Game of Thrones: Equestria

“Get him on the table! Quickly!”

Bruze laid the groaning prince on his back as the other prisoners watched from afar. No one could explain the strange phenomenon that had transpired as Imperius had managed to literally butcher one of the most dangerous criminals in the colosseum. Imperius grunted in pain as the whole room felt like a sauna from his own body heat and Bruze had burns across his chest and arms.

“Holy crap, Bruze!” A stallion said.

“Where’d you get those burns?! Did the guards do that?!”

“No…it’s the lad…” Bruze winced as he watched the doctors use every spell they had to try and cool him down.

“Dammit! He’s burning up!”

“Get ice and water, we need to cool him down!”

“AAAAAHHH!! GYAAAAH!!” Imperius writhed in agony on the table as the growing heat seemed to intensify. The water and ice that was requested did little to cool him down as it was instantly evaporated within seconds.

“AAAAAAGGGH!!!”

“Try and stay still boy!” A doctor shouted as they began strapping him down.

“It hurts!! Make it stop!!” The prince begged before one doctor hit him with a freezing spell.

“Are you crazy?!?” Another yelled.

“What choice do we have?”

However, once again, the spell did little to help the prince as he writhed in agony. The heat in the room intensified and everyone was sweating profusely. The two zebra sisters, Ebony and Mona, had managed to finish applying ointment to Bruz’s burns as they watched Imperius.

“At this rate, the lad will burn himself up from the inside,” Bruze frowned as he wiped his brow.

“What can we do? The spells won’t work, and it’s getting hotter by the second,” Ebony pointed out.

“I’ve never heard of this kind of affliction, not even in the medicinal scrolls we used to study. How can we cure this?” Mona wondered.

“Ladies, maybe it’s not yer skills in medicine he needs, but yer words instead,” Bruze pointed out.

“What do you mean?” Ebony wondered.

“That mad bastard zebra he fought, I heard him say that once he’d kill the lad he’d have you two visit his cell and force ya to do unsightly things and who else knows what. That lad fought him tooth and nail to prevent that from happening and ended up like this,” Bruze explained.

“He…fought for us?” Mona asked, surprised.

“Aye.”

Mona looked at Imperius still screaming in pain before cautiously approaching, uncaring for the sweat now drenching her clothes.

“Imperius?” She called to him gently as he managed to focus his gaze on her.

Mona gently took his hand while ignoring the pain and smiled.

“It’s alright now…thank you.”

“Mo…na…”

Soon the room began to cool and Imperius started to calm down as his eyes began to close with Mona still holding his hand.

“Bloody hell…I can’t believe I was right.” Bruze said while placing both hands on his hips while the rest continued to watch.

“Come, sister, he needs to hear you too,” Mona said.

“Me? But I-”

“Ebony, what more proof must be provided that he isn't like those brutes? He literally risked his life for us, something even I didn’t think would happen. Can you truly say he’s as bad as you accuse him to be?”

Ebony’s brow furrowed as she tried to think of an argument, but could not find the words. She gazed at Imperius as his breathing was still heavy and she closed her eyes and sighed. She walked around the other side of the table and slowly reached out and took his other hand.

“E…bony?” Imperius croaked.

“Listen, cause I’m only gonna say this once okay?” Ebony paused as she looked directly into Imperius’ eyes.

“Thanks…for fighting for us.”

All could see a pink blush on the zebra mare’s face as she continued to hold his hand. The doctors were finally able to remove the straps in order to treat his wounds before finally taking him back to his cell to rest.

"What in Tartarus was that?" One doctor asked as they washed their hands.

"No clue but...it seemed magical somehow. Like the very fires of the sun were burning him."

Later That Night

“Rrggh…”

Imperius groaned as he slowly opened his eyes to see he was back in his room, but he noticed that his bed felt different. When he looked to his side, he noticed his mattress was more comfortable and his head was resting on a nice pillow. When he looked around his room, he also took note of the new furniture, and a whole three course meal prepared on the table. Feeling his belly grumble, he slowly picked his aching body up and slumped in the chair.

“What…is all this?” He croaked.

“The spoils of moving up in the ranks.”

Imperius looked up to see Bruze leaning on the wall as he peered into Imperius’ room from the door.

“Spoils?”

At first, the prince’s mind was a blank until he remembered the sick grin of the beheader and the threat he made before everything went black.

“The Beheader! Is he-?”

“Dead.” Bruze smirked.

"Reduced to a nice crispy meal for the vultures. You gave us quite a shock lad.”

“I…remember being angry…the heat just kept rising but after that…”

“Ya split the poor bastard in two with one swing of yer sword.”

“I did?”

“Yup, a gruesome sight.”

“And…all this?” Imperius asked, gesturing to the new features of his room.

“Like I said, spoils for moving up.”

“What’s that mean?”

“The more battles you win, the better treatment you receive around here. Newbies just get a mat and a straw pillow on their first day for their rooms, like you when ya first got here. But now, you’re gonna start living the good life, especially since ya took down such a big contender like that Beheader bloke. The chefs prepared all this food for ya, and I can imagine you’re starving.”

“I am a little hungry.”

GROWL!

“PFFT HAHAHA! A little?” Bruze chortled.

Imperius sheepishly grinned while scratching the back of his head before helping himself to the small feast before him. On the table were an assortment of exotic fruits, salads and desserts.

“Atta boy. Get yer fill.” Bruze smiled before he noticed the prince stop at the desserts.

“…Gumdrop…” was all the prince said as he looked at a cupcake on the silver platter.

“That the name of yer gal?” Bruze asked as he entered the room and grabbed a seat beside him.

“Yeah…I was supposed to marry her,” Imperius muttered as he looked at his engagement ring.

“But now…I’m not sure if I’ll see her again.”

“Look lad, ya can’t say stuff like that. Cause that sounds like ya’ve given up.”

“I don’t wanna give up, but I’m a prisoner here,” Imperius argued.

“My wing is mangled, my body aches, I killed somepony in the most brutal way possible, and that maniac Saladin will most likely keep me here for the rest of my days.”

Bruze was silent as he scratched the back of his head and exhaled.

“Did ya know I got a sweetheart of my own?”

“Really?” Imperius asked.

“Aye…I even have a little girl…she’ll be three soon.” The minotaur sighed.

