//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Coliseum/The Emperor // Story: My Final Pony Fantasy II // by Vimtrust5 //------------------------------// Before marching into battle against the enemy, it was important that one had to prepare themselves. Especially when the enemy was an evil dictator bent on world conquest. As preparations, the group gathered information about the whereabouts of the Coliseum where the Princess was held and heard rumors that the Emperor of Palamecia himself would host the competition. As our heroes were about to step onto the field once more, they stopped and went over everything that had happened so far. Twilight surmised, "So our plan of attack is this: Fluttershy, Cadence, and I will join Firion and the others to enter the coliseum, save the princess, and come back here. Any objections?" "What about me?" asked Spike. "Spike, you have to stay here and hold down the fort." "What?" said the purple dragon. "Why do I have to stay behind? And after coming here with you all... just to stay behind again." "I'm sorry, Spike," the lavender alicorn said. "Why don't you come with me to the base? I'll be back." "There has to be something we can do to cheer him up," said Firion. Guy thought deeply. "Hmm... Maybe we take him to Mysidia?" "Guy! Are you serious?" "After this mission, possibly... Don't want to do right now." Twilight and Spike sat in the conference room, hugging each other before the former got up and left. "Be careful, Twilight." "I will, Spike. I promise." The two embraced each other for a long while, and the purple alicorn left the base to leave with the others. And so, Twilight, Cadence, and Fluttershy joined their human companions to head toward the Coliseum. They boarded Leila's ship and sailed south and through the waterway until they reached the southeastern-most portion of the map, but just north of where they destroyed the Dreadnought. The party disembarked the ship, and traveled north where they found themselves in a desert. There, they could see a set of trees. "I wonder if there any Chocobos," said Fluttershy. "Here? In a place like this?" Twilight said incredulously. The party went towards the forested area, only to find a large arena standing in front of the mountain range. "This must be it," said Maria. "Is everyone ready?" Firion asked. Twilight nodded, as did Cadence, for they had been looking forward to confronting the Emperor since their journey began. Gordon narrowed his eyes as he looked upon the Coliseum, for he knew now that the man who killed his brother, his people and countless others now sat in that building holding his beloved prisoner. Maria and Guy, too, could not wait to settle the score as his soldiers had taken their home and families away from them. "Then, let's go!" said Twilight. Coliseum The group entered the Coliseum and found themselves in a large arena stopped in tracks and found... him. "Welcome, newcomers..." Standing above them was the man whose forces they had fought against on their journey, the man who literally unleashed hell in order to rule the world: Emperor Mateus. Firion and the other humans kept a straight face and clenched their fists, while the ponies narrowed their eyes. The group attempted to reach him, but a set of iron bars blocked the way, and as they turned around, another iron gate barred the exit, effectively trapping them. "I see several non-humans among your group. Three colorful ponies straight out of a child's fantasy. Have you all come to participate, thinking this would be a mere game?" he taunted. Cadence narrowed her eyes even further. "Nevertheless, I have chosen the perfect opponent for you. Come, Behemoth!" As the Emperor stretched his arms, loud, thunderous footsteps rumbled as our heroes looked around, ready to unsheathe their weapons and do battle. They found the source of the footsteps was a giant canine-esque beast will bull-like horns and a fiery red mane. On its back were large scales or fins they couldn't tell. "Let us begin the battle! The winner shall be rewarded with the beautiful Princess Hilda of Fynn!" The large creature let out a mighty roar and charged at our heroes. Guy held out his arms and grabbed the fierce beast, holding out as long he could. The Behemoth shook off its adversary, throwing him against the floor. "Guy!" Fluttershy gasped. Firion cast a level 7 Blink spell, increasing everyone's evasion rate. Cadence went over to heal Guy with a Hi-Potion. Gordon attempted to strike at the monster, but his weapon had little use against it. Firion, however, delivered a powerful blow upon the Behemoth, causing moderate damage. The creature roared with fury and swiped its arms against Maria who quickly dodged the attack and cast Blizzard level 7 against it. The Emperor looked on as he smirked to himself. The battle continued as Princess Cadence cast a powerful beam at the Behemoth. Gordon charged the beast and struck it in the neck with his spear. Collapsing on its belly, the monster let one last howl as it disappeared. Our heroes celebrated their victory; Guy's life force increased, as did Maria and Cadence's magical capabilities. Gordon's weapon skills, too, had improved. *music fades out* With the Behemoth defeated, the Emperor applauded, smiling smugly. "Nobly fought! Now let us give you your just