Author's Note

This chapter and the next are borderline mind-fuckery. After that, though, everything will be normal for awhile. This is also my first time writing clop, so any critism would be nice.

Chapter IV (Mature)

IV. Sanctuary

“So, where should we start looking for Princess Luna?” I broke the awkward silence, hoping someone would propose an idea as to where we can start. Twilight’s plan to start with the Badlands wasn't that bad, but Midnight is injured and Forgetful and I are tired from our fight with the Scorpios. So, that rules that out. But, something clicked in my mind, something that somehow made sense and defied logic at the same time. Princess Celestia said something when she first summoned us, and ordered us to conduct an investigation. Of course, nopony bothered to answer my question, so I just shut up after that.

“You all may be wondering why you've been summoned… It's with a heavy heart that I inform you all of my sister’s disappearance. She has been missing for several days, and so far, there has yet to be a clue to be found pertaining to her location. I, however, know of one of one small piece that may help in deciphering her location. She is not on Equiis. Still, I suggest that you search the land before taking more… Extreme measures.”

This just got a lot more complicated, didn't it?

My face fell into my hooves, and I sighed quietly. I massaged my face with my hooves, rubbing it as I thought. What seemed like a normal investigation has turned into something more, something actually supernatural, of course I didn't pay much attention to what she said at first and with what's already happened, it slipped my mind. I assume everypony has already known and actually listened to the princess, unlike me. Celestia forbid we have a relatively easy mission. Then I realize we're all cursed in that regard.

Okay, so Princess Luna isn't on Equiis, meaning that no matter where we travel, we'll never find her anyway. So, that leaves some possibilities. She could be on the Moon, which means there's no possible way to get to her, unless we use the Elements of Harmony to banish ourselves to the Moon. That's a one way ticket though, meaning it's a last resort. Not to mention that we would have to gather the rest of the Element bearers and reveal Twilight’s identity. So yeah. It really is a last resort, if worse comes to worse.

She could also be in the dream realm, as stupid as it sounds. I really think this is the most likely location, as the Moon seems like somewhere she wouldn't really want to visit after being isolated there for a millenia. Seeing as none of us has been to sleep yet, we couldn't exactly test this theory. And even if she is there, how in Tartarus are we going to bring her back to reality? Click our hooves together and say ‘There's no place like home’ three times? This is ridiculous.

Wait a minute. Why would Princess Celestia say that Luna isn't anywhere on Equiis if she doesn't know where she is? That would imply that Celestia knows something pertaining to Luna’s location, and anything helps. We may have to return to the castle and question Princess Celestia… Then again, if everypony already knows that Luna isn't on Equiis, then why are we going to the Badlands? That could mean that something is in the Badlands that might point us to where Luna is.

Alright. So, I guess we will go to the Badlands for now, search around and if we don't find anything worthwhile, we will report back to Princess Celestia and question her for anything might help. So far, this entire case is gigantic clusterfuck in regards to leads, clues, and whereabouts. Not to mention Twilight and I split up with the rest of the Alpha Squad, and Bravo Squad has a wounded pony and a dead one. As for Charlie Squad, they are unaccounted for as of now. Maybe we’ll run into them heading to the Badlands.

If we move now, we can go through Las Pegasus and over Ghastly Gorge, and eventually to Appaloosa. From there, we travel through the Macintosh Hills and we will finally reach the Badlands. Of course, we need to be extra cautious around Ghastly Gorge. A violent and cannibalistic tribe known as the Fallen preside there and trust me, you do not want to get caught by them. I, for one, don't want to be eaten alive. It seems like a really horrible way to die in my eyes. We'll just have to be quick about crossing it, and we'll all make it out alive.

