The Magic of Combat
Times were changing in the land of Equestria, that was an obvious and unavoidable fact. After all, Starlight knew that she owed her position as headmare of the School of Friendship to some of these changes. It was a change she was still getting used to, but having her best friends Sunburst and Trixie to work alongside certainly helped.
And it was because of said changes that Starlight had come to a decision about something to add to the school's curriculum. She made her proposal quite clear during what had been a routine staff meeting one day not long into her first full school year serving as headmare. "I think we need to establish a self-defense class for our students." She suggested in no uncertain terms.
That certainly caught everypony's attention! "Why in the wide world of Equestria would we ever need such a thing?!" Sunburst all but gasped! "Our students have been perfectly safe here. And... and besides, Equestria is in the longest period of peace it's ever known."
"Much as the Great and Powerful Trixie does not usually agree with Sunburst," Trixie chimed in with her own two bits. "This is one occasion on which she finds herself supporting his position. Everything's peaceful, Starlight. Why would our students ever need to know about how to defend themselves?"
The unicorn mare with a grayish-purple coat flashed a confident smile as she explained her reasoning. "Think of all the threats that have happened despite Equestria being at peace. Think of how much danger our students were in the last time we were attacked. We were lucky our enemies didn't target our students directly, and that the only one who might have had reason to harm them never got a chance to do so."
"Yeah, but it was Princess Twilight and her friends who saved the day in the end, like they always do." Trixie pointed out.
However, Sunburst saw fit to protest. "We know they're not perfect. They can fail. The students here were a very big part of the reason why Princess Twilight and her friends won in the end. Next time, we may not be so lucky."
The smile on Starlight Glimmer's face grew wider. "Exactly, Sunburst! Besides," She added in a more serious tone of voice. "Just because Equestria is at peace doesn't mean the rest of the world is. Who knows how many other potential threats like the Storm King are lurking out there, waiting for the right time to strike? If anything were to happen, our students should at least know a thing or two about what to do and how to fight back. The focus is entirely on self-defense, we don't want them to become bullies. But especially if we're going to trust them to carry our teachings around the world," She pounded a hoof on her headmare desk! "We owe it to them to ensure they're ready for whatever may come their way!"
Trixie opened her mouth, trying to say something. But the words wouldn't come out of the magician's mouth. She really couldn't argue with Starlight's logic, even if she really wanted to. So, reluctantly, she seemed to fold. "I guess if you put it like that, Starlight... then maybe Trixie can admit that you do have a point. We may have many allies, but we've seen how many long forgotten evils can pop up unexpectedly. And as teachers, our responsibility is to protect our students. If that means teaching them how to fight back if necessary," She let out a reluctant sigh. "Trixie will not oppose you."
"But who's going to teach the class?" Sunburst wondered aloud as he stroked his goatee with a hoof. "We're stretched thin as it is with the normal classes, to say nothing of how few substitutes we have. And you know we're still in the process of interviewing ponies to help fill the gaps. Now we have to add somepony to teach self-defense on top of it all?"
But Starlight wasn't worried, her smile did not falter. She instead replied. "Actually, I'm going to be teaching the class. It's my idea. And what better way to stay on top of things at the school than by running a class? Don't forget, I have lots of experience fighting alongside Twilight and her friends," Then she sheepishly admitted. "And of course, I once opposed them, so I kind of know a thing or two about what evil might look like."
Sunburst sat up in his chair, locking eyes with his co-worker and childhood friend. "I'll help you in any way I can, Starlight."
Trixe nodded her head in agreement. "And so shall Trixie. Together, we will see that that self-defense class of yours is a great and powerful success!"
Starlight Glimmer was overjoyed with the news! Her smile grew so big it looked like it could fall right off her face. "Great!" She put her hooves to her cheeks! "So, can I count on either of you to be my sparring partner? A class like that is one that'll work best with examples instead of just lectures."
Trixie immediately shook her head in protest. The magician knew that the very idea of combat, even for educational purposes, was outside her realm of expertise. "As much as Trixie enjoys putting on a good show, she cannot be a suitable partner for you, Starlight. It wouldn't be anywhere close to a fair fight. Plus," She bit her hoof. "Now that I'm a guidance counselor, I have to think about the students. I don't know if they'll feel comfortable seeing their headmare and their guidance counselor going at it."
Sunburst quickly eliminated himself as a possible candidate too. "I'd love to help you, Starlight. But there's no way I could ever begin to match you. And I don't know if I could do good enough to help the students learn what they'll need to know. I do better in controlled environments, where I have time to study and think. I'm not so good at thinking on my hooves, unfortunately."
