Snickers: On the Road

by Majikkstar

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Silver Spoon, Drama, Original Character, Adventure, Sex, Profanity, Diamond Tiara, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 98455

Snickers is on the run from Foal Services, where will his journey take him next?

Snickers, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon are on a journey, where will his journey take him and what adventures may await?

Cover Art by Mix-up
Edited by Ninjadeadbeard through chapter 9. May he rest in peace.

Published 2021-03-31 13:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-09-14 03:19:03 UTC

Magical Mystery Curse

Snickers slipped into the back door of Carousel Boutique with Silver and Diamond, closing it quietly after they were all in. He locked it and slunk through the business until he got to the stairs.

“It’s almost too quiet, girls,” Diamond whispered.

Snickers took a little offence to being called a girl, but ignored the comment, taking the lead again and quietly moving up the stairs.

“Like, the lights are on, but there’s nopony home, I guess,” Silver quietly said.

The herd reached the top and moved out to look around the second story, noting the broken ceiling and thanking whoever made that happen at just the right time. They trotted to Snickers’s room and closed the door. Once inside they all sighed and relaxed.

Snickers tapped his hoof to get the fillies attention. “Okay, we’re here and as long as we keep the lights off, nopony will know we’re here except Rarity. I think she’s working, probably, so let’s just stay here until she comes to bed.”

Silver nuzzled Snickers and yawned, spreading it to the others. “I just wanna sleep. It’s been a crazy day and if tomorrow’s anything like today, I think we’re in for a lot of running around.”

Snickers nodded in agreement. “Yeah, let’s get in my bed and get some rest.”

Once in bed, with Snickers in the middle, both fillies scooted as close to him as they could before Diamond softly said, “Snickers, I’m scared.”

Silver nodded slightly. “Me, too, Snickers.”

He didn’t know what to say, so he just scooted lower into the blanket and exhaled. “Me, too. It’s like this whole world was finally working out for me, for us, and then Seven had to show up and ruin it all. I shouldn’t have to hide in my own house, but I am, and it sucks.”

Diamond and Silver draped a foreleg across Snickers and they both gave him a soft kiss that relaxed him in an instant. “Thanks, girls, you’re the best.”

They both nuzzled close to Snickers and one by one, they quickly fell asleep.

…

“Rise’n shine, y’all. Ah got some oats on the table fer ya, but Ah’ve gotta get sewin’ before sunrise or it ain’t gonna get done b’fore the first clients show up.”

Snickers sat up in bed and tiredly looked at Applejack in the doorway. “Wha-?”

“Up’n at’m, young stallion, and bring them fillies of yours. Gotta eat yer hay to start the day!” Applejack turned and left the room while Silver reached at the end table for her glasses.

“What’s going on? Why’s Applejack waking us up so early?” Silver asked, her foreleg falling limp from the bed as sleep nearly claimed her again. Diamond snored when she rolled over to wrap a hind leg over one of Snickers’.

“I’unno,” Snickers yawned and fell back into bed, quickly being snuggled against by his young mares. They all fell back asleep before they could think about anything else for several minutes.

Applejack walked into the room again, and this time pulled the blankets off the three of them, making them all curl up and huddle closer.

Diamond finally opened one of her eyes. “It’s too early, mommy, don’t make me start my lessons yet,” she mumbled and closed her eyes, back asleep.

“Oh, fine then, ya darn hard-headed foals. Sleep in and we’ll see where it gets ya when yer older,” Applejack relented and covered them back up. “Ah’ll be back at sunrise, so don’t think yer sleepin’ in all day. We got things ta do, afterall.”

…

The foals peeked around the corner into the sewing room to see Applejack looking at some prints on the wall. Rarity’s preparation board, to be exact. The styles were what one would expect an expert to use as a base for their tailoring arts. Applejack’s tail swayed in frustration and she looked at the sewing machine curiously.

Snickers gasped when he saw the cutie mark the mare now sported.

“Whelp, another day on the machine,” Applejack said happily and moved to take a seat at the sewing machine, then noticed she’d forgotten the fabric. “Ah, shoot. How could Ah ferget… oh, howdy, y’all! Ya need somethin’?”

“Applejack, where’s Rarity?” Snickers asked, stepping into view.

“Why, Ah haven’t the foggiest, and why’re you askin’? This ain’t about the rain, is it? That mare’s always as mixed up as a double stitch and a crossover,” Applejack chuckled and shook her head. “Anyway, get to it. Ya just got back, but that don’t mean ya can take it easy.”

Snickers and the fillies stepped out of the room and left Applejack to work while they walked to the kitchen in confused silence.

“Do you… think she’s mad at me, and this is her getting revenge?” Snickers asked, quietly.

Silver stopped Snickers with a forehoof to his chest. “Hey, don’t think like that. Rarity loves you and we know that. Applejack’s probably just… playing a prank or just lost a bet and had to switch jobs with Rarity for the day, right?”

Snickers looked sadly at Silver and nodded a little. “Okay, let’s eat and go find Mom.”

Both fillies shared a concerned look while Snickers walked ahead.

…

Wearing their full saddlebags, Snickers and the fillies stepped out to enjoy the morning, after making sure there weren’t any social workers nearby, and cocked his head when he looked at the sky. “Why’s the sky all… checkered?”

Silver and Diamond didn’t know any more than Snickers, so they decided to find Blueblood to see what he and Twilight had figured out. The sound of joyous singing caught their attention as they passed by the main market street and they saw Twilight prancing and happily singing about how wonderful the day was.

Snickers wondered whether he should bother her, but chose to focus on his father figure and the problem at hoof. Rushing through back streets and an alley that was thankfully clean, they arrived at the library and walked in, closing the door behind them. There they saw A grumpy Spike frowning at Blueblood, who was looking at book spines.

“Daddy! What’d you find out? Can you get me away from the foal services jerks?” Snickers asked as he hopped onto the floor.

Blueblood snapped his attention to Snickers and his warm smile grew when he saw the colt. “Snickers, my boy! Oh, what a glorious day it is, indeed. Where are the rest of your friends? The gryphon and your timberpony?”

Snickers opened his mouth, but then realized that he didn’t know. “Wait, I’ll ask Laxxie,” he said and relaxed, opening his mind to the timber filly.

Laxxie? Snickers asked.

Father! Where are you? You have been silent for too long, we are worried.

Snickers mentally sighed. I am fine, I am at Twilight’s library and Foal Services is after me, to take me away from everything and everypony. Get Kiwe and Gil, stay together and I’ll let you know what Prince Blueblood has planned.

Laxxie asked, Okay, what about Cress? She left when it started raining and snowing and I haven’t seen her in a while.

There was a brief silence, during which Laxxie shared an image or two of what the others were doing. Snickers sighed to himself. She’s new, she doesn’t know how we work yet. If you see her, tell her to stay close before we leave her behind somewhere, Snickers said, just before the link cut off.

“She’s fine, and so are the others. They’re at the common house and having breakfast, except Cress who went out for a fly, I guess... but I need to know what we’re gonna do about all this,” Snickers gestured nebulously.

Blueblood chuckled and walked to Snickers, towering over him. “Snickers, I’m sorry to say we didn’t find much, but after a long night with… vigorous studying, Twilight succumbed to sleep and awoke to study with me again, after which she--”

“You had sex with her, you big jerk,” Spike shouted from where he was standing by the kitchen divide. “You took her virginity and cried about how you didn’t want to lose her as a friend.”

Spike smirked at sharing the embarrassing detail, but Blueblood didn’t react poorly to the jibe. “I did, indeed. Twilight and I go back many years and--”

“Are you serious?!” Snickers snapped. “I’m about to be taken away to fuck knows where and you were slapping flanks with Twilight Sparkle instead of looking for a way to save me?!”

Blueblood scoffed. He turned his head and pulled a book from a shelf. “This is only one of the several books we read through before we had our moments, we only stopped looking for a solution when we both became mentally exhausted. Twilight must have ready nearly ten books to my five, but we didn’t find loopholes or any tricks to use… yet.

“There’s a reason, my boy, why I’m still here. I’m still looking while Twilight’s out getting Rarity so we can all look for an answer. Six eyes are better than four, after all, right?”

“You better not try to do anything with Rarity, Blueblood,” Spike growled and Snickers nodded in agreement.

“She’s not on your list, is she?” Snickers asked, ruefully.

Blueblood cocked his head slightly. “A list of what? Oh, you surely don’t mean mares to bed? Oh, Snickers… I thought you’d have a higher view of me by now,” he said, lowering his head in resignation.

Snickers’s heart throbbed. “I do! I don’t think bad of you, honest! That’s why you’re my daddy, even if you’re not really my daddy.”

Diamond chimed in, “It’s an honorary title, but don’t mess it up or we’ll be sure to take it away.”

Silver flipped her braid and nodded. “Yeah. You’re, like, too important to him, so don’t blow it.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing so. I’ve never had such a wonderful colt in my life, and I don’t want to lose you to a system that can’t care for you the same as your mother and I… even if we aren’t a couple.”

“Yet!” Snickers chirped, then bit back whatever else he was about to say when he caught the scathing glare Spike was giving him. “A-anyway, if you don’t have anything, I have to hide somewhere, and something’s wrong with Applejack, so I came here to find Twilight… and you’re the reason she’s hopping all over town, singing like a madmare,” Snickers deduced.

Spike scratched his foot on the floor, leaving marks. “And I had to clean up after them! That smell isn’t coming out of the sheets for days despite me washing them, you know.”

Blueblood blushed. “She was quite pent up, it seemed.”

“No shit,” Spike mumbled with crossed arms, quiet enough to not be heard by anypony in the room.

Blueblood stood up again and flounced his mane. “In any case, I believe you should find Rarity, as Twilight seems to be a bit distracted by your claim. Go, my boy. Find her and bring her here so we can work through this as a… possible family.”

Snickers giggled and hugged Blueblood’s foreleg, then turned to leave.

Snickers and his fillies ran out into town, the checker-pattern piles of snow and falling rain creating enough confusion that they could look for their next target without fear of Seven spotting them.

Hopefully Rarity, but Fluttershy would work, too, Snickers hoped.

Turning a corner, Snickers came to a sudden stop. Silver and Diamond dodged around him and tumbled into one another as Snickers shouted, “Mom! Mom, it’s me!”

Three little hearts raced with anticipation as Snickers ran to Rarity, ignoring the warm gust of wind that blew against him as he reached her. Rarity stopped casting her spell and looked down at Snickers. “Oh, um, Snooker, right? I’m sorry, darling, but I’m having quite the time with this weather being so difficult. I feel you should stay at home with your caretaker, Applejack, until I get this sorted out.”

Snickers rushed to Rarity’s side and grabbed her foreleg. “Mom, wait, why do you want me to stay with Applejack? Why’s she at home? Why are you doing the weather? What’s going on today?!”

Rarity stopped in place and looked down forlornly at Snickers. “Sniffer, darling, I simply can’t focus on you right now. Now, please stop being a bother and let me work.” She said, shaking him off her leg. She began to step forward with her attention to the sky again.

Snickers rushed to block Rarity and pouted. “But, Mom, I just got back, is this because of the social worker? Is it because I talked about your dildo, or did I do something else to make you mad at me? If I did, I’m sorry! I’ve never been more sorry for anything since I got to this world, just please, talk to me.”

Rarity whinnied in frustration. “Look, little colt, I don’t know who you think you are, but if a social worker is looking for you, then go to them and save me the trouble! I have a lot of work to do, and weather to fix, so if you’d be so kind, Slinker, leave me be and go bother your real mother!” She walked over him in a huff as she focused on her work.

Snickers hiccupped and sniffled. “Mom…”

Rarity looked back with frustration in her eyes. “I have no son!”

Snickers felt his heart break and he fell onto his haunches as Rarity trotted away, her magic casting spell after spell into the clouds creating even more chaotic weather. The snow melting from the warm air combined with the rain added to the tears he began to shed as Diamond and Silver reached him.

“Snickers, what happened? Why’s she just walking away?” Diamond asked. She gasped when she saw his expression and hugged him gingerly. Silver joined the hug and comforted Snickers as he watched Rarity trot away without even a glance back.

…

Wet, cold, and sad, Snickers was guided into the common house with Silver and Diamond propping him up. Laxxie and Kiwe rushed to meet him, stopping when they saw his demeanor and the sad expressions on the fillies. Before Kiwe could ask, Diamond spoke, “She ignored him, like he wasn’t even there. Kiwe, it broke our colt’s heart right in front of us.”

Snickers quietly nickered and looked at the floor, pawing at it with his hoof. “I am a failure, a loser. Nopony wants me because all I do is screw up… I never should have left, that’s why she’s mad at me.”

Kiwe looked concerned at Snickers, then glanced between the fillies who were just as concerned; all were unsure of what to say.

“So what?” Gil spoke. “So, she doesn’t want to see you right now, big deal. She’s a mare, she’ll get over it and act like nothing happened. Grow up.”

Laxxie turned to look back at the gryphon lying on a top bunk and growled like a timberwolf. “You be quiet, meanie,” she said softly, then looked back at Snickers. “Daddy, think to me. We can talk, yes?”

Snickers shook his head and let his legs relax, finally falling to the floor. “No point, Mom hates me because I left… you didn’t see her, how she told me I’d be better with Applejack than with her. She’s… she’s done with my shit and I can’t blame her. I could have just been a nice little pony, but I had to keep my old life in my mind and keep pushing the limits, didn’t I?”

Silver bit her lip and laid next to Snickers, moving to nuzzle him. “Snickers--”

“No,” Snickers whispered, “don’t. I don’t deserve you two, I’ll just let you down like I have everyone else in both my lives. I’ll never atone for what I’ve done, now. I know it, just let me go, girls. Laxxie, go back to the forest and live like you want. Kiwe, take your egg and live… I’m going to go find Seven and…” Snickers tried to stand, but fell back down, crying softly.

“No, Snickers,” Diamond said, firmly. She took off her tiara and tossed it in front of him. “If you want me to go, break my tiara. After all you’ve done for us, show us how little we mean to you and… you know what…” she stepped forward from Snickers’s side and stomped on her tiara, bending it.

“There, I don’t need this stupid thing! It’s a dumb… little… piece... of... metal!” She punctuated each word with a stomp on her tiara until it was unwearable and barely recognizable. “What matters to me is you, not that. I don’t care what you say, I’m not playing around anymore! You’re our herd stallion, Snickers, and no matter what, we’re here with you until the end!”

Silver stood up and nodded. “I agree, but I can’t break my glasses, Diamond Tiara… and my necklace, my birth mommy gave this to me on my cutecenera, do I have to break it?”

Snickers quietly chuckled and lifted his head. He looked at Silver and reached up, touching her pearls. “It’s a nice gift. Don’t lose your mother like I did, Silver.”

Silver stood up and moved next to Laxxie. “Snickers, what’s wrong with you? You’re, like, so serious over this! Yeah, she gave you the cold shoulder and broke your amazing heart, but you know what? You still have us, all of us, even that jerk of a gryphon.”

“Hey!” Gil snapped.

“Shut up!” Silver retorted. “Get up, Snickers, we’re, like, going to see Fluttershy and find out what’s going on here. Maybe she can help you feel better, too. She’s good like that.”

Snickers was wedged between two fillies and, with magical help from Kiwe, stood again on weak legs. Snickers was led into the chaotic weather where Discord could be seen flying above the clouds helping the insanity in the sky by changing random squares of clouds into different weather phenomena, unhelpfully assisting Rarity’s work just out of sight.

Snickers finally got his legs under him and walked on his own, though with his head down, through town, using side streets as much as they could, until they reached the edge of Ponyville. “Look, we’re, like, almost there! A few minutes and Miss Fluttershy will help you, okay?” Silver Spoon said.

Snickers shrugged as best he could, then followed the fillies to Fluttershy’s cottage. The weather tapered off quickly and turned into a warm summer’s day the farther they got from Ponyville, but that didn’t matter to Snickers.

Loser, failure, worthless. That’s all I am, I can’t do anything right. I can’t even have a mom that loves me… I tried so hard, too. What’d I even bother for? I know she loved me, but then I did something and now she’s ignoring me… what did I do to deserve this?

Snickers, lost in his thoughts, bumped his snout into Silver’s tail, bringing him back to reality when she kicked out behind her in surprise. Snickers felt her shoe impact his barrel, but it only hurt a little.

“Oh my gosh, Snickers?! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that, you just surprised me by bumping me and I was talking with Diamond, and…”

Snickers looked at Silver, morosely. “It’s fine. We’re almost there. Try not to kill me yet, okay?”

“Snickers, that’s not--” Diamond started, but Snickers talked over her.

“Fluttershy has a bear that’ll do the job even faster, if you want me gone.”

Both fillies gasped in shock. Kiwe moved up, finally. “Okay, this is enough. You are a strong colt, young and tough. You are not going to die, so stop this moping stuff. Let us see your friend Fluttershy and she will help you, I promise with a cake in my eye.”

Kiwe moved behind Snickers and gave him a friendly push with his snout down the path. With Silver and Diamond by his sides, Snickers made the rest of the trek in silence.

Snickers’s ears twitched when he realized it was so quiet. He looked around with his sullen expression to see only a couple critters scampering in the area. Before too long, they’d reached the door and let Snickers sit in place a pace back, so Fluttershy would see him when she peeked out.

Kiwe knocked on the door, loudly.

“Don’t do that, Kiwe!” Silver scolded him in a hushed voice. “You’ll scare her into not opening the door. You have to be gentle.”

“What am I to do, unknock the door?” Kiwe asked, just as quiet and frustrated.

The door was pulled open quickly and Snickers’s blood boiled when he saw Rainbow Dash. “Are you here to help me?” Rainbow asked, slightly out of breath. “The animals won’t eat what I give them, there’s a bear in here… a bear! Bears eat meat! I won’t touch that with my hooves, but he won’t…”

There was a quiet smack as Snickers’s little forehoof crossed Rainbow’s cheek. “You ruined my fucking life here, you worthless cunt! I hope you get cooked and eaten!” Snickers felt tears forming in his eyes and he turned away from the mare in a rush.

“Wait, come back!” Rainbow called after Snickers as he ran back down the path into town.

The others barely noticed he’d left and had given chase, leaving Rainbow to care for the animals herself, that was when Angel slammed the door closed with her barrel still in the doorway, knocking the air from her lungs and a squirrel rested on her muzzle, giving her a very close view of his nuts.

Rainbow shrieked as something much larger than her bit onto her hind hoof and dragged her, terrified and scrambling for purchase, back into the cottage with terror in her eyes. Angel Bunny closed the door, watching the retreating foals with hunger in his beady eyes.

Snickers ran back towards Ponyville and the random weather, before crashing into Fluttershy as she galloped across a street.

“Oh, oh my, you poor little thing, let me help you up,” Fluttershy offered and reached a hoof to Snickers. When Snickers took it, though, her hoof came off and a long pink balloon floated out of her fake foreleg with some confetti stuck to it.

“Ta-da,” She said, quietly.

Snickers looked between the mare and the detached hoof, then dropped it and stood up on his own. “Fluttershy? Are you normal?” He asked, hopefully.

Fluttershy turned her head back to her saddlebag and returned with a fake moustache. “Fluttershy? I don’t know who you’re talking about. Would you like to buy a rubber turkey?” She said in a deeper falsetto voice, then cracked a sad smile.

Snickers lowered his head and walked past her, just as the others caught up. “Miss Fluttershy...” Silver started, but her words were drowned out to Snickers as rain pelted him and filled his world with cold and white noise. A moment later Snickers felt the heat of the sun beating down on him from above and glanced up to see the light magnified by water in the air, somehow.

He hurried into the next area of chaotic weather created by Rarity and, to a lesser extent, Discord.

“If no one wants me in this dumb town, then I don’t need this dumb town, either!” he cried to himself and turned towards Rarity’s Boutique. With the others following him again, he entered the back and went right upstairs to his room. He quickly went to his trunk, and began unpacking things.

He stuffed whatever he could into his gifted saddlebags and then went around his room collecting small keepsakes. A ruler, a fruit, a stuffed pony he hugged, and whatever was in his old saddlebags went into his new ones.

Silver and Diamond arrived and saw Snickers loading up. They shared a sad look, and Silver said “We’re coming, too.”

Snickers spat a book into his magic saddlebag pouch and closed it, then slipped the bags onto his body. “Whatever, I can’t control you. You coming too, Kiwe?”

Kiwe nodded. “You need my care and potions, lest you will lose yourself to your emotions.”

Kiwe rushed to his trunk and slipped his bags off, adding several items to his own, namely his alchemy kit and books, as well as ingredients.

Silver and Diamond went to the kitchen and gathered as much non-perishable food as they could. Then, they noticed Snickers’s swear jar, and a small jar set aside with his name on it. They shared another nod and pocketed the bits, just in time for Snickers and Kiwe to meet them at the base of the stairs.

The sound of Applejack cursing the sewing machine, for some reason, was the only noise that filled the boutique as the foals gathered.

“Before we leave, I have to say bye to my mommies and daddy,” Silver said.

Snickers nodded and motioned for the doorway and for Silver to lead.

Several minutes later they had all gotten to the Silver Estate. “Everypony,” Silver Started, “I only want my herd to come in. If you see Cress, tell her to, like, wait with you all, but don’t go flying away again. We can’t find her if she’s flying around.”

The group agreed and everypony flinched as thunder cracked while a gust of warm air brought hail behind it. They all exchanged looks and Silver sighed. “Fine, everypony can come in, but you all have to wait in the parlour.” She gestured to the others. “Laxxie, can you wait outside for Cress, if you see her?”

Gil squealed and curled up over the egg. “Can we get inside before I have a crack to worry about?!” The group rushed inside while Laxxie lightly rooted herself to a spot by the entrance to the large house.

“Ah, Madame Silver Spoon, it’s pleasant to see you again so… spoon,” an elderly stallion sighed. Silver giggled and shook her body, happy to be getting comfortable in her home setting again.

“Daddy said to say that, didn’t he?” Silver asked as she pointed to a side room full of bookcases and a maid wearing only an apron that covered her chest. Everycreature not part of the herd moved to the room and were promptly seated and doted upon while Silver gestured to Snickers and Diamond. “This is Snickers, my herd stallion, and you know Diamond Tiara. I’m going on an adventure and would like to say farewell to my mothers and father.”

The stallion’s eyes widened. “Oh, my… certainly. Come with me to the library and I’ll gather them all straight away.”

“Thank you, Blank Check,” Silver said, “you’re the best.”

“Blank Check?” Snickers quietly asked Diamond. “That’s kind of a specific name, isn’t it?”

Diamond moved to Snickers’s side and whispered back, “He wrote a blank check to the Silver family and they still have it, he’s indebted to them for some reason.”

“A slave?” Snickers sneered.

Diamond shook her head. “No, he owes them and the check is out in the open, locked up so nopony else takes it. You can ask when we’re all there.”

Snickers frowned slightly, but nodded, his eyes noticing the happy sway in Silver’s hips that sent her tail swaying in time with her steps. Diamond noticed and giggled behind closed lips, but didn’t bring it up, choosing to appreciate the view herself as they turned corners and finally stopped at a closed door.

“Wait inside, Little Spoon, while I... gather the rest of the cutlery.” Blank Check rolled his eyes as he opened the door. Silver walked into a large study with full bookshelves along two of the three walls, a fireplace with lying cushions around its mouth, and a writing desk.

Snickers went to a bookshelf and looked at some of the spines while Silver and Diamond lay by the unlit fireplace. “Hey, this book could be useful, can I take it?” Snickers asked, pointing to a book at his head height.

“What book is it?” Silver replied.

“Metalworking and You: A Guide to Mixing Metals With Little Trouble.”

Silver shook her head. “No. That’s, like, probably an important book to my parents. You shouldn’t even bother looking if you just wanna take them, Snickers. Come sit with us, we might not get a chance to relax like this for a while.”

There was a knock at the door and a blue stallion wearing an apron balanced a tray of drinks on his back. “Miss Spoon, drinks for you and your friends.”

Silver nodded with a grin at the stallion. “Thank you, Accurate, just set them on the floor and we’ll partake as needed.”

The stallion complied and bowed his head. “Snacks are forthcoming shortly.”

As he left, Silver cocked her head and craned her neck while watching him leave. “That stallion has the best haunches I’ve ever seen,” she said, then looked back to Snickers and smiled. “Until you grow up, that is.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek to placate his ego.

“I have nice haunches,” Snickers still complained.

Diamond nuzzled Snickers. “I think they’re the best. That’s what matters, right honey?”

Snickers blushed ever so slightly. “Y-yeah, I guess so.”

The door to the study opened quickly and four mares rushed in, followed by Silver’s father, Ladle.

“Sweetie!” “My little Spoonie.” “Oh, your glasses are smudged.” “You braid isn’t right.” “Are those scuffs on your hoovsies?!” “There’s a mess in your tail!” “Your pearls aren’t shining!”

Snickers and Diamond were pushed back as the mares crowded Silver and went from doting to criticising in a few words. They began nitpicking every nuance of the filly, who stood tall and unmoving. Finally, after nearly fifteen seconds of being berated, the mares all picked the grey filly up and hugged one another, creating a circle that impressed Snickers.

“We missed you,” all the mares said. Snickers felt a heavy hoof on his back and looked up to Ladle.

“You’ve done well, son. I heard you’re taking my little Spoon on an adventure?” Snickers nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but was quieted by another firm pat on his back. “Well, if you’re going on a trek with my little Spoonie, I hope you know that she’s well protected and should you hurt her, or let harm come to her…” Silver’s father leaned close and bared his teeth. “Nothing will save you from this father’s wrath.”

Snickers gulped. “Y-yes, sir. I don’t intend for anything to happen to her, honest. We’re just going on a trip around and we’ll come back, I promise.”

Ladle grinned and stood tall again. “Great to hear,” he said and stepped between Snickers and Diamond, giving the filly a look that told her to stay out of their conversation. “On a side note, it’s nearly my little one’s first season and I’d love to be a grandfather before too long. Do have her home in time for delivery, won’t you?”

Snickers blushed brightly through his already dark coat and stammered, unable to form a coherent word. Ladle chuckled. “And the same for that friend of hers, if you can bring her to bear. I’m sure you’d be welcomed into the Rich family with open forelegs. My mares like it under the tail, so I think Spoonie might, too. That won’t give me grandfoals, but it’s quite a bit of fun, just so you know.”

Snickers clammed up and barely breathed. Ladle laughed loudly and moved to his wives while Diamond moved to look at Snickers. “What’d he say? Why are you blushing? Breathe, Snickers, don’t forget to breathe. Did he threaten you? If he did, I’ll have Daddy… oh, no, I have to say bye to Daddy!”

Diamond pranced in place, nervously. Snickers inhaled a deep shaky breath, then blinked and looked at Diamond. “I think Aquelis is okay with my relationship with Silver now…” he said, a distant feeling of elation tickled his belly at the thought of anal sex with Silver. He shook his head and looked at Silver, surrounded by her family, and smiled. “Anyway, what?”

Diamond bit her lip. “I have to say bye to my daddy, but my mother will be there. I need to distract her, somehow. I can’t say bye to her, she’ll never let me leave.”

Snickers shrugged. “I’ll have Silver distract her by leading her to someplace you aren’t and give you about an hour to say goodbye, easy.”

Diamond stood still and thought it over, she reached up to touch her tiara, only to remember it wasn’t there anymore. “Oh, yeah…”

“It’s okay, you’ve got more at your house, right?” Snickers soothed.

Diamond nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t want them… because I have you to remind me of who I am and who I want to be.”

Snickers smiled and gave her a kiss. “You’re sweeter than ever… Sandy Cheeks.”

Diamond giggled and gave Snickers a gentle shove. “I only got sand back there once.”

“And you had to go into the lake to get it out. I swear, you were practically rubbing one out getting clean back there.” Snickers quietly teased.

Diamond blew air into his face. “You know you liked watching.”

Snickers nodded. “I still do.”

Silver broke the moment the two were starting to share by stepping up to them and bumping her flank to Snickers’s. “Moms, this is Snickers. He’s Diamond’s and mine’s stallion and I love him, regardless of what you are going to say.”

The mares rushed around the trio of foals and began chattering incoherently over one another, each either nitpicking something about the colt or making a demand that he couldn’t make out. “Enough!” Silver shouted, quieting her mothers. “Snickers, say something so they know you’re a good colt.”

Snickers felt his tail drop to cover his privates and he looked up at the mares that had formed a semicircle around him. “Uh, Silver is a great young mare and I’ll do anything to make her happy and keep her safe.”

The mares looked between one another and all relaxed. “Thank Celestia, I was worried you were just trying to get under her tail.”

“Right! I was, like, totally sure he was gonna be some cowering colt, afraid of us.”

“Like, right! That would be so gauche. Like, eugh, not even!”

"I know, right! Totally grody if he was, like Ladle and you two." Two of Silver's mothers giggled at the comment.

Snickers looked at Silver and raised an eyebrow as the mares began to agree with one another about him. “What? We’re from Manehattan, that’s how they talk in my suburb.” Silver said, defensively.

Snickers rolled his eyes and shook his head in good humor. “Just when I thought I had you figured out, your moms have to teach me something new.”

“Like, what’d you figure out?” Silver asked.

“Just that you are gonna spend some time talking like your moms in the future, I bet, for some reason.” Snickers said, sagely.

“So, like, how is he?” One of the mothers asked Silver.

“How is he what?” Silver asked back.

The mare was smacked on her foreleg. “Gilded, you can’t ask that with the stud right there.”

“I so can! He’s the cause of all this trouble. How does he rut, Silver? Is he good?”

Silver and Snickers blushed again, Diamond snickered. “Mom! We haven’t done that yet, Snickers is saving himself for the right time.”

The mares all ‘ahh’d in knowing. “He wants to slap flanks and put a little loaf in you when you’re in season, you naughty little filly,” one of Silver’s mothers said, winking at the furiously blushing filly.

“Oh, that does it! I’m so not going to let my herd-sister's daughter have a foal before me. Ladle, I’m ready and you’re getting me pregnant this winter.”

“Me, too, like, uh-kay!”

“Uh, excuse me? Me, like, three!”

Silver watched her mothers swarm her father and begin pestering him to impregnate them as she blushed furiously. She turned back to her herd and cleared her throat. “So, that’s my family…”

“So, does that count as a goodbye?” Snickers asked.

Silver shrugged. “Sure, I’m gonna go to my room to get some travel stuff, but I’ll be ready in no time. You can wait with the others in the parlour.”

As Silver led her herd from the room amidst the sound of a stallion trying to placate three mares in the throes of the desire to fulfill their maternal drives, she was stopped by her birth mother.

“Silver Spoon,” the mare said, halting her daughter.

Silver waved her herdmates on and took a private moment.

“Silver, I love you and, like, I know that no matter what happens you’ll, like, be the most fresh and, like, most smartest pony. Stay light hearted and think before you act, just like we trained you.

“Here’s the key to my safe in our room,” she slipped a key from her mane and gave it to Silver Spoon," there's something you'll need in there from me."

“Mommy…”

“Don’t say a thing about it, uh-kay? Like, it’s a gift from a mom to her daughter before… like, ya know?” Silver’s mom waved a forehoof in the air, out of words, it seemed as her eyes began to water.

Silver and her mother shared a hug, then Silver left the room with her mother behind to start a new journey in life.

…

The group of foals -and gryphon- scurried through town with Diamond in the lead, avoiding the pockets of tumultuous weather until the pink filly’s house was in sight. “Okay, we can’t all go in like at Silver’s,” she covered her mouth to disguise a burp. “And thanks to her servants not letting us leave without a bunch of snacks, I don’t think we’re hungry anymore, so that’s even better.”

“So, I’ll go play distraction,” Silver said, standing tall and flipping her braid. “I make a great distraction.”

Diamond nodded, then shook her head. “No, she’ll expect something if you show up and try to lead her out. The only one we can count on to start this one is Laxxie.

“Laxxie?” The group chorused.

“Yes,” Diamond nodded. “You need to get her attention by stomping through her flower garden out front, then tell her that her muzzle needs work. She’ll chase you off the grounds, that’s when Silver Spoon, you come in. Laxxie, you just run to that corner and Silver will peek around and be seen.

“That’s when you, Silver, run away looking scared. Shout my name and say ‘she’s coming’, then totally ditch her. She’ll chase you and that’s when Snickers will dodge around the block and Silver, you’ll do the same. You have the same tail colors, and in this weather she won’t be able to see you too well.

“She needs glasses, but won’t wear them because they won’t fit on her new muzzle. So, got it?”

They all agreed and lined up while Laxxie began to walk toward the house, when the door opened and Spoiled Rich, wearing a saddle with a parasol on it, trotted out with her snout high. Laxxie stopped in place and looked back to Diamond with her head cocked.

They all shrugged as the mare left her house property, turned a corner, and was gone. "Well, that's convenient," Snickers said aloud. The fillies agreed, then they all rushed past a confused wooden filly and Diamond led them all inside just as a dust storm kicked up where they were hiding. “Daddy?” Diamond called out once she was inside.

“Diamond, sweetie? Where are you?” Filthy called from a room down the hall.

Diamond hopped into a trot. “Everypony, wait here. Except my herd can come with me. We don’t have long.”

Diamond rushed through the house and past servants to her father’s study where he was doing some accounting with a large calculator. He left his machine with a final pull of the lever as she entered and shared a hug with her. “Diamond, darling… where’s your tiara?”

“Fuck the tiara, daddy!” Diamond said, sniffling. “I’m leaving and want you to know I’ll miss you and think of you every day I’m gone. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but when I come back, I’ll be a mare and have a lot of stories to tell you.”

Filthy sat down and moved Diamond to leg’s distance. “Darling, you needn’t worry. I knew this day would come. Granted, I didn’t think it would be with a colt,” he chuckled mirthfully. “Are you only leaving to start a family, or is there more to it?” He asked, standing on all four legs and moving to a painting behind his desk.

“Daddy, it’s not only because I have a stallion with a huge..." she blushed pinker than Snickers had ever seen her. Diamond shook her head and her father smirked, knowingly. "Daddy, I love him with all my heart and I can’t be around mother anymore. She’s just… awful to everypony and can’t understand that. She’s awful to me and my herd, and my friends, and even my potential friends. She calls everypony mean names, even when they don’t deserve it, and she has no respect for anypony or anything.”

Filthy chuckled as he opened a safe and reached in. “At least you didn’t say you hate her, trust me I know how easy it can be to do just that.”

“She’s still my mother, Daddy. Daddy, what’re you doing?” Diamond asked, moving back to stand with Snickers.

“You thought I didn’t see this coming, didn’t you?” he asked in return. He pulled out a bag of bits and set it on the table with a sigh. “With your mother being who she is, I knew this day would come. Now, I can’t fund your entire excursion, or you won’t learn anything… but I can still help. I have two thousand bits in this bag, and they’re all yours,” he said, holding up a hoof before Diamond could comment. “With a caveat.

“This coin purse is magically bound to this bit bag, you can only take out ten coins a day,” he said, tossing her a tied smaller bag that jingled when it landed at her hooves. “It’s something I had made to keep you learning the value of a bit. As such, you won’t know what denomination of coin you’ll be getting when you reach in.

“It could be a one, two, four, or eight bit, I don’t have any sixteen or higher pieces in here,” he tapped the large bag. “That’s all I can offer you, financially,” he said and looked sadly at his daughter. “There’s one more thing,” he said, returning to the safe and producing a new tiara for his daughter, “this is crafted from actual mythril, not common metals, and the gems are each enchanted to give you strength and endurance beyond what normal earth ponies have.

“I wasn’t about to let my only child leave, out into the world, unprotected. Once you put it on, only you can take it off,” he looked to the others in her herd, “and the same applies to you both, if she chooses to share it. It’s nigh indestructible and cost more than a pretty sum, so don't lose it. But, I admit that I didn’t expect you to go with friends.

“You mother is quite unbearable, I understand, but she does care,” he sighed and moved to Diamond, placing her new tiara on her head. “She’s the one who had this commissioned, after all. Now, take hoof and leave before she returns to berate you before you go… and know that you’re the strongest young mare I’ve ever known and I am always proud to have been your father.”

Diamond looked up and wished she could see her new tiara, touching it with her forehoof before lunging to hug her father. “You’ll always be my father, Daddy, and someday I’ll give this tiara to our foal,” she looked back at Snickers, “and he’ll know his grandpa…”

They shared a quiet moment before Diamond backed away and moved to Snickers again, who had placed the bit bag into his saddlebag. “That was awesome, I wish I had somepony to say bye to, too.”

“You needn’t worry, Snickers,” Filthy said, “you have everypony you need by your sides.”

A moment later the herd was with the others and they left the house, standing in a beam of warm sunlight. Laxxie was waiting in a puddle outside, seeming to be enjoying the weather, but she hopped from her spot and joined the group through town as they made their way to Sweet Apple Acres.

“If we’re going to leave, we need food to last. I’m not grazing, if I can help it,” Diamond said, haughtily; and they all knew where the best food in town was.

They eventually made it to Sweet Apple Acres where they snuck into the barn and entered the apple cellar, where they were introduced to enough dried fruits and other foods to feed them for weeks. They used Silver and Diamond’s bags to hold as much as they thought they’d need for a while, then grabbed six dried alfalfa blocks each, enough food overall for two weeks of travel, Kiwe figured.

An hour passed as they ate and loaded up what they believed they’d need when the door to the cellar creaked open and a mare’s shadow cast down the steps. “Anypony here?” Pinkie’s voice flatly asked in a long cadence. Unable to use stealth, the foals bunched together. “I hope you’re not troublemakers, because we have ways of dealing with your kind.”

Snickers spoke up, “Just us, Miss Pie. I’m Snickers... here with my friends... uh, playing hide and seek.”

There was a beat of silence before Pinkie quietly spoke. “I wish I could play a game of hide and seek, but there’s so much to do and not enough time in the day, lately. Okay, you have fun and don’t make a mess.”

Snickers nodded in the faded light of the gems around the room. “Yes, Miss Pie. Thank you.”

“Yeah, sure.” Pinkie replied and the cellar door closed.

Diamond shivered. “That’s one creepy mare.”

The rest agreed and left through the secondary exit that led to the side of the barn. “This thing doesn't make sense, it’s, like, a basement, but it’s not,” Silver said as she left into the clouded skies covering the farm and orchard before flinching at a passing shadow from overhead.

Gil circled the foals once. “You gonna make a run of it, or what? I wouldn’t mind leaving this crazy weather dump of a town behind, if you ask me.”

Snickers whinnied and reared up. “Me, too! Let’s go.” He led the charge as the group began to run, only to stop when three fillies blocked their path.

“Now, hold on!” Apple Bloom said, sternly. “Ah dunno what yer up ta, but if ya think yer done bein’ a Cutie Mark Crusader, yer plum crazy!”

Snickers stomped his forehooves. “Why won’t you leave me alone?! I hate you, all of you! You betrayed me, lied to me, and broke my heart,” he said, looking pointedly at each Crusader as he spoke, ending with Scootaloo. “I don’t care what my cutie mark is gonna be, but I won’t be with you when I get it!”

Sweetie moved in front of Scootaloo before the filly could say something she may regret. “Wait! Snickers, we’re sorry about everything, and we heard you were coming back today… and everything’s gone crazy in town…” she paused and looked back at Scootaloo, who nodded and pulled a red cape from her saddlebag.

“Here,” Scootaloo said, throwing it between their groups. “You can hate us, spit on us, even swear at us, but you’re one of us, no matter what.”

The wind blowing through the trees and rustling the leaves was the only noise for a few seconds as the cape floated to Snickers's forehooves, carried on the breeze. Snickers moved forward and bit the collar of the cape. He tossed it over his back, askance, and then led his group silently past the three fillies.

“Thanks,” Snickers said as he passed his aunt.

Silver and Diamond bumped between the Crusaders with their noses high while Kiwe smiled at the fillies once they regained their standing, glaring at the two fillies. “Blank flanks,” Diamond mouthed back and got glares in reply. Then, with Snickers leading them all, the odd group galloped through the orchard and into a new adventure.

Heading West

Snickers smiled at his reflection in the window, the sound of steady click-clacking the only thing on his mind as the other foals slept on their seats on the train in the waning day. Laxxie had her snout pressed against the window on the other side of the car, sniffing and huffing hot wet air against the glass, her timber wolf side showing as she tried to sniff as often as she could.

He smirked.

Snickers looked at Silver Spoon and mentally thanked her, again, for suggesting taking the train instead of running across the plains like he had thought to do. They had made it almost ten miles from town before they came across a waystation and the train was close behind them. They all bought tickets and hopped on.

Gil chirped quietly in his sleep, curled around the egg, as he seemed to always be doing, at the far side of the car. It was clear the gryphon didn’t like traveling with them, but he was certainly dedicated. Snickers looked at the passing terrain in the shadow of the moon’s light as they passed through White Tail Woods, and sighed.

Speaking softly to his reflection, Snickers had a one sided conversation. “I can’t believe it went wrong so fast… first mom, then daddy, Twilight… I had Spike, I guess, but that’s not enough to stay. I’d have had to deal with all that nonsense, and I couldn’t deal with that.

“But, maybe it’s all over now and everypony is over themselves? What if mom’s freaking out and missing me… after she told me she…” he looked angrily at his own reflection and clopped a hoof to the glass. “No, she hates me and said it, too. I can’t go back there for them. Someday, with foals of my own, with my mares, I’ll go back. But, not to see the family I thought I’d made, but for my girls.”

Diamond snorted awake when the train hit a bump and looked around, confused. “Are we there yet?” she asked suddenly, then realized where she was and what she was doing. She reached up and adjusted her tiara, now smaller and slightly tighter-fitting than her old one.

“Oh, yeah. Snickers?” She turned around and nuzzled the colt, “Are you okay? You aren’t sleeping with us.”

Snickers chuffed. “Just thinking about Ponyville.”

Diamond was about to speak when the door to their car opened, filling the room with loud clattering that woke everycreature. “Hey, everypony,” Cress said as she closed the door behind herself.

“Cress?” Silver asked as she adjusted her glasses and yawned demurely. “I thought we left you behind.”

The filly grinned, showing her sharp teeth. “Nope, I caught up and just got onto the car earlier. You were all asleep so I didn’t wanna bother you, I hope that’s okay.” She looked confident, but her twitching ear and tensing hind leg muscles showed her anxiety.

Diamond frowned at the filly, then looked back to Snickers. “Whatever, Cress, just get a seat and don’t bother us.”

Cress nodded once and moved to a seat by the door, crawling onto it with a content sigh, like she was relaxing after a long workout.

Snickers addressed the young night pony. “Where were you all day? And, why are you showing up now?”

Cress yawned loudly and shook her head. “I’m super tired from dodging crazy weather all day. I went for a fly and got stuck in three different storms, saw Discord, and did my duty as an Equestrian citizen by reporting him to the Royal Guard. I had to make a statement, then when I tried to find you all, you were already leaving the town.

“I followed you from up high, riding the easy currents, just in case you were trying to run from something. Then you got on this train and I landed nearer to the front and got on before it left.” She yawned again and laid her head down on her crossed forelegs. “Now, I’m here. And tired.”

Snickers shrugged. “Get some sleep, we’ve got a long couple days ahead until we get to the junction. We have to get off when the train reaches Sour Patch’s Farms to head into the Undiscovered West.”

Cress’s head shot up and her mouth worked silently for a moment. “What?! Why’re we heading there? It’s undiscovered for a reason. It’s dangerous and not colonized by ponies.”

Silver stood up and began stretching her legs. “Because, it’s the only place the Ministry of Foal Services won’t think to look for us, and it’s a good place to start exploring something new. Maybe our stallion will find his mark his first day, and maybe you will too.”

Cress glanced back to her blank flank. “I’m not too worried about my mark, especially if it’s related to some monster attacking my friends while we’re asleep and I’m the only survivor.”

Snickers rolled his eyes. “That’s not gonna happen. We’ll sleep in shifts. There’s enough of us to each get a full night’s sleep, and we have a born fighter with us. Right, Gil?”

Gil growled quietly. “Don’t lump me in with you guys. I’m taking this little one with me right back to Gryphonvale as soon as it hatches.”

Kiwe lit his horn and pulled a snack from his bag. “I am sure you will choose to stay, as you will be too far away.”

Gil snapped his beak. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Kiki. I’ll catch a good current and be back in Equestria within a day from wherever your leader takes us.”

Snickers looked around. “Who’s the leader?” he innocently asked. Every eye was on him.

“What, you think I’m the leader?” he laughed. “I’m just running from my problems, based on what a crazy mare told me she experienced. I’m no leader.”

The rest of the creatures smirked as one and Snickers turned his attention to the passing trees again.

…

Sitting on the bench seat, Snickers steadied himself as the train lurched and slowed down, nearing a stop; Saddle Junction, if Snickers remembered correctly from the map he’d looked at while walking between cars to stretch his legs. Silver and Diamond were helpful in pointing out many places they’d have to visit when they returned to Equestria, especially to see what changes may have happened.

“Like, I don’t think we’ll be gone that long. Those ponies in Ponyville can go jump in a lake during winter, but the rest of Equestria… Snickers,” Silver whined, “can’t we go to Manehattan before we leave?”

Diamond had scolded Silver about following the stallion’s lead and the grey filly pouted, reluctantly agreeing.

Watching the end of the White Tail Woods was sobering, but Snickers was ready to move on, like his family had already done. Not even Sweetie Belle had tried to stop him from leaving, only having given him a cape to remember their bond by.

Snickers looked at the others in the car, noting it was still only their group as few ponies trusted a car with a batpony and a gryphon in it. Snickers frowned when he remembered hearing a mare murmur to her small herd that very fact as they rushed past.

“Snickers, what’s wrong?” Silver asked, moving from her seat to sit by him, looking up at his higher position from the floor.

Snickers shook his head. “Just glad to be leaving ponies like these behind,” he said and pointed at the station they were stopping at with two stallions ready to board. His fillies looked out the window, then back to Snickers.

“You know, not all ponies are bad,” Diamond softly said.

Snickers puffed some air from his muzzle. “I know that, Diamond, but too many are. Maybe a few months away will help, maybe we’ll find a new life with new creatures and can come back when we have…” he blushed and looked at the cushion he was sitting on, prodding it with his forehooves.

Silver squeaked and Diamond began to grin. “Are you saying you wanna have a family with us?” Diamond asked the bashful colt.

Kiwe clearly chuckled throatily while Cress let out a chirping sound. Snickers looked between all the creatures in the car and felt his ears burning from the blood rushing to them. He opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out, spurring the fillies on and making them titter to one another.

“Snickers likes us, Diamond,” Silver said, teasingly.

“He wants to date us, and marry us,” Diamond sing-songed.

Both fillies were on the floor now and leaned against one another, looking up at Snickers, who did his best to not look at them. “Snickers and his fillies, sitting in a tree…” they sang in unison. “A foal in her and a foal in me,” they ad libbed and nearly fell over giggling while Snickers dropped to his side and covered his face with his forelegs.

“I didn’t say anything about that!” Snickers defended.

“You did not say anything to the contrary though, brother.” Kiwe opined.

Snickers lifted his foreleg enough to shoot Kiwe a scornful glance. “Traitor,” he mumbled.

Cress was grinning and got up, moving closer to Gil. “Hey, Gil, why don’t you take a break from the egg? I have fluff and can hold it while--”

“Get lost, bug eater,” Gil groused. “I don’t need your help.”

Cress shrugged and stepped back before turning and moving to Laxxie. “Hey, timberpony, what’s shakin’?”

Laxxie tapped the floor. “The train. Don’t you feel it?”

Snickers snerked and the fillies laughed a little more, hugging one another to keep from falling over. Kiwe reached into his saddlebag and pulled out an apple that he set by his side. “I feel the need to eat, who else wishes for a treat?” Kiwe asked.

Nopony answered, so the zony took a big bite from the apple and wiped his furry brown lips.

“Hm, always the best apples in the land, I will miss them because they are quite grand.”

“All aboard!” The conductor announced, her voice muffled through the walls, but still clearly audible.

Diamond and Silver got onto Snickers’s bench and pushed him to sitting up so they could all fit, then nuzzled him. “You’re gonna be a good daddy, I just know it,” Silver said.

Diamond agreed with a soft kiss to his cheek that let her know he was still blushing, just not as bright as before. It made her happy to know he cared for her, and a little funny in a weird way when she thought about having a foal inside of her body.

Diamond realized that throughout her entire life, the thought of being pregnant hadn’t actually crossed her mind, and she decided to dedicate several minutes to think about what it would be like. The train lurched and suddenly the idea of being pregnant scared her and her mind began to race.

The thought of her body swelling until she looked fat, the way she’d be even more emotional, how lazy she'd become, the burden she'd be to their trip, and the possibility of being left by Snickers for being useless made her want to hyperventilate.

“Silver, I need to talk to you in private,” she said, hurriedly.

Silver nodded and followed Diamond to the empty side of the car. She sat close to Diamond and listened intently.

Diamond looked at the far side of the car with the others and her eyes latched onto the back of Snickers’s head. His ears twitched and she felt butterflies in her belly. “Silver, what if I’m not a good mom? What if I miscarry?” She asked in a rushed, hushed tone. “What if I’m not good enough when Snickers mounts me?

“What if I fall over, or he does… what if he doesn’t last long and I laugh, and hurt his feelings? Silver, what if he leaves me before we even have...” she glanced back to the colt she loved, “... sex. What will I do, hundreds of miles from home, lost and alone in a weird part of the world? What if-”

Silver pressed her lips to Diamond’s, silencing the filly and sending waves of lightning through the pink filly’s body. Silver broke the kiss, her tongue darting out to lick Diamond’s lips for an instant as she backed away. “You’ll never be alone as long as I’m with you, sister.” Silver admitted and licked her lips.

Diamond shivered in place as her mind tried to make sense of what had just happened. Her body was suddenly ready for whatever anypony wanted to do to her and she had the urgent desire to touch herself right there and then. She swallowed hard and looked at where Snickers still sat, the silhouette of the colt against the night sky making her ache for him.

She noticed a funny feeling on her tail Diamond stood up with shaky hind legs to find a wet spot. She began blushing brightly as she sat back down, regretting the action immediately. “Silver…” Diamond whispered to the filly that was giggling into her hoof. “Don’t laugh at me! I came because of what you did. Get me something to clean up with!”

Silver got up and adjusted her glasses. “Be right back, sexy,” she said and turned quickly, swatting Diamond with her aromatic tail. Diamond inhaled the scent of Silver Spoon as the filly sashayed several paces with her tail waving enticingly. Silver returned to a normal walk when she reached the middle of the car and quickly went into her own saddlebags. She shared a few words with Snickers and rushed back with a small cloth in her mouth.

“Here, Diamond, I got a bunch of these from my room,” Silver said, passing one to Diamond. Diamond looked at it and was glad her cheeks were already pink. “Yes, it’s super absorbent for when I’d do stuff at night, or whenever. My mama got them for me because the help was complaining of the mess I made, and I had to drink so much water every morning, and…”

Diamond stood up and Silver moved to block the view as Diamond patted the magical cloth under and against her tail, then dropped it on the floor and stepped on it a couple times. Both fillies were glad the mess was as clean as it was going to be and Silver rushed to the nearest window to toss the used rag out to get rid of as much evidence as they could.

Diamond hugged Silver tightly. “Thanks, but please don’t do that again. I almost lost it, and it’s not even that time of the year.”

Silver nibbled Diamond’s neck and giggled as Diamond’s tail flagged. Diamond gave Silver a shove back with a frustrated look.

Silver reached up and booped Diamond. “It got you to stop worrying about your ‘what-ifs’, didn’t it?”

Diamond glanced at the carpet where she’d made her mark. “And now I’m worried about what’ll happen if you kiss me like that again.”

“Then don’t worry about stuff like that, Diamond, and I won't kiss you when you're panicking,” Silver Spoon advised. “You’re the perfect herd-sister and alpha mare for our herd.”

Diamond’s eyes widened and she grinned widely. “Y-you’re giving me alpha mare?” When Silver nodded, Diamond lunged into a hug that knocked them both to the floor. They giggled and shared a small kiss, then got up and stood side by side.

“Bump, bump, sugar-lump, rump!”

They tittered and walked back to Snickers. They sat side by side as their colt looked them over.

“You two sure are happy, what’d you talk about?” he asked, knowing they wouldn’t tell him.

The fillies shared a smile and then looked to Snickers. “Just filly stuff that colts don’t need to know about.” Diamond said. When Snickers yawned and smacked his lips, she added, “C’mon, you’ve been up all day and you’ve been through a lot.”

“Take a nap and we’ll watch over you,” Silver said as she took Snickers by his withers and helped lay him down across the bench with both filly’s sitting to his sides thanks to a little shimmying. Snickers rested his head on Diamond’s leg and inhaled deeply, exhaling a long hum that made Diamond’s eyes go wide with shock.

Diamond looked fearfully at Silver, who just mouthed ‘don’t worry’ to her.

Snickers smacked his lips. “You smell nice, Diamond. Like flowers and honey,” he said, then was asleep before he even realized it, a smile on his face as Diamond watched him.

Silver covered her mouth with both hooves to stifle her giggles while Diamond turned a shade of hot pink. Cress gave a fanged grin and a wink to Diamond while Kiwe pretended to be solely focused on the last bites of his apple.

Gil grumbled to himself, “You ponies are all weird.”

Westward Ho

“You are forbidden to leave,” Harmony’s voice commanded.

Snickers opened his eyes, still on the train, but it was now empty and rolling through a nearly pitch black night, the trees mere shadows on the glass. The car was more than half shadow at this point. “What?” He asked, slightly confused.

Harmony stepped from the shadow and glared at the colt. “You can not leave Equestria, I won’t allow it.” The stallion said, his white mane danced around his grey coat, hiding his eyes.

Snickers pushed himself into a sitting position and looked at the stallion marching toward him. “You can’t stop me,” he stated. “I’m leaving this place! What do you have to lose by me going away, huh? Just get some new chump to do what you want. You don’t even have to tell them why, just like you did with me.”

“You are different, Snickers!” Harmony snapped. “You are Change, my avatar. And my best hope for this nation. You are not going to leave without my permission.”

Snickers huffed. “You’re gonna have to stop me, and I don’t think you can do that. We’re a group of kids running away from home, er,” he smirked, “on a life adventure. Trying to find our purpose in life. I know how this game is played now, Harmony. They won’t stop some foals from finding our purpose, even if it could mean danger to us.

“Cutie marks are that important to the world you’ve created, so much so that I’m going to walk across the border into unknown lands, just to stick it to the ponies you stuck me with.”

Harmony’s eyes glowed green and dark wisps of black left his eyes. “You have no power compared to me. Do not think to lecture me on the rules I helped create.”

Snickers hopped to the floor and stood tall, equal in height to Harmony. “This is my dream, and I won’t let you control me anymore. Auntie Luna taught me about how to be the boss in my dream, and I’m not even alone here. I have my friends and mares with me, to keep me strong when I wake up.

“All I have to do is--”

“You will have little to say in the matter when I erase your memory of the past month. You’ll be the colt you were, just trying to fit in with the three foals you were with then.”

Snickers laughed. “And then what? How would you explain to me, or try to prove to the others I’m with, that you didn’t play a part in a whole month gone missing from my memory? Hell, I’d head west just to find out why everything went weird! Give it up, you can’t keep me in Equestria any more than you could make me take your horn.”

Harmony opened his mouth, a torrent of black smoke poured to the floor and wrapped around Snickers’s legs and covered him almost instantly, save for his head. “You speak too much, boy. You refuse my kindness, you refuse my gifts, you spur my advice, but you can’t escape the seat of my power.

“Once you cross the veil west, I will not be able to protect you as I do now. Are you truly willing to risk the pain of loss I see in your future? Are you really ready to experience death and pain the likes of which you’ve never known, all to prove me wrong?”

Snickers chuckled, even though he was awash with fright at the creature in front of him. “I’m not doing any of this to, or for, you. I’m doing it because I won’t be controlled again. I won’t make the same mistakes I did last time. I want to walk my own path in life. I… want to live and not just survive, this time.”

Harmony snapped his mouth closed and the black smoke dissipated, letting a small colt fall to the floor. Harmony looked down at the correctly-sized Snickers and smiled. “You’re exactly what I thought you’d be, and you’re on the path I knew you’d choose. Go ahead, little one. Go beyond the veil and do what you must. When you return… I’ll be waiting.

“The only thing I have to give you at the start of your journey is my blessing. Keep your eyes and ears open and nothing will take you by surprise. And stay moving. Remember this going into the new lands; I am everywhere and no matter how bad it seems, somepony will have it worse. Now, wake up and keep me entertained in the way only you can.”

Snickers jolted awake and opened his eyes, meeting the soft warm underbelly of Diamond Tiara as his eyes focused. He noticed her teats and turned his head, letting his nose guide him to something sweet that he couldn’t help but try to see. The train hit a bump and his mind cleared enough to let him recall his meeting.

Snickers pulled his head free from Diamond’s hind legs and lifted his head to look around the cart. Everypony was asleep, except for Laxxie who was sitting by the far wall, keeping watch. He looked at Gil and saw the gryphon protectively guarding the egg while Kiwe lay on the opposite bench, as close as he could get to the gryphon.

Diamond stirred a little and lifted her head from Snickers’s hind legs while moving her own into a stretch. Her eyes met Snickers’ and she smiled weakly. “Hey, sweetie,” she whispered. “Did you sleep good?”

“Yeah,” Snickers replied, blushing at how they were positioned and what it made him think of. “Just had a weird dream, is all. I’ll be right back, I gotta pee.”

