Twilight poked her head through the small entryway to peek into the arena to see rows upon rows filled with people chattering and waiting to watch the tournament.
"Wow this place is packed, I never seen anything like this not even back home," she said looking back at Soul and Rain who stood waiting for the start.
"They use this arena for certain events and for competitions like this," Rain said calmly. "Kinda surprised we got accepted so quickly, how many groups do you think there are?" he asked looking to Soul.
Soul casually shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know all I know is that there's four rounds," he said calmly. "Just remember you're training you two and we should blow away the competition," he said before sitting down to sharpen his dual swords.
Twilight nodded before checking her new bow, it's black feathery design was somewhat appealing. It's tips were a lighter blue color that resembled the color of moonlight through the dark jet black. Her hands grazed over it's surprisingly soft, flexible leather-like feel.
Her mind flickered back to the memories of her friends back in Ponyville, it had almost a full year since she found herself in this strange world. She missed them, but thought to herself she would miss Rain and Soul if she ever went back. Before she could ponder the thought any long a guild attendant poked her head around the corner.
"Are you lot ready?" she asked quickly that they almost didn't catch what she said.
Soul stood up straight slowly before nodding to the attendant, "yes we're ready to go," he responded.
"Alright, what's your group's name then?" she said hastily preparing to leave.
Rain looked around, "we're...um the.."he tried to think of one.
"The Twilight Blades," Twilight quickly shot out.
Before Rain or Soul could interject the attendant nodded and sprinted away.
Rain looked at Twilight as she gave a shrug to him. He smirked and shook his head, "nice name," was all he said.
The gates that were in front of them opened up into the sandy arena.
The attendant came appeared from around the corner, "listen for your name before going out and remember the rules. There will be two monsters with red or blue collars, attack the one that corresponds to your color. Your team is red, good luck and happy hunting," she said before darting away again.
Rain cracked his neck, "alright time to see what we're up against," he said confidently.
"Don't be too cocky now," Soul said before walking up to the gate.
"Oh come on I'm just ready to have some fun," Rain said before following after him
Twilight felt nervous, her knees were slightly shaking, "I wish had Rainbow Dash's confidence right about now..." she said before following after the two hunters. She was met with the light of the sun and a large crowd of roaring and cheering people as she entered.
"And on this side we have the Twilight Blades!!!" a loud voice boomed throughout the arena.
The crowd cheered as the announcer called their name, a couple whistles directed at Twilight could be heard through the roar of the crowd.
Twilight shuddered looking all around her, she felt extremely nervous and shy. She could feel her face turn hot from all the gazes and stares. Her palms began sweating rapidly, she forced herself to look down to avoid the gazes.
"And over here we have the Monstrous Maulers!!!!" the voice boomed again.
Three blademasters stepped out of the shadows, all three appeared to be wearing a type of dark greenish brown armor. It had ridge plating protecting the hunters wearing them. Two of the the hunters had a purple and yellow, spiked sword and shield. While the other held two chainsaw like blades.
"In this round the teams will be facing the Landslide Wyvern, Barroth!" the announcer shouted. "Let the round begin!" he said as gates closed behind both teams and giant door opened up to let two big dinosaur like creatures with brown rigid plating and an odd shovel head. Both looked to have packets of mud sandwiched in the ridges of their body.
"Alright be careful, don't want to get disqualified now," Soul said looking over at Twilight. "If even one of those arrows hit the other team's monster we're out so be as accurate as possible," he said drawing his swords.
"No pressure," Rain said with a silly smirk. "I'm just messing with ya, you'll do fine," he said before drawing his own sword.
Twilight sighed and nodded, she couldn't let her nerves get the best of her at a time like this.
The Barroth with the red collar went straight for them, charging with its head dragging against the ground. The team dispersed to evade the attack.
Soul had rolled to the side to only be met face to face with the rivaling team's Barroth which side swiped him with it's head sending him flying to the other side of the arena.
"Soul!" Twilight cried out as she watched him fly into a a sand dune near the arena wall. She was suddenly grabbed and pulled backwards as the red collared Barroth slammed its head down where she once stood.
"He'll be fine, but you have to pay attention here or you'll get hurt," Rain said releasing her and darting forward to slash at the monster's chest.
