Teacher and Student

"Just leave me alone Shadow!"

"Or what pipsqueak? What are you gonna do about it?"  

The older boy asked the younger green girl, who looked down as he and his friends laughed at her. "Aww.. Is pipsqueak gonna crwy? Your such a baby." He said before she  spit in his face, making him go back a few inches before he growled, pushing her roughly onto the ground. "You little brat, why I outta-" Before he could finish, someone spoke up, "Leave her alone you meanies!" The voice said as they all looked up, seeing it to be Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness. "Now why don't you guys just leave this poor girl alone before I tell your mothers, understood?" She said sternly as the boys nod before they all scatted out of there. Fluttershy walked over to the small girl, who still cried a bit. "Heya Emerald... Did those jerks hurt you?" Fluttershy asked her softly as Emerald nodded, sniffling as she was helped up, Fluttershy wiping her tears a bit. "No need to cry.. Besides, those jerks shouldn't be bullying a kind girl like you." She said with a smile as Emerald smiled slowly back. "T-Thanks Fluttershy. That means a lot to me." Emerald said, feeling a bit better now as she was told that. "Anytime kiddo.. Tell ya what, why don't you tag along with me to Sugarcube Corner? I betcha Pinkie Pie's cupcakes will cheer you up." Fluttershy suggested as the young girl nodded, following along next to her. She hummed to herself as they headed to the Corner.

At Sugarcube Corner        

"Order up Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie happily replied, serving four cupcakes to both her and Emerals. Two had Fluttershy's colors with her cutie mark, and the other two had Emerald's green color with violet sprinkles to match her eye color. "Thanks again Pinkie.. This will help poor little Emerald feel much more better, right Em?" Flutter asked her as Emerald nodded in agreement while eating her colored cupcakes. Applejack and Rainbow Dash then walked in as Emerald smiled brightly. "Hiya Applejack, hiya Rainbow Dash!" She happily said, waving as Applejack smiled. "Heya Emerald. How ya doing cowgirl?" She asked as Emerald swallowed her cupcake bits. "I'm fine.. Shadow and his friends were picking on me again, but Fluttershy scared them off." She said as Rainbow Dash walked over, sitting next to Emerald. "They're still picking on you? I thought you told those guys to buzz off." She said as Emerald nodded slowly, looking down. "I did, but they just laughed at me and ignored me." Emerald explained as Applejack spoke up. "What you need to do is toughen them out. Straighten them out." She said to her as Emerald sighed, looking down. "I can't Apple. I don't know how to fight or defend myself." She sadly said as Applejack walked over, ruffling Emerald's hair as the young girl giggled lightly at that, smiling. "We'll help ya somehow Emerald, don't ya worry." She told Emerald as she nodded. "Hey Pinkie, give Emerald a few more cupcakes. All on me." She said as Emerald happily gasped, getting up and hugging Applejack. "Thanks AJ.." She said as Applejack then looked to Rainbow Dash, who looked like she had an idea on her mind. "Dash, whatever your thinking, don't let Emerald get hurt.." Applejack said to herself.

Time skip to Morning, brought to you by Pinkie breaking the fourth wall XD                

Emerald was sleeping peacefully in her clubhouse which she also called home. It was small, but highly decorated. She had a green and purple paint interior design with pictures of her with her friends together. She slept in her small bed, surrounded by her stuffed animals as she slept. A few minutes later, a knock on her door as she slowly opened her eyes, mumbling to herself as she sat up slowly. "Hmm, wonder who could that be.." She said to herself tiredly, getting up as she put her robe and slippers on before walking to her door, opening it. There was no one at the door. "Another prank, you've gotta be-" She then looked down, seeing a small blue box as she picked it up, raising an eyebrow as she walked back inside, heading into her mini living room, sitting in one of her beanbag chairs. She observed the box for a few more brief seconds before opening it up, wondering what it was. She was first persented by a little letter written in cursive.

Emerald,

I think it's time you better knew how to defend yourself, and I'm the pegasus to help you out. Meet me near the open fields at Sweet Apple Acres in fifteen minutes, don't be late.

