Scootaloo woke up with a yawn. She sat up, stretched, then hopped out of bed. She was used to waking up on her own; her foster parents were almost always on some business trip so she'd learned how to take care of herself. To an extent at least, despite constant reminders from her foster mother that brushing teeth in the morning was necessary Scootaloo could never seem to get around to it when she was on her own.
I don't snack at night so my teeth aren't dirty in the morning, what's the point?
Scootaloo trotted downstairs to the kitchen and opened the fridge. The first thing she saw was a plate of sliced apples and carrots with a folded note on top. She grabbed the plate in her mouth then walked to the dining room, placed the plate on the table and sat on a chair. She unfolded the note.
How's it going Scoot?
Sorry I can't be there to talk to you. I got back to the house around midnight and my train to Manehattan leaves at five in the morning. Don't worry though, I'm only going there for a few days and I'll drag Qualified Quill back with me if I have to. (Don't think I will, she needs a break and does miss you but, well, you know how she can be.) We should be back sometime on Wednesday and we'll definitely stick around until the weekend. That should give us plenty of time to catch up and maybe go do something together. I'm sure you and your friends have had some adventures since we've been gone and I can't wait to hear all about them.
Your friend,
Ace Contract
Scootaloo smiled. Ace was an awesome guy, she'd probably be comfortable with calling him Dad if he ever stayed home for more than a week at a time. But hey, she couldn't tell him what to do, and he hardly ever told her what to do, so it was cool. She ate her breakfast, put the plate back in the kitchen and started for the door. When she was about half way there somepony knocked. Scootaloo tilted her head, and sped up a bit to answer it.
Her eyes widened when she opened the door.
"Hey squirt, how's it goin'?"
"Rainbow Dash! Hey, uh, it's going great," said Scootaloo, "What're you doing here?"
"What I can't visit to my little sis's house?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"What? No! I didn't-"
"Relax squirt, I'm just teasing," said Rainbow Dash, "Anyway, I wanna talk to you, is it okay if I come in?"
"Sure!"
Scootaloo led Rainbow Dash to the living room and they sat next to each other on a couch.
"What do you wanna talk about?" asked Scootaloo.
"Well, you're coming to see the match between me and Brawler right?"
"Heck yeah! I can't wait to see you kick his flank!"
Rainbow Dash sighed.
"Huh? What's wrong?" asked Scootaloo.
"I'm not gonna lie to you squirt, he's the one who's probably gonna kick my flank," said Rainbow Dash.
"What! But you have a black belt in Karate!" protested Scootaloo.
"Yeah, and he beat up twenty Royal guards when he was thirteen. Now, I know guards aren't that tough but a single colt against twenty fully grown and armored stallions? Heh, I know I couldn't do something like that."
"Bu-but you're Rainbow Dash! You're the coolest pony in Equestria! You can't lose."
Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"You think I've never had a wipe out before? I've crashed plenty of times, especially when trying out a new stunt. I'm pretty awesome but," Rainbow Dash grimaced, then looked down "I've, failed before, and I'm going to fail at things in the future. There'll be success and victory, but there's gonna be plenty of failing too."
Scootaloo stared at Rainbow Dash with her mouth hanging open.
Th-that can't be right.
Rainbow Dash looked back up.
"Hey, don't look at me like that! I'm a daredevil! This is what we do. We bite off more than we can chew, then chew it anyway. Sometimes we choke and spit it out, then we try again later," she explained.
"Eew!" cried Scootaloo.
"Heh, yeah that sounded a lot better in my head," said Rainbow Dash.
They chuckled for a bit, then were silent for a moment.
"I get what you're saying about daredevils and all, but have you really failed before?" asked Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash sighed.
"Yeah, I have," she pointed at Scootaloo's chest, "You can't tell anypony about this, but for a long time I couldn't do the Sonic Rainboom. I did it when I earned my Cutie Mark, but then for a long time every time I tried to do it again the air would launch me backward and I'd crash. I only recently got it down."
"At the Young Fliers Competition right?" asked Scootaloo.
"Yep. But before then I just couldn't do it. I tried and I tried and I tried, it failed, but it got a little better each time. Then, one day, I did it. I have a feeling fighting Brawler is gonna be similar. He's gonna kick my flank for a long time, but one day-," Rainbow Dash jabbed her hoof out and stopped right in front of Scootaloo's face. "I'm gonna knock his lights out."
Rainbow Dash lowered her hoof and Scootaloo stared at her in awe.
She is SO, COOL!
"Wow, so, why are you telling me this?" asked Scootaloo.
"I figured it'd be easier to have this talk while I wasn't shaking off a concussion," said Rainbow Dash. They both laughed.
"But I also wanted to make sure you weren't, like, mad at Brawler for beating me. He's a cool guy, I think he's gonna be an awesome friend. It'd be a bit of a downer if my little sis didn't like him," said Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo nodded.
