Does Love Come With Harmony?

by JC Borch

Rating: mature
Tags: Random, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Romance, Sex
Length: 30106

Love can be a difficult thing to handle for the inexperienced and shenanigans are bound to happen

Here we have two short stories, a strangely popular FlutterPie fanfic and a NSFW shipping between Applejack and apples. I decided to abandon this format of doing things, but I'm not going to change anything here.

Everything (story, writing, ideas, proof reading) by me (JC Borch) except for
My Little Pony and its characters: Hasbro
Preview image: http://baka-neku.deviantart.com/, editing by me

Published 2012-02-13 00:34:03 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-21 20:47:22 UTC

Chapter 2: Sex With Apples?

Everything past this point is pure crack. Certain elements have been exaggerated and/or caricatured for comedic effect, which may or may not induce disgust and/or weird boners. Do not take anything that you are about to read seriously. You have been warned, do not blame me for ignoring it.

It is said that earth pony mares long ago would mix a few drops of their own vaginal lubrication into the food or drinks of their spurned love to make him fall for them. The practise was forbidden by Celestia during her rule for hygienic reasons, and it eventually became forgotten from disuse. However, could there have been another reason for the ban?

EQUESTRIAN SHIPPING SHORT STORY 02: SEX WITH APPLES?

Dawn of the first month

As usual, Applejack was up on the hayloft to relieve some tension. It had been a while since she had last found time and privacy to do it, but she really needed it right about now. Granny Smith had as always put their expenses together with their earnings and they were yet again in the red. They couldn’t take much more of this before they had to sell the farm, and then what? She just needed to squeeze one out quickly to get on top of things.

She lay flat on her back down in the hay with her hooves dangling down over the apples that they were going sell soon. Even if somepony entered, it would just look like Applejack was taking a rest. It felt extra good today because of the long wait and she barely even needed to think about Rainbow Dash to reach her climax. She poked around her clit for a while, panting and moaning and waiting for that sweet release.

She gasped a bit louder than she wanted, but it felt like a hot surge of pleasure washed over her. She had always been a squirter and had been fascinated to see how far she could shoot her vaginal fluids when she had been younger. Nowadays, it was more a hassle and she had completely forgotten to bring tissues in all her excitement. Her arousal fast turned to dread as she realised her quick jet of discharge arced over to a cart of apples placed below her.

The liquid sprayed the apples and completely covered them in a fine layer of glistening, almost water-like substance. It was barely noticeable and looked more like they had treated with water to get them that extra shine. Applejack quickly rushed down from the hayloft and jumped from platform to platform down to the ground, but the cart was already gone. She looked around in panic and finally found her brother hauling it off towards town. Horse apples!

It was still early morning and Applejack felt a slight chill, maybe not so related to the cold morning air. She had no choice but to try and stop her brother somehow without revealing what exactly had happened. She darted over the crispy grass fresh with morning dew to his side.

“Yer not takin’ them apples to town, are ya?” Applejack asked in the most neutral tone she could summon.

“Eeeyup,” Big Mac said.

“Ah just thought Ah should let ya know... Ah, uh... Ah saw some animal wriggling around in there.” Perfect excuse she thought.

Big Mac gave her a puzzled look, but Applejack tried to maintain her facade. She had never been good with lies and her smile might be giving it away. He turned his attention towards the apples who looked more pristine and delicious than ever.

“Looks fine to me,” he said and began to move again.

“Wait, do we really wanna take the chance?” Applejack asked, but Big Mac didn’t stop this time.

“We need to sell those apples or we won’t have the money to keep the farm running”

It was true of course and Applejack couldn’t think of any other way to stop him. She had no choice but to let him go, but she watched him, and in particular the apples, nervously. It had just been a fine shower, though, shouldn’t be detectable at all. Right?

Applejack slowly backed away and ran back to the farm. She didn’t feel in the mood for more work today, but Big Mac had been right. They needed to sell apples to keep the farm and Applejack needed to buck them. Everything would be all right. She would never go into the barn and do “that” again, she would wait until night and everyone was sleeping. Hopefully she would be able to keep her noises down. Or perhaps she should go for a walk? She could do that too, a long walk far out somewhere with no one around.

***

It was about an hour later when her brother returned and alarm filled Applejack again. A big cart full of apples like that would take until the afternoon to sell, but he was already back! She should have told the truth. Now the Apple reputation would be ruined forever, no one would ever buy their apples again and they would have to sell the farm.

She abandoned her apple bucking and quickly galloped up the road to meet her brother, but she was surprised to see that the cart was empty. He must have chugged all those disgusting fruits out. Darn that Big Mac, why was always that stoic-looking? Was he appalled? Or mortified? Or shocked?

“Big Mac, Ah... Ah’m sorry, alright? It’s all mah fault ya couldn’t sell those apples. I tried to warn ya, but I was too ashamed!” It all just blubbered out of her and she felt absolutely rotten inside.

He gave her a short quizzical look. “Ah sold all the apples.” Applejack was stunned and simply stood agape, unable to find her words. A cart full of apples, sold in under an hour? That had to be some sort of record. Not like the time she had tried bringing Apple Bloom with her.

“That’s amazing! But how? Did we get an order from some big shot?”

“Nope. They tasted extra well today. Ah dun know what you did to them, but the ponies couldn’t resist ‘em”

Applejack was flabbergasted at this news. She had masturbated on apples and somehow made them more delicious? She knew she ought to be disgusted, but she couldn’t help feel slightly aroused at the fact. As long as no one knew and everyone loved it, what would the harm be?

“Ah, hmmm... ya see, Ah haven’t really done anything to them. Ah suppose it’s just all the love we give ‘em?”

Big Mac looked at her funnily, but she simply looked away. She could never keep a straight poker face. Big Mac hauled the empty cart back into the barn and shook of the ropes that bound him to it.

“Ah’m going back to town in a minute, Ah just need to hoof these bits over to granny,” he said and left her to contemplate her next move. Applejack was now supposed to fill the cart again with more apples to sell back into town, but could she possibly allow herself to deceive other ponies like this? She took an apple from one of the many baskets scattered around here and looked at, as if to learn the right thing to do next.

“Take yer time, Big Mac. Ah’ll need some time to fill the cart again”

She was alone again, just her and a big pile of apples. She swallowed a hard lump in her throat and felt her face blush and her whole body quivering with joy and anticipation. Getting those apples into the cart couldn’t go fast enough; she just wanted to go back up to the hayloft and hoof herself again. She did the job faster than she had ever done and threw herself down on the hay again.

She took an apple in her hoof and started to massage her marehood. The coldness of the fruit skin tingled her and made the sensation all the more enjoyable. She rubbed the red fruit a few times between her legs and moaned louder than she ever had and the squirt was probably the biggest she had seen yet. And that was despite this being her second time in about an hour. She lay there and panted for a few moments before chugging the apple down to the rest.

***

Little over a week passed like this, with Applejack hoofing herself at least three times a day, each experience more thrilling than the last, but she was starting to get tired. Her crotch was beginning to get sore from the constant fiddling and she wasn’t sure how much more she could handle. They had sold more than triple the amount of apples they usually did and they raked the bits in by the dozen, but she couldn’t do it much longer. She was exhausted and the gas had gone out of the balloon.

She fervently tried to depict Rainbow Dash dancing for her, wriggling her behind in her face, her tail tickling her nose, but nothing. She finally gave up and relaxed in her back, her chest heaving with the effort. That’s when she saw Apple Bloom standing next to her.

“Whatcha doing up here?” Applejack asked and raced up on her hooves.

“Well, Ah was just wondering what was takin’ so long,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah don’t think there’ll be any apples today,” Applejack said and sighed. “How much did you see?”

“Not much. Why were you touching yourself there?” Apple Bloom asked. Applejack felt her face flush, but this had gone on long enough. There was no point in hiding it and her little sister had already discovered her.

“Ah suppose Ah might as well tell ya. After all, Ah was about yer age when Ah found out mahself.”

“Found out what?” Apple Bloom asked curiously.

“You may not realise it because you have two older siblings, but when Ah was your age, it was just Big Mac and Ah on the farm, alone. Granny was more lively back then, but she was getting old. It put a lot of stress on me, trying to make ends meet. Ah found that a little hoofing was all it took to relieve stress.” Applejack did her best to properly explain and made sure to put in an excuse in there as well.

“Ah see,” Apple Bloom said and raised an eyebrow. “But what’s that got to do with selling our apples?”

“Well, ya see,” Applejack said and scratched her neck, not sure how to put it. She had already told her this much, however, no point in stopping here. “Whenever Ah hoof myself, Ah always... squirt a little. Last week Ah accidently sprayed the apples we were supposed to sell. It somehow made them more, uh... how do them fancy ponies put it... delectable”

She thought Apple Bloom would be disgusted, and she would come to wish that she had been. Instead, the smart little pony gave a shrewd grin.

“So... all ya do is put yer hoof down there and then ya get some liquid that will make apples tastier?” Apple Bloom said and peered down at the cart below them.

“More or less, yeah,” Applejack said, not entirely comfortable with how well Apple Bloom was taking all this.

“Mind if I try?” Apple Bloom asked and looked back over at her sister.

“Knock yerself out, but Ah have to warn ya. Not all mares squirt like that, and not all the time”

Apple Bloom assumed the position that she had seen her older sister take, not heeding the warning at all. She guided her hoof gently to her special area and began to massage herself. It was her first time and she wasn’t sure what to do, but she eventually got the hang of it. Applejack could see that she was enjoying herself even more than she had ever done.

Apple Bloom moaned and groaned and writhed for little under a minute, enough to open a small faucet of vaginal secretions. Applejack took a step back as a torrent of food additive rained down on the apples and drenched the cart and the ground around it.

“Holy mackerony!” Applejack said, her ears folding back in surprise.

“Did Ah do it, sis?” Apple Bloom asked, panting from the endeavour.

“And how! Ah’d say we have enough in ya to spurt about five or six carts filled to the brim with apples, if we stretch it a bit.”

Apple Bloom got up on her hooves again, positively pleased with herself. She enjoyed a warm embrace from her sister. “Awesome! Also, I’ve been wondering about something.” Apple Bloom said, again with that devious smile of hers. Applejack could almost hear the gears working overtime in her little head. “Instead of just selling apples, we should sell apple pies, apple fritters... all kinds of apple treats! Less apples in more products!”

“Ah like the way you’re thinking, kiddo,” Applejack said and rustled her head. “Oh, and... keep this a secret between the two of us.”

***

A few days later

Applejack hadn’t been to town in a while and felt it was about time she went. It had been hard work preparing all the apples on her own and it was a welcome change not to spend all her days bucking and hoofing. She decided against her better judgement to include Apple Bloom on her run, only because Big Mac had praised her so highly from his last trip with her onboard.

They had a big pile of all kinds of apple treats, but mostly pies. That’s what the pony folk seemed to be mostly interested in. Applejack was still a bit apprehensive about the methods involved, but the pay was good and the ponies seemed to be very satisfied.

They had a nice spot for their stall in the middle of a busy street where a lot of ponies passed by. They had barely managed to open business before a throng of ponies flocked around them. She had never seen anything like it! Truth be told, it filled her with a certain sense of pride and all the gold was very alluring as well.

They managed to sell all of their products within the hours, even as they had doubled the amount that they were normally bringing. The ponies who had waited the longest were getting impatient and restless and Applejack did her best to calm down the agitated mob.

Big Mac came by just as a scuffle was about to begin. At this point, he was basically bringing out resupplies as they became available and walked tirelessly between the farm and the town.

The initial crowd dissipated after another thirty minutes, and the rush towards their stall mellowed out to a more normal state. Many of the ponies returned again later in the day, almost too fast for them to have consumed their large purchase. It wasn’t at this point Applejack was worrying; she was too busy to count the bits that they were making.

It wasn’t until a certain white-coated, blue-haired pony came by that her previous fears resurfaced to nag at her. Applejack stared dumbfounded for a moment at the once so petite Rarity. She had widened visibily, not a whole lot, but certainly alarmingly more than how she had looked just a little over a week ago. Small deposits of fat now clung to her legs and belly and gave a good second chin.

“Why, Applejack! You haven’t been in town for days, whatever could have kept you?” Rarity asked, apparently not even remotely concerned about her appearance.

“Ya know, the usual,” Applejack said nervously, unsure whether to point out the changes or not. “Farm work has kept me busy, but Ah promise Ah’ll be visiting more often. What can Ah get ya?”

“I’ll take a dozen pies,” Rarity said and took a clinking pouch from her saddle and placed it on the counter. She accepted the pies with a happy squeal and instantly dug into the first one with little regards to manners and almost inhaled the poor thing. She ate two more before turning around and disappearing from sight.

“Is it always like this?” Applejack asked.

“Oh yeah, Rarity is our best costumer,” Apple Bloom said. Well, Rarity had definitely looked happy, not even caring that she was starting to fill out, so Applejack shook it off. “Once you eat a single piece, yer hooked,” Apple Bloom added. “Just watch.”

She was referring to Fluttershy who strolled down the street with a big empty saddle for her trip to the market, but Apple Bloom called her over. She looked genuinely curious to see the two sisters working the stall again, after hearing about Apple Bloom’s last attempt at earning her cutiemark as a vendor.

“Apple Bloom, what a surprise. I see Applejack has allowed you to help her again.”

“Sure. Ah promised Ah’d behave,” Apple Bloom said and gave the cutest smile she could beckon. “Could we interest you in a pie? Some apple fritters perhaps? Or wouldcha prefer a cobbler instead?”

“Oh, I really shouldn’t. I’m buying dinner for all my woodland friends,” Fluttershy said.

“Then have a slice on the house,” Apple Bloom said and procured a delicious-smelling, still warm piece of pie. Apparently the effect was in the smell as well, as Fluttershy could barely hold back her drool as the sweet fragrance hit her nostrils. She took it in her hooves and nibbled at first, before shoving the whole thing in her face. She slammed all her bits on the counter and demanded a little bit of everything. She flew off again with her saddle full of fattening apple desserts. “See?”

“Mighty impressive,” Applejack said bemused, but also a tad worried. Was it okay to fatten up her friends and everyone in Ponyville just to earn money?

She returned to Ponyville again over the next few days, and both Rarity and Fluttershy would always come by two or three times. They were expanding faster than one ordinarily would from just pies and treats, and Applejack was starting to suspect that there might be something wrong with the treats that they were making. But it was just vaginal fluids! Surely nothing bad could come out of that.

In fact, all the ponies that came around kept buying more and more, and she could see how they all increased in weight, just from hour to hour as the same ponies kept coming back several times. Apple Bloom wasn’t concerned in the least and the big filly had enough juices in her to almost satisfy a whole day’s worth of treats. Still, Applejack helped out with spraying the apples, if anything to forget her qualms. Whereas her little sister could only come once per day and a whole lot, Applejack could do it a few times, but not nearly as much.

***

Dawn of the second month

Spike looked out of the window, watching the day go by. It was just another lazy day in the library and Twilight was busy reading some new books she had recently acquired. It was a very interesting read, delving into the possibility of earth ponies possessing some sort of magical sway over the earth and life itself.

She would ordinarily have dismissed such a preposterous statement as the ramblings of fools, but it was well-written and presented a lot of good arguments, many of which she couldn’t dismiss. It was true that most farmers were earth ponies, she knew that of course. More interesting was the claim that many just rulers had been earth ponies or had come from earth pony families. Also professions such as masseuses and bakers had been left to earth ponies, supposedly because they had an inherent feel for the magic of life within all things.

Twilight had a good time reading this book, if anything as a fun way to pass time. She was understandably getting a bit irritated by Spike trying to get her attention.

“Hey Twilight... Twilight... Twilight!”

“What? What is it!”

“Well.. It’s just... have you noticed anything funny going on in town lately?”

Twilight was about to angrily retort that she had been too busy with her studies to notice some sort of pony holiday when Rarity’s large flank passed by the window. She had now passed chubby and was getting rather plump. Her second chin had been fully developed and was fast accompanied by a third. Her distended belly sloshed around and all of her fat jiggled as she walked past the library window. Twilight stared speechless at her friend’s sudden expansion, but Rarity was far from the only one.

Lyra and Bon Bon was also out for a stroll, both of them slightly heavier than Rarity. Lyra giggled and sent ripples through her blubber.

It was true Twilight would sometimes lock herself up in the library for days on end with just her books, but she had never experienced such a dramatic change over the course of a few days. All right, perhaps more than just a few days, but this was completely out of the norm. There was something going on and Twilight intended to find out. Fortunately, Rarity wasn’t walking too swiftly anymore and leisurely strolled around town, flaunting all of her latest love handles.

“You think this is some kind of new fashion thing?” Spike asked and scratched his head as he followed Twilight outside.

“Nothing I’ve heard about,” Twilight answered.

About half the ponies she could see outside had gained a significant amount of weight just in the days that she had been cooped up inside the library with her latest purchases.

“Rarity, hold up!” Twilight said and ran over to her white-coated friend.

“Twilight! Out enjoying the fine weather are we?” Rarity said with her mouth full of pie. She had apparently forgotten all table manners in her eagerness to stuff her face and didn’t even pause from her latest round of delicacies.

“Is everything all right, Rarity? You seem... bigger than usual,” Twilight said, concerned about her friend. Even Spike took distance from the latest development in his favourite pony’s life.

