Trixie's Guardby MackstackChaptersI: A Wagon Full of TroublesII: A Row of TablesIII: An Incredibly Posh RestaurantIV: A Bottle of Royal WineV: A Stalled DateVI: ConsummationI: A Wagon Full of TroublesI: A Wagon Full of Troubles The sun rested high in the sky as Starlight Glimmer trotted through town. The birds were singing as they nested in the trees, and the ponies of Ponyville went about their day. Everything was as it should be. Starlight smiled to herself. What a lovely day this was to take a friend to the Spa. She hadn’t had many an opportunity to relax since becoming Twilight’s student. And that whole crisis with Chrysalis had really taken it out of her. She needed some time to herself to relax. No lessons, no world-threatening monsters. Just peace. Starlight whistled a tune to herself as she trotted down the road. She waved to the ponies that greeted her. She was still awkward around the others, but her compassion for other ponies was certainly becoming more heartfelt. That’d been clear ever since she befriended Trixie. As Starlight crested a hill the wagon her friend called home emerged into view. It was parked among a small patch of trees, providing some cooling spots of shade. But there was no sign of Trixie. She must have been inside. Starlight walked along the impromptu pathway of flattened grass, carved by the regular movement of Trixie’s wagon as she traveled far and wide to tour her magic shows. Starlight arrived at the wooden door and knocked sharply. The dull thuds reverberated through the wagon as Starlight stepped back. She waited, but no response. Strange. She stepped forwards and knocked again, this time with more force. Still nothing. Getting exasperated, she shouted Trixie’s name, shaking the light wooden walls of the wagon. Still nothing. Starlight hopped backwards off the wagon steps and moved round to the side. She positioned herself beside one of the small windows, getting ready to peer in. The curtains were drawn, but a slight crack between the two was enough for Starlight to see inside. The cabin interior was quite dark, with only a shallow beam of light managing to seep through. In the gloom Starlight could make out her friend lying on her back on the bed. She was staring up at the ceiling, her hooves crossed over her belly. Starlight rolled her eyes at the sight. “Don’t tell me you're asleep in the middle of the day? Come on Trixie, we had a spa visit booked, remember?” As Starlight spoke, Trixie slowly turned her head in the direction of the voice. Her eyes settled on the unicorn outside. She had known it was Glimmer from the first knock. Who else would it have been? She continued to stare out at her friend, before the room filled with the blue glow of her horn. With little thought she drew the curtains shut, blocking out her friend’s face. Starlight was rather taken aback by Trixie’s sudden rudeness. Sure, she could be rather tetchy with the average pony on the street, but she was her best friend. Why was she being like this? “Come on Trixie, open the curtains. Don’t make me come in there.” The curtains stayed still, and Trixie stayed quiet. “Alright then, I’m coming in.” Starlight clamped her eyes shut and blinked through the wall into the wagon. Her skin felt warm as the effects of the magic dissipated. Looking down at her friend, her annoyance quickly morphed into worry. She pulled over a stool and sat down beside the bed. Her voice was soft, calm. “Hey Trixie, what’s up? It’s not like you to be sat inside all mopey. I thought you would want to be outside showing off some of your tricks, or at least getting ready for our spa visit!” Starlight paused for a response, but one barely came. Trixie merely shrugged, her face indifferent. “Are you feeling ill perhaps? I could run into town and get you some medication if you like.” Silence. Trixie rolled over onto her side. Now facing the opposite wall, she deliberately hid her face from Starlight. “Come on Trixie, I’m your friend. If something is wrong, you’ve got to let me know. I want to help you.” The atmosphere was cold and uneasy, a far cry from how things normally were between them. Starlight wasn’t sure what to do in this situation. Twilight had taught her a lot, but none of the Princess’ wisdom seemed to be helping at that moment. What was she to do if Trixie didn’t speak up? She couldn’t sit here forever. She resigned herself to going to get Twilight for advice, before Trixie finally spoke up. She still faced away from Starlight, but at least this was progress. “I’m sorry Star, I don’t really want to talk at the moment. I’ve been feeling kind of rough as of late.” Starlight beamed, glad to have finally gotten a response. “So, you ARE feeling ill? Give me your symptoms, I can go get some medicine! Perhaps Zecora can whip you something up?” “No, Starlight. I’m not ill.” Trixie’s response was sharp and biting. “I’ve just been having, unhelpful thoughts…” Starlight cocked her head to the side. She wasn’t sure what in Equestria the mare was talking about. “Unhelpful thoughts…?” “Yes, unhelpful thoughts. Tell me, what does the world think of The Great and Powerful Trixie? Am I one of the bad ponies? I’ve heard what ponies think, what ponies say. They don’t trust me, and certainly don’t seem to like me. Even Discord - in a time of crisis, no less – felt the need to tell me just how lowly he thought of me.” Starlight was shocked to her core. She’d never heard Trixie speaking so critically of herself, and the way she spoke of others was nothing short of horrible. She had to ease her friend’s thoughts. “Trixie dear, please! I don’t know where these thoughts have come from, but they are totally unjustified! Yes, Discord said some harsh things, but given the circumstances, I think you need to forgive a little hostility and uneasiness all round. And of course the ponies like you! Sure, some of them were a little opposed to the old Trixie, but she was exactly that. The old Trixie! You are the new Trixie, and shutting yourself away is not going to help anypony understand you!” Trixie slowly rolled over, coming to rest with her eyes staring up at her friend. She had never looked more timid and unsure of herself. When she spoke up again her voice wavered. “Trixie needs your help… She doesn’t know what to do.” Starlight smiled, patting her friend's shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I promise I will help you feel comfortable again. Perhaps a spell will calm the others? From what I remember a dash of ‘carmine irrumabo’ should make everypony feel more than comfortable around you.” Trixie raised a single eyebrow as Glimmer made the suggestion. “Er, no. No magic. Your friends have told me what a state you left everything in last time you cast a ‘helpful’ spell. It’s got to be proper help or nothing.” Starlight gulped. “I’ll get Twilight.” II: A Row of TablesII: A Row of Tables The wagon door clicked shut behind Starlight. She moved carefully down the steps, before taking off at a fast canter towards Twilight’s castle. Her mind was a mess of nervous thoughts, deeply confused. Thoughts bounced around her head as she desperately tried to work out what could be done. Trixie had proven to the ponies of Ponyville she was a changed mare; there were no misconceptions to rid of. Ironically, all of the misconceptions rested with Trixie herself, not those around her. There had to be some way to convince Trixie that ponies cared about her. Starlight racked her brains, but couldn’t help but come up short. Still, it didn’t matter if she wasn’t an expert in friendship. That was what Twilight was for. Starlight had arrived at the oversized castle. She concentrated her magic on the door and flung it open as she approached. She still found herself getting lost in the ridiculous spaghetti junction of hallways and corridors throughout the castle, but eventually she found herself stumbling into the map room. Twilight was sat on her throne with Spike, carefully reading through an especially thick tome of some description. She glanced up and smiled as she saw her newest friend walk in. “Starlight! How are you? Studying hard I hope? Good work defeating Chrysalis! Celestia is so proud of you, as am I of course! You, Trixie & Discord working together to do good? Whoever would have thought it? I mean, just a few months ago you wouldn’t of dreamed of working with others-” Starlight remained quiet, staring absently towards her friend. How many times was she going to inadvertently mention that whole oppressing a township thing? It had stopped being funny very, very quickly. Twilight caught herself and apologized. “No offence Starlight…” “None taken,” she grinned reassuringly, “It’s funny you mention Trixie, though, because that’s actually who I’m here to talk about. You see, that mare’s not been feeling herself as of late. No maniacal laughter, no smoke bombs, not even a single mention of her magic tricks!” Twilgith and Spike both gasped. “No talk of her magic!?” Twilight had immediately set her book down, and was staring across the room at Starlight. All focus was on her now. “Sit down. This is an emergency.” Starlight moved towards the table, sidling round one of the thrones before sitting down. She was worried, but if anyone would be able to help it would be Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. She seemed very concerned as the questions started. “Now, Trixie and I may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past-“ “Or any…” “Quiet Spike. Now as I was saying, we may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help her in her hour of need. A friendship problem is a friendship problem. Now Starlight, I want you to list the events from the very beginning…” Starlight slowly and meticulously explained each point of the story so far, no detail too small or minor. Twilight furiously scribbled notes and occasionally gestured for Spike to fetch a specific book or tome from the library. No sooner had he ran back into the map room with the book and caught his breath he was sent straight back out to fetch more. By the time the instructions stopped his brow was damp with sweat and the tower of books teetered precariously. Twilight too looked strained, as all of her theories and suggestions were coming up short. The issue was that everyone was friends here. Everyone did like Trixie, even if she refused to accept it. Spike had suggested some sort of party or celebration to remind Trixie that the friendship was genuine, but Twilight was quick to disagree with the situation. “Trixie may be many good things, but when bad thing she is, is stubborn. If she thinks ponies dislike her, a party isn’t going to change her mind. Especially if it is a party entirely of ponies we all know from Ponyville. That way she’ll smell a setup. We need her to befriend somepony else, somepony new. That way she’ll have an opportunity to start fresh. Perhaps then she’ll see she isn’t as unpopular as she thinks she is.” Twilight nodded to herself, confident in her answer. “Yeah, that’s it. Getting one brand new friend would be the best option.” Spike and Starlight were both quiet, listening it to Twilight’s suggestion. Looking between each other and back at Twilight they nodded. Starlight spoke up. “You’re speaking sense, Twilight. But where do we send her? And what do I do to help?” Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof. “Well now, we need to send her somewhere she hasn’t got any friends. The Crystal Empire would probably be as good a bet as any. If you go there you can work with Sunburst, and you’ll have Cadance there to assist you too. Who knows, perhaps Trixie needs the Princess of Love more than the Princess of Friendship right now? But we can’t just send her on her own. That way she’ll become suspicious, she’ll think we have planned all this. So you need to go with her, Starlight. Tell her you are going on a relaxing trip to The Crystal Empire and it’s nothing more.” She reached over the edge of the table and cheekily nudged Starlight in the side with her elbow. “Of course, we both know this whole trip is one big friend finding mission. And I guess you could consider this all one big friendship lesson too, Starlight. Do your teacher proud.” Starlight clambered down from the throne and began to head for the door. She thanked Twilight for her advice, promising to do her proud. As she clicked the door shut behind her Twilight leant down to Spike’s side, who rested against the edge of the map. He jumped when Twilight began to loudly whisper into his ear. “Spike, I want you to go after them. Watch them, take notes, keep me informed. I want to know how my student does on her second friendship mission to The Crystal Empire! This is going to be so exciting!” Spike rolled his eyes and walked towards the doors Starlight had taken. His ears pricked as Twilight spoke up again. “Oh, and Spike? Don’t get spotted again. Get yourself a better disguise, please.” The vast, ornate double doors slammed loudly shut. *** “Why did I have to pack all these winter clothes? It’s the height of Summer! And why have you dragged me out of my wagon, for that matter? I was comfy.” Trixie was grumbling to herself as she shifted a saddlebag on her back. It was weighing down against her very uncomfortably, what with the sheer number of scarves, hats and pairs of boots she was carrying. Starlight also looked uncomfortable under her luggage, but she tried to remain composed. “You see, Trixie, I thought it would be nice to spend a week or so in the Crystal Empire to relax and get away from all of this. The Crystal Empire is lovely this time of year. But nonetheless, it has been known to get more than a little cold if and when the Crystal Heart gets smashed. I’m not taking any chances, and I don’t want you to either.” The shrill whistle of the train interrupted Starlight’s warning. It loped down the rails towards Ponyville Station, before grinding to a slow halt at the platform edge. Starlight stepped onto the train with her reluctant friend in tow. As they settled in their seats they gazed out the window at the general hubbub of Ponyville life. As Starlight watched, Trixie leant back against the plush chair and rested her eyes. If she had to go on this relaxation mission the relaxing may as well begin early. “Wake me up when we get there, Starlight. I’m going to catch some shut-eye that I COULD HAVE BEEN getting in the comfort of my own wagon, but here we are.” Starlight Glimmer smiled sweetly at her friend as her eyes crept shut. She had to admit, she felt incredibly nervous about this whole mission. What if she failed in helping her friend, and Trixie ended up even more miserable than she had been beforehand? Twilight would be so disappointed in her! “Come on, Starlight, calm down,” she thought to herself. “You’re made of tougher stuff than this, don’t start panicking now. This is supposed to be a relaxing trip, not a freak-out trip. Just worry about Trixie discovering the truth when it happens. She’ll appreciate it in the long run.” Trixie’s loud snores interrupted Starlight’s thoughts, snapping her back to reality. Trixie had the right idea, so Starlight decided to get some sleep under her belt too. One of the luggage compartments creaked open as Starlight drifted off. Spike’s head appeared from under the compartment door, a quill and parchment in his claws. He began to write his first message to Twilight, still frustrated that he had to waste his time doing this idle work. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – ONE They are sat on the train. Starlight didn’t offer Trixie the window seat. Very rude of her. Other than that, they still look friendly. I am sure Starlight will complete her friendship mission with ease. Hopefully these are all the details you need. Now, I’m going to go have a fun week with my Crystal Empire fans who all love me so super-duper much. - Spike the Brave & Glorious As he finished penning the note he engulfed the parchment in flames, quickly sending it to Twilight. Or did he just send it to Celestia? Whoops. *** The ponies waiting at the platform were engulfed in steam as the train pulled into the Crystal Empire Station. Starlight Glimmer emerged from the cloud, Trixie following suit as they trotted along the platform into the city itself. Starlight always found herself in awe of this strange place, the piercing sunlight glinting off of ponies and buildings alike. Starlight smiled to herself as she stared at the twinkling world around her. She span round – a wide grin across her face – and looked for Trixie’s expression of excitement. The mare actually looked rather disinterested, still trotting along a short distance behind Starlight. She gazed forwards at nothing in particular, occasionally kicking her hoof idly at the dirt. “Hey, Trixie! Whatever is the matter, don’t you find this place amazing? Look at everything sparkle!” “I know, it’s something, I guess. Can we get to our hotel, I want to have a relaxing week to my own thoughts.” "Trixie, come on! How can you not be excited to be here? I’m still in awe of this place, and this is my fourth or fifth visit!” Trixie responded, not looking up from the floor she now stared down at. “Oh, I’ve seen all this before. This isn’t my first time here.” Starlight was surprised. She was learning new things about her friend every day. “I didn’t know you’d been here before! When were you going to tell me?” “I didn’t plan on telling you at all. It didn’t exactly go well. But that’s all you need to know, so leave it. Now, could you kindly point me in the direction of our hotel?” Starlight nodded her head, acceptant of her friends wishes. She pointed towards a tall tower in the distance, the tallest structure around by a long way. “We’re staying there, at the Crystal Castle. We are distinguished guests of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.” Trixie’s jaw lolled slightly as she stared up at the tower. Now that was exciting. *** Trixie and Starlight found themselves being guided around the castle by two sturdy looking guards. They wore the full attire, looking incredibly serious and stoic. They walked in perfect timing as they marched the mares down a large hallway. The mares aimed several questions at the guards, but got no response. They resigned themselves to the awkward silence, before eventually arriving at a large set of double doors. One of the guards grandly thrust the door open with a hoof, and motioned for the two mares to enter. Inside Princess Cadance was tending to her foal. Shining Armor and Sunburst were also there, both looking incredibly tired. Sunburst was the first to notice the doors open, and he smiled joyfully as he saw his friend arrive. “Starlight! How are you, it’s been a while!” Glimmer ran forwards and wrapped herself around Sunburst in a tight hug. Sunburst groaned as he felt the air being crushed from him. “I’m glad you’re happy to see me too…” he managed to wheeze out. Cadance and Shining smiled down at the two as they embraced, before looking up to Starlight's friend. They saw Trixie stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of what to do with herself. Cadance grinned over at her, before beckoning her into the room. Trixie awkwardly trotted over, her saddlebags still weighing her down. Cadance spoke up as the mare approached. “Trixie, how are you? Starlight wrote ahead, told me you haven’t been feeling yourself. That is perfectly understandable, it happens to the best of us! Life can throw up some stressful challenges sometimes.” She looked down at Flurry Heart, sleeping in her hooves. She lifted her to her face and nuzzled against her, waking the foal from her rest. “But good things can come of stress, so let’s not get caught up in the difficult things. Shining dear, can you look after Flurry while these two mares and I go for a talk?” She levitated the baby across the room, resting her down in Shining’s hooves. Cadance, Trixie and Starlight headed for the door as Flurry Heart immediately burst into tears. The last thing they heard was Shining panicking as the baby flew from his arms and started crashing around the room. The alicorn directed the two down a string of hallways, until they eventually arrived at a large drawing room. Walking inside a large table rested in the center, several plush topped chairs surrounding it. She motioned towards the chairs as she locked the door behind her. She didn’t want anyone getting distracted. And from the sounds of burbled giggles and crashes outside, Flurry Heart had escaped from her room. Cadance sat at the head of the table as Shining and Sunburst scrabbled around outside in chase. “So, Trixie. Starlight and Twilight have kept me pretty up to date on what’s been eating away at you. But I would love to hear it from you yourself, so please, what do you feel is the issue?” Trixie shuffled in her seat, clearly reluctant to discuss her faults with anyone other than her best friend. She squirmed from left to right as Starlight encouraged her, until she eventually snapped and let it all slide out. “I’ve been feeling really lonely and isolated and I think that nopony really likes me! Alright? I said it. Now why are we here, Starlight told me this was just going to be a relaxing weeks’ vacation.” Cadance looked over at Starlight, her face a mixture of concern and disappointment. Starlight shrugged uncertainly. Lying was the only way she could’ve convinced Trixie to come in the first place. “No, Trixie.” Cadance’s voice was stern, yet warming. “This is pretty much an intervention. Starlight brought you here so we could help you feel better about yourself. She went to Twilight for help, and she deemed it best that you two came to me. You see Trixie, I think you see the world wrong. Ponies do like you. You assume that just because you’ve had a rough history with some folk, that you’ll never be seen well by anypony else. Well that is not true. You need a companion, somepony that can stand by your side through the tough times, and prove to you that you are not a bad pony. You shouldn’t be chasing after the approval of a crowd in an effort to feel loved. That is why I have deliberated the best course of action for you, and I feel it best that you attend a blind date meeting here in the Crystal Empire.” Trixie’s jaw was practically on the floor. She didn’t know where to look, what to say. She was stunned. On the one hoof she’d been tricked into coming here by her friend, and on the other she was now being told she had to attend a blind date meeting! “Ridiculous! The Great and Powerful Trixie would never stoop to something as totally pointless as a blind date! Why would someone as magnificent as I leave my future to something as petty as chance?” Cadance bowed her head, acknowledging Trixie’s expected frustration. “You may feel it beneath you. But I still deem it the best course of action for yourself, if you want to feel better about the way the world sees you.” Trixie crossed her hooves firmly across her chest in defiance. “Nope. Trixie will not stoop to something so potentially humiliating.” “…Well now I never. I didn’t expect the Great and Powerful Trixie to be a chicken.” Trixie stopped. She turned to face Starlight and struggled to withhold her malice. “Y-You?! Trixie’s best friend, calling her out? What a low blow. Trixie will have you know she can do ANYTHING one throws at her. I’m just avoiding this, because, well, I don’t feel like it.” “Oh really now? Well, if you want everypony back home to know you weren’t up to the challenge, I’d be more than happy to let them know.” With that Starlight clambered down from her chair and began to saunter slowly towards the door. She was clearly feeling cocky, moving with an overtly confident sway. A cloud of energy wrapped around her body as she felt herself being dragged backwards towards the table again. She came to rest beside her friend, who stared directly at her, refusing to break eye contact. “Trixie will NEVER step back from a gauntlet. Give her the time and place, and she’ll be there for this blind date.” With that she turned and – holding her head aloft – trotted out the door. Starlight looked across to the Princess, smiling proudly. The Princess smiled back. “Starlight Glimmer, this is the information you need to give her. Let’s hope she does well in her mission.” THE FROSTED QUARTZ BAKERY – THAT EVENING AT SUNDOWN Trixie coughed quietly to herself as she sat at her table. There was a row of about ten desks set up in the bakery foyer, at each sat a different crystal mare. Trixie was convinced she was the only non-Crystal pony there. She could feel sweat beading on her forehead as she sensed eyes digging into her, all around her. Trixie couldn’t bring herself to lift her eyes from the desk. She just wanted to get this over with. It was all so embarrassing. “Okay ladies, here come the stallions!” A flamboyant mare – as cheery as she was chunky – squealed across the room, the bell over the door chiming as it swung open. In from the cold air wandered about twelve stallions of a variety of ages and builds. Trixie could hear all the other mares murmuring to each other as their interests were peaked. Trixie grit her teeth. “Let’s get this done.” Trixie’s eyes still dug into the table. The sound of chair legs scraping along the floor. She looked up. “Hi, I’m Crystal Arrow!” Trixie nodded before going back to gazing at the table. She drew circles on the desk with her hoof. “…Hi, Crystal. Trixie. Why not. Come on then, do you wanna tell me about yourself?” Arrow was quick to pipe up. “Well, I see you’re not a Crystal Pony like us, so you might not know a lot about just the kind of crazy stuff that happens here. Like, I used to be a slave of King Sombra! It was tough work, but it was only our love and resilience that broke us free! Cool, huh?” Trixie let her head fall backwards, staring up at the ceiling. She telekinetically caught her hat as it fell to the floor. She let loose a long, deep sigh. “Enslaved, huh? I once fought for control of a town using a magic amulet and trapped the citizens inside once I took over. Don’t try to make yourself seem like some kind of superstar.” Crystal Arrow gawked across the desk at the unicorn sat opposite him. Clearly taken aback by her tone, he pushed his chair back and stood up. He looked around for the mare running the event, before finally setting his eyes on her. “Hey, are we ready to move on? I think I know what I need to with this mare.” The owner looked over at him, nervously nodding. “Okay everypony, time to change over! Move up to the next desk please!” Trixie closed her eyes as the next stallion shuffled down onto the seat. She arched the chair onto it’s back legs, resting her hooves on the desk. She didn’t look over to acknowledge him. “Hey, so, uh, hi there. Trixie. Your name and personal information, please?” The confused stallion began to speak, his stride obviously thrown by Trixie’s abrasive behavior. “Well, um, Hi! I’m Gallic. This is awkward… Er, I was at the Crystalling just a few weeks ago. That was pretty exciting! To see the Royal baby right up close was an incredible moment, I felt so lucky to witness something so important! W-What about you? Have you ever seen something amazing?” Trixie had begun to obnoxiously whistle through her teeth. “Seen anything amazing? Check. Done anything amazing? Check. How about saving the free world from a changeling invasion by infiltrating their hive and taking the fight to them? Please don’t try and show off to the likes of me. You’ll find it an emasculating experience.” The stallion glared over at the ever-flustered host, who clapped her hooves together to signal the next move. Trixie closed her eyes again. The scraping of chairs. Hooves dragging on the floor as someone new shifted into place. “Hi there, Ms. Flash Sentry’s my name. I just wanted to say - before anything else - you look very pretty…” Trixie lifted her hooves from the desk, allowing her chair to fall forwards. She came to rest sat upright, gazing over at the orange Pegasus before her. She eyed him up and down. “…Thanks for the compliment, I guess. Though that was a pretty dorky opening line, buddy. You ought to try harder.” She was surprised to hear Flash Sentry begin lightly chuckling to himself, the occasional flash of his teeth as his lips formed a smile. “Haha, you don’t need to remind me! I know, pretty corny. Honestly, I can be a kind of corny guy sometimes. Some ponies don’t like it, but I’m not out to impress them. You’ve got to be happy with yourself before anypony else will be, wouldn’t you agree?” Trixie could feel those words echoing around her head. Though he hadn’t said much, Trixie could sense that this pony was genuine. She could feel herself easing as she responded, leaving much of her tension behind her. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, I’ve had my troubles, but you can’t let them beat you. I guess… So, what do you do when you’re not awkwardly sat at a desk interviewing somepony you’ve never met?” Flash grinned softly. “Well, I’m actually one of the Royal Guards here, posted up in the Crystal Castle. It can be stressful some days, but for the most part it’s pretty laid back.” He leant across the desk, holding out a hoof to shield his mouth. “Of course, don’t tell Cadance her guards are laid back, she’d be so mad…” He whispered playfully. Trixie smiled dumbly at him, still lost in the sentence he’d uttered before. “Did you say you’re working in the Castle? That’s crazy… My friend and I are actually staying there as the Princess’ guests.” Flash beamed at this news, only for that familiar call of the hostess to force him to stand up. As he prepared to move to the next table, he leant down towards her. “That is amazing to hear! What a coincidence! Say - this place is so stuffy - would you like to go catch some dinner somewhere tomorrow night? I'll be busy on my shift all day, so I'll come straight from work. Perhaps then we can talk a little more freely? What do you say?” Trixie found herself slowly nodding. As she did Flash pulled a small piece of paper and a quill from a tray at the desk’s edge and wrote out a time and address. He pushed it across the table towards her. “Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” And with that, he backed out of the line of desks and left the building, without even stopping at any of the other tables. Trixie took this as an opportunity to make a hurried exit, leaving the latest stallion confused and lonely as he had begun to sit at her desk. III: An Incredibly Posh RestaurantIII: An Incredibly Posh Restaurant “Wait, Trixie? As in Trixie Lulamoon?” The other guards could barely contain their laughter as Flash retold the night before. “Well, that’s what the name on her desk said.” “Was she wearing a big old witches hat, all covered in stars?” Chipped in another, banging his hoof against the locker beside him. The whole guards changing room was raucous now. Flash had had a long day, and just wanted to get ready for his date in peace. Why did he ever mention it to the guys? “I wasn’t going to ask her about the attire, but yeah, she was.” Howls of laughter. “Oh my Celestia dude! You have no idea what a clown that mare is! She thinks she’s some big stage-show magician, but it’s all a joke! Didn’t you see when she played her show here in the Crystal Empire?” Flash racked his brains, but only found himself drawing a blank. He shrugged nonchalantly. The vocal guard was quick to fill him in. “Well, she rocks up in the city square one day, dragging behind her this huge as heck wagon. She parks it up and it all starts to unfold into this ridiculous looking stage. I don’t think she had permission to be performing in the city, or at least none of us guards were informed. So anyways, ponies start gathering round her as she starts bellowing about her incredible talents. You could tell she was all smoke and no fire, but you know what the crystal ponies are like. They’ll cheer for anything that isn’t trying to kill or enslave them.” The entire locker room had quietened down, the guards all stopping to listen to the story. The occasional snigger and guffaw broke out amongst the stallions that already knew how the story ended. “So, she does this trick where she makes an apple vanish. POOF! It’s gone. And then she makes it reappear behind her. YAWN I’m thinking, watching this foal-level magic show. She places it down on a table, but doesn’t seem to notice it roll off onto the floor besides her. She barrels straight into the next part of the performance, some kind of light show. The fireworks shoot upwards, ponies are ooh-ing and ah-ing, and Trixie takes a step back to get a better view of them. But get this, she steps backwards onto the apple she forgot about, slips on top of it and goes head over heels off the side of the stage. She lands in this trash can by the stage head first, and is completely stuck!” The locker room bursts into life as stallions laugh heartily, banging their hooves on tables and lockers. Some are rolling about, a couple wipe tears from their eyes. All except Flash, who rolled his eyes at the callousness of his cohorts. The stocky guard telling the story smiled at his friends before wrapping up. “Yeah, so here she is, stuck. Everypony is laughing at her, and those fireworks just fizzle out. Kinda like her show. But she must have hurt her horn or something, because she didn’t cast a spell to teleport out of there or anything. She just ran off, head still in the can, bumping into every poor pony that didn’t notice her coming! And that’s who you have a blind date with!?” Flash Sentry stood tall. The guys were guys, but he still wished they’d show a little more respect at times. Everyone had rough days, and that poor mare was no different. He stared over at the stallion that told the story, watching him roll around the floor in a fit of giggles, joining the crowd of laughing hyenas around him. Looking up to the aged clock that hung from the wall, Flash noticed the time. That late already? Defiant, he span on the spot and headed for the door, the guards finally starting to finish laughing. He was going to be late for his date if he wasted any more time with this lot. *** Flash nervously tapped his hoof against the table as he waited. The restaurant he’d suggested to Trixie was getting incredibly busy: it was a rather popular place in the city, after all. Popular, fancy and expensive. He checked the clock again before beginning to gaze out of the window. How much longer was she going to take? Was she even coming? Had she been and missed him? Had he got the time wrong? He checked the clock. No, the time was definitely right. Or was it? He was about to ask one of the waitresses for the time before noticing Trixie walk through the front door. She still wore her cloak and hat bedazzled in stars, and gave the porter a strange look when he offered to take them to the cloakroom. She raised her nose at the smartly dressed, slightly perplexed stallion before trotting further into the restaurant. Why did she have to wear that witches gear out in public? It was pretty embarrassing. Oh well. Remain courteous, Flash. Trixie approached his table, giving a crooked smile and awkward wave. “Hi there, Flash, sorry I’m a little late. Trixie had to make sure she picked the perfect outfit for the evening. This is a lovely looking place, very posh. It’s perfect, though.” She leant forwards as she shuffled along the booth seating, her head lolling forwards and her hat falling onto the floor of the walkway beside the table. Flash was quick to lean down and scoop the crumpled hat from the floor, passing it across the table to his date. Surprised by the stallion’s goodwill, Trixie took a hold of the hat and straightened it upon her head. “Trixie was perfectly capable of picking up her own hat, you know. But thanks, I guess.” “Ah, that’s okay, don’t worry about it.” Flash gazed over at his date as she sat down, shuffling slightly as she caught her cape under herself. Her eyes darted up to the sight of him staring, only for Flash to awkwardly shift his focus to the menu in front of him. They both coughed slightly. “So, Trixie, how are you this evening? What kind of stuff have you been getting up to here in the city? I’m assuming you’re not a regular to these parts.” Trixie cleared her throat before speaking. She opened her mouth slowly, thinking about each word as she formulated it. Small talk had never been her strong suit. “I-I’m well. And you’re right, I’m not a regular by any means. I live over in Ponyville with my friends, but a couple of us came up to the Crystal Empire for a bit of a holiday. It’s a stressful life, so you’ve got to take a rest every now and again. Being one of a town’s biggest entertainers really takes it out of you…” “Entertainer? Do you perform magic shows for your townies as well?” Trixie grin was wide, but her face looked smug. “Why yes, I do you know! How did you know I perform?” Flash rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof, diverting his eyes towards the floor. “Well, some of the stallions I work with told me about this magic show you did, here in the city." Trixie suddenly looked flustered, her smile became panicked, and all sense of self-satisfaction was gone. She tried to play it all cool, but she knew her shame was plastered across her face for Flash to see. “O-Oh, that show? Pfft, it could’ve gone better. Most of my shows are rip-roaring successes, really! They bring the house down whenever I perform at home, I just don’t think it was to the, acquired tastes of the Crystal ponies…” The poor mare still looked agitated, drumming her hooves on the table as she looked back and forth, desperate for some window into a new conversation. Either that or a literal window through which to escape. Her heart skipped slightly when she felt Flash resting a hoof atop hers. He whispered calmly and slowly to her, encouraging her to feel better about herself. “Hey, don’t fret about it now. It sounded quite rough, but it’s over now. Besides, I’m sure everypony was enjoying it until the mistake. I know I would have loved to be there.” He gazed over at Trixie, who slowly stopped shaking. She took several deep breaths and opened her mouth to retort. “Hello there my friends, can I take your orders please?” They both glanced up to see a tall, well dressed unicorn mare stood over them, a cloth draped over one hoof and a pad of paper in the other. A pencil floated at the ready by its side. Snapped back to reality, Flash pulled his hooves away from Trixie’s before going about studying the menu. Flummoxed by the string of events, Trixie dumbly stared down at the menu that lay open before her. She was so confused. Why was it that the single short moment had felt so good to her? She’d grown accustomed to the adoration of throngs of ponies. She knew what the love of a fan felt like. But this was different somehow. It had only been brief, but in that moment Flash had rested his hooves atop hers and spoken such kind hearted words, Trixie had felt something she hadn’t felt for years. Her mind raced as she stared at the menu. “And for you, Miss?” She jerked her head upwards to see the waitress gazing down at her. She had taken Flash’s order and now waited impatiently by Trixie’s side, the pen floating ever closer towards the pad of paper. Still muddled, Trixie smacked her hoof down against the menu, not even looking at where it landed. “That please thanks.” The waitress raised an eyebrow before leaning down to get a better view. She took note of one ‘seafood platter’ before thanking the two ponies and heading for the kitchen. The silence she left behind was awkward and heavy. Clearly neither pony was quite sure what to say to each other at this point. “So, Trixie, the food here is served really quickly! It’s so quick you’ll barely notice it arrive and go down until you are staring at an empty plate!” Trixie patted a napkin against her lips and stared down at an empty plate. She felt bloated after wolfing down an entire seafood platter, but by Celestia had it tasted good. She was tempted to order another, but she could barely move as it was. Flash too looked content, rubbing his belly as he swallowed the last bite of his Hayseed burger. He masked a quiet belch under his hoof, before beckoning a waitress over for the bill. As one arrived he was quick to pay the cost, before walking Trixie outside the restaurant. The evening air was cold, especially after the warm embrace of the restaurant. Trixie could feel herself drifting off. She was exhausted after her heavy meal and the long and lucrative conversations. But all that spun round in her head was that hoof holding moment. She had thought it felt awkward at first, but now it seemed closer akin to something else… what was that feeling? It must have been the food on her belly. The two walked back to the Castle in silence, both tired after their first date. It had been a success, and Trixie was taken aback when she realized that. The Crystal Castle approached. It towered overhead as the two arrived at the large bespoke double doors that marked the entrance. Flash leant forward to grip his hoof around one of the heavyset handles, pulling it open for the mare besides him. He motioned inside as she slowly paced forwards. She hovered on the porch before turning back to talk to Flash. To her dismay the stallion was ready to make a move. “I’m sorry Trixie, I’ve got to get going. We ended up staying at that restaurant later than I thought, and I’ve got a couple of hours of the night shift to do. I had a great time talking to you though, and I hope we can do this again soon! I need to go get into my uniform, so I’ll see you later, eh?” And with that he was gone, trotting down the road to the guards barracks. Trixie smiled dreamily, waving after him as he went. Her face still a picture of happiness, she swung the door shut and headed through the hallways to her room. Her door was the only one on this hallway, so she knew she’d found the right room. It was late, so Starlight was probably going to be asleep in there. Unless she’d stayed at Sunburst’s place? A glow of blue energy as she pushed the door open. Trixie stepped inside to be greeted by Starlight and her leering grin. The joyous outlook quickly vanished from Trixie’s face as she tried to regain her normal demeanor. “Sooo, how did it go Trixie?” Starlight had flopped backwards onto her bed, watching Trixie as she moved around the room. The unicorn rolled her eyes at Starlight’s excitement. “Honestly Glimmer, you’re acting like a giddy filly at the moment. It was an entirely professional meeting.” She stared daggers at Starlight as the corners of her lips crept up. First a smile, then a giggle, then a laugh. “Oh Trixie, I saw you two walking together through the window! You had the face of quite the smitten kitten! If anypony was acting like a giddy filly, it was yoo-oou!” “Fine, you got me. It went pretty well, and I enjoyed it. He was a surprise. He didn’t keep talking about himself, and he actually seemed to care about me personally. He didn’t just want to talk about the magic shows. That doesn’t mean I’m some silly sap though! And it definitely doesn’t mean that this blind date thing is a good idea! It’s still oh so below me.” Starlight had tucked herself into bed, smiling contently as she got herself comfortable. “So, you gonna be meeting with him again? I think you two might have something there!” Trixie kept quiet. “Well, Trixie?” She fiddled with one of the plush curtain ties. “Don’t ignore me Trixie, come on now…” She moved across the room and hung her hat on one of her bedposts. “You’ve got to tell me Trixie, you know I won’t stop asking you.” Trixie span on the spot to face her friend. “Fine, yes, I will be seeing him again! He asked if I’d like to meet him again and I said yes! Are you happy now? He works in the castle as a guard so I’ll probably see him around tomorrow!” Starlight rolled onto her back, punching the air with her hooves. The carefully prepared covers flew free with her violent celebration. She was over the moon at her friend’s change of heart. Perhaps this friendship mission really would be one to report home on? She relaxed as Trixie climbed into bed, magically turning out the lights. With the room engulfed in darkness, Starlight’s mind was alive with thought. Could this stallion even be trusted? Was he a nice guy? If he wasn’t there was going to be trouble. That was when Starlight decided. Come morning she was going to go talk to this stallion for herself, and perhaps even ask the Princess of Friendship about him. Maybe she had a little backstory on the guard? Morning. Starlight had woken slowly only to find Trixie fast asleep. She snored loudly as Starlight went about getting ready for the day. Body washed, hair brushed, teeth cleaned. It was time to go find this Flash. Trotting out into the hallway, it wasn’t long until she’d bumped into the orange Pegasus. He was posted just a few hallways away from her room. He smiled as she approached. “Hello there Ma’am. You must be Starlight Glimmer? One of the Princess’ esteemed guests. How are you this morning? I trust you slept well?” Starlight eyed the stallion up and down before responding. “Yeah, I slept pretty well, thank you. So, I hear you had a date last night with my friend, Trixie Lulamoon. I pray you looked after her?” Flash smiled, nodding compassionately. “Of course I did! She’s a lovely mare, and I really hope I get to meet her again soon! She’s not with you is she?” Starlight shook her head. “Oh, thank goodness. I wouldn’t want her to see me in this armor, it makes me look so ridiculous. I promise my bum isn’t actually this big.” He shook his rear slightly to accent his joke, and Starlight found herself smiling. This stallion seemed kind hearted enough, but she wanted to know a little more. She prepared another question, but he spoke first. “I’m sorry, I’d love to talk properly, but I’m afraid I’m on duty right now and if I got caught chatting instead of working I’d be in it up to my neck. My apologies.” And with that his body went rigid again as he stood to attention. Starlight looked up at his face, but he wasn’t moving a muscle. Fair enough, it looked like Starlight would have to talk to Twilight after all. She screwed her eyes shut. When she reopened them she was stood on Twilight’s table, staring down at the shocked mare as she went through a small pile of notes from Spike. The alicorn was quickly alive with energy, posing question after question about the friendship mission so far. Starlight tried her best to give short, concise answers. If she went into details she’d be there all day. Finally she got the chance to butt in with her own question. “Say, Twilight, do you know anything about a 'Flash Sentry'? That’s who Trixie is dating.” Twilight rubbed her chin in thought, clearly trying to put a face to the name. Her eyes lit up as she remembered. “Ah yes, Flash! He’s a pretty good stallion! He’s a sweet guy, just don’t let some of the ‘corny factor’ get in the way! I met him at the Crystal Castle when I traveled to the human world – long story – and I think he started to develop a thing for me. I had to let him know it wasn’t both ways, but he had no problem with it! As I said, a good one through and through.” Starlight thanked her friend for the thoughts, when her stomach rumbled. “I’m sorry Twilight, I just realized I didn’t get any breakfast, I’m starving! I’d love to stay and chat but this is gonna have to take priority! I’ll tell you more about it later!” And with that she was engulfed in a blink of energy before vanishing. Twilight was left alone among a pile of scattered letters and scrolls. Slightly disappointed, she sunk down into her chair again, ready to read the next letter about how the Crystal ponies all loved Spike so huggy-wuggy much. Urgh. IV: A Bottle of Royal WineIV: A Bottle of Royal Wine Glimmer shook her head as her magic energy dissipated. She was back in the Crystal Castle as she had intended. The crisp, clean hallways echoed those of Twilight’s castle, which Starlight found a comfort. She liked that this place felt familiar to home, it made her feel in charge of the situation. She set off down the hallway to find Trixie. Rounding the next corner Starlight found herself staring ahead at Trixie and Flash chatting nonchalantly. Starlight leapt backwards, veering around the corner she’d just come from, pressing her back against the wall. They didn’t seem to notice her. Good. Now focused on them, she tried her best to listen in on their conversation, but she found it difficult to make their words out. Whenever they spoke all that floated through the hallway was echoes. She craned her neck around the wall to get a better view of them. Trixie was stood facing away from Starlight, so she could only guess what emotions her face portrayed. Flash meanwhile was stood facing Trixie, so Starlight could get a fairly decent view of him. He was looking down ever so slightly at Trixie, smiling charmingly as she spoke. He was slowly inching forwards, closer and closer to her face. Trixie’s voice had started to trail off. Was Flash going to do what she thought he was? Starlight was about to step forwards and say something when she heard hoofsteps behind her. Whipping her head around she spotted a guard trotting down the hallway towards her. Realizing how shifty she must have looked hiding like she was, Starlight tried to lean casually against the wall, whistling tunelessly to herself. The guard moved straight past her without a word, walking down the hall towards Trixie and Flash. Starlight peered around the wall as the guard called out Flash’s name, noticing the two ponies reel away from each other as they realized that someone was approaching them. Flash nodded awkwardly to the fellow guard, watching as he meandered past into another room. Back to reality, Flash and Trixie both looked rather awkward. Flash was quick to apologize to Trixie, when he suddenly noticed Starlight approaching down the hallway as well. He waved her over to talk to her friend, before spinning on his heels and galloping away. “Well well well, Trixie dearie, what was all that about?” As Trixie turned to acknowledge Starlight, she saw that the unicorn’s face was plastered with a goofy smile, her face a bright shade of red. Starlight smiled coyly. It was obvious what was going on, Trixie’s face betrayed her feelings so easily. “So, what’s got you all hot and bothered, Trixie? What have you two been up to while I was away? I had only gone to Twilight’s castle for an hour or so.” Trixie’s face was the picture of happiness and content as she started to reminisce. “Well, you see… last night I just couldn’t get to sleep. I was really excited about meeting up with Flash again, because I don’t think I’ve ever met another pony that makes me feel quite the same way. He just makes me feel so much better about myself, as if I don’t have to show off just to be happy. I can be happy as the pony that I am. So I woke up in the middle of the night, and you were fast asleep. I wasn’t going to wake you, because it must have been one in the morning, easily. So I decided to go for a walk around the castle, maybe explore the grounds. Flash told me how beautiful the crystal gardens are at night, the way the plants glint in the moonlight. I head out, and, well, you can probably guess who I bump into.” Starlight nodded, encouraging her to continue. “So, Flash is rather surprised to come across me just wandering around the castle so late. It was a good kind of surprised of course, I mean really now, who wouldn’t find it a pleasant surprise to bump into moi? Anyway, I digress. He tells me his night shift had just come to an end, and he was actually getting ready to go back to the barracks for the night. Then his face lights up in this adorable way, and he beckons for me to follow him. We’re walking for ages through the castle, talking about everything and nothing in particular. We get to this big flight of stairs, and start just trotting on up. But my goodness, he could have told me how long those stairs were! We must have been climbing for a solid five minutes! Honestly, Trixie doesn’t do exercise. I asked if we couldn’t just teleport up the rest of the way, but he kept telling me the prize would be worth it. But we get to the top, and we’re suddenly on this quaint little balcony. It must have been close to the top of the Crystal Castle, and the views of the city were just beautiful! If you ever want to serenade Sunburst on one of your nights out, well, I know the perfect spot now!” Starlight laughed faintly, resting a hoof on Trixie’s shoulder. “I’ll make a note of it, Trixie. Please, keep going, I want to hear all of this, I’m fascinated!” Neither mare noticed the sound of scrabbling claws as Spike came to rest a short way behind them. He hid in one of the intricately designed plant pots that lined the hallway, taking notes as the two spoke. