Sweet Apples Under A Night Sky

Warning: This chapter contains clop. Skip to 'XXX' twice if you wish to not view it.

Chapter Six

Ten Minutes before Luna and Big Mac kiss

Twilight decided to wake up at the crack of dawn and go see Selene - or should she call her Luna? And warn her about Celestia making her a wanted pony. She wondered what had happened between the two sister that had driven Luna to extreme measures to just run away.

She shook her head and cleared her thoughts. "I need to have a non-biased opinion if I'm going to get to the bottom of this." she muttered as she got her saddlebag ready. "Be good, Owlowicious, remember; no mice in the house." she sternly told the owl dozing in the corner on his perch.

He hooted in response and nestled back down to sleep.

Twilight smiled and closed the door on her way out, making sure to avoid any crowds of ponies should they ask her where she was going.

She quietly trotted to Sweet Apple Acres, fortunately just avoiding Caramel as she saw him go up to Big Mac and say something, Big Mac said something then Caramel pointed to the orchard. She held back as she saw Mac go galloping off towards where 'Mel had pointed and trotted after him, keeping a steady distance.

She followed Mac as quietly as possible and jumped a bit when he suddenly shouted 'Selly?'

Twilight dove behind a tree and heard a sniff. "Luna." she breathed. She watched from the bushes as Mac walked around a tree and see a crying, dark blue pegasus.

She watched as he comforted Luna and felt her jaw clench. She blushed as the princess stretched out in a seductive manner and shook her head, letting the feeling drop. Why am I jealous? she thought and watched the two as they talked to each other, their heads growing closer and closer together. She saw their mouths move but was too far away to hear what they said.

She gasped quietly as Mac leaned in and kissed the princess.

Her violet eyes filled with jealousy as she watched them kiss for a while.

Luna nuzzled Mac and whispered into his ear, she seemed to nibble it too. Twilight's face felt flushed and her ears felt like they were on fire with jealousy. This was her stallion. Not the princess's. This was the stallion she'd had a crush on for all those months, was kissing another mare - and they only just met!

She choked back a loud sob and took off, eyes streaming with tears. She passed where she had last seen Caramel and Applejack but they weren't in sight. Good. I don't want anypony to see me like this. she thought bitterly and ran all the way home, bursting through the door and waking poor Owlowicious from his sleep.

Up to her bed she ran, throwing off her saddle bag and buried herself under her pillow and covers, weeping quietly as she did so.

"Why her?" she muttered to herself after a while. "Why not me?"

Because she's a princess. a voice told her.

"That shouldn't matter!" Twilight said and raised her voice a bit.

He only likes princesses. He'll never love you. the voice taunted.

"Shut up!" Twilight shouted as fresh tears began pouring down her face.

You know it's true.

"Shut. Up!" she shouted at the imaginary voice.

She fell back into her bed and wept loudly and long.

She finally stopped when she heard a noise at the door. She brushed her mane and wiped her face and muttered, "Go away."

"Hello? Twilight? Anypony home?" Rarity's voice called from outside. "We're going to be late for our get together with Fluttershy at the spa!" she shouted and pressed her ear against the door.

Twilight heaved her body out the bed and went downstairs, opening the door just as Rarity was about to walk away.

"Oh there you are Twilight, oh my... what happened to your face?" the fashionista asked and fussed over Twilight's mane. The lavender unicorn waved her away.

"Please Rarity, let's just go." she muttered and forced a smile out.

Rarity frowned. "Twilight? What ever's the matter dear?" she asked, clearly worried about her friend.

Twilight shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it yet. Is Fluttershy already there?"

"Now, now don't go changing the subject Miss Sparkle. Tell me what's troubling you." Rarity scolded and put a hoof on her friend shoulder.

Twilight felt fresh tears on there way and fought furiously to keep them at bay. "Fine. Come inside, and you mustn't tell anypony else."

"OK, Twilight. Oh wait, here comes Fluttershy. Fluttershy?" she called out to the meek yellow pegasus.

