open Bangcolt Arena! (Fighting/Sol) -RP-

[Jack Baker 698]

@Fractured

Raze thought about it for a few seconds, then smiled. "I was wrong," he said. "And I am sorry for it. I thought my honor and your respect had been taken from me. Now, I realize it never left." His smile evolved into a warm, toothy grin. "I think my mind's finally at ease." He exhaled, then suddenly resumed his low stance.

 

"However, I think we won't be able to leave until the match is finished, and it ain't in my nature to forfeit a duel. How 'bout we finish this, just a little friendly match, eh?"

[P-Jay 1,987]

Diamond Rustscythe looked over the page in front of him and wrote on it near-continuously, making a scribbling sound as he did. It took him the better part of five minutes to finish filling things in and finally smiled and looked up as he had scribbled his signature on the bottom of the registration. "There, l hope this will suffice, Zenru. Please tell me if there are any mistakes in there before archiving it, so that l can rectify those immediately. He handed the form to Zenru and walked to Yrel to sit next to her and wait for Zenru to give his answer.

Yrel watched him, in silence, for a moment. As if she were unsure it was her place to speak...Until resuming her interview. Although, truth be told, it was considerably slowed--as if she realized how rude she had been being, previously. 

 

"...What's your name? Mine is Yrel--Yrel Swiftwing." She said, holding out a hoof. 

 

Zenru read over the form, in silence. Murmuring notes to himself, before taking it to the receptionist's office, beginning to exchange words with the mare, behind the counter. After a moment of conversing, she took the form, taking it to the back of the building...Presumingly to update the list of combatants.

 

Zenru glanced back at Diamond, with a smile. Mouthing 'You're in.'

 

Dust leaned back. That definitely was not supposed to happen. She could feel the tension like a taut rubber band, ready to snap painfully at any moment. She was glad she'd chosen a seat near the back.

It allowed her to climb up to the very back of the stage and jump off the edge. Landing gently, she galloped away to put distance between herself and the confrontation. 

 

As Dust fled the stands, she would feel as if she were being watched...

 

Should she take note of her surroundings, she would see a cloaked pony, following her every movement, with unnerving attention...

[Fractured 2,684]

@DwhitetheGamer

"As I have always been." The mare didn't stop this time, passing through the door of the arena. But, strangely, those who would look outside for her would be unable to find her. She had vanished, leaving behind nothing more than a simple, bright, shining, star shaped purple rock fragment...

 

-------

 

"Very well, then." The blade that had just re-appeared re-crystalized, forming in front of Luna. She gripped it, as she faced Raze. "Just a friendly match, though by no means will I be going easy." She dropped into a small grin, as she pulled her blade into the style of Shadow dancing, holding it point out, away from her. She held a pause, where she closed her eyes, before suddenly opening them.

 

"Begin." In a blink, she broke a hard dash forward, moving so fast, she seemed to disappear for several moments. Braking hard to Raze's right at the last moment, she instead re-appeared on his left in an instant, aiming a slash down his torso.

[The Down Trotten 300]

@@Unicorncob,@@Fractured,

 

"Considering that you ladies have far more magical depth then myself, you should probably lead. Don;t worry I'll be right behind you providing moral support and witticism when I can, but when we're in ear shot of the town, I'll try to be silent. Wouldn't want to draw unwanted attention to my non-magical self" he smiled still excited about their present endeavor and the various things they would discover   

[Jack Baker 698]

@Fractured

Raze shifted his position to match Luna's, then, mustering his strength, drew his sword in a diagonal slash, parrying Luna's blow. Using the momentum, he pushed his blade against hers, ducking under her as she continued to move forward, redirecting the sword and its user entirely. He re-sheathed his katana.

 

"Good," he said to her. "As I always say, 'one-hundred percent or none at all'." He readied his blade again.

 

"I've learned many things since I left. This technique... Iaido, the art of drawing the sword... is one of them." He smiled. "You'd probably like it. Swift, fleeting... yet graceful. Almost like the night, eh?" He laughed a bit.

