> The Phenomenal One > by TheAnimerican > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a bright and early day at the Wonderbolt Academy. Rainbow Dash soared through the sky with her fellow Wonderbolts, as they practiced for their next air show. You had Spitfire in the lead of Rainbow and Soarin in a triangle formation. "Alright Soarin, you will be coming up from the left and Rainbow from the right! Tight formation!" Spitfire shouted. "Yes ma'am!" Rainbow and Soarin confirmed. Once they closed in on Spitfire, all three opened special pouches to release thunder clouds and created their trails. Just as they practiced, they followed procedure to create their own Wonderbolt emblem. A perfect finish for a perfect morning of practice. "Well done ladies," said Spitfire. "Alright, everypony hit the showers!" *** "Wow, what a long day," Rainbow Dash thought as she entered the locker room at the Wonderbolt Academy. "I can't wait to take a long cold shower. After that, go home and take a nap... for a day or two." When Rainbow went to her locker, she found that there was an envelope in the locker's vent. She pulled the letter to find her name on it. "What's that you got there Rainbow?" Spitfire asked. "I don't know," Rainbow replied. "Maybe it is Soarin's love confession," Spitfire joked. "Pfft, yeah right," Rainbow could not help but scoff at the idea. It was obvious to everypony that Soarin had a thing for Spitfire. When she ripped it open, there was obviously a folded letter, but also two tickets. She ignored the tickets and read the letter: Rainbow!!! How is our awesome daughter? Remember how when you were little, you and I would always go out and watch wrestling whenever it came to Cloudsdale? Well an old friend of mine gave me a couple of tickets. I would go, but I already promised your Mom that we would visit her parents that week. Also, I doubt you would want to go watch a wrestling match with your old stallion. So why don't you go and take one of your friends with you? I hope you have fun and be sure to cheer loud with the crowd! Your Biggest Fan, Dad P.S. Your Mom is only the second biggest fan, but don't tell her I said that. "So was I right?" asked Spitfire. "Nope, it was from my Dad. He hooked me up with a couple of tickets. The EWE is coming to Cloudsdale." "The EWE?" "Equestrian Wrestling Entertainment." "Oh that? I'm not a big fan. It's all fake." If there is one thing that you don't tell a wrestling fan, you don't tell them that it is fake. Although majority of fans know that it's fake, they like their imagination to keep riding. Rainbow Dash kept her comment to herself. "I guess that means you wouldn't want to go?" "Nope. I would rather train newbies to fly the elite course." "But that would take forever?" "Exactly." Rainbow gave a chuckle and looked at the tickets."Wrestling huh? Hmm... it looks like these tickets are for... tonight!?! My Dad cut this really close. I wonder if that little squirt would go." *** "Of course I want to go!" Scootaloo answered excitedly. "Ha! I didn't know you like wrestling?" said Rainbow. "Well, actually I have never been to a wrestling match, but a chance to hangout with you is awesome enough!" "True true, I am awesome to hangout with." "So when is it?" "Well, actually... it's tonight." "Tonight?" "I don't blame you if you can't go. I'll just-." "Are you kidding!?! Of course I can go!" "Really? Awesome! See ya squirt!" Rainbow Dash said before she flew off back home. "Now that I think about it," Rainbow thought, "It has been years since I went to my last wrestling match. I wonder if any of the wrestlers I grew up with are still active." With that thought in mind, she reminisced the last time she went to the wrestling ring with her Dad. They were sitting in the front row of the second level in the Cloudeseum stadium. Before the wrestlers even showed up, pegasi screamed and demanded for entertainment. Depending on the wrestler, they would either be good or bad, talented or losers, cheered or booed. Rainbow's favorite wrestler at the time was called "The Undertaker." He was an earth pony, talk, and a dark figure when he entered the ring. He always wore a black trench coat and a black western hat called, Boss of the Plains." Whenever she looked at him, she saw that he struck fear in other wrestlers. Out of the many wrestlers there, she considered him the best and she loved the best. As the memories of her filly days flowed into her, an excitement began to build up inside her. She already looked forward to tonight. As well as looked forward to the old and new wrestlers she was about to see. *** Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo arrived at the Cloudeseum stadium. The last time Rainbow was there was when she pulled off the second Sonic