Fluttershy waved to the and trotted over. "Hi girls, I'm sorry if I was interrupting anything, but I just wanted to make sure our spa date was today... I mean... if that's alright with you two." she smiled shyly at Twilight and Rarity.

Rarity facehoofed at Fluttershy's constant apologising. "Darling i told you, it's alright. You don't have to apologise for every. Single. Thing." she smiled at the pegasus and nuzzled her, kissing her on the nose.

Fluttershy blushed and kissed rarity on the cheek.

Twilight smiled. These two had been hopelessly in love with each other for a few months now. She wished she could have that with somepony. Her thoughts turned to darkness again as she thought about Luna. f friendship is magic... what's hate? the voice from before asked her.

I do not hate the princess. Twilight argued back. Her face must have changed monetarily because Fluttershy stared at her with a look of fear.

Rarity noticed her marefriend's look and turned to Twilight. "Twilight. Tell us what's happened. Now." she demanded and stepped forwards.

"Oh... girls please don't fight." Fluttershy whimpered.

Rarity glared at her and turned back to Twilight, who stood in the doorway and sighed.

"Come inside then. But swear to tell nopony." Twilight beckoned them inside and closed the door, glancing around to make sure nopony was listening.

"Twilight? You're frightening us." Rarity said as Fluttershy whimpered behind her, not disliking the view she had of Rarity's flank.

"Alright, I'll start at the beginning: when Shining Armour visited."

"Shining Armour came to our little town?" Rarity asked.

"Yes. Now-"

"How is he?" Fluttershy asked, feeling slightly braver as Rarity stroked her mane and Twilight became the Twilight they knew and loved.

"I don't know. Fine I guess, but-"

"What do you mean you don't know? Didn't you ask?" Rarity interrupted again.

Twilight clenched her jaw. She was determined not to lose her friends as well as her crush today. "Of course I did, Rarity. Now st-"

"Then do you not remember?" Fluttershy questioned.

"Girls!" Twilight shouted and made them both jump. "Please! Stop. Interrupting." she said, exasperated.

"S-sorry, Twilight." Fluttershy whispered and splayed her ears back and winced.

"Now see here, Twilight." Rarity started, flaring up at seeing Fluttershy reduced to bits. "We only want to know how your brother is doing. is that too much to-" she stopped when Twilight broke down into tears before them.

"I'm so sorry girls. I just don't know what came over me!" she wailed and flung her hooves around her friends and sobbed into them.

"Oh Twilight... what's happened to you?" Rarity murmured and stroked her friend mane. "Fluttershy, be a dear and put the kettle on. I'll stay and comfort Twilight."

Fluttershy nodded and felt a pang of jealousy at watching Twilight get her mane stroked by Rarity. She shook it off and put the kettle on while Rarity guided Twilight to her chair and sat her down.

The kettle whistled shortly after Rarity had succeeded in calming the wailing unicorn down.

Fluttershy bustled in with three cups of tea and set two down on the table and held out the third to Twilight.

"Thank you." Twilight sniffed and took the cup of tea from the pegasus.

"Now. Tell us." Rarity said and sat down, huddling Fluttershy close.

Twilight took a deep breath and told them the story, including everything from Shining Armour to seeing the two kiss.

Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged worried glances between themselves at regular intervals as Twilight went off on a tangent.

***

Big Mac held Luna in his forelegs when she had finished her own story. "And that's everything that's happened in the past few days." Luna finished.

Big Mac stroked his chin as he listened to their synchronised heartbeats. "An' you don't wanna talk to yer sister?" he asked.

Luna shivered, "No. Not yet anyway." she mumbled.

Big Mac lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes. "Ah reckon you should. Do you know how long this spell will last?" he asked, kissing the top of her head where her horn should be.

"No." Luna said, she had actually forgotten to see how long it would last. I bet Celestia knows and is just waiting for me to come crawling back. she sneered in her head. "But when I'm with you, nothing else matters." she sighed and gazed into his attractive, green eyes.

Big Mac smiled, stood up and helped her to her feet. "C'mon, you're cold. Let's get inside." he took her by the leg and used his own body warmth to keep her from shivering anymore.

