“Everyone’s looking at me.” Talvira could only chuckle at the statement as she and Lyra passed out from the castle gates and into the wealthy upper district of Canterlot.

Well, slithered in the former unicorn’s case.

Looking to her side, the empress took in her friends’ new form. Her upper body remained much the same, Talvira’s eyes lingering on that bountiful, milk-laden chest of hers. Said chest was barely contained; nearly spilling out of a very thin black boob tube with silver trim. But from the waist down, Lyra bore a snake tail with scales only a shade darker than her coat. A black satin dress and silver jewellery, not unlike those worn by belly dancers offered from her governor in Saddle Arabia, was the only thing keeping her decent; something expected for those of high society when not engaged in the everyday depravity of this lustful Equestria. Talvira had her standards, after all. The last change was Lyra’s teal and silver mane. Instead of hair, it had changed into dozens of small same-colour snakes that looked around as on alert as the head they were sprouting from.

A medusa wasn’t the form Talvira thought Lyra’s demonic ascension would take, but she and Sluttershy had helped the former unicorn to acclimatise to her new body, and the powers that came with it. The powerful she-demon had un-petrified at least three servants in training her, but she felt Lyra had gotten the gist of it.

“Well,” Talvira replied with a grin. “It’s not every night a friend and I saunter out of the castle now, is it?” Lyra didn’t have a retort, shyly nodding. It amused the demoness as she glanced around. The haughty demon nobility that was out and about looked on in shock. Rare was it Talvira left the castle outside of a special event or military campaign. Well, this is special to me, she thought to herself. “Ah, here we are.”

The pair stopped before a large dwelling. It stood three stories tall, with its roof rising above the neighbouring buildings in tall conical spires. Talvira knew there was also a large walled garden out the back, and the inside was spacious enough for a demon the size of Lyra to live comfortably.

“T-This is my new home?” Lyra asked, her eyes wide at the sight. “B-But this is too much for me.”

“On the contrary, my dear.” Talvira said with a warm smile. “I chose this house for you myself. Specifically built to accommodate large demons. Besides, you’re not the only one living here.” That peaked the former pony’s interest but there were others approaching. Having a horde of snakes linked to ones skull gifted Lyra an incredibly expanded peripheral vision, and it was through this that she noticed the newcomers. Though, the high-and-mighty tone of one of them would’ve alerted any to their presence regardless.

“Your Majesty!”

The pair turned to the newcomer, spying two ponies the demoness was sadly familiar with from her royal court. Jet Set and Upper Crust. The former ponies had, like most of Canterlot’s posh elite, swiftly sided with Talvira following her initial invasion. Whether this was to avoid becoming slaves and retaining their noble status, or because they agreed with her conquest depended on the pony, though Talvira was certain these two fell into the former category. Their demonic aspects were rather miniscule; small, pointed horns protruding from their foreheads, spade-tipped tails, and their bodies taking on supermodel physiques. Said bodies were garbed in robes and strips of thin, near-transparent fabric. Their attitudes, however... Talvira wondered how the former Princess Celestia put up with ponies like these.

“Ah, Jet Set, Upper Crust.” The empress replied, some effort being exerted to avoid venting her annoyance at the appearance of the couple. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?”

“Your Majesty,” Jet Set began with a respectful bow. “It’s in regards to our-”

“How could you take our house from us?” Upper Crust interrupted before her gaze drifted to Lyra, who’d been doing her best to not be noticed beside the she-demon. “Whatever lies this harlot has said about us to warrant this are untrue.”

Talvira’s brow furrowed. “No lies have led my judgement astray.” She replied with strained diplomacy, internally drinking in every nanosecond of Upper Crust’s shock at those words. “This is Lyra Heartstrings,” she continued, gesturing to the timid snake pony. “She played a substantial role in uncovering the recent coup attempt by Midnight Sparkle. Considering such a betrayal, and the failures of others, I’ve found the need to reward those that succeed even more important. Thus, I have bestowed upon Lyra the title and status of nobility, and have bequeathed her a home worthy of her station.”

“B-But…” Upper Crust stuttered; her privileged mind incapable of understanding. “Why our home? Why punish us when we’ve done nothing to deserve it?”

“I have already provided the two of you replacement dwellings two blocks from here.” Talvira responded, deliberately allowing her diplomatic mask to slip a little and reveal her growing annoyance. “And if I were to punish the two of you, you would spend a month in the castle dungeons suffering pain the likes of which you’ve never experienced in your comfortable lives. Does that answer your question?”

“We-We meant no disrespect, Your Majesty,” Jet Set cut in; clearly trying to save his and his wife’s skin. “We were just unaware of the situation, and concerned on how it affected our standing with you.”

“Y-Yes, exactly.” Upper Crust carried on, wising up to the fact complaining was getting the pair nowhere. “We’ve been such loyal subjects to you ourselves, we just wished for clarity in regards to this… sudden change.”

“Shut up.”

The quiet voice stunned the duo of noble ponies. Even Talvira was a little surprised as all three turned to face Lyra. While she had been hiding behind the empress at the start, the longer the conversation went on, the more she wondered why she needed to do that at all. Talvira trusted her, had given her status and powers to stand up for herself. Compared to these two, what she had done was vastly more important. The most interesting thing Jet Set and Upper Crust ever did in the royal court was spread rumours, sell information, and throw lavish orgies at their residence.

No… her residence.

“Excuse you?” Upper Crust asked all flustered. “Do you have any idea whom you’re talking to?”

“A selfish bitch who does nothing but run her mouth and let total strangers fuck on her couch if it’ll improve her place in the court.” The unicorn spoke louder as she went, as well as slithering past a very surprised demon empress to stare down the uppity earth pony. “Unlike you, I had to work to gain what little I had, both now and before the conquest. But you?” She laughed coldly; a noise most unexpected coming from the mint-green unicorn. “You two were real pieces of work even before Talvira showed up. It’s amazing Princess Celestia didn’t banish you just so she never had to hear your voices again.”

“You filthy bitch!” Upper Crust shrieked, finally reaching her limit. Her arms swung out, but froze before she could strike Lyra’s cheek. She and her spouse watched, in horror, as her body rapidly turned from flesh to stone. The last act Upper Crust could manage before completely becoming a statue was looking Lyra in the eye. That mistake proved costly. Lyra’s eyes glowed red, as did those of all the snake heads of her mane. The direct eye contact tripled the speed of petrification, and within seconds the Canterlot socialite was nothing more than a clothed sculpture.

