Sunset leaned into Mistress as the two of them sat in a silent serenity upon their bed. In light of the evening’s events, she couldn’t help but notice herself thinking of the bed as ‘their’s’ not ‘Mistress’’. She loved Mistress more than anypony else she had ever met, and she felt Mistress shared her deep feelings. She doubted thinking of the things around the library as now belonging to both of them would have been possible otherwise. It was a comforting revelation, but it was, like her love and all of the words of her friends, all in her head: all an interpretation. She didn’t want to think why, but doubt was beginning to poison her thoughts. Was Mistress truly as in love with her as she thought?

But she couldn’t say anything, not yet anyway. It didn’t feel right. The party guests had just left, and they just journeyed up into the bedroom. Neither of them had said anything at first, Mistress obviously wanting Sunset to voice her desires instead of guessing at them. But Sunset craved the sweet, quiet moment simply lying next to Mistress: nothing pressing against them except for a touch of white noise.

She nuzzled the underside of Mistress’ chin. Did this really have to end? Couldn’t she just lie here with Mistress like this forever? No, she would grow restless if she didn’t say anything. And she knew from experience, if she let herself become restless, she would destroy her life before she had even realized it. If her world was to come crashing down around her again, better it be on her own terms. “Mistress, why do you love me?” Sunset asked plainly, still pressing up against Mistress, but with less fervor.

Mistress was quiet for a moment, then blew out a big sigh of air. Her hoof stroked absently down Sunset’s back, and she stared up at the ceiling. “That’s a complex question,” she half murmured, closing her eyes. “With an equally complex answer. It’s not…” She huffed again. “Sometimes, I think I should have actually taken Cadence up on that offer to learn emotional terminology.” Mistress gave an unladylike snort before continuing to speak. “It’s not as simple as a single reason, so to speak. I care for you on a great number of levels, for lots of different reasons. Not the least of which is you happen to make me smile, you’re a pleasure to do research with, and you’re fun to be around.” She paused, rubbing at Sunsets back a bit more. “It’s… I wish it was something I could make a simple declarative about, I really do.”

“Thank you for the compliments, Mistress,” Sunset said, unconsciously giving in to the gentle strokes. “But, I guess I mean to say… Why do you love me over any other pony who can give you those things? Why am I special to you?”

“Well… who is to say any other pony can give me those things?” she half smiled down at Sunset, a little mischief in her tone. “Frankly, Sunny, I’ve yet to meet another pony with my level of intelligence other than yourself, just as a beginning.” She shook her head slowly. “Besides, I’m rather of the belief that Love isn’t about what makes you better than everypony else, it really is that last thing you said. What makes you special.” She gently booped Sunset’s nose with a smile. “And what makes you special is that you manage to fill a thousand glorious little niche’s in my life that I never before knew needed to be filled.”

“Then… prove it to me, Mistress,” Sunset replied, unable to find words that would make it sound any less like an order yet still retain the severity of the statement. “Prove that I’m the pony you love. Somehow. Anyway. I… I need to know for sure.”

Mistress frowned sharply at her, her hoof stilling. There was a dangerous glint in her eye too, and Sunset felt a momentary thrill of concern at the intensity of the look. “Within the next few days, you and I are going to have a very serious discussion about tonight,” she said quietly. “But right now, I think we have other concerns.” Sunset felt something firm grab the back of her neck and the leash re-clipped to it. “Namely, that you seem to be under the impression that I haven’t been sincere with you.”