Diamond nodded and laid her head down onto Silver’s side. Snickers stood up and looked at his fillies sleeping together and couldn’t help but smile, even though worry gnawed at his conscience of what he was getting them all into by leaving the safety of Equestria.

The pain in his bladder took precedence and he rushed to the small side door by Laxxie. He gave her a soft nuzzle before he opened the door and rushed in. Once he was done, he left the toilet and sat by Laxxie. “So,” he spoke softly, “did I miss anything?”

Laxxie shook her grassy mane out. “No. After you went to sleep, they talked boring stuff, then went to sleep and I turned off the lights. I chose guard because I don’t have to sleep right now, but Cress has next watch. She doesn’t sleep much, she said, because she is awake at nights, mostly.”

Snickers leaned against Laxxie and sniffed her grassy, earthy scent. “You are doing a very good job, Laxxie, keep it up. I’m gonna get a snack and a bit more sleep,” he yawned and clicked his tongue. “And I’m so glad the seats fit all three of us.”

Laxxie stayed silent as Snickers walked to his seat and dug his snout into one of Silver’s saddle bags to pull out a snack bar. He ate quickly and crawled up to lay face to face with Diamond, who tucked her head over Snickers’ and pulled him close to herself.

Silver didn’t seem to mind being the pillow for two of her friends and just sighed loudly in her sleep as Snickers joined his herd in the sweet throes of slumber.

Snickers woke up to the feeling of eyes on him, a primal instinct made his ears perk and his head rose faster than he knew it could. His attention was on Cress. The bat filly was about to poke him, but she lowered her forehoof with a smile. “Morning, I was gonna wake you up, but I guess you heard me.”

Snickers relaxed and looked at Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. The fillies were wearing their saddlebags now and sitting side by side, close to the window. The scenery had changed little. It was still lightly wooded, but more sparse now. “It’s like the closer we get to the edge, the less trees there are,” Diamond sighed.

“Are you sure we wanna do this, Snickers?” Silver Spoon asked, looking at him for a second before her attention was back at the window.

“Yeah, I know it’s not healthy to run from my problems, but all I have are problems in Equestria. Mommy can’t help me, daddy is a flake, Mom hates me, and the rest of them…” he trailed off and followed Silver’s gaze into the morning clouds. “You know, we have a lot of paper and drawing stuff, we can draw what we see as we travel…”

Silver gasped and clapped her hooves. “I love to draw! Can I be the drawer, please?” She asked with a toothy smile.

Snickers nodded and turned to reach into his saddlebags, stopping when he realized the art supplies were not there, but in Kiwe’s. “Kiwe, can we use some of your drawing stuff?”

The zony blinked owlishly and yawned. “I apologize, I was awake late from my shift. Perhaps you can ignore my mental drift.”

Snickers asked again and Kiwe magically passed a small sketchpad to Snickers, who passed it to Silver Spoon. “This is gonna be, like, totally fresh,” Silver said. Snickers groaned and facehoofed. “What?”

Snickers looked flatly at Silver. “You’re not gonna go all ‘woke’ on us, are you?”

“‘Woke?’” Silver asked. “I don’t know what you mean, sweetie. But if it’s something mean, I’m gonna punch you in the foreleg.”

Snickers remembered being punched a lot when he was with the Crusaders, and the bruises that had formed. So, he smiled awkwardly at his filly. “No, it’s just talking a lot like your moms. That’s what I meant.”

Silver nodded and pocketed the sketchpad. “Okay, then. I’ll try not to, but I can’t help it if I do.”

Snickers smirked at Silver. “Darling, I haven’t the foggiest as to what you mean.”

The herd shared a laugh while the others kept busy watching the scenery pass. Over time games were played, questions were asked, and the terrain flattened. The train only made two stops, but they all knew theirs was approaching quickly.

Finally, the train reached Sour Patch’s Farms. They gathered everything they had into their bags and got off the train onto an old and worn down station. They looked at a nearby map and weren’t surprised to see it ended a mere day’s trek west with no further details. “So, we really are gonna be the first ones out that way, huh?” Kiwe said, softly.

Gil trilled in the back of his throat. “I think it’s exciting. We get to see something nopony else has, and might even get to fight a monster or two on the way. If I kill a monster, I get to take a few souvenirs to show off back home.”

Kiwe nodded and was the first to look at the dirt path that would lead them into the unknown. Snickers appeared from his left and Diamond from his right. He glanced at the pink filly and quickly looked away as his coat darkened from a blush. Silver stepped to Snickers’s other side and Laxxie stayed back, her grassy mane and tail blowing in the wind.

Cress took wing, flying over them all. “Hey, why’re we waiting? Wanna head back, or maybe in any other cardinal direction?” She suggested.

Snickers took the first step towards the Undiscovered West and led them from the platform onto the well trod earth. “We’re going, and there’s nothing that’ll stop us.”

…

“Halt! What business have you beyond Equestria’s borders?” A stallion royal guard wearing golden filigree asked while three others stood in formation behind him. A gate blocked the path, but Snickers didn’t see the point as any creature could simply backtrack and go around through the foliage and not be seen.

“We’re heading west to find our destinies,” Diamond Tiara said.

“We cannot allow you to proceed without a better reason. There are dangers beyond our borders that you can’t begin to comprehend, and shouldn’t even try to at your age.”

Silver stepped up and held her forehoof out, showing a sixty-four piece bit. “How about we forget about this drama and you go buy yourselves some shakes back at the farm, huh?”

Snickers facehoofed. The guards all became serious. “Little lady, bribing a royal guard is a crime,” the lead guard stated.

Snickers stepped up and smiled at the guards before anything could escalate. “My name is Prince Aquelis, son of Princess Celestia, and I would like to pass with my entourage.”

The guards looked between one another and then to the guard in front. “W-well, do you have any proof of that?”

Snickers shrugged and reached back to grab two diamonds he’d set into one of his shirt pockets. “I can just call my mommy, Celestia, and have her talk to you about listening to her son… Silver?” He turned his head to the grey filly, but paused when the guards began talking over each other to get his attention.

“Well, we don’t need to bother the Princess with this, Your Highness. I saw the papers and know what you look like. As well as the unicorn colt you travel with. This was all…” the guard hesitated, “just routine. We’ll let you pass, don’t worry. And, save your bits, they’re still used in the next town ahead, but after that we can’t say.

“Just, keep Her Highness’s contact crystals close, because you may need to return quickly from wherever you end up.”

Snickers didn’t show any emotion as he led the others past the gate. As they went through, a prickly sensation washed over them. When they looked back they didn’t see anything but an expanse of forest with a rough overgrown trail in the direction they’d come from.

“That must be The Veil, of which there are many a tale,” Kiwe said, walking back and reaching his forehoof through a shimmering barrier. He stepped back and returned to his friends, who all began walking close into the wild unknown.

Snickers noted to ask Kiwe about The Veil, sometime.

...

As far as they could see there were rolling grassy hills with trees in patches and there were the usual noises they’d come to expect in the wilds. Cicadas, insects, and birds set a relaxing rhythm for them to start with. “Well, we’re off into the unknown, just the few of us against an unkind world,” Gil said, poetically.

“Well, we don’t know if it’s not kind. I just hope we have some good stories to tell and we make some interesting friends along the way,” Diamond said.

“Me, too. I like new friends,” Laxxie chirped from behind. “And if we make not-friends, can I eat them, Daddy?”

Snickers barked a laugh and looked back, grinning at Laxxie. “We’ll say no, but that could change based on what’s happening. Ouch!” Snickers looked back to see Kiwe had yanked his tail.

Kiwe let the tail go from his magical grip. “Do not encourage violence, for it will come back upon you, and we do not need that on our heads.”

“Sheesh, nopony has a sense of humor here, I guess,” Snickers grumbled.

That was when Gil Chuckled. “Laxxie, if they won't let you eat a monster, I’ll share what I carve off of them with you, okay?”

Laxxie panted in a very non-pony way for a moment, then licked her sappy saliva from her lips. “That sounds yummy.”

Gil raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think a golem would react that way. You have a big enchantment on it from Celestia, don’t you?”

Snickers flicked his tail. “She has nothing to do with my mommy, or anypony except me. Laxxie, show him your real form,” he said, stopping and turning back to watch. The others did the same and they watched as Laxxie crumbled into herself and growled, menacingly. Gil’s wings partially opened, in fear.

Laxxie began to lengthen and grow, pulling sticks and leaves onto herself until she reached the size of Celestia. Then she expanded and, with a heavy thunk, locked her new limbs into place. She was twice the size of Gil and completely timberwolf. She snarled, her wooden fangs shining in the midday sun with amber saliva slowly dribbling from her maw.

She exhaled a breath at Gil that made him shudder and take flight to the others, landing behind them. “What the Tartarus, Snickers?! You’ve been walking around with that all this time?”

Snickers giggled into his hoof. “Laxxie, sit down.” She did. “Roll over.” She rolled and stood back up in a single motion, beginning to pant and spray sticky spittle ahead of her. “Okay, that’s enough fun,” he said, then noticed Silver and Diamond were standing slightly behind him. “Change back to a pony before you scare Gil into laying his own egg.”

Laxxie slurped her drool up and collapsed into a pile of sticks. She stepped out of them as the timber pony they’d all come to know so well. “Sorry for scaring you, daddy’s friends.” Laxxie apologized sadly.

Silver and Diamond laughed nervously and moved to stand beside Snickers again while the others relaxed their postures. Cress, it seemed, was the most tense and wasn’t relaxing at all.

Snickers pulled free from the pressure he was experiencing from the fillies and turned back to the west, facing Gil. “Well, still think she’s just a golem?”

Gil relaxed the hold he had on the egg and used his talons to fix the feathers on his crest. “So, she’s not a golem… she’s really a timberwolf. Big deal! We’ll see what happens when we get into a fight with a monster on the way to town.”

“Sure, and you weren’t a little scared of her?” Snickers teased. Gil growled, deeply. “Hey, just saying, you flew behind me pretty quick. There were plenty of other places you could have gone, is all I’m saying.”

Gil snapped his beak and opened his wings. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, little pony. I’m gonna scout ahead. Don’t die before I get back.”

Gil flew off while the others laughed at his expense.

They soon followed a rough, rocky, unused path that was overgrown and poorly maintained for the next few hours. The sky was filled with different types of clouds none of the group, save Snickers, had ever seen. There wasn’t a pegasi in the sky and yet the clouds moved, astonishing most of them while Cress and Snickers paid more attention to their surroundings.

As hilly grasslands became light woods, the wonder of the sky waned and became replaced by annoyance as their tails were filled with burrs and their coats got dirty with sweat and pollen. And a little tree sap, too. Snickers was the first to suggest another scouting mission by Cress.

The filly flew up and was out of sight while the group trotted down the path. Cress returned soon, landing at a trot to keep up with her friends. “So, there’s a town about an hour’s walk ahead, but I didn’t see anypony. It’s kinda weird, but we’re making good time and maybe they’re just inside because the weather’s strange, or they’re all hot, or maybe they’re--”

“Maybe it’s a ghost town and it’s haunted by specters, aching for pony bodies to possess,” Gil quipped.

Silver and Diamond whimpered and moved to touch sides with Snickers while the colts in the group glared at the gryphon that was in the center of their group. Snickers stumbled and returned his attention ahead while flicking his ears at any sound around them. More than once he had stopped and looked at something, worrying his fillies into moving in front to guard him.

Now, though, Snickers was practically marching in the direction of the town. His shirt was messy and needed a good rinse and he couldn’t deny he didn’t like how he felt. More of Mom rubbed off on me than I thought, I think. I can’t help but want to be clean and…

“Ugh, my tail’s gonna take hours to get clean,” Snickers whined.

“Don’t worry, my big strong stallion,” Silver cooed, “we’ll take time to get you as clean and groomed as possible, right, Diamond?”

Diamond Tiara nodded. “Yeah, as long as he helps us, too. I feel so gross right now, I hate sweat more than how Ponyville treated Snickers… but not by much.”

Snickers nickered and nuzzled to his right and left, both fillies clearly enjoying his affection by showering him with kisses on his cheeks that made him want to skip or pronk.

“Ponies are so weird,” Gil said, a little less complaining this time.

Kiwe moved up from the back and stood by Gil. “So, perhaps we are not all as bad as you think?”

Gil narrowed his eyes at Kiwe, but the usual anger wasn’t behind it. “Whatever, Kiki, just stay back there and make sure the egg doesn’t get ambushed.”

Kiwe smiled warmly to Gil and the gryphon averted his eyes. Then Kiwe returned to the back with Laxxie. “I do not think he hates me now. I think he has taken a pill that has helped him cow.”

Laxxie hummed. “I think a cow pill would be fun. You should make a cow pill and turn Gil into a cow.”

Kiwe quietly laughed to himself. “I think you misunderstand my jest, let us just keep this one close to our chest.”

Laxxie didn’t say anything, thinking about what Kiwe meant as they crested a hill and saw the town. Several houses were set up in a circle, with gardens surrounding the outside. “Well, there it is, let’s see if the ponies on this side of the divide are friendly.”

With that, Snickers, Diamond, and Silver led the group down the hill and toward the town.

First Night in a New Land

Arriving at the town wasn’t as easy as they’d thought it was going to be. Only Kiwe had ever been on a real journey across Equestria, so only he truly understood why the others were complaining.

“Like, my legs… I need a hot bath,” Silver whined and leaned against Diamond.

Diamond leaned back against Silver and huffed. “I know. My poor mane and coat…”

Snickers looked at the roundabout of houses as they stopped a few minutes walk away. “I wish they had a spa. I could really use a complete package right now.”

Diamond giggled and whispered to Silver, who snerked. “You are the complete package, Snickers,” Silver giggled. Diamond joined her friend and they shared hushed whispers.

The fliers, though, weren’t winded at all after having spent a lot of time gliding over their ground bound friends. “Are you going to complain, or are you gonna hurry up?” Cress called from several paces ahead. “The sun’s gonna set before we get there, and it’s only five o’clock!”

Snickers glared at the bat filly. “It took us six hours to get here?” He asked.

Cress shrugged her wings. “Yup, not my fault you took so long.”

Kiwe rushed to Snickers’s side and stopped the younger colt from charging at Cress. “Brother, do not act hastily. We have made good time and the distance traveled is not the same as what you see. A day’s trek can be spent to reach a city in sight and may break your spirits, but we have arrived now and have no such worries going ahead, yes?”

Snickers relaxed and sighed. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Girls, let’s go and see what we can get in this town.”

Groaning, and with a tired winnie, the fillies got back to walking after Snickers. “We are so grooming tonight, even if there isn’t a spa.” Diamond commented.

Silver scoffed at the town as they approached the gardens. “This place doesn’t have a spa, Diamond. Like, I don’t even think they have an inn. What if… we have to sleep outside?”

Diamond bumped Silver and leaned close. “Now who’s playing ‘what-ifs’? Should I kiss you, too?” She teased.

Silver blushed slightly and bumped Diamond a step away. “So, Snickers… um, what’re we gonna do if we have to camp out?”

Snickers glanced back with tired eyes. “Set up camp outside of town and go to sleep. At this point, I don’t even care about a fancy dinner, I just wanna crawl into a bed and sleep until morning.”

There was a chorus of agreement from every creature as they gathered back up and walked down a dirt path into the hamlet itself. There were two ponies, covered in brown earthy cloth that draped from their ears to their hooves, only leaving their eyes exposed, talking in the very center of eight unevenly spaced buildings; each a single story and made from rocks, lumber, and thatch.

“This place is like Griffonstone, only with ponies,” Gil quietly commented.

The two adult ponies stopped talking and watched as the group entered town and spread out, slightly.

There were looks exchanged for a moment between the foals before Diamond huffed and stepped in front. “Hello, we’re travelers from Equestria and we’d like to stay in your town, if possible, for the night.”

There was a long silence, broken when a mare’s voice spoke. “Welcome to Emis. I am Sash, this is Pier,” the other pony waved. “We haven’t anything to offer travelers and it would be best if you carried on your way. Where are you coming from?” Sash asked, her green eyes blinking as she looked over the motley crew.

Diamond bumped Snickers before he could answer and stepped ahead. “We’re travelling west. What can you help us with, if you don’t have anything? I thought a town as nice as this would have an inn, a store, maybe a restaurant, even.”

Sash turned to face the group fully. “Nothing much, but if you’re interested I have some rare herbs and Pier can tell you a safe place to make camp for the night… outside of town.”

Diamond nodded. “That sounds fine. Kiwe, you can shop for us, here are some bits. Laxxie, Silver, you go with him to make sure he’s getting good quality ingredients and isn’t getting swindled. The rest of you, follow Pier to the camping site to check it out, Gil, you stay with me and we’ll wait here for everypony to come back.”

Gil wasn’t pleased at being told what to do, but he didn’t complain openly. The groups separated and within an hour were all back together, talking about what they’d bought or seen on the trip to the campsite.

Sash and Pier returned to stand side by side and waited for the visitors to finish discussing their findings.

“May I have your attention?” Pier asked, the stallion’s voice coming across as soft yet affirmative. His grey eyes were all that were visible and Silver felt a chill through her body when his gaze met hers. “I thank you for your patronage, but you should move to the site I told you about and camp. You should leave before sunrise, too. The townspeople don’t like outsiders very much, and they’ll be back soon. We won’t bother you at the site as long as you stay there and don’t bother us.”

Sash nodded. “I agree, if you must stay close, come no closer than the camp after you leave our homes and leave as soon as you can. I can tell you’re from beyond The Veil, and heading west is your only choice.

“The Forest of Woe is where you’ll have to pass through, first. Follow the road and don’t stray too far from the paths provided, and be wary of splitting up. Most monsters are manageable, even by your group’s obvious limits, but you’re easy pickings in small numbers. Stay together, stay safe.”

Sash turned back to the same house as Pier and went in, closing the door behind her.

Silver spoke first, “Well, that was, like, totally rude.”

“I know,” Snickers said, “but we don’t know anything about these ponies. They could be crazy, or dangerous. The campsite we saw was large enough for us all to fit… but I don’t trust this place. I think we should go further out and let them think we didn’t take their advice.”

“But… the Forest of Woe. That sounds just as bad as the Everfree Forest,” Cress said.

Diamond moved beside Snickers. “Well, whatever we choose, we better get a move on. This town doesn’t have anything for us and we need to get moving before the rest of the town comes back. I don’t want to find out what they do to ponies they don’t like.”

With a round of nods and agreeing sounds, they left the town and returned to the road, following it past where they were supposed to have camped and continued on until they reached the edge of what they guessed was the Forest of Woe, just before sunset.

“Let’s make camp here,” Snickers said, pointing to a small clearing that had the signs of a previous camp. He led the walk through the grass and muck to a circle of stones surrounded by four old logs.

“I’m, like, not sitting on those,” Silver complained and turned up her snout.

Diamond moved to one and gave it a gentle shove, then a harder one. “They’re solid, Silver. Just lay on the grass if you’re gonna have an issue.”

“I’d rather just be by Snickers,” Silver retorted.

While the fillies bickered, the rest of the group dug into their saddlebags and produced a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, a pillow, and a couple snacks. Silver was the first to notice they were being left behind on the snacks and rushed to join Snickers. “Honey, why didn’t you tell us we were having snacks? I’m famished.”

Diamond walked over at her own pace and turned back to her saddlebag, produced an apple, and placed it by Snickers’s hooves. “There you go, sweetie,” she said, glancing at Silver Spoon, who chomped her meal bar in a huff.

Silver was about to turn to her own bag to get something for Snickers, when he spoke up, “Girls, don’t start drowning me in food. I have an apple and my banana chips, I’ll be fine until the fire gets going and we can relax… maybe do some grooming,” he said, looking at his hind leg and tail; both were very messy and looked like he’d wallowed in mud out of spite to cleanliness.

The fillies, Cress included, agreed. Kiwe shrugged. “I have been far more messy,” Kiwe admitted, “so being groomed does not interest me.”

Gil licked his talon and raked it through the feathers on his head. “There, I’m mostly clean now.”

Kiwe and Gil shared a laugh. Kiwe offered a hoof bump, but Gil didn’t acknowledge it.

Cress sniffed the grass and moved her head swiftly in between the blades, there was a quiet crunch and then another as she snacked on beetles. Silver and Diamond pretended to retch when they realized what the bat filly was doing, only to get a shove from Snickers, each.

“What was that for?” Diamond asked.

“She’s only eating bugs. It could be worse, right?” Snickers answered.

“Yeah, she could be out for blood,” Silver said, waving her forelegs rhythmically. “Vamponies are real, my auntie knows a pony that knows a pony that married one! It was in the Equestria Enquirer, so you know it’s true,” she said seriously, then giggled into her hoof.

Snickers rolled his eyes. “And shark bears like to eat eyeball jelly on rye toast, right?” He asked.

Diamond clapped her hooves. “I know, I read about that! They say it goes great with warm pony ear chips.”

Snickers sneered in disgust. “You’re gross, why would you say that?”

Both fillies shrugged. “It was in the paper, you know it’s true.” They shared a look. “Gabby Gums exclusive!” They fell onto their sides giggling while eyes rolled.

Snickers pulled out a small tent he’d used on his day trek from Canterhorn Mountain to Ponyville and the others did the same. With a little work, though, this time two pup-tents were combined into a larger one so Snickers and his fillies would have space to move, rather than just crawl in and sleep.

Opting to forgo a fire because they were all a bit tired, and Laxxie didn’t feel comfortable being too close to open flames, they chose a guard rotation and went into their tents with short ‘good night’s’ between them all.

Kiwe and Cress went into their own single pup tents while Gil took to a clump of overgrown tree branches above them all. It was ‘the better vantage point over being a target on the ground’, he claimed.

Laxxie took first watch and got hugs from Snickers, Diamond, and Silver Spoon before they went to bed themselves.

Spending almost fifteen minutes each, they brushed their manes and tails free of as many hangars-on as they could before they prepared for bed.

Pushing their sleeping mats together and zipping their sleeping bags into one large bag, they cuddled in the chilly night.

“Snickers?” Silver asked, softly.

“Yeah?”

“I… I’m…” Silver stammered.

Diamond reached over Snickers to rest her forehoof on Silver’s side. “Whatever it is, just say it. We’re here for you.”

Silver nodded. “I think I’m ready… to be yours. Like, however you wanna take that.” She said, blushing in the darkness.

Snickers looked aside at her and barely saw her squeezing her eyes shut. “Like, to marry me? Aren’t we a little young for that?”

Diamond pet Silver’s side. “Don’t be upset with him, he’s a dumb colt, Silver. Snickers, we’re both ready, we think, for you to be our stallion, for real. Not just like a foal’s game, but as a family.”

“Yeah,” Silver spoke up. “We talked about it a lot over the last couple weeks, and leaving on this adventure is just one more reason, we think, that you should make our herd official.”

Snickers glanced between the soft speaking fillies, his mind a jumble of questions. “Uh, how do we do that, then? If I was to go about it…”

Diamond and Silver giggled and scooted closer, draping their hind legs over Snickers’s and letting their tails flick across his, their tails intertwining. Both fillies let their forehooves rest on Snickers’s barrel, at the base of his sternum. “Just, let us make you happy in any way you need.”

That was when Snickers felt something stirring for the first time in nearly three days. He realized he hadn’t taken the potion Kiwe had prepared because of their mad rush to leave and distractions on the trip to where they now were.

Snickers swallowed loudly. “Girls, I don’t know what you mean, but I think we should just go to sleep and talk about this in the morning.”

Diamond tutted and let her forehoof draw a little circle in his chest fur. “You can’t just go to sleep without letting us know what we can do to make you happy. All stallions need something from their mares, what do you need from us?” She asked, whispering and then blowing lightly into his ear.

Snickers shivered and his ears flicked. Silver leaned close to his other ear. “Whatever you need, just ask and we’ll do it for you.”

Snickers glanced down and noticed the sleeping bag was tented from his racing thoughts and where they were going. His fillies glanced down and gasped, then giggled, sharing a look.

Their hooves trailed along his underbelly, slowly moving back along his body until they both felt what made him a colt. They gasped and shared a shocked look, never actually having touched one before.

“Okay, I know what you can do to make me happy,” Snickers said. Silver and Diamond looked nervous, but ready to do what he was about to ask of them. Silver whimpered and Diamond jerked her hips on his leg, earning a satisfied throaty moan from herself.

Snickers was losing control and was willing to let them have their way with him, just to experience what it was like to be willing and in a new body. Silver slipped the shoes off her forehooves and let them fall, moving them under herself. She gently gripped Snickers’s penis between her hooves and shivered at the sensation of firmness and softness, like her mothers had explained to her.

Diamond repeated her action from a few seconds before and leaned closer to nibble on Snickers’s lower jaw. Snickers gasped and turned slightly towards Silver Spoon to let her have more access to him. Both of her hooves touched the base of his penis and made small jerky motions, showing her inexperience.

Diamond, on the other hoof, was driving Snickers crazy with her repeated motions and noises. “Silver, Diamond… we shouldn’t, not like this.” Snickers managed between heated breaths.

With both fillies giving their attention to him, he was nearly about to give them an experience they’d never forget… then there was a brief flash of light from outside the tent that distracted them all. Then came a bone rattling thunderclap that terrified the three of them.

They held each other close as lightning flashed again and only their panting breaths could be heard before another boom of thunder shook the earth under their gear. Rain began to patter on the outside of the tent and the temperature dropped quickly. Too quickly.

The herd shivered and huddled close, each of them thinking of what they had been doing and hoping they could get back to it, only for the weather to remind them of their youthfulness and inexperience with the world without an adult present to keep them feeling safe.

“Snickers,” Diamond eventually said.

“Yeah?”

“That was fun, right?” She asked.

Snickers smiled and kissed Diamond on the snout. “I was enjoying myself, and if it didn’t start storming…” he trailed off, unsure of what to say about what he was about to do, or how, even.

Having read some books on the subject, it seemed most sexual experiences between ponies were just like animals back where he had come from; male on top of female, orgasm, done. He didn’t know how long sex lasted, because that wasn’t covered, but it was apparently effective during heat and could be done for fun anytime.

He’d laughed when he read the part about ‘fun’ in a biology textbook, but it was true, in his experience. Only, he knew of dozens of ways to make a woman climax, and mares were very similar in a lot of ways, or so he believed.

Snickers looked left and right, to the fillies holding tightly onto him for comfort. “Girls, what do you know about sex?”

They both stopped shivering in fear and looked at him, curiously. They exchanged looks and glances down Snickers’s covered body, then Silver cleared her throat. “Well, when a stallion and a mare love each other very much, they have sex and it feels good, and if it’s done during estrus the mare will get pregnant.”

Diamond nodded. “There’s more to it, but that’s about it… right?”

Snickers looked at the ceiling of the tent and flinched at the distant sound of thunder. “Mostly, but what if a mare doesn’t want to get pregnant? Or, the stallion or mare’s aren’t ready, or in the mood?”

“What’d your mood have to do with sex?” Silver asked, innocently.

Snickers looked at her, then at Diamond. “The mood to have sex is an intense thing, and sometimes it can be overwhelming, like a little bit ago. But, what if we don’t share that feeling at the same time? What if… what you were doing made me uncomfortable, or what if I made you uncomfortable? Then what?”

The fillies locked eyes and then shrugged. “Then we wouldn’t do anything, but there’s still the other one of us, we can’t not want sex at the same time forever, right?”

Snickers shook his head. “That’s not what I meant… well, it kind of is. Just, let’s talk about this when it’s not so scary, okay?”

They all agreed, just as the tent opened and let in a torrent of rain. A skeletal pony head backlit by a flash of lightning peeked into the tent and made the three scream in terror.

“It’s your shift, Diamond Tiara,” Laxxie said.

The fillies collapsed onto Snickers, crying quietly while Snickers shivered and shuddered for several seconds as adrenaline left his body. “Damn it, Laxxie, why would you do that?”

Laxxie did look ashamed, even though she didn’t completely understand why. “Because, it’s been one hour and it’s my turn to rest. Isn’t that right, Daddy?”

Snickers sighed and patted the fillies backs. “Give us a few minutes, and close the tent!”

Laxxie backed out and zipped the tent closed as she resumed her walk around and through the camp. Snickers moved with Diamond back to the bedding and helped her and Silver tuck in with him. He kissed Silver’s snout and rolled on top of Diamond, surprising her.

His weight pressed down on her, making it hard for her to move and breathe, his lime eyes shimmered in what light came in the tent, and her arousal returned in that instant. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a short kiss. “Don’t get too much mud in here when you come back, okay?”

Diamond took in a gasping breath and whimpered with a nod, moving her hips up slightly in the hopes of feeling something of his make contact with her, only to have her hopes dashed. He got off her and both Silver and Snickers watched the silhouette of Diamond shuffle through her saddlebags for a moment before leaving the tent with a grumble about the weather.

Silver lay on her back as Snickers lay beside her. “We should get some sleep,” Snickers said, “our shift will be here before we know it.”

Silver squeaked and rolled over, pushing Snickers as she went. She straddled him and pinned his forelegs with hers as she lay on him. She pressed her lips to his and lingered, moving her head slightly for a moment before Snickers closed his eyes and kissed her back.

She felt his tongue brush her lips and she opened, letting his tongue enter her mouth. She tasted alfalfa and bananas and loved it, then she felt a pressure growing between them, pressing against someplace special for her. She broke the kiss and rolled off of him, clutching her hooves to her chest.

“Oh, no… I almost took you before Diamond,” Silver said in partial shock. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t trying to take alpha mare from her, honest.”

Snickers groaned and lamented his treatment over the past half hour; it was torture to any male to be teased, but to be so close to sex, only to have to leap away, was enough to make him want to convince her that it didn’t matter.

Then, Snickers saw the regret and worry on Silver’s face. He sighed and motioned for Silver to face away from him, then he used his free forehoof to hold his erection close to himself as he scooted close enough to hold her from behind.

“I’m not mad, and I won’t tell if you don’t want me to,” Snickers consoled. Silver and Snickers flinched at another clap of thunder, but shared warmth for a few minutes.

“Snickers?”

“Yes, Silver?” Snickers groggily answered, nearly asleep.

“Would you have… made sex with me just then?”

Snickers snickered. “Made sex,” he repeated. “Probably, but I didn’t know how important Diamond being with me first mattered.”

Silver bit her lip and turned her head to glance back. “Well, we both could be your first, but she has to be the first to accept you inside of her… that’s what I was told, anyway.”

Snickers nodded and nuzzled into Silver’s mane. “Okay, I’ll remember that as best I can,” he yawned, then she did, and soon they were both asleep.

Diamond eventually reentered the tent looking miserable. She was cold, wet, and worried about what had happened while she was out there right after so much had just happened before it was interrupted. Diamond pulled the towel she’d taken out earlier and draped it over herself, then worked it around her legs, and finally her tail.

“Thank Celestia for enchanted towels,” she whispered and set the towel on the floor by the door. She moved into the bedding and groaned happily at how warm it was in the blankets. Snickers sniffed the air in his sleep and turned to face Diamond, nuzzling against her and curling up slightly, like the foal he was.

Diamond’s heart warmed and she held him close, taking his warmth to make up for the cold she’d brought with her to bed, but she also held him close thinking of how content she felt right then.

…

Diamond woke up early in the morning, just before sunrise, with something poking her back. She felt Snickers’s breath in her mane, and knew what it was right away. She turned over and held him close, trusting him more than ever before as she fell back asleep with a large part of him pressed between them.

She awoke later to the sound of slurping. She cracked an eye open and saw Silver Spoon sipping from a canteen. “What time is it?” Diamond quietly asked, noticing Snickers was holding her from behind again.

“I’unno, maybe seven. I haven’t gone out yet, but it can’t be that late, right?” Silver answered with a soft yawn.

Diamond turned over and felt the same object between her and Snickers, looking down in the morning light she saw it, and it was glorious to her eyes. She wondered how it would fit inside of her, and how it would feel.

Would it hurt, would it be amazing, or would it just be like she was touching herself, but from the inside?

She heard Silver tittering and looked up to see the grey filly looking very cute. “Why don’t you kiss it good morning?” Silver whispered.

Diamond blushed and reached across Snickers to pull him closer to her, pressing their bodies together. Snickers smiled a little in his sleep and Diamond was more than happy with that. She kissed his lips lightly and pulled his head down to rest hers on top. “I’ll keep you safe, Snickers.”

“Too cute,” Silver whispered to Diamond, then made several gestures Diamond didn’t understand, but involved Silver moving her hooves around her head and making her cheeks bulge in time with her hooves moving at a certain rhythm.

Diamond’s eyes widened and she glared at Silver Spoon. “Shut up, you’re awful,” Diamond whispered with a blushing grin.

Silver covered her belly with a hoof and expanded it, then pointed to Diamond. She rocked her forelegs side to side after that and Diamond’s imagination filled in the blanks, sending a curious worry though her mind.

Can I get pregnant by swallowing his sperm? Diamond wondered if that was what Silver was telling her. The pink filly had heard a lot of crazy things about sex from fillies at school and mares on the streets.

Diamond began to wonder, now. Swallowing sperm is supposed to be a show of love when the mare doesn’t want to have sex, but the stallion does. Maybe it just goes through and makes babies, too. Who can I ask about this? What an embarrassing question… maybe Cress? No, she’s already lying enough.

Diamond frowned and snorted, waking Snickers. He lifted his head from the mat and bumped muzzles with Diamond. “Ouch, whassit?” He groggily asked.

“Time to wake up, love birds,” Silver teased. Snickers yawned and scooted back from Diamond, both of them noticing the cool morning air.

Snickers got up and moved to the doorway. “I really gotta pee, you coming?” He asked them both. With a duo of nods, Snickers exited the tent and noticed Kiwe sitting on a log, tapping his hooves together.

“It is a good morning after such a rough night. I hope you all slept quite tight?” Kiwe greeted them.

“The rain was, like, kinda nice, but everything else was really scary,” Silver admitted as she passed him. “Thank Celestia Snickers was there, or else I think I would have cried.”

“Me, too,” Diamond agreed. “I cuddled so close to him when my shift was over, I thought I was gonna freeze him because of how cold I was.” She flicked her tail to the side and brushed Snickers’s back leg.

Snickers walked behind some nearby bushes with Silver and Diamond with him. They all quickly peed and the fillies realized they didn’t have anything to clean themselves with, adding to the discomfort of the morning.

“This sucks,” Diamond said as she broke down the tent.

“Why?” Silver asked. “Is it because we’re cold, the tent is wet, we have to pack it up while Snickers takes his stupid potion, or because we almost did something crazy last night and were interrupted?”

Diamond snapped the tent once to get as much water off of it as she could before dropping it onto the cold ground. “Everything you just said… and I wanna take care of some of it, but I can’t with all these ponies around.”

Silver looked at Diamond with understanding. “Well, we could just stay behind a little with Cress and take care of it.”

Diamond glared at the bat filly. “I’d rather do it in front of my mom.”

Silver giggled. “Wow, do you have a problem with Cress? Think she’s trying to steal Snickers, or something? Because I really don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

Diamond shook her head. “I just don’t trust her. Who ditches their school, family, and everything to follow some colt they barely know?” Silver pointed her forehoof at herself, then Diamond while giving her a look. Diamond looked up to the clear blue sky and sighed. “You know what I mean.”

“I get it, Diamond. But, like, she’s just along for the ride, right? If you want to tease her, I’m with you, even if those days are supposed to be behind us.” Silver began helping Diamond separate and roll the tent they’d slept in. “Seriously, what is it with you and her?”

Diamond shook her head. “I won’t tell, I promised, but she’s a liar, Silver. And Snickers doesn’t need that kind of pony around him.”

Silver agreed quietly, and they quickly finished packing up. Snickers offered them each a snack bar when they’d packed the last of the sleeping gear into the appropriate saddlebags.

“Here you go, ladies.” Snickers said. Silver and Diamond grinned at his compliment and took their breakfast in their hooves, sitting side by side a short distance from Snickers.

“So,” Diamond said once she’d emptied her mouth, “are we going to keep heading west, or do you wanna head back to that town while everypony’s away?”

Every creature looked between one another, then all eyes went to Snickers. He sighed, “Well, I think we should just skip that town. The guard said they took bits, but they didn’t look like they wanted us around. Maybe it won’t be so far and we can get some supplies there, I don’t wanna eat everything we have, right?”

The others agreed and eventually finished their small meal before returning to the path.

On the Path Out

Four foals, a timber pony, and a griffin stood at the base of a hill. They looked and felt exhausted. While thankfully cleaner than they were when passing into the Undiscovered West, they were still travel-weary and ready for sleep in real beds, or even piles of straw and hay.

Cress puffed and took to the air, not excusing herself anymore as she went scouting ahead.

Gil, while being able to fly, had begun to find it boring and tedious when, for the past two days, they'd only seen forest as far as his hawk-like eyes could see. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara had given up grooming, and their manes and tails hung low with grass, twigs and leaves, plus their lack of motivation.

Snickers was the best of them all, though. He kept his head high through the trek so far, and stayed walking tall like a stallion to those that followed him into the unknown.

"Snickers, honey, can we stop, please?" Silver asked. "I'm, like, tired again."

Diamond gave her herd sister a flick with her tail. "You're an earth pony, Silver, deal with it."

"I never had to do this much work before. If it wasn't for these special pearls," Silver tapped the pearls around her neck, "I'd be sweating like crazy."

Diamond snorted. "I noticed you don't sweat, and now I know why. Why not let me borrow them for a while, I could use a refresher."

Silver stepped away. "No, way. Not unless I can wear your tiara."

Diamond stopped and raised a hoof to her namesake. "No deal, then."

"Fine, then." Silver stated.

"Fine, then, back to you." Diamond snapped.

"Fine, then, back to you, times five!" Silver snarked.

Snickers turned back and moved between the fillies before they could come to shoving tactics, again. "Ladies, let's just take a step back from this and remember that we're all doing fine, right? Silver, you're as pretty as ever and Diamond, you're as radiant as the morning sunrise."

Both fillies lightly blushed and looked at Snickers, who glanced between them. "Alright, sweetie," Diamond said, "just for you."

Snickers nodded and moved ahead of them, again. Silver and Diamond moved close to one another then to share some filly talk. "Silver?"

"Yeah, Diamond?"

"Remember last night? What we almost did with Snickers?" Diamond asked.

Silver glanced at Diamond like she'd grown a third ear. "How could I forget?"

"I really have the tingles… but I can't use my hooves," Diamond said, glancing at both their forelegs, covered past the canon with dirt and muck.

"Yeah, so?" Silver asked with suspicion.

"Well, if I get us time away and alone, can you help me out?" Diamond asked, flicking her mane with a twist of her head.

Silver's jaw slacked open, then snapped closed. "Ew, no, I'm not… licking you back there." Diamond quietly whined but Silver wasn't having it. "No, Diamond. I'm not doing it, and you can't make me."

Diamond leaned closer and smirked. "I'll let you climb on Snickers the next time we do something and, who knows, maybe something will tickle you in your special place, and maybe I won’t stop it from happening."

Silver glanced at Snickers's tail and watched him walking with confidence in each step. She shook her head. "No!" She harshly whispered.

Diamond rolled her eyes and groaned. "How about we just rub rumps? We both win that way."

Silver snorted and walked ahead. "I'm done with this conversation, Diamond."

Diamond Tiara watched Silver Spoon walk ahead and noticed the grey filly's tail was low, covering her genitals from view. Diamond's urge to release was growing and she wasn't sure of what to do. Typically she'd be able to take care of it within an hour, if she were clean and at home, but she was neither.

"I need a day off from this," Diamond grumbled to herself while slinking to the rear of the group. Walking from behind she couldn’t help watching tails and hips sway with each step their owners took, and she became distracted. Diamond looked up to the treetops, trying to see the sky though the harp strings, when she stumbled off the path.

A low growl came from behind her and she stumbled, turning around. The path was clear of any predators, but she knew what she heard. She turned back to catch up, only to find the others were gone.

Panicking, Diamond ran down the path they’d all been walking on, yet after a couple minutes she didn’t see anypony. She stopped, breathing heavily more from fear than exhaustion. “Snickers? Silver Spoon?” She called out. Only birdsong and insect chirping replied. Then they too fell silent.

“Why are you alone, little filly?” An old mare’s voice asked from behind Diamond. She spun around and came almost snout to snout with a decrepit old mare wearing a disheveled shaul, sunhat, and saddle. The saddle not only didn’t match, but it also didn’t seem to have a purpose being worn in their current setting. Diamond took a step back from the smelly mare’s breath. “Come with me... and Mother will have a nice broth.”

Diamond shook her head and backed up another pace. “No, I don’t know you. Where are my friends?”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about them. You’re the first I’ve seen in so long, so you have to come and stay for supper. I insist,” the old mare said, showing gnarled, missing, and rotten teeth.

Not all of them were flat, either.

Diamond stepped back again, shaking her head. “No, way. I don’t know you! You’re a stranger, and I won’t go with you!”

The mare snarled in a very unpony way, baring what few teeth she had left, then Diamond shrieked at the top of her lungs. She inhaled again and repeated the shrill sound.

That was when Cress appeared and landed between Diamond and the mare. The filly held a stick in her forelegs as she reared up and flared her wings. “Back off, or I’ll help you decide which knee you don’t need anymore.”

The mare hissed, but slunk back off the trail and into the brush.

“Cress, thank Celestia you showed up in time!” Diamond stated. “What was that thing?” She asked, looking to where the mare had hidden.

“Bad news. C’mon, you’re only a couple paces off the trail and about a mile back. If you didn’t scream, I don’t think I’d have found you, so stay close.”

Diamond nodded and followed Cress from the trail she was on to the trail they were all taking before. The sun was brighter and the sounds of nature --- birds, insects, and wind though the leaves --- made her smile.

Snickers grabbed Diamond in a hug and squeezed her so tight she groaned. “Don’t scare me like that again! I thought you’d been snatched by some monster.”

Cress pointed to where the creature had hidden, off the path. Kiwe pulled a vial from under his girth strap and threw it to where she had pointed. There was a loud explosion and a purple mist billowed from the area.

A shrill screech startled the group, followed by the scampering of what sounded like a dozen feet through the brush, hidden in unnatural shadows. A moment later the group noticed birds start chirping again.

“We should go…” Diamond said, returning to her hooves and shoving Snickers with her body.

They moved in a close group, with Gil flying low overhead, as they made as much distance from that part of the forest as they could.

…

A campsite sat off the road and the foals looked at it, longingly. There was a creek with fresh cold water, long grass for some nibbling, and a perfectly prepared fire-pit, with wood ready to be lit. It was too good to be true, so they camped on the road in sleeping bags with bugs biting them throughout the night.

The only saving grace was Kiwe and his alchemy. He was able to, after midnight, finish brewing a small potion that would keep the bugs off of them, as long as they let him rub some of the potion on their foreheads.

Silver was the first in line, and regretted it immediately. She gagged and coughed as the scent reached her, even before it was applied. “Ugh, like, what is that? It smells like the sewer had a baby with a dead raccoon.”

Kiwe sniffed it and grimaced. “It is effective.”

“That’s not an answer, bro,” Snickers said, sneering when the stench made its way to him.

“The brew is smelly, that is for sure, but a bug bite you will not have to endure.” Kiwe rhymed.

“We get that part,” Diamond said, covering her snout. “How long will it last, and how long would we stink?”

Kiwe dabbed some on his head and waved at it with his forehoof. “Perhaps an hour, maybe less. It is worth the smell to have good rest, yes?”

Snickers moved to the front and leaned down. “I got a mosquito bite on my balls and a dozen more on my body, it’s worth it.”

There were some giggles and a trill of a laugh from Gil, then Snickers coughed and crossed his eyes, trying to see the mark on his forehead. “So,” Snickers asked. “Now what?”

Kiwe nodded once. “Just walk forward a short way and let the smell keep the bugs at bay.”

Snickers did just that and left the group’s immediate area to walk around them all. There were plenty of gagging sounds and coughs, and it sounded like Silver was about to really vomit, when everything went silent for Snickers. He stopped in place and looked around, only seeing darkness.

“Well, shit, I fucked up, didn’t I?” Snickers said to himself. As he looked around the shadowed area he was in. It reminded him of being on the train with Harmony, and part of him hoped the God-like pony would appear to taunt him. Instead, something else appeared.

“I’d say so, kid.” A male voice said from high above him. Snickers turned to face the source and met long legs. He looked up the long body to see a human, a tall boy, much like he once was. “You’re not what you used to be, are you?”

The man adjusted the collar of the one piece suit he wore and grinned down maliciously.

Snickers stumbled back, tripping over his hind legs and almost falling to his rump before he got his hooves under himself and backed away more carefully. “Fuck you! What the fuck are you doing here? You can’t be here! Go back to hell, where I sent you!” Snickers snapped. “I left you behind, all of you behind!”

The man laughed, mockingly. He stepped a single step and towered over Snickers again. “You have a lot to answer for, and a lot of work to catch up on. And before you say anything you’ll regret, you won’t get rid of me so easily, this time. I think I’ll have some fun before doing the same to you. Maybe I’ll start with those girls you’re traveling with. I can kill them slowly, or cut them up. One leg at a time, either way,” the man said, licking his lips. I’ll see you soon…”

The world came back in a blur with Silver and Diamond holding Snickers as tears wept from his eyes. “What?” Snickers asked, blinking in the light of a small fire somepony had made.

“The darkness, it tried to take you when you went too far from us… don’t do that again, Snickers, please,” Silver pleaded and hugged him tighter.

Kiwe tossed another bundle of wood onto the fire and let the flames build. “Tonight we have a fire to keep the shadows at bay, I will not sleep without the light, what do you all say?”

Snickers and his herd, Cress, and even Gil agreed. Laxxie appeared as a full sized timberwolf from the shadows with yellow ichor dripping from her body.

Laxxie spat something spongy onto the ground at the border between firelight and darkness. “I got the one trying to hunt Alpha, it will not hunt Alpha again.”

Everypony looked at the thing and flinched back when it pulsed once. “Okay, I’m not sleeping tonight,” Diamond said, moving to stand with herself between the blob and Snickers.

“Then you have first watch,” Gil stated as he moved by the fire and lay with the egg on a blanket pile.

Diamond glared at the gryphon, but held her tongue. She moved Snickers and Silver to the bedrolls laid out around the fire. “Get some sleep, my loves,” she said, giving Snickers a kiss, then Silver, too. “I’ll keep you safe.” She tapped her tiara and the other two nodded and bedded down in one sleeping bag.

Cress flew up and made several high pitched chirps, then landed on her sleeping bag. “I’m not letting you guard alone. If you go missing, again, we might not find you. I’ll stay guard and we should work in shifts of two each.”

Snickers pulled the cover over his and Silver’s head and there was shuffling before the bag stilled. Laxxie reverted to a timber pony and left many of the ichor covered sticks behind their path. She stayed at the edge of the firelight, keeping watch while not looking into the undoing of her being.

“I will keep the darkness away,” Laxxie stated.

With their roles set, those that could sleep, did.

…

A mare’s scream woke everyone and set Gil and Kiwe on guard. The whole party gathered together and faced down the road where the noise had come from. The sun was rising, hidden behind the forest, but the light illuminated the road far enough to see a mare galloping toward them.

Snickers, Silver, and Diamond Tiara squinted at the mare wearing a blue hat and cape. “Hey,” Silver said. “Isn’t that that Trixie mare?”

Snickers’s ears flicked. “You mean the one that turned my mom green?”

Silver hummed. “She also got those two dummies to bring an Ursa Minor to the town. I wonder what she’s doing here.”

Trixie noticed the foals and rushed to them. Snickers saw the mare and screamed, turned to run, and tumbled over Laxxie. He looked back at the mare again. “It’s a trick! A monster! Don’t you see it?!” Snickers shouted, pointing at Trixie.

Trixie’s ears drooped. “Oh,” she said, dejectedly for an instant before swelling with confidence. “Well, no matter,” she announced and reared up, flaring her forelegs in the air. “The great and powerful Trixie has arrived to save you from this horrid forest. Let’s make sparks and fly out of this place.”

Silver and Diamond were helping Snickers to his hooves as he tried to put more distance between Trixie and himself. “Stay back! You won’t get us if I have anything to say about it.”

Laxxie looked between Snickers and Trixie. “I do not understand, she is ugly, but has a good spirit. She is a pony like you, father.”

Snickers shook his head and looked at the mare again, his stomach turning. “That is not a pony! It’s… a zombie, or something!”

Diamond held Snickers tightly while Silver and Kiwe stood between Snickers and Trixie. “Tell me, what do you see,” Kiwe asked Snickers, being one of the few that knew illusory magic didn’t work on Snickers.

Snickers grimaced at the thought of seeing Trixie. “She has one dead eye, like it was burned out. It’s scarred, really bad. Her muzzle is broken and she’s missing most of her teeth from what I saw. Her forelegs are padded wood, I think. At least from the elbow down… and most of her coat is just… gone. She’s covered with scars on her head and legs and… her tail is gone. The only places that look normal is her hind legs, and those are scarred with cut lines. Whatever happened to her, it was horrible.”

Trixie blanched and backed away a step, looking at her blue forelegs and patting her face and muzzle. “H-how? How do you know what the Great and Powerful Trixie looks like?”

Snickers buried his face in Diamond’s chest and shivered as Trixie spoke. Her voice sounded gravely and rough to his ears, like a mare that smoked for a living and worked only to support her habit.

Kiwe used his magic to remove a vial from his girth strap and held it by his horn. “Is she dangerous?” He asked Snickers.

Snickers didn’t answer, unable to look at the mare.

Trixie sat and waved a foreleg. “No! Trixie is no danger, honest. She is merely the victim of a long life of bad luck and unfortunate happenings and dealings. She looks this way,” she gestured to her pristine unicorn body, unsure of who could see her true self, “because making explosives is dangerous work, but the show is worth it.”

Everyone stared at Trixie, and Snickers peeked an eye at the mare and flinched back into Diamond’s chest fluff. “I don’t know about who she is, just that she’s scary and ugly.”

Diamond and Silver were silent, sharing a contemplative look, when Cress landed between the groups. Gil had taken perch in a tree to watch the unfolding drama. Cress pulled the stick from her bag again and held it in the crook of her foreleg. “I’ve heard of you, and you’re not a bad pony…

“...but, if you even try to harm anypony here, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do. Now, what are you doing here, outside the veil?”

Trixie smirked at the bat-filly. “Aren’t you cute, playing guard. Well, all this aside, the Great and Powerful Trixie is going to meet an old friend in Frand, the next city on the path, after it turns into an actual road. If you’d like to travel with her, she will gladly lead you from this awful forest by sunset, as long as you can keep up with her pace.”

A moment of deliberation and the group agreed to follow Trixie, but Snickers would be in the back with his fillies. Cress chose to keep guard of the mare, unsure of how to take her with what Snickers had said about her. “You know,” Cress said from above Snickers, “looks don’t make the pony.

“Just because you see a disfigured mare, doesn’t make her bad. Right? Besides, she keeps herself hidden to look better.”

Diamond and Silver stared at Trixie as she began telling Laxxie a story involving herself and a bandit gang.

“I dunno. She’s, like, always looked like that. Wouldn’t that kind of illusion be impossible to keep going for so long?” Diamond asked.

Cress slowed down and took wing to fly over the herd. “No, if a pony casts a spell enough, then the spell can last longer and longer. I did some research on unicorn magic once. It’s how they can make stuff levitate and not get headaches, or worse.”

Silver thanked Cress for the information when Cress noticed Trixie getting close to the edge of the road. Telling her story, Trixie began to rear up and flourish her legs in different ways, causing her own incident.

Trixie turned away, slipped from the path with a yelp, and vanished. Cress took to the air and chirped several times in the area the mare had fallen, then she dived into the bushes at ground level. There was a tense moment before Trixie scampered back onto the trail with Cress behind her, holding the same stick as from before; this time in her mouth.

“Sweet Celestia’s flaming teats, that was close,” Trixie panted. “Thanks, filly. If you didn’t distract that thing…” Trixie gulped and stood up. “Trixie would have had to vanquish it herself. You saved Trixie some needed magic, and she appreciates you.”

Cress stepped back from Trixie’s attempt to ruffle her mane. “Yeah, I don’t know you enough to let you touch me. So, don’t.”

Trixie laughed, heartily. “Trixie likes you, and to show it, she will tell you of how she helped distract an Ursa Minor, once.”

Moods rose at that, and after gathering their supplies, with Trixie standing several paces ahead of the group talking about herself… to herself, they set off. Snickers made it a point to avoid looking at her, though.

“Snickers?” Diamond asked.

“What’s wrong?” Silver added.

“What do you see that we don’t?” The fillies chorused, then shared a confused look. “How’d you do that. Stop it. No, you stop it!”

“Both of you stop it!” Snickers shouted. He didn’t acknowledge the looks everyone gave him and stayed quiet after his outburst. “Look, I can’t… I just don’t know how to feel about her. She’s… hideous.”

Silver glared at the mare ahead of them all. “I don’t see it, though. Maybe you’re seeing her personality, or whatever.”

Snickers shook his head. “No, it’s the real her. Like when I saw Auntie Luna for the first time and freaked out.”

“Ohhh,” both fillies chorused again. “Well, it’s good you’re doing better now. You were like a foal on their first Nightmare Night in a big city.” Silver said.

“Yeah, you were gonna barf on me, I thought. Which would have been seriously not okay.” Diamond added.

Cress slacked back and asked, “Who was gonna barf?”

Snickers looked up. “Go keep watch on Trixie, this is a private conversation.”

Cress saluted and flew ahead of the group. “What is with that filly?” Snickers asked.

“What do you mean, Sweetie?” Diamond asked.

“Just that she doesn’t make sense to me. She’s like me, in a way. She’s young, but knows stuff way ahead of her age. And what’s with that stick she keeps pulling from her bag? It’s just a gnarled tree branch, why’s it so special? And--”

Snickers stopped and mumbled, then sighed and closed his eyes as Diamond kissed him. Silver gave them a sweet look and moved closer. Diamond moved back and Silver took over, making Snickers hum in contentment. “Such soft lips,” he whispered and opened his eyes to see Silver when he started with Diamond.

“Ooo, which one of us are you talking about?” Diamond asked, teasingly.

“And what lips do you want to kiss tonight?” Silver asked, turning and flagging her tail to tease Snickers.

Snickers gawked at the sight, his jaw slacked open when Diamond moved beside Silver and copied her.

“Ah, uh, um… guh?” Snickers stammered as he glanced left to right at the prizes in front of him.

“Hey, Trixie isn’t going to wait while you have underage premarital sex! Hurry, or be left behind,” the mare called and took the lead again.

Snickers blushed brightly and embarredly rushed past his giggling fillies to catch up to the others before he was left too far behind.

Stirge

“Behold! The Great and Powerful Trixie has led you foals from the Forest of Woe… with only a little woe inflicted upon some of you… and herself, twice. But,” Trixie announced to the panting and sweaty foals behind her, with a flourish, “you are now free to follow Her to the city of Frand, where the grass is certainly greener than whatever this stuff is.”

The foals watched Trixie move to the side of the road and step off, sniff the grass, and return. They all exhaled a sigh of relief and moved past the pompous mare and left the road for the first time, as a group, that day. They collapsed in a rough patch of long and short grass, chests heaving and muscles aching.

Gil landed, breathing slightly more than usual. “So, are we taking a rest, or just preparing for the next five mile trot?”

Trixie startled him with an explosion and appeared from a cloud of smoke. “Ha! That wasn’t even close to five miles; it was more like twenty. Trixie just kept up a good pace for you all to show you that Trixie is a mare of her word. Sunset is in about half an hour, so let’s celebrate with a fire and a rousing round of Everypony Listen to Trixie!”

There was a round of groans as bedrolls were pulled from packs and single tents were quickly set up. Kiwe went around and, with what little magic he could muster, helped as he could. Silver, Snickers, and Diamond almost crawled into their tent and fell asleep right away, they were so exhausted from the day.

Trixie looked at all the foals crawling into their tents and she stomped her forehooves. “Trixie should have more respect than this from you foals!”

Kiwe and Cress shared a look, then Kiwe nodded to Cress as he went into his tent. Cress stood outside her tent and gave Trixie a hard look. “You’re on first watch, Miss Trixie, and that first watch will be until midnight. Wake me up then,” she yawned, “and I’ll take over. Just… need some sleep after running all day.”

Trixie nickered. “Hey, who said Trixie was going to stay here and…” she trailed off, “... watch you all night?” She sighed and used her magic to clear a large area. She then created a firepit and lit it with a small spell. “Dumb foals, relying on Trixie when Trixie was just fine going to Frand on her own.”

Laxxie sat with a quiet thump beside Trixie. “Should Laxxie talk like Trixie? Laxxie likes how Trixie talks, and how everypony listens to Trixie.”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Sure, a wood golem is going to upstage the Great and Powerful Trixie? Well, timberpony, I’ll have you know that Trixie is one of a kind, and she does not give you permission to speak as she does.” Trixie looked away, indignantly.

Laxxie cocked her head. “Why do you have one eye?”

Trixie lowered her head, and she glanced at the timberpony. “That is a story I hope never to share. Now, go away! Trixie needs her rest.”

Laxxie quickly moved back from the fire and Trixie tossed a bundle of sticks into the fire to warm her even more than she already was.
…

At about one in the morning, Cress peeked her head from her tent and saw Trixie lying near the fire, asleep and pawing at the sky. Laxxie kept guard at the edge of the firelight for the showmare while Trixie ‘recovered from such tiring foalsitting’, as she’d called it.

Laxxie wasn’t sure what foalsitting was, but the mare didn’t sit once since they’d begun their trek, so it just confused the timberpony even more when she tried to think it through.

“Hey,” Cress said when she reached Trixie.

