Chapter 7: The Duel Begins

The stadium was now packed with ponies. Every single one of them was eager to see the fight. It was very unclear whether Fluttershy or Princess Celestia was the more supported fighter. Fluttershy was extremely well liked around Ponyville but Celestia was a Princess and The Sun Goddess. Nopony knew who to support. A group of eight however knew that they were supporting Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Gilda, and Lightning Dust wanted to see Fluttershy be victorious. They wanted their friend to win so that she could still live in Ponyville. Hopefully the fight would go well. All of a sudden a microphone was turned on. Two commentator ponies stood in a closed off section of the stands.

"Good afternoon fillies and gentlecolts." one of them said. "I'm your host Flim and with me as always is my brother Flam."

"That's right Flim." Flam said. "We'll be your commentators for this match."

The group of eight groaned. Of all the ponies that could be commentating it had to be Flim and Flam. While Gilda and Lightning Dust had never met the duo, they knew that they were fast talking ponies that tried to hoodwink others. They had once nearly caused Applejack to lose her farm and home. Needless to say they weren't thrilled to see the duo. As long as they didn't start any trouble then they'd be fine.

"We have a very exciting match today don't we Flam?" Flim asked.

"That's right Flim." Flam replied. "The match today is between The Element of Kindness Fluttershy and The Sun Goddess Princess Celestia. How did this even come to be?"

"Well Flam, Fluttershy challenged our dear Celestia to this duel." Flim answered. "She wanted to make sure that she and her friends could be superheroes. That's what happens if Fluttershy wins this fight."

"But if Princess Celestia is the winner then Fluttershy will have to go into exile inside of the Everfree Forest." Flam said. "Quite a predicament eh brother?"

"Indeed it is Flam." Flim said. "Quite a predicament."

"Oh look it seems like one of the fighters is entering the stadium." Flam said.

One of the doors opened and a timid yellow pegasus walked through it.

"And making her way into the stadium." Flim began.

"Coming from Ponyville, Equestria." Flam continued.

"Fluttershy!" they both shouted.

The crowd cheered as Fluttershy made her way into the center of the arena. Then the other door opened.

"And making her way into the arena." Flim said.

"Hailing from Canterlot, Equestria." Flam added.

"Princess Celestia!" they both yelled.

Princess Celestia walked into the stadium and approached Fluttershy. The two ponies bowed to each other. A referee pegasus flew in and allowed the match to begin.

The match began and Princess Celestia made the first move. She tackled Fluttershy and sent her flying. The yellow pegasus got back up and tried to fight back. However she just couldn't compete against The Sun Goddess. Every single move she tried to make was either blocked, dodged, or countered. Fluttershy couldn't even land a single hit on Princess Celestia. The Sun Goddess meanwhile had bombarded poor Fluttershy with hit after hit after hit.

"Oh my word." Flim said. "This does not look good for Fluttershy."

"It does not Flim." Flam agreed. "Fluttershy is in some serious trouble."

While the two stallions weren't always honest, they were completely right on the money with that statement. Fluttershy was in a very bad position. She took another brutal hit from Princess Celestia and was knocked to the ground. The Sun Goddess waited while Fluttershy got to her hooves.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way." Princess Celestia said. "I regret accepting this challenge."

"It doesn't matter Your Majesty." Fluttershy replied. "I'm not going to give up."

The two continued their battle.

"It's amazing that Fluttershy is still able to fight." Flim said.

"That it is my brother." Flam agreed. "If there's one thing she has right now it's determination."

"But she will need a lot more than that if she wants to win." Flim said.

"Quite right Flim." Flam replied.

The group of eight watched the fight in horror.

"Come on Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"You can do it!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

"Ya can win this." Applejack agreed.

"I know you have it in you." Rarity said.

"Don't give up Fluttershy!" Gilda yelled.

"You can beat her." Lightning Dust screamed.

"Keep fighting Fluttershy." Spike urged.

"You know you can win." Twilight Sparkle said.

"Well Flam looks like Fluttershy has some very devoted supporters." Flim commented.

"Indeed she does. Flim." Flam replied. "Very devoted indeed."

Fluttershy took yet another brutal hit from Princess Celestia. The yellow pegasus was knocked off of her hooves and she crashed to the ground.

"That was astounding." Flim said.

"That it was my brother." Flam agreed. "I've never seen such a one sided match in all my life."

Fluttershy attempted to get up but she crumpled back down. The referee floated over to her and began to count.

"One." he shouted.

"And if I'm not mistaken the referee is making the count." Flim said.

"Indeed he is." Flam replied. "For those who don't know, if Fluttershy doesn't get up before the referee counts to ten she loses this match."

"Two!" the referee continued.

Fluttershy didn't get up. She seemed to have lost consciousness. Her mind had wandered off to something much different. In the stands, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Spike all fell into the same sort of state. None of them knew what was going on.