Game of Thrones: Equestria

Another two weeks have passed since everyone returned from the expedition. Lock and the blacksmiths were hard at work and were able to complete their first shipment of weapons and armor. As expected, the weapons were light and easy to use but were just as durable and deadly in combat. The armor was also a sight to behold, they had the similar design as the old models but thanks to the craftsmanship and the Valyrian ore, any soldier wearing the armor would be very well protected.

Thanks to the auction hosted by the Princesses, most of the females in Canterlot had successfully hired suitable males to help them with their beginning heat cycles. Not only that, the vast increase in funds for the royal treasury, thanks to Photo Finish’s donation and the blue diamond Tarra donated, the Princesses could finally proceed with the repairs of the lower districts. It was early in the morning in the city of Canterlot and the sun was just about to rise. It was the first day of the estrous cycle and the streets were already crowded with mares and doe’s, all seeking a consensual male to help aid them. Back in the castle, a few men were creeping through the halls to return to each of their chambers so they could wait out the week and not be coaxed by female staff they came across. Gregor and Hreidar were following Marshall after they returned from an intense outdoor training but had lost track of time and needed to get somewhere safe. Luckily, they had run into Marshall outside the castle and requested that he be an extra pair of eyes for them.

“Remind me again why I’m sneaking through the hallways?” Marshall sighed.

“I thought that auction was supposed to keep the mares and doe’s in check and we didn’t have to go sneaking around like this. Also, why the hell were you two out in the woods in the first place?”

“Wilderness training.” Gregor replied.

“Plus you know the castle better than us.”

“Fair enough. The guest rooms should be just around the next corner."

“Well, well, well~.”

All three ment flinched and turned around to see a group of guards mares and maids, staring lustfully at the men.

“Uh oh…” Hreidar gulped.

“The Stud Regent and Sir Gregor? Not to mention their admittedly cute friend?” A maid cooed.

“Milord,” Hreidar muttered.

“I’m still a virgin!”

“Keep quiet and move slow.” Marshall said, gritting his teeth.

“Ladies, you know the rules. Any unauthorized or forced intercourse will result in a pay cut and suspension.”

“Aw, are you sure you wanna turn us down?” A guard flirted, lifting her skirt a little to show off her legs.

“The rules don’t say anything about us inviting a male to spend time with us.”

“Yeah, and besides…” a maid said as she leaned forward to give them a generous view of cleavage.

“We can show you three a very nice time~.”

“This is a major role reversal here…” Hreidar stated when he noticed Raven approaching with a few more serious looking mares.

“Break it up ladies!” The secretary stated firmly while fixing her glasses.

“There will be no more of this unorthodox behavior.”

“Aaawwww…” the mares whined as they reluctantly left the men.

“Whew! Thank you Raven,” Marshall said, until she gave him a smirk and sauntered over to him.

“I just wanted to disperse the crowd from trying anything with my husband, and as for you…” she leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“I’ve decided to want to be a mother like Celestia and Luna, care to help me with that since I’ve just entered my heat?”

Marshall smiled widely as he scooped up Raven and marched away to his chambers.

“Be seeing you Gregor!” Marshall called out.

“Heh, always a character, that one,” Gregor smiled as he and Hreidar made for their guest rooms. On the way, Gregor noticed Hreidar occasionally glancing at him which made him arch a brow.

“Something on your mind lad?”

“Oh! Um…well…” he mumbled.

“Lad, remember what I said about that mumbling.”

“Sorry, I was wondering if I could ask for a favor from you.”

“Depends, what did you have in mind?”

“Well, I’m very thankful for all your teachings thus far, Sir Gregor, but I feel as though I should be doing more than just for myself. My mother spends most of her time in our room and is always so afraid of how others would react to her, what with our bloodline and all. So I was wondering…would you be willing to maybe take her out? You know, like…a date or something?”

Gregor blinked a few times before realizing he was serious and was completely caught off guard by this request.

“M-me?!? Don’t joke like that, lad!”

“With all due respect, Sir Gregor, I’m as serious as a heart attack,” Hreidar said sternly.

“My mother has been through a great deal of sorrow and I want to see her smile for real for once. I try to do the best I can, but it just isn’t enough. She needs something, someone, to help her feel like she matters. You’re one of the most honorable men I’ve come to know next to King Wulfric, gods rest his soul. I’m not asking you to do or say anything serious like a relationship, just take her somewhere and spend time with her. She needs to be outside instead of hiding in her room.”

The old stag sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Thank you sir!!”

The two neared their rooms and Hreidar beckoned him to wait outside his. After a few moments, Hreidar returned with Ragna which also was the first time he had met her. Her long hair hung below the middle of her back and she wore a simple sundress. It was a strange feeling for the old stag, but as a man he could not deny that Ragna was blessed with her own unique beauty.

