//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Tales from the Equestrian Arena // by Bishibosh the Shaman //------------------------------// Tales from the Equestrian Arena Chapter Two The debate between both princesses and Jaque was running longer than Celestia had hoped. The idea of an arena was not a pleasant one, she wouldn't be considering it save for the fact that they needed the income it could provide. Celestia had to give Jaque credit, he made a point that this project could likely save Canterlot. She was still wary to the idea. Luna however was growing more and more interested in the idea, it not only would allow for funds to be raised but would also avoid taxing their subjects. "So Jaque, remind us how much you expect this 'arena' to pull in? As we have explained, the financial stability of our city is crumbling and we have very little to spend on a gamble" Celestia asked. "Based on past profits from our other established arenas, we have pulled in an average of half a million bits in one months time. This is mainly from the earnings of various bets" Jaque stated. "However, a portion of the earnings must go to the fighters so subtracting wages and upkeep of the facility, I would speculate an earning of four hundred to four hundred thirty thousand bits as an ending figure." "Wow... that much..." Luna spoke, almost speechless as she imagined the numbers. "And with all of that, how will it be applied to the economy?" Celestia pressed, trying to get Jaque to open up. "Well, at first we will need to split the profits... unfavorably towards you. This will only be for a short time until we amount the funds desired. After that, the split will be altered more in favor of you to do with as you please" Jaque explained. "If you would, please define 'unfavorable' and 'favorable' so we may get an idea as to how much we can expect should we allow you to do your business" Celestia continued to pry answers. "I can give you the same rate I gave every other kingdom who allowed an expansion of the arena. Starting of would be a sixty to forty split in my favor, again only to get the arena into a position of self sufficiency. After achieving that, with luck our funding will be enough that I can alter the split to a thirty-seventy in your favor" Both alicorns snapped their heads to each other, Celestia's concerned gaze meeting with Luna's surprised gaze. "It is a gamble, I know, but I have yet to see the arena fail to turn a profit. Also I can offer this as a suggestion, on a rare occasion kingdoms passed have allowed me a six month trial period. Time enough to begin meeting our goal, should you still be struggling in your decision then I suggest considering the trial to observe how it may stand." Jaque finished his prepared speech on the matter, leaving Luna impressed but Celestia skeptical. Sure, going through with this would mean eliminating the option of overly taxing their subjects but what would an arena invite into her peaceful land? "Jaque, you have done an impressive job giving the boons to your arena. However, my sister and I must take this into private consideration. We invite you to return to the court in two days time to hear our decision." Celestia spoke. "Ah yes, thank you for giving me an audience. I am sure your decision will be made with much thought." Jaque bowed his head. "Indeed Jaque Claude, and for your stay in Canterlot please take this" Luna magically levitated a roll of paper across the room, which Jaque caught with a free hoof. "Show that note to any innkeeper and they will have a room for you. Please enjoy your stay." Jaque once again bowed before the alicorn princesses before departing the room. Blood stepped into the barracks, still sweating from his last match. He trotted to the showers and began to remove his layered armor. Pulling off his full helm, he revealed his pearl white coat and his blood red mane. His mane was part of the reason for his name. Kicking off his plate boots, be then began undoing the leather straps to his chest and flank covers. The second part of his name became clear as his flank armor sagged down his hind legs, revealing a blood spattered looking mark in the shape of a dragon's head. Now stripped of his armor, he stepped into a small stall and pulled the string that activated the shower head. The water was scalding hot as always, Jaque put good money in the facilities of his arenas. Blood let the stinging waters purge both body and mind. He got this way in hot showers, other fighters would often find him passed out on the shower floor. Just as the pearl pony was about to drift away... "Blood! Wake up!" A feminine voice rang from across the stall. Blood slowly rose his head and met gaze with the light blue eye's of a unicorn peering over the top of her own stall. His eyes caught the scar running down her left eye, her right eye was covered by her silver mane "What do you want Whitney..." Blood mumbled as he leaned against the wall. "How did your last match go? I heard a few things about that Talon griffon" "I won..." "Well congratulations sleepy head, nothing exciting about the fight? No tactics you want to share?" "Sorry..." "Ugh... and here I thought you would be interesting OUT of the arena..." Blood ignored the comment, only trying to focus on his shower. "Well I have to get out there, my fight is next. Wish me luck?" "Yeah..." Whitney stepped out into the arena at the announcers mention. As she trotted out, her gaze scanned the crowds. She sighed as she thought about