It was a village that, on the surface at least, seemed like any other. There were ponies of all types, earth, unicorn and pegasi alike, all living together happily, smiling to anypony who passed by. True, this place was far from what most would consider "civilization", but to it's residents, that was exactly how they liked it, far from prying eyes. The two identical rows of houses, mirroring the equal-sign cutie marks that the ponies mysteriously shared, and rather drab and uninteresting in appearance, was not something that seemed to bother any of them. In fact, from the smiles on their faces, almost as wide as the faces themselves, most would assume that they weren't really bothered about anything. But, there was one pony who did not have the same impossibly-wide smile as all the others. A mare, pink in her fur and purple in her mane, she trotted along the one and only street of their village, glancing at each and every one of her neighbours, all of whom seemed to smile even more as she passed, albeit with a slightly nervous tint to them. Accompanying her was a bright white stallion who, yet again, bore the same cutie mark as all of them. As they walked, he began to speak.
"Starlight...are you sure about this?"
The mare, Starlight, looked towards the stallion as she kept walking.
"But of course, Double Diamond! The Princess and her companions will be a wonderful addition to our little community. They just require the proper transitional period."
Still smiling, she raised an eyebrow to Double.
"I trust the rest of them have been provided suitable accommodations?"
Double nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh, naturally! We couldn't have our new friends left in the cold after all! We put each of them in their own little cottage, and made sure to have a few of our other residents with them, just in case they feel...less than happy when they come to."
Starlight let out a brief chuckle after hearing that.
"Wonderful! Once I've convinced the Princess first, the rest will come over to our way of doing things, have no doubt about that, Double."
Double smiled and nodded at that, and the two of them continued walking for a little bit longer, unit they reached the lone house at the end of the street. Turning to her companion, Starlight gestured to the road they just walked from.
"Well, this is my stop. Do be a dear and make sure to stay nearby, just in case I need any help with our...guest."
The stallion gave a nod at that and turned, ready to begin making his way back down the road. However, before he set off, he paused for a moment, his expression one of hesitancy, before speaking up to his friend.
"Um...Starlight? If I may ask...why do things so differently with these mares? Why not just take them to the cave like the rest of us were?"
There was a silence between the two ponies, and for a moment, Double Diamond felt a twinge of nervousness at having been so forward with such a question. However, his nerves soon died down as his town's founder let out a hearty chuckle.
"Oh, Diamond! I understand your concerns fully, but you have to remember, these mares are far less accepting than you or the others were at this great change. It'll take time, and a more...personal touch, to help them see things our way. Don't you worry, we'll have them flying the flag of equality in no time!"
The stallion resumed his unnaturally wide smile after that, feeling more than reassured from his friend's words. So, giving her a friendly nod, he spun around and began happily trotting off back down the road. Starlight, watching him go, made sure that he was far enough away before turning, at which point she gained a mischievous smile upon her face. She walked forward, opening the door of her home and closing it after she entered, making sure to lock it before moving on. As an added guarantee, her horn glowed and the curtains of her home began to close as soon as she passed them by, after which she started walking up her stairs, eventually reaching the door to her bedroom. Opening it, she smiled as she entered. Like every other home here, it was a modest and completely un-flashy sight, containing only the bare-bones essentials when it came to furniture. The only slight sign of decadence here was her bed, which was somewhat larger than that intended for a single pony. And it was here that she regained her smirk from earlier, for there, lying upon the bed, was her "guest".
Twilight Sparkle, the proclaimed "Princess of Friendship", an alicorn mare that was famed and respected throughout Equestria. Now, she was Starlight's captive. Lying upon her front, the young Princess was completely motionless, her eyes closed as if asleep. If that was not enough, she had clearly been the recipient of some very careful restraints during her state of unconsciousness. All four of her hooves had been bound with rope, which stretched her four limbs and tied them to each of the bed's posts. In addition, there was another strand of the same rope, wrapped around her middle, binding her wings together. Last, but certainly not least, was something that Starlight couldn't help but chuckle at when she looked upon it. A single golden ring, slipped over the Princess' horn until it had reached it's base. At first glance, this simple piece of jewellery would not seem like anything special. But, closer examination showed that it had a faint blue glow, a sign of some kind of enchantment. Taking in her guest's bindings, Starlight continued smiling and moved along the bed, sitting on the edge that was closest to Twilight's head. The town founder then leaned closer, raising a hoof and gently stroking the Princess' mane, before calmly whispering to her.
"Wakey wakey, Princess."
