Author's Note

An optional entry, the Meanwhile chapters will take a look at events happening concurrently during the mission. No votes will be taken from these entrees and the voting period for the previous chapter is still open. These ones are here purely for enjoyment and world/character building/context purposes.

Enjoy!

Meanwhile... Concerns and Conspiracies

“Pound? Pound Cake! You okay?”

The young pegasus shook his head, trying to rid himself of the dizziness as his memory caught up with him. The training grounds, armed combat practice, Rumble’s strike. Said pegasus was now standing over him, worry on his usually confident face as he offered Pound a hand. He accepted, and soon he was pulled back to his feet, the sudden rise leaving him dizzy for a moment before he steadied himself. He also noticed a few the other ponies in the training grounds, members of the Crystal Guard and other refugees, were looking on.

“I’m, I’m okay.” He stated, the relief washing away Rumble’s worry, and that of the onlookers.

“You’ve got to work on your defense, man.” The older stallion said, his confident, almost cocky personality coming back to the fore now Pound’s wellbeing was confirmed. “Against those monsters, a sloppy showing like that would get you killed.”

“Yeah, I know,” Pound sighed tiredly. I… think I’ll call it a day after that. You going to keep going?”

Rumble nodded. “Of course. When Vinyl inevitably fails, I’ll be ready to take her spot. Honestly, what were they thinking ask for her to join the mission?” The grey stallion muttered at the end, his disappointment clear for everypony to hear. He gave a small salute to Pound as he walked over to the striking dummies, took up his wooden training sword and resumed swinging.

Pound sighed at the display but didn’t voice his concerns as he walked towards the lockers to retrieve his clothes. Rumble had always been outspoken in his opinion that he’d be a vital asset to saving Equestria. Most would see this as bravado blinding him to the reality of the situation, but Pound knew he was just worried. Worried about the fate of his mother and older brother. Ever since his own mother had been returned, however, Pound had noticed a small distance begin opening between them. It was little things, like how he had become more aggressive when sparring, or how he was more critical of mistakes like the one just moments ago.

Walking out of the training grounds and into the streets of the Crystal Empire, Pound turned and flew north. In a matter of minutes, he arrived at his destination, the triage camp. Set up a couple of weeks ago when Flurry Heart had decided on her mission south, all ponies saved during the quest would be teleported here for recovery and therapy, should they need it. Most did. Walking past the tents, he heard the desperate, lustful pleas of the mares already rescued this past week for somepony, anypony, to fuck them. Pound respectfully kept his eyes forward, though not without effort, on the way to one specific tent. It was one of the larger tents further into the camp, one of a couple dozen. The reason why became evident once one stepped inside, as Pound now did.

Inside was what was left of his family. Taking up a large portion of the tent was his returned mother Cupcake, a white sheet covering her expansive bust. She was sitting away from the opening of the tent, so Pound didn’t have to suffer the awkwardness of seeing his mother’s nipples, but he kept his gaze focused on her normal body clothed in a hospital gown, on her relaxed face. Said face turned to look at him, as did that of his sister Pumpkin, sitting next to Cupcake with a photo album. Ever since she’d been rescued, Pumpkin had barely left their mother’s side. Though Pound hadn’t admitted it openly yet, he was growing worried about his sister. Worried she wasn’t taking care of herself.

“Oh, hello honey.” Cupcake welcomed her son, a smile on her face. Relief flooded Pound as he came in for a side-on hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was there today. Every now and then she’d fall back into the lust, always a stressful thing, though she seemed to stay more in control whenever her children were around. Perhaps that was why Pumpkin had been staying with her for so long; to prevent those carnal episodes.

“Hey Pound,” the unicorn spoke up, standing to hug her twin. “Training go okay?”

“Eh, okay, I guess. Rumble got me good at the end there, but otherwise I think I did fine. How’re you feeling, Mom?”

