It was the day after my class, and Dash's sonic rainboom. I was with my dad at the end of my property early in the morning, packing a few essentials for the road trip ahead in my truck. We planned this a while ago, dad wanted to see the whole world that we now resided in, and so did I. My two lovely ladies were seeing me and my father off as we started heading out. As we headed out, we had one stop to make.

" Alright, here are all the road maps to all over Equestria and beyond." We went to the library to pick up some road maps so we didn't get lost. Although, if we did get lost, I could just teleport us to where we started, that's the easy way out though. As I was looking through the maps, I had a sudden realization, I have been neglecting Spike as a friend. Suddenly an idea popped in my head.

" Spike, could I talk to you for a second." He came over to see what I needed from him. " How busy are you for the next two weeks?"He looked surprised, it seems no one ever asked if he had or wanted time off.

" Well...Twilight wanted me to help reorganize the library for I don't know how many times. So I have that going on for.."

" Boring, as of right now you are on vacation. Twilight, I'm taking Spike on vacation if you have something to say about it, then too bad!" I grabbed Spike by his claw and headed out the door.

" Do you really think that was a good idea?" Spike had asked me before I chucked him into the backseat.

" Who cares, you need a vacation and Twilight needs to learn how to do things on her own." I jumped into the driver's seat and put the pedal to the metal. When we were a safe distance away from a dangerous Librarian with a laser pointer stuck to her head, I turned on the radio.

https://youtu.be/dBN86y30Ufc

As we drove down the road I handed Spike the maps. " Spike, since you're a native of this world you get to be the navigator." He looked at me as if I've gone crazy. " Look, since you're the map guy, you get pick the destinations and where we stop for the night."

" That sounds pretty good." He started to look at one of the maps to see our closets destination. " Hey, how about we head over to the Griffon kingdom? They have the best meat selection anywhere." Guess even he has a craving for flesh too.

" That sounds like a really good idea, hopefully, they have good steak burritos." Ever since dad got here, he hasn't had any kind of meat dish. I told him, do what I do, eat wild game in the forest. He just went ahead and told me it ain't the same.

" Well, I guess we're heading to the Griffon Kingdom. How far are we from there, Mister Spike?"

He cocked his head to the side in a questioning manner. " 'Mister' Spike?"

" Yeah, since you're the navigator, you need to have the official title, just like dad is the quartermaster, and hey, I'm the captain." Even though this is a truck, I always wanted to be a captain of something big and mobile. " Now as you're captain, I would like to know far we are from our destination."

" Well, if we go as fast as the trains do, then we should hit it in two days." What in the world?

" Spike, how fast is one of the trains here?"

" Thirty-five miles an hour." At the news that the trains here move at a snail's pace, dad and I couldn't hold in our laughter. " What's so funny?"

" Spike, my truck can go a hundred and twenty miles an hour, Hell, we're going fifty right now." The news that we could drive faster than the fastest train amazed him. " Now factoring our new speed, how long do you think it will take?"

" Uh, let's see...carry the one...divided by four. We'll be at the border by nightfall." That's better. Now with a destination to start our two-week vacation, we did what anyone would do on a long road trip. Play. Fucking. Word games.

" Alright, I'm thinking of an animal. What is it?" Spike, being the youngest, was the first to give it a go.

" Does it have wings?"

" No."

" Is it a canine?"

" Yes."

" Is it bigger than us?"

" Yes."

" Is it immortal?"

" Yes."

" Fenrir."

" No."

" Hati?"

" No."

" Wait. Does it have more than one head?"

" Yes."

I loathe the fact that most of the creatures here are mostly based on Greek mythology, but there's nothing to be done about it. " Cerberus."

" Correct."

For the past ten hours, we played every game one could think of, stopped four times to answer the call of nature, and finally, sent a letter through the lantern to tell the girls not to worry and that we're alright. As we kept on the road, I kept seeing dad looking at my gauges. Each time he would have a look of curiosity. " Dad, why do you keep looking at my gauges?"

" Well, I've noticed that the fuel gauge never moved from the F. So maybe you need to check your dashboard." Upon hearing this, I started to chuckle. The gesture didn't escape him. " What's so funny about a malfunctioning truck?"

" The fact that you think the truck is acting up." I pointed at the dashboard. " The reason the fuel needle hasn't moved in that the fuel didn't drop." He looked at me as if I were crazy. " Let me explain it to you. The morning after my first night with Lulu, we went down to have breakfast with Celestia. While we were eating, I noticed that no matter how much I drank from my cup, it would never move an inch from the brim. When I asked Celestia about it, she told me that the cup had an enchanted gem at the bottom of the cup. The Gem takes the liquid and then keeps the vessel that the liquid it's in, completely filled."

" So, in a sense, we could drive around the entire world, only stopping to eat and shit."

