After Amber’s scream silence reigned through the arena, for most it was a moment of silence. For most of the Mane Six, it was them simply trying to process the fact that one of their friends might be dead. Light Patch was stunned that Discord had let it go as far as it had. Dark as it might sound, broken toys aren’t nearly as fun. But broken doesn’t mean dead, the thought rang like a trumpet in Light Patch’s mind calling him to action. With speed that would have impressed Rainbow Dash, he lept into the air and dove through the hole his friend had been blasted through.
Amber had barely even been aware that she had screamed; she felt numb through her whole body. She didn’t even flinch when a grey feather brushed past her muzzle. She simply stared down at the arena wall, blind to all around her as her mind went blank, save one devastating truth:
Purple Heart was dead. It was impossible for him to have survived such a blow. Even if he had, his time left in this world was short. Absurdly so.
Try as she might, she just couldn’t seem to register the reality of the situation. Since meeting the purple earth pony what seemed like a lifetime ago, she had fallen under the illusion that he, and his friends to a greater extent, were invulnerable. While Purple Heart’s first bouts, along with the message she had received from Wits End regarding Holdfast’s intentions, had rattled her belief that they could do no wrong, they hadn’t truly been shattered.
Until now.
In contrast, Wits End’s mind was racing. His eyes danced between Grim Hammer and the hole Purple Heart—and now Light Patch—had disappeared into. He too couldn’t believe Purple Heart was defeated, or more accurately, he refused to do so. A plan was forming inside his brain. One based around a single assumption: Purple Heart could not be dead. Suddenly, he stood, quickly and silently moving out of the spectator’s box despite the half-formed questions from the Mane Six.
Twilight shifted her attention between Amber, the departing Wits End, the hole that Purple Heart and later Light Patch and gone through, and her close friends. As it happened, right at that moment, the entire Coliseum chose to speak at the exact same time. A wave of sound swept over anything that Twilight was about to say, muting her successfully. Amber, being of a certain magical discipline, used her magic to carry herself over the rioting masses down to the arena floor. As soon as her hooves touched the sweat and blood soaked sand, she galloped through the hole in the wall.
“Um...” Fluttershy hummed weakly. “What now?”
“I don’t know,” Pinkie said, looking at her friends. “What do you think we should do Twilight?”
The purple alicorn shook her head to clear it and looked at her friends. “First, let’s check on Purple Heart,” she decided. “If he’s alive, he’ll need all the healing he can get.”
“And if he’s not?” Rarity asked softly. None of the mares wanted to think of what they would do if the purple earth pony hadn’t survived. In silent agreement, they left the box, intent on descending to the infirmary where they knew Purple Heart would be headed.
Meanwhile, two guards stood at the entrance to the coliseum’s arena, flanking the gate that separated the waiting area from where the fighting occurred. “Sounds like somepony got beat,” one said nonchalantly.
“Sounds like somepony earned their pay to me,” the other replied with a chuckle. “This fight was the prisoner, right? He probably got his face bashed in by- Hey! You there!” The two guards straightened up as the mint-colored unicorn approached. “No-ponies allowed in the arena while a fight is...” He trailed off. There was something about the glint in the advancing stallion’s eyes that seemed to send a warning.
Wits End stood at the gate, eyes focused straight ahead. “Open this gate,” he said flatly, without looking at either guard.
The first guard swallowed. “N-no-ponies allowed-”
He was frozen by a glare from the unicorn. “I said,” Wits repeated slowly, “Open. This. Gate.”
A moment later, Wits End stepped out onto the arena; the air still filled with the deafening sounds of the crowd. Without breaking his stride, he walked to the exact center of the coliseum. The roaring crowd lessened slightly, wondering whether this newcomer was a challenger or not. Grim Hammer shaft head tilted to look over his shoulder at the pea-sized unicorn walking towards him. A chuckle emanated from the massive earth pony, causing the coliseum audience to shiver into silence.
“May I help you, little one?” the flaming green behemoth rumbled, its tone oozing curiosity.
Wits End barely spared a glance to the mountain of a pony. “You can,” he said calmly, raising his voice just enough for those in the crowd to hear, but low enough that they would pay attention to hear him. “You can explain, in great detail, the exact nature of this incredible farse, you overblown ashpile.” Grim Hammer turned to face the mint-colored pinto full one, his head cocked to one side as he considered the demand and insult.
