MLP: Age of Chaos

by religarro

Chapter 6 - The Iron Pony

“Are you insane AJ?! We’ve been going through all sorts of crap because of him!” protested Rainbow as she and Applejack walked through the street of Ponyville towards a certain crystal castle. “You tried bucking apples with your head again didn’t you?”

“Oh come on, Ah only tried that once!” Applejack shot back, bringing a hand to her forehead and rubbing. Just remembering it caused her skull to ache, and the bump she got from the act was so big you’d think she was a unicorn.

The farmmare shook her head to clear it of the unpleasant memories and sighed “Look, a’know we’ve been through a lot of shenanigans cus of him, but he’s still our friend and Twilight’s little brother. ‘Sides, nopony can comment sports like him! Also, if he’s there, we can be keepin an eye on him. Double win”

Now it was Rainbow’s turn to sigh. She had to admit though, it was true, and rather clever. If she were completely honest with herself, her disdain wasn’t towards Disarray at all. His pranks and antics may be annoying, but that was is. Not to mention that as a pranker, something she prided herself on, even she had to admit his pranks were both very well thought out and executed nearly flawlessly. No, the source of all her anguish, and focus of her disdain, was that team of his. More specifically the young pegasus who had the nerve to proclaim herself as the fastest flyer not only in Equestria but on all of Equis. She had to prove this uppity mare wrong at all costs!

The duo arrived at Twilight castle and let themselves in, heading to the library to see if they could find their purple friend.

“Hm? Oh, good morning girls, can I help you with something?” asked Twilight, the mare in question relaxing and reading three books at once, all three suspended by her magic.

“Good ‘mornin to ya too, is Disarray home? This weekend we were hopin on havin our annual Iron Pony competition and were wonderin if he wants his old position as a presenter. Ya know how much he loved it last year”

“And how much more coherent he was than Pinkie…” mumbled Dash under her breath.
Twilight couldn’t help but smile. Despite the name and color change, her friends still saw her brother just like they always had and not as some big bad enemy. Sure she didn’t agree with everything he did. Sure he was a major nuisance now. But he was still her baby brother, forever and always. Besides, maybe one day he’ll come to his senses, get over this teen angst phase of his, and give up working for chaos. One could hope.

The purple princess led the two to the dragon’s door and gave a couple knocks. “Disarray, you have a couple visitors”

Slowly the door opened by itself and a deep voice spoke out. “Enter!”

The trio slowly, nervously, made their way inside. Once they were in, the door slammed shut behind them, causing them to jump a little.

“Come forward!” the voice commanded.

They began walking forward and Twilight used her horn to try and illuminate the room, however it was like the darkness was tangible. It was almost like a fog and they couldn’t see anything.

“Who DARES disturb the great and terrible DISARRAY!” the voice boomed out, purple flames igniting the floor in front of them.

As brave as they claim to be, Applejack and Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but cower a little. They were completely at his mercy here. There was so much darkness they couldn’t even see the door back. Anything could happen. Twilight bravely took a step forward. She was a little shaken, but it seemed she was somewhat used to this.

“Applejack and Rainbow Dash have come to visit you. They have something to ask you” she calmly explained. As jarring as the display was, it was just that, a display. Theatrics.
Immediately the darkness cleared, and there was Disarray, casually laying on his bed, reading a comic book.

“Oh hey! Applejack, Rainbow! What can I do for you?” He asked casually, giving them a genuine smile as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Twilight just shook her head, having gone through this every time she had to enter his room. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smirk. Her heart was pumping, and even she had to admit that gave her a start. Well played...well played she thought to herself.

Applejack forced a smile back at the dragon and spoke up “Ya see, tomorrow Rainbow an Ah are havin our annual Iron Pony competition, and we were wonderin if you wanted to be our presenter again. Ya know, just for old times sake…”

Disarray was touched. After everything that had happened, they were still trying to keep things like how they were. Problem was, things weren’t like how they were, things change, people change. He truthfully didn’t have any real problems with being a presenter, but a better opportunity just presented itself and he’d be bad at his job if he didn’t jump on it. Politely, he declined their offer.

“Sorry girls, I’m going to be rather busy around that time, so I won’t be able to do it. Thanks for asking through, knowing that you’re thinking of little old me makes me really happy”

The mares nodded, understanding that he was a very busy dragon now, but also suspected that what he’ll be busy with will be some kind of mischief. They excused themselves from his room, the door shutting behind them by itself.

Once they were back at the castle entrance, Rainbow spoke up. “He said he had plans. AJ, if he tries to ruin the competition I swear I’ll-”

“Calm down Dash” Applejack cut in “He’s still our friend, only just a lot more annoying. However, Disarray is still the same ol Spike”

Twilight nodded “and knowing him, he’ll probably just use your competition to keep all of us distracted while he makes his actual move. I’ve been analyzing all his patterns in an attempt to anticipate when and where he’ll strike next so we can be ready”

Applejack laughed and slapped Rainbow on the back “Ha! See? Twilight’s got it covered, ‘sides, if he does try somethin and ruins the competition, at least it’ll save ya from your imminent defeat!”

