//------------------------------// // Field Goal // Story: Pegasus Densetsu // by Wyrm //------------------------------// Pegasus Densetsu MLP:FiM by Lauren Faust (Hasbro) Angel Densetsu by Norihiro Yagi Chapter 3: Field Goal As the morning hours started with the rise of Celestia's sun, students from over Cloudsdale came by various routes. Some flew via the airways, being pegasi with the power of flight. Others came by way of the many streets and byways of Cloudsdale's municipal infrastructure. They all had one goal in mind, to attend the town's school for young pegasi, Cloudsdale Flight School. Young Fluttershy was one to walk instead of fly to school, being both quite young and still getting used to her wings, and being clumsier and ganglier than most even in her own age group. Some students chose to leave at the last possible second. Fluttershy was not one of these ponies, preferring her leisurely stroll and frequent stops to take in the scenery along the way. Such as the nature of Equestrian education: like the rest of the society, education proceeded at its own pace. This day, Fluttershy lay down by herself on the first row of a pair of benches under a gazebo, located in a nearby park, lost in her own little world. Behind her on the second row, a trio of big, tough forth years sat, taking up the space almost completely. "Didja hear about the Queens? Some first year filly totally dominated the Empress and now the entire group's under that first year's hoof!" said one of them, name of Freeweights. "Are you serious?" asked Mitts, incredulity clear in his voice. "The richest part was that the first year had just transferred in that day!" "Wow! That girl has some serious guts!" Freeweights's face turned serious. "I hear she's hella dangerous. First, her face is scary. No eyebrows, sharp and insane eyes, and a hideous leer, just like something of the Nightmare!" Murmurs from his fellows prompted him to go on. "She's got a heart of darkness, to boot. She almost killed Surprise in dominating her that first day." Gasps of disbelief were taken all around. "C'mon, she didn't really try to kill her, did she?" Bench Press laughed. "After all, the Queens are all about harmless pranks — more about counting coup than real force." "No, no, you don't understand. They say she's a junkie. Heroin," Freeweights said in hushed tones. "No foalin'? Heroin?!" Freeweights had a mean grin on his face. "Ya gotta look out when she's high. Can't make any distinctions. Doesn't know friend from foe, good from bad. She'll really try to kill ya!" The rest of the jocks had a thunderstruck look on their faces. "I think it's just a bluff, though," laughed Freeweights, suddenly releasing the built-up tension. Bench Press laughed with relief. "Yeah. Definitely a bluff. We're just students, yo!" "This might be the perfect time to make our move, ya know," said Mitts, with a voice having designs on conspiracy. "Surprise is back, but still weak from her run-in with Fluttershy. It'll take a while for Fluttershy to consolidate her power base, so they're weak now. There's no better time for us to become the Kings of Cloudsdale Flight School." Freeweights scratched his chin. "Ya might be right there, Mitts. I'll run it by Field Goal and Dumbbell before class." It was about this time that another intruded upon their conversation. "Excuse me, young one, would you mind making room for an old mare like me to rest her bones?" asked a pure white and very aged pegasus mare. "Eh? There's barely enough room for us," said Freeweights. Glancing at the front bench, he found only the small, yellow-coated filly sitting by her lonesome there. "Why not the front bench? Plenty of room there." "Um..." the old nag mumbled nervously, "I... don't want to sit there, dearie." "What?!" Freeweights growled. "That's bird droppings, you old prune!" snapped Mitts, "If you don't wanna sit by a little filly, then stand!" The old pegasus harumphed and stalked off, prompting Freeweights to snort, "The cloud's with these old folks anyway? They think that we'll respect that 'defer to your elders' junk if they abuse it?" "H-hey, there's something strange going on! Look around!" said Bench Press nervously. They did so, and only then noticed that many ponies were sitting around on the 'grass', nervously giving them wide breadth, and with the yellow filly the only occupant of the forward