Chapter Nineteen: Ember and Gilda

"I'm so happy to be back home with our new foals, Emmit," Fluttershy sighed happily as only a mother could. She was laying on her side on a thick quilt that was laid out on the soft flowery grass in her backyard. I was laying beside her in my fox form with our newborn foals sleeping between us. "Being a caregiver myself, I'm thankful for all the work the doctor and nurse have done. However, a hospital isn't a home and the food isn't quite the best."

Her whole backyard was nearly filled with her animal friends of all shapes, sizes, and species. As our newborn foals slept soundly between us huddled together in front of our faces, small birds were sitting on our heads and shoulders chirping a soft lullaby to them to help them sleep. The larger animals nearby watch over peacefully. "Believe me, I understand," I chuckled a little remembering when I was there a couple of times.

"This is so perfect, Emmit," she said while looking at me, lifting a hoof to rub against my paw and leg. "A beautiful morning out with a gentle cool breeze that I can enjoy with you and our new foals. All my animal friends around us with the birds chirping a soft lullaby." She hummed contently while lightly rubbing my leg with a hoof and looking at me with joy in her eyes. "I love you and our foals so much, Emmit."

"I love you and our foals as well, Fluttershy, Flutterbat," I told her with a joyous smile. "What about names?" I asked while looking down at our new daughter and son. "One thing our son needs is a cool-sounding name. Like Sunlight Fire? How about Amber Aurora for a sweet-sounding name for our daughter?"

She tilted her head a little and blinked at me, now curious as to my suggestions. "Why do the names need to be cool sounding or sweet-sounding?"

We heard the sound of her wings beating as she came in for a landing right before Rainbow said, "To be cool, that's why." The birds chirped in irritation being forced to move out of the way for Rainbow to land on my back, drape herself over me, and lay her head on mine. "Every kid wants to be known for a cool name. That way they won't be made fun of if their name sounds funny or weird. Just take mine, Rainbow Dash. Cool sounding, right?" I felt her front hooves drape themselves over my shoulders on either side of my neck as she finished with, "So, what you got so far?"

"My suggestions were 'Sunlight Fire' for our son and 'Amber Aurora' for our daughter," I told her while looking over at Fluttershy for hers.

"I like Aurora, but what about 'Ruby Aurora' for our daughter?" Her voice and her body changed to Flutterbat so she could give her two bits. "Or 'Shadow Blaze' for our son? They are to serve Mistress Luna and Nightmare Moon."

I felt Rainbow's body shiver slightly with her light chuckle, "Oh I like that last one. Shadow Blaze has a nice ring to it. I got it, how about Midnight Aurora for your daughter?"

"I like them," Flutterbat said giving her two bits in. Then she changed back to Fluttershy, "I think they're nice."

"Then Shadow Blaze and Midnight Aurora it is then?" I asked looking at Fluttershy which she gave me a smile and a nod. "Alright then, hello Shadow Blaze and Midnight Aurora."

"Now that that's settled, I got news for ya, stud."

"And what's that, skittles?" I smirked at her old nickname I gave her long ago while watching our sleeping foals as my heart seemed to want to burst from my chest.

"Gilda's on her way here again," there was certain mischief in her voice when she said it.

"Oh...kay, why?" I asked, now curious as to why she would come back in the first place.

I felt her shrug as the birds perched themselves on Fluttershy and started singing again. "I don't know. She just wrote me saying that she was coming back here to Ponyville."

"She say why? I'm supposed to be meeting with Princess Ember today," I said while very gently laying a paw on our newborn foals as they continued to sleep peacefully.

"Nope," I felt Rainbow shake her head against mine, "she didn't say why."

I sighed in frustration while watching our foals sleep. "Great, just great. I don't know if having both Gilda and Ember here at the same time is a good idea. I know that Gilda isn't as aggressive as she used to be, Rainbow. And even though, I'm curious as to why she would feel the need to visit again, I have no idea about Princess Ember. I don't know how her personality would clash with Gilda's. If they find each other it could go well and peaceful or they might try to destroy each other and most of Ponyville along with it."

"So, what are you going to do?" Fluttershy asked softly.

"Nothing I can do but take it one hour at a time," I told her with a concerned sigh. As what ifs ran through my head of the possible outcomes if they were to show up at the same time, an old adage came to mind. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

"Ok then, similar question. What are you going to do right now?" Rainbow chuckled as she wrapped her front hooves around my neck. Then whispered into my ear with a soft sultry voice, "Because I've got a suggestion."

With a chuckle, I answered, "Yeah, and while I love that suggestion, it would also disturb the kids."

Rainbow seemed to hum in thought, before she suggested mischievously, "Alright, then why don't you turn human, so I can lay on top of you and enjoy those great fingers of yours?"

"Oh my, that is a wonderful idea," Fluttershy giggled cutely before winking over to me giving me her permission. At least this shouldn't disturb the foals.

So, upon my urging, Rainbow lifted off of me and hovered above me while I rolled myself over onto my back. Then morphed into my naked human form. "There we go," Rainbow said softly then eased herself down on top of me. Laying down on top of me, she made sure to position her lower lips onto my limp member, wiggled to get comfortable by laying her head onto my chest and stretching out her front legs over my shoulders. "Ah, yeah," Rainbow sighed happily, "now use those wonderful hands of yours and rub me all over from head to butt."

After a slight amused chuckle, that's just what I did. I started with gentle scratching behind each ear. Rainbow's eyes closed and I felt her sigh blow against the hairs of my chest. I noticed that Fluttershy was smiling at us and more than likely wanting it for herself if the look on her face was anything to go by. So, after a wink her way, I lowered my hands under Rainbow's mane and started rubbing, scratching, and massaging her neck.

