Author's Notes:

Well, here is the battle you all have been waiting for, since part one. I hope it meets your expectations. So I shouldn't keep you any longer from the story. So always: comment, like, follow, share and tell. See you all in the next exciting chapter of The Fable Warrior.

Liberation pt. 2

Ponies filled the arena looking down at the battlefield. I stood one side stretching out my body with Twilight next to me. She held my coat as I didn't need it for the fight. I could see she was still nervous about me going into this match. I placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me as I smiled at her.

"I wish you didn't have to do this." Said Twilight

"I know, but this is the only way to free White Claw and Chi from Gruff's grasp. I don't want to think what will happen if he leaves with them back to the Griffon Empire," I said

"I know, so good luck and keep your promise to me." Said Twilight

"You know I will, Twilight," I said

I kissed her as she went back up to the balcony to stand with the others. I turned around and walked to the center of the battlefield as did Gruff. We stopped at the middle and Fang came up to both us. She raised her hands to calm the crowd.

"Welcome everypony to the Slave Trade Battle. This battle will be between Xavier Young and Commander Gruff. Both sides have made their wagers. For Gruff his slave girls of White Claw and Chi. For Xavier two of the Crystal Shard Dragons. The rules are simple, only brute force and swords shall be both sides only weapons. The match will only end when one side either dies or forfeits. Both competitors are you ready." I nodded to Fang and Gruff did so as well. "Then draw swords." We both drew our swords. Gruff's sword was just an ordinary sword. "Then, fight!"

"Prepare to die, monkey." Said Gruff

"We'll see about that, Gruff," I said

We rushed at each other, and our swords started to clash against one another. The battle had begun, and only one side could win, and I was going to be that side.

***
3rd Person POV

The crowd of ponies cheered as Xavier and Gruff battled it out. Their swords clashed against each other, and neither side was giving the other an inch. Twilight stood by watching as Xavier swung his sword striking Gruff's steel blade. Flame also watched, but he seemed to be concentrating on his brother.

"So I guess we aren't good enough for Xavier if he needs to fight for slave girls." Said Rarity

"I'm sure there's a reason for it." Said Fluttershy

"And the reason being." Said Applejack

"Freedom." Said Twilight

The others looked at Twilight. "He's fighting to free Chi and White Claw, the slave girls, from Gruff. The only way he can do that is with this battle."

"So he isn't doing it just to have slave girls at his call." Said Barb

"Nope." Said Twilight

The girls looked down at the fight. On further down, Celestia and Luna watched the match. They still couldn't believe that they were watching a Slave Trade Battle between Xavier and Gruff. Celestia wanted to get involved and end the feud between Xavier and Gruff. But the look on Twilight's face stopped her. She watched Xavier block and attack Gruff without mercy.

"Sister, do you believe Xavier will win?" Asked Luna

"I'm not sure Luna. Gruff is a famous military commander, with years of war combat training under his belt. No doubt he's a match for Xavier, but I hope Xavier can win." Said Celestia

"Yes sister, otherwise the Griffon Empire will have two of the twelve Crystal Shard Dragons." Said Luna

"Yes, sister and we will also be burying Xavier." Said Celestia

"That then begs the question sister, will Xavier kill Gruff. I know he has an oath not to kill those that he isn't supposed to kill. But won't he have to for this match." Said Luna

"No, that's just one way to win. The other way is to have your opponent forfeit the match. But never do these fights come to that." Said Celestia

"Then I'll guess will have to watch and wait." Said Luna

"Yes, Luna, we will have to wait and see." Said Celestia

Gruff kicked Xavier in the stomach causing Xavier to stumble back coughing up some blood. But that didn't stop Xavier as he just wiped the blood from his mouth. Xavier glared at Gruff as he held his sword tight. Gruff just laughed as he looked at Xavier.

