I was sitting on the edge of the bed, gently stroking the messy mane of the now sleeping Zebra who'd only a few hours ago had confessed her feelings for me. She'd passed out while holding onto me.

I looked over her sleeping form, taking in all that I could see above the covers. Her mane was still by her side instead of its normal spiked appearance, but it looked less haggard than before thanks to some personal TLC. Her front hooves were tucked up in that particular way that the equines of this world did whenever they slept. I held one of her hooves in my hands as I stroked her mane.

I thought back to the conversation the two of us had earlier, directly after her confession…

"You…love me?" was all I could say. My mind was on overdrive enough already. This revelation was too much for my poor brain to handle.

"I do," Zecora replied. "You're brave, kind, and handsome. Not only that, but any time I talk to you I can be more myself than with anyzebra else. And I don't just say that because you know my language."

I was overwhelmed. I was glad I'd become friends with the kindly shamaness, but for her to fall in love with me? I shook my head to clear my thoughts, focusing on this one discussion. I put aside any other fears and worries for the time being. She deserved my full, undivided attention. She was worth that. "I've only had one other tell me that," I said honestly, "but I am greatly honored and humbled that someone as amazing as you would love someone like me."

She looked saddened by this. "What do you mean, 'someone like me'?"

"Someone as lost as I am. Someone who's still pretty broken despite all the help you and the others have given me."

"No." She shook her head. "Don't say that about yourself. You're much more than that. I know nozebra's perfect, but I fell in love with you despite your flaws."

Her words started to resonate with me, and I felt a blush form on my cheeks. This was the second time someone told me they loved me, and I was the one confessed to, just like before. "Zecora…" I couldn't think of what next to say, but she interrupted me.

"I wanted you to know before your fight," she said. "In the worst-case scenario, I couldn't leave that unsaid between us. Please forgive me-"

I put a finger on her muzzle. She looked cross-eyed at it, and I smiled at how cute it made the mare. "There's nothing to forgive. I'd do the same thing if I were in your situation."

"Please…don't die, Jethro," was all she could say before breaking down in sobs, burying her face in my chest.

I held the crying Zebra close, stroking her mane tenderly. "I'll do my very best, Zecora. That's a promise…"

I was really unable to keep my eyes off of my best friend in this world. The amount of worry and care she'd put into an alien she's only met three months ago warmed my heart so much. But after this little confession, I felt nervous. Nervous not just because I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but because I wasn't sure if I felt the same. It had been so long since I'd been in love that I wasn't sure if what I was feeling for the Zebra was the same. I knew that romantic love could feel different for different couples. For some, they expressed their love through countless ribbing and others by more traditional means.

Do I love you, Zecora? I wondered. Certainly I did in the sense of her being not only a friend, but my very best friend among all the ones I'd made since coming here. Regardless, I knew that if I made it out of this alive, she and I would be having a long discussion about it. I wouldn't put it off like some indecisive wishy-washy anime protagonist. She deserved that.

But for the time being, all I wanted to do was sit by her side and comfort her as best I could. She'd run herself ragged with helping Twilight and the others research. Not to knock the others efforts, but if anyone needed a rest most, Zecora was at the top of that list, if not number one.

Just then the door burst open. Twilight came running in first, holding a book up with her magic. The others followed behind, all looking exhausted, but with a triumphant look on their faces. "Jethro, we found-!" Twilight began before I put my hand over her muzzle.

"Shh, she's asleep," I whispered, gesturing to Zecora.

Who, of course, was sitting up and blinking sleep from her eyes. "It's a bit too late for that, my dear. That you wouldn't find something was something I feared." She said this to Twilight.

Looking a bit chagrined, the purple unicorn apologized after I'd removed my hand from her muzzle. "Alright, so what have you found?" I asked.

Twilight hovered the book for all to see. "The rules for this trial by combat are pretty straightforward, if not…barbaric." She shuddered. "Each fighter fights to the death using nothing but the physical skills they were blessed with." Zecora wrapped one hoof around my arm at that. Twilight continued. "If they used magic of any kind, they would forfeit the match and be summarily executed."

