Captive

Chapters

Chapter two: Man or animal
Chapter three: Head like a haunted house
Chapter four: Precious one
Chapter five: Louder than words
Chapter six: Roads Untraveled
Chapter seven: Just like you
Chapter eight: I'd rather die / Epilogue
Chapter one: Prologue / Captive

Chapter two: Man or animal

...

Suddenly you're awakened from your slumber by a screech of the old door opening. Some pony entered with another human to leash him in, two more ponies came to retrieve theirs… and then there's your colorful, not exactly ladylike, mistress.

"We're here?" you raise your head.

"Nope. But Fluttershy bought you a ticket to a regular wagon for the rest of a ride, so that you won't have to stink in here."

Which attracted the attention of a few humans around you that weren’t too chatty before:

"Ponyboy...."

"Converted..." one of them even spits your direction.

At first you wanted to defend yourself, tell them that it’s not the way it looks like or just tell them to fuck off. But you swallowed the words in the end. Sometimes the silence is golden.

To be completely honest with yourself, you’re actually kinda glad that you won't have to "stink in there", with the others. They’re probably assholes anyway.

Upon entering the new wagon, you're given a few equally negative looks from ponies inside. None of them said a thing though. Even if they did, it wouldn’t really trouble you. Couldn’t care less about their opinion.

Rainbow Dash that led you here eventually sits down on one of the benches, next to the window. Fluttershy is sitting on the opposite one, leaning on the glass on her left.

"Hey there..." she murmurs, barely awake.

"Um, hi...."

For a second you're wondering where you should sit, whether next to her, or the mare that has you on a leash. To be honest, you'd prefer the sleepy yellow one, but..

"..Come sit here." you're feeling a soft pull on your collar, just when you were about to choose. So you reluctantly sit with Rainbow Dash instead.

"So..." you cough.

"We're about halfway there."

"And where is it, this ‘there’."

"Oh you'll see." she chuckles "I'm sure you'll like it. Can't imagine anypony who wouldn't."

"I'm not exactly a pony to begin with."

"Yeap, right. Any creature that is." she yawns, giving you an unusually goodhearted smile before slouching in her seat and closing her eyes.

In less than a minute, she’s dozing off next to you, only occasionally humming something to herself in her sleep… The mare may not have been showing it before but she must be really tired, same if not more than her friend. She's still tightly holding the leash in her hooves though, trying to leave would wake her up. But it's not as if you had anywhere to run on the moving train anyway.

So you're just sitting there in silence, thinking and watching the land outside. It feels like you’ve slept enough already.

...It's still a little surprising they let you in here though. If you really did turn out to be a violent one, you could just snap her neck right now, grab that strange bat from her baggage and go on a rampage on the relatively defenseless ponies around. Surely none of them are soldiers.

Except... things like that aren’t exactly in your nature. You didn't even kill the wasp that flew into your cage last week.

It feels like the yellow one maybe really could tell that from you,.. maybe she's smarter than she looks… or not. Maybe she’s just really naive, thinking you’re actually a "tamed specimen", ready to be shaped by his masters. It would make your escape a lot easier.

At some point, Rainbow's head falls over the headrest behind her as the sleep took her over completely. ...And she's starting to snore, thanks to this position

Jeez...

It’s even loud enough to wake Fluttershy up, sitting opposite of her and you.

The pegasus very softly clicks her tongue upon opening her eyes, blinking and sleepily looking around a few times. She lets out a gentle chuckle when she sees the cause of her disturbance. Then her eyes focus on you.

"Such a well behaved boy..."

Can’t say for sure where exactly ponies got the idea of treating you like animals in the first place. But the thing is,... a lot of people you've seen already were like animals inside their heads long before that. Maybe what happened was just the last little nudge.

When you forcefully whisk a “modern” person out of his consumer lifestyle, strip him of his made up place he had in the failing society, take his false pride and humiliate his ego… the monky emerges. Just like it sometimes did with you, back at the Goldbeak’s shop.

Can’t help but wonder just how many literally went nuts because of this...

"What is it?" Fluttershy notices you chuckling over your own thoughts.

"Um, nothing.... But uh,... hey I wanted to say thanks for letting me here." you somewhat meekly eye away from her, watching the mountains behind the window glass while pretending that you can’t even see the snoring pegasus next to you.

"...What do you mean?"

"Well,.. you bought me a seat here, didn't you?"

"I didn't.... I mean, I don't mind you here at all. But I didn't buy the seat. Dashie did. She said it looks way worse than she thought it would be in the wagon for humans."

"She..?" you indicate with your head towards the rainbow slumberer, right now making sounds resembling a heavy impact drill from very far away "...She doesn't really seem like a type that would care about that... or anything else besides herself."

"Oh, but she does care!.. Even if she doesn't always have a way to show it." Fluttershy smiles empathically towards her friend ".....She's the best friend anycreature could ask for."

"Wish I could see that too." you scoff.

"I'm sure you will." she smiles again but then her cheery expression fades a little "...Poor Dash didn't take her loss too well. She gets lonely at home now."

"What kind of loss?"

"Her pet tortoise..."

".....Seriously...? I am a replacement,.. for a turtle?"

"Tortoise.” Fluttershy corrects you with an important frown “And I know it sounds strange when you put it this way.... But she really did love him and now the house just feels empty for her."

"Yeah, but there's a little difference between a human and a turtl-ehm, tortoise. We aren't exactly a pet material, just because we get sold like one. Can’t tame a man that easily."

"I...kind of think she likes that about you."

"So she's really a closet dominatrix...."

"T-that's not what I meant. O-of course there are stories about human s-sexual e-endurance but she's just looking for a new friend..."

Uh huh, so she does know about humans being used this way, even though she pretended not to have a slightest idea before.

Wonder what more did they lie to you about. Your stomach suddenly feels a little heavy…

You have to get away from these horses as soon as possible. Otherwise the rainbow one's gonna take delight in breaking you.

"Are you okay..? You look a little pale right now. Do you want some water?" Fluttershy notices your sudden change of colour.

And as much as you hate to, you take the bottle she's offering to have a few gulps. Hopefully it’ll help a bit.

"Better?"

No.

"Yeah I'm okay..." you're forcing a smile that probably looks more crooked than you’d like it to be.

"Are you sure? Do you need anything?"

Right now, you need a fucking zeppellin and GTFO outta here. That or a nice round hole in the head.

"Nah, that's fine."

But at the same time, your eyes land on an unfinished cheese baguette in Fluttershy's opened saddlebag, laying next to her.

"Oh you must be hungry! Do you like these things?"

To be honest, nowadays you like anything that's edible and isn't pre-digested.

"You can have that.” she's already handing it to you “Come on, don't be shy."

...Says the right one.

But you don’t really hesitate to take it and start stuffing yourself.

"There there,.." the mare is chuckling, seeing your appetite.

You don't even care that you look like an animal right now, munching fiercely on your snack. It’s almost making you forget about your fears for a while, as well about the snoring horse next to you.

You haven't had proper food for as long as you were locked up and this is fucking delicious, better than any baguette you had in the peak of a human civilisation.

"Thank you Lord." you groan once you're done with it.

There's only a paper wrap left in your hands, which you throw away in the bin.

"Wow! I didn't think you're this civilized."

Can’t say whether you should feel good about a compliment or get insulted by the human standards falling so low. But you end up not commenting on either.

For a moment the stress is gone, letting you think clearly about your hopes for the future. Maybe there's some miracle chance you'll make it out. As long as you breathe, there’s a chance.

In the meanwhile, when Fluttershy sees you're doing better, she slowly closes her eyes, about to take another nap.

You might as well do the same thing, it’s not as if there’s anything else to do on this train and you had enough of landscapes for the time being. So you shut your eyelids, about to relax...

....

...But the damn snoring next to you is really hard to ignore.

For a few minutes you're trying to pretend you can't hear it but the more you try, the louder it feels. Eventually, you open your eyes again, blankly staring out the window.

You can feel a disdain, slowly building up inside you towards the mare on your left, wishing you could just slap her awake and tell her she’s worse than a damn V8 engine…

Suddenly the train takes a sharp turn in higher speed than usual, making her body roll over onto yours and out of nowhere, her snoring just magically stops, turning into mere gentle and calm breaths

...What a turnaround, honestly.

She still seems to be asleep when her hooves automatically wrap around you, giving you a soft hug while her nose nuzzles into your chest, spawning a content smile on her face.

And you… you aren't exactly sure how to feel about this.

For some reason it's a lot harder to utterly hate her right now, even if you feel like you should. It's actually pretty comfy and… you can't remember the last time you've actually been hugged by anyone this sincerely.

So you allow yourself to close your eyes once more, immersing in the comfiness while imagining there's someone you really like and care about beside you.

...

Good night Anon. Again.

...

.....

….

"Hey, hey wake up." you’re suddenly awakened.

"Huh?"

"Wake up! We're here!"

Those first few seconds left you a little dazed and confused about your surroundings. The blue mare is already awake and at the safe distance in her seat, shaking with you to snap you to back your senses

"W-were here?" Fluttershy wakes up as well.

"Yes! Come on! We don't have much time!"

Before you know it, you're being pulled out of the wagon.

A first thing that hits your eyes after opening the door is a sign "Station Ponyville"

Alright. That's a normal name to name a city. Or village, or whatever. Surely had a lot of Humanvilles back in the days too...

In the meanwhile, Fluttershy finally steps out of the train as well and soon after that, it departs again.

"Almost thought I'll have to return for you." chuckles Rainbow Dash towards her friend.

"I was just making sure I didn't forget anything.."

"Ha! No worries! If you did, I'd just catch up with the train and bring it." she laughs, nudging the yellow mare "Anyway, what a trip huh?"

"I know! Such an interesting place and so many cute creatures. Such a shame we couldn't get to know them all better..."

"I'm good with this one." you're being slapped with a wing from behind while you're gazing at the late noon sun.

You did your best to pretend that it didn’t happen.

"Are you coming with us to the platform or are you flying straight home?" you owner's attention is turned back at her friend.

Platform?

"I think I’ll go with you two. You know I’m not a fan of flying when I’m not in a hurry." smiles Fluttershy.

"Okay, let's roll then!" you'd be pulled by your collar again if you weren't listening. This time you're quick enough to follow their hoofsteps.

It's only now that you've realized that this place looks nothing like Earth at all. Sure, the landscapes behind the window on your way here did look almost unearthly pretty. And it’s not as if your homecity resembled any big marks of the past, human civilisation… but this feels even more different than that. Strange, foreign, alien... As this wasn’t even Earth to begin with.

"Hey uhh, so, where are we?" you ask Fluttershy on your right to disprove your worries.

"That would be Ponyville, Equestria." grins Rainbow Dash on your left, faster not only in movements, but responses as well

"EQUESTRIA?!"

"Um,.. we travelled through a portal while you slept."

Fuck fuck fuck.

You're in the enemy territory now.

"....Are you okay?" you're being very softly tugged by your leash, merely to get your attention.

"I uh,.." is all you’re able to produce.

"It must be some kind of travel sickness..." Fluttershy caringly glances at you.

"We're not travelling anymore though." Rainbow Dash states the obvious.

"Then it might have caught up with him from before."

"I know you're good with animals Fluttershy but let him tell us what's wrong.. ...What is it boy?"

Now both of their looks are fixed onto you.

"Look, are you seriously telling me we are on a different planet right now?"

“...”

"Was that the problem?.. Ha! Of course we are!" you owner laughs.

"The train went through a portal while you were asleep..." Fluttershy adds.

"Oh God..."

"Don't worry!" the blue mare punches your thigh, hard enough to feel it "You'll totally love it here!"

"I don't really think so..." you're murmuring to yourself so that they won't hear you when you're pulled forward again as if nothing ever happened.

…

It's less than 20 minutes of walk through a relatively small pony settlement, full of little houses and grass almost everywhere you step. If you weren't consumed by your thoughts of how fucked you are right now, you might even appreciate the picturesque architecture and pretty sight of the well kept village.

But instead you're just contemplating your options, trying to find hope in the reddish globe in the sky.

It’s strange… the thing up above looks so familiar, but still different from your old Sun. The sun you've been seeing everyday, your whole life. Something about it always seemed to calm you down when you gazed into it… But you might never see it again.

Will this new one be able to substitute it?

“…”

No way, you should never abandon hope. You will get back home from this place, no matter the cost...

...

At the end of your walk, you find yourself in front of a couple small hot air balloons. The two mares seem to be telling each other goodbyes, meaning this is where their ways part. This must be the platform she spoke about.

Just where the hell are we going to fly with it?

"And bye bye to you too!" Fluttershy is waving her hoof at you "I really hope you'll like your new home!"

You only reservedly wave back, still taking all of this in. And then she's gone, leaving you all alone with your “mistress”.

...Now that you're thinking about it, you're a little afraid of her. Even if she’s pretty small.

"Yo, come closer!" she's pulling you to a unicorn pony standing beside the balloon "Now stand still for a second."

"W-what are you going to do to me?" a cold drip of sweat is running down your face when you see the unicorn charging her horn. You've seen what these things can do.

"No!!!" you shield yourself in fear and anticipation of hurt.

And then, a flash of light.

...Are you dead?

"Oh sorry, I didn't know he was so scared of magic..?" you can hear the unicorn apologizing.

"Me neither. Who would have thought, he’s such a big guy...... Hey fella, it's alright. You're fine..."

There's a hoof caressing your hair.

What. How.

Upon opening your eyes, there's Rainbow Dash's face right in front of yours and it's her, trying to pet you into calmness.

...Almost forgot she’s able to soar so good.

"...What did she do to me?" you ask hesitantly.

"Your body was enchanted so it can walk on clouds of course!" chirps the servicemare.

"W-walk on clouds? ....How?....Why?"

"So many questions! You'll see in a few minutes. But I promise you, it'll be absolutely awesome." giggles your owner, pushing you towards the balloon's basket.

"Happy flight!" the unicorn wishes and before you know it, you're ascending. Higher and higher...

Rainbow Dash isn't exactly in the basket with you though, just her stuff. She's soaring around, navigating the balloon’s direction and impatiently helping it rise even faster by pulling it up.

"Where are we going?!" you yell when the ground starts shrinking so much that Ponyville is resembling merely a small ant city. But the mare can't hear you over the wind and balloon noises.

Oh god, just where the fuck am I going right now.

It’s almost making you wish you were back at Goldbeak's cage. At least you knew what to expect there.

…

Eventually, the basket gets so high you're rising above the clouds, revealing there's actually a… white city in the sky?

There are all kinds of structures and buildings made almost entirely out of thickened clouds, decorated by rainbows. Small family houses, big mansions and tall towers reaching even further into the sky, all under the burning sun that feels closer than ever before.

...Never before have you seen anything like it. A sight so stunning and gorgeous it’s almost taking your breath away. Finally you understand what the spell was for.

On the other hand, this means… that there’s no possible escape for you anymore. You can't possibly run away from a fucking cloud.

You're trapped.

Goodbye freedom.

You're a pet from now on… Might as well jump down now and save yourself the converting process.

Your hands are tightly gripping onto the basket's edge but can you really do it? You already know the answer.

...No.

You can’t do it. You don't have the guts to end yourself...

...But maybe it isn't a weakness. Deep inside you still feel hope that you can figure out a way to escape from this, somehow. As long as you breathe, there’s always hope.

...

By the time you’re almost at the landing spot you're still a little shaken but she can’t possibly see you like that, so you compose yourself as if nothing.

"So what do you think?! Wasn't this the most awesome sight you've ever seen?" the excited mare is chirping while tying the balloon so that it won't fly away.

"Oh yeah the sight was.... amazing." you're hardly trying to sound enthusiastic.

"That doesn't sound too convincing.. Are you scared of heights or something?"

"Maybe a little." you lie.

"I'm sure you'll get over it. I thought I got myself a big scary man! All of this is completely safe, trust me. Come on out, boy!" she pulls on that damn leash again.

It may always be only a soft nudge but it's a constant reminder of your role here. And that hurts your ego a lot more than being beaten physically…

‘I hate you…’ You’re thinking while slowly climbing out of the basket.

...

Your first steps on the bouncy clouds are very cautious but once your mind is sure you really won't fall through, you stand up normally. Even let go of the balloon.

Needled to say that your owner is really amused by the sight of you.

"See?! It's completely safe. Clouds are the best thing ever! Right after the speed of course." she grins, slapping you again to hurry it up.

Then she picks her filled saddlebags from the basket, about to haul it onto your back but she stops. Seeing that you're still not quite okay, she puts the weight onto herself instead.

"It's just around the corner.. This way."

This time there wasn’t even a pull on the leash, she waited for you to come by yourself.

Can’t say for sure why, but something about that gesture made you follow her willingly this time. Then again, it's not as if you had a better choice right now..

...

Soon you're finding yourself in front of a relatively big double door of an equally big house, fitting even for a human such as you. Can’t help but wonder whether she had a human before or if it’s just for show to have a massive door like that.

If she did, she must have disposed of him really quick. It isn't that long since your kind is so easily available to ponies.

Needless to say, the inside of her house feels just as spacy as the door and you can tell this pony isn’t exactly "broke". Quite the opposite. It isn't a straight up castle, but it certainly is pretty luxurious… So you guess the door probably really was just for show.

And when the lock turns behind you, the leash is getting untied from behind. You almost didn't notice her soaring up like that again.

On the first look you're pretty sure you could punch or dig through the wall if you really wanted to but since there's nowhere to run, it would be pointless. Though,.. it's good to remember that in case you've found some miraculous plan to escape. The balloons are too slow to fly away from a pegasus but if you manage to sneak away when she's sleeping… we'll see what the future brings...

"Hey look,.. do you have a name?" the mare notices your hopeful smile, thinking it's a chance to strike up a conversation. She has no idea how much you despise her.

".....You're asking me now about my name?"

"Yes. Do you have one?"

"It's Anon....But why now of all times..?"

"I uhh,..." she smiles a little nervously "Didn't want to get too attached before I make up my mind about keeping you. ....Plus I thought I might give you a new one but,... Anon feels pretty cool I guess. It's.. fitting."

"...."

"A-anyway, this is your home now." you could clearly hear her stutte, right before she's returning to her overly self confident tone "Feel free to roam around. Just don't break stuff, okay? ...Or come with me! I'll show you around."

And before you know it, you're being led around the house or rather pulled by your hand. There are all the usual rooms a human home would have except… except for a trophy room, that’s new.

"...Where did you get all these?" you hesitantly ask, just when the mare's about to close the door.

"Do you like them?!" she squees in excitement with the stars in her eyes.

"They're....shiny."

"Well, they're from all kinds of sports. I'm an athlete you know! A flier in the most amazing, the most breathtaking stunt squad there is! The WON-DER-BOLTS!" the pegasus raises her hooves up as if she was praising something holy.

"Uhh,.."

"You don't know them, of course..." she chuckles upon closing the door completely "But you will! They were my childhood idols and now I'm one of them! One day, I'm gonna tell you aaall about it.~"

“I can’t wait.” you whisper to yourself sarcastically.

...

The next room you’re presented is the bedroom.

"...Anyway, I don't have a bed for you... yet. I didn't expect to bring a pet from my trip..."

But while silently glancing around the room, your eyes land on a small pet's bed, laying next to the big double bed your owner must be sleeping on.

"That! Oh, that's a little too small for you I guess. Plus,.. it shouldn't be here anymore." she's already stuffing it into some drawer, out of your sight.

"...Did that belong to the tortoise?"

The question makes her freeze in front of you for a second.

".....How do you know about Tank?"

"Fluttershy told me."

"Oh...." the mare cringes, then her expression softens "Well, yeah. So you know you're a replacement pet..."

"Why me..? Why a human?"

"I don't know... It just felt like fate to me when I saw you up close. Plus you were cheap, have all teeth and humans are known for..... occasionally having talents that other pets,.. don't exactly have."

Fuck, so it's true after all she’s hiding something.

She's gonna ask you about "it". You'd rather work on a rock farm than having to-

"...You don't happen to know how to cook,.. do you?"

"Uh,..cook?"

"Yeah. I may be the fastest and coolest flier around here but... I can't exactly cook for myself..."

"I uh- of course I can cook!" a big stone just fell from your chest.

Oof.

"You’re serious, you actually can..?"

"Nothing special but I can cook well enough I guess."

"That's amazing! You must be worth like 10 or 20 times more than what I bought you for! Oh I'm so happy, you have no idea." she licks her lips over the thought of a homemade food "...But speaking of food, I totally forgot you haven't eaten anything at all!"

"I did eat though. Fluttershy gave me half of her baguette... About two or three hours ago."

"But that's a pretty long time, you must be hungry again! We'll feed you something boy, come with me!"

...And the last room of your house tour is a kitchen. There's pretty much all the equipment you might need, except it was probably never used. The storages are stocked with instant foods, soups or premade lunches just for reheating. She'll probably have to buy you some stuff to cook out of first.

"So what do you usually eat?"

Meat?

"Anything goes I guess."

It feels strange that now when she's alone with you, she's actually behaving almost nice. Within the limits of her character of course.

Her voice though, that’s something harder to get used to. It's squeakily raspy, like being ordered around by a 12 year old boy. “Pretty annoying” is a moderate term to you. It might take a bit longer to get over it.

"So! There's some pasta with a tomato sauce here,.. I think I'll be having that. Want it too?"

"Um, sure, thanks."

With a grin, the mare stuffs the two portions into what seems to be an Equestrian version of a microwave or just some kind of oven. Now it's time to wait.

.....

“...”

An awkward silence is filling the house. Just some very distant chatter somewhere outside, hearable through an opened window. You’re somewhat still standing in the doorframe, just looking around and pretending you aren’t here. Your “master” is sitting at the dinner table, nervously clopping her hoof on the ground, hoping she can speed up the heating process with it.

"...You can come inside, you know?" she closes the window eventually.

So you quietly sit on the opposite side of the table, giving her a little awkward, half forced smile. It would almost feel like being a guest here, if it wasn’t for that collar to remind you of your real purpose… Thinking about it, your finger involuntarily slides underneath its leather to let some air on your skin.

"...Is that too tight?"

Why does she suddenly care so much?

Is it just because you said you can cook? ...Or is there something else to it?

"Yeah... The old Goldbeakstein wanted to make sure it won't slip down under any circumstance."

"I can loosen it up then." your “mistress” stands up.

It's almost funny, being a pet to a creature half your size.

The mare actually has to rear up again to be high enough for a comfortable reach, even while you're sitting. And she does loosen it up quite a lot actually. ...To a point it's barely touching your skin but not enough for you to pull it over your head.

"That's better, isn't it?"

"It is... thanks."

"You're welcome."

“...”

"But, um hey, couldn't it go all the way down? ...Since it's almost loose enough."

"Um, no. Not yet, sorry."

She isn’t really sorry though. ...You wanted to ask what is the difference but instead you just frown.

"........Look, you won't have to wear that inside forever. But it has to stay for a few days. Until I decide I can take it off, okay?"

"Hm, okay...... But does that mean I still couldn't go outside without it?"

"Well, ponies don't like seeing humans roaming too freely. They still see you as a threat after ehh..."

"Yeah, the war......... And do you-..?"

"What?"

"Do you see me as a threat?"

"Me?... I guess not."

"Why..?"

"Because I can take you on." the mare laughs amusedly, looking all smug.

Except you sure as hell won't believe her such a thing.

"With, all due respect,.. I'd doubt it." you smirk at her in an obviously mocking manner.

"Well, you may be big but size isn't everything." she grins back ".........Come on, try to pin me on the ground."

"Um,. sorry?"

"Try to pin me on the ground." your overconfident mistress stands up from the table, taking a stance in the spacy room.

"Okay then!" you do the same, without too much hesitation

Finally a chance to strike her ego a little lower.

"I won't kick or bite you, so I'm expecting you to play fair. Unless you like it rough~... So can we?"

"Ready."

"Bring it then!" she rears up "Come at me!"

Bad move girl.

With a swift movement, you're up close, about to undercut her legs. This'll be fast and easy.

But suddenly-

"Whoa!"

With a help of her wings, she somewhat twirled around you, faster than you would possibly expect. Before you could turn around her to direction again, she's tangled around your legs, making you trip over her and fall down on your back. Once you’re on the ground, she's already pinning your right hand on the ground.

You've still got your left one though so you use it in an attempt to push her away with all your might-... but she angles her body for your palm to slip over her silky sleek fur.

Before you realize your mistake, both of your hands are locked by her hooves.

"Hhhggg!" you're trying to break free but she's holding you tight.

How is this even possible?

"Done yet?" the mare scoffs.

"Not yet!"

You slide your knees between the two of you and push her away with your legs, making her ease up on your grip...

But before you get a chance to lift yourself up from your palms, she regains her composure with only two quick flaps of her wings and pushes your head back down, this time pinning your legs as well.

She might be lighter than you, but her hooves are pressing into very strategic spots to prevent you from overpowering her.

"Heh, nice one..." she inhales deeply to calm herself from the quick adrenaline rush, exhaling the air pretty much into your face, mere inches away from her smug muzzle "Give up yet?"

"Aaargh!" you're trying to break free but you can't move.

...Did she, a two times smaller rainbow horse, seriously defeat you?

In your anger, you headbutt her muzzle, enough to make her let you go and fall on her own rump.

"Playing dirty huh?!" she yells, wiping a drop of blood from her nose.

The next second, you're feeling an intense, painful sting all around your neck and then your whole body. It catches you so off guard you fall right back on the floor, squirming like a worm.

"Aaahg! Ow, fuck!"

...But it lasts only for a few, short moments.

Then you're left there heavily breathing while she somewhat proudly walks around, stuffing a piece of a tissue into her nostril to stop the little bleeding.

"Heh, good try,.. but you'll need to learn to play nice..." your mistress stops above your face.

"W-what was that?"

"That was a reason why you might need to wear that thing a little longer." she opens her left wing, revealing to you a little device, strapped to her side "See, I don't really want to use it, I'd like us to be friends but you still need to learn some discipline."

"I don't think that this is how you make friends..." you attempt to stand up but her hoof pushes you back down.

"Well,.. headbutting isn't either." she chuckles as lightheartedly as if nothing ever happened. Then she lets go, throwing away the tissue and offering you the same hoof to help you stand up.

...Which you take, but only after a second of hesitation. Gotta say, she did take it quite sportily. But now you’re a little more afraid of her.

"You know, I can't say that I don't like you Anon." your mistress grins once you're up, nudging your thigh "You're my kind of material."

".....Did you wrestle with the tortoise the same?"

"No.... Tank was the sweetest and most loyal kind of guy I could ask for.... But he's gone and I don't want anything about my new companion to remind me of him." her expression changes.

Can't exactly if she's sad or angry right now but you definitely must have hit a soft spot here.

But the next second she grins your direction as if nothing and sits back to the table.

It was surely a way to pass the time but it didn’t exactly make things any better for you. Now you know there is an actual reason why you subconsciously feared her before. Not only is she a much more considerate opponent than you thought but you had no idea the collar they gave you was a stun one.

You're pretty much fucked, unless you can outsmart her somehow. But your inner contemplation is interrupted by the oven ringing, alerting it has finished its job.

"Oh yes! The pasta!" your mistress dashes away to bring the two portions of food for each of you to the table "There you go!"

You hesitantly sit there and glance at the steaming plate. It seems to be some kind of vegetarian lasagna. So you sniff it as well.

You’re wishing you could proudly refuse it but it looks and smells so damn good there's no possible way to resist it. Even if it’s just a premade food.

Fuck, this is the second time they "bought" you with food.

Having no other choice but to listen to your stomach, you very slowly pick up the fork and a knife, about to accept your defeat.

"...You know how to use cutlery, right?"

"Well,.. I can cook, so I can use cutlery."

"I was just making sure... Enjoy." the mare chuckles before digging in first.

"Y-you too." you follow up right after her.

It’s just as delicious as it smells like. It could be partly because you haven’t had anything good in a few months but even the lowest quality food in Equestria is somehow better than most of what you remember eating back on Earth.

Needless to say that you're done with your dinner very soon, while the mare on the other side of the table is eating a lot slower.

"By Celestia, I'm full." she eventually pushes her plate away and pats her belly, leaving about 1/5 of her portion uneaten.

Still hungry, your eyes instinctively land on the rest of her food.

"....You want that?"

"I uh..."

You totally do… but you don't want to say it out loud. It feels demeaning.

"I can just throw it away if you don't, no biggie." the pegasus is about to stand up from the table and dump the contents of her plate into a trash bin.

"Wait!"

"Yes..?"

"I...I do want to finish that." you admit shamefully "...Would be a waste...."

"Here you go then" you're then given a half smile, while the partly warm lasagna is being handed in front of you.

And the smile is staying on your mistress's face the whole time she's watching you stuff yourself with it. It almost feels like she's taking pleasure in this demeanor… Or are you just paranoid..?

Can't tell anymore....

"I almost forgot,.. until I get you some bed of your own,.. you can sleep on the side of mine, it's pretty big." she mentions once you're done, putting your plate into the sink.

"...Really?"

"Y-yeah, sure. Or there's a couch too, but the bed is fine with me. T-tank used to sleep there as well." she stutters again in her three seconds of weak moment before regaining her pose "But I'm gonna have to wash you first, okay? I'm not letting you on a cushion like this."

"You want to wash me...?"

"Of course, I don't know how many days you haven't been washed but from our up close encounter, I'm guessing it might as well be at least.. half a week?."

Which is a surprisingly accurate guess.

"I meant to say that I can do it myself."

"Aren't you saying that just to avoid the water?" she chuckles "I heard how some of you hate getting wet."

"Well, if it's freezing cold water, straight from a hose, soaking your clothes, I can imagine." you grumble.

“...So you promise to wash yourself properly, if I let you go alone?"

"Promise."

"Hmm, okay then. This way." she stands up from the table, leading the way to the bathroom.

...

"This is how you turn the water on, here's soap and some shampoo." your mistress shows you everything, even prepare a towel.

"Thanks..."

"Don't thank me. I mean, it's not like I'd want you on my bed if you were this dirty." she chuckles while you're disappearing behind the curtain "By the way, don't worry about the collar, it's waterproof."

Soon after throwing the dirty clothes over the shower curtain, you can hear her leaving the room.

Finally some time alone. It feels good to not be under anyone's surveillance for at least a few minutes. And the warm water is even better

...It’s just what she said about you in her bed is pretty unsettling. You’d prefer the couch.

But you’re trying not to ruin this moment with thoughts like that, this shower is literally like a heaven on Earth,.. except it isn't Earth, nor heaven. Still though, God, how you've missed this.

After scrubbing every last piece of filth from your body, you rub one out as well, pretty much for the sake that you can, without anyone watching you and to relieve some stress… Which seems to work wonders, along with the hot water and a full belly.

For a moment, you're almost happy.

You don't ever want to open the curtain again but eventually,.... you’ll have to. As lovely as it sounds, can't stay here forever.

Upon stepping outside, there’s one thing you immediately notice. The clothing is gone

She took it.

It may have been filthy but it was your only clothing. You can't walk around like this for God's sake.

Where is it?!!!

Come on Anon, breathe, calm down… she left you a big towel here, you can use that.

…

After recovering from the mini panic attack, you wrap yourself in the towel and have a glance at yourself in the big mirror. Haven't seen your own reflection since… well you can't even remember. Probably since the better times...

Right now you're hairy, somewhat skinny but at least it’s still you. Plus, you're squeaky clean.

Then there’s the collar… Can't even look at yourself without being reminded of your forced allegiance.

But you're still staring at your own reflection for a few minutes longer, trying to find something to like.

... Your hair actually doesn't look that bad when it's this long.

And if you shaved, you'd almost be a handsome young man again.

Maybe the mistress will buy me a razor...

“...”

Can't believe you just formed this sentence in your head

“...”

No matter how well kept I’d be, I’m still a damn property.

The sentence left you so disgusted that you had to look away from the mirror and leave the room. Once outside, you're cautiously checking if the rainbow mare is around somewhere. Not because you’d want to see her but you need her to return your clothes, even if they're dirty. You can wash them in the sink for yourself.

And eventually, you stumble upon her in the living room.

"There you are! So how was the shower? Let me see."

"..See what?"

"Well if you're clean! Drop that towel."

"I uh.. rather not to." you freeze.

"That's an order though." she says firmly

"..."

...Are you going to resist now? What if she's gonna press that button again?

You still remember how bad it stung before.

"....Come on, I want to have a proper look at what I bought!" the pegasus with a device to control you giggles, grabbing the towel with her teeth and forcefully pulls it down.

“Hey!!!” her sudden, swift movement caught you so off guard, that you didn't really have time to fight it.

You're just standing there in shame, covering your crotch with your hands, feeling completely exposed to her and her mercy. Stripped of your clothes, of your pride, of your rights and most of all, your dignity

"....."

This is so far certainly the worst thing to happen today, right after the best one.

"Well what do you say! You really were profound with the cleaning." the mare grins, walking in circles around you and checking your body out from all angles "....You humans are curiously built."

