Who Rules?: Riposte

The bottle hung upside down in the air, waiting patiently. It was holding on to a single drop of liquid, dangling just at the edge of the lip of its opening. Several more seconds passed by, and the drop defiantly ignored gravity, unwilling to let that final taste of its contents completely divorce itself.

The pony below was quickly losing all respect that it might have had for the bottle due to its rather selfish attitude. Finally driven to the point of action, Luna lowered the bottle an extra four inches, putting it well within the reach of her tongue, and liberating the last tasty drop for herself.

The bottle flew over her shoulder, already forgotten before it even hit the ground. Or more precisely, before it hit a stack of bottles covering the majority of the ground in that particular area, resonating a glass-on-glass chime that cascaded down to a skittering of glass-on-stone.

“Whatd’ya call this ‘gain?” Luna asked, getting most of the words out.

“Saannnnnnguiiiiine.” The garbled, scratching sound that closely resembled a word came from the pony-like creature next to her. Tisiphone was lounging on her back, with Luna doing the same beside her. It wasn’t clear, but it seemed that the deep red erinyes was slightly larger than the Princess of the Night and ersatz ruler of Tartarus for the next fourteen days.

“S’good,” Luna nodded as she levitated a new bottle up near her face so she could try to stare through the blackened glass at the contents. “It’s got a…a….” Her lips smacked together a few times. “It tastes strong.”

Luna really hoped the sound that suddenly started coming from Tisiphone was a laugh. Letting her head fall over to that side, she saw the huge mare slowly nodding. At first she thought she was smiling, too, but then she remembered that her face was a mask, and that the smile was just a bunch of brass studs.

“Y’know,” Luna started nodding just as Tisiphone stopped, “you should take off that mask. I have no idea what you really look like.”

When she turned to look at Luna, the look in Tisiphone’s eyes clearly showed that she was definitely not smiling. “Nnnnnooo.”

“Why not?” Luna brought the bottle down to her chest, cradling it in her forelegs for a moment. “You know what I look like.”

Tisiphone’s head turned the other direction, looking away from the alicorn. When she spoke, the single word was barely loud enough for Luna to hear. “Uuuuggglllyyy.”

“What?” Luna turned her body and raised up halfway, still holding onto the bottle. “You…you’re just bein’ mean to yourself. I’m sure it innet as bad as you’re sayin’ it is.”

As she turned back around, Tisiphone brought a new bottle along with her. She shook her head and brought the unopened bottle up underneath her mask. When the top of it reappeared, it was completely without a cork. Luna smiled, up to the point where she realized that Tisiphone never spit out the cork.

“Y’know our problem?” Luna asked as she laid back and looked upwards once again. “I’ll tell you our problem. Everypony else! Tha’s our problem.” Her hoof pointed up towards the ceiling, but at nothing in particular. “Outside’a the two of us, there are only two kinds of ponies: the frightened and the jealous!”

Tisiphone responded with a deep gurgling sound, which might have been her drinking or might have been her making a comment. Luna didn’t check.

“I mean, look at us. Just look at us!” Luna took another bottle and brought it to her lips long enough to turn it up once. “We are NOT normal ponies.”

“Godddddesssss.” The sound from Tisiphone was at least identifiable as a word this time.

“Well, yeah, that’s true, but…” once more Luna’s hoof raised up to help illustrate her words, “…but I cannot help that, and it doesn’t change what I’m saying. Everypony seems to love Celestia—some a little too much, if you ask me—but me? Try t’kill your sister and take over the world a couple’a times and everypony is suddenly scared of you.”

Another gurgling sound caused Luna to turn. The normally-narrow eyes of the erinyes were wide and staring right at her.

“Hey, I’ve gotten past it. Finally succeeded, though—when I wasn’t trying,” Luna explained. “Tia even thinks I’m the responsible one now.” After taking another long swig, she continued, “She used to think I was the sexy one.”

“Yoooooou arrrrrrrrrre!” Tisiphone slowly nodded along with her answer.

“Thank you!” Luna said proudly. “And you are, too! I don’t even care what it looks like under that…hood thing. Look at that body!” Raising up slightly, Luna gestured at the full-length of the mare beside her. “I mean…I mean, you’re bigger’n me! And you are in great shape, too! I mean that! You’ve got a body that any mare would just die to have.” Luna suddenly chuckled. “Heh. Die to have. Y’know, ‘cause they would have to die to come here and stuff.”

Luna was pretty sure that it was a laugh that came from Tisiphone…but it still might have been a growl.

“You do have some pretty weird horns, though.” Luna’s head slowly fell to the left, changing her perspective slightly. “I like ‘em, but they are kinda…weird.”

Her eyes went up as Tisiphone’s claw-like hoof came up to trace the shape of her curling horns. A small sound came from her throat.

“No, no!” Luna turned further towards her. “No, they aren’t bad. Not at all. Just, by ‘Questrian standards, they’re different. You’re different! So am I! That’s my point! You and me,” Luna’s hoof pointed back and forth between the two of them several times, “we’re different!” After a moment of silence, Luna fell once more onto her back, eyes towards the ceiling. “Real different.”

The dark glass bottle that Luna held in her magic lifted to her mouth once more. She drained about a third of it.

“Why all the brass?” Luna mumbled. “I mean,” she glanced around the room, “everything here’s brass! I don’t get it.” She took another drink. “I hate brass.”

For several seconds the only sound in the room was the faint clinking of glass as the bottles shifted from one of the mares moving.

“Whaaaaassss wronnnnnnggg?” Tisiphone asked.

“Huh?” Luna turned to her, forehead furrowed. “Nothin’s wrong! What….” Her words trailed off and her mouth fell down into a full frown. One deep breath in, and one heavy sigh out. “I was tortured here, y’know.”

It took a moment, but Tisiphone nodded.

“I felt…weak. Helpless.” Luna took another deep drink. “I hated it. Hated feelin’ that way. Never told no pony that. Not even….” She looked over at Tisiphone, finding the other mare already looking her way. “She came for me. All the way to Tartarus, she came here. Just for me. Did ya know that?”

Tisiphone nodded.

Luna laughed softly. “Oh yeah, I guess ya do. She kicked your butt pretty good.”

Tisiphone growled.

“No, it’s okay! She’s kicked my butt, too. My wife can be pretty bad ass when she isn’t just bein’ pretty.” Luna’s eyes grew large as she spoke, and they seemed to glaze over slightly at the end. “Celestia is so pretty.”

“Sellleeeeeeenne, tooooo,” Tisiphone said.

With a slight shake of her head, Luna came back to the moment. “Yes, she is! You’ve got a damn cute mare!”

Luna’s mostly-empty bottle floated over towards Tisiphone at a rapid pace, causing the erinyes to pull back slightly—until she realized why it was there. Raising her’s up, she brought the two pieces of glass together with a rather dull clink.

