Who Rules?: Riposte

“Darling!”

The luggage clattered to the floor, but that didn’t even slow the mare down. Sashaying into the room with her hips swaying wide and her head held high, she expected every eye in the place to be firmly focused strictly on her. Considering there were only two other sets of eyes present, that wasn’t too hard to make happen.

“Rarity?” Trixie quickly rose to her hooves and trotted over to her marefriend. “What are you doing here? Trixie wasn’t expecting you for another week.”

Feeling her lips press into the soft flesh of Trixie’s cheek, Rarity lingered a moment, letting her muzzle snuggle a little deeper into the neck before pulling back with a smile.

“I know, but I was able to get away a little early, and I just couldn’t help myself. I do hope that my surprise is a pleasant one and not,” her eyes shifted to the other mare sitting in the room, narrowing slightly as they did, “an inconvenience.”

With the aplomb of a practiced actor, Trixie’s eyes casually wandered to the other mare and then back to Rarity. “You’re never an inconvenience,” she said, turning to walk back towards the couch, “no matter who Trixie might be entertaining otherwise.”

The shape of the room was such that, after only a few steps, it went from a low-ceiling hallway to a soaring space, easily twice the normal height of a room. A massive circular space, it was dominated by windows stretching from floor to ceiling, letting the lights from the Las Pegasus strip flood into the room. In the center of the room were three couches, arranged in a loose semi-circle facing towards each other. A bright yellow pegasus mare with a pale yellow mane lay on one of those couches, her foreleg casually draped off the side and her mane almost hanging over one of her brilliant green eyes.

Making sure that Rarity was only a half-step behind and still close to her side, Trixie walked slowly straight towards that mare.

“Rarity, may I introduce you to Summer’s Light.” The other mare stood to look Rarity in the eye. “Trixie has recently hired her to be my new agent.”

Despite her best effort, Rarity’s eyes still grew slightly at those words. “Oh. Oh, dear, yes. Well, it is a delight to meet you miss Light,” Rarity said a little too quickly. “I…had no idea that Trixie had hired on a new associate to aid her.”

“It’s quite all right,” Summer’s Light answered. “On the other hoof, Trixie has told me quite a bit about you.” Her head bobbed ever so slightly as she spoke.

“She has?” Rarity pulled her head back, but just barely.

“Oh yes, your adventures with and without her are quite the talk, actually,” she explained. “Though oddly, she tends to linger more about you as a mare, rather than the exploits you have experienced.”

“Oh, please.” Rarity turned her head, letting her mane fall down over her face. “Trixie has far too many things to do than talk about some silly mare like myself.” She looked back over to Summer’s Light. “But, by chance, what did she say?”

“Trixie is standing right here,” the unicorn explained.

“She says that, along with the popular stories that are spread around, you are also a very talented costume designer,” Summer continued, seemingly still oblivious.

“Fashion designer, Darling. I’m a fashion designer.” Rarity’s voice danced as she spoke. “Though I have done some costuming for Bridleway productions a time or two, I specialize in couture.”

“Well, if you ever want to stretch your legs a little, there are plenty of shows on the Strip that could use a talented touch,” Summer said with a more pronounced nod.

“Oh, that is too kind, but I’m afraid that my hooves are already more than full, what with my boutique in Ponyville, my role as one of the Elements, and other personal commitments.” Rarity’s eyes shimmered as she fluttered her lids once more.

A half-cough clearing of the throat drew everypony’s attention. “Trixie is happy that the two of you have connected so quickly, but maybe business can be discussed at another time?”

Summer laughed lightly. “I’m so sorry. It’s second nature for me.” She looked back over to Rarity. “Still, give it a thought. Everypony loves your marefriend. Her show is a huge hit, drawing in a packed crowd every night, but I’m sure she’d be willing to share a bit of the spotlight with you.”

Rarity paused a half-heartbeat before answering. “Why don’t we take Trixie’s suggestion and discuss this another time? I would like to spend some time with her now that I’ve just arrived.”

Her eyes rolled back slightly as Summer trotted around the edge of the couch. “Oh, what a silly-filly I’m being. You two don’t get to see each other that often, do you? I’m in the way.” She lowered her head slightly. “It was delightful to meet you, Rarity. I do hope that we get to speak again before you get out of town. How long will you be here?”

“Two weeks, I hope. Ten days at the very least—barring some sort of emergency, naturally,” Rarity answered.

“Sounds wonderful.” Summer smiled and looked to Trixie. “I’ll let you know about what the Whynny says. I can’t imagine that they’ll say no, but even if they do, we have a little room to work with, I think.”

“Excellent. Trixie trusts you on this,” she said, and turned to walk towards the door.

“No, that’s all right, I know the way out. Talk to both of you soon.” Raising her head high, Summer’s Light turned and walked slowly towards the door, her hips moving wide with every step. Both of the other mares watched her until the sound of the door closing behind her reached their ears.

“She’s quite the lovely creature.” The temperature in the room seemed to drop slightly as Rarity spoke.

“Trixie is not sleeping with her.” The reply came almost instantly.

“Whatever do you mean, Darling? Why are you even suggesting such a thing?” Rarity’s words sounded more like a gasp than normal speech.

“Your reaction when you saw her was enough. It’s not hard to spot jealousy,” Trixie said with a chuckle.

“I would never!” Rarity moved over and laid down on the couch, letting her body sprawl seductively. “Why would I be jealous of her?”

Trixie simply stood there, letting one of her eyebrows slowly rise. “Well, she is quite the shapely mare. She used to be a dancer, from what she told Trixie, and you can tell by the way that her flank moves. I’ve been walking behind her enough to notice that when her tail flicks just right, you—”

“IT’S…it’s not that important, Darling,” Rarity interrupted. “Why don’t we change the subject to something more pleasant. Like me being here, for instance.”

It was a long moment before it happened, but when Trixie began laughing, it was loud enough to fill the room completely.

Rarity wasn’t laughing with her. “Are you mocking me, Trixie dear?”

“No!” Trixie quickly trotted over to her. “No, not at all. Trixie understands. Really understands. A long-distance relationship isn’t easy, but I’ve spent enough time on the road to make it easier to take.”