“They come to see me once a month. My girl is working her flank off to buy my freedom…but that areshole of a ruler won’t allow it…”

“Why not?” The prince asked.

“Cause I’m too good with me fists. That bastard won’t rest till I agree to be his bodyguard. It’s why I was thrown in here.”

“I’m guessing you’re not gonna take his deal anytime soon?”

“Buck no! Even if it means I gotta spend the rest of my years here, I’ll never give him what he wants.”

“But what about your family?”

“They’ll manage, they always do, me wife especially,” Bruze chuckled.

“But enough about me, there’s someone who wants to meet ya.”

Imperius quirked an eyebrow until he saw Ebony and Mona walk in. Bruze gave Imperius a playful slug as he stood up and proceeded to walk out the door.

“You ladies treat him right, ya hear?” Bruze said with a playful wink before leaving.

Both mares were dressed in silk robes that were practically see-through along with traditional veils to hide their faces. The sisters sat on opposite sides of the prince who was blushing up a storm as he tried not to stare and thankfully his wings were too sore to pomf as they began to massage his shoulders.

“Uhh girls? W-what're you doing?”

“Giving you a massage, silly.” Mona giggled while Ebony tried to hide her embarrassment.

“Massage? But I didn’t-”

“Shh,” Mona said as she placed a finger on his lips.

“Just lay on your bed and on your stomach.”

“Uh…alright.”

Imperius stood up and climbed into his bed as she instructed. Both zebra sisters walked on both sides and climbed into bed with him as they sat on their knees. Ebony placed her hands on his shoulders as Mona worked on his lower back.

“Erf! Oh man…” Imperius sighed.

“That feels nice.”

“Wow, you’re tense!” Mona grunted as she popped his lower spine.

“Easy sis, you don’t wanna paralyze him.”

“N-no it’s fine.” Imperius sighed as they continued.

“By the way Mona, how are your hands?”

“They’re fine, it was just a minor burn.” Mona smiled while rubbing the tension out of his shoulders.

The sisters continued to work as Imperius sighed in content. A part of him said that this was wrong, getting a massage from two nearly nude mares that weren’t Gummy. It tugged on his judgment a little, but he quickly concluded that since this was just a harmless massage it wouldn’t really be all bad.

As Ebony finished his shoulders and Mona his back, they gently rolled the prince on his back as he was still in a bit of a daze from the massage. Mona crawled down to massage his legs and hooves as Ebony climbed on top of him to massage his pectorals and abdominals.

“Gotta hand it to you, you’re pretty built for a young colt,” Ebony said.

“Daily workouts, my teacher taught me,” Imperius murmured as he kept his eyes closed.

As Ebony leaned down to press more into his chest, Imperius cracked an eye open to see a very generous amount of cleavage down her robe. Imperius’ eyes shot open as his face burned up and went to raise his head from the shock.

Chu!

“Mmf!”

“Mmm?!”

GASP!!

The prince immediately found himself locked in a kiss with Ebony who was in complete shock. Imperius thought she was going to slap him until he felt her hands gently take hold of his cheeks as she kissed him again while her sister watched.

“E-E-EBONY?!? WHAT’RE YOU DOING!! Imperius stop it right now!”

“MM?!?”

“Mmm~.”

As Ebony broke the kiss, she giggled at how pink both her sister and Imperius’ faces were.

“Wha-wha-wha-wha?!”

“I’ll admit, that was unexpected, but not uninvited,” Ebony giggled as she licked her lips.

“I’m so sorry!” Imperius yelped.

“Why are you apologizing? I’m not mad, surprised, but not mad.”

“But I kissed you!”

“And I kissed you back, so we’re even.”

“Ebony! How could you!” Mona shrieked.

“Mona, please don’t be mad, I didn’t mean to kiss her!” Imperius tired to say.

“I wanted to kiss him first!”

“…eh?”

“You snooze, you lose, sis!” Ebony teased as she stuck her tongue out to her sister.

“Ohh fine! My turn then!

“Wait. Wha-MMM?!?”

Chu!

Mona wasted no time as she leapt on Imperius and immediately locked lips with him.

“Mmmm~”

“MFFFMMM!! Mmmf-HOLD IT!!” Imperius shouted as he caught his breath.

“What the hay is going on here?!?

“We’re rewarding you, duh?” Ebony said.

“Reward?! How is this a reward?! I thought you only wanted to give me a massage?!”

“Well…yeah, but then you kinda locked lips with me so I decided to switch gears.”

“We wanted to thank you with not just a massage but with…something more,” Mona said shyly, pulling her robe a bit.

“B-but why? I didn’t ask you two to do this,” Imperius questioned.

“Because we now know how good of a pony you are,” Mona smiled.

“There’s only a handful of males around here who don’t think with their pricks and you’re one of them. Plus, you’re even more noble than we gave you credit for.”

“Not to mention you’re also pretty darn cute, if I’m being honest,” Ebony winked.

Both mares tempted him further by pulling his hands towards their chests but at the very last second, Imperius snapped out of his shock and quickly dragged himself to the opposite end of the bed.

“A VERY tempting offer, girls, but I must politely decline!”

“Aww, boobs too much for you?” Ebony cooed before showing him she was wearing thong underwear.

“How about here then~?”

“Rrg! Again, tempting but no thank you.”

“How come? You’ve got two pretty girls in your bed who wanna have some fun. Most guys would kill for an opportunity like this,” Ebony said.

“Well I’m not like most guys, I’m just me. Besides, I am engaged,” Imperius reminded them, flashing his wedding ring.

“Aren’t you Equestrians big on the whole herd thing?” Ebony wondered.

“It’s different if you already have a special somepony, and I’d rather not cheat on my fiancé just because I’m trapped here.”

“Who says it’s cheating? You’re not married yet, and I don’t think your mare would mind if you fooled around a little,” Mona said.

“Well be that as it may, I’m sorry, but I still must decline. Don’t get me wrong, you both are very beautiful mares, but my conscience is telling me otherwise.”

“Fine.” Ebony sighed before playfully bumping the prince with her flank as she and her sister headed for the door.

“Just know the offer stands if you get too…pent up~.”