“To our hot mares!” Luna brought her bottle back and Tisiphone pulled hers to her lips. Both of them drained what was left inside.

Both mares flopped back, laying side-by-side and staring at nothing in particular.

“We’re lucky,” Luna said. “Those two could have anypony they wanted. I have no idea why Tia wants me.”

Luna’s eyes closed once and then reopened. She could hear a sound that might have been snoring next to her—or possibly Tisiphone rending the flesh from something that she found nearby. She was far too tired to turn and look. Despite her best effort to stop it, Luna’s mouth opened as wide as it could, showing her imposing array of teeth and fangs, and ending with a soft exhalation of breath.

“I’m not perfect,” Luna mumbled. “Not some perfect pink princess.”

A few seconds later, the snoring chorus echoing through the room was enough to frighten even the denizens of Tartarus.

* * * * * * * *

There was a reasonable chance that she was going to wear a pattern in the floor. Every step seemed measured and practiced, following the exact same path each and every time.

“This isn’t good,” Cadance mumbled, shaking her head. “How did this happen? This can’t be happening.”

“Despite your rambling,” Chrysalis answered with a sigh, “I assure you that it is happening. The question we need to concentrate on is, what are we going to do about it?”

“I’m thinking!” Cadance shouted as she walked past the changeling. She walked over to the balcony and paused, looking out at the sweeping cityscape of Canterlot. Ponies were wandering through the streets as the sun peaked over the horizon, most beginning their day, but a tiny percentage heading home for a rest.

“Well, it could be worse,” Chrysalis stated.

Only turning enough so that her voice would easily carry back into the room, Cadance answered, “Really? How?”

“We’re much safer in my quarters. We could still be in the hospital, dealing with the adventures of the amorous nurse,” she answered.

“Heh. That was the best part of it.” Immediately after the words left her mouth, Cadance brought a hoof up to her face, covering her eyes. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” Chrysalis asked.

Cadance turned around to look at the changeling. She sat upon the divan in the center of the room, lounging casually. She looked surprisingly calm.

“How do you have so many base thoughts?” Cadance asked. “I’m assuming this attitude is coming from you, because it isn’t my normal mindset.”

“Oh, that. Well, I don’t.” Chrysalis raised a hoof. “And before you argue, remember that I feed off of base emotion, particularly love. What you are feeling isn’t my thoughts, it’s my hunger.”

“That…that’s horrible,” Cadance said, her voice growing softer than she expected. “No wonder you’re such a retched creature.”

The eyebrow over Chrysalis’ right eye arched up slightly. “Thank you for your kindness, Princess. I think the world of you, too.”

“I didn’t….” Cadance stomped over to the chair beside the divan and plopped down. “I’m sorry. I’m not fully in control of myself, but I think you know that part.”

“I do.” Chrysalis sat up and moved to the end of the divan closest to the other mare. “And I do understand. I’m having issues myself.”

“Issues with being a gentle, kind being for a change! How horrible for you!” With as much effort as she could muster, Cadance tried to push back further into the chair.

“Princess…Cadance,” Chrysalis began, “this is not easy for me, either. I want to help you through the feelings you are having, but you must understand that this is not…me. Every second I have to remind myself that the ultimate end of this is to my benefit. It is worth the effort.” Her hoof reached over and placed itself on Cadance’s knee. “When all this is done, each of us will have learned a great deal, I think.”

Her eyes traveled down to her knee, followed by her hoof removing the changeling’s from her leg. “Are you even hearing yourself? And have you thought once about what this means?” She sat up, bringing their eyes into a direct line with each other. “Months. We’re going to be like this for months. Who knows what this is going to do to us?”

“Yes, I do know that. Which is why we need to start thinking of ways to deal with it, or possibly even correct it. Personally, I’d rather maintain my sanity, thank you.” Her voice buzzed with a calming drone.

“Wonderful plan. Now we just have to figure out how.” The rise and fall in Cadance’s voice revealed her attitude.

“Simple, we talk to Celestia,” Chrysalis said.

The lids of Cadance’s eyes closed halfway and her lips curled up. “Mmmm. I like the idea of bringing Celestia in on—” She stopped herself, and her eyelids opened farther than they should. “Okay, that’s a no! Stop thinking that!”

“Hunger again,” Chrysalis said. “This time out with a meal that I’ve—or actually I believe that might be we’ve—already tasted.”

Cadance locked eyes with her again. “What do you mean? Don’t say that!”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Chrysalis laughed. “Celestia is a fine mare. One of the best I’ve ever—”

“DON’T…finish that sentence,” Cadance interrupted. She raised her hoof up and opened her mouth, but there were no words that came out, just a slow shake and a slower close.

Even after Cadance was back to her relaxed position, Chrysalis waited a moment before speaking. “Well, well, well, there it is again.”

Only Cadance’s eyes moved over this time, looking at Chrysalis without turning her head. “What?”

“That guilt. The same one I tasted last time we were, well, on these exact pieces of furniture, actually,” she answered. “I think that you should tell me what’s going on.”

“And I think you should mind your own business,” Cadance grumbled.

“As you have been so insistent in pointing out, Cadance, for the next few months this is my business. The two of us are going to have to find common ground to live upon.” Chrysalis raised her head up, but kept it level as she looked over at Cadance.

“I don’t think so,” Cadance answered.

“Really?” Chrysalis laughed. “Tell me, Princess, is that you, or is that the connection that we are sharing speaking?”

Cadance stood up and walked away from the chair and up to one of the tapestries. A bright image of Chrysalis stood upon a rise, with beams of glowing green emanating downward onto a gathering of changeling drones looking up at her in awe.

“What is it with you?” Cadance asked in response. “This is the most self-serving image I could imagine.”

“You’re right. It’s nothing like the stained glass image of you and Shining Armor driving my changelings from the city that is in the great hallway downstairs.”

Cadance rolled her eyes, which seemed to drag her head back to look towards Chrysalis. “You know what I mean!”

Chrysalis smiled, showing a hint of fang for the first time in hours. “I am their queen. That is simply the way that my changelings see me.”

“In your mind,” Cadance answered.

“Despite our current connection, Cadance, I still wouldn’t push that particular button,” Chrysalis growled. “I’m certainly not above defending myself if I feel the need.”

“I….” Cadance’s words faded before the sentence really began. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath, held it, and let it out slowly. “I need to be more respectful.”

“If you are wanting to learn what it means to be me, perhaps you can start the process by sharing things about you?” Chrysalis stood and slowly walked over to Cadance, lowering her head slightly as she approached. “What is wrong?”

Her lips went to a straight line and her eyes moved to match them. “Is this that guilt thing again?”

The only answer Chrysalis gave was a slight turn of her head.

With a heavy sigh, Cadance’s withers fell along with her head. “Fine!” she shouted, and then lowered down to barely above a whisper. “Fine.” She paused. “I’m…I’m selfish.”

