Paranoia, Passion and Preparations

Twilight paced back and forth as Sunburst watched in concern. "Not good. Not good." She began. "Who knows what he'll do if he finds FrostBite with one of the girls. Or worse… what if he falls victim to the same unknown force they did?"

"Twilight?"

"What if they get into a fight? Not saying Flash can't handle himself. But FrostBite is part dragon. He'll get creamed."

"Twilight!" Sunburst shouted as he grabbed her shoulders. "Breath. Look. I worked with Flash a few times in the Crystal Empire. And I know he's not foolish enough to face an opponent unprepared." He waited for her to calm down before continuing. "And I never thought you were the type to be so… determined on labeling anypony as evil. So why don't we step back and work together and figure this mess out."

Twilight took a deep breath and smiled. "You know. It's times like this I'm glad I have friends like you and Starlight. Speaking of which…"

"Last I heard. She was visiting our hometown… she should be back soon."

"Then we don't have much time." She declared as she started pulling scrolls from her saddle bag. Getting the hint Sunburst led the way over to a table. And together they went over the information Twilight was able to gather.

In Ponyville

Sunset sat at the dining table with the girls and looked each of them over. "What's with the collars?" She asked.

Fluttershy blushed as Rainbow smiled with a shrug. "It's a pegasus thing."

"Meaning?"

Applejack adjusted her hat as she listened in. "I'm not clear on the details myself. Y'all mind explaining?"

Rainbow Dash tapped her chin for a moment. "Well… it basically lets other pegasi know you already with somepony."

"Like an engagement ring?" Sunset asked.

The two pegasi bit their lips before Rainbow replied. "More or less. None-pegasus ponies don't do it nowadays because of the implications it has. In a herd… it means we belong to him body and soul."

"Why would you do something like that?" Sunset asked.

Applejack held back her laughter. "I didn't peg ya as being such an egghead RD."

"To answer your question Sunset… spend the night with him and tell me you'd be fine letting him go. And as for you AJ… It was drilled into us in flight school." Rainbow remarked.

"Just because a guy is good in bed doesn't mean I'll be willing to give myself to him so freely. There has to be more to it." Sunset counter.

"She has a point surgercue." Applejack laughed. "Y'all need to spend some time with him to see what we see."

"And don't worry. He'll be home soon… I hope." Smolder assured.

In the unknown shed

FrostBite gently took bothe Gallus and Sandbar by the back of their heads and pulled them closer. "Last chance to back down." He exclaimed.

"Take us." Sandbar squeaked.

"For the record. I don't do bottom." Gallus started to protest before his face was pressed against FrostBite's sheath. "On the other claw. There's a first time for everything."

FrostBite rolled his eyes before letting the two go to town as they worked to get him ready for what he was about to do to their unexpected holes.

Meanwhile Sugarcube Corner

Flash Sentry and Pinkie Pie shared a nice relaxing bath… for a few minutes at least before Pinkie got another twitch.

"Something wrong?" Flash asked.

"No… not really…" She replied as she fought the urge to dig out her toys. "Say… Flash. Mind helping me with something?"

"I don't mind." He replied.

She smiled as she pressed her hoof into his back. A moment later Flash collapsed like a house of cards. "Sorry about that." Pinkie giggled. "But if you knew what I needed, you would've ran. And then you wouldn't be able to have any of that special milk."

"Pinkie… what are you talking about?" Flash asked as he looked over to see her with a strap on.

"Sorry. I reeeeeealy need this. And so do you." With that Pinkie flips off the lights.

Ponyville Park

"And that is why I think something is wrong about FrostBite." Twilight explained. "No pony is THAT good with mares."

"No… you have a point." Sunburst agreed. "But did you consider that maybe they really do have feelings for him? Or that MAYBE… they just really wanted it?"

"Not possible. Applejack isn't that kind of mare."

"So you said."

"And Rainbow isn't into stallions."

Sunburst facehoofed. "Let me guess…"

"Well… why else would she spend so much time around Applejack and Pinkie Pie? Plus, she rarely ever is around any guys."

Sunburst sighed. "Right. Because the list of guys around here she WOULD hang out with is so big. Face it Twilight. The only reason you think that is because of the lack of guys she likes." Sunburst countered. "That and you want her rivalry to be a cover up for something."

"Because it is. They even moved in together."

"Have you seen the bills she has to pay? I have. And let me tell you. It's a miracle she went this long on a weather ponies salary."

"But…. But her wings… Pinkie's outfit…."

"She told me about that one… half the guards reacted the same way. And most of the mares that had coltfriends."

Twilight sat back as she thought about it. "Well… there goes my ship…" She sighed before smiling. "Then the least we can do is make sure my friends are happy, safe and not being manipulated into having fake feelings."

With renowned vigor, the two go back to work.

Castle of Friendship
The feminine figure sneaks down the halls of the Castle of Friendship. Stopping a moment to stare at a statue of a very muscular stallion. After licking her lips she quickly turned away and continued. "Well I now know what he meant by that at least."

Critical Empire
The white stallion was welcomed into the room where two ponies looked at him with concern. "Give me a moment. I need to remember which Twilight I'm talking about." He explained as the two looked at each other with a rising fear.

Author's Note

Things seem to be getting out of hoof rather quickly. And who knows how things will end at this rate I know I don't. Really. I think a strand of my original plan is still intact. But... yea. I think it's getting about time I pull the plug of the kinky and get back on track. Now... who should be the one to get the plot rolling again?...