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       Good Things Are Better When They're A Rarity        
                     -by Stormbringer-                     
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               CHAPTER ONE: A Friend in Need               
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CHAPTER ONE: A Friend in Need
Twilight was all alone in the castle.  The experiment she was doing, was something she couldn’t have done back at the Golden Oak Library.  Here in the castle she was in a secure fortress.  She was sure she could guarantee not being disturbed.  She’d even sent Spike to Canterlot to visit Twilight Velvet and Night Light, despite the fact that Spike didn’t see Twilight as his mother, her parents he looked to as grandparents.
Twilight knew she had to be careful that she didn’t slip back into her reclusive ways.  But for now, the silence and solitude was delicious.
“Steady, steady...” Said Twilight out loud to herself, “one microgram too much and it’ll destroy a whole week of work.”
Twilight’s aura almost imperceptibly tilted the flask of fluid who’s green glow almost made it look like the solution had a life of it’s own.
The experiment was as much about Twilight’s precision of control as it was the chemical reactions.
Suddenly, there was a rabid pounding at the door.  She could hear Rainbow Dash calling her name.
Twilight’s attention was broken as she reflexively looked to the door.
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BOOM!
The next thing Twilight knew, she was on her back on the floor.  She could smell singed hair.  Also, Rainbow Dash was standing over her, and her hoof was shaking Twilight’s shoulder.
“Are you okay Twi,” asked Rainbow.
Unfortunately, Twilight responded quite cross.
“Rainbow!” exclaimed Twilight, who vanished in a flash of light and reappeared upright on her hooves, her singed hair repaired.  “don’t you know what it means when there’s a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on a door?”
“I know, but…”
Twilight wasn’t about to stop her lecture:
“Now I’ll have to take another week to even get to the point I just was!”
“Yes, but Rare…”
“My research is important to me.  How’d you like it if I messed up something special to you?  I could use a molting spell on you and you’d be grounded for a month as your feathers re-grow!”
“Twilight, Rarity…”
“And what could be so important that you have to…”
“FAUST DAMN IT, TWILIGHT!” shouted Rainbow Dash, placing her hoof over Twilight’s mouth, “SHUT YOUR FRIGIN’ MOUTH AND LISTEN!”
Twilight was stunned, Rainbow had never talked to her this way.  Nor had she heard Rainbow talk to anypony that way.  She suddenly realized there were tears flowing from Rainbow’s eyes.
“Rarity’s been hurt bad.”
Soon Twilight and Rainbow were flying to the Ponyville hospital.
“I’m sorry Twi for the way I spoke to you,” said Rainbow, “I don’t like swearing like that,” said Rainbow, “especially at my closest friends.”
“It’s alright Rainbow,” said Twilight, “I don’t blame you.  I’m surprised you didn’t punch me.”
“That was next,” said Rainbow, trying to smile.  Twilight smiled as well.
“So what happed?” asked Twilight.
“I don’t know,” said Rainbow, “I was told to go get you because the front doors of your castle were locked and nopony was answering.  So I flew to the balcony and came in the unlocked door.  Rarity is asking for you alone and won’t let anypony else see her.”
“A least she’s able to talk,” said Twilight, “I guess that’s a good sign.”
Rainbow nodded her head as the two approached the hospital.
In the waiting room at the hospital were Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack.  Even Pinkie looked sad and worried.  There were also Cookie Crumbles, Hondo Flanks and Sweetie Belle.
They all looked at Twilight and Rainbow as they entered.
“What happened?” asked Twilight.
“We don’t know,” said Cookie Crumbles, Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s mom, tears in her eyes.  Cookie was holding Sweetie Belle who was trying to be brave, but a pony could tell she’d been crying a lot.  “We just know that a message was sent to the hospital by an anonymous source saying an ambulance needed to be sent to Carousel Boutique.   The hospital staff sent for us, and we had Sweetie Belle go to tell all of you.  But nopony could contact you at the castle so we figured you were busy or out of town on important ‘Princess Business’.
We tried to see her, but they told us that we couldn’t enter and Rarity was requesting you Twilight, and nopony else.  So we asked Rainbow to find you.”
“That’s about all we know,” said Hondo Flanks, Sweetie Belle and Rarity’s dad.
“Has anything new been happening with Rarity?” asked Twilight.
“Rarity and I had our regular spa day yesterday,” said Fluttershy wiping the tears from her eyes.  “She was excited.  As all of you know, Rarity has been seeing a stallion a lot lately.   She had told me it was getting serious.  She said that he had told her to expect something special last night.  Rarity told me she thought the stallion was going to ‘pop the question’.”
The talk was interrupted by a nurse entering the room.
“Princess Twilight?” asked the nurse.
Twilight was still uncomfortable with the title.  At least nopony in Ponyville had gotten into the habit of bowing to her.
“Yes,” said Twilight, “that me.”
“The patient is asking for you,” said the nurse, “please come with me, Your Highness.”
Twilight cringed at the honorific, she was even less comfortable with that.
The nurse led Twilight through the corridors to a room then said for her to go on in.
Twilight opened the door with her magic, the lights were off and the curtains were drawn.   Even in the dark, Twilight could see somepony quickly pulling the blanket over their head.
“Who’s there?” asked Rarity, muffled by the blanket.
“It’s me Rare,” said Twilight, turning on the lights.
“Please leave the lights off,” said Rarity sniffling.
Twilight complied and walked to the bedside.
“What happened?” asked Twilight.
Rarity’s answer was her bursting out crying.
“Rarity,” said Twilight, “talk to me.  You asked for me to be here, so here I am.  Your parents, your sister and your friends are all concerned.”
“I was attacked,” said Rarity, still crying and muffled by the blanket.
“Attacked?  By whom?” asked Twilight.
“My coltfriend, Sky Watcher,” said Rarity.
“The one you told Fluttershy it was getting serious with?  And he told you to expect something special?”
“Yes,” said Rarity, “last night we’d had the most fabulous dinner, then after a romantic moonlight walk we ended back at Carousel Boutique.  We went in for drinks and talk.”
Rarity paused, it was hard for Twilight to follow some of this because the blanket was still over Rarity’s head.  It also sounded like Rarity was having trouble talking.
“One thing lead to another and we ended up in bed together.”
“He didn’t rape you,” said Twilight angrily, “did he?”
The concern in Twilight’s voice and the anger at the suggestion that Rarity may have been raped gave Rarity some comfort, she was right about Twilight and how she’d protect her.
“No Twilight,” said Rarity, “it was consensual.
When we were finished, and just had lay there for a while talking.  He got out of the bed.  He said he needed to get to his apartment to take care of something.  Then he kissed me and asked if I had enjoyed myself.  I told him I did.  He kissed me again and asked:
‘Are you ready for your surprise?’
‘I most certainly am,’ I replied, I was sitting on the edge of the bed.
‘Close your eyes,’ he said.
It was a surprise, I was expecting a ring, not what came next.”
Rarity broke down crying harder.
Twilight put a hoof on where she could guess her shoulder was.
“It’s okay Rarity,” said Twilight, “you don’t have to.”
“Yes I do,” said Rarity, between sobs.  “He did this.”
Rarity pulled the blanket down.  Twilight couldn’t help but gasp.
“He had me close my eyes so I couldn’t defend myself from what he was about to do.
First thing he did was slap my horn so hard it broke in two.  It hurt more than anything I could ever remember,” said Rarity sobbing,  “then he produced a small but sharp knife and forcefully slashed my face more times than I care to think.  I had fallen down, off of the bed, but he lifted me up with his magic and then turned to deliver a kick with both of his hind hooves to my face, hitting my eye and breaking three teeth.
He just laughed and said:
‘Remember our sex, because with a face like yours, it’ll probably be your last.’
He even took the piece of my horn with him, I guess as some sick memento.
He left me there on the floor, bleeding, crying and in pain.  I almost wished that I’d die!  I lay there until morning when the ambulance came.”
There were bandages all over Rarity’s face, most still seeping blood.  One eye was swollen shut and her mouth was swollen as well.
Most disturbing (to a Unicorn and Alicorn) her horn was about half its previous length, the end was bandaged and there was blood on the bandage indicating that the living core was exposed and damaged.  This meant Rarity couldn’t use magic until it healed or perhaps never again.
Twilight sat on the edge of the bed.  Rarity sat up and Twilight held Rarity, she could feel Rarity’s tears on her coat.
“It’s okay Rarity,” said Twilight holding her friend close, “it’s over now.  You’ll be fine.”
Rarity pushed back and looked at Twilight, there was fear on her face as well as tears on her cheeks.
“No it’s not!” said Rarity, almost in a panic, “he’ll be coming back to kill me, I just know it!
I told the police everything, they went to his apartment, but he had moved out last night without a forwarding address.  So he’s still out there.”
“Rarity, if he meant to kill you, he would have done it.” said Twilight, “he sounds like the type of egotistic maniac who has to hurt others to build up his own self-worth.”
“But what if he comes back to hurt me some more,” said Rarity terrified, “or to kill me?”
Twilight had a fierce look in her eyes, Rarity saw it and it gave her strength.
“I’ll not let that happen.”
“I know Twilight,” said Rarity tightening her embrace.  “That’s why I asked for you first.
I love and trust my family and our friends.  But I know of all them, I could count on you for protection.”
“I swear,” said Twilight, tears, concern and perhaps affection in her eyes.  “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Thank you Twilight,” said Rarity her tears slowing, drawing strength from the concern Twilight was showing.  “I feel so much better now.”
Rarity kissed Twilight on the cheek.
“Your family and friends are waiting to see you,” said Twilight.
“They can come in now,” said Rarity, “just keep the lights off for now, please Darling.”
Twilight smiled, Rarity was starting to sound like her old self.
Rarity’s friends and family spent a couple hours comforting the white Unicorn.  Then a nurse came by and told everypony that Rarity needed her rest.  As everypony was leaving, Rarity called out:
“You’re not leaving me, are you Twilight?”
“No,” said Twilight, “I was just going to have Applejack go to the castle and get some things for me.”
“Could you her ask her to lock up Carousel Boutique and put a ‘Closed Until Further Notice’ sign on the door?”
“Sure Rarity,” said Twilight smiling, “I’ll be right back.”
It was later in the evening, the hospital was good enough to provide dinner for Twilight and a cot to sleep on.
Rarity was embarrassed because she had to ask Twilight to help her eat and drink.  Unlike other ponies, Unicorns become used to using magic to help them eat, and they are uncomfortable sticking their faces in the food like Pegasi and Earth Ponies, especially a pony as proper as Rarity.
It was getting late and after talking about subjects to keep Rarity’s mind off the happenings, soon said she was tired.  Twilight told Rarity it was okay if she laid down to rest.  Rarity was soon asleep.  Twilight lay down on the cot and was reading.
Suddenly, Rarity was moaning and starting to flail about in her bed.  She sat up, wide eyed and screaming;
“NO!”
Twilight flew to Rarity’s bedside.  Rarity latched on to Twilight and embraced her tightly.
“It’s alright Rarity,” said Twilight, stroking Rarity’s soft mane, “you’re okay.  I’m here, I never let anypony hurt you.”
“Oh Twilight,” sobbed Rarity, “am I always going to have to live through that horror every time I try to sleep?  Maybe it’d be better if he did kill me.”
“Rarity,” said Twilight alarmed, “don’t talk like that!  You’ll get over this, and as I said, I’ll not let anything or anypony hurt you.”
After a bit of Twilight holding her and gently rocking her, Rarity calmed down.  Twilight got up to go back to her cot.
“Where are you going?” asked Rarity fearfully.
“Back to my cot so you can sleep,” answered Twilight.
“Don’t leave me,” said Rarity starting to cry again, “please hold me.”
Twilight saw the look of Rarity’s already pathetic face.  Twilight smiled and climbed under the covers with Rarity.  With her magic, Twilight lifted the side rails so neither would roll out.  The light went out as well.
Rarity turned with her back to Twilight and snuggled close.  Twilight put a foreleg over her friend and as she did, Rarity sighed as if content.  Soon Rarity was snoring softly.  Twilight lightly kissed her friend on the head.
“Goodnight beautiful pony.”
As Twilight held Rarity, it was all Twilight could do not to let her fore hoof wander and explore the body of this soft beautiful mare she was now in bed with and holding.  The smell of Rarity was setting off alarms in her mind.  She could see, in her mind’s eye, her hoof sliding down the silky soft white coat, perhaps to Rarity’s nipples.
Then she’d maneuver her hoof around Rarity’s flank, under her tail and explore the marehood of this magnificent pony.  A marehood Twilight had dreamed and fantasized about so many times.
But this wasn’t the time or the place.  Just because she was in bed with Rarity and holding her in her forelegs, that didn’t give Twilight the right to have her way with her friend.  And not only would it a reason to loose a friend or all her friends permanently, it’d break her parent’s hearts as well as Princess Celestia’s if the Princess of Friendship had to be arrested and do time for sexual misconduct.
Twilight decided it was enough to drift off to sleep with the bliss she felt just holding Rarity.
“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” asked Rainbow Dash.
Twilight opened her eyes, Rarity was still sleeping but she’d turned over in the night and was holding Twilight as well, it felt nice.
“No Rainbow,” whispered Twilight, “Rarity was afraid to sleep alone so I lay down with her, she asked me to hold her.  That’s all.”
“If you say so Twi,” said Rainbow with a snicker, Rainbow knew what Twilight was saying was the truth.  But it was fun to tease Twilight when she could.
Twilight vanished in a flash and reappeared on the floor by Rainbow, less chance of waking Rarity.
“What’s up Rainbow,” asked Twilight.
“I was on my way to work and I wanted to check in on Rare.”
“After she had me get in bed with her,” said Twilight, “she slept soundly.  Her injuries are serious, but I think she was more exhausted from the ordeal.”
“Poor Rare,” said Rainbow, “I really wish I could get my hooves on the clown that did this to her.
“You and me both,” said Twilight.
“AJ said she’d apple-buck his cajones out through his through his head all the way to the moon,” said Rainbow.
“I even think Fluttershy feels that way.”  Replied Twilight.
“Flutters told me she wishes she could become the flutterbat again and you turn him into an apple,” said Rainbow.  “She said she’d suck him dry like a raisin.  I didn’t know Fluttershy could get so angry with a pony.  Remind me not to piss her off!
And despite how she lets on, Rare is tough as nails, remember the Diamond Dogs? (Twilight nodded her head).  She’ll be okay, tell her I dropped by.”
“I will Rainbow,” said Twilight, “have a good day.”
Rainbow and Twilight hugged then Dash left the room and Twilight sat in a chair and summoned her book and read for about a half hour.
Rarity was dreaming of being courted by a handsome prince in shining armor.  He treated her like the princess she always dreamed of being.  The love and attention was beyond description.  The pony’s touch melted her heart and she gave herself fully to the prince.
As the prince removed his armor, Rarity noticed that it wasn’t a prince at all, but a princess!  Princess Twilight Sparkle.  Twilight embraced her and poured her heart out to Rarity, confessing a love she’d hidden for years.  Rarity didn’t know what to do until Twilight pulled her close and kissed her a kiss she never experienced before.
Twilight then carried Rarity to her bed in the castle and made love to her like no pony had in the past.  Twilight asked Rarity to marry her and instantly they were before Princess Celestia in Canterlot Castle Throne Room,  Celestia was about to put a tiara on her head and make her a princess when the dream faded…
‘Horse-apples!’ Thought Rarity, ‘always at the good part.’
