something cooler though,"
Cozy Glow flew to Smolder's right side as she spoke. "Golly, it was a good fight. But, I hope that minotaur isn't hurt too bad. I heard they value their horns more than any treasure in the world. Breaking their horns like that is like snapping off a wing or horn. Do you think he'll suffer some trauma from this fight?"
"..." Smolder kept her silence but crossed her arms tightly against her chest. A frown was present on her features.
Ocellus rubs her arm nervously as they watched the bull carried out of the arena. "It wasn't good. I could feel Bull Horns' emotions from here. He was scared out of mind," A small grunt was Ocellus only answer from her friend. "Smolder, are you okay?"
"...Why wouldn't I be okay? I won, end of the story,"
"Well, I felt your emotions too. You were angry, but not at Bull Horns, are you sure everything--"
"What are you, my shrink?!" Smolder snapped, causing everyone to recoil. "In case you forgot, this is a tournament! We're here to fight each other, not talk about our feelings! Get with the program before you go out there; otherwise, you'll end up like that Bull Horn. Beaten and broken!"
"C-come on, Smolder, you sound like you want to hurt us..." Silverstream said nervously.
"Yeah, what gives?" Gallus stated. "You get one win, and suddenly, you're better than every creature? That was luck, at best!" Gallus grew a cocky smile as he points to himself. "I've learned the ancient techniques of raven and eagle blood griffons,"
"Good!" Smolder snarled. The space around her began to shimmer as heat emanated from the drakina. "That means that crushing you shouldn't be easy. For the rest of the tournament, you better fight like Tartarus, especially when you're fighting against me!" Smolder walks away, leaving her friends confused and concerned for her wellbeing.
"Who lit a fire under her feet?" Trunks asked.
"I don't know," Goten said.
"SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GALLUS EAGLEBLOOD OF GRIFFON STONE VS SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD TIGRA OF ABYSSINIA! WHICH FIGHTER WILL REIGN SUPREME?"
"I'm going to need all of my skills.' She doesn't know what she's talking about..." Gallus grumbled.
"Having hen troubles?" Tigra asked.
"No!" Gallus said, more forcefully than intended. "It's none of your business!" Gallus flares his wings as he primed his claws.
Tigress levels her right arm while her left arm over her head. "I think it is my business when I'm pining for your attention~,"
"What--"
"LET THE NEXT MATCH BEGIN!!!"
Tigra dashes forward as she rears her extended arm back. Gallus barely steps back to avoid the claws tearing at his shirt. Gallus clutches his chest as Tigra's flex her paws. She lunges toward him again, but Gallus met her charge. He swipes his claw against her nails, resulting in a sharp clang. Gallus smirk at his counter while Tigra appeared shocked for a moment. That shock turns into an excited grin as she lunges the griffon again. Both fighters reared back and swung their arms. Another clang rang out before the two struck again and again. Soon, spark started to fly from each hit as the crowd cheered this deadly dance.
"LOOK AT THEM GO, FOLKS! THIS FIGHT HAS MORPHED INTO A DUEL BETWEEN SWORDMEN!"
"TALONS AGAINST CLAWS! WHICH OF THESE COMPETITORS WILL GAIN THE EDGE IN THIS BATTLE!!!"
Tigra dips under a swipe from Gallus and cuts his shirt in the midsection. Gallus tries to counter, but Tigra ducks down and slashes his pants leg. Gallus growls as he launches a roundhouse kick, but Tigra's tail wraps around his free paw. A sharp pull made the eagle blood griffon trip, leaving Gallus exposed. Tigra jumps onto his chest and dug her claws into his abdomen. She spun in a circle above him while tearing away more at his clothing. Finally, she kicks off the griffon and lands gracefully on her paws. "You're a troublesome little bird, aren't you?" Tigra taunted. "But, you're not quick enough to escape me. Are you able to keep going? I want to play a little more~,"
Gallus slowly gets back to his feet with a groan. "Pony feathers! You trashed my favorite shirt!"
Tigra looks at the griffon in alarm. "H-hey! You should have a fresh coat of red staining your feathers!"
"Hmm? Oh yeah, I used my Ki to shield my skin. But, I know your game of cat and mouse. I'm part feline too..." Gallus outstretch his left arm over his right with both his paws primed and ready. "It's all about who's faster!" In a blink of an eye, Gallus vanished.
