Masquerade Theatre

A brief flash of turquoise light later, and the Changeling pair from before re-emerged as the theater lights came back on.

The auditorium was filled with a thunderous applause. More than a few patrons let out an encouraging whistle, and an unmistakably dragon voice let out a low growl of approval. Cornicle was drinking in everyone’s admiration with a wide smile and series of flashy bows, as if any second he expected the audience to start chucking up roses.

“Thank you! Thank you!” he cheered over them all, still not breaking his many flourished bows, “We love to hear your appreciation.”

He waited for the crowd to settle down to a volume he didn’t need to shout over.

“But I suspect that your cheers might just be for my innovative, beautiful new approach to theatre. So let me ask you Canterlot, how did you enjoy Seta’ s lovely performance?”

With that the crowd roared even louder than before, and as a spotlight began to shine down on her, Seta was barely able to get a demure smile and wave past the violent green blush that was glowing forth from her cheeks.

“Well, I think she was terrible!”

And suddenly everything was silent. The entire theater turned to stare at Cornicle, who had a disgusted sneer on his face. Seta turned to her co-star, her mouth agape in a look of genuine betrayal.

“In fact, I would even say she...sucked dick!”

…

No one laughed.

Not a soul.

Not even a cough or a cricket.

On stage, Cornicle had an extremely undeserved grin on his face as his eyes darted back and forth over the crowd several times. He knit his brow as the silence became unbearable. He turned back to see Seta completely withdrawn, her eyes planted directly at the ground so her amber hair hid her eyes.

The smile immediately faded from his face.

“...Seta...it’s...it was just a joke…”

“...you really think I was bad…?” Her voice was barely a whisper, yet the silence of the room allowed even the furthest row of patrons to hear her.

“Nonono, Se...I’m so sorry, I was ju-”

“Hearing that from you...” She learned her head up in an awkward imitation of Cornicle’s earlier smile. “Is pretty tough to swallow.”

The audience...

Fucking.

Died.

Cornicle stared on in bewilderment. Then pride. Then sheer jubilation as he joined the crowd in their uproarious laughter.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, once more for my lovely co-star, Seta!”

The crowd gave it’s greatest applause yet as she strode up to center stage and gave a neat little curtsy for all of them.

“Now,” the young changeling said, as she brushed her amber bangs behind her ear, “We still have plenty of show left for you all, so let’s just jump right into our second round of suggestions! Anyone you’d want to see, shout their name as loud as you can!” Seta waved her hands toward herself, as if inviting the suggestions themselves to walk up on stage.

And indeed they did start coming.

“Countess Coluratura!”

“Soarin’ from the Wonderbolts!”

“The cute guy from my math class!”

And yet, even as so many requests piled on each other, one very familiar voice rang out over all the rest:

“Shining Armor!” Somewhere up in the balconies, a former-captain-turned-prince was giving a very questioning look to his alicorn wife.

Cornicle stepped toward center stage.

“Ah yes, what a lovely suggestion. I hear the young prince is quite popular here in Canterlot, isn’t that right ladies?”

This time, the crowd erupted in more of a screech than a roar as young women swooned over the very idea of the former guardsman.

“Well, let me delay you no longer.” And in a flash of light, he had transformed into the Prince of the Crystal Empire.

He was very impressively built, and unlike Sombra’s comically chiseled musculature, he actually had the filled-out form of a true fighter. He was dressed in his iconic red-and-gold uniform with a bright blue slash across his abdomen. His very militaristic appearance was dismantled however, with a disarming smile and shiny blue hair that fell just past his shoulders.

“Hey there,” he said, his voice tinged with both a casual gruff and alluring husk. The screams of the woman returned again.

“Now then,” he continued as the crowd waned. “Who shall I be...accompanying, tonight?”

Before anyone could say a single suggestion, the loudest voice of the entire night suddenly screeched out through the entire auditorium:

“HIMSELF!!!!!”

One row forward in the same balcony, a young, winged crystal guard was giving a very questioning look to his alicorn wife.

The crowd erupted in a mix of confusion, hilarity, and encouragement, but the changelings on stage were quite a different story.

Before things went on any longer, Shining Armor transformed back into Cornicle and gestured with outstretched hands for the audience to calm down. He looked up toward the balcony.

“I’m very sorry, ma'am, but I’m afraid that I made it clear at the start that we were allowed to decline any submission, and I happen to know that my partner Seta has no desire to take the form of a ma-”

“Wait, hold on!”