“U-Upper Crust?” Jet Set stuttered in abject fear. Slowly he turned to look at Lyra, the glow from her eyes fading, then to Talvira, who seemed incapable of hiding her smirk. “Y-Your Majesty… I… I-I’m sorry. We’re sorry. Please, spare us.” The demonic stallion even went as far as to drop to his knees and beg. Were she not in a good mood from spending time with Lyra and seeing this wench turned to stone, she might have killed him out of pity.

“Very well,” she sighed. Summoning her magic to the tip of her pointer finger, the empress gently tapped the statue forehead. As quickly as the transformation had been, a red light from within formed cracks all over Upper Crust’s form. Within seconds, the statue shattered, and the mare within was freed. Jet Set instantly rushed to her side, but both looked up when Talvira leaned down over them.

“I do hope you’ve learned your place in the hierarchy,” she said with a sadistic smirk. “Now, return to your new home and never cross Lady Heartstrings again. Am I understood?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty.” Both nobles stuttered before turning and running down the street as fast as possible. Standing back up, Talvira noticed a small crowd had stopped to watch the scene. Upon noticing her gaze, they hurriedly went about their business. Satisfied, Talvira led Lyra inside and stretched once the large front doors were closed behind them.

“Oh my,” the demoness chuckled softly. “That was quite entertaining. I didn’t think you had it in you Lyra… Lyra?” Rather than revelling in the thrill of putting those toadies in their place as she was, instead the unicorn-turned-medusa was gripping her own arms tightly, shaking. Putting aside the lovely image her arms squashing her pillowy chest made, it was clear to Talvira that her friend was barely keeping control. “Lyra? What’s wrong?”

“I… I didn’t…” She stuttered, taking a few deep breathes before meeting Talvira’s unusually concerned gaze. “I didn’t mean to do that… to say that. I… well, maybe I’ve always wanted to, but… How could I have done that?” Lyra’s spiral was halted when Talvira placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Lyra, calm down.” It took a few moments, but eventually her friend regained control and looked up to the patient face of her former mistress. “You asserted yourself. There’s no shame or censure for that here. In fact, doing so have undoubtedly strengthened your perception amongst the other nobles. They will know you are one to be feared, even without me at your side. Do you understand?”

Lyra mulled it over. While the pony within her still felt awful that she had intentionally petrified another pony, a crime usually reserved for only the worst of villains in the old Equestria, another part of her revelled in it. Enjoyed it, even. The feeling of power it gave her, especially putting those up-tight elitists in their place, felt good. That feeling still scared the mint unicorn-snake, but the rational part of her mind slowly came to accept she’d need to rely on that more aggressive side in order to survive royal court. Coming out of her mental deliberations, she nodded to Talvira.

“Good,” the demoness ruler said with a soft smile before turning around. “Now, let us explore your new home, shall we?”

Only now, with Talvira’s gentle suggestion and the mental dilemma momentarily passing, could Lyra focus on the interior of her new home. Her serpentine tail slithered across glossy black tiles, while the tan-coloured walls rose a foot above even the empress’ head. The entrance hall ended in a carpeted staircase ascending to the next floor, while a large opening to her right led to a room with a large circular dining table, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Following Talvira to the left, the hall opened into a large circular living room. The floor was lowered in a large circle for most of the space, with the edge lined with plush couches and a low-standing table in the centre. Extending out from the table and up to the roof was a silver pole, and the deactivated spotlights in the corners of the room instantly told Lyra all she needed to know about the type of parties Jet Set and Upper Crust had been holding here.

“Lyra, allow me to introduce your new servants.” The statement from her former mistress snapped the unicorn out of her daze and her golden eyes widened at the sight.

In a line stood four individuals; threes pony mares and one monster. The beast in question was a tall, muscular wolf-man, though less furry than those that guarded the castle. Furthermore, this one had three separate heads; each one bearing a stern yet focussed demeanour. He wore black pants above his similarly-coloured fur, along with an armoured pauldron over his right shoulder. The three mares were all wearing the skimpiest excuse for maid outfits Lyra could think off. Black sleeves and stockings that ended in white frills just below the should and at mid-thigh. Matching white aprons that didn’t bother to cover their breasts at all, and were so short they stopped above their hips. A black hairband with frills and a black collar with a hook for a leash completed the look of erotic servants, but while one of the mares was a stranger, Lyra was at a loss for words concerning the other two.

“This,” Talvira began introductions with the canine, “is Kerberos. He shall serve as your bodyguard and guardian of the house. And don’t let his dour expression fool you; he has agreed to swear fealty to you. Haven’t you, Kerberos?” At this, all three heads nodded in unison as a fist thudded into his muscular chest. Lyra nodded meekly in response as the demoness moved onto the mares. “This is Sassy Saddles. She’ll oversee your wardrobe, along with any other ‘uses’ you can think of for her.” Lyra nodded to the lustfully smiling unicorn before Talvira walked behind the line of servants and placed a hand on each shoulder of the remaining two. “And I trust you’re familiar with these two?”

That Lyra was. To her right, standing in the middle of the mares, was Raven Inkwell. Former clerical assistant to Princess Celestia before the Fall, she had since been serving as Princess Nodabba’s personal maid. The alabaster unicorn met Lyra’s gaze and nodded before looking back down; her nervousness at if her new mistress would be anything like the old one plain to see. Also plain to see were her large E cup breasts, the right one bearing a beauty spot just to the right of her nipple. But it was the other mare that produced the most shock. Smaller than the other two maids in more ways than one, she was also the only non-unicorn of the ponies. Instead, she was an earth pony. Her pink coat matched well with her red mane and tail that were both tied up at the ends with frilly scrunchies. Her emerald eyes stood out upon her defiant face, as did the white freckles. Both these, and her cutie mark of a red apple wearing a crown, would have revealed her lineage to anypony, let alone someone who had been serving in the castle as Lyra had been.