"WHAT'S THIS? GALLUS HAS COMPLETELY FADED FROM SIGHT! DID HE TAKE TO THE SKIES? HAS HE BECOME A GHOST?"
"THIS LITTLE VANISHING TRICK REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER MARTIAL ARTIST THAT AVOIDED ELIMINATION BY JUMPING HIGH INTO THE AIR! WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR HERE!!!"
Tigra whips her head around frantically, trying to find her opponent. She puts her guard as her ears picked up the distinctive sound of blades scraping against each other. Then, a whirlwind of air slashes was upon her. Tigra barely had time to let out a gasp before the attack stops, and Gallus reappears behind her. There was a brief pause before all of Tigra's clothes burst into shreds. The ferocious feline from Abyssinia covered herself with her tail as she ran out of the Colosseum. Gallus straightens his posture as he blows on his nails. "I guess she couldn't keep up,"
"TALK ABOUT A WARDROBE MALFUNCTION! SINCE TIGRA WILLING RAN OUT THE ARENA, GALLUS OF GRIFFONSTONE ADVANCES!!"
"Oh man, been there, done that," Goku chuckles.
"Hehe, thinking back to that time you fought Jackie Chun naked?" Krillin stated.
"Hey, that did happen! But, I was thinking about my trip to the Gala where my suit exploded,"
Everyone shot Goku a dubious look. "You stood naked at one of the most sophisticated gatherings on Equis..." Gohan asks tentatively.
"Well, it wasn't on purpose, but it was fun. Everyone else seemed to like the idea and stripped too," Goku said as Gohan groaned.
Up in the royal booth, Celestia gave an involuntary shudder. "Is something the matter, sister?" Luna asks.
"I just recall that event at the Gala. You know the one,"
Luna's cheeks turned red as she nodded. "Aw, that one was the more lively gatherings," Luna stated.
"And the easiest bits I ever made," Cadence stated with a wink.
"AND NOW FOR OUR NEXT BOUT! EIGHTTEEN YEAR OLD SILVERSTREAM OF SEAQUESTRIA VS EIGHT YEAR OLD COZY GLOW OF EQUESTRIA!!!"
Silverstream's eyes sparkled with glee as she flew to the middle of the arena. Cozy Glow flutters after her. "I can't believe we're about to fight! Are you excited because I am excited!!!"
"Golly, it does get overwhelming. I know you want a chance to fight, but I won't be fighting anymore," Cozy Glow said.
"WHAT'S THIS? ARE YOU SAYING YOU ARE FORFEITTING THE MATCH?"
"I am very sorry if I'm spoiling anything for you and the audience. I guess the nerve got to me. Besides..." Cozy Glow flies over to Silverstream and brings her into a hug. "I wouldn't dream of fighting my friend,"
"WHAT A TOUCHING SENTIMENT! REMEMBER, PARTICIPATE, YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE WHENEVER YOU WISH. I.T.'S ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN!!! HOWEVER, THE TOURNAMENT MUST CONTINUE. SILVERSTREAM ADVANCES,"
"Ooh!" Silverstream awed as she returns the hug.
"Good luck for the rest of the tournament. I know having the eyes of your family and friends watching your progress will be tough. You'll want to live up to their hopes and prays. I think disappointing them is worse than losing itself,"
Silverstream breaks the hug with less enthusiasm than earlier. "...Oh, I'm sure my family won't mind if I lose..."
"Well, you expect that from family members. But, I doubt the audience would feel the same way. They are inconsistent about who they cheer for and why. All it takes is one bad performance, and they'll turn on you,"
"R-right, but it's easy to drown out the naysayer-"
"Then there's the fact that you're also representing your country. Can you imagine disappointing an entire nation of creatures that trusted you? I'm glad Equestria is more forgiving. I probably wouldn't be to show my face anywhere else!"
"I-I..."
"Oh well, best of luck you," Cozy Glow leaves the arena with a pleased smile on her face. Silverstream, in contrast, was a nervous wreck as she returned to the waiting area.
"NOW FOR THE FINAL MATCH OF THE QUARTER ROUND. TWELVE-YEAR-OLD OCELLUS OF THE NEW CHANGELING HIVE VS FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD SILENT FURY OF PEAKS OF PERIL. WHO WILL MOVE ON TO THE QUARTER FINALS?"