" Exactly." In the distance, I saw a sign that read ' Welcome to the Griffon Empire'. It seems we made it. " Hey, guys it looks like we're here."

When we passed through the archway, we realized that we should've chosen Vegas, sorry, las Pegasus. The place was in ruins, or at least it looked like the slums of Detroit but without the cars. The streets were littered with trash and what looked like nest materials. We drove for at least five minutes before we hit a hotel. I parked the truck around the side and we went inside.

I went up to the front desk and rung the bell. " What the Hell do you want!" Well, that certainly wasn't the greeting I would expect.

" Yeah, let me get the best room you have." The receptionist, who was a black and grey feathered male griffon, looked at me with the stink eye. " Okay, how about a room with two beds and a couch?"

The guy just gave a huff and tossed me a key. " It's twenty bits a night. No breakfast." Knowing this place, it was probably for the best. As we were heading up I could feel eyes on us. When I turned my head, I saw the receptionist eyeing spike like a piece of meat.

When we got to our hotel room, I was thankful for the immunity to disease cause this place was filthy. " Twenty gold coins for this? We might as well go camping in the truck." The room had two stained covered beds, the couch was torn up and smelled like shit. Don't even get me started on the bathroom. Thankfully, I have magic on my side.

" Stand back fellas, it's time this place got a makeover." I channeled magic into my hands and did a combination of cleaning, and Transfiguration. When I was done, the place looked like a five-star hotel room.

" Alright, let's unwind and see what we can do tomorrow." We unpacked and ate a quick meal before we went to bed.

The next morning.

The sun shone through the window right on to my face, dammit Celestia. I rolled over onto my side and saw dad snoring into his pillow. Slob. Seeing as someone needed to take the first shower, I took it upon my self to start the morning trend. I got up and made my way over to the bathroom. I passed dad's bed and the claw marked riddled couch spike was sleeping in. I trudged through the drag marks on the carpet and made it to the bathroom. WAIT, WHAT!

I ran to dad and shook him awake. " Dad, wake up! Something happened to Spike!" I ran over to my clothes and quickly put them on. I grabbed my ax and headed out the door with dad. I had a hunch I knew who was behind this, or at least who had a hand in it. I went over to the front desk and saw the griffon from yesterday and grabbed him by the throat. " What did you do to Spike!?"

" I don't know what you're talking about." The little shit was pissing me off. I threw the bastard onto the desk, extended his left-wing and placed my ax at the base of his wing. " Okay okay, I'll talk. I told some guys about the baby dragon because I thought I would get a lot of money!" Money? Money!

" Where did they take him!" I bared my wolf teeth showing that he could very well be on the menu.

The worm actually pissed himself from the sight of my teeth. " They took him to the Pit. It's an arena past the market square." I threw the piece of shit against the wall hard enough to knock his ass out.

I turned to my dad and went over the plan of attack. " Alright, here's what we're going to do. I want you to take the Garand and I want you to scout out the place when we get there."

" Alright, you might want to tell Luna about the-"

" NOOOO! We are not telling Luna who will tell Twilight that we lost Spike to a bunch of griffon slavers." I don't feel like smelling my own burnt fur for a week. " Listen, while you're playing sniper, I'll enter as a contestant and free not only Spike but also the others who are imprisoned." Dad seemed to see the logic in that.

Dad retrieved the rifle from the truck and we headed towards the market square. When we got there, we saw where Spike was being held. It actually reminded me of the Roman arena.

As we looked over the place, the sound of cheering could be heard from inside. Seems that a fight was taking place. " So, how do you plan on getting in there without causing too much trouble, at least until it's time for the destruction?" I gave him a smirk.

" I know someone who can get me in. Get in position on the tower above the box seats and I'll see you in a minute." I went down the market and went looking for someone familiar. Five minutes later, I found her working at a mobile bakery. With her back turned to me, I crept up to her and jammed the butt of my ax into her side. " Gimmie your money you ugly motha!" The griffoness wheeled around and was about to slice my face, that is until she saw who she almost sliced. " Hello, Gilda, how have you been?"

" Joe? What are you doing here? It's so good to see you." We embraced in a quick hug and I went about telling her what the situation was. As the story progressed, she started to fear what would happen to Spike in that place.

" So, will you help me?"

" I'll do what I can but, how would I even help?" A large smile spread across my face as a plan was already formulated.

" This isn't going to work Joe." Gilda was leading me with a chain around my neck while I was garbed in rags and dirt. I had my ax sheathed on my back to sell myself off as a gladiator. " They'll never believe it."

" Hey don't worry about it G, I've seen Gladiator dozens of times, this will work." Okay, the plan so far was to get in with the gladiators, find Spike, Find a way to get everyone out with minimal to no casualties, then when it's all over get drunk.

