“Oh, Fluttershy, how did you ever talk me into doing this!?”
“Well, you refused at first, but I went into detail about all the good work that could be done with the bits we’d bring in, and all the poor injured animals that could be rehabilitated, and then you were still hesitant, so I opened my eyes really wide and sort of whimpered a little, and that’s when you gave in.”
“…that was a rhetorical question, darling.”
“Oh. Sorry, Rarity.”
“Quite alright, dear, and it is good to know that you’ve learned to utilize that natural charm of yours. Not that it’ll do us much good in this situation.”
“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps we could talk it out with them—”
“I am fairly certain that violence will be necessary, Fluttershy.”
“Really? I don’t think violence is ever the answer… and I’m not very good at it…”
“Just remember what I told you, dear. Simply remember your advanced massage techniques and everything will turn out beautifully.”
“Speaking of beautiful, I really like how our costumes turned out, Rarity. I’ve never felt so… so fierce.”
“…fierce? Really?”
“Oh, yes! Why?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing. Well, I am glad you like your costume, Fluttershy. I think mine turned out exquisitely myself!”
“It’s certainly a different style for you, Rarity, but I like it. You look… dangerous.”
“Perfect. That’s precisely what I was going for.”
“Oh! Rarity, look, the red light! That means we’re going to be announced in a moment!”
“Alright, darling, this is the moment of truth! Once we go out those doors, we’re not going to come back until we have that prize money!”
“How far do you think we will get? I think the money for fourth place isn’t too bad…”
“Nonsense, Fluttershy! My— no, our destiny is to shine the brightest on any stage, even if that stage is surrounded by ropes!”
Just then, the loudspeakers in the ready area blared to life, letting the two mares hear what was being announced just outside the doors.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, the next match in the inaugaral Ponyville Charity Wrestling Tournament is sure to be a fierce one! These two mares face an uphill battle, but they’ve proven to Equestria that they are up to any challenge! Coming to the ring… Diamond Dale Rarity and Grand Papillon!”
The doors opened of their own accord, drawn open by unseen unicorn stagehands, and Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged a single nod before they stepped out to the cheering and stomping of the crowd. Rarity’s diamond-inspired costume sparkled under the bright lights of the arena, the pliable and comfortable costume still looking as sharp as the gem they emulated, the sleeves and leggings all expertly torn off to achieve the proper devil-may-care attitude. Beside her, Fluttershy’s getup invoked nothing less than the image of a giant and ornate butterfly, a smaller butterfly perched on her face as a mask.
The two mares made their way to the ring, Fluttershy simply flying over the top rope while Rarity lifted the bottom one with her magic and stepped inside. In the first row, they could see their friends hooting and hollering for them louder than anyone else, Pinkie topping them all with her hoof-made sign: “Rarity and Fluttershy, The Future Tag-Team Champions of Equestria!!!”
“And coming into the arena now, their opponents! One is the winner of Mr. Cloudsdale five years in a row and the first pegasus to win Mr. Equestria! One has been named Ponyville’s Most Hunkalicious Bachelor since he was eligible! Welcome to the ring… Big McLargehooves and Big Macintosh!”
The bulky white pegasus burst into the arena with a “YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” while his apple-farming partner followed slowly afterwards, looking up at the mares in the ring with a conflicted look on his face.
Rarity and Fluttershy looked at each other, swallowing hard. “Oh dear,” they whispered together.