Who Rules?: The Wager

Chapters

The Wager: Chapter Two
The Wager: Chapter Three
The Wager: Chapter Four
The Wager: Chapter Five
The Wager: Chapter One

The Wager: Chapter Two

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Two

The ropes surrounded the tree stump three times, looping under the base of the stump four times, before heading straight up to the pair of pulleys that were mounted directly overhead. A strong wooden structure, constructed of used railroad ties, held the pulleys in place. The ropes headed off in opposite directions, keeping the tension equal on either side of the wooden beam so that it wouldn’t be pulled over to its side. The ropes, the pulleys, and the structure itself all seemed to be straining against the weight being placed against them, pulling against the half-buried tree trunk, caused by the beings at the other ends of the ropes.

One of the ropes ended tied to the harness of a large, red stallion with an orange mane. He pulled himself forward, his immense frame giving him the strength and the leverage he needed.

On the other rope was an orange mare with a blond mane showing beneath a cowboy hat. She didn’t have the same bulk as the stallion, but she more than made up for it in defiant effort. Her muscles pushed themselves to their limit, and possibly beyond, each one showcasing itself through her coat, matted with sweat.

“By Celestia,” the mare said through clenched teeth, “either mah heart will burst and mah bones’ll crack, or we will...pull...you...FREE!”

The stump gave up, launching itself up from the ground and slamming into the trellis above it. Both ponies lurched forward as their enemy surrendered, and both were able to stop themselves before losing their balance.

Applejack took off her hat and wiped her brow, a satisfied smile beaming on her face. Putting her hat back, she slipped off the harness around her chest and walked over to the stump where her brother was heading to meet her.

“Good job, Mac! Ah was ‘fraid that dang stump was never gonna let go.” She looked over at his placid expression. “I’m guessin’ we’ve earned ourselves a few minutes break before we head to the next one.”

“Eeyup,” was the big stallion’s only reply before he turned with a smile to head towards the house that he shared with his family.

The earth mare turned the other direction and walked over to the nearest water barrel, taking off her hat once more along the way. A ladle was resting on the edge of the container, and she lifted it with her mouth, dipping it deep into the barrel before pouring the contents over her own head and neck. The cool water was a welcome relief for her, and she shook her head and mane vigorously, throwing the remaining water everywhere nearby. Satisfied, she dipped the ladle again, and this time drank deeply letting the liquid quench her thirst.

She and her brother had been working in the field most of the day, clearing out the old tree stumps to make way for the new saplings. It would be a while before the saplings would produce any fruit for Sweet Apple Acres, but there was only a short window for planting them. That meant several days hard work, pretty much from sun-up to sun-down. Besides, Applejack always felt a sense of accomplishment when she got her work done, especially hard physical labor.

A distant sound echoed in the earth pony’s ears. It sounded like a voice. A familiar voice, calling her name. “Applejack!” She heard again, this time more clearly. She scanned the skies for a sign of the pony owning the voice, and soon saw a familiar figure racing towards her, a multi-colored trail following behind the flier.

“Applejack! Applejack! You gotta come quick!” Rainbow Dash flew straight at the other pony, landing with a long skid to stop just before hitting her friend.

“Woah, now, Dash, what the hay is goin’ on? Why you in such a big hurry?” She paused. “Ah mean, bigger hurry than normal?”

“It’s Twilight! We gotta go save her! C’mon!” The pegasus turned, ready to sprint off.

“Save her? What happened to Twilight?” Applejack asked, putting on her hat and getting ready for action.

“She’s packing!” Rainbow answered.

“What?” Applejack blinked, confused. “What in tarnation do you mean? How’s she in trouble for packin’?”

“She’s goin’ to Canterlot!”

“Yeah, so? That ain’t that unusual, sugarcube. She visits there all the time.”

“But that’s just it, AJ, she’s not visiting! She’s MOVING!”

* * * * *

“Awwwww, come on, Twilight, pleeeeasse?” Spike begged as he shuffled behind Twilight Sparkle, who was busy sorting through her books.

“No. No. Yes, this one. No. No. Maybe. No. No,” the mare mumbled.

“Twilight, are you even listening to me?” Spike whined.

“Hmmm? Oh, I’m sorry, Spike, but I’ve got to get this done. Princess Celestia is expecting me to arrive in Canterlot today, and if I don’t make these decisions, then I might be late. I can’t disappoint The Princess.”

“Then let me go with you!” Spike pleaded his request for the umpteenth time.

“Spike, we’ve been over this. You have to stay behind and watch the library for me. Who else can I entrust it to?”

“Why not Rarity? She’s a unicorn,” Spike said.

“Rarity doesn’t know anything about books. Besides, why would she want to look after this place?”

“Then Fluttershy,” Spike proposed.

“Look, Spike, you can name off as many ponies as you want, but you are the best choice. I want you to look after the library. Besides,” Twilight lowered her voice as she finished her thoughts, “Trixie might need your help.”

“Aw, c’mon, Twilight! Don’t make me stay and help...her.”

“Spike.” Twilight turned to look at the young dragon. “I don’t like this either, but The Princess has asked me to do this, and...I’m going to. Trixie is going to be taking my place, and you are going to help her out.”

“But she’s unbearable!” Spike pleaded.

“I know,” Twilight answered, frowning. “At least, she was. Hopefully the new Trixie--the one working with Princess Luna--is...nicer.”

“And if she’s not?”

“Well...make her nicer,” Twilight suggested. “But most importantly, help out. And I don’t mean just Trixie. You’ve got to help all our friends. They are going to need you more than ever, I’m afraid.”

“I still want to go with you,” Spike said, defiantly.

“I know. And I want you to go, too, but it’s more important that you stay here. Watch after the library. Take care of the books.” Twilight mumbled the next part. “Celestia only knows if Trixie knows how to take care of a book.

“And most importantly,” Twilight returned to her normal tone and smiling face, “take care of yourself. Don’t let her push you around. This is your home, she’s just a guest.”

“So, I have your permission to be mean to her?” The dragon asked.

“No!” Twilight answered, shocked. “That’s not what I meant at all. I want you to be nice to her. Make friends with her. But...don’t let her be mean to you. I want you to promise me you’ll be nice.”

“Awww.” Spike sounded disappointed. “I promise.”

“Good.” Twilight smiled. “Now help me find my guide to astral trans-location. I wanted to study up on that.”

“Ast-what, who-thing?”

“Just look, okay?”

The door to the library burst open, and two young ponies came barreling into the room, panting from lack of breath.

“Twilight!” Applejack yelled when she saw her friend. “What’s all this Dash was tellin’ me about you goin’ to Canterlot?”

Twilight walked up to her dear friend, an odd look on her face. “What? How did you find out about that?” 
Rainbow Dash flew up to stare Twilight directly in the face, hovering as she spoke. “I overheard you talkin’ to Princess Celestia when she left! She told you to pack up and head to Canterlot right away! And then you came inside and started. Are you denying it?”

“No,” Twilight answered. “Not at all.”

“Then...you are movin’ away?” Applejack asked, a sad tone in her voice.

“What?! No!” the confused mare replied. “I’m not moving. The Princess asked me to come to Canterlot for a new temporary assignment. I’m not moving.”

“Then why all the packing, huh?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, because I don’t know how long it will take,” Twilight answered. “Neither did The Princess. So, she told me to pack up enough things to last a while. But it’s not permanent. I’ll be coming back.”

“What a relief!” Applejack visibly relaxed. “Ah was worried that you’d be gone for good.”

“Oh, AJ, no. Ponyville is my home now. I don’t ever want to leave for good.” Twilight smiled. “All my friends are here.”

“You know it, sugarcube!”

“Wait just a minute...” Rainbow Dash said, suspicious. “If that’s all true, then why the sudden packing? Are you trying to sneak out of town? Not let your friends know where you were going?”

“Well,” Twilight rubbed her neck, embarrassed, “I honestly got so caught up in trying to keep my schedule, I didn’t know if I was going to have time to tell you guys.” She smiled awkwardly. “Oops.”

“Uh-huh,” Dash answered.

“Well, it’s not like Canterlot is THAT far away. Whatever this assignment is, I’m sure that I’ll have time to see you guys.”

“Wait,” Applejack said, “ya don’t even know why you’re going to Canterlot? Ya don’t know what The Princess wants ya there fer?”

“We didn’t really cover that,” Twilight confessed. “But, it’s Princess Celestia. I’m sure it’s something good.”

“Yeah, true,” Applejack said. “Just seems a little suspicious, if’n ya ask me.”

“That’s not the worst part!” Spike interjected.

“What’s the worst part?” Dash asked.

“The worst part is--”

“Let me tell them, Spike,” Twilight interrupted her young aide. Taking a deep breath, she continued. “The Princess has arranged for a...replacement...for me while I’m gone. An expert in magic in case you guys need somepony.”

“A replacement?” The pegasus spoke. “I thought you said you were coming back!”

“A temporary replacement, Dash. Somepony to fill in for me. Help out around Ponyville.”

“Ah don’t think you’ve gotten to the bad part yet, Twi,” Applejack stated.

Twilight sighed.

“It’s Trixie,” she finally admitted.

“Wait a sec!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Trixie? The same Trixie that came through here and made a fool out of me and AJ, and just about destroyed the whole danged town? That Trixie?”

“Technically, it was more Snips and Snails fault for the ursa minor coming through,” Twilight corrected. “Trixie thought that was a bad idea, too.”

“Yeah,” Applejack stated with a frown, “but that don’t change the whole makin’ a fool outta me and Dash part.”

“She’s working with Princess Luna now. I’m hoping that she’s better than she used to be,” Twilight explained.

“Hopin’?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “When is she supposed to git here?”

“Well, I thought she was already in town from the way The Princess was talking, but she hasn’t shown up here yet.”

“Oh dear.”

The trio of friends turned to see a white unicorn standing in the doorway. Rarity had a rather uncertain expression on her face.

“Rarity!” Rainbow Dash flew over to her friend. “Twilight is going back to Canterlot, for Celestia only knows how long--literally! And on top of that, Trixie is supposed to be taking her place!”

“Yes, I’m quite aware of that, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity stepped into the room, walking up to the other unicorn. “Are you doing okay, darling? I came as soon as I heard the news.”

“Thanks, Rarity. I’m fine. Busy, but fine. How did you know about me leaving?”

The white unicorn thought about the pale blue unicorn she left lying in her bed back at the Carousel Boutique. She smiled unconsciously.

“I...spoke to Trixie about it.”

“You saw Trixie?” Twilight asked.

“Um...yes. I did. She came in...to my boutique.” There was a brief pause. “Looking for a new outfit.”

“Ha!” Rainbow Dash laughed. “And then you threw her out on her pompous butt, right?”

“Not...exactly, no,” Rarity said. “She’s actually there right now.”

The jaw of the hovering pegasus fell, looking like it was destined to crash into the floor. Her body decided to follow through on that threat, landing the multi-colored mare square on her haunches.

“Calm down, Dash,” Applejack stated. “Rarity was just bein’ polite. Right, Rarity?”

“Yes. Yes, precisely. I was very cordial to her.”

“Why didn’t she come here herself, Rarity?” Twilight looked curious.

“Well, Twilight, darling,” Rarity thought for a moment before continuing. “I was hoping that you would be alone right now... You know that I think you are the most wonderful unicorn in all of Ponyville, yes? That your friendship is the pinnacle of pleasantry for me on a daily basis? That--”

“Spit it out, Rarity,” Twilight said, bluntly.

“She doesn’t want to see you,” Rarity replied.

Twilight blinked twice.

“Wait a sec,” Applejack stepped into the conversation. “Trixie has shown up here to fill in fer Twi, and she ain’t even polite enough to come over and find out what’s in the shoes that she’s gonna fill?”

“In essence, yes,” Rarity said.

“Why that little...” Dash moved towards the doorway.

“No, Dash,” Twilight said, stopping her friend. “It’s okay. I was hoping that she had gotten past what happened, but...I guess she still needs time.”

“What she needs is a good kick to the--”

“Dash!” Twilight stopped her friend. “What Trixie needs are friends. And I’m counting on you guys to help her out. She’s going to be staying here at the library while I’m gone. Make her feel comfortable.”

“Oh, you can count on me,” Rarity answered with a smile.

“An’ you know I’ll be nice, Twi. If she needs help, I’ll be there,” Applejack stated.

“Thanks,” Twilight smiled, and then turned to look at Rainbow Dash.

“What?” The pegasus said. “I don’t trust her. It ain’t that easy with me.”

“I’m with you, sister!” Spike said from the other side of the room.

“Both of you be nice. Please?” Twilight urged.

“Can I be nice and still not trust her?” Dash asked.

“Sure,” Twilight smiled. “So long as you’re nice.”

A flash of light caught the eye of every pony in the room, as something descended from the sunlit sky towards the front of the Ponyville Library. A golden chariot, pulled by two powerfully built pegasus stallions, landed gracefully, empty and awaiting a passenger.

“Oh my goodness!” Twilight immediately started throwing things into her suitcase, desperately trying to get completely packed in an instant. “That’s my ride. I’ve got to go. The Princess is waiting. But I still haven’t finished packing. Oh, and I need to make sure that somepony will check up on Spike. And--”

“It’s okay, sugarcube,” Applejack said, stepping up and putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “You go on. We’ll take care of things here ‘til you get home.”

“Yeah. Just make sure you get back here soon, okay?” Dash flew over and put her hoof on Twilight’s other shoulder.

“I will,” Twilight smiled. “Oh, and can you guys explain things to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy? I wanted to tell them myself, but...” She looked out at the waiting chariot.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Rarity said, stepping up to Twilight. “They’ll understand. We all do.”

Twilight hugged Rarity, and then rushed to the door, her suitcase levitating behind her. She stopped at the doorway and turned to her friends. “I’ll be back soon!” And with that, Twilight Sparkle left the library, climbing onto the waiting chariot which immediately left the ground, destined for Canterlot.

Gathering outside the library, Twilight’s friends watched her fly off. When she was out of sight, Applejack turned to Rarity.

“Care to explain what was goin’ on back at your place, missy?” she asked.

Rarity’s eyes bugged out. “Why, whatever do you mean, Applejack?”

“Uh-huh,” the earth pony said, knowingly. “You just be careful, y’hear.”

“What are you two talking about?” Dash asked, confused.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Dash. Rarity has things under control. Don’t ya, Rarity?”

Rarity smiled. “Yes. Of course,” was all she said.

Rainbow Dash looked more confused than ever.

“Well, now that Twilight is gone,” Spike stated, “I need to go hide all my stuff so that Trixie won’t take it.”

“Spikey!” Rarity said. “I don’t think you need to worry about that sort of thing.”

“Better safe than sorry!” Spike said as he scurried inside.

* * * * *

From the second floor of the Carousel Boutique, a certain cerulean unicorn watched as a golden chariot flew over the city, heading towards the shining towers of Canterlot Castle.

With a sly smile, Trixie levitated her hat onto her head and her cape around her shoulders. She then walked down the stairs of the building, across the room, and out the front door. The unicorn paused, dramatically, just outside the boutique, allowing the sun to catch her hair as she waited for the right moment to turn and walk away.

Feeling content with herself, she looked around to see if a crowd had gathered to watch her. No pony was paying any attention to her at all. “Hmmph!” she let out, exasperated. After a moment or two, she turned and headed towards the Ponyville Library--completely unaware of the figure watching her from the shadows.

* * * * *

The halls of the castle glistened in the fading sunlight. The pair of Princesses walked side-by-side in one of its great corridors, talking lightly about recent events. As they passed them, the various guards stationed around the palace bowed their heads in respect.

“...and since he had decided to burn the note and refer to me as ‘namby pamby,’ I thought it was best to remind him that I AM the Goddess of the Sun,” Celestia laughed.

“Tia, you did not...?” Luna asked her sister.

“Oh no! Of course not. I would never actually harm any creature that young, but it’s still a good idea to remind dragons that they aren’t quite as fireproof as they like to think.”

They laughed together. In the past few months, the two sisters had become more inseparable than ever, with Luna waking earlier each day and Celestia staying awake longer each night.

Considering the tension that had preceded it, the pleasant nature of the two Princesses and the smiles they shared were a welcome sight to the staff and visitors to the castle. None of them had any idea what went on behind closed doors at night.

A pair of horns suddenly sounded, causing the two Princesses to stop and look out the window into the sky. A small dot traced across the horizon, heading towards the palace. Celestia smiled, knowing who it contained.

Luna looked over at her sister, a slight smile on her face as well. “You go. I will meet you at the Grand Balcony.”

Celestia and her sister bowed politely towards each other, and split apart, each headed towards their own destination.

An obvious air of excitement and joy crept over the Sun Goddess as she walked. Her steps almost broke into a prance as she considered the possible outcome of approaching events. She hated to admit it, but Luna’s mischievousness was contagious.

Reaching the landing area near the top of the castle, Celestia regained her composure, forcing herself back to her normal, pleasant demeanor.

The chariot circled Canterlot Castle once before landing, as was the normal procedure. The passenger on board looked down, taking in the view. She honestly couldn’t count the number of times that she had seen this exact view, but its impact never faded for her. The towering spires, the castle itself seemingly growing from the mountainside, and the dramatic waterfalls conveying the illusion of falling straight out of the castle itself. There was no other place in all of Equestria that could match its grandeur.

Celestia watched the chariot circle and land, keeping her eye on the passenger far more than the craft itself. Once it came to a rest, Twilight Sparkle stepped onto the floor of the castle, walking towards the princess with a big smile.

“Welcome, my faithful student,” Celestia said calmly.

“Princess!” Twilight walked up and put her neck up against that of her mentor, happy to see her again.

“I hope that you had a pleasant trip,” Celestia said. “I know that you felt slightly rushed.”

“That’s okay. I do admit that I am very curious about my new assignment, though,” Twilight answered.

Looking over at the chariot, the alicorn saw her student’s bags being unloaded from the chariot. “Take those bags to Twlight’s new room, please,” she instructed.

“New room?” Twilight cocked her head, quizzically. “I’m not staying in my normal room?”

“I’m afraid not,” Celestia said, turning away and beginning the walk inside. “Your new assignment meant that we had to place you in quarters nearer to Luna and myself.”

“Really?” The young unicorn’s face beamed with excitement as she quickly moved to walk beside her teacher. “That’s wonderful.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.”

“Well, I was hoping that it would involve more intense studying with you and maybe even Princess Luna.”

“Not exactly, but you will be spending more time with us.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. But...what will we be doing if we’re not studying?”

Princess Celestia turned into a small alcove, followed by her favored student. Inside was a pile of armor, similar, but slightly different from the one worn by the palace guards. She stopped and looked at the unicorn.

“Put that on,” Celestia said bluntly.

“What? Um...Princess, that’s...armor.”

“I know. You need to put it on, Twilight.”

“Um...why?”

“Because that is your new assignment.”

“What?!” Twilight’s eyes shot wide. “I’m going to be a palace guard?”

“No,” Celestia corrected. “You are going to be mine and Luna’s personal guard and servant. One of the time honored Eidolon Shield. Currently, there is no pony in that class in our service. Nor has there been in hundreds of years. You will take up that role.”

“I...” Twilight was overcome with confusion and conflict. “Princess, I’m not a guard. I don’t know anything about that, I just--”

“Twlight,” Celestia said calmly, “this is a temporary thing. We want to explore this concept, and if we promote one of our current guards to this role it would change their status. If it doesn’t work out, then putting them back in the normal guard would seem like a disservice. An insult. Whether things work out or not with you, you will be going back to Ponyville and living your life. We need you to do this for us.”

Twilight looked up at the alicorn and her compassionate eyes. A soothing feeling came over the smaller mare, calming her concerns.

“Okay,” Twilight responded. “I just don’t know how good I’ll be at it, Princess.”

“Your Majesty,” Celestia corrected.

“What?” Twilight looked confused again.

“If you are going to be here in this role, you need to address me as ‘Your Majesty’ the first time you speak, and then ‘ma’am’ afterwards.”

“Really?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Well, that’s gonna be a little awkward.”

“And you need to bow,” Celestia raised her head up, looking down on the small unicorn.

“Bow?”

“Yes. When you first come into our presence or that of our sister, you need to bow. As a sign of respect. It comes with the assignment.”

“Oh, um...okay,” Twilight said, trying to understand all of this. She levitated the armor up and studied it for a moment. “Um, I’m not really sure how to put this on, Prin...er, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Celestia said with a smile. “I’ll wait outside until you are dressed.”

The Sun Goddess stepped out on her own, taking a deep breath as she did. No matter what the outcome, this had been started. It wasn’t too late to end it, but...she didn’t want it to stop. She wanted to see what would happen. A smile crept back on to her face.

A few moments later, the purple unicorn stepped out into the hallway. The armor she wore was unique, designed specifically for her. It followed the classic design of the guards inhabiting Canterlot Castle, but instead of the golden color, it was adorned with a mix of gold and dark blue steel. A crest of deep purple topped the helmet, and a symbol of two alicorns rearing up, their horns touching, capped off the chest piece.

“Well, it fits. I think,” Twilight said, standing there. It did fit, of course, as it was designed specifically for this one pony.

Celestia waited for a moment, looking down at her young student patiently. Twilight looked back up at her, her eyes shifting back and forth after a moment, nervously. The Sun Goddess raised her eyebrows and let her eyes shift to the ground quickly, and then back up to meet Twilight’s.

“Oh!” Twilight let out, and then awkwardly lowered herself down, bowing before the ruler of Equestria. A shiver of excitement shot through Celestia, unbidden.

“That’s...kind of awkward, Prin...er, Your Majesty.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she smiled. “Now walk with me, we have to meet Princess Luna on the Grand Balcony.”

“The Grand Balcony? Isn’t that where you and Princess Luna perform the ritual to raise and lower the sun and moon?”

“Exactly. Which is why we need to go there.”

“I get to be there? For the ritual?”

“Twilight, you are going to be sharing in a good portion of both mine and Luna’s life for the foreseeable future. It’s something else that you’ll have to get used to.”

Celestia could see the young unicorn’s expression lighten as they walked. Giving her such a close view to the spectacle was a sure way to keep happy.

“Um, ma’am?” Twilight broke the silence. “I need a little clarification about this, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, Twilight. What can I tell you?”

“Well, if I’m going to be this sort of special personal guard--whatever that means--to both you and Princess Luna, well...who do I follow around?”

“Excellent question,” Celestia answered. “Both of us. If the two of us are together, that is the time you will have to yourself. But, during the time that we are separate from each other, you will be our constant companion.”

“Wait,” Twilight’s mind raced, “but aren’t one of you awake all of the time? You all day and Luna all night?”

“Yes.”

“Well, um, not to be rude, but...when do I sleep?”

“That’s part of your personal time. In actuality, right now is when you should be on your own, but I thought it best to speak with you and then let you go with us to the evening ritual. As soon as Luna raises the moon, you’ll be given time to go eat and rest before you have to meet up with my sister.”

“That’s...a lot of time,” Twilight responded.

“Yes, but if I didn’t think you were capable, I wouldn’t have you here.”

Twilight beamed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

It was a short walk to the Grand Balcony. As she promised, Luna was waiting for the pair when they arrived. As they stepped out onto the balcony, and Twilight caught her first glimpse of the now fully-grown Luna, the unicorn froze. Luna was a nigh-perfect example of feminine grace and power, from her stature to her physique to her face. It took the young mare off guard.

“Wow,” she said under her breath. “Princess Luna, you look...amazing.”

“We thank you, Twilight,” Luna answered softly.

“Your Royal Highness,” Celestia said curtly. Twilight turned to look up and saw a stern expression on her mentor’s face. “You refer to Luna as ‘Your Royal Highness,’ and then ‘ma’am’ during a conversation. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Twilight said weakly.

“Good.” She turned to her sister. “Luna, we have work to do.”

“Oh!” Twilight said, in realization. “I almost forgot!”

Slowly, Twilight bowed down in front of Luna, and then raised herself up again. She smiled at herself for remembering without being prodded.

“Very good, Twilight,” Luna said.

“Sister,” Celestia snipped, “it’s getting late.”

“Of course. If you will,” Luna suggested.

Celestia nodded, and the sun took its cue, slowly lowering itself towards the horizon. As soon as it dipped to the edge, Luna began her ritual.

Celestia didn’t watch it at all. Her gaze was fixed on the small unicorn standing a few feet away from her. Twilight’s eyes sparkled with amazement as Luna performed her task, crafting the sky and stars and raising the moon to its place in the heavens for another evening. Celestia focused on her student, who stared in adoration at the spectacle in front of her, reveling in the experience. All the while, the white alicorn held her emotion in check.

“That was...beautiful, ma’am,” Twilight said, walking up to Luna after she had once again set hoof down to the balcony.

“Thank you, Twilight. We try,” Luna answered.

“I’ve never actually watched that before. I mean, I’ve seen Princess Celestia raise the sun--from a distance, of course--and I’ve seen the night fall, but I’ve never seen anything like that up close.”

“Twilight,” Celestia began, “I’ve decided that, since you weren’t truly ready for your new assignment when you arrived, you actually shouldn’t be forced into your new duties right away. I think you can wait until just after sunrise before taking up your new task. That will give you all night to yourself. To adjust.”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am,” the young unicorn replied to her mentor.

“Then she can join us for dinner, Tia,” Luna said. “Since we delayed the meal until after the ritual tonight, that only seems fitting.”

“No,” Celestia responded to her sister. “If she were to be seen dining with us, it could be considered...inappropriate. The rest of the staff can’t see her as getting special treatment.”

“But, sister, the entire staff already knows Twilight. She has spent as much time here as most of--”

“I said, NO!” Celestia cut off her sister’s words, then turned towards her student and smiled. “Go to your quarters and unpack, Twilight. Get adjusted to your room and your new surroundings. I’ll see that an excellent dinner is sent up to you in a short while. In the morning, we’ll go over your duties in greater detail, all right?”

“Um...sure. Good night, Your Majesty.” Then turning to Luna. “Your Royal Highness.” Twilight turned to leave.

“Twilight,” Celestia stopped her. “It is customary to bow when you leave our presence, as well.”

“Oh! Right.” Twilight bowed first to Celestia, and then to Luna, and then turned to leave again.

Luna walked up next to her sister on The Grand Balcony, smiling. “She has become a lovely young mare, Tia.”

“Has she? I hadn’t noticed.”

Luna laughed. “Really?”

“Yes. I don’t pay attention to such things.”

Luna smiled even larger, a playful light in her eyes. “You are so cute when you are jealous.”

Celestia’s sent a burning stare straight at her sister. “Jealous? Of what? I’m not the least bit jealous.”

“Do not worry, Tia. She is your pet, not mine.”

“Protege, Luna,” Celestia corrected. “She is most definitely my protege.”

Celestia walked off towards the dinner she was going to share with her sister. Luna shook her head and followed.

* * * * *

“...and Trixie feels that it is inappropriate for you to be sleeping next to her bed.”

The purple and green dragon bristled up, ready for a fight. “Well, it’s not YOUR bed, is it? It’s TWILIGHT’S bed. And I’ve slept next to HER bed for years.”

“But it is not HER bed right now, is it? No. It’s Trixie’s,” the azure unicorn argued.

“But it is MY bed, and that has always been next to Twilight’s!”

“Well, her bed is in Canterlot at the moment, why don’t you go there?” Trixie suggested.

“I would love to! But Twilight asked me to stay here and watch the library. Make sure no pony did anything BAD to it.”

“Are you implying that The Great and Powerful Trixie would do something destructive to this place? That’s absurd! Trixie LOVES books. I am hoping to spend a great deal of my time here studying them and learning what I can.”

“Well, just make sure you don’t lose any of Twilight’s bookmarks. She’s reading a whole lot and doesn’t like to lose her place.” Spike stared straight into Trixie’s eyes, trying to get her to back down, but it didn’t look like the unicorn was going to give an inch.

“I think it’s time you went to bed, Spike. It’s very late for such a young dragon,” Trixie suggested.

“Fine by me! I’ll just go up to MY bed, which is right next to TWILIGHT’S bed!”

“Oh, not this again!” The unicorn said, exasperated. “For the last time, Trixie is telling you--”

“Hello, darlings!” The library door opened suddenly, and the lively figure of Rarity stepped inside, her eyelashes batting, a basket floating near her. “I thought you might be...oh my.” Rarity instantly saw the tension between the two inhabitants of the room, and stopped her own sentence.

“Rarity!” Spike ran over to his friend. “Tell her that she can’t take over Twilight’s place. That she’s just a GUEST, and that means doing what I say.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not take orders from a tiny dragon-child,” she countered.

“It’s not an order. It’s the rules! Twilight put me in charge when she left, and I’m gonna make sure that her rules are followed,” Spike argued.

“Um...” Rarity uttered.

“Trixie doesn’t see any rules posted. How am I supposed to know that you aren’t making things up just to make my life difficult? Hmmm?”

“How do I know that you aren’t just being difficult because you’re, well, YOU!”

“Um...” Rarity stammered.

“You are just an angry dragon, not understanding the greatness that stands before you. Trixie is about ready to put you over her knee and teach you manners.”

“Just try it, lady! You lay one hoof on me and I’ll--”

“STOP IT, THIS INSTANT! BOTH OF YOU!” Rarity finally unleashed. “You are accomplishing nothing. I came over here to bring a nice welcoming dinner to Trixie.” The pale blue unicorn smiled, while the dragon frowned. “AND to make sure that you were doing well with Twilight out of town, Spike. And what do I find? The two of you bickering like spoiled children.”

Rarity stepped between them, turning towards the mare first. “Trixie, I know that this may be difficult for you, but you ARE a guest in this house. And it IS Spike’s home, so he needs to be shown respect.”

“Ha!” Spike laughed, pointing a claw at Trixie.

