>"Anonymous!"
>You slowly fade in and out of consciousness, your vision a mixture of pitch darkness and the dull light of the locker room.
>You mumble to yourself as you try to get back to sleep.
>"Anonymous!"
>You try your hardest to pry your eyes open to at least see who was disturbing you.
>Your eyes rest on Star Gazer, who gives you a worried look.
"What is it Star?" you ask before letting out a yawn.
>"Anonymous, Polo's gone missing."
>The news causes you to shoot into an upright position, waking you up completely.
"What?" you ask, worried. "Where did he go?"
>"He's been gone for twenty minutes now. He needed to get a drink, so I directed him to a water fountain, but the trip to it takes about two minutes, tops."
>Your mind races with thoughts of what may have happened to your friend.
>Considering some of the competitors' attitudes, none of these thoughts were pretty.
"Well, did you go look for him?"
>"I-I did," Star stammered, "but when I went to the fountains, there was...blood," he was barely able to cough the word out, "...and Polo was nowhere to be found."
>You clenched your fists in anger at the thought of one of these sons of bitches hurting your good friend.
>Your eyes scanned the room of competitors, looking for the one who could have done this.
>In the room right now was Gravel, Miracle Crop, and Moses.
>Stonewall and Cerulean were out having their match, so that left...
"Lark," you uttered with malice.
>You stood up from your seat, ready to set out for the feathered fiend.
>Star Gazer stands beside you, eager to help.
>"This is low, even for someone like him," Star commented as you and him headed for the exit.
>"Hey, where are you two going?"
>You looked behind you to see a curious Miracle Crop.
>"I mean, first was Polo, then that griffon, and now you two? Is there somethin' going on I don't know about?" he asked with a coy grin.
>Would it be better to tell him the truth?
>A bit of extra help would be nice.
>"W-well, you see, Polo...may have been kidnapped."
>Star beat you to it.
>The dark pink stallion smashes a hoof to the ground and stands tall.
>"CUTE LIL' POLO!? I'LL PERSONALLY THRASH WHOEVER'S BEHIND THIS."
>He breathes heavily through his nostrils, creating what looks like steam.
>While Star is shaking from the stallion's display of anger, you remain calm.
"So, would you mind helping us, then?"
>"You even gotta ask?"
>Good to know he was enthusiastic.
>"Hey, if you're going, I might as well, too."
>Moses got up and stood by Miracle Crop's side, ready to start searching as well.
>"Wait, why are you so willing to help?" Star Gazer asked the diamond dog.
>The dog shrugged.
>"It might be because I'm used to doing dirty work, being a grunt and all. I need to take my anger out on something anyways."
>He popped his knuckles in preparation.
>You now had three comrades helping you instead of one.
>Things were looking good for this search.
>One pony was left though...
"What about you, Gravel?" you asked the stoic, grey unicorn.
>He only blinked.
>"I'll stay here. Maybe when the others get back from their match and need you and the batpony, I'll explain what's happening."
>That thought never crossed your mind.
>What if your match came up, and you weren't back?
"Do you think you could stall them if we're not back?"
>"Sure, I don't see why not."
>He was helpful in his own way, you figured.
>With your crew set, you pushed open the doors and left the locker room.
>The backstage hallways seemed much more intricate than yesterday, but you weren't worried.
>Star was with you, and he could find his way around this place.
>Like a navigator.
>Like Polo.
>You hoped he was okay.
 
>You are Polomarco.
>You are slowly waking up, only to be met with darkness.
>And pain. Lots of pain.
>You are lying on the ground, hurt, in a dark place.
>This was not good.
>You tried to get back on your hooves, but find that they have been tied together with some kind of sticky material.
>If anything, you hoped it wasn't tape.
>That would hurt to remove.
>You try to speak, so you could see if anyone was around to help.
"Mrmmph hrmmph mrf!" was all that came out of your mouth.
>You've been both bound and gagged, it seems.
>Oh, what were you to do?
>With no way of contacting the outside world and no way of leaving, you supposed all you could do now was wait.
