The intrepid adventurer Rainbow Dash—yes, the Rainbow Dash—needed no new moniker for this adventure. She was awesome enough, thank you very much. She stepped carefully over the ruined castle wall. Her brown fedora was tilted back, her red-rose eyes casting warily about as she turned her torchlight with a steady wing limb. She narrowed her gaze at the tattered banners near the tall arch windows. Vines had slithered in through the broken glass, hugging the dark castle stones.

She had searched long and hard for the Chalice of Shadows, and her quest was finally ending. The mysterious artifact was rumored to have been crafted by Obsidian Enigma, a legendary alchemist unicorn who vanished from Equestria hundreds of years ago. The chalice granted anyone who drank from it the power to control shadows, become one with them, and even commune with the dead.

Eat your heart out, King Sombra, right?

Rainbow hadn’t believed the rumors until she discovered the ancient scrolls hidden in the catacombs of Canterlot Library. Among them were detailed accounts of several towns and villages swallowed in darkness, never to be seen again. The chalice was said to have been taken to an abandoned castle deep within Everfree Forest.

So, here she was. It would have been swell if all she’d had to worry about were traps and monsters, but the fact was she had competition.

Jewel Envy, the Prench archaeologist who desired nothing more than status and power. She didn’t care about the dangers, the history, the needs of the kingdom! All she wanted was for other ponies to grovel at her hooves. Maybe even lick them clean!

Rainbow’s lip curled as she neared the end of a long hallway. Armored suits lined the walls. She eyed them nervously but pressed on. She had to find the Chalice of Shadows before Jewel Envy—

The adventurer stopped short at the grand entryway to what looked to be the throne room. Here, the debris had been cleared, and the carpets restored to their former glory. Banners shimmered as if untouched by time, dark cloth sporting a crescent moon of pale blue. Rainbow gaped, one hoof removing the fedora from her head. “What the hay?”

“It took more than hay to restore this beautiful place of power, ma chérie, but such are my considerable resources. I required an appropriate stage, you see.” The lightly accented voice was smooth and redolent of the wealthy Prench bourgeoisie. It brought to mind fragrant wines, expensive fashion, and ballroom dances.

Rainbow’s eyes snapped up. Further into the great room, ascended on stairs, were two thrones. On the dark blue throne sat a white unicorn wearing a red silk top, red glasses, and dark pants. A ruby amulet on a gold chain sat on her chest, winking brightly. Her indigo hair was pinned back in a loose bun, though rebellious curls framed her sleek face and teased her graceful neck. Rainbow’s mouth pursed. It wasn’t exactly the attire of an evil archaeologist, but she guessed you could argue Jewel Envy had time to prepare. Behind the archaeologist, below the throne dais, were neatly organized supplies—books and crates and the like. An unfortunate sign of just how long she’d been waiting here.

Indeed, the unicorn seemed perfectly at ease as she gazed down at the approaching pegasus with a curling smirk.

It was an unpleasant surprise, but not entirely unexpected. Rainbow had known she’d been behind her rival. What was a surprise was the yellow pegasus caged in the center of the throne room. She looked at Rainbow with wide, desperate hopeful eyes. The fur on her face was matted from countless tears. She was dressed in a dirty white dress, ripped down the side as if she’d been ruthlessly thrown about.

Rainbow dropped her torch and rushed forward, pressing herself against the bars. “A prisoner?! Miss, are you okay?”

The pitiful thing just mewled at her, bowing her head.

Rainbow leaned around the cage and snarled, “Jewel Envy, you’ve gone too far.”

Jewel only laughed. “Oh, that is what I so love about you Rainbow. Your deliciously narrow thinking. Did you really believe I’d have lounged here without some insurance against you? I promise you, Dashie, she is entirely undeserving of your sympathy. I’d ignore her if I were you.”

“Sh-She took me from my village. Please help me!” the pegasus sobbed, reaching out a hoof. She looked so helpless there. Tears had tracked stark trails through the dirt on her face, and even her wings seemed to lack the strength to lift themselves, instead drooping at her sides over the stone floor like slack bits of cloth. How long had she been here? Had she even been given food and water? Rainbow clenched her jaw.

That did it.

“Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!” Rainbow shouted, charging for her rival.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Jewel’s horn glowed, and from behind the throne, she levitated—

“The Chalice of Shadows!” Rainbow hissed. She skidded to a halt.

“Mmm, yes, quite.” Jewel hovered the artifact before her, and Rainbow’s heart sank to see her swirling something in it. It was made of a strange dark metal, polished, with ornate designs featuring glittering sapphires that caught the moonlight through the broken roof.

Rainbow’s wings flared and she set her hooves wide. She was at the base of the stairs now. “Jewel put the chalice down. It isn’t what you think! It has power, but it also corrupts whoever uses it!”

The unicorn scoffed, her eyes narrowing. “You fool. I have quested for this precious relic long before you were even aware of its existence! Do you think me ignorant of its dangers?” Jewel rose to her hooves and glared over her red glasses. “Please. I am an archaeologist. I wield knowledge with grace and wisdom, whereas you buck about like some dirty workhorse. You are nothing but a pawn hurrying hither and thither at your princess’ demand!”

“She’s your princess too, Jewel Envy, and she commands that you release the chalice to me! Her royal guard will be here any minute, so you’d better make this easier on yourself!” A lie. She was here alone, with no promise of backup. But she didn’t have many cards to play.

Jewel tilted her head, her indigo locks shifting with a moonlit sheen. “Tut, tut. Do you think you can fool me so easily, Rainbow Dash? I have my own information network. This place is well hidden, so much so that I had quite enough time to do some interior decorating. I’ve been preparing for you, chérie. I wanted you to see my ascension and to despair.”

Behind Rainbow, she heard the pegasus weeping. “Please. Please help me!”

Her jaw tensed. “If all you wanted was me, then let the other mare go, you coward!”

“Let her go? Whatever for? I was hoping to keep the filly as my personal plaything. Unless… you’d like to take her place?” Jewel Envy batted her eyes with a devilishly innocent curiosity.

Rainbow felt her face flush with heat, but she stomped a hoof. “If you’re set on a fight, Jewel, then have it your way! The chalice and the mare leave with me!” She advanced again, her hooves tromping with determination over the carpeted steps.

Jewel Envy threw her head back and laughed, and it was a truly chilling sound. Rainbow faltered at the bottom of the steps, her brow twitching.

When the evil archaeologist looked at her again, it was with pure and utter contempt, her lips cruelly twisting into a sinister smile. The horrible part…the worst part—

Was that Jewel Envy didn’t lose her perfect symmetry. Her beautiful mystique. Her allure. For as she lifted the chalice up and spoke, Rainbow was completely and utterly arrested.

“Rainbow Dash, you fear what the chalice will do to me. I do not. You wish to fight? Then come. Fight me!” She brought the chalice to her lips and drank deeply.

