Adventure awaits.

A seasoned explorer never complains about where the figurative or literal road takes him. It's just the nature of the profession, sometimes it's nice but more often, it's not. You just go wherever the mystery takes you. With that said. "Fucking heat, fucking bugs, fucking JUNGLE!" David trudged along, swinging his machete in wide angry arcs.

"Stop complaining you big baby." Andrew Wiggins. Camera man, ladies man, ball buster and Dave's best friend for over twenty years. "It's just the rain forest. It's not like your ex is here or the last time you came you got chased by a Jaguar OR."

"Just stop Andy, please." David wasn't paying attention and attempted two monstrous slashes stopping inches short of a young, tan, female face.

She gave a deadpan look past David and smiled from behind a pair of worn aviator sunglasses. "Bom dia Andrew."

Andrew grinned wide. "Hey Mari!"

She turned to David, her voice dropping two octaves. "...David."

"Jesus Christ Maria, I almost slashed a hole in your face!" David shouted.

She tapped a finger to her chin. "Hmmm, perhaps it will match my heart then, no?"

David gave her a deadpan look back. "Really, two seconds.You couldn't wait any longer than two seconds before bringing that up?"

"A broken heart is a hard thing to forget David, you of all people should appreciate that." David wanted to retaliate but instead blew a defeated raspberry. "It's too jungley for this conversation. Which way to your camp?"

She motioned for the small half dozen or so crew to follow her. "Not far, come."

Andrew shifted the heavy pack off his back with a grunt, favoring his left ribs. "Alright guys, you know the drill. If we can get this stuff set up David might be able to make the dive and get a look at the temple before nightfall."

David smacked Andrew on the back. "I'll start prepping my kit, just in case. How ya feelin' by the way?"

"I still feel the teeth marks of that big arctic bastard. Although, it does my heart good to see you still carrying that thing around even if it is out of place here." Andrew said with a laugh.

David laughed and held up his ice axe. "Yeah, it's lucky. I never go anywhere without it, or you for that matter ya big dumb." David punched Andrew in the shoulder for good measure.

"Dude, everything you have lucky, plus you know I would never miss a chance to see you miserable."

"Har har, just get to work and try not to get eaten by a polar bear. I'm not saving your ass this time."

"HA! Yeah... For real though, thanks D, I really owe you one. How's the shoulder?"

David chuckled to himself. Andrew only called him D when he was serious about something. "Why does everyone keep asking me that? It's not as bad as when that tiger shark bit through my suit, or the time I fell down that mountain after getting attacked by that damned goat."

"Ohh yeah, I forgot about billy!" Andrew said with a laugh.

"Don't give that devil goat a name!"

"HA, good times... Anyway, I better get back to work. We got some 'sploring to do."

What would take a crew twice their size, their tiny group got done in half the time. The gear got unloaded, tents propped up and all their camera gear ready for recording. "How far is the site?" David asked, adjusting the magnet in his mask.

"Not far, you could walk there in flippers." Maria joked. David rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you'd like to see me walk 12 miles in the jungle with flippers on. Probably do wonders for my already perfect ass." He smacked his butt for good measure which caused her to scoff and turn away.

"Yo Dave, why do you have two watches on?" Andrew asked, coiling a power cable.

"Huh? Oh, check it." On his wrist was his lucky dive watch next to a strap with large D-pad. Dave motioned for Andrew to hold the dive mask up to his face. Then pressed a button on the watch.

"Cooool" Andrew breathed. "It's a heads up display like a jet or something! Depth, O2, temperature, is that a camera?" Dave nodded.

"Bitchin'."

"Right? Thank the boys at Google for that one. It projects the image in the plastic. Just came out of prototyping, still got all my analog stuff just in case but, still. Less gear means more air. Plus less clutter means safer dive right?"

"Eh, more or less."

Maria raised her voice to the group. "Alright! We're burning daylight! We ride!"

After a short trek through the jungle, the group came to a large water filled hole in the ground. Maria explained during the hike that a group of recreational divers found the place in a previously undiscovered cave system. Somehow either the builders put in underground on purpose or it was swallowed up my the earth and jungle years ago. David, Maria and her dive crew began setting up their rebreathers.

"David, I've already sat up the distance line. It will take us right to the air pocket where the temple sits."

"Sounds good, how far?"

"843 yards."

"Exact as always." David said in an accusing tone. She scoffed again for seemingly the 100th time this trip. "Well, someone has to be David. If it were left up to you we would all be lost in the jungle by now!"

David stood up. "And what the hell is that supposed to mean? I am THE best Maria, tell anyone who doubts it to come see me."

"Saints above help me. No one is doubting your skills David. You ARE the best, but you leave everyone else behind wondering what the hell you're up to. You just go, go, go without any regard for those around you. You get... tunnel vision and lose track of everything and everyone else. "

"Ohh ho ho, I get it now. This isn't even about me is it? This is about you! This is rich."

"Ahh, you never listen David. Even when someone is trying to help you and for you information. I've moved on."

"Yeah whatever, just point me to the site so I can get to work."