Edited June 2, 2016 by The Sad Manikin Mask

[Unicorncob 5,699]

Terra began to walk, cutting a path through the snow. It wasn't too far to walk, maybe an hour from her perspective. Faster with earth magic, but it wouldn't pay to cause a scene here, she realized. "As soon as we get to the village, we'll ask around. See if anypony has seen anything strange, or unusual. And if that doesn't work..." She paused, realizing the weight of her words even before she said them. "We'll go back to the forest. To the place where I first woke up."

 

Starlight walked after Terra, allowing Trixie and Rhetoric to walk together. The cold and snow reminded her of when she had fled her village into the mountains. Having to spend a few weeks hiding out in the caves before sneaking into Canterlot.

 

...And stalking Twilight...

 

She shook her head of the bad memories. The old Starlight was gone. It was time to show she had changed.

 

 

"Considering that you ladies have far more magical depth then myself, you should probably lead. Don;t worry I'll be right behind you providing moral support and witticism when I can, but when we're in ear shot of the town, I'll try to be silent. Wouldn't want to draw unwanted attention to my non-magical self" he smiled still excited about their present endeavor and the various things they would discover   

 

She looked over her shoulder at Rhetoric, smiling. "Think of it as a history lesson. I am!"

Terra began to walk, cutting a path through the snow. It wasn't too far to walk, maybe an hour from her perspective. Faster with earth magic, but it wouldn't pay to cause a scene here, she realized. "As soon as we get to the village, we'll ask around. See if anypony has seen anything strange, or unusual. And if that doesn't work..." She paused, realizing the weight of her words even before she said them. "We'll go back to the forest. To the place where I first woke up."

 

[Fractured 2,684]

Luna couldn't help but flash a small smile, and nod to him. "Simple, powerful, and graceful. A very effective strategy. Though, it cannot protect you from everything." She looked on, as two shallow trailing cuts appeared on Raze's front sides, courtesy of her wings, drawn across him as she passed. They were sharper than well made daggers, after all. Luna re-positioned her sword close to her, drawing on a pattern different than the previous one. Outward to her, but swept downwards, towards the ground. She concentrated, pouring magic into the blade, which began to respond by darkening, beyond possibility. A form so black, it seemed infinite; it could pull the eyes in forever, without ever reaching the end, or seeing what the eyes needed to determine. In this case, the blades size, or position, which were now complete masks, to all but Luna.

 

Luna pulled up and drew the sword close to her, pausing for less than an instant to reflect on a memory. The last time she had used this sword in its true form, so long ago... Then, she was in front of Raze, making a hard stop. Fanning out her wings suddenly to distract him, and minimize potential damage, the new form of the blade swept downward, aiming a slash down his front torso.

 

-------

 

@Unicorncob, @The Down Trotten

Terra had been walking for a few minutes, head downward, only to look up again, at Starlight's voice. She let her gaze float over the town, nothing that they were halfway there, then turned it back to the mare, still walking. "As you know, back before the time of the princesses, what was known as Equestria was in a time of turmoil. The three tribes fought bitterly with each other over land, and perceived insults. But before that, before the conflict, and the endless winter, and the wendigos, there was just what we see now. Scattered groups of ponies, clinging to each other over what will soon a battlefield, and then a nation." She took a pause. "...This snow is natural, so you have nothing to fear. Nor do you have anything to fear from the ponies here, as I said before. But what I didn't tell you..." She scrunched up her face, caught up in a moment of indecision, before letting it out. "Is that this place is my home. Back during this time period, I lived here. Though, no doubt that'll be a few years from now..." She shook her head, before turning away."

[Jack Baker 698]

@@Fractured, 

 

Raze quickly repositioned himself, then dashed forward as Luna's blade was about to hit him. He felt the blade cut him a little bit, and the sensation was like a hot iron tearing through him. He grit his teeth hard in pain as he forced himself to draw his katana and delivered a retaliating horizontal slash to Luna's torso, the cut long but once again, not too deep. He went through her and stopped a short distance behind her, re-sheathing the blade and hissing in pain.