“No!” Rainbow tried to close the remaining few feet between them, but she was blasted off her hooves and sent flying back by a violet-colored explosion, her fedora slipping off her head and rolling toward the cage. Her training took over, and in mid-air, she flapped her wings and managed to control her fall well enough to effect a less damaging roll. She sprang back up on her hooves, her teeth grit and her body glistening with sweat. She was ready for anything. A crazed Jewel Envy, yes…

But Jewel Envy was gone, and so was the chalice.

What stood in her place was a dark mare with midnight blue hair, a sparkling mane of dark purple, pastel violet, and deep magenta with bold streaks of white through the wavy lengths. The ruby amulet still hung from her neck. The signature diamond cutie mark remained on her flank, though it stood out starkly now on the darker coat. The mare’s eyes were a piercing blue, and they beheld Rainbow like she were an insect about to be stepped on.

But it was when the mare smiled, revealing fangs, that Rainbow snapped out of her shock. Yelling, she flew straight at her foe, one hoof extended, and her wings beating hard.

…Not too hard, incidentally. Just for the record, she could totally go faster than this.

Jewel Envy pointed a hoof and howled, “You see what your arrogance brings? Night Envy rises! Now the shadows take you!”

Rainbow, experienced flier that she was, spotted movement below her just a split second before a strange shadow, born from the gloom of the broken roof, speared upward. She did a barrel roll out of the way just at the last second, only to flap frantically as she saw another shadow strike towards her from another direction.

The momentum of her first dodge was too much, and the enemy was far too close. The mysterious entity swatted her in the chest, knocking her down. She hit the ground, though luckily, she had already flown low enough that it hadn’t done more than stung. Growling, she struggled to her hooves, but her eyes popped wide as she saw Jewel Envy—no, Night Envy—rear back and stomp both her hooves down.

Rainbow rolled away, just in time to see dark monsters crawling out of Night Envy’s shadow. The villain laughed maniacally as the shadow creatures chased after Rainbow, who ran back toward the throne. She dove behind the dais, just as one of the shadows lunged at her. It struck the pile of books and supplies in the lower alcove behind the thrones, scattering things everywhere.

She hadn’t had a plan before coming to this castle. Her intention had simply been to kick flank and take names.

Rainbow broke character for a moment to whisper hoarsely to herself. “Where the heck did Rarity learn that kind of magic?!”

But she didn’t have time to dwell on the particulars of how this scene was going. They had a rough script. The story beats, really. And some ground rules to keep anyone from getting seriously hurt. But in truth? Rainbow still wanted Rarity to demonstrate why she should submit. And so far?

Sweet Celestia, she was doing a really good job.

Rainbow didn’t want to quit just yet, though. She felt like her pride was on the line. She’d fight within the agreed-upon parameters, and Rarity would have to beat her first just like this was a real spar. The best part was, Rainbow was pretty sure Fluttershy was some sort of extra objective for her to fight for. Wouldn’t it be awesome to nail that win? Sure, it might mean she didn’t get to do this again with Flutters and Rares, but go big or go home, right? She just wasn’t the kind of mare to back down from a challenge.

She’d spotted all of these supplies tucked in the back before, and she thought the key to the cage could be found here. But where?

Only Rainbow the Adventurer didn’t have time to look because the monsters were here. Immersed once more in her role, Rainbow did a back flip over a leaping shadow, using her wings for lift. The other shadow had risen from the scattered supplies to come at her swinging.

There was a moment when the creature had appeared to come in close, and she half thought its fist had gone through her when out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the key glittering on the ground.

“Aha!” She rolled away from the shadow creatures, panting as she stooped down and grabbed the key with her teeth.

That’s when she heard Night Envy roar with rage. “Hypocrite! You beg for combat and yet flee? Come here, wretch!”

Rainbow saw another shadow tendril erupt from the darkness cast behind the throne. Whump. The tendril struck and she flew. Her wings scrambled. She couldn’t pull the same maneuver she did last time; she was going too fast!

She felt Night Envy’s aura catch her for a split second, slowing her descent before she hit the castle floor. Even with that timely intervention, she still felt the air leave her lungs. When her lungs started working again, she gasped and wheezed. Over her, she saw her enemy closing in slowly.

“Now, if you wish to take the mare’s place, you really must take better care, Dashie. I prefer my bedmates whole.” Night Envy scolded, her lips pulling back in a cruel smile. Her eyes narrowed. “But if you insist on resisting, I’ll oblige your wish for blood!”

Night Envy’s horn glowed as she whirled around. Rainbow had a split second to take in Envy’s magical aura surrounding her before she was yanked forward with a startled yelp into the evil mare’s striking back hooves.

“Ooof!” Rainbow was sent flying, for the third time, toward the cage. Night Envy charged, attempting to trample her. Rainbow rolled away and into a crouch, ducking a practiced kick from her foe. Jewel Envy had studied martial arts and her new form only enhanced her abilities.

Rainbow grunted as she caught a downward strike from the evil mare’s forehoof on the shoulder. She stumbled, then she saw her very own shadows rise and grip her, pulling her toward the ground. Rainbow yelled in alarm, then looked desperately toward the yellow pegasus. The poor mare was pressed against the opposite bars, shying away from the fight next to her prison. Her eyes were wide.

With a desperate whip of her head, Rainbow let go of the key. She watched it fly toward the pegasus. “Use it!” she shouted before she turned a furious eye on Night Envy.

With a shout, Rainbow bucked, stomped, and kicked with her hoofs, striking at the shadows trying to drag her down. She didn’t feel herself hit anything, but the shadows vanished in wisps of smoke.

She looked up just in time to see Night Envy’s forehoof flash, striking her across the face. Rainbow staggered back, her cheek stinging. She saw the same two shadow creatures from before hurrying to rejoin the fight, so she leaped up into the air, her wings flapping, and spun.

“Hiyah!”

She struck Night Envy in the chest with a spinning back kick. Not as hard as she could, naturally. Rainbow’s kicks may not have been the fabled strength of the Apples, but she could knock a hole into most walls if she wanted to thanks to her rigorous lifestyle.

Night Envy faltered from the blow, gasping. Rainbow turned her attention to the shadows, less afraid of them now. “Come on, punks!” she snarled. She spun, her wings flared wide, wing joints turned down, and watched as her extended limbs cut through the shadow creatures.

They let out a hiss before vanishing in a wisp of smoke.

“You may have control of the shadows, but it looks like you need more practice,” Rainbow sneered as she picked her fedora up off the floor and pulled the brim low over her heated stare.

“Do I?” Night Envy laughed. She drew up tall and stepped forward, the shadows beneath her rising and lapping like dark flames.

Rainbow’s eyes flickered to the side. Behind Envy, the yellow pegasus was freeing herself from her cage. She kept looking over her shoulder with terrified glances as she worked the key in the lock.

The adventurer smirked. “Yeah. Too bad I’ll have you beat come sunrise. The second morning’s light touches you, it’s over. Or didn’t you read that part of the ancient texts?”

