The parade had been suspiciously well prepared. Amazingly, they even had “Welcome home Luna!” signs adorned with her complete and un-corrupted cutie mark. Celestia’s mark was visible on some decorations, but the majority of the hastily made decorations were clearly for Luna.

Waiting to meet them had been a small crowd lead by Shining Armor. He had been attempting to greet Celestia and Luna properly when Twilight tackled him to the ground.

“Shining! It was amazing! The girls and I did so much, and Rainbow Dash is awesome, and Applejack is so cool, and Rarity is wonderful, and Fluttershy is really kind, and Pinkie is so fun, and I missed you, but now we’re here and Celestia said I get my own lessons and Luna is back and…” He put a hoof on her mouth, silencing her instantly, but her eyes were still filled with glee.

Celestia noted that she secretly kissed his hoof, but did it furtively enough that most ponies probably didn’t notice. Twilight was fairly good at discrete affection when she actually tried. Still, Celestia had something important she needed to do, so Twilight’s due reward would have to wait a short bit.

“Twilight, I know you’re happy to see him, but do you mind if Luna and I have a private conversation with Shining? It will only be a moment. I’m sure you and your friends would love to partake of this celebration.” Celestia would be damned if she was going to let Luna go off on her own quite yet, even to enjoy her own welcome home party.

Twilight looked to Shining for permission, and he nodded.

Celestia sighed. That girl was far too dependent on him. He’d done awful things to her. Perhaps unforgivable things.

Twilight and her friends went to explore the party, and Shining stepped into Celestia’s carriage. She promptly and silently warded it with every privacy ward in existence.

As soon as the wards were stabilized, she glared curiously at him. “I ultimately tutored you for one job. You are far more powerful than Twilight and yet she is the one adorned in the elements. Explain what has happened, and why you sent her on a suicide mission while you dallied here. I’m in a forgiving mood, so do not spare any details.”

Shining merely smiled, his grin a borderline laugh.. “I told you before, didn’t I? I needed her to do it. I meant what I said.”

Celestia paused, thinking back on their conversation. She’d thought he meant that he needed her in order for him to do it, but what he’d actually said was… “You… had told me, hadn’t you?”

“Of course, Princess. I am your faithful student, after all.” Shining slouched comfortably in the seat, the sunlight distorting through the privacy shields across his coat to create ever warping rainbows. “Although, Sometimes I do wish you’d put a little faith in me too, you know?”

Celestia stared at him, trying to read his face. He was relaxed, completely not worried about her response. And why should he be? The outcome had been far beyond what she expected, and he knew it. He was fully aware that in this particular case, she valued the outcome infinitely more than the method.

Luna stayed silent, observing the interaction between the two.

Celestia spoke slowly, trying to figure him out. “Shining Armor, I do trust you. It’s just that the situation with Twilight is far more compromising than a simple black mark on your record.”

He nodded. “I’m assuming that I won’t get away with claiming it’s just incest then, will I?”

She affirmed. “I know what you did to her. How you… trained her from a young age. I understand the depths of your abuse, and you understand the fact that any other stallion would be rotting in Tartarus for what you’ve done to her. I had decided that it was a worthwhile trade if you could…” She glanced at her sister, then back to him gritting her teeth as she finally said out loud what she’d thought for years. “bear the elements when the time came. I decided to overlook your one, incredibly damning, sin.”

He smiled back calmly, shrugging. “Your decision turned out to be correct. You gambled on me and won. Though I sinned with Twilight far, far more than one time, and you know it.”

Luna frowned, but did not speak.

Celestia closed her eyes. This was hard. “I’ve always been aware that you know far more than you let on. Right now, I truly feel as though I can trust you. You’ve done me a favor unlike any other. Tell me your crimes were part of some plan. That you needed to do those horrible things to her. I’m just as guilty as you are. She has had no friends until now, largely because I kept her isolated in fear of your relationship being discovered. She thought I hated her. If you tell me it needed to be, that it was necessary for her to suffer in this way in order for Luna to return, then I won’t ask anymore. I’ll simply accept that you did what needed to be done.”