“And Spike,” Rarity turned her attention to the dragon, “you need to be a more gracious host. Trixie is your guest, and she was instructed to stay here by both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. You are showing all of them disrespect by treating her this way.”

“But she wants me to move my bed!” Spike whined.

“And do you blame her?” Rarity said. “She isn’t Twilight, darling. She isn’t used to a dragon sleeping next to her all night long. A lady likes her privacy, after all.”

“Well, she could have asked nicer...” The dragon mumbled.

“I have no doubt of that,” Rarity said, turning towards the other unicorn. “Trixie, ask Spike nicely to move his bed.”

Trixie opened her mouth to speak, but Rarity stopped her before a word came out.

“Nicely!”

Trixie took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes. “Very well.” She turned towards the baby dragon. “Spike, The Great and Powerful Trixie wants...rather, would appreciate it, if you might move your bed. I prefer to choose my bedfellows, rather than have them thrust upon me.”

Rarity turned to Spike, batting her eyelashes. The dragon tried to hold out against her, but, ultimately, he failed.

“Fine,” Spike grumbled. “I’ll move my bed to the basement. That way I won’t have to worry about you snoring and waking me up, anyway.”

“Trixie does NOT snore!”

“Ah! Trixie,” Rarity shushed her. “Gracious guest...”

“Hmph,” Trixie snorted. “That will be fine, Spike. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“My pleasure,” Spike forced out.

“There! Everything is settled!” Rarity jumped in, stopping things from going further.

Spike stomped off, heading up to the bedroom. “I’m going to get my bed and go to sleep. This has been WAY too long a day already.”

“Are you sure you don’t want any dinner, darling?” Rarity asked after him.

“I’m not hungry!” Spike declared, stomping back down the stairs, holding his small bed over his head.

“Well, do try to have a pleasant night’s sleep. Things will seem much better in the morning, I’m sure,” Rarity said.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” And with those final words the dragon went into the basement of the library.

Rarity waited a moment, worried about Spike, but not wanting to go after him and start things up again. She exhaled, and turned around, only to find Trixie standing right in front of her.

“So, you brought Trixie dinner?”

“Um, yes. I thought that, perhaps, you might not have time to prepare your own meal. It seemed like the...nice...thing to do.”

The blue unicorn smiled.

“Trixie has an idea. Follow me.” She turned and headed towards the stairs.

“I really did bring food, darling. Not that I am not flattered by your...suggestion.”

“I figured you did. And Trixie is hungry. So, I thought we could have a picnic. In bed.”

“You want to eat dinner in bed?” Rarity asked.

“Yes. Exactly.” Trixie looked back at the white unicorn, smiling.

“Why...how wonderfully romantic.” Rarity sauntered off after the other mare, holding back a giggle.

Neither of them noticed the shadowy figure standing outside the window, watching their every move.

* * * * *

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in her room, Twilight Sparkle turned herself first to the right, and then to the left, and then so her back was to the mirror, and finally straight on trying to get a good view of the armor she was wearing. She turned her body slightly, and then held her head up high and straight, looking squarely at her reflection, posing as dramatically as she could.

Then, she let out a heavy sigh and slumped her shoulders.

“The armor looks good, just not on me,” she said, dejectedly. “I know that the Princess wants me to do this, but...I’m still not sure I’m the right choice.”

Twilight looked around the room. She was originally worried that her new quarters might not be as nice as the ones she had gotten used to when she attended Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, but if anything, this room was too nice. All of the furniture, the drapery, the artwork--everything--seemed like something fit for one of the Princesses, and not her. She shook her head and began to remove the armor, putting on the dressing figure she could only assume was there for that purpose.

“I wish there was some kind of book or something that I could read about this Eidolon Shield. I don’t remember seeing anything about it in any of my history books before,” Twilight spoke out loud to herself. “It seems like the kind of thing that I would have noticed. Arrrgh! I wish I had my library.”

A sudden realization struck her. “Wait a second! I might not have MY library, but I do have the school’s library, which is much bigger than mine! I can be such a dummy sometimes.” She trotted up to the door and opened it, heading out into the hallway.

“And I don’t think that the Princess will mind. I’m not breaking any of her rules--well, none that I’ve been given so far. But in any case, that still means I’m not breaking one if I don’t know about it, right?”

Twilight’s new room was located on the same floor as both Celestia and Luna’s quarters. Walking down the hallway from her room towards the huge staircase that led to the lower levels of the castle, Twilight passed the majestic hallway that split to either side, one way leading to Luna’s room, the other, Celestia’s.

“Besides, I haven’t had any chance to do any real studying since I got here. And if I know the background and history of what it is I’m supposed to represent, then naturally I should be better at--”

A sudden sharp sound, followed by a whimper, stopped Twilight dead in her tracks. She paused, trying to clear her head and make sure that she heard clearly. Looking around for some guards that might confirm the sound, the unicorn discovered she couldn’t find any. But then the sound came again. A sharp sound, like the sound a book makes when it gets slammed down on a hard table, followed by a whimper.

It was coming from Celestia’s room.

Slowly, Twilight turned and started walking down the hallway, the huge, ornate doors that led into her mentor’s room shut, the gold that covered them shimmering in the dim light from the candles on the wall. Her head cocked to one side, Twilight’s feet slowly moved, one after the other, down the hallway towards the closed doors, listening closely for more sounds.

Another sharp sound. Another whimper. And this time, something else--a voice. Too faint to make out, but there was somepony talking. Twilight stepped softly, trying not to make a single sound, moving her ear closer to the door. Another sharp and whimper combination caused her to jump back from the door. It was so much more clear this time.

She looked around. No pony was in the hallway. No guards. No servants. No pony at all. Turning back towards the closed doors, a hint of light peeking from between them caught her attention. Swallowing, she stepped towards it, her curiosity getting the better of her. She brought her eye up to the crack between the doors, and peered inside.

Her breath left her instantly.

On the floor of her bedroom, Princess Celestia had her chest flat on the ground, her head lying in front of her, her forelegs moved to be straight behind her. Her great wings were stuck straight up in the air, rigid. Her rear legs were fully extended, holding her flank high off the ground, with the legs spread apart. Her tail was being held aloft by a shimmering, dark blue magic, while a large black paddle of some slick, wet-looking substance hovered in the air behind her. Celestia’s marehood was clearly on display, and it was dripping with the Princess’ own juices.

“We do not believe that thou hast apologized enough for your actions earlier. Thou were rather...curt...to us. We do not appreciate that tone,” a familiar voice said from an unseen location. “Apologize again.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” the Sun Goddess whimpered. “I was angry. It was wrong.”

The paddle moved in a swift motion, slamming against Celestia’s flank, producing a sharp smack. She whimpered in pleasure, her head lurching forward as she did.

“We feel that is only a tenth as contrite as thou should be,” the voice said. “Therefore, we shall administer ten times the punishment. Thou shalt count for us. Understood?”

“Yes, Mistress,” came the immediate response from the prostrate goddess.

The black paddle sliced through the air, finding its target with a loud, sharp whack.

“One,” Celestia said in a breathy tone.

Again, the castigating tool found its mark with an echoing response.

“Two.”

And again.

“Three.”

And again.

“Four.”

“Five.”

“...six...” The Princess’ response came slower, and her voice more desperate.

“...seven...”

“We cannot hear you, slave,” the unseen voice said. “Louder.”

The paddle found its mark.

“EIGHT!” Celestia yelled.

“NINE!”

There was a pause. The paddle hovered in the air, as though waiting for a sign to proceed. Celestia whimpered in anticipation, her flank already bright red from the treatment it had received. She wiggled her rear slightly, which was all the signal needed.

With a smack far louder than the previous blows, the paddle landed a final time.

“AH! TEN!” she screamed.

Twlight stood in silence. Even her breath refused to make a noise. Her jaw was hanging slack, staring at the spectacle happening inside Celestia’s private quarters. And even though it would have seemed impossible a moment earlier, her eyes widen more when she saw Princess Luna step into view. Except this Luna was dressed very differently. She wore a head and chest piece that strongly resembled what she wore as Nightmare Moon, only these were black, with a sheen that made them appear almost wet.

Luna brought a forehoof up to her sister’s almost glowing flank, rubbing it softly. “We think that is punishment enough,” she said gently. “And we see that thou art truly grateful for our discipline.”

The forehoof moved from Celestia’s flank to her soaked marehood, sliding over it repeatedly in a slow, deliberate fashion. A deep groan escaped from the white alicorn.

“Thou art positively soaked, slave. Did thou enjoy the beating we gave thee that much?”

“I...enjoy serving...my Mistress.” Celestia was barely able to speak.

“Good answer,” Luna stated. “Thou deserves a reward for thy loyalty.”

The tempo of Luna’s hoof increased, rubbing vigorously against the sex of her submissive sister.

“We want you to come on our hoof, slave. Which means thou WILL come on our hoof. Dost thou understand?” Luna asked.

“...yes...” Celestia whispered.

“Thou loves the feel of our divine hoof on thy unworthy cunt, doesn’t thou, slave? Thou wants nothing more than to feel our touch on thy filthy little hole.”

“...yes...please...”

“Please? Please what? Please stop? We could stop.” Luna pulled her hoof away from her sister’s sex suddenly. Celestia gasped, and started pushing back with her flank, trying to find the pleasing touch once more.

“...no! No, please... don’t stop.”

“Do not stop? Do not stop what, slave?”

“...touching me.”

“But we are not touching thee. Our hoof is nowhere near thine...hot, dripping cunt.”

Celestia moaned at the words.

“Please, Mistress. Please, touch me. I will do whatever you ask.”

“That is true whether we touch thee or not,” Luna explained.

“...I...I just...” Celestia’s passion had taken away her reasoning, much to her sister’s delight.

“Oh, but we already told thee that you were going to cum by our hoof.” Luna immediately put her hoof back, rubbing with even more intensity. “And we will not have your begging change that.”

“...thank you...Mistress...”

“Thou will get your opportunity to show thine thanks,” Luna said calmly, “but only after thou does what we instruct. Cum, slave. Cum on your Mistress’ hoof. Do it now!”

“YEEESSS! LUNA, YESSSS!”

As if by command, Celestia let out a scream of pure pleasure, as her marehood released its juices all over her sister’s hoof. Streaming freely out--Luna’s hoof continuing to move back and forth more gently now--the cum flowed to puddle on the ground beneath Celestia. Slowly, Luna removed her hoof, bringing it to her mouth and licking it gently as she walked around her still twitching slave.

“Lick that mess up,” Luna commanded. Slowly, Celestia raised herself up enough and turned around, and seeing the splash of her own fluids, moved her head over to it and dragged her tongue across it, taking the cum into her own mouth.

A large chair, surrounded by Luna’s dark magical energy moved in front of the Night Goddess. She turned around and sat on it, spreading her legs lewdly, revealing her own damp sex.

Again, the dark mare’s horn flared with magic and a hood appeared over Celestia’s head, covering her eyes but leaving her ears and muzzle exposed. Celestia stopped licking the ground, raising her head up in surprise.

“Come find us in the dark, slave. Show thine Mistress how much you appreciate her kind attentions.”

Celestia turned, seeking out the source of the words. Setting her forehooves in front of her, she began to walk gingerly towards the direction she sensed.

“No. Crawl,” Luna commanded.

Celestia immediately dropped to the ground, but still moved forwards towards the source of the spoken words. Her forehooves gently prodded out, trying to find some sign of reassurance or warning of misdirection.

Seeing this, Luna extended one of her rear hooves, moving it directly in front of her sister’s path. And a moment later, one of the white mare’s seeking appendages found her Mistress’ hoof, and closed in on it instantly. With greater speed and confidence, Celestia brought herself up to the hoof, planting her lips on it with reverence.

“Very good, slave,” Luna said, her voice husky with desire. “You may proceed.”

Taking the cue, the submissive alicorn began to plant kisses up along the leg of her dominant sister, moving with obvious ardor towards the dripping slit awaiting her.

“Do not rush, slave,” Luna commanded.

Celestia slowed her pace immediately. She began taking time to enjoy the journey up the sculpted legs of her sister. Each kiss and every lick conveying her passion and desire to please the dark mare.

“Much better,” Luna rasped.

With encouragement, Celestia moved up higher, coming to the point where Luna’s leg met her body. She paused there, taking an extra moment to let her lips and tongue caress that tender area, causing a rise in her Mistress’ desire. Slowly, she moved over, heading towards the other leg, but stopping when her nose picked up the musky aroma of the midnight alicorn’s aroused marehood.

Celestia’s tongue flicked out, finding the outer lips of Luna’s pussy, causing her Mistress to suck in a breath through her teeth. With that obvious incentive, Celestia immediately moved her tongue up along the slit to the hardened clit of her sister’s sex.

“Yes!” Luna hissed. “You have become an excellent cunt-licker, sister. Perhaps we should let others know just how good you are. Would you like me to tell everypony exactly what you do to your sister behind closed doors, slave? Show off my little toy for all to see?”

The verbal beratement only increased both sister’s passion. Celestia redoubled her effort, while Luna brought her forehooves down to her sister’s head, holding her tightly and pushing her muzzle harder against her marehood.

“No,” Luna growled, her passion causing her to lose the royal tone completely. “No, on second thought, I do not wish to share you. You are my toy. I want to play with you all by myself. Invent new, fun games to play with you every night,” she snarled. “And I want you to drink my cum, slave. I want you to drink every fucking drop!”

Luna began to buck her hips wildly against Celestia’s administrations, driving herself closer and closer to complete release. Finally, she could hold back no more, and firmly gripping her sister’s head, she forced her cunt down onto Celestia’s muzzle.

“Yes! YES!” Luna yelled, thrusting her sex. “Drink it. Drink it all!”

And Celestia did just that. Every bit of liquid that came from her sister’s marehood she swallowed. Taking it in with the same desire as a dehydrated pony finding their first water after walking through a desert.

Slowly, Luna’s grip on her sister’s head relaxed, allowing Celestia to pull back her head. Celestia leaned forward and planted a few delicate kisses around the area of her sister’s sex in gratitude.

“Excellent work, slave. We are pleased,” Luna said.

“Thank you, Mistress,” Celestia said, keeping her head lowered. “May...may I take off this hood now? I wish to look upon you.”

Luna looked down at the mare still between her legs, and gently started to stroke her mane. “No. Not yet. Sometimes it is not as important to know what you see...”

Luna shifted her gaze. Moving it from her sister to the doorway of the room.

“...as what you DO NOT see.”

She was staring straight at Twilight.

Twilight scrambled back away from the door in a panic. Her eyes darted about, trying to find an excuse, an escape, but Twilight’s mind was too lost in the events she had just witnessed. In a moment of desperation, she teleported, a brief flash of light indicating her departure.

She appeared instantly in her room. The panic was still on her, and she looked around the room, desperately hoping for something to give her pause. She ran to the door, looking to lock it, but stopped herself.

“No. No, no. If I lock the door, then she’ll know. It’ll tell her for certain that I was there. I can’t do that.”

Twilight looked around the room, and finally made a mad leap for her bed. She landed on it, and ducked under the covers, pulling them up tightly around her neck. Her horn flared with magic, extinguishing the candles lighting the room.

“I’ll pretend I was sleeping the whole time. Yes, that’s it. I was sleeping. The Princess told me that I needed to get sleep when I could, so I was just doing what she told me to do. I wasn’t out in the hall. I wasn’t at her door. I didn’t see anything.

“I didn’t see...Princess Celestia and...Princess Luna...doing that.” Twilight’s mind was awash in images from the past few minutes. “I don’t know anything about that. That would be crazy. And they...”

Her mind reflected back to Luna staring straight at her through the doorway to Celestia’s room.

“She saw me,” she said softly to herself, trying to pull the covers up tighter. “She saw me and she knows I was there. Oh, why was I there? Why did I have to see that? And why...”

Twilight brought the covers up to cover her muzzle, leaving them just below her eyes, like a child hiding from a nightmare.

“Why am I so aroused right now?”

* * * * *

Watching from a window above their bed, a darkened figure saw Rarity nuzzle up against Trixie as the two of them lay sleeping. A night of passion had left both ponies exhausted and resting in each other’s forelegs. The scene looked peaceful.

“So, that’s her little game, is it?” The figure said cryptically. “Fine by me. Now that I know the rules, I’m ready to step into this party. Trixie wants to play with my friends, well, I’m good at playing.”

The figure stepped away from the window and into the moonlight. Her bouncy magenta mane shining in the dim light.

“So, I’m gonna get into this game--Pinkie Pie style!”

...to be continued.

The Wager: Chapter Three

Who Rules?: The Wager

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Three

Rarity walked along the streets of Ponyville, a wide smile across her face in the early morning light. She was always a pleasant sort, if a bit overly-cultivated for most of the populous, but this was different. She walked with a special gait to her step. A joy that set it above her normal smile. A happiness that could only be brought about by somepony else.

“Hi, Rarity!” a familiar voice suddenly appeared next to the white unicorn.

“Oh!” Rarity said, startled. “Good morning, Pinkie, darling. I haven’t seen you in a few days. How have you been?”

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie responded. “Watcha doin’?”

“Going to the market. I have some things I need to gather.”

“Ooooh. Whatcha gonna buy?”

“Well, food, actually. I was thinking of cooking something...special...for dinner tonight.”

“That sounds fun!” Pinkie bounced alongside her friend as they made their way to the market.

“Oh dear...” Rarity suddenly had a thought. “Has anypony had a chance to talk to you about Twilight Sparkle yet, Pinkie?”

“Talk to me about Twilight? What about Twilight?” Pinkie pondered.

“Well, she...” Rarity looked into the happy, seemingly oblivious face of her earth pony friend and sighed, “...she left town for a little while.”

“Oh, that!” Pinkie smiled. “Yep! I know about that. Went off to Canterlot. Rainbow Dash told me. I thought something BAD happened to her.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I was afraid I was going to have to tell you the bad news,” Rarity answered.

“What bad news?” Pinkie asked.

“About Twilight.”

“There’s bad news about Twilight?”

Rarity stopped walking and stared straight at her friend.

“Pinkie, we just went over this. Twilight had to leave town.”

“Yeah, I remember. That was only, like, five seconds ago. Duh.”

“That’s the bad news, Pinkie.”

“How’s that bad news?” Pinkie asked, confused. “It’s not like she’s not our friend any more. Or that we’ll never see her again. She just went off to some special study thingie with Princess Celestia, which is, like, one of her favoritest things in the whole world to do, so that can’t be bad, right?”

“We won’t be seeing her, Pinkie.”

“Sure we will! Just not for a little while,” Pinkie smiled happily.

“Yes, I suppose that’s true,” Rarity answered.

“I mean, it’s not like she’s gonna be there forever and that other pony is gonna be here forever.” 
Rarity blinked. A thought suddenly coming to her.

“What other pony?” she asked.

“That Trixie pony. She came here to replace Twilight.”

“Yes. Yes she did.” Rarity’s voice got weaker. Trixie was only going to be here for a short while. And it surprised her that she was upset about that fact.

“Well, not really ‘replace,’ ‘cause, like, no pony could actually REPLACE Twilight. I mean, wouldn’t that be weird, if somepony actually DID replace Twilight. Then it would be like some strange monster was running around instead of her, doing who knows what to everypony. And then there would be the real Twilight, and they would have to face each other, and we wouldn’t know which Twilight was the real Twilight, and they would end up fighting and rolling around on the ground, and one of us would end up having to decide who was the ACTUAL Twilight and we would have to ask one of them a moral dilemma type question that would tell us who the REAL Twilight really was, but then--”

“Pinkie!” Rarity interjected. “I don’t think we have to worry about that.”

“Gosh, I hope not!” Pinkie answered. “I haven’t had time to think of a good question to tell them apart!”

“I don’t think any of us have, dear.”

“So, whatcha gonna cook?” Pinkie asked.

“What?”

“You’re gonna cook something special tonight, right?”

“Oh, yes,” Rarity quickly regained her composure. “I’m not sure. I’m having a...guest...over for dinner, and I wanted to make something memorable. I suppose it will depend on what they have fresh at the market.”

“A guest?” Pinkie asked. “Oooooh, a SPECIAL pony guest, huh?” Her eyebrows danced up and down.

Rarity tried to avoid the subject. “What are you doing today, Pinkie?” she asked, resuming her walk towards the market.

“Me? Nothin’. Nothin’ at all. Why? You need help?” Pinkie bounced along with Rarity.

“No, no. Actually, I would rather like to do this by myself. Do you understand, darling?”

“Yep!” She continued to bounce along with Rarity.

“You understand ‘by myself.’”

“Sure do! I would be a pretty dense pony if I couldn’t understand something like that. It’s a good thing you have me along with you, that way I can make sure nopony bothers you,” she smiled.

Rarity sighed.

“No, Pinkie. I mean, by myself. Alone. Without anypony.”

“Yep! I got your back, Rarity! No worries.”

“Pinkie!” Rarity stopped walking again. “That means I don’t want YOU going with me, either.”

“You don’t?” Pinkie looked confused.

“No. Sorry, darling, but this is something important to me. I want to do this myself.”

“But I could help. I’m really good with food.”

“I have no doubt of that, truly, but this is...different. This is something just for me to do. Do you understand?”

Pinkie lost her smile. “Okay.” It came back almost instantly. “OH! But I do know what I CAN do that doesn’t involve me going with you! What time is your dinner?”

Rarity looked unsure how to answer.

“What did you have in mind, Pinkie?”

“Well, if you are gonna make something special for dinner, then I can bring dessert!” Her face beamed with joy.

“I...” Rarity worried about these next words. “I don’t think you understand, Pinkie. You aren’t invited to dinner.”

Pinkie rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Well, duh! But that doesn’t mean I can’t help. I can bring you a dessert BEFORE your special guest shows up for dinner. That way I helped, and you still get to have your special dinner thing to yourself.” Her smile came back instantly.

“That...that actually sounds like a good idea,” Rarity said. “Thank you, Pinkie!”

“You’re welcome!” Her eyes closed in a strong smile.

“My dinner is at seven. Do you think you could bring your dessert by around six, perhaps?”

“You betcha!” Pinkie answered. “And I’ll be sure to make it something extra special, myself!”

“Well then, I suppose I will see you at the Boutique around six, then?” Rarity said. “This is very kind, Pinkie. Thank you, again.”

“Hey, my pleasure!”

“Good-bye!” Rarity smiled and walked off towards the market once more.

Behind her, Pinkie Pie sat down and watched the white mare walk off. The earth pony’s smile slowly morphed from a huge grin to a sly smirk. “My pleasure, for sure!”

* * * * *

Twilight closed the book she was reading and looked out of her room into the morning light. She had barely slept at all. Every time she closed her eyes, the vision of what happened in the Princess’ bedroom kept creeping into her mind.

When she first got back to her room, she was certain that one or both of the Princesses, or at the very least a contingent of Royal Guards intent on dragging her off to the depths of the Canterlot Dungeon, would burst through the doors at any second. That never happened. In fact, nothing happened. She was left alone all night with her thoughts.

Sleep did come eventually, but it never lasted. She woke up with a start every time. Luna’s eyes staring straight at her, shocking her awake. So, she retreated to her own safety blanket: she read. With only a hoof-full of books to choose from--not daring to leave the room to find others--she studied what she already brought.

And now it was morning. The sun had risen almost two hours ago, meaning the sisters had performed their morning ritual to keep the day and night moving. It was time to go meet Celestia, and she knew it. A heavy sigh was the final indicator.

“I wonder what she’s going to do to me?” Twilight wondered aloud as she moved over to the armor awaiting her. “I suppose she could kick me out of the palace completely. Oh no! She could send me back to Ponyville--but leave Trixie there! I wouldn’t have an assignment, and my home would be taken by somepony else. Or worse, she could decide to give me a new assignment on the other side of Equestria. Some place where I wouldn’t be able to see my friends or come visit her at all. And I’m betting that she won’t ever want to get another update from me ever again.”

Twilight’s mind raced around what could possibly be worse than any of that, but she didn’t dare say it aloud. She didn’t want to think about it, let alone hear it.

She looked in the mirror. The armor had been put on without really thinking about it, and while it still was tailored perfectly, it didn’t fit at all. Her head dropped as she left her room in search of the Princess.

The young unicorn knew the halls of the Palace very well, and soon found her destination. She stood, silently, watching Princess Celestia standing just outside the walls of the castle, speaking with some of her advisors about something. Twilight couldn’t hear the words, but her mind raced with the possibilities of what it meant to her and her future.

Twisting up her determination, the mare walked out of the castle, her head held high in mock confidence, walking straight up to Celestia and the other ponies. When she got close, she took her head and lowered it to the ground, bowing before the Princess. “Good morning, Your Majesty,” she said as calmly as possible.

And then the image of her bowing there, with her head to the ground and her haunches up in the air--just like Celestia the night before--shot into her vision. Her eyes popped, becoming huge, as she jerked herself upright, immediately.

“Good morning, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said with a smile. “I hope that you slept well.”

“I...yes, ma’am. I slept fine,” she lied.

“Excellent.” Celestia turned towards the others. “We’ll continue this in the throne room in an hour. I need time alone with my personal guard.”

The other ponies bowed their heads and excused themselves, leaving the Princess alone with her prized student.

Twilight braced herself for the onslaught. The inevitable condemnation and punishment that awaited her for her personal intrusion.

“Well, are you ready to start your training?” the Princess asked with a smile.

“I didn’t know that...” Twilight started to defend herself, and then heard the words from her teacher. “Wait, what?”

“Your training. That’s why you are here, remember?”

“I know, I...I just...I didn’t...” Twilight wasn’t sure what direction to turn. “Um...yes. Yes, I am...Your Majesty.”

“Excellent. Well, I think the first course of action is to go over your duties and our expectations in great detail, allowing you to ask questions and make sure that you understand everything before we proceed.”

“That...sounds like a good place to start. Thank you, ma’am.”

“Good. We have an hour. Walk with me in the garden. It would be a shame to waste such a lovely day.” Celestia turned and took two steps, waiting for Twilight.

Twilight hesitated for only a moment. Surely there had to be some sort of punishment coming. There had to be a penalty for what happened last night. For what she saw. For what...Luna saw.

Luna was the one who saw her, not Celestia. Was it possible? Did Luna not tell her sister about what happened? Was she safe from Celestia? Hope lit up in the unicorn’s heart.

“Yes, ma’am. Today is nicer than I thought it was going to be.” Twilight walked up next to her teacher. Together, they walked in the garden and spoke of new roles, new duties, and what was to come.

* * * * *

The door to the Ponyville Library opened, and a mare very familiar with the room stepped inside.

“Hello? Is anypony here?” Applejack asked loudly.

A voice answered confidently. “More than just anypony! The Great and Powerful Trixie is here!” And with a puff of smoke, the blue unicorn appeared, lights seemingly shining behind her for a moment.

“Uh...yeah,” Applejack replied. “I don’t know if ya’ll will remember me, but...”

“How could I forget? It’s not every day that Trixie meets a pony in a cowboy hat. And a talented one, as well.”

“Yeah, well, I--” Applejack paused. “Talented? What they hay do you mean?”

“Your rope trick. It was really quite well done. I just did it better.”

“Well, thanks, I suppose. But, anyway, ah’m here ‘cause--”

“Because Twilight Sparkle asked you to check up on me. I know,” Trixie answered.

“Okay, missy, you are gonna have to start lettin’ me finish my own sentences,” Applejack snorted.

“Am I wrong?” Trixie asked, going back to her response.

“Well, no, not directly, I suppose. But that ain’t the only reason ah’m here,” she retorted.

“What is the other reason?”

“Well...I wanted to come and properly introduce myself, too. If you’re gonna be livin’ here, it’s only neighborly for me to come by and make your acquaintance.”

“But also because Twilight Sparkle asked you to.”

“Well, yeah. That’s there, too.”

“At least you are honest,” Trixie stated.

“I got a bit of a reputation ‘bout that,” Applejack answered.

“It is nice that one of you finally came to visit Trixie,” she said. “I was beginning to think that no pony was going to talk to me.”

“I thought you already met up with Rarity?” Applejack asked, confused.

“Yes, but Trixie went to her. No pony in town has come to see me, besides you.”

“No pony at all? Not even Pinkie Pie?” she asked.

“No. Aside from you, no pony.”

“That ain’t like Pinkie. She’s normally the first one to see anypony who comes to town.”

“Trixie has only seen Rarity, thus far.”

“Yeah,” Applejack got back on track, “about that. Y’see, Rarity is a friend o’ mine, and I want to make sure that you know that.”

Trixie blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Just that, I care for that filly, and if you were aimin’ to do somethin’ that would hurt her, well, let’s just say I wouldn’t take too kindly to it.”

“Care...for her?” Trixie asked, surprised. “Are you telling me that you are...involved...with Rarity?”

“What?!” Applejack got wide-eyed. “Heck no! I didn’t mean that.”

“Oh. Well, then you needn’t worry about her. She is a full-grown mare, after all.”

“Yeah, but she--”

“Look--Applejack, isn’t it?--Trixie appreciates you taking time to come by and express your concerns over your friend, but if your friend isn’t upset, then why are you?”

“Because I seen what kind of pony you are!” Applejack got defensive.

“Do you? Oh, please explain to Trixie exactly what kind of pony she is, then.”

“You are a conceited windbag, fer one thing! And a dern pain in the flank to talk to, fer another!”

“And you’ve been so pleasant so far,” Trixie stated.

“Ah...” Applejack paused. “Okay, you got me there. Ah came in on the defensive, but past experience tells me that you are still a conceited show off.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is the finest show pony in all of Equestria!” Trixie smiled. “But how does that tell you what she’s like to a friend?”

“A...friend?” Applejack asked.

