Ambient Light
It was a quiet night throughout the streets of Canterlot. The only disturbance in the air was centered around one building in particular. It wasn't enough to draw unwanted attention or the ire of the Guard, but it was certainly enough to make any passerby look askance at it. It was the only place like it in all of Canterlot and catered to all the tribes. It was called the Quake, and it was a place where any who wished to test their mettle in the martial arts against others, and earn a few bits on the side, came.
The ring was recessed into the floor, with circular Colosseum style seating surrounding it and a few VIP box seats located at ring level. The dull roar of the crowd that packed the Quake thrummed through the competitors. One was a tall, lithe, bare-chested Aven male who wore only a pair of form-fitting shorts. He had mastered one of the many Aven martial arts styles and thought he could take on almost anyone, especially an Earthlander who most assumed had no real martial arts training. The other was an unassuming, pink haired Earthlander woman who wore no top, opting instead to wear nothing but her breast bindings and a pair of baby blue shorts that matched her eyes. They faced off for a few moments as the referee got her bearings for the impromptu fight.
Not every fight here was unscheduled; in fact, all were scheduled and promotional materials were distributed weeks in advance of the actual fights for the big names in their circuit. This particular fight was an exercise in futility for most: a cocksure young thing stepping up and trying for the prize that all the regulars knew was unobtainable.
This fight was an open challenge given by the owner of the establishment, one she allowed to be issued once formally and once informally every month. Of course, the formal challenge brought with it a packed house, while the impromptu fight would be the talk of the patrons for weeks. The stakes of the fight were simple: beat the owner in a fight and you become the new owner. The hard part was actually defeating the owner.
That being said, it drew plenty of challengers to the place.
In the six years that the Quake had been open, no competitor had even come close to an even fight with the owner. The most she'd ever received in one of these fights was a black eye, which was happened by accident after the opponent had been knocked unconscious and she tripped, landing face first on her fallen foe's knee.
Finally, the referee steeled her nerve and asked the standard questions before the fight began, her words lost in the thundering of the crowd. The two nodded their heads in reply since words were no longer needed. The referee nodded to herself and sliced a hand between the two before quickly darting back. As soon as she had gotten out of the way the two dashed forward, the Aven rotating and bending as he brought up a leg in a blur, aimed for his opponent's head. The Earthlander brought a surge of magic to her left fist and intercepted the attack with a punch that sent his leg rebounding, an ugly bruise forming in seconds from the blow.
His face took on a look of disbelief and agony as he regained his balance with a flap of his wings. He rushed forward again, limping slightly but undeterred. He threw jabs with pinpoint precision, channeling his own magic to increase his speed. The woman ducked and wove, even playfully kissing a knuckle that got close enough. He grit his teeth and surged ahead as her casual attitude toward their fight got under his skin, bringing his wings to bear. With few options left to her, aside from taking more and more blows that would eventually leave her open for some that would seriously put her in danger of losing, she tightened her defense, ducked down and darted ahead just as her opponent threw a punch.
She dropped her left fist as she stopped only inches away from his body and brought her fist around in a liver blow that folded his body. As he was reeling from the blow, she switched her stance and delivered a furious right uppercut that snapped his head back. Feeling that he needed one more incentive to not wake up tonight, she began tilting herself back and forth as she brought both fists close to her body. Faster and faster she wove her upper body until she felt the time was right and began throwing punch after punch in a blur of action. Each hook sent his head snapping from side to side, taking a blow almost as soon as the other was finished.
Finally, after landing twenty punches in short order, she finished him off with one that brought him all the way down to the mat, her fist never leaving the side of his face until the last moment. When she stood back up, her opponent was down for the count. The roars of the crowd grew louder as she turned around and started walking away. The victor blew a few strands of her hair away from her slightly sweaty face and exited the ring as she dusted her hands off on her shorts while the medical staff rushed up to the fallen man. Once she had made her way out of the ring and back to the changing rooms, a pair approached her with amused smirks on their faces. They were obviously related, nearing twin levels of matching looks and body types, but they had different hair and eye colors.
“That was a short fight, sis,” began the one with dark gray hair and lilac colored eyes.
“He had some good moves, but relied too much on his technique,” replied the other who had light gray hair and hazel eyes.
“Technique is all well and good but when it becomes predictable, it's nothing more than an open invitation asking to be exploited,” the pink haired woman replied.