A few moments passed, but it was not long before the slumbering alicorn began to rouse. Groggily, she moved her head from side to side a little, her eyes opening slowly. At first, she did not seem to realise what was going on, but as the moments passed, those eyes widened more and more. They darted all over the place, taking in her surroundings and, more importantly, locked onto Starlight, who continued to smile down at her. Understanding her situation, Twilight immediately tried to escape, to move away from her captor, and it was here that she finally realised that she was bound, grunting as she strained against the rope. Even more fear came to her when she noticed too the bindings that kept her wings from stretching. Twilight's breathing was rapid now, a clear sign of distress, and as a last-ditch effort, she closed her eyes tight and began to concentrate on a spell, her horn sparking just a little bit to indicate this. But her eyes opened with horror when she understood that no magic was happening. Again and again she tried, but her efforts yielded no successful spells. Turning her head, she looked up to Starlight, who was chuckling slightly at this.
"I really must thank Sugar Belle for adding that "special ingredient" that I recommended to her muffins. I'm sure it gave you and your companions quite a nice nap."
Twilight glared angrily at the unicorn, struggling yet again to force out even the simplest of spells. Starlight, in the meantime, was not worried, and placed her hoof against the tip of Twilight's horn.
"You may have noticed by now, but you've been adorned with a magic inhibitor ring. A little something I crafted before I founded this place, and quite a fine one too, if I do say so myself. Can't have magic as strong as yours left free after all."
The look of fear was evident on Twilight's face, much like it was in her tone of voice when she finally started speaking.
"Wha...what have you done with my friends?!"
Starlight raised a hoof to her chest and put on an expression that made her look as innocent as possible, given the circumstances.
"Oh, I assure you, they're quite safe, Princess. They've all been given little homes of their own, ready to join our humble community. Like everypony else here, they too will come to love the ideas of equality."
Twilight frowned at that, still grunting as she pulled against her rope.
"You...ugh...you'll never get away with this!"
Starlight hopped off the side of the bed now, standing upon all four hooves as she looked to Twilight with a face that gave the impression that she'd just been insulted.
"Get away with this? My dear Twilight! I do hope you're not suggesting I've done something wrong, are you?"
Twilight scoffed at those words.
"Don't even try to play innocent, Starlight! We know what you've been doing! Stealing ponies' cutie marks, running your own personal dictatorship! I don't know if you really believe this philosophy you've been spouting this whole time, but even if you do, what you’ve ben doing to others is nothing short of twisted!"
The town founder let out a faux-gasp, turning away with the most forced look of hurt Twilight had ever seen.
"How could you say such terrible things, Princess? Can't you see we're only trying to help you? You and everypony else in Equestria!"
Twilight rolled her eyes still, fuming over her captivity. Seeing this expression, Starlight's own face became one of annoyance and irritation, but only briefly. The moment Twilight's eyes were back on her, she resumed her forced smile, just like she did with everypony else. Seeing that her words were clearly not getting anywhere with the captive princess, Starlight considered her situation for a moment before coming to an important decision. It was a thought that caused her smile to change, from her usual cheerful one, to a smile that, quite frankly, sent a shiver down Twilight's spine when she saw it. The young Princess watched as her captor began to casually walk around the bed, away from Twilight. Craning and turning her head as much as possible, Twilight kept her eyes on Starlight as the mare made her way towards a dressing table on the edge of the bedroom. There, lying on top of it, was a large wooden box of some kind. Narrowing her eyes at it, Twilight got the distinct impression that, whatever was in there, she wasn't going to be happy about it.
Her instinct proved to be correct on that count, as Starlight's horn began to glow it's usual blue, causing the box to become enveloped in the same aura. Using her magic, Starlight opened the box, before starting to levitate something from within it. Twilight looked on, observing the strange object, which appeared to be a long stick of some kind, with a two-pronged end. At first, she didn’t know what it was, but as she thought more on the matter, her mind conjured forth memories of her interactions with the other ponies of the village. Specifically, she remembered what they'd told her of their cutie marks; The cutie un-marking is a beautiful experience! Starlight uses the Staff of Sameness to magically take them away! Horror was what her expression now reflected, as Starlight closed the box and began walking back towards the bed, the staff still hovering beside her. As she approached, she looked to Twilight and the fearful look upon her face, and it did not take long for her to put two and two together. Chuckling, she raised a hoof and gestured to the staff beside her.
"Yes, Twilight. This is indeed the Staff of Sameness that you've no doubt heard of by now. It truly is a wonderful creation. I've used it to bring so many ponies together, and I truly count myself blessed to have been given the chance to use it's powers for good."
Twilight listened, aghast that this mare could have done what she's done and still think it was good. She struggled against her bonds, but the hold on her was too tight. Panting from her efforts, she looked to Starlight with a more worried look.
"Starlight...whatever it is you're planning, it's not too late. You can stop this now. Stop this madness and let the ponies here have their old lives back. You've walked a dark path, but you can find your way away from it again."
