"I'm not sure you know what you know what you're asking me to do, Twily."
Twilight Sparkle had been waiting hours on end, sitting in the middle of a rather empty field where the grass had long since been cut away and left a sandy thick layer of dirt. There were several wooden bleachers that seemed to encircle the field. Though they were empty, aside from a few royal guards who seemed to be rather curious about the Princess' presence. So far, she had said nothing except for one request.
"Princess Twilight, you want me to get what again?," the elder Royal Guard unicorn asked, hoping that he had heard her wrong.
"You heard me clearly, please don't make me repeat myself," Twilight vocalized with more than a hint of annoyance in her voice. She wasn't in the mood to be questioned nor to be answering them. "Now get it, he'll be here soon enough," she ordered, utilizing a voice that was both stern and commanding that made the elder pony shrink back in a twinge of fear.
"Yes, right away, Princess Twilight Sparkle," the unicorn bowed and moved off to fulfill his command. He was quick enough, having rallied a few younger Royal Guards whom were helping move out the contraption. It was basically a platform with a pillory attached to it, with several straps used to hold a pony in place. They moved it to the center of the field, finally letting it come to rest in front of Twilight Sparkle. "There you go, Princess... as you asked," the Royal Guard ponies bowed and moved away after Twilight Sparkle thanked them for their effort.
Twilight felt fear knot up in her throat as she eyed the apparatus. It wasn't so menacing in design, but more so in it's purpose. It was used to hold ponies in place when they were to sentenced to a lashing as a punishment. It wasn't Twilight's first time seeing it, for she had witnessed a public whipping of a few young Royal Guards for endangering themselves and others after having indulged in illegally acquired alcoholic beverages they had sneaked into their barracks.
"Makes your stomach just drop a little seeing it, huh? You've only seen it in action once, but I've witnessed it's use more times than I care to count," chimed in the familiar voice that got closer and stopped once at her side. It was Shining Armor, whom was looking quite amused at his sibling as they both stared at the contraption. His presence drew the attention of several ponies, all whom stopped in their tracks when he eyed them. The expression on his face alone was enough to draw to the conclusion that he wasn't to be trifled with right now. "So, this is why you called me? I was hoping it was some bonding brother sister time," Shining Armor layed a foreleg over his sister, pulling her close. She didn't resist, but she didn't seem eager to return his affection.
"I don't need my brother right now," Twilight Sparkle remarked, trying not to push her brother's embrace away like she wanted. "I need the Commander of the Royal Guards who knows how to do his duty and follow an order given by royalty," the princess spoke rather dryly.
Shining Armor flinched, he was a little hurt, but seemed to understand. He leaned down and nuzzled her, much to Twilight's annoyance, "Twily, please... there's plenty of time for that, but can't we just talk? I know you don't want my emotions getting in the way for what you're going to ask me to do, but I'm quite capable of separating the two when necessary."
Twilight sighed, her stern attitude quickly being eaten away by her brother's love and concern. Maybe he had a point, but Twilight wasn't about to validate it. It's only then she noticed an opaque shield had enveloped the surrounding field. It cut off all prying eyes, save for two more large figures whom were watching from the benches. Twilight offered both Princess Celestia and Luna a glance, but said nothing as she turned back to the pillory in front of her. "Didn't think they'd come... I wanted witnesses. I'm not sure why, really," Twilight kicked a hoof at earth, stirring up a small cloud of dirt.
Shining Armor wrapped his forelegs around his sister, pulling her into a full blown hug, "Twily, I just want you to know something... I love you no matter what."
The alicorn sighed, surrendering her iron determination as her own forelegs wrapped around her brother's neck, "I love you too, Shiny. I'm sorry I'm putting this burden on you, but I think you know why I requested you of all ponies to carry this out."
Shining Armor nodded, backing down from their embrace. He used his magic to levitation unravel a long corded whip with several knots along it's length from around his neck, "I was... certainly shocked when I got the letter. I'm just glad Cadence didn't ask me to explain when I told her I needed to come see you. I told her it was... a personal matter."
Twilight eyed the instrument, both anxiety and fear swept over her as she thought about how soon her backside would soon be well acquainted with it. "It's going to hurt a lot, right?," asked the lavender alicorn, now looking back to the pillory and occasionally giving the two alicorns behind her a glance with the corner of her eye.
Shining Armor nodded, "More than you're probably imagining. I'm not holding back, after all. By your request, Princess Twilight Sparkle," the stallion spoke with a stern respectful professionalism that seemed more befitting of one who was once the Commander of the Royal Guard. Her brother was gone, Commander Shining Armor had taken his place. He didn't break his stoic expression as Twilight smiled at him.
"Thank you, Commander Shining Armor. We shall proceed then, no time like the present," Twilight said just as Princess Luna and Princess Celestia trotted up to the two of them. They said nothing, remaining silent as they greeted both Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle with a nod.
