The Bewitching Hour

Drifting through the vastness of space was a rocky planetoid, with what appeared to be a creaky old mansion resting on the surface. This was no ordinary manor, as it housed a massive creature of abominable strength. It was the residence of the infamous wandering witch, Beatrix Belladonna, who had just woken up from a long sleep.

Stretching and yawning, the violet mare made her way through the halls of the second floor, brushing through her platinum blonde locks tipped in a violet tinge which cascaded scraggly around her shoulders. Candlelight flickered over her shapely form, more teased than concealed by the thin silk nightgown that fluttered under a draft.

Her bare feet padded on floorboards that creaked, her sleepy eyes half-lidded when she disappeared into the bathroom. After doing her business and washing her face, Beatrix quietly wandered back to her room, where another woman slept undisturbed on the opposite side of her spacious bed.

Lady Oona Ewe, the azure sheep shaman from a Lost World, was Beatrix’s mentor and lover, supporting the witch through her most prominent adventures. Soft in both heart and flesh, the kindly dream faun showed only compassion and wisdom to those in need. Currently, she snored lightly as she turned over, her pleasantly plump breasts peeking from under the covers. Her luxurious white wool was illuminated under moonlit rays pouring through the window.

Smiling, Beatrix crept over to her love, stroked the light blue of her cheek, her own supple form's silhouette brought out by the gentle caress of the moon's tender rays.

The witch departed after giving Oona a small kiss to her snout, letting her snooze while finding herself growing restless. So instead, Beatrix made her way towards her sister’s room across the hall, knowing the shapeshifting succubus rarely slumbered.

Standing in front of the door, she gave a couple of soft knocks until Bellatrix’s prim voice answered, “You’re free to come right in, you know.”

“O-oh! Sorry,” Beatrix sheepishly apologized before entering the room, spotting the succubus in question reclining in a wide bathtub. Silky black hair draped over the waters, her tall and voluptuous form crimson, adorned by leather bat wings, horns, and a spaded tail that swished as it slapped water onto her supple skin.

“What seems to trouble you, sister?” Bellatrix asked with lazily half-opened golden eyes, her lips drawn.

“Hope I'm not imposing! It’s just...I can't sleep,” admitted Beatrix, who edged closer to the tub.

“Not at all. The maids drew me a bath in preparation for my nightly massage,” explained Bellatrix, who shrugged dismissively as she lounged in the steamy waters, the air filled with faint vapors and the scent of sensuous perfume. “Speaking of which...”

The crystal pony earth mares wandered from the bathroom, supplies in tow. Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse were twins, their manes in bob cuts, a shade of pastel coral pink, a slightly different shade from their bright eyes and coats of thin fur over shapely forms. The former was the elder of the two, scars left on their necks where their heads had been removed and traded, hidden below chokers.

They wore dainty stylized uniforms complete with pleated skirts, stockings, heels, and headdresses. Their cleavage glittered in the moonlight, their shapeliness akin to a prism that made them resemble living jewels.

“Please enjoy! We live to serve,” they said in unison with a curtsy. Immediately the sisters lathered up their palms in soap and started to wash the she-devil, who sighed in delight.

Giggles escaped the duo as they worked their mistress over. Bellatrix was connected to the mansion's nervous system, as her home was an eldritch abomination in disguise, which shifted its interior at the whims of its symbiotic keeper.

“If you want, you're free to sleep here,” offered Bellatrix. “But I don’t think it be wise to let Oona rest alone.”

“No, of course not! I'd just rather not wake her up while she dreams. She makes the cutest sounds~!” Giggled Beatrix, plopping onto the massive, heart-shaped bed with a playful bounce. She leaned her chin on her palms and kicked her feet. “You know me, sis. I can never stay in one place for so long! So much to do, things to see...”

“People to fuck...?” Bellatrix added slyly.

“W-well, if things should come naturally~” She admitted with a blush as her eyelids began to grow heavy. In contrast to her quiet room, the stimulation made her much more tired.

Her sister rolled her eyes. “Always such a child,” she sighed, rising with a splash and swishing her mane back. Droplets rolled down her denuded curves, and the maids toweled her off on both sides. She stepped onto a mat then strolled over to a carpet where she reclined on her belly. Tender hands were oiled up as the twins began to work over every inch of her flesh until she quietly mewled and squirmed.

“Can’t help it! Every day is a new… oooaaah... adventure,” murmured Beatrix, starting to drift off once more.

