Odyssey of the Heart

“We’re all set to go, Ma… Ma?”

Applejack didn’t hear her son’s question. Her emerald gaze was situated over the eastern horizon. Despite lacking any magical sense that could’ve told her for certain, she was sure Zap was somewhere in that direction. The shock from waking up the previous night still lingered, as did the fear for her adventurous young flier.

“Ma?” Accompanied by a hand resting on her shoulder, the honest Apple turned to see the lupine form of Cortland looking at her with concern. “You okay?”

“Oh, yeah. Don’t you worry ‘bout me, Sugarcube.” Applejack flashed a smile, but she had been the Element of Honesty. Unless Discord fiddled with her mind, lying was never her strong suit. Cortland knew this, and his continued gaze told Applejack she wasn’t fooling him anymore than she was fooling herself.

“You’re worryin’ ‘bout Zap, aren’t ya?”

Applejack sighed. “Yeah. Ah’m certain Flurry Heart an’ Starlight are takin’ care o’ her, but… last night… it felt like she was in trouble…”

“Ma, say the word an’ Ah’ll bring her home.” He stated with determination, clenching a black-furred fist.

But his mother shook her head. “Ah appreciate that, Cortland, but we need ya here. Zap can take care of herself, and she’s got the princess an’ Starlight lookin’ after her too.” She rested a hand on his arm and looked him in the eye. “Ah’m worried ‘bout her too. But we gotta believe she’ll be fine.”

It took him a little while, but eventually the wolfman Apple nodded. “Yer right. Sorry Ma.”

Applejack smiled. “No need to apologise, Sugarcube. Now, what were ya tryin’ ta say?”

“Oh, right. The wagon train’s all set an’ ready ta go. Just’ give the word when yer ready.” The mother smiled and nodded, letting Cortland return to his pack.

She looked back at the main street of the farming town; its width and length filled with wooden wagon. Two stallions stood ready to pull along each, with the precious cargo inside being mares either too corrupted or far gone mentally to walk. Other ponies that were able to walk stood interspersed amongst the wagons, while Cortland’s wolves stood vigil at the edges of the train. A gust of wind nearly blew her trusty hat away, her reflexes helping her keep it upon her head. A pang in her heart rang out at the thought of leaving Appleloosa. She’d seen what it had become shortly after Braeburn helped found the town and, despite being exiled there in all but name, she had enjoyed her years raising her family here. Now it was destined to be a ghost town; her inhabitants fleeing for the safety of the Crystal Empire, her buildings cannibalised for the wood to make the wagons. Applejack turned and took one last look out east, hoping her silent pleas could reach her distant daughter.

…Zap… Please be okay…

Turning back, she took her place at the lead wagon and started pulling. The wooden wagon creaked as the wheels began turning, but it moved forward nonetheless. The rest of the wagon train soon followed suit, with Cortland’s wolfpack flanking it as they began the journey. It was slow going, but Apple matriarch wanted to make the journey for those within the wagons as smooth as possible. This care cost them speed. The wagon spent half the day traveling north alongside the train tracks.

Every now and then Cortland would approach his mother, offering to take her place pulling the lead wagon. Every time she refused, directing him to keep an eye in front of them, to protect his family and town. She knew he was only concerned for her, more so than before her reformation. But she wasn’t a helpless filly. Sure, there was the slowly building pressure of the cider within her chest that she worried could distract her, but she could handle this at the very least. After one such time, she noticed Braeburn looking backwards as best as he could while pulling the wagon alongside her.

“You doin’ okay, Braeburn?” The question made the sand-maned stallion jump a little, but he quickly recovered as he helped pull the wagon onwards.

“Oh, yeah, Ah’m doin’ fine.” He answered, though his smile did nothing to convince his cousin of his supposed conviction. “Okay…” he sighed, looking away from Applejack’s emerald gaze. “Ah guess… Ah’m just… it’s Appleloosa. Ah understand why we had to leave, but… When Ah helped build the town, Ah never thought Ah’d see its end.” At this sad admission, Applejack’s sceptical face fell away to something more sympathetic, and her placed a hand on his shoulder to regain his attention.