“Pink Lady?” The serpent pony couldn’t help but ask. “But, doesn’t she…”

“Belong to Nodabba?” Talvira finished, to which Lyra simply nodded. “Well, while my daughter has bemoaned Raven and her performance for years now, she’s only recently informed me she’s found a new potential bride. One she believes suits her better. And while I was incredibly tempted,” she punctuated by tightening her grip on Pink Lady’s shoulder as a look of fear finally entered the Apple’s eyes, “to throw this one into the stocks to become another cumdump to spite her treacherous family…” The empress then took a calming breath before continuing, releasing the earth pony’s shoulders as she did so. “I’ve invested too much time and effort into her to let it go to waste like that. So I figured you might get more use out of the two of them than Nodabba did. It’s a far more merciful fate than the alternative, wouldn’t you agree?” Lyra was stunned; trapped in a state of both surprise and fear. Surprise at Talvira’s mercy extending to somepony other than her, and fear of how thin the line was between the snake mare sharing these poor ponies fate. Quickly coming back to her senses when she noticed the golden gaze of the empress upon her, Lyra nodded in agreement.

“Now then,” Talvira continued, a content smile adorning her features. “You hand, Lyra, if you would be so kind?” Lyra slithered closer and obeyed. With her sharp nails, Talvira pricked the unicorn’s finger, drawing a few drops of blood. She released the mint green hand, allowing Lyra to compress the small spot as the demoness charged magic into the life-sustaining liquid before dividing it into four orbs. These orbs then shot forward and impacted into the chests of all four servants, stretching into elaborate shapes Lyra recognised as magic circles. For an instant, they flashed red, then teal, then faded from sight entirely.

“An obedience spell.” Talvira explained. “This way, you have a method of ensuring their loyalty.”

“A-And… and that is?”

“Well, for Kerberos, he’d suffer immense pain. Why there’s every chance that you could kill him if you wanted to. As for these three, their spell is near identical to yours. Should they step out of line, or displease you, all you need do is say their name and the command word to leave them twitching bundles of orgasming flesh.” The fiend leaned in and whispered the words of power to her new noble, the implications of what uttering those words would usher in sent chills down Lyra’s spine to the tip of her tail.

“I… might need you to write those down for me.” Stuttered Lyra. This response drew a chuckle from Talvira, one the unicorn could tell was genuine rather than condescending.

“Later. In the meantime, let us continue the tour of your new home.”

The rest of the house seemed to breeze by. Through the open space at the back of the living room was another space for socialising, though this one opened to the large backyard. Various plants that resembled genitalia lined the fences, while a pristine-looking pool dominated space. To her right, a section of the wall extended out, and revealed itself to be the downstairs restrooms. Further to the right was a door that led into the kitchen, which also had a door leading back to the dining room from earlier. Further into the kitchen stood another door, which Talvira explained led to the servants quarters. Up the stairs, the second floor contained two large guest rooms, a large communal bathroom, and a private study; the bookshelves lining the walls now barren. It was only as the pair climbed the spiral staircase to the third floor that Talvira slowed. Lyra could see the enthusiasm from earlier swiftly evaporate, as the demoness’ crimson hand lingered on the handle.

“Talvira?” Lyra asked, trialling calling the empress by her name while simultaneously not being used to seeing her uncertain. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s… one more gift I’ve yet to give you.” She sighed, her shoulders sagging before she looked back to the serpentine noble. “But something tells me you won’t like what you see.”

“…Well,” Lyra tentatively responded, slithering up to place a hand on the demoness’ arm. “We won’t know until I see it… right?” The look in Talvira’s golden eyes told of an uneasy conscious, but she sighed again and opened the door. A familiar sound could be heard as Lyra slithered in and beheld her new bedroom. The entire floor was one massive room, held up with thick pillars spread out evenly. A large balcony looked out to the street side of the house, while to the unicorn’s right were an open ensuite area and a large wardrobe. She turned back around to look to her left to spy a massive square bed, the four wooden posts at its corners nearly reaching the ceiling.

But it was the mare upon it that made Lyra’s blood run cold.

Staining the maroon covers with her love juices was none other than Bonbon.

Lyra’s eyes widened. Her mouth slowly gaped in horror, and her fingers twitched as she didn’t know what to do with them. The earth pony was riding a massive black dildo. Yet that apparent behemoth was near completely obscured by the incredibly thick thighs and expansive ass cheeks surrounding it. Of the two of them, Bonbon had always been more blessed in the backside department, but this level of padding was on par with Lyra’s tail in width. The fake horse cock was sliding in and out of Bonbon’s ass; a hole Lyra knew the two of them never even considered exploring. This left her pussy vacant, though the flood of femcum gushing out spoke volumes.

And it wasn’t the only change. Her arms were covered in navy blue sleeves, while a white waistcoat with only two buttons clasped, leaving her breasts to bounce wild and free. Said breasts had been grown into palm-filling E cups; their nipples covered with more navy blue in the shape of diamond pasties. Her navy blue and pink mane was done up in a high ponytail, while her larger-than-normal lips were coated in cherry red lipstick and her fluttering eyelids in navy blue eye shadow.

“Ah! So good! S-So-umph! S-So full-Hah!” Bonbon’s panting, lust addled voice cried out. The sounds emanating from her echoed and rebounded back, hitting the shellshocked snake pony from every angle. Each bulge beneath the skin as the sex toy stretched the mad mares’ insides made Lyra want to claw her eyes out. Each lustful exhale was an icy knife stabbing into her heart again and again. Her own breathing was shortening out of panic and pain, and she gripped her arms and bent forward as she couldn’t control the shaking.

“L-Lyra…” Talvira spoke up, her commanding tone nowhere to be seen as, for once in Lyra’s time knowing her, she sounded timid. “I… I can expl-”

Talvira’s explanation would have to wait. Fast as lightning, Lyra’s serpentine tail swung out and lashed the demonic ruler across the midriff. The force sent her flying back into the shower area, the collision breaking the taps and triggering water to fall from the shower head. Talvira shook her head and tried to rise, but Lyra charged in and tightly pinned the demoness to the wall with a mint-green arm pressing into her throat.

“YOU PROMISED!” Lyra roared as the snakes that made up her hair all rose and glared at Talvira. Knowing she had seconds before she became a garden statue, the empress sent the mental magical signal. In an instant, Lyra’s focus and aggression melted away. Shock and pleasure flooded her features as her body collapsed to the floor. Talvira rubbed her neck before looking back down at the twitching mare; the liquids spraying from her nipples and cunt mixing into the water from the shower. She deactivated the spell, leaving Lyra panting, but straddled her and pinned her wrists to the floor while her magic summoned a cloud of darkness around her eyes and hair.