"Make sure to get my wings really good," her voice turned soft and sleepy with a pleasant smile on her face. "I might be on leave from the Wonderbolt's now that my training is over, but that doesn't mean I can't stay loose and limber."

My next stop then was her wing joints. I rubbed down her body until my hands reached her wings then gently encouraged them to spread out. She didn't resist and let me spread her wings apart. But before I started on her wings and joints, I let my hands roam down her sides to feel the lithe form of her body. The palms of my hands followed her fit curves as they flowed into her haunches and butt. After a minute or so of gentle massaging, I slowly rubbed my hands up her back. My fingers traced the curve of her spine along her back until I reached her wing joints. Rainbow sighed contently as her breathing blew against the hairs of my chest. Then moaned slightly as my fingers wrapped around the base of each wing. Three fingers of each hand gently massaged each joint while my thumb and pinkie massaged around it. Gently squeezing then letting go in a slow fashion had her softly moaning.

My own body felt warm not only because she was covered in soft fur but because her moaning and position of her lower lips were having a profound and hardening effect on me. As my shaft hardened, she shifted over me where her lower lips pressed up against and even started to part around my hard shaft. I softly shushed her as she started pressing down upon my shaft. "You have to be perfectly quiet, Rainbow," I whispered to her, "or you might disturb the kids, then all this would be over." She went silent immediately while I watched Fluttershy suppress a giggle behind her hoof. Rainbow might have gone silent, but she didn't stop getting aroused. Her hips were moving very slowly against me with her lower lips getting wetter by the minute and started coating my shaft in her juices.

Emmit?

While my hands brushed down Rainbow's body from her wings, I heard Tia's voice in my head. Yes, dear? I answered back to her as my fingers dug into Rainbow's cutie marks. Where she responded by burying her head into the crook of my neck. Her breathing became deep and slow as her wet lower lips made a slow trail up and down my hard shaft. She wanted a slow burn and it showed in the way she held herself back from moving faster or harder against me. The way her back legs came forward to grip my hips and upper legs. And the way her front hooves gripped each side of my head and hair.

Princess Ember is on her way to Ponyville. I didn't know where you were, so I just told her to check around. She seems to be a fast flier just not as fast as Rainbow, so she should be there shortly.

Understood, I returned as Rainbow's body started shaking ever so slightly as she attempted to keep herself slow. As Rainbow let out a long deep slow breath, her lower lips slowly, and firmly, slid down my shaft. I had a feeling that she was doing so to stimulate her clit area as it rubbed firmly down my shaft. Doing this so slowly must be maddening to her, which was probably the point. She's definitely been exploring more of her sexuality in the past year.

What are you doing right now?

Enjoying some relaxation time with Rainbow, Fluttershy, and our new foals. Rainbow's wings were out stiff and shaking ever so slightly as her lower lips slid easily, and firmly, up my shaft again as her juices provided the lubricant. My own heart pounded in my chest while my hands slowly rubbed up and down Rainbow's body from wing joints to butt.

That's more enjoyable than this council meeting. Just normal business. When are you coming back? Mommy misses Daddy's hands. So does Luna.

I'll do my best to be there tomorrow and spend the whole day and night with the both of you. Fluttershy is pretty much recovered now and because of her animals, she has plenty of help. Unless you want to move here, so all of you can be in one place? While mentally talking with Tia, Rainbow lifted herself up just enough to line up the head of my member. Then slowly eased me inside of her. Agonizingly slow as my head slowly parted her lower lips.

I probably would if I didn't have all my duties to attend to.

I'm sure there's a way to instant travel from Ponyville to Canterlot. That way you could do both. My member slowly slipped deeper inside of her inch by slow agonizing inch. Her front hooves gripped and pulled against my hair, she sucked on my neck hard enough that I was sure there'd be a hickey there after this, and her rear legs and hooves pressed against my waist and my legs. Shaking slightly she was holding herself back from pounding herself on top of me. It was agonizing for me as well. My member throbbed and twitched for more which she denied for the both of us for a greater release later.

Interesting idea.

Finally, I was fully hilted inside of her. The lithe form of Rainbow's body against mine and her warmth that surrounded me had ignited a fire within me. A fire that Rainbow wanted to enjoy by turning it into a slow burn instead of a quick smoldering all consuming fire. A slow burning fire that got interrupted by Twilight.

Emmit? You might want to stop whatever it is you're doing because Princess Ember just came by. I told her where you were and she'll be there in just a few seconds. And she's rather...forceful.

"Fluttershy? Ember will be here within a few seconds, so could you take our foals inside? Just in case?" I asked her, my eyes almost pleading because of what Twilight just told me through our mind link.

Fluttershy simply gave me a nod and scooted just a little closer, so I could use one hand to very carefully put out new foals onto her back. And just when she turned around and started walking toward her front door, a loud thud indicated something heavy and or powerful had just landed on the ground nearby. Birds flew off being startled by whatever landed. The smaller animals were also startled by the sudden noise skittering to safety. More than likely it was this Princess Ember from the dragon lands. That was confirmed after hearing a feminine voice shout just as loud as Tia's amplified voice. It was loud enough to get Fluttershy's bear friend looking nervous nearby.

"I AM HERE FOR EMMIT! YOU WILL SHOW YOURSELF TO ME NOW!"