Both eyes opened wide on Chrysalis. “Selfish? You? Are you sure that you aren’t confused by our new link again?”

“I’m positive,” she said softly and walked back towards the center of the room. “Ever since we got married—and even before then, actually—I’ve never been what you might call faithful to Shining.” She looked to Chrysalis. “I’ve done my best to not keep that fact a secret, but…but he doesn’t know everything. I don’t tell him everything.”

“Why not?” Chrysalis asked.

“To not hurt him!” Her voice went back up, and then immediately back down. “He knows—he understands—my role as a princess. What it is that I am responsible for, and what that sometimes entails, but…I don’t know.” She took a shallow breath. “Things aren’t equal.”

Walking over to her, Chrysalis stood beside the mare and spoke softly in response. “What do you mean?”

An awkward chuckle preceded Cadance’s words. “Did you know that—aside from the obvious times where you took advantage of him—that Shining has never been with another mare? And I don’t mean since we got married, either. I mean, aside from you and I, he has never been with any other mare. Ever. We started dating back when he was in high school, and…I was his first.”

Silence filled the air while the words sank in. “You’re kidding,” Chrysalis finally responded.

“No, I’m not,” Cadance stated. “I’ve been with…honestly, I have no idea how many other ponies—both mares and stallions—that I’ve been with in my life. Easily dozens since Shining and I became a couple, but in that time he has never once,” she glared up at Chrysalis for a second, “not willingly anyway, been with anypony else.”

“Cadance,” Chrysalis began, “that’s because he loves you. Or didn’t you figure that out when you threw me out of the castle that first time?”

“Oh, I knew it before then. That’s my gift, remember? And I love him just as much! But there’s….” Her sentence never finished.

“What? There’s what?” Chrysalis urged.

She sighed. “He’s never been jealous. Not really. He’s always said that he understood. He’s always supported me.”

“And that’s bad how?” Chrysalis asked.

“Because it’s not equal!” Cadance shouted back. Turning away, she dropped her head. “Back when you and Celestia were…. Back when Celestia and Luna weren’t intimate for a while, she and I had a…a moment. I comforted her.”

“Hardly the first to do that,” Chrysalis sneered.

“Stop that!” Cadance bit back. “It’s what happened afterward, though. Luna found out, and she came to see me and…in a dream she took Shining. Right in front of me.”

“Oh….” Chrysalis whispered.

“I was so angry. I actually threatened her.” She turned back to Chrysalis with a smirk. “I might not have won, but I would have torn that mare up.”

“I have no doubt,” Chrysalis said with a nod.

“But, anyway, afterward I realized that I…was jealous. That seeing Shining with another mare, watching as he pleasured her while I was helpless, it drove me mad.”

“And that’s….” Chrysalis pulled her breath in before finishing.

“Not equal.” Cadance shook her head. “He has never once been angry with me. He’s always understood as I go around screwing so many ponies that I couldn’t even give you a count, let alone a list of names. He has relations with one mare—and it’s not even really him, mind you—and I go off the deep end.”

“You knew about me,” Chrysalis stated.

“That’s different. You forced yourself on him while he was brainwashed. You pretty much raped him.” Cadance looked her in the eye. “I was never jealous of you. I felt bad for him.”

Chrysalis snorted. “But with Luna?”

“With Luna it was different. She made it seem like he wanted her more than he wanted me. That I was…that he was…. I got so jealous.” Cadance shook her head, causing the tears that were hanging in the corners of her eyes to fall free.

“And this has led to guilt,” Chrysalis said. “I see.”

“Yes, it has,” Cadance admitted. “Right now, I just….”

“It’s all right, Princess. Believe it or not, I understand.” Chrysalis put a hoof on Cadance’s withers.

“Why?” Cadance swallowed visibly. “Because of our link?”

“If you want to believe that,” she answered with a nod.

“Are you going to tell me about your fixation with yourself now?” Cadance asked.

“No,” Chrysalis answered.

“What?” Stepping forward, Cadance stomped a hoof solidly against the floor. “But you said—”

“Not NOW, Cadance,” Chrysalis cut her off. “In time, I will. I keep my word, as I believe you know.” She took a deep breath. “Though there are things about me that I promise you do not, and may not wish to find out. Changelings are complicated, after all.”

* * * * * * * *

Her hoof rested on the unconscious unicorn’s withers, very gently shaking back and forth. All the while Rarity continued to look around, taking in their surroundings.

“Trixie,” she said softly. “Oh, do wake up, Darling.”

Limestone walls surrounded them on three sides, matching the floor and ceiling of the cramped space. The only possible way in or out was blocked by a series of evenly spaced bars that, to Rarity’s eyes, appeared to be made from brass. If there was more light, she would know for certain.

Outside of the cell—which is all that Rarity could even think of it being—was some form of light that remained just out of view. Barely enough ambient light worked its way into their small space to let her see some details, but not enough for her taste.

“Wh-what?” The pale blue unicorn stirred. “What happened? Rarity?” Trixie blinked once and then twice before her eyes suddenly filled most of her face and she leapt to her hooves in a single motion. “Where are we? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Rarity answered, putting her hooves around her marefriend’s neck. “Are you all right?”

“Trixie is…as good as can be expected. What happened? Where are we?” she asked again.

“I’m afraid I don’t know,” Rarity said with a sigh. “I’ve only been awake a minute or two longer than you have.”

“Well, if you are well, then Trixie sees no reason that we should stay here.” Her horn lit up, magic swelling around its length as she narrowed her eyes at the bars.

“Trixie, no!” Rarity’s hoof lunged out, but she was forced to pull it back away from the powerful bolt that launched from Trixie’s horn.

The magic slammed into the bars, and then arced across them, lacing the metal with a pale blue energy. A second later a flash filled the space, causing both mares to bring a hoof up in front of their faces and recoil reflexively. When they lowered their limbs once more, the bars looked untouched.

“I’m sorry, Darling. I should have stopped you. I already tried something similar. Whatever these things are made from,” Rarity trotted the short distance and touched them with her hoof, “they are very resistant to magic.”

“Well, no harm, fortunately,” Trixie grumbled. “We are still left with the one obvious question, though: who did this to us, and why?”

“The last thing that I recall is the two of us in the restaurant. We were seated next to the couple wearing the single lapel suit for stallion and a simple one-shoulder piece for the mare. Nice enough I suppose, but definitely at least one season out of style.” Rarity stood there rubbing her chin softly. “The waiter came over with a bottle of champagne for the two of us, and the next thing I…oh, wait! You passed out, Darling!” Her hoof went down and she took a half step forward. “You passed right out. There must have been something in the champagne.”

“Then we are remembering the same thing,” Trixie nodded. “We were drugged. What Trixie wants to know is how they were able to get away with it. I would think that both of us passing out would have caused a noticeable disturbance.”