“Mother, this is Sir Gregor,” Hreidar introduced.

“The man who has been training me recently.”

“Greetings, Lord Gregor,” Ragna said softly with a bow.

“Thank you for looking after my son, you honor us with your tutelage.”

“Oh uh…my pleasure. The boy is a hard worker.” Gregor smiled at her gentle demeanor and noticed her light blue eyes as they stared at each other for a brief moment.

“My, what pretty eyes you have.”

Ragna looked away with a light blush as she pushed a little hair aside.

“Oh…you needn’t flatter me, sir. An old doe like me is not worthy of praise.”

“My lady, I am most sincere in my compliment. Your beauty is worthy of Freya herself.”

Gregor’s poetic words earned him a laugh from Ragna but despite them getting along instantly, Hreidar felt a little embarrassed at how cheesy his master was acting.

“My lady, Hreidar here had brought up an interesting thought while on our way here from our wilderness training.” Gregor raised his right hand and held his palm out and kept his smile at the woman before him.

“Would…you like to accompany me for a walk in the park by this week’s end?”

Ragna was surprised by this sudden invitation since no suitor had attempted to court her, even after Dainn’s demise.

“I…would be honored.”

Gregor smiled as she placed her hand on his. Gregor leaned in and pecked her hand as he released it and turned to walk away.

“I shall see you by this week’s end then,” he said over his shoulder and left.

Hreidar, in the meantime, was smiling up a storm until he felt his mother’s sudden grip on his ear and tugged it harshly.

“Explain. Now!” She demanded, now all flustered.

While Hreidar was busy being lectured, Imperius was out in the training yard with Lock and a few of the elite guards protecting them as they sparred. Lock was pacing around Imperius as the prince was armed with a staff and was blindfolded and Lock held his own staff.

“Mind your surroundings, tune out all distractions. Listen to the wind, the grass, the sound of your foe’s movements.”

The prince concentrated as best he could as Lock slowly moved in. Sweat was dripping from the side of his head until he heard a loud tap from Lock’s staff hitting a shield.

“GOT YOU!!”

“Wrong.”

WHACK!!

Imperius was hit right over the head before he removed his blindfold to see Lock standing on his left.

“How did-?”

“Simple. I extended the staff’s reach and distracted you.” Lock demonstrated by adjusting his grip on the staff and tapping the shield again.

“You’re too tense, kid. Relax.”

“Easy for you to say,” Imperius huffed.

“You’re more of a seasoned warrior than I am.”

“What’s that I hear?” Lock asked sarcastically, holding a hand up to his ear.

“Is that the sound of a lame ass excuse? I thought there was no room for that kind of attitude.”

As Imperius huffed and the guards snickered to themselves, Beorn and Top Notch jogged back into the courtyard, along with more guards keeping them safe. Both boys were wheezing and drenched in sweat and collapsed on the ground. Attached to their wrists and ankles were of Lock’s design. They were wrist and ankle bands with pouches that had iron sand that weighed them down and made their jogging more difficult as they built up their leg and arm muscles.

“I see my little invention is working rather nicely,” Lock grinned.

“You two still alive?”

“Kill me now…” Beorn groaned.

“My arms…are they still there?” Top Notch wheezed.

“Alright you lazy bums, go hit the showers. As for you, Imperius, meditation, half an hour.”

The boys did as they were told as Beorn and Top dragged themselves to the showers and Imperius sat down and began clearing his thoughts.

“You lot make sure no stray mare or doe tries to get the drop on them,” Lock ordered to the guards.

“I’m gonna go get a fresh bucket of ice water.”

“Yes sir.”

Lock picked up a bucket and headed just outside the courtyard to fill it with water in a well. As he filled it, he heard the sounds of someone breathing heavily which made him perk his head up but the breathing stopped. Once the bucket was filled, he went to make his way back until Selene seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“Oh, hey Selene,” Lock nodded.

“Nice day out, huh?”

“He...help me…” the princess huffed as she appeared flushed with red cheeks.

Lock froze in place as she looked up at him with a pained expression. He looked around to see no one around as he set the bucket down and approached the young Princess.

“Selene, what’s wrong?” Lock asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders, making her shudder.

“Are you hurt? What’s happening to you?”

“My…my heat,” she whimpered.

“It’s my first one…why does it hurt so much?!”

Lock soon began to become more worried for her as she stepped forward and buried her face in his chest.

“Dimitri…I need you, please.”

“Whoa! Selene slow down, we only just started dating and-”

“There’s a medicine in my room but I can’t make it...please carry me?” She pleaded, looking like she was going to collapse.