"Monkey, I am impressed you've gone this long with me. Most who battle me don't last long. I'll give you that much, but if you forfeit now, you won't have to die in front of all these poor innocent ponies." Said Gruff

"As if Gruff, we just started this fight." Said Xavier

"Then very well, I hope Princess Celestia has strong enough cleaner to clean up your blood stains." Said Gruff

Gruff pushed up using his wings and flew straight at Xavier. Xavier raised his sword and blocked the incoming attacks that Gruff was delivering from the sky. Ponies kept cheering on Xavier as he rolled out of an assault. Xavier turned around and watched Gruff come at him at full speed. Xavier spun to face Gruff, and before Gruff could hit, Xavier leaped backward. Gruff watched as Xavier landed and round kicked his face.

Gruff went flying in the direction of Xavier's kick and hit the ground. I need to make sure he can't fly anymore. Xavier sheathed his sword and booked it towards Gruff. Gruff got up from his attack and rubbed his face. He looked to see Xavier run at him with his blade sitting in its sheath. Gruff smiled as he grabbed his sword and swung it at Xavier.

Xavier sidestepped out of Gruff's attack and struck him in the face with a mighty punch. Gruff spat up blood from the force of the blow. Gruff went stumbling back as Xavier dazed him with the attack. Xavier then moved towards his back and grabbed his wings.

"What are you doing, monkey?" Stated Gruff

"Evening the playing field, we monkey's can't fly so neither should you." Said Xavier

Xavier took the ends of the wings and gave them a quick push to the side, snapping them. The sound of the crowd drowned out the sound of the breaking of Gruff's wings. But his screams of pain were enough to know that Xavier broke his wings. Even the angle they were at, wasn't natural and showed Xavier broke them. Pegasi, the princesses, White Claw and Fang all winced as they saw the wings and heard Gruff's screams.

"Oh, I know that feeling." Said Rainbow

"Did Xavier just do that? Did he just brutally break Gruff's wings?" Asked Rarity

"Yes, and he's just getting started. You're about to see why Xavier can be kind and gentle, but also brutal." Said Flame

They all looked down as Xavier kicked Gruff away who was still overcoming the pain of Xavier snapping his wings. He looked at his wings and tried to use them, but it was impossible. Gruff just stared daggers at Xavier as he pulled his sword from its sheath.

"You damn dirty ape, you just broke my wings. How dare you!" Screamed Gruff

Xavier just smiled and didn't say a word as he just gestured Gruff to fight him. Gruff roared as loud as he could.

"I'm going to paint this arena red with your blood!" Scream Gruff

Gruff ran at Xavier, and the two started to clash swords once again. White Claw and Chi couldn't believe their eyes as they watched Xavier fight Gruff. White Claw and Chi had seen many fights with Gruff, but none like this. Gruff always won and made it look easy. But here, Xavier was meeting him tic for tac.

"Oh please do it, Xavier. Beat Gruff, Xavier!" Said White Claw

Ponies cheered Xavier on as he gave another round kick to Gruff before giving a punch to the side of the face and leaping away. Celestia and Luna watched as Xavier put a beat down on Gruff. Luna wasn't cheering on the outside as she was a princess, but she was in her head. She hated Gruff with a passion. He always seemed too smug for his good. Something Luna hated when he took command of the Griffon Empire's forces. She looked to her sister who was looking down at Xavier as he exchanged blows with Gruff. She didn't know if Celestia was cheering as she was, but she suspected it with a smile on her face. Celestia lost many good friends to Gruff and his Griffons. Celestia was known to many as the best field general around, but Gruff showed her up and killed over a thousand of her best guards in a single battle. Guards she knew. Celestia lost all of them to Gruff. She always said she wanted to get Gruff back for that and Luna knew this was payback. Give him all you got Xavier, teach him why you don't mess with Equestria and its ponies.

"Go, Xavier, go! Go, Xavier, go!!" Said Pinkie

"Pinkie this isn't some sporting event." Said Rarity

"But we still have to cheer Xavier on, right," said Pinkie waving two flags with Xavier's name on both of them.

"Rarity's right, this is a death match." Said Twilight

"You girls don't need to worry yourselves. Xavier's got this." Said Flame

"How do you know, Flame?" Asked Twilight

"Because of Xavier's attacks." Said Flame

"Huh," said the mane six together.

