Speedy began pacing, Pinkie shadowing him. "Alright...now we've got firepower... allies who are willing to risk everything with us... but... there's got to be something else. It can't be that simple. Else you could have just shot them yourself."

Faust nodded. "There are a few extra steps that need to be taken before. The Railroad's weapon industry has rarely called for blood, but... it is time to change that."

"Dez... isn't gonna be too happy," Speedy sighed. That mare had had a hard life, but it had never caused her to want bloodshed. That's why the AGO could accomplish so much. "But, I think she'll agree that we have no choice."

"As many weapons as she make from her furnaces," Faust said in a serious tone that drew everyone's attention. Even Shining's snoring quieted. "Bombs, armor... and sharp pointy things."

"Yaks start furnaces too," Bork declared boldly. "Prince brother great warrior. Smash evil things for hurting pony allies."

Faust smiled. "Your service will be invaluable. But... do you know what is required? You may change your mind once I tell you what you're up against."

"We've come too far already to back down know," Cadance said in determination, lowering her new daughter to nurse beside Flurry. "My daughter was kidnapped. My husband was tortured and raped... I... I... if I can't see this threw to the end... then I'm nothing but a coward."

"You can't go," Speedy told her. "I'm sorry, princess. But, you've got an entire kingdom to look after."

"I am Empress of the Frozen North," the alicorn shouted back. "You can't order me to do anything."

"Actually, he's right," Faust said.

"What?" the princess demanded angrily. "How can you say that? My husband can't lead the armies in his condition, so that responsibility falls to me."

"And you will lead the empire's armies," Faust told her with a nod. "Just... not in an official capacity against #@$^)(^%(#$#$)%#$%:"?><>?":@#%#$%#$%^$%^&$^&$#@#$&^&%."

"How do you pronounce that?" Pinkie asked in near horror. She was ignored.

"Then what?" Cadance demanded. Then it struck her. "A distraction."

Faust nodded. "Declare war, Princess. Luna has the power to fend off the sun's power for a short time, and save your armies. While this happening... only the most resolved of you may pass into #@$^)(^%(#$#$)%#$%:"?><>?":@#%#$%#$%^$%^&$^&$#@#$&^&%'s domain. And... I warn you... no matter how much I tell you. You will not be prepared for is found there."

"How will we find a way?" Speedy asked.

"You must first find the location of #@$^)(^%(#$#$)%#$%:"?><>?":@#%#$%#$%^$%^&$^&$#@#$&^&%'s dinner party," Faust said in a tone that held no small amount of disgust. "Hold off marching on Equestria until you can locate it. Celestia will be there, so it will help you get the drop on them."

"Then we blow him up?" Pinkie asked with a dark smile.

Faust shook her head. "First of all #@$^)(^%(#$#$)%#$%:"?><>?":@#%#$%#$%^$%^&$^&$#@#$&^&% is a she. ANd second... you cannot go, my dear Pink one."

Pinkie gasped in shock. "What? No way. Where Speedy goes, I go."

"No living female can pass beyond the gate," Faust informed her. "You would be much more valuable sticking by your herdsister's side. Dez is going to need a lot of support."

Pinkie's hair went flat and she lowered her head. "But... but Speedy..."

"Would only be distracted if you were anywhere near the Dinner Party," the red-maned alicorn informed her. "Dez is with child, Pinkie. If Speedy doesn't make it... then you must take care of her."

Everyone gasped.

"Sh-she is?" Speedy asked in amazement.

Faust chuckled. "Is that so hard to believe? You're not a gelding after all. He's not the daughter she wanted, but... I trust she's going to be over the moon all the same."

"You bet I am."

Everyone turned to see the mare in question standing in the doorway. She wasn't smiling, and at her side was a modified longrifle. "So... I can't see the end of this. But... I can snipe with the best of them. Don't worry about me, I'll stay back with the artillery with Pinkie."

Pinkie produced a modified version of her party cannon and smiled. "Ooh... this'll be fun. You better come back in one piece, Speedy, or, so help me, you will know what it's like to be a gelding. For like three minutes. You're giving my parents a bundle of grandchildren afterall."

Speedy rolled his eyes and hugged her. He knew she was just talking. "I will never disappoint."

