In the sex chamber
Ocellus sat up with a soft moan. She took a moment to look over Rainbow Dash before turning to FrostBite. "I have a bad feeling that I missed something big." She sat back and rubbed her belly. "I wonder… why hasn't the queen ever thought of gathering love like this?"

Looking FrostBite over she licked her lips. "Maybe I'll talk to somepony about making a model of it… for… research purposes of course." Letting out a soft giggle she wobbled to the door before looking back at them. "Yeah… research…"

In the dream scape
Luna entered Rainbow's dreamscape, and looked around. It was surprisingly… earthy. She had expected some excitement. Like a fight or an adventure with Daring Doo. But instead she was greeted by a well lit hut. Much like she saw back before Nightmare Moon happened.

Letting out a soft sigh she smiled at the thought that Rainbow was going to be ok… until…

"Princess?" A weak voice called from the shadows.

"Rainbow? Is something wrong?" She asked before slowly approaching the voice. Lighting her horn, Luna saw Rainbow Dash laying on her side in visible pain. "Rainbow. Are you?..."

Rainbow forced a smile. "I… guess my cockyness got the better of me." She laughed, before doubling over in pain.

Luna looked her over in panic asking. "What happened to you?"

"Dragon mating ritual… I think. Wasn't expecting the pain."

Luna blinked and sat down. "But… that doesn't sound right."

"Come again?"

"I have seen this ceremony once before." She explained. "And it wasn't as dramatic as this."

"There was a risk of death… right?"

"It was a pony with a dragon… so… yes. However, unlike with you. They weren't so close to death's door. Nore in as much pain." Luna sighed.

"Is there anything you can do to help me?" Rainbow asked hopefully.

"This is something you must push through alone." Luna replied. After a moment she noticed something that had been nagging at the back of her mind. Smiling, she looked around. "But I may be able to help… direct you. Hold on. I'll be back." She instructed before rushing off.

Rainbow's head flopped to the floor as one word escaped her lips. "Hurry."

Ponyville Square
Spike ran down the street. He didn't have much time and knew he had to act fast. If he didn't find Twilight soon. He had a bad feeling that things would change for the worse.

Rounding the corner he slid to a stop. Instant regret for picking an alley at night crossed his mind as he came face to face with a dark figure.

"To quote Rarity." He muttered to himself. "This is the. Worst. Possible. Thing."

"Hello my dear friend." The figure cooed. "I'm happy to see you."

Spike felt a strange erg enter his mind at the look of the figure's eyes. Looking away Spike replied. "I don't know who you are. But I'm in a hurry."

"I understand. You want to find your friends. I just thought we could talk for a bit. I might even be able to help you get with… Rarity."

"Rarity? What are you talking about?" Spike snapped as he turned to the figure, still not daring to look it in the eyes.

"You're right." It sighed. "She doesn't deserve you. But I know some girls that would love to get to know you better. And treat you like a dragon should."

Spike gulped. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought you were in a hurry." It countered smugly.

Thinking for a moment Spike sighed. "Just say what you need to already." He huffed, for a moment forgetting to avert his gaze and looking at the figure.

As soon as their eyes met it smiled. "I have some plans. And would love for you to be at my side." The figure laughed.

Ponyville Shopping District
Shining Armor looked around for clues of where his daughter might be. Recently, he had heard about what his daughter had done when she thought nopony was looking. And decided to look for such… incidents.

Taking a deep breath he sighed before feeling a familiar presents. Taking in a deep gasp Shining rushed to the source of magic, soon arriving at Rarity's Boutique.

Minutes earlier in Carousel Boutique
Flurry and Rarity sat and enjoyed their tea. Rarity was still surprised about the appearance of the once baby pony that now sat before her. And to add the surprise of it, Flurry looked about the same age as her.

As she was about to say something, a voice spoke from the kitchen as a white stallion walked out with a tray of finger sandwiches and fresh tea on his flank. "You know. I always find it odd how no matter how often I walk into a room. The locals were confused."

"How?..." Rarity questions as Flurry looks at him in annoyance, as the stallion simply smiled.

"Like that." He laughed, before turning to Flurry. "You look upset… shouldn't you be younger?"

"Yes." She huffed.