Rarity sat up and looked around.
“Twilight?” said Rarity from her bed.
“I’m here,” said Twilight, “Rainbow stopped by to say hi.  I got up as not to disturb you.”
“Thank you Darling,” said Rarity sitting up, “I’m so lucky to have a friend like you.  After you got in bed with me, I slept like a rock.”
It was hard to tell, but Rarity was looking strangely at Twilight.
A candy striper filly walked in the room.  She had a bouquet of flowers.
“How beautiful,” said Rarity, “put them by the bed.”
The candy striper put them where directed.
“Who’re they from,” asked Rarity.
“There’s a card, they were delivered by Rose Luck the florist,” said the candy striper leaving the room.
“Twilight?” said Rarity.
Twilight levitated the card to Rarity.  Rarity read it and screamed:
“Oh Celestia no!”
Rarity lashed out and knocked the arrangement on the floor.
“Rarity,” said Twilight, “what’s wrong?”
“They’re from…
Him!”
Twilight got up and levitated broken vase and flowers to the trash and the card to herself and read it.
So sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident.  I’ll never forget you and our last date.  I’m sure every time you look in a mirror, you’ll remember me and the good times we had.
Lovingly Yours,
Sky Watcher
“That bastard!” exclaimed Twilight.  Rarity had never heard Twilight refer to anypony like that.
“See,” said Rarity, “he’s going to torment me forever!”
“Over my dead, rotting and desiccated corps he will!”  said Twilight getting flush with outrage.  The note vanished in a puff of vapor as well as the offending flowers in the trash.
“How’d he find me?” said Rarity starting to cry again.
“That isn’t hard,” said Twilight, “he knew you were alive when he left, but severely injured so you’d have to go to the local hospital.  Plus he was probably the ‘anonymous source’ who notified the ambulance.
And if he sent the ambulance, then he didn’t intend for you to die.  It probably works to his sick sense of self-worth to know you might be disfigured and hurt, while he goes on with his twisted life.  It was just a last parting shot, probably to upset you and make you think you’re still in peril.
He may even see himself as some kind of hero for calling the ambulance.
One day, he’ll make a mistake and he’ll pay for this, and for the others he’s probably done this to.
I’ll see to it personally!”
Rarity broke down crying again, Twilight lowered the rails and sat on the edge of the bed and held Rarity.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Twilight, stroking Rarity’s mane, “I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.”
“I know,” said Rarity, “I feel safe with you just holding me.  Thank you.”
Rarity surprised Twilight and kissed her on the lips.  It wasn’t what you’d call a romantic kiss, there was no tongue.  But Twilight could tell it was more than the standard issue girly kiss between friends, and it was held for longer than a normal thank you.
Then Rarity tightened her embrace and lay her head against Twilight’s shoulder, sighed and sniffed as she got her crying under control.
Twilight was sorry for what her friend was going through, but with the joy she felt as she held Rarity last night and the way Rarity was clinging to Twilight for comfort, this felt better than she’d ever expected.  If she had her way, she’d hold Rarity forever.
What Twilight couldn’t know was Rarity was feeling the same because to the dream she just had.
It wasn’t long before the nurse brought in breakfast for Rarity and one for Twilight.  Twilight didn’t need to be asked, she was happy to feed Rarity.  That way she knew that Rarity was eating and could keep up her strength.
It felt odd but nice to have a pony who was depending on her.  A pony Twilight enjoyed taking care of.
Twilight was even able to get Rarity to laugh, she was doing little feeding games she’d seen other ponies do with their foals.
“Here comes the choo-choo, open up the tunnel,” Twilight would say as she levitated a fork of food to Rarity and making chugging noises.  Rarity would giggle and open up.
It was later that day and Twilight was talking with Rarity about books.  Twilight never realized Rarity was a big fan of the Shadow Spade novels.  It was nice to find something in common with her friend, it made Twilight feel closer to the white Unicorn.
But their conversation was cut short by a doctor entering the room.
“So Rarity,” said the doctor, “how are you feeling today?”
“I feel so much better with all the care I’ve been receiving from my friend,” said Rarity looking affectionately at Twilight.
“That’s great,” said the doctor, “we were going to release you today, but your chart says you live alone.  Because of that, we’re going to keep you for another couple of days, for observation.”
Rarity felt let down.  She didn’t like having to be stuck in bed in the cold sterile environment of the hospital.
“She won’t be alone doctor,” said Twilight, “I’m going to be watching her, she’ll be coming home with me.”
Rarity’s bandaged face lit up.  She was going to ask Twilight if she could do just that.
“That’d be excellent, princess,” said the doctor.

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             CHAPTER TWO: Looking After Rarity             
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CHAPTER TWO: Looking After Rarity
It was later that day when the hospital released Rarity to Twilight’s care.
Twilight and her friends helped Rarity to Twilight’s castle.  Rainbow and Applejack went to Carousel Boutique to get some personal items, mostly makeup and other beauty products along with toiletries.  Also there was a cape, her ‘house coat’ and her sleep mask.  It was all put in one of the many spare rooms.  Twilight ask that they put Rarity in the room next to Twilight’s bedroom.  Then the friends, after a short time of talking and making sure Rarity was comfortable, left to let Rarity settle in and rest.
Not long after their friends had left Zecora showed up, Twilight’s had requested Rainbow to go and deliver a message to the zebra.  She had brought a potion for Rarity that was able to fix her damaged teeth.
Then it was just Twilight and Rarity.
“Are you going to be comfortable here,” asked Twilight.
“Are you kidding?” said Rarity, her mouth no longer hurting and thus her spirits were up.  “I’ve always wanted to live in a castle.  I was so jealous when it appeared.  I know it’s only temporary, but at least it’s a little slice of a dream come true.
Thank you so much Darling!”
Rarity hugged Twilight and delivered an even larger kiss than before.  Not quite a romantic kiss, but there was something there and Twilight liked it.
Twilight told Rarity she was going to make dinner and then they could rest, and if she felt like it, Rarity could go to bed anytime she liked.
“Thank you Twilight,” said Rarity, “I do have some things to put away.”
Nothing else happened for the rest of the day, except Twilight did have to feed Rarity.  Rarity feared this might get old to Twilight.  But Twilight was enjoying doing this apparently as much as Rarity enjoyed having somepony taking care of her.  There was a lot of laughter.  Twilight had never had this much one-on-one time with Rarity and she was enjoying it greatly.
After dinner, Rarity said she was tired and would take a shower and turn in.
Twilight busied herself around the castle.  There was the disaster to clean up in the lab, which had sat there for a couple of days, then some light reading.
As Rarity finished her shower, she looked in the mirror at her face without the bandages.  There were the areas where her coat had been shaved away from the wounds.  Red and raw edges of the lacerations accentuated by the stiches holding the wounds together.
She was sure others would see her as some kind of Frankenpony.
Her eye was getting better and Rarity was able to see with it, but there was still plenty of bruising and the eye itself was red.  The only part still bandaged was her horn, or what was left of it.
There were tears in her eyes as her and heart breaking at the perceived loss of her beauty.
‘He’s right,’ thought Rarity, ‘nopony will ever want me again.’
Rarity went to the room which had been fixed up for her.  She lay down for a while but couldn’t quite go to sleep thinking about her face and what the brute had said to her about nopony would ever want her.  She found herself wanting something to read to distract her from her pity-party, but there were no books in her room.  She knew Twilight had plenty in hers.
Rarity was sure her friend wouldn’t mind so she went into Twilight’s room and  looked at the books on the shelves.  She saw an interesting title, it was an old Shadow Spade book Rarity had heard about but never read.  It was out of reach and she cursed that she couldn’t levitate.  Looking around, she saw a low decorative chest in a corner, one she could climb up on to reach the book.
Rarity was still having trouble moving things without her magic.  She started to move the chest with her muzzle but it caught on the carpet, turned on its side and the contents spilled out.
Rarity saw they were paperback books.  They were of a type Rarity didn’t expect to find in Twilight’s possession.  But from the well-worn spines, they were all well read and reread.
They were what most ponies would call Trashy Romance Novels.  But more than that, they were of a sub-genre which was completely unexpected.  The covers depicted couples laughing, dining, kissing and even in bed together.  But what shocked Rarity was that the couples were mare with mare.
“Well! Well! Well! Twilight,” said Rarity out loud as she looked at the titles and the pictures on the covers, “this explains a lot.”
Rarity had never been curious before about mare with mare intimacy, not that she saw anything wrong with it.  So she decided to look in one, just to see what the big deal was.  But Rarity couldn’t believe how aroused she was becoming just looking at some of the passages Twilight had bent the pages back to mark.
Rarity had never thought about a mare making love to a mare or even having one make love to her.  But this touched something inside her.
She thought about how many disappointments she’d had with stallions who’d aroused Rarity to only ‘leave her hanging’ after they got what they wanted.  Then as if doing a her favor, they’d praise her for her lovemaking skills.  Hollow praise as she lay there unfulfilled.
Or worse, he’d turn over and proceed to snore, only to be gone in the morning without a note of good bye.
But here were passages of mares having their deepest needs met by a pony who really understood what the other was needing.  There was no rough handling, macho bravado or insensitivity.  Their lover was tender, gentle and willing to please.
Rarity’s thoughts came back to her friend.  She was sure that Twilight was without a Very Special Somepony in her life.
‘How hard it must be on you Twilight,’ she thought to herself, a tear in her eye for her friend.  ‘It’s apparent with you reading these books that you want…
No!
You need love.  And yet you surround yourself with friends that are mares and never do you even hint at the longing you must feel inside.  It’s no wonder that no pony hugs better than you my friend.’
Rarity had seen firsthoof the bravery Twilight possessed.  But in this context, this had to be the bravest thing she’d ever witnessed.
“Oh Twilight,” said Rarity out loud, “I do understand you now.”
It was getting late and Twilight was turning in,  She peeked in on Rarity, but all the lights were out so she didn’t bother to go in.  But she was disappointed that she didn’t get to say ‘goodnight’ to her friend.
Twilight then took a shower and went to her room.  The lights were out as well, but she knew the room like the back of her hoof.
She opened the windows a bit, Twilight was a ‘fresh air fiend’.  Then she climbed in bed and lay her head down.  Suddenly she felt movement in her bed.  Twilight turned and looked and saw it was Rarity.  She was laying on her side, head on the pillow looking and smiling at Twilight.  Rarity’s eyes twinkled in the low light.
“I found your stash Darling,” said Rarity.
“What stash,” asked Twilight.
“Your stash of Guilty Little Pleasures,” said Rarity, stroking Twilight’s coat, “your love novels.”
Twilight blushed, she could see Rarity smiling and odd smile.
“Why’ve you never said anything Darling,” asked the white Unicorn.
“About what?”
“About you being a mare-lover.”
“There was never any reason to talk about it,” said Twilight.
Rarity could tell Twilight was embarrassed.
“Don’t worry about it, I understand.  And it’s nothing to be ashamed about.  Here you are, a mare-lover surrounded with a group of friends who’re mares and all are only interested in the opposite sex.  It must be embarrassing to have to listen to us as we boast about endeavors, endeavors you have no interest in.
Maybe you even have some attraction to one or more of us.  That can truly be tough.  So I can see why you haven’t said anything.
I truly think it’s been very noble of you to maintain your secret and yet be there for everypony else.”
Rarity gave Twilight a small kiss on the cheek.
“But don’t worry, I completely understand you now better than I ever have.  And you’re right, there’s no reason to talk about it.
In fact, we don’t need to talk at all Darling,” said Rarity, pulling Twilight close.
This time there was tongue with the kiss.  Twilight was taken aback but she found her own forelegs wrapping around her friend and pulling her close.  It was true, Twilight liked mares, but she had never considered approaching her friends for ‘relations’, especially Rarity.  Twilight was sure her friend could have almost any stallion she wanted.  Rarity had never given any indication that she’d any desire to be with another mare.
But the feeling of Rarity’s tongue, her soft body, the smell of her perfume and the pheromones her brain was registering was more than Twilight ever expected.  The feeling was to die for.
Then it struck Twilight.  She thought this might not be about being with herself as much as it was not being with a stallion.
As much as she was enjoying this, Twilight broke the kiss.
“Rarity, I have to say that this is a dream come true.  But I don’t want to ‘handy’ because of the hurt you went through.”
Rarity started to cry.
“I knew it,” said Rarity, “he’s made me so ugly, not even my closest friend finds any desire for me.  That’s why you didn’t try anything last night as we were in bed together.”
Rarity started to get up, but Twilight held firm.
“Rarity,” said Twilight, “I swear to Celestia, this has nothing to do with the way you look.  I know your heart and you’re still the most beautiful pony I know.
As far as last night, it was all I could do not run my hooves all over your body.  I had trouble going to sleep because you were so warm and soft, the smell of you was setting off alarms in my brain.  I wanted you so badly, but I’ve always respected you.
Could you imagine what would’ve happened if I’d ‘helped myself’ and you didn’t want the attention?”
Rarity nodded in understanding.  Then Twilight blushed brightly, even in the dark:
“But truthfully, I’ve fantasized about you as well.  I never considered to try to have a relationship.  I was sure you wouldn’t be interested in a mare, especially me.
But know this, no matter the relationship, I’m always there for you Rarity.  And I always will be.
I just don’t want to be convenient and you regret this in the morning.”
Rarity was pleased to hear that Twilight had fantasized about her and confessed to having feelings for her as well.  But the pronouncement of her respect was something no other past lover had ever hinted at.
Rarity pulled Twilight closer, her body pressed against her friend.
“Then show me I’m still desirable, show me you find me desirable” said Rarity pleading, “make your fantasies come true.
Make love to me Darling, please.”
“I’ve no problem with that,” said Twilight, slightly embarrassed. “but I’ve never done this before.”
Rarity smiled.
“Then give me your virginity Darling,” said Rarity, “in this case, I’m as much a virgin as you are.  I’ve never before have even thought of making love to and with a mare.
This is as new to me as it is to you.  I want you to give me that special gift you’d only give to a pony you want and one that you truly trust.
Make love to me like the mares do in your books.  Because I want you so badly right now.
Take me and make me yours.”
“And I want you so badly as well, more than I’ve ever wanted a pony and I’ve wanted you to be mine for so very long,” said Twilight, the talk had aroused her more than anything before.
Especially with Rarity wanting to have sex with her.
Truth be told, Twilight would often think of Rarity at night and without thinking or meaning to, her hoof would be rubbing her marehood.
Twilight pulled Rarity close and they continued kissing for some time.  It appeared that Rarity was finding no problem with Twilight’s technique.  Twilight then started to lightly and gently kiss every wound and her bad eye.
Twilight remembered several techniques from her books.  So she started kissing down Rarity’s neck then on to her chest.  As she reached Rarity’s navel, Twilight started licking deeply.  The moaning from Rarity was as arousing as kissing this most beautiful of ponies.
Rarity was pleased with Twilight taking the lead.  It was a little surprising but sweet with Twilight kissing her wounds like a mother would kiss a foal’s ‘boo-boos’.  But soon enough, Twilight started working the kisses down her neck and chest.  Rarity was surprised at how exciting this was.  Twilight was right, Rarity had never considered physical relations with a mare, not that she saw anything wrong with it.