“...amaze you with… prestidigitation… nopony has seen since… falafels,” Trixie mumbled and smacked her lips, turning over to curl around her hat. She began nibbling on the tip when Cress struck the back of her head. “Ouch! Who dares wake the Great and Powerfully Sleepy Trixie from her… oh, it’s you,” Trixie yawned. “The filly that likes to play guard. Crest, right?”

Cress didn’t react beyond a slight twitch in her left eye. “You were supposed to stay up and wake me at midnight.”

Trixie yawned again and rubbed the back of her head before lying back down. “Yeah, yeah. Your golem is doing that just fine. Trixie is a busy mare and has a lot to do when we get to Frand, so let her rest until sunrise when she’ll lead you down the path to the city itself.”

Cress growled and her bat wings slowly opened. “Do you have any idea where we are? What could be behind the next bend? What could lurk in the shadows out here?”

“Trixie--”

“Is an idiot who might have cost one of these foals their lives tonight!” Cress snapped.

Trixie sat up and wiped her eye. “Look, if anything had gotten close, the alarm wards would have--” There was a flash of light that blinded Cress, followed by a bang and zapp. A creature wailed, and then there was silence.

“That. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she yawned again, “I have to replace an alarm ward before I go back to sleep.”

Cress wiped her eyes and hissed as Trixie left the filly in the figurative dark. The only thing Cress could see was the fire and what it lit. “Shit, my night vision’s shot for the next few minutes,” she whispered and sat down. She barely caught the glint of yellow from Laxxie’s eyes as the timberpony moved towards her.

“Are you okay, Cress?” Laxxie asked.

Cress nodded. “Yes, thank you. Can you help me keep guard for a little while? I can’t see as good as normal right now.”

“Okay, Laxxie the Pony will help keep you safe.”

Cress glared at the timberpony. “Don’t do that.”

Laxxie giggled. “Just kidding.”

…

Gil grabbed Snickers’s herd’s tent post and shook it violently. “Hurry, wake up! There’s a monster attacking!” he shouted, giving a controlled roar from his beak.

There was screaming and the tent uprooted from its posts as three foals ran in opposite directions. Snickers ran into Gil, who fell over laughing, while Silver and Diamond swerved from where they were blindly galloping, and leaped over Snickers.

“Save yourself, Diamond!” Silver shouted, panting as her eyes scanned the area.

Diamond was trembling and her tail was slightly damp from the fright, but she noticed the laughing gryphon and realized what had happened. She got up and walked around Snickers and Silver. Then, she turned and bucked her hind hooves into the gryphon’s side. Gil rolled several times, finally stopping with a wheeze.

He got to his paws and talons and coughed, sucking-in air. “What’d you… do that for?”

Diamond sneered at Gil. “Are you fucking serious?! You scared us half to death with that little wake up prank! What if Snickers ran into a tree and hurt himself? What if we did that? What if we ran over Kiwe’s egg in our panic?! Don’t say a word to me, unless it’s an apology! I have to clean up our tent,” she finished and turned to see Silver helping Snickers up.

Gil looked abashedly between the ponies around the campsite. “It was just a joke,” he said.

Trixie shook her head slightly. “Even Trixie knows that wasn’t very funny. Oh, little pink pony… your tail…”

Diamond looked back and blushed, then hurried to a bunch of bushes to relieve herself completely. She slapped her tail on the grass with no real effect and then decided to roll in the grass to cover up the smell before it became prominent.

Snickers and Silver gave Diamond a comforting hug, then the three of them fixed their tent and cleaned their area. They packed everything up, and sat for a breakfast of light grazing and meal bars.

The silence was broken by Kiwe when he said, “I think we should move on, this has been a bad trip already. The sooner we get to the city, the better we will be.”

Everyone agreed and Trixie took the lead down the gravel path. Over the next hour the path turned into a worn cobblestone road. Then, before they knew it, they were walking on well-maintained cobbles and mortar.

The steady pressure on their hooves traveled up their legs and took some of the aches they’d been having away, thanks to their shoes. All the ponies took a few moments to appreciate the even road by pronking and chasing one another, until Trixie scolded them to calm down.

“Hey, is that that city you were talking about?!” Snickers eagerly asked Trixie.

“What, that place? That’s Stirge, the first real town on this side of the veil. There was a fake town full of changelings that set up shop on the other side of the Forest of Woe, but it seems you were smart enough to stay away from that place. Trixie is proud of you for that.”

The group exchanged looks, then stayed silent as Trixie began singing a traveling song. As the Magic of Harmony began to build between the whole group, Snickers looked between the creatures and noticed he was walking in step to a melody that began playing. Snickers forced the magic deep within himself and rushed ahead of the others.

“Nope!” Snickers shouted back as even Gil sang a line.

As Snickers neared the town, the others were right behind him, finishing the song with smiles and giggles. Silver and Diamond sided Snickers. “Awe, don’t you wanna sing just one song with us?” Silver asked, flipped her frayed braid across her back.

“No.” Snickers flatly replied. “Not gonna sing. I bet I have a terrible voice and I’m not starting now.”

They giggled and looked at one another over his back. Then they both kissed him on his cheeks. “I think you’ll like it when it does happen, sweetie,” Diamond said.

“And we’ll be there for it all, honey,” Silver said.

Snickers shook himself free of his fillies and walked down the main street into the town with Kiwe and Gil behind him while Cress and Trixie kept the lead. It was a crowded place with a dozen shops crammed side to side, but it wasn’t grimy or dirty at all. Sellers shouted their wares to shoppers, shoppers haggled, and golden bits and other silver coins traded hooves.

While Snickers walked ahead, Laxxie stopped. Silver and Diamond stopped with her. “I will wait back here, I don’t have a good feeling about this place,” Laxxie said.

“Okay, we’ll bring you something, if there’s anything worth getting,” Diamond said, patting Laxxie’s grassy mane.

Laxxie shared a nuzzle with Diamond, then walked away from the village to hide in the woods, still watching the group as they moved on.

Snickers didn’t know what to expect, but a town of all ponies wasn’t totally at the top of his list. Ponies selling gifts, trinkets, and various wares lined the street and there weren’t any walls or gates, which added to the idyllic feeling the town gave off.

“So, what’s the deal with this town?” Gil asked Trixie, noticing the color schemes of the ponies were mostly darker colors, and many eyes were on him, specifically.

“Trixie has frequented this town many times. They specialize in nothing, so don’t expect much. Simple ponyfolk doing their daily work to put food on the table every night. Like most small towns in Equestria, now that Trixie thinks about it. They accept bits, so don’t worry about exchanging currency until Frand, where they know the value of a bit… more or less.”

Silver squeaked and touched her necklace. “Look, eyeglasses! Nopony just sells those! Can I go look, Snickers?”

“Sure, just stay close!” Snickers shouted as the filly rushed away.

Diamond looked between Silver and Snickers, then rushed after her herd-sister. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Plus, I have the most bits.”

Snickers looked at Gil and then Cress. “Well, what do you wanna do?”

Cress looked carefully around and then saw something that gained her interest. She walked away without saying a word and left the males together in an awkward silence.

“Well, what’re you ponies going to shop for? Something to make your manes smell like breezy farts?” Gil mocked.

Both colts shared a look, then looked around for something to catch their eye, when Snickers squealed and reared up to clap his hooves. “A spa! Thank goodness, I can get cleaned up.” Snickers exclaimed and galloped down the street to the hanging sign of a mane, when he stopped suddenly and felt elation when he saw a pony inside the business being brushed.

Snickers looked behind himself to see Kiwe catching up, when Snickers entered the business.

“Moisturize me,” the mare on the table requested.

There was just a single room for a single pony to be taken care of, and Snickers knew he’d have to wait. The owner, he presumed, and the customer looked at him as the door swung closed behind himself. “Um, can I have next turn?” Snickers asked.

Both mares shared a look, after the mare of the bed craned her neck a little, and then seemed to come to an agreement. “Certainly, you seem like a fine chap, should fit r’igh in next slot. Might be, whatcha say, a few minnits, Earthy?”

“Bah, none’a that, love,” Earthy replied. “A handsome chap like ‘im deserves it now. Ah’ll be waitin’ aside, though. A traveler, from the looks of ‘im.”

Snickers’s ears flicked, and he cocked his head as the mares spoke. “You have weird accents,” he said as the owner cleaned Earthy’s back of oils and helped her to her hooves.

“Name’s Win’er, nice ta meet ya, mister…?”

“Um, I’m Snickers… is your name ‘Whiner’ or ‘Winner’?” Snickers asked.

“Ah,” both mares laughed, “he’s such a doll! Must be from Equestria, he is.” Winder said. “Name’s Winder, like whatcha do ta keep clocks workin’.”

“Oh, sorry about that, ma’am,” Snickers tapped the floor with his forehoof.

“Don’t give me none of that ‘ma’am’ business, now bring yer blank flank up here so I can give you a mark,” Winder said, tapping the freshly laid sheet she’d placed on her table. Snickers, with the help of a little nudge to his backside from Earthy, stretched out on his belly and rested his lower jaw on a headrest, for just that purpose.

The mare started first with a brushing that made Snickers moan more than suggestively several times, making the mares laugh. The second brushing brought outright sexual moans from the colt as well as causing part of him to show itself and make him have to readjust himself several times, to Earthy’s subtle delight.

“My, yer sure gifted, ain’t cha? Got a mare yet?” Earthy joked.

Winder laughed and grabbed Snickers by the side while brushing his blank flank and rolled him a little, taking a peek. “Oi, with that, I’d say he was a proper stallion, he is. Are you just hidin’ yer mark?”

A gentle brushing across Snickers’s leg made his leg twitch and kick as the colt blushed enough that his ear tips felt hot.

“No, I have two fillies traveling with me,” Snickers admitted. “Traveling to get my mark… oh, oh yeah, right there.”

Both mares giggled again. “Found his sweet spot,” Winder stated and brushed the spot again, and again. As Snickers began to feel an ache needing to be filled, reminding him of nearly having sex a couple days before, he began rocking his hips and Winder kept her pace. “Just let it out, darling, I’ll consider it a discount if you produce enough.”

The door opened suddenly and Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara rushed in, talking between one another. They heard Snickers moaning, saw him dry humping the table, and both glared at the mare.

“Oi, ladies, here to watch him finish, or join in?” Winder said with a laugh.

“Stop giving our stallion a happy ending!” Diamond commanded.

Earthy laughed. “Darling, we just began grooming him. And this is a free service offered here to healthy colts and stallions. Travelers like ya wouldn’t know that, but this here town’s all about happy endings.”

The fillies blushed. “So, the stallions at the shops were serious about offering discounts for a minute giving us a ‘c’ massage.” They shared a look and awareness dawned on them.

“‘C’ means cervical?! Ew, ew, ew, ew!” They both said at the same time and pranced in place, shaking their heads at the grossness of having strange stallions bribe them with sex. “Snickers, get off there right now!”

“No!” Snickers gasped after his exclamation. “I’m getting groomed, the good feeling can stop, but I’m almost clean again.”

The fillies moved to a bench by the door and took a seat, glaring at Winder. “Groom him, and that’s it.”

Winder shrugged. “Who am I ta stop a family from having their fun? Sorry there, colt, but yer mares have the say in the matter.” She patted Snickers’s side with the brush and went on to brush his tail and mane with the fillies watching closely as the mare worked.

Snickers was rolled over and each mare, and several passing ponies outside the shop, got a great look at his penis before it was covered with a towel. “Don’t worry, darling,” Earthy said, “happens to every stallion and colt that comes through. Even the gay ones. At least us mares don’t show like that, right?”

The fillies nodded and relaxed, finally. Winder began cleaning rocks and twigs from Snickers’s hooves and finally admitted her work was done, took several bits from him, and gave him the number to a mane stylist and a farrier to see about shoeing him again, or at least give him a hoof trim.

Snickers took his seat and Diamond climbed up to replace him. “Give me the works and make me look beautiful again,” Diamond requested.

Snickers watched as the mare groomed Diamond. Snickers’s jaw slackened as her polished hoof slipped under Diamond’s tail and between her thighs. Diamond shot a look back at the mare, then her eyes fluttered and she replaced her chin in the rest as Winder rubbed her.

Diamond bit her lip, moaned, and pawed at the sheet until it pulled back enough so that the wooden table was exposed. This showed chips and wear from other hooves marking the same areas. Snickers’ nose flared as he took in the scent of his alpha filly, his ears locked forward as he heard the noises her body made. A towel was placed between Diamond’s legs as her tail swayed and she began breathing more heavily.

With a whicker and stomp of her forehooves, Diamond reared up while prone and moaned as she climaxed and called out Snickers’s name, then Silver’s, and nickered as she relaxed with a smile. She laid her head down again and sighed a long sigh. “Finally, I was really holding that back. Thanks, Aloe, I needed that.”

Winder chuckled. “Name’s Winder, dear. That’ll be an extra charge for the finish, ya know, right?”

Diamond’s eyes widened and she slowly turned to look around the room. She turned beet red when she saw Snickers staring at her with wider eyes and a blush that turned his head to a brick red color. Earthy looked between the two and got to her hooves quickly to usher the colt from the shop.

She led him, stumbling, several paces away and draped a towel over his back to hide his very visible erection from passers by. “I take it ya ain’t seen that before?” Snickers shook his head. “And that’s yer filly ya saw getting relaxed?” Snickers nodded his head. “Well, wait out here and I’m sure the silver filly will be out here ta watch over ya.

“Ah’m actually s’curity fer my sister’s shop, so I can’t go too far, but I’ll let you know that Winder means the best and didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”

Snickers leaned against a wall, his mind fuzzy from what he’d just experienced, and nodded weakly. “‘Kay.”

“That’s a good colt,” Earthy said and left him by the door to another shop.

Diamond rushed out before Silver and moved beside Snickers. “Oh, Sweetie, I’m so sorry you had to see that. I was lost in the moment and--” She went silent when his lips met hers. She tried to talk when he’d take breaks, but his hooves cupped her muzzle and stole her voice as she gave herself to his lips.

“That… was so hot,” Snickers admitted. “I want you... so bad right now. Let’s find a secret place... and do it.” Snickers suggested while kissing her.

Diamond hummed and mewled as she was kissed, but managed to pull back and shake her head slightly. “N-no.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?” Snickers asked, incredulously. “I thought you wanted me now.”

Diamond shivered from her mane to her tail. “Not without Silver, and not in front of a dozen strangers. There aren’t any secret places in a small town like this, just like back in Ponyville. Remember when you… broke my broken muzzle?” She asked.

“I just split your stitches, it wasn’t that bad,” Snickers said, looking at the passing ponies.

“Still, I was caught by a mare looking out her window. Trust me, we’d be watched. I want it to be special, with just us. And I’m sure Silver does, too.”

Snickers sighed and looked Diamond over. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Where’s Silver, by the way?”

Diamond smirked. “Starting with the ending, she said.” Diamond laughed at Snickers’s expression. “Just kidding! She’s getting groomed and ‘not letting some strange mare touch her back there’. Let’s wait for her and… where is Kiwe and Gil? Didn’t we leave you together?”

There was a crack and boom, followed by many oohs and awes. They shared a look and said in unison, “Trixie.”

Missing Member

Snickers led Diamond Tiara back to the door and noticed not only writing on the door he couldn’t read, but a crude drawing of a smiling pony with an erection above their heads at adult height. He glanced back to Diamond and then motioned to the words and picture. Diamond blushed and looked at Snickers in the eyes. “I’m so sorry, Snickers. This isn’t a spa, it’s a massage parlour.”

“What’s the difference?” Snickers asked as he pushed the door open and held it for Diamond to walk in ahead of him.

Diamond took a seat on a slightly damp cushion that Silver had used previously and waited for Snickers to take his seat. “It’s a place where ponies go and pay to orgasm.”

Snickers snickered. “You pay for that? And why didn’t you warn me before?”

Diamond sighed. “I didn’t see the picture and I can’t read the writing here. It’s a different place and only adults are supposed to go to places like this.”

“You think they’d have told us?” Snickers questioned.

Winder piped in, brush strokes not slowing across Silver Spoon’s back. “Not when I could collect a good set of coin from a colt’s seed. You aren’t from about these parts, are ya, lads?”

“We’re from Equestria, to the east.” Diamond answered.

Winder hummed. “That closed off nation full of… well, anyway, this town has one thing about it that you should know about.”

“What’s that?” Snickers asked.

“If it can be bought, anypony can pay with their bodies. We use currency, sure. Gold and silver are the usual, but if you little ladies lift your tails for the right ponies; you can get a good discount anywhere in town.”

Silver whimpered and clamped her tail to the mat. “You keep your hooves away from my special place, okay?”

Diamond coughed into her hoof. “I think we’ll pay with gold as soon as Silver Spoon is done. What happened with me was embarrassing enough… I’m sorry, Snickers, for having you see that.”

“Not a problem, I quite enjoyed it, darling. Why, if I wasn’t interrupted, you might have seen something special, too.” Snickers said.

Diamond smirked. “From rubbing your side? You do know that she’d have to rub your penis for you to get there, right?”

Snickers nodded. “I’m sure she was on the way to that before you came in and ruined it.”

Winder winked at the colt. “Thirty seconds is the record I have fer making a stallion last; colts are just good practice. Earthy there collects the male seed in her jars for resale, but we’re out of stock right now. Slow week and all.”

Earthy leaned over and pulled a long jar with a cork from behind a short table and set it on her lap. “Yup, reckon it’s good fer a lotta things, if a pony’s adventurous enough.”

Snickers stared at the jar for a couple seconds, then remembered why he had returned when there was another bang in the distance. “Oh, yeah. Trixie is putting on a show and we should find the others. I lost Kiwe for sure… he might like this place, but there’s also Gil and Cress we need to locate.”

Diamond shrugged. “Whatever, as soon as we’re done here they’ll be in the crowd as a group, I bet. How much longer?”

Winder smirked. “About ten minutes. He was just getting started when ya stopped us and you, little mare, went right fer the ending as soon as I got near yer tail. A proper grooming takes time… but since yer new to town I’ll only charge ya five bits each, and let you know where the mane stylist is. I don’t do manes or hooves.”

Silver relaxed and rolled to her side at the mares prodding. “Whatever, just don’t get fresh with me, I only need one stallion and mare to touch me, them.” She said, nodding to her herdmates.

The next few minutes passed quickly and ponies began to file to the town hall area to watch Trixie’s show, growing the curiosity and excitement between the foals. Once Silver was done she shook herself by instinct, Diamond paid, and the herd rushed from the shop back the way they’d come.

Trixie’s voice was clearly audible now, being projected magically across the area. Cress landed sharply in front of Snickers and leaned close to him, glaring. “You were supposed to stay in the open, not run off. How can I research the lost son of the Princess when you’re--?”

“And thus, the great and Powerful Trixie defeated the Ursa Minor and saved the town of Ponyville from its ravages!” Trixie’s voice overpowered Cress’s and the crowd’s cheering stopped any further discussion between the foals.

Snickers pushed past the bat pony filly, followed by his fillies, and went into the crowd. He found Kiwe at a vendor and poked his friend with his forehood to the unicorn’s shoulder. “Hey, what’cha buying?”

“Fish sticks. Did you think they had them here, too?” Kiwe answered as he swapped two bits for a small bag of breaded fish sticks. “Would you care for some, my brother?”

Snickers nodded and opened his mouth, allowing half a piece to be placed on his tongue before he bit down. “Mmm, that’s good.”

Silver moved up and opened her mouth and got a piece, humming in thought as she chewed it. “Not bad. I Need sauce, though.”

Kiwe popped a whole one into his mouth and chewed, nodding in agreement. “We get what we get, though. I am more interested in the show, though. Did you think Trixie was so lively?”

Snickers looked at the freakish mare on stage and then focused, allowing the illusion to fool him. She was pulling a stallion onto stage at the moment while shuffling cards in her magic. “I dunno, just got here. Let’s see what she does next.”

Snickers felt himself laughing with the crowd as the show went on through the next half hour before he saw a griffon flying over the stage Trixie had taken over. He looked between his friends and then glanced at the flier again. He sighed and got up, the others barely noticing his motion until he turned away from the show and began walking towards the back. Cress was right behind him, followed by Diamond and Silver Spoon, lastly trailed by Kiwe.

Trixie’s show was still going strong when the group left the town square and had space to talk. “So, where’d Gil go?”

The others were silent for several seconds before they all began to shrug at Snickers’s question.

“No one’s concerned that our friend is missing?” Snickers asked, facing the others.

“He’s not exactly vulnerable; he’s a griffin. He has talons and a beak.” Cress stated.

“He’s also got Kiwe’s baby!” Snickers snapped. And Kiwe’s eyes widened. “We’re not the best of friends, but we’re still traveling together and we should keep tabs on each other. I’m not gonna say split up, because that’s what causes problems, but we gotta find him before something happens.”

“Like what?” Silver asked. “He can take care of himself and he can fly.”

“Like being attacked for being different in a new city, or leaving us to go ahead to the next town…”

Diamond raised a foreleg. “What if he’s just being massaged like you were earlier? All we have to do is stay calm and look around, we’ll find him in no time.”

“We could ask Trixie to put out a message.” Kiwe offered.

“Her show’s not gonna stop for us, she’ll probably pull us into it.” Silver noted.

“So, then we’re left with the option of look around until we find him.” Snickers said.

“Why not just watch the show and wait for him to pop back up, it’s only been about an hour, how much trouble could he get into?” Cress supplied.

The other looked between one another before looking back to Snickers for a decision. “Let’s start from where we last saw him.”

“So, back at the entrance to town?” Kiwe asked.

The remainder of Trixie’s show was missed by the group as they went through the market, purchasing some snacks that weren’t alfalfa based to break from the trail snacks they had been eating for the past few days. They stayed in a loose formation looking at different items being sold from trinkets to decorate a home to hoof or horn stitched clothing. Asking about their missing friend didn’t yield any results, though.

“This place is kind of like Ponyville,” Diamond finally said to Snickers.

“Yeah, if you don’t take the obsession with sex into account,” he replied, “not that I can’t say sex wasn’t common there too… just not as in your face.”

Diamond nodded. “Yeah, but you’d never have to worry about sleeping alone if you were an adult, there’s always a mare with a bed for a lonely stallion back home.”

“That’s kinda gross, but maybe that’s just me,” Snickers admitted.

Diamond snorted. “Gross or not, no stallion has to sleep in the streets in Equestria.”

“The gender inequality is staggering,” Snickers mumbled. “Let’s just go to the shops, the market doesn’t seem to know anything about Gil.”

Silver took the lead and led them back to the massage parlor and they ventured past the two mares idly talking in the shop to other businesses. A clothing shop that catered to mares caught the female’s attention while a soda shop caught the boy’s. They decided to put their search on hold to get some fizzy delights and were surprised to find their missing member sipping on a nearly frozen treat with two mares at a booth.

“So, there I was, facing a manticore with my fellow hunters back home in Gryphonia when there was a sudden--” Gil’s sight caught the group before they could announce themselves and he waved them away. “I’m fine, worry about yourselves.”

“How rude,” Silver said, “we spent the last hour looking for you and you’ve been in here with these two?”

Gil clicked his beak. “Well, mom, you found me, so go back to playing house and let me talk with my friends about how awesome I am.”

“Don’t you give her attitude, Gil,” Diamond started, but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. She looked aside to see Cress shaking her head.

“If he wants to hang out he can, but he should know for next time to let somepony know where he’s going so we don’t all have to stop what we’re doing to find him.” Cress said.

“Whatever, batty, I’ll put it on my list of things to do. At the bottom.” Gil snarked back.

Kiwe looked the gryphon over before nodding. “He carries the child like a doting mother, let’s leave him alone, we’re being a bother.”

Snickers sighed. “That was a stretch and you know it,” he told the unicorn, “but you’re right. Gil, have fun, I’m here for a soda. Who’d have thought they had soda out here?”

“Who cares? It’s a taste of home on a long trip, I hope they have what I like,” Diamond piped in. She rushed to the counter and looked at the menu. “Oh, right… new language.”

Silver stepped up and cocked her head. “I can read them just fine. I’m not inclined to try bug smoothies or shakes, but they have sarsaparilla, want me to order you one, Diamond?”

“How can you read that? It’s not Ponish.” Diamond asked loudly.

Silver tapped her necklace. “Must be one of the enchantments on this thing. Doesn’t your tiara have something like it?”

Diamond stuck out her tongue and looked up to her tiara, but nothing happened. “I guess not. At least Snickers can’t read that stuff, right?”

Snickers shook his head. “Now that we have Silver, we don’t have to worry about it.” Snickers said, avoiding the fact he could read some of it. But the pictures helped. “No bugs or anything gross for me, thanks.”

“Got it, hun,” Silver said, nuzzling the colt suddenly before she turned to order for them all.

“I’ll take some crickets, if they have them,” Cress chimed in before Silver started.

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

Interlewd

How is the town, father? Laxxie asked from outside the town.

Snickers was walking to the local inn with the others, quietly taking in the changing sky as it went from blue to hues of red and orange that only a setting sun can provide. Laxxie, it’s good. Weird, but good. We’re about to check in for the night, want to come in town?

Snickers felt Laxxie’s hesitation to answer. When no answer came, he understood her reluctance and refocused on the building they were nearing. A simple sign of wood hung from above the door picturing a four post bed, inviting them in with its allure of sleep off the cold hard ground.

“Well, this doesn’t look like too bad of an inn,” Diamond said haughtily, “let’s just hope the price isn’t too much.”

Snickers walked to the desk with his fillies beside him while the others lingered by the entrance door. “Hello, my fine mare. How much for a room?”

The mare looked across their group and raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lot of bodies for a single room… are we talking by the hour for some late night fun? Because there’s an extra fee for cleanup we charge for that service.”

Snickers snickered. “Nah, we’re looking at getting two rooms. One for me and my herd, one for the others.”

The mare nodded in understanding. “Thought you were gonna go for the hourly, but I’m glad to not worry about cleaning up the mess you all would’a made together. Ten bits per room per night. How many nights are ya staying?”

The entrance door glowed blue and Trixie stumbled over her hooves getting in, giggling when she righted herself. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs a room for a couple of hours for her and her new friends,” she motioned for three ponies behind her to enter and the clerk smirked.

“Orange, Cherry, Peanut, I didn’t think you were the types…” She left the implication in the air. “Once I’m done checking in these precocious youths I’ll get you an hourly.”

Trixie looked around the room at the foals and sighed. “Trixie can’t get away from these foals to save her life.” She said softly.

“Here’s the bits, ma’am,” Silver said, hoofing the requested bits onto the counter.

The mare turned and gripped two sets of keys from a holder on the back wall and gave them to Snickers and Silver Spoon. “Room 201 and 202 up the stairs, down the hall to the left and opposite each other. Checkout is noon and any stuff you leave belongs to us after that.”

Keys in mouth, they thanked the mare and went to their rooms. Snickers slipped the key he held in his lips into room 201 and left it for the others while Silver Spoon opened 202 and hurried in, slipping her saddlebags off as she crossed the threshold. She also slipped her shoes off behind the door once Snickers and Diamond were in the room.

They followed suit and closed the door before slipping their shoes off and dropping their travel bags. The three of them took a moment to look one another over and took account of anything in their fur or hair that shouldn’t have been there, amounting to two ticks on Snickers’s fetlocks and some grass in each of their tails.

Snickers was the first to use the toilet, followed by Silver and then Diamond, and then wordlessly, they went to the bed to lie down. With a satisfied groan, they all let the stress from the day work its way out of their bodies. Snickers began to shuffle and pull at his shirt to get it off, giving his fillies a chance to help him undress for once.

The blue and white shirt being tossed aside was relieving for the colt, who lay naked on the mattress with two fillies beside him. They cuddled close and drank in the moment of just being ponies without a care in the world, until Silver coughed leadingly towards Diamond.

Snickers couldn’t see the silent exchange they shared, but he was hopeful it was something that would help him relieve the building stress from the day. “Snickers,” Silver whispered, “sit up, please.”

Snickers rocked up and waited, then got a pillow to the side of his head. He flinched and looked at Diamond Tiara, but got a pillow across his muzzle before he could ask what was happening. He quickly realized he was in a pillow fight and ducked the next swing by Silver Spoon, grabbed his own pillow in his teeth, and then swung blindly in a large arc, only barely impacting Diamond’s pillow.

“Pillow fight!” Diamond fruitlessly called out as Silver smacked her with a pillow right in her smug face.

The pillow fight evolved into laughter after a couple minutes as they fell down onto one another in a disorganized pony pile. They laughed and giggled, then moved to fix the bed, stopping only to share kisses and nuzzles. Snickers sighed, remembering he was only a colt and didn’t have to worry about so many adult matters, and if he did, he had support to keep him in the right state of mind.

“I love you, Snickers,” Diamond whispered as she pressed her pillow to the bed.

“I love you too, honey,” Silver added as she lay on her back with her forelegs curled to her body.

Snickers looked between the fillies and gulped, the tension in the air growing thicker by the second. How long had he been with these two and how long had he managed to avoid admitting his feelings for them? To take a step forward off of a cliff and devote a part of himself to them with three little words was one of the most challenging things he’d have to do, but he didn’t feel ready.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to Silver Spoon’s, letting his eyes trail down her exposed underbelly. She kissed back weakly at first, then parted her lips to let their tongues dance. Silver hummed as she pushed him back from her. He was confused at first, but her grey hoof guided his muzzle to Diamond’s.

Diamond pressed firmly against Snickers’ lips and her pink hooves cupped his cheeks as she sat on the ruffled bedding, her tail curling loosely around herself as she gave the firmest and best kiss she could to her stallion.

Snickers’ mind was blank as Diamond passionately kissed him, pressing her tongue into his mouth with ease. Silver got up and gently bit Snickers’s ear tip sending shivers down his dark coat that brought a smile to both fillies. They peppered him with kisses across his muzzle and afforded him playful bites on erogenous zones he didn’t know ponies had.

He sat down and felt the last of Kiwe’s enchantment fade as his body prepared itself for the most carnal of acts. Diamond broke eye contact with Snickers to look down and admire what he had to offer her. Her eyes traced the length of his member while Silver reached around him from behind and batted it playfully once.

“Silver, don’t tease our lead stallion, he’s already had a rough day.” Diamond chided.

Snickers gulped wetly as his mind registered the sensation of hooves rubbing around his body and touching his special places. The scents the fillies were giving off were clouding his thoughts and actions, leaving him willing putty in their hooves.

“I,” Snickers said with heated breaths, “I don’t know how to… but I want to…” he stammered. Both fillies blushed and shared a deep look between one another, then Diamond turned away from Snickers and Silver helped him stand up. “Diamond… I…”

“It’s okay, honey, we’re here to help each other. Are you ready?” Silver asked Snickers.

Snickers looked down at the flagged tail of Diamond. He could see the evening sunlight glistening off her ready marehood, but he didn’t answer Silver. He stepped forward and mounted Diamond, the sudden weight on her back was a surprise and she bucked back before she knew what she was doing.

Snickers called out in pain as her right hoof connected with his inner thigh, nearly making him back off of her. Silver wasn’t having it, though, and she braced against his rump with her shoulder, keeping him on.

“Are you okay?” Diamond asked, looking back at the grimacing colt.

Snickers nodded once. “Yeah, just might need to take a--” He went quiet when he felt a gentle shove from behind and a new sensation from underneath.

Diamond Tiara was silent.

Silver Spoon glanced under Snickers and pumped her foreleg in victory.

Snickers relaxed and leaned forward, delving deeper inside of Diamond’s body with his rod until he had to take a step forward on his own to keep going. The sensation was incredible and he suddenly understood the pony obsession with sex as he took another short step forward.

Diamond braced her hooves in the bed and whimpered at her own unexplainable experience, a sensation she’d never imagined of having something inside of her back there. She chuckled once at the memory of only a few months before of being a die hard lesbian, now giving herself to a colt she’d once hated with a passion.

Then her attention was pulled back to the moment as he started to pull out, sending fears through her mind. Was I bad at it? Is he done with me? Will Silver be the lead mare? It feels so weird, but good, I don’t want him to leave me.

Her worries were unfounded as he did something she’d only heard stories of… he was having sex with her. In and out were part of the process, and maybe she’d bear his foal from this. A new worry planted itself in her mind as she also reveled in the sensation his attentions were giving her. What if I miscarry? What if I’m a bad mom like mine? What if… oh, that’s good.

A minute passed and she gave into the pleasure, letting it build in new ways and places she’d never thought to know about, nor thought would ever really happen.

Before she knew it, her body was seized with shivers and tingles she’d never experienced before, but ones she liked… and Snickers wasn’t done yet. Why isn’t he done yet? Stallions and colts don’t last more than half a minute. Silver should have had to help me orgasm… he’s still going!

Diamond moaned as her grip on the bedding tightened, the sound of their union heavy in the room. Diamond looked back to see Silver focusing her attention on Snickers, nibbling his cheeks and licking at his ear tips, nuzzling under his chin and doing everything she could to help him finish.

Diamond felt a rush of warmth trickle down her legs as she came again, shaking her head with a restrained whinney. “Okay, switch, or something… I can’t… Silver, help get him off of me,” she asked, face red with embarrassment after her body’s reactions.

“Snickers, honey, did you hear Diamond?” Silver asked.

Snickers, for his part, had a steady rhythm going and was lost in the moment, but he heard Silver’s voice asking him something. She asked again and he blinked back to reality, somewhat. “What?”

“It’s my turn now, honey, okay?” Silver said, brushing a forehoof across his cheek.

“But, I don’t wanna stop, not yet.” Snickers weakly replied.

“Oh, sweet Celestia, it’s happening again, Silver…” Diamond swore and pulled a pillow up to stuff into her mouth, nearly losing balance and face planting into the bedframe. She was able to contain most of her scream of ecstasy, by it wouldn’t do for her to keep screaming into a pillow when her whinnies were almost just as audible as normal.

“Diamond, it’s not gonna feel right, but you gotta lay down on your belly to get him to stop. My mom told me that was one way to get a stallion to stop, so it should work.” Silver advised.

“But, that’s just weird. Can’t you just… pull him… ugh… off?” Diamond managed between moans.

“Just do it or you’ll have to wait until he’s done.” Silver said.

Diamond shakily lowered her forelegs and began curling up on herself, noting the slowing of Snicker’s motions as her tunnel wasn’t perfectly in line with his shaft anymore. He finally stepped back and she shuddered for a few seconds. Silver Spoon moved beside Diamond, checking on her lead mare.

“How do you feel?” Silver asked her friend as Diamond sighed and laid her head on the pillow she’d been chewing on a moment before. Silver restrained a laugh at how Diamond was rendered speechless for the first time, and how it came to happen. She was going to tease her friend, but instead saw her opportunity.

Something she’d been wanting for over a month at this point. Silver took a stance and flagged her tail, inviting Snickers into herself. Snickers was running on lust and instinct and didn’t waste much time taking his position on her back, forelegs hooked across Silver’s hips, and with a couple searching motions he was back at it.

Silver’s tongue slipped from her mouth as she stood strong like a mare and took Snickers’s healthy pounding, not made any better by his leaning forward and nibbling on her mane and neck. Something he notedly didn’t do for Diamond Tiara. Silver’s braid was being undone with every nibble and tug he gave and she loved it.

“Silver Spoon…” Snickers mumbled as he pressed deeper than he had with Diamond, sending a small pinch of pain deep inside of Silver that was still overshadowed by the pleasure she was receiving.

“Snickers… what?” Silver managed between panting breaths.

Snickers didn’t say another word, the sounds of their lovemaking being the only ones in the room. Silver was the next one to break under Snickers’s huge onslaught, peaking before she could get a pillow in her muzzle to stop her frantic cries of ‘more’. Silver laid down and curled up, leaving Snickers still aroused and confused.

“What about me?” He asked.

Diamond lifted her head groggily and chortled. Silver yawned cutely. “Silver Spoon, I always said you have a magic mouth…” Diamond offered.

Silver gulped and looked at the massive member and then back to Diamond. “But, it’s covered with… us juices.” She grimaced.

Diamond booped Silver’s snout. “Well, somepony’s gonna have to get him to finish, and tradition says it has to go in me first because I’m the lead mare. So…”

Silver sighed and waved Snickers closer, ready to do her duty as second mare to her herd. Snickers sat down, then lowered his head and took himself in his mouth with a hum. Both fillies froze and watched the colt autofellate himself for several seconds before he pulled his head back. “There, I’m almost there, just finish it.” He said, almost pleading.

Silver moved quickly and began using her hooves to stroke him off, earning a shaking moan from the colt. Silver was surprised to see nothing come out when he finally peaked, especially after everything she’d ever heard. Diamond didn’t seem to care, lying down and stretching out again.

Diamond pulled Snickers between herself and Silver Spoon on the bed. “So,” Snickers started as both fillies began to fall asleep, “can we do it again?”

“Later, we’ll talk about it when we wake up…” Diamond yawned and nuzzled as close as she could to Snickers.

“How’d you go for so long?” Silver asked as she cuddled up to Snickers.

Snickers hummed. “I told you I went for about half an hour before.”

Both filles shared a strained look before Diamond spoke up. “That was barely five minutes, I think… if you didn’t do that to yourself…”

“Next time we’ll try some positions,” Silver offered, “my moms say it helps if the stallion lasts too long. Usually from a potion, not because of whatever that was.”

Diamond yawned and squeaked. “That was amazing, sweetie. I’m kinda hungry now, though. And sleepy. I thought only the stallion was supposed to be sleepy after that.”

Snickers hummed. “I’m doing fine. I kinda wanna go out to play, anypony wanna come with me?”

Silver tittered. “I tried,” she mused. Snickers rolled his eyes but the joke went over Diamond’s head.

“That was really fun, we gotta do that again,” Diamond stated. “I need a nap, wake me in a little bit, okay?”

She nuzzled Snickers and in the ensuing silence fell asleep quickly while Snickers and Silver lay looking at the wooden ceiling, wanting to do something but not knowing what. “So, wanna go for a walk?” Snickers offered.

Silver looked across to Diamond and shook her head. “I can’t leave her like this, but you can go out if you want.”

Snickers shook his head. “And get foalnapped or lost? I think I’ll be fine with you two.”

Snickers looked down to see Diamond cuddled and curled against him and he smiled at the exhausted filly. “Was it everything you hoped?”

Diamond barely hummed in agreement as she drifted asleep with a slight smile. Silver giggled and sat up. “I think it was a great first time, and next time’s gonna be, like, even better,” she said, brushing a forehoof through her messy mane. “Oh my gosh, I need to rebraid my mane before we go out.”

She rolled from the bed and landed on her hooves deftly, moving to a mirror against the wall to unbraid her mane before starting it over. Snickers lifted his head to watch in awe at how a filly with hooves alone could so easily braid hair. Slipping aside so as to not wake Diamond, he sat up and brushed his mane from his face.

He noticed the wet spot on the sheets and wondered if that would be an extra charge, but dismissed it as being something they’d be long gone before it was discovered and they’d be fine sleeping around it, if possible. He wondered when they’d do it again, and if he’d be able to last as long, or have more help to finish.

He pushed the thoughts from his mind and carefully got out of bed, rolling to his hooves after crawling from the bed, he joined Silver Spoon by the mirror and grimaced. “My mane is messy, why didn’t you tell me how messy it’s been?” He commented, looking at the cute colt in the mirror with a frizzy mane.

Silver glazed aside at him. “It’s not that bad, honey. It’s been getting like that over the last day, I kinda like it.”

He went to his saddle bag and dug inside, pulling out a brush kit before returning to the mirror. “I just can’t even understand what you see in a mane like this,” he groused. He began brushing his mane down, wondering why the mares at the supposed spa didn’t fix it. Then he remembered they were more interested in his cum than his grooming. He frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Silver asked.

“Just that this town kinda sucks. I can’t wait to get out onto the road, even if it’s with Trixie, and to that next city, whatever it is.”

Silver shrugged as she neared halfway with her mane braid. “I don’t remember, but I’m sure she’ll ditch us when we get there so we’ll be able to travel around a bit and learn new stuff to take back home. We are going home someday, right, honey?”

Snickers nodded. “Sure, but it might not be for a year or so. It’s already been a week and so much has happened, I wanna know what the world is like before I go back. Besides, I still have to earn my cutie mark, no better place than in a wild new land.”

Diamond snored from the bed, pulling a pillow into a tight embrace.

Silver sighed. “I guess that’s okay. What about mail, though? Can’t we write some letters home to let them… oh, nevermind; there’s no post between Equestria and this side of the veil.”

“What is the veil, anyway? I was gonna ask Kiwe, but it’s been kinda crazy lately.” Snickers asked.

“It’s a magical defense that surrounds Equestria from outside dangers. Once a creature is accepted into Harmony, they can pass freely, otherwise they only see something like the badlands or a desert, or something, that makes them think twice before crossing into our borders.”

Snickers looked aside to her. “That sounds complicated. Why not just ban every non-pony from entrance without paperwork? Or maybe--” He stopped when Silver looked at him with an indescribable expression that spoke volumes. “--or maybe I can just let Mommy take care of it.”

Snickers realized he didn’t feel any compulsions from Aquelis during the sexual encounter, but he decided now wasn’t the time to meet in the mindscape to talk about it with his counterpart.

Snickers shook his head at the thought. “Why is my love life so complicated?” he asked his mirror self, watching his mane smooth and curl at the end, just the way he preferred it.

“Because,” Silver answered, “you think too much, I think. Just, let life happen and it’ll, like, work out fine.”

…

Morning After

Playing outside turned out to be okay in Stirge. The town came across a lot like Ponyville, except the buildings had wooden roofs and there were very few pegasi in the sky. Other foals joined in and accepted the travelers without any problems, only asking questions about their cutie marks and what Snickers hoped his would be.

Kiwe stayed on the sidelines with Cress watching like doting parents over their foals playing with unknown ponies in an unknown town. Gil had chosen to stay in the hotel with the egg, not caring about enjoying the evening surrounded by ponies. It was more important for him to preen his feathers than to spend time with the fillies and colts, and his attitude wasn’t helping.

While the others played, Diamond had awoken and chose to stay in, too; choosing to wait to wash until the others had returned. She, instead, took stock of their traveling supplies and spent a little time cooing at the unhatched griffon egg Gil was watching over.

The park they played at was one of three they learned about, but it was closest to the inn they were staying at, which made sense since they were going to be tired when they were done. After making fast friends with other foals, the hours passed quickly at the park and even Kiwe joined in some of the games while Cress watched from the sidelines.

Trying to talk to a couple of foals and adults turned her off from the idea of socializing. Being the first ‘vampony’ most had ever seen, the locals were understandably wary. Leading to the foals playing keep away, with the adults keeping a close eye on the bat filly that clearly stood out from the crowd with her leathery wings and fanged teeth.

Gradually, the stars emerged and parents began to call their foals in, leaving the group alone in the night. Snickers urged Silver Spoon to gather Diamond and Kiwe so they could stargaze as they watched the moon rise. Lying on some grass, the few friends began to tire as stars twinkled and shooting stars danced across the sky.

Eventually, some clouds drifted overhead, the untamed weather making itself known as clouds moved freely without pegasi intervention. They called it a night when yawns began spreading through them all, and they returned to the inn and decided who was going to bathe when. Snickers and his fillies chose to go first, too tired to play in the small tub. They quickly washed one another before retiring to their room and climbing back into bed together.

“Can we have sex again, sweetie?” Diamond asked, her tail flopping once against the bed.

“Too tired to mount you, maybe in the morning?” Snickers offered with an eye roll.

Silver gasped and sat up, climbing to sit on his belly. “My moms taught me about mares being on top! You just get hard and I’ll teach you both how it’s done… it can’t be that tough, right?”

Snickers looked at Silver, straddling him, and glanced aside at a hopeful Diamond, just before a stirring started that he couldn’t ignore. “It’s safe, right?” Snickers asked, looking up into wisteria eyes that promised pleasure.

…

Snickers awoke in a tangle of limbs, a rare thing given how both fillies seemed to, each night, want to hold him protectively. This morning though, he looked to his right to see Silver’s tail and to the left to find Diamond’s forehooves in his face. He chose Silver’s tail to turn towards, since startling a filly with hard hooves inches from his face seemed like a bad idea.

“Silver,” he said, poking her flank with his snout, “I gotta pee.”

Silver squeaked and turned over so her teats were in Snickers’ face, then she looked down herself at him. “Morning, sweetie,” she whispered. “Want me to go with you?” She asked as she twisted and scooted around to bring her muzzle to his. She pressed her lips to his and they let the moment linger before she pulled back, slipping her tongue back into her mouth as she swallowed.

“Huh? Uh, oh, yeah, I gotta use the toilet,” Snickers reiterated. Silver giggled and kissed him once more before she rolled away and off the bed, kicking the damp sheets and blankets off her as she went. Snickers followed, noting how Diamond was still asleep, after their before bed love making she’d passed out on him before Silver had even gotten a turn. Now Diamond was a mildly sweat-soaked mess with fur that needed proper grooming.

He shivered a little when he remembered what Silver had done with her lips and mouth a scant few hours earlier. Snickers shook his head as he followed Silver Spoon to the bathroom. “What did you girls do to me last night, Silver?” Snickers asked as they went into the hallway to the shared bathroom.

Silver looked back and flagged her tail exposing herself to him, catching Snickers’s eye. “Exactly what a mare is supposed to do to her stallion. I’m just glad we did everything right, one mistake and who knows what would have happened…” she let the thought linger as she pushed open the bathroom door. “Stud’s first,” she said, bowing slightly.

“I’m not a stud, I’m just me,” Snickers said, blushing a little as he passed her.

Silver shut the door behind them and waited as Snickers relieved himself, then she took her turn, making sure to keep an eye on the door for some reason. When they’d finished and were leaving, Trixie appeared from seemingly nowhere, scaring Snickers into a repressed scream.

“Damn, you’re so ugly without your illusion,” Snickers said, averting his eyes.

“And you’re a natural asshole,” Trixie snapped, glancing at her foreleg to make sure she was still blue, “leave Trixie alone, colt, or she’ll show you the respect you’ve earned from her, you disrespectful little shit!”

The duo’s ears folded back at her tirade and they quickly left the mare to her own devices as they rushed back down the hall to their room. “What was that about?” Silver finally asked when they felt safe enough to talk again.

“I think she might be hungover, did you smell her when she was yelling at me?” Snickers offered.

“I don’t make it a point to smell other mares, that’s not my problem. Maybe she got pregnant from last night and is just, like, hormonal, or whatever.” Silver offered.

Diamond lifted her head from the pillow she was on. “Who’s pregnant? I’m not pregnant, am I?” She asked.

“You’re not pregnant,” Silver said, leaving Snickers and returning to the bed to shake Diamond. “None of us are, it’s not the right time of year and our stallion is still too young to do his part in that.”

Diamond lay her head down again before yawning. “It feels so good, but it’s so exhausting practicing to make foals. I always thought Twist was joking when she said it felt great, but nopony ever said how much work it was. And, I dunno why, but I still want more.”

Silver smiled and looked back to Snickers, noting the need for all of them to brush again. “I’ve never heard of a stallion, or even a colt, going for as long as ours does. Not without magic or potions. Diamond, we hit the jackpot!”

Diamond raised a foreleg weakly. “Yay, jackpot.” Her leg dropped to the bed before she sighed and sat up, her beautiful mane; ragged and disheveled. The other two giggled at her messy mane, some tangled in her tiara. “What?”

“Your mane needs attention, Diamond,” Silver said, moving to her saddlebags. “Don’t worry sis, I’ve got you covered.”

“Herd sisters, not real sisters, right?” Snickers clarified somewhat jokingly as he went to get his own grooming kit.

“Like, what’s it matter? We’re yours and you’re ours, we’re a family now, especially after last night… several times last night,” Silver giggled.

Snickers didn’t react, instead he picked through his brush kit and moved to Silver and began brushing her face gently. “Hush and let me take care of you,” he said firmy. Silver went silent and sat still, allowing her stallion to groom her.

Diamond lay on her belly on the bed and watched the grooming for a moment before she used her forehoof to brush her bed mane down. “That’s so romantic,” she sighed. “We’re so lucky, aren’t we, Silver?”

Silver nodded curtly, moving as little as possible as Snickers brushed under her chin and began to work down her neck. She looked at Diamond before carefully working her jaw. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more in love than I have been right now.”

“Snickers, you do know that grooming a mare is a special somepony thing, right?” Diamond said as she settled back down.

“More than what happened last night?” He mused as he switched the brush from one hoof to the other.

“That’s different,” Diamond started, “that’s sexual, this is romantic, more than I think you understand. Didn’t you ever groom those blank-- er, crusaders you were with?” Diamond stammered.

The scathing look Snickers shot at her was enough to remind her that he was still a blank flank, and he meant more to her than some insults. “First of all, I’m still a blank flank, so don’t use that term. Second, I never groomed anypony before now, this is my first time. Mom, er, Rarity took me to the spa every other day, so it wasn’t a problem for me back there.”

Silver blushed and leaned aside to kiss Snickers on the cheek. “You’re the best colt ever-”

Just then, a hard rapping sound from the door cut off the rest of Silver’s speech as Cress called out; . “Hey, time to wake up! We’ve got to get ready to go, lovebirds.”

“We’re grooming, give us a few minutes!” Diamond shouted back.

“Sure, like it’ll matter when we’re sweating on the path,” Cress said flatly. “Hurry up, we’re going downstairs for breakfast and we all know you need food after last night’s… fun you had.”

The trio stopped what they were doing and they all blushed. “We don’t know what you’re talking about.” Diamond answered after a long few seconds of silence.

There wasn’t a reply, which made them more anxious about what was heard from their room.

Quickly attending to themselves, they brushed their manes into manageable styles before gathering everything they had used through the night. Silver groaned when she came across the absorbent pads she’d taken from her home, having hoped to use them to keep herself cleaner than she ended up being the morning after her first time.

Each foal knew they smelled like sex, but hoped if they ignored it nopony else would notice. “Maybe we can take a quick bath before we go to breakfast,” Diamond offered.

The others agreed, but gave up on the idea when they saw a line of four other ponies for the shared bathroom. They went downstairs fully prepared for the day and entered a medium sized dining room only for the half dozen creatures, their friends not included yet, to fall silent. Slowly, one pony they didn’t recognize began to clap.

Two more joined in and before two seconds passed the room was filled with clapping hooves. “Whoo-hoo, there’s the stallion we heard about!”
“I lost count after six times, my stallion can’t even go two!” A mare cheered.
“How are they walking after all that?” A stallion shouted, filling the room with laughter.

Trixie appeared from behind the embarrassed herd. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is impressed at your virility, young stallion, and is jealous of your fillies. Go forth into the dining room with your heads held high, for last night will go down in history!” She threw a foreleg up into the air as sparks followed its path.

The little herd tried to back out, only to bump into the other members of their group. “Oh, no you don’t,” Gil teased. “We had to hear you all through the night, you have to eat with us this morning and suffer with the teasing you’re gonna get.”

Snickers whimpered quietly enough to be heard just barely, but it was enough to earn him a shove from the side. “Buck up, Snickers,” Diamond said, standing as tall as she could, “this whole town is about sex and all that,” she leaned in closer to whisper to him, “let’s see if we can get a discount on breakfast.”

A minute later the whole group sat around a table while Trixie sat at another table, speaking about herself in full glory. “Ma’am, we’re ready to order,” Kiwe called out to the proprietor. The mare hurried over with a notepad in her magic and a strained smile on her muzzle.

“What can I get ya darlings?” She paused, as recognition dawned on her features, “Oh, ho, the trio that kept us up till late, or so I hear,” she teased and looked down at Snickers and his herd, sitting side by side on a bench seat.

“Yeah, that’s us. We’re really hungry after all that, can we get a discount or something free to recover our energy?” Diamond asked.

“Sorry, love, but the cleanup after all you did is going to cost us a load of laundry more than usual. I’ll say that one of you had a cute moan, though. Now, what’ll you have?”

Frowning, Diamond picked up her menu and glanced it over before ordering, the others at the table following suit.

“That was, like, the most humiliating thing I’ve ever heard,” Silver stated when the mare had turned away. “It was an unforgettable night, but, like, I wanna hide in the room forever now.”

“Do not have such shame for what you did, from what we heard it was splendid.” Kiwe rhymed.

“Yeah, you got hammered all night by this machine of a stallion here,” Gil winked at Silver Spoon and reached across the table and held a fist for a bump. Snickers glared at the offending offer. “Whatever, I think the whole inn knows about it. If you wanted to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t moan or make little horsey noises so much.”

Diamond scoffed and shoved the fist away. “Shut up, Gil. You haven’t even been with a mare, I bet.”

Gil sat back and nodded. “True, I prefer my hens to have wings, at least. Mares are too much work, from what I hear.”

Kiwe smirked aside at the gryphon between himself and Cress. “I agree.”

Gil looked down at the colt and snapped his beak. “It’s your fault I’m spending the next two months carrying this egg, so keep that huge horse cock to your own species.”

Kiwe grinned. “Your sister said I was better than any gryphon she’d ever had, you have every reason to be mad.”

Gil growled to himself and focused his attention on the spoon he’d just bent to ruin. “Dumb ponies and their…” he grumbled to himself.

“He’s just mad that pony cock is ten times bigger than gryphon cock,” Trixie said aloud from a table away. “Maybe we should compare sizes!”

The room full of ponies chuckled while Gil frowned. “Stupid mare,” he grumbled.

“Compare! Compare! Compare!” Trixie chanted, pounding her hoof on the table in good humor.

“Enough of that!” The inn owner shouted as she reentered the dining room. “I won’t have creatures flopping around in my dining room if I can help it. Mare, you keep it up and I’ll have to ask you to leave,” she turned to face Trixie.

Trixie’s grin didn’t fade. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will concede, but only because she’s hungry after having three stallions last night all to herself.”

“You had better have at least cleaned up before you sat down at that table, Miss Trixie,” the owner scolded. “I have a hard enough time keeping this inn clean with the nature of this town.”

Trixie laughed boisterously. “Trixie is nothing if not courteous to her gratious hosts, the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t leak like some first time fillies,” she said, looking pointedly at Snickers’s herd.

“Hey! He’s not even old enough to do that, yet,” Diamond shouted at Trixie.

Silver placed a forehoof on Diamond’s shoulder. “Diamond, use your manners and don’t let her get under your skin. We’re mares now, unlike some ponies.”

Trixie tittered and waved her forehoof at the table of travelers. “Let Trixie bask in her afterglow, foals.”

Diamond stood up on the table with her forehooves before she caught the looks she was getting from around the room. She realized she was being toyed with by a very immature mare, then she sat down and sighed. “Do we have to travel with her?” She asked openly.

“No, but we are going in the same direction…” Kiwe said.

“We’ll stay with her until the next city, then we can ditch her and go on our own adventure,” Snickers stated firmly.

The others around the table nodded their agreement. Gil tapped a talon on the table for attention. “So, was it really your first time last night?” He asked the herd.

Snickers nodded while the fillies leaned against him. “Yeah, why?”

“Well, I thought you were having sex since before I met you.” Gil said, holding the egg a little closer to himself.

“Why are you bringing this up now?” Silver Spoon asked. “It’s kinda weird.”

“Everything about this town is weird! Those mares I was talking to yesterday tried to get me to go to their house for a quickie before you showed up. I was asked three times to sire a baby by them before I left… I’ve never been so uncomfortable around sex my entire life,” Gil admitted. “Sure, sex is great, but I’ve never wanted a pony and never will. Not only that, but that bitch over there has a point… I don’t even know how my sister took all Kiwe had, it should’ve been way too big for her!”

Kiwe patted the gryphon on the side. “If you’d like, I can tell you about it.”

Gil’s wings nearly opened in shock. “No! The last thing I want to do is hear about you having sex with my sister!” Once again, the room fell silent as Cress shot him a glare and raised her eyebrows in exasperation. Gil panted and clicked his beak twice in frustration. “Where’s the food? I think I need to get a fly in before I go crazy.”

“Gil,” Silver said, tapping the fork on the table, “we just ordered. It’s gonna be a few minutes, at least.”

Gil groaned and looked up. “Gul, you so owe me for all of this.”

…

The meal was eaten quickly and the group returned to their rooms to gather their travel supplies. There was a knock on the door to Snickers’s room and Silver Spoon opened the door to see Trixie standing tall with her classic outfit on.

“Behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie has a message for you, colt. Come forward to receive it, please!” Trixie announced loud enough to be heard across the inn. Snickers frowned slightly at her but moved to greet her. “Before you speak, Trixie would like to apologize for how she greeted you this morning.

“Yes, Trixie is apologizing and means it. I should not have spoken to you in such a way and will buy you a special treat when we get to Frond, then she will leave you to your own devices as she has many other things to worry about beyond what some foals are doing,” she said and turned away.

“Uh, thanks, I guess,” Snickers said to Trixie’s tail.

“Trixie doesn’t need your appreciation, only your adoration. The next time there is a show Trixie performs, don’t leave in the middle of it!” She stated and trotted quickly down the hall.

Snickers shut the door and turned to his fillies. “I don’t like her.”

“I don’t think anypony does, sweetie,” Silver said. “Now, get your bags on and I’ll help you tighten them. We don’t want to drop anything while we’re on the road, do we?” She asked rhetorically.

Snickers slipped his bags on and exhaled sharply when the girth strap was cinched a little to quickly. “I don’t think I’ll lose anything, but thanks for cutting off circulation to my back half.”

Silver scoffed. “Don’t be a baby about it. Diamond, are you ready?”

Diamond slipped her shoes on her hooves and tapped the floor lightly. “You bet, sis. C’mon, honey, let’s go.”

The group met outside the inn in the warm summer morning. Dew glistened off flowers that had yet to be cut for sale and several ponies were still setting up shop for the day ahead of them. Following Snickers, the rest were led from the warm feeling of being in town to the cooler sensation of being in the untamed woods.

“Daddy!” Laxxie shouted from the bushes she’d rooted herself into over the night. “Am I going to be a sister? I felt your unions last night through our link and that’s how your kind make more, right?” She hopped around the herd happily.

Silver and Diamond looked over Snickers’s back to one another when Snickers stomped a hoof. “Laxxie! That’s inappropriate talk, and no; you’re not going to be a sister yet.”

Diamond and Silver grinned to one another. “Yet?” Diamond asked.

“I think he likes the idea, Diamond,” Silver sing-songed. “Snickers and his herd, sitting in a tree-”

“Stop it, please,” Snickers pleaded. “If this is how it’s going to be from now on, I swear I’ll let Aquelis dictate my sex life.”

“Wow, that’s harsh,” Cress grimaced. “Isn’t he some imaginary friend of yours? You’d take that thing’s advice over your own herd?”

Snickers sighed. “Aquelis is Mommy’s son, he lives in my head as a ghost… that just sounds so weird saying it.”

Laxxie stopped to face her father. “Daddy’s right, there’s two poines in his body, but only Daddy is the Alpha.”

Cress rolled her eyes and flapped her leathery wings. “Right, and I know Princess Luna personally. Are we done with this place? I’m done with this place.”

Snickers closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, then exhaled before turning back to the town. “We have to wait for Trixie, then we can leave.”

“What?! Why do we have to wait for that dumb blue pony when the path is literally right here!” Gil snapped, pointing to the rough road they were on.

“Because, we don’t know the way to Frond and having an adult with powerful magic would be a good thing to have until we get there.” Snickers stated factually.

“I’m flying ahead,” Gil said and opened his wings. He flapped twice and began to fly away, holding the egg swaddled to his body close with his talons as he gained height.

Kiwe was buffeted by the takeoff, but raised a foreleg to get Snickers’s attention. “Brother, I have news that may make you happy. I have been creating tools with my alchemy that will be quite helpful in our travels ahead.”

“Like what? More potions to keep our stallion sexually repressed?” Diamond snarked.
“It has become clear that those do not work, and magic fails after a short time with him. However, I have made various potions that will aide our escape from danger or keep danger at bay.” Kiwe said, adjusting his saddlebags. “I hope to not have to use any, but my mother, Oluwatabe, taught me how to craft some powerful potions… and I have a recipe book, too.”

“Your mom’s name is weirder than yours,” Silver said before she could stop herself. She covered her mouth with a hoof. “I’m so sorry, Kiwe, I didn’t mean to insult your mom.”

Kiwe waved her concern off and lit his horn, taking a small drawing from his left saddlebag. “This is how I remember my mother,” he said, turning a very well drawn sketch of a zebra mare smiling toward his friends. “She was a mystic in her tribe in Zebrica.”

“She’s very pretty,” Diamond said. Silver nodded in agreement.

Cress glanced at the drawing and her upper lip twitched as she turned to look back at the town.

Snickers smiled. “She’s probably a great fighter, too, right?”

Kiwe nodded and returned the picture to his bag. “She taught me how to fight, and when to use it; wrong or right.”

Suddenly, a plume of grey smoke billowed out between the remaining group and surrounded them. Laxxie growled like a timberwolf as she was enveloped along with the others. “Behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie has-” Trixie started as the fog was pushed away by her magic. She didn’t get a chance to finish as Laxxie had grown sharp teeth and lunged at the blue mage.

Wooden teeth sank into Trixie’s leg, startling everypony there, except Trixie herself. “Snickers, can you call your golem off of my leg?” Laxxie loosened her grip and Trixie pulled her foreleg free. “Dumb thing, that could have really hurt me!”

Laxxie’s little ears drooped at the scolding. “I didn’t know it was-”

Trixie scoffed. “Save it for a pony that cares. Trixie will have to have her leg looked at when we get to Frond, so until then, keep your timber fangs away from me.”

Laxxie whimpered while Snickers stepped up. “Leave her alone, Trixie. She didn’t do anything but protect us and your dumb fake leg is fine.”

Trixie lifted her head, exemplifiying her height over the colt. “Do not talk to Trixie about what that thing does, it is a wild beast at heart and Trixie won’t stand idly by as it gains a taste for her pony flesh.”

Snickers turned to Laxxie and patted her wooden back. “Did the mean pony there scare you? It’s okay, she’s just a showoff that doesn’t know any better.”

“Why you-” Trixie started.

“But, I’m sure she knows better than to do that again,” Snickers said, glancing pointedly at Trixie while still comforting Laxxie, “because next time she might get her real leg bitten into.”

Trixie used her magic to dispel the rest of the smoke from the area with a gust of wind. Everypony turned away and closed their eyes while Laxxie sniffled dryly and blinked the dust from her mystical vision.

Trixie huffed. “There, Trixie has cleared the air and we can go now. Follow her to Frond*, or don’t, the friend I intend to meet won’t care for you, so you can go your own way when we arrive. Perhaps you can find another adult to annoy on the next leg of your journey.”

The foals gathered themselves and followed after Trixie into the woods, somewhat begrudgingly. “Why’d she turn into such a bitch?” Diamond asked Snickers quietly.

“I think it has something to do with this town, maybe she didn’t have as much of a good time as she said.” He answered.

Diamond rolled her eyes. “She didn’t groom her tail, you can see all the sperm in it, for Celestia’s sake.”

Silver hushed them. “She was with three stallions last night, she said. Maybe it didn’t go that well and she’s… what’d mama call it? Pent up.”

Snickers snickered at the fillies. “Girls, maybe she’s just a bitch.”

Trixie’s ears perked up at his normal volume comment, but she didn’t turn around or offer any commentary.

“Brother, perhaps it is wise not to test her. She may leave us alone in these woods with only a path to follow without direction,” Kiwe offered.

“I’m not doing anything to anyone. I’m just saying some people are just jerks, others have moments. Maybe Trixie’s a really nice pony that just had a bad night.”

“Whatever,” Silver said with finality, “we aren’t going to know the answer, and I’m not letting this be the start to the day I became a mare! Snickers, tell us a story of where you’re from, that’ll be interesting.”

“Or we can sing a traveling song,” Kiwe offered from the rear of the group.

“Oh, hell no! I’m not singing some heart song, not if I can help it,” Snickers said.

“It doesn’t have to be a heart song, honey,” Diamond said, “we can sing any normal song, you know.”

“I’ll just tell a story, okay? Let’s see…”

Seldem

“Finally,” Diamond whined as she looked at the town they were approaching. It had been a long and boring four days traveling down the trail through the unnamed woods. No monsters, no bad dreams, not even a big bug problem.

“Trixie has led you from the woods at last, but you needn’t thank her, for she knows of your gratitude,” Trixie said with a flip of her mane.

Gil growled. “I think I’ll-”

“Yes, yes, Gil, you will fly ahead to ‘scout’ the area. You do this more than Trixie cares to hear about. Just go and return, as you do so often.” Trixie said to the gryphon.

Gil snapped his beak and took wing, leaving the others behind as he flew towards the nearby town.

“We need a break from one another, I think,” Snickers said. “It’s been almost two weeks we’ve been together now and I think Trixie is getting on all our nerves.”

Trixie scoffed. “You are following Trixie, don’t forget that, it’s not the other way around. If Trixie wasn’t so kind and generous, she would have left you in the Forest of Woe to die a slow and agonizing death. Remember that when you speak ill of her kindness.”

Silver opened her mouth and was about to snap at the mare, again, but she stopped when Diamond caught her eye. Silver, instead, sighed. “You’re right, Miss Trixie. I apologize and we all appreciate you helping us.”

Trixie flicked her tail side to side and looked back to the foals behind her. “That’s more like it. At least one of you knows how to show Trixie the respect she deserves.”

“Okay, so, like, what’s this Seldem town like? You haven’t, like, told us anything about it besides it’s the last town before Frand and to keep our bits close. Is it dangerous? Are we going to have to keep our stallion safe from dangerous muggers or, like, whatever?” Silver asked.

“Yeah, it would have been great to know Stirge was some deviant town all about sex before we went there and got propositioned,” Diamond added.

Trixie smirked. “You didn’t seem to mind staying up late enjoying what the town was known for, did you?” She winked her eye at Diamond who blushed a little pinker. “Anyway, Seldem is a town known for its goods at the markets and shops. High-quality stuff because it has a very rich lord who owns quarries and gem mines deeper into the continent.

“He sells gems and rocks across the nation and has turned his once little plot of land into a bustling town that may even become a city someday… and Gil returns,” Trixie commented. “What have you discovered, scouting ahead?” She asked sarcastically.

Gil looked at Snickers, ignoring the mare mocking him. “The town looks safe enough, there are two entrances into the wall, front and back, and there’s about a hundred creatures living inside. I was going to go in for a landing to check the place out, but I figured it would be too long a wait for you all to show up.”

“Thanks, I appreciate the help. So, we’ll be in town within two hours, let’s all be on our best behavior,” Snickers advised them all, “the last thing we want is to get into any trouble. First thing I think we need to find is an inn, then get settled before we go shopping and restock our travel supplies.

“Then we can have fun and do whatever until we have to leave. Cress, I need you to find the parks, so we can play. Kiwe,” the unicorn zony nodded, “I need you to find a good place to eat, or two. Laxxie, I want you to come into town with us and work with Silver Spoon to earn some local money.

“I know we have more than enough, but I want some souvenirs and I can’t think of anything better than local currency from the places we travel to. Plus, we can save our gold bits for more important things in the future.”

Gil cleared his throat, gathering the group’s attention. “There’s a restaurant that serves all creatures at the north end of town, there’s only one park with a playground near the center of town by the town hall, and I think I saw an inn just by the front entrance. What? I have eagle vision, you know,” he said proudly.

“Well,” Snickers said dejectedly, “I had a whole plan I’d worked on for the past couple of days, but since it’s all been taken care of by Gil, I guess we can just check into the inn and kill some time until supper.”

Silver Spoon flipped her braid. “Well, I thought it was very inspiring, hearing you take charge like that. You know what I can’t wait to do when we get to the inn?”

Trixie barked a laugh. “Have sex again?”

Silver frowned. “That’s not the only thing I think of! We haven’t even done anything since Stirge, and-”

“Calm down, Silver,” Snickers said firmly, “Trixie was just teasing. What were you going to say?”

Silver clenched her teeth while looking at the back of Trixie’s head for a couple seconds before relaxing her jaw. “As I was saying, I want to take a bath with the ponies I love and then put on my glasses again.”

“Why’d you stop wearing them?” Snickers asked.

“Because,” Silver said, glancing to her right saddlebag, “they get dirty and dusty. I just want to see clearly again, and have a proper bath. I’d even take a shower right now,” she said glumly. “I’m so tired of being dirty. My hooves are so dirty it’s like I’m a farmer,” she said looking at her forehooves as they moved her forward.

“We’re all like that, even Gil,” Diamond said.

“Don’t bring me into your pony problems,” Gil stated and ruffled his wings. “I don’t care about my paws or talons and I don’t think it matters. You’re too pampered and prissy, you should get used to your whole bodies being dirty at this point.”

“I believe it wise to wash at least one a week, lest we each begin to reek,” Kiwe supplied.

Snickers shook his head and mumbled something to himself. “If you don’t like it,” he finally said aloud, “you can always go home. I won’t hold it against you, but I can’t go back until I earn my mark and get off of foal service’s radar.”

“I am not leaving you,” Diamond said, moving to stand beside him while Silver did the same.

“Me, too. I’ll follow you wherever you go, no matter what.” Silver stated.

“Awe, how cute of the little herd,” Trixie stated venomously, “maybe you two can carry his foals while chasing down a dragon to keep him safe. You two don’t understand what it means to be in a real herd, just some filly fantasy of it. Just wait, you’ll get tired of him and move on, or he will. It’s just how it happens.”

“If I wanted your opinion, I’d have asked for it,” Snickers snapped. “I won’t leave them and they won’t leave me, so get over it; what we have is real.”

Trixie stopped and turned halfway to them, slowing them all to a stop. “You’re not even six yet! Most mares wait until they’re in their late teens at least to start a family, for Celestia’s sake!”

“We’re not your average herd,” Diamond said, “and who says we have to do what society says of us? My mother would have me act like a monster to any pony she doesn’t deem worthy, does that make her right?”

Trixie stomped a forehoof. “Trixie is not talking about your parents, bless their souls for putting up with you. A foal your age is too young to start a family, and you should know it.”

Silver narrowed her eyes at Trixie. “A foal can have babies just like any older pony, just because you haven’t found the right stallion doesn’t mean we haven’t.”

“Trixie is done with this nonsense, if you wish to try to carry a foal at your age, you must know the risks and consequences. Enjoy having sex until you’re old enough to become a broodmare for this colt you have fallen for, but mark my words, it won’t end well for any of you if you start too young.” Trixie turned back to the path and began walking again, leaving the foals with new thoughts and some worries to ponder.

…

The walls of Seldem were taller than those around Stirge, and more fortified with ponies walking across ramparts holding spears in their grasps. Snickers noticed nearly every guard looking down on them were unicorns with a few pegasi hovering overhead, keeping an eye on their own fliers. “Halt,” a guard wearing bronze armor said as they approached the entrance, “what’s your business here?”

Trixie stepped forward with a cocky grin. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned to put on a show, do some shopping, and refuel from her journey so far.”

“Trixie, it’s good to see you again. It’s been nearly two years, right?” The guard asked.

“Indeed. Trixie has a meeting with a friend in Frand, and has tagalongs this time,” she gestured to the group behind her. “They are all young and mean no harm, but they carry Equestrian bits of pure gold to trade with.”

The guard moved to look over the group and nodded. “Indeed they are young, are any of them yours?” he teased.

“Trixie’s body is not yet ready to be ruined by foaling, kind sir. Allow us to pass, so we may recover, now,” she stated and lit her horn, pulling a golden bit from under her cloak. She levitated it to the guard, who eagerly took it and slipped it into his armor pockets.

The guard stepped aside and waved his cohorts to do the same. “Have a good time and remember that thievery is dealt with harshly here, and we’re not like Stirge; if you’re caught doing anything indecent you’re liable for the charges and fines levied.”

“Yes, yes, we know,” Trixie said as she led the group into the gated town, “be civil and all that. Come along, foals, I’ll take you to the inn where you can relax and rest your little hooves.”

Trixie led the silent group into town and to the right where the inn was. They checked in and split into their own rooms and relaxed for an hour before curiosity caught up with them. Snickers, his fillies, and Laxxie left to find the park to play while Cress followed at a distance. Gil and Kiwe went to the nearest vendors and began buying supplies for the next leg of their trip, while Trixie went off on her own.

“Wow, is that a wooden pony?”
“What is it, mama?”
“I really like her mane!”

Laxxie stayed close to Snickers, pushing her way between Diamond and him to feel safe from the attention she was getting. “I don’t like towns, father.”

“You have to get used to them, especially when we get to the cities. I’m not going to leave you hiding in the woods or miles away from us while we’re going through a new place. What if we-” Snickers grunted as a stallion ran past them, bumping into Snickers as he hurried past.

“Hey! Rude,” Diamond exclaimed. “Are you okay, sweetie?” She asked, turning his muzzle to face her so she could look at him.

“I’m fine, I’m not a baby,” Snickers said, shaking free of her grip. “I was just saying, what if we went into this city from the north and left from the west after a day? You’d have to spend almost two days catching up… wait,” Snickers said and turned back to his saddlebags. He took them off and rummaged through them for a minute before pulling out a familiar cape.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot you had that,” Silver said. “Your old Cutie Mark Crusader cape, what’re you gonna do with it?”

Snickers used his mouth to flourish it across Laxxie’s back. “There,” he said as he clasped the catch, “it’ll hide most of your features. Maybe we can find a tailor like mom… Rarity, that can make you a hood to go with it.”

“Why are you so upset with Rarity? You keep calling her mom, then Rarity.” Diamond asked.

“Because she never wanted me,” Snickers said, somberly, “she said I should go live with Applejack, and that she never had a son. Never had me in her life. But, I don’t care about her, or Ponyville, or Equestria! That’s why we’re here, exploring new lands and earning me a cutie mark, right?”

Silver nuzzled Snickers. “Right, I was there when she said that and it was awful of her to do it. Like, why did she even bother trying if she didn’t want anything to do with you? And those Cutie Mark Dorksaders are just as much to blame, right Diamond?”

“Yeah, they should get their marks in backstabbing and lying… then they can move in with Rarity and live a happy life making colts miserable,” Diamond said, trying to be supportive.

Snickers tapped Laxxie’s wooden head. “At least I have everypony that matters to me here. Now, let’s see if there’s a spa in this town, a real one, not some massage parlor.”

…

The sun was midway to setting when Snickers found a little spa. He squealed and ran forwards to the door, pushed on it, and met resistance. He looked up to read the sign and was surprised to see two signs in two languages, one he knew from a lifetime ago. “What’s it say, Silvie?” Diamond asked as she caught up with Snickers.

“Closed for the day, come back tomorrow.” Silver read.

“What’s the other one say?” Diamond asked. “Same thing?”

“” Snickers said.

“Wait, isn’t that your human language… English, right?” Diamond asked.

Snickers touched the sign and looked back to the fillies. “What the hell is going on here?”

“Don’t worry, honey, I’m sure there’s a reason your language is written here.” Silver tried to think of a reason but didn’t have any. “Maybe it’s magic?”

“Magic doesn’t bring a language from another reality to a spa’s door, Silver!” Snickers said loudly. “I gotta find out why there’s English in a pony town. Sir? Sir!” He shouted as he galloped to a passing stallion that seemed to be not too busy. “What’s the bottom sign say? On the spa door?”

“Can’t you read? It says they’re closed for the day in Lorde’s Tongue.” The stallion said and continued on.

Snickers felt his blood run cold and he actually shivered. “Lorde? No, it couldn’t be…” He whispered and glanced back to the writing on the door. “It’s just a coincidence, it has to be.”

“What’s wrong, honey? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Diamond asked.

Laxxie spoke up. “President Lorde was a villain from before father came to Equestria, he made him do bad things that--” She went silent as Snickers shouted through their mental link for her to stop talking.

“What? What’d he make Snickers do?” Silver asked Laxxie. The timberpony just kept her muzzle closed and shook her head. “Are you going to be okay, Snickers?”

Snickers shrugged and sat down in the middle of the street, to the annoyance of many passing adults. “It can’t be, he died when I… no, I’m overthinking this, I just need to get myself groomed and pampered a little, maybe have my hooves filed a little…” he looked at the spa and then around the area.

“C’mon, we can’t just sit in the middle of the street. Let’s find the park and play, won’t that be fun! Think of the new friends we can make, then we can get a shake or ice cream. Stirge had ice cream, so this place has to as well right?” Diamond said with growing eagerness.

“Sure… sure! Yeah, that sounds like fun, and we haven’t had fun on a playground for days. Let’s do what you said, Diamond. Cress?” Snickers called to the filly that was standing by the spa door, trying to look nonchalant, “can you fly up and find the park? Please?”

…

While the foals played at the park, Laxxie found a sunny patch of grass to lie on, enjoying the natural snack she was able to partake in. Various creatures approached her, trying to find out what she was, only to be rebuked by Cress and explained off as a magically constructed toy for Snickers.

After the foals played at the park, Laxxie followed closely to her father’s herd. Her cape doing a better job helping her blend in, although not enough to stop adults’ eyes from lingering curiously, or the uncomfortable questions posed from passing foals. Even if they only stated obvious things such as her mane being grass or her body being wooden.

The whole day was awkward for her and as the sun set, she wanted more and more to return to the woods outside of town to root and perhaps hunt some small game to satisfy her truer timberwolf form. Her hope of leaving was dashed when she was led back into the inn and to their room.

“I think I need a bath more than ever,” Silver said as she shed her saddlebags.

“I know, Silvie. Almost a week of walking and then we go right into playing like we were three again, I don’t even want to know what I smell like,” Diamond concurred and sniffed her side once the bags were off her.

Snickers tossed his bags onto the pile and playfully sniffed the air. “I think you both smell fine, let’s go take a bath and get some supper. I heard bits are worth more than local money, which is good because we can get more food that way.”

“And Laxxie could use some water,” Silver said, pointing. “She hasn’t had any all day being in town like this. I think we’re pushing her too hard, she doesn’t look like she’s having fun. Are you having fun, Laxxie?”

Laxxie looked to Snickers and then to her mothers. “No, I don’t like being in town; it’s not natural.”

The fillies awe’d and Snickers moved to the door. Snickers spoke up. “I’ll take you to the wall, then, and you can go wait outside. I didn’t think you would be so uncomfortable, you did fine in Ponyville.”

“Ponyville didn’t have walls or rock roads,” Diamond said. “There was also a stream that went through town and no pony was as curious about Laxxie because Ponyville’s a weird town like that.”

Laxxie nodded, with everything necessary having been said, she moved to the open door. “Thank you for understanding,” she whispered and followed Snickers out of the door.

Diamond rushed to follow them. “I’m not leaving you alone, not until we know you’re not going to panic like you did that one time.”

“I’m not leaving you alone because I love you,” Silver said, rushing to follow.

As a group they briefly left town to let Laxxie into the woods, taking the cape back with them to their room at the inn. “Well,” Silver said once they’d returned. “The sun is going to set soon and we need a bath…”

Snickers was a step ahead of them, gathering their bathing supplies from each of their bags. “Way ahead of you. Let’s get clean, then get supper. I’m getting hungry and I wanna know what the others have been up to.”

…

“Welcome to Seldem’s only restaurant. I’m Blackbook and I’ll be serving you today! What would you like to drink to start?” A server mare offered once they were sat in individual chairs. The fillies of the group ordered wine while the males ordered water. “Fantastic choice, I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

Snickers sighed and pawed at his plate as the others began to talk about their day. “What’s wrong?” Diamond asked when she noticed Snickers wasn’t paying much attention to any conversation.

“Just… I feel like I’m running from my problems and taking you all with me. I’m not dragging you along, am I?” Snickers asked quietly.

Diamond turned and gave him a hug. “We’re with you because we care, not because we’re blindly following you.”

Snickers gave her a halfhearted hug back. “Should we have just stayed in Equestria? Ran from foal services that way?”

Silver stopped her conversation with Cress, noticing Snickers and Diamond’s hug. “What’s going on, Diamond?”

Diamond looked at Silver. “Nothing, just helping our stallion feel better.”

Sitting on individual chairs was inconvenient for the hug, but with a scoot the chairs were close enough for Silver to lean over and briefly wrap her forelegs around Snickers. “We love you and whatever’s going on, we’ll be there for you.”

The hug ended as the drink arrived. “Here you fillies go, and waters for the colts. Any idea what you’d like to eat?”

Snickers’s mind went straight down the gutter and he blushed a little. “Well, what do you have that has hay in it?”

“Haycakes, hay fries, hay burgers, even straight hay from the bale if you’d want. We can also mix it into anything we make, although I don’t think it’d go through a gryphon as well as a pony.” Blackbook offered.

Gil asked for some meat while the others ordered a variety of dishes. Snickers enjoyed talking with Kiwe about their day and Cress joined in to talk about their supplies. The rest of the meal went by quickly and before they knew it they were done eating with distended bellies and content smiles all around.

“Bacon wrapped rodent stuffed with breading? More please,” Gil joked while the others wondered what red meat tasted like. Not wanting to end up on the toilet for hours, they didn’t even try what he’d offered during the meal as a sample, but fish was a nice substitute. The cook knew how to make a tasty fish dish that went well with hay as well.

“That’ll be twelve coins,” Blackbook said when she’d returned. Diamond pulled out a bit and held it in her hoof. “Dear me! Is that real gold?”

“Yes, is that a problem?” Diamond asked.

“Not at all,” Blackbook said, taking the bit in her lips. She dropped it into her apron with a grin. “I don’t have to worry about rent for the rest of the night now, thank ya kindly!”

Diamond smiled cordially. “You’re welcome. Say, how much is an Equestrian bit worth here?”

“You could buy a house in town with about fifty of these, why, got any more?” Blackbook asked, her eyes almost twinkling.

Diamond shook her head. “Sorry, we don’t have any more to spare. We’re on a journey to Frand and can’t spend all our money in one place, as I’m sure you know.”

Blackbook nodded. “I understand, but please, don’t hesitate to meet with the mayor or the treasurer to open a bank account, I’m sure your business would be appreciated and--”

“Waitress, more wine!” A stallion called out.

Blackbook sighed and took her leave quickly with a slight bow of her head.

…

Back at the inn, after the sun had set, and after a thorough bath; Snickers, Diamond, and Silver returned to their room to relax. Kiwe knocked on their door shortly after they’d finished grooming one another with a list of supplies he’d purchased and how cheap it had been.

After sharing the news and returning to the room he shared with Gil and Cress, Snickers flopped onto the bed with a sigh. “I think today went great. We’ve gotta take a day here just to relax and recover from the last few days.”

There was an explosion of fireworks and they knew Trixie was hosting another impromptu show. They talked about going but Silver had an urge she couldn’t deny anymore. Diamond was the first to start and before any of them could talk about seeing Trixie’s show, they were in bed with the candle burning low and the shutters closed for the rest of the night.

Frenemies

“Ahh, breakfast, the most important meal of the day… right along with the rest.” Snickers said as he took his seat. The others agreed with him and began talking about whatever crossed their minds. “Kiwe, do you wanna play at the park today? I made a couple friends that might like to meet a unique pony like you.”

Kiwe smiled. “I am not for show, but I still will go. Playing in a park sounds fun, I do not wish you to be the only one.”

“I’m not asking you to come so you can be some sideshow, just come along for fun. There’s a cute filly that you might like, she’s into magic and she’s not even a unicorn.” Snickers offered.

Kiwe thought it over. “Perhaps she likes mixing herbs into potions, I would like to meet her for that, if nothing else.”

“Great, I ask you to play and you make it into an alchemy lesson,” Snickers said in good humor.

Kiwe shrugged. “It is important to know these things, especially in these wilds.”

“Wilds?” Snickers asked. “I haven’t seen a single monster since we entered the Forest of Woe.”

Kiwe picked up a spoon in his magic and pointed it at his friend, playfully waving it. “The Forest of Woe was only the start of our journey, who is to say what dangers are yet to come? Perhaps a dragon will attack while we eat breakfast or some other calamity will befall us all before lunch.”

Snickers snickered. “That sounds like Ponyville, not any other town in the world. C’mon, you have to admit, Ponyville is a nexus of weirdness.”

Kiwe rotated the spoon in the air and set it back into it’s place on the table. “You are not wrong.”

“Hey, Kiwe,” Cress called out, “how about we look for something to hold your potions? It’ll be a lot more convenient than digging for them when we need them, right?”

Kiwe nodded. “That is a good idea. I will go shopping with you after we eat to use our time to its fullest.”

“...so, like, what’s the big deal with earrings, Cress?” Silver spoke up to get their conversation back on track. “They’re pretty, but don’t they hurt? I heard they mess up your hearing when you’re older. I don’t wanna be deaf before I’m twenty.”

Cress sighed. “You’re six, right? Because you’re asking questions a two year old would… But no, they don’t hurt and don’t mess up your hearing. I have ear piercing holes for studs or loops and they don’t even show up because of my fur. I got them when I was… recently.”

Diamond glared at the batpony. “So, why don’t you tell us how old you are then, hrm?”

Cress hesitated a split second then answered, “Seven. I’m still in school, after all.”

“Really?” Diamond challenged. “And what school is that, again? I don’t remember you telling us when you showed up out of nowhere while we were in the castle.”

Cress looked into Diamond’s eyes. “Night school, it’s not well known because the rest of canterlot is well asleep by the time it's in session. Only thestrals go to it, at night.”

“Right, and I have udders! Why don’t you admit you’re a spy, already?!” Diamond shouted at the bat filly.

“I’m not a spy! Why are you so mean to me? I haven’t done anything to you,” Cress shouted back.

The restaurant had fallen silent at the filly’s contest, but after several seconds the background noise resumed.

“Girls,” Silver Spoon started, “whatever’s been going on between you two has to stop. It’s totally uncool and stressing us out, so why don’t you go outside and talk it over before you become enemies, or something.”

Diamond pushed her chair back and hopped to the floor. “I think we’re already enemies. I know your secret, Cress, if that’s even your real name.”

“Fine, let’s go outside and talk this out, with our hooves,” Cress said, flapping to fly off her seat to the floor.

Snickers pushed his chair back and moved between the fillies. “What the hell is wrong with you two?! You’ve been ignoring one another since we left Canterlot and now, suddenly, you want to fight? Is this how mares are supposed to act with colts around?”

Cress didn’t react while Diamond faltered. “But, she’s a liar! She’s been keeping secrets from us from the start and I know one of them! She’s been sent by Luna to spy on us, tell them, you know it’s true!”

“That’s it, outside!” Snickers snapped and pointed to the exit door. Both fillies cantered to the door scowling at one another the whole way.

They bumped into the closed door before pushing it open and shoving one another as they went out. The restaurant was again quiet as they watched the fillies stand in front of the window and start shouting at one another. Diamond was the first to shove Cress, who tackled the pink filly from view of the front window.

After several seconds of slapping each other around, two guards ran up and separated the fillies. Everypony watched as they fought to get to one another from the guards’ magic. Snickers watched with relative neutrality as the duo were hauled away, still shouting at one another.

“Why am I not surprised that that’s how it ended?” Silver Spoon deadpanned. “So, are we skipping breakfast to bail them out?”

Snickers climbed back into his chair. “Nope, I think they’ll have a heart to heart and make up in jail… or they’ll try to kill each other when they’re in there. A couple hours in a cell will do them good, anyway.”

“That’s kinda cold of you,” Gil commented, “I like it.”

Their food arrived shortly after and Blackbook had to pack up the missing fillies’ meals into small boxes.

“Okay,” Kiwe said once he was done, “shall we go to gather our friends?”

“I don’t think so, let’s go look for that vial potion holder thing you were talking about,” Snickers said.

Kiwe looked dubious. “If you insist, perhaps we can make a list?”

“No need. C’mon, Silver, let’s go shopping.” Snickers said as he got off his chair.

…

“You think you know everything? You should know to keep your pink muzzle out of my business!” Cress shouted, gathering attention from passers by.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, not when you have secrets that could hurt Snickers,” Diamond countered.

“Your little colt is some pampered baby you only use for his dick now that you’re having sex. Admit it, you’re just a typical sun loving filly.” Cress spat.

Diamond reared up and shoved Cress back two steps. Cress gasped and rushed towards Diamond, tackling the filly to the ground. She locked Diamond in a headlock and brought her forehoof up for a slap, only for a pink shield to appear where the strike would have hit. A gem on Diamond’s tiara glowed almost too faintly to be seen and went unnoticed.

Diamond brought her elbow up and struck Cress in the belly. Cress tightened her grip and picked Diamond off the ground. “Put me down, you bitch!” Diamond managed before she shrieked.

Diamond’s side hit the ground with a heavy thud, air rushing from her lungs. She rolled to her hooves and spun around, bucking at Cress; just missing the bat filly.

Cress ducked under the kick and leapt up, grappling Diamond’s hind quarters. “Going down?” She said and twisted, forcing the pink filly’s face into the dirt. “That shield doesn't work if you’re falling, huh?” Keeping the hold, Cress opened her wings and used a flap to hover in the air only for Diamond to curl up and strike under herself, right into Cress’s belly.

They both fell to the ground and groaned. Diamond’s snout was bleeding slightly while Cress sat and held her belly. They met eyes and growled, getting to their hooves. “I hate you!”

“I hate you too!”

They screamed and reared up wheeling their forelegs as they hobbled towards one another, ready to start a slapfight.

“Hold it right there!” A stallion shouted as both fillies were wrapped in magic and hauled into the air. “Fighting in public is against Lorde’s law. Where are your parents?”

“Equestria!” Both fillies shouted as they swung at one another from several feet apart. Cress’s wings were magically bound to her sides by one of the guards.

“So you’re on a journey without adult supervision? You’ll have to come with us then.” Taking the fillies with them, the guards left the restaurant’s front and went deeper into town.

“This is all your fault!” Diamond shouted.

“My fault? You’re the one who called me out, I was going to have cricket pancakes. Do you know how hard it is to get cricket pancakes?!” Cress retorted.

“That’s gross. You’re gross! Don’t ever talk to me again!” Diamond commanded.

“Fine, don’t talk to me again!”

“Fine.

“Fine!”

Both fillies crossed their forelegs and looked away from one another as they were levitated towards the local guard building.

“Two fighting fillies caught in the act outside the restaurant, Sarge.” The guard holding Diamond announced.

“Put them in cells one and two, let’m cool off.” Sarge said as he looked at the bat filly intently. “Do we need a muzzle for the black one?”

“I don’t think that would be a bad idea, we don’t know if she’s a vampony or just a tribe we haven’t seen before.”

“They’re from Equestria,” the guard holding Cress announced.

“Great, travelers bringing their problems to our town. Just muzzle her so she doesn’t bite anypony and lock her in one.” Sarge said.

“That’s racist, you jerk! I’m not a vampony and I don’t drink pony blood.” Cress snapped before a muzzle wrapped itself over her own muzzle.”

“Good, now she can’t bite me from the next cell,” Diamond said. “Thanks, she’s a dangerous individual, after all.”

Sarge snorted. “Don’t start with me, Equestrian, I’ve seen your types before, always making a big show about where you’re from and how better you think you are than us. Trixie’s the perfect example. Keep your mouth closed and your tail between your legs, or we’ll have to muzzle you, too.”

Staying silent, Diamond nodded and was set on the floor. “Good, now both of you will come with us to the cells until we deem you have cooled off enough or Trixie comes to get you,” the guard holding her said. Another used a wing restraint to hold Cress’s wings down as they passed.

Moving to a back room made of heavy stone with metal bars separating several cells, each occupied. Placing the fillies into their cells, the doors were locked and the fillies were left alone as the guards moved back to the front rooms. The mare sharing a cell with Diamond looked at her from her bed and sighed.

“A filly? What’d you do, rob an apple from the market? Name’s Blue, who’re you and what’d you do?”

Diamond looked at the earth pony mare, then to the bars that separated her from Cress and the rest of the rabble. Most ponies were sleeping while others were clearly mumbling to themselves, groaning about hangovers. “I’m Diamond Tiara and I got into a fight with her,” Diamond pointed to Cress, who was sitting against a wall pawing at her muzzled muzzle.

“So,” Blue said rolling to her belly and then sitting up, “you got into a fight and got bit? What kind of pony… what’s wrong with her wings?”

“She’s a thestral, a bat pony. She drinks pony blood to survive so she had to be muzzled,” Diamond said.

“I call bullshit on her being a cannibal, but bat pony I believe. I’ve never seen her tribe, she’s exotic; you could sell that as a street show,” Blue offered.

“I’d rather not be treated like a low class citizen,” Cress mumbled. “Don’t listen to her, she’s an idiot. Who’s this sleeping in my cell?”

“That’s Glass Bender, he’s sleeping off drinking last night, like most of us. Civil or not, they sell good alcohol here.” Blue said.

Glass’s tail flopped from the bed and spilled onto the floor, white as snow. “Shuddup,” he said.

Cress tried to flex her wings, grunting as they couldn’t open. “Listen to him, Diamond, he’s smarter than you are.”

Diamond turned to Cress. “Would you shut up already?!” She shouted as the room filled with groans. “Can you just stop talking for a minute while I try to figure out a way to get Snickers to understand you don’t belong with us?”

Cress got up and marched to the bars. “What do you have against me? Is it because I’m not a normal pony? Is it because I prefer bugs to fish? Is it my coloration, because I know some ponies have a problem with my colors; scares them, scares you, right?”

Diamond scoffed. “I don’t have a problem with how you look, I have a problem with you! What’re you hiding? Why are you after Snickers? Why did you follow us? If you’re really a filly on a journey with us to get your mark, why don’t you talk about yourself? Wait, you never said you were trying to get your mark!”

Cress rolled her eyes. “I’m here because Snickers interested me and his imaginary friend that claims to be Princess Celestia’s child is totally unique. Why can’t you just accept that?”

Diamond sniffed sharply. “Because, I can feel you’re hiding something dangerous to my stallion. Until I find out what it is, I won’t ever trust you.”

“Why would I tell you all my secrets when I barely know you, and especially in jail when we’re surrounded by strangers.” Cress retorted.

“Sounds like you two are best friends,” Blue said as she watched the show. “Why don’t you just hug it out?”

Diamond ignored Blue. “Because, you need friends and you don’t have any. You’re like Gil, only you don’t have a reason to be here. Some school report is a lame excuse to stalk my boyfriend, how’re you even going to turn in your report? Canterlot’s, like, a thousand miles away and you don’t even have any paper!”

Cress’s ears fell. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, I have my ways.”

“Like what? Huh? Nopony else sees it, but I do. I’ve seen it since the minute you showed up, you’re a liar and you’re hiding stuff. Until you come clean, I’m not trusting you with Snickers.”

“I saved him twice in the Forest of Woe, doesn’t that say something?” Cress asked.

“Not enough,” Diamond answered.

“How can I prove something, anything, when you don’t trust me?” Cress asked.

“Now it’s getting juicy,” Blue chimed in. “What’s gonna happen next, I wonder?”

“Would you stay out of this?” Diamond asked Blue. Blue held up her forehoof placatingly. “As for you, Cress, you’ll find a way. You found a way to stalk my stallion, you’ll find a way to earn all of our trust.”

Cress sat and leaned her head against the bars, her muzzled muzzle trembling. “It’s not that easy, Diamond Tiara--”

“Hey, why do you get to wear jewelry in here? Aren’t they supposed to take that from you when you get locked up?” Blue interjected.

Ignoring her, Cress went on. “Everypony has secrets. You do, I do, even sleepy here does. I can’t just share everything with you, especially in public. Why can’t you just believe me when I say that I’m here to help and report?”

Diamond sat down, out of leg’s reach, just in case. “Why don’t you tell me one thing, just one thing to make me trust you a little? It doesn’t have to be world shattering… unless that’s all you have.”

Cress glanced up and met eyes with Diamond, then motioned her closer. “If I whisper one to you, then will you trust me enough to stop glaring at me everytime I talk to Snickers?”

Diamond nodded and cautiously walked closer, then turned her ear to Cress’s muzzle. A few seconds later Diamond was hopping back in surprise.

“You’re what?! At your age?!” Diamond exclaimed.

“What?!” Blue asked, hopping to the floor with a clatter of hooves. “Is she pregnant? She’s pregnant isn’t she?”

Both fillies glared at Blue. “Would you stay out of this?” Diamond asked, curtly. She turned her attention back to Cress with an appraising eye. “Well, that does explain why you carry a staff in your bags… okay, fine, I guess you’re not a total bitchy creep that’s after my stallion. But if I catch you doing anything weird, I’m telling everypony.”

“You can tell us, we won’t tell, right ponies?” Blue said loudly, getting several groans in reply.

A mare two cells over shouted. “Shut up, Blue, my head’s killing me enough without you yelling. Let the fillies have their thing, already.”

Diamond hesitantly raised a forehoof towards Cress. “Truce?”

“Truce.” Cress said, bumping her hoof to Diamond’s.

“For now, anyway,” Diamond added.

Seldem pt 2

“So, how was your time in jail?” Gil asked the fillies as they followed Trixie from the guard station.

Cress was blushing as she ruffled her wings when she noticed he was paying attention to her. “They muzzled me,” she glumly admitted to the gryphon.

Gil laughed and slapped Cress on the back. “That sounds rough, girl. What was the safe word to get it off?”

Cress shoved him away with a wing. “Cram it, that’s the safe word!”

“Ooh, she likes it rough,” Gil teased and gave a little shove to the bat filly. “I’ll remember that.”

Cress blushed again, for a different reason. “Just… shut up, jerk.”

Diamond rushed to hug Snickers and Silver Spoon. “I missed you, I was so worried about you both,” Diamond said as she nuzzled her lovers.

“We saved your breakfast, have you eaten yet?” Silver asked.

“It’s only been two hours,” Snickers said, “you’re okay, right?”

Diamond nodded as she stepped back, grinning widely. “Yeah, and… me and Cress kinda made up, a little.”

Trixie walked off with a flick of her tail. “Trixie has a show to plan, do not get arrested again or she won’t come to pick you up next time.”

Cress shoved Gil away again and went to Kiwe. “Hey, you went shopping without me,” she pouted.

Kiwe puffed out his chest to show off his bandolier, now holding a dozen vials of his potions. “It fits like a glove, when I saw it I was in love. It holds twenty vials of my potions and works well with my motions.”

“Cool,” Cress said, reaching to touch it. “Is that leather or heavy cloth?”

Kiwe leaned away. “Leather from a fallen cow, better than a living sow. Do not touch my vials, or we will be in for many trials.”

“A living sow?” Cress asked. “You know that’s a pig, right? Are you just trying to rhyme for the heck of it?”

Kiwe smirked. “Perhaps.”

“Oh, Diamond, I saw you being taken away,” Silver said, throwing her forelegs around Diamond for another hug, “and I was so worried. I was worried you’d be sent to some prison and I’d have to live here to see you once a week for years.”

Snickers and Diamond chuckled at the clingy filly. “Silver, that’s ridiculous. No place would throw a filly in jail for a little street fight,” Snickers said as he placed a hoof on Silver’s back.

Silver tightened the hug. “I almost lost my sister this morning, have a little compassion.”

Diamond grabbed Silver’s forelegs and pulled them off of her, setting all their legs on the ground. “Silvie, don’t worry, I’m fine and I got some stress out of my system. I haven’t been in a good fight in months, and this time I was winning; right, sweetie?”

Snickers rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, I still feel bad I broke your muzzle.”

“Hey, kids! Stop loitering outside the guard station or I’ll haul you all back in here.”

At the guard’s shout the group promptly left the area. Snickers and his fillies rushed back to the inn while the others went off together.

“First, I have to ask you a big question.” Snickers said once they were back in their room. “How did you two make up in two hours after everything you’ve been bottling up since you met?”

Diamond shrugged. “I dunno, we just talked finally.”

“Just talked?” Snickers asked as Silver climbed onto the bed and sprawled out, tapping a spot beside her for Diamond. “You were fighting and throwing each other around like toys and you just got over it?”

Diamond hopped onto the bed and snuggled close to Silver. “Yup, pretty much. It’s a filly thing, you colts wouldn’t understand.”

Silver nodded in agreement. “We have to set a good example for you colts, after all.”

Snickers clenched his teeth. “That doesn’t make any sense! It took you weeks to come up to me and thank me for fighting you.”

“And it took weeks for me to finally have it out with Cress, and then we made up. We talked while we were in jail and shared some secrets, now we’re on better terms. What’s so hard to understand about that? Besides, what you did to me was different.”

“Yeah,” Silver laughed, “you kicked her flank. No pony had ever done that to her… or anypony else for that matter. I can’t even remember the last time a colt got into a fight with a filly.”

“Yeah, it was usually just me scaring anypony into submission before I took their pride and dignity,” Diamond admitted. “Sheesh, I was a real bitch, wasn’t I, Silver?”

Silver nodded. “Oh, yeah. Biggest in school, for sure.”

“Thanks, Silver. I knew I could count on you.” Diamond deadpanned.

“Well, it’s the truth.” Silver stated. “Besides, you’re a better mare now than you ever were then.”

The filly patted the mattress, inviting Snickers up. “And it’s all thanks to you,” Diamond said.

Snickers looked at the bed, then the door. “I thought we were gonna play at the park? I wanna go to the park, can we go now? Please?”

Diamond and Silver shared a look. “Fine, if you insist. But, we’re getting ice cream when we’re done.”

…

“Tag!” A filly shouted after she touched Silver Spoon’s side. Silver, panting and grinning, turned to the nearest pony and began chase.

Snickers stood back, ready to gallop away at the first sign of trouble. He wasn’t the first to be ‘it’, but he was going to do his best to not be the last. He hopped into a gallop as Silver Spoon followed the colt towards him. He laughed as Silver gave chase to him and then turned off to chase a closer filly.

“Tag!” Silver shouted and then ran away. “No tag backs!” She shouted as the filly gave chase, then turned off to run into the scattered group of foals in the field by the park.

The game went on until, slowly, the foals broke into groups and began climbing the park structures and playing pirates, superheroes, or other games. Snickers climbed to the top of the tallest slide after some struggle and announced his ownership of it, only to be playfully shoved back down, laughing the whole way.

He bumped into a colt that quickly climbed over him and tried to ascend the slide himself, only to slip and slide down. Snickers rolled off the slide just before the colt’s privates could rub against his face. Ignoring the accident, Snickers began playing hide and seek with the colt and a couple other fillies while Diamond and Silver played with other fillies about their age.

An hour more passed before Snickers left the game and moved to the grass and lay down to rest. Several other foals joined him in talking about whatever they chose to.

“Snickers, are you doing okay?” Silver asked, lying beside him.

Diamond lay to his other side, her breath heavy from playing hard near the end. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired… and sweaty,” she tittered. “Like last night.”

Silver clicked her tongue and then adjusted her glasses on her muzzle. “You weren’t the one doing all the work, Diamond.”

“Let’s not talk about that, okay? There’s other foals around that probably don’t need to know about the details.” Snickers said. “Besides, it’s almost lunch and I want a hayburger. Who else wants one?”

Silver nodded and Diamond sat up to clap her hooves. “I’d love one, but how about we try something local from the market? There’s gotta be something good there, after all.”

“Okay, first we’ll hit up the market, then the restaurant,” Snickers agreed.

Saying goodbye to their playmates the trio left the playground area and went into town to the market.

“Fresh fish! We catch’m, you buy’m!”
“Would you like a new necklace, miss?”
“I’ll buy your tiara for its weight in coins.”
“Young sir, a bangle to match your mane?”
“Crickets, grasshoppers, roaches; get’m while they’re warm!”

The foals passed salespony after salespony until they came to one that attracted their interest in food. “Carrots on a stick! Carrots on a stick! Carmel apples!” The stallion called out. The foals rushed to him and placed a golden bit on the counter, to his surprise. “Is that… real gold? I don’t have anything to match that… unless you’re trying to buy all my carrots.”

Diamond laughed and patted her saddlebag. “We’re from Equestria, we’ve got plenty of bits to spare. All our money’s got gold in it, we’d just like carrots on a stick with toppings! One each, plus an apple, too.”

The stallions took the bit before she could take it back and prepared their order, then placed several old copper coins onto the counter. “Thanks, we appreciate it,” Diamond said as they all took their treats and change. “What’s this money called?”

“Lordecoin, after the lord of the land. Clever, I know,” he rolled his eyes. “A bit egotistical, if you ask me, but the guy’s got his own money so he’s doing something right.”

The foals shared a look and Snickers’s ears drooped at the name. “What kinda name’s Lord Lorde, anyway?”

The stallion shrugged and prepared another carrot on a stick. “A recognizable one, for sure.”

The foals left to a table and sat down, munching on their carrots, then the sticks before they shared the apple in relative silence.

“Okay, I’m gonna say it,” Snickers finally said, “there was a guy named President Lorde back where I’m from, back when I was a human. He was awful and did terrible things, and made me do something terrible, too. But, hearing this lord’s name is really freaking me out. If I find out he’s here, I’m gonna go crazy, I think.”

Silver patted Snickers’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, he’s long gone. You left him back in your human world, right?”

Snickers looked at the table. “What if he got the same deal as me? I can’t be the only human here, I mean, look around,” he gestured at some of the vendors, “there’s English writing on some of their stands.”

“That’s English?” Diamond asked. “It’s not like what you showed us back in Twilight’s library.”

Snickers looked at a flower shop that had a small sign he couldn’t read from so far away. “That’s because I use trade 4.”

“Wait, there’s more than one kind of English?” Diamond asked. “And it’s all about trading? Daddy would love to know about that.”

“There’s six trade languages. They are derived from languages between humans and other creatures we’ve met as we expanded through the stars. Trade 1 is used by telepaths, trade 2 is used by creatures we call Wolfen; creatures that grunt or bark mostly. Trade 3 is English from the old world. Trade 4 is modern English, while Trade 5 is made up of clicks and hisses, along with certain body secretions.

“Lastly is trade 6, which is the universal language of computers. With any two of those a creature can communicate with any other in my reality. I knew 4 and 6, but only because I can program a computer to read the language for me.”

Both fillies were staring at him, the apple nearly finished. “So, you mean there are aliens out there right now?” Diamond asked as she looked to the blue sky.

“Probably, but I don’t know if they speak Ponish, English, or what. They might not even know, or care, about this little planet.”

Silver took the apple and a big bite from it. “Anyway, how’s that gonna turn a profit for our daddy’s if we’re here and they’re there? Let’s just worry about English being here for now. Do you think anypony you know could have been brought here when you showed up?”

Snickers looked at the table and tapped at it. “Probably, now that I think of it. I wasn’t the only one who died that day…”

“Died? So, like, the breezy tales are kinda true? That a dying pony could get a second chance if they’re worthy?” Silver asked.

Snickers took the apple and the last bite, handing the stick to Diamond. “Let’s go get that burger, okay?”

Diamond chomped the stick and started chewing it as they left. “Yeah, let’s worry about that stuff later. We have a hayburger to eat before we… well, what’re you gonna do next, Snickers?”

Snickers shrugged. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be better than worrying about my old life.”

…

Cress walked beside Kiwe as Gil trailed behind them. “So,” Cress said to Kiwe, “are you ready to try out some of those combat moves you talked up? Because I’m curious to see what zebras fight like.”

Kiwe shook his head. “Combat is one thing, training another. I won’t fight you because it would be a blunder.”

“Yeah, I’d blunder you on top of your head with my staff,” Cress teased.

Gil laughed. “Yeah, I put my bits on Kiwe. No offense, but you’re a little too small to be a challenge for a combat unicorn.”

Cress scoffed. “He’s not a combat unicorn, he’s a zony alchemist. As long as he doesn’t throw a potion on me, I think I’ll be okay.”

“Five bits on Kiwe,” Gil stated, holding up his talons.

Cress moved to Gil without breaking eye contact. Gil didn’t move or show any fear as the filly looked up at him. “How about I take you on? I’d give ten bits that says I could take you down in under a minute.”

Gil laughed and patted the egg on his belly. “Not gonna risk anything with this one under my care, you’ll have to save those bits for two months. Then, I don’t see a problem introducing your face to my fist until you go to sleep.” He looked at his knuckles and kissed one. “Yeah, I think another two months will certainly be enough time for me to find a few more reasons to pound you.”

Cress blushed at his wording, then flapped her wings to get eye level with him. “It’s a date, I’ll engrave my name on your pain gland!”

“Not if I do you first!” Gil snapped back.

Cress emitted a supersonic chirp and flapped back, landing facing away from Gil. She flicked her tail and walked beside a grinning Kiwe. “Don’t say anything,” she said, giving the brown colt a gentle shove.

“I said nothing, only a smile… I think I shall be quiet for a while,” Kiwe said, restraining his smile, as Cress shot him a look.

“That would be smart of you,” she nodded. She glanced back and met eyes with Gil. He winked at her and she snapped her attention forward again. “He’s such a jerk,” she hissed. “I’ll put him in his place someday,” she mumbled as she thought of trussing him up. Her imagination devolved quickly into spanking him with a switch and she shook her head.

Leaving Seldem

Snickers yawned and stretched only to feel forehooves hug him tightly. He opened his eyes and saw pink fur everywhere. “Morning, honey,” Diamond whispered. “You fell asleep on me last night,” she giggled.

Snickers lifted his head to look at Diamond, then gave her a kiss. “Morning, you’re really comfy,” he said.

Diamond giggled again and hugged him closer. “Your mane needs a brushing, can I brush it today?” Diamond asked.

“Sure, that’d be nice. Where’s Silver Spoon?” Snickers asked as he looked around the room.

“She went to pee, like, a minute ago. Did she wake you up?”

“Nah, I don’t think so. It’s early, so we should get ready to leave Seldem. We’ve got a few days of travel ahead of us before Frand.” Snickers said as he sat up and rubbed at his eyes.

“Ugh, I don’t wanna walk anymore,” Diamond whined. “Can’t we just get a ride to Frand?”

Snickers thought it over and smirked. “You know what? I don’t see why not. It seems bits are worth a lot more than local currency… unless you want a different kind of ride.”

Diamond rolled her eyes. ”We’ve ridden you more than you’ve ridden us, technically.”

Snickers leaned in for a kiss. “You’re more flexible than I thought you were.”

Diamond hummed. “Are you complaining?”

Snickers shook his head, his mind jumping between thoughts. “Nope. What I am wondering is how much different bits are to local money.”

Diamond’s ears perked up and she quickly turned to the side table. She pulled a notepad covered with writing and numbers on it to her chest before sitting up with a grin. “Okay, so, like, I did some asking around and Lorde’s money is legit everywhere. He’s a lord across the area and literally prints his own bits, er, coins!

“Each coin is worth a fraction of what an Equestrian bit is, so by the math I used, thanks to daddy, I figure we can ride to Frand in style! Look,” she turned the page and tapped her hoof to a drawing of several wagons, “we can hire a full caravan to take us, and Trixie, to Frand in five days!

“We’re talking a food wagon, guards, a sleeping wagon just for us and one for the others,” she grinned at Snickers. “Can you guess how much this’ll all cost?”

Snickers looked at the images and worried. “A hundred bits?”

Diamond laughed loudly. “You’re thinking like an Equestrian! This is only gonna cost us two bits… two bits! We overpaid at the inn when they asked for coins and I just paid without asking. Snickers, we’re rich here! And thanks to my bottomless bag, I’ve got a thousand bits or so to work with, not including what you and everypony else brought.”

She tapped her hooves together and grinned wickedly. “We could buy our own town and make it into whatever we want. I could open the first Barnyard Bargains in the Undiscovered West and start my daddy’s business across this whole land. He’ll be so proud of me,” she beamed a smile at Snickers.

Snickers was silent, thinking of what he was being told. “I think we should start smaller, Diamond. Let’s start with a wagon to Frand, maybe a couple guards, and then go from there. I think we’d be painting a target on our flanks if we suddenly showed all our bits and started a multinational corporation, right?”

Diamond deflated, then after a few seconds nodded. “Yeah, it would be kinda dangerous to show all our money at once. Maybe we can start small and open an outlet of Barnyard Bargains in Frand?”

Snickers shook his head. “How do you know there isn’t already something like that established there? We have to spend some time out here to learn the land before we go changing everything. You’re a year older than me, you should think about the future more than I do.”

The door opened and Silver walked in, closing it behind her with a sigh. “I almost didn’t make it, there was a line and some stallion with a tie wouldn’t let me cut. What a jerk… oh, good morning, sweetie,” she said as she reached the bed and hopped up. “I see Diamond’s going over her plan to take over the world with our bits?”

“I’m not trying to take over the world, I just want to help daddy sell some stuff. And, before you ask, no, he didn’t like the caravan idea,” Diamond said, tapping the drawing again.

“What?! Why not? We can travel like royalty and save our hooves the trouble. You complain about your hooves and mane almost as much as me and Diamond combined!” Silver shouted.

“Because, Silvie,” Diamond said, “he made a good point; that we’d be asking for trouble throwing around our bits like that. Like that stallion that was robbed in Manehattan that time, remember?”

Silver nodded. “It was on the front page of the paper, that stuff never happens! Oh my gosh, that could have totally been us!”

Diamond dropped the notepad and moved to face her herd sister. “I know! They wouldn’t have even known about it back in Equestria, either.”

“We should start with a way to send messages back and forth before we start buying land, Silver,” Diamond said.

Silver nodded. “Like, totally. And then we have to get a good lawyer team to keep us safe legally, and a bodyguard to keep us safe from ponies that mean bad news.”

Both fillies bumped forehooves. “We’re so smart, right, Snickers?” Diamond asked with a knowing grin.

“Yeah, totally smart,” he said, unsure of what else he could, or should, say at the moment.

Diamond clapped her forehooves happily. “We’re all up, so let’s buy a wagon-”

“Rent,” Snickers interjected.

“Right, rent a wagon to get us to Frand. I’ll check it over and make sure it’s big enough for all of us, and I think Trixie pulling it would be a better choice than hiring a puller, don’t you, Snickers?” Diamond asked.

Snickers shrugged. “If she can even pull it. There’s several of us, plus the guards we’re gonna hire, what if we’re biting off more than we can chew? I don’t wanna be a wet blanket, but there’s a lot of little things we aren’t thinking about because we’re only foals. We should probably ask an adult for advice on this.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me, right, Silvie?” Diamond asked. Silver nodded again. “Great, so… wanna do anything before we leave?” She asked, seductively lowering her eyelids at Snickers.

“No, but if you really wanna do something; that thing Silver Spoon taught me would be a good start, I think.” Snickers offered, glancing at the grey filly.

Silver cocked her head, then broke into a huge grin when Snickers wiggled his tongue at her. “Oh, yeah, I totally loved that one! Diamond, you can do it to me while he does it to you!”

…

Just outside of town the herd met with a salespony to rent a wagon, only to have Diamond take charge.

“Welcome to Wagon’s Wagon’s, I’m Wagon, how can I help you fine foals today?”

“We’re looking for a wagon that’ll fit six and a couple guards to get us to Frand over the next week. What can you show us that’ll do the job?” Diamond asked as she looked up at the stallion with her best business voice.

Wagon looked down at her, then around the area, then leaned down to get more on her level. “Aren’t you cute? Where’s your mommy so I can do real business with somepony?”

Diamond didn’t budge. “We’re on an adventure and didn’t bring our parents, but we have money to rent a wagon and some guards. Can you show us a wagon that will fit our group?”

