Showmare

Author's Note

Beware. Thar be curses. If you're going to be butthurt over some curse words, I suggest you just give up reading this now.

**********

"I'm still not sure how he won that back there. That new guy was really laying it into him."

Trixie rolled her eyes at Filthy's lack of understanding. They were in the corridor that lead away from the arena. Trixie was headed to the training room, knowing that Swift would be there, bragging it up. Filthy had followed, excitedly talking about the recent fight. He sounded like a foal watching his first boxing match.

"Well, obviously that's what he wanted it to look like." Trixie said, getting annoyed with him.

"But he seemed to be trying so hard. I couldn't tell how he got so fast near the end there." Filthy said, showing genuine confusion.

Trixie looked at him skeptically, before asking, "How many fights have you actually seen?"

"And what does that matter to you?" He looked at her incredulously, seeming insulted.

She laughed, amused at how personal he took it. "Trixie will take that as not many. But how many specifically?"

"Well," he said, looking forward. "I never watched one before. Never wanted to. I had to watch these noob fights though. Something like 'champion owners should see what's new.' I didn't think they would be this exciting."

Trixie smiled knowingly. "That explains it."

"Explains what?" he asked, curious to her meaning.

"Swift was trying his hardest. He was striking as fast as he could." she said, stringing him along.

"Then how did he just suddenly get faster?" He almost seemed to be begging at this point.

"It was how he was striking. Did you see him pull back?" Filthy nodded, trying to follow along. "Well, how about you try it? Pull back your hoof to strike Trixie." Filthy lifted an eyebrow, questioning her idea silently. "Oh don't worry. It's not you could hurt her if you tried." That seemed to work, as Filthy pulled back his hoof for a strike. Suddenly, he found his vision to be filled with the business end of Trixie's hoof, mere centimeters from his muzzle. He yelped in reaction, eliciting a chuckle from her.

"What in the hay was that?! I'm too old for surprises." gasped Filthy, regaining his senses.

"Oh stuff it. You wanted to know and this was the best way to show you." said Trixie, enjoying the reaction.

"But how did that happen? I pulled back, and you were in my face before I was even done."

"It's simple. Trixie didn't pull back." This only pulled a confused look from him, which caused her to roll her eyes in frustration. "Here. Trixie will make this easy for you by slowing it down." She then proceeded to bring her hoof from the ground, pulling it forward in an arc ending near Filthy's face. "See? Swift was pulling back, right?" Filthy nodded in response, realization starting to seep into his features. "Well, he did that to make himself slower. He was pulling his opponent into a sense of overconfidence. And it worked. Trixie doesn't know how his opponent was foolish enough to actually believe that ruse. No fighter worth his merit would ever pull back. Let alone Swift."

"Hm." was the only response from Filthy, mulling over what was told him. Trixie left him at that, turning into the practice room that they just reached. It was simple, filled with only a few devices. It was split into two halves, each focused on a different aspect. One side had a simple ring, built for anyone who was willing to spar with each other. It was rarely used, and usually only by opponents who were not in the same league. Nobody was willing to show what they were capable of in front of each other. The other half was filled with simple exercise equipment, like weights, punching bags, and pull-up bars. It was used more, though only to intimidate possible opponents.

Swift was currently using a pull-up bar, much to the excitement of some mare standing to his side. Trixie tried hard not to roll her eyes at the display. He was busy chatting her up, giving her details on how exactly he pulled off his 'perfect victory'. Gunner was standing a bit to the side, leaning in his usual position. His eyes met Trixie's, and he made a show of gagging silently, motioning towards the two. Trixie smirked, nodding her agreement. Taking another look around, she saw the room was occupied by six other fighters, none of which she really knew. Though, there was that brown stallion, who was laying down in the corner. He looked asleep, slowly breathing with his eyes closed. Trixie thought of something that she wished she had thought of sooner.

"Filthy?" she asked, addressing the stallion that walked in behind her, still thinking about the lesson he learned.

"Hm?" he said, breaking out of his trance.

"That stallion." she said, pointing to her previous opponent. "What is his name?"

Filthy looked at the colt in question, squinting his eyes in concentration. "Oh, him." he said. "Funny story that. Nobody knows."

Trixie blinked. "Could you run that by Trixie again?"

"Nobody knows. He doesn't talk much, and never pleasantly when he does. Nobody really wants to ask him."

"So what have you been calling him?"

"Well, we just call him 'new guy'. Seems to have taken to it, too, cause he actually answers to it."

"Huh." Trixie said, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at New Guy.

"And that isn't the most intriguing part. Did you get a good look at his cutie mark?"

Trixie realized she did not remember what his cutie mark was, which seemed odd. That is, until she took a look, and realized there was nothing there. "A blank flank?"