I turned my head to spot her across the bridge. By the sound of her voice, I expected her to be taller. Her overall color was a light blue with an even lighter shade of blue covering her front. She stood on two legs like me with claws and talons like Spike. I'd estimate that she stood about three-quarters my height in my human form. She also had those things on top of her head as Spike does but they were a dark blue and four of them instead of Spike's three. And two horns that curved forward and down from each side of her head completed the picture.

I started to move, or even open my mouth to get her attention and to tell her to shut up, or at least lower her voice but Rainbow protested. "Nope, nope, she's not going to interrupt this," she growled into my ear while making slow small movements against me. She even moved a front hoof from my head to my lips to keep me quiet. "Buck! Buck, this is so good. You feel soo good," she moaned into my ear. I guess she wanted to keep most of me inside of her because she didn't lift up very far off of me before slowly going back down again. Just slow short movements as her body shuttered with arousal, lustful desire, and want. "Right there," her voice was a whisper and shook slightly with her body being bombarded by the slow sensations, "oh buck yes, right there." She sped up just a little but kept the movements short as if she had found the exact right spot for my throbbing member to rub inside of her.

Apparently, I didn't have to get Ember's attention because I watched her walk over the bridge toward us when she spotted us. I couldn't see Rainbow's face because her cheek was pressed up against mine. However, her deep, slow, and ragged breaths could be felt against my ear and blow through my hair. As Ember walked up to us, my own hands were busy rubbing and scratching between Rainbow's wings. The other hand gripped the base of her tail giving it a firm pull while not yanking on it. It had Rainbow moaning with each deep slow breath into my ear.

"Are you the one called Emmit?" she shouted down at me.

I was able to pull Rainbow's hoof away and glared up at her, "I am and you will lower your tone and cease this shouting because my newborn foals can't take all your screaming and shouting."

"Or she could just come back later," Rainbow moaned out after lifting her head giving her own glare at Ember.

Ember finally did lower her voice thankfully and waved off Rainbow's concern with a roll of her eyes and a wave of her hand. "Fine, I'll lower my voice and you don't need to stop having sex either. We are quite open about it in the dragon lands."

"Good, because I wasn't stopping anyway," Rainbow looked down at me with figurative fire in her eyes then pressed her lips against mine in a kiss that left my head spinning. Moaning in the kiss, she slammed her front hooves onto the ground on either side of my head. As she continued moaning loudly into my mouth, she continued grinding herself in slow short movements against my shaft. My heart pounding in my chest with my body demanding to go faster. Even telling Rainbow that by gripping and pulling firmly at the base of her tail. While also scratching between her wings as well. "Oh buck, this feels soo good," she moaned as she rolled her hips to get her wet warm walls sliding up and down the base of my shaft while keeping most of it inside of her.

"So, what...do you want...to talk...about, Ember?" I asked between passionate deep kisses between Rainbow and I. With my heart pounding in my chest and in my ears, my body was screaming at me to thrust my hips up against her. But that wasn't what Rainbow wanted. This time, Rainbow pressed herself down until our hips met, then after she opened her eyes and locked onto mine, she rolled her hips so her clit would rub against my bare skin. Her mouth hung open and her eyes softened while she moaned out her pleasure with each slow roll. Pressing down firmly against my body I felt her lower lips rub against me, so I had no doubt that her clit was too. Not to mention the way her teats rubbed against me as well. The sensations must be maddening.

"Are you sure that this Thorax is in charge of all the changelings? How do you know that there aren't other changelings out there that are still loyal to Chrysalis?" she asked while seemingly unaffected that Rainbow and I are having sex directly in front of her. She wasn't shy either because her womanhood was bare for everypony to see. She was similar to that of a human woman and I was pretty sure she had a couple of breasts too. If the small mounds on her chest were any indication. Couldn't see any nipples because her scales covered them but they didn't cover her beautiful looking womanhood though.

Rainbow put her cheek against mine again, moaning softly into my ear once more. "I was there after Chrysalis' throne was destroyed and Thorax was transformed with the rest of the changelings in the fortress." My fingers dug into Rainbow's cutie marks massaging the skin under her coat trying to egg her onto a faster pace. She still denied me and even encouraged me to lift my hips up. And when I did, she folded her hind legs underneath me to pin my hips against hers. Even felt her tail wrap itself tightly around one of my legs. "He's a good leader that wants peace for all changelings. And now that the other changelings in the fort have been transformed as well, they too seek peace and even family."

"Don't you dare try and speed this up, stud," Rainbow moaned in my ear as her body shuddered and shook slightly, as did my own actually. This slow speed and slow grinding were maddening. "I want it to last..." she paused for a loud moan, "as long as possible. I love how you stretch and fill me. The way my clit and teats rub against you. Buck!"

"Is it safe now?" Fluttershy asked as she stuck her head out the door.

"It is, Fluttershy," I told her while rubbing up and down each side of Rainbow's lithe and fit body. "Come and meet Ember. Ember? This is Fluttershy. She's part of my herd and on her back are our two newborn foals." At my word, she opened the door and walked up to us. All while Rainbow slowly ground herself against me. And because our foals were outside, Rainbow went silent once more.

"Pleased to meet you, Ember," Fluttershy greeted softly while our newborn foals were surprisingly still asleep on her back with her wings like a blanket covering them. "Please keep your voice down, our foals are sleeping."

Ember looked between the foals and Fluttershy's pleading eyes then nodded after a little bit of thinking. "What brings you here?"

"I came to inquire about his capture of Chrysalis and to see if the Changelings really have changed," she said in almost a whisper. Because of the way she made her entrance, I was quite surprised at that.