bench, the others keeping a respectful distance from her. The jocks gave the lone filly a long, thoughtful stare. Then, giving each other a nod, they got up as a unit and gathered around the filly. Here, in the magical land of Equestria, a yellow-coated pegasus filly named Fluttershy was born with the heart of an angel... *JARRING CHORD* ...and the face of a demon. All three jocks let out an involuntary shriek of fear, jumping back. Their thoughts fell into alignment at the sight of this filly, all thinking that they were looking at an incarnated demon. "H-Hey! Don' start nuthin', punk! We're part of the Cloudsdale Flight School hoofball team, you know!" shouted Freeweights, although his voice betrayed a great nervousness. Whispers of concern were traded amongst the onlookers. "Those big jocks are in big danger!" "That filly will murderize them!" "Those colts are playing with fire!" For her part, Fluttershy was not thinking anything violence-related at all. All she knew was that she had been brought out of her own little world when some big ponies suddenly started shouting at her for reasons she could not fathom. It was quite jarring. What are they talking about? I'm not starting anything. I'm just sitting here, minding my own business. Granted, she was a little bothered by the fact that they were obstructing her view, but felt it would be impolite to ask them to get out of the way, and the fact was, it was just a view. Bench Press swallowed at the complete non-reaction. "She didn't even flinch when she heard we were on the team!" "She's one tough cookie," Freeweights added, anxiety brewing in his stomach. Meanwhile, Fluttershy's own thoughts continued on their merry way. Speaking of my own business, I think I may have dallied a bit too long here. If I don't hurry, I'll be late. Again! Fluttershy thought suddenly, realizing the time she had spent just admiring the view. Suddenly and without warning, she rose from her seat. The three bigger, more athletic ponies jumped back a stride. "Y-You wanna fight?!" demanded Freeweights. Fluttershy stepped purposefully towards them, as they happened to be between her and the school. What is he talking about? she thought, puzzled by their behavior. Aren't they going to go to school as well? The jocks' thoughts were in disarray by this agressive-seeming approach. Wh... what's wrong with her?! Isn't she afraid of all three of us?! thought Freeweights. Then he thought of a frightening possibility. Oh cow pies! She's high, isn't she?! "W-We'll let you off easy this time!" he shouted, taking to the air along with the other jocks, "You haven't heard the last of us!" Fluttershy blinked at the disappearing wing of pegasi, confused, but did not let that delay her prance towards the school. I'd wonder what that was all about, but I don't have time. ... Ooo! Billfold! —/— Cloudsdale Flight School was a campus of several school buildings carved from the very clouds of Equestria, as most pegasus buildings are. The campus had several buildings, the majority of which were auxiliary and small in comparison to the two main buildings dominating the place. The two main buildings held the classrooms, and the students segregated by year. The east building was for the lower years, and the west, the upper years. The principal's office and the lower-year teachers' office were set out as an annex of the east building. Here, Principal Cheerful Sign watched his students file by his window as they made their way towards the entrances to both of the main buildings. Seeing their happy and energized faces filled his heart with hope and moved him to a monologue only he could hear, alone in his office. "Once more, my precious students come into my precious school. Such a bittersweet feeling, because I shall have to one day step down as principal," he mused to an empty office, "Polite, honest, upright. They're all wonderful younglings. Except for one." His face and thoughts turned dark at the thought of that one. "She's coming!" came the shriek of one pack of students as they ran down the cloud-paved road. A few moments later, that one little pony came into view: Fluttershy, her face as ghoulish as ever. Gah! Cheerful choked, and ducked behind a nearby wall for cover. His face twisted with anger as the thought of this student filled him with rage. It's Fluttershy! My school would be clean but for this