Lock nodded and scooped her up in his arms. He flared his wings opened and took to the skies and flew to the balcony of her room. As he flew, Selene leaned up and started to kiss and lick his neck involuntarily. They soon arrived and Lock opened the door and laid her down on the bed. He looked around for something and spied a bottle and grabbed it.

“Here Selene, drink this,” he said, cradling her head.

Selene opened her mouth to drink it but was breathing too heavily to do so. Lock frowned and tried to find a way to get her to drink it properly and not risk choking her until he got an idea. He took a sip of the potion and leaned down to cup Selene’s cheek. The man closed his eyes as he gently pressed his lips on hers, taking her first kiss. The potion in his mouth trailed into hers as she instinctively drank it and she soon began to calm down. As Lock pulled away, Selene’s senses came back to her as she exhaled and looked up at the man.

“Feel better?”

Selene blinked as she reached up to touch her lips and went wide eyed.

“My…first kiss.” She gasped as her heart began to race.

“Now lie still and rest, you look tired." Lock advised while tucking her in.

“Um…Lock?” Selene mumbled.

“Can…can you stay with me?”

The man smiled and nodded as he sat on her bed with her. Selene twiddled her thumbs nervously as her new coltfriend sat with her and couldn’t stop herself from blushing as hard as she was.

“Sorry about the, you know, kiss thing,” Lock said.

“Your breathing was a bit sporadic and I was worried you’d choke on the medicine.”

“I-I don’t mind.” She smiled, turning her head away.

“Sorry you had to see me like this. I look pathetic."

“Hey now,” Lock said, placing a hand on hers.

“You’re not pathetic, far from it. You were in a crisis and you needed my help. I don’t intend to see you any differently than I do now. I care about you, Selene, don’t forget that.”

Selene’s heart was beating faster with every moment she stared at his grey eyes. She soon found herself leaning forward and closing her eyes and pursed her lips. Lock smiled as he met her halfway and gave her a second kiss, making her gasp. They held it for a moment until her arms reached up and hugged the back of his neck when they separated, Selene smiled as she kept her arms around him.

“Lock, what if…what if I wanted you to,” she said shyly.

“Not because of my heat, but because I want to truly be yours.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” Lock scratched the back of his head.

“I’m sure your moms wouldn’t mind but Marshall? Hmmm, I still prefer my head on my shoulders.”

“But I-”

“I know,” Lock said, shushing her with his finger.

“I love you too, but the timing just isn’t right. I promise, one day, I’ll make it up to you.”

Selene felt content with his reply as he tucked her in and flew out the window unaware of a certain secretary who was watching.

“My my. He really is a gentleman.” Raven said before her body was pressed against the window by her husband.

“Mmm~.”

“Are the arrangements for Prance ready?” Marshall asked while feeling up her skirt and kissing her neck.

“Mmm yes. I'm still worried about sending Imperius and Gumdrop though.”

"They'll be fine." Marshall smiled before feeling her chest.

"My goodness Raven, no bra?"

“I told you, didn’t I? I want a foal too, so let us add another family member, shall we~?”

Marshall responded by hoisting Raven up, making her wrap her arms and legs around him as he carried her down the hall and into his chambers. The rest of the day for the two lovers was nothing but lustful moans and the occasional screams here and there.

5 Days Later

It was late at night and Lock and Marshall were making their rounds through the city. Thanks to Marshall’s efforts, and Lock’s power, Lock happily told them that Raven was successfully pregnant with Marshall’s foal. The two were ecstatic for each other and Raven cried tears of joy.

“So guess what I heard through the grapevine,” Lock said as he leaned back with his hands behind his head.

“Gregor asked Ragna Stonehoof out on a date by the end of the week.”

“Well well. Seems the old stag still has it in him.” Said Marshall with admiration as they continued to roam the streets.

“And how is Hreidar doing?”

“The kid’s starting to come more and more out of his shell, according to Gregor,” Lock said.

“It sorta unrealistic how the son of Dainn turned out to be nothing like his father. Makes you wonder what could have been 15 years ago.”

“Not really. His father was a soulless brute. The boy takes after his mother, for sure.” The lord regent argued.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Lock sighed.

“So, now that Raven’s pregnant, you got any names for each of your foals on the way?”

“I got Hunter and Crescent for two of the triplets but no idea for the others. Went through half the names on my scroll already.”

“I’m sure it’ll come to you,” Lock smiled. While Marshall pondered names for his children, they spied a hooded figure creeping through the alleyways while avoiding the various street lights in the city.

“Wonder where he’s off to?” Marshall wondered.