“Come on, Pinkie,” said the dark gray haired sister. “You can't honestly say that after all the training we've been through. Come on, Blinkie. Back me up here.”
“Inkie's right. Technique is wonderful, especially when you can set up a trap,” she replied before a devilish grin split her face. “The look on their face is so funny when they can't understand how they wound up in a three point grapple.”
“Okay,” said Pinkie as she undid the bindings around her breasts, letting them spill free of their restriction briefly before being corralled in a sports bra that quickly disappeared under a light and dark pink tunic. All three wore tunics of a material that had been developed generations ago for its levels of comfort and incredible durability. “I can see your point there, but what if I simply counter each of your attacks? Then what will your technique give you? You have to be flexible in a fight and not rely on something that may or may not happen.”
“You're a special case, sis. You don't fit any molds and any technique is destroyed in moments against you. Then there's your amazing tactics when it comes to defending or attacking against any threats. Why do you think you've been chosen as the head of security for Maud since she's the next in line to become the leader of the Earthlander Union after Father?”
“I guess you have a point, but it's just so boring and uptight!” Pinkie complained as she stripped off her shorts and donned a dark blue, ankle length cotton skirt. “I want everyone to just be happy as we do our jobs, but it's always gotta be serious...”
“It's just how it is, Pinkie,” Inkie replied with the sort of long-suffering sigh born of having had the same argument time and time again. “Not everyone can be you when it comes to this stuff. Besides, it just goes to show how seriously they take Maud's safety. I'm sure that's worth a few uptight rules and strict codes of conduct.”
“You're right,” Pinkie conceded with a little huff. It really couldn't be helped that she was who she was while everyone else was everyone else. Still, it didn't stop her from trying her best to brighten all of the security guards' day whenever they were on duty. “I guess that's worth it.”
“Alright, now come on miss mopey,” Blinkie said with a smirk. “Apple-butt got here just after that challenge was issued and she's been eager to see you. She's up in your lounge right now, just so you know.”
“No kidding,” Inkie chipped in with a half grin of her own. “I'd swear she has a little something something for the apple of her eye...”
Pinkie blushed at their teasing as her hair curled back into its usual unruly mass of curls. As always, it was a sight that Inkie and Blinkie never got tired of seeing despite how bizarre it was. While she had a none-too-subtle crush on her long time friend while Applejack only regarded her as a good friend. It didn't help that Pinkie had never acted on her feelings or had even given her a tiny hint of how she felt, but that was a moot point. She didn't want to risk her relationship with her best friend. “You two had better keep your Pinkie Promises or I'll be seeing you in the ring~” Pinkie said in a teasing lilt as she skipped off without a thought toward any shoes.
***
Applejack had been friends with Pinkie for almost as long as she could remember. They had grown up as neighbors, the lands their families owned sitting side by side. Pinkie had been raised there for several years, going to the same school as Applejack and her older brother, but had to move away to Canterlot once her father had been elected to become the Chancellor of the Earthlander Union. Applejack knew it couldn't be helped, but still felt a sense of loss as her oldest friend moved away with her family. But, of course, distance meant little to Pinkie Pie as she would write a letter every week to Applejack, who would take the time to write a reply to each one. Every summer, she would come back to their tired old homestead and would spend the off months on the farm.
They kept this up until the end of high school, when Pinkie was chosen to be her older sister's secretary and head of security. Being the youngest of four, that certainly said something about what Pinkie had to offer. To say that Applejack was proud of her friend would be an understatement. Applejack was a woman of means in her own right as well, taking on the responsibilities that came with being the head of her household when Granny grew confident enough in her abilities to step down.
Presently, Applejack was waiting in Pinkie's personal lounge, dressed in a sleeveless dark brown tunic, dark blue leggings protected by a well worn set of leather chaps, and dusty boots that had certainly seen better days. She knew all about Pinkie's little business from the beginning and at first, she had thought it was seriously out of character for the exuberant woman, but when she had asked about it, Pinkie's answer had proven to be well thought out. She had wanted a place where she could not only train, but bring together many different types of people who were looking for a way to improve their skills, meet like-minded fighters, and test their limits while making new friends from all over the country. The bits that the publicized fights brought in was only an added bonus for the competitors.