“Yes. I consider Rarity a friend, and I hope that she does the same towards me. Perhaps more, I’m not certain. Is that so hard to believe?”

“Well, kinda, yeah.”

Trixie’s face contorted to shock.

“Well, it’s just thet you never seemed to show any care or intrest in anypony ‘cept yerself. It’s not like you gave me any reason to think that you was the friend sort.”

Trixie took a deep breath, her face tightening up. “Trixie...understands.” She made a visible effort to soften her expression. “One of the...tasks...that the Princess gave me when I came to Ponyville was to...try to make friends. She said it would do me good.”

She turned and walked away from Applejack, but kept talking. “It’s not as though Trixie has never had friends. I’ve had many. Too many to count. Just...not for very long. They tend to become annoyed. I suppose that’s what I get for choosing to associate with people who cannot hope to match my talent and grandeur.”

“Yeah. That was my first thought, too,” Applejack replied sarcastically.

“But if you have come here to extend your hoof in friendship, well, then Trixie is glad to accept it.” She smiled, confidently.

“Right. Well, I guess that it’s better to take you on as a friend than anythin’ else.” Applejack extended her hoof, and Trixie took it in her own, shaking it earnestly. “Now tell me, friend, do have any idea why Twilight got called back to the Palace all of a sudden?”

“Actually, no. Trixie wasn’t told why Twilight was leaving Ponyville, only what to do in her stead while here.”

“And how long did they tell you thet you was gonna be here?”

“Uncertain. They said it might only be a few days, or it could be much longer. Is that a problem?”

“It might be fer Twilight,” Applejack mused. “But anyway, I’m sorry about comin’ on the wrong way a few minutes ago.”

“It’s all right. Trixie has come to expect that from those who are beneath her.”

“Uh, yeah. You might want to watch that kinda thing there, Trixie. It might get folk riled up a bit.”

“It’s nothing that Trixie cannot handle.”

“Yeah, well, if it keeps up it might be somethin’ that Applejack can’t handle,” she said as she turned and walked out of the library.

* * * * *

Celestia looked at the contingent standing before her. They had been going on for several minutes, not covering any new ground at all, trying to maneuver for position and approval. This was the last meeting scheduled, and she was looking forward to the conclusion of the day’s events. A silence cued her to speak.

“I have listened to your arguments, and will consider all sides. Please allow me time to consult with my sister regarding these matters, and I will give you a decision tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope that you will enjoy your stay in the city,” she said with practiced calm and aplomb, in her normal tempered voice.

The two sides excused themselves and, with a polite bow, exited from the throne room.

“That should do it for today, Your Majesty,” a familiar voice said from Celestia’s side.

Twilight Sparkle stood there in her custom armor, holding a schedule in front of her. The alicorn smiled. Her prize student was nothing if not efficient in her organizational skills. And the armor looked absolutely adorable on her.

“Very good, Twilight.” Celestia stood and stretched her legs, bringing the feeling back into them after such a long time sitting. “How do you feel after your first day?”

“Well, I’m fine, ma’am. I am confused, though. I feel more like an assistant than a guard right now.”

“That is part of your duty. You are my and Luna’s personal attache. That means you are responsible for dealing with all manners of our lives. As we discussed, you are going to be our right hand. Help us out in everything that we do. You will be responsible for everything from physically protecting us to sharing quiet moments.” She smiled.

Twilight nodded, and then looked at herself. “I still don’t know how I’m going to be able to protect you. I mean, I’m not exactly the physical sort.”

“Your physical training begins tomorrow. And, no, I honestly don’t think that you are the type to get into a physical altercation, but I have no doubt at all that you would be willing to step in and defend me if needed.”

“Of course I would,” she stated without hesitation. “I would do anything for you, ma’am.”

“And I could not ask for a better pony to be by my side,” Celestia replied honestly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Celestia was pleased to see how easily those words were coming from her student’s mouth already. She stepped down from the throne, moving towards the doors. Twilight stepped in right beside her.

“Now, tonight there is a very good chance that Luna will ask you to go over all of the matters that happened today. I will discuss the important parts with her beforehand, of course, but it will be up to you to fill her in on everything else.”

“Oh,” Twilight’s voice wavered. “Of course.”

“Is something wrong?”

“NO!” she stated quickly. “It’s just... Aren’t there already ponies on your staff that does that sort of thing? Ponies with more experience, maybe?”

“There are, but this is part of your training. They have been asked to stand aside while this happens. If you are to be a part of all aspects of our lives, you have to know them.”

“A-all aspects?” the young unicorn gulped.

“Yes. Twilight, are you sure there is nothing wrong? You seem nervous.”

“Nothing is wrong. Everything is great! Couldn’t be better!” she said, anxiously.

Celestia shifted her gaze, narrowing her eyes to study her student, who smiled back uneasily at her. Something was obviously bothering her, but what was it? She was fine up until...Luna.

“Do...do you have a problem with my sister, Twilight?” Celestia asked directly.

“No.” Twilight’s eyes shot wide in terror.

“I don’t believe you.” Celestia stopped walking and looked directly at her student. “I need you to be honest with me, Twilight. What is it?”

“I...It’s just...” Twilight’s eyes shifted left and right, as if trying to find some answers. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh. “I’m worried that she’ll be...upset with me.”

“Upset? Why? You’ve done nothing to worry about,” Celestia reassured her.

“I hope not,” Twilight said softly.

“Twilight,” Celestia began in a calm voice, “are you intimidated by the way my sister looks now? Are you afraid that she’s on another dark path?”

Shuffling her hoof along the ground, the unicorn spoke softly once more, “A little.”

“Oh ho ho ho.” Celestia laughed. “Twilight, I can certainly understand your worries. I was concerned the first time I saw her, too, but I assure you that she is far from any dangerous place.”

The student looked up at the teacher, an expression of concern genuine on her face. “Are you sure, Your Majesty?”

“I’m certain, Twilight. You can trust Luna completely.” Celestia’s eyes locked with Twilight’s, showing the faith that she had in what she just said, and conveying that belief over to her prized pupil.

“Do the two of you conspire to speak about me?” Luna walked up on the pair silently, a smile on her face.

“A little,” Celestia said, honestly.

“I hope that it is something pleasant,” Luna stated.

“Did you sleep well, Luna?” Celestia asked, changing the subject.

“I did, thank you,” she answered, and then turned to towards Twilight. “And how goes the first day of your new assignment?”

The unicorn’s eyes grew huge. “Fine.” Then remembering her instructions, bowed in front of Luna--a small bead of sweat trailing down her face when she did. “Thank you for asking, Your Royal Highness.”

“You are welcome,” Luna answered.

Twilight raised her head, and looked straight at the larger, dark alicorn. Watching them both, Celestia recognized the nervousness in her student’s eyes.

“Twilight, I think this would be a good time for you to be excused for the evening. You will need to meet up with Luna in about five hours. That gives you time to eat and get some sleep. Understood?”

Twilight turned to look at her mentor. “Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty.” She bowed to Celestia, and then turned to her sister and did the same. “Your Royal Highness.”

She turned to leave, but Luna’s voice stopped her.

“Oh, Twilight. I have some...personal...matters that I wish to deal with this evening. So, if you do not find me in the throne room when you arrive, just wait. I am certain that you will see me soon enough.”

It seemed to Celestia that Twilight froze up for a moment when Luna said that, but the unicorn quickly recovered. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, before turning and all but running out of the room.

“She is cute,” Luna said after Twilight had left. “I like the way she looks at me.”

“You’re going to lose, Luna,” Celestia said to her sister. “Twilight’s too strong. Her heart is too pure.”

“Are you already giving up on my student?” Luna said, turning towards the white mare.

“Not at all. I think that Trixie is very capable. But Twilight is...special.”

“Perhaps, Tia, but then you never know what might happen,” Luna smirked.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Celestia asked.

“Just that you must give Trixie a chance. That is all.”

“You are playing fair, aren’t you, Luna?”

“Of course. I would never do otherwise. I thought we got past that concept a while back.” Luna raised an eyebrow.

Celestia paused, ready to argue, but realized that her sister was right. “We did. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t doubt you.”

“It is all right, sister. I know how much she means to you,” Luna smiled back.

“Well, I suppose I should brief you on what happened today, so you are ready for her visit this evening.”

“Yes. Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea.”

And the two sisters talked about what happened that day, and what was to come.

* * * * *

The streets of Ponyville were rather pretty at dusk. At least, that was Trixie’s opinion as she made her way towards the Carousel Boutique with a smile on her face. Not only was she getting to spend dinner with Rarity, but the unicorn had promised her a special surprise as well.

Several ponies nodded at Trixie as she passed, and the unicorn reared up her head, ready to make a speech or go into a routine--but she held back. That might delay her from arriving at Rarity’s at the appointed time.

Still, she thought about the fact that it might not be a bad idea to track down the theater in this small town. Surely, it wasn’t going to be anything special, but it should be enough to draw in crowds. This place seemed desperate for entertainment, and there was no pony in all of Equestria that could entertain as well as she could. Yes. That was a plan she could follow through with starting tomorrow.

And then she found herself at the door of Rarity’s home. Without hesitation, she stepped inside.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie has...arrived...” The room was completely dark. No sign of activity or anypony at all. Trixie stepped inside, slowly looking around for somepony to show themselves, shutting the door behind her. “Hello? Rarity?”

She was perhaps ten steps inside the building when the lights suddenly came on, blinding her temporarily.

“SURPRISE!!” she heard somepony yell. Instinctively, she dropped lower, her horn lighting up with magic as she prepared for a fight.

“You will not catch Trixie unaware!” she countered with fierceness in her throat.

It was then that Trixie noticed the confetti and streamers falling around her in a multitude of bright colors. As well as the bright pink pony sitting in front of her, blowing on a paper noisemaker. The toy rolled out right in front of her and produced its flat, dull tone.

“What?” Trixie was confused.

“Are you surprised? I figured you would be surprised. I mean, we haven’t really even met yet, so I thought, ‘hey, I bet she’s gonna be really surprised,’ and you seem really surprised.” The pink pony had a smile so large it was intimidating.

“I...well...” She stood back up, throwing her cape over one shoulder. “You must be Pinkie Pie. Trixie has heard of you.”

“Really? That’s great! Because I definitely know you. I mean, we didn’t really talk when you came through before, but that was because I didn’t really have anything to say. But now that you are living here, I figured I might as well welcome you to Ponyville properly.”

“With a party,” Trixie stated.

“Yep! That’s what I do best! Nopony throws a party like Pinkie Pie!” She was smiling so hard her eyes were forced closed.

“Nopony? Well, nopony except The Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Oooh! I bet you would throw a neat party! Maybe not like a Pinkie-party, but it would be really fun!”

“Trixie’s parties are the best parties in all of Equestria,” she said defensively.

“If you say so,” Pinkie said, calmly.

“Trixie does say so! She throws a far better party than this!” She gestured around the room.

“Really?” Pinkie looked around, taking stock of the room. “Let’s see... Balloons? Check. Confetti? Check. Noisy things? Check.” She looked back at Trixie. “I dunno, it all seems right to me.”

The blue mare sighed.

“There is nopony else here,” she pointed out.

“Oh, that! That was on purpose. I figured you would want to eat your cake and stuff without a whole lot of people around.”

“Cake?” Trixie scanned the room. “There is no cake.”

“Sure there is! I just haven’t brought it out, yet.” Pinkie Pie began to prance about the room.

“I...see.” Trixie was confused by this odd pony. “Well, I didn’t actually come here for cake. Trixie came to have dinner. In fact,” she scanned the room, “where is Rarity?”

“Oh, she’ll be out in a minute. I wanted to get a chance to talk to you first by myself.”

“About what?” Trixie asked.

“Everything!” Pinkie Pie was suddenly right next to the blue mare, even though she never saw her move.

“Trixie doesn’t want to talk about everything. I’m a very busy pony.”

“But you weren’t too busy to come over to Rarity’s for a party,” she countered.

“Trixie was coming over for dinner, not a party.”

“Uh-huh. Weren’t you hoping there would be at least a LITTLE bit of party going on tonight?”

“What are you implying?” Trixie asked, her voice on edge.

“I’m not gooonnna saa-ay!” Pinkie pranced around the room again.

“Listen to me, you pink nightmare, I’m just about done with you! I’m going to go find Rarity now, and then I’m going to make sure that you leave this place for the rest of the night--AFTER you clean it up.”

“You’re just afraid to party,” Pinkie teased.

“Trixie fears nothing!” she said with a growl. “And I can out party you any day!”

“Prove it!” Pinkie suddenly stood eye to eye with the unicorn. In fact, Pinkie was so eye to eye that her eyes actually seemed to bulge out and press against Trixie’s. “Let’s have a party-off!”

The unicorn pulled away slightly, so that she could clearly see the earth pony. “Trixie doesn’t party this way.”

“Well, duh!” Pinkie contorted her face. “That’s what I was saying earlier. I figured you would want to party without a whole lot of people around.”

The blue mare twisted her head to the side slightly. “Most ponies realize that The Great and Powerful Trixie likes to show off for people. And you said that you didn’t want people here because of a cake.”

“Sheesh! Are you not paying attention? I wanted you to have a party to make you feel comfortable, but since I didn’t know anything about you except how big a meanie you can be sometimes, I decided to follow you around to see what it is that you like. So, I threw you this party!”

“...that makes even less sense,” Trixie replied.

“Sure it does! Just trust in Pinkie to give you the right party. Or, in this case, you should trust...” The lights in the room suddenly went dark again for a moment, before a single spotlight came on, shining down on the pink earth pony, whose appearance had changed drastically. No longer did she have the large, puffy mane and tail, as both had been replaced by straight, severe-looking hair. And where she was naked before, now she had on a collar and tight black sleeves on all four legs, with silver spikes lining the outside of each. Her eyes were also different, darker and more intense. “...Mistress Pinkamena.”

The unicorn’s eyes glazed in amazement at the drastically different image in front of her. “Where...? How did you change...? And the lights...?” she stammered.

“Are you ready to deal with MY kind of party?” Pinkamena asked as she stepped up towards the blue mare.

The unicorn’s eyes narrowed and she frowned. “The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t sub. She is never a bottom.”

“Oh ho! So, Mistress Pinkamena has found something that Trixie isn’t the best at after all. I see.”

“I never said I wasn’t good at it,” Trixie defended. “I simply said that I don’t do it. There is a difference.”

“So, you think you can be better than Mistress Pinkamena at a Domme Party?”

“Trixie KNOWS that she can be, but,” Trixie pointed around the room, “again, there isn’t anypony here to dominate.”

“Sure there is. I can top you. Or you can top me--IF you think you can!”

“Trixie has no doubt that she could do that. I am a far better mare than you, and would bend you to my will easily.”

“Big words from a blue unicorn wearing a funny-looking cape!” Pinkamena commented.

“Besides, there is no reason to do it.” Trixie ignored the other pony’s words. “Trixie has somepony right now, and there is nothing to be gained from showing you how superior I am.”

“Yes there iiiisssss!” The pink Domme pranced over to the screen at the far side of the room, and pulled it aside.

Lying on a table was Rarity. She was awake and alert, with a ball gag in her mouth. Her body was covered in cupcakes, each strategically placed to hide her private parts and to decorate her like a party favor. She stared straight at Trixie when the screen was removed.

“RARITY!” Trixie yelled and rushed immediately to the white unicorn’s side. Using her magic she instantly plucked the ball gag from the mare’s mouth. “Are you all right? Did she hurt you? Did...”

“Relax, darling. I’m fine,” Rarity said calmly. “Pinkie is many things, but she is not likely to hurt anypony.”

Trixie’s face enflamed with rage. “How DARE she do this to you! I should--”

“Actually,” Rarity interrupted, “she talked me into this. I sort of did it...willingly.”

“What?”

“Well, when she explained her plan, I was rather intrigued, and...I do rather like the idea of being the prize somepony is fighting over.” Rarity smiled softly.

“That pink pony is insane! Does she do this sort of thing all the time?”

“Well...pretty much, yes. I mean, not like THIS of course, but she is rather unpredictable. Just hope that she doesn’t break into a song.”

“You’re kidding.”

Shaking her head, Rarity’s eyes softened and looked into the purple ones looking down at her. “And I do find this idea rather exciting.”

Trixie took a deep breath and moved her head in closer to speak privately with the other unicorn.

“Rarity, Trixie realizes that we’ve only been...together...for a couple of days, but, I don’t want to do anything that could hurt that. Seeing me dominate another pony might--”

“It might be the single most erotic thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Rarity answered with a stronger smile. “So do me a favor, darling, and prove to her just how great and powerful you really are.”

Trixie stared at Rarity for a lingering moment. There was no feint of consolation to her statement. There was trust, and it was reciprocated by both parties. Trixie smiled. “I’ll be back for you in a bit.”

She turned and took four steps. “Pinkamena!”

The aforementioned pony appeared next to Trixie in an instant.

“Do you really think that wearing that outfit and styling your hair makes you a Domme? Being in control isn’t about what you wear on the outside. It’s about who you are and what you carry inside you,” Trixie explained sternly.

“How do you know what I carry inside me?” Pinkamena answered strongly.

“I know that you are a pony that is the essence of laughter. Where does that belong in this world?”

Pinkamena’s eyes shot wide. “Wait...just wait. You are talking about a situation where ponies dress up in shiny black clothes, call each other funny names, do the oddest things to each other, and...you think there is no place for laughter?”

Trixie smiled. “Well, when you put it that way...”

“Darn right, sister! And just because I like to laugh, doesn’t mean that I don’t have what it takes to be on top of a situation. I go into everything ready to take charge and make sure everypony is happy!”

Trixie nodded and slowly walked around her would-be rival. Magically, Trixie levitated her cape and hat off and moved them over to a nearby table. Pinkamena watched her carefully the whole time, her face one of solid determination.

“You look confident,” Trixie said.

“You betcha! Mistress Pinkamena is the most confident pony that you’ll ever meet.”

“Not really,” Trixie answered. “Pinkamena is confident in her own arenas, but...this is new, isn’t it?”

“Whatcha mean?”

“This. The whole scene. It’s new to you. Oh, Trixie has no doubt that you have thought about it enough, and perhaps even studied it. But...you’re new. Inexperienced. You look to prove yourself.”

“Nuh-uh!” Pinkamena responded, defiantly.

Trixie stopped right in front of the pink pony. “Kiss me,” she ordered.

“No! You kiss me!” Pinkamena replied.

“All right. I will.”

Trixie leaned in towards Pinkamena’s face, and pressed her lips against the other pony’s. Her tongue pushed forward, venturing into the Pinkmena’s mouth, dancing with the foreign palate it met. Both ponies held the kiss, pressing into each other, neither willing to be the one to break the embrace.

Finally, Trixie pulled back, staring straight into Pinkamena’s eyes as she did. She smiled.

“Wow. That was a good kiss,” Pinkamena said. “I can’t wait to see what it’s like to fuck you!”

Trixie blinked in surprise. “Really? You expect this to go that far?”

“No. No, I think maybe I’ll just fuck Rarity! Right in front of you!” The Pink Domme replied.

Trixie’s eyes narrowed. “If you get on your knees right now, I’ll forget you said that.”

“Oh...” Pinkamena’s face lit up. “So, you don’t LIKE it when Mistress Pinkamena threatens to have sex with your new friend? Well, she was MY friend first!”

“A different type of friend,” Trixie answered.

“And maybe it’s time for our friendship to grow a bit!” Pinkamena’s eyes focused intensely on Trixie’s.

A pause filled the room for several seconds. Trixie looked over at Rarity lying on the table, covered in sweets, and met her eyes. They were moist with desire.

“Fine. Show Trixie.” She turned back to face the pink pony.

“Show Trixie what?” Pinkamena answered.

“Show Trixie how you are going to fuck Rarity.”

“Wait? You WANT me to do that?”

Trixie walked over to Rarity lying on the table and looked back at Pinkamena. “If you are the Domme you claim to be, it will be no issue for you to take command of this. To come over here and ravish this luscious mare right in front of me. Make her your own and make me want to be you. You can do that, right?”

“Y-yeah! I can do that! Just watch me do that!” Pinkamena walked slowly up to the table, looking down at her friend lying there. She paused, her eyes dancing across the body of Rarity and the various cupcakes that were covering her.

“Trixie is waiting.”

Pinkamena’s eyes shifted to Rarity’s. The white unicorn’s were half-lidded, trusting in her friend. The earth pony nodded her head, and slowly moved her hoof up to touch her friend’s rear leg, gently, eliciting a soft sigh from her. Pinkamena started to move her hoof along the leg, guiding it towards Rarity’s body.

“You took time to decorate her body. Don’t forget to use that,” Trixie advised.

“Yeah.” Almost mindlessly, Pinkamena took one of the cupcakes and picked it up off of the mare’s body, moving it to her lips and licking the frosting off of the top. She smiled and looked back down at Rarity, who was almost trembling. Tossing the cupcake behind her, the pink mare took her face and lowered it down to another of the cupcakes, this time using her tongue to lick the frosting without moving it off of her body. Under the pressure of her tongue, the pastry slipped, and she followed, smashing the cupcake against the unicorn’s white coat.

Rarity giggled. Not an embarrassed giggle, but one of amusement and excitement. A wicked expression came over Pinkamena, and she took her face and smashed it into another cupcake, smearing the frosting and the rest of the sweet against her friend. Rarity’s expression changed slightly as she looked at the mess across her typically pristine coat.

“Pinkie, I...I’m not sure that--” Rarity began.

“Let it happen,” Trixie stated. “This is Pinkamena’s game.”

“Yeah!” The Pink Domme said. “And let me tell you, messy can be fun!”

Rarity looked up at Trixie next to her, who smiled back and nodded. Rarity then turned her attention back to her pink friend.

“If anypony finds out about this, I will be MOST put out, Pinkie!”

The earth pony suddenly leapt up, bringing herself muzzle-to-muzzle with her friend. “That’s Mistress Pinkamena! Got it?”

“Yes...Mistress Pinkamena.” Rarity’s eyelids fluttered repeatedly in surprise.

“Gooooood” Pinkamena smiled, and slowly lowered her entire body onto the white unicorn, smashing several cupcakes as she did. The food intermingled in the two pony’s coats as Pinkamena began to move her body around, sliding it on top of Rarity, and smearing the cupcakes completely against them both.

The cupcakes were a combination of chocolate and vanilla, with multicolored frosting adorning each one. Now that they were smashed, they became an odd kaleidoscope of hues, slowly losing their own unique colors as they blended in the sliding coats of the two ponies. And the two coats began to change color as the food stained them. Rarity’s bright white and Pinkamena’s trademark pink both slowly took on the same shade as the blending foodstuff.

Spilling off of their bodies, Rarity’s normally immaculate mane became stained with bits of the messy concoction as it fell into her hair and lodged there. She wanted to protest, but was transfixed by the stare of the wild pony above her, pressing her body into her own.

“Yeah. That’s the stuff!” Pinkamena said, staring down with hungry eyes at Rarity.

Seeing a piece of the cupcake mixture sliding off their bodies and down Rarity’s neck, Pinkamena moved her mouth down and began to lick the food off, lingering for a moment and letting her tongue feast on the feel of the unicorn’s neck as much as the food. Rarity gasped from the sudden sensation.

That sensation quickly changed, as Pinkamena’s tongue became her teeth, gently biting at the pony flesh lying beneath her, nibbling on the neck. Rarity’s mouth fell open, an inaudible sound escaping her mouth. Pinkamena’s body began to slip into a slightly different position as she continued her gyrations.

“Are you enjoying this, Rarity?” Trixie leaned in and asked in a sultry voice.

“Y-yes.”

Trixie moved up to put her mouth near Pinkamena’s ear. “Are you having fun?”

“You betcha!” she growled. “And I’m about to have even more!”

Pinkamena slipped her legs down, bringing her marehood in contact with Rarity’s. Both ponies responded, Rarity with a slight moan and Pinkamena with a slight growl.

Mistress Pinkamena began to grind her pelvis into her friend’s, moving their cunts together in a steady rhythm. She pulled her body up, slightly off her friend to get better leverage and bear down more, bringing their clits into alignment, so they rubbed against each other with each thrust.

“Oh...oh my,” Rarity said, closing her eyes.

“You like that?” Trixie asked, smiling. “Well, we’ll see if it can’t get better.” She bent over and kissed Rarity fully on the mouth, forcing her tongue in and sucking the air from the white mare’s lungs. She held the kiss only for a moment, just long enough to keep her breath stolen, and then released it, moving up to Pinkamena’s face.

“I want you to fuck her hard,” Trixie said, staring into Pinkamena’s eyes. “I want you to make her cum. Not coax her gently into an orgasm, but MAKE her cum. Do you understand me?”

“Yeah,” Pinkamena snarled. “I can feel her pussy getting wetter by the second.”

“Are you sure?” Trixie asked. “Are you sure that isn’t your cunt? Maybe you are leaking out all over her. Prove that it’s her. Make her sex submit to yours.”

“She already has!” Pinkamena’s voice was far deeper than normal, showing her rising lust as she steadily worked her marehood against Rarity’s.

“Is that true, Rarity? Are you feeling that you are weaker than your pink friend? Do you think that her cunt has control of yours?” Trixie asked, with a sexy tone.

“I...I don’t care. I just want her to continue what she’s doing,” she answered.

“It sounds to me like she’s just taking pleasure from you, Pinkamena. Not that you are forcing your will onto her.”

Pinkamena’s eyes screwed tight in determination, and she grabbed both of Rarity’s rear legs with her forehooves, and with that added torque began to grind their pussies into each other with added fervor.

“You feel that, bitch?!” Pinkamena shouted down at Rarity. “That’s my cunt punishing yours! In just a minute, you’re gonna cum all over my pussy, and then I’m gonna do the same to you! Got it?”

“Y-yes,” Rarity answered weakly.

Trixie smiled and took a step back.

“Good! ‘Cause when I’m done, you’re barely gonna be able to walk!” Pinkamena shouted in a controlled roar. “You’re gonna cum so hard you’ll think your mind exploded!”

The two ponies were a perfectly timed oscillation of lust. A twisting pattern of sexual choreography that was almost hypnotizing to observe. Their tempo was a constant variable, seeming to increase and decrease as their bodies told them.

Finally, Pinkamena could sense her unicorn lover about to reach crescendo, and pushed herself to the limit, trying to make her friend go over the edge.

“Yeah!” she growled. “I want you to cum for Mistress Pinkamena. I want you to cum all over me!”

And she did. Rarity came hard, throwing her head back in ecstasy, and for a moment, no sound escaped--and then it all did.

‘SWEET HEAVENLY CELESTIA! YES! YES! OH, TRIXIE, YES!” The white mare shouted.

Trixie smiled, and stared straight at Pinkamena. “And you may cum now, too.”

Pinkamena shuddered and let loose a torrent of fluid that sprayed down upon Rarity, mixing with the food stuff that was already pasted into her coat. She didn’t scream or howl any words, but simply ground her teeth together and let out a continuous deep rumble of euphoria. After a few moments, she collapsed onto her friend, their two bodies still trembling with aftershocks.

Trixie gave them a moment of afterglow before she finally spoke again.

“Pinkamena, come here.”

Instantly, the pink mare was standing in front of her.

“Did you do what you promised? Did you completely dominate her? Did you make her yours?” Trixie asked.

“Sure did!” Pinkamena said with a huge smile. “Didn’t you see her cum really hard? Or even hear it? Gosh, I bet people over in Phillydelphia heard that, ‘cause she was REALLY screaming there for a second. It was--”

“And what did she scream?” Trixie interrupted.

“Mostly just ‘Yes’ and ‘Oh Celestia’ and stuff.”

“And what else?”

“Ummm...” Pinkie’s nigh-perfect memory didn’t fail her. “She shouted...your name.”

Trixie smiled.

“So tell me, Pinkamena, who exactly dominated that scene?”

Pinkamena swallowed, lowering herself down a bit. “Y-you did...Mistress.”

“Please! Trixie doesn’t use such titles. Using the term ‘Mistress’ takes away from the name Trixie. Simply knowing that it was me is enough. And you do know now, don’t you Pinkamena?”

“Yes,” she answered meekly.

“Good. But don’t worry, Trixie thinks you handled yourself well, and if Rarity wishes it, we would be willing to have you join us again, now that you know your place.”

“Really?” Pinkamena’s eyes brightened. “That would be super-duper-riffic!”

“Um...right.” Trixie turned towards the white unicorn, still lying on the table. “Are you okay, Rarity?”

“I’m...wonderful, darling.” She smiled. “Who would think that food could be so much fun? You should get messy with us!”

Trixie pulled back slightly. “Me? No! Trixie wants no part of that sort of thing. Too sloppy.”

Rarity sat up, staring in disbelief. “But...then why did you encourage it a moment ago?”

“Because,” Trixie stepped up next to the table, “it was obvious that SHE liked it. And...well, it’s going to be fun cleaning you up.” She smiled wryly, and extended her hoof to help Rarity from the table.

Once Rarity was on her own feet, Trixie gestured towards the bathroom, and began to walk off with her. “One thing: you do not want to look in a mirror right now, so avoid them at all costs.”

“Oh no! Is it that bad?”

“It depends. How bad was the green hair situation I left you with?”

“THAT BAD?!”

“Relax. Trixie knows a few tricks for the bath as well,” she soothed, and turned back towards Pinkamena. “And see what you can do about cleaning the mess you made out here while we’re gone.”

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkamena smiled.

As soon as the door to the bathroom closed behind the two mares, Pinkie’s mane and tail bounced back to their full size and the odd outfit on her legs disappeared.

“Wow!” she said out loud. “That went even better than I planned. I mean, I figured that it wasn’t a good idea to throw Trixie into the middle of a party with everypony from Ponyville all at once. So, just keeping it between her and her one already here friend and then adding me to the mix seemed like the best first step. And watching the two of them together, sex seemed like a good idea, but it turned out to be a GREAT idea.”

