Durus immediately stands between you and the princess, a clear sign of distress across his face.

“Your highness, you aren’t supp—”

“The last time I checked, Durus, you aren’t the one who orders me around,” Celestia snaps, a smile still across her lips.

Durus looks back to you, his expression screaming, “Help me out here!” Gripping the hilt of your wooden sword, you look onto the group of guards deafened by the silence, awaiting your response.

“I’ll be honest with you, Princess: It doesn’t look good on me if I go about fighting the ruler of the land. You’re kind of putting me in a predicament here.” You point to Durus with your sword. “And I had promised to spar with Durus on the way here, so I don’t want to tire myself before I even get the chance to do so.”

Celestia eyes you suspiciously, almost as if she can see right through you. Durus looks between the two of you, his eyes darting back and forth at high velocity. The air grows thick with anticipation as everyone within the vicinity awaits the princess’s response. She clears her throat and turns around.

“Alright then. I just never expected an ‘elite warrior’ to be tired out after only two spars.” The hairs on the back of your neck prickle as your grip grows tighter. Durus looks back to you as murmurs fly about the crowd. You know it’s a trick; she just wants to get under your skin so that you’ll spar with her.

And it’s working.

“I won’t be. If you want to challenge me, I’ll take you on after Durus and I are done.” The crowd’s whispers grow louder. Durus shoots you a glare that could kill a lesser man. You don’t even acknowledge him; your focus is set on the mare in front of you who’s grinning victoriously.

“Fatuus. Fetch my armor,” grunts Durus. Without so much as a batted eye, Fatuus gallops off into castle and returns with an armor set. The steel shines in the sunlight as Durus slaps it on, making sure each spot of his body is covered and protected. The group goes completely silent as he stands across from you, unsheathing his weapons from their loops. Two wooden axes levitate in front of him as if invisible strings hold them in the air. Placing your hands to your sides, you bow to show your respect. He repeats your action and digs his hooves into the soft soil.

Sweat droplets roll down your face as heat from the sun combined with your heavy armor beat on you relentlessly. The air grows thicker as you stare at your opponent, awaiting the signal to begin. Fatuus looks between the two of you, making sure you’re both ready to engage. His hoof rises in the air, ready to come down back to Earth. You don’t know your opponent that well; the only time you fought against someone who dual wielded axes was a barbarian back home, but he didn’t prove much of a challenge with his lack of training or experience. But something tells you that Durus is better than that.

Fatuus’s hoof slams down to the ground, signalling the start of the fight. For a moment, neither of you budge. You both have the same question running through your heads: Who’s going to make the first move? If you attack first, you won’t look like a coward, but it would be foolish to run in head first into a battle. Waiting on your opponent is another option, but it shows a sign of weakness, even if it is the more practical way to go.

Time feels as if it has stopped. No one moves an inch as they watch, waiting for something to happen. Durus decides to make the first move, slowly advancing towards you with his axes raised. Moving the shield to your front, you grip the handle of your wooden sword and get into a defensive position.

Durus hesitates, most likely thinking you have some trick up your sleeve. Once he feels confident enough, Durus charges forward, swinging one of the axes at your head. The wooden axe cuts through the air, whizzing right over you as you duck beneath the blow. Durus quickly steps back as you thrust your sword forward, aiming for his chest. Your opponent is fast, which is expected from someone using two weapons and no defense tools like a shield.

Durus slowly circles around you, his eyes locked in place. You can tell what he’s up to; there’s a wall to your right. If he pins you against it, there’s no chance of blocking him if he decides to throw an onslaught of blows your way. Now it’s your turn. Shield still raised, you move forward and ready your sword. The stallion backs up, not expecting you to make an advance. Both his axes swing at you, trying to mark a distance between you and him. A question pops into your head.

How is he holding those blades up?

It’s then you notice that the horn on his head holds a slight glow. He must be using magic to keep them afloat, which means…

Jolting forward, you charge right at him, your shield being beaten on as his axes continue their flurry of blows. The sound of the strikes on your shield echo in the courtyard, ringing in everyone’s ears, including yours. With a wide swing, you lower your shield and aim for his horn just as the last strikes knock the blades back. Durus’s eyes widen as your sword flies in the air towards his horn, prompting him to duck and throw a blade right into your chest. You fall back onto your ass and cough. Armor or not, there was enough force in that swing to knock the air out of your lungs.

“Round one of three goes to Durus!” The crowd stomps its hooves against the ground, mimicking applause. Durus extends his hoof, offering his assistance. Taking in a deep breath, you grab his hoof and stand on your feet.

“Thank you,” you mutter before heading back to your spot. Durus nods before heading back to his own spot. You may have lost the first round, but you found the key to winning the next two. The horn is his weak spot. When you aimed for it, the fear in Durus’s eyes was more than enough to give that fact away.

