Lineage

With a loud knock on my mother’s door and an announcement on my presence, she bid me to enter, and I did so. I closed the door behind me to see my mother in the process of beautifying herself further, several bobby pins pinched between her lips and an extensive collection of expensive makeups from around the world.

“Hey there, honey,” she said with a smile, tying her much-longer hair behind her head in a long, ruffled ponytail that touched the small of her back, her fringe now out of its usual shape and fraying slightly as it began to hang over one eye, resembling her own mother greatly. “Don’t mind the mess.” I noted what she said, seeing outfits strewn across the room along with a mix of underwear, corsets, and the occasional thigh-high sock that often missed its partner.

“Not a problem,” I chuckled, walking over to her and leaning against the makeup table and looking down at her. “Having trouble?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” she growled, spitting out one of the bobby pins accidentally as she spoke, the glare she shot down at it being clear that this wasn’t the first time she’d done that. “I’m going through another one of those stupid phases where my hair grows faster than I can handle it. I was going to go down to the spa today, but the ladies are closed for the festival today, so I’m stuck like this for now.”

“I think it looks nice,” I said with an honest smile. “It’s much thicker and rougher than you usually have it. I quite like that hairstyle, especially the ponytail.”

“D’you think?” she asked, only now looking at me for the first time since I walked in and noticing the leather armour and sword and shield strapped to my back. “Where are you going?”

“For the Rite,” I answered. “Luna and I are heading off in about an hour and a half.”

“What?” she asked with a cocked eyebrow, looking me up and down. “Already?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I figured that since you can’t really formulate a plan when it comes to fucking a dragoness, it’d be a good idea to just head off as soon as possible.”

“Language,” my mom warned, growling angrily as she attacked a knot in her thick locks with a comb, the sound of several strands of hair being tugged and snapped being strangely loud to me.

“Sorry,” I said with a nod before asking her about her problem. “So… what’s happening with your hair now?”

“It’s going through another phase where it grows about an inch every two or so days,” she said, wincing as she pulled a large knot out and cast it across her desk. “It happens to all of us every few years.”

“Why?”

“Because of your great-grandfather,” Cadance answered. “He was originally born with male pattern baldness and was completely bald by the time he was thirty. This was unsuiting for a man of his stature and so he decided to take the hair growth gene from a male Hellhound and use that to regrow his hair, as they grow in their winter coats when the snow falls and he figured he could use that to regrow his own hair. He managed to make it infrequent for himself and was able to grow back his hair much thicker and wilder. We, on the other hand, are not so lucky.”

“And I’m guessing with that little edit in the gene pool, it got passed down the family?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Indeed it has,” she nodded, running her fingers through her fringe with a smile before becoming enraged at the fact they caught in yet another knot in her hair. Anger riled up in her eyes as she gritted her teeth, throwing the brush across the room and standing up out of her chair.

“Fuck this,” she snarled.

“Language,” I said with a grin, receiving a cuff across the arm for my troubles.

“Do as I say, not as I do,” she said, pointing a finger in my face. “I’ve never been a woman to lead by example.”

“That’s just something shit parents say to justify their shit parenting,” I said.

“I’ll have you know that I’ve been an excellent mother to you for all these years,” she said with a bemused expression, bordering on being genuinely offended. “I was strict when I needed to be and fun when I needed to be.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked, still joking around with her. “Gimme one example of when you’ve been a fun parent?” She looked at me with a blank expression, mouth open slightly before she proposed her undeniable objection:

“We fuck, Richter,” she said in a dull tone.

“Fair point,” I conceded before moving onto another topic. “So, what’ve you got planned for today?”

“Well… your father should be arriving today, I was hoping you’d stick around but if you’re so desperate to go on the literal hunt for pussy, I guess you’ll see him when you come home,” she answered, listing her objectives on her fingers. “I’ve then got to go to the trading post to pick up the Saddle Arabian body oil for later.”

“Why?” I asked in a confused manner. “Your skin’s already smooth and healthy.”

“It’s not for that,” she said with a chuckle. “It’s just to act as lube for anal. I’m giving your father the full monty when he gets home tonight.”

“Lovely.”