“Farse?” he mused softly. His voice still managed to reach all reaches of the Coliseum.
“Too many words for that cinder you call a brain?” Wits smirked, turning his back on Grim Hammer. “Then I’ll explain. And I’ll use small words so that you’ll be sure to understand, to accommodate that dense tinderbox you call a skull. Explain how you cheated to win, you charred, blackened pig.”
Blink.
Pause.
Blink. A snorted laugh.
“You are a rather gutsy little colt, are you not?” Hammer rumbled amusedly. “Tell me; how do you think I cheated? I am not admitting that I did, but it is possible. Enlighten us.” The black and green earth pony waved a hoof at the expectant crowd. All eyes were on the pinto unicorn now.
“Then I will.” Wits shot a look back at Grim Hammer. “Do try to pay attention, pig.” He turned back, projecting his voice to the crowd. “Purple Heart has been undefeated in every battle he’s fought in so far. No enemy was enough take him down.” He glanced back again. “Of course, you already knew that. There was no way you could take him on.” The unicorn paused for a moment. “Or, perhaps I should say ‘the three of you’.
“The coliseum's rules on magic are fairly lax. Nothing that can threaten the crowd, no killing curses; nothing that would end a fight too fast to be entertaining. And of course, no swapping out fighters in the middle of a match.” Wits turned to face the burnt pony. “Of course, it’s not against the rules unless you get caught, isn’t it?” Cocking his head to one side, Hammer merely blinked slowly down at the smaller stallion. A minute nod of agreement later and Wits was back to talking.
Wits began pacing. “Consider this: everypony loves to see something new in a fight. Something big. Something impressive. And what could be more impressive than the penultimate match for a undefeated gladiator not only a powerful foe, but one who could change his form just when he seemed defeated.”
The mint-colored pinto wasn’t even bothering to look at Hammer now. “First, a large, imposing fighter to build up the crowd. His immediate defeat builds suspense. The crowd wonders why such a fight could end so quickly. Then, a bit of creative transmutation; create a distraction, and replace your first fighter with a more charismatic substitute. The crowd is impressed, of course. Perfect for building up excitement.
“The two fighters go at each other. Almost evenly matched, but not quite. But of course, victory was never his purpose. Instead, his goal is to wear the almost legendary fighter down before his inevitable defeat. Then, another substitution.” Wits turned, smirking up at the towering earth pony. “And that’s where you come in, matchstick. A weakened opponent, no matter how powerful they were at the start, would be no match for a fully rested fighter. The undefeatable gladiator is defeated, to the surprise and excitement of the crowd. A clever plan, wouldn’t you say?”
The audience was baffled at the descriptive and detailed explanation put forward by Wits End. Most had confused expressions on their faces while some of the more clever spectators were nodding along in agreement, looking at Grim Hammer, expectantly awaiting his confirmation or denial.
The burned pony in question looked down at Wits End in silence for several seconds before he finally shook his head.
“You only got the last part right,” he said. “But yes. I ‘cheated’ as you so eloquently put it.” He turned away, looking at the gaping crowd of ponies above. “I only came here with one thought in mind: find the Purple Barbarian. And I did.” The crowd began to whisper amongst each other and Grim Hammer turned back to regard Wits End, a bemused light evident in his flaming red eyes.
“You are correct in the assumption that I Substituted in two ‘fighters’,” the burnt behemoth agreed. The audience could hear the air quotes in his tone. “As for the ‘transmutation’ you spoke of, I merely reintegrated myself. Healing is a curious thing when you learn what it can truly do.”
Wits End raised an eyebrow. “And yet, you’ve all but confessed.”
“And why would I not?” Grim Hammer asked. “I was ordered to find the Purple Barbarian, nothing else. As I am to understand his situation, he has to win five bouts in a row in the Gallopilli Coliseum to gain his freedom. I wholeheartedly want him to have his freedom.”
Wits End blinked. “What?” Hammer continued.
“Bael wants to meet the Purple Barbarian,” he rumbled. “Rather difficult if he is a prisoner of the pitiful excuses called Royalty that imprison him. Further, Bael cannot meet his creator if he is dead now, can he?”