Rarity looked down at herself, creasing her neck in several folds of fat. “Why, whatever do you mean, darling? I’m as beautiful as ever,” she said and took another pie from her saddle pouches which were full of them. She dunked her entire head into the pie and noisily slobbered everything up until the tray was licked spotless.

“And did you just buy a dozen pies?” Spike asked.

“Two dozen!” Rarity announced like it was no big deal.

“You mind if I have one?” Twilight asked, both out of curiosity but also because they looked delicious. Rarity cringed at having to give up any of them, even though she would normally never have touched more than a single slice, at best.

“I’m sorry, Twilight, I couldn’t possibly part with any of them. I’m simply wasting away at the thought.”

“Could I at least have a slice?” Twilight asked, getting increasingly concerned. Rarity fidgeted around but decided that it would be best just to comply, to get Twilight off her case.

“All right, dearie, but just a single one. I won’t get any fuller if I give away all my food.”

Twilight took a pie from Rarity’s saddle pouches. Since all costumers preferred to eat the pie as it was, there had been no need to cut them into slices anymore. Spike did the honour of cutting the pie with a claw and Twilight accepted her piece.

Rarity instantly took the pie away from Spike, who had otherwise begun to salivate at the fragrant confectionary in his hands, and devoured it whole. Twilight and Spike could only stare in disbelief as Rarity waddled away, absorbed in her pies. The two gave their hard-earned slice a long stare before silently agreeing never to eat it.

Twilight took it inside to her downstairs laboratory where she placed it under close scrutiny. She cut off small samples and dropped them down in sizzling test tubes, she investigated the crumbs and the filling down to the molecular structure, she even stared at it hard to see if she could spot anything that might set it apart from other food. For hours she slaved down in her basement and her results were puzzling to say the least.

Of appearance, this apple pie was probably the least appetising delicacy she had encountered. To begin with, it had only minute traces of apple in it, the rest was just dough and cheap condiments to make costumers want to buy it. No one in their right mind would take more than a single piece, yet Rarity was eating her own weight in these things... daily.

There had to be an ingredient in this, in all likelihood something magical. It took her a long time and Twilight was starting to look haggard from her intense work and she was about ready to give up. She had utilised all the equipment to her disposal from mortar and pestle to alembics and retorts and her little workshop was filled with smoke from various small fires. But at last it had paid off.

She sat with a triumphant little smile and shook a small flask of a condensed, white liquid. She had had a hunch that the addicting flavour enhancer had to be found in the apple sauce, and sure enough. Whatever it was she now had in her hooves, it was something potent beyond belief and would entice mare and stallion alike. No matter how she probed it, however, she could not figure out what it was. But there was one pony, or rather zebra, that she knew of who had a good understanding of potions.

She left her library in a state of disarray. Having searched all her books had offered no clues as to the nature of the strange liquid and she was in too much of hurry to clean up after herself right now. She had to see Zecora at once before more ponies got doped up on the stuff. Spike would take care of the cleaning for her. He was used by now to Twilight suddenly running from the library at a whim.

It was uncanny how many ponies had succumbed to the magic of the pies and Twilight felt downright uncomfortable with the piggish behaviour of the other citizens of Ponyville. She could not believe Applejack was doing this on purpose; it had to be an untoward additional effect of some new pesticide they were using to spray the apples with or something. Once Twilight better understood what the strange liquid was, she could hopefully advice the Apple family to mix their bug killing spray better.

The Everfree Forest was as uninviting as always. Since Zecora was more than welcome in town now, did she really need to stay here? Even as Twilight was in a hurry, she couldn’t help but slow down and look around warily. Dangers lurked on all sides here, so better being careful than being dead.

The outlandish hut was thankfully not too deep within the forest and Twilight arrived there without a hitch. Hopefully her trip back would be as uneventful, but that would have to wait for now. She knocked on the door to the hut and waited patiently, but Zecora was taking her time. Twilight almost thought she was out and was just about ready to go back when the door creaked open.

The inside of Zecora’s hut was stacked ceiling to floor with apple pies and other apple treats and only a small room for the zebra to manoeuvre. Still it took her several minutes to get to the door, most likely because she had been binging like there was no tomorrow.

Zecora was now twice the size of what she had been last time Twilight had seen her. Massive rolls of fats waved over her once slender body and she was dragging a large, bloated gut with her like she was high pregnant. Her whole face was smeared with pie and she gave Twilight a tired look.

“Twilight... with a... something,” she said, panting, not even bothering to extend an invitation. She wheezed from the exertion and looked dully into Twilight’s eyes.

Twilight recoiled in horror at this display of what the pies could truly do. Whatever Applejack was selling, it was something dangerous. If it wasn’t illegal, it ought to be. Twilight could no longer watch tacitly as AJ blew up the town like balloons, even if she was lacking compelling evidence. Surely Applejack could see as well as her that there was something horribly, horribly wrong with her pies.

***

It was far from the whole town that visited them yet. Some of the ponies had to be frightened at the unhealthy results the apples had on their friends and acquaintances. The newcomers, on the other hoof, were curious to see what the fuss was about. In any event, the Apple’s family business only continued to grow, much like their customers.

Today, it was just Applejack. The increasing demand had forced Apple Bloom to stay behind and help Granny Smith make all the delicious apple paraphernalia. Luck would have it that Twilight came by. Applejack hadn’t seen Twilight in a while and it was obvious that she didn’t have the hunger in her eyes. Would AJ have it in her to corrupt another one of the ponies she loved dearly?

“Heya Twalight! Care for a slice of pie?”

“No thanks. I don’t think you should be selling them either,” Twilight said concernedly, out of breath from having run so fast to and from town.

“Wuh wait not?” Applejack asked, trying not to let her anxiety show.

“Well, I took the liberty of examining one and the results, well, they were quite shocking!”

“Y-yeah?” Applejack said, getting more and more nervous the more Twilight talked.

“There’s something in them that makes anyone who eats them extremely addicted to them. I’ve tried to find out what it could be, but I’ve never seen anything like it. I’d almost say it’s some kind of lubrication!”

“But Twalight, the new business is important fer us!” Applejack said and tried not to sound too defensive. “We’ve almost paid back our debt, just a few more days. And then we need to do some repairs on the farms, not to mention getting a new hip for granny”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said in a tone that suggested she understood, but also showed the desperation in her voice. “But these pies, and I guess all your desserts, are extremely dangerous! I don’t know what you have done to your apples, but you’re obviously dabbling with magic that you have no control over”

“Ah understand,” Applejack said crestfallen. She snuck an apple fritter into her hooves without Twilight noticing and went around the stall. “And Ah hope yer’ll understand too what I have to do,” she said. Before Twilight could even register what Applejack intended to, she had her whole mouth full. It was dry and barely warm as it left her tongue, but once it entered her gullet, it felt like a taste explosion inside that made her warm all the way to the ends of her hooves and made her coat prickle.

“Applejack, what the f...”

“Don’t resist, Twalight. It’ll all be over in just a minute. Ah-Ah know this doesn’t count for much now, but.... Ah’m sorry, Twalight,” Applejack said, unable to hold back distressed tears. Was saving the farm really this important? Oh Celestia, what had she become, forcing her friends and other ponies into obesity.

Twilight was going through emotions she had never experienced before and she could feel herself getting wet between cutiemarks. She felt all thoughts leave her mind and replaced with one impulse, and one impulse alone: for this feeling never to end.

Applejack took a pie from the stand and waved it under Twilight’s nose. She managed to resist it for a full second before the lust overcame her and she stuck her whole face inside. Applejack accepted nearly fifty bits and Twilight went away with her arms full of treats.

It wasn’t that Applejack enjoyed doing this, not by a stretch, but there was nothing she could do about it. They finally had access to a nearly limitless source of money. Just a few days more and they could have everything they wanted and they wouldn’t have to do this anymore. She watched Twilight leave, her rump already taking some of the pies.

***

Dawn of the second month

“What’s going on?” Pinkie asked in surprise and raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Both of the Cakes were busy removing their inventory by shoving all of the displayed confections in large trash bags. They must have been working all morning since there was barely a crumb left in all of Sugarcube Corner.

“Cleaning up,” Mrs Cake said between pants. She, and over half of Ponyville by now, had doubled in weight. She had been on the heavy site from the start, but she had let herself go completely now. Her belly was getting dangerously close to the floor and all her limbs and neck were covered with thick rolls of fat. “Oh but don’t worry, we’ll still be selling cupcakes and such. It’s just that the Apple family has given us a very generous offer to help them make their delicious apple treats”

“You’ll still be working here, of course,” Mr Cake said and tried to assuage her. Pinkie had not tried the new treats that were floating around town and had thus preserved her slim figure. Perhaps as a sense of commitment to her place of employ, she had only been eating treats from here. She was sad to hear though that they wouldn’t be making their usual confections anymore as she did not have a whole lot of experience with apples, which was usually the Apple family’s department. She would give it a try though and eagerly nodded.

“All right,” she said enthusiastically. Just because she hadn’t done it too often didn’t mean she was bad at it. She would just have to re-acquaint herself with the fine art of baking. The bell above the door jingled and who other than Applejack and her sister entered.

“Howdy Pinkie, heya Mr and Mrs Cake,” she said. She was carrying a cart full of apples and various baked goods that she had placed just outside, watchfully being guarded by Apple Bloom. The apples today, as ever, were shining like they were being paid.

“I don’t know what you do with your apples, but they’re simply divine. Neither my husband or I can get enough of them,” Mrs Cake said and beamed.

“Oh shucks, just a bit of love is all,” Applejack replied.

“We’re very proud of you for choosing us to help you,” Mr Cake said and bowed slightly. “Just go around the back and we’ll have those apples made into pies and candied apples and whatnot in a jiffy.”

“Are they really that good?” Pinkie asked.

“Wha dontcha trah one, sugar cube?” Applejack had also brought a fine selection of her wares as an extra payment, or perhaps just as a condiment to sweeten the deal. Pinkie accepted the pie with glee and dug in with fervour expected of her.

“Mmm! Juicy,” she replied.

“Dig in. Least we can do fer ya,” Applejack said and brought in all the pies and whatnot that they had they brought. The three ponies attacked the large pile like savage beast, and especially the gluttonous Pinkie could not get enough. She extended her long elastic tongue and ate ten pies in one go, not even caring that this action somehow made her gain at least a few kilograms.

“Sure was nice of the Cakes to offer us help with baking,” Applejack said as she took the cart around the corner to the service entrance of the shop.

“Yes, nice of them,” Apple Bloom said a little suspiciously. “We’ve been making a lot of money lately, it’s only natural that we would want to expand.”

“Yeah, and with all the workers we’ve hired, we’ve had a lot free time. All we have to do is add the extra flavour with no one any the wiser,” Applejack replied proudly.

“Yes, but Ah still feel we could do better.”

“Whatcha mean?”

Applejack put the cart to a halt behind the store and shrugged off the yoke from her shoulders. The Cakes were there, having the devoured the small pile of apple treats already. They had easily gained a few kilograms just from that, and Pinkie Pie in particular looked like her flank had expanded just the slightest. They eagerly took the apples inside and waved goodbye, to which Applejack waved back and smiled.

“Apples alone can only get us so far,” Apple Bloom said. “If we could get the other farmers in on the secrets, we could get rich from making them pay tributes to us.”

“Ah’m not sure Ah like the sound of that,” Applejack said a little worried, but Apple Bloom simply shook her head.

“We’re not stopping here,” Apple Bloom replied. “Trust me; there is big money to be made on this.”

They wandered into the market district and sized the area up, looking for any female vendors to let in on the secret. Any one of them would do, but they were only interested in the ones with the most costumers for now. Ponies were more or less living off of what the Apple family could provide them, so only the non-infected really came here anymore, aside from the sellers.

The two sisters separated to cover as much ground as possible and Apple Bloom already had her sights set on a by now somewhat overweight mare with pale olive coat, amber mane and three carrots for a cutie mark. She was one of the citizens of Ponyville who was less susceptible to the juices and her weight had just barely doubled. She didn’t have a complete second chin yet and her big gut, where most of the weight had gone, only had a few rolls of fat. She was delightfully surprised to see her providers visiting her stall and she greeted them with her mouth full of pie. She had a small stock behind her as well.

“Why Apple Bloom! Are you here for carrots?” she asked hopefully.

“No, Mrs Harvest, Ah have a much better deal for ya,” Apple Bloom said.

“Oh?” Golden Harvest asked joyful.

“We will letcha in on the secrets of our apples for the nominal fee of, oh, a hundred bits. You will pay us half of what you earn AND you will get a significant discount.”

“Yes, of course,” she said and instantly procured a small felt pouch. The amount was outrageous and no one in their right mind would ever have paid the sum. Then again, ponies eating the infected apples weren’t exactly themselves any longer. Apple Bloom took the money and placed it her saddle.

“Ah’ll just say this once,” Apple Bloom said. “If ya tell anyone about this, you will be denied from every buying from us again. You got that?” Golden Harvest did and began to sweat nervously at the prospect of never being able to eat those pies again. “Good. All ya have to do is squat over your carrots and masturbate.”

“What? That’s disgusting!” she replied appalled, but instantly changed her tone when she saw the frown on the filly’s face. Golden Harvest was undeniably caught in the addiction and even something as preposterous as that made sense to her. She nodded in agreement and smiled nervously, desperately hoping she had not affronted the Apple family with her outburst. Apple Bloom gave her a searching look to measure her sincerity, a completely needless task if not for aesthetics.

***

Dawn of the third month

Rainbow Dash had not been in Ponyville for awhile. She had been off to Cloudsdale for a few months and she could not wait to tell her friends that her rigorous training had paid off. She had been accepted into the Wonderbolts, albeit still in training, but this was a huge step forward in her career. She soared over the quaint hamlet she knew and loved and decided she would visit Fluttershy first. It was her support that had made it possible for RD to overcome her stage fright and really give it her all. She had been strangely absent even though she had promised to visit, but she had probably just been busy with some animal that demanded extra attention.

If Dash had looked down, she would have noticed the change in Ponyville and maybe not gotten so surprised when she saw Fluttershy again. The blue pegasus streaked down towards the hut on the outskirts of town and knocked eagerly. She could barely contain her excitement, but was surprised at first to see a white bunny with a stern look opening the door.

“Hey Angel... is Fluttershy home?”

Angel opened the door completely and Rainbow Dash stepped inside. The little bunny took Dash up the stairs to the bedroom at the top and showed her inside. Fluttershy was lying inside on the broken remains of her bed, propped up with pillows in a kind of sitting position. The yellow pegasus had been transformed into an immobile blob of fat. She had gone past overweight week ago and had become morbidly obese, doing nothing all day but having animals bring her more food to stuff her face with and sleeping.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re back!” she said enthusiastically with her mouth full of pie. “How was Cloudsdale?”

“I made it into the Wonderbolts... Fluttershy, what happened to you?”

She starred at RD perplexed, unsure what her blue friend could mean with that. Rainbow Dash picked up one of the empty pie trays, of which this place was filled with in abundance. ““Sweet Apple Acres New And Improved Apple Pies – You Will Not Be Able To Put Down Our Apples Again”... Fluttershy, have you been eating nothing but pies since I’ve been gone?”

“Of course not! I’ve also had apple fondue and apple torte and apple...”

“All right, you can stop there. I think I better see how the others are doing,” Rainbow Dash said and turned to leave, not wanting to look at her oldest friend in that state anymore.

Rainbow Dash hastily escaped the room again and flew off into the air. She was concerned with how her friend was looking and couldn’t shake an ill premonition that only came true as she entered town. Everywhere she went and looked; ponies in various states of immobility plodded and waddled along. Only a single pony or two were still slim, and all of them busy eating. They would soon join their race in the plague that had swept Ponyville. Surely Rarity, out of all her friends, would not have been overpowered by this strange craze.

RD knocked on the door which only creaked open. She entered nervously and couldn’t walk an inch inside without stepping on more empty pie containers, all of them sold by the Apple Family. Rarity sat at the back of the boutique on a reinforced divan, sleeping with all of her fat oozing over the sides. Her neck had completely disappeared and her arms and legs had widened to the width of small tree trunks. Her belly, her face and her couch were all lathered with jam and, judging by the pile of wrappings around her, she had just consumed a large meal.

Dash didn’t want another confrontation with a pony blob and hastily retreated outside again. She had no idea what was happening, but Twilight of all ponies should know. She was the most magical unicorn next to Celestia herself that Dash knew of, and the most studious one as well. She hoped on some answers as she rushed to the tree library, but no.

Twilight lay on her back and now took up half of the room. Like Fluttershy, she too was busy eating herself to death, except she was much, much bigger. She had dipped into her nearly limitless funding from Celestia and stuffed her face night and day, only taking breaks to sleep. Spike, on the other hoof, looked emaciated and tired as he slowly cleaned the purple unicorn with a sponge.

“Spike? What’s going on here?” Rainbow Dash said, starting to get miffed.

“I don’t know, but trust me, I wouldn’t touch those pies if I were you,” he said without even stopping. Twilight completely ignored her friend and used her magic to levitate more pies into her maw. Her face and her tongue were too fat to utter even a simple grunt. She was not a pony anymore, just a mass of flesh.

“You mean... Applejack’s pies?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yeah. Twilight studied them and found them to contain a powerfully addictive drug, but she still ate one for some reason. I’ve been doing nothing but clean her and bring her more pies for months,” he said and yawned.