Rainboom. As expected, it was packed with fans and it was difficult to walk in the crowd. As a precaution, Rainbow kept Scootaloo close by wrapping a wing around her as they walked through the crowds. Left and right, they saw fans carrying EWE merchandise and some had their own homemade signs. This crowd was somewhat more intense than Rainbow Dash remembered. The crowd was so thick that Rainbow didn't have time to stop to look at maps. They reached the second floor of the stadium to find that the crowd wasn't as bad. Perhaps it was because the first floor had the most merchants. Anyways, after finally getting through the worst of the crowd, Rainbow Dash found a staff member, "Excuse me?" "Oh yes? How may I help you?" "We need help to find our seats." Rainbow Dash presented her their tickets. "Ah okay. Wow, these are very good seats miss. However, it is on the other side of the stadium. You can go ahead and step right through here. Then you can just fly down to the first floor and you will be in the very front in section 'C.'" "The very front!?!" "The very front," the staff member repeated with a smile. "Thank you so much! Come on Scoot." Rainbow was very excited as she had never sat in the very front before. As instructed, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo made their way inside. Once they reached the ledge, both the girls were amazed as they saw the wrestling ring. Normally, there would be a giant hole in the center of the stadium, but it was completely covered by clouds. On one side of the stadium, there was a large white blank screen. To each side, were towers with a unicorn posted in each one. Rainbow remembered that they would use their magic to project the wrestler's entrance video as their theme songs played. "Rainbow, I think our seats are over there," Scootaloo pointed out. Rainbow turned her attention to where the little filly was pointing. Across from them, on the first floor, were groups of ponies in a section labeled "C." Already Rainbow could see where they were meant to sit. She then had Scootaloo mount on her back as they flew down to their assigned seats. Finally able to rest in their seats, they eagerly waited for the event to start. "You're going to love this squirt. These wrestlers do all sorts of awesome moves! There is this one wrestler called the Undertaker, and he has this awesome finisher where he-." "Uh miss," Rainbow was interrupted by a male pegasus that sat right next to her. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear. Did you say the Undertaker?" "Yes?" "I'm sorry to break it to you, but that wrestler retired last year." "What!?!" Rainbow shouted in shock and hurt by the news. The Undertaker retired? When she was a filly, that was one stallion that actually seemed like he would never get too old to wrestle. "If it makes you feel any better, tonight we should be seeing the debut of another wrestler." "Is he good?" "SHE is one of the best in the business." A mare wrestler? Normally the mares of EWE couldn't fight, but to be considered one of the best, Rainbow just had to see this. "What's her name?" Scootaloo asked. "Her name is-" Before he could finish, fireworks shot off around the stadium, signaling the show had started. "You'll see!" The pegasus shouted to them over the fireworks. He then joined the crowd as they cheered for the start of the event. Rainbow then looked to Scootaloo with a smile and gave a shrug. Then both girls cheered along with the crowd; excited for the start up. *** "I can't believe how awesome these matches are!" Scootaloo shouted. "Yeah! Although, I don't think some of the new wrestlers are as good as the ones from when I was a filly. So who do you like so far?" "I really liked the Big Show! He was huge! He threw his opponent out the ring like he was a doll." "Yeah he's cool, but he put on a lot of weight." "Who do you like so far?" "I really liked the one that calls himself the Demon King. His finishing move looks like it gives other wrestlers serious chest pain." Rainbow then looked to the male pegasus that she spoke to earlier, "Hey, where is this awesome mare you were talking about?" "She should be coming out next. Her match is the main event. She is one of the few mares that is willing to fight stallions." Wow. This mare is not only in the main event, but she can fight stallions as well. Rainbow Dash believed she might have found her new favorite wrestler. Suddenly, the lights dimmed down and music began to play. Rainbow and Scootaloo then looked to the entrance to see a pony wearing a hooded vest walking out.The crowd, all around her, began to cheer the loudest cheer she had heard all night. "It's her! It's her!" The pegasus shouted. Rainbow and Scootaloo looked at the entrance with excitement while watching the mysterious mare. The mare then stood on her hind legs with her front forelegs stretched out to the side. Then, once the music stopped, the lights went out. In an instant, lights turned on, concentrated on the mare once the music played again. She then took off her hood and revealed her face. While the crowd cheered and praised, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were silent in shock. The two knew exactly who the wrestler was. Not from popularity, but on a personal level. The mare was none other than; "APPLEJACK!?!" > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack continued on her way to the ring as the audience cheered and chanted her name, "AJ STYLES! AJ STYLES! AJ STYLES!" Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo stared at her silently with their jaws dropped. This amazing wrestler that they waited all night for was Applejack? "The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Making her way to the ring, from the town of Ponyville, A... J... STYLES!!!" As the ring announcer... well, announced her presence, the crowd followed along with him as he said her name. Applejack walked up the steel steps and entered the ring. She once again stood on her hind legs and stretched out her forelegs as she slowly made a 360 degree turn for all to see her. Rainbow and Scootaloo then snapped out of their state of shock and tried to get her attention. They shouted her name and flailed to get her attention, but the complaining ponies around them caused them to sit back down. "Rainbow, that's Applejack up there right?" the little pegasus questioned. "I'm sure it is, but I can't believe she is a wrestler? Why didn't she tell us? Also, she looks different right now. She and I have been in contests before, but I don't think I have ever seen this side of her before. In our feuds, she did it purely for the sport and fun of it. Right now, she is so focused, serious, and wants to win." After she made that statement, AJ's music stopped and new music came up. The crowds again cheered as lights were flashing everywhere and the music was more rock n' roll. Rainbow and Scootaloo looked to the entrance and saw that it was a stallion making his way to the ring. He was a pegasus, coat was a tanned color, his mane was short and messy. Oddly enough, unlike Applejack's wrestling tight pants, he wore jeans and a gray tank top. "Introducing the challenger, from Las Pegasus, weighing in at 215 lbs... MEAN... AMBROSE!!!" The crowd's cheer wasn't as loud as Applejack's entrance, it was still obvious that the fans showed love for both wrestlers. Scootaloo grabbed Rainbow's foreleg, "Uh... Rainbow, shouldn't we do something? 215 lbs. is a lot of weight for Applejack to handle." "Don't worry squirt. If I know AJ, and I do know AJ, she can handle this colt." As soon as Ambrose made it inside the ring, the music stopped and the referee explained the rules to both wrestlers. Not that the rules mattered, but it just made it look more realistic. Once he finished explaining, he signaled for the match to start. Once the bell sounded, the match became official; AJ Styles vs. Mean Ambrose. First the match started off like most matches. Each wrestler walked around the ring, copying their opponents movements to give them time to study them. However, Ambrose was the first to make a move. He ran straight towards Applejack to tackle her, but she rolled out of the way in time to avoid the collision. Instead of a mare, Ambrose plunged himself to the ring's corner. Rainbow and Scootaloo laughed at Ambrose's clumsiness. "If this is how this guy is going to be, then AJ got this match in the bag," Rainbow said jokingly. Applejack then went to the corner and repositioned Ambrose so that he would face her. As he hung on the corner, Applejack climbed up the turnbuckle, and began to deliver strikes to the head. "Woo! Go Applejack!" Scootaloo cheered. As Applejack continued her assault, Ambrose decided it was the perfect time to counter-attack. He stood up straight, wrapped his forelegs around Applejack's thighs, and immediately threw Applejack down with a powerbomb. Much of the crowd shouted "Oh!" as they heard the impact of Applejack slamming into the ring. "Uh... Rainbow Dash, that looked like it really hurt." "Don't worry. This is all fake. They staged this." "Really?" "Yeah. She's fine." "Then, why hasn't she gotten up?" Rainbow turned her attention towards Applejack, as she saw her struggle to get back up. "She's acting Scootaloo. You are worrying too much. It wouldn't be too convincing if she got up right away, right?" "I... I guess so," Scootaloo wasn't entirely convinced, but she kept quiet as not to annoy Rainbow Dash further. As the match went on, Ambrose had time to recover as AJ was still on the