When we got to the gate, we were halted by a guard. " State your business!" What, the chained up warrior not a big enough clue?

" I'm here to enter my fighter against your best fighter and if you got a problem with that, you can have a talk with him. Isn't that right Spartacus?" Gotta say she's doing a great job at acting.

" Yes, my mistress." Gilda gave a small blush at that. I made my way forward like I was about to fight him. The guard started to shake in his armor.

" Alright just take him to the pen to the right." Sniveling coward.

" Thank you." Gilda lead me into the arena and put me in the pen. Surprisingly enough it was empty, save for one pony in armor. " Alright, I got you in, now what?"

" Well, you have two options. One, you could stick around for the fight and prison break afterward. Two, you could go back to your stand and we'll meet you later. Either way, I will see you after this is over." She went to go down the hall until a thought occurred. I forgot to tell her the good news. " Hey G wait, I forgot to tell you."

" What is it?"

" I'm going to be a father!" She looked flabbergasted. Better explain further. " Well, shortly after you returned home, I got into a relationship with Luna and Applejack. After a few weeks, we did the horizontal monster mash and I wound up impregnating both of them."

" Oh my gosh, that's great. You'll remember to invite me to the wedding right?"

" I'll remember to put you on the list." We exchanged a quick fist bump before she left to do whatever. I went over to the lone gladiator over there to see what information I could get about this place. " So chief, what can you tell me about this place?" The gladiator was a stallion in full armor with yellow fur and a red mane going by his tail. He honestly reminded me of Applebloom.

" It's a living Hell." No shit. "Every day I'm forced to fight someone, most of the time it's to the death." Not that his story isn't sad or moving, but I need different information. " They keep my wife in a different part of the arena, making her serve the swine that watch me and some poor soul. Many times I've dreamed of escaping, but with no money and home being so far away, my wife and I would never make it."

I gave the poor gladiator a smile. " Listen to me." He looked at me with a sad expression. " Someone took a friend of mine and brought him here. I came here to find and release him from this place, and now I'm here to get everyone out." The guy gave a huff of disapproval. " It's true. Look, tell me where the others are and we'll be out of here in a pinch."

The guy didn't have much hope in what I really had to say, but he complied anyway. " The servants and girls are held in a different part of the arena. While the rest of us are held in here." I took a look around and still noticed there was no one else here. Seems he caught me looking. " The reason it's so empty here is that I put most of the competition in the ground." He started to cry in his helmet and honestly, it pierced my heart.

" Hey, buddy. It'll be fine, look when the next fight is called, you and I will scuffle a bit, then when the music starts we escape while these bastards who imprisoned you burn." I patted him on the shoulder. " My name is Joe. What's your name pal?"

The guy took off his helmet and what I saw made me do a double-take. The Stallion had the face of Big Mac and the coat and mane color of Applebloom. I've only seen that face one other time, in the Apple family album. " The name's Bright Mac." Holy shit on an altar!

Two hours had passed since my encounter with Jackie's father, I had no doubt I would be meeting the mother soon. In that time frame, I told him who I am and my relationship with his daughter. Needless to say, he tried to chop my balls off and feed them to me. After five minutes of sitting on his chest and calmly explaining the situation, he calmed down and got used to the idea of becoming a grandpa.

Anyway, we were dragged out to the arena in full gladiatorial armor. Bright mac was wearing a combination of plate and mail armor, whereas I wore something from another favorite show of mine.

The gates opened and the afternoon sun greeted us as we entered the sands of the pit. As I walked into the light, I beheld a multitude of creatures watching us from the stands. Most of them were filthy bastards who need a good ax in the neck, while the others seem to be concubines to those bastards and moving through the stands was Bright Macs wife and Applejack's mother, Pear butter. Despite my hatred for slavers, I had to play my part.

Mac and I made it to the center and faced the griffon in charge. He was a fat sack of feathers with four chins and food all over himself and standing next to his throne with a chain around his neck, was Spike attached to the stone throne. When Spike saw me, he made to get my attention but I gestured for him to wait till the time was right. Off to the side, horns blew to announce the deadly game.

" We who are about to die, salute you!" Bright mac looked at me with a 'what the hell' look. " Sorry, I always wanted to say that." The griffon on the throne clapped his claws and the fight began. Mac wielded a mace on the end of his tail like the Ankylosaurus and got into position. I unstrapped my ax and pointed it at him. " Come on you old warhorse, time for me to show you I'm worthy of your daughter."

" What are you doing? Shouldn't we be trying to escape as soon as possible?"