"You see, Xavier has a deep emotional connection to anger and hatred. Something he never speaks about as it brings up to many bad memories. Even I don't have the full story, only one is our mother. The reason I say that is because Xavier's using his hatred and anger to become brutal. Just look at his eyes and tell me if they are the eyes of my brother, your friend, and lover." Said Flame

The girls looked down and saw Xavier's eyes were lifeless. They also projected a sense of hatred and anger, something they only saw once when Xavier thought Flame died to Slugger.

"His eyes look like the time he thought you died, Flame." Said Twilight

"That's right, Xavier you know is gone and replaced with a more brutal Xavier as you saw with him break Gruff's wings. I've been watching his movements and no doubt Xavier's taking every ounce of anger and hatred and using it to beat down Gruff." Said Flame

"Wait, will he kill Gruff." Said Barb

"No, his oath stands as the light for him. It makes sure he doesn't fall entirely to his anger and hatred. No, Xavier won't kill him, but he will do something much worse." Said Flame

"That would be?" Asked Rainbow

"Break him." Said Flame

The girls looked at each other and then back at the battlefield as Xavier jumped back holding his stomach. A slash mark now sat on his belly. It was shallow, but still bleeding. Xavier ignored the pain and went right back into the fight.

What brutality. Fang had front row seats to the match. She bit her lips as she saw Xavier deal powerful blow after blow to Gruff. She couldn't believe the level of brutality that Xavier had in him. I could never imagine Xavier like this. Fang was still moving her wings in and out. Even though the crowd couldn't hear the snap of the Gruff's wings, she could. Threstals had the best hearing out of anypony in Equestria. So when Xavier snapped Gruff's wings, she heard it first hand. It made her spine shiver at the sound of Gruff's breaking bones. She still couldn't get the sound out of her head. But even with that, she knew Xavier wasn' that way. She looked at Chi and White Claw who were cheering Xavier on as he fought. She then turned to Xavier and smiled. Fight Xavier, fight.

Xavier gave another hard strike to Gruff's face before grabbing the dazed Gruff and slamming his head into his knee. I won't lose, even if I have to go full on brutal, I won't let him win. I can't let him win. Gruff walked back holding his beak before spitting up blood from his mouth.

"I've had enough of you monkey. You think you can bring down the great Commander Gruff. Then you are mistaken." Said Gruff

"As if Gruff, this battle is mine. Now if your forfeit, I won't have to break you." Said Xavier

"Break me, ha, just because you broke my wings doesn't mean you've broken me. But I'll show you broken." Said Gruff

Gruff ran at Xavier as he readied his sword. Xavier got into a defensive stance as Gruff swung his sword. But something was off as Gruff smiled as he swung his sword. Soon the two swords meet before they each flew out of their owner's hands. What? But Xavier's thoughts were cut short as a fist struck him hard in the gut. He vomited up blood from the force of the blow. Damn. Xavier fell to the ground holding his stomach with Gruff leaning over him. Soon Xavier's face met that of Gruff's foot.

Xavier went back as he held his nose. Blood was coming out of it.Damn, I think he broke my nose. But Xavier pushed past the pain and got back to his feet as blood leaked from his nose. Gruff smiled before running at Xavier and starting to go into hand-to-hand combat. But Gruff had an advantage in it, his eagle talons. He began to use his claws to attack. Xavier was turning into a scratching post as Gruff clawed him. But Xavier wasn't going down from that. But he had plenty of scratch marks covering his upper body and arms. Blood was leaking from and the wounds. Xavier was breathing at a rapid rate trying to catch his breath.

"What's wrong monkey, need a nap." Said Gruff

Gruff swung his hand up and struck Xavier with a mighty uppercut. It sent Xavier into the air before landing him on the ground with a thud. Gruff laughed as he walked towards Xavier, who was struggling to get up as the wind just got knocked out of him. Damn it! Gruff grabbed the collar of Xavier's shirt and raised him into the air.