"Good luck to you," Ocellus said timidly. Silent Fury responds with a nod.
"BEGIN!!!"
In a flash, Silent Fury's form shifted. His brown fur turned black with grey scales. His mane and tail became a blazing inferno of red and white flames. Letting out a roar, Silent jumps into the air and descends upon Ocellus. The little changeling quickly morphs into a mocking bird and fly away. Silent's flames erupted upon impact as he survey's the arena for his opponent. Ocellus changes in a giant bull fog with three pairs of eyes. Silent Fury turns around only to receive a wad of spit to the face.
"SILENT START OUT THE CONTEST BY CHANGING INTO HIS NIRIK FORM. AND TRUST ME, THIS STATE IS MORE THAN A COSTUME CHANGE! BUT OCELLUS COUNTERS BY CHANGING INTO A BUFOGREN FROG! HAS THIS LITTLE NYMPH DOSE SILENT'S FLAMES?"
A tower of flames burned off the mucus as Silent snarls at his opponent. Silent broke into a sprint as his flame shroud his entire body. Ocellusheld her ground while changing shape again. Silent Fury skidded to a halt as he stares at Ocellus in awe.
"HOLY MASSIVE MAMMALS! OCELLUS HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A FEARSOME CREATURE! WHAT IS SILENT FURY RESPONSE TO THIS DEVELOPMENT?!"
Silent shakes himself from his stupor and lunges forward. He punches at the monster leg with a flurry of fiery strikes. His blows barely left singe marks as he changed tactics. Moving a few steps back, Silent thrust his fist forward. A stream of fire bathes Ocellus' face. However, this attack did not affect Ocellus in the slightest. Silent Fury lived up to his namesake and unleashed a barrage of strikes while screaming wordlessly. Ocellus arches a brow in confusion at the display. Slowly, she raises her left leg above Silent Fury and promptly brought it down. Plums of smoke seep out the edge of her foot as she reverts to normal. "Oh, I hope that wasn't too much,"
"..." Silent weakly lifts his head to Ocellus and gives her another nod before fainting.
"AND JUST LIKE THAT, THE MIGHTY SLINGTAIL SNUFFS OUT SILENT FURY'S FLAMES! OCELLUS ADVANCES TO THE QUARTERFINALS!!!" The crow erupts with cheering. "WE'LL BE TAKING A BRIEF INTERMISSION. BE SURE TO VISIT THE CONCESSION STANDS TO RECHARGE!!!"
Ocellus found herself spun around as Thorax shower her with praises. "You did it. You made it into the quarterfinals!!"
A visible blush adorns OCellus face as Thorax sat her down. "T-thank you, your majesty..."
"She made it to the quarterfinals. Don't go making a baby step into a marathon sprint, brother," Pharynx scolded. He turns to Ocellus next. "You must keep your focus! You have yet to face the real threat of this tournament!" Pharynx couldn't help but glance over at Trunks as he said this, remembering his bout with his older brother. He has no idea why both children shared the same name. Turning back, he saw Thorax giving him a pointed look. With a sigh, he spoke again. "You showed great talent. Slingtail often engages dragons. Thus, they are resistant to heat. That quick thinking is worthy of praise and will help in your coming fights," Ocellus beamed as she hugs Pharynx leg while Thorax joined. Pharynx let out another sigh but allowed the embrace.
Other competitors were not receiving the same tender affection. "What was that out there!? You were flailing around like a newborn chick!"
Gallus groaned at the elderly griffon. "Grandpa Gruff! I-- O.W.!" Gallus rubs his head from the stinging sensation of Grandpa Gruff's cane.
"Don't give me that tone! You let that cat ruin your clothes. I had to ruffle a lot of feathers for you to look your best, not like you lost a fight with a cheese grater! Take this!"
Grandpa Gruf tosses Gallus a bag as the young teenaged fledgling opens it. "You got me spare clothes?"
"You want to be known for wearing rags? No, then shape up and look halfway decent. We might be stuck with fledging represent us. But, by the grace of Raa, you won't look a fool!"
Gallus knows his way around the ornery old griffon. He'll never say it out loud, but Gallus could see what he meant by this gesture. He brings the grumpy old eagle blood into a hug. "Thanks, Grandpa Gruff,"
"Stupid pony customs. I should rip you from that school..."