Imperius watched as both sisters left with a sway in their hips with Mona blowing him a goodbye kiss. Once they had left, Imperius flopped on the bed like he had just ran a marathon while catching his breath.

“Oh sweet mother…I almost gave in.” The prince huffed as he grabbed another cupcake to relax.

“I already have two wins…ninety eight to go.”

The Next Day

Prance

The sun rose as its rays shined down on the Prench city. The citizens were going about their daily lives and minding to their businesses. Within the palace, Rarity arose from her slumber and was in the royal kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee. So much had happened since she came to Prance, and she couldn’t shake the overwhelming bittersweet feeling within her. Of all the cities in the world she had been to, Prance was at the top of her bucket list. She has always daydreamed of visiting such a city as glamorous and upper class as Prance, especially with her family, but she was here strictly for business and nothing more. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud yawn from the entrance as the other human friend of Dimitri’s came trudging in. He wore a simple shirt and pants that the staff provided him and his light brown hair and beard were a frazzled mess.

“Mornin’, lass…” he said as he poured himself some coffee.

“Good morning.” Rarity greeted while passing him the cream and sugar.

“I didn’t expect anyone else to be up at this hour.”

“Must be the ol’ military trainin’ Lock put me through from time to time back on Earth.” Phill said as he mixed some sugar and cream into his coffee.

“So you’ll be the one leading the rescue, eh?”

“Once we can agree on a plan, yes.” Rarity sighed while placing her cup down.

“I do wish my husband and daughter were here though.”

“Ya got a wee one?” Phill inquired.

“Yes, a little kirin girl,” Rarity smiled.

“Me congrats, makes me think about me own little girl.”

“Are you married too, Mr. Phill?”

“Naw, me daughter’s story is a bit of a sad one.”

“How so?”

“She ain’t me daughter by blood, as ya know, I found her in Las Pegasus after Lock had liberated it. It was the first time I had met him since becoming the Saint and arriving in Equestria. After the mad dullard blast the city with his ships, he went to see if there were any more survivors. Poor bastard found a stallion by the name of Fancy Pants all starved to the bone in one of the buildings. The poor sod succumbed to his starvation and unfortunately passed on.”

“Fancy Pants…is dead in your world?” Rarity asked, shocked.

“Aye, and Lock took it pretty hard. Anyway, after a few tense words shared, I heard a babe crying not too far away. When I went to see what what making the noise, I found a very unfortunate scene before me. A stag and a mare lay on the ground, both dead by each other’s hands. I then found a wee pegasus foal, crying her poor little eyes out as she was locked away in a closet. Her mother must’ve hid her from the stag in order to protect her. So seeing as she was a babe without her mum, I decided to take her in as me own and give her me dear mum’s name, Merida. I’ve taken care of her ever since as any father would.”

“She’s very lucky to have you.” Rarity smiled as they continued to have their coffee.

In the upstairs bedroom, Tarra was sleeping soundly in the comfy master sized bed when she felt somebody kissing her belly while two hands groped her chest. Rather than freaking out, she purred at the warm touch caressing her and opened one eye to see Lock working his way down her stomach.

“Mmm, morning stud~.” She yawned while gently pushing him between her legs.

“Feeling better?”

“Somewhat,” Lock said as he reached his prize, her slit already looking moist.

“I’m sorry for being distant. I guess failing to keep my promise to Marshall left a bad taste in my mouth.”

“You know it’s not your fault, Lock, no one could’ve expected it to happen,” Tarra reminded him as she pulled his head in towards her lips.

“But I might be able to help with that bad taste. Maybe replace it with a more sweet one~?”

“I might take you up on that,” Lock smirked as they began to make the bed creak.

A few hours later, Lock and Tarra were walking down the hall, hand in hand towards the training area. When they arrived, they saw some of the guards training with Phill dressed in workout clothes and doing stretches.

“Morning Phill,” Lock waved.

“Mornin’, hey Lock, get a load of that thing,” Phill said, pointing to the corner.

When Lock and Tarra looked, Lock gasped as a wide grin grew on his face. It looked like a strange ladder with a large pole leaning on its side. The object had dust all over it as Lock and Phill quickly headed over to it.

“No way, a Salmon Ladder?! How did I not notice this?!” Lock said cheerfully. Soon the rest of the Night Witches and royal sisters arrived to witness.

“Do you know what this is darling?” Rarity inquired as they began to dust it off.

“This is a special type of ladder used in obstacle courses. It was almost impossible to beat unless you knew how and had the arm strength!” Lock smiled as he dusted off the pole and removed his shirt.

“Phill, time me!”

“Does he seriously know how to use this?” Lisa wondered.

“We got it some time ago from some craftspony but could never figure out how to use it.”

“I believe we’re about to find out,” Antoinette said.

“Ready Lock? Okay…go!”

Lock smiled as he jumped with the poll and drove it into the slot. He then used his arms to jump in mid air and drove the poll in the next slot. As he climbed, he seemed to grasp the attention of nearby guards as the rest of the group watched him. The Night Witches, excluding Rarity, were once again gawking at the human’s back muscles and arms as they bulged with each climb. Antoinette and Tarra were also fluttering their eyes as Lock reached the top. Once he did, he began climbing back down with the poll by doing the same thing. The gaurdsmares and maids drooled at his sculpted form and soon he reached the bottom.

“Whoo! Hot damn that was awesome! What’s my time?” Lock smirked.

“A minute forty-two,” Phill said.

“Hah! New record!”

“Hey Mist…you saw all that, right?” Shadow whispered, still in a daze.

“Uh…yeah…” Mist replied when one of the guards decided to give it a go.

“(Bet I could beat that time!)” he boasted as Phill gave him the signal to go, by the time twenty seconds had passed, the guard felt his arms cramp and he was forced to let go and dropped to the ground, panting like he had ran through a desert.

“Good effort, man.” Lock said with a pat on the back while the rest of the guards examined the ladder.

“Interesting, this forces you to not only lift your own body weight but you have to control your arms and breathing as well.”

“Like scaling a wall. This will be good for siege training, I’ll put in a request for more.”

Lock nodded until he felt eyes on him, but brushed it off. “So you’re sticking around, huh Phill?”

“Ya better believe it. Merida is in good hands. Besides, ya need me help anyway,” Phill said, also feeling eyes on him.