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – FIVE It seems like Trixie is quickly becoming Flash’s mane mare. She is reminiscing about their nights out, and Starlight is trying her best to look interested. Hopefully there are no pictures to show off. I am going to go and get some lunch soon. I’m thinking crab cakes. - Spike the Brave & Glorious He held the scroll in his claws, cautious to send it just yet. He didn’t want anyone seeing his flames and giving the game away. He quietly listened as Trixie continued. “So we sit on that balcony, and we must have been talking for hours! Talking about this and that, anything and everything, even those rather private and embarrassing things. It was so lovely being able to talk to somepony about the rough times and not be laughed at or feared. It was only when the town clock-tower chimed that we both realized the time. Flash jumped up and had to make an excuse to leave. He told me that his morning shift started in about 3 hours and he would be in deep trouble if he was caught sleeping on the job. That’s when I, well… I don’t know what came over me. It was so embarrassing, I can barely even believe I did it.” Starlight cocked her head, her confusion apparent. The potted plant rustled as Spike got himself into position to write the next part of his note home. “I just jumped up and kissed him. I-I don’t know what drove me to do it, and he looked as shocked as I felt. I couldn’t stay there, so I just had to leave… I dropped a smoke bomb and snuck away. Thankfully by the time he’d realized I was gone I was all the way down the stairs, because as you know, my smoke bombs are always effective.” Starlight’s jaw was on the floor. The potted plant let out an equally surprised gasp. There was a moment of silence before Starlight leapt forwards, wrapping her hooves around Trixie’s neck in a tight embrace. Trixie struggled for breath as her unicorn friend held her in place. She eventually let her go, setting her down on the floor as the assault came to an end. “Trixie, that’s amazing! I can’t quite believe you made the first move, but I’m so proud of you! Seriously, you shouldn’t be embarrassed with yourself like that! It proves you like him as much as he clearly likes you! I saw the two of you chatting earlier and I saw that face he had on! That was the face of a stallion bowled head over hooves. I’m proud, and I’m sure Twilight will be too! Now, Trixie…” Starlight suddenly sounded really rather serious. Trixie gulped. She knew Starlight’s reaction had been too good to be true. “I have actually planned to spend the rest of this holiday with Sunburst, so I’ll be staying at his house. I thought you might appreciate a little time to yourself with Flash…” The mare leant in closer, close enough to Trixie’s ear that her voice needed merely be a whisper. “And of course, our room will be free now, so you two can get up to whatever you might want...” Trixie recoiled, giving Starlight a look of shock and horror. “STARLIGHT GLIMMER! What you are insinuating is incredibly uncouth! You know a mare as Great and Powerful as I does not stoop to things so scandalous! Honestly now!” Starlight flicked her tail at the mare as she trotted down the hallway. “Oh really? Last I heard a mare like you wouldn’t stoop to a blind date, so I’d think twice about that last statement. I’ll leave you to it!” And with that Starlight disappeared down the hallway, rounding the corner and vanishing from view. Trixie was on her own now, and she wasn’t sure quite what to do with the newfound independence. She didn’t notice the eruption of fire from the plant pot behind her as Spike sent his message home, nor did she notice Spike leap out of the pot and attempt to put out the leaves that had caught fire. Flinging open the door to her room, Trixie slumped down on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling, her eyes heavy. It was only the middle of the day, but she felt exhausted after staying up practically all night talking to Flash. She couldn’t believe they’d frittered the whole night away with simple, idle chat. Nothing self-satisfied, no bragging about one’s own achievements. She’d just sat back and listened to what he had to say, and had genuinely been more than interested in the subjects he brought up. Trixie flopped her head down onto the pillows. What in Equestria was making her feel like this? There was only one topic of conversation Trixie normally spoke about, and that was Trixie herself. Not much happened, yet she simply couldn’t explain the strange feelings she harbored for that stallion. Trixie had to admit she’d liked the stallion since the day she’d met him, but this feeling was different. It wasn’t friendship, it was something else. She didn’t recognize it. She looked herself up and down, resting a hoof against her forehead. Cold. She experimentally tapped her horn. Also cold. By power of deduction it was clear she hadn’t accidentally cast some mind-altering spell over herself, and she was certain no one else had either. And those seafood dinners were sitting on her stomach fine, meaning she probably wasn't ill. So that meant this feeling was natural? What in Equestria could it be? “Oh Starlight, why did you have to leave now? You shouldn’t have expected Trixie to know what she was doing in a world so confusing. Did you really think you’re friendship mission was over after the initial setup? Honestly. Guess I’ll have to ask somepony else for advice.” Cadance was sat in her quarters, sipping from a tea set made of the finest Yakyakistan crockery. With Flurry Heart napping, there was no chance of any accidental breakages. She set her petite teacup down as Trixie was escorted into the room by a stoic-faced guardsman. He turned on his heels and marched out, leaving the two mares in peace. “Trixie, please. Take a seat. How are you? I trust the Empire keeps you well?” “Of course, Princess, more than well! In fact, perhaps a little TOO well, because that’s why I came to you. For advice about one of the ponies in your Empire.” Cadance looked intrigued, but was always more than happy to help. She sat forwards in her chair as she spoke. Trixie’s face was a picture of confusion, but it was fairly safe to say it was confusion about a positive subject. Cadance maintained a warm demeanor as Trixie explained herself, her voice getting faster and faster as she detailed off more and more nuanced parts of the story. A bead of sweat ran down the Princess’ brow as she tried to keep up with the unicorn. The mare’s story finally came to an end as Trixie took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. The Princess leant back again in her chair, it creaking slightly under her movements. “Trixie, these feelings you find yourself so confused by should not make you so worrisome. As the Princess of Love I can tell you that these feelings are just that. Love.” Trixie cocked her head and frowned. She was pretty sure that Cadance had got that little theory wrong. Trixie didn’t do ‘love’. She knew other ponies loved her – the success of her magic shows proved that – but she loving them? Ridiculous. Nevertheless, she listened to the Princess as she rattled off little pieces of advice. As the evidence piled up, Trixie found herself slowly starting to come to terms with just what the Princess was saying. She didn’t understand, but she was willing to try and learn. “To conclude, Ms. Trixie, I’d say time and continued care for this seedling will help it grow into a beautiful flower. Why not head back to your room for now. You look like you could do with the rest – and besides – I’m sure you’ll want to be looking ready for your next meeting with Flash.” Cadance quietly clapped her hooves together, at which moment the well-crafted oak doors of her room were pulled open. In came the same guard, who was quick to usherTrixie out the room. He watched as she trotted down the hall, before starting to draw the doors shut. Cadance coughed, beckoning him inside. He did so, loyally as ever, and watched as Cadance began to magically rummage through a large cabinet in the corner of the room. “Find Flash Sentry, and tell him he is needed at the Guest Quarters on ‘special business’. And when he goes…” Out from the cabinet floated an intricately designed glass bottle of wine. She rested it down in the guards hooves, before continuing. “…Give him this. Tell him to show our guest a good evening.” Cadance smiled scurrilously, winking to the guardsman before coyly waving him from the room. This little plan would really kick-start the love. The guard stared down at the bottle, amazed at the Princess’ will to just give such an expensive item away. He nodded, dumbstruck, before backing out the room and drawing the doors shut entirely. *** A knock on the door. Trixie’s ears pricked up, and she lurched into a sitting position on the bed. “…It’s open!” The door slowly creaked open, and round the corner appeared the face of Flash. He smiled warmly as Trixie did so back. “Hi, Trixie. Mind if I come in? My shift just ended and Cadance thought you might like some company, after your friend left earlier and all…” “O-Of course! I didn’t expect to see you tonight! I’m glad for the company though, obviously! I did find Starlight’s haste to leave a little off-piste, does she not know how many fantastic stories from the life and times of Trixie she is missing out on?” Stepping inside, Flash chuckled at Trixie’s grandiosity. Her showboating got a little silly sometimes – even now she’d thrown her hoof skywards to accentuate her disbelief – but he found it all oddly endearing. A saddlebag bounced on his flank, which he quickly removed and began to fumble through. Eventually he pulled out the expensive bottle Cadance had gifted him. Hopefully Trixie didn’t find this all too forward. “Well then, I guess you’ll have to tell those stories to me…” he took a step further into the room. “…if you’d like to? Perhaps over a drink?” Trixie lowered the hoof she held aloft in the air, and patted the bed beside where she sat. Her horn bathed the room in light as she took the bottle from Flash’s hooves, quizzically skimming over the label. “Is this… Dragonsflame Rouge? This is really expensive stuff…” She looked over the bottle at Flash, who tried his best to look knowledgeable. “You really know how to impress a mare! Please, take a seat.” As Flash made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed, he watched two crystal wine flutes float from a cabinet in the corner of the room. Engulfed in Trixie’s blue energy, they danced around him before she eventually set them down on the table. Uncorking the wine she was quick to pour both herself and her date a glass, floating the drink into his hoof as she topped it off. “So… what do you want to talk about first?” The sun sank in the sky as the clocks ticked along. Each chime of the bells seemed to become shorter and shorter apart as the hours of the evening melted into twilight, and that into night. As the time went, the wine flowed. And as the wine flowed both Trixie and Flash’s felt the atmosphere becoming more and more serene. “Of course, guarding the Crystal Empire is fun and all, but it doesn’t guarantee an easy time of life, you know? I thought becoming a guard would make me look – if not cool – then at least respectable, but no. Ponies didn’t seem to like me before, and they don’t seem to like me now. They all just consider me a dork, some charmless fumbler that would fall in love with the first mare in a room he bumped into. They mocked me for going to those blind dates, too! Every time I got back from a meeting with no luck, the other stallions would just laugh. But all that doesn’t matter, now that I’ve found you, Trixie…” “Flash, that’s so sweet of you to say! I totally understand your feelings about those cruel other ponies though! I’ve had my stint of tough times, but unlike you, mine were deserved… I used to be dreadful, overthrowing a town and taking it for my own, abusing the magic of our world for my own gain… I was terrible. But that was the old me, the new me is different! I try to show off the new me, but none of them seem to be interested. They won’t forgive me for my mistakes, I just know it! It is driving me insane, going day to day having to look ponies in the eye, knowing that deep down, they don’t trust me! They are scared, or contemptuous, or both! It-“ Trixie suddenly stopped as Flash leant forward and rested his hoof on her lips. “Don’t worry yourself about what those other ponies think. I know you are a sweet, funny, genuine mare, and I will ALWAYS admire you for that. You don’t have to please everyone, just those that are important to you…” Flash’s voice trailed off as the two ponies stared deep into each other’s eyes. Their faces inched closer and closer together, slowly at first. Suddenly they dove forwards towards each other, their lips quickly meeting as they locked together in a passionate kiss. As her eyes drifted closed, Trixie listened to the quiet moans that escaped her lips, along with the occasional squeak of the bed as they moved into a more comfortable position. Trixie’s mind was flooded with thoughts and feelings, among which was that of surprise. She hadn’t expected Flash to be so forward, but she wasn’t going to be complaining about it. Especially now as she felt his tongue push between her lips and begin to explore the warm walls of her mouth. She gasped against his tongue, before moving her own to play with his. She could tell her experience lacked compared to his, as her own tongue thrashed madly against the piece of deliberately moving flesh that filled her mouth. Trixie could feel every inch of her body becoming hotter and hotter as Flash shuffled forwards towards her. He wrapped his hooves around her, one resting on her back, the other on the back of her head. Trixie too moved her hooves to accommodate the stallion, resting a hoof on his thigh. It was then she felt it brush against something stiff. His erection. Both ponies’ eyes crept open. Flash saw Trixie staring down at his throbbing member, and it was apparent neither would be able to contain themselves for long. Flash slowly pulled away from Trixie, feeling the warmth of her lips as she sucked on the tongue being pulled free. Flash looked at Trixie in a questioning – yet reassuring -way. “Do you want to… try it? Nothing too crazy, just what you feel comfortable with?” Trixie’s eyes flitted between him and his member, before she nodded to him, an excited grin creeping over her lips. With the confirmation Flash let go of Trixie, allowing her to shuffle off the edge of the bed. She came to rest between his legs, with his impressive shaft on eye-level. She stared ahead for a moment, unsure quite how to tackle it. It was only when Flash slowly moved his hooves down to Trixie’s and guided her forwards that she knew where to start. Her hooves came to rest on either side of his cock. She held them against his shaft, feeling the incredible warmth it emanated. As she slowly ran her hooves around his girth she listened to him moan and sigh. Every inch of his member was achingly sensitive, so much so that brushing over every vein and bump made him moan or shuffle about slightly. Experimentally she began to run her hooves along his length at a faster pace, smiling seductively as she did. Flash was melting in her hooves. She continued to play, moving faster and faster as she watched Flash’s face become more and more aroused. Suddenly Trixie stopped. She noticed a thick glob of pre-cum inching free of his shaft. It slowly emerged from his urethra, so beautifully thick that it inched down the head of his shaft at a snails pace. It just looked so inviting. Trixie released her grasp and moved up towards his tip. She stared into Flash’s eyes as her tongue slid free of her mouth. Pressing it against his flesh she ran it up his member, groaning as the thick beads of spunk came to rest in her mouth. Watching the lust in Flash’s face become ever clearer she loudly swallowed it down, sticking out her tongue to prove it was gone. Flash could wait no longer. He grabbed a hold of the back of Trixie’s head and pushed her lips onto the tip of his cock, smearing the remaining pre across her muzzle. He held her there for a brief moment, letting her take in the hot, heady smell of his sex. As that moment ended he began to slowly push her down, watching her lips part as his shaft filled her mouth. Releasing his grip he let he continue to creep down his cock at her own speed, now beginning to moan much more loudly as his meat slid past her tonsils and down into her throat. A stint of splutters emanating from the mare made him pause for thought, but she continued to take his cock into her mouth with little qualms. Finally the tip of her nose came into contact with the flesh of Flash’s crotch. Trixie began to slide her head back up again, before Flash spoke up through short breaths. “Please Trixie, try and keep it all in for me, you feel so good…” More than happy to please her companion, Trixie slid her head back down his length. She could feel every inch of his shaft pulsating inside her throat, and the euphoric feeling made her so excited for more. Every inch of her body began to twitch with effort as she forced herself to choke down the full extent of his member again. Struggling with the effort she could take it no longer, wrenching her head upwards to gulp down some air. No sooner than she had done she began to suck on his prick with vigor. She pivoted her head up and down along his cock with greater and greater speed, filling the air with the sound of slobbering and smacking lips. It was almost too much for Trixie when she felt Flash’s hooves rest down on the back of her head, encouraging her to speed up. She knew what was coming, and she was excited for it. Flash let out a euphoric moan, his tongue lolling and his eyes glazing. Several short, thick ropes of cum flew forth from the tip of his cock, coating the roof of Trixie’s mouth and tongue in its warmth. She savored the flavor of this delicious moment before swallowing the load down. Flash laid back against the bed, spent, as his date continued slurping on his cock, drawing the remaining specks of cum into her mouth. Having finally drained him dry she climbed up onto the bed beside him and shuffled into his hooves. His body felt warm against hers, and the steady rise and fall of his chest relaxed her. In his hooves she felt secure, and soon she was asleep. V: A Stalled DateV: A Stalled Date The calming dawn chorus roused Trixie from her sleep. Peeling her eyes open, her head felt sore, throbbing slightly as she thought. She got hangovers fairly easily, even from rather light drinking sessions. While last night had gotten rather crazy, she could still remember everything she got up to. And those memories made her smile. Rolling over to see that special stallion, Trixie realized the bed was empty. Empty and cold. Suddenly awake, she sat bolt upright in her bed. Flinging the sheets from over her, her eyes darted left and right, searching for him. It was apparent he had left. Trixie felt furious at the stupid colt, leaving her with nary a goodbye. It was only then she noticed the scrap of paper resting on her bedside table. Leaning over she studied the hastily written note, which read EARLY SHIFT, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON – F x Trixie’s heart fluttered as she hugged the note to her chest. Boy, did she feel silly. Of course he hadn’t upped and ran, he was a busy pony. That was obvious, he was a guard! Taking a deep breath, Trixie stretched to rest the note down on the table again. As the light of the dawn shone through the window it caught the note, revealing more writing on the other side. Pausing, Trixie turned it over to inspect the other side. Just as hastily written, the second part asked Fancy dinner at our fancy diner tonight? 8? – F x “Well well, somepony is confident.” The unicorn mused, as impressed as she was surprised. Now she was confident she’d read everything, she set the note down and got ready for the day. She wanted to go find Starlight and Sunburst, hopefully spend the day with them. She needed to spend a little time relaxing, this week had been nothing but crazy so far. Crazy in a good way, of course. Fixing her cape round her neck and guiding her hat down onto her head, Trixie checked herself out in the mirror. Giving a quick twirl, she smiled and headed out to find her friends. The sun shone gloriously over the Crystal Empire. Beams of light glinted everywhere, with the buildings and ponies alike all twinkling hypnotically. Trixie's excitement was clear, her steps bouncing and energetic. Her gleaming smile was almost as bright as the light from above, and nothing was going to get in her way today. Almost skipping, she made her way down the twisting walkways and streets until Sunburst's house finally came into view. Rather humble and understated, Sunburst’s home seemed like a quiet and relaxing spot, off of any of the main paths of the city. This area was nowhere near as bustling as that around the Crystal Castle, anyway. Approaching the door she was about to knock when it preemptively swung open. Starlight appeared, looking deeply concerned for some reason. She ran out to reassure her friend. “Everything, OK?” Trixie queried. Starlight looked up at her, looking mildly confused. “Er, yeah, I was going to ask you the same question! Has something happened between you and Flash? Why aren’t you out with him?” Trixie couldn’t help but start laughing at Starlight’s exaggerated concern. As she started, so slowly did Starlight until the two were giggling with each other like old friends. “No, silly, we are both fine! He just has a day shift on guard duty today, so I thought I’d come catch up with my bestie! It’s always a good time for Starlight and Trixie to hit the town!” “Thank Celestia for that, you had me worried there!” Starlight dramatically wiped her brow to prove her point. “Whew, am I right? Anyway, please, we were about to head out for a walk, would you like to tag along?” The blue unicorn nodded graciously. Thank goodness they had planned a day out, Trixie hadn’t wanted to look rude. She waved to Sunburst as he appeared in the doorway behind them, giving a cheery smile before wiping the lenses of his glasses. “Hello there, Ms. Trixie! I hear you’ve had quite an interesting few days in the Crystal Empire! I’d love to hear about it while we walk?” Starlight scoffed sweetly. “You’ve asked for it now, Trixie can talk about herself for days!” “Hey, I resent such comments! Now, where to start…” Trixie rubbed her chin as the three ponies began to walk. “…and that’s what happened over the last few days, summed up in 100,000 words. If you had any favorite parts I could run over them again for you?” The trio had arrived at the Crystal Gardens. The exotic crystal flowers bathed the courtyard in a multitude of colors, the sun reflecting off of them like disco balls. Starlight locked her eyes on a nearby bench, guiding her two accomplices towards it. Sunburst stumbled, his eyes growing heavy as he struggled to keep them open. It felt like they’d be going for hours, but finally the tirade of words had come to an end. He blinked uselessly before Starlight spoke on his behalf. “Thank you for the offer Trixie, but we both more than enough, I would wager! Right Sunburst?” She glanced over at the unicorn, his head lolling as he nearly fell asleep. A quick jab in the ribs with her elbow woke him up with a start. Dreary eyed, he nodded in agreement. “Your stories are very interesting Trixie, I’d love to hear more of them some time…” He flopped down on the bench as Starlight sat by his side, equally exhausted. Only Trixie had even a modicum of energy left as she bounced up onto the bench. “If you’d love to hear more, let me tell you about the time I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, defeated an Ursa Major by singled hoofed! Okay, it was an Ursa Minor and yes, I didn’t actually defeat it, but nonetheless it is an incredible story told by yours truly, so settle in!” Starlight groaned, throwing her head back against the bench as Trixie’s excited voice drowned out all other sounds around them. “Settle in, Sunburst. It’ll all be over soon…” *** Trixie trotted down the road. It was evening, and the last inch of the sun was disappearing behind the distant hills. She was going to be late for her dinner-date with Flash if she didn’t pick up the pace. This was the same restaurant as the one before, so she had no excuse. If only Starlight and Sunburst hadn’t kept on encouraging her to tell more stories, she wouldn’t have been at the Gardens for so long! These streets were a real maze during the day for a new pony in town, so at night they were nearly impossible. There wasn’t much else she could do other than guess at this point, trying feebly to remember where this diner was from memory. Eventually, by pure luck – or by pure skill, in her own mind – Trixie found the place. Trotting up to the door she pushed it open, immediately hit by the sounds and smells of a bustling restaurant. Trixie smiled politely at the porter that greeted her as she entered the building. She still couldn’t quite believe this place was so posh that it actually had a porter waiting on the door to take coats and bags, but there you are. Again she declined to remove her hat and cloak, proudly wearing it as she weaved between the tables to find Flash. It took a short while but she eventually picked him out from the crowd. The place was much busier tonight than it was last time. Resting down on the chair opposite Flash, she was careful not to lose her hat for the second time. She skirted around the hanging light fixture, smiling down at Flash as he chuckled at the memory. “Hey Trixie, sorry I had to dash this morning. Those guard shifts can really throw a spanner in the works, but what can you do? So, how are you?” Trixie was about to respond when a waiter appeared at the table-side. He stood straight, carrying an air of professionalism and class about him. His voice matched, the smooth accent creating quite the image of sophistication. “I pray you are both having a pleasant evening. Would you be interested in ordering just yet, or should I leave you for a few moments?” Trixie glanced at the menu, quickly making her decisions. “I’ll have the steak, medium rare please. And may I have a large Manehattan Iced Tea? I’ve heard the cocktails you serve here are fit for a Princess, and I simply have to find that out for myself. I never got around to trying one the first time I came!” The waiter nodded approvingly and – after making a mental note of Flash’s order – took the menus and left the ponies to talk. “Manehattan Iced Tea? Those are pretty strong cocktails, Trixie. I hope you aren’t going to end up plastered before dinner has even arrived…” Trixie scoffed, waving a hoof at Flash in dismissal. “Please, darling! You think The Great and Powerful Trixie can’t handle her drink? You clearly haven’t seen me in my prime! Why don’t you sit back, watch and learn?” The house chef stared out as his restaurant bustled with activity. As the night progressed the floor slowly grew busier and busier, yet a group of tables in the far corner remained oddly unoccupied. He grabbed a passing waiter by the lapel of his uniform, before pointing at the cluster of empty tables. “Colt, why are those tables empty? That part of the restaurant is prime real estate!” The waiter looked flustered but tried to keep his cool as he explained. “Well Sir, there is a couple sat there already. A stallion and a mare. But the mare is getting rather, rowdy, you see. I’ve told the other waiters not to serve her any more alcohol, but I think it might be too late. Nopony wanted to sit near the drunkard. Should we move them along?” The Chef rubbed his chin, deliberating the situation. “Colt, they are customers, who are paying a LOT of money to eat here. They will stay. If the other ponies don't like to sit near them, tough.” Flash tried to avoid eye-contact with the ponies walking by his table as they stared. Trixie was swaying back and forwards slightly, five empty glasses resting by her side, with a sixth floating up to her lips. They were going to get kicked out if she had any more, he knew it. Thankfully he could see that same waiter approaching with their dinner. He rested the two steaming meals down in front of the ponies, giving Trixie a funny look as she held her hoof out for a hoof-bump. “Trixie, please, I need you to take it easy. You’ve drank enough, so let’s just eat our food.” This hadn’t been the best start to a date, but Flash was confident things would improve, just so long as nothing else controversial happened. He looked at Trixie encouragingly, only to register 'that look' in her eye. Trixie rested the rapidly emptying glass down on the table with an audible clunk. Her facial expression was glossy, but Flash could recognize those little hints of lust in her eyes. She had a fire in her heart, and he could only hope she didn’t become too raunchy in as fancy a place as this. But from her tone of voice, it was a little too late… “Eat our food? I know what I’d rather be eating right now, Honey…” Oh dear. Flash knew how badly this would end, but he couldn’t help feel a pang of lust deep in his core as Trixie suddenly vanished, sliding down under the table. The oversized table-cloth reached the floor on all sides, hiding the intoxicated mare underneath as she made her move. The space under the table-cloth was pitch black. The cloth was a heavy weave fabric, so thick that little light shone through it from the restaurant itself. Only a dull wisp floated through the crack between the sheet and the floor. But Trixie didn’t need to see where she was going to know what she wanted. All she needed to do was follow the smell of her lover’s stallionhood. She was going to enjoy this, and from the slab of flesh beginning to push free of his sheath, so was Flash. “P-Please Trixie, calm down. I really want it, but if we get caught I could lose my job as a guard.” The stallion sounded deeply worried as he whispered down to her, but his shockingly hard cock betrayed his lust, and that was all Trixie was focused on at that moment. A little play would surely turn his mind round to her fun way of life? Trixie knew what she wanted, but she found her hooves slightly difficult to control as all that alcohol clouded her mind. She crawled a few inches