A very delicate smile hid the rest of Rarity’s face. “We don’t spend a lot of time together. And you are always surrounded by so many beautiful mares. I…I would understand if you…strayed.”

A light blue hoof moved up to gently stroke a white cheek. “No. No, you wouldn’t. And you shouldn’t.” Their eyes locked. “Rarity, what did Trixie tell you that first night? When I came to your boutique?”

Thousands of words ran through Rarity’s mind, each of them clear as though they happened just the night before, but she immediately recognized the right ones.

“You said you would never hurt me—not truly.” Rarity’s smile became more solid.

The distance between them closed until both lips felt the other’s pressed against them gently. They lingered for a moment before Trixie pulled back once more to the point where she could look Rarity in the eyes.

“And Trixie meant it.”

They stayed like that long enough for everything to settle back into place. It was Trixie who finally broke the silence.

“Why don’t we get you unpacked? Then we can get something to eat.”

“That sounds delightful!” Rarity shifted on the couch, making motions to stand. “Though, truth be told, I have no idea what sounds good to me right now.”

“Oh, Trixie knows what you are going to eat.” Her face contorted into a snarled smirk.

Rarity blinked. “Oh! Oh my! You’re incorrigible!” Then she burst into a giggle and trotted towards the bedroom, baggage in tow.

* * * * * * * *

She stopped at the door and turned to look at the mare following her. Despite her own unusual height, she still had to look up at this particular, well, not quite pony, actually.

“What’s behind this door is not meant for casual eyes, you understand,” she began. “Beyond the actual members, few though we are, the only pony who has been beyond this door is Princess Celestia herself. Even Princess Luna has not ventured beyond them. This is the highest level of security in Equestria.”

“Well, how fortunate that you have chosen to reveal it to me, then, since there is no pony capable of matching my level of secrecy,” the taller mare buzzed happily back.

The lead mare nodded and lit up her horn. A series of squares illuminated on the door in a rapid pattern, and before the other mare was able to fully recant them in her head, the latch clicked and the portal opened to the room beyond.

They stepped through it almost as one, walking up to a solid railing overlooking the work space below. A half dozen ponies were moving quickly, though not without discretion. More as though they knew their every action precisely.

“Princess Chrysalis,” Fleur de Lis began, “welcome to S.T.E.E.D.”

“Well, well, well,” she said slowly, “I never imagined the ponies of Equestria to have such a delightfully duplicitous side.”

“It’s not deceit,” Fleur corrected instantly. “The Special Team of Equestria’s Elite Defenders is an organization created for the sole purpose of making sure that the country is safe from all possible threats it may face from outside—or inside—our borders.”

“And you’ve always done such an excellent job,” the changeling laughed.

Fleur smiled and took a shallow breath. “Once we were able to identify the changeling threat, we took steps against it. I’m sure you don’t need to be told that the castle was secured after your initial invasion, though.”

“Well, you and your little group did a fine job—up to a point. If you were still as effective, I wouldn’t be in this room, would I?” Her eyebrow went up beneath the thin strands of mane hanging in front of her face.

Somehow, Fleur maintained her smile, and simply extended her forehoof towards the stairs leading down. “I’m sure you’d like a tour, and I know that we would love to have your input on some matters. There is no pony in Equestria who can equal your particular skills and knowledge.”

“That is true.” Chrysalis’ nose rose up just a little higher than the rest of her head as she walked down the stairs. “Of course, I’ll have to know everything about what you are already doing if I’m going to help you.”

“I’ll be happy to get you up to speed in all the appropriate areas,” Fleur said from just behind her.

“And just how much do you actually know?”

Fleur sighed. “Me personally? Not as much as you’d think, actually. I’m just a field agent. It’s my job to deal with threats as they happen. The big brains behind S.T.E.E.D. are down here.”

She trotted ahead, passing by Chrysalis to take the lead and guide her along.

“I thought you answered only to Celestia?” Chrysalis asked, casually walking behind the unicorn.

“I do,” Fleur turned her head to look over her shoulder, “or rather, I did. With the new structure in place, it seems that I answer to three princesses now.”

A light twinkled in the changeling’s eye. “True. Still, if that’s the case, then what purpose do these ponies serve? How do you relate to them?”

“My main duty was to keep the princess informed on the state of affairs from S.T.E.E.D.’s point of view,” she answered. “That and to keep her safe from direct threats.”

“Ah, yes. I remember you fighting against me valiantly,” Chrysalis hummed.

The rhythm of Fleur’s steps fell off for just a moment. “I’m aware of my failures,” she paused for a heartbeat, “Princess.”

“Good. That means that you’re aware that you still haven’t answered my question. What purpose do these ponies serve?”

“These ponies,” the stallion’s voice carried clearly to both mare’s ears, “are the backbone of a worldwide organization.”

A dark grey earth stallion with a white mane slowly walked towards them, his right foreleg hesitating just slightly with every step. He casually removed the pipe from his mouth as he moved closer, angling himself directly towards Fleur.

“It’s good to see you Agent Fleur.” He stopped just short of the mare, who couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from curling up.

“And it’s always a pleasure to see you, sir,” she answered, and then immediately turned to face Chrysalis. “Princess Chrysalis, may I present L. Sir, this is Princess Chrysalis.”

“I’m well aware of who she is. It’s my pleasure, Princess.” Bowing his head slightly, he still maintained eye contact with the changeling.

“Indeed,” Chrysalis replied. “Are you the stallion in charge?”

Beneath his breath he chuckled lightly. “Well, I’m the pony who’s running the building tonight at least.”

“Why L,” Fleur began, “you’ve always told me that this entire place would fall apart if you weren’t here. Don’t tell me that other ponies have finally managed to find their own way without you.”

