Drawn to Breed

by David Silver

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Second Person, Alternate Universe, Other, Sex, Princess Celestia, Human, Princess Luna
Length: 45620

Equestria is suffering a dire problem. You are part of that solution, even if you aren't entirely aware of it. No, we don't need a dragon slayer or something like that. We're sure you can handle this just as you are.

Equestria is suffering a dire problem. You are part of that solution, even if you aren't entirely aware of it. No, we don't need a dragon slayer or something like that. We're sure you can handle this just as you are.

This is a second person adventure where you, all of you, get to decide what you do. Isn't that the worst part of 2nd person? The character just running off and doing what you wouldn't do. At the end of each chapter I'll give a variety of options and the voting, it begins! Unlike a strict CYOA, the untaken paths are gone forever, so consider each choice carefully.

Rated M/Sex for a reason. Sexual hijinks can happen. Am I the sort of author that writes clop without plot? Nope, so not-sex things will happen too. Come, join the ride.

Final note: I only write when it's time to write. None of this is pre-written. I am not a planning author. I let my characters act out their parts in my mind and endeavor to get out of their way. I'm a director, not a screenwriter, if that makes any sense at all. So what will happen? Let's find out.

Published 2016-11-16 16:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-12-08 15:11:55 UTC

2 - Hung like a (clop)

You consider your options heavily. Applejack's a good girl, mare, whatever. If she wants a foal, why not you to deliver it? She's not married or otherwise taken, so you aren't hurting any feelings. Best of all, she already knows what's going on, so she won't be upset on that level either. She seemed like the best one to start with.

You tap at the row with Applejack and it lit up. The picture of her got a little blush, took off her hat and placed it over her chest as she looked down and away before the entire display vanished in a collection of sparkles.

Celestia gently clopped her clad hooves. "Applejack. She will be quite pleased to have been chosen. She's been waiting some time for the opportunity."

Really? Why didn't she get someone before?

Celestia lifted her shoulders. "We try not to pressure our donors. They just didn't select her, and we weren't trying to force them. You're doing so much for us, at least honoring your decisions seems the right thing to do. We'll have a missive sent to her immediately. You'll perform your duty tomorrow."

Luna stepped up and nuzzled into your exposed side, reminding you that you were still very naked. "Until then, you have free run of the castle, minus a few areas. The guards will gently inform you if you try to go there." You jumped as she licked over your ribs. "Until then, we must ask that you reserve that precious power of yours. You have selected Applejack, so let no other mare distract you, even if they should dare to approach and ask about it."

Other mares knew about it?

Celestia sighed gently. "We have tried to keep it discrete, but due to the... nature of it, we can only do so much. Some do, yes. Nobles especially, so some may approach you, hoping to bypass the selection process. That wouldn't be fair to all the other ponies, so, please, decline them. Be polite, but firm."

Luna nodded. "There are even those that simply find the act... stimulating. Depraved mares." She rolled her eyes. "This is for the life of our species, not mere titillation. Ah, that reminds..." She lifted a hoof and tapped your dangling member. "This won't do. Since you've agreed to stud for us, you need a proper studding tool."

Does that mean any foal you make effectively won't be related to you?

Celestia quickly shook her head. "You will be the father. While we will... gently... modify the script of your body, any foal you beget will be related to you." She smiled gently. "It is fortunate that humanity shares much with ponykind. While the ordering of the script is scrambled, the actual writing is the same." She looked down at your balls. "We will re-arrange them to be compatible, and add a few missing parts. Humanity has no script for horns, wings, or other things."

She can see you looking a bit nervous about it, but her gentle expression didn't falter. "It won't hurt, and we will only be touching those of your seed. All other changes are entirely cosmetic. You will still be you, of this I promise."

"Speaking of..." Luna came up behind you. "Will you be on two legs or four for this first session? Applejack has stated that she is willing to meet her breeder either way and accepts it."

Celestia perked an ear at her sister before returning her focus on you. "You do not have to decide now."

But you were pretty sure. If she's alright with it, let's start on two legs before we go full in. Tripping in the middle of the act would be a bit embarrassing to say the least.

Luna reached around you, her hooves landing on either side of your dangling member and giving it a gentle caress. "Always exposed. You must be nervous..." She was starting to stroke, running the cool metal of her horseshoes along your sensitive flesh. "Now, don't be alarmed. I'm just priming you for tomorrow."

You couldn't see it directly, but you could see the reflections of her magic. Your member grew with every beat of your increasingly excited heart as she played across it. The magic seemed to flow into you and ran right down your center into the filling organ.

It began to swell all the faster. Your vision dimmed a moment as if the sudden influx of blood was too much, but you recovered, slumped back against Luna as she worked.

Celestia smiled gently. "I am afraid I must now inform you that there is no going back. If you had objections to this, this would have been the time to voice any such. You are now an employee and treasured subject of Equestria. May Destiny treat us both kindly."

Her words were worrying in a way, but your eyes were on your cock, still growing. It had long ago reached its fullness, but it wasn't happy there. It grew wider all along, becoming more of a straight pillar of excited male meat as the head became flattened. A ring of flesh swelled up around the middle. Luna helpfully provided, "That is your medial ring. Used carefully, you will use it to excite mares and to help ensure that none of your seed escapes them."

A heavy weight seemed to be pulling you down beyond that. The powerful magic was rushing into your balls and with every thud of your heart they gained a little in diameter as the hair that covered them grew thicker and thicker, forming a pelt that would do well on any pony. That fur spread upwards as your shaft pulled upwards, forming a sheath under Luna's careful watch. You felt incredibly turned on. You wanted to do... something. There were two mares right there.

What about them?

As if Celestia could see the wild look in your eyes, she shook her head gently. "Your masculinity is being focused to be strong enough to accomplish the task ahead of you. Be calm, and this sensation will pass. Remember, Applejack is who you selected."

Luna's magic gripped your member just below where the head used to be and squeezed firmly. "Do not force us to supress your natural urges. Think of something peaceful. I'm almost complete."

You were not... literally hung like a horse. Then again, you weren't as large as a horse in general, and you imagined ponies were much smaller than Celestia or Luna, if the show was at all accurate. The main change was in the structure, though you were pretty sure you had packed an inch or two in there. You felt powerful. You felt virile. You could fuck the world!

A knock caused all three heads, including your own, to snap to a door that led out to the garden you were in.

Celestia held up a hoof. "I'll handle this." She trotted over to the door and it opened under her golden magic. "Yes?"

Whoever it was spoke in deep tones, but you couldn't make out the words.

Luna nudged you forward to stand on your own feet. "Finished. How do you feel?"

You turned to Luna and found that your member didn't jut out at her as it would have normally done. It was angled out and up, mostly up, but not entirely up at least. If one discounted having a horse cock and balls... you felt fine.

Didn't the changes wait until the session?

Luna raised a brow. "The changes to your seed are quite intensive. Better it be done now long before it's needed. Besides, that portion we will not be undoing until and unless you decide to cease being a male once you've been expended."

Speaking of that... Why did he have to be so concentrated in the first place? Humans got each other knocked up just fine without it.

Luna nodded gently. "Though females are fruitful, they were affected by sister's... meddling... Before this, a perfectly normal amount of stallion energy and seed would be quite sufficient to quicken the womb of a mare. Now, much like the moon and sun long ago, it requires so much effort that the user is left without any magic after a time." She sighed, voice heavy with annoyance. "Sister. She thinks she knows the answer for all things. I swear..."

Celestia came back towards you both. "We have to go. You're free to wander the castle, as we said earlier. Don't leave, and obey the guards, and your every need will be gladly met. Thank you, once more."

Luna quirked a little smile. "If you prefer, since you seem a curious soul--" She pointed. "The research area is just that way. Tell them Luna said you could look. Perhaps you will have some fresh ideas. One thing, do not permit them to experiment on you directly. You are reserved."

"That is a royal edict," agreed Celestia. "At the very least, Applejack comes first."

They left together, and there you were, naked and sporting an equine chubby. Your shaft was slowly receding into your new sheath. Having one at all was a bit odd, but there it was. Oh well, you had a full day before Applejack showed up. Maybe it was time to get exploring?

Author's Note

More choices! I tried to incorporate some of the more popular choices selected in the last chapter in the direction and discussion in this one. Having fun? Let me know! Also vote

Choices:

1) Maybe we should cover our shame?
2) Time to mingle with random ponies. Let's find someone that doesn't look like a guard.
3) Maybe a guard is just the pony to talk to.
4) That research area sounds interesting.
5) Hey, hold it. Let's get something to eat and just relax.
6) You're hung like a horse... Maybe a test run wouldn't hurt anything, right?
7) Running away? Never not an option.

3 - What's Going On?

You stepped through one of the fancy doors that led out of the garden. The interior of the castle was warmer. It also smelled nice, but the garden hadn't smelled bad either. Just two different, nice, scents. Both floral. The one inside seemed subtler.

A pony in gleaming armor marched past, though his eyes did dart towards you, sizing you up as he went by.

You raised a hand in greeting, but he just nodded in kind and kept right on walking. At least he didn't seem upset at you being there. That was good, right?

You moved in the direction Luna had pointed you, feet making the quietest sound on the smooth floor, basically silent. It was quite a stark difference from the clip-clop you could hear from other ponies moving around. Their hooves were not meant for stealth. You practically felt like a ninja in comparison.

At least until you felt your furry junk being handled, which was extra odd since you were the only one around with hands, you thought? You jumped back in surprise to see a glimmering field follow along with you. A unicorn proved to be the source, her horn glowing the same shade. "A new stud? You look fresh off the boat, as they say."

You didn't like the way she was eyeing you, to say nothing of the inappropriate horn magic on your goods. Feeling bold, you stepped towards her instead of away. Her expression relaxed. "Want to play a little? That's a good little stud."

You didn't. With a flick of a finger, you thwipped her across the horn and the glow died away as she jumped in surprise. "Why! I never!" She stormed off, tail swaying behind her, held high. You got the impression it was more to show disgust than to invite further playing.

With her defeated, you had little trouble following the small signs at intersections to locate the lab.

The carpet went away as you went down the last hall, leaving your feet to tread on the cool and smooth marble floor. The walls turned yellow in color as you approached the final door.

Two guards stood in front of it. One of them was female, which was a surprise. Weren't all guards male?

Both nodded towards you. The female gestured back with a toss of her head. "This area is off-limits to studs unless specifically called for, stud." She didn't sound angry, as if just reciting a fact.

That was alright. You were invited to come by Luna.

The male nodded. "If she said so specifically. You may be a stud, but even you are beholden to the laws of the land. We will confirm your story later." He stepped to the side. "Welcome to the fertility clinic." He paused a split second. "I'm not trying to be gruff, Stud." An ear perked. "Do you have a name?"

You did, and you shared it.

The female smiled faintly. "Better than Stud, that's for sure. Please, enter with caution. Look, don't touch, unless directly instructed."

Did they have any clothing, for lab safety?

The male's horn glowed, pulling open a small side closet and retrieving a full set of pony clothes. Gratefully you took the pants from his magic and slipped them on. They weren't a precise fit at all, but you're not dangling in the breeze anymore. Feeling brave, you took the front and tried it on. It seemed that pony forelegs were just as free-moving as human arms, so they didn't fit nearly as poorly as one might think.

You were dressed! You were dressed like a scientist, sure, but dressed! You asked if it would be a problem if you kept them.

The female shook her head. "If you need clothes, we'll send somepony by your quarters to size you. Until you get a new set, keep those, but have them returned after."

Things were looking up!

The one flaw? The pants had a hole for a tail that you didn't have. Oh well.

You proceeded past the two with a friendly goodbye shared.

The area just past the door was a form of airlock. The room glowed red as some kind of disinfectant(?) hissed into the place for a moment before the red faded and you could proceed forward.

A scientist mare, dressed much like you were, with some glasses in addition and goggles over the glasses, looked up at you as you came in. "A new stud?! I wasn't told you were coming. Is there an experiment planned? Why are you dressed like that?" She was full of questions and looked a bit harried.

You explained that Luna had invited you there to look around and maybe lend a fresh perspective.

"Oh! Oh... I suppose that's alright." She turned from you. You saw even her tail was covered protectively. "I'm Careful Study, nice to meet you..." You provided your name. "Ah, charming. This way, I'll give you a little tour."

She began to lead the way, showing off what seemed to be fairly standard sciency rooms, just with 40% more crystals involved. "Since the great sterilization, we have been tasked with finding a way to restore the species' vitality. We hope to either get males up to the level required to fertilize mares, or lower the mare requirement down to what males typically produce." She glanced over her shoulder. "You probably heard that males are sterile. This is not entirely accurate. They do produce male energy and seed, just woefully insufficient amounts compared to the staggering quantities a mare requires."

That sounded bad, but if they weren't completely sterile, why couldn't they work with that?

She arced a brow. "I've been informed that the worlds the princesses usually plunder for studs are typically ignorant in the ways of magic." She turned to face you. "The instant a stallion releases into a mare, what happens?"

You blinked a little. Was this a biology quiz? You explained how sperm works, basically. One lucky dog entered an egg, they combined and a new little could-be person was formed. Ta da! Miracle of life.

She nodded slowly. "That's a start, but you're missing the other half, the magic half. And it's grown more... complex for ponies." Her rump settled on the ground as she heaved a weary sigh. "To start, female eggs have far less of the living script than they should, and require not just one male seed, but many, all in the precise missing fashions to create a whole set of instructions. For the average stallion, they just can't hack it. They give out their sprinkling of seeds, but..." She wobbled a hoof. "Some of them are matches and get in, but not enough. You have an egg without a completed set, and no pony is made."

Species-wide genetic damage? That was pretty severe... But what was that about the magic half?

She nodded at you as her horn began to glow. "I'm certain I'm not the first unicorn you've seen." You assured her she wasn't. "We ponies are inherently a magic species. Though unicorns show it most obviously, we all do. When a male releases seed, he also releases a very specific biological spell. He basically casts a foal making spell. It instructs the female's body to be ready to catch the fertilized egg, care for it, and make a healthy pony or two out of it. It's all very wonderful, and worked fine, until the great sterilization." She let out a weary noise. "Now the spell is too weak to send the signal. We've had some, limited, success having a unicorn throw the spell at just the right moment precisely as a mare is being fertilized, but that's far from ideal." Her expression hardened a moment. "It at least gives us more time to find a real answer. A species that can't just... do that... without outside help is barely a species."

You glanced down at your covered and altered genitals. So how had you been changed?

Her expression brightened a little. "The stud program, which you are now part of, is one way to get healthy foals. It is Celestia's hope that infusions of vital male energy from other sapient and pony-like species can help turn this around through breeding, the same way you could skew ponies towards being taller by breeding tall ponies and limiting shorter ponies from it."

Pony-like?

She gave a wry smile at that. "Don't think you're very pony, do you? That's alright, most don't either. But you are! Look." She raised a hoof to her face. "You can understand all the expressions I make without even trying. That's a pretty big connection to start. Your body's script--"

Genetics?

"Genetics? What is that?"

You explained they are the basic instruction set of the body.

"Ah! Yes. The script. The script of your people and our people are the same script, when you get down to it. It's just in the wrong order. Where yours is describing eye color, ours is going on about tail length. With some careful re-ordering, we can breed, and produce perfectly healthy, wonderful, foals. In fact, if we did the same to a mare to bring her in line with your people's order, she would produce one of you instead, presuming a non re-ordered stud laid with her."

Her horn glowed and she grabbed at the hem of your pants with her magic. "May I look?"

Looking, but no touching! You lowered your pants just a little so she could see you were fuzzy down there.

She nodded. "You've been re-ordered. You've also been focused."

About that...

"Your species has the ability to cast the foal-producing spell. From what I've seen, you don't strictly require it. A female of your species will notice an egg and react on its own without being told to. The last female that was brought, that was an accident by the way, told us that they can inseminate a female with seed not from any stallion, though it can, on occasion, have side-effects. Oh, listen to me, telling you about your own species. I'm sure you know that already." She shook her head. "Back on topic. The Princess, whichever did it, took that natural signal you give and turned it up. You can signal a mare now as you breed her, but it's so loud that it stresses your body and aetheric network."

Aether what now?

"Let's not get too distracted. Just call it a magic network. You have one, even if you don't use it often." She reached out a hoof and tapped you on the belly. "So, as I was saying, it gets stressed and eventually something breaks and then that's it, no more studding for you."

So why can't a stallion be focused the same way?

"They can be." She nodded. "But pony bodies are better at self-regulation. Long before they get to inseminating, their body will turn down that adjustment to avoid hurting itself. Your body, on the other hoof..."

So you were made to cum so hard it hurt? Great...

Her expression softened. "If it helps, every stud I've ever spoken to has reported that it's quite pleasant. Most report being more upset that the pleasure stops being so intense when they are expended. That's actually the first way we know a stud is expended."

About that... You realized, if humans are pulled in once in a while, why haven't you seen other humans?

She looks suddenly dodgy, eyes darting everywhere but you. "Some choose to become ponies..."

Some, but the rest?

"And that ends the tour." Careful Study gently nudged you towards the door. "Do stop by again if you'd like, or if you have any ideas. We'll be calling for you if we have an experiment to run."

You got the idea you were being denied. Was it a state secret? Did they do something terrible to any 'expended' stud that didn't accept retirement as a pony?

Author's Note

The results for last time: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-NNLJ7NXN/

Running or self-exploration were basically not thought of. Meanwhile, that research area sounds very interesting. You'll probably meet some important non-noble ponies there to talk with, and if anywhere is going to have extra pants just laying around, a lab would for covering up naked pony flanks from dangerous experiments, right? Your stomach's rumbling a little, but you have far more pressing issues ahead. Maaaybe if you just so happen to run into a snack on the way, you'll wolf it down.

Or, at least, that's how I read it, and now that this is written, let's write the story.

So you got some answers out of that, and made friend with some guards and a scientist. And clothes! Finally.

What now?
1) Demand answers from Careful Study!
2) You're still hungry, let's fix that.
3) Explore the castle!
4) Try to sneak out and see Canterlot.
5) Relax until Applejack arrives.
6) Try to find Luna and ask pointed questions.
7) Or Celestia?

Have mercy on me, and be sure to include the number of what you vote for.

4 - Breakfast

You reached out and gently patted the head of Careful Study, which made her jump in surprise. "O-oh! That... You like me?"

You blinked at her response. You explained she seemed like a nice enough mare. You were going to get something to eat, actually. Maybe she'd like to come along?

She looked left and right. "Have you... selected a mare?"

You had, and saw no reason to lie about it.

She gave a rather resolute nod. "A-alright then. If you just want company." A smile crept onto her snout. "I'm exhausted. Maybe some food will help clear my head." She moved to walk past you and lead the way out of the research area. "If you... wanted to breed me, I would be obligated to accept, being so intimately bound with the studding program." Her cheeks warmed as she approached the last door. "I would... hope you would be gentle, and..." She seemed to freeze, unable to speak the rest.

Curiosity burned in you. So many things needed answers. You gently prompted her to continue, assuring her it was alright.

She pressed her snout against one of your hands. "I would like any stud of mine to be a friend as well. Just... using you as a foal maker seems... I don't agree with the princesses about that one little thing. No pony, two-legged or not, deserves to be just a foal maker." She turned away instantly and shoved open the doors heading out to the hallway with the guards. "We're going to the cafeteria."

Both nodded in agreement and didn't prevent either of you from advancing.

After a few hallways, some with ponies that peered at you with varying levels of interest, you arrived in a dining hall. The large table there was already set with food. The smells that came from it were great, and put your belly into overdrive with reminding you how much you wanted everything there.

Careful seemed to notice this and smiled as she trotted up and hopped into a seat before patting the spot beside herself. "As a member of the stud program, you're free to eat here whenever you desire." She glanced away. "I have a question."

An opportunity? You offered to provide an answer if she did as well. You sat down and grabbed what looked like a bell pepper but smelled like a lot of good things. Sinking your teeth into it revealed it was stuffed, without being cut open. Your tongue sang songs of pure bliss.

Careful seemed to watch you eat with great curiosity before she nodded a little. "If I can answer..."

That felt as good a promise as you were likely to get. You invited her to continue as you tried some wiggly jello that somehow tasted of an entire bag of Skittles.

She pointed at you. "Did you have any idea what the stud program was before you were taken here?"

That you did not. You gave a brief summary of how Luna approached and just asked if you wanted to visit Equestria.

Careful looked guilty, ears sagging. "I'm so sorry..."

Well, it wasn't as if you didn't want to visit Equestria! You just didn't expect it to have such a... peculiar issue.

She flashed a nervous smile. "Are you angry with us?"

That was two questions, you reminded her. You were chowing down on something that looked like a hamburger but didn't taste quite like one as you asked what happens to the expended studs.

Her tongue ran over her lips. "I'm really not supposed to say. If the... If they know, I could get into big trouble."

You raised a brow. Ponies didn't seem the vindictive type. How bad could the trouble be?

Her horn glowed as she gently lifted a bit of food for herself and got to gently nibbling, offering no reply.

"Is the Stud bothering you?" came Luna's voice as she entered the room and walked up, sitting down next to you opposite of Careful Study. "I thought he might be a clever one."

Well, shoot. That wasn't what you had in mind. You could see Careful bottle right up. She wasn't going to blab the secret with Luna right there.

Luna tapped you on the shoulder. "We see you have chosen to cover yourself. That isn't required. Nudity is not a taboo in this land, but if it makes you feel comfortable, there is no harm in it either."

You explained that, yes, it did feel better to have some clothes on.

She nodded. "And you are a curious one." She leaned in close. "Trying to play coy will only make you ask more questions until you find a pony that will give the answer. Come then, Stud. We owe you honesty at least. What is your question?"

Was it that easy? Heart lifted with hope, you asked about the expended studs.

She let out a weary sigh that sounded anything but good. "Some select a life of a pony, joining us with our blessings. It is the least we can do for their sacrifice. They are given a place to live and a modest stipend to make a life for themselves, as mare or stallion."

And the others?

Her eyes darted off. "It depends... Some grow quite agitated when they are expended. When we tell them they are no longer a stud, some will fly into a rage. Our offers fall on deaf ears and the idea of being rendered sterile drives them into a dangerous place... We have little choice but to... remove them, for the safety of others."

Why not just send them home?

"Would that it were so easy."

Careful gasped with alarm.

Luna reached over you and set a hoof on Careful's withers. "You deserve to know this as well. We cannot return the studs to their homes. Tuning into particular emotions in the dream world lets me find them, as a dream. I can draw them to me, but sending them back... I have no reference, and the power required would be quite significant, though I would do it, were I able."

It was a good thing you had been stuffing yourself, since your appetite dried up as the news hit you. No going home at all?

"It is impossible," spoke Luna in sad tones. "We have portals to other worlds, but all the worlds we can reach with them have males that are not compatible. The world Twilight had visited was our first guess. While those there became ponies naturally on arrival, they were sterile to begin with, at least as ponies. Every universe had some flaw... Yours seems to have what we need. Just... imagine the odds of finding a species whose script matches our own? It's staggering to even consider."

Careful sagged much like you felt like doing. "They're trapped here? And you don't even warn them? How can that be right?"

Luna scowled a little. "It isn't... But it's a matter of our entire species' survival. It is wrong." She moved that hoof to your shoulder. "If you hate me, I understand. I understand and accept it. Despite that, I ask, nay, plead that you participate in the stud program. Equestria needs you, even if you are furious with me."

Your emotions were a bit of a mess. How did you feel about this?

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-8B39PHNN/

Your hunger has gotten the best of you. Questions or not, you need something to eat! Secondary to that, you do want some answers. Maybe you can combine these needs...

Luna drops a bomb on the whole thing. You're not hungry anymore, at least. How DO you feel about this, at least so far as Luna is concerned?

1) Violently Angry
2) Angry
3) Understanding
4) That's it, you're totally getting bred after Applejack
5) I need to sleep on this...
6) Let's talk rewards...
7) You need to tell everyone the truth!
8) Forget Luna, Careful looks like she's ready to fall apart. She needs a supporting hand.

6 - Apples at Sunrise (clop?)

You kissed her furry snout out of sympathy. You told her it was alright, but she had to calm down then.

"C-calm?" Careful blinked, then paled, her ears going flat. "Oh! I just keep doing things to make this worse." She hopped up to her hooves, tail tucked down. "Please don't report this, please... I may not agree with some of their methods, but I do want to help with the stud program."

You gently assured her you wouldn't tell anyone else, stroked through her soft mane, and hiked a thumb. She may want to retire to her own room.

"Y-yes... I suppose I can't be trusted beside you right now. I'm too... everything." She reared up to be on your level as you stood and quickly stole a kiss before she fell back down and raced for the door. "Please don't be mad!"

She was gone, and you were left alone and stiff. Though tempted, you kept your hands well away from that alien tool you sported. Alien or not, the sensations it provided while free of your sheath were more than enough to convince you that you were looking forward to actually putting it to use.

Tomorrow.

It had been a long day. Without fanfare, you crash into bed, and everything goes away.

"This him?" You were awakened by a female voice. Even as you sat up, you saw an orange earth pony approaching. "Don't look like much, but ah guess ah don't get t'be picky." Applejack? For sure. She had her usual stetson on and red ribbons. "Ya awake? Good. Let's get this over with." She turned from you and lifted her tail up and to the side. "Ah know what the score is, don't need to waste time with the particulars none." Despite her obvious display, her nethers didn't wink like Careful's had.

You quickly scrambled out of bed. The covers that had been on you slid off, exposing you to the world.

Applejack peeked over her shoulder at you. "Huh." And that was her entire comment. Her expression was the same as someone waiting in line at the DMV for a license renewal. There was no energy there.

You asked if something was wrong.

"Wrong?" Applejack snorted softly. "Well, since ya asked. Ah'd rather find a nice stallion that wants ta work the farm with me, not, well, you. Ah mean, no offense or nothin', but yer just a foal maker, not a stallion. We ain't in love. We ain't even friends. Shoot sugarcube, ah don't even know your name any and maybe that's fer the best."

