"There is nothing else we require." Princess Luna said as she dismissed the waitress.
The waitress bowed her head and shut the door to the train cart. You were looking out the window since the train departed the station. It was great to see everything you've been told about unfolding before you. You were particularly interested in seeing the pegasi manipulate the weather. Canterlot always had clear weather, so you were unable to see how it worked first hand. However, seeing the occasional pegasus fly by the train holding large clouds was just so mesmerizing.
"We should tell the weather factory to cancel any weather plans on the day of the fight. We wouldn't want you to get distracted while fighting." Lullaby said as she nudged your shoulder. You forgot that you shared a car with Luna, and two others.
"I agree." Lance spoke up. Lance was sitting across from you, next to Luna. Lullaby was gracious enough to save your the seat next to her when you first boarded the train.
"I can't help it. It's just really cool to see." You go back to looking out the window.
"How does weather work on Earth?" Lance asked, you could barely understand him as he stuffed the food the waitress brought into his mouth.
"It’s kinda hard to explain exactly how it does." Maybe if you paid more attention in school, it'd be easier to. "Basically, the weather just works by itself."
Lance almost spit his food out from the shock.
“Is something wrong?” You ask. You look over to Lullaby; she was still her calm self.
“It’s just-” Lance took in a breath. “I never knew Earth was so dangerous.”
“Because of the weather?” You ask.
“Well, you see, there’s only one place in Equestra that the weather is controlled by itself-” He described that there is a large forest near Ponyville that is the home to many dangerous creatures. You ask if the creatures and weather have a connection, but both Lance and Lullaby were unsure. You looked over to Luna to see if she had anything to add, but she had her eyes closed as she levitated her cup of tea to her lips.
The estimated time for the ride was four hours, which gave you more than enough time to relax. You spent the majority of the train ride taking in the scenery outside the window. You were in your own world for the most part, thinking about seeing your friend in Ponyville. When you told her goodbye a few weeks ago at the train station, she said that she will be in Ponyville for at least three months, and will be unable to write until she gets to Manehatten. Now reflecting on that conversation, maybe Cadence was onto something when she told you to ask her out. You were pulled from your daydream when Lullaby elbowed you in the ribs. “What?!” You jump from reflex.
“Sweet Celestia, calm down.” Lance commented, making Luna pop an eye open.
“Sorry, I just don’t like being hit in the ribs.” You comment while rubbing your side. It didn’t hurt, but it was uncomfortable.
“You better hope somepony doesn’t let that slip before the fights begin.” Lullaby wore a smug look on her face as her eyes shifted to Luna. Luna’s eyes met hers and she cracked a smile.
“Do not worry, I shall not be meeting any of the participants before the tournament begins.” She closed her eyes again and levitated her tea to her lips.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Lullaby returned her eyes to you. “Lance and I were just discussing what we need to do before the fights begin.
“When we get to the station-” Lance cut in, “-Lullaby will go to the local tailor and get you an outfit. I will get you some gloves and check out the kind of gym you’ll be training in.”
“So, I should go with Lullaby?” You comment.
“That won’t be necessary.” Answered Lullaby the moment after you asked.
“You should check in at the place you will be staying.” Lance said.
“Then what?” You ask.
“You’ll be occupied for the next two hours or so. Then you’ll meet us at the gym.”
“What do you mean I’ll be occupied?” You ask.
“Oh, unpacking, getting organized, and figuring out your way around the city. Normal tourist stuff.” Lance said as he waved a hand in a dismissing manner.
Before you could open your mouth to press him on the subject, Lullaby spoke up.
“What colors do you want your outfit to be? I’m thinking white and gold, for Canterlot.”
“Maybe he should get an outfit that matches his marefriend’s eyes and mane.” Lance said with a wide grin.
“Awe, that’s cute!” Lullaby commented.
Luna almost had a spit-take with her tea when she heard Lullaby say that.
“We could make the pants white.” Lullaby said.