“Call it a gut feeling, but something tells me he’s not just avoiding the females.” Lock said cautiously.

“His movement speed is too quick for just a late night stroll.

“Hmm those alleys are too narrow." Marshall hummed.

“How is your parkour?” Lock smirked, pointing to the rooftops.

“You gotta be kidding…”

The two immediately took to the rooftops as they followed the mysterious figure into the lower district of the city.

“Oh gods. The old slave quarter.” Marshall grimaced at the abandoned buildings.

“Care to explain?” Lock wondered as they jumped to the next rooftop.

“This whole area was basically an underground brothel. Any girl of ANY age for the right price. Remind me to put a request to demolish this part of the city.”

“I’d rather be the one to burn them to the ground,” Lock growled as they continued to follow.

Their pursuit soon led them to the farthest corner of the abandoned buildings as the hooded figure turned into an alleyway. Marshall and Lock stayed up on the roof and they noticed another stallion at the end of the alleyway. What made their blood boil was that he had a mare with him and he was shoving his dick down her throat and she seemed to be enjoying it, since she had a familiar red slave collar on her neck.

“I’m close, bitch, swallow it!” The stallion grunted.

The mare let out a lustful moan as she gulped down every drop of his seed before bending over for him.

“Did I please you, master?” She asked before getting her rump smacked.

“Good girl. Now go wait back at base and clean up.”

“May I have my cloak back?”

“No, crawl back naked.” The stallion demanded as the hooded figure approached.

“Fucking sick bastard,” Lock growled as the mare crawled passed the hooded figure.

“Shh, let’s listen,” Marshall whispered.

A second figure appeared from the shadows and looked around cautiously as he met the other stranger halfway.

“Were you followed?”

“Of course not. Nopony ever comes here so have some faith. Jet Set.”

Both mens hairs stood on end when they heard that name as the second figure revealed himself to be indeed Jet Set.

“Do not say my name out loud.”

“Hmph, we may do as we please,” the stallion scoffed. “Just as I bucked that cunt that crawled passed you and knocked her up last week.”

“You impregnated her?” Jet asked, a little disgusted.

“Why not? Gotta keep my blood flowing somehow.”

“Enough,” the second figure snapped, removing his hood to reveal himself as a caribou.

“We have come here to give you your new orders.”

As Lock and Marshall stayed hidden on the rooftops, Marshall squinted his eyes at the stag. He could have sworn he’d seen him somewhere before, but could not place it. It wasn’t until he noticed one of his ears was missing that he recognized him from 15 years ago.

“Son of a buck, that’s Uba!”

“Who?” Lock asked in a hushed voice.

“He escaped me during the siege of The Crystal Empire! Almost had his head, as you can see.” Marshall clenched his fist at his old foe.

“Wait…if he’s from 15 years ago, does that mean-?”

“Yes, he’s a Stonehoof.”

Uba reached into his cloak and pulled out a vial of a murky blue liquid and handed it to Jet.

“My lord Blueblood has grown tired of constantly being on the losing side of this war. This is a little something our botanists cooked up, highly concentrated poison joke extract. One drop of this means death within the hour. Your task is to slip it in the bastard king’s drink so we may be rid of him.”

“I see. This will send him into a frenzy and he’ll attack everyone around him.”

“Thus ending the alliance.” Uba grinned.

“And hopefully I can get some payback against that bastard Marshall.” he said, rubbing his missing ear.

“I shall do my best,” Jet said.

“By the way, in your recent report you mentioned Marshall returned from an expedition with some weird shipment of sorts. Not only that, but the demon that’s been living here has been working on something for the armies, care to fill us in?” the stallion questioned.

“Yes. It’s Valyrian ore. I had heard King Dainn tried getting his hands on that stuff 15 years ago but he lost a whole battalion and a shipment of good slaves.”

“Valyrian?” Uba growled.

“How in the seven hells did they manage to acquire such a precious metal?! Do you have any idea what one could do with that stuff? It is said to be the ore of the gods! An army would become an unstoppable fighting force if outfitted with weapons and armor.”

“I apologize, Sir Uba, but I am simply the messenger,” Jet said.

“I will report this to Lord Blueblood, you make sure you do your duty. And while I’m at it, I’ll give you a new order: poison those two sluts Wulfric wed so that they and their unborn brats die as well. I want all who carry the Warborn blood to die, in honor of the true late King Dainn.”

“Th-that's too far!” Jet protested as Uba left.

“Either do it or fork over that wife of yours to me!”

Jet winced as the stag disappeared from sight and hung his head and turned to leave. From the rooftops, tw two men were absolutely seething at Let Set. Lock’s eyes were glowing bright amber as small embers flickered along his body. Marshall’s smoke trailers wisped around him as he glared daggers at the stallion in utter rage.