“You won’t last that long,” Night Envy spat, scraping the ground with her hoof.

Rainbow lowered her head and squeezed her wings to her sides. “We’ll see about that…”

They both charged forward.

The adventurer went high, hoping to avoid another trap or shadow spear. Her wings catapulted her up as she raised a forehoof, shouting her defiance…

And Night Envy’s eyes sharpened as her horn flared to life and her magic surrounded Rainbow. The pegasus only had a split second to cry out before the evil mare swung Rainbow through the air.

Wham.

Rainbow could feel it in her back and wings. She’d felt her descent slow just before impact, allowing her a chance to brace, but it had still hurt. She groaned as she fought to sit up, using her wings for an added push. She tried to lash out before even fully rising, kicking with a hind hoof, but Night Envy dodged it easily, cuffing Rainbow on the head like she were a naughty foal misbehaving. The nature of the attack stung far more than the strike itself. She was a brave adventurer, not some weakling to push around!

The evil mare slammed a hoof into Rainbow’s chest, pinning her back to the ground. With bared teeth Rainbow struggled, trying to push the hoof off her. She raised a defiant glare, even as the shadows stirred beneath her.

Unicorns. What cheaters!

“I won’t stop,” she panted, the side of her face stinging as her head throbbed from where it had smacked onto the floor. “You’ll have to tie me up!”

She clenched her muscles to hide the shiver of…delight. It warred with her competitive spirit something awful. She was annoyed, and still intended to struggle till she was well and truly defeated. Paradoxically, she’d wanted to win. And also wanted to lose. Her capture needed to feel real enough for her. She couldn’t bow to just anypony! And now…? Had that fateful moment come? Was Rarity her owner, now? Rainbow clamped down on another excited shiver.

Not yet!

Night Envy tilted her head as the shadows rose about Rainbow, wrapping around her legs. “My tragic hero.” She loomed as she drew nearer, her lips curling upward. Rainbow’s resistant sneer faltered. “Yes,” the villain breathed. “Mine.”

Rainbow could feel the darkness squeezing now, holding her in place. She strained against the shadows, eyes squeezed shut against the beautiful dark mare whose possessive words made her cunt twinge, her wings flapping as she yelled and growled. She could feel the hold on her slipping. She was almost free—!

She felt something hard clap over her hind legs. “Huh?” Rainbow’s eyes snapped open and she stared. Her eyes widened. “You?!”

The yellow pegasus smiled at her shakily, her hair concealing half her face as she carried another pair of manacles in her mouth. There was a chain running from them to the ones already fastened.

Rainbow shook her head, stunned. “You’re working with her?” She tried to fight, to pull away from the shadow tendrils holding her down, but she felt her strength leaving her. The betrayal had disrupted her flow more than the magic shadows, the blows, or the stunning transformation of her foe.

She watched in shock as the traitorous pegasus fastened the manacles to her forelegs. The yellow mare said to her brightly. “So very sorry, Dashie. But…you should have listened to Jewel Envy.”

And Rainbow finally realized that this contest had always been more than just a show of skill, strength, and even will.

It had been a game of wits.

Rainbow ceased her struggles as she accepted her fate. She couldn’t bring herself to raise a hoof against the mare she’d fought so hard to save.

She was conquered.

…Finally.

Weeks she’d waited for this. She’d almost vibrated with anticipation, hounding Rarity nearly every day for ideas and hints of what was to come. She’d even amended some of her permissions for the play date to allow for a more satisfying battle.

She wanted to be their toy.

And she definitely wanted to be Rarity’s new brat.

So even knowing that the contest was over with, Rainbow didn’t turn the volume down on her defiance. If anything, she kicked it up a notch, leveling an accusatory stare at the other pegasus, who shrank away. Then Night Envy put a comforting hoof over her subordinate, and the smaller mare seemed to grow an inch as she straightened. With a steeled gaze, she answered Rainbow’s unspoken question. “I’m Dandelion, Night Envy’s devoted servant. A pleasure to meet you.”

“And she was never in any danger… Were you, mon amour?” Night Envy asked Dandelion sweetly.

Dandelion shook her head, her face melting to one of open adoration.

Rainbow made a face and turned away. Her heart was racing.

“And now I believe, dear Rainbow…” Rainbow turned just her eyes. She saw Night Envy lean toward her, her forehoof still planted on Rainbow’s chest, and a smug look on her beautiful face. “I do believe I’ve won,” she hissed.

Dandelion shivered as she observed her mistress levitate Rainbow over to a wooden cross rack waiting to the side against the wall. Moonlight splashed down, illuminating Rainbow’s snarling face as her wings futilely beat the air. The yellow pegasus could see the concentration on her mistress’ face and the perspiration on her dark brow, but the unicorn was otherwise steady in her steps as she followed her new prize. She’d levitated heavier fainting couches before.

Fluttershy still found herself impressed. Rarity had worked diligently to prepare for this night. The ruby amulet of transmogrification had done a splendid job of transforming Rarity’s appearance into that of a dark and evil unicorn. Thankfully, the spell would last an hour and didn’t require persistent concentration. It only needed the wearer to visualize the cosmetic changes and to speak a magic word.

Twilight had acquired the enchanted necklace for a Nightmare Night performance about Luna’s fall. When she’d heard about Rarity’s plans for the evening, she’d readily volunteered the item.

Speaking of Twilight… She knew now. Not just about Rarity and Fluttershy, but about Rainbow Dash, too. The couple had gone to their royal friend for assistance and revealed things together. They’d double-checked with Rainbow beforehoof, and the Wonderbolt had impatiently reminded them it was fine. More than fine, she was going to check out a book from Twilight’s library on what being a sub or a Dom even meant!

Fluttershy had felt nervous but had already planned to talk to Twilight on her own, so it seemed only fair to be open. And a good thing too; she’d been helpful. While Rarity and Spike caught up in the hall, Fluttershy had found herself confiding in Twilight in the Cutie Mark Map Room, sharing her nervousness over the upcoming scene. In response, Twilight hugged her, offering a kind smile.

“It’s okay, Flutters. Just remember your safeword and trust Rarity. She seems very attentive. Did you both discuss everything in detail? Were you clear on what you don’t want to see or be part of?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, cheeks warming. “I… I’ve been through enough with you all not to worry so much about the fighting part. Especially because Rarity explained it’s just sparring, and neither will be trying to hurt the other. But… I still worry somepony could get hurt by accident.”

Twilight tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Sparring like that does carry a risk for injuries. What if you had a first-aid kit on hoof?”

Fluttershy’s eyes lit up. “That sounds perfect!”

The alicorn nodded. “I’ll ask Nurse Redheart to put something together. Anything else on your mind?”