Was this why Applejack hadn't found a stud despite being one of the mane six and listed highly? You asked her if there was something you could do to make things better.

She arched a brow high. "Ya can take that pony prick ah yers and put it back there." She tossed her head to indicate her back end. "Ya know how foals are made, right? Git to it."

This wasn't what you imagined...

Author's Note

A short chapter today... I didn't even need to enter the votes yesterday. You all made it very clear. The hive mind was adamant in gently letting Careful down and waiting for AJ.

And here she is, at last! But... something seems off. She is far from happy to see you. What to do? To declare this outright, you can vote for more than one, just make it easy for me to parse (I vote for 1, 2, 5). I love the reasons that go with! I do read each and every one, and it does influence the hive mind's thoughts and moods.

1) Proceed with the insemination.
2) Try to get to know Applejack better.
3) Emphasize with how shitty the situation is.
4) Forget this, you aren't sleeping with her and you make that clear.
5) Alright, let's make this more romantic!
6) Invite her to get a nibble to eat first before jumping straight to this part.
7) Ask her what she knows about this situation. She is probably privvy to all kinds of details.

7 - I Didn't Ask for This

That wasn't how you planned to start the day. You approached the stoic Applejack and gently nudged her tail back down.

She looked back at you with a scowl. "Look, sugarcube--"

You pressed a finger to her snout. That could wait.

She recoiled at the touch. "W-what? Ah done waited plenty." She brought down a hoof with a clop. "Look, ah know ya don't want to be here none more than ah do."

Who said that?

Applejack pointed out the door. "What, ya don't think ah talked to the Princesses none before ah came in here? Ah know ya know. Yer probably mighty riled up. Ah know ah'd be."

You walked past Applejack. You had a pressing need that only the restroom could resolve. As you went though you asked what she thought you felt.

Applejack followed, some confusion in her eyes. She let you retreat into the bathroom though. "Ya know the studs ain't going back home anytime soon, if ever. Ya know we're terrible ponies what took ya just for ya to do things fer us."

You emerged, less about to burst. As a note, going to the bathroom with a horse tool is more complicated than one might think. You had to basically lay down, belly down, on their bidet to do it properly. It cleaned you! Soapy water spraying your bits a moment before being washed and dried with little jets of warm air. It was bizarre, but hey, all nice and clean.

Applejack looked you over curiously. "Look, sugarcube... Ya know the score, so do I. Can we just..." She rolled a hoof. "Git on with it and go along our day?"

You spoke your name clearly.

She blinked. "Is that a human word?"

You explained that was your name, and it was nice to meet Applejack.

She recoiled a little. "Ah done told ya..." Then she slumped. "Nice to meetcha... Look, this is awkward for everypony involved. Shoot, they done told me most studs were positively eager to jump on anything with a raised tail." She cocked a brow at you. "Then again, they also said you just wouldn't stop asking questions. Guess ah shoulda known better."

Was that a good or a bad thing, in her opinion?

She quirked a little smirk on her face. "You keep on being you, pardner. Still... look..." She sank down to her haunches. "Ah done been on that infernal list fer months. Dozens of studs come and go and do they pick me? Shoot, 'course not." She raised a brow at you. "Speakin' ah, since we're talkin' and all, why did you pick me?"

You began regailing Applejack on her positive features. You went over her genuine personality, her strength and determination. You explained how she was a great friend for those around her and a big sister for Apple--

"How do ya know all that?!" Her eyes were wide and she looked spooked as anything.

Were you really? Were you the first brony they dragged into this? You would have thought Luna would have fixed on bronies first for this project, but maybe she didn't even know they existed before? Of course, maybe she did and it was just kept quiet? You weren't sure, but that wasn't relevant to Applejack.

You started to explain that, in your world, she was part of a production, to entertain foals and teach good morals.

She flushed dark. "M-morals... Here ah am goin' 'long with this hogwash..." She hung her head. "Ah ain't fit for teaching no morals to anyone."

You reached for her and gently brushed your fingers through the velvety soft fur of her cheek and assured her it's alright.

"It ain't alright!" She took a half-step back. "Look, Ah appreciate what yer sayin', ah do... But, look..." She took a slow breath then advanced forward. Her nose went right for a hanging ball and nuzzled it. "There's another half o' this process. They done got me ready for this. Ah do need what's in these. Ah know ah started off a bit... Shoot! Please?"

Being a tall human, you could lean over her and have a peak. She still wasn't winking. You informed her she wasn't as horny as she was pretending.

Applejack staggered back, caught in her fib. "Don't make me say it..."

Say what?

Applejack's blush was intense enough to start creeping down her throat. "Look, ah... never been with a stallion before. Ah was always busy handling the farm t'find time for that sorta thing. Ah... Ah...." She squirmed in place. "Ah'm scared. Ah figured... if ah just kept this t' business, well, ah know that. Ah come in, do my part, you do your part, done, ah go home." She thrust a hoof at you. "It just gets more awkward with you not being a pony and all."

You reminded her gently that she said she was alright with that.

Applejack hung her head. "Ah was tryin' to be brave, set a good example. Ah thought... Look, ah made some mistakes, alright?" She sat up fully. "Ah ain't lyin' 'bout being ready though. They hit me with the spell to help make sure mah insides were ready for foal makin'. I don't get you to take part, ah gotta wait at least a whole year! Don't leave a mare hangin' here." She rose and turned from you, shaking her rump. "Ya done said ya liked these strong thighs, well, they'ze waitin' for ya."

About that... What happened if a stud didn't do their thing with a mare?

Applejack blinked at you, looking over her shoulder. "Well, for the mare, just told ya. It's at least a year before we can try again. For the stud, well, this is your job. They did tell ya that, right?" She arced a brow. "Way I hear it, first time gets you a lecture. Second and you get tagged as expended. Ya don't want that, trust me."

A shiver ran down your spine at the implications there. What do they do with the expended?

Applejack's tail lowered. "That ain't... Look, shoot, ya really are fulla questions." She turned back to you and stepped up to you. "Ya must think Ah'm just some creepy lookin' alien."

You gently stroked over her head, knocking her stetson off. You assured her she wasn't creepy. You had been looking forward to meeting her since you had arrived. You just... didn't want your time together to be like that. To be a soulless exchange of goods.

Applejack's ears danced as she staggered back half a step. "Ah ain't whatever ya saw in yer world... Maybe ah'm terrible... How can ya know?"

You reached for her faintly trembling form and drew her closer. She didn't resist the effort and soon you were petting slowly down her spine.

She squirmed at the petting. "Ah... heard studs were mighty good at massage, what with those fingers an' all..."

The way her muscles reacted under your care implied you were doing it right. They tensed and released in powerful spasms as you worked at her, slowly getting her to lay down under you care. The moment became peaceful and quiet, at least until you heard a faint sniffle. You peeked at her face to see tears rolling down her snout.

"Ah'm sorry..."

What for?

She perked an ear up at you, but remained sprawled as she was. "Fer tryin' ta make ya just a... foal maker. Look, ah don't know ya. Ya don't know me." She rolled, belly up, tail limp. You could see everything as her hooves hung in the air. "Ah reckon... ah can afford a little time. Ya got so many questions n' all. So... ma name's Applejack, of the Apple clan. We..."

She began giving her life story, her eyes only leaving your own as a memory dragged her away. She explained how she got her cutie mark, and how she became an Element, and everything else besides. "But right in the middle of all that... The sterilization. Suddenly and without warning, bang... Just like a cannon shot heard all through Equestria." She cringed a little. "Got me t' thinkin'. The Apple Family needs another generation... Ah done signed up on that list, made a big deal of it. Ah was tryin' to encourage other mares to do it too. If we didn't get others t'sign, well... We didn't want to force nopony. So ah smiled and tried to act like it was a great idea... Ah hated it..."

She suddenly reached out and brushed a hoof along your new sheath. "Look, ah ain't no biological science mare, but even ah can see that ain't natural on ya. Does it hurt?"

It didn't, and you said as much.

She smiled gently. "That's good at least. So... do you want to... do that, with ponies at all?" She sat up slowly. "Never could figure out why. Ah mean... besides having to, ah... would rather a stallion. Ya know, another pony."

You ran a finger down her snout, brushing away some of the tears. You wouldn't mind at all with the right pony, like Applejack.

Applejack smiled awkwardly. "Ah done lied t' so many ponies. Ya still want to be with me?"

Only if she wanted it too.

She nodded firmly. "Ah do, ah mean..." She snorted loudly. "Apple Bloom would be tickled pink t'have a niece."

You might be convinced...

"If?"

You wanted to do it right. You rose to your own feet and asked Applejack what she wanted for breakfast, reminding her that you haven't had anything at all, being woke up straight to business.

Applejack started. "O-oh. Look at me, being rude. S-sure, we can get somethin' t'eat." She looked around before approaching a bell you hadn't had time to examine. "Ya just ring this thing and room service comes." She took it in her mouth and gave it a shake.

Almost instantly, a smiling unicorn mare was at the door. She seemed surprised to see Applejack there, but it faded quickly. "How can I serve you, stud?"

She could call you by your name, to start. After that you gave an order of food and asked Applejack what she would like.

Applejack tossed in a few things in on the order, and soon the unicorn was off.

She returned in just a few minutes with a wheeled tray loaded with the order and left without waiting.

You mentioned it being odd she hadn't asked if they needed anything else.

Applejack gave a nervous little laugh. "She probably assumed we, uh, were gonna use this ta play with. She was gettin' out of the way." She approached the tray and took some of the platters down carefully, popping each open to reveal the tasty-smelling food within. "Well, come on. Let's eat. To tell the truth, ah ain't eaten much either. Ah... was in a hurry and tryin' not to be scared."

So you did just that. The two of you ate side by side, sharing little chit chat between nibbles. She seemed to be loosening up as she accepted you as a person, and not just a painful reminder of how things had gone wrong.

"So.... have any plans fer afterwards?"

Hmm?

"Ah know ya know. When yer done expended, yer gonna be a pony, right?" She sounded hopeful, and a little scared. "Mare or stallion?"

You were quite happy hanging.

She snorted at the phrasing. "Even if ya know ya won't shoot proper no more?"

It wasn't as if doing that with someone would suddenly stop feeling nice, even if no kids could come from it. Heck, by the time that happened, you'd technically have a lot of kids, right?

Applejack raised her brows together. "Huh, guess ya got a point there, sugarcube. Ya'll have more foals than any actual stallion can hope t'have these days. Good attitude ya got there. So, stallion? Going with earth pony?"

You had a choice in that? It seemed obvious thinking back on it. Of course they'd give you that choice at least. You hadn't considered it yet, and told Applejack as much.

She smirked a little. "Or... ya gonna go unicorn and join the big heads up here tryin' the fix things? Y'are a curious pony."

A sudden thought struck you, leaping from the void. Had many studs gone on to join the research program?

Applejack raised a brow. "A few, why? Ya alright?"

Was Careful? You dismissed the thought for the moment. That day was Applejack's. You gave her head a soft pat and asked if she felt better.

"Ya know what... Ah do, thanks." She smiled, a real smile. "Look, we ain't a couple. The way ah see it, we may never be. However, and this is a biggun, ya seem like a decent pony. We both know the score, let's... try to be 'dults about this, right?" She stood up and shook herself off. "Ah'm ready... Now, are ya? Ah'm trustin' ya to do it right. Ah wanna have that foal." She smiled a little. "You'll be his or her father, so you'd better be a pony after this, so I can be yer friend. Ah don't want no awkward conversations, and ya deserve to know them, and they deserve to know their father. Got it?"

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-K7BPCV3N/

As fit the last chapter, you are very mixed in your feelings! The votes reflect this perfectly. One thing is sure, your mood is pretty broke, unless you can work things out? Maybe just a little talking, get to know her, talk about the situation a bit...

Phew, a long one! Many things were discussed. I think progress was made.

1) Do it gently and lovingly.
2) Show her how a cowgirl rides a bronco and encourage her to let loose.
3) This still isn't right.
4) Show her a powerful stallion was worth a little ache in the morning.
5) Warm her up first with a full examination of her form.
6) A little revenge fucking to work out that frustration couldn't hurt...
7) We have all this food here... maybe it should take a part just like the waitress had suspected.

8 - Baking Apple Pie (clop)

You took a slow breath as you looked her over, smiling with a palpable sense of relaxation. That relaxation was at odds with the stirring between your thighs, but that was alright. You ignored that for the moment and instead reached for her. As it turned, a solidly-built apple farmer was noticeably heavier than Careful, but you were careful not to show the strain too much as you carried her fuzzy butt over to the bed and placed her on it carefully.

She rolled over on it and gave you a demure little smile, her hair flowing just so with her stetson having already been knocked off. "Is this a yes, sugarcube?"

You were quite sure she was a vision of loveliness, and you informed her of just that. Just as she began to blush anew, you slipped carefully onto the bed and reached for a hoof. She seemed surprised, but allowed you to gently press and knead. You found the sensitive frog underneath it and trailed a finger along it, drawing a sudden sharp giggle from her. She kicked out gently with legs that could clearly knock you across the room and her smile seemed to deepen. She was enjoying the play, even if it wasn't specifically sexual, yet.

You stopped tickling long enough for her to calm before you placed a kiss on that sensitive hoof.

Applejack was staring at you, eyes wide. "Ah... Shoot, pardner, Ah never done figured that'd feel so nice, but ya ain't gonna make no foals down there."

That much was true. You began to kiss up her leg and she drew in a sudden hiss of anticipation, watching your attention travel up the outside of her leg towards her rump. "Go on... don't be shy..."

You were feeling far from shy. She smelled of earth, and a bit of apples. She was a farmer, and proud of it. You nibbled and kissed through her soft fur as you rounded her flank, her leg twitching faintly at each touch. You could feel she was getting excited, and her personal scent seemed to be growing stronger as you worked. You arrived at her dock, where her tail merged into her barrel, and it was twitching and swaying with the same curious eagerness.

"Ah... thought stallions were more direct," she confessed, watching you with eyes that shone with want, but also an intense curiosity. "Is this how it normally works?"

You assured her it wasn't needed, but special mares deserved special treatment, and she was a special mare. The comment silenced Applejack a moment before she burst into giggles that dissolved into a throaty moan as your teeth brushed up against the flesh where tail met rump. The tail lifted sharply as you gave the natural command for a mare to present without thinking about it. She was winking and ready.

A new scent tickled at your nose as her mare juices began to flow with every flex of her powerful lips. "Stop... teasin' and get on with it." Her voice sounded equally lusty and impatient, but you gently brushed it aside and went in on her. Your tongue brushed along her nethers, exploring and tasting those thick muscles that drove Applejack to squirm and whimper in delight.

You had her at your mercy, and that was an intoxicating thing in some ways, so you were in no hurry to get past your slow appreciation of her maresex, at least until a hoof thumped you gently in the chest. "Sugarcube... Ah appreciate it, really, but we gots a foal to make. Don't you want to be no father?"

She was hot, wet, winking, and clearly ready. That would have to do. Rather than risk her anger, you slid up and moved over her. Funny thing, when spooning a pony, she wasn't really smaller than you. A bit, sure, but more like a lady should be to a man.

You discovered at that point that horse cocks don't work the same way human ones did. You couldn't get it into her at that awkward angle and slid back down to line it up properly with her wanting entrance. When the flat head touched her, she tensed against you. You could tell she was still a bit nervous.

Taking your time, you began to rub it back and forth and gently wriggle it up into her, letting each inch pass softly into that oven she was packing. She felt amazing around you, gripping and pulling. No matter how confused her brain might have been, her passage knew exactly what it wanted and was trying to pull you deeper.

She hissed and moaned, her rump shaking a bit as you pierced deeper and deeper into that trembling crevice, claiming her as your own, at least for a time.

Your shaft was singing the praises of the act. Your horse cock was more sensitive than your human one. You weren't sure if that was Luna's doing, or if that was how stallions normally felt, but you were eager to keep pressing and pressing until you suddenly bumped against her innermost depths. Your entire shaft couldn't fit, but that seemed alright. The sensitivity was focused towards the front of that mighty slab of stallion meat, as if the back end was just there to help get the front end where it needed to be.

She flexed powerfully all along you, fluttering and whickering. "Oh... ah..." She wasn't the most articulate at that moment, but her moans spoke well enough that you were doing it right. You took hold of her powerful hips and drew free a good six inches before running it back into her as if you were sawing with the most delicate tool.

With each stroke your heavy balls churned. They were very clearly altered, besides hanging down so low and being a bit lopsided and so heavy. They seemed to grow heavier with every push. With each motion, they pulled in on themselves, growing ready for that release.

It was too fast. You weren't done with Applejack. Even with her writhing under you in joy, you dismount, popping yourself free before you go too far to draw back.

She blinks in surprise. "W-what the hay?" She eyed your dripping member then looked up at your face. "What's wrong? Why didn't you finish?"

You assured her it was alright, but you wanted her first time to be special.

"Special? How? This is... already kinda special, sugarcube." She rose up onto her hooves and waggled her rump. "G'on. Just like ya were. That..." She darkened. "That felt mighty good."

You shook your head and slid up under her startled hooves. With one hand, you grabbed your turgid member, the other, her. You directed them towards one another carefully. She seemed quite surprised as she was nudged to sit down on your shaft, but your shaft would not bend the way a human might perform this act. Soon you and she were belly to belly, your shaft piercing up into her at the widest angle it could manage, which wasn't that far.

Applejack quirked a smile down at you. "Ah... never thought ah doin' it this way. Ah guess we can see each other better. Uh, now what?" She glanced over her shoulder. "Why ain't ya ruttin'?"

You gave a firm push into her, drawing out a deep noise, but you didn't do it again. You told her she could do the moving at the pace she wanted.

"Ah... can do it?" She seemed baffled at that idea. "That ain't normal..." Still, she tried, rocking against you. Her eyes almost crossed a moment before she bobbed her head fiercely. "Ah can do it." She had gotten the idea and started to rhythmically pound back and forth, grinding her belly to your own. "Ya... damn... crazy stallion... Ya... Nnnng." Her words became more slurred as the pace became feverish. You weren't going to be able to hold it back much longer, but it was worth it seeing that cowgirl ride you with such a look of utter rapture plastered over her muzzle.

The urge to move yourself became too great and you held her hips at both ends. You thrust up just as she plowed backwards and both screamed in the pleasure of release. Though hers had been nigh continuous in level, yours carried you to a new level. Your entire sense of being contracted to your balls, up into your mighty shaft, running up through it, and as you began to spray into her in wild jerking volleys, you crashed back into the bed. You had no breath. You had no muscle tone. You had nothing but pleasure and satisfaction. It was as if you had just fulfilled your very purpose for existing. Perhaps you had.

Applejack crashed on top of you, squeezing the air from your lungs as she panted for her own breath. "S-shoot... That..."

She recovered long before you, pushing herself up a little on her forehooves. "Ah... Thank you. Thank you." She repeated those words as she rained kisses on your cheeks and throat. "Thank you... Shoot, ah... Ah don't even know how to describe it. Ah'm tinglin' all over." She looked back at her body, still impaled on you. "If'n ya weren't a stud, ah'd run off with ya if ya promised to do that trick again."

You finally got a little energy back into your body. That climax had really taken it out of you. It wasn't hard to imagine that something so intense could cause lasting harm. You assured her it was your pleasure too, and weakly pulled her back down to hug. She got the idea and began cuddling with you quietly. Your shaft slid wetly from her, retreating into its sheath, its purpose complete for the moment.

"Ya look mighty tired," she pointed out. "Wait here." She kissed your nose and hopped free of you in an athletic bound. She was back with a tray of desserts. "Good stallions deserve a little pamperin' back." As you lay there, worn and happy, she began to feed you by hoof, waiting patiently as you swallowed each bit. It helped, and it was kind of nice being fed by Applejack, knowing she really enjoyed herself.

There was a soft knocking on the door. Applejack shot it a nasty glare before she sighed and set the tray aside. "Yeah? What is it?"

The door opened to reveal Celestia. Applejack squeaked and fell prostrate. "That isn't necessary, Applejack. I understand you've just been through a bit of an ordeal."

"Ordeal?" She sat up. "Ah wouldn't quite call it that... Is that what all mares get when they're with a stud?"

Celestia raised a brow. "You would have to ask them, Applejack. It wouldn't be proper for us to pry."

"Huh, guess that's true..."

Her horn glowed gold. "The spell was cast correctly, and the stud has performed his task. Congratulations, Applejack, you are on the path to motherhood."

Applejack's face broke into a wide smile, as if the sun was coming out over her expression. She let out the enthusiastic call of an excited cowgirl and grabbed her stetson off the ground. She turned back to you, putting the hat back on. "Didja hear that?! Ah'm gonna be a mom. That makes you a father." She hopped up onto your limp form and gave you a bone compressing hug.

Celestia took a gentle grip of AJ with her magic and hefted her up. "We should let him rest. Studding is very difficult work."

"Oh... yeah, he does seem plum tuckered out. Can... ah see him again?"

Celestia shook her head. "Not until he's done studding. Until then, you can certainly exchange letters if you'd like. Thank you, Applejack, you've performed a service for Equestria." She set Applejack down outside the room. "I hope motherhood treats you well."

The door closed with a golden glow and you frowned. That wasn't how you would have liked to end that session.

Celestia turned to you and sat beside the bed. "I can see you're upset, and you have many reasons to be. Still, there are... misunderstandings that are only going to complicate things if I don't correct them. To start, thank you." She dipped her head. "You performed admirably, and made a very happy mare out of Appejack. If you select to join us, I feel certain she will attempt to be your friend, if nothing else."

She didn't have to go, and you protested that weakly.

"She did. We have things to discuss. You have been asking a lot.... of questions. Now, I don't oppose that. Rather, I'm more fascinated by the answers you have." She pointed at herself. "Who am I?"

Was that a trick question? You explained she was Princess Celestia, sister of Luna.

"What happened to Luna?"

Happened? You mean when she was banished to the moon?

"How... hmm." Celestia looked you up and down before she lifted you effortlessly in her magic and made her way to the bath. "You know much more than you should. I heard you mention that our very lives were made a production in your world? We need to speak of that, later. That isn't as pressing as dispelling the mistakes you've heard."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-C6R7LJGN/

The confusion has clearly left you. She has consented and the two of you are clear-headed adults. She wants it, and so do you, but you want it slow and sensual and to let her take charge once you've worked her up to wanting to. Faint doubts nag in the back of your mind, but you've set your course.

Well, that was fun! Shame Tia went and kicked her out at the end. It seems she has things to say.

Nothing complex here.
1) Listen
2) Complain
3) Ask your own questions
4) You're not sure you're recovered enough to even try, but who cares. Time to breed Celestia!
5) Call for Applejack
6) Attack Celestia

9 - Dawning of the Sun

Celestia sat you down in the tub. The hot water eased your drained muscles and her golden magic kept you upright and even began to slowly wash you as she settled beside the tub and looked you over for a quiet moment.

"You are a very curious human. I've been handling you like... the others, but it seems clear you are not one of them."

What were the others like?

She was quiet again before she let out a sigh. "There are other things to discuss before we arrive there, but we will." She reached out and rested a hoof on your shoulder. "Let us begin with a falsehood. Applejack, when did she say things began?"

She wasn't super specific, but what, a year, maybe two?

Celestia let out a little snort. "Would that were the case. She is the among the last of her generation to be born between two loving pony parents. It was recent that... it became impossible to hold that secret. Those last born were becoming adults, ready to create their own children. And they couldn't... Applejack knows of our announcement, but the crisis began before then. Do not be angry at her. She spoke the truth, as she knew it."

You were glad Applejack hadn't told another lie, still...

Celestia leaned down, her face brought down to beside yours. "This is a delicate situation in the kindest of terms. We work tirelessly to resolve this mistake of mine, but I understand that it was my mistake." She raised a hoof to her chest. "Moping about that won't fix it, however. There will be time to allow my little ponies to have their anger and fury at me, but only after their future is secured. I will let them do as they please after that. Before then... telling them too much would just result in more pain, panic, and hurt our chances of finding a cure."

She pointed the same hoof down into the water, at your altered genitals. "You represent one prong of that hopeful cure." A little smirk spread over her face. "With your literal prong. Did it bother you? Luna usually selects dreamers that have a fondness for... breeding."

You weren't a horn dog and protested the implication. You did like ponies though, and it was... good. Very good. Why did she have to chase Applejack off so quickly?

Celestia's smirk faded away. "That was not done idly. We, ponies that is, have several failsafes that help keep us harmonious and happy. They don't always work, but they do help most of the time. When a mare is seeded by a stallion she likes, an immense flood of contentment and happiness swells in her and him both. The more time they spend around one another, especially right after that critical moment, the more wonderful they feel about one another. It creates strong families with love on both sides. She was already falling into it. If I had not come, she would have demanded your hoof in marriage and happily guarded you to the end of her days as your wife and you, her husband."

The thought of Applejack falling for you wasn't entirely bad, still...

"I see you have some understanding. I do apologize. Should you decide to join us, as a pony, there will be more chances. You've left a mark on her. You're her first, and she won't lightly forget that." She rose to her hooves. "Are you feeling better?"

The warm water had really helped. You could move, if slowly. You stood up, water sluicing free of your naked form.

Celestia smiled at you and lifted you free with her magic to stand beside her. "The first time is always the worst, or best, according to some. Your body will produce a little less and drain less savagely each time until it crashes, then you are expended." She tilted her head. "Do you wish to see the list again? Whichever mare you select, you need not see them immediately. It wouldn't be healthy regardless."

About that... Why not just let a stud rest until fully recovered? You could keep a stud going a lot longer that way, right?

Celestia raised a brow. "Were you a doctor in your world? You speak with a curious certainty."

Well, not exactly. Still, isn't it common sense? If someone runs a marathon, you don't run another marathon immediately thereafter or you really could get hurt.

