BRAWLER

What is the art of a fight? It is a question I ask myself often when watching these things go at it. That's my job though, not fighting of course. I am the mare in charge of promoting these brutes in the so called; 'tartarus world'. Similar to an underground...but tartarus suits it more when you see them.

I laugh to myself thinking about it; the real fight is down here, not up there. Up there the brutes are neatly kept, glorified as champions for the spirit of fight itself. Down here it's all about survival. I call it poetry to their will to live, even at the cost of another's life. A brute...I don't know why they go this crazy, but it isn't mine to know really.

I have to watch them fight each time, each time it gets a little easier. One thing I have learned in this business, that I don't mind sharing, is how tragically simple it all is. I mean we keep it that way because it works, why change perfection? Two go in, one comes out, loser's bets are ours to claim.

Simplicity is all around us here sadly, even with them. Just last week we lost another pony to Champ. We call him that anyway because he is now...shall we say retired, from the filly sport up top. Yes it's a him, you know how I know, don't pretend.

As I say, it's too easy. Everypony has to make a living, at least this way nopony else is hurt. No pony innocent anyway. So by now you must be wondering what a brawler down here is. There are actually two answers there. First. I have already told you is the filly fighters; they fight until one is out cold. In the tartarus world, we have the real brawlers; they fight until one stays cold.

Why pit them against each other like that? You would have to see it to understand. When the stakes are raised in the ring, the fight is beyond imagination. A beast, by any other species, could not stand up to a seasoned brawler here. They will do anything to survive. Lets look at Champ, now he was quite the benevolent victor in filly fighting. Down here the fights are so short you could blink and miss what he did. My favourite one so far...oh that would still be his first.

So Champ was set up for a simple round to exhibit his stuff. We threw in a female who had her share of course. The thing really got into it, the female that is. She went crazy on poor Champ, wasn't enough though. All that screaming must have gotten to him too, he made sure even her last breath was silent. It's a nice finisher actually; lot's of show and colour for the crowd. That's why they come here.

Now you must think we're all cruel to pit some animals together. The thing is, they aren't animals. The mind of a brute is lesser than a creature here, makes sense considering they aren't...oh I nearly said too much. These drinks are strong here!

Now when I say lesser, I mean it. Animals can at least communicate with each other, they can't. It took some probing but let me tell you this; if they ever did unite we would have to put them down. Brutes are...cruel when they fight, you don't want your worst enemy on the receiving end of that beating.

Now between us, I think it's the density of their bodies. Moving out an expired one is hard work, from what I see. Got to say; only a brute can break another brute's bones. I still get chills in that first shot you know? That hit you can hear break the silence of the crowd.

Champ is my favourite so far, problem is everypony is catching on fast. I don't really know what I can do to bring him down. Tried all sorts of stuff, maybe that bad leg will catch up to him today, it's the only thing keeping the bets uncertain.

If I regret one thing with him...its attaching those spines on the arm, plating the other arm, adding those teeth. Well nopony would bet on him in the state after he took on Echo. Won the fight, but we couldn't let him drop off after that; it was too much to loose. You know how I said they can fight...he really can fight to keep going. I find myself proud to be his maintainer.

You know, I can't see myself doing anything else. You meet so many nice ponies here, they just need to let off a little steam this way. Why not after all? Probably would get in trouble here if the Princess found out, she won't of course...but then I'm saying too much.

Oh well, still got a few seats free if you gals want? You said you know Champ from the filly fighting days...been a while. I think he's gone through quite a few tourneys since then, don't really keep count; not part of my job. You two want to see him in action again? Might be the last chance. Pay a little extra and you can go back in the keep to see the winner.

The best time to go gander at them is after a fight, good and tired then. Must warn you though, don't get too close. The bars are small but there are a few that can bend them with enough anger.

Now you must be wondering why I would go on about this to a stranger, besides the liquid courage of course. Well you are in this seedy bar after all. It's simple really; everypony has that little voice in them that begs to see such...action. I see it in you too. Admit it, your appetite is wet, why not quench that with a ringside seat? Since it's your first time, I'll knock a little off the price. It looks like there's a little something going on here, eh? A little show before some action later on. Not my job to know that of course! For that, I'll throw in a free hat for each of you. Do we have a deal?