Diamond opened the bedroom door.

“You can come in now.” She said smiling faintly “And Bolt,” I looked back halfway through the door as Diamond headed downstairs “Thank you, for saving my daughter again. Let’s hope it doesn’t become a habit.” I smiled.

“I hope not too.” I said and entered the bedroom.

Ruby lay, propped up by her pillows, on her bed. Her eyes were closed and her breathing steady, I gently closed the door and she opened her eyes looking at me. Her face, torso, right hoof and various parts of her tail were heavily or lightly bandaged, they were almost hidden by her coat colour but they were too bright. Or maybe I was focusing on them more. I walked up to Ruby’s bedside and she smiled faintly.

“Look at me, being the injured one now, just after you got better, irony.” Ruby giggled and the sweet sound pulled at my heart. I sat down, and stared at Ruby.

“I’m sorry that I let you go into that ring if you hadn’t…” I couldn’t finish my sentence “You almost died Ruby.” I muttered.

“Yeah,” Ruby stared up at the ceiling “And I didn’t even win…” that processed “The Queen’s going too rape you!” she said sitting up, making her wince.

I gently pushed her down. I debated how to tell her, finally choosing the truth.

“Yeah, the Queen… Sunny she…”

“Wait she told you her name?” Ruby asked.

“Well yeah, didn’t you know it?” I asked.

“Yeah I know it, all the lamias here do but… Ponies aren’t ever told Sunny’s name.” Because they aren’t high enough on a need to know basis, but we didn’t say that.

“Doesn’t matter, anyway, Sunny is going to call in those six hours,” Ruby winced and was about to apologise “But, we can still leave the city, returning monthly… You’re also a full citizen. So you can get a house for yourself.” I said.

Ruby smiled faintly.

“Hay Ruby, I have a question.” I said.

“Yeah, what is it?” she asked.

“Is the Queen… Do you think she means well, I mean does the right thing?” I asked Ruby leaned back looking puzzled.

“Well… She can be strict but… We don’t exactly live in paradise, we’re all a little on edge sometimes, her more often. Yeah, if the time came she’d do what was best for everypony, not just her own citizens, she’d look for a compromise.” I smiled, so she hadn’t twisted my judgment.

“Now I have my own question,” I looked back and Ruby looked nervous and flustered.

“When I was down… I could hear a little but it was fuzzy… Was I imagining it or… Did you say you’d kiss me in Canterlot?” I blushed and my brain switched off so my heart spoke.

“I’d kiss you now if you’d let me.” I blinked and my brain didn’t even re-boot. I blinked again as my face lit up like a flare.

“I’d like that.” Ruby whispered and wrapped her tail around my neck like a leash and pulled.

Ruby felt unnaturally cold but sweet, I closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss. Ruby managed to wrap her hooves around me and I heard her gasp, I opened my eyes and could since her wincing and she, clearly regrettably, pulled back.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered and Ruby giggled.

“It’s not your fault, I shouldn’t have used my injured hoof.” She said. Ruby yawned and her eyes drooped.

“Maybe I should go, let you get some sleep.” I mumbled standing up, Ruby grabbed my hoof the sudden movement causing her to hiss softly in pain. I panicked managing to convince her to lie back down.

“You said you wouldn’t leave me.” Ruby accused.

“I did, and I won’t but…”

“But I’m cold, and if I fall asleep cold I might never wake up.” Ruby grinned at my obvious worry that she could be right.

“What if I touch somewhere injured?” I asked.

“Bolt, let me worry about that, if you really care climb in.” I blushed and placed one hoof on the bed then climbed in beside Ruby.

I remained perfectly still as Ruby manoeuvred the uninjured parts of her tail around my body, it wasn’t as comfortable as usual, the coils were slightly miss sized, some larger or smaller, but I didn’t tell Ruby. She looked so happy coiling me up that, despite my fear of hurting Ruby, I enjoyed it. Ruby kinda started pushing it when she began nibbling on my neck. I could feel Ruby pulling softly on my fur, licking it repeatedly. She gasped softly and, despite my best efforts, I began to smile blissfully at the feel of Ruby pampering my neck. Finally Ruby became tired of playing with my neck and pulled back, she smiled at me playfully then closed her eyes and her breathing became lighter, slower. I remained awake for several minutes as I looked over Ruby, I couldn’t shake the idea of Ruby’s injuries being my fault. Finally Ruby, unintentionally, comforted me in her sleep.