floor. He took the opportunity to meet her and start delivering kicks to her as she was still on the ground. The ref immediately intervened and separated him from her. It was during this time, she rolled out the ring in hopes of recovering. The ref then began the countdown; Applejack had until ten to get back in the ring; otherwise she would lose the match by count out. To support her, the fans chanted her name, "A J STYLES! A J STYLES! A J STYLES!" In between her name, the crowd would stomp their hooves. Not wanting to let her recover, Ambrose left the ring to fight her on the outside. By doing so, the ref was forced to reset the countdown. Unfortunately for Ambrose, Applejack had already recovered. Before Ambrose could strike first, Applejack quickly blocked him and struck him in the face with an uppercut. She then turned around and gave him a powerful buck. Ambrose was thrown back a couple of feet from the impact and landed on his back. The crowd cheered as Applejack now had the upperhoof. "Yah! Go AJ! You got this!" Rainbow shouted. "That voice," Applejack thought, "No no it couldn't be. There are thousands of ponies here. Maybe somepony sounds like her." Ignoring the familiar voice, she focused her attention back to Ambrose. She picked him up by the head and threw him back into the ring, with Applejack following behind. Once she entered the ring, Ambrose was already back up and attacked her with a clothesline. As Applejack was struck by a foreleg across the neck, she flipped in mid air and landed on her side. Despite this comeback, it took the strength out of Ambrose as he collapsed to the floor as well. "Rainbow!" Scootaloo shouted in worry, "Applejack just flew in the air! I thought you said this was fake!" "I-It is... It's just good acting that's all," Although the words came out, the confidence wasn't there as it was before. She was used to seeing that happen to other wrestlers, but for it to happen to her friend just made it hard to watch. The wind got knocked out of Applejack as she struggled to breath. The need for air made it harder for her to get back on her hooves. "What the buck was that?" she thought to herself. "One!" The official started to count. Just like being outside the ring, one of the wrestlers had to get up before the referee counted to ten. If both are down by the end of the count, it would be considered a tie. As she tried to get back on her hooves, she grabbed onto the ropes to assist her. Looking between the ropes, she spotted something that made her heart stop. Between the ropes, was Rainbow Dash and a worried Scootaloo. "R-Rainbow Dash!?!" Applejack tried to shout her name. "Come on AJ! Don't let this guy push you around!" Rainbow cheered her on. "What in tarnation are y'all doin' here!?!" While she shouted at the Rainbow pegasus, Ambrose was already back on his hooves. He turned around, looking at Applejack still hanging on the ropes. A smile grew on his face as he was about to go for the kill. Rainbow and Scootaloo saw Ambrose slowly making his way towards Applejack. "Applejack! Behind you!" Scootaloo warned her. But before she could respond, Ambrose already took her by the mane. "AJ!?!" Rainbow and Scootaloo screamed in unison, worried for her friend as it looked like it was over. Thinking quickly on her hoof, Applejack broke free of Ambrose's grasp. She then attacked him with a move called the pele kick. With this move, she made a back flip and gave a kick to the skull of Ambrose. He lost balance and found it difficult to stand up straight. Rainbow and Scootaloo stared in awe at the sight of this. This was something they never witnessed out of the Applejack they knew. Rainbow immediately snapped back to reality and cheered, "That's right AJ! Show him you run this show!" As Applejack saw the opportunity, she took a hold of Ambrose and lifted him up. "It's over!" the pegasus from earlier shouted, "She's going for her finisher!" "She has a finisher?" Scootaloo asked confused. "She's going for the... Styles Clash," he said slowly as if it was one of the best moves ever invented. Applejack positioned Ambrose by hanging him upside down on her shoulders; grabbing him from belly-to-back. She then hugged the thighs with her forelegs and her hind legs trapped his fore legs. Once she had him locked in, she jumped forward and landed on Ambrose belly first. She then turned him over, but with her legs still holding onto the forelegs. Ambrose was locked in the pin. The ref counted the cover, "1!... 2!... 