The unicorn mare took in every word Twilight said to her, before letting out a hearty laugh, almost as if she'd just been told a really funny joke, Twilight gained a look of fear after hearing that, which only worsened as her captor began to speak.
"Oh, Princess! You say the silliest things sometimes! A dark path indeed! Such imagination you have there. I assure you, this way of life is a wonderful thing. I know it, my followers know it, and soon..."
She paused for a moment, looking at Twilight with great intensity, though still smiling all the way.
"...you will know it as well."
Twilight said nothing in response. She knew she couldn't do anything to stop what she knew knew was going to happen. Her friends were also captive, surrounded by their enemies, not to mention separated. She was without her magic and in the very clutches of the one who had caused all of this. Alone and powerless, there was nothing she could do. So she instead looked on as Starlight walked beside her, casting an eye down to her immobile flank, and the pink star mark that lay there. Smiling sweetly, Starlight raised a hoof and gently caressed Twilight's mark, much to the latter's chagrin. A brief giggle escaped Starlight's lips as she glanced up at Twilight.
"I must say though, it's almost a shame to take away such a beautiful cutie mark."
Her expression then changed to one more steely before speaking further.
"Almost a shame."
Twilight was breathing rapidly again, just like she was when she first realised where she was. Her eyes never left Starlight, and so she watched as the unicorn smiled to her once more, turning as she used her magic to levitate the staff, which was now pointing straight at Twilight's flank. The young Princess steeled herself, ready for whatever experience was coming her way. It was a wise preparation, for soon, with one final smirk, Starlight used her power to make the staff shoot it's magic straight at Twilight, enveloping her completely within it's aura. The effect was immediate, as Twilight began to feel something strange happen to her magic. It was a different feeling than with the inhibitor ring. With that, it was more like a sound being muffled from behind a wall. Still there, but cut off. This was something else altogether. Whatever the staff was doing, the feeling in her magic was more like having that same sound become more quiet, leaving you with the feeling that it was going to just disappear at any moment. Needless to say, it was not something she enjoyed feeling, which was reflected in her stressed expression. Seeing this look, Starlight pondered for a moment before starting to speak.
"You know...it's not every day that I get to have such an experience with a Princess. Perhaps we should play things a touch more...delicately."
The young Princess had no idea what Starlight meant by that, but one look at the sinister smile she bore made it obvious that, whatever she was planning, she wasn’t going to enjoy it. Yet again, her instincts proved to be correct, as something different was occurring with the magic she was bathed in. It began to feel, for lack of a better word, slower, less intense. The effect was the same, as her magic was fading with every passing moment, but now it seemed like the process was going to be longer than first intended. So, this is what she wants now, Twilight thought. To draw this out as long as possible. She truly is a sadist if she still thinks this is all good. Starlight, despite not hearing Twilight's thoughts, nevertheless reflected them, as the sight of the bound and enchanted Princess caused her to feel just the slightest tingle. It was a pleasant feeling, especially when she glanced at Twilight's cutie mark, which was only now starting to move of it's own accord. The mare licked her lips slightly before considering her position further. Well...there's no harm in me enjoying myself while I'm here.
With that thought now firmly planted within her mind, Starlight began to move, climbing onto the bed fully now. Twilight, still feeling discomfort from the magic of the staff turned her head around as much as she could, only to see, to her confusion and surprise, Starlight begin to actually mount her. The mare's weight was on top of her now, and what's more, she leaned forward, raising a hoof to gently brush aside from of Twilight's mane from her ears, before speaking softly to her.
"There's no need for resistance, Twilight. You'll come to love being one of us."
Twilight would have spat back some kind of insult in defiance, but her current circumstances prevented her, as only now was true pain starting to form in her. Not only was her magic fading fast now, but there was a new feeling along with it. A sharp, almost burning feeling in her hind quarters, where her mark was. Starlight smiled softly at that before getting to work herself, rearing up so she was now practically sitting on the Princess below, her full weight resting upon the latter's hips. Still smiling, Starlight looked behind, seeing Twilight's mark continue to gradually pull away, but only slightly so far. She liked to watch it, and began to feel that same tingle from the sight. Letting out a soft moan, she waited a few moments before starting to reach down with her hoof, until it was resting gently upon her own marehood. That simple touch sent a slight pleasurable jolt through her, causing her to bite down on her lower lip, lest anything loud escape her. And all the while, Twilight's pain was growing more and more with every passing moment, as she knew now that it would not be long before her mark was taken from her. As tears began to form in her eyes from this experience, she looked back to Starlight, who was still very much enjoying herself.
"Please...let me go! You don't have to do this!"
But Starlight merely regarded her for a moment before smirking a little.
"You're right, I don't have to...but I will."