Wagon stood up again and looked at the two fillies with a colt. He sniffed the air and then smiled. “Welcome, welcome! A fine family you are and a fine wagon you’ll have to get you to Frand,” he gestured at a wagon on his lot, “and nothing says traveling in style like this bad girl. She’s got new wheels and a harness that won’t chafe.

“Enchanted to weigh half as much as a normal wagon, this baby will pull two tons of cargo or a small herd with ease. Would you like to rent the puller, too, by the way?”

“I don’t think so, we’re traveling with a mare that should be able to do the job. Can we see inside before we talk more about renting it?”

“Why, of course! Renting or buying sight unseen is something you clearly aren’t going to do.” Wagon said and moved to the rear of the wagon, pulling the handle with his forehoof to open the door. “Voila, a space large enough for you to travel with supplies and friends! There’s places for hammocks or even two mattresses for your group.

“The lights are controlled here and can brightenup to ten candles worth of light, there’s a water gem in the back there that can be recharged once you get to Frand supplying about a week’s worth of water for the five this is designed to carry. There are streams and creeks along the way, too, though, so you don’t have to worry about running out of water as long as you don’t mind roughing it a little.

“The wagon’s insulated pretty well, too. There isn’t even a chance of catching a cold in this baby in the middle of a winter storm,” he said patting a wall panel while the foals looked around the space.

“How much are you looking to rent this for?” Diamond asked.

Wagon looked around the room for a few seconds. “One hundred coins to get you to Frand, plus additional fees for any damages you incur on your trip there. This is one of the best I have to offer, so if it’s not cleaned and polished like it is now, it’ll cost a few coins to get it back to this state when you deliver it to the depot there.

“That includes two unicorn guards, too. I’m not going to send a wagon this lovely into the woods without protection.”

Diamond nodded. “I agree, but let’s put a tac in this one and look at a couple others before we sign a deal. What if there’s a better one than this for our trip?”

Wagon smiled. “You’re a smart young mare, and I respect that. Come, let’s look at the next wagon, everypony.”

…

“The Great and Powerful Trixie will pull the wagon,” Trixie said as she looked at the wagon they’d rented, “if only to have such a lovely thing behind her on the trail. This is a beautiful wagon worth its weight in bits, back home. And two strapping guards to watch over Trixie in the dead of night?” She smirked at the stallions as they looked under the wagon. “With such great flanks? Diamond Tiara, you are to be commended.”

Diamond huffed. “I didn’t rent this so you could have sex with the help, we need to get to Frand and I’m tired of walking like some common traveler, we all are.”

Trixie laughed. “You are a common traveling pony, silly filly. It’s cute how naive you are about the world at large, and yourself,” she finished with a poke into Diamond’s sternum. “Wanting a family before you even know what side of your pillow is most comfortable is the sign of a desperate filly.”

Diamond slapped Trixie’s foreleg away. “Worry about yourself and stop trying to fuck the guards,” she hissed. “We’re packing up and making one last run through the market before we leave. Laxxie’s taking the scenic route because she isn’t comfortable being on a wagon or in a town, yet. If you have any complaints, keep them to yourself.”

Trixie quietly laughed. “You have no say over what Trixie says, does, or plans to do. Remember that you’re ten years Trixie’s junior and she has every right to leave you and your wagon behind if you cross her, unless you think you can pull a wagon that size by yourself.”

Diamond grit her teeth. “Fine, do what you want, but unless you wanna pay bits from your own purse to get a driver, you’re gonna pull the wagon.”

Trixie turned abruptly, slapping Diamond with her tail as she trotted to the front of the wagon. “Prepare yourselves and climb aboard; the wagon is about to set sail!”

The group gathered into the wagon and found places to rest as Trixie hitched herself up. “So, do you think this was a good waste of bits?” Gil asked Diamond.

“It only cost two bits, actually.” Diamond looked smugly at the surprised gryphon. “A bit is worth almost seventy local coins, plus we got the best caravanner guards with the best weapons for the extra change. I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to travel safely all the way to Frand, after all.”

Gil snapped his beak shut and looked admirably at the filly. “You’re pretty good with bits… maybe you’re not all useless ponies.”

Cress shoved Gil with a forehoof. “You’re one to talk. What have you even done besides follow us since we left Canterlot Palace?”

“Let’s see,” Gil lifted a closed talon and began counting off, “scouted ahead, fished for you, attacked a bandit duo that were waiting for you to cross them; not that they would’ve posed a danger anyway, kept you and Kiwe company… I’ve done plenty that you don’t even account for.”

“Wait, what was that about bandits?!” Cress asked.

“Two mares with hatchets that were lying ahead of you on the path. I buzzed them and bit at them, scaring them off before you even knew about it. If you spent less time trying to get Kiwe to mount you, you’d have noticed the threats on the road.” Gil concluded.

Cress sat up and hoof slapped Gil. “I’m not trying to get Kiwe to have sex with me!”

Gil rubbed his beak. “Could’a fooled me with how much you two talk and whisper around me. All I know is that you ponies have sex too much, look at these three! They smell like sex right now, even.”

The herd blushed individually. “We just like how it feels, is that so wrong?” Silver asked.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Cress stated. “We’re sexual beings and can do what we want, as long as we understand the consequences.”

Gil huffed and held the egg closer to his body. “I’m fine until I get back home, thank you. I’m not into mares, anyway.”

Cress inwardly admired the care Gil gave the egg, but outwardly she scoffed. “You won’t even get laid then, don’t get your hopes up.”

Kiwe’s golden magic lit the room as he brought a towel between the two. “Take a moment to gather yourselves, you are acting like yearlings in a bath fighting over a toy.”

Diamond and Silver tittered. “Oh, called out by a zony,” Silver said.

“Cress and Gil, sitting in a tree--” Diamond started to sing before the towel was thrown into her face by Gil. She laughed with Silver and Snickers. “Sounds like some creatures have a rough love life, right, Silver Spoon?”

Silver giggled into her fetlock. “You’re right, Diamond Tiara. I think that they need the room to themselves for a couple minutes to work off their frustrations.”

“Now, now, girls,” Snickers interceded, “don’t make the cock mad or he’ll swing something hard at us.”

Gil’s blood boiled and he flared his wings, knocking over several dishes that were secured to shatter on the floor. Cress tumbled to the floor, too. He bared his talons and roared loudly as a lion could. “I am not a cock!”

Cress picked herself from the floor and blushed at the imposing sight of the huge gryphon looming over her. Any comment she had died in her throat as he glanced down at her. His avian eyes bore into the deepest parts of her instinct to run and cower while her evolved mind told her to stay and fight.

Cress trembled for the first time in years from fear and awe, then a goofy grin crept onto her face as his attention redirected to the herd across from them.

The cart stopped suddenly with a lurch causing Gil to falter and fall onto his furry haunches. A few seconds later the back door opened and Trixie stood in the doorway with two armed guards behind her. “It has been less than five minutes we’ve been traveling! If you’re going to behave like foals, you’ll be treated as foals! You three, out!”

Snickers, Diamond, and Silver Spoon balked at the mare. “Why us? We didn’t do anything, it was Gil that roared and broke stuff!”

“Trixie does not want to hear it! Leave the wagon at once and the guards will work a rotation for you to go in while the others leave. If more of this nonsense continues, Trixie will strap one of you to the harness and you can pull her! Now, out!”

The foals slipped from their spots while Gil waved them goodbye. Trixie caught his action and glared at him. “As for you three…” she started and went in, slamming the door behind her as Snickers left the wagon. His ears twitched at the sounds of bird calls and various insects clicking or chirping.

“Well, this sucks,” Snickers stated as he felt the gravel under his hooves.

“We paid to not have to walk, and now we’re walking!” Diamond shouted at one of the guards.

The guard looked down at the pink filly. “Ma’am, you should just listen to your guardian and--”

“She’s not anypony’s guardian, she’s just some mare we’re following! I can’t believe this, it’s a travesty! I spent almost two hundred coins to travel in style, and I’m walking like a commoner still,” Diamond stomped the ground petulantly in a large arc until Silver rushed in to give her a hug.

“Di, it’s okay, we’ll make her pay for our poni-pedi when we get to Frand, okay?” Silver tried.

“No! It’s not okay, Silver Spoon,” Diamond pulled back with tears brimming in her eyes. “If we marry Snickers, we’re legit royalty, Silver Spoon. I’ll be a Princess by every right. I shouldn’t have to walk everywhere still like some unimportant pony across a bajillion miles of rough unpaved roads. That’s not how princesses are treated.”

Silver pulled Diamond into a hug again. “It’s fine, don’t you think Princess Celestia gets tired of walking sometimes? Besides, our prince is right here walking with us and he won’t leave us alone.”

Snickers was nervously shaking his head as the guards looked at him pointedly, unsure if he was royalty or just some colt. “Girls… can we stop talking about certain things in front of creatures that don’t need to know certain things?”

Both fillies stopped talking and looked at Snickers, then to the guards. “Oh, uh…” Diamond sniffled as she stepped from Silver, “just playing house.”

Silver nodded. “Yeah, like, he’s the daddy and stuff. Er, prince, and we’re the ladies. It’s a different kinda house game, it’s called… uh…”

“Royal Tree!” Diamond cut in. “Yeah, it’s all about pretending to be a part of the royal family tree.”

Snickers lowered and shook his head as the guards disregarded the fillies. “Sir, keep your fillies in line, okay?”

Both fillies gasped in shock. Snickers nodded. “Sure thing,” he then gave a mock salute.

“Excuse me?” Both fillies said, indignantly. The guards returned their attention to the closed door and the shouting Trixie was making. The door handle glowed blue and opened letting Trixie out. It slammed once she was clear again and with a final glare at the foals as she passed them, she hitched up again and began pulling the wagon in silence with guards at the side of the wagon and three foals at the rear.

Bandits

“Laxxie?” Silver called out to the woods.

“She’s fine, she doesn’t want to scare the guards into attacking her. She’s really uncomfortable lately,” Snickers observed. “Do you think she’s okay, Silver Spoon?”

“I don’t know, maybe she’s just anxious. I mean, she’s only a couple months old and is already far away from the home she’s always known. Maybe, even, she’d have been happier back in Ponyville, this is as far away from the Everfree as a pony can get, after all.”

“Yeah, maybe she would want to stay out here and start a new life as a timberwolf in these woods,” Snickers wondered aloud.

“No!” Laxxie shouted and appeared from the woods to the guard’s surprise. “I will stay with father, it is my purpose.”

“What do you mean, Laxxie?” Diamond asked.

Laxxie strode to the little herd and merged into them, ignoring the curious guard that was watching intently at the creature that had just joined their group. “Father is my alpha, father is a small pony, and father needs to be safe.”

“And we can’t keep him safe?” Diamond asked. “We’re not as soft as you think we are, you know.”

Laxxie opened her mouth and showed several razor sharp conical fangs, a little sap dribbled from her maw as she growled deeply. “I am a predator, you’re not.”

Diamond’s ears fell back. “You don’t have to try to scare me, Laxxie.”

Laxxie looked at Snickers. “Father, she does not understand.”

Snickers nodded. “I know. What she means is that she can do things we can’t, and won’t, to keep us all safe. We can’t kill a monster like she can, if at all. It’s not in our nature to be the monster she already is, even if she doesn’t want to be that monster anymore.”

The fillies were quiet for several seconds, only the sound of wheels rolling on gravel filled the air, covering their smaller steps. “I guess that makes sense,” Silver said. “I don’t think I could actually kill an animal for food, except fishes, but Laxxie brought us that rabbit for the stew a couple days ago.”

Diamond felt her heart ache at the memory. “I can’t believe we ate a cute little rabbit. We’ve really changed since we left Equestria, haven’t we?”

“We needed it, didn’t we?” Snickers asked. “We asked for a little meat and Laxxie provided it for us, it’s not like we got sick or anything, right?”

“Yeah, and it was tasty… but I don’t wanna eat meat like that so casually,” Diamond said, “it’s one step away from being a carnivore, right?”

“Ponies are already borderline omnivorous, I don’t see what the big deal is,” Snickers said. “We eat fish, eggs, and have a vegetarian diet. It’s only natural we add a little variety to our protein intake eventually. Maybe in a hundred years we’ll be eating a little red meat every meal instead of just fish.”

“Gross,” Silver Spoon said. “I don’t care about eating a cute little bunny once because we got tired of fish, but every day? Ugh, like, no thanks.”

Snickers nodded. “That’s exactly the point Laxxie’s making; she’s willing to do the dirty stuff so we don’t have to.”

Laxxie noticed a guard looking at her and she narrowed her eyes at him before ducking her head down. “I wish to be home in the living forest, but I will not leave my pack, my family, in such a new place. I will return to the woods to watch and guard from other dangers, father.”

Snickers nodded and Laxxie slunk back from the herd and rushed into the woods with nary a sound. “I hope she doesn’t get into any trouble,” Snickers mumbled, “she’s still only a couple months old and the world is a big place.”

“Hey, colt, c’mere.” One of the guards called to Snickers. Snickers hurried to the guard and looked him over. “So, got a herd of Equestrian fillies, I see.”

Snickers nodded. “Yeah, they’re really cool. You know, for fillies.” He looked back at the two who were starting a conversation between themselves.

The guard chuckled and looked down at him. “I’ve seen it happen a lot, just remember to keep them happy and your life will be a lot easier.”

“Um, thanks, I guess. I’m Snickers, it’s nice to meet you.”

The guard looked down and smiled. “Name’s Foil. Nice to meet you, too. So, did you have any plans when you get to Frand, or will you just follow her?” Foil gestured to Trixie with the point of his spear.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I have so much to learn and so much to do… I started this journey a couple weeks ago without much of a plan, just to get away from my problems and maybe find my mark,” he said, glancing back to his blank flank. “I met Trixie on the way and I guess we’re just following her until we can get a real plan together.”

Foil hummed. “Well, that’s not much of a plan; making a plan as you go.”

“I never said it was a good plan we’d made,” Snickers looked up at the armored stallion with a wry smirk. “I guess we just ran and didn’t look back.”

Foil’s armor clattered when he shrugged. “Who am I to tell a foal what to do with their lives? All I can say is that I’ve heard of a lot of ponies going on journeys to find their purposes, marks, or fortune and fame. The only constant I’ve learned is that it’s never as easy as it seems. I wanted to be in a traveling carnival when I was your age, now I’m a guard for Lord Lorde.

“Life doesn’t end how you may expect, is what I’m saying. What skills do you have to help you along the way?”

Snickers snickered. “More than you could imagine. I just have to learn to apply what I know to a relevant career. I’m good with math, science, building, repairing… you know, I’m really good with technology, i guess.”

Foil nodded with a smile. “Then there’s a job for you for certain in Frand. Lord Lorde is really into future technology.Then there are the Terrans. They’re a weird bunch, but they claim they will be able to land a creature on the moon within our lifetime,” he rolled his eyes. “They even say they can communicate across the land instantly without magic.

“Maybe stay away from those ones, they’re a bit eccentric,” he chuckled and looked down and back to see Snickers had slowed to a near stop. “Hey, you alright?”

Snickers shook his head and ran to catch back up. “Wait, what’s this about Terrans? What do they look like? Are they tall, gangly, hairless? Do they have… carts that pull themselves or flying machines?”

Foil laughed. “You sound like one of their criers. Self driving carts and wagons and flying machines are pointless when ponies have wings and magic. I’ll tell you this once, colt: don’t fall into their trap or they’ll take all your coins and leave you and your friends broke in the slums. Happened to a mare I knew,” he said glancing at Trixie, “looked like your guardian.

“She went to the meetings and an expo held by Lord Glad a few years ago. It was about the future of Frand, one hundred years ahead. There were magic boxes that showed memories, weapons that could take a target out from farther than a spear could be thrown or an arrow could be shot, and then there were the Terrans.”

“What did they show?” Snickers asked, very interested.

Foil sighed. “They showed pictures, drawings, of what could be. It was all fanciful and fun, like something a thoughtful filly would think of, but all of it was pretty pointless. A hollow metal tube that ponies would fly in to get to different cities, trains without wheels or tracks, self driving wagons; all crazy ideas from crazy creatures.

“My friend was taken with the train idea and donated nearly all her Lordecoin to the idea, then the creatures vanished into the wind with her coins. She had to get a second job for a year just to keep her head above water and--”

There was a solid wet thunk that caught Snickers’s attention from the guard. He looked up and inhaled sharply as he watched Foil falling to the ground, nearly lifeless. A metal bolt stuck through the stallion’s head from between his eyes through the back of his neck. In the intervening second that it took Snickers to realize he’d just watched a random pony die, he had inhaled a lung full of air.

His tail down, his ears back, his eyes wide, Snickers shrieked in terror and shock as blood oozed from the arrow wound.

More bolts and arrows began to strike around the wagon as Trixie’s horn lit and she vanished in a flash of light. Diamond and Silver Spoon rushed to Snickers and tackled him, covering him with their bodies as the assault halted. Gil struggled to stick his head out of the window to see what was happening, but there was a clear argument and struggle that held him back inside.

“Get under the wagon!” Silver hissed as she began to push Snickers ahead of herself. He scooted a body length before he saw Foil and screamed again. Diamond shoved Snickers ahead of her with Silver by her side. A single arrow struck at Diamond, pinging off a pink shield that barely saved her from injury as they made it under and huddled together.

“Foil?!” The other guard called out as she rounded the wagon to locate her friend. A bolt flew just behind her from the opposite side of the wagon. She stopped and her spear nearly fell when she saw her companion lying in a growing pool of his own blood.

The barrage stopped after one of the arrows struck a shield the guard had erected around herself. There was a silence before rustling noises announced movement. “You have gold, real gold. Equestrian gold. It’s ours now, as well as any supplies we want.” A mare commanded. “It’s that or your lives, and we still take everything. It just means we sleep rough for a couple of nights before your gold helps us forget what we had to do to get it.”

The silence was broken after several seconds by the door to the wagon opening. Kiwe stepped out and onto the path before looking side to side. “We are mere traveling foals, would you kill us just for gold?”

An arrow sailed at him, stopped by the shield the guard projected. He shook his head and turned back to his saddlebag. He dug inside and pulled out a small bag of bits and tossed it further behind the wagon and outside the shield. “There is your gold, take it and leave us in peace.” Kiwe stated.

A stallion rushed from the foliage, hidden in the brush so well he couldn’t have been seen even if he was being looked at. He grabbed the bag, opened it, looked inside, then nodded back to the wooded area he’d come from. Six ponies stood up and shook foliage from their camouflage outfits and, showing that they had crossbows and bows in their weaponry, moved toward the wagon.

“Where’d the driver go?” An earth pony mare asked as she tapped a sheathed sword hilt.

Kiwe shook his head. “I do not know where she went, but searching for her is time not well spent.”

“Lower your shield and let us in the wagon to get our loot, and we’ll let you go without any more harm.”

“No,” the guardsmare stated as she aimed her spear at the lead mare. “You killed my friend, you tried to kill foals, you’re going to surrender or I’ll have to take you all down.”

There was a smattering of chuckles as more rustling came from the other side of the wagon. “You’re surrounded and have no chance of taking us out, or even managing a single strike before we kill you. Don’t waste the lives of these precious foals for your pride and ego.”

A deep growl broke the tension as it grew and all eyes were on the woods behind the first group. The second group shuffled into view to see what the commotion was as the forest detritus began to shift and come to life. “What the hay is going on?” A stallion asked openly as a form began to grow.

All ponies watched with bated breath as the first timberwolf rose tall, and it didn’t look pleased at the ponies that were aiming weapons at it. The ranged weapons tracked what appeared to be the head as it rose from the center pile of sticks until it loomed tall overhead. “What the fuck is that?!”

Laxxie, standing half as tall as the wagon, leapt into the grouped bandits with claws swiping and teeth gnashing. Two ponies were gutted and tossed in the first strike she made while all weaponry was loosed at her. Arrows and bolts stuck into Laxxie’s wooden hide without slowing her down as she chomped her maw closed on the back of a mare wielding a sword that had tried to take out one of Laxxie’s legs.

The crunch made by the mare’s back and ribs were jarring to all that heard it. The shocked mare was tossed aside like a ragdoll as Laxxie showed her fangs. With three of their number down the rest began a futile attack to avenge their fallen friends.

Snickers looked over Diamond’s body as she and Silver huddled around him to see his little pup swat a full grown stallion with her right paw into the face. He watched with shock as the pony’s head crumbled from the blow before he tumbled aside. Diamond pulled Snickers’s head down and held him close as all three trembled in fright.

The fillies screamed as they were each pulled from under the wagon while Snickers grabbed towards Silver Spoon and held onto her tightly. They were forced to lay in a line and had knives pressed to their throats held by magic as Laxxie finished off two more bandits.

Snickers heard a sound he didn’t recognize before the tip of a sword was pressed into the back of his neck. Laxxie stopped suddenly and locked eyes with the lead mare and they shared a moment of surprise as the fighting stopped. Ponies whined, cried, and moaned as they lay broken around the area, some dying while others wished they were dead after the sudden attack from the unknown wooden monster.

“Whatever the hell you are, you’re going to leave; or I’m going to kill these foals and then the rest.”

Laxxie growled and bloody sap drooled from her maw, but she didn’t leave or advance.

Snickers cried quietly as his body shook and quaked under the weight of the weapon ready to end his life before he’d begun to live it. Diamond Tiara turned to look back at the ponies holding her family and she glared at the mare threatening her stallion’s life. Her head was forced to face forward again by somepony behind her she couldn’t see.

“Go away, monster, or the colt dies first!” Snickers gasped as the sword broke the skin against his mane and he froze in terror. Laxxie took three steps back quickly and then growled with her head lowered. “That’s right, no one wants to see a colt die, not even a monster like you.”

Laxxie looked at Snickers and then backed away some more. The sword left the back of his neck as the mare smirked in triumph. The sword then sliced down and cut into Snickers’s side before it fell to the ground. The mare fell beside him grabbing at the spear that pinned her to the ground through her neck.

Snickers looked to his side at the dying mare before he shrieked again, this time Diamond Tiara joined him as all hell broke loose again. A thin cloud of smoke puffed between Laxxie and the bandits and blasts of fireworks shot into the faces of the ponies holding the fillies at knifepoint. They lost control of their spells as their fur and skin burnt and their weapons clattered to the ground beneath the fillies.

“Vile cretins! How dare you attack Trixie’s friends!” Trixie shouted as one of her fireworks spells shot from her horn directly into the open screaming mouth of a bandit unicorn. She grimaced as the explosion went off inside the mare’s body expanding her like a balloon before she fell to the ground smoking from every orifice. Snickers and the fillies watched as Kiwe pulled a vial from his bandolier and threw it at one of the bandits with his golden magic before he darted towards the cowering herd.

The vial shattered on the stallion’s side and began to turn his clothes into stone, weighing him down to the point he could barely stand, immobilizing him.

“Get inside the wagon, now!” Kiwe shouted as he grabbed Snickers by the mane and began pulling him.

The guardsmare stomped her forehoof on the dying lead mare's neck before pulling the spear free and turning it on the nearest bandit. Snickers watched as the mare stabbed another bandit mare in the chest just as she was, in turn, stabbed in the eye with a flying dagger.

Snickers pulled his attention to the brown zony just ahead of him, then to Cress as she helped Snickers and the fillies into the wagon. The door shut and the sound of battle muffled to a dull series of shouts and growls. There was an occasional pop of fireworks, the sound of thuds against the wagon. A long minute dragged on, then silence fell as all inside the wagon stood still.

Cress trembled as she stood facing the door, a staff in her mouth. Gil curled in the corner hugging the egg tightly. Kiwe’s golden magic lit the area around him as he readied himself to do anything needed to survive the next attack, while the little herd lay together on the mattress trembling. A clean towel was pressed to Snickers’s cut, but the colt just stared ahead of himself shaking.

Two minutes passed before the door slowly opened and Trixie, eyes red from crying, smiled weakly at Cress, who sagged in relief. Kiwe’s magic grabbed a small cloth and hovered it to Trixie, who looked at it with curiosity. He tapped his lips and she got the hint. “Oh, thank you, Kiwi. Trixie vomited a moment ago… is everypony in here okay?”

“Kiwe,” Kiwe corrected the mare who ignored him and walked in.

She looked at Snickers and the fillies before gasping and covering her mouth. Snickers was covered with blood, most of it wasn’t his. The Diamond had blood splatter on her side while Silver’s coat was clean, as though she hadn’t just been through anything. Trixie rushed inside and Diamond moved to let the mare look at Snickers’s wound.

“I have to take the towel off to see the wound,” Trixie said softly before she gently pulled it back to look. She sighed as she looked at it and smiled. “This is not deep, but it is long. It will bleed a lot without proper care, but you’re in luck because I know how to patch up little colts that get hurt. Stay here and keep this covered, there are stitches in my saddlebags. I’ll be right back.”

Silver reached behind her neck and unhooked her necklace before wrapping it around Snickers’s neck. Once she latched it his body shimmered and sparkled before his coat was cleaned of all the blood and dirt he’d been exposed to. She took the necklace back and put it back on, then nuzzled Snickers.

Diamond watched the exchange and looked longingly at the necklace, then at Snickers. “Honey? Are you okay?” She asked and sat facing him. He looked up to meet her eyes, then shook his head. She didn’t say anything as she lay down and let him lay his head on her side.

…

Cress stepped from the wagon’s back and her nose crinkled at the scent around her. There were clearly enchantments in the wagon that she was going to enjoy when she got back inside, but for the moment she wanted to see the battle area. Nearly twelve strangers were strewn around the wagon, only a few moaned and moved, barely alive as she walked around to Trixie, who was hitching up quickly.

“Trixie, aren’t you going to do anything about these bandits?”

Trixie didn’t stop, but she slowed down to look at Cress. “You should be inside the wagon, this isn’t for your young eyes to see.”

“I’m not helpless, Trixie… I’ve just never seen such… carnage in real life.” Cress admitted as she looked at a stallion with a broken face. He was trying to feel for something but with his eyes swollen shut she doubted he’d be able to find anything.

“Hey, listen to the mare and get back inside until we’re away from here,” the guardsmare said from the other side of Trixie. Her head was wrapped in cloth and there was a wad of gauze where her eye once was, but she was still alive and sporting a bloody spear. Her gaze softened as she looked at Cress. “You’ll be fine, just don’t let the others come out, can I count on your help?”

Cress looked at the bodies and saw a mare weakly pawing at her entrails, trying to replace them as she slowly died. The bat filly nodded back to the mare and trotted back to the wagon before shutting the door and locking it. She inhaled the sweet scent of fresh air and fell to her haunches.

The herd was silently supporting one another, Kiwe was staring out a window looking to the sky, and Gil was looking unhappy with himself as he stared out of the other window, watching the dead and dying.

The wagon lurched as they began to move and Cress exhaled deeply. “What the hell happened out there?” She asked no one.

Diamond lifted her head, tears having matted the fur under her eyes. “I… I can’t explain it. It happened so fast and all I could think of was not letting Snickers die, then there was a knife at his throat and…” she sniffled and was hugged by Silver Spoon as they both began to cry.

Cress looked at the colt and grimaced at his expression. Blank was the best way she could describe it. An hour earlier she was sure he was smiling and playing outside the wagon. She heard the herd playing some game to kill time on the trek and the ball they’d been tossing and kicking back and forth earlier in the day was beside her in its cubby. She heard him screaming and saw the weapons from the woods firing at them, but even she knew it was suicide to run out into a bandit attack.

She did the only thing she could think of; lock the windows and door and try to save those she could. Not one of them had actual combat experience and it wasn’t her place to die for some ponies she barely knew. Her eyes traced Snickers’s body and the cloth covering his wound before she looked at Gil. He gently petted the egg passively as the area was left behind.

So much death in such a short time. The timberpony was a timberwolf. She’d seen it in the Forest of Woe, but it hadn’t seemed as real as when she’d seen it tear into the bandits. Now it was gone, back in the woods to hunt down the couple of ponies that had run away. She wondered what horrors would befall those that she caught up to.

A wolf in pony clothing. Cress quietly chuckled at the thought and reference to the story.

Cress knew there were still two days to Frand. Two days with this motley crew that were now scarred and scared. She wasn’t immune to the horrors of what she’d seen, and she was safely inside the wagon. The herd was going to need time to come to terms with what they’d experienced and she couldn’t do anything to help, and it hurt her to know it.

She glanced to the roof where the stallion guard had been wrapped in a sheet. Some spell was cast on him to keep him fresh so he wouldn’t rot while they made it to town. She knew of such things having happened, but reading them in a book is so much different than anything she’d ever thought.

Death came to every creature under Celestia’s sun and Luna’s glorious moon, but the bat filly never thought she’d be so close to so much of it, ever.

The image of the mare trying to save her own life flashed though her mind and she swallowed back bile.

This was a long trip already, but now it just felt like a mistake to leave home for such a stupid reason. How much more pain would she have to see or experience? Or her traveling companions?

It was almost too much for her as she felt her emotions welling. She moved beside Gil on the off chance he wasn’t going to be a jerk. If he was, then she’d gladly take her troubles out on him. When she stood beside him, he glanced down at her before looking back out of the window at nature as it rolled by them.

“It’s like it didn’t even happen.” Gil said. “We just left them there to that monster like they never existed.”

“Laxxie,” Snicker said quietly. “She’s not a monster, she’s my pup. She’s a good timberwolf. She kept… kept me safe the only way she knew how.”

Gil grumbled. “Didn’t look like a little puppy when she was chewing that mare like a fresh kill.”

Cress opened a wing and prodded the gyphon. “Can you at least try to show some compassion? I didn’t see you doing anything but hiding in the corner when the fighting started. At least Kiwe made an effort instead of cowering around.”

Gil growled and narrowed his eyes at the filly. “I have to keep the egg safe, can’t do that running into the first fight we come across.”

Cress looked back outside and sighed. “I’m sorry, you’re right. None of us thought that could happen. It was just… so fast and intense. We could have all died and nopony would know back home, ever.”

“We did not die, that is the important thing,” Kiwe said from the far window, still scanning the sky. “Many lives were lost this day, that is all that I have to say.”

Gil’s wings trembled and Cress looked at the gryphon before noticing his eyes were still narrowed. “Are you okay? You’re a predator, are you mad you didn’t get to kill anypony?” She asked.

Gil shook his head. “I’m not weak like you ponies, but I’m not some bloodthirsty savage, either. I’m supposed to be home right now with my family. I was just tagging along to do paperwork and experience Equestria with Gul as her assistant. Then she gets pregnant and my life is thrown into chaos.” He turned his head to look at Kiwe. “If it wasn’t for that colt, I wouldn’t be here like a useless chick.”

“You aren’t useless. I bet that if it was our turn out there, we’d have seen the ambush and would have been able to avoid it or help. That guard wouldn’t have had to die, Snickers and his fillies wouldn’t have had to see all that first hoof, and no pony would have had to die today.” Cress reached a foreleg out to touch Gil, but he glared down at her.

“Don’t try to make me feel better. When this egg hatches, I’m going home; with or without the chick. There’s no reason for me to stay besides to keep it warm and safe from whatever monsters you bring out.”

Snickers stood up and moved from the safety of his fillies to stand behind Gil. “She’s not a monster, she’s just a timberwolf. She saved us, that includes you and the egg you’re so worried about.”

Gil snapped his beak at Snickers. “What kind of prey are you to say that a predator like that can be tamed and kept on a leash? Hypocrite. That pup you talk about will turn on you as fast as any other monster in Equestria once it gets hungry.”

Snickers bared his teeth. “Laxxie isn’t a monster!” He shouted. He turned and bucked at Gil, striking his lower back. Grunting in startled pain, Gil wrapped his arms around the egg and curled over as Snickers began to punch the gryphon for a few hits.

Cress tackled Snickers to the floor as Diamond and Silver rushed to hold him back. “Stop it!”

“Stop fighting!” Diamond shouted as she held her lover down and sat on his chest. “This isn’t you, Snickers. Just talk to me, what’s wrong?”

Silver, holding his forelegs to the floor, looked down into his inverted eyes and watched as his eyes watered. “Oh, sweetie,” she whispered and let him go.

Snickers twisted suddenly to get Diamond off of him, then he squirmed free. He rushed to the mattress and covered himself with the blanket before he began to sob. All eyes were on Snickers as he did his best to hold back his emotions.

Diamond lifted the blanket to look at him and was wrapped in a tight hug that surprised her. Snickers cried then. He bawled like a baby that was refused a treat in a store. Silver Spoon hugged him from the side and held him as he let loose. After a few minutes of crying he wound down enough to talk.

“We were just talking, then he was dead. I never saw a pony die before, and it was horrible, Diamond. He was just… gone. He looked at me when the arrow went through his head and he was still talking, but didn’t say anything. Like he was muted but didn’t know it until… until…” Snickers sobbed again.

“Then there was Laxxie. I never thought she could kill a pony, but she did. She told me she was going to save me and she did… but it was so awful. She was so big and strong, and scary. I forgot how she looked when she was a timberwolf but I never knew she could do anything like that.

“She didn’t even care about the ponies she killed, I know that. I tried to tell her to not kill them, so she just swiped them away, but even her swipes are from a hard body. She didn’t have time to stop until they were about to kill me. That mare was about to kill me… fuck,” he whimpered. “Then Laxxie listened and was about to leave, but the guard fucking speared the bitch through her fucking neck.

“I watched the mare die, Diamond. You were right there, but did you hear her? She begged to live with the last of her voice before…” Snickers buried his head into Diamond’s belly as tears dripped from his eyes. “Trixie exploded a pony from the inside, but she didn’t die right away. She looked at me, in my fucking eyes, as she tried to talk. Smoke was coming from her mouth! I don’t know what she was saying, but she was looking at me while she died, too. What the fuck is that guard’s name?! She was stabbed in the fucking face and I don’t even know her name!”

Snickers sat up and wiped at his eyes furiously. “I don’t even know her name after three days because she wasn’t that important, just like Foil wasn’t important, until he started to talk to me. Then he…” Snickers sniffled and wiped his eyes some more. He looked at Diamond and whined before he lay back down onto her lap. “I’m so sorry.”

Diamond rubbed his neck. “You don’t have to be. None of that was your fault, I was the one throwing around bits like nothing, even after we learned about the exchange rate. I’m more to blame--”

“I should never have left Equestria,” Snickers interrupted. “If I’d just ran to Manehattan or some other city, I could have hidden out and this could have blown over. We’d still be a train’s ride away from your families and Gil wouldn’t hate us all so much.”

“I hate Kiwe, not you, Snickers,” Gil said as he tore his eyes from the colt to glare at Kiwe.

Snickers inhaled Diamond’s scent, not for the first time, and felt his body relaxing. He appreciated the filly for being there for him, as well as Silver Spoon, but he wasn’t ready to accept what had happened.

Kiwe used his magic to open the window and he peeked his head out. “Guard, what is your name?”

The guard answered, “Potter.”

Kiwe thanked her and closed the window. “Her name is Potter, now you know.”

Snickers shook his head, burying his muzzle deeper into Diamond’s lap. “I don’t care. I don’t wanna know her, or she might be next.” His muffled voice stated.

Diamond blushed in embarrassment and lifted his muzzle from between her legs. She looked into his eyes and pouted. “Snickers, it’s over and we’re here for you. Take all the time you need, but you aren’t alone though this. I was there, I watched ponies die and get hurt, too, okay?”

Snickers moved forward and pressed his lips to hers for a kiss, then hugged her. He opened his foreleg from the hug to let Silver Spoon join in and together they enjoyed a moment with one another.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry that you had to be there for that.” Snickers apologized again.

“It wasn’t your fault, Snickers,” Silver Spoon finally said. She nuzzled against Snickers’s cheek before she pulled back and nipped his ear. “Stop blaming yourself or I’ll have to think of a way to punish you.”

Snickers smirked. “How would you do that? We don’t have anything to take away.”

She leaned close and whispered into his ear before pulling back with a smirk of her own. Snickers contemplated what he’d been told and sighed. “I’ll think about it.” He was embraced into a hug again by both fillies as silence befell the wagon. The bumps and rocking were barely noticeable but it did provide a little comfort to know they were moving on past the horrors that would plague them into the future.

Camp

The wagon stopped for the night and Trixie set up a fire, but only the adults sat around it. The young stayed safe in the wagon with its feeling of security while Trixie lay by the fire. Potter’s horn glowed a light green as her spear poked a shrub before she stowed her spear on her side and stood opposite the fire from Trixie.

“You handled yourself well today.”

Trixie snapped back to the moment and looked at Potter. “Thank you, I have been in many fights, but I’ve never… killed a creature before.”

Potter huffed. “You dropped the third person talking, too. That’s a bonus, but don’t get down on yourself, they were willing to kill foals, a colt. To kill you and… Foil,” she glanced up to the night sky and sighed. “It isn’t easy, but it never gets easier.”

“Have you killed before?” Trixie asked as she looked at the guard mare.

Potter shook her head. “No, not a pony. I didn’t think I’d ever have to, the process for bandits is to give them what they want and live. Foil should have put up his shield, damn it,” she squeezed her eyes shut and let a tear leave her eye.

Trixie stared into the fire. “It was too sudden for any of us. They could have shot me just as easily, there’s no reason why they didn’t. I was nearly killed and there’s nothing I could have done to stop or delay it… Sweet Celesita, I was nearly killed,” she whispered as the fire crackled.

Potter looked down to Trixie. “Who’s Celestia? Some Equestria goddess?”

Trixie looked up and smiled. “She is one of the rulers of Equestria. She raises the sun and for the last thousand years, the moon, until recently.”

Potter looked flatly at Trixie. “You know that’s impossible, right? No one pony can raise the sun, it’s raised by the Council of Stars in the center of the protected zone. No pony can claim to have such power without challenging their given rights.”

Trixie snorted and was about to stand up, but chose against it. “You do not know the truth, and that is your fault, not mine. If you ever go to Equestria, Princess Celestia raises the sun publicly every Wednesday and Sunday from the royal courtyards and you can see her nearly every night if you watch the castle towers.

“Between Princesses Celestia and Luna, and to a much lesser degree Cadence, Equestria is protected from nearly all outside influence of negative magic or attack.” There was a pause as Potter started to walk away. “Wait, please… I need somepony to keep me company after today. I’ve never killed a pony before, and I hope to never again. How… how do you deal with it?”

Potter moved around the fire and stood beside Trixie. “I don’t know. I cried while we were walking away from the site. I can’t believe they killed Foil, he was such a great guy. Anyway, when I get to Frand, I’ll certainly get a bonus or something when I report to the local guardhouse. Destroying bandit gangs is always worth a reward. I’ll share it with you, of course, since you did your part.”

“Trixie doesn’t care about that!” Trixie snapped, then glared into the fire. “I don’t care about that. I have foals to care for, I have my own bits and coins, and I have to meet a close friend in Frand… one that is more important than I thought he was until now. There’s more to this stupid trip than I ever would have thought.

“I was supposed to travel to Frand alone, meet with… my friend, stay a little while, then go home. Maybe I would have been robbed, maybe I would have fallen in love. Maybe none of the above or more, but now I’m a guardian and have responsibilities that far exceed what I have ever thought of or imagined.

“What will I do if they are hurt, or worse? What will I do when I reach Frand and they go their own way like they planned from the start? What if they get in trouble again and I’m held accountable, like in Seldem with the fillies and their little fight?”

Potter tapped the ground to get Trixie’s attention. “It’s not my job to offer life advice, I’m just a guard. But trust me when I say that those foals are more capable than you think. They didn’t die in the assault, which says a lot. Not even the colt. He didn’t even wet himself when there was a sword in his neck, and that’s impressive.

“Look, this whole trip sucks. We’ve all lost something today that we aren’t going to get back, but all we can do is carry on and make the best from all of this. Starting with the fact that we lived and most of them didn’t.”

Trixie looked at the stars in the sky and blinked away tears. “I survived.”

“Yes, you did.”

…

Inside the wagon each of the foals were coping in their own way with what had occurred, most of them were doing very well, considering.

Diamond and Silver played cards with Cress, Kiwe and Gil stayed at opposite sides of the wagon reading books, and Snickers pawed at the mattress in a rhythm.

“I gotta pee,” Diamond said suddenly. “What, it’s been hours we’ve been cooped up in here and I can’t hold it forever.”

As a group the wagon was emptied, hesitantly. Snickers was the third out and hurried to stay by the fillies as they walked to the bushes to relieve themselves. Cress went to her own area saying she liked to go alone. It wasn’t anything new, but it still worried the herd after the day’s events.

Kiwe sat by the fire and looked into it while Gil sat just outside the firelight. “You did well today,” he eventually said to Trixie. She looked at him and nodded. “You came back and fought for our safety, which meant a lot.”

“It was nothing, Trixie would have done it regardless of your age or…” Trixie trailed off and looked back into the fire. “You’re welcome. You were brave, too. Coming out into danger like that to bribe them away.”

“It was all I could do, try to give them what they wanted. Maybe they would have left us alone when they got some gold.” Kiwe said.

Bushes rustled as the foals returned and sat around the fire. “I’m hungry,” Snickers stated, “do we have anything to cook?”

“Yes, but I don’t feel like cooking. Can we just have snacks?” Diamond asked.

Potter got up and her horn lit, pulling a flask from her armor. She took a sip and grimaced before pouring a little onto the ground. She looked up to the wagon and took another drink, then left the firelight. “I’m doing a round, I’ll be right back.”

They watched her walk around the side of the wagon before Silver Spoon whispered to Snickers. “Is she acting weird?”

Snickers nodded. “I don’t remember her actually talking since we started, now she’s drinking, too?”

“Her friend died today,” Trixie said in a hushed whisper to the foals. “Let her grieve in her own way.”

Kiwe got up and trotted to the wagon and went in, a minute later he came out with some ingredients and mixing bowls with a frying pan. “I will cook, as it is my passion. Rest and recover from the day in your own fashion.”

Setting up on a small log, he began mixing and stirring while humming a nameless song. It was a nice quiet moment they all enjoyed until Potter returned. She sat down by Trixie and sighed, then looked at Snickers. “So, you’re a prince, huh?”

The mixing and humming stopped at the same time as Snickers’s breathing. All eyes darted between Snickers and Potter for several seconds. “N-no, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Snickers answered.

Potter rolled her eyes. “Trixie’s got a big mouth. Everypony knows that, but she likes to talk and gossip, too.” All eyes moved to Trixie, who nervously looked between the foals. “Yeah, you were in the newspapers back in Equestria, right? Prince Snickers, lost son of Princess Celestia?”

Snickers sighed and looked into the fire so Diamond spoke up. “It was just a game we were playing. Royal Colt, right Silver?”

“I thought we called it Royal Tree,” Silver said to herself before shaking her head. “I mean, yeah, it was just a game we were playing. I think-”

“He’s royalty,” Gil chimed in, “he just doesn’t act like it. Spent months in the royal palace and everything,” he went on, ignoring the shocked looks of betrayal he was getting from the fillies, “then he almost gets arrested when he goes to see his second mother and here we are.”

Potter looked from the gryphon to the colt and then pulled out her flask, draining it all finally. “Well,” she said with a loud exhale, “I’m asking for a bonus after we get back to Frand. I’m inclined to ask for a little bribe while I’m here, too.”

“What?!” Diamond and Silver shouted while the rest looked at Potter with distain.

“A little birdie just might let it slip that a runaway royal is in Frand when we get there,” she said with a wry smirk. “A little gold might help keep me quiet, though.”

Gil laughed quietly in the ensuing silence. Kiwe’s horn lit and Potter’s spear glowed a light purple in her magical aura as she narrowed her eyes on him. Kiwe stood up and walked to the wagon and leaned in for a moment, then he left with his sack of bits. He opened it and pulled out five bits.

Potter let her magic die out and watched as the golden coins waved in his aura. “Will this suffice to keep you on our side?”

Potter waited a few seconds before shaking her head. “No, you have way more than that, I want a decent cut of the coins you use.”

“Greedy bi--” Diamond started and tried to get up, but she was held down by a firm shove from Silver.

“No, she may have just showed how greedy she is, but she has the upper hoof here. Kiwe, just give her the bag, I’ll repay you, somehow.”

Kiwe snorted and replaced the bits in the bag, then tossed the bag to Potter, who caught it in her magic. She grinned when the bag jingled and then stood up to place the bag in her armor. “That’s more like it. I hope you understand, times are tough all over.”

“You know what, you can just leave us and go ahead.” Silver offered as she stood up and walked around the fire to stand in its light.

Potter laughed and stood up. “I’m your guard, like it or not. This just turned into a lucrative duty posting,” she glanced up to the wagon, “and Foil’s family will have something to survive on while they come to terms with their loss.” She looked down at the gray filly. “You can look at me like a bandit all you want, but a few Equestrian gold coins are a small price to pay for safety.”

Snickers stood up and glared at Potter. “If you were a bandit…” he went silent as Laxxie rustled around in the woods, “...you’d have more to worry about than a few bits.”

Potter’s spear readied itself as she turned to the woods. “Call off your monster, colt!”

“Or what?” Snickers asked as he moved to stand beside Silver Spoon.

“Just do it! I don’t want any trouble,” she said stoically, even though her tail and ears belied her growing fear.

“Why not? You’re just another victim of the bandit raid, right, girls?” Snickers asked.

Trixie stood up and sighed. “Stop it, this isn’t even a negotiation. Potter, keep the bits. It’s just a pittance compared to what they’re worth. Snickers, stop scaring the locals!” She glared at Snickers. “She may be greedy, but she’s just a pony, like the rest of us.”

Laxxie growled from the darkness. Potter took a step back from the woods as her spear raised and pointed sharply towards the sound.

Snickers huffed. “Fine, but if she tries anything, it’s timberwolf time.”

“T-timberwolf? Is that what that monster is called? I thought… it was just a little wooden filly golem… but-”

“She’s not a monster!” Snickers shrieked and ran around Silver and past Trixie before he was grabbed by the tail in Trixie’s magic. “Let me go, I’m gonna kick her face in!”

Laxxie, in timberwolf form, stepped from the woods and braved the firelight, her yellow and lime green eyes glowing brightly as she towered over Potter.

“Snickers, stop this!” Trixie demanded.

“Stop it, Snickers! Don’t hurt her!” Cress shouted as she hovered over the area.

Kiwe rushed to stand in front of Snickers and his horn lit, pulling a vial from his bandolier. “Do not make me use this, call her off at once.”

Snickers growled and his eyes watered as Laxxie moved closer to Potter until the mare was backed against the wagon. “Take it back, Laxxie isn’t a monster!” Snickers shouted.

“She’s not a monster! She’s a little filly… golem. Please,” Potter began to shiver, “I don’t want to die like this.”

“Snickers, stop it, she’s terrified of you and Laxxie!” Trixie shouted.

Snickers relaxed and Laxxie took a step away before her body collapsed onto itself. Her timberpony form emerged from the pile of wood. She moved to Potter and smiled up at her. Potter’s armor clattered from the shivering she was doing as the little creature approached her.
“Hi, can we be friends now?”

Potter moved the spear between them, pointing the sharp end at the timberpony. “What the…?” She stared and didn’t dare blink.

“Let me go,” Snickers said to Trixie. When his tail was released he moved past Kiwe to stand beside Laxxie. “Her name is Laxxie and she’s a really nice pony. A timberpony. My daughter, and she wants to be your friend because you’re brave.” Potter looked between the two. “Put the spear away or she might take that as a challenge,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

Potter lifted the spear quickly. “Are you going to kill me?” She finally asked. Laxxie moved closer and raised a wooden foreleg. Looking between the group, Potter carefully bumped her hoof to Laxxie’s and there was a collective sigh.

“See, we can all be friends. Keep your stupid bits,” Trixie finally said, “I hope it was worth it.” She turned back to the fire and laid down.

Laxxie smiled at Potter, who scooted away from her. “Friends do not hurt each other. I will keep you safe, too.” With that, Laxxie moved to Snickers and gave him a hug before she returned to the woods. “I will stay close…” she stopped and turned back to the camp. “I am sorry about today. I do not like to hurt ponies, but they were going to hurt my family. They were bad ponies.”

Silver nodded as she and Diamond sided with Snickers. “Yes, they were… but next time, maybe don’t kill them?” Silver offered.

Laxxie cocked her head. “I did not kill any pony today, Daddy said not to kill, so I did not.”

Snickers nodded. “It’s true. She’s a good girl that listened to me. Potter killed more ponies today than Laxxie did.”

Potter shook her head. “It wasn’t something I wanted to do… whatever. I’m only here to guard you and now I have to keep your secrets. Once I get to Frand, we’re going our own ways.”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “That was the plan with Trixie, too. I just hope that plan still works out.”

Trixie humphed. “Trixie is grateful for traveling with you, too, little mare. But, the sooner you leave Trixie, the better!”

“Great, she’s back to talking in third person.” Snickers groaned and moved to sit by the fire. “Anypony have anything to eat, or are we going to sleep hungry?”

Kiwe returned to his meal prep and quietly prepared something before loading it into the pan and setting it in the fire. “We shall have a meal within the hour, I hope you all enjoy hay with flour.”

“Is that all you made? Hay and flour?” Diamond asked, snidely.

“No, but it rhymes better than what I mixed into it,” Kiwe replied calmly. “We are having a simple meal, but it will be hot and filling for us foals. The adults will have rations, as usual, I’m sure.”

Trixie frowned and used her magic to pull a wrapped sandwich from under her cloak. She unwrapped it and took a bite, throwing the plastic into the fire as she chewed. “I can’t wait to see my friend and have a real meal.”

“So, who are you going to see in Frand?” Silver Spoon asked Trixie.

Trixie swallowed her bite and shook her head. “After all you’ve put me through, you think I’d tell you? Why, you would be lucky to meet someone half as important as him in all your travels in these lands.”

“It’s okay, we have a prince with us, we’ll just set up in the local palace,” Diamond replied. She grunted when she was elbowed by Snickers. “I’m just kidding! I wouldn’t tell everypony you’re a prince just to get a royal suite, again. The apartments Princess Celestia put us up in were really nice, though.”

“I know, right! There was a bathtub that was enchanted to fill with whatever scent we wanted and it was as big as a swimming pool. There was a banquet every night, the beds were so big my whole family could have slept on one with room to spare,” Silver gushed, “and the spa…”

All three sighed. “The spa was great. I’d never been so well groomed,” Diamond remembered fondly.

“My hooves were so polished I could see myself in them,” Snickers said, lifting his scratched and damaged hoof with a pout.

“I felt so amazing after every session, they even washed my mane with special potions,” Silver said, taking her braid into view, lamenting the leaves she’d managed to get into it.

Kiwe smiled at the three. “It seems as if you enjoy being treated as royalty is more of your preference than being commoners.”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Well, duh. Don’t think we didn’t notice how much you liked being treated like a noble while we were there, Kiwe. Plus, you found Gul and have the cutest little one now!”

“She is still in an egg, we can only hope it will be half as beautiful as her mother, though.” Kiwe said with a smile.

Silver awed before nuzzling Snickers. “I hope you say such sweet things when you get me pregnant.”

Snickers froze and then glanced at Silver before setting his hoof down. “I don’t think I’m ready to be a dad, yet. But, if it happens, I’ll be the best one I can be.”

Diamond and Silver cooed at him, making him blush, then nuzzled and kissed him. “You’re gonna be the best dad,” Silver said.

Diamond’s stomach rumbled and she looked at the wagon. “I’m thirsty, I’ll be right back.” She got up and rushed to the wagon, returning shortly with two canteens and a bottle of wine. “Who’s thirsty?”

Snickers frowned. “Why did you bring the wine? You know I can’t drink that stuff or I get loopy.”

Diamond hugged the bottle. “It’s for us mares, and you can have a little mixed with water. We’ve had a long day and we deserve a drink of wine.”

“Hear, hear,” Silver chanted as she opened one of the canteens. She drank from it and then held it to the pink filly. “Just a little, to help him relax.”

Snickers huffed but didn’t complain. He listened as the wine was carefully poured into the canteen and when it was handed to him, he drank some, smiling at the grape flavor. “That’s not that bad, actually. Can I have a little more? To build my tolerance?”

Diamond looked at the wine bottle and then Silver, who shrugged. Another pour was added to refill the canteen before the wine was passed between the fillies. Trixie’s magic snagged it and she took a large pull, to the fillies’ consternation, and then it was passed to Kiwe, who took a drink with a sigh.

“That’s my bro,” Snickers said as he stood up and walked around the fire to stand beside Kiwe. “So, what was that potion you were going to use on me?” He asked, taking a drink from his canteen.

Kiwe smiled. “It was nothing dangerous, you would have only lost your voice for a few minutes. It would be hard to threaten somepony when you cannot speak.”

Snickers snickered. “I have a psychic link with Laxxie, I could have just talked through her.”

Kiwe frowned. “I forgot about that. It is a skill you have not used before, so I will have to remember it going forward.”

…

Wind rushed by Cress as she glided, flapping to propel herself ahead with slight changes to the angles of her wings to take her closer to Gil. “Hey, squab, what’s eating you?” She shouted ahead of herself. Gil turned his avian head to glance back, then rolled his eyes with his head to look forward. Cress flapped harder and got within talking range. “What’s your problem now?” Cress asked.

“I have a buzzard stalking me.” Gil stated and banked to the side. When Cress flew into his view again he angled himself higher and found a cloud to perch on. “Why are you always following me?” He shouted at the filly as she approached.

Cress hovered a few lengths away from him and crossed her forelegs. “I’m just wondering why you’re running away from everything, again.”

“I’m not running away,” Gil retorted. “I’m getting some space from you sappy dweebs.”

Cress giggled and her tufted ears flicked. “You must have some friends from Griffinstone.”

Gil blinked. “What makes you think I hang out with those losers?”

“Only gryphons from Griffinstone talk about ‘dweebs’. And you’re from Gryphonia.”

Gil’s feathery wings fluffed. “It doesn’t matter who I know or where they’re from, all that matters is where I’m from, and where I’m going in two and a half months.” He said with a pat the the egg.

“You know, you can just leave that with us and go home on your own. We have enough blankets to keep the egg warm and we can keep it safe for you and Kiwe.” Cress offered.

Gil snapped his beak and narrowed his eyes. “So you can accidentally step on it, or hug it too close with those boney hooves and crack it, or outright forget about it and leave it behind in some room?” Cress opened her mouth, but was stopped by Gil’s raised talon. “You’re still a child, you aren’t responsible enough to care for a life.”

Cress scoffed. “I’m hardly as young as you might think.”

Gil shook his head. “I don’t care, I don’t want to know anything about you. Family is all that matters in this world, and I won’t lose a nephew or niece over my own desire to go home.”

Cress smirked, but it faded. “So, what, you won’t spend any more time with us if you can help it? You sound just like any other moody teenage gryphon I’ve ever heard of.”

“I’m not moody,” Gil replied. “I’m just here against my will.”

Cress pointed east. “Then go back to Equestria. Nopony’s stopping you from taking the egg and just leaving! Your attitude isn’t exactly what we all need, you know.”

“I can’t just leave, I’m honor bound to stay,” Gil snapped back. “If I go back, I break my word, and I can’t do that. My word is all I have,” he admitted.”

Cress smiled. “That’s all a lot of have.”

“Don’t pander to me, filly.”

“I’m not,” Cress replied and floated a little closer. “I’m being serious. Take away my bits and wea- er, saddlebags, and all I have is what you see in front of you. I’m not exactly carrying much on this trip besides my good word and what skills I bring. We’re not that different, you and I. Maybe,” she looked up into the starry night and Gil flew past her, making her spin twice before she regulated herself. She watched him fly away and huffed. “Are all gryphons this annoying?”

She looked back to where he was and flew quickly to the spot where he’d been, laying around the egg he’d left behind. She couldn’t understand why he’d just trusted her with such an important thing, but she wasn’t going to shirk her duty to watch over it until he returned.

Gil flew back along the path they’d traveled, his eyes having seen the group of bandits from miles away. He dived down and landed in front of their leader with his wings spread wide. “What do you want now?” He asked, looking down at the pony in the front.

The stallion staggered back and used his magic to pull a small knife from his foreleg. “We’re sorry! We don’t want any more trouble. We thought you’d be further ahead!” Gil looked at the rest and noticed the injured as well as the dead mares being dragged in the back.

“If you try to hurt me or my friends I’ll call the wolf on you again. Go back to the hole you crawled out of.”

The stallion nodded fervently and the rest backed away from the gryphon. “But, out hideout’s down the road some more.” A mare called out from the center of the pack of defeated bandits. She was limping and had a clearly broken tail and even in the darkness of night, Gil could see bruises across her body.

“Take the long route! I’m going to tell my friends you’re coming and you’d better hope you’re off the path before the timberwolf returns to finish you off.”

Some of the ponies that could still move on their own started walking into the woods quickly while the injured called out to them for help. Other bandits hurried to help those that were too injured to move on their own onto their backs. The remaining seriously injured or dead were left to be pulled on makeshift litters into the woods by the bandits. Gil watched them leave with haste and then took off into the sky over the woods. He watched them travel for a while, then noticed some small critters he could eat and redirected his attention to them.

As Gil tore into a squirrel that was resting on a branch, he heard leaves crunching and he turned with his talons ready to the noise. Seeing Laxxie, he relaxed and licked his beak before looking into the trees for any other small game.

“You scared away the bad ponies.” Laxxie finally said.

Gil nodded and looked at her. “You would have just finished the job from earlier, so I saved them from being a nice meal for you.”

Laxxie giggled softly. “I don’t eat ponies, their meat is too tough.” Gil stared at the timberpony, waiting for the joke. “I prefer to eat what you do, when I need it.” She said and turned her head back to reach into her wooden body. She pulled out a small leg from what seemed like a rabbit. She tossed it to Gil, who snapped it up and tasted the fur and texture before the flavor of the meat.