forwards, before bumping her muzzle against Flash’s leg. The smell of his cock was even more intoxicating than the alcohol, and Trixie could hold back no longer. She dove forwards, burying her face in the hot folds of his scrotum. She poked her tongue out of her mouth, dragging it over every inch of his enticing ballsack. She listened to Flash’s quiet moans, muffled to the best of his ability through the hoof he’d placed over his mouth. At this point the mare had completely forgotten about any sense of risk or need for concern, so she moved up to the main event. Wrapping her lips around the tip of his shaft, she was immediately hit by that musky smell and taste. It filled her mouth and nostrils as her pussy began to drip onto the floor. A voice above the table. “Hello Sir, how is your meal?” “GOOD! It’s good, thank you! I, er, just started! Thank you!” Flash was having a friendly chat with the waitress? How sweet. Maybe she'd like to join in? As they spoke Trixie entertained herself by skimming her tongue over and around his medial ring, much to his presumed pleasure. The sound of hooves clopped down the walkway as the waitress left Flash’s side. Shame. Light began to pour under the table as Flash’s hoof pushed under the cloth. It approached Trixie’s face and quickly pushed her away, sending her teetering backwards towards her chair. Thoroughly annoyed she re-emerged from under the table, taking her place on her chair again. Folding her hooves across her chest she waited for the chastisement to come. But it never did. Confused, Trixie glanced over the table to see Flash looking incredibly flustered. His face was bright red, a mixture of embarrassment and sheer lust. The hoof that had vanished under the table-cloth had not resurfaced, and from the movement of his shoulder, it was clear he was feverishly masturbating. The agitated stallion leant forwards, pulling Trixie in close. His voice was little more than a whisper. “Go to the mare’s restroom. I’ll meet you once I can conceal this.” He tapped the table with his free hoof, motioning at his stiff member. “Be ready for me, because I need this NOW. We’ll have to be quick, so don’t expect me to take it easy.” Trixie was never going to deny this salacious opportunity. She toppled off the edge of her chair, the effect of the alcohol still apparent. Scanning the floor of the restaurant she spotted the mare’s restroom and tottered off towards it, occasionally flicking her rump side to side invitingly towards Flash as she moved. The restroom, fortunately, was barely occupied. Only one mare other than Trixie was inside, and she left shortly after Trixie stumbled into the first cubicle. She teetered backwards, plopping down onto the cold porcelain of the toilet seat. Looking around, the stall was immaculate, with an over-designed toilet roll holder attached to one wall. Small mirrors with detailed frames hung on the back of the door, presumably to allow a more self-conscious mare to fix her makeup without being seen or judged by any other pony outside. This whole place was so formal. Trixie doubted something as scandalous as what was about to happen had ever happened here. And that thought turned her on so, so much. Unable to contain her excitement, she lifted her hooves up onto the toilet, now standing on her hind legs. With the newfound height she could see over the top of the cubicle and watch for Flash. She leered over the divisions into the other stalls, and was relieved to see none of them were occupied. The door creaked open. It was Flash. He immediately clocked his lover’s face peering up over one of the cubicles, and he marched with purpose towards the stall door. Trixie licked her lips as she watched his erection sliding free of his sheath, smacking against his belly as he walked. She stepped down off of the toilet and prepared for him. No sooner than she had stepped down Flash had barged his way inside, bolting the door locked without a second thought. Pre-cum was streaming from his cock, and from the look on his face he was desperate for the satisfaction he had had to deny himself earlier. He approached the mare - still stood on her hind legs - before pressing one of his fore-hooves against the wall either side of her head. Flash leant forwards and buried his tongue in Trixie’s mouth again, this time far more quick and powerful. Trixie could feel this beautifully warm gift in her mouth, waving about wildly as it dragged along her own tongue. Flash grabbed his cock with a free hoof, and without a second thought guided it up to Trixie’s awaiting pussy. Trixie was by no means a virgin, but it had been a frightfully long time since she’d last felt a stallion inside her. It was impossible to contain her excitement, she needed this now more than anything else in the world. Her noisy moans egged Flash on as he butted the tip of his cock against her soaked vagina. Pulling his tongue free of Trixie’s mouth, Flash was able to look down as he felt his lovers warmth for the first time. She was incredibly tight, so much so that Flash thought it was all going to be too much immediately. Slowing his initial thrust greatly, he waited for the desire to orgasm to fade. As he did he watched Trixie shuffle about awkwardly, the poor mare desperate for him to go to town on her. A few seconds later he did. Confident he’d grown accustomed to her surprising tightness, Flash slammed the entirety of his shaft into Trixie’s moist vagina. The hungry mare let out a gasp, the feeling of her body being plugged by the stud she’d fallen for unlike anything else. She leant all of her weight forwards against Flash’s body and wrapped her legs around his waist, all of her weight now being carried by the stallion as he plowed into her hole. A squeaking sound. Someone had just come into the restroom. Flash froze, pressing a hoof firmly over Trixie’s muzzle. Stood stock still, he did not dare do anything, for fear of being rumbled. Even trying to pull his cock free of his partner’s vagina and setting her down came with risks. A single moan escaping from Trixie's lips was game over. Panicked, Flash decided to hold as still as he could until this new arrival left. She seemed to meander around aimlessly, pushing open one cubicle, tutting, then moving to the next. Sweat was beginning to drip from Flash’s brow. Trixie wasn’t overly heavy, but holding her for such a long time in a position so compromising was starting to drain. His focus flicked from the sounds of this other mare to Trixie, who seemed blissfully unaware of the gravitas of the situation. Hanging off of his neck, she began to lift herself up and down on his shaft. He was starting to get scared at this point. He could feel his orgasm building again, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stave it off for long. But if he reached the point of no return and came, there was not a chance in Tartarus that both he and Trixie would remain quiet enough to evade detection. Clamping his eyes shut he tried to think of something – anything – else, just to divert his mind from this situation. Every inch of his body ached with a mixture of pleasure and discomfort, but he could not give up yet. The door to the bathroom clicked shut. The mare had left. Knowing they were safe, Flash knew he only had moments before he came. With a massive effort he lifted Trixie’s body up, off of his, watching his cock pop free and bounce around excitedly. Setting Trixie down on the lavatory, she lunged forwards, clamping her lips over his shaft like a vice. Now Flash could relax, and let it all happen. Going weak at the knees he came with an unbridled force, shooting a hot, pressured load down Trixie’s throat. The adrenaline was draining as quickly as his balls were, and by the time his orgasm had ended he just felt tired. He lifted Trixie to her feet before leaning in for a hug. She seemed far more calm about the whole situation than he had done, but that was surely the alcohol doing the thinking. Now all he had to worry about was getting out unspotted. He wasn’t out of the woods yet. “Trixie,” he whispered. “We need to leave, now. If I get rumbled, well, I told you what would happen. I’m going to make a break for it now, I want you to wait here for two minutes. After that head out and meet me. If we leave at the same time it’ll be obvious we were up to something. We can’t stay in this restaurant after that, so then I’ll take you home. Got it?” He looked deep into Trixie’s eyes, reassured when she nodded with a surprising clarity. “Good.” With that he unbolted the cubicle door and, after glancing left and right, made a move for the restroom exit. Trixie locked the door behind him and listened as the main door creaked open. Her face turned white when she heard a mare screaming. “What in Equestria are you doing in here Sir!? This is the mare’s restroom!” Flash’s apology sounded nothing short of desperate. “I went in the wrong one, I’m sorry ma’am. Didn’t mean anything by it. I’ve had a little too much of the ale, and I musta just got confused. Terribly sorry, I’ll be gone now…” And with that he was out, the sound of quick hoofsteps as he headed back to their table. Trixie calmed her nerves, waited a short while, and prepared to follow him out. When she left, she discovered Flash hurriedly paying the bill for the food they never ate. He hadn’t noticed that a bewildered waitress and an annoyed chef were giving him passive aggressive looks from the other side of the restaurant, but Trixie tried to ignore them as she coughed in Flash’s direction. He quickly dropped his coins on the table, before cantering towards the door. The two both disappeared into the cold night. VI: ConsummationVI: Consummation Trixie cringed to remember last night. Why had she forced Flash to do something so awful? To put him through all that risk for her own needs? She couldn’t just go about her day trying to ignore this problem. Leaving her cape and hat hanging on the back of the door she dashed out the room, desperate to find Flash and apologize. Her hooves skittering beneath her, Trixie launched herself into the hallway. No sign of Flash here. No sign of any guards, for that matter. She had to find someone who would know where he was. Anyone. She moved from hallway to hallway, searching for any signs of Flash. Nothing. Finally she had some luck though, stumbling across a pale looking unicorn guard making his rounds. “Excuse me Sir?!” Trixie couldn’t hide the panic in her voice as the guard span to her attention. “Ma’am? Is something amiss? Do you need to report a disturbance? If so, I shall report it to my superiors at once! If Chrysalis has returned Cadance must know at once, we are on high alert as it is!” Trixie cocked her head, bemused by this guards concern. “No… it’s not Chrysalis, but it is an emergency! Have you seen Flash Sentry? He’s one of the other guards. It’s very important!” The guards face went from concern to frustration in a matter of seconds. “Really? You shouldn’t come to a member of the guard with such trivial matters. Is he dead?” “…No.” “Kidnapped?” “…No.” “Enslaved?” “…No, for Celestia’s sake, I just need to find him! Has anyone seen him today?” The annoyed guard rolled his eyes as he thought. “Yeah, I saw him. He was moping, up on the grand balcony. Go find him yourself if you need him.” With that the guard cocked his head away from Trixie and continued on his rounds. Important details acquired, Trixie set off at breakneck pace for the stairwell to the balcony. Topping the stairs, there he was. Sat with his back to her, staring out over the city. As the sound of hooves rung out behind him he slowly turned, greeting the mare he thought he held so much respect for. She ran forward and gave him a tight hug before taking a deep breath and pulling back. “Flash, are you okay? Are you in trouble… you didn’t lose your job, did you?” He smiled weakly, shaking his head to dispel her worry. “No, no, don’t fret. I haven’t been reported or anything, my job is fine. I just needed to get away, clear my head and think about what I did. I used you, and I feel terrible about it! You were drunk and your mind wasn’t in the right place, and I took advantage of you at your most vulnerable.” He hid his face in shame. “I couldn’t bear to see you after making such a hideous mistake.” Trixie rested her hoof under his chin, inviting him to lift his head into her vision. She stepped closer, quieting her voice to nearly a whisper. “It’s okay. I understand how you feel about last night. How you feel like you used me. I want you to know you didn’t. If anything, I used you. I forced you to do something you weren’t comfortable with, and that was wrong. But I think we need to set that behind us, and just take from it the good things. Like how good we feel in each other’s company. Trixie leant in and gave him a long, sweet kiss on the forehead. She held there for a few seconds, taking her time in his presence. Pulling away, she went back to staring into his eyes. “You have my word, Flash. I’ll always be happy, so long as you are. Say, would you like me to sit here with you for a little while? And why don’t you come by my room tonight at sunset? We could spend a genuine romantic evening together? No wine, no risk. Just the two of us. That way we can just get back to the heartfelt stuff and put the difficulties behind us?” “I think I’d like that. I, I just needed to know you weren’t upset in any way.” Trixie sidled up to Flash’s side as he invited her to sit with him. His heart fluttered slightly as she rested her cheek against his shoulder, leaving them both to stare vacantly up at the calm midday sun. A midday sun that – before long – had been replaced by the cool blue of the moon. They’d wiled the whole day away in each other’s company with ease, talking about romantic somethings and nothings with no hint of displeasure. “Okay Flash, I think I ought to go and get ready. Why not give it five minutes and then pop down to my room? We can keep the evening going in comfort there…” How could Flash turn down an offer so sweet? He watched as she sauntered by him, pausing for a second in the mouth of the stairwell. Turning to look him in the eye once last time, so couldn’t help but bite her lip slightly. That was the only clue Flash needed in order to know what was going to be happening that evening. Five minutes passed. Down the stairs, through the corridors, and there was Trixie’s room. Flash knocked on her door. Rocking back and forth on his hooves, he waited to hear the mare’s voice. Eventually it drifted out to his ears, beckoning him inside. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, ready for the scene she’d set out. Incense and candles dotted the room, letting off a heady mix of smells. The licking flames of the candles cast hypnotic shadows over the walls, dancing as they moved. She’d drawn the curtains, meaning the room was soaked in only the orange glow of the candles. Trixie herself was laid atop the bed on her belly, staring over at him with a lustful expression. Her back legs were spread, exposing her genitalia in an incredibly seductive manner. She occasionally swished her tail back and forth, sending the smell drifting out around the room. It hit Flash’s nostrils and he couldn’t help but feel his cock slide free of his sheath in anticipation. He walked to the back of the bed, coming to rest just behind Trixie. “Feeling comfortable, honey?” “Of course, Flash. And you?” “I always do when I’m around you. I realize that now.” Calm and reassured, Trixie moved her tail aside, now fully presenting her sex to her partner. “Go ahead then... It’s all yours.” Shifting slowly forwards, Flash took in that sweet smell of Trixie’s body. He had come to recognize it by now, but it was a smell he’d always adore. He slowly pressed his muzzle up against her pussy, running his tongue along her warm folds of skin. Her moans floated on the air as he worked his tongue around her sex, before slowly pushing his way inside. Trixie felt her body going weak as her lover’s tongue probed her, teasing her in the most incredible of ways. Flash felt his muzzle break free of Trixie’s vagina as the mare suddenly climbed to her hooves on the bed. Turning around to face him, she beckoned the stallion up onto the bed with her. “Lie down, I don’t want you feeling left out of this.” Loyally he did so, awaiting his lover with baited breath. He watched as she positioned herself over him, her pussy resting mere inches from his face. She slowly lowered her rear down onto his head, allowing him to continue lapping at her sex with reckless abandon. As he did, Trixie focused her attention on those genitals of his own. His cock was stood fully to attention, bouncing slightly as he moved beneath her. It was too inviting to simply ignore. Craning her neck down, she parted her lips and swallowed his cock into her mouth. First the head popped past her lips, then the shaft. She slowed around his medial ring, it’s sheer girth always making Trixie think twice. Having taken that she continued, until eventually the entirety of his shaft filled her throat. This time she didn’t find herself spluttering at all as Flash’s stallionhood lodged inside her. She held herself there for a moment, lost in the pleasure as his cock twitched in her throat and his tongue twitched in her pussy. But she’d need to breathe soon, so she lifted her head up and slid the majority of the cock free of her throat. Inhaling a lung-full of air, she slid back down it again - picking up the pace – much to the enjoyment of her partner. The shaft slid in and out with ease, her spittle lubricating it plentifully. Trixie could taste the thick pre-cum dripping onto her tongue, and she took great time tasting the flavor before swallowing the loads down. As Trixie continued to work her magic on his cock, Flash found himself unable to stop himself from lightly bucking her hips back and forth, forcing his cock up into Trixie’s mouth faster and faster. His tongue was still lodged deep in her rear, his face now slick with the juices that dripped down over him. The smell was overwhelming, and right now he loved it more than anything. That’s why he couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed as Trixie lifted herself free, breaking the bond again. Flash watched a thin string of Trixie’s cum drool from her snatch as she rested her head down on the bed, waving her hind quarters in the air invitingly. “I need to feel your cock inside me again, Flash, I can’t wait any more!” Climbing to his hooves, Flash moved forwards, standing over his partner. He guided himself into her again, and was instantly hit by the beautiful sensations of her tight body. Thrusting slowly and powerfully against her rear, every part of Trixie’s body felt hot, flooding with euphoric lust. Flash grinned down at the mare he’d fallen in love with, watching how adorably she reacted to his member. The curtains twitched. Though Trixie had drawn them shut, gusts of wind had blown a slight gap between the two pieces of fabric. If the ponies hadn’t been a little busy in one another’s presence, they would have noticed a pair of wide eyes peeking through. Spike reeled backwards, nearly slipping off the windowsill he had climbed up onto. He had sneaked up here to write a note home, but he hadn’t expected to see something like this! He fumbled rather awkwardly for his quill, unsure quite what to say at this point. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – SEVENTEEN You do not want to know what they are up to. I need a REAL holiday after this. - Spike the Scared “Are you enjoying this?” Flash panted out his words, his ever-shortening breaths quickly getting in the way. Trixie tried to speak, but only an odd moan escaped her lips. Flash couldn’t help but laugh slightly. She clearly was enjoying it a heck of a lot. He responded by speeding up his motions, his balls slapping against her body at shorter and shorter intervals. The warm walls of her pussy constricted around him, squeezing his cock with a crushing tightness. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stave off orgasm for much longer. “T-Trixie, I need to cum… I’ll have to pull out.” The mare turned her head slowly, stopping as her eyes met his. She stared up at him with a warm and accepting facial expression, as if she had come to terms with an important decision. “Wait, dear… If you’re ready, I want you to finish inside me…” With those words Flash felt his whole body screaming for release, and as his balls churned he knew the release was inevitable. Lurching forwards he buried the entirety of his length inside her, clamping himself against her as his orgasm arrived. Flash could feel his muscles going limp as those final moments drained him of energy, his cock spitting the seed of his efforts into Trixie’s womb. She too felt drained – but deeply satisfied – as the hot semen flowed from his cock into her body. Flash spent, he was immediately on the bed, struggling to keep his eyes open. He yawned, before beckoning Trixie to come to bed with him. With the night over, Trixie did so, feeling her eyes draw shut as she rested in his strong hooves again. Flash peeled his eyes open as the sounds of the world chorused around him. He could hear his lover in the bathroom, so it was probably best to leave her to it. A mare’s private time was a mare’s private time. Glancing around to the clock, he saw it was fast approaching midday. Wow, he’d slept that late? Obviously it helped to be in the presence of such a caring pair of hooves as Trixie’s. Today was one of his few days off, so he needn't have been concerned by this late start to the day. Casual as anything he slid out of bed before taking a long stretch. Ah, that was well needed. He called through to the bathroom. “Good morning honey! How are you this lovely day?” He grinned inanely at Trixie as she emerged from the bathroom, before starting to stare at the object she held in her magic grip. She looked concerned. His eyes darted between her face and that thing, and he knew what she was about to say to him. “Flash, I’m pregnant.” Silence. Flash didn’t quite no how to respond at that moment. He'd known there was a chance when he finished inside her, but to hear those simple words put it all into perspective. His thoughts were immediately assaulted by so many different ideas and panics that he didn’t know which to listen to first. "Am I ready, will I be able to support it with my work, Do I want a baby?" It was then he stopped and realized what he should be thinking. He turned to face his partner. “Are you happy with that, Trixie dear?” Her look of concern lingered, before suddenly disappearing. She threw the pregnancy test to the side and leapt at Flash. She dove at him, wrapping her arms around him. All of his worries melted away at that moment. He’d forgotten all those niggling problems as quickly as they’d arisen, she was happy, so he was happy. He span her around in his hooves, both ponies beginning to laugh and cry out like maniacs. Finally putting her down, Flash wiped tears of joy from his eyes, suddenly overloaded with positive emotions. “Aww, don’t cry, nerd!” Trixe mocked, ignoring the fact that her words were spoken through her own choked voice. “You’ll want to go and tell your friend the news, won’t you Trix? The news that I still can’t quite believe myself! Oh, you’ll be a great mother you know!” The stallion began to almost hop from hoof to hoof with excitement, acting like a rather ridiculous – but wholly adorable – foal. This merriment couldn’t help but make Trixie laugh to herself, before moving to give him a passionate kiss. Flash quickly stopped hopping around as he felt his lover’s body press up against his own. Lost in the moment, he was finally pulled back to reality when Trixie ended the kiss. “You know, darling, I think I will go and tell my friends! I’m going to go tell Starlight, Cadance obviously, and Sunburst. Oh, Shining Armor! I’ve got to send some message home to Twilight too! If only Spike was here he could write home with a letter, but it looks like I’ll just have to get Starlight to teleport us home. But that can wait, because I don’t think I’ll be rushing home anytime soon! For now though, you’re right! I’ve gotta go tell Starlight!” Full of emotion and energy Trixie rushed for the door, almost wrenching it off the hinges with her magic. She shot our into the hallway and disappeared from view. Now alone, Flash flopped backwards onto the bed. He stared up at the ceiling, letting the events of the last ten minutes process. Everything felt like it was moving pretty fast, but he didn’t have an issue with that. He just kept replaying the same image in his mind, over and over. The image of her smiling face when she had realized they were going to be having a foal together. Cadance, Shining Armor and Sunburst were all sat around the table of the Cadance’s dining hall. Flurry Heart had started whining in Shining’s hooves, and - flummoxed by the possible cause – he quickly passed her to Cadance. They’d been gathered by Trixie with such astonishing speed and glee she’d barely even hinted at what exactly was going on. They looked round at each other, giving wild guesses, but no one got close to the crux of the matter. Finally the doors burst open again, this time Trixie appeared in view with Starlight in tow. The unicorn looked as deeply confused as the others, but she too drew no answers from the excited Trixie. Having been plonked down in one of the chairs, Starlight had had enough. “TRIXIE LULAMOON, WHATEVER IS THE MATTER?!” The unicorn responded with a coy grin, drumming her hooves against the table for maximum build-up of anticipation. “Everypony, I have some BIG NEWS! Quiet in the audience, for you see, The Great and Powerful Trixie, is, pregnant!” Trixie threw her arms wide open, waiting for the response. Stunned silence. At first, none of the ponies knew quite what to say. They didn’t know how happy she was with the news, nor for that matter how happy Flash was. But they quickly realised the error of their ways, drowning the room in rapturous cheers and applause. Starlight leapt up from her chair and held her friend tight, her eyes welling up. After seeing how happy it made Starlight, Sunburst was up on his hooves to give Trixie his congratulations. Shining was cheering in approval in the background, quickly waking the baby again, and Cadance too nodded approvingly at the scene of joy that unfolded before her. “Princess of Love,” she thought to herself. “Her ideas always see us to the happy ending…” It was then the door creaked open behind them. Flash was peering his head round the door, glad to see he’d found the right room. Everyone inside cheered his name, beckoning him to come in. “Hi everypony, it took me a little while to work out where you were, but I’m so glad to see so many happy faces. I presume Trixie told you the good news?” He was met with a cacophony of agreement as he approached Trixie. Stopping just in front of her, he listened as the room went quiet. Everyone stopped, intrigued as to just what he was about to say. Reaching down into his guards uniform, he carefully pulled out a small, blue box. Trixie was in tears of joy before he’d even opened it. Dropping down to his knees, he leant down and pulled back the lid, revealing a pristine, hoof crafted engagement ring. He looked up, deep into Trixie’s eyes, and asked her the eternal question. “Trixie Lulamoon, will you marry me?” Tears cascading down her cheeks, Trixie blurted out yes without a moment’s hesitation. The room filled with yet more cheers and whoops as he pushed the ring onto her horn before standing and giving her one more kiss. Starlight scoffed as Trixie looked over. “So then, I guess blind date’s aren’t such a bad idea for the likes of you then, eh?” As the group burst out laughing, the Crystal Heart outside began to spin ever so slightly quicker.