Rainbow Dash took one of the pie trays, as if not wanting to believe it, but all of them bore the unmistakable livery and slogan of Sweet Apple Acres. She shed a tear in anger and smashed the tinfoil to the ground and stormed out. She could not believe that her friend would do something like this to everyone.

“If you’re looking for Applejack, try Sugarcube Corner,” Spike yelled after her.

The door to Sugarcube Corner had been widened considerable to accommodate the new clientele, but the bell chimed merrily as it always had. No one was behind the counter, but Rainbow Dash could hear loud munching that stopped by the ring from a room beyond. A motor sound followed and Pinkie Pie emerged from the backroom on a large engine-equipped trolley which stopped just behind the counter.

Pinkie was about Fluttershy’s size, perhaps a bit smaller, but long since too heavy to walk on her own. She had neglected all sense of personal hygiene and was covered from top to toe in cream, crumbs and cake. Her long tongue extended to lick some of it off her before she wheezed and panted and tried to hold a conversation. Not many people came here anymore, preferring to stay at home and have their orders delivered.

“Rainbow Dash! How did it go in Cloudsdale?” she asked as enthusiastically as was possibly.

“Great, great, I got into the Wonderbolts. Listen Pinkie, I need to talk with Applejack.”

“Okey dokey lokey,” she said and drove back behind the counter. “Help yourself to some pie, the first slice is free.”

Rainbow Dash chose to ignore that last sentence and frowned upon all the consumables stacked up in large piles. It seemed that all produce ponies delivered their ingredients here by now which had become the only way to even get their goods sold. So not just apple pies, but carrot muffins, fried tomato slices and flower sandwiches could be bought here. The whole shop had been renovated and expanded significantly to accommodate the increased revenue, and the Cake family was able to lounge around in their own room instead of sitting in the shop. They had people to bake and sell and deliver, among them Pinkie who accepted her pay in food.

Apple Bloom emerged now, still as petite and blank as she had ever been, staring innocently up at RD.

“Howdy Rainbow Dash! Nice ta see ya back in town. Pie?” she asked and held out a slice of warm, creamy apple pie.

“No thank you. Apple Bloom, where’s Applejack? I need to talk with her.”

“Mah sister is out back preparing the apples, but she’ll be here soon. Perhaps Ah can help ya?”

“Why are all the ponies here overweight and why do I keep finding your pie cases all over?”

She tried not to sound too stern, but she had a growing suspicion and she wanted Apple Bloom to know. The filly sighed, dropped the pie on the counter and went around to face Dash.

“Ponyville loves our new recipes, nothin’ more. It’s not our fault that they can’t stop eating, is it?”

“Well, I suppose not... but you’ve been deliberately selling highly addictive foods. Anyone would have stopped long ago.”

“Ah don’t think ya understand,” Apple Bloom said and become more menacing. “We’re making a lot of money on this. We’ve finally been able to pay back our debts and get Granny a new hip and the farm is looking better than ever. I don’t regret for a moment the things we’ve had to do to get this far. Do you have any ideas what it’s like ta never know if we’re gonna survive the winter? How it’s like ta face losing the farm?”

“And have you even considered the consequences of your actions? The whole town is at a standstill because everypony are too fat and lazy to move!” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“So what are you gonna do about it? We have done nothing wrong,” Apple Bloom said and smirked.

“I’ll tell the mayor and put a stop to you,” Rainbow Dash replied confidently.

“Try it. Mayor Mare has been in our pockets for months.”

“Then I’ll go get Celestia and make her turn everything to normal.”

Apple Bloom sighed. “This could all have been so easy, Dash. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle.”

Seemingly out of nowhere, two round fillies emerged from above and plumped down on Rainbow Dash. Both of them had feasted well on their relationship with Apple Bloom and had become nothing more than adorable little butter balls with legs and tails. They both landed their enormous rears on Rainbow Dash with little warning and knocked the wind out of her. She squirmed desperately to free herself, but just one of them had been enough to hold down RD.

“Cutie Mark Strangleholds!” they both exclaimed.

“Oh. Hey, Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo said, genuinely surprised to see her idol beneath her fat.

“Not you too, Scoots? Can’t any of you see what you’ve been doing to yourselves?” Rainbow Dash asked desperately. She did not like that Apple Bloom had disappeared out of sight.

“I just got my cutie mark in eating!” Scootaloo replied ecstatically.

“My cutie mark in eating is much better than yours,” Sweetie Bell replied.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo replied in a defeated tone.

RD was going ask them “What?” but she had trouble getting air to even breathe now. Both of the fillies still had a blank flank, bigger now than ever.

“Apple Bloom gave us some pie, and then she told us that we had gotten our cutie marks!” Scootaloo replied. “It was so obvious. There’s nothing better than just eating all day”

So strong was the magic in the juices that Apple Bloom could convince her friends to see things that weren’t there. None of them dared question her statement in fear of losing their access to food and believed so strongly in her words that they were actually seeing it.

RD wriggled but found herself unable to move and barely capable of breathing. She could hardly turn her head and didn’t see Apple Bloom at all until she returned with a large stack of extra fattening treats. These apple pies had been covered in so much chocolate, butter and lard that it was disgusting to look at, but the red-haired filly simply smiled a wicked little smile. She took a spoon and dug in, slowly extending it towards the waiting mouth. RD struggled and clenched her teeth tightly shut. Apple Bloom nodded and Sweetie Bell began to wriggle her tail against RD’s hooves.

This was her sensitive area and it didn’t take RD long to start giggling, trying her best to keep her mouth closed. Her eyes were watering and it was a losing battle however, and Rainbow Dash just couldn’t help but laugh loudly eventually. That was all Apple Bloom needed and she forced the spoon inside the maw. RD didn’t even need to swallow, this was all she needed to fall under the spell. The warmth spread throughout her body and into her limbs and she was overcome by large pangs of hunger. The two fillies on top of her rolled off, so that Rainbow Dash was free to eat all that she wanted, and that she did.

She was no longer in control of herself and didn’t even care how disgusting the pies were, she just wanted more. Apple Bloom grinned down at the once so formidable Rainbow Dash. She took one of the pies, harked and delivered a large splotch of gross green spit down on it.

“Eat it,” Apple Bloom demanded.

RD didn’t need to be told twice and devoured the slimy pie as passionately as if it was just any other pie. Apple Bloom laughed menacingly and grabbed Rainbow Dash by her hair and pulled her up so that she could look into her eyes. “Ah own you now, Rainbow Dash, you understand? You will do as Ah say and you can have all the food you want.”

Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly before Apple Bloom smashed her face into the large pile of food, most of which was dripping with lard and fat. It took Rainbow Dash ten minutes to eat it all and her stomach was severely bloated afterwards. She too was now under the spell towards eternal gluttony and never-ending hunger. She was lying on her sides, moaning, her distended gut, face and hooves smeared with cream. Apple Bloom took her by the hair again and looked hard into her eyes.

“Clean yerself up, ya disgusting pig. Mah sister will be here soon and Ah wantcha ta treat her real nice. She’s too shy ta admit it herself, but it’s obvious that she has crush on you. Date her and distract her from mah affairs and you will have the all pies ya can eat.”

Rainbow Dash nodded fervently and tried to get up on her hooves, but found that she was too stuffed to move. This riled Apple Bloom enough to lash out at her, kicking her in the face, the belly and the behind until RD, under great stress and with a lot of effort, finally managed. She toddled in the directed that Apple Bloom pointed

She emerged again a few minutes later, her mane still damp. Applejack was here as well and was surprised to see Rainbow Dash again, especially so chubby. As the pies had settled in her gut, pockets of flesh had formed under her chin, on her belly and her limbs.

“Rainbow Dash, what in tarnation?” Applejack exclaimed, but RD simply trotted over to her side and placed a wet kiss on her mouth. AJ blushed and looked away.

“I came back because I couldn’t stand to be away from you a moment longer,” the blue pegasus replied.

“That’s mighty sweet of you, sugar cube, but what about the Wonderbolts?”

“To Hell with the Wonderbolts!” she replied and before AJ’s suspicious could be aroused, RD kissed her again, even more passionately. Scootaloo gagged while Sweetie Belled d’awwed.

“Come on, Sweetie Belle, I’ll bet you that I can eat more pies than you,” Scootaloo said.

“You’re on!” Sweetie Belle replied, and the two raced into a side room as quickly as they could (which wasn’t very quickly at all). When Rainbow Dash finally released Applejack from their intense kiss, they were both left panting.

“Ya... ya really love me?” Applejack asked.

“I always have,” Rainbow Dash replied and the two nuzzled.

***

Dawn of the fourth month

Applejack woke up a month later. She was sleeping less and less, unable to live with the guilt that wracked her insides and twisted them into a hard knot. She had been able to ignore her anxious worrying through her love with Rainbow Dash, but the latter had become increasingly slovenly. Her weight had tripled in just four weeks from a diet consisting of nothing but extremely fatty desert. She was even eating in her sleep and there was barely a moment where she was wasn’t having her face stuffed full with something.

Applejack had begun to use her lover as first a pillow and now a bed, the squishy blue belly being even softer than the luxurious bed that she had installed on the farm (which Rainbow Dash broke after a week). But Applejack was far from satisfied. It was hard to get Rainbow Dash’s attention these days, not even when they had sex which was also more or less impossible now. The only thing this pegasus wanted was to eat and nothing more.

“Ah’m gonna ask ya a question, and Ah wantcha ta answer honestly,” Applejack said and put on her hat.

“Of course,” Rainbow Dash said and spat food everywhere.

“Who do ya love more. Me or mah pies?”

“Your pies, naturally,” she replied with absolutely no need to think. Applejack wasn’t surprised and merely snorted slightly and went to the door. “Where’re you going?”

“Oh, just going ta town to set things straight,” Applejack said.

“I can’t let you do that,” Rainbow Dash said and flailed, desperate to turn herself over so that she could get up on her hooves, but gave up after only a few seconds. “Ugh,” she said and farted.

“It was nice of ya ta pretend ya loved me,” Applejack said and pecked her on the cheek. “Hopefully it isn’t too late”

“But... I do love you,” Rainbow Dash said. “I just love pies more, that’s all! Why don’t you stay here? Put some pie on your crotch and let me lick it clean, like we used to do?”

Applejack blushed, but neither turned around nor did she stop. This had gone on long enough, and she would do something she should have done a long time ago; put her hoof down and say stop.

She was now the only pony in all of Ponyville, aside from her family, that wasn’t morbidly obese. Everywhere she went, everypony she looked at, only made her feel worse. Lyra being fed by Bon Bon, the Flower trio sitting outside and warming their bellies and discussing current events, , Berry Punch lying in the street in a stupor, too drunk and full to move. Applejack shook her head and went straight to the city hall.

This was where Apple Bloom usually could be found nowadays, overseeing the administrative duties of the city and making sure that there were no one left on a normal weight. Various pony officials were here, lazing around, indifferent about their clerical duties. Nothing was getting done anymore and society had completely stopped. Ponyville was wholly dependent on outside forces to help them harvest and all other things. These ponies, in turn, became addicted to the food and added to the “growing” population. Rumours about the small village’s popularity with visitors never wanting to leave only made more ponies come and the town was fast becoming a big city, inhabited by large slobs.

Applejack entered the former mayor’s office, where Apple Bloom now sat comfortable behind the desk. She smiled as her big sister entered, but her enthusiasm dwindled when she saw the serious expression on her face.

“Apple Bloom, we’re putting an end ta business now. We’ve made more than enough money on this,” Applejack said.

“What? We’ve just taken over Ponyville! With us in the charge, the city will be led into a golden age!”

“We’re making ponies miserable and they don’t even know it themselves. Ah want no part of this anymore.”

“Hmph. Well, I don’t need you any longer, big sis. I have plenty of juices in me to spray our apples, and there are plenty of other ponies supplying food as well. Go, retire if you want, I don’t care,” Apple Bloom said angrily.

“We are both retiring and we’re stopping production of our new and improved apples.”

“Oh really?” Apple Bloom said and went around the desk to face her big sister. “And what do you think will happen ta all the ponies eating our pies now? Do ya really reckon they can all just give up their habits? It’ll kill them if we don’t feed them what they want.”

“And it’ll kill them if we keep feeding them,” Applejack said angrily, her face shoved all the way into Apple Bloom’s. “Ah’m going to Celestia, have her sort all this out. We’re makin’ everything go back ta normal and that’s final.”

“You seem to think I have to listen you,” Apple Bloom said and pulled away from her sister. “You know what happened to Big Mac?”

“He... went ta Trottingham ta expand business?” Applejack said, questioningly and nervously. Not for the first time, nor for the last, did Apple Bloom smirk.

“Oh, he’s expanding all right... in the basement of Sweet Apple Acres!”

“You.... you monster!” Applejack said, but somehow, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo emerged out of thin air and pressed her to the floor. They were now way too fat to both sit on someone else’s back and Sweetie Belle simply rolled off, neither of them having the energy to talk. Mirroring the incident with Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom came over to her sister with a fresh pie.

“I didn’t start this,” she said with a grin. “Yer the one who jacked off apples and had the guts to sell them.”

“Yeah. Ah was the one who started this four months ago and Ah’ll be the one to end this.”

Her words were brave, but even Applejack could not lift Scootaloo now. Even breathing made her sweat plentifully and AJ was soon soaked in perspiration, some of it her own, dreading that she should become like her victims. It was only a fitting end, but perhaps she would be happier this way? Still she struggled and moved her head out of the way. Apple Bloom tried to force the spoon through the clenched teeth, but AJ was best known, next to her honesty, for her stubbornness.

“Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh. The young filly had landed on her back next to Applejack, her tail pointing in the wrong direction. She flailed for a moment before giving up. “Use your horn!” Apple Bloom said, annoyed. The giant, white marshmallow wriggled her head and eventually found Applejack’s soft side. The pain was making her eyes water, but she wouldn’t for anything in the world give in. It was a losing battle, however, and a small scream eventually emerged her lips as Sweetie Belle’s horn glowed, if only for the slightest of moments, with a spark of flame.

Apple Bloom was quick and jabbed the spoonful into her sister’s mouth. It was over. Applejack knew that she would soon succumb to the magic of her own juices and chewed slowly, awaiting the disastrous change in her chemistry. It didn’t really taste any different, perhaps a pinch saltier. She swallowed, but nothing happened at all! It was a miracle... but how? She would have to contemplate that later, for now, she just needed to fool Apple Bloom. She feigned the glimpse everypony else had had in their eyes, and Apple Bloom nodded. Scootaloo slipped off as well and swayed down on the floor. AJ’s back was dark with sweat.

“Ah don’t think I’ll be feeding you too well,” Apple Bloom said. “I still need you able to work for me.”

Applejack ate the rest of the pie, somehow immune to its effects. She was hungry anyway, as she had just woken up without any breakfast. It was dry and tasted mostly of dough and flour. Apple Bloom returned to her desk and folded her hooves in a typical “Just as planned” pose and contemplated the bright future ahead of her. Applejack couldn’t allow this to go any further and got up again.

“Who told ya ta could get up? Yer staying right here; I still need ya ta eat at least thirty more pies just to be sure.”

“No can do,” AJ replied determinedly.

“What? Aren’t you hungry?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously.

“Ah have a suspicion wha it didn’t work.... Ya used one of mah pies, didntcha?”

“You’re not actually saying.... ?”

But Applejack was and her triumphant smile warranted no further need for discussing the subject. She was immune to her own juices! It was so obvious that it seemed ridiculous of her not to have realised this sooner. Then again, the fear of turning into an immobile globe of flesh had been less than inviting.

“Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, restrain her this instant!” Apple Bloom demanded. “I think I have one of Miss Harvest’s carrot cakes around here.”

But her two friends would only work when dropped from above. Now resting on the floor, their 500+ kg frames were too much for them to easily lift around. Not even Applejack could have pushed any of them on top of somepony else’s back. She made good her escape and fled the office, leaving a fuming Apple Bloom. She raised the alarm of the whole town, but four months of tyranny had taken its toll. No one was left in Ponyville in shape to give chase to the gamboge pony, and even the guest workers were already too bloated to follow her. She couldn’t use the trains as they were all in Apple Bloom’s favour as well. No other way around it... she had too hoof it all the way to Canterlot, hopefully picking up a lift on the way. Unless she got an idea.

***

Apple Bloom returned later that evening to the farm that had been her home in all of her short life. She was now the only sane member left to run it and she had plenty of workers toiling day and night to harvest the bountiful crop growing here. They didn’t need paying, only the promise of food. A worker typically lasted a month before reaching a weight that prevented them from doing any more harvesting. She didn’t even cast them a glance as she strolled past them on her way to a shed set apart from the main building. Its purpose wasn’t clear from an outside glance but for Rainbow Dash, it would be remembered as a torture chamber.

The blue overweight pegasus, easily about 700 kg now, took up almost the entire area. Granted, it wasn’t a big shed, but it only served to accentuate her weight. The floor was covered in cold sweat, and RD lay, shivering and gnashing, on the floor in as much of a foetus position as she could muster. She simply looked up at Apple Bloom with fear in her eyes, not even daring to twitch in horror, just silently waiting on whatever would come next.

“I trust you won’t let me down again?” Apple Bloom asked, to which Rainbow Dash simply nodded. “If you fail me again, I won’t keep the pies from you for four hours. I might just decide on a whole day.”

RD was shaking badly to begin with, but the prospect of a whole day without pies was too much for her. It had been Hell to go through just these four hours without any pies and she had nearly thought she would never survive it.

