Fighting is Magic

Maim sighed a bit, sipping at the goblet that had been placed in front of him. An appreciative noise escaped his throat as he swallowed. There were two things that Blood could conjure instantly: her axe and fine wine. He set the drink down carefully, leveling his gaze at the red Unicorn in front of him. "All right, tell me again. Slower, with more detail."

Blood sighed loudly, rolling her eyes. "I've already told you four times. The Shadow Dancers are wanting to expand their territory, but they're being shut out of Canterlot by the Rage Born, who own the arena."

"And that's what I don't understand. Don't you think I would have heard if the arena was a Hunter establishment?"

"They keep it under wraps because they don't want gladiators knowing. They use the fights as a sort of training ground slash testing area. If a pony can become champion, they get offered a spot in the Hunter's Den, and don't have to fight any more. They'll be absolved of all crimes and can be considered almost normal again."

"And the Shadow Dancers want to destroy the arena."

"Yes! Because the Rage Born own the arena, and the Lunar Empress enjoys the shows of the arena, and if there's fighting between the Rage Born and the Shadow Dancers, she's going to step in and the Shadow Dancers will be demolished!"

"So how does this plan change anything?"

"A champion has the right to challenge anybody in the Rage Born Den for any prize they wish. If a Shadow Dancer-- or two, or three-- can become champion, then they can challenge the owner of the pit and gain the deed to it."

"Which would give control over it to the Shadow Dancers."

"Which would mean that the Rage Born are driven out without the arena ever having to shut down. So the Empress stays happy, the Shadow Dancers extend their territory, and the Blood Rage are shamed by their loss."

"And you want me to..."

"To form an alliance with me and a couple other ponies to fight our way to the top. You'll be an honorary Shadow Dancer, gain status in the pit, and maybe be able to get your old life back."

Maim sighed, sitting back quietly. The plan was good, but not without its flaws. For one thing, forming an alliance with new fighters would drop his rank back to the beginning. He was in the top ten-thousand, and that had taken him years to build up to with almost daily fights. To join a team now would be career suicide. Not only would his pay rate drop, but he might not have the luck he'd had before.

This plan might actually kill him.

Slowly, he took another sip of wine, showing that he was thinking hard over her deal. She was staring at him intently, eyes cold and flat. "I wouldn't ask you if you weren't my best option, Maim. But you're the only pony I know can get the job done." Her voice was pleading. "If you won't, then I'll have to quit the job. The Shadow Dancers won't like that."

Maim scowled. She knew just what to say to make him feel guilty. He really didn't want to be responsible for her death. "Oh, all right, all right!"

"Yes! Another victory for Blood Axe!"

"Yes, yes. But I have one condition."

"Name it."

"I get to pick our third fighter."

"You get to pick the fourth. I already have a third."

"But you just said--"

"I said the plan couldn't go without you. I did not say that I didn't already have a pony helping us."

He scowled, pausing for a second. "Fine. but I want to meet your recruit, see if he's worth it."

"Oh, he is. You'll meet him in time. For now, get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow, what with browsing the fighting pens for a good fourth."

Her horn glowed for a second, and she disappeared in an eerie red flash. Maim turned and trotted over to his cot, falling into a restless sleep.