I: A Wagon Full of TroublesI: A Wagon Full of Troubles The sun rested high in the sky as Starlight Glimmer trotted through town. The birds were singing as they nested in the trees, and the ponies of Ponyville went about their day. Everything was as it should be. Starlight smiled to herself. What a lovely day this was to take a friend to the Spa. She hadn’t had many an opportunity to relax since becoming Twilight’s student. And that whole crisis with Chrysalis had really taken it out of her. She needed some time to herself to relax. No lessons, no world-threatening monsters. Just peace. Starlight whistled a tune to herself as she trotted down the road. She waved to the ponies that greeted her. She was still awkward around the others, but her compassion for other ponies was certainly becoming more heartfelt. That’d been clear ever since she befriended Trixie. As Starlight crested a hill the wagon her friend called home emerged into view. It was parked among a small patch of trees, providing some cooling spots of shade. But there was no sign of Trixie. She must have been inside. Starlight walked along the impromptu pathway of flattened grass, carved by the regular movement of Trixie’s wagon as she traveled far and wide to tour her magic shows. Starlight arrived at the wooden door and knocked sharply. The dull thuds reverberated through the wagon as Starlight stepped back. She waited, but no response. Strange. She stepped forwards and knocked again, this time with more force. Still nothing. Getting exasperated, she shouted Trixie’s name, shaking the light wooden walls of the wagon. Still nothing. Starlight hopped backwards off the wagon steps and moved round to the side. She positioned herself beside one of the small windows, getting ready to peer in. The curtains were drawn, but a slight crack between the two was enough for Starlight to see inside. The cabin interior was quite dark, with only a shallow beam of light managing to seep through. In the gloom Starlight could make out her friend lying on her back on the bed. She was staring up at the ceiling, her hooves crossed over her belly. Starlight rolled her eyes at the sight. “Don’t tell me you're asleep in the middle of the day? Come on Trixie, we had a spa visit booked, remember?” As Starlight spoke, Trixie slowly turned her head in the direction of the voice. Her eyes settled on the unicorn outside. She had known it was Glimmer from the first knock. Who else would it have been? She continued to stare out at her friend, before the room filled with the blue glow of her horn. With little thought she drew the curtains shut, blocking out her friend’s face. Starlight was rather taken aback by Trixie’s sudden rudeness. Sure, she could be rather tetchy with the average pony on the street, but she was her best friend. Why was she being like this? “Come on Trixie, open the curtains. Don’t make me come in there.” The curtains stayed still, and Trixie stayed quiet. “Alright then, I’m coming in.” Starlight clamped her eyes shut and blinked through the wall into the wagon. Her skin felt warm as the effects of the magic dissipated. Looking down at her friend, her annoyance quickly morphed into worry. She pulled over a stool and sat down beside the bed. Her voice was soft, calm. “Hey Trixie, what’s up? It’s not like you to be sat inside all mopey. I thought you would want to be outside showing off some of your tricks, or at least getting ready for our spa visit!” Starlight paused for a response, but one barely came. Trixie merely shrugged, her face indifferent. “Are you feeling ill perhaps? I could run into town and get you some medication if you like.” Silence. Trixie rolled over onto her side. Now facing the opposite wall, she deliberately hid her face from Starlight. “Come on Trixie, I’m your friend. If something is wrong, you’ve got to let me know. I want to help you.” The atmosphere was cold and uneasy, a far cry from how things normally were between them. Starlight wasn’t sure what to do in this situation. Twilight had taught her a lot, but none of the Princess’ wisdom seemed to be helping at that moment. What was she to do if Trixie didn’t speak up? She couldn’t sit here forever. She resigned herself to going to get Twilight for advice, before Trixie finally spoke up. She still faced away from Starlight, but at least this was progress. “I’m sorry Star, I don’t really want to talk at the moment. I’ve been feeling kind of rough as of late.” Starlight beamed, glad to have finally gotten a response. “So, you ARE feeling ill? Give me your symptoms, I can go get some medicine! Perhaps Zecora can whip you something up?” “No, Starlight. I’m not ill.” Trixie’s response was sharp and biting. “I’ve just been having, unhelpful thoughts…” Starlight cocked her head to the side. She wasn’t sure what in Equestria the mare was talking about. “Unhelpful thoughts…?” “Yes, unhelpful thoughts. Tell me, what does the world think of The Great and Powerful Trixie? Am I one of the bad ponies? I’ve heard what ponies think, what ponies say. They don’t trust me, and certainly don’t seem to like me. Even Discord - in a time of crisis, no less – felt the need to tell me just how lowly he thought of me.” Starlight was shocked to her core. She’d never heard Trixie speaking so critically of herself, and the way she spoke of others was nothing short of horrible. She had to ease her friend’s thoughts. “Trixie dear, please! I don’t know where these thoughts have come from, but they are totally unjustified! Yes, Discord said some harsh things, but given the circumstances, I think you need to forgive a little hostility and uneasiness all round. And of course the ponies like you! Sure, some of them were a little opposed to the old Trixie, but she was exactly that. The old Trixie! You are the new Trixie, and shutting yourself away is not going to help anypony understand you!” Trixie slowly rolled over, coming to rest with her eyes staring up at her friend. She had never looked more timid and unsure of herself. When she spoke up again her voice wavered. “Trixie needs your help… She doesn’t know what to do.” Starlight smiled, patting her friend's shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I promise I will help you feel comfortable again. Perhaps a spell will calm the others? From what I remember a dash of ‘carmine irrumabo’ should make everypony feel more than comfortable around you.” Trixie raised a single eyebrow as Glimmer made the suggestion. “Er, no. No magic. Your friends have told me what a state you left everything in last time you cast a ‘helpful’ spell. It’s got to be proper help or nothing.” Starlight gulped. “I’ll get Twilight.”
II: A Row of TablesII: A Row of Tables The wagon door clicked shut behind Starlight. She moved carefully down the steps, before taking off at a fast canter towards Twilight’s castle. Her mind was a mess of nervous thoughts, deeply confused. Thoughts bounced around her head as she desperately tried to work out what could be done. Trixie had proven to the ponies of Ponyville she was a changed mare; there were no misconceptions to rid of. Ironically, all of the misconceptions rested with Trixie herself, not those around her. There had to be some way to convince Trixie that ponies cared about her. Starlight racked her brains, but couldn’t help but come up short. Still, it didn’t matter if she wasn’t an expert in friendship. That was what Twilight was for. Starlight had arrived at the oversized castle. She concentrated her magic on the door and flung it open as she approached. She still found herself getting lost in the ridiculous spaghetti junction of hallways and corridors throughout the castle, but eventually she found herself stumbling into the map room. Twilight was sat on her throne with Spike, carefully reading through an especially thick tome of some description. She glanced up and smiled as she saw her newest friend walk in. “Starlight! How are you? Studying hard I hope? Good work defeating Chrysalis! Celestia is so proud of you, as am I of course! You, Trixie & Discord working together to do good? Whoever would have thought it? I mean, just a few months ago you wouldn’t of dreamed of working with others-” Starlight remained quiet, staring absently towards her friend. How many times was she going to inadvertently mention that whole oppressing a township thing? It had stopped being funny very, very quickly. Twilight caught herself and apologized. “No offence Starlight…” “None taken,” she grinned reassuringly, “It’s funny you mention Trixie, though, because that’s actually who I’m here to talk about. You see, that mare’s not been feeling herself as of late. No maniacal laughter, no smoke bombs, not even a single mention of her magic tricks!” Twilgith and Spike both gasped. “No talk of her magic!?” Twilight had immediately set her book down, and was staring across the room at Starlight. All focus was on her now. “Sit down. This is an emergency.” Starlight moved towards the table, sidling round one of the thrones before sitting down. She was worried, but if anyone would be able to help it would be Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. She seemed very concerned as the questions started. “Now, Trixie and I may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past-“ “Or any…” “Quiet Spike. Now as I was saying, we may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help her in her hour of need. A friendship problem is a friendship problem. Now Starlight, I want you to list the events from the very beginning…” Starlight slowly and meticulously explained each point of the story so far, no detail too small or minor. Twilight furiously scribbled notes and occasionally gestured for Spike to fetch a specific book or tome from the library. No sooner had he ran back into the map room with the book and caught his breath he was sent straight back out to fetch more. By the time the instructions stopped his brow was damp with sweat and the tower of books teetered precariously. Twilight too looked strained, as all of her theories and suggestions were coming up short. The issue was that everyone was friends here. Everyone did like Trixie, even if she refused to accept it. Spike had suggested some sort of party or celebration to remind Trixie that the friendship was genuine, but Twilight was quick to disagree with the situation. “Trixie may be many good things, but when bad thing she is, is stubborn. If she thinks ponies dislike her, a party isn’t going to change her mind. Especially if it is a party entirely of ponies we all know from Ponyville. That way she’ll smell a setup. We need her to befriend somepony else, somepony new. That way she’ll have an opportunity to start fresh. Perhaps then she’ll see she isn’t as unpopular as she thinks she is.” Twilight nodded to herself, confident in her answer. “Yeah, that’s it. Getting one brand new friend would be the best option.” Spike and Starlight were both quiet, listening it to Twilight’s suggestion. Looking between each other and back at Twilight they nodded. Starlight spoke up. “You’re speaking sense, Twilight. But where do we send her? And what do I do to help?” Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof. “Well now, we need to send her somewhere she hasn’t got any friends. The Crystal Empire would probably be as good a bet as any. If you go there you can work with Sunburst, and you’ll have Cadance there to assist you too. Who knows, perhaps Trixie needs the Princess of Love more than the Princess of Friendship right now? But we can’t just send her on her own. That way she’ll become suspicious, she’ll think we have planned all this. So you need to go with her, Starlight. Tell her you are going on a relaxing trip to The Crystal Empire and it’s nothing more.” She reached over the edge of the table and cheekily nudged Starlight in the side with her elbow. “Of course, we both know this whole trip is one big friend finding mission. And I guess you could consider this all one big friendship lesson too, Starlight. Do your teacher proud.” Starlight clambered down from the throne and began to head for the door. She thanked Twilight for her advice, promising to do her proud. As she clicked the door shut behind her Twilight leant down to Spike’s side, who rested against the edge of the map. He jumped when Twilight began to loudly whisper into his ear. “Spike, I want you to go after them. Watch them, take notes, keep me informed. I want to know how my student does on her second friendship mission to The Crystal Empire! This is going to be so exciting!” Spike rolled his eyes and walked towards the doors Starlight had taken. His ears pricked as Twilight spoke up again. “Oh, and Spike? Don’t get spotted again. Get yourself a better disguise, please.” The vast, ornate double doors slammed loudly shut. *** “Why did I have to pack all these winter clothes? It’s the height of Summer! And why have you dragged me out of my wagon, for that matter? I was comfy.” Trixie was grumbling to herself as she shifted a saddlebag on her back. It was weighing down against her very uncomfortably, what with the sheer number of scarves, hats and pairs of boots she was carrying. Starlight also looked uncomfortable under her luggage, but she tried to remain composed. “You see, Trixie, I thought it would be nice to spend a week or so in the Crystal Empire to relax and get away from all of this. The Crystal Empire is lovely this time of year. But nonetheless, it has been known to get more than a little cold if and when the Crystal Heart gets smashed. I’m not taking any chances, and I don’t want you to either.” The shrill whistle of the train interrupted Starlight’s warning. It loped down the rails towards Ponyville Station, before grinding to a slow halt at the platform edge. Starlight stepped onto the train with her reluctant friend in tow. As they settled in their seats they gazed out the window at the general hubbub of Ponyville life. As Starlight watched, Trixie leant back against the plush chair and rested her eyes. If she had to go on this relaxation mission the relaxing may as well begin early. “Wake me up when we get there, Starlight. I’m going to catch some shut-eye that I COULD HAVE BEEN getting in the comfort of my own wagon, but here we are.” Starlight Glimmer smiled sweetly at her friend as her eyes crept shut. She had to admit, she felt incredibly nervous about this whole mission. What if she failed in helping her friend, and Trixie ended up even more miserable than she had been beforehand? Twilight would be so disappointed in her! “Come on, Starlight, calm down,” she thought to herself. “You’re made of tougher stuff than this, don’t start panicking now. This is supposed to be a relaxing trip, not a freak-out trip. Just worry about Trixie discovering the truth when it happens. She’ll appreciate it in the long run.” Trixie’s loud snores interrupted Starlight’s thoughts, snapping her back to reality. Trixie had the right idea, so Starlight decided to get some sleep under her belt too. One of the luggage compartments creaked open as Starlight drifted off. Spike’s head appeared from under the compartment door, a quill and parchment in his claws. He began to write his first message to Twilight, still frustrated that he had to waste his time doing this idle work. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – ONE They are sat on the train. Starlight didn’t offer Trixie the window seat. Very rude of her. Other than that, they still look friendly. I am sure Starlight will complete her friendship mission with ease. Hopefully these are all the details you need. Now, I’m going to go have a fun week with my Crystal Empire fans who all love me so super-duper much. - Spike the Brave & Glorious As he finished penning the note he engulfed the parchment in flames, quickly sending it to Twilight. Or did he just send it to Celestia? Whoops. *** The ponies waiting at the platform were engulfed in steam as the train pulled into the Crystal Empire Station. Starlight Glimmer emerged from the cloud, Trixie following suit as they trotted along the platform into the city itself. Starlight always found herself in awe of this strange place, the piercing sunlight glinting off of ponies and buildings alike. Starlight smiled to herself as she stared at the twinkling world around her. She span round – a wide grin across her face – and looked for Trixie’s expression of excitement. The mare actually looked rather disinterested, still trotting along a short distance behind Starlight. She gazed forwards at nothing in particular, occasionally kicking her hoof idly at the dirt. “Hey, Trixie! Whatever is the matter, don’t you find this place amazing? Look at everything sparkle!” “I know, it’s something, I guess. Can we get to our hotel, I want to have a relaxing week to my own thoughts.” "Trixie, come on! How can you not be excited to be here? I’m still in awe of this place, and this is my fourth or fifth visit!” Trixie responded, not looking up from the floor she now stared down at. “Oh, I’ve seen all this before. This isn’t my first time here.” Starlight was surprised. She was learning new things about her friend every day. “I didn’t know you’d been here before! When were you going to tell me?” “I didn’t plan on telling you at all. It didn’t exactly go well. But that’s all you need to know, so leave it. Now, could you kindly point me in the direction of our hotel?” Starlight nodded her head, acceptant of her friends wishes. She pointed towards a tall tower in the distance, the tallest structure around by a long way. “We’re staying there, at the Crystal Castle. We are distinguished guests of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.” Trixie’s jaw lolled slightly as she stared up at the tower. Now that was exciting. *** Trixie and Starlight found themselves being guided around the castle by two sturdy looking guards. They wore the full attire, looking incredibly serious and stoic. They walked in perfect timing as they marched the mares down a large hallway. The mares aimed several questions at the guards, but got no response. They resigned themselves to the awkward silence, before eventually arriving at a large set of double doors. One of the guards grandly thrust the door open with a hoof, and motioned for the two mares to enter. Inside Princess Cadance was tending to her foal. Shining Armor and Sunburst were also there, both looking incredibly tired. Sunburst was the first to notice the doors open, and he smiled joyfully as he saw his friend arrive. “Starlight! How are you, it’s been a while!” Glimmer ran forwards and wrapped herself around Sunburst in a tight hug. Sunburst groaned as he felt the air being crushed from him. “I’m glad you’re happy to see me too…” he managed to wheeze out. Cadance and Shining smiled down at the two as they embraced, before looking up to Starlight's friend. They saw Trixie stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of what to do with herself. Cadance grinned over at her, before beckoning her into the room. Trixie awkwardly trotted over, her saddlebags still weighing her down. Cadance spoke up as the mare approached. “Trixie, how are you? Starlight wrote ahead, told me you haven’t been feeling yourself. That is perfectly understandable, it happens to the best of us! Life can throw up some stressful challenges sometimes.” She looked down at Flurry Heart, sleeping in her hooves. She lifted her to her face and nuzzled against her, waking the foal from her rest. “But good things can come of stress, so let’s not get caught up in the difficult things. Shining dear, can you look after Flurry while these two mares and I go for a talk?” She levitated the baby across the room, resting her down in Shining’s hooves. Cadance, Trixie and Starlight headed for the door as Flurry Heart immediately burst into tears. The last thing they heard was Shining panicking as the baby flew from his arms and started crashing around the room. The alicorn directed the two down a string of hallways, until they eventually arrived at a large drawing room. Walking inside a large table rested in the center, several plush topped chairs surrounding it. She motioned towards the chairs as she locked the door behind her. She didn’t want anyone getting distracted. And from the sounds of burbled giggles and crashes outside, Flurry Heart had escaped from her room. Cadance sat at the head of the table as Shining and Sunburst scrabbled around outside in chase. “So, Trixie. Starlight and Twilight have kept me pretty up to date on what’s been eating away at you. But I would love to hear it from you yourself, so please, what do you feel is the issue?” Trixie shuffled in her seat, clearly reluctant to discuss her faults with anyone other than her best friend. She squirmed from left to right as Starlight encouraged her, until she eventually snapped and let it all slide out. “I’ve been feeling really lonely and isolated and I think that nopony really likes me! Alright? I said it. Now why are we here, Starlight told me this was just going to be a relaxing weeks’ vacation.” Cadance looked over at Starlight, her face a mixture of concern and disappointment. Starlight shrugged uncertainly. Lying was the only way she could’ve convinced Trixie to come in the first place. “No, Trixie.” Cadance’s voice was stern, yet warming. “This is pretty much an intervention. Starlight brought you here so we could help you feel better about yourself. She went to Twilight for help, and she deemed it best that you two came to me. You see Trixie, I think you see the world wrong. Ponies do like you. You assume that just because you’ve had a rough history with some folk, that you’ll never be seen well by anypony else. Well that is not true. You need a companion, somepony that can stand by your side through the tough times, and prove to you that you are not a bad pony. You shouldn’t be chasing after the approval of a crowd in an effort to feel loved. That is why I have deliberated the best course of action for you, and I feel it best that you attend a blind date meeting here in the Crystal Empire.” Trixie’s jaw was practically on the floor. She didn’t know where to look, what to say. She was stunned. On the one hoof she’d been tricked into coming here by her friend, and on the other she was now being told she had to attend a blind date meeting! “Ridiculous! The Great and Powerful Trixie would never stoop to something as totally pointless as a blind date! Why would someone as magnificent as I leave my future to something as petty as chance?” Cadance bowed her head, acknowledging Trixie’s expected frustration. “You may feel it beneath you. But I still deem it the best course of action for yourself, if you want to feel better about the way the world sees you.” Trixie crossed her hooves firmly across her chest in defiance. “Nope. Trixie will not stoop to something so potentially humiliating.” “…Well now I never. I didn’t expect the Great and Powerful Trixie to be a chicken.” Trixie stopped. She turned to face Starlight and struggled to withhold her malice. “Y-You?! Trixie’s best friend, calling her out? What a low blow. Trixie will have you know she can do ANYTHING one throws at her. I’m just avoiding this, because, well, I don’t feel like it.” “Oh really now? Well, if you want everypony back home to know you weren’t up to the challenge, I’d be more than happy to let them know.” With that Starlight clambered down from her chair and began to saunter slowly towards the door. She was clearly feeling cocky, moving with an overtly confident sway. A cloud of energy wrapped around her body as she felt herself being dragged backwards towards the table again. She came to rest beside her friend, who stared directly at her, refusing to break eye contact. “Trixie will NEVER step back from a gauntlet. Give her the time and place, and she’ll be there for this blind date.” With that she turned and – holding her head aloft – trotted out the door. Starlight looked across to the Princess, smiling proudly. The Princess smiled back. “Starlight Glimmer, this is the information you need to give her. Let’s hope she does well in her mission.” THE FROSTED QUARTZ BAKERY – THAT EVENING AT SUNDOWN Trixie coughed quietly to herself as she sat at her table. There was a row of about ten desks set up in the bakery foyer, at each sat a different crystal mare. Trixie was convinced she was the only non-Crystal pony there. She could feel sweat beading on her forehead as she sensed eyes digging into her, all around her. Trixie couldn’t bring herself to lift her eyes from the desk. She just wanted to get this over with. It was all so embarrassing. “Okay ladies, here come the stallions!” A flamboyant mare – as cheery as she was chunky – squealed across the room, the bell over the door chiming as it swung open. In from the cold air wandered about twelve stallions of a variety of ages and builds. Trixie could hear all the other mares murmuring to each other as their interests were peaked. Trixie grit her teeth. “Let’s get this done.” Trixie’s eyes still dug into the table. The sound of chair legs scraping along the floor. She looked up. “Hi, I’m Crystal Arrow!” Trixie nodded before going back to gazing at the table. She drew circles on the desk with her hoof. “…Hi, Crystal. Trixie. Why not. Come on then, do you wanna tell me about yourself?” Arrow was quick to pipe up. “Well, I see you’re not a Crystal Pony like us, so you might not know a lot about just the kind of crazy stuff that happens here. Like, I used to be a slave of King Sombra! It was tough work, but it was only our love and resilience that broke us free! Cool, huh?” Trixie let her head fall backwards, staring up at the ceiling. She telekinetically caught her hat as it fell to the floor. She let loose a long, deep sigh. “Enslaved, huh? I once fought for control of a town using a magic amulet and trapped the citizens inside once I took over. Don’t try to make yourself seem like some kind of superstar.” Crystal Arrow gawked across the desk at the unicorn sat opposite him. Clearly taken aback by her tone, he pushed his chair back and stood up. He looked around for the mare running the event, before finally setting his eyes on her. “Hey, are we ready to move on? I think I know what I need to with this mare.” The owner looked over at him, nervously nodding. “Okay everypony, time to change over! Move up to the next desk please!” Trixie closed her eyes as the next stallion shuffled down onto the seat. She arched the chair onto it’s back legs, resting her hooves on the desk. She didn’t look over to acknowledge him. “Hey, so, uh, hi there. Trixie. Your name and personal information, please?” The confused stallion began to speak, his stride obviously thrown by Trixie’s abrasive behavior. “Well, um, Hi! I’m Gallic. This is awkward… Er, I was at the Crystalling just a few weeks ago. That was pretty exciting! To see the Royal baby right up close was an incredible moment, I felt so lucky to witness something so important! W-What about you? Have you ever seen something amazing?” Trixie had begun to obnoxiously whistle through her teeth. “Seen anything amazing? Check. Done anything amazing? Check. How about saving the free world from a changeling invasion by infiltrating their hive and taking the fight to them? Please don’t try and show off to the likes of me. You’ll find it an emasculating experience.” The stallion glared over at the ever-flustered host, who clapped her hooves together to signal the next move. Trixie closed her eyes again. The scraping of chairs. Hooves dragging on the floor as someone new shifted into place. “Hi there, Ms. Flash Sentry’s my name. I just wanted to say - before anything else - you look very pretty…” Trixie lifted her hooves from the desk, allowing her chair to fall forwards. She came to rest sat upright, gazing over at the orange Pegasus before her. She eyed him up and down. “…Thanks for the compliment, I guess. Though that was a pretty dorky opening line, buddy. You ought to try harder.” She was surprised to hear Flash Sentry begin lightly chuckling to himself, the occasional flash of his teeth as his lips formed a smile. “Haha, you don’t need to remind me! I know, pretty corny. Honestly, I can be a kind of corny guy sometimes. Some ponies don’t like it, but I’m not out to impress them. You’ve got to be happy with yourself before anypony else will be, wouldn’t you agree?” Trixie could feel those words echoing around her head. Though he hadn’t said much, Trixie could sense that this pony was genuine. She could feel herself easing as she responded, leaving much of her tension behind her. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, I’ve had my troubles, but you can’t let them beat you. I guess… So, what do you do when you’re not awkwardly sat at a desk interviewing somepony you’ve never met?” Flash grinned softly. “Well, I’m actually one of the Royal Guards here, posted up in the Crystal Castle. It can be stressful some days, but for the most part it’s pretty laid back.” He leant across the desk, holding out a hoof to shield his mouth. “Of course, don’t tell Cadance her guards are laid back, she’d be so mad…” He whispered playfully. Trixie smiled dumbly at him, still lost in the sentence he’d uttered before. “Did you say you’re working in the Castle? That’s crazy… My friend and I are actually staying there as the Princess’ guests.” Flash beamed at this news, only for that familiar call of the hostess to force him to stand up. As he prepared to move to the next table, he leant down towards her. “That is amazing to hear! What a coincidence! Say - this place is so stuffy - would you like to go catch some dinner somewhere tomorrow night? I'll be busy on my shift all day, so I'll come straight from work. Perhaps then we can talk a little more freely? What do you say?” Trixie found herself slowly nodding. As she did Flash pulled a small piece of paper and a quill from a tray at the desk’s edge and wrote out a time and address. He pushed it across the table towards her. “Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” And with that, he backed out of the line of desks and left the building, without even stopping at any of the other tables. Trixie took this as an opportunity to make a hurried exit, leaving the latest stallion confused and lonely as he had begun to sit at her desk.
