A Tail of Difference.

Leo would always come to the conclusion of his handiwork in the castle and curse at himself why he would give into his urges when he was bored or having the itch to make someone's day hard, and he knew for the fact of it being in his nature, so why did it eat him away in the end. Whatever the reason was, a normal day such as today felt incredibly annoying, which was saying something because, like he was as a pup, he hated the morning routine in the castle and wanted nothing more than to ruin it. But, even so, that was not the case with him right now. He had things to do and a certain alicorn to apologize too before enjoying the remainder of his day. Sure, he owed Discord an apology as well but he was declared the enemy in the upcoming prank war.

As depressed as he was whilst walking through the corridor with his mother at his side, holding his arm tenderly, Leo took great issue in the tall, sexy princess that he teased possessing the most heinous of ideas to push the limits of his male urges and the boundaries of Faust's rules.

"My servant has finally arrived."

Oh how he cringed at the loving and erotic voice of his first morning victim as she approached in a robe and comfy slippers, so much so that he felt compelled to change back into a fox and make a run for the hills.

"Kill me now." He turned away from the scrutinizing eyes of his perverted princess and sighed. The poor soul. With a simple lick to his cheek, Leo was suddenly paralyzed with shock and every ounce of his hormones surging to the lower section of his body, a loud drawl of his uneasiness breaking the atmosphere before Faust stepped between him and her with a stern glare.

"You will behave, or I will suit him with a filly his age." She told her daughter, who was pretending to act innocent.

"Both of us will have a wonderful time when the girls arrive. But do you prefer shirtless or clothed while acting as my servant, Leo?" Celestia asked, leaning in to the teenager for loving nuzzles, when in reality she was really whispering in his ear:

"Hope you're ready to become a stallion.—my stallion."

Words like that used to be common with the molesting princess, every guard in the castle was told that. But having this boy in her life, Celestia had spoken quite proper over the years and kept the secrets of her desires to the ears of her foxy prince.

He gulped and prayed for mercy, just as a comforting wing pulled him into the only pony that is safety and security.

"After the sleepover." Faust told the alicorn sternly.

. . .

Leo felt a large surge of nervousness travel into his tails. He was so certain only his quick wits and sharp mind could oppose the molesting princess when the time comes. He hadn't considered how lowly the mare he'd teased over the years. He was deep beneath the castle, hidden from the eyes of his precious mares whilst meditating with Higarashi. The symbolic winds in the crystal caverns soothed his nerves as the ancient sat on his nose, talking to him as though they were master and apprentice.

The young kitsune kept his balance, using the tips of his tails to hover off the floor of the cavern, listening to the songs of crystal so that he could work on his sense of sound, which was still his biggest weakness. If he wanted to gain his mother's attention, he would have to do as she expected, and become the prince he was very determined to be. Everything in him wanted approval and acknowledgement of the mare he calls mother.

His breathing was slow and steady, maintaining a good flow to avoid shaking the flea off his nose, pressing his hands together so that the flow of his spiritual energy from one palm to the other. He had no choice but to stop his shenanigans and find peace after having his core shaken by the perverted alicorn. The moment she whispered those words in his ear he knew his chastity was in jeopardy.

"You've waged war with your father and future mate," Higarashi pointed out, chuckling to himself. "Tell me, what good does pranking Discord and Celestia bring when you know they will return the favor?"

As much as it stung the young prince, Higarashi had a point. The years he'd spent with this family was getting to a point that he was not ready for. The more trouble he caused the more he drew in the royals. But he didn't want to be forgotten by his parents or seen as a fling for the princess. He kept meditating, forcing himself to be calm and careful. Using the finer channels of his body to burn away the uncomfortable feeling of Celestia claiming was difficult with his thoughts sizing to his emotions.

Leo used his tails to move around the cavern and find more space to concentrate, his motion similar to a spider, carefully avoiding the crystals, rather drifting through the movement in an effort to keep from falling. The movement slowed with his energy and then stopped with Leo being closer to a familiar presence that was watching from the door. His sense, however, were locked around stilling his mind and body of the solar princess abusing his upcoming servitude to take him completely.

There was a small stillness from the flea that boded ill, but the kitsune continued his work, burning away the emotions and thoughts , narrowing his focus on the lack of flowing energy as quickly as possible without releasing an aura that would alarm Amaterasu and Faust. What he didn't realize though, was the tiny parasite observing him with fondness of the control he had.