"Exactly." Filthy said. "Usually we get the standard fighting cutie marks. He has none. Nobody knows why either. When asked, he just gives that cold stare. It's really starting to creep me out." He shivered, relaying just how much it affected him.

"Hm." was the only response Trixie gave.

"You didn't know any of this? He is in your league." Filthy said, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Trixie never payed attention to the ones below her. They usually don't live long enough to warrant care."

"Harsh."

"You have to be if you are at the top."

"So I've noticed."

Trixie decided to walk over to the other champions, not caring for the current conversation to continue. Swift was now in the middle of inverted wing-ups, still smooth talking his latest quarry. Gunner took notice of their approach, and responded with a begging look, indicating towards the two. Trixie tried hard, and failed, to not roll her eyes. Filthy followed close behind, an action that Trixie was starting to get tired of. Swift took notice of her approach, pushing himself back onto his four hooves.

"I was wondering when you would show your pretty face." he said, his nature back to the usual playcolt attitude. "So, sweetheart, how was the match? Did I get your heart racing? Cause I have other ways to get it going again."

"Trixie would knock you out for even suggesting such things, but she is feeling generous today. Congratulations on the victory. Not don't let it get to your already over-sized head." Trixie said, not letting herself get annoyed at his comments.

"Does this mean what I think it means?" Swift asked, pulling himself to Trixie's side, and raising an eyebrow playfully. "I think I'm starting to get to you."

"What?" Trixie said, giving her best 'you can't be serious' look.

"Oh I can see it now. Trixie, champion of league two, falling for a rival champion. A love forged through battle and hours of sweaty-"

A swift impact to the side of his head stopped Swift's rambling, jerking it back. Trixie noticed the mare he was wooing giving her a look of pure acid. Whether it was because Trixie hit Swift, or if the mare lost his attention, she didn't know. It didn't matter, however, because the mare decided to walk away, nose held high in contempt.

"Oi. I see your hits are as solid as ever." said Swift, rubbing the contacted area. "And now I've lost my date. Ah well. There's plenty of fish in the sea. And I always have you to return home to."

"Please do not force Trixie to break your neck."

"Wouldn't think of it, sweetheart. Stop doing that Gunner. It's not helping."

Trixie turned to see Gunner face-palming as hard as he could, with Filthy next to him, shaking from contained laughter. "Are you two finding this funny?"

"Actually-"

"The fuck you just say to me!?!"

All conversation stopped as heads turned toward the outburst that rang through the room.

"I don't think you get this. I need to use that, and you are in the way."

A rather large earth stallion was trying to tower over a mid-sized pegasus stallion next to the punching bag. Trixie recognized the earth stallion as being a member of her league. He was a navy blue, with royal purple hair mopped around his head. His cutie mark showed a hoof impacting a skull. He always did like the killing blow, making a big show out of ending his opponent brutally. The pegasus she did not expressly remember, but she did recall that he was from Gunner's league. He was a brick red, with brown long hair trailing down the back of his head. His cutie mark was a hoof in contact with another, seeming to block it. Perhaps he was good at blocking attacks.

Currently though, he did not seem up to blocking anything. He stood as tall as he could, trying to meet the larger stallion. His face showed desire to not back down, but his body showed the very opposite. He was shaking hard, seeming to vibrate. He was scared, no matter how much he tried to show otherwise, and his aggressor knew it.

"I..I was using it." said the pegasus, trying to keep himself situated.

"I don't give a fuck. I'm going to be using it now." said the earth stallion.

"I'm not done yet. Please, can I just fin-"

"Are you trying to ask? Are you that weak?"

"N-no!"

Filthy turned to Trixie, fear at the edges of his face. "Are you guys going to stop this?"

Swift chuckled quietly, trying not to bring attention to themselves. "Are you kidding me? This could be entertaining to watch." Trixie was sure that she saw a dark glimmer show through his eyes.

"Trixie?" said Filthy, the fear slowly advancing over his face.

"No. It's not Trixie's job to babysit weaklings. Besides, this could help him get stronger. As long as nobody tries to kill anybody, things will be alright."

"Why not ask Gunner here." Swift motioned towards the silent griffon. "I bet his bleeding heart would be willing to help."

Gunner responded with a slow, solemn shake of his head. Though he cared, he did not feel right to intervene.

"Well, how about you move your ass before I kick it out of the way." The attention was brought back to the two near the punching bag. The earth stallion was now closer to the pegasus, trying to stand over him intimidatingly. It seemed to be working, because the pegasus' stance was a bit slumped, trying to avoid contact.

"I just want to use the bag."

"Guess what, shitbrain? So do I. Now move."

"No."