“Why white?” Lance’s eyes went to the upper-right as he thought about it.
“Because of what she wears!”
“That’s...kind of pushing it.”
“Okay, maybe p-”
“Green and Black!” You shout before Lullaby could finish the color.
“Green…?” Lance asked.
“...and Black?” Lullaby finished.
“Yes. Green and Black. It’s the colors of a fighter I knew back on Earth.” You return your gaze to the window, certain that it was painted red from them talking about her.
“If you say so.” Lance shrugged, looking over to Lullaby.
“Rarity is going to hate that color choice….” Lullaby mumbled under her breath.
The ride lasted for another half hour before the waitress came back to their cabin.
“Princess Luna, we are three minutes from Ponyville.”
“Excellent.” Luna placed her cup of tea on the table. As she stood up, she looked over her shoulder to you. “Best of luck, I shall see you in the fights.”
“Thank you, Luna.” You say, sitting up in your seat. She gives you a smile as she passes the waitress and leaves the cabin.
“I wonder what she is up to.” Lance said, eyeing the door as the waitress closed it.
“I wonder that all the time, Sunshine.” Lullaby chimed in. “Alright, everypony get your junk. I’m not getting stuck behind the crowd at the station.” She said as she reached under her seat for her luggage. You and Lance meet eyes and shrug. You reach in the cargo hatch above you for your bags as Lance did the same.
“I strongly dislike you two.” Lullaby grunted as you three finally made it out of the station.
Something fell out of Lance’s bag while you were making your way out of the train door. Although it was only for a few seconds, you and Lullaby were trapped behind a flood of ponies. It was only made worse when large groups of them would stop in the middle of it all to stare at you. Lance fought his way back to you, only to be met with a stare from Lullaby that struck fear into you.
“Oh, c’mon! That was kind of fun.” Lance said as a large smile grew on his face.
“You and I have very different definitions of the word ‘fun.’ ”
“I kind of liked the attention.” You added.
Lance extended a fist to you, but slowly lowered it before you could meet it with your own fist. Lullaby had an intense stare on her face, but not nearly as bad as the one from earlier though.
“Why are you so edgy?” Lance’s mood changed from carefree to intense in less than a second.
“Ponies here aren’t used to seeing Thestrals.” She stopped moving and took in a deep breath. “I just don’t like the staring.”
“Must be hard.” You add, darting your eyes to three fillies with their eyes focused on you.
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t complain.” She shook her head rapidly. “This is where we should split up.”
“Where is the inn?” You ask.
“Over that way.” Lullaby pointed down a path that was to the left. “Just follow that path and you’ll know it when you see it.”
“Want me to take your bags?”
“Please do.” Lullaby was quick to toss her duffle bag at you. You manage to catch it by the straps.
“Thanks, man. I’ll see you at the gym at sunset.” Lance said as he walked past you, tossing his bag on top of Lullaby’s.
“Yea, I’ll try to stay ‘occupied’.” You stress that last word, hoping either Lance or Lullaby will explain what they meant by that.
The walk to the inn was difficult. Ponies hid behind their wooden stalls, fillies ran away, and you’re sure that you saw one or two run into a building and slam the door. However, you kept your eyes forward and kept walking, dragging your bag with your left hand and holding Lullaby’s and Lance’s bags in your right. You would occasionally glance over at some of the more colorful buildings. One that caught your eye was one that looked like a large cake. As you passed the front door, you look across the street to see an orange mare next to an apple stall.
“Bit of an odd place to sell apples.” You comment.
“You’d be surprised, mister.” She said with a smile on her face.
You stop for a moment, processing that the mare spoke to you.
“Somethin’ tha matter?” She asks.
“No, sorry.” You shake your head. “Just didn’t expect you to comment.”
“You’re not from around here, are ya?” She asks.
“What gave it away?”
“Besides tha obvious?” The orange mare smirked and crossed her arms as she said that.
“Yes, besides the obvious.”
