The Best Massage

Spike, Wild Rose, and Rogus looked at Rarity as she’d said a theory that even Spike had to admit was truthful and believable.

“You have a point, Rarity,” Spike said.

Rarity turned back to Spike and watched him yawn and that made her want to yawn. “We should get some sleep; I don’t want anypony or dragon to fall asleep while we’re up in the night sky.” She trotted up to Wild Rose and whispered as softly as she could what was on her mind about tonight and the dream fantasy. “Call on Luna, Princess of the night, darling.”

Wild Rose felt her cheeks turn a tinge of red. “Thanks.”

Rogus tried to hear what they were talking about but all he was able to pick up were little mumbles, he was able to make out a name Luna. He didn’t have any clue as to who that was. He could feel his eyes start to droop. They had been out flying around while Spike showed him as many places of Equestria as they were able to fly to. “Sleep sounds good. Besides I’d rather take flight at sunset anyway.”

Wild Rose tuned back to Rogus and smiled, she watched Rogus lift an eyebrow at her. I know you are curious as to what Rarity and I have been talking about. You’ll find out soon I promise. She thought. “Care to lay beside me, Rogus?”

Rogus nodded without a second thought. Just the thought of holding her had the fire in his chest heating up and in turn, warming the blood in his body.

“Well now, Spikey, I doubt I need to ask you?”

Spike only chuckled a bit as the four turned back to Rarity’s Boutique.

***

“AJ, for the love of Celestia, I don’t like being restrained,” Rainbow said as Applejack used her mouth to tighten the strap of rope, she’d looped over Rainbow’s midsection to keep her on the massage table.

“Don’t fret Rainbow. I’m not going to hurt you and that’s the truth.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” Rainbow shot back glancing down at the rope around her waist and at the fact that her hide legs had been tied apart. She was on her back and would have been fully exposed saved for the tail she held in her front hooves. “What’s gotten into you AJ?”

“Dunno really, I didn’t figure you’d object, we’ve been close a time or two.”

“Well yeah, we’re friends AJ…” Her red eyes studied AJ, sweat ran down her fur. Her rainbow mane lay disheveled with a bit of dirt still in the multi-colored strands.

Applejack had placed her front hooves on the massage table right where Rainbow’s legs were wide open. She rose on her back hooves. “I want to help you relax, I can tell your tensed, if you relax and let go of that tension, you’ll be able to fly even faster.”

That made Rainbow’s eyebrows lift. “I’m not going to doubt you seeing you are the Element of Honesty.”

Applejack let out a short southern laugh. “Yup. It’s who I am. Can’t deny that.” She replied.

Rainbow watched AJ lowered her head letting her hat drop onto the massage table. She watched AJ remove an item she had in her hat. “What do you have…no…you wouldn’t…” She watched the item held between her white teeth. Shaking her head she noticed a grin on AJ’s face. “How’s that supposed to relax me?”

“Oh, it can,” AJ said still holding the feather in her teeth.

***

Rogus laid with his head across Wild Rose’s back, his wings were draped over her body. The heat from him was like being covered by a thick warm comforter.

Wild Rose let out a sigh as she drifted deeper into the dream.

Opening her eyes she felt her unicorn magic surround her like it always had, rearing her magic flowed outward, and she felt her wings form on both sides of her back. Smiling she took off into the night sky, a light pink glow followed her like the tail of a comet. Her long flowing mane and tail swayed in the breeze. Dives and loops seemed to paint images with the use of the flow of magic behind her. Her head turned when she felt Rogus coming up to her. It was a feeling she always had in her alicorn form. Her connection to him ran much deeper.

Wild Rose rolled over onto her back while she was sleeping and Rogus readjusted himself, so his head was now laying on her belly, and his nose was facing hers.

Rogus flew up to her, yet his expression looked different than normal. Behind Rogus on a rocky cliff, Wild Rose spotted what looked like an indigo-colored unicorn, yet she had wings making her an alicorn. On her flank was a crescent moon surrounded by dark clouds. Her gaze fell on Wild Rose as she nodded then vanished in a flash of white light.

That must have been Princess Luna… Wild Rose thought, she didn’t know how she knew but she knew she was right.

“Wilde Rose?”

When Rogus said her name, it brought her out of her thoughts. “Hello, Rogus.” She replied with a smile, while she flapped her wings and lowered the lids of her eyes.

Rogus took in the sight of Wild Rose. He could see her as anyone could, his head followed the movements of her wings slowly nodding up and down. “Wings?”

Heat rushed to Wild Rose’s cheeks as Rogus moved closer to her. Her long flowing tail and mane swayed in the breeze and the beating of her wings. “Yes…it’s my fantasy. To fly with you in my dreams.”

