19. The Fight
"My my, what a day..."
It was well past midnight by the time Rarity finally staggered back to her hotel room, still bloated from the Feasting Contest, and exhausted from the impromptu victory-party that was thrown for her. Several hours of dancing and shaking clawed hands with griffon wellwishers , the unicorn was more than ready for a good night's sleep.
Levitating her keys onto the dresser by the door, she wobbled into the living room, plopping herself down on the couch with a satisfied sigh.
"Aahh, that's so much better," she said to herself. "I'll admit, it feels rather rude to leave my own party before it is over but quite frankly, right now I just need a rest. Dear old Pinkie Pie has more than enough party to make up for my absence."
Her joints cracking slightly as she stretched, she lay back on the couch with another sigh of satisfaction, closing her eyes as the blissful veil of sleep finally overtook her.
Sadly it was not to last, however. For her blissful dreams of mountains of greasy, stodgy food being incinerated before her eyes were interrupted by a knocking at the door.
"I guess the party must have finally ended," she muttered as she got to her hooves and headed to the door. But as she pulled the door open, she was not greeted by the friendly but tired smiles of her fellow ponies, but Gellert.
"Oh! Uh, Gellert, this is... unexpected," Rarity stammered.
The griffon stood in the doorway, a mere shadow of the boisterous, proud commander he had been earlier that day. For now with his head low and his considerable gut, he almost looked... defeated.
"Ahem, hi," he said in a strangely subdued voice.
"...Hello," Rarity replied.
An awkward silence hung in the air as they stood on either side of the doorway. "Is there something I can help you with?" she asked.
"Hmm? Oh, no, not really..." Gellert replied, scuffing the floor with a claw.
More silence followed, neither griffon nor pony knowing what to say. Well, this is getting rather awkward quickly. "Well... then what, pray tell, is it?"
"I just... rrgh, I'm never any good at this," he muttered. "I guess I came by to say... goodgrrmm..."
"Come again?"
"You heard me," Gellert replied, bowing his head. "I just wanted to say..." his voice trailed off again into incoherent mumblings.
"Forgive me," Rarity said. "but I didn't catch that. Could you speak up?"
"Good game!"
Rarity recoiled as the griffon raised his voice, but checked her step as she saw his hand, held out before him. "You performed well today, and I just wanted to... to congratulate you."
The unicorn looked him up and down. Surely he can't be serious? This is the same griffon who boasted that as soon as he was done with the Feast he'd go home for supper as well, and now look at him! "I, uh, must admit, this is unexpected," she said, hesitantly placing a forehoof in his hand and shaking.
"What's unexpected is a hross... sorry, a pony, like yourself, beating me in two challenges already. You've put up a better challenge than most," Gellert replied. "How does a small mare like you do it?"
Rarity leaned against the doorframe. "Well Gellert, that's quite simple. Somewhere out there, my friends are lost and in grave danger. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack... I'd move mountains for them, if it meant seeing them safe and sound once more."
She chuckled a moment. "I'd even participate in a contest like the Flyt."
Gellert laughed as well. "Well, for somepony as refined as you are apparently, I must admit you held up well."
Rarity smiled. "Why, thank you."
He smiled back. As their laughter trailed off into quiet once more, Gellert coughed nervously. "That said, however, you have put up an impressive fight throughout this challenge. Let's just see if you can keep it up for tomorrow."
There's the competitive attitude I know so well, Rarity thought. "Quite."
"Well, I best leave you to your rest. I'll see you at the final challenge tomorrow afternoon." Gellert bowed stiffly again, turning on his heel to leave. But as he departed, he looked over his shoulder and said, "Good luck tomorrow, Rarity."
Rarity smiled and waved. "And to you, Gellert."
The next day, the noon sun shone down on the town. Up above Fjaereir on the mountainside, crowds of griffons had gathered on rocky crags and ledges or wherever they could find a foothold. Twilight, Pinkie and Starswirl sat together on a broad ledge at the base of the mountainside, surrounded by griffons on all sides. And before them stood Gellert and Rarity.