“Everypony in this town likes mah apples, and you commenting that I won’t sell well proves that you’re not from ‘round here.”
“Not bad, detective.” You take a moment to fully process what she said. “Everybody in town likes your apples?”
“Yep. Every single one.”
“I highly doubt that.” You say as you walk over to her stand.
“Try me.” The orange mare grabbed an apple from her stand and tossed it to you. You had to abandon your bag to catch the apple, but you did manage to catch it.
“Nice catch.”
“Shut up.” You look at the apple for a second. It didn’t look any different from the apples back on Earth. You glance up to see the orange mare, arms still folded, having an expectant look on her face.
“It won’t fly away.” She comments.
“I’m well aware.” You say as you raise the apple to your mouth. As you bite down on it, a huge smile grows on the mare’s face. It was amazing. Even though it does not look any different than the apples on Earth, the apple you bit down on tasted exponentially better. You couldn’t place your finger on what exactly made it better. Sweeter? There was more than that, but that’s all you could think of to describe the taste.
You tried to keep a straight face as you looked back at the orange mare.
“As good as you remember?” The orange mare asked, extending a fist.
“Better.” You make your own fist and bump hers. “Thanks Applejack, I was starving.”
“So, what brings ya to Ponyville? Finally got over all the ponies starin at ya?”
You glance over your shoulder just in time to see a stallion slam his windows shut.
“I’m here to sign up for a fighting tournament.” You say, turning your head back to her.
“Really now?” Applejack laughed through her teeth. “I have a few friends entering that tournament.”
“Does this mean I lost a potential cheerleader?”
“Oh, I’ll cheer for ya, till you go up against B-” Applejack covered her mouth before she could finish saying
“Something wrong?”
“Nuthin’, just lost my thoughts for a second.”
“Well, I should get going. These bags are getting heavy. It was good seeing you again.”
“No problem, just be sure to come see me at the next Canterlot event.”
“Will you have apples?”
“Well duh.”
“Then I might stop by.”
“You better. Also, be sure to visit Twilight. I’m sure she’d love to corner ya for another few hours and ask you about where ya came from.”
You sigh and bring your hand to your face. You remember that. Twilight stood between you and the door the last time the elements attended an event at the castle. At least they didn’t run away from you, but you’re sure Celestia and Luna had a lot to do with that.
You approach the front desk of the inn. It was empty. You were not sure if the ponies around were hiding or if it was just slow. You were relieved when the stallion at the front desk was too distracted by a book to see you approach.
“Hello?” The stallion kept his eyes focused on the book.
“I have a room reserved.” You say.
“Name?”
You give him your last name. He barely lifts his head as he flips through a notebook that was next to the book he was reading.
“Somepony already picked up the keys to the room. Room 301. He went back to his book.
You guess Lullaby or Lance finished what they were doing and made it to the room before you. Or, more likely, Lullaby got fed up with the crowds of ponies and made Lance get a uniform and her just go to the room to blow off some steam.
“Thank you.” You say as you make your way to the elevator.
“Broken.”
Crap….
You look over to the side and see the door for the stairwell. With a sudden burst of energy, you run through the door and make your way up the stairs as quickly as you can. You realise how bad of a mistake that was. Unlike Earth, where room 301 would be on the third floor; Room 301 was on the sixth floor. Each floor between the floors the rooms were on were service floors. By the time you reached the door for the sixth floor, you were out of breath and nearly crawling. You whispered “Thank you!” several times when you saw that 301 was directly next to the stairwell.
You try for the doorknob, but it is locked.
“Lullaby! It’s me! Please open the door.”
You shout as you knock on the door. You waited for a few seconds, but there was no answer. “Lullaby! I ran up six flights of stairs! I need to lay down before practice.” Still no answer. “Are you still mad?!” You shout again.
“I could never be mad at you.” You hear her voice come from the other side of the door. More importantly, you heard the lock click and the door open.
