Clop, Clop

“Darling, are you ready to go?” A clinical room, transformed into something far less cold and impersonal.

“Just a moment, I'm getting ready.” The bare, white walls were covered in pictures in beautiful frames. Wedding photos, portraits, candid shots. A Changeling and a pegasus. The bare white vinyl floor was strewn with colorful throw rugs, as much of the floor as possible covered. The door in the room led out to more white rooms, a complex of redecorated whiteness and clinical cleanliness. It was like suburban Equestria was trying to take over the place.

“You don't need to fuss like that. I married you for who you are, not for what you can turn into.” Discharged Canterlot guard Thunder Crash smiled lightly and looked in on his wife, leaning against the door frame.

“I know. It's okay if I walk around in my own chitin and show myself off. But I want to look my best. You deserve a good-looking 'ling beside you. It's the least I can do for getting you discharged.” There was no traditional glass mirror in the room. Only a highly-polished piece of metal that worked just as well. And in that mirror was the face of a Changeling, the Changeling Marianne. She had renounced her loyalty to the swarm, affirmed her citizenship as an Equestrian and married the guard that had made her what she always wished to be.

“We both got me discharged. I gave in to you. And I haven't regretted it. Not one little bit.” He came up behind his wife and snuggled against her side. “You're so beautiful. And you're always going to be beautiful to me.”

She buzzed her wings and gave a soft, sheepish squeak. Her huge, blue eyes turned from her image in the mirror to take in her husband. All white, with cocoa brown eyes and mane. “And you are so handsome. So noble. You didn't let me be alone. You came to me. And I can't thank you enough.” She pursed her lips and came forward, cute little fangs shining.

Thunder kissed Mari with undiminished passion. After the interrogations, the trial, the uncertainty that led to being handed a gift... her majesty's personal clemency. Celestia herself, handing him an honorable discharge, his Miles' pension, and all in exchange for the one thing he would have done. His foals were inside her. His ponylings. And his end of the bargain was to be with them, for the rest of his life. Every good father's dream. “They're waiting...”

“I know, I know. But it takes a lot of work to look this good.” Before the shiny metal was a plain industrial-style table, holding a large tub, plain and bland, bearing a stamp from the Noble Society's Department of Bio-Thaumaturgy. A special cream of quinones, for conditioning her cuticle, with fragrances and other lotion components, the only beauty product a Changeling would need. She rubbed the cream into her face and onto the rest of her body, humming pleasantly.

“You don't need to do all that work. You're perfect how you are.”

“Awww, you flatterer. Okay, I'm ready.” Mari stepped away from the metal mirror, fluttering her wings again and pressing herself against her husband.

The two left the bedroom, through their windowless home, past more photographs, over more throw rugs, into a nicely-appointed living room that contained a fine collection of sharp, modern electronics and a comfortable couch, which broke the mold of the clinical place. They went to the sturdy white door, Thunder knocking heavily on it. “Ready to go, guys. And thanks for watching the little ones.”

“Not a problem. They're no trouble at all.” Behind the heavy door stood two Celestian unicorn guards, standing on either side of a frilly pram, black in color with white lace. The one who had spoken, Miles Gladius Sparking Burst, nodded and smiled to the two. “How are you holding up, Thunder? I can't imagine it's all that nice.”

“You'd be surprised. Free food, and good food at that, free utilities, all the hot water we could need, the nicest electronics. There's even a hot tub in the bathroom. Her majesty knows how to take care of a lab rat.” Thunder laughed lightly and stepped up to the pram.

“You're very kind.” Mari nodded to Sparking and smiled at him, trying to use as little of her fangs as possible. “I should have been ready earlier. I'm sorry I just left them with Thunder and then you.”

“It's my job, ma'am. And Thunder and I were Scutaria together. He chose to be a Scutum and I chose to be a Gladius but we kept in touch. I was sorry to see him be discharged but, hay, he's happier than I remember seeing him. You've been good for him.” Sparking gave Mari a slight bow.