“Unless….” Rarity turned and walked two steps, paused, then turned back quickly, angling her face to catch as much uplighting as possible. “They were all in on it!”

They both stood still for a second or three.

“Trixie begs your pardon?”

“Think, Darling! All of the mares in the establishment were wearing outfits by the same designer. That was no odd coincidence! It was the sign of a quickly organized group, there for the explicit purpose of capturing us for their own nefarious purposes!” Rarity’s smile gleamed in the dim light. “They simply did not consider my own personal observation skills. Ha!”

Turning her head slightly to the side, Trixie said, “You are taking this very well, all things considered.”

“Oh, please!” Rarity casually waved her hoof. “It’s not as though this is the first time that I’ve been captured. Whatever it is that these ponies want, I’m sure we’ll be able to find a way out.”

“Hmm.” Walking past her to the front of the cell, Trixie pressed her muzzle as far through as possible, unable to get even halfway through. “Well, it won’t happen that way.” She turned back to Rarity. “Trixie doesn’t suppose that you can use that Element magic to do anything?”

“Oh, you know better than that. None of us can harness our unique magic without the others present,” Rarity stated, “and even then we have to actually have our actual Elements on us personally.”

“And you cannot summon it here? Or send a message to it to alert the others?” Trixie asked.

“I’m afraid not, Darling. Truth be told, I’m not exactly sure where they are at the moment. I believe that Twilight has them locked in her home somewhere, but I’m not even certain of that. They’re either there or in Canterlot, but I believe they are in Twilight’s care.” Rarity gave a full sigh. “But surely somepony is going to notice you missing! When you don’t make it to your next show then they will send out a rescue team, and perhaps even send word to Ponyville, if it comes to that.”

“It’s possible, I suppose,” she answered with a slow nod.

“Well, look at it this way as well, Darling. Whomever it was who poisoned us, it’s clear that they wanted us alive, otherwise we wouldn’t have woken up…well, I was going to say today, but honestly I have no idea how long we were out. For all I know it could be tomorrow.” Rarity walked around the cell slowly as she spoke. “So, that means that they want something from us, I suppose, though I would have thought that they would at least have placed a guard on the door.”

“Perhaps they don’t have enough ponies to spare?” Trixie suggested.

“Oh, no, no. They had a restaurant full of ponies. If they can afford to do something like that, then they surely can afford to place a guard outside. It’s far more likely that they didn’t want to be recognized, though, thinking on it, the chances of that are quite slim.” She stopped suddenly and turned to Trixie. “Or…there are guards and we simply cannot see them!”

Quickly, Rarity rushed to the bars. She picked up her hoof and tapped on them, sending a chime through the space. “Hello! Hello, there! If you would be so kind as to show yourselves, we would be most grateful. After all, there is nothing that I can do to assist you in any way unless you tell me what you would like. I am not at all an unreasonable mare.” The next words were far softer. “Though I cannot promise that attitude remaining for much longer.”

Trixie walked up beside her. “Oh, Rarity, you are truly a clever mare.”

“Thank you, Darling, but this is hardly the time for—”

“No, I’m thanking you,” she interrupted. “I didn’t want to act so quickly, but I wasn’t sure why you arrived early, so I had to be certain. You understand, I’m sure.”

Rarity’s head pulled back a little and it seemed as though she was trying to refocus her eyes on Trixie. “You aren’t making any sense.”

“Darling. You would normally say ‘Darling’ right there. It’s good to know,” Trixie answered. “But my point is that you, a known agent of Equestria and one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, shows up outside of your planned schedule without letting your marefriend know…you have to admit, it’s suspicious.”

With very deliberate steps, Rarity backed away from the other mare. “You aren’t Trixie.”

“Don’t worry, I was planning on replacing Trixie anyway, you just sped the process along,” the other mare answered. “I did not plan on you at all, but now that you are here, it’s really not a bad idea. Especially now knowing that you cannot let the other Elements know what has happened in any unusual manner.”

A blue glow surrounded Rarity’s horn, crackling with energy. “What have you done with Trixie? Where is she?”

“She’s fine,” a red sheen glistened across the faux-Trixie’s eyes, “for now, at least. As long as you don’t do anything stupid.”

“What do you want?” Rarity lowered her head, keeping her horn aimed at the mare.

She laughed. “You’ve already done what I wanted, at least for now. And as long as you continue to make yourself useful, then you have nothing to worry about.” The faux-Trixie tapped on the bars twice. Seemingly from nowhere, two creatures stepped into view. Deep red creatures with a single curved horn arcing back over their heads.

“You…you’re a changeling!” Rarity gasped.

One of the red changelings stepped to the side of the cell and three of the center bars sank into the ground.

“Yes, I am,” the faux-Trixie stated as she stepped out of the cell, and after she passed the bars moved up once again, locking back into place. “And I am so very much more than that. Thank you for everything, Rarity. I do hope you enjoy the stay.”

Changeling Trixie walked off with the other two falling in behind her. Rushing back to the bars, Rarity peered out as best she could, keeping them in view.

“Where is Trixie?” she shouted after them. “I demand that you bring her to me, or me to her!” The sharp sound of her hoof stomping off the ground echoed clearly through the space.

Her only answer was more laughter as the trio moved out of view. A flash of red filled the space, and the laughter changed, taking on a sharper, rasped edge. Rarity took a step back from the bars, her mind processing what just happened.

In the flash of light, just for a moment, Rarity was sure that she saw a shadow. A much, much larger shadow.

* * * * * * * *

The warmth of the morning shone onto Celestia’s side as she walked through the garden. It made walking feel far less strenuous than she expected. Normally, this was her happiest time of the day, as she got to see her sun once more shine down upon Equestria and all the ponies under her care, but then, she ordinarily slept the night before. Far too often of late her bed seemed a little too large, and last night it was practically gargantuan.

“Celly!” The voice caused Celestia to turn back and look up to see a pair of cloud-like wings, fading away at the edges in a soft, subtle grey, carrying her sister down. “Good morning!”

She lighted on the ground nearby, trotting slowly to a stop beside Celestia. “To you, too, Lena. I do hope you enjoyed your rest.”

“It was glorious!” Selene’s wings spread out a little and then pulled themselves in again. “I’m sorry that I slept so late, though. The day has gotten away from me.”

“Oh, ho ho ho,” Celestia chuckled. “You were the Goddess of the Night once. I imagine falling back into that routine won’t take much effort.”

“True, but that was so very long ago,” she answered, but the long, thin smile growing on her face defied her words. “Though it was so…wonderful to see the stars again. They looked beautiful.”

“Well, I don’t do half the job that Luna is capable of doing,” Celestia said. “I wish you could see what she can do with the night.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” Selene laughed. “Um, and speaking of which….” The alicorn turned her head, looking at the space between herself and the closest pony to her. “What am I capable of getting during the night?”