"If you want, you can talk with Thorax himself," I told Ember while looking up at her with my body starting to demand release. Taking Rainbow's cutie marks in my hands once more, I squeezed them possessively as she squeezed her hind legs around me to keep her body against mine. It was as if she wanted to keep me as deep inside of her as possible. And even though she was barely moving, her back legs seemed to squeeze me tighter then let go then squeeze me again in a slow rhythmic fashion. Her walls gripped and contracted slightly with each slight movement as if I was sucking on one of her teats. Except she was doing it to my whole hard throbbing shaft. "He can answer...all your questions," I told her while pausing to moan while my hands squeezed her butt in a massaging fashion. Rainbow ever so softly whispered "so close" into my ear as her body started shaking as did her breath into my ear. "I didn't do it alone," I told her while my own body screamed for release. To climax inside of her. "Discord, Trixie, Starlight, and Thorax are the ones that defeated Chrysalis."

"Where can I find them?" Ember asked but her eyes were locked onto Rainbow and I. Almost as if she was fascinated by it.

"Starlight is with Twilight in her castle just outside of town," Fluttershy told her. "Discord visits me every Tuesday for our teatime but now that our foals are born he can foalsit now. And Trixie is in a trailer in the tent area on the other side of the creek. And Thorax is in the badlands since he took over Chrysalis' fortress."

Rainbow's hind legs gripped me hard suddenly, pulling me against her as hard as possible. Her front hooves dug themselves into the dirt as she pressed her lips against my neck and sucked hard with a soft grunting whine. Right before her climax hit her hard. She gasped once long and deep with her lips coming off my neck with a soft pop. As she lifted her head up, her eyes went wide as her walls gripped, pulled, and sucked on my member as her body convulsed and contracted against my member. My own release was a second later. Wrapping my arms around her, I hugged her against me as her body milked me. Her body demanded and I gave to her.

"Why don't you talk with either Starlight or Trixie?" Fluttershy suggested while I held Rainbow as we enjoyed the afterglow.

"However, if you want to know about the state of the changelings then you'll need to go to the badlands to speak to Thorax directly," I told her while holding Rainbow as she collapsed on top of me with her body twitching slightly as she enjoyed the afterglow. "Chrysalis brought my father into this world and into the body of a drone changeling. I knew that the four of them would defeat Chrysalis, so that left me to rescue my father. He and Chrysalis are down in the dungeons beneath Canterlot now." Fluttershy laid herself down beside Rainbow and I, even leaned over giving me a slow deep kiss as Rainbow panted and twitched on top of me. "If you want to talk with Chrysalis herself then you'll need to go there with Celestia or Luna." To comfort Rainbow, I ran my hands up and down her body. From her head all the way to her butt and the base of her tail, my hands massaged her.

Ember looked down at me looking a little disappointed with her arms crossed over her chest. "I didn't come all the way out here just to fly back to your Canterlot. Therefore, you will show me these ponies named Starlight, Trixie, and Discord."

I tried to get up but Rainbow wouldn't let go of me, so I had to get up with Rainbow clinging onto my front. Her hind legs were wrapped around my waist while her front legs were holding onto my sides with her head resting on my shoulder. I just shrugged at Fluttershy as she giggled at Rainbow's antics. At least, I was covered. Ember looked surprised at how tall I was. It was obvious when she looked up at me with widened surprised eyes. Her head barely came up to my chest. "In that case, we'll have to drop by Trixie's trailer first and ask her to join us at Twilight's castle. I've wanted to see what she's done with the interior of her trailer anyway." Wrapping my arms around Rainbow to help her hang onto me, I looked down at Fluttershy, "Will you be alright for now?"

She gave me a nod and a reassuring smile and laid down, "Oh yes, I'll be fine." Harry the bear started walking over as Fluttershy finished saying, "Harry will be here and the other animals are with me. So, don't worry."

"Alright then, I love you and I'll see you and our foals later," I told her before looking at Harry that was just now laying down in front of her. "Thanks for keeping watch, Harry." After a soft grunt from Harry, I then turned to Ember. "Alright, let's go then." And with that, Ember followed me from Fluttershy's cottage with Rainbow latched onto my front with my arms around her. Probably the silliest thing I've done yet while in this town. So, I wasn't surprised when we got some looks as we walked through the town.

"So, who is this Trixie?" Ember asked while walking beside me.

"Just a simple illusionist that used to go around doing shows in other cities," I explained as we walked through the center of town. And even though it was early morning, we caught the eye of Mayor Mare as she made her way to her office in city hall. We were walking toward city hall so naturally, we caught her eye. She blinked a few times as if not really sure what she was seeing or not believing what she was seeing. I waved to her when we got near city hall. "She and Twilight used to have a bad history that was mostly Trixie wanting power. However, she's changed and now lived peacefully here in Ponyville."

Mayor Mare lifted a hoof giving me an unsure wave as we got near city hall. "Should I ask why Rainbow is clinging to you as if you are wearing pants?"

"Because we just had sex, he's still hard inside me, and I don't want to let go," Rainbow said from my shoulder with her voice filled with satisfied contentment.

"Anyway, Ember this is the mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare," I motioned to Mayor Mare. "Mayor Mare this is Princess Ember from the dragon lands."

"Welcome to Ponyville, Princess Ember," Mayor Mare began cordially with a practiced smile. "What brings you all the way out to our little town?"

"To investigate the capture of the one called Chrysalis," she said in more of a commanding tone now that we were away from Fluttershy's cottage. Though thankfully she still wasn't yelling anymore.