3!..." The bell has rung and the match was over. Applejack won her first match in the EWE. Nearly everypony cheered this great victory as Applejack's theme music played. Applejack stood up with the strength she had left. After she wiped her head of the sweat, she smiled as she looked all around the stadium. She looked to her friends that were also in the crowd. She walked towards the ropes that were closest to them, "I guess I got a lot of explainin' to do?" "Yep. You sure do. And I can't wait to hear it." Rainbow Dash said with her forelegs crossed. As Applejack was about to step out the ring, she heard a groan from behind. Behind her, was Ambrose struggling on his legs. Although she was his opponent, that does not make him her enemy. She walked to him and offered her hoof. At first, Ambrose looked confused at her and wondered what she was doing. Applejack saw that he wasn't going to grab her hoof as he was being cautious. So instead, she forced her herself by picking him up and helping him exit the arena. The crowd praised the honor shown by the warriors that were leaving the ring. "See Scootaloo? I told you Applejack would be alright," said the cyan pegasus. She stepped out the ring first and then assisted him. As they walked back towards the entrance, Ambrose asked, "Why?" "You were hurt and I wanted to help. We might've fought just now, but I refuse to leave ya injured in the ring." As they were walking towards backstage, Applejack could have sworn that she heard a soft, "Thanks." > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Early the next morning, with the sun not up yet, Applejack woke from her slumber. As she tried to get out of bed, she felt sore throughout her body. "Ow ow ow," she thought to herself, "That Ambrose fella sure packs a wallop. Doin chores today will be such a pain in the flank." With what energy she had, she forced herself out of bed to get ready for the day. She started by setting up her hair in her everyday fashion; having a hair band wrapped at the end of her mane. She then proceeded to grab her hat as she walked her way to the door. She took a deep breath, "Alright. Here we go." Once she opened the door, she didn't expect what was on the other side. "You're finally awake!" A mare and filly said in unison as they surprised Applejack. Applejack was trampled by Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. As she laid on the floor, she groaned from the pain she was still experiencing. "Applejack! You were awesome last night!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "The way you kicked Mean Ambrose to the head! Amazing!" shouted Scootaloo. "How long have you been a wrestler!?!" With that last question, Applejack endured her pain and shoved a hoof in each mouth and whispered loudly, "I will tell y'all everything, but y'all better promise not to tell anypony else." Unable to answer, the two fillies gave an exciting nod in agreement. "Also, would y'all please get off me?" *** Before leaving the house, Applejack had breakfast prepared for her family and set them on the table. Outside the house, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo eagerly awaited for their wrestling friend. Once the two fillies heard the door open, they turned around in excitement. However, Applejack was prepared and shushed them before they could make a sound. She then pointed in the direction of the apple trees. She began to walk over and her friends followed close behind. They walked deep inside the forest of apple trees until she was comfortable to speak to them. "Okay go ahead." "That was so awesome! You were like POW! And then you were like BUCK!" "Rainbow!" Realizing what she said, she quickly covered her mouth, "Hehehe. Oops." "Oh for Celestia's sake, it is not that big a deal." "'Big a deal?'" Scootaloo mimicked, "You are a EWE Superstar! How is that not a big deal?" "Why didn't you tell us?" said Rainbow Dash. "This is somethin that I wanted to keep secret from my family." "Why?" asked Scootaloo. "Well... ya see uh..." "Come on Applejack. Spit it out already." Applejack took a deep breath, "The farm isn't doin so well these days. We've tried to get by with the money we make by sellin apple cider, but I hate to say it wasn't enough." "What are you talking about?" questioned Rainbow Dash, "You make A LOT of bits selling apple cider. We all see that chest full of it on the stand." "Yes, but most of that money goes toward resupplyin our inventory; such as fertilizer, our food for ourselves and the other critters, tools and equipment to fixin things around here. Whatever is left is too small to get by afterwards." "So that's what made you become a wrestler?" asked Scootaloo. "Well it ain't like I chose to do it. It was actually quite strange how it happened really. I was just doin my daily chores like normal, but one day I found a tree that collapsed near the chicken coop. I tried to find some rope to pull it out, but Big Mac was already usin' it to hoist up Applebloom to help paint the barn. So I just bucked the tree out of the