Applejack had been taken on a full tour of the place shortly after Pinkie had opened it and was astounded to see that it had an absolutely massive area set aside for simple training. The only major reason she hadn't received official support for it from the various schools aside from the Earthlander Boxing Association was because so many schools of fighting congregated here, which would inevitably lead to a corruption of their unique style. Pinkie didn't mind so much, nor did any of the fighters that made use of her facilities. To say that it was impossible for Pinkie to have made so many friends who could casually beat each other up and then go out for a drink was an exercise in futility, as that was exactly what she had done.
A door opened, and in bounced a pink blur that left Applejack struggling for breath as she was spun around rapidly before being placed back on the ground and left to spin herself around slowly as she attempted to regain her bearings. “Hiya, Applejack!” Pinkie squeaked in that tone of voice that she only used when she was especially happy. “What're you doing up in Canterlot, and in my arena no less?”
“Whoa... Hold up a second there, Pinkie,” Applejack half-mumbled as she brought a hand up to the side of her face. “At least wait 'til the room stops spinnin'.”
Pinkie just giggled at that before grabbing her hand and leading her to the couch, expertly twisting her about face and tripping her so that she landed on the cushion with a little pwomf. “Sorry about that, A.J.,” she apologized without a trace of remorse. “I just got done with a challenge and rushed right up here when Inkie and Blinkie told me you were here.”
“That's sweet of ya, sugar cube,” she said with an easy smile that set Pinkie's cheeks flushing slightly. “But what 'bout that other fella?”
“Oh, him? I don't know him yet, but he got reeeal friendly with the mat,” she replied with a snort and a decidedly predatory grin. “He just came in and issued a challenge despite the stories he'd heard. Signed the waivers and everything, so he knew the risks.”
“Poor fool,” Applejack agreed with a shake of her head. “You'd think they'd stop trying ta take it from ya after so many failed challenges...”
“Eh, it's good publicity and they don't even have to pay for their medical bills, so everyone wins.”
“Ah guess,” Applejack conceded with a laugh of her own.
“So, what brings you up to Canterlot, A.J.?” Pinkie asked as she shifted the topic. “Normally you send a letter in advance if you're coming up for a visit.”
“Well, that's tha thing,” she replied with a little half smirk. “Maud sent me a letter askin' if Ah'd be willin' ta come up an' attend a conference with all the other major growers in the region so that we can help open up markets between the other regions and cut down on shipping costs by workin' together.”
“That's cool!” Pinkie chirped with a smile. “I hope everything turns out really well for everyone.”
“Oh, Ah'm sure it will if Maud's involved,” Applejack replied with a smile. “So, anyway, Ah got somethin' for ya that Ah think you'll love.”
“You did?” Pinkie felt her heart beating faster than when she had been fighting that stranger in the ring. “You know you didn't have to...”
“Ah know, but it reminded me of the good ol' days,” Applejack said with a nostalgic smile. She reached into a pocket of her jeans and felt around for a moment before pulling out a bright white apple blossom hair pin. The pin itself was made of copper, while the coloration was an enamel that had been baked into a glossy sheen. As soon as Pinkie saw it, she knew exactly what Applejack was talking about and it made her tear up slightly as a treasured memory came to the surface: Applejack and Pinkie Pie were playing in the orchard as young girls, braiding garlands of flowers into little crowns and trading them with each other. Pinkie gave Applejack a crown made of daffodils, while Applejack gave Pinkie a crown made of fragile white apple blossoms that she had gathered meticulously. Pinkie had come to Applejack the next morning in tears as her crown had wilted overnight, the fragile flowers turning a sickly brown. Applejack had told her that it was alright and that Granny always told her that even if something didn't last long in real life that it only made the memories made all the more special. True to Granny's words, that memory was a true gem to Pinkie and she treasured it still. The only thing that made her even happier was the fact that Applejack remembered it so clearly as well.
“Thank you so much,” Pinkie said in a near whisper as she took it and put it in her hair beside her eye so it would always be partially in sight. “You have to let me make this up to you, Applejack.” The farmer made to protest but was cut short by Pinkie who took on a suspiciously sweet expression. “You have no idea how happy this makes me, so just nod your head or we'll take this to the ring.”
Opting to follow her instructions, Applejack did as told with a nervous gulp and left it at that.
“Great!” Pinkie said with a giggle as she grabbed Applejack by her hand and hauled her from her seat and out into the night after a few twists and turns. “Now let's go throw you a welcome party back at my place!”