Signed your best friend and new Teacher,
Rainbow Dash.  

Emerald read the letter out loud, a bit confused at first as she scratched her head. Defend herself, teacher? She was puzzled by all this, but since this was Rainbow Dash, she wasn't too worried or concerned about the ordeal. She noticed there was something else in the box, carefully removing it. It revealed to be a deep green Karate Gi, perfect for her size as she also saw a white belt, picking that up as well, marveling at it. "That is cool." She said with a smile, then went to get changed as she prepared to meet Rainbow Dash for whatever she was needed for. She did however contempate on whether or not she should wear flip-flops, but decided not to, since she already ran in four other pairs and ruined those, so she would just go barefoot, hoping Rainbow Dash wouldn't mind or care at all. She then decided to head out now, so she wasn't late and that Sweet Apple Acres was a mile and a half away from her home, she thought it be best to be safe then sorry. She felt the morning breeze against her face, taking a deep breath in, then out as she smiled, still running as fast as she could. After a while, the young filly finally made it, arriving just in time too as she looked around a bit, panting from all the running. She sat down a moment to regain her breath, still a bit tired from when she woke up early this morning. "Where is Rainbow Dash?" She asked with a yawn, then stood up, walking a bit down the hill and near the forest, still wondering where Rainbow Dash could be. After sometime walking, she saw a small stream and heard the water flowing, moving towards it as she looked at her reflection. She then saw a small fox walk towards her as she smiled, petting it's head. "Heya little guy.. Maybe you can tell me why Rainbow Dash brought me here." She said as the fox just tilted its little head as Emerald smiled, petting its head gently. "Heh, guess we'll find out together then." She told the fox.

Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the bushes not far from her as she stood up. "Hello... Is anyone there?" She asked quietly, scared and nervous now. The rustling grew more louder as she shook a bit. Suddenly, a figure jumped from the bush, revealing to be Rainbow Dash.    


"Ha, think fast Em!"

Emerald squeaked, rolling as she dodged a kick from the pegasus as she got up onto her feet quickly. Rainbow Dash looked to her, grinning a bit. "Not bad Emerald. Your pretty fast on your feet." She said, not caring for the look of pure shock upon the filly's face. "Rainbow, are you nuts! You could've seriously injuried me!" She said as Rainbow Dash chuckled from that, doing some stretches as she looked at her. "Relax Em, I wouldn't hurt you that badly. Besides, that was just a taste of what's to come." She told her as Emerald's violet eyes widened as she said that. Hurt her that badly? A taste of what's to come?! "So, um.. The letter. Can you give me some insight?" Emerald asked in a soft a curious tone as Rainbow Dash grinned, walking over and ruffling Emerald's hair. "I'm gonna train ya kiddo. Besides, I think it'll do you some good to learn from the best, and, you'll be learning from your best friend." She said as Emerald smiled a bit, nodding. "That sounds good.. I'll give it a shot." She said with a nod as Rainbow Dash smiled at her, seeing her smiling back. "Alright, then let's start right away! We'll begin with the basics!" She told her as Emerald nodded, a bit confused. "Basics?" She asked, tilting her head as Dash chuckled at her enthusiasm, stepping back a bit. "Yep, just follow my lead kiddo." She said, then spread her legs apart a bit as little Emerald did, following her example. She then saw Dash put her hands to her sides, arms raised into fists as she did that too. "Alright Em, let's start off with some punches." Rainbow Dash said, then started to show Emerald how throw perfect punches as Emerald followed. She kept throwing punches before the two moved to kicks. Emerald started to feel a bit more confident as they trained.

"Your doing great Emerald! Just make sure you kick your leg a bit higher!"

"Got it Dash!"