Celestia’s eyes closed slightly. “I’m not sure I understand. What is it that you are looking for?”

“Well, I don’t want to seem rude, but….” She paused for just a second too long.

“Auntie!” The bright familiar voice caught Celestia’s attention and turned her head. The smile that the voice brought was dimmed slightly by the larger mare walking beside her niece.

“Cadance.” Celestia acknowledged the younger alicorn’s arrival in a warm tone and stepped over to place her neck around Cadance’s in a warm hug. The length of time that Cadance held it surprised her a bit, though. As she finally pulled back, Celesita nodded to the other mare. “Chrysalis.”

“Good morning, Celestia. I hope that we aren’t intruding,” Chrysalis hummed gently. “We were told that you had somepony you wanted us to meet, but,” the changeling looked at Selene with a smile, “this seems…extraordinary.”

“To say the least,” Cadance growled softly as her tongue played across her lips.

“I…um…yes.” Celestia’s mouth moved a little more than the words she spoke, which stopped with a short shake of her head. “Yes, it is.” Stepping back, Celestia gave a clear passage between the two new arrivals and the other figure in the garden. “Cadance, Chrysalis, I am proud to introduce you to my sister, Selene.”
The sunlight shifted as the clouds broke, causing a single ray to shine across Selene. As it passed through her mane it dimmed, becoming closer to a bright shadow than pure sunlight, but as it struck her eyes it caused them to gleam like polished silver. Her cutie mark matched it, shining off the fading darkness of her coat with the same silver sheen, revealing a full moon-like orb inside a cloud of blue.

“You look radiant!” Chrysalis said as she trotted forward. She stopped and bowed, still giving Selene her personal space. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard stories of you, but they do not do justice to you in person.”

“I’ll say.” Cadance walked past Chrysalis, moving in between her and Selene. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Th-thank you,” Selene’s eyes were fixed upon Cadance. Her lips fought to smile without being too large. “You don’t know how happy I am to meet you.”

“I have to admit,” Chrysalis stated, “we already knew you were here. We found out just before we came down, actually. I’m surprised we didn’t find out last night, but then, it’s been a busy day for Cadance and I.”

“How long are you here?” Cadance asked quickly.

“Two weeks,” Selene answered, her eyes still on Cadance.

“Good.” Cadance nodded slowly, which became gradually more shallow with each motion. “I…I mean, that’s wonderful. It’s an honor to have such an esteemed visitor from such an unusual location.”

“Exotic, you might say,” Chrysalis hummed.

“Chrysalis,” Celestia’s voice carried the weight of her words, “could I speak to you for a moment? In private?”

The changeling took a step back and looked over at the sun goddess. “Of course.” With a short bow she broke away from Selene and trotted over to Celestia, who turned to continue walking with her. After a few steps, Chrysalis stopped with Celestia beside her. “I hope this is far enough. I don’t really feel comfortable going any further.”

Celestia spoke loud enough for just Chrysalis to hear. “What are you doing? What is going on?”

Casually, Chrysalis turned to look to her left at Celestia. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are you doing? What is going on?” she repeated. “Have you done something to Cadance? Why are the two of you acting so oddly?”

“Oh, well, we actually want to speak with you about that,” Chrysalis explained. “This obviously isn’t the correct time or place, but it should happen soon. I’m sorry if things are awkward.”

Celestia stood perfectly still. She blinked three times. “Seriously, who are you?”

“It’s me, Celestia, it’s just….” Chrysalis sighed. “It’s complicated.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Let’s just say that Cadance and I have become…close. In fact, I need to get a little closer to her right now, just to be safe.”

Chrysalis turned around, but couldn’t take a step. A large white wing suddenly blocked her path. “If you have hurt Cadance….”

Chrysalis’ lip went up, showing her fangs. “Oh, Princess, what do you think you….” She took a deep breath and closed her mouth as she let it out. “We’re fine—both of us—though we truly do need to speak about things. I give you my word.” She nodded ahead of her. “And we really do need to get back over there.”

Celestia looked over at her niece and sister. Currently, Cadance was pacing around Selene, who was trying to turn in place to face her directly. Suddenly, Cadance stepped in close, flicking her wing up, causing Selene to open her wings wide in response.

“What the…?” Celestia sprinted over to them.

“…about the size of a mare’s wingspan, don’t you?” Cadance just finished asking as Celestia got close.

“Cadance?” Celestia’s question was as much statement as inquiry.

The pink mare blinked and looked up at the surprisingly dour face of her aunt. “Oh.” She looked up at Selene. “Oh, I’m….” Quickly, Cadance trotted over to stand beside Chrysalis. “I’m so sorry, I just….” She looked up at Chrysalis. “I think we need to go back to the room.”

“That might be a good idea,” Chrysalis agreed.

“Are you sure?” Selene asked. “I was hoping that we could…. That maybe you and I could spend some time together.” The sunlight seemed to create a halo around the ethereal-colored mare.

Cadance swallowed and bit her lip. “I’d really like that,” she said as calmly as possible.

“Cadance and Chrysalis have had a rough night,” Celestia stated. “I’m sure they’ll be fine for the formal celebration of your arrival.” Celestia stared at Chrysalis. “In three days. Here in the castle. Everypony will be there, and I expect that the two of you will want to be there at your very best.”

“Surely we’ll be able to speak before then?” Selene’s voice went up a half-octave.

“I’m hoping so,” Cadance growled. And then blinked again. “I mean, yes. Yes, that would be nice.” She turned quickly to Chrysalis. “We need to get back to your room. Now.”

“So it would seem,” Chrysalis replied. She turned to look at the other two princesses. “You’ll have to forgive us,” she smiled, a single fang poking through her lips, “we just aren’t ourselves today.”

“Yes!” Cadance pushed on Chrysalis, causing the larger mare to turn. “Yes, we need to rest. Get to bed. For sleep!” Cadance began to step away, all but pulling Chrysalis along with her. “Good rest and all!” She looked back at Celestia and Selene. “You two have fun! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t! Or at least invite me in on the—”

“Good morning to you both,” Chrysalis interrupted. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Selene.” This time it was Chrysalis who pushed along Cadance. “And as always, Celestia, I hope that you…. Good morning!”

Almost at the same moment the two mares broke into a canter, quickly moving out of the garden and towards the castle proper.

Selene took a single step towards them, slowly shaking her head. “I have to tell you, Celly, that is not what I expected. From your descriptions I didn’t expect Cadance to be…like that.”

“Neither did I, Lena.” Celestia narrowed her eyes. “Neither did I.”