By now, the Sun is nearing the horizon and the Moon is peeking over it, the sky turning into a dark mix between orange and purple. We have been camping here for a while now, and just resting up for the journey ahead of us. It won't be easy, and I hope we can all make it out of this mission alive. This mission doesn't exactly scream safe, if you know what I mean. Starsky just further proves that this is dangerous. Hopefully Cheesecake and Moth are doing alright traveling up to the Frozen North. Apparently Moths are good when it comes cold, but Cheesecake is a normal pony, albeit having a longer than normal horn. And an eccentric personality.

Twilight is sitting on her haunches, her rifle and all of its ammunition spread out before her. Her horn lit up with a purple aura and four bullets glided over into the rifle’s chamber, locking into place once she clicked it shut and pulled the bolt back, cocking the rifle. Once she did that, she began counting her bullets, a total of sixteen shots left, and dropped them into a small sack, tying it tightly, but only enough to where they won't fall out and she can easily grab more bullets. She then placed her rifle back into her holster and laid down, tucking her hooves underneath of herself.

Forgetful was brandishing his knife on a thick piece of wood, sharpening the stick to look like a spear. Splinters broke off once he dragged the blade across the top of the stick, the tip forming into a sharp end. The sound of wood shaving filled the air as he continued sharpening the stick, it eventually turning into a fierce, but primal weapon. I hope he doesn't actually plan on using the damn thing, why do you think we all use firearms. Although he could be bored. Once the top was sharp, he began on the other side, starting anew.

Midnight was cuddled up against Forgetful, her body neat and tucked in together, her head resting against Forgetful’s side. A small smile was adorned on her muzzle as she breathed in and out of her nose, her ears occasionally flickering at the sound of the wood shaving that Forgetful is doing. It seems like she's healed up some, but enough to walk on her own yet. She'll probably be able walk and fly normally once we get to Appaloosa or if we're lucky, by we arrive at Ghastly Gorge. Regardless if she heals up or not, I’m not leaving her behind.

Eclipse and I are lying together on the crisp, cool grass, both of us staring up at the sky. The stars were scattered across the blackness of space, and the Moon seemed to glow a radiant light, almost as if Luna was still here. It seems like Princess Celestia really put a lot of work into the night, I guess she wants to show Luna that she cares for her and her night. I can't imagine what Celestia is going through. At least when Luna was banished to the Moon, all she had to do was gaze up at the Moon and know where she was.

“Hey, Dusk, come with me real quick.” Eclipse whispered to me, making me turn to her. She had a smirk on her muzzle and her eyes were half-lidded. I chuckled and sat up, Eclipse following me deeper into the woods, far enough away from the other three. All the way we were giggling and chasing each other, like two foals on the playground. It seems a little soon after what just happened… But we both could use the relief. I know I sure can, same with Eclipse.

Eventually, Eclipse dragged me to the ground with her hoof and I fell on top of her, panting as we laid there, gazing into each other’s eyes. I could just stare into those two cyan orbs for the rest of eternity, they're mesmerizing. I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers, her soft lips feeling like silk. We both closed our eyes as we cherished this moment, our lips connected as we put both of passion into the kiss. Her tongue prodded at my closed lips and parted them, letting her tongue enter my muzzle, her mint smelling breath filling my mouth with warmth.

Our tongues wrestled each other for dominance, wrapping around and poking the other's for victory. Saliva coated my teeth and tongue as we swapped, some dribbling down my chin. Eclipse let out a moan as my tongue dragged across the top of her teeth, leaving a coat of saliva. I wrapped a hoof around the back of her neck and pulled her in closer to me, my tongue winning the battle as it pressed down against hers. She flicked her tongue across my molars, sending a shiver down my spine. I involuntarily moaned at the weird, but satisfying feeling as we enjoyed each other's company.

I felt my stallionhood stirring in my sheath, poking through and rubbing against my cloak. A moan escaped through my mouth, muffled by Eclipse’s soft tongue. More saliva cascaded down my chin, running down my cloak. Eclipse wrapped her hooves around my neck, messing with my mane as we made out. Her tongue darted around in my muzzle, licking the root of my mouth and top of my bottom row of teeth, covering it all in her warm saliva. My own tongue prodded at her lips and tickled her tongue, feeling every bump on her tongue.