"Ah, I see," Mayor Mare gave a firm nod. "Then you have come to the right place. Now if you all will excuse me, there is some business I must attend to."

"Good morning then, Mayor Mare." After giving her a little wave she walked into city hall and I steered Ember away from there and toward the bridge nearby. "Celestia told me that the dragon kingdom has had problems with the changelings in the past?"

"That is right, which is why my father wanted me to see if Chrysalis has indeed been captured and the changelings have indeed been changed," she explained as we started walking across the bridge. Rainbow was still clinging onto me. I could force her off by either changing forms or simply tickling her off, but now it was out of dire curiosity that I let her stay this way. Of course with each step, she bounced a little on me, and with me still inside of her it was affecting us both.

"And I'm assuming that you need to do some thorough interviews in order to get a complete report on the capture? If that is the case then we'll definitely need to return to Canterlot so you can see Chrysalis for yourself." We were approaching Trixie's trailer and most of the tents were shut, so not many ponies were out. Although two did stop and stared at us. I was almost convinced at this point that it was the fact that Rainbow was slowly humping me at this point. And while, yes, it felt great there was business to take care of.

"Yes, my father insists that the report is thorough," she agreed with my assessment with a curt nod. "So, yes, I'll need to speak with Chrysalis myself and see for my own eyes that she is indeed captured."

"I understand," I told her while walking up to Trixie's front door and giving it a firm few knocks a second later. Then looked down at Rainbow with a patient sigh and tried to pry her off again. However, she persisted and held onto me. Not only held onto me but even didn't bother hiding that she was having sex with me again. She was starting to moan softly as she gripped me tighter with the wet slapping sound of sex permeating the area. And she moaned right when the trailer door opened.

Trixie's eyes immediately locked onto Rainbow. Not that I could imagine why considering she was humping me and moaning right in front of her. "The Great and Powerful Mistress Trixie wishes to know why you two are having sex on my front lawn."

"Mistress? Great and Powerful?" Ember questioned with strained patience look on her face that of which I could easily identify with.

"Yes. I am the mistress of this mansion," Trixie responded rather haughtily if I do say so.

"Mansion? This is nothing but a trailer!" Ember's patience was running thin and I didn't blame her. Trixie has a way of rubbing ponies the wrong way. So, while they were going back and forth, I took the moment to lean around Trixie to catch a glimpse of the interior. I remember her reward of having the interior be larger than it should be. Like in the Harry Potter series or Doctor Who. And that's what she got. The interior seemed to be just as elegant as the castle. A front foyer made completely out of shining white marble that seemed to be just as large as the throne room was the first thing I saw. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling that lit the foyer in its soft white light. And two curved white marble stairs that led up to the second level completed the basic front interior. Doors on the second level, and on the first level, led to who knows where at this point. At least one advantage to this was that if she wanted to expand it would be relatively easy to do so considering it's pretty much virtual at this point. But way cool nonetheless.

"Whoa! Cool interior, Trixie," Rainbow stopped humping me when she spotted Trixie's interior. That also got Ember and Trixie to stop fighting thankfully. However, that also gave my ears the chance to pick up the sound of somepony yelling. And apparently headed my way.

"What is that ear grating noise?" Ember growled as she took a step back and looked around.

Trixie looked around as well, "Sounds like it's getting closer."

"Is it a bird?" Ember asked.

I spotted her first off in the distance. "Sorta," I said after a short groan in frustration and pointed into the air, "it's Gilda." All eyes turned to where I pointed and we watched Gilda come flying toward us, toward me apparently, with a wild crazed look on her face while yelling some sort of war cry. "Well, fuck me."

"Currently doing it," Rainbow chuckled.

"Rainbow? Let go," I tried prying her off again as Gilda got closer and closer with her war cry getting louder and louder with panic starting to set in due to the look on her face. "Let go, Rainbow! Let go, let GO, LET GO!"

^_^

(Rarity's POV, minutes later)

"Thank you for helping with this, Pinkie dear," I said giving her a sideways hug which she returned as we stood in my kitchen. "I did not want to cook this by myself."

Pinkie returned the hug with an excited giggle that I just couldn't return. Especially considering what was cooking in the frying pan on my stove. "You're welcome, Rarity. Besides, both of us are carrying Emmit's foals which require meat. So, we can split this one piece of chicken between us into some salad. I'm actually interested to taste it because it smells rather good." She paused, turning her head to think, "Which has to be due to the pregnancy because I'm not grossed out by it."

"I'm not either," I gave her a look that showed my confusion, "and I don't know how to take that. I know the foal needs meat, which means I have to eat it for the foal's health. And that's also why it's starting to smell good. But after a lifetime of finding it revolting, I don't know which to be weirded out by. Finding the smell good and actually liking the taste or how I'm looking forward to eating it again."

"Don't worry, Rarity," Pinkie tried encouraging but came out just sounding silly, "we'll enjoy this torture...together." Especially when she put a hoof around me and pulled me against her again in an exaggerated way for silliness's sake. As we stood there with Pinkie holding onto me as we were about to face something evil, something else began to grab our attention from outside. It was soft at first but got louder as it got near us before fading away. At first, I thought it was what was frying in the pan. Except it happened more than once and kept happening.

"Alright," I pulled back from Pinkie, turned down the stove to a simmer, put a lid on the frying pan, and turned toward the kitchen door, "just what is going on outside? At least it's a welcoming distraction from the smell."

Pinkie followed me with, "I like the smell."