coop. Then an old stallion approached me and saw what I had done. He was lost in the woods on his way to Ponyvile. He was heading into town to look for some new talent, but he felt like he found it. At first, I of course refused, but then he told me that I would get paid pretty well. I didn't care about the money, but I cared about my family. With that kind of money, I was able to help a lot around the farm. So that's when I started with the wrestling brand called NXT." "NXT?" asked a confused Scootaloo. "I recognize that name," said Rainbow Dash, "It's sort of a training ground for future EWE wrestlers. They prove their worth there and then move up to the main roster when they were good enough." "And we got to see Applejack's debut last night!?!" Scootaloo shouted with a squeal. "Durin my time with NXT, I learned a lot from the other wrestlers. At some point, I would either modify or make up my own moves to entertain the crowd. I was shocked when they told me that I would enter the main roster." "So Applejack, how could you keep something like that a secret?" questioned Rainbow. "Well it ain't easy. I would tell my folks that I had to run an errand or go outta town for a potential customer. Most of the time, Granny or Big Mac would wonder where all the bits came from. At some point, I ran out of stories to tell them. So I have a stash in case of emergencies. Gosh. I've made more bits than I ever thought I could make that are just sittin there. I would donate some money to charity when I can." "That's amazing Applejack! Not only are you a popular wrestler, but now you are practically rich!" shouted Scootaloo. "Now hold on there, I wouldn't say I was rich. I'm certainly better off than most ponies, but I'm not rich," Applejack corrected. "Who cares if you are rich or not!?! You have one of the best jobs ever!" yelled Rainbow Dash. "You are an E... W... E... wrestler and you are really good at it." Applejack then looked down and kicked a nearby rock, "Actually, to be honest, I don't care much for this wrestling business anymore." "WHAT!?!" asked a shock Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. "Look, I really appreciate both y'all's support, but I only took this job to help the farm. Now that we've made enough money to get by, I just want to get out. Ya get hurt in that ring and I get too tired to do the chores around the farm." "Well if that's how you feel then why don't you just leave then?" asked Scootaloo. "It's not that simple. I have a contract with them and I JUST joined the main roster. Lot a folks would be hurt from me leavin so soon." "Well, maybe you can talk to them and try to get out of it," Rainbow Dash suggested. "I guess I can give it a try, but Rich McColt isn't the most understandin pony," Applejack said in a worried tone. "Oh come on Applejack. There are dozens and dozens of other wrestlers that work for him. How mad could he get if he lost one wrestler?" asked a confident Rainbow. "Famous last words," Applejack thought to herself. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- There it was, the door to the office of Rich McColt himself. Applejack has fought monsters and many of Equestria's wrestlers, but even she was frightened of this stallion. He was considered to be one of the richest and most powerful beings in all of Equestria. Although Applejack considered herself to be humble, she knew that she made McColt money. If there is anything the EWE industry knows about McColt, is that he hates to lose money. "Alright AJ," Applejack thought to herself, "You can do this." She took rapid deep breaths. On the final exhale, she knocked on the door. "Come in," a rough voice replied. Applejack opened the door to see the EWE owner himself. He sat behind his desk with what she could assume was made of gold. The room was much larger and ritzier than she thought. On one side of the room, you see a wall covered by portraits of EWE Hall of Famers. On the other, behind glass cases, were championship belts no longer being used within the company. Many stories and great matches are held within those titles. "Well well well," said McColt, "If it isn't my newest and number one star! Hahaha! Come on in Styles!" Despite his warm welcome, Applejack could only give a nervous smile. As she slowly made her way to the desk, McColt had a smile and motioned her to come closer. For some reason, his smile made what to come all the more terrifying for her. What seemed like forever, she was finally only a few feet away from him. "You made one hell of a debut there kid. I gotta tell ya, you really bucked up Ambrose real good. I must admit, I was slightly nervous when you stared him down and didn't leave the ring. I thought you were hungry for more. In the end, you pick him up out of