 

"...Really?" he said to her, then grabbed his side in pain. "Ah, ow, ow... sweet Celestia, that burns... ooh, that stings, ow... oh, magic weapons hurt more than they should..."

Edited June 4, 2016 by The Sad Manikin Mask

[Silver W. Valensnow 196]

@@J.R., @@Fractured,

​Demiro Desertstorm beamed. "Thanks for telling me. Although l cannot go now because of a promise to my captain, l will make sure to surprise Celly soon. Speaking of which, l have about somewhat shy of fifteen minutes to meet him near the arena and l do not want to be late". He stood up and extended his hoof towards Rarity. "As always a pleasure, Miss Rarity and great to have met you, Mister Blizzard".

@@P-Jay,

​Diamond Rustscythe looked at Yrel and smiled a full grin. "What a lovely name. Yrel, has a nice ring to it. l...". Diamond Rustscythe looked up as Zenru told him that the registration had been a succes and nodded. "Thank you, Zenru. Some fighting would do me good, since l am nearly always stuck with a smithing job as of late. This way l can spend my free time with a bit of excitement, right?" he chuckled before looking back at Yrel. "What do you think, Yrel, do l pass your judgement to enter?".

[P-Jay 1,987]

​Diamond Rustscythe looked at Yrel and smiled a full grin. "What a lovely name. Yrel, has a nice ring to it. l...". Diamond Rustscythe looked up as Zenru told him that the registration had been a succes and nodded. "Thank you, Zenru. Some fighting would do me good, since l am nearly always stuck with a smithing job as of late. This way l can spend my free time with a bit of excitement, right?" he chuckled before looking back at Yrel. "What do you think, Yrel, do l pass your judgement to enter?".

 

Zenru nodded, walking over to sit down next to Yrel. "Indeed. One must make sure that his skills don't become rusted, with time...The Arena was made, for the sake of venting, settling grudge-matches, and the like...But it's equally effective in adding a spark to one's life."

 

Yrel had taken to taking in almost every detail notable on Diamond, once he asked if he was worthy. Looking him over, a hoof to her chin, with an expression that portrayed such seriousness, it was comical. 

 

"...Well-cared for weapon...Polished armor...You keep to a regimen...You have to be a guard for at least five years, to be considered for becoming a Captain, so experience isn't a problem..." She had started to smile, at this point, "and best of all, you're really nice! You'll be just fine here in Bangcolt!" She chirped, her wings fluttering once.

[J.R. 3,183]

 

 

@@Silver Snow, @@Fractured,

 

Ice looked at the pony with a confident grin. "It was nice to meet you too, sir. And don't worry about it, Celly will make sure everything is ok. She does a great job of it on a normal basis anyway." He looked at the clock, "But ya better hurry up. Time doesn't wait, nor does the sun."

[Silver W. Valensnow 196]

@@P-Jay,

"Quite right, Zenru, ...​" Diamond Rustscythe said with a wink. "... you and l think alike". He paused for a moment, now looking between both Zenru and Yrel and decided to adress Zenru once again. "You know, Zenru, we should train together sometime. l can already tell that you are a fine swordspone just by looking at you". He shifted his gaze to Yrel, who sat beside him and ruffled his hoof through her mane, trying not to do it too harshly. "And as for you, Yrel... If you have the time then please come and visit me in the new home that Zenru managed to get me, l enjoy your company very much already and am sure l will even more so when l get to know you, ey? By the way, l'll have the one with the hottub, Zenru. l must be able to wind down after an intense fight, ''m l right?".
 

@@J.R., @@Fractured,

​"Quite right, lcesius, it does not. l would like to thank you for your time and hope that we meet again soon, maybe even in the arena, huh?" Demiro Desertstorm said while extending his hoof for Icesius to shake, if he wanted to.