blemish! Carefully, he inched closer to the window to keep macabre track of her progress towards his school. I feel as if three months are shaved off my life every time I look at her! If there were any truth to it, another three months were just then robbed from Cheerful Sign, for Fluttershy had stopped to stare at the principal's window because she saw movement out the corner of her eye. Cheerful returned violently to his hidden position, lamenting his lost lifespan, while Fluttershy puzzled over what she had seen, or thought she had seen. Meanwhile, as Fluttershy was deciding whether or not she had really seen something, a trio of figures were moving amongst the trees. "There she is. Let's go," came the clandestine voice from one of the shadows. The figures moved out of the surrounding trees, looping around to surround Fluttershy from all sides. The figures resolved themselves as Surprise, Firecracker, and Firefly. "Oh, Surprise. Firefly. Firecracker," said Fluttershy in greeting, "Hello." The three Tricksters saluted her, shouting very loudly, "GOOD MORNING, MS. FLUTTERSHY!" "Huh?" blurted Fluttershy in confusion. True, she didn't mind being greeted every day by the trio (duo until Surprise got out of the hospital), but they did so a bit too loudly. Also, there was the other thing. "ALLOW US TO CARRY YOUR BAGS!" they offered, just as loudly. Yeah, that other thing. It made Fluttershy feel extremely awkward for this group that she did such wrong to to carry her saddlebags every day. Still, they offered, and she felt bad about turning them down. "I-if you don't mind..." she said timidly, lifting the saddlebags off her back. "WE DON'T!" answered the trio immediately, taking them from Fluttershy and shouldering the burden together. Fluttershy's smile widened in genuine gratefulness. It's so nice of those three to help me after what I did to their friend. Such sweet, forgiving, and generous ponies. Meanwhile, the three Tricksters were soaked in a cold sweat. We're glue if we ruin her mood! thought Surprise. Whispers hissed around her, beyond Fluttershy's ears. "See? She got to the Trickster Queens!" "You don't want to mess with her." "The Filly of Death and Destruction: Fluttershy." Meanwhile, in the office of Principal Cheerful Sign, said principal was coming to similar conclusions as he watched the four wander out of sight. "I see! The Trickster Queens have already come under her control! Does your evil know no end, you spawn of the Nightmare? You turned mere pranksters into your private army of thugs!" —/— Furniture in pegasi-built buildings were, if not made of clouds themselves, enchanted such that they would not go through the otherwise insubstantial cloud floors and walls, particularly the floors. Not only would the pegasus lose his furniture, but it would mean that he'd be responsible for whatever injury or destruction that furniture would cause on its way down. Personal effects such as wallets and pens are similarly enchanted as a matter of course, should they come into a pegasus's possession. Not all items are done so, but every pegasus knows to look for the UL (Underwing's Laboratory) seal on any personal item they think about purchasing. As the school bell rang, signaling the end of first period, Fluttershy contemplated the billfold she had found this morning (marked with the UL seal, it would be safely supported by any cloud construction). She had found it by happenstance as she glanced just the right way at the right time. The young pegasus had an uncontrollable urge to collect it, so she did. It was, after all, an uncontrollable urge. But now the billfold was here, in front of her, seeming to taunt her by its very presence. Now that she had it, what now? Fluttershy knew that there was only one answer. She needed to find some way to return it. She opened the billfold, to see that the pockets had hold the various cards that were part of the paraphernalia of a pegasus flight student's daily life. Within it, she found a card. 