They reached the edge of the orchard and saw Caramel and Applejack spring out the cider cellar, AJ's hat askew and 'Mel's hair all frizzed up.

Big Mac walked past them, Luna walking on the other side of him, wing draped around his back and grinned at the two earth ponies. "Go easy on each other." he chuckled to them and made them both blush furiously and turn blood red.

Caramel mumbled something and tried to trot off, but Applejack pulled his tail back and whispered something to him, making him giggle. "Alright, alright. I'll stay for dinner." he laughed as she gently kicked him on the shin.

Applejack turned to Luna and Mac and smiled. "About time too." she whistled.

"What's that supposed ta mean?" Big Mac piped up defensively.

Applejack snorted, "Boy, you two have been gazin' into each other's eyes ever since you first met. Ah'd have wagered good bits on you two gettin' together. Nice catch, Selly." she grinned at the pegasus, who giggled and buried her face in Mac's mane.

"Oh and you an' 'Mel over there? How long have you two been goin' at it?" Big Mac grinned.

"Oh I don't know... about ten minutes?." Caramel grinned cheekily and dodged a swipe from Applejack.

All four of them just laughed as they nuzzled their respective partners. "Y'all ready fer some good eatin'?" Applejack asked heartily.

"Eeyup." the three replied and broke into laughter again as they trotted inside, single file. Big Mac helped Luna in and she immediately felt the warmth on her coat.

"Applebloom! You owe me twelve bits!" Applejack called out.

"Applebloom! You owe me fifteen bits!" Big Mac called out, imitating his sister.

Applebloom looked at them from the top of the stairs, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle behind her. "Did y'all get hitched at once or somethin'?" she asked, rather irritated it was her pocket money lost, but a bet's a bet.

Applejack turned to Big Mac. "You bet ah would get with 'Mel?" she asked slowly.

Mac looked down at her and grinned. "You know what ah'm gonna say."

Applejack continued to glare at him. "...Eeyup?"

"Eeyup."

Caramel and Luna exchanged glances and stifled another laughing fit.

"Alright you two." Applejack blushed as Caramel sidled up to her and nuzzled her. "Easy tiger. Let me go get the food ready."

"I'll help." Luna said and hey waved goodbye to the two stallions left in the hallway.

Caramel looked at Big Mac and Big Mac looked at Caramel.

*Hoof-bump*

"Damn straight. Now let's go watch some T.V. or something." 'Mel chuckled as they walked into the living room and collapsed on the sofa. "Ohhh Celestia, is this thing made of pure comfortableness or what?" moaned Caramel as he sank, lower and lower into the cushions.

Big Mac chuckled and slumped down on his own cushion. "They are pretty comfy." he admitted, smiling.

"Enough chit-chat. Time is girls. And girls are hot." Caramel grinned and leaned in. "So what's she like?"

Mac eyed his friend suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"You know..." Caramel left the ambiguous question hang in the air for a few minutes. When Mac still didn't get it he sighed and shrugged. "Sex."

"Ohhhhh." Big Mac said and chuckled nervously. "We uh... haven't yet."

Caramel'e eys lit up at a new opportunity to tease his friend. "Way hey, hey. When you do, tell me everything." he grinned. "Me an' AJ were just-"

"That's my sister." Mac growled menacingly and 'Mel quickly clamped a hoof over his mouth.

"Sorry." he mumbled and batted his eyelashes at the red stallion. "Fwiends?" he asked with puppy dog eyes.

Big Mac shoved his friend away with a laugh. "Yeah right, next thing you know they'll both be pregnant."

A look of sheer terror spread across Caramel's face and Big Mac quickly retorted on his joke. "Ah mean... eventually... not now.

"...Why would you say something so mean?" 'Mel asked and began to look normal, the fear leaving as quickly as it came.

Big Mac shrugged awkwardly. "Ah don't know, sorry 'Mel."

They resumed their normal conversations as they watched the television and waited for the food to be made.

***

Luna followed Applejack into the kitchen and stood in the doorway, looking a bit awkward.