“I… Can you fix that impression, please, Mistress. I just want to know,” Sunset nearly pleaded even as her heart began to increase its pace. Even if she tried to repress what she knew was coming in thought, her body still responded.

~~~~~~~

“You want to know.” Twilight knew her voice sounded flat before she even spoke. She was trying very hard right now to give Sunset the benefit of the doubt, especially given all the events of the evening so far. She was trying, albeit not very successfully, not to let some of her own stress and concern bleed through to her actions. “You think I don’t care?” she half snarled, reigning in the desire to smack Sunset across the face for that. “Head up, eyes forward, and look at me!” she snapped with all of the panache of a drill instructor. The kind she’d heard Shiny talk about when it had come to guard training.

Sunset obeyed, quite readily, though Twilight genuinely did not like the look in her eyes. Why was there fear there, buried beneath the quavering concerns she kept voicing? “Look at me,” she said, much more softly. “Not with just your eyes. What in the name of Celestia do you think I’ve been trying to do for you these past few weeks? Did you think I was simply playing a game? Joking around?” She moved up, almost to the point of touching. “I don’t do that to my friends, Sunny. When I care, when I love, I don’t say things that aren’t true.” And then she grabbed Sunset right around the front of her collar and kissed her. Hard. Sunset resisted at first, more from surprise Twilight assumed, but in only a few moments, she relaxed and let Twilight’s tongue greet and begin playing inside her mouth.

Twilight wrenched away from the kiss after a heated moment, staring at the still shocked Sunset. “I told you that I would give you my honest shot. I told you I would do whatever I could to see if this would work out.” Twilight shuddered and exhaled heavily. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, and frankly that scares me. But I can’t deny the incredible rush I get from…” Her head came up, and Twilight felt a warmth flood her. “This intensity. Being so very close to the edge of things.”

Twilight called to her magic and felt it stroke down Sunset’s cheek, the rest flowing around her sleek form and holding her rigid in place… unable to move. “Knowing the power I have over you, and knowing you’ve just… given it to me. Not taken, not demanded or conquered, but gifted. It’s…” She felt herself shudder again and pressed into another kiss with a far greater intensity. Sunset’s lips and head were all that she allowed to move in that moment, the wet heat of her tongue against Sunset’s giving her chills.

Twilight felt control, or at the very least restraint, slipping away from her. She wanted to just… push her. “Fine. You want proof?” Her voice even sounded huskier, almost a full octave deeper. Her magic stretched, and she slowly forced Sunset’s body down to kneel. “Then I’ll give it to you,” she half purred, throwing the bedroom door open and reaching down into Sunset’s rooms with her magic.

The crates and boxes, filled with her goodies slowly hovered up the stairs, and Twilight gave a little sway into her hips as she reared up onto her hind legs. She grasped the back of Sunset’s mane and arched her head back until her muzzle was at the perfect height to… “Now, I’d suggest you keep me entertained while I decide what to do with you.” Twilight growled, steadying herself with a hoof wrapped up in the other filly’s mane as she practically straddled Sunset’s muzzle. Not quite enough to bury that nose in her folds… but it was close enough that Sunset really didn't have a lot of choices about what she could do with her tongue.

“Oh… oh yes, Mistress,” Sunset moaned in reply, her hot breath tickling against Twilight’s lips just before the barest touch of tongue reached out to entice her marehood.

“More,” Twilight ordered, locking her hips against the sides of Sunset’s head. Her pet complied, and she let out a pleasure ridden shriek as Sunset’s tongue flashed deep inside her. “Oh, yes, just what I… Ungh… needed to figure out all the things I’ll do to you, little pet.” Sunset redoubled her efforts, her tongue brushing up against the sides of Twilight’s love tunnel, sending shivers of ecstasy up her spine.

Twilight shook off the thought with a grin as she cracked open the crates. She knew exactly what she was looking for, and like any good scientist, she made sure it would serve a double purpose. The tongue slowed for a moment, and Twilight growled. “Did I say you could slow down?” Sunset responded quite quickly, adding a shaking nibble to her clit, and Twilight decided upon the spot that she needed a stopwatch to get better data on this sort of thing.

The garments in question she lifted from the crate and, thankfully, all of them did not require her to move in order to dress Sunset in them. The corset she slipped on first, and slowly began to lace it up just tight enough to force Sunset into that lovely arch. Her pet gave off a little, muffled gasp into her folds as Twilight tightened the last knot, sending a wave of hot breath into her. Then came the stockings, one after the other. She lifted her pet’s legs with her magic, not even allowing Sunset the illusion of choice in the matter. Not right now. She needed to drive a point home.

Sunset was already wearing a collar… but she could use this one later. Then she bundled up Sunset’s tail and wrapped a little cord around it, which she then wrapped to the corset, forcing the tail into a permanent flagged position. There, perfect little display. The tongue still felt marvelous, but there was a time and place for such fun. This wasn’t it. “Stop,” she panted heavily, even though such a command was a little more difficult to give, and pulled herself off the talented muzzle. She released the telekinetic hold, and spoke softly. “Stand up. Slowly.” She had to make certain Sunset understood what was about to happen, and why. Or else all of this was just going to end up meaning nothing.