“The reason I ask,” Chrysalis continued unabated, “is quite simply that I was told that progress was made in tracking down the invading hive of changelings, and that my presence here was requested. I assume by you, but do correct me if I am wrong.” She narrowed her eyes slightly, but kept them focused on the pony Fleur was calling L. “Yet, the only thing I see here are two unicorns playing with a rod of some sort, an earth pony studying an oddly shaped piece of metal, a pair of pegasi wearing rather unflattering outfits while a unicorn attempts to penetrate them with thrown projectiles, and an older unicorn who has been watching me intensely since I first stepped into the room doing his very best to hide. I see nothing that deals with the red changeling hive at all.”

The stallion turned his head around, looking in various directions. “You just described everypony in this room.”

“A changeling has to be observant,” Chrysalis said with a slight sneer. “If we aren’t, we are quickly discovered.”

“Very impressive,” he said slowly, and then turned back to look at the changeling queen. “Very impressive indeed.”

“Well, we’re fortunate that not all changelings are as observant as Princess Chrysalis,” Fleur added, “or we may have never discovered the red changelings.”

Turning her head enough to look askew at Fleur, Chrysalis replied, “True changelings are observant. I need to rephrase my answer.”

“Well, nonetheless, you’re right,” L stated. “We do want you here because of some progress that has been made regarding the other changelings.” His right foreleg raised up and out towards the far side of the room. “Follow me, would you?”

Without waiting for a response, he began to slowly walk. The sound of two sets of hoof steps to either side was enough to persuade him to continue.

“That ‘old unicorn’ you observed is none other than our head of research, and he has come up with something that might prove to be the key in finding these new changelings,” L stated.

“Then he is the pony that I want to speak with,” Chrysalis replied.

A flare of flame erupted in one of the small side rooms the trio passed. The two unicorns who were examining the mysterious rod were quick enough to dance out of the way before the fire caught them flat-hoofed. It was enough distraction to cause all three to look their way, and when they turned back, the older unicorn was rushing up towards them.

“Did they actually get the flame rod to activate?” Moving past them with surprising energy, he stepped into the room just as the two unicorns released a flame retardant spell to douse the fire. “Extraordinary! I knew that it would work!”

“R?” the stallion named L called out, getting the unicorn’s attention. “May I introduce Princess Chrysalis. She’s here about the red changeling project.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” he muttered. “I assumed as much.” He turned back to look at Chrysalis, and his eyes wandered quickly across her form. No lust or fear showed in his eyes, but more a simple curiosity. “Good day to you, Princess.”

With a short bow of her head, she spoke, “I’m hoping it’s far better than simply good. What is it that you have found out about this upstart hive?”

“Found? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all,” he answered. Luckily, he was quick enough to follow up on that statement before Chrysalis had a chance to respond. “It’s more a case of what we have the potential to find!” His hoof raised up and he started quickly trotting away from the gathered ponies.

A quick sidelong glance from Chrysalis to Fleur spoke volumes. “Um, R, why don’t you explain to Princess Chrysalis exactly what you mean,” Fleur said.

He glanced over his shoulder and spoke as he continued to quickly move across the room. “I was planning on doing exactly that, so long as you all follow me.”

An undecipherable mumble welled up from Chrysalis as she leisurely moved towards the elder, grey unicorn.

“You see,” R began before any pony was close to caught up with him, “we’ve discovered that changelings have a very unique magical signature. It’s the basis that we are using to recognize them when they attempt to move into Canterlot while in disguise.” A short snort burst from his muzzle. “Unfortunately, it’s too cost prohibitive to spread through all of Equestria, preventing us from pinpointing the location of every changeling inside the border.”

“Good to know,” Chrysalis muttered under her breath—but still loud enough for Fleur to hear.

“Still, it got my team and I thinking,” R stopped by a large object, currently covered by a thick cloth sheet, “which led to us developing this.”

Just as the remaining trio caught up to his position, R’s horn lit up and the cloth pulled up and away from the object. They stood still, staring at this odd device. A machine, they were all reasonably certain, due to the levers and knobs decorating one side of it, but on the other side rested a series of crystals, all connected to metallic arms, making it seem almost spider-like. Each of the arms pointed to a larger crystal plate hovering magically between them.

“And this would be?” Chrysalis asked.

“A detector!” R turned to her with a wide grin and bulging eyes. “Not unlike the ones that we have used to find the changelings up to this point, though far larger and immensely more powerful. But you see, we can’t simply use it to find changelings in general. The generic magical aura that they posses is indeed unique, but not very powerful. So, we’ve concentrated this one to find a very specific changeling.”

There was a brief pause as the words sank in. “A queen,” Fleur stated. “This is a machine to find a changeling queen.”

“Precisely!” R all but beamed at her words.

“And have you found this harlot?” Chrysalis took a half-step forward, her right forehoof never fully coming set on the floor.

“Well, it’s not that…no. No, we haven’t,” L answered.

“We can’t,” R explained. “Not yet, anway.”

“Then you have brought me here for no good reason?” Chrysalis asked.

“No! No, not at all. You’re here for the most important reason. You’re here to make the machine functional,” R stated quickly.

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”

“We’ve run into a bit of a mess trying to find the right frequency to monitor. Unfortunately, up to this point, we’ve been working entirely in the field of theoreticals, but that can change today with your help. We don’t have to theorize about a changeling queen when one is living in the castle, after all,” R explained.

“I see.” Chrysalis stepped gingerly around the device. “And just how am I supposed to help you out? Do I need to cast a spell of some sort on it for you?”

“Actually, no. What we require is a more…physical element,” R stated.

“Be more precise.” Chrysalis’ eyes took on a faint green glow as she stared at him.

“Well, Your Highness, you see, the magic of a changeling is innate to their system, and we have to break down—that is physically dissolve—a portion of their being in order to tap into its structure. So, unless we have a physical sample to work from, we can’t exactly….” his words trailed off slowly.

The two stallions stood in silence, watching the changeling queen’s expression slowly grow more intense.

“Your body, Princess,” Fleur finally spoke the words aloud. “If they’re going to make this device work—if they are going to find the other hive this way—they’re going to have to remove and destroy a piece of your body.”

* * * * * * * *

She let go of the pillow with her teeth and turned her head to the side.

“Harder,” she groaned. “Harder.”