"I do too, Pinkie," I said while approaching the front door of my boutique, "and that's the problem that I find a little disturbing." Then yanked open the door...

"Wait...hold on...let's talk about this," just as Emmit zipped by the front door in his fox form using that dash ability of his. Followed immediately by a griffon that took me a second to remember as Gilda, Rainbow's friend. She was flying after him while laughing in an almost hysterical fashion with a mad look on her face.

"What in all of Equestria is going on out here?" The rhetorical question wasn't really to anypony in particular. Except for Pinkie of course which stepped out, stepped up next to me, and said the most obvious thing somepony could say at this point.

"Looks like Emmit's being chased by Gilda."

I just turned to give her the most straight deadpanned look that I could just as Rainbow zipped by. "Damn it Gilda you interrupted my zen time with him."

I simply rolled my eyes and after deciding to end this little chase, I shouted out, "EMMIT? COME THIS WAY."

Pinkie jumped a little as she was startled by my shout, now looking at me with a surprised look on her face. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to stop this," I told her. "Thank you, dear," I said as Emmit zipped by again, this time heading in the opposite direction. Now that he went past me, Gilda was next. So, I concentrated on her wings as she approached us and got ready. After activating my magic, it took all my concentration in order to pluck one of Gilda's feathers off of a wing just as she was flying by still cackling like a mad mare. Now with one of her feathers in my magical grasp, I floated it over in front of my face with a smirk on my own. "There now that should do it."

It did the trick of stopping her about a second later after Gilda's half-crazed mind caught up with the fact that one of her feathers got plucked unexpectedly. "OW," Gilda shouted and stopped in mid-air before landing and taking a good look at the wing I just plucked her feather from. "Just who did that?" she demanded while looking around furiously with every feather on her head and neck sticking up as if she was just shocked.

"I did, Gilda," I turned to her with a grin on my face and still holding her feather in my magic. "And you will stop chasing my husband this instant."

She had a nice scowl on her face as she stomped her way over to me with a little cloud of dirt and dust being thrown up with each step. "And why should I do that? I rather like him. He scares me and I love that. No one has ever scared me before and I find that extremely sexy." She paused only for a second as she stopped in front of me before grabbing her feather with a claw, "And give me my feather back."

With a grin still on my face, I used my magic to open the front door of my boutique and floated all my sewing needles outside and around my head. Then said as sweetly as I could, "Because if you don't stop chasing my husband around, I will pluck every other feather on your body where you will wind up looking like the chicken I've got cooking in my kitchen right now. Then use you as my pincushion." A crowd seemed to be forming around us as Gilda took a second to eye the multiple needles that were hovering around me. "And if you want to continue this frolicking about after my husband, then you'll need my permission and that of Celestia and Luna. Is that clear?"

There was a nice quiet pause as Gilda seemed to think about it. At least it was quiet until Pinkie spoke up.

"Wow, Rarity! I didn't know you could be that scary."

I looked over to her with a sweet smile, "I'm married, darling."

Gilda seemed at odds as she kept looking between the many needles hovering around me. Emmit and Rainbow didn't though as both landed behind me. "Wait, did you say chicken?" Emmit asked while taking a deep sniff of the air.

"Chicken?" Gilda asked as that seemed to bring her out of her stupor. Then she too took a deep sniff. "It is chicken!" Now, she was looking at me with a confused and shocked look on her face. "You're cooking chicken? Why?"

"Ugh," Rainbow waved a hoof in front of her face after taking a sniff, "if that's chicken, then I'm going somewhere else. See you later, stud."

After Rainbow flew off, Emmit spoke up. "She's cooking chicken because of me, Gilda. So far, both Celestia and Fluttershy have had to eat meat because they were carrying my foals. All of them were omnivorous. So, it stands to reason that both Pinkie and Rarity will have to do the same."

"It smells really good," Pinkie commented, sounding like she was talking about one of her favorite muffins or cupcakes.

"Yeah, it does," Emmit said with excitement in his voice that spoke of hunger. "This I've got to see." And walked into my boutique.

Gilda tried to as well with a hungry look on her face that I hoped was because of just the chicken. However, she didn't get far because I stepped into her path when she tried walking around me. "Eh, eh, eh. No, you don't." After seeing Gilda pause and keep an eye on the needles I put in her way, I turned my head toward the door. "Emmit, darling, I love you but don't you dare touch that chicken."

"Don't worry, Rarity," Pinkie said after a comical salute, "I'll make sure the chicken stays safe." Then dashed inside. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes on Gilda as the crowd started to dissipate now that the fun was over. She made it clear that she wanted him, but that would simply not be the case. At least not right now. While we stood there in front of each other with our eyes locked together as if in silent combat, I heard Pinkie and Emmit from inside.

"Ow! Pinkie?! What was that for?"

"Paws off the chicken," Pinkie's voice sounded like every other mother in existence when guys were caught trying to steal a bite. And probably slapped his paw with a kitchen utensil. "Or do you want to take food away from your kids?"

"Hey now, you know good and well I wouldn't," he shot back, sounding offended. "And I was only wanting a tiny piece of it to make sure that it was cooking properly. I cook as well so I wanted to make sure that it was being done right."

"So, how are we going to solve this?" Gilda asked while still looking me in the eye while taking side glances at the many needles that were still hovering around me.

"Alright, Emmit, you've had our taste, so what do you think?" Pinkie asked.

"Solve what?" My eyes never left hers.

"Not bad, Pinkie, not bad," I heard Emmit from inside. "Might need some seasoning and now would be a good time to add it because it's almost done."