>Surely by this point Star Gazer had noticed you were missing, and awoken Anonymous.
>They would be here soon to help you, you just knew it.
>If they could find you, that was.
>Lark was a lout, so you would assume he's hidden you somewhere obvious.
>Maybe a janitor's closet.
>It wasn't completely out of the question.
 
>You are Anonymous.
>"So," Crop began as you and your comrades stalked the halls for Polo, "do ya happen to know who nabbed the lil' cutie pie, Anonymous?"
"Star and I are certain it was Lark who took him. After all, he wasn't there in the locker room when we left, now was he?"
>Crop only chuckled evily.
>"I didn't like him anyways. It'd be my pleasure to get back at him."
>"To be honest, did anyone really like him?" Moses asked the group.
>You couldn't help but smile at his remark.
>"So, what's our first plan of action, chief?" Crop asked you.
>You didn't actually think of a plan, you had simply found yourself caught up in the moment of finding Polo.
"Uh," you sputtered. Thinking on the spot wasn't your thing. You had always been the "charge in head-first" kind of guy.
>"I know what we can do," Star spoke up, "I can go with someone to look around the arena for Polo. I know the place really well, so I can check every possible hiding place...n-not that I'm bragging! ...heh..."
>The nervous batpony looked away, embarrassed.
>Crop zipped right to Star's side, almost knocking him over.
>"I'm right with you, boy. Let's find Polo together."
>Moses watched the display, then spoke to you.
>"I guess that means we're in charge of finding the griffon, provided he's not with your friend."
>You nodded.
>"So it's settled. Let's go, hon. We can't keep him waiting forever, can we?" Crop asked Star as he wiggled his flanks, raring to go.
>"O-okay. Oh, and Anonymous?"
"Yes?" you replied.
>"If we find Polo before you find Lark, we'll take him back to the locker room and help you guys."
"That sounds like a fine idea, Star. Good luck."
>The two ponies left in a rush to find your friend, while you and the Diamond dog began your search for the griffon.
>That bastard was going to pay.
 
>You are Polomarco again.
>You'd been sitting in this dark room, which you were now certain was a closet, for about twenty minutes now, awake and in pain.
>Actually, now that you thought about it, the floor felt like tile.
>And there was a bit of a foul stench in the air, too.
>Was this a closet?
>You'd certainly hope it wasn't somewhere disgusting.
>Oh, you hoped Anonymous would knock some sense into that griffon if it-
>...
>Were those hooffalls?
>"...now, we can look around here to start our search, and if we don't find anything, come back here."
>Though faint, you could hear voices outside.
>The cavalry has arrived!
>In your excitment, you hopped as best as you could, then remembered the searing pain in your sides and wings.
>It'd be best to save the celebrating for after you were rescued, eh?
>In an attempt to contact to contact whoever was out there, you yelled as loudly as you could, hoping that somehow they could hear your muffled cries.
>"MMMFFMMRM! Irhmfrmm!"
>...
>No luck.
>As with before, it might be best to wait for them to reach wherever it is you are to find you.
>That was fine with you, you were a patient pony afterall.
>Hopefully you were patient enough to wait through what might be a long search, though...
 
>You are Anonymous again.
>Your search through the backstage arena was getting you nowhere, and you were afraid the griffon may have turned tail and ran.
>He seemed like the cowardly type, anyways.
>The diamond dog in front of you skidded to a halt, and perked up his ears.
>You stopped right behind him and waited for some kind of result.
>His ears twitched and turned as he listened for something, his face still.
>"I hear...running water..."
"Do you think it's Lark?"
>Moses' ears flopped back to the sides of his head.
>"It may as well be, unless the others found Polo and are washing off for some reason."
>He points in front of him.
>"We'll have to keep moving down, but take a left at the first hallway."
>He rushes ahead, and you closely follow him.
>You both reach the aforementioned hallway and run down it, finding a drinking fountain and two bathrooms.
>It's at this point that you also hear running water.
>Because it's coming from the bathroom, you and Moses force your way in.
>You are greeted by an empty bathroom, with the sink left on.