That both of her best friends should rule themselves out so quickly was a tad bit troubling for Starlight, her smile was briefly replaced by a frown. "I see, that is a problem," She commented. Then gasped as an idea came to her! "But that's okay, I can just ask one of our other friends to help. I know quite a few who'd be perfect as a sparring partner!"
Yet when the headmare asked around, she was disappointed when all of her other friends turned down the offer from her. Most of them told her they were too busy to spare the time to help, while others said they didn't think they could convincingly teach the students as part of a demonstration.
So it was that a frustrated and slightly frazzled Starlight Glimmer returned to the headmare's office of the School of Friendship, lamenting her bad luck and inability to find what (or who, rather) she needed. "How can I teach a self-defense class if I don't have anypony to help me demonstrate?" She thought aloud to herself, putting her head on her desk. "What am I going to do?!" Then it hit her. There was somepony she could write to for help. "Of course," She contemplated. "Twilight will know who to recommend. There's probably instructors from Canterlot or some other big city that she could get to come and help teach."
Before Starlight could even think of writing a letter to her friend turned supreme ruler, however, she was surprised to receive a most unexpected visitor in her office. Said visitor was a unicorn, not unlike Starlight. But this unicorn had a few things that made her stand out in bold detail: She was wearing thick, black armor over her entire body, which covered up her cutie mark. Across her right eye was a scar. And most noticeably of all, where her horn should be there was only a small stub.
This unicorn mare with a very dark purple coat and a two shaded rose mane and tail in buzzy locks blinked her opal eyes, apparently in annoyance. "Can you stop staring at me? Surely, you've heard of me by now."
Starlight Glimmer put a hoof to her chin. "I think I have, I think Twilight mentioned you once," She frowned as she racked her brain, trying in vain to recall the name of this hornless unicorn standing before her. "Sorry," She blushed. "Seems your name has slipped my mind."
At that the hornless unicorn sighed deeply, clearly trying to keep her emotions in check. "It's Fiz... er Tempest Shadow to you."
To Starlight, it was like a lightbulb had gone off inside her mind as she suddenly recalled! "Oh yeah, now I remember!"
Tempest seemed to smile a bit. "I take it my reputation precedes me, then?"
"Yeah, I guess it does," Starlight replied as she extended a hoof out to her fellow unicorn. "After all, we're both unicorns who were once evil, but Twilight gave us a second chance," Then a thought struck her. "Say, didn't Pinkie Pie tell me once that Tempest isn't your real name?"
A raging blush formed on the hornless unicorn's cheeks. "Guess I should've expected her to blab," She coughed into a hoof and quickly recovered. "But I've chosen to stick with Tempest Shadow. Not because there's anything wrong with my real name, but because using it would just be an escape from all the terrible things I did under the name of Tempest Shadow. Going by this name is my way of atoning for the things I did in the past."
"Right, right," Starlight somewhat giggled as she shook Tempest's hoof. Then she asked. "So, what exactly brings you here, Tempest? Were you thinking of teaching here at the school, even just as a substitute?"
Tempest shook her head firmly from side to side. "I'm not one for teaching, and there's little I can teach that would be at all helpful to your students," But a smile crept onto her face as she added. "I heard about this self-defense class you're apparently hoping to put together."
At that, the unicorn mare with a grayish-purple coat nearly jumped back in surprise! "How did you know that?! Who told you?!"
The hornless unicorn vaguely answered. "I have my ways," And she immediately put a hoof to her chest as she firmly vowed! "You're looking for a sparring partner, right? Well guess what, you found one! I will fill that role."
Starlight Glimmer could hardly contain her excitement as her smile returned and she giddly proclaimed! "Oh, this is great! You're the miracle I didn't know I was waiting for, Tempest!" After realizing how "unprofessional" her behavior was, however, she quickly regained her composure. "I guess that means you'll be the attacker, and I the defender."
Tempest threw up a hoof in protest. "No. You will attack, I will defend."
Starlight was immediately filled with worry and concern. "Tempest, that wouldn't be fair. I have a horn, you don't. Er, no offense."
Tempest Shadow replied in an indifferent tone. "None taken, I guess. But who says this demonstration of yours has to be fair?" She pointed out. "In combat, you can never expect your enemy to play fair or play by the rules. Your opponent will use every advantage they have. If you want your students to acquire any real experience, you can't be concerned about 'fairness'. Besides, with my superior combat experience, you would be lucky to last ten minutes against me. And how would that be helpful to your students?"