A hushed murmuring coursed through the crowds. All of Fjaereir had turned out for this third challenge, but the air of frivolity and festivity was gone. For this was it, the challenge that would decide the fate of the town's soldiers.
Rarity or Gellert. Here, the commander would be decided.
"LLLADIIIEEEESS AND GENTLEBIIIIIIRRDS!" the old griffon referee's voice boomed over the heads of the crowd. "WELCOME, ONE AND ALL, TO THE FINAL CONTEST OF THE THREE F'S CHALLENGE!"
He flapped his wings, sending up clouds of dust and grit as he took to the air. "This is the deciding stage of the challenge. whosoever wins this contest shall be granted command over Fjaereir's army!"
Twilight stood by Rarity, placing an encouraging hoof on her shoulder. "Nervous?"
Rarity gulped, giving a feeble grin. "Just a little. There's quite a bit at stake here, you know."
"I know," Twilight replied. "But just stick to the same plan as the Flyt: use Gellert's weight against him. You're smaller, but you're also faster and more nimble on your hooves. Force him to wear himself out. It's not about knocking the other out, it's about being the last one standing."
"Got it," she replied.
"Now then, the rules of this challenge are quite simple," the referee continued. "Each contestant must start at the base of this ledge and climb up to the arena at the peak of the mountain. There, the two contestants must fight until one can fight no longer, by knockout, exhaustion, incapacitation or otherwise."
As he spoke, another official-looking griffon came forward, slipping large thick gloves onto Gellert's claws and strapping down his wings with a large leather belt. At the same time another griffon approached Rarity, wrapping a large thick scarf around her horn.
"There is to be no use of teeth, beaks, horns, claws or any other sharp or pointed appendages. Weapons are forbidden, as is the use of magic or wings. Any breach of these rules will result in an immediate forfeit. Are there any objections to these rules?"
Rarity shook her head as she adjusted her headscarf. Gellert shook his head also, both contestants looking eachother dead in the eye.
"Then on my signal, begin climbing!" The judge flew into the air, all eyes upon him. He looked down at both Rarity and Gellert, ascending up to the peak of the mountain and gliding around the large, flat circle that was carved out of the top.
"LET THE FIGHT BEGIN!"
At his signal, both Rarity and Gellert put foreleg to the mountain and began the long climb. It was not a steep ascent, gentle enough that any creature could climb up it without the need of ropes or grappling hooks. But all across the mountainside were large crags that loomed up in the way, or patches of loose stones that would crumble and slide under foot, paw or hoof.
Rarity gritted her teeth and muscled on up the mountain, taking slow, deliberate steps, ensuring her footing was secure and steady before pushing up. Her left forehoof slipped slightly as she touched town on a loose slab, which slid down the mountain below her. She watched with bated breath as it slipped and crumbled far below her, before turning her face back to the peak. On her left, Gellert was already well ahead, taking the considerably faster keep-climbing-and-just-hope-your-footing-is-sure method, paying little heed to whenever his paws and claws hit loose rocks or a particularly stubborn crag.
"You might consider slowing down, Gellert," Rarity called. "Maybe reserve some of your energy for when you actually reach the top!"
Gellert laughed. "Hah, you'd like that wouldn't you! Save your breath for the climb!"
Without another word he put on another burst of speed, his limbs a blur as he scuttled up the mountain, sending showers of shale and pebbles in his wake.
Rarity raised a hoof to shield herself from the falling rocks, clinging for dear life to the mountainside. As the small rockslide subsided, she spat out some grit and sand, hastily brushing dust off her limbs and face. When this is over, I will be needing a serious bath!
The rest of the climb continued in relative silence, save for the occasional pant or grunt from either of the climbers. Within minutes, Gellert finally heaved himself up onto the arena. It was a simple flat patch of ground, some five or six metres in diameter, carved out of the mountaintop. He sat himself down on a small outcrop to catch his breath, overhanging the side of the mountain, with Fjaereir far down below.