He swallowed it and nodded to her. “Thanks, I guess. But that’s not enough for me to fill up on.”

Laxxie turned and faced further into the woods. “There’s a whole warren full of bunnies that way. I trapped them with my roots, but I can share with you since I’m full already.”

“Then, why did you trap them?” Gil asked, looking into the sky where he’d left the egg, trusting the filly to watch over it while he took care of business.”

Laxxie started walking. “I would have freed them before we left, but sometimes the pack gets hungry and father is not a hunter.” Gil followed Laxxie and came across a hole in the ground that didn’t seem like much. Laxxie pointed. “Reach in there for the food, but be quick because they are fast.”

Gil reached into the hole and pressed past some obvious roots, then felt something brush against his talon. He struck quickly and yanked out a very large rabbit, squirming to get free of the claws that dug into its body. It squeaked and blood dribbled down its fur. Gil smiled and bit the rabbit’s head off and held its decapitated body over his open beak.

He swallowed and sighed. “It’s tasty.”

Laxxie nodded. “I usually only eat one every couple days, but I’ve had to eat a lot today because I keep changing into my wolfy form. It takes a lot of magic to change,” she said and waited as Gil bit off one of the rabbit’s legs. “Do you have to eat a lot to fly?”

Gil crunched the bones in his mouth before shaking his head. “I don’t think so. It’s just part of my diet to eat, and flying is a part of it. A few rabbits and squirrels a day keeps me healthy enough,” he said and took a claw to the rabbit’s belly, slicing it open. “Wouldn’t mind some big game, though. Maybe a beaver or something.”

Laxxie watched the gryphon drop the rabbit to the ground and quickly eat its insides without concern. “I will keep an eye out for such for you. A healthy pack is a good pack,” she said.

Gil licked some blood from his beak and made his way back to the warren. “Why do you keep talking about packs? You’re not in a pack, you’re not in anything. You hide in the woods while everyone else stays together on the road or goes into town.”

“I am a timberpony now, but I was born a timberwolf. I only know of my alpha, my father, and his mares. They are my pack, my family. There is nothing more important than that.”

Gil quietly snared another rabbit and looked at it as it struggled feebly in his grip before he bit its head off and drank its still warm blood. He snapped his beak a few times, enjoying it, before he looked at the timberpony. “I can understand that.”

…

Cress’s ears perked and directed themselves to Gil before she saw him approach from below her. She grinned and uncurled a little to show she was still holding the egg safely. “I’m glad you came back, I don’t really have a great way to carry this back down without looking like an idiot.”

“You are an idiot,” Gil said as he took the egg with one arm back into the swaddling strap. Cress opened her mouth to retort about his comment, but a rabbit was stuffed into her maw before she could say anything.

She spat it out into her forelegs and grimaced. “What the--”

“Thanks for watching the egg,” Gil said, “so I brought you a rabbit.”

“I don’t eat uncooked meat,” she said, looking at the dead creature.

“I thought you bat ponies loved that stuff,” Gil said.

Cress stood up and balanced the rabbit on her foreleg. “Are you going to call me some blood sucking vampire, too? You know, just because I look a certain way, doesn’t mean-” She was cut off when Gil pressed a finger to her lips.

“Look, it’s how we say thanks, alright? I’m… not exactly up to date on pony customs, so I figured sharing some of what I had to eat would work. But, fine, if it’s not good enough-”

Cress pulled back and kept the rabbit from Gil’s grasp. She understood what he was trying to do and moved quickly, rubbing her cheek against his beak. He squaked and flapped back from her, making her topple from the cloud. She quickly flew to his height again and cocked her head at him.

Cress could swear he was blushing. “Don’t touch me, filly,” Gil said and dived down from her sight.

She looked at the dead bunny in her forehooves. “I think I’m making progress,” she said and the bunny’s head lolled to the side, it’s eyes still closed. Cress turned back to the camp and followed Gil to land right beside him.

“There were bandits on the trail,” Gil announced when he landed. Cress was just as surprised at the rest of them.

“Did you kill them?” Trixie asked as she looked at the bloodied mess the gryphon was.

Gil lifted a leg and then laughed. “No, after I told them to get lost I had supper with Laxxie.”

Silver gasped. “You didn’t eat a pony, did you?”

Cress tossed the dead rabbit into the firelight. “Grow up,” she said, “he ate rabbits… right?”

Gil snapped his beak at the rabbit and then nodded. “They were tasty, too. If no one wants that one…” Gil pointed to it. He jerked back when a spear stabbed the rabbit and pulled back to Potter.

The mare looked the rabbit over and then used her magic to skin it before tossing the hide to the side. “Gross!” Diamond loudly stated as the rest watched with fascination at how easily the mare took the rabbit apart, dancing it across the edge of her spear’s tip to take it apart, piece by piece. She then held parts of it over the fire and the scent of cooked meat filled the camp area.

The herd sniffed the air but didn’t say anything as the mare cooked her meal, instead choosing to return to the wagon while the rest got comfortable around the fire. Gil licked his legs, cleaning himself while Cress watched the gryphon from the corner of her eye.

Trixie began to hum a tune and quietly sang a song to herself to fill the silence while Potter cooked her meat. The wagon’s door opened and Snickers waved Kiwe over, then whispered something to the colt before they both went inside.

Trixie shook her head. “If they are expanding their herd, I will leave them at the gates of Frand before it becomes a nightmare of hurt feelings and confused fillies.”

Potter shrugged. “What do you care, anyway? You’re already ditching them when we get there.”

“Trixie is not ditching foals as soon as she can, even if they are…”

“Horny idiot foals.” Potter supplied in Trixie’s hesitation.

“Yes, that. They are not ready for the trials that face them in that city, much less in other areas of this part of the world. Equestrians aren’t taught about the Undiscovered West for a reason; it’s still undiscovered. Trixie barely knows that much about these lands and she visits every few years.

“Last time she was here, Lord Lorde wasn’t even a Lord. She must find out what has transpired over the past couple years and make sure the friends she has here are in good health. As well as that, these foals can’t be left with Equestrian gold as their only currency, so Trixie will have to help them open bank accounts and get lodging for the duration of their stay.”

“You sound like their guardian,” Potter observed.

“Trixie will do as she must to care for those that cannot care for themselves.”

Frand

It was very early, barely sunrise when the wagon lurching into motion startled the creatures inside of it making all of them vocalize their displeasure before going back to sleep. Kiwe was already awake, however, he held his potion making kit still as he mixed some new plants with old herbs in a mortar and pestle.

Gil lifted his head and yawned, looking at the zony. “Do you have to be so loud, grinding that stuff up?” Kiwe’s horn glowed a little brighter for a second, then the sound of scratching stone stopped. “Thanks,” Gil said. He curled his legs closer to his body and was almost asleep again, when he noticed Cress was practically touching him, she was so close. “What is she doing so close to me?” The gryphon asked.

Kiwe looked over and smiled. “She likes your warmth and feathers, I think.”

Gil scooted another couple inches away from the filly. “Well, I don’t like her… wings,” he said and went back to resting.

Cress opened her eyes and her wings shuffled. Kiwe met her worried gaze and shook his head, still smiling. She weakly smiled back and closed her eyes again.

The road was very bumpy, as it had been, making sleep difficult for the foals. Snickers opened his eyes and saw the rising sun through the window and then turned to bury his muzzle between Silver’s neck and the mattress. Sweat covered his face and his breathing was ragged, having woken up from another nightmare.

He moved the blanket to his face and wiped it off, then snuggled closer to Diamond Tiara and eventually fell back asleep, praying the sight of an arrow through his own head wouldn’t haunt him again..

The mattress shifted suddenly and Snickers awoke, looking around he noticed his fillies were gone, only Kiwe, Gil and himself were in the wagon. Without the extra weight of his fillies the bed was moving with each bump and dip in the road. He began to panic and got up, tossing the covers off as he rushed out the back door, tumbling onto the path with a loud clatter.

“Ouch, that looked like it hurt,” Potter said. She picked him up with her magic and set him on his hooves. “You do know the stairs are retracted when the wagon is in motion, right?”

“Where are my fillies?” Snickers quickly asked as he moved to trot at the wagon’s pace beside the mare.

“They just went to the bathroom a couple minutes ago. Trixie didn’t want to stop so they’re just going to have to catch up.”

“You let them go out there alone?!” Snickers snapped at the unicorn.

Potter motioned to the skyand Snickers looked up to see Cress flying overhead. “Have some faith in me, Princie.”

“Don’t call me that,” Snickers replied as his anxiety ebbed. “I have to go, too.” He said and turned off the path.

Potter watched him and then averted her eyes. “You know, most ponies actually reach the bushes before they start to pee.”

He quickly finished and rushed to catch up. “I’m not most ponies and can’t… be alone. It’s something I’m working on.”

Potter didn’t reply, instead hurrying around the wagon to Trixie to share some words with her.

The fillies’ galloping to catch up got his attention and he looked back, smiling. “I wish you’d told me you were going out, I almost had a panic attack when I woke up and you weren’t there.”

Silver and Diamond sided him, sharing a nuzzle each. “The boys were both in there, you weren’t alone,” Silver said.

“It didn’t matter, they aren’t you, I was really scared for a second.” Snickers replied. Both fillies smiled at that and took a little step closer to guard their colt.

“Why won’t she stop to let us go to the bathroom?” Diamond complained. “It’s very rude of her.”

“I know, Diamond. Like, if I was driving, I’d stop for her,” Silver added.

Snickers moved to look around the wagon but couldn’t see Trixie from where she was hitched. “It’s because we’re arriving at Frand today, I bet. She’s been moving like crazy the last couple days, ever since the bandit attack, at least.”

Diamond tittered. “I can’t wait to find a spot to open Daddy’s first store in these lands. He’ll be so proud of me when I send him a huge bag of bits… er, Lordecoin.” She giggled. “What kind of a currency is Lordecoin?”

“It’s what they use here. I bet they think ‘bits’ is a silly word for our currency,” Snickers said.

“I know,” Silver said, “but, if Potter didn’t clear it up with us, we’d really sound like tourists, calling their money by the wrong name.”

“Shut up, we can see the city now!” Trixie called from the front. The foals and other creatures gathered and rushed ahead to see the city in awe.

“It’s like Baltimare and Manehattan,” Silver Spoon said, then hopped in excitement.

They moved out of the way of Trixie pulling the wagon and then walked in pace as they looked over the city. One statue of a grand pony wearing robes stood at one side of the main entrance, greeting all who came with heads wrapped in wreaths and robes while another pony stood tall and imposing with a wooden spear attached to its side. Each statue was truly enormous and Snickers wondered how they held up their own weight without breaking.

They guarded a relatively short path towards a gate into the city that was open and had various creatures entering and leaving as they approached from the East side of the city, high enough to see the statues from the side.

“Finally, I can collect my reward for getting you lot here,” Potter said as she holdstered her spear to her side, collapsing it to half its size with a twist.

“You already got an award by stealing our bits,” Diamond Tiara grumbled. Potter replied by tapping her chest armor and smiling at the sound of bits clinking together. “Bitch.”

“Now, Diamond,” Silver chided, “language.”

“Whatever!” Diamond replied, loudly. Snickers laughed at the exchange. “Don’t you start with me, honey, or I’ll make a swear jar for you to put bits into.” Snickers, still grinning, pretended to zip his lips closed. “Yeah, I thought so.”

“Okay, enough of the foal play,” Cress said from the air, hovering over the rest. “We’re almost there, so let’s get our game faces on. We have to not look like tourists and definitely not get into any trouble,” she looked around them and realized Gil wasn’t there. She shrugged and flew ahead a little to see the area better.

Kiwe hopped out of the wagon and rushed to see the city with his friends while Gil hopped into the air and flew up to see the area better. “Wow, a real city and it’s not just ponies,” Gil shouted from above.

“What? What else is there?” Kiwe shouted up.

Potter chuckled. “You Equestrians think ponies are all that matters. I’ve heard stories of your xenophobia and righeous attitudes about your views. Truth is, you didn’t even ask a single question about Frand or who inhabit it.”

“Well, we’re asking now,” Silver Spoon said. “And what’s xeni-phibilina?”

Potter smirked. “It means you’re afraid of non-ponies, little filly.”

“I’m not a little filly. I’m a mare, thank you very much,” Silver Spoon said with a flick of her tail and raised snout.

Potter looked around the area quickly, then addressed Silver Spoon. “Well, little filly that thinks she’s a mare, there’s a lot of creatures that live in Frand. I’m not going to tell you though, I think it’ll be more fun to see your reactions.”

“You’re really a huge bi-”

“Diamond Tiara, language!” Silver Spoon admonished her herd sister.

As the group approached the statues to enter the city they passed a cow pulling a cart full of various produce all mixed together. “Mooove out of the way,” she said to another cow standing still and chewing her cud in her path, staring out into nothingness.

The standing cow was snapped back to reality and stepped aside to let the cart pass, then began following the first cow into town. Trixie slowed her pace to walking and panted as she fell in line with another cow pulling a cart full of mixed fruits.

“Why are they all mixed up like that? Aren’t they gonna have a hard time separating the fruit and vegetables like that?” Cress asked from the driver’s seat of the wagon.

“Get off from there, foal! I have enough to carry without you adding to the weight at the very end of the journey.” Trixie commanded.

Cress flew to join the others and landed beside Kiwe, who glanced around and noticed they were taking up a lot of space. “Let us move behind the wagon before we cause some congestion.”

They agreed and slowed, then noticed Gil above them being shouted at by a much larger griffin and two pegasi. He shouted back and then lowered himself to land with the group. “Stupid no fly rules. I have to stay just above building height when I’m in the city and I can’t fly in or out over the walls. That’s you too, Cress.”

“We’ll manage,” Cress replied with a fanged smile.

“Wow,” the herd trio breathed as they reached the gate and looked into the city. It was populated by at least a half dozen different creatures ranging from minotaurs to the cows they saw but a moment ago. Houses were all three stories at the entrance and only grew higher as they went deeper into the city center. Electric signs buzzed with life from the storefronts indicating their open or closed status or what their special sponsor was advertising. And in the distance, Snickers could see the glimmer of lights emanating from every window.

“It’s like home,” Snickers said quietly, “only better.”

“Why’s it better?” Silver Spoon asked as they walked to the gate guards.

Snickers hesitated. “Not only because you’re here with me,” he received an ‘awe’, “but because it’s so clean and simple. There aren’t any speakers blasting propaganda or any threat of death for breaking the laws.”

“That sounds like it would really suck,” Diamond said. “I’m glad you’re here and we’re not there.”

“I know, I’m glad of that too. But, I wanna see what Trixie says to get us into the city, this should be good. Maybe we’ll be turned away and have to camp outside until--”

“You may pass.” The guard said after several words with Trixie.

Snicker’s huffed. “I missed it. I wonder what she said.”

“Whatever it was, it must have been a good one,” Diamond snarked.

Potter moved to the front of the group behind the wagon and looked back. “Once inside, you have to visit a bank and open an account for your money. You don’t know how important it is that you do that before you go buying stuff; not even a bottle of water. Okay?”

The foals looked between one another, then to Diamond Tiara, who nodded. “That makes practical business sense and is something daddy would tell me to do, I think. Besides, I have so many-”

“Hush, don’t say what your currency is. Remember the bandit attack?” Potter hissed. Snickers whimpered and he felt his consciousness fade suddenly before he snapped back to the moment. He stumbled and fell to the cobblestone street and was quickly picked up by Potter. “And you should take this one to a mind-mender before this problem becomes too much for him to handle.”

“Hey, put him down!” Diamond Tiara shouted. Potter set Snickers down on his hooves, which wobbled slightly as he was pulled by Potter’s green magic around his fetlocks. He stumbled but kept pace and was released.

“Hurry up, ponies.” A voice from behind the group said in a gravely tone. When they looked back they all followed the order of the hulking group of five minotaurs wielding weapons of war covered in blood. In their cart were fish the size of a foal. Dozens of them.

Potter laughed at the young creatures' reactions and moved to the side of the wagon to tell Trixie where to drop the wagon off.

The group had to keep reminding one another to keep up with the wagon as they navigated the streets deeper into the city. They all marveled at the creatures, the shops, the clothing, and the very new nature of a city after being away from such bustling life for so long. The wagon stopped suddenly after a few turns into the city at what seemed to be a wagon depot.

“What’s the sign say?” Diamond asked her herdmates. “I still can’t read English thanks to no practice, I can’t even speak it hardly,” she grumbled.

“Wagon Haul, just like it was in Seldem. I think it’s a company,” Silver Spoon said. “Why’s so much written in English here?”

“I don’t know, but it’s clearly something big. I thought only Snickers spoke and read that language,” Diamond said.

“Clearly not.” Cress said.

“I know what we should do, get something to eat.” Gil suggested.

“Not until we stop at the bank,” Diamond replied.

Trixie stood over the group suddenly. “Foals, unpack your equipment and gather around Trixie, she will be escorting you to the palace.”

“Wait, there’s a palace here?” Diamond asked.

“Isn’t that exactly what Trixie just said? Trixie snapped. “Gather your belongings from the wagon at once, or it’ll be left behind. You have thirty seconds!” Every creature, except Gil, rushed into the wagon to gather their saddlebags and other items before rushing out to stand in a semicircle around Trixie. “Very well done, let’s hurry to receive whatever reward we are due for helping down the bandits and be on our way. You all stay here, I’ll be right back,” she commanded and turned to the business housed in what looked like a small garage.

Potter stood by the group keeping guard. “Why are you still here?” Snickers asked. “Shouldn’t you be taking care of… him?” he squeaked.

“I’m not going to let you wander off and get lost or robbed. In fact, I’m going to guide you to the bank, then I’ll be done with you.” Potter stated and patted her chest again to hear the faint sound of bits clinking. She smiled widely and looked at the wagon’s top. “For you, Foil.”

Potter climbed up the ladder to see her friend wrapped and still enchanted with a green glow, then levitated him to the ground. An employee saw the wrapped body and rushed over to ask what happened.

Time passed and the foals wandered slightly from the group in boredom, looking at the buildings and the signs written in both English and a language they didn’t know. After asking Silver Spoon and Snickers a lot, the two finally decided to read only when needed and not every sign they saw or came across.

They all noticed there were no hanging signs with icons indicating what the shops were, at least from where they stood, which put more pressure on the two to be the local guides of a sort.

Potter finally accepted the aid of the employee and waited as she rushed off to get a local guard and mortician. Potter agreed to return promptly to give her statement about Foil’s death, after she guided the tourists to their next destination.

Finally, Trixie appeared from the business. She trotted to and through the group to Potter. “Why are you still here?”

“One, I haven’t gotten my payment for helping with the bandits in Lordecoin; two, I’m going to guide you all to the bank because I have to make a deposit of my own, now.”

Trixie scoffed and opened the cloth purse she was holding and shuffled the coins around, then took a sum and held them out to Potter, who took them in her green magical aura and then slipped them into the bag with the bits before securing them again. “Thanks, follow me and don’t get separated. You’re clearly tourists and plenty of creatures will take advantage of you for that.”

As a group they all followed Potter, then they separated into groups of two in a long line with Trixie standing beside Potter as they were led through the streets, turn after turn, until they stopped. “It’s the bank,” Silver Spoon announced as she read the sign.

“Clearly,” Gil said and pointed to the dollar signs and various coins on the main sign above the entrance door.

“Well, at least I’m doing something!” Silver snapped back.

“I’m holding the most delicate thing here.” Gil responded.

Silver bit her comment back, instead following the adults into the bank. They walked to the teller and each in turn placed as many bits as they could into a large bag and opened an account. The bank manager was eager to offer them a hotel room on the bank’s behalf for their deposit.

Trixie accepted the offer, even though she did not plan to stay in a hotel. As the oldest among the group by a decade, Trixie was given the account details and her eyes widened comically. She grinned and took out several hundred Lordecoins, the most common form of currency, and gave one hundred to Potter.

“Trixie has not enjoyed your company and she hopes you have a good life being a guard,” was all Trixie had to say as she led her group out of the bank.

“It’s been a pleasure, Tricky.” Potter commented as Trixie was leaving.

Trixie did not turn back to correct the mare, instead griping about her name being mispronounced. “Follow Trixie closely. You may not have any more of our currency,” she said glancing back to the foals, trying to see if they were hiding any bits, “but it doesn’t mean you won’t be targeted or something.”

Trixie turned toward the center of the city and made her way quickly, almost trotting faster than the earth pony foals could manage with their shorter legs. “Slow down,” Snickers stated as his hooves nearly caught an uneven stone that would have tripped him.

Trixie slowed and looked back. “Keep up with Trixie or she’ll leave you behind. This has been too trying of a journey to give up before we meet my friend in the Keep.”

“Keep? I thought you said it was a palace.” Diamond asked.

Trixie looked around and then answered. “It is a Keep, this whole city may as well be a castle. It is fortified, well built, full of the rabble that makes up the same nobility classes of Equestria. Just think of it as home for now.”

The group noted her comment and Cress took flight to look around the city from above the group. After a few minutes, she landed with a clack of her hooves on the stone. “She’s basically right, this is like a castle with a stone fortified building in the center that we’re going towards. We still have about ten minutes before we get there, but I think it looks nice.

“It’s painted a nice shade of white with gray stones making up the wall. It’s not the largest building in the city, either, the tallest one is that way,” she pointed toward the West, “but I don’t know what it is.”

“It is something you needn’t worry about. And stay inside when the sun sets, this city is like any other, only worse, when the lights go out.” Trixie advised.

The herd grouped closer together while Cress stepped a little closer to Gil, who tried to step away until he couldn’t and then took to the air to fly just above them all with steady flaps of his wings. “I think I see the Keep, it’s coming up quick!”

They all chattered among one another and did their best to ignore the heavenly smells from the restaurants, bakeries, and stands they passed until they finally reached the main gate of the Keep. It was surrounded by cut grass an inch tall without a hoofprint in it and a stone path led almost ten lengths from the cobblestone to the open gate, guarded by six guards on the ground and four in towers above.

“Wow, we’re finally here,” Diamond said. “I hope this Lord isn’t a jerk like most of the ones I’ve read about.”

Keep

Trixie hushed the group and told them to wait at the halfway point while she announced herself. A minute later a stallion came galloping from further inside the Keep to greet Trixie. The stallion stopped at the gate in front of Trixie and panted, smiling as he greeted her. “Greetings, Great and Powerful Trixie, you’re back a little later than we expected. The Lord is ready to receive you and your,” he glanced past her to the motley crew, “friends?”

“They are barely Trixie’s friends and more travel companions. One of them is a royal prince of Equestria, but has absconded from his duties to explore the world and sow his royal oats as he goes, so we expect royal treatment for him and his herd.”

The stallion’s eyes widened and he bowed his head to the group. “Indeed. Would you follow me please, to be seen by the Lord at once?”

“Yes, Trixie would like to see her friend again. Come along, foals and gryphon, we are going now.” Trixie announced with a flounce of her cape and slight adjustment of her hat.

Snickers hurried to her side. “Why did you announce me as a royal? I’m trying to stay low here.”

“Because, you cannot escape your past, as Trixie has learned. Accept who you are or you will be doomed to lose yourself.” Trixie said before she looked around at the interior of the Keep. It was very open with a garden along one side hosting a variety of vegetables and a small grove of fruit trees along the other wall with a tower in the center.

They were led up a ramp into the tower that was a bit bigger on the inside, or so it seemed. The stone made it feel cooler than outside and the main floor was decorated lightly with a chandelier in the foyer that was walled off with wooden planks painted by children with a meadow theme. Once through they saw barrels along one wall behind many support pillars going up into the ceiling. Couches and cushions were placed around the room implying where guests were entertained until they were guided elsewhere in the tower.

A goat servant hurried to Trixie with a platter and a single metal goblet on it. She took it and nodded to the goat who looked over the other creatures with rectangular eyes. He turned and hurried to a table behind a pillar they hadn’t noticed and quickly filled several wooden tankards with something before placing them on a large platter he balanced on his back. He then hurried back to the group and turned to the side. “For the youth.”

Kiwe cantered to the front. “I am most thankful, I have been thirsty for a while.” He took one of the tankards in his golden magic and brought it to his lips, drank, and sighed. “It’s just juice,” he said.

“Leave the one with the red stripe for the griffon.” The goat stated.

They obliged and each took a drink, with Gil carefully taking a look into his before he chirped in a usual fashion. He drank quickly and red leaked down his beak to his neck. The others stopped enjoying their juice to stare at the sight.

“Is that… blood?” Silver Spoon asked as Gil finished his drink.

“And tomato juice. So good,” he sighed with a happy shiver. The feathers on his crest rose. “Can I have another?” He held the tankard back to the goat who turned to have it placed on the platter.

The rest of the foals looked at their drinks and then hesitated to finish before Snickers took a loud sip. The rest followed his example and drank their juice while the goat left to refill Gil’s tankard. Once the goat had returned and given another drink to Gil, Gil asked, “What’s this called? I’ve never had anything like it.”

The goat blinked, then glanced to a heavy wooden door. “It’s a Bloody Mary.”

Gil chuckled. “I think I’ll have another after this one, too.”

The goat shook his head. “Mary only has so much to give, sir. I’ll have to give you a Bloody Velvet next, then. Would you be willing to wait half an hour while I resupply?”

Gil stopped drinking and coughed into his tankard. He swallowed and sneered at his drink. “This is from a living pony?”

The goat laughed loudly and it echoed around the room. “No, Mary is a lamb, much like Velvet. Not sickly, don’t fret, sir. They are of the best stock in the city for griffin’s such as yourself. ”

Gil looked into his mug, then placed it back onto the goat’s platter. The rest of the foals were finished at that moment, too, and replaced their tankards. “I think I’m done drinking here for now,” Diamond Tiara stated. The rest nodded in agreement, their stomachs twisting a little at the thought of so casually drinking living blood.

The announcer moved from the wall by the foyer and greeted the group. “If you’re done refreshing yourselves, would any of you like to use the privy before we move on?”

“No, we went before we entered the city.”

“Speak for yourselves,” Trixie stated firmly. “Trixie was pulling the wagon while you all went and must go at once.”

She was led to another wooden door, this one with a small bucket cut into the front. She went in and a minute later left the room with a slight blush. “Trixie forgot plumbing doesn’t work on the first levels of this building. The chamber pot is nearly full from others using it.”

“Not a problem. Whitaker! Change the public chamber pot at once!”

“Yes, Hugo, at once!” The goat stated and rushed to set the platter down before galloping to the heavy wooden door. He pulled it open and disappeared behind it before closing it.

Hugo, now named for the group, nodded in approval. “He’ll take care of it at once, Great and Powerful Trixie. Please, follow me upstairs.”

“How tall is this place?” Silver Spoon asked.

“Seven stories tall. Two in the lower levels for the servants and storage and five above them. You’re in the first floor right now, young lady. The second floor is where we have our official banquets and parties, while smaller gatherings happen here in the main lobby. Follow me while I explain.

“The third floor is where residents, guests, and officials stay, save our lord who lives on the fourth floor with any dignitaries, leaders of state, or royals, such as your highness,” he bowed his head slightly toward Kiwe as they were led to a flight of stairs. “Lastly is the fifth floor, which is actually the roof, but it’s set up more like an outdoor villa than the traditional fortress guard tower it was originally designed as.”

“What about a dungeon,” Cress asked.

“We have a small one, but the local police and guard forces have better stockades than us here in the tower. Come along now, we must make it to the lord before luncheon is served.” Hugo said and led them all up more flights of stairs until they reached the fourth floor. “Before we enter, I must know your names and who the prince is.” The stallion asked. A maid pushing a broom rushed past them all at the glare Hugo leveled at her. Once the names were given and Snickers was called out as being royal, Hugo opened the door and stepped inside, standing by the doorway.

“Announcing: The Great and Powerful Trixie and her guests; Prince Snickers of Equestria and his mares; Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon. Also Watercress, Azikiwe, and Gil the griffon to see Lord Lorde.”

The room was well furnished with silken cushions placed in piles to be separated to fit their guests of different sizes. Tables were set around the room holding either paperwork or empty bowls for fruit or snacks. One table was decorated with lace and had a bowl of various fruits in it while a plate had vegetables on it, easily viewable since they were at the lord’s height.

The group, save Trixie, gawked at the sheep that approached them wearing a necklace of gold bobbles and charms, a blue ribbon tied into a bow around his right ear, and a silvery metal circlet around his head. He quickly met Trixie and grinned with crooked teeth. “Tr-rixie-e, it’s so good to have you ba-a-ack.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, back. So sorry, I’m a little sheepish.” He joked and several of the group chuckled.

Trixie giggled and moved to hug the sheep. “It’s okay, I don’t mind a little bleating from an old friend. How have you been these past few months? I’ve been a little horse, myself”

The sheep bleated in laughter. “Fine, the work of a Lord is never finished, though. I’m still waiting for some of my tenants to pay their taxes and rent this month, but that’s not a concern for you.” He waved a cloven hoof. “So, Snickers the royal from Equestria,” he moved to Kiwe and grinned. “It’s so nice to have you here.”

“I apologize, but I am Azikiwe. Snickers is over there.” Kiwe pointed to the colt trying to hide behind Diamond Tiara.

Lorde bleated shortly in surprise and turned quickly to face Snickers. “I am very sorry for my mistake. Most royals are unicorns, as you must know. I am Lord Lorde and I am pleased to me-e-et you. Ahem. Meet you.”

Snickers sneaked from behind Diamond and stood opposite her and peeked over her back to see the sheep. Then he narrowed his eyes. “.”

Lorde’s eyes widened and he inhaled a deep breath. Then laughed loudly. “, nonetheless. You must introduce me to these fine girls you have with you. Have you mated with them yet? I must say, going local has its benefits>!”

“What are you saying? Speak so Trixie can understand!” Trixie demanded. “She will not be made fun of in a different language.”

Silver Spoon blushed at the mating comment and frowned at the sheep while Snickers growled and moved past Diamond and stood in front of Lorde. “”

Lorde’s eyes widened. “?” Lorde then looked at a flustered and confused Trixie. “Don’t worry, we’re just having a little reunion. Ple-ease, let me extend an i-i-invitation to luncheon as it’s just p-a-ast time. You can tell me, Snickers, of how you managed to become a royal in Equestria when so few of us have managed to even see the land behind its veiled walls and high mountains.”

Snickers wanted to spit at the sheep’s hooves, but didn’t want to start something he couldn’t finish. “How about you cram yourself into-”

Trixie interjected. “That would be nice, since I’m sure we’re all hungry. Will you be serving any fish, or just vegetables?”

“There will be some fish available, if you’d like. I’ll make sure the cooks know to put it on the menu right away.” Lorde said, then commanded another pony in the room to give the menu change to the chef in the basement.

With a quick bow the servant rushed to the wall and lifted an old style phone receiver to her ear while she pressed a pressure plate on the receiver and twisted it. “Yes, chef? Add fish to the menu for our honored guests. Thank you. Sir, the order has been placed and will be ready soon.” The mare bowed her head to the sheep and he nodded in approval.

“Come, frie-e-ends, let us feast!”

The meal was served in an ornate dining room with stained glass windows of various colored shapes and enchanted chandeliers lighting the dim room into brightness equal to that of the afternoon day outside with the same warmth of colors. Tapestries hung along the walls telling tales of the land and its growth to what it is now, as well as having the same sheep in each of them.

On one long table were salads, vegetables with dips, breads, soups, and a single platter of battered fish still steaming hot from the kitchens. Every creature took their seat quickly, hunger gnawing at them all after living off trail snacks, meal bars and grazing.

Snickers was the last to take a seat, taking his time to glare at the sheep as he took a place between Silver and Diamond on a bench they’d chosen. He turned his ire to the food being passed around and took some of everything onto his plate and into his offered bowl. He began eating and a smile crept onto his lips as he went through the salads and fish, soup and bread. When he was snacking on some celery with a creamy dip, he noticed the sheep smiling at him.

“What?” Snickers asked curtly.

“It’s just ni-ice to see everyone enjoying my hospitality, even you, Te-e-erran.” Lorde stated with a grin.

Snickers cocked his head. “I’m not a Terran, I’m a pony. And that’s all I want to be,” he lied, wondering what it was to be Terran on Equus. Diamond Tiara glanced at Snickers, then returned her attention to the soup she was sipping politely. She dipped some bread into her soup and nibbled on it, then leaned into Snickers’ side to show her support for him.

The sheep chewed a plain carrot loudly with his mouth open, then grabbed a glass and drank from it. “Drink up, every creature. One never knows when a meal like this will come to pass again.” He chuckled and watched as each creature drank from their goblets.

Snickers licked his lips and hummed. “Great, wine. Just what I needed,” he said sarcastically as the fruity flavor filled his senses. He shrugged and drank a little more, then set his drink down. “Can I get a glass of water? I can’t really handle wine.”

“It’s true,” Silver Spoon finally said, “we are tempering him into it, but we don’t want him to get tipsy.”

Diamond agreed. “Yeah, we can’t have him doing anything silly with you around,” she said and set her drink down. She reached over and pushed Snickers’s drink away from him to prove her point and support.

The sheep hummed in knowing. “I understand quite well. Please,” he spoke to a servant and waved him over, “a glass of our finest water for the prince.”

“Right away, my lord.” The stallion said with a nod. He rushed from the room and descended the stairs while the meal continued. Small talk filled the room as Lorde asked each creature and pony to talk about themselves briefly. Cress was apprehensive to talk about herself and when Diamond shared a knowing look, the bat filly understood her secrets were safe.

Kiwe spoke about his mother being a zebra shaman that taught him to defend himself and about the book of alchemy mixes he was gifted, as well as a basic portable set for him to work with. He mentioned an adventure to find his missing father, but stopped when he noticed the sheep losing interest.

Gil said he was from Gryphonia and was only there to watch over his sister’s egg for their journey.

Diamond mentioned her desire to open a franchise of her father’s business in Frand and about how much she cares for Snickers.

Silver stated she only wanted to be with Snickers and to keep him safe until they got home.

Lastly, Trixie was asked about herself and she went over and beyond telling of herself overall with flourishes of her cape, a few illusory spells depicting her heroic battles, including saving the foals during the bandit attack, finishing with her arrival in Frand to a cheering crowd.

The rest of her group rolled their eyes several times through her tale while Lorde was deeply invested and when her tale was over he clapped his cloven hooves together and whistled loudly. The remaining two servants stomped their hooves in approval at the completion of her tale.

“Yes, yes, thank you all. The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you for your gratitude and hopes you will see her show in the entertainment district tomorrow through the rest of the lunar cycle, when she will again have to leave to return to Equestria to continue her show for the unfortunate souls that reside there.”

“That will be-e-e most enjoyable. However, I must address the pink filly. Diamond Tiara, yes? You see, you cannot open a business without being a part of a guild,” Lorde said and then sat a little taller, tapping one of the trinkets on his necklace, “such as this one, the traders guild. Or this one,” he tapped another beside it, “the crafter’s guild. I am sorry to say this, but before you join the guilds, or have a respected guild member support your endeavor, you cannot open a new business in Frand.”

Lorde narrowed his eyes at the pouting filly. “There are, however, arrangements that can be made. I do have a need for a tiara for one of my girlfriends, which I could use to leverage the crafter’s guild into passing on their requirements.”

Diamond gasped and her left forehoof shot to her tiara. “No! I won’t sell my tiara to cut some red tape. I’ll just… manage somehow.”

“Very well, then,” the sheep said and took the spoon between his cloven hooves and dipped it into the soup. He slurped loudly and grinned before dropping the spoon and picking up the bowl. He slurped loud and long straight from the bowl and then placed it down with a sigh. “I have some of the be-e-est chef’s in the city working in my tower, don’t hold back, enjoy yourselves. Feasts like these don’t happen everyday, just like we don’t receive Equestrian royalty everyday.”

Snickers chomped on some celery and met the sheep’s eyes. “I don’t take my role as prince too seriously. That’s more of Aquelis’s thing.” He stopped chewing and mentally slapped himself for slipping up.

“Aquelis? Who is this pony that you mention but have yet to introduce?” Lorde asked.

Snickers’s vision went hazy as he let his mind relax for the first time in weeks and he felt himself stepping aside, not back, in his mind’s eye. “I am Prince Aequalis Solis Lunaeque, but you may refer to me as Aquelis. I am the first and only son borne to the sole ruler of Equestria; Princess Celestia. Should you need to speak to me, simply ask the one who shares my body, Snickers, as he is equally a prince by right, if not birth.”

The room was silent, save for Gil who crunched through some fish bones. “So, you’re crazy?” Lorde finally asked.

Lunch with a Lorde

Aquelis scoffed and looked at the sheep. “A royal is never insane, merely eccentric.” He glanced to his side an huffed to Diamond, who was still touching him. “Two hooves, darling.” He said and placed a hoof between them, pressing into her flank enough to make her scoot away. “One more for good measure, friend.”

Diamond frowned. “I don’t like you, Aquelis,” she admitted and scooted away a little more, “bring Snickers back.”

The sheep laughed in a bleating manner at that and lifted his cup to the foal. “Inde-e-d. It seems the transfer between worlds hasn’t been too kind to you. I cannot complain, though, as I have been cursed, too. You see,” he drank from his glass and set it down, “it’s no secret that I am nearly three hundred years old. I am still a spry little sheep, but I don’t know when death will come for me, again.”

There were gasps around the table and a couple looks of awe. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Trixie knew this already, do not act like it is a burden with all you have accomplished,” she waved a hoof around the room and gestured to some of the tapestries, “for even Trixie is in awe of what you have done with the city.”

“Yes, the city has grown by leaps and bounds, no thanks to me and others that have come through from our original universe.” Lorde said. He looked at Aquelis knowingly. “Didn’t you know? There are hundreds of us, most have begun calling themselves Terrans and live in a community to the southwest. They supply me with certain technologies with what they can manage and I, in turn, tax them the least I possibly can… as long as they don’t cause any more trouble.”

“What kind of trouble do you mean to imply my other self and his kind are capable of?” Aquelis asked as he took the wine in his hoof and drank, not knowing his weakness to the fermented fruit, and he wasn’t stopped by the fillies, either.

“Well, usually they pre-e-each religion that isn’t welcome, or offer technologies that the world isn’t ready for. They can keep their pla-a-anes and automobiles to the drawing boards, but radios and telephones have proven quite useful,” he bleated in laughter. “The wealthy can afford anything and the novelty of talking across the land without wire telegraphs is one such thing.”

“So, you have telephones here? Is that what the servant upstairs used to call the kitchen?” Cress asked.

“A crude one, yes. But, there’s a be-etter one in my personal room, as well as in a few other locations around the grand city of Fra-a-and. I think that’s all I shall spe-e-eak on the topic at this time. Now, I must ask about these bandits you came across. How did you manage, as foals, to come out so well from it?” The sheep asked.

Snickers grimaced as he took back control. “I don’t wanna talk about it.” He said and focused on his plate after grimacing at the wine in his grasp. He placed it on the table and shoved it away a little again, then looked apologetically at Diamond. “I can use some comfort, forget the two hooves rule crap.”

Diamond hesitated, then smiled and scooted as close as she could, her tail intertwining with Snickers’ as she brushed her side against his. Silver Spoon leaned against him, too, now. Snickers smiled and sighed, contentedly.

The sheep clapped a hoof on the table loudly and Snickers yelped and ducked so his face was practically between Silver’s legs. He sat up and glared at the sheep who was smiling again. Lorde licked his lips before addressing the colt. “It seems you haven’t taken to it all that well, Prince Aquelis. Perha-a-aps you should see one of my therapists. Death is never easy to experience, trust me on tha-a-at.”

“I’m Snickers again, Lorde. Or should I call you…” Snickers’s mouth closed tightly.

“Ah, you still don’t know. If the word doesn’t exist in this world, we can’t speak it. At least, not until it’s been invented or discovered. A weird quirk, among many, it seems.” Lorde took some bread in his hooves and chomped down, tearing a chunk off he quickly chewed into his mouth.

Snickers sighed. “I love and hate this world sometimes.”

“What’s to hate?” Lorde asked. “You have mares that can’t wait to bare your foals, you have friends that travel with you into uncharted lands, you are blessed with a guardian of the skies and even a lady of the night mistress herself,” he winked at Cress, who was quietly finishing her plate, enjoying being left out of the conversation.

Snickers sat up and leaned his head slightly onto Diamond’s mane. “They’re my friends, we’re just on a short adventure to earn my mark and see the world a little before I go home and see Equestria. There’s no alternate agenda or need for guardians where we’re going.”

Lorde was nearly done chewing but gestured for a servant to come over. She refilled his wine and he took a messy drink that spilled some wine down his neck and into his fleece. “So, you expect me to believe a Terran turned pony has no alternate agenda besides being the best pony he can be?

“Ha, a rare experience, but not unheard of to see one of us go truly native. Even I did that for a while, to be honest. Quite the experience, but it grew old as I grew in power. I won’t stop you from exploring the lands I call home, vast as they are. The Queendom of Alar welcomes you to its lands and as one of the largest landowners you will be under my protection, Prince Aquelis slash Snickers, as long as you’re here.

“Do try to stay within city limits, which extends past the walls a little ways, but the farther you go the less I can have you protected. If you choose to find the Terrans, let me know so I can gather an expeditionary force; we don’t want another bandit attack, do we?”

Snickers felt empty inside, remembering losing a friend mid-sentence to a poison tipped arrow through his head. “I guess that’s fine. We have a hotel offered to us. I think some of us should use it before it’s too late. Since you made it clear I’m free to choose, I choose my herd to have the hotel room while the rest of you stay here in the Keep.”

There was a brief uproar from all the ponies and gryphon at the table before Cress slammed her hooves on the table. “I don’t see why we have to split up at all. The Keep has a large enough room for us all to fit, I’m sure.” Snickers blushed a little and glanced to his left and right quickly, trying to tell Cress something. “If anything, Trixie should have the hotel, since she’s the odd one out of our group.”

Trixie scoffed and began the reason why she should have a room in the Keep while Snickers tugged his tail a little, noticing it was still intertwined with Diamond’s brought a smile to his face, and hers. He leaned to her ear and whispered something to her that made her sit a little taller.

“I think we should check out the hotel room before we decide!” Diamond shouted over the other mare. “Yeah, let my herd check it over and we can let you know if it’s good enough for all of us or not.” She shot Trixie a look that spoke volumes, a look that only other females would understand, a look that was pleading and hopeful at once.

Trixie knew exactly why the three wanted to go to the hotel room and sighed. “Very well, you three can go with a guard or two, if it’s okay with the lord, to see the hotel. Then report back it’s size and amenities, then we’ll compare it with the Keep.”

“I have no problem with the foals experiencing the city a little. Just stay close to the guards you three, or I won’t be-e-e held accountable for what may happen.” Lorde said.

“What do you mean by that? Will we be hurt?” Silver nervously asked.

Lorde bleated shortly. “No, but you will be hounded by those that think they can get anything from you. I sugge-e-est you carry only a few coins on you, as well as your identifications at all times.”

“We… don’t have local identifications, where can we get some?” Cress asked.

Lorde raised an eyebrow at the bat filly. “You sound like you know what you’re talking about. Have experience with the law, do you?”

Cress sat down quickly and shook her head. “No, but it’s just something we should have, just in case, right?”

“Hmm, inde-e-ed,” Lorde said stroking his smooth chin. “In any case, tomorrow I shall have you all taken to the city hall where you will be entered into the records as travelers, vagabonds if you wish. Save for the royalty present, that is.” He grinned.

“We aren’t vagabonds!” Diamond shouted. “If anything, we’re adventurers seeking our fortune. Where can I find these guilds you talked about?”

Lorde waved a servant over, a mare this time. “Once they’re settled in, find a map and mark off the locations of the guilds. All of them that are official, we don’t need these foals looking for the bad ones… anyway, with that business concluded, I will have two of my finest guards and a griffin take you to the hotel you wish to explore, then we can let you enjoy a visit to the local spa. You look like you could use it, all of you,” he winked at Trixie who smiled.

Snickers wondered what she was going to get out of it with half her body being beaten and burned up beneath the illusion.

“Trixie would love to have the full treatment! She has been through too much this past week and needs some me time.”

“Then it’s settled. Once we’re done here, the foals will go into town with two of my guards. The rest can get settled in the offered room for the foreseeable future, and then this evening you can all go to the spa on my account.”

Gil crunched through some fish bones in the one he was eating and looked to the bat filly beside him. “I’m not going to some spa, are you going?” He quietly asked.

Cress looked at Snickers and his fillies as they started to rub his chest and nuzzle him affectionately, a little too affectionately for the dinner table, she thought. She looked into Gil’s avian eyes and shook her head. “I can’t go until we’re all there, you’re the exception. As much as I’d love to see you get a little pampered and preened by professionals, you’re not my responsibility.

“Not that any of you are my responsibility, just that-”

Gil quieted her by snapping the head off an uncooked fish set on a plate in front of him. He smirked when she flinched at the sound of bones and flesh squishing in his beak. “You do whatever you feel you must. I’ll be relaxing in the lap of luxury here in the tower while you ponies get your teats buffed, or whatever you do.”

Cress blushed a little through her dark fur. “That isn’t what happens, you pervert,” she hissed at him. “We get-”

“Don’t care,” Gil interrupted. “Go get your hooves scraped and your tails braided while I watch over my responsibility,” he said and patted the egg still swaddled to his chest.

Cress’s ear flicked at the herd before she looked at them to see Snickers moving to lay down on the seat while pushing his fillies back a little. She giggled, knowing they’d succeeded in turning him on and how she’d love to do the same to a certain bird to her side. Certain truths of hers were getting in the way of that, though. “So, if I were to stay here with you and hang out… do you think-”

Gil’s avian eyes narrowed. “I don’t care what you do, filly, just leave me out of it.”

Cress’s ears drooped and a hoof placed itself on her back. She jumped a little in startlement before she saw Trixie, who leaned closer. “Trixie sees how you look at the gryphon, but he doesn’t like mares, as he’s made it clear. Perhaps you should find some better breeding stock?”

Cress gave a gentle push to Trixie. “I’ll do as I please and go where my heart takes me, thank you very much.”

Trixie shrugged and turned her attention back to Lorde before Gil’s poor table manners were the focus of her attention. He drank from his goblet of wine messily and burped when he emptied it. Cress rolled her eyes and chose to ignore her interest for another moment, scanning the room and counting the servants, guards, and then she skimmed a couple tapestries before she noticed Snickers sitting up tall.

“Um, we have to go check out that room, quickly,” he said, but with a faint distinction in his voice. The fillies beside him giggled and every creature in the room knew why they wanted to leave to see a hotel room alone.

Lorde waved them to the door. “Indeed. Don’t create any messes the staff can’t clean,” he joked. The foals hopped to the floor quickly and hurried to the door. “Guards, have some of the best keep an eye on our honored guests until their return. Leave them to their privacy when they need it, though.”

“Yes, sir!” A guard announced and rushed to open the doors to the dining hall. He went ahead of the foals and the room bustled into whispers around the table and walls where the servants stood, gossip starting at its source.

Trixie took another minute in silence to clear her plate enough to feel full before she excused herself to be led into the city to the spa with Cress reluctantly following her after glancing back to Gil, who lay on his seat patting his distended belly.

Interlewd 2

Author's Note

This is heavy in sex between the herd with a little twist at the end that I'm not used to writing but I hope I nailed. Read with caution or skip the chapter entirely if you don't like smut scenes. I will not be adding a porn tag to the story based on this one chapter unless a MOD tells me to.

Being flanked by two pegasi and following a griffin the herd was led through town at a slower pace so they could take in sites as they went. Stopping at windows to peer in, the fillies were delighted to see clothing they could wear or toys they could buy and play with to kill time between events or before bed.

Snickers did his best to feign interest while they tittered about dresses and showed genuine interest in a toy shop they passed that had mobile trains with little engine cars that seemed to be electric. He wondered if it was Terran tech before he was shoved back onto the street by Silver Spoon as they went across to another window to peer in, Snickers blushed and left the fillies to look at the erotica on display before he was pulled back to them by pleading whines and pouty lower lips.

He looked at the guards and they chuckled at him as the fillies rushed inside to look at what they called sex-cessories. Nearly an hour passed, during which Snickers went with the griffin to the toy store to look around before he left to find the fillies leaving with a bag between them held in Silver’s mouth.

They giggled and when they saw Snickers they rushed to him and urged him, and their griffin guide, ahead to the hotel.

Snickers told them about the toys he’d found, all the while the echo of Aquelis spoke to him about something they’d decided to try to help bond the four of them. Snickers and his alter ego weren’t on the same page when it came to fillies, but they were willing to try something new if it could bring them all closer together and keep Aquelis from being rude to his herd.

“Here we are, your highness,” the griffin said as they reached the hotel, “shall I accompany you to your room?”

Diamond stepped forward quickly. “No, sir, we’ll take the cute mare to guard the room while we check it out. Silver, can you get the room key?”

Silver nodded and moved the bag to her back while she went into the office. A few minutes passed before a grumpy filly emerged with the key dangling around her neck. “They didn’t know who I was so I had to use one of those phone things to call the bank and… well, here’s the key, anyway.”

“How was it, the phone?” Snickers asked.

“It was okay. I had to hold this thing to my ear and talk into another part, but it was like the manager was right there. I can see it being a big thing back home.”

Diamond nodded. “I heard they have something like that in the big cities called ‘over the vines’, maybe its the same thing, actually.”

“Girls…” Snickers said with a twitch of his ears.

Every creature in their group giggled before Silver spoke up, “Room 201, I’ll lead the way.”

A minute later the herd was with one guard at their door. One pegasus was standing at the end of the hall while the other was prepared to start patrolling the hallway. The fillies giggled as Silver opened the door and they rushed in, closing it behind them and Snickers. “Okay, we got some things with our coins for you, so you go relax in the room while we get ready in the bathroom.”

“Wait,” Snickers said before they could rush in, “I have to go before you do whatever it is you’re gonna do in there.”

Snickers was allowed in and closed the door, relieved himself, then looked at his reflection in the mirror. “It seems we’re not afraid of being alone anymore, huh?” He asked his reflection.

Aquelis blinked back and shook his head. “No, I guess not. As long as we’re together, anyway, I don’t see what could be so scary about being alone, anyway. Regardless of that, are you ready to do what we agreed upon so I can see if fillies are truly nearly as good as colts?”

“You’ll see and you’ll find out that these fillies, among a lot of others, aren’t worth your negative feelings,” Snickers said.

Aquelis sighed and met Snickers’s eyes. "If it doesn’t go as planned you will stand by our agreement, then?”

Snickers nodded. “I won’t have to, though. After this, you’ll appreciate our herd, at least.”

“We shall see.”

There was a knock on the door that broke the odd scene. “Honey, are you okay in there? We’re coming in.” The door opened and Diamond and Silver looked around. “I thought you were talking to somepony.”

“Nope, just psyching myself up for whatever you’ve got planned.”

The fillies shared a look and tittered. “Out, out, out! We have to get ready and maybe you can do something so you don’t wear me out before you’re done. Go masturbate a couple times, or something.”

Snickers blushed brightly. “Diamond, I don’t have to do that anymore now that I’ve got you two.” He said as he was ushered out by being lightly headbutted from the bathroom. The door closed and locked, the sound of loud giggling filled the hotel room, and Snickers went to the main room to look it over.

It wasn’t too special except for being larger than what he’d thought it would be, having two beds that could fit every creature in their group, almost, and, his eyes widened and he rushed to a table set against the wall opposite the beds to a radio. He turned it on and grinned as soft music began to fill the room and his mind.

He changed the station a couple times before stopping at something he didn’t expect to hear. His ears bounced with the beat, then his head bobbed, and then he noticed his tail swaying as a steady rhythm made his whole body start to bounce. He giggled and started bending his knees to the beat as best as he could before the bathroom door opened and Diamond poked her head out, “are you listening to DJ-Pon3?”

“It’s different and I like it!” Snickers said as he hopped in place. “Feel the wubs!”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Just keep it down, we don’t want to get a noise complaint… on second thought, keep the music playing, we don’t want a noise complaint after we start,” she sing songed and shut the door again. Snickers turned up the music a little as the music changed and he started banging his head to the next song that had a heavier beat to it.

“What is this music?” Aquelis asked aloud.

“Electronica, I think. It’s better than the classical I had to suffer with since I got here, except for the rock and roll and country I listened to with… them. Maybe there’s a club I can go to that’ll burst my eardrums.” He smirked at the thought until he remembered he didn’t have a mark and probably wouldn’t be allowed into any club or bar.

Taking off his shirt he tossed it onto a chair and noted how dirty it was before he resolved to wash it before putting it back on, even if it meant he’d be naked until it happened. He smirked when he remembered the Crusader’s cloak he still had in his saddle bags, then lamented that he’d left them with Cress in the Keep before he rushed out.

Tail swishing, starting to laugh, and weirdly dancing, Snickers enjoyed the moment until the song ended and he turned the radio down to listen to some local commercials. He listened to a few before changing the station to see what other creatures of Frand listened to. Eventually he settled on some light rock that was apparently from a griffin station that had a steady beat and words he didn’t understand when the door to the bathroom opened and Snickers looked up to see his fillies stepping from the bathroom and his jaw slackened.

He watched two fillies step into the room wearing veils across their muzzles and short skirts that didn’t do anything to dissuade him from looking at their tails, hiked high with thick bows to keep them out of their vulvar regions. They blushed and blinked their eyes showing a light dusting of glitter that sparkled in the light of the midday sunlight coming in through the window across their eyelids.

“D-do you like it?” Silver Spoon asked nervously. When Snickers nodded and closed his mouth she and Diamond giggled, then turned around to show their under tail accessories that wrapped loosely around their anuses to hold them in place while cloth that matched their coat colors wrapped around their labia. “How about now?”

Snickers’s eyes widened and he gulped audibly. Diamond turned to face him and sauntered over to him with Silver beside her. “What do you want to do to us, stallion?” She asked and leaned close to nuzzle under his chin. “Or should we just take this off and-”

“No!” Snickers shouted, startling the filly into flinching back. Silver giggled into a forehoof. “I mean, don’t take it off, please.”

Diamond smiled behind her clear white veil and leaned back. “Okay, Silver… like we used to do?”

“Like, I can’t wait.”

Both fillies stepped back and faced one another. “Bump, bump, sugarlump, rump,” they sang and stopped with their rumps touching. They both blushed a little as they started moving up and down in alternating rhythms, rubbing their privates against one another’s haunches. They turned slowly to show the wet lines they’d given one another before they faced one another again and nuzzled.

“Come here, Snickers,” Diamond said softly. Snickers moved to her and with a glance from her, he took her meaning and gently lifted her veil and met her lips. She shuddered when his lips met hers and she flicked her ears as it went on. Snickers felt Silver nuzzle his side and then reach under him, rubbing her forehoof along the length of his penis.

His cock twitched at her touch; he flinched and she pulled back. “I’m sorry, I put on these soft shoes for this, they didn’t hurt you, did they?”

Snickers stopped kissing Diamond and looked aside at Silver. “No, it felt really good. Don’t stop,” he stated. Silver smiled and went back under him with her hoof while Diamond turned around fully, rubbing her tail across his face and backing up so he could take in her scent as she went.

Snickers shivered as her sweet scent tickled parts of his brain he didn’t understand yet. He looked under his side and saw Silver Spoon admiring his length and he noticed she kissed it every so often so softly he barely noticed it. His head was pulled back up and his eyes met Diamond’s again.

“Snickers, what are you going to do to us, let us hear it.”

Snickers gulped. “I’m gonna have sex with you?” With the flat look he got from Diamond and lack of attention he was suddenly getting from beneath him, he knew he didn’t say the right thing. He thought for a second in the ensuing silence before his look hardened. “I’m going to take you as my first mare. I’m going to mount you, roll you around into different positions, and make you cry my name, beg me to finish before I toss you aside and start on Silver Spoon.

“I’m going to-”

“Hush,” Silver said, “I want you to surprise me before you finish like I offered.” She started stroking half his length again with her hooves while Diamond nuzzled him again and moved her veil enough to bite under his jaw. “I think you’re ready,” she giggled and ducked under him, guiding his flare into her mouth. She hummed quietly as she took him deeper into her mouth before she started rocking her head back and forth, her ears tickling his underbelly to his chest.

Diamond licked from his jaw to his ear and whispered in his ear. “I want you.”

Snickers sighed and then narrowed his eyes. “Turn around and let me taste you,” he commanded. Diamond’s ears perked and she turned, showing herself to him with a little sway of her already flagged tail. Leaning forward, he inhaled deeply and his ears twitched as tingles danced along his shaft from the attention he was getting. His mind blurred and he humped his hips forward, pushing a little too deep into Silver making her pull back and cough.

As he licked along the length of Diamond’s slit, Silver piped up, “Careful, you almost went into my throat doing that.”

Snickers didn’t answer or apologize, his mouth was busy and his mind was foggy with growing lust he barely kept in control. He dipped his tongue into the pink filly and she leaned back pressing his mouth closer to her body, his tongue dipping deeper into her waiting hole. As his tongue started to dance around her folds Silver went back to her task, carefully moving with his randomly thrusting hips.

“Oh, honey, right there.” Diamond moaned and rocked her hips up and down with his tongue’s fervent lapping at her. Snickers stopped and pressed a forehoof to her flank to rear up and he looked down to see Silver performing her actions, only to stop and withdraw from him, saliva connecting her to him.

He stumbled forward and mounted Diamond, teasing her with his flare before lightly penetrating her. She lifted her head suddenly and turned to face him, their lips met and she winked against the underside of his cock as he slowly went deeper into her. She looked forward again and pressed her forehooves into the floor and spread her hind legs to support herself as he reached the halfway point, she could feel his medial ring press against her before sliding in and rubbing another of so many spots.