That caught Cornicle off-guard. He turned to face the changeling he was just defending. He had expected to see her face bursting with green hemolymph, yet instead found an...oddly determined look on her face.

“It would be rude to just outright deny such a vehement request, don’t you think?” Seta asked. “Especially from such an...important patron of our show.”

“Seta, you don’t have to do this,” Cornicle assured her, “Don’t feel obligated to do something you wouldn’t otherwise.”

“Please, Cornicle,” Seta assured him, “I’m hardly that much of a doormat. Besides...you haven’t even heard my idea yet.”

“Idea?” He cocked a single eyebrow at her.

“This is a theater, isn’t it?” She asked him, an impish smirk starting to creep along her lips, “I’m sure it will be alright if I take some ‘creative liberties’, hm?”

Before he could even respond, the light of Seta’s transformation was already shining.

What ended up taking her place was...certainly a form of Shining Armor. The clothes were completely identical, yet there were clearly quite a few differences. While still clearly toned, the muscles of the figure were slightly less defined. The figure’s hair didn’t stop at they’re shoulders, but instead flowed all the way down to their hips. Said hips were noticeably wider, a complement to the much curvier form that this Shining Armor had.

And all that was to say nothing of her impressive breasts.

What could only be described as a perfectly gender-swapped version of the Crystal Prince looked up at the balconies.

“Will this work?” She asked in a voice both girlish and familiarly husky.

It only took one cheer to give her confirmation, but everyone else in the audience cheering certainly didn’t hurt.

“I see,” came the bemused voice of a re-transformed Shining. “That’s quite the...unique take. I dig it!” The woman smiled in response.

“But you know…we should think of something to call you. ‘Female me’ doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, you know?”

“Hah, what?” The woman retorted with a seductive smirk, “You wanna know what you should be screaming in a few minutes?”

Shining mirrored that smirk perfectly. “I mean… it would help.”

The crowd chuckled at the two’s banter.

“But really, what are we gonna call you?” asked Shining Armor.

“Is it really a question?” asked Gleaming Shield.

He shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess not.”

With that, the identical pair turned toward the audience, and in perfect sync exclaimed:

“Let’s start!”

And once again the entire room went dark.

When the spotlights returned to illuminate the stage, neither actor was in sight. Rather, the center of the stage was populated with a spartan facsimile of what one could generously call a bedroom. A small nightstand with a lamp and clock on top of it; a bed that was little more than a mattress and some sheets piled on the floor; and a white-washed wooden door standing by itself.

Eventually, both Shining Armor and Gleaming Shield came in from stage left, apparently already mid-conversation.

“Sorry again for all this,” Shining said, rubbing his head against the back of his neck, “Whenever Twily finds out about some new kind of magic, she tends to sort of...forget that her actions can have unintended consequences.” He smiled sheepishly at his female doppleganger. “Or, uh...hapless bystanders.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Gleaming reassured him, “My brother Dusk is exactly the same way.”

“Huh. Yeah, I guess he would be, huh?”

“Honestly, I bet he’s at least half responsible for why I’m here. The second he found some dusty old scroll hidden away in the library saying he could communicate with people from parallel universes or whatever, he just had to start conjuring some crazy-ass spell.”

“Haha, that’s so like her! Or...uh, him, I guess?” Shining was clearly still stumbling over the idea of a young man with all the similar character traits as his little sister.

“Well, at least he’s finally found someone who can keep up with his endless curiosity.” Gleaming rolled her eyes. “Go figure it would just end up being himself.”

“Yeah, those two will probably be up all night just quizzing each other on different people’s gender-swapped counterparts rather than actually working on a spell to send you two back.”

Shining reached forward and opened to the door to the mock-bedroom.

“Sorry again that we don’t have any other rooms for you to stay in,” he said, as the faintest of blushes began to spread across his face. Not exactly much space with both me and Twily visiting Mom and Dad for the weekend.”

Gleaming, however, was seemingly transfixed by the room’s interior. She turned completely around very slowly, seemingly taking in every corner of the room with a mystified glint in her eye.

Seeing her so bemused, Shining turned to her with concern.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing it’s just…” Her voice trailed as she ran her hand across the corner of the bedsheets. “It’s… exactly the same. The lamp. The bed. Every single wrinkle in these sheets is exactly the same as I left them back home. It’s my childhood bedroom exactly as I remember it, but... it’s also not.

“It’s like...nostalgia and homesickness all at the same time.”

She stood there, transfixed, staring at the corner of the bed.