When Twilight reached her navel, it started something inside her.  She felt her marehood becoming wet.  It was wanting stimulation, and not the kind she was used to.
          She was wanting a mare.
                    No!
                              She was wanting Twilight.
Twilight continued on down to Rarity’s nipples.  Twilight had always found nipples and breasts to be one of her favorite parts of a mare.  And so she made sure she got as much as she could.  She did have a little fear in the back of her mind that the morning would find Rarity regretting this and right now would be the only time she would get with the beautiful Unicorn.
Rarity was amazed, no stallion had ever taken this much time in foreplay.  But Twilight appeared to be in no hurry and to tell the truth Rarity was glad she wasn’t.
“Turn over to your knees,” whispered Twilight, “please.”
Rarity smiled and turned over.  She had her succulent rump in the air, she knew enough to move her tail aside.  Twilight spread Rarity’s marehood with her magic and stuck her tongue as far as it would go.  Rarity twitched her hips and gasped at the unexpected pleasure.
Twilight took her time exploring Rarity’s love organ but soon enough Twilight licking and sucking on Rarity’s clitoris.
Then to Rarity’s surprise, Twilight would lick up the length of her marehood and started licking and kissing Rarity’s anus!
“Oh Twilight,” moaned Rarity.
Twilight took some time going back and forth from marehood to anus.  Rarity was going wild.
Twilight then asked Rarity to turn back over.  When she did, Twilight went back to working on Rarity’s marehood.
It was amazing! The feeling, the passion, the excitement!  Rarity reached down and held Twilight’s head in the right spot.  It was starting to be hard for Twilight to stay on task with Rarity’s hips pumping so hard.
When Rarity reached down and held Twilight’s head, Twilight knew she was doing this right.  With the way her hips were moving, it was clear that it wouldn’t be long for the orgasm.
Twilight had read about many reactions at the time of climax, but she always wondered what it meant when it described somepony as a screamer.
Twilight found out.  Rarity’s hips stopped, her back arched and she cried out:
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Twilight knew that she needed to continue until the orgasm passed.  When Rarity’s hips relaxed and she collapsed to the bed, Twilight went back up to kiss Rarity some more.  Rarity was finding it was more than exciting to taste herself on a mare’s tongue.
“My goodness Darling,” said Rarity breaking the kiss and panting, “that was amazing.  Are you sure you’ve never done this before?  I need to read some of your books.”
The two giggled and then continued kissing.
Rarity was enjoying the kissing immensely, but she was a little worried about having oral sex with a mare.  She’d never considered such a thing and as aroused as Twilight had made her, there was still a bit of trepidation.
‘If I’m the Spirit of Generosity,’ thought Rarity, ‘how can I not return generously what has been generously given to me?’
Then Rarity realized all she had to do was do to Twilight what she liked done to herself.  This thought made it suddenly more exciting.
Rarity rolled Twilight to her back and started kiss the way Twilight had kissed her.  However, at Twilight’s chest Twilight started to giggle and squirm.  Rarity stopped and smiled:
“I’m finding out a lot about you tonight Darling,” said Rarity giggling herself. “First, mare-lover and now ticklish!  How adorable.”
Twilight just giggled as Rarity continued.  She was trying not to tickle…
Too much.
Rarity did spend some time on Twilight’s nipples which aroused Rarity more than she expected.  A stallion’s were so much smaller, and were hardly ever stimulated for erotic pleasure, but here was a mare’s larger nipples and breasts.  Rarity was liking this.
Then she worked on down to Twilight’s marehood.
Rarity looked at Twilight’s love organ.  She was afraid that the sight might repulse her, but it was fascinating.  Rarity had never been this close to another mare’s marehood before.  The shape, the dampness and even the smell was doing something to her.  Her own marehood was still tingling from the stimulation Twilight had done.  But this was making her want more.
‘The Tartarus with it!’ thought Rarity.
Rarity attacked the love organ with all the gusto of a sex starved stallion.  She had to be careful because of the fresh wounds on her face, but she was making sure she was being as sloppy as she could.  Twilight’s ‘juices’ were running down Rarity’s chin.
Rarity had never been so aroused.
Rarity dove her tongue into Twilight.  It was a dream come true.  Not only finding a mare to be intimate with, but being intimate with Rarity.
Rarity was going at it very aggressively and Twilight found it to be exciting.  Being it was her first time, the climax didn’t take long.
“Oh Rarity, OH RARITY, OH RARITY!  OHHHHH!
When Twilight was spent, Rarity slid up Twilight’s belly and looked deep into her eyes.
“I never knew it could be like this,” said Rarity and then lightly kissing Twilight.
“And I never knew the joy I could feel,” said Twilight returning the kiss.  “I have to be very careful.”
“Of what Darling,” said Rarity.
“I know this is fast.  But then again, I’ve really have had these feelings since we first met.”  Said Twilight as she lightly kissed Rarity again.
“What feelings. Darling?” asked the white Unicorn.
“I’m finding that it would be so very easy for me to fall in love with you, the most beautiful of ponies,” said Twilight.
Rarity’s face lit up the whole room up.
“It’d be easy for me as well Darling,” said Rarity, her heart pounding from this revelation; a pronouncement of true love.  Not just words to get what the partner wanted.
“But let’s not rush it.  I think it’s going to be fun making sure.”
Twilight smiled and pulled the beautiful Unicorn close and continued the deep kissing.  Now with the taste of both mingling, it drove them on.
Scissors, then 69 and then several other positions.  The loving went early into the morning.
The morning light shown through the stained glass in Twilight’s room.  It was casting beautiful colors on Rarity’s face.  Rarity was cuddled up to Twilight who was laying on her back with Rarity resting her head on Twilight’s shoulder.
Twilight had not slept the several hours since Rarity finally gave into the fatigue of hours of lovemaking.  What pony could sleep when they were in bed with such a magnificently beautiful lover.  The signs of recent trauma didn’t distract from the beauty of this Unicorn.  There was a smile of complete contentment on Rarity’s face and it made Twilight’s heart sing to know that she herself was the reason for the contentment.
‘O sweet mother of Celestia and Luna,’ thought Twilight. ‘Am I rushing it?  My heart has never felt this much for anypony ever.
Yes, I think I’m now in love with Rarity and may’ve been for some time now.  But she did sound cautious.  And who could blame her after what she just went through.
And we do have to be sure that this is not just some rebound thing due to her hurt, in spite of what Rarity said earlier.  Or me jumping the gun with her being my first relationship.
But I can’t help it, I love Rarity so much now.  Even if, Celestia forbid it, she doesn’t return it.
I think, for myself, I could be very happy to live my life making this most special of ponies happy.’
Spike had always slept in Twilight’s room until they moved into the castle and he now had his own room.  But there was never a reason for the dragon to knock on entering Twilight’s room.
That was about to change.
Twilight heard her door creek open and her assistant enter the room.  Twilight had been ‘distracted’ by taking care of Rarity.  Twilight suddenly remembered she was supposed to meet Spike early at the train station, and she wasn’t sure how Spike would take their current ‘situation’.
“Twi, I thought you were going to meet me at the train…
Holy Guacamole!”
At first all Spike saw was something he never gave any thought too, somepony in bed with Twilight.  And despite being a baby dragon, he knew what this was about.  Never had he ever thought he’d walk in on Twilight in a sexual situation.
Then the real shock was when he recognized the pony in bed with his closest of friends was Rarity.
The sound awakened Rarity and both ponies sat up and looked at the intruder.
“I think we need to talk,” said Twilight.
“Indeed we do,” said Rarity.
Then the next shock for Spike was Rarity kissing Twilight a more than just a friendly kiss.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                 CHAPTER THREE: A New Way                  
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER THREE: A New Way
Twilight, Rarity and Spike were at the dining room table.  Breakfast was almost eaten.  And despite the shock of Twilight and Rarity in bed together and kissing, he did find their little feeding games funny as Twilight was feeding Rarity.
“One more bite now,” said Twilight.
“No!” said Rarity pouting like a spoiled little filly.
“Come on,” said Twilight levitating the spoon to Rarity who crossed her forelegs across her chest and turned her head.
“Here comes the blimp,” said Twilight in a motherly voice, “open the hangar for the last bite.”
“No!” said Rarity turning her head in the other direction.
“Okay,” said Twilight, “if you don’t eat your last bite, then no kisses for you today.”
Rarity turned her head and nearly swallowed the spoon.
“No fair!” said Rarity swallowing her oatmeal.
Twilight smiled and leaned over and kissed Rarity.
“Don’t fret, I’d do anything now to get kisses from you Honey,” said Twilight.
Rarity smiled, it was the first time Twilight had used an endearment and it felt so good.
The two embraced and then sat back.  They knew it must be making Spike uncomfortable, it was time to talk.
Twilight explained what had happened just the other day.  Spike was wondering what had happened to Rarity but Twilight had taught him enough common curtesy not to ask about such things and embarrass the pony.
“Wow Rarity,” said Spike, “I’m so sorry to hear that.  And know that I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
“I know Spiky-Poo,” said Rarity, “and I know how hard this must be on you.”
“What do you mean?” asked the dragon.
“I mean with the crush you’ve had on me.” said Rarity.
“Why’d you tell her Twi,” asked Spike blushing.
Both ponies chuckled, Spike was puzzled.
“Precious-Scales,” said Rarity reaching a hoof to Spike’s claw, “the only pony who didn’t know that I knew, was you.  Don’t feel bad, I’m so flattered at the way you’ve felt.  And I do feel a little bad that I’ve used the knowledge to take advantage of you and get you to do things for me in the past.  You can forgive me for that can’t you?’
“Of course Rarity,” said Spike, “and I know you being a pony and me a dragon, it could never be.  But know that I’ll always love you as more than just a friend.”
“Thank you Spikey-Wikey,” said Rarity leaning over and kissing the dragon’s cheek.
“Hey,” said Twilight laughing, “those are mine now!”
“Of course they are,” said Rarity, “My Darling.”
Twilight caught the My Darling and not just Darling.
The two kissed deeply, Spike just chuckled and left the room.
‘If Twi and Rarity are now a couple,’ thought Spike happily, ‘then I can be around Rarity more.’
Later in the day, Rarity said she needed to check on her shop, but she didn’t want to go out without Twilight.  Twilight had no problem with it.  Rarity said she had to get something from the room.
It wasn’t long and the white Unicorn returned with her black cape and hood.  She was wearing the hood low over her head to cover as much of her face as possible.
Twilight tried to keep Rarity occupied.  They walked close, mostly touching their sides and flanks.
“Twilight,” said Rarity as they were walking to Carousel Boutique, “I want to thank you again for watching over me so close.  Never has anypony been as attentive as you’ve been.”
“My pleasure,” said Twilight, “really it is.  And I would do this even if we weren’t sleeping together, but I’m really, really glad that we are.  I never expected to have a pony to love especially one as special as you My Sweetness.
I know it might sound strange, but there’s a positive side to what’s happened.  Although I do wish it never had happen, it opened what’s happening between us.
You Rarity, have to be the greatest thing to ever happen to me.  I want you to know that, no matter what happens or what you decide about being in love with me.”
Rarity smiled beneath her hood and she kissed Twilight not caring what pony might be around.
The two walked to Carousel Boutique, Rarity checked the mail and watered some plants.  While Rarity was busy, Twilight took the opportunity to clean the blood from the floor in the bedroom as not to remind the white Unicorn of the tragedy.
Twilight asked about Opalescence.  Luckily Fluttershy had taken her the day of the incident to groom her.  Fluttershy said she would watch after her until Rarity could take care of her properly.
“Would you like to stop for some lunch Most Precious of Ponies,” said Twilight, Rarity smiled at the endearment.
“Of course My Darling,” said Rarity.
The two smiled at the other.
At Sugarcube Corner, Twilight and Rarity sat at a table.  They were holding hooves and talking low.
“Rarity, Twilight,” said Pinkie approaching their table, “so good to see you out and about Rarity.”
“Thank you Pinkie Darling,” said Rarity, “it feels good to be out.”
“Well, we’re all glad you’re on the mend,” said Pinkie.
“We all are,” said Twilight, “me especially.”
Rarity leaned over and kissed Twilight.
“Well I’ll be,” said Pinkie, “you sure you didn’t hit your head or something?’
The three laughed.
“Yes Pinkie,” said Rarity, “I think some sense was knocked into me.  I’ve found a pony who’s willing to take care of me and please me with all her heart without thought of reward.”
“You’re wrong about that,” said Twilight, Rarity looked oddly at her. “No, I’m being very selfish.  I want my reward, and that reward is to see you smile again.”
Rarity blushed and she and Twilight kissed again.
“Ho, Doggies!” Said the voice they all recognized.
“Applejack,” said Rarity, “so good to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you too,” said the farm pony with a smirk, “I was goin’a ask if’n you were bein’ taken care of.  But I see you’re getting’ the royal treatment.”
“Yes,” said Rarity, “I never expected to be waited on by a princess.  But it isn’t a princess that’s watching over me.  It’s my marefriend…
And my true love.”
At this pronouncement, Twilight’s face expanded into the largest smile anypony had seen on Twilight before.
“I see you’ve made up your mind,” said Twilight to Rarity.
Rarity nodded her head.
“Yes Twilight,” said Rarity looking into Twilights eyes from under her hood.  “with the way you’ve cared for me, I know just how much you do love me.  So how could I not love you My Sweetest.”
“And I do love you so much, most precious of ponies,” answered Twilight.
The two kissed the deepest kiss possible without compromising her wounds.
Pinkie and Applejack smiled at the affection being shown by her two friends.
“You know what this calls for?” asked Pinkie.
“A quiet evening with a romantic candlelight dinner for two with wine and soft music.  Followed by a tender lovemaking session late into the night,” said Twilight only half kidding, but looking into Rarity’s eyes.
Rarity snickered, Applejack chuckled at the look on Pinkie’s face.
“No silly,” said Pinkie realizing that Twilight was having fun with her. “A party!”
“Okay,” said Rarity looking deep into Twilight’s eyes, “we can do that first.”
Later that day, Twilight had to meet with Mayor Mare and some business leaders of Ponyville.
This gave Rarity time to move the things that had been brought over from the one bedroom to Twilight’s room.  Plus Fluttershy had brought over Opalescence and Rarity had to make sure her kitty was comfortable, Opalescence actually interacted playfully with Owlowiscious.  Owlowiscious was a good bird and tolerated the pets of Twilight’s friends, but Opalescence also understood that he was a bird of prey and would have no problem defending himself if Opal got out of line.
Rarity was in Elysium, she was living in a castle.  She was living with a princess.  But most importantly, she was in love with a pony who more than loved her back.
It wasn’t the superficial affairs that Rarity had had with stallions in the past.  This was the real thing and she knew it.
So what if she was now in love with a mare, this mare was more attentive to her and her needs than all her past coltfriends combined.
Rarity waltzed around the room with the pillow from Twilight’s bed.  She tumbled into the bed holding the pillow close, it smelled like Twilight.  Rarity kissed the pillow as she held it close.
“Do I need to be jealous and hide all the pillows in the castle?” ask a voice.
“Twilight!” said Rarity sitting up.  “No my love, I was just thinking about us.”
“Thinking about us…  What?” said Twilight with a sly smile.
Twilight closed the door and was walking to the bed.