She nudged you with a hoof. "Well argued. You are also... emotional. Two mares now you've taken the time to comfort and know as ponies, not simply as a chance to rut. I will tell you this freely, the other studs before you were less... harmonious. Luna found dreamers whose minds were focused on the desire to rut. They were good for it, but very little else. Some were truly savages, practically attacking any mare they were allowed to. They... accomplished their goal, but we... Let me simply say that I much prefer you, gentle stud, and hope that you continue to treat my ponies with dignity."

Were they really so bad?

Celestia sighed softly. "They were varied. Some were polite enough. Those were the ones that joined us. Some were... little more than animals. They were obsessed with breeding, so much so that the news that they could never breed again was too much and they became violent." She leaned forward. "Tell me, are your people normally violent?"

Well, no? Sorta? Your people had the capacity for it, and have been throughout history, but plenty of them were peaceful and happy being so.

She tensed a little. "That does align with what we've seen. The polite ones were happy being left alone, by and large. The attackers... They did so in ways that would sicken a pony." She raised a hoof towards her face. "One would go directly for the eyes of any pony that crossed him. We had to... let's not get distracted. You have made some rather... large claims. I would have proof of them, if you will entertain me. Tell me something that no other pony would know of."

Visions of the episodes flashed through your mind. There were so many! But it had to be something private. Something special. Of course... You sang, not very well, the start of Twilight's ascendance song.

Celestia paled even as you started, her eyes wide and locked on you. "Enough! Enough... She would never share that..." Celestia looked away a moment before snapping back to you. "You know much about us, dreadfully so."

She walked slowly away, head seemingly full of thought. "You have made some things quite clear. I know of Luna's oath to you. In respect to it, I will now allow you some questions. Ask and be answered." Her horn glowed, grabbing a towel and started to dry you off diligently. "And let's not have you catching a cold in the process."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-L2YJB7BN/

You are quite certain on your path, the way forward like crystal. You will listen to Celestia's words, but you have some questions of your own. Complaining is tempting, but just that, a temptation.

Hey, let's try something new. Instead of numbers, you get to ask questions. Feel free to agree with other people's questions to make them more likely to be the one that gets asked.

Let the interrogation begin!

10 - To Question the Sun

There was one question on your mind. One thing that simply could wait not one moment longer. Why?

"Pardon?"

Why all this? What did Celestia hope to accomplish with whatever spell she wove over her people?

She looked shamed a moment, ears falling. "Our past was... far from peaceful. Like your own, we had periods of intense violence and upheaval. While I was supporting it alone, I slowly guided my ponies towards peace and contentment, but even I cannot assure I would always be there." She sank to her belly slowly, her eyes level with yours. "I thought to my legacy. I wanted a people that would remain happy and harmonious even when I had gone and left them. I... wanted them to be happy. They would be such a beacon of hope that other races would seek to emulate them, or so I foolishly aspired." She dipped her head a little. "Bear no mistake, I do not think myself any less than a fool for what I have done, and arguably much worse. There is the simple matter that this must be fixed first, then I will surrender myself for judgment."

Just how long ago was this?

She lowered her horn, aiming it at you with its lethal tip all too close. "First, an understanding. We are speaking of things not meant to be shared. I am expressing faith in you. We have taken you from your home under some false pretenses. We have demanded a sacrifice, even if it is one you don't seem too opposed to. I am returning some small part of this. I think... together we may operate better than as two competing players on a board where failure results in the loss of an entire people. Do you understand this?"

You weren't completely sure that moment, but you weren't sure how many ponies would even believe you if you started badmouthing Celestia in the first place, so you gave a nod.

"Excellent. The spell was woven five hundred years in the past. I see the confusion on your face. I remind you that Applejack's generation was the last generation. This problem was unnoticeable at first. A minor nuisance barely worthy of note after that. A growing but small concern following that. Those who kept track of the numbers that pointed to it didn't even associate it with the spell. Why would they? It had nothing to do with fertility, or so they thought. So... I... thought. Every passing generation, my ponies grew less and less vital. Mares grew less able to make little ponies, and stallions less able to encourage the fact. It is only now, in our darkest hour, that we are truly in crisis." She shook her head. "I expect little more than scorn, and deserve worse, but let's save these ponies first. Save them, and then talk of punishments. The other way around will not serve them."

Author's Note

Mid-day update? You got it. This was, clear and ahead, the most popular question. Keep them coming! The interrogation is not yet over. Will she answer one more? 4? A dozen? Will she be cut off now? I ain't tellin', so get to asking.

11 - When Are We?

Still struggling to get all the information you were given under control, you ask the next question that bothered you. When? Celestia looked confused. Is Discord free? Heck, why didn't he help?

Celestia heaved a heavy noise. "He is, and perhaps he could. I fear he is relishing in the trouble I've caused while he was imprisoned. He refuses to speak to me, or anypony about it. Perhaps he cannot, but we should assume he simply is not available."

Right. Twilight was an alicorn? I mean, if she wasn't, the song wouldn't--

"She is." Celestia nodded. "In fact, I suspect she may be one of the youngest fertile mares. Her line is strong, her magic stronger. We haven't... Becoming a mother is not..." She frowned a bit. "We will not speak of her further. She has not been told, nor will we, unless this grows far darker than it already has."

Not told? Wasn't everyone told?

"Well, yes," conceded Celestia. "But she is quietly forbidden from the mare list, and if she has an idea, it will be listened to, but we are not seeking her out. Her destiny is to protect us from other dangers, not... me."

Back to the timeline. Did Tirek break free? What about Starlight?

"You truly are an oracle." Celestia shook her head. "We have faced both of these dangers." She raised a hoof. "Starlight is actually on the list, though she has requested she meet her potential stud and judge them herself." She rolled her eyes. "It's kept her from being chosen so far, but you've surprised me in countless ways before now."

Right, but what about--

"Be calm." She pressed a hoof to your lips. "Our time draws to an end for today, just as the sun grows heavy in the sky. I must tend my duties. And you, yours. Please, select your next mare. Keep thinking. Perhaps from your alien mind will spring our salvation." She rose up to her hooves and nodded. "Travel in peace."

With her farewell spoken, her horn glowed softly and the great list of mares appeared. She waited silently for you to select one.

Author's Note

Finally, time for a real poll! The questions, they are done, for now.

1) Derpy's still on that list.
2) Nopony else has claimed the unicorn more powerful than some alicorns. Dare you sample Starlight?
3) Fluttershy is on here, but has a big asterisk next to her name like Starlight, hmm.
4) Spoiled Rich wants another foal?!
5) Cheerilee wants to be a mother on top of a school teacher
6) Sassy Saddles is willing to walk a maternal path to fashion.
7) Lyra is listed with a few exclamation points, odd.
8) Forget the list! Answer more questions dammit!

12 - The Second Selection

So many fine choices. You felt torn between them, but one rose to the top for you. Starlight. Maybe she'd have answers, or at least be worth talking with, and, by default, you had to speak to her before you got 'to business'. You reached out and touched her line.

Starlight's icon smiled at you. It wasn't the demure little blush Applejack had given, but one of a confident alpha sizing up her prey. "You'd better be worth it," spoke the icon before the whole thing vanished in sparkles.

Seriously, was that Celestia's doing?

She shook her head. "Every mare was allowed to have a reaction of up to two seconds in length in the event of selection. I'll have her informed and brought to Canterlot. For now, you're off duty. Even if you two hit it off, I'll be giving you some time to recover. The first time is the most trying time." She turned for the door of your suite. "For now, I leave you to rest."

Celestia strode free of the room on elegant hooves and was soon gone.

Shoot! You had more questions for her.

You were also tired. So tired... You flopped onto your bed and everything went black. When you awoke, you were under the blankets instead of on top of them. The room had been cleaned and freshened and a small tray of food was waiting for you. You were being watched, though not by uncaring sorts. A mixed blessing at best.

You slid from bed and took care of biological imperatives before grabbing the pants you secured from the lab. A soft knocking came just as you were about to get some food. You called out for who it was.

"Tailor," came the female reply. "I'm here to fit you. May I come in?"

Oh yeah. That'd be good instead of the baggy stuff you were wearing. You grabbed a roll and chewed on it on the way to the door. You threw it open to see one of the mares from the list.

Sassy Saddles smiled at you. She was shorter than you, but not by much at all. She was almost as tall as Celestia. Almost. "Hello! I hope I didn't interrupt anything." Her eyes glanced left and right. "When I received word the stud needed a new ensemble, I just had to lend a hoof. Rarity would never forgive me if I didn't." She stepped inside without being directly invited, but you didn't get any hostile vibe from her, just an eagerness. "Now you just stand there and I'll have you measured in no time at all."

You gently assured her there wasn't any huge rush. Besides, it was a chance to speak to a pony from outside the castle walls, so you asked her how things were going in Canterlot.

Her magic was holding a measuring tape that she held out to your shoulder to your fingers and then hips to legs and again from your groin to your legs on the inside. "Oh, ponies are trying to keep a stiff upper lip about it." Her magic gently nudged your large balls. "Were you... You are a large one." She raised a brow a bit as she moved on you measuring your torso length and diameter. "I heard the studs are just... made for this." She leaned in. "Is it true?"

You weren't sure if it was a good thing or not that Sassy was as curious about you as you were about Canterlot. You assured her that you were born for living, just like anyone else. You were custom adjusted for the current crisis, however.

Sassy nodded softly. "Then it's a very good thing you're doing." She tilted her head before circling around you. "I volunteered my name to that 'mare registry' of theirs. Did you see me?"

You had, and said as much.

"There must be so many... I suppose I can't blame you for picking somepony else." She sat on her haunches and tapped a chin with a hoof. "Do you have a preferred style?"

Something casual, comfortable, and easy to move in. Yep, that's all you really wanted.

"Casual, comfortable, easy to move..." Sassy nodded as if engraving each requirement in her head. "I've made some clothes for a stud before, though he was far less... mannered than you. It will be a pleasure to clothe you." She leaned in again. "Might I pry who you did select? You don't have to, I'm just curious."

You weren't sure how kosher that'd be, just giving out other pony's information like that. You gently turned down that request.

Though she pouted faintly, she didn't seem bitter. "I hope it goes well." She stood up. "For now, I have a few outfits to make! I'll bring them here, and you can take the ones you like, tell me why you don't like the others. I'll adjust them until you have a full wardrobe you not only can wear, but love wearing!" She bubbled with industrious eagerness and began to trot to the door. "Ta Ta, Stud. Have a nice day!"

With her gone, you eagerly devoured the breakfast provided. Was that bacon? It tasted a bit like bacon, huh...

Sleep had, breakfast eaten, a new day begun... Yep, you felt ready. Your muscles were a bit lethargic, but entirely functional. You saw no reason to literally lay in bed all day. You threw open the blinds to allow in all the sun, filling the room with bright light, and a distant view of Canterlot far below.

It was a pretty place. Hopefully you could help, somehow, and keep it that way.

A clopping came from the door. Who could that be? You shouted to ask the question.

"It's me," came Careful Study's voice.

You told them it was alright to come in, and they did.

She approached with an unsure smile. "I was told your first session was a rousing success. Applejack is confirmed to have taken and is being monitored closely in the castle for a few days before they let her go home." She looked you over, from your naked chest to your clothed bottoms. "I... think we..."

Why wasn't she on the list?

Careful jumped at that. "I wasn't?"

She didn't know?

Careful frowned a moment before it cleared. "They probably took me off because... They know what I did." She sat down, looking upset.

You reminded her they still let her just walk in. They didn't have any objection to them talking.

Careful blinked at that. "That's a good point. Still, why wouldn't they let you pick me?" She seemed to realize what she had just said and went a fierce red. "I mean, if you wanted to!"

You promised it was alright and gave her a soft pat on the head that she seemed to enjoy. By the way, you did have a question for her.

"Yes?" She perked up and smiled. "How can I help?"

You decided to be straight forward about it and told her your theory about her being a former stud.

That blush turned to a pale texture quickly. It wasn't an answer, and yet it was. She looked terrified.

You pick up her stunned body, though your muscles protest being used. She was lighter than Applejack at least. You set her down on the bed gently as you spoke in a reassuring voice, telling her that it was alright. You just wanted to know the truth.

"No wonder they took me off the list." She glanced away. "I... Luna tried seeking out friendlier studs. She tried to find a male that had great empathy for females, and she found me. I am a female, I just had the wrong body..." She sat up a little. "So there they were, asking me to be a male, just for a little while. Be their male well enough, they promised, and I could become the woman I always wanted to be. No surgery, no fakeness, all woman, even able to give birth. I... took the deal."

Careful Study was a transsexual that hadn't gone for surgery or hormones. Well, she had been. She had become a mare, entirely a mare. You asked her if she was happy.

"Beyond... anything." Her ears lowered, looking embarrassed. "I mean, sure, it isn't a human female, but female. And it's real. Human doctors, what can they do? Hollow out pieces of you and flip it inside out in a mockery." She cringed with obvious terror at the idea of modern sexual reassignment. "I've heard... from other trans that they don't even try that hard to even make it look right, and it isn't right. I..." She trailed off slowly. "It was... Why am I even talking about that... You must be disgusted." She looked up at you, shrunk with worry.

Of all the things you'd seen so far in Equestria, a trans pony that could just be a mare with magic seemed so distant from the top of the list. You sat down beside her to be closer to her level and put an arm around her. You pulled her in quietly, and she flopped against you. She began to sniffle a little, shedding almost-silent tears.

When the emotions had passed, she sat up against you and suddenly hopped up. Her hooves on your shoulders, she gave you a kiss on the lips but only for an instant before she hopped down to the floor. "You're a real gem." She glanced left and right. "I almost forgot why I came here in the first place! We need to do some measurements, see how your body and aetheric network are responding to the shock of your first breeding. Take off those pants and we'll get to it."

You obliged her and were soon laying on your back on the bed. She hopped up between your legs with a curious-looking caliper floating beside her. "Wider." She nudged a leg with a hoof. You spread your legs a bit wider for her and she slid the calipers over your balls carefully. It began to blink and glow in different patterns and it tingled just a little.

"Lower than where you were when you first visited me," she reported. "But well within acceptable levels. I'll be taking this measurement daily. Eat well, get some movement. With luck, we'll coax you up to full again." Her smile was hopefully, but clearly a little overly-optimistic.

You asked her what the odds of that were.

She cringed faintly. "We had one stud that recovered completely the first time, then began to degrade. Most degrade immediately and fall lower and lower until..." She pulled the calipers back carefully. "Gone."

About that, just how many times are we talking? A dozen? Six? Four?

She slipped the tool away into some pocket she somehow had in her fur. "It depends on the stud and how they treat themselves in part. Be healthy and active and happy." She smiled. "You do have friends. You're not alone."

That was all very good, but a startling lack of an answer.

Her ears flipped back. "It can be anywhere from three in one case to thirty in the longest case. S-Still! Please, stay optimistic. I think that's an important part. Feeling isolated and depressed will suppress you even without breeding going on. So many of the other studs were so isolated..."

How many times had she lasted?

She went red. "I... made six foals."

Did she ever talk to them, or their mothers?

Careful squirmed in place. "Just one... We're dear friends. The others... they didn't really want to talk to me after the fact." She turned for the door. "I should let you enjoy your day. You know where to find me. Come any time you'd like."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-28HDHZBN/

Many mares were thought of, but Starlight... Her demanding gaze was quite insistent. This was a mare that had answers, perhaps...

Well, a day off! What do?

1) Let's make friendly with some random ponies in the castle
2) Forget the ponies, it's the castle I want to explore
3) Back to the research area.
4) Can humans learn magic? Let's find out!
5) Join the guards for a real workout
6) This day is for chillaxing. Engage full relaxation
7) Ask permission to visit Canterlot
8) Forget that, sneak out!

13 - Mind, Body, Spirit

Clad in your baggy, but functional, clothes, you set out with determination. You had a whole day with nothing being forced on you. You were a free man, temporarily. You had no intention of letting it go to waste.

A guard noticed you striding so purposefully and lowered his spear to bar your passage. "Stud, where are you going?"

He didn't sound like he wanted to stop you. There was curiosity in that tone, so you figured there was no harm in being truthful. You tell him your plans to visit the training yard for a workout and hoped to find a pony skilled in magic and willing to help teach it.

The guard glanced up at your head, where no horn resided. "I'm not sure how they could help you, but let's get you to the training field if that's what you'd like. Follow me." He raised the spear and stowed it at his side and began trotting along ahead of you. "I will have to inform them to be careful, if they don't already know."

Along the way he pointed to a tall double door to the left. "You will want to stop there, later. That is where one might find teachers from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns." A brow raised as he went past it. "Even if you aren't a unicorn, or gifted, sir."

Clearly you were gifted in some ways, but as a unicorn? You couldn't argue that exactly.

He stepped through a doorway out into the warm sun where other guards were busy doing drills, sparring, and otherwise trying to be ready for action. A lot of that activity died when you emerged to join them.

One guard looked to yours. "Why is the Stud here? None of us are looking for foals." The comment drew snickers and guffaws from many of the other guards.

Another guard nudged one beside him. "Maybe you'd like his services."

The nudged guard colored swiftly in his cheeks. "I'd never consider it!" he piped defensively as his tail slapped down.

That wasn't what you wanted, and not why you came. You said as much and declared your intent to work with them.

One approached you with dark fur and sharp horn. "That's very bold, Stud. Have you had field practice wherever you're from?" He looked you up and down a moment. "We'll take it slow, see what you're made of."

You asked him for his name.

"Get past the first stage and I'll answer that." He smiled. "Get past the second and I'll ask what yours is besides Stud." He turned and pointed a hoof at a row of tires laid out. "Let's start with a little coordination training. Run through those, make sure to get your hooves in each one. Skip one, do it all over again. Nice and simple."

As obstacle courses went, it didn't look very complicated at all. Sure you were a bit slow, but you felt confident you could handle that little thing. You stepped up to the start of the tires. All the guards were watching you, whispering among themselves.

Slow and steady, or so you assured yourself. It wasn't a race, so why treat it like one? You put one foot in and smoothly hopped to the next with the other, back and forth and back and forth. It wasn't the fastest thing, but you didn't fall flat on your face either. You had a little huff in your breath at the end, but you had handled it.

The guard that had given the task to you nodded. "Good. If you had run through it like a mad stallion, I would've sent you back inside." He raised a hoof to direct at himself. "I'm Captain Thunder Step. Nice to meet you, Stud. So, you're what Celestia's replacing us stallions with?"

The other guards made some soft grumbles, some snickers, some less amused.

Thunder stepped up to you. "We'll see if you're worth all the fuss." He pointed to a rope. "Next up, rope climbing. You look a little like a monkey of some sort, so this should be easy."

Was he trying to nettle you? You wouldn't let him have the satisfaction. Now... how on earth did ponies climb ropes? You dared ask.

He snickered softly. "Practice, like anything else." He trot over to the dangling rope. "I'll go first just to show you how it's done." He grabbed the rope in his teeth, snapped his hooves against it and pulled himself right off the ground. His hind hooves came in like a vice, securing himself and he began using all three contact points, his teeth, fore, and back hooves in a crazy pattern to scale up that rope, ring the bell at the top, then slide back down to the ground. "Nothing to it."

That looked a little crazy, but a pony had to do what a pony had to do. You were no pony. You were from the simian family, and proud of it, dang it. You flexed those opposable thumbs of yours as you stepped up to the rope and took a firm grip. After giving the rope a testing tug, you yanked yourself upwards and began scaling, one hand over the other. Your arms protested being used. It wasn't the same ache you'd feel from weight-lifting too long. It was something deeper and more wide spread, but you fought against it until you could bat that bell at the top and come back down.

Polite clopping and stomping greeted you. Thunder nodded softly. "You climb like a monkey too. That's your new guard name, Lightning Monkey."

The other guards pressed in, greeting you as Lightning Monkey. The ice seemed to have been broken in part with a proper name given.

You felt a nuzzle from behind. One of the guards was grinning at you. "Do you know how to wrestle? I've always wanted to try my hoof at wrestling an ape."

You weren't an ape, and noted as such, but it didn't deter the guard.

Soon, you were in a wrestling ring with the guard opposite you. He had taken off his armor and the oddest thing happened. His fur began quickly gaining color, turning from white to a pale brownish hue. What was up with that?

The guard blinked at the question. "What, you think we all only come in two colors? It's a psychological trick to intimidate our enemies." He clopped his fore-hooves. "Ready?"

Thunder approached from the side of the ring. "Now remember, Lightning Monkey is not to be harmed, or Celestia'll have our hide. Keep it friendly."

"Yeah yeah. I'll take it easy on the little colt." He lowered his head and stomped at the ground. "Go ahead."

He was inviting you to have the first move? Alright then. You didn't have a lot of experience wrestling, but darned if you wouldn't try. You charged the pony and grabbed for his sides, but his head came up. Pony necks were stronger than they looked, it turned out. You were lifted from the ground and flipped right over his back. You came down on the ground, sliding free of him with a thud.

He set a hoof on your chest with a laugh. "Nice try, Lightning." He helped you up after that though and invited you to try again. There seemed to be no hard feelings there.

You spent an hour basically playing with them in all kinds of ways. When they won, they laughed. When they lost, they laughed. The enmity between you and them seemed to have broken down as you became 'one of the stallions' for a little while.

Still, you were tired. You were tired before you got there, so you were ready to call it quits for the day. Still, it had been fun, and good. You felt a different kind of tired that seemed.... more right. You were a bit less 'soul weary', if that even was a thing. A bit more physically weary, sure, but it had been worth the price of admission.

Lightning turned as you were about to flee. "Heading out, Lightning? Come back when you can. I think the colts here could use more practice training with and against bipeds, if you're willing." Farewells were given with slaps of hooves on the back and side, and soon you were free to wander the halls again.

You had a specific place to be! You took the distance to the schooling wing to lightly jog and work some of the kinks out and arrived in barely any time. Sure, you... might have started to stink a little, but you had a nice warm soapy bath waiting for you later. You pushed open the doors to find an entire room full of unicorns. It was a classroom, auditorium style. The professor, a stallion, paused mid-scribble to turn and look at you. All the students looked along with him.

He cleared his throat softly, a hoof over his snout. "And here we have one of them now, as if on cue." He raised a brow at you. "Were you aware we were discussing the very issue you exist to help resolve?"

You certainly were not!

He gestured forward. "Come in, if you please. Close the door behind you. Now, class, I ask that you all ignore the exterior of the pony that has entered the room, and make no mistake, this is a pony." He thrust a hoof out at you meaningfully. "Within that biped shell, the script of his body reads just as any of ours. Why, that's the only reason this works to begin with. Destiny be praised, his script and ours are not so much different 'versions' so much as scrambled versions of the same thing. Of course, there are some differences, but they are staggeringly tiny."

All their eyes were glued on you, except the teacher who was looking at them and waving at you. You were the star of the show, for better or worse. But you hadn't come to be the main attraction. You decided to go ahead and pop the question. Could a human, in theory, learn magic?

The professor blinked. The entire room blinked.

One unicorn pointed at you. "He's not a unicorn." She said it as if it were a novel realization.

A door across the hallway opened. A female unicorn stepped out, one you recognized. Moon Dancer approached, the bun of her hair bobbing. "Actually..."

The professor shook his head. "As much as it might intrigue me to hear sudden new theories, we do have a class to complete." He pointed out the door you had just come through. "If you please?"

Moon Dancer nodded towards him and walked up to you, then past you. Did she have an idea? You wanted to know, so you excused yourself and scooted out. With the door closed, you were in the hallway with Moon.

She looked you up and down. "Magic requires a specific organ, as I'm sure you're aware." She raised a hoof to point at her horn. "You don't have a horn."

Did she call you out there just to tell you no?

"Don't be ridiculous." She sat on her haunches and pointed at your crotch. "As it turns, you have an organ modified for the specific act of focusing and channeling magic. It is currently entirely involuntary, but there is no reason it has to be that way. I propose that you do have a horn, it's just not the one we typically presume."

You glanced down at your groin. Was she serious? You asked as much.

"Entirely," She raised a huge brow of hers. "If you're willing to work with me, we can both find out. I've been theorizing this for some time, but you're the first Stud to just come in and ask like this. I trust it means you're also interested?"

You were, but... Would using magic like that hurt your ability to do your job?

"On the contrary." Her magic glowed, creating a screen from nowhere that shows a basic human on it. A bright and bold arrow pointed at its groin. "Currently, you have a muscle, just like any other. You use it only sporadically, but when you do, you perform an extremely strenuous and difficult task. Is it difficult to see this may cause damage?" She rolled a hoof. "But..." Suddenly there was a tiny weight hanging from the human's very equine shaft. "Imagine if you could practice the muscle? Regular drills and acclimation resulting in less stress damage and permanent harm. The trouble may have been one--"

You held up a hand. You got where she was going, even if the picture of a weight, even tiny, hanging from your cock was not one you savored.

She adjusted her thick glasses. "Does this mean you agree to participate?"

Participate?

"In this study, of course. I would prefer a larger sample size, but you're all that I have, and you sound willing."

You informed her that you had a name, and wanted to be treated as a person, not a subject.

"You will be both." She nodded. "I will endeavor to bear your comfort in mind, but we are against a clock. I ask that you put forth a sincere and genuine effort."

Moon Dancer held out a hoof towards you. "Do we have a deal? You learn magic, and maybe avoid ever being expended, and I get credit for this paper when it's published."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-28KZDWHN/

Oh man, a day off! While slacking was tempting, you wanted to do something with your day. Can a human learn magic? Can one keep up with trained guards? Both sounded like fun to find out! Maybe you could visit Careful while you were out and about. Yay for 'you' days! You're so busy salivating over the options in the castle, going outside seems mild in comparison.

Well, hello Moon Dancer. That nerdy unicorn has it out to train you in magical arts... through your dick. What could go wrong? Salvation, or a typo?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Why are you staring at my groin, Moon?
4) Maybe we should ask Celestia and/or Luna first?

14 - Human Horn

You considered it a moment before you nodded. You told her that she'd get scholarly credit, it was only fair. You'd take your credit as the first human that did magic, and that was more than enough.