reward" he said, opening the gate at the top of the stairs. "This is it, everyone," said Firion. "It's finally time to face the Emperor!" Twilight whispered. The party went up the stairs with the pegasi flaring their wings. "I must say, you've put on a wonderful show... Firion," said Mateus, smirking cruelly. The group's eyes widened. "H-How did you know my name?" asked the youth. "Did you really think I had no idea of whom you were? Not to mention, you have Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire at your side? The only one I don't see is your little dragon friend... Spike, was it?" "Wha...?" Twilight said. "How do you know of us?" "That, my little pony, is irrelevant." "You mean to say that you took Princess Hilda just to lure us here?" Maria said, clenching her fists. "Precisely..." "You..." said Guy. "Where are they?" Cadence glared. "They?" Mateus feigned ignorance. "Whomever are you talking about? I only needed Hilda." "Don't play dumb with us, Mateus! You also hold my child, of course! Don't expect us to play your sick little game anymore!" The evil tyrant clicked his tongue mockingly. "Such anger. You need not worry about your precious little one; it has been right by my side the entire time." With one swish of his hand, Flurry appeared, sealed inside a floating orb. "Flurry!" Cadence gasped. "Give her back!" Twilight commanded. "I cannot permit you to have this filly back. I have plans for it: plans to use its alicorn powers for the might of Palamecia. Farewell!" Mateus said, disappearing in a flash of light, taking his prisoner with him. "Get back here!" Just then, the Dark Knight and a group of imperial soldiers appeared. "You're alive?!" Firion exclaimed. "How'd you escape the Dreadnought?" Maria asked. "That, my dear, is irrelevant," he replied. "Don't think for one second you and your Emperor are getting away with this...!" Twilight glared. "Fools... Take them to their cells." Surrounded, they had no choice and surrendered. "Don't feel too bad, my little ponies. I'm sure your Ponyville friends will join you soon." "What?!" Twilight yelled. "No... How...?" Fluttershy questioned. Our heroes stood beside themselves, unable to comprehend what they had just learned; not only did the Emperor know of their identities, but also the existence of Equestria and that Ponyville was in danger. "It... it can't be true...!" Twilight said in denial. "How did they know about the others?!" said Princess Cadence in disbelief. "How are we going to get out of here?" asked Fluttershy. "We think of something," Guy answered. "We've got to think clearly," said Firion while pacing. "We need to escape and--" **POW!** Outside the cell, the soldier guarding the cell knocked unconscious "What the...?" said Firion. A familiar thief in black appeared in front of them. "Paul?!" everyone said in unison. "That's my name," said the ninja. "You saved me at the mines, and now it's my turn to rescue you all!" With the iron gate opened, our heroes quickly exited the cell, hoping to find a possible exit. Wading through the filthy water, they opened a treasure chest, only to find several monsters appearing from within. Upon dispatching the creatures, they found an antidote and went further north of their cell. The paranoid Twilight refused to even open the doors based on their previous experiences with trap rooms. She instead led them to what she believed to be the right way out which was a large room near the middle of the floor. It turned out to contain treasure chests which held an elixer, an ether, and a cottage of all things. Taking the items, the group then moved north, opened the next door and found a set of stairs leading them up. On the first floor basement, our heroes traveled along the wall, following it into a narrow pathway and discovered three prison cells; the third cell on the right in which the real Princess Hilda was held! "Princess Hilda!" said Twilight. "Is that really you?" "Why, yes!" Hilda replied. "I knew you all would come for me!" "Hold on, we'll get you out of there!" Firion declared, opening the gate. Gordon rushed into the cell, surprisng his beloved. "Hilda, are you alright?" "Gordon?" the rebel leader said in disbelief. "I never thought to see you here..." "They helped convince me," he said gesturing to our heroes. "It's true, Your Highness," said Twilight. "We actually saw him at Kashuan Keep, trying to find Egil's Torch!" Hilda gasped. "You... went back to the keep... to save us?" Gordon nodded. "That's right." Hilda's eyes teared up, as she threw her arms around him. Gordon returned the favor. "Thank you..." They let go and looked into each other's eyes. Firion interrupted them, as they had more urgent issues at hand. "Gordon, take the princess and go. We'll draw the guards' attention while you escape." The prince nodded. "Thank you, Firion. And you all as well. Be careful." He and Princess Hilda then quickly ran to avoid detection. Our heroes quickly drew the attention of any monsters and imperials that came there way and quickly dispatched them, gaining new skils and increasing their own abilities as they went on. As they finally escaped the Coliseum with their human comrades, the ponies couldn't help but worry about their Ponyville friends. If anything happens to my friends... Twilight thought. You will pay, Mateus...!