Chapter 9

Flash and Soarin were flying towards the ring.

Flash: You ready to lose?

Soarin: I don't know are you?

Flash: This should be fun I been looking for a good warm up.

Soarin: You are going down, Sentry!

Flash: We'll see.

Twilight: This is going to be interesting wouldn't you say Rainbow?

Rainbow: Yea a battle between two pegasi! It's going to be epic!

Flash and Soarin enter the ring.

Cadence: Fighter ready... BEGIN!

-Flash and Soarin took off to the air and charged at each other. Soarin hit Flash in the face with a left hook and Flash then countered with a spin kick to Soarin's face. The two traded blow for blow in the air while everypony watched in awe.

Twilight: Wow this is amazing.

Rainbow: This is so cool. They're moving so fast.

Shadow: They both have been trained well.

Rainbow: I still think Soarin has the advantage I mean he is a Wonderbolt.

Shining Armor: Don't be so sure.

Twilight: Why do you say that?

Shining Armor: Why do you think Flash is a Royal Guard? When he first joined the Royal Guards he beat all of the most experienced Guards in combat training. He very skilled in a hoof to hoof fight. Plus he has a wingpower of 30.

Sunset: What?!

Twilight: That means he's faster than Rainbow Dash.

Shadow (thinking): Alright Flash show me what you can do.

-Back to the fight. Soarin had the upper hand and going on the offensive while Flash was on the defense. Flash flew up and Soarin followed flying at him at his top speed.

Soarin: Come on Sentry. Is that all you got?

Flash: As a matter of fact.

-Flash suddenly vanished and Soarin stopped looking around for him. Mane 6, Spike, and Sunset looked in shocked. Shadow was even surprised.

Spike: What the heck?

Rainbow: Where'd he go?

Fluttershy: I don't see him anywhere.

Rarity: Did he teleport or something?

Sunset: He's a Pegasus not a unicorn.

Twilight: He can't be that fast can he? I mean Rainbow Dash is supposed be the fastest in Equestria!

Shadow: I'm afraid you're wrong Twilight.

-Everyone turned to Shadow.

Sunset: Shadow why do say that?

Shadow: Cause I see him.

Rainbow: WHAT?! There's no way.

Shadow: You're a speedster right? Just concentrate and look closely.

-Rainbow looked up and squinted her eyes. She saw Flash moving but barely.

Rainbow(shocked): No way!

Spike: You see him?

Rainbow: Yeah but barely. To think somepony else is faster than me.

Shadow: I'm sorry to say that Soarin has lost this match.

Rainbow: I can't believe it.

Twilight (thinking and lookng at Shadow): How is Shadow able to see him when we can even keep up? Just how strong are you Shadow?

-Back to the fight.

Soarin: Where are you?!

-Suddenly out of nowhere Flash appeared in front instantly and punched him super hard in the gut. Soarin's eyes widened in shock and everypony even the gang was shocked.

Flash: I'm right here!

-Soarin fell back to the ring crashing hard. Soarin is unconscious on the ground.

Cadence: Soarin is unable to continue. The winner of the match is FLASH SENTRY!

-crowd starts cheering chanting Flash Sentry's name. Flash flies back down to the ring next to Soarin extending his hoof to him.

Flash: Need a hoof?

Soarin: Thanks.

Back to the gang in the stands.

Scootaloo: I can't believe Soarin lost.

Rainbow: Wait is that Scootaloo?

She turns to see Scootaloo and the other members of the CMC in cheerleading uniforms.

AJ: Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo, what are you doing here?

Apple Bloom: Ugh oh.

Sweetie: Busted.

AJ: You fillies are in so much heepen trouble. Now, tell me how you got her right now!

Apple Bloom: You see we got bored staying at home.

Sweetie: Then we heard about this cool tournament.

Scootaloo: So we snuck out and got her by train.

AJ: Granny Smith must be worried sick about ya. Not to mention your parents Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom: Don't worry we left them notes telling them that we were headed here.

AJ: But still. I want you ya'll to promise me you won't sneak out EVER again. Is that clear?

CMC together: Yes Applejack.

The CMC then noticed Shadow.

Scootaloo: Hey you're the guy who beat Blueblood!

Shadow: Yeah that's me. Names Shadow.

Scootaloo: Nice to meet you I'm Scootaloo.

Sweetie: I'm Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom: And I'm Apple Bloom. And together we are

CMC: The Cutie Mark Crusaders!

Shadow: What is the Cutie Mark Crusaders?

Apple Bloom: A society devoted to helping ponies get their cutie marks!

Sweete: We are the founding members.

Shadow: That's pretty cool.

Fluttershy: Look here comes Flash.

Flash then walks by the others.

Sunset: Nice job Flash.

Flash- Thanks Sunset Shimmer.

-Flash kept walking to towards Twilight.

Twilight: Congrats on your win Flash.

Flash: Thank you Twilight. It means a lot.

Twilight(blushed alittle) You're welcome.

Shadow gave Flash a dirty look.

Flash: So how is your flying going?

Twilight: Great I can fly pretty fast now. Want to see?

Flash: Sure. Let's go over here. The next fight is in 20 minutes so we have time.

Shadow: (thinking) What does Twilight see in him? Wait why do I care? It's not like I like Twilight. Do I?

-Cadence from a far could sense tension between Shadow, Twilight, Sunset, and Flash so she decided to change the next match.

Cadence(thinking) Hmm looks like Twilight's new friend has feelings for her. But at the same time Flash has feelings for for Twilight as well and poor Sunset Shimmer just wants Flash to know how shes feels. Hmm..I think I have an idea.

-Cadence flies up to announce the next match.

Cadence: Ladies and gentlecolts, since the first two matches proved to be extraordinary I have decided to change the next match.

Shining: What is she up to?

Shadow: I don't know, she's your wife.

Cadence: I have decided that our first two winners of the touranment, Flash Sentry and Shadow, will be the two to compete in the next match.

-The gang looked in shock hearing the next match. Both Shadow and Flash gave each other an intense stare each other everyone around them could feel the tension between the two.

Shadow: Oh I can't wait for this.

Flash: Neither can I.

Twilight: (Whispering) Oh no.

Sunset: This isn't gonna be good.

Sweetie: Who are we supposed to cheer for now!?

Bloom: Both of them of course!

Scootloo: Yea get with the program Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie: Sorry.

Shining: What has gotten into her?

Rainbow: Uh her being awesome as usually making a great match like that.

Rarity: I must say this may be interesting.

Applejack: Ya'll two don't hurt each other to bad yer hear?

Shadow: No promises.

Flash: Same here.

Outside the empire our trio of villains and the changing army were about to head in.

Mephiles: Are the changelings in positon my dear?

Chrysalis: Yes my love. Everyone is disguised and ready to enter. I think you and Sombra should change too.

Mephiles: Alright.

Both male villains change into normal ponies.

Sombra: I can taste the fear of all the ponies. I can't wait to take over this empire again! MWWAHAHAHA!

Chrysalis: If anyone asks remember we are a school group here visiting the empire.

The two males nodded.

Mephiles: Be on guard if Shadow is here do not hold back against him he is more powerful than you know.

Sombra: We shall see.

Mephiles: Let's get going Sombra.

Sombra: Lead the way.

Mephiles(thinking): Soon the Crystal Heart will be mine.

The group enters the empire.