You wish you could just run away, but there's nowhere to run.

You're frozen in shame and fear like an animal.

So you at least shut your eyelids, trying to ignore what’s happening.

"........"

".....What’s wrong, why are you so embarrassed?" you can suddenly feel a soft boop on your nose.

Upon opening your eyes once again, you see her soaring dangerously close to your face, curiously smiling.

…Does she not have a slightest idea of how's all this making you feel? Do you really have to explain?

"...You've just literally forced me to expose myself in front of you."

"Heh, but you don't have anything to be embarrassed about." she grins, sliding her hoof along your torso to have a feel of your skin, inspecting your chest muscles "...are all humans like that?"

"I guess I'm averagely built...." you look away, clenching your jaw.

"No I mean,.. are all humans this shy?" your mistress chuckles in a visible amusement.

"...We don't ever go around without clothes. C-can I have my old ones back now?"

"Nope... I already threw them away."

"B-but-!"

"I can get you something new tomorrow, if you're so persistent about it." the mare laughs, patting your shoulder before landing back on the ground next to you, about to sit on her couch.

“......”

"What is it?" she eyes at you again after a few seconds, through which you didn't move a single inch "You don't have to be embarrassed around me, ...I don't bite."

"I- I can't..." you're almost whimpering in your predicament "..be like this until tomorrow."

“...”

"Okay..." a sigh escapes her nostrils "Do you want to wrap yourself in something until then?"

To which you nod of course

"Alright, let me see what we have." she disappears in the bedroom, soon to be back with a thin white bedsheet. "Will this do?"

"Yes! Give it!" you hastily grab after the fabric.

But she softly slaps your fingers, pulling away "What do we say?"

"Um,. thank you, m-mistress."

"Thank you" would have been enough." she chuckles, handing the sheet to you "But you're a good boy."

Which only makes your face go even redder. Thank fuck that no one else is seeing you like this. Not even your stupid ass boss at work could ever mentally put you this much down on your knees… Not even the old kike bird. Can't say you've ever been lower in your life.

But it's all just temporary, you WILL find your way out of this. As long as you breathe…

…

After a few minutes of trying to remember how to tie a Greek toga, while your mistress returns back on her couch to lay there with a book, you’ve finally figured it out.

"Hey, neat. That looks pretty rad." she notices, looking up.

"Thank you." you say with self-surprising humbleness.

"No probs.... Do you like adventure stories?"

"I guess... Everyone does."

"Then come here." the rainbow mare pats a place next to her on the couch.

"Is that an order...?"

"No,.." she grins "I just thought you’re looking a little down. I could read you something to cheer you up. Come on, you'll like it."

...You're still a little afraid of saying no. But,.. it feels like you can’t stay in here a second longer.

"I'm sorry but can I have some time alone..? Please..?"

"Um, yeah.. Sure!" your mistress smiles, a little disappointedly "...You can crash at my bed, as long as you leave me enough space later."

"Thank you..." you’re already disappearing, running to the bedroom, straight onto the bed… to curl up and cry.

What she made you do was the last straw, pulled by the series of events you had to go through before. Everything was bottling up in you for months.

You didn't cry when you lost your family and friends. You didn’t cry when the Goldbeak's thugs beat you senseless and captured you. Not a tear, even after all those days, spent in a cage.

But now it all caught up, when it feels like there’s nothing left to take from you... Your pride was the last thing.

And you're crying until you're feeling almost comfortably numb. Numb to everything that happened.

It’s almost funny, what a human mind is able to endure and what it is willing to lose, just to save itself.

You're feeling… alone.

Alone in this room.

Alone in this crazy world.

There's only her, the next door. The cause of your mental suffering... And your only company.

You can't tell for whatever reason you're drawn to her now.

Is this the "breaking" process?

....

After a while, you stand up and go check on your mistress.

She's still sitting on her couch in the living room, reading the same book with just a tiny lamp nearby to see the words.

"Hmm?" her eyes land on you, standing in the doorframe.

"Does… does the offer still stand?"

"Of course it does! Come here boy!" she puts away whatever she was reading uptil now and pats the place next to her.

And you cautiously sit, keeping a safe distance.

But the mare flies away to the bookshelf, returning with a different title. She sits back a lot closer to you, eliminating your personal space and shoving the book into your face to see.

There's a colorful image of a sand coloured pegasus mare with a gray mane, swinging on some kind of wine, away from danger. It says "Daring Do." and looks a little like a B rated movie poster.

"This is like the first book I've ever read on my own! Which.....isn't actually that many years back, I wasn't always a big reader." you almost wouldn't recognize her with that sincere, excited smile, so eager to share this with you "I hope you'll like it as much as I did! I mean, you probably won't , because I liked it a whole big lot but I still hope you'll like it at least 50% because that would still mean you really liked it....."

Can’t say you’ve seen her acting this fangirly about anything yet,.. besides the wondercolts or whatever was the stunt group called.

Without giving you too much time to think about it, she pulls your head on her lap like a pillow. Her hoof rests on your hair which she’s softly stroking for you while she reads.

It's so embarrassing.

But you aren’t moving away.

Partly because you’re a little scared to do so, partly because it’s somewhat comfy and you're feeling.... "protected" in a way.

So you close your eyes, trying to enjoy the calm at least a little bit. Thinking too much hurts.

...

Can't say you're too thrilled by the book right from the start but the way your mistress is narrating it is actually making the whole thing a little more amusing. She's even changing her voice for each character and her tone, depending on the intensity of the story to make it more dynamic.

Over time,.. you're even getting a little more used to her weird, raspy voice.

Instead of the pegasus main protagonist, you’re imagining just a human girl with wings on her back so that you can sympathize with her better. It's... somewhat working so far.

For a moment you're almost forgetting that the fuzzy creature reading that book just for you is actually your enemy.

After all, she's your only company now. You might as well try to not spite her completely. As much as you hate to say it,.. she really does care,.. in a way.

But you aren’t friends, you’ll never be. She’s the enemy, don't you ever forget that, Anon....

Don't you ever forget-...

“Good night Anon.” you’re hearing a raspy voice before falling asleep.

......

....

......

..

Chapter three: Head like a haunted house

You’re slowly coming to your senses but you’re still keeping your eyes closed for a while. It’s so comfy you don’t really plan on getting up anytime yet. The air smells of something sweet, there’s a nice clean blanket over your body and your pillow feels so silky today.

...You’ve had a really weird dream about Earth getting invaded by colorful horses and you got sold to slavery. Thank God it wasn’t real.

Eventually, you reach your hand to have a feel of that warm pillow but when your palm touches it’s surface-

Wait… That’s no pillow.

And this isn’t your house. Not even the Golbeaks cage. The nightmare is true, the comfy pillow is-.. the thigh of the colorful pegasus from yesterday…”

‘Shit shit shit.’ you yank and pull yourself away, just when you can hear her yawning ‘How the fuck this all even happened?”

But even more of yesterday’s events are now coming back to you… Even the point at which you pretty much broke yourself into submitting to her. She thinks you’re her little pet now and she-... She actually stayed on the couch with you the whole night. ...She didn't even move to her bed, so she wouldn't wake you up.

“...Hey." your mistress sleepily squints her big magenta eyes at you.

But you have no idea how to react or how you should even feel. Should you keep disdain or…?

"Um, goodmorning..." you reply somewhat politely, instantly withdrawing into a safe distance.

...On the other hand, you can profit from this situation. You've gained some of her trust and once she trusts you enough to let her guard down completely… Then will be your chance to flee. Not sure when, but it’ll surely come.

"...So, did you like the book?" your mistress asks after a short, silent pause.

"Um, yeah. Very."

"You were out cold before we reached the half though." she grins, friskily piercing you with her gaze.

You hate that look for some reason, it’s making you feel “small” in front of her. ...So you look away:

"I'm sorry, I was-"

"Veeeery exhausted. I saw that. Crying this hard takes a toll."

"...What?"

"The walls here aren't as thick as you might think and you left the door half opened." she chuckles, reaching her hoof to you "It's okay though, you'll be alright. Come here."

You aren’t sure what exactly she wants to do with you but you aren’t going. She isn't your friend.

"....Alright then, maybe later." the mare folds the appendage again when she sees you won’t exactly hurry into her embrace "...You know, I kinda like that about you though."

"What do you mean?"

"That you aren't pre-tamed."

"So that you can break me yourself?"

"Break?.. Come on." she laughs giving you a coquettish grin while standing up.

And as she walks around you, her tail purposely tickles your face "I'll just teach you a little discipline. You might even learn to like it...~"

And she's gone from the room, disappearing behind the corner… Soon you can hear her brushing her teeth. ...You really can hear pretty much everything in this house.

"Huh..."

What now?

Your eyes eventually slide on the book from yesterday, so you pick it up. With a bit of hesitation, you open it at the chapter you last remember. There's only two pages to its end...

It's not like you have anything better to do...

....

About the time you've put the book away, your mistress is back, her face still wet from the water she splashed onto herself to start out the morning as fresh as it can be.

"Hey Anon, show me your chompers again."

"Why?"

"Just show them to me."

"Can't you tell me why?"

"I want to see. Come on, open your mouth." she steps closer with an almost harmless sounding giggle.

And after a few seconds of a stare contest, you cautiously reveal your teeth.

"...So you've got some canines after all huh? I wasn't sure, they're pretty small. Can you eat raw meat?" her hoof adjusts the angle of your mouth so that she can see better.

"No...."

"I thought so, so you’re not a carnivore... But it's still pretty cool. But uh,.. that stench. Remind me to buy you a toothbrush when we go to Ponyville."

"We're going to Ponyville?

"I just need to take care of a few things right now, but I'll be back in a few hours and I'll take you for a walk down there in the afternoon. I promised to get you some clothing, didn't I?" she playfully pulls on your improvised toga, sliding it down from your shoulders.Needles to say, you catch it as soon as you can before it slides any lower.

And she's walking away, waving her tail from side, synchronized with her hips with almost overdone gracefulness.

You can vividly imagine her smug expression she must be donning right now. She knows about your fear or being exposed while she isn't afraid at all of flashing her own thing.

You hate her so much right now...

"........Oh by the way!" the head full of colorful hair sticks out from the doorframe, just when you thought she was gone already "You can help yourself with whatever food you find, aaaand if you get bored around here, feel free to do some cleaning around the house! There are extra good boy points for that...~"

"As if I care about any points..." you grumble once she's gone for real this time.

About the food, you aren't really hungry right now either. Back at Shekelbeak’s, you only had two bland meals a day and none of them was in the morning.

...But the fact you're alone is pretty amazing. You can scheme, get to know the house so you can sneak around later,.. and try punching through that cloud wall. That's the first thing you're going to try, because you're way too curious about it.

That would be, at some spot she wouldn't notice that’s broken.

This is how a bored dog must feel…

Eventually, you pick some wall behind a door. You prepare your fist and-!

...It pretty much bounced right back off

Man this would need a lot more strength to go through, this cloud is thicker than those outside… Or is it the spell?

All of this is damn strange… But digging your fingers in might work...

Nah, that doesn't work either.

You can at max push them in it but not completely through to tear away a piece of the cloudwall. You could grab onto it though… maybe you should try sticking your dick in the wall too?

Jesus no… or maybe some other time.

But wait... that means you can climb down even the high windows, you can grab onto the wall! Why didn't you think of it sooner? But upon opening a window and looking around...

What the fuck.

The cloud bridge you had to cross to get here yesterday, the one connecting this house with a rest of the cloud city, as well as the balloon platform,.. it's gone. She must have disposed of it.

"DAMN YOU!" your fists bang into the windowsill.

But the fresh air and sun's warm, kind, embrace that feels so close to you, is slowly calming you back down.

Okay, maybe this star isn't that much different from your old Sun… And, as much as you hate to say it, your prison has the best view a man could ask for.

The cloud city, so high up in the sky that you can visibly see the globe underneath curving, is really something.

...There really are worse fates than yours right now. If it'll be like this everyday, you'll have plenty of time for yourself too. Which is good for starters. Can’t say how long it will take to make an escape plan, but if you survived those months at a slave market, this will be a walk in the park. ...As far as the material comfort goes. But your new mistress seems to be somehow worse than the old bird, you were never scared of him.

Can't always say the same about her though, not just because of the shock collar but because she is fucking crazy in the head. The way she's acting around you, it feels as if she was to rape you any minute, God,...

.....

You fuck around the house a little longer, staring out the window and trying to keep yourself somehow entertained. In your cage, you used to sleep or daydream a lot, but now that you're properly fed and slept more than enough without getting uninterrupted, you have plenty of energy to actually do stuff. You just don't know what to do.

If you could, you’d sit down and try to draw something, haven't done that in such a long time….If you had a pen and paper, that is.

Ha! an objective!

It took you only about 5 minutes to find them in one of the table drawers in her room. Now you're sitting by the very same table, ready to draw… What to draw though..?

An image of the rainbow mare instantly clicks through your mind...

Certainly not her.

How about your hand, for instance?

Aah, good idea, never hurts to practice human anatomy

And-!

It sucks...

You're a little tired of drawing anyway, maybe some other time

...

...Man you're bored

This house, as luxurious as it seems, is a real mess though. If she can afford living in such a place, she should at least take good care of it. Tidy it up every once in a while…

You could kill some time with it but... that would mean she won.

Though, it's your own new cage as well. It’s you who has to live here with her and you really hate having the blue fur sticking on your feet anywhere you go. You could at least vacuum it here if nothing else, just for the sake of doing something. If there even is a vacuum cleaner. It doesn’t really seem as if the pegasus even knows what it is.

But you decide to look for it anyway and after a few minutes of searching,...

There it is… In the most unlikely place of all.

It was stuffed under the bed, along with a few more various items that probably haven’t seen the light of day for quite a while: Some paper bags, a plush that looks exactly like the owner of the house for some weird reason, a plate with moldy leftovers, a sky blue dildo without batteries, a laser pointer with batteries, a brand new hairbrush, a horseshoe (which you’ve never actually seen any of the ponies ever wear), a broken glass and an empty bottle of wine. Two of them actually.

You know this pony for less than two days but you aren’t that surprised.

Finally having that vacuum cleaner in your hand, your inner sense of tidiness and boredom won’t allow you to let this just be. You don’t have to be a perfectionist to know that nothing about the state of this house is okay.

So you start with disposing of the moldy food, the broken and empty glass, putting the random stuff in the empty drawers, vacuuming all the floors from the blue fur, colorful hair and pieces of food…

Doesn't she ever clean here?

Looks like this house hasn't been taken care of for at least a month or more. You could go on and on but you don’t wanna overdo it.

I’ll just dust these off and then I’ll-

"Anoooon, I'm hoome. Ready for your walk?!" you suddenly hear a raspy voice behind you.

You freeze, turning around to see the rainbow mare standing in the doorframe.

"Oh you've actually listened! Somecreature is gonna earn a treat here.~" she grins.

"I just couldn't stand all this mess here, don't you ever clean around here?" you drop the cloth in your hand.

"A tidy one, are you huh? How lucky I am. ‘Cause you're right, I don't ever clean here." your mistress chuckles "I always had to call somepony to do it for me once a month. But now that I have you..."

"Forget it."

"Oh, I probably will, my memory can get pretty short sometimes. But something tells me you won't forget and you'll keep it tidy here like a good and clean boy you are." she soars closer to pat your head and rustle through your hair.

"As if..."

"And it's soo adorable to see you frown like that~." her hooves clop on the ground next to you "But now it's time to go"

You didn't even notice she clipped a leash to your collar just a second ago and she's pulling you through the door.

Fucking dammit.

Outside the house, she has already fixed the bridge on her way back, probably from some clouds flying around and you're being escorted towards the balloon again.

You didn't meet any ponies yesterday or you just weren't paying attention but those few you've noticed today on your way to your transport were all giving you strange looks. Some seem scared, some surprised, some amused, others just curious.

But it’s obvious that locals don't exactly see a human everyday. It’s making you wonder how many you’ll see down in the village, if any. On the other hand, you’re soon about to find out because you're almost back on the ground.

...

"This way Anon!" your mistress is pulling you some direction as soon as you're out of the basket. Straight towards a round, tall house with a sign "Rarity's Boutique"

"What's this place?"

"Well you might have noticed there aren't too many humans around yet, so there won't be any human accessory shop either. Buuut, I've got a good friend here that'll make some custom clothing for you, from a scratch!. ....Hey Rarity!"

"Oh Rainbow Dash, darling! What brings you to- oh my, what in the world is that?! Is that a real human?" a mare that looks like she’s made of marshmallows with a purple mane on her head widens her eyes at the sight of you.

"Yup! This is Anon. - Say hello." your mistress nudges your thigh."Um, hello..."

"I bought him yesterday on my trip with Fluttershy. Isn't he pretty cool?"

"I'm not sure "cool" would be the right term dear... Aren't you a little scared of him?"

"Him? Nah, he's tame as a sheep. Aren't you, boy?" your mistress smirks at you.

To her gesture, you return an angry frown which makes her shiteating grin grow even wider.

"Anyway, he's the reason I'm here because I forgot to buy him any clothes at the bazaar. I had no idea he’d be scared to death of walking around without any. ...Do you think you could sew up something quick for him?"

"Of course I could! I never before have I designed clothing for a creature such as this! Walk him here on the piedestal here and I'll take some length proportions of his body."

"Heard that? She's gonna make you something nice." the blue mare chuckles, pushing you with her wing towards the center of the room.

You stand where you're told to, waiting for the white mare to get her stuff.

"I'm gonna need that robe off darling, I can't really measure anything over that. Could you take that off for me?"

Can't tell for sure whether she was talking to you or your colorful mistress behind you. But in the corner of your eye, you can see Rainbow Dash making a step closer, about to slide the sheet down, so you stop her.

"...I'll do it myself."

You don't wanna give her the pleasure of taking away your choice again.

With one hand, you untie where it holds together and gravity pulls the whole thing down, letting you stand there completely naked again, only covering your crotch with your hands. ...Hoping that anypony else won't enter the shop now.

"Oh my, these are rather interesting proportions. And no loose skin, you could trace every muscle underneath it!" the marshmallow pony is walking around, a bit like your owner yesterday.

It's not like you have a lot of muscles to begin with after your captivity but you aren't just skin and bones.

"I know right? Interesting things, those humans."

"They surely are..." Rarity uses her horn to levitate a sewing meter next to your legs "But I'm gonna need him to stand straight and raise his upper limbs."

Knowing you’re listening to their conversation, your mistress gives you merely a look, waving her eyebrows, telling you to do so.

"Is that really necessary?"

"I'm afraid so." replies the unicorn.

So you very hesitantly uncover your crotch to make a T pose, while Rarity's taking the measures of your arms and back from behind. Rainbow is standing in front you, knowing well how uncomfortable she's making you with the way her eyes run all around your body. But of course, it's not stopping her from doing so. Just like yesterday, you close your eyes, imagining you're somewhere else.

In the meanwhile, you can hear the two ponies walking around, occasionally whispering something indistinct, scribbling notes and giggling a few times as well.

And then finally...

"That would be it! I'm done here. What kind of clothing do you want for him? What should it look like?"

"Hmm, I dunno, to be honest. Probably nothing too fashy, just something for everyday use... What do you people usually wear, Anon."

"A shirt and some trousers. Or jeans.. A jacket or hoodie if it's cold. Anything goes as long as it's comfy enough to move freely."

The white mare sees you eyeing down on your robe and longing to have it finally back, so she levitates it into your hand. It felt almost surprisingly thoughtful...

"I'll see what I can do.” she smiles ”Come back tomorrow or you can check in here on your way back, I might have something ready already.”

"Thanks Rarity! I knew I could count on ya! ..What do we say Anon?"

"Thank you, Miss Rarity..." you gently bow.

"Aww, no troubles." the white mare blushes "It's my job after all..."

Funny, so far every other mare seems to be more bearable than the one who bought you. You really might just be the bad luck Brian.

...

After saying goodbye, your mistress is pulling you outside again and you're headed towards a market in the center of the Ponyville.

The closer you’re getting, the more weird looks you’re receiving from local ponies walking around. Not a single human anywhere in sight though. Back at the bazaar, it was somewhat normal to see the ponies with humans on a leash but obviously not here.

"MAMA! What is that strange animal?" some foal points his hoof at you.

"It's one of those humans sweetie. Just like on Sweet apple acres. Don't go too close to him, they might be dangerous..." his mother replies.

...Here you're a sight show. And you aren't exactly enjoying it.

...

"Now, what do we need next?" the rainbow pegasus that's pulling your leash, stops in the middle of the market.

"....You said something about a toothbrush."

"Oh yeah! That's true, wouldn't want those little canines of yours to rot away." she laughs, giving you a good view of her own, pearl white teeth "But we'll have to go to Colgate's for that. What do we need on the market?"

"I dunno.."

"Hmm, you ain't much help... I know! I wanted to buy you something to cook with! Can't wait to have something homemade for a change, if you weren't lying about your skills."

"I wasn't." you frown, a little offended.

"We'll see about that." the mare friskily slaps you from behind "Now, what kind of things you'll need?"

"Depends on what you already have..."

"Like,.. salt and pepper. Yeah and milk and some veggies."

"Not even a frying oil?"

"Nope, the last time I tried frying something, I almost burned my kitchen down. Never more."

That actually makes you snicker out loud in front of her, imagining her panicking and messing up something so trivial. You've expected either a shock from the collar or getting punched in the thigh for that, but instead she merely chuckles, coyly playing with the rock under her hoof:

"Yeah, I know... So what do you need?"

"Well, first of all, some spices. I don't like cooking from salt alone."

"This way then."

She leads you to a stand with all kinds of colorful food spicing, packed in opened crates for customers to scoop into small pouches. Dried herbs, seeds, powdered veggies... all kinds of stuff.

The quiet salespony seemed as if he was praying that you won’t come to his stand yet, here you are.

"Hey there." your mistress salutes, ignoring the ponys discomfort, nudging you in front of her "Well pick what you need Anon. And don't worry about the bits."

Okay, now this is actually something you don't mind doing.

For starters, you prepare 4 pouches, filling them about 1/5 with salt and then start adding actual spices to the mixture. A lot of these things you have no idea what they actually are but you can tell from the way they smell, which might go well together. If not from their smell, then a little taste from the tip of your finger helps.

And after a few minutes, you've got one spicy mixture, one sweeter, one exoticaly aromatic and one hodgepodge of everything you found interesting. Can’t tell how will the last one taste but you made that one just for giggles.

"Hey, that looked pretty professional just now." Rainbow Dash chuckles after paying, stuffing the pouches into her saddlebags "What else do you need?"

"...Meat."

"Ha, good one." she grins in amusement.

"Well, what CAN I cook here out of? What do you even eat?"

"Anything that isn't meat. Ever heard of veggies, cheese, flowers..."

"Flowers?"

"Never ate a flower before? You should try it, it's quite delicious. Oh wait! I know! Can you make fried elderflowers with potato mash?!"

"Fried flowers?!"

Gordon Ramsay would be rolling in his grave. ...Unless he's alive, frying flowers somewhere right now.

"Yes, they taste amazing! I know where some eldertrees bloom right now. Wait here!"

Before you know it, she pinned her end of the leash to a nearby building, flying away so fast it left a faint rainbow trail behind her.

Oh, alright… definitely couldn't outrun that.

On the other hand, now is a perfect chance to escape. There might be ponies everywhere but you're sure as hell gonna try. Can’t tell how many chances like this you’ll get.

So you grab the leash, attempting to untie it… but shit, there's some mechanism on it, requiring a four digit password, just like on the collar. You’re starting to feel like all this equipment might have cost more than you did.

In the meanwhile of your struggling with the leash, you didn't even notice you're getting surrounded by three young stallions, two earth ponies and one pegasus. They’re probably not fully adult but definitely old enough to know how to kick.

"Oh hey fellas, a human." the first one grins "How do you like the leash huh?"

"My dad lost his right hoof in the war with you! Your kind is the worst!"

"How about we teach him a little lesson guys?" the pegasus colt harshly pushes you on the wall you're tied to.

But you swiftly push him back away, taking a defensive stance "Oh yeah?! Bring it you fuckers, we'll see about who's gonna teach who a lesson!"

It's not like you actually have a chance against all three of them but you'll fight to your last breath.

"Get that rude bastard!" one of them attacks you, rearing up to bury his hoof in your face.

Though, he's not even close to being as fast as your mistress so you easily parry the strike and punch him in his chest, sending him down on his back.

Right after that, the other two attack you from both sides, one kicking you in your thigh, the other in your belly.

The only thing that hurts more than a horse kick are two horse kicks.

By the time you’re laying on the ground in pain, the one you've sent down before is already joining them and you're about to be stomped to death from all sides...

When suddenly:

"WHAT DO YOU BRATS THINK YOU'RE DOING?!!!!!" the furious voice of your mistress makes them freeze before each of them even gets to land a good kick on you.

"W-we-..we just-"

"YOU JUST WHAT?! HUH?!" she barks, walking towards them upon landing, wings still spread open to make herself look bigger.

Despite she's actually smaller than any of the pubescents, she's still somehow more frightening than all three of them.

"H-he's a human and-" they’re all backing away.

"So you three cowards thought you could pick on him huh?!! WELL IF YOU EVER EVEN LAY YOUR HOOF ON MY HUMAN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA REGRET IT, UNDERSTAND THAT?!!!"

"Y-yes ma'am."

"We're sorry!"

"YOU BETTER BE!! COWARDS!!!!" the mare keeps yelling at them in anger, even after they already scattered away.

Her loud assertivity of dominance also attracted attention of all nearby ponies to stop and stare at what’s the ruckus all about. ...But as soon as she glances their way, they all carry on, acting as if nothing happened.

Only then she finally turns your direction as well and you’re wishing you could just run away like the others because you’re surely next. Never thought a harmless looking creature like her could be so fearsome.

"...Are you okay Anon? Did they hurt you bad?" her expression as well as her voice suddenly softens, making her appear like the most caring protector under the Equestrian sun.

...She really seemed as if she would have killed them just a while ago, is she freaking bipolar?

Can’t tell if you should be grateful to her for saving you or if you should be scared shitless to be around her. You're a bit of both.

"I uh, no, just a little bruise,... t-thank you mistress."

"Aww, that's nothing Nonny~." she simpers while helping you up, her ego visibly flattered by your momentary respect towards her.

The next second, she's back to her usual self:

"Anyway, I brought the flowers. What else do you need?..."

…

Walking through the market, your mistress is helping you find all the things you said you need to make the food she requested. Flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, potatoes, butter and some parsley leaves as a decoration.

Physically you’re with her but in your head you can’t exactly stop thinking about what just happened. Was she this defensive of her property or was it because of you,.. as a person? ...What would she do if she caught you sneaking away? Maybe the three stallions just saved your life.

As if the situation wasn't bad enough already...

"I guess this is everything..." you put the last item in the saddlebags on your back.

When they got a little heavy, you were ordered to take them because: "That's what you're here for." ...And you didn’t exactly argue with that. Didn’t even reply anything cheeky.

"...Alright, we can leave the things in the balloon in the meanwhile. Give it here." your mistress now takes the bags again, about to fly them to the platform you landed at.

"And don't pick any fights this time, okay?" she grins, smugly patting your head after leashing you to something again

"I didn't-"

But she's gone already.

And the next minute she's back. "Alright, let's go!"

"And um, where are we going? This Colgate is like a dentist or...."

"We're not heading there yet. First, the barber, then the teeth. Gotta have you look nice for me~."

You aren't really protesting about this either, you’ll be almost glad to have something done about your look. It’s just that you don’t wanna look nice to her but to yourself.

Nonetheless, soon you’re finding yourself at the door of a barber salon, where you're being pushed into first. The doors themselves are actually kinda small for you, so you have to lower your head to enter. The ceiling is high enough for some reason

"Oh no, holy molly!" the barber pony with short, styled mane backs away upon your entrance

Only then he notices your mistress with a safety leash and exhales a relieved sigh: "...Pardon me, what can I do for you?"

"Hey, could you fix my humans look a little? Remove the beard, do something with his mane..? Something to make him not look like he's straight from the cage."

Oh yeah, the robe being now dirty from your encounter is almost making you look that way once again.

"But of course! ...Can you stay nearby though, just in case."

"You bet. I want to see what you're doing in the process." the rainbow mare chuckles leading you to a seat.

It's pony sized of course but your butt fits there easily, a typical pony rump is pretty wide. Only the backrest is really small for you. The barber pony has to stand on his rear to see your head better but since he's a unicorn he doesn't need to reach his hooves as well.

"Do you have anything specific in mind? Like a certain style..?"

"I dunno, start with cutting the beard and we'll see."

"Don't I have a word in this as well?" you glance at them.

"No, silly.~" your mistress pats your head yet again, returning to her discussion with the barber about how to shape your hair.

Soon you're shed of all the pubic hair on your face, leaving you just a little patch above your chin and a goatee. Now comes your hair…

...You don't really care about what they’re doing with you at this point.

"Do you want me to shorten his mane or keep it long?" the barber pony eyes at your mistress.

"Hmm, let me see." she's soaring around, watching you from all the angles, even taking your hair into her hooves to feel and even try pulling on it ".....You know what? Keep it long, I like it."

Now you kinda wish he'd cut it short so that she can't ever pull on it again. But you don't exactly have a word in this, so you close your eyes and daydream while the barber is merely trimming the hair to make it look more maintained.

...

"Ta dah! What do you think?" he eventually exhales, proud about his work.

"I think it's pretty cool!.. Anon open your eyes, look at yourself!"

Hmm?

Your dream about driving a pristine white Lamborghini Countach on an empty highway is slipping away as you're presented with your new look in the mirror… It’s not exactly your style of choice. But it was way worse before.

"Do you like it?" your mistress asks eagerly.

"It's.. okay."

"Cool! Just one more stop and we're going home."

The last stop would be the mentioned Colgate's, the dentist office.

You may be in your 20' but you can't say you ever really got over your fear of dentists. Even worse, when she's a pony. Can’t ever trust ponies.

...

"Hello there!"

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, isn't it a little too soon for your- oh my,.. is that a human with you?"

You're already getting a little tired of their repeating reactions.

"Yup, this is Anon, say hello." your mistress nudges you with her wing as always when she wants you to go forward or say something.

"Hey.."

"I initially wanted just a toothbrush for him but could you just quickly check his teeth as well? I heard they live a long time so I want to keep his teeth in good shape."

"Um, of course!.. He won't bite me, though...? I hope." the blue unicorn with mane that looks like a toothpaste, smiles worriedly.

"Not when I'm around." Rainbow Dash chuckles "Come, sit over here Anon."

It's pretty much the same drill as with the barbershop as far as the seats go. Except you're a lot more worried to sit in this one.

"....He looks a little nervous, is he okay?"

"Of course I'm nervous! You aren’t going to pull any of my teeth,.. right?" you eye on the mare called “Colgate”.

"That depends a lot on the shape they're in... But I just need to check first."

"Open up Anon." your mistress on your right side chuckles, softly pulling your lower jaw down.

She really must be enjoying every command she can make you do. ...Right now though, you're too stressed to think about your hurt ego.

You know from Earth that this is a necessary evil and it has to be done. You should probably be even grateful that your teeth are even cared about. … But you're still scared shitless.

...

"....They look all healthy." says the unicorn to your relief after inspecting the inside of your mouth for a minute or two.

"Hah, see? Nothing to worry about." Rainbow Dash punches your shoulder.

"Except this molar on the right...."

Oh no...

"Hhhghg!" you're trying to say something over her tools, still in your mouth.

"There's a little rot but it's still in the onset. It can be drilled away."

"Drfill?!"

"Oh, poor guy... I heard humans were pretty fearsome and mean… But this one...." the dentist that’s no longer scared of you doesn’t finish her sentence.

And you're already sweating in terror, once you see the little drill, hovering with yellow magic around your face.

"Lay still please, it'll be just a minute."

But the most terrible minute.

When the drilling sound actually starts, you tightly shut your eyes and clench fists. And then it comes. The worst feeling ever.

You'd rather be stomped to death by those three idiots than having to go through this, without yanking away.

...

Just when you thought you can't take it anymore,.. it stops.

You open your eyes to see the mare changing the drill for a bigger one

Fffuck no...

You're about to clench your fist again when you feel something holding your hand so you tightly wrap your fingers around it, preparing for another wave. In between the drillings, you eye down what or who is it.

...You kind of suspected it, that you're holding the hoof your mistress. Almost squishing it, that would be. But in a situation like this, you're almost grateful that she's there with you. Suddenly it feels a bit more bearable.

When you look up, your eyes meet for a split second, before the drilling starts again and you shut your eyelids again.

In that split second,.. you expected to see her smug aura as usual. But not this time.

...There was a real compassion, so unlike her.

And you aren't letting go until the unicorn announces:

"It's done! Now I'll just fill the hole but it won't hurt anymore, don't worry..." she smiles, then turns to your owner "He shouldn't be eating anything for a few hours but it'll be fine soon."

Oh my God, finally it's over.

What a relief...