“Please, I’ll do anything... just give me more pies!” she shouted desperately.

“There’s nothing wrong with my hearing... and to think they called you the element of loyalty. Look at you. Morbidly obese and whimpering just because I took your pies away from you. What do you think of Applejack?”

“To Hell with Applejack, I just want more pie!”

Apple Bloom finally took mercy on the quivering Rainbow blob and threw a pie into the shed. RD flailed to reach it as it landed on her voluptuous belly.

“I’ll have more pies for you, but I first need to see if you can still be of use to me.”

Rainbow Dash nodded fervently to show the she would and despite being as large as she was, fairly easily got up on her hooves. The pie seemed to restore her energy and she was ready to take on any challenge that stood between her and her pie-supplier’s trust.

“There is still one pony left in this town who hasn’t tasted our pies,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s ridiculous!”

“Indeed it is, yet it’s true. I believe you’re familiar with her... her name is Ditzy Doo... or Derpy... or something. You can’t miss her, she’s usually around somewhere playing with those cursed muffins of hers. Convert her and the pies are yours.”

Rainbow Dash accepted a cart load of pies and other goodies baked with a variety of ingredients. The ultimate dependence would be something made entirely out of addictive ingredients, of which RD had been expressly forbidden from touching. She was only hooked on apples and oranges so far, and that was enough. But for Derpy awaited a cocktail of not just apples and oranges, but tomatoes, carrots, roses, lilies, all kinds of salad; a big hotchpotch of earth pony produce gathered from nearly all the farmers, big as small, all over Ponyville. Derpy would be the first pony to be addicted to everything. It was unheard of and the hunger would very well kill her, and if not, she would most likely eat herself to death within a day.

Rainbow Dash munched away on the treats that she was allowed to eat and walked through Ponyville. Ponies greeted her as she walked and though many tried, no one succeeded in stealing anything from her cart. They would just have to get their food legitimately and no one was as loyal to her food as RD. She was panting heavily, but it was such a nice day out today and she had plenty to eat. Her torment only minutes away was gone from her memory and she was focusing entirely on eating now and in the future.

It was on a little grassy knoll just outside of town that she found the bubbly grey mare, sleeping with a muffin on her head. She was wakened from far away by all the noise Rainbow Dash made, trying to get up. She took a slight moment to breathe, her large meaty face almost unrecognisable. She was just about to fall asleep as she stood when she farted and woke herself up.

“Rainbow Dash!” Derpy exclaimed and waved happily, before turning her smile into a worried frown. “You look different. Did you do something with your mane?” she asked.

“No, I’m.... still the... good old.... Rainbow Dash,” she puffed and collapsed right next to the blonde-haired pony.

“You okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine!” Rainbow Dash assured her. “Why are you always eating those muffins? Don’t you want to try some apple pie?”

RD shoved the rather grossly-looking frankenpie, only slightly concealed by whipped cream, under Derpy’s nose. She looked at it curiously, but her eyes soon began to wander in a different direction.

“No thanks! Perhaps you’d like to try some muffin?”

She wasn’t taking no for an answer and proceeded to force the chocolate muffin on top of her head into the little-struggling blue jaws. It couldn’t hurt to eat it and Rainbow Dash quickly swallowed it. She was still waving the pie at Derpy, but before she could feast on it, dropped it on the ground. The blue pegasus looked like she was in a lot of pain as fire spread out through all of her limbs, much akin to how she had first felt when eating her first pie. It couldn’t be the muffin... could it?

All of the excess fat she had gained quickly disappeared from her bones. Her hooves touched the ground again, her plot returned to normal and even her horribly distorted face went back. Somehow, this muffin had counteracted the drugs in her system and she had returned to the state she had been in before getting that apple monkey on her back.

“Ah, Rainbow Dash!” Derpy said, then assuming a scrunchy posture, trying to comprehend what just happened. “You look like yourself again!” she finally exclaimed exuberantly.

“I do,” Rainbow Dash said, ashamed of her behaviour up until, regretting the things she had said and done, especially to Applejack, her most trusted friend. She blushed at the memory of what they had done together and her heart nearly tore in two at the thought of choosing pie before friends. Derpy rescued the pie from the ground and was just about to take a bite when RD slapped it out of her hooves.

“My pie,” she said sadly as it squashed on the ground and all the things in it spilled out. It had been crudely pieced together and had never even been heated. It was just a mix of various treated components pounded to form a sickly-looking puree and layered with a bit of dough.

“Don’t eat these pies, or anything else within the city, you hear me?” Rainbow Dash said and took her friend by the shoulders and shook her. “The pies are filled with... with...” She repressed the urge to hurl and swallowed the sour liquid rising in her throat. “Where did you get that muffin?”

“I make them myself,” Derpy said proudly and nodded. “Carrot Top doesn’t want me to; she always tell me to eat her muffins. I much prefer chocolate.”

“Carrot Top? Oh, you mean Golden Harvest... Do you have anymore?” Rainbow Dash asked, the urgency in her voice lost on the scatterbrained mare.

“Ummm... I’ve eaten a few, but I think there should be some left.”

“I just need four... do you have that many?”

She pondered heavily for a moment, then nodded excitedly. She took off on her wings and flew back to the city with the blue pegasus behind her. It felt good to stretch her wings and fly again after so much time being restricted to waddle around. She followed Derpy with rising anger in her heart, not at Applejack who had first introduced this poison to the city, but Apple Bloom who had propagated it. This time, her crusading for her cutiemark had gotten out of hand. She was endangering everypony in the city, but Rainbow Dash had a plan. Four muffins to four ill friends. Her failure last time had been because she had been uninformed, underestimating the situation and alone. Applejack was fetching the princess, but that could take a while. They would just have to stall Apple Bloom for now, or do whatever they could.

Golden Harvest lived in a house next to her garden plot. With all the money she had made, she had managed to expand her home quite extensively, mostly to fit her widening frame. Derpy didn’t slow down at all and simply crashed through the door. She scooted along the floor with her tongue sticking out, until she was interrupted.

“Derpy, is that you? Why don’t you take some carrots and make yourself some more muffins?”

“No thanks, Carrot Top! I’m just here for my chocolate babies,” she said and proceeded into the kitchen.

Rainbow Dash went by the living room where the massive olive pony sat on a small platform, massaging her marehood concealed somewhere in her mass of blubber. She was even bigger than Rainbow Dash had been and now weighed close to a metric ton. It was almost a miracle that she could still pleasure herself, but if RD had taken a closer look instead of hastily leaving, she would have noticed how. A small vibrator had been positioned strategically important and a long wire ran over her enormous stomach and ended in a contact she held in her hooves.

Derpy was just about to sink her teeth into a chocolate goody, when RD swiped it from her hooves.

“Please try and understand the seriousness of the situation, Derpy. I need exactly four muffins and no less,” she said, and Derpy nodded. There were fortunately still enough muffins for the plan, and even enough for Derpy to take a few for herself, balancing one on top of her head and eating another.

“I’m going to Sugarcube Corner, so why don’t you stay here and make some more? We’re going to need them,” Rainbow Dash said and Derpy would probably have nodded, if she didn’t have a muffin perched on her head.

There was no time to waste and if RD could get to Pinkie first, then she would have dealt a massive blow to the supply. There were only a few places in Ponyville where you could get the infamous treats and Pinkie was the pony most came to for their satisfaction.

The pink pony, despite her metabolism, had been eating far longer and far more than Rainbow Dash. She was perhaps the minimum standard of the Ponyville population by now with a good 900 kg of raw, unadulterated fat. Rainbow Dash would have overtaken her soon, but then again, Pinkie wasn’t eating her pies swimming in butter and lard.

Getting her to eat the muffin wasn’t difficult. Dash simply climbed up on her stomach and forced it down her gullet and she too shrank back to a proper Pinkie Pie weight. She had not betrayed the trust of her friends the way RD had and was less ashamed of herself. She took it as a crazy adventure, but was fortunately happy to be in a size where she could leap around unhindered. She was very energetic now, but Rainbow Dash was just happy to have her back.

What really made her anxious was Twilight. She had surpassed the ton more than a month ago and it was with dread that the two ponies now approached the library. A wall of purple flesh was pressing on the windows on the lower floor and glass had burst out of their frames. The door was ripped open open and unable to be closed. The only way inside was through the window at the very top, so RD took a muffin and flew up through the window.

Twilight had broken through the first floor and was well on her way through the second as well. Her mouth was sticking out through the hole where the stairs normally were. It was almost absurd to see this living, heaving mass of fat, but it was extremely easy to feed her this way. Rainbow Dash simply dropped the muffin into the wet hole and hoped that it was her mouth.

A large rumble made the whole library shake as Twilight reverted to her normal size again. A quick estimate would probably place her at 10 tons at her peak, quite a difference from the usually 90 something kg normal weight Twilight. She landed on the bottom floor with a thud and looked around perplexed at the destruction she had caused and with horror at her sweat-drenched trove of books.

“Applejack,” she said through gritted teeth and held a particularly interesting book on Equestrian fauna in her hooves, its pages falling out.

She too agreed on Rainbow Dash’s proposition and joined them on their way out of town towards Fluttershy.

“Say, where’s Spike?” Rainbow Dash asked as they walked down the street. It was actually quite peaceful in Ponyville now that no one was out and about.

“Hmm,” Twilight said and tapped her muzzle. “You know, I’m not sure. I haven’t been able to see him in months.”

“Perhaps he went to get help!” Pinkie suggested as she cartwheeled alongside them and bumped into Roseluck. “Sorry,” Pinkie said, but the large, white pony hadn’t even noticed her.

“This is so freaky,” Twilight said as they hastily hurried past.

“And that is why we need put a stop to this,” Rainbow Dash said. “I’ve only got two more muffins, so we have to make them count.”

“How do they even work?” Twilight asked and levitated one from underneath Rainbow Dash’s wings. She studied it carefully, turning it this way and that, but it just looked like an ordinary chocolate muffin.

“Twilight, I learned a long time ago not to question how Derpy works. It will only give you a headache.”

They arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage a few minutes later, having picked up their pace. They were anxious to get to all of their pony friends as quickly as possible, and even more so to reverse this whole affair before it was too late. They weren’t sure what to expect, but Fluttershy had been among the first to fall under the spell. What they anticipated, however, could not measure up to what they actually saw.

Their yellow pegasus friend was lying just inside the entrance, having burst through her bedroom. She had not moved since and simply sat in the rubble of her house, her fat oozing out to all sides like an ocean of blubber. Numerous animals worked tirelessly to keep up with her appetite, washing her body and emptying her tubs of waste out back.

A good estimate would put her around 4 tonnes by now. She was completely helpless and depended on her woodland friends for everything. She could do nothing on her own; she was immobile and her features were distorted by all the fat into a grotesque yellow ball. Twilight took one look at her and then had to leave to vomit. Not just because of the sight, but also the overpowering stench of sweat, faecal matter and rotten food, most of which hidden somewhere in her folds.

The animals, many of which had worked themselves past exhaustion, looked up tiredly at the new guests. It was impossible for RD to enter as Fluttershy’s ass completely covered the doorway, and the windows were being pushed past their breaking point by her belly. Two squirrels crawled down from the upper floor and down the wall. They stared with pleading eyes up at Rainbow Dash and looked like they were begging for help with their little dexterous hands.

Rainbow Dash didn’t speak squirrel, but held out the muffin to them anyway. They should be intelligent enough to understand and empathic enough to want to help.

“I’m not sure you get this, but you must feed Fluttershy this muffin. It will return her to normal. Nod if you understand,” Dash said and carried on the conversation like normal.

The two squirrels looked at each other, then took the muffin and nodded. They scampered up the wall again, carrying the helpful treat between them. They must have figured out the importance of their mission as they didn’t go on board the muffin, despite being starved from all their work. Rainbow Dash took a few steps back towards her friends and outside the pungent aura surrounding the cottage. They waited breathlessly, for more than one reason, for the results.

They were nervous and time couldn’t move fast enough. Pinkie bit her lip and danced around in tense expectation, while the other two looked at the quivering yellow mass. Fluttershy was constantly eating and they could not discern whether she was stuffing her face with pie or with muffin. They hoped with all of their might that this would succeed.

It was unnoticeable at first, but once the muffin had been consumed, it happened fast. Fluttershy shrank almost immediately back to her original size and lay dumbfounded on her back in a dark patch that took up most of the floor. She looked around her to see if it had been a dream or reality. All of her animal friends embraced their old caretaker, happy to see that she was herself again. Fluttershy couldn’t help but cry at the thought of how nastily she had treated them all.

“Fluttershy... good to see you’re back to normal,” Rainbow Dash said and wiped her brow.

“Yeah, I didn’t like the big mean Fluttershy at all!” Pinkie said.

“Perhaps you’d like to help us return things to normal?” Twilight asked.

“Oh... I’d rather stay here, if you don’t mind. I have a lot to make up for and I think I need to clean this place a bit,” she said, unable to move now because of all the embraces she was receiving from her animals.

“That’s okay, we only need to visit Rarity,” Rainbow Dash said. “Pinkie, why don’t you stay behind and help Fluttershy? We won’t need a whole lot of ponies to stop Apple Bloom.”

“Oh, I’d love to!” Pinkie said and skipped closer to the cottage. Fluttershy was happy to see all of her friends back to normal and to see that they weren’t mad at her for behaving like she had the last couple of months. Truth be told, they were all embarrassed at their own behaviour.

And so, only Rainbow Dash and Twilight went back into town again. Rarity’s Carousel Boutique was in the other end, but the two ponies were just so happy to be able to walk again that they didn’t particular mind. It didn’t seem that Apple Bloom had noticed what they were doing yet and she wasn’t exactly missing Rainbow Dash. Evening was giving way to night fast and it would be dark before they could go to Sweet Apple Acres for their final showdown.

They entered the dress shop and found Rarity, to no one’s surprise, heavily overweight and relaxing on her stomach. Her enormous rear had outgrown any possibly couches and she had resorted to covering the floors with pillows and was content just lying there. She had several young stallions tending to her every need. She had a certain charm about her, even at her weight, and she was perhaps even more beautiful now than ever. Her weight as it was now was little under two tonnes and steadily climbing as the young ponies shuttled between her and Sugarcube Corner and ensured that she would not go a minute without having something in her mouth.

This was also where Spike was. He tried desperately to make Rarity stop eating with little success. He tried persuading the servicing ponies to stop feeding her and even tried knocking the pie plates out of their hooves with the result that they knocked him over. They were either too infatuated with her or too highly paid.

“Rainbow Dash? Twilight?” He was surprised to see his two pony friends alive and thin again and especially embraced Twilight. “How did you... You know what, I don’t even care right now. I’m going back to the library, take a shower and then I’ll go back to bed.”

“Wait,” Twilight said. “Listen Spike, I’m so sorry for how I’ve behaved. I wasn’t myself. Can you forgive me?”

“I know, I know. Guess I knew the whole time,” he said. “Anyway, Applejack told me everything.”

“Applejack did? When did you meet her?” Rainbow Dash and took hold of Spike, who looked at her in surprise.

“She came by the library to make me send a letter to Celestia. Can’t believe I didn’t think about that.”

Rainbow Dash gave an impish little smile. “Then she must be back at the farm already. We should hurry, Twilight.”

Just at that moment, Rarity finally noticed their presence. She had been too absorbed with eating to even care that there had been others in the room. She might not even have noticed Spike at all, who now slumped out of the room, tired and exhausted.

“Rainbow Dash, Twilight, welcome!” she said and burped. “You look famished. I wish I could share with you, but a lady like me mustn’t be kept waiting.”

“Well, that’s kind of why we’re here!” Twilight said and took the last muffin with her magic. They were afraid to get any closer to their clinically obese friend than the doorway to the backroom. She was eating like an absolute pig and pieces of pie flew everywhere.

“Ugh, what is that thing?” Rarity asked. “I only let the Apple family’s genuine pies across my lips. I don’t know where that... muffin was last.”

“But it IS from the Apple family!” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s, uh... it’s a new apple-chocolate recipe.”

“Really?” Rarity said, salivating at the thought and smacking her lips. She pushed aside one of her waiters who tried to feed her some pie. “I must try this at once! I must!”

She wriggled her flabby arms to get closer to the muffin, but with little result. She was stuck where she had fallen. The brown confection flew through the air with Twilight’s magic and landed in Rarity’s waiting maw. She chewed it greedily with little regards to manners and moaned in delight.

“Simply divine,” she said. “Strange. I couldn’t even taste the apples.”

The pony she had dismissed handed her a new pie and she was just about to sink her teeth into it when the muffin worked its magic. Like the others before her, the fat on her body melted away before their eyes as the spell of the pies were broken. Rarity was now lying on her belly with several astonished ponies around her. She looked around bewildered and then flushed immensely.

“All of you, out!” she yelled to the waiting ponies with such intensity that they stumbled over each other to get away. She looked up at her friends with a stern look. “We shall never speak of this again... EVER.”

Her two friends couldn’t help but laugh slightly, but quickly stifled their grins when they saw her expression.

“Wanna come with us to Sweet Apple Acres?” Rainbow Dash asked, but Rarity was already busy and on her feet.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. I can’t remember the last the time I had a shower that didn’t involve a rag on a stick,” she said and darted out of the room.

“Just you and me then, Twilight,” Dash said determinedly. “That was our last muffin too, so we better not eat any of the pies.”