A cool breeze enters your helmet, giving you sweet relief from the sinister heat inside it. The crowd goes silent again as Fatuus checks both of you before raising his hoof again. You can feel it again, the tension you so longed to experience once more: the thrill that only a suitable opponent could give.

With a swift drop of his hoof, Fatuus slams down on the ground signalling the next round. If you’re to win this round, you’d have to take a chance.

Shield raised, you rush forward, leaving enough room to see ahead of you. Durus stands his ground, folding his axes in front of himself. The two blades swing wide, trying to hit your open sides. The crowd gasps as you drop down and slide on your back beneath the Durus. Unable to comprehend the event unfolding before him, Durus stares in awe instead of moving. Sword thrusted forward, you point the tip to his chin, marking your victory.

“Round two goes to Sir Anon,” announces Fatuus. Durus shakes his head, trying to regain his composure. He backs up and extends his hoof again to assist you.

“Humans are quite… flexible, aren’t they Durus?” Celestia sneers. Durus rolls his eyes before muttering something incoherent under his breath. As you get back up, he returns to his spot. You didn’t get his horn, but you did manage to tie the match. But the fight isn’t over yet.

The crowd begins to buzz, excited to see the next round unfold. Their words are cut short the instant Fatuus raises his hoof. The bailey goes silent as you and Durus hold each other’s gaze. To the others, this is a spar, a show even. But between yourself and the stallion before you, this is a test. A test to see who is the better fighter. And you intended to be that fighter. If you want to win this round, you have to be make it quick.

Digging your foot into the soft grass, you lean forward a bit. A head-on charge is risky, but if it’s done correctly, victory will be yours. With a heavy hoof, Fatuus slams the ground. You don’t waste a second to bolt forward, shield and sword raised. Something throws you off though.

Durus is doing the same thing. His two axes held high, he runs towards you at a decent pace. This is now a game of chicken. Pointing your sword forward, you do the one thing you thought you’d never do again in your life. You scream, bellowing your battle cry out into the still, quiet air.

Durus, in turn, does the same. You quickly glance over at the guards to spectating. Their gaping mouths and wide eyes bring a smile to your face. To see their superior acting barbaric is a rare sight.

As you both approach one another, Durus slides to a halt, rearing his blades back. But that doesn’t stop you. You keep charging forward, shield raised. As his axes swing towards their opponent, you come to screeching halt. Durus’s weapons whiff nothing but air, leaving him wide open. Lunging forward, you let out one last battle cry and swing your sword. Durus jumps back as the very tip of your sword skims his horn.

This is it. You’re going to lose. Left vulnerable after such a wide swing, there’s no way you’ll be able to defend yourself. Closing your eyes, you wait for the finishing blow.

“Victory goes to Sir Anon!” The crowd of guards goes into a frenzy as your eyes shoot open and look to Durus. Both axes lay across the grass, no longer held up by a magical aura. Durus rubs his horn in frustration, glaring down his pair of weapons.

“You’re smarter than you look, kid,” he mumbles as he approaches you. Extending his hoof, his lips break into a grin. “Knowing that a unicorn’s horn is their bread and butter... that takes some very dedicated observation. Paying attention such small details even in the midst of battle shows you got some talent.”

You can’t help but smile as well. Reaching out for hoof, you shake as the guards all comment on the battle.

“He just got lucky. Durus could totally beat him if they have a rematch!”

“Did you see that hoofwork? That human’s got some skill. I honestly think that luck had nothing to do with it.”

The crowd’s volume dies down as Celestia advances toward you both, her head held high. With her glowing bright, she picks up a spear and turns to you with a chipper smirk before taking Durus’s spot on the grass.

“Let’s begin, shall we?” she taunts, spinning the spear around like a baton. Turning back to Durus, you look to him for any kind of help. You don’t want to be disrespectful, but you did promise to spar against her after you were done. Durus merely shrugs before taking Fatuus’s place as the referee, leaving you with no choice but to spar against his ruler.

Sheathing your sword, you wait for Durus to raise his hoof into the air. You take the chance to bow, showing respect to your opponent. As you lift yourself back up, you blink as a wooden spear points at your neck. Celestia stands before you, wearing wearing a mischievous grin.

“That’s one point for me.”

Durus rolls his eyes as you turn to him. “Princess, you’re supposed to wait for my mark. At least show Anon some respect. He had the decency to bow to you.” Celestia makes her way back to her spot and scoffs.

“Is this how a battle would go out on the field? Last time I checked, your opponents have no means of ‘respect’ when they’re out to kill you.” You eye Durus as he lets out a defeated sigh.

“Though that is true, this is a duel. There are rules and regulations that must be followed. I have no choice but to award the point to Sir Anonymous.”