Finally, our lips parted and was connected by a thin strand of saliva, both of us panting heavily at our session. She blushed as I stared down at her, a seductive expression forming on my face. We both knew what we wanted, so we began yanking our boots off and ripping our cloaks off of each other’s bodies. I shivered once the night's cool breeze brushed against my body and stallionhood, sending a shiver down the length of my spine. We threw our cloaks to the side as I sat up against a tree, Eclipse between my legs and staring at the prize between them.

My stallionhood was at full mast, throbbing hard and standing tall. It was so hard it practically hurt, and I groaned at it finally being exposed to the air. A small dribble of pre-cum trickled down the length of my shaft, cascading down and integrating into a small puddle in my fur. Eclipse placed her hooves on my hind legs and a put a small mischievous smirk on her face, telling me she's going to tease the Tartarus out of me. I gazed into her eyes as she leaned in towards my cock, blowing on it slightly. It throbbed as the air blew against the skin, and I moaned softly at the contact.

Spreading her wings fully, she bent her right wing and brought it to my shaft, individual feathers wrapping around the length and rubbing it, pre-cum leaking and coating her white, beautiful feathers. She smiled as the pre-cum accumulated on her feathers and coated my cock in it, wetting it as she brought her wing up and down at a slow pace, teasing me. I groaned and threw my head back as she jerked me off, the texture of her feathers driving me insane in pleasure. By now, my own wings were fully erect and sprawled out by my sides.

Taking her other wing, she cupping my swollen balls with her feathers and massaging them. She tugged on them gently, my sack stretching in all of the right places to add to the pleasure. More pre-cum shot out of my cock, lubricating it more as Eclipse continued to run her feathers across my shaft and knead my balls. I quickly felt myself nearing the edge, but she pulled her right wing away from length, several strands of pre-cum clinging to her wings. Her other wing left my ballsack and I sat there, a frown on my face as she edged me. But, that changed quickly.

Lowering her head, she planted warm kisses at the base of my shaft, and began pressing her lips up the length of my cock, her soft lips connecting with my stallionhood nearly making me buck upwards, but I restrained myself. Taking her hoof, she pulled my rod downwards and continued planting kisses down the front of my shaft, pre-cum latching onto neck as she gazed up at me, ending her tirade of kissing. Letting go of my stallionhood with her hoof, it slapped against my belly and I let out at a moan at the meaty wack.

She stuck her tongue out and dragged it up my rod, leaving a line of saliva, it mixing with the residue of the pre-cum already there. Reaching the top of my length, she swirled her tongue around the tip, lapping up all of the pre-cum leaking out and swallowing it with a greedy gulp. Seeing my distress, she deemed I've been teased enough and wrapped her lips around the tip of my shaft, her tongue prodding at the underside of my stallionhood. I moaned softly as more of my rod was devoured by her maw, my cock rubbing against the inside of her mouth. This is amazing.

Getting acquainted with the size of my shaft, she slowly began bobbing her head up and down, her tongue quickly darting around in her mouth, dragging against my rod. Placing a hoof on the back of her head, I began pushing lightly on her head, urging her to go faster. She hummed on my cock, the vibration resonating in my staff and nearly sent me over the edge. Her hoof began kneading my swollen ballsack, massaging and tugging on my balls as she bounced her head on my stallionhood, a familiar pressure building up inside my crotch.

I held her head down atop my staff with both of my hooves, slightly pulling on her mane as I let loose inside of her muzzle. Thick ropes of creamy, hot cum shot down her throat, firing load after load into her mouth. I screamed in ecstasy as I rode out my orgasm, bucking roughly into her mouth, semen continuing to eject from my shaft, filling her mouth with my cum. Her muzzle began to overflow and cum began to drop into a puddle on my crotch, surrounding my stallionhood. Eclipse looked at me as she greedily swallowed all of my cum, seeing the bulge in her throat travel downwards into her stomach. I panted as she lifted her head off of my rod.