“Yes, and please don’t do something rash, all right?” Twilight asked concernedly. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“I never do anything rash. I just like to take the initiative is all,” she replied, but Twilight gave her a strict look. “Fine, we’ll do this your way, but only because I don’t have a plan... at the moment.”

***

“Apple Bloom, you come on out here right this moment!” Applejack said and yelled at her former home; the Sweet Apple Acres. Having sent the letter to the Princess, she quickly rushed back to the city hall only to find that her younger sister had already vacated the premises. By keeping one of the ponies from eating, she managed to extort the location of Apple Bloom out of her.

The once so idyllic two storey farmhouse had been completely overshadowed by a small keep that Apple Bloom had gotten built at the edge of their land. It included a moat, spires, drawbridges and the finest masonry in all of Equestria and sported an extravagance rivalling even that of Canterlot. It’s amazing what you can make ponies do with only the prospect of pie.

Applejack now stood on the wrong side of the water trench, trying to talk sense into her little sister. Not with a whole lot of success.

“Gosh darn tooting, Apple Bloom, yer in so much trouble right now, young missy. You come out right this instant or I’ll be seriously mad at ya.”

The yellow filly didn’t even respond, and the only attention she got was from the guards that had been posted around the grounds. Two of them, looking like two of Celestia’s guards completely with armour, waddled over to her. They had only been recently hired as they were far from the larger-than-life that characterised the rest of the city.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m afraid we must ask you to leave,” the first one said.

“Ah’m her sister, for crying out loud! This is mah home and Ah live here too,” Applejack said.

“Not according to lady Apple Bloom,” the second one said. “Now you’ll either leave or be thrown out.”

“This is ridiculous,” Applejack said and facehoofed herself. “Look, can’t ya see what’s happening to you? Look how fat yer getting!”

“Lady Apple Bloom preserve us from the heretics,” they both said and slowly advanced upon Applejack.

She didn’t want to fight two of Celestia’s finest, even if they didn’t work for her anymore. Applejack was just a country girl with strong legs, not a fighter like these ponies and slowly backed away. She was the only one left in town who still had her senses. She would not give up for anything in this world and would fight to make things right, to amend for the sins she had committed. However, a tactical retreat might be preferred for now.

The guards were fortunately not pursuing her as she sped away as fast as she could, between the trees and up the dirt road towards their old home where she still lived. She reminisced back to the days before, of apple bucking and apple selling. She missed Big Mac and she missed Rainbow Dash so much that it clutched at her heart. Somewhere inside, Dash was eating her own weight in pies and it was all her fault. She cursed her pride; that she hadn’t stopped Big Mac from carting away all those apples so many months ago. She couldn’t hold the tears back then and there as she felt hopelessly powerless. She had never encountered a situation she couldn’t handle before like this and it made her wail large streams of helplessness.

She just needed a few moments to herself; a few moments of indulging on the shame and guilt. No matter how much she cried, however, would it make things right. If only she weren’t alone in all of this. She looked up at the farm house and thought of Dash again, of how happy she had allowed herself to be. But perhaps not all was lost. There were still other cities where they hadn’t even heard of Sweet Apple Acres yet. But... how would she ever make the infected stop eating her addicting pies?

As if to answer her question, a streak of white flashed above her. She thought for a moment it might have been a trick of the sun, but she quickly recognised the unmistakable mane of Celestia. She had come earlier than expected and more than anything filled Applejack with hope again. She wiped her eyes with her hoof and put on the most resolute face she could muster and hurried after the Princess.

Celestia noticed Applejack below and landed next to her. The Princess was looking rather grim from hearing the news and Applejack cast herself before her on the little dirt road.

“Ah’m mighty sorry, Princess. Ah didn’t know that this would go this wrong, and when I did, it was too late. Mah sister... Apple Bloom, she ain’t herself no more. Please, Ah’m begging ya, please help us.”

“I can see the sincere regret in your eyes, Applejack. We shan’t worry about pointing hoofs just yet, first we must take action. Will you lead the way?”

“Yes, Princess!” Applejack said and eagerly got up again.

Celestia was always kind, even in a situation like this. Applejack gave a weak smile at her and was repaid with a warm one. She blushed and quickly darted down the road with Celestia just behind her, guiding them back to the Apple Bloom keep.

The guards had again retreated to whatever guard house they occupied and were nowhere to be seen.

Applejack and Celestia stopped in front of the moat and peered up the walls and into the windows of the towers to see if they could find Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom, this is yer last warning. Come out here NOW!” Applejack yelled up at the battlements and ramparts with just as much luck as before.

“Apple Bloom, there is something you should know,” Celestia said quietly, her voice still carrying through the thick walls. “You do not know the magic you’re trifling with. It may look as if you’re only affecting others, but you’re affecting yourself just as much. It is not too late. We can still help you.”

Apple Bloom appeared up on the wall between two towers, right over the entrance. For a moment, it really seemed like they had gotten through to her. She was smiling positively and the gate slammed down. Applejack and Celestia was just about to cross when their progress was suddenly halted by the arrival of two gigantic fillies right on their back. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were now the size of large, sweaty cars.

“Oh horse apples, I forgot she could do that,” Applejack said. “Wait... how is she even doing this!”

“Yay, I got the Princess!” Sweetie Belle said jubilantly.

“I just got Applejack... again,” Scootaloo said disappointedly.

The Princess didn’t seem to worry. Her horn glowed and an aura engulfed Sweetie Belle, but nothing happened. Celestia increased her effort and focused more energy into whatever spell she was performing, but Sweetie Belle remained where she was.

Apple Bloom joined them along with several guards hauling several carts of treats made from carrot and lemon and strawberry. She had learnt her lesson and so did not bring anything apple related. She was still smiling and quite devilishly so. Applejack squirmed and struggled of all her might, but Scootaloo had simply put on too much weight to be moved by anypony anymore. Celestia still tried her spells, but nothing, strangely, worked.

“You can move the Sun and the Moon, but one little overweight filly is too much for you?” Apple Bloom remarked, her voice thick with malicious mockery.

“You’re under the spell just as much as everyone else,” Celestia said, ignoring Apple Bloom’s observations. “Please allow me help you.”

“Are you kidding me? I feel better than I’ve had in all my life! I can’t believe I was such a goody two shoes when it pays so much better to be a tyrant. Of course, you’re wondering by now why your spells aren’t working. Anyone would be. You see, Sweetie Belle’s fat acts as a magical sponge. The bigger she is, the more absorbent she gets and at her current weight, your magical powers are useless!”

“I’m not angry with you, little Apple Bloom. I’m only asking you to let me cure you,” Celestia said serenely, ignoring Apple Bloom’s words and hoping to appeal to the little filly that was still in there somewhere.

“I tire of our conversation. I hear you like cake, Princess, so I prepared a few hundred just for you. Allow me to give you the first piece.”

Apple Bloom nodded in the direction of one of the carts and a big pony scrambled over with a large cake on his back. She took a knife and sliced a little piece and put it on a plate. On the outside, it was an absolutely mouth-watering masterpiece in five layers, lathered with whipped cream and strawberry jam. Its insides, however, was nothing but pure butter.

“Open up wide,” Apple Bloom said, but the Princess merely closed her eyes and her mouth as well. “Suddenly haven’t got anything to say? Doesn’t matter, it’ll all be over in a few seconds. Sweetie Belle, open her mouth.”

“But how?” Sweetie Belle said and flailed her arms and legs.

“Ugh... use your magic,” Apple Bloom said, just about tired of having to deal with such petty details.

“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom. You know I’m no good with magic.”

Apple Bloom simply gave her a stern look, one that told her of the countless terrors that would unfold upon should she choose not to comply

Sweetie Belle assumed a concentrated grimace, and finally her horn glowed as did Celestia’s jaw, forcing it open for Apple Bloom to forcedly feed the Princess. Her eyes widened with pleasure the likes of which the thousand year old mare had not experienced in her long, long life.

Sweetie Belle dropped off the Princess’ back, allowing her to hop on board the cake train. Each one was saturated with not just fat, but also dripping of mare juice. Each bite that Celestia took instantly added about 1 kg of raw fat to her body, to say nothing of how bloated she would be when she was done. The cakes were irresistible and once she had sampled it, there was nothing to stop her from continuing.

Finally, Apple Bloom moved over to Applejack, not with a slice of cake in her mouth, but something far more satisfying.

“You have caused me so much trouble, dear big sis. I was actually starting to worry for a moment. That’s all in the past now, but I think you deserve a little punishment.”

Apple Bloom put down the plate and Applejack looked at it with dread. The plate was empty. She looked surprised up at Apple Bloom who was now motioning for two chubby stallions who hauled a big metal barrel behind them. It scraped across the drawbridge with a sound as eerie as it looked. Something was sloshing around inside as it slowly made its way from the castle and the short way towards where Applejack lay immobilised.

“It’s a special liquid I had made,” Apple Bloom said proudly and watched the barrel inching closer. “Every single aspect of it is designed to add fat to the pony body. Berry Punch was nice enough to donate to it, ensuring that it will overpower any urges you might have to flee. Think about it, big sis. From this day forward, you won’t have to do anything anymore in your life. Just sit absolutely still and become the world’s biggest mare.”

The stallions released the ropes that bound them to the barrel and laid down on the ground next to it. Apple Bloom jumped up top of one of them and dipped a little spoon into the liquid. She carefully carried it down to her sister and held it teasingly out in front of her.

“Apple Bloom, don’t you dare,” Applejack said. Although all hope had been seemingly lost, she couldn’t help but fight it still. She would continue to fight until the day her mind became clouded and she would not let her sister force that thick, goopy stuff into her mouth. Applejack shook her head, hoping perhaps to make Apple Bloom spill the spoon.

A loud noise did the job though. Somewhere behind them, loud cracks of magic went off like firework. Could someone really have come to their rescue?

***

Twilight and Rainbow Dash darted across Sweet Apple Acres. There was no time to lose and every minute counted. They too had seen the white streak across the sky that announced Celestia’s arrival and knew that help was coming. They were eager to join the fray and do what they could to assist, but perhaps, just perhaps, things had been resolved when they arrived.

It did not go that smoothly. There were around fifty ponies camped out around the farm. Some of them were gorging, some of them were working, but they were all in various states of obesity. Upon seeing a non-Apple family member thin, they started shambling towards the two-pony rescue team with a vacant look in their eyes, their mouths dripping with apple pie cream. They were guardians of the farm and would infect any intruder with the sweet taste of pie.

“Lady Aaaapple Bloooom,” they moaned.

They quickly formed a circle around Dash and Twilight and surrounded them in an inescapable ring of blubber. Twilight quickly ignited her horn and cast repellent spells against them, but their insatiable hunger and adoration with Apple Bloom made them ignore any pain. Turning them on their back, however, proved rather effective. Once stranded with their bellies in the air, the enemies found themselves unable to turn over. Twilight used this to her advantage, but there were too many advancing them at the same time.

“How did you manage to break the hex?” Apple Bloom asked, surprised to see two former fat ponies now slim again. She was accompanied by the guards she had stolen from Celestia, inspecting the strange noises that she had overheard coming from this direction.

“Like we’d tell you!” Rainbow Dash said and stuck out her tongue.

“Very well. You’ll tell me once you’re under again and then I’ll make sure that this won’t happen again,” Apple Bloom said, a hint of concern betraying her otherwise cool response.

The fat ponies just kept coming, from between trees, from the barn, the house, up the road. It seemed the whole town that still could was now waddling towards them.

“Catch them, catch them, catch them!” Apple Bloom said.

“We can keep this up all day if need be. Right, Twilight?” Dash asked.

Twilight was concentrating very hard and it was getting more difficult for her to execute her spells. They didn’t have as much kick behind them either and only served to annoy the advancing horde.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. I don’t think I can’t keep this up much longer... there are just too many of them!” Twilight replied. Her spells flew left and right, but were just short of mist by now. She had used most of power and the effects were visible.

“Hmph. Scoots, Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom said.

Everyone stopped up for a moment to gaze heavenwards for the much anticipated secret technique, but nothing happened. Apple Bloom looked behind her and saw that the two were still where she had left them, unable to move.

“Dang it. Forget I had already deployed them. Listen up, everypony, no pie for anyone until these two have been captured!” the little yellow filly yelled.

Twilight finally had to give up using her magic and panted heavily from the exertion. She was too exhausted to perform any more tricks.

“Come on, Twilight, you can’t give up now!” Rainbow Dash said encouragingly.

“Just... give me a minute or two,” Twilight said, short of breath.

“We don’t have a minute or two! It will be too late by then.”

Nothing doing. Twilight had done the best she could under the circumstances and that had not been enough. The fat ponies stumbled over each to get at Dash and Twilight, which worked somewhat in their favour. She had removed most of the immediate threats and effectively turned them into roadblocks for the next waves, but it was only a matter of time before they would be overwhelmed.

“Rainbow Dash, you have to leave!” Twilight said. “You can still fly and no one will be able to stop you once you’re in the air.”

“And leave you here?” Rainbow Dash said, appalled that Twilight would even suggest it.

“Please. If they get you as well, how will we warn other cities of the pies?” Twilight said pleadingly with tears in her eyes. She never wanted to fill out her library again, but she wanted even less for others to experience her misfortune.

“I’m sorry. I would never forgive myself if I did that. When I leave, it will be with you in my hoofs. I don’t care if I have to drag you, we’re doing this together.”

“You stupid stubborn pegasus,” Twilight said, closing her eyes shut in despair.

It was over. The enemy ponies were upon them now, so close that they could smell the sickeningly sweet taste of apple pie on their breath. It was at times like these that you could rely strongest on your friends.

“Ouch,” Twilight said and rubbed her head. Something small and squishy had fallen on her which Rainbow Dash was quick to pick up. A muffin?

They both looked up to see Derpy flying by above with her arms full of muffins, and not just her, Fluttershy as well. From towards the city, Pinkie and Rarity came as well, all of them stuffed with muffins in saddle pouches.

“I don’t get it,” Apple Bloom said. “Muffins?”

The chubby ponies, who still could pick up the mysterious treats, gave them a whiff and then chowed down. Their reversal was as good as instantaneous.

“No, don’t eat them! I forbid you from eating muffins anymore,” Apple Bloom said in a panic, but it was too late for a good half. Those who had not been turned around had all shared in the feast and were all back to normal. They turned their ire towards Apple Bloom and approached her menacingly.

“Come on, girls!” Rainbow Dash said and took the lead towards the keep in front of them.

Princess Celestia had been eating the whole time from her strawberry jam butter cake and doubled her weight. Her legs, belly and neck were all coated in thick layers of fat and her rear was big enough for a normal pony to hide behind.

Applejack, on the other hoof, was still lying underneath Scootaloo. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t much enjoying being the bottom woman underneath such a heavy girl. Her entire normal pony body was completely gone under the many, many layers of fat and only her head and arms were sticking out.

“Darling, are you all right?” Rarity asked.

“Just dandy,” Applejack replied.

“Not you. Sweetie Belle, dear, you really shouldn’t be eating those.”

Sweetie Belle was feeling too drowsy to speak and simply belched loudly. Absorbing all of Celestia’s efforts had worn her down something fierce and she was starting to doze off when the muffin brigade arrived. They still had plenty of muffins to go around and both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were easily transformed back. Celestia was a bit more difficult as she was maniacally wolfing down the cakes with little regards to anything else. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had to restrain her while Twilight removed the cakes and Rarity forced the muffin into her royal mouth.

Just yesterday, no one had thought and few had wanted it to be over. But now it had finally happened. Four months of unhealthy diet was over and though the future had looked grim for just a moment, in the end, everything had been resolved.

Celestia went back to where the muffin brigade had left Apple Bloom in the mercy of her angry workers. The ponies who had been reverted were busy helping those Twilight had turned over and transforming them back, yet no one wanted to help a little yellow filly that was desperately eating everything in sight.

Apple Bloom would finally learn her lesson; what it meant to be always hungry, always craving food, never caring how much the belly hurt or how fat she got. They had just left her, but she had already devoured several of the stashes hidden around the farm for the workers to snack on.

“Ah caint tell ya’ll how deeply sorry I am,” Applejack said and bowed. She was speaking to everypony gathered here. Not just her friends and Celestia, but the apple pickers, the guards and the farmhoofs as well. “All the money we stole from ya’ll will be used to make things go back to how they once were and any paybacks.”

“That’s very noble of you, Applejack,” Celestia said and smiled. “I hope you have learned your lesson?”

“Ah sure have, Princess, but... how will we prevent this from happening again?” Applejack asked, worried about such an event happening in the future.

“Have no fear. Everyone who have tasted your pies will be immune to its effects once they have been turned back.”

“But how can we cure the whole city?” Twilight asked. The muffins Derpy had brought would not even stretch to the ponies gathered here, and it was far from everyone that had been in any state to come here.

“I brought something with me that should help speed things up a little,” The Princess said. With a little flick of her horn, a chest appeared on the ground before them. She prodded it and it opened to reveal the Elements of Harmony inside. “This should be easier than when Discord came for a visit.”

The ponies equipped their corresponding elements; Twilight her crown and the others their necklaces. Twilight felt her energy replenished and got the feeling she could accomplish anything when in her right element. She levitated up into the sky and brought with her her friends and encased them in a bubble the colour of purple like how her horn glowed.