“I’ve dreamed of you many times, but never with wings…”

Wild Rose looped around him in the air and drifted up next to him her muzzle inches from his. “Do you approve?”

Rogus swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded.

She grinned at him. “What would you say if I said we were sharing my dream, that this was now our dream?” She asked and felt her magic growing stronger. The thought of somehow leaving the dream realm and flying in the waking world started to cross her mind.

“How?” Rogus asked, he wasn’t able to explain it but it felt like she was telling him the truth.

“Princess Luan, an alicorn of the night and the dream realm can connect dreamers. Rarity and I had asked her, I wanted to live out one of my fantasies, besides my new one.”

Rogus flew alongside Wild Rose as the pare darted and dove through the night sky, swirling and diving in and around clouds. “What’s your other fantasy?”

“Well when we wake, you get to take me on a flight, same for Spike with Rarity.” She said as she flew in front of him and hooved in the air. Her muzzle moved closer to his.

Rogus smiled and felt her lips touching his.

Opening his eyes he let out a gasp when he realized he was kissing Wild Rose while he was almost laying on top of her. Had I pulled her close to me while we were sleeping?

Wild Rose opened her eyes when she felt heat on her lips, she found herself staring into a pair of blue eyes. “Ro…Gus…” She managed to say with her lips still pressed against his.

Rogus leaned up breaking the kiss. “Um…hi.” He said with a smile. “Guess our kiss in our dream was one that was meant to be real.”

Wild Rose giggled at that and tapped his head with her hoof. “Cute Rogus…” Her voice trailed off when what he said caught her ear. “You…remember.”

Rogus nodded leaning down to kiss her forehead. “That’s one dream I don’t want to forget.”

Wild Rose could feel the heat of his lips even after he’d removed them. “Nor I, up for a flight in the sky for real?” She asked feeling her energy building mixing with her magic. She blinked when a light flashed outside for a split second. From the window, she thought she saw a figure fly off from the quick flash of light. Shaking her head she rolled over and dropped onto the ground on all four hooves. Stretching out her legs, she turned her head to find Rogus beside her.

“I’m as ready as I’ve ever been. I feel…confident.” He said while stretching out his wings. “It’s like that dream helped me in a way I can’t explain.”

“I’m glad, I’m also thankful for Rarity and Spike, plus their friends. This just feels like home.”

“Yeah…same here. I feel…closer-” He paused when he heard what sounded like the floor creaking just outside the room Rarity had let them sleep in.

“Oh my, I’m sorry darling, we didn’t mean to disturb you. We’d heard talking and figured you two were up.” Rarity said poking her head into the room.

***

The portal inside Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle hummed. Magic surged through the mechanics of the combination of machine and magic she’d used to power the mirror that divided the two worlds. Three flashes of light shot out from the portal in the mirror.

Rarity shook her head as she opened her eyes. She rubbed the side of her head, yet she wasn’t able to feel her fingers. Looking down Human Rarity in her new unicorn form found it strange in be on all four, minus her clothes, but the bonus came with a long flowing mane and tail. She also noticed two other ponies with her, with their markings and colors she was pretty sure she knew who they were in this strange form. "So this is what it's like for you Princess Twilight." She said after taking a few minutes to take in her new and unfamiliar surroundings. The beauty of a castle was better in person than any description written down.

"Well…yes… For me it's normal." Princess Twilight replied. "You'll get used to it. Plus it’s easier to walk around on four legs."

Sunset stretched out her back hooves and shook out her mane. “We could give you a tour of Friendship Castle.”

Human Rarity in her unicorn form nodded. “Taking in a smaller area seems sensible, I don’t want to overwhelm myself.” Getting used to walking on all four is one thing. She thought while glancing back at her mane and long flowing curly tail. Guess it’s not all bad. She mentally said and smiled.

***

“It’s okay Rarity. I was beginning to wonder if you two were also up.” Wild Rose replied. Her mind started to drift back to that curious flash of light that she’d noticed. When Spike spoke up it pulled her out of her thoughts.

Spike locked eyes with Rogus. “There’s something different with you. Am I right?”

Rogus titled his head and folded his wings to his sides. “Let’s just say, I’m looking forward to this flight.”

Spike grinned at him. “So, Princess Luna helped out? She has a way of doing the most magical things in dreams.”

Rogus grinned back at that while he and Wild Rose followed them to Rarity’s room where a large balcony stretched out with the double doors already open to the beauty of the night sky.

“Guess we slept past sunset,” Rogus said noticing the moon hanging among the stars in the heavens.

“Flying that much will wear you out more than you realize,” Spike replied as they gathered on the balcony.