This is where you finally stand up straight and let go of the blue hoof, pretending it never happened.

When it's all finished, paid, and you're on your way out, your mistress nudges your thigh with her side.

"You know,... I'm really scared of dentists too, but it has to be done. It's a necessary evil."

"I know... But I still hate it."

"Good to hear there's one thing we might have in common." she smiles so nicely it almost makes you question if they didn’t switch the mare for a different one while you weren’t looking.

...But once she sees you staring at her, she quickly dons her trademark grin:

"But you're okay now." you're being slapped from behind with her wing yet again "And this was the last stop, so we're going home..."

Soon you're back at the platform, with your rented balloon still there, as well as the things. It’s surprising that no one stole them, laying there in the basket just like that. Pretty sure it would be long gone, back on Earth...

"Damn, I knew I forgot about something." your mistress stops in front of it.

"....What was it?"

"I was gonna get you something to prevent you from falling through clouds..."

"Wasn't yesterday's spell enough?"

"It isn't permanent. You'll need a real enchanted item... Buuut, we can get that tomorrow, I'm starving!" she pushes you towards the basket with a grin on her face.

Soon you're ascending towards the cloud house again and this time you're a lot calmer compared to yesterday, allowing you to enjoy the scenery more.

...If only your mistress didn't want to stay in the basket with you this time. That would be even better.

"Pretty cool view huh?" she interrupts your moment.

"Um, yeah. Astonishing."

"So,.. and is it better?"

"What?"

"Your fear of heights. You said you were scared of those too."

"Yeah, it's better..."

"Glad to hear......" the mare rests her front hooves over the basket's edge, right next to you.

And when a small cloud, that was shielding the sun away past three minutes, passes on, a gold, warm ray shines your direction. It makes your mistress softly close her eyes, absorbing the light with a little smile on her face.

...It feels a little weird, how she's progressively leaning her body closer to yours for some reason. Almost as if she was somewhat nonsexualy forcing herself onto you.

But you're afraid of pushing her away so you just ignore it and let her have her way while you’re blankly piercing the land underneath with your gaze.

You’re too nervous to enjoy it though, so your eyes eventually land on your hands. Then the basket. And finally, back to the source of your stress: The pegasus called Rainbow Dash.

"..."

...If these ponies weren't known for ending your civilisation and you weren't a slave to one,.. they'd actually be kinda cute.

...In a way, like dogs or cats. Certainly not cute in an appealing "cute" kind of way.

But cute nonetheless.

“....”

It's such a shame it all had to end up like this...

"..."

As if she felt you're watching her, those magenta suddenly eyes open and the mare smirks at you:

"..Getting accustomed?"

"To what?"

"To all this." her head nods towards the air "..You don't have to act so stiff around me."

"It’s a little hard, considering my role here..." you pull on your shock collar.

"Hah, just so you know, Fluttershy had lined up pets for me, all just begging to be adopted.."

"....Should that make me feel flattered?"

"That's up to you...~ But I like you. You'd have it a lot easier if you learned to like me too."

"Or else..?"

"Oh you'll get there eventually, don't worry..." she chuckles smugly, knowing you won't ask her again. And she looks away, closing her eyes towards the sun once more.

...But that's one thing she's wrong about. Because this is a question of your inner freedom. While your body can be bought, your mind cannot.

You're wondering though, whether she avoided the answer because she doesn't know yet, or if it was an actual threat…

...

Once you're back at her house, you're being led straight to the kitchen.

"Okay Anon! Do your wonders, I'll be watching."

"Is that absolutely necessary..?"

"Oh yes it is. I like to watch." she smirks, bringing a chair to the corner of the room to sit there.

You can't exactly oppose her will. If you would, she can either overpower you herself, or use the damn shock collar, so you're just trying to ignore her.

Nonetheless, you hate being overwatched like that.

You have no idea what she wants, if she's hoping to find a mistake at what you do, likes to watch you work while she doesn't have to... or if she's just curious.

...Anyway, you're starting with the potatoes, wash them and put them in the boiling water.

"....Aren't you gonna peel them?"

"I'll do that later, once they're boiled. It's easier that way."

"Huh, cool."

From then on, she's pretty much silent for the rest of your cooking. Only when you're coating the elderflowers in the batter, she comes closer to have a better look. From the corner of your eye, it feels as if she was genuinely impressed by such a basic skill. But when you glance her way, she's acting as if nothing, donning her usual smug smile.

It must be a quality entertainment to watch you cook on command...

As for the batter itself, you spiced it with the "sweeter" pouch you brought. Wanted to try the experimental one but her constant look made you a little afraid you might mess it up with it.

Better play it safe...

Soon after that you're finally frying the flowers, even got the first ones done. That’s when your mistress stands up from her chair again to try them.

"...Hey! That'hh raewry goof!" she grins widely with a mouthful.

"Uh, thanks."

"You should try your own work." you're being offered the second half of the flower she took.

"Sorry but, I don't eat flowers..."

"Come on, are trying to tell me you're gonna rather starve or what?"

"I'll have some potatoes if you don't mind."

"Really? Come on! It's not poisonous to you. Or is it because of the drilled tooth? You can just chew on the other side of your mouth." she puts the flower right in front of your lips, almost pushing it inside of your mouth.

The batter itself actually smells really good,.. unless the flower inside won't ruin it.

After a bit of hesitation, you open your lips to have a bite.

But as soon as you bury your teeth in it, she lets go, letting the rest of the fried flower hang from your mouth. Implying you should eat that whole... You put the rest back down on the counter nonetheless, still chewing on the morsel in your mouth.

But hey,,.. it actually tastes really good. What the hell.

...Or is it just your massive hunger, since you didn't eat anything until this afternoon?

Anyway, you’re pretending to be unimpressed. Only when she walks away to wait for the potatoes to be done, you sneakily finish the rest of the flower from the counter.

...

It doesn’t take too long till you’re finished frying, about the same time the potatoes are done. Mashing them is a matter of less than five minutes. Then just a bit of parsley to make it look slightly more interesting and you’re serving the first portion for your mistress.

"That looks soooo neat with that touch of green in the mashe! Can we have some veggies too though?"

"Veggies with flowers, ugh... What kind?" you grumble obediently.

"I dunno, cucumber, tomato?"

"Alright..." you turn around to slice some veggies as well, putting them on a different plate.

On the way back, you swallow your pride to announce:

"I....think I might have some of those fried flowers as well."

"If I let you..." the mare smirks at you, watching your confused expression while searching for words.

...Right before she bursts into laughter "...Come on, I'm just playing with you! We're eating together, don’t worry."

"Okay."

"But I knew you'd like it! Even flowers can be good for a big, carnivorous human huh?" she softly punches your thigh from her seat.

"The spices do a big lot."

"It would be good even with mere salt." the mare bites her lip and chuckles while eyeing you up and down, stopping at your butt "-But the spices are far from disappointment. Good job Anon."

"Hmpf." you finally sit down on the opposite side of the table, feeling slightly violated for some reason.

On the other hand, the food really is pretty good, you don’t have to force yourself into liking it. It might just use some mayo or sweet chilli sauce to "freshen" the whole thing. That’s when you catch yourself looking at the veggies in between the two of you.

“Go on, have some” your mistress notices you as well.

It made you lose a bit of desire to try it but you reach for a few cucumber slices anyway. And surprisingly… it’s just what the food needed.

For the rest of your lunch, you’re trying to ignore the occasional smug grins of your colorful owner each time you reach for more veggies. Overall, you’re pretending that she isn’t there at all.

...

"Mmmm that was really good, Anon! You really are worth waay more than I thought. Like seriously, that was so great! And to imagine I've got you here all for myself,.. oh my gosh,! I'm so glad I don't have to eat the same things over and over again!" Rainbow Dash stretches herself in her seat once she's done, her belly visibly stuffed.

It would be good if the main reason she wants you around so bad were just your culinary skills. Who knows,.. maybe you just misjudged her for a pervert..?

"Huh,.. that's cool. I guess..." you reply a few seconds late.

When the mare finally stands up, she pats your back. And with a loud burp, she's heading towards the living room to lie down on a couch… leaving you sitting by the table, gazing into your empty plate.

...It seems like she can be totally bought with food, just like you.

Maybe you're both animals in a way...

...

Eventually, you stand up to quickly wash all the dirty dishes and head to the bedroom to have a five as well.

Right now, you're a little too tired for plotting the escape.

It's definitely gonna happen though… just not as soon as you hoped at first. First you need to come up with some real good plan and gain enough of her trust till she gets rid off the collar. You don’t have either yet, so for you just make yourself comfy on one side of the bed, about to relax and wander away with your mind into a lovely daydream.

...If only the bed didn’t smell so much like her. It’s almost "grounding" you back into your body. It feels as if you couldn’t escape her, even when she isn't around.

You thought you should hate the scent though. In your detest of her character, it should smell like rotten cheese to you but,.. it doesn’t… It smells… somewhat fresh and nice, actually?

It's so confusing...

But she could smell like a fricking lavender and it wouldn't change a thing.

“She's not your friend, Anon…” you’re repeating to yourself while closing your eyes.

...

It might have been about an hour that you’ve been laying here, relaxing and waiting for the food to set in your stomach... It’s getting a little boring though and you’re starting to feel like it might be time to get up again. It’s not even evening yet, the sun is still shining in it’s full glory and there's plenty of daytime left.

It’s making you wonder what she’s up to…

...

After searching the house, you're finding that your mistress is not there. She must have flown away somewhere. Which means you have even more time for yourself.

...Guess it's time for another hand drawing practice then.

This time it went a little better than before, so you drew a few sketches more. You might be getting a hang of it.

By the time it's getting dark, your mistress is back.

You've noticed it when you’ve heard a bang of doors opening and later you’re finding her in the kitchen, snacking on the cold leftovers from the late lunch.

In hopes she wouldn't notice you, you’re about to turn around and return to your drawing but that's when your eyes meet.

"Hey..." she stops stuffing herself, gulping down what she had in her mouth "..wanna finish the book today?"

"Um, nah that's okay, thanks."

"Come on, you'll like the finale!" the mare puts away her plate, making two steps towards you "I won't mind if you'll fall asleep again~... We'll just move it onto the bed, right from the start."

"I can sleep on the couch..."

"But.. I really don't like sleeping alone." she smiles at you with a smile you can't read at all.

Whatever she meant by it, it felt firm enough to know she wasn't exactly asking.

"I-,.. okay." you hang your head.

...

While you're brushing your teeth and having a last pee before bed, you’re still wondering whether you just didn’t agree on getting raped tonight.

You gulp down saliva.

Hope not....

...

When you finally make yourself go to her bedroom, wearing a clean toga again, she's already waiting there, tucked under a blanket with the book from yesterday in her hooves.

You sit up on the other side of her double bed, keeping a safe distance.

"Come closer." your mistress chuckles, patting the place next to her "Stop being so stiff... Make yourself comfortable, it's just a book."

With a bit of hesitation, you quietly lay on the bed closer to her, resting your head on the same pillow as her.

The mare gives you a little grin, licking her lips:

"Alright so,.. Daring Do entered the-"

"-I know that chapter."

"We didn't finish reading it yesterday though."

"I did. ....I was really bored."

"...You can read too?"

"Is that so uncommon among humans?"

"I heard some can't even understand what we're saying ." she chuckles, tousling your hair "But you're a clever boy."

...Funny that the invaders speak english of all languages, isn't it?

Anyway, your mistress moves onto the next chapter with you just listening while staring into the ceiling. Though, soon your eyelids are getting heavy, so you close them.

Only when she stops reading at some point, thinking you're asleep, you open your eyes to see what's going on.

You're given merely a quiet, equally sleepy smile before she continues reading again.

The story is keeping you somewhat awake to hear the end of it before actually dozing off, meaning you’ve actually managed to finish the book that night. Mere seconds after you hear your mistress announce "The End.", you already feel yourself falling into slumber.

The very last thing you remember is the click of a bed lamp being turned off and... as if you were softly kissed on your forehead. It might have been just your imagination though.

“Goodnight Anon…”

.....

......

....

Chapter four: Precious one

That morning you're waking up a lot less confused than yesterday.

It’s your third day with your mistress and you already got somewhat accustomed to your “new home”. ...But opening your eyes to her face so close to yours that you can feel her warm breath on your lips and her hooves wrapped around your arm as if you were her lover,.. it’s still a shock to you.

Can’t remember falling asleep this way but it seems that she hugs anything in range once she's asleep, just like on that train back then.

Wonder if she even knows about it…

The mare isn’t yet awake though, so you softly attempt to free yourself from her in hopes of avoiding the future awkward moments. ...But after a few seconds of trying you deem her grip is too tight to slip out of, unnoticed. You could do it forcefully but you’re a little afraid of waking her up. Instead you close your eyes again, waiting.

Shortly after, you’re feeling that she’s coming to her senses.

The initial second when her grip softens, you lowkey want to pull yourself away but suddenly she hugs your arm even tighter, pulling herself closer and nuzzling your shoulder with her nose. You freeze, pretending to be asleep.

"Hey Ta-..." the mare starts but doesn’t finish her sentence.

You can feel her eyes on you, watching, but she doesn’t move. Only after a while she lets go of you, slowly getting out of the bed while you’re still laying there, completely motionless.

When you hear her yawning on the other side of the room and then a sound of the door to the other room getting opened, you finally open your eyes.

Relieved she’s gone, you’re staying in bed a few minutes longer to enjoy the comfy morning without the smug pegasus around. If you’re lucky, she might as well be gone by the time you’ll be getting up…

...

After a while, you finally feel like it might be safe to go so you pick yourself up, walk up to the door and glance at both sides to know if the coast is clear. The left looks empty, the right too. You think it might be a chance to sneak past her when suddenly:

"Goodmorning!" she's suddenly right next to you.

Shit...

"Yeah, goodmorning..." you mutter.

"Well come on, sleepyhead! Brush your teeth, wash your face, whatever you do in the morning cause we gotta hurry."

"Hurry where?"

"To get you that enchantment of course! You might fall through the clouds any time now."

"WHAT?!!"

"You heard what I said." the rainbow pegasus chuckles "The spell is gonna wear off soon, we must visit my friend Twilight for something permanent."

"JESUS!" you immediately jump on a nearby cabinet, holding onto it like a cat.

"Relax, the floor is permanently enchanted here." she laughs in a visible amusement "The spell could have even worn off already but you're still here, aren't you?"

"That's not encouraging at all! How am I gonna get to the basket?!"

"I'll carry you, no biggie."

For some reason you’re doubting she can do that. But you silently climb down from the cabinet nonetheless, walking to the bathroom. Once there, you quickly do some morning hygiene and you’re looking for your mistress again. This time you don’t wanna lose her, this thing needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.

"...Miss-... Miss Dash?.. I'm ready to go!"

"Already? That was really fast, I like that." she chuckles from another room "Let's go then!"

And in the next minute you're leashed and led outside. But before stepping the first step outside, you stop in hesitation. She said only the floors in her house are enchanted.

Your mistress goes forward as if nothing though. If it wasn’t for your leash tugging her back, she wouldn't even realize.

"...Oh right, I forgot... Well come on, don't worry, I'll catch you if you really fall through."

"I kinda doubt that...."

"Well don't. These wings are no ordinary." she springs them open, proudly flashing with them in front of you.

It's kinda true that the morning sun right behind her is making her otherwise small and not exactly frightening silhouette look pretty majestic now. You’ve even seen how strong and fast she can get. ...But you can't possibly trust her with your life in this.

“No.” you were about to say.

But in her impatience, the mare pulls on the leash so hard it makes you stumble a step forward. “Come on...!”

OH FUCK.

This is where you die Anon.

...Except you don’t. After seeing yourself in slow motion as you step on the cloud, knowing you’re going to fall through,.. you’re standing on it. Safe and sound.

"Hey... it's still working..." you awkwardly scratch your head.

"See?" the pegasus grins "Now let's hurry to the balloon."

It's not far but she doesn't need to tell you twice to hurry. The spell can still fade away any second so it's pretty much a sprint for you. As for your mistress, she's flying by your side, looking pretty entertained.

"...You aren't the fastest kind huh?" she pokes you once you're in the basket

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, you run pretty slow for your size."

"Well you should try using only two of your legs. I'm not saying I'm the fastest human there is, but I'm not slow either."

"I'm not saying that I mind." your mistress grins "Tank wasn't-,.. I uh,. nevermind."

"Oh yeah, tortoises aren't too fast aren't they?.."

"Yeah, but don't..."

"Don't, what?"

"Don't bring him up."

...This time she isn't grinning or donning any of her pretended smug expressions. She looks dead serious

"...Okay." you lower your head.

...

For the rest of the ride, you’re remaining pretty much quiet. It's not like you were looking to strike another “meaningful conversation” with your mistress.

But it’s usually her who won't shut up, now she's just staring into the sky. After a minute or two, she even flies out of the basket, without saying a single word. She isn't far though, merely sitting alone on top of the balloon.

What a strange, sudden behavior,..

But it's not as if you'd really care.

Once your balloon touches the ground, she's back, acting as if nothing. Only her eyes look a little red, probably from the wind.

"Hey let's go, it's this way." you're pulled out of the basket, in the direction of a crystal castle/tree thingy in the middle of the village. One object that looked pretty off to you, right from the start. As if it didn't exactly belong there. You don't like it but it seems you'll be actually heading straight inside.

"...What is that thing?" you ask eventually.

"Aww, that’s just a Twilight's castle. She lives there."

"Okay,.. that's not strange at all."

"She's a princess, you know?"

"THE Princess? One that's responsible for what happened to Earth?"

"No.. she's just a princess of friendship. And a good friend of mine. You'll see."

...You could ask a million more questions, since you're still confused and somewhat angry too. But you decide to leave it be. You might get some answers inside.

And then the big crystal door open...

"Hey Twilight!! You're home?" your mistress walks inside as if the whole thing belonged to her.

Not long after, from around the corner pokes a head of a purple mare, with an equally purple disheveled mane "Rainbow? Hi, what's happened? Is it the map again or..-"

The so called "Twilight" goes silent for a second when she notices you next to the pegasus.

"...So it's true..." she chuckles, walking into the room.

Only now it’s visible that she really has both the horn and wings. An alicorn, just like on the TV screen back then. Way back, before all the negotiations went wrong. Though, this particular one is smaller than Celestia. Pretty much a regular sized pony.

"...You really did bring a human from your trip. Sorry I didn't visit earlier, I was a little busy studying." Twilight continues.

"Why doesn't that surprise me..?" your mistress laughs, walking towards her in a friendly manner "How's it going..?"

"Oh, you know, as usual... books." the alicorn grins "But I guess you're here for some spells."

"Yeeah... I mean, I don't know anypony who could do that better than you." you're being pulled in front of her "This is Anon, I need something permanent for him to walk on clouds."

"Um, hello..."

"So you need to enchant the collar, do you?" she pretty much ignores your greeting.

"Not the collar. I was wondering whether you've got any old horn rings or something else to slip on his hand."

".....Why not the collar?"

"Well,.. he isn't gonna be wearing that all of the time."

"Well he should. They are savages you know..?! I've heard from Celestia about the horrible things they were doing before we came and I even saw photos from their slaughterhouses all over their planet. ...I'm not even really sure he'll be a good pet for you Dash."

"He's a little rough sometimes,.. but I still like him." grins your mistress, somehow possessively wrapping her hoof around your leg "And don't worry, I can handle his temper even without it. ...We’ve tried that already, haven't we?"

It took a short while for you to realize that the question was targeted at you.

"...Yeah..."

"He already attempted to attack you?!" the purple mare gives you an angry look.

"I told him to.~ And I might do that again, it was fun." the pegasus chuckles.

"Oh you're playing with fire Rainbow,... but I'll leave that judgement up to you."

"Yeah... So, do you think you have something to enchant here or should I check the market first?"

"Well I think I have some unenchanted horn rings stashed around here from when I was studying magic suppression. I'm sure some of them will fit.."

"Awesome! Should I help you look?"

"No, that's fine you can wait somewhere around. I'll be right back." the alicorn hastily trots away.

"Alright, I'll be in the map room!" yells your mistress before leading you into a big hall with a round table, surrounded by 6 chairs.

There are different emblems on each of the chairs, one of them even looks exactly as the cloud with a rainbow bolt on her flank. She sits there.

"So... princess of friendship... doesn't seem to be that friendly." you sit on the table next to her, within the range of your leash.

"She's just a big nerd but she's got her heart in the place."

"Hmpf..." you sigh.

"What?"

"Nothing..."

She was about to say something but she's interrupted by her friend barging into the room. The alicorn gives you a visibly angry look, just as her eyes land onto you.

"...Anon you probably shouldn't sit on the table." your mistress informatively tugs on your leash so you quickly jump down and squat on the floor next to it.

"So,.. these are all I have left." Twilight coughs and levitates closer a stash of metal rings to spread them onto the table, in front of Rainbow Dash.

"Yo Anon, gimme your hand, let's try these on..."

….

After a few minutes of trying, there are only about three that fit your ring finger pretty well.

"Hmm,. which one do you like?" the pegasus asks eventually.

"....Me?" you're kind of surprised she's asking you.

But her nod is confirming it.

"So I can choose huh?"

"Suuure."

"Then,.... this one." you point at the sturdy looking one in simple silver-y/metallic colour, without any jewelry on it "It looks practical."

"That's my man." your mistress soars around your head to friendlily punch your shoulder.

"Okay, I'm gonna need the human to come with me now." Twilight joins in, seeing it’s decided.

"I'll go too."

"It would be better if you didn't. I'll be uh-..... let's say, the less distractions there will be in the room, the better."

"Uhh, okay then... I'll just wait here." the blue butt of the pegasus sits back down into its special chair.

For some reason, you're having a bad feeling about this…

...

"Now listen, if you ever hurt my friend, you're gonna regret it. Deeply. Understand?" the purple mare turns at you as soon as the door to her workshop close behind the two of you.

"I think you've got it a little mixed up. -Your friend is the scary one here."

"What the hay are you talking about?"

"Don't you know she's like a freaking dominatrix?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about but she needs support right now. Not even more problems. She’s going through a tough time and-”

"-Yeah, I know, she lost her tortoise." you scoff.

"You better not take this lightly!” the visibly offended alicorn frowns “They were inseparable.... She hasn't even finished her mourning and suddenly you're here."

"Look I didn't ASK to be bought as a pet-"

"I don't know what she's seeing in you but you should not abuse her kindness.” this time it’s her, interrupting you “If you will, there will be consequences."

There are hundreds of arguments you could say about how hypocritical it is of her to expect you to care about feelings of someone who bought you as a mere thing. In a fucking discount that is. But there’s no point in arguing when you have no rights here, so you just swallow all those words back and reluctantly nod.

"Good, now let's get to work." Twilight takes the ring from you with her magic and levitates some crystal next to it.

After a few seconds of charging her horn and mumbling something to herself, a magical aura joins around the two objects, shining a brief flash of light before it settles. Then she slips the ring back on your finger.

"What was that?"

"The magical enchantment cannot last on living beings, since animate bodies constantly grow and renew. For a long term spell enchantment, it is recommended to use an inanimate object to hold the spell and wear it as an accessory..." she annoyedly cites a paragraph of some book.

"No, I meant what was the crystal for?"

"Where do you think I get the energy from? Myself? As if I wanted to drain my own lifeforce for spells like these... You're way too curious. There's a good reason why magic isn't for humans.... Let's return you back now. And remember what I told you. This is a threat."

When she finally opens the door, your mistress is already eagerly waiting right behind them.

"Sooooo? Was it successful?" she's standing on the tips of her hooves in excitement. Almost like a kid, about to get a christmas present.

"Of course, these are basics for me." smiles Twilight kindly.

"...And what will it cost?"

"Nothing, that's fine." the alicorn drags Rainbow Dash closer "But promise to stay safe okay? And be mindful around him, you don't know what he's capable of."

"Oh, suure." the pegasus smiles back, completely carefree "And thanks a big lot for the enchantment, I owe you."

"Don't mention it... Anyway, I'd love to invite you for a tea or something but-"

"You're busy, as always, I know. No biggie." laughs your mistress "So guess we'll go then. Say, bye Anon."

"Yeah, bye..."

"See you Rainbow."

"Bye bye!"

And you're finally outside again.

...

"How cool of Twilight to do it for free, isn't it?" mentions Rainbow Dash on the way.

"Sure, she's such a sweetheart...."

"She doesn't like you huh? ...She doesn't trust you..!" your mistress nudges your leg, grinning in amusement.

"Not a bit... But why would you trust that I won't do anything,.. reckless? Aren't you scared I might kill you in your sleep or something, when you won't expect it?"

"Nope. You're not the killer kind, I know it."

"How can you be so sure..?"

"Fluttershy told me before I bought you. She can read creatures like that."

"And you trust her with your life in this?"

"Yes. Because she's right... Isn't she? I can tell it as well now. You would never do that, even if you wanted."

"Think I don't have a stomach for it?"

"It's the other way around... Unlike humans, ponies don’t regard a killer mindset as a virtue. Or anything else to be proud about."

"Funny you were so quick to use the deadly forces on us."

"The Humans attacked us first! ...I wasn't there, but the Princess would never send troops without a good reason."

"Nonetheless, she's more of a killer than me then, isn't she? The white shiny mare that pretends to be an angel but she only brings death and-"

"Hey, stop, okay?!" her hoof suddenly covers your mouth to make you shut up.

To emphasize on that, she raises her wing, letting you see the button she can always press.

"...I'm not saying everything that happened is okay." her hoof eventually lets go and her whole poise softens again.

"Then why don't you set me free?" you ask hesitantly.

"I can't do that."

"Why?"

"Because I want you here. You might see it's not that bad here,.. with me." she smiles with a smile that looks completely genuine this time.

But you just quietly turn away your head.

"You'll see in time...." the mare softly touches your thigh before she continues forward again.

From then on, you’re both remaining pretty much silent… You’re walking two steps behind the mare, looking around the strange new world. Except for some reason your eyes always seem to land back on her. Whether it's the leash or some unconscious need to study the visual look of your “owner”, you can’t tell. But it’s making you feel like you still can't escape her in your head for some reason. Your mind is a mess and it’s hard to control your own thoughts. Almost as if the more you were trying to avoid thinking about her, the more your mind keeps circling around the pegasus.

Anyway, your pondering is interrupted by a realization that you're not exactly heading back to the balloon or the Rarity's boutique to pick up your new clothes.

"....Where are we going right now?"

"Out of Ponyville, for you to have a little walk. ...I can even unleash you there."

"Just like that?"

"You can't outrun me Anon." your mistress laughs "..We're almost there."

It’s painful to admit but she’s right. Can’t outrun a living jet.

…

And really, once you pass around the last house, there's an open field of grass with only an occasional tree or two. Then there’s a big forest in the far back. But most importantly, pretty much no ponies are around.

Just like promised, she's letting you go here.

"....So, do you play fetch or anything like that? How do you humans get entertained?"

"Well, certainly not the same way as dogs."

"Well what do you play? Oh wait, I know! We can wrestle like we did before! That's your kinda game, isn't it?"

"Trying to pin each other on the ground?"

"Yup, and it was fun for me as well... You wanna give it another try?" she's already taking a stance of a playful cat, in the shade of the big tree growing nearby.

Hmm...

"Actually,.. why not?" you step closer and take a fighting stance as well.

...At least you'll learn how to fight these creatures better.

"Cool. How rough?"

"Uhh,.. normal, just like before."

"Just like before? Oh, so you want it rough, do you~?" the mare grins like a coquette.

"I meant, the way it started. Not ended." you frown over the memory of getting your ass handed.

"I know, I'm just playing with you." she chuckles "Now come at me!"

When she's on all four like that, it's actually a lot harder to start an attack. It would be best if she made a first move.

It doesn't look like she will though. You might have a chance if you managed to get to her from the side. She’s more vulnerable there.

Without further due, you make a quick sidestep, springing your hands towards her… but she's quick to dodge, slipping through your legs. Before you know it, she's already behind you.

Naturally, you turn around to face her as soon as you're noticing what she's gonna do. Yet, it only helped you to get pushed into your chest instead of your back.

In the last second though, you reach towards her hoof to drag her down with you,.. actually managing to grab onto the appendage and regain your balance!

Gripping her limb, you might even have an upperhand. As you’re pulling her down with you, using all your weight, the pegasus is desperately flapping her wings to keep herself above you. She can’t do that forever though, this you’re going to-

“Fuuuck!” her hoof just slipped out of your hand.

And you’re falling down instead of her, straight onto a tree behind you.

As if it couldn’t get any worse, before you hit the ground, your cheek gets scratched with a bark of the tree. The next second you’re getting pinned by the blue hooves again.

The pegasus automatically gives you a smug grin to emphasize on the obviousness of her victory. But only before she notices the slightly bleeding scratch on your cheek.

"...Hey, you're hurt.." the mare suddenly reaches out her big, orange tongue to drag it over the whole right side of your face, licking those few drops of blood away and covering you in her saliva.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Disinfecting your wound, silly." she chuckles, letting you go and even offering you her hoof to help you up "....That was a good fight there Anon. Not many could come even this close to out wrestle me.~"

"...So you're like a part time soldier or something?"

"Nah,.. but I've always been a trouble maker. ....What about you?"

"What do you mean?" you lean your back on the tree and sit down.

"Well,.. where did you learn to fight like that, or-... -Or just basically say anything about yourself,...I want to know you better."

You could almost swear she was blushing for a second.

"Well I-..." you start but don’t finish.

It caught you a little off guard that she even would care. So much you can't think of anything right now. ...What if she's gonna use it against you..?

"....Gosh, you barely speak, considering the griffon had you silenced to make you shut up. I was looking forward to some conversations."

"I-I'm sorry Miss Dash, but I-" you stutter.

"You're afraid of me, aren't you?" she grins at you from uncomfortably close distance, literally bumping nose to nose.

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are! That's so cute!" the mare giggles, sitting next to you and affectionately leaning her head onto your shoulder "But you don't have to be, Nonny. As long as you stay cool, we're gonna be best friends.~"

And with a content exhale, she closes her eyes… Only to open them once again a few seconds later, glancing at you:

"So, wanna try it again?"

Fuck.

"Humpf, alright then..."

…

The upcoming half an hour is pretty much just nonstop fight practice, through which you're losing over and over again.

Can't say you're enjoying it but each time it feels like you're reading her movements a little better.

And then, after like 12th try… you're finding yourself on top of her, keeping her on her back. She probably couldn't even press the shock button right now...

"Oh wow! You did it!" she grins as smug as always as you’re panting in exhaustion above her face "...What are you going to do with your mistress now, huh?~"

Her frisky giggles and tail flickering between your thighs is enough to know what you are going to do. You're surely as hell gonna let her go because it feels like she’s actually enjoying this.

Your muscles are already softening on your grip when your body stops listening to you out of sudden.

There's some magical aura around you that's restraining your movements while lifting you up

"Oh for fucks-"

The next second you're being thrown against the tree, again.

"Ow!"

...It wasn't a big crash, since you were flying less than a meter but it definitely left you stunned for a second.

When your vision finally clears, you’re seeing some stallion unicorn, rushing towards your mistress.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"Did I ASK you to intervene?" she barks at him, quickly helping you up from the ground.

"Well,.. No. I thought..."

"I can handle myself, no damsel in distress here!.. colt... Come on Anon, let's go." you're getting leashed again and led away from the confused stallion.

....

"That was kinda my fault... Did that hurt?" she asks once you’re out of sight.

At first you thought she's just angry because he interrupted her kinky moment. But she seems genuinely sorry.

"Nah, I'm just a little bruised…” you crack a little smile “And it was a fault of that nosy unicorn… They’re the worst."

What you said makes the concerned frown of your mistress turn into a relieved, amused smile.

“You know, magic can get into a pony’s head…” she softly brushes herself over your leg she's now walking next to.

...

...The pegasus probably wasn't lying when she said she likes you.

You're just not sure you want it in the first place. Most of all you want to GTFO of here.

She's pretty creepy sometimes or straight up lewd. And possessive. But other times she’s so nice… all of this is too confusing. Too much even.

You shouldn't get too accustomed anyway, because this isn't your final destination in life. You're going to find your way out of this sugar coated nightmare eventually.

...

"-Hey Anon, we could visit Rarity for that clothing from yesterday. I almost forgot about it."

"I didn't..."

"Then why didn't you remind me?" your mistress laughs lightheartedly, changing the direction back to Ponyville "We've almost left without it."

"I thought I don't have to."

"Oh, you have to.~ It's you who cares so much about fashion."

"It's not about fashion, I-"

"Yeah, yeah, the fear of being n-a-k-e-d!" she giggles "..You're a weirdo, you know that?"

"The feeling's mutual..." you grumble unintelligibly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"But I heard it." the mare's grinning "Thanks."

"...For thinking you're weird?"

"Well I like you for all the weird stuff." she slaps your butt with her wing, right before soaring up to you neck to unleash you "...Enjoy some freedom while we're still outside the village. I probably should have done that a few minutes ago."