Immediately her wings were pulled back as he grabbed ahold of them for more leverage, and he did his very best to accommodate her request. Despite his grip, her body began to lurch forward with each thrust, driving her face back down into the pillow and muffling any sound that came from her lips.

Consequently, the sound of flesh slapping together was filling the room, gradually finding itself losing ground to the sound of a stallion’s deep grunts.

Every time he thrust forward, she felt slightly more full than before, and subsequently more satisfied. Yet she still felt empty. Hollow.

A quick toss of her head threw the pillow almost completely across the room.

“Dammit, Shiney, fuck me harder!” She began to push her ass backwards, driving it onto his cock, meeting each thrust with fervor.

“Cadance, I….” He grabbed her more tightly, all but yanking her wings out of the sockets as he pushed her body down and raised up on his hind legs slightly, letting gravity aid him as he pistoned his hips forward with renewed vigor.

Cadance felt her breath being driven out of her chest every time his hips struck hers. Instinctively, she spread her forelegs out, stabilizing herself as much as possible, but it didn’t prevent the impact of her husband’s thrusts driving her chest forcefully into the bed.

The familiar sensation of her anus gripping down onto Shining Armor’s cock sent her head swimming. The tender ring sending jolts of electricity through her body each time he moved either in or out of her rear opening. She rode the sensation, letting the stimulation fully encase her body until it sent her right to the edge of release—and then she denied it. Fought against it with all of her will.

“Cadance, I…I can’t last much….”

That was all the warning she needed. Pulling herself forward, her horn glowed the same familar shade of pink that surrounded Shining Armor and pushed him away and out of her. He flailed back, flipping down onto his back, guided by her magic, and even as his back hit the bed she moved between his legs, her hooves gripping his shaft tightly at the base.

“Not yet,” she said with a deep, raspy voice. “You only get to cum when I tell you. Understand?”

All he could do was stare up at her and give a shallow nod. She held him tightly until she was convinced that he wasn’t about to explode all over her hooves.

“Good,” she growled. Her grip loosened, and her right hoof began to slowly slide up his length while her left went to the heavy sack holding his testicles beneath. “Do you like the way this feels?”

“Uh-huh,” he mumbled softly.

“Do you like it better than when you had your cock buried deep in my ass?” Her voice was like leather and honey mixed as one. “This feeling of my hooves working you? Pulling up on your stallionhood while teasing the cum out of your balls?”

Her hoof moved to the top of his shaft, sliding over the head in small, smooth circles. Each time she completed one of her passes across it, she felt his body twitch one more time.

“I think you like it when I tease you this way,” she sneered. “You love it when I’ve got your dick in my hooves and have complete control over when and how you finally get to cum. I could make you shoot a load in a matter of seconds,” her hoof suddenly moved back to his shaft and began to slide along the length very quickly, causing his body to buck upwards, “or not.” The hoof touching his cock stopped moving and the one holding his scrotum squeezed, just enough to make his body freeze. “I could keep you like this for hours if I wanted.”

The grip on his balls softened and her hoof moved back to the head of his rock-hard shaft. “The only problem is that your poor dick is getting a little dry, and my hoof might not slide the way I like.” She smiled at him with her eyes. “Fortunately, I have a solution for that.”

Leaning forward slightly, Cadance positioned her face directly above his cock. Without moving her head, she slowly opened her mouth and a large, long trail of saliva fell out of it, moving down until it formed a connected line between the head of his dick and the tip of her tongue.

She glanced at his face just long enough to see his eyes firmly focused on the slick spit that began to trail down his shaft. Her lips snapped shut, cutting off the supply and causing the portion left hanging to fall on top of his cock, only to be gathered up immediately by her hoof which began to spread it evenly.

“Fortunately for you, I have other things to do today, so in just a moment or two I’m going to tell you to come,” her eyes sparkled, “and you’re going to, aren’t you?”

“Uhhn,” was the only noise he could manage.

Her head still hovered over his stallionhood, as her hoof began to move faster and faster along it. The lower hoof began to massage the twin orbs that lay beneath the skin of his sack, teasing them in equal part to the shaft above it. In only a matter of seconds, she could feel his body tensing and tightening in a clear sign of things to come.

“Now,” she commanded. Moving her head down, she felt the first ribbon of Shining Armor’s seed splash into her mouth and onto her tongue less than a second before her lips wrapped around the head and she applied the suction to help ease the rest of his load out of him. Her hoof milked him along his length while she let her mouth pull out the full portion of his deposit.

Only when she felt nothing more was left did she finally pull herself back, holding her head in clear view of her husband. He looked up at her face and she slowly opened her mouth, revealing a tongue coated in white. Curling it back into her mouth, her lips closed tightly and her throat suddenly visibly bulged. Once more she opened her mouth to reveal a clean, pink tongue.

“Wow,” he gasped, still trying to catch his breath.

With a light giggle she fell down on top of him, sliding off to one side while keeping one hoof wrapped across his body.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’ll let you know when my heart starts beating again,” he answered. “That…that was amazing. I love you.”

“Awww,” she quickly brought her muzzle over and kissed him on the cheek, “thank you. I love you, too.”

“You finished, right?” He looked over at her, staring into her eyes. “You had an orgasm, too, right?”

“You bet I did,” she lied.

“Good.” He smiled at her and brought a hoof up to rest on her flank. The stayed that way for almost a full minute, staring at each other with a tender touch holding them together. Shining Armor was the first to speak. “So, are you ready to tell me what’s wrong?”

“What?” She pulled away slightly, but not enough to dislodge either of their hooves. “What are you talking about?”

He chuckled. “Well, for the past month you’ve been trying to kill me. I mean, it’s not that I’m actually complaining, but….” Taking a short breath, he continued. “I’ve been drinking plenty of water and trying to eat right, but still, I don’t have the stamina of an alicorn princess, so I’m at a bit of a disadvantage.”

“Oh, so you don’t like sex all of a sudden?” Cadance raised a mocking eyebrow.

“I never said that! It’s just that….” He sighed lightly. “Cady, you know that you can talk to me about anything, don’t you? I would never judge you, and I’m always going to be on your side.”

