Chapter 9

The Dueling Club

After a few days in the hospital, Twilight finally recovered from her buckball match and was able to walk freely. She looked around the school and noticed how nervous the students were. Every passing day, the students got more frightened by the events going on at the school.

As the students panicked, Blueblood called everyone into the Great Hall for a special announcement. Soon, the Great Hall was filled with students, each of them wondering what this was all about.

"Good morning, everypony." Blueblood stood in front of everyone. "In light of the most recent events, Professor Celestia has given me permission to start the Dueling Club. If we are all going to be attacked, we would need to learn how to defend ourselves. I feel that a demonstration would be in order so I would like to thank Professor Flintheart for agreeing to duel with me."

The students looked to the other side of the hall to see Flintheart, who appeared emotionless apart from his usual scowl. The two professors walked towards each other and bowed to one another, officially starting the duel. Once they were back on their sides of the hall, they aimed their wands at each other.

"Now, let's begin the duel on the count of three." said Blueblood. "1,2,3!"

Without wasting another second, Flintheart chanted, "Expelliarmus!"

The spell sent Blueblood flying across the Great Hall. As he hit the ground, Blueblood slowly got back up as the students whispered among themselves.

"Do you think he's okay?" Rarity whispered her friends.

"I guess, but I'm surprised he's still standing after that spell." Applejack replied.

As he got back up, Blueblood walked over to Flintheart, pretending not to be shaken up from the spell.

"Ah, the disarming spell! Very clever, Professor Flintheart! Fortunately, I've been taking it easy on you that round! My dueling skills would have just intimidated you if I gave it my all!"

Flintheart simply remained silent as he was not amused. "Perhaps it would be best if we actually let the students try out the spells for themselves."

"Great idea, Professor! I was about to suggest it myself!" Blueblood looked through the crowd of students to make his decision. "Twilight and Applejack, how would you like to duel each other?"

"I must advise against it, Professor." Flintheart spoke up. "Considering how unpredictable Applejack's wand is, she might end up sending Twilight back to the hospital. We would do better with choosing a student from my house. Trixie, perhaps?"

"Very well! Twilight! Trixie! Please step forward!"

Once Blueblood announced the two ponies, they stepped forward as they stared at one another for a couple of moments. Twilight glared at her rival while Trixie gave a menacing smirk.

"Scared, Twilight?" Trixie taunted.

"You wish!" Twilight countered.

As Twilight and Trixie were ready to duel each other, Blueblood decided to explain the rules. "Now, once you are ready, I want you two to cast spells to disarm each other! Only to disarm! You will start on the count of three. One, two-"

Before Blueblood could say three, Trixie cheated by sending a spell flying towards Twilight a second too soon. The students watched in shock as Twilight was knocked down by Trixie's spell. Once Twilight got back up, she glared at her rival before hitting Trixie back with a spell of her own.

With a growl, Trixie aimed her wand and chanted, "Serpensortia!"

The next thing everyone knew, a snake was conjured from Trixie's wand. The snake slithered towards Twilight before it gave a hiss. That was when Flintheart decided that it was time to end the duel.

"Don't move, Twilght. I'll get rid of it for you."

Before Flintheart could do anything, Blueblood stepped in. "That won't be necessary, Professor! I know the perfect spell to get rid of the snake!"

Hearing this only worried Twilight. She just knew that whatever spell Blueblood had planned would only end up making everything worse. Before she could stop him, it was too late. Blueblood casted a spell that sent the snake flying into the air before it landed right near the students.

Now angered, the snake slithered towards the students, they all managed to get away except for one pony, who tripped. Just as the snake bared its fangs, Twilight began to speak to the snake. Expect, Twilight wasn't talking in English. She spoke to the snake in a language that nobody else heard of. The snake turned to face Twilight, as if it could understand what she was saying.

While the snake was distracted, Flintheart casted a spell to make the snake disappear. This left the students staring at Twilight in horror. Once today's Dueling Club ended, Twilight returned to the Gryffindor Common Room, along with Applejack and Rarity.

"Twilight, why didn't you tell us you were a parseltongue?" Applejack asked.

Twilight turned towards her friends. "I'm a what?"

"Parseltongue, Twilight! It means you can talk to snakes." Rarity explained.

"Well, I have been able to talk to a snake that one time at the zoo." Twilight recalled. "It doesn't matter! I'm sure that tons of ponies can do it!"

Rarity shook her head. "I really don't think they can. This is really bad, Twilight!"

"What about this is bad? If I hadn't told that snake not to attack that pony-"

"So, that's what you said!" Applejack realized. "It sounded like you were speaking in a completely different language."

Twilight looked surprised by what Applejack said. "But how can I speak in another language without realizing it?"

"I don't know, but Slytherin was also able to talk to snakes. The school would think that you are Slytherin's heir." Rarity explained.

"But I'm not the heir! We need to figure out who the real heir is before there are anymore attacks in the school!"

"Not to worry, Twilight! I think I might have an idea on how we can find the true heir! Follow me!"

At that moment, Rarity left the common room as Twilight and Applejack followed after her. They didn't know what Rarity had planned, but knew that this was the only way to find out who Slytherin's true heir is.