"I don't suppose you could hurry up?" he called down to Rarity, a few meters down the mountain.
Rarity grunted as she lifted herself onto a small ledge. "Show some consideration, Gellert, I'm not exactly a mountain pony. If you're so eager to begin the fight, how about helping me out or something?"
"Ah, but that wouldn't be a fair fight, would it?" Gellert countered, a grin forming on his face. "But hey, because I like you, I'll let you have a rest once you reach up here, before we start the fight."
"Huh, how very generous of you," she replied, nearing the arena. She could feel her limbs beginning to ache already, but clenching her teeth through the pain, she carried on until at last, she put a forehoof on the floor of the arena.
Gellert grabbed her foreleg, hoisting her up onto the platform, where she plopped down on her rump, panting and lolling her tongue out in a most undignified manner.
"Tha... thank you," she wheezed. The griffon stepped back to the other side of the arena and sat down.
"Take your time, whenever you're ready. Never let it be said that I duelled a foe with an unfair disadvantage."
Keep telling yourself that, blowhard, Rarity thought as she lay on her back a moment, her chest rising and falling. After a minute or two, Rarity got to her hooves, her legs finally steady, and stamped against the rocky ground.
"Ready to go?" Gellert called.
Rarity nodded. "Then let us begin."
"You know, I confess myself rather reluctant. I never like to hit a lady," he said as he approached the centre of the arena.
"Why, just because I'm a lady, you think I can't take a little roughhousing?" Rarity replied with a wry grin. "Take your best shot."
Gellert smiled a cruel smile. "Alright, you brought this on yerself!"
Rarity was ready for him, however. She saw his gloved hand swinging towards her in a rapid arc, and dropped down. Falling flat, she swept out with a hind leg, knocking Gellert's other three limbs out from under him, sending him flying a few feet before landing hard on his front. Rarity leapt upright and scurried to the edge of the circle.
Gellert scrambled upright, dusting off his bare shoulders and went straight at the unicorn like a charging bull. Rarity dropped low again, this time on her back as she raised both back legs out in front of her. The griffon cannoned straight into her hooves, knocking the air out of his lungs, and he went beak over tail onto the hard ground again.
He arose again, a little slower this time, and took to circling around Rarity, looking for any opening. But Rarity stood her ground, head lowered and hooves spread apart. With a snarl like a lion, Gellert came at her again, but this time it was his turn to drop down low as he skidded into Rarity's front legs with his gloved claws, knocking her into the air like a bowling pin. She dropped to the ground with a heavy thud, knocking the wind out of her.
Gellert stood and faced her as she got up again, her limbs shaking slightly this time. "Had enough?" he asked with a sneer.
"Not... even... close!" Rarity panted, confidently striding towards him. He came at her as well, fist raised ready to strike.
The unicorn ducked again, Gellert's fist narrowly skimming against the tip of her ear as it whistled overhead. His enormous barrel chest was right in front of her, and Rarity lunged out with her forelegs, bucking into him once! Twice! Thrice!
But as he reeled from the blows, Gellert's flailing limb caught her on the cheek. She staggered backwards as stars exploded in her vision, until both combatants were on either side of the arena. She wiped a small droplet of blood from her snout as she rubbed her bruised and swollen cheek.
"You fiend, you bruised my beautiful face!" Rarity cried out in mock-anguish.
Gellert chuckled as he rubbed his battered chest. "I warned you, you brought this upon yourself. You said you could take it, so I didn't hold back... Whooo, you pack a heck of a kick, you know."
"I may not look it, but I have had some experience in fighting before," Rarity replied.
"You don't say?" Gellert said. "Well, here's a bit more experience for ya. Remember this as the day you almost beat Gellert, commander of Fjaereir."
Looks like this is it, she thought to herself as she watched his crouching low, tail whipping back and forth. It all comes down to this...
With a feral roar, Gellert leapt at her, fists clenched and raised high above his head.