“As if!” retorted Rainbow Dash, punching Applejack in the arm before both turned to head to their respective homes to prepare and get some last minute training in for the big event.

---

Just like last year, Pinkie Pie was up bright and early, ready to narrate all the happenings during this great competition between the two most competitive athletes in all of Ponyville, if not Equestria. It was a competition they themselves invented several years ago. Originally it was a private event, but as more ponies learned of it, and more started coming to see, it soon became an official holiday for the town. Shops closed early and some even set up mobile carts to try and sell wares. Seating was set up. The Cakes and Apples sold concessions. It had really become quite the spectacle.

Sitting in an announcer booth and tapping on her microphone a few times to make sure it was on, Pinkie Pie took a deep breath and spoke with the enthusiasm only one such as Pinkie Pie could muster.

“Heya all you mares and gentlecolts! I’m your host Pinkie Pie; welcome to the annual Iron Pony Competition!!!”

The crowd cheered and applauded.

“And I’m your co-host, Party Pop!” said a black earth mare who had seemingly appeared out of thin air, casually sitting next to Pinkie. Just like the other Masters of Mayhem the mare had black fur, but her eyes, hair, and tail were bright yellow. She wore a sleeveless top covered in plaid that exposed her midriff, along with yellow plaid pants and a studded belt that loosely hung off her hips, her short neck length hair was wild and spikey.

Without missing a beat, Party Pop continued talking. “Pinkie, this marks the fifth time two of our favorite overly competitive mares will come together and face off head to head to prove to each other and Ponyville who is the Iron Pony! This competition will push them to their limits and beyond! As you remember, last year saw Applejack’s victory, after the devastating defeat brought on by Rainbow Dash the year prior. This will be the year to break their tie! Will Applejack keep the momentum or will Rainbow Dash take the win?!”

Pinkie Pie just grinned at the interruption.

“Hiya! I’m Pinkie Pie, I don’t know you yet!” she said, suddenly going wide eyed and giving and overly exaggerated gasp “are you MY nemesis?!” she asked excitedly.

Pop nodded with her own grin “Yuppers! I’m Party Pop, it’s nice to officially meet you Pinkie Pie!”

The pink party pony giggled “I just LOOOOOOVVVEEEE your name! It’s reeaalllyy nice to meet you and I hope we become great enemies!” she said, before leaning over and giving a sideways hug.

Pop hugged back “I hope so too Pinkie, but right now we need to get back to the competition”

Pinkie nodded as Pop picked up her mic and, with a grin, addressed the crowd once more.

“It is my pleasure to introduce to you all two new challengers! Late entries into this grand event!” she said with a laugh.

The crowd murmured to each other, wondering who these new mystery competitors could be. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were off to the side stretching, looked at each other and frowned. It would be bad if these new challengers are who they think they’ll be. This didn’t sound good at all, and who was this new shadowy pony?

The crowd continued to murmer amongst themselves. The appearance of a Master of Mayhem, a new one at that, spawned excitement in some, and dread in others. Maelstrom, this new god of chaos, had developed a reputation in Equestria as a harbinger of excitement and entertainment among a large number of ponies. Their Masters of Mayhem had been nicknamed the Master of Fun by a nice sized chunk of the population, especially among children. Many greatly enjoyed the pranks and antics they pulled. Sure they could be rather inconvenient at times, but so many ponies enjoyed themselves, and most could look back on them with a smile on their face. Chaos was starting to become synonymous with fun.

So the crowd waited with bated breath. Finally, they appeared. It was just as Applejack and Rainbow feared; their new challengers were Bad Seed and Shadow Blitz.

“Some of you are aware, but most of you aren’t so let me explain some very interesting tidbits of information” said Pop “These two Masters of Mayhem, Bad Seed and Shadow Blitz, have been granted all the abilities of Applejack and Rainbow Dash, respectively. This means they’re just as strong as them, just as fast as them, just as agile, just as endurant, equals in almost every way. They are their counterparts; their true rivals! Yes, today we are going to have a true competition; Harmony vs Chaos! We, the Masters of Mayhem, are going to prove today, for you all, that harmony can’t beat us!” yelled out Pop.

There was complete silence. You could hear a piece of hay drop. Suddenly the crowd erupted in cheers, excited to see what could become the greatest Iron Pony competition in Ponyville history! Now, it wasn’t just a nice event to watch two friends compete against each other, this was a full out battle between the forces of harmony and the forces of chaos. Which side was stronger? This was going to be the event of the decade!

Rainbow frowned, smirking a bit as she marched over to Blitz.