Rogus and Spike stood up on their back legs. Wild Rose and Rarity followed their eyes while gazing up at the pair of dragons.

“They’re an amazing sight.” Rarity said.

“I would agree, I’m glad we came to Ponyville.” Wild Rose said as she felt her heart starting to hammer in her chest from what was about to happen. Glancing over she noticed that Rarity was calm. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, she could see Rogus coming up to her and Spike walking over to Rarity.

“Are you ready Wild Rose?” Rogus asked lowering his gaze to those dark green eyes that stared up at him. He watched her nod and start to lift on her back hooves as he leaned down and scooped her up. Her front hooves came around Rogus's neck.

Wild Rose could feel the heat of his body wrapping around her. She activated her magic and branded her mane and looped it around making it into a tight bun. She wasn’t about to let her mane slap Rogus in the face while he was flying.

“Good idea Wild Rose.” Rarity said doing the same thing with her mane before Spike scooped her up into his arms.

Rogus and Wild Rose put one of their front legs on the railing. Each of them took in a deep breath and pushed off the railing. Opening their wings the wind caught under their wings and took them up into the night sky.

Wild Rose’s eyes widened at the feeling of the wind blowing in her face, she’d only ever done this in her dreams. This time she was fully awake. “Wow…” She said as she glanced up at Rogus who was keeping his attention on flying. His wings were stretched out and every so often he’d flap them again to keep them aloft.

“I can feel your heart hammering,” Rogus said glancing down at her with a smile.

Wild Rose smiled. “This is amazing. More amazing than flying in my dreams.” She replied.

“Enjoying yourself, I take it.” Rarity said as Spike flew beside Rogus. Her smile gave it away that she too was enjoying herself.

“If I didn’t know I wasn’t awake I would swear I was still dreaming.” Wild Rose replied. “I love this.”

“This or me-”

Wild Rose glanced up at Rogus her eyes wide. “What was that?” She wasn’t sure if she heard what he said clearly. She felt his arms clench around her body and then relax. Did I hear what I thought I did? The question echoed in her mind.

“I um…” Out of the corner of Rogus's eyes, he caught the grin from both Rarity and Spike. Guess they heard me… He blew out a breath. “Wild Rose…” His voice trailed off again when he felt her hoof reach up to his cheek. Glancing down he noticed those dark green eyes of hers had a sparkle to them. “You heard…me…”

“That little slip? I did.” Just took a bit to realize it’s what I heard. She thought while reaching up and kissing him on the cheek. “Could you say it again?”

Rogus felt his head spinning at the realization and the affirmation that she’d heard him, plus her response was what he was hoping for. He glanced down and noticed a different look on her face. “Are you okay?”

“Oh….” She put her hoof over her mouth for a few seconds. “Sorry…bout of nausea.”

Rogus lifted an eyebrow. “Too much too fast?” He asked.

Wild Rose shook her head, feeling parts of her mane start to come loose. “I’m not sure…”

Rogus looked over at Spike and found they had been watching them.

***

“Wait till you see what’s outside. Ponyville can be beautiful at night.” Sunset said and added. “Ponyville is an amazing place.”

Together Sunset and Princess Twilight lead the now unicorn form of the once human Rarity outside.

Human Rarity in her unicorn form lifted her head towards the sky where a full moon hug over her head. Her jaw dropped open when she spotted a pair of silhouettes flying through the sky. "Wow..."

Sunset Shimmer and Princess Twilight were gazing up at the scene as well. "I bet that's Spike and Rogus."

"Rogus? Is he another dragon?" Human Rarity in unicorn form asked.

"Yeah, he and Wild Rose, another unicorn showed up in Ponyville recently." Princess Twilight replied.

Spike was holding onto Rarity when she glanced down and spotted a familiar sight and something that made her take a double look. She let out a gasp catching Spike’s attention. “Oh my, darling can we land?”

Spike glanced down and spotted what Rarity was looking at. “How in Equestria? If I didn’t have such good vision, I would swear I was seeing things.”

“Trust me, darling, I’m seeing the same thing as you.” Rarity replied.

Spike smiled back at Rarity as he motioned to Rogus that he was going to land.

Down below Rarity watched Spike and Rogus's forms grow larger with the beat of their wings whipping her long mane making it fan out. “Amazing…”

Rarity hopped down from Spike’s arms and trotted up to well…herself. Her sapphire eyes studied the newest arrival in Equestria.

The other Rarity started to circle the same as the other one.

Spike kept his gaze on the one that he’d let go of from his flight. “This is making my head hurt.”

Both Rarities turned to Spike. “Try from our viewpoint, darling.” They both said at the same time sounding more like an echo.