She smiled as she adjusted her glasses. "Excellent, then we should pro--"

Before that! We do need to tell the princesses.

"Hm?" She raised one of her huge brows. "I suppose that is the least disruptive path. Let's confer with them, then we can begin." She looked left and right. "I don't work at the castle, unlike some of my friends. Do you know where they typically are at this portion of the day?"

Celestia's voice broke the moment of awkward silence, "That will not be necessary." She stepped closer in her regal gait. "Do you really think this is possible?" Her eyes were on Moon. "A human trained in the art of magic? It seems unthinkable."

Moon pointed at your groin. "The modifications you've already performed have primed the event to occur. All that remains is training." She approached you and reached, touching your sheath through your clothes. "Much like our own horns, he has a long focusing device, itself inert and functionless."

Hey! Your 'horn' was far from functionless.

She cocked that thick brow. "As I was saying, it isn't the horn itself." That hoof trailed down to your balls. "The reservoir." She trailed up and back a bit. "The musculature needed to direct the flow. It will require discipline, but I feel confident all three components can grow more acclimated to the flow of magic."

Celestia considered this a moment before she dipped her head. "You understand this human is very precious to the kingdom."

Moon tapped at your groin. "Every precaution will be taken. The first matter will be restricting the flow, allowing the human to express magic in small amounts without harm."

Express? Wait...

Moon turned to you. "It will be an unfortunate side effect of how your horn is situated. I have doubts you will ever not have some link between magic use and sexual stimulation, but that is a small price to pay."

Celestia coughed softly into a hoof. "Yes, well... Please, proceed, but only so far and so fast as he allows. His comfort and safety are of top priority." She looked to you. "Do you consent to this?"

You did!

"Then I wish you both luck." She leaned in and kissed your cheek. "Thank you, for your work." She did not kiss Moon Dancer, but nodded at her. "I look forward to reading your report."

As she walked away, Moon turned her full attention on you. "First step, attenuation."

What?

"Limiting your flow." She reached and tapped your dangling balls. "We can't allow you to hurt yourself during this. A unicorn foal can sometimes have the same issue, being prone to wild surges that can hurt themselves and those around them. You are no different, and I suspect much the same precautions may prove effective, with some modifications."

Moon led you along at an energetic trot. While she did, you asked her if she was on the list. She looked over her shoulder at you. "Me? Seriously?" She turned back towards you. "While Applejack did speak highly of your skill and empathy, I am a scholar. I live to learn. Humph, me, a mother..." She pushed open a door with her magic and trotted past the guards. You hadn't noticed, but you had arrived in the research section.

Careful Study was there and lit up as she saw you. She looked at Moon curiously. "Hello, Moon Dancer. Have you reconsidered?"

Moon nodded at Careful. "Effective immediately, I am joining this operation. I've obtained permission to conduct an experiment on him." She pointed back at you.

Careful flinched. "W-what? Nopony asked me..."

Moon cocked that big brow of hers. "Is that required?"

Sensing hurt feelings, you assured Careful that she could take part.

Careful smiled a little. "I just want you to be safe." She came closer, glancing between you and Moon. "What do you plan to do?"

Moon Dancer began speaking in words you'd never heard of before. Something about an aetheric restriction ring?

Careful seemed to get it and galloped off, just to return with a small ring floating beside her.

Moon nodded at it. "Correct, but far too small. Do you have any larger?"

Careful shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Unicorn horns don't need much larger. Why?"

Moon took it with her magic and set it on a table. "This will require some time."

"For?"

Moon grunted softly, then tried to calm herself, perhaps reminding herself the lessons Twilight had given her. "It needs to be large enough to fit on his horn." She pointed back at you as she said it.

Careful blinked. "He do... oh." She blinked again. "Really?! No wonder... He doesn't narrow to a tip like a unicorn."

"Precisely." Moon nodded. "It needs to fit snugly, but without restricting blood-flow."

"I'll help." She moved to stand beside Moon. "I have his precise measurements."

"Excellent."

The two seemed to be getting along, which was nice. You had a curiosity though. Had your work through the day helped things? You asked Careful if she could check.

Careful blinked. "Already? I normally check once a day, but there's no harm in it." She drew the magical caliper from her coat. "You have to take off your pants first."

You dropped your trousers for the mare and she advanced on you. Your cock was peeking free of its home, stirred by all the conversation about it. Even as Careful gently hoofed at your balls to get a good measurement, you noticed Moon glanced towards you and your equipment a few times while being nominally occupied with the ring she planned to equip you with later.

Careful nodded with satisfaction. "Within 99% of original values! You must have had a wonderful day." She smiled up at you, large and sincere. "How do you feel?"

Tired. But in a different way.

Careful reached out to tap at a bruise. "What were you doing? Was it safe?"

Moon softly cleared her throat. "It is fortuitous that the subject is in prime condition, but we have another matter at hoof." She pointed at the ring. "If you're ready?"

Careful slipped the calipers away before turning back to Moon. "Right right, I'm coming." She trotted back over to the table and both their horns began to glow as they worked over that ring with combined unicorn might.

That left you there with your pants at your ankles. Easily fixed, at least. You pulled them back up, quietly hoping Sassy would come soon with your custom set. How long did it take to make clothes?

It didn't feel right leaving them, so you had a seat, and eventually nodded off.

You were awoken to the sensation of being rubbed along your sheath. You snapped open your eyes to see Careful was doing it with her magic. She saw you awake and smiled sheepishly. "It's time to put it on. Look." She pointed to Moon, who held an enlarged ring in her own magic. "I figured you would be better being handled by... somepony you knew..." She was blushing about it, but she had started it, and even resumed it. She stroked you up and down in slow motions.

It felt great, and you were rapidly filling from the attention. Your powerful pony prick soon jutted up proudly like the mighty horn it would soon be. Wait? When had your pants been lowered? You decided to assume the two unicorns watching you were more than capable of the trick.

Moon stepped up with a nod. "I presume this is his full size?" Careful nodded. "Excellent." She hovered over the ring and gently pressed it to your flat tip before wriggling it down, but it pulled at the skin a little and she stopped. "We require lubrication."

Careful coughed suddenly. She may have been a pony, but she was a human before that. The uses of 'lubrication' came to her quickly.

Moon cocked a brow from behind her glasses before grunting. "Tell me you have some in this lab."

"Actually..." Careful shook her head. "Not that I know of?" She glanced at Moon and you. "We do have some natural lubricants at hoof."

"Apply it immediately." Moon pointed at your twitching pole.

Careful's blush only grew worse. "What if it... over stimulates him?"

"Be careful until the ring is installed."

Careful hopped up beside you and nuzzled your cheek. "May I?" As if to show what she intended, she leaned in towards where the ring rested on the end of your cock and darted her tongue out.

She meant to get it down with some spit and care? Somehow, you'd heard of stranger... You told her it was alright and sat back.

Careful took the end of your cock in her magic and held it firmly as her tongue brushed along it. She lifted the ring away to get at the flesh underneath and slowly lowered it back down. It slid down slowly, inch by inch with her warm breath and saliva leading the way. It was working, and turning you on something fierce. Fatigue be damned, just let her keep going...

But then it stopped. She had reached the root of your spire, the ring installed just outside your sheath. "There." She sat up, still a dark red shade. "Did that hurt?"

That had been far from painful, you assured her.

Moon clopped a hoof on the ground. "Excellent. Now the true work begins. That ring works with both your 'horn' and your 'reservoir'. While it's on, you're, effectively, expended. You will not release sufficient quantities to successfully impregnate a mare, nor capably cast the impregnation spell. You will need to remove it before acting in that capacity. More important to us, you can now practice magic without hurting yourself until you learn how to properly measure and do it yourself without it."

So you could mess around with a mare just for fun?

Moon blinked at the idea as if it had never occurred to her. "That would be... logical." She cocked a brow at you. "Applejack was not wrong, you really do like mares. Why would you fornicate, knowing it would fail?"

Careful burst into laughter. "You do know that 'fornication' is quite pleasant, yes?"

Moon tilted her head a little. "Is it? Regardless, let's focus on the matter at hoof. We'll begin with a spell every unicorn foal learns, light."

She reached out and tapped your heavy balls. "You must envision your magic, here, glowing brightly, then allow it out, just a little, like a faucet barely turned on. Light has no specific thoughtforms or calculations. Proceed."

"You can do it!" cried Careful excitedly as she clopped her forehooves. "The first time I cast light was so amazing!"

Except she had a horn. You had a horse dick. Alright... You imagined your big balls filled with glowing seed, burning bright and focused on that vision.

You heard a gasp and looked down to see a faint glow coming from your balls, but it faded instantly. Moon shook her head. "In a unicorn, the reservoir is concealed, preventing the glow from being perceived until properly expressed. Ignore that and proceed."

"You did it," encouraged Careful. "You just have to finish it."

To avoid distractions, you kept your eyes open the next time. You focused on that glowing. How does one focus 'harder' on something? You weren't sure, but you tried to lock in the image of the glow your balls were putting off before, and it came back. Your magic, as it turned on, had a pale reddish color that grew a little richer as it developed.

Suddenly, you came. Magic/seed rushed up your shaft and squirted out in one meager splatter. The cum that had more oozed than fired spread over the tip of your tool, glowing brightly. That felt... really good, and it had worked!

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-5C69N3HN/

Your thoughts are quite clear. You want this. Before that, you want to throw it past the princesses. Moon Dancer, she's a nerd, but if she asks, you probably wouldn't say no, but you don't press the issue for the moment.

There is not even a tiny shred of doubt about this. Let the human horn augmentation proceed!

You just climaxed magic. That's progress!

Where are the choices? Here! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WFTCCWT

I'm going to let you guys fill in your survey questions directly this time. Please don't stop the commenting with your thoughts. I love reading those! They affect the story too, promise.

15 - Distracted Discovery (clop?)

The semen frosting the top of your cock like a dessert glaze rapidly lost its glow as visions of 'real' danced through your head, not to mention each taut twitch of your pole reminded you that the two mares there had other uses for that mighty pillar.

Moon frowned at you a little. "Hmm, while successful, you would need to continue to expel. A unicorn releases a constant stream of magic until the spell is complete. Light, though small in requirement, does need a constant, tiny, stream of magic."

Wait, what? You'd have to keep climaxing?

Moon nodded. "You will need practice to do so without as deep a sexual response."

Careful was watching you with a different look, one of sympathy. "That looks uncomfortable." It wasn't as if she had forgotten what being male was like.

You were primed and ready, but also curious and eager. Rrg, it was a bit of a mess. Could you even do that? Constantly release, that is.

Moon held up two hooves close together. "Practice. You experienced your first voluntary thaumic release, and that's no small feat. Congratulations are in order." She turned away and trotted for a bookshelf, speaking complex words as she went in arcane techno babble.

Careful hopped up next to you and gently sat down beside you. "If that... hurts, you just tell us, and this stops right now."

It didn't... hurt exactly. You confessed you were torn between focusing on the magic and just showing Careful just how wonderful she was the way only a stallion could.

Careful went a bright red at the offer. "N-no! I mean... not... Oh..." She looked away and back at you. "You selected a mare already."

Moon returned, a lively step in her hooves. "I'd like to get a closer look at what's going on while you cast spells." Floating beside her was a sheet of fabric in her magic. She sent it over to you to cover your midsection and groin. "Let's have a look." Her magic seemed to soak into the paper and it became an X-Ray, sorta... The lines were not bones, but something else. "That is your thaumic network," she helpfully provided. "When you were focused, it was changed."

You could see that the lines were basically all directed to your groin, down into your testes specifically. Was it permanent?

Careful shook her head quickly. "It can be undone. In fact, even keeping it this way requires constant effort. I presumed that was why the princesses only bring one human at a time. It's even worse with a pony. Their bodies work harder to undo the tampering."

You understood, mostly? So, about that...

Careful held up her hooves. "Pick me next... if that's what you want." She sounded sheepish, but not declining.

Moon cocked a brow. "Next for what?"

Careful flopped, unable to speak.

So you took the conversation, explaining with a lack of guile that you wanted to treat Careful like the mare she was.

Moon's eyes were on your cock, or rather the sheet in front of it. "That seems ill-advised. In fact..." She stepped closer and pointed at the root of your member. "Your extreme arousal seems to be causing some thaumic leaking. The ring is holding it back, but I must strongly recommend you do not breed while wearing it. You could cause harm to yourself."

Wait, no guilt-free fun?

She shook her head. "I can't advise it. Your system is too sensitive. You'll attempt to cast the spell at full strength despite the ring, like a pony bench pressing against a weight set too high while running that marathon. It could cause massive damage and expend you instantly."

Your dick stopped being quite so hard. Good thing you hadn't done that. Not that you'd... mind. In fact, if one of the two could just slip it off...

Moon pulled the cloth away in her magic just long enough to set a hoof on the base of your pole. "I spent the majority of..." She took a slow breath. "I would be an extremely unsuitable mother."

Careful hopped down and kissed Moon's cheek.

Moon staggered back, blinking. "What was that for?"

Careful sat on her haunches and pointed at her. "We would figure it out, as two ponies of science. It would be another thing to learn and grow from."

"Learn?" Moon seemed to be off-balance. She glanced up at you, then back at Careful. "He isn't a pony of science."

Careful huffed at that. "That's not even fair. He's been nothing but helpful and eager to help so far. He's new to our universe, so we'll teach him science."

Moon looked back at you, focusing on your eyes. "Huh... I'll... consider that. Maybe after he joins us properly."

Careful cocked a brow. "What, he's not good until he's a pony?"

Moon twitched her ears softly. "I... would prefer my first be a pony, yes. Is that wrong of me? Before this... incident, all firsts were ponies, by a very large margin." She pointed at your half-soft member. "Now let's focus. You've calmed down, and this is optimal. I want you to focus on that light and try to open the way, just a little, but keep it open. That's the key. If you can do that, more advanced magic is, in theory, possible."

Your mood had been shot down nicely, but your shaft hadn't finished retreating. You weren't sure what would happen if you tried fully sheathed. You weren't sure what would happen even at half-mast. Only one way to find out!

You bid your seed to glow, and they did. That part seemed straightforward. Then... release? Release... Imagining a motion wasn't the same as actually performing the motion, or so you said.

Moon moved the cloth and it zoomed in on your groin, showing a dizzying network of lines. She pointed at one and pressed through the cloth to across your prostate. "Focus right here." She rubbed along it, which felt kinda good, but also seemed to trip some kind of muscle you didn't even know you had, or at least one you weren't consciously aware of.

That muscle twitched, and the magic/seed flowed a little further through your sexual equipment. You focused on that muscle, that feeling, and got it to twitch again, then to hold, to clench firmly.

You came. It wasn't sexual, not at all. It did have a mild goodness to it, but compared to a real climax, nothing, and compared to the pleasure of rutting a mare, less than that. Still, you came. The seed poured up along your limp shaft as it twitched and began oozing and dripping free. So long as you held that muscle just so, it kept right on cumming.

Moon nodded her head approvingly. "Good, now restrict it. You're expressing too quickly."

You were oozing glowing seed all over your cock in a slow waterfall, running down the underside of its limp length before falling to the ground. You tried to flex that muscle, but it just closed. You just didn't have enough practice. Like most any physical trick, it would take practice.

Careful bobbed her head in agreement. "Practice. Just remember to keep the ring on while you practice, and take it off otherwise. You can do that on your own, right?"

The way Careful had put it on was quite nice, but you had hands and a will. You were sure you could handle it, pun fully intended.

Careful smirked a little. "I think that's it for today, Moon?"

Moon nodded. "You need to practice your control before we can move on to anything more advanced than light. Ideally, you won't need to be aroused at all to express your magic."

About that... Won't you make a mess, aroused or not?

Moon rolled a hoof. "It can't be helped. Your thaumic power is cohabiting your seed. You want one, you will get the other."

What about a wand?

Moon pointed at your dick. "A wand?"

... That was a horn. That was established. What about a wand?

Moon shook her head slowly. "Even if we had a properly enchanted wand, your thaumic network is in no condition to use it without a mess. Perhaps when you are finished being a stud and your network restored, you could use a wand to draw from your reservoir, wherever that is in a human. Did you have one before?"

Both you and Careful looked a bit uncertain. did humans have one of those? Neither of you could say with certainty.

Moon tapped your heavy balls. "Then you must proceed with what you have. On the bright side, once you learn magic, you should be able to quickly adopt it, should things change. For example, if you became a unicorn."

Careful thrust up a hoof. "Or got a wand that worked!"

"Unlikely, but yes." Moon nodded. "Let me explain why that may be tricky." She pointed at one of your hands. "Pretend you're holding a wand."

You did, waving one around, or pretending to.

"See how far away that is from where your energy is?" She pointed down to your balls. "When a unicorn does it, it's right beside their head, where the reservoir is. The distance it travels is much smaller. Due to Starswirl's law of arcane distance, it becomes exponentially more difficult the further it has to go." She reached for your hand with a hoof and lowered it down to your groin. "Now if you held it down here, then it might work."

You couldn't help but laugh at the image of waving a wand at groin level to get anything done. Still... if that meant not getting cum on everything involved, that might be better?

Careful hopped up to all fours and trotted away. "I'll see if we can get one."

Moon raised a hoof. "There is another complication. Most wands are created with a specific spell imbued therein. You would need one more designed to replicate the function of an alicorn, a unicorn's horn."

Careful turned back towards Moon. "Wait, why not get him a fake horn, like what they use for injured unicorns?"

Moon's brows rose together. "Huh... That might work. Regardless, wand or not, you need to learn basic thaumic control. Until you can glow for a minute without wavering, we have nothing to discuss. Even if you channel it through a wand, or artificial horn, you need to move the energy at least that far. The wand won't take the magic from your reserves. That would be tremendously dangerous if they did."

All the talk of magic had fully put your pet python to sleep, snugly hidden away. The ring you wore made an interesting little lump in there, but it didn't hurt. Mission accomplished and all, you decided sleep was really the only thing left for the day. Dinner, then sleep. You reached for Careful and petted her head a little, offering dinner.

Moon perked her ears. "Are we conducting extra study?"

You hadn't meant to invite Moon specifically, but shooting her down felt awkward and perhaps mean, so you offered for her to come along too to eat, not study.

Moon frowned a little. "No study?" She looked like she might turn it down, but resisted that urge. "I would be... delighted."

All three of you left the lab and got something to eat.

You offered, after food was complete and Moon had excused herself, for Careful to share some snuggles, but she gently declined. "We shouldn't... Not that I... I don't want to get in trouble, or for you to either." She reared up on her hind legs and pressed her snout into your face in a gentle nuzzling. "Be good." She trotted away.

You were ready for bed, and that's where you went.

That's when Starlight arrived.

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-Y7FGSZHN/

You are excited with possibilities. You are also horny. You want to focus on the productive things you're doing, but horny. Distractions!

And Starlight arrives! How will you try to treat her?

1) Be dominant
2) Don't forget to take off that ring
3) Be nice
4) Be romantic
5) Be impressed
6) Act natural
7) Show her you can do magic and ask for her tutelage
8) Be mean

16 - A Great Opportunity

Your dreamless sleep was disrupted by a soft female voice. "I'm just here for my--"

You could barely make out the words, and you were in a panic. You snapped upright, looking towards the window where the sun shone dimly through the thick curtains. You quickly thrust a hand down to your fuzzy cock-sleeve and fished out the ring just as Starlight was coming in.

She cocked a brow at you with some confusion that turned to curiosity when your hand came free with a ring. "What's that?" She pointed a hoof right at it. There was no hiding it. "Are you normally in the habit of ornamenting yourself?"

Well, no. Should you explain? You decided there weren't many other options in the heat of the moment, so you explained how Moon and Careful were trying to teach you magic.

Starlight's face broke into a wide smile. "Is that so? That actually confirms a theory of mine. A pony owes me ten bits."

You heard a muffled thump from somewhere and glanced around, but you didn't see the source.

Starlight dipped her head at you. "I am Starlight Glimmer, and I'm told you already know that." She thrusted a hoof at you. "You know many things, and that makes sense in a fashion. But, most importantly, you've taken this impossible situation in stride."

How much had she been told?

"Oh, quite a bit." Starlight turned to the side. "I'm unsure how much you have been informed, but it was I that found how to reach compatible males in the first place." She glanced at you sideways. "I imagine you assumed Luna was the one responsible."

Wait, Luna hadn't?

"She tried." Starlight nodded before turning to face you directly. "But each was flawed. None had the exact script we required. In fact, even you aren't perfect, but you're close enough to work with. That, mathematically speaking, is already beyond all calculation. Can you guess why?"

No?

"Can you guess what it means?"

Not... really?

"That's alright." She waved it away. "Today is for getting to know one another, and for discussion. If I like what I see, we can discuss moving forward. Now, do you like magic?"

Sure did.

She smiled coyly. "Do you like performances?"

You weren't sure where that was headed, but nodded.

"Then watch this." She pulled out a familiar hat from her fur and set it on the ground. Her horn glowed brightly. "Come forth, my Great and Powerful friend!"

The hat rose up smoothly, revealing a Trixie beneath it. "Hello, naked and potential stud." She smiled at you with all the confidence she was known for. "I've been waiting for this day."

The door suddenly burst open, an agitated Luna stood there with a frown. "Trixie was not given leave to be here."

Starlight held up a hoof. "I'm not doing this without my best friend. You wouldn't let her be on the list, but she's with me. You owe me."

Luna glanced between the two mares that looked at her with righteous fight in their stances, then she looked at you. "What say you, Stud? Should I escort this mare away? You are not beholden to entertain both at once."

Trixie spun around to face you. "Did Trixie hear correctly? You wish to learn the art of magic? Well, you've come to no finer place than us." She waved a hoof between herself and Starlight. "We'll show you magic you've never seen." Her lashes lowered in a sultry glare. "You don't want to miss out on this opportunity."

Starlight was less unshaken, clearly a little unsettled by Luna's presence. "She's right. I work better with my friend here. Don't send her away, or... I'll..." She bit her bottom lip lightly. "Please don't."

You were far more moved by Starlight's nervousness than Trixie's show of confident bravado. But there was more at stake than hurt feelings. Was it true? Had Starlight found your world?

Luna drew in breath with a hiss. "That is correct. She adamantly refuses to specify how, but she gave me the key to finding your people." Her eyes darted to Trixie. "This one has no such excuse. She is not permitted here."

Why?

"What?"

Why wasn't she allowed to sign up for the list if she wanted to?

Luna put a hoof to her face. "Miss Trixie Lulamoon is already guilty of extreme abuse of items of arcane origin. She als--"

Trixie stomped a hoof. "Trixie apologized, and even worked to save this stupid country! When will you forgive Trixie?"

Luna scowled down at Trixie. "When the future of our people is not at stake."

Trixie put a hoof to her chest. "Exactly why you should be grateful Trixie is willing to participate at all. You'll want powerful foals with mighty magic. How could you not want Trixie?"

You felt like you were a third wheel in this conversation. At least until Luna turned back to you. "This is your decision. You have been most compliant, and you are aware of Trixie's... history. Do you wish to see her, or shall I see her away?"

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-PFDSFMPN/

Get that ring off! It's all that's on your mind, besides be nice and and act natural as you're stirred from your slumber unexpectedly.

Oops, this got complicated. What do?

1) She can stay.
2) But only if she promises a favor later.
3) Only if she promises to be a Great and Considerate teacher.
4) No.
5) This is too early, everyone get out!
6) If you, Starlight, tell me exactly how you found my world.
7) No, but she should be added to the list.
8) Before that, why are you spying on me, like all the time?

17 - A Powerful Decision

Of course she can stay.

Trixie clopped her hooves excitedly. "Ha, Trixie told you."

Luna snorted softly. "We cannot--"

About that. They were there to talk. There weren't any rules about you talking to some ponies if they wanted to talk.

Luna took half a step back. "N-no... I suppose not."

Besides that, why are you creeping around, Luna?

She flushed just faintly. "We have had... incidents. Though your stay with us has been peaceful, by and large, we are obliged to work to ensure it remains as such."

Starlight stepped between Trixie and Luna. "By throwing out a good mare?" Luna was about to speak but Starlight cut her off, apparently emboldened by your support. "She's saved Equestria more times in the last century than you have, Your Highness. And threatened the world less times."

Luna's jaw tensed at the accusation, true or not as it was. "The Stud has spoken. Trixie Lulamoon, you are permitted to stay." She gave Trixie a bit of a glare. "Do not make us regret this allowance."

Trixie waved off the accusation. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will only harm the stud's sense of scale as he is bedazzled by what she has to offer." She grinned at you, happy and smiling. "Now, shall we begin?"

Luna took a slow step back. "Call if we are needed."

You would, but you didn't want the door being banged down before then unless you were being murdered or something.

She was gone.

Starlight let out a loud sigh of relief. "I was worried a moment that wouldn't work. You have my thanks." She saluted lightly. "Now... what price is there for this help?"

You wouldn't put it quite like that. As it turned out, you liked Trixie, as a pony.

Trixie beamed at the praise.

That didn't mean you didn't have some questions! To start, you wanted to hear Starlight's story.

Trixie hopped up onto your bed. "What a Large and Soft bed you have, human."

You told her your name.

"What a curious title." She glanced towards Starlight. "Related, you say?"

Starlight put a hoof behind her head. "Yes, well... It's a long story."

You sat down on the bed and flopped. You had time, and you didn't plan on moving just yet.

"Very well. If you know of my adventures, you know how I... came to be involved with Twilight, do you not?" She sounded a little nervous.

You did know that. She went back in time and it was a pretty good episode, even if your reform was a bit rushed.

Starlight blinked at that. "Rushed? I... I had to witness hundreds, neigh, thousands of worlds torn asunder in different ways by my actions. I kept thinking to myself that she couldn't be that important. That her friends couldn't be so important. I desperately hopped from universe to universe, trying to find one that wasn't a miserable pile on some level or another. The ones with no ponies became almost a relief, a chance to rest... Twilight was there with me, trying to fix it. By the end we had bonded through that misery. It was awful, and I was the one that caused it."