“Come here and I’ll show you,” said Rarity with a smile that would arouse a statue.
Soon the two were making love.
As the two lay there on their backs in the afterglow, holding hooves, they looked at the other.
“Twilight My Love,” said Rarity, “what can I do for you?”
“What do you mean Lover-Pony,” said Twilight.
“From the very beginning of this ordeal, you’ve bent over backwards and moved mountains, all for me.  I feel I need to do something for you.”
“My Love,” said Twilight, “the only thing I want, the only thing I need from you is your love.
I’ve never loved a pony the way I love you.  And I don’t ever want to have another pony.
In the past, I never considered a relationship with anypony.  But every time I was around you and you talking about stallions and coltfriends, I would think how lucky those ponies were to have a pony as absolutely perfect as you.  I guess I was having some feelings then.”
“I’m hardly perfect,” said Rarity, “I know a lot of ponies, including some of our friends (Applejack! Rainbow Dash! said Rarity holding a hoof to her muzzle, acting like she was sneezing, Twilight smiled,) would describe me as superficial, materialistic, vain, shallow, narcissistic…
Please feel free to stop me at any time Darling.”
“You’re doing fine, but you forgot stuck-up,” said Twilight, not able to keep a straight face.
Twilight giggled and Rarity smiled but gave Twilight a small love tap.
“I’ve worked hard to keep up an image as a glamorous and stylish pony.  The truth is, I am as low class and base as any Apple.  I don’t mean that in a bad way, I was only speaking the high society way.  I had the advantage of my looks and that opened many doors.  But now, I guess that’s over.”
“That’s not over,” said Twilight, “you’re still as beautiful as ever.  Especially where it counts.  I’m not and never was in love with you for your looks.  I’m in love with Rarity, all of Rarity.  From the tip of your horn to that little mole by your marehood (Rarity giggled).  I know in spite of being a princess, I’m no higher class than any of my friends.  Nor do I want to be.
I’m more nervous about being a princess than when in first grade when I had to be the daisy in the school play, and I didn’t have any lines.”
Rarity and Twilight giggled.
“I was the frog,” said Rarity, “and my only line was ribbit-ribbit!”
The two mares burst out laughing and turned to embrace each other.  The laughing only stopped as they started to kiss.
“Are you two at it again?” said Rainbow Dash, peeking in the door.
“Why Rainbow,” said Rarity, “were you wanting to watch?”
“Sorry guys,” said Rainbow, “I didn’t bring any popcorn.
But Pinkie has everything set up and the party can’t start without the guests of honor.”
The party was like most of Pinkie’s parties, fun, food and dancing.  The guests were the group of friends, their sisters and their friends and several ponies from Ponyville.
Everypony was happy for the couple and even was able to convince Rarity to take her hood off.  To her delight, Rarity didn’t find a single pony to be repulsed or revolted.  Not even the little foals.
With the party over, Twilight and Rarity was going back to the living quarters.  But they noticed a light from under the throne room doors.
“Who’s in there?” asked Rarity.
“I don’t know,” said Twilight, “stay here Sweetheart and I’ll look.”
Twilight looked in and on Twilight’s throne was seated Princess Celestia.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” said Celestia, “ask Rarity to come in here as well.”
Twilight looked back into the hall and called out:
“It’s okay Sweetheart, it’s Princess Celestia and she wants to talk to us.”
The two lover ponies entered the throne room and closed the door, Rarity bowed.
Celestia looked at Rarity and her face reflected compassion for Rarity’s injuries.
“My dear, sweet Rarity,” said Celestia, “I was horrified when I got the message from Twilight with news of what had happened.
How are you doing right now?”
“To tell the truth, Your Highness,” said Rarity, “it still hurts.  But the pain has all but been pushed aside because of the love Twilight has shown in taking care of me.”
“You realize Twilight,” said Celestia with a smile, “you’re exhibiting perhaps the most important duty of a princess.  Yes, you must guide, delegate, rule and make hard decisions.  But the most important thing is to serve those around you.  With great power comes great responsibility.”
“Your counterpart in the other world said almost the same thing:
‘A true princess in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her’(1) ,” replied Twilight.
“Sounds like a very wise being,” said Celestia with a wink.
“Noblesse Oblige(2) ,” said Rarity.
“Very good My Dear,” said Celestia smiling.
“You’re so smart,” said Twilight as she kissed the cheek of her lover.
Celestia smiled at the affection and then continued:
“And I’m pleased that you‘ve opened up you heart to another pony.  Luna and I were becoming concerned that you weren’t exploring all the types of friendships.  Especially the most important one, that of love.
And Rarity, I know that you’ve been through a terrible ordeal.  And you perceive that something important has been taken from you.  I hope Twilight has convinced you that the old adage is true:
‘Beauty is only skin deep.’
In you I see a pony who’s insides far outshine her outsides.  Know that your wounds will heal and your horn will regrow, but with the love I can sense from Twilight, it wouldn’t matter.
I can’t tell you how happy and proud of the two of you I am.”
“Thank you princess,” said Rarity.
“Thank you,” said Twilight.
The princess got up and hugged the two mares.
“I must return to Canterlot,” said Celestia, “but I hope the two of you will visit in the next few months.  We must have a talk about Rarity’s role in future affairs.”
“My role?” asked Rarity.
“Yes,” said Celestia with a smirk reserved for friends, “your role as the future Princess Consort.  Until then, keep me informed.”
“Princess Consort!” said Rarity, her eyes wide and her knees getting weak.
Celestia just laughed and left.
Rarity said she was feeling good enough to go back to work on a limited basis.   She used the time to ‘get her head together’.  Several issues were yet to be put to rest.
She had to make sure stallions didn’t insight a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction and set her in a panic.
Also there was a matter she didn’t think about right after the attack.  And now it was too late and the possibility was starting to weigh on her mind.  She needed the ‘Me Time’ to think this out.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                CHAPTER FOUR: We Did What?                 
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER FOUR: We Did What?
AJ and Rainbow were happy for their friends.  They’d harbored fears that Twilight would always be alone, and Rarity would keep coming up with stallions who were only after some trophy and not a relationship.  A relationship they knew Rarity wanted and needed.
Now, Rainbow and Applejack were just leaving the castle after the party Pinkie threw for the new happy couple.  Rainbow and Applejack were so happy to see their friends so happy.
Instead of going their separate ways after leaving Twilight’s castle they went to their favorite pub to ‘slam down’ a couple of cold hard ciders…
In honor of their friends of course.
After about five each, AJ looked at her friend and smiled.
“This here store bought stuff is ‘kay,” said AJ, slightly slurring her words, “but I’ve got some stuff that I put up a last year that beats the horseshoes off this swill.”
“Really?” asked Rainbow, who’s speech also was starting to be impaired.  She thought the stuff she was drinking was good.  “I’d like to try that.”
“‘kay,” said Applejack, “but be warned!  You better not got anywhere to go in the mornin’.  My stuff ‘ll put you on your haunches.”
“You’re going to have to prove that.” Said Rainbow, “I’m not Fluttershy, it’ll take a lot more than glorified apple juice to put me away.”
“Listen RD,” said Applejack, poking Rainbow on her chest with her hoof, “I’ve been drinkin’ this stuff since I got off my mother’s milk.  And I’ll still be drinkin’ the stuff while you’re pissin’ yourself on the floor.”
“That sounds like a challenge,” said Rainbow smiling and poking Applejack as well.
“You’re on,” said AJ smiling.
The two spat on their hoof and did a hoof bump and grinned.
The two loved to compete, but never had they attempted to out drink the other.
As they walked to Sweet Apple Acres, they were talking about Twilight and Rarity.  How two of their friends could become a couple like they had.
Two mares, how absurd!
“Can you imagine wantin’ your muzzle anywhere near somepony’s marehood?’ asked AJ.
“I know,” said Rainbow.  “I don’t know how they can do it.”
There was a pause as they walked along.
“Yeah,” said Applejack, “but I guess it’d be better than gettin’ a mouthful o’ some colt’s goo without warnin’.”
“You’ve got that right.  One guy did that to me,” said Rainbow, “it went up my nose and I almost choked.
And the way they think it’s sooo sexy to swallow it.  I’d like to see one of them do it.”
“Who did that to you?” asked AJ.
“I don’t know if I should say,” said Rainbow a little embarrassed.
“It’s just us,” said Applejack. ”If’n you can’t tell me, your best friend, then who can you tell?”
“Okay,” said Rainbow, “it was your brother.”
“You blew Big Mac?” said Applejack.  “For a mare, you’ve got balls!  Did you let him ‘do you’?”
“Yes,” said Rainbow, “he didn’t believe I could take it all.  But I showed him.”
Applejack whistled.
“I’ve accidently walked in on him showerin’.  We don’t call him ‘Big Mac’ just because his name is Big Macintosh,” said Applejack, “I am impressed”
“You know it,” said Rainbow with a grin. “So what about you,”
“What about me?” said Applejack.  “Are you askin’ if’n I’ve done my brother?”
“Gosh no!” said Rainbow, “you may be country, but I don’t believe you’d ever be that hard up.”
“Well thank you for that,” said AJ chuckling, Rainbow laughed as well.
“But like I was saying, what about you,” said Rainbow, “you seem to know about some colt unexpectedly shooting his wad in your mouth, so fess up.”
“You know Braeburn,” said Applejack blushing.
“Your cousin?” said Rainbow astonished.
“He’s only like a 3rd cousin,” said AJ, “not that closely related.  And a’for you go askin’, I did ‘do him’.  And I left him pantin’ like Winona after chasin’ a rabbit!  I could’ve kept goin’ at it all night.”
“Guys!” said Rainbow shaking her head. “They get a nut once, or twice if you’re lucky and then they’re down for the count.  Most of the time, you have to take matters into your own hooves to get any satisfaction.”
“I hear you,” said Applejack.
Applejack and Rainbow smiled and did a hoof bump.
They cut the conversation short as they arrived at the barn at Sweet Apple Acres.
“Aren’t we going in the house,” asked Rainbow.
“Heck no,” said Applejack, “do you want Granny or Apple Bloom to see you sloshed?  Besides I don’t keep the good stuff in there.  This is my private stash.”
Applejack led Rainbow Dash to the back of the barn, then up into the hayloft.  There in a corner was a locked cabinet.  Applejack lit a lantern and opened the lock.  There were several casks stacked neatly.  She took one and a couple of mugs from the cabinet and closed it back up.
They pushed several bales together and covered them with a tarp.
“Get comfortable,” said Applejack, “we might be here a while.”
The two laughed as Applejack poured the first round.
“Here’s lookin’ up your tail!” said AJ as they toasted each other and gulped down the first mug.
“Not bad,” said Rainbow, “keep it coming.”
They smiled and continued their debauchery.  As they drank, they went on with their talk of who did whom and when.
Neither remembered when they stopped and went to sleep.  Or more likely; blacked out.
The light was bright peeking through the cracks in the old boards of the barn.  So it must have been well past morning.  Rainbow was shocked that she could get that wasted.  She could swear that ‘down there’ felt as if she was in the afterglow, it felt nice but unexpected.  Rainbow then noticed that there was something soft, warm and of respectable weight on top of her and her mouth tasted funny.  Not the regular dry mouth from drinking.
She opened her eyes to the sight of AJ’s marehood right in her face.  It was still relaxed (normally muscled kept it closed and hidden) and wet.  Her own muzzle was wet as well and the smell of marehood was in her nose.
“Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh!” said Rainbow.
AJ awoke about the same time, her own muzzle down between Rainbow’s hind legs, her chin warm and wet, resting on Rainbow’s love organ.
“Ahh!” exclaimed Applejack.
AJ sat upright which only shoved her marehood in Rainbow’s face.
“AJ!” said Rainbow muffled.
Applejack rolled off and Rainbow sat up as well.  They’d been laying on a bed made of an old tarp over hay bales.  The two were on opposite sides of the ‘bed’.
Both had identical looks of surprise, embarrassment and mortification on their faces.
“What the Tartarus did we do?’ said Rainbow more alarmed than Applejack had ever heard her.
“I don’t know!” said AJ equally alarmed.
They just looked at each other, neither one knowing what to do.  They shivered thinking what they might have done.
“Let’s get out o’ here and pretend this never happen,” said Applejack, starting to go to the stair.
Rainbow was just sitting there with an odd look on her face.
“What’s wrong,” said Applejack, “aside from the obvious.”
“I can’t believe we got so horse-apple faced that we screwed,” said Rainbow.
AJ walked back and sat on the makeshift bed by Rainbow.
“I know what you mean RD,” said Applejack.
“Do you wan’a know the worst part,” said Rainbow.
“What,” replied Applejack.
“I have no memory of it,” said Rainbow.
“I don’t either, but ain’t that a good thing?” said AJ.
Rainbow looked at her friend.  There was a look in her eyes that was hard for Applejack to read.
“I don’t know,” said Rainbow, “this may sound weird but you know how when you’re drunk, you say and do things you’d normally hide or do things you might have wanted to do but held back?”
“Yeah,” replied Applejack.
“Maybe we’ve wanted to do this and have hidden it from even ourselves.”  Said Rainbow, “I think if we found a reason to…
To…
‘Do it’…
I’d want to remember.  You’re my best friend and we’ve been through a lot together, life and death at times.
We’ve argued, competed, even fought.  But we’ve always had each other’s back as well.  So if we crossed that line…
It might’ve been a good thing.”
“I know this sounds strange,” said Rainbow looking strangely at Applejack. “But we might never know unless we try.
Knowing if it was a good thing or not, that is.”
“Are you sayin’ you wan’a screw?” asked Applejack.
“If you want to put it that way,” said Rainbow blushing.  “But from the afterglow I feel and am sure you’re feeling, I know we’ve already ‘done it’.  If nothing else, I want to see what we might have missed.”
AJ looked at Rainbow, she was going to ask if she was still under the influence of the hard cider.
But Rainbow’s words rang true, and she was now curious.
“Don’t think I’m weird,” said Rainbow, there was a slight look of fear in her eyes, "please AJ.”
AJ thought about it and then sat by Rainbow.  They both smiled.
“If’n you’re weird, then I am too,” said AJ.
Rainbow reached out a hoof to Applejack.  Applejack took the hoof and then looked into Rainbow’s eyes.
They leaned in to the other and just gave a simple but extended kiss.  They sat back and smiled.  It was more pleasant than they expected.
Applejack and Rainbow scooted closer.
They leaned in and kissed again, this time there was tongue.  They explored each other’s tongue for several minutes, their forelegs wrapped around the other.  Then they broke the kiss and looked into each other’s eyes again.  They didn’t even mind the string of saliva still connecting their tongues.
“That wasn’t bad,” said Rainbow.
Applejack smiled:
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Rainbow smiled and moved closer.
They started kissing more.  As they did, they rolled onto the makeshift bed and held each other close.  Neither had ever been this cautious yet excited kissing before.
Applejack suddenly felt Rainbow’s hoof at her marehood, just entering her and rubbing her clitoris.  AJ gasped at the action and the pleasure she felt.  AJ reached to
Rainbows and did the same.
After a few minutes they broke the kiss and were breathing heavily.
“I wan’a,” whispered Applejack.
“I do too,” whispered Rainbow.
Applejack rolled Rainbow on her back and Applejack straddled her head, almost like they had been when they awakened this morning.