"Well come in then, don't be shy." Applejack chuckled and dragged Luna further into the kitchen. "You can get scrubbin' those plates, while ah put the oven on an' start makin' the food."

Luna nodded and attached the brush thing onto her left hoof. She wobbled on her back legs as she attempted to find a good balance.

"Why don't you just use yer wings?" Applejack asked as she watched her friend.

"Oh, um..." Luna blinked and smiled weakly. "Sure." she flapped her wings and rose a few feet of the ground, into the air. She reached over to the plates and began scrubbing them, cleaning every inch of dirt off.

"So..." Applejack murmured. "You an' mah big brother huh?"

Luna looked over at her and saw the huge grin on her face. "I, um... yes. I suppose." she giggled.

"Well ah'm happy for ya both. Ah have a feeling Twi liked him in that way too, but ah'm not sure, so don't go flouncin' yerself around her." she warned.

Luna nodded. So that's why she wanted to come around. Not for me. For him. It all makes sense now. "I won't." she continued scrubbing for a further few minutes and asked causally, "So uh... what's Caramel like?"

Applejack gave a hoot of laughter and turned to her. "Selly, ah didn't have you pegged as one for gossip."

"Oh it's hardly gossip is it?" Luna asked somewhat defensively. "I just wanted to know..." she looked around and made sure neither of the stallions were in the room. "How?"

"Whadda ya mean 'how'?" Applejack asked suspiciously.

"As in... how?" Luna whispered and glanced down momentarily.

There stood the dawn of realization on Applejack's face as she grinned like a crescent moon on her side. "Ohhh. That. You tellin' me you've never done it before?" she teased and nudged the pegasus, making her giggle slightly.

Luna regained her composure as she finished scrubbing and turned to the earth pony. "Well... no. Not per say, for a - time." She was about to say a few thousand years, then remembered Applejack still thought she was just Selene the poor but honest farmer/gardener.

Applejack whistled. "Girl, you got some patience with a figure like yours. Heck, ah wouldn't be surprised if you were in one of those Playmares that Big Mac has." she giggled.

Luna turned scarlet and turned away.

Applejack's jaw dropped. "You are?!" she said, almost shouting.

"Sort of. I'll explain later." Luna replied and avoided her accusing gaze. Much later.

Applejack chuckled lightly. "Well, take good care of him ya hear? If his heart got broken by anypony, me an' Applebloom would have to do something to the mare that broke him. Something... drastic." she said.

Luna shuddered as she thought of what that could mean. "I... I will, AJ. You have my word as a pr- pony friend!" she cried . She'd almost blown her cover again. The sooner she can tell everypony that she's Luna, the better.

Applejack raised an eyebrow questioningly and turned back to the stove. "Ahhh! It's burnin' up!" she cried and hopped around, trying to cool down the pie she'd made and slipped on some oven mitts that fit snugly over her hooves..

"When did you make that?" Luna asked and eyed the slightly burnt pie.

"Ah always had a celebratory pie in case Caramel finally made his move." she grinned cheekily.

Luna raised her eyebrows and laughed. "Is it alright?"

"Yes. Thankfully ah got it out in time and saved it." AJ sighed and waved the smoke away. "C'mon. Grab those candles an' lets get ready." she grinned.

"Candles?" Luna asked and tilted her head slightly.

"It's yer first date. Ah wanna show you how it's done, then me an' 'Mel'll get out yer way and leave you two alone." AJ grinned again and nudged her forwards.

Luna folded her wings and removed the scrub from her hoof and grabbed the candles in her mouth. Thankfully the wrappings were still on them so she didn't taste the wax.

The two girls trotted into the dining room and set everything up.

Luna frowned as she only saw two spaces. "Applejack? There's only two seats."

"Eeyup. Me an' caramel are gonna be in the living room, giving you two yer privacy." Applejack smiled.

"Well that's very thoughtful of you. Thank you." Luna smiled back and curtseyed.

Applejack waved a hoof and brought her hat over her eyes. "Aw shucks, Selly."