Fluttershy traced a circle on the floor. “Do you think Rainbow would be disappointed in me if I end up using my safeword?” She glanced over her shoulder and whispered, “Even Rarity’s excited about this! I just… I don’t know how I’ll feel about Rainbow experiencing pain. What if it’s too frightening? Or if I can’t easily excuse myself? I can’t very well sit the whole session out, can I?”

Twilight gave her a thoughtful look. “If Dashie’s coming to me later for advice, I’ll make sure she understands about consent. It matters between any partners, not just Doms and subs. This scene may be a way of bringing her into your dynamic, but your feelings still matter. And with Rarity… Fluttershy, she’s your owner. Talk to her. Using your safeword should never be a problem.” She gave a wry smile and a shrug. “Ultimately, though, Rainbow has her own needs. Some things may feel scary to you, but she might enjoy them. Just remember, everything has been discussed and agreed on. If you’re too immersed, remind yourself it’s a scene. Think of the props, the cheesy lines—”

“Cheesy—?! I beg your pardon!” Fluttershy winced at Rarity’s exclamation from the hallway, which only prompted Spike to ask what had insulted her, with Twilight backpedaling and Fluttershy turning beet-red as she shrank into herself. Well, that had been…its own thing.

Anyway. The amulet.

It didn’t impart any special power beyond changing one’s physical appearance. Everything else Rarity did with her ability and ingenuity. Some clever prestidigitation she’d learned to spice up her fashion shows, and her natural talent at telekinesis. Fluttershy smiled fondly. Ah, and of course, her wonderful creativity. The transformation itself had proven to be rather anticlimactic during testing, but a chat with Starlight Glimmer had gotten Rarity’s hooves on one of Trixie’s colored flashbangs, giving her a much more explosive entrance.

Once one mixed all of that style and hard work with some simple shadow illusions, then the result was the dastardly villain, Night Envy. It was a performance deserving of an award. Fluttershy couldn’t help but think Rarity had missed her calling as an actress. Or a special FX pony, even.

The lengths Rarity had gone through for this night were more than proof of her commitment to making her subs happy.

Fluttershy’s eyes flickered and her heart kicked.

Subs. Plural, now.

Ah, the weeks of effort had been worth it for this! Fluttershy and Rarity had labored together in secret to prepare the Castle of the Two Sisters—with Twilight’s permission of course. Fluttershy had asked Harry the Bear to carry up the very rack that Rainbow was being fastened to now. The large item itself had been discovered in the castle’s basement, along with a pillory and shackles. It had been something of a shock to find, but Twilight had assured Rarity that Celestia and Luna had never found any need for them, thankfully.

With their friend’s blessing, they restored the old fixtures and relocated them to the throne room. The cross rack had thick wooden boards that Rarity sanded smooth and stained dark, adding dark leather cushions she’d made herself.

But now was not the time for Fluttershy’s thoughts.

Dandelion got back into character as she saw Night Envy strap the last binding over Rainbow Dash’s limbs, just under the shackles.

The dark mare stroked the side of Rainbow’s face with indulgent privilege, and the adventurer glared daggers at her. “Ah, Rainbow Dash. This has been a moment we’ve been waiting a long time for, ma chérie.” Rainbow was forced to stand upright and totally spread, just like her favorite hero, Daring Do, in the titular adventure called, The Ring of Destiny, though she looked none too pleased with her position. Night Envy only chortled at the fiery glare on her prisoner’s face. “You know… My darling servant has been anxious to meet you.”

Dandelion trembled as her mistress’ eyes cut towards her, starkly beautiful and filled with desire. “Dandelion, won’t you come and greet our new guest properly?” Night Envy prompted silkily.

“Yes, miss,” Dandelion chirped. Her voice held a tremor of excitement. And yes, a little fear, too. It was always a little scary, being with a new partner. But as Dandelion approached, beholding her mistress’ captive, she took note of how thoroughly restrained Rainbow Dash was. So tamed. So controllable.

Though the adventurer’s eyes burned into her, Dandelion withstood the glare with extraordinary peace. All because Night Envy, her beloved mistress, was here.

As she neared Rainbow Dash, her head cocked to the side. “She’s very pretty, miss. May I…touch her?” Her voice was breathless. Her heart was working hard in her chest.

Night Envy purred as she pressed against Dandelion and kissed her cheek. She melted at her mistress’ touch. “But of course, pet. You’ve been so good. You’ve earned this treat. Just continue to please me, and you’ll continue to enjoy this privilege.”

Dandelion exhaled shakily and nodded. She approached Rainbow, her wings floofing and shifting on her back. Rainbow’s tail twitched like it was trying to flag.

“Touch me and lose a hoof!” the adventurer snapped. And yet she leaned forward in the restraints. Was she daring it to happen? Subtly begging for it? That was body language the servant didn’t have an eye for.

Dandelion paused, one trembling hoof outstretched. In any other situation, she wouldn’t have just shrunk back from such hostility, she would have outright fled! But here?

She watched as a shadow tendril reached up and roughly bopped Rainbow on the nose. “Hey!” The adventurer gave Night Envy a narked look.

Envy sighed as her horn glowed. “Rainbow, you disappoint me, but your uncouth behavior is expected. Are all adventurers as crass as you? No matter, we have ways of stifling such brutish language.”

Rainbow’s eyes popped wide as Dandelion watched a levitating leather muzzle slap onto her face, then fasten around her head and squeeze her mouth shut, smothering her shouts of protest. Dandelion let out a little sigh of relief, then blushed when Night Envy winked at her. “She’s all yours, my dear.”

Dandelion looked at Rainbow once more with avid interest. The blue pegasus thrashed and pulled at her bindings, for all the good it would do her. She was still shackled at the hooves even if she did get free. But Dandelion felt her tremors ease as she reached out and lay a soft hoof on Rainbow’s chest.

The adventurer suddenly went very still, panting. Her eyes appeared wondering at first before Rainbow seemed to recall she was supposed to be glaring, but Dandelion could feel the other mare’s heart racing. Now that she wasn’t struggling, the trembles in Rainbow’s body were clearer. She was nervous, the poor thing. Didn’t she understand yet?

Dandelion ran her hoof down Rainbow’s chest floof, through her blue fur. Down, down further, until she was stroking the other mare’s belly, then her hoof drifted lower still to the teats just over her groin, looking soft but modest compared to those before her. They were a gentle blue as opposed to Night Envy’s (ordinarily) pale pink. Dandelion caressed one blue teat, making Rainbow shudder, before letting her hoof trail to the adventurer’s flank.

The muscles were taut and quivering, but Rainbow wasn’t struggling with her bindings anymore. She forgot to glare again and simply watched Dandelion. Her eyes were wide. So wide. Her nostrils flared and her chest rose and fell deeply, stirring her chest floof, as Dandelion met her gaze and rose up. She placed her hooves on the boards and leaned into Rainbow’s neck, breathing deeply.

Sweat. Dirt.

Adrenaline.

She leaned into Rainbow’s stiff ear and whispered. “You don’t have to worry, y’know. She’s a good mistress. If you behave.” And that was the key there. Only those who followed instructions, who respected Night Envy’s vision, could truly be rewarded.