The bubble grew in size and soon covered all of Ponyville. Whomever it touched, regardless of walls or other obstruction, was instantaneously slimmed down to a state before their first fateful taste. Ponies emerged from their dwellings for the first time in many months and blinked at the sun that they had not seen for so long.

Their curiosity now would be turned to shame and then to anger as they realised what they had been doing all this time. They would come to blame the Apple family and perhaps even resent them, but Applejack and Apple Bloom would do their very best to make amends for the terrible things that had done, aided by their big brother Macintosh and Granny Smith of course.

Celestia collected the elements again once the wielders were done with them and stowed them away inside the chest for future use. Twilight was just about worn out from all the magic she had been doing today and was more than happy that it was all over with. Still, one question remained that Fluttershy was astute enough to ask.

“What are we going to do with all the pies and other treats that have already been made?”

“I know one filly who’ll be more than happy to eat it all,” Celestia said and gave a small laughter. “Just be sure to give her a muffin once she’s done.”

Celestia was about to leave for Canterlot again, but there was still something that bothered Applejack.

“Uhm, Princess? Can Ah ask ya a question?” Applejack asked, just as Celestia had spread her wings.

“Of course you may,” she replied calmly.

“Well... Ah still cain’t believe Apple Bloom would do this. She’s the nicest little pony there is.”

“The magic of earth ponies is ancient, far older than that of unicorns, but also little understood. Don’t worry, Applejack, your sister will grow up to be a fine mare and a strong earth pony if you will be there to help her not to guide her.”

“Ah will, Princess! Don’tcha worry!”

Celestia beamed at them all before taking off with a mighty flap of her wings. They all waved at her until she disappeared towards the sun and was gone. It had been one crazy adventure and they all came out of this having learnt something.

***

To feed the ire of the afflicted, a new attraction arose in Ponyville. It lasted only for a month, but it was absolutely free and attracted a large crowd. Ponies came from all over Equestria just for this one thing.

“Feed Apple Bloom” became the biggest hit since Summer Sun Celebration and, short-lived as it was, really rallied the community together again and helped everyone to slowly forgive the atrocities committed by the Apple family.

Needless to say, Apple Bloom fast became the biggest pony who ever lived. Day and night, curious spectators would grab a pie or a donut or an éclair and shove it into the eagerly waiting maw. Even the liquid she had developed just for Applejack had to go, all forty barrels of them.

After just a week, they had to haul Apple Bloom outside of town and into a meadow where she eventually grew to the size of a small mountain. One curious aspect of the juiced food was a total removal of any ill side effects from extreme obesity. She couldn’t move any parts of herself anymore and was completely dependent on others to care for her, but she was under the circumstances fine.

At the end of the fifth month, when the last of the poisoned goods were gone and it was time for an antidote, Apple Bloom had almost disappeared into her own enormous rolls of fat. Her head alone was like a belly button sunken in the enormous globe of fat that she had become.

When she was finally returned to normal, she above anyone else was ashamed of the things she had done. It would serve as a reminder for her to the ends of her days what a monster anyone could become if they allowed desire to take control.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack had a difficult time finding out how they belonged together and mostly tried to avoid each other. They would blush, look away and then hastily go in another direction. It would take them a while to realise their own feelings for the other mare and admit it freely.

Ponyville soon recovered from the tragedy that had befallen them, but no one would ever forget it. Although things returned to normal, the memory of what they had all become would remain with them all for a long time.

Chapter 1: Flutterpie

Cloppity clop-clop, cloppity clop-clop, cloppity clop-clop, cloppity clop-clop
Ponies, ponies, ponies, ponies, bop, diddy, boop, bop
Friendship is magic! Friendship is magic!
Fluttershy, would like to be a tree, Rainbow Dash, not a bumblebee, Pinkie Pie Pie Pie
Rarity, a unicorn doodily doo, Applejack doodily doodily doo, Twilight Sparkle

EQUESTRIAN SHIPPING SHORT STORY 01: FLUTTERPIE/PINKIESHY

“So, are you enjoying the party, are you, huh, are you, are you?” Pinkie asked quite fervently, but Fluttershy was a little intimidated by the exuberance.

“It’s very lovely,” she said and sipped from her goblet. “I just can’t help but feel bad for Rainbow Dash.”

“Yeah, who wouldn’t be upset if they found out one of their oldest friends was a big mean Miss Meanie Mean?”

The day had begun with Pinkie deciding to have a blast like the one before it and the one before that, but Rainbow Dash had not been in the mood. She had spent all her time with that griffon Gilda, and then it turned out that she was nothing but a big bully!

Things had been otherwise very frightening with the whole Nightmare Moon deal, but having vanquished her and gotten Twilight to stay had made the days seem more... adventurous. Pinkie did carry on as usual, but she found she had a deeper relationship with other ponies now. It’s not that Pinkie had ever been alone as everypony in Ponyville was her friend, but she had never quite had the kind of friends she had now. She had quickly learnt that there were others out there who also shared some of her interests. The cool and rather lazy Pegasus Rainbow Dash, with her colourful mane, had turned out to be as mischievous as her, if not more.

Going around in Ponyville and playing all these pranks on others had been one of her most entertaining days, but she had also realised she needed to set some boundaries for herself. She usually only figured that after the fact which on more occasions than one had landed her in trouble. That’s why she liked to party so much, to cheer up herself and others. Nothing worse than being bored or sad or lonely. A good party with festive colours and balloons and as many ponies as possible, that was the way to do it. Yet Pinkie was beginning to feel something different, something she couldn’t explain.

This timid, yellow Pegasus with butterflies on her flank made Pinkie stop up and think, something she wasn’t used to. She felt like being extra careful around her, like she wouldn’t want Fluttershy to think badly about her. Why could that be? Pinkie always rushed into these kinds of things without thinking, but now she was catching herself. Just yesterday, Rainbow Dash had been seconds away from pranking Fluttershy with a faux turtle that would have squirted her in the face if not for Pinkie’s intervention.

She gave Fluttershy a big warm smile and was repaid with a somewhat weaker one accompanied by a little squeak. Was she coming on too strong?

“Uhm, perhaps I should go check on Rainbow Dash, see if she needs me.”

“Okey dokey lokey,” Pinkie said and hopped away to mingle again.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy knew each other from far back, so was there perhaps anything between them? She cast a glance behind her and saw the two talking, but she could only see care in Fluttershy’s eyes. Such a gentle and kind soul. It’s not like Pinkie Pie didn’t care that Gilda had just turned her back like that, she just had a different way of doing things.

“Great party ya got here,” Applejack said with her mouth full of cake.

“Of course, it’s a fully licensed original copyright trademarked Pinkie Pie Party!” Pinkie replied.

Good thing the Cakes had a backroom that was relatively cut off from the store itself so her parties wouldn’t disturb the shop. It even had a back entrance so the store wouldn’t be flooded with ponies. She cast a last glimpse over her shoulder before deciding to give the party it all.

***

She shouldn’t be here. All things frightening and scary always unnerved her terribly, and the prospect of facing a big mean dragon just didn’t sit right with her. Fluttershy followed behind her newest friends, but she was too scared to even unfold her wings, let alone fly. Dragons were big, powerful, grumpy and.... mean! There were no other words to describe them, they were simply mean. Not like Rainbow Dash’s old friend, much, much worse! So why were they dragging her with them? It’s not like they were going to use the elements on it. Dragons might be mean, but perhaps he just wasn’t conscious about his destructive smoky breath?

If she could just calm her nerves everything would be better, but that mysterious pink pony kept prancing around and rattling her. She knew of Pinkie Pie, of course, everyone in Ponyville did. One of the first things she had learnt upon settling in town was her uncanny way to make every day seem like your last. Fluttershy had always tried to avoid her and her parties, both being way too loud and active for her.

She hadn’t had many friends, if any, before Twilight came to town. Their experiences in the forest had really brought them together, so she couldn’t help but think... was is it the magic of the elements that united them like this? For better or worse, these five ponies actually considered her a close friend and especially Rarity had really gotten her out of her shell, even though she spend most of their time together talking about herself. But Fluttershy didn’t mind, she was just glad to be invited out.

A loud snore suddenly sent chills throughout her body and she did was she did best: found safety, this time behind Applejack.

“Whoa. What was that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores,” Twilight said matter-of-factly, and Fluttershy peeked up at the mountain.

“I-it’s so... high!” she said meekly.

“Well, it IS a mountain,” Rainbow Dash and proceeded to fly up the side to do some scouting, but was halted by Applejack.

The rest of the trip didn’t go any easier despite her attempts to get out of this adventure. And what’s worse, her constant attacks of panic only served to get on everyone’s nerves. First, she couldn’t scale the mountain and had to be escorted by Applejack the long way. She was useless and a coward and couldn’t even jump a small chasm. Rainbow Dash in particular was right, she should just stay home.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump. See?”

Why would Pinkie Pie try to encourage her like that? All the others had given up on her, but that smile from this pink party pony actually made her feel better. If she wasn’t so nervous, she might even return the smile. A hop, skip and a jump, eh? Well, she tried at least, but forgot to jump at the very last moment. The pressure she felt on her just got to her sometimes. She was much more comfortable back in her cottage along with all her animal friends. And it wasn’t like it went any better from there.

The worst of it all was when she gave out a loud scream that caused an avalanche. She could have gotten them all killed, but Twilight insisted that she stayed with the group. What was she thinking, dragging this nervous wreck along with them?

And it’s not like things got any better when they actually reached the cave. It took some convincing and a lot of pushing to actually make her come all the way. They were all counting on her, they all wanted her advice. Yes, she knew a lot about animals, but she had tried all her life to stay as far away from dragons as possible. It hurt her, the way that they were all counting on to do her thing, but there was nothing she could do. This was a big scary dragon after all!

“So, get in there with Twilight and show her what yer made of,” Applejack said, but tears were starting to roll down her cheeks.

“I...” she stammered and looked at them. “I...” They all looked at her encouragingly. “I just... can’t,” she finally said and turned her back.

She had done it now. Hopefully they would be understanding and leave her alone from now on. Surely there were no way any of them wanted to be her friend after this?

It was then she reached the edge and realised how high up they were. She gave a fearful gasp and backed away again, but all her friends were dealing with the monster now. She couldn’t let them see her and she couldn’t go down... she found a rock to hide behind and cowered, shaking, hoping that it would all end then and there. The dragon would quietly agree to leave them alone and they could go down again and forget about this whole thing.

But it didn’t go that way. One after the other, the ponies tried and failed. From her hiding place, she heard how they struggled and failed, but perhaps if they tried again, they would succeed? Everything would be all right as long as she didn’t interfere and muck everything up. She would just sit here and hope for the best.

But she was not allowed much respite. She felt the stone collapse and her rump exposed. The shock made her forget how scared she was and she decided to take a peek over the stone. She saw all her friends lying in a heap, dazed and wounded, and the big dragon was coming out of its cave, roaring and snorting. She was about to slowly back away, but seeing even the always happy Pinkie in such a state... it was too much. Her heart broke a little. She couldn’t stand it. She had not interfered out of fear of messing everything up, but now she had messed everything up by not interfering. She felt empowered. She could no longer stand back idly.

“How dare you? How dare you!” she exclaimed. She furiously spread her wings and flew up to face the dragon, a colossal red reptile. “Listen here, mister. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you get to be a bully. You may have huge teeth and sharp scales and snore smoke and breathe fire, but you do not, I repeat, you do NOT! HURT! MY! FRIENDS!”

It was thanks to Fluttershy’s courage that they managed to resolve the dragon problem, but she wasn’t sure where she got the strength. She felt herself flush with anger, but was it all because of her friends? Or was there something more?

***

Pinkie Pie was excited. This was nothing unusual, this pony seldom had moments without some sort of activity, but today was a very special day with a very special reason for being excited. She hadn’t taken any opportunities to talk with Fluttershy alone yet, but today would be different! She had arranged for everything, and it would be perfect. They would spend the day together and she would show Fluttershy how much fun she could be. They would go on a balloon ride over Equestria and talk about silly things and laugh till their tummy hurts. Perhaps she should put on a show first and bust out all her moves? Perhaps start with something a little quieter and just sit around in the shop and have some cake? There were so many wonderful things they could do and once they were done, she could tell Fluttershy how she felt. Today would be a great day.

She was tripping around impatiently outside the shop where she lived and worked. Maybe she should have gone to her hut instead, but it would also be good to get her out of her everyday surroundings. Hopefully it wouldn’t deter her too much. At least now she had the opportunity to go through all the plans she had made. It never hurt to be well-prepared, but maybe she had thought of too many things? They couldn’t possibly do all these at once. Oh well, Flutters was here... running it seemed?

She wasn’t alone either. Applejack was there as well, with Apple Bloom perched on her back. What was going on?

“It’s her!” Applejack said.

“Who?” Pinkie asked.

“Zecora,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah’ve told ya not ta say her name aloud,” Applejack corrected.

Oh no, of all the things that could go wrong! This was an emergency and all the things she had planned with Fluttershy just had to be postponed. Pinkie quickly urged her friends inside and was soon joined by Rarity and Rainbow Dash as well. They turned off the lights in the shop and quietly awaited the time when... she would go away. Pinkie completely forgot what a glorious day this would have been and scouted the streets for any signs of the evil enchantress.

The last of her five friends still wasn’t here, in fact, Twilight was just then walking down the street. Against all hope, she had decided to wander outside today.

“Psst! Twilight! Spike! Come here! Come! Here! HURRY! Before she gets you!” Pinkie whispered as loud as she could from the doorway.

***

It was later that day and everything seemed all right now. It was still early and the weather was fine and she remembered the plans she had made with Fluttershy. While the other ponies went on their own business, Pinkie Pie took the opportunity and approached Fluttershy. The threats Zecora had made seemed so far away, at least to her.

“Hey Fluttershy, you haven’t forgotten about out appointment, have you?” Pinkie asked and smiled, but Fluttershy looked away timidly.

“I don’t want to be rude, I know you must have planned a whole lot, but I don’t feel in the mood anymore.”

“Oh,” Pinkie said a little crestfallen, but she quickly perked up again. “I understand, but you shouldn’t take that threat seriously! You don’t have to worry about her at all, silly.”

“Perhaps some other time?” Fluttershy asked and smiled weakly in an attempt to patch things over.

“Of course! Do you want me to follow you home?”

“Well uhm... I-I guess that would okay.”

Pinkie gave Fluttershy a pleased look and a big bright smile. She would win this pony over no matter what it took. She had thought for sure that today would be ruined, but maybe not? There was no way she could put any more pressure on Fluttershy than what she must be feeling already, so no declarations today, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t try and get a day out of it still. She engaged Fluttershy in conversation, hoping to get to know her better.

“So, what do you do for fun?” Pinkie asked her newest friend.

It might have been a good idea to know this before planning a day together, but Pinkie was known for acting impulsively. She skipped ahead with Fluttershy walking quietly beside her.

“Oh, I like to do all kinds of things!” she replied and did her best to act cheerful. “I like, uhm... animals, you know, but I also enjoy singing, I’m good at sewing and I can cook a little.”

“Those are all things you’re good at, silly! What things do you like to do for fun? I bet you like to take naps in the forest with all the animals, but that doesn’t sound like fun at all, more like relaxing. How about reading, do you enjoy reading? I enjoy reading, but mostly cook books, you know, I love to look at all the pictures of delicious treats and then make them”

“Well, uhm... actually,” Fluttershy asked, trying to get a say in the conversation, but Pinkie was unfortunately rambling again.

“You don’t fly too well either, do you? I mean, you look graceful and all, but a pegasus that can’t fly, what’s up with that? Wouldn’t that be like a unicorn who couldn’t do magic or an earth pony who couldn’t... what can earth ponies do by the way? I mean, we have tails, but all other ponies have that as well.”

“Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, trying her best to be assertive, but the flood of words streaming from the pink pony was almost overpowering.

“I wonder if our special talent is growing and making food? After all, that’s what it says in the tales of Hearth’s Warming Eve and I do see a lot of earth ponies that grow and make food, more than I see unicorns and pegasuses... or is that pegasi? I’ve always wondered, I mean, pegasi sounds like it could be right, but it might be like octopuses which is the correct standard as opposed to WAAAAH.”

“I tried to warn you,” Fluttershy said and flapped her wings.

As they had been walking, a trench had appeared in the middle of town, a large groove filled with water. Pinkie had been too busy talking and walking, tossing her head every which way as her conversation shifted from one topic to another. Fluttershy felt mortified not having been able to warn her, but she had tried! Pinkie emerged and spat out a jet of water and giggled.

“Guess that’s what I get for going on like that,” she said and grinned sheepishly. “Hold on.”

Fluttershy flew past the trench to the other site and waited for Pinkie, who appeared again over the edge, pink hooves first dragging her drizzling, wet body up on dry land. For a moment, it seemed that time slowed down and Pinkie was moving in stereo. Her wet, pink coat glistened in the sun as the water slowly dripped from her mane and tail. She tossed her head from side to side and freed her mane in a cascade of droplets as she moved towards Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus blushed significantly and her wings spread out at the sight. What the Hell was she just feeling now?

“Are you all right? Is it a little warm?” Pinkie asked.

“You can say that,” Fluttershy replied and looked away, trying to get her rebellious wings under control. “My hut is nearest by,” Fluttershy said and bit her lip, trying to get this scene out of her head. “Why don’t you come in with me and get yourself dried up?”

“But... Sugarcube Corner is just over there,” Pinkie said and pointed to the confectionary just down the street.