“Always?” This time she pulled far enough away to cause both of them to bring their hooves back to themselves. “I seem to recall more than a few times that you’ve told me that I was wrong about things.”

“Well, you were,” he answered. “But that’s not a bad thing, it’s just me trying to help. I just…. Well, that came out wrong. What I mean is that I’m always going to support you, even if I take a different side of things.”

“That was such a contradiction,” she laughed.

“You know what I mean,” he said with a frown.

“I do, honey,” once more she reached her hoof over, this time caressing it against his cheek, “which is why I mean it when I tell you that everything is fine. We’re fine. There’s nothing to worry about.”

With every fiber of her being she fought to keep her expression level and calm.

He waited before answering, but finally said, “Okay, but I’m serious. If there is anything that you want to talk about, I’m here.”

“I know,” she smiled back at him.

“I mean it,” he reinforced.

The knock at the door couldn’t have come at a better time in Cadance’s mind, even though it made Shining Armor jump slightly. Easing herself out of bed she trotted over to the door. Glancing behind her to make sure that her husband had moved off the bed to stand nearby she gave a quick nod and opened the door.

A short stallion wearing the uniform of the crystal guard stood on the other side at full attention.

“Good evening, Your Highness. I apologize for disturbing you, but you have received a message from Canterlot. It’s marked as most urgent,” he stated, never looking directly at her.

“Most urgent?” Her eyebrow went up. “I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” If anything, he came to a tighter version of attention. Cadance imagined that he stayed that way for a full breath even after she had finished closing the door.

“Let me put on my uniform and I’ll be right there,” Shining stated as his magic began to gather up the clothing from a nearby chair.

“If you want to, okay, but I’m going to go ahead.” Cadance’s crown floated over from the bedside table to land lightly on her head. She trotted over to him quickly. “If my aunties marked it as ‘most urgent’ then I want to see it as soon as possible.”

She kissed him and looked him squarely in the eye.

“We’re fine, Shiny. I swear upon our love,” she stated.

“I’ll be right behind you,” he said.

“I know.” With a smile she turned and trotted to the door, opened it, and then closed it after she had passed through, leaving Shining Armor alone.

* * * * * * * *

The only sound in the room was the delicate clinking of flatware on china, and occasionally teacup on saucer. It was a more intimate setting than their dinner table, this one just set for two. Still, it was a table large enough to hold eight, easily, even for ponies of their considerable size.

“Are you enjoying breakfast?” Celestia asked, breaking the overhanging silence with a smile.

“Yes, quite a bit,” Luna answered. “The chef never fails to disappoint.”

“She’s taken on a new apprentice, actually. From what I’ve heard, the stallion under her is already impressing everypony in the kitchen. Supposedly has a wealth of creative ideas, too.” Celestia nodded her head slightly to the side. “Time will tell, I suppose.”

“Yes, I suppose it will,” Luna answered with a smile of her own.

They both returned to their plates, bringing up bites of food one at a time. Celestia’s plate still carried a fair selection of the berries on the wheat cakes that she was served, while Luna’s plate was nearly empty, with just a small portion of her far more hearty cheese and potato loaf topped with a selection of fresh herbs. Celestia had a cup filled with tea, currently sitting on her fourth full serving. Luna, on the other hoof, was enjoying a glass of fresh orange juice.

And both of them were staring straight down at their plates.

Celestia’s eyes focused on a particularly large strawberry that she had been saving since the plate was set in front of her. A treat that she was going to give herself as the last bite of her morning meal. Currently she was using her fork to push it around the edge of the plate—for the fifth lap. Her mouth opened halfway and her tongue began to play against her teeth as they slowly dried in the air.

With a heavy sigh, Celestia closed her mouth and shut off her magic, causing the fork to drop unceremoniously to the china plate, creating a very sharp tone.

Luna’s head popped up immediately, eyes wide, staring across the table at her sister.

“Tia?” she asked.

It took a moment, but Celestia answered, “Luna, what the hell is wrong?” Her head shifted, bringing her vision directly in line with her wife’s. “What is happening?”

Luna’s eyebrows raised up together. “I thought we were having breakfast. Have I missed something?”

“Apparently, yes!” Celestia pushed herself away from the table, shaking her head. “You have to have noticed what’s been going on. Every time we are together like this there is…. We’re just sitting here, not even talking to each other. What’s happened?”

Her eyes looked around without her head moving, and then Luna brought them back to focus on Celestia. “Nothing. Nothing has happened, we’re just…comfortable with each other.”

“Comfortable.” Celestia nodded and let the word roll around in her head a few times. “Is that…is that your way of saying that you’re bored?”

“What? No! Of course not.” Luna pushed herself away and walked around the table to stand beside her beloved. “I mean, it’s true that we haven’t tried to kill each other for well over a month now, but….”

“Luna, I’m serious!” Celestia chided.

“So am I,” she replied. “Mostly about the fact that we’re comfortable, though the other thing is true, too. This happens to couples, Tia. There is no tension between us.” She pulled her head back. “Is there?”

Celestia’s lips pulled tight into a line and she stared at Luna. “Maybe.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m just imagining it, but I would swear that you’ve been a little…. Do you still find me attractive?”

Both of her eyes tried to bulge out of Luna’s head. “You must be joking! You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful mare in the world.” Her hoof went up to rest on top of Celestia’s. “Why are you saying all of this?”

“I don’t know.” Celestia spoke softly and shook her head to match. “It’s not just the silence when we’re together like this. It’s when we’re intimate. I can’t help but feel that something is bothering you, but I can’t figure out what it is.” She took a short breath. “At first I thought that maybe you were not wanting to be a Domme right now, so I tried to turn it around the other night, and you were certainly receptive, but…. I don’t know. Something just seems off.”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said gently. “I didn’t know you felt that way. Nothing has changed, Tia. I still find you amazingly attractive and sexy.” They looked at each other for a moment. “You…you still think that about me, don’t you?”

Celestia chuckled. “More than just think it, my love. You might think I’m the most beautiful mare in the world, but no pony—or griffin, or dragon, or anything—could ever hope to be as primally sexy as you are. You are not only gorgeous, but everything about you is just amazing. There is a raw sexuality to you that goes beyond simple words.”