III: An Incredibly Posh RestaurantIII: An Incredibly Posh Restaurant “Wait, Trixie? As in Trixie Lulamoon?” The other guards could barely contain their laughter as Flash retold the night before. “Well, that’s what the name on her desk said.” “Was she wearing a big old witches hat, all covered in stars?” Chipped in another, banging his hoof against the locker beside him. The whole guards changing room was raucous now. Flash had had a long day, and just wanted to get ready for his date in peace. Why did he ever mention it to the guys? “I wasn’t going to ask her about the attire, but yeah, she was.” Howls of laughter. “Oh my Celestia dude! You have no idea what a clown that mare is! She thinks she’s some big stage-show magician, but it’s all a joke! Didn’t you see when she played her show here in the Crystal Empire?” Flash racked his brains, but only found himself drawing a blank. He shrugged nonchalantly. The vocal guard was quick to fill him in. “Well, she rocks up in the city square one day, dragging behind her this huge as heck wagon. She parks it up and it all starts to unfold into this ridiculous looking stage. I don’t think she had permission to be performing in the city, or at least none of us guards were informed. So anyways, ponies start gathering round her as she starts bellowing about her incredible talents. You could tell she was all smoke and no fire, but you know what the crystal ponies are like. They’ll cheer for anything that isn’t trying to kill or enslave them.” The entire locker room had quietened down, the guards all stopping to listen to the story. The occasional snigger and guffaw broke out amongst the stallions that already knew how the story ended. “So, she does this trick where she makes an apple vanish. POOF! It’s gone. And then she makes it reappear behind her. YAWN I’m thinking, watching this foal-level magic show. She places it down on a table, but doesn’t seem to notice it roll off onto the floor besides her. She barrels straight into the next part of the performance, some kind of light show. The fireworks shoot upwards, ponies are ooh-ing and ah-ing, and Trixie takes a step back to get a better view of them. But get this, she steps backwards onto the apple she forgot about, slips on top of it and goes head over heels off the side of the stage. She lands in this trash can by the stage head first, and is completely stuck!” The locker room bursts into life as stallions laugh heartily, banging their hooves on tables and lockers. Some are rolling about, a couple wipe tears from their eyes. All except Flash, who rolled his eyes at the callousness of his cohorts. The stocky guard telling the story smiled at his friends before wrapping up. “Yeah, so here she is, stuck. Everypony is laughing at her, and those fireworks just fizzle out. Kinda like her show. But she must have hurt her horn or something, because she didn’t cast a spell to teleport out of there or anything. She just ran off, head still in the can, bumping into every poor pony that didn’t notice her coming! And that’s who you have a blind date with!?” Flash Sentry stood tall. The guys were guys, but he still wished they’d show a little more respect at times. Everyone had rough days, and that poor mare was no different. He stared over at the stallion that told the story, watching him roll around the floor in a fit of giggles, joining the crowd of laughing hyenas around him. Looking up to the aged clock that hung from the wall, Flash noticed the time. That late already? Defiant, he span on the spot and headed for the door, the guards finally starting to finish laughing. He was going to be late for his date if he wasted any more time with this lot. *** Flash nervously tapped his hoof against the table as he waited. The restaurant he’d suggested to Trixie was getting incredibly busy: it was a rather popular place in the city, after all. Popular, fancy and expensive. He checked the clock again before beginning to gaze out of the window. How much longer was she going to take? Was she even coming? Had she been and missed him? Had he got the time wrong? He checked the clock. No, the time was definitely right. Or was it? He was about to ask one of the waitresses for the time before noticing Trixie walk through the front door. She still wore her cloak and hat bedazzled in stars, and gave the porter a strange look when he offered to take them to the cloakroom. She raised her nose at the smartly dressed, slightly perplexed stallion before trotting further into the restaurant. Why did she have to wear that witches gear out in public? It was pretty embarrassing. Oh well. Remain courteous, Flash. Trixie approached his table, giving a crooked smile and awkward wave. “Hi there, Flash, sorry I’m a little late. Trixie had to make sure she picked the perfect outfit for the evening. This is a lovely looking place, very posh. It’s perfect, though.” She leant forwards as she shuffled along the booth seating, her head lolling forwards and her hat falling onto the floor of the walkway beside the table. Flash was quick to lean down and scoop the crumpled hat from the floor, passing it across the table to his date. Surprised by the stallion’s goodwill, Trixie took a hold of the hat and straightened it upon her head. “Trixie was perfectly capable of picking up her own hat, you know. But thanks, I guess.” “Ah, that’s okay, don’t worry about it.” Flash gazed over at his date as she sat down, shuffling slightly as she caught her cape under herself. Her eyes darted up to the sight of him staring, only for Flash to awkwardly shift his focus to the menu in front of him. They both coughed slightly. “So, Trixie, how are you this evening? What kind of stuff have you been getting up to here in the city? I’m assuming you’re not a regular to these parts.” Trixie cleared her throat before speaking. She opened her mouth slowly, thinking about each word as she formulated it. Small talk had never been her strong suit. “I-I’m well. And you’re right, I’m not a regular by any means. I live over in Ponyville with my friends, but a couple of us came up to the Crystal Empire for a bit of a holiday. It’s a stressful life, so you’ve got to take a rest every now and again. Being one of a town’s biggest entertainers really takes it out of you…” “Entertainer? Do you perform magic shows for your townies as well?” Trixie grin was wide, but her face looked smug. “Why yes, I do you know! How did you know I perform?” Flash rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof, diverting his eyes towards the floor. “Well, some of the stallions I work with told me about this magic show you did, here in the city." Trixie suddenly looked flustered, her smile became panicked, and all sense of self-satisfaction was gone. She tried to play it all cool, but she knew her shame was plastered across her face for Flash to see. “O-Oh, that show? Pfft, it could’ve gone better. Most of my shows are rip-roaring successes, really! They bring the house down whenever I perform at home, I just don’t think it was to the, acquired tastes of the Crystal ponies…” The poor mare still looked agitated, drumming her hooves on the table as she looked back and forth, desperate for some window into a new conversation. Either that or a literal window through which to escape. Her heart skipped slightly when she felt Flash resting a hoof atop hers. He whispered calmly and slowly to her, encouraging her to feel better about herself. “Hey, don’t fret about it now. It sounded quite rough, but it’s over now. Besides, I’m sure everypony was enjoying it until the mistake. I know I would have loved to be there.” He gazed over at Trixie, who slowly stopped shaking. She took several deep breaths and opened her mouth to retort. “Hello there my friends, can I take your orders please?” They both glanced up to see a tall, well dressed unicorn mare stood over them, a cloth draped over one hoof and a pad of paper in the other. A pencil floated at the ready by its side. Snapped back to reality, Flash pulled his hooves away from Trixie’s before going about studying the menu. Flummoxed by the string of events, Trixie dumbly stared down at the menu that lay open before her. She was so confused. Why was it that the single short moment had felt so good to her? She’d grown accustomed to the adoration of throngs of ponies. She knew what the love of a fan felt like. But this was different somehow. It had only been brief, but in that moment Flash had rested his hooves atop hers and spoken such kind hearted words, Trixie had felt something she hadn’t felt for years. Her mind raced as she stared at the menu. “And for you, Miss?” She jerked her head upwards to see the waitress gazing down at her. She had taken Flash’s order and now waited impatiently by Trixie’s side, the pen floating ever closer towards the pad of paper. Still muddled, Trixie smacked her hoof down against the menu, not even looking at where it landed. “That please thanks.” The waitress raised an eyebrow before leaning down to get a better view. She took note of one ‘seafood platter’ before thanking the two ponies and heading for the kitchen. The silence she left behind was awkward and heavy. Clearly neither pony was quite sure what to say to each other at this point. “So, Trixie, the food here is served really quickly! It’s so quick you’ll barely notice it arrive and go down until you are staring at an empty plate!” Trixie patted a napkin against her lips and stared down at an empty plate. She felt bloated after wolfing down an entire seafood platter, but by Celestia had it tasted good. She was tempted to order another, but she could barely move as it was. Flash too looked content, rubbing his belly as he swallowed the last bite of his Hayseed burger. He masked a quiet belch under his hoof, before beckoning a waitress over for the bill. As one arrived he was quick to pay the cost, before walking Trixie outside the restaurant. The evening air was cold, especially after the warm embrace of the restaurant. Trixie could feel herself drifting off. She was exhausted after her heavy meal and the long and lucrative conversations. But all that spun round in her head was that hoof holding moment. She had thought it felt awkward at first, but now it seemed closer akin to something else… what was that feeling? It must have been the food on her belly. The two walked back to the Castle in silence, both tired after their first date. It had been a success, and Trixie was taken aback when she realized that. The Crystal Castle approached. It towered overhead as the two arrived at the large bespoke double doors that marked the entrance. Flash leant forward to grip his hoof around one of the heavyset handles, pulling it open for the mare besides him. He motioned inside as she slowly paced forwards. She hovered on the porch before turning back to talk to Flash. To her dismay the stallion was ready to make a move. “I’m sorry Trixie, I’ve got to get going. We ended up staying at that restaurant later than I thought, and I’ve got a couple of hours of the night shift to do. I had a great time talking to you though, and I hope we can do this again soon! I need to go get into my uniform, so I’ll see you later, eh?” And with that he was gone, trotting down the road to the guards barracks. Trixie smiled dreamily, waving after him as he went. Her face still a picture of happiness, she swung the door shut and headed through the hallways to her room. Her door was the only one on this hallway, so she knew she’d found the right room. It was late, so Starlight was probably going to be asleep in there. Unless she’d stayed at Sunburst’s place? A glow of blue energy as she pushed the door open. Trixie stepped inside to be greeted by Starlight and her leering grin. The joyous outlook quickly vanished from Trixie’s face as she tried to regain her normal demeanor. “Sooo, how did it go Trixie?” Starlight had flopped backwards onto her bed, watching Trixie as she moved around the room. The unicorn rolled her eyes at Starlight’s excitement. “Honestly Glimmer, you’re acting like a giddy filly at the moment. It was an entirely professional meeting.” She stared daggers at Starlight as the corners of her lips crept up. First a smile, then a giggle, then a laugh. “Oh Trixie, I saw you two walking together through the window! You had the face of quite the smitten kitten! If anypony was acting like a giddy filly, it was yoo-oou!” “Fine, you got me. It went pretty well, and I enjoyed it. He was a surprise. He didn’t keep talking about himself, and he actually seemed to care about me personally. He didn’t just want to talk about the magic shows. That doesn’t mean I’m some silly sap though! And it definitely doesn’t mean that this blind date thing is a good idea! It’s still oh so below me.” Starlight had tucked herself into bed, smiling contently as she got herself comfortable. “So, you gonna be meeting with him again? I think you two might have something there!” Trixie kept quiet. “Well, Trixie?” She fiddled with one of the plush curtain ties. “Don’t ignore me Trixie, come on now…” She moved across the room and hung her hat on one of her bedposts. “You’ve got to tell me Trixie, you know I won’t stop asking you.” Trixie span on the spot to face her friend. “Fine, yes, I will be seeing him again! He asked if I’d like to meet him again and I said yes! Are you happy now? He works in the castle as a guard so I’ll probably see him around tomorrow!” Starlight rolled onto her back, punching the air with her hooves. The carefully prepared covers flew free with her violent celebration. She was over the moon at her friend’s change of heart. Perhaps this friendship mission really would be one to report home on? She relaxed as Trixie climbed into bed, magically turning out the lights. With the room engulfed in darkness, Starlight’s mind was alive with thought. Could this stallion even be trusted? Was he a nice guy? If he wasn’t there was going to be trouble. That was when Starlight decided. Come morning she was going to go talk to this stallion for herself, and perhaps even ask the Princess of Friendship about him. Maybe she had a little backstory on the guard? Morning. Starlight had woken slowly only to find Trixie fast asleep. She snored loudly as Starlight went about getting ready for the day. Body washed, hair brushed, teeth cleaned. It was time to go find this Flash. Trotting out into the hallway, it wasn’t long until she’d bumped into the orange Pegasus. He was posted just a few hallways away from her room. He smiled as she approached. “Hello there Ma’am. You must be Starlight Glimmer? One of the Princess’ esteemed guests. How are you this morning? I trust you slept well?” Starlight eyed the stallion up and down before responding. “Yeah, I slept pretty well, thank you. So, I hear you had a date last night with my friend, Trixie Lulamoon. I pray you looked after her?” Flash smiled, nodding compassionately. “Of course I did! She’s a lovely mare, and I really hope I get to meet her again soon! She’s not with you is she?” Starlight shook her head. “Oh, thank goodness. I wouldn’t want her to see me in this armor, it makes me look so ridiculous. I promise my bum isn’t actually this big.” He shook his rear slightly to accent his joke, and Starlight found herself smiling. This stallion seemed kind hearted enough, but she wanted to know a little more. She prepared another question, but he spoke first. “I’m sorry, I’d love to talk properly, but I’m afraid I’m on duty right now and if I got caught chatting instead of working I’d be in it up to my neck. My apologies.” And with that his body went rigid again as he stood to attention. Starlight looked up at his face, but he wasn’t moving a muscle. Fair enough, it looked like Starlight would have to talk to Twilight after all. She screwed her eyes shut. When she reopened them she was stood on Twilight’s table, staring down at the shocked mare as she went through a small pile of notes from Spike. The alicorn was quickly alive with energy, posing question after question about the friendship mission so far. Starlight tried her best to give short, concise answers. If she went into details she’d be there all day. Finally she got the chance to butt in with her own question. “Say, Twilight, do you know anything about a 'Flash Sentry'? That’s who Trixie is dating.” Twilight rubbed her chin in thought, clearly trying to put a face to the name. Her eyes lit up as she remembered. “Ah yes, Flash! He’s a pretty good stallion! He’s a sweet guy, just don’t let some of the ‘corny factor’ get in the way! I met him at the Crystal Castle when I traveled to the human world – long story – and I think he started to develop a thing for me. I had to let him know it wasn’t both ways, but he had no problem with it! As I said, a good one through and through.” Starlight thanked her friend for the thoughts, when her stomach rumbled. “I’m sorry Twilight, I just realized I didn’t get any breakfast, I’m starving! I’d love to stay and chat but this is gonna have to take priority! I’ll tell you more about it later!” And with that she was engulfed in a blink of energy before vanishing. Twilight was left alone among a pile of scattered letters and scrolls. Slightly disappointed, she sunk down into her chair again, ready to read the next letter about how the Crystal ponies all loved Spike so huggy-wuggy much. Urgh.
IV: A Bottle of Royal WineIV: A Bottle of Royal Wine Glimmer shook her head as her magic energy dissipated. She was back in the Crystal Castle as she had intended. The crisp, clean hallways echoed those of Twilight’s castle, which Starlight found a comfort. She liked that this place felt familiar to home, it made her feel in charge of the situation. She set off down the hallway to find Trixie. Rounding the next corner Starlight found herself staring ahead at Trixie and Flash chatting nonchalantly. Starlight leapt backwards, veering around the corner she’d just come from, pressing her back against the wall. They didn’t seem to notice her. Good. Now focused on them, she tried her best to listen in on their conversation, but she found it difficult to make their words out. Whenever they spoke all that floated through the hallway was echoes. She craned her neck around the wall to get a better view of them. Trixie was stood facing away from Starlight, so she could only guess what emotions her face portrayed. Flash meanwhile was stood facing Trixie, so Starlight could get a fairly decent view of him. He was looking down ever so slightly at Trixie, smiling charmingly as she spoke. He was slowly inching forwards, closer and closer to her face. Trixie’s voice had started to trail off. Was Flash going to do what she thought he was? Starlight was about to step forwards and say something when she heard hoofsteps behind her. Whipping her head around she spotted a guard trotting down the hallway towards her. Realizing how shifty she must have looked hiding like she was, Starlight tried to lean casually against the wall, whistling tunelessly to herself. The guard moved straight past her without a word, walking down the hall towards Trixie and Flash. Starlight peered around the wall as the guard called out Flash’s name, noticing the two ponies reel away from each other as they realized that someone was approaching them. Flash nodded awkwardly to the fellow guard, watching as he meandered past into another room. Back to reality, Flash and Trixie both looked rather awkward. Flash was quick to apologize to Trixie, when he suddenly noticed Starlight approaching down the hallway as well. He waved her over to talk to her friend, before spinning on his heels and galloping away. “Well well well, Trixie dearie, what was all that about?” As Trixie turned to acknowledge Starlight, she saw that the unicorn’s face was plastered with a goofy smile, her face a bright shade of red. Starlight smiled coyly. It was obvious what was going on, Trixie’s face betrayed her feelings so easily. “So, what’s got you all hot and bothered, Trixie? What have you two been up to while I was away? I had only gone to Twilight’s castle for an hour or so.” Trixie’s face was the picture of happiness and content as she started to reminisce. “Well, you see… last night I just couldn’t get to sleep. I was really excited about meeting up with Flash again, because I don’t think I’ve ever met another pony that makes me feel quite the same way. He just makes me feel so much better about myself, as if I don’t have to show off just to be happy. I can be happy as the pony that I am. So I woke up in the middle of the night, and you were fast asleep. I wasn’t going to wake you, because it must have been one in the morning, easily. So I decided to go for a walk around the castle, maybe explore the grounds. Flash told me how beautiful the crystal gardens are at night, the way the plants glint in the moonlight. I head out, and, well, you can probably guess who I bump into.” Starlight nodded, encouraging her to continue. “So, Flash is rather surprised to come across me just wandering around the castle so late. It was a good kind of surprised of course, I mean really now, who wouldn’t find it a pleasant surprise to bump into moi? Anyway, I digress. He tells me his night shift had just come to an end, and he was actually getting ready to go back to the barracks for the night. Then his face lights up in this adorable way, and he beckons for me to follow him. We’re walking for ages through the castle, talking about everything and nothing in particular. We get to this big flight of stairs, and start just trotting on up. But my goodness, he could have told me how long those stairs were! We must have been climbing for a solid five minutes! Honestly, Trixie doesn’t do exercise. I asked if we couldn’t just teleport up the rest of the way, but he kept telling me the prize would be worth it. But we get to the top, and we’re suddenly on this quaint little balcony. It must have been close to the top of the Crystal Castle, and the views of the city were just beautiful! If you ever want to serenade Sunburst on one of your nights out, well, I know the perfect spot now!” Starlight laughed faintly, resting a hoof on Trixie’s shoulder. “I’ll make a note of it, Trixie. Please, keep going, I want to hear all of this, I’m fascinated!” Neither mare noticed the sound of scrabbling claws as Spike came to rest a short way behind them. He hid in one of the intricately designed plant pots that lined the hallway, taking notes as the two spoke. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – FIVE It seems like Trixie is quickly becoming Flash’s mane mare. She is reminiscing about their nights out, and Starlight is trying her best to look interested. Hopefully there are no pictures to show off. I am going to go and get some lunch soon. I’m thinking crab cakes. - Spike the Brave & Glorious He held the scroll in his claws, cautious to send it just yet. He didn’t want anyone seeing his flames and giving the game away. He quietly listened as Trixie continued. “So we sit on that balcony, and we must have been talking for hours! Talking about this and that, anything and everything, even those rather private and embarrassing things. It was so lovely being able to talk to somepony about the rough times and not be laughed at or feared. It was only when the town clock-tower chimed that we both realized the time. Flash jumped up and had to make an excuse to leave. He told me that his morning shift started in about 3 hours and he would be in deep trouble if he was caught sleeping on the job. That’s when I, well… I don’t know what came over me. It was so embarrassing, I can barely even believe I did it.” Starlight cocked her head, her confusion apparent. The potted plant rustled as Spike got himself into position to write the next part of his note home. “I just jumped up and kissed him. I-I don’t know what drove me to do it, and he looked as shocked as I felt. I couldn’t stay there, so I just had to leave… I dropped a smoke bomb and snuck away. Thankfully by the time he’d realized I was gone I was all the way down the stairs, because as you know, my smoke bombs are always effective.” Starlight’s jaw was on the floor. The potted plant let out an equally surprised gasp. There was a moment of silence before Starlight leapt forwards, wrapping her hooves around Trixie’s neck in a tight embrace. Trixie struggled for breath as her unicorn friend held her in place. She eventually let her go, setting her down on the floor as the assault came to an end. “Trixie, that’s amazing! I can’t quite believe you made the first move, but I’m so proud of you! Seriously, you shouldn’t be embarrassed with yourself like that! It proves you like him as much as he clearly likes you! I saw the two of you chatting earlier and I saw that face he had on! That was the face of a stallion bowled head over hooves. I’m proud, and I’m sure Twilight will be too! Now, Trixie…” Starlight suddenly sounded really rather serious. Trixie gulped. She knew Starlight’s reaction had been too good to be true. “I have actually planned to spend the rest of this holiday with Sunburst, so I’ll be staying at his house. I thought you might appreciate a little time to yourself with Flash…” The mare leant in closer, close enough to Trixie’s ear that her voice needed merely be a whisper. “And of course, our room will be free now, so you two can get up to whatever you might want...” Trixie recoiled, giving Starlight a look of shock and horror. “STARLIGHT GLIMMER! What you are insinuating is incredibly uncouth! You know a mare as Great and Powerful as I does not stoop to things so scandalous! Honestly now!” Starlight flicked her tail at the mare as she trotted down the hallway. “Oh really? Last I heard a mare like you wouldn’t stoop to a blind date, so I’d think twice about that last statement. I’ll leave you to it!” And with that Starlight disappeared down the hallway, rounding the corner and vanishing from view. Trixie was on her own now, and she wasn’t sure quite what to do with the newfound independence. She didn’t notice the eruption of fire from the plant pot behind her as Spike sent his message home, nor did she notice Spike leap out of the pot and attempt to put out the leaves that had caught fire. Flinging open the door to her room, Trixie slumped down on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling, her eyes heavy. It was only the middle of the day, but she felt exhausted after staying up practically all night talking to Flash. She couldn’t believe they’d frittered the whole night away with simple, idle chat. Nothing self-satisfied, no bragging about one’s own achievements. She’d just sat back and listened to what he had to say, and had genuinely been more than interested in the subjects he brought up. Trixie flopped her head down onto the pillows. What in Equestria was making her feel like this? There was only one topic of conversation Trixie normally spoke about, and that was Trixie herself. Not much happened, yet she simply couldn’t explain the strange feelings she harbored for that stallion. Trixie had to admit she’d liked the stallion since the day she’d met him, but this feeling was different. It wasn’t friendship, it was something else. She didn’t recognize it. She looked herself up and down, resting a hoof against her forehead. Cold. She experimentally tapped her horn. Also cold. By power of deduction it was clear she hadn’t accidentally cast some mind-altering spell over herself, and she was certain no one else had either. And those seafood dinners were sitting on her stomach fine, meaning she probably wasn't ill. So that meant this feeling was natural? What in Equestria could it be? “Oh Starlight, why did you have to leave now? You shouldn’t have expected Trixie to know what she was doing in a world so confusing. Did you really think you’re friendship mission was over after the initial setup? Honestly. Guess I’ll have to ask somepony else for advice.” Cadance was sat in her quarters, sipping from a tea set made of the finest Yakyakistan crockery. With Flurry Heart napping, there was no chance of any accidental breakages. She set her petite teacup down as Trixie was escorted into the room by a stoic-faced guardsman. He turned on his heels and marched out, leaving the two mares in peace. “Trixie, please. Take a seat. How are you? I trust the Empire keeps you well?” “Of course, Princess, more than well! In fact, perhaps a little TOO well, because that’s why I came to you. For advice about one of the ponies in your Empire.” Cadance looked intrigued, but was always more than happy to help. She sat forwards in her chair as she spoke. Trixie’s face was a picture of confusion, but it was fairly safe to say it was confusion about a positive subject. Cadance maintained a warm demeanor as Trixie explained herself, her voice getting faster and faster as she detailed off more and more nuanced parts of the story. A bead of sweat ran down the Princess’ brow as she tried to keep up with the unicorn. The mare’s story finally came to an end as Trixie took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. The Princess leant back again in her chair, it creaking slightly under her movements. “Trixie, these feelings you find yourself so confused by should not make you so worrisome. As the Princess of Love I can tell you that these feelings are just that. Love.” Trixie cocked her head and frowned. She was pretty sure that Cadance had got that little theory wrong. Trixie didn’t do ‘love’. She knew other ponies loved her – the success of her magic shows proved that – but she loving them? Ridiculous. Nevertheless, she listened to the Princess as she rattled off little pieces of advice. As the evidence piled up, Trixie found herself slowly starting to come to terms with just what the Princess was saying. She didn’t understand, but she was willing to try and learn. “To conclude, Ms. Trixie, I’d say time and continued care for this seedling will help it grow into a beautiful flower. Why not head back to your room for now. You look like you could do with the rest – and besides – I’m sure you’ll want to be looking ready for your next meeting with Flash.” Cadance quietly clapped her hooves together, at which moment the well-crafted oak doors of her room were pulled open. In came the same guard, who was quick to usherTrixie out the room. He watched as she trotted down the hall, before starting to draw the doors shut. Cadance coughed, beckoning him inside. He did so, loyally as ever, and watched as Cadance began to magically rummage through a large cabinet in the corner of the room. “Find Flash Sentry, and tell him he is needed at the Guest Quarters on ‘special business’. And when he goes…” Out from the cabinet floated an intricately designed glass bottle of wine. She rested it down in the guards hooves, before continuing. “…Give him this. Tell him to show our guest a good evening.” Cadance smiled scurrilously, winking to the guardsman before coyly waving him from the room. This little plan would really kick-start the love. The guard stared down at the bottle, amazed at the Princess’ will to just give such an expensive item away. He nodded, dumbstruck, before backing out the room and drawing the doors shut entirely. *** A knock on the door. Trixie’s ears pricked up, and she lurched into a sitting position on the bed. “…It’s open!” The door slowly creaked open, and round the corner appeared the face of Flash. He smiled warmly as Trixie did so back. “Hi, Trixie. Mind if I come in? My shift just ended and Cadance thought you might like some company, after your friend left earlier and all…” “O-Of course! I didn’t expect to see you tonight! I’m glad for the company though, obviously! I did find Starlight’s haste to leave a little off-piste, does she not know how many fantastic stories from the life and times of Trixie she is missing out on?” Stepping inside, Flash chuckled at Trixie’s grandiosity. Her showboating got a little silly sometimes – even now she’d thrown her hoof skywards to accentuate her disbelief – but he found it all oddly endearing. A saddlebag bounced on his flank, which he quickly removed and began to fumble through. Eventually he pulled out the expensive bottle Cadance had gifted him. Hopefully Trixie didn’t find this all too forward. “Well then, I guess you’ll have to tell those stories to me…” he took a step further into the room. “…if you’d like to? Perhaps over a drink?” Trixie lowered the hoof she held aloft in the air, and patted the bed beside where she sat. Her horn bathed the room in light as she took the bottle from Flash’s hooves, quizzically skimming over the label. “Is this… Dragonsflame Rouge? This is really expensive stuff…” She looked over the bottle at Flash, who tried his best to look knowledgeable. “You really know how to impress a mare! Please, take a seat.” As Flash made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed, he watched two crystal wine flutes float from a cabinet in the corner of the room. Engulfed in Trixie’s blue energy, they danced around him before she eventually set them down on the table. Uncorking the wine she was quick to pour both herself and her date a glass, floating the drink into his hoof as she topped it off. “So… what do you want to talk about first?” The sun sank in the sky as the clocks ticked along. Each chime of the bells seemed to become shorter and shorter apart as the hours of the evening melted into twilight, and that into night. As the time went, the wine flowed. And as the wine flowed both Trixie and Flash’s felt the atmosphere becoming more and more serene. “Of course, guarding the Crystal Empire is fun and all, but it doesn’t guarantee an easy time of life, you know? I thought becoming a guard would make me look – if not cool – then at least respectable, but no. Ponies didn’t seem to like me before, and they don’t seem to like me now. They all just consider me a dork, some charmless fumbler that would fall in love with the first mare in a room he bumped into. They mocked me for going to those blind dates, too! Every time I got back from a meeting with no luck, the other stallions would just laugh. But all that doesn’t matter, now that I’ve found you, Trixie…” “Flash, that’s so sweet of you to say! I totally understand your feelings about those cruel other ponies though! I’ve had my stint of tough times, but unlike you, mine were deserved… I used to be dreadful, overthrowing a town and taking it for my own, abusing the magic of our world for my own gain… I was terrible. But that was the old me, the new me is different! I try to show off the new me, but none of them seem to be interested. They won’t forgive me for my mistakes, I just know it! It is driving me insane, going day to day having to look ponies in the eye, knowing that deep down, they don’t trust me! They are scared, or contemptuous, or both! It-“ Trixie suddenly stopped as Flash leant forward and rested his hoof on her lips. “Don’t worry yourself about what those other ponies think. I know you are a sweet, funny, genuine mare, and I will ALWAYS admire you for that. You don’t have to please everyone, just those that are important to you…” Flash’s voice trailed off as the two ponies stared deep into each other’s eyes. Their faces inched closer and closer together, slowly at first. Suddenly they dove forwards towards each other, their lips quickly meeting as they locked together in a passionate kiss. As her eyes drifted closed, Trixie listened to the quiet moans that escaped her lips, along with the occasional squeak of the bed as they moved into a more comfortable position. Trixie’s mind was flooded with thoughts and feelings, among which was that of surprise. She hadn’t expected Flash to be so forward, but she wasn’t going to be complaining about it. Especially now as she felt his tongue push between her lips and begin to explore the warm walls of her mouth. She gasped against his tongue, before moving her own to play with his. She could tell her experience lacked compared to his, as her own tongue thrashed madly against the piece of deliberately moving flesh that filled her mouth. Trixie could feel every inch of her body becoming hotter and hotter as Flash shuffled forwards towards her. He wrapped his hooves around her, one resting on her back, the other on the back of her head. Trixie too moved her hooves to accommodate the stallion, resting a hoof on his thigh. It was then she felt it brush against something stiff. His erection. Both ponies’ eyes crept open. Flash saw Trixie staring down at his throbbing member, and it was apparent neither would be able to contain themselves for long. Flash slowly pulled away from Trixie, feeling the warmth of her lips as she sucked on the tongue being pulled free. Flash looked at Trixie in a questioning – yet reassuring -way. “Do you want to… try it? Nothing too crazy, just what you feel comfortable with?” Trixie’s eyes flitted between him and his member, before she nodded to him, an excited grin creeping over her lips. With the confirmation Flash let go of Trixie, allowing her to shuffle off the edge of the bed. She came to rest between his legs, with his impressive shaft on eye-level. She stared ahead for a moment, unsure quite how to tackle it. It was only when Flash slowly moved his hooves down to Trixie’s and guided her forwards that she knew where to start. Her hooves came to rest on either side of his cock. She held them against his shaft, feeling the incredible warmth it emanated. As she slowly ran her hooves around his girth she listened to him moan and sigh. Every inch of his member was achingly sensitive, so much so that brushing over every vein and bump made him moan or shuffle about slightly. Experimentally she began to run her hooves along his length at a faster pace, smiling seductively as she did. Flash was melting in her hooves. She continued to play, moving faster and faster as she watched Flash’s face become more and more aroused. Suddenly Trixie stopped. She noticed a thick glob of pre-cum inching free of his shaft. It slowly emerged from his urethra, so beautifully thick that it inched down the head of his shaft at a snails pace. It just looked so inviting. Trixie released her grasp and moved up towards his tip. She stared into Flash’s eyes as her tongue slid free of her mouth. Pressing it against his flesh she ran it up his member, groaning as the thick beads of spunk came to rest in her mouth. Watching the lust in Flash’s face become ever clearer she loudly swallowed it down, sticking out her tongue to prove it was gone. Flash could wait no longer. He grabbed a hold of the back of Trixie’s head and pushed her lips onto the tip of his cock, smearing the remaining pre across her muzzle. He held her there for a brief moment, letting her take in the hot, heady smell of his sex. As that moment ended he began to slowly push her down, watching her lips part as his shaft filled her mouth. Releasing his grip he let he continue to creep down his cock at her own speed, now beginning to moan much more loudly as his meat slid past her tonsils and down into her throat. A stint of splutters emanating from the mare made him pause for thought, but she continued to take his cock into her mouth with little qualms. Finally the tip of her nose came into contact with the flesh of Flash’s crotch. Trixie began to slide her head back up again, before Flash spoke up through short breaths. “Please Trixie, try and keep it all in for me, you feel so good…” More than happy to please her companion, Trixie slid her head back down his length. She could feel every inch of his shaft pulsating inside her throat, and the euphoric feeling made her so excited for more. Every inch of her body began to twitch with effort as she forced herself to choke down the full extent of his member again. Struggling with the effort she could take it no longer, wrenching her head upwards to gulp down some air. No sooner than she had done she began to suck on his prick with vigor. She pivoted her head up and down along his cock with greater and greater speed, filling the air with the sound of slobbering and smacking lips. It was almost too much for Trixie when she felt Flash’s hooves rest down on the back of her head, encouraging her to speed up. She knew what was coming, and she was excited for it. Flash let out a euphoric moan, his tongue lolling and his eyes glazing. Several short, thick ropes of cum flew forth from the tip of his cock, coating the roof of Trixie’s mouth and tongue in its warmth. She savored the flavor of this delicious moment before swallowing the load down. Flash laid back against the bed, spent, as his date continued slurping on his cock, drawing the remaining specks of cum into her mouth. Having finally drained him dry she climbed up onto the bed beside him and shuffled into his hooves. His body felt warm against hers, and the steady rise and fall of his chest relaxed her. In his hooves she felt secure, and soon she was asleep.
V: A Stalled DateV: A Stalled Date The calming dawn chorus roused Trixie from her sleep. Peeling her eyes open, her head felt sore, throbbing slightly as she thought. She got hangovers fairly easily, even from rather light drinking sessions. While last night had gotten rather crazy, she could still remember everything she got up to. And those memories made her smile. Rolling over to see that special stallion, Trixie realized the bed was empty. Empty and cold. Suddenly awake, she sat bolt upright in her bed. Flinging the sheets from over her, her eyes darted left and right, searching for him. It was apparent he had left. Trixie felt furious at the stupid colt, leaving her with nary a goodbye. It was only then she noticed the scrap of paper resting on her bedside table. Leaning over she studied the hastily written note, which read EARLY SHIFT, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON – F x Trixie’s heart fluttered as she hugged the note to her chest. Boy, did she feel silly. Of course he hadn’t upped and ran, he was a busy pony. That was obvious, he was a guard! Taking a deep breath, Trixie stretched to rest the note down on the table again. As the light of the dawn shone through the window it caught the note, revealing more writing on the other side. Pausing, Trixie turned it over to inspect the other side. Just as hastily written, the second part asked Fancy dinner at our fancy diner tonight? 8? – F x “Well well, somepony is confident.” The unicorn mused, as impressed as she was surprised. Now she was confident she’d read everything, she set the note down and got ready for the day. She wanted to go find Starlight and Sunburst, hopefully spend the day with them. She needed to spend a little time relaxing, this week had been nothing but crazy so far. Crazy in a good way, of course. Fixing her cape round her neck and guiding her hat down onto her head, Trixie checked herself out in the mirror. Giving a quick twirl, she smiled and headed out to find her friends. The sun shone gloriously over the Crystal Empire. Beams of light glinted everywhere, with the buildings and ponies alike all twinkling hypnotically. Trixie's excitement was clear, her steps bouncing and energetic. Her gleaming smile was almost as bright as the light from above, and nothing was going to get in her way today. Almost skipping, she made her way down the twisting walkways and streets until Sunburst's house finally came into view. Rather humble and understated, Sunburst’s home seemed like a quiet and relaxing spot, off of any of the main paths of the city. This area was nowhere near as bustling as that around the Crystal Castle, anyway. Approaching the door she was about to knock when it preemptively swung open. Starlight appeared, looking deeply concerned for some reason. She ran out to reassure her friend. “Everything, OK?” Trixie queried. Starlight looked up at her, looking mildly confused. “Er, yeah, I was going to ask you the same question! Has something happened between you and Flash? Why aren’t you out with him?” Trixie couldn’t help but start laughing at Starlight’s exaggerated concern. As she started, so slowly did Starlight until the two were giggling with each other like old friends. “No, silly, we are both fine! He just has a day shift on guard duty today, so I thought I’d come catch up with my bestie! It’s always a good time for Starlight and Trixie to hit the town!” “Thank Celestia for that, you had me worried there!” Starlight dramatically wiped her brow to prove her point. “Whew, am I right? Anyway, please, we were about to head out for a walk, would you like to tag along?” The blue unicorn nodded graciously. Thank goodness they had planned a day out, Trixie hadn’t wanted to look rude. She waved to Sunburst as he appeared in the doorway behind them, giving a cheery smile before wiping the lenses of his glasses. “Hello there, Ms. Trixie! I hear you’ve had quite an interesting few days in the Crystal Empire! I’d love to hear about it while we walk?” Starlight scoffed sweetly. “You’ve asked for it now, Trixie can talk about herself for days!” “Hey, I resent such comments! Now, where to start…” Trixie rubbed her chin as the three ponies began to walk. “…and that’s what happened over the last few days, summed up in 100,000 words. If you had any favorite parts I could run over them again for you?” The trio had arrived at the Crystal Gardens. The exotic crystal flowers bathed the courtyard in a multitude of colors, the sun reflecting off of them like disco balls. Starlight locked her eyes on a nearby bench, guiding her two accomplices towards it. Sunburst stumbled, his eyes growing heavy as he struggled to keep them open. It felt like they’d be going for hours, but finally the tirade of words had come to an end. He blinked uselessly before Starlight spoke on his behalf. “Thank you for the offer Trixie, but we both more than enough, I would wager! Right Sunburst?” She glanced over at the unicorn, his head lolling as he nearly fell asleep. A quick jab in the ribs with her elbow woke him up with a start. Dreary eyed, he nodded in agreement. “Your stories are very interesting Trixie, I’d love to hear more of them some time…” He flopped down on the bench as Starlight sat by his side, equally exhausted. Only Trixie had even a modicum of energy left as she bounced up onto the bench. “If you’d love to hear more, let me tell you about the time I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, defeated an Ursa Major by singled hoofed! Okay, it was an Ursa Minor and yes, I didn’t actually defeat it, but nonetheless it is an incredible story told by yours truly, so settle in!” Starlight groaned, throwing her head back against the bench as Trixie’s excited voice drowned out all other sounds around them. “Settle in, Sunburst. It’ll all be over soon…” *** Trixie trotted down the road. It was evening, and the last inch of the sun was disappearing behind the distant hills. She was going to be late for her dinner-date with Flash if she didn’t pick up the pace. This was the same restaurant as the one before, so she had no excuse. If only Starlight and Sunburst hadn’t kept on encouraging her to tell more stories, she wouldn’t have been at the Gardens for so long! These streets were a real maze during the day for a new pony in town, so at night they were nearly impossible. There wasn’t much else she could do other than guess at this point, trying feebly to remember where this diner was from memory. Eventually, by pure luck – or by pure skill, in her own mind – Trixie found the place. Trotting up to the door she pushed it open, immediately hit by the sounds and smells of a bustling restaurant. Trixie smiled politely at the porter that greeted her as she entered the building. She still couldn’t quite believe this place was so posh that it actually had a porter waiting on the door to take coats and bags, but there you are. Again she declined to remove her hat and cloak, proudly wearing it as she weaved between the tables to find Flash. It took a short while but she eventually picked him out from the crowd. The place was much busier tonight than it was last time. Resting down on the chair opposite Flash, she was careful not to lose her hat for the second time. She skirted around the hanging light fixture, smiling down at Flash as he chuckled at the memory. “Hey Trixie, sorry I had to dash this morning. Those guard shifts can really throw a spanner in the works, but what can you do? So, how are you?” Trixie was about to respond when a waiter appeared at the table-side. He stood straight, carrying an air of professionalism and class about him. His voice matched, the smooth accent creating quite the image of sophistication. “I pray you are both having a pleasant evening. Would you be interested in ordering just yet, or should I leave you for a few moments?” Trixie glanced at the menu, quickly making her decisions. “I’ll have the steak, medium rare please. And may I have a large Manehattan Iced Tea? I’ve heard the cocktails you serve here are fit for a Princess, and I simply have to find that out for myself. I never got around to trying one the first time I came!” The waiter nodded approvingly and – after making a mental note of Flash’s order – took the menus and left the ponies to talk. “Manehattan Iced Tea? Those are pretty strong cocktails, Trixie. I hope you aren’t going to end up plastered before dinner has even arrived…” Trixie scoffed, waving a hoof at Flash in dismissal. “Please, darling! You think The Great and Powerful Trixie can’t handle her drink? You clearly haven’t seen me in my prime! Why don’t you sit back, watch and learn?” The house chef stared out as his restaurant bustled with activity. As the night progressed the floor slowly grew busier and busier, yet a group of tables in the far corner remained oddly unoccupied. He grabbed a passing waiter by the lapel of his uniform, before pointing at the cluster of empty tables. “Colt, why are those tables empty? That part of the restaurant is prime real estate!” The waiter looked flustered but tried to keep his cool as he explained. “Well Sir, there is a couple sat there already. A stallion and a mare. But the mare is getting rather, rowdy, you see. I’ve told the other waiters not to serve her any more alcohol, but I think it might be too late. Nopony wanted to sit near the drunkard. Should we move them along?” The Chef rubbed his chin, deliberating the situation. “Colt, they are customers, who are paying a LOT of money to eat here. They will stay. If the other ponies don't like to sit near them, tough.” Flash tried to avoid eye-contact with the ponies walking by his table as they stared. Trixie was swaying back and forwards slightly, five empty glasses resting by her side, with a sixth floating up to her lips. They were going to get kicked out if she had any more, he knew it. Thankfully he could see that same waiter approaching with their dinner. He rested the two steaming meals down in front of the ponies, giving Trixie a funny look as she held her hoof out for a hoof-bump. “Trixie, please, I need you to take it easy. You’ve drank enough, so let’s just eat our food.” This hadn’t been the best start to a date, but Flash was confident things would improve, just so long as nothing else controversial happened. He looked at Trixie encouragingly, only to register 'that look' in her eye. Trixie rested the rapidly emptying glass down on the table with an audible clunk. Her facial expression was glossy, but Flash could recognize those little hints of lust in her eyes. She had a fire in her heart, and he could only hope she didn’t become too raunchy in as fancy a place as this. But from her tone of voice, it was a little too late… “Eat our food? I know what I’d rather be eating right now, Honey…” Oh dear. Flash knew how badly this would end, but he couldn’t help feel a pang of lust deep in his core as Trixie suddenly vanished, sliding down under the table. The oversized table-cloth reached the floor on all sides, hiding the intoxicated mare underneath as she made her move. The space under the table-cloth was pitch black. The cloth was a heavy weave fabric, so thick that little light shone through it from the restaurant itself. Only a dull wisp floated through the crack between the sheet and the floor. But Trixie didn’t need to see where she was going to know what she wanted. All she needed to do was follow the smell of her lover’s stallionhood. She was going to enjoy this, and from the slab of flesh beginning to push free of his sheath, so was Flash. “P-Please Trixie, calm down. I really want it, but if we get caught I could lose my job as a guard.” The stallion sounded deeply worried as he whispered down to her, but his shockingly hard cock betrayed his lust, and that was all Trixie was focused on at that moment. A little play would surely turn his mind round to her fun way of life? Trixie knew what she wanted, but she found her hooves slightly difficult to control as all that alcohol clouded her mind. She crawled a few inches forwards, before bumping her muzzle against Flash’s leg. The smell of his cock was even