...

Now you're free to roam around wherever you want while slowly making your way towards Ponyville. It's not like you're exactly running from tree to tree though, inspecting everything like some kind of mutt. You’re just absorbing the sun's warmth and walking leisurely a few steps away from your owner to feel like you don't belong to her.

Then, when you're seeing first houses and meeting more than an occasional pony figure to give you the looks, you're being leashed again.

Pretty much without a word, your mistress soars in a circle around you, clipping it to your collar and then lands back on your right side. Can't say you're too happy about it.

It's true she left you pretty a long time without it before but now she's keeping you short and closer than before.

The whole way to Rarity's boutique… One of the nicer mares.

...

"Rainbow Dash! And Anon! Come in, I was SO eager to see how my work will fit on an actual human body." the white unicorn is levitating six pieces of clothing at once while pulling even more from the closet.

"Rarity!... That's a big lot of clothes right there..."

"I know! When I made the first one, I got so excited I simply had to make more! Come on, try them all on!"

"Alright Anon, you know the drill." your mistress pulls down your toga before you react, leaving you standing there naked. ...Again.

Except this time it's not hurting your pride as much as before, merely annoying you. You must have gotten numb to some degree. Can't say whether it's for the good or bad, that you got so used to being manipulated by her. ...But there's already an unbuttoned shirt flying your way to put on.

The white mare made you three of them, each with a different pattern. All of them have an identical rainbow stripe on their right sleeve though.

Same goes for the three kinds of pants: one shorts, one jeans-y looking ones and one saggy, yoga pants.

"I was inspired by the toga you came in here! Do you like them?"

...It actually took you a second to realize the question was not towards your mistress, but you.

"They're really comfy. Thank you." you crack a smile towards the marshmallow mare.

"You’re very welcome.~” she smiles back “...And these are the last two pieces."

You’re being handed a jacket that looks like it’s made of leather but it's probably some imitation. Nonetheless, it looks rad. It just doesn't really fit with the saggy pants, - but it would suit a lot better to the jeans you had on before.

But there's already the very last piece flying your way. You caught it right before it hit your face. It's... a brown poncho with some magenta pattern around the sides and a bright rainbow stripe along it's right side. The material looks purposely rugged while remaining soft to touch.

It's giving you visage of some kind of pilgrim with the shirt in a similar style, bare feet and the loose yoga pants. As strange as it is, you can’t deny liking the style. Plus, it's incredibly comfy, almost as if you wore nothing at all, just the poncho's tassels softly brushing over your skin.

"So what do you think?" the designer winks.

"I really li-"

"Oh the jacket before was sooo COOL, Rarity! He looked pretty dangerous in it, like a real bad boy. Totally rad." your mistress interrupts you.

"..I dig the poncho." you finish.

"Oh, I'm really glad to hear all that.” the flattered designer blushes over both of your compliments. ”...I know Dashie, how you're obsessed with rainbow things, so I added the rainbow stripes so that you two would fit together! This way will everypony recognize he isn't a stray or anything like that. And I've been using accent colors that fit your eyes too!"

Okay, now you're noticing there's a lot of magenta on these clothes, mostly used in patterns or small details. ...But it's definitely been used often. Can’t say you like that.

"That is so thoughtful of you Rarity! I mean, I don't really care too much about fashion but I really like the rainbow stripes! ...Plus we already had a few incidents with ponies, so I'm glad to have him marked like that."

"Oh my, what happened?"

"Today there was a misunderstanding from some wannabe white knight. And yesterday some punks attacked him, even though he was on the leash! Poor guy.. but he fought fiercely. ..Didn't you Anon?"

"Yea..." you frown that you have to agree with her about something for once.

"Oh well, hopefully there will be no more of that in the future."

"Certainly not from the same ones." Rainbow Dash chuckles "But how much do I owe you? It's a few more pieces than I expected."

"Rainbow, please, don't bother yourself. I was happy to try this and I even got an idea! Since I learned some basics about the human body and clothing, I could start exporting to areas where they're more common by now. I'm sure there will be plenty of new opportunities for me and my sense of fashion!"

"Hey, that sounds like a good idea. Still, I'd feel pretty bad if I didn't give you anything. ....You'd be the second one today."

"How could I bear the element of generosity if I wanted money from you for something so trivial? That's nothing, really." smiles Rarity "especially if it might help you get over your loss..."

"Y-yeah..." your mistress smiles nervously "Anyway, I- we should probably go. So thanks again for all this Rarity. I really, really appreciate it, but I guess Anon here does even more."

"I do. Thanks miss Rarity." you even very gently bow her way.

"A chivalrous one." the white mare giggles "I heard humans were brutes but you were really lucky to pick this one, Rainbow."

For some reason that makes your mistress give you an evil eye before she starts pulling you outside in an even bigger hurry.

"Okay Rarity, really gotta go now, bye!"

"Bye bye!"

...

...You've only managed to wave before the blue hoof pushed you outside the door.

"Hey, what gives?"

"What gives?.. Nothing."

"Are you like, jealous or something?"

"No... But it was me who bought you, not Rarity."

"I merely said thanks."

"Yes, but the way you said it. Ugh, nevermind, let's go."

For a while, the rainbow pegasus seems to be lost in her thoughts. No witty remarks or trademark grins. But she's soon back to her usual self.

...

After leaving the boutique, you went to the market to buy some food for the lunch you were supposed to make as soon as you get back “home”. This time she decided it'll be spaghetti, because you mentioned that you know how to make a homemade pesto.

Literally couldn't have had it easier… so you made the lunch, just as she instructed. Just like yesterday, you were under her supervision the whole time.

Once you were both sated, she had another little nap before flying away again, leaving you in her house all alone. Almost like a routine.

...

Before the evening came, she's back again:

"Hey Anon!!"

“Woah!!” you almost fall out of the window you were gazing out of, mere seconds ago.

How does she always sneak up on you like that...?

"Easy there.." your mistress chuckles, pulling you inside "How you've been buddy?"

"Fine I guess." you eye on your new sketches on the table behind her "....You?"

"Real good, because I'm awesome.~ Visited my little sister and she's eager to meet you tomorrow."

"...You have a sister?"

"Not a biological one,.. but I do consider her a family. ...Anyway, there are probably no leftovers today are there?"

"Reheated spaghetti would be disgusting. There's still some pesto left though."

"Hmm,.. well but I think I'll have a peanut butter sandwich today. Can have pesto tomorrow,.. or day after it. Cause today, I have a sweet tooth!"

"....Alright. I'm on it." you're about to head to the kitchen

"I didn't say you have to. I can make those myself... But you can help me! Since you're so eager to serve.~" she grins, brushing herself over your leg as she walks past you.

You still can't get over all this smug aura emanating from her but you follow her to the kitchen nonetheless. Soon you're stocked with enough sandwiches, even for tomorrow's snack. And after you're both filled, you're being invited to her bed again.

"...So, this is how's it gonna go every day?"

"Well I'm not gonna be reading you every single day, especially when I learned you can do that yourself." your mistress smirks "But I guess you won't need a separate bed after all. Just like T-.., I mean, you're clean enough for mine and it's pretty big for both of us."

You cringe internally as your hopes for privacy in sleep just shattered. But on the outside, you merely obediently lower your head:

"Uhh, okay then."

...The mare probably noticed that you aren't too happy about it anyway. Maybe it's even the reason why she so amusedly waved her tail around you before heading into the bathroom.

She must think she can break you to like her over time...

We'll see about that ...

... Hating her less is what she might achieve at best.

...

That night you fell asleep in a similar manner as yesterday, except it was your mistress who dozed off first this time. You used that advantage to make a little more distance between the two of you to avoid her hugging you again in her sleep.

Can’t hug what you can’t reach.

Then you closed your eyes, merely blinking one last time to see her face on the other side of the bed, softly illuminated by a moonlight.

The image got engraved in your mind a few seconds before your thoughts wandered away.

“Goodnight Anon” you wished yourself like every other day.

…

….

In the morning, you're getting awakened by your mistress, softly caressing your head with her hooves. Upon squinting your eyes her way to see what's going on, you're given a soft smile. One that’s a bit unfitting to her personality.

But then she smirks and quietly leaves the bed as if nothing ever happened.

...You're still slowly coming back to your senses the upcoming few seconds, wondering whether it really happened or not.

And once you're ready to get up, you join her in the kitchen for a small breakfast.

Just some apples and carrots, what else would you expect from horses. On the other hand, it’s the best carrot and the sweetest apple you ever had.

After breakfast, you’re supposed to be introduced to Rainbow Dash’s so called sister

…

"So Scoots, that's him. What do ya say?" you're standing in front of the small filly, on the outskirts of Ponyville

...You initially thought the juvenile pegasus would come for a visit into the cloud house but you had to fly down via balloon instead.

"He's so cool, Rainbow Dash!!! ...” Scootaloo squeaks with little stars in her eyes “What kinda stuff can he do?"

"All kinds of things! You wouldn't believe it. ...But for the starters, he could say ‘Hello’." the blue mare nudges your thigh.

"Hey kid.." you grumble annoyedly.

"AWESOME!!" the ‘kid's’ jaw drops as she sits down in amazement "I had no idea they could talk!"

"They can do so much more! They're not like the pets Fluttershy has here. And he's certainly wayyyy more rad. Maybe even more rad than the eagle. He's just a little slow but-"

"Tank was slow too!"

"Yeah,.. I know." your mistress frowns for a second, then dons a smirk at her sister "...Anyway, he keeps surprising me all the time. Everypony says humans are too savage to be kept as close pets but Anon here is not just docile, he’s even pretty well behaved too."

"Are they carnivorous?! I heard they are!!"

"Nah, the griffon who sold him to me said they can survive on pretty much anything we eat. But I heard they used to eat meat, back then before our troops came to Earth. Twilight even saw the massive slaughter houses! It was supposedly so filled with blood there wasn't anywhere to drain it anymore so the whole building had to be brought down and buried underground!" the blue mare spookily gestures with her hooves to emphasize on the scariness of her story.

It doesn’t sound too believable to you though. Not only there must be some way to drain it, but they couldn't just bury a whole complex. ...Or could they?

"Oh gosh! And what did they eat there?"

"Ponies!"

"Hwaaaaah!" the filly hides behind your mistress when you glance at her.

"...You realize that half of that is made up,.. right?" you eye on both of them.

"Maybe, but that means the other half is still true. Plus, it's a cool story... Come on out Scoots, Anon wouldn't hurt a fly." your mistress chuckles, then sneakily raises her wing to reveal the remote control to your collar "...Isn't that right Anon?"

"Sure is..."

"See? He's just this big teddy bear. Sometimes he gets grumpy and rebellious, but he's completely harmless. And he can be sweet too sometimes. ...Wanna play with him for a while? I’ll get a few things from the market in the meanwhile."

...The filly first scans you up and down as if she was deciding whether she should trust you or not. And then...

"Of course! Yay! Anon, can you lift me up as if I was flying?!"

Huh...

"...Sure, I guess." you scratch your head.

It was a real quick decision,.. these ponies must have some kind of sixth sense for character judging or she just really trusts her big sister.

"Alright Scoots, I'll be right back. Then I'll show you how he can wrestle too!" your mistress soars up to your ear before dashing off "Seriously Anon, be nice. If you were to hurt her in any way, you're dead, understand?"

And she's off before you even open your mouth to answer, leaving you alone with the smoll pegasus.

It means you have to carry her on your shoulders, play some silly games,.. pretty much as babysitting any other kid... But you don’t actually mind doing that. She's even calling you "Mr. Anon", probably because you're three times bigger than her. It still feels nice though.

It’s kinda taking you back to times when some of your relatives occasionally brought their kids to family events and you were that “cool uncle” who was willing to lift them and spin them in circles like a merry-go-round. You’d never refuse because you used to love that shit too when you were little.

Come to think,.. you'd probably be a great dad one day... but there's only a very slight chance of such a thing ever happening now. Can’t help but wonder whatever happened to all the human children… but you're trying not to think about it right now.

The threat of your mistress felt a little surprising though, you haven’t seen her this protective about anything ever before. Maybe only when you were attacked,.. she was pretty scary back then.

...Just to be sure, you’re extra careful with this child.

...

"Hey kid, how come you don't fly by now?" you ask at some point.

It didn’t take long for you to realize she can’t really fly, that’s why she wanted you to lift her up. But you could swear you saw even smaller pegasi up in the air.

"I uhh, well I should be,.. but I guess I'm a little behind others..." Scootaloo nervously bites her lip. It feels you might have accidentally hit a soft spot.

"Hey,.. I'm sure you'll get there eventually. Those who bloom late often get way further than the ‘naturals’. You’re gonna be a champ kid, better than the rainbow tomboy..."

“You really think so..?”

“Sure do.”

“Thank you mister Anon!” the filly smiles as wide as it gets.

...Guess you've earned some extra points with her.

…

Not long after that, your mistress is back:

"Heyy, had fun you two?"

“I did! Anon is great and he's so strong!"

"Oh yeah, he might be, but strength isn't everything. Wanna see me defeat him in a wrestle?"

"No way!" Scootaloo exhales in awe.

"We'll see... Think you can repeat your last victory Anon?" Rainbow Dash smirks at you.

‘The.hell.I.can.’

...At least that's what you were thinking.

But after two minutes, you're finding yourself on the ground once again. It almost feels like she let you win that time before.

"Whoa! Can I try as well?"

"I don't think you have what it takes Scoots,..yet." grins your mistress and tousles the filly's mane after letting you go.

...

The two mares chat and occasionally interact with you for a while longer until they finally say bye to each other and you're left alone with your mistress again.

When she's alone, she at least doesn't have a need to show you off and she's back to her usual. Never thought you'd ever be glad about it but it’s better than her bragging.

...Now she's taking you for a leashless walk again, just like yesterday. It might have even become an everyday event already. You wouldn't really mind.

On the way, you randomly bump into another friend of hers:

Somewhat mentally damaged but surprisingly likeable pink mare that gives you a cupcake. A very short but kinda pleasant encounter. The cupcake is fucking yummy.

And on the way to the balloon, you meet Fluttershy again. She’s eager to know how you’re acclimating.

"I'm... getting by..." you answer shamefully because you’re slowly getting used to your life as a pet.

"Oh I'm so glad to hear! I knew from the start you were such a good boy, you'll just need a little time to get used to all these strange new surroundings. Is Dashie treating you right?"

"He's getting the best treatment in town!" the rainbow mare proudly grins instead of letting you talk for yourself "I bet those two humans on apple farm aren't getting all this luxury Anon has."

"But those two are from completely different dough than Anon here. I heard one of them tried to attack poor old Granny Smith so he could run away. If it wasn't for Applejack nearby, who knows what would happen. You wouldn't do that Anon, would you?" the yellow pegasus soars closer to stroke the beard on your chin and nuzzle your nose.

"Well I,.. definitely wouldn't punch an elderly I guess."

"Of course he wouldn't. He's rebellious sometimes, but he's a softie.~" your mistress joins her friend, both soaring in front of your face "Aren't you, Anon?"

"I'm not a softie, would you mind..!"

"See? Exactly." she giggles, tousling your hair and stroking it a few times

"Well, I'm glad to see my guess was right. You two are adorable!..." the yellow pegasus softly giggles under her hoof as well.

That’s when a white bunny, that was uptill now hidden in her mane, emerges to pull on her ear and he's pointing towards the market.

"Oh! I promised Angel to buy him some carrots and he simply cannot wait... Would you mind if I go now?"

"Sure, get the little rodent something to snack on." laughs Rainbow Dash "I already bought something for our lunch, so I won't be joining you though."

And after saying your goodbyes, you're on your way home again… to make the mentioned lunch out of the new ingredients.

This time it's a little more complicated than spaghetti, but nothing too hard. While cooking, you're being closely watched again, occasionally even asked questions about what and why you're doing certain things... The more you cook here, the more it feels like she's really just extremely curious about your culinary work and isn't exactly looking for something to criticize.

Also, she's constantly tasting everything in the process. Aou kinda hate that but,... whatever. Can't exactly tell her to fuck off.

Each day you're realizing it's making things a lot easier to just let her have her way in most, if not all things. Because she always has her way in the end...

Whether you like it or not.

Other times she's being sweet and caring.

...You can’t say you actually like her though, she’s still treating you with little to respect at all. But you're getting used to her, being around most of the time.

To all the commands, to all the forced intimacy, to all the embarrassing comments, to all the kinky gestures... it's as if she thought that if she's gonna constantly weave herself around you, you might start longing for her body.

Except it's not happening… Or is it her, that's holding herself back around you...?

Can’t tell, but you know already she's like a dog that barks but doesn't ever bite so it's not weirding you out as much as it used to.

In your free time, you're still hoping to devise some kind of plan to escape of course, yet you're just a little stuck at where to even begin. So far you’re only finding more obstacles.

...It would be great if you had someone, anyone you can trust here, that would help you. But as nice and friendly some of the locals seem to be, none of them would actually want to set you free. Their allegiance lies to their kind and their friends.

Though, it’s this "loneliness" that's driving you to never give up and still believe you'll find a way of escaping one day. To actually belong somewhere once again.

This place might not be as bad as you thought but it can’t possibly be your "final destination", to admit your place is at your mistresses side, like a loyal dog. Apart from what she thinks, she can never truly "tame" and break you into liking her.

That's the last thing that’s filling you with at least a little sense of freedom....

She'll see...

Chapter five: Louder than words

It’s over a month since you were bought at the slave market and you still haven’t found a way to escape. Though, after the first two weeks you got into the routine and the time started flying a lot quicker.

You're cooking pretty much everyday, then there’s a stroll and in the night you’re falling asleep in your mistresses’ bed, often waking up in her embrace whether you like it or not… Truth is, you already got used to all of that too because she’s probably not going to get you your own mattress.

The colorful mare that's trying to look all tough around everypony else is compensating for the lack of affection in her life by cuddling you in private. She knows you wouldn't tell anyone anyway… or she simply thinks it's your role to be her cuddleslut. As a replacement pet for the turtle that was probably treated the same.

Though you're still finding it a little strange to be constantly touched or even hugged by someone you don't exactly feel anything for.

...Or do you..?

...You actually don’t mind the physical touch that much but you really wish it was from someone else than this tomboy pegasus. In a way you hate her but you can't get her out of your head at the same time.

One day, while drawing more sketches, you caught yourself drawing her portrait.

You crumpled the paper and threw it away. But the next day, something inside you wanted to draw more of her.

You’ve been trying to resist it for a long time, yet in the end, you made another drawing of your mistress. This time even detailed and shaded.

After putting this much work into it, you couldn’t throw it away like the previous one so you slid it in the middle of your growing stack of pictures. The mare doesn’t ever go through them, so it’s safe.

Hopefully.

....Tomorrow is gonna be the Pony Pet Play Date. Your mistress mentioned it a few times before and she’s looking forward to bringing you there with her.

It's you who isn’t exactly looking forward to it. The whole things is likely gonna be just a bunch of even more embarrassing moments while she's showing you off how well behaved you are. You especially hate it when she's calling you "soft" or "obedient" in front of other ponies. Almost as if she wanted you to you snap one day and do something really animalish

And as much you hate to admit it, she's right about a few things… you really are too soft to actually kill anyone or anypony. Any living creature that is. It just isn’t in you.

But it doesn’t stop you from wanting at least a different kind of revenge. To humiliate her back in the same manner she constantly does to you. That would be really satisfying…

....

"Come on Anon! Rise and shine! You're hyped for the Pony Pet Play Date?"

"...Whaa..?" you open your eyes to see Rainbow Dash’s excited face right in front of yours

"Didn’t I tell you about it yesterday? Gosh it feels like you’re not even listening sometimes. Pony pet play date! It used to be every week but since me and my friends don't have as much free time as we used to, it's only once a month now and that’s making it even more special! This is gonna be your first one!"

"God..."

"I know right? Aren't you excited? You're gonna meet all the others, now come on! Do your morning rituals and we're going!~” she’s pulling you out of the bedsheets, using your collar.

...After brushing your teeth and washing your face, you find her waiting in the kitchen.

“Look what I got you for this occasion!” your mistress flies up to you with something in her hooves, swiftly clipping it to your collar before you get to protest.

You pick it with your fingers, trying to have a better look at what it is:

It’s a metal tag, shaped like her cutie mark, with inscription “Anon - I belong to Rainbow Dash.” When you raise your head again, you see her grinning in anticipation of what you are going to say about it.

”....So?!”

“Hooray...” you hang your head again, not even pretending enthusiasm.

But your unamused reaction didn’t dampen her spirits about it at all

”Come on, nopony will ever pick on you now!” she punches your shoulder with a chuckle ”You’ll see it will surely come in handy one day. Now let’s go, the others might be already there!”

...

Upon your arrival, the other ponies are already slowly gathering there with their own pets. You know Rarity and Opal from before, then there’s Fluttershy and her so unfittingly named bunny ‘Angel’, even Pinkie and her weird, tiny crocodile are there. You’re pretty much okay with all of them. But Twilight with her creepy owl is still giving you evil eyes, even after all this time. The last one is arriving Applejack with her dog.

You haven’t really had a chance to meet the orange earth pony yet but it’s not as if you were really longing for it. Now when you see her,.. for some reason it feels she might be even worse than your current mistress. ...Plus, you’ve heard how she beat up that one human working on her farm after he tried to escape.

”Hey ya’ll, sorry for coming late!”

…

The ponies gathered around to have a chat and greet each other while you’re staying behind with the equally uninterested white bunny.

“At least I’m not the only one...” you sigh, finding unexpected sympathies with the rodent.

They’re all talking about something you can’t really hear from there until your mistress says something with your name in it and points her hoof at you. Then all of the ponies look your way before the orange mare steps a bit forward to see better.

”I dunno, Rainbow. These humans are no good as pets. You’re really sure about it? Ah mean, you don’t know what’s going on in those heads of theirs. They’re malicious, constantly up to something mean. I have those two a bit longer than you, so I know.” you hear her saying without scruples. But you’re kinda used to ponies talking about you as if you weren’t there.

”That’s what I was telling her!” Twilight’s quick to join her.

”Having them as helpers on the farm is okay I guess, but as a pet? Sheesh, I wouldn’t trust one to even let him live in the same house as I do, let alone sleep in my own bed or even prepare the food...”

”Ha, but that’s where you’re all wrong!” laughs your mistress “Not only he's completely harmless, but he’s docile too! Look: ... Anon, come here!”

Alright, now might come a time to throw her off her high horse a little. Bonus points: in front of all her friends.

“No.” you say.

”Oh yeah, he gets a little grumpy sometimes but he’s really working on himself...” smiles the blue pegasus awkwardly “Come on Anon!”

But all you do is that give her a shiteating grin and lean back on a tree nearby, closing your eyes. Until-

“Ow!” the collar just gave you a little shock to yank you up.

She didn’t really use it too many times before, just like she promised, but now when her ego was threatened, she didn’t hesitate at all. The other ponies might have not even noticed. And from the firm look she’s giving you, it feels like she’d do it again if you won’t come.

...So you pick yourself up and join them while showing your resentment as much as possible.

…

You stayed bitter throughout the rest of the event, counting minutes till it ends while imagining doing the same to her. You might have been purposely stubborn but you still can’t really forgive her resorting to using the shock collar. And since she isn’t even trying to say “sorry” or anything, it ended up with none of you really enjoying today’s event. But you weren’t exactly planning to enjoy it anyway. It’s your mistress that looks visibly frustrated on the way home.

...In a way it’s giving you some kind of malicious pleasure, she deserves it.

On the other hand, you’re feeling just a little bit bad about yourself.

It was not your fault though. Everything from buying you, to today's fiasco, it was all her fault.

”Look Anon, what is wrong with you? Why couldn’t you act more natural today?” she unleashes you inside the house.

“What is wrong with me?”

”Yeah, everypony wanted to have a good time except you. Tank used to-”

“Well I’m not Tank okay?!! You should have understood by now..!” you turn around.

Only to realize the next second that you might have overdone it just now. You already know how she never really got over his death.

And you’re psychically preparing for an intense sting around your neck, eyes closed...

But,.. nothing happens.

Upon opening your eyes, you see your mistress still standing in the same place, looking “different” than how you ever saw before. Not angry, not smug, not bitchy or bossy...

"You're right Anon... In a way, I was trying to fit you into Tank's role, but you're so much different. I thought if I give it time, that this could work for both of us.... You’d fill his place and learn to like me. But,.... you don't actually like me at all,.. do you? You hate me..." her head hangs down.

For a few seconds, a silence engulfs the room completely. A dead silence. Only a very distant chatter of some pegasi somewhere outside can be heard before it fades as they fly away.

...Do you really-..?

...You always thought you did utterly hate her but it’s a little hard to tell her now, right in her face. As a matter of fact, you’re unable to say anything at all.

”You don’t have to tell me, I thought so,...” she eventually sniffs, walking away to her bedroom and leaving you there in the antechamber.

You remain frozen for a solid three minutes.

‘What will happen now? ...What will be the consequences?’

...

When you finally bring yourself to move, you walk over to her door but you stop in front of them. She’s crying there. Never before you heard her cry.

And it’s because of you...

You shouldn't feel sorry for her, it's all her fault. But for some reason... you can’t help it.

What you're hearing now aren’t exactly satisfying cries of a tyrant getting punished. These are whimpers of a naive girl that couldn’t deal with a loss of a friend and put new hopes in the wrongest place, only to be let down again.

You didn’t ask to be tangled up in this,.. still though, something inside you wants to come to her and say you’re sorry.

But that “something” has to first win against your ego that’s coming up with everything she’s ever done wrong to you.

Eventually, you muster up your inner strength and put your hand on the doorknob, about to open them… yet you can’t hear her anymore.

When you enter the room, the window is open and the pegasus is gone.

She flew away...

…

Throughout the day, you can’t quite stop thinking about what happened. Not only you feel somewhat bad about missing your chance but you have no idea what will happen now.

Maybe you’ll get sold away,.. possibly into much, much worse hooves that hers’... with even worse chances of escape.

...Or better, actually.

Yeah, the hope for your freedom is still a thing, you shouldn’t get too attached to the mare. You could have been better but she shouldn’t have had expected so much from you, you’re here unwillingly after all.

Oh,.. but as if it mattered, it’s still gonna be you who’s gonna end up paying for it. One way or another. If Twilight will know about it, she’s gonna-

,.. you’d rather not think about what she’s gonna do.

...Maybe you could still make this right when she’s back.

So you wait.

And wait.

She’s really taking a long time today…

…

By the time it’s completely dark outside, she was always long back home.

‘What is she doing?’

Did she do something stupid because of you...?

All you can do is wait.

And eventually,..

…

Suddenly you hear a crash in the bedroom.

The window was opened, so you rush there to find your mistress laying there on the ground, slowly picking herself up.

“Miss Dash, I-”

”Heyyyyy AnooOOon..! *hic* Buddieee.” she’s goofily grinning.

Is she,.. drunk? Do ponies get drunk, just like people?

Well this one surely does but probably not very often because she’s completely shitfaced.

“I wanted to say that-” you start, but even in her state she’s quick enough to soar up to your face and hush you:

”Shhhhh, shut up, okay?.. I know you’re not Tank and never will be. And that’s oookay, because you’ve got other qualities...~ You don’t even have to like me,.. as long you have this..” the mare grins while coquettishly pulling on your collar,.. then she flashes the device underneath her wing “...And I have this.”

...This doesn’t look good at all.

“I just wanted to apolo-”

”Hush!” she pushes you on the bed behind you, friskily giggling “I don't care~.”

You’re pretty much frozen in fear as you watch her land next to you and lean back on a pillow:

”Tell me Anon, did you have your dinner today?”

“I-...why?”

”Did you?”

“No...”

Which sparks a malicious grin on her face.

”Well, now you will...” she opens her legs, giving you a good view of her blue, completely equine genitals.

...You’ve briefly seen them a few times before when you accidentally glanced her way at the same time she flickered her tail or just stood under a wrong angle.

But this is the very first time you’re seeing the thing so directly. It makes you disbelievingly stare at it for a few seconds before glancing up at her face again.

“....You can’t be serious....”

”Why yes I can,.. and I am.” she giggles pervily “Now come on and make your mistress feel good...”

“W-what if...what if I don’t want to..?” you stutter in complete panic, heart racing.

”I wasn’t asking.” you’re being very briefly zapped through your collar

“Ow!”

”See? We can have it the good way,.. or a bad way. Now come closer...” she pats her underbelly.

You’re hesitating but you know you have no other choice right now, other than being zapped again. This time the way it would actually hurt… So you slowly crawl up to her, staring at the plump vulva from up close.

...You can feel its heat without even touching it and smell the musk of her sticky juices.

She’s drunk and horny as fuck, the worst possible combination.

The aroma you’re almost drowning in, combined with the sweat from flying, may not be completely repulsive as you’ve expected but you still don’t want to do her bidding at all. Not only you’re basically being raped right now but you just don’t want to lick an animal pussy.

“Mistress I- hmpf!!” you try to speak but in vain.

Before you even start, she pushes your head in between her legs, covering your face with her moist, bodily lube. Her hoof is holding your long hair, making sure you wallow your nose in her warm and slimy place properly before she lets you breathe.

”Aaah!... Now be a good boy and work on your own, put that tongue of yours to good use.~” she huffs, leaning back more comfortably, but she’s not letting go of your hair, watching your every move.

After catching your breath, you very reluctantly poke out your tongue and eye up on her face. You know she’s gonna push your head in again if you won’t do it yourself. So you slowly and cautiously slide your tongue around her outer walls, feeling the salty taste on your tastebuds.

”Go on...” the mare seems pleased, but far not enough.

After another lick and another little nudge, you’re realizing she’s really expecting you to finish the job completely. To her absolute satisfaction.

As much as you don't want to, you keep your tongue out and continue using it to stimulate the nerves in the soft skin of her vulva. That’s when the genitalia starts moving under your tongue on it’s own, as if she was clenching it somehow. With each of the “winks” a little fleshy ball is presented to you.

Oh my God, is that her clit? ...Why is it moving for Christ's sake?

”Mmmhm, that's good work so far Anon,.. Now,.. right there, okay?” her hoof strokes your hair.

You eye up at her face, hoping she’s joking. But who are you kidding, of course she's dead serious,.. You hoped for some kind of mercy yet the mare is way too horny to even care. And you obediently start licking her "sweet spot" while her moans are getting even wilder.

In all this wet sensation, accompanied by her girly noises, your body starts reacting back on it’s own and you're feeling your erection slowly rising underneath your pants. It's so shameful but something deep inside you, something primal and instinctive, might be actually enjoying this.

Your nose is overflowing with her scent so strongly now and as much as you hate to admit it, she actually smells almost delicious to you. On the other hand, you’re still filled with complete resentment and confusion. Yet you continue on teasing and licking her on your own, without her having to constantly remind you.

At some point you realize she isn’t even pulling on your hair anymore, rather softly caressing and stroking it while helping to keep the strands out of your tongue’s way.

The part that you’re actually doing your very best right now is the most disturbing to you, yet you aren't stopping. Your mistress is enjoying it way too much and you know she won’t let you go until she’s had enough.

...But IF, for a second, you forgot what’s actually happening,.. you’d be almost liking it.

It’s so warm and nothing like you’ve ever felt or tasted before. And you’re unwillingly beginning to lose yourself in the arousement.

”By Celestia, you’re so good Anon,.. Yes! Faster! Harder!” she’s crying out, merely gently nudging your head because you’re doing all the work by yourself “Feast on your mistress like a hungry animal you are!”

This time without any further due, you munch on the most swollen part of her genitals, sucking and nibbling on her clit while burying your tongue as deep as you’re able until the girly noises she’s making start reaching higher and higher pitch and the hoof on your head starts pushing you in more and more.

She must be getting close to her peak each second, when suddenly

”Aaaaaaaaaah!” she yells at the top of her lungs, clamping your head tightly between her thighs.

At the same time you’ve got a mouthful of some liquid. You can’t escape it, it’s everywhere. In your nostrils, in your eyes too and you've even accidentally swallowed a fair amount too. You’ve never ever seen a female cum so damn much and hard. The more you struggle to break free, the more pleasure it’s giving her as you’re trying to squirm away from her.

...Until she starts softening again, letting go of you and panting heavily. Stretched out like a deflated, inflatable toy.

You’re gasping for air as well, coughing a little too and when you catch your breath, you’re met with your mistress's gaze again. Those big, magenta eyes piercing you with a fond, almost loving look.

Without a word, she suddenly comes alive again, pouncing at you and while wrapping her hooves around your body, her own tongue is making its way into your mouth to shortly taste your saliva.

Then, upon letting go of the deep kiss, she licks your face clean from her fluids while still softly humping and grinding your body

”That was so great Anon~... but I see I’m not the only one enjoying this, am I?” she finally comes across the bulge in the incredibly loose pants you’re still wearing. Those which she slowly slides down from you while positioning herself lower.

”Oh wow, I’ve never seen it swollen like that before...” your mistress bites her lip, gazing at your member up close “It would only be fair of me to return the favour, wouldn’t it?”