Mari buzzed her wings in a sheepish fashion again and strolled up to the pram, gently giving it a push and setting off down the long hallway. Thunder fell into pace behind her while the two guards walked a few paces behind. They moved through the hall and through several doors and out into an open courtyard, with a fountain in the center and beautiful flowers all around the smoothly-paved path. A gate lay not that far away, Canterlot's highest terrace visible through the bars, while opposite was the side of a large hospital-looking facility. “Think we can stroll through the terrace today? I always enjoy it.”

“When have you ever been denied?” Sparking lit his horn and levitated up a pendant, which he moved to the gate and pressed against a large crystal. The gate pulled aside slowly, allowing the small party to leave the courtyard and enter the terrace proper.

There were not that many ponies about at that time, but those few that were in the area all noticed the four-being procession. Those in groups nudged one another or pointed over, all of them surprised by the presence of a Changeling walking around with several ponies. Especially with a carriage. Though Changelings, who had defected from the swarm, were not unheard of in pony regions, they knew this was the first one to defect, and the only one to have bred with a pony. She was almost a living legend, casually walking around with a stroller like any normal mother.

The two guards lit their horns and lowered their heads threateningly as a mare approached. She was a leggy golden unicorn with a copper mane, wearing an expensive, jewel-enhanced saddle. She slower and approach and tried to appear friendly. “P-please, I mean no harm. I just wanted... I wanted to see them.”

Mari nodded lightly and looked back to her guards. “Please, let her come and see. I don't mind.” When the magical auras faded, Mari was free to come around to the side of the covered pram, a small smile on her face. She suspected... “Worker or drone?”

“A drone.” The fancy-looking unicorn was shameless. She offered a warm smile and a small sigh. “I met him in one of the lower terrace clubs while I was out for a night with my friends. He was very... chivalrous. The doctors have advised us to not... until they write up their reports on you. I wanted to see.” She looked hopefully down at the pram. “May I?”

“Of course!” Mari used her horn to pull down the blanket to reveal the contents of the pram. Eggs. Two large, clear-walled, gel-like eggs. Within each, a figure. They were essentially-fully-formed babies, curled up in the normal fetal position. A greenish-gold sac was in each egg, and attached to the bellies of the two babies. One lay very still, only giving small twitches of its rear leg, while the other stretched a bit and gave a small yawn, opening its eyes. The ponylings looked like small foals, with the greenish middle portion, no holes, horns, wings, all composed of purely white chitin. The open eyes showed no pupils, like Changeling eyes, but their color was a warm cocoa brown. “They have their father's coloring, and his eyes. Just a month more, and maybe not even that. Then they'll come out. And we can hold them. We'll get our own home, and be a family. Like I always wanted.”

Princess Luna's chambers were dark, black as a starless night, her braziers extinguished following her fun with her beloved. She did not necessarily require sleep, but she found it pleasant. She was not asleep at that moment. She was holding her lover tightly to her chest, feeling his body move with the rhythm of his breath, and the gentle thump of his heartbeat. The warmth of his body, the weight of him, the subtle sound of his breathing and the shift of his limbs were genuine signs that this was real. He was with her. As she desired. But knew she could not always have.

A soft sigh fell from her lips, and her head dipped lightly. That was enough. His sharp ears knew the sound of his beloved one's sorrow. Even while he was asleep. His body shifted, bringing his head up, his lips pressing lovingly against hers. He held the kiss for a long while, as long as Luna returned the kiss, with a passion and adoration shared by the two. “Did I disappoint you?” The question was purposeless. He knew that wasn't it. And she knew it was just a perfunctory inquiry, to start the conversation.

“No. Nay. Never. Shall you never do thus.” Luna smiled in the darkness, leaning down to rub her snout along Bad Apple's, lipping softly over him. “I do treasure your presence, for every instant you are near.”

“I sense a 'but' in there...” He considered his words and corrects, “That is, I sense a 'however' will confront me soon...”

“You have placed a doom 'pon my glee. In three day's time doth come the sword. You will be provision'd, rested, and salaried. And shall you step forth away from mine embrace. Will my bed be cold and bare, all the more lonesome for having known companionship.” Luna stroked her hooves down Bad Apple's warm body, feeling the slight scars beneath the coat. He was careful to hide them from the world, the unflappable, invincible scoundrel; she knew the place of every single one, the story of each, and which nearly could have been mortal.