My stallionhood still stood tall and proud, seemingly unaffected by my previous orgasm. Eclipse, taking an advantage of this, stood up and positioned herself over my staff, her juices cascading down the length of her hind legs and dripping onto my shaft. I nodded to her and she began lowering herself onto me, her lips spreading and giving way to my cock, enveloping around it. Eclipse let out a cute little moan as she continued lowering herself, until eventually she hit the hilt.

I felt her marehood squeezing my shaft tightly, her soft walls encompassing my rod as she moaned softly, placing her hooves on my chest as she lifted herself until only the tip was inside. Without a warning, she dropped down on top of me hard. We both cried out in ecstasy, my cock quickly becoming wet with her juices. I grabbed her plump flank and squeezed it as she blushed, a small smile forming on my face. I began rubbing her rump with my hooves, her squishy cheeks giving unto my hooves.

She bounced up and down on my shaft, moaning loudly as my cock filled her fully. Her walls clenched around my shaft, milking me dry. She adopted a steady pattern as she bobbed up and down on top of me, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. I held onto her cutie marks, which were solar eclipses, and swirled around them, my hooves digging into her plush body. After a while of this position, I decided to switch it up. Eclipse got up and she lowered her head and lifted her flank, presenting her marehood to me.

I lowered my head down gaze at her winking vagina, juices overflowing out of her canal, cascading down her belly and hind legs. I leaned forward and prodded her tailhole with my tongue, swirling around the entrance and finally shoving my tongue inside, Eclipse letting out a small gasp at my sudden intrusion. I darted my tongue in and out of her tailhole rapidly, coating it with my saliva. Eclipse let out small little gasps and moans every few seconds, making me chuckle. She really is cute.

Satisfied with my teasing, I stood up and placed my hooves by her side, standing over her. My stallionhood pressed against her tailhole, making Eclipse grit her teeth hard. Resisting my shaft, I gently pressed into it until a loud pop, the tip of my rod entering her tailhole. Eclipse gasped loudly and covered her mouth with her hoof, closing her eyes tightly. I continued to press inside of her until my groin rubbed against her plush flank. I waited a moment for Eclipse to get used to my cock before I began humping.

Her walls clenched tightly around my shaft, squeezing it as I began speeding up, my wet rod lubricating her hole enough for me to enter without it being painful. I grunted as my balls began to slap against Eclipse’s marehood, it winking swiftly as it yearned for the attention I'm giving her tailhole. The white mare began moaning as my rod entered her tailhole rapidly, in and out, in a fast paced pattern. Soon enough, I felt another orgasm building up and the way Eclipse was panting and pressing herself against me seemed like she was, too.

I kicked into overdrive, rutting her senseless as my motions became a blur. My balls slapped against her vagina like a ragdoll, swinging in the air wildly. My shaft throbbed as I groaned loudly, pleasure seizing my body as I have my second orgasm. Thick ropes of cum exploded out of my staff into her tailhole, coating her inner walls with my creamy, warm semen. Eclipse gasped loudly as her marehood gushed juices, splashing against my balls and trickling down her hind legs. I panted as I got off of her and fell to the ground, Eclipse rolling over and cuddling with me.

As my eyelids began to lower and I felt myself beginning to drift off to sleep, I heard three words ring out in the night air, just as darkness envelops my eyes and I succumb to sleep.

“I love you.”

* * * * * *

I jolted upwards, my eyelids lifting and my wings fully erect. I panted as I glanced down to Eclipse, who was sleeping by my side, her hood concealing her face. I’m also wearing my cloak, except I have my hood down. I looked around, noticing that the Sun is beginning to peer over the horizon, it's light illuminating the forest. I saw Twilight, Forgetful, and Midnight all sleeping near each other, and are the same distance away from us that we were last night. Wait, what? Does that mean last night was a dream? I lowered my head to look for stains on my cloak, and sure enough, there wasn't any.

