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// Applejack VS Lyra 
// Story: The Arena 
// by Shaelyn 
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	I'm sure you're all still very excited from the last fight, but I assure you, there is certainly more to come. Next up I bring you a rather well matched fight, if I do say so myself. In the west corner of the arena we have Applejack, a master of kicks. In the east we have Lyra, a master of punches. May the superior fighting style be victorious.

Lyra stepped out first, standing only on her two hind legs. It was a practiced stance for her, and many ponies like her, who had adapted to more combat ready stances. Entire lifetimes had been dedicated to the style and grace with which she was taught to move, and now as she put it into action every step flowed into the next like a dance across the battlefield. She was an artist.

Applejack soon followed suit, more bold and excited. She bounced about on two legs as though she were itching for combat, unsteady when her feet weren't in constant motion. Full of energy and strength, her intense training showed in every muscle of her body, and she would put each one to use in due time.

"Let the fight.. begin!"

Lyra was already on the move before the final word was given, dashing around the circular arena longways against the wall while closing the gap to Applejack. Applejack was, of course, not stationary herself during this, approaching the same way so that they would meet in the middle, a head on collision to start a grueling match-up. Twenty feet, ten, five, and it was in motion. Lyra dropped low, sliding along the ground on her side and letting her momentum carry her along the loose dirt floor the short distance from where she was standing to Applejack. Applejack was already in motion to counter this though, sweeping a hoof around at Lyra's head by pivoting on the second, aiming for a quick finish. Lyra brought her own forehooves up to catch the attacking hoof and immediately twisted when she caught it, hard enough to put Applejack off balance momentarily while Lyra rose up behind the orange pony, adopting a ready stance.

With Applejack still off-center Lyra threw a combo of jabs to the other pony's back, striking hard in several vital locations to try and keep the powerful enemy from recovering, but Applejack's overall build was helping to absorb the blows, and she managed to catch her breath and turn with a wide roundhouse kick that took Lyra by surprise, catching the side of the blue pony's head and smashing her face first into the wall. The impact was jarring, and Lyra could feel the resounding throb of pain in her head as she brought both forehooves up to catch Applejack's hind-hoof, holding onto it long enough to secure it with one and begin an assault with the other. The awkward position made Lyra's jabs slower and less accurate as Applejack hopped about on one hoof, somehow maintaining balance despite her dis-advantage. Something seemed to be wrong, Lyra thought, as her third success out of five attempted jabs landed on Applejack's chest. Was she so dazed by that blow that she was starting to hallucinate, or was Applejack laughing? With that thought Lyra immediately threw the captured leg up and over in an attempt to send Applejack completely off and down. No such luck, Lyra realized as her mistake became immediately evident. Once the hoof was in the air Applejack regained footing, and with all her force dropped a mighty crescent kick that crashed into Lyra's skull, sending her down to the ground.

"Winner: App-"

Before it could be made official, Lyra was on her feet. Blood trickled down the front of her face, and she trembled in place, but she was clearly eager to carry on the fight. Applejack hadn't trained like she had, Lyra thought. Applejack didn't deserve this. Applejack's only thought? 'I didn't learn anything. I was winning all along.'

Lyra charged forward, closing the few feet of distance between her and Applejack before lashing out with a flurry of blows, all intended to kill or seriously maim Applejack and even the playing field, but she was too far gone now. Every punch was easily dodged by the twitching orange pony, who never stayed still long enough for the disoriented Lyra to line up an appropriate shot. Another kick to the side of Lyra's head sent her stumbling back, but she was in a rage now. She knew what would happen if she lost. It was better to die here and now, with the chance to go down swinging. A second and third kick. Lyra had picked up the pattern now. She managed to block and grab the fourth kick with her own leg and turn all of her body weight into a single thrust that shattered Applejack's knee. The blow was so unexpected that even Applejack paused for a moment as her mind tried to comprehend the pain of what had just happened. It was all Lyra needed, and as she let go of the leg she watched Applejack wobble a bit while trying to get off a kick with her good leg, only to fall face first into the ground. Without both legs Applejack was useless now. Lyra moved over Applejack's sobbing form, the orange pony finally realizing her own failure and pain, and with a lightning quick jab, Lyra severed Applejack's spine at the neck, leaving the broken pony there while she stood up to claim victory.

"In a surprise upset, Winner: LYRA!"