"Okay. I'll try not to be THAT mad at him."
"That's all I wanted to hear squirt. Now we got a lot of time to kill before the match, you wanna show me what you can do on that scooter?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Heck yeah!" Scootaloo jumped up from the couch, rushed to the door, grabbed her scooter from the closet, then jumped outside with Rainbow Dash on her heels.
Today's gonna be AWESOME!
Across town, another pony woke up with a yawn. Brawler rolled off his couch and stretched his wings. He looked down at the bag of carrots near his bed. He grabbed a couple and sighed.
I'm gonna need some meat soon.
He bit off the end of one carrot and started munching on it.
Hell, I need carbs, nuts, and some fruits too, buck.
He swallowed and took another bite.
Well I got five more bits. That should be enough to buy me some bread and maybe some nuts. But I don't earn anymore bits until tomorrow. And I doubt anypony in this town sells meat, let alone lean meat.
Brawler sighed, then took another bite of his carrot.
I need to get into contact with Garry. Hopefully he'll still give me a discount. Until then I guess a bag of nuts will have to do. They haven't got as much protein as meat but it's better than nothing.
His first carrot was now finished. He tossed away the stem but as he reached for the second one he froze.
Aw crap. How the buck am I gonna tell them that I eat meat?
A pony eating meat wasn't unheard of, the taste of it usually took a bit to get used to but their bodies could handle it fine. The problem was most ponies preferred to befriend animals, not cook them.
Even the one pony that tried to stick with me after I got my mark got scared off when I started eating meat.
Brawler sighed again and grabbed the carrot.
Well, I'm probably not gonna be able to get any meat for awhile, so I guess I can keep it a secret for now.
He took a bite.
Focus on the problems you can handle, then worry about the others.
He finished the carrot then stood up and stretched. While he was stretching he glanced at the cart.
Okay, first order of business: Return the cart.
He grabbed his saddle bags from next to the couch, then walked over the the cart and grabbed it with his teeth. He wheeled it around then headed out the door.
Which way was that Quills and Sofas place again? Oh right.
Brawler walked down the street on his left and got to the store in about five minutes. It was closed. Brawler shrugged his shoulders and left the cart at the door. With that done he took off and flew over to the market. After wandering around for a bit he bought a loaf of bread for three bits and a bag of nuts for his last two bits.
Welp, I'm broke again.
He opened the bag and munched on a few nuts, then took off and flew back to the dojo. He walked back to the storage room, took out his food, took off his saddle bags, then sat down. He looked at his food, then sighed.
Well, it'll definitely last until tomorrow.
He tore off a small chunk of bread and tossed it in his mouth.
But it's not enough if I want to have a serious workout.
Brawler sighed and laid down on the couch.
"What to do, what to do," he whispered. He glanced at the library.
"Eh," he stood up, "Might as well."
He trotted into the library and pulled out Magic 101. Then he took a few steps back, sat down, and placed the book on the ground in front of him. He opened it and flipped to chapter 4.
Chapter 4
Meditation
Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way fitness is an approach to training the body. A skilled mage needs to have a well trained mind in order to have full control of their magic. Many different meditation techniques exist but we'll begin with the basics.
In general, the easiest way to begin meditating is to focus on a single point, like breathing or the flame of a candle. This is called Concentration Meditation. A beginner will have difficulty focusing the mind at first so they should start with short sessions and work up to longer durations. As a general rule it usually takes at least a full minute of meditation before a pony starts to feel their inner magic.
Brawler tapped his hoof.
A full minute of focusing on nothing but breathing? Ugh, that's gonna take awhile.
He closed his eyes, leaned back, and started taking long breaths, trying to focus.
This is stupid.
Shut up I'm trying to focus.
On breathing, really? You think breathing will help you break out of telekinesis?
Got any better ideas jackass?
You could be training.
I haven't got enough food for that. Now shut the buck up and let me focus!
We're the same pony dumbass. And do you really want to stop thinking? It's the only thing holding the memories back.
Brawler's eyes snapped open. He held his head in his hoof and groaned.
"Luna almighty I hate my head."
Pinkie Pie was having a funerific day. She had spent her whole morning baking cupcakes. Some to sell in the store, some for her emergency stashes and some for snacks later today. Cupcakes were her favorite thing to bake, you could bake them plain, you could bake them with strawberry jelly filling, you could bake them with mini whipped cream bombs.
And no matter what they bring a smile to somepony's face!
All of a sudden one of the whipped cream bomb cupcakes started beeping.
"Oops!" Pinkie rushed over and stuffed the cupcake in her mouth. She chewed it for a few seconds then her cheeks explosively inflated to the size of basketballs.
Guess that one had a teensy weeny glitch.
