The Rainboom Thieves

by KingJoltik


The Family (Part 4 of 5)

“First off...” said Twilight as she looked at her family. “Have you ever heard of Magic Arenas?”

Shining’s eyes grew as she heard Twilight. “Magic Arenas...Twilight...isn’t that an illegal underground sport for unicorns?!”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t tell me...” said Shining as his mouth began shivering. “Don’t tell me you participated in such things Twilight?!”

“I did.” said Twilight as she bent her head back while looking at the ceiling. “Wow...that was a long time ago...”

The Past...

Twilight had arrived in Las Pegasus and was surprised at the city to say the least. The city was filled with so many lights you almost couldn’t tell it was nighttime. Twilight couldn’t believe what she saw as she walked down through the city. She then thought, ‘Wow...this city is incredible looking...there’s so many lights...I wonder if I can ever find a library in this bright city...’

As she went down street after street, looking for someplace to stay the night. Then she looked down an alleyway, seeing if anypony was down there. ‘There’s nopony here...good...I feel so tired...’

Twilight fell asleep in that alleyway, her body was completely drained. Her eyes slowly closed as her head slowly fell on the concrete. As she laid there sleeping, an earth pony approached her sleeping body and picked her up. “Heh heh...a filly unicorn...could be useful...” said the pony.

A couple of hours later...

Twilight slowly woke up, her eyes tried to open only to see incredibly bright lights flood her eyes. Twilight slowly got up, rubbing her eyes and said, “Oooohhhh...what happened? Why are there so many lights?”

An announcer then yelled as noise slammed Twilight’s ears. “ARE YOU READY?!” said the announcer.

“YEAH!!!!!” yelled the audience. At that moment, Twilight saw she was in a coliseum like place. The noise from the audience shook Twilight’s ears as she looked around. She then saw several other unicorns, both fillies and adults in the arena. ‘What is this?’ she thought.

The announcer then took a deep breath and then yelled, “IT’S TIME FOR MAGIC ARENA!”

“MAGIC ARENA! MAGIC ARENA! MAGIC ARENA!” screamed the audience.

“Magic Arena?” said Twilight, still trying to figure out what was happening to her. She looked at the other ponies in the arena and saw they put themselves in battle stances. “What...what is going on?!”

“FIGHT!” yelled the announcer.

Suddenly the other unicorns began blasting beams all over the arena. Twilight watched in terror as unicorns blasted each other. Her hooves shivered as she watched pony after pony fall. She saw grown stallions and mare blast fillies and colts around while other grown ponies fought each other. Then a stallion began to walk toward her.

“Hey there little filly.” he said as his horn began to glow. As he approached, Twilight saw the intent in his eyes. She sat there, shivering as he got closer and closer. She then thought, ‘Why...why is this happening to me?’

Then the stallion shot a beam at Twilight.

BLAM!

“Augh!” said Twilight as she went flying from the beam. She then looked at the stallion as he kept getting closer. “Heh heh...are you still with us little filly?”

Twilight slowly got up as she heard the stallion laughing. She looked at him as his horn began shining again. Her mind started to race, 'He's coming...what do I do? Why am I here? I don't feel so good...' she thought as the stallion then put a huge grin on his face. As she saw the grin, her mind began to freeze. She kept looking at the grin and then her mind went blank. Then memories flooded her as she looked at the stallion. The stallion's face merged with the ponies that tore up her doll Smarty Pants.

BLAM!

The stallion blasted her again. “Augh!” yelled Twilight as went flying from the beam. Then tears flowed out of Twilight’s eyes as she then got up. In her mind, the stallion had merged with the other pony who destroyed her doll. Her eyes turned white as her horn began to glow. “YOU! YOU KILLED SMARTY PANTS!”

“Who?”

BLAM!

The stallion went flying over the arena. The other ponies in the arena then saw the stallion fly and then turned to Twilight. Twilight just stood there as magic poured out of her horn. She then yelled, “NO MORE!”

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Beam after beam flew out of Twilight’s horn, blasting pony after pony. Soon every pony in the arena were completely knocked out. The audience along with the announcer just sat there as they saw all the ponies got knocked out.

“WHAT WAS THAT?!” yelled the announcer.

“BOO! BOO!” yelled the audience at Twilight.

The announcer then yelled at the staff for the arena and after a small talk, the announcer then went back to the mike.

“HOW ABOUT WE BRING OUT THE CHAMPION FOLKS?!”

The audience, after hearing this, then began cheering for the champion and then the announcer said, “WE'RE BRINGING IN THE CHAMP, THAT'S RIGHT, FIRE HORN!”

A stallion then entered the arena, he towered over filly Twilight as his horn began to shine in front of Twilight.

“This is my opponent?!” he said.

Twilight didn't respond. She was instead, trying to control her power. As the stallion powered up his horn, her horn glowed as well. Fire Horn then shot a beam at Twilight.