“Who said anythin’ ‘bout this bein’ the end? Once Talvira’s beaten back to Tartarus, we’ll come back down an’ help ya rebuild it. Nothin’ us Apples do better than raising barns… ‘cept for, you know, farmin’ apples…”

The awkward end drew a small laugh out of Braeburn. “You’re right. Thank, cuz.”

Any further discussion between the two hat-wearing ponies was stopped when Applejack spotted Cortland. Her lupine son had stopped, his hands outstretched to tell them to do the same. He also let out a loud howl, signalling to the rest of the wagon train to stop. Swiftly, more of Cortland’s wolfpack arrived at the front of the convoy, and Applejack stepped away from her wagon to see what the fuss was. Cortland didn’t look away, his eyes focused on something on the ground a fair distance away.

No… Something within the ground. The orange farmpony managed to see it; a trail of raised earth curving this way and that, but still heading in their direction. Cortland and the other wolves readied themselves to strike, but whatever was burrowing before them stopped about thirty feet away. The mound wriggled a little before the head of a pony had popped out of the ground.

A familiar pony… with a slightly poofy pink mane.

“Gee… Must’ve taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque.”

The head turned around to face them and Applejack saw it. That familiar face. She saw back, those big blue eyes widening to match the farmer’s green. For a moment in time, none moved.

“A…Applejack…?”

“P-Pinkie Pie?”

The wolves looked to one another, then Cortland. As they backed up a couple of steps, their leader moved forward to stand between his mother and this newcomer, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. Instead, it was Applejack who moved forward to meet her friend as she pulled herself out of the ground. The two earth ponies took a moment to look over one another’s changed bodies. While Applejack had grown modestly in the chest, hips and thighs that now tightly filled out her flannel shirt and jeans, to say nothing of her multiple, cider-spilling nipples or hooves and horns, Pinkie looked markedly different. An hourglass figure that Rarity would no doubt envy. Head-sized breasts that were kept decent by a bright blue boob tube tied together with a bow in the centre like her chest was a present. Wide thighs that yellow short shorts struggled to stretch around. The most striking changes though was how the party pony was now clearly a head taller than the farmer, and sporting a very familiar knife-like horn, as well as insectoid wings that had fluttered briefly.

“You’re… you’re better.” The new Pinkie said, a small, hopefully smile slowly forming upon her muzzle. But Applejack could tell there was nervousness in her voice. Tartarus, she was nervous too.

“Ah… Ah want to believe you are too…” She began, steeling herself. “But… Ah need you to prove ta me that it’s really you in there, Pinkie, an’ not some no-good prank from Rarity or Midnight. So prove it. Do somethin’ only the real Pinkie Pie would.” Pinkie stood there, staring wide-eyed at her friend. There was hurt in those blue eyes, to the point they nearly watered up, but Pinkie wiped them away and put on a determined face.

“I Pinkie Promise that I’m the real Pinkie Pie. Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.”

With the words and motions of the Pinkie Promise made, any doubts Applejack had vanished instantly. She could read the sincerity in Pinkie’s features, the tone of her voice, and the look in her eyes. So, it came as a surprise to all when Applejack dashed forward and tackle-hugged the party pony down to a sitting position.

“A-Applejack?” Pinkie uttered in shock as the farmer moved from hugging her pink midsection to wrapping her arms around her neck in a tight hug.

“Ah thought Ah’d never see you again.” Applejack responded, her voice uncharacteristically choking up as she felt pressure from behind her eyes. She pulled back to look back and see Pinkie’s eyes were similarly watery. “Ah mean, like you are now, an’ not like we were-” Any more awkward explanations were cut off when the pink earth pony hugged her back even tighter.

“I’ve missed you too!” Pinkie cried out, the dam breaking as she bawled at this reunion. “I’m so sorry, Applejack! For everything I did as that mean old Pinkamena!” Applejack merely smiled, softly stroking her friends’ mane like she did for her children.

“Believe me, Pinkie, Ah’ve been there. You’ve got nothin’ to apologise for.”