more intoxicating than the alcohol, and Trixie could hold back no longer. She dove forwards, burying her face in the hot folds of his scrotum. She poked her tongue out of her mouth, dragging it over every inch of his enticing ballsack. She listened to Flash’s quiet moans, muffled to the best of his ability through the hoof he’d placed over his mouth. At this point the mare had completely forgotten about any sense of risk or need for concern, so she moved up to the main event. Wrapping her lips around the tip of his shaft, she was immediately hit by that musky smell and taste. It filled her mouth and nostrils as her pussy began to drip onto the floor. A voice above the table. “Hello Sir, how is your meal?” “GOOD! It’s good, thank you! I, er, just started! Thank you!” Flash was having a friendly chat with the waitress? How sweet. Maybe she'd like to join in? As they spoke Trixie entertained herself by skimming her tongue over and around his medial ring, much to his presumed pleasure. The sound of hooves clopped down the walkway as the waitress left Flash’s side. Shame. Light began to pour under the table as Flash’s hoof pushed under the cloth. It approached Trixie’s face and quickly pushed her away, sending her teetering backwards towards her chair. Thoroughly annoyed she re-emerged from under the table, taking her place on her chair again. Folding her hooves across her chest she waited for the chastisement to come. But it never did. Confused, Trixie glanced over the table to see Flash looking incredibly flustered. His face was bright red, a mixture of embarrassment and sheer lust. The hoof that had vanished under the table-cloth had not resurfaced, and from the movement of his shoulder, it was clear he was feverishly masturbating. The agitated stallion leant forwards, pulling Trixie in close. His voice was little more than a whisper. “Go to the mare’s restroom. I’ll meet you once I can conceal this.” He tapped the table with his free hoof, motioning at his stiff member. “Be ready for me, because I need this NOW. We’ll have to be quick, so don’t expect me to take it easy.” Trixie was never going to deny this salacious opportunity. She toppled off the edge of her chair, the effect of the alcohol still apparent. Scanning the floor of the restaurant she spotted the mare’s restroom and tottered off towards it, occasionally flicking her rump side to side invitingly towards Flash as she moved. The restroom, fortunately, was barely occupied. Only one mare other than Trixie was inside, and she left shortly after Trixie stumbled into the first cubicle. She teetered backwards, plopping down onto the cold porcelain of the toilet seat. Looking around, the stall was immaculate, with an over-designed toilet roll holder attached to one wall. Small mirrors with detailed frames hung on the back of the door, presumably to allow a more self-conscious mare to fix her makeup without being seen or judged by any other pony outside. This whole place was so formal. Trixie doubted something as scandalous as what was about to happen had ever happened here. And that thought turned her on so, so much. Unable to contain her excitement, she lifted her hooves up onto the toilet, now standing on her hind legs. With the newfound height she could see over the top of the cubicle and watch for Flash. She leered over the divisions into the other stalls, and was relieved to see none of them were occupied. The door creaked open. It was Flash. He immediately clocked his lover’s face peering up over one of the cubicles, and he marched with purpose towards the stall door. Trixie licked her lips as she watched his erection sliding free of his sheath, smacking against his belly as he walked. She stepped down off of the toilet and prepared for him. No sooner than she had stepped down Flash had barged his way inside, bolting the door locked without a second thought. Pre-cum was streaming from his cock, and from the look on his face he was desperate for the satisfaction he had had to deny himself earlier. He approached the mare - still stood on her hind legs - before pressing one of his fore-hooves against the wall either side of her head. Flash leant forwards and buried his tongue in Trixie’s mouth again, this time far more quick and powerful. Trixie could feel this beautifully warm gift in her mouth, waving about wildly as it dragged along her own tongue. Flash grabbed his cock with a free hoof, and without a second thought guided it up to Trixie’s awaiting pussy. Trixie was by no means a virgin, but it had been a frightfully long time since she’d last felt a stallion inside her. It was impossible to contain her excitement, she needed this now more than anything else in the world. Her noisy moans egged Flash on as he butted the tip of his cock against her soaked vagina. Pulling his tongue free of Trixie’s mouth, Flash was able to look down as he felt his lovers warmth for the first time. She was incredibly tight, so much so that Flash thought it was all going to be too much immediately. Slowing his initial thrust greatly, he waited for the desire to orgasm to fade. As he did he watched Trixie shuffle about awkwardly, the poor mare desperate for him to go to town on her. A few seconds later he did. Confident he’d grown accustomed to her surprising tightness, Flash slammed the entirety of his shaft into Trixie’s moist vagina. The hungry mare let out a gasp, the feeling of her body being plugged by the stud she’d fallen for unlike anything else. She leant all of her weight forwards against Flash’s body and wrapped her legs around his waist, all of her weight now being carried by the stallion as he plowed into her hole. A squeaking sound. Someone had just come into the restroom. Flash froze, pressing a hoof firmly over Trixie’s muzzle. Stood stock still, he did not dare do anything, for fear of being rumbled. Even trying to pull his cock free of his partner’s vagina and setting her down came with risks. A single moan escaping from Trixie's lips was game over. Panicked, Flash decided to hold as still as he could until this new arrival left. She seemed to meander around aimlessly, pushing open one cubicle, tutting, then moving to the next. Sweat was beginning to drip from Flash’s brow. Trixie wasn’t overly heavy, but holding her for such a long time in a position so compromising was starting to drain. His focus flicked from the sounds of this other mare to Trixie, who seemed blissfully unaware of the gravitas of the situation. Hanging off of his neck, she began to lift herself up and down on his shaft. He was starting to get scared at this point. He could feel his orgasm building again, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stave it off for long. But if he reached the point of no return and came, there was not a chance in Tartarus that both he and Trixie would remain quiet enough to evade detection. Clamping his eyes shut he tried to think of something – anything – else, just to divert his mind from this situation. Every inch of his body ached with a mixture of pleasure and discomfort, but he could not give up yet. The door to the bathroom clicked shut. The mare had left. Knowing they were safe, Flash knew he only had moments before he came. With a massive effort he lifted Trixie’s body up, off of his, watching his cock pop free and bounce around excitedly. Setting Trixie down on the lavatory, she lunged forwards, clamping her lips over his shaft like a vice. Now Flash could relax, and let it all happen. Going weak at the knees he came with an unbridled force, shooting a hot, pressured load down Trixie’s throat. The adrenaline was draining as quickly as his balls were, and by the time his orgasm had ended he just felt tired. He lifted Trixie to her feet before leaning in for a hug. She seemed far more calm about the whole situation than he had done, but that was surely the alcohol doing the thinking. Now all he had to worry about was getting out unspotted. He wasn’t out of the woods yet. “Trixie,” he whispered. “We need to leave, now. If I get rumbled, well, I told you what would happen. I’m going to make a break for it now, I want you to wait here for two minutes. After that head out and meet me. If we leave at the same time it’ll be obvious we were up to something. We can’t stay in this restaurant after that, so then I’ll take you home. Got it?” He looked deep into Trixie’s eyes, reassured when she nodded with a surprising clarity. “Good.” With that he unbolted the cubicle door and, after glancing left and right, made a move for the restroom exit. Trixie locked the door behind him and listened as the main door creaked open. Her face turned white when she heard a mare screaming. “What in Equestria are you doing in here Sir!? This is the mare’s restroom!” Flash’s apology sounded nothing short of desperate. “I went in the wrong one, I’m sorry ma’am. Didn’t mean anything by it. I’ve had a little too much of the ale, and I musta just got confused. Terribly sorry, I’ll be gone now…” And with that he was out, the sound of quick hoofsteps as he headed back to their table. Trixie calmed her nerves, waited a short while, and prepared to follow him out. When she left, she discovered Flash hurriedly paying the bill for the food they never ate. He hadn’t noticed that a bewildered waitress and an annoyed chef were giving him passive aggressive looks from the other side of the restaurant, but Trixie tried to ignore them as she coughed in Flash’s direction. He quickly dropped his coins on the table, before cantering towards the door. The two both disappeared into the cold night.
VI: ConsummationVI: Consummation Trixie cringed to remember last night. Why had she forced Flash to do something so awful? To put him through all that risk for her own needs? She couldn’t just go about her day trying to ignore this problem. Leaving her cape and hat hanging on the back of the door she dashed out the room, desperate to find Flash and apologize. Her hooves skittering beneath her, Trixie launched herself into the hallway. No sign of Flash here. No sign of any guards, for that matter. She had to find someone who would know where he was. Anyone. She moved from hallway to hallway, searching for any signs of Flash. Nothing. Finally she had some luck though, stumbling across a pale looking unicorn guard making his rounds. “Excuse me Sir?!” Trixie couldn’t hide the panic in her voice as the guard span to her attention. “Ma’am? Is something amiss? Do you need to report a disturbance? If so, I shall report it to my superiors at once! If Chrysalis has returned Cadance must know at once, we are on high alert as it is!” Trixie cocked her head, bemused by this guards concern. “No… it’s not Chrysalis, but it is an emergency! Have you seen Flash Sentry? He’s one of the other guards. It’s very important!” The guards face went from concern to frustration in a matter of seconds. “Really? You shouldn’t come to a member of the guard with such trivial matters. Is he dead?” “…No.” “Kidnapped?” “…No.” “Enslaved?” “…No, for Celestia’s sake, I just need to find him! Has anyone seen him today?” The annoyed guard rolled his eyes as he thought. “Yeah, I saw him. He was moping, up on the grand balcony. Go find him yourself if you need him.” With that the guard cocked his head away from Trixie and continued on his rounds. Important details acquired, Trixie set off at breakneck pace for the stairwell to the balcony. Topping the stairs, there he was. Sat with his back to her, staring out over the city. As the sound of hooves rung out behind him he slowly turned, greeting the mare he thought he held so much respect for. She ran forward and gave him a tight hug before taking a deep breath and pulling back. “Flash, are you okay? Are you in trouble… you didn’t lose your job, did you?” He smiled weakly, shaking his head to dispel her worry. “No, no, don’t fret. I haven’t been reported or anything, my job is fine. I just needed to get away, clear my head and think about what I did. I used you, and I feel terrible about it! You were drunk and your mind wasn’t in the right place, and I took advantage of you at your most vulnerable.” He hid his face in shame. “I couldn’t bear to see you after making such a hideous mistake.” Trixie rested her hoof under his chin, inviting him to lift his head into her vision. She stepped closer, quieting her voice to nearly a whisper. “It’s okay. I understand how you feel about last night. How you feel like you used me. I want you to know you didn’t. If anything, I used you. I forced you to do something you weren’t comfortable with, and that was wrong. But I think we need to set that behind us, and just take from it the good things. Like how good we feel in each other’s company. Trixie leant in and gave him a long, sweet kiss on the forehead. She held there for a few seconds, taking her time in his presence. Pulling away, she went back to staring into his eyes. “You have my word, Flash. I’ll always be happy, so long as you are. Say, would you like me to sit here with you for a little while? And why don’t you come by my room tonight at sunset? We could spend a genuine romantic evening together? No wine, no risk. Just the two of us. That way we can just get back to the heartfelt stuff and put the difficulties behind us?” “I think I’d like that. I, I just needed to know you weren’t upset in any way.” Trixie sidled up to Flash’s side as he invited her to sit with him. His heart fluttered slightly as she rested her cheek against his shoulder, leaving them both to stare vacantly up at the calm midday sun. A midday sun that – before long – had been replaced by the cool blue of the moon. They’d wiled the whole day away in each other’s company with ease, talking about romantic somethings and nothings with no hint of displeasure. “Okay Flash, I think I ought to go and get ready. Why not give it five minutes and then pop down to my room? We can keep the evening going in comfort there…” How could Flash turn down an offer so sweet? He watched as she sauntered by him, pausing for a second in the mouth of the stairwell. Turning to look him in the eye once last time, so couldn’t help but bite her lip slightly. That was the only clue Flash needed in order to know what was going to be happening that evening. Five minutes passed. Down the stairs, through the corridors, and there was Trixie’s room. Flash knocked on her door. Rocking back and forth on his hooves, he waited to hear the mare’s voice. Eventually it drifted out to his ears, beckoning him inside. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, ready for the scene she’d set out. Incense and candles dotted the room, letting off a heady mix of smells. The licking flames of the candles cast hypnotic shadows over the walls, dancing as they moved. She’d drawn the curtains, meaning the room was soaked in only the orange glow of the candles. Trixie herself was laid atop the bed on her belly, staring over at him with a lustful expression. Her back legs were spread, exposing her genitalia in an incredibly seductive manner. She occasionally swished her tail back and forth, sending the smell drifting out around the room. It hit Flash’s nostrils and he couldn’t help but feel his cock slide free of his sheath in anticipation. He walked to the back of the bed, coming to rest just behind Trixie. “Feeling comfortable, honey?” “Of course, Flash. And you?” “I always do when I’m around you. I realize that now.” Calm and reassured, Trixie moved her tail aside, now fully presenting her sex to her partner. “Go ahead then... It’s all yours.” Shifting slowly forwards, Flash took in that sweet smell of Trixie’s body. He had come to recognize it by now, but it was a smell he’d always adore. He slowly pressed his muzzle up against her pussy, running his tongue along her warm folds of skin. Her moans floated on the air as he worked his tongue around her sex, before slowly pushing his way inside. Trixie felt her body going weak as her lover’s tongue probed her, teasing her in the most incredible of ways. Flash felt his muzzle break free of Trixie’s vagina as the mare suddenly climbed to her hooves on the bed. Turning around to face him, she beckoned the stallion up onto the bed with her. “Lie down, I don’t want you feeling left out of this.” Loyally he did so, awaiting his lover with baited breath. He watched as she positioned herself over him, her pussy resting mere inches from his face. She slowly lowered her rear down onto his head, allowing him to continue lapping at her sex with reckless abandon. As he did, Trixie focused her attention on those genitals of his own. His cock was stood fully to attention, bouncing slightly as he moved beneath her. It was too inviting to simply ignore. Craning her neck down, she parted her lips and swallowed his cock into her mouth. First the head popped past her lips, then the shaft. She slowed around his medial ring, it’s sheer girth always making Trixie think twice. Having taken that she continued, until eventually the entirety of his shaft filled her throat. This time she didn’t find herself spluttering at all as Flash’s stallionhood lodged inside her. She held herself there for a moment, lost in the pleasure as his cock twitched in her throat and his tongue twitched in her pussy. But she’d need to breathe soon, so she lifted her head up and slid the majority of the cock free of her throat. Inhaling a lung-full of air, she slid back down it again - picking up the pace – much to the enjoyment of her partner. The shaft slid in and out with ease, her spittle lubricating it plentifully. Trixie could taste the thick pre-cum dripping onto her tongue, and she took great time tasting the flavor before swallowing the loads down. As Trixie continued to work her magic on his cock, Flash found himself unable to stop himself from lightly bucking her hips back and forth, forcing his cock up into Trixie’s mouth faster and faster. His tongue was still lodged deep in her rear, his face now slick with the juices that dripped down over him. The smell was overwhelming, and right now he loved it more than anything. That’s why he couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed as Trixie lifted herself free, breaking the bond again. Flash watched a thin string of Trixie’s cum drool from her snatch as she rested her head down on the bed, waving her hind quarters in the air invitingly. “I need to feel your cock inside me again, Flash, I can’t wait any more!” Climbing to his hooves, Flash moved forwards, standing over his partner. He guided himself into her again, and was instantly hit by the beautiful sensations of her tight body. Thrusting slowly and powerfully against her rear, every part of Trixie’s body felt hot, flooding with euphoric lust. Flash grinned down at the mare he’d fallen in love with, watching how adorably she reacted to his member. The curtains twitched. Though Trixie had drawn them shut, gusts of wind had blown a slight gap between the two pieces of fabric. If the ponies hadn’t been a little busy in one another’s presence, they would have noticed a pair of wide eyes peeking through. Spike reeled backwards, nearly slipping off the windowsill he had climbed up onto. He had sneaked up here to write a note home, but he hadn’t expected to see something like this! He fumbled rather awkwardly for his quill, unsure quite what to say at this point. Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – SEVENTEEN You do not want to know what they are up to. I need a REAL holiday after this. - Spike the Scared “Are you enjoying this?” Flash panted out his words, his ever-shortening breaths quickly getting in the way. Trixie tried to speak, but only an odd moan escaped her lips. Flash couldn’t help but laugh slightly. She clearly was enjoying it a heck of a lot. He responded by speeding up his motions, his balls slapping against her body at shorter and shorter intervals. The warm walls of her pussy constricted around him, squeezing his cock with a crushing tightness. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stave off orgasm for much longer. “T-Trixie, I need to cum… I’ll have to pull out.” The mare turned her head slowly, stopping as her eyes met his. She stared up at him with a warm and accepting facial expression, as if she had come to terms with an important decision. “Wait, dear… If you’re ready, I want you to finish inside me…” With those words Flash felt his whole body screaming for release, and as his balls churned he knew the release was inevitable. Lurching forwards he buried the entirety of his length inside her, clamping himself against her as his orgasm arrived. Flash could feel his muscles going limp as those final moments drained him of energy, his cock spitting the seed of his efforts into Trixie’s womb. She too felt drained – but deeply satisfied – as the hot semen flowed from his cock into her body. Flash spent, he was immediately on the bed, struggling to keep his eyes open. He yawned, before beckoning Trixie to come to bed with him. With the night over, Trixie did so, feeling her eyes draw shut as she rested in his strong hooves again. Flash peeled his eyes open as the sounds of the world chorused around him. He could hear his lover in the bathroom, so it was probably best to leave her to it. A mare’s private time was a mare’s private time. Glancing around to the clock, he saw it was fast approaching midday. Wow, he’d slept that late? Obviously it helped to be in the presence of such a caring pair of hooves as Trixie’s. Today was one of his few days off, so he needn't have been concerned by this late start to the day. Casual as anything he slid out of bed before taking a long stretch. Ah, that was well needed. He called through to the bathroom. “Good morning honey! How are you this lovely day?” He grinned inanely at Trixie as she emerged from the bathroom, before starting to stare at the object she held in her magic grip. She looked concerned. His eyes darted between her face and that thing, and he knew what she was about to say to him. “Flash, I’m pregnant.” Silence. Flash didn’t quite no how to respond at that moment. He'd known there was a chance when he finished inside her, but to hear those simple words put it all into perspective. His thoughts were immediately assaulted by so many different ideas and panics that he didn’t know which to listen to first. "Am I ready, will I be able to support it with my work, Do I want a baby?" It was then he stopped and realized what he should be thinking. He turned to face his partner. “Are you happy with that, Trixie dear?” Her look of concern lingered, before suddenly disappearing. She threw the pregnancy test to the side and leapt at Flash. She dove at him, wrapping her arms around him. All of his worries melted away at that moment. He’d forgotten all those niggling problems as quickly as they’d arisen, she was happy, so he was happy. He span her around in his hooves, both ponies beginning to laugh and cry out like maniacs. Finally putting her down, Flash wiped tears of joy from his eyes, suddenly overloaded with positive emotions. “Aww, don’t cry, nerd!” Trixe mocked, ignoring the fact that her words were spoken through her own choked voice. “You’ll want to go and tell your friend the news, won’t you Trix? The news that I still can’t quite believe myself! Oh, you’ll be a great mother you know!” The stallion began to almost hop from hoof to hoof with excitement, acting like a rather ridiculous – but wholly adorable – foal. This merriment couldn’t help but make Trixie laugh to herself, before moving to give him a passionate kiss. Flash quickly stopped hopping around as he felt his lover’s body press up against his own. Lost in the moment, he was finally pulled back to reality when Trixie ended the kiss. “You know, darling, I think I will go and tell my friends! I’m going to go tell Starlight, Cadance obviously, and Sunburst. Oh, Shining Armor! I’ve got to send some message home to Twilight too! If only Spike was here he could write home with a letter, but it looks like I’ll just have to get Starlight to teleport us home. But that can wait, because I don’t think I’ll be rushing home anytime soon! For now though, you’re right! I’ve gotta go tell Starlight!” Full of emotion and energy Trixie rushed for the door, almost wrenching it off the hinges with her magic. She shot our into the hallway and disappeared from view. Now alone, Flash flopped backwards onto the bed. He stared up at the ceiling, letting the events of the last ten minutes process. Everything felt like it was moving pretty fast, but he didn’t have an issue with that. He just kept replaying the same image in his mind, over and over. The image of her smiling face when she had realized they were going to be having a foal together. Cadance, Shining Armor and Sunburst were all sat around the table of the Cadance’s dining hall. Flurry Heart had started whining in Shining’s hooves, and - flummoxed by the possible cause – he quickly passed her to Cadance. They’d been gathered by Trixie with such astonishing speed and glee she’d barely even hinted at what exactly was going on. They looked round at each other, giving wild guesses, but no one got close to the crux of the matter. Finally the doors burst open again, this time Trixie appeared in view with Starlight in tow. The unicorn looked as deeply confused as the others, but she too drew no answers from the excited Trixie. Having been plonked down in one of the chairs, Starlight had had enough. “TRIXIE LULAMOON, WHATEVER IS THE MATTER?!” The unicorn responded with a coy grin, drumming her hooves against the table for maximum build-up of anticipation. “Everypony, I have some BIG NEWS! Quiet in the audience, for you see, The Great and Powerful Trixie, is, pregnant!” Trixie threw her arms wide open, waiting for the response. Stunned silence. At first, none of the ponies knew quite what to say. They didn’t know how happy she was with the news, nor for that matter how happy Flash was. But they quickly realised the error of their ways, drowning the room in rapturous cheers and applause. Starlight leapt up from her chair and held her friend tight, her eyes welling up. After seeing how happy it made Starlight, Sunburst was up on his hooves to give Trixie his congratulations. Shining was cheering in approval in the background, quickly waking the baby again, and Cadance too nodded approvingly at the scene of joy that unfolded before her. “Princess of Love,” she thought to herself. “Her ideas always see us to the happy ending…” It was then the door creaked open behind them. Flash was peering his head round the door, glad to see he’d found the right room. Everyone inside cheered his name, beckoning him to come in. “Hi everypony, it took me a little while to work out where you were, but I’m so glad to see so many happy faces. I presume Trixie told you the good news?” He was met with a cacophony of agreement as he approached Trixie. Stopping just in front of her, he listened as the room went quiet. Everyone stopped, intrigued as to just what he was about to say. Reaching down into his guards uniform, he carefully pulled out a small, blue box. Trixie was in tears of joy before he’d even opened it. Dropping down to his knees, he leant down and pulled back the lid, revealing a pristine, hoof crafted engagement ring. He looked up, deep into Trixie’s eyes, and asked her the eternal question. “Trixie Lulamoon, will you marry me?” Tears cascading down her cheeks, Trixie blurted out yes without a moment’s hesitation. The room filled with yet more cheers and whoops as he pushed the ring onto her horn before standing and giving her one more kiss. Starlight scoffed as Trixie looked over. “So then, I guess blind date’s aren’t such a bad idea for the likes of you then, eh?” As the group burst out laughing, the Crystal Heart outside began to spin ever so slightly quicker.