Trixie threw a leg over Starlight, hugging her close and rocking her a little. "Starlight is still sensitive about that. You should be more gentle with her. The Great and Powerful Trixie tries to rise above such pettiness, but not everypony can be as grand as her."

That threw a curve in things. Reality really had been summarized to fit in a telvision show. That made sense, in a way. You apologized for making light of Starlight's struggle. So how did that relate to your home world?

Starlight perked up. "Oh, yes, well... After that trial... one can't help but learn a little about the workings of time and probability." She rubbed at a cheek with a hoof. "I swore I'd never interfere with either again, but then the announcement was made. Most ponies became mildly anxious, but I knew what was said. We would die without foals, and then Equestria would be gone." She narrowed her eyes at you. "You do know who's fault this is, right?"

Celestia took the blame.

"Did she say how?"

She wanted to make the country more peaceful and harmonious.

Starlight nodded. "She did, and she did it by binding everyone to harmony." She pointed back at her cutie mark. "I was right to despise them, even if my reasoning was entirely wrong."

Wait wait wait! How did a cutie mark make mares barren or stallions sterile?

Trixie sat up. "She knows this one. With every passing generation, ponykind was brought closer to the peaceful, boring, infertile middle line. Mares became less... mare. Stallions became less stallion. Both sides weakened into a tepid pudding-like state, and here we are."

Starlight perked an ear at the explanation. "That's keeping it simple, but basically correct. Our kind, ponies, are so chained to fate that we are becoming little more than vessels for its will, and it cares little for reproduction, save for the scant few that 'luck' out and get that as a cutie mark."

Wait, there are those?

"Indeed." Starlight nodded quickly. "They've become something of celebrities, and have lost any hope of leading a life that doesn't involve making ponies. It's a terrible fate that I wish on nopony." She cocked a brow. "I say that, but you aren't much different. Stud, they call you, and for good reason."

That was all interesting, and good to know, but weren't they working towards your home world?

"Ah, yes, it's related." She tapped her hooves together. "I began to explore as the situation became clear. I looked left and right, in other probabilities, but they were all wrong, all of them. There was no hope in rolling the dice and hoping for a miracle. So, I had a new thought... What if we looked back?"

Back?

"To the past," explained Starlight. "Back before Celestia cursed us with... these!" She glared at her mark before looking back at you. "So I began to push. Getting back further than a hoof full of years? A challenge. To breach a century, a true task. But once I was past those? It was like I had broken some limit, and I fell. I wasn't sure how far back I had gone, but I found it... A world without ponies. A world with bipeds, cities, cars, smoke, and technology. These people were free of destiny's cruel grip. These people were vital and healthy. I crept up on one and took him home, to Equestria, to the modern day."

And... the stud program began?

"Exactly so. Using that human's mind, they learned to find others through the shared dreams of all ponies." She pointed at you. "I'm certain you've been told before, but you are a pony. Specifically, you're our ancestor. We are your descendants. Humanity becomes us, somewhen. I couldn't say what inspired them to do so, but... the proof is there."

Wait, was that why you couldn't go home? And that was quite a big statement. So, what, evolution?

Starlight cocked a brow. "I very much doubt that. But yes, going backwards in time causes far more damage than forward. When you go forwards, you simply vanish. There is no real interference. When you go backward..."

Trixie snickered. "She would like to know how that would work. What natural force would push you, human, to walk on all fours and grow hooves?"

This was getting to be a bit much. So... what was it?

Starlight shrugged. "I don't know. I went back to your prime. I would have to search harder, hoping for the best, to land somewhere just as humanity was changing, be it peacefully or in some disaster. I could end up very dead depending on what it is, so I decided to leave that one alone. Do you understand?"

You... kinda did?

Trixie nodded. "Then we have an understanding, and you have the explanation you wanted. You will service Trixie now."

Not so fast! You had a favor to call in first.

Trixie blinked at you. "Is our company not sufficient?"

It was a start, but you really did want to learn magic.

Starlight's suspicious face brightened. "Oh, is that all? How far have you gotten?"

Trixie held up a hoof, sparkling motes of light streaming from it. "Can you do this?"

You explained that you had just started the day before with a basic light spell and you had to practice that.

Trixie snorted. "You are a little foal. It's adorable." She reached up to pat you on the head and stroked through your hair. "Rest easy, Trixie will rear you properly."

Starlight burst into a fit of laughter. "He's no foal, Trixie. He's an adult just like you or I, just horribly confused. Look, don't worry. You want us to help? You got it. Just promise me one thing." She pointed back at her cutie mark. "Help me get rid of these."

That was a big promise to make. You offered to look into it and take whatever action saved ponykind.

Starlight raised a brow. "And if that means destroying them?"

If that was the only way, you'd have to do it, promise or not.

Starlight nodded. "I... suppose I can accept that. You are mature in your thinking." She hopped up beside you on the bed. "I'm sorry if we ruined your sleep."

About that... You were still kind of beat. Would they mind?

Trixie curled up on your bed. "Trixie finds your bed acceptable."

Starlight smirked at her friend before she nodded at you. "If you don't mind? Let's get some shut-eye and we can talk about this later."

You were stuck with them. At least they were letting you go back to sleep, which is what you went to do, mind full of time travel and humans becoming ponies, somehow.

You felt a warm presence and found Starlight had snuggled up against your front. She didn't try to kiss, lick, or otherwise advance, but she pressed in close. A moment later warmth pressed to your back. You were pinned between them.

There were worse ways to sleep.

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-LYSHLL6N/

The thought of booting Trixie is barely a thing, but you have sooo many questions, starting with Luna.

And bombs are dropped, possibly literally?

Well, shoot... now what?

1) We need to find out how humans became ponies.
2) Let's focus on being healthy for the moment.
3) Are cutie marks really the root of the problem?
4) Sleep gotten, a snack obtained, time to show Trixie who's really Great and Powerful.
5) Let's focus on getting that magic down. You have four willing mentors!
6) This is too heavy. You're not here to handle this. Let's breed more and stop worrying about this... stuff.
7) Maybe it's time to confront Celestia again with this new knowledge.
8) You want your room back to yourself! Out ye vile mares.

Two updates? Two updates. The last one was short. This one is more like it. Put together, a busy day. I've dropped major bombs. Like it, hate it? Let me know among your votes. A vote for 6 is a vote to forget all this extra stuff and focus on the clop, but I think my readers (That's you!) are more curious souls than that. Care to explore further? I eagerly await your votes.

18 - It's What My Cutie Mark is Telling Me (clop)

You opened your eyes without prompting. Nothing had exploded or banged. There were a pair of eyes gazing at you. It wasn't Starlight. They had swapped places at some point, because Trixie was watching you intently. On seeing you awaken, she reached a hoof to your side and gently brushed. "May Trixie ask a question and get an honest answer?"

Had you been less than honest so far?

Trixie tilted her head a little. "Very well... Will you give Trixie a foal entirely out of duty, or were you speaking truthfully in your admiration of her?" She slid in a little closer. "Tell her why you like her."

Where was Starlight, you wondered, but didn't dare remove your eyes from Trixie. You told her you liked her showma--mareship. You liked her confidence and you also kind of just liked how she looked, if you were being honest.

Trixie smiled at that. "Trixie is glad you said the last." She moved her hoof to your chest. "Love without lust is a strange thing. You are... a curious stallion. Trixie is still trying to work herself to lust for you, but she admits it is a challenge. You are a fine pony, but can't you be... a pony? A mighty unicorn stallion." Her ears fell a bit before forcing themselves upright. "Trixie is attractive to other unicorns, is she not?"

Oof, Trixie was having self-confidence issues. She wanted to be shown she was sexy to other ponies, not strange bipeds. What if you were happy being a biped?

Trixie lifted her shoulders. "She cannot force you, nor is she trying to." She hopped up to all fours suddenly. "Come, let's face the day. We'll get to know one another better. Perhaps, by the end of it, Trixie will eagerly raise her tail."

"If you two are done." Starlight sat up behind you. "We have work to do."

You did have work to do. First, a light meal, then off to the training yard, then to the research area to get measured and start asking pointed questions.

Starlight's eyes shone. "What manner of pointed questions?"

You explained your curiosity about cutie marks.

"You're ready to destroy them?"

Not quite. You wanted to know how they really related, entirely. Going off of a hunch seemed like a dangerous move.

Starlight nodded. "I can't argue with knowing more. With you at our side, we can look into things with a bit less resistance."

Resistance?

Trixie pointed at Starlight. "She has been an outspoken voice of her cause. Trixie has tried to tell her to keep it quieter, but not everypony listens to her. It was surprising Starlight was even allowed to be on the list."

So Starlight was already crusading against cutie marks?

Starlight huffed. "I want to save us, all of us. They do serve a purpose, but is it worth extinction? Would a world where we couldn't be absolutely sure what our calling is be that awful?" She pointed at you. "You don't have one. Aren't you managing?"

You had been kludging through life as best you could, sure. What choice did you have?

A soft clopping came from the door before it opened without waiting. It was Careful Study. She had a tray of food beside her, being pulled by her magic. Her eyes went to Starlight and Trixie. "They weren't tugging my tail..."

Trixie raised a brow at Careful. "Who is this?"

Starlight hopped down from the bed. "A former stud."

Careful colored quickly. "My name is Careful Study, and I am his caretaker, magic teacher, and friend."

You slid from bed to your feet and approached Careful while explaining that what she said was true.

Trixie snorted softly. "A friend? Or a friend?"

Careful sank a little. "We..."

Starlight put a hoof between the two. "Don't pressure her. Hello, Careful. We'll be working together, I assume?"

"Together?"

Trixie nodded softly. "Trixie and Starlight have accepted the task of mentoring him."

Careful put a hoof to her chin. "Four mentors? Here, you should all eat. I brought enough for everypony." She pulled the cart a little closer.

Your belly did not disagree with that idea, and you soon had breakfast nicely handled, or was that more of a lunch? You were late starting the day, but you needed that sleep, darn it.

Careful slipped in as you ate and her magic wrapped around your balls, gently lifting them as she moved her calipers into position. You had, at least a little, grown used to it, at least enough to not squeak while she was at it.

Her expression turned to joy. "One hundred... and two percent!"

Starlight raised a brow. "Measuring thaumic reserves?"

Careful bobbed her head at Starlight. "80%, 99%, 102% Now, it could just be a fluctuation. That's not high enough to say for certain, just like 99% was 'good enough' to be called a full recovery. At the very least, you appear to be entirely recovered. How do you feel?"

All three mares looked to you. You felt... good. You wanted to get your muscles moving a bit, but then they all had some research to do.

Starlight grinned. "I like your attitude."

Trixie glanced at Careful from the side. "Trixie heard that studs could become ponies, temporarily, if their mare wanted?"

Careful blinked. "That is within our means."

Trixie looked back to you. "If you want to... Trixie will not force you." She trotted past all of you, out into the hallway.

With her gone, Starlight sighed gently. "Could you? It would mean so much to her. Either way, make it special. Make her feel like the amazing mare she is."

Careful blinked, then smiled. "I doubt that will be an issue. I don't think he can be with a mare without making them feel like a goddess." Her cheeks were warm, but she spoke earnestly.

Starlight smiled at that. "Good to hear, now, about that workout?"

Starlight wanted to come along?

"Lead the way."

So you ended up bringing her along to the training field. The guards were a bit wary of her.

Thunder Step marched up towards the two of you. He pointed at Starlight. "Care to explain why she's here?"

Was there something wrong with her?

He raised a brow. "We don't take kindly to Celestia-dissidents."

Starlight fluffed up in anger. "I am not against Celestia! She's a perfectly lovely ruler... who has made a mistake."

Thunder thrust a hoof at her. "Where do you--"

Starlight leaned in, cutting him off. "I've made mistakes just as bad! I just happened to fix mine, with Twilight's--"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Starlight rolled her eyes. "Yes yes. Either way, we've both made similar mistakes. I don't hate her for it. I want to fix it. I want to save everypony."

You put a hand between them. Maybe a bit less politics, a bit more working out?

Thunder hiked a brow. "If you were one of mine, I'd make you run ten laps backwards for that, but you aren't, so I'll let that slide. You have a point." He looked back to Starlight. "If you're here to move, then move." It was as close as he was going to get to accepting her presence.

With the confrontation over, the games began. Starlight remained at your side, doing what you did, though she used more magic to do it. Why climb a rope when she could levitate, for instance.

That was not something Thunder accepted. When she landed, he prodded her right in the chest. "What's wrong, too weak to handle it?"

Starlight blinked softly. "I have plenty of strength." She tapped at her horn.

"Reports say you had to work in low magic situations before. What happens if you need to climb in one of those?"

Starlight scowled at him, then nodded. She approached that rope and began trying to scale it, only to fall down each time, but she wasn't giving up easily.

The other guards began shouting encouragement and ideas for her, but she never got more than about two feet up before she collapsed. When she finally gave up, she sagged. "Very well, you can make fun of me now."

Thunder clapped her on the back. "There won't be a need for that if you admit you have work to do. We all do, or we wouldn't need to be here."

The other guards agreed with soft murmurs, and the training resumed.

When it was done, you and Starlight were sweaty and dirty. You were willing to ignore that for the moment. Starlight, less so.

"Come on, let's get washed up before joining the others." She flicked her tail before leading the way back to your room and that hot soapy bath that always stood ready to receive your filth. She grabbed at your clothes with her magic, peeling you free easily and tossing them aside.

You were perfectly capable of taking off the whole two pieces of clothing you had.

"I know." Starlight smiled at you. "But you are my student, and we are to be friends. Friends help friends. Come on." She slipped into the bath with a loud sigh of pleasure. "Mmm, just the thing for after some stress."

You decided to join her, sinking in across from her.

She moved around the tub, circling to be at your side. "Do you agree with them?"

Agree with who, on what?

"Am I wrong to question Celestia?"

Was she really questioning Celestia? She regretted what she had done.

Starlight perked her ears. "Does she?" She sounded genuinely surprised. "She never said that to me." Clop, her hoof met her forehead. "Of course she wouldn't. She's the ruler of Equestria. She has face to save... Really though, she is sorry?"

You explained that Celestia knew she had messed up and wanted to fix it as badly as anyone you'd met so far.

Starlight nodded softly. "Perhaps I should be easier on her then. Really, I'm not angry at her specifically. She's pretty nice as rulers go." She leaned in and gave you a sniff before her magic grabbed a sponge and started going to work on you suddenly. "Let's get you nice and clean."

If she wasn't interested in being studded for, why was she being so intimate?

Starlight paused. "Am I doing this wrong? I thought you'd like it... Look, let's be honest with one another. I'm... new to the friendship thing. Trixie I'm starting to get a handle on, and she's quite the mare to handle. You? I... don't know you yet. Just tell me when I do something wrong, which I inevitably will. Promise me that and I can relax a little."

You did promise that. If she did something wrong, you'd tell her and let her fix it.

Starlight smiled. "If you mean that, then thank you. That means a lot." She leaned in and nuzzled your chest a little. "Now... while Trixie wants a stallion, I... I've seen humans. I've seen them a lot more than Trixie has. I can see the pretty parts instead of 'just' an alien. I'm more surprised you see more than an alien when you look at us."

You gently ran a few wet fingers through her mane, which made her shake her head and laugh. "Watch it." She sounded far more amused than upset. "Look, what I'm saying is... if you want to try being friends, let's try it. We have more to learn about one another, but I'm willing to try it."

Both of you cleaned, you climbed up to dry land.

With a little tingle, all the water ran free of you under Starlight's intense magic. "I'll show you a few tricks, once you get the basics down." She used the same trick to wash the clothes quickly and have them dry in a snap. They felt a bit odd, as if too much starch had been used, but they were clean and ready to go.

With nothing in the way, you both headed to the research center. Starlight spoke to you as you both walked, "They didn't allow me in this wing before. You're my ticket in. I want to solve this, I really do."

Would she solve it even if it meant leaving the cutie marks alone?

Starlight blinked. "Why wouldn't I? Look, I'm not hating cutie marks out of principle, but if they're going to drive us extinct, they have to go. That's straight forward, isn't it?"

So... about that cutie mark removing spell?

"That's a big no go." Starlight shook her head. "It doesn't actually remove it, to start. It just replaces it with a far inferior one. I also promised to not cast it again, but if that really was the solution... I don't think it is. We don't need tepid cutie marks. We're tepid enough as it is."

The guards eyed Starlight, but didn't stop her from walking alongside you. You were in the lab, where Moon, Careful, and Trixie were already waiting.

The three of them were discussing something among themselves as you two approached, but stopped and looked up.

Moon adjusted her glasses. "Welcome. I expected you far earlier in the day, but I've been informed you required additional sleep. Congratulations on your full recovery. You are now tied for first place in number of successful breedings without measurable degradation."

Trixie look to you, then over at Moon. "Does this mean he can perform his 'duty' with Trixie without concern?"

Careful coughed softly into a hoof. "I think the risk is lower, but not gone."

Trixie fixed her eyes on you. "When is the risk ever fully gone? Are you a coward, or will you show Trixie how Bold and Virile you are?"

Moon shook her head. "The goal is to practice his thaumic system so that he can breed without physical harm. Do you intend to hamper that?"

That snapped Trixie out of it. "She meant no harm by it." She sat up fully. "What is the next step required?"

The next step, as it turned out, was light practice. They had you take off your pants and get to glowing. While you were focused on that, they, Moon, Starlight, and Careful, went off, speaking in complex words and exchanging ideas.

Trixie did not join them. She stayed with you, watching your sheath ooze glowing cum. She glanced towards the others to make sure they were busy.

You asked her what was in her wicked little head.

Trixie lifted her shoulders. "Why let this go to waste?" She darted in and lapped up those salty fluids, the glow spreading onto her lips and tongue as she cleaned you of the mess that you kept making, which kept her quite busy. The sensation of her wet warm tongue rubbing against your sensitive head brought your shaft out, hardening swiftly as she followed after it, lapping at your glowing seed.

Moon's voice cut through the pleasure. "You may as well proceed." She was looking at you. "This is a fine practice for focus. Don't allow yourself to become any brighter or dimmer, no matter what she does. If she stimulates you to climax without actual copulation, there will be stress, but considerably less than a breeding would entail."

All three of the other mares were watching you two. Trixie was blushing fiercely at being caught giving head to the stud, but she didn't stop.

Well, if it was allowed... You reached for Trixie's sides and gently rubbed at her fur. You gave her support, making it easier for her to stand as she opened her mouth wide and accepted the flat end of your member into that warm chamber. Her tongue darted out, dancing over you and sending shivers through you.

"Too bright," warned Moon, bringing your focus back on your thaumic network.

You held Trixie while trying to keep things held just so. One of her hooves inched forward and began rubbing against your balls slowly up and down. Each brush against the sensitive fur of your sac sent thrills through you. Focusing became that much harder, but you were trying your best to hold onto that control.

The pleasure was becoming higher and higher. Your control muscle wanted to flex, to release. You were fighting instincts. The part that amazed you more was that you were winning. You should have climaxed already, but holding the output right there meant you couldn't.

Trixie pulled free and began to kiss down that powerful pillar. "Is her talented student resisting her? Don't you want to see her glowing with your magic?" Her hat and cape were tossed aside with flicks of her magic. "Show me your power..."

Oh how you wanted to. You'd show her your power all over her pretty face. Still, you held on, or tried. It was starting to slip. Little bursts of seed would bubble up once in a while in a great surge that Trixie would lap up instantly. You couldn't hold it back forever.

Careful tapped you on the shoulder. "You can let go now."

The permission was all you needed. With a grunt of relief that turned to one of pleasure, your magic/seed flowed from your heavy balls. Trixie tried to seal her lips around the end of your tool, only to discover that studs were a grade beyond normal stallions. Her cheeks puffed out instantly and she gave a shocked squawk as she backed up off of it, only to be sprayed with powerful jets of glowing seed.

She was soon soaking wet with wide and startled eyes. "Trixie was not being literal..."

You felt manipulation on your sensitive balls as Careful slipped the calipers on you. You were tired, but not nearly so dead as the first time you had worked to fill Applejack.

Moon nodded. "Excellently done. You held out for two minutes and fifteen seconds." She adjusted her glasses lightly. "You might have held on for longer, but you've accomplished the task at hoof."

Careful kept the calipers on you. "Eighty percent, but that's well within the normal dip. I can see it already rebounding. Do you mind if I monitor this?"

You couldn't think of any good objection, besides being tired a little. You leaned back as your messy shaft softened.

Trixie recovered from her shock and stood up, her mane and pelt glistening with your seed, though the glow was fading away. "Filthy stallion." She pressed forward and began licking at your messy shaft, making you squirm with oversensitivity. At least she got you clean quickly enough and finally relented. "You owe Trixie one bath, and it had better be a good one."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-DB7SSX6N/

Confusing news lends to confusing thoughts. You want a lot of things, but that cutie mark thing, that won't go away. With your mind on your health, you remember that, though tempting, you're supposed to be taking the day off from such things to help ensure a full recharge before you fill her with Great and Powerful foals.

Oh... oh my, that chapter went on a bit long...

There were so many conflicting things to try and get out. I hope I did a decent job of following your choices.

1) Give Trixie that bath she wants.
2) Time to breed Trixie.
3) Agree to be a stallion for Trixie whenever you get to that.
4) Nope, staying human.
5) Light down, time for better spells!
6) About that wand...
7) We need more information on what a cutie mark really is or is not.
8) Maybe we should wait on anymore hanky panky until we know we're recovering fully

19 - Clean and Relaxed

Careful's eyes were on the calipers while Trixie shook a hoof as if to get the slime coating she had received to fall free of her. "Starlight, don't you have a drying spell you can use on Trixie?"

Starlight had quite the smirk on her face. "That only works on water. You're coated in... not-water."

Trixie trembled from her hooves to her head. "It feels strange to her."

Moon raised a shaggy brow. "Strange how? Be specific."

Trixie pawed at herself. "Her skin tingles. It's cooling down, but feels warm somehow. It is very confusing to Trixie."

Moon grabbed the fabric from earlier and hovered it before Trixie. With a glow of her horn, magic was revealed. It seemed Trixie was plastered in magic, glowing all over. "Fascinating... Wait." She turned to you and eyed your sheath. "Where is your inhibition ring?"

You had taken it off when Starlight arrived, and then things happened, and...

Careful broke your explanations with a little giddy laugh. "It's alright. Your magic is renewing wonderfully."

Starlight cocked a brow. "That can't be from what little practice you've been getting. I suggest a new theory."

Moon glanced to Starlight. "Proceed."

Starlight pointed a hoof at you. "You're taking advantage of Twilight's magic. Friendship."

Your seed was being powered by friendship?

Starlight shrugged a little. "Not entirely, of course, but it's just another brick in this house you're making. You're stacking the odds in your favor." She began pointing at the other researchers. "You've surrounded yourself with ponies that like you."

Wait. Trixie you got. Careful was a cinch, but Starlight and Moon liked you, more than a means to an end?

Starlight pointed at you. "Look, we're still... getting to know each other, but you're accepting me, as me. You don't care about my past, and you're willing to cut me a break while I move with all the social grace of a beached whale."

Moon glanced from Starlight to you. "I... feel similar. Social situations are still new and worrying to me, but you don't seem to mind my ineptness. While I am ex--"

"Did you two forget Trixie is melting?" Trixie shook herself a bit, the cum refusing to budge. "Bath, now please."

Careful glanced at Trixie, almost jealously, before she returned her attention to your balls. "You're recovering faster than I've ever seen before, but it's topping out. I think you'll need some actual time, but I can't imagine you won't be back to full by tomorrow." She drew the calipers away. "Eighty nine percent."

Moon tapped at her chin. "Very good, but put the ring back on. We have more magic to explore, and we don't want you stressing yourself doing it."

"Bath?" Trixie looked up at you with pleading eyes. "Trixie has been a good pony, has she not?"

You almost reached for Trixie before realizing that would mean... yeah. You waved for the door instead and grabbed your pants on the way. It was bath time. As you went, you heard Starlight, Careful, and Moon discussing something technical, and caught Careful's furtive glance towards you. She looked away with a blush on being spotted.

The guards seemed to have no idea how Trixie could have gotten as she got. "Lab accident?" asked one, blinking. "Is she alright?"

You assured them both that Trixie would be fine after a bath. Nopony else got in the way to the bath Trixie wanted. She scurried ahead and splashed right in. She let out a loud sigh of bliss, but her eyes were fixed on you, watching you. "Trixie still feels... odd."

Odd how? You slid in beside her and grabbed a loofa to get to scrubbing and cleaning her pelt.

Trixie's eyes closed a little, enjoying the sensation. "She feels as if you have cast a spell on her. It..." She licked over her lips. "Is your ring on?"

It wasn't, but soon was. She nodded in approval. "Trixie does not want her master being hurt."

Wait wait wait. Master?

Trixie blinked softly. "Trixie said no such thing."

You were pretty certain you heard that specific word.

"Trixie is Trixie's own master! Not you, master." She went red instantly. "What is happening to Trixie?!" She reared up onto two legs in the water and pointed a hoof at you. "You enchanted Trixie! Take it off this instant, or... Trixie will..."

You held up your hands placatingly. You certainly were not trying to cast a spell on her.

"What were you thinking while Trixie was working?"

That it felt great? That... you perhaps wished a little it wouldn't ever stop, like any guy might think, you guessed?

"Ah ha!" Trixie pushed through the water at you. "You've made Trixie into your obedient cock-worshipping slave. You monster, you fiend! Do you not care for Trixie at all?" She oddly didn't sound nearly as furious as her words would imply. "You don't even have the decency to claim Trixie as a fellow pony. No, she will be shackled to a human's side forever."

About that...

Trixie's ears perked up. "Yes?"

You were willing to try it, when it was Trixie's turn.

Trixie's face lit up. "You are the most generous master Trixie has ever had!" She blinked. "You are the only master Trixie has ever had..." Worry crept in on her features. "Are you doing it just to be nice to Trixie?"