~~~~~~

Sunset was in bliss. Mistress’ tight folds rubbing against her tongue as she slid it in and out was surreal and simultaneously grounding. Her own marehood was already soaked, and she could feel her juices running down her legs after Mistress pinned her tail upright. “Stop,” Mistress ordered her, and with a slow reluctance and final flick to her love button, she pulled her tongue back in. Mistress extracted herself from Sunset’s muzzle, saying, “Stand up. Slowly.” Sunset did as she was told, licking enticingly around her face, covered in Mistress’ mare cum.

Mistress was standing with a serious, slightly crazed look in her eye, right in front of her face. “I am going to make a few things very clear to you, Sunset. But I need you to understand I am not making them clear to you because I do not love you, or because I mistrust you, but because you need to be something more than just a marefriend to me. I know that’s what you want, and so I’m going to get you there.” Her words were punctuated as she slowly stalked around Sunset, toward her rear. “Do you understand what I am trying to say, Pet?”

“That you are going to educate me, Mistress,” Sunset replied, quivering all over. “... as harshly as necessary.”

“Yes. And that some of what I must educate you on will not, to you, seem to be fair.” Sunset felt something… cold and hard trail down her flank. It wasn’t real, but Mistress was making it ‘feel’ real. “Especially because the first thing I must inform you, is that you will need to be better than this.” There was a whiring sound, like something soaring through the air, and-

CRACK!

The pain bloomed massively across her left flank, all the way down to her thigh. It seared unlike anything she’d felt before and forced a cry of pain from her lips. “If I cannot turn away from you without incidents occurring, especially around my closest friends, then you are a problem I must solve.” Sunset’s mouth snapped open to respond, and found itself shut instantly by a band of tight magic grabbing it. Mistress’ voice growled in her ear. “I do not care who started what, Sunset. You must be more than just another pony. If you are supposed to be mine, your actions reflect upon me.” That hard, cool feeling stroked along her other flank. “Open your mouth and do not speak.”

Sunset cracked open her mouth, testing if the magic holding it shut was indeed gone. It was, but the moment her breath began escaping from between her teeth, an object was forced into its place. She whined and struggled as Mistress affixed the ball in her mouth, holding her jaws wide and muting her aside from moans and squeals. And as her saliva began to wet the outside of the ball, it combined with Mistress’ juices, eliciting a needing whimper from Sunset. The whirring noise came again, and….

CRACK!

Sunset cried out through the gag, her back restrained in its need to arc from the pain and sending all of that energy coursing through her body. The searing heat against her flank pulsed from an itching warm to an icy cold, convulsing her whole body. The initial pain began dying away, but the sting in her flank still left a wince in her eyes and a clench against the gag.

Mistress’ hoofsteps were soft, and Sunset could feel her hooves press into her sore flanks. “Listen to me, little one,” Mistress whispered, softly into her ear. “There is a lesson about friendship that was tough for even me to learn. It’s that no matter what we might think, we must have faith in the ones we call friend. We must believe that they love us, even when they make mistakes, or we can’t see the reasons why they care as much as they do.” A scrap of cloth settled over Sunset’s eyes, and tightened behind her head, cutting off all sight.

Then Mistress giggled. “Or see what they’re about to do to us.” Sunset could feel a weight in her upper back, and it pressed down firmly, obviously intending to make her raise her flank higher up in the air… It was kind of funny, the way Mistress’ hooves were grabbing onto her hips, it was almost like-

Sunset tried to scream, but nothing made it past the gag, and in her moment of uncertain fright, she felt her hips swaying against Mistress’s firm hooves. There was no doubt what Mistress was about to do now, and with that surety, the movement of her hips slowed, and became an enticing waggle. She needed Mistress to… to… rut her harder than she could stand.

There was nothing at first, then a warmth. Sunset moaned into the gag as her lips spread wider than they ever had for a real stallionhood. Mistress had clearly conjured something with magic, and it was nothing short of glorious for Sunset. It was solid, very much a cock in shape as it eased into her hole, but at the same time it was amorphous, licking out to grind against her insides of its own free will. And to make it beyond any pleasure she could possibly resist, Mistress’ magic fed a warmth into her, causing her juices to come spilling out onto the ground like a leaky tap. Sunset felt her hips grind side to side, trying to get Mistress’ stallionhood to grate against her walls.