“Oh, I’m alright, dearie.” The earth pony waved off the concern, despite being immobile. “Pumpkin’s been showing me all these lovely photos of you two and Princess Flurry Heart.” Her face then fell a little. “I wish your father was here to see them too.”

“Hey. Hey, it’s okay Mom,” Pound quickly assured her, taking Pumpkin’s place on the chair beside the older mare and putting a hand on her shoulder. “What matters is that you’re here now. That we’re together again.”

“And Flurry’s still out there.” Pumpkin added, kneeling on her other side. “She brought you back in a couple of days. I’m sure she’ll find Dad too.”

“O-Of course, dear.” Cupcake said, wiping moisture away from her eyes as she smiled at her children. “I’m… I’m just… I never thought I’d get to see both of you so grown up… I’m so happy to see the ponies you’ve become.”

With that, the three Cakes came together for a family hug, grateful that Flurry had been able to make this happen. As he thought that, Pound’s mind turned to his alicorn friend, praying that the luck that reunited him with his mother helped bring Flurry back safe and sound.

Lyra Heartstrings remained safe. For now.

Her safety now depended on keeping up the appearance of a lustful, mindless slut. It wasn’t hard. The very air of Canterlot was suffused with so much erotic energy that merely being there was making her constantly wet. The nipples on her G-cup breasts stood painfully stiff, dribbling milk at a slow, constant trickle. But she was holding off the need, that lust. She just focussed on Bonbon, on that moment of reunion they had in her dreams a few nights ago. She had been expecting Rarity to fuck her subconscious back into compliance, but nothing happened. Perhaps she was too busy in somepony else’s dreams?

Regardless, her returned sanity had remained undetected, even as she now stood in the throne room of Empress Talvira. The demonic ruler sat atop her throne of massive alabaster breasts that belonged to what was once Princess Celestia, now referred to as Daybreaker. The empress was annoyed, Lyra could tell. The way she sat, with an elbow resting on a bent knee, closed fist pressing into her cheek as the other hand had a fistful of Milky Way’s mane. The naturally busty milkmare was currently inhaling as much of Talvira’s pole as she could, her head bobbing up and down its length.

Sitting just off to the side, closer to where Lyra stood, was Nodabba; the first princess of the Empire. She had Cream Heart sat on her lap, the earth pony moaning loudly as she grinded her motherly flanks against Nodabba’s stiff length while the demonic princess suckled on her large, milky teat.

She, and Talvira, were listening to a messenger from the Storm Kingdom to the far south. With the southern border of Equestria no longer secure, the Storm King had felt emboldened to start yet another revolution to reclaim his domain. The fact he had escaped Nodabba’s wrath when she had put down his previous attempt was miraculous in and of itself. It led to Nodabba being dressed down in front of the entire royal court, then insulted by Midnight Sparkle. That incident left the former princess of magic with her current serpentine tail.

Lyra’s tangent down memory lane cost her whatever the messenger had said, as Talvira now stood and leapt off her lactating throne to stalk towards the diminutive, little creature. Despite his stumbling pleas, she grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground with ease.

“I care not for what you or your ape of a leader have to say,” she growled. “The only reason I am letting you live is send this Storm King a message. Tell him to abandon this pointless insurrection, or Nodabba shall return to finish what she started. And this time, I shall join her to make it a certainty.” She tossed him to the ground, the monstrous guards stepping up to the scrawny runt. “Get him out of my city.” With the order given, the messenger was carried away, leaving Talvira rubbing her temples, her tail twitching in an agitated manner.

“Empress?” Nodabba asked, leaving Cream on Daybreaker’s bosom to approach her father-figure. “Is everything okay? I know the Storm King’s a nuisance, but not to that extent.”

“No,” Talvira shook her head. “It’s not him. I’m just annoyed by another nuisance running around our lovely empire, attempting to destroy everything we’ve created.”