“Then I need to go to Ponyville to see Twilight about that skin-patch cure she was working on and then talk to her about giving me the blood sample I gave her back. I think it’s a little unsafe.”

“You’re a little too late on that front,” I said.

“What d’you mean?” she asked, looking up from her fingers.

“She already used it,” I answered. “And kind of turned herself into a quarter-succubus.”

“Really?” she asked in a worried manner. “Were there any side effects?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “She went from being a cute, petite little woman to being the most fuckable thing in Ponyville.”

“Really?” she asked with a smirk, it being more than obvious what kind of thing she was thinking. “How good we talking?”

“Imagine Luna’s tits on your body with Celestia’s ass,” I explained. “Busty, curvy, and bootyful.”

“Damn,” she said, licking her lips instinctively. “I might have to have a taste of the little white girl.”

“Oh, and she’s not white anymore,” I added. “She’s a lot darker-skinned.”

“Right, I’m definitely taking two hours out of my day to get a piece of her now,” she nodded. “What about you? Fucked her yet?”

“Kind of,” I shrugged. “I fucked the fake Nightmare Form she accidentally created while opening the Black Bible, but I’ve never fucked actual Twilight. Which is a fact I resent greatly.”

“Mhmm…” she said, tapping her chin with her nails in thought. “Tell you what, after I’m done eating out everything she’s got on offer, I’ll see if I can get her onboard for a nice little threesome.”

“I’m not sure she’d go for it,” I said. “I love the idea, but I think she’s a little too… Nun-like, if you know what I mean?”

“Honey,” she chuckled, placing a hand on my chest. “If there’s one thing I’m insanely good at, it’s sex. I can make a whore out of anyone if you give me three days and a double bed.”

“I dunno…” I said, wondering if she could pull it off. “D’you think you can handle it?”

“Richter, baby, who d’you think was the girl that talked Luna into her first gangbang at the Summer Solstice Festival?” she asked with a smirk. “Trust me, baby. I can do this. By the time you come back, I’ll have Twilight gagging for your dick.”

“Alright…” I said, before asking a question. “Though when you go see her today… please don’t go full ‘Divine’s gift to lesbian women’ on her?”

“No promises,” she giggled. “Good luck on your trip, honey.” She leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss, her wet tongue rubbing up against mine for a few moments before backing away, her tongue still protruding slightly as she shook her head.

“Great,” she growled. “Now I’m horny. Fucking incubi and your damn sex-spit.”

“Sorry,” I chuckled.

“Good, now get going before I decide I need to borrow your cock for an hour,” she said, jabbing her thumb towards the door. “I need to keep myself clean and empty today for your father.”

“I’m already gone,” I said, ducking out of the door and heading off to find Celestia. I rummaged through my memory to think of what area her daily schedule would have taken her to at this time, and my only guess was that she’d be taking her usual hour-long break in her private room before heading down to a council meeting with the ealdormen of the local villages outside Canterlot’s borders to discuss matters, such as payment for grain and other crops, and guard deployment to protect from bandits and animals, as well as requests for certain things the villagers required.

So, I made double time up the enormous spiral staircase to her bedroom in the east wing of the castle only to be informed by a chambermaid cleaning the bedroom out that she’d left to go see Luna, who was waiting for me by the stables. Which meant more backtracking, which meant more running. And I hated running. So, forcing a deep breath into my lungs, I thanked the chambermaid with a nod and a smile, before heading back down the stairs, through the corridors and out into the courtyard, which acted as a shortcut. But as I was bounding across the courtyard, I felt a familiar presence behind me seconds before something extremely large slammed into me, wrapped its legs around my torso, and brought us both tumbling to the floor.

From the immense of pain, the sharp claws, and the newly-formed idea of what it felt like getting run over by a horse, I lifted my head up off the floor and looked as far back as I could, up at the titanic wolf who stared at me with disappointment.

“Going somewhere, partner?” he asked in a displeased manner.

“Maybe?” I asked in a nervous tone.

“I’m going to ask that again,” he said. “Going somewhere?”

“...Yes,” I sighed after a moment of silence.

“And the reason you didn’t tell me is… what?” he asked.

“Because you’re not coming,” I answered. “And you’re not allowed to either. It’s too dangerous for you.”

“And why is that?”

“Because of the dragon.”