“Bolt…” Her hooves contracted as if she was trying to hug some invisible pony only she could see.

I smiled faintly and managed to crawl into the hug without touching Ruby too roughly. Her embrace felt nice, topped off with her coils, I soon drifted off to sleep.

For a change I woke up first, but it wasn’t naturally. Diamond shook me awake gently.

“Hay Bolt, I hate to ask, but I doubt Ruby would let me, would you mind helping Ruby… Bathe?” I blinked half thinking I was dreaming. I bit my own leg and winced. Not dreaming.

“Er what…?” I blushed as the questioned processed; Ruby and me, alone, in a bath… The concept both appealed and embarrassed me.

“Ruby is injured and cleaning herself will likely be difficult, without her harming herself more so… I’d much rather not find her bathing in blood.” I nodded slightly.

“S-Sure I’ll help her.” I mumbled.

“Thank you Bolt, I closed her wounds and removed the bandages but be gentle.” Diamond ordered.

I managed to drag myself out of Ruby’s coils onto the floor again. I gently got a hold around her waist, her horn was pressing into the base of my neck.

“Ow-ow.” I grunted pushing it away from skewering me.

I dragged/carried Ruby towards the bathroom. (Yes I had used it prior to this, but I didn’t think you needed to know about it, this however is sort of important) The bathroom is quite standard, a toilet and sink sat in one corner like you’d expect, the door was lockable. But the thing that made the bathroom known as a lamia’s bathroom and not a pony’s was the small pool. Okay so it’s not really a pool but for a pony it could be, it was a bath by lamia standards. Two water towers, sorry ‘taps’ dominated one side and, pushing on them like it was some sort of castle door winch, I managed to get them going. Steam curled around the room like a sauna and I forced the taps off.

I walked over to Ruby who was lying on her back hooves over her chest. I’d left her lying on a pile of her coils.

“Good morning.” I whispered Ruby groaned opening her eyes.

“You were supposed to carry me knight style in your hooves.” She moaned.

“Is that possible with your tail?” I asked Ruby pouted “Fine, put you good hoof around my neck.” I whispered kneeling beside Ruby.

Ruby did as I asked as I cupped my right hoof under her neck and my left under the top part of her snake tail. Walking on my hind hooves was awkward and difficult alone but I managed to avoid falling on my face. I lowered Ruby into the bath and hopped in after her. The bath was so deep I had to stand on my hind legs just to stay above the water, I began slowly pulling Ruby’s tail in, trying to avoid thinking about the awkwardness of this situation. Ruby dived under the water briefly and surfaced on the opposite side of the tub.

Ruby’s hair stuck to her head in a beautifully shiny curtain, I stared as water droplets sparkled like crystals off Ruby’s mane. Ruby blushed smiling faintly and swam forward, her tail curling around my shoulders pulling me towards her. Ruby formed a seat with her tail under water and forced me to sit. Ruby turned around and leaned against me.

“Well go on.” I felt like my face was internally burning.

I slowly ran my hooves through Ruby’s hair, it was so soft like fine silk. Ruby hiss-purred softly and I became increasingly aware of her tail curling up my body. Ruby’s tail slowly slid up the back of my spine. I froze as her tail curled around my neck.

“R-Ruby what are you doing?” I whispered Ruby chuckled softly.

“Nothing Bolt, carry on.” She said pushing her head against my hooves like a dog wanting to be pet.

Ruby smiled contently and levitated over a bottle of lily shampoo, it wasn’t really Equestrian style shampoo mostly just grounded lilies and a few other plants but it worked for them. Ruby’s mane was completely covered in foam almost like she now had white curly hair. She grinned at me and fell sideways splashing my face with water. Ruby giggled at my face and I splashed her with water, she rubbed her eyes and waved a coil of her tail, the resulting wave knocked me under water. I floated under water, my vision blurry. Then I pushed up from the bottom of the bath and gasped.

“Okay, remind me never to have a water fight at sea with you.” I muttered smirking.