>"And here I thought I was on to something," Moses frustratingly moaned.
"You did well anyways, Moses. That hearing will come in handy for our search."
>Before you leave, you turn off the water in the sink, causing the room to go silent.
>You never liked the idea of wasting anything.
"Okay, where to n-"
>"Shh," the diamond dog sounds out, his ears perked up again.
>You both sit in silence as Moses listens for something.
>His ears twitch again, and before you know it, you start hearing something, too.
>Breathing...from above?
>You and the diamond dog both look above you and find Lark clinging to the ceiling, his claws sunk deep into the structure.
>"Get him!" the brown dog shouts as he tries to jump for the griffon.
>The winged menace retaliates by kicking Moses in the face, then darting for the bathroom door.
>You chase after him, while Moses quickly follows, having recovered from the kick.
>While he was a fast flyer, Moses was a faster runner, and passed you, catching up quickly to the griffon.
>Any moment now and he'd be telling you where Polo was in between fists to the face.
 
>You are Polomarco for the third time today.
>The cold floor has begun to bother you, and the tightness of your bonds is causing your hooves to cramp.
>It's been a good fifteen minutes, and the voices have trailed ever so closer as you waited.
>"We're getting closer, hon. I can feel it."
>"I hope so. I can't imagine how scared Polo must be right now."
>Well, you would have liked to say, "I'm not very scared right now, Star Gazer. Just uncomfortable," but it would likely only come out as, "Mrr hrm hrhrm rrd mrht rt, Hrm Rhrr. Hrr grhrfrr."
>It's definitely an indicator that you're bored when you just thought of that.
>"We've got a few more places to check. Where do you wanna start?"
>Miracle Crop's voice was so close to you.
>You had to indicate you were in here somehow.
>"Let's start with the back area and move our way up here."
>Nonononono!
>They would leave you if you did that!
>Thinking quickly, you unfurled your wings and tried your best to use them to push you closer to the wall, despite the pain surging through your body.
>You tilted your head back, then brought it to the door with a hard enough force to cause a loud knock to ring out.
>While this caused you even more pain, it did get your would-be rescuers' attention.
>"What was that thump?"
>You brought your head back, then knocked on the door again, creating another loud noise.
>"It came from here."
>And at last, help had arrived.
>There was the click of a doorknob, and the opening of a door, and your saviors had revealed themselves.
>Star Gazer and Miracle Crop looked down at you and sucked air through their teeth, grimacing.
"Hrrmhrff?"
>"He does not look like he's in good condition," Star comments.
>"Oh my poor little Polo!"
>Miracle Crop wasted no time in sweeping you into his hooves and cradling you like a foal.
>It wasn't odd so much as it was amazing that he had the strength to pick you up so easily.
>"Don't worry sugar, you're safe now."
>While his behavior was flattering, it was also borderline scary how much he seemed to care about you.
>Star Gazer walked up to you and Crop and undid the sticky stuff on your legs, now revealed to be several layers of duct tape.
>And here you thought the pain was over.
>Star Gazer unrolled the tape tied onto your hooves, and when he reached the last bits, ripped it off as quickly as he could to prevent as much pain as he could.
>Your hooves still stung as the tape came off, though.
>Once your hooves were free, the batpony moved to your mouth, and grabbed hold of the duct tape.
>"Brace yourself Polo. This will hurt a little."
>In one swift move, Star removed the tape from your mouth, a sharp sting following it.
"YEACK!" you blurted out in response.
>Crop held you closer and examined your body.
>"Oh come now, that was nothing compared to what the rest of your body feels like."
>"Speaking of which...are you okay, Polo?" Star Gazer asked, worried.
>You waved a hoof.
"Oh, I'm sure I'm okay now. The initial pain has likely passed, so if you could put me down, Crop, I would appreciate it."
>Crop does as he's told, but the moment you put pressure on your hooves, you flinch in pain, letting out a yelp.
>Crop grabs you yet again and lays you on his back.
>"Mm-mm, you ain't going anywhere on your own. I'll carry you back to the locker room, hon."