“Say wha-”
Grim Hammer turned to the announcer’s box. “I forfeit the match to Purple Heart.” The Coliseum went deathly quiet, stunned at the declaration. Grim Hammer ignored the dumbstruck looks and turned back to Wits End. “Bael looks forward to meeting you and your’s, Young Colt. I look forward to it as well.” Before the mint-colored pinto could retort or say anything witty, Grim Hammer disintegrated again. And this time, he stayed that way as he was carried from the arena on a convenient breeze, up and over the walls into the sky above.
Wits End stood in the stunned silence for a moment. “Guess I won,” he muttered with a sniff. He glanced up at the crowd, half-expecting a roar of ponies calling for Grim Hammer’s head. Instead, he was met by silence from the commonponies, and a disturbing amount of disinterest from the nobility. Focusing in on the royal box, he could make out a few disappointed, almost angry looks on the nobles. “Or… maybe not yet.” Out of nowhere, he was struck with a sudden realization. “Oh yeah, Purple Heart!” He spun and dashed away.
* * *
Light Patch hit the ground hard and skidded some before falling over and coming to a full stop next to his friend. He shifted quick and carefully rolled Purple Heart onto his back. Light Patch winced at the bruising and blood he could make out through his friend’s coat. The cleric carefully laid his head onto Purple Heart’s chest; he could just barely make out a faint sound. To make sure it wasn’t his own heart he was hearing, he held his ear over Purple Hearts mouth to check for breathing. It was faint, but it was there. A perfectly good worry wasted, Light Patch thought with a half hearted chuckle and a few tears. After a silent thanks to any gods listening, Light Patch burned through all of his healing magic.
“Is he all right?” a panicked voice asked from behind the grey pegasus.
Light Patch, completely unaware anypony was behind him, tried to whirl around in surprise. Unfortunately for him, he also had his wings try to send him flying, and his legs trying to send him jumping to the side. All of that added up to the stallion prone on the floor, next to his friend and peaking from under the rim of his helmet. “Oh hey, didn’t hear you come in,” he said as calmly as he could with his heart pounding away. “He’s alive. Now we’ve just got to get him to the infirmary.”
Amber nodded, unshed tears clinging to her eyelashes. “I’m going to help clean up so that they can start treating him. Please...make sure he’s looked after.” Not waiting for Light Patch’s answer, the golden unicorn cantered away to help with the cleanup. Some of the orderlies and nurses gawped in surprise at the Princess’ presence. Those expressions evaporated when she snapped at them to help her move rubble and shattered bed frames out of the way.
Light Patch glanced around before he realized that his friend was already in the infirmary. Oh, he thought, glancing at his wounded friend, handy that. After assisting a couple of the doctors move his friend from the floor to an undamaged bed, Light Patch then began assisting with the other wounded. Once all of the wounded were taken care of, the pegasus stallion helped the infirmary staff clear away the bigger chunks of rubble. He dropped the last large piece in the hallway and reentered the room to join the princess next to Purple Heart’s bed. He winced when he got a better view of his friend. Somehow, the bandages make it look worse.
A light blue medic pony was standing by Purple Heart’s bed, his brow furrowed as he looked down at the purple earth pony. He looked up at Light’s approach. “What are you doing in here?” the doctor snapped, his brow creased in irritation.
“Oh, I don’t know. I thought I’d see if I could get a sandwich in here,” Light Patch snapped back. “Or if you’re asking why I was in here after the purple bunker buster blew through the wall, maybe it’s because he’s a friend and I wanted to make sure he was still alive. After all, somepony had to pick up the slack while you lot stood around trying to trap flies with your mouths.” The doctor pony wrinkled his nose in indignation, but gestured for Light Patch to stand beside him
Amber swallowed and put a hoof to her mouth as she looked down at Purple Heart’s severely broken body. “Is he dead?” she asked softly.
“Not yet,” the blue stallion grunted. “And he won’t if I can help it.” He looked over his shoulder at a nurse behind him. “Did you cast a diagnostic spell?”
“Yes, Doctor Nox,” the nurse replied.
“And?” Nox snapped. “Preemptive diagnosis?”
