The stage was packed with ponies of different colors, type, and gender. Some of the eliminated fighters were mixed in as well and there was not one seat in the audience that was not filled. This newly constructed stadium in the heart of Canterlot served as the final stage of the tournament.
The loud cheering and thunderous applause was deafening. But it seemed like nothing to Princess Celestia as she addressed the crowd.
"Mares and gentlecolts. Children of all ages. After seven rounds of intense fighting and pulse pounding action it gives me great pleasure to present our two finalists." Princess Celestia said "In one corner we have Applejack Apple. A modest and humble Earth pony who always believes honesty is the best policy."
The spotlights shined on the far left side of the stage, revealing Applejack. She did not wave to the crowd and she didn't appear to be smiling. She was determined and serious.
"And in the other corner we have Twilight Sparkle. The most talented and gifted unicorn since Star Swirl the Bearded himself ." Princess Celestia said.
The spotlights went all the way to the other side of the stage, revealing Twilight. Unlike Applejack she waved her hoof to the auidence to claps, cheers, and applause.
"Only one of these ponies will emerge victorious and earn the right to face me for the prize." Princess Celestia said "So without further ado let's get this show on the road!" The audience erupted into applause that was so loud it could be heard for miles.
"So it looks like you and I are facing each other Applejack." Twilight said.
"Yep." Applejack said "I hope you ain't planning on holding back Twilight."
"I won't." Twilight said "I'm gonna give it my all."
"And so will I." Applejack said "And no matter who wins we'll still be friends."
"Couldn't have put it better myself." Twilight said "May the best mare win."
"Now then a simple coin toss shall determine which stage the fighters will battle on." Princess Celestia said. Using her magic she launched a coin into the air. She let it come back down and then picked it up and looked at it. "It's heads!" Princess Celestia said "So that means with the help of tournament officials Twilight's stage will be recreated." She then instructed the unicorns to light up their horns and channel the magic into a special machine.
Within seconds the background changed from a state of the art stadium with thousands of screaming fans to the peace and tranquility of the Ponyville Golden Oaks Library.
"Fighters are you ready?" Princess Celestia asked as Applejack and Twilight took up their positions. Both fighters nodded. "Round 1, Fight!" Princess Celestia said.
"I'm sorry Applejack but this is where it ends." Twilight said.
"I ain't afraid of you." Applejack said "Come at me with all you've got."
"You asked for it." Twilight said, charging up her horn and firing a blast of magic. Applejack barely dodged it.
"Nice try Twilight." Applejack said. She then attacked Twilight with a swift kick. "Had enough yet?" Applejack asked her.
"Don't try to psyche me out." Twilight said "I'm not giving up without a fight."
"I expected as much." Applejack said. She then hit Twilight with a mid level punch. But Twilight quickly recovered and blasted her with magic. Applejack shrugged it off. "You'd better not be trying to rely on your magic to help you Twilight." Applejack said "Cause if so I taught you better then that."
"I'm just getting started Applejack." Twilight said "You haven't seen anything yet." She proceeded to race forward and attack Applejack with an uppercut.
"Not bad Twilight." Applejack said "Not bad at all."
"Thank you Applejack." Twilight said, attacking with a kick "And there's more where that came from."
"Well I hope so." Applejack said "Cause this is nothing. I mean it."
"What?" Twilight asked.
"Sorry to say so but it's the truth." Applejack said "Now let me show you what a real attack is suppose to feel like." To prove her point she delivered a swift kick that sent Twilight reeling. "How do you like that?" Applejack asked.
"That was something." Twilight said "Not that I'm surprised."
"I figured as much." Applejack said "After all I'm the one who taught you how to fight."
"I haven't forgotten that." Twilight said.
As the fight continued Applejack managed to overpower Twilight and gain a clear lead. It soon became obvious that Twilight was in serious trouble. Yet despite her best efforts she wasn't able to change up her attacks enough to phase Applejack.
All the same both fighters soon became bruised and fatigued. Though Twilight became more worn out then Applejack. Something that Applejack was quick to seize upon.