Pinkie swallowed the delicious whipped cream, then closely scrutinized the other bomb cupcakes.
"Does anycake else want to explode?"
She gave each cupcake a shake to be sure. When none of them started beeping she smiled.
"Good! Because if more of you started going off I'd have to eat... you... all... up."
Realization dawned on Pinkie's face.
"Actually are you sure you don't want to blow up? The last guy who did made it look fun!"
The cupcakes remained silent.
"Oh come on, pllleeeaassseee? Just one more?"
The cupcakes ignored Pinkie's puppy dog eyes. Her mane drooped a bit.
"Party poopers."
The oven gave a 'DING', and Pinkie's mane reinflated. She bounced over to the oven, grabbed her oven mitts from her mane, opened the oven and grabbed the new and improved peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. Pinkie breathed in their delicious aroma.
"Ahh. Brawly's gonna love these!"
She set the cupcakes down to cool and looked at the clock. It was eleven thirty, she had just enough time to gather up the perfect selection of cupcakes then head over to the dojo for her match with Brawler.
Ooo, I can't wait! Who knew fighting could be so much fun?
Pinkie had technically fought others before; her status as the Element of Laughter meant that she had to face monsters and other threats to Equestria from time to time. But there was always something on the line then, not quite as much time for fun. It was occasionally fun, but not as fun as her fight with Brawler.
When she fought, or 'sparred' with Brawler there wasn't anything at stake. Without a sense of urgency weighing on her she could focus on just how exciting it was. Ducking beneath Brawler's right hook was a hell of a thrill, topped only by double kicking him in the face. Yeah, she lost and it hurt a bit, but Brawler wasn't some cackling evil doer so it didn't matter who won.
And today I get to have that same fun again and help a pony smile at the same time! What could be better?
Pinkie turned back to the cupcakes and examined them closely.
Now what's the perfect cupcake to enjoy while watching two ponies beat each other silly? Hmm.
Pinkie arrived at the dojo at exactly twelve o'clock. She was balancing a tray with six cupcakes on her back, one for each of them. The door was open so she bounced inside.
"Hellloooo? Anypony home?" she called. She heard some shuffling in a nearby room.
"Pinks? Is that you?" called Brawler. He walked in from a door on the left.
"Shit, is it noon already?" he asked.
"Yep!" Pinkie bounced her tray from her back to her right hoof, "I brought cupcakes! The peanut butter chocolate one is for you!"
Brawler's eyebrows shot up in surprise, then he sighed. Pinkie cocked her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Well," Brawler rubbed the back of his head, "It looks delicious but I can't eat it."
"Why not? You love chocolate and peanut butter don't you?" asked Pinkie.
"Yes, but I've already had more than enough sweets for the next month."
Pinkie's eyes bulged.
"WHAT!?!"
"Look Pinks, I need to eat a certain way to stay in fighting shape. It was hard enough to stay in shape when all I got to eat was prison slop, if I start eating sweets all the time I'd lose my muscle," said Brawler.
"Oh. When's the next time you can have a cupcake?" asked Pinkie.
"Uh, well, lemme think. Sunshine's lunch, the stuff at the food fight, and that peanut butter bar. I try to only eat dessert once every fifteen days, so, not for two months if I stick to the schedule," said Brawler, he rubbed the back of his head and chuckled, "But that's a pretty big if."
"Oh, okay," said Pinkie. She pulled her special cupcake safe out of her hair and placed Brawler's cupcake in it, then she put the safe back in her hair, "I'll hold onto it for you until you want it."
Brawler stared at her hair for a moment, then shook himself.
"You're not, mad or upset or anything?"
"Nah, I have plenty of friends who diet a lot. Rarity's always trying to lose a few pounds for some reason."
Brawler rolled his eyes.
"Teh, of course. Anyway do you know when Dashie and the CMC are gonna show up?"
"Already here Brawly-boy," called Rainbow Dash as she trotted in. Scootaloo followed close behind on her scooter. She got off and looked around.
"Is this it?" she asked.
"It's not much but it's better than nothing," said Brawler, "Are your friends almost here?"
"Yeah, we passed them on the way here. They should be here pretty soon," said Scootaloo.
"Alright, there's some carpeting on that side of the room which should be a little more comfortable to sit on, and Pinks made everypony cupcakes," said Brawler.
"Awesome! Can I have mine now?" asked Scootaloo.
"Go ahead squirt," said Rainbow Dash.
"One double chocolate cupcake coming up!" said Pinkie, she tossed the treat to Scootaloo, who jumped up and caught it.
"Yes! Thanks Pinkie!" she said as she walked over to the sitting area.
"Do you want your whipped cream bomb cupcake Rainbow Dash?" asked Pinkie.
"I think I'll wait till after the fight," said Rainbow Dash.