“Take him alive…” Marshall hissed.

“We need answers.”

“Gladly.” Lock replied as they waited for Jet to enter a narrow street.

“Now!”

Marshall and Lock dropped down on both sides as Jet Set let out a gasp before being pinned to the wall by a stream of smoke around his neck.

“Evening Jet Set.”

“Marshall?!? What are you-AACCCK!!” Jet wheezed as the smoke coiled around his neck like a hangman's noose.

“Speak out of turn again, and I crush your windpipe,” Marshall warned.

“Don’t be fooled by the smoke. They’re quite deadly, thanks to my mentor here.”

“W-what do you want?”

"Answers. How long has Uba been here?" Marshall hissed angrily.

“S-several months! All I did was gather intel I swear!!”

“Was it you who told him of Wulfric’s hunt? WAS IT?!?” Lock shouted.

Jet didn’t answer which made Lock’s blood boil. He then raised his hand and engulfed it in flames and grasped Jet’s face, searing his flesh and imprinting Lock’s hand on his face.

“AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRHHHHH!!”

“TALK!!!”

“YES! YES IT WAS ME!”

Lock released Jet as Marshall allowed him to fall to the floor. The left side of Jet’s face was completely burned in the shape of a handprint as he whimpered on the floor.

“Jet Set, I knew you were never satisfied with what we strived to build all these years, but to go this far?” Marshall sneered.

Lock leaned down and pulled out a parchment from within Jet’s cloak. It read the location of where the enemy was hiding specifically and showed it to Marshall. Lock then put two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. A few moments later, several thestral guard stallions and mares showed up and at attention.

“Take this scum to the castle and inform the royals. We found the mole,” Lock ordered.

Two thestrals nodded and hoisted Jet up and flew away with him.

“I want you to go to his house and inform his family, they need to know what happened as well.”

“Yes sir,” another thestral said and flew off.

“As for the rest of you! We know the location where these bastards are hiding out. Prepare yourselves, we’re going on a night raid.”

“Yes sir!”

As Jet set was dragged off, Marshall took this moment to try and calm down but the end result was the same as he flew into a rage and smashed the nearest object with his hoof.

“BASTARD!! Next time I see Uba-I’LL RIP HIS GUTS OUT!!"

Lock could only frown sadly at his enraged friend as he and the group made their way to the enemy hideout. As they walked, the thestrals were brandishing their weapons and preparing for a fight. Marshall had smoke trails emanating off his body and kept his glare forward. Lock sighed and shook his head until he felt someone tap his shoulder. He looked to see Nebula, of all mares, as she looked up at him with a worried expression.

“Hey…” Lock said.

“You okay?” She asked.

“Not really, betrayal stings,” Lock grumbled, feeling the scar on his back twitch.

“This is no different.”

“Arrest them all and kill any who resist.” Marshall commanded sternly as he drew Nightfall from its sheath.

“But Uba is mine…”

The group soon arrived at an abandoned building and noticed flickering lights from within. The thestrals took their positions along the windows and above the roof as Marshall and Lock approached the front door. Lock cracked his knuckles and snapped his fingers, making his gun belts appear around his waist and over his shoulder. He unholstered the two six-shooters on his chest and pulled his hood over his head. Marshall nodded to Lock as he raised his boot and kicked the door off its hinges.

“Canterlot Royal Guard!! Don't move!” Marshall shouted as the rest of the troops began storming the building.

“Do not resist!”

“Crap! How’d they find us?!?” A stag shouted while reaching for his weapon.

BANG!

The stag fell with a bullet wound in his head as the enemy saw Lock aiming his gun. Two bandit stallions attempted to rush him but Lock spun around and fired, killing them instantly. That was the trigger as all hell broke loose between the enemy and the thestral night guard. As both sides fought each other, Uba attempted to make his escape until a featherblade struck the window frame, halting his movements. He looked over his shoulder to see Marshall with his hand held out, indicating he was the one who threw it and turned around.

“Marshall…15 years and you’re still breathing?” Uba mocked as he shoved a bandit in his way aside.

“This time you won't escape.” Marshall said with murderous intent as he raised his sword.

“Now I finish what I began with your ear!”

“MARSHALL NO!!” Lock shouted as he grabbed his wrist allowing Uba to escape into the dark streets before anyone could follow. Enraged by the sudden interference, Marshall pinned Lock to the wall completely infuriated.

“Do you realize what you've done?!? DO YOU?!?” He roared furiously while Lock stayed calm.

“I’ve hunted that bastard for years-AND YOU LET HIM GET AWAY!!”

WHAM!!