sportsmanship! Brilliant! Hahaha! If that doesn't boost our ratings, I don't know what would," McColt praised Applejack. "Well uh... I'm glad to see you are in a good mood sir," she said nervously. "Are you kidding? I'm in one hell of a good mood thanks to you." Despite being in a good mood, it did little to ease Applejack. "Now what can I do for you? I'm a busy stallion and you need to be in shape kid." "Well you see... Uh... The Thing is... well..." Not able to say what she wanted to say, McColt grew impatient, "Come on now Styles what is it?" Applejack continued to struggle, "I uh..." "You want more money?" "No I-." "You want a title match?" "No if you ju-." "You want your own chariot escort?" "I- Wait, I can get a chariot escort?" "Yes! Done! Deal! Now get outta here I got more appointments." "No wait, I don't want the chariot." "Then what is it girl! SPEAK UP!" McColt pounded on his desk. "I WANT TO GET OUT OF MY CONTRACT!" She finally did it. She said what she wanted to say. McColt's reaction was to be expected. He stared straight into her eyes, jaw dropped, and face slowly turned red. The shocked expression changed to a look of rage. He got out of his seat, ran straight to his door, opened it, and shouted down the hall, "CANCEL MY NEXT APPOINTMENT! NO ONE DISTURB US!" In his rage, he slammed the door hard enough to knock down a couple of the portraits. He then marched up to AJ and stopped mere inches away from her muzzle. He whispered loudly, "What do you mean you want out of your contract?" Applejack struggled to regain composure after what she just witnessed. Just a while ago, he was one of the happiest stallions she had ever seen. Now she was up against a real life volcano. "Sir, please understand," she pleaded, "When I'm not wrestlin', I work on an apple farm and I have to do lot of the chores. I can't do this anymore and I want to get out." "You are out of your buckin' mind if you think I'm going to just let you go like THAT!" he shouted as he made his way back to his chair. "When you signed that contract you knew what you were getting into. You are stuck with me now Styles! You owe me a lot of bits and I expect you to pay up!" "Mr. McColt please! I have a granny and a little sister that need me! Please reconsider. There must be somethin' I can do that is worth my contract," Applejack cried as tears began to build up. "What could you possibly offer that-." McColt immediately stopped himself in mid-sentence. He gave a big smile, but not a very comforting one, "Okay Styles. I'll make you a deal. Our next big event is the Royal Rumble. I was originally going to have you be a participant. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I understand your situation and want to offer you the opportunity out of here." Applejack has dealt with greedy stallions and knew that he had something sickening in mind, "What is it?" "Instead of being in the rumble, you are going to main event the Royal Rumble. You will be fighting, one-on-one, with a wrestler of MY choosing." "Who will that be?" McColt chuckled and gave an evil grin, "That's for me to know and you to find out. Unfortunately for you, you won't know until the night of the Royal Rumble. In the meantime, you better get ready for the match of your life. Now get the hell out of my office!" *** Meanwhile, Applejack agreed to meet with Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash just outside of Ponyville after her meeting with McColt. "He said all that!?!" Rainbow Dash shouted in anger. "Yeah. He made Filthy Rich look like a saint." "Applejack, why don't we go to the Princess?" asked Scootaloo, "Maybe she can do something to help you get out of this." "I can't do that Scootaloo. Although McColt is a niblet, he was right about me signing that contract. I knew what I was getting into and a deal is a deal. This might not be the best way out, but it is fair." "So you have NO idea who your opponent is going to be?" asked Rainbow. "No idea whatsoever." "Well then, I guess the most you can do is get ready for it," said Scootaloo. "That's just it," said Applejack, "I don't know how I'm going to prepare for this. Usually, they would tell me who I am fighting and I would study my opponent. I would watch their movements and look at how they fight. This mystery opponent already has an advantage." "Aww come on AJ," said Rainbow, "You are an awesome wrestler and you knocked Ambrose down flat. There is nopony they got that can beat you." "Consarn it Rainbow!" Applejack thought loudly to herself, "Why do I feel like what you said is just goin' to make things worse?" "When is the Royal Rumble?" asked Scootaloo. "In two weeks. I have to be ready for whatever they have in store for me." "Well we are with you AJ!" Rainbow shouted. "Yeah!" Scootaloo agreed.