Time seemed to slow down as Rarity acted. Dazed as she was, she knew she had to act quickly. Leaping out of his path, she arched her back as she came up on her hind legs. Her front hooves contacted his shoulders as he barrelled past her, and she kicked high, leaping clean over him like a ballerina as he skidded to a halt.
Before he had a chance to turn or react, Rarity had landed on the other side of him, her hind legs kicking up and slamming into his side, sending him flying to the far end of the arena in a heap.
Rarity stood rooted to the spot, unsure of exactly what had just happened. There had been no conscious thought in that move, she had acted almost purely on instinct and reflex. And yet she had pulled off an attack that would make even an experienced soldier's jaw drop!
Gellert groaned, trying feebly to lift himself off the ground. But each time, his limbs gave way and he crumpled and fell. "So... are you gonna finish it?" Gellert muttered. "Strike the knockout blow?"
In reply, Rarity simply sat down beside him, before keeling over backwards from sheer exhaustion, lying on her back looking up at the sky. "Even if I had the strength, I'd rather not. Besides, I'd say you're pretty much incapacitated at this point, am I correct?"
"Aye, she has a point, sir," the referee called as he flew in circles above the fight. "So Gellert, you fell first. Do you submit?"
Rarity looked from the referee to the griffon who lay in a heap before her. All eyes were upon the commander, including several of the griffons (and Pinkie Pie) who had climbed up after them to watch the fight from up close.
"I... submit..." Gellert managed to mumble.
For a miniscule moment that felt like an eternity, the world seemed to stand still.
Then the mountainside exploded.
Cheers, shrieks of joy and victory from griffon and pony alike came from all across the mountain as a detachment of soldiers airlifted the two semiconscious combatants down from the arena, to the starting ledge where the rest of them waited.
"RARITY, THAT WAS AMAZING!!!" Pinkie Pie wasted no time in zooming forward and grabbing Rarity in a big, tight hug.
"Aagh! P-Pinkie Pie... I appreciate the -ow- sentiments, but I'm still rather -oof!- injured!"
The pony quickly let go. "Oh, sorry, sorry! But still, that was awesome! The way you swept his legs out, swoosh! And those kicks in his chest, that was just... aagh, it was EPIC!!"
"Bravo, Rarity!" Starswirl shouted, tossing his hat into the air. "'twas a duel well-fought, and a victory well-won!"
"Thank you my friends," Rarity replied, waving a hoof to quiet their cheers. "Thank you everyone. But even if I emerged victorious, I would like to extend a round of applause to my opponent, who fought valiantly and like a true champion. To Gellert, a warrior through and through!"
The griffons cheered and screeched as they applauded their former commander. A few griffons helped him upright, and he gave a bruised and battered smile to Rarity. "Thanks for that Rarity."
The two of them sat down together, the griffon shedding his gloves and straps around his wings, and Rarity her horn-wrappings. The ponies at beside them, carrying bowls of warm water to bathe their injuries.
The referee parted the crowd as he fought to reach the small group, carrying in his claws Gellert's red and gold dress jacket. Rarity stood up before him. "You have both fought well, but miss Rarity is the clear victor. And so, it is my honour to present you with this, the official dress jacket of the Commander of Fjaereir."
Rarity levitated the jacket out of his grip, holding it before her for a moment before slipping it on around her shoulders. Being made for Gellert, the jacket was a considerably larger fit for her, falling loosely on her, long enough to be a dress.
Gellert got up, shakily standing before her, among the crowd of other griffons that now stood to attention in front of their new leader. "I consider myself relieved, Commander Rarity," he said hoarsely. "We await your orders, ma'am!"
Rarity looked out over the hundreds of heads, all looking back at her expectantly. Commander? Oh my... this is certainly something else, she gulped. She looked down at her new clothes, bedecked with its golden trim and silver pips along the collar. "Well then, ahem... In that case, as my first order as Commander of Fjaereir..."