“Y-You… You promised…” Lyra panted; the anger replaced by despair as her voice began choking up. “Y-You said you wouldn’t…”

“Lyra, I need you to listen to me.” Talvira began, forcing herself to remain calm. Under normal circumstances she would’ve killed any that dared strike her, as she should have done with Midnight. But she desperately wanted to avoid that this time. “I need you to calm down and know what I’m saying to you is the honest truth.”

“B-But…” the unicorn blubbered, her struggles fading away as she could feel tears forming.

“I promised you that I would return Bonbon to you as I found her. Unfortunately…” Talvira sighed and slowly looked up to the maddened earth pony still gibbering away as she rode that fake cock like her life depended on it. “That was how I found her. Or rather, how she was delivered to me.” She looked back down to see Lyra was fighting the urge to break down, even if every breathe was a half sob. Trusting the pony, Talvira waved away the shroud and tensed up. But no retaliation came. All she saw was Lyra looking back; her emotions overpowering any urge to fight.

“She was sent to me while you were changing.” The empress explained as she got off Lyra, allowing the new noblemare to sit up and join her former mistress in looking at her lust-crazed lover. “Given she came from Manehatten, it would seem Rarity broke her before gifting her to me. I… tried to reverse her corruptions for you, but it would seem she also imprinted a permanence curse.” Lyra turned to look at Talvira as she explained, her wet eyes widening in surprise. “This is sadly as close to her original form as Bonbon can be.”

“…A-And… what-what about her mind?” Lyra sniffled, trying to wipe away the tears.

“There’s nothing I can do.” The fiend sighed, turning back to head off the obvious response. “Despite my skills when it comes to corrupting my victims, my talents have always skewed towards altering bodies. Minds are a far trickier task, and one I’m not skilled enough in to effectively reverse. Otherwise I might have restored your sanity myself.” She gave a singular laugh, though it was empty. No mirth adorned the empress’ features. Only regret as a shrill cry declared Bonbon’s orgasm for all to hear. The earth pony, her mouth gaping in orgasmic glee, slumped down onto the bed. Her ass remained up in the air, with the dildo ever so slowly sliding out of her back door before falling out with a loud pop.

“I am truly sorry, Lyra. For breaking my promise to you.” Talvira went on, reaching to place a hand on the unicorn’s shoulder, but hesitating and retracting it. “If it’s within my power and within reason, I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”

Silence descended over the room. Lyra simply stared at the panted mess that was her special somepony… Or had been. It was her, in body at least. But the Bonbon she had known, the Bonbon she had loved… wasn’t there anymore. In her place was a cock-hungry slut that reminded Lyra too much of what she was before regaining her sanity. Before Bonbon had saved her in her dreams. She said she’d save her…

“Rape me.”

“…What?” Talvira asked, unsure of the words the tiny voice she heard said. There was no malice. Just genuine regret and curiosity.

“Rape me.” Lyra repeated, her emotions flowing out as she faced away from Bonbon. “Please. Fuck me back into oblivion. Please! I…” For a moment, Lyra nearly looked behind her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at that mare. The mare that used to be Bonbon. “I… The only reason I’ve held on this long was because I knew she was coming for me. I-I don’t want to be sane if she isn’t. Please… at least this way I get to be with her again.” As she desperately pleaded, Lyra expected Talvira to crack down harshly. Maybe strike her, or trigger the pleasure spell again. But there was nothing. No anger, not contempt. Only silence as Talvira stared at her, in much the same way Lyra imagined she had been staring at Bonbon.

“…I… I-I can’t do that.” The words hit like a sledgehammer to Lyra’s already broken heart. She couldn’t comprehend it, staring wide eyed at Talvira.

“…W-Why… W-Why not?” She stuttered, rising back to a standing position as her sorrow was slowly shifting back into anger. “Why not?! Of all the things you could do for me, I thought that would be the easiest. What? Is this how you plan on torturing me now I’m not your slave? You’re doing this for kicks?!”

“No I’m not.” Talvira replied sternly, meeting Lyra’s defiant gaze with a measured look of her own.

“Then why!?” Lyra erupted, her tail slamming the tiles of the shower section hard enough to crack as she pointed a finger shaking in rage at Bonbon. “Give me one reason to stay sane when this is my reward!”

“Bonbon’s safety!” Talvira shot back, venting some of her frustration this situation was even happening. Though Lyra stopped yelling in a moment of surprise, that quickly faded as the anger in that golden glare remained. She surprised the demoness further by allowing her a chance to explain.

“Lyra, you of all ponies should know that every member of my court holds onto at least some of their sanity. Putting aside any negative implications for me, if I were to rut you senseless and return you to my harem, what do you think would happen to Bonbon?”

“You’d scoop her up too.” Lyra stated more than asked. “You did it for Caring Heart when her son was brought here.”

“You know that,” the fiend thumbed towards the bed and the prone pony upon it, “isn’t my thing. Big lactating tits like yours are what I go for. I’d have no use for Bonbon, so I’ll ask again; what do you think happens to her?” This time, uncertainty broke through Lyra’s mask of anger, and she spares a quick sideways glance at her lover.

“She’d…” She started, but the unicorn didn’t finish. Either because she honestly didn’t know, or maybe she did and didn’t want to admit it.

“She’d be sent away, Lyra.” Talvira answered for her. “With you no longer as her owner, she’d be sent to the slave market. Given how she looks, there’d be no shortage of customers bidding for her services. Some of those customers wouldn’t be as kind or thoughtful of her as you are. They’d break her even further and throw her out like trash.” Talvira’s voice rose as she went on, but she caught herself once she saw the effect it was having on Lyra. The wide eyes had returned, though they still maintained contact with her own; a fact that resolidified Talviras’ respect for the serpentine mare.

“That’s why you have to stay sane, Lyra.” She explained gently. “You said she would save you? Protect you? Well, by staying sane, you can protect her.”