She growled and pointed to a well beaten path. David snatched up his dive bag and marched away. "Visibility is good!" She shouted. "Haven't been down there in about a day! Just stick to the line for 843 yards and you'll be fine! Jackass"

David passed from sight when Maria screamed and puntted a empty bucket out of frustration. Andrew chuckled. "Goooaaallll." He half shouted running in a small circle, raising his arms over his head. She glared at him for a few seconds before his goofy antics caused her stone face to crumble into a laugh. She looked around for potential spies before going to her tip toes for a kiss. "Hey handsome."

"Hey bonito. So, moved on?"

She groaned and buried her head in his chest, muffling her voice. "Errrrg."

"When are you going to tell him about us?"

"How does never sound?"

"Sounds like you still have feelings for him."

She pushed away from the hug and punched him in the chest. "No! You know how he is."

"An idiot?" He offered.

"YES! Plus you two are like brothers. When he finds out..."

"Yeah, I just hope you know what you are doing Mari."

She sighed and leans back into his embrace. "Me too."

David followed the florescent line 843 yards to its anchor point. He caught a glimpse of natural light from above him and surfaced. In the hazy gloom of the cavern David raised his wrist light and pointed it into the dark. Spitting out his mouthpiece he gawked at what he saw.  Several crumbling statues lined both sides of a moss thickened road. Due to the age of the site he couldn't make out what the statues were supposed to be but that didn't stop the excitement from bubbling up in his chest. Even in its disarray he could see clearly see that the path lead to the main temple where the pictures were taken. "Awesome." He remarked, his voice echoing back to him. The powerful beam only cut so far into the massive cave, he had to see more. The water next to him rippled and Maria popped out. She pulled the regulator from her mouth and turned to David.

"Pretty amazing isn't it?" He doesn't respond with words but she didn't need them to know what he was thinking.

"This... This is no hoax Mari. Just how in the hell does someone hide something like this?" He asked himself out loud.

She gave a smug smile. "You haven't seen anything yet."

The pair helped the rest of the camera crew shuttle their cumbersome equipment, as well as some personal effects into the cave. This was to be their outpost for the evening so they could rest and get right to work without having to remake the dive.

"Isn't there a surface entrance?" David asked, cupping his hands over his eyes and looking to the high ceiling.

"Sim." One of her crew spoke. "Too dangerous, rochas." He pointed to a large cluster of precarious boulders near where the sun was filtering in.

"Ahh, gotcha."

While the crew went about setting up the cameras and since no on wants to walk around in a wet suit all day. David took the time to change into his regular clothes. Andrew called them his "Standard adventuring clothes," because he wore the same thing all the time, to which Dave countered with, "Their comfortable." They included a heavy pair of dark tan cargo pants, a light weight long sleeve shirt, a pair of Kevlar gloves and his lucky pair of boots... no boxers needed. Not in the jungle anyway. He grabbed his small pack. Inside was his sketch book, dive knife, backup flashlight and other assorted necessities he had found important over the years of exploration. Of course on his hip was his ice ax. "Never leave home without it." He smiled to himself, patting the well worn tool. With his belongings gathered he waved to his crew, put on his work face and methodically made his way down the ancient road.

A few hours later, David sat with his back against a fallen statue finishing the sketches he had been working on. He was interrupted by foot steps. "There you are, we've been looking everywhere for you. Find anything interesting?" Maria asked, hiding the worry in her voice.

David grunted a yes before jotting down notes on his pictures. She noticed a small pile of seemingly random stone next to him. She reached down to grab a chunk when his hand fell on top of hers. "No touchy." He droned before going back to his drawings. She crossed her arms and began tapping her foot. "Care to elaborate?" She asked, clearly pissed.

"Mmmh... what? Oh, hey Maria. What's up?" He said, breaking out of his trance. Some things never chance She laughed to herself. Maria pointed at the pile of debris he felt so inclined to protect.

"Ahh, check it." He jumped to his feet and handed her a large arched chunk of stone. She grunted as she attempted to bear the weight. The details were faded due to weathering but she could still feel little ridges all over it. "Put that end, right there." He said pointing to a spot on top of the toppled figure. He grabbed a somewhat cylindrical piece and walked to the end of the statue.

"What do you see?" He asked her. She scrunched up her face in thought for a few seconds before losing her focus. She simply shrugged. "A big, four legged rock statue?"

David groaned. "Come here, look at my end and try again." Maria huffed and moved over to David, halfheartedly looking at the statue. She tried to ignore his pleading look but gave up. She stared at the sculpture. David grinned a mischievous grin as her disgruntled look faded into one of understanding. "David, it's a horn. It's a horn growing out of its forehead. David! It's a unicorn!" She said almost manically.

"Almost, Maria, almost. Now, add your piece and try again." She rushed around the statue and put her piece on what she now knew to be its back. She laughed disbelievingly and shook her head. She only had one of them but one was all she needed to get the whole picture. "It's a wing. It's a winged unicorn." David nodded his head slowly and opened his book so she could see its contents. Inside was a sketch of what the statue would look like in its prime. Made of solid marble, the mare held it's head up proud and bold. It's front hoof was raised off the ground in a pose of regality. "You've gotten better. I remember when all you could draw was stick figures." She reminisced.

"Yeah well, lots and lots of practice." He said, turning away and closing his book.

