The Grand Arena of Minos was a large Colosseum with stands filled to the brim with members of the Minotaur race. Three towers evenly spaced out across the earthy ground.

Rainbow Dash walked out into the arena and immediately was bombarded with cheers and shouts. Looking to the stands, Rainbow spotted Eric standing at the top. Watching her with judgement and disappointment.

“Rainbow Dash!” the King boomed, grabbing her attention.

The king sat atop a golden throne. To his left was a muscular and fit minotaur who had to be Tungsten Will. On his right… Rainbow Dash growled as she recognized Diamond Bling; the spoiled sow who took Applejack.

“You have demanded the Duel Law,” the King continued. “You will fight three of my strongest minotaurs.” The King smirked. “First up, you will fight my Fleet captain. Golden Sky!”

The crowd roared in glee as a minotaur walked into the arena: golden fur flashed in the sun, his mane the same color as the sky above. He towered over Rainbow Dash at ten feel tall, with muscles bigger than Rainbow's head. A scar ran down his chest. His nose ring glittered gold with red marks like tally figures.

“Begin!” King Iron shouted.

Rainbow immediately rushed the Minotaur… and was immediately knocked to the ground with a back hand.

Eric narrowed his eyes, as Sombra and the others joined him.

Sombra elbowed Eric. “Do you have to stare at her like that?”

“I told her not to engage in a fight she can’t win,” Eric replied coldly.

"She's not only doomed herself, but me and Applejack,” Iron Horn huffed. “My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined."

“Did she even tell you how long you must serve?” Eric asked the banished prince

"One hundred years, if I remember correctly," Iron Horn replied. "And I have at least two hundred more left in me before I croak."

"Don't worry too much,” Starry replied. “If it comes to it, Eric, Sombra and I will try and break you out.”

"It won't be needed,” Iron Horn replied venomously. “Because when I get out… I will kill my father and assume the throne…”

“He’s going to die regardless,” Eric said to the prince, turning his gaze to the King. “Even a blind man can see he’s been poisoned one too many times.”

"Yes,” Starry agreed. “And I'm personally going after the one we meet at the tavern.”

“Eric,” Iron Horn asked. “In your opinion, what are her odds at surviving this?”

“Not good,” the Shadow Man admitted, wringing his hands. “But if she can break through her limits, she’ll have a chance.”

Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash wasn’t in any position to be breaking limits. It was taking all she could to get up from the ground; spots danced in front of her eyes and a low ringing drilled into her ears.

Golden Sky basked in his assumed victory, laughing as he took in the cheers and screams of the crowd.

Growling at his confidence, Rainbow shook the spots free and rose to her feet. “Hand to hand combat, my flank,” she muttered darkly.

"God damn it!” Iron Horn slammed his fist into the ground, making the ground shake. “I should have been out there!"

Starry smiled. “How about you focus on something else? Like which way you want to use to rush the castle?”

"Ugh, I'll deal with it afterwards, I'm too busy brooding… Can I get some rum over here…?"

"Just tell me where I can find the princes,” Starry insisted. “I'll deal with them.”

Just then, Rainbow Dash summoned her Devil Fruit, catching Golden Sky’s attention. Glowering at her foe, Rainbow formed two large fireballs, and threw them at Golden Sky. The Fleet Captain grunted as the fireballs forced him back, but with a roar, he charged and tackled her to the ground. He punched… only for his punch to pass right through her fire-shrouded body.

“What the…?” Golden Sky stammered before he felt the burn.

“Fire Pillar!” Rainbow Dash roared.

Golden Sky screamed as the flames shot upward, burning him to a crisp. The minotaur stumbled off her and fell face first into the ground, while Rainbow Dash rose up, out of breath, but victorious.

“Congratulations, Miss Dash” the King declared with a grin. “Take a break; we’ll let you know when your next fight is ready.”

Rainbow left the arena, the others quickly moving to meet with her. However, Eric couldn’t help but linger, watching the royal family as they argued.