'Field Goal'. This must belong to him. Aha! He goes to this school. She thought about that fact. "I must pay Field Goal a visit, then, to return this," she murmured. She got up and left the classroom. As she departed, whispers buzzed after her: "Did you see that? She had a billfold!" "So, she has a billfold? What's the big deal?" "No! She uses a small green purse to keep her money and a blue card book for her cards and stuff! I saw them!" "So the billfold is not hers?" "She stole it, then!" "I knew she was a bad pony!" A pause. "Do you know what she was talking about?" "Something about paying Field Goal a visit." "Isn't he the forth year captain of the school varsity hoofball team?" "Wow, somepony's gonna die!" —/— Meanwhile, another drama ran its course. Field Goal, a big grey colt —almost a stallion— threw what could only be called a punch. His forehoof, having smacked into the side of Freeweights's face, lowered to the ground as Freeweights crumpled to the ground, dazed. "You pathetic nuggets of filth," he growled, glaring at the three smaller colts on his team, which was also his gang. "Was all that training to turn you into tough stallions and warriors a waste, like you are? You ran away from a filly who was approaching you with nothing more than a bad face. We, the senior varsity hoofball team, aren't going to take back the title of rulers of Cloudsdale Flight School with such pussy-willow members." He ground his hoof into the nebulous pavement for emphasis. "I guess I have to smash you down and start building you up all over again." The three colts shuddered, their eyes wide and teary —puppy dog eyes— as if they would shield them from Field Goal's wrath. However, something did save them from a thrashing, that of the voice of Dumbbell, Field Goal's vice-captain and second in command of their gang. "Don't blame them. I heard that the lower years have a nasty piece of work just transfer in who terrorizes the east building, becoming the top pony of the school right out from under both the Trickster Queens and us," said the brown-coated pegasus colt. He was a bit smaller than Field Goal, with light brown mane and a dumbbells for a cutie mark. "We couldn't take the Trickster Queens because of their wiles. We'd never get a straight fight out of them, only mercilessly pranked. Such a battle would only make us look like bumbling foals," came the dangerous rumble of Field Goal's voice as he reminded himself why they didn't simply physically dominate the Trickster Queens. "But Fluttershy, the new filly who dominated the Queens, is of our kind: a pony who cements her power through intimidation and strength," Dumbbell picked up Field Goal's point. "We are at last on even keel with the top pony of the school. We're now able to beat them in the language we both understand: hoofticuffs." A sick grin spread across his face. "In addition, we get to be heroes — the ones who defeated the demon Fluttershy and her little spawnlings." "I don't care about being a hero. All I care about is being respected," rumbled Field Goal dangerously. "Of course," replied Dumbbell. And that day, the varsity hoofball team, otherwise known as Field Goal's goons, declared war on Fluttershy and company. —/— At that moment, the first move in the war was taking place, albeit unwittingly. Fluttershy stood at the fountain that served as the common neutral ground between the two buildings. She was about to leave her own sphere of influence and enter the territory of Field Goal. Not that she had any idea that either even existed. "It's a big campus, and a big building. Even I can see that," mused Fluttershy, taking in the west building, which housed the upper years' students. "I'm way out of my element here. I don't even know where to begin! Goodness, I don't even know where the faculty offices are!" Panic started to well up within her as she wandered the grounds. If she couldn't find anypony to help her, there was no way she could return the billfold. "Hey, you're a first year. Your building is back there." Fluttershy froze at the sudden voice behind her. A glance back revealed a brown-coated pegasus with a dumbbell for a cutie mark. Perhaps he could help her. "Do you..." she began, turning to face the stranger, "...know a pony named Field Goal?" Dumbbell was treated to a slow turn and reveal of the pegasus filly's evil face, and he reacted by almost jumping out of his hide. "W-W-Who the cloud are you?!" he yelped with a bit of a stammer, almost choking on his shock, "W-What d-do you want with Captain F-Field Goal?!" He carefully stepped back, creeped out by the sneering visage of Fluttershy. "I'm... Fluttershy, first year," Fluttershy said carefully, her head a little bowed in shyness. However, her bulging, beady