“Rarity?” As in the Rarity from CHS?” Wild Rose said as Rogus lowered her to the ground after he’d landed beside Spike.

“Um…yes…darling…Wild Rose?” Rarity from the human world trotted up to Wild Rose and looked her over. “I almost didn’t recognize you, in this form.”

“Yeah…we tend to look color-wise to our human forms with a few alterations.” She said with a smile. “What brings you here?” Wild Rose asked.

“Well…to be honest…I sort of wanted to see Spike, as a dragon.” Her gaze lifted as Spike stood upright on his hind legs and towered over Wild Rose and the other Rarity his height matched Rogus.

“Um…hi....”Spike said with a wave. She sounds the same, looks the same, even acts the same as the Rarity I know. Spike thought. “You came to Equestria just to see me?”

Rarity nodded. “Well yes, I’d asked Princess Twilight if I could accompany her back, and Sunset decided to come along as well.” She explained while keeping her eyes fixed on Spike as he lowered himself back down on all fours. “You look amazing, it’s hard to believe that you’re that small dog back in the human world.

“Crazy huh?” Spike answered as the Rarity he knew came up and stood beside him. He glanced over at her and noticed a slightly green hue on her face. “Are you, okay?”

“So it is true?” The other Rarity asked.

“Sorry darling, the queasiness, it just comes and goes.” Rarity replied.

“Same thing for you Wilde Rose?” Rogus asked and added. “When we were flying…” His voice trailed off.

“Rogus, it was only one time…” Wild Rose started to say as her voice also trailed off.

“Hold on, both of you?” Princess Twilight asked looking back and forth at Rarity and Wild Rose. “When? Where?”

“Do you want to know how too Twilight?” Spike asked.

That got a giggle from Sunset. “Oh, I’m pretty sure she can guess that much Spike.”

Princess Twilight rolled her eyes. “Sunset’s right.” She replied and happened to catch a flash of light in the night sky. “A star?”

Everyone in the group that had gathered glanced upward and spotted the ball of light.

The ball of light shot off through the night sky like a streaking comet. Soaring over to a nearby cliff the ball of light hovered around and started to fade in brightness revealing a creature inside the light. Landing on all four hooves. A set of wings folded down. A long flowing red mane and tail danced in the breeze. A set of green eyes adjusted to the darkness. "Where...am...I?"

***

The portal inside Friendship Castle sparked to life again. Magic coursing through the mechanical parts. A flash of light shot from the mirror. The pony landed on all four hooves energy cracking from his horn making it so he wouldn't injure himself. His ash-colored coat swirls with wisps of gray smoke. Those fools never suspected that I had followed them to this portal He thought while taking in a breath he started to gag, his fiery mane swayed as he shook his head. "Somepony whose been around my daughter was here." He said aloud in a deep tone, his eyes narrowed. "And...Rogus." Energy cracked like his anger around his body forming a fireball. In a split second, he vanished from where he was just standing.

***

"This place feels more alive...more real." Flexing her wings, she took to the skies wanting to feel the breeze against her face. The feeling of her tail and mane flowing in the wind. She found herself over a place she'd seen before, yet it felt different, strange. Her eyes widened when she spotted a figure down below. "That's...me...but I'm me..." She noticed the pony who looked like her didn't have a pair of wings as she had.

Wild Rose had been standing near Rogus when an uneasy feeling crept up her back followed by a sense of dread.

"Are you, okay?" Rogus asked again after the ball of light shot across the sky. He noticed that Wild Rose hadn’t taken her eyes off of it even after it had vanished.

Wild Rose wasn't sure how to even begin to respond to this. She felt different like something was changing within her. We did...but it can't be... (Italic). She thought while looking at Rarity. Yet...she's acting strange, yet she's unsure...

"Darling talk to us." Rarity said noticing how spaced-out Wild Rose looked.

Wild Rose blinked like she'd been awoken from a deep trance. "I'm...confused...I don't know how to explain it, or what in Equestria is going on." She admitted as he ears perked up when a shiver ran down her spine. A familiar feeling she hadn’t felt since she and Rogus came back to Equestria and found this group.

Rogus noticed a difference in her eyes. “I know that look.” He said.

“He doesn’t know where we are Rogus.” Wild Rose replied as the looks of confusion started to spread to Rarity, Spike, Princess Twilight, and Sunset. Yet she found herself unable to shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.

***

“AJ is tickling all you’re going to do?” Rainbow asked as she built up a tolerance to the feather that Applejack had been using for a while. AJ had skill with that feather which surprised her.

“Been waitin’ on you to say that.” Applejack replied, she’d had her fill of tickling Rainbow, yet she’d built up a tolerance some time ago.