"Oh… well that explains quite a bit." He thought for a moment before smiling. "Oh. But don't worry. Everything will work out." He laughed, setting the tray on the table. "I should go… take care of… a thing." With a bow, he made his way out the back door.

"What was that about?" Rarity asked.

"Don't bother. He makes less sense than Auntie Pinkie. And sadly a lot more often." Flurry sighed. "It's easier to let him do his thing and correct him on events."

Rarity sighed. "Sounds like something Twilight would like to talk about." At that the two started to laugh.

"It's good to hear Twily hasn't grown out of that." A voice laughed.

The two turned to look at him in shock. "Shining Armor? What brought you here?" Rarity asked in shock.

"I came for my daughter." He replied.

Flurry looked away, hopping he dosen't notice her. "I… hope you find her."

"I have no doubt I'll find her." He replied with a knowing smile. "But it would be nice for her to stop playing hide and seek."

Flurry smiled at the memories. "Sounds like she really likes that game."

"And I enjoy playing it with her. Even though she cheats." He teased.

Unable to resist any more, Flurry turned and tackled him in a hug. "Daddy!"

"Hay sweetheart. What have you been up to?" Shining asked.

"It's a long ocward story." She laughed before getting offered a room by Rarity so the two can talk.

Ponyville housing district
Cadence sighed as she looked around for any clues on where the others might be. Upon spotting a closer looking trio of ponies she smiled and quickly moved closser.

"Children!" She called. "I would like to speak with you." She said softly.

The three turn and smile at her.

"Howdy princess. What's the matter?"

Cadence stopped and blinked for a moment looking at the three. "First. Weren't you… younger?"

The three look at each other and laughed. "Yea." Sweetie Belle laughed. "I don't get it. I was surprised when I saw Scootaloo was a bit bigger." She laughed.

"Yea? At least my tits didn't grow faster than the rest of me. Unlike you." Scootaloo countered.

The three laughed before being joined by Cadence. Sweetie blushed at the remark. "At least my flank isn't a beachball." She teased, with a glance to Apple Bloom before joining the laughed.

"Ok. Let's hear what the princess needs." Scootaloo sighed.

"Have you seen your sisters?" Cadence asked. "Also… how did you get older?"

"They're probably at FrostBite's place." Sweetie replied. "But my sister is at her shop. And we don't know. It just started after we found a new type of drink… why do you ask?"

"You want some?" Scootaloo offered.

Cadence closed her eyes. "Say no. Just say no and go find the others. Deal with these three later." She thought to herself.

"I really shouldn't." She replied with a soft smile.

Scootaloo held up a glass with a smile. "Not even one glass? It really helps relax. In some ways." She offered while muttering the last part.

After a moment of thought Cadence sighed and took the glass with her magic. "Ok… but the three of you will need to help me. And distract FrostBite so I can talk to the girls in private." After receiving a nod, she started to slowly drink the thick, surprisingly sweet milk.

FrostBite's house
Twilight went upstairs after getting told to stay for Rainbow's sake. Looking at each room, she noticed the changes that were made from their blueprints. She had to admit, the rooms looked like they would be welcoming to nearly any race.

As she aproched FrostBite's room she stopped and looked in shock at the sight of Sunset and Fluttershy laying on pillows with collars around their necks. The most surprising part was how happy Fluttershy sounded to belong to somepony.

"I know right? Then again, I get the feeling Twilight would just stick with friends with benefits." Sunset laughed, causing Fluttershy to giggle.

Hearing Fluttershy agree with the comment, Twilight blushed knowing that was what she was partly thinking of doing. Her blush only grew when she heard. "If it was for research, Twilight might be able to talk him into taking her as a mate."

Twilight quickly and quietly moved past the room and quickly ducked into the room that Applejack had told her about. "What am I thinking?" She panted as she flopped onto the bed. "Are they right?" She pulled out her notes and looked them over.

She didn't know what to think. From what her notes said, she was more than satisfied with what she did. She even was considering on asking to be a part of the herd. It scared her of how easy and quickly that thought came to her.

Her eyes widened as she looked over the last of her notes. On the final page was a spell and plan to include heat. "Buck."

Author's Note

This chapter ended up being longer than expected. But I think it opens up doors to several events that can spice up the story. Also. How should be the next to join? Or who should present the opportunity?