* * * * * * * *

The wall shattered, sending chunks of solid stone flying. The sound itself was enough to shake the building beside what was left of this one as it collapsed in on itself. The dust barely had time to settle before the rubble that remained shifted and fell to the side as the figure that was thrown through the wall slowly stood up to her full height. Standing in full shadow, her head was down near the ground. Her ethereal mane and tail freed itself from any incumbrance and flowed like deep blue ink in the murky darkness.

Then Luna raised her head up and smiled brightly. “Excellent blow! Your might matches your countenance!”

Tisiphone landed and walked up towards the practically destroyed building. Though her face was hidden behind a mask, the tell-tale signs of a smile showed around her eyes. Dust and dirt fell off of her coat with each step she took.

“Fair exchange! You gave as good as you took,” Luna announced, leaping from the ruins to stand beside her. “You are a most formidable opponent, Tisiphone! I am proud to have you at my side while I am serving here in Tartarus. But enough games for now. We shall call it a draw, lest we turn the city to dust.”

A deep, guttural sound gurgled from Tisiphone’s throat as she bowed her head slightly.

“Which reminds me,” Luna looked around at the destruction, wincing slightly at the new additions she contributed. “We are going to need to get this place cleaned up. Who normally does that?”

“Honnnnnor guaaaaarrrrrdssss,” Tisiphone rasped.

“Ah, yes.” Luna nodded steadily. “And you managed to frighten all of them away. So, that leaves the question of how we get them back?”

Passing beside Tisiphone, Luna began to walk towards the massive doors sealing the city inside its brass walls. Without pause Tisiphone fell in beside her, walking in silence half a step back.

“Actually,” Luna began, “where do the guards come from? Tartarus is a place of punishment for the damned, after all. Being a guard is hardly deep punishment,” she glanced over at Tisiphone, “we have them in Canterlot, after all.” Her eyes turned back forward. “So, who gets to be a guard here? How does Selene choose them?”

A low, deep sound came from Tisiphone. It had no distinction or structure, leaving Luna somewhat lost for a reply. Tisiphone wasn’t finished, however. “Faaaaailllled in duuuutyyyyy.”

“Nonsense!” Luna retorted. “You have nothing to apologize for. In fact, if things were reversed I might have done far worse than you.”

The snort from Tisiphone’s nose turned Luna’s head. The erinyes eyes narrowed and scanned the ground, searching for something.

“What is it? Did I say something to offend you?” Luna asked.

One shake of her head sent Tisiphone’s stringy mane flying. “Noooootttt mmmeeeeeeee.”

“Not you? Then who could I have offended? I certainly didn’t mean—” A glint shone in Luna’s eye. “Oh! You mean that it wasn’t you who failed! It was the guards!”

“Yeeeeeessss!” A raw, broken sound laced through the word.

“They failed in life?” Luna asked. Tisiphone nodded in response. “Well, now they have failed in death, too. They left their post and have not returned.” Luna stopped and Tisphone did the same. “Did you attack them? Directly, I mean.”

Her response was a slow shake of her head.

“Then they are derelict in duty.” The corner of Luna’s mouth twisted upwards. “It sounds as though they lack discipline.”

“Errrrr?” It wasn’t a word, but the meaning was clear.

“No, no, not like that,” Luna laughed. “I meant simply that it might do them well to have a tighter structure. Is Selene undisciplined herself?”

Once more, Tisiphone shook her head.

“Hmm. I suppose that she would have to have structure in place in her position. Perhaps I can speak with her on her techniques at some point.” The pieces of the city surrounded the pair. Luna stared out at the destruction, wrinkling her brow. Her hoof struck the ground strong enough to move the dust. “Nevertheless, it is now my duty to see to this. And the first order of business is to restore the guard and the city itself. I would feel negligent to have Selene come back to something this bad.”

“Nnnnnnn.” Tisiphone responded.

“Which means, first we must find these guards. Is there a way to track them?” Luna asked.

“Nnnnoooo neeeeeed.” Tisiphone stepped up to Luna. “Theeeeeeeyyy coooommmmmme baaaaaaacckk.”

With a cavalier smile, Luna brought her wing up and waved it. “Nonsense! We cannot guarantee them returning.” The smile broadened enough to show fang. “Which means we need to go out after them. Find out what else—where else they might have gone.”

Beneath her mask, Tisiphone’s eyes narrowed down to slits. “Iiiii knnnnoooowwww.”

Luna’s head wobbled for a moment. “Really? You have some means to track them?”

A dark sound rumbled out as Tisiphone nodded.

“Excellent! Then we have a means as well as a plan.” Luna spread her wings wide. “Besides, if they return on their own, they will still be here when we return. This way we are doubling the chance of them being back at their post in time.”

The sound in Tisiphone’s throat took on a distinctive growl quality.

“You aren’t worried are you?” Luna asked.

She paused, looking squarely into the princess’s eyes, but eventually Tisiphone did shake her head.

“Good!” The dust on the ground flew away as Luna’s wings carried her into the perpetual twilight of the Tartarus sky. At first only Tisiphone’s eyes followed, but then her massive, leathery wings took her airborne as well.

Luna’s hooves lit casually on the top of the great brass gates and Tisiphone joined her there. The air was heavy and stale, but Luna took a moment to fill her lungs completely.

“I believe that I could use an adventure of my own.” Luna looked to Tisiphone. “Think we can find one?”

A gleam shone over the black of Tisiphone’s eyes.

“Let’s go.” Luna leapt from the gate. Tisiphone followed.

* * * * * * * *

Even though there was no way that she would admit it out loud, Fleur had no idea what was going on. Why R and the rest of his crew had invited her to join them as they tried to utilize the magical material that was left from the accident with Chrysalis was beyond her, but she was here, and she was watching.

For the past hour four ponies—off and on—were tinkering with the core of the machine. It was an odd combination of spells and science that co-mingled in this one item, causing earth ponies and unicorns to work closely side-by-side as they used force and finesse to find what they sought.

“How is it progressing?” She did her best to soften her voice.

“Slow.”

The answer came from behind the machine, which narrowed the speaker down to one of the unicorns or either of the earth ponies. It was the same sort of answer she expected.

“Perhaps I should go,” she began. “I don’t want to get in your way.”

“No, please,” the unicorn mare on the same side as Fleur—Dr. Whitelace, if she remembered correctly—was quick to answer. “You need to stay.”

“Oh, come now!” Fleur exhaled in a rich, but frustrated tone. “What am I even doing here? This is hardly my area of expertise. I deal with ponies and their personal problems, in one manner or another. All of you surely know that I am not a scientist.”

“That’s obvious.” Dr. Whitelace’s words drove up one eyebrow on Fleur’s forehead. “Still, L wants you here to deal with anything that might come out of this.”

“Might come out of this? What exactly is he suspecting?” Fleur tossed her head, causing her mane to fly back away from her face.

“Answers, he hopes.” The fact that the words from Dr. Whitelace made their way to Fleur was something of a minor miracle. Her muzzle was already buried back in the machine, doing…whatever it was that she was doing. Something. Fleur simply shook her head.