Emerald did just that before they moved to advanced techniques. Emerald watched her teacher perform a roundhouse kick against the trunk of a tree as Emerald just stood there, eyes widening from the sight. "Alright kid, let's see what's you got." She said as Emerald jumped a bit, nodding as she walked over. "What if I don't get it right on the first try?" She asked her, looking down a bit as Rainbow Dash kneeled down to her student's height, gently raising her chin up. "That's what practice is for kiddo. Never give up and keep trying until you can do it." She told Emerald as she smiled brightly, nodding before facing the tree trunk, then raising her foot, and kick in a circular motion. As she preformed the kick, she lost her balance, landing on her side. She yelped, feeling some pain as she held back tears, standing up as she shook her head. Rainbow Dash saw this, surprised that she faught back tears. "Again." She said, and Emerald nodded, doing just that. She took four other tries, and failed those four times. She panted as Rainbow Dash sighed lightly.

"Em, let's just try another-"                      

"One more try Rainbow! I know I can do this!"

Emerald suddenly said as Rainbow Dash looked to her, a bit shocked by her tone. She had never heard Emerald like that before, and decided toblet her try it one more time. Emerald breathed in and out slowly, closing her eyes as she concentrated. She had to do this. If she couldn't do this, then she would never be able to believe in herself. Taking her stance, she spun around, foot in the air as she landed a swift and graceful kick onto the tree, smiling brightly as she looked over. "I finally did it!" She said, giggling happily as Rainbow Dash smiled brightly, walking over as she hugged her. "I knew you could do it Emerald.. Heh, guess you just needed to be motivated." She told her as Emerald nodded, knowing she was indeed right. Rainbow Dash then released her, bowing to her as Emerald quickly did the same, bowing back to her teacher. For the next few hours, Emerald learned how to high kick, use punch and kick combos, and also learned how to use weapons in combat as well. She was experienced with the bo-staff, and thought it would be her personal weapon of choice. Sometime later, Rainbow and Emerald moved to meditation, helping young Emerald to relax from all the stress as both girls sat side by side lotus style, eyes both closed. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of the lake and their breathing. Sounds of steps could then be heard as Emerald opened her eyes quickly as she stood up.

"Who's there?!"

She asked, looking around before seeing Twilight Sparkle and Spike. "Heya Rainbow Dash, heya Emerald." Spike said with a smile, waving to the two as Emerald waved back. "Heya Spike, heya Twi." She happily said, waving back as Twilight smiled at the two. "Seems like you two have been training hard." Twilight said as Emerald nodded, cracking her knuckles. "We have been training for a long time, but I really have learned a lot." She said as Twilight nodded, seeing Rainbow Dash stand up as she walked over, smiling as she talked to her friend as Emerald demonstrated to Spike some of the moves she had learned from Rainbow Dash earlier.

"I don't know how you did it Dash, but Emerald is really more confident now.."
         
"I know Twi. All Em needed was a little boost of confidence."

As she said that, Twilight smiled at that, nodding. "Looks like you gave her more then that." She said to her as Rainbow Dash nodded, smiling at Emerald. "I did.. I gave her a new light of hope."

Later that day; Square of Ponyville    

"Leave Sweetie Belle alone Shadow!"

"Yeah, she didn't do anything to you!"

Scootaloo and Applebloom said, helping their crying friend up as Shadow chuckled at the sight. "Why? You Crusaders are more of a hoot then I expected! More of a hoot then Emerald is." He said as his friends laughed behind him now. Scootaloo growled at the boys, then felt a hand on her shoulder, seeing it was Emerald. "Emmy, your here!" She said happily as the other two fillies surrounded her friend, who glared at Shadow. "Hey Discord brains, why don't you just be like your brain cells and beat it." She said, referring to Shadow as the three Crusaders' jaws nearly dropped to the ground, and Shadow, about to leave, turned around, seeing Emerald. "What did you say pipsqueak..." He said, his face just hinting of pure anger as he looked at her. "You heard me. In fact, why don't you leave me and my friends alone and just sop bullying kids period?" She retorted, Shadow's friends 'ohhing' at her retort as Shadow growled louder.

"And if I don't? What are you gonna do?"

"I'll make you eat your words you jerk."