And she’s looking you dead in the eyes while reaching out her tongue to taste the bit of pre-ejaculate from the tip.

”You're liking this, aren’t you?... Doesn’t it feel good? Want me to continue?”

“I-...”

”We-e-ell?” her tongue is still ticking you as she’s adjusting herself better between your legs

“.. Y-yes.”

”What was it?

“I said yes...” you admit, face completely red.

”I thought so.~” your mistress grins before she wraps her lips around the head of your penis, softly nibbling on it and teasing you with her tongue.

Her eyes keep switching between what she’s working on right now and your face. Watching your expression seems to be constantly putting a grin on her face, even with a mouthful of dick.

And she’s progressing lower and lower down your shaft, until she’s taking it in almost whole with each of the slow, but long and passionate movements.

...The inside of her mouth is so soft and the big orange tongue is doing absolute wonders to your most sensitive parts, each time she moves it. Her teeth, occasionally brushing over your skin or when she briefly stops to just nibble onto the very tip when she sees you might be getting too close to a climax… But not even this way she can prolong it forever.

At some point, she actually slides your shaft all the way down her throat, her tongue softly tickling your testicles and the sensation makes you feel like you’re unable to resist a second longer.

The pleasure peaks just when you’re as deep as it gets in her throat, your seed shooting straight into her stomach. But she isn’t gonna let you finish this way and swallow your whole load at once without even tasting it. Instead she pulls away a bit, so that the rest sprays into her mouth while she’s suckling onto you till the very last drop.

...

You’ve almost black-outed through your orgasm but when your vision is returning, you see her gulp half of it and then open her mouth so show that she still has some left.

Before you realize what’s going on, the mare swiftly reaches to kiss you again, holding you tightly enough to stop you from backing away. Her tongue is forcing into your mouth to try and mix the last bit of your semen with your saliva while she’s deeply kissing you until she finally hears you gulp ...Only then she lets go as you’re trying to cough it out but already too late.

In your progressing post nut clarity, you're getting progressively more and more disgusted by everything that happened.

”Oh Anon...” you mistress giggles “You’re so cute, you know that? Come here.”

And she hugs you, fondly closing her eyes with almost an innocent yawn. ”I still love you,.. you know that?”

You don’t even answer in your absolute shame, everything is slowly coming back together.

...But it’s not as if she minds your silence.

”....But I’m still so hornyyyy." the mare exhales deeply and licks your face "I don’t know why you do this to me... Could you help me out a little bit more..?”

“Please-...”

”Just a few more licks...? I swear that’s all...”

“Okay...” you hang your head down in subordination.

Your mistress just smiles as she lets go of the hug to make herself comfortable, spreading her legs for you once again.

You’re so exhausted and tired but you still crawl up back to her moist, winking vulva and immerse your tongue in it. After what happened, it's not even filling you with shame anymore, as if you already hit the very rock bottom. You’re just so tired and it’s so damn late, all you want is this to be over. To forget that any of this ever happened, to fall asleep and never wake up.

And you’re barely noticing your consciousness slipping away while you're still slowly lapping on your only mistress. That is until you stop completely and just lean your head on her inner thigh, sleeping.

”Sleep well Nonny.~” the mare caresses your hair for the last time "You've been so good, you deserve rest..."

***

That morning, you open your eyes to the sight and scent of a blue pony vulva, still right in front of your face.

Your right cheek is still somewhat comfily leaning on her soft, furry leg and one of your arms is even partly wrapped around it. Then there's her hoof, still softly resting on top of your head... But you're actually covered under a blanket, that's new.

Realizing this isn’t just some sort of weird dream and that every memory of yesterday that’s returning to you now is real, you let go of her and pull yourself away to a safe distance, kneeling naked on the other side of the bed.

But all of that rustling awoke your mistress as well.

“Mmhmm…” she moans sleepily while stretching her legs before opening her big, magenta eyes.

When she notices you, staring at her without a word, she yanks as her own memories are returning as well. Her spread rear legs quickly close again as her head hangs down in shame.

"..By Celestia, what have I done....?"

You remain in complete silence, just blankly stare at the empty space on the bed between the two of you, avoiding any kind of eye contact.

"...Anon?" the mare eventually musters enough courage to look at you.

But you won’t even move. Not a single movement from your side. Can’t tell if it’s fear, shame or anger, maybe all of that at once.

"Anon so I'm sorry..." she moves moves closer to you, about to try and hug you but you flinch away "....I was drunk, I didn't know what I was doing."

In desperation, your mistress reaches for your left hand, softly caressing it with her hooves, hoping you would at least look at her.

"Please... I know you can't forgive me, but would you at least look at me...?"

Yet, you won’t. You can’t. Merely a glimpse of her face hurts right now, so you just keep your eyes on your own knees.

"I'm really sorry..." the mare repeats again, knowing it won't fix anything "....I wasn't planning any of this."

But you’re still quiet.

In the silence, you can merely hear your disharmonic breaths and softly feel her pulse from the blue hooves, still clutching your hand. Then,.. a soft sob.

"....Nopony must ever know." her voice shakes as she slowly lets go of you.

“I'm not going to brag about getting raped,. mistress." you raise your head eventually.

Your spiteful eyes, combined with what you said might have been the very last straw for her.

The pegasus immediately picks herself up, running off somewhere. Not long after that you can hear her crying in the next room. This time way louder than yesterday.

...But she deserves it.

She deserves everything that's coming to her.

She must suffer for what she's done to you.

...

Yet… for some inexplicable reason you still feel that you should go check on her...

Too many thoughts are battling in you but eventually you stand up, following the noises to the bathroom. And there she is, crying and sobbing behind the shower curtain. ...Didn't even notice you standing in the doorframe.

By the time she finally eyes your direction,..

you're already gone…

***

Throughout the next days, you barely speak or even see each other. The fact that you live in the same house doesn’t change it.

Your mistress is purposely avoiding you and she's coming home only to sleep or eat. The kitchen is still stocked with instant food so she eats that because she wouldn’t even ask you to cook something for her anymore. Other days she doesn’t return at all, probably having lunch at some fast food.

If you weren’t basically trapped in the cloud house and didn't sleep on a couch, it would feel like the whole thing belongs to you.

You don't have a slightest idea where your mistress is all the time or what she’s doing the whole day. Sometimes you don't even care, other times you’re-… curious about her mental health. Back then she used to tell you all about her day each evening, as much as you didn’t care. It feels strange to not know it now though.

...

One afternoon you made yourself a lunch from the veggies left in the fridge so they wouldn't spoil, something like a lecho. There were a lot of veggies, so you left a plenty of the food in the pan on the stove… expecting it would be gone in the morning. The mare always used to return hungry at night, finishing any leftovers she could find.

But you’re later finding it almost untouched.

She must have had merely a little taste, trying to mask it as if she didn’t but not effectively enough.

One thing is clear though,.. it can't go on like this forever. The way you're avoiding each other as if running away from what happened. Sometimes you stare out the window, trying to come up with some kind of solution to solve this without actually having to confront the mare but each time you find there likely isn’t one. Each time you try to draw, you can't get her out of your way either.

First you tried to resist it but then you started drawing the face and body of your mistress over and over and over again. Couldn't bring yourself to tear the sketches to pieces as you planned either so you stashed them away with all the others.

***

One night, you hear her crash through the bedroom window, just like “that” night. Except this time it sounded like she went straight through the glass, it was closed.

You stand up from the couch and hesitantly open the door, just to see if she's not dead or badly injured.

...Your mistress is laying there in the pieces of glass, looking almost passed out. You feel like you shouldn't but you enter the room nonetheless to check if she's breathing and if so, how badly she's cut up from the crash.

The light from the corridor shows there’s barely any blood around her, no more than 10 little drops sprayed around. And when you kneel to her, you find she's visibly breathing too. There are merely a few, shallow scratches on her body from the glass: a short one on her cheek, and two longer ones on her right hoof she probably shielded herself with before the crash. Her bushy mane and sleek fur must have saved her from most of it.

She's incredibly lucky, the stupid horse.

You're about to stand up and leave her there when suddenly you hear a raspy voice:

"Anon..?" her eyes open and she's immediately picking herself up from the mess she was laying in.

From her movements you can already tell she's been drinking again.

‘Shit.’

"Anon wait!" the mare yelps, seeing you’re in a rush to get out of her sight.

And you stop. Or rather freeze, without turning around or answering.

"I just want to talk..." she walks closer to face you, barely staying on her hooves, a few pieces of glass still in her mane.

"What about?"

The fluff on the pegasus chest puffs up as your miserable looking mistress takes a deep inhale and exhale to calm herself down a bit:

"About what I did... I want you to-, no I am asking you to-"

"...To,.. what?"

As an answer, she clumsily soars closer to your head, unclipping the collar from your neck and clipping it to hers:

"To punish me."

“...”

You struggle to believe what's happening right now.

The collar… it's gone. For the first time in months, maybe even a year.

...Your neck is free.

And instead it's your mistress who’s willingly wearing the psychological burden.

While you're feeling the bare skin on your neck with your fingers, she unclips the remote device from under her wing as well, putting it on the ground in front of you like some kind of offering.

"...What exactly am I supposed to do with you now?"

"That's up to you..." the mare hangs her head in subordination.

But what should you do..?

The miserable sight on the surrendered pegasus is almost filling you with sorrow but the more you’re thinking about the past, the more you’re starting to feel a different emotion… Everything that's been repressed inside of you for such a long time, all the anger and humiliation,.. it’s making its way to the surface.

She's expecting you to beat her, but no,.. you aren't going to do any of that. She never beat you either. You're going to repay her using the very same coin, to make her feel how you have felt.

Her body feels so fragile in your hands as you pick her up, compared to how you used to see her when she was in control. Now you can just throw her on the bed like a plush toy. Then you slowly walk up to her, taller than ever, and slowly clip the leash to the collar on her neck. It almost feels like some kind of ritual.

For the first time, there’s fear in her eyes, knowing that the roles have been switched and you’re now the powerful one. Not her anymore. And she’s afraid of what the ‘brute human’ will do to her. Yet, it’s too late to change her mind.

Never in your life you thought that being in such a position could ever bring you pleasure, never really had a need to dominate anyone. All you ever wanted was some kind of personal peace and happiness…

But in her case...

"Open up." you take her chin in your hand and softly, almost passionately pull her jaw open.

That’s when the mare realizes this isn’t going to be about pain but something completely different. It’s making her look so delightfully confused and ashamed right now. For you, it doesn't even matter she's one of the horsekind,.. maybe it's making it even more exciting right now.

You couldn't get any more erect when you climb up onto the bed and push her head lower to your crotch, the tip of your penis poking her lips and cheek.

She's looking you dead in the eyes as you're slowly forcing yourself into her mouth. Further and further, until you're all the way in her throat, where you stop for a few seconds...

When you pull her away to let her breathe, she's coughing and gagging but as soon as she catches her breath, you do it again.

And again. Until you feel like you're almost at your limit, soon to burst straight into her stomach. But that would be way too quick...

When you're on the edge, almost peaking, you pull out and let her go completely, only to push her equine body on it’s back the next second.

The mare wouldn’t dare to pick herself up from this position, so you lean above her, looking straight into her eyes as you kiss her. Deeply and passionately, like a lover, except without feelings connected to it.

She’s resisting you at first but in a while you can feel her own tongue twirling in your mouth as well. After finishing the kiss, you give her a thorough lick over her furry face, just like she did to you before.

She’s almost starting to understand, just like you’re starting to understand her.

"Now that's a good girl right there." her obedient expression makes you grin. "Open your legs..."

The blue pegasus, stripped of her ego and confidence does so without a single word. But you still need a little time to get off the edge, so you lift her haunches up closer to your face and have a look at the quivering peach of hers. The horsey clit is winking at you the same way it was before and she even smells with the same, sweetishly delicious scent.

Something deep inside her is liking this and it’s filling her with shame. It’s in her eyes, just like it was in yours when the roles were switched. You’re going to use and make her squirm in pleasure while she has no say in it.

With a delighted grin, you bury your tongue in her, giving special attention to her most sensitive spots, teasing the clit with your lips as well your teeth. And while she’d want to control herself, the twitches of her body and the noises escaping out of her mouth, her body is yours to play with. You’re the master now and you know dangerously well just how to manipulate her.

When you feel like you’ve had enough, you raise her legs higher to put a pillow underneath her haunches so that she’s at an optimal height for what you’re going to do next. Then you grab onto the leash that’s connected to the collar on her pretty neck and hold in your hand as you adjust your swollen member in front of her plump pussy.

...She's already so wet you could just slide right in. But first you pull on the leash:

"Look at me. Good."

When her eyes glance directly into yours, you finally start making your way inside of her. The tight walls of the mare as if willingly made way for you. Without being able to control herself, she starts panting and softly moaning in ecstasy.

"You get it now?" you keep pushing inside further and further until you're all the way in. Then again and again.

"Aaaah!" a loud yelp escapes her mouth instead of an answer.

"I was gonna fucking apologize to you that night, understand?!" you keep pumping, sending her into forced bliss with each of the movements as you continue "But you didn't even let me speak! You always just take what you want! Do you see now how I felt?! Do you finally understand?!"

"I do,.." she whimpers between uncontrolled moans.

At the same time, a little tear escapes her eye, one which shortly reflects everything you went through together. All the bad, all the good,.. only to disappear in the blue fur on her cheek the next second.

And suddenly,.. as if all your anger that was fueling you started disappearing, literally slipping away, even if you wanted to stay mad at her. Yet you're mere moments from your peak to stop what is already in motion. Your body does those few last humps and then… a riptide of raw and wild pleasure strikes through you like a lightning as you're filling her equine womb to the brim with your human semen.

At the same time, her body tightens up in an orgasm of her own, almost locking you in and splashing your legs with a load of marejuice.

For those few short but eternally long seconds, as if the two of you became one. In all that chaos and savagery, there is a momentary peace and understanding of the highest possible level.

And the moment is getting ripped into your head like getting branded with hot iron,.. the sweetest and most beautiful way possible. As if something invisible and hurting that was connecting the two of you suddenly snapped, connecting anew as something completely different.

...

When it ends, you fall down next to her, letting go of the leash while staring into her eyes as you both pant in exhaustion. ...You never noticed how much these big, infinitely dark pupils resemble tiny universes from up close.

But other than your breaths, there’s silence.

For some reason you're feeling a smile forming on your face at the look of her. Not a malicious grin about what you did to her though. ...This is the first time you're looking at her without any spite or disdain at all. Now you finally feel completely even.

And you reach your hand to softly caress her cheek before you both close your eyes.

"Goodnight, mistress..."

Chapter six: Roads Untraveled

With the bright rays of light from the window shining upon you, you come awake mere seconds before your ‘mistress’ does.

Her snoot is almost touching your nose and you can feel her warm breath on your lips. The very first second before you realize what is happening, you almost smile. But merely a short look into each other's eyes snaps you both into reality while reminding you of what happened yesterday. ...And all the days before.

Needless to say, the initial comfort is gone in less than a blink.

In expectation of getting punched in the face, you cautiously pull away from the pegasus. The shock collar is still around her neck and the remote device is somewhere under the bed but you wouldn't try to use it anyway, even if she attacked you right now. ...You realize what you’ve done yesterday is way over the line as it is and you don’t want to make it any worse so you’re ready for some kind of punishment.

Yet instead of an attack, your mistress reacts the very same way you did the last time, when she pretty much raped you. She just timidly backs away on the other side of the bed.

The leash is still clipped to the collar and it’s hanging down from her neck. Instinctively, her hoof traces it to the connecting point to unclip it but it's locked with the 4 digit code, which she can't see without a mirror. So the blue hoof slides back down on the mattress

Then there’s silence.

It can be less than 10 seconds but the heaviness of the atmosphere is making it feel like a whole eternity before any of you moves any further. ...Eventually, it's her that starts cautiously picking herself up from the bed. And without a word, she rushes out of the bedroom, leaving you alone in the ravaged and stained bed. In a room with a broken window and glass shards all over the floor.

After a very short while of not being able to decide what to do, you hurry after her.

"Miss Dash!-..." you yell.

But all you find is an empty collar in the bathroom. The bright blue mare nowhere to be found around the house…

***

Throughout the whole day, she doesn’t return. Not even to get some lunch.

It’s making you expect something real bad to happen when she comes back. You're either getting sold away for real this time, or straight up put down...heard it happened to some humans before.

….But for some reason you're feeling freer than ever.

You can let the death or whatever is coming your way approach, you don't even care anymore. And you wouldn't even hate anypony for it. ...Not even her. As if a chapter in your life closed, as if something heavy fell from your chest. The feeling of spite you've been carrying inside you the whole time... It’s gone.

You might not be straight up proud about what happened, - it was the dirtiest, nastiest and most perverse side of you that manifested. One which you didn’t even know that existed.

But as if it was no longer needed now, the debt was cleared on both sides, and you’re in peace. A way you didn’t feel as long as you can remember.

Nothing is eating up from the inside anymore. No more hatred or feelings of revenge. Like starting anew. Even if it was shortly before the end.

Yet,.. you still can't stop thinking about how the mare's feeling right now.

Because as much as you needed to do that to her before, now when all the anger is gone,.. maybe you actually care...

In a way, that is.

***

In the end, you've spent the day wandering around the house, staring out the window and drawing even more pictures. This time it was a completely different topic from what you used to draw though. Things that always felt too mundane to even consider trying to recreate their essence on paper: Trees, flowers, birds,.. Yet, you still felt like you have to make another sketch of the blue mare as well. - The only drawing of her that you didn’t hate making.

And since the day felt long, you took the time to tidy up the bedroom, as well as the rest of the house: Got rid of all the broken glass, cleaned the few bloodstains from the ground and replaced all the dirty bed sheets… also, prepared your pillow on the couch because that's where you're obviously sleeping.

By the evening, when the sun setted you were ready to face the blue pegasus and whatever comes next.

***

When you can hear her coming home, it’s late but not as late as the days before. This time she even goes through the front door.

...You can’t exactly tell what to expect from this but you don’t want to run away from the encounter. You’re gonna face it because you’re no longer afraid of the future, whatever it might hold.

And you wait for your mistress in the main corridor to know it.

"Miss Dash,.."

"...Hey." she stops when she notices you.

You really are ready for pretty much anything right now.

But the mare just gives you a very faint smile and continues straight to her bedroom… Something inside you doesn't dare to follow her.

...

What just happened is certainly something different from what you expected. But since she doesn’t seem to be laying any judgement upon you yet, all you can do is to make your way to the couch in the living room so you can have a night’s rest as well.

Surprisingly enough, the calmness inside you still remains, letting you fall asleep without rolling around for hours.

“Good night Anon.” you wish yourself shortly before drifting off.

...

***

Suddenly you’re awakened by a pony hoof, gently pushing your chest.

"Hey, hey, wake up..."

Even before opening your eyes, you can tell it’s your mistress. Even if her voice wasn’t so distinct, there’s only two of you in the house, unless somepony broke in. So it isn’t too surprising.

What is surprising though, is a fact that she’s waking you up in the middle of a night. The sky is still dark, illuminated only by a sea of stars. A new moon hasn’t come out yet.

"....Miss Dash,.. what's happening?" you squint your eyes at the silhouette of the mare.

"Get your things and hurry. It's almost time." she says.

Her tone isn't firm or commanding though. Rather soft, almost... sad.

"...Time for what?"

"For you to go... don't forget your toothbrush."

“I see…”

That’s enough for you to stop asking questions. You're getting sold away. ...And you understand why.

Your mistress just softly pats your shoulder, giving you the same faint smile she gave yesterday and leaves you to it.

Soon you’ve got everything ready in a backpack that Rarity made for you: Your clothes, a few clean papers, as well as a pen, eraser and a sharpener,.. and that might be it.

Only one thing left.

You pick up the collar with a leash, both laying on the same place she dropped them yesterday. The only things you didn’t even touch while cleaning the house.

Now you can even see the opening code. ...It's: "369 / ♥"

Funny...

You can’t help but to wonder how many things would change if you knew this about a week or two sooner… but there's no reason to think about it now. Your new owner is going to change it for sure. You just put the collar on and go meet your mistress, waiting for you by the main door. When you give her the leash, she gives you a funny look before hesitantly taking it. Then you head straight to the balloon.

On the way down, you're both completely quiet. You’re just staring at the immensely dark sky with bright spots of light, glittering like silent, still fireworks. They’re not bright enough to fully illuminate the lands underneath.

You kinda wish you could see it as well, for the last time, so you could remember it. Despite everything, it was always such a pretty sight...

But all of these melancholic thoughts dissolve as soon as the basket touches the ground and in the faint light, you can see an older stallion with a tiny cart. Life's probably gonna be a farm work for you in the future…

You’ve already made your peace with the boring future but when you make your first step out of the basket, your soon-to-be ex-mistress stops you. Not by pulling the leash, not forcefully in any kind of way. It’s merely a soft touch on your shoulder to make you turn around so she can be face to face with you.

"You won't be needing this anymore..." she unclips the collar from your neck. The thing falls down on the ground with a thud.

Needless to say, her actions are a little surprising to you. And by “little surprising” is meant a whole lot.

"...What do you mean?" your jaw slightly drops.

“Look Anon…” the mare's chest puffs up in a deep inhale and a slow exhale.

You know her enough to know she’s nervous about what she's going to say. She always does that.

“... I know things between us didn't turn out the best way. Or the way I hoped they would. ..It was kind of foolish of me to think so, when I look back. I know I've hurt and humiliated you in many ways,. even enjoyed it sometimes... I just want you to know I'm sorry."

"I... probably could have been better too." you admit. The words are suddenly easy to say.

But the pegasus just faintly smiles in disagreement: "No, you couldn't,.. because you were never meant to be like this. Wasn't freedom what you always wanted?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Then go. I already arranged you an escort to a human refugee camp. Far, far in the woods behind Everfree, where nopony lives. You can be with your own kind again..."

"...You're serious?"

"Yes... You're a free man now..."

"And there's a human refugee camp? In Equestria..? Ponies know about it?"

"A few,... believe it or not, there are those who feel it was wrong to take over Earth. I just had to find them and... I think I understand why they might be right."

What she’s saying is so shocking it’s hard to believe but as much as you try to find any traces of deception in her eyes, you can't.

She's absolutely sincere right now.

"I don't know what to say..." you hold your breath.

"You don't have to say anything. But I wanted to ask you for one last thing. "Ask" that is, not order,.. you're free to refuse."

"What is it..?"

".....Can I have a goodbye kiss? One you'd actually give willingly... I always wanted it, but,. I understand I never really deserved it."

A kiss that is...

You didn't exactly expect that… Didn't expect any of this.

After all this time spent thinking you know her, you didn't know her at all. She seemed always so full of herself, overconfident, smug, possessive and bossy. As if that was all that is to her.

Only now when she's setting you free, treating you like an equal,.. you’re seeing there’s so much more to this tomboy pegasus.

In realization of how wrongly you judged her, you’re too stunned to say or do anything at all.

"...."

"That's okay..." she forces a smile and awkwardly bites her lip "You have every reason to hate me and I-Hmpf!!!" you hush her with a kiss.

This time you aren’t going to miss your opportunity to set things straight.

The suddenness of your actions surprised the mare too much to do anything at all. At first, she rather freezes in your arms as you fondly nibble on her hot lips with tenderness of a lover. Yet the next second, she’s already kissing you back. Fondly and eagerly.

You’re savouring every step of your tongues progressing further into each other's mouth to meet there and dance together in a twirl. You’re savouring the taste of your salivas mixing into one as you explore each corner of her mouth. But most of all you’re savouring the way you're clutching her body to your chest like the daintiest flower in the whole wide universe, while caressing her head with your other hand.

...Back then you’d never think you might voluntarily find yourself in this position with her, feeling the way you do. And it feels that more special, almost as if it was your first kiss ever.

This time you aren't imagining anyone else in her place, you're sincerely happy it's her.

Your mistress, your slaver, your worst enemy.

Your caretaker, your twisted pleasure giver and.... your best friend.

...

After the moment ends, you glance into each other's eyes to smile and hug once more. For the last time.

Everything is forgiven.

The karmic circle is closed.

The past is gone,..

and you're standing here, free of the invisible bonds that used to tie you together.

Yet, you don't want to stop holding her.

…

"...Thank you… and I’m sorry. You're a good person." you whisper into her ear before your grip softens.

"No,.. I'm not..." she smiles a little sadly now "...It was really nice,.. to have you around. But it's time to let you go..."

Your escort is impatiently waiting behind you.

"One last thing,.. can I have this?" you point at the emblem with your name, still on the collar "As a reminder..."

"That..? Oh,.. sure, I guess I won't be needing it anymore." Rainbow Dash hands it to you, her expression faintly brightening.

"I'll keep it close." you smile back… And start slowly backing up to the stallion, without taking your eyes off her.

"Goodbye Anon..."

"Goodbye, mistress."

You thought it would be somewhat funny to call her that way one last time, to lighten up the mood, yet you can't seem to bring yourself to smile very convincingly. It might have made it worse.

The pegasus smiles back, pretty much the same, forced way you do.

And she's watching you go, disappear into the darkness of the night forest.

Far, far away from her.

***

After almost a day of traveling with your escort, he sends you alone for the rest of your journey. The stallion was kind enough to carry you on his cart a few miles when you were tired or when you were about to bump into another pony, to make sure nopony knew which way you left but now it's him who shouldn't be seen.

The humans from the forest supposedly don't know they're occasionally being "helped" and they might think you're suspicious if you arrived with a pony by your side. So after thanking him and saying goodbye, you travel the last hour by foot.

The directions are pretty clear: through the open plains and then into the forest with beech trees. He said you can't possibly miss it and as soon as you enter, you should meet them.

But as you walk through the woods, there aren't exactly any signs of humans anywhere. At least until there’s suddenly a primitively made spear, right in front of your face.

"Who goes there?!"

The business end of the weapon is holding a man in his 30's, with a short, unkept beard.

"Hey, easy fella. I'm just looking for a refuge." you show your empty hands.

"You're awfully well kept for an escapee... Are you a horse spy?"

"Jeez, no... Some of them already know where this place is, they're supposedly letting you exist here."

"What are you saying?!" the spear gets even closer to your neck.

"I'm not an escapee, alright? I was let go... They led me here."

"Let go?! They never let anyone go! I don't believe you!"

"Well,.. she let me..." your head hangs down.

You should be looking happy now but the very last memory feels just too bitter.

"...Huh?.. Are you one of those tamed ones...? Were you like,.. thrown out or something?" the man puts his spear down.

"...I guess something like that."

"Brother, you're so far the saddest case we've got here." he chuckles, patting your shoulder "My name's Peter, come with me."

...

You're being led through the trees, to a settlement up in the branches, almost blending in with the rest of the forest. When you look closer, there's at least 50 people up there, men, women, even kids.

"We've got everything here. It's not like the good old days but it's freedom. Guess we're returning to tradition.... Hey everyone! We got a new member!"

Hearing him, the people gather around, or at least stop what they're doing, and look your way.

"Anon here is historically the first tamed pony pet that got thrown out, and he's not even past his expiry date!" Peter laughs "Look at how young they throw them away!"

And the people roar with laughter. Yet the next second, they're silenced by a harsh, intimidating voice.

"Silence!!!"

From one of the huts emerges another man. He’s tall, about 40 years old and dressed as a chieftain. Once all the voices quiet down, his tone softens, but it's still invoking respect.

"Every human is welcome here in these harsh times. Any single one of you could have met similar fate and I expect you to not judge what others had to do to survive.... We welcome you Anon."

***

That night, the whole “tribe” gathers around a fire. Everyone's talking over each other and they’re drinking some kind of brew, made from local fruit and plants that tastes like shit.

You, being new here, already created a wild discussion about how everyone actually escaped or what they were made do. And of course, everyone wants to know your story the most. Preferably with all the nasty highlights, since they shared theirs too.

"...Look mate, I worked in a focking mine, 24/7, but I was never forced to swallow my own nut." you're being patted on your back "I feel with ya."

"Bruh, what a nasty bitch." some other guy spits.

"She was the one who let me go though... Funnily enough, she even apologized for everything. Even after all that happened, I can't bring myself to hate her now." you stare into the fire.

"How she fucked with your mind might be the worst thing she's done to you so far. But don't worry, you'll return to your senses in time..."

"Yeah man, don't worry." a hand from behind you offers a piece of grilled meat. It’s probably something they managed to hunt in the forest or the plains around but it isn’t a lot.

"Thanks..." you take it while the debate moves on, with another guy boasting about how he managed to punch a griffon slave trader, right after he sold him and even got away with it.

A hilarious story you would probably enjoy under normal circumstances but now you're just blankly staring into the fire, the piece of meat still in your hand.

Funny, haven't had that in such a long time...

The tiny steak is even visibly spiced with some herbs they picked up and it smells really good. So you take a small bite, just wallowing it in your mouth.

Thought this should feel glorious,..

...but the truth is, you can't say you even like the taste anymore.

Will you have to re-learn this as well?

The more you think about it, the less hungry you feel, so you pass the rest of the meat to a drunk guy sitting next to you, one that's happy to munch on it without any questions.

This is what you wanted, where you wanted to be.

You should feel happy.

...Then why can't you..?

“...”

***

Throughout the first few days, you’re spending your time by learning the tribe's ways to find your place in it. You're pretty nifty, so you can do almost anything you're asked. Should it be building stuff, carving bowls, even weave and a lot of other stuff. You enjoy being useful for a good purpose.

Of all the things you tried, you especially like the bow shooting. Though, you can't be assigned as a hunter, because you won't kill anything, so it's just a hobby.

All of that is helping you concentrate on forgetting your past and creating a new future. But even after a week passed,.. you still miss seeing the colorful mare each morning. Just to hear her say "Hello" would feel nice. Or even back then, when she'd occasionally wake you up by stroking your hair...

You're very aware the memories are tinted in pink now, because you constantly fought with her through those days. But it’s making you smile nonetheless.

...You can still smell her scent from your clothing too. Especially from the poncho that you’re been using as a pillow each night because it’s still the softest fabric in the whole camp.

***

The smell of the blue pegasus eventually faded. And with it, the hurt of thinking whether you made the right decision. Most of the traces of your mistress are gone now.

The local “tailor”, if he can be called that way, even made you new clothes to fit in the forest without being too suspicious. They’re not as pretty or comfortable but they’re practical and it won’t make you angry if you tear them, so they replaced the ones from Rarity - now stashed under your bed.

One last thing you still constantly kept in your pocket was the tag Rainbow Dash gave you. One you asked her to give you and promised to keep it close.

...But it fell through a hole in your pants once and you never found it again. As if the last material tie was severed.

Then you became a "normal human" once more. The most humany human in the tribe.

Soon you earned respect from others as they saw you're capable and the women started taking interest in you too. You’re one of the youngest and more handsome members after all.

The truth is,.. you never really felt anything towards any of the females there. Sure, some of them were pretty to look at, some even nice to talk to, but… there never was any "fire" or a "spark" from your side, so it never ended up with more than a kiss.

All of that is why you earned a nickname "Monk".

With your name gone and hair cut shorter for practical purposes, there’s hardly anything left. Not just from your life as a pet though,.. but from your Earthly life as well.

Sometimes you wonder whether your complete transformation to a tribesman is a good thing… but that’s only until you find another task to keep yourself busy...

***

It might have been a few weeks as well as a few months, you stopped counting the days. All you know about time is that you shaved your facial hair at least three times already.

You're a human, a free human that is.

Free to do whatever he wants, to go wherever he wants,.. yet it feels as if you were forgetting about something important...

....

It's morning and the bright rays of light are shining through the trees, sun-litting the forest in its glory and warmness. You’re on your routine early walk. Alone, before else would even want to join you.

You prefer it that way.

Taking a deep breath of fresh oxygen, you pat a tree trunk of a big, ancient beech standing next to you. That’s when you notice a glimmer on the ground behind it, something that’s reflecting the sunshine from up above. So you walk closer to it, picking it up in your hand.

It has a shape of a cloud with lighting striking down from it and an inscription: "Anon."

And when you wipe the mud off, it continues: "I belong to Rainbow Dash"

‘Anon…’

You remember, it was your name, some time ago… it probably isn't even as long as it feels. Although it feels like ages.

You also remember how much it hurts to think about the past, that's why you were so quick to forget it... So you throw the emblem away with all of your force.

Except the thing bounces off a tree, back your direction, hitting you straight in the head.

"Fuck! Ow, that hurt..." you almost fall on the ground in shock and angrily stomp the tag, laying next to you.

...But then you take a deep breath to calm yourself down, close your eyes for a little while and move your foot away to have another look at the piece of metal that hit you.

And as the pain and anger slowly fades, the repressed emotions and memories from the past begin to float back to the surface. Flooding your head.

There was always something special about her. Something distinctive that you could never put a finger on. It made you hate her.

But maybe if you tried to understand, that hate could have become a different emotion of the same intensity. The one that you got merely a little taste of, before you parted. If only it wasn’t too late...