BLAM!

Twilight quickly put up a magic shield, blocking the beam and then shot a beam back at Fire Horn, knocking him flying.

BLAM!

He was immediately knocked out and Twilight just stood there in the middle of the arena. The audience and announcer were speechless. They had watched a little filly beat everypony in the arena. After a few minutes of absolute silence, Twilight fell over, completely exhausted. Some time later, Twilight woke up to find herself on a chair in a small office. There, a rough looking earth pony was behind a desk, looking at her.

“Where am I?” she asked as she began to wake up.

“Hello little girl.” said the pony. “Don't be scared, you're just in my office.”

“Um...okay...” said Twilight as she looked around. “Who are you?”

“My name is Copper Block little girl, what's your name?”

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“Well Miss Sparkle, you're quite the little bag of surprises, aren't you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You won in the Magic Arena, something that few fillies are ever able to do. It's very impressive.”

“Um, okay.”

Copper Block then chuckled, “You have no idea what I'm talking about do you? I like you kid!”

“What do you mean?”

“Listen up kid, I'm going to give you a lifetime opportunity!” he said as pulled out a piece of paper. “I want you to come and work for me.”

“Work for you? But I'm just a kid.”

“Age doesn't matter in this business kid. What matters is results, and judging on how well you did in the arena, I would said the results are quite good.”

“You want me to fight more? Why?”

“I can see you don't want to fight...so...how about I give you something in return?”

Twilight’s head moved sideways in confusion, “I don't get it.”

“If you sign this contract,” he said as he pointed to the piece of paper. “If you fight for me, I can give you anything you want. If you want toys, food, or dresses...I can get it for you as long as you fight in the arena.”

Twilight scratched her chin, thinking about what he said. Then her eyes began to shine, “Wait a minute!” she said with a smile. “Does that mean you could get me as many books as I ever wanted?!”

Copper Block was taken back by her sudden enthusiasm and then said, “Uh...yeah, I can easily do that.”

The Present...

“Hold on a second there Twilight!” yelled Shining. “You didn't sign his contract based on that did you?!”

“I was a filly Shining.” said Twilight with a straight face. “I didn't know any better.”

“Oh yeah...but still! You?! You became a fighter?!”

“Calm down Shining.” said Night Light as he turned to Twilight. “So what happened next?”

“Well...” said Twilight as she scratched her chin. “I stayed for a little over two years after that.”

“Two years?!” yelled Shining.

“Yep. He got me books and food, Copper Block took pretty good care of me. He hired a trainer to keep me fit as I fought match after match. I didn't care for fighting but it helped me learn magic very quickly. All that power I displayed as a filly...I quickly learned to control it thanks to the magic arena. I kept fighting match after match, and it made me powerful...” said Twilight as she showed a small grin. “The days in the arena showed me how to fend for myself and gain confidence. I know it sounds crude but it helped me understand what it meant to work and live. I also kept studying while I was there. Then, after being there for a little over two years, I finally left the place.”

“What, because you realized that you were doing something illegal?!” said Shining with a hint of sarcasm.

“No...I realized that Copper Block had been using me.”

“I could of told you that one...”

“Shining!” yelled Cadance. “She was just a filly at the time!”

“Oh come on!” snapped Shining. “This is Twily we're talking about here!” Shining then glared at Twilight. “Surely you would have figured it out eventually, wouldn't you?!”

The Past...

Twilight had won every match in those two years. Nopony could fight her in a match. A few had come close but Twilight always came out on top no matter what. However, after another match in the arena, Twilight went to the showers and then she went to Copper Block's office. She was going to ask him for more books that day, but instead stopped at the door as she overheard Copper Block arguing with another pony.

“What do you mean no?!” yelled the other pony.

“I mean no! I'm not giving up Twilight!” said Copper Block.

'Give me up?' thought Twilight as she heard the conversation. 'What does he mean by that?'

“Do you not get it?!” screamed the other pony. “Don't you understand what she is?!”

“I know exactly what she is.” said Copper Block with a smug face. “She's the greatest money making pony ever. She's gonna make me rich and that's all that matters!”

“She's more than just that! The police are very close to finding the arena! If they find her, especially because she's underage, we'll be in huge trouble!”

“Doesn't matter. She's going to make me rich.” said Copper Block as he pressed his face in front of the other pony. “I DON'T CARE!

'I...I'm just here to make Copper rich?!' thought filly Twilight. '...is that all I am?'

“I've never seen an unicorn with more talent than she does. It would be a waste if she wasn't being used by me.” said Copper Block as pushed the other pony away. “Now get out of my office, as long as I have her contract, your opinion doesn't matter.”

'Did he just say used?' though Twilight as she just sat there. 'He's been using me?'