She turned to look directly at the reader. “I mean, did you see the way that she came in here and took control. That is one intense pony.”

Looking back down at herself, she continued. “Oh, and she wants me to clean up.” A huge tongue came out of Pinkie’s head, and rolled all over her own coat, sucking up all the bits of cake, frosting and sexual fluids that had mingled together, before returning to her mouth with a loud smack, leaving her clean.

“Yummy!”

She turned and pranced off, beginning the clean up for the rest of the room, singing to herself.

* * * * *

Twilight Sparkle paced back and forth once again in her room. She had done it hundreds of times since arriving in the throne room, waiting for Princess Luna to show up. And with every step, she retraced her own personal fears.

“Even if she didn’t say anything to Princess Celestia,” she said softly to herself, “she looked right at me through those doors. When she gets here she’s gonna let me have it. I’m going to be sent straight home and never allowed here again. Or worse! She might make me go apologize to the Princess first. And then I might be--”

The doors to the throne room opened, blissfully cutting off Twilight’s rampaging angst. At the same time, her heart sank to the bottom of her body as Princess Luna stepped inside.

“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle. I apologize for the delay.”

The words shocked the unicorn back to the moment, and she bowed quickly. “It’s all right, Your Royal Highness. I’ve been fine here. Just waiting. Not doing anything secret or anything.”

“Well...that’s good to know,” Luna stated. “And Twilight, I know that Celestia is being fairly strict about the bowing and the titles, but, around me you don’t have to be quite so formal. A bow of the head is fine--and that’s just to keep up the practice, really--and if a ‘Princess’ or ‘Luna’ slips in here and there, it’s not an issue.”

“Oh, um, okay. Thank you...Princess.”

Luna smiled. She walked up next to Twilight, and for the first time the unicorn stood next to Luna in her new body. She had been near her several times, but this was the first time they were this close. The grandeur of Luna’s body took Twilight’s breath away.

“We should go over our plans for the night,” Luna said, her sidelong glance noticing Twilight’s expression.

“Yes, ma’am,” Twilight answered nervously.

“First, though, is there anything that you would like to ask me?” Luna proposed.

The opportunity was there. Twilight realized that she could bring up the situation and try to apologize now, hopefully saving herself a world of humiliation and disgrace before being expelled and never allowed to study magic ever again. Or...what if she wasn’t going to say anything? What if she didn’t really see her? If she said anything, and Luna didn’t see her, then she was embarrassing the Princesses and would probably suffer worse.

Her eyes trembled as she stared blankly forward.

“Are you all right, Twilight?” Luna asked.

“Yes! Yes, I’m fine. And no.” Twilight paused and ran those words through her head again. “I mean no, no questions, Your Royal Highness! I’m fine.”

She smiled a broken smile.

“Well, that’s a relief,” Luna said, stepping forward. “I was concerned. You looked as though I had just asked you to reveal a deep personal secret. Like a sexual fantasy, or something.”

“NO!” Twilight almost shouted.

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t suggesting that you should. Just...making a comment,” Luna chuckled.

Twilight thought her heart was going to burst from her chest, it was beating so hard.

“Well, it just...ha ha ha... You know, it’s just not the type of thing you talk about with...a Princess,” Twilight stumbled through.

“I understand. Though we have spent some time together before, we do not know each other...that well. Perhaps in time, you will get to know me better. And perhaps you might feel comfortable enough to share some of your secrets with me.” Luna looked down at the unicorn. “And I with you.”

Twilight swallowed hard.

“Ha ha ha. Well, yeah, you...never know. Ha ha ha,” the young mare answered nervously.

Luna moved up and sat on the throne of Equestria, motioning for Twilight to come up next to her.

“Tell me what happened today, Twilight. My sister has already gone over the events, but it is good practice for you to do the same.”

“I...can do that.” Twilight moved carefully up next to the throne, sitting just to its right, and began to recant the developments of the day. Over the course of the better part of the hour that it took--Twilight was very thorough--she began to relax. Her fears subsiding. By the time she was finished, she felt nothing more than a nagging unease. Perhaps it was nothing, after all.

“Excellent job, Twilight,” Luna said. “You paid careful attention and were very detailed in your descriptions. I couldn’t have asked for better.”

“Thank you, Princess!” Twilight smiled up at Luna, warmly.

“You’re welcome,” Luna answered in low tones, and bent over, putting her head down on the same level as Twilight. The Night Goddess reached out, and gently placed a kiss on the Twilight’s cheek.

Twilight’s eye’s bulged, and her heart seemed to stop for a moment.

...to be continued

The Wager: Chapter Four

Who Rules?: The Wager, Chapter Four

by Nom deCheval

Twilight reached up and mindlessly rubbed her cheek. The flesh felt tender, more alive than the rest of her face, and she was trying to figure out exactly why.

It had been four days since...the event. Since Luna had bent over and ever-so-gently kissed her on the cheek. She wouldn’t have given it a second thought, if it wasn’t for the feeling that seemed to accompany the kiss. The emotion behind it.

Thinking back, Twilight could remember dozens of kisses that she had gotten from family and friends before, but none of them felt like...that. There was something clearly different about the kiss that Luna gave her.

Nothing else had happened that night. They went right back to going over the situation in Equestria--the politics, the economy, the rights of citizens--before moving on to Twilight’s favorite subject: magic. Princess Luna was very interested in helping the young unicorn learn more about transformation and illusionary magic, and even went so far as to go to Twilight’s room with her to see what books she had brought to Canterlot. Luna had noticed the guide to astral trans-location and had strongly encouraged the unicorn to pursue that avenue for the time being. And, while Twilight found that she could never keep herself to only one pursuit, she was very good at focusing on single matters from time to time.

Like now, for instance.

“Twilight Sparkle, I don’t believe that you have been paying any attention to what I’ve been asking you.” Princess Celestia said with just a hint of aggravation beneath her typically calm and steady voice.

“What? OH! Oh, I’m...I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” Twilight bowed, almost from reflex, even though etiquette didn’t dictate it necessary at the moment. “I was just thinking about something Princess Luna and I...discussed the other night.”

“And what was that?” The Sun Goddess asked.

“Um...magic.”
 “Oh, really? She didn’t mention anything about that to me. What magic were you discussing?”

“We were going over my volume on astral trans-location. She thought it was a good idea for me to study it.”

Celestia turned her head slightly to her left, keeping her eyes on Twilight. “I see. That’s not an area of expertise for her, but...she is quite skilled. I trust you to listen to her.”

“Of course, ma’am.”

“And what about what I was asking?”

“Oh, I, um...that is...” Twilight stammered.

“You didn’t hear me at all, did you?”

“...no, ma’am.”

Celestia took a deep breath and smiled, gathering herself. “I was asking how you felt about your physical training.”

“Oh! Well, I guess it’s going fine. But it’s only been four days, and other than being sore most of the time, I can’t really tell any difference.” Twilight answered.

“Oh ho ho ho. You aren’t going to change that quickly, Twilight. It will take some time before you notice anything. I was more curious how you FELT about the regiment. Is it too difficult? Too easy? I am trying to learn from this experience, you know.”

“Well, I guess it’s about right for me, but if I was one of the guards who is already in good shape, it would be kinda easy, I think.”

Celestia simply nodded, staring at her prized student.

“And what do you think of the experience as a whole so far? Knowing that it has been not quite an entire week yet?”

“That’s...a good question.” Twilight’s mind raced through everything that had happened so far. The arrival. The new changes to the way that she had to address the Princess. The armor. The night outside the door. The kiss.

Her hoof went to her cheek again, mindlessly rubbing it.

“Is there something wrong with your cheek?” Celestia asked. “That’s twice you’ve rubbed it in the past few minutes. In fact, I seem to recall you doing it rather frequently the past few days. Are you all right?” 
“Huh? Oh, um, yes. Yes, I’m doing just great! Couldn’t be better! Good old Twilight! That’s me!”

The alicorn half closed her eyes in disappointment as she stared at the unicorn. “I’ve known you far too long for you to lie to me, Twilight. What is bothering you?”

Twilight’s mouth opened, but words didn’t come out. Princess Celestia was always her most trusted confidant. The one pony in all of Equestria that she trusted above all others--and that was the problem. She didn’t want to do or say anything to lose that trust. She couldn’t tell her that her anything that she had seen or experienced with Luna that might put her trust--and her friendship--in jeopardy.

“I think I’m just tired. This is all very new.” It was the worst lie. There was no way that The Princess wouldn’t see through it. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”

Celestia slowly nodded.

“Then perhaps you should go rest.” The Sun Goddess said somewhat coldly. “It is possible that we’ve been pushing you too hard.”

Twilight started to argue, but the alicorn continued.

“But, I want you to meet up with my sister and I both this evening. We need to go over your assignment here together.”

“No, ma’am! I can stay!” Twilight’s dread of disappointing her mentor suddenly overthrew any other fear. “I’m not that tired. I promise that I will be totally attentive. I won’t miss a single thing anymore, and...”

“Twilight!” Celestia cut her off. “That was not a suggestion. Go and rest. And then meet Luna and myself in the throne room right after sunset. Understood?”

The young unicorn swallowed in worry. “Yes, ma’am.” She said weakly, and then turned to leave, hanging her head.

“Twilight?” The Princess said softly. The aforementioned unicorn spun around to look at her teacher, hoping she had changed her mind. “You are forgetting something.”

“Huh?” The purple mare pondered for a moment, and then realized the matter at hoof. “Oh. Right.”

Twilight turned her body and bowed deeply to Princess Celestia, and then resumed her journey out of the room. As she walked, her face started to twist into one of anger or frustration, she couldn’t be sure which.

“I think I’m starting to hate bowing so much.” She mumbled on the way to her quarters.

* * * * *

Walking around the Ponyville Library, Trixie was scouring the stacks of books, obviously looking for something specific. She wasn’t currently wearing her trademark cape and hat, as there was no need for showponyship at the moment. Instead, she just wore a face of concentration.

“Spike?” She said loudly. “Spike, are you there?”

There was no answer.

“Spike? Can you hear me? I need your help.”

“Hold your bridle a second. Geez.” The cranky dragon said as he walked up from what he currently considered ‘his’ basement. “What do you want?”

“There is supposed to be a volume on astral trans-location somewhere in this library. Do you know where it is?”

“Yeah, I remember that one.” He said. “It’s not here.”

The blue unicorn turned to look at the small dragon. “It isn’t? Then how do you know about it?”

“Simple. That’s one of the books that Twilight packed up when she left for Canterlot before you got here.”

“Roadapples!” Trixie said under her breath. “Well, there is little I can do about that, is there?”

“Why did you need that book?” Spike asked.

“Just something I was wanted to read about. But then, there are many books here for Trixie to read.” She smiled.

“Yeah...I suppose so.” The dragon said distrustfully.

“You do realize that you can stop thinking that Trixie is going to steal everything here, right?”

“That’s what you’re counting on!” He retorted. “As soon as I let my guard down, you’re gonna bolt out of here with all of Twilight’s stuff!”

“And just WHY would I want any of HER things?”

“You wanted her book!” The young dragon moved up to confront the pony.

“That was...different.”

“Uh-huh, sure it was. You don’t ask for anything that you don’t want for yourself.”

Trixie’s eyes shot wide.

“How dare you!” She said. “Trixie has been nothing but kind since she arrived in this backwater, waste-filled excuse for a town!”

“See! It’s stuff like that. You’re just pretending to be nice, but I can see through you!”

“Pretending to be nice?”

“Yeah! With Rarity, most of all. For some reason she likes you, and I don’t know what kind of magic whammy you put on her, but...but...”

The youngster suddenly slumped to the ground, limp.

“SPIKE!” Trixie moved down to his body, searching for signs of life. “Are you all right? Do you need a doctor? What can...”

Trixie stopped herself when she heard a deep snore suddenly escape the purple and green juvenile.

“Spike?” She asked, confused.

“He’s all right, Trixie.” A calm voice said from the doorway. “Just sleeping.”

The unicorn spun around, already knowing who was there from the voice, but still surprised to see the imposing figure of a regal white alicorn standing inside the library.

“I put him to sleep so we could talk for a few minutes. That, and I was afraid that he might offer to make me tea while I was visiting.”

“Princess Celestia? What are you doing here?”

“I have come to talk with you about your assignment, and the progress you are making.” The Princess moved into the library and sat down on one of the larger rugs. “How are things going?”

The unicorn moved over near the seated Goddess. “Fine. Trixie has been adjusting to the new place. And I have even made a couple of friends, as you suggested. But the book you sent me a message about is missing, Princess.”

Celestia nodded, her face pensive.

“Then, all that remains is talking about you and Twilight Sparkle...”

* * * * *

The cover of the book closed with a soft thud. Twilight had been studying the volume since Luna suggested she delve into it. She was already planning on reading it, but the Princess’ suggestion just drove her deeper into the pages.

It was starting to make perfect sense to her now. It was like her ability to teleport, only something that left the body behind and sent the spirit to another location. In theory, it allowed for the spirit to either float for a short time on its own, or to locate itself inside another host for a longer period. Sort of hitchhiking inside another pony’s body, unseen and unknown to them.

Like a ghost or something.

The unicorn moved to the center of her room and sat down gently.

“Okay, Twilight, you can do this. Just take it one step at a time and go easy.”

Closing her eyes, Twilight took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and then repeated that feat a second time, relaxing her body as much as she could. She began to concentrate, her horn glowing softly at first, but increasing as she reached out with her magic. Finally, with a bright flash, the lavender mare moved, arriving several feet away from where she was originally sitting. She opened one eye, noticing her new location, and then opened them both.

“Well, that was disappointing. I guess I haven’t quite figure it out as well as...”

Turning back towards where the book was resting, Twilight saw something else she didn’t expect to see: herself. Her body was still sitting exactly where she was only a moment ago, before she thought she teleported.

She looked down at her own body. It looked like herself, but there were now two of her. Her eyes grew huge and she smiled. “I...I did it! I’m here and I’m there. I’m in two places. This is so great! I need to take some notes.”

Quickly, she moved to her desk, using her magic to raise a pen and adjust some paper. “Let’s see. Body appears to be resting--almost as though I was asleep. Breathing appears normal. Interesting. My horn is glowing on my real body as I use magic in this form. My real body doesn’t move when I move now, so it seems that is only a magical reaction. That makes sense, though, I suppose. This ‘body’ is only a magical construct.”

She trotted up to herself, reaching out to touch herself for the first time--from outside her body at least. As soon as her hoof grazed her own flesh, she felt herself get sucked right back inside. She blinked her eyes open in shock, slightly disoriented from the sudden sensation as she returned to her own body and its physical being.

“O...okay. That was a bit jarring.” The pen and paper that she was holding magically were lying on the ground, her connection to them apparently lost when she merged with herself. She levitated them up and began to take more notes. “Contact seems to break the spell. Wait, change that to contact with your own body. The book says that I would be able to pass through solid objects and be invisible to others. And I...”

The color of the sky outside caught Twilight’s attention.

“What? That can’t be right.” She quickly moved up to the timepiece on her desk and looked at it. It was over an hour past when she last remembered seeing it. “But I just checked that. How much time did I lose when I got sucked back into my body?”

The time situation suddenly dawned on her. “Oh no! The Princesses! They are probably wondering where I am! I’ve got to go!”

She levitated her armor to her and began to put in on as she rushed out of her chambers and down the hallway. She moved quickly, trying to come up with a reason why she was running so late, but what could she say? That time literally got away from her? That somehow when she cast that spell she lost an hour of her own personal time?

Slowing up her tempo, she suddenly realized that was exactly what she should say. The Princesses were there to help her with her studies. And Princess Luna was encouraging her to use that exact magic, so she might know something about it.

And something else Twilight suddenly realized: she didn’t know if she lost the hour when she cast the spell or when she went back to her body. Either way, it took a lot of time, but it would be important to know for the future. Maybe the Princesses would know the answer. She would ask them directly about it when she saw them.

Which she was about to do. If it wasn’t for the somewhat loud voices coming from the throne room, she might already have done so, but her ears picked up something that gave her pause. Celestia and Luna were waiting inside, and they were talking--or was that arguing--about...her. She stepped closer to the corner of the doorway.

“...and I am telling you it is becoming too dangerous, Luna.” Celestia’s voice stated. “Twilight means too much to me for her to get hurt. I will not let it happen.”

“I think that you are over reacting, Tia. You need to have more faith in her.” Luna responded.

“I do have faith in her. I have faith in her curiosity and her persistence above everything else. She doesn’t give up or give in. It’s one of the traits that I most admire in her.”

The unicorn’s heart grew when she heard Princess Celestia say the word admire in relation to her.

“But that was one of the things that prompted this. The fact that you thought she wasn’t going to give up. And you know as well as I do that there is nothing dangerous about it.” Luna said, earnestly.

“That was before you started encouraging her on the side. What else have you been doing without my knowledge?” Celestia asked.

“Again with the accusations, sister?” Luna said sternly. “I have already told you that I have done nothing against the rules.”

Rules? Twilight shook her head. What rules? What were they talking about?

“But you didn’t tell me about the magical teaching. Were you going to?”

“I didn’t think that I needed to. Twilight might be your prize student, but that doesn’t mean I cannot teach her things as well.”

“True. And I think you would be a wonderful teacher, Luna, but astral trans-location? That might be dangerous for her.”

A scoffing sound came from Luna. “You’re overly protective, Tia. She’s very capable. ALMOST as capable as my student.” Luna finished in a teasing tone.

There was a brief pause.

“This isn’t the time for taunts, sister. Trixie is very capable, I know. That’s what prompted this, remember. But the longer this goes, the more I fear that Twilight might do something...rash.”

Twilight shook her head. None of this made any sense. What were they talking about? What did Trixie have to do with this?

“I do understand your fear, Tia. I like Twilight, too. She’s very...pleasant. In many ways.”

“I think we need to call it off, Luna. End it now.”

“So you admit defeat?” The darker alicorn stated.

Another pause, and Twilight moved closer to the corner, trying to hear sound from the doorway more effectively.

“No. No, I do not. I still have faith in Twilight. I believe in her now as much as I always have.”

“Then we let this go on?”

“For the time being.” Celestia said. “But if I feel that she--or Trixie--is going too far, I will call this off. Do you hear me, Luna? I do have my limits.”

“Fair enough.” Luna answered. “I agree.”

Twilight took a few steps backwards. Defeat? What defeat? And how could she go too far? Too far with what? And what exactly was going on that they were talking about? What was happening around here?

As quietly as she could, the lavender mare walked away from the door, setting herself up to arrive more properly. The further she stepped away from the door, the more the words the of two Princesses swirled around in her head. None of it made sense--at least, not yet. But she was determined to find out exactly what was going on. She was going to solve this mystery.

After moving far enough away that she was satisfied that any approach now would seem natural, Twilight once again headed towards the throne room, this time not even slowing down near the door.

“Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness. I’m here as requested.” Twilight bowed as she entered, keeping her eyes on the two alicorns.

* * * * *

The door to the Carousel Boutique opened, ringing a bell that was attached to alert the ponies inside. A white cat lying on a table near the center of the room shifted one eye open for a moment to make sure it wasn’t anypony dangerous, and then went right back to sleep. From her work table, Rarity turned to see who was there.

“Trixie, darling!” She stepped away from her project, and walked up to the mare who had just entered. When they reached each other, they paused long enough to share a passionate kiss.

“I didn’t know you were coming by tonight.” The white unicorn said, breaking away from the other mare. “I must look a frightful mess. I haven’t had a chance to see to my own grooming in well over an hour.”

“You look fine, Rarity. Lovely, in fact.” The azure mare smiled. “But Trixie was wondering if you had a few minutes to...talk.”

A small lump formed in the white unicorn’s throat. “Talk? Why...yes, of course. I have plenty of time.”

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.” Trixie sensed the other mare’s fear that this was going to be a break-up talk. “I want some advice. And Trixie has no pony else to turn to.”

“Oh, well then by all means, come. Let us sit and talk. I can brew up some tea if you would like.”

“Not right now.” The blue unicorn moved to sit on the divan that was on one end of the room, waiting for Rarity to move and sit beside her. Once they were both sitting, she spoke again. “Have you ever had a situation where you weren’t exactly sure what to do?”

“Well, I think that we all have at one point or another felt that way, darling. It’s just a part of life.” Rarity didn’t pry with a question, waiting for Trixie to control the conversation.

“Yes, true. But this is different. Trixie isn’t sure what to do about a very large thing. Most of the time when you aren’t sure what to do it is something small. Something that makes no difference in your life or somepony else’s. And...I’m not sure what to do. And Trixie is better than anypony at making decisions.”

Rarity took a deep breath and placed her hoof gently on that of the other mare’s.

“Trixie, are you all right? Is there something you want to tell me?” The white mare asked.

“Not...yet. But Trixie thinks maybe soon, yes.” The blue unicorn’s eyes locked with Rarity’s. “For now, I just want to know what you would do if you were worried that what you knew you had to do might hurt somepony...close to you.”

“That depends. Who is the pony? And how would they be hurt? Whatever the case, know that I will be there to help you through it.”

There was no answer. Only two ponies staring at each other for a lingering moment.

“Trixie has always deserved the best.” The blue unicorn finally broke the silence. “It’s good to know that I’ve found that.”

“You’re flattering me. Not that it’s a bad thing, mind you, but I still think that you are probably avoiding the subject.”

“No. You were always the subject. I just hope you remember what you said when the time comes.”

Rarity lifted the blue pony’s hoof off the couch. “You’re scaring me a little, Trixie. What is wrong?”

“Nothing that The Great and Powerful Trixie cannot handle. Remember who you are talking to.” She smiled.

The white unicorn sat there shaking her head. “You are not an easy mare to understand, darling. You come to me to talk and then won’t tell me what it is you want to talk about.”

“That’s not true. I came here to resolve something by talking to you. Trixie did exactly that. There is no doubt in me any longer.”

“I was actually a little surprised that you claimed to have doubt at any point.” Rarity answered.

“The only doubt I had was in how much...” She stopped herself. “Trixie doesn’t have doubts. You are right.”

Slumping back into the divan, the white unicorn’s face looked something between confused and amused. “I do believe that I might have gone completely insane, letting myself become involved with somepony like you.”

“Why? You get to spend time with The Great and Powerful Trixie. There are hundreds of ponies that would literally die of envy right now.”

“I’m sure.” Rarity answered, amused. “And there are just as many that would be put into a coma by your egotistical...charm.”

Smiling, the azure unicorn changed the subject. “I think we should call your friend Pinkamena over for tonight. Make it a...special...night.”

“I thought that was my decision to make.” The white mare responded.

“It is. Trixie is just...suggesting.”

“Well...” Rarity mused, a sly grin on her face. “I suppose we can do that.”

“Good. I don’t want you to be alone tonight.”

“Alone? You aren’t going to be here?” The white unicorn’s tone turned more serious.

“Not the whole night. Trixie has to visit somepony a little later.”

“But...you will be back, right?”

“Of course. Who could possibly keep Trixie away from you?”

Rarity smiled. “No pony, darling. I sincerely hope the answer is no pony.”

* * * * *

“Go wait in your room, Twilight.” The lavender unicorn paced back and forth. “I’ll call for you when I need you, Twilight.” The floor was well on its way to having grooves worn into it. “We need to discuss this further, Twilight.”

With a huff, the mare sat down in frustration.

“I can’t believe they rushed me out of there like that. A quick explanation that Princess Celestia thought that maybe I was being pushed too hard and that I needed to take some more time off, and then whoosh! Right out the door.”

She snorted. “At least Princess Luna was on my side. She was arguing that I should be allowed to set my own hours and ease into this assignment. She was...nice.” Her hoof traveled up to her cheek, gently touching it as she thought of the midnight mare.

She stopped herself, and then stamped her hoof in annoyance.

“I wonder what this has to do with what I overheard? With...whatever that was all about. I just don’t know what’s gotten into The Princess lately. This isn’t like her to keep secrets from me. Especially secrets ABOUT me from me.”

She stood dramatically, resolute in her stance.

“But that’s not gonna keep me down. Nope! Twilight Sparkle is gonna get to the bottom of this and save the day!” The mare’s head dipped down right after saying those words. “Somehow...”

She raised her head and sighed deeply. Casually, her eyes shifted and landed on her nearby desk--and the volume resting on it. She walked up to it, looking down at the carefully bound leather book. Astral trans-location.

“I...could watch them. In secret.” She mused. “But...that would be like spying, wouldn’t it? It would be like I didn’t trust them.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Then again, they don’t trust me, do they? They’ve been plotting something about me in private, and I think that I should know more about it.”

She looked at the book, thought for a moment, and swallowed hard.

“I just hope I don’t get caught.”

The lavender unicorn walked to the center of her room and tried to relax. She sat down gently, clearing her mind. Taking in a deep breath, she slowly let it out. The purple mare concentrated and let her magic begin to flow through her. She closed her eyes, taking another deep breath, and channeled her power into a single moment. A flash of light indicated the spell taking effect, and Twilight’s felt herself lurch forward.

She slowly opened her eyes. Turning around, she saw herself sitting calmly. Her real self. Her body was resting as though in a trance, just like before.

“Okay, so, if the book is right, I should be able to walk through walls and be invisible to others. I guess I should check that out.”

A nearby chair seemed like a good place to test the theory. Twilight raised a hoof, and slowly lowered it towards the back of the chair. It passed through it as though it wasn’t even there. The unicorn’s eyes bulged.

“That’s amazing!” She raised the hoof up and did it again, moving it through the top of the chair and then through the seat itself. “It’s just like the book said.”

She thought for a second, and looked at the floor. “But why am I not falling through the floor?” She shrugged. “Oh well, I don’t have time to worry about that. I don’t know how long this spell will last, so...I better get going.”

Twilight walked up to the door to her room, and, without thinking about it, used her magic to open the door as she approached. It wasn’t until she passed through that she realized what she had done. “Oh. Guess I better watch that. Wouldn’t want to make ponies wonder what was going on. Still, walking through a door is going to be a bit odd.”

She closed the door and turned around to look at it. “But this is probably the best place to give it a try.”

Taking a deep breath, she winched her face up tight and walked straight at the door. She passed through as though nothing was there at all. “Wow. Okay, that wasn’t bad at all.” She looked down. “But, seriously, why am I not falling through the floor right now?”

With a shake of her head, she moved off towards the last place she saw the two Princesses: the throne room. She walked down the stairs, and saw two of the guards standing at the base of the stairs, just like they always were.

“First test, I guess.” Holding her head up high, Twilight stepped lively past the two guards.

“Hey guys! How’s the night going?” The stallions stood there, unmoving. “Uh, guys? Hello? HELLO?!”

Nothing. Not a single response.

“Whew. Okay, so I am invisible and inaudible. That’s good.” She turned and headed a little more quickly towards her destination. It was a short trot, and she found herself at the door--the closed door.

She swallowed hard, thinking of the last closed door that separated her from The Princesses. A shiver ran through her body, but she wasn’t sure if it was nervous excitement or tension. Slowly, she stepped forward and passed through the portal and into the throne room.

“...tongue to apologize properly.” Luna moaned.

Twilight froze. Her eyes bulged. Sitting on the throne of Equestria was Princess Luna, resting fully reclined on the back of the huge chair. The Night Goddess’ rear legs were splayed wide, and between them was the head of Princess Celestia. Lewd slurping and lapping sounds could be heard all the way over to where the lavender unicorn stood--even over the sounds of Princess Luna.

She couldn’t move. At once, Twilight was terrified and ready to run back to her room, and at the same time completely enthralled and wanting to see more. Her heart raced, trying to escape the unicorn’s chest, as her mouth fell slightly open.

“The one benefit of you being so rude in front of our guests, slave, is that we get to see you use that same mouth in a much, much better way.” Luna said, huskily.

“Thank you, Mistress.” Celestia quickly mumbled from between her sister’s legs.

“We don’t want to hear your tongue, we want to feel it!” Luna spat down at the solar mare, rising up from the throne slightly as she did. “Lick. Don’t talk.”

From her vantage point, Twilight couldn’t see any details as to what was happening. Without really thinking, she stepped forward towards the incestuous sisters. With every hoof-fall the sounds were becoming more clear and distinct.

“You have a talented tongue, dear sister. We may yet forgive you.” Luna said above the moans and the salacious sounds coming from between her legs.

The first step onto the long steps to the throne itself gave the purple mare her first glimpse of Celestia’s face--a glimpse, really. With every continued tread, more and more came into view.

“Stick your tongue in our cunt, slave. We want to feel it fucking us.” Luna growled.

Twilight stood and watched. She was standing right beside the throne, seeing her mentor--The Sun Goddess, Princess Celestia--with her muzzle completely buried into the sex of her own sister. The elder mare would glance up at Luna, but not for long, either afraid to hold the gaze or more interested in concentrating on the task in front of her. The unicorn watched as Celestia’s pink tongue slid in and out of Luna’s marehood.

“Lap at it. Lick our cunt like it is your only means of sustenance.” Luna snarled.

Watching the divine alicorn doing that very thing was beginning to have a profound effect on the lavender mare. Celestia was obediently servicing her sister’s sex, diving deeper and deeper between her fleshy folds in an attempt to please her like she had never done before.

Twilight swallowed, her passion caught in her throat, but felt all the way down to her loins. Even though she was intangible at the moment, she would swear that her own sex was becoming incredibly damp right now.

“Do you want to taste us, slave? Do you want our juice to fill you up? Are we truly your livelihood for existence?”

“You are, Mistress.” Celestia paused for a moment, and then licked quickly, and then spoke once more. “There is nothing that satisfies me like the taste of your pleasure.”