How could last night be a dream? It seemed so real, and I felt everything! Twisting my head, I glanced to the spot where we went last night, and it looks untouched. Huh. So, it was a dream. That sucks. But, it was so detailed and vivid. This is confusing the Tartarus out of me. I think it would be best of I just moved on and forgot it ever happened. Sighing, I stood up on my hooves, making sure not to wake up Eclipse. She looks so cute, I can't resist. I lowered my head and planted a kiss on her forehead before I glanced around, looking for a river. I’m thirsty.

I passed by Twilight and the others as I searched for a water source, my mouth dry. I could use something to eat, but that can come later; I would rather be starving than be dehydrated. The sounds of early morning filled my ears as I walked, birds chirping and the sound of the wind blowing softly. Multicolored leaves fell to the ground me slowly, gliding to the ground on a wind current. I also did like the atmosphere of the early morning, perhaps because it's the most beautiful time of the day… I need to make sure Princess Luna never hears me saying that.

A faint sound rang in my ears that made me swivel my ears, turning towards the source of the sound. And it awfully sounds like a current of water rushing. Without another moment of hesitation, I broke into a gallop towards the river, my mouth burning with desire for some cool water to wash down my throat. Leaves cracked under my hooves as I ran, and the wind brushed against my face, my mane blowing in the air as I ran as fast as I could. Please Celestia, I need some water!

I skid to a halt as a grin forms on my muzzle from the sight laid out before me. A medium-sized river was rushing clear water past me, ending in a small waterfall at the end and continuing on for awhile, for what seems like miles. Crouching down, I cupped my hooves together and gathered a small puddle of water in the crevice of my hooves, lifting up to my greedy maw. I gulped it all down, the cold water refreshing me and healing my parched throat. Sweet Celestia, this is great.

I kept drinking more and more water until I was satisfied, my mouth and throat not feeling completely and utterly dry as the desert. As I was about to get up and go try and retrieve some food, I shot a glance towards my reflection, noticing my cobalt blue mane cascading over my face, my snow white coat with tufts of fur rising up, and my similar colored to my mane eyes gazing up at me from my reflection. I grimaced at the sight of the large scar that's spread across the length of my muzzle, something that I got from my battle with Queen Chrysalis. It wasn't an easy battle.

Getting up, my stomach rumbled and reminded me that I was hungry. Chuckling lightly to myself, I began scrounging for food, as I didn't really feel like eating grass when there's a chance I can happen across some berries or fruits. Ponies only eat grass when there's no other options available to them and that's not true for me, as we're in a forest, which means I’m bound to find a bushel of berries or some fruits. I just have to do a little digging, which is something I’m used to.

I began searching high and low for something to eat, while my stomach continued to shake and tremble at the fact I haven't ate anything in days. By now, the Sun is a little bit higher in the sky, but it's still early in the morning. I would say it's about seven o'clock in the o'clock, which is around the time I usually wake up to slave away under the light of the Sun. I wonder what the Princess is doing now that we are already out here… Probably doing the same thing she usually does; Day Court. Heh, I remember her and Princess Luna went to war. A prank war. Unfortunately, Eclipse and I were dragged into the middle of it. Good times.

Contrary to popular belief, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna do have a semblance of humor in them. They are regular ponies, after all. It just seems like the public don't seem to get that, and try to do whatever they can to please them. I've seen that little frown Princess Celestia puts on when ponies begin bowing to her in public, she obviously isn't a big fan of it. Even if she is a princess and a co-ruler of Equestria, she's a pony just like us. After this is all over and done with, maybe I can get Moonlight XIII to treat her out to bar, get a few drinks. It would be hard to convince her to, but perhaps she will jump at the chance to let loose.