The guards all ceased their movements as they were rounding the enemy up and saw Marshall fall to the ground after being punched by Lock. Blood leaked from his nostrils as Lock loomed over him with a glare.

“I just saved your damn life, you stupid fuck,” Lock spat.

“More than that, I saved your very soul from falling deeper in a pit of self-loathing and spite. Is it revenge? Is that it? What did he do to you that made you wanna kill him so bad?”

Marshall grunted as he wiped his nose and looked at Lock dead in the eye.

“Who do you think ripped Celestia’s feathers off before raping her? Who was the one who gave Dainn the idea of selling off infants to sick pedophiles and perverts at auction houses?!? WHO DO YOU THINK OWNED THIS WHOLE PART OF THE CITY FIFTEEN YEARS AGO?!?” Marshall huffed before picking up his sword. He glared at Dimitri and pointed it at the winged human.

“That vile piece of shit deserves the worst punishment possible…”

“You know who you remind me of?” Lock said calmly as he holstered his pistols and took off his hood.

“You remind me of me, back when I spent every waking moment hunting for the traitor responsible for killing dozens of soldiers. Like you, I craved to spill his blood and didn’t care about any of the repercussions that followed. I cared about justice, blood for blood. And you know what that got me? A dead friend and a heavy conscience. You’re right, he does deserve the worst. But death? Even death is too good for him. We all have our personal agendas when it comes to seeking closure, but Marshall, this isn’t it. Let the fucker run back to his master, let him tell Blueblood all he’s learned, let him breathe for a little while longer. You still wanna kill him? Fine, but not like this. He’ll get his just deserves, they all will, but it won’t be as satisfying to kill him when he’s still got the support he has. He needs to feel true despair, true loss, and true anguish before he meets his end. That’s what he deserves, Marshall, a fate worse than death.”

Marshall would say nothing as he sheathed his sword and ordered the guards to round up the prisoners.

“If you were not dating my daughter, I’d break half your teeth for that sucker punch.” The lord regent huffed while wiping his nose again.

“Let’s investigate Jet Set’s home in the morning, we need more answers.”

The Next Morning

Marshall, Lock, and Gregor marched towards Jet Set’s manor, followed by a group of soldiers, while Jet was imprisoned in the dungeons. The men approached the door and Marshall knocked, waiting for someone to answer. The doors opened to reveal his wife, Upper Crust, in her morning robes. The mare looked like she hadn’t slept all night and her mane looked messy and unkempt.

“Lord Marshall! Thank Celestia, where is my husband? A thestral guard came by last night and informed me he had been arrested! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Your husband has been charged with treason.” Marshall stated while handing her a search warrant.

“By royal decree, we are to search your manor for clues. Worry not, we’re only investigating his private study. Men? Move it!”

Soldiers immediately marched towards Jet Set’s private quarters and began rummaging through everything.

“Hmmm trade documents, business deals, letters to relatives…all clear here.” A soldier said while going through some scrolls.

“There has to be something,” Gregor grumbled as he searched through the bookcase.

Lock scratched his chin and paced around the room. Upper Crust could only stand from afar, still trying to contemplate the information being told, as Lock spied a small statue. He gasped at the statue, which was a figure of a sword and shield overlapping one another, and placed a hand on it. He trailed his fingers along the outline until he felt a sort of latch behind it and pushed it.

Click

“Jackpot.” Lock smirked as the bookcase slid to the side to reveal a hidden staircase.

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Marshall nodded while gesturing Lock to follow.

“What do you think's down here? Dungeon, torture chamber?”

“Only one way to find out,” Lock said as they went down the stairs. Marshall, Gregor, and Lock went down the steps and entered a small room. They then noticed a map on the wall that had writings on it, which Marshall noticed that they were all pointing around Whitetail woods.

“So he really did know,” Gregor snarled.

“He leaked the hunt to the bandits, the treasonous bastard.”

“There’s more.”

Marshall and Gregor looked over to Lock who pulled out a bunch of files but gasped at what Lock held up in his hand. A necklace with the Stonehoof sigil hanging off it, which made Gregor grit his teeth in anger.

“They’re back…the Stonehoof’s have returned.”

As Gregor seethed in hatred, Marshall noticed a single letter with Blueblood’s seal on the desk and as he read its contents, he almost felt like tearing it to shreds.

“When the king is dead, have your men bring me his sword as proof. I promise you shall be amply rewarded.”
-Blueblood, Equestria’s rightful ruler.

“We have what we need. Gather up everything!”

The two men nodded as they called for the soldiers to raid the hidden room. As they exited the manor, Marshall saw Top Notch running towards him with tears in his eyes.

“Lord Marshall! Please tell me it isn’t true! Please!” Top pleaded as he fell to his knees.