Ruby swam behind me, her tail propelled her so it almost looked like she was gliding on the water. I tried turning around but I wasn’t so graceful or fast. Ruby’s tail closed in wrapping around me. Large muscular coils pinned my front hooves down working around my body. I admit I panicked, the sudden invasion of my freedom scared me, but all I achieved was kicking my back hooves around until Ruby pinned them still. I tried to turn my head but I couldn’t see Ruby.

“Hold your breath.” She suddenly whispered, she wouldn’t- okay she would.

Ruby submerged me, totally helpless, under the water. I closed my eyes not wanting to deal with the faint stinging of water in my eyes, I held my breath silently praying Ruby would see that I wasn’t comfortable or confident with this at all. I think she did see but decided she’d rectify that in her own way, Ruby began sliding her tail along my body as if wrapping and uncoiling me repeatedly. I tried not too but then Ruby squeezed me forcing the air out of my lung in large bubbles of air. Lungs empty I started craving for oxygen. Just when I thought Ruby had turned on me I broke the water coughing and choking for air.

“R-Ruby that wasn’t cool.” I muttered then sighed.

My fur, now damp and slippery, allowed Ruby’s tail to glide heavenly across my fur, I rested my head against a coil and closed my eyes trying not to drool.

“But it’s the only way I could do this.” Ruby whispered grinning at my blissful expression. My eyes half closed at Ruby’s pampering but I still managed to mutter.

“You didn’t need to dunk my head too.” Ruby smiled sheepishly and tightened her hold and I sighed unable to speak.

I felt like moulding clay in Ruby’s hooves and I leaned into the tunnel of coils she had formed. Ruby continued to pamper me and eventually moved around so I could see her face, she smiled and I blissfully smiled at her too closing my eyes.

“Are you relaxed now?” Ruby whispered into my damaged ear, her breath tickling my ear canal.

“Yes.” I whispered softly.

“Do you want me to keep pampering you in my coils?” Ruby dragged out the s in coils and the sound bounced around in my mind.

I felt strange… Light headed, where had I felt like this before? My muddled brain couldn’t, didn’t want too, put the pieces together so I simply nodded leaning against a large coil that had wrapped around me like a neck cushion.

“Then call me mistress.” Ruby cooed.

“Mist…” I opened my eyes as my brain caught up and I was met by a bombardment of beautiful colours.

I gasped then tried to closed my eyes, but caught off guard and the close proximity put me under a light trance before the air had escaped my lips, I tried turning my head and I sluggishly moved, like a rusty wheel, but Ruby simply used the coil I’d been using as a cushion to tilt and fix my head in place looking at her. Ruby had her forehead pressed against mine, pushing my head down so she seemed more dominant. My mouth hung open and my eyes hurt, as if I was taking too much hypnosis, but the rest of me felt so good.

“R-Ru… Ruby S-Stop… P-p-please, I don’t… Don’t w-want…” I lost the ability to speak my voice trailing away.

“I’m sorry Bolt what was that?” Ruby asked grinning.

“Please…” I begged as my mind began to crumble.

“Please what? Please hypnotise you, because I’m hurt and I enjoy feeling you in my coils? Okay.” Ruby said cheerfully.

I didn’t even have enough left of my mind to argue. My head just rolled onto Ruby’s tail and I gave in, my will escaping me along with a long sigh.

Ruby grinned running a hoof along my cheek, I closed my eyes for a second as she touched me. The point she touched with her hoof felt heavenly for some reason, as if physical contact with Ruby sent the parts into contact into pleasure overdrive. Ruby’s hoof rested on the side of my neck and hovered there for a moment. Ruby looked at me then leaned forward, her tail curled over my head and brushed my hair gently. Ruby giggled at my expression then began to wash my hair as well.

It felt amazingly nice for Ruby to pamper me as well, so much so that I managed to wriggle a hoof free and stroke Ruby’s tail in thanks. She hiss-purred and tightened her tail around me. I was then dunked underwater. I blinked, the faint stinging of my eyes underwater had sort of reverted me back a notch in the hypnosis. But I was still almost entirely Ruby’s pet right now. She pulled me back out of the water and my mouth tightened as the hypnosis faded.

“That was a cheap way to hypnotise me.” I grumbled Ruby gasped in surprised then titled my head but I’d closed my eyes.

“Not happening.” I muttered. Ruby giggled and licked my eyes lids, I grunted but, despite having a free hoof, did nothing to stop her.