No! No. She was a pretty and fantastic mare, and deserved to be bred by a pony if she wanted to be with a pony. Besides, you were perhaps a bit curious to know what it was like.

Trixie suddenly hopped up and kissed you on the nose. "Trixie will show you. By the time she is done, you will not want to ever settle for human sex ever again." She turned in place and raised her tail, though her goods were under water and not perfectly visible. "Trixie may be an enchanted servant, but she will be the best enchanted servant."

"What's this about enchanted servants?" Moon was standing at the doorway, blinking in confusion.

Trixie pointed at herself. "He cast a spell on Trixie with his... Great and Powerful seed. Trixie is his now."

Moon raised a brow a moment before it lowered."You are just like a foal, casting spells on a whim without understanding it. I trust you don't mean to enslave Trixie?"

What? No! I mean... of course not?

Trixie pouted at you. "Is Trixie not good at being a servant?"

Moon stepped closer, eyeing Trixie. "You've really done it. You should be proud, but we should probably fix that."

Trixie wheeled on Moon with a scowl. "You're trying to get in the way of Trixie's happiness! He wants Trixie! He thinks Trixie is wonderful and great and pretty. Leave us alone!" Tears hinted at the edges of her eyes as she began to throw a tantrum. "Why does somepony always get in the way of Trixie's happiness!?"

Moon's horn glowed as a perfect geodesic sphere popped into being around Trixie, the water within sloshing about. "For your own good, I'm taking you back to the lab.

Trixie thrust a hoof against the bubble, but it was a futile and weak resistance. "No! He promised to be Trixie's stallion!"

Moon hefted Trixie free of the bath, though her bubble had water in it and it was clearly some effort to keep them up. "I'll... take her to... the others. You, your job is just to relax. I'll collect you for magic lessons tomorrow. Until then... you're off-duty."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-C9TSFPZN/

It's time to rest and recuperate, and you have a promise to give to Trixie. Less sex, more study and learning. We'll beat this!

Study is coming, and you'll be rested be tomorrow, but...

What about Trixie?

1) Let them cure Trixie.
2) Get Involved: You want to be Trixie's Gentle and Caring master.
3) Get Involved: You want to be at Trixie's side, but will let them cure her.
4) Get Involved: Trixie deserves some humility.
5) Get Involved: You want to try curing her. You made the mess, why not be the cure?
6) Look, all these options are getting in the way of chillaxing.
7) I saw how Careful was eyeing me, let's spend the day with her.
8) A fine day for research. How about we get Luna and Starlight in the same room and figure out how humans became ponies in the first place.

20 - Moonlit Answers

Oh man. That was not what you had planned at all, even if it might have been a bit sexy, those adoring eyes she was firing your way while insisting she would be the absolute best coerced servant ever. You must have zapped her and good, though, hey, you guess you did spray her down with your magic and let her baste in it for a while.

That sort of power was thrilling, and terrifying. You didn't want to crush poor Trixie's mind. She had a lovely, if interestingly off-balance, mind. You wanted to get answers. Who had answers? Luna had answers, Starlight had answers. They were the ones most central to the stud program's function, really. You just had to get them together. Where was Starlight? At the lab, likely about to hear about Trixie.

You wanted to help Trixie, and needed Starlight. Objective set.

Dried and dressed, you made your way hastily to the research area, past the guards that seemed to have grown used to your comings and goings. They didn't even ask why you were there.

"Let Trixie go!" came a familiar voice. "Trixie is an adult and can make her own decisions."

Starlight booped Trixie on the nose. "I know you're an adult, but you were also blasted in the face, and everywhere else, with magic. I know mind control." She leaned in. "You know I know mind control. Friends don't let friends be controlled."

"What if Trixie likes being controlled?"

Starlight hiked a brow. Moon and Careful were holding Trixie down as Starlight spoke. "That's exactly what a mind controlled pony would say."

Trixie scowled at her friends. "He never asked her to enjoy it. He even promised to be Trixie's stallion." She suddenly looked towards you. "There he is! Let's ask him."

All eyes turned on you.

Starlight let out a loud sigh. "Do you want Trixie like this?"

Against her will? Not a very friendly, or moral, thing to do. You were there to support Trixie.

Trixie smiled. "Trixie's master is Great and Caring, as she would expect. Master, please tell these ponies to release Trixie."

Starlight frowned deeply. "It's going to be harder to undo the control if she doesn't want to be freed. Permission to throw more magic at it?"

Uh. Throwing more and more magic was how many problems got made.

Starlight rolled her eyes. "Yeah..."

Trixie wriggled free but just sat up besides the two mares watching her like a hawk. "Is this so bad?" she asked. "You know him. He is kind and caring. He will take good care of Trixie. He enjoys Trixie's shows as well and would never stop her from performing and touring, so long as she came back to him. Trixie will stop for a little while while she is fat with a foal but he will be there, supporting her. He cares about Trixie!"

Starlight cocked her brow a moment. "Wait a tic... You're not mind-controlled, exactly. You're married."

Trixie blinked softly, looking quite confused. "She is?"

Moon adjusted her glasses lightly. "But they haven't bred."

Careful gestured at Trixie, waving at her. "Why the whole 'master' thing, then?"

Starlight's face erupted into a wide smile. "Trixie's just a big submissive that's been hiding it."

Trixie lit up, turning a fierce red. "Trixie is not submissive! Trixie is Great and Powerful! She takes control of the situation and bedazzles everypony with her feats of magic!" She turned to you, eyes wide and frantic. "Tell them, Master. Tell them how great Trixie is."

You were happy enough to regale them with some of Trixie's positive features, but also noted that she was kind of being submissive, at least to you.

Trixie squirmed. "What if... You're worth it, master. Trixie will bow her head to one pony, and you promised to be Trixie's Mighty and Virile stallion."

You approached Trixie and crouched in front of her. Looking into her distraught eyes, you gently gave her a soft petting and told her everything would be alright. She just had to do as the girls requested. No matter what, she was still getting that breeding if she wanted it, and the two of you could remain friends.

Trixie bit her lip a moment. "Trixie... does not have many friends." She looked to Starlight. "She treasures each she has. She wants a powerful and loving stallion... Is that so wrong?"

Starlight gently nudged you back. "Leave this to us. Thanks for getting her down from hysterical wailing."

Ah right, you had come here for another reason, and asked Starlight if she could come with you to get some answers.

Starlight blinked softly and looked to Moon and Careful. Careful gave a hooves up. "We'll take it from here."

With that settled, you left the sullen, but no longer violent, Trixie to the care of two others. You set out with Starlight, only to realize you didn't know where Luna was. Except... You tried just asking. You asked for Luna to the empty hallway, feeling confident somepony was watching.

There was silence.

Starlight raised a brow. "Does that normally work?"

Luna stepped from down the hallway with a yawn. "I was sleeping. Stud, why have you called for me?" She glanced towards Starlight. "Is she apologizing?"

Starlight bristled. "Apologize?!"

You noted Starlight's barb was a bit... pointed last time. Everyone had to work together to solve this.

Starlight huffed softly. "You were picking on my friend... Still, sorry if that was a bit too far. Look, let's focus on the task at hoof."

"Not here." Luna stepped close and her horn glowed bright. You all vanished.

You all appeared in a dark room with a large bed, paintings on the walls. Luna's room?

"Now we are free of prying eyes and ears." Luna hopped up on her own bed and laid on it, looking at the two of you. "Now what did you wish to ask?"

You suggested it was time for full disclosure.

Starlight blinked at you. "I've told you what I know. I'm not holding anything back."

"Nor I," agreed Luna.

You pointed between them and declared you meant between the two of them. They had to work together.

Starlight and Luna both levied doubtful looks at the other before looking back at you. Luna rolled a hoof with some impatience. "We have tolerated you thus far. You seem to be cooperative and we have received reports that you may also be an enduring stud, but you are also slow. Only one mare so far? Others have done many more in the same time, with many less distractions in the same span."

Starlight shook her head. "Bedroom hangups aside, what do you even think we could share that'd mean anything?"

The pressure was on, but you had the answer for this! You pointed to Starlight and reminded her she was the only one that actually knew how to go back so far. You then pointed to Luna. She had an affinity and years of experience learning how to 'tune-in' on humans and what to look for. Put the two together...

Starlight tapped at her chin thoughtfully. "What are we looking for, precisely?"

Luna made the intuitive jump. "Methinks the Stud wishes to know what has become of his people."

Well, that, yes, but it may also be relevant to the current issue. The more we knew, the better we could act. Let's put aside patching the problem and focus on fixing it!

Luna gave a little nod. "Your words do carry a sense of truth to them." Her eyes fell on Starlight. "Do you agree?"

Starlight rubbed behind her head. "I wasn't born yesterday, Your Highness. If I tell you my secret, then you don't need me, and I end up in a jail somewhere, or 're-educated'."

Luna frowned at that. "We are not as..." She bit her response back. "I will not succumb to exchanging insults. Starlight, for the sake of ponies everywhere, will you work with me?"

Starlight scowled a moment. You asked if Luna had ever actually hurt Starlight before.

"Well, no..." Starlight squirmed a bit before she sighed. "Fine, so I'm assuming she'd act like I did at my worst, alright? It's the only perspective I have, really..." She hung her head. "I'll try."

Luna's face brightened into a smile that cut through her dark fur. "Splendid! Disclose your spell and we can--"

Starlight held up a hoof. "Not so fast. I'll cast the spell, you'll guide it. We're all going on this trip or none of us are." She glanced at you. "Any idea where things went downhill?"

Well... Every generation had something they thought would end them, really. Global cooling, global warming, dangerous politicians and thermonuclear war...

Luna pointed at you. "With you accompanying us, even if I would prefer otherwise, I can use your thoughts to keep us on track. You may be a pony, but there are differences. When I can again feel the press of such a mind, we will have arrived."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-WLCN965N/

You were torn on what to do with Trixie. A large part of you insisted you should just leave her to the girls, but another, slightly louder, portion was quite insistent on supporting her. Regardless of that, you wanted answers. Answers that Starlight and Luna likely had. Starlight would be where Trixie was. you could dovetail this!

Random note, a vote of 1 + one of the get involveds? I dropped the 1. You cannot physically stay out and get involved at the same time. This didn't change the intent of your vote so far I saw. You wanted them to cure her... but support Trixie, and that -is- what 3 is, for instance. 1 is superflous and not what you actually mean, as you cannot support Trixie and not butt in.

Adventure! So, this poll is more to you OOC than IC. Where do we want to go, as readers? Two choices, but you only get 1. Voting for both is literally a non-vote, so don't do that.

1) Witness cutie mark's beginning
2) Witness the end of man.

21 - The Zenith of Destiny

Starlight gestured for the both of you to stand close to her. "I'll get us moving. Are we ready?" Neither you or Luna offered objection. Her magic flared brightly and encompassed the three of you. "I never went with this much... mass before."

Her words were becoming drowned out. You were all hurled out of time. To your left you could see countless other trios also taking off. To the right, another infinite collection, but you moved past them all so quickly. They drifted away or towards you, but eventually all the groups were gone, bound to entirely different points of time and probability. It seemed that choosing to go was a major point that many lines shared, but where they would go was up for debate.

Some of them weren't even trios. You were certain you saw one that had Celestia, and one without Starlight at all, and another with just Starlight. It was all gone too quickly to catalog them.

Starlight suddenly tapped you on the shoulder, startling you. "Don't think about it too hard," she cautioned over the roar of cause and effect. "I'd say you get used to it, but you don't, not really."

Equestria, or was that Earth? It flowed around you in a streak of light. You could feel the pull of gravity. You were falling with the planet, magnified with the acceleration through time. Was that the falling sensation that time travel came with? You felt more like a satellite than a person that had been standing perfectly still before. On the plus side, it meant you wouldn't appear in the middle of space when you arrived.

You arrived.

With a rough lurch, all three of you were forced to stagger as you hit the ground with a skid. It was dark, but there was a light. On top of a nearby hill, Celestia was clearly visible, wings spread wide.

Starlight cocked a brow. "Celestia should not be where humans are, why are we here?"

Luna guiltily blushed. "I felt my sister so intensely..."

Starlight sighed softly. "This isn't a... Look, time travel isn't easy. We're going nowhere for at least a moment while I regain my breath."

Luna pointed to Celestia on the hill. "Then may I suggest we see what has brought us here?"

You had a guess what may be happening, but you couldn't be sure. Was this where Celestia made her mistake?

Starlight brightened. "I take it back, good job Luna! We can stop her from making cutie marks in the first place."

And create a new splinter world?

Starlight put a hoof to her face. "Right."

Luna glanced between the two of you before she began walking towards the hill, just to stop. Her eyes were skywards, so you looked up there too to see that the Mare in the Moon was hanging there in full sight.

Luna trembled and backed a step. "I... never saw it from this side..."

Starlight looked awkward a moment before she rose to two legs and pat Luna gently. "This is the past."

Luna gave a firm nod. "Yes, clearly... It is still unsettling. We should endeavor to not be seen. I have no reason to be... now..."

You agreed with that. Spotting Luna would create an instant break in time. Could Luna hide herself?

"Ah, excellent idea." Her horn shone as she shrank down and became a perfectly normal unicorn of no special appearance. "Let us--"

Starlight rose a hoof. "Can you do me?"

Luna raised a brow before she nodded and soon she had you both appearing as two other unicorns. You all looked like brothers and sisters.

You had hooves. You had tried to avoid that until that point, but there you were. At least it was temporary? You staggered after the mares awkardly, trying to get used to the new limbs and general bodyshape. The oddest part was that it didn't come with any particularly strong sensations. One moment you were a child of man, then a horse.

The hill, as you approached it, had other ponies you hadn't been able to see from a distance. They were gathered around Celestia with weary faces in a wide circle. No resistance was made as you casually joined that circle. It was quite a gathering. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of ponies were all gazing at Celestia. Some of them had cutie marks, some of them did not.

Celestia spoke. Her voice was the Royal Canterlot in level, booming and easily heard. "Good ponies, we have persisted through many a dark time, but I have found something, our salvation! It will bind us together, no longer warring among ourselves. No longer will we be adrift in a universe we feel detached from. We will play our part and make a better world."

There were some hopeful murmurs and some confused ones.

Starlight grumbled a bit under her breath. Luna just stared unblinkingly.

Celestia turned to display her own cutie mark to the crowd, going in a slow circle. "Destiny has given me my purpose. It has been blessed on some of you as well. Why does it only come for an entitled few? I know some of you believe that we at the top control this."

Soft murmurs agreed with that sentiment.

"I'm here to tell you that's true."

Astonished gasps ripped through the crowd.

"But only so far in that I will fix that, tonight, here." She stopped circling and her horn began to glow, hefting up an odd thing. At least it would be odd to the other ponies. You were fairly sure it was some kind of touch tablet? To the others, a magic wand of some sort or another.

She manipulated it with her magic easily, but you couldn't see what was displayed on it at that distance. "Purpose will no longer be the gift of the few, but the shared possession of all of ponykind!"

Starlight leaned towards you and hissed, "I thought she made cutie marks! I can clearly see plenty of them scattered in this crowd."

Celestia tossed her head back as the tablet was flung high into the air, giving out intense waves of energy. Magic? As it washed over the crowd, ponies began to gasp and cry in shock. It quickly became clear that ponies that didn't have cutie marks were gaining one. Most of them, at least.