“Oh.. so it is! Still, I just feel a little terrified. You wouldn’t mind coming back with me?”

Pinkie shook her head fervently and skipped along merrily again; unaware of the disturbing feelings she had awakened in Fluttershy. The meek pegasus managed to get her appendages under control, but she was avoiding eye contact with anyone, ashamed that she could think such things about one of her friends.

***

Pinkie had finally managed to plan a big event for Fluttershy. It had taken her several days to get everything in order, but nothing could be left for chance when it came to such an important announcement. She would confess her love for Fluttershy! They had been talking a lot lately, and the two had grown quite close, if not inseparable. They were both developing feelings for each other that went deeper than friendship, but would they be able to convey them? And could they change their perspective of mutual love?

Fluttershy approached the stage nervously; after all, Pinkie Pie had invited her to come to Ponyville Theatre and Concert Hall. It was dark, but she could see well enough to notice she was alone here. Was this supposed to be practise for a play Pinkie was going to perform in? She only knew that Pinkie wanted to see her here for whatever reason.

She thought back on all the things they had been doing together. She never knew Pinkie could relax like that and just enjoy some company, talking and laughing all day with a nice cup of tea and some biscuits. It was true she was still struggling with her feelings for the purple earth pony, but she wouldn’t want their friendship sacrificed over it. They were the wielders of the elements; their friendship was fated. So Fluttershy took her place all the way up front, enjoying at least her ability to do that for once. No one to push her back or tell her to get back in line.

Almost as on cue, the curtains raised and light went on to reveal the stage, where Pinkie stood on her hind legs with a guitar. Rainbow Dash was there as well, of course with sunglasses on, playing on drums, along with two other ponies she knew only of reputation. A grey pony with a bowtie equipped with a bass and a mint green pony with a lyre on her flanks equipped with a guitar... Octavia and Lyra perhaps? What was Pinkie thinking? Octavia, if that was her, was a well-known musician. Hiring her could not be cheap. But Fluttershy did not have much time to worry, as the music began.

“Mmm yeah,” Pinkie said. “Do, do, do,” the others said.

“Tonight I wanna give it all to you; in the darkness, there’s so much I wanna do
And tonight I wanna lay it at your feet, ‘cause girl, I was made for you and girl, you were made for me
I was made for lovin’ you baby, you were made for lovin’ me
And I can’t get enough of you baby, can you get enough of me?” Pinkie sang with all of her heart.

Fluttershy knew she was fond of singing and that she had a pretty voice, but she couldn’t help bob her head to the rhythm. The style of music was on the verge of what she could enjoy, and she probably wouldn’t pursue something like this on her own, but hearing Pinkie sing this with all these people was fascinating.

She didn’t know at first why Pinkie would perform a song like this, with such well-known talents, for an empty audience, empty except for Fluttershy. She opened her eyes and looked up at the stage and she caught Pinkie’s eyes. For a moment, they were all alone in the universe. Her little heart couldn’t help but beat faster and she felt herself blush, but it was such an extraordinary feeling; she couldn’t keep it in check.

Pinkie’s hips swinging back and forth as she caressed her instrument was hypnotising. The sweat pouring out over her physically active body and from the spotlights glistened and made her already unruly hair go absolutely wild. Fluttershy began to listen with her eyes as well, and saw in that moment that Pinkie wasn’t singing “And I can’t get enough of you baby, can you get enough of me?” .... she was asking.

It was too much to bear for Fluttershy. Reality came crashing in. She was in love with another mare, and Pinkie Pie of all ponies. She started to back away, first slowly, then turned around and ran away completely. She couldn’t even hear Pinkie call after her, it was all just too much to absorb. Stupid sexy Pinkie.

“Hold it! Guys, enough,” Pinkie said and the stage fell quiet as well.

Everyone else had been too absorbed with playing and hadn’t even noticed that Fluttershy had left. Rainbow Dash pushed her sunglasses up and took a look around, while Octavia gave an annoyed look at being interrupted in the middle of a song. Lyra simple stood, puzzled, and fell down on all four again. It was strenuous for a pony to keep up on only two.

“Hmm, you think I came on too strong, Gummy?” Pinkie asked, directed at not the musicians around her, but the small, toothless alligator lodged to her tail.

She knew how much Gummy loved to hear her sing and she couldn’t just leave him at home if she was up here among all these musical ponies. Gummy, as usual, didn’t respond, but did blink with a slight delay between eyelids.

“I don’t understand, Lyra. You told me this song would work,” Pinkie said to the mint green pony on guitar.

“It should. It’s really popular among h... ponies,” Lyra answered.

“Listen, if the gig is up, perhaps I can go home now?” Octavia asked.

“No way, you promised me a whole song! What do you say, Dashie? Funk #49?” Pinkie asked the blue pegasus.

“You got it,” Rainbow Dash said and put on her sunglasses again. Octavia rolled her eyes and took the guitar up again.

***

A few weeks later, on a train bound for Ponyville from Appleloosa.

“I heard you were worried about me,” Pinkie said teasingly.

Fluttershy looked away, her blushing betraying the conflicting feelings in her. She had hoped Pinkie wouldn’t find her in her own little compartment on the train, but she should have known by now there was no hiding from that pony.

“Of course I was worried about you, and Rainbow Dash and Spike too. We didn’t know what those buffalos were up to at the time.”

Pinkie entered completely and took a seat opposite Fluttershy. “I hear you were especially worried about me. After all, you were the only to pounce me when we reunited.”

“I-I didn’t pounce you! I was just so happy to see you all alive and well, that’s all.”

“You like me, don’t you, Fluttershy?”

“Of course I like you, Pinkie, we all do,” Fluttershy said and tried to be assertive instead. “But what makes you think I like you more than anyone else?”

“This?” Pinkie said and rubbed her cheek up against Fluttershy’s.

The yellow pegasus almost instantly assumed a pink hue with brightly red flushed cheeks. She closed her eyes and tried to think unsexy thoughts, but Spike in a bikini slowly morphed into Pinkie who blew her a kiss. As with all pegasuses, Fluttershy was unable to control her wings during moments of excitement. She tried her best to keep them to her side, but those little rebels instantly spread out and Pinkie got what she came for. Fluttershy drew away in shame and tried not to look at Pinkie.

“See? I knew it! .... Fluttershy”

Pinkie could not see it, but her timid pony friend sobbed quietly and sniffed. “Oh Fluttershy, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to -”

“I... I,” Fluttershy stammered.

“Hmm?”

”I…” Fluttershy bit her lip and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply to get her courage. “I LOVE YOU PINKAMENA DIANE PIE!” she blurted out, almost too quickly for anyone to understand.

“Wha-?”

“I love you, Pinkie, all right? There, I said it, are you happy?” Fluttershy said with tears still trickling down her hot cheeks.

Pinkie proceeded to give her a big hug, and her mane dried up Fluttershy’s wet face. She closed her eyes, not wanting to believe Pinkie could love her back, but all the signs, the song, it had to be real somehow.

“I love you too, Fluttershy, more than words can describe.”

“Stupid. Stupid, stupid,” Fluttershy said and pounded her hooves against Pinkie’s chest. “I’m just an awkward, clumsy pegasus who can’t even fly straight.”

“You’re the most beautiful pony I know of. I knew from the moment I saw you that I only wanted more of you,” Pinkie replied.

“Do you really mean all that?” Fluttershy asked and dried her eyes with her hoof.

“Of course I do, silly.” Pinkie gave her a big smile and Fluttershy cheered up again.

They looked at each other wordlessly for what seemed like an eternity, lost in each other’s eyes. Fluttershy looked away with a coy little smile, before closing her eyes. Pinkie giggled and the two locked their lips as a sign that they would never part again.

“Well now, this was about time,” Rarity said.

Without any of them noticing, their white fashion friend had sneaked inside their compartment just at the right moment.

“Rarity! Uhm, it’s not what it looks like…” Fluttershy said.

“Yes it is,” Pinkie quipped.

“I sure hope it is. You two have been walking around each other like mice around hot porridge.”

“What’s going on in here?” Rainbow Dash asked and barged in as well. Apparently Applejack had been trying to keep the blue pegasus away and failed.

“Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy have found each other, ya featherbrain,” Applejack replied. Rainbow Dash gave her a nonplussed look and a simple “Oh.”

“What, Pinkie and Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. “When did that happen?”

“Just now,” Pinkie replied.

“Please everyone, don’t make such a fuss about it,” Fluttershy said and blushed again, but she was unable to keep her happiness down.

“Don’t worry, sugar cube, no fuss will be made, but Ah reckon a little congrats is in order,” Applejack said and smiled approvingly.

“Yeah, good job nailing her, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity exclaimed, horrified. “No one has nailed anyone here. Two ponies in love have simply found each other and for that we should be happy on their behalves.”

“What?” Twilight asked.

The entrance was already full as she was last to arrive. She had trouble understanding or even seeing what was going on. Spike was sitting astride her back, however.

“Flutterpie,” he simply said.

“Awww,” Twilight said. “I didn’t even know mares could love each other?”

“Must I explain everything to you uninformed ponies? Love is a beautiful thing and can happen between even close friends, yes, even ponies that thought they were enemies can experience it. It happens when you look a stranger in the eye, as you stand on the street or look out of your window,” Rarity said.

“Wow, Rarity, you certainly know your stuff!” Twilight said.

“Why yes of course, darling, it happens to me all the time! It’s almost sad to turn all those admirers away, but that’s beauty for you.”

“Uhm, if isn’t too much trouble,” Fluttershy said, but Pinkie finished her sentence.

“We have some things we’d like to catch up on.”

“Go on,” Rainbow Dash said, her wings fully erect.

“She meant alone,” Rarity said and pushed the other ponies out. “You two take as much time as you need.”

Rarity closed the door, and Fluttershy and Pinkie were alone again. Fluttershy in particular was nervous and excited at the same time and fidgeted with her hooves, but Pinkie kissed her again to calm down.

“Calm down, Flutters, it’s just you and I alone again.”

“I guess that’s what makes me so nervous. I just don’t know what to do!”

“We can just do whatever! Ooh, I still have some pie with me, would you like some?”

Fluttershy was just about to ask where Pinkie kept her pie, when she pulled it out of seemingly thin air, complete with tray and treat and crumbles and everything. Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle.

“You see, Fluttershy! There’s no right or wrong about being in a relationship; it’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself, which I guess makes it a lot like a party and I love parties!”

Fluttershy accepted the pie with a smile. This was going to be an adventure like nothing she had ever tried and she would be rewarded with the greatest and most thrilling sensation in the pit of her stomach. At times it would surge to heights where she felt like doing nothing but dance and sing, and at times ebb and feel like just staying inside all day. Whatever would come, Pinkie would be there for her.

***

Ponyville had been peaceful during the last few months. Sure, they had had a visit from the princess and the whole affair with her bird and Pinkie went over the deep end and they had gone to the gala and then there was the whole Nightmare Night, but things had, all in all, been peaceful. Fluttershy tended to her garden and fed the animals and hummed a little song as she went about her business. Pinkie Pie came over from time to time, often directly from work, with leftover treats from the shop and to help out. Her enthusiasm had a tendency to drive the animals away, but Fluttershy had decided to be patient. This was something she wanted with all her heart. You could say Fluttershy was pretty damn satisfied, but that was all about to change.

It was shortly after their Mare Do Well pranks on Rainbow Dash that she was to discover something that would question her relationship with Pinkie, and the day had started out so simple too. She was just enjoying her stroll through town to pick up supplies for her woodland friends. Many other ponies were out enjoying the weather, and she saw many other couples as well. She was stupidly in love and everything seemed much nicer.

“I’m just saying a kid would be nice.”

“And I’ve told you we can’t afford that with our wages!”

“Is that all you think of?”

Fluttershy didn’t intend to eavesdrop as she made her purchases in the market, but the couple was talking rather loudly and her interest had already been piqued. She dropped her bit and took the bundle of celery stalks and decided to see where the conversation was coming from.

“You know that’s not true, darling.”

“Perhaps you don’t love me at all? Is that it?”

“What? No! Where did that come from?”

“Kids are supposed to be ultimate proof of two ponies’ togetherness.”

She found them sitting in front of an ice cream parlour not far from the market. They were starting to attract a small crowd of whispers and stares. The stallion could see this and was starting to get nervous about concluding the conversation.

“Look, if it means that much to you, sure. For you, I would do anything. I’ll... I’ll find another job or perhaps one more.”

“Oh, Cloud Chaser. I knew you loved me all along!”

The mare snuggled up against the stallion who was visibly regretting caving in. He forced a smile and the crowd started dissipating again. Fluttershy had only passed by and probably not heard everything, but she was still left wondering. She had dated Pinkie for a few months... were they supposed to take it to the next step soon? Or should they have done it already? There were so many things she didn’t know about dating... perhaps Pinkie didn’t like her anymore and she didn’t want to do it with her? But what was she supposed to do? She couldn’t consult Rarity, her duties had called her to Canterlot, but who else among her friends could she ask?

She forgot all about the rest of her shopping and paced around Ponyville nervously. Rainbow Dash was always so secure and quick to act; she would know what to do for sure! At least, that’s what she concluded as she looked up at the clouds. There was a good chance that pegasus would be sleeping somewhere, like on a cloud or a branch. Either that or she could just look for a rainbow-coloured streak.

She bit her lip in dread and looked to the ground. She was afraid of asking, but she had to know. She steeled herself and walked determinedly, looking left and right. All the ponies looked similar if you stared into the crowd long enough, but Rainbow Dash was the only one with a mane of rainbow. But in the end, it was her that was found, not the other way around.

“Hey Fluttershy, what’s up? You look nervous?”

She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash perched on a small cloud directly above her. “Well, yes... uhm... there’s something I would like to ask you, but... not right here,” Fluttershy replied. She didn’t want to get people’s attention like that couple a little way back.

“Sure. Somepony’s giving you a hard time?” RD asked.

“Not exactly”

Fluttershy went to a statue of Celestia and sat down on the ground, with Rainbow Dash flying down next to her. If they could keep it down, no one would catch on to their conversation. They would just stroll past them without giving a further glance.

“I-it’s about Pinkie,” she said.

“Yeah, what about her?”

“Well, I was just wondering.... are we supposed to be doing... you know... it? By now?”

Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy for a moment, trying to catch on. She finally began to flush and her wings spread out, no doubt from thinking about Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

“I... uh... is that a thundercloud I hear in the distance?”

“What? I don’t hear anything.”

“I’m pretty sure I did. I’d better check it out, you know, just to be safe.”

Rainbow Dash took off again and left Fluttershy bewildered. That blue pegasus was always so confident and cocky, but could it be that she was no better than Fluttershy when it came to love? She could almost giggle at it, if she weren’t feeling so anxious. Pinkie would be off her shift soon and she couldn’t face her with these doubts gnawing at her. There was only one of her friends left to consult; Applejack. No offence to Twilight.

She hurried out of town, in the complete opposite direction of her hut, towards the Apple family’s farm. Applejack should be home, bucking apples or whatever other job she did around the place. She was met by Big Mac first, who was carting apples around.

“Please, I need to talk with Applejack. Where is she now?” Fluttershy asked. The big red stallion pointed her towards the main house and Fluttershy flew off in a hurry. Applejack was more level-headed, but would she know anything about love? She was definitely sensible and at least honest. Fluttershy rushed into the house, but found to her dismay both Apple Bloom and Granny Smith sitting around a table and enjoying a meal.

“Well howdy, Fluttershy! Came around for a meal, didcha?” Applejack asked. She realised for a moment that she had gone out to buy ingredients for dinner, but that would just have to wait for now.

“Please, Applejack, I need your help with something. Is there a place where we can talk privately?”

The earth pony looked at her funnily for a moment before replying.

“Uh, sure, I guess. Why don’t we go up to my room then?”

Fluttershy followed her impatiently, barely able to keep her question inside. Applejack had barely closed the door before she started blurting it out.

“Applejack, I just don’t know what to do! I love Pinkie Pie very much, but I’m afraid she’s not interested in me anymore. Are we supposed to have been doing it after all this time, or is it okay to wait? I mean, we’ve been seeing each other for a few moments, but is that a long time or a short one? I’m just so frustrated, I could scream!” She let out a very soft and screeching yell.

“Listen, sugar cube, Ah don’t think Ah’m the right pony to ask. Farm work is really time-consuming, and... Ah have to be honest, Ah haven’t really got that much experience with love,” Applejack replied and scratched her neck.

“Oh... but what would you do?” Fluttershy asked. “If you were in my position?”

“Ah don’t know, but... Ah guess Ah would tie her down. Ah mean, Ah would release her if... this is getting off topic. Ah guess what Ah’m tryin’ ta say is... uhm...”

“I guess I’ll just go see Twilight then,” Fluttershy said and gave a defeated sigh.

Applejack sweated profusely, like she had been trying to explain Apple Bloom about the birds and the bees. Hopefully that wouldn’t be for a while. For Fluttershy, her problem was more immediate and she was running out of options. Sure, there were plenty of ponies with knowledge in town, but she didn’t feel comfortable approaching folk she barely knew about a touchy subject like this. If only Rarity was here, she would know for sure what to do.

Twilight was the only pony left she could ask, but whether she would be of any help would remain to be seen. Spike opened the door of Twilight’s tree library, like he most often did. The librarian herself was usually preoccupied with her studies or reading books. Come to think of it, no one seemed to be borrowing any books despite it being a library. Fluttershy almost chuckled at imagining Twilight trying to give up any of the books, if the matter weren’t so serious.