Luna looked at her and nodded with a long, thin smile.

Celestia gasped. “You don’t believe me.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me,” Luna answered.

“That’s not what I said. I said that you don’t believe me. What’s going on? What is this about? Has Chrysalis done something again?” Her mane began to rise up. “I swear that if she has, this time I will—”

“It’s not Chrysalis!” Luna interrupted. “She’s been so focused on finding this new hive and dealing with Fleur that she hasn’t had much time for us. You haven’t even had an argument with her for ten days. A new record.”

“That’s because she hasn’t tried to seduce you for almost two weeks,” Celestia countered. The light laugh Luna let out comforted Celestia slightly.

“Well, she is….” Luna paused. “Have you ever been attracted to her, Tia?”

“To Chrysalis? Are you joking? You must be joking.”

“Even you must admit that she has a certain aura to her that is, well, you called me primal a moment ago. Don’t you think that she’s even more of that than I am?” Luna asked.

Celestia’s face tightened up. “Luna, are you still attracted to her? Is that it? Do you feel that I’ve trapped you?”

“No!” Luna almost lunged towards her. “No, that’s not it. No. We don’t need to go down that path again. I’ve moved on past her.” She shrugged. “I was just wondering if you saw that same thing?”

“In Chrysalis?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes.”

“Wait….” Luna pulled back. “So, you don’t find her primally sexy?”

“No. You do, it seems, but no, I do not. At all,” Celestia clarified.

“Is there any pony that you feel that way about?” she asked.

“You,” Celestia said immediately.

“Besides me,” Luna replied in a near-groan.

“No. No pony matches you, Luna.” Celestia smiled. “Now, what is it that has you thinking this way?”

She opened her mouth, but for a full second nothing went past Luna’s lips. “Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m just…. Maybe I need to try to take over Equestria again. That will probably make me feel better.”

“You already rule Equestria, remember?” Celestia answered.

“As I should,” Luna said with a curt nod. “Still, it’s just not the same. I want to grind you beneath my hoof and make all of the ponies of Equestria bow down before me. I was given the current throne I have.”

“…along with Chrysalis and I,” Celestia added.

“Yes, I suppose it is important to have lackeys around me.” She did her best to remain stoic, but the corner of Luna’s mouth betrayed her.

“It was your idea, oh benevolent tyrant,” Celestia laughed in return.

Luna joined her, laughing lightly at the moment. Moving a little closer, she brought her lips into contact with her sister’s, pressing them together gently.

As Luna pulled away, she paused for a moment to let her horn drag along the length of Celestia’s in an idyl caress.

“Are you okay?” Luna asked.

“I am,” Celestia answered. “Thank you.”

They came together once more, their necks entwining in a loving hug. Celestia let out a sigh as she rubbed her coat against her wife, their ethereal manes intertwining in a colorful display. The smile on her face grew steadily brighter.

And just out of view from Celestia, the smile that was on Luna’s face slowly faded away.

* * * * * * * *

It would be quicker if she flew. She knew that fully and completely. She also knew that flying there would attract too much attention. No pony flew in the castle without a good reason, and letting the ponies of Canterlot Castle put any more attention to her visit would be a bad idea.

Especially considering her current state of mind.

So, Cadance walked. Every step at a steady and easy pace, while a smile played over her lips casually. The only comfort she took from the situation was that, hopefully, she was already aware of her arrival, and wanted to know what was taking her so long to come see her?

The castle, despite its side, was a short walk, and soon enough she found herself standing in front of the door, wondering for a moment if she should even bother knocking. Of course, decorum won out, and she rapped three times on the heavy wood with her hoof.

“Enter,” the hollow voice called from inside.

The last time that Cadance had seen Chrysalis’ private chambers, it was surprisingly barren and roughshod, which is why she hesitated as she stepped into the room today. The walls were now adorned by tapestries, almost all of them new with dramatic renditions of the changeling queen in various poses—while ponies stood below her in awe, of course. In addition to those, the floor now had several nice rugs, with what appeared to be well-crafted furniture resting on them. And all of it was in color—bright colors that seemed to lighten up the room considerably.

“…hello, Chrysalis,” she mumbled as she looked around.

“Finally!” Chrysalis was pacing when she entered, that much was obvious. She came to rest behind a large divan that sat in the middle of the room. “I have been waiting for you all day!”

One eyebrow raised on Cadance’s forehead. “And…?”

“I sent you a summons, telling you it was urgent, and I only found out an hour ago—because I sent a second correspondence—that you were on your way. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” Chrysalis asked.

“You know, there is actually a very good reason for that.” Cadance stepped farther into the room, took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and then continued. “The message was sent in code. Top security level code. The one that is used when there is a crisis that can effect the fate of all of Equestria. And all it said was to come to Canterlot immediately. I thought that it was a world-threat, so I rushed here today. I left Shining Armor to deal with dignitaries from three different nations. He hates diplomatic work, but because he’s such an amazing stallion, he—”

“What’s wrong?” Chrysalis asked.

“I was just getting to that!” Cadance snapped back, and then closed her eyes for a moment. When they re-opened a smile came with them on her face. “I apologize. I shouldn’t yell. It’s just that you used the top emergency code to bring me here for a visit!”

Chrysalis didn’t move. Her eyes focused on the alicorn in the room with an unblinking solidity. “No, I did not. You might think ill of me all the time, but there are some things that I do respect, and the sanctity of information is one of them. You are here for a very important reason.”

“And what would that be?” Cadance took another step forward.

“My life,” Chrysalis said calmly. “I need you to…save my life.”

“I…I…” Cadance blinked. “I’m sorry, but can you repeat that? I’d swear you just said—”

“That I need you to save my life, yes,” Chrysalis replied. “Now, answer my question: what’s wrong?”

“I just explained that,” Cadance said. “And you’re jumping subjects.”

“No, I’m not. I’m asking what is wrong between you and Shining Armor?” Chrysalis finally moved, walking around the divan to stand in front of the smaller alicorn.

“Nothing is wrong between us! How dare you even ask!” Cadance replied, leaving her mouth hanging open.