Shining Armor saluted Twilight Sparkle, then turned and saluted the Princesses of the Sun and Moon, "I am honored to have your assistance in carrying out this punishment." The stallion offered a bow, then continued to address them, "Please see to it that Princess Twilight Sparkle is secured properly in the harnesses. I shall await your signal to begin." Shining Armor saluted them again, they nodded in approval then he turned and saluted Twilight Sparkle one last time before trotting off to prepare himself mentally.
Twilight looked up at both Luna and Celestia, who's faces offered no sympathy for her situation. She expected nothing less. They followed at her sides as she moved toward the stock, which she climbed into and put her leg and head in their appropriated places. She could feel the leather bindings being pulled taut against her limbs and body, locking into her place so that there'd be no chance of escaping. The last finishing touch was a metal ring Celestia put on her horn, an anti-magic ring which nullified her ability to use magic. She felt their presences leave her side, knowing well they were only several feet away to observe her punishment from a closer perspective. Silence fell across the shielded off field. Fear and anxiety were running through her, but it watered down by the confidence she had Shining Armor to perform his duty. She only could wait for the first painful lash that would be one of many.
The first lash came as much as she suspected... barely without a warning side from the sound of the whip cutting through the air. A wave of immense fiery pain of the likes she had never felt before shot through her backside as the knot covered corded whip cracked across her exposed derriere. She dug her teeth into her bottom lip, determined to take her punishment with her dignity intact.
Shining Armor might be rusty, but it quickly came back to him as he went to deliver the third stroke. He tapped into that old persona, the one whom commanded absolute respect from cadets when he was the Commander of the Royal Guard. The motions were all too familiar and the stallion found that his delivery was just as good as it was back then. The whip cracked across Princess Twilight's rear two more times, but she seemed intent on keeping the pain inside. He'd break her, they all broke eventually no matter how steely their resolve was. He could see her pull against her bindings, the alicorn reacting on pure instinct to the severe pain coursing through her rear. He had painted several welts across her rear, a few dark spots noticeable where the knots dug into her flesh. They were still far from done though.
All the while, the two princesses had retreated back to the benches where they watched the sight with detached expressions. The sounds of the whip traveling through the air then the reverberating snap as it painfully snapped across Princess Twilight's backside echoed across the field. It was fifteen so far and the Princess of Friendship had since relinquished her dignitary and now howled in pain with every lash Commander Shining Armor administered.
"A rather inappropriate time to get aroused, don't you think, Sister?," Luna addressed Celestia calmly. She noticed that Celestia shot her a side glance, a touch of red on her cheeks.
"I can control a lot of things, Luna. Cycles of estrus, sadly, is not one of those things," Celestia let just the most subtle hint of a smirk stretch across her lips. "Least my excuse is valid. Though, I doubt you can say the same."
Luna just closed her eyes, "I've never denied my masochistic streak, and you've never complained when I've acted out my fantasies with you. By the way, enjoy sitting while you can... you won't have that luxury when we get back to the castle, Sister."
Celestia's eyed widened, eyeing her sister whom now eyed her with heavy lidded eyes and a sly smile that said everything she needed to know. "Of course... Mistress," Celestia acknowledged. The collar around her neck tightened, the pendant resembling her sister's cutie mark glowed faintly. "For the rest of the time, lets resume our regal air out of respect for Twilight and Shining Armor. If you don't mind, ... my Mistress."
Princess Luna ceased channeling her magic, giving her sister a nod as both them returned to observing the lashing being carried out just as the twentieth lick came. They both winced as they now observed the terribly welted and bruised covered backside. What was worse was the fact they both knew there was still another thirty to be carried out.
Twilight had long since submitted to the pain that now was on a level she could've never imagined before. Tears ran down her face freely. She felt her chest heave as she tried to catch her breath between sobbing and the wave of agony that shot through her backside as Shining Armor delivered another crack of the whip. The only real silver lining was that the guilt and all the regret was being washed away with her tears. The heaviness that was burdening her consciousness was no longer there. It was if she felt the weight lifted more and more with every lash.
By the thirtieth lash, Twilight Sparkle's rump was heavily discolored from the bruises and welts. She had long lost the strength to even cry out as loud, but the mare still soundly voiced her pain as Shining Armor tirelessly delivered the last twenty lashes. Even he was wondering if this was too much, but he never allowed his doubts to affect the strength given behind every blow. He was, however, succumbing to more brotherly instincts as he now observed her more closely. She was barely moving, aside from her heavy panting and the occasional choking sob. He stopped after the fortieth of fifty, just standing there quietly as he now found himself pitying his sister and hating himself for letting her talk him into this. He couldn't do it... it was just too much.