Lyra let this sink in before turning back to the bed. To Bonbon. Slowly, as the stillness of the room was broken only by the earth pony’s tired breathing, Lyra slithered to the foot of the bed and kneeled. As she looked long and hard at the ecstasy-ridden features, she thought long and hard about Talvira’s argument. Every second Bonbon remained this way was another hammer blow to her heart. To see the one mare she loved more than any other reduced to this was a torture that eclipsed everything the unicorn had suffered these long years.

However, if their places had been reversed, Lyra had little doubt Bonbon would accept. In all those years spent together, Bonbon had been the protective one in the relationship. Sure, Lyra could handle herself back then. She wouldn’t have lasted long in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns if she couldn’t. But Bonbon’s time as a secret agent, revealed on the day of Cranky and Matilda’s wedding, made her the clear fighter of the two. The protector. If Lyra was in danger, Bonbon would have moved heaven and earth to save her. And now, the chance to return the favour was here, though in the least appealing manner Lyra could imagine. Standing up again, she turned back to Talvira. The demoness hadn’t moved from her place in the broken shower. Hadn’t uttered a word as she kept her almost apprehensive eyes on her.

“Okay.” Lyra finally sighed, her shoulders sagging as she buried the pain of it all. “I’ll take her. Just…” She gripped her arms again, to stop her shaking as she fought the tears despite the dam wall having already burst. Talvira took a few steps forward, arm reaching out. But she sighed and retracted it, knowing now wasn’t the time.

“I’ll… Take all the time you need.” She said softly before turning for the door. Taking one last look back, she saw Lyra looking over Bonbon’s form again before meeting her gaze. There was heartbreak and an ember of the anger from before in her eyes, but Talvira also thought she saw the tiniest slither of hope. Or was it gratitude? “If you need anything, any help at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do everything I can.”

A solemn nod was all the response she got before closing the door. As she descended the stairs, however, Talvira’s ears picked up a muted thud, and the loud cries of anguish from the bedroom above. At the foot of the stairwell were Lyra’s four slaves; each bearing looks of either confusion or concern.

“Your mistress is not to be disturbed. Bring her dinner later, but otherwise, leave her be.” The ponies and wolfman bowed and replied with “Yes, Your Majesty,” though there was some clear tension from Pink Lady in her response. With that, Talvira saw herself outside. She sighed and paused in the front yard to look back up at the third-floor balcony, knowing her only friend was mourning the loss of her one true love. It pained Talvira, in a similar way to the deaths of her children. This only fuelled the anger towards the now-restored element bearers as the empress strode back onto the street.

And her day would only get worse.

A familiar stinging pain flashed in her mind for the briefest of seconds. Shaking off the occurrence, Talvira looked up and saw not only were those still on the street looking at her in confused fear, but also out over the valley to the west. Her leathery wings opening in an instant, the she-demon shot into the skies above Canterlot. What she saw filled her with anger, and a far more unwelcome feeling; fear.

For the skies above Ponyville were clear, displaying the colours of the evening sky.

“Twilight Sparkle…” Talvira murmured under her breath, almost forgetting to flap her wings to keep herself aloft for a moment. The next, she disappeared in a flash of red magic, only to frighten all in her throne room with her sudden appearance and incensed expression.

“Your Majest-” Frostfang started, yet one look from the enraged demoness shut his canine trap quick.

“Bring me a communication orb with Nodabba! NOW!” Few had ever seen the albino wolfman move so fast as he hastily exited the chamber. Talvira’s volcanic expression turned to another of her guards. “You! Summon Ragrol and Cozy Glow at once!” The guard didn’t need to be told twice. Then again, all in the room knew he likely wouldn’t have received a second chance given the empress’ current demeanour. Within a few minutes, Frostfang returned with the magic orb in his claws, and another two soldiers setting the cauldron down before her. Without a word, Talvira snatched the orb and nearly spiked it into the cauldron. The magic took effect and the smoke rose before forming the image of a stressed Nodabba.

“Mother?” She asked while stealing glances skyward. “W-What’s goi-”

“Nodabba, where are you?” Though her tone was stern, there was a tinge of parental concern in Talvira’s question. Despite this, Nodabba recognised it wasn’t her mother she was speaking to, but the empress.

“We arrived in Ponyville earlier this morning, Your Majesty. We were in the middle of co-ordinating our assault on the Crystal Empire when the skies above us cleared. What’s happened?”

“Midnight Sparkle has been reformed,” Talvira responded without missing a beat. Though Nodabba’s expression broke for a moment to exhibit shock, the older demoness ignored the reaction and continued. “It’s likely she’s been repatriated back to the Crystal Empire. If so, then all state secrets, including those of military and national security, are at our enemies’ fingertips. Take the entire army, and all available soldiers from the Ponyville horde, and lay siege to that accursed city state!”

“But Moth-I mean, Your Majesty,” the princess caught herself. “What of the trophies I brought from the Storm Kingdom?”

“Have servants send them to Canterlot. Once they pass through security, I’ll have them sent to your room. Now go! And Nodabba?” The demonic mare stopped to listen to her parent, seeing that bloodthirsty glint enter her eyes. “Other than the leaders, no prisoners. Do I make myself clear?” Again, Nodabba’s eyes widened at the ferocity of her mothers’ orders, but then it was buried beneath her professionalism as the princess gave a salute.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” With that, Talvira dismissed the smoke of the spell and the soldiers carried the cauldron away. As they did, the other soldier she ordered stepped aside for Ragrol and Cozy Glow to cautiously approach.

“Your Majesty?” Ragrol asked, displaying a nervousness of her father-figures’ rage. “What’s happened? I felt a pain of sorts a little while ago.”

“Midnight Sparkle has been reformed and is likely now with the enemy. This means we have little time before the Crystal Empire is aware of our secrets. Cozy Glow, please tell me you’ve made progress with your task.”

Rather than answer with words, the curly-maned unicorn turned around and raised her hand. With a red glow surrounding both her hand and horn, twelve bodies were teleported into the throne room in a flash. Talvira stepped forward to inspect these new warriors. Their appearance resembled that of mannequins; no hair, facial features, or cutie marks on their flesh-toned bodies. However, embedded in the arms of each were small dark gemstones that contained a dull red glow within. Talvira recognised the magic inside these stones, as it was like the corruptive magic employed by many in her lustful empire.