“Because normally when you say his name around me I get a small rush from the excess love that comes pouring off of you.” Chrysalis shook her head. “Today? Nothing.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.” The normally light voice Cadance used became slightly more staccato. “And it certainly has nothing to do with your health.”

“Of course it does!” Chrysalis spun around and stepped back to the divan, this time turning and sitting on it. She looked to Cadance and then to the chair next to her. “Sit. Please.”

There was a long empty moment. “Did you just say ‘please?’”

“I did,” Chrysalis shifted her head, letting her wispy mane fall across the majority of it, “and I would appreciate it if you didn’t make me say it again.”

Several words ran through Cadance’s head, but they stayed there, and she slowly walked over to sit on the chair near the changeling.

Chrysalis turned her head back, clearly revealing one of her eyes. “You are, of course, fully aware that the search for this invading hive has been my primary motivation lately. There has been a…breakthrough, of sorts.” She took a short, slow breath. “Fleur de Lis’ organization has a machine that can track a changeling queen, it would seem, but it requires a component that is very precious,” she smiled, “a piece of me.”

“What?” Cadance gasped.

“My response was instant: yes, of course I would give them something. I was thinking that they needed something small, perhaps a clipping from my mane or tail, or a small piece of my wing. Even a piece of chiton that I could shed.” Her eyes narrowed. “I was wrong. We tried all of that. Their so-called expert was able to figure out what they needed from me precisely. They need…” she paused, “…they need my heart.”

“WHAT?!” Cadance’s eyes bulged out. “They can’t be serious! That…that would kill you! How can that even slightly help?”

“It will help because it won’t kill me. Not if you keep me alive,” Chrysalis answered.

“I beg your pardon? I don’t have that kind of power, Chrysalis,” Cadance explained slowly.

“Not for any other pony, no, and not even for a normal changeling,” the queen smiled, revealing a hint of fang, “but I’m not a normal changeling, am I?”

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Cadance said.

“Think, Cadance! The most powerful I’ve ever felt—ever been—was because of you and your husband. The love that I fed off of at the wedding, and even more the shared love you were able to channel into me when I fought Coldheart. I believe that you can replace my living heart with your power, keeping me alive long enough for the science-ponies to do what they need.”

“You believe?”

“It’s never been done before, so yes, I believe. We won’t know for certain unless we try.”

Cadance’s head was slowly starting to shake back and forth. “Do you even hear yourself? This is crazy!”

“It is not crazy! It is calculated! I heal very quickly, you know that.” She leaned closer to Cadance.

“I…I don’t know.” The shake of Cadance’s head became more prominent. “I mean, I know you heal fast, but I don’t know about you having your heart torn out. Have you even run this past Celestia and Luna?”

“No. And I won’t, and neither will you. They can’t know,” Chrysalis explained.

“Why not?”

“Because they would try to stop it, of course.”

“And you think that’s a bad idea? Them stopping you?” Cadance asked.

The smile that crossed over Chrysalis’ face was obviously forced—but not mocking. “I don’t want to have to argue.”

“You don’t want to…?” Cadance pulled her head back. “Okay, seriously, what’s going on?

“What do you mean? I told you what is happening,” Chrysalis replied.

“You did, but,” she took a long look around the room before finally looking back at the changeling, “this doesn’t seem to be like you. What’s with the decorations? And your attitude?”

“I…wanted to make you feel more comfortable. I cannot command you to do this, and I am, in every sense, putting my life in your hooves should you accept,” Chrysalis said softly. “I did all of this for your benefit.”

Cadance looked at the tapestries once more. “And yet you chose to have every tapestry have an image of you.”

One eyebrow raised. “Well, it needed to be something worthy of being put into my chambers, still.”

“Ah! Okay, that sounds….” Cadance stopped herself.

They stared at each other, both of their heads shifting slightly to the side.

“So, why the heart?” Cadance broke the silence. “That seems rather specific.”

A heavy sigh proceeded Chrysalis speaking. “Changeling magic is not like pony magic, despite some outward similarities in our species. As the ponies who created this device noted, changelings are imbued with magic throughout their bodies—it isn’t simply in our horns or wings. Changeling queens, however, surpass that, and have both the fully innate magic and a magical store—an extra power source—that allows us to rule.”

“The heart,” Cadance said with a nod.

“Yes. Is it so hard to believe that I have one?” Chrysalis sneered.

Several answers went through her head before she answered. “I still don’t like this plan.”

“Why? Because it will give me something I want, or because you are afraid that it will give me power?” She narrowed her eyes. “Or is it just that you don’t want to help me. Do realize that I will be completely at your mercy while it is happening, so it is the perfect chance for revenge.”

“We do have a history, don’t we?” Cadance said with a sigh. “If I have to choose just one, I’m going to go with the fact that it’s endangering your life, and you’re putting a lot of responsibility on me.”

“If I didn’t think you could handle it, I wouldn’t have asked,” Chrysalis stated. “Though you still haven’t been forthcoming about what is wrong between you and Shining Armor. If your love is weakened, then I may very well die. I’d rather that not happen.”

“Nothing is wrong!” Cadance huffed and tossed her mane. “Would you stop being so insistent about that. Shiny and I are fine!”

The first hint of her tongue just peeked between Chrysalis’ lips, but that rapidly evolved to rolling around her open mouth and a slight smacking sound as she opened and closed her lips gently. Cadance watched her, and saw the changeling’s eyes open wider and then narrow to less than half what they were before.

“You’re feeling guilty,” she stated. “What has you feeling guilty?”

“What? I’m not guilty. What makes you think—”

“I know that taste,” Chrysalis interrupted. “I wasn’t paying close attention the first time it happened, but this time…. That’s guilt, plain and clear.”

The wings on Cadance’s back ruffled, increasing to twice their size without being extended away from her body. “How would you like to have every bit of love sucked dry from you right now?” she growled.

“Well, well, well,” Chrysalis hummed, “it seems that I have struck a nerve. I haven’t heard such statements from you since, well, since you were here from another world.”