eyes ringed with dark flesh made it appear as if she was glaring hungrily at who she was looking at. Dumbbell almost swallowed his tongue in fright. Fluttershy?! This is the monster who crushed the Empress and took over as top pony of the school, all on the first day she transferred in?! his fearful thoughts raced. Holy Celestia's sand nuggets! It's only been two weeks or so! What is she thinking, coming into enemy territory so soon?! Fluttershy blinked in puzzlement. The other pony seemed confused and disoriented to her. I... I wonder if he heard me the first time. Better repeat it, she thought. "Um... please could you tell me where Field Goal might be... if that's okay with you?" the yellow pegasus said, slightly insistant. Dumbbell chose to distract himself from his fear with anger. "Grrr... Are you a parrot that can only repeat 'Field Goal' over and over?! He ain't the only tough here amongst the upper years!" he boasted. "I'm Dumbbell, Field Goal's co-captain and second in command. I'll take you. C'mon!" Fluttershy blinked. A happy thought danced through her head, relieved as she was that something was finally turning out right for once. Oh! He'll take me to see Field Goal! He must be one of his friends! Fluttershy started walking towards him, as if nothing was wrong. (For, in her mind, there was indeed nothing wrong.) She expected him to turn around and lead her to Field Goal. However, her casual approach surprised the hoofball player and young tough, reacting immediately by jumping back. Fluttershy paused, puzzled. She wasn't the only one. For his part, Dumbbell was also trying to solve the enigma that was Fluttershy. The hay?! She's trying to close the distance without any kind of stance. What the cloud is she thinking?! he thought, disoriented by Fluttershy's completely unconcerned and careless approach. The only ponies who'd do something like that are idiots and... Mental swallow here. ...super experienced fighters! That's a really peculiar way of walking! thought the yellow filly curiously. Anyway, there's no time to lose. I'll just let him take me there. She took more oblivious steps forward. Again, Dumbbell spooked and jumped back in reflex from the advancing danger he perceived. My goodness, that really does look weird. I guess there really are all types of ponies in this world, marveled Fluttershy silently, Is that the result of hoofball training? I think I'll pass on that — it might make me look strange. Yeah. Dumbbell bounded back again as Fluttershy took a few more fearless steps toward him. What's she doing?! She's raising the heckles on my back! he thought in alarm. This is pathetic! If Field Goal saw me like this, I'd be "retrained" for sure! I'm his right hoof, for Celestia's sake! Meanwhile, Fluttershy couldn't help but chuckle to herself. That way of walking is kind of funny, actually. Dumbbell took the sudden tightening in her leer as a sign of an impeding attack. He suddenly stopped and threw out a hoof at Fluttershy, connecting with her cheek and sending her reeling back from the impact, but not to the ground. The two stood there, shuddering with the relieved tension. Fluttershy's mouth was bloodied from the impact. A relieved smile formed on Dumbbell's lips, realizing how easily he had thrown a punch at her and how easily it connected. Ah, so she is just a foal! he thought, realizing that there was nothing behind her but a face. I'll teach you to scare me like this, you buckin' fake! He stepped forward to begin his next attack, one that would wheel him around and kick the filly right in her ugly face. He would not get that chance. Fluttershy twisted her head around, an absolutely livid look twisting her face, staring hotly right at Dumbbell. She ground her teeth together menacingly. The jock found his body involuntarily frozen, going rigid at the glare Fluttershy was giving him. It seemed almost mystical in nature, as if she were a unicorn casting a paralysis spell on him. Fluttershy was indeed angry. However, her anger was directed completely inward. Fluttershy, you inconsiderate foal! Of course he smacked me! Laughing at another pony's gait is the worst. Possible. Thing! I'm so disappointed in you, Fluttershy! she mentally chastised herself. "Hit me as much as you want! Try to make it hurt!" she growled at Dumbbell. "Um, if that's okay with you." HOLY MOTHER OF CELESTIA! SHE AIN'T