//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: Pinkie's Sensei 
// by Dirty Bit 
//------------------------------//


Final Chapter


Master vs. Pupil: A Stunning (I think) Conclusion!!


After Dan Hibiki's close victory, Iron Will kept his promise and left Ponyville feeling lovelorn and shamed as he carried his crushed pride (Figuratively speaking, of course.). In his wake was the promised bundle bearing copious amounts of bits for Dan to spend at his leisure. Pinkie was so overjoyed for her master's victory that she decided to do the very thing that was encrusted into her brain since the Sonic Rainboom: Throw a party.

While she, Fluttershy, and the crowd were happy with Dan winning the tournament, Twilight and the others felt that they had the wrong idea about Dan being strong despite his display of techniques. Twilight leered at the cheering Saikyo Master sitting at a table with Pinkie hugging him while he grasped a mug of cream soda in one foreleg and his large sack of cash in another "I can't believe this! All this time, we thought he would be a respected martial arts master, but his latest action was by far one of the worst!!"

Rarity huffed "I agree, darling! What Mr. Hibiki has done was inexcusable!!"

Applejack frowned "Ah changed my mind 'bout havin' that stallion teach my sister t' fight! Ain't no way she should be taught how t' fight by a cheater!"

Rainbow Dash nodded "Yeah! That was totally not cool!!" Says Ms. Naughty Hoof...

Fluttershy flinched "N-Now girls, I know you all must seem pretty sore about what Dan had done, and I understand completely, but we shouldn't chastise him for it, right?" She defended the Saikyo master meagerly, wanting them to know she was happy to have dodged a large and horned bullet that was aimed for her flank.

Rainbow Dash glared at Dan and Pinkie conversing "What I don't get is why Pinkie still chooses to respect him! I mean, she saw it, too, didn't she?" She paused, and then turned to a set of confused faces "Didn't she?"

Rarity frowned "Well don't look at me! I paid more attention to the fight then I have with Pinkie!"

Applejack looked down in defeat "That battle was pretty darn close. Ah couldn't take my eyes off it!"

Twilight turned to Pinkie "Maybe we should ask her for ourselves. But right now, she seems too clingy to wanna talk to us at the moment..." She was slightly conflicted with how she noticed the look of utter joy on Pinkie's face as she hung out with her sensei.

Rarity drooped her ears "Not to mention Pinkie would probably think we would be badmouthing her sensei if we ever decided to talk with her..."

Fluttershy shifted her eyes "Um...I'm just gonna go have some more punch, if anypony doesn't mind..." She shimmied away from her friends to make herself scarce for the sake of her 'thirst'. With how she's even saying the word 'shimmy' as she went, one would think she was an expert in the art of fight-dancing...

Twilight sighed "It can't be helped now! I'll let him have this moment, but I'm going to get to the bottom of things later! Make no mistake!" And thus, an investigation was had! Until the next day, of course...
_____

The next day, Twilight rose from her bed and prepared for her day as a private investigator. She had a small breakfast including toast and a glass of orange juice before gathering a notepad and trotting to the front door and looking back at a tired Spike going down the stairs "Spike, I'm going out right now! Can you take care of the library while I'm gone?"

The purple dragon rubbed his eyes and nodded "Good luck, Twilight." He muttered tiredly before he waddled into the kitchen.

The bookworm-turned-detective then made her way out with the sole purpose of gathering intel on the so-called Saikyo Master. She made her way to Sugarcube Corner, considering it to be the most plausible spot to search with how Dan and Pinkie are under the same roof. She trotted inside and noticed Pinkie working at a counter. Pinkie saw Twilight come in and waved in her sporadic fashion "Hiya, Twilight! What'll it be today?"

Twilight shook her head "I don't need anything right now, Pinkie. Have you seen Dan anywhere? Is he upstairs by any chance?"

Pinkie blinked "Funny you should say that! He was so happy with winning all those bits yesterday, he woke up early and looked around Ponyville to see where he could get some neato wares before investing it all into his dojo! Danny-sensei really knows how to get his priorities straight, you know?" She spoke with an innocent smile.