The darker color that had flushed Cadance’s face paled, and she heard herself swallow. “No, I…. It was a hollow threat. I would never….”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell anypony about what I tasted. That wouldn’t be beneficial to either of us. I just needed to know that it wasn’t a dying love,” Chrysalis smiled. “If you say you still love him, I believe you—now. If you want to tell me, you will. If you don’t….” She shrugged.

Cadance sat there, feeling herself breathe. Every time her lungs filled she paused, letting the sensation of her muscles expanding settle into her memory, and then contracting them once more to expel the air.

“I still think this is a bad idea,” Cadance finally answered.

“Does that mean that you’re going to do it?” Chrysalis’ voice went up an octave.

Cadance nodded slowly. “Yes. Yes, it means I’m going to do it.” Her lips pulled tight against her teeth. “Let’s go rip your heart out.”

* * * * * * * *

Celestia settled into her throne, flaring her wings out for a moment just so she could bring them in more comfortably. Looking to her left she saw Luna and smiled. And then beyond Luna she saw an empty throne.

“Is Chrysalis joining us today?” Celestia asked.

“As I understand it, no,” Luna replied. “There is a personal matter that has called her attention. She trusts us to run things without her today.”

“It’s good to know that she thinks us able,” Celestia laughed. “Though I am surprised, actually.”

“I’m sure it has something to do with Cadance being here.” Luna’s tone was somewhat cold, and she looked over at her sister with a curious eye.

“No doubt, but we’ve given Cadance permission to handle matters with her alone. We’ve promised not to intervene unless things become life-or-death.” Celestia took on the tone of the teacher and ruler without even realizing she had slipped into it.

It was enough to make Luna smile.

“We really do need to move your throne to the center,” she stated. “You have a much more calm demeanor than I do.”

“Which is why I need to stay right where I am! You have calm and reason on your right, and then you have…Chrysalis on the other side.”

Since the throne room’s reconstruction, the times and methods of the court had changed with it. There was still a rise leading up to the throne, but instead of a single chair, there was a full trio of them resting side-by-side. The thrones themselves were nigh-identical, each of them constructed from what appeared to be gold, with a massive seat and a high back that rose above even the three majestic creatures who used them. It was the color of the fabric on the seats and the adornments that set them apart. Celestia’s throne was in the traditional red velvet, while Luna went with a rich, dark blue. Chrysalis went with a deep black velvet for her seat.

On the peak of the back of the thrones sat three symbols. A full, radiant sun on Celestia’s, a crescent moon atop Luna’s, and a single green eye capping Chrysalis’.

“You just don’t want to sit next to her,” Luna said.

“There’s that, too,” Celestia admitted. She levitated a scroll up from beside her throne and opened it gracefully. “Thankfully, looking at today’s docket, we should be able to handle things without her easily.”

It was coming up on noon, which was the new time they had settled on for court to begin. It started at mid-day and ran until sundown, providing time for an audience with the three princesses for any who were able to schedule it ahead of time—or have a very, very valid reason to be seen immediately. A bevy of guards moved to their positions, being comprised of ponies, Chollima (or bat ponies as most still called them), and even a few changelings.

“I believe that we are scheduled to meet with the planning committee for the new sewer construction that is going on here in Canterlot, and this is a project that Chrysalis has taken—for whatever reason—a great personal interest in, and since I would rather not deal directly with this matter myself, perhaps we could—”

The smell hit both of them a split second before the sound. It was an acrid, sulfurous stench that assaulted their nostrils, burning them and ruining any new odor for the next hour at least. The sound was worse.

A shrill shriek ripped through the room, sounding like a thousand children screaming in cacophonous unison. It was followed by the cry of the world trying to tear itself in half, accompanied by a brilliant black light appearing in the center of the room.

Luna and Celestia were on their hooves instantly, taking a pair of steps away from their thrones to stand firmly.

“Clear the room!” Celestia shouted. “Secure it behind you with all emergency protocols! No pony enters or leaves, is that understood?”

“But, Your Majesties, we—” A guard pony stepped forward.

“Do it!” Luna turned to him with a snarl as much as a shout.

And they did. The guards moved through the room, exiting from every conceivable portal into or out of the space. Once they were beyond they closed the door, followed by the sound of a heavy lock sliding into place. After the final door and lock were set, a shimmer ran through the walls, sealing the room magically.

The black light began to take shape, stretching up and down into a thin line that eventually stood as tall as ten ponies, almost filling the full height of the throne room. Celestia took a moment to glance to her left, and Luna turned to meet her eyes. They shared no words, and instead simply nodded once to each other before turning again towards the line—which used that moment to split itself open.

A tear formed in the air, spreading wide and letting a newfound stench pour out of it, causing a momentary recoil from the sisters. As it grew, the light from it became brighter, moving from pure black to indigo.

Celestia tamped her hoof, pawing at the floor beneath her. Luna snorted and shook her head. Both alicorns lit their horns, preparing for the inevitable.

A single hoof broke through the darkness, clad in a dull brass shoe, burning the floor of the castle underneath it. It was joined a moment later by a second one, matching the first in the manner that the stone beneath it responded.

An ombre colored horse stepped into view, her color ranging from deep purple on her back to mild grey at her hooves, with a mane flowing in the air like oil on water, shimmering red and blue. Her brass shoes matched the harness and crown of five brass spires rising from her head around her spiraled horn. Great wings of such a soft grey that they seemed almost ghost-like grew from her back, while her eyes of shining silver smiled at the other two alicorns.

Celestia blinked. “Selene?”

“Celly!” she beamed. “Luna! How delightful to see you once more!”

Both horns of Equestria’s rulers dimmed to their normal state as the three alicorns came face-to-face. Instantly, Selene pulled Celestia in for a hug, followed by Luna just as quickly.

“What are you doing here?” Celestia asked. “HOW are you here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Selene smiled. “It’s time. Time to live up to your promise.” She looked squarely at Luna. “I’m going on vacation, which means that you,” her hoof came up and tapped Luna on the chest, “get to rule over all of Tartarus for two entire weeks.”

Luna replied with the only thing that came to mind. “Oh…kay.”

…to be continued.