"So monkey, do you feel smug now?" Asked Gruff

Xaveir spat in his face, "Go to hell, Gruff."

"Gladly, but you should go before me." Said Gruff

Gruff brought back his fist and struck Xavier hard in the face. Xavier spat up blood before another fist came at him. Fist after fist came at Xavier's face. When Gruff felt he finished his left side, he switched to his right. Gruff laughed as he struck punch after punch into Xavier's face. Xavier was taking each one and spitting up blood every so often. The crowd was quiet as they watched Gruff beat the living daylights out of Xavier. Gruff then gave a final blow to Xavier before dropping Xavier to the ground. Gruff then rose one of his feet and with his metal boot crushed Xavier's chest. Gruff started to push down causing Xavier to scream in pain.

"You said you would break me, but here I am. Standing while you lay on the ground with my boot on your chest. Now if you beg for me, then maybe I won't break your ribs." Said Gruff

"I'll never beg, Gruff." Said Xavier

"So sad, but once I get my sword, all this pain will end. But for now, I think I want to hear you scream." Said Gruff

Gruff started to push all his weight into his boot. Xavier screamed as the weight began to push against his chest, but that was all Gruff could do. He couldn't push anymore.

"Why can't I break your ribs?!" Demanded Gruff

Gruff started to stomp his boot on Xavier's chest.

"No worries Xavier, I got you covered. I placed right under your muscles a thick layer of ice. It will protect you from that stomping, but it's going to hurt. But it won't stop enchanted swords as they can pierce right through the ice barrier."

"Thanks Icicle."

"Enough, if I can't break your ribs, then I'll make you beg a different way." Said Gruff

Gruff punched Xavier in the face to cause him to go dazed. Gruff walked off and grabbed his sword and walked back over to Xavier. Twilight went to ledge and screamed to Xavier

"Xavier get up right now!" Get up Xavier!"

Xavier started to come out, but it was too late as he felt cold steel strike him. Gruff pushed his sword into the side of Xavier's gut. Xavier screamed as the pain hit him. Damn, that hurts like hell. His sword must have an enchantment if it broke through Icicle's ice barrier. Xavier held back more screaming as Gruff moved the blade around in the wound.

"How does it feel, monkey? You should have stood down when you had the chance. But no, you decided you want to die for two stupid slave girls. Well, I hope it was worth it." Said Gruff

Gruff started to remove the sword until Xavier stopped him. Gruff looked at Xavier until a fist made contact with his face. Gruff went stumbling back as Xavier got up with the sword still inside him.

"Yes, it will be Gruff. But if you must know, I've been holding back on you. I thought I wouldn't have to let go, but I guess I have no choice." Xavier pulled the sword from his body and threw it behind him. It clanged as it hit the ground. Blood oozed from Xavier's deep sword wound. But Xavier ignored it as he stared at Gruff. Gruff looked at Xavier before Xavier came running at him and struck him hard in the gut. Gruff vomited up blood from the force of the punch.

"Now you get to see what happens when I release every once of my anger and hatred." Said Xavier

Xavier then struck punch after punch to Gruff's face. But unlike Gruff's punches, Xavier was throwing everything into his punches. Gruff couldn't believe the force nor could anypony else.

"That's Xavier's full brutality." Said Flame

Xavier pulled back his fist as he gave a powerful punch to the beak of Gruff. A snapping noise went throughout the air. Gruff fell to the ground holding his beak.

"You broke my beak!" Said Gruff

"That's not all." Said Xavier

Xavier kicked Gruff hard in the face, and he landed on his back before Xavier grabbed the edge of the armor and lifted Gruff up and started to strike blow after blow to his face. Blood was covering Xavier's glove as he continued to hit Gruff with his fist, when that Xavier finished that, he tore off Gruff's chest plate and placed his combat boot on his chest.

"How is it Gruff, to be on the other side." Said Xavier

Gruff just coughed, and Xavier began to apply pressure to his chest. Gruff screamed in pain as Xavier pushed his boot into his chest.