“You know what, I’m glad you decided to crash the competition. I get to prove once and for all that I’m better than you! I get to finally put a smug little wanna-be in her place!”

Applejack marched over as well, scowling “Don’t waste your breath Rainbow. You know they’re just going to cheat. They’re villains after all”

Seed grinned at Applejack, much to Applejack’s discomfort. “Ah promise ah won’t use any plants or nothin to cheat! Cross mah heart, hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye!”

Blitz nodded “And I Pinkie-promise to not use any crazy weather to cheat in this competition; cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye”

Applejack eyed the two of them, her frown never leaving her face “Y’all know what Ah’m talking about. Rainbow and Ah are true athletes! We’ve been trainin our whole lives to be strong and fast. Ya both just get yer powers from magic!”

Bad Seed just raised a brow, her sister’s comment washing over her like it was nothing. While her sister was right, she DID get her powers originally from magic. All the training she herself had gone through? She did that on her own. SHE took what she was given and learned how to use it. SHE went and spent countless hours in time bubbles in their gym training and honing all her new abilities. SHE studied and learned all sorts of different types of combat techniques. The way she saw it, she was every bit the athlete her sister was, if not more so. No, definitely more so! Her sister was strong because of all of her farmwork, not because she was actually training for anything, or had any real goals or motivations. No, it was just because she got up every day and bucked trees, something she wouldn’t let her little sister do because she thought Applebloom would hurt herself. This was her chance to really show up her sister and show what REAL training could do. What SHE could do if given the chance.

Shadow Blitz felt the same way. Rainbow Dash was naturally fast, but that was it. Sure she loved to race around at top speed, and sure she received basic wonderbolt training. But that was it. Blitz studied air combat styles of fighting. She practiced every morning in the gym; speeding up, breaking, banking, barrel rolls, dives, everything. She could get up to full speed in a second and come to a complete stop just as fast. She could turn on a bit and weave through almost anything. Sure she was given her speed magically, but she worked her flank off to master it, so who were they to say she wasn’t a real athlete!

“Fine, fine, we get it!” Blitz said, hiding her anger at Applejack’s comment. “All this chit chat! If you both don’t want us to show Ponyville how weak you both are compared to us, then just say so, it’s really all you had to say!”

Seed smiled, she knew exactly what Blitz was doing. They knew their sisters. They knew they couldn’t resist a challenge, especially one that insulted their pride directly.

“Now just hold on a minute! We ain’t say nothin about not being able to handle ya two!” Applejack said. “Fine, we’ll take yer challenge, but only just to put you two in your place!”

Rainbow nodded “And that place is under our hooves!”
The three Masters of Mayhem just grinned as Pinkie Pie took the opportunity to chime in on her mic.

“So, it’s settled then and now it’s time to start our FRIENDLY competition between Harmony and Chaos!”

The crowd once again erupted into cheers.

“Representing Harmony, we have Applejack and Rainbow Dash! Challenging them and representing Chaos, we introduce to you two of your Masters of Mayhem; Bad Seed and Shadow Blitz!” Pinkie continues, gesturing to her two friends and their dark counterparts whom she hasn’t really had the chance to make friends with yet.

“Are you ready?!” shouted Party Pop excitedly.

The crowd cheered louder and there were some chants started for both chaos and harmony. Even the other Elements, who had been sitting off to the side, shouted their support to their friends.

“I want them to win, for Harmony’s sake. However, if they were to lose to their rivals, it might shrink Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s egos a tad. I know it may sound a little mean spirited, but a loss may be just what they need; a nice slice of humble pie” commented Rarity to the two friends sitting next to her.

“I bet you ten bits that Disarray or Maelstrom will swoop in and stop the competition if it seems chaos has the disadvantage or help those two cheat somehow” sighed Twilight, already seeing various ways they could do it. They promised THEY wouldn’t cheat, not that any of the other Masters, or the god of chaos themselves couldn’t or wouldn’t interfire. Yes, Twilight had them figured out. The question now, was HOW it was going to happen.

---

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Sweetie Belle was lounging on a bench, enjoying the quiet day. With nearly everypony over at the competition, the town was silent save for the breeze and the chirps of birds. There was a peace there, and she couldn’t help but hum a little tune to herself.

Seemly unnoticed by her, Rumble was hiding on a rooftop across the street, camera around his neck and binoculars in his hands. He had been tailing the cutiemark crusaders for a few days now, trying to figure out what they were up to. So far his efforts had been met with failure and some rather embarrassing moments. He hadn’t given up yet though.

“Everypony is watching the competition, so why would Sweetie be sitting there alone?” he wondered to himself.

He had been following her ever since she had left Carousel Boutique. So far she’d been the only crusader he’d seen all day and he had originally assumed she was waiting to meet up with them. However, that didn’t fully add up. Usually the crusaders met at their tree house. He knew this because they had invited him to do some crusading in the past. He also knew that even though they’re young adults now they still meet up there.