In one swift motion, she whipped the jacket off, slipping it back around Gellert's shoulders. She chuckled slightly at his baffled expression, which accurately mirrored the expressions of every griffon and pony around her. "... I hereby reinstate Gellert the griffon as Commander of Fjaereir!"
Uncertain murmurs coursed through the crowd.
"What does she mean?"
"She won command, and then just gave it right back? What is she playing at?"
"This makes no sense!"
"But... but why?" Gellert stammered. "You beat me fair and square. My army is yours now, as the rules state."
Rarity stood before him. "Oh but Gellert, this was never about your army."
"It wasn't?!" asked Gellert, the ponies and several other griffons almost simultaneously.
"Not at all," Rarity replied. "I was after the other prize of the challenge: Your respect. When we came here, you looked down on us ponies as weaklings, inferior to you griffons, did you not?"
Gellert shrugged. "I guess I did..."
"Exactly," she continued. "It was obvious to me that, if we were to make any headway with convincing you to help us in our search for our friends, we would first need you to see us as more than just weak. And, forgive me for blowing my own proverbial trumpet here, but have I not earned it by now?"
Gellert looked up at the unicorn that stood before him. He thought back to when he first saw her and her friends enter the town. She looked like nothing but a prissy, uptight, snobby unicorn. I guess looks can be deceiving, he thought.
"Aye, Rarity. You and your pony friends have my respect. To go through all this for the sake of those closest to you, without thought of your own gain, is quite frankly admirable." Gellert stood proudly up, standing by Rarity's side, looking over the griffons. "And so, I am ordering that a search shall begin for these ponies' missing friends! I'll need four-score griffons to volunteer to go out and search!"
And so preparations began for the great search. Within the hour, Gellert had his eighty volunteer flyers from among his forces, and they began suiting up for the long flight out into the surrounding country. Rarity drew up quick sketches of Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, with detailed descriptions of each of them, which Twilight and Starswirl then duplicated with their magic, until every volunteer had at least ten copies.
Pinkie Pie joined the royal chefs in preparing travelling food for each flyer, adding a little of her own sweet touch to the bags of granola. Though she backed off somewhat when she saw them packing strips of dried meat in with it.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, the four-score volunteer griffons stood proudly along the base of the battlements of Fjaereir, the evening sun gleaming slightly off their freshly-polished armour. Gellert, wearing his dress jacket, stood at the top of the gatehouse overlooking the volunteer force, with Rarity by his side.
"Griffons, you have your orders! You are to fly out in an arc, covering as much land as possible, until you find any of these three ponies! If you encounter anyone along the way, be sure to ask them if they have seen anything. It is of vital importance that we find these three ponies, for until we do, we cannot guarantee our own safety. The Blight grown stronger every day out there, and if they discover these ponies before we do, and just one of these ponies lets slip the location of the so-called tears of Gaia, then it could spell doom for Fjaereir as we know it!
So fly, fly forth with all haste. Seek out and find these ponies, and return them safely here. Now go, and may the winds be ever in your favour!"
With a roar of voices all calling out together, the volunteer force took to the skies, sweeping up great clouds of dust with their flapping. Up into the air they went, spreading out over the sky from the mountain town, as the griffons and ponies that remained behind cheered them and aw them off, until the nearest griffon was but a speck in the evening sky.
"Hmm, gettin' kinda hungry... time for a snack methinks!"
The griffon swivelled the bag on her back around so that it hung just below her chin like a makeshift feedbag. Gerta was her name, and she had been flying south-east for hours now. The moon hung high in the sky above her, illuminating the land below. She had flown alongside the Forest of Leota, over Knight's Peak and was now halfway across Froud Valley. But aside from the occasional Chupacabra, kelpie, and an elephant or two, Gerta had seen neither hide nor hair of any creature out and about this late at night.
As she chewed thoughtfully on a chunk of cured ham, she glimpsed a light in the distance. "Ah, civilisation at long last!" she said aloud to herself, putting on a burst of speed. As she neared the light, she saw the outlines of enormous silvery trees, which seemed to glow. She came to a halt in mid air as she saw the source of the light. Below her was the vast forest nation of Cervidas, home of the Deerfolk. But the light was not the familiar silvery white glow of their famous trees, but of something far worse.