"Twenty-four ribs Gruff, how many do you want me to break?" Asked Xavier

"You don't have the balls to do it, monkey." Said Gruff

Gruff screamed as Xavier smashed his boot into his chest breaking a rib. But not enough to cause internal bleeding or damage to Gruff's internal organs.

"Twenty-three Gruff, give in now, and I'll spare the rest and the pain of recovery." Said Xavier

"I'm not afraid of pain monkey." Said Gruff

"Then so be it." Said Xavier

Xavier started to break another rib after rib until he had four broken. Gruff was coughing up blood from the act. Xavier just moved his boot to the next one and broke it and then the next.

"Six ribs Gruff, six more and I'm done with this side. Want to reconsider because it looks like I have the balls to break your ribs one-by-one." Said Xavier

"Do your worst monkey! I won't forfeit. So if you want to end this match, you'll just have to kill me." Said Gruff

"Let me tell you Gruff, if I didn't have an oath not to kill, I would take my sword and shove it into your heart. I would love to see the life leave your eyes so you can rot in hell. But I won't take your life. I don't want that blood on my hands. But I'll gladly make it feel like your dying." Said Xavier

Xavier broke another two ribs as he climbed Gruff's chest with his boot. Gruff held back from screaming and submitting to Xavier, but the pain was getting to him. It was beyond anything he felt in any battlefield he entered.

"Give in Gruff!" Said Xavier

Before Xavier could snap the ninth rib, Gruff spoke up.

"Ok, ok, I give up. I forfeit the match!" Said Gruff

Xavier released his boot and moved away from Gruff. Fang came out and raised Xavier's hand.

"Everypony the match is over, our winner is, Xavier Young, the Fabled Warrior." Said Fang

The crowd was silent before they burst out cheering as a Griffon soldier helped Gruff up. Gruff just growled as he looked at Xavier. Damn that monkey to Tartarus.

***
Xavier POV

I smiled that it was over. I beat Gruff, even though at one point I was sure I was going to lose the fight.

"Xavier!"

I looked to see the others coming up. I had smiled at them before I felt immense pain hit me like a ton of bricks. I guess the adrenaline finally wore off. Fang held him tight as I was about to fall to the ground. I started to feel light headed, and my vision was going blurry. I'm not going to hear the end of this from Twilight or the others. Then as my the others reached me, everything went black.

***

I slowly opened my to see I was back in the room, even though everything was blurry. I slowly pushed myself up and saw Twilight on the couch with Flame sleeping next to her. I turned to see Fluttershy and Barb talking to each other on the other couch in the room. I also heard the shower running. I groaned as I pushed myself up from the bed.

"Xavier!"

I watched as the girls came running up to me. Twilight levitated over my glasses and gave them to me. I placed them on my head and looked at the girls.

"Glad to see your back, Xavier." Said Barb

"Yeah, so how long have I been out?" I asked

"Little over an hour." Twilight then levitated over a tray of food. "Hungry."

My stomach growled, and I blushed as I took the food from her magic. I then began to eat it like I haven't eaten in years. I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was.

"So mind filling me in on what happened after I went out," I said

"Well, we took you to the medical wing of the castle and the doctors patched you up. They stitched up your wounds and made sure you were healthy. Gruff also got medical attention, and after that, he left." Said Fluttershy

"What about White Claw and Chi and Meteor and Icicle's crystal shards?" I asked

"No worries Xavier. Gruff kept his end of the deal." Twilight took one of my hands and opened it up and placed a key in it. "That will unlock their collars. White Claw and Chi are right now with Rarity getting a fresh new clothing. Plus the crystal shards are in your belt."

"Well, I guess everything worked out in the end," I said

"Yeah, but it was dangerous Xavier. You could have died." Said Barb

"Yeah." Said Fluttershy

"I'm sorry I got your girls worried again and sorry for what you saw. I don't like diving into my hatred and anger," I said

"Hey no worries Xavier, were just happy to see you ok and breathing." Said Twilight

I smiled as the door opened and Rarity came into the room.