“Father, you can’t let them take my bride!” Diamond Bling complained.

“They won’t, my son,” the king said, resting his chin on his fist. “They’ll fail as others have done before.”

“But what if they don’t fail?” the prince shouted. “What if they…?”

Tungsten interrupted his brother with a punch to the face. “Father said they won’t,” he snarled. “Besides, name one creature who can beat me.”

---

Eric and the others found Rainbow drinking a large cup of water.

"Nicely done Rainbow Dash,” Starry noted. “Though I like my meat slightly less charred.”

“Avoid hand-to-hand in the next match,” Iron Horn advised, helping her patch up some of her wounds. “Keep to the skies, stay calm, and strike when they reveal a weak point.”

"You should taunt them into attacking you,” Starry added. “Then move out the way and blast them.”

"Do not do that, do not!" Iron Horn barked, "We get stronger when angry."

Nodding at their advice, Rainbow looked to Eric. “What about you, Eric?” she asked.

“What?” Eric demanded. “You expect praise or advice?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but you’ll get no help from me.”

"Yeah, you were kind of a fucking idiot challenging them without me or Starry to help you." Iron Horn admitted.

"You've got to think things through and not just charge into things like an enraged bull.” Starry added.

“But...” Rainbow began only to be interrupted by Eric

“Had you kept that temper of yours in check, we could have saved her without you going through this gauntlet,” Eric scolded the Pegasus. “But now, you must ride the tracks you have laid down.”

Eric left the room slamming the doors behind him. Rainbow bristled, her flames creeping back up, before she sighed and sank back into her chair.

“You know,” she noted. “I don’t need you three constantly telling me I bucked up. Even if I did.”

"Big time," Starry answered.

“Royally” Sombra added.

"Massively." Iron Horn said as well, frowning as he finished patching Rainbow's wounds.

A knock came from the door; her next opponent was ready.

Rainbow sighed. “Thanks for the votes of confidence, guys,” she grumbled, cricking her neck. “Well… Show time.”

Entering the arena for the second time today Rainbow was again greeted with cheers. Only this time, she failed to spot Eric among the crowd.

“Miss Dash” the king called, drawing the Mare’s attention. “Your second Match will be with my Captain of the Royal Guard; Crimson Horn."

Crimson Horn stepped out; a seven foot, eleven bull with horns red as blood. Combined with his equally red fur, he resembled some sort of satanic demon. Black tattoos of skulls – both ponies and griffon alike – adorned his muscular arms. He flexed before Rainbow Dash with a grin.

“Each of these tattoos are for kills,” Crimson explained. He pointed to a spot on his shoulder. “And I got a special spot for you. Right here.”

Rainbow grimaced, struggling to hide her fear. “Oh Faust…”

“Begin!” the King boomed.

Crimson didn’t wait a single second; dropping to all fours, he charged at Rainbow, his horns covering in Armament Haki. But Rainbow Dash’s boasts of being the fastest in Equestria were not empty words. Flaring her wings, she took to the skies, Crimson Horn slamming head first into a wall. Pulling himself free with a growl, he glared up at the skies as Rainbow Dash smirked down at him.

"Coward!" Crimson Horn grabbed a chunk of the arena wall and flung it into the air.

Rainbow Dash easily dodged, but as the rock fell, Crimson jumped. Using the rock as a stepping stone, he boosted himself above Rainbow Dash, his arms coating in Armament Haki as he tried to bring them down on her head. Too shocked at his move to dodge, Rainbow crossed her arms as the fists made contact with her body. Pain flared in her gut as she plummeted to the ground.

"WHY DIDN’T YOU DOOOOOOODGE!?!?!?!" Iron Horn bellowed, shaking the arena with his sheer voice.

"The Hell happened to his hands?" Starry said.

“Armament Haki,” Sombra answered. “It’s an ability that allows one to harm a Devil Fruit User.”

Starry grimaced. "I have a bad feeling about this.”