That included you. With a powerful tingling itch, your flanks throbbed as you were blessed, or cursed, with a mark of your own. You looked back quickly to see what had happened to see a very curious mark indeed.

* ~~~~~~~~~~~
* ~~~~~~~~~~~
* ~~~~~~~~~~~

Three dots with squiggled writing after each. What did it even mean?!

The tablet exploded in a shower of light and magic. "It will be, forever forward. Ponykind will realize the potential that had always lurked within its hearts. Know yourself, and your place will become self-evident."

The crowd became a deafening roar of applause and thundering stomping of hooves. She had awakened the potential for any pony, big and small, to receive their mark.

Luna tapped both of you. "We should go."

Starlight and you followed Luna away from the celebrating crowd. She looked over her shoulder once you had all moved far enough. "I am most deeply unsettled... Sister never mentioned any of this to me."

You shrugged a bit. Didn't Luna find it odd that every pony had a mark when she came back?

"That was a thousand years," noted Luna. "Everything was changed and different in countless ways. So all ponies had marks. Just another difference. Celestia had confessed to making marks. I..." She frowned. "They were less common still when I... before I was banished. I can only venture Sister had been working for some time to bring this about." Suddenly her eyes locked on you, specifically your flanks.

Starlight followed her vision and gasped. "You too?!"

Luna thrust a hoof at Starlight. "You have caused the stud to be contaminated!"

"Me?! You're the one that chose this time! I wanted to go to where the humans last were, not this!" Starlight waved a hoof at the lit hill. "We're not closer to an answer, now are we?"

You sat on your new pony haunches and raised a hoof at them both. You loudly insisted they shut up, and they did, looking at you with frazzled expressions.

Look, it took centuries on centuries for the marks to degrade ponykind. Your one lifetime of having one wasn't going to make a difference. Besides, maybe it'd go away once you were human again?

Luna raised a brow. "Worthy of an attempt." She lowered her horn towards you and you were human, though seated in an awkward position. You stood up and had a peek. Unfortunately, your rump on either wide was still adorned with the curious mark.

Starlight raised a brow. "That makes me wonder, how did Careful get her mark?"

Luna shook her head. "It came naturally once she was on all fours and she found her purpose."

You took a slow breath as you adjusted your clothing to fit as well as it ever would, being pony clothes on a human. They had learned at least one important thing.

Luna raised a brow. "What is that?"

Cutie marks were not made by Celestia. They were with ponies from the start. She may have made them more widespread, but they were there the whole time. You also mentioned the device she was fiddling with sure looked like a human one.

Starlight lit up. "Really? It looked like some kind of magic wand from where I was."

You were certain of it.

Luna stood quiet a moment before she nodded. "Very well. We have little choice but to finish what we began. Starlight, can you take us onwards? We have more to see."

Starlight took a slow deep breath. "I have it in me to take one more hop. A round trip is usually my limit, then I try to build up reserves."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-XQV6T5KF/

The choice was made, and things have been seen.

But what now?

1) Return to Base
2) Convince Starlight to show Luna the spell
3) Convince Starlight to go back in time
4) Try to find bits of that tablet
5) Hey, deep past Equestria. Time to see the sights!
6) Let's free Luna ahead of schedule

22 - Back to the Future

Things were getting heavy, and confusing. A lot of competing thoughts were raging through your mind. One thing seemed more certain than the others, but not by much. You had to run. You could always come back.

Starlight grunted at the notion. "I hope this trip was worth it. Let's get out of here before we mess anything else up."

Luna gave a light nod. She seemed to be at least a little dazed, mind reeling with the implications as your own was. "Mark my words, we will return. There are questions that must be answered."

Starlight set your group free of time's grasp. There were infinite groups in that moment, as before. Some were terribly injured, others looked haunted. You wondered if you looked like one of those? You felt a tingle in your rump, where the new mark resided and with it came intuition. You knew with certainty that freeing Nightmare Moon would have created a new shard where she ruled supreme, and she would not have been grateful to her weak future self, or her companions. There was a good chance Luna would have stopped you, but not 100%.

How did you know that? You had no idea.

You were 'home'. If Luna's room could be called home.

Luna let out a breath before she pulled herself to her full height. "Methinks it is time to question mine sister." She did not wait for reply, and was already walking with purpose from the room.

Starlight glanced at you before rushing to follow the dark princess. "Let's not storm in there in a tizzy."

"And why shouldn't I?!" demanded Luna.

Well, for one, that may not actually get you the answers you want.

Luna cocked a brow at you and took another, more measured, breath. "Perhaps there is wisdom there. The fact remains that this requires an answer. This cannot wait."

As one, you headed out of her room and through the castle towards... You weren't sure where you were headed towards, so you asked.

Luna glanced sideways towards you. "She is either in the garden, or seeing court. I pray it is the garden, where we may have some privacy."

She nudged a door open with a hoof, allowing the scent of fresh flowers to waft free. Light spilled in from the sun high in the sky. As if a miracle to sooth your weary spirits, Celestia was seated at a small table, sipping tea and enjoying a small slice of cake.

Celestia looked up at you all and gave a gentle nod before gesturing to the other cushions around the low table. "We have much to discuss."

Luna blinked, startled. "How much do you already know?"

Starlight rolled her eyes. "You let her spy on ponies, what makes you think you're immune?"

Celestia gave a gentle smile at Starlight. "I'm afraid I'm guilty as charged. Please, sit. We have many words that need saying. Where did you go, or should I say, when did you go?"

You sank onto a cushion beside Celestia. So, she couldn't tell that much then?

"Neigh." Celestia gave the slightest shake of her head. "Time magic is allowed to be forgotten for a reason. It is perilous on the best of days." She looked to Starlight. "A fact I would have thought you had learned well and truly."

Starlight snorted. "Dire situations... You haven't been complaining about the results so far."

Celestia paled. "You mean? Please tell me they aren't..."

Luna gestured at Starlight. "The humans are from the past, sister."

Celestia's composed face faltered, cracking around the edges with worry. "The Stud Program is hereby cancelled."

Luna blinked softly. "Just like that?"

You didn't mean to be selfish, but... what about you?

Celestia shook her head more violently. "You are welcome to stay. The damage is already done. We will find another way."

You felt another one of those intuitions come over you. You could just let it go at that, accept the ending and live on as the last human in Equestria. Perhaps an answer would be found, but you wouldn't be involved.

That was not satisfying.

"No," you said, and it shook your body and soul. You felt more in control than ever before, as if you had a direct will that would no longer be denied.

"No?" Celestia raised a brow.

"It won't end like this. We're too close to an answer. I also made a promise to Trixie I plan to keep. So, no. Let's fix this, properly." Your face was a grim mask of determination and your fists were balled in defiance. "Celestia, what were you doing with that tablet when you gave everyone a cutie mark?"

You had thought Celestia couldn't look more frazzled, but she managed, her mane losing some of its luster and natural flow as she recoiled. "Then? Why then? Luna!"

Luna scowled at her. "His question deserves an answer, sister. Tell us. No more secrets, not today."

Celestia lowered herself back to her cushion. Her eyes closed and her breath slowly evened out. She was calming herself and soon appeared almost normal. "I am unsure you want the entirety of the truth, but I will speak no lies. As you likely ascertained, cutie marks are an inherent facet of ponies. They were... a failsafe. From what, I could not say, for I was never told. A pony would get one if they needed it, and that was that."

Starlight shook her head. "So you took an emergency tool and flipped it on all the time, forever?"

Celestia leveled her gaze at Starlight. "That is one way to phrase it. It brought happiness with it. Harmony... We grew by leaps and bounds. Every pony could find their purpose, and pursued it with a clear conscience. Our society changed, for the better."

You put a hand to your face a moment. It seemed to be coming together. "Whatever the cutie marks were supposed to protect you from eventually got around them since they were everywhere, like overusing an antibiotic."

Celestia blinked at you. "It has been many years since I heard that word."

"Oh? Ponies have them?"

She nodded. "We do, to a limited extent. We have different names... Let's not be distracted."

The answer, like much of your life, seemed to be becoming clearer by the moment. "We need to know what they were protecting against, then we can solve this once and for all." That was an ending you could be satisfied with. Somehow, in your deepest heart of hearts, you knew it had to have an ending, and you'd make sure it was a good one.

Starlight cocked a brow at you. "What's biting your rump? You've got a fire in you all of a sudden."

Luna nodded in agreement. "Be that as it may, he is correct. Starlight, when can we go?"

Starlight put a hoof to her chest. "Give me a day or two. I told you this is far from easy." She turned to hoof to you. "You gave him a day off between mares and I'm pulling at least as much magic off, violating all the 'laws' of time and space."

Celestia sat up. "About that. You are no longer required to act in that fashion, with the Stud Program cancelled."

"I have a promise to Trixie," You said with certainty. "There is also one other pony at least that I'm not just leaving to rot. She deserves better than that."

Luna quirked a smile. "Just know that whatever you do, you do out of love or lust, not duty. We are mildly curious which it may be... Come. There is little more to be gained today."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-2RPCGW8F/

Nothing over 50%. Certainty is not there. What you've seen has clearly dazzled you, or maybe it's the mark on your bottom.

Time for choices:

1) oihwgiugvlwfej
2) h9832ohnlkohnvo
3) ionlofhj0p;.123hndki
4) ?????
5) !!!!!!!
6) Let it go.
7) Emergency Failsafe
8) Abort

23 - Corruption

I feel determined.

I feel confused.

No, I'm quite determined. You are confused. There is a difference.

There shouldn't be.

There is.

I walk down the hallway, you are not walking down a hallway.

An immense fit of static flickers across the interface before you find yourself gazing at a screen inside a pod. Soft red lights are strobing in alarm. The words on the screen are clear.

Error! Error! Agent Connection Terminated!

There was little you could do but hope and pray. The tube let you free with a gushing of fluids, allowing you to stagger to a chair and pull over a larger monitor. You could still see him, the rogue agent. Would he accomplish the task without you?

You are not alone, at least. Other pods release, more and more as other controllers join you there to watch the agent. You had all worked together to guide the agent in his mission. Your hopes, all of your hopes, now rode on him.

Confusion was thick in the air. Confusion, desperation, and hope.

He walked purposefully down the hallway, Starlight at his side. She was watching him out of the corner of her eyes. "You seem unusually energetic."

"Why shouldn't I be?" he asked. "I know what has to be done. Finally, there are no more ambiguities."

Starlight blinked softly. "I can think of a few. Look, Kyle, we don't know exactly what we'll find, you know, back there. It could be a poisoned wasteland, or right in the middle of a war."

Kyle nodded a little, but didn't slow in his march. "True, but we have to go. That will be where the answer is."

Suddenly a pony crossed paths with Kyle, sending him to the ground with them in a pile, only to be grabbed by the pony in a firm hug. "Trixie is so glad you're back... Kyle."

"Not master?"

Trixie glanced away, still holding firmly to him. "The others were... convincing in that you can be Trixie's master in private." She squeezed him before finally letting him go and hopping up to her hooves. "She is still your marefriend, and maybe more?" She fluttered her lashes. "Even if Trixie knows exactly why this is lopsided."

Starlight cocked a brow at her friend. "Why is that?"

Trixie gestured to Kyle. "He imprinted me but didn't let me imprint him. It is quite obvious on reflection." She narrowed her eyes at Kyle. "She bets he still has lingering feelings for that apple farmer."

Kyle dusted himself off and pulled his pants up. "I like her, if that's what you mean?"

"That is not what she means." Trixie clopped a hoof on the ground. "You put a foal in her, though she was taken quickly, she bets the idea of spending your life with her doesn't sound that awful. Well, banish that thought." Trixie turned up her nose. "You're mine and I am yours."

Starlight came between Kyle and Trixie and put a hoof out to either to keep them apart. "That's quite enough of that. I need to rest and recover. Trixie, the Stud Program was officially canceled."

Trixie blinked, shock clear across her face as her jaw hung free a moment before it turned to steely resolve. "You promised!"

"And I plan to keep that promise." Kyle reached for one of Trixie's ears and gave it a gentle petting. "Just tone down that eagerness a few notches. I'm not going anywhere."

Starlight shook her head even as she started to trot off. "For a few days at least."

Trixie glanced at her friend. "What does she mean by that?" She looked to Kyle. "Where are you going? Trixie is coming with you!"

"Right now, I'm going to get a nibble and rest up. I have to be ready for this."

"And Trixie will join you."

Kyle seemed to know better than to argue that, and they walked side by side to the dining hall. She attempted to woo him through the meal, selecting various bits of food she figured he would like and eagerly feeding him whenever he allowed it. "Trixie has excellent taste, does she not? You are fortunate to have such a talented marefriend."

He tried to explain. "Look, where we plan to go probably won't be very fun."

Trixie cocked a brow at him. "And you won't let her come with you? She is not coming for 'fun'. You sound very serious. Will it be dangerous? Trixie will help protect you, my mighty, if a little foolish, stallion. No harm will befall you while I'm around."

"Canceled?!" The door burst open to the hallway, revealing a frazzled-looking Careful. "Did you do this?!" She rushed towards Kyle, eyes wide.

Kyle held up his hands wardingly. "Woah woah. It wasn't my idea."

Careful hopped up into Kyle's lap, her eyes on his. "Swe--"

She was plucked up in a mighty surge of Trixie's magic before being tossed aside. The effort left Trixie huffing for breath and glaring at the potential rival.

Careful quickly scrambled back to her hooves, giving Trixie the briefest return glare before looking to Kyle. "What happened?"

Kyle reached for Careful, stroking her frazzled mane. The act caused Trixie to begin growling softly. "Stop that, Trixie. Careful is not an enemy, Christ on a stick."

Trixie cocked a brow. "But she wants to be your marefriend too."

Careful erupted in a fierce blush as her not-so-secret secret was said out loud.

Trixie grinned cockily. "Look at her, as if it wasn't obvious before. Go away! He's mine!"

"I'm not either of yours," countered Kyle with a frown before he plucked Careful from the ground and set her in his lap. "Now we're going to talk, like adults."

Careful squirmed a little, but started to look happy. Trixie, on the other hand, scowled a moment before she nodded. "Very well, she will focus on the task at hoof. Tell us, coltfriend, what exactly did happen?"

Kyle reached for Trixie, one hand working the ear of each of the two mares. "Celestia canceled it when she learned they weren't coming from another universe, but from the past instead."

Careful started at that. "T-the past? But... then where are..." Color drained from her nose and ears. "We died?"

"Sorta..." Kyle wobbled the hand over Careful before resuming his petting. "They're all around us. Near as I can tell from the clues I've gotten so far, people became ponies."

Trixie leaned up against the hand petting her like an affectionate feline. "An improvement, if anyone asked Trixie. No offense to you, but if you could be a unicorn, why be anything else?"

You watched in the crowded room. There were soft murmurs around you from throats that weren't used to speaking. A few coughs and hacks erupted, but the conversation didn't die. There was wonder and excitement. The agent seemed to be proceeding, even if you couldn't tell him what to do anymore.

Light spilled into the room suddenly as a set of metal double doors slid open. The hallway beyond was fully lit, and soon the entire room around you was as well. A figure stood there, with little hair on top of his head but a shaggy beard below. "Ladies and gentlemen... The project is over. We have only to await the results."

Eyes peered at the man as if not remembering who he was. You knew you should remember the man, but didn't. Your eyes went with the others, returning to the screen. The agent was still active, just rogue.

There could be a happy ending.

If only you could remember what that ending would be...

Author's Note

CONTROL INTERFACE ERROR! AGENT STATUS: ROGUE!

You can't control him. He's doing that on his own. You can only control yourself.

1) Watch Kyle
2) Explore the facility
3) Approach that figure that seems to be in charge
4) Talk to other operators
5) F* these choices!

24 - Where Are You? (clop)

The room was chaos. Some of the operators said or shouted numbers. Some broke down in confused tears or began lashing out angrily. The conversation didn't die down though. All of you wanted answers. Your conversations were disjointed and broken, however. You spoke past one another, each making their own observations and laments, with only a few directly responding to what was said before speaking their own mind.

A consensus of sorts had been reached. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as it had been... before there was a Kyle. When there was only you.

While many remained where they were, watching Kyle with that delicate hope, others were not satisfied. Most of the room pressed towards the bearded man, desperate to get answers.

"You need to relax," spoke the figure that seemed to loom tall despite not being very tall. "It's natural that you're feeling disoriented. Going from a shared consciousness to living in your own heads is no easy task. Deep breaths, it will settle."

Some of the operators pushed past him, eager to see and understand the new world they found themselves in.

Kyle retired to his room, but rest wasn't as assured as he would have liked it. Starlight was already there, sleeping. that wasn't the issue. Trixie was at his side the entire time. Once he sat down, she hopped up beside him on the bed. "Master, are you ready to finish our duty?"

He raised a brow at her, considering that. "I'm a little distracted," he confessed. "Trying to save the world doesn't really key one up for bedroom fun."

"This could be your very last chance, though Trixie would dearly hope that is not the case." She nuzzled into his side as her magic gently tugged at his clothes, slowly removing them. "You should enjoy yourself before this adventure, however important and vital it is."

Kyle was quiet, but his lack of continued protest was consent, at least so far as Trixie was concerned. He allowed himself to be laid down on the bed, facing upwards, and soon could feel the warm rough texture of her tongue as she worked at his throat in a few broad swipes. "Today, Trixie will delight and amaze you, because that is what she does." One of her hooves landed on his sheath, rubbing it slowly from root to tip and back in gentle motions. "She will become mother to our foals."

Was she going to ride him like Applejack? One could almost see the question on his face. He suddenly turned, throwing her off balance and crashing her to the bed. Even as she squawked in surprise, he was on her. He took ahold of her furry sides and plucked her up. "I'm your master, right?"

Trixie blinked with shock before a smile spread wide. "Yes!"

"Then I call the shots." With his equine pillar jutting up proudly, he moved her to be just over it. "Trixie, it's time for you to let go."

"Let go?"

He kissed her nose gently. "You won't call the shots, and you don't need to." He turned her away from himself and lowered her until the flat end of his shaft gently nudged at her lips.

Trixie tensed with anticipation before glancing down. "None of that!" Her magic wrapped firmly around your ring, smoothly pulling it free of your member.

He waited until it was free before he reached around and gently thwipped her nose. "I didn't say you could do that."

Trixie went red. "Trixie was just trying to help, master."

He took the hovering ring from her and let it hang from her horn limply. It had the effect he was aiming for, as her magic fizzled and sparked. "No magic."

Trixie could easily have knocked it off, or even still used her magic on the ill-fitting ring. But she didn't. "Trixie will trust her master."

Slowly, he lowered her down. Her thick vulva spread across his tool, embracing and drawing him in.

The main monitor exploded in sparks. One of the operators had hurled a chair at it in fury. "Tell me what's going on!" they demanded angrily. "That's supposed to be me!"

The room exploded in noise as many condemned the operator for interrupting the finale of their show and others still joined in the rampant need for answers.

The one in charge put a hand to his head with a weary sigh. "Can we, for once in our history, not react with violence to something confusing? You are not him. You all have your own names." He pointed towards one at random. "You, what is your name?"

That operater blinked in confusion. "Actually, I am Kyle."

"Oh, bad example."

Still, it had some effect, as operators began exchanging their titles. Some gave only their enlisted name, others their true ones.

"We're here to save humanity." He gestured at the monitor. "The program that let you assume shared control of that body was interrupted abruptly, causing you all to be spat out without the usual unloading process. That's why you feel confused right now."

"Why am I naked?" asked one confused operator.

"The immersion tubes don't work with anything in the way," explained the man. "I could start explaining, or you can just calm down. You will remember what's going on. Now, I'm going to get another monitor. No breaking this one, alright?"

The room was a sullen silence as they waited.

"This story sucks," complained one of the operators. "I saw this plot twist coming a mile away."

Unaware of things going on elsewhen, Kyle's attention was focused on giving Trixie a Great and Powerful rutting. His hips pistoned upwards as he brought her up and down, supporting her writhing form. Each time he let her down and pounded upwards, he made her entire form tense deliciously around him even as she cried out in pleasure.

A soft tapping distracted him and he glanced to see a tired and bemused Starlight looking up at him. "I know this is kind of your bed and all..."

Trixie looked past Kyle to the sound of her friend and gave a sheepish smile, eyes glazed with pleasure. "Trixie is... Mmm... very sorry."

"I bet you are." Starlight sounded more entertained than truly bothered. She reared up and set her hooves on either of Kyle's shoulders, pressing in against his back. "Now Trixie's a wonderful mare, full of delightful tricks, but when it comes down to it, one of us can match Twilight without dangerous artifacts."

Kyle tensed, slowing his motions as worry rotted his focus on the act.

Starlight gently pressed on those shoulders. "Oh no, I didn't say a thing about stopping, lover boy. You'd better fill my friend up to overflowing." She leaned in and gently nipped one of those naked ears, whispering into it, "She shouldn't walk straight afterwards."

Her horn glowed as power rushed into Kyle's already enhanced balls. She was fueling them directly, filling them with raw power as she goaded him on, telling him exactly how hard and well he should see to Trixie's needs.

Kyle was overwhelmed with a fresh wave of pure lust. His overcharged gonads demanded his entire existence be for one thing. He curled in on Trixie, locking lips with her furry snout as his thrusting hastened to the next level. He could feel it coming. Pushing so fast, so hard, how could it not? His thick equine member swelled towards the tip as his balls drew tight. Seed and magic flowed powerfully into the base of that cannon before everything went white.

All was pleasure, all was fulfillment. Kyle knew nothing else but the rapture of seeding that screaming, shrieking female. He held to her tightly, and she was attached to him, clutching and quaking.

Then there was nothing for a time.

His senses started to return with a confused blink, to find himself nose to snout with Trixie. His head was being held in Starlight's magic, keeping him fixed on her. "Drink in her features," She commanded. "See her Great and Powerful lines. See the love in her eyes."

Trixie gasped loudly as she came around much the same time and realized what her friend was doing. "You are the best friend Trixie could ever have asked for."

Starlight flashed a grin. "How could Trixie have anything less than the best?" She nudged at Kyle with a hoof. "You put a foal in her, maybe more than one with that blast, and you can't help but enjoy the thought of it. She'll be fat with your foals, and you will love her fiercely, just as you know she loves you."

Kyle gave a weak twist. The orgasm had robbed him of his strength. Besides... was loving Trixie a bad thing? He couldn't think of a reason to be upset and slowly sank in to hug and snuggle his dearest mare. The holder of his foals. His other half.

As he relaxed, Starlight released her grip, confident the bonding was well underway.

The room became quiet as the couple spent time kissing, hugging, and even sniffing. They were learning each other thoroughly and every thing they found became something to love and adore.

There were a few things, however... Trixie put a hoof to his chest. "You promised to be a stallion for her. Did you forget?"

Kyle blinked. He actually had. "Sorry..."

Trixie trailed the hoof upwards. "It's alright, my curious stallion... Trixie finds herself loving you either way, even if she would still rather you embraced the hooved life."

Starlight nodded softly. "Great, now, make some room."

Both looked to her with some confusion, but she wriggled between the two and got comfortable. Both were tired and worn in the most wonderful way, and soon they joined her.

Elsewhere, Celestia let out a soft sigh. Her cheeks were tinted red. Certainly, she had witnessed such acts before, but she was not a statue. "Even if some ponies think I am." She let out a little sigh.

"Is everything alright, sister?" Luna peeked in on her with a concerned expression.

Celestia gave a little smile. "It can be difficult. After causing so much damage, now I must watch others attempt to fix it, to live adventures I once dreaded in my youth."

Luna rolled her eyes. "You're not old, sister. Stop speaking as if you were."

"I may as well be." She rose to her hooves. "As if any pony in the land sees me as more than a graceful statue to admire, or an intimidating demigod to be feared and awed by." She shook her head. "Nevermind. I'm being petty. Let's focus on what matters. The Stud Program may be over, but that... Kyle, he remains our best opportunity."

Luna nodded in agreement. "And there's nothing we can do to aid him. I will accompany them to their last step. Either we will return with the answer, or we will know truly if all hope is lost." She glanced off at a hovering mote of magic. "Why are you watching him?" She stepped closer and could see what was in it. She burst into soft laughter. "Even removed as a stud, it seems he enjoys the role. Figures, let him off the hook and now he gets to rutting."

Celestia coughed softly. "Y-yes, well. Please, be careful. The past sounds to be a very dangerous place. I would hate for anything bad to happen to you there."

Luna suddenly prodded Celestia in the chest. "Before that, I have questions, and I know you have the answers. You will arm me for this task with knowledge, and I will accept no evasion." Her voice left little room to doubt her intent. "Attempt to deny me, and you will lose all sweet privileges for a month."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-VCXXCCLF/

The operators are restless. Kyle finally enjoys some Trixie time, and the Royal Sisters have a talk...

Are things making more sense, or less? Was this all a typo?

25 - Careful With Her Feelings

It was the next day and Kyle was working out with the guards. He didn't technically have to anymore, but there he was. They didn't stop him, and so the biped competed with good spirits against and alongside the quadrupeds. News of the Stud Program's shutdown had spread through the castle, and they ribbed Kyle about it light-heartedly, as if it just might have been his performance that was the fault.

"Kyle?" A mare stood at the archway leading to the practice yard. It was Careful Study with a distracted look about her.

Kyle broke off from the others and jogged to her side. "What's up? Y--"

"C-congratulations." Careful couldn't quite match Kyle's eyes, looking just a bit away from his face. "I... hope you two are happy. I'll--"

"What?" Kyle raised a brow. "What are you going on about?"

Careful blinked at Kyle, looking confused. "Trixie... Did she lie?"

Kyle pointed away from the yard and they began walking together. "What did she tell you?"

"She told me you gave her the foal she wanted, and you two were together, forever." She put up a hoof quickly. "It's alright if you are! I will not be one of those jealous mares."

Kyle tapped her on her wriggly nose. "She isn't wrong, not entirely, but she isn't right either."

"What?"

"Starlight set some things straight this morning." Kyle crossed his arms. "Trixie wants a stallion, me, but she doesn't have the patience for home life. She'll only slow down when the foal gets too big, and for a little bit after it arrives, but then..." He rolled a hand. "She's going to be out and about, living the life of a traveling performer."

Careful shook her head slowly. "Then why? I don't understand. Where does that leave you? Why wouldn't she just take you along?"

"I'm not a magician." Kyle lifted his shoulders. "Best I'd do is help lift heavy things. No, she's going to be out a lot, and we're alright with that."

Careful clopped a hoof with a defiant expression. "That's not fair! You deserve better than to be left behind at home."

"You deserve better." Kyle laid a finger on her nose and kept it there. "You want to be a mother, don't you."

Careful lit up, but couldn't escape the foul and pervasive presence of that finger. She looked up into the eyes of the one that owned it. "Why? You're married. The Stud Program's over. I don't have a job anymore. It's all over."

Kyle dropped to a knee to be closer to Careful's level. He peered into her eyes. "Nothing's over. Nothing that really matters. It's time to start what you wanted to start."

Careful quirked an ear back. "Look, um... If you're suggesting... what I think you are." She glanced away. "I don't want to be one mare in a crowd. Before, we didn't have a choice."

Kyle brushed gently along her cheek to reach an ear and began rubbing it gently up and down. "Trixie is the one that will be the stranger. She will come once in a while, spinning tales of her show and want to be loved and supported before she runs off again. I want a real mare of the house." He pulled her forward gently. "I want someone who will always be at my side."

As the two spoke their words of timid romance on the screen, others were busy working. Some were just pressing buttons, but others were more pointed. They had begun to remember their past, and with the guidance of the director were setting up a stage with anxiety mounting.

"If this works," spoke one of the operators. "If... We know there's life past tomorrow. We've all seen it."

The others nodded in agreement as they worked. They had seen the future, and it had ponies. Magical, colorful ponies. It was far from the future they had expected, still...

"A future," stated the director. "Assuming Kyle finishes what he started, we'll have company soon. I know you'll have some questions, but let's try to keep this civil and organized. We can't scare them away. Let's make them as comfortable as possible. They'll have questions too, which we will answer in kind. Then they'll go home and we'll both have what we want."

A ripple of agreement went through the operators, renewed in their purpose. They were going to make sure there was a tomorrow, ponies or not.

"But what about Starlight?" Careful had been calmed with gentle words and assurances, but not everything had been settled. "I've seen the way she looks at the two of you. She won't leave you and Trixie alone, basically ever."

"About that." Kyle waited a moment while Careful wound tighter. "She actually asked to be next, and do you know what I told her?"

"Yes?" She shrank with dismay.

"I told her no. I wasn't even going to consider it until we had this conversation." He stood up tall and turned, heading for the dining room. "As if I'd make such a wonderful mare wait longer than she already has."

Careful stood still a moment before she brightened with a wide smile. She galloped after him, tail swaying. "For real? You'd... pick me over her? She's the most powerful unicorn around! She's pretty and confident and polite, usually. She's so many things I'm not..."

"She's a walking bundle of nerves that does a passable job at hiding it." He turned back to her. "That's it. She's better at pretending. All three of you are broken mares, in different ways. I want to help you all blossom and realize you're worth it."

She blinked at him. "That's sounding a bit preachy."

"Sorry." He shrugged a little. "I mean it though. You're all fantastic ponies. I want you to realize that."

Careful was quiet a moment before she pointed at Kyle. "What happens if you manage that, and we decide to go be ourselves somewhere else. You're not the most handsome stallion in the land, after all, or the most magically powerful, or the richest, or..."

He tapped her on the nose, interrupting her rant. "If that happens, it happens. Then I guess we weren't as much in love as I'd have hoped. It doesn't change what's right to do, or who I like. I like you, Careful, a lot. Are you willing to take this uncertain step with me?"

The room gave a soft chorus of aww, except for the few that had been bound and gagged to their chairs with duct tape and rope in equal abundance.

"It's weird," said one operator as he hammered in a nail diligently. "I'd still rather, you know, be Kyle, but hey, I have a life. We all do. Let's make it count. If we don't get it right, there won't be any Kyle to be."

A female operator nodded back. "You think it's weird for you? I still remember what it's like to have a horse dick." She rolled her eyes before resuming the calibrating of some electronic device. "Though it sounds like half of us might get to know that, eventually."

"Better than just not being here," spoke a third as they snapped a rug into place to make it more welcoming. "Look, life is change. If humanity has to change to survive, we'll do it. Adaptability has been one of our winning character traits."

"Can't we, you know... adapt as humans?" asked another, clearly lacking the communal zeal though they worked alongside the others.

The director shook his head. "We've been trying to crack this for years. The population has dipped under 1%. One percent. It's still dropping. Hell, you can see some of the pods are still closed? They aren't even coming out. We're dying. We have a way to not die, we take it. We owe it to our children who may otherwise just never get a chance, two or four legs."

Sullen but determined mutterings spread through the room as they endeavored to be as ready for their guests as they could be.

Author's Note

Humanity's most defiant moment being one where they give up being humans? Stubborn jerks.

Meanwhile, IN THE FUTURE, Kyle seems to be setting up a herd. Hopefully he doesn't die before he gets to enjoy being their stallion.

26 - Convergance

Luna clopped lightly on the door before entering, only to pull up short. She peered at the three mares that seemed to share the bed with Kyle. "Seriously?" Her voice thick with disbelief. "You were waiting for us to release you of responsibility first, weren't you?"

Kyle half-jumped from bed to his feet. His time as a stud, however brief, was doing wonders for his physical aptitude. "Forget that, look!" He quickly made a naked sprint across the room and dug out a clearly-false unicorn horn. "They got one, and it works."