"Soo, any luck on the language?" She asked, trying to get rid of the awkward silence. "Our linguist couldn't make heads or tails of it."

"Yep." He said as he nonchalantly made his way up the steps of the main temple. Maria stopped for a moment, stunned. Her language expert was down here for almost two weeks and said it was gibberish. She looked up and David had stopped with his arms raised out in a big Y. He pointed with his left hand at giant stone symbol etched into the side of the temple's wall. "Moon." He pointed with his right hand to the other side. "Sun."

He pulled his book out and flipped to a page. He turned and walked down the stairs back to her, still keeping his arms outstretched. He put the book in his teeth and reiterated. "Moon. Sun. Sisters." She gave him a Dude you've lost it look before peering at his drawing. While the first picture was definitely better drawn and more lifelike, the two winged unicorns on the page had character. One was taller than the other by at least a foot or two. She gave off a tender, motherly glow while the other gave off one of stern... She couldn't quite place it. Indignation maybe?

"But how? I mean, Dr. Kuzco said it wasn't even a language." David simply shrugged. "Dr. Kuzco over thinks things. It wasn't letters or anything like that, they are all symbols see." He flipped a page wherein he had sketched dozens of little runes, some of which had words like cloud, rain, sun, and moon next to them. Others had words like 'night dream' with ??? next to it, indicating a maybe. Most however were blank.

"What about this one?" Maria asked, pointing to one of the few double symbols.

"That one's bothering me." David grunted.

"Why? It looks the same as the rest to me."

David shook his head. "I don't know, it seems important. I'm pretty sure the first symbol is Star but not like." He pointed up, "a star star. It's a proper noun, like a name. The second is something spinney." He made his point by slowly twirling his finger around.

She thought for a moment. "Star twirl? Star spin? Star.... Swirl?"

"Yeah! Swirl, Star Swirl." He quickly scribbled down words next to the symbol and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Really? Just like that?"

"Yep, just like that. Now... I was told there was a portal?"

Princess Luna stared blankly at bouncing horizon. Her butt had grown numb from the long, motion sickness causing journey. She wasn't bothered by it, her lavender friend however was a wreck. Twilight was doubled over with her head stuck in a bucket that she held between her hooves. She had given up holding it with her magic due to the violent erking caused by the bumpy ride. Luna looked over in pity. "Twilight, it helps to look at the horizon. When you lean over like that it your body is in a natural vomiting position." Twilight groaned in compliance and attempted to look at the view outside the window... The bumpy, jostling, puke inducing view. Twilight turned green and jammed her head back into the bucket. Luna couldn't help but feel sorry for Twilight, this was her first time this far out of Equestria and the journey hadn't been kind.

"Princess Luna, tell me why we couldn't just fly again?"

Luna giggled. "Because Twilight, it would be seen as disrespectful to prince Azir who was kind enough to invite us to his kingdom to see the new creature." At this re-realization Twilight perked up.

"You didn't finish telling me what the prince's letter said. What is the creature like?"

"Well," Luna said reluctantly. "He said the creature was disgusting and prone to acts of random violence. He said he had eyes as dark as 'you know who' and was little more than a dumb, crazed animal." At this Twilight frowned. She didn't want to call the prince a liar but she didn't see any other reason as to how a creature went from wandering the desert to prison in less than two weeks. "Well, I guess there goes my chance to study it up close."

"Him Twilight, the prince said it was a male. A... hooman or something."

"Wait, did he name it? What kind of a name is Hooman anyway?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention he could talk."

"Wha! Lunaaa! How could you forget to mention something so important! I mean, this changes everything. Just think about all the things he could tell us!"

Luna put her hooves up. "Aren't you forgetting the crazed animal part Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight huffed and flopped down long ways on the bench. "No. I just... I don't think it's a coincidence that the Cutie Map sent me and you all the way out here just to catch up with prince Azir. I mean, how did the map even know your Cutie mark?! All this seems to be centered around this hooman and it's my job as the Princess of Friendship to find out, even if he is a monster. The way I see it, everypony I don't know is just a friend I haven't made yet."

Luna smiled and slowly nodded. "I see you dedication Princess Twilight and will do whatever I can to help  you in your quest and I agree that it is strange that the map sent me as well. Who knows, maybe it just thinks I need a vacation."

"On your hooves freak!" David winced as a bucket of ice cold water splashed over his injured body. He shakily rose to his feet and turned his now blank expression to the bars of his cell.

"Aww is da poor widdle monkey all wet?" The guard camel said in a mocking tone. "You know, I lost a lot of bits because of you in the last round and you are gonna pay me back, one way or the other." The larger of the two guards leaned in and sneered at David. He just smirked. "Sounds like you bet on the wrong species cupcake."

With this the camel's hoof shot through the bar towards David. He anticipated it and took a step back, just out of his reach. "Laugh it up while you can monkey freak, your time is coming, sooner than you think." The camel spit at David, hitting him square in the chest.

The cart lurched to a stop, causing Twilight to almost lose her bucket. Luna stepped off of the cart and turned, motioning for Twilight to follow. Twilight reluctantly emerged from the shade of the rickshaw and fell in step beside Luna.

"Ahhh, Moon Princess it is so good to see you!" Ambassador Ibin leaned in and kissed Luna on both cheeks.