“I think you want me too though.” Ruby whispered.

“A little.” I admitted.

“Well go on.” Ruby whispered

“I don’t want to,” I opened my eyes and was thankful Ruby didn’t try hypnotising me straight away “If you hurt yourself while I’m hypnotised…” I frowned “You’re really dumb sometimes not thinking things through.” I muttered.

“You’re worried about me?”

“Of course I am, you nearly died!” I felt like something broke as I admitted that and I hugged Ruby as I did when she opened her eyes in the arena.

“God bucking damnit, Ruby… Stop messing with me so much when you’re… So weak. I don’t mean you’re not strong, I mean you’re injured. And I’m afraid you might start bleeding again and…” Ruby kissed me. I blinked and stared at her as we remained together.

“I wish we didn’t have to kiss with one of us hurt, dying or leaving to die.” Ruby whispered.

“Remind me to kiss you when you recovered from your injury.” I whispered leaning my head against Ruby’s.

“Yeah… I think I’ll remember that.” Ruby then pushed me out of her scaly prison.

“We’re having a bath, don’t forget and we still haven’t done my tail.” She said grinning and I was raised up on a bean bag of scales, a heavy coil placed on my lap.

“Better get started.” Ruby purred. I smiled and did as she asked.

I actually quite enjoyed cleaning Ruby’s tail, it was a combination of fascination and curiosity at how her scales formed a living armour across her body to protect her from harm, the scales on her tail ran down to the tip of her tail so blades and projectiles would likely bounce off. As well as the cute fact that whenever I worked on cleaning Ruby’s soft underbelly, which got covered in mud since that was how she got around, she twitched and thrashed around giggling madly. Halfway down her tail my hooves rested on something that felt funny, Ruby was breathing heavily from laughing and I could feel her tail moving. Ruby noticed me staring and smiled, still catching her breath.

“Two sets.” She whispered.

“What? Two sets of what?” I asked.

“Everything, er vitals anyway. I have two sets of lungs, one in my pony half,” she touched her chest “And a larger pair in my tail.” She took my right hoof in hers, which made me blush since she was almost wrapping me in a hug from behind. Ruby moved my hoof up slightly and I felt a steady heart beat.

“That, Ruby, is a little freaky. But also cool.” I whispered “So you have two sets of everything?” I asked Ruby nodded backing up.

“Even two stomachs, but both are in my tail. One is much further up my body, further from my pony half. The second is a little bit down my tail and slightly larger,” Ruby tapped a segment of her tail then grinned at me “The first one doesn’t have any digestive acid so it’s like a storage tank, we can eat something, feel full and not kill the inhabitant. A lot of lamias do that. It’s usually a test of trust.” Ruby said looking sideways at me.

“Don’t even think about it.” I muttered Ruby smiled, faking being oblivious to what I meant.

“I’m serious Ruby.” I muttered as she leaned towards me.

“Are you sure, it won’t hurt I swear.” Ruby made a cross over her heart “I swear on my life that you won’t get so much as a scratch from my fangs if you let me eat you.” I backed up, which was difficult since I was pretty much covered all over by Ruby’s tail from cleaning her.

I spread my wings but they were water logged, so I wouldn’t be flying from my problems this time.

“Planning on going somewhere?” Ruby asked with a mischievous grin.

Ruby leaned forward and gently ran her tongue along my cheek, I shivered slightly then Ruby giggled and kissed my nose. I blinked as my brain attempted to catch up with Ruby’s actions.

“What?” I managed.

“Bolt, I’m not going to eat you without permission. Another reason so many ponies are scared is because of the prospect of being eaten, or having been eaten. I admit I’d be scared if I was in their place,” Ruby smiled warmly at me “And I’ve made too much progress through that thick head of yours to re-start. So carry on with my tail, please.” I sighed and Ruby giggled.

“Though you do taste delicious.” Ruby purred into my ear as she curled around me and wrapped her hooves around my neck. I felt Ruby lay her head on the back on my shoulder, I could almost imagine her smile as she closed her eyes.

I had to shake Ruby gently for her to sit up.

“Hmm? What’s up Bolt?” She mumbled sleepily.

“Time to get out, I cleaned your tail… And the water’s getting cold.” I said.