"Wait, what constitutes a physical skill?" I asked.

"See, that's the thing," Twilight said, "it's really vague."

"From what we've been able to deduce," Celestia added, "it's more about physical strength."

"So…hand to hand combat?" I asked.

"In a sense," Luna said.

"Think of it this way," Celestia said, "in Pony terms, an Earth Pony could use their strength, a Pegasus could use their wings, but a Unicorn couldn't use their magic, only their physical strength."

I immediately thought about the one episode of Supernatural where a unicorn stabbed someone to death and wondered if that had ever happened in Equestria in some earlier period. "Hmm, okay, I guess that makes sense. So I'm allowed to use these?" I asked, moving my wings from behind me.

"That's correct," Twilight said.

I nodded. "So…what did you find that might help us?"

Twilight turned a page, a gleeful expression on her face. "So, here's option one…"

I stood in front of a gate in a darkened room. Beyond, I heard the murmurs of a large crowd gathered in what was only known as the Arena, a massive domed cavern that I was told by the servant I'd seen twice before was the oldest part of their city and underground kingdom.

Speaking of the young Lycan, he stood nearby nervously, holding the sword that I would use. It actually more or less looked like Orcrist from the Hobbit movies. I looked over at the servant boy again. He approached, holding up the sword up for me. "Here you are," he said nervously.

I took one and looked at it in the light of a nearby torch. I ran a finger over the blade and found it extremely sharp. I held it up and swung them around experimentally. Nodding I looked down at the young Lycan. "You know, I never got your name."

"Um, it's Mica," he replied.

"Well Mica, thank you for all you've done," I said honestly. "I'm sorry you were thrown into this choiceless situation. In the future, I hope life treats you well."

I turned back and faced the closed gate. My heart was pounding in my chest hard as I walked up to it. One of the males on the side pulled on a chain which raised the gate. I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and stepped out.

The arena was massive. In a way, it reminded me of the Geonosian arena from Attack of the Clones, but darker and encased in stone as well as smaller. The surrounding seats were all full of Lycans, all of whom jeered at or snarled insults at me as I entered. A female loud voice spoke out, breaking through the shouts of the crowd. "The accused, Jethro Bethridge the human, has arrived to face his Trial by Combat!"

Directly ahead, I saw another gate that was beginning to rise. An armored Lycan began walking out towards me. I wasn't surprised when Gemini approached. I wonder if that means she's stronger than she looks, I thought. "The victim, our beloved Princess Amethyst, has appointed Commander Gemini as her champion to put her abuser in his place!" This elicited cheers from the crowd as she stepped further into the light.

For a few tense seconds, the two of us stared at each other. The Lycan's eyes were full of cold fury. I frowned at her despite the utter pants-shitting terror I was feeling at the moment. The voice of the woman from before boomed out over the crowd. "There will be absolutely no magic involved in this fight. If either side attempts to cast any type of spell, or any type of interference is detected from the crowd, it will mean instant death for the opponent the magic was meant to help. There are no exceptions to this rule!" The amphitheater was deathly silent. I took the brief break to look around the stadium. I spotted a private viewing area where a group of pastel-colored Ponies and an anxious Zebra and Dragon sat. My eyes locked with Zecora's. Her words kept on echoing in my head.

I'm in love with you, Jethro Bethridge.

I gave her a smile, then saluted before turning back to my opponent. Zecora had constantly apologized for telling me about her feelings, but I couldn't find myself to blame her. She was worried for me, and I knew she was scared she might not see me again. I couldn't be angry or upset with her.

"At the sound of the gong, the Trial commences. Opponents, be ready!"

Gemini approached me as I did the same. I saw her snarling at me, baring her lupine teeth menacingly. "You will regret hurting the Princess, scumbag," she growled.