​<><>

​Meanwhile:

​The white pegasusmare backflapped her wings to land slowly in front of the two guards guarding the gate of Bangcolt and smiled at them as she took a second to straighten her lightblue mane before adressing them. She wore a simple dual-colored scarf with red and pink overlapping eachother and a red easywear dress which had holes where her wings could go through. "Hello, fine colts. l want to ask if l am allowed to pass, there's a certain somepony l know that entered this city and l need to find him and make sure he is okay.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Silver Snow

[P-Jay 1,987]

"Quite right, Zenru, ...​" Diamond Rustscythe said with a wink. "... you and l think alike". He paused for a moment, now looking between both Zenru and Yrel and decided to adress Zenru once again. "You know, Zenru, we should train together sometime. l can already tell that you are a fine swordspone just by looking at you". He shifted his gaze to Yrel, who sat beside him and ruffled his hoof through her mane, trying not to do it too harshly. "And as for you, Yrel... If you have the time then please come and visit me in the new home that Zenru managed to get me, l enjoy your company very much already and am sure l will even more so when l get to know you, ey? By the way, l'll have the one with the hottub, Zenru. l must be able to wind down after an intense fight, ''m l right?".

 

He raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? Training? I will admit, I haven't had a good sparring partner, in quite a while...I would gladly accept."

 

"As for relaxing...I know a nice masseuse..." Zenru said, with a small smile, "I prefer that, over hot-tubs...Chiropractors, after that." He glanced at Yrel, "and sadly..."

 

Yrel slumped, hugging her teddy-bear-backpack closer, as Zenru went on.

 

"...Yrel here is only visiting Bangcolt--she has to go back to her parent's house, soon. I'm afraid she won't be able to visit..."

 

​The white pegasusmare backflapped her wings to land slowly in front of the two guards guarding the gate of Bangcolt and smiled at them as she took a second to straighten her lightblue mane before adressing them. She wore a simple dual-colored scarf with red and pink overlapping eachother and a red easywear dress which had holes where her wings could go through. "Hello, fine colts. l want to ask if l am allowed to pass, there's a certain somepony l know that entered this city and l need to find him and make sure he is okay."

 

They looked surprised. One whistled, "how many, now, is that?"

 

The other shrugged. "Sword-and-gun, sanick, Captain, cloak-and-dagger, the sleepy-looking one, and now...A mare in a dress."

 

"I thought this place didn't get that many visitors..."

 

"Who knows, maybe this place is rising in popularity. After all, the princesses have been spending a lot of time here..."

 

The one that talked first blinked, "oh, wait, sorry, we forgot you were here! Lemme open the gates..."

 

"Remember--this is the fighting capital of Equestria--it's not exactly a safe place. I'm not gonna assume you can't fight--last time we did, I got my flank kicked--but we're sorta obliged to tell you that it's a dangerous place if you're not careful."

 

"Other then that..." The gates had opened fully, allowing access, "enjoy your stay."

[Silver W. Valensnow 196]

@@P-Jay,

 

He raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? Training? I will admit, I haven't had a good sparring partner, in quite a while...I would gladly accept." "As for relaxing...I know a nice masseuse..." Zenru said, with a small smile, "I prefer that, over hot-tubs...Chiropractors, after that." He glanced at Yrel, "and sadly..." Yrel slumped, hugging her teddy-bear-backpack closer, as Zenru went on. "...Yrel here is only visiting Bangcolt--she has to go back to her parent's house, soon. I'm afraid she won't be able to visit..."

 

​"Well, ain't that a bummer... oh well, you be good now, Yrel, won'tcha?". Diamond Rustscythe waited for her to answer and would then talk to Zenru again. "Zenru, l'll talk more with you in a bit. l have to talk to the captain and recruits that accompanied me her, seeing as how l sent them to scout the city for information. l'll be back, right after, to discuss housing and training, as suggested. How about we meet up at the inn l saw a few blocks from here, ey, sound good?" he asked in a jovial voice as his smile stretched.

 

 

 

They looked surprised. One whistled, "how many, now, is that?" The other shrugged. "Sword-and-gun, sanick, Captain, cloak-and-dagger, the sleepy-looking one, and now...A mare in a dress." "I thought this place didn't get that many visitors..." "Who knows, maybe this place is rising in popularity. After all, the princesses have been spending a lot of time here..." The one that talked first blinked, "oh, wait, sorry, we forgot you were here! Lemme open the gates..." "Remember--this is the fighting capital of Equestria--it's not exactly a safe place. I'm not gonna assume you can't fight--last time we did, I got my flank kicked--but we're sorta obliged to tell you that it's a dangerous place if you're not careful." "Other then that..." The gates had opened fully, allowing access, "enjoy your stay."