>"I'll come with, in case Lark somehow shows up," Star reassures.
"Thank you very much for this, gentlecolts."
>There was not enough you could say to truly thank these ponies.
"By the way," you ask your two rescuers as they escort you, "what kind of room was I stored in anyways? I didn't get to look."
>"Oh, it was a bathroom," Star piped up.
>You were left on a bathroom floor.
>A BATHROOM floor.
>You suddenly felt nauseous as you thought of what kind of horrible vermin and bacteria could have crawled around on what was likely a very dirty floor.
>And your face made contact with it.
>The look of disgust on your face went unnoticed by your friends as they continued on the path back to the locker room.
>Arriving at the familiar entrance, you were carried through and inside the small room you had grown accustomed to for the past day.
>What met you inside, however, was not good.
>An angry assistant, standing next to Gravel, who still stared stoically.
>Stonewall and Cerulean had returned from their match, and took their respective places within the room.
>"THERE YOU ARE!" he shouted at Star Gazer, who knelt down and held his ears back in response. "We've been waiting here for twenty minutes now! I tell ya, the crowd is getting ANTSY out there! Where's Anonymous? We've got one competitor here; if the other doesn't show up, he's disqualified!"
>"I tried to stall him, but it didn't work out," Gravel informed, earning him a glare from the assistant.
>Star Gazer motioned to the door, but the assistant stopped him.
>"HEY! Where are you going? We're not losing track of you again! If Anonymous isn't here in five minutes, I'll let the princesses know he's decided to forfeit."
>The situation was looking a bit sticky at the moment.
>In a flash, Miracle Crop laid you down on a bench, then ran out of the room to fetch Anonymous.
>"Hurry, Crop!" Star shouted as the pink stallion ran out.
>"Please do."
>Your eyes diverted themselves to Stonewall, who calmly pretended like he had said nothing.
>Maybe the pain in your head was just getting to you.
 
>"You can't run forever you coward!" Moses shouted at Lark as he quickly caught up to the griffon.
>"What's your deal? I didn't do anything to you!" The griffon shouted back as he continued to fly above you and the diamond dog.
>Despite the altitude difference, Moses was able to stay on Lark easily.
>"I was bored. Needed something to do. Do I really need a reason to hurt you when you deserve it?"
>Moses lined up right below Lark's midsection, and when he confirmed he was positioned correctly, jumped up and grabbed Lark by his sides, bringing him down to the ground.
>You caught up to the two, who rolled around in the ensuing drop.
>Moses ended up sitting on Lark's back, the latter struggling under the former's weight.
>The dog took one of Lark's wings and pounded it in three specific spots with his fist, causing the griffon to scream in pain.
>Lark managed to toss Moses off of himself and attempted to fly away again.
>While one wing was fully operational, the other one lie completely dead, causing Lark to fall back down the moment he tried to take flight.
"What did you do to him?" you asked the diamond dog who had gotten back up and dusted himself off.
>"Just an old trick I learned from my pack. You hit three pressure points in a griffon's wing and it goes dead for a solid hour."
>As you and Moses charged Lark, you asked him a another question.
"What did you use that for?"
>"Well, diamond dogs DO eat meat, you know." He flashed a toothy grin.
>Fair enough.
>Your fist nearly makes contact with Lark's face, but he dodges at the last second, jumping over Moses.
>You cease your running and slow yourself down, before turning around for another charge.
>As you're about to run again, you hear someone calling your name.
>"Anonymous! I'm glad I found ya!"
>It was Miracle Crop.
"What is it, Crop? I'm busy."
>Moses has already gone for another charge against Lark, but the griffon again dodged, this time rolling out of the way.
>"Your match, Anonymous. It was supposed to start already. If you don't get back to the locker room in a few minutes, you'll be disqualified!"
"What!? But what about Polo!?"
>"Don't you worry about him, hon. He's safe and sound back in the locker room. Go to your match; I'll help Moses here."
>You watch the scuffle between the two non-ponies, frustrated at the poor timing of your match.