“Midnight’s niece, I take it?” At this nod, Nodabba’s grin gain that self-confidence she was so well known for. “We shouldn’t need to rely on her, Empress. I could find this intruder far faster than her beast.”

“No, I need you here.” Talvira shot her suggestion down. “They aren’t that big a threat yet. Besides, not only will I need you to eliminate that white-furred buffoon to the south, but you have your duties here in Canterlot… Including wooing your betrothed.”

Nodabba sighed angrily. “I’m trying, Mom. I really am. But Pink Lady wants nothing to do with me. I’ve tried being patient like Mother tells me, tried giving her space, tried being nice. I’m at my wits end. Why can’t I just fuck her into submission like every other slut?”

“Because then she’d resent you, and her status as your queen becomes meaningless. It lowers your status and robs you a vital ally in the future.” At this point, Talvira stepped forward and placed a hand on Nodabba’s shoulder. “Nodabba… one day you will inherit this empire I’ve cultivated, risen up from its stuffy origins. You are going to need someone to rely on, to watch you back, and a mindless slut won’t be up to the task. Do you understand what I’m saying?” At this, the younger demoness simply nodded. “Good. Now, I feel I need to relax a little, so you shall take over the rest of open court for me. Lyra, with me.”

With her orders given, Nodabba resumed her place on the throne of titflesh, the mint unicorn hearing Cream and Milky cry out in ecstasy as she followed the empress out of the throne room. They wandered in silence for a time, the echoing halls filled with the sounds of sex all around them. Lyra tried blocking it out, focusing on the mental image of Bonbon, the knowledge she was on her way to save her, and ignoring how her thighs and boobs were glistening with their respective fluids as the two entered the royal garden. Here, multiple plants took on obscene shapes; pitcher plants that resembled either ball sacks or breasts, but both having a mare or two raped by vines within. Trees with mares trapped within the bark as they moaned their whorish minds out, and fruits of various colors and sizes that resembled boobs hung from their branches. Talvira took a deep, calming breath before examining such a fruit; a large pink one.

“It is sad, isn’t it Lyra?” She asked, not looking back at the unicorn. “This place just doesn’t feel the same. Hasn’t since Alraune left for the Everfree…”

“Y-Yes, my mistress.” Lyra answered, sweating bullets as she realized she was alone with Talvira. Normally she’d always have at least two of her harem with her at all times. They had a cycle determining which mares were lucky enough to serve as cock sleeves each month, and Lyra was grateful her month had ended earlier in the week but being alone triggered the ancient herd mentality all ponies shared. To be alone with a predator meant you needed to run but trying to escape would alert the demoness that Lyra was sane. And so, she stood there, hoping beyond all reason to hope that Talvira didn’t notice.

“It’s funny how you don’t notice how important things are until they’re gone. Like a good servant, or a buffer against your foes… or ones sanity.” Lyra tried and failed to keep the dread off her face as Talvira turned to face her, the fiend’s face stern as she approached. “You thought I wouldn’t notice how you’re no longer begging for my cock?” Said cock bounced with each step, spreading its small trail of pre around and wafting its musk towards the terrified mare. Lyra said nothing and stood still as a stone as Talvira stopped before her, her demonic fuck stick mere inches from the unicorn’s stomach.

“Now Lyra, why don’t you be a good little bitch and tell me how this came about, hm?” A crimson hand fell onto Lyra’s shoulder, tensing to show authority. “Oh, and do tell me the truth, my dear, or I’ll fuck you so savagely I’ll have no choice but to offer you as a new test subject for Midnight to play around with.”

“NO!” Lyra suddenly cried, fully well aware that those who were sent to the caves beneath the city rarely came out, and when they did, they didn’t look anything like an ordinary pony. She remembered all too well what happened to Moondancer. Talvira merely waited, her face impassive but her hand remaining firmly attached to her slave.