“Well, I guess two humans heads are better than one. Besides, Clover could be anywhere in the city,” Lock pointed out.

“I realize that, but I may have a plan to weed her out.”

“That right? How?”

“Simple, I just gotta find somethin’ she wants in order to profit from and she’ll come runnin’.”

Before Lock and Phill could continue, the feeling of eyes on them returned as they both looked to see the Night Witches and the staff, excluding Rarity, the Royal Sisters, and Tarra, all gazing at them with hungry gazes.

“Lock?”

“Yeah?”

“Ya think they might be a little switched from that little display of yours?”

“It’s…a strong possibility.”

“Should we run?”

“Not sure, hey you girls aren’t as hot and bothered as we think, right?” Lock asked.

“I’m good babe but you better hightail it outta here!” Tarra called out before the two took off like a shot with only her, Rarity and Antoinette staying behind as the mares gave chase.

“Tea, ladies?”

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile

In Canterlot

Celestia was finally well enough to resume her duties now that her shock over her son’s kidnapping had passed but she had a strong suspicion in her gut after noticing the peculiar glare from the sun and was sure she was not the cause of it. To help confirm her suspicions, she called for Luna and Starswirl to follow her to one of the most secluded towers in the castle.

“Sister, what’s this all about?” Luna inquired as they continued down an abandoned, dusty hallway.

“Yesterday, I felt a strange power emanating from the sun. I have felt that power before.” Celestia replied as they came to a stop in front of a large door with ancient equestrian writing carved into the wood.

“I know this place.” Said Starswirl as Celestia casted a spell to open the doors.

Inside the room was an array of magical weapons, armors and all sorts of trinkets covered in cobwebs, one in particular caught the trio's eye as they noticed a faint glow and the humming of magic. Celestia used her magic to bring the weapon forward. It was a double bladed halberd and was as tall as she. The handle was pure white and the pommel was a shining sun. The blades of the halberd looked like the sun’s rays as it gave off a warm sensation, like the sun was in the room with them.

“What is this?”

“My old weapon…the Sun Struck Halberd,” Celestia said, brushing her hand along the blades.

“But you haven’t used that since the war with King Sombra. How is it reacting to you?”

“Not me, dear sister...our son.” Celestia turned to them with a tearful smile as she gripped the weapon.

“Imperius is alive!”

“But how can this be?” Starswirl wondered.

“I recall you personally forged this weapon with your own magic. You even used the sun’s own rays to give it its power. How is it responding to Imperius?”

“I believe it has something to do with when he was born,” Celestia said.

“Luna, do you recall that day? How it was abnormally hotter than any other day in the year and you thought it was my doing since I was in labor?”

“Yes and the sun shined brighter after we heard him cry…you don’t think?”

“My power has passed to him…and it has finally awakened! We must get this to him somehow!”

“If I may?” Starswirl said as he touched the shaft of the halberd slightly enough to feel a burn.

“As I thought, only you and those of your bloodline can hold this blade and neither of you is in any shape to travel.”

Both sisters tried to think of a way to transport the blade to Imperius when the time came and in an instant, one pony came to mind.

“Selene!” They said in unison.

“NO! NO! A BUCKING MILLION TIMES NO!!” Marshall roared as his wives and daughter winced.

“Have you both lost your senses?! Was one child not enough?!”

“Marshall, please listen-”

“I will not! We already lost our son, I won’t dare risk our daughter!”

“But I can do it daddy!”

“Hush, young lady!”

The lord regent sat in his chair as he felt a migraine coming on.

“Dear, I know you’re worried but this is our chance to get him back.” Celestia pointed out but Marshall was still not convinced.

“And what if we lose her too?!? I don’t…I can’t lose another child…”

“Daddy…”

“Seeing his feathers, all bloody and clipped…” Marshall reluctantly reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his flask. When he uncorked it, his family caught the smell of alcohol in the air.

“Husband! You’re drinking again?!” Luna gasped.

“How could I not?! For all we know, Imperius could be clinging to his life after what Saladin did to him! I tried to stay away from the drink, but this is all too much! And now you want to send our little girl away?! What are we to say to our foals on the way about their older brother and sister?! That they died from being tortured?!”

Selene took her fathers hands and felt them trembling as she gently corked the flask and set it aside.

“Daddy I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“But Selene, you’re so young, so…”

“So anxious, so excited, so ready to make you proud! Please daddy, there’s no pony else who can do this.”

Marshall looked into his daughter’s eyes and saw her determination. She knew of the risk and was still ready to risk everything for the sake of her family.

“My little princess, I hardly know you.” Marshall smiled at his daughter.

“So brave…just like your mother.” He turned to Luna with a warm smile before taking a deep breath.

“Very well, you may go.”

Selene wrapped her father in a tight hug that he returned in kind while both his wives smiled. Luna then went to a closet in the corner of the room to retrieve her old sword; Fantasia from her old armor and handed it to her daughter

“But you will need protection.”

“But mother...this is your sword…”

“And now it is yours. Protect yourself and your brother with it.”

Selene held the sword in her hands and nodded as she strapped it to her hip. Once preparations for her departure were set, they all stood in the throne room as Celestia and Luna stood side by side.

“Normally, only one of us is required to make a portal to another location, like the Midnight Palace where Twilight is. But since this is Prance and it is literally half a world away, we must do this together,” Celestia explained.

The two Princesses nodded to each other and their horns began to glow. A rift soon opened as a portal formed and their horns glowed brighter. With her bags packed, a new sword strapped to her, she gave one last hug to her father.

“Promise to return to us…” Marshall said sadly.

“I promise, no, I pinkie promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Selene said while doing the gesture.

Marshall chuckled and backed away. The young Princess then stepped forward and passed through the portal and she found herself in the courtyard of the Prench palace as the portal behind her closed. Many of the staff were startled at her appearance as two guards approached her.

“(Who are you? Identify yourself!)” he demanded.

“(I am Princess Selene of Catnerlot, here at my family’s request!)” Selene replied in fluent prench as the guards quickly stood down and apologized.

“(Forgive us princess! Had we known of your arrival-)”

“No need for apologies, where is Dimitri Lockdrom and the queen?”

The guards nodded in acknowledgement of her request and escorted her to the royal court where yet another argument over the rescue plan was brewing.