But did Rainbow want a kiss? Or a kick?

“What does my pet think of our guest?” Night Envy asked behind her.

Dandelion lowered back down and looked earnestly at her mistress. “She’s nice. But…” And here she looked up at Rainbow with a small smile. “The poor thing has been through quite a bit. May I freshen her up for you, miss?”

Rainbow’s wings sprang wide with telltale arousal. She stared at Fluttershy as if uncomprehending. Yes, Fluttershy. It was clear that her longtime friend had slipped character because all the feigned hostility vanished from her body. She hung loose from the restraints, just staring.

Her face said it all.

Fluttershy is the one suggesting something lewd?

Fluttershy felt her cheeks color. Yes. Her. Now Rainbow would learn there was more to her shy friend than tea parties and cute animals.

Night Envy flashed Dandelion a radiant smile, and the servant’s spine did not curl.

“What a splendid idea, sweetling,” Night Envy said with a nod. “Please fetch the supplies.”

Dandelion nearly tripped over her own hooves to carry out her orders.

It felt so good to obey. Dashie would see.

Honestly…she had no choice.

Rainbow Dash was cool. She was. She was totally cool. Just a little nervous. Y’know. It’s not like she was captured by her archnemesis and faced with forcible cleaning all that often. It was her first time, all right? She could be forgiven a little tension right now.

Anyway, just how thorough was this gonna be…? It was Dandelion doing it, right? Maybe she’d just throw a bucket of soapy water on her. Yeah, that had to be it. Right?

I mean, come on, it was Flutters.

Night Envy gazed up at her, cocking her head to one side, then the other, her glossy dark curls shifting over her shoulders. She smiled, showing fangs. “Dashie, you are quite the specimen. Your time spent in the Royal Guard did you wonders, I see. Pity you aimed your strength and grit to a doomed endeavor. This was my destiny, you see.” She stepped closer, rising up to lean on a board and gaze deeply into Rainbow’s glare. “It is quite amusing, non? How fate twists our lives so. I am delighted to finally have you, chérie. And while I may be harsh with you, I am quite fair, as Miss Dandelion can attest.”

Rainbow growled deeply at her. She tugged at her bindings once, hard. I’ll knock your teeth out, lady, her look said.

Not really, obvs. She just felt pouty that she lost, and it felt good to be a brat about it. Rarity had said it was fine. When Rainbow had gotten that book about kink from Twilight, though, she’d had some thoughts about Rainbow’s defiant attitude about the whole affair.

“If Rarity is anticipating it from you, I suppose it’s fine,” Twilight had said with a crooked grin. “Just remember it’s not just about you, Dashie. Rarity has her own needs, and Fluttershy is there too. Scene or not, she’s sensitive and she looks up to Rarity. Try to find a balance.” Twilight looked over her shoulder nervously. “And if Spike comes around asking questions, just tell him you guys are on a private errand!”

Back in the present.

Night Envy chuckled and kissed the side of Rainbow’s muzzle. This was about when Dandelion returned carrying two buckets of water hanging on either end of a stick in her mouth. She set down her burden, looking relieved, and slid a small cloth bag off her wing limb as well.

“Timely as always, mon amour,” Night Envy said with an approving nod.

Dandelion gave her a loving look before she slipped out of her dirty white dress, then nosed through the bag’s contents and produced two sponges and a bottle of soap. She dumped some of the soap into one of the buckets and dipped the sponge into it. Holding the dripping sudsy sponge in one hoof, she wiped the dirt from her muzzle, then producing a small washcloth from the bag, she wiped her face dry. Now free of her costume, she reclaimed the soapy sponge from the bucket and approached a newly struggling Rainbow.

Rainbow’s wings flapped as she shook her head and tried to free herself. Night Envy’s response to her flailing wing limbs was to strap them against her body with a long belt she procured from a nearby box of supplies. No small task considering how strong Rainbow’s wings were, never mind the stiffening arousal that had them opened wide. Dedicated to her role, even muzzled, Rainbow fumed in her mind.

This wasn’t happening! How could she have ended up here?

The answer, of course, was the traitorous pegasus, Dandelion. If she hadn’t stabbed Rainbow in the back, then Rainbow would have defeated Night Envy and gotten the Chalice of Shadows! She huffed bitterly.

Her dad had tried to warn her about pretty mares…

Dandelion regarded Rainbow with visible exasperation. Inwardly, the Wonderbolt was reminded of the times when Fluttershy was trying to give Angel a bath. It was an affectionate if put-upon look. When Night Envy’s assistant spoke, that was precisely the kind of energy in her voice.

“Now really, Rainbow. This is no way to behave! We cannot care for you if you prove difficult.”

Red in the face and grateful that the mask was covering it, Rainbow pulled as far forward as she could in her restraints and screamed wordlessly, BITE ME.

A shadow tendril rose up and shoved Rainbow back against the rack. She saw Dandelion give her mistress a grateful look before she began her work.

Rainbow watched with growing heat as Dandelion first scrubbed her legs, then slowly worked her way up to her hips and flanks. The yellow mare worked the soap through Rainbow’s blue coat.

It felt good. Titillating. She never thought she’d use that word about anything Fluttershy did. She half-expected to see pigs flying. Instead, her eyes drifted over Fluttershy’s shapely form. The glow of her sunny hide. The flowery scent of her hair.

She’d noticed it before during their last session, and it was almost like a switch flipping on one of Twilight’s machines… Fluttershy? She was kind of hot.

This took so much of Rainbow’s attention, that she didn’t see Night Envy approach with a sponge of her own until it was too late.

At her alarmed look, Envy scoffed. “Oh please, Rainbow Dash. You honestly thought I wouldn’t find an excuse to lay hooves on a handsome wretch like you? It would be such a waste, oui? Magic just cannot compare to physical delights.”

The adventurer yelled, struggling anew as her evil foe, an enemy of many years, and just an all-around jerk, defiled her with great relish.

Another new perspective she’d had to contend with in just a short amount of time. Rarity was hot too, even transformed as she was. It wasn’t so much that Rainbow hadn’t ever been with mares before. She’d had a dalliance or two. But her friends? She’d just never thought to look at them this way.

And holy hay, this was intense. It was one thing to have just Fluttershy groom her. Now Rarity, too? They were just exploring her all over, and she had no way of moving away or stopping anything. They’d see that place in her fur coat where the clippers nicked a little too much. The split ends in her mane! And did she actually smell?

Rainbow felt her embarrassment twist inside her as she watched these two mares…just…touch her all over. She felt the cool soapy water cascading down her hind legs. The soft sponges circled and circled, and she turned her eyes toward the cracked ceiling, staring up at the moon. She tried to gulp in the air. Her chest seized, and she tried again, squeezing her eyes shut as she wrenched defiantly at her restraints. If she could just get free! Maybe?