"Ambassador. It is lovely to see you as well." Luna greeted the camel back in the same fashion.

Twilight groaned inwardly. She remembered this scumbag from one of her first royal meetings. He had a few too many to drink and had gotten a little too touchy feeley, even for a usual snuggle friendly pony such as herself.

"I do want to apologize again that my sister couldn't be here for this visit ambassador Ibin. There was a fallout of Canterlot's masonry guilds that required Celestia's gentle touch, I hope the prince won't be too offended."

The tall camel turned and smiled. "Of course not princess, and besides," He raised a cloven hoof and stroked Twilight's mane. Miraculously she kept down the little water she drank and managed a smile. "The prince has expressed his wishes in meeting the newest Equestrian princess face to face for some time now." He let his eyes linger over Twilight's frame.  "I'm sure he won't be disappointed." Luna nodded, unaffected by the obvious invasion of Twilight's personal space.

Twilight cleared her throat, trying to change the conversation to the real reason they traveled half way across Equis. "So you say you found the creature wandering in the desert? That seems a little far fetched."

The ambassador stopped for a moment. "Yes, while the prince was enjoying his well deserved rest at his favorite oasis, the creature just popped up out of the lake. We thought it was some new animal, born from the ancient magics of the sands. When we approached it, he seemed confused as if he were looking for someone else. He didn't know what to make of it at first, I mean it wore such strange clothing and when it began to speak in the common tongue and might I say, quite the mouth on that one... well you could imagine the prince's reaction. I know it sounds a bit strange but I assure you, it's all true."

Still confused as to how the creature went from first contact to imprisonment in less than a month, Twilight pushed for more answers.

"You said he's bipedal?"

"Indeed. Still that's not the strangest thing about him."

Twilight turned her head to the side, wishing she could pull out her notepad but had to settle for listening intently.

"He had weapons and devices of the most sinister design. Our best scientists couldn't define or describe what nefarious deeds they were built for. Even if it wasn't for his obvious violence, these things alone would have been enough to warrant caution."

"Well, I'm sure if you just spoke with him, he would gladly explain," Twilight was cut off.

"My dear Princess, we would love nothing more for that very thing but his guards have assured me that is impossible. He does nothing more drool, shout, defecate and how to I put this lightly? Touch himself in the most inappropriate manor."

Twilight was too caught up in the moment to see the blush forming on Luna's face.

"Still Ambassador." Luna chimed in. "We would still like to speak with him if that wouldn't be too much trouble."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." The ambassador said, motioning for them to continue following.

Luna was dumbfounded. "Why not? I thought you said he spoke Equestrian? After the games, I'm sure the prince wouldn't object to us visiting the prison. He did promise that we would see the new creature for ourselves. An unprecedented event like this needs to be shared with the world."

"Yes, I believe my prince's exact words were SEE the creature and see him you shall. As you know, he was imprisoned for crimes against the prince and will be dealt with within our laws."

"What did he do? And how long will he be in prison for?" Twilight asked.

"He made a remark against the prince's body odor."

Twilight balked. "And he was thrown in prison?!"

The Ambassador looked confused for a moment. "Oh no, for a crime so severe he deserved nothing less than the pit. As a matter of fact, you're timing is prefect. You will see him shortly. Right this way."

Luna didn't like where that cryptic statement left them but the trio continued walking until Twilight noticed a terrible but familiar smell in the air. The first time she had come across it was during one of her excursions into the Everfree where she found the corpse of a maticore that had seemly died from natural causes. It was the sick smell of death. Twilight looked to Luna who had obviously smelled it too, but did a much better job of hiding it.

Luna leaned in close to Twilight's ear so her words couldn't be overheard. "Twilight, I will caution you against doing whatever it is you're planning on doing. Relations are strained enough without you blasting the prince, or kidnapping a prisoner of the state. You may be forced to do things that go against everything you are accustomed to in Equestria. I will ask you to be respectful of their customs. I trust your judgment but you are a very strong willed mare. So whatever it is, find another way."

"So you're saying I should do nothing?! That I watch this... hooman die?" She whisper yelled back.

"I wouldn't suggest that no, but neither would I suggest causing an international incident. Especially during your first trip as an ambassador for Equestria. I will caution you, you know nothing of this creature. If he truly has survived three weeks in the pit, he may not be the kind of loving creature you are expecting. If you truly wish to save him, you will need to do it within the confines of their culture. Observe."

Twilight looked in the direction the princess pointed. There was a shop hear the entrance of the pit, above it, scribbles of names numbers. She noticed the exchange of currency and put 2 and 2 together.

"A wager? But I don't have any bits."

Luna cocked an eyebrow. "In this part of Equis, monetary value isn't the only thing for trade." She finished be looking Twilight up and down, not unlike the ambassador.

"Princess! I couldn't..I mean, I've never even..."

Twilight tired to speak, but got cut off.  "As I was saying Twilight, sometimes your values will be tested. Are you truly willing to go above an beyond for some hooman you've never met? He could truly be violent, diseased, or insane."

Twilight looked down and narrowed her eyes in contemplation. "Like I said, the Cutie Mark map told us to come here and I don't think it's a coincidence that this hooman shows up at the exact same place, do you?"