"I'm sorry, you don't get to tell me no."

"P-please. Can I just finish?"

A devilish smirk crossed the face of the earth stallion. "You know what? I might just be feeling generous. Seeing as you like to ask so much, I'll let you finish. But only if you beg."

"Beg?" said the pegasus, surprise flaring on his face.

"Yea. Get on the ground and beg."

The pegasus hesitated, unsure of how this was going to work, before he bowed himself down. "Please let me finish."

"I said beg, pussy. Beg like a bitch."

The pegasus looked up, fear now evident on his features. This only angered the earth stallion. "I said beg, bitch!" He brought a hoof down on the side of the pegasus' head, forcing it to the ground. "Get down and beg." Small murmurs ran through the small amount of fighters around, but none stepped forward, not wanting to interfere between two fighters. A small cough was heard from the pegasus, as he looked up at his assailant, a small kindle lighting in his eye.

"Fuck you."

A loud yell was heard from the earth stallion, as he let loose. All sorts of strikes came down on the downed pegasus, who curled up to take as many as he could, unable to fight back. Alarm ran through Trixie and the ones near her, as they realized that this had become deadly. However, they only made a couple steps, before the earth stallion was on the ground. Standing over him was New Guy, holding a hoof to his throat. The earth stallion was pawing at it, trying to catch a breath. Trixie and the others paused, surprised at how sudden New Guy appeared.

Guy looked down at his quarry, pure ice shining through his eyes. After a moment, he turned to the worried group that was debating whether to advance or not. Meeting Trixie's eyes, he nodded. Understanding what he meant, she waved her hoof towards the group, signaling to not get involved. Satisfied, Guy turned back to the struggling stallion under his hooves. He leaned in close, holding his muzzle centimeters from his prey.

"Listen to me, and this will be quick. Understand?" The stallion made a faint nod. "Good. When I release you, you will leave. Say nothing, do nothing. Just leave. Got it?" Another nod. "If you dare try this shit outside the ring again, I will leave you with something broken. Understand?" One more nod. Guy released his hoof, prompting a sharp intake of breath from the stallion. Coughing and wheezing, the stallion raised himself weakly. He looked at Guy fearfully, starting to move for the door. After a few steps, he paused.

"I will get you for this, you piece of fu-"

He was cut short by a hook to his jaw, throwing him to the ground. Standing over him again was Guy, his glare intensified. When the stallion recovered enough to look back, Guy simply uttered "Run." He didn't need another invitation. Within seconds, he was out the door.

The room was silent, impressed with the display that was given. Trixie found herself smirking, liking how the situation was handled. A hearty "Ha!" from Swift showed he was also pleased. Each fighter went on with their training, mentally taking note of what was shown, in case they ever found themselves in the opposite corner of either participants.

The pegasus approached Guy, the smile on his face showing his joy at the nuisance being expelled. "Hey man, thanks for that. I hate how he does that almost every-"

"Could you have taken him?"

The pegasus blinked, the question coming out of nowhere. "Uh, maybe."

"Maybe?" The cold glare was now focused on the pegasus, making him shake once again. Trixie raised an eyebrow, curious as to where this was going.

"Y-yea. I mean I'm sure that I could move faster than-"

"Why did it take you so long?"

"Uh, so long for what?"

Guy approached the confused pegasus, stopping arm's distance away. "To grow some balls."

"What?!"

"The 'fuck you'. You waited too long. He had you already."

"Um. Yea, I guess."

"You were on the ground begging, and you guess?"

"I didn't want to-"

"You didn't want to try, you gutless worm." Guy was now in his face, pushing him back. "You didn't care. You were weak, and useless. If I ever hear that you let someone pull that shit again, I will personally make sure you shit yourself in fear!"

The pegasus was stunned speechless, opening and closing his mouth with words he couldn't form.

"Now go train. Maybe it'll help you gain some self-respect." With that, Guy walked back to his original spot, settling down in the position he had before. Closing his eyes, he relaxed himself. Trixie realized that he was not sleeping, like she thought earlier. He was meditating. Trixie looked on, respect showing through the smile that she wore on her face.

"Oh God." said Swift, attracting Trixie's attention back to the group. "That was priceless."

"Sweet heavens." said Filthy, who was visibly sweating. "That was, well, exciting."

"I know, right." said Swift. "Damn. That kid is one to look out for. You're lucky, sweetheart. I would give anything to have a fighter like that in my league."

"Maybe."

"Maybe? That kid just made a fool of one of the loudest asses here. One that's in your league, none the less. That kid is something else." Trixie could tell that Swift was getting excited. His killer nature was in the open. Only a fighter with a real chance can pull that out of him. It only made her wonder whether letting him live was going to haunt her some day.