Bad Apple was silent, a long, long while. He kissed at Luna's chest, and ran his hooves down her perfect sides. Every inch of her was like a part of himself, every little section known to him, intimately. Dark or bright. “I know. But I must. I have a responsibility. I am needed elsewhere, because I think I may... I may succeed in... in what I...” All the energy seemed to drain out of him, some bit of contemplation making his resolve fail.

“How now, my love? What stops your tongue and cools your passion so?”

“There are so many troubles. So many terrible things. I pursue them all to clean and polish the land. But can I really claim to have done anything at all?” Bad Apple actually shivered against Luna. “I have been pursuing one madmare for so much of my life. Am I doing any real good?”

Luna considered his words, and her words as well, pressing him more tightly to her body. “Have you stoppered the tears of even one foal?”

The stallion nodded slowly. “More than I can remember, sad as that is.”

“Staunched you the wounds and halted you the sighs of the suffering wretches?”

“Towns worth. Towns... worth...”

“And chastened you the shedders of innocent blood?”

Bad Apple as quiet for a bit and kisses Luna on the lips. “Equestria is so big. And I am so small. I sometimes forget that even a small town is a town. I'd like to stay. But I think I have a notion...”

“Aye. Aye. Towns mean much to they within...” Luna stared off into the darkness. She wanted him. Wanted him with her safe and secure. But he had a quest. His own self-imposed quest, but with her support. He was doing such good. Helping her subjects. “And you... must never surrender.”

“Gentlebulls, I must say that this has been a most pleasant day! I cannot possibly thank you enough for the warm issue of your potent stones. I was so very right to come here.” Onyx Glow toasted the buffalo bulls with her teacup, giving a blushing smile to Quaking and Crashing. All nine of the participants in the “raid” were sitting in the living room of the house, properly having fresh-brewed tea and tea cakes. “I do hope you enjoy tea and cakes. It is a Fillydelphia staple.”

“Normally we would relax after a vigorous raiding with a glass of sweet tea, or apple juice or lemonade and a few cookies or perhaps some apple pie. But this is a nice change of pace.” Sunny Shine sipped at her tea and took a bite of cake. “Very tasty.”

“It's not as refreshing. I've never been into this frou-frou tea and cakes stuff. Even in Fillydelphia I was never really good at hanging with the fancy ponies. That's why Appleoosa is for me.” Whiplash Rush guzzled some tea and gasped at the sudden rush of heat.

“Mmm, very unique. It's a new experience. Heh, a lot of that going on today, right guys?” Pounding winked to his fellow bulls and got a resounding laugh from the other five. “Sunny, Whiplash, you have one fine friend there and it was a pleasure to service her. As far as I could tell. I was a little busy being bottomed-out deep inside Sunny.” Another chorus of laughter emerged from the sextet.

“I can tell you, it was a pleasure to be serviced, as you put it. And a grand service it was. So thick and rich. Highest quality I have ever had.” Onyx took a dainty sip from her teacup, as though she had not just made a comment concerning the testicular issue of two total strangers.

There was a moment of polite laughter and then a bit of silence before Sunny spoke up. “Oh! Have you heard the latest news from the town proper?”

“Oooh yea, gossip! Gimme the dirt. It was about Abundant Sheaves, wasn't it? What's the town carriage up to this time?” Whiplash leaned forward with sudden interest.

“Abundant Sheaves? Town carriage? I think I heard about her. Trampling hay, some bulls can't resist the low hanging fruit, rotten as it is.” Pounding shook his head.

“No, no. It's not about that horrible mare. There's been some new rumbling around in town. A new official-looking fellow. He's doing the usual strutting and posturing and things like that. But I've heard an awful new whispering. That he's going to try and completely stop any and all raiding parties.”

A shocked murmur ran through the gathering, everyone turning and looking at one another with expressions ranging from surprise to distress to anger. That was Whiplash. “What the hay!? Stop all the raiding parties? Who does this bucker think he is?”

