Further into the night, Princess Luna strolled around the Royal Canterlot Gardens, enjoying the invigorating feeling she received from the Wonderbolt. She paced around looking for the dragonequis statue, but found it missing. She still could not figure out why he had escaped twice within a year of her return after, to the best of her knowledge, remaining immobile for the entire duration of her imprisonment, not counting several thousand years before that. The second escape was planned, pointing to the fact that royal communication had not im- proved much since her first stint as princess. From her limited time back, she could tell that the communication failures are for completely different reasons.

When she and Celestia first ruled together, most of the miscommunication was about mutual misunderstanding of each other’s responsibilities and Luna’s resentment of the physiology of actual ponies. This time, Luna felt very strongly she had the better job as princess. Not only did she now understand just how powerful her abilities to influence dreams were, but she did not have to deal with the nobles and other Canterlot elite. From her limited conversations with Celestia, dealing with Canterlot matters took up too much of her time and energy for the alicorns to communicate about frivolous topics such as running Equestria and scheduling eclipses.

Both princesses had expressed their longing for a simpler life, like what they had at the old castle. However, both of them were adamant that the old castle brought back too many bad memories, especially for Luna. Celestia had moved out after their fight since the castle had structural damage from their struggles and living in the middle of the Everfree forest with just the servants was boring. There were still some old relics left there, as well as archives of ancient times, but the princesses were the only ones who actively knew about them and did not care to share.

A cool breeze snagged Luna’s attention back to the present instead of the better-forgotten past, causing her to shiver briefly. She thought of the weather and found that were were some clouds blowing in, in preparation for a proper summer downpour the next day, when she looked at some of her work she did when on the Moon to see how they looked from Earth. Smiling to herself, she continued to stroll and glanced at the moon to see what time of her night it was. Running into a cohort of five night guard lead by Shining Armour made her realise it was about midnight. Speaking to the guard captain, she asked about the members of the night guard she did not recognise.

“Three of these are new recruits. The other two are some tenured members auditioning to be the new Most Honourable Captain of the Night Guard. We were in the unorthodox formation so I could observe the captain contestants, Soft Shadow and Mellow Wing, and they could watch the new members, Moon Strider, Star Fox, and Venus,” explained Shining Armour.

“Venus? Do they now let mares into the Justified and Ancient Royal Corps of Armoured bodyguards?” Luna exclaimed in astonishment, reverting to the old style of conversation.

Shining Armour looked a bit embarrassed, and all involved could see Venus was uncomfortable, even though she tried her best to hide it. “That is not my decision—that choice was by your sister a few centuries back. However, any mare in the Guard has proven herself to be just as capable as the stallions. We make no exceptions to our requirements.”

“Very well,” responded Luna, “We used to have the occasional unicorn mare on our special detachment; a pegasus mare is a truly surprising development. I will trust your judgement on whether she is a worthy member of the Guard and will talk to my sister about the reasoning behind such a decision.”

Shining Armour, Venus, and the rest of the guards continued on their patrol, hoping to finish on time after their discussion with the Princess. For her part, Luna continued onward, wondering if she was a bit harsh on Venus. Luna was a very preceptive pony, since her powers to visit dreams are not limited to the night, although that is where her dream visiting has the most power. She noticed that even some of the more apple-headed of the guard retinue had noted Venus almost losing composure. Luna wondered if she was too harsh with her phrasing, but figured that if Venus could not keep full composure, she would not do well with the hecklers that appear in the normal duties of a guard.

When Luna next looked at the sky, she was looking at her waxing crescent of the Moon, about two days past the moon on her cutie mark. However, the Moon was not to be found. In its place was a large cloud, with only a small patch of her night still left to be enjoyed. She decided to canter around the garden perimeter to get some exercise before any rain might start. She took in the smells of the bushes on the topiary garden, then felt her senses heightened as she broke into a gallop in the hidden path behind the maze. Galloping at full speed was exhilarating for Luna, her ability to run free releasing the stress of being bored in the throne room all day yesterday. She came back around to the other side and slowed to a more dignified pace, glad she was still fit to gallop. If she were less certain she would easily win, she would challenge her sister to a race or other test of physical ability—she had to keep herself occupied during her lunar tenure, and exercise was good to focus on her return plan.