NO PONY! SHE'S A THING OF THE NIGHTMARE! came Dumbbell's silent scream of complete terror. GETTING A "REFRESHER COURSE" FROM FIELD GOAL IS TOTALLY BETTER THAN THIS! His feet started doing some sort of reverse gallop, to much the same effect as one — moving backwards quite quickly. Fluttershy was startled by the sudden celerity he was moving, especially after she had almost demanded that he'd smack her around as punishment for thinking ill thoughts about his gait. Not to be outdone, she reared up and started kicking her back legs clumsily, propelling her forward in an almost bipedal run, forelegs outstretched above her. "KIEEEEE!!!" she screeched. (Though she had meant to say, 'Wait!') Looking at his new gait, Fluttershy thought, Wow! He even runs weird! (Umm...) I'm surprised he can move so quick like that! Whatever works, I guess! "WAHHH!! SHE'S FOLLOWING ME!!" wailed Dumbbell, and backpedaled faster. Unfortunately, there is a certain danger to moving backwards, especially while looking in the backward direction: not seeing obstacles and other pitfalls that may be behind you. One such pitfall caught Dumbbell, tripping up his back hoof and causing him to pitch backward and onto his back and head, making a loud crack as he hit the hard cloud rim about the lot. "URGH!" he groaned with pain. "Oh dear," murmured Fluttershy as she fell back on all fours. She stepped over by his side and reached out with a hoof. Oh my! This is all my fault! I'd better examine him for injuries! It's the least I can do! "DUMBBELL!" came a sudden, enraged shout. Fluttershy froze with the exclamation, wings clenching tightly to her sides in her startlement. She looked over to the source of the shout, to find it to be a big grey almost-stallion standing a bit aways, glaring at her. The two faced each other. Field Goal felt unease with this yellow-coated, pink-haired filly with the face that could petrify a cockatrice where it stood. However, he was a pony of fortitude, and did not flinch with his nervousness. Dumbbell regained enough of his wits to shouted a warning to Field Goal, "Captain! It's her! It's the first year filly who beat up the Empress!" But that was an accident! "So, it's you!" growled Field Goal. "You want a piece of the varsity hoofball team now?!" Dumbbell sat jerkily up, somewhat relieved now that attention had been taken off him. Or so he thought. Why would I want a piece of the hoofball team? Sounds vaguely naughty! thought Fluttershy, confused about the meaning Field Goal was getting at. But that's for later. I must first help out this pony who hit his head by my carelessness! She turned toward Dumbbell and extended a comforting, yet menacing, hoof towards him. Dumbbell dodged the deadly hoof, letting out squeals of fear. "No! Stop moving!" Fluttershy pleaded, but his movements to avoid her hoof interrupted her words, "Your head... Head trauma... Must take care of it..." SWEET CELESTIA! SHE'S TRYING TO SMASH MY HEAD IN! SHE'S SERIOUSLY TRYING TO KILL ME! Dumbbell's thoughts screamed into his panicked mind, causing him to scream out loud, "LEMME ALONE!! GET AWAY!!" Field Goal was filled with rage. "That motherbucker! She keeps going after Dumbbell!" He let out a roar of challenge and tensed up for action, but a voice interrupted him. "FIELD GOAL!" bellowed Kendo Blade, a large, blue stallion with a bushy grey moustache, unshorn fetlocks and a kendo sword for a cutie mark. His roar caused Fluttershy to squeak and curl up into a ball. "What are you doing, you thug! Class has already started!" Field Goal murmured dark things under his breath as Kendo Blade continued his harangue, "I know you weren't harassing a first year filly right in front of me! You're on thin ice as it is, mister! You're dangerously close to getting expelled!" Field Goal ground his teeth as Kendo Blade shoved his face right up against his own. "Go back to class, and take Dumbbell with you!" he said sternly. "You don't want to get suspended, do you?" Field Goal clucked in frustration and moved away, easily caving into the larger and more experienced stallion. As he walked by Fluttershy's curled form, he hissed, "I will pay you back for this. Don't forget." He moved to Dumbbell, offering a hoof up, which the downed pony accepted. Wait! 