Her cunt was tingling, but she played the role of the defiant hero to mask her need. Twilight’s words ran through her head again.

Balance? Here?

Rainbow shrieked and tried to close her legs as her captors moved toward her groin with their sponges, but thanks to how spread her hindlegs were, she couldn’t quite close…

“Hmm? Something the matter, Dashie?” Night Envy asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Is our filthy hero afraid of being truly cleansed?” The unicorn circled her sponge on the inside of Rainbow’s quivering thigh, drifting ever higher. She rose up, leaning on the rack, and Rainbow turned her face away, simultaneously biting back a squeal as Dandelion brushed the sensitive place between her legs. “Oh, our brave adventurer would love for people to believe how virtuous she is, but the fact is you’re a beast of passion that needs to be broken in.”

Rainbow shouted from her throat when she felt Night Envy bite and pull her ear, forcing her to turn her head. She glared as hard as she could at the villainous mare, but even she knew the note of lust and trepidation in her eyes was just too obvious.

Was this real? Was this really happening?

Night Envy leaned in and nuzzled Rainbow’s nose as she breathed, “Do not despair, Dashie. You will not hate all of it.”

Rainbow’s gaze fluttered as she felt Dandelion firmly press her sponge against Rainbow’s sex and move it back and forth, even going so far as to scrub further back at the asshole, pushing past clenched cheeks. Rainbow’s breath struggled through a tightened throat. Her vaginal lips tingled with every pass of the soft and porous sponge, her clit twinging at the sudsy caresses.

It took her almost half a minute to remember she was supposed to be struggling.

As Dandelion did this, Night Envy let her sponge trail over Rainbow’s leg to the place over her groin where her teats were. She circled the silky sponge over Rainbow’s sensitive mounds, tweaking the perking nipples and sending jolts of pleasure down into Rainbow’s groin and up her barrel. Rainbow stared in stunned fascination as she watched these mares have their way with her.

It felt…good. So good. Her eyes fluttered and she lost herself in it. Just for one exquisite moment. Then clarity returned to her gaze as she remembered her part in this kinky play.

She was supposed to struggle! She had to do something! She couldn’t just give in!

She half-yelled, half-groaned, trying to shift her hips away. The rack shuddered as she tossed back against it, pulling up hard on the bindings on her forelegs as if she could climb away from the violations. Her hindlegs tugged at her restraints, kicking and jerking futilely.

But even her character’s thoughts gave way to perverse delight.

No. No! Not there. Not her private, secret places. Those weak and dirty places. They couldn’t just… They couldn’t—

Her teats tingled, and she twitched as the soap and water dripped from her swollen pussy. If it kept on like this, she’d…

Her breathing came hard through her nose as Night Envy kissed her sweaty neck and murmured. “My sweet Dandelion had it right, methinks. You needed freshening up. That said…” She turned her head and barked, “Dandelion. Rinse!”

“At once, miss!” Dandelion cried out. She pulled away, leaving Rainbow to groan at the loss of pleasure. The servant rushed to the water buckets and grabbed the one that hadn’t been soaped up.

Rainbow choked as she finally caught on to what was happening. She stared at them both wildly.

What?! No way, not that—

Cold water was unceremoniously splashed onto her, and Rainbow screamed. She’d been so close! So close to release, and it was snatched away so brutally. She’d been trying not to cum, but Tartarus, that was just vindictive! Any traces of the lustful fog that had collected around her head were gone. She felt almost ill from the shift.

Night Envy tossed her head back and laughed. No, cackled. Rainbow shouted wordlessly at her, her voice fraying in her throat as she thrust forward in her restraints so hard the heavy rack shuddered. Her wings strained against her bindings, but she couldn’t get them free.

She was in the middle of thrashing back against the rack in a vain hope of knocking the dumb thing over when she saw a shadow tendril rise up, grab one of her blue teats in a tight pinch, and pull.

Rainbow squealed.

She hated to admit it, but she did, okay? That freaking hurt!

Night Envy shoved Rainbow’s face back toward her with a wicked smile. “My dear, if you think this is the worst of it, you are sorely mistaken. Behave, beast, or you’ll have cause to be sorry!” She hummed happily at the look of absolute murder on Rainbow’s masked face. The dark mare swept her sponge over Rainbow’s heaving chest, paying extra attention to her chest floof, before scrubbing Rainbow’s forelegs. She shifted aside so that Dandelion could stand up next to her, and with two hooves glistening with liquid soap, scrubbed at Rainbow’s hair.

“Close your eyes, Dashie,” Dandelion said with just the faintest hints of guilty laughter.

Grudgingly, Rainbow complied. At least Dandelion was being careful as she scrubbed. She grumbled as she felt the other mare’s hooves work over her hair, massaging her head a little. Her scalp tickled as the soap trickled down.

“Step aside, pet. She needs another rinse,” Night Envy said with evident laughter.

Aw, geez—!

Rainbow braced just in time as water was dumped over her head and forelegs. A violent shiver blasted through her as she shrieked. That was so cold! What did they have in that bucket, ice??

Trembling with frigid misery, Rainbow glared through her wet bangs at the two mares who tittered at her expense.

“Oh dear, she looks so unhappy, mistress,” Dandelion remarked with a grin.

Night Envy smiled wolfishly. “Yes, she does look rather miserable, doesn’t she? Ah, ma chérie, we must hasten our cleansing or she may not last. A pity! I thought our erstwhile adventurer was made of sterner stuff.” She clicked her tongue and shook her dark head. “Alas. One simply cannot tell with these things until put to the test.” With a sniff, Envy tilted her head toward Rainbow. “Miss Dandelion, taste her. And do be thorough about it, will you? I’ll not lay my mouth on anything short of pristine. I’ll ready the next stage for our guest’s re-education.”

Rainbow’s eyes snapped to Dandelion, whose fluffed wings sprang open wide with unmasked desire. “Y-Yes, miss!”

The yellow pegasus rushed toward Rainbow, shivering with big blue eyes and a blush on her cheeks, but she was smiling. Rainbow shook her head frantically, trying futilely to squeeze her legs together again.

Not trying too hard, mind you. She’d love an orgasm after all that.

Dandelion cooed at her, one hoof rubbing a trembling leg. “It’s for your own good, you know. Mistress knows what’s best. You’ll learn a lot. You’ll see.” Her eyes turned hooded. “Now… I wonder just how clean you are?”

Rainbow’s breathing grew so fast that she felt dizzy.

Did they mean for Dandelion to…?

Rainbow watched, her heart drumming powerfully in her chest, as she watched Dandelion brush her pretty pink mane back, take a little breath, and then lean in.

Big. That was the first word that went through the shocked white noise of Rainbow’s mind. Dandelion’s tongue was so long, it slithered out like a snake. The next word that sailed through her head made her tremble and squeak.

Warm.