He wasn’t wrong. Crimson Horn brought Rainbow Dash to the ground, kicking her deeper into the dirt. Seizing her hair, he slammed his fist into her nose repeatedly.

"Come on, pony!” he snarled as she reeled. “Aren't you going to fight back?"

“Dear… Faust” Sombra whispered, turning away. “Eric was right… She had no chance”

Starry shook his head. “COME ON RAINBOW! SHOW THIS BUCK FOR BRAINS HOW ITS DONE"

"Why isn't she dodging?!” Iron Horn demanded. “At least guard! Please win! You can win! You feel great! YOU. CAN. DO. THIS!"

“Rainbow!” Sombra urged. “You’re the fastest pegasus in the world. Are you really going to let a minotaur beat you like this?!”

Their words lit a spark in Rainbow Dash’s flames. Roaring like a dragon, she erupted into white flames, forcing Crimson Horn to release her and back off.

"What the Tartarus?" Crimson Horn muttered, before clenching his fists and coating them in Armament Haki.

White flames flooded from Rainbow’s feet covering the arena in flame, and forming a fire sphere around her.

"Tch, no matter!” Crimson boasted. “Those flames are useless! HRAH!" Crimson Horn ran at Rainbow. "CRIMSON BARREL PUNCH!"

“Great Flame Commandment:” Rainbow growled before throwing her sphere at the minotaur. “White Flame Empress!”

With a great WHOOM, Crimson Horn vanished in a burst of fire and smoke.

Rainbow Dash slumped to her knees. “Two down…” Rainbow mumbled

"You bitch…" Crimson Horn’s voice growled, sending a chill up the pegasus’ spine.

Before she could turn, the minotaur lunged from the smoke, seizing her by the wings. Though burnt, the fire of rage burned bright in his eyes.

“Do you know how long it’s going to take to replace all my kills” Crimson said through clenched teeth as he tightened his grip on Rainbow wings

“How are you not dead!?” Rainbow said, kicking and struggling to free her wings.

Crimson Horn chuckled madly. "You must have never fought a Minotaur before. We Minotaurs have one of the highest damage resistance in the world. A punk ass fireball like yours is just a hot sunny day in Minos." Crimson Horn then grinned ear to ear, "And as seen you took something precious of mine, I'll take something of yours…"

Rainbow made every attempt to free herself from the minotaur as he began to pull on her wings. However, it was for not.

Her growls turned to screams as her wing joints dislocated. Her screams turned to shrieks as the flesh tore. And finally, with a cruel, sadistic grin, Crimson Horn ripped the wings from its owner.

Rainbow fell to the ground, screaming in utter agony as her blood painted the ground.

"That's rough buddy." Iron Horn mumbled.

Starry Sky clenched his fist and looked down In sadness and anger.

“You… mother...” Rainbow hissed.

“Sorry,” Crimson mocked. “Can’t hear you over your whimpering.” He seized her by the hair, raising her up like a trophy. “Care to repeat it, weakling?”

“You…” Rainbow slammed her head into the minotaur's head before grabbing his horns. “MOTHER!” Rainbow Dash ripped his horns clean from his head. “FUCKER!!!” the Pegasus rammed his horns into his eyes.

Crimson Horn’s wail of agony filled the arena, as Rainbow Dash backflipped, running on pure adrenaline. Using the Shave Technique, she buried her flaming leg into his stomach.

“White Fire Inferno!” Rainbow’s legs erupt in a monsoon of white flame, burning through the minotaur’s flesh, and ripping him in two.

The King stared in disbelief as Crimson Horn’s upper body hit the ground behind him with a splat. “She… won?!”

"LET'S FUCKING GOOOO!!!!" Iron Horn jumped into the air and hugged the one nearest to him tightly which was unfortunately Starry Sky. "I KNEW SHE COULD DO IT!"

"YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH" Starry shouted, hugging Iron Will without a care.

“Don’t celebrate, you morons!” Sombra said teleporting to the Arena to retrieve the bleeding Rainbow Dash. “Grab her wings!”