“We operate in the night! It’s why we’re called the Night Witches!”

“Stealth is useful, true, but we need a more tactical approach. A diversion here, here, and here would throw them off! That way I can fly in and grab Imperius!”

“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re the ones in charge of this mission!”

“And in case you’ve forgotten, I work better alone. I don’t need help from amateurs.”

“AMATEURS?!”

As the door was opened for her, she was met with Antoinette, Lisa, Rarity and her Night Witches, and her beloved coltfriend Dimitri. To her surprise, another human that looked similar to Lock stood behind him with a worried expression. Lock had a dagger pointed at his throat as he aimed one of his revolvers at Whisper Wind.

“Lock, put the gun down!” The man demanded.

“Throw it, and I put one in your leg. I ain’t afraid to shoot a mare,” Lock hissed.

“I have had enough of your arrogance! It’s only because of you the prince was taken by that bastard Uba! If you had let Lord Marshall kill him, we wouldn’t be cleaning up YOUR mess!!”

“Why you little-!”

“ENOUGH!!” Selene bellowed in the royal canterlot voice.

“It’s because of this squabbling that my brother is still locked up!!”

Everyone looked to see Selene as she marched in the room.

“Selene? When did you-mmf!”

Lock was cut off when Selene used her magic to grab Lock’s shirt collar and bring him in for a surprise kiss. She held him there for a few seconds before releasing him.

“I missed you,” she said softly, leaving him a little dazed.

“Erm, how wonderful to see you again, Selene,” Antoinette spoke up.

“Likewise, your majesty,” Selene curtsied.

“I am here to offer my services to help rescue my brother.”

“No offense, Selene, but how are you gonna help?” Lock asked.

“Simple, we will be both stealthy and tactical at the same time. I shall offer myself as a peace offering to Saladin. Meanwhile, you shall use your abilities to pose as a rich noble who was sent by my mother.”

“What?! That’s crazy! I ain’t doing that!” Lock said.

“Actually…that just might work.” Star said while going over a map of the palace.

“We can pose as Lock’s personal attendants and enter the palace without suspicion, then we scout the palace for information on the prince’s whereabouts. Once that’s done, we’ll rendezvous here on the western wall near the river.”

“You mean the sewage pipe? Gross…” Mist grimaced at the thought.

“It’s our best bet and it’s the least guarded part of the city.”

“I still don’t like using you, Selene, what if he manages to nab you?” Lock asked.

“I won’t be taken, not unless I’m by you every step of the way,” Selene said.

“Pardon, but I’d like to ask somethin’,” Phill spoke up.

“First of all, it’s a pleasure to meet you, lass, me name’s Phill. Second, I say that this is the best plan we got so far. Third, why’d you up and kiss Lock like that?”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Phill, I kissed him because he’s my coltfriend and I his marefriend.”

Phill’s eyes twitched as he glared at Lock.

“You even got yer hands on a young lass?”

“Uh…yeah?”

“I’M GONNA KELL YA!”

“Ohh no ya don’t!” Tarra growled as she blasted Phills feet with her ice breath.

“Lay so much as a finger on him and I’ll turn ya into cold cuts!”

“Um…is he always like this?” Selene asked Lock who breathed a sigh of relief.

“Not all the time. Tarra, take it easy.”

“Hmph! Next time, I’ll freeze your mouth shut.” The dragoness huffed while squeezing Lock's arm into her bosom.

“Sweet Jaysus, Mary, an’ Joseph, man! I could understand why ya’re with them two lassies back in Equestria, even that dragon lass, but this little girl?! Have you no shame?!”

“Shame? What shame?”

“How old are ya, lov?” Phill asked Selene as he used his power to free his frozen feet.

“17.”

“An’ he’s 28! A full fockn’ 11 years apart! That ain’t natural!”

“Oh come on, Phill, you’re still thinking like you’re on Earth. Besides, look at Celestia and Luna from this world. They’re over a thousand years old and they married, had kids, and are happy with a guy who’s considered much younger than them.”

“That’s different! The lass is still a LASS! And ya’re a man! And, to make things even more unnatural about this, she even still has her virtue!”

“Scream again and so help me, I’ll gag you!” Selene threatened as she charged a magic bolt while hugging Lock.

“Besides, my daddy gave his blessing so NYEEH!!” The princess stuck her tongue out at Phill who was still dumbstruck before noticing the halberd in her grip.

“Hello. I sense magic coming from that.”

“It was my mother’s. I need to get it to Imperius.”

Lock managed to pry himself from Selene’s grip and reached out for the weapon.

“No wait don’t-!”

Before Selene could warn him, he grasped the handle of the halberd and held it firmly in his hand. Selene expected it to burn him, however there was no pain that came after he held it.

“Huh, nice weapon,” he nodded as he swung it a few times.

“How are you holding that?” Selene wondered.

“Only those of my mother’s bloodline can hold it!”

“Hm? Oh, must be because of my own power that ties with flames,” Lock shrugged but then frowned.

“Selene, this mission you pitched is high risk. They already took Imperius and your dad probably wants my head on the block for losing him. Can you imagine what he’d do if I lost you? What…what I’d do if I lost you?”

Selene smiled comfortingly at her beloved and reached up and cupped his face with both hands.

“You don’t have to worry about me. I know you’ll protect us and we will get my brother back.” She said before kissing him again, much to Phill’s dismay.

“Well well, the little princess has grown up.” Tarra smirked.

“Now about getting into the palace. They’re gonna have wanted posters of you everywhere.”

“Which is why…” Selene smirked.

“We go in disguise.”

“Leave that part to me darlings.” Rarity smiled as she brought out a sewing kit.

“I never leave home without it.”

“Leave it to Rarity to come up with convincing outfits, meanwhile I’ll just go ahead and look the part,” Lock said as he stepped back.

“How do you mean?” Antoinette wondered.

Lock smirked as he closed his eyes. His body began to change and grew crimson red fur all over. His feet morphed into hooves and his face stretched out into a muzzle. His ears moved up to the top of his head and became more pointed. His hair grew longer and from behind grew out a long tail, his hair now colored yellowish orange with red streaks like an open flame. His wings retracted into his back as a horn protruded from his forehead. Standing before the dumbfounded group was Lock’s new unicorn stallion form as he opened his now bright amber eyes.

