Twilight and the girls stood curiously at the Canterlot Stadium.

"Ooo. What will happen if Rainbow loses? It's got to be so scary for her." Fluttershy commented.

"Come on girls! We'll give her the support she needs! Rainbow is going to win!" Twilight said to cheer everypony up.

Rainbow was trotting up to the entrance. She wore a new, clean uniform. Still a musky blue but slightly brighter. Her modified sword was held in her belt along with a small black dagger.

Pinkie ran up Rainbow, hugging her in the process.

"Awww. Pinkie, it wil be okay." Rainbow gave a hug back.

"So Rainbow, are ya ready?" Applejack questioned as Rainbow came closer.

"Yes. Unfortunately." The girls entered the stadium were the others sat down.

The stadium was like the ones they used to have in Romane times. Twilight read a lot about them. How in those times, they were used for gladiator fights.

The girls sat on the front row seats while Rainbow went to the Princess. How they wished that she wouldn't die. Without her there wouldn't be the Elements of Harmony. But it wasn't that. It was how they stuck together, like a family.

A pony in a red waist coat came out and blew a horn.

"Will everypony please be silent!" Everyone imediatly. He carried on. "And now I had it over to our great rulers, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!" The sound of hoofs clapping filled the stadium as he said the two names.

Celestia spoke with elegance. "Today we are going to witness a fight between two great leaders, between good and evil, light and dark. Our peaceful country verses a dark, far country. I welcome you the leader of the Daily-Diamond Army, Sir Artist Night."

Boos from Equestrian ponies came pouring down onto Artist. But they were balanced as cheers came from the Daily-Diamonds who came to watch.

"We also have our Commander, of the Equestrian army, Rainbow Miriam Dash."

There were more cheers than boos. Even Fluttershy was yelling her name, like when Rainbow was at the Best Young Fliers competition.

But this was no talent show.

The two ponies walked up to the pony in the red waist coat.

"Okay, this is a sword fight. It could be to the death, but that's your choice. Other weapons can be used but mainly you sword. Okay, are you ready?"

"Indeed." Artist replied.

Rainbow looked over her shoulder to see her friends. If she doesnt win this she would never see them again. She was ready. To win.

"Yes."

The red waist coat pony left. Both oppositions wipped out their swords.

"Well Rainbow. Ready to have your blood spilled."

"You didn't have to ask." Both their swords clashed. The fight had begun.

For a good five minutes, neither sides showed signs of giving up. Swords clanging and clashing. If the onlookers watched carefully they would see that Rainbow was more smooth in her movement then Artist. A true sign of a good swordspony.

Suddenly, Artist lost his balance- throwing his sword in the making. It was lost among the crowd. Rainbow took the advantage and aimed at him.

Lieutenant Sparks saw his leader failing, so grabbed a near by double sided axe. He threw it to Artist who quickly scampered to get it.

Artist waved madly at Rainbow, but Rainbow dodged quickly.

Then, Artist waved his weapon at Rainbow but instead of hitting her, it flung her sword straight at a pillar near her friends.

"Ha! Got you now, you little cow!" He was about to wack Rainbow but she flew upwards. Missing the blow completely.

"Damn it! When I get you, I'll hack those wings off!" He yelled.

Rainbow flew to her sword which was sticking out of the pillar. She tugged at it but it didn't budge. Artist grabbed her tail and dragged her down.

"Eep!"

Rainbow kicked him, but missed. She then remembered her dagger. She pulled it out and threw it at Artist. It hit him in the fore-leg.

"Aaahhh! You're so dead!"

Rainbow ignored him, and went to her sword again.

The girls saw her struggling to get her sword. Twilight grew more and more worried. Twilight saw Artist get up. She used her magic to help Rainbow.

Rainbow pulled at her sword. No hope. Then she saw a pink glow around it. She recognised it. She looked up at Twilight. The sword popped out.

Artist charged at Rainbow, but was stopped by her sword. She bucked him in the chest, which sent him stumbling back.

Rainbow Dash yelled to Twilight, "Thank you!"

Twilight felt happy that she helped her friend out. She looked upwards to Celestia who nodded and smile.

Artist saw this and grabbed a near by weapon. It was a bow and a razor sharp arrow. He aimed it at Twilight. And fired.

Twilight was talking to Pinkie (or telling her off) so she didn't see the incoming arrow. But Rainbow did.

"Twi! Look out!" Applejack yelled. Twilight turned her head to see the arrow coming straight towards her. She was frozen to the spot. She could only close her eyes and whimper. Gasps came from the ponies around her. But she couldn't feel any pain. She opened her eyes to see... Rainbow hovering in front of her.

Blood dripped down Rainbows waist. The arrow had gone straight through her flesh. She fluttered down back to the ground.

The girls frantically looked at Rainbow, then Celestia.

"Please Tia. She's going to die. Stop the fight." Luna urged.

"I'm sorry, Luna. But this is out of my hooves. Either one of them dies or they call it off." Celestia sulked.

Luna flew over to Twilight.

"I'm sorry."

"But Luna."

"It's not our choice to end it." The girls just stared at Rainbow.

Rainbow lay there. Spluttering and coughing up blood. She hurt bad. She missed laying on cloud. Dreaming of the Wonderbolts. Or helping Fluttershy. Or Pinkie. Reading books in the libary. Challenging Applejack.

"Very loyal of you Rainbow." Artist said.

"Aah. Why? Why are you doing this?" Rainbow struggled to get up.

Artist bent over so his eyes were level with her. "Because somepony I loved left me when I needed her the most." He was about to stab her when somepony was yelling.

Rainbow's friends crying and hugging. Pinkie was yelling.

"NO! DASHIE PLEASE! NO! DON'T KILL HER!"

Artist turned away from Rainbow, which was a bad idea.

She bucked him. Making him face plant the ground. She fluttered up slowly. Hovering just above the ground.

"You're dead!" He flew up to Rainbow who flew up higher.

Higher and higher, they flew.

Artist hit Rainbow in the face. Then kicked her. She then fell. She tried flapping her wings but they stung. Closer and closer the ground got. She then positioned her wings against her body. She then saw Artist. Trying to hit her again. But he didnt see a light cone around her.

Fastet and faster she got.

"Come on!" She urged herself.

Suddenly, a giant crack then a ring of colours. A sonic rainboom!

But Artist was too close. He was knocked out from the force. This time he fell.

Artist thumped to the ground while Rainbow unsteadily landed.

He got up slowly and croaked, "This fight is finished!"

"Giving up this easily?! I'm only getting started!"

"The fight has finished but the battle is far from over." Her slowly trotted to Rainbow and whispered in her ear. "Canterlot is going to be gone by the end of the week."

He then left. Lieutenant Sparks helping him from falling. Other soldiers from his army followed.

Rainbow's friends ran down to see her but as they got there she collapsed. Blood seeping from every wound.

"Somepony! Help! She needs medical attention!"

Suddenly, a gold and blue glow surrounded them. Then they were gone. Next Chapter: Are You Okay? Estimated time remaining: 17 Minutes