“Yeah, I guess it must be pretty surreal for you, huh?” Shining said, still in a rather chipper attitude, but when he walked up to her only to see that her eyes were starting to grow glassy, he quickly changed his tune.

“Whoa, jeez, are you crying?” His voice was now filled with concern.

Gleaming shook her head and smiled wanly.

“Sorry, I...I don’t know what’s going on with me.” She didn’t shutter or sniffle, but there was a clear waver to her voice, “I’m not...sad, really. I just...I don’t know…”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Shining Armor tried to sooth her, “Here just, sit down with me.” He gently guided her down so that the two of them were seated next to each other on the edge of the bed while he held one of her hands in his.

“I’m sorry…” Gleaming sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder “I don’t really know what came over me. I guess it only just settled in how far from home I really am.”

“It’s alright,” Shining reassured her, “I’m sure I would act exactly the same way if I found myself in the same situation as you.”

For a brief moment there was only silence. The two of them just sat for a bit in each other’s presence.

That is, until a girly chuckle started to fill the air.

“Hehe, yeah. No shit you would!”

Shining gave her a strange look, before finally remembering the situation the two were in, and with that revelation the two burst out into laughter.

“Haha, man, that’s exactly what I would have said!” Shining roared.

Although her laughter was a bit more subdued, Gleaming was clearly starting to lighten up.

Eventually, she removed her head from his shoulder and turned to look him in the eyes properly.

“Thanks for saying that, though,” she said earnestly, “It’s strangely comforting to hear...myself of all people trying to cheer me up.”

“Yeah, well, I guess no one knows you better than you,” Shining said with a smirk.

The two both chuckled again, but continued to look into each other’s eyes, and it was then that they began to take each other in. Where it was the similarities that immediately stuck out to both of them, they soon started to appreciate their differences instead.

Shining stared at her luscious blue hair, that was clearly glossier and better kempt than his own. He admired the royal blue polish that was painted across her nails, and the softer, more feminine curves to her face...and elsewhere.

Meanwhile Gleaming was transfixed with his strong cut jawline. She gazed across his body, seeing how his shoulders were ever so slightly broader, his muscles slightly more toned. She lost herself in his bright blue eyes that so beautifully captured the dim light of the bedroom.

By now the two had started to get closer. They could feel the warmth of each other’s bodies and soft bursts of their breathing. Shining could even make out the slightest hint of Gleaming’s jasmine-scented perfume.

And with barely a moment's hesitation, the two leaned in toward each other and met in a gentle, loving kiss.

But before the two could get lost in the tender softness of each other’s lips, Shining suddenly pulled back.

“No,” he said barely louder than a whisper as he turned himself away from Gleaming, “We can’t do this.”

“Hmm, why not?” Gleaming asked him.

“Because, you’re- I mean- you’re…” Shining stammered to get even a single word out.

“I’m you,” Gleaming said for him, “And that means I know what you’re feeling right now.” She took his face in one hand and turned him to stare into her eyes, “I know you want this just as much as I do.”

Shining couldn’t turn away.

“B-but, but I’m-”

“Married?” She asked, reading his mind once again, “I am too, you know. And if your spouse is at all like mine, I know she’s given the okay on things way kinkier than this.

“Besides,” she leaned in next to his ear and finished in a sultry whisper, “It’s not cheating if it’s with yourself, right?” She punctuated her question with a gentle nibble into his earlobe.

That was all Shining could take, as he suddenly dove into her, pinning her against the bed as he planted his lips against hers. Gleaming gave only a brief squeak of surprise before moaning passionately into the kiss.

The two became lost in each other's embrace. It wasn’t long before their hands began to roam over each other’s bodies. Gleaming moved her hands against Shining’s back, feeling the tightness and curve of every muscle. Shining, meanwhile, explored the sides of her beautiful curves. He slowly brought his hands up from around her hips and gilded them across her bountiful chest. Gleaming moaned deeper as he began groping her through her shirt. As he continued fondling and massaging her breasts, Shining was surprised to feel the subtle peak of her nipples beginning to poke through.

Curious, he started undoing the top clasp of her shirt. One-by-one he began unbuttoning them slowly and enticingly. When he finally reached the bottom, he quickly returned his hands to her breasts, only to confirm his suspicions. Shining pulled back from their intense make out only to give her a cheesy smirk.

“Well, well. So how often does my female counterpart walk around without a bra?”

Gleaming blushed furiously, caught completely off guard.

