A heavy, uncomfortable atmosphere hung over the hallway, along with a thick layer of humidity that preceded the Empress like a tsunami. Gleaming found herself quickly struggling to breathe, a combination of nerves and an overwhelming pressure pushing down upon her chest and constricting her lungs. Beneath the piercing gaze of Empress Celestia, she felt bare. Naked. All her secrets laid out before the alicorn for her to peruse at her leisure.

The Empress said nothing.

She drew to a stop before the trio like a silent spector. The veil in front of her muzzle fluttered as she breathed, the golden material flowing like liquid cloth. A very faint glimpse of a pair of lips could be seen through the sheer material

Gleaming’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly. Panic grew inside her as she stared up at the alicorn. I shouldn’t have come. Oh god, I shouldn’t have come...

Lilyhammer remained bowed, her eyes locked firmly on the floor. Even while crouched though, such was her height that the top of her helmet almost reached the bottom of the Empress’ chin.

From beside the behemoth, Daisychain cackled. “Stand in awe, mortal!” she giggled dementedly. “Have the breath stolen from your lungs. Have your knees weaken and crumble. Words have failed thee, for no words can truly describe the glory that is her royal highness. The perfection of her presence. The wonder of her—”

“Royal Inquisitor?”

The words were soft, barely above a whisper, yet everypony in the hall heard them. Daisychain immediately prostrated herself before the Empress. “Yes, your magnificence? How might this one help you?”

“You are dismissed.”

“Of course, your grace!” Without hesitation, Daisychain immediately scampered backward, her face still pressed into the floor. Her helmeted head dragged against the carpet as she scooted along. Lilyhammer lingered though, her eyes locked onto Gleaming’s face with fierce hunger, at least until a bark from her partner snapped her from her daze. Hefting her hammer, the giant lumbered off down the hall.

The Empress’ gaze never left Gleaming. So intense was the stare that Gleaming feared she might burst into flames any second.

Then the Empress turned and drifted off down the hall back whence she came.

“Follow.” There was a small pause before she added, “please.”

Despite it sounding like a request, Gleaming knew she had no choice in the matter. She tried to swallow, only to encounter difficulty; her mouth drier than it had ever been before. Taking a shaky breath, she hurried to follow after the retreating alicorn.

It was hard going. For every step the Empress took, Gleaming found herself having to take three just to keep pace. Her only saving grace was the fact that Celestia kept her strides steady and slow, although it did not appear she did it for Gleaming’s benefit; it’s just how she moved—leisurely and controlled.

Nothing was spoken by either until they rounded a corner.

And then, the questions started.

“You are Private Gleaming Shield, correct?” Empress Celestia asked. She didn’t look down.

So surprised was Gleaming that she almost missed a step. “M-ma’am?”

Celestia repeated. “You are Private Gleaming Shield. The same who was on duty when my Archives were infiltrated?” Gleaming’s heart dropped and she started to stammer, but the Empress cut her off. “Although I know you are not responsible for the break-in, you were the guard on duty when something of immense value was stolen. I have read the accounts, I have listened to the reports, but I wish to hear your experience from your own mouth.”

Swallowing, Gleaming took several deep breaths before launching into the tale for what felt like the umpteenth time. She stumbled over her words several times, and while her voice became stronger in time, she was still nervous.

When she finished, Empress Celestia sighed. “It was as I was told. I had hoped that new light would have been shed upon this travesty, but it appears I was mistaken to do so. This just proves this situation is most troubling. The item is dangerous, double so if she gets out.” The veil fluttered as Celestia hissed out the word ‘she’ under her breath. “So bothersome.”

By this time the two of them had arrived outside of a large door. It was made of obsidian which was polished until it almost shone like a rainbow. Thin layers of steam trickled into the hall from the gap beneath the door.

“There is no more I need you for, Private.” Empress Celestia craned her neck to peer down at Gleaming. “Finish with your recovery, and then return to duty immediately afterward. Be prepared for extra training sessions.”

“M-ma’am?” Gleaming cocked her head. “Extra training sessions?”

“Hopefully next time a thief comes snooping around, you won’t be dismissed so easily.” Turning her head, Celestia’s horn pulsed with magic and the obsidian door swung open, revealing a custom-made spa chamber on the other side. A large recess sunk into the floor, with etched marble edging running around the rim. And situated around the circumference, standing completely still while facing towards the tub, were dozens of stallions; unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike. As the door opened, they all stood a little straighter but other than that they didn’t move.

A heavy blush exploded across Gleaming’s face when she noticed that every single stallion was erect, their hefty members twitching beneath their barrels.

Sweeping into the room, the Empress’ horn pulsed again. Sleeves of magic encased the stallions’ members, and a second later they all climaxed in unison. The sound of their essences splattering into the pit in the floor filled the air, causing Gleaming to flinch back. It continued for an unearthly long time—the stallions unmoving while their stallionhoods beneath them jerked and convulsed—until the tub was almost full. One by one, the flow began to cease and the stallions left the room via a side door when no more could be drained from their groins.

Empress Celestia was in the process of removing her cloak when she paused. Looking back over her shoulder, the golden veil fluttered as she regarded Gleaming almost curiously. “If I recall correctly, you are my faithful student’s older sister, correct?” A single eyebrow raised ever so slightly.

Awkwardly clearing her throat, Gleaming swallowed before stammering out, “T-that’s correct, your majesty. Twilight’s my younger sister.”

The Empress eyed her a moment longer before turning away. “Interesting.” Dropping her cloak, she moved towards the filled pool, her white fur glowing softly in the dim light. Only the golden veil remained, brushing against the contours of her face as she moved.

“Y-your majesty?” Gleaming asked.

“It is in my experience, Miss Shield, that it is supposed to be the younger sibling that is the disappointment.” Stepping into the pool, the Empress sighed as she sunk down into its depths. When only her head remained above the surface, she laid it against the edge of the tub, where a pillow of towels had been placed. Glancing back at Gleaming, she clicked her tongue softly. “You are dismissed, Private.”

The obsidian door slammed in Gleaming’s face.

Author's Note

computer explodes
need to wait for taxes to buy new one
???
ponies