"I would not harm anyone here. However, before we fight, I have one final right." I held up my sword. "Before the gong is struck, I invoke the ancient tradition of Final Chances!" I repressed a smile as I thought back to Twilight's explanation from earlier…

"Well, we found two options," Twilight said. "One of the combatants can, before the fight, invoke a rite called Last Chances. Basically, the accuser and accused can privately discuss a possible solution that won't involve a fight."

"So, it's a way to try and resolve their grievances with words?" I asked. "That's…honestly a bit strange, coming from a warrior race."

"Oh, apparently it wasn't the idea of the ancient Lycans," Twilight said, clearly getting a bit too excited. "Their Guardian insisted it be added-"

"Twilight, focus," I frowned. "There's only so little time left."

"Right, sorry," she said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "Anyway, there's no real time limit, but if an accord is reached, then there would be no need for a battle to the death."

"Alright, it's worth a shot," I said. "Now, what's option two?"

Twilight sighed. "This isn't one I like, but here it is…"

The crowd murmured among themselves as I brought my sword down. Above in the royal private booth, the Empress looked over and said something to her daughter. The purple eyed Lycan simply nodded, then stood. Minutes later, she stood before me in the center of the arena, Gemini a respectful distance away so as to not overhear. Amethyst smirked at me. "You simply play for time, just like the prey you live with." She turned to the crowd. "My opponent has invoked Final Chances, and I hereby agree to hear him out." She turned to me, smirking. Lowering her voice, she spoke. "Very well. What is it you wish?"

"First, a question, and I want an honest answer," I replied.

"Not that it'll do you any good, but very well. Ask away, human."

"What was it you truly wanted when you invited me to your room?"

She rolled her eyes and began walking around me. I stood in the same spot as she did. "Did I not make myself perfectly clear? You have the power to change the world. A land as advanced as you claim to be from has enough to tip the balance of power here."

"So…you wanted weapons," I stated. I was surprised she was even telling me this.

"My mother and I love my empire, Jethro," she replied. So…her mother was involved in this too…? "We've been enemies of the Cervinia Citadel for generations," she snarled angrily. "They have magical talents, we have our warriors prowess. But with weapons from a civilization like yours, we can defeat them before they can defeat us."

So…there's been a cold war going on, I thought. "So the reason behind this little execution?"

"Revenge."

I raised an eyebrow. "Against who? I don't even know you."

"You could have," she said sweetly before her smile turned into a snarl. "Instead, you spend time among the weak Ponies. And those princesses."

"Aaah…now that makes sense."

"You're wasting your time here," she glared at me. "All the compromise I will take from you is for you to give us access to your land's materials and knowledge. And only us."

I decided to try a different tactic. "What if I could help bring peace to both your kind and the deer?"

"You!? HAH! You said you were only a treasurer!" she said dismissively. "What would someone who works with coins know about maneuvering politics!? My predecessors have tried to find a common bond according to the teachings of our Guardian, but there's no reasoning with them!"

"If you'll let me try-" I began, but she cut me off with a glare.

"There is nothing to try," she said with a sneer. "You have wasted the last chance available to you. A shame. I was looking forward to seeing just how you compared to a Lycan's 'sword'. Me and a few others." She looked back up at the crowd. "No agreement has been reached," she shouted. "Trial by Combat will resume!" This elicited a cheer from the crowd as she walked away.

Welp, option A is a bust. If I survive, Plan B it is.

After the princess returned to her seat, the Empress brought down her arm. "Begin!"

GOOOONNNGG!

And with that, the fight was on.

Gemini launched herself at me with her powerful legs, blade raised above her head to deliver a decisive early victory blow. Thanks to my new Earth Pony-type strength, I very quickly brought my sword up to deflect, throwing her aim off and stepping to the side so she would stumble forward. Not one to miss a beat, she turned and faced me as I landed and whirled around to face her.

"I shall bring down the judgment of the Guardian upon you for abusing my Princess!" she roared as she ran at me this time.

I brought up my sword to deflect it again. I was acting on pure instinct, whereas she was acting with pure skill and training.