Twilight held a calculating glance "Do tell..." She wondered where a stallion like Dan would begin in Ponyville to look for a good deal with so much money.

Pinkie frowned "But I did tell you! Are you having trouble hearing ever since you woke up?"

Twilight grunted and shook her head "No, Pinkie. I just wanted to find Dan and have an...interview with him." It wasn't a total lie. She was gathering notes, and that's what part of an interview includes.

Pinkie smiled "Well that's nice of you to do that for my sensei, Twilight! You can find him in the Market Square if you look hard enough!"

Twilight nodded in gratitude "Thanks. I'll go look for him right now!" She said as she turned and made her way out with narrowed eyes of determination 'Time to get to the bottom of things. Prepare to be exposed, Dan Hibiki!'

Pinkie watched Twilight leave with slight confusion "Is it just me, or is Twilight trying to get more than an interview out of Danny-sensei?" She said to herself "I hope she isn't one of those mares that goes after famous ponies for their bodies! What do they call ponies like those again?" Watch Venture Bros. 'The Silent Partner' for the answer!
_____

Twilight reached the Market Square and squinted her eyes as she tried to distinguish Dan in the crowd of ponies buying things. She managed to find him standing in front of Colgate's toothpaste stand attached to a cart containing his large bag of bits. Twilight only wondered why Ponyville's resident dentist had to open up a small stand to sell some of her wares, especially when most of Ponyville were annoyed with her obsession over dental hygiene. She trotted up to Dan after he purchased a tube of toothpaste and stashed it in his cart "Hello, Mr. Hibiki." She said in a leveled tone.

Dan noticed Twilight and smiled "Oh, hey there, Twilight! You come to get some toothpaste as well? Can't leave home without it!" Colgate beamed at the Saikyo Master's words.

Twilight rolled her eyes before looking back at Dan "It's good to know that you respect dental hygiene, but I'm just here to talk is all..."

Dan nodded "I don't mind. We can walk and talk since I got some stuff to get before the rest of my loot goes toward my dojo!" He said as he trotted with his bag of bits. Twilight followed with a hidden leer at the Saikyo Master, waiting for the opportune moment to expose him for the fraud he is. When they reached the next vendor selling bottled juice, he paid for a couple of bottles as he spoke "So what's on your mind? You wanna talk about the match the other day?" He spoke with a smug grin.

Twilight nodded "Yes, actually! I have to say that your demonstration of fighting is very different from what I've usually seen in my life!"

Dan chuckled "Well, that's my Saikyo style for you! I have to live up to my father's image if I'm gonna spread the teachings to anypony willing to learn how to kick some major flank!" They trotted towards another stand after he stashed away the bottled juice in his cart.

Twilight frowned "While I'm happy for your victory back there, I have to ask...this technique of yours, your Nether Strike? Is that a new one?"

Dan turned to Twilight and blinked "How'd you know? It was a line of techniques that I've been crafting recently before I came to Ponyville! Some of them are hidden moves that work well in a pinch! I've yet to teach them to Pinkie since she's my best student barring my two other friends!" It's sad knowing only one of them follows the teachings of Saikyo as adamantly as Pinkie.

Twilight arched an eyebrow 'A-HA! So he DID cheat!' "
"Really now? And would you consider your winning technique as an acceptable move in your fight the other day?"

Dan sighed as he looked down with slight despondancy "In all honesty, I feel bad for myself..." Twilight smiled to herself, happy to hear those words "I probably should've taken it easier on the big guy knowing he would go down like that."

Twilight widened her eyes "What!? What in Equestria are you talking about!? Didn't you see the size of Iron Will? Or even the moves he demonstrated!? He was THIS close to-" She stared at Dan, who held a surprised expression as she caught herself in her venting "I-I mean, so you say...I suppose you might have taken it a bit too far in showing Iron Will up that time." She finished in a calm tone.

Dan looked up in thought as he held a hoof to his chin "You know, with how well he fought the other day, I probably should've made him one of my students! He could probably catch up to Pinkie if I pay attention to him enough!"