“Not good, sir,” the nurse continued. “He has fourteen broken or fractured bones in his legs and ribs, a spinal fracture, collapsed lung, bruised kidneys, significant bruising on the back, haunches, chest, and forelegs, internal bleeding caused by lacerated spleen, and a major concussion. To be honest, I’m astounded that he’s still alive.”
“Yeah, that’s just about right. Stubborn as a mountain and just about as unbeatable,” the grey stallion quipped. “Is he gonna live to feel all of that in the morning?”
“If I have any say, he’ll be cursing you, me, the world, and probably the grunt who did this to him,” Nox grunted as he looked over to a clump of orderlies by the door. “Get me five mages. This is gonna take a lot of magic to heal.” Nox turned back to Light Patch, his eyes hard. “Is there anything you can think of that’ll speed his healing or at least make his survival more certain?”
“I’ll see if I can garner some support from any gods or goddess listening. And if it’ll help, I’ll lend my own healing magic to the cause,” Light Patch said, trying to think of anything more. “Wait… If you have any healing artifacts, I might have a way to boost its ability.”
Nox looked at one of the orderlies and jerked his head towards a line of cabinets on the wall that had survived Purple Heart’s initial dynamic entry. “The Pellaeon Rod, the Caduceus Tome, and the Tear Gem.” As the orderly darted away, the blue doctor turned his gaze back on Light Patch. “For now, you can augment those. But regardless, do you have anything that will help? If my hearing is still good, somepony isn’t too happy about cheating or something. Your friend may have won even if he got the living daylights beaten out of him. Along with every other bone in his body.”
Light Patch dug through his gear for the Tome of Power, along with anything else useful. He carefully took the artifacts that the orderlies brought him and, using what he felt was an appropriate amount of flourish and mysticism, activated the tome to buff them. All throughout, his mind whirled as it tried to grasp the clue-by-four Discord was using to try and remind him of something. “I can’t think of anything else. You know of anything that could be useful, Amber?” Nox arched an eyebrow at the Princess, curious as to what she had to say.
“I may know of an artefact that can help Purple Heart,” Amber offered. “It’s called the Lady’s Music Box.”
“Worst boss battle ever,” Light Patch muttered under his breath before turning to look at the princess. “So this Lady’s Music Box. Does it grant wishes, or just really powerful healing magic? And where do we have to go to get it?” Nox scoffed.
“It’s an old myth,” the old doctor snorted. “Lady Andrast was a Healer from across the Eastern Sea. Her most prized possession was a little music box. There are a number of stories about what this music box was capable of, but the most well known one dictates that the music of the box could heal the injuries of a patient.” Nox turned his irate gaze on the Princess. “I’m guessing that you know where to acquire this priceless artefact?” Amber nodded, her eyes bright with determination.
“In the catacombs beneath the castle,” she said. Amber turned to Light Patch, a pleading look on her face. “Please help me get the Music Box. For Purple Heart.”
Light Patch sighed. Well, at least this doesn’t sound like it’ll take too long, the grey pegasus thought to himself. It’s also not hunting for information, a small voice in the back of his head noted. “I’m in,” he suddenly chimed in. “The hunt for the for the magical healing MacGuffin begins,” Light Patch shouted. “Best get going now. Sooner we get it, the sooner we can use it,” he finished, practically dragging the princess along at this point. Amber struggled out of the speeding pegasus’ grip and settled into a gallop beside him.
“Do you think we should tell the rest of your friends about this ‘quest’?” she panted.
“We probably should, bu-” Before brown and pink maned pegasus got to finish his sentence, he slammed into another pony. “Oh hi, Dash,” the stallion said while blinking and trying to stop his eyes from spinning around.
“Where are you two headed in such a rush?” Rarity asked, stepping around a now sitting Dash. The cyan pegasus glared at Light Patch as she rubbed her head.
“They wouldn’t know, they certainly weren’t looking while trying to get there,” she muttered darkly.
“We were heading to try and grab a powerful healing item called the Lady’s Music Box, or something like that,” Light Patch said, after finally getting his eyes working properly. “Amber thinks it’s in the catacombs under the castle, which means we’re probably gonna get to hit stuff!” he finished with glee. Twilight and Rarity blinked at their friend’s excited tone. It wasn’t helped by Pinkie’s jumping.