“Right-right,” Iron Horn jumped down and grabbed her wings. “I got the sewing kit and bandages!" Iron Horn somersaults down before glancing up to Cloven Iron and pulling a sewing kit and bandages from his bags.

“We need boiling water and we need to go back to the room!” Sombra said, carrying Dash to the waiting room.

"Ok I'll get the water, but when you're done sewing her up, pass her to me so I can help heal her." Starry said, running to go get some boiling water.

Sombra kicked open the door and immediately cast a Sterilization spell on everything. Setting the mare on the table he immediately ripped the back of Rainbow’s clothes away.

“Where’s that boiling water!” Sombra shouted.

"Here." Starry said, passing the Boiling water to Sombra.

“Horn, dip that needle in the water,” Sombra ordered, pressing a cluster of cloth on rainbow’s wounds to slow the bleeding.

"On it!" Iron Horn dipped the needle in the water and got ready to stitch Rainbow Dash back together.

“Give me that,” Sombra took the needle before shoving the minotaur's hands into the cloth. “Keep pressure on the wound.”

The moment the needle pierced the mare’s skin, the pegasus let out a scream.

“Damn it, somepony hold her down!” Sombra ordered.

"Sorry Rainbow,” Starry said, holding the mare down. “You're going to feel a lot of stinging. It’s gonna suck, but it’s gonna help as well!"

Sombra pierced her skin with the needle and began sealing the wounds. Rainbow Dash clutched the table, every breath a hiss of pain.

---

Meanwhile, outside…

“This is bad!” Diamond Bling cried. “This is very bad! She just killed the captain.”

“Quit your whining!” Tungsten yelled out to his brother. “You’re not going to lose your precious Bride.”

"But Tungsten!” Diamond whined. “She's going to take my new bride away from me" Bling cried in a whining voice

“Are you assuming she can beat me?!” Tungsten growled

"She killed the captain!" Bling cried. “Ripped him in half! What can…”

“Quiet Both of you” the King shouted, before Tungsten could cave Diamond’s face in.

"But Daddy-"

“You will not lose your toy!” the King snarled. “I will not let the Captain’s death be in vain.” He turned to Tungsten. “Tungsten.”

“Yes, Father?”

“Give it your all in the next match. Break her. Torture her…” He grinned. “Then kill her.”

Tungsten grinned a vile smile. “Gladly.”

---

Rainbow’s breathing steadied, and she gingerly flapped the wings Sombra had just re-sealed.

“Careful with those wings,” Sombra ordered. “Sit up, Rainbow.”

Sombra began placing thick pads of gauze on her wings, before wrapping her body in white bindings, enticing hisses of pain from the mare.

“Thank you, Sombra” Rainbow whispered, pulling herself to her feet.

“You can’t fight like this,” Sombra warned. “You’ll die”.

“I don’t have a choice,” Rainbow refuted. “I need to save my friend.”

"One second, Rainbow." Starry went behind Rainbow, and put his hand on her back. A red, paw shaped bubble appeared in front of her, and all her pain and fatigue suddenly faded.

“Thank you,” Rainbow mumbled, moving to the door.

"You're welcome, Rainbow" Starry said.

“Rainbow…” Sombra tried to say, only for a knock at the door to stop him.

“Your Final fight is ready.”

“Rainbow, stop,” Sombra pleaded. “Don’t go out there. You’ve reached your limit. You won't survive.”

“I’m the Element of Loyalty Sombra,” Rainbow said, pushing open the door. “And I won’t represent that anymore if I just leave my friends to save myself.”

“You are a stubborn mare” Sombra shouted.

Rainbow closed the door. “Maybe.”

Starry sighed, returning to the stands. "May the Ancestors bless you… even though you are one of the most hard headed beings I've meet"

“In your opinion, would you have let her go out there?” Sombra asked Starry Sky watching as Rainbow walked into the arena

"If she were a normal mare? Definitely not. But she is so stubborn, I'm pretty sure death would have a hard time taking her."