“But I-”

“But nothin’.” The orange earth pony cut her off, looking her in the eye. “This is all Talvira’s fault, an’ we’ll teach that no-good harlot what for. But first,” she looked back to her family, who had all gathered before the wagon train. “We need ta get everyone to safety. To the Crystal Empire.”

“Oh!” Pinkie perked back up to her cheerful self, standing up and bringing Applejack to her hooves as well. “We’re doing that too. You wanna join up?”

“We?” Cortland asked, finally finding his voice at all this.

“Well duh.” At this, Pinkie rapidly tapped her foot on the ground. A second or two after she stopped, the ground before them fell away to reveal a massive tunnel. Inside, the Apple family could see another large group of ponies; many of them corrupted like those in the wagons. Of the ponies below ground, Applejack recognised Pinkie’s younger sister Marble Pie, a large yellow and pink polka dot sheet covering what must have been immense breasts. “You didn’t think I’d be travelling alone and in the open with Equestria as raunchy as it is, did you?”

“Y-You’re headin’ for the Crystal Empire too?” Braeburn asked the question, though Applejack could easily guess the answer.

“Yep. No point sitting around waiting for some other sexy horror to catch us again. Otherwise, all the trouble Flurry and the others went through to change us back would’ve been for nothing.”

“Wait. You’ve seen Starlight an’ Princess Flurry Heart?” Applejack asked. At Pinkie’s joyful nod, she stepped forward and gripped her now taller pink friends’ shoulders. “Pinkie, how are they? How’s Zap, ma daughter? Ah thought they were headin’ for Rainbow Dash next. Where’re they now?”

“I think they were, but they ran into some issues and came my way instead. They’re fine, at least Starlight, Zap and Vinyl were. They said they were heading to Manehatten to make their dreams safer.”

“…Rarity.” Applejack stated with a diminishing voice and growing dread. Of all the places she was terrified for Zap to go, only Canterlot was higher than Manehatten. All for one simple reason; Rarity herself. For whatever reason, following their corruption, Rarity had displayed a particular maliciousness towards her children. She never revealed to Applejack why this was, though the farmer had a few suspicions. But like she had said to Cortland earlier that day, she had to trust that Zap and the others would be okay.

“Pinkie, you sure these tunnels will get us to the Crystal Empire safely?”

“Definitely!” She responded with a confident grin. “The eastern tunnels might’ve been used a little by that stinky prince Noiratrom, and the tunnels leading to the Everfree are guarded, but we should have a straight shot heading north. The tunnels stop halfway halfway between Ponyville and Galloping Gorge. Given how Lamaria’s been out of the story for a while, we shouldn’t need to worry too much once we’re past the town.” Though there were a few things in that answer that flew over Applejack’s head, she still understood the general meaning of Pinkie’s response, and smiled at how her original personality had returned. Turning back to her family and the wagon train, took in a deep breath for her announcement.

“Alright, y’all! Change of plans! We’re joinin’ up with Pinkie Pie’s group an’ goin’ underground. We’ll be safer this way, and it’ll get us to the Crystal Empire that much faster. So, let’s help those in the wagons out and down into the tunnels. The sooner we’re underground, the safer we’ll be.”

That morning, Lyra Heartstrings felt a whole mixture of emotions.

On the one hand, she supposed she should be happy. Helping to uncover Midnight Sparkle’s plot to usurp the throne had to have earned her points of favour with Empress Talvira, right? What’s more, one of the biggest threats to her safety within the castle was gone. She wouldn’t have to walk the halls with the fear that, at any moment, Midnight could appear and steal her down to those fleshy caverns below to do Celestia knows what. But there were also still fears that she hadn’t done enough, or that Talvira could be mad at her for whatever other reason. Or, now that her covert task was complete, she would be forced back beneath the waves of maddening lust and turned back into a mindless slut.

These thoughts swirled round and round throughout the walk from the private room Lyra had been given to the throne room. There was an air of tension within the castle now. All could sense it. Even Frostfang, who accompanied her once more, had been on edge since Midnight’s banishment the previous day. It wasn’t long before they entered the large throne room; the guard retinue significantly more noticeable than normal. Also abnormal was the amount Daybreaker was moaning and panting in husky, carnal tones. These thoughts stuck with Lyra as she was led to the royal balcony, where their empress awaited.