“I've only heard rumors while I was buying our extra provisions. Apparently he's from Canterlot. You know how they are. Stuffy, officious, dreadfully dull. He's interested in “clean up the landscape” as far as I've heard. He thinks that the raiding parties reflect badly on the buffalo and are terrible insults to their proud and noble ways.” Sunny shook her head and took a sip of tea.

“Oh no, not one of those again. Chief Thunderhooves is getting sick of those types that come in with all kinds of stupidly patronizing babbling. This is just how we do things. How does being a six-bull raiding party stampeding up to a house for supplies and putting the meat to all the mares within makes us buffalo look bad?” Pounding rubbed his head and started in on another tea cake.

“I have not a clue at all.” Onyx reached out to gently pat Pounding on the hoof. “I'm only from Fillydelphia, not Manehattan or Canterlot but I know these big city pony types. They always think they are doing good but they never understand the way things go in places like this. You have quirks and traditions. And that is wonderful! I, for one, have a much greater appreciation for you buffalo now. I daresay I would come back here all the time for raiding parties. There are very compelling reasons, to be sure.”

“Sheriff Silverstar has said he would keep an eye out and severely punish any buffalo he caught going on raids.” Sunny waited a beat and then added, “Silverstar also said he was developing a really bad astigmatism.” The gathered crowd let out a good, hearty laugh.

Down in the tunnels of the Diamond Dogs, a small herd of stallions pulled on their gem cats with some trembling. They were sweating and looking quite out of breath, the five males not at their best at all. Behind them a female Diamond Dog, shaking her head and waving her hands. “Go ponies! I gave you sex! We will pay you good wage! Move now! Move!”

“What that you say before?” A mocking voice echoed up the corridor from the lower levels.

“Who said that? Come out here coward! Flea bar! Come here!' The female dog barked loudly down the corridor, her echoing cry making the stallions wince.

The only response was the squeak of wheels and the clop of hooves on the ground. From out of the distance there appeared the mare, pale pink coat shining with sweat, her bouncy golden yellow curls slightly out of place form the action of vigorous rutting. Her thick, matronly body was showing off its earth pony power, hauling along two carts of gems without much difficulty. There was even a smile on her face. “Out of my way, boys. I have a job to do and I'm not a slacker.”

The boss dog from before was walking at the mare's side, one hand gently placed upon her and occasionally pressing on her as he walked with a kind of slight wobble. “Yes, stallions easy. But stallions weak after sex pay. Cost too much, not work hard. Mares work hard after sex pay. Only need many dogs.”

“Bah! So many dogs. Waste of time. Could dig for gems!” The female snorted petulantly and stood off to the side as the mare and other dog passed them by.

“We already dig gems. Need them moved. Silly dog.” The boss dog stroked a hand slowly along the mare's back and grinned a white-toothed smile. “Mares hungry for dogs. But there are many dogs.”

“Hey, I'm right here. Not that it's untrue. They got unlucky. I'm pretty insatiable. I was surprised. They actually scratched my itch in every possible way. And I might be a mess, but I have not been this SATISFIED in ages. You're a mess, but are you satisfied?” The mare winked as she passed the fuming dog female.

“Ponies not ask me questions like that! Puppy passage not your business, pony! Go! Go work! Pull gems to holding tunnels. And see quartermaster for pay.” The female shook her fist at the departing, laughing, pair.

“Not listen to angry one. Pony is doing good.” The boss dog stroked down the mare's back again, tickling at her flank at the bottom of his stroke.

“Just for the record, and for tax purposes, my name is Golden Dawn. I'm guessing you don't watch many movies down here.”

“Mm, have time to watch but do not. Like movies but hard to find place to watch. Very busy in colony. Oh! Name is Olivine.”

“Olivine, you didn't know it, but... I'm a porn star. That's why it took so many dogs to satisfy me. I'm used to professionals. But you guys... you kept at it. I found it very impressive.” Golden trotted along with a pleasant hum. And her tail, playfully, swatted Olivine on the rear.