This had to be it, this had to be the big moment. She was going to meet up with the other crusaders and they were going to pull off some crazy big stunt to try and earn their cutiemarks, he just knew it!

Over on the bench, Sweetie had her eyes closed, contently humming to herself when she felt the a wave of heat to her left. She turned and opened her eyes, smiling at the black drake next to her.

“Heya Disarray”

The dragon smiled “Heya ‘Sweetie Belle’, thanks again for deciding to spend the day with me. I know you wanted to watch the competition and you’re missing it because of me. I promise when we’re finished I’ll get you anything you want to make up for it. ”

Sweetie gave a slight blush and stood up, giving Disarray a sideways hug “hey, don’t worry about it, we’re friends right? Well, what are friends for? Besides, I really enjoy spending time with you, you don’t have to buy my anything”

“But...”

“No buts! Now, what did you have planned for the day?” Sweetie giggled.

As Disarray went over his plans for setting up small pranks with proximity triggers all around ponyville to the giggling Sweetie Belle, Rumble stared at the duo wide eyed from his hiding spot.

“T-that’s DIsarray! What is the world is Sweetie Belle doing with one of the new chaos gods?! Maybe they’re an item? Oh man, her sister isn’t going to like that!” he said, raising the camera and snapping a few photos of the two. “Either way, I hope this is enough for Diamond and Silver”

As he was snapping the pictures Sweetie decided to change into her natural chaotic form, as the streets were clear and there was no one around to see. Nearly no one. Rumble couldn’t believe his eyes! Sweetie Belle was Hymnphonic, one of the Master of Mayhem. Wait, if Sweetie Belle was Hymnphonic, does that mean the rest of CMC were the other chaos gods?!

He kept taking pictures, watching at the duo laughed and walked around a corner out of sight. He gave a huge sigh, he’d done it. He not only figured it out, he got a picture of Sweetie Belle, or rather Hymnphonic, mid transformation.

“I thought Diamond Tiara was just being paranoid, but she was right! They really were up to something, something HUGE! I gotta hurry and get these photos developed and tell Diamond and Silver!” he exclaimed.

“Now why would you go and do a silly thing like that?” said a voice behind him.

Rumble went wide eyed, spinning around to come face to face with Disarray and Hymn themselves, the duo lazily floating in the air.

“I, um, I mean!” Rumble stuttered “Th-they told me to! I mean, they’re paying me to find out what the cutiemark crusaders were up to!”

Rumble wasn’t stupid. Before him floated two gods of chaos. He had lived their some of their pranks and heard the stories of other. He knew what they could do. One had the power to warp his reality into anything they wanted, and the other could hypnotise him into behaving anyway they chose. They found him out, they knew he was up here, what else did they know? He didn’t want to find out how they’d react to him lying to them.

“Ha, nothing. They’re up to nothing!” Hymphonic said, showing him the quarter note on her shoulder “As you can see, the cutiemark crusaders are no more”

Disarray slowly shook his head as he landed on the rooftop in front of the shaking Rumble. “Either way, you thought you were tailing the CMC. Why would you rat them out to Diamond Tiara of all ponies? You’re a blank flank too after all, why are you REALLY helping her?”

Rumble just looked down sadly “She...she promised she’d stop bullying me…” he said “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be eighteen and still a blank flank?! The looks you get?! The comments?!” Rumble sighed. “The things ponies say when they think you can’t hear…”

“Yes, actually, I do…” Hymnphonic said, landing next to Diarray. She leaned over and looked Rumble in the eyes “What if we protected you from her bullying, hm?”

“What if we did one better and gave him the power to do it himself?” Disarray said with a smirk.

Hymnphonic looked over to the drake, a dark grin forming on her own face “You don’t mean…”

Disarray nodded, and in a burst of purple flame, the three of them were gone.

---

Back at the competition:

“Now, with both teams tied with three point each; these next events will determine who is going home a victor or a loser!” said Pinkie. “Just a recap for those who may have been distracted or elsewhere; the Ponyshoe throwing competition that tested our combatants in both strength and accuracy ended with a draw between Bad Seed and Rainbow Dash! Next, the pumpkin chuckin catapult contest also ended with a draw! Each contestant earning ten point! Finally, the obstacle course race ended in a tie between Shadow Blitz and Applejack, with Bad Seed just behind and Rainbow Dash getting stuck in the mud pit! Wowy Zowy this event has really been heating up!”

“Right you are Pinkie!” exclaimed Pop enthusiastically “And this next contest will be the perfect way to cool off! This is arguably one of the most challenging challenges here at the Iron Pony Competition! I am of course talking about The Barrel Roll!”

The crowd exploded in chants and cheers as Pinkie nodded her head, a huge smile on her face. She was really enjoying her time with her rival. They made the perfect announcer duo!