Luna’s expression hardened in thought.

Celestia hoped he would lie.

He frowned, speaking slowly. “I’ve told you before that I’m on your side, and it’s still true. It always will be. Up until now you have been making a mistake. You thought I was a piece in your game. A piece is not on your side, it is on your board. A piece is not an ally, but a minion. I am your ally, but I do have my own, selfish agenda. I am not a piece on the board Celestia, I am a player with my own board as well.”

Celestia opened her eyes, forcing herself to meet his gaze, her nausea growing.

“And what does that mean, Shining Armor? What agenda could you have that would require you to horribly abuse your own sister?”

He sighed, finally showing some semblance of embarrassment, or perhaps even shame. “Well, if we’re going to be playing games together, I suppose I should put all of my chips on the table.” He tapped his cheeks nervously. “You can do this. Gambate!”

Celestia looked at him as though he’d grown a fifth leg. That word was foreign, in some other language than Equestrian. Stranger still, she’d never seen him nervous. Perhaps his shell was breaking. She decided to push, taking advantage of this rare opportunity.

“What, exactly is your agenda, Shining Armor? And how is it you are, as you said, a player? You are just barely not a child.” Thinking back, some situations suddenly made sense. There had been diplomats who had become agreeable, problems that dissipated, and solutions to be found when thinking back on her daily lessons with Shining. She’d chalked it up to coincidence, or perhaps that talking to him cleared her mind. Shining had been manipulating things behind the scenes, outside of her notice and sometimes even in clear conversation with her without her notice. He likely had been for some time. If he was to be trusted, he was her ally.

He was also infinitely more clever, and dangerous., than she’d given him credit for.

His loyalty was a big “if” right now.

Shining looked up, still visibly nervous. “The truth about Twilight is even worse than it seems. I didn’t realize how badly I messed her up until the cutie mark incident. She was supposed to get her cutie mark as part of a magic test, in a display of power. Instead she got it when I, uh, splattered my cum over her flanks.”

He covered his eyes, looking down and hiding his shame. “We thought I’d stained her fur or something with those stars when she got her cutie mark at the same time. When she realized the cum stains had become permanent, she was… ah… very happy.”

Celestia stayed silent, thoroughly disgusted by him. Was his remorse fake? Did it matter? Bile rose in her throat, and she had no idea how to handle the situation. The light from the privacy ward continued to illuminate them in distorted rainbows of color that danced around the cart, and she noted how she and Shining had the same white coat color underneath the sickening rainbows.

They both were truly terrible ponies.

“By the time you picked me to be your student, it was too late for her. I’d already changed her fate, if not yet her mark. I’ve been working to change her fate to something better than… well, just being my toy.” He shuffled nervously. “I’ve had a certain amount of success. I cajoled into you making her your student along with me. I made sure she attended every class with me. I encouraged her love of books. And now, she’s finally on track for something greater.”

Celestia swallowed her disgust to mull it over later, forcing herself to be practical. “You mentioned her fate twice. Can you read fates, then? Are you a seer?”

He gazed up, looking into the sun through the distorted ward and letting the dancing light fill his unblinking eyes. “It’s something like that. I have some unique skills, you might say. It’s how I knew about Luna.”

Celestia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. That unblinking look of his was not natural. “And now, what do you think your fate is going to be?”

His eyes slowly closed, as a small defiant smile formed. “I don’t need to see the future to know you’re disgusted with me, but you also know I’m useful enough to keep around. Even after what I did to Twilight, you’re still happy enough with the outcome.”

Celestia hated that he was right. “I… yes.”

Shining looked back across at Celestia. “What’s done with Twilight is done. I really didn’t intend to change her fate quite so much, but I did and she’s mine now. I’ll manage her future.”

Luna spoke up for the first time. “Shall thou be married? Is this allowed?”

He shook his head. “No. I can’t marry her. I said I’d take care of her. I’m going to help Twilight become the best Twilight she can be under the circumstances. Unfortunately, that Twilight isn’t married to me.”

Luna nodded, quietly accepting that answer.

