//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Challenge Acceptance // Story: The Best In the World in Equestria // by Rated R-Superstar //------------------------------// I really wish we could have gone to Twilight's town in some other form or fashion, I had to walk through the city, Canterlot I think they called it, anyways I had to walk through the city just to get to the train station and it sucked. It wasn't that I hated walking, I go for walks during my free time and I enjoy them, it was just, I was walking through Canterlot with alot of ponies staring at me. They gave me that look that says that they fear you, that you look like something that could take over or destroy the world. I swear I really hated being looked at like some monster. "Er T-Twilight, could we hurray along to the station? I don't like the way these ponies are staring at me." I said to Twilight while watching the ponies who were glaring at me. "Oh, sorry Phil, I didn't-" "Punk." "Huh?" "Please just call me Punk. I don't like strangers saying my first name as if they know me." I said, looking at Twilight. "Oh right, anyways the train station isn't far from here, it's only a little ways away." Twilight said to me with a reassuring voice. Please just get me out of here was all I was thinking form this point on. Meanwhile: Canterlot Castle Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance all awaited in the main hall of the castle for the ruler of the Minotaurs, King Slayer. They paced back and fourth for a countless amount of times, until finally, a royal guard opened the two big set of doors "Your Highnesses, King Slayer has arrived." "Thank you Thunder, please bring him in." Princess Celestia demanded. "Yes your majesty." With that being said, the royal guard went back, pass the two set of doors and disappeared down the hall. The princesses were all very nervous, remembering about the potential invasion that the Minotaurs are planning, but then calmed down when they remembered that somepony, or much rather, someone, had become their new beam of hope. Celestia closed her eyes and focused on the new beam, when she remembered certain moments of Punk that reminded herself of why she had chosen him in the first place. However those thoughts were quickly sustained when the three princesses all heard loud hoofsteps entering the hall. Only, these hoofsteps weren't from ponies. As predicted, King Slayer had arrived with two other minotaurs at his side. Both were wearing silver body armor and carrying battle axes, while the king wore a gold body armor with a red cape that reached all the way down to the floor. The king eyed the princesses for a few seconds before giving a smirk and a light chuckle. "So, you have summoned me here to tell me that your giving up your precious land I see. This is a wise choice I must say. You have spared the life of your subjects as well as your guards." Princess Cadance put hoof to her mouth and let out a charming giggle. King Slayer caught this and was curious about her emotions. "Laughing at your surrender eh, well I too do find it rather humorous." Slayer said before crossing his arms. "Oh, I'm not laughing at that, I'm laughing at the fact that you think we would give up our country so easily." Cadance confessed. "But you will" King Slayer started then let out a small chuckle "unless you found someone who has accepted my challenge, which I highly doubt." "Oh contraire King Slayer, your doubts are highly invalid." Luna stated, wearing a smug grin on her face. "I beg your pardon?" King Slayer asked in confusion. "We have found somepo- er someone to be exact, that has accepted your challenge." Celestia proclaimed also wearing a grin on her face. King Slayer looked at both of his guards to the sides in confusion, until all three of them burst out into laughter. The princesses now wore confused expressions on their faces, looking at each other and trying to figure out what these three were laughing about. King Slayer finally spoke up after settling down from laughter. "You three cannot be serious." The princesses all stared at him with stern looks, trying to show that they were in no joking manner and that they were being dead serious about this. "Huh, so you are then. If that is the case then I hope you've said your goodbyes to this challenger." The princesses once again wore confusion on their faces, not fully comprehending on the part about goodbyes. "What do you mean said our goodbyes?" Luna asked. "Oh did you not know, well then let me tell you then. If your challenger-" King slayer laughed "wins, then me and my minotaurs will leave you and Equestria alone. However-" Slayer paused, as he then gave a devilish smirk towards the princesses "if my fighter wins, then not only will we invade Equestria, but your precious little challenger, will be executed for all to see." Slayer then unleashed a Satanic laugh. The princesses now wore a new expression, the expression of shock and grief. "WAIT!" Candance shouted out "You didn't say anything about taking a life from someone if they had failed the challenge!" "Last minute change." Slayer grinned "Well I must be off now, tell your challenger that I wish him good luck." Slayer then turned around and began to walk out of the hall. "He will need it." Once Slayer and his guards had left the rooms, the unicorn guards that were guarding the entrance had shut it with their magic, while pegasi guards were escorting the minotaurs out of the castle. The princess were now in a state of panic at the sudden update on the challenge. Luna finally spoke up "Sister, what shall we do now? Must we call the human and tell him to drop out of this challen-" "No." Celestia said. "We shall let Punk continue with the challenge, and we will tell him about this update later in due time." "Aunty…" Candance said with the tone of fear in her voice "What if he isn't successful, what if he loses and ends up giving his life away." "I agree with Cadance here sister, this is beyond-" Luna said before Celestia interrupted her. "Both of you please calm down." Celestia demanded, trying to calm both of the princesses down. "I understand your concerns and the dangers of this situation, but now please understand me when I say that I have complete fate in Punk." Luna and Cadance looked at each other before looking back at the white alicorn "I know that he will prevail this challenge and rid Equestria of the minotaurs." Celestia claimed as she looked down at the white shiny reflective tile floor. "I know he will." As always a little tribute to CM Punk at the end of the chapter: