Everywhere and Nowhere

Swords clashed in a shower of sparks, the ‘clang’ reverberating throughout the chambers with each slash, thrust, and parry. A friendly duel was underway in the desert area of Equestria. This particular realm was once ravaged by a race of aliens called the Eldritch, ending with Equestria spending nearly two decades recovering from the wake of their invasion.

Alliances were forged, nations founded over what remained of the once peaceful and magical country. One such nation was headed by King Sombra, who ruled his country under a sacred Pyramid, almost forgotten to the sands of time.

The former tyrant, respected for his newfound compassion and ruthless leadership, finally found peace. And through his queen and a concubine, two noble children were born, one of which currently engaged in the duel.

White Shadow Penumbra, the eldest son, continued to press the assault against his opponent, countering each of his strikes with quick jabs. His white tunic flowed around his movements like a waving banner, matching his pale fur, hiding his dark mane with a grey streak. His crimson eyes narrowed, analyzing his opponent before deflecting another blow to put distance. The grand general's wiry muscles were rising and falling under each strained breath.

“Not bad,” he complimented. “Your skills are improving, at the very least.”

“Thanks,” came the sincere answer of his sparring opponent. A fellow pegasus and soldier, Midnight Blitzer, wiped the beads of sweat dripping off his forehead. His coat was a blue shade, darkened in color by his spiky mane. Green eyes twinkled innocently, his pale armor reflecting the sun’s rays off his pauldrons and collar. Letting out a focused breath, he delivered another strike that was swatted away.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” Penumbra grunted. “You’re getting better, but it isn’t enough if you seek my father’s favor.”

“I-I know!” Midnight groaned, putting his back into every swing while his adversary continued to fence him. “S-say, Penumbra… Do you mind not looking at me so intensely? It gives such an…evil look!”

“Focus, Midnight!!”

“G-gaagh!”

Onward, the two pegasi clashed with each other, unintentionally providing quite a show for their audience of two. Their wives, Lily Longsocks and Cerise Silhouette, watched from onto the entrance to the pyramid, cheering their respective husbands.

“Wooooo! That’s right, get him, Penny!” The earth mare clamored, turquoise eyes lit up with excitement. Amazon-like in physique, she wore a short toga-based attire, her fuschia mane pulled back in two short pigtails. The bat-mare beside her wasn’t as enthusiastic.

“I hope they aren’t taking this too seriously,” Cerise muttered in worry. The dancer was clad in a scanty wrap-around top, matched with a bikini bottom, decorated with tiny bells that jiggled with each movement. They accentuated her charcoal curves, bright neon pink mane-drawn pigtails by star-shaped baubles, matching her wide eyes.

“Pffft. I think the only one taking this too seriously is you~!” Her friend teased.

“I’m just saying, Lily. I’m not sure what I’d do if either of them ended up badly hurt. Or worse…” This was especially true when it came to her husband, who had been training nearly every day just to prove himself worthy in the eyes of Sombra.

Only until the soldier could best the king in combat would he inherit any of his territories and continue his lineage. And as much as she loved his determination and grit, his arrogance towards his own limitations troubled the future queen.

“You worry too much,” dismissed Lily. “You know how the boys tend to get worked up! Look how hot and sweaty they are, just begging for some pampering after a good hard fight~.”

“Yeah, that is true…it is fun to take care of them afterward~” Cerise admitted, sharing a muted giggle. She was thankful the stallions couldn’t hear them over the clatter; otherwise, Midnight would double down on his pursuit. With a loud cry, he tried an overhead swing, only to stumble as Penumbra ducked under and kicked him down. The blue pegasus tumbled, his large wings spreading to align him in the correct direction, panting heavily as he rose back up.

“You’re too forward,” Penumbra commented, shaking his head. “You’ll never win with baseless swings, Midnight!”

With a snort, the soldier firmly gripped his spear, his smile bright with confidence. “Then I think it's time we take things up a notch!”

Midnight knew that against Penumbra's first-hand experience, his own skills wouldn’t cut it. No, in order to best the prince, he needed to tap into his innate talents! And while the prince was a gifted and well-trained general, Penumbra was no hyper-stallion.

During an adventure outside this world, Midnight and Cerise discovered that he was one of the rare few rooted to their primitive ancestors, blessed with raw strength, stamina, and speed. According to history, for a hyper-stallion to reach maximum potency, they had to mate enough times without climax to build and convert energy, to battle other creatures and competitive males. One such stallion built himself up for sexual release but denied it for so long, he became feral. They would be solidified in a permanent state once properly mated.

With this in mind, Midnight could become bigger, more substantial. All at the cost of his innocence being stripped away by the many lusty mares who tempted him.

A growl rose from his muscular belly, partially surrendering to his bestial instincts. He bared his teeth, snarled, and ripped off his breastplate. His arms and torso bulged with veins as the pegasus bulked up. This earned a whistle of approval from Cerise as his barrel chest laced in sweat was proudly bared. The white of his eyes faded into red, making his green pupils glow.

This display of pure masculine aggression caused Penumbra to rethink his approach, raising an eyebrow. “Very well then. Show me the strength of a hyper-stallion!”

Midnight launched at the pale pegasus with a loud bellow as the two matched each other blow for blow. Unlike before, Penumbra noticed how much heavier each blow resounded, causing him to slide backward under Midnight’s sheer force. “Impressive!”

“Woohoo! Keep going, sweetie!” Cerise exclaimed.

“C’mon, Penny! Put him in his place!!” Lily called afterward.

But their cheering fell on deaf ears. Within moments, Midnight lost himself in the adrenaline pulsing through his veins, his mind going blank, subsumed by primal instinct. His arms shook violently, teeth clenched tightly. Midnight saw only red, yellow veins growing angrily from his eyes.

“Must…win! Haaa…haaagh!! Win! Kill! WIIIN!!” He roared, yanking both weapons and tossing them aside. Penumbra had little time to react as Midnight hurled his hulking mass against the pale pegasus, tackling him to the floor.

The duel swiftly became a wrestling match, Penumbra trying to shove Midnight off. “Ghhng! Midnight, enough! Get off of me!!” He demanded, arm struggling to push back.

But it became clear that the prince’s strength was no match against the hyper-stallion's, a crunch sounding as bones threatened to snap. “G-gaaaaragh! Midnight?! Midnight Blitzer!” He cried while the glaring stallion above ignored him, applying more pressure.

“O-ohh, no! Stop!” Lily cried with wide eyes, jumping off her seat and rushing towards the fight. She grabbed onto one of Midnight’s arms, trying to pry him off her husband. “C’mon, Midnight, enough! You’ll break his arm!” The blue pegasus roared at her, throwing her off as Lily rolled back towards Cerise, who joined up to stop the madness. She stared in shock, for not even the amazon’s considerable strength could apprehend Midnight’s untapped prowess.

Cerise’s mind raced with possibilities. Due to the darkness her father had infused in her, the dancer could tap into and shift into her thestral form. But even then, she doubted it could make a difference.

No way could she compete against strength like this! So instead, Cerise would call upon another source of power born of darkness, one she hadn’t used in quite some time.

She raised her arms and started to weave her ample hips. Self-trained to a contortionist-level, her costume was constructed so that her snake-like movements could undo the strings that held it. First, her supple breasts shook to undo her top until her dark perky mounds, erected with wide pink nipples, toppled free with a sensuous bounce. Next, she shimmied her bottoms loose until they slipped from her pert rump and smooth mound, down her legs where she stepped out of them.

Blushing mildly, she danced towards her enraged husband, almost in a trance. The hyper-stallion’s attention pulled towards the swaying beauty before him, pausing his actions while drool dripped from his maw.

Neon shimmers moved similarly to spotlights across her contours, those who stared at her drawn into a trance.

Gradually, the fury within him receded, his madness subdued by tranquility. This gave Penumbra ample time to break free from Midnight’s grasp and knock him out with the hilt of his sword. The blue pegasus slumped unconscious, his swelling muscles deflating to average size. The prince groaned, favoring his nearly broken arm. “Forgive me, friend. A shame you couldn’t have beaten me as yourself…. Good call, sister.”

Cerise nodded, arms folded over her chest as the sun highlighted her curvy form. Lily ran up to check on her husband’s forearm, making sure nothing did fracture.

“C’mon, maybe a nice long bath will help,” Lily suggested, lifting Midnight over her shoulder as the three made their way back into the pyramid. Cerise picked up her clothes, though she didn’t bother to redress herself, used to walking around her home naked.

“Heh, look at you, trying to act all high and mighty when you’re about to bathe with two gorgeous mares,” Lily teased her dauntless husband.

“It’s a communal bath,” Penumbra insisted, trying not to leer over his sister’s bare flesh. “No different from how soldiers bathe. There’s nothing sexual about it.”

“Not unless you want there to be~!” Lily snickered, nudging him playfully in the ribs.

The group arrived at the private chambering area, the princess waving at the bare-chested guards on duty to keep watch by the entrance. The tub itself was more like a pool filled with steaming water.

Once there, Penumbra and Lily stripped their attire and helped Midnight dip into the tub, the hyper-stallion groaning in response.

As everypony else dipped into the soothing, warm waters, a thestral soldier marched up to meet them, a worried expression on her face. “Please tell me he didn’t…” Moonlight began, but upon looking over her unconscious lover, it was clear her concerns were correct. Her grayish-purple coat was enclosed with casual wear, her crescent-shaped mane sharply swept to one side in a punkish style. She knelt down, caressing his cheek while looking to Cerise for answers, face drawn in concern.

The charcoal mare sighed. “Yeah, Middy went a little far. Almost snapped Penumbra’s arm off. I keep telling him he’s not ready to go deep, yet he never listens!”

“He’s pushing himself,” the batmare agreed. “Poor thing, trying so hard to please others…”

“His stubbornness is fueled by his fear of failure,” Penumbra muses, taking Midnight’s previous comments to heart and altering his eye color with one of the potions left behind by Beatrix on her last visit, a lighter shade of green replacing his red pupils. “Unless he conquers the beast, his strength will be nothing outside adequate. I’ve seen it in many soldiers, the constant need for approval. My worry is how obsessive he is…”

“Mmngh…” Midnight began to stir awake, eyelids slowly opening while his eye tried to focus on his surroundings. “H-huh... Where am...I?”

“You’re in the bathing chambers, babe,” Cerise answered, pressing closer to him while running water over his mane. “You lost control again.”

“I did, didn’t I….ugh, dammit. I was so sure I’d…” He hung his head low in defeat, noticing the way Lily was favoring Penumbra’s bruised arm. “Sorry…”

“Nothing personal, friend,” the pale pegasus smiled reassuringly. “Beating yourself up won’t get you anywhere. You just need to maintain better control of yourself when tapping into all that primal rage.”

The bummed pegasus nodded before his head spilled back to his wife, her bright eyes shimmering with sadness. “Midnight, I need you to promise me you won’t do that unless you’re absolutely sure you can handle it! I don’t wanna see you hurt yourself. Okay..?”

“I-I…okay, Cerise.” He nodded and smiled wide, but the earth mare remained unconvinced, shaking her head.

“No. Promise me you won’t do that again unless necessary. Promise me right now!”

“A-aah, okay, okay! I promise I won’t try anything that I can’t fall back on!” He insisted, his green eyes full of sincerity and warmth; it made Cerise melt a little. A pleased sigh left her lips before she smiled, pulling him into a kiss. The couple made room so that Moonlight could join them, the bat mare blushing before wrapping her arms around her herd the pair had welcomed her into.

Moonlight and Midnight knew each other way back in their military days, where the soldiers served a different Equestria as peacekeepers under Shining Armor’s command. It was only after meeting up with Beatrix that they (and Cerise) were united.

“Alright, you sappy dopes. Let’s put this all past us and relax!” Lily encouraged, a big arm wrapped around her husband. The other married couple nodded, Moonlight eventually pulling off her clothes to join them in the bath. Everyone released a long sigh, tired bodies aching for relief in the steaming waters after they settled in.

But tranquility didn’t last long as Lily's hand wandered to her husband's chiseled ass and shot him a cheeky smile, disappointed that she always needed to take the lead in such matters. Penumbra shot her a look that told her, ‘really? here?!’

Yet the herd of young lovers next to them proved to be even friskier. Both Cerise and Moonlight took to the hyper-stallion's side, grabbing hold of Midnight’s cock below the water. With his head arched back, they latched onto his neck, kissing softly while he murmured in appreciation. His hands slid down to seize a handful of their flanks while his stallionhood swelled to fullness in their pulls, the flat tip poking out the surface.

Most mares would struggle to fully wield the impressive shaft bestowed between Midnight’s legs. And even then, the double handjob both mares were giving would hardly quell the beast within.

“Looks like we're all on the same page,” said Lily with wiggling eyebrows, straddling over her husband, grinding her pelvis against his to further erect his member. While he silently protested, he couldn't deny how badly he wanted inside his wife’s slit. Once Lily impaled herself, the decision was made for him, moaning with joy in having her husband’s sizable cock inside her needy twat.

“A-aaagh! L-Lily…~!” He wheezed as she began bouncing atop him, watching her strong hips work and grind his cock deeper into her. He reciprocated by gripping her firm ass and lifting his hips to meet her bounds, much to her delight in no time at all.

“Yeeeeah, that’s it, Penny! Make this ass work~!” She playfully licked his cheek.

Likewise, Cerise and Moonlight helped Midnight sit up on the ledge, leaving his near two-footer fully exposed. They swiftly got to work, the batmare slurping and sampling the pre leaking off his tip while the dancer fondled his leathery sack, wiggling her tongue all over his vein-lined meat.

“Naaaah, f-fuck…” Midnight groaned, his half-lidded eyes locked with their own, his meaty shaft throbbing in appreciation for the oral worship he received. His hand reached to hold Moonlight’s head to help guide her along the girthy inches of dick, earning muffled grunts and moans. He could feel her build-up saliva to coat around his stallionhood and slather his ballsack.

Midnight couldn’t tell, but both mares had their tails swishing about in the water, their cunts leaking and winking between their inner thighs. Cerise released one orb, taking a moment to inhale her husband’s musk with a longing sigh before working the other ball. Moonlight continued to bob her head along his shaft, her throat bulging with how deeply she took him until popping his pecker out, coughing up strains of spit, which she stroked over the rest of his throbbing cock.

Midnight’s hyper-stallion nature slowly resurfaced, the need to dominate and breed his herd of mares growing almost unbearable. His fingers dug through the batmare’s mane, making her coo in excitement when he tried pushing her back down onto his masculine pillar.

“D-damn…you’re so bold now. Fuck, I love it!” She panted in between raspy giggles, taking a long strip off his cock with her tongue before nuzzling her cheek affectionately against the tip of Midnight’s pussy pleaser. “Do you notice me now, Midnight~?”

“W-wha…. What are you talking about,” he asked through hot breaths. “I’ve always--”

“Not like that,” Moonlight cut him off, pulling herself up to straddle the big-dicked stallion, her pussy squelched with tight winks, hungry to fill its emptiness. Both hissed with how close their genitals were to the spatters of hot twat juice all over his spit-coated penis.

“You saw me only as a friend, a fellow soldier. But never as a mare. That’s why I want a go at you first this time~! Erm…hope you don’t mind, right, Cerise?”

“Not at all,” the dancer tittered, sliding out to get in a comfortable position and watch, legs spread and fingers stroking over her puffy pussy. With all that said, the thestral soldier aligned the glans against her marehood before sliding down, a raspy moan escaping her voice as he split her deep. “A-aaaugh! O-oh fuck, that’s BIG~!”

Even after their union during the wedding, Moonlight could never get enough of how stuffed she felt, taking Midnight’s dick almost to hilt, her ass wiggling to snuggle him deeper until she felt his flare mash up against her cervix, threatening to penetrate her slimy womb. Midnight, in turn, responded by bouncing his sow in the making in slow but hard bounces. Flesh smacked wetly into each other, hot grunts and moans exchanged once the two soldiers instinctively fucked on the poolside.

“Baaagh! Aaugh, you're so tight~!” Midnight moaned, mouth clamping on her shoulder.

“Aaaugh, fuck!” Moonlight yelped, hands and leathery wings gripping his shoulders to pull her closer so the batmare could whisper huskily into his ear, “Mmm, that’s it, stud! Mark me~! Claim your dirty lil’ bat slut~!”

“S-shit! You’re so naughty, Moony~!” Cerise giggled before moaning hotly, digging her digits deep into her sopping wet marehood while her hubby humped the soldier good. More nectar flowed over her fingers, reaching a hot spot, making her cunt nice and wet for when Midnight claimed her next.

The stallion in question was lost in the raw passions clouding his head. Midnight felt his heart pounding in his chest, his hips on autopilot pounding his friend’s plot. His grip over each flank tightened as his first of many orgasms came close. With vigorous intent, he slammed Moonlight hard onto his lap until his cock breached into her womb and shot his thick seed inside her. The batmare screeched, her wings stretching out and cunt clamping down tight. Mare cum squirted all over his dick, eyes rolling back into her head, wet tongue hanging off the side with the mind-numbing pleasure overwhelming her senses. She could feel her belly swell up a bit as his hefty load leaked out of her. “Aaaaaugh~!... Ooohmmm~!”

At the same time, his ear perked up, hearing Penumbra howl once he emptied himself into Lily, the other couple clutching each other, trying to squeeze their respective juices out from the other. The pair sank back down into the steamed waters, kissing and stroking each other, finished.

Midnight, however, was still erect and ready to go, his genetics demanding he proceeds with the next mare in waiting. Should he fail to thoroughly bred and build up his sexual prowess, he might suffer from a heart attack, he was told. Reluctantly, he laid Moonlight to the side, her gaping wide twat oozing his virile cum while she recovered her breath.

His eyes locked with Cerise, who continued to display her gushing privates at him, a sultry smile on her face. Grinning, Midnight crawled over until he was atop her, fluid dripping off his cock before rubbing his glans against her eager slit, which winked in response, making the mare quiver needily.

“A-ahh! Don’t tease me, Middy~!” She purred, wrapping her long legs around to secure him closer into her heated pelvis, the tip of his bitch breaker pushing her feminine petals apart. “Take me, my love~!”

“Yes, ma’am~!” He beamed back at her, taking his slimy dick before pushing into her marehood in one slippery go, the combined wetness sliding him fully in with no problems. Cerise arched her back, her husband holding her up before the pegasus resumed plowing the earth mare. Her hands traced over his pecs, one finger adorned by a rune-inscribed wedding ring of silver, staring up at her lover with bright, happy eyes.

“Yes! Yes, fuck me, babe! I love you so much~!” She pleaded.

“I’ve got you! I love you, too,” Midnight replied, snout against hers as a passionate kiss began while the ponies eloped.

“Damn, look at him go,” called Lily, cuddling her exhausted husband. “Hyper-stallions sure do build up a ton of stamina. He doesn’t look the least bit tired yet~!”

“Y-you bet," Moonlight groaned, turning over to address the amazon. “He usually creams all our holes at least twice before he's exhausted. I can barely keep up!”

“We often have to a-AH~! S-seek outside help from other mares,” Cerise moaned, the grip of her legs loosening before Midnight hooked them over his shoulders, slamming his cock harder into her. At this angle, all the dancer could do was scream like a banshee as her husband drove his dick down her marehood. She felt every inch hit the back of her womb, every twitch that told her Midnight was close to creaming her.

But before either one could hit their climax, the air rippled above the tub once a bluish-white oval split open. A familiar voice yelped from the humming rift as Beatrix fell out, splashing into the steamy waters.

“Yaaaaah!!!” Cerise yelped, the noise pulling Midnight’s attention away as the couple ceased their actions, looking over the disturbance in the water. Lily clung onto Penumbra harder, looking at the ripple suspiciously before the violet mare popped back out with a gasp, her hat completely soaked over her head.

More screaming came as two other bodies dropped into the pool before the rip dissolved into thin air. Oona and her brother resurfaced, the former’s woolly mane frizzled drenched, and the latter trying to stay afloat with the weight of his cape.

“Awfurfuxake!” The ram complained. “What got th' rift to tak' a shite on us!?”

“I don’t know; it doesn’t usually happen like that,” Beatrix pondered, begrudgingly throwing her hat away before the trio took in their surroundings, as well as the many eyes on them. And the moment she took in the sight of Midnight balls deep inside Cerise, her cheek flourished. Lady Ewe made a sound before hiding her blushing snout, her brother just staring with blinking eyes. Beatrix approached the married couple with a sheepish grin on her face.

“Ehehehe~! Uh.… Is this a bad time?”

Tossing their drenched attire to the side, Beatrix and the sheep siblings could now enjoy the private bath’s relaxing formula. The wandering witch sighed in contentment, her nude body absorbing the warmth. Almost immediately, Cerise wrapped her arms around her, embracing her friend and welcoming her back.

Everyone in attendance exchanged greetings as well, Dion and Penumbra hitting it off while Oona and Lily spoke fondly about the other’s journey. Midnight kept an arm around Cerise while they both caught up with Beatrix and her wild adventures.

“I’m so glad you're here!” Cerise clamored, her hand casually stroking the blue pegasus’ chest. “Father will be happy to know you’re back.”

“Sorry, Cerise, but I won’t be staying for long,” Beatrix dejected. “I’m actually here for you two!”

“Oh, did you miss us?” Midnight joked innocently.

“Or maybe you wanted to do ‘stuff’ with us~!” Cerise suggested with a wink, though Beatrix shook her head.

“That’s, uh... Not quite the reason I’m here.”

Maybe before discovering that Midnight was technically her half-brother, due to sharing a parent in a different Shining Armor, the witch would have gotten to him first. But now that that knowledge was known, it felt… weird for Beatrix to imagine bedding with the soldier. She was no stranger to incest, given that many ancient gods and goddesses were related to one another.

Hell, even Moxxi still had a particular spot for her brother!

“Ohh?” Midnight tilted his head, a curious glint in his eyes. “Then what brings you to our parts?”

“Well, you see...” Beatrix began, retelling her recent adventures through many dimensions to the married couple. How all this time, she’s been looking for where her daughter was hidden, with no luck. Then she recounted her battle with the titan in Manehattan, Dion coming to her aid (earning the warrior’s raised fist and howl) before returning to the manor with urgent news from the dream faun. As the witch got into her story, though certainly exaggerating a few details, the two listened intently over the situation. Once Beatrix finished, Cerise drew a frown, folding her arms.

“So both Moxxi and Shadow Scythe went awol, and Zeloph’s on the rise again, huh?” The charcoal mare summarized, vividly recalling how their world almost collapsed under the false messiah’s wrath.

“Ohh…so that’s Moxxi’s brother?!” Midnight added in alarm.

Beatrix nodded. “That’s why I need allies on this trip and why I’ve come to you. I know you’d have my back in a heartbeat, but I need you both to understand the risks. Plus, I don’t wanna get in the way of your happy marriage!”

“Nonsense!” Cerise insisted, moving out of Midnight’s arms to press against the unicorn, breasts squishing into each other. “You can’t expect me to sit out knowing you’re going up against that multi-eyed bastard! Face it, Bea. You’re stuck with me. No way am I missing out on another fun adventure!”