And in unexpected response, Mistress all but yanked the magical member out of Sunset, eliciting a cry of blissful pleasure from her. “Oh, buck! I d-didn’t think that would work that well!” Mistress moaned out, digging her hooves into Sunset’s flank. “Oh, yes. Let’s give that another try!” And before Sunset was entirely ready, Mistress had the magic cock back through her folds, only this time, she began gradually pumping in and out. It was nothing like Sunset had ever experienced, and she wanted it more than all of her other exploits combined.

Mistress began quickening her pace, grunting whenever she thrusted particularly hard into Sunset. In response, Sunset was panting out her nose, drool rolling off the gag and joining her love juices pooling on the floor. Her legs were shaking with pure, undistilled pleasure as Mistress rutted harder and faster, the stallionhood seeming to grow in size with every push, filling Sunset until she could take no more. But she did. She let Mistress stretch against her walls, grinding with carnal desire back and forth, the wet slap and schlicks accenting her mounting lust. Mistress was going to cum in her, and Sunset was all but crying out for it.

The bedroom was a chorus of sex, moaning, and fast breathing as both Mistress and Sunset began to reach their peaks. Sunset had spread herself on her stomach on the floor, her coat soaking in love liquid and saliva, while Mistress repeatedly slapped her flank with every increasingly, unbearably blissful thrust. The stallionhood in Sunset wasn’t just growing now, but pulsing to the panting breaths of Mistress. It was sex in paradise.

“Mmf…” Mistress panted into her ear, her voice rough. “You’re my good little mare… and you’re mine to do with as I please! Mmf… So get that body ready for your Mistress…” Sunset could only whine in reply, but it came out as a squeal of ecstasy, a cry of a mare ready to filled with cum. One thrust before, and Sunset felt her walls clench up, and she screamed into the gag as orgasm wracked her whole body, locking her hips. “AHHHH!” Mistress cried out, and the stallionhood whirled inside Sunset, spewing some kind of joyously searing liquid into her and sending her over the edge. A second orgasm took hold of her, and this time, her own liquids flew from her folds, spattering up against Mistress’ chest.

~~~~~~~

The world wound down around them, Twilight’s forelegs wrapped tightly up against Sunset’s middle. Her breathing was regular, soft. Just like Sunset’s. It was a strange moment for her, mostly because so much was still so very confused. What had inspired such strong emotions in her, and why? Was it because she wanted to believe that with love, that anypony could be saved from their past? Or was it some deeper thing, some inherent desire of one who was powerful to wield that power over the weak?

She didn’t know. It was something she would need to think about, but very quietly and away from Sunset. The poor pony was latching on so strongly to her, and Twilight worried for her. There was a genuine love there, a desire to see Sunset happy and warm and fulfilled… but would Sunset change her? She… didn’t know. That wasn’t a state of mind she liked being in. But she knew it was one she could get herself out of. She gently pressed her lips to the back of Sunset’s neck and kissed softly.

The cute mare murmured and curled up and into Twilight, spooning against her from within even as they lay upon the sex dampened wood. It was an unconscious reaction, not a conscious one. Sunset wanted control in her life, that much was plain. And having failed to exercise personal control over it, she now demanded that somepony else control it for her. Twilight knew where that might lead, but… no. Now was not the time for that.

Even as Twilight came down from the high of forcing Sunset to do her every bidding, she felt a twist in her middle. A twist she knew of only one definitive cure for…. but that would have to wait for tomorrow. The problem would be keeping Sunset occupied long enough to do it. So she curled up close, but did not close her eyes, instead focusing her magic tightly into her horn and lifting both Sunset and herself up and to the soft bed. Sleep would take her soon, but not before she had a plan.

~~~~~The Morning After~~~~~

Twilight Sparkle lifted the quill and carefully set it to the parchment. ”Dear Princess Celestia…” she began the letter, even if Celestia had long ago admonished her for continuing to use that form of address. Spike was not going to be the appropriate being to write this letter, even if he was much faster than she. It did not help, of course, that there were other demands on her attention. Important demands, too.

“She’s not at the boutique, Twi,” Rainbow Dash said, quietly. Fluttershy was not in attendance, but the fact that that had become odd rather than the norm was just a sign of how much Sunset had changed things around Ponyville. “Or at the spa, or anywhere else in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle was staying with the crusaders at AJ’s place last night. All we found was a note for Sweetie and a bag of bits. It said she’d be back ‘soon’ but didn’t give any real reason.”