The guards continued on their round, not talking much, as usual among unfamiliar members of the guard during times of non-crisis. They took an easy pace around the perimeter of the gardens, patrolling more for ceremonial reasons than for actual protection. The gardens were in the heart of the castle grounds, the only real threat contained within no match for guards, unless they were a band of Element Bearers. On this patrol, the guards did note the sky clouding up and wondered if the night’s beauty being covered up had anything to do with Luna being more terse than usual in their earlier meeting. As they rounded a corner, they spotted Princess Luna halfway through her stroll.

“Prin—”

They were cut off by a blast of magic and found themselves in the bedchamber of the Royal Observatory.

“You all are given two hours’ of relief from duty,” the princess explained, “I have arranged for another regiment or guards to finish your patrol for you. Shining Armour, go cuddle your wife, for she has dreamt of a sensual shoulder massage for the past couple nights.”

The captain departed, his coat hiding his blush at the only thing that the princess sending him away from duty for a deployment in Cadence’s hooves could mean.

“Venus: sorry for being curt at our earlier meeting. All of you new recruits: this is one of the bonus duties that you may have heard rumour of. My personal judgement of your performance is important on this task. I have an impromptu ‘speech’ to give and need your help on the delivery.” Luna was proud of herself at her ingenuity of coming up with euphemisms for the favourite duty of the Guard. “You contenders to be captain of the Night Guard, I will be explicit with you: you must pleasurably please your princess.”

The captain contenders did not need to be prompted twice before their members expanded and dulled their thinking from blood-loss. A slight breeze ruffled their untrimmed fetlocks, sending a tingle of pleasure up their spines.

“Come this way, your highness,” called out Soft Shadow, gesturing to the bed, “it looks made to your utmost specifications for a princess: it’s the California king with the pillow top. If you were your sister, when it is ten o’clock, you’d hear the pillows drop.”

After having a seat on the bed, Luna asked, “Who’s the gayest?”

“Me right here!” was the enthusiastic reply.

“Aww, I was hoping it would be Venus,” commented Luna upon hearing the stallion, “well, I can work with you and your special experience. Now, the rest of you: JOIN ME ON THIS VERY BED!” she proclaimed, breaking out the Royal Canterlot Voice to begin her midnight address.

Venus noted quickly why Luna was hoping her voice was the one to proclaim, “Me right here!” As she climbed into the bed, she overheard Luna whisper something about wet lubricant to Moon Strider. She then saw Luna pick up a strange tubing with her magic and set it on her horn, so its tip was now blunt.

“GREETINGS, MARE AND GENTLECOLTS!” cried Luna, “WELCOME BACK TO A LONG-FORGOTTEN TRADITION!” Dropping her voice for instructions, she continued, “Captain contenders, to my wings; Mr. Strider, you know what to do; Venus, wait for further instruction; Mr. Fox, attend the royal horn.”

Luna kneeled with all four legs on her bed, stretching out her wings. Soft Shadow and Mellow Wing took their positions on either side of Luna and began to play with her wings. This contest was unusual in that both contenders for Night Captain were pegasi, so there was no obvious advantage, since unicorn stallions were more experimental and not set in their ways. Luna then summoned Moon Strider underneath her for plot duty, feeling their fur rub together as the got into position.

“AAAAAHHH!” exclaimed Luna when both Soft Shadow and Mellow Wing hit good spots on her wings simultaneously, her voice echoing off the cliffs and rooftops of Canterlot. She started to rub her female folds against Moon Strider’s dong, comparing it to the smooth glass of a bong as she let her lubrication spread around her mare bits and his dong. He rubbed his member along her, helping to keep her stimulated while she became fully warmed up for his loving. Luna felt her privates reach their critical lubrication level and on the next thrust, she aligned her—AAAAAAAA! echoed around the city of Canterlot again, making a bold opening statement on her midnight address.

Once she had gotten used to having a horseback inside her, she whispered to Venus, “Sit here at the head of the bed and relax. Play with my horn if you wish.”