“Call me Crimson Flare,” Lock said.

FWOOMP!

The pegasi and thestral mares in the room couldn’t help but pompf at the sight of Lock as most of the rest of the mares gawked at his new form.

“What? Something I said?”

“Mmm not bad~.” Tarra purred while looking him over.

“So mister Crimson Flare, what is your deal?”

“I am a travelling musician who provides entertainment for royals and nobility with my beautiful harem at my side.”

“Excellent, now to make the outfits. Ladies, to the changing room and no peeking gentlemen.”

As Rarity led the girls to a different room, Selene looked back at Lock and gave him a wink as she flashed him a part of her undergarments before blowing him a kiss.

“Suddenly, I’m reminded of Moon…” Lock said while Phill cracked his knuckles, ready to punch his lights out.

The Next Day

“Are you sure about this?” Lunar Star groaned as she looked at her outfit.

Each thestral mare, and even Tarra, were wearing rather skimpy looking dancer’s costumes. Selene was wearing traditional royal attire befitting a princess, but had shackles attached to her wrists and an anti magic ring on her horn. Lock wore what most nobility would wear, a white sharp tuxedo with a large flower on his breast pocket. He also wore a top hat and held a cane in his right hand. The Royal sisters and Phill were about to see the Night Witches and Lock off at the ports and Phill tried his best not to laugh.

“Hell, I look like a class A douche…” Lock grumbled.

“Better act the part, stud. Especially if we want this to work.” Tarra said while wrapping her arms around him.

“Which means you’ll need to grope me quite a lot in public~.”

“Save it for later lovebirds.” Shadow Claw sighed while adjusting her top.

“How do mares dress like this? It’s so…breezy.” Star whined while trying to warm herself when Rarity came in wearing a more bejeweled and revealing outfit.

“Ta da! What do you think? Am I a temptress or what?”

“Oi! Ain’t ya married?!” Phill snapped.

“I am, but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t have fun,” Rarity winked.

“Right Dimitri~?”

“I’m afraid of what to say because I don’t want to give the wrong impression behind Spike’s back,” Lock said while looking away.

“Dimitri,” Rarity said sternly as she walked up and made him look at her.

“It’s okay, I know you are an honorable man. My outfit may be revealing, but it is all for looking the part. You also must look the part and act the part if this mission is to be successful. Which means when you must act like a stuck up and perverted Nobel, I would like you to do so accordingly. Spike knows what I do requires such roles and he accepts that it is a necessity. I love my husband dearly and would not dare do this with anypony else if I did not trust them with my life. You and I may not know each other that well, but I know you mean well. So please do not hold back for my sake, do it for Imperius’ sake.”

“I…guess you got a point.” Lock said while doing his best not to look at her chest.

“Good, now be a dear and tell me.” Rarity smiled with bedroom eyes and bent over for her new master.

“Do you think I look good in this~?” She taunted him further by caressing his chin with her tail.

“V-very!”

“Ohhh goody! I am definitely wearing this for Spike when I get home! Places ponies!”

Lock sighed as he morphed back into his stallion form and the gangplank from the airship lowered for them. Lock fist bumped Phill as the two men smiled confidently at each other.

“You get that lad back home, ya here?” Phill said.

“I plan to, and you teach that little brat of a princess a thing or two,” Lock replied.

The group boarded the airship and soon took off as the Royal sisters and Phill waved them goodbye. Phill nodded as he turned to Antoinette with a stern expression.

“Now then, shall we get to work at findin’ that little minx?”

A Few Days Later

Saddle Arabia

“And once again, the winner of today’s battle royale is The Young Prince!”

The sun had just set as the crowd cheered as Imperius stood in the center of the ring, covered in blood, sweat and sand and bodies of defeated gladiators sprawled around him. His hair had grown a little longer and the constant fighting and training had given him a strong physique, despite his wing still being crippled.

“I ask you mares and gentlecolts, who can stop the Warrior of The Sun?!?” The announcer shouted the princes’ new title as he exited the ring with flower petals showering down on him. As the prince descended into the lower levels, he was greeted by his fellow gladiators who began chanting his name.

“IMPERIUS! IMPERIUS! IMPERIUS!!”

Imperius smiled and waved as he walked to the showers, but on the inside he was still sad about being away from his family. He had to kill a few more gladiators back there but managed to wound most of them. His father always made sure to mentally prepare him for taking a life. His words echoed in his mind as he disarmed and turned on the water to wash the blood.

“True courage doesn’t come when taking a life, but knowing when to spare one.”

“I spared as many as I could, father,” Imperius said to himself as he watched the blood wash off his body and into the drain.

“But…is all this killing worth coming back to you and mother?”

Boing!

Imperius’ thoughts were cut off when he felt something soft press against his back, making him chuckle as he heard two pairs of voices giggling.

“The champion of the hour returns!”

“Hail the Warrior of The Sun!”

“Mona. Ebony.” Imperius sighed, instantly recognizing the two mares who began scrubbing him.

“Not the reaction we were expecting.” Ebony smiled while keeping her chest pressed against his back.

“I’m too tired to freak out right now. Plus I’m used to it.”

“Does that mean you’ll let us comfort you tonight?” Mona asked as she circled around and faced him. Not even the sight of her nude body freaked him out since she and her sister had teased him so much.

“These girls really could use a good tending too from a strapping young stallion like you~.” She cupped her breasts and presented them to Imperius.

“As enticing as that is, Mona, I’m afraid I once again must decline,” Imperius shook his head as he reached up to scrub his mane.

“Still hung up about that gal of yours, huh?” Ebony asked.

“She is my fiancé,” Imperius retorted.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you gotta be sad all the time. I mean, yeah, this place sucks but you’ve got new friends here now. Plus, Mona and I can openly say that we really like you, right sis?”

“Mm, definitely~,” Mona hummed while letting Imperius feel her left breast.

“All that fighting must have made you really stressed out~. Sure you don’t wanna fix that~?”

“Girls…” Imperius sighed as he freed his hand, making both sisters pout in disappointment.

“I’m sorry…I just can’t.”

“Okay, we’ll see you later then,” Mona said as she and Ebony left.