With all the trepidation of two fillies their first time, they started licking and kissing on the other’s love organ.
It took them somewhere they never expected to be.  The sight and smell and taste was more exciting than they had ever felt with any colt or stallion in the past.  And knowing it was the other who was pleasuring them, it made it that much more exciting.
After taking their time, the two climaxed about the same time.  Applejack turned over and held Rainbow.
“Wow Rainbow,” said Applejack, “that was amazin’!”
“I know,” said Rainbow, “who knew!”
“I think Twilight and Rarity know,” said Applejack with a smile.
They giggled, smiled and kissed some more.
“Applejack,” said Rainbow timidly, “this may be quick, but hey, that’s me.  I think I’m really likening this arrangement.  And I understand Twilight and Rarity more too.”
Rainbow paused and tenderly caressed Applejack’s cheek.  Then she said:
“What do you think your family will say if you told them you now had a marefriend.”
“Rainbow,” said Applejack, “I don’t care what they’ll say.  I’m really likin’ this arrangement too.
I think I’d like it if’n we were marefriends.”
“Who’d of thunk it!” said Rainbow.
The two kissed some more.
“I remember somethin’ I read once if’n your game,” said Applejack.
“Bring it!” said Rainbow smiling.
Applejack turned the other way and put a leg under Rainbow and pulled one of Rainbow’s over hers, like two scissors meshing.  Then she scooted in until their love organs touched.
“That feels nice,” said Rainbow.  “Now what?”
Applejack started rubbing hers against Rainbow’s.  Rainbow got the hint and started grinding hers against AJ’s.
“AJ,” said Rainbow breathing hard.
“I know,” said Applejack, “I feel it too.”
The two climaxed together and collapsed to their backs, still touching.
“Oh Sweet Celestia and Luna,” said Rainbow, “does this make us mare-lovers?”
“Does it matter?” Said Applejack sitting up and pulling Rainbow up to her.
“What do we do now,” asked Rainbow holding AJ close.
Both mares were enjoying the contact.
“I don’t know,” said Applejack between kisses.  “Are you sorry or ashamed?”
“No,” said Rainbow, “are you?”
“Let’s see,” said Applejack.
They pulled close again and kiss with all the new found joy and desire they felt in their hearts.
“No,” said Applejack. “I’d really like it if’n we could go on, but we both have work to do.”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow, looking let down.
Applejack kissed Rainbow.
“Don’t think this is it.  I think we’ve found somethin’ too good to give up on after only one try.
What if’n you came over tonight for supper?” said AJ smiling, “and after that, you could spend the night with me and we could do this right.  Or at least on somethin’ more comfortable.”
Rainbow hugged Applejack who returned the hug with as much warmth.
Rainbow and Applejack went about their daily tasks.  Anypony near them couldn’t ever remember either of them smiling this much and all day long.
Later that evening, Applejack was waiting outside for Rainbow.  Never had she been this excited to have a friend come by, or a lover for the matter.  Soon she saw Rainbow approaching.  Rainbow landed in front of AJ, Rainbow had a bunch of flowers sticking out of a saddlebag.
“Awe,” said AJ smirking, “you shouldn’t have.”
“I didn’t,” said Rainbow with a smirk as well, “we may be marefriends now, but I ain’t that sappy…
Just yet.
These are for Granny for letting me come to dinner.
But this is for you.”
Rainbow gave Applejack a respectable kiss.
“I’ve been waitin’ fer that all day,” said AJ.
“And I’ve thought of nothing else today but giving you that,” said Rainbow giving AJ another quick kiss.
The two smiled and went in the house.
They were finishing up dinner and were sipping some coffee.
“Rainbow,” said Granny with a knowing smile, “thanks much fer the flowers.  Is my cookin’ that good or are you tryin’ to ease the shock of somethin’?”
Applejack and Rainbow suspected that Granny knew what was going on.  They were sitting by each other rather close.  The family couldn’t see that they had been rubbing their hind hooves together under the table.
Rainbow looked at Applejack, who nodded back.
“Granny,” said Applejack, “Rainbow and I have somethin’ we need to say.”
Applejack hesitated.  Everypony was looking at them.
AJ didn’t understand why she was about to lose her nerve.
“Rainbow and I… Eh, I mean…” stammered AJ. “That is to say…  We are, uh…”
“Awe, just show them,” said Rainbow.
“Show us what.” Asked Apple Bloom.
The family looked at them strangely, especially when they turned, embraced and kissed each other a long and respectable passionate kiss.  They broke the kiss and smiled at each other, took each other by the hoof and then turned to look at the family.
Apple Bloom was trying her best not to laugh, Big Mac sat there with his mouth open.
“I guess I won’t be askin’ Rainbow to the Barn Dance,” said Big Mac.
“Nope!” said Applejack trying to sound like her brother, “you’ve missed your chance, she’s mine now.”
“Well Dagsnickety!” said Granny, “it’s ‘bout time you got yourself a decent feller Applejack.
Even if’n it’s a girl.”
“Then you don’t mind,” asked Applejack.
“Heck no,” said Granny with a wink, “an’ if’n Half-Pint t’weren’t here, I’d tell y’all somthin’ ‘bout me and Cousin Apple Rose.”
The family laughed.
“Well,” said Granny with a wicked grin, “we got bored!”

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                 CHAPTER FIVE: What We Did                 
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER FIVE: What We Did
They sat around with the family for a while.  They didn’t go into the way they found out their feelings, but they only said that circumstances had caused them to realize that they had felt this for each other for a long time.  And now they were okay with being open about.  In fact, they said that they regretted waiting for so long.
Later that evening, after Granny cautioned Applejack that Apple Bloom would be sleeping in the next room so they needed to not be loud with their wild rutting.  Granny, Applejack and Rainbow got a good laugh at that.  Then the two said goodnight to everypony and went up to Applejack’s room.
After closing the door and Applejack hanging her hat on a nail they turned and looked at each other.  Both mares had always maintained airs.  Toughness, in AJ’s case and cool to the extent of arrogance in Rainbow’s case.
But at this moment, that was all gone.  They were two simple mares with all their feminine needs and wants in focus.  It was odd to feel so excited, vulnerable and nervous.
Rainbow took the ribbons out of Applejack’s mane and tail.  Applejack shook her head and her golden hair flowed down her neck and shoulders.  The sight aroused Rainbow more than she expected.
They kissed as they stood there, unsure and yet wanting.  They broke the kiss and the two had identical looks on their faces.
“Applejack,” said Rainbow, “are you sure you still want to do this?  We aren’t drunk or hungover now.”
“I think because we ain’t drunk or hungover,” said Applejack, “I wan’a try this with my head clear.”
They kissed again.  Then Applejack took Rainbow’s hoof and led her to the bed.  They climbed on and held each other close.  Rainbow was about to ask why AJ was trembling, but she realized she was trembling as well.  It was nerves but it was also desire.
“Can I say something without you thinking I’m sappy?” asked Rainbow.
“Rainbow, we’re marefriends now,” said Applejack, giving Rainbow a quick kiss, “we’re in bed together and I’m pretty sure that we’re ‘bout to have sex (the two giggled).  I think at this point, you can say anythin’ you want.”
They both giggled again.
“I’ve never thought this about any mare before; well maybe Rarity,” said Rainbow, starting to stroke AJ’s fine coat, “but I think you’re a beautiful mare (Applejack blushed).  Looking at you, I feel more than anypony has ever made me feel.  I want to cover you with kisses and hold you close forever.  I’m finding I’m wanting your body so badly.”
They kissed some more.
“Rainbow,” said Applejack, starting to stroke Rainbow’s mane, “I think you’re a fine lookin’ mare as well.  I want to take hours just to kiss you and taste your body.  You’re just so damned sexy to me now.
I’ve been worked up makin’ out with some colt before, but never like this.  I want you too.”
“Do you think perhaps what happened last night was the alcohol allowing us to do what we’ve wanted to do all along”
“I’m not as sharp as Twilight,” said Applejack, “but I think that could very well be the reason.”
The two kissed some more, both determined not just to rush into it like that morning.
Rainbow gently turned Applejack to her back.  Suddenly the tough cowpony totally disappeared, there now was a simple and beautiful mare, her golden mane a halo around her head.  Rainbow looked into AJ’s large green eyes.  Rainbow thought she’d never seen such beautiful eyes before, AJ was thinking the same thing looking into the crimson eyes of Rainbow Dash.  Rainbow started to kiss AJ’s neck, Rainbow felt AJ relaxing.  She continued down AJ’s chest to her navel.  Rainbow had never paid attention to a pony’s bellybutton before.  Now something inside her was telling her this was the gateway to something more than she ever expected.  Rainbow licked the navel deeply, AJ’s moaned and her hips started to move.  Rainbow smiled, she knew she was on the right track.
Soon she moved down to Applejack’s nipples.  Rainbow found great joy in licking and sucking them, taking equal time on both.  Rainbow couldn’t  help but think how nice these felt in her mouth compared to some stallion trying to shove his ‘thing’ down her throat.
Applejack had never had a coltfriend spend this much time kissing her body.  She never realized how much she actually wanted this.  Now with Rainbow taking her time, it was the best feeling ever.  When Rainbow started to lick her navel, all past concerns of doing this with a girl was gone.  The moan that escaped from her lips and the moving of her hips, Applejack only noticed after it happened.  Then Rainbow was on her nipples.  AJ could feel herself getting wet, perhaps wetter than any stallion had ever made her.  She was now wanting Rainbow to go on.
Rainbow moved around to the foot of the bed and got between Applejack’s hind legs.  She had awakened to Applejack’s marehood in her face this morning and then a little later, she was performing oral sex on it.  But now, with the slow and sensuous way she’d worked up to this, she couldn’t think of anything more beautiful in her life.  She realized it was the situation and the moment, but still.
She smiled as she thought how this friend and friendly rival was now an object of her desire at the deepest of levels.  Perhaps those past feelings of competition and mild adversarial intentions were a way not to deal with the attraction she now felt toward her friend.
Rainbow could hold back no longer.  She closed the distance and plunged her tongue into Applejack.  AJ’s back arched and she gasped at the feeling.  Rainbow started licking and feeling every inch of Applejack’s love organ.  Suddenly she realized how much of a mare her friend was, and so herself.
They never tried to act like colts, but the two were dyed-in-the-wool tomcolts.  That, for this moment, was out the window.  The sight, smell and taste of Applejack’s love organ had reset her entire personality.  She wanted to be tender and loving and willing to please.
Rainbow finally started to lick and suck on Applejack’s clitoris.
When Rainbow’s tongue entered Applejack’s love organ, Applejack thought she’d go wild!  Rainbow was working her good.  It was amazing, never had she had oral sex like this, well, maybe this morning.  It wasn’t rushed like some colts would do.  What Rainbow was doing was the goal.  Rainbow wasn’t getting her ready for the next step, and she wasn’t in any hurry.  Applejack had tears in her eyes, tears of joy.  She reached out and lightly held Rainbow’s head.  Not so much to hold her on task as it was just to touch her. Because of the excitement, it didn’t take too long when she could feel the orgasm approaching.  She knew Apple Bloom was in the next room and was a light sleeper so she had to hold back, but still she called out in a low voice.
When AJ reached out and started caressing her head, Rainbow knew AJ was really into it.  From the hip pumping and breathing heavy through clenched teeth, Rainbow knew it wasn’t going to be long.  Soon Applejack’s back arched, her hips stopped and she called out without being loud:
“Rainbow, I’m comin’.  Rainbow, I’m comin’!  Oh Rainbow!  Oooo!”
AJ relaxed but Rainbow lingered on AJ’s marehood for a moment then crawled up to look at her lover.
“Rainbow,” said AJ, reaching out and pulling Rainbow for a deep kiss, “that was the best I’ve ever had.  If’n I knew how good it could be, I’d of tackled, hogtied and dragged you up here long ago.”
The two giggled.
“And if I knew,” said Rainbow, “I’d have let you.”
The two smiled and continued their kissing, perhaps more hungrily than before.
Soon AJ broke the kiss, rolled Rainbow on her back and started kissing Rainbow’s chest and worked herself down to Rainbow’s navel.
“I never noticed that you’re an ‘outie’,” giggled AJ. “somethin’ new for me to suck on!”
AJ started licking and lightly sucking on Rainbows inverted bellybutton.  Rainbow was squirming and giggling.
“Ticklish!” said Applejack, “more fun for me!”
AJ continued on the navel but soon was ‘headed south’.  Applejack started sucking Rainbows nipples and trying to get all the breast in her mouth as well, yet she was still stimulating the nipple with her tongue.  She went on to the other and did the same.
Rainbow couldn’t believe how exciting this was.  AJ’s lips on her chest, her navel (even if it did tickle) and on her breasts.  But the next was unexpected.
“Turn on your side please,” whispered AJ.
Rainbow turned, Applejack got behind her laying in the other direction, she gently raised the top leg and bent it so it would stay up.  AJ came in came in from behind and started licking on Rainbow’s love organ.  From this position she could see Rainbow looking at her.  Rainbow smiled and had the look of complete happiness on her face.
When AJ had Rainbow turn, she was unsure of what was going to happen but AJ positioned her so she could ‘come at her’ from behind.  As Applejack was ‘eating’ her marehood, she could see AJ looking at her.  How beautiful was her lover’s eyes, even in this awkward position.  Then the shock came, AJ backed up a bit and had her tongue in Rainbow’s anus.  After doing this for a while, which felt better than Rainbow ever expected, AJ went back to her marehood.  AJ reached a hoof around Rainbow and was now lightly rubbing Rainbow’s breasts.
AJ thought she would try something a colt had done to her, she backed up and started licking and kissing Rainbow’s anus.  AJ thought at first this would gross her out.  But she realized that doing this, she was showing how important all of Rainbow’s body was to her now.  But soon enough, Applejack went back to working on RD’s love organ.  At the same time, AJ reached over her lover and started to rub her nipples.
With this added excitement it wasn’t long before Rainbow buried her face into a pillow and cried out:
“Oh AJ!!!!!”
The two kissed and went on with stimulating the other separately and together until long after midnight.
Finally the fatigue of the exertion and excitement got to the two and they decided to just hold the other and giving the occasional kiss, enjoying their afterglow, Rainbow said:
“AJ, I think I could get used to this.”
Applejack gave Rainbow a small kiss.
“Me too Darlin’,” said Applejack stroking Rainbow’s mane, “me too.”
Rainbow smiled at the endearment, it wasn’t as sappy as Rainbow had thought it’d be.
“You know,” said Rainbow, “I was afraid this might make me feel like a colt or something, you know; having sex with a girl.  But I’ve never felt more like a mare as when you’re making love to me.”
AJ and Rainbow kissed.
“Me neither,” said Applejack, “you make me feel like nopony ever has.”
They just lay there enjoying the others touch.
After a while of just enjoying the feel of each other, the cobwebs started to close in.
“Goodnight Applejack,” said Rainbow and then with a cautious pause, “Honey, I’m not ashamed to say;
I love you.”
“And I’m proud to say, I love you too sweet Rainbow,” said AJ.
Both of their hearts were about to burst with joy.  The pronouncement of their feeling and the validation of the other’s was thrilling beyond words.
The two snuggled closer and happily drifted off to sleep to some amazing dreams about an amazing mare.