"Fire?!"
Dotted all through the massive forest, she could see flames of red and black licking at the leaves and trunks of the massive trees. Above the crackling and roaring of the fire, she could hear the faint sounds of creatures roaring, horns blaring, and the whizz and crack of magical energy shooting back and forth. And as she tentatively hovered lower until she was only a few meters above the canopy, she saw through a hole in the leaves the battle in the forest below. And among the carnage, four very familiar creatures...
Eyes wide with shock, Gerta swung about and took to the air again, flying straight back towards Fjaereir with breackneck speed. "I have to tell the others! And the King... King Gideon, he needs to know... unbelievable, after all these years, at last I've found him! I've found the King's son!"
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That fight was over a lot quicker than I expected it to be.
Bucko Bigbones vs Dotti.
Ring any bells?
4114390 Indeed it does.
This looks awesome. I will have to keep track of this.
Hope it completes soon (I can wait 
)
4114466 Yeah, I found it a little too familiar to enjoy it properly. That's the problem with having an excellent associative memory, I remember how it's going to end before it does so...
Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the fic as a whole.
Isn't Gordon the Griffon with Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash in Cervidas?
Well that was an exciting end to the Rarity vs Gellert arc. Who knew Rarity had it in her?
Now we can get to the good part. I see an exciting conclusion the this second book. Keep up the good work. 
4116148
Yes, he is, I just checked. You might want to change that.
But great chapter other than that though. Looks like the battle isn't going too well for the deerfolk, but I'm optimistic of some Pelennor Fields-style rescue action next chapter.
4117344 Whoops! Good eye, I'll just go ahead and fix that!
4117427
I honestly wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been for MariusIoannesP pointing it out.
Hmm, some of the thoughts at the beginning aren't italicizes.
Don't you mean like a skittle?
isn't bucking usually done with the rear hooves? I think a better choice of word would be "jabbing".
the first image that came to my mind is the mountain that they were fighting on blowing up due to an explosion.
Also saw some minor grammar errors. Nothing bad.
Still a good story. Keep up the good work
Given all pony's regularly showcased super-strength, Gellert is just lucky that Rarity didn't accidently reduce him to a bloody smear on the landscape...!
4155451 Right on the money, that's correct.
Feathered friends, the threefold besting, and here comes the prodigal son.
-Spirit
I can relate, I can so relate. I originally thought that she would be the character I hate and not write or that much, but...then a dog and pony show happened and I fell in love with this gal.
To be honest, I did not know what type of fight was incoming: Swords, archery, or a fisticuff. I was surprised when we got a brawl as most writers will forget how often we see our fashionista in a martial arts stance, instead choosing to go with the far more artful fencing and archery. But, a brawl we got and how awesome it was too. While not being a punch-kick style of fighting, it was still unquely Rarity:Coy, svelt, agile, graceful, and using what she knew of the opponent before hand. (Ps. I ha some serious princess bride flashbacks during the rock climbing scene) I also loved how she isnt the one to knock him out,but to make him submit. Again, just because she is a lady, doesn't mean that she can't kick flank now and again.
The end bit was also uniquely Rarity. While I can see that she could lead if need be, she is far better on the feild or using her magic/archery to take down opponents. But, most importantly, this was basically showing Rarity's element at full burn. She is a generous soul, so of course she is going to give up her prize to her opponent. But, even better than looking at her element, you choose to look at her character instead. She wasn't in this for glory, she was in this because she wanted respect! She is a lady, and will be treated as such. Her friends should be treated well too. Superiority wasn't the goal here, it was to earn respect. She wanted to demonstrate to this blowhard that she was just as capable as a ighter as the rest.
And now, to reunite the six.
And this chapter slammed the story to my absolute favourites list (aka The Godlike list).
About damn time. Took me what about way over a year to actually finally get into reading this story.
And oh dear boy is it good.