Shining Armor continued. “The best outcome for her now is to be in my harem. She will be my number one harem waifu.”

Luna nodded again, sagely accepting that answer.

Celestia blinked. “Say that again, please? I believe I may have misheard you.”

Shining rapped on the wooden carriage floor with his hooves to punctuate his answer. “She’ll be happiest if she’s in charge of my harem.”

Luna continued to nod. “It makes sense. ‘Tis a wise answer.”

Celestia glared at the foal sized Luna. “Luna, please don’t encourage this nonsense.”

Luna looked back at her intently, her tiny eyes brimming with energy. “Tis in no way nonsense, Sister. Twilight yonder is wholly enamored with him, stallionhood and all. ‘Twere a heartfelt declaration that we known with our own ears to seek his carnal affection. To forswear her this would break her, his guilt or not. If marriage is not an option, then happily content concubine seems the answer for us.”

Celestia stammered. “The implications of having a harem are that there will be other mares! Everything else aside, I cannot allow you to do to other mares what you have done to Twilight!”

He nodded. “And I wouldn’t. The other nine or so mares that I have my eyes on are all quite a bit past the age of getting their cutie marks.”

Celestia nearly screamed as the conversation finally and completely spun out of her control. “Nine? Nine! What the buck is wrong with you?”

Shining leaned back, shifting his butt in the seat. “Nothing is wrong with me, exactly. It’s just that, well, my secret agenda is that I’m a complete and utter hentai. It’s total cringe. I’m completely hopeless.”

Celestia stared, wordless. She simultaneously didn’t completely understand his strange language and couldn’t believe his sheer audacity.

Luna tapped her own chin. “Hmm… Nine doth reek of greed. Although, it is not unheard of. King Delemaine was rumored to hast a harem numbered of dozens. Others hadst moe. As it seems thou hast secretly orchestrated our saviors, we see’st no harm ‘i granting such a boon.”

Celestia slowly turned to her sister. Luna couldn’t encourage this mad stallion. “Lu~… Your input is appreciated, but you do not know the social situation nowadays. Everything is very different than a thousand years ago, and such a harem would be unheard of and borderline criminal.”

Luna tapped her chin again, then looked down in a concerned and quiet worry. “Haply thou art right, mine sister. It merely seemed an appropriate boon for mine life.”

The response was like a slap in Celestia’s face. Luna had addressed her formally, and refrained from using the royal we. Verbally, she was deferring to Celestia’s judgment while belittling herself and her value. The realization hurt far more than Celestia had expected. Shining probably hadn’t noticed, since Luna was using the ancient parlance. Celestia glanced at him, and he was staring seemingly aghast at Luna with one eyebrow raised.

Or maybe he had.

Celestia internally cursed her student. Had he foreseen this as well? There was only one pony she would concede everything for under any circumstances. One pony and one pony only. Shining had apparently taken advantage of that fact the whole time he’d been her student.

Why would he stop now?

“Luna, look here. We, you and I, are equals. Time has passed, but you’re right. I’ll make this work, okay? You are worth more to me than anything.”

Luna looked back up, and Celestia saw tears in her eyes. Celestia spoke up again. “No. Not like this. Not again. We’ll do this Luna. Together. Please have patience with me. It’s been a thousand years for me without you. It’ll be some time for me to adjust to your return. But I’m never letting you go again, okay? Never.”

Celestia waived Shining away. “You win, Shining. Write me a letter with your demands, and we’ll coordinate. I’ll arrange for your nine mares.” She didn’t care anymore.

He continued to sit. “No need. I’ll take care of it. Like I said, they’ll have informed consent. Not a royal decree.”

Celestia glared at him, temporarily finding him distasteful and mentally willing him to leave her and her sister alone. “Then what do you want?”

He nodded at Luna and at Celestia. “Permission. Twilight and I would like to stay in Ponyville. I’d like to have the basement of the library refurbished into comfortable quarters where we can host many overnight guests and entertain them—room for nine or more. I’ll take care of the privacy enchantments. You can do Twilight’s friendship lessons by mail, or by visiting us. She’d love if you made the time to visit her, and you’re the one with wings.”