They walked into the living room and waved the boys over. "Nope. Not you 'Melly. We're gonna be eatin' in here. They're gonna be eatin' in there."

Caramel's eyes lit up as he sat back down, spreading himself over the sofa where Big Mac had been sitting. "Go get 'em bud." he said and winked to his friend.

Big Mac winked back and smiled at Luna, who led him to his spot and sat down in hers.

"And here's the pie." Applejack proclaimed, proudly as she brought the semi-burnt pie through and cut it into two pieces; one for her and 'Mel. One for Luna and Mac. "Ah'll leave you two alone." she grinned and closed the door to the living room.

Big Mac looked at Luna and smiled. He got up, as a gentlecolt should, and cut her a piece of the pie. "Anything else m'lady?" he asked.

She blushed, "No thank you, Sir Mac." she giggled in response as he bowed respectfully and trotted back to his seat opposite her. She noticed the unopened bottle of wine near her, so she decided to open it and pour herself a glass, then floated over to 'Sir Mac' and poured him a glass. "IS that enough, Sir knight?" she asked in a princess manner.

Mac bowed in his chair, "Eeyup, my princess." he chuckled.

She batted her eyelashes at him and sat back down in her own chair, where she lifted up the knife and fork elegantly and began to eat her pie. "Mmm. This is delicious, wouldn't you say so, Big Macintosh?"

"Eeyup." Mac replied, staring down at his food, wishing nothing more than to cut the chit-chat and just take her upstairs. "It sure is."

Luna put down her fork and gazed at him, giggling softly has she watched him try to be a gentlecolt. "Oh you poor dear." she murmured and got up to wipe a bit of pie away from his cheek. "I have an idea." she whispered to him.

"Oh?" he murmured, thinking more or less with his 'head' right now.

"Shh. We might disturb the two next door." she giggled and gestured to the door leading into the living room. "Plus... I'm not very hungry for food now."

"Oh." Big Mac grinned, all thought process running through his crotch before his brain.

She led him by the hoof up the stairs, swishing her tail in his face as she did so. She heard him breath it in and kiss it lightly, making her giggle again.

Big Mac took the lead and put a hoof around her and steered her towards his open door.

She allowed herself to be taken by him as they flopped onto the bed and kissed, she wrapping her tail around him. She pulled away momentarily and giggled as he still had his lips pursed for a minute. "We had better be quiet, else we'll disturb Applebloom and her friends." she whispered.

Mac sighed and closed the door by reaching out a hoof and kicking it shut. He groaned as he would have to get up and lock it too.

XXX

Luna giggled as he gently moved her aside and went to lock the door. She gave him a small pinch on the flank, making him lose his stride momentarily.

He turned back to her and bowed. "What does m'lady wish of her brave knight?" he asked, putting on a fancy accent that contrasted so much with his regular southern accent.

Luna silently beckoned him over and moved her tail aside. "Enter the dungeon and retrieve the prize, Sir Mac." she said with a sultry tone that just put Big Mac on the map.

He swaggered over to her and pressed his front hooves on either side of her head, then leaned down ans kissed her neck, making her moan slightly.

"Take my my knight in red armour." she whispered and braced herself. Over a thousand years since the last time anypony ever oooooh...

He slowly began to toy with her as he pressed his rock hard member against her most private of areas, gently grazing the surface and began slowly entering.

Luna moaned quite audibly as she stroked his mane and kissed his nuzzle. He grinned and pushed a little bit further in. She gasped as she felt the width of him. "By the moon, how..." she trailed off as he pulled out and showed her his vast member.

"They don't call me Big Mac for nothin'" he grinned and re assumed his vantage point.

"Wait." Luna gasped and rolled him off her and onto his back, so she was on top.

Mac looked up at her very confused, then grinned as he saw her plan.

She slowly worked her way down from his face, kissing his neck, his muscular torso and finally she reached her prize. Oh my word! That will split me in half! Especially in this form. she thought and licked her lips and began toying with him.

Mac gasped as she slipped her lips over his tip and worked her tongue around the end.