>Reluctantly, you leave Lark's fate in the hooves and paws of your allies.
"Make sure to hurt him good for me!" You tell Crop as you run back to the locker room.
>"Don't worry hon," Crop replies as he shifts his gaze towards the griffon, "I will."
 
>You arrive at the locker room with little time to spare, the assistant breathing a sigh of relief as he saw you.
>"FINALLY! Geez, what took you so long?"
>As he complains and talks your ear off, he escorts you and Star Gazer to the gates.
>You and your friend ignore the irate pony and talk to each other.
>"So, this is it, Anonymous." Star says with a slight tremble in his voice.
"So it is. Remember, we may be friends in here, but once we get outside, we're opponents."
>"I know, and I'm ready. Hit me with your best shot!"
>"Are you two even LISTENING to me?" The assistant glares back at the both of you.
"Sorry sir, can't say we have," you reply.
>He sneers at you, but continues on his path, until you eventually reach the gates.
>You look beyond the grating and find that the crowd has gotten restless at your tardiness.
>It would be best to amend that.
>"Same song and dance as yesterday, fellas. I want a clean match, alright?"
>You and the batpony push through the gates, greeted by the overbearing sound of the crowd.
>Despite keeping them waiting, they were forgiving enough to praise you and Star's appearance.
>"Fillies and gentlecolts, our competitors have arrived after quite the wait! Surely this has built up the anticipation for the next match, am I right?"
>The crowd cheers in response, ready to watch sparks fly.
>"I like your enthusiasm! In that case, let's see what event our fair Princess Luna picks for these eager competitors!"
>All is silent as Luna uses magic to bring the same small box from yesterday to herself.
>She closes her eyes, picks out a card, then opens her eyes to read it.
>"The contestants will compete in a board-breaking contest! All they need to do is simply break through several boards set on two stands. However, as the contest goes on, more boards will be added. The competitors will break through as many boards as they can in the span of five minutes. The competitor with more boards broken by the end of the time limit will win one round. There will be two rounds, or if need be, a third if both win once."
>It sounded challenging enough.
>It took a few minutes, but a few assistants came out with several carts full of wooden boards, and four stone stands to set them on.
>They put the stones down in front of you and Star, then laid a board on each of them.
>It was tense as you waited for the match to begin.
>You looked up at Celestia, who smiled back down at you.
>Star did the same to Luna, and received a wink, causing him to lightly blush.
>Now was the time to see whose dedication to getting to their princess was stronger.
>Despite your confidence that you would prevail for Celestia, you didn't underestimate Star's determination to win for Luna.
>The announcer raised the microphone to his mouth once he saw the assembled sets.
>"Let the second semi-final match, BEGIN!"
 
>You are now Moses the Diamond Dog.
>You have been fighting Lark the coward for what seems like an eternity now.
>You were lucky to have Miracle Crop here to help you, though.
>"Two on one? This just isn't fair," Lark had said before you engaged him with your partner.
>You wound up for a strong punch, but missed Lark as he dodged to the left.
>Before he could counter, though, Miracle Crop surprised him with a buck to his backside, knocking him to the ground.
>Crop followed up by jumping on top of Lark and grabbing his sides before bending back quickly, performing what looked like an odd suplex-like move.
>Lark lie still on the ground as Crop released his grip from the griffon.
>The both of you stared down at him.
>"Get up. I ain't gonna kick you while you're down. That'd be unfair."
>Lark responded by kicking his back paw into Crop's face angrily.
>"Oh, and two on one is COMPLETELY fair, yeah."
>You were really getting tired of his beak.
>As he was distracted with wailing on the pink stallion, you charged from behind and tripped him.
>He fell to the ground, and before he could get up, you dropped to the ground, elbow outwards, hitting the griffon in the back.
>This immobilized him for a moment, allowing you to get up and kick his stomach.
>He rolled over and clutched his abdomen before rising up again, albeit breathing heavily, ready for battle yet again.
>"Come on, is that all you got?" he tried to taunt between wheezing.
>You replied by punching him in the face.
 
>You are Anonymous yet again.