 

The Pegasusmare smiled mysteriously before chuckling."Oh, don't you fine colts worry your heads about me being in danger, l have heard about this city and l am well prepared for what's inside. You might even expect more from me in the time to come as l 'stay' here". She chuckled again and walked forward, into the city where it all happened, where she intended to leave her name hanging on everypony's lips and in everypony's mind...

[J.R. 3,183]

@@Silver Snow, @@Fractured,
​Ice grinned and shook the pony's hoof eagerly. ​"Heh--yeah. I'd love to give you a good workout whenever you get the chance." ​He then let go, nodding once, ​"But for now, business is business. You have a good time down there. Oh, and don't forget to knock before entering...seriously, knock."

[Fractured 2,684]

The receptionist never saw it coming. In one movement, the gray coated mare with the violet eyes had broke into a run, sliding over the top of the empty desk next to her, and landed on the opposite side, towards the arena's entrance. The receptionist looked up in shock.

 

"Um, you need a registration. You can't exactly-"

 

"Got one." The gray mare grinned, holding up an oddly familiar card. "But if you don't mind, i'm really excited for this, and I gotta get going. Do you mind?"

 

"Ummm...can I at least ask your name?"

 

"Oh... Ivory. Ivory Star." She gave a happy grin, then dipped her head with a smirk. "See ya." An instant later, she was off, trotting out into Bangcolt's limits. "Back again..."

 

------

 

Luna nodded in response, ignoring the cut for now. "I apologize. Not for the cut, but for the residual effects, as it seems some still remains, even after the sealing. Long before this time, this weapon was crafted, along with its sisters, in the service of war. Back then, it was a true terror; one that could cause steel to rust, water to freeze, and flesh to rot, with but a cut. But, now, after the sealing, it is little more than an exceptional blade, used for this exact occasion. It's name... Nadir." The blade seemed to shiver in response, rattling in Luna's grip. She held it outward to her. "Let's begin again." In an instant, she took off, flying just above ground level. She began cutting circles around Raze's position, keeping well out of arms reach, and whipping up a small gale from the speed.

 

------

 

@Silver Snow, @J.R.

Rarity nodded once in agreement, looking the stallion over for the last time. Nice casual attitude, and seemed to be friendly enough. Not bad looking either... she stopped, chiding herself for her building thoughts, before focusing once again on the stallion. No doubt we will see you soon. But for now, goodbye, Demiro." She flashed him her best smile.

 

--------

 

@DwhitetheGamer

 

"Attention, ponies! We have a double feature on our hands. Newcomer Copper Strikes will be competing against our beloved solar princess, Princess Celestia!" An ecstatic roar shook out across the arena, and the voice held its voice, as if waiting for them to finish. "...Arena, the streets of Canterlot. Ponies, begin!"

 

... Celestia stood in the center of arena as it buzzed and twitched, unveiling the setting. When it was finished, she stood in the middle of one of the streets. The shopping district, it would seem, judging from the expansive arrays of tents and food stalls scattered around the area. Smiling softly to herself, she closed her eyes, awaiting the new challenger.

[Jack Baker 698]

@Fractured

"Yeah, well, after all that, it still manages to feel like a sizzling iron going through you..." Raze said to her matter-of-factly. He looked around as Luna was flying around, then sighed.

 

"You know, even though I said I believe in giving it my all, I really wanted to hold this back. But, I guess you leave me no choice..."

 

He reached for his weapon belt, and took out a small gourd, labeled with foreign writing which, translated, read as "Purify". He popped the cork on the gourd's lid, and inside was some sort of alcohol. He took a swig, but did not swallow. Bringing the blade close to him, he spat the alcohol onto the blade, and then put a hoof at the base of the blade. He took a deep breath, then began to quietly chant in a foreign language, slowly running his hoof against the blade. Suddenly, it began to glow a mysterious white, emitting a faint aura around the edges. He stopped chanting, then looked up at Luna.