“What dragon?”

“Y’know… the dragon.”

“You do remember I’m very skilled at biting things without causing permanent damage, right?” he asked. “And even if I did, the castle healers could help in a matter of hours.”

“Alright,” I sighed. “Are you gonna let me up?”

“No,” he said, lowering his entire two hundred pound frame onto me. “I’ll let you up when I’m satisfied with your explanation. Begin.”

“Sure thing, Dad,” I growled, taking a deep breath against his tremendous weight and beginning to explain, ignoring the castle workers that were giving the two of us strange looks as they walked past. Grael listened the entire way through the explanation, licking his thick claws every so often and jabbing one into my neck every time I rambled or got off topic slightly. After a wince, I continued back to where I’d left off until I finished the explanation, waiting for the wolf’s response.

“So?” I asked. “Are you gonna let me up?”

“I said I would when I was satisfied,” he shrugged. “I’m not satisfied.” I growled angrily, drumming my fingers on the well-kept grass as I began to think of a way out of this scenario. He was way too heavy for me to lift in the way I was positioned and he was nowhere close to getting off me by himself, so I figured the best way out of this scenario was to wait for someone to help.

Because Grael is a prick.

I was there for several minutes before the two of us caught wind of a familiar scent, turning to our left and seeing Celestia standing there with a confused-yet-amused look on her face.

“How the hell did she manage to sneak up on us? Grael asked me.

“I have no idea,” I answered.

“Are you two okay?” she asked.

“Grael won’t get off me,” I answered.

“I can see that,” she nodded. “Care to tell me why?”

“Because he won’t let me go for my Rite without him,” I answered again.

“Because I’m supposed to protect you,” Grael interjected.

“You’re currently crushing me,” I added.

“Only because I love you,” he said, jabbing me with a claw again.

“Ow!” I snapped, trying to swat him with what little of my arm I had free, only to receive another claw in the neck.

“Boys?” Celestia asked, getting our attention again.

“Can you help me please?” I asked.

“Of course,” she nodded. “Grael?” The wolf looked up at her with puppy eyes, whining quietly for a moment before realizing that Celestia wasn’t going to fall for that old trick. He begrudgingly moved off of me, being sure to give me a slight kick to the ribs as he did so as he stormed off angrily.

“What the hell’s his problem?” I asked as I got up and dusted myself off.

“He’s worried about you,” Celestia said, picking a tuft of wolf fur off my shoulder. “I would be to if I were in his position.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I grinned. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to do what I do best.”

“And I believe that,” Celestia said with a sly smirk. “And would you care to explain to me in detail what you plan to do once you’ve returned from your… expedition?”

“Well…” I said, going over what I’d learned from the Encyclopedia and opening my mouth. “I have no idea. I’m kinda just making this up as I go.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Celestia chuckled, gesturing towards the exit to the courtyard. “Walk with me?”

“Sure,” I nodded, following after her as she strolled.

“I must ask something,” she said after I caught up with her longer strides. “You are aware of the power of we possess when we’ve turned, are you not?”

“I think so… I mean, Twilight’s fake one wasn’t that powerful,” I answered.

“Pardon?” Celestia asked in a worried manner.

“Well… Twilight and I had to look through the Black Bible to get a recipe list for a potion that would bring out the Nightmare Forms and it kinda… well, corrupted her.”

Celestia looked at me for a long moment before asking a simple question:

“And you helped her, correct?”

“Yeah, I was able to, uh, remove the problem,” I nodded.

“Very well,” she sighed. “I’ll be having words with Twilight later about this. She knows she isn’t supposed to mess around with things like that. Nonetheless, I think you’ll find that Twilight’s… ‘fake’ Nightmare Form is nothing more than a mere shadow of the true being’s power.”

“I don’t like the way this sounds,” I sighed.

“And you really shouldn’t,” Celestia nodded. “While the strength of my own and your mother’s have never been measured to their full strength, Luna’s Nightmare Form has said she’s unleashed her full power in the event where she lifted an ocean with her magic to find a sunken treasure ship.”

“An… an ocean?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, and she held it for a good few hours whilst searching,” Celestia said. “I’m sure you remember how much energy it took for you to stop a running river for a few moments?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “It felt like trying to push back a mountain. I think I nearly passed out after about ten seconds.”