“That’s right! The Barrel Roll!” she practically screamed into her mic “This challenge will test out contestants not on raw power, but on skill, balance, and endurance! We’re ready to roll out the barrels of fun! Are you ponies ready?!?!”

The crowd cheered louder as both teams of Harmony and Chaos positioned themselves in front of the a large pool of water as Big Mac chucked empty barrels in. Once all four huge barrels were in place a whistle sounded and all four hopped onto one and began rolling them, going faster and faster.

The crowd was enjoying every second of this. Some cheered, some sat with baited breath, some even took bets on who they thought was going to win. This was quality entertainment right here, and it was awesome!

Applejack decided to push for the lead and provoke her rival all in one move. She lifted one leg and began hopping along the barrel, still keeping it’s speed and her balance as if it were as easy as walking. “See, Bad Seed? There ain’t nothin better than honest hard training and constant hard work. Everyday, working hard to get stronger. The RIGHT way!” she said.

“Ohhh, that’s a two point maneuver right there!” Pinkie exclaimed, writing on a piece of paper. Pop nodded in agreement.

In retaliation to Applejack’s move, Bad Seed did a backflip and balanced on her hands, still keeping her barrel’s speed “Just cus Ah got yer powers from magic, don’t mean I don’t know how to use em!” she shot back.

“And that’s easily a five point maneuver! Two for the backflip, three for the handstand!” said Pop, writing on her own piece of paper.

Pinkie nodded in agreement to Pop’s judgement “This is going to get wild!”

Applejack gritted her teeth, she wasn’t going to let Bad Seed show her up. She flipped forward onto her own hands, keeping pace with Seed.

“Four points for Applejack!” Pinkie said.

“FOUR!?” cried Applejack, glaring over at the announcers’ booth.

“One for the front flip, three four the handstand!”

Applejack sighed, feeling it was a fair call, and instead focused her attention on Seed. By this point they both were starting to sweat, both glaring at their rival in an attempt to intimidate the other.

Over with Rainbow Dash and Shadow Blitz, things were getting just as intense. With a smirk, Blitz jumped and performed three arial back flips before landing back on her barrel. Her giant bat wings were larger than that average pegasi, giving her a large advantage in endurance and balance.

“Woah! Six points for Blitz!” Pop said as Blitz leaped into the air again, landing on her hands and then flipping back to her hooves “And a two point maneuver!”

“Holy Cannoli! yelled Pinkie “Team Chaos is dominating the battlefield! Can Team Harmony catch up?!”

Blitz grinned at hearing that, winking at Dash

“Catch up? I doubt it, ha!”

“Using those freakishly huge wings is cheating!” protested Rainbow Dash, who was desperately using her own wings for balance as she attempted to speed up to match the spin of Blitz’s barrel.

The competition was intense, but the four contestants were tiring out. Still, Blitz kept a smug look on her face, showing no hit of exhaustion to her rival, giving off the attitude that she knew she was going to win. Dash couldn’t accept that, she was the only one who hadn’t really done any tricks yet, and hence didn’t have any extra points. That was unacceptable! She came up with new tricks all the time! No, she wasn’t going to get shown up here! She couldn’t!

With a hard flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash launched herself in the air, did two flips, and prepared to land on a single hand. She’d take the lead for sure! Unfortunately she miscalculated and landed on her face instead.

“Rainbow Dash is disqualified!” announced Party Pop and Pinkie Pie together as Dash splashed into the cool waters of the pool.

Applejack frowned, she was going to have to bring it since RD was out. She flipped forward, landing on her hands, then used the momentum to flip again to land on her hooves, She keep this going, using the spin of the barrel itself to help her, five times before sticking the landing and going back to spinning her barrel.

“Wowy! Ten points for Applejack!” cheered Pinkie

“Wow!” exclaimed Pop “Team Chaos is going to have to do something incredible to beat this! Can they do it!?”

“Looks like the good guys are back in the lead” giggle Pinkie Pie

“We still have two members on the field though!” reminded Party Pop.

Pinkie just blew a raspberry at Pop, who blew one right back.

Back in the pool, Bad Seed scowled at Applejack “Anything you can do, Ah can do better!” she yelled out, flipping forward as well in an attempt to mimic the move. She, however, miscalculated the speed of her barrel and ended up slipping up and falling into the water. She frowned and turned to Blitz “Crab apples! It’s all up to you now!” she called to her friend.

Applejack stared at Shadow Blitz, who just grinned and flipped forward. One time, two times, three times, four times, five times, six times, seven times, and then with a might flap of her wings she launched into the air and somersaulted, landing on her hands with perfect balance.

“That’s...That’s a nineteen point maneuver!” yelled out Pop.

Applejack grit her teeth, but groaned. She was at her limit. She knew she could keep her balance and speed a little longer, but there was no way she could pull off any more tricks; she just didn’t have any energy left. In the end, Applejack sighed and hopped off the barrel into the water; admitting her defeat.