“These hunters bodies are adaptable to both their mission and the ever-changing situations they might face while on said missions.” Cozy Glow explained. “The gems in their arms are reverse-engineered replicas of ones the enemies use to purify themselves of corruption. These ones, however-”

“Instead inflict corruption.” Talvira finished for her. Cozy Glow displayed awed surprise for a moment before nodding. “And the reinforcements for my armies?”

“I’ve been breeding them non-stop since you gave the order, Your Majesty.” The unicorn bowed as she spoke. “Two full battalions just like these are ready to serve, with the third approaching birth.”

“And, as an added bonus,” Ragrol added, allowing herself the slightest amount of pride to seep in. “Cozy Glow added another feature at my request. These hunters, and the new army, will only accept orders from members of the royal family. Meaning-”

“There’s no chance of another coup with these warriors defending us.” Talvira had to admit, it was a smart idea. She allowed the slimmest of grins to grace her features. “Well played, Ragrol. As such, I’ll allow you the honour of setting these hunters upon our enemies.”

“Really?” The demonic princess squealed, before collecting herself. “Ah, I mean… You honour me, Your Majesty. Thank you.” She then turned to face the organic creations. “Attention!” As one, almost robotically, the hunters stood straighter and turned their heads to face Ragrol. “Your orders are to find Princess Flurry Heart and her companions. You are to subdue them and bring them back to Canterlot with their minds intact. Now go!” The hunters crouched down as bumps roiled beneath the skin on their backs before they grew into fleshy wings. Despite not having mouths, they emitted a strange, high-pitched cry before flying out behind the living throne that was Daybreaker. Out onto the royal balcony and into Canterlot’s evening air they circled until they turned south; Rambling Rock Ridge their destination.

“Cozy Glow,” Talvira continued, earning the pony’s full and nervously undivided attention. “Unfortunately we will have to skip the pomp and circumstances, but you have succeeded in the tasks I set for you. As such, I hereby bestow upon you the title of arch mage of Equestria. Your first official task shall be doubling the number of soldiers you’re creating, as well as refortifying Canterlot’s defences so that any information Midnight Sparkle may give our enemies is outdated.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not fail you.” Cozy Glow quickly curbed a split-second burst of enthusiasm before offering a well-executed bow and turning to head back to work. Ragrol excused herself to follow the ‘unicorn’ out of the throne room towards the entrance to the fleshy caverns below. The two shared a knowing look, smiling that another obstacle to Cozy’s plan was taken care of. With a grin spreading across her muzzle, the new arch mage sent a telepathic signal to her hunters.

Shadow the army heading north to the Crystal Empire. When the battle is at its fiercest, eliminate priority target number two and frame it on the enemy. As the pair of perverted schemers entered the undulating depths and then what was now Cozy’s lab, the former unicorn smirked as her magical senses felt two of her creations make a long circle north.

“Excellent.” She chuckled as she looked up to the bound mare half stuck in the wall. Tendrils siphoned gallon after gallon of milk from the extended nipples of her boulder-sized chest hams. A fleshy blindfold obscured her sight, while a similarly unsettling tube ended in a mask-like funnel that held tightly to her muzzle. Said tube was forcing the unicorn to breathe in some sweet-smelling gas, as it had been for who knew how long by this point. Time had lost its meaning down here. Whatever this gas was, the effects on her body were undeniable. All over, she felt hot. Nowhere was this more prevalent than her oversized sweater-destroyers and her hidden pussy. She moaned behind her mask, yet the small part of her mind that clung to sanity knew her new mistress wasn’t the merciful type.

“Now… let’s see what form has you best suiting my plans, hey Dinky?”

“Well Ah’ll be… We made it.”

Applejack murmured to herself as she unhitched from the wagon she was pulling; the wagon train came to a stop around her. The refugees of Appleloosa, Dodge Junction and the Pie farm gazed north, where the shining spires of the Crystal Empire stood in the morning light some dozen or so kilometres away. Having emerged from Pinkie’s tunnels just south of Galloping Gorge the previous day, the crowd of liberated ponies and the wolfmen of Cortland’s pack protecting them walked through the night to make it this far. They had to, for making camp would have made them easy targets for patrols from Cloudsdale. Although she knew it was in everypony’s best interest to get as far away from the floating town as possible, part of the farmer’s heart wanted to see the athletic mare she knew was waiting up there and try to bring her home.

“Told ya my tunnels would get us here.” Pinkie Pie chirped cheerfully as the earth pony-changeling hybrid bounced along, oblivious to the many sets of eyes that followed her also-bouncing assets.

“I just wish we could’ve gotten here faster.” Grumbled Cortland as he walked up beside his mother. “It felt like we underground for years.”

“Nah,” Pinkie piped up again, making the lupine Apple jump. “It felt more like one year, one month aaaaaaaaaaand… twenty three days, give or take.” As she bounced back over to her overly-buxom sister Marble, Cortland turned and gave the horned earth pony a questioning gaze.

“It’s Pinkie Pie, Sugarcube.” She chuckled in response. “Best not ta question it.” He noticed his uncle Braeburn nodding in agreeance and merely sighed, before a loud bark swivelled the ears of the leaders in its direction. Two of his wolves manning the forward perimeter of the wagon train rushed up to him.

“Cortland,” One of them panted as he pointed north. “We’ve got company.” The Apples, as well as a returning Pinkie Pie, looked up and saw them. Multiple figures flying towards them from the Crystal Empire. As they closed in, all present could tell they were pegasi, their armour glinting brightly in the morning sun.

“Your call, Ma,” Cortland spoke up, turning to his hat-wearing mother. “What’s the plan?”

“Keep everyone calm. Last thing we want’s a fight.”

The lead wolfman nodded as he turned back and spread the word while Applejack and Pinkie Pie stepped forward. Jonagold moved up on his mother’s other flank as several stallions landed ten metres away. As one, they took on a readied stance, but had yet to draw their weapons. One stepped forward, his more distinct armour clearly denoting his higher rank. But it wasn’t just the armour that struck Applejack as curious, given it was the same golden armour of the Canterlot Royal Guard, but that she faintly recognised the stallion wearing it.

“Halt! Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Disciplined focus adorned the faces of each soldier. Their gaze offering as a stern warning, or even a challenge, to give them a reason to draw their weapons. A reason Applejack hoped her side wouldn’t provide as she drew on her many years of doing business to hold a similar air of professionalism.