"Glad to see your up darling because I would like to present you the new White Claw and Chi." Said Rarity

They walked in no longer wearing their maid uniforms. White Claw was in a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt with a big smile on her face. Chi had on a black skirt and white button up collar shirt with the top two buttons undone.

"You girls look lovely," I said

"Well thank you, Xavier." Said White Claw

"Yes, and thank you for giving us our freedom." Said Chi

"Well, you aren't free yet." They looked at me like I was crazy. "I still have to remove those collars." White Claw and Chi walked over to me, and I used the key, well after they both showed me the key hole, and unlocked the collars. The collars fell to the floor. "Now you're free."

They both rubbed their necks as it was probably the first time they had it off. I could see the fur where the collars sat was black from the shocks they received from the collars. It would be a constant reminder of their past lives, but at least they didn't have collars on any longer. I picked up each and started to freeze them before snapping them into pieces.

"Seems so strange not to have that control collar around my neck." Said White Claw

"Yes, but I'm happy to have it around my neck no longer. You are amazing Xavier." Said Chi

"Yes, you kept your promise to us." Said White Claw

"Hey, as I said, I always keep my promises," I said

Soon Applejack came out of the shower rubbing her mane dry. She saw I was awake and walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Nice tah have ya back, partner." Said Applejack

"Always good to be back," I said

I went back to my food as Barb spoke up to them.

"So what are two going to do now?" Asked Barb

"Oh, I never thought about that." Said White Claw

"Yes, White and I can't return to our kingdoms as we would end right back up into slavery." Said Chi

"Well, come to Ponyville with us. It's a great place to start a new life," I said

"But where are they going to stay?" Asked Twilight

"How about the basement of the library," I said

"So we would get to live where you live, Xavier." Said White Claw

"Yeah, the library is where I live with my brother, Twilight, Barb and mine and Twilight's daughter, Moon," I said

"You already have a daughter." Said Chi

"Yes, but Twilight and I can't yet create biological children, so we adopted Moon. We took on the roles of parents after we meet her. I know you will enjoy her as she is a sweet little filly. So how about it, want to come and live in a library that's also a tree?" I said

"I don't mind it." Said White Claw

"I guess it's better than the streets." Said Chi

"Alrighty then, when we get back to Ponyville, will convert the basement of the library into your living quarters," I said

White Claw and Chi smiled at each other before White jumped me and pushed me down onto the bed hugging me tightly. Sure she was placing pressure on my wounds, but I could live with the pain. I rubbed White's back as she purred while rubbing her head all over my chest. After a while, she got up, and Chi gave me a much more gentle hug

"Well, I'm tired, so I think Chi and I will retire to our room. See you all in the morning." Said White

"Yes and Xavier," I looked at Chi. "When you have time, I would like to talk to you in private."

"No problem, Chi and have a restful night," I said

Soon they left, and I sighed as I went back to eating.

"Ya know Xavier. Ya took a risk today takin' on Gruff. But in the end, I have tah say it was worth it. The smiles on White Claws and Chi's faces sure say how they are happy to be free." Said Applejack

"Well, it is my mission to help those in need," I said

The girls just rolled their eyes and giggled. Flame just grumbled and rolled over in his sleep. I yawned as I saw him sleeping.

"Well, I'm tired, I bet you girls are as well," I said

The girls all nodded, and I got up on the bed as they each stripped down to their underwear.

"I'm impressed you girls want just to wear that with Flame," I said

I laughed as the girls looked at Flame who was drooling, apparently enjoying his dream. They rolled their eyes as they curled up next to me. Twilight and Applejack curled right up next to me with Barb next to Twilight and Rarity on the other side of Applejack. Fluttershy on my chest. They each curled their tails around my legs and got themselves comfortable, and Twilight used her magic to bring up the covers to cover us all up.

"I love you all," I said

"We know Xavier, and we love you as well." Said Twilight

The rest of them nodded as I settled my head into the pillow and Twilight turned out the light. It didn't take long for me to go out. I smiled as I closed my eyes and let myself enter the land of dreams after a long days work.