The other pony slowly left the office as Twilight watched him leave. For the next few days, Twilight sat in her room filled with books. The days passed as she continued to think about what she had heard. She just didn't understand what Copper Block meant about using her. 'All he's done to me...is have me fight to get me stronger...and he's always took care of me and keep me safe.' she thought. 'So...why did he say that? Am I really just a tool to him?'

A few days later, Twilight had another match in the arena and she easily won. After the match, she proceeded to Copper Block's office and then slowly entered inside. Copper Block sat in his office chair as he saw Twilight enter the room.

“Twilight!” he said with a huge smile. “Good job with the latest match!”

Twilight just stood there, not saying a thing.

“Twilight? You okay kiddo? Want some more books or something?”

Twilight didn't know what to say but her mouth opened anyways. “Am I...what am I to you?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” said Copper Block in confusion.

“Am I...am I just here to get you money?”

Copper Block's face went pale in fear of what she just asked. “Um...no. Not at all...Why...you're the best thing to ever happen here in the arena! You're the champion! After all, if you're the champion, I need to take care of ya!”

“So...if I wasn't the champion...what would yo do?” asked Twilight with teary eyes. “Would you reject me?”

“Um...no Twilight. I wouldn't reject you.” said Copper Block as Twilight noticed his eyes shift around.

“You're lying.” said Twilight as she glared at Copper Block. “Your eyes are telling me that.”

“Um...”

Twilight then stomped in front of Copper Block. “YOU'RE LYING!”

“I..uh...” said Copper Block as he tried to improvise a response. But it didn't matter. Twilight’s horn was already shining, her face filled with anger and fury.

“I'm just here for money, aren't I?” said Twilight as her face showed more and more anger. “Am I just a tool Copper Block?! Is that all I am?!”

“Um...no...I...”

“SHUT UP!” yelled Twilight as she blasted a beam into Copper Block's desk.

BLAM! CRASH!

The table went flying over Copper Block, where it then fused with the ceiling in a crash.

“I get it now Copper Block.” said Twilight as tears went down her face. “You're just like my parents...you think you can manipulate me and control my life.”

“Um...”

“I know what you are now Copper Block! You're just a selfish pony who has other ponies do all your dirty work!”

“Well I...”

“I'm going to tell you one thing before I force you to tell me where the contract is so I can destroy it Copper Block.”

“What's that?” said Copper Block in fear.

“I will never ever work for any selfish pony ever again! I don't care how noble or honest they seem, I don't care! I WILL NEVER EVER HELP ANY SELFISH GREEDY PONY EVER AGAIN!”

“I...”

“A true pony is one who helps others...I read that in a book by Starswirl the Bearded. I believe that philosophy is what all ponies should follow.”

The Present...

“I beat Copper Block till he showed me the contract and you can guess what I did next.” said Twilight as anger filled her face. “That's all there is to it, really...I stayed there for years until I found out why he really wanted me to stay there. I think...that was the moment where I started to believe that trusting ponies was a bad thing. The next few years of my life...I really believed that trust would only cause me misery and sadness.”

“Oh Twilight...” said Twilight Velvet as she then hugged her daughter. Night Light soon followed.

Shining sat back in his chair, putting his hoof over his face. “I can't believe this...”

“I understand if you don't believe me Shining.” said Twilight as she stared at the ceiling again. “I was a pretty selfish pony back then...and I still am.”

“I believe you Twily...” said Shining, “It's just...did anything else happen to you?”

“Not really...the next few years was just me traveling all over Equestria. I had saved plenty of money from all the fights...it wasn't till I met a certain pony filled with kindness that...well...I started to trust other ponies again.” said Twilight as she remembered the first time she met Fluttershy. She then thought, 'Huh...to think meeting her would change me so much...that and my friends...yet even now I still have trust issues...'

“Is that pony the Element of Kindness?” asked Cadance.

“I can't answer that Cadance.”

“Why not?” said Cadance with an irritated face.

“I...I can't risk telling you that Cadance.”

“Princess Celestia is nothing like that pony Copper Block!” yelled Cadance.

“I know she's not.” said Twilight with a straight face. “I just...I just can't trust Celestia.”

“That's enough!” said Cadance as her horn began to shine. “Stop being so stubborn Twilight! She's nothing like that!”

“I still don't know what to think Cadance.” said Twilight as she stared at Cadance. “I'm not sure what to think anymore Cadance...no matter what I think or try...I mean, I want to trust Celestia but...I don't know what I should really do...I think...I think I still wish I had stayed here in Canterlot...”

“But you can't anymore, can you?” asked Cadance. “You want to be with your friends, don't you?”

“Yeah...I really do.” said Twilight with a small smile. “I can't do anything without them.”

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Somepony's at the door...” said Twilight.

“I'll get it.” said Cadance as she proceeded to the door and opened it. “Hello, who is...LUNA?!”

“Hello Princess Cadance. Is the one called Twilight Sparkle here?”