At the far end of the waiting area, Silverstream was flying around in a circle. "Oh! Oh, I can't lose! I can't lose! I can't--"
"You can't what?"
"Ah!!!"
At the sound of the new voice, Silverstream went stiff as aboard. She fell to the ground with a thud before shooting back. "Princess Skystar. W-what are you doing here? Is Queen Novo unhappy? Don't pull me out! I can win!!!"
Skystar gave Silverstream a dubious look before smiling. "Oh, Shelby wanted to wish you good luck!" She holds up a shell with googly eyes. "You did good making it to the next round. It's a shame we didn't see you fight, though--"
Silverstream grips the princess by her shoulder as their beaks touch. "Oh, don't you worry. I'll show you a fight for the ages! I'll be like a raging tsunami. No! An unstoppable hurricane! I won't disappoint the hippogriffs!"
Princess Skystar looks from Silverstream to Shelby as she spoke. "Is she okay?"
"And creatures say I'm crazy," Shelby said.
Ember frowns a bit as Smolder, who was shadow boxing in the corner. Taking a glance around the room, she saw that they had a little area to themselves. "It doesn't look like the others want to be near you,"
"Wasn't that the point of crushing them?" Smolder grunted out.
"I suppose that was Spike's point. Intimidation has always come naturally to dragons, being the bigger and strongest creatures on Equis!"
"Hah! Stronger than them?" Ember looks over to Goten and Trunks, eating rice balls with their mothers.
"Spike's advice is sound - attacking first might throw them off guard - but there is a chance you won't fight them right away,"
"..."
Ember places her hand on Smolder's shoulder. "Just because you're fighting them, doesn't mean they stop being your friends. Spike's words can mean anything. Just strike hard and fast before they have a chance. I'm sure he doesn't want you to torture them. Trust me, hatchling, our bond makes it impossible to misread each other," Ember was sure Smolder doubted her words from her unconvincing her tone sounded.
Smolder stares at her Dragonlord. Somehow, she got the feeling Spike's intentions were clear cut. "...Right..."
"WELCOME BACK FIGHT FANS! I HOPE YOU DIDN'T FILL UP AT CONCESSION BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE MORE KNUCKLE SANDWICHES TO DEAL OUT!!!
"SMOLDER OF THE DRAGON LANDS VS SILVERSTREAM OF MOUNT ARIS! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!"
"Silver? Are you okay?" Her friend was fidgeting in place while looking around. She could hear her muttering to herself.
"I got to win! I have to show them I can win! I won't disappoint them!" Silverstream said like a mantra.
Smolder instantly knew what was happening and sighed. "The pressure on you too, huh? I'm starting to wish I was back him!" She took a stance with her right arm cocked back while using her left to aim. "Fast and hard, don't give them a chance..."
"BEGIN!!!
Smolder explodes from her position and drives her fist into Silverstream gut. The force of her dash pushes the two back several feet and left two trails behind. Smolder's eyes widen at Silverstream's pained expression. The drakina surprise went further as Silverstream managed to block her attack. Smolder gritted her teeth as she cocks back her free arm. However, Silverstream dodges by flying away. Smolder spread her wings and gave chase. The two began their aerial dance for dominance as Silverstream throws out a kick. Smolder block with a forearm before retaliating with a Ki blast. Silverstream closes her wings and dives back down. Smolder flickers in front of her friend and throws a left hook. Again, Silverstream barely brings up her guard. She balances out as Smolder hovers in place-- a heavy scowl adorning her features.
"Stop making this harder for yourselves!" Smolder snarled. "Give up! All you can do is run away and block me!"
"Your punching is nothing! I won't quit!" Silverstream said. She grips the pendant around her neck and changes to her sea pony form.
"WHAT THIS, FIGHT FANS? SILVERSTREAM HAS CHANGED INTO A SEA PONY, YET SHE IS STILL AIR BORN?!"
"ONE MUSE QUESTION THE STRATEGY BEHIND THIS CHOICE. HOW CAN AN AQUATIC CREATURE HOPE TO WIN A BATTLE WITHIN THE SKIES? HAS SILVERSTREAM INADVERTENTLY TURNED HERSELF INTO A FISH OUT OF WATER?"