'Field Goal'? That was the name in the wallet! Fluttershy jumped to her feet, head jerking toward the two departing colts. C... Could that have been the one who owns the billfold?! She was about to give chase, when a strong voice interrupted her. "Stop, first year!" said Kendo Blade sternly. Fluttershy froze, face still turned away from Kendo Blade. The blue teacher continued, "Field Goal is a nasty piece of work. You best stay away from him. Now get back to class." Her head still bowed, Fluttershy muttered, "yessir!" before she turned and galloped towards the east campus, her flowing hair wrapping around her to obscure her face from the teacher. Looks like I'll have to wait 'till later to return the billfold, she thought morosely. And thus, Kendo Blade was spared her horrifying visage that would have changed the character of his words towards Fluttershy completely. You wily b*yay*! Playing the innocent little filly to the teachers to keep yourself out of trouble! thought the irate Field Goal darkly, having watched the entire thing. I'll make sure you suffer! —/— Firefly nearly bit the end off of her candy cigarette at the news. "Fluttershy infiltrated the west building and took out Field Goal's number 2?! No foalin'?!" she said in numb shock. "No foalin'!" Surprise said emphatically. "I overheard Field Goal as I was trying to make a cloud rain chocolate milk! Didn't see me, as I was behind a cloud at the time, but —dude— was Goalie cursing up a storm, talkin' about Fluttershy's feminine wiles getting her out of trouble!" Firefly raised an eyebrow at the poofy-maned pegasus. "What were you doing trying to make a cloud rain cho... wait, scratch that! I don't wanna know," Firefly canceled her own question, not wanting to get into Surprise's... surprisiness. When did I start creating Surprise-isms? "And Fluttershy doesn't have any 'feminine wiles.'" "Well, she does, actually. But it's kind of spoiled by her face," Firecracker said thoughtfully. "Cracky, that's mean!" Surprise rebuked. "Don't call me 'Cracky,' Balloon Butt!" snapped Firecracker hotly. Calming herself slightly, she returned to contemplating the situation over her candy cig. "Ya still have to explain that 'feminine wiles' stuff." "Kendo Blade never saw her face. All he saw was a defenseless widdle filly getting picked on by two big an' mean colts," Surprise enthused. "Heh, no wonder Kendo Blade didn't go monkey over her looks," Firecracker said, snickering. Firefly contemplated this and smiled. "Fluttershy is really awesome, moving to confront the hoofball team, nee group of thugs, so soon after coming, took out their second, and didn't even get punished for it!" "I see, so Fluttershy took down the hoofball team's second. That's pretty awesome!" Firecracker turned to greet the just-arrived filly. "Hi, Rainbow." The red filly raised her own eyebrow at Rainbow Dash's new look. "I see you're taking easily to this thug business." Rainbow Dash had greased back her rainbow-colored forelock with a liberal dose of styling gel, forming a swept-back look that only had tufts of hair stick up in the back, like a cardinal. "Somethin' like that. How do I look? Cool, eh?" she asked, posing for the three. The three stared at her for five point three two four seconds (repeating). Then Firefly snickered, her face scrunched up trying to contain their laughter. Firecracker simply smirked. Surprise didn't bother containing anything, but burst out into a fit of giggles. "Hee hee! You look kinda silly, actually!" she guffawed. Firefly managed to swallow her laughter, but couldn't keep the waver out of her voice, "She's right, Spectrum Butt. Your usual messy forelock is way more your style. You look like a bird like that." Rainbow Dash frowned at her annoyance at the three. "Ah, nuts to you!" she snapped, "Your flanks are Fluttershy's, ya know. I expect ya t' act like it!" Surprise openly laughed at her. "Silly Dashie! We're not thugs! We're pranksters!" "Pfft. Try to pretend all you want, but Fluttershy's gonna beat some sense inta ya. She spared your life because you swore allegiance to her. She's already sent you to the hospital for trying to prank her. Do you really want to give her an excuse to smack you around again?" Dash paused in her lecture. There were already several places where Surprise would have interrupted her with her inanities, but the poofy-maned pegasus was strangely silent. "Surprise?" Surprise was obviously not listening to her, not with the way she was