“Hey! Bad pony... Golden. Mmm. Delicious gold.” Olivine seemed taken by a less carnal hunger, though his hand remained on Golden's rear end as they sauntered along.

“Gussy...” Doughnut Joe looked behind him, to the thick-bodied griffin sprawled out comfortably over his back, looking content.

Gustave LeGrand's head slowly rose and his eyes opened with a little grumble. “Qu'est ce que c'est? What is it, Joe?”

“You know... we need to talk about something really important.” Joe twisted his body around and wound up on his back, to pull Gustave up onto him and into a warm embrace.

“Oh... non... Joe please... not like zis. Please... do not be so sweet when you do zis to me. Do not make your poison into a treat with honey. Please...” Gustave pulled away slightly, eyes suddenly wide, one hand over his beak.

“What? What are you talkin' about? I'm not tryin' ta poison you or anything. Relax.” Joe reached out to grab the trembling griffin in his legs and pull him down to his warm, thick body. “What's wrong?”

Gustave resisted the pulling for a bit, before logic caught up with his fevered imagination. A light blush passed over the bridge of his beak and he cuddled up against the stallion. “Désolé, Joe. I'm sorry. But, important talk for a griffin zat is zee, how do your ponies say? Colt cuddler? Oui. For a griffin who is zee colt cuddler, important talk is either zee authorities are coming or it is time to part. And zee authorities do not hurt colt cuddlers. So...”

“Oh! Oh Gussy! You thought I... oh no! No way! That's not gonna happen. No way am I gonna let you go, my puff patry.” Joe pulled Gustave in closer, pettering his mustachioed face with a flurry of kisses and nuzzles.

“Ah! Ah! I understand. I should always trust you, mon brioche.” Gustave returned the rain of kisses, his talons stroking and squeezing at the pony beneath him. “So, if you are not going to make me zee sad griffin, what did you want to say to me?”

Joe stroked down Gustave's sides slowly, looking from side-to-side. “Ah... we... we've gotta... we've gotta talk to the patron. I mean... I... we... um...”

“Zee patron? Gilbert? Why do we need to talk to him? We just came from zee chateau. Ahh, it was a beautiful wedding. Antonia et Cheerilee looked tres beautiful.” Gustave got a dreamy look on his face, his neck feathers puffing up a little bit as he entered a mushy mode.

“Yea, the wedding...” Joe trailed off for a moment then shook his head and pressed on. “Gussy, I know the patron is the one that supports your shop. He always did, since you came here with your dream. He's the money guy that has to be seen for all important decisions.”

“Ou-oui... c'est vrai...” Gustave looked at Joe with a lowering of one eyelid and a slight pulling back of his head. “Zee patron has believed in me and I do my best to support zee trust he has put in me.”

“Well, we need to talk about something important. We've gotta... gotta... you know. We've...”

“Joe? Qu'est ce que c'est?”

“I wanna... combine our businesses. I mean, we've got the same house, the same interests. We're two of the best in the business. We could be unstoppable as a team! Combine Pony Joe's and LeGrand's “pay-tisseree.”” Joe's eyes shone as he mangled his lover's shop name, and imagined such a combination.

“Hmmm... combine zee businesses. Well... zat is important, oui...”

“Not... just our businesses. I wanna combine...” He levitated over an un-filled cream puff and opened it up wide, showing off a golden ring topped with a polished onyx. “Our names...”

“J-joe... OUI!” Gustave ignored the ring, plunging down with a happy screech, coating Jow's face with happy kisses, his arms squeezing the stallion tightly against his warm body.

“Ever since that wedding...” Joe had a big, stupid smile on his face, and was able to speak while Gustave was kissing his neck. “I just... I wanted that for myself. I wanted to be at the altar, with you. And here in Canterlot, we can do it, and everypony would be happy.”

“To marry you... it would be a dream. A dream I never could have in zee Kingdom. But now... with you... oh yes Joe. As soon as we can.” Gustave stroked his chin and grinning. “Zere is one thing...”

“Mmm, what's that?”

“We can save beaucoup bits on zee food. We can cater our own nuptuals!”