Beatrix pursed her lips, holding her friend’s shoulders. “Cerise, this won’t be as fun as you're making it out to be. Who knows what awaits us moving forward! You could end up captured, killed, raped, or--”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Cerise shook her head, smiling assertively. “You don’t need to coddle me just because I’m a princess. I get that enough from mom and dad! Remember, your sister trained me to handle stuff like this. And most of all, you’re my friend! I want to do this with you.”

The charcoal mare’s plight got through to Beatrix, who sighed before smiling back at her. “As long as you’re sure.” Once more, the two embraced.

“Wait, what’s with all the ‘you’ business?” Midnight cuts in. “What about me?”

Cerise turned to her husband, an apologetic look on her face. “Sorry, babe. But I think it’s best you remain here.”

“What?! No way!” The blue pegasus, rising up before Moonlight, gingerly held his shoulder.

“Actually, I have to agree with Cerise on this, especially after today…” She added softly.

“What happened?” Oona asked with concern.

“He and I had a friendly little spar,” Penumbra explained. “Unfortunately, it ended up a lot less friendly when he tried to tap into his primal strength.”

“Yeah,” Lily confirmed, pointing towards her husband’s forearm. “Would have snaped his arm like a twig if we didn’t get him off in time.”

“Ahh. A berserker, are ye?” Dion mused, stroking his black beard. “A’ve dealt wit a couple ov those. They’re fiercely powerful but equally stubborn.”

“I’m not a berserker!” Midnight insisted, pulling his arm away as he addressed the group. “Look, I get it. I screwed up, thinking I could handle the raw potential as a hyper stallion. I’m still trying to understand what that even is! But I refuse to sit on the sidelines, knowing my friends are going on a dangerous mission. This is my chance to prove myself!”

“Middy, please,” Cerise pleaded with a sad frown. “You’ve pushed yourself too far already. You need to sit back and think about your health. Won’t you do this for me?”

“Cerise…. How can I do anything for you if I can’t do this for myself?” He questioned, looking away. “All my life, I’ve done nothing but doubt who I am. No matter how hard I tried, how strong I could get, there would always be someone I couldn’t save. As a peacekeeper, my duty was to prevent fights and serve my country. This is my home now. You are my life! I need to be there with you, fighting by your side. Otherwise…what am I even here for?”

“Midnight…” Moonlight sniffled. She knew him well enough to know that he would not stand down, even when directly ordered. It got him a few penalties. But that’s what she’d always admired and loved about the blue pegasus. He wore his heart on his sleeve, even if it was exposed to hurt.

“Well said, laddie,” Dion spoke, raising up from his spot while cracking his neck. “That’s th' makin' ov a true warrior, right thair. An' who are we tae deny yer hidden potential?”

“Brither…” Oona tried to interject, but the stubborn ram ignored her, offering his hand to the blue stallion while addressing Cerise.

“A’ll whip him intae shape,” he declared. “Ah want tae see what a ‘hyper stallion’ can really dae. Ah say we brin' him. An’ if he goes berserk, A’ll go medieval on his arse until he gets it right. Ye have mah word, layde Cerise.”

“Y-you will!? Oh, thank you!” Midnight exclaimed, already taking the ram’s hand in acceptance before Cerise could protest. This caused the dancer to shake her head, Beatrix snickering at the resolve. “Well, I guess that settles it the--”

“Wait a minute!” Moonlight cut in, toned arms crossed. “I’m coming too!”

“Absolutely not,” Penumbra rejected, furrowing his brows at her. “We need all the soldiers available here. Zeloph’s influence still lingers around the area.”

“He’s right,” Lily nodded. “We suspect a cult has formed around him, seeking a way to bring him back!”

“Oh shoot, I forgot!” Midnight admitted, head hanging low as he rubbed his head sheepishly. “Well, maybe we could--”

Moonlight sighed before looking to her herd, smiling sadly. “It’s fine. I’ll stay behind and help out.”

“Are you sure?” Cerise asked, frowning. “I don’t want you to feel like a third wheel…”

“Nah! The truth is, I haven’t explored the place yet. So going around searching for some crazy zealots sounds fun! I trust you two will look out for each other.” The batmare smiled, taking their hands and caressing the engagement rings on their fingers. “My only concern is how you plan to manage Midnight all by yourself, Cerise. Hyper stallions have their needs, and it can be difficult with even just two mares…”

“You’re right,” Cerise groaned. “Much as I like having you to myself, we’ll need to find other partners if we want to keep you in check.”

“Perhaps Ah could provide assistance?” Oona offered as she rose up, much to the surprise of everyone in the bathing area.

“A-are you sure?” Beatrix asked with a twinge of jealousy tugging at her heart.