The light coming through Applejack’s window was bringing the two mares awake.
As they opened their eyes, they gave the other a kiss.
“Mornin’ sunshine,” said Applejack with a smile.
“Morning my lovely cowpony,” said Rainbow.
They kissed again.
“I guess it too late to back out of this,” said AJ with a grin that told she was only joking.  “Ain’t it.”
“You can if you want,” said Rainbow with a smirk, “but once you’ve had Rainbow Dash, you can’t ever go back to boys!”
“Nor do I wan’a.” said AJ kissing Rainbow deeply.
After a few minutes, they broke the kiss.
“So, my sweet Applejack,” said Rainbow, “how do we break this to our friends?”
“We said last night how both of us feel more like mares with each other,” said AJ with an odd gleam in her eyes.
“Yes,” said Rainbow.  She thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up.  “You don’t mean…”
“Eeyup!” said AJ.
“I just hope their hearts can take it,” said Rainbow grabbing Applejack and kissing her deeply.
The two got out of bed and Rainbow helped put the ribbon in AJ’s tail.  Then as she was tying up her mane, Rainbow said she wanted to do something first.
Rainbow separated a lock of hair from the crest of AJ’s mane, just behind her forelock.  Then with unexpected dexterity she braded the lock.  Before she got to the end, Rainbow reached her wing forward and then she plucked a large blue flight feather.
“Ouch,” said Rainbow with a smile and a tear in her eye.
Rainbow then braded the feather into the braid.  Then she turned her tail to AJ.
“Pick a color,” said Rainbow.
“What for?”
“You’ll want me to bind the braid so you don’t lose my feather.  It is a sigh of a Pegasus’ pledge of faithfulness to a partner.  I’m giving you a part of myself.”
“Oh Rainbow,” said AJ, “that’s the most special thin’ anypony has ever done for me.  I love you so much!”
“And I love you my lovely cowpony,” said Rainbow.
AJ separated a red hair and bit through it, she didn’t want to pull it out.  Rainbow plucking her own feather probably smarted enough.
Rainbow finished the braid and bound the end with the red tail hair.  The blond braid hung down behind AJ’s left ear the blue feather at the end.  Rainbow turned AJ to look in the mirror.
“It’s beautiful,” said Applejack.
“Thank you,” said Rainbow snickering.
“What?”
“Don’t feel weird if some Pegasi look oddly at you,” said Rainbow, “in the old days, it’d mean that we were married.  That’s why it’s called a Wedding Braid.”
“I don’t care what they’ll think,” said Applejack after kissing Rainbow deeply.  “Married or not, I’m yours and I ain’t got any plans of that ever changing.”
“Me too,” said Rainbow smiling.
The two kissed deeply for several minutes and then went down stairs to start the day.
Rarity had Twilight take her to Carousel Boutique so she could ‘get out of the house’ and do something.  Twilight was in the kitchen fixing them some tea and Rarity was busy designing some new fall dresses when she heard the door open and the bell ring.  Looking up, she saw it was Applejack and Rainbow Dash.  Both grinning like the cat who ate the parasprite.
Rarity immediately saw the blue feather braided in Applejack’s mane and knew it had to be more than just a fashion statement.
Twilight had heard the bell and came in the front area of the shop.  She didn’t want Rarity alone when some unknown pony entered.
“Darlings,” said Rarity, “were you meeting somepony here?”
“Yeah,” said Applejack.
“Who?”
“We came here to see you,” said Rainbow, “we’re needing something from you.”
“Me?” said Rarity, “what would you two be needing from me?”
“Well it’s like this,” said Applejack taking Rainbow’s hoof.
Twilight and Rarity’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
“Me and my marefriend here have decided that we need some dresses,”  said Applejack.
“Dresses?” said Rarity.
                    “Marefriend?” said Twilight.
“And some lingerie,” said Rainbow.
“Lingerie?” repeated Rarity in shock.
                    “Marefriend?” said Twilight.
“You know,” said Applejack looking at Rainbow, “somethin’ with lace would go great with your complexion…
My Love.”
“And you should definitely get something in a green to bring out your beautiful eyes…
Sweetheart,” said Rainbow nuzzling Applejack.
“I love you Rainbow,” said AJ.
“And I love you Applejack,” replied Rainbow.
The two turned and kissed deeply.
                    “Marefriend?” said Twilight.
When they turned to look, Twilight was in open mouth amazement and Rarity was passed out on the floor.
“They took that better than I thought,” said AJ looking at Rainbow.
“I think so,” said Rainbow, “perhaps we should help Twilight get Rarity off the floor.”
Once recovered, Rarity and Twilight hugged and congratulated the couple.  Rarity commented that she’d never seen the two ever looking so happy.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
             CHAPTER SIX: Discovering A Future             
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER SIX: Discovering A Future
The friends had rejoiced at the news of Applejack and Rainbow, who when not working, were seen everywhere together, even holding hooves and kissing in public.
Rarity thought it funny.  To her discerning eye, she could tell the two interacted with other ponies like before.  But with the tenderness and affection they showed for each other, it was like they were two completely different ponies.
About a month after getting together, a notice was put in the Ponyville Express that a choice cloud house was for sale.
Three months later…
The stitches had long been removed from Rarity’s face and the coat had all but grown back in.  It was hard to tell there was ever any damage, except perhaps Rarity wore a bit more make up than in the past.  Twilight told her that she didn’t need it but she was afraid that some of the scaring would show.
Her horn showed a lot of regrowth but still had some to go before she could have it fashionably filed at the spa.  It did give Rarity the excuse (if indeed she ever needed one) to wear fashionable chapeaux when out in town.
Twilight was also helping Rarity with getting her magic to working again.
Sweetie Belle tried hard not to laugh.  Her magic was working better than her big sister’s.
But the first time she noticed this, Sweetie Belle slipped up and thought it terribly funny.  That is until she found herself in a purple aura.  Next thing she knew, she was three feet above the swimming hole.  When she returned soaking wet it was her sister’s turn to laugh.  They called a truce after that, especially when Princess Twilight was around.
One of the most noticeable changes, now that Rarity was Twilight’s partner, was there were several ponies who were hired for cleaning, cooking and other jobs around the castle.  With another pony living there and their focus was more on their love than the little chores, Rarity had convinced Twilight that a small staff was needed.  Plus it had been a dream of Rarity’s to live in a castle and have ponies waiting on her.
Twilight, Rarity and Spike were at the dining table eating breakfast.  Twilight was still a little disappointed that Rarity was able to feed herself now.  But Rarity enjoyed any time Twilight devoted to taking care of her.
“Lover-Pony,” said Twilight, “I think it’s time we go to Canterlot.  This weekend would be good, I found out that Princess Celestia doesn’t have any pressing duties.  And in her last letter, she asked when were we going to visit.  Also, my parents need to get to know you better.”
“I’d like that,” said Rarity, “I’ve been stuck in Ponyville since the incident.  An outing would be nice.”
Later the evening…
Rarity and Twilight had just climaxed for the third time that night, they were holding the other close and just enjoying the feeling of their afterglow.
“My sweet pony,” said Twilight, “why didn’t we think of this when I first came to Ponyville?  Who knew when you said that we were going to be the best of friends, it would be more prophetic than either of us realized.”
“Well,” said Rarity, trying not to let her face show she was kidding, “you weren’t a princess then.”
“Rarity!” exclaimed Twilight.
Rarity couldn’t keep a straight face.
“My love,” said Rarity kissing Twilight, “I love you for the same reason you love me.  Your generous and noble heart.  You were a princess among ponies long before your coronation.”
The two kissed some more, then after breaking the kiss:
“I keep expecting to wake up at any time,” said Twilight kissing Rarity.  “I’m living the greatest of dreams.  To be in love with and living with the most beautiful and most wonderful of ponies is beyond anything I ever hoped.”
They kissed again.
“I am so happy to have the love of an absolutely perfect pony,” continued Twilight.
“I truly am flattered that you think of me that way, but as I told you before, I’m hardly perfect My love.”
Twilight looked strangely at Rarity.
“You know, you’re right.  There’s one glaring imperfection on you My Sweet,” said Twilight looking strangely.
“What imperfection?” said Rarity.  Twilight had hit her right in the vanity.
“Your horn is almost healed,” said Twilight, “but it’s clearly missing one thing.”
“My horn?”
Twilight’s horn glowed and from a drawer in a chest by the wall an object floated to Rarity.  Rarity gasped, it was a diamond ring.
“Lover-Pony,” said Twilight with the most tender look in her eyes.  “I know I don’t deserve a pony as special as you.  But can you look past my shortcomings and honor me by being my wife?”
Twilight had thought she had heard Rarity scream at climax, but it was nothing like Rarity just did.  Twilight was afraid somepony would break down the door thinking Twilight had ‘lost it’ and was killing Rarity.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” said Rarity kissing Twilight so intensely, Twilight thought she’d go crazy.
“Twilight Darling!” said Rarity holding Twilight close.  “You’ve made me the happiest mare in the world!  Who knew a mare would be the pony to make all my dreams come true.  I know it doesn’t matter, but I’m now proud to consider myself a mare-lover.”
Twilight giggled.
“Do we need to wear black,” said Twilight, “in mourning for all the stallions hearts that are now permanently broken.”
“Twilight Darling,” said Rarity in her proper voice, “we mustn’t be cruel to those ponies less fortunate than us.  It would be rude to rub the muzzles of other ponies in it.
I think we need to think about white.”
A thought flashed through Twilight’s head.
“I know this is early and I don’t want you to take it wrong,” said Twilight, “but unless you really want to, I don’t think you should make your wedding dress.
This is about you, My Love.  Ponies need to cater to you.”
“Twilight,” said Rarity, “you said you don’t deserve me.  It’s I who doesn’t deserve you.  Never has anypony ever treated me the way you have.”
“I only treat you like the queen of my heart that you are,” said Twilight.  Her horn glowed again and in a flash, Twilight’s crown was on Rarity’s head.  “Command me, Your Majesty.”
Rarity giggled.
“I command you to take care of a particular itch I’m having in my marehood right now,” said Rarity trying to sound regal, “take care of it with you tongue.”
“Yes Your Highness.”
Twilight was soon ‘eating’ Rarity’s love organ.  It was true, Rarity had never been this happy or loved in her life.
The morning broke and Rarity was waking up.  As usual, she was in the embrace of Twilight.  She looked into the face of her now fiancée.  The peace and contentment shown like a candle at night.  Never had she seen a pony so happy just to hold her.
‘Twilight was right, why did this take so long,’ thought Rarity, ‘think of the few extra years that Twilight and I could’ve had.’
Rarity smiled and thought how without makeup and primping, how beautiful Twilight was to her now.
But will Twilight love her after she told her love something, something she had in fear held back?  It was so easy to love Twilight and Twilight’s love for her was beyond anything Rarity could ever imagine.  Such love she’d only read about in books.
But Rarity had to tell Twilight soon, it was about to be apparent without her saying anything.
Twilight was starting to awaken.  She could feel the wonderful pony in her forelegs.  A pony without whom, Twilight’s life would be so less meaningful now.
Twilight had found the secret to ultimate happiness.  That secret’s name was Rarity.
Twilight opened her eyes, she saw that her love was awake and there was a look of concern on her face as her eyes were fixed on some faraway thought.
“Is there something wrong My Love,” asked Twilight.
Twilight’s voice startled Rarity back to the here and now.  Rarity was afraid, but it had to be done.
Especially after last night.
“Are you having second thoughts about us getting married?” asked Twilight.
Rarity swallowed hard and steeled her nerves.  Will all her dreams come crashing down?
She kissed Twilight one more passionate kiss, to remember this time by.  If indeed it did end.
“No Darling,” said Rarity, “but I fear you will.”
“Why?”
“I should’ve told you sooner,” said Rarity, “but I’d hoped it wasn’t true.”
“What?”
Rarity took a deep breath and let it out slowly and then started:
“The night I was attacked, I was so sure Sky Watcher was going to ask me to marry him.  We’d talked about having foals and he appeared to want them.  I knew I was into the fertile part of my cycle, but we didn’t take any precautions.  Then after the attack, I wasn’t in any shape to try and clean myself out.”
Twilight was looking at Rarity in a way Rarity couldn’t read.  So Rarity took a deep breath.
“Twilight…
I’m pregnant.”
Twilight just looked at her lover.  Her expression didn’t change.
Rarity wasn’t sure how to read it.
“I know this sounds a bit shallow of me,” said Twilight, then starting to smile, “I was hoping it was that and not because you were putting on weight from living with me.”
“You knew?”
Twilight smiled more.
“I’ve known for several weeks,” said Twilight, “I knew you’d tell me when you were ready and comfortable.”
“And you still want to marry me?”
Twilight chuckled.
“What’s funny?” asked Rarity unsure.
“A joke Pinkie Pie told me once.”
“What joke?”
“Did you hear about the stallion who was so lazy he married a pregnant mare?  It was probably more funny the way Pinkie told it (Rarity did snicker slightly.)
Rarity, I’m excited that you’re pregnant.  It takes care of perhaps the one problem us being married would have.  Now we’ll have a foal.”
Rarity could tell Twilight was happy, Twilight held Rarity close and kissed her.
“You were afraid I’d turn you out,” said Twilight, “weren’t you.”
“I’m sorry to have doubted you My Darling.”
“Honey,” said Twilight, “it only makes me love you more.  The child is a part of you, and if I love you then why wouldn’t I love all parts of you?  My mother once told me that foals were made because the love between two ponies was so great, it couldn’t be held in just two ponies.   Foals are an extension of that love.  Yes, the child won’t be ‘my blood’, but it will be my child and as such, I’m already in love with it before even meeting it.
It’s just one more good thing to come out of the incident.  We’ll never look at the precious foal as anything other than our foal.”
“Oh Twilight,” said Rarity holding tight to Twilight, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.  “You are the most wonderful pony I have ever known!  I’m the luckiest mare in the world.”
“As am I my love.  Let’s tell the world,” said Twilight.
Rarity’s answer was her tongue halfway down Twilight’s throat.
Twilight and Rarity had all their friends and Rarity’s parents and sister over for a dinner.  Because of the extravagance, they were sure it was something special, something bad or they were being buttered up for something.
They were finishing up with a delicious cake provided by Pinkie Pie and fabulous wine Twilight was able to get from Celestia’s own cellars.
It was noticed Rarity was only drinking milk and water with her dinner and desert.
With her magic, Twilight tapped a spoon against a glass for everypony’s attention.
They all got quiet and looked to the head of the table.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering what the occasion is,” said Twilight.
“It did cross our minds,” said Applejack.
“You aren’t leaving are you,” asked Fluttershy.
“Are you needing money,” said Pinkie.
Everypony laughed.
“No,” said Rarity chuckling, “we have an announcement.”
“What kind of announcement,” said Sweetie Bell.
Rarity looked at Twilight who nodded to her love.
Rarity moved her forelock (which had been styled to hide the base of her horn).  The beautiful diamond encrusted ring shown bright, ponies gasped:
“We’re engaged,” said Twilight then she kissed Rarity.
All cheered, but Rarity held up a hoof for attention.
“That’s not our only announcement,” said Rarity.
All the gathered looked at the couple as they were smiling the largest of grins.
“It looks like Twilight and I will have a new addition in eight months,” said Rarity, “I’m pregnant.”
The silence was deafening.