"Okie dokie lokie! I'll just have my strawberry cupcake while we wait!" Pinkie tossed the treat in the air and caught it in her mouth. Rainbow Dash and Brawler chuckled.
"Hey do we get cupcakes too?"
Everypony turned and saw Sweetie Belle and Applebloom at the entrance.
"Yeporuni! I have a caramel apple cupcake for Applebloom and a chocolate chip cupcake for Sweetie Belle."
The fillies took their cupcakes from Pinkie then joined Scootaloo at the sitting area. Brawler looked back and forth between Pinkie and Rainbow Dash.
"Alright, who's first?"
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie looked at each other, then Rainbow Dash walked into the sparring area and took a ready stance in the nearest corner.
"You okay with that Pinks?" asked Brawler.
"Yep! She looks like she really wants to kick your flank," said Pinkie. She turned and bounced over to the sitting area.
"Alright then," said Brawler, he trotted over to the corner opposite Rainbow Dash and got in his boxing stance.
"Ready for this Dashie?" he asked.
"You have no idea Brawly-boy," said Rainbow Dash.
They stared at each other for a moment, then took a few steps forward, paused, then started circling each other.
Without warning Rainbow Dash sped forward and threw a left jab at Brawler's face. Brawler raised his hooves and blocked it, then lashed out his right hoof. Rainbow Dash back stepped, Brawler lunged. With a powerful flap of her wings Rainbow Dash jumped over him and she landed with her back to his. They quickly turned to face each other but Rainbow Dash was slightly faster.
Spinning quickly, Rainbow Dash raised her right hind leg and slammed a roundhouse kick into Brawler's gut. Brawler started to double over but Rainbow Dash lashed out her left hoof and hit his head. Brawler stumbled back and was only just able to raise his guard in time to block another jab.
"WOO HOO! Go Rainbow Dash!" cheered Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash threw a few more jabs, but Brawler forced her to back up when he threw an uppercut. They stared each other down, Brawler staying still, Rainbow Dash hoping from hoof to hoof. Both of them were breathing slightly harder than before.
Pinkie took a slurp of her soda through her crazy straw.
Well Rainbow Dash is doing a lot better than last time. Should I throw a party for her?
Before Pinkie could decide Brawler lunged forward and threw a wicked left hook at Rainbow Dash's face. She ducked beneath it, extended her hooves to either side of her and spread her wings.
Then Brawler's right hoof smashed into her face.
Rainbow Dash stumbled backward, hooves still by her side. Brawler lunged. His left hook to her head knocked her farther back, his right jab to her stomach doubled her over, and his right uppercut to her jaw knocked her down.
Rainbow Dash landed on her back with a loud 'THUD'. All the members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped. Scootaloo shook herself.
"Come on Rainbow Dash, get up!" she cried.
Rainbow Dash rolled onto her stomach and groaned.
"Come on Dashie, is that all you got?" taunted Brawler.
Rainbow Dash snarled and slammed her right hoof on the floor then leapt back to her hooves. She quick got in her stance then lunged at Brawler. He quickly raised his guard and blocked her punch, but before he could counter she threw another jab, then a left hook into the side of his foreleg. Rainbow Dash's hooves became a blur as she peppered Brawler's guard with jabs and hooks. Then without warning she threw an uppercut right between Brawler's forelegs, and knocked them aside.
He was now wide open.
Before he could recover she ducked down, extended her hooves to either side of her and spread her wings. Then she shot upward and smashed her hooves up into his jaw. Brawler became airborne but Rainbow Dash wasn't done with him yet.
She quickly backflipped to correct herself, then tackled Brawler in mid-air and slammed him into the ground. Laying on top of him, Rainbow Dash raised her hoof then smashed it into Brawler's face. She raised it again and brought it down, but Brawler moved his head and she missed.
Before she could try again Brawler slammed his hoof into her side. Rainbow Dash cried out, Brawler slammed his hoof into her side again, and again, and again.
The fifth punch knocked her off and she rolled onto her back with a groan. Brawler stood up, panting.
"Had... enough?" he asked.
Rainbow Dash groaned again.
"Yeah... I think I'm done," she said.
Brawler chuckled and offered her his hoof. She took it and he pulled her to her hooves. She held her side.
"Those really hurt," she said.
"So did your double uppercut takeoff," said Brawler, rubbing his chin and grinning, "You come up with that yourself?"
"You told me to mix in some flying," said Rainbow Dash, starting to grin as well.
"I was thinking dive bombs, not uppercuts. Heh, heh. Damn Dashie, you keep this up and you just might beat me some day."
They chuckled, but before they could say anything else Pinkie sped over to them.
"That was AMAZING guys! You were all like 'Grr', and then Rainbow was like 'Whoosh', then Brawly was all like 'RAAR', and then- Hey what's wrong Brawly?"