Ruby nodded slightly and dragged herself and her tail out. She stretched, yawned then grabbed a pair of towels. I say towels but they were the size of large blankets, I could hide underneath one of them, which is actually what I did. I draped the towel over my back and let it hang over my eyes and grinned evilly.

“I have come to collect what is owed to me, my beauty.” I said in a gravelly voice, Ruby held her mouth giggling.

“A-and what’s that, demon?” She asked.

“I do not know,” I took a raspy breath “I forgot my checklist in my office of fire!” Ruby fell backwards laughing and I joined her.

Once I was dry I began to help dry Ruby off with my own towel, since her tail was so large it took the two of us a little bit. Ruby seemed to be in a great mood, she was humming softly to herself.

“What’s got you so chipper?” I asked she glanced back at me and clapped her hooves together.

“Victory party! After arena battles, once the victor is stitched back into one piece, a party is held in honour of the winner. The Queen and my mum will be organising it,” Ruby smiled softly “They haven’t talked to each on good terms for a while…” Ruby looked back at me

“I… I was wondering Bolt, at the party there’s a point when couples dance and…” Ruby smiled blushing.

“I’d love to, malady.” I said crossing my right hoof over my chest. Ruby giggled blushing.

“Look at you being all chivalrous.” She said, I shrugged “Come on, I wanna go get ready.”

“When is the party?”

“Tonight.” Was all she said.

“Ah, so it’s one of those long processes, right.” I whispered rolling my eyes.

It seemed Diamond had provided Ruby with a selection of fancy dresses, they were laid out along the base of Ruby’s bed, all various colours and fabrics. Ruby tried on a white dress but neither of us liked it, it was near invisible on her, next a dark grey black dress that trailed the ground slightly

“I look like Midnight.” Immediately tossed aside.

A few dresses later and I was folding them back up when Ruby glanced over at me.

“Hay, Bolt. What about this one?” Oh Celestia.

Ruby was wearing some sort of kinky black lace dress, it clearly pressed into her fur and neck and she twirled a short collar that hung near the base of her neck around her hoof.

“You like?” she purred. I shot out the room and slammed the door.

“Bolt? If you didn’t like it you could have said.” Ruby’s voice said from the room.

“Ruby, I don’t think you should wear that to the party. It isn’t appropriate.” I said staring at my wings, blushing.

Why did Pegasi have to deal with this problem, Unicorns and Earth ponies didn’t have anything as publicly embarrassing as this! I tried to force my wings to fold but they were stuck.

“Having fun?” Diamond asked from her bedroom. I glanced over and she grinned at me.

“Being a Doctor I know a little more about ponies than others,” Diamond smirked “Ruby just turned you on.”

“You did that on purpose!” I accused pointing a shaky hoof at her.

“Guilty as charged.” She said shrugging, returning to her bedroom “Oh, and keep the noise down if you think about it.”

“F-fuck off, Cross!” I cried and she laughed closing the door.

After I regained control of my wings I gently pushed open the door.

“Sorry about that Ruby, I didn’t mean-ouch!” Ruby had slammed the door in my face, literally, hitting my nose.

“Sorry Bolt, but I don’t want you to see me yet.” Ruby said.

“It’s okay Ruby, I guess I deserved that from before.” I mumbled rubbing my nose.

Several minutes past and then Ruby pushed open the door. I looked back at her and my jaw dropped. She looked stunning, she was in a golden silk dress that seemed to glitter as if it had sequins all over it. Her hair was brushed down her shoulders and had a golden rose pin in it, around her injured hoof Ruby had managed to get on a bracelet made of silver, she positively glowed.

“Wow… You look… Amazing.” I whispered Ruby smiled.

“Thank you Bolt, now you.” She said taking my hoof and dragging me along.

“Wait, what?” I mumbled as Ruby forced me still with her tail. She pulled out a black tuxedo and slid up to me.

“You’re going to put it on.” She ordered, and yes she used hypnosis.

“I’m… Going to put… It on.” I mumbled and did as I was ordered.

The hypnosis faded as soon as I’d done up the buttons, it felt strange to wear something so formal, I rarely had reason to go out for a party. I glanced at Ruby and she had her hooves over her mouth and her eyes were twinkling.

“You look so handsome!” she squeaked, I smiled faintly and a gentle knock on the door broke our conversation. Diamond poked her head inside the room and glanced at us.