"You've come very far in your studies, farther than what I expected." Hiagarshi complimented, patting his pupil on the bridge of his nose. He smiled warmly and then returned to watching the teenager. "Having control of yourself and your energy, you may be ready for the next lesson I have for you."

"Another meditation lesson I suppose?" Leo questioned, though the lack of enthusiasm was there in his voice. Higarashi laughed as the presence at the door reached his senses. He heard a giggle, then the clopping of hooves, before seeing the very mare that was keeping a secret with Leo. He turned his attention back to the silent kitsune.

"Actually, I was thinking that in the next month we could start with some minor spells." He said with some excitement, knowing it would quite interesting to see the boy using his power.

"What kind of spells do you have in mind?" Leo asked, opening one eye to his teacher, who was quickly pondering the idea he had in mind.

Higarashi scratched his chin at the various spells he'd thought of Leo trying, and replied with a quizzical stare:

"I figured we could start with your fire; that seems to be the most logical. There will come a time when you have to fight and relying on your fox form should not be the only option you have. It will be difficult, but the sooner you master your element the less risk there is of you having an accident. Fire is the most destructive element."

Leo pushed aside the growing memories of that power, the years of terror he had of calling on that ability. He hated the flames. The red-orange flames and white-hot energy coursing through his veins. Always inside of him, he felt said power smoldering, waiting for the chance of him erupting by mistake again in whatever method possible, whether intense passion, his lack of awareness to his emotions or an intense release of anger like the first time. He nearly forgot to control the energy leaping through him, ready to burst and burn whatever it touches.

But without warning, wind gusted against his face, large flaps of wings sounding in his furry ears. He opened his eyes to a beautiful mane of blue and stars and a gentle kiss against his lips as Higarashi giggled. The kiss was shocking, and the one who stole his focus appeared in peace with this intimate touch, nipping hungrily at his bottom lip as if she would devour. This time, Leo knew he was in trouble and had no chance of making any excuse. He had his teacher now sitting on his head and watching the mare part from him with a content smile and lustful gaze about her. With trepidation, he descended to his feet and breathed heavily as the mare fell with him for the sweetest of nuzzles.

"Good evening, Foxy." Luna cooed, ignoring the sheer terror on Leo's face as he sputtered. He tried his best to inform her she made the mistake of kissing him, but her hoof touched his mouth and the master on his head was laughing with her.

"He is very aware of our relationship." She told him, and the young prince plucked the flea off his head to look at him. Higarashi was not the kind of immortal to be pricked, but he was having too much fun with the boy's expression.

"Mr. Mole," Leo exhaled fearfully. "Please do not—"

"Oh hush your mouth, boy," Higarshi chuckled with a wave of his hand. "You do not have to worry about me informing your mother. I've been aware of your relationship with Luna."

Leo's breath caught in his throat. "When did you know about Luna and I secretly dating?"

"Oh please. I may be old but I'm not ignorant," Higarshi warned the boy, wiggling a finger at him. "That convention center you attended with Luna was all it took to see that you two were dating. Plus I was in your ear when you two kissed in the carriage."

Leo's eyes bore into Luna's with surprise and concern, making her want to steal the moment of truth, but she remained very still against his chest and played with his tails, determined to keep him in place as the sleepover came about in her mind.

"You do realize that sooner or later you will have to tell Sweetie Belle, don't you?" Her tone was seductive. Accusing.

He nodded, scratching the back of his head fiercely.

"You sure you're alright with it, the whole pack thing?"

Leo's concern tickled her like the first time. She even giggled under the touch. Beside the possibility of trouble brewing, her eyes went up with warmth to the teenager as he pondered how he could confess to the unicorn. Immediately, a wild idea enveloped her.

"I would figure, Leo, that sometime during the sleepover you could be dared to a confession." Luna suggested, her voice smooth with the effort to keep from laughing at the boy. "Otherwise, you will be facing the consequences of hiding it any longer. Our relationship is still very young, and I have no doubt in my mind that she would understand that you would rather form a pack."

Shock showed on Leo's face.

Luna stepped away from the prince but nuzzled into his hand, clearly trying not to laugh. "You are making things very difficult with yourself. You forget that herding is a very common practice."

Leo sent the princess a very sour look. "Yes, but if she was alright with it, how am I supposed to devote my time to both of you without concern of you or Sweetie Belle feeling neglected?"

"That has already been solved, my dear prince," Luna said irreverently to her coltfriend, winking at the boy as he tried to wrap his head around the situation.