Brawler was staring past Pinkie with narrowed eyes. Pinkie turned and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders staring at them wide eyed.
Why's he mad at that?
"Nothing," grunted Brawler. Pinkie turned back to him with her head cocked. Brawler gave her a half hearted attempt at a chuckle.
"Well Pinks," he clapped his hooves, "Your turn."
He turned at started walking to the far corner.
"Wha-? Already? You don't want to rest?" asked Pinkie.
"Not while I can still stand," said Brawler, he reached the far corner, turned around and got into his stance, "Better get out of the ring Dashie, it's gonna get pretty hectic."
"Yeah, yeah, gimme a minute," said Rainbow Dash. She started walking over to the sitting area, still clutching her side.
"Your cupcake's on the tray Rainbow," said Pinkie.
"Thanks."
Still wondering what made Brawler mad, Pinkie walked over to the corner opposite Brawler.
Maybe he was mad they didn't cheer? No, that's not really his thing.
Her eyes widened.
Maybe he's mad they got to eat cupcakes and he didn't!
She reached the corner and turned to face him.
But he said he had a dessert schedule.
It's a cupcake! Who wouldn't be a sourpuss if somepony got one and they didn't.
Okay so what do we do?
Maybe use cupcakes in the fight? That way he can have one if he really wants it.
"Great idea brain!" said Pinkie. Everypony stared at her. She put a hoof over her mouth and giggled.
"Oops. Heh, heh, thinking out loud again."
"Heh. Don't worry Pinks I sometimes do it too," said Brawler, "Anyway since you're a long range fighter I'll let you pull out one weapon before we start. But as soon as it's out, I'm coming for you."
"Thanks Brawly!" Pinkie stood up then reached into her mane and started sorting through her options.
Hmm, Cupcake cannon? Nah, save it. Party cannon? Nah, he's already seen it. Hmm. Ahh! Here we go.
Pinkie whipped out a high-powered two slotted toaster and strapped it to her right hoof. Brawler started charging forward and Pinkie tossed bread into the slots.
"FLAMING TOAST CANNON!"
Brawler stopped dead and started waving his forelegs.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Pinks this is a wood building!" he shouted.
"Oops," Pinkie adjusted the toaster's heat, "Sorry, forgot. BURNT TOAST CANNON!"
Two black pieces of toast shot out of the toaster and straight for Brawler. He raised his guard and they shattered against his forelegs.
"Gaaah! That bucking stings!"
He started walking forward. Pinkie reloaded and shot again Brawler dodged to the left but before both his back hooves were even on the ground Pinkie fired again. The toast smashed against his chest and he stumbled back.
"Okay then," he mumbled.
Brawler sped to Pinkie's left, when she fired he dodged right then sped that way. He repeated the process several times, occasionally not changing direction after a dodge to throw Pinkie off.
Not good, he's getting pretty close!
One more dodge and he would be right on top of her. She needed to think of something and fast.
Come on, come on.... Got it!
Pinkie fired her toast cannon, Brawler ducked to the left then lunged forward. Pinkie quickly pulled her Party cannon out, jumped on top of it, then fired a shot into Brawler's face.
Unfortunately she had forgotten to reload the presents, so the only thing that came out was confetti. Brawler barely even slowed down.
He jumped up, smashed his hoof into Pinkie's face and she flew off the cannon. Brawler landed on his hooves, Pinkie landed on her back. Brawler took a deep breath.
"No offense Pinks but I think you rely a little too much on weapons," he said.
Pinkie sat up.
"Like this one?"
She pulled out her Cupcake cannon, loaded three cupcakes in it, and rapidly shot them into Brawler's face. While he was wiping it off she pulled out her frying pan.
Wah-cong time!
She leapt forward and smashed the pan down on Brawler's head.
'CONG'
Brawler's head was forced down and he started stumbling back. Right when he was standing up Pinkie hit him again.
'CONG'
Brawler stumbled further back and tripped against the Party cannon. He tried to wipe his eyes off but Pinkie swung at the left side of his face.
'CONG'
Brawler fell down to the right but managed to land on all fours. He snarled and wiped the frosting from his eyes. Pinkie was coming at him again with her frying pan raised. Brawler stood up and got in his stance. Pinkie swung at his left side, Brawler raised his left foreleg over the frying pan then pinned it to his side. Then before Pinkie could let go he slammed his hoof into her stomach, then up into her head.
Pinkie let go of her frying pan and fell to the ground. Brawler stood panting, then he let the frying pan fall to the floor with a 'clang'.
"Oww," he held his head with his right foreleg, "We done Pinks?"
Pinkie sat up, her eyes were spinning.
"Ooo, Brawly! When did you become triplets?" she asked. Brawler laughed, got back on all fours, and trotted over to her. He tapped the side of her head a few times and her eyes corrected themselves.
"Yeah, I think we're done," he said as he helped her up.