Venus moved to the spot Luna indicated and was promptly greeted by the royal tongue privileging her pegasus privates and gave a little yelp to add variety to the night’s unscripted oration. She took the hint and leaned in to Luna’s horn, breathing on it to heighten Luna’s excitement. Luna went back for another lick, enjoying having a mare in the front position. Somehow a mare’s geometry made it even easier for mutual pleasure up front. Luna enjoyed the sensation of pleasing another mare, taking note of the different taste that every mare has. Venus wrapped her wings around Luna’s horn in response to this second lick, then Luna took a break to summon Star Fox to his duty.

Moon Strider noted his companion preparing for duty and slowed down before exiting. Mr. Fox was prepared and lubed and put his tip against Luna’s bum. He applied light pressure and Luna gave a royal gasp–“OH!”—and started breathing louder and faster7 as her lower colon stretched to accommodate Moon Strider’s member. Once his tip was in, he slowly went all the way in, then backed mostly out to allow Star to slide into his designated hole from underneath. When both stal- lions thrusted in, “OOOOOOOO!!! AAA!!’ screamed Luna at the sensation of being completely stuffed.

Reclaiming her composure, Luna continued her speech: “VENUS, YOU ARE PLEASURING MY HIGHNESS KEEP UP ENJOYING MY HORN! IMAGINE IT DEEP INSIDE YOU!”

“Ouch!” explained Venus, “You royal horn is sharp enough to cause serious damage.”

“Oh, Venus—OH!–You really nev—AH!—ne– been with a uniOOOH before, have you? We put on protEEEEEEE on the horn to blunt the tIIIIPPPP!” Luna tried to explain between shouts of joy. Soft Shadow and Mellow Wing gave each other a look that could only mean they gave one another an imagined hi-hoof at their success. Star Fox and Moon Strider continued pumping away, the top stallion of course going at about half the speed of his companion. Luna knew that Venus would have a better time riding her horn, since she was too distracted to service her proper— distracted by her thoughts, Luna had her first orgasm and released a Royal Canterlot Moan into Venus’ vulva, decidedly making Venus more excited. In a self-serving way, Luna also knew that her horn needed to be ridden for maximum effectiveness: rubbing and licking the horn felt good and was a nice reminder that it was there, but it needed to be inside some pony to unleash its potential.

Luna used the time after the peak of her orgasm to highlight the horn topper for Venus. The stallions re-started their job for a build for a second orgasm as they saw Venus approach Luna with the horn safety device. It was a rubbery topper not often used by unicorns who have discovered the joys of horn-play, but it was a necessity for ponies with sharp horns and powerful magic users, both categories which described Princess Luna. Venus approached the princess with the device and smartly thought to tease Luna’s horn first. She licked the base of the horn, where it was most sensitive, while adding subtle stimulation with her right fore hoof along the rest of its length. Seeing an opportunity to test their new recruit in the face of danger, the captain contenders went for one of the most sensitive spots on Luna’s wings. “YESSSSSS!!!” rang out throughout all of Canterlot when Luna fired off a blast of magic from the pleasure of orgasm being redirected into her horn. Venus felt the magic surge through her tongue and hoof, then looked up to see if the ceiling was about to collapse. Luckily for all involved, Luna fired off non-functional magic blasts when overwhelmed.

Venus suddenly had a new appreciation of the protective device. She was not dissuaded from mounting the princess, though. The heat in her body shot through the roof at the adrenaline rush from the danger. She did not need further convincing from the feeling in her tongue and hoof from the magic blast to want to feel it in her most intimate parts. Venus quickly and carefully slid the horn protector onto Luna’s horn and straddled the princess’ head, then slowly eased herself onto the royal horn.

“Yes!” shouted Venus, at a much less ear-splitting volume than Luna when the tip of the royal horn entered her marehood. She eased herself onto the horn, taking care to make its whole length comfortably lubricated. That task was supremely easy since Venus heard Luna’s loud panting as she moved on her horn and she was incredibly aroused at the power she wielded over the second most powerful pony in Equestria. Luna bit down on the pillow she had to support her head and cushion the sides of Venus’ legs to prevent her from shouting out. Not releasing her voice seemed to add to the tension, since she could feel she would be spent after this coming amazing orgasm, so she might as well make it as amazing as possible.