“Ah’m Applejack, an’ these two are mah son Jonagold, and Pinkie Pie. We’re bringin’ a whole heap o’ r-”

“Applejack?” The leader parroted, shock splashing across his helmeted features for a moment before hardening again. “You really expect me to believe you two are the Elements of Honesty and Laughter?” The disbelief in his voice was unmistakable, and understandable from Applejack’s perspective. She had been in his shoes countless times dealing with raiders from Kludgetown during her time in Appleloosa, so she knew how one felt defending their home.

“Listen here.” Jonagold spoke up, his tone and features displaying an annoyance his mother shared but hid better than he. “We’ve come from all the way from Appleloosa an’ got nothin’ t’ hide. There’s plenty o’ ponies that need help in this wagon train. You just’ gonna turn ‘em away?”

“And the wolves?” The leader replied swiftly. His tone was level and controlled, as was his gaze at the three.

“They’re protectin’ us.” Applejack answered, a steadying hand on her pony sons’ shoulder reigning in his understandable irritation. “Their leaders’ mah son. The pack’ll listen t’ him, and he’ll listen to me.” The stallion in charge paused, yet his steely look never left Applejack even as she could practically see the gears turning in his head.

“Even if that’s the case,” he finally spoke, “you have yet to prove you’re who you say you are.” Applejack could feel annoyance gnawing away at her calm demeanour. Few things got under her coat, but the biggest of the all was being called a liar. But, before she or Jonagold could retort, the third of their delegation finally spoke up.

“Ooooooooooooh.” Pinkie Pie suddenly sounded off as she appeared next to the leader in the blink of an eye, startling him and his troops. “I thought I recognised you. You’re that guard that Twilight had a crush on because you reminded her of someone from that mirror world, right?” All ponies at the standoff were stunned into silence, the soldiers most of all. But as they all tried processing what just happened, it clicked into place for Applejack.

“That’s right… F-Flash Sentry. That’s you, right?” She asked, replacing Pinkie as the target of the leader’s stunned sight. “You were at the princess summit at the Crystal Empire that one time.” The widening eyes told the story as he took off his helmet, revealing his royal blue mane. He looked between the two former Element bearers before snapping a crisp salute.

“…My apologies, to both of you.” Flash spoke, his aggression melting away. “I hope you understand how this looked from the walls of the Empire.” Applejack smiled and nodded as the rest of the Crystal Guard stood at ease.

“Don’t ya worry, Ah understand. You’re willin’ t’ help us out, then?”

Flash nodded. “Yes ma’am. We’ll help escort you all to the empire. But…” He looked a little uncertainly in the distance before locking his blue eyes with Applejack’s green. “You’re certain the wolves won’t cause issues?”

The farmer nodded. “They won’t if Ah tell em not to.” She then turned to her fellow orange-coated child. “Jonagold, go fetch Cortland an’ let em know what’s happenin.’” The earth pony colt nodded and raced back into the crowd of ponies and wagons, while the farmer turned back to the soldiers. “Now, let’s get this wagon train a’movin-”

“Captain!”

A distant shout captures all attention as they see an armoured pegasus flying towards them as fast as he possibly could. Coming to a staggering stop upon landing, he doubles over and pants haggardly to regain his breath.

“C-Captain.” He starts again, looking up to address Flash Sentry. “We’ve, huff, we’ve had, another arrival.”

“Don’t worry, private,” Flash spoke with a small grin as he gestured to the mass of ponies before them. “I’m aware.”

“No, Sir.” The messenger replied, finally standing up to address his superior properly. “Princess Flurry Heart just teleported another mare back. Sir… It’s… The Princess of Friendship, Sir.”

“Twilight?” Both Applejack and Pinkie Pie blurt out in surprise, sharing a quick glance with one another.

“You’re certain?” Flash shot back, his jovial tone turning serious as he came closer to the soldier.

“Yes Sir,” he responded, standing stiffer given his commanding officer was near nose to nose with him. “Lady Rarity was onsite to confirm this herself.”

“Rarity’s here too?” Pinkie loudly exclaimed as Applejack moved next to Flash Sentry.

“Partner, we need ta get there now.” The steely determination in the earth pony’s eyes were mirrored in the pegasus captain, and he nodded in response before addressing his charges.

“Men! Help escort these ponies to the triage area. The wolves are your allies, so do NOT antagonise them. Understood?”

“Sir, Yes Sir!” The armoured ponies automatically responded, all standing to attention before breaking into organised motion.

“Ma?” Applejack turned to see her sons standing nearby. “We’re movin’?”

The Apple matriarch nodded. “Ah need you two an’ Braeburn t’ help get everypony to the Crystal Empire. The soldiers’ are helpin’, so no nonsense fightin’ them, alright?” Her tone, one they had heard numerous times throughout their childhood, indicated to Cortland and Jonagold this wasn’t up for debate. As such, but answered with a nod before also heading back into the crowd. Satisfied, Applejack turned back to the waiting captain. “Alright, let’s get movin.’”

“Oh, how ‘bout instead of running, we jump there?” Pinkie’s suggestion caught the two more serious ponies by surprise. As did when the pink changeling-pony leapt over and wrapped them both up in a big hug. Before Applejack could utter any protestation, a pink light enveloped everything. The next moment, Pinkie’s absurd grip vanished and the honest Apple fell to her knees; trying to shake the cobwebs out of her horned head.

“Consarn it, Pinkie! Give us some warnin’ before ya go ‘n do… do…”

Applejack’s anger was swiftly doused as her emerald eyes took in their surroundings. Gone were the fields to the south of the Crystal Empire. In their place was a veritable city of tents upon verdant green grass. Ponies in both armour and civilian clothing looked on in surprise as the farmer rose to her knees. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Flash rise to his feet, while Pinkie Pie was frozen in place, her eyes locked dead ahead. One glance gave all the answers Applejack would ever need.

For, no more than fifteen feet away from them, were both Rarity and Twilight Sparkle.