“Ooh!” she squeaked. “Catacombs under the castle! Sounds fun! Can I go with you? I like hitting stuff!”
“Catacombs, huh?” Wits End stepped through door to the infirmary, a bemused look on his face. “What’s this? A dungeon? Will there be one or more dragons? Or maybe it’s a single, endless dungeon.” He jerked a head back toward the infirmary. “By the way, it’s a bit drafty in there.”
Realization flashed across the faces of the Mane Six. “How’s Purple Heart?” Applejack asked. “Is he...”
Light Patch took on a very somber look, “I have good news and bad news,” he said after a moment. “The good news is that he’s still alive, but,” the stallion hesitated for a few moments before he gave a sigh and continued, “I’m afraid, he got even uglier.”
Rarity groaned, kicking the grey pegasus in the stomach. “Have some decorum, won’t you? Purple Heart is gravely injured!” Light Patch fell to the ground writhing in pain and muttering about violence in the system. “Are you alright?” Rarity asked Wits End, ignoring Light Patch’s groans. “What happened with that dreadful stallion?”
Wits End shook his head. “There’s definitely something rotten in Denmarek. That Grim Hammer? He said somepony called Bael looked forward to meeting us, and surrendered the match.” A frown crossed his face. “Purple Heart has his freedom, if he survives.”
“And you two are going to find something to help with that?” Twilight asked, looking at Amber Glitter and Light Patch. The Princess nodded.
“I think Pinkie Pie wants to join us,” she said. “But if she is, we have to leave now. If you have any abilities or healing tools that could help Purple Heart, I’d be very grateful to you if you help him.”
Wits sighed. “I can try and use my Imitate Skill to do a little extra healing, but we might have another problem.” He looked around, making sure there wasn’t any ponies around aside from their group before lowering his voice. “The nobility looked less than pleased at the results of that match. They might not want to accept Grim Hammer’s surrender. If I had to guess, we’ll have to fight to make sure it sticks.”
“I guess I can help with that,” Twilight offered. “Fluttershy, do you think you can help with healing Purple Heart?” The yellow pegasus nodded timidly.
“Ah can stay with Shy to help if need be,” Applejack said.
“I’ll help Twilight and Wits convince these nobles about the verdict,” Rarity mused.
“I wanna hit something...” Rainbow Dash muttered.
Light Patch picked himself up off the ground. “Right. Unless there is anything else we need to discuss, the sooner we get the musical mystical medical MacGuffinal thing, the sooner we can get Purple Heart healed up, and,” he turned to glare at Rarity, “the sooner you and I can talk about this new habit of yours,” he finished. Rarity narrowed her eyes, raising a threatening hoof.
“Alright, alright.” Wits End tapped the ground with a forehoof. “Let’s get this party split going.” He thought for a moment. “Wow. It feels weird not to be the one splitting the party.”
“Well, come on then. We’ve got some caves to explore and alleged things to hit,” Light Patch said, taking a few steps before freezing. “Uhm… Perhaps Amber should lead.” The golden unicorn nodded in agreement.
“If I’m remembering correctly, we have to get into the cellars,” she said as she galloped down the corridor, Light Patch, Pinkie, and Dash close behind her. “Then we have to...” As her voice faded with the growing of distance, Twilight turned to Wits End.
“Who do we have to talk to to make sure Purple Heart actually won his freedom?” she inquired.
Wits End looked at the assembled ponies. “I saw a courthouse on the way in. We’ll be able to figure out where to go from there. Come on, Wits & Co. Law Offices!”
“Why is it named after you?” Rarity asked, following the stallion as he started walking. “Why not ‘Rarity & Co’?”
“Because I got to it first.”
“I’ll see you in court for that…”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh boy…”
Applejack and Fluttershy looked between the two different corridors the others had departed down. After a moment, they turned to look at each other and blinked. “I guess we should go and see if there is anything we can do to help Purple Heart. I mean, if you think the infirmary’s staff will be okay with that,” Fluttershy said, barely breaking the silence of the hall.
“Guess so,” Applejack said with a shrug before the two went into the infirmary.