“So imagine the both the strength and stamina she possesses to be able to lift such a tremendous weight with ease, I might add.” Celestia said. “This is without even considering the wide array of magical attacks she possesses and not even touching upon her combat skills.”

“What… exactly am I gonna need to beat her?” I asked.

“A lot of preparation,” she answered. “You do have an idea of how to get even more powerful, right?”

“I think so,” I nodded. “I borrowed the Monster Girl Encyclopedia from Twilight, and had a brief look through the pages. And if you’re saying I’m gonna need some serious firepower to take on the Nightmare Forms… then I figure the Demons have to be my next stop… though they only exist in the Hollow Realm, from what I read.” I noticed that upon mentioning the Demon Realm, Celestia visibly stiffened. I cocked an eyebrow at her and asked if she was okay, only for her to mumble that she’d stepped wrong on her foot and had caused her ankle to jut out, and she reacted to the pain.

Bullshit.

“It’s because I mentioned the Hollow Realm,” I said. “The same place my grandfather rules, right?” She stopped walking at this point, turning around and looking at me with confusion.

“Who told you about that?” she demanded.

“Luna did, though she didn’t tell me the whole story,” I answered. “I wanted to ask you about it.” Celestia’s eyes cast downwards briefly, seemingly considering it, before shaking her head.

“No, you don’t need to know about that,” she said. “Forget whatever she told you.”

“It’s not that simple,” I said. “This is my grandfather we’re talking about. A family member I’ve never met before and never knew still existed, the same thing that created my mother. I think I have a right to know about him.”

“You do, Richter,” she nodded. “But not from me. That was a chapter of I life I closed a long time ago and swore I’d never revisit.”

“If you’re not gonna tell me about him, then who will?” I asked.

“Nobody,” Celestia answered. “And we’re keeping it that way.”

“Is there some reason you aren’t gonna tell me?” I asked. “He… he didn’t hurt you did he?”

“No. Nothing like that,” she said. “In fact, quite the opposite… he was… kind.” I noticed a change in her face: a strange difference in her eyes, making them seem much cloudier to the point that the haze in her eyes had covered her pupils and a small, vacant smile had spread onto her mouth. It lasted for no longer than three seconds, but for the time it was there, it was unnoticeable. She snapped out of it before I could question her, putting a hand to her face and taking a shaky breath.

“I… I need to go,” she said quickly, walking away at a brisk pace. “Good luck, Richter.”

I watched her walk away for a moment before she disappeared into a corridor, clearly shaken up by whatever had just happened. I knew something was up and that whatever had happened to her when Cadance was conceived was something that still affected her deeply. I began to wonder what had happened to her, thinking back to the few lessons I’d been to in terms of magic and realizing that I had skipped too many lessons to even take a guess at what had just happened to her.

“Okay…” I said in an awkward manner. “I guess I’ll have to talk to Luna about that. If she’ll tell me, that is.”

I put a hand to my head, feeling confused beyond belief as I scratched an itchy part of my scalp, walking to where I was supposed to meet Luna. I spotted her leaning against one of the horses she’d set up for us, hers being a jet-black stallion with a white spot on his nose and mine being a familiar mare by the name of Molla. Luna noticed me and then proceeded to notice the weird expression I had on my face.

“What’s the matter with you?” she asked me.

“It’s Celestia,” I said, pointing over my shoulder with my thumb. “I tried to ask her about my grandfather and she got this really weird look in her eyes… like some kind of fog or something just-” I was cut off right there when Luna locked a hand onto my shoulder and looked down at me with a serious expression.

“Drop it,” she said quickly.

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t bring it up again, Richter,” she said in a stern tone. “I already told you it wasn’t something she was likely to tell you, and you’ll get nothing out of me on it either. So drop it.”

“What the hell is going on right now?” I asked.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Luna said. “We’re leaving and you’re not ever going to bring that up or ask about that subject until one of us tells you about it. Understand?”

“I-”

“Richter.”

“Right, fine, okay,” I nodded. “I won’t ask about it any more.”

“Good,” she nodded. “Now mount up, we’ve got to get going.”

“Alright,” I said, mounting Molla and waiting for Luna to lead the way.