“Oh, hey Spike... listen, I need to talk to Twilight about something. Do you think maybe you could give us a little room? Not that I don’t want to be around you, it’s just -”

“I get it, this is some girly stuff,” he replied. “No problem, I needed to get some supplies for Twilight’s birthday anyway.”

That’s right; it was Twilight’s birthday tomorrow. That was why she had been so worried about Rarity not being back yet. But that would just have to wait. Twilight sat on the ground, curled up with a book, seemingly amused at the contents. She looked up when Spike shut the door behind him.

“Oh hey Fluttershy! What brings you around?” she asked and smiled.

“Well, actually... I’m here to ask you something,” Fluttershy replied, blushing at the prospect of having to phrase her worries to yet another one of her friends. “I’m worried about my relationship with Pinkie. Are we supposed to have... you know, done “it” yet?”

“Oh. I’m not sure I can be of a whole lot of help, but I’ve been reading up on the subject,” Twilight said and got up on her hooves.

“You’ve been reading porn?” Fluttershy asked surprised, but Twilight merely giggled.

“No, I mean, I’ve been reading up on love. If friendship is magic, imagine how powerful love must be! Only none of my books have been very helpful on the subject and no romance novels I’ve found approach the subject either.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll just ask Rarity. She’s sure to be back soon,” Fluttershy said a little disappointed, but as if right on cue, a loud thud could be heard from the door.

“Wonder who that could be?” Twilight asked and opened the door.

A grey mare with yellow mane stood outside with a bag full of letters and parcels. She handed a letter to the unicorn before taking off, up into the sky, to deliver more letters.

“What does it say?” Fluttershy asked.

“It’s from Rarity. “My dear Twilight, I am afraid I won’t be able to make it to your birthday party tomorrow, because poor Opal is quite ill, and she is in no condition to make the long journey back to Ponyville. I do hope you understand. Your friend, Rarity.”.”

“Oh no!” Fluttershy said. “She wouldn’t miss your party unless it was serious. Poor Opal must be near death!”

“And my first birthday with all my friends too...” Twilight said dejectedly.

“I know! We’ll just go to Canterlot and have your party there.”

“That’s a great idea! Rarity is certain to be delighted.”

“You make the arrangements; I’ll go back to my hut and prepare for our departure.”

“Great. Be at the station early tomorrow morning.”

Fluttershy completely forgot her worries; so great was her concern for animals that she would put their needs before her own. She hadn’t gotten all the things she needed, but they wouldn’t be gone for long, hopefully. She rushed back to her dwelling and set everything up so that the animals wouldn’t starve. She got up early next morning with all of Twilight’s presents in a saddle pouch and greeted her friends and wished Twilight happy birthday.

***

It was later that day, or rather early evening, that her previous uncertainties bubbled to the surface again. They had spent a good deal of time celebrating Twilight and even uncovered the truth behind Opal’s mysterious illness. Pinkie made sure to keep the party going with games and music and cake, and Fluttershy never even considered the troubles that had been gnawing at her; she had way too much fun to speculate on such matters. But as Pinkie disappeared from the party again, she couldn’t help but feel alone somehow, even surrounded by her closest friends. The pink earth pony had excused herself with some errand or other that apparently required her to be gone for some time. The others didn’t seem to mind, but Fluttershy couldn’t help but worry about her safety, and that’s when she started thinking about the conversation she had overheard just a day ago.

“Fluttershy, we’re outta punch. Mind fetching some?” Applejack said. Fluttershy didn’t register at first, but replied as soon as she snapped out of it.

“Sure,” she said and tried to sound happy. “Is it just me though, or do you feel we’re missing something... or someone?”

“Besides punch and Pinkie? Hmm... nah. Cain’t think of anything at least,” Applejack said and tapped her chin.

Fluttershy couldn’t shake the feeling though, but she didn’t mind excusing herself from the party, at least for a while. She thought she caught a strange glimpse in Applejack’s eyes as she turned around, but it must have been her imagination. The gamboge pony quickly turned her attention towards Rainbow Dash, who had remembered a crude joke that make the two of them laugh and Rarity and Twilight reproach her.

The punch was kept in large glass jars in storage down in the basement, but they had already had a lot to drink and the mood was high. Just a small jar would be enough, and she probably wouldn’t be able to carry anything bigger anyway. She descended the wooden stairs that led down beneath the pavilion they occupied. The garden party outside was long gone, and the privileged ponies of Canterlot all had to catch an early night’s sleep. Usually bellboys would be charged with catering and errands, but their party was just a small informal one and they had brought most of their supplies with them. The punch, however, was a service to them.

Fluttershy wasn’t sure where to go and the halls were dark and filled with cobwebs and dust. She didn’t much enjoy being down here, but at least the scary surroundings took her mind off of things. She pushed open various doors, but most of them were either empty or filled with shelves or crates or barrels. It would be just her luck if the jars were being kept at the very end. There was one room, however, that was strangely well-illuminated. Light streamed out from the half-open door and bathed the hallway in its luminescence. She felt almost drawn towards it, to see what could possibly need all this light.

The door swung open and revealed a room that had been filled with empty shelves on all sides, which were now equipped with candles. The predominant feature was a large mattress laid out on the floor with rose petals strewn across it. Pinkie Pie lay in the middle of it in a seductive pose and waved Fluttershy closer. She blushed at the sight and her wings stretched out.

“You know, Fluttershy, I’m very disappointed in you. You should know by now that you can talk to me about everything. I don’t ever want to hear from a second hand again that you’re worried about me leaving you.”

Her words were stern, but her tone was enticing. She clopped at the mattress, right next to her, for Fluttershy to join her. Fluttershy couldn’t help but start to cry and plunged down next to Pinkie, who wrapped her arms around her.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, I didn’t mean to make it seem like we were having trouble. I know you’ll think it’s silly, but I heard a couple talking about kids and I began to fret. I know there are things two mares can’t do with each other that a mare and a colt can do, so I thought you’d rather be in a straight relationship with someone who could give you a kid, someone who could satisfy you.”

“Are you done?” Pinkie asked, again in that harsh yet exciting tone.

Fluttershy nodded, so Pinkie kissed her tenderly and nipped her ear.

“I might be able to find a colt that could love me and give me a kid, but I’d never be able to find someone I love as much as you.” Fluttershy dried her tears and looked down at the mare below her. She could see it in her eyes that every word she said was the truth, and it made her happier than anything would ever do. She couldn’t help but laugh at how stupid she had been. “You promise me never to do keep something like this boxed in again?”

“I Pinkie-Promise,” Fluttershy said. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” They smiled at each other and kissed again, like two lovers who hadn’t seen each other for years. “Are we going to do it now?”

“If you want to,” Pinkie said.

“I do. I’m ready, but... I don’t know what to do.”

“Neither do I, but what does that matter?”

Pinkie turned Fluttershy around so that she would be at the top. She kissed her again and traced a line down Fluttershy’s fluffy, yellow coat. She shuddered and squeaked as Pinkie began to kiss her nipples.

“What if the others hear us,” she asked.

“They won’t, trust me. I’ve been banging on the walls and yelling to test it,” Pinkie replied and caressed Fluttershy’s belly gently.

That night, two ponies who loved each other more than anything else were joined in flesh. For the first time in either of their lives, they felt an uncontainable joy that brought unfamiliar noises past their lips. Fluttershy cried, not of sadness or of shame, but of happiness. She had never thought she would find something that bring her this much pleasure.

Pinkie, too, learned something new that day. She had been afraid of letting others into her life for fear of getting hurt, but this day was the first time she had felt true happiness. Not the kind that make others laugh and smile, but the one that makes you satisfied and whole.

They kissed passionately again, drawing a string of saliva between them, before Pinkie rolled to the side.

“You see Fluttershy, gender isn’t important when it comes to love! You listening to me, honey?”

“I’m sorry, Pinkie, that I could ever doubt you,” Fluttershy said and embraced her lover with fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. “Pinkie, I love you, more than words can express. I was just so afraid that I wasn’t good enough for you, that we were only kissing, that I was holding back for being a mare... I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, my love,” Pinkie said and snuggled Fluttershy and nibbled on her ear again. “We better need to wash up before rejoining the others. There’s a shower down here as well.”

So now I ask you, does love come with harmony? It will be a subject that we shall seek to answer through demonstration via this series of non-continuous shipping fics. If you have a pairing that you would like to see, find the latest chapter and leave a comment

ALTERNATIVE ENDING: I ran a bit short and decided to include this extra piece. If you don’t like weight gain, don’t read on.

Ponyville had been peaceful during the last few months. Sure, they had had a visit from the princess and the whole affair with her bird and Pinkie went over the deep end and they had gone to the gala and then there was the whole Nightmare Night, but things had, all in all, been peaceful. Fluttershy tended to her garden and fed the animals and hummed a little song as she went about her business. Pinkie Pie came over from time to time, often directly from work, with leftover treats from the shop and to help out. She loved gorging on the cakes and cookies that Pinkie kept bringing her, and she kept eating them even after she was full.

This had been going on for a few weeks by now, and Fluttershy had barely noticed the changes in her body. Her cheeks had gotten fuller, a nice little belly was starting to hang down and her behind had widened considerably. She had noticed, though, that it had gotten more difficult to carry out her tasks without getting seriously winded. She needed to rest more often and was more or less grounded. She thought nothing of it and kept munching away happily on the treats Pinkie gave her.

Pinkie was more than happy to help out with the chores, to relieve some of the burden that Fluttershy felt. Her enthusiasm, however, had a tendency to drive the animals away, but Fluttershy had decided to be patient. This was something she wanted with all her heart. She was quite content until one day a few months later, waking up late in the day.

The bed creaked louder than ever as she got out. She had not had a chance to look herself in a mirror for some time, but today was a clear day, so she decided to go to the pond. She packed away three sandwiches, two bottles of thick honey and a small stack of hay, all for herself in case she got hungry. She had trouble getting the saddle pouch’s belt around her gut and she was starting to go beyond the last hope. She sucked in her stomach and at last, with some effort, managed to get it on her back.

It normally only took her a few minutes to get to the small lake, but today it took her twenty. She huffed and puffed and collapsed, just short of the bank. She was sweating profusely and was completely out of breath, so she decided that she had gone far enough. Her stomach rumbled loudly and she quickly inhaled the sandwiches, gone almost before she could get them out of her pouches. She was alone out here and decided to pig out, and her face was lathered with thick mayo and crumbs, but she was far from full.

She took out the jars of honey and allowed the dense, yellow bee product slowly drip down her gullet and all over face. They too were quickly gone. She only had the small pile of hay left, which she contently gnawed on. She was starting to get her breath again and decided to take a small walk around the lake, leisurely consuming the small bale. The yellow pegasus was beginning to feel full, but it would be a waste to have come all the way out here so she ate it anyway.

The crystal clear water of the pond was tempting and she couldn’t help but feel drawn towards it. She peered down at her reflection with a smile until she saw how fat her face was. She had developed a second chin and was well on her way to a third. She looked at her hooves and saw how bloated they were. She also noticed that her belly was nearly touching to the ground and how big her flank had gotten. She was looking at a monster which made her cry deeply. She swallowed the straws she had in her mouth, to which her belly gave a loud groan. The belt could no longer handle her gut and loudly snapped off. She was mortified and backed away slowly, not wanting to look at that frightening image any longer. She couldn’t let anyone see her in this shape and hurried home to lock herself away. She could never go outside again.

About that time, Pinkie Pie had gotten off work early. The Cakes had closed the shop because of maternity leave, but they had a whole bunch of cakes and cookies and goods that they couldn’t sell now, so Pinkie carted the whole thing with her to her girlfriend’s hut. She hummed a merry little melody as she skipped down Ponyville, making everyone smile as she went past them. She waved at the other ponies, who all knew where she was going in such a spectacularly good mood, even for Pinkie.

But when she knocked on the door to Fluttershy’s hut, she didn’t get any response. She knocked again, a little louder. “That’s odd, she would have told me if she was going anywhere,” Pinkie reasoned. She peered in through the windows, but the place was cast in darkness. She did hear a lot of creaking though, but that could easily have been the abundance of animals her girlfriend kept. She tried knocking on the windows as well and calling to her, but Fluttershy remained quiet.

Pinkie cocked her head and shrugged. It might have been something urgent, like a really sick animal in the forest or some other duty. She turned around, just about ready to leave, when a small white bunny stopped her.

“Hey Angel. You wouldn’t have seen Fluttershy, would you?”

The little bunny nodded and tried to gesture his message to Pinkie. Incapable of speech, Angel had no choice but to wave his arms around and dance as a means to talk.

“Fluttershy realised she is overdue and has locked herself inside in shame?” she asked gasped. Angel smacked his face in contempt and tried again, with more vivid gestures. Pinkie gave an even louder gasp when she understood.

“Fluttershy realised she is OVERWEIGHT and locked herself inside in shame?” Angel nodded resolutely and Pinkie began to giggle. “Don’t worry! As her most intimate friend, it is my duty to make her happy again.” Pinkie raced back to the door and hammered louder than before. “I know you’re in there, Fluttershy!”

“Go away. I’m hideous.”

“You either open this door right this minute or I’ll get the whole town down here to break it open.”

There was a short silence before the door creaked open slowly. Pinkie dragged the cart with fattening treats inside and left it in the middle of the floor. She looked around and tried to locate her best friend, but her eyes failed her in the darkness. It was her nose that revealed her location, as she quickly noticed the smell of sweat and chocolate from the kitchen.

Pinkie went inside to see Fluttershy on the floor, lying on her back and propped up against a counter with several boxes of cookies scattered around her. She had been stuffing her face in sorrow ever since she came home from her walk, eating absolutely everything in the house and she appeared more bloated than ever. Pinkie’s jaw literally dropped to the floor.

“Don’t look at me,” Fluttershy said and covered her face with her hooves. “It’s all your fault that I got this ugly.”

“Me? Don’t be a silly filly, I only gave you those snacks because you looked so happy eating them! Besides, I don’t think you’re ugly.” Pinkie said that last part in a seductive tone and slowly advanced upon yellow blob that was too full to move.

“You’re just saying that,” Fluttershy replied and sniffed heavily.

“You think I didn’t notice you filling out? You think I could overlook that bloated gut of yours? You liked it and that’s why you kept stuffing yourself. I think you’re sexy, Fluttershy, sexier now than ever.”

“You really mean that?” Fluttershy said and looked up again. Pinkie gave her a seductive glance and disappeared again, returning shortly with the cart.

“You’ve been a very naughty pony, Blubbershy, hiding yourself from me like this.”

“Don’t call me that!” Fluttershy said, but she could hardly object as Pinkie mounted her enormous gut and peered into her eyes.

She had a big cake in each hoof, but started out with kissing Fluttershy tenderly, balancing the trays skilfully in each hoof. Fluttershy’s thick lips and tongue and especially the crumbs of a hundred cookies were deeply arousing to Pinkie. She kept their kiss longer than they were used to.

“You’ve eaten all this,” Pinkie said and alluded to the cardboard boxes torn open around on the floor, “but you’re not full yet, are you?”

“Well, actually, I’ve been full for a while now,” but Pinkie didn’t heed her words.

She forced a piece of dark chocolate cake, layered three times over with a thick cream of chocolate and sprinkled with small flakes of chocolate, into Fluttershy’s mouth. She moaned slightly, but obediently ate it and swallowed. Both of them were turned on, all alone in the outskirts of town. It was just the two of them and a cart full of cakes.

Pinkie forced another slice of cake, then another and another and another into Fluttershy’s mouth before she started to protest. She was getting really full and her already bloated tummy was starting to hurt. She tried to tell Pinkie to stop, but she only kept going and began to massage the yellow stomach carefully. The pains almost disappeared, as did the two cakes. Pinkie took a handful of éclairs in her arms and licked them sensually before stuffing them inside Fluttershy’s mouth. Both of them were getting pretty aroused and after feeding her friend six éclairs, ten donuts and five more cakes, they were both at their limit.

Pinkie helped Fluttershy down on the floor where she laid her on her side. That night, two ponies who loved each other more than anything else were joined in flesh. For the first time in either of their lives, they felt an uncontainable joy that brought unfamiliar noises past their lips. Fluttershy cried, not of sadness or of shame, but of happiness. She had never thought she would find something that bring her this much pleasure.

Pinkie, too, learned something new that day. She had been afraid of letting others into her life for fear of getting hurt, but this day was the first time she had felt true happiness. Not the kind that make others laugh and smile, but the one that makes you satisfied and whole.

Pinkie fell listless down on Fluttershy’s yellow gut and breathed heavily from all the excitement, her face right next to Fluttershy’s.

“I love you, Fluttershy, all of you, every inch of you,” Pinkie said and jiggled some of the love handles. “I don’t care how fat you get or how thin you want to be, I love you.”

“I love you too, Pinkie Pie, with all of my heart. Um... do you think I should lose some of this weight?” Fluttershy asked timidly, but was interrupted by a long, intimate kiss that left a strand saliva between their mouths.

“Only if you want to. Personally I think you could stand to gain a bit more! Why don’t you take a nap, you look completely worn out. I’ll feed you some more when you wake up again.”

“I’d love that.”

Fluttershy closed her eyes, truly tired from her walk and all the eating and the sex fell into a deep slumber, dreaming of becoming immobile and being cared for and pampered by Pinkie.