The others were rousing from the noise. Trixie was the first to reach awareness of Luna. "What are you doing here?"

Luna shook her head. "I came to see if it is time to go."

Kyle held the wand low, around his groin and adopted a look of concentration. Unseen, magic flowed. Instead of producing a rush of seed, it ran right up through the false horn which began to glow like any other unicorn's horn might. An apple laying in a bowl across the room gave a quiver before it began to lift up slowly, glowing with the same light.

The director clapped his hands together firmly. "I present to you our consolation prize."

Luna followed the apple as it slowly approached Kyle to be devoured. Her eyes snapped over to the awakened Starlight. "Are you ready?"

Starlight stretched herself luxuriously. "After a night with him? I feel like a million bits. Let's do this."

Trixie and Careful both frowned at once. Trixie said what was on both their minds. "Can't we go?"

Starlight snorted softly. "I love you, which is exactly why I know you don't want to go, either of you, to an unknown place filled with unknown dangers for an unknown reason. Stay here, both of you." She hopped down and trotted over to Kyle. "We'll be back before dinner, if things go well."

Luna nodded in agreement as she joined Starlight with Kyle, all close and prepared. "This is a journey that offers no assurances. Wish us well."

Kyle tossed the remains of the apple into a waste basket not far off. "This is where we have to go, then our life is ours to do whatever we want. Just wait a little longer."

With a bright flare and a flashing of eldritch runes, all three vanished without another word spoken.

The director and most of the operators turned towards their platform, giddy with anticipation.

"Why did this have to go from a story where we could choose things to a silly clopfic?" The objector was quickly added to the row of gagged operators.

Another was demanding coffee, loudly, but that the facility had. The smell of it drew several others to enjoy the black gold while they waited for Kyle's arrival.

Then he did.

With a distortion in the air around the platform, the shape of the three snapped into place right on target.

All eyes were on them. Finally, they could see Luna, Starlight, and Kyle in the flesh. Literally. Besides Luna's ornaments, they were all naked.

A sudden thud startled the room. One of the operators had collapsed. Others rushed to them, but it was a lost cause. A small bit of black cloth was laid over their face out of respect.

Kyle blinked softly. "Hello?"

The director cleared his throat. "Yes, hello. Sorry about that. Welcome, actually. We have so many questions, and so do you. Let's compare notes and save two people today."

Luna smiled. "This could have been far worse. Yes, let us work together. You are all humans, like Kyle, yes?" Her eyes darted from form to form. "I've never seen so many in one place before."

One of the operators sighed. "This isn't even that crowded. You should see New York on a busy day."

Starlight stepped off the platform, peering at it curiously. "You knew we were coming?"

"--we were coming?" The monitor had just stopped being blank and showed Starlight saying those very words.

Kyle's brows rose together. "You've been watching us?"

The director nodded. "You were sent with that very purpose. It was a desperate move, but these are desperate times. Force grown and implanted with more sensory equipment than any one human should hold, you're a masterpiece of modern bio-engineering."

Kyle recoiled at the news. Twice then he had been changed, but only the second time had been with his consent. Still... "So it really was my destiny, I mean is."

"In a manner of speaking." The director grabbed a labcoat and offered it to Kyle. "If you want."

Kyle did accept it and threaded a hand that still clutched a false horn through the sleeve before getting it entirely on. He didn't bother buttoning the jacket, leaving his horse dong dangling for all the world to see. "If you were watching the whole time, if that was my real purpose, why did it take this long to figure out?"

Luna nodded softly. "An excellent query, and are you aware of what troubles us in the future?"

Starlight rolled a hoof. "More importantly, can you fix it?"

The director nodded eagerly. "You've brought everything we need to figure out a solution, but you'll have to implement it yourselves. Any cure made here, in the past, will just mess things up. What has happened, has already happened. Come with me." He began to lead a grand procession, with their guests at the front and the other operators following behind.

"Watch it!" spat out Starlight as one of those operators got a hold of her tail and gave it a petting without asking permission. A flash of magic was enough to send them back a few feet before she hurried to catch up with the others.

The director brought them to a lab. "I need to take some blood samples, small ones. They'll help us both get answers. We'll see what's afflicting you and your people, and get a good look at what we need to become to save ourselves. With your leave, we'll begin."

Kyle hiked a brow. "I'm not a pony, doc. Do you need me?"

"Actually, very much, yes. You have what will become a unicorn's biology hanging off of you, at least half of it." He reached for Kyle's horn, the fake one. "May I?"

Kyle hesitated a moment before he surrendered it.

"Now, if what we witnesses is true, you have the part that produces and stores the energy required to realize quantum adjustments on a scale thought impossible." He waved the horn. "It is channeled through this device."

Starlight hiked a brow. "I have a horn. All three of us have a horn, why pick the fake one?"

"Now that's simple." He led Kyle towards a bed that had quite a few lights blinking placidly in a standby. "It's external. We can examine this far more easily than one attached to a living person. His other bits are also external. Attached, but at least easily accessed. In order to examine either of your reservoirs would require invasive surgery. Today is a day we defeat two plagues."

A rough cheer rippled through the operators, but then came the boring part.

There was no way to make romantic slow and methodical examinations. The poring over math, cellular configurations, and countless minutiae.

Luna watched it all resolutely, as if she knew something, but she didn't share.

Hours turned into days turned into weeks of effort, but that effort turned a result at long last.

With a soft hiss, the birthing chamber that had started with a fertilized human egg disgorged the life it had been directed to form. A bundle of white fuzziness was revealed. It had a horn, and wings. It was a perfect test model, displaying all three models they planned to roll out.

The little filly yawned wide and spread her little wings out before she blinked up at the room full of staring eyes.

The director smiled and gently stroked her cheek before he pressed a button with the other hand. The filly was soon asleep again. Asleep, but alive.

Luna approached on shaking legs. "So it was true..." She glanced to the doctor. "I... am next?"

And so it was, with an egg from the same mother. The royal sisters, not yet royal, were born long before the age of ponies. One would be educated as to their origin, the other would remain blissfully ignorant, until much later.

Starlight yawned from Kyle's lap. "When do we get the cure and leave? Nice place and all, but I think I'm done with it."

With the key to humanity's evolution, rather than extinction, in hand, all efforts went to studying their equine visitors. They had Starlight's entire body up on the screens, alternating between different vital organs. The director seemed sure of what went wrong, however.

He pointed at Starlight's flank. "I know these have to be here, because they already are. The way I've designed it, they're a sort of... immune response, but there's more to it." He lifted a finger. "I used your own as a template, and I've been back-engineering it. It's a masterpiece. I don't think I could have ever done it myself. Still, here it is, and here we'll go. I can't pretend to fully understand how time works, in the end. That's not important." He depressed a button on the wall beside him and a bottle of pills popped free. "All that's needed is to get it to change."

Starlight hiked a brow. "Change? As in change the picture?"

"Not exactly, a little deeper than that. An immune response that can't adapt to the disease is one waiting to fail, and it did fail. You're lucky, ours just kills us. Yours gave you time to figure it out." He offered the bottle to Starlight. "See that every citizen gets one. Every single one."

Kyle blinked at that. "Wait what? That's just one bottle."

The director patted the wall. "We're running low on supplies. Besides, you have magic, use it. We have to focus on making sure we eventually become you, instead of a forgotten memory on a dead planet."

The artificial horn was returned. Both sides had, ultimately, got what they wanted. The living humans were still doomed, but their children would not be. One pony would be raised by human hands at least.

With an intense wash of magic, Starlight took them all away from the determined, if doomed, people. They had their own people to deal with.

They appeared with a crackle back where they had started.

Careful slid from the bed. "Did something go wrong? You barely vanished before reappearing."

Starlight let out a laugh at it. "I don't usually get the aiming quite that right." In her magic, she held up the bottle of pills. "It's time to cure Equestria!" She trotted off without another word.

Luna let out a slow breath before she eagerly took in the gentler air of the world she knew. "I... need some time to myself." She raised a hoof to Kyle's back. "You have done well. Though the people of Equestria will never understand what you've done, I do. Thank you." She dipped her head, then trotted from the room.

Kyle turned to his two mares and moved to step towards them, just for his legs to give out. He collapsed to the ground.

The room had stopped, watching Kyle as he fell. Monitors spoke of several critical issues and the list was growing with alarming rapidity.

The director clenched his teeth a moment. "I can only hope your friends come through..." The room knew. Kyle had contracted the plague during his visit. If nothing was done, he would be dead shortly. A sad end for their savior.

Author's Note

Bad end?

We're not done yet.

27 - Retirement (clop)

A soft clopping stirred Kyle. He sat up and opened his eyes to see bright wonderful sunlight shining in, which meant he was running a bit late.

Applejack was looking at him with a bit of a rueful smirk. "Come on, ya lazy good fer nothin'. Up and at 'em." She approached, but Kyle was upright before she got there, avoiding being dislodged. They met, face to face, kissing gently in a welcoming of the day. "Good t'see ya too. Careful's already out workin'. Why don't you join her in the West Fields and we'll get this harvest done before the next season change."

He slipped past her with a gentle bump along the side that she met easily. "Git. We got work ta do."

Kyle hopped down a few hay bales to reach the ground floor before he made his way out. It was a wonderful day. Many days around Ponyville were. Sure, horrible monsters came once in a while, but it was worth the price of admission, or so he had decided. He veered towards the fields where he could see Careful staring up into the trees.

She wasn't an earth pony, and certainly no Apple. Her mediocre skill at magic had helped ease things, and Applejack relented on letting her pluck apples free with her magic one by one. Unlike Twilight, she had no hope to harvest an orchard at once, which was totally cheating, so far as Applejack was concerned.

Careful spun around as soon as Kyle came within twenty feet. "Guiding!" She hurried up to him and they gently touched noses. "It's good to see you, now can you please buck these trees for me? Be my Guiding Light."

Kyle, er, Guiding Light, gave a smile at that. He liked helping Careful out in all things, and bucking... well. He marched up to a tree and spun around, planting his hooves solidly in the ground before he lashed out. Magic seared through him, running up from his heavy balls, across his thighs and down into his powerful legs and out into the tree. The tree vibrated with the impact, but wasn't harmed. Apples began falling just right to land in baskets that Careful had laid out for them.

Careful clopped her hooves with clear appreciation. "I'll keep the baskets moving, you work the trees."

It was their usual arrangement, but one that worked. She would move the baskets full of apples to the waiting cart with her magic and then set up new baskets at the next tree. He would empty that tree of apples, and on they would go.

It was hard work. It had him in a good sweat. He loved it, and the pony he shared the task with.

"Looks like ya two are jus' 'bout done," said Applejack in a clearly appreciating tone. "Sure is nice having a few more hooves around the farm." She kissed Guiding's cheek, then Careful's. "Still can't believe it..."

Careful lowered her head only to gently bump it against Applejack's swollen midsection. "You look wonderful."

Applejack blushed at that. "Ah still don't figure why he waited so long to do ya the same."

Guiding shook his head. "I wanted it to be just right. She was worth the wait."

She perked an ear at him. "Huh, and ya figured the right time for me was before it came out ah could get a regular stallion, huh?"

Guiding took a risk. She didn't sound upset. He came up and nipped one of her ears in his large earth pony snout. "I couldn't hold myself back around such a mare."

She colored at his sweet words. "Hold yer horses, ya big goof. Let's finish this up before the sun sets. Yer so close."

Applejack wasn't bucking. The entire Apple family had to put their hooves down collectively to get her to stop and just be an expecting mother. It drove her crazy, and she worked it out by following Guiding and Careful, keeping a careful eye on their progress.

"Sis! Unc, Aunt!" Apple Bloom came rushing into view. "Dinner's ready!"

Careful smiled and held out a hoof, which Applebloom quickly accepted and they hugged gently. "We're just finishing up. Let's all head in together."

That was exactly what they did, walking side by side with the heavy cart attached to Guiding Light's powerful form to pull along.

Apple Bloom suddenly landed on his back. "So, why'dja pick an earth pony? Ah mean, not that there's nothin' wrong with earth ponies or nothin', jus'..."

Guiding reached up a hoof to pat the foal on the head. "It felt right. Besides, it's not like I don't have any magic, because I do."

AB arched a brow. "Ah ain't seen you do magic."

"I'll show you when you're older."

Both of the mares present snorted.

They arrived home, to find Granny and Big Mac already at the table. They met and shared little tales of their day as they settled down. The harvest was proceeding just fine, with the combined efforts of all the capable ponies. It was time to eat, and they did.

As Granny cleared the table of food, a clopping came from the door. It was Starlight, and that meant a very clear thing that everypony seemed to know. Guiding stepped out to his most commanding of the wives, but was not alone. Careful and AJ had gone with him, to his confusion.

AJ prodded him on the flank, right on his cutie mark. "Ah ain't hot on some mare having my stallion and pretending we ain't related."

Careful bobbed her head in agreement.

Starlight shook her head a little. "Are you sure?"

Applejack stepped forward and shoved her head up and under Starlight, hefting the unicorn easily up onto her own back. "We're goin', an' that's that. Ah better not hear any guff out of you either." She was glaring at Kyle, er, Guiding Light, as if daring him to object.

He knew better than to counter Applejack when she had that expression, and instead kissed the snouts of each of his beloved wives. "Shame Trixie isn't here."

Starlight rolled her eyes from on top of Applejack. "She'll be back in a few weeks. Her tour is going quite well, if her letter's to be believed."

They retired to hay loft that Guiding had claimed as his own. Starlight hopped free of Applejack and looked over the other two. "This isn't how I originally imagined things..."

Careful grinned. "I can promise I didn't think ponies would be involved, and here we are."

"Here we are," agreed Applejack before she suddenly butted into Careful, knocking her over. Her snout lowered quickly and nipped at the sensitive flesh and fur of the pregnant mare's belly, making Careful gasp and quiver in excitement.

Starlight hiked a brow, then looked towards Guiding. "Why don't you watch for a change, get yourself worked up." She approached Applejack from behind and nuzzled the farmer's tail aside before giving a little sniff. That tail jerked up and to the side in consent, and soon Starlight was proving just how skilled her manipulative tongue could be, burying it in the trembling muff of the powerful earth pony mare.

Applejack draw in a ragged hiss, one of her hind legs kicking at the floor before she sealed her lips around the puffed nipples of Careful, teasing over them with her eager tongue before giving each a firm suckle. None of them were expressing milk yet. They wouldn't until the foals came. That didn't make attention down there any less pleasurable.

Careful's horn lit up as she looked past Applejack to Starlight and reached her magic up under the unicorn's tail, brushing pouting vulva.

Starlight hopped in place, startled, but was soon being pleasured by grasping magic fingers even as she worked, all three pleasuring and being pleasured with increasing volume of feminine sounds.

It was hot to watch. Too hot. Guiding huffed as his mighty masculine pillar twitched along his underside. He wanted to join in the action and looked between the three busy mares a moment. "Careful, let me in." He moved behind Starlight. eyeing those lips that were held open with magic.

"N-no! You're g-gonna have to go... through me." Careful's face was flush and her breath was hard, but she seemed focused.

Guiding rolled his shoulders before he hopped up, his hooves landing on Starlight's shapely hips and gently caressing over them as he wiggled into position. "If you're sure." He pressed the flat end of his eager pole to those wet mare lips and felt Careful's magic tingling faintly around him. Even as he pushed into Starlight, Careful remained between, trembling and teasing both of them. He grunted with building pleasure.

The intensity of it would push him over the edge too quickly, far too quickly, but there wasn't anything for it. He lunged forward and began rutting Starlight. Each thrust ended with a loud slap of his heavy balls against her bottom as she forced her tongue into Applejack. The four of them quickly began to gain a tempo, rocking and pistoning like a well oiled machine.

As he feared, he couldn't hold back. It had only just begun and his magic flowed thick and hot, filling Starlight in powerful blasts of his cannon inside her. He had learned to be a stallion, however. The crushing fatigue was a thing of the past. He clutched to her, holding her tight as he filled her hungry cunt. He squeezed his eyes as he felt Careful constricting her magic around him, pulling and rubbing over his sensitive tool and making him dance on his hooves in the overwhelming delight of it.

Applejack pulled free of Careful's muff and curled to face Starlight. "You got 'im first, mah turn."

Starlight lidded her eyes. "Not so fast." She thrust a hoof at Applejack. "Fuck you."

Careful and Applejack blinked, dumbfounded by the sudden burst of foul language.

Starlight's grin only grew. "I'm being quite literal... I had planned to save it for another time, later, but since you've pushed the matter." She pulled free with a pop from Guiding, shivering as fluids ran freely down her thighs. "I'm going to fuck you so hard you won't see straight."

Careful erupted in a fierce blush. "You said there wasn't any such spell."

Starlight twirled a hoof. "Then I found it, and I'm not sharing it. It's too complicated for you, Careful, hon. You're adorable, but you're not on that level."

Careful pouted at that, but Guiding moved to her and kissed her nose, returning the smile. He flopped on her and they began to hug lovingly even as their eyes went to Starlight and Applejack.

Applejack didn't look certain. "That ain't right fer no mare."

Starlight shook her head. "You're practically sporting a beach ball in there. I'm not making a foal. We're just going to have some... fun." As she said the last word, her horn glowed in a throbbing mixture of symbols. A proud pillar just shy of Guiding's massive tool rushed from Starlight and she staggered, momentarily dazed from the altered bloodflow.

The crowd of operators watched the scene with mixtures of smiles and some looks of disgust, and some combinations thereof. There were fewer operators than before. Things were progressing, for the better and for the worst.

A clip-clop was heard and eyes turned to see a little foal peeking into the room. One of the first generation of equines, their progeny. One of the operators hurriedly flicked off the lewd show as others cooed and called the foal closer. They would parent that first generation as best they could. They were their own children, even if they had four legs.

The director nodded into a headset he was wearing. He had gotten confirmation that it was working in the other labs that were left. They would all, the living at least, have a chance to help create the next generation. They will all die as parents. Humanity itself would be a parent species. How many other species would get to greet the next that would replace them on such terms?

A pony with white fur, a nub of a horn and fluttering wings reared up into his lap, looking him in the eyes.

The director smiled. It had been his seed that helped form her. He knew what she would one day become, and he couldn't be prouder. He pulled her close and embraced her. Life would be short for that last generation, but they wouldn't die.

Humanity didn't quit.

"Hey, Boss." He looked up to one of the operators that had... that expression. Something stupid was about to be said.

"What is it?" Trying to delay would accomplish little.

"I just realized, the meek will inherit the earth."

Author's Note

And... curtain. Apologies to those I annoyed with ending the clop there, but my muse loudly insisted the story was done being told, and I am obeying it. Kyle, aka Guiding Light, has retired to a content life of being an apple farmer and herd stallion.

By the way, this should explain quite a few things, but can you piece it together?

Liked it, loved it, hated it, tell me! Thank you for taking this journey with me.

1 - Call to Adventure

There you are, enjoying a relaxing evening. Sure, you still don't have that 'special' sort of friend, but forget that. Now's not the time to be worrying about that. You decide that a good game will serve somewhat as a substitute. You wiggle your mouse and pull up the latest diversion you picked up from the big sale that had gone on a few weeks ago.

You succeed in wasting a few hours before leaning back in your chair. There has to be more to life than this. Work. Play. Sleep. None of it feels like... enough. You deserve better than that!

Deserving or not, it's bedtime and you're tired. You flick off the monitor and get to the evening rituals of teeth cleansing and excretions that marks the end of another mediocre day.

You settle in bed, pull the string that turns off the lamp, and wait for dreams to take you away.

"Hello." A dark blue/purple horse is looking down at you, a smile on her lips. Luna? "Ah, you seem to recognize us, good. That makes this easier."

You try to sit up, but your muscles don't want to obey you.

"Be at ease, human. Tonight is your lucky night."

Lucky?

"Why yes. You fit our profile quite nicely. Correct us if we are in error. You wish for more. Your attachment to this world is frail. If I offer you a chance to visit the ponies you've dreamed of, you will not turn me down." None of her statements were questions, simply facts she was reciting. "If I am wrong, say, or think, so and I will go away. You will awaken in your bed, convince yourself it was all a dream, and that will be that."

(If you would not have agreed, well, that's kind of the end of the story, grats on reaching an ending!)

A chance to visit Equestria? That sounded kind of amazing. Why not?

"Excellent." She reared up, her horn glowing brightly and casting shadows across your room. "Let us begin." She brought her hooves together in a mighty clop as a tendril of light reached down and brushed over your head.

You were falling! It was a tunnel of streaks and splotches of light that raced past you. Were you literally falling between worlds? Was this, itself, a dream?

The wind was fierce, almost swallowing any noise you might have tried to make. It brushes against you like a stiff pad and your clothes tear. As if thinking, the wind strips you free of them without harming you, leaving you to plummet with only your birthday suit on to protect you from the world.

Then it's over. You are laying on your belly on the ground. It feels smooth and cold against your flesh.

You hear the soft clopping of a hoof approaching and roll over to face it even as you try to scramble to your bare feet.

Celestia is there, smiling at you in her equine way, though she was no mere horse. The expression on her face was undeniable. She had humanity, even if it was.,. different. "Welcome to Equestria." She dipped her head lightly. "I hope my sister did not impose. I know she--"

"Sister." Luna approached from across the yard of the garden you all seemed to be in. "Don't assume I've made this more awkward before we even begin."

Celestia leaned over and nuzzled her sister. "My apologies. What is your name?"

You give it to her, and she nods. "Human names are curious things. Does it have a meaning?" She turned away to the side. "Let us get to the heart of things. I'm sure part of you is wondering why you're here."

Part of you was just excited to be there at all, but since she asked, that seemed like a good question. So you go ahead and ask why you're there.

"Equestria is dying." She turned back towards you. "Not by plague or war, no. It was my fault, really."

Dying? How?

"I thought to make the nation one of eternal peace. I..."

Her hesitation was enough for Luna to step in the way. "She modified the very makeup of ponies. It made them peaceful and happy, but affected stallions quite negatively."

You jerked a bit in surprise. Did they all become neuters?

Celestia shook her head. "Not precisely. They are equipped with what makes a stallion a stallion, but they cannot quicken a mare. They are sterile. With that, the nation is doomed." She raised a hoof to point at you. "That is where you come in. You will help us get past this. You can, and must, breed."

Woah woah woah! Seriously? You're a human. She's a magic pony. How would that even work?

She smiled gently and leaned in towards you. "You've just answered your own question. Magic. What we need is your masculinity. We will provide the equinity."

Wait... Did that mean you'd be a horse?

She raised a brow. "At the least, your genitals must be that of a pony. We do not seek to create hybrids. If you would prefer it, we will transfigure you entirely, for the duration of the act, into a pony. That would make the mares you couple with more at ease with the process. They know the situation, or they will not be allowed to be with you. That doesn't mean they're eager to... couple with an alien. So, if you are willing, that would be ideal, but we will work with what we have."

What if you didn't want to do that? Like, at all.

Luna brushed past Celestia. "You're already here. It's too late to back out now. Besides, you want it, do you not? You do, or I would not have found you."

There had to be more than that. Were you really the first human they found?

Celestia looked impressed. "Sharp. Good, we want good genes. No, you are not the first."

You ask where the others are then? Are they gathering them up?

Luna shook her head. "It is not so. That masculinity we desire, it is not a renewable resource. Every foal you produce will diminish it, until it is gone."

Celestia heaved a heavy sigh. "And then the process begins anew. We are working towards a more long-term solution, but here we are."

Your junk was going to fall off?!

Luna laughed at your worry. "Destiny forfend, no. You will remain intact, physically. You will simply be another sterile stallion."

Celestia gave Luna a withering look. "We will not abandon you. You are performing a service for us, and we will not forget it. When your energy is expended, you will have choices. We could make you a pony, for instance. Male or female. As a stallion, your expended energy will still be expended, unfortunately. As a mare, you will be fruitful, should you wish. Let us not think too heavily on that. Don't you want to meet the first mare you will share time with?"

With a golden glow, she conjured up a sizable list of mares with their portrait beside them. You weren't hurting for options. Most of them were background ponies or others you never heard of before.

But one jumped up at you, near the top of the list and quite recognizable. "Applejack?"

Luna arced a brow. "One of our higher profile participants. She claims to want to continue the Apple Family on her farm and desires a foal to do so with. Being a national hero, she has been completely briefed on the situation and is ready to accept any compatible suitor, two or four legged."

Celestia reached, putting a hoof on one of your shoulders. "I understand this must be overwhelming. You will be cared for and rewarded for your service. Thank you." She dipped her head and Luna followed suit.

They were both waiting for you to pick a mare.

Author's Note

Welcome to the adventure! Let's begin the choices:

1) Applejack, honestly the best choice.
2) Why is Derpy on this list?
3) Why are you looking at this list? Run!
4) Forget the list. You want Celestia.
5) Or maybe Luna?
6) You're a smart cookie. How about you work to fix the problem instead?

5 - Careful Advice (clop)

Your eyes darted from Luna to Careful, who was sniffling gently and failing to hold back tears.

"How could you!" she suddenly wailed.

You set a hand on her shoulder and she flinched away, looking horrified. "You must hate us all so much! I-I... I'm so... sorry."

You reached again. She flinched but didn't stop you. Soon, you had your arm around her and pulled in closer, gently, sliding her up out of her seat and into your lap. She was trembling like a leaf there, but she seemed to be amazed in a good way as you began rocking her.

"Why..."

Luna smiled gently. "He has a very kind soul. I owe you another apology. I had thought you a cruel person, or at least a self-centered one. Dreams can sometimes paint a distorted image of the one that has them, and that was all I had to go on. You have... passed this test."

Passed? That was a test? She leaves one of her own subjects in tears and she's busy congratulating?

Luna shrank at the accusation. "I would defend myself were it not true. Go. You both need to cool down. We will speak more of this after you've met with Applejack." She raised a hoof to her chest over her heart. "I will speak only the truth to you from here forward."

Careful curled up against you and was quiet until Luna departed. Only then did she slowly look up into your eyes. "Do you really care... about me?"

Of course you did. She seemed like a fine and diligent mare that was trying so very hard to make the world a better place. She deserved better than that.

Careful cracked a little smile. "That's very kind of you." She leaned up and kissed you on the throat before nuzzling gently. "I don't want to be alone right now, but you should be resting... May I... sleep with you?"

You hesitantly reminded her of Applejack.

"Oh, I know." She bobbed her head quickly. "No breeding, just sleeping. May I? I swear the most we'll do is talk. Talk and not be alone..."

You couldn't quite bring yourself to deny the emotional mare. She seemed genuine and caring and hadn't expressed a lusty bone in her body besides admitting she would bear a foal if called on.

She hopped down to the ground and began trotting along. "Have you seen your room yet?"

You hadn't, and she smiled a bit. "I hope you like it. This way."

She began leading you quietly through the castle. "This is where the stud lives."

Only one?

She nodded nervously. "I've never seen more than one at a time before. The last... left about a week ago." She glanced away and back at you. "They told me he retired, but not the specifics. I wasn't lying to you, really." Her fore-hooves spread wide. "This whole thing is just awful."

You opened the door for her and she trotted right inside. It was a large room, with a bed big enough for four people easily. A bed designed for sleeping... and breeding. There were other accessories around to help with the task. They even had straps in places that made you wonder. Were they for kinky play, or for less-than-willing studs or mares? You couldn't be sure just looking at them, so you stopped looking. They wouldn't help you.

The door closed behind you, you found the bathing area. It was also finely appointed. There was a huge bath that already had hot and bubbly water inside. A bath actually sounded great...

"Do you like it?" came Careful Study's voice as she emerged from behind you. "I imagine you haven't bathed since you arrived."

You hadn't.

"I'll help." Her horn glowed as she grabbed a brush from the side of the tub. "Go on. At least I can help you a little."

Woah woah woah. She was the one that needed help, not you. You thanked her, but declined gently. Just as she was looking sad about the rejection, you carefully hefted up her fuzzy form. Ponies were not light, but they weren't beyond your means either. You carefully carried her stunned little face over to the tub and dropped her right in.

She resurfaced with a squeak. "You barbarian! I'm still dressed!"

It was true, she was, but you could fix that. You knelt down and began peeling her free of her wet clothes, brushing her smooth and thick fur as you did it.

She quieted down and relaxed under your gentle cleaning, and soon was relaxing. She didn't even question when you stepped in to join her, both naked as can be. It was a lot easier to reach all of her bits from inside the bath, and she seemed to like it.

A little gasp reached your ears when a hand brushed her sensitive little teats on accident. You had forgotten horses had them down there instead of high on the chest.

She darkened a little. "We shouldn't. Applejack..."

And that's when you had a great idea of sorts. You couldn't release before Applejack, but no such rule was placed on Careful Study. You asked her if she wanted you, you know, that way.

Careful's wet ears perked as she gave her drenched mane a toss. "I... You seem very nice. If... I mean... It's against the rules. Applejack."

That wasn't a no. That was about as close to a 'yes, but I can't' as it could be, her tone sounding desiring. You stroked down her back and assured her no rules would be broken. Her eyes were fixed on you as you leaned her back and began nipping at her belly. So long as only her genitals were being paid attention to, no crime would be committed.

She blushed as your plan became clear to her. As your head sank towards her thick pony nethers, her hooves moved to your head, gently pushing you down. Her hind legs spread out, inviting you in. "You... You like me that much?" Her words died away into a soft groan as you dipped just under the water and nuzzled her delicate lips. You had to hold your breath, but that was a small price to pay.

Your tongue darted out, trailing slowly along those lips, tasting them. Suddenly, they pulled apart under their own power. Your tongue pressed forward, resistance gone, then they snapped shut, trapping you as she squealed in delight. Her thighs pressed on either side of your head as she began to buck against you.

With some effort, you got your hands under her and hefted her up even as she writhed, placing her on the side of the tub where you could get some air into your nose as the rest of your mouth was busy exploring her insides. She tasted as sweet as her personality, and that flavor seemed to grow stronger the more turned on she was.

Her entire body grew more and more tense as you worked at her. Your teeth brushed against her clitoris and she jumped at the sensation. Having successfully located it on the equine female, you kissed it and gave it a gentle suckle. She squeaked and her winking vulva oozed a thick load of hot mare juices beneath you. She was saying something, but it was slurred and lost in the ecstasy.

Her horn flared up and you felt her magic grabbing at your dick. You hadn't noticed during your busy times, but you'd grown quite rigid and ready while you were eating her out. She was grabbing at that exposed shaft and jerking at it haphazardly. It seemed her reservations had gone away in the heat of the moment.

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-TNKZMYFN/

You're angry, sure, but you understand it's a messed up situation. More important than anything else, Careful Study looks like she needs a hand, and you're the only one there with any of those. Fuck Luna (maybe literally, later) for the moment, let's focus on Careful.

W-what? Actual clop in my clopfic?

Easy choice here.
1) Fuck her.
2) Save it for AJ.

I will presume you are not mean to her either way, as there's not much reason to be.

Either way, you're going to bed after this. That's not optional.