“A grandfoal?” said Cookie Crumbles in shock.  Her smile was now as large as Twilight’s and Rarity’s.
“Just couldn’t wait could you.” Said Rainbow joking.
“You want to tell us how that works?” said AJ kidding, “Rainbow and I might wan’a try it.”
The friends and family cheered and rushed the couple.
“I’m goin’a be an aunt!” squealed Sweetie Belle.
“I guess we need to have a talk, princess,” said Hondo Flanks.
Everypony laughed.
The next few days went by happily,  a lot of friends by all the time.  The two said they were going to Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia.  Twilight and Rarity wanted to hold off on announcing the ‘Princess Consort’ thing until they had all the details.
They also needed to see Twilight’s parents and give them all the good news as well.
Days later, Twilight and Rarity were on the train to Canterlot.  Spike was left to watch after the castle and manage any requests for appointments.  Rainbow Dash and Applejack had said they’d stay at the castle and keep an eye on him.  With the size of the castle, they knew that they didn’t have to hold back as they did in the Apple Home.
“Darling,” said Rarity, “I’ve never got to ride in the first class cabins before.  You‘re way too good to me.”
“I only treat you the way you deserve.” Said Twilight, “you’re the center of my life now, you and the little bundle of joy you’re carrying inside you.
Every time I think of us getting married, I have to pinch myself, it’s like a dream.  Then I think about there being a foal for us, I don’t think there could ever be greater news.”
Rarity snuggled close to Twilight.
“My dearest Twilight,” said Rarity, “I feel like I’m dreaming myself.  At times, I just want to squeal like Sweetie Belle.  And with the way you’re excited about the foal, well I too don’t think life couldn’t be any better!  How do you think your parents will react?”
Twilight got quiet for a moment.
“Sweetheart,” said Twilight, “I’ve never told them about my sexual preference.
They’ve always been a couple of open minded ponies, but I don’t think they’ve ever had to deal with something like this.”
Rarity kissed Twilight.
“Your parents love you,” said Rarity, “do they not?”
“Yes,” answered Twilight.
“Then I bet they wouldn’t have a problem if you told them you were in love with a manticore.”
Rarity growled and acted like she was clawing at Twilight.
The two giggled and kissed as they passed the time to the capitol city.
At the train station, Twilight hired a cab.  She said that she didn’t want Rarity to walk too much ‘in her condition’.  Rarity told Twilight that she was sure that it was still early enough that they didn’t have to be concerned about that yet, but Twilight insisted, and Rarity didn’t want to have to carry their bags all the way.
When they reached the castle, Twilight wrote a note and sent the bags on to her parent’s house.
They walked the well-known halls to meet with Princess Celestia.  As they approached the throne room doors, the guard recognized Twilight and bowed.  Twilight informed the guard of their purpose.
“Princess Twilight,” said the guard, “Princess Celestia has left word for you and the Lady Rarity meet her in her private quarters.”
“Thank you, Strong Hoof,” said Twilight.
The guard bowed and Twilight and Rarity walked back down the hall.
“The Lady Rarity?” said Rarity.
“Get used to titles,” said Twilight with a smirk, “you’re a princess’ mare now.  Just wait for the Princess Consort thing.”
Rarity grinned, she liked things like this.
The two walked through the corridors to a part of the castle Rarity had never visited before.  Soon they were before a non-descript door.  Twilight knocked and a golden aura encased the door and it opened.
“Please come in,” the princess called out.
The two entered and it wasn’t what Rarity had imagined.  The décor was simple.  There was a fireplace, a couch, a couple of bookshelves packed with books and scrolls, some pictures on the walls and a large cushion on the floor.  Most surprisingly to Rarity, there was a pony manikin with an ancient style battle armor and helmet.  They were slightly dented as if they suffered battle damage.  But they shined as bright as the day they were forged.
There also was a door that lead to the princess’ sleeping quarters.
Princess Celestia, in a sunken common room and was resting on a cushion, her legs folded under her, a book on the cushion she’d been reading.  Celestia looked at her guests and smiled.
“Welcome Twilight,” said Celestia, “welcome Rarity.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” said Rarity bowing.
“Rarity my dear,” said Celestia with a smile, “in my private rooms here, that’s not necessary.  Especially with you now being engaged to Twilight.  Plus I don’t want you doing too much bending when you’re with foal.”
“You told her?” said Rarity to Twilight.
“She didn’t have to,” said Celestia. “You told me.”
“I did?” said Rarity a bit confused.
Twilight chuckled.
“Come on Sweetie,” said Twilight, “the princess is far more intelligent than Shadow Spade.”
“Some of my favorite books,” said the princess, “your sparkling engagement ring on your horn told me you were affianced.  And I know a pony like yourself would never just let herself go, so your increased girth and its location told me the rest.”
“Like Shadow Spade,” said Rarity smiling, “when she explained it, it sounds absurdly simple.”
The princess smiled and invited Twilight and Rarity to join her.
“So,” said the princess, “have you decided on a date for the wedding?  I assume you’ll want it before the blessed event.  After all, Twilight needs to make an honest mare out of you.”
They all laughed.
“We haven’t talked about it yet,” said Twilight, “but I think we’ll want it soon.”
“Good,” said the princess, “I’ll have Raven, my secretary, coordinate with you.  The coronation for Rarity as Princess Consort will be part of the wedding.”
Rarity trembled at the words Princess Consort.
“My Darling Rarity has always dreamed of being a princess,” said Twilight, “I think with all her dreams coming true, she’s starting to get an overload.”
All the ponies laughed.
“I’m sure the Princess Consort will be a shining example of Canterlot nobility.  And with my niece or nephew at her side, she’ll be even more so.”
“Niece or nephew?” asked Rarity.
“Twilight’s brother is married to Luna and my niece.  This makes Twilight and her future wife, relatives.  So your child will be my niece or nephew.”
Rarity was shocked.  She’d dreamed as a filly of being swept off her hooves and carried away to a castle to be some special pony’s princess.
When Twilight became a princess, Rarity was happy for her friend and even more so when her castle appeared.  But truth be told, she was jealous. Maybe not jealous but slightly envious.
Now Twilight had opened her heart to Rarity.  It was nothing Rarity had ever expected.  To be loved by a mare.  Not just loved but something much, much deeper.  Never had a pony given their heart and soul in trying to make her happy.  Twilight did this without thought of anything in return except seeing Rarity happy.
Now Twilight was making all her dreams come true, including making her a princess.  Yes the child she was carrying wasn’t physically Twilight’s (obviously), but Twilight was happy to be another mother to the foal.
Rarity was about to break down and cry out of joy.
“Equestria to Rarity, come in Rarity; Rarity My Love,” said Twilight, “are you still with us?”
Rarity’s thoughts came back to the here and now.  She looked at Twilight and kissed her with all her soul.
“Would you like me to leave you two alone for a while,” asked Celestia with a smirk.
The lovers broke the kiss.
“Sorry, Your Highness,” said Rarity.  “Just thinking of how special Twilight is to me now and what she’s unselfishly done for me.  Well it’s hard to keep in sometimes.”
“I quiet understand,” said Celestia with a smile.  “I  have never been prouder of my star student, or of you My Dear.
I’m sure the two of you have some settling in to do at Twilight’s parents’ home.  So make sure you stop by and see me before you go back to Ponyville.”
The ponies stood up and Celestia hugged them both and gave them a kiss of blessing.
“By the way,” said Celestia as Twilight and Rarity were leaving. “I believe you’ll find my cart waiting for you to take you to Twilight’s parents’ home.”
“Thank you Princess,” said Rarity.
“Thank you Princess,” said Twilight.
The two walked to the main entrance, there was a cart with two Royal Guards waiting.  On seeing the two, the Guard bowed.
“Princess Twilight,” they acknowledged, “Lady Rarity.”

//-------------------------------------------------------//
           CHAPTER SEVEN: Not What Was Expected            
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER SEVEN: Not What Was Expected
The two rode on through Canterlot, ponies were used to the royal conveyance in their midst.  All the ponies recognized Princess Twilight Sparkle.  As such, ponies would bow as they passed.  Twilight was still uncomfortable with the treatment, but Rarity was ‘eating it up’.  Especially when they happened to pass Jet Set and Upper Crust who recognized Rarity from their past snubbing.  Rarity remembered their shock when they saw her being an honored guest of Fancy Pants, but now to see her with a princess.  They realized just how big their social faux pas in the past was.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the residential section and to a modest size home.  After they got off the cart, the guard bowed and left.
Rarity noticed Twilight was suddenly nervous.
“You’re worried My Love,” said Rarity.
“What if my parents don’t approve?” said Twilight with a tremor in her voice, “I was always afraid to tell them because I was unsure how they’d react.
I love my parents, I’d hate for them to be disappointed or never talk to me again.”
“Twilight Darling,” said Rarity, kissing Twilight’s cheek, “you’ve supported me through a very hard and trying time.  You can expect no less from me My love.  And I’ve met your parents, I’m sure they’d never turn their backs on you.”
Rarity nuzzled Twilight and then the two gave a small kiss.
“Thank you my Dearest Love,” said Twilight.
The two smiled and went to the front door.  Twilight opened it and called out:
“Hello, anypony home?”
A purplish-gray mare with gray and purple mane and tail trotted out to the front room along with a blue stallion with indigo mane and tail.
“Twilight!” they exclaimed.
“We got your note with the bags,” said the mare, “I have tea waiting, after you and your friend take a few moments to freshen up.  Your bags, Twilight, are in your room.  We put your friend’s bags in the guest room.”
Twilight and Rarity gave each other a quick glance and smile.
The parents hugged Twilight and gave her a kiss.  Then hugged Rarity and said how happy they were to see her again.
Twilight showed Rarity where the bathroom was, she was starting to notice that she had started to have to pee more often now that her bladder was starting to be displaced.
It wasn’t long before the two were sitting in the family room, sipping tea and nibbling on tea biscuits.
The talk was light, Rarity kept looking at Twilight, who she could tell was trying to work up the nerve to make their announcements.  But Night Light, Twilight’s father, opened that conversion first.
“So Twilight,” said the Stallion, “is there a special reason you’re here or just feel guilty you haven’t been by in a bit?”
Rarity could tell that that last part was only joking but she was afraid with Twilight’s apprehension, Twilight would take it seriously.
“Mom, dad,” started Twilight, “we’re here for a very special reason.”
“We?” said Twilight Velvet raising an eyebrow.
“Yes,” said Twilight, taking a deep breath, “I’ve held something back from you two for a long time.  I’ve been afraid how you’d react.  I love you two so much and if I did something that’d end that relationship, I’d just die.”
Twilight Velvet and Night Light looked at each other, they had a look of concern on their faces.
“You’re the one who whacked Jimmy Hoofa,” said Night Light joking, “I just knew it.”
Rarity giggled.
“Mom, dad,” continued Twilight, “I need you two to know that I’m a mare-lover, I’ve been attracted to mares for a long time now.”
Twilight paused.
Nothing from her parents.  Twilight continued:
“I’ve brought Rarity with me on this trip because you need to get to know her better,” Twilight took a deep breath…
“She and I are engaged.”
“Engaged?” said Twilight Velvet.
The two parents looked at each other, Night Light just shook his head.
“Twilight,” said the stallion.  “I can’t believe you’re telling us this.  Engaged to a mare?”
“Engaged to this absolutely beautiful mare,” said Twilight Velvet.  “There’s no way that her standards are that low.”
Twilight was unsure of the reaction up to this point.  She reached out and took Rarity’s hoof.
“Twilight,” said the stallion, “I’m really disappointed in you.”
Twilight was about to tear up.
“Disappointed you haven’t told us sooner!” said Night Light not able to hold back the smile any longer.
“That’s the most fantastic news ever!” said Twilight Velvet.
The two older ponies rushed the two lovers and hugged and kissed them both.
When they had calmed down, Twilight then continued.
“Mom, when you hear what else we have to say you’ll not think that was the best news ever.”
“How so?’ asked Twilight’s mom.
Twilight nodded to Rarity.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle,” said Rarity, “Twilight and I are going to have a foal in about eight months, I’m pregnant.”
Twilight had never witnessed her parents react like they did to the announcement.  It was absolute pandemonium.  Night Light broke down in tears of joy, Twilight Velvet jogged in place as she squealed like a little filly.
Again the two older ponies embraced the younger ponies.  Rarity was admonished to only refer to the parents as mom and dad.  Anything else would be seen as an insult.
After they calmed down, the lovers were told to sit back down.  But Twilight found it funny, her mom and dad insisted to sit on the couch with Rarity in the middle.  Twilight Velvet was holding Rarity’s hoof and Night Light had his foreleg around Rarity’s shoulders.
Twilight explained the happenings back a little over three months ago.  Rarity explained about her tragedy and how Twilight had opened her heart to her as nopony had done before.  She even explained how nervous Twilight was about confessing that she was a mare-lover to the parents.
“Honey,” said Twilight Velvet to her daughter, “your father and I have known it for some time.  And mare-lover means nothing to intelligent ponies.
It was obvious to us, we know you so well.  And know we’ve never been anything other than proud of you.  And with what your fiancée has said about how you supported and loved her, it makes us prouder.”
“Don’t take this wrong,” said Night Light, “but we’re prouder of this than when you became a princess.”
“Thank you,” said Twilight, with tears in her eyes, “Celestia has said about the same thing.  And finding love with Rarity is greater to me than when I became a princess as well.”
Rarity smiled at her love.
Then Night Light and Twilight Velvet looked at each other and hugged Rarity and cried out:
“A grandfoal!”
Rarity smiled as the affection for her and her unborn that was poured out from these older ponies.
“Oh, and here I thought you two might be excited about the news,” said Twilight chuckling and joining the hug.
After the excitement died down, Twilight and Rarity collected Rarity’s bag from the guest room and took them into Twilight’s old room.
“You see,” said Rarity, “I told you it’d all be fine.”
Rarity kissed Twilight a small kiss.
“You’re so sure about everything,” said Twilight embracing her fiancée.
“I used to think that too,” said Rarity, “but after what happened, I found I’m not the best judge of anything.  I used to think you were the best friend ever.  Oh Celestia! did I get that wrong.”
Twilight had a puzzled look on her face.
“Silly,” said Rarity giggling, “you’re more than the best of friends.  Your love transcends any labels, I only strive to love you back as much.”
The two tightened their embrace.  Then they started to put their things away.
Rarity looked around the room.  Rarity had always been meticulous about keeping her room tidy when she was a filly.  But this room made hers look a mess.
There was a small desk and loads of bookshelves.  The bed was a little surprising, it was large for a kid’s room.  It was almost as big as hers back at the Carousel Boutique.
Rarity got a devious smile and Twilight saw it.
“What?” asked Twilight.
Rarity slunk over to her love and gave a small kiss.
“So, because you were a virgin before I got my hooves on you,” said Rarity in a seductive voice. “This bed has never seen any ‘action’.  Do you think it can stand up to our ‘getting it on’?”
Twilight smiled and grabbed Rarity.
“Only one way to find out,” said Twilight.
Twilight kissed Rarity deeply as she pulled her to the bed.
“But what if your parents find out,” said Rarity as if they were fillies in school.
“I’m a princess,” said Twilight, straddling Rarity’s head, her marehood over her love’s muzzle.  “I’ll command them to be silent or I’ll banish them to the Everfree Forest.”