staring over Rainbow Dash's shoulder with a wide-eyed stare, her body shivering slightly with fear. Before Dash could ask what was wrong, the white pegasus managed to, with great difficulty, lift a hoof up to point at something looming behind Rainbow Dash. The looming had a definite menacing quality to it. Rainbow Dash turned silently to face a large grey colt, nearly fully grown, towering over her. The disparage between the two was quite obvious. Rainbow Dash was a first year, and younger than her peers in terms of days lived. The stallion standing over her was a forth year built powerfully with cords of muscles rippling beneath his skin. His physique would probably have aroused Rainbow Dash if it weren't for the aura of menace he was extruding from his very pores. "You are the number two under Fluttershy," he said. It was not a question. Definitely not a question. "Yes," Rainbow Dash almost squeaked as she desperately hid her nervousness. "An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth," stated the massive colt coldly. His massive right hoof smacked across the filly's face, sending her reeling away. Rainbow Dash checked herself, managing to remain upright, and stumbled back a few feet away. "Ow! You son of a... woah!" Rainbow's curse was interrupted by another sweeping right hook, which she managed to avoid. She also managed to avoid a bloodied mouth somehow from the first strike. She went in for a side-kick with her rear leg, but she didn't expect Field Goal to be so fleet on his feet. Instead, he pivoted around to smack her in the face, this time drawing blood. "D-Durnit!" Surprise peaked around the corner she and the three Queens were hiding behind. "Oh no, Dashie's in big trouble! Field Goal is trained in some kind of combat arts — I can see it in his movements!" she hissed. "They say he's never lost at hoofticuffs, and he is as strong as a manticore!" "B-But don't we have Fluttershy?!" Firefly stammered, "If she were here—" "Even were we to have Fluttershy here, I don't know what would happen. We may be in some real trouble this time," Surprise said solemnly. "I have a better question: shouldn't we be helping her?" asked Firecracker. "With what?! Pranks and tricks?! Those only work if you're willing to run if (and usually when) things go pear-shaped!" Surprise hissed back. "If Dashie doesn't take that chance and run, the distraction is wasted, and Dashie isn't that kind of pony!" Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash's fight wasn't going too well. She reared up to overcome her height disadvantage to try to punch him in the face with one of her hard hooves, but Field Goal moved so fast as to defy physics. She tried to hit him with a twisting kick —spinning around and striking as the hindquarters passed— but Field Goal dodged. "Darn it! Connect!" Rainbow Dash roared and thrust out with all her strength in a hoof-punch at Field Goal's face. Field Goal replied with his own thrust at Rainbow Dash's head, and he had the reach advantage. His hoof connected with her head long before her hoof got close to his. It was a solid hit at that, twisting the filly's head around. Rainbow Dash's body tensed with the impact, but then go limp. She collapsed to the cloudy pavement, finally knocked out. "A second for a second," intoned the large colt as he walked away from the bloodied Rainbow Dash. He stopped at the end of the alley, then turned around, glaring at Surprise. "Hey. Surprise," he growled, "Tell your boss. Come to Hurricane Park tomorrow morning. I don't care how many ponies you bring. If you run away, I'll make sure you can never walk or fly outside again. BE THERE!" Surprise mewled in fear. —/— The varsity hoofball team had thus informed Fluttershy's gang of the state of affairs. The conflict between the partitioned school seemed to be intensifying. In the midst of this turmoil, one pegasus pony, Fluttershy —blissfully unaware of the entire sordid situation— decided to make a side trip to the west campus the next day to return Field Goal's billfold. She was, however, cognizant of one thing. Hmmm... I might forget it. I'd better make something to keep it on my pony. With that thought in mind, Fluttershy produced a sewing kit and a few scraps of cloth from her saddlebags and got to work. END CHAPTER 3. A teacher-pony who doesn't get the full Kitano/Fluttershy treatment? Preposterous!