“With Applejack calling it quits, Shadow Blitz wins! That means another point for Team Chaos!” called out Party Pop.

Blitz grinned and hopped off the barrel and used her magic to form a purple cloud in the air. The cloud began raining sports drink over a patch of pitcher plants Bad Seed grew, filling them up with the refreshing beverage. The two gestured to their rivals.

“Thanks…” said Rainbow begrudgingly as she took a pitcher and began drinking. She couldn’t believe that not only had she been the first one to lose, she didn’t even score any points! Not only that, her rival was the one who won! She won’t forget this!

“Come on girls! We can’t let them get the lead like this! The bad guys aren’t supposed to win!!” shouted Pinkie. Applejack and Rainbow Dash gritted their teeth in frustration, but they dug down deep and used that anger to fuel their determination.

The next contest was the tug-of-war. It being a contest of pure strength and not skill, Applejack and Bad Seed were evenly matched. The decided factor was Blitz’s wings. Their larger size gave them more back thrust than Dash’s resulting in another win for Chaos.

After that was a dart throwing competition. Years of playing darts at various pubs made Rainbow Dash confident in her abilities, and Applejack knew she had a keen eye. In all rights, team Harmony should have won, if not for the fact that Team Chaos’s combat training with Maelstrom included throwing weapons. It was close, but Team Chaos took the win.

“This just isn’t fair!” cried Rainbow Dash, as the teams took an intermission to rest and gave the crowds a change to stretch their legs and get more snacks. “They’re cheating somehow!”

“Of course they’re cheatin!” said Applejack angrily “It’s what they do, they lie and cheat! Don’t let it get to you though, we gotta keep on, we can’t go givin up!”

“Why not?! They’re just going to keep on cheating!!!”

“Cus even if they keep cheatin, we’ll come through in the end. We stand for Harmony,and Harmony will always defeat chaos” Applejack said, holding her head high.

Rainbow nodded, feeling a new fire burn within her “Yea! We’re the good guys, and the good guys don’t lose!”

They gave each other a fist bump as their friends walked over.

“How are you two holding up?” asked Twilight, using her magic to make sure her friends weren’t injured or too fatigued.

“We’re fine. Better than fine!” Rainbow proclaimed, standing up and stretching.

Applejack nodded and stretched as well.

Fluttershy, who has been quietly observing her friends gave a worried look before speaking up “But, Team Chaos...”

“Team Chaos will get theirs in the end, just like every other baddie we had to fight!” proclaimed Applejack “Cheaters never win”

---

Inside the dimensionally altered ex-cutiemark crusaders treehouse that doubled as the temporary regional office of the Masters of Mayhem, Maelstrom was looking over several proposals and reports presented to them by their properly primed proteges.

Similarly to how Celestia made Twilight send her friendship reports, Mael had their team constantly send them reports and updates on their various acts of chaos, mayhem, and general disarray. The main difference between the two mentors, however, was that Mael was doing it to file and send up the corporate ladder, as it was part of the job. Celestia was doing it to be a control freak.

There was a burst of heat and purple flame, causing Maelstrom to look up from the papers in front of them and smile.

“Disarray, Hymnphonic, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you two were still out on your date” they said.

The two in question stuttered and blushed.

“I-it wasn’t a date! We were just hanging out! As friends!” said Disarray.

“Y-yeah! We can totally hang out as just...you know….friends and stuff…” said Hymnphonic.

Maelstrom burst out laughing “You two are too easy to fluster, haha”

There was a second bit of snickering from pony number two in the room, causing Mael to lift a brow “and who is this?”

Without a chance to blink, Mael had teleported right in front of Rumble, looking them over. The stallion had immediately stopped his snickering and stared wide eyed at the chaos god. Disarray and Hymnphonic intimidated him, and he grew up with them when they were...well...not gods! This being though. Maelstrom. It was something else. Just being in their presence felt other worldly, and if he squinted he could see reality itself seem to bend a little just by the presence of this three eyed deity.

Mael continued to look him over as the two masters of mayhem spoke up.

“This is Rumble, we’ve known him since we were foals” said Hymn “we was trying to spy on us for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They constantly pick on him for being a blank flank and promised they’d stop if he could figure out what the cutiemark crusaders were up to”

“Blank flank huh?” Mael muttered, looking the stallion in the eyes “weren’t expecting to end up here huh?”

“N-n-no….” Rumble stuttered out.

“Relax, I’m not going to hurt you. Now, why do you think you’re here?”

“I-I don’t know. Sweetie, I mean Hymnphonic, said they’d protect me from Diamond and Silver, but then Disarray said something about giving me the power to fight them off on my own. Then there was a lot of purple fire, and I was here. Please don’t hurt me! I didn’t mean to spy on the masters of mayhem!! I mean, I did, but I didn’t know they were the new gods of chaos! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!”