“You both look very nice,” she noted, nodding approvingly “Well you’ve both taken a while and the sun is actually starting to set, so the party will start soon, come on.” We followed Diamond outside and I noticed Diamond had a dress of white like her daughter’s coat.

Tonight was going to be a lot of fun.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the town from the houses and trees, it was really beautiful to see but also kinda cold.

“Where are we going exactly?” I asked softly as I walked beside Ruby, the pair of us following in Diamond’s wake.

“The Park.” That was all Diamond told us. Ruby looked sideways at me and smiled slightly.

“You look amazing.” She whispered.

“Will there be other ponies, or just me?” I asked softly.

“Except for the night guards, everypony in town will probably turn up. If only for the snacks.” Ruby said I chuckled.

“Sounds about right; yeah well done there mate, now where’s the buffet?” I said holding a hoof over my eyes, like a ship’s lookout, Ruby giggled softly.

Ever heard the saying; heard it before saw it? It was the same for the party. The same park I’d met the very down stallion had been transformed, a banner was pinned up over the archway inside, tables had been set up covered with food, a deck of some kind had been built for dancing and on one side the announcer from the arena had set up, I kid you not, a full on DJ deck. (Ha, a deck on a deck irony) Her lime green fur was lit up from the console lights and she had her brown mane spiked up along the front, like a skate ramp that tips into a giant spike. A lot of lamias cheered as Ruby entered and I glanced around. At the edge of the party was a group of ponies, the majority in tuxedo’s like mine but I also saw a few mare’s in dresses and… The stallion who had first spoken to me was in a formal soldier’s clothing, bright red with gold rims and the blue sash… I hadn’t expected that. The group of ponies looked nervous and appeared to be trying to blend in, or at least I thought so, until a single pony walked slowly up to a lamia, they talked and the pony smiled and they walked onto the deck.

I glanced at Ruby who had also seen the same thing, neither of us had a response. A few other ponies walked over to various lamias and asked for a dance, but the majority remained hidden in a corner. Then I noticed Midnight, she was stood near the Queen talking softly and watching the deck of dancing lamias and ponies. I glanced over, the dancing was strange, though considering some of the participations had snake tails it was understandable, but it was cute as well. The song playing seemed to be for couples at the moment, but the DJ’s grin gave away what she had lined up. Across from the deck, further back clear of trees was a large bonfire that some lamias were huddling close too for warmth.

Ruby and I headed over to the buffet table first, having missed dinner we were starving. They had everything, bite sized meats, little fruits and vegetables, even a chocolate fountain… Wait, a chocolate fountain. I leaned closer looking at the base of the fountain as Sunny walked over.

“Hay, why aren’t you two on the dance floor, everypony wants to see you two be all lovey again.” She said grinning.

“We’re just getting something to eat…” I stood up “But, er, Sunny,” I said.

“Yes Bolt?”

“What do you see there?” I asked pointing to the base of the fountain. Sunny looked at the fountain, then at me and she had the cheek to look embarrassed.

“Er well, see it’s…”

“It’s my chocolate fountain, it has my name on it.” I mumbled “You raided my wagon.” I accused.

“Come on Bolt, we don’t get anything like chocolate very often out here… Can you blame us?”

“Just… It’s fine, just don’t make a habit of stealing from me.” I said Sunny smiled, dipped in a marshmallow (Also mine) and slid away before I could complain more.

“So how does this work?” Ruby asked.

I skewered a marshmallow on a wooden stick and dunked it under the chocolate and held it out for Ruby to take, I didn’t expect her to bite into it while I still held it. She did it slowly too, ripping the treat in half, she smiled faintly.

“Delicious.” She whispered.

Ruby did the same as me and held it out in her hoof, as I made a move to take it she pulled back grinning. I sighed then leaned forward and bit into the treat, it was great like Ruby said. I then became increasingly aware of ponies and lamias staring. The lamias whispering and giggling, some of the ponies looked confused, even angry, a few glancing at their dancing partners strangely.

Ruby and I retreated from the buffet table (loaded with a few goodies though) and hid within the trees in the shadows thrown up by the bonfire. Ruby curled her tail into a seat and we leaned against each other staring up at the sky as we nibbled on strawberries.