“I’ve brought the mare, as you requested, Your Majesty.” Frostfang reported. A nod from Talvira was all the recognition he needed as he stepped back to stand at attention at the doorway, leaving Lyra to tentatively walk towards her mistress. The demonic ruler of Equestria did not stand imposingly before the buxom mint unicorn, but instead rested with her elbows on the marble railing of the balcony, looking out at the debauchery-choked city Canterlot had become. Her gaze seemed to stretch even further, more distant, and… sadder.

“…Y-You summoned me, Mistress?” Lyra nervously asked, when it became apparent Talvira wouldn’t be instigating the conversation.

“Yes, I did.” She responded, though there was neither seductive charm nor dangerous annoyance behind her words. Instead, it felt like a morose apathy had befallen the she-demon. “I wished to express my gratitude for your contributions in stopping Midnight’s plot.”

“But… but I-I didn’t do much of anything…” Lyra dared to respond, yet even this back and forth drew no glare or sharp retort. Instead, Talvira simply turned her head and the unicorn saw something she had rarely witnessed before upon the currently blank expression.

Tears glistening down Talvira’s crimson cheeks.

“You discovered the location of Midnight’s lab, then led Frostfang there.” Talvira turned back to the view as she explained this. “Whether it was out of fear of reprisals or actual loyalty, you chose to perform the tasks I set out for you rather than trying to flee or allow this treachery to be carried out. Given how many failures have befallen Equestria as of late, I feel the need to praise the successes of those beneath me all the more important.” Lyra didn’t have a response, but the conversation dropped into a lull following a drawn-out sigh from Talvira. It grew more and more uncomfortable by the moment, until finally Lyra needed to say something.

“P-Permission to speak, Mistress?”

Talvira raised an eyebrow, but kept her gaze to the city. “Granted.”

“Are… Are you okay?” The question seemed to catch the demoness off-guard, as she spun to look at the milk-laden mare with eyes wide with shock. Lyra flinched, expecting cutting words or even physical abuse, but nothing came. She looked up and saw Talvira simply staring at her.

“You… You’re… concerned about me?” She asked, seemingly struggling to even speak the concept so much as understand it. Lyra had to admit, she was surprised about it too. Talvira was undoubtedly the sole reason everything in Eqeustria had fallen into this state. Why she was carrying around massive melons filled with milk. Why she and Bonbon had been separated for years. But, even with all of that misery with her as the direct cause, something in the pony couldn’t help but reach out to her now.

“It’s just… I’ve never seen you like this… Honestly, it’s putting everyone in the castle on edge.”

Talvira digested the explanation with a calming breath before looking back over Canterlot. “Well, I imagine everyone would feel the same if they’d lost four of their children within twenty-four hours.”

“I-I’m sorry for aski-wait? Four?”

Talvira’s mood dropped even further, as did her gaze. “…Noiratrom’s gone…” She let the news settle in silence for a moment before continuing. “We only received the report a few hours ago. Sluttershy’s refusing to come out of our room. Can’t exactly blame her. It would seem that, without the powers of pestilence he was siphoning from Discord, Noiratrom was vulnerable to the very diseases and plagues he so loved to cultivate.”

“Then… Is-Is Discord free?”

Talvira shook her head. “Don’t get your hopes up, Lyra. Discord’s still in his little prison. I’ve tripled the seals and hidden him somewhere most wouldn’t dare look.” She turned to look back inside the throne room and Lyra followed her gaze to the backside of Daybreaker. Beneath the thrashing of her flaming tail and her desperate, wailing pleas for someone to rut her, the unicorn saw an emblem-covered seal placed over the former princess’ lower lips. “It should hold… for at least a month or so.” Talvira continued, looking back over the balcony again. “But it won’t last. Without someone to help siphon his magic away, Discord will break free and only add to the headaches that currently plague me. Grr, I should’ve killed Midnight when I had the chance!” This statement was punctuated with a loud slam on the railing, both Lyra and the further away Frostfang clearly hearing a crack in the marble.

“M-May I ask another question?” Lyra dared to speak up, even raising her hand like she was back at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. After taking a moment to calm down, Talvira nodded. “Why did you let Midnight go?”