"I'll keep it close." you said back then. And you repeat it out loud for yourself once again with a tear, rolling down your cheek.

Just who are you right now...?

A Monk...?

Did you really give up everything to find freedom? Or to escape from this feeling haunting you?

Could it be the real freedom was a choice the whole time..?

...

‘....Is it really too late to turn back..?’ you clutch the emblem tightly in your hand ‘One will never know until he tries..!’

As if a new target was now set in your head, filling you with relentless determination. You rush back to your hut, pick up all your old things, shave your slowly growing mustache away, put on your poncho, pants too, and set out the same way you once came here.

...

"...Hey Monk.? Where are you going dressed like that buddy?" a familiar voice stops you on the outskirts of the tree village.

"It's Anon, not Monk. And I’m sorry Peter, I have to go..."

"-What?"

"Say bye to others. Tell them I wish them the best and I appreciate all of you taking me in. But this isn't where I belong." you give him a gleeful smile before turning around.

And you're off.

Peter makes a few steps to follow you, but then he stops.

"Well fuck me, the horses got you good..." he chuckles in disbelief, but then he grins your way "Still,... good luck finding her."

***

You don’t remember the way in every detail, it was dark back then, the path was long and you weren’t even paying enough attention. Yet as if you knew subconsciously where to go. Each time you stumble upon something familiar that assures you the course is right.

It might be your good sense of orientation or it might be something else.

The way is taking a lot longer than it did before though, you didn’t have to hide from occasional ponies and take longer routes to avoid their settlements.

Until at last, you find yourself on the far edge of Ponyville. It might be dark already but you know this place too well to confuse it. It's just now that you’re standing here, so close to your destination… The doubts are popping out of nowhere.

It's been some time… does she even want to see you again..? Maybe she really just wanted to get rid of you. What happened that night-... what if you made it all up in your head?

The bittersweet goodbyes, the last kiss, maybe it never even happened or you just remember it differently from how it really was. Maybe you got it all wrong?

‘No…’

You’re already here, can’t just chicken out. You have to give it a shot, nothing in life is taken for granted.

‘Courage Anon!’

...And if you should fail or if she forgot, then you'll know that you've tried. So you take another step towards the sleeping Ponyville.

Where will you start searching though? Should you steal a balloon and fly up to her?

‘That actually sounds like a good idea. A crazy one, but a good one. ‘

You even still have the cloudwalking ring, it was in the poncho's pocket the whole time. So you stick your hand into the pocket, about to put it on… When you suddenly hear a female pony voice somewhere behind you:

"Oh my GOSH! A human on the loose!!"

"Stay back darling, I'll take care of him..." some stallion replies bravely.

And before you turn around, there's a magical aura around your body, preventing you from moving.

And then blackness...

....

...

***

The next thing you feel is your head hurting. Again… A few more good hits like that and you'll be retarded for life.

As your eyes open and you pick your head up from the hardwood ground, you see you're locked in a steel cage, set in a more or less empty room.

Judging from the light shining through the windows and sounds from the outside of the house, it must be morning already. ...Or even noon.

But you don’t have a lot of time to think about it, because you suddenly hear a male pony voice behind the wall:

"So that's him, ma'am."

The door to the room opens and a pegasus mare is standing there. The bright sun behind her is letting you see only a dark shape of her silhouette so you swiftly stand up straight, trying to see better.

"Miss Dash?"

The pegasus steps away from the sunlight, letting you recognize the six colours of her mane and a bright blue coat. She looks exactly the same as you remember her.

"Anon..? I-... didn't think I'd ever see you again." her voice rings in your ears. The one that you couldn’t stand back then but now you’re so happy to hear it once again.

You almost didn't notice the stallion entering with her, handing her the tag from your collar:

"We found this on him so we called you right away..."

The mare takes your tag in her hoof and glances at it, then back at you:

"You came back... because of me?"

And there's so incredibly much you want to say:

“I love you.”

“I'm sorry.”

“I should have never left.”

But instead you just nod.

"Open the cage please..." Rainbow Dash says to the stallion without taking her eyes off you.

"But ma'am, he isn't leashed and you don't know-"

"I said: open the cage,.. okay?" she frowns at him, sternly enough to tell she isn’t asking.

"Right away..." the lock turns, setting you free if you wanted to run. But you're patiently waiting inside.

"Thank you,.. can you give us a minute now?"

"Sure..." the stallion reluctantly turns around.

And when the door shuts behind him, your mistress enters the cage with you.

...

Silence is now filling the void of the bars around you.

And you're a little afraid of looking her straight in the eyes, as much as you'd want to. But the pegasus suddenly seems unusually timid as well, now that there’s only two of you.

"...So....... how have you been?" she speaks eventually.

"Good, good, I was-..... I wasn't doing that good actually. I mean,.. it was exactly what I hoped for all those months, but..."

"But..?"

"I uhh,.. well, how have YOU been?"

"Okay,.. I guess... I tried cooking. I thought I learned a little bit from you except... I-...didn't." Rainbow chuckles very softly under her breath "Who knew pancakes can burn so easily..."

...

Seeing her smile, even for a short second, lightens you up a little too, giving you both some confidence to look at each other. And only when you glance into her eyes, you're slowly finding the right words:

"...Miss Dash, what I really meant to say was: that freedom was good, but I experienced something far better than that."

"What was it?" she almost stutters, blowing away an orange strand of mane from her face, that she was nervously hiding behind till now.

You slowly kneel down to be at the same height level with her and take a deep breath:

"Your presence... I missed you..."

"I-....never in my life I thought I'd hear you say that..." the mare takes a single step back.

...

...It's loud and lively outside, ponies speaking and laughing on the market, yet through those eternally long two second she pauses for, it feels as if the room was drowning in utter stillness.

...

"...But I missed you too Anon..." her hooves suddenly wrap around your body.

You could never sense her hugs coming, it always irritated you but now you're so happy to hug her back, burying your face into her fluffy mane. Smelling her sweet scent, one you so desperately wanted to forget.

"...I couldn't believe it when I was told to pick you up here."

"I'm so sorry it took me this long to realize that I should have never left...... But I'll do anything you want me to now. Just please forgive me, take me back..."

"Anything you say...?"

...Hearing her say that makes you hesitate for a split second, wondering again whether you're doing the right thing, but… she's the sole reason why you abandoned the tribe and your freedom. Because you love her. Even if it meant, having to take on the role of her pet again:

"Anything, my mistress..."

"Then I have but one request for starters..." she whispers into your ear with evident amusement.

"..What is it?" you swallow the saliva in your mouth and look her in the eyes, partly letting go of the hug. You're prepared for whatever the test she has for you.

But the pegasus just chuckles over your determined expression:

"...Would you stop calling me ‘mistress’, Anon?" her hoof softly touches your face, booping your nose "We left each other as equals."

"Y-you really mean that..?"

"I do, because..." she smiles excitedly, taking a deep breath,.. but then she hugs you again instead: "..nevermind, I'll tell you everything later. Now I'm just so happy to have you back."

"I'm happy to be back." you smile too, enjoying her warmth and that lovely feeling around your heart "....How should I call you then?"

"However you want, doesn't matter to me..." she chuckles upon glancing into your eyes once more.

"So I can still call you "mistress" sometimes...?" you snicker back and poke her fluffy chest.

"I can't believe you'd end up being into that, you're such a dumbass Anon,..." Rainbow Dash giggles, impishly grinning "But hey, can’t say that it wasn’t fun sometimes."

"In that case, do I have permission to kiss you now, my mistress?" a wide grin forms on your face.

"No,.. you have a straight up order to do so." her expression reflects the same, frisky amusement.

And she doesn't need to say twice.

Before she gasps, you already press your lips against hers.

But as eagerly as you start, the slower you progress to relish the moment, until you become almost still, merely exchanging breaths. Then you open your eyes to gaze into those mesmerising magenta circles and deep black pupils that she's watching you with. It's as if they were pulling your very soul in, to lose yourself with her and dance above the clouds together.

...Does she even have any idea how she's making you feel?

Although maybe she does, because she kisses you again, hungrily moistening your lips with her saliva as you're both about to take it a little further.

First you get a feel of her teeth with your tongue, tracing each one of them before they let you through. But it's Dash, who follows with even greater desire by slipping deep into your mouth and twisting the appendages together.

She tastes the same she did on the day you kissed her goodbye, except everything else is completely different this time. She was gentle and almost cautious back then, now this mare is full of desire, knowing there's nothing to fear.

It was so bittersweet before, because you both knew that the more you'd allow yourself to enjoy it, the more will it hurt in your memory. But now it's the sweetest, most sincere moment you've had together so far. One that you dare to indulge in with your whole being.

Your hands are fondling and caressing the pegasus, tracing all of her elegant curves, every little detail you never appreciated until now. Her body was exciting you before only for the purpose of dominating it but now you're loving it's peculiar beauty. She feels so dainty and fragile in your arms in this moment, while other times so bold and even stronger than you, it's all so confusing but all so wonderful at the same time.

And you're standing together yet again, not as a master and a slave,..

...a mistress and a pet,

...or a pegasus and a human.

But as two lovers,

...two equals.

And it never felt so right to be here…

...

Then your lips part but you remain so close to each other that your noses still touch. Her eyes, prettier than all of the human girls back in the refuge, playfully gaze into yours.

"...What will happen now, mistress?" you smirk.

"I'm taking you home of course.~" the mare smirks right back but then her smirk fades a little "...But seriously Anon, things will never be the same they used to be."

"...Better?" your hand fondles her shoulder.

"Yeah..." she smiles, although she couldn't hide her worries behind it "Definitely better. I just... don't know what to tell ponies when they ask..."

"About me, is that it..."

"Not just you,.. Gosh Anon, why am I so scared suddenly?..." her heartbeat rises.

"It's okay... Tell them whatever you want, I can still pretend to be your pet in front of them."

"Not only I don't want to but I literally can't do that now... I love you and-"

"I love you too." you softly interrupt her with a short kiss "...I'll do anything to not be a burden to you."

And with a look into her eyes, you can feel the tenseness in her slowly softening down into a smile.

"...I know.... And you won't. Everything will be okay."

"....So what can I do?"

"Nothing right now-... unless..."

"Tell me, anything."

"You could help me out with those pancakes I messed up before. Make sure I won't burn my kitchen down again." she chuckles under her hoof.

"You want me to teach you how to cook?"

"Something like that."

"You have no idea how gladly." you laugh "...You know I used to be so frustrated about you, watching me behind my back. At least the first days. ...Were you really just trying to pick up some knowledge? Why didn't you just ask?"

"I dunno, I guess I just liked watching you. And you didn't really look like you wanted an apprentice." Rainbow smirks and stands up from the ground, eyeing at your body "...Thinking back of the days. I might have another "thing" you could help me out with.~"

"Sure. What will it be?"

“Do you really have to ask?” the mare just flickers her tail from side to side, biting her lip with an impish simper on her face:

"Oh, I see..." you grin, standing up as well "I take it as an order."

"Not here though... Let's get you home first."

"Of course. I wasn't thinking-"

"But I was." she laughs, cutting you off and nodding her head towards the door, already taking a first step out of the cage "Come on, I can't wait..."

...

You follow the colorful pegasus to the room she came here through just before. There's a big window, letting in an almost blinding amount of light from the noon sun, and in front of it is a desk with the same stallion that gave your "mistress" the tag back. He's dressed in what seems to be some kind of uniform, probably some local law authority. But since the ponies don't exactly commit too many crimes, he surely must have a lot of time on his hooves and he's likely dealing only with some small things. Like lost pets for instance. Which must be why he's so eager to know about what's going on.

"So you're going ma'am? Spent quite a time in there, I was just gonna check on ya, in case he might have attacked you or something."

"Oh, yeah. I can't thank you enough for finding me Anon again." Rainbow Dash smiles his way, then yours, softly biting her lip "But we'll be going now."

"You might want to put that leash in your saddlebag on him though... Wouldn't want him running around the Ponyville and scaring ponies in case he flees once more."

"Hey sherrifferino, I can assure you I'm not planning any fleeing." you smirk his way

But the stallion just frowns at you, not exactly pleased you're answering instead of your owner:

"Yea as if,.. I know you humans, only mouthful of lies and-."

"Not this one.. Come on, let's go Anon." Rainbow Dash quickly cuts him off and pushes you outside the door before he protests any further.

...

You remember how this treatment used to upset you, but it doesn't anymore. Had a lot of time to realize that the mare was just so used to having to do this with her tortoise, she was just automatically treating you the same. ...And she still hasn't completely stopped with this bad habit. Except now it's easy to forgive her, knowing there was always a good intention in what she's done. ...At least most of the time that is, not always. But you love her exactly the way she is.

And you're really proud to walk right next to her through the busy Ponyville, while getting all the looks from ponies because you don't have a leash, nor a collar.

It doesn’t take long until you bump into a first familiar face:

"DASHIE YOU GOT YOUR HUMAN BACK!!1!1!" a pink tornado called Pinkie Pie bounces up the two of you "HI ANOON!! SO HAPPY YOU'VE DECIDED TO RETURN!"

"How did-"

But before you even get to ask, she stuffs a cupcake into your mouth. One that she must have pulled out of another dimension because you can swear you didn’t notice any pockets on her.

"Hey, Pinkie..." Rainbow Dash smiles and coyly scratches her head "I'm happy too! I just didn't think-"

Too late, the pegasus has a mouthful of cupcake, whether she likes it or not.

"I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL EVERYPONY! especially Twilight! She was so UPSET about him leaving, but now he's back! WOHEEEE!!! BYEEEEEEEEE, YOU TWO!!!"

And she's gone again, before you get to realize what exactly is going on. Leaving you there, chewing on the 4d cupcake.

...

"....Twilight was upset about me, leaving?" you glance at Rainbow Dash after swallowing the sweet pastry.

"...I may have told ponies you simply ran away,... I mean, I couldn't tell them I set you free, plus I thought I'd never see you again. So yeah, Twilight was pretty angry at you."

"Does that mean I'm getting murdered now?"

"Nah, relax." the colorful mare chuckles "It's just Twilight. She's cool."

"Oh yeah..." you cringe both internaly and externaly over your inevitable "talk" with the purple magic nazi.

"Hey don't be afraid of her, okay?"

"I'm not afrai-... okay, maybe I am. You have no idea how scary unicorn magic is when it's used against you."

"Don't worry, I'll explain you've returned on your own and I certainly won't let you stay alone in a room with her again." she pats your thigh with a little grin before she starts walking the direction to the good old balloon platform.

"Okay, hope that'll be enough....."

...

Once you get there and everything’s ready for an ascension towards the cloud city, you lean over the basket edge, watching the ground slowly shrinking under you. It’s one of the sights you almost always enjoyed before.

Dash knows about it, so she doesn’t interrupt you, she’s merely quietly observing with you. That is, until you break the silence yourself at some point:

"How does it feel..? To fly."

"Completely amazing..! Like, the wind flowing around and everything..! It's actually really hard to describe without actually letting you feel it yourself..."

"I thought so..." you grin "...I always really admired it."

"Flying?"

"Yeah, I think it's beautiful... Do you think I could see you once, when you have that show of yours? ..With Thunderbolts?"

"Wonderbolts.." she laughs and affectionately leans a little closer, so that your bodies touch "I'd love to take you there one day... I would have done that sooner, I just had no idea you'd actually care to see it."

"Well I do now." you smile and seemingly randomly bump her nose with yours ".....There's a lot more things I kinda care about, but never really admitted."

"That reminds me... I found all your drawings Anon."

"Y-you did?" your face goes all red as you awkwardly pull away from kissing her.

When you left them there, you didn't think you'd see the day you'll be confronted with their contents again.

"Of course I did, it wasn't hidden or anything. ...You draw real good." Dash says almost casually.

"Thanks..."

...You expected more of a reaction over the many pictures of herself. It’s actually better this way though because-

"...But I had no idea I was SUCH an inspiration to you back then." the pegasus suddenly snorts in an undisguised amusement "I thought you hated me."

"I thought so as well..." you sheepishly scratch your hair "Because I couldn't get you out of my head. Ever since we met."

"Well,.. you stayed in mine too, I couldn't explain that to myself either.... It began when I looked closer into your eyes. You remember that moment too, do you?"

"I do." your chin rests onto the basket edge, your eyes staring into the sky "...Maybe if we met each other under better circumstances, we could have skipped those months of fighting, straight to something like this..."

"Yeah...." Rainbow wonderingly leans her head right next to yours, looking the same direction.

"...But that would take all the fun away." you smirk her way.

"Definitely..." she snickers.

Chapter seven: Just like you

For the rest of your ride towards the sky, you’re remaining pretty much quiet. It isn’t the awkward kind of quiet though, not at all. Rather a peaceful one.

But as you get closer to your destination in the cloud city, it’s turning into one big flirt because both of you know what's gonna happen as soon as you’re home.

And none of you can wait.

Once the basket is tied, you rush together straight to the big door you've walked through so many times before. Now you almost kick them open… With an emphasis on the "almost", you wouldn't want to ruin her fancy door.

As soon as the door closes, you pick the pretty pegasus in your arms and carry her all the way to the bedroom, already kissing her on the way. But when you lay her on the bed, she unzips her saddlebags and fishes out the familiar collar out of their pockets.

"Really?" you chuckle, kneeling on the bed in front of her, about to go down on her.

"Yup, really." she spins it around her hoof with a frisky grin, but then she clips it to her own neck "...It's for me though."

"Hah- what? You're serious?"

"Dead serious." the excited mare hands you the leash.

"But Dash I... I can't. At least not right now. I need you."

"I'm right here, just take me." she giggles, still playing with the collar.

"No I meant, I need YOU. Without this." you unclip it, letting it slide down from her dainty neck and lean closer "Without any pretending, just the two of us. At least for a while longer,.."

"That-... actually sounds real nice...." Dash smiles in surprise, getting all red in her face, looking almost guilty about her previous proposal.

"...We can have plenty of fun with that later though." you softly kiss her lips, letting her know she isn’t the only perverse one.

But when you’re about to part your lips, she won’t let go of you, non forcibly wrapping her hooves around you to prolong the moment a little longer. So you keep kissing her, enjoying the simple, pure feeling of affection and innocence. Just the two naked souls, in complete surrender to each other, preparing for the dirty play that's soon to come and replace the spiritual bliss with something raw and utterly lewd.

Can’t say you’ve ever experienced this level of trust and intimacy with anyone else before and it's exciting you to your very core. And everything about loving this little being is equally wonderful to you:

All the cute, delighted noises she's making, the taste of her saliva, each movement of your entwined tongues, the loving touch of her hooves, the feel of touching and fondling her body back, how she’s slowly closing you in the cocoon of her wings,.. even the strands of her mane that are tickling your face you adore. But that amazing, sweetish scent of hers is the most ravishing of it all, making you want to stay in her presence forever and never again long for a human, or any other girl besides this one.

And when you part your lips for a short while, just to let some fresh air into your lungs, you're seeing those mesmerising eyes again. Those which you can’t look away from, as if you were getting pulled straight towards her soul.

"...No stallion ever gazed at me like you do." she exhales a hot breath into your mouth, as your hearts race together in the same rhythm.

"That's just because they couldn't see what I'm seeing." you smile, stroking the colorful mane on her head.

"...And what are you seeing?"

"That you're gorgeous, and I love you."

Before she has time to say anything, you press your lips against hers again because you couldn't wait a second longer to do so.

In the growing excitement, the bulge on your pants starts poking Rainbow’s belly and soon you can feel her hooves clumsily pulling all the clothing down from you. Naturally, you help her with that.

In less than a few seconds it’s all laying next to the bed and you’re back in action. Her soft fur now feels so much better on your bare skin while your back is getting tickled by the feathers of pegasus wings. And even though you're getting hornier each second, the cuddles feel just enough for this moment. If there was any more stimulation than occasionally rubbing your manhood against her body, you’d probably burst in an instant anyway.

But as slow you’re taking it, soon the kisses are getting sloppier and sloppier until you feel like there’s pony saliva not just in, but all around your mouth as well.

In the meanwhile, Dash keeps progressively sliding lower from her pillow, under your body till you find yourself completely above her. The last time you were in this position with her was just before the white knight unicorn threw you against the tree.

"What are you going to do with your mistress now?" she asked back then… And you had no idea how to respond. But this time you know exactly what you want to do with her. And there's nopony to stop you.

So you blindly reach for the collar still somewhere on your right and just when Dash gasps for air in between the kisses, you clip it onto her neck.

At first she almost yanks away in confusion but the very next second she gives you her most coquettish smile, very similar to the way she glanced at you under that tree.

"..So this is how it's gonna be huh?"

"What about it?" you softly pull on the leash to bring her muzzle just a little closer to you, giving her an utterly innocent kiss, right at the top of her snoot.

"Nothing.” her impish expression gets even lewder “...Just be ready for a payback."

"You have no idea how I'm looking forward to it.~"

"Good.~" she boops your nose "Now, what would you have your little pony do?"

“This.” you merely eye down on your throbbing member, poking her delicate body.

And as you pull away to lean on the other side of the bed, you gently lead her with the leash towards you. But before her head starts sliding lower to your crotch, you can't help yourself but to affectionately caress her cheek in your palm.

...Just maybe you won't be too good at playing the rough master, now when you aren't angry at her. But she wants you in that role, just obediently waiting with her lips right in front of the tip of your manhood, till you make her do the next step.

You could almost believe her act of nonvilligness, if only her eyes weren't full of wild lust.

So you bury your left hand in her fluffy mane, moving away a few strands from her face, and grab your shaft with the right one. When you have her nicely positioned, you very slowly rub the tip of your penis over her lips, expecting them to open for you.

But even though Dash sneakily licks away the drop of your pre-ejaculate, she wouldn't open her mouth just yet.

“Make me.” she giggles instead.

“...Are you like,.. sure?”

“Come on, or do you want to switch already?”

“Okay, okay, jeez.” you grin “I’ll be gentle though.”

“You can, but I won’t.” the mare with fire in her eyes breaks her act role for the last time, right before you push her head down a little, slipping underneath of her cheek while her jaws remain tightly shut.

You can feel her molars brushing over your sensitive spots as her mouth is slowly giving in, unclenching her teeth and letting you inside to feel her meaty tongue.

The dirty little thing hasn't been swallowing her saliva all this time, just letting it pile up, so just as you enter her slippery heaven, it partly pours out.

She isn't exactly doing anything on her own though, besides trying not to spill any more, just watching you, obediently waiting for an order.

It takes you just a little while to realize that and another one to do it:

"...Use your lips, okay?" you gently pull on the leash, moving her head just a little lower down your shaft.

And without a word, she closes her mouth around your erection, softly sucking as you're beginning to thrust inside by yourself. Further and further with each hump, until you're starting to feel that you're poking her throat. ...That's where you stop, actually. You went pretty far back then, you probably shouldn't do the same now.

Though, when you glance into Dash’s magenta eyes, she’s giving you a look that expects you to continue. Breathing heavily through her nose, a mouthful of dick, yet she's ready and willing for anything. But not just ready, straight up eager for you to make her gag.

So after a few more seconds of hesitation, you slowly push her head lower. Very cautiously though, checking how she's gonna react. And as prepared as she seemed, her eyes still widen a little as you slide the tip down her throat, pushing the loose collar lower down her neck.

It makes you let her go but she grabs your hand and puts it back onto her head. And this time, she almost doesn't even flinch as you enter her throat, letting you push her head a little bit closer to the very root of your manhood with each of the movements.

With the final one, when the tip of her nose finally touches your belly and you can feel the bulge in her throat moving even under the collar, you give her a little breather by pulling out completely. Wouldn’t want to actually hurt the sweet pegasus.

For a while she gazes at the thick web of saliva, hanging from her lips to your member, panting and regaining her composure.

Once she’s ready to continue, she gives you a little smile and a nod.

With the sign, you start guiding her head up and down, all the way inside her throat and out, which she seems to be taking a lot better now. But it's you, who won't be able to bear all this stimulation anymore.

You're actually a little ashamed of yourself for using her like this, even though you know it's all part of the play. But it's guilty-exciting at the same time, almost as if it was real. Almost too much.

The next moment you find yourself shooting a thick load, straight into her throat, as the fireworks inside your brain explode into rainbows of colours. Then another one. And the last, that sprays into her mouth as you have to let her go so that you wouldn't choke her.

At this point you drop the leash from your hand, while she’s already working on her own to suck you dry till there's nothing left. You just close your eyes and let your head fall over, indulging in the pleasure she's giving you until you're completely flaccid again. ...Only then you have a glance at what's going on down there.

But to your surprise, you find her face right in front of yours because she's about to kiss you with a mouthful of your own cum, just like she's done once before.

‘God no…’

In the very last second, you very gently but firmly stop her head with both of your hands, massaging her cheeks with your thumbs.

"...Can we not do that please?" you don your best pleading smile, hoping you won't upset her after what she went through for you.

The mare stops but then she snickers so hard the white sticky liquid flies straight through her nostrils onto your chest and while clumsily swallowing the rest, it even clogs in her throat, making her gag because she still couldn't stop laughing.

"Hey, you're okay..? I'm sorry.."

"I am..." she wheezes "And I was totally gonna do it. But I just couldn't when you made me remember how destroyed it left you the last time."

"....I guess I'm just not into that." you bashfully scratch your head.

"We'll see in time."

"What?"

"Nothing..." Dash smirks, unclipping the collar to symbolically clip it to your neck "Now,... would you be a good boy and repay the favour to your mistress?"

".....Anything to please her." you grin as she opens her legs for you and starts very slowly guiding your head down her body, towards her steaming hot and wet marehood. Along the way you're hungrily trying to kiss her anywhere you can reach with your lips:

First the fluff on her chest, then her slightly plump belly and before you get to her sweet spot, there are two almost flat breasts with tiny nipples. You never even noticed them ever before, ...a little weird thing to have.

...But it’s cute. She'd be a total flat chest if she was a human.

So you still attempt to give them some affection too before she pushes you even lower to her delicious looking, winking vulva. As soon as you get there, you have a thorough lick to have a good taste of the sweet juices straight from their source but suddenly she pushes your face in without warning or asking, covering you in the slimy and warm sensation, not even letting you properly breathe for a while. It's just now that you're properly realizing how she probably felt when the roles were switched... and why she wanted you to be a bit rough, cause you're enjoying this the same as she did.

Now when it’s consensual, there's suddenly something incredibly hot about letting her use you this way, as if you were her toy, made solely for this purpose.

Her pleasure is your pleasure.

So of course you're doing your best to fulfill your duty and please your kind mistress that's giving you such a plentiful first meal of the day. And she's liking it. Boy, how she's liking it.

So much she lets herself go completely, squirming and moaning, even kicking her legs in the air and flapping her wings, almost flying away from you. - That you don’t allow though, because you avidly follow her up, lapping onto your pony superior like a good human you are,.. till she falls back into the mattress.

Never thought you'd willingly find yourself in such a mental position but you're completely shameless about it. You love it.

Given her excitement, it doesn’t even take as long as you'd want till your head gets clamped between those thick, horse thighs of hers and you know you can prepare for a load of marejuices in your mouth. So you close your eyes to shield them and munch on her even hungrier. Sucking, licking and nibbling at her swollen clit in eager await of her climax...

And then it comes, or rather, she does.

Being prepared for it, you gulp down the initial splooch so you can continue on teasing her to prolong her orgasm as far as you can. ...But you didn't expect so much of it, enough to fill your mouth completely, start pouring down your chin and even come out of your nostrils. Yet you're still resilient about fulfilling your most important duty to wriggle your tongue as deep inside her as you can, tease her clit with your teeth and kiss her walls as if they were her lips. All those cute, delighted noises coming from her are the best reward you could ask for.

And eventually, by the time her orgasm fades out into stillness, you're still making sure she's getting the best treatment until she moves your head away with her hoof by herself.

"Oh Anon, that was so amazing,.." she smiles, still red in her face as she unclips the collar from you "Guess it's time to switch again, isn't it?"

But when she’s about to put it on herself, you stop her and snatch it away.

"How about we finish what I interrupted before..? How about-.." you smirk, playing with the collar in your hand as you climb on top of her to very gently kiss her, throwing it away "...How about we finish it just a little more tenderly?"

"Oh Anon... I was right,.. you're a softie..." she smirks, wiping away a bit of her own fluids from your chin.

"Come on, why do you keep calling me like that..." your face gets red, making you don an embarrassed smile.

"Because I love you for it." her expression turns into a very girly simper "...Not every colt knows how to be gentle hearted."

"I... guess it's a good thing then."

"Of course it is." she smiles before fondly nuzzling you "...Or would you rather be my big and tough man?"

"Depends on the situation... I guess both are okay. But right now, I just wanna be your lover." you kiss her, shutting her up and ending the discussion.

And you can't hear any protests.

As your tongues play and dance in your mouths, you slowly adjust your positions for the upcoming main event. Her legs are still open, so all you have to do is put a pillow under her rump and kneel in front of her. Mostly in the same position as the last time something like this happened. ...Except now it’s gonna be way more loving, compared to the way you pretty much raped each other before.

In order to actually penetrate her, you have to let go from kissing her, so you at least pick her front hooves in your hands, fondling their frogs.

Your eyes are glued at each other, only occasionally slipping down to have a glance at the penetration itself. Her delighted face and wanting gaze are now the most important sight in the universe for you to take in and it feels like she couldn't possibly get any rosier underneath that blue fur on her dainty pony cheeks.

But there isn't a slightest bit of shame over what's happening in either of you. Both of the worlds can go to hell, as long as you're together because there are absolutely no boundaries for your love. There’s only understanding of two souls.

And then the rising bliss starts to take over your connected bodies. In a way, you're losing sense of who is who at the moment. Your essences are melting together, affirming the brand new and way different ties from the old ones, being long thrown away.

All the stimulation from penetrating her so deep you can see her belly moving is good but it’s her eyes that you care about more. You're losing yourself in them, disappearing into nonexistence while staying anchored in your body at the same time, trying to take all that in.

Her tail, that she's slowly wagging from side to side is softly ticking your thighs and her half opened wings, stretched freely under her, - feathers waving and ruffling under each wave of pleasure that has to be manifested externally. Those blue hooves that are clenching your hands just the same way you're holding them, the fuzzy ears of hers, occasionally twitching from all the energy you’re making together.

It's just now that you're starting to realize you might be climaxing soon, as if you could feel both of you at the same time, knowing you'll be finishing together. So you reach to kiss her right before that, pushing yourself as far as you can go.

In that moment you can feel in detail, how she's being filled with your seed, while your bodies struggle to take in such amounts of pleasure at once. The energy is vibrating in your very atoms as if they should burst like a fission bomb but instead it's your mind that's exploding. Over and over again.

...Until it gets slowly remade from scratch and you return back to where you were, the bed in her cloudhouse.

...

After a little while of blackness in front of your eyes, you find yourself laying next to each other, in a tight hug.

The very first breath you manually take is like being born anew: deep and refreshing, pumping your lungs with as much fresh oxygen as they can absorb.Only then you both start calming down, your breaths easing and hearts slowing to a common frequency. ...And it's hard to find the words to say, now when you're able to speak again.

...But is it even necessary to speak? The look in her eyes says everything after all.

So you just cuddle up together and close your eyes, relaxing for a moment and indulging in the feeling of comfort.

...

"...It was so worth it. Everything that happened." Dash says after a while spent in silence.

"Sure was..." you grin, caressing her shoulder.

"And everything that will happen, will be too..."

"Even when ponies start complaining you're dating a dirty human...?"

"Yup, even then." she chuckles "And you aren't dirty,.. only in bed."

"Not as much as you though...." you can't help but to chuckle over the time she snowballed you out of nowhere.

"Oh yeah,.. that's kinda true." a snicker escapes through her nostrils, recalling the very same thing.

...It feels liberating to remember all these horribly traumatic moments you've had together, only to laugh at them now.

...

"....What if I made you slurp it from me and then spit it in my mouth though?" Dash pokes you again after a while.

"Jesus, why bring that up now..?" you snicker real hard “Why do you want to do this to me?”

"I was just curious..." she snickers back, friskily watching you "...it's still doable."

"Mayyyybe the next time, okay? Maybe. That means 50%, not ‘yes’."

"Deal." her teeth shine in an impish grin "But now... let's get to making those pancakes?"

"Great idea, despite how much you made me swallow, I'm actually kinda hungry."

"Could say the same." you accidentally bump foreheads while attempting to get up at the same time "...We probably should get cleaned first though."

"Nah..." Dash springs up from the bed, wiping her crotch with the already stained bedsheet "I'm hungry as heck."

"Alright, fine with me." you chuckle and do the same.

Yet you can’t help yourself but to at least throw the bed shed away from the mattress before following her to the kitchen.

***

"So, masterchef! How do we start?" the mare salutes you as you enter the room, like a military recruit.

"Watch and learn my little apprentice!” you quickly hop onto the act “Because we're making crepes that will be both thin and fluffy at the same time!"