Luna looked quietly and longingly up at Celestia, as if asking permission to speak.

Celestia almost cried at her sister’s sudden meekness. She shouldn’t have corrected her. She should have simply agreed. It was Luna’s first proclamation since her return, even if it was in private. It was for one of her saviors no less.

Celestia bowed her head in deference to Luna. “Luna, this stallion ultimately saved you. I trained and expected him to… end you. He somehow returned you to me instead. I beg you, grant him whatever boons you feel are needed. Please, do not ask for my permission. We are equals.”

Luna’s eyes glinted in gratitude. Celestia closed her eyes, not wishing to watch the coming exchange and merely held her sister.

“Permission? It is granted, savior of ours. What else doth thou summon?”

Shining’s voice came back quickly. “I would like to get in touch with Cadence again. All I ask is that I am allowed to communicate freely with her, with no royal intervention this time.”

Celestia’s ears wilted. That certainly didn’t make her sound good, in retrospect.

Luna’s “Granted” was extra emphatic, and nearly scandalized. “What else?”

His voice was slower this time. “My next request is more complicated. It will require both of you individually to accept. It is not a royal request, but a personal one.”

Celestia kept her eyes shut, and held her sister tightly. “My sister speaks for me.” Nine mares. Of course, two would be her and her sister.

Luna squeezed her back. “Allow us hark to thy crave.”

Shining blinked, momentarily confused before he slowly continued. “I intend to make Twilight an alicorn princess.”

Celestia opened her eyes, and looked at him in confusion. Luna answered first. “We regret that this canst not be done. We alicorns each represent an essence. Twilight bears magic. Magic is powerful, yet is not an essence. Moe so, ‘tis not her deepest nature.”

His smile widened, and Celestia realized that he knew something they didn’t.

“Indeed. Nonetheless, this is what I intend. As I said, I want her to be the best Twilight she can.”

Luna seemed confused. “Then what is thy crave?”

“I wish to make an accordance. Within three years time, I will ensure Twilight ascends.”

Luna’s answer was slow. “What thou offer is yet another boon to us. To hast another eternal would be… delightful.”

Shining Armor shifted again, as though he was uncomfortable on the deep cushion. “I know. That’s why I’m asking you both, personally, for a boon in return—this accordance. Should I be successful, and Twilight ascends within three years, you two will join my harem.”

Celestia’s jaw tightened. It was close to what she expected. Truthfully, she was surprised he didn’t demand Luna and her to immediately perform as his concubines. She had been actively avoiding thinking about it after his confession. Luna looked him up and down in appraisal, then shrugged. “Thy offer for an accordance is one sided. While we hast no complaints, on this we shall not speak for our sister.”

Shining continued shifting in his seat, moving his rump around behind his forelegs legs. “There’s more on the table, of course. Celestia? Should I fail, I’ll agree to be the piece you want. I’ll even give you all my pieces in the process.”

The wood in the carriage was slick, oiled to perfection, but the plush cushions sank quite a bit when one put their weight on them. Celestia sank more than a little while she thought in silence.

“What you suggest for Twilight is impossible.” She stared at him, then sighed. “However, you have already accomplished the impossible once, so I’m led to believe there is a chance.”

He answered frankly. “I certainly believe so, but definitive predictions that far out are difficult for me. I am aware of certain forces I can harness to this end, but it will be dangerous work to use them. If Twilight and I spend the whole time simply having sex, then we’ll certainly fail. To create steel, you need a crucible.”

Celestia sucked in a breath. This did not bode for a peaceful three years. “And you see the fire coming then, do you?”

“I do. Whether she and I are to be burned to cinders, or she is to be tempered, I cannot promise.”

Celestia grew silent again and mulled over the possibilities.

Luna spoke up, her small eyes glinting happily. “We look forward to joining thy harem, Shining Armor. 'I deference, we shall refrain from seeking carnal liaisons till the noted hour. As our preference tends towards mares, should'st thou be successful then thy lauded member shall be the first to grace our honor for many tens and hundreds of years.” She grinned wide, almost playfully. “However, such a bold crave shall be met 'i kind. Should'st thou fail, and survive, we shall compose use of thou as our plaything. Belike we shall woo thy sister and causes thee watch our couplings? We doth receive this to be the moe like issue.”