Bellatrix kept her mewling to a minimum as not to disturb her sister’s slumber. But what none of them realized was that the mansion had been compromised. Zeloph the Fallen One, Beatrix’s old lover turned enemy, had recently infiltrated the manor. Through his interaction with the reaper who had beheaded the twins, Shadow Scythe, she had left here to piece together her missing memories, having carved a hole through the creature to acquire dimensional travel.

As a result, the abomination could link up with alternate worlds and unexplored regions of the galaxy. And from this gashly wound, extraterrestrial energy poured out from other universes, and began to affect the dreams of all who slept inside...

*****

Moonlight River, a thestral mare who trained for the fabled Lunar Guard, had always thought of herself as 'one of the boys' when she trained hard to keep up with her peers. They had run the obstacle course to exhaustion, sweaty and sticky in their military uniforms. Grayish-purple skin stuck to a mane that curled over one half of her face as she huffed.

“What's the matter, boys? Can't keep up?” She placed a fist on her hip, heart ready to explode after she hit the finish line first.

“Made it,” called Midnight Blitzer, who sailed next to her. Usually, the fluffy blue-furred pegasus could beat her, his enlarged wingspan better built for speed despite its clumsy appearance. His emerald eyes sparkled with innocence. “Woo! Good job, Moony! Always knew you could do it!” He congratulated her between pants, beads of sweat stuck to his spiky, wild mane, a darker shade of blue. “Phew.... Man, I’m sore!”

“Think I beat my record that time?” She asked, swishing her drenched mane.

“I’d say that’s a guarantee! We’ve both been working hard, though I can’t say the same for the other guys,” Midnight chuckled, his ears perked at the sound of groaning behind them. He obliviously stretched his expansive plumage to the fullest, Moonlight's narrowed eyes drawn to them. “Can’t complain, though. We're top of the class!”

“That's because we have a real reason to fight,” Moonlight reminded. “I’m sure everyone here has lost family and loved ones, but things are more…personal with us.” Her mood turned somber for a moment. While it wasn’t right to compare suffering, she knew poor young Midnight had witnessed some of his family's senseless slaughter by the changelings firsthand.

Behind that cheery smile and childish demeanor was a repressed truth.

How could she possibly comfort him after a trauma that ran so deep...?

The flutter of wings and stomp of hooves sounded behind them. More stallions and mares crossed over, each trainee a potential who different units might scout if they showed enough promise. While the war with the changelings had supposedly reached its end, there were still small nests hidden across the Everfree Forest, which had grown out of control since civilization's fall and now blanketed the entire continent. Thus, peacekeepers were still in high demand.

A whistle sounded as the last cadet cleared the course. The pair turned back to look at the walls, pits, and other blockades that made it difficult to fly, as, despite their advantage, the Captain stressed they wouldn't be able to rely on flight in every situation. The stallion in question, Shining Armor, watched over his troopers who snapped to attention before him.

“You all did well,” he complimented as he hobbled up, one of the war hero's legs crippled in the war that had wiped out most of the pony population. A creak sounded from the metal around it. “Though it won’t be enough, should a surprise raid ever hit us.”

“Shining Armor, sir,” boldly cried Moonlight, who stared ahead. “Don’t you think most of the changelings were dealt with?”

“That could be true,” he contemplated, knowing rumors spread like wildfire among the military academy. “But do not forget; it takes one to form a new hive and spread their numbers. Especially if it's a female with the potential to become a queen if she eats royal honey! I needn't remind you what we sacrificed just to take Chrysalis out…”

A grim silence hung over the trainees. Had it not been for their rulers, most who sacrificed themselves, many more towns and capitals would have fallen to changeling hierarchy.

One by one, the wizened alabaster unicorn passed the lineup. Moonlight swallowed hard and shifted on her clawed feet while Midnight tried to keep a stoic expression. Last time he failed to conceal a smile, the captain came down particularly hard on him. Nonetheless, he couldn’t hide the sweat as Shining Armor observed the blue pegasus.

“You were slower than last time, Midnight,” he grimaced, shifting onto his bad leg.

“I’m trying my best, sir,” replied Midnight honestly.

“That’s also what you said last time. If that’s your best, I’m afraid to think of all the lives you’ll let down, should another outbreak happen.” Shining Armor turned to address the rest of their squadron. “The princesses believed more changelings could invade at any moment. That's why we continue to do this! Earn your uniforms, and who knows? You might be more than just peacekeepers someday.”

“Sir!” The cadets cried in unison when they shot him a perfectly timed salute.

“Now go clean yourselves up. Report back at 1400 hours. Dismissed!” Shining Armor turned his back on the cadets who split up, his uniform in pristine condition over his bulky muscles and adorned in several medals since he was a renowned war hero.

Midnight remained motionless until Moonlight elbowed him in the ribs. “Let's not wait up. The sooner we're clean, the sooner we can relax, yeah?” She smirked.

“Yeah…. Sounds good to me,” answered Midnight as he followed alongside her into the unisex shower rooms, his chipper personality coming through. They had been drilled not to cut loose too much in here, aware that the captain or someone else in charge could drop in unannounced at any time. But that didn’t top the cadets from blowing off steam in the stalls, so long as no one went too far. Hot water sprayed from the nozzles and vapors partially obscured the tiles as the trainees stripped.

“Race you,” she teased and started to chuck off her clingy uniform.

“Hey! No fair, that’s cheating!” Midnight scrambled to keep up while she burst into laughter. He almost caught up as she unhooked her bra and slid off her panties, the offensive garments tossed aside as her shapely breasts bounced free.

He studied her more with curiosity than lust, her ample curves somewhat slimmed by the muscle she'd built up. Midnight failed to notice how the batmare subtly posed for him to accentuate her lithe but ample assets.

In secret, Moonlight dreamed for the day he wouldn't see her like a sister...but as a mare. To look at her with desire and possessiveness, to take her as his bride. Maybe one day, they could settle down and start a family, away from all the warfare.

“You've built up some nice abs,” he observed and innocently prodded them.

“Erm, thanks…though I’m not sure most mares would take that as a compliment,” she chuckled awkwardly. At least Midnight found her aesthetically pleasing, despite his lack of innate desire. Sometimes, Moonlight didn't understand why she wanted him so badly.

Was it because they had so much in common? Both of their immediate families were ravaged by the invaders. She had been shipped to relatives, who were kind enough to take Midnight in and raise him as their own. Not long after, they enlisted despite their youth, trained for years to become peacekeepers. But now, they were approaching their late teen years and not a single step closer towards their goal.

Midnight, in particular, was antsy at times. While she was content to try and help keep the changeling population down, the mere mention of them made his feathers and fur stand on end. The pegasus quietly smoldered, almost in a trance at times, and her snout would purse in concern whenever she did her best to comfort him.

Moonlight shook away such dreadful thoughts and dashed ahead, her childhood friend close behind. Her hips swayed, and her plush buttocks quivered, soon awash in steamy water that poured down her curves as she seized his hand and yanked him to her. After a workout session, she always felt particularly frisky, but unfortunately, knew he would never take that final step.

“Careful,” she teased and grabbed his biceps to steady him. Her sizable breasts squashed into his muscular chest, and her cheeks colored, reminded of how skinny he'd once been and how hard he'd worked to change that, still boyish as he matured.

“Thanks!” He smiled back as her bosom heaved and his chiseled musculature similarly shuddered. Then, like usual, she started to preen his expansive wingspan, an intimate act that made him quietly whimper as he closed his emerald eyes.

But despite her sensuous touch, his shaft didn't so much as mildly stir, even when it casually slipped and rubbed against her tight slit, which made her mewl low.

“F-fuck, man. Just put it in already...” She mumbled to herself without thinking.

Midnight quirked an eyebrow. “Put what in?” His voice carried through the chambers, muffled only slightly by the hiss of showers and the slap of bare flesh as cadets washed. Raunchy laughter burst out around them.

“Put i-in…uh, another obstacle course!” She blurted out as her face burned brighter. Moonlight attempted to spin on her heel and retreat out of shame, only to slip on a bar of soap and yelp as she tumbled. Her ample bottom smacked on the tiles as she slid, desperately clawed for support, and seized Midnight by the wrist, where he was pulled down with the thestral and landed atop her.

There were cheers and whistles around them once they found themselves in a compromising position, limbs tangled up as they awkwardly stumbled back to their feet. Midnight shook his head and chuckled too, unsure why everyone found it so funny.

Fury threatened to overwhelm Moonlight, but instead, she seized a towel off a rack, rolled it up, and started to land wet smacks on bare asses of stallions and mares like to send them off. “Yeah, yeah, yuck it up! Don’t forget I still kick your asses half the time!”

Of course, with what those two had lost, it was no surprise they worked themselves senseless to win. Many of the cadets obviously didn't take this too seriously, convinced the war was over. But she worried their enemy was just hiding, the queen biding her time until she could rise anew.

“Still haven’t found Chrysalis’ body,” noted Midnight like he could read her mind.

“True. But it's the same for the princesses, so there’s hope,” Moonlight proposed. The thestral’s arms were sore after smacking so many flanks. Though most prayed that none of the alicorns survived. For if they did, it meant the were held captive by the remaining changelings, minds likely broken beyond repair, made into into living wombs to incubate countless eggs until expiration.

Regardless, the Solar Guards and Lunar Guards were still active, the latter of which offered Moonlight honorary membership.

She helped Midnight dry off his enormous wingspans, after which the pair redressed. The rest of their day was routine, worked to exhaustion, to the point where Midnight complained, “Why is Shining Armor so hard on me? He’s always singling me out!”

“Yeah, but he's pretty slack compared to most instructors, from what I've heard,” she panted, staring at her clawed feet.

Moonlight couldn't tell him the truth, her memory heavy with a fateful day when the captain had called her into his office.

She had swallowed hard, and her heart almost skipped a beat, prepared to be punished for insubordination since she had a tendency to run her mouth. But instead, he'd simply stood there in silence at his desk, his weathered features dark and heavy.

“At ease, soldier,” said Shining Armor. Around the war hero were shelves lined in trophies that marked past exploits, reminders of the world before it had fallen. “You're not in trouble. I called you here because I acquire your assistance.”

“Me? What can I do, sir?” She tried to relax her posture, despite her reservations.

“It's...a personal matter. About Midnight Blitzer. I know this isn't fair, but...can you keep a secret?” Moonlight nodded her head before he continued. “Good. You've always taken care of him. He's a brave kid, strong and sharp for his age. But he’s also too naïve for his own good. Takes after his father, I suppose...” He exhaled heavily.

“Sir? I don't follow.” She nibbled on her lower lip with a fang, leather wings drawn close.

“After I lost my wife in the invasion, I was a mess. Couldn’t return home after my sister and parents disappeared. At that point, I didn't see any reason to live on. I mean, what's the point if it can all be wiped away so easily? That’s when I met this mare; Blizzard was her name. Neither of us intended it, but we were lost and alone, so...stuff just kind of spiraled out from there.”

“Blizzard? Blizzard…” Realization dawned over Moonlight after muttering that name a couple more times. “W-wait! isn't that-”

“Midnight's mother, yes,” Shining confirmed. “Grief led us into bed, and I fathered a pair of twins. I didn't know that at the time, and Blizzard kept it a secret once her son and daughter were born. She was determined to make sure Lightning and Midnight didn’t follow in their father's footsteps, should they ever know. But in hiding the truth, it cost Midnight a mother and a sibling...”

He choked on the words and turned his back on her, struggling to say more. She waited patiently and tried to digest the implications of all this, wondering why he couldn't tell Midnight himself. Was he too ashamed too? Did he feel like he'd abandoned him all this time? Maybe the captain believed ignorance would somehow protect the poor pegasus?

“Swear to me,” Shining Armor requested in an almost desperate tone, unable to help but shake. “Swear to me you won’t tell him.”

“I-I swear, sir,” she nodded and closed her eyes, unable to keep a single tear from escaping as she clawed her sides. “I promise I won’t say a word about this to him.”

“Thank you,” he answered stiffly. “Sorry to burden you like this, but since you're the closest to him, I figured I’d let you know.”

“Is that why you're so hard on him? Because you’re worried? I think he'd rather feel loved.” She knew they couldn't afford to coddle soldiers, but maybe he would be inspired to try even harder, should the captain took him under his shield?

Shining Armor chuckled wearily. “I can’t show favoritism. I’m already unprofessional in telling you all this. Nonetheless, you'd better head back to your friends and family.”

Moonlight nodded, offering a salute before quietly leaving the office. She briefly paused upon hearing quiet sobs from outside.

With a shake of her head, the batmare pushed herself onward, lest she allowed herself to break down as well.

A short time later, she returned home. Moonlight retreated to her room, her home shared with extended family and Midnight. But tonight, she headed straight to her room, unable to face her friend right now. Her work desk was covered in various weapons and tools she constructed by hand, like Midnight determined and prepared should another war truly prove to be on the horizon.

Tiny darts that could be hidden in her wingtips were filled with sedatives. Bracers with extended claws could be fastened onto her arms, each ready to be coated by toxins designed to assault the unique physiology of the insectoid changelings. Yet, a certain paranoia still beset ponies, aware the shifters could permanently hide in the crowds as they infiltrated, ready to strike.

Her fingertips traced a portrait of Midnight on her desk, next to a picture of her deceased parents. An ache swelled in her heavy heart, because no matter how much she wanted to share the truth with him, she had sworn before Shining Armor not to.

Quiet sobs were audible through the thin walls. Her heart ached, no doubt that Midnight was having another nightmare, as he whimpered and called for his parents and twin sister, Lightning Spark. Most of her family kept their distance from him, told her it was better to give him space, but she couldn't simply leave him alone. Not when she knew how much he needlessly suffered.

It was the invaders! They did this to them! Their numbers continued to swell out in the wilderness! Maybe in a hive under the earth!

“We'll be ready too,” she swore, the bracer fastened into place as she studied the shiny claws that shimmered under soft lamplight that made her shadows danced over the dim interior. “I won't hesitate to end you!”

A short time later, Midnight would disappear. The rest of her family assumed he had run away. Shining Armor speculated he'd went off on his own to hunt the enemy. Some feared he'd perished. It wasn't until much later when Moonlight would learn the truth.

By no choice of his own, Midnight had been whisked away to a paradise world, where he would have his fateful encounter with Beatrix. One that would forever bind the two, because an innocent wish of Beatrix's had altered his past, to make them half-siblings.

*****

Beatrix awoke with a cry, hand clutching her torso. Somehow, the witch was back in her own bed, uncertain if her sister had carried her there or if she had sleepwalked back.

“Bad dream?” A voice stirred beside her as Oona rose with a yawn. Despite the shaggy hair that framed her, the plump sheep sage appeared graceful and cute, rubbing the sleep out of her honey-brown eyes.

“No, it wasn’t,” Beatrix assured, scratching her head. “I…I can’t remember, actually.”

Her lover dreamily smiled before pulling the witch into her motherly bosom to stroke her mane. “Sounds like whatever ye wair dreamin’ aboot was quite eventful. No worries, mah love. Ye’re always safe with me,” Lady Ewe whispered silkily into her ear, placing a kiss on her temple.

“M-maybe it wasn’t important?”

“Mmm, dreams can often be random an’ make little sense. Other times, they provide precious insight, visions ov tings yet tae come. But whit matters is that ye’re okay. So Ah ask Ceann Oga, are ye okay?”

Beatrix looked up with starry eyes at her lover, smiling as she replied, “Of course I’m okay. I’m with you~!”

Blushing, the sheep shaman allowed her student to snuggle into her wool. Dawn had yet to break, but it was clear neither of them would be able to sleep once more after that outburst.

Together, they slid from the bed as Beatrix cast off her sweaty gown while adorning Oona’s housecoat. The lovers walked hand-in-hand to the balcony that overlooked the greenery outside. Stars twinkled in the darkness, a reminder of her own cutie mark, shaped like a swirling cosmos. A gentle breeze washed over the couple who linked fingers. Whenever she was troubled, she could always seek solace here with her love.

After a moment, Beatrix found her voice. “I've helped the multiverse more than I've hurt it...haven't I...?”

Lady Ewe's grip tightened. “Ah believe it’s a matter ov perspective. None ov us are truly aware ov whit consequences our actions may bring. Ye’ve made plenty ov enemies, yes. But ye’ve also saved an’ touched many lives. Mine included, of course."

“You’ll always be here to teach me, right?”

“Ah think we’re past th’ point where Ah can teach ye anythin’ new. But A’ll always offer ye encouragement an’ advice.”

“And cuddles~?”

The sheep woman snickered. “And cuddles~.”

There was a chirp of birds to welcome in the dawn. The planet, once barren, had started to team with life brought in from other dimensions by Bellatrix, who sought to build a proper ecosystem here. Butterflies danced below and dew speckled on the flowers. The dim light of an artificial, magically created sun peeked through the fluffed-up clouds.

For some reason, the lovers thought back to the utopian paradise world, an Eden where clothes were forbidden. They had first encountered Midnight there, Beatrix unaware she had stumbled on his home planet before and altered his life course.

Many creatures had slipped through the cracks while they dreamed and ended up in that Eden. Lady Ewe had speculated that the planet was somehow drawing several distraught people there in an attempt to repopulate it. Though she doubted anyone would ever know for sure. Beatrix had helped return those there to their rightful universes, with a few choosing to stay.

Surely, that was an example of how her interference in different planes ultimately made a positive difference, wasn't it...?

She could indeed be careless and a tad thoughtless at times, but her lovely teacher would help keep her on the right track!

In contrast to the peace above, in the depths of the mansion, a wall pulsed in sync with the abomination's uneven heartbeat.

The wound in the manor continued to bleed and leak out in the darkness, so subtle the creature nor its mistress could detect it...