"Tsk!" Smolder breathes in and spews fire at the sea pony. However, Silverstream swiftly circles the flames and strikes Smolder in the back. Smolder whips around, only for Silverstream to strike the back of her head. Smolder lurched forward as Silverstream flips above her and whack Smoler with her fin. Smolder fell back to the ground as she lands on the floor. She looks back up to find Silverstream following through the air such grace and elegance that a ballerina would be jealous. Raising both arms, Smolder sent a volley of Ki blast at the seapony. However, none of her attacks hit their target. "I might as well be hitting open space!!!"
"HIPPOGRIFFS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COMPARED TO PEGASI WHEN IT COMES TO MANEUVERABILITY. WITHIN THE OCEAN, THEY ARE THE FASTEST CREATURES AROUND. WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING NOW THOUGH WOULD BE THE SAME AS IF WE WERE UNDER THE SEA!!!"
"THAT MAY BE TRUE, BUT DODGING IS NOT THE SAME AS WINNING UNLESS SILVERSTREAM IS HOPING SMODER WILL TIRE OUT. BUT THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY!"
Silverstream gasps out at that and toward Smolder. Smolder saw this and spew fire from her maw again. To the Drakina's shock, Silverstream spews out a stream of water. The two elements collided as the hissing of steam echoes out. The steam began to form a mist that shrouds the colosseum floor. Smolder was about to charge again when something whips out of the smoke and wrapped around her. The smoke clears, and Smolder's eyes also widen for the third time today. Silverstream was using water to restrain her. More accurately, Smolder could sense trace amounts of Ki energy manipulating the liquid. The water whip went taut as Silverstream yanks Smolder up and slam her back down. The strap broke apart, but the water was still present. Smolder gets back up, Silverstream waves her hand and creates a bubble of water over Smolder's head. Water got into the Drakina's mouth, preventing any more fire breath, and clawing away at the drop proved fruitless as well. Smolder felt her vision fading as she fell to her knees. She would pass out soon enough.
'Huh, I guess you were a waste of time,'
'Master?!'
'Here you are, getting beat by a sea horse, pretending that you're about to lose! I thought I was clear about what you needed to do! Oh, well, back to the drawing board, I guess. I'll have to come up with a more challenging test to make up for this embarrassment!'
Smolder could feel her anger rising at the cold words. 'I'm not an embarrassment!'
'You could've fooled me because from here, you're about to blackout from a lousy bubble! Whoever heard of a creature drowning on dry land? Are you sure you're a dragon?'
'I am a dragon! This attack is nothing! I just--'
'Holding back? Afraid to hurt your friend? You're the one dragging this out! And I was clear about what to do! Or, is that simple instruction too hard?' Smolder gritted her teeth at that. The water around her head started to boil.
'Shut up.! I can do this!'
'Then show me!!!'
At that instant, Smolder's power lashed out. "RAAAH!!!" The bubble encasing her head evaporated instantly from her Ki exploding outward. A sphere of flame shot out soon afterward. Silverstream gasp out and tried to flee. However, Smolder's attack outpaced her. Everyone shield themselves for the dome of fire as the sky took on an orange hue. The light died down while Smolder still seethed with anger. Tiny fickles of her flame danced upon her shoulders. She tilts her head up with a fierce scowl on her muzzle. "THERE! WAS THAT DRAGON ENOUGH FOR YOU!?!?" She tilts her head back down to Silverstream. However, her anger and scowl died at the sight of her friend. Silverstream was unconscious, evident by the white in her eyes, as she twitched every so often. Silverstream's pendant was broken, thus changing her back into a hippogriff. The fur on her arms was black with soot, suggesting some second or possibly third-degree burning. The feathers on her left-wing were either missing or singed. Smolder's mouth fell agape at the state of her friend-- at what her actions wrought. "...Silverstream...?"
"OH MY! ANOTHER DOMINATE DISPLAY BY THE LITTLE DRAKINA! TIME FOR THE COUNT. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!" Each word made Smolder's heart sink further. "SMOLDER ADVANCES!!!"
"SMOLDER MIGHT BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, BUT I DOUBT HER METHODS WILL MAKE HER A FAN FAVORITE!"
