Author's Note

A fairly vanilla chapter clop-wise that's more about set up for future stuff.

Calm Before the Storm

Steam rose from the wooden tub when Trixie settled into the water, a slosh sounding as it submerged her sore flanks. Excess spilled over the sides of the basin and pooled onto the soil. She closed her eyes and exhaled a pleasurable sigh. For a short moment she finally felt like herself again. She'd been running purely on fumes for far too long.

Flames danced in the lamp and cast deep shadows over the interior. The distant chirp of crickets outside made this mad world suddenly feel a little peaceful.

She stole a glance over at Flash Sentry who guarded the tent's flap. He tried to pretend he was an impassive statue, but he couldn't help but stare each time she trace her curves, shooting him a sly and sultry little smirk. He swallowed hard.

What made it even harder for him was that Tree Hugger and Fluttershy were assigned to bathing their prisoner. They tenderly lathered up every inch of her body, gradually massaged her knotted muscles, having been ordered by Sunset Shimmer to make her feel at home. "Oh yes," she moaned. "Lower. Ooh, there. Why don't you two take a dip with me?" The mares looked to each other with a shrug and slipped into the tiny tub.

Flash Sentry pressed his haunches together in a failed attempt to hide a partial stiffy. She cackled at his slip-up and he blushed. The space was so small the trio were pretty much draped all over each other, not that her two attendees really minded, since they shared an open relationship these days. Sex was one of the few pleasures left to them in dark times.

"Hey. Looks like somepony's little soldier is at attention," said Tree Hugger who intentionally traced her hooves down Trixie's well-rounded buttocks.

Fluttershy pressed her rather generous teats upon Trixie's mounds, her hooves resting upon the witch's foal-bearing hips. "Hmmm, I'd say he should join us, but sadly there's not enough room." She put on a coy pout. "Maybe he can help us poor mares out anyway?"

He hesitantly trotted over, lathered up his hooves with the bar of soap nearby, and brushed Tree Hugger's and Fluttershy's backsides. He'd denied himself the occasional pass from a mare to keep up his vitality for the next raid; however he couldn't stand to overlook such an opportunity. Especially since he was insanely pent up after weeks without so much as a fap. He kneaded deeper into their buttcheeks which parted easily under his firm grasps.

Trixie ran both hooves through her wet mane as she posed for him, enjoying the way his member shamelessly twitched and spat a bit of precum. There was a time when she would've fucked him simply to make Twilight furious. But any hostility she'd ever felt towards her was now long dead and buried. She had to admit he was kind of cute.

Her horn flared up as she daringly applied a bit of magic to his stallionhood, casually stroking his veiny shaft, and he grit his teeth, thin splashes of semen dripping down his cock and balls. "Ah...you tease," he grunted as he fondled their supple physiques.

"It's unlike you to abandon a post," came a sensual voice which make him leap to his hooves. "Not that I blame you under the circumstances. At ease, soldier."

With the loss of the Princesses, Fleur di Lis shared the truth about how she worked as a spy in their employ, and that she was also skilled in a variety of weapons. She'd quickly surpassed him and become the favored Royal Guard in the encampment.

She carried a spear in hoof and wore a helmet on her head, which she removed, tossing back her mane as it spilled free. "Ugh. Helmet-hair." She shook her lovely locks loose and planted the butt of her spear in the dirt. "Don't mind me. I like to watch."

He tensed as she draped her slender, model-esque frame on his back. He breathed in the scent of her rather feminine perfume. She wasn't at all like most of the mares who chose to become soldiers. Many of them discarded many of their delicate traits to better fit in with the stallions and hopefully be taken more seriously; on the contrary she seemed to revel in that which his buddies would likely perceive as a weakness. And with a combination of her combat prowess, and the spells she worked, she could easily back up her claims.

She wrapped her hooves around his barrel, smooshing her perky tits on his well-built back. A teak of his nipples caused him to shudder and moan. She tittered at how helpless he was before her. Turned him to face her and met his snout with a passionate kiss. Rumors claimed she could be quite forward but she'd never made a pass at him until now. But before he could question it, she pushed him onto his back, straddling him with a smirk.

She ground her vulva upon his now fully erect penis, their juices mixing together while she bucked her hips. She held his forehooves down so he couldn't freely touch her, and he stared with a worm's eye view up at the three lovely marehoods above him.