"He scares me which I find extremely sexy because no one has ever scared me before," Gilda responded with another manic grin on her face.

"If you want into the herd then you have to convince me on why we should let you in, to begin with," I told her firmly while we stood there looking like two fighters fixing to do battle.

"You don't get it," she chuckled in a maniacal way that was a little unsettling. "I want him for myself." I believed her but the look in her eyes told me that she was to the point of almost madness level. As if she was mad with desire.

I knew Emmit wouldn't accept that, so with a knowing smirk on my face, I turned my head just enough to call out to him. "Emmit? Would you come out here please?"

While keeping my eyes on Gilda, I heard the door open with Emmit walking out. "Yes, Dear?" he asked in greeting as he put a couple of tails around me the pulled me against him. With a smile toward Gilda, I leaned against him.

"I think Gilda has something to say to you." I knew Emmit well and if she even said anything remotely close to what she said to me, this will be resolved shortly. Unless she relentlessly pursues him that is. Which, I would not allow her to do so.

Emmit waited as Gilda turned her mad induced smile to him and almost repeated what she said to me. "You scare me and I love that. So, I want you all to myself and I intend to have you all to myself."

"Mhm," he acknowledged what she had said with a curt short nod. Then with a chuckle, he shook his head, "Don't I get a say in this?" Then looked her dead in the eye. "Look Gilda, you can't have me all to yourself. I'm married with foals and I can't just abandon them to run off with you. It doesn't work that way."

"It works that way in Griffonstone," she shrugged dismissively.

"Well it doesn't work that way here," he said again, reiterating his point by raising his voice. "I have family here and I'm never going to leave them. This is one no that you are going to accept."

"And if I don't?" she asked with a certain excitement that I found troubling.

"I don't want to fight you, Gilda," he said simply with his normal voice but then his voice turned cold and calculating. "However, if you come after me with the intent of separating me from my family or with the intent of harming my family. I can, and I will stop you with force if absolutely necessary."

Her eyes widened as she kept that maniacal look about her. She even flew off while shouting back, "Then I look forward to our battle," before laughing in a way that sent shivers through me.

"Something had changed in her, dear," I said while using my magic to gently pull his head down to look at me. "She's dangerous. I may not know her that much at all, but we girls have seen that look in others a few times. She's focused herself on you to the point of madness."

"Unfortunately, yes. For now, however, there's another matter that needs my attention." He lifted his paw then turned my head up and gave me a lingering passionate kiss. I returned it eagerly and leaned into the kiss. When he pulled back there was such love in his eyes. "Because Princess Ember wants to speak with Chrysalis, we'll probably have to leave for Canterlot soon. Hopefully, she's already talking with Trixie and Starlight. She needs a full report on us capturing Chrysalis for her father."

"Alright, I understand," I said to him while using my magic to put all my needles back where they belong. "Then go spend some time with Celestia, Luna, and little Solar. And then came back to us."

"I will," he whispered then gave me another light quick kiss before dashing off toward Twilight's castle.

^_^

(Emmit's POV, Canterlot Castle)

Now that Gilda had finally decided to leave me alone for a little while, I was happy to find Ember talking with Trixie, Starlight, and Twilight at her castle. By the time I got there Ember had already got what she needed from them. This meant that I didn't have that much time with Twilight other than to say see you later as Ember wanted to return to Canterlot. And the ride to Canterlot was quiet for the most part. Because she already knew about my part in Capturing Chrysalis, I asked her about what troubles the changelings gave them in the past. She told me that even though they've had trouble with changelings in the past, it wasn't nearly as bad as it has been with ponies. One time, Chrysalis tried taking over the dragon lands like she tried doing during Cadence's wedding. Ember wasn't alive then, but she told me with pride that it didn't last long because her father stomped on her. I remembered the large size that her father was from the series and the image of a flattened Chrysalis had me chuckling. Knowing that history had me wondering how this meeting would go between them. Might be interesting.

"And here we are, Princess Ember," I said as she and I went down into the crystal caves. I was still in my fox form as we approached Chrysalis' cell. She was laying on her side facing toward the bars with a blank bored look on her face.

"You do have her," she said in a tone hinting that she wasn't sure whether to believe me or not.

"Hi, Chrysalis, how you doing?" I asked her as Ember and I stood in front of her cell. When Chrysalis didn't answer, I turned to Ember. "I'll let you two talk if she answers that is. I think she's hit the depression stage. So, if you don't mind I'll speak with my dad over in the next cell." She turned to look with a figurative question mark over her head. "Yeah, it's really my dad. His soul got pulled from my homeworld into this changeling body by Chrysalis and an evil unicorn that's now dead." When she gave me a nod and shooed me away with a hand, I moved over to my dad's cell.

He looked pitiful. He was simply laying there with his head laying on his front hooves while staring blankly at the wall in front of him. As if he was lost in thought of his own self-punishment or something. "Hey, Dad, how you doing?" I think his depression stage has started as well because he wasn't talking the last time I was here either. I had mixed feelings about him being there in the cell. Without knowing what's in his heart and how truly he feels there was no way I was going to let him out. Yet, at the same time, there was nothing I wanted to do more than to show him around and his grandchildren. But safety is always first. The least I could do was tell him about them. "Princess Ember from the dragon lands is here to talk to Chrysalis, if she's talking that is. The thestril twins were born the other day and Fluttershy is doing just fine. And thankful for the help of her animals, as am I. Little Solar is growing like a weed and latches onto my face whenever she gets a chance. Even going so far as using her young magic to teleport herself over to me."