Now, Shadow's anger reached his peak. His teeth clenched tightly, fists clenched as he ran at the four girls. "Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, move. Now." Emerald sternly said, hearing their footsteps as they moved to the side. Shadow, ready to throw a punch, suddenly felt himself being airborne as Emerald flipped the larger boy over her and onto his back. The girls and Shadow's friends all looked on, more shocked then ever as Shadow groaned a bit, feeling pwin in his back now. "H-How... How did you do that?" Shadow asked as Emerald looked to him. "I learned from the best." She told him before seeing him slowly get up. "You just got lucky.. Besides, I DON'T LOSE TO GIRLS!" He shouted, rushing at Emerald again as he threw another punch at her. She caught it again, but only this time, threw a solid kick at his face, watching him go back a bit more, panting. "I won't lose!" He then charged at her again as Emerald sighed. She then assumed a different stance, then as Shadow charged, Emerald jumped into the air, throwing a Tornado Kick Rainbow Dash taught her. This knocked Shadow right out as the kick hit against his chest as Emerald landed into a crane stance. She then turned to his friends, pointing to Shadow. "Anyone else wanna end up like him?" She asked as they all shook their heads no. Then, before she could say another word, a friend picked Shadow up and they all jet out of there. Emerald then walked over to her friends, looking concerned. "Hey, are you guys OK?" She asked as they nodded. "Yeah. You really showed him though Em!" Scootaloo said with a smile as Applebloom nodded. "Yeah, that one kick really knocked Shadow off his socks! Literally!" She said as Emerald smiled. She then went over to Sweetie Belle, hugging her as she comforted her friend. She was like her before, but now, she had the courage to defend herself and her friends. And she had Rainbow Dash to thank for teaching her.

Extended Ending: Rainbow Dash and Emerald preforming at the Spring Gala                    

Emerald was excited as Rarity did her hair. She was invited to the Spring Gala along with the others by request of Rainbow Dash. She and her would be demonstrating the Karate that she had been training since she first trained with her teacher. "Your gonna lookk lovely with your hair up Emerald. Just simply spectacular." Rarity said, finishing up her hair as Emerald smiled at her through the mirror. "Thanks Rarity. I do look very pretty." She told her as her hair was now in a bun. "Oh, I almost forgot! I left you a little outfit to get changed into. I hope you love it." She said with a smile before heading out to go sit with the others. Emerald, curious, walked towards her dressing closet, then saw what Rarity had left for her. It was a lovely and elegant fighting dress that was dark green with traces of small violet rubies on them. Emerald chuckled as she picked it up, observing it. "Rarity, I gotta love ya sometimes." She said before going to get herself changed.

As she got changed, she headed out to meet Rainbow Dash to get ready. She then saw her wearing the same outfit as her, only portraying her rainbow colors as she smiled. "Wow Rainbow, you look really pretty!" Emerald happily exclaimed as Rainbow Dash smiled back at her. "Thanks Em. You look very pretty as well." She said to her as Emerald chuckled. "So, ready to do this!" She said to Rainbow Dash as she nodded, smirking. "You bet kiddo. Let's show them what girls can do!" She said, full of enthusiam as Emerald nodded, giving her a high five before walking off with her friend and teacher. She felt some butterflies fluttering in her stomach, but pushed away those thoughts of nervousness. She had a new feeling of bravery and confidence, and would stick to that from here on out. She then heard Princess Celestia announced for them both, and she knew it was showtime. "Ready kiddo?" Rainbow Dash asked Emerald as she nodded, looking up at Rainbow. "Time to show them what we're made of..."

The two then made it on to the stage, prepared to show everyone what they had been training for a long time. Emerald breathed in and out, then faced Rainbow Dash as both bowed respectfully to one another. Emerald then did a few backflips before landing in a stance as Rainbow Dash got into a stance as well, then both started off sparring against another, the audience watching contently as the girls clashed kicks with one another, jumping back before clashing punches as well. Everyone 'ohhed' and 'ahhed' at what they did, clapping a bit already as both ladies smiled at one another as well, keeping their preformance up as Emerald was more excited from all this. She before was shy, and would've never agreed to do this, but now, sometime later, she felt more confident, and would never again let herself down. She enjoyed her new self, and would never change anything about herself.