“Let’s hope you’re right,” Sombra said.

"Do not fret friends,” Starry smiled. “I have full confidence she can pull this off.”

“You’re quite strong for a pony, Miss Dash,” the King praised through a vile grin. “Now your final opponent.”

To the king's left, Tungsten Will stood up and walked up to the balcony, before dropping into the stands.

“Oh no…” Iron Horn grumbled, shielding his eyes.

Tungsten Will had brown fur and a dark mane. His horns were white and three feet tall, and his build was eleven feet tall. His fur was a bit fluffier than normal Minotaurs and his muscles mirrored that of Golden Sky’s. He had yellow eyes and a golden ring on his nose.

"Yeah go get her Tungsten!" Bling cheered.

Tungsten obeyed, rushing Rainbow with a roar. Having waited for the King to begin the match, Rainbow was caught off guard as he attacked, throwing her to her back. Dodging his cloven hooves, Rainbow gasped at the sight of metal coils in place of the prince’s shins. Laughing, Tungsten jumped high into the sky, aiming his hooves for her face.

Jumping to her feet, Rainbow dodged seconds before Tungsten landed, his impact creating a small crater. Despite her flames weakly licking her body, Rainbow pulled herself and assumed her combat pose all the same.

Tungsten chuckled, his arms turning to springs. “It’s cute how you think you can beat me when you’re halfway through Death’s door.”

“I will beat you,” Rainbow growled, trying to summon more flames.

“You’ll die trying.”

Tungsten rushed her again, compressing the spring on his arm. “Spring Death Fist!” he boomed, sending Rainbow into the walls of the arena.

“Rainbow!” Sombra shouted over the cheers of the audience.

Rainbow dropped to her knees, blood covering her face. Nevertheless, she pulled herself back up.

Tungsten grinned softly. “Not gonna lie,” he admitted. “For one as fragile as you, you don’t give up.” He recompressed his springs. “Let’s see how long that lasts. Spring…” His legs turned into springs before he jumped at one of the towers. “Hopper!”

Tungsten moved from tower to ground to tower all the while gaining more and more speed until he completely vanished. Second by second, Rainbow was knocked around the arena by the fast minotaur.

“Is this the best you got?” Tungsten shouted, slamming his fist into the mare’s face. “I bet you don’t even know how to throw a proper punch!”

The next series of attacks forced the fire user back to the ground, Rainbow remained on the ground struggling to rise an inch.

“You’ve reached your limit, pony,” Tungsten mocked before impacting the ground in front of her. “And you know the real kicker?” Tungsten kicked Rainbow flipping her onto her back. “You’re fighting to save your friend, but in reality, she’s my brothers now and his she’ll stay.” The prince planted his cloven hoof on her chest. “You’re going to die for nothing.”

“RAINBOW!!” a familiar voice shouted, drawing their gaze.

Tungsten blinked at the sight of Applejack and Eric next to their friends. “How in Tartarus did she get out?!”

“Applejack…” Rainbow whispered, a smile creeping onto her face.

“Quit holding back, Dash” Eric shouted to the pegasus. “Limits aren’t meant to stop you!”

Rainbow grinned up at the prince, and unleashed a fireball. The prince was flung off her chest and fell hard on his back. Rising to her feet, Rainbow’s spirit soared as flames began to lick her body; red, blue, green, and yellow turned her into a tornado of rainbow light.

“You were wrong, Tungsten Will,” Rainbow said as her body vanished in the flurry of multi-colored flames. “I’m not at my limit.”

The flames exploded, revealing Rainbow Dash covered entirely in rainbow colored flames, a pair of fiery wings on her back. Red eyes of fire glared at the Minotaur who began to back away in fear.

“I’ve broken my limit!” Rainbow shouted.

“What… is that?” Tungsten whimpered.

"Rainbow Flame Spirit.”

Next Chapter: Freedom is Taken Estimated time remaining: 33 Minutes