"Still, you don't know how to enter her domain," Faust informed them.

"Then how?" Dez demanded, standing up straight and bold. "How do we destroy this monster?"

"You must enter through her mouth as she dines and destroy her five hearts," Faust said ominously. "I can tell you know more. As I cannot pass into her domain and offer you a map."

"Well... when is the dinner party?" Speedy asked.

Faust shrugged. "If only I knew, young colt. If only I knew."

Prince Blueblood wandered through the halls of the palace, acting the playboy, hitting on the maids, flirting with female guards here and there. His perfect cover earning him a horrible horrible reputation in the high society. He could only smile inside. As long as Applejack loved him, he could deal with their backstabbing words. He couldn't help but skip a bit.

Even though they had only had a half hour, it was deeply engraved in his mind. He hoped for yet another day. He wished this whole thing was over so that he could take her to his little cottage by the see and spend a proper honeymoon. Alone.

He shivered as he recalled her telling him that she wanted to be tied to a post every now and again and mounted until she passed out, and that he was to keep going even after that. Who knew that humble country mare had such a dirty side? He couldn't wait to explore that part of her.

"Happy are we?"

Blueblood snapped out of his daydreaming to see his aunt Celestia standing over too his right side, an annoyed look on her face. He quickly looked between his legs and saw he had become aroused by his own imaginings. It wasn't uncommon for stallions to get erections in public. Just as long as they didn't play with themselves out in the open it was hardly given a second thought.

"Er, yes, Auntie. Sorry, I must seem a little out of sorts today."

She rolled her eyes as she watched his penis slowly go flaccid and shrink back into its sheath. That was almost insulting. Wasn't she the most beautiful mare in the world? Did he secretly hate her? She could think of a reason why. Even if he were a court gelding, she would treat him as family.

Speaking of which.

"I've been searching for you, nephew," she said, indicating that he should follow her. "Did you hear about the attacks in Canterlot on three noble families?"

Blueblood nodded. "Yes... something about twelve noble mares tortured and mutilated, and the three stallions castrated and killed. Have you some idea who was behind it?"

Celestia shook her head as she turned a corner. "No idea, my dear nephew."

They walked a bit further in silence.

"They left some orphaned foals behind though, unharmed," Celestia said with a smile. "The daughters were quickly adopted by other noble families to expand their estates and influence. The colts... I had them gelded and brought in to work in the palace. Except one."

"Oh?" Blueblood asked, not betraying a thing. He had lived too long in Equestrian high society to visibly react to such things.

Celestia opened a door and gestured for him to step inside.

"What happened to this colt?" Blueblood asked as he obeyed. Then he heard the door lock behind him.His eyes went wide as he slowly turned around. "No..."

Celestia nodded, smiling sweetly. "Yes. Adopted by your mother. Now they have a son who they can mold into an obedient and useful member of the royal family. You know what this means, Blueblood."

Blueblood was terrified, for the first time in his life. She legs shook and he felt himself tremble in place like a leaf in the wind. His body became wrapped in a golden aura and he found himself turned over onto his back. Celestia stepped over him, still smiling.

"Don't worry, nephew, your family," she comforted him, gently stroking his moistening cheeks. "I will be very kind to you. If you behave, I will even allow you some erections to play with yourself. You will be the head of the court geldings. Finely, a place of power for you. But..."

Her hoof slid down his body to rest atop those sensitive and fragile orbs. "Such a bad colt needs to be taught a lesson in manners."

"N-no-no," he pleaded as he felt the pressure begin to rise atop his testicles. He tried to struggle. But, it was useless against an alicorn. He cried, he screamed, and his pleaded to no avail. The sweet smile on his aunt's face made it all the worse as he was slowly emasculated.

Then, with a final crunch. He screamed and passed out.

Celestia smiled at her work, gently lifting him and setting him upon the bed int he room. "I hope that was a good enough lesson."

She quickly summoned a set of surgeons tools and began removing the destroyed organs. "#@$^)(^%(#$#$)%#$%:"?><>?":@#%#$%#$%^$%^&$^&$#@#$&^&% loves the taste of pain and power. The tormented balls of a prince shall be the dish of honor for the Dinner Party. Sleep well, nephew... Rest assured, this world shall be saved once again, because of you."