So it’s going to be like that? Fine, you tell yourself. Celestia’s eyes narrow as you unsheathe your wooden sword and prepare yourself. The entire bailey goes silent once more. If a sewing needle were to fall on the court, it would echo throughout the area. Raising your shield, you await Celestia’s first move. If she was going to play dirty, you’d have to prepare for anything.

“Don’t hesitate to get rough with me, Sir Anon. I don’t plan to go easy on you.” You can’t help but crack a grin as you raise your sword.

“I wouldn’t even think of it, your highness.”

The crowd stares in anticipation as you both wait for the other to make the first move. Their eyes keep switching from you to the mare, expecting something to happen. Celestia raises her head and snorts. If these creatures were anything like real horses, then she was checking for danger. You can’t help but smile: though her voice sounds confident, her body shows caution.

Taking a step forward, you watch as Celestia lowers herself a bit, making her a harder target to hit. She may have witnessed your fighting style from the previous spars, but she doesn’t know what’s up your sleeve.

Rushing forward, you lower your sword down towards the ground and keep your shield at your chest. Celestia stands her ground and awaits your next move as you inch closer and closer. With a hefty thrust, you swing your sword upwards, aiming for her chin.

But something is amiss.

She’s disappeared.

“Round two goes to Princess Celestia.” The crowd goes into frenzy as you look at the spot she once stood, completely clueless. Slowly, you turn around to notice a spear aimed at the back of your head. Celestia grins at the other end of it.

“How?” you ask, looking back at her previous spot. With a cheeky smirk, she lowers the spear and points to her horn with her hoof.

“A very simple teleportation spell. I told you, Anon. I don’t plan to go easy on you.”

This is absurd! How are you supposed to win against magic? There were no opponents, or creatures even, like this back home. How were you supposed to win against someone of this caliber?

Returning to your spot, you keep running the spar in your head. If you were go head on, she would take advantage of it and use magic to disappear somewhere else. If you stood your ground, she would use trickery and deception to take you down. There has to be an in between…

As you turn back, Celestia is already in your face, spear raised and ready to deliver the kill. Lifting your shield, you deflect her blow and push into her, knocking her over. Celestia falls to ground, stunned by the sudden counter. Driving your sword toward her body, you aim to win the round. Celestia’s eyes widen as the wooden blade comes down towards her and disappears with a “pop”.

Turning around, you lift your shield up to your chest in time and stop her spear from making its mark. Celestia, surprised yet again, steps back and smiles.

“Fool me once, shame on me,” you mutter. “Fool me twice, shame on you.”

Dashing towards her, you swing widely and miss as she ducks under your strike. With a quick side step, you jump out of position as her spear’s head barely grazes your helmet. Celestia’s eyes shine like that of a child in her youth. She’s enjoying this. And, to be frank, you are as well.

There’s only one way you’re going to win this. If you don’t get her horn, there is no victory in your future.

With a desperate step, you try to put some distance between you and the mare, but no luck. As you back away, she pounces on you, showing no sign of mercy. Raising your sword, you feint an attack and hear the familiar pop sound as she disappears. As quickly as you can, you turn around and drive you shield into her horn and knock her over. The magical aura around her spear dissipates, dropping the weapon on the ground.

“Round three goes to Sir Anonymous.”

The crowd goes into an uproar as you bring yourself up. To see someone win even a single around against their ruler seems to be a feat of its own.

“I can’t believe the princess lost!”

“I don’t think anypony has ever won a round against Princess Celestia!”

Celestia stand up and dusts of her coat, staring you down with a playful glare. Trying her best, she attempts to lift her spear with her horn only to fail.

“It seems that you’re out of the game, Princess,” you mock, sheathing your sword. You turn around and start toward the castle as Durus lift his hoof. “I’ll just take the victory and be on my wa—”

“Round goes to Celestia.”

The crowd goes silent as you slowly turn around. Wrapped in her wing is the spear she once held with magic, its point held at the back of your head, resulting in a kill. You can’t help but slap yourself for you insolence. With a cocky smile, Celestia lowers her weapon and whips her mane back, allowing it to shine in the sunlight.

“Never doubt your opponent, Anonymous. Just because you take one of their weak points into account, doesn’t mean they won’t be able to fight at all.” You nod your head, feeling like a complete fool. Such a novice mistake.

You look over at Durus whose hoof is now on the ground. “No announcement of the round?” Durus gives a shrug, rolling his eyes.

“As the princess said, the match wasn’t over. You only assumed it was.” It seems Durus is playing both sides in this match. He may help you out, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t assist Celestia.

No matter. Raising your sword, you ready yourself for the next round. The score was tied now, so this was your last chance to walk away with a win. Digging your feet into the ground, you stand your ground as Durus lifts his hoof into the air.

This is going to be one hell of a fight.

Author's Notes:

I haven't forgotten about this story. I promise.