She giggled and then snorted. “A month ago, I never would have imagined being with a male, now,” she inhaled sharply as he touched a spot she forgot she had nearly at her deepest point. She panted twice. “Now, I can’t imagine being with anypony else.”

Snickers pressed against her cervix and she leaned forward from the pressure before he backed off and started to slide out, Silver watching from underneath as he withdrew. She noticed there was a good hoof’s worth of space that was still dry and wondered why before she kept watching him come out of her herd sister and for the first time in a week she appreciated how large he was.

A burning tingle grew in Silver’s belly as he finally stopped and pressed back into Diamond. She watched from underneath Snickers as he slowly pressed in and out of Diamond’s pink pussy, her cloth sparling with her moisture and in the light as she listened to the shlick and shlack noises their bodies made as he made love to her first mare, the alpha mare she loved as a sister more than a lover, even though that was part of her job in the herd.

Snickers stopped suddenly and pulled out, much to Diamond’s dismay. “Get on the bed on your back,” Snickers told her, and she quickly complied. With her tail swaying with each step, Snickers looked down at the horny little gray filly before turning quickly to follow Diamond to the bed. She climbed up with a little effort and lay as he commanded her, her veil rolling up to cover her eyes as she took the position. She pawed at it for a second before Snickers bit it in his teeth and pulled it off of her completely.

She opened her eyes to see him on top of her, standing like a stallion preventing her from getting up without a struggle. She loved it and wished he was more predatory like this more often.

Snickers leaned down and bit her neck firmly enough to make her gasp before he lowered his hips to penetrate her again. He didn’t wait and buried his massive length inside of her body in a single thrust. She gasped and he bit another spot on her neck just hard enough to sting with his flat teeth.

Silver Spoon moved to the bedside and placed a hoof on Diamond’s side, getting the filly’s attention as she her body became his. They shared a smile and then Diamond reached up to hold Snickers’s sides. Her hips moved in rhythm with his thrusts for almost a minute before she felt the tingles in her belly growing faster than she wanted them to. She locked eyes with Snickers. “I love you, get me pregnant, stud.”

Snickers knew it wasn’t going to happen for at least a few months, if he even started producing by then, but it still pushed him to go faster and a little deeper. She nearly sat up, hugging his barrel as her first orgasm powered through her. Her tiara went askew but stayed on as it pressed between their bodies, then she collapsed onto the bed, spent for the moment.

Silver was winking, ready for her turn as she watched Snickers pull out of Diamond. Snickers looked aside at Silver. “Get between the beds.” he stated and Silver gladly moved around the bed the others were on to the cramped space between the beds. She moved in and noticed she couldn’t turn around when Snickers fell onto her back.

She fell flat onto the floor as he nipped up her neck and nosed through her coat, taking in her horsey scent before he nipped at her ears. She leaned up and slipped her glasses off and put them on the table set between the beds before she rolled to her back, ready for whatever he was going to do to her.

Her whole body shook in anticipation, then he stood over her and placed his forehooves on her barrel, pressing some of the air from her lungs. “Stay still,” he told her. He leaned down and kissed her chest, her belly, swirling his tongue around her belly button, then went lower to suck on her tits, licking her left nipple, biting it firmly enough to make her gasp, then he went to the other.

She giggled a little at the odd sensation, only having heard in rumor listening to some mares about how good it felt to have their nipples teased during sex. She squirmed a little at the feeling of his chest fluff tickling her wet slit, then he licked between her teats and let his tongue trail down more until he touched her labia, sucking on her left side and letting his tongue slide down to its base before going back up.

He followed her right lip to her clit and wrapped his lips over it, sucking gently and letting his tongue gently slide over her nub. She gasped and tittered, looking up to see Diamond’s smiling face. The pink filly let an exhausted foreleg drop from the bed and Silver reached up to touch it, spasming as what he was doing was having a quick effect on her.

She moaned and moved her hind legs to her body to give him perfect access to her love tunnel. He slurped her juices and pressed his forehooves to her rump, pushing gently to open her up more as he let his tongue press as deep inside her as he could. He repeated the task for almost a minute before she started squeezing her vaginal walls around his tongue so tightly he could barely keep it in.

Slurping one last time and licking her lips he stood up, his cock pulsing in time with his heartbeat as he took four steps forward. His eyes sparkled and seemed to shift colors for a second before he grimaced and then went back to smiling. He pressed his flare to her lips and pounded inside her so quickly she could only gasp as the sensation of being filled with hard stallion cock and a slight sting from stretching her insides for the first time in over a week.

She leaned up and looked into his eyes while she kissed him, his gaze telling her how much she was cared for and not just wanted for her body. She saw somepony that she could keep safe and care for, as well, as it was a mare’s job. She mewled into his mouth as her orgasm suddenly struck her, her forelegs wrapping around his barrel as her hips moved quickly, rubbing her swollen clit against his cock as he kept pace, pushing her orgasm to new heights for her.

She finally collapsed onto the floor, panting loudly. Snickers pulled out and sighed. “Turn over and get your tail out of the way, I’m not done with you yet.”

She whined but capitulated, rolling over and shakily standing on all fours. She flicked her tail aside and quivered under his touch and he snuffled, his breath washing over her anus and vulva. Diamond noticed his eyes shift in color slightly, then he mounted Silver Spoon again and lined himself up.

“Um, Snickers, I don’t know how much more I can take after… oh,” she said with her eyes widening as he pressed his flare against her ass and pressed gently. “My mommy’s-” she whimpered as a dull pain stung at her anus as he pressed inside of her. She didn’t know what to do except let him go at it, but Diamond was there to place a comforting hoof on her side. “Mommy said daddy likes this a lot.”

“How is it, Silver Spoon?” Diamond asked as Silver planted all her hooves to keep balance, still rocking with each eager thrust from behind her.

“It’s… kinda nice. I feel it in my privates still, too. Mmm,” she quietly moaned and closed her eyes as Aquelis pounded her ass like he’d been waiting for this moment for months.

Aquelis moaned and leaned down to lick behind one of Silver’s ears, ignoring Diamond as he worked her ass for all he could until a building pressure started at the tip of his flare and quickly traveled along his penis to his balls.

Silver began lowering her hips and rocking in time with his motions, another orgasm approaching for her as his grew quickly. She gasped as a little orgasm flowed through her cunt and tingled down her hind legs.

Aquelis whickered loudly as he thrust one last time, his hips meeting Silver’s. He pressed his body closer and thrust again and again, making the filly laugh as she stumbled a step forward, pushing back against his efforts to seemingly knock her over.

He collapsed onto her back panting quickly and loudly. Diamond moved to Snickers’s side and gave him a little shove. “Hey, stud, you won’t get any foals doing that, you know, right?”

They all laughed and Aquelis pulled back, clear mucousy juices covering his cock as he stumbled back and fell onto his haunches and then side. “I... think… I broke him,” Silver Spoon giggled with Diamond as she took off her necklace. She moved to her stallion and lifted his head to put it on him. He seemed to shimmer briefly as his body was refreshed and everything on his penis from her insides were shaken off of him.

She took the necklace back once it was done with its work and replaced it on her neck as Aquelis sat up, with effort. “Wow, I think I like mares now,” Aquelis said, breathily.

Diamond shouted, “A-ha! I knew it was you, Aquelis! When did you switch with our stallion? Huh?!”

His eyes shimmered and Snickers shook his head. “I only let him take over right before the end… like, when he, er, we mounted Silver to let us finish. At least this time, I think… I’ll be ready again in a few minutes, if you wanna go again.”

Diamond snorted. “Only as long as it’s you that takes me from now on.”

“Deal, I think he prefers Silver’s asshole to yours, anyway,” Snickers stated bluntly.

Diamond moved quickly to the head of the bed and grabbed a pillow to throw at Snickers. “You don’t say that to a mare you’re mating with!”

Snickers took the pillow to his face. “What, it’s the truth. Besides, more for me getting the rest of you mares.”

Diamond crawled from the bed and hopped to the floor, stood over Snickers, and looked down between them at his softer but still hard enough cock. She reared up slightly and walked forward, balancing on his shoulders for support as she moved over him. “Silver, little help?”

“On it, sis!”

Silver grabbed his limp dick and held it straight up for Diamond as she lowered her body onto it, gasping again as he went in. “How about we don’t wait that long and you please your mares a little more.”

Author's Note

There you have it, my third ever anal scene. Hope it was to your liking.

Settling In

Snickers led his herd back into the Keep as guards dispersed and flew their own ways around the structure and out of sight. “Welcome back, your highness,” a mare said with a bow in greeting as he passed her, while Silver Spoon adjusted the bag containing their adornments on her back as they went.

Another mare bowed her head as he passed and his fillies moved beside him, giving stern disapproving looks to the mares that bowed and certainly looked him over. “How did they know you’re royalty?” Silver Spoon asked in a loud urgent whisper.

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Obviously somepony in the dining hall spilled the oats on this one. All we can do is roll with it, right, stud?”

Snickers smirked, remembering the past three hours of fun they’d had, followed by a nap and very thorough shower. “Yeah, whatever you say, alpha mare,” he said with a nuzzle to the pink filly. He inhaled her scent and remembered washing her with berry shampoo in the shower they’d shared.

Diamond tittered and kissed the top of his head. “You’re such a dork.” She moved forward some to stand beside him while Silver Spoon held back a little to his other side. They happily made their way up the ramp and into the Keep itself. Abruptly, a stallion announced their arrival loudly enough to be heard through most of the building.

“Now arriving, Prince Snickers and Ladies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to see our most honored Lord Lorde!” The foals’ ears pressed to their heads as they were announced and they glared at the stallion, who shrugged. “I apologize, your majesty, it’s my primary job.”

“Like, whatever! Can you not scream everytime we enter the building, or are you going to be a total… ugh!” Silver Spoon nickered in frustration at the stallion.

“Let’s just go to our friends and let them know the room isn’t big enough for all of us,” Snickers said.

The fillies giggled. “That’s not all that was too big for us,” Diamond said with a grin.

Snickers rolled his eyes. “I said not big enough, not so big it wouldn’t all fit in you.”

Diamond blushed brightly and looked at the stallion in the room, who held back his laugh poorly with a snort. “That’s too much information!”

“You didn’t seem to mind joking about it a few seconds ago.” Snickers replied, walking past her to the stairs.

“Hey, I… you… just… get over here!” Diamond stated and followed him, stopping him before the first step. She turned his head to face hers and she pressed her lips to his. “Stop being so… you!”

“Would you love me if I was anypony else?”

Diamond shook her head quickly. “That’s… not what I meant. I just mean… like…”

Silver Spoon hurried to catch up and walked past them, starting up the stairs. “You two kiss and talk, I wanna tell Cress all about what we did in front of everypony.” The other two gasped and started chasing the laughing gray filly, all knowing it wouldn’t be shared publicly.

Arriving at the door to the guest rooms Snickers knocked on the large door twice and waited almost a full minute before the latch clacked and the door swung open to show a very tired bat pony. “Oh, you’re back. I took a nap waiting for you… I’m glad the guards did their job and kept you safe. How was your,” she looked between the trio and noticed their matted fur and manes in need of care, “time alone?”

Diamond nodded. “Fine, we just spent some time shopping, that’s why we’re a little later than planned.”

Silver looked at Diamond. “Did we have a planned time to be back?”

Snickers moved to walk into the room and Cress stepped aside. “So, did we miss anything while we were out?”

“No. Gil’s being a jerk and made a little nest out of a bunch of extra blankets and cushions, Trixie’s planning some show to put on, Kiwe went to the basement to meet with some cooks to learn something new, and I’ve been resting from boredom.” She exclaimed as the fillies entered the room. Watching Silver slip past her with a bag of spoils from the shopping trip Diamond eluded to made Cress perk up as she said; “Cool, let me see what you bought!”

Before Silver could stop her, Cress had grabbed the bag in her teeth and only meant to pull it. Instead the gray filly jerked away sending the bags contents tumbling onto the floor. Cress let the bag fall and looked at the veils and obvious accessories before she snerked and looked into Silver’s trembling eyes. “It’s cool, I won’t tell what everypony already knows.”

“What do you mean they already know?” Diamond asked as Silver moved as quickly as she could to repack the aromatic cloth and veils.

“Trixie and Gil could tell from gallops away and Cress saw you flirting before you chose to leave in such a rush,” Trixie announced from a room further into their suite.

“And I could smell you fillies getting aroused from another room,” Gil added. “Grossed me out.”

Snickers sighed and shook his head as he walked deeper into the suite and found the largest room designated as theirs by their saddlebags being tossed onto the bed in a pile. “Great, no secrets among friends, huh?”

Cress pulled Diamond aside before she could follow Snickers and Silver into their room. “Come here, I have to tell you something.” Diamond followed the other filly to the main room and they huddled close. “I’m sharing a room with Gil!” Cress said with a quiet squeal. Diamond grinned and clopped her hooves on the floor.

“Does that mean he’s letting you in finally?”

Cress hesitated. “Well, no. He just offered it to me because he trusts me to watch the egg while he’s out doing stuff… but it’s a step closer, right?”

Diamond nodded. “Yeah, maybe he’s just testing you, seeing how well you can be around Kiwe’s egg before you have your own.” She giggled.

Cress’s ears drooped a little. “Well… I don’t know about that, but maybe we could have a little fun, like you did today.”

“Oh,” Diamond elbowed the black filly in the chest, “you just want him for sex?”

“Sp… uh… n-no! I want more than that… but, well, I can’t say it wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?”

Diamond shrugged. “I dunno. I heard from a good source that the griffin race have tiny penises compared to ponies, but they go at it a dozen times a day when they get going. Can you keep up with that kind of activity?”

Cress blushed and nodded. “For him, I think I could manage a little soreness to be with him as a special somepony. But, you have to tell me… how’s Snickers?”

The fillies giggled and shared glances at the rooms while they gossipped.

…

Snickers took a moment to separate his bags from the others, then laid them on the floor and opened one of the pouches. He began pulling everything from it and marveled at how much crap he’d gathered. “Why was I collecting sticks again?”

“You thought they looked like swords, or something coltish.” Silver replied as she lay on the bed, getting used to it.

Snickers pulled out some snacks he set aside, a couple books, then noticed the enchanted book he’d been gifted to communicate with Rarity. His heart ached for a moment, then he set it aside a little more carefully with the others. If I can’t use it to talk to mom, then maybe I should get rid of it. He thought.

He reached in and didn’t feel anything, so he tipped the pouch over and only crumbs came out. He moved the bag around and opened the other pouch to do the same and found more food bars, snacks wrapped tightly in closed bags, and the last thing he expected. He cocked his head at the little robotic toy he’d made with Twilight.

“I forgot all about you,” Snickers said and set it on the floor standing up. He patted its head but it didn’t turn on. “Must need new batteries, I’ll look for some later.” He set it aside and reached in again to find his nearly empty bag of Equestrian bits. “Huh, I’m still saving these for a rainy day. Hm,” he said and looked outside at the sky through the window. “Silver, do you think it’ll rain soon?”

“I dunno,” she replied, looking out the window, “it only rained once when we were traveling between Seldem and here.”

“Yeah, and your enchanted necklace kept you dry through most of it,” Snickers groused as he pulled out a green bag with dozens of local coins in it. “Lordecoin, I can’t believe he named a currency after himself; so arrogant and selfish.”

“If you could name a coin after yourself, what would it be called?” Silver asked.

“Not Snickers-coin, that’s for sure.”

Silver giggled. “Yeah. Hey, what’s that?” She asked, pointing to the toy pony.

“A toy Twilight and I came up with. When it’s powered up it’s practically alive, but we need new batteries, or a unicorn that can charge it up.”

“We have Trixie,” Silver suggested.

Snickers shrugged. “If you wanna ask her, go for it. I’m kinda over her ‘great and powerful’ routine, though.”

Silver giggled. “Thanks again for earlier, you’re the only great and powerful I need in my life.”

Snickers smiled up at her and took the pony toy in his mouth and got up to place it on the bed near Silver. “You bet. I think we’re both feeling better after that.”

“Both you and me, or you and Aquelis?”

“All the above. He likes mares because of you, now.”

Silver snorted. “He likes my butthole, not mares… but it wasn’t bad. I get what my moms had to say about it, but it’s hard to explain.”

Snickers cringed a little. “Don’t explain it to me, not yet. I’m a giver, not a taker.”

“Don’t be such a prude, sweetie,” Silver said, “it’s not that bad and when you try it, you’ll surely like it more than I do.”

“Can we just talk about the toy?”

Silver giggled into a forehoof. “Am I embarrassing you? Awe, you’re cute when you’re flustered. Okay, I’ll look at the toy, you go back to digging through your bags.”

Snickers returned to his previous position and began rooting through his bags finding them nearly empty now while Silver played with the toy, making it hop around her other leg as she started a little adventure for it to go on.

…

“...” Diamond opened her mouth several times, unsure of what to say as her mind tried to start thinking after what she’d accidentally been told by Cress. “So…”

“Yeah, don’t say it out loud,” Cress pleaded. “Forget I said anything.”

“B-but… you’re-”

“Shh! I can’t let anypony know, it’s part of my cover… and partly why I’m so attracted to Gil, maybe.”

“But everything-”

“I know! It’s part of what the spell hides. Look, can we just pretend I didn’t let slip one of my secrets?”

Diamond narrowed her eyes. “What else are you hiding?”

“Nothing as big as what I just told you. By order of Princess Luna, I hest thee to not speaketh of this again.” Cress said, sitting taller. “And to not bring it up again, ever.”

“What about Snickers? He should be able to see through your illusion.”

“This isn’t a spell, it’s an enchantment, her highness wasn’t happy to learn about that power. And you were just ordered to do something.”

“Can I see the real you?” Diamond asked, hopefully.

“N-no! This is the real me… as a filly.”

“But-” Diamond started furrowing her brow.

“I won’t talk about it anymore, ever. So, should we go back to your herd and see how they’re settling in?” Cress asked, a slight blush fading from her cheeks.

Diamond wasn’t ready to let the topic go, but she knew she wasn’t dealing with just a stubborn filly anymore. She stood up and turned around to face the hallway before she quietly took the lead of the two to meet her lovers. Once in the room she saw Silver playing with a metallic looking toy on the bed while Snickers was organizing into piles the contents of his saddlebags.

“So, what’re my loves up to?”

Silver placed the toy between her forelegs. “I’m playing and Snickers is organizing.”

“Cool, are there any more toys?” Diamond asked, a little hopefully.

“There’s gotta be some somewhere, I mean, this is a suite, not a business office, right?” Snickers offered. “I’ll go look while you two chat, okay?”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Diamond said as Snickers got up. “We’re not leaving you alone so you can freak out again. Besides, we haven’t been apart in almost a month, are you saying you wanna start now?”

Snickers rolled his eyes. “I think I’ll be okay going to the next room, and I didn’t freak out when I went to the bathroom in the hotel room, did I?”

“Well, no; but if you feel like you’re gonna panic, just call for me or Silver, okay?”

Silver picked up the toy in her lips and started having it bounce over her forelegs while Snickers waved off Diamond’s concerns. “I’ll be fine, just wait here and I’ll see what we have for toys in this place.”

Snickers left the room and went to the first open door where Gil was laying on a pile of cushions reading a small book. “Hey, are there any toys in here?”

Gil looked up from the book before shaking his head. “Nah, nothing in here but us.” He patted the egg gently and pointed to the wall. “Check with the filly in the next room, she might have some hidden away somewhere.”

Snickers was about to ask where Cress could have hidden some toys, but ignored it and left the gryphon to read. He crossed the hall and knocked on the closed door. “Trixie, are there any toys in there we can play with?”

“Trixie is unpacking and has nothing foals should play with… gah!” There was a quiet boom and coughing, gray smoke rolled from under the door and Snickers ignored the mare after that.

Going into the main living area, Snickers saw Cress sitting on a cushion facing a blank wall. “Hey, what’s up? Everything okay?”

Cress shrugged. “You’re practically a stallion, what would it take for you to notice a mare?”

Snickers blinked at her, then cleared his throat. “Well, not that I’m not flattered, but I think two mares is enough for me right now. I mean, if you really want to join our herd-”

“I’m not talking about that!” Cress snapped. “I mean… oh, nevermind. What are you doing here; shouldn’t you be with your herd, planning settling down and having little babies to carry on your name?”

Snickers snorted. “You’re in a bad mood, I take it. I’ll leave you alone.”

“No, wait, sorry,” Cress said, turning to face him. “I haven’t had much luck in the romance department since before we left Canterlot and Equestria, so I’m just a bit pent up and frustrated, I guess. We can’t all have hotel rooms to release our problems out in, can we?”

“You know, it’s still ours for a couple days, on the bank’s dime. If you want to use it you can.”

Cress shook her head. “Nah, there’s a bathroom here I can use, if I really need to. Besides…”

“It’s about your crush on Gil, isn’t it?” Snickers asked.

Cress’s eyes widened, then she sighed. “Is it that obvious?”

“I could see it from the moon. Why don’t you just hit on him, or ask him outright? Gryphons like that kind of bluntness.”

“Because,” Cress practically whined, “he doesn’t like mares. He keeps telling me over and over, so I might as well beat my head against a brick wall at this point. Why do I have to like him?”

Snickers shrugged and walked beside her. “Maybe you’re just meant to be the first mare he likes. Maybe you’re the one meant to show him how great mares are compared to hens. I know I prefer mares now that I’ve gone native,” he smirked. “C’mon, you’re a thestral, you don’t give up without a fight, right?”

Cress smiled. “You’re the first pony to call me that in a long time.”

“Well, I read it in a book, but I heard bat pony is the proper term.”

“You’re kind of right, but we call each other thestrals since bat pony is kinda derogatory. You don’t hear pegasi being called bird ponies, do you?”

Snickers’s eyes widened slowly. “Wow, I never realized I was racist about that. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just something that we accept. It’s easier to be accepted by ponies when you have pony in your tribe’s name than not.”

Snickers nodded. “The xenophobia is strong with ponies, so I’ve seen.”

“What’s that mean?” Cress asked.

“It means afraid of anything that isn’t your kind. It’s something humans don’t have to deal with back where I’m from very often; like meeting my first cow here was a shocker. I mean, I drink the milk of a creature that talks to me; it’s just weird.”

“You know a lot of ponies sell pony milk, too, right? Mostly to and for foals, like you.”

Snickers nearly gagged. “Yeah, right. Like m- Rarity would…” he went silent as he thought back to how much milk she’d been giving him and how he now couldn’t be sure. “Okay, ew. I’m a big colt, I don’t need pony milk!”

“That’s what a foal would say,” Cress giggled and shifted her wings. “Anyways, shouldn’t you see what your herd is up to?”

“Wait, where’s Kiwe, again?”

“In the kitchens, or something. Don’t worry about him, he knows how to handle himself.”

“Okay, if anything happens, let me know. I’m going to see my mares.” Snickers said. He gave Cress a smile and nod as he left her and went back to the farthest room, passing rooms as he went. “Hey, what’s going on?” He asked when he got back.

“Snickers, we need to talk about what happened after we were done.”

Snickers looked between the fillies and then frowned a little. “No, it’s not important, I told you that.”

Diamond and Silver shared a look and they both got off the bed to approach their stallion.

Spa Time

Snickers sat on a cushioned chair with his fillies standing by his side, he was at a desk with a pencil in his lips. “I don’t wanna do this,” he weakly protested.

“You said you missed her,” Diamond said. “And even if she doesn’t feel the same, you should write her to let her know how you felt about everything. I’m gonna write my daddy a letter, but it’ll take weeks to get to him. We don’t all have the luxury of a magic book,” she chided.

Silver bumped Snickers’s side with her head. “C’mon, you cried about missing her. The least you can do is say hi. Like, it’s not that hard, is it?”

Snickers bit into the eraser a little. “It is when the mare you thought of as your own mother tells you she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“Well, then tell her that!”

“I don’t think that would be very nice of him to write, Diamond,” Silver said. “He should write from the heart what he’s feeling, but not only mean stuff.” She played with her braid for a moment. “I think you should thank her for being a good mom, when she was one. I have four mommies, but I can’t imagine being so mad at one of them.”

“Speak for yourself,” Diamond snapped at her herd sister, “I don’t care if my mom never talks to me again, but I love my daddy and he’s the only one I have.”

Snickers leaned down and scratched some words into the book, then leaned back and slammed it closed. “There, I thanked her for the good times. Happy?”

The fillies looked at one another before shrugging. “If you think it’s enough, then it is.” Silver’s ears perked. “Oh! What if she, like, writes you back right away apologizing and asking you to come home?”

“Then I’ll tell her I’m not ready to come home yet and she can surely see me out here in Frand,” Snickers replied.

Diamond turned back to their bags and the stuff they’d unpacked, noticing Snickers had kept one satchel closed. She went to it and curiously nosed it open, then reached in to pull out Aeries, the stuffed doll. “Hey, look who I found!” She announced to the other two. Snickers dropped the pencil from his lips and a smile tugged at his lips.

“I was trying to keep that away, it’s got too many memories attached to it… but,” he slid from the chair and took the doll in his forelegs, hugging it to him as he leaned close to kiss Diamond. “Thanks, I think I feel better after writing that note to m… mom.” He sighed. “I miss her and her snootiness. I’ve even stopped saying darling and stuff like I did last month… I think it’s because I was so mad at her.

“But how can I be mad at the mare that took me in and made me swallow a cup of soap water to teach me a lesson as soon as she’d met me?” He snickered.

“Well, I don’t think that’s a very nice thing to do. Why would she make you drink soap water?” Silver asked.

“Well, I was swearing and being an ass to her, so she made me bite a soap bar until I learned my lesson. I was very stubborn back then.”

“Ohh,” Both fillies said in unison.

“I thought it was just her being weird,” Diamond said before smiling at her stallion holding a stuffed toy so lovingly. “C’mon, let’s go to the main room and talk; we don’t have anything to hide anymore, and whatever happens, we’ll have each other.”

Silver tittered. “My mareparts are still kinda tingly after everything we did earlier.”

Diamond giggled and nodded in agreement, but shushed her. “You know how Snickers feels talking about that, so keep it up; he’s cute when he gets all flustered.”

Snickers moved the doll to his back and went to the cutie mark crusader cape he’d been given as the fillies giggled their way out of the room. He ran a hoof over the patch sewn onto it before sighing. “I miss you, too, Scootaloo. Why’d you have to be on Rainbow’s side? Well, I’ll show you all,” he said, “I’ll get my mark, it’ll be amazing, and I’ll rub it in your blank flank faces.”

He bit the collar of the cape and, with a deft twist of his head, he donned the apparel and fastened it with a snap around his neck. He went to the bags of toys they’d purchased earlier for their sexual romp and pulled out his shirt, blue and white with dirty brown mud spots all over it. Grass stains along the back smelled yummy, but he knew he had to get his only article of daily wear washed before he’d feel comfortable again.

Taking it in his mouth, Snickers walked it to the hamper in the corner of the room and tossed it in. He looked around the room and then hurried to the girls in the main room. Silver and Diamond were talking with Cress when he stopped by them. “Hey, where are the bathrooms?” He asked, letting Aeries slip from his back to the floor before he set her carefully on a cushion.

Cress smirked. “He looks good nearly naked… not that I'm interested. Anyway, that’s a bit of a tough answer. I found out they have privies here and there around the Keep and that the main bathing room is outside. There are also a number of bathhouses and spas in the city we can use.”

Snickers bit his bottom lip. Can you show me where the nearest toilet is?”

Cress giggled and got up from her comfortable spot. She guided Snickers and the fillies from the main room and into the hallways outside their suite and around the wall to where a thin sheet was hung from the ceiling ready to be pulled around a hole in the wall. “There ya go, don’t all rush to use it at once.”

Snickers and the fillies gaped at the hole in the wall, then looked to the bat pony filly in their midst wearing a wide toothy grin. “Ha-ha,” Diamond stated flatly, “where are the real toilets.”

Cress snorted and held back a giggle. “Girls, this is a Keep, built ages ago without toilets in mind. You’re lucky they went with the holes in the wall and not just chamber pots left around the place. Not saying there aren't those, too." She giggled. "You do your business and it runs outside, down the side of the building, and eventually into the gardens around the base. Sorry, but while we’re here, we don’t have any other options.”

The trio looked back at the hole in the wall and Snickers sighed. “I swear, if I had my way there’d be internal plumbing in this place,” he said and moved to the privy before pulling the curtain closed and rearing up onto the wall. “These aren’t very male friendly, are they?” He asked as he started to pee, aiming as best as his equine body could allow.

Cress shook her head. “Nope, mostly mares were set up in these places, so that’s why the holes are so squat and angled the way they are. The males would have been relegated to the lower levels or outside where they could go wherever, as long as it was out of the way.”

“How do you know so much about castles and Keeps?” Snickers asked as he finished.

Cress looked at Diamond, who glanced at Silver, who was curious why there was so much secrecy going around suddenly. “Well, I studied some in school, but it’s pretty common knowledge for ponies growing up in castle cities to know these things.”

“Ah,” Snickers said as he opened the curtain, “that makes sense. Like how you were able to get into our room back in Canterlot?”

“Exactly, it’s just about knowing the right ponies to get into certain places, too.” Cress nervously chuckled.

Snickers walked between his fillies again and motioned for Cress to take the lead back to their room. Once back inside the suite, they all took seats and noticed a radio on one of the side tables. “Cool, wanna listen to some local music?”

The reply, however, was cut off by Trixie chose that moment to barge from her room. “Trixie is feeling parched, where is the telephone so that she may call for some refreshments?” The foals looked around the main room before shrugging. “Bah, what good are you to Trixie then? She will find it herself, then.”

Trixie went into a side room that held a kitchenette and cheered. There was a clatter and chatter, then Trixie came from the room with a grin. “Trixie has used the telephone! No pony in her hometown will believe her, though.”

“What about a television? I could use some good shows,” Snickers stated.

“Whatever that is, Trixie hasn’t experienced it, yet. However, when she sees one, she will certainly master it as she has the telephone! Ha-hah!” She laughed. She looked at Snickers and raised an eyebrow. “You look quite nice wearing only a cape, just as Trixie does. Will you be changing your wardrobe to capes now?”

Snickers blushed. “It’s only until I get my shirt washed, and maybe buy a couple more, too. I think variety is important and I only have a couple articles of clothing.”

“You should wear less, as it shows off your natural body and requires less care. The only downside to wearing a cape is the hiding of one’s cutie mark, which isn’t a problem for you, at the moment. However, it may appear at any time, so be prepared to flaunt it, as one does.”

Silver reached over and lifted the back of Snickers’s cape to look at his flank. “Well, whatever it's gonna be it’ll be great, just like him.”

Trixie scoffed. “You barely know him! It has been what, two months and you’ve both dedicated yourselves to him like mares to a grown stallion? Trixie can’t wait to see what will happen in the next weeks until we part.”

“Wait, you’re really just gonna leave us here without adult supervision?” Cress asked.

“Trixie is sixteen, she can do and go where she pleases. You are foals, regardless of your marks or sexual habits. You should be careful after I leave, lest you fall into the hooves or other grabby appendages of a greater creature.” Trixie said as she approached the radio. She used her magic to turn it on and quickly turned the tuner to a station. “In the meantime, let’s listen to some relaxing music and-”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door that caught her attention. The radio began to play some smooth jazz as Trixie trotted over to answer it. Snickers ignored the music to watch Trixie open the door. A set of mares stood there, a unicorn and an earth pony, as well as a large ewe behind them. “Greetings, Great and Powerful Trixie, we are here to serve you all with the finest of drinks.”

Trixie was surprised at the speed of the request’s answer, but stepped aside to allow the mares and ewe in. The mares had platters on their backs and moved to a dining table to set their options upon it while the ewe stood by the door, awkwardly looking glancing at Snickers, then to the mares at the table.

“What are you here for?” Diamond bluntly asked the ewe, noticing the attention the ewe was giving the only male in the room.

“I am to be the royal nursemaid, your majesty.”

The mares at the table began filling glasses with drinks while the rest of the ponies in the room went very quiet. Trixie smirked. “Are you saying you are here to nurse us with your own milk?”

The ewe nodded weakly. “I am not used to serving older foals such as your highnesses, but I will do my best with my offerings. I am here to service Prince Snickers and one other. If anyone else wishes to partake of our offering, I can call for others to help.”

Trixie laughed haughtily while the foals finally started smiling. “Um,” Snickers started, “I think I’m okay on milk fresh from the tit, but I appreciate your offer. You can tell Lord Lorde that I’m capable of feeding and drinking myself at my age.”

The ewe bowed her fluffy head and turned to the door before exiting and closing it behind her. The mares bowed their heads in unison once they were done preparing. “Juices from the finest sources for your highness and guests.”

Trixie trotted quickly to the table, took a cup in her magic and sniffed the contents. She brought it to her lips and took a sip, hummed contentedly, then drank half the contents in three swallows. “This is quite good, indeed. Come, children, drink and make merry. Mares, Trixie is wondering whether or not Snickers will be having his own maid or butler while he stays here, isn’t it courtesy to do so?”

The earth pony mare nodded. “Typically yes, however Lord Lorde said to wait until Prince Snickers requested one, as he didn’t want to seem too pushy to such a respectable and unique colt.”

Snickers piped up. “I’m fine with just some guards when I go into town, I don’t need somepony to do everything for me while I’m here.”

“I will be sure to let Lord Lorde know. Your Highness,” the unicorn maid began, “should you need anything, simply call and we will be here as quickly as possible, day or night. We are the caretakers of this floor’s guests, after all.”

“So, you’re our maids, then?” Diamond asked.

“We serve all on this floor in any way they need; we are not here for only one pony’s service.”

Diamond and Silver shared a look, then Diamond spoke. “Snickers won’t be needing all of your services, but we could use somepony to make us some clothes.”

“We will have a guard escort you into town to a tailor and seamstress for sizing and clothing, m’lady,” the unicorn said. She stepped aside as the group made their way to the glasses on the table. “Will you be needing anything else?”

“Hey, do you know what Kiwe’s up to?” Snickers asked the earth mare.

“You mean the mixed breed colt? He’s working in the kitchens, your majesty.”

Snickers glared and sneered at the mare. “What do you mean ‘mixed breed’? He’s not some weird creature, he’s a pony like us.”

The mare’s eyes widened as Snickers spoke, then she bowed her front low until her muzzle touched the floor. “I am sorry, your highness. I meant no disrespect to your friend, it is simply…” she hesitated.

The unicorn spoke up in the second of silence. “It is how we speak of others. We are more blunt than some would like and speak our truths differently than you do, your highness. We will endeavor to speak more kindly from now on.”

“What are your names?” Silver Spoon asked the mares, looking between them.

“I am Written Statement and my earthen counterpart is Baking Soda,” the unicorn stated with a polite bow. “Get up, Soda, we should get back to work.”

With that, the mares returned to the table and refilled the cups once more until the carafes were empty, then collected their platters and dishes before leaving the suite.

“I hope Kiwe’s doing okay down there, what if they treat him like bullies or something?” Silver asked openly.

Snickers thought for a few seconds, then shook his head. “No, they wouldn’t do that to him. And if they do, then they’ll have to answer to me and…” he glanced up at the ceiling, “him. Gosh, I hate having to rely on that scum again.”

Trixie scoffed at the comment. “You really should tell Trixie and the others what relationship you have with the kind Lord, else we shall take your opinions as fruitless bullymongering.”

Snickers looked at Trixie and snorted in frustration. “I’ll tell you after I take a much needed spa date. Lorde said he’d cover it, so girls, let’s go get groomed!” He announced. The fillies all cheered while the mare nodded and used her magic to call over her cape and hat.

All the foals sighed in relief as they stood in a communal shower, washing off the weight of their journey so far. Hot water cascaded down their coats and soaked their skin sending pleasant tingles through their bodies as they moved between the spouts above them. Trixie watched the foals wandering aimlessly under the warm showers with a content smile.

A spa employee walked into the room and stood beside Trixie, who had yet taken a turn to get washed up since the foals were occupying all the available showers. “Okay, who’s ready for a little pampering?”

All attention was on the stallion and at the robes he held in his magical aura. There was a rush to the robes and the stallion chuckled as the foals hurried to put one on. Trixie took the opportunity to step into the shower and at first gasped at the heat, then relaxed under a single water spout, letting the dirty water run into the floor drain.

“Follow me, children, to the first stop on your journey to a new you.” The stallion said as he took the lead and led them all into a room with a lounge chair for each of them. “Lay back and let’s get your hooves back into shape.” He stated and clacked his hoof on a marble panel against the wall.

Five mares entered the room and looked the group over, then between each other. With a nod, they split up and went to each of the foals with two going to Snickers. “Your highness, it is an honor to service you. Shall we begin with your royal hooves?”

Snickers looked between the mares, then glanced between his fillies, who were trying to distract themselves with their own attendants. “Um, yeah, sure. I haven’t had any hoof care for almost a month and could use some of your magic.”

The mares giggled, glancing at one another’s bare foreheads. “We know what you mean. Please, lie on your side and let us take care of all your needs.”

Diamond loudly snorted. “Just so you know, we’re his mares and we’ll be doing the important servicing of our stallion.”

The mares looked at the filly and the rest of the adults giggled. “We wouldn’t dare impose, we aren’t some low class massage parlor that does that kind of servicing of our clientele. We’re professionals.”

Snickers laid on his side and let the mares look his hooves over with intent. They pulled a small box from under the lounge chair and opened it to show several farrier tools. They quickly went to work on one of his hooves, taking out the nails that held his old shoe guides on before snipping, clipping, and filing his hooves down.

“Nails are so out of date, your majesty. Would you like magnetic bolts put in? They’re less damaging on your hooves and allow you to use some of the newest shoes available.”

Snickers looked at his hooves and then nodded. “If I don’t like them, I can just have them swapped out, right?”

“Of course, but we haven’t had a customer go back to nails since they were introduced what… five years ago now?” The attendendant asked her partner.

“Yeah, about that. Those Terrans aren’t totally crazy with their inventions.”

Snickers’s ears perked. “So, what else have these Terrans talked about that make them crazy?”

A mare snickered. “Flying machines for a hundred ponies to use to get around the land in a few hours instead of days.”

“Portable viewing devices to see who you’re talking to across the world.”

“Commuters… or something that can do math and stuff faster than the best creatures.”

“Small machines that fix your body from the inside.”

“Space machines.”

There was a smattering of giggles.

“They make up the weirdest ideas. Why would we need a flying machine when we have dirigible airships, hot air balloons, and pegasi to get us around, if we need them?”

“What could we possibly need to do in outer space? Get some moon cheese or touch the star diamonds?”

Snickers grimaced at the sound and feeling of a jolt in his leg as the first magnet was punched into his hoof. “So, where are these Terrans? I kind of want to hear what they have to offer. Maybe they have something that would benefit both our countries. Telephones seem pretty neat, after all.”

“You can find their stores around the city, if you want to. They sell telephones and other useful things, as well as their nonsense ideas if you give them the opportunity.”

Snickers pondered what he could do to see a Terran and what they could explain to him about their technological ideas as the last of his hooves was attended to.

There was a fierce screech that startled everypony. The male staff member poked his head into the room a moment later with a calm expression. “Sorry, the hot water was too much for a griffon customer. I believe he’s one of your friends, your highness. A mister Gilgamesh?”

Snickers blinked. “Oh! You mean Gil? Yeah, give him the deluxe treatment, too. Lord Lorde will cover the fee.” He said and looked as best he could to Silver Spoon, the closest one to him. “I guess Kiwe finished and is watching the egg.”

“Or, Gil just brought it with him.” Cress offered.

“Maybe we should check on him…” Silver said.

“Nah, he’s a gryphon. He’ll be just fine.” Diamond said. “And, are we gonna talk about his full name, or just let it go?” She mused.

...

“Now that your hooves are cleaned and polished, let’s get you into the sauna!”

Trixie entered the hooficure room as the foals left, her coat was damp but she was in good spirits. “Have fun, and drink water as you need it.”

The foals trotted in a single file line behind a pegasus mare to the sauna where they were led in and were told how to use it to its fullest effect.

Sweating and panting after five minutes, the group stumbled out of the sauna to the pegasus mare’s surprise. “Oh, my. I thought you’d be in there for at least half an hour. Please, come with me to the mineral baths to cool off.”

Once they were all naked and soaking in warm mineral water, they sparked up small conversations about what they’d like to do for the rest of the evening before a splash fight broke out and they were promptly removed from the pool for playing with expensive imported water.

Next, they were groomed by some of the best groomers in the city, their manes being cared for like they were all the most important in the world, before they were all led to a final room where they chose the shoes they wanted to wear out into the city.

Pleased with their experience, Snickers dropped a single Equestrian bit on the counter before he left, watching the curious and then shocked expressions of the employees as they gratefully accepted their tip.

Stepping out into the evening and waning daylight, Snickers sighed with a smile as he felt like a new pony. No part of his body was spared, even getting a quick snack of a cinnamon cookie before he left to freshen his breath. Several city guards were standing ready when he and his friends stepped out and with a couple questions, they formed up around the group and led them deeper into Frand’s shopping district, ready to appease their shopping needs.

Shopping in Frand

“I wanna go get a new dress!” Silver said, giddily.

“Oh, I want one, too!” Diamond replied with cheer.

“Can I get something, too?” Cress added.

“We need to stop by the bank, first. I don’t want to drop Equestrian bits all over the place,” Snickers said as all three fillies started talking about what they were going to shop for.

“We’re gonna buy you some new clothes as well. You’re a prince and shouldn’t just be wearing a cape.” Cress said to Snickers as she lead the fillies walking past him.

After a stop by the bank, each pony had coins to spend on whatever they wanted, and a checkbook was given to one of the guards to hold on to for Snickers to use as he saw fit.

Trixie trotted up to the group as they left the bank looking refreshed and good as new. Snickers even noticed the true mare beneath the illusion seeming happier than he’d ever seen her. She seemed to have more blue in her coat than he’d noticed before. “Trixie’s cape and hat are being cleaned, so she is in need of some new clothes, too. Perhaps she will shop with you and grace you with her presence.”

Snickers looked at her flanks and noticed something. “You don’t have any saddlebags, we should buy you some, as thanks for everything you’ve done for us so far.”

Trixie nodded and raised her snout to the sky. “Trixie accepts your little offer. Please wait while she gets some Lordecoin to spend on her own.” She turned and walked into the closed bank door, stumbling back a couple steps and earning a round of laughs at her expense from the foals and a few chuckles from the adult guards around them. “Trixie meant to do that, to hear the foals’ laughter fill her heart.”

Making sure the door was open and her snout wasn’t too high, she trotted into the bank and the foals started giggling and talking about what had happened for a minute until they all started about what they wanted to shop for.

“Think of it, new stuff to look at. New toys to buy. New fabric to feel against our coats! I’m so excited,” Diamond cheered and was joined in by the other fillies.

Snickers grinned for a few seconds as the fillies tittered and giggled, then he turned to look down a street. “Guard, where’s the nearest hu- er, Terran shop?”

The guard looked down at Snickers, his metal armor shining in the sunlight. “I will lead you to it right now, if you wish, your highness.”

“No, that’ll be fine. I’ll wait for Trixie and we can all go shopping together.” Snickers said.

“As you wish,” the guard said and bowed his head slightly.

A minute later Trixie left the bank with a checkbook in her magic. “Trixie believes this will be more effective than throwing coins around like a commoner.”

“We have coins to spend if you need any, Miss Trixie,” Silver said.

“Trixie appreciates your offer, but will pay her own way. She has enough coins in the bank to live like a princess here. However, this land doesn’t need another missing princess when I leave, so I will live like a Lady while I am here. Come, let us go shopping!”

The fillies cheered while Trixie smiled smugly. Snickers moved beside the guard he’d spoken to before, the mare stoically watching him as he approached. She stood to attention when he passed her and she began following him, as did the rest. “Well, where are we going to shop first?”

...

Snickers followed the fillies into a boutique and sat on a provided cushion while two guards stood at the entrance door, the remaining taking posts outside and patrolling the area to keep their charge safe. Over the next three hours, he patiently waited and gave the occasional opinion on the dresses they each tried on.

After having a check written out to cover the cost, Snickers was awoken from his nap by his fillies and he promptly left the shop, noticing each filly with bags of clothing waiting by the door. A unicorn guardsmare was voluntold to carry their shopping and they left to the next shop that caught their eye a half block down the street.

Trixie caught up to the group and told them of Gil’s time in the spa before she entered the boutique to have a new cape made for her by the next morning, cost be damned.

...

Snickers entered the toy store with wide eyes. Rows of shelving held all manners of games, toys, and dolls. He rushed in followed by the fillies and they all scattered to different parts of the store while Trixie, who quickly caught up wearing a blue tunic as a stand-in for her cape, stood outside and made idle chat with one of the guards.

Snickers found some clockwork toys that moved in certain ways after being wound up. He passed a foal and her mother in a colorful ball section and found a wall of books to his left. He skimmed them and found the first book in the Human Series and picked it out. Opening it he found it to be printed in plain earth English of old, like many of the signs and notices around the city were posted in.

He read the first page and wanted to read more, but a shopkeeper stopped him from reading on without buying the book. He added the book to a unicorn stallion’s magic to buy it, then looked up to find various role-playing game books. He recognized some of the titles, but held no interest in them beyond wondering what it would be like to play them in his free time. Stepping away, he looked at the back wall to find dolls and boxed figurines. He happily pranced over to them and felt Aquelis looking at the selection through his eyes but not wanting to take control.

Snickers passed many dolls and collectibles, stopping when he came up to a section of shelves taller than he was with various types of creatures, namely humans.

The Dwarven were known to have begun inhabiting planets with heavier gravity than Earth, the standard humans of Earth, and Tallboys were on the shelves, but each looked different than they should have.

Each carried many of the same anatomical issues like breasts lower set onto the chest and four fingers and toes, for those not wearing boots, as well as most being naked save for fitting clothing covering their genitals or breasts. Snickers poked one standard human in the belly, watching as it tipped onto the one next to it.

“Would your highness care for a human doll? They’re very popular among foals since the books came out.” The same salesmare said, approaching him from down an aisle. Snickers shook his head, but felt a pull from the pony inside his mind to grab one of each. Sighing, Snickers picked one of each of both genders, six in total, and added them to the unicorn’s magical field.

Next, Snickers turned to the salesmare and walked past her into an aisle shared by a colt and filly who were playing with blocks stamped with the local language he couldn’t read. Noticing some books for foals on the basic alphabet, he grabbed one and some smaller blocks in a box, as well as some flashcards and a blank notebook.

Calling out to Silver Spoon, he found her quickly and met her at a display of cards featuring happy children of various species playing, many with words he couldn’t read, but understood to be words of congratulations or praise. She pointed to one card that caught her eye and picked it out with her lips.

She opened it and dropped it in surprise when it began playing a jaunty tune. They shared a laugh and closed it, placed it back, and then Snickers noticed the shopping basket with toys she’d been interested in. It had a couple foals books in it and a book on bilingual studies that was far more advanced than the one he’d chosen.

Diamond caught up to the duo with Cress. Both fillies had small baskets with balls, clockwork items and display knick knacks that caught each of their eyes, although Cress seemed to have significantly less than any of them.

“I just don’t really like toys; I’m more of a mare of action… besides, with the toys you’ve all got, I think I can find something to play with.” Cress admitted.

Snickers looked into her basket and smirked. “And what about the squeaky toys you’ve chosen?”

Cress’s black cheeks would have shown a clear blush as she spoke. “Just something for Gil. I know how much he needs something to play with, too. I remember hearing that predators like chewing on squeaky toys, so… I just hope he’ll like them.”

“I’m sure he’ll love the idea, at least,” Silver said, “and if he doesn’t, then, like, we’ll make him,” she said with a wink and a nudge with her elbow into Cress’s side.

Cress giggled and looked at the stallion carrying Snickers’s toys. “You couldn’t grab a shopping basket?”

“I don’t mind.” The guard said as he spun the items around his head.

Snickers and the group decided they’d shopped enough and went to the till to check out. After having an adult write another check, Snickers signed it and they took their bags outside before they were taken by the same mare as before with a little strain.

...

Walking in formation, the guards flanked the group as they walked down a main street, clearing a path as they went by their mere presence alone. “Your highness,” one guard Snickers hadn’t interacted with yet said, “the Terran shop is just ahead. We’ll post guards for you, as usual.”

The fillies in the group looked intently ahead while Snickers had already seen the sign. What seemed to be an airship hung above the door colored brightly to help it stand out. “I see it, let’s hurry, I think we’re drawing too much attention as it is.”

With a bow of her head, the guard took the lead and ordered the rest to their spots as Trixie veered off to look at jewelry in a display window. The fillies followed Snickers into the shop and their newly shod hooves clacked on the first linoleum they’d come across since leaving Equestria.

“Welcome! How can we… oh, no,” the shopkeep groaned, “we already paid our taxes twice this month; we can’t spare a third tax.”

Snickers moved to the stallion, who looked down at him. “I’m Prince Snickers, of Equestria, and I’m here to shop, not steal from you.”

The stallion raised an eyebrow at the colt, then looked at the guards flanking the door. “Uh, well… um, I guess I can find a steal of a deal for you, your, uh, royalness.”

“Please, call me Snickers, or Aquelis, but let’s do away with the honorifics. Please, show us what you have to offer.”

The stallion, gathering his wits, bowed his head. “Indeed. I’m Johnathan and welcome to our store where we have many inventions to offer, as well as investment opportunities if you’re interested.”

The guards by the inner door rolled their eyes, but were ignored by Johnathan. “Johnathan?” Silver snarked. “What kind of name is that?” She tittered with Diamond at the strange-sounding name.

“It’s my name, that’s all that matters. We Terrans live a different lifestyle than most creatures around here, so either accept it, or you can leave our store until you are ready to show some respect.”

Snickers held up a forehoof. “Ponies, let’s keep it civil. Johnathan, these are my mares and we are all from Equestria where names are quite different. This pink filly is my alpha mare and her name is Diamond Tiara. The gray filly beside her is in my herd, too. Her name is Silver Spoon and our friend in the back is Watercress.”

Johnathan looked between the fillies as they were introduced. “It’s nice to meet you, and what lovely names you all have. Please, let me show you some of what we have to offer at hand, er, hoof.”

Snickers followed the stallion to a shelf and looked at pictures of high quality. “What’re these?” Cress asked.

“HD photos. I have a standard portable camera here,” he gestured to a snap camera attached to a yoke that could be worn on a pony’s neck, “and it takes photos in real time onto-”

“We know how cameras work,” Diamond cut in. “I was the editor for the school paper, after all.”

“For about two months,” Silver mumbled.

“What else can your cameras do, or are they just for taking nice pictures?” Diamond asked, ignoring her herd sister’s jibe.

“Well, there’s a model we sell that will print the pictures immediately. It’s a bit expensive for most creatures, but I think you can afford it with a royal budget,” Johnathan said, looking down at Snickers.

Snickers waved a forehoof. “What next?”

The stallion stepped back and turned around to a series of pictures and paintings on a wall. “Well, if you’re interested in investing in anything, here are some projects we’re working on. Here’s a portable phone that’s powered by the latent magical field found all over the world here. We have working models, but to mass produce them we need a lot of funding.

“Over here we have computer technology that’s far superior to anything offered today by the few creatures and companies that can create them. A computer is a device that can do work with input information like math or calculations. .”

“,” Snickers said in English, “.”

The stallion’s eyes widened and his attention snapped to the brown colt. “”

Snickers shook his head. “.”

“?”

“”

“Hush,” Johnathan said. “There’s no need to start rumors where there don’t need to be any. Please, may I speak with you in the back of the store?”

Snickers waved Silver Spoon over to his side. “Girls, you look around and if anything catches your eye, let me know and maybe we’ll buy it. Silver and I are going to the back to talk with Johnathan.”

A guard left the doorway and hurried to Snickers. “Your Highness, we cannot let you out of our sight.”

“I won’t be alone; I have Silver Spoon with me. She understands and will be able to call for help if anything happens.”

“I will stand guard outside the door, then.” The guard stated without any room for argument.

Snickers followed Johnathan to the back of the shop and went through an open doorway into an office with Silver by his side. Closing the door, the Terran moved to his seat at the desk and sighed. “You’re a Terran, like us? That’s good to know, there are so few of us these days coming across.”

“What do you mean? How many Terrans are there?” Snickers asked.

Johnathan glanced at the door and then reached to the side of his desk and pulled out a small box. Opening the box he reached in and pulled out a complex device he set on the desk. “.” Something inside the box clicked and a hologram of a mare appeared.

Silver’s eyes widened at the image of a female pony that appeared. It was mostly gray with purple dots for eyes. Snickers smiled. “?!”

Johnathan nodded and raised a hoof to his lips. “”

The small Virtual Intelligence looked in the stallion’s direction. “”

“”

The V.I. nodded at the stallion. “,” she mused, “”

“.” Jonathan said.

Snickers grinned. “! Well, hooves.” He said, tapping them on the floor.

Starbound turned to face Snickers. “”

Silver cleared her throat. “, or their magic.”

Starbound giggled. “.”

Snickers flicked his ear. “.”

The image flickered. “”

Snickers looked at Johnathan, then Starbound. “”

Starbound’s image flickered. “.”

Snickers thought it over, then answered. Johnathan’s eyes widened. “You’re from that far into the future?”

Snickers shrugged. “It’s the present to me. Hell, this world is the stone age compared to what I’m used to.”

Starbound flickered again. “”

Snickers nodded. “. Can we go and see what else you have to offer?”

Johnathan nodded and shut the virtual intelligence off, hiding her away again. “Please, look around and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Snickers went to the camera again and slipped it onto his head, resting it on his neck with the shutter switch by his mouth. “How do you aim this thing?”

Johnathan used a forehoof to flip up a targeting cross. “Point that at your target and snap away. You can take 32 photos per roll of film.”

Snickers nodded and took the camera off. “I’ll take this and ten rolls of film, to start.” Snickers turned to place everything he’d chosen in a wire handled basket a guard was offering. Snickers went down the three compact aisles and picked up a digital calculator, a clockwork toy that looked like a mouse and scurried in circles when wound up and set on the floor.

The fillies chose to look at the prospective projects and grab some brochures on what they did and what the investment cost was going to be. After meeting back up with his fillies, Snickers paid for his items and was about to leave when he was stopped by Johnathan. “Snickers, right? Well, we’d love to have you sooner than later in New Terra. There are opportunities there you can’t pass up on, if you’re interested in building a future for us all.”

Snickers nodded once. “We shall talk about it and decide as a herd.”

Jonathan bowed his head. “Take your time, we aren’t going anywhere.”

Snickers nodded and turned back to the door and left with the rest to find a gathering of locals around a semi-circle of guards holding a line. “What’s going on here?” Diamond asked.

“Your highness?! Mary Jane from The Frand Gazette: How long are you going to be in Frand and what brought you here?”
“How many royals from Equestria are with you?”
“When did you arrive?”
“Are you offering peace between our lands after centuries of isolation?”

As ponies began shouting questions over one another another group started screaming excitedly and reaching their forelegs out toward him. Larger creatures such as a couple minotaurs and a bison used their size to curiously look at the small group before moving along. A goat nearly pushed through the line to toss a folded piece of paper to Cress.

She picked it up and unfolded it, then passed it to Diamond, who passed it to Silver Spoon. She read it over and cocked her head. “It says ‘I’m single.’” She read and then looked at the spot the male goat was before he was shoved back. “It’s getting, like, really loud. We should go back to the Keep if it’s gonna get crazier.”

Snickers’s ears twitched and his eyes shimmered, noticed by Diamond Tiara. She moved closer to him to speak and be heard. “Aquelis, is that you?”

The colt nodded his head. “Yes, my friend. I shall take care of this as it’s too overwhelming for Snickers to handle right now.”

“Wait… so, Snickers just left you in charge because it was loud?”

Aquelis nodded. “In essence, yes. He doesn’t do well in crowds, he says.”

Diamond rolled her eyes and flicked her ear in annoyance. “He can’t be alone and he can’t be in crowds. That colt. Fine, but I want him back as soon as possible.” She commanded. Quietly, she muttered, “And I’ve gotta find a way to separate you two or this is gonna get more annoying than it already is.”

“Attention!” Aquelis shouted and held up a hoof for several seconds before the crowd quieted down. “Please, if you have any questions send them to the Keep and let us finish our shopping.”

The crowd roared into questions again.

“Are you going to move here?”
“Why are you interested in the Terrans stuff?”
“Are you a polygamist? Are those your fillies?”
“Can I join your herd?!”

At that question several females in the crowd screamed in excitement and pushed past the guards to rush a suddenly terrified colt. Diamond and Silver rushed to stand between the females of various ages and species while Cress joined the guards with a staff she’d pulled from under her wing that extended into full size to push the crowd back.

A clap of thunder startled most of the crowd into looking up at Trixie, who was standing on the roof of the shop. “Behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie has returned to Frand to share with you the stories of her travels and adventures in Equestria! Watch as she dazzles and amazes you tonight in the city square. The Prince will be there, too; as part of my elaborate and exciting show!”

The crowd looked at Trixie standing on the second story roof ledge on her hind legs, forelegs spread wide, her cape billowing in the wind. They looked back at Snickers, then began mumbling between themselves. A few seconds later some of the crowd dispersed. Many others hung around, but stopped pushing against the guards.

“Mary Jane, again,” the mare announced herself, holding a microphone strapped to her foreleg out to Aquelis, “what will you be doing while you’re here in Frand? Do you intend on going to the capitol to see the queen?”