Luna sighed and shook her head, "No, I don't."

"This way your highness's. You are just in time for the final event" Ibin motioned them up a narrow flight of stairs. Twilight went first followed by Luna and the Ambassador. Despite her calm exterior, Luna was a rage inside. She could practically feel Ibin's eyes trying his best to look under her tail as they walked. The empty hall opened into a balcony covered in some of the finest silk Luna had ever seen. She would have to pick some up for Tia, she would totally lose her mind. Hues of orange, yellow and red stretch in broad patterns from floor to ceiling. They crisscrossed and caught the sun, casting a kaleidoscope of color. It almost reminded her of autumn back home. Thankfully, it was much cooler up here as well. Near the edge of the balcony stood another camel who was covered in gold chains and the same fine silk that adorned the area. Not sensing their presence, he raised a hoof and spoke to the crowd in a smooth timbre.

"Welcome. Welcome my friends, to the final exhibition for this evening!"  The crowd erupted into cheers and hoof stomps. He smiled greedily, soaking in the adoration. "The Hooman has shown great courage and tenacity. He has won many bouts and, while I hate to admit it, lost many a coin to his luck and skill. However, like the rains, his luck is not to last." He hung his head and looked dejected for a moment, doing his best to play the crowds emotions.

"But fear not, for even the bravest warriors fall to one." The crowd murmured for a moment, trying to figure out what their prince's riddle meant.

"For one evening and one evening only I, prince Azir, have brought to you the most winning champion ever to fight in the sands of the pit. Behold!" He held out his hoof toward the center of the right. "The crusher of bone, the widow maker, the jagged one! The one, the only, Hannibal!!"  The crowd erupted again as an iron gate in the floor of the pit burst open.

Twilight and Luna peered into the dusty arena. Between the broken columns the ground shook and single horn attached to a massive head slowly rose out of the sand. "A minotaur." Luna whispered under her breath. In all her years of life she had never seen one of such monstrous size before. His brass armor and jewels glinted in the sun with the rise and fall of his massive chest. His face was covered by a mask of unknown material. One of his horns had been broken off years ago leaving a cluster of bone that had been filed down to a half-dozen razor sharp points. Each forearm was buckled with a crescent shaped blade the size of a battleaxe. Hannibal bellowed, crashing the weapons together, causing sparks to shower in every direction. The crowd cheered again.

The prince motioned to the side of the arena wall. "He needs no introduction, you've seen him before! The freak from the desert! The luckiest creature alive! The hooman prisoner, Dahhh-vvvvid!"  Twilight and Luna gasped at the malnourished be-pedal creature that limped into the sands. Flanked by two camel guards, they began to remove his ankle shackles.  Luna saw his lips move then smile, causing one of the guards to shove him head first into the arena, without removing his wrist chains. They laughed as he painfully stumbled into full view of the crowd. He winced as he stood to his full height. While Twilight began mentally categorizing the similarities and differences between this Hooman and ponies, Luna studied him in a more intimate way. He was quite muscular, less body builder and more athlete she figured. The only thing he wore was a pair of sack pants held up by a frayed rope. Her eyes moved downward and she frowned. Whip marks and burns cover his broad, tan back. Even from this distance, she saw old teeth marks that spanned his ribs. He was hairless, except for a rough patch of brown on the top of his head and face. She reluctantly came to one conclusion, he truly did look like an animal.

"You say he is male?" Luna asked abruptly, causing the unaware prince to turn around in surprise.

"Ahhh, Princess Luna, Welcome! It has been too long. I trust your trip was a pleasant one? And who is this lovely mare?" He stepped up to Twilight and brought her hoof up to his lips and gave it a uncomfortably long kiss. "It's a good thing I haven't eaten anything today." Twilight smiled awkwardly.

Luna nodded. "Yes, it was very pleasant, thanks to your hospitality. I have to say, I didn't believe that your airship was as fast as you claimed. Ah, Forgive me, It has been quite some time since I've had the privilege of introducing another pony. During our trips, my sister is usually the one re-introducing me to the world. I'm relieved that we can meet under familiar circumstances. I would like you to meet Equestria's newest princess. The Princess of Friendship and the element of magic, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight nodded a shy hello.

Without giving them a chance to talk, Luna returned to her previous train of thought. "He has nipples."

The prince honked in laughter. "Indeed he does princess. Please."  He motioned for the two princesses to take a seat next to him on an extravagant pile of pillows. Luna sat and smiled. Twilight, turned and sat with a sour look on her face. This didn't go unnoticed by Azir.

"Is something bothering you princess? If I can get you anything, one of my servants would be happy to serve you. Don't worry, you are perfectly safe up here." He leaned in close, as if to tell her an important secret.  "But we are close enough to hear the legendary banter of Hannibal. He's sure to make it an interesting fight." He finished with an annoying snicker.

Twilight looked past the prince to see Luna shaking her head slightly. "I need to buy time. Oh, Sounds fun and I don't need anything, I'm just not used to the heat yet."

"Very well. Would you like to do the honors? We do have a dinner schedule to keep." He motioned to an antique bell that hung over the edge of the balcony.