Her eyes lolled in her head as her harried breathing turned into heavy panting. She managed to lock gazes with Dandelion, and the mare gazed up at her with such naked lust that Rainbow felt her moan escape her like a dog breaking free of its leash. She watched, shuddering, as Dandelion pushed her tongue through Rainbow’s wet folds slowly, indulgently, her tongue tip eventually flicking the stiff clit peeking from the swollen dark outer lips. Then she sighed with such satisfaction that Rainbow felt her legs weaken, and the bindings bit into her forelegs.

Dandelion kissed Rainbow’s clitoris, sending twinges of pleasure through her groin that tightened her muscles to the point that they ached. She was still freaking cold, but Dandelion’s mouth was so warm that it was all Rainbow could think about. It slurped and circled, and very quickly, Rainbow’s cunt was wet from more than just the water.

Rainbow was still squirming, angling her hips away, shifting this way and that, as if she could really escape Dandelion’s attention. This was the game, and she loved it. The yellow pegasus just doggedly followed her, and her attention felt so absolute and inescapable that Rainbow thought she was going to lose it. She gasped, hips bucking as she felt Dandelion’s massive tongue slip into her needy wet hole, pushing in deep and curling—

Then she heard the snap of Envy’s voice cut through the cool night air.

“Dandelion, that is quite enough. I asked you to taste her, not satisfy her, you naughty filly.”

Dandelion flinched away from Rainbow as if burned, her eyes wide as she stared at Night Envy approaching them. Rainbow huffed, irritated at being denied a nice climax again. Still, she watched with morbid fascination as the serene assurance that Dandelion had been enjoying vanished in an instant. She prostrated herself before her mistress.

“Mistress, my sincerest apologies!”

Night Envy glared down at her imperiously. “It is such a shame, mon amour. I will have to punish you for this.”

Rainbow stared as Dandelion crawled toward the evil mare’s hooves and kissed them desperately. “Mistress, I’ll do anything! Please tell me how I can atone!”

Night Envy tilted her head to the side as she watched her servant grovel at her hooves. Her eyes, which Rainbow could see now that she was really focusing on them, had turned a sharper shade of azure, whilst what would have been the whites of her eyes was a kind of milky blue. The unnatural colors made Rainbow’s breath stop dead in her throat.

Without looking away from Rainbow, Envy spoke. “Dandelion, since you’ve so thoroughly partaken of our fallen hero’s essence, I can only assume that she is perfectly cleansed.” Her lips curled up. “Pet, rise and kiss your mistress. I’ll taste that which had you so captivated.”

Dandelion swiftly rose to her hooves and with a glance over her shoulder at Rainbow, pressed her lips to Night Envy’s. Rainbow’s groin ached when Envy kept her gaze locked a moment longer on her prisoner before the evil mare kissed her servant deeply with closed eyes. When they turned their heads, Rainbow saw a flash of glistening pink as Envy and Dandelion’s tongues swirled. Sharing her taste. The adventurer trembled, her forelegs aching as she hung from the restraints and watched with deep envy.

They would never kiss her that way, as they’d all agreed. Rainbow understood the reasons why, but seeing Rarity and Fluttershy make out was…something else. Like they slipped into their own dimension of romance and desire. Who wouldn’t want to know what that was like?

Being restrained like this was tiring, and she’d struggled hard for a while now. The tension that curled tight in her groin sapped what little strength she had left, and Rainbow could only watch, entranced, as her captors indulged in the flavor of her and each other.

She felt like she was in a dream. An…intoxicating nightmare.

She didn’t want to wake up.

Night Envy pulled away, holding Dandelion’s face with her hooves. “Mmm… I see why you were so lost in your senses, now, pet.” She kissed the pegasus’ snout with a smirk. “I shall take that into account, but a price must still be paid my poor sweetling.”

Dandelion’s tail flopped anxiously. “I’ll do anything, miss! Anything!”

“I believe you,” Night Envy purred. She turned and regarded Rainbow with amusement. “But first, we must deal with our dear Dashie. I don’t believe she quite understands what new life she has entered.”

With a toss of her dark hair, Envy levitated a riding crop from where she’d been concealing it behind her. Rainbow eyed the whip warily as it drew near and pressed under her chin. She glared as Night Envy stepped toward her, her head raised and shoulders thrown back.

“Rainbow Dash, it is my absolute pleasure to inform you that you will be my new toy. Yes, toy. And as such, I expect you to be fun and pleasurable.”

Rainbow, still playing the part, managed to find enough energy to shake her head and yell from deep in her throat. No. FREAKING. Way!

But inside? Her inner self sat up to attention and hungered to be used.

Night Envy tutted and Rainbow heard the crop swish through the air before it struck her teat. Rainbow tried to curl, her eyes popping wide. Pain flared through her skin, sinking deep into her.

Ow! Ow! That’d really hurt! That hadn’t been a tap, it had been a full-out swing!

Behind Rarity, Rainbow saw Fluttershy wince and look away.

“This ill-tempered behavior is precisely why that pretty mouth of yours was forced shut, Dashie. Now, I’m sure you are extremely cold, so let’s begin your education now, hmm?” Night Envy whacked Rainbow’s other teat, making the flesh jiggle.

Rainbow swallowed a scream with great effort, tears pricking her eyes as she thrashed in her binds. It hurt!

And it excited her. Like standing at the edge of a great dark void. So she baited another strike with a dirty look.

“Understand this now. You are mine,” Night Envy hissed as the crop whacked Rainbow’s other teat again, this time right on the nipple. The pain was dagger-like and Rainbow choked deep in her throat. “So while you might be inclined to struggle, know that you are already fulfilling your purpose, chérie. Don’t fight. Do fight. It matters not. I always win in the end. For it brings me immense pleasure to see you grovel and scream.”

Whack, whack, whack, whack.

Rainbow writhed, shouting hoarsely, trying to escape the pain. Did she wanna tap? She could. Rarity had assured her she’d stop if Rainbow made it clear she was at her limit. But… But…

Tartarus take that idea. She’d never give in!

Even if her skin was stinging, her nipples throbbing, and her stomach clenching. She’d show Night Envy who was made of sterner stuff! She wasn’t a wimp. She could ride this out. She clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tight—

Whack. Whack… Whack.

Then the onslaught stopped. Rainbow waited, distrustful. She jerked when she felt someone lick the side of her pulsing hot teat and remark, “Oh dear, she’s swelling up. Dandelion, hurry and fetch more water.”

Rainbow opened her eyes in time to see Dandelion hurry off with a look of clear relief. She eyed Night Envy suspiciously. Was she going to dump more water on her? So what! But judging by the fox-like smile on the villain’s face, she had something worse planned.

Night Envy pressed her face to one teat and caressed the other with a manicured hoof. It felt strangely pleasant…if still not nice. Like the distant pop of thunder as the sky darkened over Rainbow on a scheduled rainy day. Her skin was burning and Envy’s touch felt cool.