Each of the four former Element Bearers wore a shocked look upon their faces as they took in each detail of their friends. Applejack; looking normal save her hooves, small horns, and the enormous tanks of cider attached to her ribcage that denied her the ability to close her shirt. Pinkie Pie; the one with the barest amount of clothing, whilst also sporting a long changeling horn and insectoid wings on her back. Rarity; the most normal-looking of the group, though her horn, and her whole body in general, stood taller while she was dressed in a plain white toga. And Twilight Sparkle; seated on the grass with her serpentine tail coiled beneath her as a cushion, while her wings and a plain yellow sheet did their best to cover the naked pony’s quadra-breasts. For the longest time, none of them moved. Applejack imagined each of them were feeling the same thing she was; shock at what changes remained, and fear of everything they had said or done to each other whilst corrupted.

Finally, it was Pinkie who broke the deadlock, by walking forward, falling to her knees, and tightly embracing Twilight.

“P-Pinkie?” The purple snake-unicorn stuttered. “B-But… I-I thought… Y-You should hate me for-”

“No!” Pinkie interrupted, pulling out of the hug to grab Twilight face and force her to look the party pony in her tearful eye. “That wasn’t you. That was that mean old Midnight Sparkle. You aren’t her.”

“But I-” Twilight was this time stopped by a gentle ivory hand resting upon her shoulder. With Pinkie retracting her grip on the princess’ face, she turned to see the taller Rarity kneeling beside them.

“Pinkie Pie’s right, Darling.” She spoke calmly, yet with the determination all her friends could clearly recognise. “It’s true you did terrible things as Midnight Sparkle, but would you ever think of committing those acts now you’re yourself again?” At this, not trusting her voice to fail her, Twilight simply shook her head. “Then we’re the same.” The fashionista continued. “We’ve all done atrocious things, Twilight. Myself included. But we can’t let who we were control us, or what we did confuse us about who we really are. You are one of the most dedicated mares I’ve ever met, and I know you would never have hurt us if you were as you are now. So, as far as I’m concerned, you and Midnight Sparkle are two separate entities.” Rarity could see her words making their mark upon the alicorn. She thought it through, with the gathered friends almost able to see the gears turning in her mind before a small smile adorned that purple muzzle of hers.

“I… I missed you girls.” She stuttered, her own tears starting to break through as she brought Rarity into her hug with Pinkie. Rarity stood back up as Pinkie gibbered on about how sorry she was for her monstrous past deeds. However, the pseudo-alicorn stiffened as Applejack approached.

“A-Applejack...” She began, her hands fiddling with themselves in worry as she looked upon the now shorter, more overly stacked farmpony. “A-About your family… a-and the things I’ve done, I-” Now it was her turn to be interrupted, with Applejack reaching up to place a hand on her arm.

“Rarity.” The farmer began, clearly uncomfortable speaking about a sensitive topic out in the open like this. “Ah know we have a lot t’ work out, an’ there’ll be time for that. Right now, though…” In a rare display of emotion, the unicorn witnessed something most didn’t see; Applejack tearing up. “Ah’m jus glad t’ have mah friends back.” With that, the honest Apple hugged Rarity tightly, an embrace that the tall unicorn responded to after a moment of shocked hesitation.

“Thank you.” She murmured as the two old friends separated before she caught sight of someone else approaching. “And I’m not the only reunion you’ll have today, it seems.” A nod to behind her made Applejack turn around, and the smile that lit up the farmer’s face could have replaced the sun.

“Ma!” Running towards her was a familiar red mare with golden curls. Dressed in the same black and blue flannel shirt and jeans she departed in, she now also wore a pink bow in her mane and tail as she gave her mother a tackle hug. Applejack’s strong legs meant she wouldn’t fall, and returned the embrace.

“Ambrosia,” she chuckled. “Ah’m glad you’re okay. Been keepin’ yer nose clean?”

“Course Ah have, Ma.” Her cheerful daughter beamed before turning behind her and waving to somepony. “Hey! Auntie Bloom! Ah told ya she was here!”

Applejack’s blood instantly ran cold. With wide eyes, the former Element of Honesty slowly looked up and saw her. She was different, older. Other than what she judged to be F cup breasts struggling to be contained within her red shirt, she was near exactly how the farmer always imagined she’d be.

“A-Applebloom?” She breathed, slowly releasing Ambrosia to move towards her little sister. Applebloom did the same, the two matching each other’s speed as they soon ran across the shortening distance and collided in a tight hug. Applebloom’s sobbing rang out as the pair of Apples slowly sank to their knees, Applejack softly stroking her younger sisters’ mane as her own tears freely fell down her face. She wasn’t sure how long they remained like that, but eventually they pulled back enough for the older sister to hold the youngers’ face in her hands; recommitting every pore to memory.

“A-Ah thought Ah’d never see you again.” Applejack managed through her tears and choked-up throat.

“Sis…” Applebloom sobbed, pushing through the tears. “T-The farm… G-Granny Smith… B-Big Mac…” Her emotional stuttering was shushed by her sister as orange eyes were brought to look into emerald.

“Ah know, Sugarcube… Ah know…”Applejack struggled to not break down, the memories of Flurry and Starlight’s retelling of the state of Sweet Apple Acres and the fate of her family there. “But… A-At least Ah still have you… Ah… Ah’m sorry Ah wasn’t there…” With that, the Apple sisters dove back into their tight embrace, the tears of lost family members mixing with those of happy reunion as Ambrosia joined in on the Apple family hug.

Author's Note

Finally. It's done.
I seem to be saying this every time I post something, but sorry for the long wait. A lot of things piled up. But, finally managed to get this one out. I had been tempted to split this into two separate chapters, but I think it's better to get this out of the way as one cohesive part.
I had also intended to have this be longer, with another two or three more reunions, but I'm happy with leaving it here for now and detailing those interactions later.

I'd always been looking forward to both reunions shown here. Lyra's reunion with Bonbon a tragedy, while the mane six reunion one of emotions pouring out. We also see a little more of Cozy Glow's plan unfolding.
And with four of the six Elements of Harmony now safely back in the Crystal Empire, I think it's time I reveal what the benefits of having them there are for the party;
Twilight: Reverses corruptions as far back as they can go (one corruption of one pony per day, slowly increasing over time)
Rarity: Restoring Purity Points (one pony per day)
Applejack: Wolfpack offers more protection for the Crystal Empire
Pinkie Pie: Will create a care-package for the party (one time boost to party stats).

And now, with this Meanwhile finally out of the way, it means I can really sink my teeth into writing Chapter 23. Stay tuned, cause it's gonna be a doozy.