"Aww yeah! ...But wait, for real though?"

"Sure, within limits of course." you grin "You just gotta whip the egg whites before adding them to the batter."

"Oh gosh I can't wait to have a taste.." Dash licks her lips "Lemme fetch the things for you."

"No wait, lemme come with you!" you laugh, grabbing onto her legs as she flaps her wings to try and reach the fridge.

...And she almost lifts you up,.. except she doesn’t. And both of you end up crashing down to the floor. You land on your back and the very next moment there’s a blue pegasus on your chest.

It wasn’t a big fall and she’s relatively light so it doesn’t really hurt. And since Dash probably didn't hit herself either because she’s still giggling, you wrap your hands around her:

"What’cha gonna do now?"

"Well I can struggle and kick..." she grins ".. or I can do this." and she reaches one of her wings to tickle your face with its feathers.

“Aww, jeez, stop it.” you laugh as you let go of her “You win.”

“See? Sometimes the force isn’t even necessary.” the mare gives you a little smug smile.

“I wish I had those too...” you reach for the feathered appendage in front of you, tracing the texture with your fingers “They’re amazing.”

“Well,.. as much as I’d like to stay humble, I gotta agree with you… They are amazing. I’d gladly lend them to you though.”

“Maybe someday.” it makes you smirk. Right before another part of her body catches your attention: “You know what I really like? This.”

And you bury your fingers into her chest fluff, giving her a few deep scratches.

Instead of saying anything, Dash just softly bites her lip, closing her eyes to indulge in the feeling only your hands can give her.

...It feels a little strange not to find any breasts underneath the fur there but you don’t really mind. Not at all, actually. You're starting to love these anatomical differences.

Then one of your hands slides down her belly, circling your finger around the button in the middle, it’s-... funny. It wasn’t just your imagination that she got just a little bit fatter since the last time you met. Her belly was perfectly flat before, now it feels a little plump.

"...Looks like someone has let herself go around the sweets." you grin, kissing her snoot.

"Y-yeah, about that..." Dash opens her eyes.

“Don’t worry though, I think I like you better this way."

"Gosh, you might be in for a surprise then..."

"What do you mean?"

"Um, nothing! I-I'll tell you later." she awkwardly grins.

"Are you planning to drop out from your workouts? Hey, I'm not to judge, that's your decision." you chuckle.

"No I'm not dropping out of these. I mean, maybe only for a few months." Rainbow chuckles back, adding under her breath "But I should probably tell you..."

"What is it?"

"...I might really have let myself go around the sweets but it isn't exactly the real reason why my belly grew... I thought so too at first, but I still took a pregnancy test just to be sure..."

"Wait, you're telling me you're pregnant right now?! With who?" you yank and sit up from the ground.

"With you, you big dummy! Isn't that obvious?" she pushes you back down, sitting on your naked thighs.

"It isn't, we aren't compatible!.. That's the reason why male humans get so oftenly bought by lonely mares, so they can have fun without consequences... How could it possibly be me?" you look away.

"Look,.." her hoof turns your face back at her, so that she can look into your eyes “...As much as I wanted to back then, I wasn't sexualy active with anypony for over seven months... Except you."

...That would explain why she always seemed so horny around you. But-...

"But how..?"

"I don't know. I was really confused about it too.... Even considered abortion because you were gone and I was so scared of the consequences, but... I just couldn't kill my baby. I couldn't... " Dash’s magenta eyes get a little wet over the memory but then she smiles "And when I almost accepted being a single mother, you returned. As if it all came together."

"...But why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to scare you off, okay?! ...And I did try, but you wouldn't let me..." she puckers up her lips. “You cut me off twice.”

"...God, so I'm gonna be a father." you exhale, staring almost blankly through her… But then you can feel the corners of your mouth rising on their own as your eyes meet again:

“I can't believe it, I'm gonna be a father!! That's AMAZING!" you grab her shoulders, shaking with her in excitement.

"...So, you're okay with it?"

"Of course! I already gave up all hope of ever having kids, but you-" you smack a kiss on her face "I love you! I promise I'll do everything to be the best father to-... is it gonna be a boy or a girl?"

"I have no idea..." Rainbow bites her lip "I was too scared to go to the doctor... Gosh Anon, I still am. Not only about what will ponies say, but how the baby will even look like. What if it'll be-..."

"...An abomination?" you finish what she couldn’t say.

And as an answer, Dash only fearfully nods.

"..Would you still not abort it?"

“...” ...Your question makes her softly cringe, breaking the eye contact for a second, before glancing back at you to hesitantly nod again.

"...Then it would be our little abomination." you smile "It's still a miracle! Things like that don't happen everyday. Even if it'll be an ugly evolutionary dead end, I'll love it because we made it."

Hearing it, your mare exhales in relief, following with a hasty inhale as a smile rises on her face: "I guess that's all I needed to know..."

"It's just... ponies probably can't look down on me any further but you, carrying a mixed baby,. It could destroy your reputation here..."

"I don't care Anon... At least I think. But I'll always have my five best friends, we're real tight. And I've got you..." she glances at you hopefully.

"You can count on me."

"...But I'm still worried about the baby... even if it won't be... deformed,.. it might not get treated fairly in this world... That's what I fear the most."

You inhale and open your mouth, about to say something positive and soothing, but then you realize she has a good point...

"....Oh yeah, I didn't exactly think about that... So,.."

"I don't know what to do..."

"Well I'm sure we'll figure something out! And we shouldn't make too many presumptions. Maybe it'll look like a regular pony after it's mother,... with only a few indistinctive features from my side...the mane color or something..."

"Y-yeah... we probably shouldn't get too far ahead. Important is we both want it,.. right?"

"Exactly!" you finally stand up from the ground, picking the pegasus in your arms "Everything is gonna be okay."

"It will..." she smiles back at you, looking way calmer than a minute ago "Thank you.."

"No, thank you. For being the bravest girl I've ever known.... And for giving my life a purpose."

***

After that little talk, you were about to return to the cooking lesson but it’s a little hard to go on, pretending as if nothing happened just now. As much as you're trying to concentrate, you can't stop thinking about it

"God I still can't believe it..." you exhale excitedly, while whipping the eggs.

"I know, but would you stop talking about it for a minute?" Dash on your right pokes you "You're supposed to teach me to cook right now."

"Okay, okay, I'm trying! ...How does your part look like?"

"I dunno HOW much flour and milk! You didn't even tell me! Just gave me the flour and milk while giggling like a mare." she shows you the bowl with yolks you separated, into which she didn't add anything at all

"You gotta feel it,.. just pour some in there and you'll see."

"I don't feel it yet, alright. That's what I need you for."

"Let's do it together then." you move behind her as tightly as you can, grab her hoof she's holding the flour with and slowly pour some into the bowl for her.

"Okaaaay...? Now milk?" she puts the flour back down and picks up the bottle, hesitantly holding it above the mix.

"Yup, go on." you softly nudge her.

Pouring the milk by herself, she seems as nervous as if she was handling some explosive materials or defusing a bomb. So you decide to take advantage of the situation:

"Maybe just a liiiiitle more and... -wait that's too much!!!"

"Haaaah!" she yanks "Noo!"

"...Actually, that should be okay. I was just messing with you." you laugh

"You..!" her nose wrinkles but she can’t hold back the giggle.

"See, you're already a great cook! Nothing to mess up here yet, you can always fix it by adding more things." you hand her a whisk to properly mix it all up before you add the whipped whites and a pinch of salt.

In return, you get a rare, humble grin.

...A few months back, you’d never guess you’d willingly be here, with this mare, having such a good time together. Yet here you are. And you wouldn’t trade it for anything…

***

Once it's all mixed and the batter is just right, you heat up a pan with some oil and give the bowl to Dash.

"...Me?"

"You're the apprentice here." you chuckle.

"Exactly, that’s why I can't do it myself! You gotta show me first."

"Okay, sounds fair. So let's try just this much..." you pour some batter onto the pan, trying to get it evenly into all corners by tilting the pan "See, just like that. Now, just a few seconds and we can turn it around."

"That's where I failed horribly the last time..." your apprentice eyes on a charred black handle, still sticking out of the trash bin. You would rather not think about how the rest of the pan looks.

"...Oh yeah.. But it won't be the case today! You just gotta do-...like this!" you carefully stuff the cooking spatula under the pancake to unstick it, then make it fly up to the air! ...And catch it back on the pan again.

"Holy bleep. No way I can do that."

"You can use the spatula to turn it around. I was just flexing at you."

"Then don't, I'm a ball of nerves as it is!"

"Sorry."

"It was a real cool flex though." an amused grin rises on her face "... Lemme try the next one." and she grabs the pan out of your hands, just when you put the finished pancake on a prepared plate.

You watch her pour just a little more batter than you would, but it's still pretty okay, so when she glances at you, looking for a confirmation that she's doing good, you give her two thumbs up.

"Well what does that mean?! Quickly, it's gonna burn!"

"That means you're doing amazing! Go on! Spread it to the sides!"

"How? Help me!"

"Like this." you grab her hoof, doing just the right movements for her.

"Oh, nice..." she calms down a little, seeing it's spread evenly "..Do we turn it around now?"

"Yup, it's getting nice and gold on the sides. Use the spatula."

"Yea..." the tongue of the pegasus pokes out as she's trying to concentrate on such a delicate task, but- ".....NOOO! I tore it!"

"It can still be saved! Just flip it around and I'll glue it back with some more batter!"

"I can't! By Celestia it's ruineddddd.” the rainbow mare desperately tries to fix it but she tears it even more, almost shredding it to pieces:

"......Why am I like this." her head hangs down a little

"Hey, you're fine. It was a nice first try."

"Third...if you count while I was here alone."

"No matter. Even though it ended up like this, you're trying, - that's important."

"Are you trying to motivate me into another attempt?"

"What if I do...? I'll make one myself and you can try the one after it, whaddaya say?"

"Sounds... good I guess." she smiles

And indeed, her next try, even though there still was some assistance and it's not exactly a perfect looking pancake, is edible. And that's good.

"...YES! I can't believe it! Like, look at me, frying food and stuff!" she's jumping around the way you only ever saw Pinkie move.

"Oh yeah, you're totally rad!" you laugh.

"Not rad, yet. But this is a huge milestone for me." Dash stops to give you a proud grin and a hug "..I'm gonna try the next one too."

***

While it may have taken a real long time just to make a few pancakes, it was an absolutely fun event for both of you. Dash made a few more, which was enough to satisfy her, and you finished the last few ones.

Now you've got your lunch ready for serving, with sirup and an equestrian version of nutella.

"Tastes like victory..." the mare gives a grin with a mouthful of a crepe "...Hope the baby can feel this moment too."

"I'm sure it can. And it'll know how to make crepes straight from the womb." you grin back.

"Oh yeah!..." she swallows her morsel, smiling to herself for a few seconds "....Anon, I think I'm gonna go straight to the hospital after this. I gotta know the gender and species of our baby..."

"So... you think you're ready for ponies to find out?"

"Yeah,.. I think I am. ..Wanna go with me?"

"You're kidding? Of course I do!"

"Great! I can't wait!" her teeth bite into another pancake.

Chapter eight: I'd rather die / Epilogue

Right after the lunch, followed with a quick shower, you put on your clothes again and you’re on your way towards the good old balloon to get back on the ground.

Even though it’s your second ride today, it still brings a lot of memories, but this time different ones. You recall the last time you were going down, right before you were set free. Back then you felt sorry for not appreciating such a marvelous sight. Now you’re fully aware and grateful for such privilege to experience it. To live up in the sky and see the land the same way birds and pegasi do.

Surely, not many other humans were so gifted in life as you are…

Upon landing, you and Dash head straight to the hospital, which is actually pretty far away from the platform. One has to go all the way through the whole Ponyville but you don't really mind as long as there’s your favourite tomboy pegasus next to you....Not as if you were the kind to hide behind a girl but in this case it’s justified that you're feeling safe with her. You always did. Even if you didn’t appreciate it back then.

...

By the time you’re almost at the other side of the village, you encounter a familiar white mare with a purple mane, one of the ponies you're actually glad to see again.

"Oh my! Rainbow darling, is that really Anon with you right now?" Rarity rushes towards both of you.

"Yup, who else than Anon?" Dash chuckles, standing a little closer to you “I meant it when I said that I’m never going to buy another human."

"I immediately saw the poncho I made and I simply HAD to make sure if my eyes weren't deceiving me. ...How is it possible you’re back, boy?"

"Hello, Miss Rarity." you give Rarity a warm smile and then friskily grin at Dash "I really missed my ‘mistress’, so I've returned."

"...But that's so very unexpected to hear! Just a few days before you ran away, Rainbow mentioned she found out you always hated her. ..What changed?"

"Everything! I realized my place is here. With Dash." you kneel to be at the same height with the two mares, fondly wrapping your arm around the pegasus.

"So and now is everything okay between the two of you? ..I see Anon doesn't even have a collar now." Rarity glances at Rainbow that’s visibly enjoying your unconcealed affection.

"More than okay! Things were never better!"

"Oh that's so relieving to know! I always thought you look so cute together!"

"Do we, huh?" Dash chuckles, taking over the conversation for a while.

"But of course! Even though it felt a little strange at first, to see humans being kept as pets but it seems to work out real well once settled!"

"Um yeah... We might have taken it a little further than that."

"What do you-.." the white mare gets somewhat red in her face when an image of you two fiercely bumping uglies in bed, flashes through her mind "Oh!! I see.. Well, it is undeniable that a human body looks rather appealing to a mare's eye, I saw for myself. I've even heard of Pinkie's sister buying a human for this very purpose! I just didn't realize you'd be the kind to go that direction as well..."

"Not only that... we sort of have a thing going between us. Like a serious one."

"...Are you speaking of an actual romance..?"

"K-kinda..." Rainbow simpers as if she said something she wasn't completely ready to stand behind.

"By Celestia,.. Dashie, I mean, kink is a one thing, we all have our needs. And it's understandable, especially with you, having trouble finding a right colt. But trying to turn that into a relationship? My, that would be like as if Fluttershy said she was dating her bunny because he's cute! You must be just confusing your needs with your feelings darling."

"I'm not exactly a bunny though... I can speak." you wedge yourself back in.

"No offense Anon, I know well you're an intelligent individual considering your species, but from the social stand, ponies and humans can't make actual pairs... It's silly. I mean, how could this work when you don't even have citizenship or any rights?"

"That's up to us to find out Rarity." Dash defensively steps in front of you.

"...Sorry I didn't mean to insult you Dashie. I merely wanted to point out this might be very controversial to most ponies..." Rarity takes a step back "I-I'm not judging you of course, but you probably shouldn't tell everypony so openly..."

"Just you wait till you find out about the baby..." you mumble to yourself.

"...What?"

"Nothing! A-anyway, we'll be going now! Sure look forward to seeing you soon Rarity!" Rainbow pushes you away from the white unicorn.

"Wait! ..Does that mean you'll be coming to the Pony Pet Play date this month? It's this week!"

"I uhhhhh..." the pegasus next to you stops for a second, just when she is about to disappear behind a corner.

"Definitely!" you yell, taking the first step out of the white mare's sight "See ya there Miss Rarity!"

…

As soon as you’re both far enough to be sure Rarity can’t hear anymore, Rainbow Dash stops you once again:

"...Anon, are you sure about it? Do you really wanna go there?"

"Come on! Just for the sake of it. It's gonna be fun! "

"Twilight's gonna be there though..."

"Oh fuck. I forgot about that..." you cringe "...But I'll probably have to confront her sooner or later.. You will try to calm her down, right?.. What you said still stands..?"

"Of course I'll protect you, my little human." Dash giggles before soaring up to give you a little kiss.

But when she's about to land, she changes her mind, seating herself on your shoulders:

"But you'll have to carry me to the hospital first."

"What, why?" you laugh "You can fly faster than I can fall."

"Yeah, but I wanna be carrrried.~"

"Jeez, what I wouldn't do for you, my mistress." you grin as you get to walking.

Since Rainbow Dash is a pegasus and she’s even smaller than most others, her lightweight is relatively easy to carry.

“...Is it true that pegasi have hollow bones like birds, Dash?” you ask after a while.

“I dunno, I never checked.”

“Well I thought they might teach you in school or something.”

“School is lame...” she laughs, playing with the hair on your head.

“To be honest, I’m not even surprised about an answer like that from you.” you chuckle.

“Hey, don’t blame me. If you wanted somepony who knows it all, you should have gone for Twilight.~”

“It was you who chose me! ...I’m glad you did though.”

“Wouldn’t you rather end up with Fluttershy or Rarity? They’re really pretty.” Dash pokes you.

“But they aren’t fun.” you grin “You are.”

***

“Hey, you don’t actually have to carry me all the way.” the pegasus on your shoulders smirks when you’re almost through the Ponyville.

“What if I want to, though? This momma needs her rest.”

“Shut up, I’m pregnant, not crippled.” she laughs, smooching you before she jumps down.

“But I wanna spoil you...” you kneel to kiss her back, thinking there’s nopony around right now.

But after the short, yet amorous kiss, you notice a mare, shielding the eyes of her foal at the sight of you. The reaction put a frown on your face.

“...Hey, what’s wrong.” Dash who didn’t see them nudges you.

"Nothing. It's just,.. I dunno, maybe you really should keep ‘us’ a secret. ...You saw Rarity's reaction. And she was always pretty cool with me to begin with. Imagine others all the others."

"I know..."

"...I just don't want to make it harder for you." you touch her shoulder “I won’t be upset if…”

The mare you fell in love with glances down on the ground as if she was searching there for something to say. But then she looks into your eyes, full of confidence:

"...Anon, I'm not planning to lie about us, just to look better in the eyes of others. Things like this have to be faced. ...And it's not like I could hide what’s between us forever, the baby will arrive in half a year..."

"Right..."

"I'll be fine... And I'm not ashamed of you, okay?"

"Thanks Dash..." you crack a visibly touched smile.

It was something that you didn’t know you needed to hear. And Rainbow knows it, since she just smiles, pats you and carries on towards the hospital.

In the past, you overheard her multiple times, talking about being an incarnation or an element of loyalty, whatever that meant. You always thought it was just one of her many braggings.

...You still can’t say that you understand what it means but you know she’s serious when she says a thing like that.

Suddenly you're feeling a little more ready for whatever the future brings

...

In the hospital, Dash goes straight to the counter to make an appointment, so you sit on one of the small chairs in the waiting room you came here through. There's an old pony sitting across you, one younger with a broken leg for a check up and one with a visible fever, arriving mere second after you.

The last one gets announced first because his case seems to be the most urgent, leaving you with the two others.

The old-timer won't stop giving you weird looks but he's not exactly saying anything. It's probably better that way.

The other looks just bored, trying to seem as careless as possible.

Nonetheless, you can still feel all the eyes onto you, each time you look the other way.

‘...Just what is a human doing at a pony hospital?’ they must be thinking.

But all of them saw you come here with Rainbow Dash, that's probably why they didn't say anything yet. Soon she joins you, giving you a little smile before taking a seat next to yours.

You smile back. With her around, the atmosphere feels a lot less tense.

And you wait together, until it’s her turn and the door to the doctor's office open.

"I'm sorry, no animals past this point." a nurse stops you when you want to follow the colorful pegasus.

"Can't we have an exception? I can't leave him outside." Dash turns around.

"Why don't you have him collared in the first place then? That's pretty reckless, considering you're in a hospital."

"Promise he'll be just standing in the corner, but I need him with me. ...He would go absolutely mad without me." she eyes your way, hoping that you’ll play along.

"Oh yeah, I'd totally go crazy and break stuff and uhh... be extremely rowdy."

"By Celestia,.. okay then. But he better behave inside! Or you'll pay for any broken or damaged equipment. Ponies these days..."

"Great! Let's go."

...

The doctor pony waiting inside is a little more welcoming than the nurse. He even offers you a treat, which you politely refuse because you're still feeling filled with pancakes, sirup and marejuice.

Then they bring some kind of device resembling an ultrasound, similar to the ones you've seen on Earth, except this one seems partly magic operated and probably has a way clearer image.

...

"Hmm, looks like we have a healthy foal right here!" announces the doctor eventually "No anomaly..."

Hearing it, Rainbow Dash exhales in relief, faintly glancing your way to smile, seeing that you share her emotion.

"-But the second one..."

"WAIT, I'm having TWO kids?" you mare yanks in her seat.

"Of course! I thought you knew. At this early stage, your belly wouldn't even be visible if you only had one!" the stallion smiles and glances back at the screen "...But,.. Miss Redheart, would you have a look at this? You're younger and have better eyes."

As soon the nurse comes closer, she widens her eyes in a shock and almost drops a tray she was holding with her teeth:

"Doctor, n-no hooves... the fetus doesn't have hooves."

"It really does seem that way, doesn’t it?" he moves the image to have a better angle while both you and Dash are getting more pale each second "But only the front ones. The rear looks fine... Strange, it looks almost like.... ‘hands’?"

The next moment, all eyes in the room are fixed at you. And you aren't able to say anything at all, with an exception of making a very awkward smile.

"Doctor, quick, show me the image please! I need to see." Dash breaks the silence.

"Miss Dash..." he adjusts the screen so that she can see better "I've never seen anything like this... who exactly is the father?"

From where you're standing, it's partly visible to you as well. The final form isn't clear yet, but from the very basic shape, it seems as if the lower part was pony and the upper one was human.

Rainbow has a very detailed look at the screen, staring at it for almost half a minute, completely ignoring the doctors question.

"...Are both of my foals gonna be healthy?" she gasps eventually.

"I... can't say for sure about the second one but so far the organ development seems in order. Within limits of the body shape of course...." the doctor keeps studying the image "...And I'm about 80% sure it might be a female, while the first one would probably be a male... But did you have any idea of what we might find here, miss Dash? Is... is him the father?" his head nudges towards you.

Rainbow nervously swallows her saliva and eyes at you as if she was looking for some kind of support. So you smile as warmly as you can, letting her know you’ll always be there for her, even if she denied you.

The mare smiles back before glancing back at the doctor and his nurse:

"Yes. He is. What about it?"

"I uhhh,.. didn't know it was possible... Are you 100% you want to keep both of them? It would only be understandable if-"

"Why does everypony have a need to tell me what’s understandable and what isn’t?!" Dash raises her voice in anger, but then she quickly calms down "...Both are my foals. Now,.. would you let their father have a closer look as well please?"

"Um, of course.." both of the ponies step away.

And you hesitantly move closer towards the chair that Dash is sitting in and kneel next to her to be at the same level, staring at the screencap.

"...God,.. I still can't believe it. Look at our kids... this really is a miracle." you exhale.

You're unable to unglue your eyes from the image. That is until your head accidentally bumps with Rainbow's. Then you jerkily turn your gaze her way, meeting her magenta eyes. - And they're wet with tears, just like yours.

The tears of joy.

You hug each other tightly, this really is the single best day of your life...

...

You weren't really paying attention to how the doctor and his nurse were looking at you two throughout that moment but it probably wasn't the same way if you were a young stallion. You're actually pretty sure about that, because they were both acting really awkward for the whole rest of the appointment.

But Rainbow wasn't. She was completely natural, not hiding her excitement in front of anypony. And there was a lot to be excited about. You’ll be having twins!

Something changed inside of you that moment, as if nothing else really mattered anymore. Suddenly you have everything that you ever wanted from life: home, love and a sense of purpose. All found in a single day.

For that you’re eternally grateful to your mare and even ready to give your life if it was necessary to protect her and your future kids. But for now, being the best father and a husband that you can be should be enough.

Sometimes, the happiness in life can be found more suddenly than one can expect...

***

Just like Rarity said, the same week is the Pony pet play Date at which you promised to come. At first it might have seemed like a rash decision to go there but Dash decided it might be the ideal opportunity to unveil everything to her closest friends.

And if she says she’s ready for it, then you’ll be happy to support her decision.

***

The first rays of a morning sun that shine on your face through the opened window make you withdraw from the dream realm to open your eyes and see the colorful mane with a blue pony nose sticking out of it.

You know there’s also a face underneath those disheveled strands of red, yellow and orange, so you boop the snoot like a button to wake Dash up.

It’s not working though. She’s sleeping like a log, as usual.

Which means you gotta hate to use less “sophisticated”, yet much more entertaining methods...

You pick up one of the feathers laying around from yesterday's wild night and tickle one of the nostrils that are peacefully inhaling and exhaling the morning air.

The next second is not so peaceful:

“Ah-Achoo!!” Dash sneezes so hard she almost bangs her head against yours.

“Good Morning sweetie.” you grin.

“...By Celestia, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” the pegasus squints her eyes at you.

“Of course it is!” you grin even wider and adjust her hooves that are wrapped around you, so you can pull her even closer on your bare body “...You know what day is it, right?”

“If only you were so enthusiastic about it the last time.” she smirks before giving you a short kiss “...But yeah, I guess it is a good morning, Anon.”

“Nice… And to make that morning an even better one, lemme make you some nice breakfast, ‘mistress’.” you return the kiss and you’re about to get up so you can start working on it,.. but her hoof gently pulls you back into the bed:

“You can improve the morning of your mistress by staying with her a little longer.” Dash laughs and buries her head into the pillow “...We can have apples for breakfast or something. Let’s just cuddle now.”

“Alright, that’s an offer I don’t wanna refuse.”

“You don’t have a choice…” she wraps her hooves around your body with a giggle.

…

The breakfast really ended up being just a few apples on the way to the balloon.

Now it's 9:26 AM and you’re arriving at the park with your ex-owner, currently a girlfriend, Rainbow Dash.

Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight and Applejack are already waiting there and they’re all too busy chatting to notice you coming. You wonder how come Pinkie isn’t here yet, since you’d expect a pony like her to be everywhere first. But the very next second, the pink tornado literally teleports in front of you:

"HEY DASHIE!1!! HIA ANON!1!!" she pulls a cupcake out of thin air the same way she did the last time and stuffs it in your mouth before you even get to greet her back "See Twilight?! Anon REAAAAALLY likes Dashie after all! He must have realized how sad she was when he ran away so he's BACK!"

Twilight, who was busy with some scrolls uptil now, teleports them all somewhere out of sight with a flash of her magic and walks a few steps towards you and Dash. You gulp when you see the not-so-happy-to-see-you expression of the purple alicorn. You could swear that if you were here alone, she’d already turn you into something like a bug or a worm. You’re here with Rainbow Dash though, so she merely gives you a frown before greeting her friend:

"Hey Rainbow.., so it's true you have Anon back. After all, both Rarity and Pinkie confirmed it, but it still feels a little surprising he’d return after the way it ended. It’s almost odd."

"Hey Twi." Dash smiles a bit more timidly than usual "...I might not have been completely honest about everything that happened."

“What do you mean?” Twilight inquiringly raises an eyebrow to let her know she's listening.

And all the other ponies join her because they’re eager to know. It seems that besides the fact you’re back, Rarity didn’t tell them anything else. And Dash takes a deep inhale:

"Anon didn’t run away in the first place. Something happened between us and it made me realize that humans aren’t exactly a “pet material”...But I couldn't just sell him, he would suffer in captivity. So I let him go...”

"If he suffers in captivity, why did he return then? I know my two humans definitely wouldn't..." Applejack joins in the argument.

"The poor boy must have got too domesticated to survive in the wild on his own..." the yellow pegasus next to her sighs.

“You see it’s-” Dash attempts to speak but her friends seem to be more interested in their speculations than an actual answer.

"Fluttershy must be right, the human merely realized it's convenient to return. And the poor Rainbow is too loyal for her own good to get rid of him." Twilight swiftly jumps to a conclusion.

“That isn’t what I meant Twi-” Fluttershy starts...

"-I returned to Rainbow Dash because I love her, okay?!" you shut them all up and step forward "I initially misjudged your friend for a horny, shallow, egocentric manipulator because I couldn't see past my spite towards your kind, back then . - And it was too late when I realized just how wrong I was..."

Throughout the momentary silence, you look into the magenta eyes of the mare you're taking about and kneel lower, speaking mostly to her now:

"...I might have been right about the horny part." you smirk " But she's the most selfless, amazing and unique person I ever met. That's why I returned, because I knew I wouldn't ever meet anyone like her. And I had to tell her, because she means a world to me..."

...You’d kiss her as well but with all the eyes fixed on you right now, you wouldn't dare. At least not before she says what she has to say.

And Dash simpers at you, getting just a little red in her cheeks before eyeing back on her friends behind you:

".... We're in love guys." she grins and kisses you in front of them all "Anon isn't my pet anymore. If that isn't clear yet. "

This is where most of the ponies gasp with various expressions: Twilight seems to be the most shocked one, with a bit of disgust on her face, Fluttershy and Applejack are just genuinely confused, Rarity already knows and Pinkie is steadfastly enthusiastic as always.

"...And that's not all! We have a foal coming in about 7 months..." Rainbow's face gets even redder, simultaneously as her smile gets wider.

Which shocks the ponies even further, including Rarity, who thought that nothing can surprise her at this point.

"Rainbow, there is no way this was possible. You should go to the hospital and let them check you with their equipment . The tests or symptoms can be deceiv-" Twilight starts.

"We've been there yesterday." you cut her off

"We were." Dash nods "And there are two of them actually. One pony and one... mixed."

"You can't possibly be serious." the purple mare still doesn’t want to believe it.

"I am. I'm gonna be a mother. Me, guys. Can you imagine?"

"Hardly..." Applejack quietly admits.

"Oh, I couldn't either at first, but it's getting easier each day! It’s the most amazing thing!"

"With a human, Rainbow? That is so wrong on so many levels!" Twilight won’t let up.

"I don't care! Who are you to lecture me, Twi? A princess of friendship that can't see past her own friendship problem?” Dash finally had enough “I know how much you hate Anon, do you really want to ruin this for us?!”

“Ruin? What is here to ruin in the first place? Come on Rainbow, snap out of it! Get rid of that human and abort that thing or-... or-..”

“Or what?”

“Or we can’t be friends anymore!”

The sentence makes Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty, freeze in place as if she was stabbed.

“..Is that so huh?” she turns away so that nopony can see her eyes getting wet “...Guess I was wrong about you Twi.”

“...Wait!” Twilight reaches her hoof towards the pegasus “I didn’t mean-...”

But when she sees you, kneeling down to comfort her friend, the purple unicorn's eye twitches in anger and her expression wrinkles into a painful cringe.

“You did this!!” she charges her horn with a purple, scary looking, magical aura “This is all your fault!!”

...To make sure that whatever she sends at you won’t hit Dash, you quickly stand up from the mare. And then:

*poof*

…

….

Your eyes carefully open. You expected to be reduced to ash or at least a frog but instead the alicorn disappeared in the purple glow, no traces of her anywhere… Leaving you and Dash there, with the four other mares. And Owlicious too because Twilight probably forgot about him in her anger.

"Oh wow..." you exhale in relief that you’re alive and glance at Rainbow "...will she be okay?"

"I hope so… We never fought like this before, I had absolutely no idea…” Dash wipes away the tear from her eye “...I expected that I’d just admit how things really are and we all could have tea or something, maybe even a celebration… Was that really so naive of me?"

“I don’t know…” you hug her “...But I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be…” she snivels “This isn’t your fault...”

...

“Dashie…” Fluttershy squeaks eventually to get her friend’s attention.

“...Yes Flutters?” Rainbow opens her eyes, almost as if she forgot that her other friends are still there.

“So all of that is really true..? That you and Anon…”

"Yes it is. ...And you guys? ...Are you going to abandon me like Twilight or could you accept us? All four of us..?" she eyes down on her belly.

And for a while, there’s silence. Merely a wind, rustling through the trees, and the sounds of Ponyville market in the distance.

Until Pinkie Pie breaks it:

"...I can't wait to throw the babies a birthday party!!!" she yells and rushes to hug you both.

The other ponies stand there lingering.

“Come ON, GUYS!! Aren’t you excited?!”

“I… don’t really know if “excited” is the right term darling…” Rarity steps a bit forward, but then she smiles “...but you’re our friend, no matter what. And we respect your decision.”

Fluttershy, who’s happy that she doesn’t have to speak anymore, just silently joins the group hug.

“...”

Only Applejack who was silently watching the things unfold still hesitates.

She doesn’t know you at all and the only humans she met were the ones she bought as a workforce. It’s very obvious she’s struggling with herself, but she saw for herself where xenophobia leads.

...

“....Aww shucks.” she chuckles eventually “This is all really weird but who am I to judge?”

And it’s as if almost everything turned out okay in the end. But only almost...

...

"You should still check on Twilight, Rainbow..." Rarity nudges Dash after everyone’s let go of each other "...She saw the consequences of the war first hoof, it's hard to blame her for acting on emotions... "

"I know... We’ll go see her. I think she needs to talk with Anon as much as she needs to talk with me..."

***

The Pony Pet Play Date ended pretty much sooner than it started and even though it didn’t end up exactly the way Rainbow Dash expected, at least the things were cleared. Pinkie, Rarity, Flutershy and Applejack went home and you were headed towards a crystal castle in the middle of Ponyville because there’s the highest chance to find Twilight. In the safety of her home and books.