Smolder could hear the murmurs in the crowd and the increasing dissent for her actions. She glances up at Spike and Ember. Ember's eyes widen slightly at the result. Smolder knew that her last attack wasn't at all what she meant. The dragonlord expressed quick mercy, not fast and painful. Spike, on the other hand, was happy. He gave her a nod and thumbs up, clearly proud of the result. Smolder felt like he was mocking her. She looked to the other competitors, who looked back in disgust, especially her remaining friends. Gallus wore a scowl while bearing his teeth. She could see his tail fluff out in agitation. Goten was disapproving, while Trunks was more indifferent, but earned his attention. Flurry Heart shook her head in firm disagreement while Ocellus hurt the most. She looked at her with fear, confusion, and hurt. The changeling eyes asking why. Yet, she turned away from her. The little drakina gave her friend no answer and returned to the waiting. Her walk back was more akin to a walk of shame, rather than a victory lap.
Upon returning, Gallus confronted her. "What the buck was that?!"
"That was winning, duh!" Smolder's tone was low and cold.
"Smolder. Silverstream was hurt bad!" Ocellussaid in distress.
"Yeah, well, she was trying to drown me. I didn't have much choice,"
"She was desperate about something. I could see that much!" Flurry Heart said. "I think you saw it too!"
Smolder threw the crystal princess a glare. "And what do you know!? You're not our friend!"
Trunks fold his hands behind his head. "You got a funny way of treating your friends,"
"Yeah! You fought here like she was a bad guy or something! That's not what friends do!!!" Goten stated fervently.
"...Whatever..." Smolder said, mimicking her master, then walking away.
Gallus didn't take kindly to that. He stops her with a strong claw on her shoulder. "Hold up! We're not-- Ow!!" Gallus recoils as he felt Smolder heat up.
Smolder turns back so that her piercing glare was noticeable to everyone present. The smoke trails coming off of her was enough to make even Trunks and Goten flinch. "If you got a problem with the way I fight, then beat me out there. It's that simple!" Smolder continue her walk uninterrupted after that.
"Whoa, is this allowed?"
"That was a touch much!!"
"They should disqualify that ruffian for excessive force!"
"Yeah, this is the junior division, not a gladiator pit!"
Spike chuckles to himself as he flicks a gem into his mouth. He didn't mind the jeers of the audience. Their opinions didn't matter. However, he could feel several eyes on him. He could already guess a few without having to look for himself. Scootaloo was likely glaring at him, as did the others, save for probably Vegeta and 18. But, he felt two more that peered into him harder than the others. Acting on that feeling, it was no surprise that Goku was staring directly at him. His expression was that of a statue. His former mentor left no trace of malice or even concern. Goku simply stared at him as if he was trying to discover something that Spike didn't know about at all. Scoff eventually scoffs and turns to the second person staring into his soul. Ember was more reliable than the others: written on her face was nothing short of concern.
"What's up?" Spike asks.
"...Did you contact her?" Ember asked firmly.
"Yeah, so? It's not cheating as long as I don't help in the fight,"
"That's not what I mean. Did you tell Smolder to do that?"
Spike at another gem as he responds. "I told her to quit embarrassing herself and act like a dragon. It's not my fault how she chooses to do that," Down below, the next match started. It was Gallus against a member of the buffo tribe. "Besides, she was hesitating for no reason,"
"She didn't want to hurt her friend!"
"So, she should let them walk all over her? Some friends right there," The match was over with relative quickness as Gallus struck the steer with a solid hook to his jaw. Gallus made a point of raising his fist high into the air while looking back into the waiting area. "See? He gets it! Take a guess who he's challenging right now? Maybe now things won't be so boring!"
"That steer wasn't his friend, Spike! It's like you're trying to make Smolder lose her friends. Wasn't that what you wanted every drake and drakina to learn? The lesson in the Friendship that you made the dragon you are today. What happened to that?"
Spike stops chewing on his gem as he stares at his mate. There was a long pause as they lock eyes. For a brief moment, Ember thought she saw a spark of realization before, sadly, Spike shrugs dismissively. "Friendship has no room for these kinds of events. They're more of a distraction right now,"
"FOR OUR NEXT MATCH, GOTEN OF EARTH VS FLURRY HEART OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!!"
"Finally, a good one!"
Ember looks down in the area as the two fighters came into view. A part Ember wondered when it became harder to feel what Spike was feeling, even with their bond. "....Right..."