She used her telekinesis to open her tight folds and reveal the pastel pink flower within. Glistening moisture dripped from her slit and wet her likewise soft pink anal ring. "Mmmm," she moaned as she took him into her. She passionately kissed him once more, bounced rather roughly atop him, and he strained with a low cry, struggling not to unload inside her instantly. "Oh...fuck..." She released his hooves, which immediately grabbed her asscheeks. Her tail swished about mischievously. She bit his lip so hard it bled a tad.

A bemused Trixie squatted over him, allowed him to sink his snout into her cunt which he needily lapped at, while her caretakers also lowered themselves, his hooves slipping into their sexes. He explored the depths of their love tunnels, which clenched around his limbs and mouth, bathing him in a thin sheen of marecum. He watched the trio above him trade kisses, feeling each other up, hooves wandering almost aimlessly over each other.

Fleur's lower lips suckled him with an expertise honed over many years as a courtesan. Surrounded by so many beautiful mares willingly offering themselves to him, he wasn't able to last more than a few minutes, groaning as he finished inside the model. She licked his wiry muscles, stroked his chest furs, milking the stud for all he was worth. After so much time spent denying his needs he'd built up quite a bit of excess which sloshed inside her.

With the potions they constantly consumed, only the mares who chose to become breeders had to worry about impregnation; those who took to the fields like they did couldn't afford such a risk. But as a result of the rather common contraceptives, combined with perpetual boredom and the realization they could die at any time, meant that casual sex was the order of the day. Fear made them cling hard to the little they still had.

*****

Next came the mess hall where Trixie was to be fed. Tables and chairs were laid out in the open under the starry skies. Other ponies ate, chatted, dozed off, or played cards, savoring what little downtime was afforded them. Her buttocks smooshed under her once she took a seat and gazed off into the moon, a symbol that resembled Luna imprinted upon it. It was a constant reminder that the Princesses were forever lost.

Flash Sentry and now Fleur di Lis continued to watch over her. There were a number of guards situated all over the camp, particularly key areas where invaders might break in. They were nestled in what appeared to be a particular dense portion of the forest; she assumed the Everfree Forest had overgrown the ravaged sections of the land.

Carrying a tray packed with goodies in both hooves, Sunset Shimmer settled across from her, the red-and-yellow mane partially hiding her face as she smiled. "It's not much, but we've gathered and farmed what little we can on the move."

To her surprise Sunset plucked a hunk of cheese and planted it in her mouth. She nibbled on it slowly, but her caretaker didn't remove her hoof, even when her lips made contact with her hoof. Their eyes locked as she sensually suckled upon her.

"Mmmm...you certainly know how to handle yourself like the real Trixie." She continually fed her bits of food, mostly what fruits, veggies, and breads they were able to cobble together. She'd even managed to scrounge up a tiny cherry pie. "I've bathed and fed you. Now it's about time I replaced that ratty outfit they destroyed."

"You'd do that for me? Well, Trixie humbly accepts your offer!" She felt more alive than she had in sometime. Almost like it would somehow all work out.

She wolfed down the rest of her meal then followed her entourage into a particularly large white tent decorated with purple tassels and a variety of gemstones. Normally she might have rolled her eyes, feeling such decadence was best left to a professional like her, but considering the circumstance she felt no right to judge anypony.

The interior workshop resembled a sweatshop. Designers worked in cramped conditions surrounded by materials which they wove and stitched and placed on mannequins. Nestled amidst the works sat Rarity who was busy tirelessly working on her own projects. With hooves and spells alike she deftly crafted what appeared to be a cross between a costume and armor, the garments embedded with a series of runes.

She looked up from her craft over a pair of red spectacles. The room suddenly fell silent and still once they noticed the newcomer. "Why is she here?"

"I can vouch for her. She's the real deal," said Sunset. "Not only does that other Trixie come from a parallel world, but she's fallen under the mind control of our enemy."

"You expect us to simply believe that? Well, I suppose it doesn't matter anyhow. At this rate Equestria is doomed anyhow." Her voice was neutral but the bitterness in her was quite apparent. "At the least, my latest creations may help us survive the next conflict."

Trixie swallowed hard. "I'm sorry about whatever-"

Rarity shot her such a venomous look that she practically cowered before her. "Do not presume to understand what I've suffered. I certainly don't trust you now, and I probably never will. I remember when that...abomination descended on Ponyville. It had three heads, resembled Spike were he an ancient drake, and Trixie rode upon its back."

She rose from the table and turned her back. "One of the heads swallowed Coco Pommel, the other Sassy Saddles, ate my assistants like they were nothing more than disposable snacks in an instant. The center head attempted to swallow me...then hesitated once I called Spike's name." She toyed with the chain around her neck that held a heart-shaped precious stone. Mascara ran under her silent tears.