"Oh, okay. But that was a lot of fun Brawly!" said Pinkie.
Brawler smiled.
"Sure was Pinks."
Pinkie smiled back at him.
I really, really, really like it when he smiles. He's not scary at all when he does it.
"That was AWESOME!" yelled Scootaloo.
Pinkie turned and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders rush over to Brawler. They started bouncing up and down in front of him, asking excited questions.
"How the hay are ya still standin' after takin' a beatin' like that?" asked Applebloom.
"How did you dodge Rainbow Dash's punch?" asked Scootaloo.
"How did you catch that frying pan so easily?" asked Sweetie Belle.
Brawler started glancing between them and trying to push them away but they were persistent.
"How much did that toast shooter thingamajig hurt?" asked Applebloom.
"Does it hurt your hoof when you punch something?" asked Scootaloo.
"Can you teach me to fight like that?" asked Sweetie Belle.
Brawler froze.
Pinkie's back started itching.
Wah? Danger? But what could be-?
"Get out," growled Brawler.
"Huh?" asked Scootaloo.
"Get out... Get out! GET OUT!!" Brawler shoved the fillies away, "GET THE BUCK OUT OF HERE!"
"Wha- but all I asked was-" Sweetie Belle stopped protesting when Brawler raised his hoof. Applebloom quickly shoved her friends behind her.
"I said GET OUT!" yelled Brawler.
Rainbow Dash sped forward and shoved herself between Brawler and the fillies.
"Brawler calm down," she said shakily, she turned to the kids, "Look, just leave, okay? You're not in trouble but just go, okay?"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders stared at her, then at Brawler, then each other. After a moments hesitation they trotted out of the dojo.
Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief then turned on Brawler.
"What the BUCK was that about? They were just asking questions!" she said. Brawler sucked in a few deep breaths, then lowered his hoof.
"That's the bucking problem," he said. He walked over to the wall of the sitting area and started beating his head against it.
'THUMP' "Damnit." 'THUMP' "Damnit." 'THUMP' "Damnit."
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie stared at each other, then at Brawler.
"Um, what's wrong with them asking questions?" asked Pinkie.
"Think about it. How would the average school filly react to those fights?" asked Brawler.
"W-well, um," stammered Rainbow Dash.
"They'd be scared," said Brawler, "They might want to see the fight, but if I approached them afterwards they would scream and piss themselves."
Brawler turned to face them.
"Only one kind of pony would ever even approach me after matches like that. A fighter."
Hm... before reading, this gives me a feeling it's about what the society accepts. What ponies deem proper, and what must be repressed, shunned, or contained. And how when they can't do that, how it lashes back at them. Or, on the other side of the coin, how it will disprove them or even save them.
I honestly don't know which one it will be, or what I'd prefer.
... I'm going in, sleep be damned.
6235805 I'm pretty sure Sweet Apple Acres isn't the only place in Equestria that can made hard cider
The fight with Pinkie reminded me of Looney Toons, loved it.
The way Brawler reacted to the fillies has me thinking that he doesnt want anypony to end up in a cell like he did. This is especially truw given what he believes about Celestia.
Forelegs and hindlegs are the terms that work best in my experience. And don't feel bad about the whole staying-in-shape thing. While prison slop sucks they make sure you have the stuff needed to survive such as protein and calcium and what not. As for what to write instead of *GASP*...that's a tough one. Sort of hard to express; I'd probably go with "her eyes widened" or "her mind took a sharp breath" or something of the sort.
Great chapter, looking forward to more.
Hm... my only issue is that we still have this looming characterization of Celestia, she whom did actually attempt magical combat to save her subjects -Canterlot Wedding, though writers wrote her losing to leeched-love boosted bug- being, essentially, an Orwellian Tyrant.
And now rainbow and pinky will attempt to discourage the crusaders from trying to get taught how to fight.
more please!
6235990
They were talking about the over a thousand year old barrel labeled Sweet Apple Acres.
The sparring match between RD and Barwler and later Pihkie was awesome.
6236399 Oh yeah, that one. Sorry, it's been awhile since I read the beginning chapters. As for the aging thing my only excuse would be: It's a land of talking ponies and things are different there.
Also, thanks for pointing out the spelling mistakes I'll get right on it.
6236087 Thank you.
I have never encountered a martial artist who wouldn't indulge themselves with some sweets every once in a while, and the only reason to avoid them at all is if you areva competition fighter because of weight classes that you must fit in, in fact too little fat on your body is incredibly bad for you especially if you are an active individual.
6235990
You pointed stated the barrel said sweet Apple acres on it.
6236640 Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot about that, it's been awhile since I read the first chapters
6236600 Brawler does indulge once in awhile. As he said he tries to stick to a schedule of fifteen days between each time he has dessert, I never said he didn't sometimes break off from that schedule.