“I’ve seen the sky a lot in my travels, but it seems a lot more beautiful tonight.” I mumbled.

“Special?” Ruby whispered I nodded slightly and closed my eyes.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more alone than when I thought you’d died in that infernal arena. I believed I’d be trapped here with the memory of your death floating around me forever, and I was so scared… I didn’t even realise I had something of such value to lose.” Ruby wrapped me in a hug and I simply leaned into her embrace like a child seeking a parent’s comfort.

I heard the music change and it didn’t suit our mood, it was heavy metal and the DJ was pretending to play an air guitar, head banging screaming.

“Everypony stomp your hooves!” I heard Ruby chuckle.

“She’s certainly having fun.” She said I nodded.

“I still owe you that dance I offered.” I whispered.

“Let’s wait for a better song shall we, I don’t think this is the right one.” I nodded in agreement, nibbling on an apple.

A few more songs later and the DJ finally returned to another slow couple’s song. I held out my hoof and Ruby followed beside me onto the deck. The light of the bonfire bounced of Ruby’s dress and made it glitter orange. I stood on my hind legs taking Ruby’s hooves in my own, balancing me. It wasn’t anything fancy just slow movements and a spin here and there, but we still leaned against each other’s foreheads and stared into the others eyes. Ruby’s deep purple eyes glowed from the light of the fire and I smiled. Then Ruby hit me with some news that I didn’t expect.

“We’re leaving tomorrow.” She said simply, I blinked.

“Wait, what? Ruby you’re in no state…” She pressed her hoof to my mouth then returned to dancing as the song began to reach the end, the DJ waving her hoof slowly with the music like a composer.

“Bolt, I don’t care. There is next to nothing between here and Equestria except the desert, which is a good two days walk. We’ve waited long enough to see Equestria, Canterlot, the cute little houses and ponies living there, I’ll be fine. After all Equestria is peaceful, unlike here.” I decided not to argue with that, despite my real thoughts. I nodded slightly.

“Alright, does your mum know?” Ruby smiled.

“Why do you think she held the party, she had hoped to keep me here longer.” I smiled that sounded about right.

The song ended and Ruby and I silently escaped the party, on the way out I finally noticed the banner. It was us, Ruby in her battle gear and me charging with the two shields I taken, I had my head tilted down and the artist had managed to draw, quite literally, a fire in my eyes. Ruby was to my right facing sideways raising her damaged crossbow, we showed no signs of injury as if the battle had happened with us unscathed.

“Nopony ever tells the full truth with anything anymore.” Ruby muttered grinning slightly.

We made our way to the gazebo we’d visited before for our training, Ruby curled up on the wooden decking and I climbed calmly on top, folding my hooves in front of me as Ruby lay beside me. We watched the stars twinkling and I sighed.

“I’m coming home, Equestria.” I mumbled.

I’m not sure how long me and Ruby stayed there, leaning against each other as we watched the sky, before a set of voices trailed towards us. We glanced at each other as we recognised both speakers. We silently agreed and jumped into the bushes, we had a small visible sight of the gazebo but we heard them first.

“... Are not alike, we are soldiers, yes, but I haven’t given up, like you have.” Midnight said.

“Then tell me, if you haven’t given up why aren’t you with the guards. I talked to the Queen, you asked to attend the party, why?” The stallion I had first spoken to at the park said.

“I deserve to be laughed at for losing to a pony.”

“So I assume you think we’re weak and pitiful, generally unable to defend ourselves? Remind me again who lives in the badlands!” The pair reached the gazebo and we could see them.

Both the soldier stallion and Midnight were in formal soldier wear, Midnight’s being bright green with brown rims.

“West, I didn’t mean…” Midnight rubbed her forehead “Why am I apologising, you don’t deserve it, you’ve insulted me.” But Midnight didn’t seem able to work herself up into anger.

West smiled sadly and walked beside Midnight, he didn’t seem scared of her.

“Midnight, I think we can both agree we’ve pushed others away for long enough, I don’t intend to die alone or miserable. And if I can help somepony else…” Midnight raised a hoof.

“Don’t even offer West, I’m not worth saving nor do I need saving.” Midnight continued on and, after a moment’s hesitation, West followed her calling.

“You clearly need somepony in your life to make you happy, you’ll be miserable if you keep going this way.” Midnight turned as West caught up to her. She leaned down and gently kissed him and the stallion froze, blushing.