Suddenly, a more powerful magic seized the whip as Princess Luna stepped up much to Shining Armor's surprise. She shushed him, then proceeded to quickly carry out the last ten lashes. He only watched, saying nothing as he saw the whip snap across his sister's backside. Every lash elicited a cry of anguish from his sister, her body thrashing against the straps of the pillory. Once the fiftieth strike was given, Luna was quick to surrender the whip to Shining Armor's magic as she swiftly moved back to to the benches and sit next to her sister. He released the whip, letting it fall to the ground. He watched as Luna and Celestia moved out and started to undo the harnesses that kept Twilight in place. Only the fact that Twilight had trusted him with this matter was he able to chase away the self-loathing brooding in his mind as the three approached him.
"The punishment has been carried out... you are hereby relieved of your duty, Commander Shining Armor," Twilight said meekly, her eyed red and the fur on her cheeks damp with tears. "I commend you for making sure every lash was as strong as the first. I must say, those last ten certainly seemed to have a bit more pep behind them," Twilight curtsied.
Shining Armor remained stone faced, only nodding after Princess Twilight expressed her satisfaction. Only after saluting her, did he drop the whole guise and frantically grasped his sister in a hug. "Twilight... I'm... I'm sorry," he whimpers, now allowing himself to cry as she embraced him with her own forelegs tightly.
"It's okay, Shiny... it hurt. It hurt a lot, but you performed admirably as I expected. I feel a lot better than when I did before we started. The pain will go away, but I think my rump is going to take a bit to heal completely of the welts and bruising," she nuzzled into her neck. She then turned her gaze to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, "Thank you for coming."
Luna nodded, stepping up and taking the whip up with her magic. "Of course, I am only happy that you found the peace you were seeking. I must say, I quite approve of the your choice in the method of achieving it." This earned her a rather considerably long stare from Princess Celestia as she wrapped the whip around her own neck.
"Yes.. I am glad we could offer our help. Even if it was just to be a witness," Celestia added, keeping an eye on her sister now. She felt the black leather collar around her neck tighten again as Luna now stared back at her. There was a sudden awkward silence between the two sisters.
Luna giggled, turning away to now address Twilight and Shining Armor who noticed the rather puzzling exchange between the two Royal Sisters. "Twilight Sparkle, how about I invite you to the castle for a night's stay? I have plans in which I think I'd like you to participate in. You're welcomed too, Shining Armor."
Princess Celestia went to protest, but the collar around her neck became so constricting that she felt herself being denied to draw breath. She only eyed her Mistress with concern, in which the sensation lessened and she was allowed to speak. "Mistress," Celestia went red with embarrassment as she addressed her sister with the respectful title,"I wish you would've at least consulted with me before inviting others into... our personal lives."
Princess Luna nodded, but seemed to show no concern. "Oh my most beloved pet... remember your place," she answered, much to Celestia's growing embarrassment the Princess of the Sun now looked down the ground. Twilight and Shining Armor were both looking at her quite gawked. "Yes, I'm her Mistress and she is my pet. You're to tell nopony of this or I promise I'll have both your heads."
Shining Armor and Twilight nodded, both looking quite confused and bewildered by the sudden revelation.
"Explains the collar... I was going to ask, but I had my suspicions when I noticed how Celestia would act toward Luna sometimes," Twilight murmured as the four of them walked off the field. The shield fell and the four of them made their way to the Royal Chariot. Every step made Twilight yelp, even moving was considerably uncomfortable as her rear end throbbed in pain. She was hoping there'd be some standing room.
"Yes, the collar is actually enchanted to normally be invisible to everypony. However, I have been allowing you to see... as well as Shining Armor," Luna explained as they boarded the chariot together. By coincidence, Luna had chosen the chariot with the capacity for four large alicorns for the occasion.
Shining Armor laughed nervously, "Oh boy... I'll need to write Cadence a letter to explain what's going on. Of course, I'm definitely going to leave a few things out. I hope she'll be okay with the baby for just a single night."
Luna smirked, "And what a night it'll be... not often a pony gets to whip two Princesses in a day."
Shining Armor looked confused for a moment, then went wide eyed when he noticed an equally surprised expression on Princess Celestia's face. "Princess Luna... I, I," the stallion was stunned, he didn't know what to even say!
"This isn't a request either, or you'll get reacquainted with this whip of yours. I know you're no stranger to it's sting. For the record, I am nowhere near as gentle as your wife," Luna assured him with a rather stoic expression and stare.
Shining Armor groaned, "Seriously, she's involved with this whole thing too?!," the stallion expressed much dismay about the whole unfolding situation.
Twilight giggled, "Lovely... not only have I found my former mentor is a pet to her younger sister, but my brother seems to have a freaky fetish for whipping." Twilight suddenly went quiet at her own words, then shot Shining Armor a quick scrutinizing glance.
He instantly recognized what she was started to suspect and was quick to defend himself, "Oh that's two totally different worlds, Twily! Besides that, you're my sister!"
The three alicorns laughed much to Shining Armor's discomfort as the chariot was pulled toward Canterlot.
That night, much fun would be had and, indeed, Celestia would not be able to sit by the end of it. The four of them indulged in fantasies they had only entertained in their thoughts. [But that's a story for another time.... maybe the next chapter? ^.~]