Her captor considered her aching mounds appreciatively. “Mm… But your bruised skin is practically radiating heat, Dashie. It feels quite nice on this cool night.” She received a rude snort from Rainbow, and with a dry look, Envy pulled a swollen nipple into her mouth with her tongue and bit.

Rainbow shrieked. She first tried twisting away, only to give up on the useless tactic to attempt thrusting her hips forward, to buck her enemy off, only to find Envy was already holding her body back with a pair of shadow tendrils.

Her captor laughed throatily as she roughly, hungrily, sucked Rainbow’s nipple far into her mouth and nipped again, this time into the swollen tit-flesh. The pain was enough to make Rainbow’s vision ripple. It hurt badly. Worse, because thanks to the whipping, Rainbow’s teats were beyond sensitive. The skin ached under the rough ministrations of Envy’s tongue even as she let up with the teeth.

Pain was still pain. It wasn’t like Rainbow’s body didn’t feel as much. It felt it all, and it still elicited all the responses you might expect. Rainbow hadn’t been sure about masochists and what drove them. She was getting a clearer picture now.

Her head felt fuzzy. Her blood was throbbing in her veins, and it rushed with exhilaration. She liked the challenge. She liked the weird current of release she felt.

Tears sprang to Rainbow’s eyes and she gulped down a whimper as Night Envy grabbed her mane with her magic and wrenched her head forward.

“Oh, do not look so discouraged, chérie. Relief will come.” Night Envy’s piercing eyes narrowed. “When your behavior improves.”

Rainbow only breathed in deep, then exhaled slowly.

She could last. She could. If only so she could tell herself she was strong. If only so she could feel more of the warm cathartic feeling in her head and chest. She just… She just had to—

Her eyes fluttered. This was…hard. And somehow, she knew it could get harder. She hadn’t expected Rarity to reach these depths. She’d dared the Domme, of course, but she hadn’t thought she had it in her. Now she was learning, very quickly, that in Rainbow’s case, the fashionista would go all the way.

And did she hate this?

Yes.

…No.

Yes, no, yes, no, yesnoyesno—

She loved to hate this. She loved the thrill. The way her heart pumped like she’d come out of a good high-altitude dive. Like the rush in the aftermath of a big battle. Or even crashing when practicing an advanced flying maneuver.

Rainbow didn’t shy from pain. She lived for the rush. She was an athlete, yes, but also an adrenaline junkie. And now? All she could feel was that sweet high of excitement.

It left her feeling free. Floaty? Her limbs were so tired from struggling in the bindings for so long, not to mention that heated fight beforehoof. Her heart was still churning in her chest, and her lips and hooves tingled. All at once, she felt both charged and drunk. She could stay here, she knew. She hadn’t quite hit her limit… Right? Maybe? Did she want to hit her limit tonight, though? She stared faintly up at the night sky through the crack in the high ceiling and wondered.

Meanwhile, Night Envy was satisfied to sit back and appreciate Rainbow’s haggard form hanging limply from the cross rack. She had a look of smug contentment on her face. And through all of this nary a lock of hair was out of place. She really was the perfect supervillain.

The perfect Domme. A striking figure. Strong. Smart.

Rainbow had to give it to Rarity, she really nailed this part.

A short moment later, Dandelion appeared, carrying fresh buckets of water. Her expression looked concerned. Scared, even? Rainbow blinked sleepily at her as the servant spoke. “Er, mistress… Rainbow Dash is… Could we maybe give her a break—?”

Night Envy looked at her sharply, and the yellow pegasus quieted with a startled meep!

“Questioning my judgment, Miss Dandelion? My, my. It seems we’ll have quite a bit to apologize for, won’t we?”

Drowsily, Rainbow scoffed in her head. Was Fluttershy worried about her? Her? The most amazing Wonderbolt ever? She sighed a little. If her friend safeworded, she’d have to assure Fluttershy everything was fine. And not sound huffy while doing it. But she supposed there was a reason Rarity sent Flutters away for a moment. If Fluttershy had seen Rarity bite Rainbow, this whole thing probably would have ground to a complete halt.

As it stood, Rainbow tried to give Fluttershy a subtle wink behind Rarity’s back. She thought her friend saw it, but she wasn’t sure.

Dandelion fell onto the ground, covering her face with her wings. Her whole body trembled so badly that when she spoke, the words jittered out of her mouth. “M-Mistress! I spoke out of turn!”

Night Envy looked back at Rainbow Dash, tilting her head left, then right. Her lips pursed. “Mmm. Perhaps your concern wasn’t entirely unwarranted. She doesn’t look like she’ll put up half as much of a fight now, does she?” She turned her head slightly and snapped. “Bucket! Now.”

Dandelion scrabbled for one of the buckets and brought it over. Night Envy’s horn glowed as she eyed the sloshing water. The air chilled and the water crackled as frost appeared along the panels of the bucket. Envy jerked her head toward Rainbow.

Rainbow watched the bucket coming toward her, her expression barely reacting. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel some spike of alarm, she was just too drained to show it.

When the water hit, she still shivered and let out a small groan. Her expression didn’t change much, though. Not until the water cascaded over her throbbing teats. As the cold tremors wracked through her, she let out a long sigh of relief. Ah. The cold sank deep like daggers throughout her body…but eased the pain and the swelling of her poor teats.

Rainbow blinked dazedly down at Night Envy’s smirk, water dripping from the sides of her muzzle. “You see?” the dark mare murmured, her gaze practically boring into Rainbow’s. “Will you behave if we release you? I’m not in the mood for another fight, and Miss Dandelion is far too gentle for your roughhousing.”

Balance? Hmph. All right, Twilight Sparkle…

Rainbow ground her teeth. Then slowly, she nodded.

Night Envy beamed at her. “Merveilleuse.” She gestured a hoof forward and looked to her side. “Dandelion?”

The straps came undone, and Rainbow, unprepared, crumpled toward the ground—but for Dandelion. The yellow pegasus caught her, those deceptively slim limbs bearing Rainbow’s sudden full weight with only moderate strain. Squeaking, she shifted Rainbow further onto her back with the aid of her wing limbs, then looked to her mistress.

Night Envy chuckled darkly. “Ah, now the fun really begins.”

Author's Note

So it's been almost five years. Almost. Thankfully, I updated before then, but still, I apologize for the long wait. Working full-time, having more kids, buying a home, subsequently losing said home, and then recovering from that just...really made it hard to find time to write kinky horse words. Of all my stories, this is the most challenging to write chiefly because I need time and solitude to work on this kind of thing.

And am I mean? It's going to be a two-parter! The second part is already started. Actually, this was all going to be one chapter originally, but I took Tethered-Angel's advice and split it in half. Thank him! No, seriously, he also helped with motivating me to write this and editing it all too.

For my fellow Americans... yeah. It's election day. Are you tired of it all like me? I hope you enjoy this sexy distraction. I would love to see your thoughts in the comments. Till next time, guys! (And yes, I'll try to be faster than five years. )