“Thank you, Lullabyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~!” You were shocked when you felt something large hit you in the chest. You had to take a few steps back to not fall over. Your vision went completely black from whatever was covering your face. The large force on your chest pushed against you, and you felt it cover your back as well.
“Lullaby?! What are-”
“I thought you’d be more happy to see me.” The strong upper-class accent pierced your ears. You regained your vision as the force against your chest backed away. The blackness you saw was her mane, and as her mane left your face, you were met with two large purple orbs. You cover your mouth with your hand, you’re sure that it was wide open. She giggled as your eyes grew wide.
“What are you doing here?!” You exclaim.
“Lance sent a letter last night.”
You smile and threw your head back. You couldn’t believe he would do that.
“He also said we only have two hours before you begin training, and I have my own tasks to attend to as the week progresses.” She glanced down to the floor.
“Did he tell you why I was here?” You ask.
“Oh yes. He said you were visiting to see me.”
You’re sure that your face, neck, and even chest turned red when she said that. “He didn’t…” You say.
The mare let out a huge laugh that she seemed to be suppressing the whole time.
“Will you deny it if he didn’t say that?”
“I...uh….” Brain, work. Please.
“He did write that, but I am aware of why you’re actually here.” The smile faded from her lips as she spoke that sentence.
“Something wrong?” You ask.
“I will not be able to watch you compete.” She said.
“That’s fine. You have your own thing to do.”
“Yes. A schedule conflict. I apologize.” She said.
“No need to be sorry. You won’t miss much.”
“That’s good to hear.” She brought her eyes back to yours.
“S-So, what would you like to do?”
“Lance promised me a date.”
The red color returns to your face.
“Shocked?” She asked.
“Honestly, no.” You muster.
“Will you deny me my promise?” She put her hands behind her back and drug her hoof on the floor.
You were honestly concerned. The ponies around town hid from you, the only one who spoke to you was one that has seen you multiple times in Canterlot at events, and you’re sure that was because either Celestia or Luna spoke to her, and the other elements, about you before hand. A million thoughts raced through your head, and you’re unsure which one prompted you to speak.
“Sure. I’ll take you up on that promise, Octavia.”
-X-X-X-
"Okay, Rookie. Ready to get started?"
You weren’t even halfway through the door when you heard Lullaby’s voice. You took a second to take in the area you will be training in. It wouldn’t surprise you if you were told that the place has been abandoned for a decade. Half of the lights didn’t work, and the ones that did were on their last few hours of life. You start walking to the other side of the room where Lullaby and Lance were.
Getting a closer look at the boxing ring, you could see that there was a fine layer of dust on the mat, as well as cobwebs between the ropes. That wasn’t the only place there were cobwebs though; you also spotted them on the punching bag, speed bag, the stairs, pretty much everywhere around you.
“Nice place you picked out.” You comment as you place your bag on the bench next to where Lullaby and Lance were standing.
“Some Wonderbolt pulled rank and got the last functioning gym.” Lance said.
“What do you mean by ‘functioning’?” You ask, shooting Lullaby a questioning expression.
“He simply means that this was the last place we could practice in private.”
“Why private?” You ask.
“Because other stallions will just get in the way. Now, lets get started.”
Lullaby made that point it clear when she started by tossing a small grocery bag to you. Surprisingly, you manage to catch it. Taking a look in the bag, you spot black and green fabric.
“You actually listened.” You said with disbelief in your voice.
“You wouldn’t believe the headache Rarity gave me for that.” Lullaby said, rubbing her fingers against her forehead.
“She told me all about it. You’re not allowed to pick a style without second opinion anymore.” Lance cut in.
“I think I can live…” You scan the room. “Where do I change?”
You didn’t notice that both Lance and Lullaby turned their backs to you. They shoot each other a quick glance before looking away.
“You’re kidding...right?” You ask only to receive no answer.
Taking in a deep breath, you quickly pull your pants down and swap them out for the green gym shorts. Your head stays up, just to ensure that neither Lullaby nor Lance get any ideas. With the shorts on, you move on to the shirt. It was a tight black sleeveless shirt. You never thought you would be wearing one of those.