Twilight let out another gasp of pain as she felt her mark finally start to pull away from her flank. It was slow, like everything else, but every moment was agonizing. Starlight, meanwhile, was still working herself over, watching both Twilight's pained expression and occasionally glancing down to her gradually-torn cutie mark. Her hoof gently rubbed up and down her sensitive area, building up the feelings of pleasure she was now experiencing. Moans of contentment left her mouth on a regular basis, and she closed her eyes with the ongoing sensations. Twilight though had finally started to let loose her tears, which were now streaming down her cheeks. The pain was searing now, as if scorching her very soul. And all the while, her cutie mark was pulling further and further away from her, connected to her only by a thin strand of pink magic. Twilight knew it was only a matter of moments now before she lost it completely, that precious mark that for so long had been a cause of pride, the very symbol of her prowess at magic. Now, it was being stolen from her.
"Please...Starlight...I don't want this! Please...make it stop!"
The unicorn mare looked down at her captive, seeing the great pain upon her face, the tears streaming down it, the sheer sincerity in which she'd pleaded to her. For any other pony in Equestria, such a plea would have moved them, compelled them to offer some reprieve, some mercy to the bound mare below. But, unfortunately for Twilight, this was Starlight Glimmer, and she was not any other pony. Instead of feeling remorse, compassion or even pity from this act she began, she instead smiled. Finally sliding off Twilight's back, the mare instead took a new position, lying beside her, her head at the same level as her captive, so the two could look each other in the eye. And during it all, her self-pleasuring had continued, with her knowing that her threshold was about to be reached. Twilight looked at her, tears still flowing, hoping beyond hope that her captor would show some semblance of mercy. But those hopes were soon dashed with Starlight's next words.
"Say goodbye to what made you special...Princess."
That voice had been calm, soothing, motherly even, like some twisted mockery of how Princess Celestia might have spoken to her in her youth. Twilight, knowing her fate now, looked away from Starlight, burying her face into the pillow beneath her head, perhaps hoping to hide her look of pain from her. Smirking, Starlight continued rubbing herself, beads of sweat now rolling down her forehead. Every movement was now purposely timed to coincide with the pained grunts and yelps that Twilight was letting out. Starlight wanted to experience this pleasure at the same time the Princess was experiencing the pain. And soon enough, she got her wish. For with one final tug of the magic of the staff, Twilight's cutie mark finally snapped off her, causing the young alicorn to throw back her head and let out an almost ear-piercing howl of pain. Starlight, by contrast, screamed in ecstasy as she finally reached her climax, letting forth her juices and utterly staining the patch of the bed sheets below her.
Both mares were panting heavily now, Twilight from the pain and Starlight from the pleasure. The latter soon turned her head, seeing her captive's stolen cutie mark now hovering between the prongs of the staff, a sight which caused her no end of amusement. With another motion of her magic, she levitated the staff over to the dressing table once more, wherein there was an open glass jar. Twilight, who had been exhausted by this experience, turned her head just in time to see her mark placed within the jar, after which Starlight magically hovered the item's nearby lid over to seal it in. Something happened after this, and Twilight looked as far behind her as she could, seeing her own mark had now been replaced with the same equal sign as everypony else in the town. She couldn't feel hr magic now, for it had vanished as soon as her mark had left her, so now, she truly felt like she was unable to get herself out of this. And if she couldn't do anything, then what hope was there for her friends? She knew it was hopeless, but even so, Twilight turned to Starlight again, speaking in a tone that reflected the weakened state she was now in.
"My...my mark. Please...give it back."
Starlight turned to her, looking deep within her eyes, at the genuine hurt and loss she was feeling, and was not swayed. Like before, she merely smiled at her captive, leaning in closer and, to Twilight's disgust, planted a tender kiss upon her forehead, before slowly hopping off the bed.
"I think not, Princess. Or...should I say former Princess? You once thought this mark and your special talent made you unique. That it put you above everypony else. Perhaps you even thought you were bringing harmony to others by using it."
The town founder made her way towards the jar containing Twilight's cutie mark, using her magic to levitate it in front of her face.
"But now..."
She turned, giving a dark smirk towards the helpless alicorn.
"...you will learn, like everypony else, what true harmony is."
Twilight's tears finally returned, knowing that Starlight was not going to give in. Her mark was stolen, her precious magic along with it, and she was still prisoner to this monster who continued to think that she had done nothing wrong. No, Twilight thought. I think it's even worse than that. I think she does know...and she just doesn't care. With that one, depressing thought now at the forefront of her mind, she watch as Starlight trotted over to her, leaning forward and gently caressing the side of Twilight's face with her hoof.
"But don't worry, Twilight. After all...at least, tonight, you got to know equality...in a truly special way."