“Well said, slave.” The dark alicorn’s forehoof came down to gently stroke her pale counterpart’s mane. Then, suddenly, she grabbed the flowing magical hair forcefully and thrust Celestia’s muzzle deep into her sex. “But you said too much! You’ve been speaking far too much today!”

The white alicorn made a slight whimpering sound, but it sounded to Twilight like it was more of pleasure than anything else. Mindlessly, the lavender mare licked her lips and finally moved her eyes away from Celestia’s muzzle and onto the face of Princess Luna.

The Night Goddess was awash in desire. Her eyes burned with lust and wanton flame. She was wearing a shining black armor--the same as a few night’s back--that strongly resembled the same one she wore as Night Mare Moon. Her beautiful ethereal mane moved like the night across her head and neck. Her lips were pulled back, showing her teeth in a primal display. She was a vision of rapture.

“So pretty...” Twilight murmured.

Gently, Twilight raised her forehoof up towards the midnight mare, and carefully went to touch the mane that swirled around her head. As soon as her hoof glanced against it, Twilight disappeared.

Darkness overwhelmed the young unicorn and she almost fell into a panic, but it only took a moment--even though it seemed like a long moment--for her vision to start to return.

She quickly tried to gather her surroundings. The perspective seemed odd. She tried to turn her head, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t obeying her--but it was moving. As her vision came into focus she saw the image of Princess Celestia burying her muzzle between Luna’s haunches once more. Only this time, the perspective was as though they were her own.

The realization suddenly struck her: she was inside Princess Luna’s body.

The book had said that such things were possible, but she didn’t know how to make it happen. It was obviously much easier than she thought.

“Keep this up, slave, and you’ll be fed well in a few moments.” Luna snarled. And Twilight heard it like a voice coming from herself.

The purple unicorn wanted to analyze the situation--take notes--but as her spirit adjusted to riding in its new host, other sensations quickly accompanied it.

She began to feel Celestia’s tongue.

Luna’s scrutiny was focused on her sister, giving Twilight the ultimate view of what was happening. She watched as the Sun Goddess devoured the pink flesh between dark blue haunches--and felt it in her own. The tongue moved into the depths of her marehood, slid out and up along the slit, coming to visit her hardened clitoris as it flicked back and forth, driving electric passion with every motion. And then it dove back into the depths of her--or rather, Luna’s--waiting sex.

“We want to fuck your face, slave. Hold out your tongue! Hold it out as far as you can!” Luna commanded.

Twilight watched as the white mare did as she was told, extending her tongue out as far as she could, leaving her mouth open while she did. Moving her grip to the sides of her sister’s head, Luna began to drive her cunt down onto the awaiting tongue. The purple unicorn felt it penetrate her, driving her own lust to unimagined heights.

Each thrust of her haunches down was another jolt of bliss that echoed through her body. The lavender unicorn had no conscious thought left, giving in to pure animalistic lust as Luna upped the tempo of her gyrations.

“Get ready, slave. We want you to drink every drop of cum that we spray down your throat, understood?” Luna growled.

There was, of course, no answer from Celestia, but Twilight could see in The Princess’ eyes not only accordance, but a deep and desperate longing for it to happen. The purple mare’s breathing was rough and ragged, if indeed she was breathing at all. Perhaps it was Luna whose respiration was so desperate. The unicorn didn’t know, or really care at the moment. All she wanted was for Celestia to finish her task. She wanted to cum.

Yanking Celestia’s face completely into her marehood, Luna let out a cry of ecstasy, bucking against her sister’s face.

“Yes! YES! Fuck, yes! Drink my cum, bitch! Drink it all!” She gnashed her teeth as she moaned out the words.

Whether it was from Celestia’s actions, Luna’s reactions, or a combination of the two, Twilight felt herself go over the edge. An orgasm more intense than any that she had ever experienced rushed over her, causing first a gasp and then an exclamation of her own.

“Sweet Goddess Celestia! Oh, please don’t stop!” Twilight said aloud.

Luna suddenly stopped thrusting against her sister’s face, instead wrapping her legs around the white mare’s head and holding it in place. Twilight saw the view as Luna’s head first rolled back and then swept around in a wide circle, as Celestia’s tongue continued to work its magic against her still pulsing cunt.

Slowly, Luna’s focus came back to her sister, and Twilight saw Luna’s legs gently release their hold on the alicorn’s head, and saw Celestia cautiously pull her head away, leaving tender kisses and licks along the trail as she receded.

Finally, with her head fully away from Luna’s body, the Sun Goddess carefully lifted her gaze to look up directly at her sister. Twilight gasped for the second time in only a few moments as their eyes met.

“That was...a good beginning, slave.” Luna said, casually closing her legs as the white mare stepped back. With careful grace, the midnight alicorn straightened herself on the throne. “Still, we think that you have more to do before we show clemency tonight.”

The dark mare stood, stepping down from the regal seat.

“Take your throne, ruler of Equestria. It only seems appropriate that you sit there.”

Celestia looked confused, but carefully moved past her sister to the royal throne. She sat on it warily, as though expecting punishment for doing what she was told.

“Sit. Relax. This is YOUR throne, is it not, Celestia?” Luna asked.

“I...share the throne with you, Mistress.” The Sun Goddess answered.

“Don’t be so humble. We both know that it is your throne. We are but a humble shadow in your light.”

“That’s not true!” Celestia protested. “You are...”

“Don’t argue with us, slave.” Luna cut her off. “Though you seemed to be very keen on that earlier. Arguing with us in front of your favorite student. Countering our words with your own right in front of dear Twilight Sparkle.”

The lavender unicorn felt her heart jump at the mention of her name in these conditions.

“We were not entertained by that, slave. Not at all.”

“I was only...” Celestia began, but was cut off immediately.

“DO NOT TALK! You will answer our questions and nothing else, understood?”

“...yes Mistress.” The white alicorn said meekly.

“Good.” Luna walked back and forth for a moment, staring at the regal mare on the throne. Unable to meet her sister’s gaze, The Sun Goddess kept her focus instead on the ground.

“Take off your shoes. We want your forehooves naked.” Luna said.

Celestia raised her eyes up, looking at The Night Goddess for a moment in confusion.

“Take. Off. Your shoes. We want your hooves bare. Is that so hard to understand?”

“No, Mistress.” The Sun Goddess did as she was told, removing the golden shoes that decorated her forehooves, and magically moving them to rest beside her bejeweled crown lying nearby.

“Excellent.” Luna said, and Twilight swore that she could feel the mare smile. “Now, as we said, we were not entertained by your...words...earlier, so, we want you to entertain us now. With your actions.”

The white alicorn paused for a moment before speaking. “I...don’t understand, Mistress.”

“Oh, well, let us be more direct, then. We want you to clop, sister. We want to see you bring yourself to orgasm for our entertainment.”

Twilight felt a shock run through her, just as much as she saw Celestia’s body stiffen for a moment.

“And we think it will be extra entertaining to watch you do it on your own royal seat...Your Majesty.” Luna said, mockingly. “We want you to cum all over the throne.”

“You want me to...” The alabaster alicorn couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Yes, sister. We want to see you clop. To masturbate. To pleasure yourself in front of our eyes.” The darker sister stated. “And don’t pretend it’s something you’ve never done before. A thousand years with no true lover you told me. How else did you satisfy your urges?”

Celestia lowered her head, a blush coloring her cheeks. Finally, after a moment, her horn began to glow.

“Ah! No.” Luna interrupted. “No magic. Use your hooves and only your hooves.”

“But I haven’t done that in ages.” The pale mare feebly protested.

“Then you are out of practice.” Twilight could feel the midnight colored brow around her furrow. “Do it. Now.”

A long pause filled the room, and then The Sun Goddess began to move her forehooves down her body towards her haunches.

“Oh my.” Twilight said softly. “She’s going to do it.”

“Open your legs, slave. We aren’t getting the view we want.” Luna commanded.

Immediately, Celestia parted her rear legs, providing a clear view to her glistening marehood. Twilight didn’t breathe. She didn’t think. She simply watched as the pristine hooves of the most powerful pony in the world moved down to her own groin and began to gently rub the outside of her swollen sex.

The eyes of the white alicorn gently closed as her right hoof began to move in small circles over musky entrance. She didn’t move past the outer mound, simply moving her hoof steadily and lightly, as the juices inside began to seep outwards onto her coat.

“Excellent, slave. Now...spread your lips. We want to see the pink of your royal cunt.” The Night Goddess stated.

Celestia’s eyes flickered, opening for a moment, before closing again. She moved both of her hooves down and carefully plied apart her outer lips, revealing a drenched cleft of flesh with an firmly engorged clitoris at the peak.

“Lovely.” Twilight felt the dark mare smile. The unicorn found her arousal rising quickly once more. “Now, play with that clit. It seems so desperate for attention.”

With a degree of anxiousness, the white alicorn moved her hoof down and kept it pressed between her lower lips, moving the hoof back and forth over her sensitive bud. A moan of pleasure escaped from Celestia.

“You like this, then? Good. We are starting to become entertained ourselves. But...we have so much more planned. Continue.” Luna ordered.

And The Sun Goddess did. With rising intensity, she continued to massage her clit, varying between a back and forth motion and small circles. Twilight saw Celestia’s breathing becoming quicker and more labored--just as she felt her own doing the same.

“Now,” the dark alicorn said. “move your other hoof to your tailhole.”

Celesita shot a look directly at her sister in shock. It was clear that she wanted to say something, but she hesitated. Whether it was from overwhelming passion or because she was told not to speak, Twilight wasn’t sure.

“You heard me, slave. Play with your ass.”

Keeping her eyes open this time, the white mare slowly moved her left hoof down past her dripping sex to her own tailhole. It was covered in the slippery juices running out of her pussy. Using those juices as lubricant, the mare began to massage her asshole, again using a circular motion to prod the tender region.

Twilight watched as Celestia’s mouth fell open in lust from her own actions.

“You have such a tender ass, sister. Touching it is so erotic. So forbidden. It drives your hidden libido. Still, we do not want to abuse it. At least, not tonight. But, your other hole is still fair game, isn’t it?”

The white mare looked at her sister. “Yes...Mistress.” She barely was able to speak.

The Night Goddess took two steps closer to her prone servant. Twilight could feel the intensity of the look that went from Luna to Celestia.

“Put your hoof into your cunt, slave. Your WHOLE hoof.”

Celestia’s eyes grew huge. Twilight let out a gentle gasp.

“And do not pretend that you can’t do it, either.” Luna continued. “You can do anything that we tell you to do. Isn’t that right?”

“I...I will try, Mistress.”

“You will not. You will DO IT. We will not accept simply trying. Understood?”

“Yes Mistress.” Celestia breathed.

Twilight watched as the white mare pulled back her hooves and shifted her body, pulling herself closer to her own sex. Taking a deep breath, she moved her right hoof back down to her dripping cunt.

Cautiously, she put her hoof at the opening to her marehood and began to slowly move it around, shifting it to find the best angle. She gasped audibly as the tip of it entered inside her.

Twilight’s breathing increased, matching that of her beloved mentor--who was currently the amazing sexual object on display before her. The unicorn felt her own sex dripping its juices freely, running down her legs in a steady flow.

“Push, Tia. Force it inside.” Luna urged.

With ragged breath, the white alicorn complied, and her hoof slowly began to disappear inside her marehood. With a visible rush, the threshold was passed, and Celestia’s entire right forehoof penetrated inside her. She paused.

“Fuck yourself.” The Night Goddess said. “You aren’t done. Fuck yourself.”

Celestia moaned lustily as her hoof began to move back and forth inside her. Tenderly at first, the white mare began to thrust her own hoof inside her pussy. She shifted her weight forward, allowing her a better range of motion, and continued to work her hoof inside at a slow but steady pace.

“Yes. Very good, slave. Drive it deeper. I want to see half your foreleg disappear inside that gaping cunt. That hole is begging for release, isn’t it? Use this as your chance to drive yourself over the edge.”

Staring dumbfounded, Twilight could only see what Luna was looking at, which alternated between the hoof that was going further and further into The Sun Goddess and the look of desperate desire that painted the same mare’s face.

“Faster, Tia. Fuck yourself faster and harder. Don’t go too deep.” Luna directed.

The white mare obeyed, and increased the tempo of her thrusts. Keeping them fairly short, she moved faster and faster, until they were going at a very impressive speed.

“You like this, don’t you? You’re going to cum harder than you ever thought you could by your own hoof. You’ve never made yourself cum like this before, have you slave?”

“No...Mistress...” Celestia gasped.

“Fuck that cunt, sister! It’s so wet you could put both hooves in there, we imagine. But...not tonight. Maybe next time. Or, maybe next time we will see how well your asshole can take this same treatment. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

The Sun Goddess couldn’t respond. She was lost in a sea of her own carnal activity.

“Look at us, Tia. LOOK AT US!” Luna shouted.

Instantly, the white mare’s eyes locked with Luna’s--and also Twilight’s. Raw prurience sparked through the air, seemingly touching all three mare’s souls at that very moment. The unicorn felt her heart stop for a moment and her throat go completely dry.

“We want to see you cum, Celestia. We want to feel it in your eyes when you drive yourself to zenith. Do you understand?”

“...yes...” The lust-crazed alicorn was barely able to force the single word out.

“Then do it, Tia. Make yourself cum. Make yourself cum for us. For OUR pleasure.”

Twilight’s eyes couldn’t blink.

“...Twilight?...” Somepony said somewhere.

Celestia’s hoof was covered in her own liquid essence, running like a stream from her flowing cunt. The throne was awash in the mare’s syrup.

“She’s going to cum...” Twilight barely whispered.

“Cum for us, Tia! Do it!” Luna demanded.

“Twilight?” A voice somewhere said again.

Small mewling noises began to squeak from The Sun Goddess. Her eyes became half-lidded as she forced herself to keep the gaze going between herself and her sister--and her sister’s unseen hitchhiker. The noises grew, becoming quicker and sharper, registering an approaching orgasm.

Luna smiled.

“TWILIGHT!” The voice jarred the purple mare.

The unicorn felt her spirit yank itself free from the midnight alicorn, launching back towards the direction of her body. She tried to twist and see Celestia, flailing her limbs as her spirit was dragged back towards it’s permanent host, but it was in vain. She wasn’t there for the end.

In a flash, she was back. Her eyes fluttered open, unsure of their own surroundings. She tried to focus, make the world come back into clear view. She could see...somepony...standing in front of her. Blue coat. Magenta eyes. And a mane of...many colors.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight said anemically.

“You there, boss? I was gettin’ kinda scared there for a sec’. You seemed really far out of it. Are you okay?”

“I was...” She was with The Princesses. She was there during their intimate moments. She was...a part of it. “...I missed it. I didn’t get to see her...”

“See who? See what?” Rainbow asked.

Twilight realized she was sitting in a pool of her own arousal. Her hind legs were soaked with the memory of what she had just seen. And the final release from The Sun Goddess that she didn’t see.

“Celestia.” Was all Twilight could say.

“The Princess? What about her?”

Twilight looked up at her friend. There was a look of desperation on the athletic mare’s face.

“Dash,” the unicorn began to regain her senses, “what are you doing here?”

“I came looking for you! We need you back in Ponyville! You gotta hurry!” She said.

“Need me back in Ponyville? Why? I thought Trixie was there to handle any magic emergencies.” Twilight said, rising carefully to her feet, hoping that Dash was too involved to notice the dampness she left behind.

“That’s just it, Twi’! You gotta come help us with Trixie!”

“What about Trixie?” Twilight stared straight at her friend.

“She’s gonna rape Fluttershy!”

...To Be Concluded.

The Wager: Chapter Five

Who Rules?: The Wager, Chapter Five

by Nom deCheval

...a few hours earlier...

“Where is that derned filly?” Applejack stood impatiently, looking around for some sign of her friend’s arrival. Around her, the sound of whistles, steam and gears filled the air. Ponies were moving everywhere, some finding family and friends that were apart, others preparing to spend time separated with fond farewells. And the train was always there in the background.

“All aboard!” The earth pony turned around and looked at the conductor. It was the third and final call. In a matter of seconds the vehicle would begin the long trek to its destination, and if she didn’t move now, Applejack wouldn’t be a part of the trip.

“Dang it!” She trotted up the stairs and into her cabin, sitting next to the window, scowling. “For bein’ the fastest flier in Equestria, that gal sure is good at bein’ late.”

The conductor walked up to the orange pony, smiling. “Ticket, miss?”

“Here ya go.” Applejack smiled back politely, pulling her pass from her hat. He punched it and returned it back to the mare, who tucked it back in the band on her Stetson. She nodded to the stallion and turned back to the window.

Rainbow Dash was flying right alongside the train.

“Hey, AJ!” The pegasus said. “Where you goin’?”

“Dash! Ah thought ah told you to meet me here an hour ago! Where the hay have ya been?”

“Hey, don’t yell at me. There’s a big weather front that we’re moving through, and I had responsibilities. I do have a job, y’know.”

“Yeah, okay.” Applejack didn’t want--nor did she have the time--to argue. “But ah gotta talk to you ‘bout a couple of things.”

“Shoot, boss!”

“Okay, ah’m gonna be gone for a day or two--maybe even a couple more--an’ ah need you to keep an eye on Trixie for me.”

Rainbow twisted her face in confusion. “Trixie? Why? I don’t want to go anywhere near that mare if I can help it.”

“Ah know, but this is important. Jes...keep an eye on her.”

“Why? Do you think she’s gonna do something?”

“Ah don’t know, but somethin’ odd is goin’ on here, and she’s mixed up in it, big time. Ah ain’t sure if she’s gonna need rescuin’ or need to be rescued from, but mah gut tells me she’s in the middle of all this.”

“All what?” Dash asked, still confused.

“This whole thing with Twilight. That’s why ah’m headin’ off to Canterlot. I need to talk to that filly and find out what’s goin’ on. Or if I can’t do that, at least talk to somepony there that might be able to tell me somethin.’”

“Got it! And what else?”

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked, starting to have trouble hearing over the wind as the train picked up speed.

“You said there were a couple of things to talk to me about. What’s the other thing?”

“Well...be careful. Ah guess that’s the other important thing. We don’t know what Trixie is doin’, but we do know that she can be right dangerous.”

“Will do, boss! So, what are you hoping to find in Canterlot, anyway?” Dash asked.

Applejack’s face turned very serious. “Answers, Dash. Hopefully, a bunch of answers. Bye now!”

The pegasus pulled up, flying into the sky. She barely heard the final words that her friend said over the sound of the tracks, as the train chugged along towards Canterlot.

* * * * *

Casually bouncing through the center of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie was certainly not an unfamiliar figure. Her smile was so large that it pushed up her lower eyelids, making them almost appear closed. She was softly humming a song to herself as she glanced about.

“Congrats on the new baby, Mrs. Clopdike!” She said to a short-maned young filly.

“Thanks, Pinkie!” She called back.

“Hey, Aloe! Way to go on the anniversary of the spa! Looking good!” Pinkie commented. “Looking really good.” She said under her breath staring at the filly’s flank.

“Very kind, Pinkie!” The spa-pony replied as they passed.

“Hey Candylicious! Hope that constipation cleared up!” She shouted across the street.

“A little too personal there, Pinkie!” The mare replied.

The bounding pony started whistling a little tune as she moved through the streets. She was headed towards Cupcake Corner, not to work or babysit, just to see if there was anything yummy to snack on. She was starving--it had been almost an hour since her last treat.

She started to work through some lyrics in her head. Maybe a song about cakes? No, too simple. A song about how sweet the town was? Yeah! That was a good idea. Now, what rhymed with ‘town’ and how to work in the word orange...

“Pinkamena!” A familiar voice called to Pinkie, who stopped springing along and turned to look.

“Oh, heya Trixie! What’s up?” She smiled as she bounced over to the unicorn.

“I need you to come with me and deal with Rarity.” The azure mare said sternly.

“Oooooh. That sounds like fun!”

“Well, I just need you to take care of her until I return. Understood?”

“You betcha!” Pinkie smiled.

“...is that all?” The unicorn looked upset.

Pinkie looked at her, and her expression changed. In an instant, her mane flattened out and her head bowed down. “I mean, yes Trixie. I will do what you ask.”

Trixie smiled. “Excellent. I need you to be on point for this, do you understand? I don’t want this to go wrong.”

“Of course, Trixie. I will be more than happy to help you deal with Rarity this evening. I will do anything you ask.”

“I thought as much.” Trixie turned and started towards Rarity’s home. “Now, come along.”

Pinkie fell in behind as the two of them traveled the short distance to The Carousel Boutique, making sure to avoid the look of anypony on the street.

They didn’t, however, look up. And from a cloud floating above Ponyville, Rainbow Dash looked down at what just happened.

“What the hay was that?!” She said to herself.

* * * * *

The scenery that she normally enjoyed watching so much was the last thing that Applejack could see at the moment. Her mind was going over the events of the past week, trying to make sense of things.

She had been able to talk to Trixie and get a feel for the filly, and it didn’t seem like she was up to no good, but something was going on. That’s what made this trip to Canterlot essential. She needed to find out what Twilight had been up to with her visiting The Princesses.

There was more to this than she or anypony was being told, and that bugged her. In fact, it was making her downright ornery. She barely heard the waiter approach.

“Would you like another cup of cider, miss?” He asked politely.

“Nah thanks, ah got this one okay.” She smiled politely.

The waiter nodded and walked on his way. Applejack stared down at the cup of cider that sat half full on her tray. It was clear and a bit weak, if you asked her, not like the stuff she and her family made. That was pure cider. Still had the grain in it. Still had the full flavor of the apples, rather than this processed junk.

Her eyes focused on the drink in front of her, but her mind began to race.

“Cider...” She trailed off. “Aw, you gotta be kiddin’ me.”

* * * * *

Rainbow Dash had pushed her cloud to rest over the top of The Carousel Boutique, trying her best to be patient. It wasn’t really working out well.

“Aw, c’mon! You guys gotta be ready to come out already. It’s been almost forever!”

In this case, forever roughly translated to twenty minutes. And it wasn’t as though the pegasus had been doing a good job of being patient. She had already moved the cloud around the building three times trying to see beyond the windows, but shades, blinds and partitions kept the contents hidden. She didn’t have a clue what was happening inside, and that doubly frustrated her.

The thought of going inside kept crossing her mind. It wasn’t like Rarity wasn’t her friend. Or Pinkie Pie for that matter. Or like she hadn’t been inside the house dozens of times already. But...if she did, she might not find out what they were doing. And Trixie would know that she was watching.

She fluttered up into the air, looking down for some sign of life. Nothing still. With a loud sigh of frustration she slumped back onto the cloud, a puff of it shooting up in the sky as she landed.

“This is the longest day ever!” She said flopping her legs down onto the cloud dramatically.

A noise from below rose up to the pegasus. Dash kept low to the cloud, crawling to its edge and glancing over the side. Trixie was standing outside the boutique, talking to Pinkie Pie, who was now dressed in odd black clothing.

“Woah. That’s a little dark, don’t ya think, Pinkie?” Dash mumbled.

“Remember, Pinkameena, keep Rarity tied up tightly while I am gone. I do not want her getting free.” The unicorn said. Dash almost jumped straight up off the cloud. “You may do whatever you like to her while I am gone, but do not finish her off until Trixie returns. Is that clear?”

“Yes,Trixie.” Pinkameena answered obediently. “Where are you going, if I may ask?”

“It seems that your friend Fluttershy has been having the most horrifically stressed sexual frustration that I have ever seen.” Dash leaned out, almost falling off the cloud. “And Trixie is going to see that put to an end.”

“Is everything going to be okie dokie?” Pinkameena asked.

“Trixie assumes so. Still, there is always the chance that I might have to do this forcefully, and that might leave some scarring on poor, delicate Fluttershy.” The azure mare stated coldly.

“Well, as long as you think it’s best.” Pinkameena replied. “I can always throw her a party later, if she’s REALLY upset. Or even if she isn’t. Either way, I think she’ll deserve a party after you’re done with her.”

Dash stared down with an open mouth. “I don’t believe it! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!”

“I must admit, Pinkameena, you are a far more capable mare than I expected. You handle Rarity properly and I might see fit to give you a special treat tonight of your own.”

Pinkie’s eyes bulged. “Wow! Thanks, Trixie! That would be extra-special-riffic!”

“You go to work. I will return after I have dealt with Fluttershy.” Trixie said as she turned away and began to walk towards the Everfree Forrest.

“Have a fun time!” Pinkameena shouted. “Hope the sex works out okay!”

A devilishly dark expression colored Pinkie Pie’s face, as she turned and walked back inside. “Okay Rarity, time for us to have some fun, Pinkameena style!”

Rainbow Dash flew straight up into the air. Her head twisting from the boutique to Trixie and back again.

“Oh my gosh! Pinkie’s gone all dark-nutso-talk-to-bags-of-flour-dangerous-crazy again, and Trixie is heading out of town to...to...” Her face twisted up into one of grim determination. “There ain’t NO WAY I’m gonna let that little piece of trash touch my pegasister! I will kick her tail from here all the way back to Canterlot!”

A rapid beat of wings carried her half the distance to Trixie before her mind stopped her.

“Woah! Wait a second. Twilight and AJ are out of town. And Trixie has that crazy magic stuff that she’s already used on us.” She looked back at Rarity’s house. “And if it was just me and her, well, yeah, I would take her down right now, but with Pinkie all crazy and Rarity in danger, I might need to go save her first.”

A quick return flight to the Carousel Boutique never saw completion, as she pulled up shy of the door.

“Okay, but...what if Pinkie is standing next to Rarity right now? And when I break in she’s holding a knife over Rarity’s body and plunges it down into her chest, laughing maniacally and pulling her heart out while chanting evil stuff. What do I do then?”

Rainbow Dash might have been reading too many Daring Do books lately.

“I...I hate to say it, but I need help. I gotta get somepony to help me save everypony! And with AJ already in Canterlot with Twilight, the best option is to go there and drag them both back here!”

The pegasus shot up into the air, banking towards the royal castle. Long shadows on the ground indicated the time of day, and the thunder on the horizon reminded her of the scheduled storm heading through shortly.

“Okay, Dash. It’s time to hurry this up! You’ve got ponies to save!”

* * * * *

The wind was picking up considerably by the time Trixie could see the small house that rested on the edge of the Everfree Forrest. Even with the growing tempest, the trees, plants, and animals seemed to have a special level of harmony.

Birds and forrest creatures scurried and flew, finding a safe place to ride out the coming storm. Each moved to what seemed to be a specially made shelter. Bird houses adorned almost every tree, and there were no vacancies. And even the burrows in the hill had their fair share of external support, ranging from doors to docks, creating the most secure homes for the animals imaginable.

The unicorn shifted her eyes about, taking in the variety of creatures and comforts. The beasts in return gave her fair measure, carefully deciding on what to do regarding this newcomer.

Trixie knew that Fluttershy was gifted with animals, but this was more than even she expected. This wasn’t simply a mare who liked and aided creatures. The animals watched like the unicorn was invading their home as she crossed the bridge that led to their favorite pony’s home. The pegasus living inside wasn’t their keeper or caretaker, she was their friend and family.

Her lip curling up in joyous appreciation of what the yellow mare had created--no, what she was--Trixie knew that this mission was the most important one she had received since her arrival in Ponyville. This was a truly innocent creature, and she had to make sure that everything happened perfectly.

As she stepped to the door, Trixie straightened her cap and cape. A quick shake of her mane and head put on the proper expression, and practiced resolve shaded her eyes to a much colder tone.

Her hoof knocked on the door three times.

A perfect picture of delicate kindness came to the door, opening it slowly. “Hello?” Fluttershy said in her effortless voice. She was greeted in return by a rearing pony, her cape fluttering as the wind threw it around.

“Behold! The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived! And soon you shall experience a sexual encounter far beyond anything that you thought possible!”

The yellow pegasus’ eyes became mostly white. Barely audible over the sound of the wind was a short, sharp squeak escaping her lips.

* * * * *

Rainbow Dash flew around Canterlot Castle for the fourth time, trying desperately to spot Twilight’s room. The guards at the gate told her where it was, but all the towers here looked so similar to her that it was tough to make out, especially at night.

“C’mon, c’mon, c’mon! There can’t be that many rooms here, can there?” The pegasus said in frustration. “It’s gotta be one of these!”

Scanning every window at top speed, it was only a flash of familiar purple that slowed the pegasus down. With a loop, she circled and landed on the balcony, rushing inside.

“Twilight?” She recognized her friend instantly. “Twilight! Oh my gosh! Thank Celestia I found you. We gotta get going! Is AJ here with you?”

The purple pony didn’t move, or even acknowledge her at all.

“Hey, Twilight! C’mon! We gotta get going! Trixie has gone mega-nutso, and is messing with everybody back home!”

No response.

Taking a few steps closer to her friend, worry started to fall over Dash’s face.

“...Twilight?...” This was a voice of concern speaking now. It was one thing to disregard what she was saying, but another to be able to ignore her completely.

The unicorn remained unfazed and unmoving. The pegasus’ eyes began to twitch back and forth, scanning her friend for any sign of life. She didn’t even seem to be breathing. And then Dash noticed the incredibly faint glow surrounding the unicorn’s horn.

“Twilight?” Still no response. She hesitated, not sure what to do next. Magic was something that didn’t make much sense, and, honestly, annoyed the pegasus slightly. But this was a moment where she needed to take the chance, even if it might mess with her friend’s spell. She reached out and shook the unicorn.

“TWILIGHT!” Dash thought she felt a spark of magic shoot over and past her for just a second. It would have bothered her if the purple mare didn’t open her eyes immediately afterwards.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight said anemically.

“You there, boss? I was gettin’ kinda scared there for a sec’. You seemed really far out of it. Are you okay?”