“Because blinding rage is the bane of common sense.” She sighed, looking upwards at the pink canopy of clouds. “Normally I would’ve slain her myself. But I was so sickened by her betrayal, I didn’t want anything to do with Midnight, much less see her. Or perhaps I was angry at myself for allowing myself to be fooled so easily.” Another long, heavy sigh escaped the empress. “With the benefit of hindsight, I realise this creates only more issues to deal with.” A short laugh escaped the empress’ lips, though there wasn’t mirth behind it. Instead, there was sadness. “I suppose that’s where Norggna got his anger issues from. Rest assured, though, Midnight Sparkle won’t be returning here as easily as she left. I’ve altered the anti-teleportation spell above the city to block incoming interlopers. Everyone within the city can still jump around and out of town, but those wanting to come inside will have to do so the old-fashioned way.”

“Doesn’t that include Nodabba?”

“Yes, but she’ll be returning with an army. Even Midnight’s not that big a fool to attack her so directly.” Again, the conversation lulled into silence, though this one felt a little more comfortable than the previous one. Still, something about this whole situation was gnawing at Lyra. The fact she was being allowed to ask questions like this at all was surprising, as was Talvira’s willingness to answer her honestly, from what she could tell. She needed to know why.

“…Mistress… Why did you summon me today?”

“You’ve already asked that question.” Talvira responded impassively.

“No, I mean, why are we talking like this? Why are you allowing me to speak like this?”

A small smile found its way onto Talvira’s face. “Have I ever told you that, among the harem, you were my favourite, Lyra?” The admission shocked Lyra, but when Talvira looked to her for an answer, she meekly shook her head. “Sure, Caring and Cream are amazing milfs, Milky Way’s undoubtedly the best milk tank out of you all, and it’s fun toying with Cheerilee and Octavia’s repressive personalities. But there was always something about you that intrigued me. Something that always had me looking forward to when it was your turn to serve as my cock sleeve.” As Talvira stood up straight and turned to face her, it was only now that Lyra noticed another oddity; no harem mares. Other than Frostfang, they were alone.

“Perhaps it was because you were the only unicorn, or maybe because you were always the longest-lasting when it came to sexual endurance. But perhaps…” The empress’ look became more… friendly, if Lyra was using the term correctly. “Perhaps it was hidden potential. So, with all that in mind, I now offer you a choice, Lyra Heartstrings.” The unicorn’s eyes were growing wider with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, yet she held her tongue and let Talvira finish.

“It’s a rare thing to be offered such an opportunity in this day and age, so I hope you understand how lucky you truly are. With your task done spying on Midnight Sparkle, I offer you your reward for achieving the task I placed before you; the freedom from being a member of my harem and ascendancy into Canterlot’s elite. With such prestige, you would be safe from threats within the castle. From threats within the city, for that matter. You would serve as a member of my court, and have the right to ownership of land, among other things, within Canterlot itself.

“I may still have some uses for your apparent talent for espionage, but otherwise, you regain a fair measure of control over your own life. Of course,” Talvira’s expression darkened for a moment. “You have now seen what awaits those that betray me, and I am unwilling to let any further cowards flee from me so easily. And let us not forget I can still reduce you to a twitching pile of female flesh at a moment’s notice.” With a deep breath, she banished that ferocious look on her face and appeared genuinely kind once more. Lyra wasn’t sure which expression she was more afraid of.

“However, I very much hope that you continue to show your loyalty, as I genuinely don’t want to reduce you to such a state. So, Lyra, what is your choice?”

Lyra was stunned stiff. Here she was; being offered a small modicum of freedom by the very tyrant who enslaved Equestria. She, who had drowned her in lust and fucked her for years. She couldn’t understand it. Part of her wanted to rage, to shout and scream at Talvira until she was as red in the face as the she-demon. For having the audacity to make friends now after everything she had done. But the more rational part of her brain held that combative urge down with all its might. There was no doubt if Lyra chose to rebel now, she’d be returned to that lustful hell. Or even worse, given the previous days’ example of Midnight Sparkle. Talvira was still in control; she could still remotely trigger those orgasms that would render the mint unicorn a shuddering mess of moans and milk. The offer sounded good, but she needed to know more, considering it would be a literal deal with the devil.