“You’re a kind stallion, and I hope you can find your way home. But it’d be best to look for another lamia if you really want one as a friend.” Midnight said sadly. Midnight slid away and this time West didn’t follow her.

“I don’t want to look for another lamia.” West grumbled.

Ruby and I made our way up to Diamond’s house and up to Ruby’s bedroom for the final time, we had left the park before West could discover us hiding, it had actually been surprising to see Midnight sad, I suppose I just didn’t see it with her. Anyway, after Ruby and I got out of our party clothes, I simply fell on the bed with the intention of falling right to sleep.

“You know tonight’s the last night we’ll be sleeping here… Maybe we should make the most of it.” Ruby whispered seductively into my ear after we’d climb in.

Ruby wrapped her tail around my waist and licked the base of my neck.

“Stop that Ruby.” I muttered with little force behind my words. Ruby giggled and lay her head under my neck.

“Goodnight Bolt… I’ll convince you somehow.” She threatened quietly.

The mood at breakfast the next morning (we were eating the leftover food from the party) was a little sombre, Diamond looked upset and Ruby didn’t feel cheery due to her mother’s clear misery. Eventually Ruby nodded and we stood up, Diamond began to cry and hugged Ruby then me.

“Don’t let her get hurt, promise me.” She whispered.

“I promise.” I whispered. Diamond wiped her eyes and managed a small smile and she saw us out.

I strapped into my, still damaged, wagon. Ruby and I waved goodbye to Diamond and made our way towards the city gates.

We’d expected it, to be honest, but Sunny was waiting, flanked by her guards, at the main gates. She nodded and they began to open slowly, Ruby was bracing herself against the wagon stopping it from rolling madly along down the ramp. We stopped on the flat ground beside Sunny who smiled at us both in turn.

“I wish you luck out there you two, stay safe and remember to return in a month.” We nodded in understanding and left the city.

Sunny watched us as the doors slowly grinded shut, I looked at Ruby who grinned as we began to head north.

“I told you, I promised, that I would get you back your freedom.” She said.

“You did, thank you. I owe you one.” That was without a doubt the dumbest thing I ever said. But I don’t regret it.

Ruby and I travelled for the whole day then settled down, the lamia city was just a little dot in the distance and the forest bordering Equestrian soil was within view but still a good distance and we didn’t fancy a night time entrance. We set up a campfire and sat around it, I lay on Ruby’s coils facing the sky but I wasn’t admiring the sky. Ruby was busy flexing her tail and I was too busy in relaxed dreamland to notice anything going on.

“Come on let’s go to bed, Bolt.” I groaned and rolled over clutching one of Ruby’s coils like a foal with a teddy.

Ruby giggled softly and carried me inside, I didn’t complain Ruby had made mush out of my mind, I was just glad I didn’t have to leave her comfortable embrace.

The following morning we set of early, Ruby leaning her head against mine sleepily. Soon the sand turned to grass again, but with a lot more normal trees and plants ahead. I smiled taking a deep breath, Equestria. I was home. I don’t know why I forgot, maybe I thought I could simply waltz on through with no problem but the second we’d left the badlands we passed through a couple trees and right into a royal guard ambush. We’d been walking across a clearing, I’d started to hum, when Ruby stood up straight.

“Bolt somepony…” She didn’t get to finish.

Several ponies jumped from trees, became visible after being hidden like chameleons blending in with trees, a pair of twin mares jumped out of hidden fox holes almost directly in front of us. I managed to take a single step back before several spears, swords, arrowheads, barrels and other deadly weaponry were pointed at my face.

“Freeze, for attempted crossing of the border of the badlands onto Equestrian soil, suspected changeling involvement and clear hybrid interaction I’m placing you under arrest.” The leader said. I rubbed my forehead.

“Good grief.” I mumbled.

Author's Note

Well I kinda enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the party bit, that was just fun. I also hinted that, after Bolt showed obvious affection for Ruby, a few ponies began thinking it over for themselves. Including the now named West... Though his choice is a little strange. We also have some bio info on lamias, hinting at possible vore! :3 And Ruby puts on a costume Bolt REALLY likes. Anyway Ruby and Bolt are now free... For exactly one day, that went well.