her youth and how she wanted to become a famous musician, so much for those plans she thought. Although she would often imagine the crowds to be her adoring fans as she stepped onto stage, this reason alone was why she always started every fight humming the last song her mother sang {before}... Whitney imagined the spotlights closing around her, causing her white coat to glow a silver hue. She imagined being on stage for her performance. The crowd's noise silenced by her thoughts and memories. Only the voice of her mother's singing echoed through her head as she reminisced the life she once had. Her friends, her family, everypony she knew. Her gaze met with the opposite gate, familiar in it's own right. Her home being razed in her childhood after it's own gates fell. The large wooden doors opened into darkness as the ground shook with each step. From the gate came a giant diamond dog, armored head to toe and wielding a giant axe. With a shout, the battle started. The dog slammed the axe down on Whitney as she rolled out of the way, charging her horn with magic. The unicorn rushed the dog, horn lowered for the lunge. Using her magic, she propelled herself in a flash. Her horn made contact with the axe as the dog blocked the attack. She flipped back and landed on all four hooves, her next attack was a charged magic bolt that reflected off the dog's armor. He retaliated with a charge, dragging the axe behind him as he closed the gap. The dog towered over Whitney as he spun the axe around in a whirlwind. Whitney countered with a time slowing spell as she lept onto the axe and rode it around while she charged a second magical blast. The time slow spell began to wear off as the wind rushed through her flowing mane. Blood had stepped out onto the edge of the stands to watch the fight, and his eyes grew when he saw what they pit Whitney against. The dog was large enough to climb out of the arena walls should it choose to. He watched the dog spinning in a tornado of steel, his swift eyes catching the white blur holding fast to the head of the axe. Whitney finally charged enough, and with a booming blast shattered the handle of the dog's axe. She lept off the flying axe head before it crashed into the dirt. The raging beast howled in anger as he charged the unicorn, gripping it's armored fist to plow it into the ground. Whitney reflected the impact with a shield and detonated it into an outward explosion, blowing the dog's gauntlet off his hand. The dog, stunned from the impact, was vulnerable. The unicorn took advantage and charged once again. Her horn glowed with excess energy as she rushed the beast. Her assault was interrupted when the dog shoved his other fist into the ground in front of her, she dodged the sudden barrier but the dog was not about to give up. His other fist slammed into the ground blocking her current path but she recovered and continued the assault. Her magic infused horn made contact with the dog's chest armor, peeling it away in an explosion of magic. The giant diamond dog was sent flying. The dog crashed into the ground and Whitney lepted from magical platform to platform to get an advantage, once high enough she charged her horn for another time and lept from the platform. Falling down towards the dog, his fists still swinging in the air, but she managed to leap between them. His punches and swings failed to keep her at a distance, his eyes widened as he noticed the glow from her horn. His next punch made contact and tossed her in the air, sheer concentration alone kept her focus as she corrected herself with more platforms to make a new path to the giant dog. She rushed down, dodging fist and claw as she unleashed her final blast that plowed into the exposed chest of the diamond dog. Stepping off the diamond dog's smoldering chest, she was just about ready to call it a victory. She noted the shadow growing from underneath her, a loud "LOOK OUT!" rang in her ears as she rolled to the side, barely dodging an armored fist that would have crushed her. The dog stared her in the face as it tried to pick itself off the ground, struggling. Whitney paced back a step and reared up. Her horn glowed as she boosted her speed into a magically infused gallop. The diamond dog tried to block the charge but the force alone repelled his strength. The unicorn pressed harder to push the beast back until finally it was sent flying backwards into the dirt of the arena. Whitney wanted no more chances on this, she stabilized her forelegs as she charged her horn again. The diamond dog was already leaning up from the hit, but had no idea what was planned for him. The white unicorn finished charging her attack and unleashed from her horn a shining beam of pure magic. The beam rushed across the arena and seemingly pierced through the dog's chest, once again raising it into the air as the beam curved skyward. Multiple other beams broke off the main body then shot around and pushed the dog back into the ground. The resulting cloud of dirt and dust assured victory. Whitney released the charge of magic and the dog fell to the arena floor, finally down for the count. The white unicorn let out a long held sigh, as she stepped across the arena. The voice of her mother still singing in her head. She took a moment to listen as the crowd roared in praise, and a small smile crept onto her face. Looking up, she saw Blood on the edge of the stands. She squinted but could almost see a nod of approval. The small smile grew bigger at the thought.