“S-So,” She began. “Would I be able to leave? Canterlot, that is?” A small twitch on Talvira’s face made Lyra think, for the briefest moment, that the demonic empress was saddened by that question. But it was gone as soon as the mare noticed it, and that reassuring expression returned to Talvira’s features.

“It wouldn’t be wise to leave the city nowadays, Lyra. Equestria is in a state of flux thanks to your lover and her rescue party. Unless you are by my side, you would not be allowed to leave Canterlot. That said, you would now free to roam the city. Even relocate from the castle to another dwelling, if you wish. You would still need to report to the castle each day for whatever tasks I may need you for, however, but otherwise this city is your oyster, and your time is yours to spend however you wish.”

“A-And how would I be any safer out there?” Lyra threw a hand out to the expanse of the city before them. “Your order’s the only thing that’s preventing the guards in the castle from going down on me. I doubt that’ll work out there for everyone.”

“True, but I have my ways of keeping you safe.” Talvira calmly responded, closing the distance and offering a hand. “Ways you will discover should you accept my deal.” Again, turmoil floods Lyra’s mind. The fears of what might happen should she agree or refuse both terrified her. But, while the thought of what agreeing to this might do to her, she knew Talvira wasn’t one to turn her back on deals. The protections sounded good, and might help ease her mind, but she needed one last assurance that this wasn’t a trick. So, she decided to be brave.

“If… If I agree… I get my own home in the city. C-Close to the castle… and… you can’t treat me like a slave anymore.” Talvira looked surprised at Lyra’s boldness, but the unicorn wasn’t done. “Lastly… If… If Bonbon is found in the city, you bring her to me. Unharmed. As you found her. Deal?”

Talvira’s shocked look remained before it shifted into one Lyra recognised as contemplation. The unicorn could almost hear the gears turning beneath the horns and ebony locks of the empress, though she could easily imagine that being the growling of Frostfang at what could be called extortion. The fiend looked Lyra straight in her golden eyes for the what felt like the longest few moments in the mares’ life before finally smirking and extending her hand once more.

“Well played, Lyra.” Talvira relented, Lyra hearing what she recognised as admiration in the ruler’s voice; a rare thing indeed. “I knew you had potential, and that counter offer was all the confirmation I needed. You have yourself a deal.”

Relieved she wasn’t executed on the spot for taking such a stand, Lyra took a deep breath before shaking her now former mistress’ hand. “S-So… what happens now? How will I be protected?”

Talvira’s grin grew. “A simple spell, my dear.” The empress pricked one of her fingers with the sharpened claw of another, drawing a dollop of black blood which steadily grew. “Now, remain calm, and spread open that chest of yours.”

Recognising an order when she heard it, Lyra nodded and pulled her huge mammaries as far to either side of her as she could. She tried controlling her breathing as Talvira leaned forward and pressed her bleeding fingertip to the presented mint green chest. She then began drawing something in her blood upon Lyra’s chest. The feeling was unsettling for the unicorn. Not only was it gross to her that another’s blood was staining her coat, but the more this elaborate design took shape, the more the mare recognised it as one of Talvira’s many personal magic circles. A literal symbol of her power. Unfortunately, Lyra wasn’t proficient enough in magic to know the detailed intricacies of this particular spell, though she could feel the magic behind it growing stronger and stronger with each moment. Once the mark was finally complete, Talvira then pressed her palm into the marked flesh, a crimson glow emanating from beneath as it matched the aura surrounding the demon’s horns.

“Bound by blood, be reborn anew.”

The incantation spoken, something spiked within Lyra’s torso. It felt like her heart was trying to kick itself free of her ribcage, the repeated jolts enough to have her fall forward only to land in the waiting arms of her empress. A strange numbing pain began trickling throughout her nervous system, yet her mind was being shrouded in a fog of weariness. As her pained gasps slowed and her eyelids grew heavy, the last thing she saw and heard was Talvira.

“Rest now, Lyra Heartstrings. For when you awaken, you’ll be one of us.”