 

"You know, I may have been taught graceful arts on my travels..." he said.

 

"But I learned some pretty greusome ones as well."

 

With that, he lightly tossed the blade and caught it, holding it so that the blade was facing him, then stabbed himself in the gut. Once again, the pain seemed unbearable, but Raze held through. He gripped the handle extremely tight, holding it as if drawing the sword from its scabbard, then pulled it out of him, some of his blood leaking out in the process, although the blade itself wasn't stained. The faint white aura on the blade from before now became a raging one, and he re-sheathed the sword and assumed a low stance, the scabbard now becoming engulfed in the white aura as well.

[J.R. 3,183]

At the entrance to the city, a mare stood in line mumbling numbers to herself as she waited for her turn to sign her name in. ​"...Twenty...forty....sixty...eighty...." ​It was finally her turn, and the pony at the desk waited for her.

​"Hello? Anyone home?"

​"H-huh? Oh, yeah!" ​S​he grabbed her duffel bag in her teeth, and ran up to the desk. She then put it down in order to speak. ​"Libby Gunner Wilson."

 

​​"Alright...I have you put in. Welcome to Bangcol--" the pony was interrupted by a sudden hug from the mare.

 

​​"Thanks!" ​Once she gave her thanks, she quickly let go, and trotted into the town, leaving the pony at the desk frazzled and fixing their mane. Libby started walking into the city, looking at a notepad, ​"Let's see...one scheduled for this afternoon...and then..." ​Sweat drops started to roll down her face as she wiped her forehead with her hoof, ​"Stupid summer sun....makin' everythin' hot and sticky...." ​She slowly began to grin as she looked at her gun sheathes. ​"Tain't nothin' gonna stop me from doin' what I love."

 

​She started fanning herself with her hat as she trotted down the street, and put it back on her head. ​"Joy is a warm bullet as pa always said..."

Edited June 7, 2016 by J.R.

[Fractured 2,684]

"Now, where to first..." She looked out, over the bright and vibrant-okay, dusty and rather gray atmosphere that was Bangcolt. But still, so much excitement. Ponies milled about by the dozens, and she watched them all as she trotted about. She had forgotten how special this could be...

 

"I think i'll head to the muffin shop first. I'm famished. And why am I talking to myself again?..." She shrugged, before making her way in the direction she knew the shop was in.

 

--------

 

Luna narrowed her eyes as she banked her turns, looking over the spell. With every loop, the air pressure built up tighter, and the wind grew stronger, until a sizable windstorm was happening in the center. But Luna kept her eyes trained on the blade, running through the checklist of possible spells, but failing to arrive at an answer. Eventually, she decided that the best answer was to do nothing, for now. She continued to build what was quickly becoming a tornado, drawing the air away from the source, the center. She expected him to make a move any minute; he'd quickly pass out if he didn't.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Fractured

[Jack Baker 698]

@Fractured

Raze carefully focused on the tornado, then, with one strike, cut through the tornado itself and creating a gap, leaving an opening wide enough for him to step out before the patch of empty space fixed itself. He re-sheathed the blade, then quickly turned around and fixed his gaze on Luna, who was still flying around. He waited for just the right moment until she was just about to pass him, then quickly unholstered his revolver with a twirl and shot two bullets just in front of her, lining up the shots so that the bullets hit her in the chest.

[Fractured 2,684]

Ivory Star sat on the terrace outside the muffin shop, picking apart the muffin she had just bought from the obviously very stressed grey pony she had just come across. Derpy, she thought to herself as she picked apart a muffin, though she couldn't for the life of her remember where she'd got that name from, as she again watched the ponies go by. But, something was off...

 

--------

 

Luna let out a small grunt of pain as the bullets sank in, stopping less than an inch after sinking into the skin. Not enough to constitute a critical threat, but more than enough to cause pain. And cause her to change her plan, as she found herself coming to a hard stop. Raising a buzzing black shield around herself to prevent any further damages, she cast a further spell, causing black tendrils to sprout from the ground. They wrapped around each of his legs, restraining him, all the while slowly draining his energy...