"Say goodbye Twilight." Applejack said, pulling out her lasso and wrapping it around Twilight. She then pulled her close and began attacking her with several kicks, a few mid and high level punches, an uppercut, and then a swift kick to top it off.
"I don't believe this." Twilight muttered and fell to the ground.
"K.O.!" Princess Celestia said "Applejack wins the first round."
"You'll be fine Twilight." Applejack said "You've got nothing to worry about. I'm just better."
"But how can that be so?" Twilight asked, rising to her hooves "We both learned all of each others moves during our training sessions. We should be evenly matched."
"Sometimes these sort of things just happen Twilight." Applejack said.
"Well if that's the case then what's the point of me going on?" Twilight asked "What's the point of fighting if I'll just be defeated again?"
"You can't think like that Twilight." Applejack said "You just have to learn from your mistakes. That way you can improve yourself next time around."
"But what kind of mistakes do I have to learn from?" Twilight asked "I didn't make any noticeable ones. At least I don't think I did."
"Well just look inside yourself and ask if you're happy with the way you performed in the previous fight." Applejack said "If you aren't happy with how you battled then you obviously did something wrong."
"I'll keep that in mind." Twilight said, as she spoke those words she could feel Princess Celestia healing her wounds and restoring her stamina, as well as doing the same thing to Applejack. "Round 2's going to be a completely different story Applejack." Twilight said.
"I look forward to it." Applejack said "May the best mare win."
"Fighters are you ready?" Princess Celestia asked as both fighters took up their positions again. Both fighters eagerly nodded. "Round 2, Fight!" Princess Celestia said.
Right from the get go Twilight began to try and chain her moves together to create combos. But even when she caught Applejack off guard Twilight was only able to inflict 3 to 4 attacks at a time before Applejack recovered.
Applejack comboed on occassion as well, but for the most part she just dodged Twilight's attacks and then counterattacked to the best of her ability.
"Now this is what I call a fight." Applejack said "You're a worthy opponent Twilight."
"Glad you think so Applejack." Twilight said.
"But as I'm sure you know only one of us can win." Applejack said.
"Then let's see who it will be." Twilight said. The two fighters began to trade blows, but this time it became imposssible to decide who had the upperhoof.
The fighting soon rose to a fever pitch. And the fight seemed like it could go either way.
So needless to say it wasn't a surprise when both fighters became bruised and fatigued as time passed. Before long both Applejack and Twilight were panting heavily, covered from hoof to head in bruise marks and even a few scratches.
"30 seconds remaining." Princess Celesita called. This was the moment of truth for both fighters.
"It's been an honor facing you Twilight." Applejack said "However this is where it ends." She pulled out her lasso and threw it at Twilight who easily dodged it.
"I thought you'd try that again." Twilight said.
"I know." Applejack said "That was only a diversion."
"What are you talking ab-" Twilight asked, only to be cut off mid sentence as she felt grab her and throw her hard. Twilight rose to her hooves, wobbling slightly. But before she could counterattack Applejack did a sweeping kick that brought Twilight down.
"K.O.!" Princess Celestia said "The winner of this match is Applejack who has earned the right to face me." The background then changed back to the Canterlot Stadium.
"That was an amazing and wonderful battle Applejack." Twilight said "If I had to lose to anyone I'm glad it was you."
"Aw thanks Twilight, that's so nice of ya to say that." Applejack said "I'm glad I got the chance to face off against you."
"Hey what are friends for?" Twilight asked. She then felt Princess Celestia healing her wounds and restoring her stamina, and doing the same to Applejack.
"So it looks like I'm up against Princess Celestia for the final battle." Applejack said.
"It's not going to be easy I can tell you that." Twilight said "But I have faith in you and I know you can do it."
"Sock it to her A.J.!" Rainbow Dash said.
"You show Celestia how much you rock!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Well obviously given the choice between you and Princess Celestia I'm going to cheer for you." Rarity said "You are my friend after all."
"Just do your best. We're all behind you." Fluttershy said.
"Thanks for your support girls." Applejack said.