“I was...” The pegasus saw her friend go blank, losing something in her thoughts. “...I missed it. I didn’t get to see her...”

“See who? See what?” Rainbow asked.

“Celestia.” Was all Twilight said.

“The Princess? What about her?”

The pegasus was all but prancing in place as she shifted her weight from one side to the other, trying not to burst. At least not until Twilight was herself again.

“Dash,” the unicorn began to regain her senses, “what are you doing here?”

“I came looking for you! We need you back in Ponyville! You gotta hurry!” She said.

“Need me back in Ponyville? Why? I thought Trixie was there to handle any magic emergencies.” Twilight said, rising carefully to her hooves.

“That’s just it, Twi’! You gotta come help us with Trixie!”

“What about Trixie?” Twilight stared straight at her friend.

“She’s gonna rape Fluttershy!”

“WHAT?!” Twilight grabbed the pegasus with both forehooves. “That can’t be right! How do you know that?”

“I heard her say it herself, Twi! Y’gotta come back. We gotta leave now!”

“Why didn’t you stop her?” The unicorn asked, panic in her voice.

“If I tried and didn’t stop her, there was a chance she would whammy me, too. I needed some back-up on this one.”

“Why come all the way for me?! Couldn’t you get one of the other girls from Ponyville?”

“Well, Trixie has already zapped Rarity and Pinkie, and AJ...”

“SHE ZAPPED RARITY? AND PINKIE?!” Twilight shouted.

“Yeah! Pinkie’s gone all straight-haired-crazy again, and they’ve got Rarity tied up and torturing her. That’s what I mean. I didn’t want to get whammied like them. We gotta go save ‘em!”

“Where is Trixie?!” A dark undertone came through the unicorn’s voice.

“She was heading off to Fluttershy’s when I flew here. She’s gotta be there by now.” Dash explained.

“Then I’m teleporting us there right now!” A crack of lightening shattered the night sky. “What the?...” The unicorn rushed to the window. “Hay feathers! That storm might mess with me teleporting there quickly. I’m gonna have to go in a bunch of shorter jumps.”

“You get goin’, boss!” Dash flew up past her into the dark sky. “I’ll see what I can do to slow down the storm a little. Try to give you a better chance, but I’ll be over to Fluttershy’s faster than you can blink after that!”

“Right! I’ll see you there!” A brilliant flash of light signaled Twilight’s departure as she used her magic to depart.

“Good luck!” Rainbow Dash yelled out, hoping that her friend could hear her as a kaleidoscopic trail followed behind her own exit into the sky.

* * * * *

Flopping back into the chair, her coat matted with sweat, Trixie’s smile conveyed the image of a job well done. Her trademark cape and hat were lying nearby on the floor, where she threw them in the heat of the moment, feeling the need to be free of their constraint.

A crack of thunder followed the bright flash from outside, signaling the storm continued unabated. The unicorn looked down at the yellow pegasus who was standing at the base of her chair, looking serene and happy.

“I brought you some lemonade. I figured you could use a cool refreshing drink right now.” Fluttershy said softly.

“Thank you, yes.” Trixie brought the glass up to her mouth, the liquid ran down her throat cooling and soothing her.

“I can’t really thank you enough for doing this, Trixie. And I know that Ember and Flame are very happy about it, too. They’ve been wanting to have a baby for some time now.” The pegasus stated, sitting down across from her guest. “Normally, I would ask Twilight for help in these things, but, well, she’s not here--”

“But The Great and Powerful Trixie is here! And I am more than happy to help you and your salamanders out in this...crisis.” She looked over to the fire and the two lizard-like figures that were entwined within it.

“Yes, and I am ever-so-grateful. I tried to get the fire hot enough for them to be able to...mate...successfully, but I couldn’t do it without magic.”

“Well, there is no pony more capable of assisting you than Trixie. I am happy to help.” Her horn lit up lightly, levitating the icy glass to her forehead to help cool her down.

“Oh, I am sorry about the heat.” Fluttershy apologized. “But I guess you have to be near the fire to keep it burning so hot.”

“To make it burn, not really. To keep it from burning down the house, yes. I don’t want anything harmful to come out of me coming here to help you.” The azure unicorn explained.

“Oh, my goodness! No, I wouldn’t want anything like that to happen.” The pegasus glanced at the fireplace. “Oh goodie! It looks like Ember and Flame have finished.”

Trixie stood and walked over the hearth, snuggled together in the glowing coals of the fire, the two salamanders relaxed in the soothing heat. Well, soothing to two creatures of elemental flame, in any case.

“Excellent! Then it seems my work here is done.” The unicorn stated.

“Oh, but don’t rush off. It...it’s still raining outside. You don’t want to walk in that, do you?” As if to emphasize the point, the storm provided a flash of lightning and thunder.

“Trixie doesn’t fear a storm. I can create an arcane shield from the rain.” The magical mare smiled.

“Yes, but...but...” Condensation from the glasses on the floor met unsure hoof, and Fluttershy went sprawling, tail over head, landing on her back with a loud thump.

In a flash, Trixie moved to the fallen pony.

“Are you all right? Is anything hurt?” She asked, anxiously.

The yellow mare looked up into the unicorn’s purple irises, her own eyes half-lidded as she spoke. “No. Everything is just...wonderful.”

A flash of light illuminated the world outside the house in silence.

“It sure is...hot...in here.” Fluttershy said, her eyelashes batting.

“Ummmm...” Trixie stared open mouthed at the pegasus for a moment, unsure how to answer, but another thought overtook her. She glanced over her shoulder at the door to the house. “What happened to the thunder?”

The door to the house burst open, a unicorn outlined in the falling rainwater standing in the portal. The magenta glow of her horn only illuminated the anger in her purple eyes.

“GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU MONSTER!” She spat out.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie turned around, her own horn suddenly aglow with magic. “This doesn’t concern you. Leave now, while you still can!”

“Um...I...” Fluttershy said softly.

“Oh, I’m leaving! But I’m taking you with me! I won’t let you stay near her!”

“Twilight, it’s okay if she...” The pegasus sat up from the floor, staring at her friend.

“I am warning you, Twilight Sparkle...” Both pairs of purple eyes narrowed as they met.

“Let’s take this outside.” Cold ferocity came with the lavender unicorn’s words.

A flash of light signaled their departure, leaving a confused, frightened, and somewhat sexually frustrated pegasus in its wake.

“No! Twilight I...I... Oh, darn it all.” Fluttershy frowned.

* * * * *

“Twi, you in here, sugarcube?” Applejack knocked on the door as she entered the unicorn’s room. “The guards told me that this was your place.”

The earth pony stepped into a quiet room, only broken by the distant sound of thunder. Glancing around the room, Applejack spotted several items with a degree of familiarity to them. If she knew her friend’s books better, she could be certain, but they had that “Twilight-ish” feel to them.

One thing in the room very definitely didn’t seem like it belonged to Twilight, though.

“What the flamin’ hay is that?” Applejack walked up to a set of armor. It followed the classic design of the guards inhabiting Canterlot Castle, but instead of the golden color, it was adorned with a mix of gold and dark blue steel. A crest of deep purple topped the helmet, and a symbol of two alicorns rearing up, their horns touching, capped off the chest piece.

“That, dear Applejack, is the armor of The Eidolon Shield. It is Twilight’s armor.” A calm, regal voice answered. “And I am somewhat surprised to see that she isn’t wearing it right now.”

“Princess Celestia!” Applejack bowed when she saw the rule of Equestria.

“Do you know where Twilight is at the moment?” The Princess asked.

“No, ma’am. I just got here myself.” Applejack paused for just a moment. “If I can ask, ma’am, what is The Eidolon Shield?”

The Sun Goddess smiled. “It is an ancient order of guardian for the ruler of Equestria. One that has not been used for centuries. Twilight is the first of the new order.”

“Our Twilight? A guard?”

“You seem to think that she isn’t capable.” Celestia almost laughed.

“Well, kinda. There ain’t no doubt that she would do anything and everything to help or protect you, Princess, but...I dunno. She just don’t seem to be the guard type.”

“It works for her brother.” The alicorn stated.

“I guess that’s true, but then two apples from the same tree might not have the same taste.” The earth pony countered..

“Wise counsel.” The alicorn smiled. “What brings you to Canterlot?”

“Well, to be honest, Your Majesty, I was kinda hopin’ to talk to Twilight about...things.”

“And what things are those?”

Applejack stared up at the Princess. Her face was kind and forgiving, but the orange mare had seen her other side as well. A fierce warrior and staunch defender. A mare that could easily be cold if she felt that the other pony was being disrespectful. Still, honesty compelled her to speak up.

“It’s about you and Princess Luna, ma’am. About what you two are doing to Twilight.”

Princess Celestia’s pupils shrank to dots as Applejack outlined her theory.

* * * * *

Two flashes of light appeared in the night. One left behind the crack and rumble of deep thunder. The other left two unicorns brimming with power and contempt for each other.

“You’re never going near any of them ever again, Trixie! Do you understand me?! I can’t believe I trusted you here.”

“And I cannot believe that you have gone this far, Twilight Sparkle. I would not have believed you to be the type.”

The two unicorns paced around each other in an ever-widening circle. Every step taking them further apart in distance, and closer and closer to direct conflict. Rain fell down in sheets, and both mares’ manes hung limply from their heads, liquid dripping from their muzzles and tails.

“You’ll pay for what you tried to do to Fluttershy. And for what you have done to Pinkie and Rarity.”

“Oh, you know about Trixie and Rarity, do you? Is that what has prompted this? You feel for her, eh? Well, I am not going to give her up. What I have crafted with Rarity cannot be destroyed by the likes of you.”

“You’re worse than I thought.” Twilight sneered, thinking of her poor chained friend.

The circling stopped. One mare prodded the ground with her forehoof. The other lowered her head. The charge began at the same moment. Closing the distance, neither unicorn saw anything except their opposite number. When their horns met, thunder broke the sky.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie will stop you, Twilight Sparkle! I was warned that you were on the verge of this.” Sparks lit the scene, cascading a mixture of purple and blue light falling from the joined horns.

“You were never good enough to beat me, Trixie! And I’ll make you pay for everything that you’ve done!” Both mare’s necks strained, their teeth clenched, staring into conflicting purple eyes.

Magenta power flashed, sending the azure pony bowling backwards into the sky, buffeted about by the wind. A blue aura surrounded the pony, righting Trixie in the air just as a bolt of power singed past her mane. The azure unicorn never fell, but remained hanging in place.

“You can fly?!” Twilight yelled in disbelief.

“No. Simply hover.” Blue energy erupted from Trixie’s horn, striking its target--and cascading harmlessly off a force-field bubble that surrounded the other mare.

Racing forward, Twilight’s horn let loose another blast, but this time the azure unicorn was ready. Twin disks of glowing blue formed in front of her, each spinning an opposite direction from the other. The blast struck dead center to the shield, causing a flash of energy to arc across them, and finally be absorbed within.

Trixie stamped her hoof in the air, and columns of earth answered her summons. Springing from the ground, dozens of pillars of mud launched up and at the purple mare as she bound past them, determined to reach her enemy. There were just too many to completely avoid, however, and Twilight felt herself launched into the air, flipping in the night unable to tell ground from sky for a moment.

Another blue beam caught the tumbling unicorn, sending Twilight flying backwards. The ground was soft from the rain, but not so soft as to absorb her landing. The forcefield around her cracked and shattered as she rolled across the ground, but it did its job and left her unharmed as she rebounded to her hooves.

Leaping from earthen column to column, Trixie leapt down towards the unicorn she thought would be disoriented, only to discover a wall of magenta energy in her path. With a heavy thud, the azure mare fell, spiraling to the ground awkwardly. The barrier that was just created disappeared from the corner of Trixie’s eye, and she was just fast enough to bring her horn around to once again clash with the purple pony’s.

The rain fell harder than ever, but was no longer touching either unicorn, vaporizing before touching the mares’ coat. Magic was all but bursting from each unicorn. Their manes were now a blaze of power, and the sparks falling from their scraping horns caused the dampened ground to smolder.

“I will not let you break what Trixie has done, Twilight Sparkle! Your jealousy will be your undoing!”

“Jealousy? Why in Equestria would I be jealous of a manipulative sex-fiend like you?!”

“You simply see it as sex?! Perhaps at one time, but...but not now! You will NOT have RARITY!”

“Well, I don’t want somepony like you having her!”

The strain was starting to show on the faces of both ponies. No quarter was being asked or given, but their reserves were already drained, be it from astral journeys and teleportation, or building and keeping magical fire alive.

“The Princess...prepared me...for this.” The azure mare grunted out.

“The Princess? What?...”

A blue beam shot into the storm raging above. Arcing down along the path it created, lightning trailed back, slamming into the ground between the two unicorns. And others followed immediately. The field of battle became an electric playground, as the cloud’s discharge found a new avenue of escape. The two ponies were both forced to move and refocus their attacks.

To any distant onlooker, it was difficult to tell what was happening. The sky was raining power down on them both, even as they wielded magical might that few living would ever possess or understand. The color of the magic blended into a mesh of one end of the spectrum, with blue and magenta intertwined by the white of the electric sky.

A display of fireworks paled in comparison to the show that was unveiling in the fields outside of Ponyville. No chemical explosion or pyrotechnic display could match the native power of these two determined magical mares.

Sadly, there was no pony watching. No pony to see and interpret. No pony to try to stop them before the finish. And, eventually, it was over. A final blast of magic struck, leaving only one pony standing as a silhouette among the falling lightning.

* * * * *

The door to the throne room burst open upon the two sister Princesses, who both twisted their heads around to see who just entered so dramatically. An unconscious unicorn floated in the air alongside another unicorn who was flush with power and anger.

Guards came rushing towards the unicorn, only to be stopped by a single word.

“No.” Celestia said calmly. “Everything is fine. Leave us.”

There was a moment of hesitation, but they knew not to disobey an order from The Sun Goddess. Carefully watching the unicorn, the guards departed. As they exited, Luna used her magic to close the door behind them and seal the room from prying eyes and ears.

The unconscious floating unicorn was laid gently on the floor of the chamber, leaving the other one free to step towards the royal sisters unhindered.

“I want to know what is happening.” Twilight Sparkle said with a keen edge to her voice. “And I want to know RIGHT NOW!”

The sisters looked at each other, as though they were deciding who should speak, but that was really never in doubt.

“You won.” Celestia responded, stepping forward slightly. “I am very proud of you.”

“That’s all you have to say? You’re proud that I managed to beat up Trixie?!”

The Sun Goddess shook her head. “No, not that. I meant that you won our wager.”

“Your what?!” Twilight’s eyes shot wide.

“A wager. Between Luna and myself.”

The unicorn narrowed her eyes, and spoke slowly in response. “You bet on me and Trixie...having a FIGHT?”

“Nothing so crude, actually.” The Princess answered. “We were betting on the single thing that seems to drive you: friendship.”

The purple unicorn pulled back, raising up her head. Her expression explained her confusion as easily as her words. “Huh? I...what now?”

“More specifically,” Luna broke in, “we wagered on how friendship would affect you and Trixie.”

Twilight’s head twisted back and forth, alternating between the two Princesses. “I’m...still not following.”

“My sister had the theory that part of what made you the mare that you are is the friendships that you have formed in Ponyville.” Celestia explained.

“The greater part.” Luna added.

“And I told her that the friendships were only an extension of who you already were. And that removing you from there wouldn’t affect you or those friendships at all.” The Sun Goddess stated.

“Nature versus nurture.” Luna said.

“Yes.” Celestia agreed. “Or as your friend Applejack stated it, we put you to the cider test.”

“Applejack?!” The purple mare’s face twisted even more. “You got Applejack involved in this?!”

“No, no. She came here to defend you. She was here less than an hour ago, stating her case. It was at that point that my sister and I decided that the wager was over, and that I was in the right.” The white alicorn stated.

“What did she say?”

“Oh, ho ho ho ho. She said that when you put an apple to the press, you get a pure juice out of it. Unfiltered and raw, showing the best and brightest flavor that it will ever have. Sometimes it’s a wonderful flavor, and sometimes it is lacking. It just depends on the apple.

“But, when you collect all the juice, run it through the same processing in a single batch, you lose the unique quality of that one apple. You can filter out the impurities, and have all the juices mingle into a single flavor.”

“And...she thinks that I’m a...good juice?” Twilight tried to understand.

“For lack of a better term, yes.” Celestia answered. “She talked about her first week knowing you, and the first week’s experience with Trixie. And she made it clear that Trixie was changing during her time there, but in that same time you changed them. The single flavor was what made your dynamic work, not the other way around.”

“And thus, you are the winner.” Luna said.

“But...why did we have to fight?” Twilight looked over at the unconscious pony.

“You didn’t. That was entirely your decision.” The Sun Goddess stated.

The purple unicorn turned back towards her mentor, her face very serious.

“That’s not true.”

The white alicorn’s head recoiled in shock at that response.

“It took me a minute to process everything that Trixie was saying while we fought, but it eventually got through the anger. I don’t think the things I was told about her are true. She seemed to be defending Fluttershy and Rarity from me. She wasn’t acting like an attacker or...or what I was told she was. She was like a pony trying to guard somepony else. She told me, very clearly, that ‘The Princess prepared her’ for our fight. That she was told I would eventually come for her.”

Twilight took a step towards her mentor.

“So, unless Cadence is involved with this somehow, that leaves only the two of you.” The unicorn turned to the Night Goddess. “At first I thought it had to be Princess Luna, since you told me that Trixie was now her student, but there was something else. She said that somepony warned her that I was on the ‘verge’ of something.”

With every step, Celestia was now retreating one to match her student.

“The verge of what, I wondered? Then I thought about what I overheard you two talking about earlier--and that you were worried that I was going too far, Princess. That you thought I might be getting out of control. Princess Luna didn’t think that. She thought I was still very much in control.”

The Sun Goddess could now feel the eyes of her sister burning into her from the side.

“You overheard that? Well...Twilight, I’m sure that you are exaggerating. Misinterpreting.” Celestia said.

“I don’t think so. You see, when Trixie and I were fighting, it was touch and go. It could have gone either way. She really is a powerful and talented pony. But then she started to use some tactics that I recognized. Simple combat maneuvers that I learned here, years ago. Very basic attack patterns that I could counter in my sleep. If she hadn’t done that, I might not have won. It was as though somepony prepared her to lose. Like somepony wanted me to win. And I learned those tactics from you, Princess.”

“Is this true, Celestia?” Luna asked coldly.

The Sun Goddess’s head was on a swivel, turning from her sister to her student and back again. “I...I...might have...spoken with Trixie.”

The Night Goddess walked over to her sister. “That was cheating. I am not happy. I will...discuss...this with you later.”

Twilight stood her ground, looking at the two alicorns standing before her. Princess Luna turned to the purple unicorn. “Nonetheless, you did win the wager, Twilight Sparkle. You did nothing wrong. If anything, you have just exemplified the reason you won, and so you are entitled to your winnings.”

“Winnings? What winnings?” The purple mare asked. “I didn’t bet anything.”

“No. But you and Trixie were always meant to enjoy the spoils of the win. You may have anything you wish. At least, anything that we can provide.” Luna answered.

Without warning, Celestia lowered her head down to the level of her student. “I’m so sorry, Twilight. Please don’t think ill of me. I can be somewhat overly protective of you. I never wanted you to get hurt, and...and I might have gone too far. Can you forgive me?”

“Why did you do it, Princess? All these secrets. All this maneuvering. Why?” Pools of liquid were held back in either eye as Twilight spoke.

“I...have no excuse. I went too far. There have been...changes...in my life these past few months, and I have been a little more adventurous than perhaps I should have.”

Changes? Twilight’s mind processed that instantly. Luna’s transformation. And the new relationship that Celestia shared with her sister. The intimate time that the two Princesses now enjoyed.

Images of the two alicorns together flooded her brain. Of Luna in control. Of their most intimate areas on display. Of Celestia on the ground in a submissive pose. Of the Princess pleasuring herself. And of Twilight not seeing the finish.

And before her right now was that same goddess, her head down to the unicorn’s level, with her eyes staring at the ground. She felt her blood flush, coloring her face and body.

“Bow.” The word came out before Twilight could stop it.

“What?” Celestia looked up at the unicorn, confused.

“I can have anything I want, right? Anything that you can provide. Well...I want you to bow to me.” Twilight’s voice was shaking with every word.

The Sun Goddess turned to look at her sister. Luna’s response was to glance at the ground in front of the purple mare with a look of impatience in her eyes. Slowly, the white alicorn turned, pulling back slightly, and brought her royal frame down, lowering her forelegs, placing her head and neck on the ground, her wings laid out to either side of her body, prostrate before the trembling unicorn.

“Now...ki-kiss...my hooves.” Her voice was barely able to form the words.

There was a pause. A hesitation. And then, with grace that could only belong to such a noble creature, Celestia extended her neck out, and delicately placed her lips on the left forehoof of her prized student. A hard lump formed in the throat of the unicorn, causing Twilight to swallow forcibly. Carefully, the Princess moved her head to the other forehoof, and pressed her lips onto it. And then did so again. And again. And again.

“Intoxicating, isn’t it?” Luna asked softly.

“Yes.” Twilight breathed out, her eyes focused on the mare at her hooves. That same mare turned her eyes upwards, seeking out the pair above her. When they met, Twilight felt longing--both in herself and in the eyes of her Princess.

“The most powerful being in all of Equestria, lying before you, obeying your every command. You want more, don’t you?” Luna prodded, walking around the pair.

“Yes.” She breathed out again.

“Tell me what you want.” Luna commanded.

Twilight kept staring at the eyes of Princess Celestia. The desire that suddenly surfaced frightened her a little--but nowhere near enough to ignore it. With strength of will she looked away from The Sun Goddess and into the eyes of her sister.

“I...I want to see her...” The word stuck in her throat. “To see her...”

“Cum.” The Night Goddess said what the unicorn couldn’t.

“...yes.” The word was scarcely louder than the sound of a single leaf in the wind.

Luna smiled.

“Do you just want to see it, or...” She stopped pacing around the two and stood behind Celestia, looking at the young unicorn. “Or do you want to help cause it?”

Her pupils shrank. Her ears fell flat. She reflexively stepped backwards. And most of all, her heart raced liked the great runners of the age. Her vision traveled back down to the white alicorn still lying on the ground. Their eyes clasped again, studying each other with careful deliberation.

The goddess could see the fear and uncertainty in her student’s face, while the unicorn saw the longing in her teacher’s eyes. Wordlessly begging, Celestia stared at Twilight, trying to draw the mare closer with a look. A step forward by the purple pony signaled her success.

“I do.” Twilight said, still locked with Celestia’s eyes.

“Tell her that.” Luna instructed.

“I...want to make you...” She hesitated again.

“Say it, Twilight.” The dark alicorn urged.

Twilight swallowed, gathering courage. “I...want to make you...orgasm.” The Sun Goddess directed her eyes downward, and it seemed as though a smile grew on her lips.

“Close enough.” Luna said. “You will have to follow my instructions. Can you do that?”

Twilight simply nodded.

“Good.” The midnight mare turned away, her horn lighting up with the color of the night. An object took form and appeared in the room. It looked like a saw-block, except a little longer and more broad, with an odd attachment on one end. The top of it was flat, with a cushion crafted to it. The wood was stained black, while the cushion was brilliant red. The attachment rose off of the one side, looking something like the neck of a pony leading to another cushioned flat piece.

“Celestia, mount the rack.” The alicorn commanded.

“Yes, Mistress.” The white mare murmured in response.

Watching as The Princess moved to the device, Twilight saw that it seemed to perfectly fit the alicorn’s body. With only a slight inconvenience, she was able to move her body atop the flat of the main board, and then lay her neck down and rest her head upon the other cushioned surface.

Luna moved up to stare her sister in the face, and said something softly that Twilight couldn’t hear, but it caused The Sun Goddess to shudder suddenly. With a wry smile, the dark alicorn looked over to the purple mare. “Come here, Twilight.”

Cautiously, the unicorn moved around until she was standing beside the alicorn. Celestia’s eyes were closed, and it seemed to Twilight that her breathing was somewhat strained.

“Is she all right?” The unicorn asked.

“She’s fine.” Luna answered with a chuckle. The dark mare’s horn lit up again, and four sets of chains rose into view. “I want you to take these and bind her legs to the posts of the rack.”

“What?” Twilight replied gently. “I...I can’t do that.”

“You can and you will. This is for your protection as much as anything, and besides...” Luna glanced at her sister on the bondage device, “she likes it.” She turned back to the unicorn. “Do it, Twilight.”

The black chains floated in the air in front of the unicorn. Reaching out with her own magic, she took control of them and moved over to the right side of the white alicorn. Clasping the cuff around her ankle, Twilight wrapped the chain around the thick post of the device and locked the restraint in place with the clasp on the other end of the chain. As she finished, Celestia moved her leg, the chain rattling as she pulled against it. Three more times Twilight repeated this, until The Sun Goddess was completely secured.

When she looked back at Luna, the dark alicorn was wearing the shining black armor she had seen her in twice before now. Luna smiled as the unicorn let out a gasp unknowingly.

“Come here again.” Luna instructed from in front of Celestia. As Twilight stepped back, a stool was levitated over in front of the bound goddess. “You will need to get up on that.”

Twilight obeyed without question, stepping up to stand on the large stool. She was now slightly higher than the white alicorn’s head. Celestia slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the purple mare.

“What...what do I do?” Twilight asked.

“You will need to...ease her into this.” The Night Goddess explained. “She is already aroused, but you will want to work that into a crescendo. Build it slowly until the time is right for her final release.”

“How?”

“Well, I’m sure you already know what works on you, don’t you?” Twilight’s face turned deep magenta at Luna’s suggestion. “Think along those lines, but apply them outward. Her mane and wings are very sensitive. Those would be good places to start.”

Celestia’s wings unfurled to their full height with her sister’s words, and the unicorn watched them grow and expand to fill her field of vision. A magenta glow surrounded the smaller mare’s horn, as magic reached out to gently stroke the feathers before her.

“Concentrate on the base, where the wing meets the body.” Luna instructed.

A faint sheathe of purple energy swirled around the wings, falling to their base and enveloping them in a mauve glow. Twilight concentrated, trying to add fine control to her actions, pulsing the pressure on the magical grasp. Celestia’s mouth opened in silence, while her eyes closed tighter.

“Excellent.” Luna licked her lips. “Continue with the wings, and now, using your hooves, start playing with her mane. Caress it. Pull on it.”

Several times before, Twilight had touched Celestia’s mane, but it was never like this. All those other times were casual and passing, but now...it felt different. The ethereal texture flowed over her hoof, making it difficult to grasp, and amazing to feel. Moving her hoof in small circles, the magical mane seemed to entwine into a more solid moment, allowing her to pull gently on the mass. A groan escaped the goddess’ lips.

“You’re a natural.” Luna’s breath whispered into Twilight’s ear, its heat shooting through her body, the Night Goddess’ muzzle teasing the unicorn’s flesh. “I think we need to start thinking of taking things to the next level, don’t you?”

“If...if you say so.” Twilight caught her breath for a moment to answer.

Leaning over the unicorn from behind, the dark alicorn positioned her head next to Twilight’s and spoke to her sister. “Slave, look at us.” Celestia opened her eyes immediately. “We are going to have her play with thy horn. She is going to stroke it ever-so-softly--at least to start. I’m sure Twilight knows what it feels like to play with a horn, yes?”

Twilight wasn’t sure if that question was to her or Celestia, and her brain was floating in a sea of unknown passion, preventing her from saying anything in any case.

“In the meantime, we are going to move behind thee. We’ve been working up a little present of our own to give thee, and this seems like a perfect time to unwrap it. Watch.”

Twilight felt Luna’s weight leave her back, and immediately wanted it to return. She turned to look at the dark alicorn just as her horn lit up with midnight energy. The glow spread over the Night Goddess’ body, and then drew itself towards the mare’s sex. Twilight’s eyes expanded as something started to grow out of the wet slit between Luna’s haunches.

“The similarities between the clitoris and the penis are remarkable, slave. It took a little research and practice, but--as you know--we’ve become quite good with transformations, and we were able to create...this.” Between Luna’s hindquarters dangled an exact replica of a stallionhood--and a rather sizable one at that.

“What...are you going to do...” Twilight stammered, unable to finish her sentence.

Luna laughed lightly. “Twilight dear, I thought that was perfectly obvious. I am going to fuck Celestia with it.” The Sun Goddess let out a deep groan with the utterance of those words. “But I’m not going to do it until the time is right. This is for you, after all.”

“Is it...is it really a...?” The unicorn attempted to ask.

“No. It is my clitoris, grown to a very abnormal size. And I have to say, I am very curious about the sensation this will provide.”

Slowly, Luna moved to take position behind her sister. Her eyes moved up and took hold of the purple unicorn, locking her gaze.

“Now, I want you to touch Celestia’s horn. Touch it the way that you know a unicorn mare likes to have it touched.”

Twilight looked at the spire growing from the white alicorn’s brow. Her hoof followed her eyes, moving to the base of the horn and lightly brushing against it. The sigh that came from the mare in front of her told her that she was on the right path, and she continued. Her hoof circled the origin of the spike, gently caressing the area. It became almost hypnotic as she moved the hoof around, careful to not apply too much pressure, but still enough to be clearly felt. First with one hoof, and then--without even thinking about it--with both.

The unicorn’s mouth was dry. Her eyes fixed on Celestia’s horn, seeing it begin to shimmer with magical life as golden energy seeped out.

“I am very proud of you, Twilight.” Luna said. “I think you deserve another reward.” Turning to the other pony in the room, a soft tendril of midnight blue curled off of the alicorn’s horn, snaking its way to the unconscious unicorn. “Wake up, Trixie.”