Rarity giggled as she started to work on Twilight’s love organ.  Twilight quickly returned the favor.
A couple of hours later as the couple were in a light sleep after their lovemaking there was a knock on the door.  Twilight Velvet stuck her head in and giggled.
“Are you two just going to fornicate the whole time you’re here or are you going to join the family?”
Rarity giggled, Twilight blushed.
“They caught us,” said Rarity laughing, “they’re going to tell my parents and they’ll never let us see each other again.”
“That won’t happen,” said Twilight Velvet.  “we didn’t say anything to Princesses Celestia and Luna when we actually caught Shining and Cadence in the act.  Well, just after the act, but we could hear them.  Night was going to barge in on them, but I said if they were going to be embarrassed, at least let them finish.”
“What?” said Rarity and Twilight together.
The mother giggled.
“They weren’t paying attention to the time, Twilight was taking a nap and Night and I came home a little early.” Said the mother hardly keeping back the laughter, “you should’ve seen their faces when they went into the bathroom to clean up and Night and I were standing in there waiting for them  We were giving them our best disapproving scowls.
I had the two wrapped around my hoof for years!”
“You have the coolest parents ever,” said Rarity smiling at this information, “my parents would have ‘freaked out’.
They all laughed.
“Well,” said Twilight Velvet, “we’re going out to eat.  So if the two of you aren’t up and ready in a half hour, you’ll just have to find something cold here.”
The older mare smiled and left.
It didn’t take the whole half hour, but Rarity found time to touch up her makeup and put on a nice dress.  She had even brought along some dresses for Twilight.  And to Twilight’s slight discomfort, Rarity had managed to get Twilight’s tiara and insisted she wear it while she was nicely dressed.  Twilight relented and tried to look the part of a princess to please Rarity.  She got the feeling that once Rarity was coroneted as Princess Consort, Rarity would have Twilight wearing it more.  But anything to please her love.
“You two look beautiful,” said Night Light with a grin, “Your Highness.”
“Thank you,” said Twilight blushing.  “The tiara was Rarity’s idea, she wants me to embrace being a princess more than anypony around.”
“Thank you,” said Rarity.  “But I’m going to have to make some new dresses for myself soon.  This is starting to get tight.”
“You’re just going to have to start to make room for our foal,” said Twilight smiling.
The grins from the parents were just as large.
“I-de-a!” exclaimed Rarity, “a new line of maternity couture!”
“That’s my Rarity,” said Twilight.
The ponies laughed as they left the Sparkle home and went to one of the nicest restaurants in Canterlot.
They had a good time eating and then they went to a little pub the parent ponies would frequent.
Rarity was a little disappointed that she couldn’t have her favorite wine while with foal.
After a while just talking and enjoying the company of each other, Rarity had to excuse herself to go to ‘The Little Filly’s’ room.
“I’ll go with you,” said Twilight.
“Unless you actually have to ‘go’,” said Rarity giving her love a small kiss, “it won’t be necessary.  I’m a big filly now.”
It didn’t take long for Rarity to return, and at this point, she’d wished Twilight had went with her.  Her look spoke volumes.
“Honey,” said Twilight, “what’s wrong?”
“I saw, him!” said Rarity.
“Sky Watcher?” asked Twilight.
“Yes,” said Rarity, about to cry, “I heard his voice and looked at the bar, he was sitting with some mare, he saw me at the same time.  I couldn’t tell what his reaction was, but I came right back here.”
Rarity sat and was heroically fighting tears of fear and rage.
“Mom,” said Twilight, “please watch Rarity for me.  Dad, please come with me.”
“Sure thing Sweetie,” said Twilight Velvet taking Rarity’s hoof.
Rarity had given a description of the stallion already, and she said that his telescope cutie mark was obvious.
At the bar there were no stallions that matched the description.
“Hey bartender,” called out Night Light.
“Yeah,” said the bartender, “what can I do for you?”
“There was a blue Unicorn stallion just here,” said Night Light, “where did he go.”
“Look buddy,” said the barkeep, “my clients like to be left alone to enjoy themselves.  Their business is their own.  So if you ain’t the police, Princess Celestia or Luna, then I can’t help you.”
The bartender turned back to what he was doing, Night Light nodded to his daughter, she understood.
“What about Princess Twilight Sparkle?” called out Twilight spreading her wings.
Several ponies near stopped talking and were looking at Twilight.  The bartender turned and saw the purple Alicorn wearing a tiara.
“Your Highness,” said the pony bowing.  “I didn’t see you there.  My apologies, what was it I can do for you?”
“My father just asked about a blue stallion with a telescope cutie mark.” Said Twilight in an official voice, “if you know anything, then you better tell it.  He’s a wanted criminal and if you’re knowingly holding back information, then I’ll have to make sure such illegal operations are closed permanently.”
“No princess,” said the stallion, “I wouldn’t protect any criminal!  My bar is above board and caters to honest ponies.
He’s been here for the last few nights, always coming on to the mares.  That ain’t no crime or most of my male patrons would be hauled away.”
Despite the situation the trio did chuckle at the comment.
“So what can you say about him?” asked Night Light.
“Not much,” said the barkeep, “I heard him tell one mare that his place wasn’t far from here.  That’s all I know princess, honest!
But if you do find him, let me know.  He skipped out of here and didn’t pay his tab.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Twilight.
“Thank you princess,” said the stallion bowing.
Twilight and her father returned to their table.
“He skipped out Sweetheart,” said Twilight to Rarity, “apparently you spooked him as much if not more than he did you.”
“As long as you’re with me,” said Rarity, “I know I’m safe.”
The two kissed and the parents smiled at the affection being shown.
“My Darling,” said Twilight, “I’ll never let anything happen to you if I can help it.  You and our child are my life now.  All else is second.”
“Thank you,” said Rarity to Night Light and Twilight Velvet.
“For what?” asked the mother pony.
Rarity put a foreleg around Twilight.
“For raising such a wonderful daughter,” said Rarity, “I’m so blessed to be included into such a wonderful family.”
“You’re very welcome,” said Twilight Velvet, “and thank you for loving our daughter so much.  We always knew Twilight would end up with a special pony.  But we see we greatly underestimated the pony she’d end up with.”
There were hugs around the table.
“Well this is enough excitement,” said Night Light, “let’s get home and turn in for the night.  We can worry about boogie-ponies later.”
They all chuckled and left for the Sparkle home.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                CHAPTER EIGHT: Making Plans                
//-------------------------------------------------------//
CHAPTER EIGHT: Making Plans
Twilight and Rarity were in Twilight’s bed back in the Sparkle home.  Rarity was still visibly shaken with the encounter with Sky Watcher.  Twilight knew that holding and comforting Rarity was more important than sex.  And with them getting married, there would be plenty of time for sex later.
“Darling,” said Twilight, holding Rarity close, “are you cold or are you still afraid?”
“Oh Twilight,” said Rarity, “I can’t get that monster out of my head.  Every time I close my eyes, I see him.  But then all I have to do is realize that I’m in your forelegs and I feel so much better.”
“When we go see the princess tomorrow,” said Twilight, “I’m going to do something I didn’t think would ever be necessary in Ponyville.  Until that maniac is caught, I’m going to ask for a detachment of Royal Guard be assigned to Friendship Castle.  I think with him seeing you and knowing that you aren’t as bad off as he might have expected, it wouldn’t hurt to have a bodyguard for the future Princess Consort.
I still doubt he’ll cause much trouble, but I can’t speak for a twisted mind.  Unfortunately, I’m afraid that we’ve seen the last of him.  But take my word for it, if I do see him first, it probably would be the last anypony would see of him!
As I promised, nopony will hurt you or our child.”
Rarity held Twilight close, she could feel strength being given to her from her love.  She had no trouble going to sleep after that.
As the morning awakened the lovers, Rarity felt so much better than the night before.  The two lay there sharing kisses and pillow talk.  They had been talking about deciding which one of the nearby rooms to their bedroom (Rarity had ‘officially’ moved in with Twilight by now) would be suitable for a nursery.
“We’ll want the foal in the room with us at first,” said Rarity, “that’s if we decide to nurse the foal.”
Twilight giggled.
“What?” asked Rarity confused.
“I just remember what the Cake’s said about your reaction when they asked you to last minute foal sit.  How you acted like watching foals was something unheard of.”
Rarity blushed at remembering how she did react:
‘Moi? Babysit? N- Oh nonononononononono! I'm flattered that you would think about me. though.’
“Well,” said Rarity giving Twilight a small kiss and look of love. “Things have changed since then.  That Rarity disappeared several months ago.  This Rarity, your Rarity has since been loved at a level she, or I, never knew existed.  As you said, the foal will be an extension of our love.”
“I can’t believe I’m feeling like this,” said Twilight, “but the mental picture of you reclined, nursing our child is so very, very arousing.”
“And if we didn’t have to get up and get ready to meet with Princess Celestia, I’d have you show me just how aroused you are.”
“Later perhaps?” said Twilight.
Rarity kissed her love again.
“Definitely later My Darling.”
It was later that morning and after breakfast with the family.  Night Light was off to his job, the two lovers were walking the short distance to the castle.  Rarity put her hoof down that she didn’t need a taxi to get around yet, Twilight relented.
As they approached the magnificent edifice, Rarity was taken by the same awe she always felt at castles.  But even now that she was living in one, it was still a thrill as  before.
The two were well known by the Castle Guard and passed without challenge.  When they arrived at the throne room, the doors were open and Princesses Celestia and Luna were there.  On seeing the couple, Celestia bid them enter.
They entered and stopped before the dais, Rarity bowed.
“We need to talk about that, Princess Rarity,” said Luna.
“Thank you princess,” said Rarity blushing, “but I’m not a princess yet.”
“A mere formality,” said Celestia.  “the mother of our niece or nephew is already a princess in our hearts.”
The princesses closed the throne room doors with their magic and descended the dais.  They hugged the two visiting ponies.
“Rarity,” said Luna, “you’ve always been a beautiful mare, but with the glow of expectancy you have, it’s that much more wonderful.”
“Thank you princess,” said Rarity.
“So have the two of you decided on a date for the wedding?” asked Celestia.
“We’ve decided on the 15th of the third month from now.  It gives us time to get everything ready,” said Twilight.  “Plus there are some friends of mine Rarity needs to meet.”
Rarity looked questioningly at Twilight, but Celestia smiled.
“I’m asking as a friend, not your ruler or teacher,” said Celestia, “but with the ceremony for the coronation of the Princess Consort, I would be honored if Luna and I could perform the wedding as well.”
“We were going to ask if you and Princess Luna could do this,” said Rarity.
“I know with Celestia being the senior princess, addressing her as formal is natural and respectful,” said Luna, “but if you remember a few Nightmare Nights back, I gave you leave to address me as familiar.”
“Thank you,” said Rarity.  “With all that’s gone on, it’s nice to know I have such friends.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow, she sensed something more to what Rarity was saying.
“Is there more that’s gone on since we last spoke,” asked the princess.
“We were out with my parents last night,” said Twilight, “my love went to the restroom, and when she did she saw the pony who assaulted her.  My father and I went to look but he’d seen Rarity and left when she came to get us.”
“Oh Dear,” said Celestia, “we need to take steps to see that Rarity is safe.”
“I know,” said Twilight, “I was going to ask you for something I never thought I’d need in Ponyville.  But because the criminal is still at large, I was going to ask if a detachment of the Royal Guard could be stationed at Friendship Castle until this is over.”
“I’m afraid what he might do if he finds I’m pregnant,” said Rarity.
“If he has any sense, although he’s shown none so far, he should stay away,” said Celestia, “but with you now betrothed to Princess Twilight, you’re now a member of a royal family.  The penalties for what he’s done so far are rather steep, but being a royal now anything he attempts will weigh more heavy on him.  I already have the investigative arm of the guard looking into similar MO’s throughout Equestria.  And sadly, so far there’ve been five cases so far found.  They didn’t want to come forward at first, but when they found the extent of what he was doing, there is now plenty of mares who, if he is brought to trial, will come forth to press charges.”
“Just one thing,” said Twilight, “because of it being Ponyville, can the ponies being stationed there be without uniforms.  I know the ponies of Ponyville wouldn’t be comfortable with an ‘armed camp’ in their back yard.  They might think their princess has let power go to her head.  Hardly a show of friendship.”
The four giggled.
The talk was lighter from then on.  The plans for the wedding were made and the official invitations were agreed on.
The one thing that made Rarity giddy was when the three princesses escorted her to the Crown Jewels vault so she could pick out what would be her official tiara.  To her surprise, the one she selected had once been worn by Princess Platinum, last queen of the Unicorns before the unification under Celestia and Luna.  It wasn’t her official crown but the tiara she’d worn in her everyday life.  Rarity was so honored to know her tiara was once worn by such an important historical figure.  She was slightly disappointed that she had to wait for the coronation to wear it.  Although Celestia let her wear it for about a half hour, just looking at herself in a mirror.  The three princesses thought it was funny, but they were gracious enough not to laugh.
The two returned to Ponyville the next morning after one more night with Twilight’s parents.
For the next three weeks, life went on pretty much as usual.  Rarity had contacted her friend Coco Pommel in Manehattan to make her dress.  Rarity figured that with the pageantry the princesses were planning, her dress should be made by somepony with theatrical flair.  Coco was honored and was by often and would use Rarity’s dress shop to do the work.  Rarity insisted that the dress be a surprise for Twilight.  Twilight didn’t mind, but Rarity was curious why Twilight only asked Coco to take some measurements of herself and they were sent to Canterlot.
Twilight let her friends know that she wouldn’t be offended if they all were Rarity’s bride’s maids.  After all, they’d known Rarity longer.
When asked, Twilight told Rarity not to worry, she had it all covered.
All appeared to have calmed down with one exception, Rarity and Fluttershy were having their weekly spa day when the spa pony Aloe came up to the two as they relaxed in the mud baths.
“Miss Rarity,” said Aloe, “we had a strange pony by yesterday asking for you.  He said he was your husband.  Lotus and I know you aren’t married, yet.  And you and that lovely Princess Twilight will be getting married soon.  Oh by the way, thank you for the invitations.”
“What did he look like and what did you tell him?” said Rarity, she looked panicked.
Fluttershy reached across and took Rarity’s hoof.
“Don’t worry, Miss Rarity,” said the spa pony, “we told him that we knew you aren’t married and if he came back by here trying to harass our clients, then the Police would be called.  It was too bad, he was quite a good looking stallion, blue with a telescope cutie mark.”
Rarity was visibly shaken.
“He’s the one who hurt you before, is he not? ” said Aloe, “don’t worry, we’ll take care of our best customer.”
Aloe climbed into the mud bath and started to give Rarity a massage.   Aloe and Lotus were two very empathetic ponies who were focused on taking care of their clients.
Sometimes their treatments boarded on the erotic.  But they never crossed the line, unless it was consensual.  And the rare times a pony would try to go too far with the two (at least ones the spa ponies didn’t want such advances from), they quickly found out just how strong the two Earth Ponies were!  Plus all they had to do was call out and their masseur, Bulk Biceps would be there instantly.
When Rarity got back to the castle, Rarity told Twilight what had transpired.  Twilight told her that in spite of her requests, the body guard would accompany Rarity everywhere short of the bathroom and the bedroom from now on.