Twilight stared dumbfounded at his words 'He claims he has students other than Pinkie, but who would honestly want to learn from this stallion!?' She then forced a grin "Um, I'm sure you wouldn't want Iron Will as a student, considering he has a job of his own and tends to speak in third person! You can't have that in your dojo, right?"

Dan looked down in thought before he nodded "You might be onto something there. My dojo's for fighters only, not performers! You're pretty smart for a mare, Twilight Snapple!"

Twilight looked miffed "Sparkle..." She corrected.

The two trotted off "Hehe, sorry about that! Say, you're Pinkie's friend, right? If you like, I can get you a discount if you ever want to learn how to fight Saikyo style!"

Twilight forced another smile "Err, no thanks, Dan. I'm more of a thinker, not a fighter..." Sure, let's forget the changeling invasion just this once for his sake. He's probably never heard of it...

Dan smirked "My offer still stands if you're in need of some good moves! Talk to your little dragon friend if you have to! He seems pretty set on becoming another one of my students!"

Twilight frowned 'You would think that, wouldn't you?' "I'll be sure to let him know. Thanks for the talk, Dan, but I should probably get going now. I have to sort things out for myself." Smooth.

Dan nodded "See you later then! I'll be back at Pinkie's place soon if you ever feel like talking again!"

Twilight trotted away and made her way back to Sugarcube Corner 'Now to break the news on Pinkie and hope she can at least take it without getting too cross about it all...' She looked saddened to have to tell one of her friends the ugly truth. Beauty is one thing, but ugly is to the bone.
_____

When Twilight reached Sugarcube Corner again, she noticed Pinkie out in the yard training in her Saikyo ghi with fire in her eyes. Twilight felt worse seeing her like this 'I can't believe I'm doing this to her...I don't want to break Pinkie's heart so soon, but she has to know one way or another...' She trotted over to the training party mare and cleared her throat "Hi, Pinkie."

Pinkie ceased her training and smiled at Twilight "Hi, Twilight! You wanna train with me today? I think I'm close to mastering Danny-sensei's legendary taunt! It's very important to taunt when learning Saikyo style!"

Twilight heaved a sigh "Pinkie, I need to tell you something that you probably wouldn't like to hear..." She said in a morose tone.

Pinkie frowned "Is somepony in Ponyville having a bad day?" She then smiled with narrowed eyes "If so, then leave it to me to see them smiling again!"

Twilight shook her head "No, this really isn't about anypony in Ponyville, but more about Dan..."

Pinkie blinked "Danny-sensei? Is something wrong with him?"

Twilight stared at Pinkie before she spoke "He cheated yesterday, Pinkie..."

Pinkie craned her head back "What?"

Twilight nodded "It's sad but true. Dan Hibiki, your sensei, cheated yesterday when fighting against Iron Will! His finishing move was not what you think at all!"

Pinkie frowned "Are you saying...my sensei isn't strong?"

Twilight shook her head again "No I'm not. In fact, I'd say he has plenty of endurance to have made it as far as he had before the final match. But ask yourself this: Would an experienced teacher honestly want to hit somepony below the belt in a fight in order to win?"

Pinkie looked down in thought "Well, Rainbow Dash sorta did the same thing with me once, but she's a black belt!" She faced Twilight with a smile "So probably yes!"

Twilight stared "Probably yes? Pinkie, don't you think that maybe your teacher might be a-" She caught herself as she stared at Pinkie "a-..." She paused for a moment, and then sighed "Nevermind. It can't be helped if you wouldn't believe me."

Pinkie smiled "But Twilight, I can believe anything you say to me! You're my friend! You can tell me what's on your mind!"

Twilight stared at Pinkie with a frown "Do you think Dan's a fraud?"

Pinkie gasped "What in the name of Celestia made you ask that question!?" She said in a surprised tone.

Twilight frowned "I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I cannot consider Dan a good fighter if he would use dirty tactics to win in a fight. You're better than him when it comes to fighting! His last move he used on Iron Will isn't even a legitimate technique!"

Pinkie huffed "I'm surprised at you, Twilight! To think that Danny-sensei's a fraud! He's a whole different class of fighter with his moves! He's even his own tier, and told me so himself!!"