“Are you done yet?” Lullaby said.
“Almost.” You answer as you finish tying your shoe.
Both Lance and Lullaby turn around. Lance hands you a large pair of boxing gloves, matching the color of your shorts. While you slip them on, you notice Lullaby’s eyes running up and down your body.
“See something you like?” You say, hoping it would fluster Lullaby.
“Just how ridiculous green and black looks on you.” She immediately answered, unphased by your comment.
“Give it a rest. I think it looks fine.”
With the gloves fully on, you swing a few times in front of you. The gloves are a lot heavier than you expected, but that wasn’t the only problem.
“They are too big.” Lance said as he observed your swing.
“What!?” Lullaby actually let some emotion slip into that word. However, it was never a good thing when Lullaby was shocked.
“He’s right. The gloves are too big.” You add.
“Dammit, Lance! We don’t have time for this!” Lullaby shouted.
“Look, that was the only pair that-” Lance tried to defend himself.
“Where did you check?!” Lullaby pressed.
“The gym!” Lance was quick to answer.
“Where else?” Lullaby wasn’t about to accept defeat.
“W-Where else?” Lance asked.
“Buck me! Lance! You stupid-” Lullaby raised a hand, as if to hit Lance. Despite his position as a guard, Lance flinched from the anticipated hit. You quickly bring your hand up and grab Lullaby’s wrist. She turns her face to you.
“Breathe.” You say.
It probably was not the smartest thing to say, but it was all that came to mind. Lullaby took in a breath….then another….then another. Over time, she is able to calm down. You nod your head, and she nods hers in return. When you let go of her wrist, she hugs herself, looking on the verge of tears.
“Lullaby, are you okay?” Lance asked, taking a step toward her.
“S-stop.” She says.
Lance freezes in his tracks. He looks over to you, silently pleading for help. All you can do is shrug. You’ve never seen Lullaby act like this before.
“I-I’m sorry. I need to go.” Lullaby walked past you to grab her bag.
“Lance, I trust you will go over everything.” She slung the bag over her shoulder.
“Y-Yeah. I got it. He’ll be ready.”
“Good. I...I’ll be in my room. It’s across from yours.” She says as she nudges you on the shoulder. With that, she left the gym leaving both of you to train without her.
“What was that about?” You ask Lance as his eyes were focused on the door.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” Lance said, bringing his attention back to you. “Can you work with those gloves?”
“I’ll make due.” You answer.
“Good. Now. Let’s get started.”
You and Lance walk to the center of the large boxing ring. It almost feels slick from the layer of dust, but it wasn’t unmanageable. You stretch out your arms and legs as Lance grabs two pads from the far side of the ring. Once Lance put each one on his hands, you notice how large they were. Each pad was slightly larger than your head. You also take notice of the crudely painted targets on each cushion. Lance walks back over to you and holds his arms up, facing the pads toward you. Knowing that it’s a sign to start, you hit the two pads and get into a combat stance.
“You’ll want to stay low. Obviously, we cannot get you to match a stallion’s strength in two weeks, but the good news is that you have an advantage. Your size. Also, your speed. You’ll want to keep moving, much like in our fights. Keep your fists between your face and your opponent… … … No, don’t block your face that much, put your arms down a bit. … … Okay, now I’m going to swing at you. A few basic jabs and hooks. Focus on dodging the punches. Blocking will only drain your energy. … … … … … … … … … … … Good. … … … Keep it up. … … … …”
POW
“Woah! You okay? … … How many fingers? … … Okay, you’re fine. C’mon, back on your feet. … ... You have to be careful. Keep your eyes focused on my fists. Don’t worry about offense just yet.. … … … Good. … … Good. … …”
POW
“Buck! Oww! I thought I said don’t worry about offense yet. … ..Ha, you’re right. Okay, okay. Next lesson.”