Twilight nodded and glanced over at the other team, they seemed to be having a bit of difficulty as well one of the hunter's were already KOed lying on the ground face down.
Twilight looked back and drew her bow back to fire a flurry of arrows and the beast causing it to flinch. Just as she was cocking back her bow, the tail of the blue collar Barroth swung against her knocking her slightly away. Twilight quickly rolled over and got back up to her feet. She observed that the tail had swung upward and hit the red collar Barroth right under its jaw causing it to stumble backwards slightly.
Rain rolled back over to Twilight as Soul was dashing in between the wyvern's legs.
"Rain, are the monsters allowed to hit each other?" Twilight asked him.
Rain looked back at Twilight, "Yes what are you planning?" he asked with a slight grin.
Twilight leaned in close to his ear and began to whisper.
"It's dangerous, and I like it," Rain said smiling. "But we'll have to stun it first then I can try," he said looking back at the Barroths.
"No problem," she said smiling. "Soul lead it over here!" she shouted.
Soul looked over for a quick glance and nodded before sheathing his swords and dodging as the Barroth swept its tail fiercely along the ground. As soon as he was clear he ran straight over to Twilight and Rain with the Barroth beginning to charge right behind him.
"I hope you two know what you're doing," Rain said sounding annoyed.
"Dodge on 1...2....3!" Twilight said as all three of them rolled out of the way of the charging Barroth as it slammed into the wall.
The wyvern fell backwards onto its side and struggled to get back up again. "Now Rain," Twilight commanded.
Rain ran up to the beast and mounted onto its back just as it stood upright again. He grabbed onto a scale as hard as he could with one hand and with the other he pulled out his carving knife and stabbed it in the back sending the beast into a horrid rage.
The Barroth shoke itself ferociously and slammed itself into the walls in an attempt to throw Rain off its back.
"Now what?" Soul asked looking to Twilight.
She looked over at Soul with a smirk, "just wait," she said looking at the blue collar Barroth which was harassing the other team by now, they were obviously exhausted.
"Ok now Rain make it slam into the other team's Barroth," Twilight said pointing over to the other Barroth.
Rain nodded slightly as the Barroth began to tire out. He took his knife out of its back and began to repeatedly stab it making it rush towards the other Barroth. It's head slammed heavily into the blue collor Barroth's side toppling it over.
"My turn," Twilight said as she ran past the other team and mounted the other Barroth and gripped onto its scales as it got back up.
The blue Barroth didn't pay attention to Twilight on its back, its main focus was now on the other Barroth which was running around frantically trying to get Rain off its back.
The blue collar Barroth charged after the other Barroth slamming into it's side. The red collar Barroth retaliated by swinging its tail, knocking it right into the blue collar Barroth's face.
"Wow this is fun, now I know why Applejack likes to do this," Twilight said happily riding the monster.
"Wow folks I've never seen anything like this in all my years, two hunters mounting the monsters and pitting them against one another, what a crazy idea," the announcer's voice boomed.
"I can't believe these two, they are absolutely insane," Soul said shaking his head as he watched.
The two Barroths clashed with each other knocking viciously into each other with their heads and tails until their movements became sluggish and began to drool heavily.
"We can get off now Rain," Twilight shouted as she hopped off the Barroth's back.
Rain jumped off and slid on the ground, the two Barroth's seemed only focused on each other. They stood still for a moment before the blue collar Barroth charged sluggishly at the other. The red collar Barroth didn't even attempt to move and fell to its side. The blue collar Barroth paused for a moment before raising its head high and smashing down on the other Barroth with all its might. The red collar Barroth cried out hoarsely before lying still on the ground.
"And red team's Barroth is down, red team wins, now take out the blue collar," the announcer said excitedly. "This has been one exciting battle folks we witnessed a team using the monsters to attack each other's monsters what a spectacle, be back for next round's battle."
The opposing team looked shamed and hung their heads low.
"Well I guess its time to take care of this fella now," Rain said walking towards the Barroth.
"Wait!" Twilight shouted.
Everyone looked back at her as she drew back her bow.
She smirked slightly as she let a single arrow fly right into the Barroth's chest. It flinched for a split second before falling right ontop of the other motionless.
"Impressive Twi," Rain said putting his arm around her.
"Well...you know it was all apart of the plan," she said smiling.