>You have chopped your way through forty boards now with no sweat.
>Star Gazer seems to be doing as well as you, but you don't have the time to look at his pile.
>More boards are lain and you slice right through them with your hands.
>Even with three boards set, you have no issues going through them.
>The clock is ticking as you follow your same rhythm.
>Chop.
>Set.
>Chop.
>Set.
>Chop.
>Set.
>"TIME!"
>Your hand barely hovers over the next stack of boards.
>"Count the boards!" one assistant shouts.
>There are two ponies on you and Star's stack in a matter of seconds, counting each chopped board lying on the ground.
>The silence is tense as you wait for the results.
>You can see Star Gazer sweating as he waits as well.
>"Our first winner, with 82 boards, is Star Gazer!"
>The crowd applauds the bat pony, who shrinks back a little with a sheepish grin.
>Seems you'll have to try harder next round.
>Nothing against Star, but that kiss would be as good as yours.
>The boards are taken away, and one is placed on the stands to start the round anew.
>"Round two! BEGIN!"
>Your chops were faster in pace this time, and you found that you were chopping more boards in shorter time.
>Your rhythm had now changed to accommodate your increased speed, and before you knew it, you were past forty boards already.
>You couldn't check Star's progress, or else you would lose focus, but you were sure he was doing his best.
>The assistants were having a hard time keeping up with you, struggling to focus their magic on the boards fast enough to set them down.
>Truly, you impressed even yourself.
>The crowd's loud cheering motivated you further to keep going, but not as much as the thought of Celestia.
>In fact, thinking of her radiant appearance helped you to keep your pace.
>Praise the sun, and you shall be rewarded.
>Chop.
>Set.
>Chopset.
>Chopset.
>Chopsetchopsetchopsetchopsetchopset.
>"TIME!"
>Already? It hadn't felt like five minutes.
>Again, the assistants were on the boards quickly, counting all the broken pieces of wood on the ground.
>You were confident that this time, you would be the winner.
>Star Gazer was watching intently as the assistants tallied up the boards.
>"Our winner of round two, with one-hundred seven boards chopped, Anonymous!"
>That was more like it.
>Star Gazer looked a little down, but was not out for the count.
>It all came down to this, then.
 
>You are Moses again.
>Lark was having a hard time standing up, and he looked worse for wear.
>"Come on you two," he slurred, trying to stay conscious, "Haven't you got anymore fight in ya?"
>Crop leaped in the air and spun with a hind leg out, performing a spinning air kick.
>As expected, Lark was hit right in the face, knocking him to the ground for the umpteenth time this fight.
>He lie on the ground, eerily still.
>You walked over to him and examined his body.
>You whistled.
"That did it. He's out cold."
>Crop clicked his tongue.
>"And that is why you do not mess with me, buddy."
>He came over to you, and you both looked down at Lark.
>"So, what do we do now?"
"Considering what he did to Polo, I'd say we make it even."
>"I like the sound of that," the stallion replied with a smile.
 
>You are Anonymous. Again.
>You have chopped through what you assumed were hundreds of boards at this point.
>Your hand was starting to feel numb, but you carried on.
>All for Celestia.
>Interestingly enough, you were actually able to catch a glimpse at Star's pile.
>His was almost as big as yours.
>As much as you liked him, you couldn't allow him to win.
>Chopsetchopsetchopset.
>At this point you were a machine, running through the wood at a machine-gun pace.
>There would be nothing to stop you from reaching the coveted princess.
>Five boards were placed at a time, but still you chopped through them.
>You weren't able to see your hand, but you were sure it would be a deep shade of purple by the end of this.
>Chopsetchopsetchopsetchopset.
>Like clockwork.
>You could hear Star Gazer's labored breaths next to you.
>His resolve was as strong as yours.
>You chopped through stacks of six boards, and still you fought on.
>Star fared just as well as you, not stopping whatsoever.
>It was close.
>Your chopping never receded.
>"TIME!"
>Your hand had just gone through your last stack.
>You shook your hand and rubbed it, trying your best to soothe the creeping pain that was beginning to spread.