Twilight sighed, slamming her hoof into her forehead and rubbing at the incipient headache there. “Great. Just wonderful. Now I won’t be able to get a complete explanation as to what the sodding crumpets went on yesterday.” She shook her head firmly, then smiled wearily at her friend. “Thanks, Dash. All we can do now is keep an eye out for her, and maybe see if any of the pegasi are willing to make a run to Canterlot or Manehattan and ask around.”

Dash nodded, giving her a brief hug before zooming out the door. She likely had her own things to be concerned about. ”I’ve enclosed Sunset’s first friendship report, and it seems like she might very well be everything we’d hoped for. Even though there are several concerns I still have regarding her personal attitudes.” Twilight winced away from that one, but she had to be brutally honest. ”I would be very pleased if you could send an expert in ponies recovering from mental trauma to Ponyville at some point in the near future. I feel the need to consult with somepony much more studied in that subject as soon as is reasonable.”

Twilight hated to go behind Sunset’s back like that but… she definitely was not qualified to tell if Sunset was merely incredibly enthusiastic, or if some other dark explanation was in hoof. She eyeballed the scroll Cadence and Shiny had left on her table and half smiled. ”It was wonderful to see my brother and his wife again. I hope you will find some excuse to have them visit me more often.”

Twilight sucked in a deep breath and exhaled it. “Something the matter, Mistress?” Sunset’s voice asked from just beneath the round table, slightly distorted by a mouth full of food. Twilight marveled at her complete change in mood. Just the other night she had been downtrodden, and now that the morning had arrived, she was positively beaming: her eyes were even shut adorably when Twilight passed a smile her way. She doubted she would ever understand why exciting sex and a good night’s sleep helped a pony’s mental state so well.

“Just thinking,” Twilight said, but she quickly let out a fit of giggles. “C’mere you.” She tugged at her pet’s leash, bringing her head up enough to playfully rub at her freshly washed mane. Sunset absorbed the contact, a deep sigh of contentment escaping her. “Now keep eating. We’ve got a busy schedule today.” Sunset nodded, retreating back beneath the table where Twilight had placed her plate… at Sunset’s request, no less.

Twilight gently rubbed at her temple. The last thing she needed right now was… well. ”As a side note, if Rarity comes to speak with you, please inform me by the most immediate possible means. There may have been an unforeseen complication between her and Sunset, and I wish to head it firmly off at the pass. I have also enclosed my first week’s notes regarding what has happened between myself and Sunset, my personal concerns, as well as Cadence’s own personal missive to you. I miss you very much, teacher, and ask that if you have any guidance for me in these matters that you reply at your earliest convenience. I remain as ever, your faithful student. Twilight Sparkle”

Oh-so-carefully, she rolled up the thick bundle of scrolls and sealed them with a ribbon and a ready made bit of wax. “Spike!” she called out into the library, reaching down to put a warning hoof on Sunset’s shoulder. “I need you to come here, please!” The last thing she needed was those two going at it again.

~~~~Canterlot~~~~

Princess Celestia quietly sipped at her tea as she shuffled through the pile of letters, re-examining each one in turn. Things had taken a decidedly intriguing turn in Ponyville, if she was reading all of the signs right. There were fires that needed to be put out, oh yes. But plenty of positives to spin as well. The matter of Rarity was one that needed her attention, obviously, since having any disunity amongst those six very special ponies was simply unacceptable.

Still, there was plenty here to recommend. She sipped at her tea again and eyeballed the shelves full of her personal diaries over the ages. “I wonder if Twilight knows about the Royal Harem tradition,” she mused softly, rubbing at her chin. Perhaps she ought to send some probing letters to Ponyville to see who might be suitable. One lover would simply not do for her student, after all. There were appearances to be kept up, nothing to mention of course of the fact that… well, that was another concern for another time.

“Miss Inkwell!” she singsonged into the silence, finishing off her tea with a broad smile. “Bring me my writing utensils and put on that nice red number of yours! The one with the stockings! This will be a long afternoon, I think, and I shall need something nice to focus on.”

“Yes, Princess!”

~~~~ To Be Continued ~~~~

Author's Note

And so, dear readers, we (myself and Lapis) come to the end of this wonderful voyage on the S.S. Sunlight. We hope you all have enjoyed this rather rough and tumble, fast paced cruise!

And never forget, the Sunlight will be back!

Thanks for reading, and again, this has been....

See you in the sequel!