"I-I'm truly sorry," whispered Trixie who realized the fashionista must have thrown herself fully into her work to overcome her sorrows. "What can I do to-"

"Trixie ordered Spike to devour me, but he only looked about in confusion, and took off to who-knows-where. Not that it mattered much after they had razed most of the town. My parents, Sweetie Belle, so many others, all charred to a crisp within seconds."

"By Celestia...I...I don't know what to say," admitted Trixie who couldn't help but feel responsible for all the atrocities her counterpart had been forced to commit.

"It's not her fault. I'd place my life in her hooves," said Sunset.

"Then you're a fool," snapped Rarity who instantly regretted it. "I'm tired," she admitted removing her spectacles and setting them aside. "I want to believe our efforts are making a difference, but there are days when I have my doubts. This is Equestria now. The world we had back then will never return. I've made my peace with that."

She levitated the curtain off one of the pony-shaped mannequins, where a pristine copy of the star-studded cone-shaped and wide-brimmed hat and a cape to match rested. She floated them over and placed them on Trixie's head and shoulders.

"Thank you. It means a lot to Trixie. Really." She felt even more like herself by the moment. She wanted to tell her she'd do whatever it took to make it up to her, that she would prove her loyalty to the cause, but realized it was probably better to simply let it lie. It would likely take quite some time but she swore to somehow earn their trust.

*****

Lastly she was taken to another tent which was sparsely decorated. Trixie gulped when she approached the Prince who now led this scattered rabble. At least that was his official position, even if he'd chosen to be little more than a figurehead, leaving the major decisions to his lover turned second-in-command. Lamplight flickered over the stallion who stood near the back wrapped up in the heavy silhouettes cast about.

She froze as he looked her over impassively. Then his hardened features softened. "So...you've come back. Sunset says she trusts you, and that's enough for me. Besides, we could use all the help we can get. We're pretty much down to desperate measures by this point. The truth is, Cadance made most of the political decisions. I'm more than capable on the field, but I wouldn't exactly call myself an especially savvy tactician."

"Don't undersell yourself," said Sunset who smiled at him. "You're so humble."

Shining Armor nodded to Flash Sentry and Fleur de Lis who guarded the tent flap with spears crossed. "I've had some capable soldiers to help keep me in line. Ones that make me proud to serve Equestria. And we have a new hope. Rarity's finally finished that secret project she's been hard at work on for some time." He levitated over an elaborate suit of sturdy-yet-flexible white armor lined with touches of blue.

Next he floated over a pale sword. Runes decorated the double-sided blade. Finally came a shield that curved at the bottom. "She wanted to make me a paladin, like in those old legends. A crusader who could smite devils and bring some traces of light back to the land. I'm not certain I'm worthy of such an honor, but for the sake of everypony, I'll do my best. Thank you, Sunset. You helped me out of my funk."

His soldiers cantered over and helped him into the regal armor which matched his musculature well. He took the sword in one hoof, fitted the shield over his other arm, looked down at himself in admiration. "You're so handsome," said Sunset who draped herself on his broad shoulders. "I really wish Cadance could see you now."

"Yes, I'm sure she'd be proud," admitted Trixie.

"Rarity's prepared armaments for all the soldiers we could spare materials for," said Flash who looked the prince over and nodded in approval. "Soon we may finally have a force capable of taking on the Four Horses of the Apocalypse."

"Not to mention that devil formerly known as Spike," added Fleur who toyed with her locks. "Until they're all slain there's little chance we'll be able to reach Twilight."

"Count me in. I want to help however I can," said Trixie.

Shining Armor nodded. "Okay. We'll pass around the equipment tomorrow, see about rallying the troops. It's late, and we'd better rest, so we can make an early start. Flash, Fleur, make certain the patrols keep a constant lookout, in case we have to move out suddenly." The pair nodded and opened the flap before they took off. "Trixie, why don't-"

"Stay with us," said Sunset who stated what she knew he wouldn't ask. "You don't need to sleep with us tonight or anything like that. In truth, we'd simply like your company. It can be pretty lonely here, and maybe you can understand our burdens?"

Trixie slyly pulled her hat down. "I'd like that. Trixie promises not to disappoint!" She draped herself on his other shoulder, reminded of old times, when life seemed so much simpler and carefree. She playfully helped Sunset strip away his armor.

The lamp's fire was snuffed out with a click, and they curled up to his muscular body, as he draped a blanket over them. They basked in each other's warmth for well over an hour before the trio gradually drifted off into an unusually peaceful slumber.