In a flash of red magic, the mint unicorn disappeared from sight, whisked back to the safety of her room. Talvira stood and looked back over her city, a feeling bordering on hope fluttering within her darkened heart.

“Your Majesty,” Frostfang spoke up. “Forgive my impertinence, but are you sure this was a wise idea?” Talvira waited a moment before answering, replaying her conversation with Lyra and savouring it as she turned to the albino wolfman.

“Even an Empress needs friends, Frostfang. Individuals I know I can trust. She has now earned it, as you did long ago. Besides, should she fail, I’ll rut her in half and throw what babbling wreck remains to your boys in the barracks. Does that quell your concerns?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.” He gave a deep bow, immediately falling into step as Talvira headed back inside and alighted to sit upon her bosom-like throne.

“Your concern is unnecessary, but still appreciated nonetheless. Now, what’s next on our to-do list today?”

“A meeting with that other mare, Cozy Glow. She wished to discuss her reward as well.” Talvira sighed. She had a feeling that little minx was in it for some kind of reward rather than loyalty to the throne. Furthermore, her overly sweet tone and disposition the previous day hadn’t gone unnoticed, and Talvira had just had a harsh reminder of the cost of complacency in regards to those beneath her.

“Very well. Let’s hear what she has to say.”

A flash of red light brought Cozy Glow back into the familiar and safe environs of the caves beneath Canterlot. The fleshy tunnels of excessive modification now felt more like home than Hollow Shades ever did. So much so that, for a brief moment, her concentration on keeping her old form slipped. The skin beneath her back squirmed like monsters were trying to escape from beneath a pliable screen.

But if Cozy Glow was anything, she was an insanely fast learner. A quick application of both magic and willpower brought the chaos coursing within her back under her heel, though she allowed a small vent of the changes by reconstituting her wings. They now appeared larger than her had been before, but she kept the unicorn horn of her disguise, allowing herself to pretend to be a true alicorn for a little while as she walked past the moaning prisoners in the walls, ceiling and floors of the tunnels. Re-entering what was once Midnight Sparkle’s laboratory, Cozy strolled past the now empty stasis tubes. Seeing them so vacant brought a content smile to the mares’ muzzle, her hand moving to absentmindedly stroke her stomach.

“Soon,” she said in a almost motherly tone. “Things are almost in place. You’ll just need to be patient before we can parade the lot of you around in the open.”

Her thoughts drawn back to her present predicament, Cozy took a deep breath and flexed her new-found magical might. She searched for one mind in particular and, upon finding it, connected it to her own.

“Mistress!” The voice on the other side spoke directly in her mind, unabashed joy filling the female voice to the brim. “I have eagerly been awaiting your next communication. How fares your plan?”

“Phase two was successful.” Cozy answered, sitting down in a bowl-like seat formed from the very flesh of the cavern walls. “Midnight Sparkle is out of power and out of Canterlot. Unfortunately, Talvira is still suspicious of me. My request to become her new arch mage is… pending.”

Cozy could feel both the nervousness and sympathy of her correspondent. “I’m sorry to hear that, Mistress. The Empress is a hard woman to please or impress. But I take it she didn’t dismiss you outright?”

“No, she didn’t.” The malicious schemer sighed. “But she’s tasking me to prove myself so that I may earn the position. I’m to create a large force of hunting beasts to track down Equestria’s intruders, as well as turn over any and all projects Midnight was working on or hypothesising.”

“Should I make my way to Canterlot to assist you, Mistress?”

“No. While I appreciate the offer, your arrival so soon after Midnight’s ousting would only fuel Talvira’s suspicions. We need to lie low for the time being. I’ll play along with her, handing over everything that doesn’t directly implicate our plan, and let things in Canterlot calm down as much as they are able. Once I’m ready for you, I shall be in contact. In the meantime, ensure preparations are ready in the five locations. When we begin phase three, I want everything to be ready.”

“Understood, Mistress. I shall see to the preparations myself.”

With that conformation, Cozy Glow severed the mental link to her subordinate and sat back in her chair, a malicious grin stretching across her features as her grand design continued to take shape.