Leo's expression never changed as he walked around the crystal cavern with Luna closely behind him, but that laughter of hers was contagious. Leo tried to hide his own amusement, glaring at a vague reflection of himself, but in the end he knew Luna far too well not to have some matters of planning to help him with the unicorn

"I feel that I'm betraying everyone," he said aloud. "I know herding is normal, but we're remaining a secret to everyone, even Celestia. And to be honest, she's done much better over the years in being faithful."

Luna heard the sincerity in his voice and knew it had nothing to do with fearing what his friends and family would think of him. Leo just did not like lying to those he loved.

"If it would make you feel better, I could speak with Sweetie Belle. We are good friends," Luna suggested. "And I have no doubt that she would be more understanding with me."

Leo nodding in understanding and smiled at the alicorn. "You think she will listen to you?"

She reared up and pressed her chin to his shoulder, facing her own reflection, her heart stuttering again at his own, reliving that moment when she took his lips and hand. She nodded slowly, smiling in the end. "Who else would be best to explain it to her?"

"Nobody would be better than you." Leo gentled his voice.

"That's what I thought."

Leo chuckled at her sarcasm, but what he didn't see beyond their reflections was a pair of deep blue eyes glowing from behind a castle. The figure giggled quietly and licked her lips with a ravenous hunger for the prince before shrinking into a purple a mist and disappearing through the ceiling to await for the party to come full circle tonight.

It is almost time. . .

. . .

Leo took a deep breath and let it out as the doors of Canterlot were opened with his strength, his tails firmly wrapped around the doors and pulling them apart as the girls walked inside with the Amaterasu reverting to her less intimidating form to ease the guards that were shaking in their armor. Surrounded by his mother, father and the royal sisters, Leo was still very nervous to face his first crush. He didn't want her to hate him in the very end. He wasn't certain though, what the danger was, or how he could help himself.

"I see everypony has made it safely," Faust said as a fifth member of the group appeared from behind Amaterasu, her luggage all-but crushing her until Discord sent it to guest room with a snap of his talon. "Tell me, was the trip here enjoyable?"

"Not with the wind messing up my mane," Flurry Heart complained, but nobody paid her any attention.

"Hey girls," Leo stuttered, waving a hand at his friends while the mare who was inclined to join sped around the teenagers to hug the prince. Of course, there were guards to block her from reaching Leo, but Faust made quick work of that.

"Enough of that," the queen said with a commanding voice, allowing the purple mane unicorn passage. She nuzzled the mare while the others bowed to her. "My apologies, Rarity, these are new recruits from the Crystal Empire."

"No apologies necessary, your majesty." Rarity replied with a wave of her hoof, but as soon as Faust turned her attention to the girls, Rarity tackled the boy into a bone-crushing hug.

"Hello Aunt Rarity. . ." Leo wheezed. He lifted his head and coughed for air, patting the fashionista with his hand. "Auntie. . . can't breathe. . ."

Celestia and Luna made quick work of freeing their prince from the clutches of Rarity, but it did not go without the trouble of this mare somehow having the strength of an ox as she hugged, kissed and nuzzled him.

"Would you be so kind as to not suffocate him?" Celestia advised, glaring at the element of generosity.

"That depends," Rarity snipped, grinning from ear to ear as she faced the alicorn in a deep staredown. "Would you be so kind as to not attempt claiming him in every moment you are around him?"

"Ouch." Sweetie Belle whispered to Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. "Talk about a low blow."

Leo shook his head at the two and stepped between the mares, pushing them apart before things were to get physical. "Okay. Okay. We're here to have a good time, not fight and bicker at one another."

"Indeed," Rarity agreed. "But I do hope that you were not planning for this sleepover to be just you and the girls. As much as I trust the queen and king, Sweetie Belle is my sister."

"Sis!" Sweetie Belle screeched, her cheeks blazing while everyone got acquainted with one another; even the spirit of chaos was showing some maturity to Rarity.

"How goes fatherhood and being a king?" The element of generosity asked. Discord pushed both talon and paw across his head frustratingly.

"It goes better than expected. Faust let's handle the nobles that wish to complain, while Leo keeps to his antics of pranking everypony in the castle." He replied calmly. "His latest prank took me a full hour to clean, even with magic."

"What did he do?" asked the mare, tilting her head at the bemused spirit.

"He made a bomb out of gum and stuck it in my crown. Imagine walking through the castle with guards stuck to you."

Rarity could only giggle at him and feel a little proud of the boy. In all her years of knowing Discord, she never expected him to fall for such a lowly trick.