Imperius resumed his bathing and soon re-emerged with fresh clothes. He walked back to his room and looked around. Thanks to his many wins, his room has been looking less and less like he was still in a cell and more like a normal room. He had a bigger and more comfortable bed, much finer furniture, a bookshelf full of books and scrolls, and a three course meal ready and waiting as per usual. Imperius took a seat at the table and sat down as he began to eat. Midway into his meal, he heard a knock at the door and from it was Bruze.

“Hello Burze,” Imperius smiled until he noticed a tourniquet on his right arm.

“What happened to you?”

“Ah, the bastard nearly took my arm so I smashed his head in.” Bruze winked as he was invited in to dine with the prince.

“Heard ya scored nine kills today, that brings ya to twenty.”

“Yeah…go me…” The prince sighed while offering his friend a loaf of bread.

“Somethin’ on your mind lad?”

“He rigged the match, Bruze. I was given a blunted blade and almost had my good wing hacked off...I can’t keep this up. I...no WE need to escape!”

“SSHHHH!! Easy lad! You wan’t the guards to hear?!”

“But I-!”

“Imperius, look, I get it alright? More than anyone in this whole dungeon, maybe. We all wanna get the hell out of here and be with those who wait for us on the outside. But that mad bastard of a king holds all the cards! Besides, you ain’t the first to attempt to escape from the hole. You remember them skulls that are perched around the arena in front of the bleachers?”

“I try not to notice them while fighting, why?”

“Those were the last sorry lot who attempted to escape. Saladin beheaded the lot of them and mounted their heads on pikes for all to see. He kept them there as a constant reminder of what would happen to any stupid enough to pull a stunt like they did. What’s worse is that some of that group were females and were dragged to the bad side of the arena. No one’s seen ‘em since…”

At first, Imperius was discouraged but he did not want to go through eighty more bouts that would undoubtedly be rigged against him. As he pondered his next move, a guard that was trusted by the gladiators knocked on his cell before peeking inside.

“Imperius, you got a visitor.”

In that moment, the prince hatched a daring plan but to ensure its success, he would need help from the outside.

“I got an idea, gather the others tonight.” Was all he would tell Bruze before leaving to meet with Princess Jasmine who had been paying him frequent visits in secret. Only Bruze and a handful of other gladiators knew of their arrangement.

Once all the guards were away in their rounds, Imperius saw through the bars a familiar hooded mare as she waited patiently for her friend. He smiled a little as he grabbed a chair and sat himself down in front of the bars that separated them.

“Hello Princess,” he greeted.

“Imperius, I thought we agreed that you would only call me Jasmine? Aren’t we friends?” Jasmine reminded him.

“What can I say? Old habits of proper manners die hard. How are you?”

“I should be asking you that, considering today’s bout. How are you?”

“To be honest, not so good,” Imperius frowned. “I always try to avoid taking a life, but those gladiators wanted nothing but to take my life.”

“That’s what desperation does to you, I’m afraid, especially when it comes to my father. No doubt he had told them some kind of deal to free them or lighten their sentences.”

“He’s a real sicko, I’ll tell you that,” Imperius growled.

“Anyway, Jasmine, I’d like your help with something.”

“Forgive me, but it depends on what you need my help for. There’s only so much I can do, especially since my father has an abnormally close eye on me.”

“I may have an idea to bust myself and the rest of the prisoners out,” Imperius said.

“Escape? It’s impossible, I’m sure you heard about the last group that tried.”

“That is why I need your help. We both know your father won’t stop until I’m either dead or crippled or if I agree to marry you and give him a grandfoal!”

The last statement made both of them blush before refocusing on the escape plan.

“I’m gonna try and get the other cellmates to join in, you should find any in the palace you can trust. Once that’s done, I’ll share the rest of the plan with you.”

“Hmmm…very well just promise you’ll stay alive until then?”

“I’ll try.”

The princess donned her hood as she left the dungeon while Imperius carefully looked around before returning to his cell. He then had Bruze gather any of the gladiators he could trust, Ebony and Mona included, as they all met in Imperius’ quarters where they wouldn’t be disturbed. As Imperius told them of his plan, they all were very skeptical.

“No offense kid, but I’d rather keep my head on my shoulders and serve my time rather than getting lynched,” a griffin by the name of Grubber said as a couple other griffins nodded.

“We know you mean well, but some of us were there when the last group was caught. Saladin executed them all one by one in front of the whole city,” a pegasus stallion by the name of Windy Storm pointed out and a few more ponies nodded as well.

“I’m afraid to tell you I told you so, lad, but I did,” Bruze shrugged.

“Not to mention that you’re also putting Jazzy at risk,” Ebony said a little bitterly.

“And you think he’ll let me or any of us leave alive? That fat bastard has rigged every match against us! Look what happened to Bruze and myself, how soon will it be before he outright kills us?!?” Imperius asked angrily at his fellow cellmates.

“I mean…is this what you wanna be for the rest of your lives? His entertainment, his playthings? Huh? HIS PETS?!? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?!?”

As the prince’s anger grew, so did the heat rising from his body. Bruze and the others began to sweat while Imperius stomped around his cell.

“If I die, so be it. I’d rather die free than rot here in this prison! If you guys want in, now’s the time. otherwise, get out of my sight!”

Everyone was a little put off by his outburst but knew that he was right in the end. Those who had dwelled in this arena long enough were aware that Saladin would rather have them rot instead of granting them their freedom. But the memory of the ones who attempted to escape before prevented them from stepping forward to join him. Bruze sighed as he walked up beside Imperius and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Ya really want to do this, huh?” He asked.

“Damn straight!” Imperius nodded.

“You’re a mad little bastard, but I guess that’s just the kind of mad we need right now,” Bruze smiled.

“You can count on me support.”

“Really?”

“Yep, and for your plan to truly work, we’re gonna have to call in some other outside source for help besides the princes.”

That last bit made most of the prisoners sweat nervously and feel on edge.

“Bruze, he won’t help. We tried last time, but he either refused or asked for something we couldn’t possibly provide,” Grubber reminded him, leaving Imperius unaware.

“Maybe, but maybe he’ll listen to the lad.”

“He’ll most likely gut him rather than listen to him,” Windy said dismissively.

“Once a cut throat, always a cut throat.”

