The next few fights helped push Gilda out of Rainbow Dash's mind for a while. But it seemed like no matter how hard she tried she couldn't completly forget about the griffon. She even began to wonder if there was more she could've done to help.
Despite this Rainbow Dash still managed to sweep the next two rounds and make it to the semi finals. Though she learned that she would end up having to face one of her friends if she made it past this round. But that was the least of her concerns as she looked at the tournament ladder.
"So I'm facing off against her huh?" Rainbow Dash said "Well I'm not going to let her stop me from reaching the finals." She then set off for the stage.
The stage looked excatly like the outside of the Coliseum from the Best Young Flyers Competition. The very competition where Rainbow Dash not only pulled off a Sonic Rainboom but saved the lives of her idols, The Wonderbolts. And just like with her fight against Gilda ponies were watching from air craft, though they could get a little closer this time.
"Ah so you decided to show up after all." a familar voice said "I was a little concerned that you might forefit."
"I'd never do that Spitfire." Rainbow Dash said "Even if I'm your biggest fan."
"I already know that Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said "Though I could've sworn I saw you oogling Soarin on our day out."
"That didn't mean anything." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well Soarin does have a way with mares." Spitfire said "And I should know. He and I go way back."
"Great, more mushy stuff." Rainbow Dash said.
"It's not mushy." Spitfire said "Soarin and I are childhood friends. You don't know how happy I was when he joined the team."
"Gag me." Rainbow Dash said.
Spitfire couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Well anyway I'm glad you're here." Spitfire said "I hope you'll give me more of a challenge. Because so far I haven't been all that impressed with what I've seen."
"Oh I'll give you a challenge all right!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Good." Spitfire said "But before we begin I think I'm gonna slip out of my flight suit. I don't want it to get dirty. It's a pain to wash after all. You don't mind if I take it off do you?"
"Of course not." Rainbow Dash said "Be my guest."
Spitfire removed her trademark Wonderbolts flight suit, giving instructions to the tournament officials to hold on to it. She now stood before Rainbow Dash in her orangeish-yellow coat, with a flaming wing for a cutie mark.
Rainbow Dash was amazed. She had never seen Spitfire's cutie mark before.
"I know. Amazing isn't it?" Spitfire asked "Anyway let's get this show on the road shall we?"
"Fighters are you ready?" Princess Celestia asked as both fighters took up their positions. Both figthers nodded "Round 1, Fight!" Princess Celestia said.
"Don't even think about holding back on me Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said "If you do I'll have ways of knowing."
"I don't intend to hold back." Rainbow Dash said.
"I hope not." Spitfire said "Now allow me to get the ball rolling." She flew forward and tried to kick Rainbow Dash who dodged and countered with a punch.
"How's that?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Not bad for your first move." Spitfire said "But don't let it get to your head." She then delivered a mid level punch that connected. Rainbow Dash groaned as she tried to shrug off the impact.
"You're strong." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well I have to be in order to be a Wonderbolt." Spitfire said.
"No kidding." Rainbow Dash said "But this fight's just getting started." She then flew forward, grabbed Spitfire and threw her as hard and as far as she could.
"That's the spirit." Sptifire said "With attacks like that this is going to be an intresting fight."
"I hope so." Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't hope, I know." Spitfire said.
The fight began to seesaw back and forth for a while. At times either Rainbow Dash or Spitfire would start a combo and would appear to gain the upperhoof. However their opponet would often quickly evade or block a move, putting an end to the combo. All the while their bodies collected several bruise marks. They stretched from the tip of both fighters wings down to the knees. And both fighters soon grew fatigued.
"You're probably the most challenging opponent I've faced so far Spitfire." Rainbow Dash said.
"You're the same way Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said "You've certainly got some moves."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere." Rainbow Dash said.
"Never hurts to try." Spitfire said.
"30 seconds remaining." Princess Celestia called out.
"Looks like we might tie." Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't think so." Spitfire said "One of us is going to lose."
"How do you know?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Call it a gut feeling." Spitfire said. She then raced forward, intending to finish off Rainbow Dash with a kick. But Rainbow Dash caught onto her plan and flew up, just enough to evade Spitfire's attack. She then quickly swung around and delivered a strong uppercut to Spitfire.
Spitfire was knocked into the air for a moment. Leaving her vulnerable to attack.
Rainbow Dash wasted no time in doing just that. She attacked Spitfire with lightning fast punches and kicks. Spitfire tried to block to the best of her ability, but it did little good.