As she brought her sword down again and again, giving me no clear opening, the hatred in her eyes was answer enough. With a roar of pure rage, she brought her sword down on me, but somehow at the same time kicked me square in the chest which sent me flying. My sword was flung out of my hand as I landed in a heap nearby.

Dazed, I slowly looked over at her, only to find that she was very slowly approaching, snarling. She was toying with me, I realized. I stood quickly and rushed to grab my sword. Grabbing the hilt, I stood and faced Gemini again. She was circling me now, a somewhat feral look on her face, but somehow one that made her look completely in control. "Foolish male," she sneered, "you were invited here on good faith and yet you commit the highest of sins against the crown! For that, you shall perish!"

She rushed at me, sword raised. Adrenaline rushing through me made time seem to slow down. I spread my wings and shot into the air out of the Gemini's reach. I could have sworn I heard Rainbow Dash shouting in approval far away. Gemini glared up at me as I stayed far out of reach for a bit before coming back down and standing a few feet away from her. She had a look of pure anger on her face, and was about to say something, when I interrupted her. "This isn't magic. These are my actual wings. They are a part of me regardless of what you might think. Therefore, I'm not using magic!"

"Wings or no wings, I will destroy you!" She charged with her sword held aloft. I reached up and blocked it, but was pushed back. Her strength was incredible. I flapped my wings once, which both got me out of the incoming path of her blade. It also left me ten feet away from her. The lack of a sword to push against sent her off balance and she tumbled to the ground in an undignified sprawl, her sword falling out of her hand.

I ran back and grabbed the weapon before she could. She leapt back, growling at me with her claws outstretched. I held out both weapons in front of me.

And realized my mistake immediately.

There were four things working against me. Those two swords were slightly too heavy for me to wield simultaneously. She had a set of dangerous claws and teeth that could rip my very throat out. I had no experience in swordplay. And my distaste for killing. All that led to her sudden wolflike leap towards me. I tried flying up again, but holding two large swords didn't get me enough lift. There was a sharp pain in my right leg and the tearing of fabric as I was brought down to the ground, hitting the ground hard.

I groaned, trying to sit up. The two swords had been knocked out of my hands again, but the feral looking Gemini didn't even look at them. Her claw was still buried deep in my thigh. She pushed it in deeper and I screamed in agony. She was back to toying with me.

She said nothing as she moved up closer to me, baring her teeth as she looked at my neck. She opened her jaw and dove, intent on tearing my neck out. I reacted as quickly as I could, holding her back with all my strength. She bit down on my arm, and I screamed even louder as she tore through flesh with a bloodlust-filled growl. With my good leg, I kicked her square in the solar plexus.

With her distracted in pain, I reached out and grabbed my sword with my good hand, which was fortunately my dominant one. Okay, she's obviously not gonna listen to reason. There's probably no other choice. Plan B it is. If I survive. I stood and rushed over, but Gemini was already recovered and holding her own sword up. I brought my own sword down hard and she brought hers up in defense.

Sparks sprang up as the swords collided. How that happened, I wasn't sure, but it wasn't important at that moment. I pushed down with all my strength, but since I was single wielding a weapon meant to be dual wielded, she easily overpowered me, shoving me off of her and swinging at me. The swords struck, but I'd jumped back once more with my wings. My shirt was torn and my left arm sleeve fell off. I could almost hear Rarity fainting as the piece of fabric floated lazily to the ground.

I used my new wings to lazily fall back to the ground. Gemini didn't waste time as she rushed to where I would land. Utilizing a trick Rainbow Dash had once taught me, I angled my wings so that I flipped and began falling faster to the ground.

I landed on my feet a half second later but threw myself forward into a somersault as Gemini swung directly where my head would have been. Quickly I spread my wings again and flew up, turning to see what she was doing. She growled up at me and shouted, "Human whelp! Come and fight me like a true predator!"

"All's fair in love and war!" I called back as I floated back down.

She looked frustrated, then threw her sword away. "Enough! Let's settle this like true Lycans. No weapons, no wings, just pure strength! Like our foremothers before us did!"