Mael turned to Disarray and raised a brow, as if to silently ask ‘really?...’

Disarray in turn shrugged and spoke up “You were looking for another pegasus…”

Mael sighed but trusted Disarray’s judgement, sitting back down at one of the conference table chairs and gesturing to Rumble to do the same.

“So, Rumble was it? Tell me about yourself, your life, your family. Hymn says you’re a blank flank right? Bit old to still be bare, why do you think that is?”

Rumble sighed and looked down “I dunno...my family are all Wonderbolts. My parents, my brother...I’m supposed to be a Wonderbolt too eventually, that’s what they say…”

“Are you not good at flying?” asked Mael

Rumble shook his head furiously “I’m GREAT at flying! I mean, I’m no Rainbow Dash, but my family has taught me more arial tricks than anypony I know! Everything ever written in training manuals, and techniques they said were in the family for generations!”

“So then, if you’re so talented, why still blank?”

“I….I mean….I don’t know….” Rumbled sighed again.

Disarray and especially Hymn gave him a sympathetic look. It was painful to talk about, but necessary for Mael to make a decision.

“I mean, I talk to Devil and-” Rumble continued before he was cut off

“Wait, Devil? Who’s that?” asked Mael, interest peaked.

“My pet rabbit, Devil Bunny. She’s just the sweetest thing, and always has the best advice!” Rumble said with a huge grin, remember his bestest friend in the world.

“And...you talk to her?” Mael asked, a small smirk growing on their face

“Yea, we talk all the time, she’s always there to lend an ear”

“But you understand her…”

“I understand all animals, always been able to, they can be real chatterboxes sometimes though. Why? What does that have to do with anything?”

Mael just grinned, turning to look at the other two. Disarray was also just grinning, while Hymn both smirked and facepalmed.

Turning back to Rumble, Maelstrom smiled and placed a small stack of papers on the table, pulling them seemingly out of nowhere.

“So, where’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to give you the powers to fight your bullies. I’m going to help you get your cutiemark, AND much more. All you gotta do is sign right here. So how about it?”

Rumble read the first couple paragraphs of the contract before going wide eyed, his head shooting up to stare dumbly at god and then over to the other two who were nodding at him encouragingly.

“You...you’re offering me a job?”

Mael nodded “That’s right. So, ever wanted to be a god?”

---

Things were really heating up at the Iron Pony competition.

“Recapping, for those who weren’t paying attention!” cried out Pop

“Or those who were elsewhere!” cried out Pinkie

“Things have been wild here! Team Chaos and Team Harmony have both donned their swimwear and are going at it in one of the most highly watched sports among stallions. I’m of course talking about Volleyball! Man it’s a good thing this isn’t a body contest or Team Chaos would have mopped the floor with Team Harmony” said Pop

Pinkie Pie held back a giggle and playfully punched her rival in the arm “Thats mean” she said, with a smirk, adding with a whisper “but true…”

Pop grinned and kept going “Well none of our combatants are really working with much, Applejack and Bad Seed being more bottom heavy, and Shadow Blitz being more athletic and aerodynamic….Rainbow Dash’s complete lack of...well...anything, top or bottom, deals a devastating blow to Team Harmony”

“HEY!” screamed out Rainbow Dash

“But thank goodness this isn’t that kind of competition! Instead our competitors will have to use skill and power, along with teamwork, to win. From the looks of things, both teams have the teamwork aspect down, but Harmony seems to be pulling ahead steadily. They may win this one! Go Team Harmony!” cheered Pinkie.

Pop shook her head and shrugged “I’m not one for throwing in the towel, but when you’re right, you’re right. This round just isn’t ours”

The two teams in question had been in a very intense volleyball match. At first, the two teams seemed tied, but Team Harmony used their frustration of losing even a single round to their rivals to fuel their determination.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were using every maneuver they knew, and even some they came up with on the spot, to pull into the lead. Rainbow Dash would constantly dive, having nothing on her chest to worry about, and use her wings to save a spiked ball, and Applejack would spike it over with as much force as she could muster.

Applejack's spikes were so powerful in fact that they left small creators in the sand. The only pony who would hope to save and return such a spike was Bad Seed, and that was only if she could see it coming and start a counter swing in time, if not than it was a broken wrist, something she didn’t want.

In the end, Team Harmony won. Using their ‘righteous fury’ they pulled through. They did it again at the next event, double dutch.

The crowds were going wild, the loudest amongst them being the other three members of the mane six. It seemed that Team Harmony finally found their groove.

“We just gotta win this last one and we got it!” said Rainbow Dash as the four combatants walked over to the area where the last event was going to be hosted.

That last event was The Barrel Throw. Each combatant had to throw an empty barrel as far as they could. Unlike the Pumpkin Chucking contest, which was more about accuracy, this was was about pure strength and power. Team Harmony was hoping to bring it home with this one. After all, Applejack was one of the strongest mares in Equestria.