“Who’re you all talking about?” Imperius finally asked.

“Well…over on the bad side of the arena, there’s a prisoner over there who’s known as the only one to actually escape this place.”

“Seriously?! Who?” Imperius wondered.

“A bucking cut throat, that’s who,” Ebony spat.

“Saladin threw him in here years ago because of his infamy as a hitman. He’s known as the Scourge of the East, and it’s rumored that Saladin had to dispatch a small army to detain him. Over half of that small army was wiped out before he was finally cornered.”

“When he was thrown in here, he somehow managed to escape after only a couple of months. The only reason why Saladin didn’t kill him is because he views him as a good earner. Guess you could say the last escapees were somewhat inspired to escape like he did. And…well you know,” another griffin explained.

“More like they were sold out!” A stallion spat.

“They most likely would’ve succeeded if that bucking flankhole didn’t sell them out to Saladin! The only reason he did so was because Saladin promised him first class treatment! You can’t trust him Bruze! We’ll just have to think of another way!”

“Is the guy really all that bad?” Imperius wondered.

“Worse…” Grubber hissed.

“He was the Sultan’s top general in the royal army and his tactics were brutal…He set an entire village on fire just to flush out a group of bandits! Not a single soul was spared…”

“Then why did he escape only to be captured again?”

“He was bored. They say he did it to stretch his legs,” Windy rolled his eyes.

“Trust me boys, he’ll help us.” Bruze smirked with confidence.

“Because we have the one thing he wants: A worthy opponent.”

All turned to Imperius who looked around and pointed to himself.

“Me? How am I supposed to fight a supposed monster like that?!”

“Cause you’re the only one strong enough to do so. You did take down The Beheader,” Grubber pointed out.

“That was just a fluke! I don’t even know how to bring out my power again!”

“Then we’ll just have to help you,” Mona smiled.

“If this power of yours is as special as you say, then we’ll help you bring it out.”

“How’re you gonna do that?”

“We’ll start doing some tests and exercises tomorrow. It’s late, and we’re gonna need our rest,” Ebony said.

The others nodded and all left Imperius’ room. The young prince could only walk over to his bed and slump down on the mattress as he stared up at the ceiling.

“Just what have I gotten myself into…”

Later That Night

As the prisoners slept and the guards made their rounds, Bruze made his way to the large barred wall that separated his half of the arena dungeons and the bad apples. His face was stern as he walked and he soon arrived where there were a few killer gladiators hanging about. They were a few Pony and zebra stallions as they conversed with each other until one of them noticed Bruze.

“Oi, go get your boss. I wanna chat with him,” Bruze demanded.

The one staring at Bruze simply scoffed before walking towards a single cell at the end of the hall. Inside was a room more luxurious than the prince’s, filled with pony and zebra mares, including a few griffin girls, strewn across a large bed, all with flushed expressions. At the center was a single minotaur, grinning sickeningly as he fondled the one snuggling him. He was large, much larger than Bruze and his horns were curved and sharp. His fur was raven black with a few white patches here and there, and his muscles seemed to flex with each little movement. His eyes were dark brown and narrowed and he glanced up to see his lackey.

“Boss, you got a visitor.”

“Oh? From the other side?” He grinned before suckling his girl’s breast for a moment.

“Be right back my lovelies, rest for me~.” He grinned as some of them whined for him to stay. When Bruze saw him coming down the hall, his body tensed up and his heart felt like it was about to explode.

“Bruze! Long time no see. How’s the horn?”

“Like you need to ask…Zamnir,” Bruze growled.

“Ah ah,” Zamnir wagged his finger.

“An attitude like that will make you lose the other one. So, what business do you have with me? I was about to begin my fourth round with my lovelies. I haven’t knocked them all up yet, and only half of them are carrying my bastards.”

“I…” Bruze clenched his fist in anger before taking a breath to calm down.

“I have a proposition for you.” He looked around to make sure no one else was listening. “We’re planning to escape, and…we need your help.”

There was a brief pause until Zamnir burst out laughing and his voice echoed throughout the halls.

“Oh this is rich!! You idiots didn’t learn from the last time? BAHAHAHAHAHA!!” Zamnir laughed to the point where he had to lean himself against the bars as he wiped a tear from his eye.

“Ohh that was good! I never laughed so hard! But seriously, why would I help you?”

“Because we found someone to match you.” Bruze said with his arms crossed as Zamnir raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? You mean the new kid? Heard about that.”

“Yes, he’s special, and I think…no, I know he can be your equal, perhaps even be able to beat you.”

“Those’re some pretty big words for such a small bull,” Zamnir mocked.

“Say that I was somewhat interested, you do realize Saladin’s not gonna let another escape attempt happen.”

“Don’t you wanna escape?”

“Meh, it’s not too bad here,” Zamnir shrugged.

“I get to fight, eat, drink, and fuck any time whenever I want. It’s almost like I’m a king myself here.”

“But…?” Bruze said to him, sensing there was more to say.

“But…I suppose it’s gotten a tad boring as of late. I mean, being able to do whatever the hell I want is nice, but it’s not quite the same as it was out there.”

“Which is why you escaped.”

“You could say that, but Saladin wanted me back so bad I came back.” Zamnir paused from talking as Bruze waited. “So this kid, he’s that good of a contender?” Bruze nodded before telling Zamnir something that instantly sealed the deal.

“Better. He’s the son of Celestia herself.”

Zamnir stood shocked for a brief second until a wide, sadistic smile appeared on his face as he held up a finger.

“One month from today, do you know what day that is?” Bruze thought for a moment until he nodded again.

“The Freedom Tournament.”

“If that boy is as good as you say…then I’ll wait for him in the final round. After all, I am the reigning champion.”

“And if he makes it?"

“I’ll help you escape, but if he fails to deliver…I’ll make him my personal servant!!”

Bruze wanted to refuse and walk away from such an outlandish term, but his thoughts trailed back to Joe passionate Imperius was at escaping.

“Very well…” he muttered as he raised his good hand out to Zamnir. The larger minotaur scoffed as he grabbed Bruze’s hand and shook it firmly.

“I look forward to the tournament…little brother.”

Zamnir released Bruze and walked away with a laugh. Bruze also turned away and grit his teeth.

“Imperius…forgive me.”

End.