“U-um, well, you see um...I was uh…” She stammered, completely unable to come up with an excuse. Thankfully, Shining gave her an out when he decided to interrupt her babbling by leaning in to suckle on her left nipple while continuing to group her right. She moaned out in pleasure when he began flicking his tongue against her. She gripped the back of his head to pull him in closer to her breasts.

“Oh, that feels so good, Shining,” She encouraged him.

He complied by doubling his attention with his tongue and sinking his right hand deeper into the soft, pillowy feeling of her chest, earning him another set of beautiful moans from Gleaming.

While the two were both clearly enjoying the foreplay, Gleaming was starting to ache for more as she started pushing her body harder against Shining. Eventually, her arousal overcame her as she grabbed Shining by the shoulders and flipped the both of them over, leaving her on top, still panting from Shining’s actions on her breasts.

“Getting a little impatient are we?” Shining chuckled at her sudden ferocity.

“Shut up the fuck up, pretty boy, you know what I want!”

“Now, now. That’s hardly how a Princess should carry herself,” He continued to tease Gleaming.

Frustrated with all his stalling, Gleaming reached down between them, grabbed the waist of his pants and boxers with both hands, and pulled them down ferociously. Suddenly without the resistance of his pants, Shining’s dick shot up and slapped against her thigh.

Taking a little more precaution with her own clothes, Gleaming started pulling her pants down sultrily, revealing the light blue panties she wore beneath. After tossing her trousers aside, she hooked her fingers around the side of her underwear and began to drag them down. A thin trail of wetness stretched out from between her legs as she slowly removed the garment before tossing it aside as well, leaving her only in the open red jacket.

Wasting no time at all, Gleaming immediately re-positioned herself over Shining’s dick. She grabbed the base of it with one hand and angled her body before plunging all the way down.

“Fuck!” Gleaming screamed out. “ I never thought I would be so...so big!”

“You’re one to talk!” Shining grunted in retort. “The gender thing must work in reverse cause, fuck you are tight!”

Thankfully, despite their overwhelming size difference, Gleaming had already become wet enough for her to start bouncing up and down. Shining watched in awe as a female version of herself began slamming her pussy down on his cock over and over. The air filled with the pair’s synchronous moans.

Gleaming continued riding her male self’s cock, each time pulling a good couple inches off before slamming herself back down to his base. The two fit each other perfectly, as if they had been made for each other. Perhaps in a strange sense, they had been.

While Gleaming lost herself in the pleasure of Shining’s cock, she leaned back to give her easier access to the deepest corners of her pussy. As she moved, her jacket began slowly falling off her shoulders, leaving her breasts to bounce freely with her body's ministrations. Completely hypnotized by their movement, Shining reached a hand up to grope one of them again, sending a shock of pleasure through Gleaming’s body.

“Shining I’m...I’m going to cum soon!” Gleaming screamed out in pleasure.

“Me...me too,” He grunted out beneath her, “I think...I think we might-”

And then it all happened in a flash. Shining moved his hand to pinch Gleaming’s nipple, sending her over the edge as she slammed down on Shining’s cock for the final time, contracting wildly around him and causing the first spurt of cum to shoot out into her womb.

Both of them moaned in perfect harmony, as they rode both their own and each other’s orgasms. Shining continued to pump his load deep into her pussy, each rope of sperm leaving her fuller and fuller. He apparently had quite a bit in him as soon his cum was leaking out from the walls of her pussy. When he was finally completely spent, Shining pulled himself out of Gleaming, leaving a sticky white trail.

“Oh..oh fuck,” Shining was suddenly worried, “I-I just, y-you’re not- um…”

“Shh, don’t worry. I’m on birth control,” Gleaming reassured him, pulling him into a loving embrace. “There’s no way I wouldn’t be, the way me and Bolero are.”

“Oh...Heheh, yeah, I guess that would make sense.” Shining mused before closing his eyes and enjoying his female-self’s embrace. The two enjoyed a moment of brief silence before Gleaming suddenly started giggling again.

“Huh, what is it?” Shining asked, peaking one eye open.

“You think Dusk and Twilight ended up like us, too?” Gleaming asked with a dirty smirk.

“What? Of course not, my sister is a proper lady, and the Princess of Equestria, not to mention a huge nerd and- “ Shining couldn’t even lie to himself for that long, “Fuck me, they probably took half as long as we did, didn’t they?”

The two of them laughed and settled down for the night, but not before turning their faces toward the crowd and giving the synchronous chant of:

“And scene!”