>Star breathed heavily, and rubbed his hoof.
"Hey," you called to him, "no matter who wins, you did well. You're a formidable opponent."
>"Y-yeah, you...too..." Star sputtered in between gasps.
>You nodded and smiled, glad to have made a good friend in all of this.
>Your massage treatment worked well for your hand, as the pain began to recede.
>The assistants finished their tallies, and grabbed the microphone from the announcer.
>"Our winner, with a total of two-hundred and forty two boards chopped, Anonymous!"
>The crowd cheered loudly, and you waved at them.
>In the commotion, you could see Star giving you a sad smile.
>"Good job," you saw him mouth.
>While he looked glad you won, there was something that clearly bothered him.
>You would ask once you got back to the locker room.
>"Fillies and gentlecolts!" the announcer said. "Now that we have our finalists chosen, we will be taking a two hour break to allow our final competitors to rest. Afterwards, we'll have our explosive final match between Stonewall the Champion and Anonymous!"
>The crowd roared with glee, excited to see the final match.
>You looked up to Celestia.
>She smiled and nodded at you.
>One more battle.
>As the crowd dispersed, you and Star excused yourselves backstage, but not before each of you got one final look at the princess you desired.
>Star sadly gazed up at Luna, knowing he would now not be able to receive what he wanted from her.
>She gave him a curt nod, understanding his pain.
>You and your batpony friend made it inside, where he let out a deep breath.
>"Congratulations, Anonymous..."
>He bowed his head.
"Star Gazer, what's bothering you?" you asked, concerned.
>He looked up at you.
>"Well...I mean, I'm glad you won, but..."
>He sniffled.
>"I hadn't thought about what I would do if I lost."
"What do you mean by that?"
>He let out another deep breath.
>There was a pregnant pause.
>"My brother," he said after a moment of silence, "What am I going to do about his condition now?
>You had almost completely forgotten about Star Gazer's brother.
>Guilt suddenly gripped at your chest as you realized that you may have doomed him.
>"I...I don't know what's gonna happen now."
"Don't worry Star," you tried to comfort, "You'll find a way. And who knows, maybe he got better while you've been away from home."
>It was your best shot at comfort.
>While Star smiled, it seemed faked.
>"I guess...you're right."
>He paused awkwardly and shifted his hooves.
>"I'm sorry I sprung that on you, Anonymous. Just...just forget about it."
>He sullenly walked on to the locker room.
>It was hard not to feel at least some form of hurt.
>You entered the locker room again, and found Crop and Moses back.
>You also noticed Lark was nowhere to be found.
"Where's the griffon?" you asked the two.
>"We figured we'd give him a taste of his own medicine," Crop told you.
>"He's in a dirty bathroom, out cold, tied up," Moses practically squeed.
"But, what about-"
>"The closing ceremony? Don't worry, we'll make sure he's awake by then," Moses assured.
>Finding his answer satisfactory, you sat down on the bench you had grown accustomed to, right next to a sleeping Polo.
>His eyes fluttered open as he felt your weight on the bench.
>"Sir?" he greeted as he rubbed his eyes.
"Polo! Are you alright?"
>He waved a hoof.
>"I'm fine, sir. What about you? Did you win?"
>Your eyes left his.
"I did, but...I can't help but feel guilt for the moment."
>"Guilt, sir?"
"Yes. Star was betting on winning this to get the money to cure his brother's sickness. Now that I've won, I'm not sure how he'll get the help he needs..."
>Polo frowned.
>"A shame, sir. I'm afraid all I can do is send my condolences."
"I'm sure it'll work out though, right?"
>Polo nods.
>"Hopefully."
>Your conversation is interrupted by Stonewall.
>"From what I've overheard, I will be facing you, bodyguard. Am I mistaken?"
"No. You're not mistaken. It'll be me against you, one on one."
>He puts on a confident grin.
>"Excellent. I'm sure you will make a worthy opponent. Worry not about the batpony. Through perseverance, he will find a solution."
>You only hoped he was right.