Author's Note: This chapter was a bit difficult for me to write. Also if anyone has an idea what to name the chapter please let me know. Okay thank you guys for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.
[The Next Day. Adven's P.O.V.]
I arrived at the tournament an hour early. I figured it was best to be prompt and I wasn't alone. There was a unicorn that seemed to have the same idea but unlike me he wasn't a competitor. I guess I need to do something to pass the time. Might as well try and try talking with him.
He was a green unicorn and seemed to constantly check his watch every few seconds. He was just doing that when I approached him.
"Hi," I said with a small welcoming grin.
The unicorn jumped startled at the sound of my voice. When he turned around he smiled sheepishly and said,"Hi."
"My name is Adven Turer. So, you watching the tournament?" I asked knowingly.
The stallion gave me a smile,"My name is Rhino. And yes I'm watching the tournament."
Rhino? That is kind of a weird name to give a pony. I wonder. Nope his cutie mark doesn't look like anything regarding a rhinocerus. Weird. Well I guess he could be an exception to the whole pony name concept.
Rhino raised a brow. "You okay?"
I nodded my head. Rhino let out a relieved sigh.
We talked until everypony else began to gather. We talked about our lives. I even told him about one time I fought a hydra with just a kettle and some string. [I still don't know how the Doctor knew that would work.]
"Well you better go get ready for the tournament. Good luck!" Rhino said waving me off with a grin.
I returned the gesture and proceeded to go backstage.
[Fifteen minutes.]
The announcer went on saying stuff about the tournament. Like now there are going to be one on one fights now. And a different division will fight at different times. For example today my division, the armed one was chosen first.
The announcer went on and on about excitement and stuff but I hardly paid him much attention.
My eyes drifted around the backstage. I was eyeing my opponents. Not too bad. I think I can take all them down. Except for her maybe.
I saw a hooded mare lean up against the tournament wall. I couldn't make out any of her facial features covered by her hood. My instincts told me it was a mare although my brain decided to protest over it. I have to admit. She seems familiar. I know her from somewhere. But where?
Suddenly I heard a voice say, "Can all the finalists from the armed divsion please come to the ring!"
I shook my head. I proceeded to do what the announcer had asked and went to the ring.
I was the first pony out to meet the announcer. His face held an enormous grin as he held something behind his back. He swung his front legs to reveal a box in his hooves.
"Okay finalists!" the announcer said full of pep."Reach into this box," he instructed pointing a hoof at the box."In this box are sixteen balls. Each ball has on it a number. Whatever number you draw will go to the corresponding one. For example if one of you draws a one then they will fight the pony who draws the number two. So go on contestants and draw your numbers!" he explained happily.
We all decided to do it. Great. I got number one. I couldn't help but smile. I'm number one!
"Okay now will the contestants with numbers three through sixteen please exit the stage. Numbers one and two stay for your match is up, next!" the announcer said radiating postivity.
I was left standing as other participants walked by me. Time seemed to slow down as the last fellow participant walked by me. It was the hooded mare. I heard her mumble something and chuckle.
I turned around only to find the other contestants had left me with my opponent.
He was an earth pony as tall as Big Macintosh with a dark yellow coat. His eyes were blood red and held a murderous intent in them. He carried a giant broadsword as his weapon of choice.
We moved up to meet one another face to face.
The stallion traced his tongue along his sword savoring the taste of his own blood. He threw his face inside the personal space of my own."You can call me Reaper," he said with a sadistic expression plastered on his face.
My face remained a neutral expression,"Big stallion with a broadsword. Take that away and you're a coward. So stop trying to act tough you're embarassing yourself."
"Why I outta!" the stallion threatened.
"Now you two stop that and take a few steps back from one another," the announcer said getting in between us.
"Fine," the stallion relented.
"Okay folks the first match of the armed combat finals are here. So without further ado Reaper versus Adven Turer! Lets get started!" he yelled letting his excitement overwhelm him. He jumped out of the ring with all his pent up energy. "Go!"
"AHhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed defying Reaper to make the first move. I flew through the air my blade within both of my hooves and ready to strike.
"AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaah!" my opponent matched my own scream with his own as he positoned himself to receive my attack.
I brought my sword over his face. Seeing my move Reaper brought his broadsword to block my attack.
Our blades clashed and a flash of bright light blinded everypony. When the light dissipated they could see Reaper and I were pressing our swords against one another.
Our teeths grinded as we tryed to outstrength the other but neither of us could gain any ground.
Reaper strained to put forth more pressure to take me down. I have an idea. A small smile crossed my face as I lightened up my assault.
Reaper strung forward without my body to prevent him. He tryed to spin around but his broadsword made him turn slower than he could.
Seeing an opening I used my sword to leave small cuts near his eyes. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Reaper screamed in agony holding his face in pain.
While he did that I tryed to follow up with a horizontal swipe to his legs.
As my blade neared its target Reaper's broadsword swatted it away. My mouth hung open in surprise.
Reaper's face turned into an arrogant grin,"You can't take me down!" He proceeded to attack me with wide wild attacks with his broadsword. First he attempted to swipe my chest but I was too quick. I blocked his attack and was able to back up.
His next attempt was a quick upward attack to my face. Realizing what was happening I was able to move my head to evade most of the damage. Unfortunately it left a giant scar along my right eye. The cut was too deep and my blood began to stain the ring's floor.
Darn it. It really hurts. Can't let t distract me though. Got to keep eyes on Reaper. Reaper began to approach me slowly. His sadistic smile grew wider as he came nearer.
Come on! Think! I had no time as Reaper was getting impatient. He began to run to face me eye to eye. He is about ten feet away. His broadsword seems to be only seven feet. I still have a good three feet to avoid his attacks.
I made a pained grunt as my blood seeped into my eyes. When I opened them again Reaper was five feet away from me.
Before I had time to react he lifted his sword and attacked. He went for a wide sweep at my legs. When I realized this I used my wings to quickly take to the skys to evade his attack.
"Get down here. You pesky gnat!" Reaper yelled annoyed at my avoiding abilities.
"Okay. But give me a minute to clean myself up," I taunted Reaper with a wink. I wiped my hoof around the cut trying to get it out of my eyes. After a few pained grunts I succeeded but the pain and the scar remained.
"Time for round two," I said flying at Reaper. This is my opening. I swatted my blade at his broadsword once. Then I flew over Reaper's head and landed behind him.
"I will," Reaper was interrupted by me punching him straight into his gut. With his air knocked out of him Reaper dropped his sword to clutch at his chest.
Looks like it worked. Now to finish this. I made a quick swipe down Reaper's side but he still stood. I flew back and launched myself with added force to knock Reaper out of the ring.
This luckily was what it took to take him out. Out of desperation Reaper grabbed me and began to curl us into a ball as he fell outside the ring.
I closed my wings bringing us down hard to the floor.
The announcer said,"Well folks I suppose this is a draw."
As he finished that I broke out of the giant pony ball. I climbed over Reaper's broken body. I gave a toothy smile and rose my hooves in victory.
The announcer looked at me with a look of utter surprise. "Well folks there you have it. The winner is Adven Turer!"
I closed my eyes to get my mind off of the pain for a moment. I felt my body ease up and collapse. I remember breathing hard and then nothing.