The energy sank into the azure mare’s body, and a moment later her eyes fluttered open. “Oh. Oh, my head.” Her hooves moved up to rub her temple. “Trixie remembers...fighting, and then--” She turned to see the events on display in the room, but her eyes were the only thing that registered what was happening. “WHAT IN TARTARUS’S TINY TERRORS?!!”

“Your skills are needed here, Trixie.” Luna stated calmly. The light blue mare blinked. Wasn’t Twilight the enemy? If she was, it was certainly on friendly terms.

“My...skills?! I don’t think that this is a scene that I want to be a par--”

“You are going to service Twilight Sparkle, Trixie.” Luna instructed.

The azure unicorn’s expression went blank.

“You want me to what now?”

“That is, unless you don’t think you have the skills to pleasure her.” The dark alicorn smiled.

Glancing at her rival caressing the ruler of Equestria’s horn, Trixie turned back to Luna shaking her head. “No, that’s not going to work this time. That mare is crazy. She attacked me in a friend’s home. Trixie doesn’t want to have anything to do with...her.”

“It isn’t a request.” Luna’s expression grew more intense.

“Then I will have to refuse your command, Your Highness.” Trixie answered.

“You will not.” The Night Goddess replied sternly.

“I will. Trixie does not--”

“BEATRIX! THOU WILL OBEY OUR BEHEST!” The royal Canterlot voice pierced the room, but it was Luna’s eyes that carried the weight. The essence of her being seemed to fill the room with the weight of the night. “You will pleasure Twilight Sparkle to the best of your ability, is that clear?”

The unicorn swallowed, overcome by the presence of a goddess. “Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes...Mistress.” Trixie understood the request perfectly.

“Much better. Now, get to your task.” Luna turned back to Twilight and Celestia. If they knew what just happened, they weren’t showing it, lost in their mutual tenderness. The other unicorn walked slowly towards the intimate coupling, moving around to position herself behind the purple pony.

Twilight’s tail was flicking back and forth reflexively, exposing her marehood repeatedly. Her level of arousal was clear, and Trixie raised an eyebrow after a moment of visual examination.

“I never noticed what a cute flank she has...” The showpony said to herself. The azure unicorn moved closer, bringing her forehoof up to gently stroke Twilight’s haunches, massaging her cutie mark. Ideas began to fill the unicorn’s head.

The purple mare trembled when she felt another pony’s touch. A small gasp broke from her lips, and she glanced backwards to see who was there. The wry smile on Trixie’s face caught her unprepared. She wanted to protest, but the eroticism won out. Twilight returned her face to the front, her mouth opening wide to accommodate her heavy breath. Her eyes wandered from Celestia to Luna and she extemporaneously thrust her flank back towards the attentive pony behind her.

The Night Goddess leaned out over her sister, bringing her head closer to the purple unicorn. “Show gratitude to Trixie’s affections, Twilight. Relish what you are about to receive, but return the pleasure in good order.”

Nodding agreement, Twilight tried to think. Her sexual desire was beginning to drive her thoughts--and perhaps that was the best place to think right now. Her horn glowed magenta, and then swallowed its own power, channeling it down her body and into her marehood, casting a spell of augmented simulation. Or perhaps stimulation in this case.

Instinctively, while casting the spell, Twilight’s hooves began to move up and down along the length of Celestia’s horn. The Sun Goddess’ lustful groan only heightened the arousal of those around her, especially that of her sister.

“Are you ready, slave?” Luna whispered into the alicorn’s ear. “Do you want to feel our clit-cock in your cunt? We must admit, we are very anxious ourselves.” Luna looked up at the purple unicorn on the other side of Celestia. “Put your hoof in front of her mouth!”

Absently, Twilight moved her hoof as instructed.

“Spit on it, slave. Get that hoof slick so she can properly stroke you. You want a nice, slick hoof rubbing your horn, don’t you?”

The white mare swallowed, trying to build up some saliva in her mouth, and then spit once, twice, and a third time onto the small hoof. Twilight moved it back up to the horn, finding it traveled much more easily along its length.

Trixie was discovering something slick of her own. Her hoof moved along the dripping marehood of the purple unicorn, caressing it softly. Twilight let out a gasp--and so did Trixie. Somepony was touching her, as well. Her head spun around, but there was nopony there. She returned her attentions to the engorged sex in front of her, and with her first touch, she felt the caress return to her own marehood. She spun around, seeing no pony there. Her eyes narrowed and her ears pinned back, with her magical instinct taking over. Her hoof returned to Twilight’s sex, eliciting another moan from the mare--and causing her to suppress one of her own.

“I...see.” The azure unicorn said. She leaned forward, making sure that the mare could hear her every word. “You will not overcome Trixie that way, Twilight Sparkle. I will not only bring you to the most amazing orgasm of your life, but I will not succumb until I choose to. Trixie is superior to you in ALL regards.”

The words struck Twilight’s ears, but she didn’t acknowledge them. When she felt the other unicorn’s tongue slip inside her marehood, her body recognized the act willingly. She gasped, and thrust her head forward, pushing it right next to Celestia’s muzzle.

The Sun Goddess was panting, her marehood dripping while her horn was being stimulated. She could feel her sister’s...appendage...pressing against her leg, and she longed to feel it inside her. To feel the flesh penetrate her to the core. When her student’s face fell in front of her, she reacted without thought. Her mouth reached out, embracing the unicorn’s lips with her own.

Twilight felt mouths assaulting her with pleasure on either end of her body. A tongue plunged into her waiting cunt, driving deep in and out as it fought to drive her to climax. A different tongue explored her mouth, wrestling with her own in a duel of pure passion.

With every plunge into the mare’s pussy, Trixie felt her own sex respond with ardor. “You...will...cum before I do.” The azure mare growled, her determination and drive powering her to reach new levels of performance and control.

Luna smiled. The time was right, and she moved her hips into place behind her sister, pulling up until her clit-cock found a wet and willing opening. With a single thrust, she drove it home, plunging to the full length of her shaft.

The Night Goddess let loose a gutteral snarl as a new sensation rushed through her body. Her sister beneath her broke the lingering kiss with Twilight to cry out in a lewd cacophony of noise. Immediately, the dark alicorn began to work her hips, sliding her member in and out of her sister’s hole.

“I...didn’t expect this.” Luna snarled. “You are so very willing, slave. Your cunt is trying to pull me even further into you and not let go. This is something that I want to feel again. But, for now, I’m going to be content to just fuck your brains out.”

Hearing Luna speak, Trixie was being driven to a new level of lust herself. Her administrations on Twilight’s sex were quickly driving her to the brink of complete abandon. Her horn flared with magic, light blue energy coursed over her body, keeping her orgasm in denial. A trick she learned to use on others, teasing them and not letting them have release. She would see that the purple unicorn came before she did, no matter what.

Twilight couldn’t think. She couldn’t reason. She could only feel. The tongue pleasuring her. Her hooves around Celestia’s horn. The rough sensation of its spiral working and massaging her hooves as she did the same in return. The horn was lurching forward and back, moving with every thrust of Luna’s powerful body, and the purple mare did her best to keep with the rhythm. Her own body began to move in time with the Princesses, pushing back and forth, stroking the horn and grinding against Trixie’s muzzle.

“Twilight!” Luna barked the unicorn’s attention. “Look at Celestia. Stare into that whorse’s face. Tell her what she is. Call her a bitch. A whorse.”

The purple unicorn watched The Night Goddess fuck the mare beneath her. Their bodies pressed into each other with lascivious violence.

“No.” Twilight breathed out, her voice husky on the verge of crescendo. She looked down at The Sun Goddess, whose eyes were turned up to meet hers. “You...you’re the...most beautiful mare...I’ve ever seen.”

Luna grimaced and redoubled her efforts, her hips crashing down onto her sister’s flank with pendulous certainty. She pounded her clit-cock into Celestia’s cunt with a driving rage, insistent to make The Sun Goddess cum as she never had before.

The light blue mare working on Twilight soon discovered that her own admirable talents were more than a match for her ability to resist them--especially when they were doubled. Trixie cried out, screaming into the purple unicorn’s marehood, muffling the sound. She lost her own challenge, failing to outlast Twilight--but only by a matter of moments.

With her lust driven intensity, Trixie drove the other unicorn over the top. Twilight cried out, staring at the vision of her exclamation.

“Oh Celestia, yes! Yes! Yes!” Tears welled up in Twilight’s eyes.

“Perfect! It is time for both of us to cum, slave.” The Night Goddess growled. “Do it for your student. Do it for your Mistress!” A rush of liquid flushed from Luna’s cunt, drenching her legs and covering the floor of the throne room.

Celestia lay there, mouth agape, staring at her precious Twilight reaching the apex of carnal bliss, and feeling her beloved sister’s release, and could no longer contain herself. Her cunt released its fluid, clamping down on The Night Goddesses clit-cock, eliciting a shocked cry of pleasure from the midnight mare. And the horn that Twilight had teased and toyed with so masterfully let loose its magical ejaculate.

Twilight watched the horn pulse, and felt the pressure building from inside. She wasn’t thinking, still riding out her own electric orgasm. Instinct took over completely. And just as Celestia had her horngasm, Twilight Sparkle put her mouth over the tip of the alicorn’s horn.

“TWILIGHT! NO!” Luna yelled, but it was too late.

Pure magic rushed out of the most powerful pony alive, and straight into the body of her most beloved pupil. Celestia could not control what was happening, as the power poured out of her. Twilight felt the energy rush into her mouth and reacted naturally, swallowing what came. Her body felt lighter and her mind suddenly became clear, realizing everything that was happening around her. Clarity of thought and emotion rolled over the young unicorn, and even though her mouth was clamped down on The Sun Goddess’ horn, a smile seemed to form on her lips.

For Twilight Sparkle, the world seemed to turn white. She didn’t know how or for how long, but it was as though she was alone in a world of nothing, surrounded not by shadows, but an everything of pure light. There was no sound to disrupt the world, simply herself floating for forever and no time at all.

The unicorn blinked her eyes and found herself staring into the faces of both of Equestria’s resident goddesses. Concern and relief were in equal measure on both mare’s faces.

“Are you okay, Twilight?” Luna asked calmly.

“Please. Please tell me you are well.” Celestia pleaded.

“I’m...I’m fine.” Twilight answered. “I feel just fine.”

The immediate concern fell from Celestia’s face in relief. She smiled at her protege, warmth shining out of her, even as her eyes closed for a moment.

“You are very lucky.” The Night Goddess stated. “That was a rather foalish thing to do.”

“It was?” Twilight asked, looking around to find Trixie. The other unicorn was lying on the floor, apparently sleeping. “Why? What did I do?”

“You took in the full power of Celestia’s magic. Raw and unfocused. There was more power there than any mortal pony will ever know.” Luna explained. The midnight mare’s horn lit up, and the chains binding Celestia to the rack fell off, rattling to the ground. “Go and rest, Tia. We will clean this in a moment.”

Celestia opened her eyes, a beatific glaze covering them, and slowly nodded. She looked at Twilight and smiled. She stood from the device that had been holding her, turned to walk to the throne to rest, but did not complete her journey. She turned and looked over her shoulder. “Thank you.” Her words traveled to both mares, but neither was sure for whom it was intended.

Luna looked down at Twilight. “Walk with me.”

Stepping out of the throne room and onto one of the large balconies that surrounded the castle, The Night Goddess looked up into her crafted sky, the stars peeking through the storm that had passed that evening. Twilight walked up to stand beside her.

“I’m sure you have many questions.” Luna spoke without turning her head.

“I...have some.” The unicorn replied.

“I want you to know, Twilight, that what happened here tonight cannot happen again. Both Celestia and I fear what could happen in the throws of passion when dealing with a mortal pony, and your actions tonight confirmed that fear.”

“But nothing happened.”

The dark alicorn looked down at her smaller friend. “This time. But it easily could have. You are lucky to be alive.”

Twilight nodded, considering her next words carefully. “Princess, why did you do this? The whole...bet thing. Which honestly I still don’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why do it? What were you trying to prove?”

“It wasn’t quite as cold as you make it sound. It was after Celestia and I first...came into our current relationship, and I told her that I was wanting to take a student of my own. Trixie. Many consider her a less-than-reputable mare, but I put forth that she was a child of her surroundings. Traveling constantly, not having a real home or real friends. In contrast, you were the picture of a magical unicorn in her prime, surrounded by loving friends in an ideal home.

“I bet Celestia that by placing Trixie in your role she would soon be almost exactly like you. Conversely, by taking you away from your comfort zone--even what made you comfortable in Canterlot--you would soon lose the stability that you are well known for.”

Twilight stared up at her in disbelief. “Princess Celestia agreed to that? I thought she cared about me.”

Luna’s face softened. “Twilight Sparkle, there is no mortal pony in all of Equestria that my sister cares for more than you. She would never do anything to harm you or your friends.”

“No MORTAL pony?...” Twilight turned her head slightly to the side.

The alicorn laughed. “I DO share a special bond with her, you know.”

“Mmmm-hmmm.” Twilight smirked. “Well, then...tell me something: did...did you...see me?”

“See you?” Luna asked.

“Yeah. Did you see me? Outside your chambers. That one night.”

“Ohhhh...that.” The Night Goddess laughed softly. “Yes, I did. I knew you were there. But Celestia did not, to answer your next question.”

Twilight’s face scrunched up as possibilities formed in her head.

“Princess Luna, were...you trying to seduce me? You kissed me the next day.”

The alicorn didn’t answer immediately. She turned back to look into her night sky.

“There is something else that you need to know, Twilight. When you are in the body of another using the astral trans-location spell, they can hear you when you speak.”

The unicorn’s eyes grew huge and her ears flattened out.

“You...heard me?”

Luna nodded.

“And Celestia?...”

“She doesn’t know. It is a secret I keep.”

Twilight turned to look up into the sky. The stars were twinkling in the night.

“Let me ask you a question, Twilight. You told Celestia that she was the most beautiful mare that you had ever seen earlier, but...I have seen the way that you look at me, and it is not the same way you look at her.” Luna turned to look at Twilight once again. “Who do you really find the more beautiful?”

Twilight stared up into the night sky. The clouds were parting, revealing the moon that shone down on Equestria. The distant lights of Ponyville just visible on the horizon.

“Do you really want to know?” The unicorn finally responded.

“Yes, I do.”

Twilight turned away, and started to walk back into the throne room.

“Well, that...is a secret that I keep.”

Luna watched her walk away and smiled.

* * * * *

EPILOGUE ONE

“So, you aren’t angry? At all?” Rarity asked her dear friend.

“Nope. I consider this an important lesson learned.” Twilight answered, as she moved her books back into place on her library’s shelves.

“Oh, what a relief! I was dreadfully concerned that after you found out about...well, about Trixie and I, that you might be slightly put off.”

“Why would I be mad at her? If anything, I should be mad at myself for flying off the handle. Or at Rainbow Dash for being so far off base.” She then mumbled a small addition. “Not that that is really unusual.”

“And the Princesses? Are you still on good terms with them?”

“Yep! We...discussed things.” Twilight hadn’t told anyone about the night of her ‘reward,’ and truly hoped that Trixie would be able to keep the event private as well. No need to start rumors, even among friends. “We are on the very best of terms.”

“Oh, that is wonderful, darling!” Rarity smiled. “And that reminds me... Can I impose on you to look after Opal for a few days? I’m going to be taking a trip to Canterlot to visit with Trixie, and you know how delicate my poor wookems can be.”

“You call Trixie ‘your poor wookems?’” Twilight’s face twisted up in mock confusion.

“No! I meant Opal, of course.”

The purple unicorn laughed. “Of course I will, Rarity. It’s not a problem.”

“Thank you, darling.”

“So...Rarity. You really like Trixie, don’t you?” Twilight stopped shelving books for a moment.

“I...rather think I do, actually.” The white unicorn replied softly. “I’m not sure where it is going, but, for now at least, I want to find out.”

Twilight nodded, and her thoughts went to Trixie’s performance on her from the other night. She smiled. Maybe she could see what Rarity saw in her after all.

“Sure, Spike. I don’t mind at all.” Twilight stated.

The small dragon stuck his head over the railing of their shared bedroom loft and looked down. “What the heck are you talking about, Twilight? I didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah you did. You just asked if it would be okay to move your bed closer to the window for a while since you’ve been sleeping in the basement for such a long time. Not that a week is really a long time, though.”

“He didn’t say that.” Rarity replied. “He didn’t say anything.”

“I was thinking about it, though.” Spike explained.

“Well, obviously you said it. You must have been thinking out loud and Rarity didn’t hear you. It’s not like I can read minds or anything.” For just a fraction of a moment, Twilight’s eyes flashed gold.

* * * * *

EPILOGUE TWO

Celestia walked through the royal gardens, enjoying the sunlight that beamed down upon her. She was taking some personal time away from duties--much to the chagrin of her advisors and aides. But she felt that a good day in the sun was a welcome treat. She was enjoying giving herself treats lately, and it showed in the smile on her face.

“Good day, Tia.” A royal voice said.

“Luna. You’re up early today.” The white alicorn turned to walk up to her sister, hugging her with her neck as they came together.

“Yes, I wanted to discuss some things before our duties got in the way.” The dark alicorn explained. “Were you happy with the outcome of our wager?”

“Most definitely, yes.” Celestia’s mouth curled up once more.

“Good. And your winnings from the night, were they everything that you hoped they would be?”

The Sun Goddess lowered her head, her face turning pink for a moment. “Twilight was everything that I imagined and more.”

“I’m not sure she would be happy to know that she was tricked into it. That the actual victor was always you and that she was your prize for the evening.”

“She wasn’t tricked, Luna. She wanted it, too.” Celestia said calmly, resuming her walk.

Her sister moved beside her. “I suppose.” There was a brief pause. “We still have one thing to discuss, though, and that is the matter of you cheating.”

“Oh...that.” Shifting her eyes towards her sister for a moment, Celestia was trying to register her emotion. “I do apologize. That was me being overly protective.”

“I know, but still, you must be punished.” Luna said coldly.

“Punished? What do you mean?”

“I mean that if you get away with it, then you won’t feel you did anything wrong, ultimately.”

“And...and what do you propose?”

Luna smiled. “You will go without sex for the next two weeks. If I discover that you have, in any way, pleasured yourself, I will extend that punishment by three days for each offense.”

“What?” The pupils in the white alicorn’s eyes shrank.

“Furthermore, you will be coming to my room every night during that time,” Luna turned to look directly at her sister, “and watch me pleasure myself.”
Celestia’s mouth dropped open. The thought of watching her sister pleasuring herself, not being able to touch herself was maddening. “Luna, no! That is too much! You can’t expect--”

“TWO. WEEKS. Don’t make it worse for yourself, Tia.” Luna’s eyes burned into Celestia.

“Yes, Mistress.” The Sun Goddess answered softly.

“Good.” The mares took a few steps before Luna continued. “You must be very proud of your protege, Tia.”

Celestia turned her head to the side. “Protege? Don’t you mean, ‘pet,’ dear sister?”

Luna shook her head. “No, Tia. She is your protege. She is most definitely your protege.”

* * * * *

EPILOGUE THREE

A pen floated in the air, suspended magically above a piece of parchment rolled out beneath it. Lowering itself down, it began to transcribe a letter.

Dear Great and Powerful Trixie,

I was betrayed. I believed the lies that were told to me, and was made to suffer for it. I thought that what I was being told was the truth, and what I was taught was for my own good, but I have discovered that it was only for the amusement of others. I have stated that I will not be submissive to anypony, but was forced to do exactly that. I have told others that I do not sexually engage in an unwilling situation, but, again, I was forced to do exactly that.

And what is worst of all, I was again bested by that upstart mare, Twilight Sparkle. She defeated me in direct combat somehow, and then further proved to be more sexually adept than I. How is that possible? She is just another unicorn, and not anything as wonderful as I!

The one shining mark in this is finding Rarity. I have true feelings for that mare, and to tell the truth, it frightens me. I have not had the courage to tell her that I love her, at least not yet. When my plan is complete, I will take her along with me, I think. She deserves that.

And on that plan, I have not yet found the magic that Princess Luna used to transform herself from Night Goddess to Nightmare Moon, but I will. And that same power will be there to elevate me from unicorn to goddess--and even more. It is then that I shall have my revenge on Celestia, Luna, and most of all, Twilight Sparkle.

I have learned a very valuable lesson this week, indeed.

Signed,

The Great and Powerful Trixie

The pen floated down to the desk, resting beside the paper. The azure unicorn looked down at what she had written, and her lip twisted upwards. She sat there staring at the words in the dim candlelight, the fire reflecting in her eyes.

The End...for now.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

This will be continued. I can’t help myself, I keep coming up with more. The next “book” will be called “Who Rules: The Ascended,” and will be published as a separate story on the site. But give me a couple/three weeks to get some other stuff done first. Thanks! ~Nom

The Wager: Chapter One

(This is the sequel to Who Rules? You might want to go read that story first. Also, Luna will be back next chapter. I promise.)

Who Rules?: The Wager

by Nom deCheval

Chapter One

“Spike, take a note...” Twilight Sparkle waited for the baby dragon to gather together his parchment and ink before continuing. She was in her familiar library treehouse, having spent the morning with some of her best friends. The small, purple and green dragon looked up at her with quill in claw, showing readiness for her to begin. He recorded her every word.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned that while some friends talk a lot about doing what they say is right, it is only a true friend that will always do what is right--even if sometimes it’s the hard thing to do. But friends aren’t just there for the good times, they are there for the bad as well, and as long as you can share your troubles, a true friend will be there to help you carry them along.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

“...Twilight...Sparkle... Got it!” the diminutive dragon stated.

“Good, then it’s ready for the Princess.” Twilight smiled, content that she had fulfilled her duty for the time being. “Now please, send it off.”

“Sure thing!” Spike took in a deep breath and exhaled fire onto the paper, causing it to burn in an instant, and transform into a magical spell, sending it to its destination, the ruler of Equestria.

“Oh!” The noise came from the front door, immediately after an odd flash of air seemed to implode right outside.

Spike and Twilight looked at each other, and then rushed to the sound. Twilight’s horn flared with magic as she approached, opening the door to reveal the majestic presence of her mentor and teacher, Princess Celestia--who was busy reading the note that had just appeared before her.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight blurted, a massive smile coming to her face. “I didn’t know you were coming. I would have prepared something.”

Taking the cue, Spike immediately rushed to the kitchen, plans of preparing tea and biscuits for the visiting royalty running through his head. He didn’t have time to go out shopping this morning, so he was a little worried about the quality of what they had to offer. This WAS the Princess, after all. But he was sure there had to be something he could throw together.

“Twilight Sparkle, my most beloved student.” Celestia entered into the library without further bidding, and came over to the smaller, purple unicorn, giving her a welcome hug. “I see that you have been keeping busy with your assignment.”

“Well...I do my best,” she answered.

“No pony could ever question that," Celestia agreed.

“If I may ask, what brings you to Ponyville, Princess?”

“Actually, I am here to check up on you, Twilight,” the royal mare answered directly, “and to speak with you about your assignment.”

Twilight’s eyes bugged out in concern. “My...assignment? Is...is there something wrong?”

Just then, Spike burst his way back into the room, carrying a small tray of cookies for their honored guest. He rushed over to a table, setting them down gently on it, and then looked back at the two mares in the room. “I’ll be back with tea in just a minute!” He turned and rushed back into the kitchen.

“We should sit. I don’t think that Spike is going to be able to breathe until we do,” Celestia said, moving over to the table. Twilight followed and sat across from her mentor.

Twilight didn’t let the matter rest. “I thought you wanted me to send you less reports. Let my friends share in them. Do I need to send you more? That’s it, isn’t it! I’ve been shirking my responsibilities. I promise that I will send in more myself, and I’ll even make sure that my friends send more. And--”

“Twilight.” The Princess cut off the purple unicorn with a single soft word. “Everything is fine. You have been--as always--a most excellent student. I am proud to call you my protege.” Pet. The word leapt into Celestia’s thoughts, unbidden.

“But...” Twilight raised a curious eyebrow, “if that’s true, what’s wrong?”

A cookie levitated up to Celestia’s mouth, and she took a small bite of it, smiling. “Oh, these are quite good. Where did you get them?”

“Um...Cupcake Corner,” Twilight answered looking at the cookie floating in front of the Princess, “but you didn’t answer my question. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong, Twilight. You need to relax a little, dear.”

Spike came bursting through the doorway once more, this time carefully balancing a tray that contained two cups and a teapot. He rushed up to the table as best he could, and carefully placed the tray down. He immediately started to pour two cups. “I sure hope you like it. We didn’t have our normal stuff, so I had to improvise a little.”

Twilight looked over at Princess Celestia once more, appearing more and more confused. “Well, if nothing’s wrong, what did you want to tell me?”

“That my sister--Princess Luna--has taken on a protege of her own.”

Celestia levitated one of the cups off of the table, and Twilight did the same.

“Really? Wow! That’s great news, but how does it affect my assignment here?”

The young unicorn took a sip of her tea--and immediately spit it out, narrowly missing the Sun Goddess across from her.

“SPIKE!!” She looked at the small dragon. “What is in here?”

“Um, well, I had to put together a few things out of the pantry. There was oregano, and some parsley--both dried of course--and some of that lemon zest stuff you tend to like.”

Celestia took a small sip of hers. “Oooh. Tangy.”

Setting her teacup down, Twilight looked back across at her mentor. “Uh, yeah. So, what exactly does Princess Luna getting a student have to do with me again?”

“Well, for one thing, she’s moving to Ponyville.”

Twilight’s eyes grew huge, and her smile nearly matched. “Really? That’s terrific! I can show her around, introduce her to all my friends, maybe even become ‘study buddies’ with her! It will be so great having another magic-using unicorn in town. Not that the other unicorns in town don’t use magic, but I mean one that focuses on it as her primary pursuit. Not to mention another fellow student of one of the Princesses. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Celestia took a deep breath before speaking. “I...believe that you already have.”

* * * * *

“No. No. No. No! NO!” Fabric flew about the room in a what almost appeared to be a carefully arranged ballet of chaos. As though the bolts of cloth were planned out in tired precision where and when they would be flung in this creative space. A white, somewhat overweight, cat sat disdainfully watching the display, only to stand, turn slightly, and lie back down again. “These are absolutely the most dreadful pieces of cloth that anypony has ever tried to make beautiful. And beauty simply CANNOT come from trash, despite what some ponies think.”

Rarity flung her head to the right, causing her perfectly coiffed mane to dramatically shift to one side, in a display of perfect glamour for no pony but herself. “I simply must find something new or I am doomed to become a laughing stock in town. The horrors that pervade my life are almost too much to bear!” She looked at her cat for answers. “You understand me, don’t you, Opal, darling?”

The cat opened one eye for a moment, and then closed it again without any response.

“That new shipment of material simply cannot arrive from Manehatten soon enough. Having to work with such ghastly mundane material is horrifically trying. Can you imagine THIS,” her magic thrust a bolt of bright red cloth under Opal’s nose, causing the cat to shriek and leap up, hissing, “making anything beautiful?”

The tell-tale jingle of the bell on the front door of The Carousel Boutique sounded, indicating a visitor to the shop. “Oh my!” Rarity said, quickly lifting and putting the scattered fabrics back into place. “ONE MOMENT!” She shouted to the visitor, making sure that it was loud enough to be heard in the next room without seeming gauche. A quick glance around the room to make sure that it was presentable if the visitor needed to see it, then a much longer glance in the mirror to insure that she was presentable to herself, and Rarity stepped into the front room of the boutique.

“I’m SO very sorry, I--” She stopped in mid-sentence.

Standing just inside the building, the doorway framing her, stood a light blue pony. She was sideways, her front hoof raised as though posing and waiting for somepony to walk into the room and see her, the outside light almost casting a glow around her body. She was wearing a purple cape and hat, each adorned with a smattering of multi-colored stars, and her head turned dramatically as Rarity entered.

“Oh no,” Rarity said, deflated. “Trixie! What are you doing here?”

Turning so that her cape fluttered slightly, the pony that Rarity knew was a unicorn--though the hat hid her horn--spoke. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has graced this shop with her presence! And I wanted to speak to its owner, Rarity! This is a fortunate day for you.”

“I’m sure it most certainly is NOT!” Rarity answered stepping forward. This day was becoming progressively worse. First the fabric disaster, and now this. “Why have you come to my shop?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Trixie said, dumbfounded. “Trixie is wanting you to craft her some new clothing.”

“Well I...wait, what?” Rarity answered, confused.

“You are a seamstress, correct? I assumed so from everything that I was told.”

“Wait. YOU are wanting ME to make you an outfit?” Rarity asked.

“Well, yes, unless you have something already made that is worthy of The Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“What makes you think for one minute that I will--”

“You are, after all, the only pony I have met who I did not directly best,” Trixie interrupted.

Rarity stared and blinked. Twice.

“What did you just say?”

“Trixie said that you are the only pony that I have never directly bested.”

“After what you did to my fabulous mane?”

“Exactly. I was not able to make myself more beautiful and glamorous than you, so I had to make you less so. Trixie accomplished her goal, but did not actually outdo you herself.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Rarity trotted up and walked around Trixie, staring intently. “Are you the same Trixie who came into Ponyville last year? The same boastful, loud, obnoxious...”

“That’s enough,” Trixie said, trying to stop Rarity.

“...horrible, distasteful, rude...”

“Really, that’s enough,” Trixie said again.

“...coarse, egomaniacal, conceited...”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie says, ENOUGH!” She stamped her hoof.

“...pony that turned my mane green?”

“Yes! I am that very same pony!”

“And you honestly feel that you aren’t better than me?” Rarity asked.