“Ah am. Wouldn’t be th' first time A’ve handled somethin' like this befur,” Oona smiled bashfully, cheeks heated. She could already feel Midnight’s eyes taking in her luscious curves and mountainous mammaries.

“Ah daen’t think sae!” Dion interjected, getting between the two while addressing the dream faun. “Ye aren't some prize tae be passed around! Ah will naet allow mah flesh an' blud tae be th’ harlot fur some-”

“Oh, don’t be such a hypocrite,” Lady Ewe responded, hands to her hips. “It’s nae like ye don’t lie wi' every willin' mare or doe at every opportunity. A’m surprised ye an' Beatrix haven’t gon at it like bunnies since bringin' 'er back! Or the twins!”

“W-well, Ah.… Raaaugh! That’ll change when Ah become chieftain tae th' clan. Then Ah’ll be ready tae settle doon wi' a partner!”

“An' Ah’ll still be loyal tae Beatrix, knowin' she’ll be sleepin’ aroond wi' anytin’ 'at catches 'er fancy! Sae let me help them sate his urges!”

The two sheep stubbornly butted heads, horns locked with each other while the rest watched their quarrel worryingly. But after a moment, Dion sighed and pulled away.

“Bah! Knowin' ye, yer naet goin’ tae give up that easily. That’s just how our famley is.… Fine, Ah allow it. But Ah expect tae be responsible fur Midnight an' Beatrix’s trainin'. Th' lass’s Onoma is offensive magic, an' we both know ye’ve ne'er wielded a sword.”

“A-Ah could if Ah wanted.… Ah just prefer peaceful methods, is all,” the dream faun huffed. “Oh, very well. Ye’ve got a deal.” The siblings nodded in agreement before lightly headbutting again as if to settle the arrangement.

“Good. Now, Ah believe ye still got somethin' ye’d like tae shair wi' th' class~” Dion cheekily added before taking back his spot.

“Oh, sweet lucid dreams! All this time, catchin' up wi' friends, an' Ah haven’t e'en told ye!” The sheep exclaimed with embarrassment, looking sheepishly at her lover, who gave a polite smile.

“Relax, Oona, it’s okay. I’m ready when you are,” Beatrix stated, winking.

The dream shaman smiled appreciatively for her pupil’s patience before collecting herself in slow breaths. Once ready, she sunk back into the warm water pool and looked to everyone present in the private area.

“A’ve spent long months lookin' fur any clues about Abadonna,” Lady Ewe began, drawing images from with her magic. “Ah looked e’ery Ah could about a mystic library or a child that both existed an' didn't simultaneoosly. Yet Ah found nothin'. Nae one knew what Ah was lookin' fur. Sae, naturally, Ah followed a forgotten path an' went tae th' only other reliable soorce Ah trusted…mah mither.”

Beatrix felt a sense of longing from the mere mention of the word. Her head turned to Dion, who looked equally as surprised.

“Now, ye must understand; Ah don’t come from a normal famley. Mah faither was a local blacksmith befur he became th’ clan chief. Mah mammy, however, is a nature spirit an' sacred guardian tae a floral sanctuary untouched by civilization. But that’s anither story fur later,” she giggled sheepishly, waving off her lineage as if it wasn’t important.

“Tae mah astonishment, mah mammy answered me when Ah asked ov 'er. She hasn't taken a physical form fur years tae ensure th' forest was preserved. It was…sae braw tae be held by 'er again.” Oona pauses, momentarily holding her chest as if to settle the happiness swelling beneath her breasts.

“D-did your mother know where Abby is?” Beatrix asked, a hopeful tone in her voice.

“Aye,” Lady Ewe nodded. “‘Long ago in ancient times,’ she said. ‘Thair lived a wise scholar named Enock, who valued knowledge an' history sae much, they spent their mortal life buildin' a library tae document everythin' they could. E'en when becomin' a spirit, they continued tae savor every event that has, is, an' will ever happen. But when war ran rampant an' destruction was rampant, Enock feared that lords an' generals would seek their library fur battle advantages. Or worse, discover things 'at could set up terrible futures fur th' lain. Sae they conjured a spell that sealed th' library intae th' essence ov time, free tae collect infinite knowledge an' foretell upcomin' events. Forever movin' through space where nae one could threaten or change reality.'" Her amber eyes twinkled at her equine lover, a serene smile on her snout. “If there’s one place Abadonna would end up, it’s most definitely wi' th' Curator ov Time.”

“A library that moves through time itself...” Beatrix repeated, unable to comprehend such a place. It almost sounded too unbelievable to be true! “But then, how are we supposed to get there?!”

“Ah speart mah mither th' same,” Lady Ewe continued. “She didn’t know. Tae ensure that th' library, in all its omniscient glory, remains out ov malevolent hands, only th' mystic guardians may reveal th' ritual tae summon th’ portal ‘at leads tae Enock. An' tae dae that, we will require a council wit them…in th' Lost World.”