"Uhhh...A schedule of killing innocent creature because they make fun of you." She looked back at Luna who nodded. Her eyes said declining would be an insult. Twilight smiled and reached out with her magic picking up the mallet. With a quick flick, the bell sounded and the match began.

"It seems you have gathered a prestigious audience puny hooman." Hannibal said, cracking the vertebra in his massive neck and pointing to the prince's balcony.

Dave squinted against the sun. "Winged unicorns... But that means.." He trailed off.

"Too bad you won't live long enough to meet them."

The big ugly cow had one thing right. Whether it was today or tomorrow they were going to keep fighting him until he dropped from exhaustion or was killed by his opponent. The second was probably more likely.  For the past few days, everything the guards did was to stack the deck against him. This went beyond their stupid personal grudge. Someone had it out for him, he gave himself three guess as to whom. He hadn't been fed in two days and thankfully a guard fell asleep without finishing his jug of water or he would have died in his sleep from dehydration. They increased the whippings to three times a day. They weren't even going to let him have a weapon this time. David looked down to his bound wrists. Metal shackles connected them with almost three feet of light sturdy chain. He smiled to himself, "What a shitty day." His ramblings were cut off by a deep voice.

"Tell me hooman, how is it without any claws, teeth or horns you've managed to survive this long?"

"Luck and a whole lot of push-ups." David retorted, barely managing to stay standing. Hannibal snorted and marched within striking distance. Despite David being 6'2, he was forced to careen his head back to look into the eyes of the Minotaur.

"Jesus, what do they feed you?... Other cows?" Hannibal grinned and scrunched David between the blades of his weapons like a pair of tongs. With a grunt he effortlessly tossed the small human up and over his head. Dave twisted in the air before hitting the sun baked sand with a *THUMP* and a roll. Hannibal bellowed again before bringing one of his massive weapons down with an overhead smash. Dave dodged just in time by rolling away behind one of the pillars scattered around the ring.

"They feed me hoomans!" Hannibal shouted, his voice rattling David's ears.

Dave groaned as sand filled his opening wounds. His body still hadn't recovered from the previous week of fights. "Yeah, that's right, get mad. You must be scared big guy. A killing blow already? What happened to pleasing the crowd" Dave taunted again raising his arms to the filled stadium. "You know, you aren't the first moo-cow they've sent in here. I must of beaten what? At least three or four. I sent the all out on stretchers. As a matter of fact, after I'm done with you. I'm gonna have a barbecue. Let me ask you something, are you familiar with the concept of steak sauce?."

Hannibal's breathing quickened. "Oh, don't worry little monkey, I know exactly how to cut them so the fight lasts a looong time."

David shifted his focus the his preferential vision. "Yeah keep talking you ugly son of a bitch."

"Jeeze, I thought the camels smelt bad.. you my smelly friend, are in a whole different league."

Hannibal roared and charged the pillar David was hiding behind. "Ohh fuck."  David dove again, but wasn't fast enough. Hannibal hit the old column, shattering it into grapefruit sized chunks. One of which managed to clip David's weakened legs, sending him stumbling to the ground. With the grace of a stampeding rhino, the minotaur jumped to David, grabbing him again between the blades of his weapon.

David was now face to face with his opponent. "If you get me further than last time, you win a prize!" He coughed, clearly weakened.

Hannibal gave him an evil grin. "I only want your screams." He got them, at a cost. David watched helplessly as the muscles in the minotaurs massive neck bulged as the shortened spiked horn whipped around and buried itself in his stomach. The pain was immediate and David shouted in agony. With his arms pinned, he did the only thing he could think of. He reached down with his teeth and clasped the gold ring in Hannibal's nose a moment before he was once again flung into the pit. He crashed against one of the remaining pillars and slumped to the ground. His vision faltered as he crossed his eyes to look at his golden prize. Hannibal howled in pain from the hole the jewelry left, David got a moment of reprise.

"Okay David, it's just blood, you have more. He didn't puncture a lung so. ...Ah fuck me." A massive hoof connected with his chest, causing him to tumble across the sand before throwing up bile.

Twilight winced and Azir spoke up. "Is this not to your liking princess Twilight?"

She had seen enough. "No it's not. This is the most barbaric thing I've ever seen." Luna face hoofed.

"Do you not care that he disrespected me?! How am I supposed to punish such obvious disobedience?"

Luna doesn't even bother trying to stop her. She just threw her hooves in the air and mumbled under her breath.  "Buck it."

"Get over it! What are you? A child? And if you ask me, he was doing you a favor!" Azir's guards approached Twilight from behind but are stopped short as they are surrounded in a blue aura.

"Now now prince, let's not do anything hasty." Luna chides. "Oh, and I suggest not upsetting Twilight, she is quite powerful when pushed." Luna narrows her eyes and despite the heat, her words could have frozen fire. "Now tell your guards to back up before I throw THEM in the pit." The prince smiled and dismissed his bodyguards.

"You wish for me to stop the fight? It won't matter. Even if he wins we will have one tomorrow, and the next day and the next after until he is killed or the heat takes him."

Now was Twilight's chance. "What if we made a bet?" Twilight stretched out on the pillows, doing her best "risque pony" impression as Rarity might say.