It was bad enough that she had to be here, but the fact that this room was bereft of anything aside from the machine and the ponies around it made for a long time waiting. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all stark white. The light that filled the room came from a magical source of some sort, making the walls seem to glow and wash everything in the same constant color. If it weren’t for the slightest hint of rose in her coat and the pink of her mane, Fleur might find herself lost in the background.

The light clip-clop of her hooves echoed as Fleur walked around the room. The one thing that the room did have was a lot of space. Despite her earlier protest, it would be very difficult for her to be in the way without directly interfering in the scientist’s process.

So, she wander, she walked, and she watched. There really was very little else for her to do. Other than let out a deep sigh, which she did without realizing.

“I understand, Agent Fleur,” Dr. Whitelace said. “If I had the clearance, I assure you that I would tell you to go do whatever it is that you normally do around here.”

“Very little, actually,” Fleur answered. “I work in the field. I don’t spend much time at HQ at all.”

“Really? It hardly shows.”

Choosing to ignore the obvious sarcasm, Fleur continued her circular trek around the room. Gradually, as it had already done several times, her mind began to wander. From what she knew, there was a new alicorn in Canterlot Castle—one that did not have the title of princess—and that should be her focus, not the intricacies of a machine that—

The sharp, sudden sound made her jump. Not an easy task, actually, but she had let her guard down. All of her attention was suddenly focused on the machine, and what she saw.

“What was that?” Fleur took a step in towards the three ponies half buried in the workings of the mechanism. “What just happened?”

“Nothing. No worries.” She was fairly sure that came from one of the earth ponies.

“What do you mean, nothing. That was definitely something,” Fleur answered.

“Agent Fleur,” Dr. Whitelace raised her head up and looked over the machine at Fleur with a smile. “I assure you that it was nothing. A magical discharge, brought on by disconnecting one of the channels that we used to siphon off the magic from Princess Chrysalis. We didn’t lose anything, we simply re-channeled the magic, which caused the sound you heard. It really was nothing.”

“Nothing doesn’t look like that.” Fleur trotted up to the square chamber on the outside of the machine. Her hoof came up and pointed at it. “I saw something. Right here.”

“Likely nothing more than a spark that shot back through—”

“No.” The tone in Fleur’s voice cut her off quickly. Dr. Whitelace took a step back away and concentrated her attention on Fleur’s words. “It was a heart, doctor. It was a black, beating heart.”

* * * * * * * *

“You do realize that you don’t have to spend every moment around me.”

“Of course I do,” Selene answered. “But has it occurred to you that perhaps I enjoy spending time with my sister?”

Celestia did her best to not laugh. “Oh, ho ho ho.” She failed. “I think this has far less to do with me than it does you simply wanting somepony to accompany you on whatever new venture you may have in mind.”

“Well, there is that, too.” Selene did nothing to hide the smirk that crossed her muzzle. “Still, I can’t think of anypony that I would rather go out with than you! You are, after all, the only pony in the entire world who actually knows me.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t make new friends.” The magic around Celestia’s horn moved the quill into position as she began to write out another scroll. “In fact, when Twilight and her friends arrive for the celebration, you’ll surely find yourself with six new friends by the end of the evening.” She looked up at Selene and winked. “That’s sort of their thing.”

The sound of pony meeting cushion in a full-on flopping manner filled the room for a moment. From her new spot reclining on Celestia’s chaise, Selene asked, “That reminds me. When did this go from a banquet to a full-on celebration?”

“As soon as word started spreading of the arrival of a new alicorn to the castle,” Celestia chuckled. “You’re quite the celebrity already.”

“Really? That could be useful.” Selene adjusted herself, moving down deeper into the cushion.

“Useful? How do you mean?” Rolling up the scroll she just finished, Celestia brought a new piece of parchment into place and readied her quill again.

“Oh, just that ponies seem to always want to be with celebrities. Which reminds me, do you know a good brothel?”

The pen scraped across and then off of the paper, leaving a long line of black ink that trailed onto Celestia’s previously pristine desktop.

Turning her head fast enough to actually create a sound, Celestia stared over at her sister. “I beg your pardon?”

“A brothel,” Selene repeated. “You know, a house of ill repute. Bordello. Den of iniquity.”

“I know what a brothel is, Lena! I just…. What in sunlight’s name makes you think that I would know where to find a brothel?” Celestia shook her head sharply. “And why? Why are you looking?”

Looking over at her sister, Selene blinked twice. “I would think that was rather obvious.”

“But, you are…you don’t mean that! What about Tisiphone? I know that the two of you are involved,” Celestia stated.

“Yes, we are. She is also not a part of Equestria, and right now, I am.” Selene nodded sharply.

“That does not give your permission to do what your libido tells you,” Celestia lowered her voice slightly, “does it?”

“We never spoke about it,” Selene answered. “Still, as fond as I am of Tisiphone, she is still a part of Tartarus—and a mare. I haven’t been with a real, living stallion in millennia, Celly.”

“Well, I can sympathize, of course, but still, you are committed to Tisiphone.” Celestia raised her head up higher.

“Of course I am. Don’t forget what it was that put me in Tartarus in the first place,” Selene said.

“I remember perfectly. I tried to stop you from going if you remember, but that time it was because you were being too blindly committed. This time, it might be just the opposite.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Celly. I do value Tisiphone, more than I have valued anypony since I lost Endymion all those centuries ago.” Selene took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “That doesn’t mean that I can’t have cravings, though.”

“Having them and acting on them are different things!” Celestia shifted in her seat.

“I know, I know, and I’ve dealt with them before.” Selene turned towards Celestia, opening her eyes. “Do you remember that stallion who kept bringing you gifts every day for over a year?”

“I don’t,” Celestia replied a little too quickly. “You would have to be more specific.”

“Oh, well then, this was a dark green stallion with a black mane and eyes. He had the most charming little lisp when he spoke—almost unnoticeable unless you listened closely.” The color of Selene’s coat matched the tone of her voice. “Oh, and he had a cock the size of your leg.”

“Lena!” The word came from Celestia as she took in a sharp breath.

“I always liked that stallion,” she purred, “and so did you. I don’t think that I ever told you that I saw the two of you in what you thought were private moments.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking—”

“He was so damn considerate. One of the good ones, I always thought. In more ways than one, actually.” Selene laughed and rolled back, staring up at the ceiling. “I think he made sure that you always had three to his one, at the very least.”

“Oh,” Celestia whispered and looked down to her desk, “him.”

“There was one time that the two of you were on the cliff overlooking the Sea of Chasseur. It was the middle of the night, not quite midnight, but close enough, and a full moon. I could see the both of you down there, I just couldn’t hear you.” While her right forehoof slid down her body, Selene’s left hoof swirled in rough circles over her chest.