Twilight pointed a hoof "THAT'S the kind of talk you'd expect from a fraud! Pinkie, I think he might not even be the sensei you respected before we met!"

Pinkie glowered at Twilight "I think you've said enough, Twilight...I want to go train now..." She said in a tone completely alien to her former chipper tone.

Twilight took the hint with Pinkie's agitated glare and sighed "I'm sorry, Pinkie. Hopefully you can think about what I've told you while I give you your space..." She said as she trotted away, feeling downtrodden to have said so much to her friend like this.

Pinkie scoffed and went back to her training with anger in her mind 'Who does Twilight think she is!? Talking so bad about Danny-sensei that way! That's just so mean of her to do that! It's like when I told her how mean Gilda was when Rainbow Dash wasn't around!' While she trained, she stopped instantly with widened eyes of realization as she slowly looked sad as she dropped to her hooves "Oh no...What if that kind of scenario is happening right now? What if Twilight IS right?" She whimpered to herself.

Now she was caught in a stand-still. Could Twilight be right about what she had said about THE Dan Hibiki being some kind of fraud? Some con-artist acting like he's the toughest stallion alive? What would Pinkie do if this were all true? Would she abandon the art of Saikyo and move on realizing most of her life was wasted? What would her friends think of her after realizing that she was being trained by a-

"I can hear you, you know!" Pinkie looked up angrily.

Hehehe...Sorry...

With a deep breath, she sat down and waited for her sensei to return to seek the answers for herself.
_____

Later, Dan came back with a small pile of commodities bought from the market square with more than enough bits to spare in his bag. He noticed a slumping mass of pink sitting next to Sugarcube Corner and trotted over "Pinkie? What's the matter? You're usually training dutifully at this hour! Anything getting you down lately?"

Pinkie sighed as she looked up at Dan as he detached himself from his cart "Danny-sensei, have you ever been labeled as a fraud in your time? Even when you say that other ponies tend to copy your style?"

Dan hummed "I never thought I'd get into a deep conversation with one of my students. Well, Pinkie, I've always heard that kind of talk wherever I go anytime I'm looking for a good fight." He held up a hoof as he turned to the sky with a fierce gaze "But I don't let that bother me at all! If the world chooses to fight me, then it's only best that I fight back no matter what! We as practitioners of Saikyo need to know when to put our hoof down anytime somepony decides to give us trouble!"

Pinkie frowned "But what if you don't have any strength left to fight?"

Dan turned to Pinkie "Then I try to improvise and utilize my mind to find more strength! When it comes to fighting, it's not just the body, but the mind! That's why I think your friend Twilight could be another good student! Too bad she turned down my first offer, though...I'm sure her little dragon would be willing to oblige!" He grinned to himself.

Pinkie got a good look at Dan and sighed as she lifted herself up "Danny-sensei...I want to do it now..."

Dan flinched "P-Pinkie, we're not even in a relationship! And that kind of thing between a master and his pupil shouldn't even be considered!!"

Pinkie shook her head "No no no no!! I want to do IT now..."

Dan stared at Pinkie before he got the message. With a knowing nod, he cast a neutral stare on the party pony "I understand...Where do you want to settle this, Pinkie? You called it, you pick where to go..." He said in a serious tone.

Pinkie held a neutral stare of her own "Town square, next to the fountain, where everypony can watch..." Soooo, like that one buffalo who likes birds?

Dan nodded "Very well. Gear yourself up, my pupil, cuz this is going to be a memorable day depending on what happens..." He said as he grabbed one of his bottled juices and trotted inside Sugarcube Corner as he took a swig.

Pinkie stood and squinted her eyes "I'll do it without you telling me, Danny-sensei..." She uttered to herself with conviction.
_____

Around the afternoon, many ponies gathered and murmured at the current happening. It turns out something terrible is going down right in the middle of town. But is it anarchy? Not so much that, but two ponies dressed in pink.

Twilight and her friends made their way through the crowd and noticed Dan and Pinkie staring each other down "What's going on?"