The stallion block all were well on their way to passing their inspection, acting as if they were a well-rehearsed group of professionals instead of four guards who had never had to serve in this capacity together before. The captain contenders decided to take up the work of licking and stoking Luna’s feathers to give her the unique alicorn pleasure, while the new recruits pumped slowly, as not to tire themselves and to let Venus and Luna climax together. Their plan worked, especially the wing-ponies making every inch of Luna’s wings ache for more stimulation. They were both fully outstretched, feathers fanned as much as possible, aiming for any disturbance in the air to tickle them into a separate orgasm, something both guard contenders used to great effect with their breath and own wings, making Luna alternately gasp and bite harder when they brushed her wings with their own instead of simply fanning every pony to stimulate wings and prevent heatstroke.

Venus, although she could not see it, was enamoured with the power of Luna’s wings. As the stimulation unceasingly continued, Luna started to lose control of her magic, letting it flow throughout her horn with no instructions. Venus could not control herself and started to have the first tremors of orgasm, but the warming properties of the magic would not let her settle for one orgasm followed by oversensitivity. Luna’s horn filled the entire length of Venus’ mare hood as she slightly rocked herself back and forth to circle the loving from the inside. Although the horn went well past her g-spot, the magic seemed to fill her entirely, and occasional globules of magic massaged her favourite areas. Luna let more and more magic run loose through her horn, coupling their pleasure so each pony got the full measure of both. Venus felt pressure build up inside of her, but could not think to leave to relieve it and simply leaned herself further into pleasure and pressure.

Sensing an increased rate of twitching in Luna’s mare hood, Moon Strider picked up his rhythm, Star Fox alternating every other thrust. Luna couldn’t take much more and her magic control failed, amassing a large bead of magic along the entirety of her horn. The bead pushed Venus over the edge, her orgasmic contractions massaging Luna into biting, then realising she was in the begin—

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIAAAIIAIIIIIIIIIIII!!” screamed Luna as she let her voice sing, with an extremely prominent first overtone from Venus on top of that, as Luna’s orgasm ex- ploded out of her horn and into every fibre of Venus’ existence, blinding all thoughts from both mares. Luna’s blissful contractions massaged Moon Strider into releasing his excitement into the princess, his contractions and their accompanying slight upward thrusts pushing Star Fox over the edge.

Mellow Wing and Soft Shadow, being the disappointed and duty-bound captains-to-be, diligently fanned the connected quartet as they came down back into reality so they did not pass out from the accumulated body heat. Venus was the first to recover, but she did not get up just yet. Luna asked for Star Fox to pull out first, since she wanted her preferred pull-out to be the one she remembered. After Star Fox had exited and went to clean himself, Moon Strider made his exit, giving both mares one last orgasmic tremor before Venus slowly dismounted.

Luna gave the squad their new marching instructions: “New recruits, finish your rounds and report back to your barracks; captain contenders, report to my sister for further evaluation after rounds; Venus, if you so choose, you may stay for further instruction or you may go back with the other new recruits.”

Venus started to head for the door with the rest of the guard, then paused and slowly cuddled into Luna, somehow anticipating the instruction. Luna offered some advice on clean-up, namely that if Venus wanted a good taste of her mare hood, to lick the base, and only the base, of her horn.

Venus took a taste. She remembered it tasting much more mundane on her own hooves, but on the horn it was positively delightful. “Princess?”

“Yes?”

“I felt so burs tingly full when I was on top of you and close, yet now I don’t feel anything.”

“No need to be embarrassed. It simply means you had an amazing time up there. I can fetch you a book for some ideas on private instruction after we nap. I’ll set my alarm for 3:30, we should be done by sunrise and can get a good day’s sleep after.”

Author's Note

Here it is at long last. I'll try to get the final chapter and epilogue up ~~this weekend~~ sometime before Christmas.