"I am a prince. I would give a small fortune to see him die, what could you possibly..." His eyes slowly caressed her flank and Cutie Mark. He knew what she was up to and decided to test her resolve.  "Okay princess Twilight, we can make a wager. If he wins, he is free to go with you but if he loses..." He turns to Luna and gave her a sick smile. "Princess Luna must spend the night with in my bed chambers."

"...You're kidding? You're kidding right?" Luna asked disbelievingly. Twilight in the same instance got a strange case of deja vu.

"Not at all princess. I will admit Twilight's gambit almost worked but I quickly realized something. You are far more exotic than some half-breed Alicorn. You are a TRUE princess and I want you for myself."

"The storm that raged in Luna nearly exploded. In her mind she was perfectly content with starting a world war with this pathetic excuse for a prince. She knew she could do it. With one once of her magic she could wipe that smug look of his stupid, smelly face. A pained shout brought her back to the present. The hooman was being tossed around by Hannibal like a leaf in a hurricane.

"So Moon Princess, what do you say?" He reached to stroke her flowing mane. She blocked it causing him to glare daggers at her. "That's the deal, take it or watch him die. Quickly now, he's running out of time." The princesses glanced into the pit as Hannibal held out his weapons, eliciting shouts from the worked up crowd.

Twilight raised her eyes to Luna's. She wasn't begging her to do it, she was looking for the right answer. "First, I wish to speak with him." Luna said, looking into the pit.

The prince thought about it for a moment."Fine but listen closely princess. Any from of foul play.."

"I am not a cheater Azir." Luna said, purposefully withholding the title of prince. She didn't believe he was worthy of it anymore.

"Good. I hope you are as brash in the bedroom." He held up his hoof and the guard rung the bell.

"That all ya got? Just let me find my good steak knives and we can start round two." David stumbled around, holding his wound with one hand and the pillar with the other. It was the only thing keeping him on his feet.

"You will die today hooman, but before you do know that you've earned my respect. You've done more half dead than many who've entered here have done at full strength."

"Respect!? I don't want your respect you shit smelling sow. After I win, I'm going to go to your house and milk your mother!" David spat at his hooves. Hannibal roared and charged David. An interesting thing happened, David watched as the minotaur was lifted off the ground in a pretty blue aura, completely nullifying his charge. He heard a female voice from behind him.

"Did you not hear the bell?"

"Ahhh.... Yes, forgive me princess. This hooman has a mouth on him."  David only smiled showing teeth, taunting the monster more.

Hannibal lowered his gaze, "The prince isn't stopping the fight is he?"

Luna shook her head. "No, a wager was struck and part of it was that I get to speak with this hooman."

He nodded. "Very well. We'll meet again soon Dah-vid."

"Go pound sand ya milk maker." David continued his taunt. Hannibal was visibly shaking in anger but thanks to this winged unicorn, he was forced to snort and stomp away.

"You know that's just going to upset him more, right?" Luna asked, turning to face David. He only chuckled and coughed. "That's the plan. Is there any thing in particular you need or are you down here to get a closer look at the freaky monkey thing? Be careful though. I'm, how did they put it? Prone to random acts of violence and self debauchery? Hell maybe they're right, prison does do strange things to a man."

It took a moment for what David was saying to register before Luna opened her mouth to respond. "So you aren't violent? You don't... touch yourself?"

David let out a laugh that was obviously painful. "Is that what they are telling folks? Well shit, maybe I should it has been awhile."

Luna gave an angry blush. She didn't know what to make of this hooman. On one hoof he seemed normal, well as normal as someone in a fight to the death could be. On the other hoof, he was completely out of his mind. She found it fascinating.

Unfortunatnly for David, She let some of her pent up anger at Azir lash out at him.

"I come down here to help you and you act like some, some, pervert?"

"Oh... help me? My bad. I figured you wanted to get a closer look at the freak before it died."

"Your bad? Your bad?!"

"Uhh... yeah. My bad. It hasn't been a good couple of weeks for me ya know... I'm kind of fighting for my life in an arena with a creature that shouldn't exist? So about this help?"

"I suppose it has been a stressful time for you. Anyway, yes. If you win, you are free to come with myself and my companion." Luna motioned to the other Alicorn in the stands. David peered at the balcony where he met the eyes of a purple winged unicron. She gave him a soft smile. David's turned back to Luna. He was taken back for a moment. She had stopped looking at his face and was studying his body. She wore a soft expression, one he hadn't seen in a long time. It was pity, she sorry for him. Here she was legitimately trying to help him and he acted like an ass. There was something else behind her expression. Sorrow? Loneliness? Whatever it was made his heart ache. Even so, he couldn't quite place it given his other pressing matters. So he shook his head back to the present.

"So... If I win, no more fights? Just like that?"

"Yes, just like that."

"And if I lose?"

"Well, you keep fighting until you die and OH, I'll be forced to have sex with the prince."

"What? Sex? With that?" David said it loud enough so that anyone close enough in the stands could hear. Luna nodded. "Yeah, so don't lose. I don't want to loose my vir.... Just win okay?"

David smiled. "Piece of cake."

"Wha? You make it sound so simple. It seems to me that you were getting your plot kicked."