"Guess I hadn't thought of it like that," The headmare considered. "If you're sure that's what you really want, Tempest, then I guess you'll have it."
Tempest appeared to smile ever so faintly. "Just do me one favor," Her eyes narrowed. "Don't hold back. If you do, you will regret it." And just like that, everything was set for the School of Friendship's first ever self-defense class.
Even though the class had been her idea, Starlight still couldn't help but get jittery as she waited to see how many students would show up when the class was actually held. She decided it best to have it as an optional extra curriculuar course to be held in the school gym after all other classes were done for the day.
Much to the headmare's surprise (and relief), the gym became packed with students. Whether it was because they really wanted to learn, or just wanted to see their headmare in action, she couldn't tell. She hoped it was the former, not the latter.
Tempest, however, was perfectly in her element as she observed the crowds that grew steadily bigger by the minute. She whispered in a taunting voice to her opponent. "Not too late to change your mind, you know."
Starlight Glimmer shot down the offer as she whispered back. "This was my idea! I have to see this through! Besides, I know I can beat you. I have magic, you don't."
Tempest just smirked. "Don't be so sure of yourself, headmare. In combat, things are rarely as straightforward as they seem."
Rather than reply to Tempest's banter, Starlight simply stepped forward to address the gathered crowd of students (including the six who had helped play a role in the defeat of the Legion of Doom a while back). "Thank you all for coming to this self-defense class. It's good to see you all want to learn how to protect and defend yourselves in case you should ever be attacked for any reason. But let me reiterate that the purpose of this class is purely for self-defense. You are not to attack unless attacked," And she warned. "Do not try to perform any of the moves you'll see between Miss. Tempest and myself."
"Enough chit chat!" Gallus hollored as he put his claws to his mouth. "Are you actually gonna fight, or just stand around talking about it?"
Tempest stepped forward, locking eyes with Starlight. "Seems like your students want to go right to the demonstration. Shall we give them what they want?"
Starlight Glimmer firmly nodded. "Yes indeed, Tempest," And the two unicorns took up positions at opposite ends of the gym. "Ready when you are!" And she began to charge up her horn, preparing an attack that she was certain would be more than enough to knock Tempest off her hooves!
But Tempest was one step ahead of her opponent! Rather than stand around and wait for the attack to come, she came rushing forward with a loud cry!
Panicking, Starlight forgot all about trying to attack! She teleported away before Tempest could draw close.
Tempest Shadow rolled her eyes. "Really? You're gonna pull that on me?" And she quickly turned around, using one of her hooves to produce a small, glowing object. She threw it on the ground, producing a puff of lime green smoke! Suddenly, from the ground erupted a huge, black crystal! The crystal absorbed the magic blast that came from Starlight's horn a second later!
Starlight's persian blue eyes widened in shock! She had not been expecting such a thing! She had only heard about similar objects being used by Tempest when she worked for the Storm King, but apparently they were strong enough to immobilize even an alicorn princess!
Tempest seemed to be taking this "self-defense" lesson very seriously! She seemed to be fighting as though her very life depended on it! And the students seemed to be enjoying the show, their gaze was transfixed on the clash of the two unicorns that now appeared to be evenly matched, even in spite of Tempest's lack of a horn.
"What's the matter, headmare?" The hornless unicorn taunted as she gazed upon the apparently all but shell shocked Starlight staring back at her. "Is that all you got? You didn't really think I'd make things easy for you, did you? I warned you not to hold back."
At that, Starlight grit her teeth and charged forward again! She shattered the crystal with ease, and lunged towards Tempest with all her might!
"Big mistake." Was all Tempest said, before she swished her tail around and swatted Starlight away with ease.
Starlight found herself having to pause, conjuring up a magic barrier with her horn so as to give herself time to think. Tempest was proving to be a much tougher opponent than anticipated. It was as if her lack of a horn was an advantage, rather than a disadvantage. Now that the headmare thought about it more, it was probably silly of her to assume that the former second in command of the Storm King's army would be easy to defeat with magic. Of course a pony like Tempest would know how to neutralize any disadvantage she might have.
Clearly, Tempest had learned a lot from her experience. She wasn't even trying to chip away at the barrier. She was just standing there with a smirk, waiting for her fellow unicorn to make her next move.
Starlight realized she'd have to do something she normally didn't like to do: Think on her hooves. That always tended to go poorly for her. Yet this was a situation where she clearly wouldn't be able to do what she normally did. "I have to focus!" She thought to herself. "Tempest is going all out, so I have to too! Part of self-defense means learning to expect the unexpected." And so, she dropped the barrier.