“I wish I had been there for the beginning, just to see what led up to the event, but I really can’t complain about what I did get to see.” Selene took a deep breath. So did Celestia. “Like most ponies, you dwarfed him. It was fun watching you push him onto his back so easily. I chuckled, imagining him putting up a little bit of a fight, without having any chance against your strength, of course.”

Slowly, Celestia closed her eyes. “I remember that night.”

“I won’t ever forget it.” Selene’s hoof slipped between her rear legs. “I watched you take him into your mouth. You were able to swallow every inch of that monster, and without a gag, too. I could never do that. I just don’t have the control.” Air sucked in through her teeth. “The best part was when you turned around, though. You sat down and I swear that his whole head disappeared underneath that gorgeous white ass of yours.”

It was quiet enough to hear the sound of Celestia swallowing and the slippery wet sounds coming from Selene.

“I’m sure he was working on your marehood, but the perverted side of me kept picturing his tongue deep inside your tailhole. Whatever he was doing, he was doing so good a job that you couldn’t keep your mouth on him. You reared back, pushing down even further. There was no way he was able to breath.” Her words were transitioning to moans.

“When I saw your wings fly out, I knew what happened. I was so jealous. My hoof was hard at work then, too, though.” She bit her lower lip gently.

Celestia’s hooves remained on her desk, pushing down on it firmly.

“Then you turned around and lowered yourself, lifting your tail to the side. He didn’t need another hint, and quickly leapt to his hooves and mounted you. What he lacked in technique he more than made up for in enthusiasm. It didn’t take long before he was screaming into the night air, and you along with him.” Selene’s hoof worked fast and faster. “And that was…just the…first round that….nnnnnggggghhhh.”

Her hoof was trapped as Selene’s thighs suddenly clamped it in place. Her entire figure curled up until her upper body was off of the chaise. Across the room, Celestia shifted in her seat, the wood of her desk creaking beneath the pressure of her hooves.

“Wow.” Selene laid back on the chaise. “Wow.”

“Selene,” Celestia began softly, but let the volume increase with each word, “what was that? Are you trying to get me that worked up?”

“What? I thought you liked playing with your sisters?” Selene purred.

“Lena!” Celestia turned towards her, eyes snapping open to see a smiling mare.

“You are so easy, Celly.” Selene burst into laughter.

“Are you…? Did you do that on purpose?” Celestia’s mouth hung open.

“Well, it wasn’t by accident.” Selene rolled off the furniture to stand on her hooves once more.

A deep intake led to a deep exhale. “So, that whole bit about the brothel was just to start that conversation to tease me?”

“Oh, no. I was serious about the brothel.” Selene stopped cold in the center of the room.

They stared at each other just long enough for the silence to overtake the room—which was then broken by the two of them falling into uproarious laughter. Celestia stepped over and put her head on her sister’s neck in a warm hug.

“Thanks to you I need to go take a shower now,” Celestia chuckled.

Selene pulled back with a huge smile. “Yes, you do.” Her mouth angled up on her muzzle. “So do I, actually.”

“Not at the same time!” Celestia raised a hoof in emphasis.

“Spoilsport!” Selene stuck out her tongue. She stood and watched as Celestia walked towards her bath and her desired shower, and couldn’t help but smile at the view.

* * * * * * * *

“That was awkward.”

“Very.” Cadance spoke over her shoulder from the balcony, making sure that Chrysalis could hear her clearly. “I’m not sure we’re ready to go about in public just yet.”

“Or even in private around certain ponies, it would seem.” Chrysalis remained just inside the doors, leaning against the jam casually. “What was it with you and Selene?”

“What?” Cadance turned around. “That damn hunger of yours. I saw her as a huge…meal, I suppose.”

“No no no, not that. I’m talking about the way she acted towards you. Didn’t you notice?” Chrysalis mouth turned up slightly. “She was almost panicked to see you.”

“Uh, no.” Cadance shook her head. “No, I didn’t notice that. And how did you? That was the first time either of us met her. Maybe she’s always like that.”

Standing up straight, Chrysalis walked out onto the balcony of her room. The bustle of Canterlot was audible from the streets, but she kept her eyes focused on Cadance.

“It’s my nature to notice things like that. A changeling has to be observant or they are noticed almost immediately. She glared at me, but she was almost overcome to see you,” Chrysalis said. “I wonder why?”

“Ugh.” Cadance dropped her head. “I have no idea. Sadly, I’m not even sure that I’m going to be able to ask Auntie Celestia, either.”

“Oh, you’ll get your chance. We both will, I’m guessing, and pretty soon, too,” Chrysalis answered. “Now, how she reacts—and whether she believes that you aren’t under some sort of spell I’ve cast—that’s a totally different question.”

Cadance snorted. “I can convince her. She won’t have a choice once I—” She then smacked herself in the muzzle. Rather hard.

Chrysalis recoiled, her eyes becoming two giant white pools on her face.

“Do you know what is bothering me most about this?” Cadance growled. “The fact that I never can tell when it’s going to happen! I have no idea if I’m going to be myself, or if I’m going to be you!”

“Which are you now?” Chrysalis asked.

“I have no idea!” Both of Cadance’s arms went up in protest.

Chrysalis gave Cadance a moment before speaking again. “We’re going to have to figure something out, you know. We can’t stay locked away from everypony for months on end. Not only is it just unrealistic, it would also cause many, many rumors about what is going on between the two of us. It could ruin a reputation.”

“I don’t need my reputation even tainted by this,” Cadance said.

“Who said I was talking about you?” Chrysalis replied.

A raised eyebrow was the only response the changeling got.

“Okay, so we’re going to have to do some things publicly,” Cadance admitted. “We’ll just have to keep them limited and controlled.”

“And always together. That won’t raise suspicions, either.”

Chrysalis turned and walked back into her quarters. Like a shadow with a delayed response, Cadance turned and followed a second later.

“It’s really starting to sink in just how bad this situation is,” Cadance sighed. “And goddess, I’m so damn hungry.”

Stepping up to her, Chrysalis rested a hoof on her back. “I understand. We will get through this, Cadance. And remember, we aren’t as bad off as you think.”

Turning her neck around, Cadance stared up blankly at the changeling queen. “We aren’t?”

“No,” Chrysalis laughed, the odd echo-like buzz behind it creating an almost eerie quality. “We’re alive. After what happened, we could both be very dead right now.”

Slowly, Cadance began to nod. “I suppose you’re right. It could be worse.”

The door to the room slammed against the wall as it burst open, barely clearing out of the way as the white-coated stallion ran into the room.

“Cady!” Shining Armor shouted. “I got a message that you were hurt, and I came as quick as I….” His eyes narrowed, focusing in on Chrysalis. “What is she doing here?”

“Oh crap,” both mares said in unison.

…to be continued.