“My father can’t be a traitor! I beg of you to tell me it’s a lie!”

Marshall could only sigh as he knelt down to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” Was all he said as Upper Crust rushed over to hug her son as he began to cry.

“Ma’am?”

“I’ll take care of this. Please…just go.” Upper Crust whimpered as she held her son.

Marshall sighed as he and the others left. Their march back to the castle was a quiet one, no one could be bothered to say anything after their discoveries. The day dragged on and they continued their personal businesses as the heat week subsided and most of the females were now calm and collected. Marshall soon later called for a trial for all the noble council and royals to gather in the royal courtroom. The nobles of the court, the Princesses, Queen Chrysalis, Queen Antoinette, and the kids all gathered and took their respective seats. No one had any prior knowledge as to why Marshall called for the trial, only that there was a prisoner that was to arrive that everyone had to see. Soon the doors opened to reveal Marshall leading Lock and Gregor and a few guards. Lock had Gregor were walking side by side with a stallion who had a cover over his head and shackles attached to his wrists and ankles. Lock had his hood over his head, hiding his face in shadow, and pushed the prisoner on the podium to stand before the royal court. Marshall stepped forward and glanced at Beorn and frowned as he began to speak.

“Last night, Dimitri and I were making our rounds through the streets of Canterlot.” Marshall explained.

“During our trek, we spotted this stallion acting suspiciously and decided to follow him. Only we were unprepared for what we were to learn. Ladies and gentlemen, rulers of their respective nations, this stallion…is the man responsible for King Wulfric’s death.”

The second the cover was removed, all gasped to see it was Jet Set in shackles as the guards forced him to his knees before the court. His branded face made some queasy at the sight of his seared flesh.

“In his manor, we found proof of his treachery.” Marshall handed Blueblood’s letter to the royals as each took their turns reading it. All were shocked but none were as furious as Beorn who glared at the prisoner hatefully with eyes glowing red.

“It was you…” The young king whispered before seizing a sword from one of the guards and stormed over while the others tried to stop him.

“Beorn stop!!” Imperius shouted before he was tossed aside by his monstrous strength.

“You sold us out!! BETRAYER!!!”

Lock responded by quickly stepping forward and flaring his wings open out wide. Beorn paused at his godfather and kept his glare.

“Killing him won’t solve anything,” Lock said, frowning under the shadow of his hood.

“Trust me…I too would rather rip his spine out from his throat and hang it as a trophy on the front gates. But there’s already been enough senseless death, Beorn.”

“Step aside uncle…” Beorn commanded while the others watched.

“I will not.”

“DAMMIT!! DON’T TAKE THIS FROM ME!! He had my father killed! My family, ruined!!”

“I cannot let you do that either…” Said Top Notch shocking everyone.

“Traitor or not, he is my father and as such, I am obligated to fulfill my duties as his son...I invoke Trial by Combat!”

“What…?” Beorn said, starting to calm down.

“No!” Jet yelled, struggling to stand.

“Don’t do this! Not my son! I am the one on trial, not him! Let me lay my life on the line!”

WHAM!!

Lock suddenly spun around while reeling back his fist and slammed it straight into his muzzle, making him go flying backwards and on his back.

“Shut your fucking mouth before I rip out your tounge,” Lock hissed.

“Young Top Notch, are you prepared to go through with this?” Princess Luna inquired as they awaited his answer.

"I am."

"Then so be it. At noon, trial by combat for your fathers freedom."

The court slowly dispersed, along with Jet Set who was knocked unconscious, until it was just the royals. Marshall pinched the bridge of his nose as his family tried to console him but Lock was facing Beorn who looked at him scornfully.

“Beorn I-” Lock was cut off when he shook his head and looked away.

“I need to prepare…” Beorn said as he returned the guards sword and left with Crysta and Azurys following.

Lock sighed and looked to Gregor who nodded as they faced the royals.

“We discovered something else last night,” Lock said.

“Celestia, does the name Uba sound familiar?” he asked, making her flinch and start to shake anxiously.

“He’s…alive?” She shuddered, covering her belly.

“He got away during the raid.” Marshall sighed before comforting her.

“His appearance also means something else,” Gregor said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace, causing all the females to begin anxiously shaking.

“The Stonehoof’s have returned.”

As if an old would had reopened, the scars of their torture made their backs sting as the memories of their enslavement came back to them. Applejack and Rainbow Dash cradled their bellies, Chrysalis grit her teeth at the memory of her fallen children, and the Princesses were in no better shape since they dealt with the torture on a more personal level.

“Why…?” Rainbow muttered.

“After all these years, why now?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Marshall said.