"Ready for more?" Tempest taunted as that smirk of hers grew wider by the second.
Rather than answer with words, Starlight Glimmer grit her teeth and began to back up. All the while, her horn was beginning to spark rather ominously.
The hornless unicorn kept a close watch on her opponent, looking for any subtle changes in stance or expression that might offer a clue to her fellow unicorn's intent. Anticipation was the name of the game, after all.
Yet rather than strike with a blast from the horn, Starlight dropped her charge! Uttering a cry, she leapt into the air with her hooves at the ready!
Tempest only just thought to bring her own hooves up to block the attack at the last minute, expending a good deal of effort in the process! "Not bad, you're learning." She said to her opponent.
"Now it's my turn to teach you something, Tempest!" Starlight boldly declared as she narrowed her eyes.
"Do your worst! I'm ready for it!" The hornless unicorn boldly proclaimed. Her expression was hard to charge, but it seemed she either truly believed she could stop Starlight's attack, or was ready to face whatever it might be anyway.
Starlight grabbed Tempest by the hoof, using a strength she'd never known she'd had until now as she flipped the armored unicorn onto her back! Tempest, of course, recovered quickly. But not quickly enough to avoid the sudden blast that shot off from Starlight's horn!
A tremendous shockwave shook the ground, even shattering some of the school's windows. And a blinding flash made it hard for the students to see much of anything. Yet more than a few let out gasps! What had happened to their headmare and the unicorn she'd been fighting? Such an intense blast being unleashed by their combat was frightening to say the least.
At last, the light faded and the smoke cleared. Emerging before the students were two unicorns whose manes and tails were singed, but otherwise they were unharmed. However, only one of them was standing. To the surprise of some, it was Starlight Glimmer who had emerged victorious.
"Beaten at my own game," Tempest remarked as she was slowly helped back onto her hooves. "Very well done indeed, Starlight. I thought for sure I had you figured out back there, but you surprised me."
"You were an excellent sparring partner, Tempest," Starlight told the hornless unicorn, before turning to address the students. "Now then, can anyone tell me what the mistake was that Tempest made? I think it's a pretty obvious one, but let's see if any of you were paying attention during our demonstration."
Yona was the first to shoot up a hoof, and when called on she somewhat hesitantly guessed. "Um... Miss. Tempest let down her guard?"
"Actually, yes," Starlight pointed out with a smile. "I'm honestly surprised she made it. Just as you should never underestimate your opponent before a battle, you shouldn't start to underestimate them during a battle. If you do, you make mistakes like Tempest did. She had me on the ropes, and had she pressed her advantage I don't think I could've stopped her. Even in self-defense, you should always be careful until you know for sure your opponent is no longer a threat."
"Oh, I get it!" Ocellus exclaimed! "The key is to remain calm, assess the situation, and adapt to whatever gets thrown at you. If not, you might get careless and make a mistake."
Starlight nodded. "Exactly. And staying calm and assessing a situation can also help you avoid fights. Sometimes, the best weapon you can have is your words."
Tempest groaned a bit, even as she declared. "Couldn't put it better myself. You should always consider what you know and what you don't know when you're being threatened. Self-defense is important, but fighting should only be a last resort and not a first option," Then she pointed out. "Though I hope this experience has taught you all the importance of never fully counting on anything. Every advantage in a fight can become a disadvantage. Just as friendships can change, so too can your surroundings. So always be mindful of that."
"Exactly," The unicorn mare with a grayish-purple coat chimed in. Then to the students, she told them. "But I think Tempest and I got a little bit carried away with our 'demonstration'. So for now, class is dismissed. Hopefully, you'll all go your whole lives without needing to use any of what you were taught here." And she watched as the students left the gym, the crowd slowly but surely diminishing.
Afterwards, Tempest trotted forward and extended a hoof to Starlight. "Thanks for letting me be in this class with you."
"Thank you for helping me to teach it," Starlight replied. "You taught me a lot about myself, about my overreliance on magic. My magic may be fueled by my emotions, but it can't solve all my problems. You've shown me that unicorns are anything but powerless without a horn."
Tempest simply smiled. "Glad I could be of assistance. If you ever need me to volunteer for another demonstration. Or, if you ever just wanna go at it again for the fun of it, you just let me know."
"Let's not get carried away!" Starlight Glimmer cautioned with a nervous laugh. "We were doing all of this for the students' benefit, not ours."