Rainbow Dash hovered in the air as she watched with intrigue "Believe it or not, Pinkie just challenged Dan to a fight! I wanna see how this goes down!"

Spike winced "This can't be good...If he's anything like when Pinkie fought Rainbow Dash the other day, then I'd say that Ponyville's in need of some remodeling..."

Rainbow Dash swooped down and got in Spike's face "The hay is THAT supposed to mean!?"

Applejack waved a hoof "Simmer down, y'all! They're gettin' ready!" She said as the others paid attention to the two earth ponies in their ghis.

Dan took a deep breath "So it's come down to this, hasn't it, Pinkie?" He asked as he regarded his student with his gaze.

Pinkie nodded "I wanna know if my training under you has meant anything with all the time we spent together in the past! Danny-sensei, I want you to accept my challenge!"

Dan stared "Looks like the time has finally come then...It's good to know you're showing courage with this, Pinkie!"

Pinkie gave a thin smile "It's like you said: This is something we fighters must do! I want to see my training pay off! So..." She got in her stance "Ready to go?"

Dan stared, and strangely, tears began streaming from his eyes as he sobbed lightly, catching everypony but Pinkie off-guard. He wiped his eyes as he weeped and took a stance of his own "I'll make it quick and painless for ya, kid!"

Pinkie narrowed her eyes "Stalliony tears...You really do respect me, don't you, Danny-sensei?" With this kind of tension, some epic music is needed for an epic fight.

Dan nodded to Pinkie, and he rushed forward with conviction in his eyes "PINKIE!!!!"

Pinkie did the same "DANNY-SENSEI!!!" And with that, they outstretched their own hooves and somehow connected with each other's jaws at the same time. The two Saikyo fighters then drew back as their hooves flew like dragons during their migration. From Dankukyakus to Koryukens, Pinkie Pie and Dan Hibiki were each giving it their all. The music's helping a lot, too, isn't it? It's so epic!!

Rarity was slackjawed "Gracious! They're like monsters out there!!" She blurted incredulously.

Spike turned to Rarity "You haven't seen nothing yet!!"

Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs as she watched "I'll be the judge of that!"

Applejack watched "Do any o' y'all know who might win this? Aside from that li'l cheap shot th' other day, Dan's not messin' 'round right now!"

Twilight watched the match diligently herself "I think I have an idea who will..." She said as she watched her pink friend pull out all the stops on her sensei.

While Pinkie was fighting, she performed a Koryuken as Dan jumped away from it and taunted in midair "Wohoo~!!"

The party pony scoffed 'Horseapples! His taunts are too good! C'mon, Pinkie! You started this match! Now you have to end it!' She crossed her forelegs "Special!!!" She rushed in and launched a good jab at Dan's cheek "Let's go!" She then performed her Shisso Buraikken as if living up to her sensei's expectations, even ending it with a proper uppercut and a grin afterwards.

Dan recovered from this and grunted "You learned well, but it's not enough!" He then prepared his forelegs "Watch carefully, Pinkie!" He said as his forehooves began to glow green "Haooooh GADOKE-AAAaaaaAAAaaaugh!" He launched another large fireball, but like last time, he was blown back from its amazing force.

Pinkie was lucky to block the whole thing "That was close! But I can't stop now! All I have to do is focus-" Before she could focus, she a hindleg courtesy of Dan reach her face, shattering her own field of concentration. Literally! There were ethereal blue shards in front of her for a short time! Pinkie recovered "Shoot! Shouldn't have focused that time! I forgot Dankukyakus are that good for that kind of thing!"

Dan then launched a Gadoken, easily hitting Pinkie in the face. But he didn't stop there. He launched a quick jab before launching another Gadoken that connected with the party pony, then dashed in for a Koryuken. He then jumped back while Pinkie landed on the ground "That combo took months to master!" He said to himself.

Fluttershy gasped "Oh no! This could be too much, even for Pinkie! Shouldn't we do something about this?"

Twilight frowned "I'm not sure...If what Rainbow said was true, then we should respect Pinkie's decision. I don't think she would want us to interrupt her match..." She watched as the party pony recovered and stepped back into the fray.