“They fell before, and this time we’ll make sure they stay down.”

“Were it so easy,” Lock spoke up.

“How do you mean?”

“Earlier, I went back to Jet’s manner to gather more intel. I then found another letter from Blueblood, but it’s nothing good.”

“What did it say?” Antoinette wondered.

Lock pulled the letter out from his back pocket and held it out to the group.

“According to the letter, Blueblood had informed Jet that as soon as he poisoned Beorn and his family, which were his new orders, he would use his new power to wipe out the rest of the allied forces after they lost face.”

“New power?” Luna said.

“But Blueblood’s horn was cut off, he can’t use magic.” Celestia added.

“I also heard about that some time ago.” Lock said.

“That’s why I went down and interrogated the prisoners. What I found out was…a coincidental development, but not the good kind.”

“What do you mean?” Marshall wondered.

“Celestia, do you, somewhere deep in your heart, still believe that there’s hope that Blieblood would see the error of his ways and stop his conquest to take over Equestria?”

Celestia was hesitant to respond, but she admitted to his question with a slow nod.

“Well…I’m afraid that’s an indefinite impossibility.” Lock shook his head. He pulled off his hood to reveal a grim look on his face.

“Blueblood somehow made contact with Sombra himself and had bargained with him. Blueblood now has the abilities of Sombra and is using his newfound power to push our forces back.”

“Blueblood, just how far will you go for power…” Celestia sighed.

The royal family stood silent and were thankful Beorn was not in the room, knowing his temper was bad enough as it was.

“How far has his army spread?”

“According to the reports, he’s already taken back some of the territory leading to the western border. If they reach the fort, I doubt it’ll be as simple as driving them back again,” Marshall said.

“I would stay and fight again, but I need to be there for Antoinette in Prance,” Lock said as he walked over and put a hand on her belly.

“Not only her, but for our daughter too.”

“We understand and please look after our son.” Celestia smiled.

“And his marefriend. Prance is the city of romance after all.” Luna winked as Imperius blushed a bit.

“I swear I’ll look after them,” Lock smiled as Antoinette kissed his cheek.

“Not without me you’re not!”

Tarra climbed through the window and swooped in and landed beside Lock. Instead of her loincloth, the trailers were able to fashion her a dark blue sports bra and black yoga pants that had a snowflake pattern on the side.

“Need I remind you that you’re my mate, so wherever you go, I go as well.”

“I know babe.” Lock grinned as she pecked his lips before asking a serious question.

“Are we really gonna let those boys do this?” She looked around, waiting for a response.

“They’ll kill each other! One of them will die!”

“I’m sorry Tarra, our hands are tied.” Marshall shook his head in response.

“Once invoked, a trial by combat cannot be stopped unless the guilty party confesses.”

“It must be Jet’s delusional sense of honor that is keeping him from confessing.” Lock surmised.

“I’ve trained the boys, Imperius included, and honestly Beorn is more seasoned than Top. I doubt the kid would last in a fight with Beorn, and not even I can interfere. The only thing we can do now is just pray it ends as soon as it begins.”

All were silent as they turned in for the night to await the coming duel while Jet Set sat in the dungeons alone and sat in his cell with a dead expression, feeling like he may have just killed his only child. The sounds of footsteps were heard in the halls as Jet looked up to see a couple guards walk up and behind them was his wife.

“You have five minutes, ma’am,” one of the guards said as they stepped aside. The look on her face was of pure disgust and hate.

“Upper…Crust,” Jet croaked.

“How could you?” She asked vaguely.

“How could you do this to me? To us?!? Were you that desperate for money?!?”

“No darling, you don’t understand!” Jet defended before she slammed the bars and screamed at him with heartache in her voice.

“YOU JUST MADE OUR SON FIGHT TO THE DEATH WITH KING BEORN!! HE WILL KILL OUR LITTLE BOY AND IT’S ALL YOUR BUCKING FAULT!! ALL BECAUSE OF THAT SENSELESS PRIDE OF YOURS!!”

“Please Upper Crust, you must understand. I just wanted us to be happy!”

“Why wouldn’t we be happy?!?” She demanded an answer before wiping her tears and blowing her nose.

“We had everything! I gave you a son! A son who tried so hard to live up to your expectations, only for you to throw it all away!! You’re not the stallion I loved...you’re nothing but a traitor. And if our boy dies….I will NEVER forgive you!!”

Upper Crust then raised her left hand and pulled off the ring he gave her and threw it at his face.

“You can have your bucking ring back, we’re through!”

With those last words as she stormed away, Jet Set felt his heart crumble to dust. In just one night he had lost everything he had worked so hard to achieve and cried in his cell all the way until morning.

End.