...

"Hey Twi..." Dash opens the door to the map room, finding her friend, sitting in her seat, staring at the magical table "...are you still mad?"

The purple alicorn raises her head towards her, as if trying to ignore you, being there as well:

"I am not mad at you Rainbow,.. or maybe just a little. ...For siding with the human, rather than your friends,... but I am way more mad at the human."

"But there don't have to be sides..! You of all ponies should understand that. What makes humans any different from yaks or griffins? Isn't this what you wanted to teach the ponies? Friendship?"

"Rainbow, there wasn't a war between us and yaks or griffins... You just-... haven't seen the dead ponies, killed by humans. I knew some of them and I felt responsible for each and every one!"

"...Princess Twilight, with all due respect-" you start, but the stare she gives you makes you hesitate for a second.

“...”

"With all due respect, wasn't what happened between our races already enough?” you muster enough courage in the end “...You won and my world is no more. Yet I don't hate you as much as you hate me."

The courage isn’t getting rewarded though.

"You're sitting on a throne of lies! This is just an elaborate manipulation!" Twilight bursts at you.

"Will you calm down Twilight? No I haven't seen the dead ponies, nor the dead humans. But I felt something way more important. I felt..." Rainbow bites her lip, knowing how much will Twilight hate what she's gonna say "I felt love.. We both did. Isn't that enough?"

And just like predicted, the purple alicorn isn't exactly pleased with what your ex-mistress, now special somepony, said. She looks furious when she glances at you two, defensively standing close to each other, as if ready to defend one another from the common threat:

Her.

As much as she’d want to smite you where you stand so she could have her old friend back, the same she was before, it just isn’t possible. Too many things have changed and as tempting as it can be, violence or anger can’t solve the problem at this point.

“I hate you…” she eventually caves down instead, tears in her eyes “I just want my friend back. If only we never set hoof on your Celestiaforsaken planet...”

“Twilight! We’re still friends. And this might be the very first good thing to come out of our races meeting. Wasn’t that the original intention? Finding new friends..?”

“But it’s too late for that now.” Twilight sniffles.

“It's never too late to make the right decision... ”

And from the look of her, deep down she knows how wrong she is. And that as a princess of friendship, this might be her most important test so far.

"If only it wasn’t so hard..." she exhales eventually, as if the anger inside her was deflating and losing its aggressive energy "I just wished I would never see another human again after the war… But when the portals didn't close properly and ponies started hauling humans to Equestria,.. none of that was supposed to happen.”

“But it happened Twilight,.. All we can do is to stop trying to make it worse. You have the power to stop this madness.”

“I don’t, don’t you understand? We let it go too far. If I could, I’d send all the humans back to Earth and never hear about them again but they’re already all across Equestria. Slaves, pets and in some instances… whatever you two have. But the mixed babies? I’d never consider that happening, not even in my sleep."

"Anon said it's a miracle,.. I think so too. Considering the circumstances under which they were conceived..."

"I don't think it's a miracle. Think about it, both of you. By Celestia, Rainbow, do you seriously want to do that to your kids? Letting it be a lonely mutant, a crossbreed, in a world that doesn't even want it?"

"I'll be there for them."

"And I will too." you step a bit closer to Dash.

"And what will you do?” Twilight scoffs “A human voice means about as much as if ducks said they want a change."

"Maybe you ought to listen to ducks sometimes then. They might have good ideas."

"I can't believe you're saying that Twilight. You are a princess of friendship!"

"I'm just telling you the facts! All of this is already happening, humans have their position in our society as animals. Not even I can do anything about it, Celestia won't do anything about it. I'm just trying to save my friend from ruining her and her foal's life."

"Well if you really care about me, you should help me instead of trying to change my mind."

"I already said it, I can't force a widespread law for humans to suddenly be treated differently..! The things are far beyond my own control!"

"Then make an exception for Anon? Please?"

"... You aren't seeing it,.." the alicorn's hoof touches her forehead "..but if one human gets a rightful citizenship, others will want it too. It could cause so much chaos or even riots because Equestria is now filled with humans... Even if I wanted to, I'm afraid I can't do that either."

"...Can you do anything at all then?"

But Twilight just hangs her head. She doesn’t look frightening at all now…

And you feel that the only reason why she doesn’t want to do anything is simply because she’s too afraid to be as bold as the brave blue pegasus by your side. Yet you don't spite her for it anymore.

"Hey, that’s alright, princess Twilight. I never asked for help or exceptions....." you move closer towards her "But I'd do anything for our daughter and son to be treated fairly. Can you help us with that..?"

"...So that’s it huh?" the purple alicorn chuckles, raising her head with a melancholic smirk towards you "Is that really everything you want?”

“Yes, that’s all. I was prepared to trade my freedom just to be with your friend. But I received a lot more than that. All I want now is to protect them so they could live a better life than me.”

And the princess frowns at you, as if looking for signs of deceit or lies. Yet there are no to be found. What you’re saying is your deepest heart’s wish.

After a little while, her expression softly changes:

“...Perhaps I misjudged you Anon. Maybe there’s more to humans than I thought… At least to some…”

Then she somewhat officially clears her throat, as if there were ponies present:

"As a princess, I give my word that both of the "foals" will have Equestrian citizenship and rights, just like their mother, and I'll do everything in my personal influence to provide their fair treatment here in Ponyville. And as a friend: ...I'm sorry I can't do more."

"Thank you so much Princess." you bow respectfully to her direction.

"It's okay Twilight, I'm happy we get to stay friends…”

***

...And so it went.

A few months later, Rainbow's belly started being visible to naked eye and ponies started asking about the father. Having support of both her friends and yours, Dash had enough confidence to answer truthfully to all those who would ask.

And not only because of that you became notorious around Ponyville. By that time they already knew you as “Anon - The Rainbow Dash's human”. One that's friendly to all the ponies and there’s no need to be upset about him walking leashless, or even completely without a pony, alone buying things at the market or going for a stroll through nature.

But yeah, but that took quite some more time for them to get used to.

Things still aren’t 100% perfect, there are still a few ponies who never learned to like or at least accept you. The majority accepts you though and you’re able to live a relatively “normal” life. You might still officially be Dash’s property and ponies outside of Ponyville won’t ever stop treating you that way.

But it doesn’t matter to you. You’re happy for what you already have.

***

...Dash asked for something sweet today, so you've decided to bake it for your “wife”. You like to consider her that way, even though you can't legally marry.

You just made a whole chocolate-cherry cake just for your amazing wife and you're bringing it to her to show off the piece.

Your baking skills drastically improved, since you started helping at the sugarcube corner sometimes. You wanted to work so you provide at least a little bit for your future family, even though Dash says it’s not essential. But you wanted to feel at least a little bit useful.

"Oh wow! I didn't know I had a birthday Anon." Dash smiles at you from the sofa just when she notices you in the door frame "...What did I do to deserve this?"

"Don't you know?" you grin, lay the cake on the table next to her and kiss her belly.

Then you move over to her lips, giving her a proper smooch before you'll start slicing your work.

And even though you didn’t plan on it, you immerse yourself a little longer in cuddling the future mother of your children. You even end up laying next to her on the couch because it might take a while.

...You've been making love throughout her pregnancy a few times as well. Dash used to be afraid you might stop finding her attractive because of it, so naturally, you had to prove her wrong.

Of course, the kinks had to go aside in the later stages, as you were getting progressively more obsessed about keeping the babies safe, so everything became more and more gentle too. Though, you promised each other to take the collar out of the drawer once more when it's over, to see if it's still even exciting.

Dash had to stop performing at the flight shows too, eventually. But it was after you had your satisfaction of going there to see her. You remember it so very clearly…

...

You had a seat next to her friends, in the best row of course, getting to see her shine in the full glory, in her flying squad. She was absolutely stunning and amazing. ...As always, you'd say, but it was better than always.

And even more amazing was what she did at the end. She flew straight to you, instead of the cabinets, while all eyes were still onto her, just to give you a kiss and announce her momentary retreat from flying, because of her pregnancy.

"...You know the ticket here will cost you something too, don't you Anon?" she whispered in your ear then "I need a little help with slipping out of these tight clothes and it would be so nice of you to help me clean all the parts I struggle to reach on my body. And then..."

Soon after that you followed her to the private Wonderbolt shower and enjoyed a very quality time together.

...

‘...Oh yeah, such a nice day.’ you sigh over the memory

Not as if today was any less good, but you aren't planning to take it so far this time. You're merely cuddling before you get to the cake.

Even after all those months, Dash relishes your attention, not taking it for granted. In a way, it’s as if you're staying absolute beginners. And you're planning to stay that way.

You’re just fondling her fluffy ears while softly nibbling on her lips when she suddenly opens her eyes:

"OH MY GOSH ANON. I THINK IT'S REALLY REAL THIS TIME."

"Wait, like really really real? Like actually real, not like the last time?"

"YES, EXACTLY THAT AND CERTAINLY NOT LIKE THE LAST TIME."

She's talking about the time you rushed into hospital when she thought the baby was coming. It wasn't.

"ANON I GOTTA FLY THERE, I WON'T MAKE IT IN THE BALLOON."

"WHAT, are you KIDDING? You want to FLY yourself to the delivery bed? You might as well give birth right where you are!"

"We might not even have a choice..."

"But I was being sarcastic, I didn't really mean-"

"I told you already that mares aren't as fragile as your women! I can do it right here!"

"Oh my God..."

"Do you remember how long it took the last time?! I don't have that much time! HELP ME!"

"HOW?! I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS!"

"I DUNNO! DO SOMETHING!"

"SHIT, OKAY, BREATHE DEEPLY AND PUSH!"

"I KNOW THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME!!"

"I'M TRYING TO MOTIVATE YOU!!"

"OKAY THEN MOTIVATE ME ALL YOU WANT, BUT WHEN THE BABY ARRIVES, YOU BETTER CATCH IT!"

"CATCH?! YOU'RE GOING TO SHOOT IT OR WHAT!?"

"SO THAT IT WON'T FALL DOWN ON THE GROUND YOU IDIOT! BY CELESTIA, HOPE THE FOALS WON'T BE AS STUPID AS YOU..."

"Okay, that was fair..."

"I didn't mean it,.. But for the love of everything fast, HOLD MY HOOF!"

***

You've stayed by her side the whole time, even though she probably really could manage by herself. But you've done all you could to make it easier for her, telling her you love her and she's doing great, holding her hoof - which might have been the most important for her and of course, catching the babies.

First went the colt, his coat and mane bearing the same color as your hair, with only a single stroke of the same sky blue of his mother's coat over his mane.

You were frightened about the girl's delivery, if she'll be okay, since she's gonna be the second. But to your common relief, she arrived with no bigger trouble than her brother did. And she's exactly as you pictured her: a satyr.

Lower part of her body is a pony and the upper one is human, except her back's decorated by a pair of wings. Her hair shares the same pattern of her mother's mane, just like her short tail, except the coat on her pony part is blue color so light you thought it was just white at first.

They are both so different, no one would believe they are actually siblings. The only thing that ties them together are their parents and... their eyes.

As soon as they opened them for the first time, you saw they shared the same colours.

...Yes, “colours” - not just one.

Both the colt and the girl have heterochromia, right from the birth. With one eye in the same color as their mother and the other one after their father. The only difference is that the colt's magenta eye is right and his sister's magenta eye is left. As if nature couldn't decide who's gonna have which.

***

"God, they're beautiful.. both of them." you're finally laying them in Rainbow's exhausted, but eager hooves.

"They are... You know, I'm glad we stayed here." she smiles wearily, but in all sincerity "..But I'm really tired now.. Think I'm gonna have a rest..."

And the proud mother closes her eyes, still smiling to herself.

In the meanwhile, you quickly clean up the mess made and throw away the dirty blanket you've put under her before, only to bring a new one, covering the sleeping mare underneath it with both of your kids. Then you protectively lay next to them.

Sure, there isn't really any danger to protect from,.. but man, you're actually a dad.

It feels good.

Real good.

EPILOGUE:

You're still Anon, except it's been some time. Almost fifteen years to be exact.

Both of your kids are almost grown up and boy, they are growing fast. Literally, faster than humans would. But Rainbow assured you it's normal for her kind.

...It's been a lovely 15 years.

Even though your daughter's look resembles that of her father, being half human that is, she's very much reminding you of her mother:

Bold, fearless, never giving up, always up above the situation… and she even loves flying too.

The colt isn't that way though.

He's a little sensitive, but very kind and artistic in more ways than one. At first you thought it would be him, protecting his younger sister but not only she's very much capable of protecting herself, but she was always taking care of him instead.

It's reminding you of something you've seen before.

Plus, your satyr girl is even worse cook than her mother...

But they're both absolutely amazing in your eyes and are making you the proudest dad in Equestria.

....At some point, they both started asking about their heritage and why some of the other foals see them as different and both you and Dash have been honest about all their questions, not really pretending anything or waiting for the right age.

They took it surprisingly well.

Yet you made it clear, you don't want them to ruin their lives by becoming human rights activists or anything. It isn't their fight, if there even is anything to fight for.

True,.. the situation with overall human treatment didn't get better. Especially in the big cities where one life always means less.

But you're living in a village. Things are different here.

Life is more than okay for you, your kids, and even the few more humans owned by other ponies. You were a good influence on them and their "masters". Even Applejack started treating her workers a little better. Enough that they're staying there willingly, just like you are.

So it feels like you did your part in the world, even if it wasn't that big.

...Thought there might be more mixed babies appearing eventually, but it seems your foals just might have been a real miracle. ...Or you just weren't looking far enough. But not even you and Rainbow ever had more kids.

...And you weren't exactly avoiding laying together past years. Your libido might be a little easier to satisfy for longer periods of time nowadays, but she's still utterly ravishing to you.

Plus, mares barely seem to age.

But you keep telling her you'll love her even when she's old and wrinkled, as long as she will love you.

That's still in the future though, because you're enjoying your active years together. Been to many places around Equestria, thanks to Rainbow, because she'd occasionally take you travelling with her on her "quests of glowing flanks" - as you like to call them.

True, you didn't always have the same treatment you have in Ponyville, sometimes the situation even required you to wear the leash outside the bedroom, but your ego can take that easily nowadays.

As you said once before to yourself: you might not live to see the day, when humans are getting treated equally worldwide but you believe that it's inevitable.

After all there's the same kind of soul in both of us, we breathe, we think, we feel and we love.

Eventually, both people and ponies will have to recognize this simple fact.

That, and that one’s happiness in life can be earned, if you believe in your heart. It's never too late to pursue it, you know that firsthand. ...And each time life gets you down, you're given a chance to rise up way further than you ever were.

One day, your kids will create their own story, knowing all of that.

And that day will be glorious. But for now,.. you're still all together.

So no matter the weather, your days are always sunny, and the years golden...

THE END

Chapter one: Prologue / Captive

The prologue:
(Not written by me, the credits go to MarbleAnon)

….You've been in the slave market for months. Not because you're bad, you unironically wanted to be here because ponies came by looking for cuddle slaves all the time.

You were here and unsold for nearly 7 months because the jew griffon who currently owned you, knew he could get a high price for you since you were so willing to be here.

Yet another cute mare came by Goldbeak's store today, you drew her in with your enthusiasm and hopefulness. The bright mare instantly liked you, asking all sorts of questions.

But the color drained from her face when she saw your price tag.

"F-five thousand?"

Goldbeak wrapped his filthy paw around her back, "Mmyes, he's a premium one. Pre-broken, he won't go near a female of his own species. Pretty strong too. And he loves to be petted." he said, clicking his claws on the plexiglas separating you from them

"I... That's... H-he's out of my budget, sadly. D-do you have any cheaper males?"

"I do, but you'll have to break them in yourself." Goldbeak leads the mare off to some of the less-than-happy humans who can be aggressive or violent. The usual stock.

Despite all your rage, you are still just an Anon in a cage.

It feels like just yesterday portals opened up between Earth and Equestria. It all seemed so friendly from their side but it's as if USA was waiting for a situation like this to start a war somewhere else than just on Earth. A few false flag operations to get people angry and a conflict was born.

But it turns out ponies weren't such pushovers as humans thought. Not only they were controlling the portals and could open them wherever and whenever but they had literally magic at their disposal. Magic that has no limits of destruction because it's only limited by its users imagination. Just a few well trained unicorn mages could wipe out hundreds of soldiers with proper placement at the right time.

It became almost impossible to defend when an entire army of soldiers could just pour into highly secured military installations at the blink of an eye.

The war, if you could even call it a war, ended in 4 days. Then it was all a blur until you got snatched up by griffon slavers. Passing around between griffons you ended up in Goldbeak's shop, part of a much larger slave bazaar in Equestria.

After he figured out you wanted to get out, he guessed correctly that you had some interest in mares and adjusted accordingly. Humans got graded based on what work they were best suited for. Most were now servants or laborers, a few went to the butcher's shop, and others were simply fodder.

You'd be a laborer if it weren't for your sweeter disposition. And that was why you called Goldbeak's shop your home for so long. The stupid bird thought he could put a 1000% mark up on you because you didn't hate ponies.

Braeburn came by again today, hauling off three humans, you knew he was going to wreck them. And again, he eyed you like the one fruit he was too short to reach, your steep price tag keeping you from the sheriff's devious machinations.

But today, today was different. A plain gray mare walked in, the jingle of an overhead bell scaring her as she opened the door.

You can barely hear them talking so far away but she looks at you once. Goldbeak leads the mare around to the back, then you hear the door to your room being opened

"Anon, Ms. Marble here wants to see how well behaved you are. Do as she says." Goldbeak wheezes

Chapter one: Captive

Meanwhile in another of Goldbeaks cages:

You're Anon.

There are other humans around, locked just like you. A few of them even chained up tight, probably because they tried breaking out or were just too violent.

You’re one of those who are merely locked up behind the steel bars.

Not far from your own cage is the only guy with a premium price tag on his plexiglass box. One that’s really eager to be "adopted" by these horses but the ridiculous sum the old bird wants for him has kept him here longer than anyone else including you.

Such is the irony of fate.

You never really had a chance to chat with him, to ask why he is so hyped about being a horse’s property.

It's not as if he was too far to hear you though. It's that damn muzzle over lower part of your face, not allowing you to open your mouth

Not every Anon has to wear that, only some, but… after answering to Goldbeak: "You fucking jewish, shekel hoarding birdtwat, suck my pretty dick", to his command to present yourself to some customer, wanting to have a look at you..... let's say he doesn't like you talking, scaring away his shekels.

You're not exactly the kind to put your whole heart and soul into the intensity of your hate. But you sure as hell enjoy going on his nerves. Which also means your price tag isn't even nearly as high as the guy's on your left.

Most of the time, you're trying not to think about how you will end up, what kind of pony is going to buy you.If any.

It can't get any worse than this, can it?

But who are you kidding, it always can.

You can be sent to the mines, get chopped up when the birds get hungry or worse.... having your asshole stretched by some fag horse.

Luckily, there’s always an easy way out if something like that should happen.

Nonetheless, this fear of making everything worse made you willingly behave a little better the past few days. ...Maybe even getting a little inspired by that guy next to you.

Of course, you can't possibly imagine being an obedient pet or a worker to some colorful horse but maybe you could run away easier if you posed a lesser threat. Sure as hell easier than escaping from this ugly ass, khazar griffon.

So you're playing nice… for now.....

...

One day, a gray mare, rich enough to afford it, finally made the dream of the guy next to you come true. It was almost unbelievable to see him go, he was here longer than any other and he was a crown jewel of Goldbeaks trade. Thought he might even name the shop after him one day.

You might miss the weirdo, even though you never spoke.

On the other hand, it gave you hope of finding your freedom as well. Through your own ways, of course.

And as if it was an omen, merely two days later,...

A yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane enters the shop.

She seems timid and fragile, just like the one that your "almost friend" left with. Exactly the kind, that would be easy to run away from. And for some reason, you have a feeling, that she is your ticket out.

So when she comes closer, you're acting all civilised, even smiling through your mouth restraint.

...And she smiles back.

Bingo.

"Why does this poor, poor thing need an ugly muzzle like this?" she eventually speaks in a high voice towards your jailer nearby.

"Oh, you'd hear if I took that off. I've had ones that would get even more rude than him, but this one is a special kind of annoying. Trust me, it's better this way." coughs the griffon.

"I'm sure he just needs a good treatment. Don't you?" the mare sticks her snoot through the bars, closer to you.

You just nod and hum agreeably, trying to make yourself look as harmless as the butterflies on her flank.

"See?" she briefly glances at the bird, then back at you, even reaching her hoof to pet your head "Oh, you're such a nice human, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you-" he tries to warn her. But it’s too late.

...You've had a few times when a pony tried sticking their limbs into your cage before. Even though you never really hurt them, suddenly grabbing their appendages without letting go while screaming "OOGA BOOGA, OOGA BOOGA" at the top of your lungs… that always scared the hell out of them.

Monky mode.

As retarded of a reaction it might seem, their reaction always cheered you up. ...The internet has probably left you mentally scarred to some degree.

But this time you're obediently smiling at the mare while she’s stroking your hair. This time you have an actual plan so it’s worth it to play along. A little ego defeat is worth the potential of earning real freedom. Oh man, she's totally gonna buy you

"Oh, he's so cute! ...I'm sure my friend will love him."

Wait, did she say “friend”?

"Hey Fluttershy! Where are you?" you hear a raspy and way less girly voice from somewhere.

Glancing over the yellow mare’s shoulder, there’s another pegasus standing in the room now. Her coat is of sky blue color, her short mane is decorated by six colours and magenta eyes to compliment the rainbow wave of locks.

Opposed to her weak looking friend, she's really athletic on a very first sight. Not the kind you couldn't win in a potential fight, she's too small and there's not enough muscles on her. But she’s definitely the kind that’s hard to get away from.

You wouldn’t exactly want to get physical with these horses to earn your freedom,.. but if you'll absolutely have to fight for it...

"There you are!" the blue mare finally caught up with her friend.

"Dashie! Look here! I think I found you the perfect new pet."

"But Fluttershy!.. You know I don't want one..."

"You didn't even look at him!" Fluttershy insists.

"By Celestia,..Okay then..."

The so-called "Dashie" finally moves close enough for you to see her face clearly. And she doesn't really look too different from other mares but there's still something that made you stare at her for a few seconds.

Your eyes meet for a moment. One very strange moment, full of conflict. It filled you with some kind of instant resentment towards her from the very first contact.

You definitely do not want to go with this mare, no sir. ...But at the same time, you’re feeling in your gut that you should. Maybe you’ll even have to. As if there was something tying you to her.

"...I...don't know,.. that mask looks pretty cool though,... is he dangerous or what?" she’s still checking you out from the distance.

"Nah, just loudmouthed." replies the griffon.

"Pffft. At least I'd have a contestant." ‘Dashie’ laughs "But seriously, Fluttershy, I don't want a pet. Plus, these humans are costly."

"He's only 80 bits!" the yellow mare won’t stop persuading her.

"50 bits." the blue mare grins at the griffon.

"I wouldn't go lower than 75." he smiles back the ugliest and most phony way possible.

"No way. 60 bits at max."

Suddenly the old bird glances at you, as if he wasn’t really sure what to do. This is one of the first times you didn’t fuck up his attempt to get rid off you for more than 40 bits. ...So you give him a quick, maliciously shiteating grin he could see even through your mask.

"65 is the best I can do..." he sighs eventually.

The tomboy pegasus is just scratching her chin. For an uncomfortably long time, that is.

"...Well?"

"...On the other hoof, I mean, I really don't want him that much..." she turns around, about to leave.

"...Wait! 60 is okay! But that's my last offer."

Hearing that, ‘Dashie’ stops, walking back to your cage to have another glance at you. ...From her thinking frown, you can already hear her saying “No.”

But when your eyes meet again, she steps even closer, piercing you with her strange gaze for solid five seconds.

"...60 bits are okay I guess. Deal."

“Deal.”

"So you really like him! I knew you would!" the yellow mare chirps in excitement.

"I didn't say that. I said 60 bits is okay. We could just sell him for about the same or even better price to somepony else if it doesn’t work out. But for now it's a deal, right?" the blue one waves her eyebrows at the slave trader.

You can very visibly see him contemplating whether he had done the right thing. But he did agree already. Maybe even griffons have some kind of rules they respect.

"...Alright. So do we get him with any special accessories, like his own bed?" his customer chuckles.

"Just the clothes he has. And some leash."

"So even the cool masky thingy? That counts as his clothes too."

"........Yes." the griffon murmurs defeatedly

You’ve never really seen the old kike this way before and boy, does it feel good. So much that you almost forgot that you’re the center object of this bargain.

But you’re reminded as soon as they're done with the payment and you're about to get a new collar around your neck.

This isn’t one isn’t just for the looks, a fashionable accessory, just like the “willing” Anon received two days ago when he left. This is a sturdy one. A real sturdy one. Can’t possibly open a thing like that by yourself.

"Okay, bye!" your new master smugly waves at the griffon on her way outside, pulling you on a leash behind her.

...If you could speak clearly right now, you'd probably ask her about her plans with you. But not only your jaw is still locked but you’re blinded by the sharp sunlight. Something that you haven’t seen for such a long time.

It hurts your eyes at first but as soon as they get used to it, you’re feeling almost grateful to stand under the sun once again. Especially on such a pretty day.

And as much as you hate to admit, a pretty place too. ...At least on a first sight.

You knew well that your old town was remade almost from scratch, even saw the process before you were captured. But brother, do they work fast…

Nothing is resembling Earth here anymore, except a few trees that stood there before and which they surprisingly did not cut down. Instead of grey, square buildings and black asphalt, there are all kinds of colors and soft grass or dusty roads. Feels good on your bare feet.

Can't see a single car anywhere in sight though. Your plan included getting your hands on one sooner or later and using it as your getaway.

Shit.

While you're just staring into the sun and sorting your thoughts, the yellow mare is gushing over you, how cute you are and all kinds of bullshit.

Can’t say what exactly does she find cute about an unshaved man that’s bigger than her, looking all confused about his world being gone.

But it's kinda enough for you to like her a little more than the blue mare, pulling you on your leash and barely even noticing you.

...

For an upcoming hour, they're almost aimlessly wandering through the big bazaar, just looking around and browsing through stuff and relics.

It feels so weird to walk these streets with a collar on your neck as a reminder of your fallen civilisation. As if the “rearrangement” wasn’t enough already.

On one hand, you always felt like humanity deserved a fate like this… But shit, you never thought to see it happen, the more so, live it. It might have been better if you were simply a casualty in the so called "war"

"Wher weh goin." you speak eventually through your teeth.

"Not as loudmouthed as the griffon said. Considering this your first sentence." grins the blue pegasus.

"Gef dat fing off meh thfen."

"....I think I'll leave it like that just a little longer."

".....Come on Dashie, don't be mean to him. That's not how you make friends." your owners friend nudges her with a wing.

The mare stops, turning around at you, having a few sincere snickers.

"...Okay then, I'm just messing with you. ...But you promise to behave?"

To which you nod.

God, haven't been treated like this since the fifth grade at elementary.

Meanwhile ‘Dashie’ flies to your head's level, soaring there with surprising skill while she's untying the muzzle.

Can hear her amused chuckle once she's done.

"We can always put that back on if you decided to be rude. I'm aware you humans don't usually have any manners but I'm willing to take that risk. So don't disappoint me." you're being softly punched into your shoulder.

It didn't really feel like a threat though. More like a "friendly" dominance assertivity.

But your ego doesn’t like that nonetheless.

"I won't." you force a smirk "...So will you tell me now where we're going?"

"Nowhere! Yet,.. I didn't travel all this way, just to go right back home! I still have some bits to spend here."

"That's right!” the yellow one smiles “We heard there's this big bazaar here with all kinds of exotic things, so we wanted to make a little trip here with our friends!"

"...What friends?"

Can’t help to see there’s only two of them.

"Well,... they were all busy, so it's just me and Rainbow."

The blue mare is walking a few steps ahead, so glance at Fluttershy:

"Rainbow. Is that her name?"

"Yup. Rainbow Dash."

"And uhh.... can you tell me what her plans are with me?"

"You're going to be her new friend of course!"

"Didn't you say you have friends back home?"

"Of course, but a different kind."

"So she's one of those sex slavers.... Look I-"

"Gosh no..." the yellow mare's face gets completely red "....Do ponies really do that around here?"

"....So I've heard. And seen."

"Oh my.... But I'm pretty sure Dashie isn't one of those mares. It's because-"

"I can hear you two, you know?!" the object of your debate is now looking over her shoulder, using a tone that makes both of you obediently shut up.

"I was just telling him about-"

"Well don't, Flutters." Rainbow leans a little closer to her "He doesn't need to know everything."

"But you should get to know each other if you're really adopting him..."

"We don't know that for sure either." she's whispering now, thinking you can't hear her "He may seem pretty tame, but it was too much of a bargain, what if he turns out violent? Tamed ones are way, way more expensive. There's bound to be a catch."

"So why did you even buy him in the first place if you don't really want him?" Fluttershy's whispering back

"I... don't know! I guess I had a weak moment." the blue mare exhales through her nostrils, then eyes at you, pecking your ears their way "Hey, shoo boy. Give us a little space."

...She just shooed you away like a dog, seriously.

"I would if you put the leash away... It's pretty short."

Which makes her reluctantly loosen it up. But of course she's not going to let go of it completely.

It feels really stupid, to be dragged around like an animal.

You're not the only human treated like that of course, but it's not helping.

Has the world gone completely mad? Is this really the way it has to be? To get "converted" into a happy pup or get used as an unwilling laborer? ...At least that's what ponies do. Wouldn't wanna think about what would creatures like griffons use humans for.

...Might as well end up as their dinner if things go sideways.

Maybe you're still quite lucky so far. You're not a sex slave, you’re not sent into some mines and aren’t eaten either. Just gotta be a pet friend to this dominatrix… Hopefully only that.

You should be able to sneak away once you get a little of her trust. Maybe once she's asleep, that might be your chance, and then-... honestly you have no clue. But there must be some kind of refuge.

"...You’ve been pretty quiet the past hour. I expected you to run your mouth non stop once I take that muzzle off." your owner looks over her shoulder at some point, breaking your chain of thoughts.

"Expected or wanted?"

"Heh, good one." she grins, not bothering to answer. But her hoof instinctively twitched towards you.

Couldn't tell in which manner though… Did she want to punch or pet you?

"...Anyway, it's getting late and we've seen enough I guess... What do you think, Fluttershy? Time to go?"

"I'd say so.." yawns the sleepy mare with saddlebags full of stuff she bought

".....Should I carry that for you?"

Can’t exactly tell where that came from, if it’s your inner supreme gentleman or you’re already playing the trust game. But to pretend you care about your masters this convincingly is surely gonna turn into an advantage. They’ll lower their guard, sooner or later.

"Hey, such a good idea. Why didn't we think of this sooner?" Rainbow Dash hauls both her own baggage and Fluttershy's onto your back, strapping it tight enough to hold, even though it wasn't made for humans.

You’re instantly regretting your actions but the decision has been made. Just gotta focus on the future in which you’ll be free again.

For now you're being headed towards the train station, with the train ready to depart in a few minutes.

Just in time, it seems.

The blue mare is buying the tickets, while the yellow one is waiting by the train door, lazily leaning on your leg, eyes almost closing. It could be your chance if it wasn’t crowded with ponies here. Rainbow Dash is back soon anyway, giving one ticket to her friend, sending her inside with her bags and pulling you by the leash towards the "human wagon".

It doesn't look as pretty as the regular ones, probably because it's basically for baggage that can't fit under benches, plus it likely costs a lot less. ...And it’s even worse from the inside.

Opening the door with your mistress still beside you, you're presented with a sight of a smelly room, full of other humans in various conditions. Only one or maybe two look relatively clean and physically cared for. Most are even chained up by ankles.

There are spots above the small seats, where your leash can be pinned, so the mare briefly enters inside with you to do so.

"Ew..." her snout wrinkles over the atmosphere of this place.

It almost felt like she's hesitating to leave you there. But then she seats you and slowly closes the door. Now you're "alone" again. Alone with a handful of other humans that is.

"Hey guys, do you know if there’s some kind of refugee camp anywhere? A resistance?"

You're only given a few tired, or straight up mocking looks, but no answer at all.

"Come on, you must know something."

Nope. Not a word.

"...So does any of ya'll want to talk at least?"

Nope, not either.

...Guess you'll just take a five then instead, make yourself relatively comfortable and close your eyes, trying to ignore the stench.

It's not as if you had a chance to wash yourself everyday the past few months, so you don’t exactly smell like flowers but it isn't as bad as this.

You're pretty tired though, enough to help you drift off to sleep eventually, forgetting about all the madness out there…

Good night, Anon.

.....

....

.......

Author's Note

First degreened part. The prologue is a first chapter of another story about Marble which its author sadly never finished. I liked the initial idea so I started my own story in the same universe.