Shining Armor bowed his head while sitting. “It’s a date, your highness. If I fail and you ah… ‘seduce’ Twilight,” he chuckled slightly, as though the idea was absurd, “you can NTR me all the way. Either way, you and I shall get to know each other more closely.”

Luna looked at Celestia. “What is ‘en-tee-are’?”

Celestia shrugged back. She had no idea. Sometimes Shining used words with no apparent meaning. Like Hikikomori, or neet. Still, she had to give her answer.

“Shining Armor, in this matter I think your task is impossible. However, I cannot fathom how failing this task benefits you, and I admit that the birth of another alicorn is tempting, even given your ludicrous price. I will agree to your terms. I must note that unlike my sister I am much less enthusiastic about your proposal.” Celestia sighed and glared at Luna. “I hope my sister realizes that your potential success will lead to sexually intimate moments between her and I. Not to mention with our potentially new and immortal alicorn niece.”

Luna suddenly blanched, and stuck out her tongue. “This issue didst not occur to us.” She wrinkled up her nose at Celestia, then glared back at Shining. “However, the accord hath been struck. For putting such unfortunate imagery 'i our pate, we now pray thou fail.”

Shining Armor only laughed.

“Don’t worry, your highness. Fucking your sister is more fun than not. I should know.”

Luna huffed, seemingly angry, then leaned forward with a devious smile.

Celestia was appalled by Shining’s ‘offer’, but her disgust melted into joy at seeing her sister’s playfulness. Luna truly looked like she was having fun bantering with him, even stuck in her smaller form. Luna before her banishment would never be so seemingly carefree with one of their ponies, and may have even punished him for his audacity. Celestia hoped she wouldn’t be so cruel to Twilight and Shining, but her little sister certainly had a mean side. The threat to cuckold him was likely real, and since Shining was sure to fail, he must be fine with this. Or perhaps he was confident that Luna couldn’t seduce Twilight? Celestia quietly considered the possibility while Luna continued her game.

“Fie towards the fates, then. 'Tis 'i thy hooves. What else doth thou summon?”

Shining smiled. “Well, it would seem to be fitting for both of our interests if you made time to visit Twilight was well, Princess Luna. It would make it all the easier for you seduce her should I fail, and all the more familiar to her should she ascend. I suppose my request is a regular, weekly visit for her from you personally.”

Luna smiled. “We hit together with thy reasoning. Our presence and thy hope is granted. Although, thou shall anon see that we want never to meet Twilight to woo the lady. We prefer visits 'i the night, though. Is that content?”

Shining smiled back, just as evenly. “Then we’ll see just how well my dream warding magic holds up. Night time is perfect, as long as you don’t mind occasionally finding Twilight and I in compromising positions.”

Celestia snorted in disgust. He meant balls deep in Twilight and smelling of sex. Those two never really stopped, apparently even for a planned royal visit. It wasn’t just obscene, the comment was actually disrespectful towards her sister.

Luna, however, seemed appalled about something else entirely. “Thou would forswear us our sacred dream guarding office?”

He smiled. “If you want to seduce my sister, you’ll have to do it in person. It will be much more agreeable for all involved. I’ll continue to manage her dreams as I always have.”

Celestia stared back, suddenly deeply disturbed. He’d been managing Twilight’s dreams? Did the mare even have the peace of sleep in her own mind to call her own? Even now Celestia had underestimated the depth of his manipulations.

Luna grumped, missing or perhaps not caring about his strange admission. “It had been a great honor and joy for us to ease her rest.”

He only laughed. “What kind of NTR would it be if it was only in your dreams?”

Author's Note

I'm pretty sure this chapter is what killed the one pre-reader I got. I'm so sorry. I'll miss you forever, pre-reader. PM me or comment somewhere where I get notified if you want to be actually recognized, and are still alive.

Hopefully it didn't get too many of the rest of you. If it did, you will be missed.