"My what? Plot? You mean ass?"

"Yes, butt, ass, plot. Royally kicked."

"HA, to the untrained eye maybe, but I've got him right where I want him." His stumbling actions did nothing to reassure Luna.

She looked at him disbelievingly and sighed. "Look, Just win okay. You aren't the only one who's invested Dah-vid."

"David, It's pronounced David. At least one of you should know my name before I potentially die. Oh and there is an ancient temple that predates all others on my planet dedicated to you so... yeah there's that." Luna's eyes nearly pop out of her head. She was thankful that Twilight didn't hear, she would have surely blasted the prince and anyone else who stood in her way of a discovery this big. She simply stated

"You and I are going to have a long talk after this David."

"Looking forward to it." He smiled and held out his hand. Luna tentatively reached out to touch it but was interrupted by her, now, least favorite prince.

"Okay Princess! You've talked long enough. The crowd is getting restless!" Azir shouted from his perch.

"Oh hey, It's Mr. Smelly himself." David said, waving to the prince who just turned his nose up at him. Luna just stood there with that same look on her face, causing David's heart to ache again. Shes' got to stop that.

David watched Luna fly back to her spot on the balcony and flop down. "Princesses huh?" He mused as the bell rang again.

"You ready my little hooman, I am going to make you pay for that disrespectful mouth of yours."

"What's that moo moo? I'm sorry, I don't speak farm animal. I did take a semester of it in college though. Damned if I remember any of it." That was the last straw. Hannibal lowered his head and blindly charged with full force. David smiled and whispered. "Gotcha." He side stepped forward and raked his chains across the ground, catching the top heavy minotaur's hooves. David dug his feet in, causing Hannibal to trip and tumble snout first into the broken pillar with a loud crunch. David sprung to action against his dazed opponent. To the crowds amazement, he brought his leg up and out, delivering a solid kick to his exposed face. Hannibal slumped down against the pillar. The kick had rendered the unbeatable Hannibal incoherent and disoriented. Despite his experience, superior skills and physique Hannibal was a gladiator. He was there to please the crowd, and given his size, was rarely in any danger of losing. He couldn't of predicted this hooman would have been any different.

David leaned up against the pillar with his arms above his head in victory. The crowd stomped in agreement. He slowly made his way to the prisoner entrance, but it didn't open. He needed to get out of here, he was on the verge of passing out. "You are not done yet, Dah-vid." The prince's tone didn't seem like that of one who just lost a wager. He seemed... pleased? No, sadistic.

"Just give it up already princey. I won, your bull is half dead and won't be getting up for awhile. You should bow out with what grace and dignity you have left." David shouted to the balcony.

"It is not like your other fights monkey. You are not the dashing hero of this story. You don't get to go galloping off into the sunset with the princesses. This is a fight to the death, and Hannibal, isn't dead." David looked at the ground, his eyes searching for another way out. He knew he didn't need to bother, there wasn't. This was Azir's country and his word was law. David looked helplessly to the two Alicorns. The purple one had both hooves over her mouth and seemed to be on the verge of tears. He slowly focused on the blue one, that soft sorrowful smile never left her face. He quickly turned his head away. He narrowed his eyes and steeled his face before looking back to the prince. "As you wish."

The prince jerked his head back for a split second. Was the hooman bluffing? He knew the guards had made up all that nasty propaganda about him. He knew that the monkey was actually quite civilized. There was no way that Dah-vid would kill another creature...was there? No way... and besides, the hooman didn't have any weapons or claws and was too weak to pick up a stone large enough to damage the battle hardened Hannibal. I'm fine. He's got nothing. Azir thought.

David didn't have time to think. He could slowly feel himself losing consciousness. His vision had already started to blur and narrow. His mind was made up, he was getting out of here and only one thing stood in his way, a broken, defenseless Hannibal. The only sound in the arena now was David's own shuffling footsteps and shallow breathing. The crowd held its breath as David stood over top of his prize. He leaned forward and whispered something inaudible to his opponent before positioning himself behind the pillar. In a pained effort he threw his chain up and over, securing it around the minotaurs neck, pinning him against the column. The crowd gasped and Azir's eyes went wide as they all realized what the Hooman was attempting to do. Hannibal, helpless to stop what was about to happen still had his hooves secured inside the weapons so he couldn't reach up to pull the chain away. He had been ran ragged and brought to a rage by his opponent. It suddenly dawned on Hannibal, from the beginning, he had been played. David arched his back and yanked with all the strength he had left. Hannibal began to spasm uncontrollably as his stubborn body refused to die. No one else saw it, they were too busy looking at the chain or at Hannibal's face but Luna saw it. David's eyes were leaking tears. He brought his foot up and turned to face the prince. Anyone who could see knew what his eyes were saying, "This should be you". With one final jerk, the arena heard a sickening crunch as the minotaur's windpipe collapsed. The great Hannibal was dead.

David's internal monologue chimed in. "Say it, you've got to.." David unwrapped the chain from around his victim's neck and limped to the center of the arena where he collapsed "Are you not entertained?" He whispered to the sand. The crowd didn't hear him, they just stared at the monster in the center of the ring.

Luna's shocked look told Twilight everything she needed to know. "Who did we just save?"