The fight raged on for a whopping five minutes before Dan and Pinkie were both battered and bruised as they took deep breaths and stared each other down. Without another word, they dashed in, and Dan knew what he had to do 'Sorry, Pinkie, but you forced my hoof! This is my last resort!' Cut your life into pieces, why don't you?

Twilight noticed Dan prepping his hoof and gasped "Pinkie, stop!! It's what he wants!!" She bit her lower lip when her warning fell on deaf ears. Pinkie rushed in with her narrowed eyes, but looked as if she had no attack prepared.

The entire crowd leaned their heads in to see what would happen. This was the battle of the century! Who would come out on top? Dan reeled back his hoof "Saikyo..." He then shot it forward with the last of his strength "Nether Strike!!!"

He expected it to land, but his hoof met with two others as Pinkie glared "Block!" She then sidestepped and stretched out a hoof of her own "Counter Nether Strike!!!"

"K.O!!!"

Everypony in the audience looked around and wondered who in the hay was making that sound. Luckily, they did not notice Dan making an O-face with bulging eyes as he yelled "OYAJI~!!" In a high-pitched scream. He then dropped down and fell face first into the ground after Pinkie hopped away.

The audience saw this and gasped in surprise at Pinkie's triumph while the party pony took a deep breath "Pinkie wins..." She whispered to herself.
_____

Later, at one of Ponyville's exits, most of the town stood with the Elements of Harmony and Spike standing at the front while Dan faced them all while his bag was next to him. Pinkie trotted up and the two shared a small hug "You did good today, Pinkie! The first of my students to ever surpass me!"

Pinkie smiled while she hugged Dan "You taught me so much back then! I still respect you, Danny-sensei, even if you can be a bit of a Rarity's cat once in a while..." She looked at her sensei.

Dan smirked "Well, in any case, you've convinced me that I should get back to my training and hone my skills before I can show everypony I meet that Saikyo is the way to go in their lives! Cuz if I won't, who will? Our match back there has reminded me that our style is a forced to be reckoned with, and with the proper training-"

Pinkie stared "Umm, sensei, you should probably get going..." She said, slightly urging the Saikyo Master to leave.

Dan stared before he chuckled "You're right! I still have to teach Saikyo to the rest of Equestria, after all! Thanks for the good times, Pinkie, and the rest of you, Ponyville!" Some of the crowd gave unenthusiastic murmurs that passed off as a halfhearted 'You're welcome'. He then grabbed the rope of his bag and slung it over his back as he trotted off into the sunset with his determined eyes.

Twilight watched and smiled "You know...for a fraud, he doesn't know when to quit! I suppose despite his dirty trick, he isn't that bad of a stallion after all."

Pinkie nodded "Yeppers! He even reminded me that I need to train, too!" She turned and gave a hidden leer at the wall-eyed pegasus standing in the crowd, smiling innocently to herself as she waved off Dan.

Fluttershy smiled softly, then perked up "Wait a minute...He's carrying his traveling bag!"

Applejack turned to Fluttershy "Of course he is! He is a travelin' pony after all!"

Fluttershy shook her head "No, I mean, he still won the tournament against Iron Will. If that's his traveling bag...where's his money bag?" The Elements of Harmony traded glances before they decided to shrug it off and trot back to their daily routines.

Pinkie trotted back, and she looked to see a cart containing a large bag of bits. She gasped 'Danny-sensei's money! Did he-...Did he leave it just for me?' She trotted over and examined the cart "No card? Oh well..." She hugged the money, a single tear rolling down her cheek "Thank you so much, Danny-sensei. This'll help with Mr. and Ms. Cake for when they want to take a vacation!" She said to herself gratefully.
_____

Meanwhile, on the vast plains, Dan was already far away from Ponyville with his pace. While he was traveling, he froze in his tracks, and even let the rope in his mouth slip out as his bag dropped to the ground. While he was frozen, Dan thought for a moment before realizing he made a grave mistake before leaving Ponyville. He dropped to the ground as comical tears streamed down his face, then turned to the heavens as he yelled

"MY FIGHT MONEEEEEEEEEEEY~!!!!!"


The End