Aquelis looked at the mare and stood proudly. “It would be an honor to someday meet her, but for now I, and my friends, would like to go shopping in your fine city.”

“I’m not part of his herd,” Cress added, her tufted ears twitched when the microphone was aimed at her.

“Are you his personal guard?” Mary asked.

Cress collapsed the staff and slid it back under her wing to its hidden holster. “No, just a close friend that cares about all my friends’ safety.”

Mary Jane asked her next question. “And what are your names?”

Diamond Tiara backed up to stand beside Snickers, Silver noticing and copying her move. “This is Snickers, but sometimes he likes to be called Aquelis. I’m Diamond Tiara, this is my herd sister, Silver Spoon. The black filly is Cress and she’s not a part of our herd.”

Mary looked between the fillies and the colt. She moved the mic to her muzzle. “This has been Mary Jane interviewing the visiting royalty from Equestria. I’ll keep you updated with more as it comes.”

The majority of the crowd had been listening and had heard the exchange. Satisfied that their questions would be answered, more dispersed. The ones that stayed formed a posse that grouped together totaling about twenty. They giggled, whispered, and muttered amongst one another as the guards carefully broke ranks to flank their charges. Once the group was emotionally settled, Silver Spoon asked for a clothing store for colts. They were directed to a shop down the block and they moved as quickly as they could with the crowd following them.

They went into the shop and were greeted by a gray unicorn mare with a styled blue mane wearing a finely made dress and an orange earth pony stallion with brown mane wearing a fetching shirt and hat. “Welcome to… oh, my,” the mare said as she noticed the guards taking position inside the doorway and outside, “who do we have here?” She asked

Aquelis’s eyes sparkled and Snickers looked at the mare. “M-mom?” He said, then noticed the differences.

“Oh, um, sorry, darling, but I only have a single daughter, and she’s at school right now.”

“S-sorry, you just look like…” Snickers said, stepping back and shaking his head.

Silver Spoon placed a forehoof on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” She asked as he shook his head slowly.

“I’m okay, just… confused. Switching too fast can do that, I guess. Um, sorry I called you mom, miss.”

“It’s perfectly fine, dear. Now, how can we help, um, your highness?”

“You can start by telling us your names,” Cress stated bluntly.

“Oh, how rude of us.” The stallion stated. “I’m Misty Dusk and this lovely mare is my wife, Elusive Night.” They both bowed cordially.

“Oh, yeah! I’m Prince Snickers from Equestria and these are my herdmates Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Cress is the cute filly in the back.”

Cress looked at Snickers with surprise. “You think I’m cute?”

Snickers chuckled. “You can be cute when you don’t mean to be. Anyway, I’m here because I need clothes. I can’t just walk around in a cape with patches on it, after all.”

Elusive gasped with a forehoof over her mouth. She rushed to Snickers, bumping Diamond out of the way with a grunt and frown from the filly. She called over a measuring tape and began measuring Snickers’s foreleg while Dusk undid the clasp holding his Cutie Mark Crusader cape on. He took it off him and rushed to a stand to place it on, then returned to his wife with a notepad to take notes of her measurements.

Snickers, having modeled for Rarity a few times, stood tall and still as he was measured over a minute before Elusive backed off with a titter. “Such a fine model you make, your highness. If only I could… oh, idea!” She called out, reminding Snickers of Rarity all too much. “I think a shirt would be best for you, unless you’re into wearing pants, too?”

“A shirt would be fine. I don’t like having to undress to go to the toilet.” Snickers answered.

Elusive giggled and sat to clap her hooves together in excitement. “Oh, darling; making clothes for a royal! This will be great for business. Come, Prince Snickers-”

“Snickers is fine.”

“Very well, dear. Snickers, allow me to show you some of my fall line of clothing.”

“Trixie would like a set of saddlebags.” Trixie announced as she approached Misty. “Make sure they bear her mark and match her coat color… please.”

“Of course, ma’am. Right this way.”

...

Trixie had gotten her saddlebags quite promptly and had left to return to the Keep for supper with Lord Lorde, leaving the foals to their own devices.

Wearing a blue shirt with a scarf that matched the lime green of his eyes and his cape, Snickers left the shop with several more shirts on order. He looked up into the night sky and saw fliers breaking the starry scene as they went about their business, and his aunt's moon rising on the horizon.

Noticing the griffon and pegasi guards perched on the roofs, he felt safer as he left with the fillies as they talked about what they’d have coming, too; having ordered some of their own dresses and shirts from the kind couple. The couple’s daughter had returned from playing with her friends earlier and had made friends with Silver Spoon quickly while Diamond and Cress played cards to pass the time.

Snickers didn’t mind being a model at first, but after half an hour it had become clear to Elusive that he wouldn’t stand still anymore. Understanding that foals weren’t as patient as adults, Elusive let him move around and talk with others as she draped fabrics over him to get his color palette just right. In lieu of having him wait hours for her to craft him a single shirt, she gave him something from a rack and a scarf to tide him over, stating a royal should never have to go naked, if they can help it.

Walking to the guards that quickly flanked him, he heard wings flapping from above as the fliers took to the air in the quieter evening. “Looks like everything starts to calm down when the sun sets, huh?” Cress mentioned.

“Yeah, like back home,” Diamond said. “I miss my daddy,” she said with a sigh.

“We all miss somepony.” Snickers said. “We can write them and start a mail service between us and Ponyville when I get back to the Keep. I’m sure Lorde won’t mind it, especially if we pay for a pegasus to fly there and back only to ferry letters around for us.”

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t want to be a bother,” Diamond said as she looked at a shop to their right and slowed. “Is anypony else hungry?”

“Won’t there be food at the Keep?” Cress asked.

“It won’t kill us to miss a single meal when we can have some local food. C’mon, I’ll pay.” Diamond said as she turned and went into the restaurant.

An older colt greeted them and then started when two guards entered to guard the doorway. He nervously sat the group and gave out menus before hesitantly bowing his head and returning to the front.

The rest took their seats on cotton cushions, ignoring the guards and shocked looks the other patrons gave them. “Waiter?” Diamond called to a stallion gawking at a counter.

The stallion hurried to them. “Welcome to Surf’s On, what can we get you dudes to drink?” He said with a gnarly accent.

“Do you have any good wine? I’d, like, die for some good wine.” Silver said, resting the flats of her hooves on the table.

“Yeah, that sounds great! Wine for us all. Uh, water for our stallion, please,” Diamond said as she glanced at Snickers.

“I’ll take a glass of wine, too. I just won’t drink as much. I have to get used to it, right?” Snickers said.

Diamond nodded. “It’s about time you started getting used to it. If you get tipsy, we’ll be there to carry you home,” she teased.

Snickers puffed out his cheeks in frustrated embarrassment before exhaling. “Fine, I’ll take some water, too.”

The stallion nodded and turned to trot away as there was a commotion at the door. All eyes in the establishment went to the gryphon that was entering. “Yo, Equestrians,” Gil said, waving to the foals at the table. Cress grinned widely and was the first to wave him over. “What’s up, dweebs,” Gil said as he took a seat.

“What would you like to drink, buddy?” the stallion asked as he returned.

“Whatever’s popular with local griffons.”

“Indeed. I’ll have your drinks out right away, dudes.”

Snickers noticed Gil watching the waiter walk away for a second too long before the gryphon returned his attention to Cress. “So, what’ve you all been up to all night? I’ve been living it up, myself. I got a spa treatment covered by that Lorde guy, then I went and got my fortune read, and even got a bandolier to match Kiwe’s.

“Oh, he’s watching his kid back at the Keep. I asked if he wanted to come into town with me, but he said he wanted to go to the bath house after you all got back. So, what’ve you been up to, little filly of the night?”

“Well,” Cress started, flicking her ears, “we started-”

“Hey, shut up, our drinks are coming,” Gil interrupted.

The stallion carried a tray on his back and with another’s help each had a drink placed before them in a few seconds. “So, like, do you need a minute, or are you ready to order?”

The foals and gryphon looked at their menus and then opened them. “We’ll, like, need a minute, okay?” Silver said, glancing over her menu to the waiter.

“Right on. I’ll be back in a few.”

“So, this looks like a meat and hay place, mostly. I haven’t eaten red meat before, I don’t wanna get gassy,” Diamond started as she looked down the menu. “How about some fish and hay chips?”

“I wanna try the boiled nettle in salad… oh! They have deep fried tempura vegetables!”

“What about the black bean burger?”

“The pepper fish filet sounds good.”

“Ooo, they have fried brownies for dessert.”

“Look at page three, at the bottom; there’s a platter with a little of every meat on it. We can totally, like, share!”

“I said I don’t wanna get gassy, Silver Spoon.”

“There’s a pony friendly platter right below it, girls,” Snickers said. “It just doesn’t have a picture. Let’s get that and-”

“I’m having a steak and seafood platter,” Gil cut in.

“Good for you,” Snickers said as he tapped the menu. “I know what I’m having, what about you girls?”

There was a few seconds of silence as they all figured out what to get, then they set their menus down and started talking about their day until their waiter returned. Taking their orders, he met eyes with Gil for a couple seconds before turning away and just barely brushing his tail along Gil’s.

Gil audibly purred before excusing himself to follow the waiter. Cress sneered and glared daggers at the waiter, even as Gil caught up to him and exchanged a few words before returning to their table.

“So, what was that about?” Cress snarkily asked.

Gil clacked his beak. “None of your little pony business, that’s what. So, how about that weather? Do you think their weather patrols are as good as the ones in Equestria?”

“What the hay kind of answer is that?” Silver said to the gryphon. “You know Cress-” she was silenced by a pink hoof to her muzzle.

“Nothing,” Diamond said with her snout raised. “If you can’t see what’s right in front of you, you don’t deserve it.”

Cress licked her lips, her tongue gliding over her fangs gently. “Yeah, you don’t deserve what you can’t see right in front of you.”

“What are you all talking about? I just asked him something, that’s all.”

“What’d you ask him, then, huh?” Diamond pushed.

Gil growled deeply in the back of his throat, getting a little more attention from the curious crowd. “Snickers, keep your females under control before they ask something that will get them in trouble.”

“Hey, don’t talk to him like that!” Silver shouted.

“Oh, sorry,” Gil said, sarcastically, “Prince Snickers, please keep your little Ladies in order.”

There was a smattering of gasps and whispers began throughout the restaurant as Snickers blushed a little. “I didn’t want to talk about that, Gil! I just wanted a little dinner in peace with my friends and family.”

Gil laughed loudly. “You mean with armed guards all over the place keeping guard over you? How much more casual can you get? Why not wear ceremonial robes with a crown,” he said pointing to the cape Snickers was wearing, “oops, you’re already halfway there.”
Snickers slapped Gil’s talons away from touching his cape. “If you’re gonna be a jerk you can just leave!”

Gil snerked. “Nah, I’m just pulling your leg. You all need to calm down before you hurt yourselves.” He said, looking around the table they were at.

Snickers took a deep breath in, then exhaled. “You’re right, we’re just having some fun, right, girls? Let’s not get over excited about any of this, okay? We don’t wanna start off on a bad hoof with the locals, right?”

The other fillies at the table nodded and then, with some effort, began talking again about their day.

Snickers turned to Gil and spoke softly. “If you call me out like that again, I’ll have the guards escort you to the edge of the city for a few hours of hole digging.” Sitting back up, he turned to Diamond and joined in her and Silver’s conversations while Gil thought of the threat, then swallowed hard. He flexed his talons under the table, then sighed in defeat. He looked around the table at the fillies and wanted to make a comment, but held it back.

He wasn’t winning any friends or allies and he knew it, and he’d have to do something different to avoid being punished like the child he was acting like.

Author's Note

Sorry for the dely in posting. I lost my editor halfway through the chapter. If anypony's interested in editing, proof reading, and/or pre-reading, let me know.
Thanks!

Stage Show

Returning to the Keep with full bellies and a small cart worth of shopping being pulled by one unfortunate guard, the group made their way up to their room where they set their shopping in the entrance to their room before calling out to Kiwe, who didn’t answer. They searched the suite for Trixie, too, who wasn’t in her room.

“Huh, where’d they go?” Silver Spoon asked as she went into their room to look, just in case.

“I dunno. What time is it?” Snickers asked Written.

The mare lit her horn and pulled a small watch from her shirt. “Nearly seven in the eve, sir. Perhaps you would like to wind down before bed?”

Snickers blinked at the mare as Baking Soda entered the room with two other servants carrying most of their purchases on their backs. “I didn’t think we had a bed time… but we’re not going to bed until we’re all together. I’m not leaving my bro alone in this city.”

“With a delicate egg,” Gil added in.

“Exactly, that, too. Where did Trixie and Kiwe go?” Snickers asked the unicorn mare.

Baking Soda tipped slightly to dump several bags onto the floor in a pile. “The great and powerful Trixie is hosting a show soon in the city’s theater district. I believe your mixed br- er, Kiwe went with her to set up the stage.”

The group shared a couple unspoken words before Gil went to the nearest window and jumped out. “That dummy doesn’t even know where he’s going. What way will the show be?” Cress asked. After Written pointed in the direction, the thestral filly leapt from the window to catch up to Gil and direct him.

“Well, that’s two of us, that just leaves us three. Can one of you guide us to the show?” Diamond Tiara asked. Snickers moved to stand beside her, his soft coat brushing against hers giving her comfort she didn’t know she needed.

Silver Spoon entered the room and moved to Snickers’s other side and brushed against him, all three giving a cute look that made the mare nearly ‘awe’ at their combined cuteness. “Okay, okay, I’ll get some new guards to go with us and I’ll take you to the show.”

Going to the theater district was a long walk, but when they got there it was set up nicely with stages and grassy areas for creatures to rest and enjoy the shows. It seemed to be a slow night as only two stages out of six were in use, and only one had fireworks set up around it.

Snickers found Kiwe laying on the ground with his egg swaddled in a blanket with Cress and Gil on either side of him. Being waved over wasn’t an issue, the issue was the several guards around the little herd that pushed numerous creatures out of the way to allow Snickers to pass. The colt apologized several times to upset creatures, for what good it did them. They were irate they’d lost their spots or had their moments disrupted, regardless of who was being protected.

“Hey, who do you think you are?” One voice shouted.

“He’s that prince they were talking about?!” A female voice shouted. There was a brief silence before hushed whispers filled the area.

Snickers didn’t care to know what they were saying, as long as they didn’t swarm him again. He’d certainly be taken back to the Keep if he was swarmed again, the guards had said as much. Snickers felt his fillies press closer to him and it calmed him a little as they reached the rest of their group.

“So, keeping it subtle, huh?” Cress snarked as the guards cleared a space around their group.

“I couldn’t leave without an armed escort, they wouldn’t let any of us go alone.” Snickers said.

“Not that I’m complaining,” Diamond said, “I like being treated like royalty.”

Silver Spoon glanced to Diamond, then moved to Kiwe. “So, what’ve you been up to all day?”

“Cooking!” Kiwe said happily. His tail flicked and his ears perked to show his excitement. “They have so many recipes I have never seen, from places I have never been. I will try to cook them on my own, perhaps when we get home.”

Snickers separated from Diamond and sat behind Kiwe. “And how’s your little egg? Still warm and cozy?”

“Not a crack or blemish to be seen, if that was indeed what you mean.”

Gil’s beak snapped loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “You better give it to me, your pony body is too hard to hold it properly. I don’t want my sister’s first baby to get scrambled.”

Kiwe’s horn lit and the egg gently lifted from the makeshift nest and the swaddle wrapped around the egg before being given to the gryphon who took barely five seconds to secure it to his body. Gil purred quietly as the egg nestled into his chest feathers making the females ‘awe’ at the sight.

“So, when’s the show starting? We’re ready to be awed by the great and powerful Trixie, here.” A deep male voice called out from the crowd with a little sarcasm.

Snickers stood up and looked back at the voice, seeing a minotaur standing over a smaller mare wearing a collar and looking quite interested. He turned back to the stage and chalked the couple up to a weird sex fetish as he nestled between his fillies again. He nuzzled into Silver’s braid before turning to do the same to Diamond’s mane. Both fillies nuzzled him back in return.

“Gag me with a spoon,” a colt said from behind them. “Do you have to do that stuff in public?”

“Excuse me?” Silver said as she looked back at the colt. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”

“Your gross flanks are in my way, I can’t-”

“Cross, mind your manners!” A mare scolded as she walked up to stand over the startled colt. “I’m sorry, girls, we’ll move so you can have your space.”

“That’s okay, just as long as Cross stops talking to us like that.” Silver said.

“That won’t be a problem, will it, young stallion?”

Cross frowned, but nodded. “Yes, mommy.”

There was a whistle as a single firework flew into the sky and exploded a few seconds after seeming to have petered out. The crowd was awed and made appreciative noises as the stage performance began.

As the group gathered near the back of the stage to meet Trixie, they saw the mare hoist a large bag full of coins of all denominations in her magic. When Trixie saw her group of minors she grinned. “Greetings, followers of Trixie, did you enjoy the show?”

Every creature, even a reserved Gil, nodded in agreement. “It wasn’t that bad,” the gryphon said.

“Whatever! I really enjoyed it! How’d you saw a pony in half?”
“How’d you survive being stabbed through with a dozen swords in that box?”
“How’d you guess every pony’s cards?!”

Trixie giggled at the usual questions before flipping her mane and slipping the purse under her cloak. “A magician never reveals her secrets. What you have seen is only a minor sparkle in the firework that is Trixie’s skillset.”

“I think you did great,” Snickers said, wearing a smile as large as the others capable of doing so. “Maybe you can teach Kiwe a couple of those tricks.”

The zony looked at his friend. “I have no need for such skills, but I will learn some if she wills.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie may choose to teach you a trick or two, but a true magician never reveals all her secrets, especially to a colt she barely knows.” Trixie said with a flare of her horn, just enough to make her cae wave in an unseen magical wind as she posed strongly.

“Do you have to be so, like, over the top with everything you do?” Silver Spoon asked.

Trixie just winked at the filly before stopping her spell and walking past the group. Gil quietly grumbled as she walked a little too closely to him and the egg he was cradling. The group began to follow Trixie with guards hurrying to take their positions as Trixie walked ahead, her saddlebags heavy with coins clinking as she happily trotted out of the park.

“So, what trick would you like to learn, if you could only learn one,” Snickers asked his friends.

“How to saw a pony in half,” Diamond said.

“Guessing the card the pony guessed,” Silver said.

“Surviving being stabbed by a dozen knives!” Gil exclaimed, then cleared his throat and returned to his aloof attitude. “I mean, that was kinda cool, I guess.”

Cress giggled and ruffled her wings. “You’re cute when you’re trying to be cool.”

Gil rustled his wings in frustration. “I’m not cute, batty.”

Cress grinned her fanged smile at him. “Is that your nickname for me, or a pet name?”

Gil swallowed loudly, then looked back at the group that was listening to their exchange with hopeful curiosity. He opened his wings and flapped to fly away. “I’m not into mares!” He shouted as he took off sending dust flying around them all.

“What a jerk!” Silver Spoon snarked. “If he doesn’t like mares, he could at least be polite about it and not bring it up every time she flirts with him.”

Diamond brushed her mane with her hoof. “I think he has more issues than a magazine, let’s just let him be weird and focus on getting Trixie to teach us a trick or two.”

Trixie’s tail swished under her cloak as she laughed. “No, Trixie will not teach you any of her tricks, that’s the magicians code. I may, however, take Kiwe under my wing, as it were, to tell him a story or two that no pony knows of the Great and Powerful Trixie’s adventures.”

Kiwe’s ears perked and he grinned. “You’d really do that? Tell me a tale none have heard? That sounds great!” He cleared his throat and smiled kindly. “I mean, I would appreciate that very much, Miss Trixie.”

“When we return to the Keep, we will discuss many things; maybe one of them will be a trick for you to show and awe your friends with, young stallion.” Trixie said as she looked at one of the closer guards. “And it will be in private, without nosey ponies or other creatures to listen in or watch from the windows to learn the secrets of my trade.”

The guard’s eyes rolled but she didn’t say anything, simply staying in step with her fellows as they led the group back to the Keep.

Snickers saw a minotaur with a smaller pony on a leash, a different one from before. “Hey, what’s with the leashes? Is there some kind of fetish thing going on at night around here?”

Trixie looked at the colt, then followed his gaze and then looked to the same guard she had called out a few seconds before. “Guardsmare, answer the young prince at once!”

The guard sighed shortly. “In accordance with the minotaur alliance; ponies in debt may be remanded as indentured servants for a time not greater than ten years to repay their owed debts.” She looked over to the minotaur walking with his pony. “It seems the parents traded their foal for their charges. It happens sometimes with-”

“You mean slavery?!” Snickers shouted, interrupting the mare. “How dare Lorde allow this to happen? When I get back to the Keep, I’m having some strong words with him, and I hope I don’t cause an international incident by breaking my hind leg off in his fuzzy asshole.”

One guard snerked, earning a scathing look from the mare guard. “Hey!” She barked at the other guard, who resumed a professional demeanor. She looked down at Snickers. “You shouldn’t say such things, especially in public, your highness. Especially since you won’t be allowed to see our fair Lord if you’re going to threaten him.”

Kiwe moved quickly to step between the frustrated colt and the mare. “He means nothing by it, he is simply upset at hearing slavery is allowed here, in any of its forms. He means no ill will, right, brother?”

Snickers grit his teeth behind his lips before nodding and moving away from the mare. “If it’s the last thing I do, it’ll be to end his rule before it ends up like back before we ended up here.”

Homecoming

Snickers was set onto the soft floor from Rarity’s magic as the room fell silent. Not even Laxxie’s creaking joints moved to make a sound, the implication of who Seven was seemed to affect her, even though she didn’t understand the importance.

“This is Cordite, my assistant. Miss Rarity and Snickers? I need to speak with you both, in private,” Seven stated flatly.

Rarity hugged Snickers close and shook her head. “My son just returned home from a long sabbatical and we’d appreciate some time to acclimate, if you don’t mind.”

Seven and Cordite shared a look, then nodded. “Very well, we’ll be back in two hours.”

Rarity nodded and Seven let the door swing closed, leaving the group alone to share an awkward look. “Well, it’s good to be home.” Snickers said, his clothing forgotten for the moment while Silver and Diamond looked him over several times, giggling and whispering to one another after a moment.

Rarity rolled her eyes and ushered the youth to her showroom and prepared a large pot of water to heat on the stove before sitting beside Snickers. Snickers leaned against her and sighed, smelling her fur and remembering why he cared for her now. “So, my little prince,” Rarity said softly, “tell me about your trek from the Canterhorn mountain back to your home.”

…

Two hours later, Seven returned with Cordite, and without knocking they entered the Carousel Boutique and stood in the foyer.

Gil, Cress, and Kiwe looked to one another before Silver and Diamond moved to touch their sides against Snickers, their tails wrapping around his hind legs to show their connection. Seven barely frowned at the action before he looked at Rarity. Rarity carefully swallowed, the loudest sound in the room at that moment, before she spoke up. “Snickers, be a dear and join me in the kitchen.

“Everypony else, you may wait in the parlour for our meeting to conclude. Sorry, girls, but this has to be between us only.”

Both fillies whined. “But, like, Snickers is our stallion. We can’t just abandon him in his time of need!” Silver said.

Seven walked into the room with Cordite following closely. “It’s an adult matter, and I’m sure Snickers understands that quite well himself, right, young colt?”

Snickers wiggled slightly, the cue being taken and the fillies stepped away enough from Snickers to let him move to Rarity’s side. “Mom, can I get that shirt before we do anything?” He asked, his request being quickly fulfilled by his mother while the foals and gryphon went to the sitting room to wait and occupy themselves.

Once Snickers was dressed, Rarity led her group to the kitchen where she put a kettle on the stove and prepared four cups with tea leaves. “So, Seven, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit after so many months? I was under the impression all was going well.”

Seven took a seat closer to the back door while Cordite stood by the divide between the kitchen and the showroom. “Take a seat, Snickers, this is going to be a very important conversation.”

“Yes, sir,” Snickers said, taking a seat to the social worker’s pleasure.

Seven opened his folder and took out a pen, readying it in his wing to take notes. “You seem well adjusted, compared to when you arrived. How do you feel living here with Rarity?”

Snickers shrugged. “It’s fine, I guess. I just spent the last few weeks living in Canterlot actually, but I kept in touch with Mom the whole time. Every night we talked, er, wrote, so… I dunno.”

Seven wrote something down and then looked back to Snickers. “Alright, and while you were living in Canterlot, who were you staying with exactly? Did anyone from Ponyville accompany you?”

Snickers smiled. “I was with Princesses Celestia and Luna and my herd, and my friends, and my daughter. It was a really… interesting time.” Snickers went into a story that covered an overview of what he’d done while in Canterlot that lasted through Rarity’s first cup of tea, and part of her second before Seven had taken nearly a page of notes.

When Snickers finally stopped, Seven took another sip of his tea and looked at Rarity. “And you were okay with Snickers leaving your care for three weeks to live relatively unattended at the royal palace?”

“Well, I would hardly say he was unattended…” Rarity stopped herself when she noticed the look in Seven’s eyes. “Well, I wasn’t exactly pleased, but you know how foals can go on their own journeys and learn life lessons? Plus we spoke each and every night through writing.”

Seven scratched more words into his notepad and flipped the page. “And you feel that justifies letting a foal you were supposed to care for live with two fillies, that he slept with most nights, miles away from your supervision?”

Rarity stammered, then inhaled and sat up taller. “I am unsure of what this line of questioning is getting at, would you mind being more direct? Snickers and I can handle it,” she said, then noticed a pink envelope with Spoiled Rich’s cutie mark in the return line sticking from the pages.

Internally the grey-white mare fumed, but externally she simply sipped her tea to hide the sneer she briefly sported.

“Well, if you insist, then I’ll cut to the chase; I’ve received no less than a stack of informative documents, letters, comments, and complaints from several ponies across town over the past couple of months that draw a stark view of how you’re raising Snickers. Initially, I tried to dismiss them as Snickers still needed time to adjust. However, it seems to have progressed into something my office won't let me ignore. Let me know if this helps you recall anything.”

Seven moved a few pages and looked at one such letter, then he began reading the complaint, “On the nineteenth day in the seventh moon, Snickers stopped by my flower cart and tried to purchase two flowers on Rarity’s account; when told he’d have to pay bits, he told me to -expletive censored- and then left. When he later returned with three bits, he spat them on the ground and picked a bunch of flowers while I was gathering the bits and preparing to clean them.”

Snickers looked away and sighed. “I was wrong. That was my second week here and I wanted to get a snack. I wasn’t very acclimated at the time.”

Seven hummed. “Next, this one is like many others in that after being lost in the Everfree forest, which we weren’t told about,” he narrowed his eyes at Rarity, “Snickers began admitting he had a child, a daughter, while in the woods.”

Snickers raised his foreleg quickly and lowered it when Seven nodded to him. “That was Laxxie, short for Snore Laxe; she’s my timberwolf that can turn into a timberpony. She’s in the next room, I’ll call her over!”

Seven shook his head. “That’s fine, I think I understand. Do you like to play pretend, Snickers?”

Snickers nodded. “Yeah, it’s fun to play pretend with my fillies and friends, and Laxxie. Even if Laxxie doesn’t really know what’s going on sometimes, she still plays along, like one time--.”

Seven interjected himself, “Pardon me, you say that you like to play these games with your fillies and friends. What I'd like to know is how well do you imagine. Do you believe any of these things you pretend are real?”

Snickers cocked an eyebrow. “No, imagination is just pretend in my head, with my friends.”

Seven nodded and scratched something in his notes, then looked at Rarity. “And I know Snickers has a history of acting more adult than foal. Given this history, what have you done to encourage him to act his own age?”

Rarity sipped her tea and set the cup down with a quiet clink that resounded through the room. “Well, I’ve encouraged him to play with his friends, herdmates, and we had a mother-son night every night until he left. After which we wrote one another for about an hour each night.”

Seven looked at Snickers, then quietly sighed and looked back to Rarity. “And that leads me to a couple of personal questions. First, about your… masturbatory habits with foals in the area?”

Rarity blushed and quickly took the final sip of her tea before setting the cup down with a tremble. She refilled her teacup and set the pot in the middle of the table before speaking. “Well, if you must know for professional reasons, I do not pleasure myself as much as I once did. I am proudly free of that form of stress relief and have better ways to cope with troublesome issues.”

Snickers snickered. “So, Mister Ed’s finally getting a break?” He snarked, then grimaced when all eyes went to him. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Rarity nodded and caught Seven’s attention. “And your foal knows of your nickname for your pleasure device, how?” Seven asked, readying his pen.

Rarity was now a shade of pink from her withers to her ears. “Well, Snickers found my toy shortly after you left and teased me with it. No! Poor choice of words, he taunted me with his finding of it.”

“I threw it at her, pretty much,” Snickers admitted, then smirked. “She made it teleport away, it was really cool.”

Seven held a wing up to halt Snickers. “And where did you find it? It wasn’t just lying around, I presume.”

Snickers shook his head. “I raided her room and found it under her bed. I was just being mean, though, I’m better now. If I found Mister Ed, I’d totally not do what I did and would leave it alone.”

Seven hummed and glanced at his notes, then asked, “And how did you carry it down the stairs, unless Rarity was upstairs at the time?” Seven asked, writing fervently.

Snickers licked his lips and looked at Rarity, who nodded. “In my mouth, since I can’t carry it in my hooves or on my back, or anything. It’s really floppy.”

Seven glared at Rarity. “In his mouth,” he stated. “Do you clean your devices after each use, Miss Rarity?”

Rarity’s magic lifted her teacup and nearly spilled some from how much it was shaking. “I certainly do,” she said and whispered ‘now’ to herself while sipping her drink.

“So, you do now, but when he found it?” Seven asked, surprising Rarity. Rarity sighed and shook her head, upset that the pegasus colt had heard her. “Are you still comfortable staying here Snickers? Would you like to leave?”

Snickers shook his head. “I like staying with my mom, and I don't want anyone to change that.”

Seven prepared a new page in his notepad. “Very well, how did you get lost in the Everfree Forest?”

Snickers shifted in his chair. “I went in there to find Zecora to ask her some stuff, but the forest led me off the path and I got lost for a few days. I managed to make a fire by a creek and foraged for a while. I ate something that let me… poop out Laxxie, who I called Pup then, and then we were rescued a couple days later. No big deal.”

Had he been able, Seven clearly would have snapped at Snickers and Rarity about the entire ordeal being passed off so casually by everypony involved; instead, his pen tore through the page he was writing on and he had to compose himself. Cordite wasn’t quiet with her nicker and grinding teeth.

“No big deal? My young stallion, going into the Everfree without a guide or any adult supervision is a very big deal. Ahem, I apologize for my clear frustration, but I’m being overwhelmed by the… choices you, as a mother, have made with such a tender foal as Snickers. Do you encourage his ‘adult’ behaviors? Do you have him around colts his own age?

“Have you avoided sexualizing anything since he arrived, as far as you can control in any way, Rarity?” Before the mare could answer, Seven pressed on, “I have to ask myself, ‘Why, Seven? Why did you leave such a traumatized foal with such an incompetent adult?’, to which I can only tell myself that your reputation and circle of friends were the largest reason.

“Snickers, have Rarity’s friends at least earned your trust and respect?” Seven asked the colt.

Snickers’s ears drooped and he placed his forehooves between his legs on the chair, looking down to avoid eye contact with Seven. “Not exactly…”

Seven calmed down, his caring demeanor returning. “Snickers, did Rarity's friends do anything that would make you say that?”

Snickers looked up with a sharp glare, then looked out the window. “Rainbow Dash told them all to lie to me; Mom, too. Rainbow told them all, and my herd then, that I was just a crazy broken colt and the only way to fix me was to pretend I was normal… but I was normal, and I was acting nice and learning to be a good pony, too.

“When I found out, I ran away to my mommy in Canterlot, where I found Aquelis. He was inside me before I knew it and we’ve talked a few times since I found him in there, but he likes me in control. I can’t believe I almost had sex with Scootaloo so many times, though… and after Harmony played his games with me.”

Seven’s head was spinning with questions at that moment. “What games did Harmony play with you? Is Harmony an adult you know?” Seven asked, his pen still as the older colt listened with rapt attention.

“Harmony’s an adult, but I don’t trust him, or his brothers! They tried to fuck me, they tied me up, they locked me in an insane asylum with a monster, and they made me taste cum in the shower! They’re jerks, all three of them.”

Seven shot a glare at Rarity, who raised her forehooves. “Now, wait a moment, this is all out of context! None of that really happened, it was a spell gone wrong, is what it was.”

Seven slapped the pen in his folder and closed it with a snap. He nodded his head sharply and Cordite walked to the table, between Seven and Snickers. “Snickers, please follow my close friend Cordite from the room, I need to have a private conversation with Rarity…”

Snickers hesitated, but eventually hopped to the linoleum floor with a clatter of hooves that made Rarity wince, then Snickers left the room with the large earth pony mare behind him.

Once the room was empty, Seven took a gem from under his wing and set it on the table, activating it with a tap of his hoof. He then began to shout, “Rarity Belle, Equestria Foal Services finds you to be unfit to care for anypony and we’re taking Snickers to a safe location, away from you.”

“What?! You can’t just come in and take my son away!” Rarity propped herself on her forelegs on the table to seem larger than the pegasus.

Seven flapped his wings and took to a hover over Rarity, glaring down at her hard enough to subjugate her will for the needed moment. “You have no rights to this foal any longer, Rarity. The horrors he’s been exposed to are far beyond what he can recover from, at this point, and I won’t see him traumatized any more than he has been..”

Rarity scoffed. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just take him away, he has a herd and family here.”

Seven reached for the gem, but before he picked it up and turned it off, he glared at Rarity. “The Equestrian Ministry of Families, Foals, and Mental Health Services does not thank you for your service, nor for your time. I know this has become very unprofessional of me, but I feel you need more therapy than what you’ve caused Snickers to need over the next years of his life.”

“What about his herd and life here?! He said himself that he didn’t want to leave!” Rarity snapped. “He’s got a lot going for him, he can’t just be taken away from it all.”

Seven sighed. “He’ll have to adjust. Even if I don’t take the reports into account, he’s just admitted to sexual acts with another filly that shouldn’t have happened, had he been monitored closely by you. Take this as a lesson to teach others, Rarity; don’t let foals that claim to be in a herd sleep together, especially when you’re fostering them.”

With that, Seven scooped up the gem and walked into the showroom. “Cordite, let’s go. Snickers, you’re coming with us on a trip.”

The earth pony mare nodded and wrapped a foreleg around Snickers, then pulled him from his spot beside her and began walking with him. “Hey, let me go! You can’t just take me away! Mom! Stop them!”

“Release my son, you lowlifes! You have no right taking him from me as soon as he returns home! Let him go this instant, or I’ll summon the Princesses!” Rarity commanded.

The social worker and his assistant didn’t slow, not even when Rarity began pulling items to block their path to the front door. Snickers’s defiant shouting had quickly turned to panicked screaming as the world he knew was being dragged away from him with each step taken.

Three foals, one made of wood, ran into the showroom to see the commotion and were about to run to help Snickers when a small shield formed around the two carrying Snickers from the shop.

Cordite had a glowing earring that had cast the spell. The shield was only hip-height on an adult, but more than enough to stop anypony from outside the barrier getting at them.

Snickers’s crying stuttered as the ceiling cracked and all eyes went up, just as a tile gave way and dozens of pounds of old mail fell from the attic. Cordite shoved Snickers clear and barely leapt over Seven to keep him safe.

Diamond and Silver screamed, Kiwe raised a small shield of his own, and Gil squawked while diving behind a fainting couch, holding the egg gently in his downy feathers.

Rarity, on the other hoof, grabbed Snickers and galloped to the stairs, ignoring the commotion, rushing him to his room and shutting the door behind them. “Dearest me, oh my… oh my goodness…” Rarity panted and shuddered, her mascara running down her face now that she had a moment. “Snickers… I’m so sorry.”

Snickers wiped his eye on his sleeve and rushed to Rarity, hugging her foreleg. “Don’t be, I should think before I talk.”

“No, darling, my little prince, I’ve been a poor mother to you and now it’s all over,” she said and hugged Snickers to her barrel. Snickers buried his face in her chest and cried softly with her.

A series of heavy knocks came to the door and Rarity tensed, but Snickers pulled free and looked at the door. “Silver? Diamond?!”

“It’s us, hurry, let us in!” The door opened and let the fillies in quickly before slamming shut and locking again. “Where are you going to go? Did they tell you?” Diamond asked, hurriedly.

Silver glomped Snickers in a hug that almost knocked him over. “Don’t leave us like this!”

Snickers tightly hugged Silver back and looked at Rarity. “Mom, what’re we gonna do?”

“Go to Twilight’s, I’ll keep these ruffians busy. There isn’t anything a classy mare such as I can’t do, especially when a cute stallion is involved,” Rarity stated, standing tall and turning to the door. She inhaled and held it for a few seconds then exhaled and Snickers’s sense of smell was awash with a sweet musk that clouded his mind.

Rarity opened the door and rushed out, closing it behind her. “Snickers, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Speak to me, honey.” Silver said, returning Snickers to coherency.

The colt smirked and looked at Diamond locking the door. “Clever mare… c’mon, let’s go out the window, I think I can make it if we climb down carefully on some rope I got from Apple Bloom a while back.”

Snickers rushed to a toy chest and opened it, practically climbing in. “Why did she give you rope?” Diamond asked.

“She was gonna teach me how to tie knots, and untie them, in case I was ever foal-napped or… well, we were gonna try for tying, and untying, knots marks, too. Ah, here it is. Get the window, Silver, I’ll tie the rope to the bed.”

The filly did as told with Diamond right beside her; the rope was tossed from the window and the three climbed out and began sliding down when the rope came undone and they fell to the grass with a thud in a pile of legs and bodies. “Ouch, I thought you tied the rope off?” Diamond whined as she extricated herself from the pony pile.

Snickers was second up and looked at his window. “I said I was going to learn, not that I knew what I was doing.”

Silver and Diamond walked past him, bumping him between themselves. “Don’t be smart like that again. We could have broken a leg! Then where’d we be?”

Snickers hushed them and lowered to a crouch by the wall.

“...is he, Miss Rarity? Stop distracting me! Keep your tail away from me… ung…”

Snickers motioned with his head for his fillies to take the lead and Diamond led Snickers, who was backed by Silver through Ponyville and to the Golden Oaks Library. They rushed in and closed the door behind them. “Miss Twilight? Are you here?”

Spike looked at the trio and grinned. “Hey, Snickers, bro, you’re back! I didn’t know, otherwise I’d have planned something for you.” He said, hopping from the ladder he was on to the floor and landing in a heroic stance. “Is Rarity with you?”

Snickers looked back at the door and then shook his head. “She’s running distraction for me. I need a place to hide!”

“Hide? Why, are there guards after you or something?” Spike joked, then his smile fell. “There’s somepony after you, isn’t there? Sheesh, you’re a magnet for trouble. C’mon, let’s hide you in the basement. Twilight’s getting the mail and that’ll take a while because she’s expecting a book delivery from Canterlot.”

Snickers and the fillies followed Spike to the basement door and nervously walked past him. “If a pegasus colt and a very large earth pony mare come around, you haven’t seen us for a few weeks, okay?”

Spike nodded and shooed them downstairs. “I’ll make you some snacks, something covert, don’t worry. I won’t give anything away, and if I do, they’ll just think it’s something dragons do.”

Snickers passed Spike and thanked him before rushing down the stairs into Twilight’s little laboratory. They stayed together in a loose triangle, a filly at his sides constantly, while looking at the various devices around the room. “What is this junk?” Snickers asked.

“I dunno, something dumb from a crazy mare, I bet. She probably takes ponies down here to experiment on them.”

Silver broke into giggles and pointed to an open side door. “That must be the secret room I heard my mom talk about once. It’s supposed to be where she experiments with sex.”

Diamond broke from the group and rushed over. “I wonder what kind of perverse things she’s into? I’m gonna check.”

Snickers and Silver rushed behind her and they all peeked into the ajar door. Snickers hummed and walked in, casually looking around. “This looks more like a sex study room than some kind of sex dungeon.”

The small room was surrounded by corkboards with diagrams of ponies, probably drawn by Twilight herself, in various sexual positions. “Hey, this is a copy of the Camel Sutra. My mommy has a copy of this,” Silver said, tapping the red covered book. “Ew, the pages are sticky,” she giggled, “just kidding.”

Diamond pointed to a seat near the end of the room and moved toward it. “What’s this thing? It looks like a pony’s supposed to lay on it,” she moved closer and was about to step onto it and lie down when Snickers stopped her.

“Stop! Look at it, closely.”

Diamond looked at the chair and chortled, stepping back. “Sheesh, she really needs a stallion.”

Silver moved beside her herd sister and looked at the chair. “Oh… it’s got stallion parts that swing up and… oh… weird,” she scoffed and turned away, flicking her tail at the sex seat. “If it’s so important to her, why doesn’t she just join a herd like a normal pony and do it that way?”

Snickers followed Silver from the room with Diamond looking at the wall art as they left. They closed the door behind them and it clicked locked. “Somepony forgot to close the door, I wonder when she went in there last.”

Snickers sniffled. “I didn’t smell too much in there, so probably a day or so, ya know.”

“Whatever! Can we not talk about a weird mare’s sex seat and focus on what’s important?” Diamond snapped. “We have to keep our stallion safe, how’re we gonna keep him close to us if he’s taken to the other side of Equestria?!”

“Hush!” Both foals hushed Diamond. “Look,” Snickers said, “we have to get some stuff prepared and keep hiding out until they leave. They can’t look everywhere in this town, and they still have other work to do; we just have to keep our heads on our necks and hooves on the ground, ready for whatever comes next.”

Silver and Diamond nodded in agreement and they kept busy after that by looking through whatever books they could find and talking about ideas they had, that is until the basement door opened with a slam.

“Spike, I have research to do, don’t bother me for a while.” Twilight’s voice called as she appeared from a teleport in the center of the room, not noticing the foals against the wall as she cantered to her private room. The door clicked and opened, closing behind Twilight before the foals could say anything.

“Twilight, I have to tell you something, though!” Spike announced, running down the stairs. He ran past the foals that were in the center of the room and looked around, his eyes stopping at the closed door, then he sighed. “Great… she’ll be in there for a while, maybe. Just, hang out here and don’t worry, she puts up a sound blocking spell when she goes in there.”

The foals gulped and looked at Spike. “Is she gonna be mad we’re here?” Silver Spoon asked.

Spike chuckled and shook his head. “Nah, she’s understanding, but will probably tell your parents now that you’re back.”

There was an audible moan from the side room and a muffled ‘shlick’ noise, followed by a few muffled words. Spike faceclawed and the foals giggled and blushed. “Wanna go upstairs?” Spike asked.

The fillies shrugged while Snickers shook his head. “No, it’s not that hearing Twilight get spit roasted by some chair she made is in any way disturbing, but knowing my luck, as soon as I get up there there’ll be a knock on the door and I’ll have to run away again. Nope, not going to risk it, so I’ll just suffer for a minute. That’s about how long ponies last, right?”

Spike blushed and nodded. “Yeah, she’ll be done quick, but afterwards she teleports to her room and cuddles her pillow for a while until she feels like normal again.”

“Wow,” Diamond nickered, “she’s a regular sweetie. I’ll go upstairs to her bed and let her cuddle me,” she tittered and bumped her rump against Silver’s. “C’mon, let’s pony-pile the naughty librarian, like in that book we read.”

Silver looked away. “No way, Diamond. I’m not getting into your relationship drama. I have Snickers, and I thought you did too.”

Diamond tapped her crown. “I was just joking, sheesh.”

“Not very funny,” Silver said quietly.

“Well, I’ll go get those snacks; I kinda forgot them because I was practicing what to say when those ponies you told me about showed up.”

Twilight moaned loud enough to be heard clearly and every creature laughed quietly. “I guess she’s done,” Snickers said, bringing the laughter up a notch.

“She’s still gotta clean up, you know. She was in there this morning, too. She gets it really bad every Monday, like clockwork. If there’s one thing Twilight loves, it’s a good schedule.”

The foals agreed and chose to return to their little area they’d chosen to rest.

…

The sun was nearing its zenith when Twilight and Spike finally went downstairs, a glum look on her features. She sat in front of the foals and looked at them in the ensuing silence. “So… foal services is looking for you? I told them I don’t know anything about you, and at the time it was true, but if they come back, I don’t know if I can lie to them.”

Spike nodded with his arms crossed. “Yup, she can’t lie without practicing first, and even then…” he trailed off.

“I’m not that bad, Spike. Anyway, what do you think I should do with you? It’s lunchtime and I can’t just have you running around, playing upstairs, and leaving you to play down here isn’t any better. Spike told me about the room, so I apologize for that, but there’s no excuse if they catch me hiding you in my library.”

“Send a letter to Celestia.” Silver stated.

“Yeah, she’ll fix this all up,” Diamond added.

Twilight shook her head, but Snickers answered. “Mommy can’t help because it’s a different kinda law system. If she helps me out, then why doesn’t she help out the next foal in trouble, and the next? The system she set up just kinda fucked her on this one.”

Twilight frowned. “Don’t use those words in reference to Princess Celestia, Snickers. Also, he’s right; the princesses can’t intervene in public or social matters without good reason.”

“He’s her son!” Diamond shouted. “That’s a damn good reason, isn’t it?!”

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “It’s not proven he’s her son. The same son she admitted to us died two hundred years ago. Short of proving that Snickers is actually Aquelis and that he didn’t die, which is practically impossible, the entire system is set up to believe you’re a lost and abused foal under Rarity’s care, not a long-lost prince.”

Snickers grumbled for a moment. “Then we’ll just stay here for the day and when tonight comes, we’ll go back to Mom’s and see what we can work out, okay?”

Twilight thought it over for a moment, then nodded. “Fine, but you’re not staying the night. I’m not having three foals sleeping on the floor in my basement.”

The trio agreed and sat in front of Twilight. “Can we have lunch, Miss Twilight?” Diamond asked, sweetly.

“Please?” All the foals chorused.

Twilight nodded and looked back to Spike. “Spike, the lunch you prepared?”

Spike patted on his little legs up the stairs. “On it, Twi.”

…

The day waned into the evening and Snickers led the fillies into the library. Twilight peeked out of the front door as they approached. “Okay, the coast is clear. I heard from Fluttershy that they’re staying at the inn, so being city ponies they probably won’t go out at night. You should go quickly, do you want me to send Spike with you?”

“Why can’t you come with us, Miss Twilight?” Diamond asked as she lined up near the door.

“Well, I got this old book that contains one of Starswirl the Bearded’s spells and I don’t know what it does. I was going to look it over and see what it could mean after you left… I’m sorry, but this is too exciting to pass up on.”

Snickers’s ears twitched at the sound of a splash. “Is Spike taking another bubble bath?”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Yeah, another long one, too. He just heats the water because it’s cold and drains it when it gets chilly. A total waste of water, if you ask me.”

Snickers nodded. “Yeah, that stuff’s a precious resource in some places. Anyway, we’ll be fine and you go work on your magic.”

The trio was about to open the door when there was a knock and they panicked for a moment as the unlatched door swung open. “Twilight Sparkle?” Blueblood’s voice rang out and calmed the foals’ hearts. “What an honor to see you again, perhaps I can come in and take some of your time?”

Blueblood stepped in and his foreleg was wrapped in an embrace that brought a startled yelp from him, akin to a mare whose tail was stepped on. “Snickers, my boy?! What are you doing here?” Snickers was nuzzled briefly before Blueblood stood at his full height. “And it’s nice to see you’re safe and sound.

“I had heard from many ponies there’s a social worker out for you, and that’s never a good thing.”

Snickers pouted. “I know, daddy, help keep me safe! Adopt me, or something!”

Blueblood glanced at Twilight, who had a forehoof to her chest. “Son, it doesn’t work that way. If they get you, it could be months before I see you again. Hurry home to Rarity’s and I’ll talk with Twilight for a while, maybe we can come up with a plan.”

Twilight shook her head. “I have a spell from Princess Celestia I just got I was going to experiment with, I can’t just…” she stopped when three foals attacked her with their mightiest puppy dog expressions, Silver Spoon even managed to press a single tear into the corner of her eye. “Oh, fine… the spell can wait a little while, I guess.”

Snickers hopped in place with the fillies and quickly rushed to give Twilight a group hug. “Thanks, Twilight. Have a great night and make good plans for us.”

Twilight nodded and her horn lit, washing over the foals around her. “There, now you should blend in easier with the shadows, just don’t go into any bright light, okay?”

Blueblood nodded in approval. “Nightshade’s Shadow Walking spell?”

Twilight nodded once. “A lesser version of it, I don’t want these little ones to get lost or separated going across town.”

Snickers thanked Twilight and gave Blueblood a hug each as they passed him into the twilight of evening. The door closed and as quickly as they could, the trio rushed to Rarity’s.

Overnight Moments

Snickers awoke in the middle of the night with a smile, the taste of Silver in his mouth. Said filly was draped across his torso while Diamond lay with her back to him, still sleeping. He briefly wondered why Aquelis hadn’t been complaining about having sex with fillies with their shared body, but he wasn’t going to complain. He next wondered why the colt had been so quiet lately in the first place. With his body held down and no need to use the restroom, Snickers decided to close his eyes and focus inwardly.

…

The area was full of rainbows falling from unseen cliffs like waterfalls and the sound of water splashing was evident with each step Snickers took in the mindscape as he looked for the son of Celestia. Seeing a brown rock, Snickers had the desire to look around it. He found the colt sitting with his legs to his chest.

“Aquelis? Are you okay?” Snickers asked.

“Am I? I don’t know, it’s been so quiet and lonely since you left. How long has it been? Two days already?” Aquelis asked.

“It’s been nearly two weeks since we last had a talk, can’t you see through those windows you make?” Snickers asked.

Aquelis shuddered. “It’s so hard to see anything, it’s like before you came to me. It’s so hard to do anything and I keep having weird feelings, in my heart and in my loins.”

Snickers pondered that for a few seconds. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I think being away from Equestria is affecting you somehow. I keep thinking about it, over the last week, how I haven’t heard from you or felt weird when I’ve been having sex with Diamond and Silver. I thought for sure you’d be there to try to stop me.”

Aquelis dropped his legs and stood up. “You’re having sex with fillies?! Gross, don’t you know that’s how you catch diseases and have foals? Plus, fillies are gross and smell weird, why would you do that to my body?”

Snickers stepped forward. “Hey, it’s my body, you’re just riding along! If I want to do anything to my body-”

Aquelis screamed in Snickers’ face, then spoke with anger. “Our body! You don’t get to choose what happens without my consent, too, you ruffian.”

“Stop screaming in my face!” Snickers snapped. “And you don’t have control of the body, so it’s my choice. Besides, have you even felt how great it is to have two ponies covering your body with theirs? No, I don’t think so.”

Aquelis nearly spat on Snickers. “I’d rather have five stallions showing me affections than one filly any day.”

“Have you even had sex before you died?” Snickers asked.

“A lot, and there’s nothing like the feeling of a colt you love sharing their body with you,” Aquelis admitted.

“Well, I’m not into colts or stallions… you sound just like Diamond Tiara before she fell in love with me.” Snickers noted.

“Do not compare me to some filly with a crush, I am Prince Aquelis Solis Lunaeque and I demand you stop having sex with fillies!” Aquelis demanded with a stomp of his hoof on the ground.

“Well, I’m Snickers and I don’t give a shit about your titles. I won’t stop doing what I want with my body! If I wanna get a pink hat and wear it on my butt, I’m gonna do it and you can’t stop me.” Snickers said, stepping closer to the annoying colt.

Aquelis raised a forehoof and slapped Snickers across the muzzle. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?! When I tell mommy about this, she’ll be livid!”

Snickers looked back at Aquelis. “And how are you going to do that? We left Equestria days ago, even Harmony said goodbye and wished me luck on my journey.”

Aquelis was silent for several seconds. “We… left home? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you knew, you’ve been so active until then, I thought you were just enjoying the show.” Snickers said.

“The show?” Aquelis asked. Suddenly a window appeared behind them that showed, from Snickers’s point of view, Silver looking down at him from a certain angle. “Gross! I don’t wanna see this!” He shouted as he averted his eyes.

“I don’t know how to turn it off, but it’s what happened last night… or maybe it was this morning? I dunno, it keeps happening so often I lose track,” Snickers said with a smile as he watched himself have sex with Silver. “She’s a beautiful mare and I can’t wait until you meet her and get to know her.”

“And how would I do that? Huh? I can’t take over my body and I don’t know how to tell time in here,” Aquelis gestured around the area.

“But you made these pretty waterfalls and this rock you’re hiding behind… you have some control, right?” Snickers asked. “And, it was you who let me see the illusions that cover Trixie, right? That’s something.”

“That was you? I thought I was seeing weird, so I made rainbows to test my vision,” Aquelis said.

“And thanks to that, now I can choose to see illusions,” Snickers said thankfully, “so when I look at that freak Trixie, I don’t want to scream and throw up.”

Snickers sat beside Aquelis and they both relaxed in the relative tranquility of the moment. “Snickers, can I control our body again like I did that one time?”

Snickers shrugged. “I don’t think it would be a good idea right now. I have two naked fillies laying on me and we might have sex again, you don’t want that to happen when you wake up, do you?”

Aquelis sneered in disgust. “I pray you’re joking.”

“Not even a little. Sex is fun and feels really good, plus it’s how we show love to one another. Why don’t you try it someday with a female, you might like it. You’re only four years old, maybe you’ll find out you aren’t into colts as much as you thought you were.”

“Don’t try to change me,” Aquelis said, “mommy said she loves me no matter what, and whoever I love won’t change that.”

Snickers raised his forehooves. “Woah, I’m not saying you have to stop being gay, but don’t knock it til you try it. And we have to set some rules before you take control. But, that’s for another time, I think I feel Silver waking up and I don’t wanna miss anything she does to me. I’ll see you soon and I’ll focus on letting you see the world through my eyes again. I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll try and I’ll check back soon, okay?”

Aquelis leaned aside and gave him a hug. “Thank you, I hope to see you again soon.”

…

Snickers opened his eyes to find Silver Spoon still asleep and Diamond still facing away from him. Moonlight shone in through the shutters and he briefly wondered how long he had been asleep and how much time he spent talking with Aquelis. He lay his head back down and exhaled as he thought of sharing his body with the colt and how it would work. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

Snickers later awoke to Diamond Tiara straddling him with a smirk. “I told you he’d wake up if I booped him. Are you in the mood, honey?”

Silver giggled from her spot beside Snickers. Her rump inches from his head, her sweet scent was beginning to fill his senses. “I think you’re in the perfect spot, Diamond, just like we’d talked about.

Snickers wondered what they were talking about just as he began to harden and went directly into Diamond. With a gasp from Diamond and himself, they knew how the next few minutes were going to be spent.

…

In the middle of the night, Cress awoke from her spot on the floor, having taken a sleeping bag from her belongings. She watched Gil sleep and glanced at Kiwe before getting up , flexing her leathery wings and moving to the gryphon lying on the mattress with Kiwe. She watched his chest rise and fall for a few breaths before returning to her bed. With silence befitting her tribe, she slid a hoof down her body as she imagined his sharp talons holding her small form prone.

A predator looming over his prey.

She wanted him in ways he wouldn’t want her, but with time, perhaps she could change his mind.

…

Kiwe stirred in the early breaking of dawn. He snuck from the bed, not wanting to wake the gryphon holding his egg, to begin his morning stretches. He met eyes with Cress and they shared a nod as he finished up. After shaking his legs, he went to his alchemy kit and checked over the potion he’d been brewing overnight.

“So,” Cress whispered, “is it gonna work?”

“I do not know if it will work, but I hope we will not have to use it. This is a very strong potion, after all.” Kiwe said as he took an empty vial from his collection and carefully poured the pink mixture into it.

“What good do you think a love potion is going to do in a battle against a monster?” Cress asked.

Kiwe corked the bottle and put it with a dozen others of various colors. “Perhaps nothing, perhaps something. It is a nice alternative to the weapons we could wield and the other dangerous potions I have made. I worry that if I am not careful, I will end up looking as Trixie has been described.”

Cress lay her head down on her forelegs. “If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with love potion on you. I’m sorry to say, but you’re not my type,” she stated and glanced to the gryphon in the room.

“I see how you look at him, why not tell him how you feel?” Kiwe asked, still quiet.

“Because, there are some things I don’t think he’s ready for. Being with a pony is one of them,” she said as her ears drooped. “The things I’d do to him would change his opinion of ponies, or at least bat ponies.”

Kiwe moved closer and they began to talk about her wants and concerns.

…

Gil woke up as the sun was rising. He checked the egg to make sure it was fine, then uncurled from around it to check the room. Kiwe and Cress were holding a quiet conversation by his bed, so Gil decided to ignore them in favor of stretching his wings to their fullest. “Ahh, that’s better. So, what time is it?”

The quiet conversation stopped and Gil noticed Cress blushing brightly. “G-gil, good morning,” Cress greeted.

“What’s with your face?” Gil asked, pointing at the filly. “Don’t answer, you’re probably planning some pony orgy that doesn’t interest me. Sheesh, I can’t believe I have to share a room. I should have just wrangled a cloud or something and saved the bits.”

“You did not pay, yet you insisted that you stay,” Kiwe said.

“Technicalities. Well, the sun’s up so that means it’s time to eat! Get the others and I’ll meet you at the restaurant.” Gil said as he went to the door. He opened it and went down the hall before stopping by Snickers’s room. He pressed the side of his head to the door and listened, then sniffed the air. “Lecherous ponies..”