The contestants moved to the waiting area as Rainbow Dash moved into place, being the first to go. She picked up her barrel and used her wings to launch herself into the air. She flew in tiny little circles, building momentum until she let go and sent the barrel flying. It went far, but not very.

Rainbow Dash smuggly walked back over to the waiting area as Shadow took her place and threw how own barrel. Even with her larger wings, it seems there was a trick to throwing them that she didn’t understand because it didn’t go as far as Rainbow’s.

Team Harmony was in the lead, and it was Applejacks turn, meaning it was going to stay that way. The two harmony teammates gave each other a smile and a firsbump as Applejack walked out and took her place. Time to end this.

Taking the barrel with both hands she picked it up and began spinning, going faster and faster before releasing and sending the barrel flying; it easily going three times as far as Rainbow Dash’s.

Now it was Bad Seed’s turn. It was all down to this. The crowd was silent as she moved into position, picked up her barrel, and began spinning with it as well. Faster and faster she went until she released it and sent it sailing. It kept going and going before landing seemingly right next to Applejack’s.

There were mutters and murmurs going through the crowd. Could it be they tied again? Big Mac ran out with a long measuring tape and got to it, Applejack calling out to him.

“It….ain’t actually tied is it?....”

After a minute or two of measuring, Big Mac gave his answer.

“Eeyup”

“What?! No! It can’t be tied, I demand a second opinion!” cried Rainbow Dash.

A second measuring tape floated out of nowhere as Rarity and the others came walking over.

“Allow me, Darling” said the fashionista, who also began measuring the distance of the barrels. Her face went from calm, to curious, then to slightly amused as she looked over at her two friends “It would seem that it really is tied..”

“If it’s a tie than that means…..TEAM CHAOS WINS!” cried out Pop, the sky lighting up with fireworks and raining confetti. The crowds roared and cheered. This had been a great Iron Pony event!

“Wait! Wins?!” screamed the five other members of Team Harmony.

Pinkie Pie nodded, pointing to the talley board “With that last tie, Team Chaos kept their lead. They win, six to five! Guys, I know we lost, and that sucks and all, but I'm still throwing a party right? Right?!?!”

“No need, I got that covered!” giggled Party pop, leaning over and giving her rival a sideways hug before bounding off to join her friends, who had been excitedly hopping up and down at their victory.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were furious!

“This just ain’t right! How could they win?! They were cheatin, I just know it!” said Applejack in a huff.

“I don’t think so” replied Twilight “I had been monitoring the whole event, scanning them for any flares of chaos magic. There wasn’t any. Maelstrom and Disarray didn’t even show up to help them or stop you. As far as I can tell, they won fair and square”

“But...That means…” grumbled Rainbow

“That means you lost fair and square” said Rarity “Now, be angry all you want, but go and congratulate your rivals. It would be unsportsmare-like to sit here brood about your lose. You do pride yourselves on being true antheles after all”

The duo sighed

“Yer right….we gotta be the better mare and take the high road. It’s only proper” said Applejack as the two walked over to the still celebrating Masters of Mayhem.

“Good job…..on winning and stuff….” muttered Rainbow through slightly clenched teeth, holding out a hand.

“Yea….good job…” said Applejack.

Their rivals bounded over and eagerly shook the hands.

“Yea! It was fun!” said Bad Seed with a huge grin.

“Same time next year?” ask Shadow Blitz with a cocky smile.

There was silence for a few seconds as Applejack and Rainbow Dash just looked at their rivals, then each other; a smile starting to creep onto their faces.

“You know what? Yea! Same time next year!” replied Rainbow with a huge smile

“We’ll beat ya then fer sure!” Applejack said with one last harty shake of Bad Seed’s hand.

“Well, as heartwarming as it is, seeing rivals come together, these two have a celebratory party to go to!” interjected Party Pop as she grabbed her friends and started pulling them towards the nearly door to a supply shed.

“Party?! Can we go?! Pllleeeeeaaaassseeee?????” cried Pinkie, popping out of nowhere.

With a smirk, Pop opened the door and winked “Sorry, Chaos only, you’re not ready for a Party Pop party. See ya rival!” she said before her and the other two disappeared through the doorway, the door shutting behind them before Pinkie Pie could bolt through.

The party mare threw open the door, only to reveal the partially empty supply closet.

“Awwwwwwwww…....”

Comments

[Kaliann25]

And Rumble joined the fun. Thank you for reusing the detail about his pet rabbit. Is Devil going to become Angel's mate as Demon?

Anyway, great chapter.

Read ya' later!!

[Darkmaster10000000]

*exaggerated gasp* A party? WITHOUT PINKIE!? *CRACK* Huh? *turns around and sees a crack in reality* Ohhh, that's not good. . . . . EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF! *runs away screaming*