“I… I think it happened a few nights ago,” She began, looking down to avoid eye contact. “I… I was dreaming, and in it, there was my, my special somepony… and Lady Rarity…”

“Hm, interesting.” Talvira’s eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly, but otherwise she kept her expression calm. “And I take it this special somepony… Bonbon, you’ve said her name was...?” Lyra nodded. “I imagine she’s on her way to save you?” Another nod, Lyra feeling shame at this betrayal.

“Well now, what to do?” Talvira stepped back, now pacing in the garden with a hand to her chin in deliberation. Lyra’s instincts yelled, screamed at her to run. The door leading back into the castle was open. But she knew she needed to stay put. Talvira would simply catch her, or worse let the guards have their way with her. They were nowhere near as delicate as her mistress. She shook her head, afraid she might slip back down into debauchery thinking like that, when she noticed Talvira looking at her with a small yet predatory smile.

“You were debating running, weren’t you?” The question kept Lyra silent, another ashamed nod. “It’s quite alright, my dear. With your sanity back, no one can blame you for such fruitless thoughts. But, as I told Nodabba earlier, one always needs those they can trust to do the job, and sometimes mindless sluts aren’t up to the task.

“But you, Lyra, are no longer mindless, which presents a unique opportunity for us both. I get to have someone reliable enough to help with a side project, and you get the chance to prove you’re more useful to me doing tasks as opposed to opening your legs.” The demoness knelt, her red magic forcing Lyra to look her in the eye now they were level.

“What I want you to do, Lyra Heartstrings, is spy on Midnight Sparkle.”

“W-What?” Lyra asked, shocked by the request.

“If what my dearest wife told me is true, and I see no reason she would have to lie to me, Midnight threatened Nodabba a few days ago. This is just the latest in a long, if staggered, line of disappointments from my apprentice, and I’d like to keep an eye on her for now. Figure out what she’s up to if anything. That’s where you come in. I want you to observe her, and report everything you see back to me. Is that understood?”

Lyra’s eyes widened at the request. “A-A spy? Me? I-I’m sorry, but, but sh-she’ll spot me easily. I’m not that sneaky.”

“Oh Lyra,” Talvira purred, now standing up and lifting the unicorn off the ground with her magic. “I never said you wouldn’t receive aid.”

Swift as lightning, Talvira stepped forward and dug her fangs into Lyra’s neck. She screamed at the impact, but then felt something being injected into her from the demoness. It filled her muscles with an energy they’d lacked for years, her internal wellspring of magic filling up. Talvira released her from both the bite and her magic, allowing Lyra to fall to the grass below. Already the bite wound had healed over, and she looked back up at her mistress in confusion.

“I’ve made you more athletic now,” Talvira explained, circling the unicorn slowly. “As well as strengthening your magic and implanting a few spells within you. You’re now capable of teleporting anywhere within the castle grounds, with a few exceptions, of course. You’re also now able to turn invisible, though Sluttershy and myself will still be able to see you. I’ll let my guards know that they’re not to touch you without my permission. Now, what do you say?”

Knowing her mistress, Lyra swallowed her pride and bowed her head. “T-Thank you, my mistress.” Satisfied, the demonic ruler turned to leave the garden.

“Oh,” she spoke up before stepping through the door. “One more thing.”

With a snap of her fingers, a wave of pleasure crashed down over Lyra. Every fiber of her being was stimulated. Her breasts pulsed. Her pussy winked. Already on her knees, the unicorn couldn’t help but fall onto her side as an intense orgasm surged through her, her milk and feminine nectar squirting out onto the grassed surface she lay twitching upon.

“Should you disappoint me by using these gifts against me, I won’t hesitate to leave you in a constant state of ecstasy so intense, you’ll be begging me to rut you like the lowly slut you are. Am I understood, Lyra?” The pleasure stopped, and Lyra, gasping for her breath, weakly nodded. Satisfied, the fiend turned and walked out the door, leaving Lyra laying in a puddle of her own fluids in this garden of lust.