He's just hesitant to eat the cupcake because he's been eating a lot of desserts over the past few days.
6236198 I know of two cannon instances when Celestia engaged in combat. The Canterlot wedding and when she had to banish Nightmare Moon. I'm pretty sure she wasn't enjoying herself in either of those situations.
Brawler needs to get into fights daily to stay sane and he has a blast doing it.
Celestia is willing to engage in combat but she wants violence in her nation to come to an end. A pony like Brawler prevents that from happening.
6237272 Having a combat talent doesn't mean you automatically enjoy it... I think.
Brawler DOES enjoy it, but Celestia jumping the gun with his situation pretty much drove him to this point via, as explained in-story, CMFS. Or rather, your fic's incarnation of Celestia drove him to it.
My nitpick is that Celestia's behavoir thus-far is less like Celestia and more like Starlight "I'mma BRAINWASH you" Glimmer.
This characterization for the fic creates a couple of plot-holes to my view.
Why is there even an aged Dojo? With the relatively short distance to Canterlot, this Celestia could have quickly had it fully demolished and all the books found destroyed WAY before Rainbow Dash could have trained there.
Why wasn't Rainbow Dash -or any other pony that practiced karate- previously locked up under Celestia's orders? She doesn't want violence? Well, okay, they're, by this story's logic, practicing violence. Lock 'em up.
Why is there even a Royal Guard in the first place if she doesn't expect violence? A deterrent? *dismissive "pfft"* Yeah, that'll work. *sarcasm*
I want to see Celestia have a word with Brawler... and I want her to apologize (honest apology) and really set things right...
6237286 I'm trying to fill those plot holes in right now. Karate might still be around because it has more roots in tradition, ponies practice it to stay in shape more than to fight, and tournaments have special safety regulations like having to wear full pads. Also I imagine Celestia working slowly towards getting rid of violence. Not instant brainwash. She starts by encouraging ponies towards peace by enforcing the law and speaking against violence of all kinds. Then she shames authors of books that glorify violence, making them less and less common until almost no pony is writing about it, then banning violent books hardly affects anypony.
Going back to Karate and other martial arts for a moment, again, she publicly shows that she disapproves of them for glorifying violence, they become less and less popular, then she outlaws it when it affects almost nopony. In the story, boxing has been illegal for twenty years, but Karate tournaments are still around. Karate survived because it had more of a foothold in tradition and the tournament was willing to incorporate more safety regulations. Boxing was outlawed because it had neither of those things.
Now, she's working on getting rid of violence so she's obviously stated her disapproval of the Karate tournaments dispite their regulations. So it's slowly becoming less and less popular. A big city might still have a dojo but a smaller town like Ponyville would probably abandon it. Since Karate is still somewhat popular Celestia can't outlaw it and therefore can't justify destroying the dojo.
As for the Royal guard, well, Equestria does have a few monsters and outside threats (Changelings) roaming around so some kind of military force is necessary. (They're just not well trained.)
Celestia only reacted so strongly against Brawler because she had been working to eliminate violence for centuries and then along comes this punk who lives and breaths violence (In her eyes) so she locks him up.
I hope my explanation was satisfactory and please note that I'm working my hardest to incorporate all of these facts and backstory into the narrative. Please let me know if there's something I missed and if you have an idea for a way for me to explain all this it would be much appreciated.
(My current plan is to have Twilight confront Celestia about all the banned books in the dojo and have Celestia reveal most of this stuff to her.)
6237440 Still comes across more like Starlight Glimmer, but at the very least you bothered to respond and explain, so thank you. *salute*
6237515 What if Celestia started slow and before she knew it she was manipulating the whole nation? Like, what if during an interview she off handedly mentions that she doesn't like martial art tournaments because too many ponies get hurt, and then all of a sudden a bunch of different tournaments add safety regulations. Surprised at the amount of influence she has without even passing a law she starts openly speaking against violence. Over the decades, fighting tournaments become less and less popular, then one day at a formal party a noble suggests out right banning a certain kind of martial art tournament because not many ponies are into it and the ones that are the kind most avoid. Celestia bans it, and hardly anypony cares, a few even support the ban.
One thing leads to another and before she knows it she's condemning authors of adventure books for glorifying violence and banning the books they wrote.
She's still manipulating the nation but it's like she went too far without realizing it. Is that portrayal better?
6235990 THIS IS HARDCORE!
HE'S LIKE MIYAZAKI!
EXCEPT MORE FLAWED!
6238611 Uh, is that good or bad? And do you mean the animator Miyzaki or some anime character?
6238626 Damn... I mean the guy who teaches in the old Karate Kid movies.
6238631Oh yeah him. Thanks! Glad you like it!