Luna pulled away, leaving a trail of saliva behind. She smiled as she began to run her tongue along it's length. This is my Hooverest...

She glanced up and saw Mac panting like a dog as he urged her to continue. Willing her to let her do what she wanted. So she did. She stroked the base of the shaft and cradled his testicles gently, taking great care with them; then she moved her mouth up to it's top and allowed more of it to enter her mouth. She smiled as Mac gave a long moan of pleasure.

"Would you like me to stop?" she giggled, mouth full of Mac.

"Don't you bucking dare." Mac moaned and pounded at the bed, commanding her to continue.

"Your wish is my command my knight." the princess chuckled and took the full shaft in her mouth. She swore she felt it reaching down her oesophagus.

She gagged involuntary and Mac looked up, a hurt look on his face.

"Mmmph ." Luna grunted and moved up and down on his shaft. OK let's not go that far again. she told herself and licked the top of it.

She finally stopped with a loud *plop* noise and smacked her lips together.

Now it was his turn. "Are you ready to be ravished m'lady?" he grinned as she hovered over him.

"Are you, my knight?" she grinned back and lowered herself, feeling the warm tip of him touch her lips. She moaned softly, then loudly as he slipped further and further into her.

She felt like she really was going to split in two when she finally felt the base of his groin against her. She slowly rocked backwards and forwards, letting him get accustomed to her.

Mac was stunned. He'd never experienced ecstasy like this before. Not from anypony, or anything. And he hung around with Caramel most of the time.

When Luna had decided he'd had enough of a massage of her walls, she moved up and down with powerful beats of her wings. This drove Mac crazy. She could feel him tensing and pulses through his stallionhood inside her.

Big Mac gave a long moan and gasped as he felt something stir inside him. He felt the warmth spreading through his groin and up into Luna.

Luna felt it too. A surging rush of him running through her. She decided to pull up a bit, lest he reach her vital organs and felt it deposit mainly in her desired area. As she lifted up, she decided to lick the moist tip of him, just for a taste.

"Sweet apples." she murmured and wiped some away with her tongue.

"Under a night sky." Mac added as he panted for air, as did she. Their last few moans surely woke the whole of Ponyville the way they were going at it.

Luna rolled off him finally, herself dripping wet, with moist droplets dripping onto the bed spread.

XXX

"My heroic stallion, claimed his prize from the dungeons of Nightmare Moon..." she whispered and kissed him again.

"Eeyup." Mac replied and kissed her back, eager to go at it again.

She smiled and stroked his mane, "Shhh. That nearly destroyed me, I need some time to recover." she chuckled.

"Alright." Mac sighed, disheartened but still held her close. He kissed the top of her head and felt her heavier breathing indicating she had fallen asleep. He wrapped his legs around her and breathed in her corporeal mane again. He sighed sadly and drifted off to sleep.

***

Blueblood was reading the letters of his fellow business colts over the back of Corellia. He always enjoyed his special time with her before she left for home again, even when much bigger things were on the horizon. All the letters sounded the same:

Blueblood

House Aurelius supports you whole heartedly.

Duke Aurelius III

And another:

House Thrace supports thee in thy plan.

Count Thrace VI

The most recent had piqued his interest the most though. "Corellia..." he purred her name and stopped bucking momentarily.

The mare sniffed underneath him and whimpered, "Does it please you m-m-master?"

"Yes, very much so, good girl, there's a good slave. I want you to read this aloud." he said and used his magic to hold it in front of her face, so she could clearly see it and he had both hooves free as he swayed her hips side to side and resumed bucking.

Corellia closed her eyes for a sceond, took a deep breath and read the letter:

Dear Prince Blueblood,

The courier delivering this message is a close friend of mine, he may not be a noble as you wished, but he is still a capable member of this family. he whole heartedly supports your decision and I place my utmost faith in him, as shady as he may appear.

I myself also wish to congratulate you on your plan, I assume other other houses joined as well - hating the royals as much as you or I, and will be joining you at your estate on the following Sunday: the tenth to be precise, I trust all arrangements will be made accordingly.

You will understand.