[J.R. 3,183]

Libby couldn't help but feel hot under the summer sun. It was starting to get to her head. ​"Ugh...Where in the hay can I get somethin' cool around here...." ​She fanned herself with her hat a few more times before trotting past the muffin shop. ​"Hm...No....maybe I should just find somewhere to practice."

 

​​After walking around a bit more, she found herself at some kind of arena for practice. There were a few dummies lined up around the place. ​"This could work." ​Her horn lit up with a beige aura of magic. The same aura of magic would then surround the dummies in the training arena. When she was done with them, they were all set up in a Delta triangle about 50 yards away--all 10 of them.

 

​Libby took a deep breath, and stood on her hind legs. Nothing but absolute silence ran through her ears as she narrowed her eyes at her targets, hooves twitching towards the guns in their sheaths. ​​"Here we go..."

[Jack Baker 698]

@Fractured

Raze felt his energy slipping away as the tendrils grabbed ahold of him. He began to feel sleepy, very sleepy, and was about to give into it, when he managed to force himself to draw his sword and cut the tendrils in another swift strike. They seemed to burn in a white flame as the blade touched them, withering and slowly disappearing. Raze suddenly felt his energy rush back to him, and he flicked his katana towards the ground.

 

"Another thing I've learned on my travels," he said. "The Sacred and Forbidden Arts of the Far East, this one being the Sacred Art of the Banishing Blade. Long story short, magic won't do you any good."

 

"Come now," he said to her, pointing at her with the tip of his blade. "Surely you can do better."

[J.R. 3,183]

She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. Libby could practically feel herself and the entire world around her gone. Every bit of her focus was on the ten targets she had laid out 50 yards away--each with 5 yard intervals.

 

And without warning..... ​boom-bam.

 

​Both of her guns were out in a flash, and held in each hoof. Two bullets ran through the air, whizzing at high speed towards the first target, hitting the two sandbag dummies at the very front of the triangle formation right on between the bullseye markings on each one.

 

​Boom-boom

 

With a 180 degree spin, and dragging her left hind leg along the ground, she fired both guns horizontally. The bullets raced through the air until they cut through the next pair of sandbags that were at 55 yards. Both were right on the bullseyes once more.

 

​​​This time, she tossed an empty soup can high into the air...

 

​​Pa-pa-pa-pow

​

She shot both guns upwards towards the can four times each, with each bullet ricocheting off of the can at a angle of 70 degrees. Those bullets would then fly directly towards their respective sides--the right bullets would fly towards the 60 and 65 yard sandbags on the right, while the left pair of bullets would fly towards the 60 and 65 yard sandbags on the left. After that, she ran out of ammo in each clip.

 

With the can falling to the ground, and her being out of ammo, she unloaded, quickly tossed both six-shooters upwards, and when they came back down, she had perfect clips of six ready and waiting in each hoof. With that, she caught both weapons, loading them up flawlessly, and flipped them around to hold them both by the handles. ​​"And...go."

[Fractured 2,684]

As she watched, she could see. And as she saw, she understood. The lifelessness of the ponies around her, like a nauseous haze that made her roll her eyes as she continued to stare at them. So active to get somewhere, so dressed up, but nowhere to go. Nowhere to be. She finished her cupcake, still watching the occasional pony as they passed by. They were interesting to see walking this way and that, after all, and there was certainly no small amount of them. But, she thought as let out a sigh, she needed to find some life soon...

 

------

 

"There is quite a great many things I could do, Raze, though most of them are restricted to me by the rules of fair combat, and Bangcolt's. However, if you truly wish the experience of how alicorns make war, then I will oblige you such." As she spoke, her eyes took on a flash of white. In a movement so fast that it left a small cloud of dust where Luna had once been, she faded into the background of the forest, seemingly melting into the trees.

 

"Though I apologize... as there is no honor in war." The voice reached out from beyond the trees, radiating its own strange power.