Instead of answering his question I tackled him to the ground and held my ax to his throat. The crowd cheered for bloodshed. I leaned in close and whispered, " when the music starts, head for the stands." I snapped my fingers and the music started.

https://youtu.be/Hj2vU2nr5Jw

When the music started I got off of Bright Mac and turned to the fat emperor. I nodded to Spike to get ready, he nodded back. With well-aimed precision, I launched my ax right at the chain. When it snapped, Spike grabbed a hold of the handle and held on. When I was sure he was secured, I summoned the blade back to me with Spike following along with it. He jumped down next to me and hugged my leg.

" You filthy ape, who do you think you are?" The shit stain actually had the gall to try and look intimidating.

I pointed my ax at him and declared just as the music really started to pick up. " I'm an indestructible master of war!!!" I became the wolf again and let loose a mighty roar. I threw my ax once again and the waste of space had his head chopped off, as well as the back of his chair. After the grizzly scene of having the host executed in front of their eyes, a mass panic began. " Mac, now!" Bright Mac made his way to the stands where I gave him a boost up.

Once we made it up to the stands, Pear butter ran to Bright Mac and Spike stuck to me like glue. We went through the rows executing the scum that so rightfully deserved it and freeing the slaves from their former masters. The guards that tried to stop us would have their heads blown off before they could get close to either of us thanks to dad. Soon enough, the seats were painted red with the blood of our enemies.

With the last of the cretins dead, we made our way out of the pit with the freed slaves. Waiting for us at the entrance was Gilda who quite frankly looked shocked by me being covered in blood. " What up G, how's it hanging?" She looked on the verge of vomiting so I decided to just press on. " Dad, great shooting up there."

" Marine Corp taught me everything I needed."

I felt a tugging at my pant leg so I looked and saw it was Spike. " Joe, thank you for saving me." A smile spread across his face and he gave me a big hug.

I returned the hug and cleaned him off. Your welcome little brother." I pulled away from the hug just as Jackie's parents came up to us. " Hey you two, how are you holding up?" 'BAM' Without even a single warning, Pear butter bucked me right in the nuts, guess Mac told her about Jackie, Luna and me. " I can see where Jackie got her apple bucking skills from. Ow."

An hour passed since we liberated the pit and we were on the road. Spike sent a letter to Celestia telling her that a few citizens of hers were in need of rescue. Spike was kind enough to leave out the part of being kidnapped so no angry librarian could barbecue my ass. At the moment we were on the road with a couple of new passengers in the back. Dad sat with them to get to know them better seeing as they would become inlaws soon.

As we headed down the road a question kept nagging me at the back of my head. " Um, this might be a little too soon to ask, but how did you two end up in that Hell hole." The question made Pear butter tear up a little whereas Mac had an angry scowl on his face. " Look, if you don't want to tell that's fine. But if you ever need to tell someone, I'm here to listen." They seemed to find comfort in that as the truck fell into silence. The silence was very uncomfortable. " How about we put on some music huh?" I switched on the radio and let the music calm the tension.

https://youtu.be/CGfKi6kpdTQ

Deciding that these two have been away from their family long enough, I went full speed on the rest of the journey and within three hours, Ponyville was in sight. The looks on the Apple parents were one of extreme delight. If I had been away from my family for years in a pit of violence, I would be smiling from ear to ear as well.

When we got to the farm it was already dark and the lights at the farmhouse were still on, guess they're about to have dinner, perfect. I parked the truck away from the house so no one would see us coming. As we made our way to the house I looked in the dining room window to see that the entire house was getting ready for dinner including Luna. This will be perfect.

I went to the door and knocked. When it opened I was greeted by Jackie. " Hey, darling, surprised to see me so soon?" I leaned in and gave her a kiss.

" This is a surprise, I thought you and your Pa would be gone for a couple of weeks? What made you want to come back so soon?" Honey, you'll be in for a big surprise.

" Well, we meet a couple of ponies that we just had to bring with us. In fact, why don't you bring the whole family out here to see them." When she went back in to get everyone I turned to the couple. " Alright hide behind me and wait." As soon as they got behind me, Jackie came out with everyone. " Okay, before I show you the guests that I brought I want you to know that this is not a trick or cruel joke." They looked at me weird as if I'd gone crazy. " Alright, here we go." I quickly stepped away, revealing the two Apple family members.

A stunned silence fell over everyone, I think I broke every one. I was about to say something, but Applebloom beat me to the punch. " MA! PA!" She ran right past me and right into the hooves of her mother and father. At that moment the whole Apple family made their way to the long lost couple leaving Luna to walk up next to me.

" It seems you'll have a story to tell the young ones when they're born." She nuzzled me as we watched the tearful family reunion. Only one thing can top an event like this, though it would have to wait for the Gala.

Author's Notes:

Once again I realize that this may be taking things too fast. Or if not then whatever. In any case, I decided that the next chapter will be the Gala chapter. I realize that a few things should happen before then, but that's why we have a thing called flashbacks.
Clip.

https://youtu.be/I0F1zh84ufM