The witch almost jumped and squeezed her in excitement. For so long, she had dreamed of travelling to her lover’s homeland. If circumstances weren’t critical, Beatrix would have planned an extended stay. But she now had a path to follow, one that could bring Abby safely back into her arms.

“Then it’s settled,” the witch spoke adamantly, rising from her spot as all eyes were drawn to her. “Pack your things, guys. We’ve got a date with the Curator of Time~!”

Beatrix finished drying off her attire outside the pyramid entrance, adjusting the leotard to keep her ample bosom from spilling out. Likewise, her mentor and Dion strapped themselves in their robes and cloth. Moonlight was helping Midnight back into his armor. All that remained was for Cerise to join them.

“Y’know, how come I’ve never been able to locate the Lost World before?” Beatrix asked, pacing around. “I’ve gotten better in picking dimensions to hop through, yet not once did I come across such a place.”

“Well, if ye could find it, it wouldn’t be very ‘lost,’ would it~?” Dion teased, earning a playful punch to his shoulder by the witch.

“If Ah can remember correctly, our dimension used tae be magically parallel with others,” Lady Ewe theorized. “Ah think its due tae an outer force, far older than our ancestors were alive. That might have bin th' cause ov it. Sae far, only those native tae our homelain can freely pass through.”

“So, kind of like an intergalactic Bermuda triangle? Fascinating!”

“A what now?” Midnight asked, not at all familiar with human terms.

“Think of it like the disappearing act trick. You go into the box, but you don’t come back out, as if you ‘mysteriously’ vanished into thin air,” the witch explained with a theatrical wiggle of her fingers.

“W-wait! You mean there’s a good chance we might not return?!”

“I mean, yeah, that’s the risk to every adventure,” reminded Beatrix.

“Ah, don’t fash yerself, laddie,” Dion offered, smacking the pegasus’ shoulder. “We’ll make sure ye’re back home th' moment Abby’s safe an’ sound. Besides, we're goin’ tae a bonnie place. Sae much tae see an' admire!”

“This isn’t a field trip, brither,” Oona said sternly. “Th' closest guardian sanctuary is located off th' shores ov Equestria. They might not be ready fur what’s in store once we’re thair…”

“What do you mean?”

Before the sheep shaman could reply, Cerise reappeared with her brother, panting heavily. “Sorry about the hold-up. Had trouble picking out the right clothes!”

Everyone gathered closer to take in the dancer’s new attire. An orange top held her firm breasts together, a small skull button pinned along the single strap. Bright pink short shorts slung over her curvy rump, deep purple leggings highlighting her shapely legs. The charcoal mare even had the time to stylize her pigtails, swirling down towards her shoulders.

“Wow,” Midnight marvelled, enamored by his wife’s fit wear as she struck a couple saucy but innocent poses for him. A slight yank pulled the blue stallion’s focus back to his other lover, the batmare finishing up on his chest plate. “Alright, you’re all set!”

“Thanks, Moony!”

“It’s nothing,” Moonlight insisted, caressing his cheeks while smiling sadly. “Just don’t do anything stupid, okay? I need you back in one piece.”

“I will, I promise,” he smiled, pulling Moonlight for a short kiss before offering his hand to Cerise, who eagerly took it as the couple walked forward with Beatrix, Oona, and Dion.

“I trust you’ll make sure they’ll get home safely, Beatrix,” Penumbra added, his good arm tying Lily by the waist to him.

“Obviously~!” She giggled, waving goodbye before turning to Lady Ewe. “Just show me what to do, teach.”

Oona nodded before reaching out. “E’eryone, take hands an' close yer eyes. An' don’t let go until A’ve said sae.” Once everyone was in accord and did as asked, the dream faun channelled her magic through their vessels. In deep breaths, she chanted,

“𝕆 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕞𝕖, 𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕤. 𝔽𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕙 𝕒𝕤𝕜 𝕪𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕖 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕦𝕤 𝕤𝕒𝕗𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕘𝕖

𝔽𝕦𝕣 𝕨𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟 𝕥𝕒𝕖 𝕥𝕙’ 𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕒𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕠𝕟 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤

𝔹𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕦𝕤 𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕖, 𝕒𝕟’ 𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕦𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥 𝕪𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕖!”

Runic symbols glowed below their cloven feet, the strange sound of chimes ringing around the group. A whirlwind of sand brewed from beneath, flowing towards the sky. Both Oona and Dion’s markings glowed brilliantly. Energy spirals around them as sparkling, mysterious mist emerged, shrouding Beatrix and her friends until only their silhouettes were visible.

Penumbra, Lily, and Moonlight watched in wonder, silently praying for their comrade’s safety as a pale light flashed within. The fog rolled away, revealing nothing but the hoofprints where they once stood.