Sincerely, Lord Duke Admantium I

Corellia gasped as she red her father's name in her father's writing. "My f-father is coming here?" she mumbled and Blueblood promptly smacked the back of her neck for speaking out of term.

"Yes. he is. I trust you will make yourself scarce for the night?" Blueblood said to her coldly.

She nodded her head, terrified of her father more than Blueblood and his vile ways.

"Good girl." Blueblood said as he puled out of her and slapped her flank, just above the cutie mark. "Now get yourself cleaned up and go home." he commanded and turned to his desk again.

Corellia bowed and walked out the door with as much pride as she could muster. She lost it though after a few seconds of leaving the office with it's stains on the floor from past servants.

The butler sneered at her as she walked past. "Nothing but a cheap whore for the master." he wheezed.

"Stuff it, Twelve Trees." she growled at him on her way past, holding her bedraggled tail between her legs again.

Mr Twelve Trees tutted in disgust at her and strutted away, not bothering to get the door for her.

Corellia left the vile mansion and began her journey home, reeking of Blueblood's stench. On the way pas the gate she saw a group of thugs gathered around an obsidian coloured pony, demanding bits from him and roughing him up.

"Here! This fings got some money for us! Get 'im lads!" the largest pony, a great brute of a beast, at least the size of Celestia, commanded the other ponies around him.

"Now, now gentlecolts. I'm sure we can settle this peacefully." the obsidian pony chuckled and dodged a swipe from the thug on his left. "Tut, tut boys. Missed me." he taunted and danced around them, dodging their blows as easy as dodging flies.

"What're ya doing! Get. Him." the leader brute growled and made a swipe of his own. Unfortunately, his gigantic hooves were too much for the pony defending himself as he just barely managed to dodge it and immediately get smacked by another brute to his right.

"Ohh." he groaned and doubled over as they gathered around him and kicked him while he was down.

Corellia sat and watched from the street with a growing sense of dread and fear. She silently wished the beating would stop as she saw the pony on the floor look at her, his fire red mane draping over his blood stained face and busted up nose.

By some small miracle, the leader thug decided they'd had enough and removed his coin purse from him.

"That's mine..." the black pony mumbled through a mouth full of broken teeth.

The leader turned back to him and savagely stomped on his face for good measure.

Once they had left, Corellia rushed over to him and cradled his head in her forelegs. "Shhh. They're gone now." she whispered to him.

"Brandling." the obsidian pony, clearly a pony of great skill, murmured and collapsed in her legs.

Corellia looked around for help and saw a few shuffling past, having witnessed the fight and doing nothing. "Bunch of selfish buckheads is what they are." she grumbled and lifted Brandling onto her back and carried him to her small house, where she prayed to any god that would listen he would get better.

She just barely managed to get him inside before the rain started and the heavens opened.

She filled a bucket with warm water and dipped a sponge in it, squeezing it and letting the warm water cascade down her hoof and onto some of Brandling's wounds.

She took a few bandages that Gepetto had taught her how to use, (being a toymaker one's hooves would occasionally get splinters, big ones) and wrapped them around his middle and forehead, taking care not to graze his horn. She knew that an injured unicorn's horn was as sensitive as having your virginity taken from you. Something she remembered quite well:

The servants had watched her with scowling expressions as she made her way to the office of the master.

She knocked on the door nervously and he opened the door. Back then she had thought he was a gentlecolt, a kind pony. And very handsome, so when she got a special summons directly from im, she felt overjoyed he'd noticed her and made sure to look her best for him.

She shuddered as she remembered what came next.

What comes next.

Those words will haunt her for the rest of her life.

She shivered again and went to take another bath, and try and clean herself from Blueblood's stink. She gently scrubbed that area again, this time massaging it slightly. He's been rougher than usual and had split her a bit evidently, as she brought her hoof away and saw a bit of blood on the sponge.

She choked a sob and trotted back into the living room, where she sank into Gepetto's old chair and watched her guest with intrigue.

He stirred slightly and she hoped he would wake up at that time, hoping for some company other than the flames of the fire mocking her and taunting her.