I paused for a short sigh before continuing. "Now that I'm a father myself, so many things that you've done in the past were put into perspective. However, that doesn't excuse what you've tried to do here. One thing that you've always told me was that you never go against family. And that's what you did here. Yes, I realize that you were brainwashed into believing her. However, even with that, I didn't think you'd go against family. It's like our family motto." I spoke again after another short pause when he didn't say anything. "Luna will be looking into your dreams and into your subconscious to see if you are truly remorseful or not. Whether you get released or not depends on what she finds." Even though he couldn't see, my eyes were pleading with him. "I want you free. I want you to see your grandchildren. I want you to see this wonderful world that we've been pulled into and the life that I've created for myself."

Once again, I waited but he still didn't say anything. Just kept staring blankly at the wall looking pitiful. So, with a sigh, I turned to see how Ember and Chrysalis were doing. "Princess Ember?" When I walked over, they were simply staring at each other. Their glares had an intensity of the sun itself. I had a feeling that they've been arguing for the whole time. Not that I'd be surprised if that was the case. After looking between them a few times, I turned to Chrysalis. "So, Chrysalis, how are you doing?"

Nothing. Not a word out of either of them. Ember stood there staring at Chrysalis and Chrysalis laid there looking at Ember. I think it was fairly obvious at this point that their conversation was over. After another couple of minutes, I scooted closer to the cell, sat my butt down, and started waving my front paws around in front of Chrysalis as if I was a game showgirl showing off a prize. Another couple of minutes roll by still without anything other than their eyes blinking. While keeping an exaggerated smile on my face, I looked over to Ember saying, "You know, if you don't do anything other than blink I might start charging bits for admission."

Finally, Chrysalis said something. She launched herself at the bars with a war cry, hitting it with a front hoof making it spark violently. "I'M NOT A PRIZE FOR YOU TO SHOW OFF."

Ember stepped up close to the bars right next to me and screamed back at her with a look of righteous fury. "YES, YOU ARE. IT'S JUST A SHAME MY FATHER DIDN'T KILL YOU WHEN HE STOMPED ON YOU."

"I'LL BE BACK!" she screamed back before cackling like a mad mare. "YOU'LL SEE."

"Alright, I think you two have had enough," I said after a shake of my head while they screamed at each other. Then used my telekinesis on Ember and lifted her up to float alongside me as I walked toward the exit. Even while floating away, Ember and Chrysalis still shouted and screamed at one another.

^_^

Once that explosive meeting was over, Ember decided to take my advice to see Thorax. So, I told her that he's in the badlands in a tall black stone castle that she could see from the sky. And then without another word she took off. Finally, with all that taken care of, I had time to spend with Tia, Solar, and Luna. While I enjoyed the time together, there was one thing I was looking forward to tonight. I wanted to dip into my Dad's subconscious.

Nightmare Moon and I were standing in the dreamscape with me in my human form with some shorts on. I've always enjoyed coming here. It always seemed to peaceful and serene with the cosmos all around us with pony's dreams lazily floating by. Tonight, though, I expected his dreams to be anything other than peaceful if I was right.

Without a word, Nightmare urged my Dad's dream orb over to us. Nightmare hummed in thought as the orb moved closer before slowing down and speeding up again. "He's fighting us."

"I'm not surprised," I told her as my Dad's orb was close enough to touch. "Knowing him, he's probably punishing himself a lot more than I could have. At this point, he's probably so ashamed of his actions that he doesn't want to see me."

What we saw after entering his dream proved me right. "I've seen these types of dreams before," she said softly while looking around. He was sitting in the middle of a crystal cage, as a human, with a bright light shining down around him. "A dream his mind has made for the sole purpose of punishing himself." She pointed to the cage. "The way he's sitting in that small cage tells us that he feels deserving of his punishment." That's all there was to the whole dream. Just him sitting in a crystal cage surrounded by darkness with a single bright light shining down on him.

Wanting to talk to him, I walked over to his cage. He was leaning back against the bars with his head down with ragged torn worn-out clothes on him. "Hi, Dad," I said softly as I approached his cage and stepped into the light. I sat my butt down in front of the cage, watching him.

Finally, he said something. The tone of his voice spoke of genuine heartfelt regret and remorse. Not to mention the defeated ragged look on his face. This whole place, plus the torn clothes, spoke of someone who's been in a dungeon for a long time and deserved it. "I'm an idiot."

I smirked at him with a slight chuckle. "Yeah, we know that."

"I deserve to be in here for what I've done," he said softly without lifting his head. "The signs were all there but I refused to see what was right in front of me."

"All true," I said to him with a curt nod. "However, there is also a thing called forgiveness. Now, that I know you are truly regretful for your actions and not under Chrysalis' brainwashing anymore, I can let you out of your cell. On a probationary period of course. And the horn ring stays on."

That's when he shook his head. "No, I deserve to be here," he repeated still not raising his head.

"Shouldn't that be my decision?" When he didn't say anything, I tried saying, "Even if I opened the cage door, you would still sit there?" His answer was not saying anything and remaining quiet. And after a few minutes of this, I got up and walked back over to Nightmare. "It seems that my challenge now is getting him to forgive himself and walk out of the cell. I was afraid of this."

Nightmare leaned against me as I put my arm around her. "Yes, self-punishment is always the worst beast to conquer," she said softly as she spoke from experience. "But if he is strong enough, then it is something he can overcome." She tilted her head up and brought mine down for a soft gentle kiss. "As I did thanks to you, husband."