"Time to finish you off!" Rainbow Dash said. She grabbed Spitfire and carried her up into the sky a little. Once she was certain that she had reached a good height she let go of Spitfire.
Spitfire free fell for only a few seconds before hiting the ground with a thud.
"K.O.!" Princess Celestia said "Rainbow Dash wins the first round."
"I hope you didn't underestimate me Spitfire," Rainbow Dash said.
"I can assure you I didn't." Spitfire said, rising to her hooves "But I like how you're able to think on your hooves."
"You mean it?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Spitfire asked.
"I suppose I just want to be sure." Rainbow Dash said,
"Well the next round is going to be a different story." Spitfire said "I'm not going to just lay down and let you walk all over me."
"I wouldn't want it to be that way." Rainbow Dash said.
"I know that." Spitfire said "So the question is will you get the best of me a second time? Or will I make a comeback and tie it all up?"
"Well there's only one way to find out." Rainbow Dash said.
"Indeed." Spitfire said. As soon as she finished speaking those words Princess Celestia healed the wounds of both fighters, and restored their stamina.
"Best of luck." Rainbow Dash said.
"May the best mare win." Spitfire said.
"Fighters are you ready?" Princess Celestia asked as both fighters took up their positions once more. Both fighters nodded "Round 2, Fight!" Princess Celestia said.
"I'm ready when you are." Spitfire said.
"Then let's not waste any time and get right to the action!" Rainbow Dash said. She raced forward and delivered a strong punch. Spitfire didn't shrug it off but she showed signs that the punch didn't inflict a lot of damage.
"That was a pretty strong opening move Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said "Now it's my turn." She delivered a high level punch that Rainbow Dash was forced to block.
Before long the fight wound up just like the last one. With both fighters trading blows and wearing each other down. Just like before it didn't take long for them to become bruised, battered, and fatigued.
But neither of the fighters wanted to admit defeat and so the fighting continued.
The auidence became glued to their seats. The fight was becoming one of those "Blink and you'll miss something" brawls. Punch after punch, kick after kick, uppercut after uppercut, block after block, dodge after dodge, and counter after counter. It became obvious that the fighters were evenly matched.
"Are we going to tie?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"At this point I can't say for sure." Spitfire said "I want to say no but there's no way to know for sure."
"Then we'll just have to keep giving it our all and see what happens." Rainbow Dash said.
"25 seconds remaining." Princess Celestia called out.
Sptifire sighed "I didn't want to have to do this but I've exhausted all other options." she said. She then took off into the sky.
"Could she be trying to pull off a 'Sonic Rainboom'?" Rainbow Dash asked herself. She shook her head, that was impossible, No one else had been able to pull it off yet. But then she gasped as she remembered that Spitfire was rumored to have once pulled off a move similar to that of a "Sonic Rainboom". In this case the move was related to Spitfire's cutie mark. Well she wasn't going to let Spitfire pull it off if she had anything to say about it. And as a matter of fact she did.
Spitfire was so observed in pulling off her signature "Exploding Ring of Fire" that she didn't notice Rainbow Dash slowly gaining on her. And when she did it was too late. She had never tried to cancel out of the move before out of fear of what might happen. Reluctantly she turned around and charged right at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash intercepted her before she could build up enough speed and delivered a strong kick. This combined with the fact that Spitfire had used up a lot of energy to pull off the "Exploding Ring of Fire" caused Spitfire to become exhausted.
Spitfire simply smiled as she again free fell until she hit the ground with a thud.
"K.O.!" Princess Celestia said "The winner of this match is Rainbow Dash who will move on to the final round."
"Are you okay Spitfire?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I've been in tougher situations then this before." Spitfire said, rising to her hooves "That was a fight we can both be proud of."
"Glad you think so." Rainbow Dash said "So does this mean I can join you guys?''
"Well it's not a guarantee." Spitfirre said "I'll have to ask the other guys what they think. Though I'm sure Soarin would love to have you on the team." she proceeded to chuckle to herself.
"That's not funny Spitfire." Rainbow Dash said.
"Relax." Spitfire said "I was only joking. Anyway I'll have to run it by our manager. He's the one who makes all the final calls. Even if I put in a good word for you as Captain of The Wonderbolts."
"But you promise you'll try right?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Of course." Spitfire said "Good luck in the final. I'm confident you have what it takes to win."
"No kidding." Rainbow Dash said "That trophy as well the prize money is as good as mine."