“Of course not!” Trixie answered.

Rarity started to smile, and then Trixie kept talking.

“I KNOW it, I do not ‘feel’ it. I am obviously better than you, but...well, you have a certain level of style, fashion, and beauty that Trixie would like to obtain.”

“I...see,” Rarity answered, unsure whether to be flattered or insulted.

“Besides, I would think that you would welcome my bits. From what Trixie has seen, she is the only pony in this entire town that ever bothers to wear clothes. It’s a miracle that you haven’t already gone out of business.”

“I...generally do work for special occasions,” Rarity defended herself.

“Well, then this is perfect, for there is nothing more special than THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!”

Rarity took a deep breath and exhaled a heavy sigh. “Get in here before I change my mind,” she said, using her magic to close the door to the shop and walk towards the racks of clothing.

What Rarity did not notice was the glow that surrounded Trixie’s horn, locking the door and moving the sign outside from “open” to “closed,” while a sly smile graced the blue unicorn’s mouth.

“Now, what exactly is it you are wanting?” Rarity asked. “Please tell me it isn’t another horrible purple cape and hat with stars.”

“Trixie is wanting to change her look. This outfit is ideal for my performances, but I think that I need something a little less for the stage right now. Something more stylish.”

“Oh thank heavens you realize that isn’t stylish,” Rarity said and began to flip through the clothing on the racks.

Trixie looked at her cape with a confused expression. “Trixie thinks it is stylish...” she muttered.

“Now, are you wanting something formal? Something casual? Something more sporty perhaps?”

“Trixie wants something to create an air about her. Something that gets her noticed!”

“In a good way, right?” Rarity asked, glancing sideways.

“Of course! You do have the ability to create such a thing, don’t you?” Trixie answered just as flippantly.

“I am only the greatest designer in all of Ponyville!” Rarity answered.

“Only because The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t do that!” came the response.

“Fine.” Rarity half closed her eyes again in frustration, but generously giving up the point. “Did you have a color in mind?”

“No. Something dark, perhaps? Or maybe bright?”

“Well, that narrows it down,” Rarity answered sarcastically. She reached in and pulled out a dress that flared out at the haunches, creating a bell-hoop skirt. “How about something like this?”

“THAT?” Trixie exclaimed. “Oh please, I thought you had talent. Show me something better than that.”

“I’ll have you know that this dress is beautiful!” Rarity said, getting in the face of the other unicorn.

“Perhaps! But it is NOT what Trixie wants!” The other mare stared back at her.

“Well, if you knew what you wanted, then perhaps we would actually be accomplishing something!”

“Trixie wants you to model clothing for her!”

The two unicorns were almost pressing their faces up against each other until Trixie spoke.

Rarity pulled back, confused. “...I beg your pardon?”

Trixie raised her head up and slowly walked back and turned to face Rarity again. “I want you to model clothing for me. Show me an outfit that fits who and what I am in your opinion. If anypony can make that look glamorous, it’s you. And it will show Trixie what she needs to do.”

“I’m...not a model,” Rarity answered.

“Only because you are too beautiful for it. You cannot overshadow what you wear on the runway.”

The white unicorn's cheeks turned pink. “I...thank you.”

“But, Trixie feels that beauty would best show her how to act and look. If I can see you in an outfit, then I know what I need to do, and I can have the same effect on others that you have.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Rarity answered, “but it certainly couldn’t hurt.”

Rarity unicorn trotted up to the racks of clothing and began to rummage through them once more, questing for the perfect outfit.

“Trixie sees herself as...great...and powerful...and...”

“Yes, yes, I know the routine,” Rarity answered, still searching. “Ah-ha!”

Stepping out with an outfit floating in front or her, the white mare had a look of success on her face. A black outfit hung in the air, surrounded by the aura of Rarity’s unicorn magic.

“You think that will be the right one?” Trixie asked.

“Perhaps, perhaps not, but it’s as good a place as any to start.” Rarity looked over at Trixie looking for confirmation as she continued. “And you want ME to try it on for you, yes?”

“Exactly. It has to look good on you before it will look good on Trixie.”

“Very well then.” Rarity trotted behind a changing screen and began to put on the outfit.

“I rarely wear these clothes in front of customers,” Rarity spoke as she changed. “After all, I have so many outfits.”

While Rarity spoke, Trixie’s horn once again lit up, slowly closing the shutters on the windows, insuring their privacy.

“I mean, naturally I DO try them all on,” Rarity said. “It would be unthinkable not to know what they looked like on me. Except of course for any outfit that I custom make for somepony else. Those are just for those unique mares, and I would hate for them to think that I wore their outfits before they ever did.”

“Naturally,” Trixie answered, waiting for the show to begin. She levitated her hat off of her head and put it on a nearby table, and then sat down, anticipating the other unicorn’s return.

“Well,” Rarity said with a beguiling tone as she stepped into view, “what do you think?”

The dress moved on the unicorn like a second skin. Shimmering black, almost like ground obsidian, the dress slunk along her body, shifting with every motion. It fit her tight around the collar, and then opened up along either foreleg, slit up the front of either side. It continued over her back, but then slid off on a bias, cut so that it only covered one flank, letting her three-diamond cutie mark show clearly.

Trixie stared at her and felt her mouth go momentarily dry.

“It’s...astonishing. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful,” she answered.

“I know,” Rarity said, smiling and walking a line in front of Trixie once, then turning and heading back again. “I’ve always thought this dress was stunning, but it takes the right pony to wear it. If you don’t have the confidence to wear this dress, it will completely wear you. And confidence is certainly not something you are lacking.”

“Trixie is only confident because she is great and powerful, but, at the same time...I don’t think that dress will work. While there is no doubt that...it is stunning.” Trixie was suddenly staring straight into Rarity’s half-lidded blue eyes. “It isn’t what Trixie wants.”

“Oh, I know,” Rarity smiled, opening her eyes back up, “but you have to admit, it started the show off with a great bang. This outfit is simply too formal. You could never wear this every day, but I have something else in mind. Just one minute!”

Rarity trotted back behind the screen and a flash of magic moved another outfit over towards her from an unseen rack. Taking a deep breath to clear her mind, Trixie took off her cape and floated it over to hang on a nearby hook at that same time.

“You know,” Rarity began from behind the screen, “this is actually rather fun. I normally watch others wear my clothes. Having somepony watch ME wear them is somewhat exhilarating.”

“Trixie is glad you feel that way.”

“Well, hopefully you’ll feel better when you see this.” Rarity once again stepped out and into view. Trixie tried not to openly stare.

The jacket the white unicorn was wearing was made of a black leather-looking material. It hung to her body, sleeves running down both forelegs, and came to a flare just above her flank. A high collar covered in fur wrapped around her neck and brilliant gems lined the front of it, running down her neck and disappearing beneath her body.

“Well, what do you think?” Rarity asked, batting her eyelashes.

“Amazing,” Trixie answered, but a tinge of concern laced in her voice. “But...is that actual animal hide?”

Rarity’s eyes bugged out. “Absolutely not! That would be positively barbaric! I am no common thug who would skin a poor animal just to wear their hide. Even the fur on this outfit was donated by willing animals.”

“Well, Trixie thinks that it looks...good.”

“Well, hopefully it’s better than just good, Trixie. I was going for ‘sensational’ or perhaps ‘stunning.’”

“It’s those things, too.”

Rarity walked in front of Trixie, pausing to turn slowly in front of her, and then stopping to run her hooves along the front row of gemstones. “Well, do you think it would work for you?”

Trixie paused a moment. “Though it is a beautiful outfit, I don’t think that it has the right look.” She looked into Rarity’s eyes. “It isn’t what Trixie wants.”

“Well then, we’ll have to keep looking, won’t we?” Rarity answered with a smile, and trotted back behind the screen again.

A parade of outfits followed. One after another, each lovely and carefully crafted, but none of them met with Trixie’s approval. After an hour had passed, Trixie noticed that every outfit to that point had been black. She decided to ask for something different.

“Trixie knows that she mentioned black to you, but could you maybe change the color? Something red maybe?”

“Certainly!” Rarity said, excitedly.

“Oh, and...” Trixie let her voice soften slightly, “perhaps something a little more...risque?”

Rarity’s eyes shot wide and her mouth fell open, almost ready to speak, but she stopped herself. She blinked a couple of times, looking at Trixie. The waiting unicorn’s face was not that of a braggart, but more of a thirsty mare finding something pleasant to drink after a long drought.

Rarity’s face softened. A smile and half-lidded eyes were the first part of the answer, followed by a sultry response from the white mare. “Of course.”

Without another word, Rarity moved behind the screen once more, changing clothes for her customer.

“Trixie hopes that you are still enjoying this.”

“Oh yes,” Rarity answered softly. “Far more than I would have ever imagined.”

“Good. I am hoping that after all of this effort Trixie will finally find something that meets her approval.”

“Oh, I would almost count on it.”

Rarity stepped out from behind the changing screen, and then stopped dramatically, posing specifically to get a response from her audience. She was dressed in a bright red corset, tied tightly around her, cinching in her midsection. Delicate needlework adorned the outfit, creating a zig-zag pattern of black down it. At the top of the corset, black lace peeked its way out, and at the bottom of it a row of feathers fanned out, making Rarity’s waist appear even smaller.

“Is THIS what Trixie wants?” Rarity asked seductively.

Lowering her head to look through her pale blue mane, Trixie rose to her hooves and slowly walked over to Rarity. She took a long, slow walk around her, her eyes taking in every inch of the white mare as she did. Finally, she stopped directly in front of her and smiled.

“Oh yes. This is exactly what The Great and Powerful Trixie has been wanting.”

Rarity felt her breath catch in her throat.

“I have...other things...that I could show you,” Rarity answered, her eyes glistening. “In my bedroom.”

“Please. Trixie will gladly follow you there.”

“O-okay,” Rarity answered. Confusion was running through her. She wasn’t this kind of pony. Not to say that she was inexperienced, far from it, but, to let somepony--especially somepony like Trixie--get her to...well, a lady doesn’t talk about such things. And she felt this was rapidly moving out of her control and into such things.

Nonetheless, she felt the strongest desire to follow through on the current course of action as she turned to walk towards her bedroom. She felt Trixie’s eyes staring at her, watching her flank as she walked. Rarity blushed as she purposely started to accentuate her hips with each hoof-fall, showing off for the unicorn behind her as they moved up the stairs towards her sleeping chamber. Her tail started to sway with every step, moving farther and farther to each side, intentionally giving Trixie a glimpse of her marehood. Rarity felt a dampness growing there.

“You have a lovely...bedroom,” Trixie said.

“Thank you. I decorated it myself,” Rarity answered.

“Of course you did.”

Rarity stopped in the middle of her bedroom, but Trixie continued to walk, moving to the large, ornate four-poster bed and sitting down on it gently.

“You have another outfit that you can try on?” Trixie asked.

“Yes. Naturally. I have many outfits that I keep up here,” Rarity answered softly. “Was there...something particular you wanted me to try on?”

“Yes, there is,” Trixie answered with a sly grin, “but Trixie thinks that you need to change outfits first. Put on something...daring.”

“Daring?” Only one outfit came into Rarity’s mind. “I...can do that.”

“Good,” Trixie smiled, devilishly.

“Well, then...let me just go and put that on and--”

“No,” Trixie interrupted. “Trixie wants you to put it on here. In front of her.”

“Here?” Rarity asked, shocked.

“Yes. Here,” Trixie answered.

“Oh...of course.” Using her magic, the white unicorn began to unlace the corset she was wearing, slowly loosening it, all while under Trixie’s watchful eye. Rarity’s heart began to race. She always loved being the center of attention, but being so carefully scrutinized in this way made her feel positively electric. She could feel the warmth growing in her loins as she slipped the red fabric off her body and gently floated it over to a dressing table.

Suddenly, Rarity felt naked. It was true that she never really wore clothes, but in this instance, having taken off a sultry piece of clothing in front of her current guest, she felt truly exposed in a way she never had before. Her eyes darted about as she searched for the outfit to put on--as little as it was--and caught a glimpse of Trixie, whose inviting eyes were feasting on her body.

Rarity’s magic quickly grabbed the cloth, pulling it over to her, hoping the outfit would help her feel covered. To call it an outfit was something of a bold statement, in fact, and there was no chance that it was going to cover her up. In essence, the outfit--which Rarity adjusted in the air, and then began to put on--was little more than a series of connected straps, each designed to enhance and highlight certain areas of the mare’s anatomy.

With careful precision, Rarity moved the straps around her body, connecting them in places and weaving them in others, until she was finished. When she was done, she stood there, finally bringing her eyes around to look at Trixie again.

Trixie stood and walked around her, examining both her and her outfit. Rarity felt like an object on display, being looked at by a prospective buyer.

The outfit Rarity wore was a series of black straps that ran across her chest, around her forelegs, and then over her back and stomach, before moving behind her tail, lifting it up and sliding between her rear legs, pulling them slightly apart. It left her marehood completely exposed--as it was designed to do--and it glistened with slick moisture.

“Does...it meet your approval?” Rarity asked, nervously, watching as the other mare paced around her.

“It does,” Trixie answered, moving around to stand in front of the white unicorn. “And it is...positively lewd.”

Rarity wanted to be shocked. She wanted to act exasperated and insulted. She wanted to storm out of the room and demand that Trixie leave. What happened was that a breathy gasp escaped from her lips as the other mare’s purple eyes locked onto her blue ones. Her juices began to freely flow, threatening to run down her leg and puddle on the floor.

“Is it...something you want to wear?” Rarity asked.

“Heavens no. The Great and Powerful Trixie would never wear that--but she is glad that you are wearing it.”

The distance between Trixie and Rarity closed quickly, until Rarity felt the other unicorn’s lips press firmly, yet softly against her own. Trixie pulled back from the kiss, her tongue flicking out at the last second to tease against Rarity’s upper lip as she did, causing the white mare to lurch her muzzle slightly forward, trying to hold onto that touch.

“Trixie is going to take you now,” she said. All Rarity could muster was a slow, deliberate nod of agreement.

With a momentary glow of light from her horn, Trixie lifted Rarity off the floor and moved her gently over to the bed, laying her down on her back. At the same time, four black silk cords came floating from a nearby table holding some of the seamstress’ materials. Each of Rarity’s four hooves were encircled and tied by the rope, and then those ropes were pulled taught and anchored to the four posts of the bed, leaving the white unicorn completely vulnerable.

Walking up beside the bed, Trixie stared down at her prey, and, propping herself up on the bed, began to run one of her forehooves along Rarity’s body, eliciting a gasp from the mare. As the hoof moved lower, the blue unicorn felt Rarity shudder involuntarily. Trixie smiled.

“Have you ever been tied up before?” Trixie asked.

“Not...like this.”

“Then let Trixie tell you a few rules. Firstly, you are not to speak unless told to do so. Secondly, you will allow me to do whatever I wish. If that becomes too much, you need to give me a sign. A special word to let me know to stop. A safe word. Yours shall be ‘red.’ If you cannot speak, you will tap both forehooves against the bed twice. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Rarity nodded gently.

“Good. The final rule is very simple: relax. Trixie is not going to hurt you. In fact, I think you’ll discover something very far from hurt, very soon.” Rarity didn’t know why, but she knew that the other mare was telling the truth. She trusted her, and acknowledged that with a small nod.

With that final instruction, Trixie returned her hoof to the white mare’s body, stroking it gently up and down, allowing the touch to draw out the best response. Trixie kept her eyes focused on Rarity’s, staring directly at her and forcing the white unicorn to feel small beneath her.

“Do you like Trixie’s touch? The feel of my hooves?”

“Yes. Very much,” Rarity answered breathlessly.

With that response, Trixie’s hoof moved directly between Rarity's rear legs, feeling the dampness of her plot. Rarity’s head lurched back suddenly as she gasped in air. The hoof moved back up the unicorn's body, leaving her marehood wetter than ever.

“Yes. Yes, I think you do like Trixie’s touch.” Her hoof traced up and down the body once more, Rarity's body beginning to move itself where touched, trying to persuade the hoof to go a specific direction.

Trixie’s horn lit up again, and a small object floated over from the sewing table in the room. The controlling unicorn moved her hoof up to the tip of the object and turned the wheel covered in dozens of small teeth. “Pattern wheel. Very useful--for both of us.”

Using her magic to control the item, Trixie brought the pattern wheel’s teeth down onto Rarity’s soft flesh. The tiny pin-prick sensations of the wheel cut through the mare’s coat and sent rivulets of electricity coursing through her body. Rarity's breathing increased audibly.

Trixie led the wheel along each leg of her tied plaything, and then down her body, not once, but three times. Finally, she moved the wheel to the area outside Rarity’s labia, gently stroking that tender flesh with the biting device.

“Oh, sweet Celestia!” Rarity whispered.

The wheel was removed from her body at that instant, causing Rarity to groan.

“Ah. Trixie did not give you permission to speak. You will have to be punished.” Trixie set the wheel down on the table next to the bed and moved herself up onto the bed completely. “Fortunately, all of this play has Trixie just as dripping wet as you are, and I really want to put my cunt on your face.”

With a single smooth motion, Trixie shifted her body so that her hind legs were positioned on either side of Rarity’s muzzle, with her facing down to look towards the white unicorn’s marehood. Glancing down at the trapped mare, Trixie felt the heat in her loins blaze, and she lowered herself forcefully down, completely covering Rarity's mouth and nose.

A moment of panic shot through Rarity, not expecting such a sudden and complete enclosure of her muzzle. After only a second or two, the dominant unicorn again lifted herself up.

“Breathe,” Trixie commanded, and Rarity obeyed. “And if you lick, you will find that you get even more air, more frequently. Performance is the key. If I’m happy, you get to breathe. If I’m not...well, then you had best make Trixie happy.”

She lowered herself again, once more completely cutting off the white mare’s breathing, but this time Rarity was expecting it. She took her tongue and gently moved it out of her mouth, sliding it along the folds of the marehood covering her.

“Mmmmm, yes,” Trixie moaned. She lifted herself off of the trapped mare for a small count, and then lowered herself again. “Trixie wants to use your face as a toy. And if you do it right, then you get a special reward.”

Rarity took this as motivation, and began to lick Trixie’s cunt with fervor. The strong, sweet flavor was running down her tongue, out of her mouth, and all over her muzzle as she began to thrust in and out of the pussy above her.

Every few seconds, the blue unicorn raised herself up, letting Rarity take in a breath before lowering herself again and putting the mare back to work. This pattern continued for several minutes before any words were spoken.

“You...are talented,” Trixie said aloud. “You’ve eaten a mare’s cunt before, haven’t you?”

“Mm-hmm,” was all that Rarity could answer with her mouth covered.

“Goddess, yes!” The dominant mare shifted her weight forward, freeing Rarity’s nose to take in air, but keeping her mouth well in range of her dripping sex. “Keep licking!” Trixie commanded, as she began to buck her hips against the other mare’s face.

Doing her best, Rarity shoved her tongue out, splaying it inside the unicorn’s marehood. Trixie responded by using that tongue, fucking it with enthusiasm, grinding her clit onto the chin of her pony sex toy. Rarity felt Trixie’s magic grab her head firmly, lifting it off the bed slightly to give a better angle for penetration as she slammed her cunt down onto the willing mare’s tongue.

“I’m about to cum,” Trixie stated with lurid breath. “Do you want to taste Trixie’s cum?”

“Yes!” Rarity answered, pulling her tongue back for only long enough to speak.

“Good, because you don’t really have a choice.”

Trixie increased her tempo, thrusting herself down onto Rarity’s long tongue. Each penetration brought her that much closer to the edge, but the willful unicorn held off her own orgasm, determined to make this last as long as possible before seeing release.

Rarity began to move her tongue in rhythm with Trixie. With each upwards stroke on her tongue, she would pull it out of the blue unicorn’s cunt and flick it up against her amazingly hard and engorged clit, before moving it back down and preparing for another downward thrust. She made sure to never leave contact with the soaked marehood, letting her tongue trace along the path between opening and clit to stimulate all the nerve endings between.

This was driving Trixie wild. Her mind was lost in passion and lust, seeing only a brilliant end on the horizon. That destination arrived sooner than the blue unicorn anticipated, as she suddenly thrust herself back against the white muzzle pleasuring her and screamed.

“GODDESS, YES! YES!” She bucked her hips up and down Rarity’s muzzle, occasionally cutting off the white mare’s airway once again, but this was totally accidental. Cum poured out of Trixie, soaking Rarity’s face and spilling out all over the bed sheets. Rarity took in as much as she could, swallowing fast, but the violent spasms of her lover made it virtually impossible to take it all in.

Trixie slumped onto Rarity, her breath hard and fast. After a moment, Trixie moved, sliding down the white mare’s body and turning around to look at the tied up pleasure victim.

“That was a good start,” Trixie said. “I hope you have enough endurance to make it all the way through the night. Trixie does not expect you to perform to her levels, but she thinks that you will do...well.”

Rarity held her gaze on the other mare as she moved between her white hindlegs, a look of lust piercing back up from purple eyes to blue. Trixie’s tongue came out of her mouth and slid down along the outer lips of Rarity’s cunt, teasing her once again. The coat around the slit was drenched with the mare’s own juices, and Trixie took in the delightful flavor with a smile.

“How long do you think you can last?” Trixie asked. “And how many times do you think you will cum before I relent?”

“I...I don’t know.”

“Trixie knows.”

Magic flared from the blue unicorn’s horn and Rarity suddenly felt dozens of small points of pressure moving along the inside of her thighs, gradually approaching the center of her sex. Each point moved independently of the others, taking their own path and creating different sensations. Their combined effort caused Rarity to open her mouth in silence, her tongue falling out of her mouth in a carnal display.

Trixie raised her head up to stare at the mare laid out before her. A playful smile was plastered on the pleasure giver’s face as her magical appendages moved ever closer to their ultimate target.

“You are going to feel things you never imagined possible, mare,” Trixie stated. “Your body is going to betray you, telling you things are happening that can’t possibly be real, but...they are.”

Rarity felt the lips of her vagina spread open, and suddenly it felt as though hundreds of individual pin-pricks of pleasure began to dot along the opening, randomly moving in a careful pattern to heighten her sensitivity. Her breath quickened as the feeling spread, going deeper inside her, penetrating her. Hundreds of pleasure points began to form inside her vagina, each showering her with sparks of delight.

And then they began to coalesce, taking shape into a larger form, growing inside her until it filled her completely. Rarity lost all ability to communicate. Her mind was a sea of experience, as the hundreds that were acting as one began to thrust in and out, driving her mad with desire. Every time the item moved, her vagina grasped for it, and with every muscle contraction the pin-pricks of pleasure shot through her again. She had no idea how long it had been going on. It could have been seconds or it could have been hours. Time lost all meaning to her as the sensation grew, until she finally exploded with a scream.

“OH SWEET CELESTIA, YES!” she bellowed to the air. Her body wracked and writhed, thrusting against the unseen thing that was driving her lust. She spasmed, her cum leaking from her in a rushing torrent. And Trixie moved her head down to lap it up.

With the touch of the blue unicorn’s tongue to her once more, Rarity’s pleasure soared even higher. A guttural moan escaped her lips as Rarity strained against the ropes binding her to the bed.

Trixie’s tongue went straight for Rarity's hardened clit, licking it gently before sucking it into her mouth. While still maintaining the vacuumed pressure, the dominant unicorn began to flick her tongue quickly back and forth across the erect bud.

At the same time, Trixie’s magic again assaulted Rarity, sending out feelers once more, tracing along the inside of her cunt, searching for the most sensitive of areas. There, they began to trace circles in an ever-altering pressure, adding to the white unicorn’s already indescribable lust.

More tendrils of exploration shot out, this time reaching past the dripping marehood to the soaked hole that lie deeper beneath. Pressing against Rarity’s tailhole, they slipped inside, and began to quiver as they moved back and forth. Each individual tendril moved on its own accord, creating a sensation not of thrusting, but of constantly being penetrated in different ways.

Rarity’s eyes rolled back in her head, and her tongue fell out of the side of her dry mouth. She had no thought for words or energy for sounds, but her constant state of arousal drove her to places that she never imagined possible. A well of sensation finally found a place deep inside her and she sensed a release growing. There was nothing she could do to stop it or encourage it, she simply laid back blissfully aware of everything that was happening.

She came. Spurting a constant torrent of cum from her marehood, Rarity felt as though her soul was passing out of her and drenching her lover completely. It was the most complete orgasm the mare had experienced, or even imagined.

For her part, Trixie lapped up as much of Rarity’s cum as she could. It drenched her face, mane, and neck, soaking her coat completely, but that wasn’t an issue. The sweet nectar of the satisfied unicorn lying beneath her was all that mattered at that exact moment.

Slowly, Rarity’s world came back to her. First she regained her sense of hearing, locating her own heaving breath as she did. Next came her vision, slowly focusing back on the world around her, seeing her bed and her room, and finally the purple eyes half-hidden behind a light blue mane that stared up at her as the mare planted gentle kisses inside her thighs.

Seeing the white unicorn regain her senses, Trixie moved herself up along the body beneath her, planting kisses as she did. The ropes that bound Rarity to the bed loosened magically, allowing her to free her hooves and bring them down to stroke the mane of her blue lover.

“Trixie...that was...was...”

“Great and powerful?” Trixie answered with a sly smile.

Rarity smiled back. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“Of course not,” Trixie answered. “That’s why I wanted to do it.”

“Do what?” Rarity asked, confused, and still lost in bliss.

“Prove to you that I was better than you. Trixie is sure that you have never had a lover this good, or been this good yourself. I wanted you to know that there is nothing that you can do that I cannot do better.”

Rarity wanted to protest. To tell the unicorn that she was a braggart and obnoxious, but at the moment she just didn’t care.

“So, the whole trip to the shop to find a new outfit was nothing more than a facade?” Rarity asked.

“No. Not at all,” she answered. “Trixie does want you to make her a new outfit. I wanted the sex, too, but the outfit idea was most certainly genuine.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Trixie was thinking of a cape and hat with stars on them.”

“A...hat. And a cape. With...stars on them?” Rarity looked at the blue unicorn, fully returning to her senses with that declaration.

“Yes. Trixie thinks it will look good on her.”

“Trixie, darling, that is what you already wear.”

“Oh, but I was thinking of changing the color and the pattern of the stars.”

“Well,” Rarity smiled, “I suppose I do owe you something for what you just did. And I’m sure that I can make that horri--er, previous outfit look better.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Trixie designed that outfit...”

“And you did an excellent job, darling!” Rarity said, trying to recover. “But perhaps a new eye will bring even MORE fabulous style to it.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” Trixie answered.

Rarity smiled, happy that passed quickly and laid her head down on Trixie’s shoulder, nuzzling herself closer, Trixie moving her foreleg to hold Rarity closer to her. They lay there in silence, enjoying the afterglow of their lovemaking for a few minutes before Rarity spoke once again.

“Trixie,” the white unicorn asked, rubbing her hoof gently along her lover’s coat, “what brought you back to Ponyville, anyway? Was it...for me?”

“Oh, no. The Great and Powerful Trixie was sent here by the Princesses to replace Twilight Sparkle.”

Rarity shot up in bed, staring down at Trixie with wild eyes.

“WHAT?!”

* * * * *

“Trixie? Really?” Twilight said to Celestia, sounding more amazed than anything. She had stood from the table and walked around the room, taking it all in. “I mean, I guess she’s capable, but I never thought that she would be able to put her ego aside long enough to accept training. Even from Princess Luna.”

“Well, Luna can be very persuasive,” Celestia answered in her soothing tone.

“Well, I’m sure if Luna is teaching her, then Trixie must have come a long way.”

“I suppose. I try not to interfere. She is Luna’s student, after all.”

“But even so, I hope that she’ll be willing to be friends. I mean, I don’t like the idea of somepony who is constantly competing with me being just across town. That could make going to the market really stressful,” Twilight said, pacing.

Celestia’s eyes moved towards Twilight’s flank. The unicorn wasn’t doing anything to show off, but the Sun Goddess couldn’t help but notice it. Pet. The word Luna used crept back into her mind.

“I have to say, Twilight, you have certainly grown into a beautiful young mare,” Celestia said calmly. “It’s good to see.”

“Thank you, Princess!” Twilight said with a smile, looking over at her mentor. Celestia looked at her student and, for just a moment, thought of her in a very different way.

The Sun Goddess shook her head slightly, clearing her thoughts.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked, seeing her teacher’s action.

“It’s nothing, Twilight. Just thinking,” she answered.

“Oh, okay,” the unicorn paused. “Um, Princess?...”

“Yes, my faithful student?”

“Um, well, not trying to sound insulting or anything, but, well, there are a lot of rumors going around about Princess Luna. That she’s...changed.”

“She has,” Celestia answered.

“Well, there are also rumors that she might be heading back towards...Nightmare Moon.” Twilight cringed at the name.

“Oh, ho ho ho,” Celestia laughed. “No, not at all. Though, with the physical changes that Luna has put herself through, it is easy to understand why ponies would think that. She’s simply allowed her body to catch up to her own years. She’s aged to that of a full-grown alicorn now.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

“Yes, it is, Twilight. It is a very, very good thing.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I was afraid she had become some sort of maniac and started doing who-knows-what to ponies. Can you imagine?”

“Yes, I can,” Celestia said with a smile.

Twilight’s face twisted in confusion, and then she spoke again.

“Well, I’m glad you let me know about Trixie moving to town, Princess. It would have been a little weird seeing her in town and not knowing why she was there.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that, Twilight,” Celestia said.

“Well, no, not now that you have warned me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant, Twilight,” Celestia said.

The unicorn blinked her eyes twice. “What did you mean?”

“You are going to be coming back to Canterlot to stay.”

...To Be Continued