Princess Luna isn't much different, honestly. She does like being respected and revered as a ruler of Equestria, don't get that wrong, but just like her older sister, she likes to pull the crown down and relax. I guess that little prank war is an example of them letting loose and showing themselves for once. It was nice to see them happy and carefree, unburdened by being princesses. And let me tell you, don't ever get between Princess Celestia and her cake, she might banish you to the Sun if you mess with her cake. Princess Luna likes cereal, too, oddly enough. Everypony has their quirks, I suppose.

I stopped when I saw a bushel of berries, blueberries to be precise, at the top of a small hill. There was even a small ray of sunlight beaming down on it like in the books. Licking my lips, I climbed the hill carefully to not fall, and found myself face-to-face with the bush of scrumptious looking berries that are about to fall victim to my demanding stomach. Once again for the second time that morning, I greedily snatched a hoofful of berries and devoured them, enjoying their crisp texture and fruity flavor, smacking my lips after eating them. Wiping my mouth with a hoof, I realized everypony else must be hungry, so I began grabbing them and stuffing them into a small bag I carry around.

Glancing into the bag that's now filled to the brim with blueberries, I took one last glimpse at the now empty bush before I started my trek back to the would be camp, my hunger and thirst now quenched. Hopefully, everypony else is awake by now, because I’m not one for waiting around for everypony else to wake up. Of course, Eclipse is a heavy sleeper, while I can wake up to anything. I never said we had everything in common. Unlike her, I don't like getting drunk. Sure, I enjoy a few drinks, but enough for me to pass out. That's a trait she can keep to herself.

I approached the camp and noticed that everypony is awake, with the exception of Eclipse, who is still sleeping. Rolling my eyes at her stubbornness, Twilight waved to me, and Forgetful and Midnight gave me a lazy greeting, obviously still waking up. I sat down in front of them, and pulled out the bag of blueberries, throwing it to Twilight, who caught it with her magic. I didn't say anything as she opened the bag and after seeing its contents, did the same thing I did and munched a hoofful of berries. Smirking, I got up as she passed the bag to Forgetful and the vesper, walking over to Eclipse.

“Wake up, I got food, you stubborn mare.” I exclaimed, poking her with my hoof. She didn't budge at all, so I had to take drastic measures. I leaned down and began nibbling on her ear, swirling my tongue around the tip of it, making sure to make it wet as possible. It seemed to work because her eyelids opened and she blushed when she saw what I was doing before shoving me away. I chuckled as she got up, her blush fading as I kissed her on the lips.

“Did you really have to wake up like that? Jeez, it's impossible to wake up normally around you.” She muttered as she rubbed away all the saliva on her ear, glaring at me playfully.

“You know you love me.” I teased, walking over to everypony else, Eclipse following behind me. I plopped down on my flank, Eclipse sitting down next to me, pulling her hood down. I think I forgot to mention, but our cloaks have slots opened for our ears, wings if you have them, horns if you have one, and our tails.

“Are those blueberries? Gimme!” Eclipse demanded, snatching the bag out of Forgetful’s hooved, dumping the rest of the bag into her muzzle. Once she did, I snickered at the juice surrounding her lips.

“You have juice on your lips. Let me help you.” I said, pressing my lips against hers before she can protest. She blushed as I gathered all of the juice with my tongue, smiling as I left her lips.

“You two gonna’ rut or what?” Midnight interrupted before Forgetful thumped the back of her head with a hoof, making her go ‘oof’. I smirked as she shut up. Eclipse wiped her lips and leaned on me, her head laying on my chest. I placed a hoof on her mane and rubbed it slowly.

“What lovely conversations you ponies have…” Twilight muttered as she shook her head, her horn activating a purple color. A magical aura enveloped her hood and she pulled it down, revealing her identity to everypony, except me. Her purple mane with the pink and magenta stripes fell out of her hood, her dark purple eyes twinkling in the sunlight. Everypony gasped loudly, I just shrugged my shoulders already knowing the nature of her identity.

“Twilight Sparkle?!”