I suspected a trap, so I held my sword up. "No weapons whatsoever?"

"None," she sneered. She began removing her armor as well, revealing black undergarments covering all of her private areas.

The crowd was clamoring now, cheering for a good fight. I glared at her. "I have no claws," I replied.

"And I don't have wings. Fists only!" She struck her chest with her fist. "Come now, coward! Face me like a true warrior!"

I looked her over one more time, trying to find a spot where she might be hiding a hidden weapon. However, I couldn't see anything. Sighing, I threw my sword aside but didn't take my armor off. Tearing off my other sleeve, I wrapped my bleeding arm up and tied it quickly.

And not a moment too soon, either. Gemini charged immediately and threw a fist at my face, roaring in pure rage. I deflected her fist, only to feel another being buried deep in my stomach which sent me flying. I grunted in pain as I landed and rolled away, my wings getting coated with dust. Amber was on top of me immediately, slamming her fist into my face. I brought my arms up to defend myself as best as I could. It was hard to look for an opportunity with her pummeling me, but eventually I caught her fists in my hands, pain shooting through my injured arm. With a grunt, I pushed her off, pulling out all of my Earth Pony strength. Bringing my head back, I brought my head forwards and hit her forehead with my own.

"GAH!" She stumbled back, blood now pouring from her nose. Not one to let the moment go to waste, I leapt towards her and gave her an uppercut, sending her sprawling. I rushed her and grabbed her neck, beginning to choke her. She grabbed my arms and tried to remove my hands, but I was running on pure adrenaline now.

For the first time, I saw genuine fear on her face. She tried to kick me off, bite at my arms, everything to stop me from choking her, but after a little while she began slowing down. Deciding she'd had enough, I growled. "YIELD!" I demanded.

"NO!" A familiar voice cried out. Something solid hit my face and I was sent flying away. When I got to my feet, I saw Mica standing in front of Gemini. He had a look of determination on his face. "I won't allow you to harm my sister!" he shouted.

The crowd was silent. I slowly stood and looked at the young Lycan male. He returned my cool gaze with his own fearful but determined one.

"Mica!" Gemini was angry now, as well as scared. "This is not your fight! You have dishonored yourself!"

I quickly retrieved one of the nearby swords and slowly approached the two. The air around us was tense. I looked up towards Amethyst then switched to Lycan. "Your subject has defiled the sanctity of this fight. As such your life is mine."

Her eyes widened. "You…speak our language…how?!"

"As you are about to perish, that information is meaningless to you," I said, holding my sword up. "Come down here at once!"

Before I could continue, Gemini stood. "No, I won't allow this!"

"You've lost!" I growled.

"I know," she said with a sigh. "But I cannot allow you to take my princess' life." In that moment I gained some respect for the captain. She always struck me as having loyalty rivaling that of Rainbow Dash. "I invoke the Substitution Punishment!"

I'd heard of this from Twilight in passing. She had explained that it was possible for a family member of a victim could volunteer to substitute for punishment. There was a hushed silence on the crowd as the captain knelt before me, presenting her head. "Do what must be done," she said stoically.

"WAIT!"

I looked up to see the terrified Mica rushing towards us. He put himself between myself and Gemini, then turned and pointed a finger at Amethyst. "The prisoner did not lay a paw on the Princess, my Empress. The Princess told falsely."

The Empress glowered down at the young male. Amethyst herself was seething as well. Amber raised her thumb, and just like that Roman movie, pointed her thumb down. "You've won, human. Do what you must."

I gently pushed Mica aside despite his protests. I kept my face blank as I placed the blade on the Captain's neck. In that moment, I made the decision. "Gemini, captain of the guard, you fought admirably and with a fierce loyalty that's enviable in my land and yours. You have proven worthy of your title. However, as the defeated party, there is no other choice. Your sentence, is-"

You don't need to tell me. I know I suck at action scenes. Bleh, I rewrote this a few times until I finally had something I felt was good.