6238636 Want to have a conversation? pM me!
6235990
6235990 it would be interesting to have him meet Starlight Glimmer and her ideas, eh?
little mess up, but brawler didn't take the brunt of the attack!
what are you talking about he is way outta shape. Though imagine what he would be like BACK in shape.
That whole early bit with Pinkie Pie...just classic Pinkie.
I enjoyed the two fights, both had some good descriptions. At least at the end Brawler isn't your typical wishy-washy protag that doesn't try to explain anything at all and just outright says why he pushed the Cutie Mark Crusaders out. It would be a bit better if he did reveal what AJ was talking to him about regarding that, though, to completely clear up any confusion Pinkie and Dashie might have.
Sweets are simply just easy energy, though, they don't exactly have any special fattening qualities besides being tasty enough to be addicting.
6240633 He's still in shape despite the eight years in prison. If this was him out of shape I can't imagine how strong he'd be.
6237943 I love your ability to answer all these questions; it's clear you've thought a lot about the world you've created and the story that you're planning. Keep up with it! I'm excited to see where this goes.
Brawler is a very selfless pony...
He never regretted fighting against the guards, even if it ended up with him losing all his family, his life, and everything, for years he was in a prison, hated for his Cutie Mark despite it being his destiny. I never liked this all peaceful setting of Equestria, now if it was a Cutie Mark of killing or something like that, I'd get it, but banning all types of competitive fighting sports? You are just cutting away a large amount of potential great citizens with that shit.
... II think Brawler doesn't really hate Celestia for putting her in the cell, I man sure, he's bitter about it, but I think the real hatred, is that she did it to a thirteen year old colt, simply because of his Cutie Mark.
... I think I see he doesn't want history to repeat, he see's those three fillies and he thinks, 'No... not again'
... I like Brawler, he understand's that other ponies have prejudice against his talent, so despite the possible urge to encourage a like minded ability for fighting, he doesn't want to for fear of Celestia doing the same thing again...
Hmm, I can't help but compare this situation to mutant's in the Marvel universe, it's either your fighting for your country, or your a fugitive, the Royal Guards for example, there has to be a few that have war, battle and killing related Cutie Mark's as well.
Damn this story is good. Hope more chapters come out soon rather than the current 'monthly' rate.
6251170 Believe me man, I want to. But currently my Dad has me working eight hours a day on building a patio in our yard, then I have summer homework, then I need to renew my learner's permit, then I'm taking a week long class on how to write a college essay, then when school starts it'll be my senior year of highschool. So yeah, I'd love to work on this more often work before pleasure ya know?
Brawler benefits from the Prisons are Gymnasiums trope since he was able to work out in his cell.
I'm glad Brawler is trying to keep the Crusaders from ending up like him, but heaven help Diamond Tiara if she starts messing with them and they decide to mimic his moves. I loved Twilight's reaction to the Dojo library and Rainbow's Take Off Uppercut, very nice! I can't wait to see what comes up next.
I'm honestly wanting to strangle Celestia, she had a prime candidate for an expert member of her guard and she tosses him in jail instead of training him to hone that talent for the better of Equestria. I bet Brawler would have handled Chrysalis fairly well if he'd been a guard in the throne room... or at least he would have taken out many Changelings before going down.
6237386 It will probably be a long time coming, he'll likely have to save the lives of all the Mane 6, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Shining Armor, Cadence, Luna, and herself.
6238611 You mean Mr. Miyagi. "Wax On Wax Off Daniel San"
6258807 I'm glad you like it! I'm going to try and update within two weeks but that might be a bit optimistic.
About your theory that the apology is a long time coming; well it'll happen a little sooner than you think. I don't want to spoil too much but if you look at comment #119 (My second reply to user Snow123) it'll give you an idea as to where I'm headed. Basically Celestia tried to end violence in Equestria without upsetting anypony and she wandered into manipulation territory without realizing. When she's confronted about it I think she'll want to apologize.
6258807 YES! THANK YOU!
I was originally going to pass this by, extremely glad that I didn't.
6275977 Pretty much.
6239625
messed* up
I really liked this chapter, but I wonder why he didn't try to hunt an animal of some sort nearby, and cook it up for free enzymes and catalysts that help fuel the muscle cells in his ligaments and tendons?
yeah I got all science-y, sue me
Red Velvet of course!
Oh dear. Cutie Mark Crusaders Boxers edition. Deary me.
Part of me wants this to turn into them become pro fighters, then Celestia actually warning them to stop or she'll take action. That would really make her impression in this story feel solid. However, it is a tad unrealistic.
Wait, what?! ... oh forget it, it's Pinkie Pie...
6236600
Too much processed sugar retards the body's production of testosterone, which is a big no-no for weight-lifters.
The CMC being hardcore fighters? Ooooooohooohoohooo delicious~
Nicely done man!
*smells Brawler/Pinkie ship sailing*