Who Rules?: The Wager

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