The Rise of Passion

Trixie and Gallus descended the stairs into the basement of Starlight's manor. "I feel like we haven't talked much since we started this whole thing," Trixie sighed.

"That's because we haven't," answered Gallus. "I've been either in training or operating in the Crystal Empire. We haven't really spent time together outside of work for the past month. And we're under such scrutiny at the palace. It's driving a wedge between us."

"Starlight says it should all be over soon."

"So does Mistress. I trust them both."

The vault door opened and Cozy stepped out with an empty plate. "Finally! Where were you two half an hour ago?"

"Still en route," answered Gallus flatly. "We're here now, and this time, you're not going to be left alone dealing with the prisoners."

Cozy smirked and looked back at them. Flurry and Cadance were tied up in their own cells, blindfolded and gagged, while Shining was given a much larger cell, unable to see the other two though a partition, but less tied up and with several lipstick marks on his chest and neck. "Oh, I could keep one of them..."

"You're keeping all three," said Trixie, walking into the vault and picking up Flurry. "Starlight has called for her big project to be moved into her new place. Twilight approved it, so long as she continues to run the Crystal Empire effectively. You're going to live in the palace!"

"The palace, huh?" Cozy rubbed her chin as Gallus picked up Cadance, now with the strap-on removed. "I had a loftier chair in mind, but I suppose it'll do for now."

"Oh, you still can't sit on the throne," interjected Trixie. "We still need to keep your location quiet for now. She found a place for you in the basement, and had me create a secret entrance or three."

Cozy frowned. "Do you know how much time I've spent in the basement over the last two weeks? Too much!"

"Not for much longer," smiled Gallus. "Look here." He rubbed his claw seductively over Cadance's flank, squeezing and pinching. "This will soon be all yours."

Cozy rolled her eyes. "I already had access to her arse! That's why it feels so tender. You don't find a chunk of meat that soft without some good, old-fashioned paddling."

Trixie reached over and rubbed Cadance's butt, squeezing it in her hoof. "You're right, it's super soft and cushiony. And look how wet she is, too."

"She likes the abuse," smirked Cozy. "I hope you don't mind if I don't carry the stud. He's a little too heavy for me."

They made their way upstairs and deposited the princesses into the wagon they'd used to bring them to the manor. They'd already been sprayed down with the hose today, which was about as close to a bath as they were to receive in captivity like this. Shining had not, as Cozy liked his musk, and was more reluctant to wash it away, at least until she had the opportunity to lick it off, first.

Gallus was tasked with cleaning him up this time, meaning Shining was given more than just a simple hose-down. He was scrubbed in the areas not covered by bondage equipment with a rough brush. Unlike Cadance and Flurry, he was given soap with his shower. It was unscented, but it cleaned him of all lipstick marks.

Once dried with a towel, he too was shoved into the hidden compartment in the wagon, which had been fitted with wooden separators to keep the family apart. With the door closed, they began piling in other things, more mundane and important-looking things in crates and steamer trunks. Anypony that looked inside would guess that it belonged to a pony of Starlight's stature, sans regency.

The last thing to go in was Cozy herself, who opted to share her space with Shining Armor, rubbing against him for the whole ride.

The trip back to the empire, much like the trip to the manor, was phenomenally boring. Trixie and Gallus just shuffled along silently, not really talking to each other. They wanted to discuss the plan, but despite this being the open road with nopony around, it was still a public place. All it took was one earth pony napping behind a tree to call down Twilight's attention, and that was not a good idea.

Starlight had asked Trixie to prepare a secret entrance, and while Gallus and a couple of guards unloaded the main body of the wagon, Trixie and Starlight were under the carriage, pulling their captives into an underground passage that led to an otherwise empty room adjacent to the one the Crystal Heart was being stored in, along with Cozy.

"Lovely to see you again, Mistress," bowed Starlight. "I trust your journey was a pleasant one?"

"Not at all," pouted Cozy. "My seat experienced erectile disfunction halfway through, and I couldn't make him stand at attention for the rest of the ride."

Starlight scowled at Shining, who scowled right back. "That will soon change, if he knows what's good for him."

He grunted and struggled, but to no avail.

"I've accelerated a few of my plans," reported Starlight, turning to Cozy Glow. "I have a few last-minute items to move on my list before we can begin, but those should only take the rest of the day. We can start tonight."

"Good," smiled Cozy. She turned and walked over to Cadance and removed her gag. "How do you feel about your chances, Princess?" she chuckled. "That title's not going to be yours for much longer."

Cadance said nothing, just glaring between Cozy, the mastermind, and Starlight, the betrayer. She had nothing to say to them at this point. When her gaze fell on Trixie, however, she had something. Three little words, plus a fourth that did not fit that description.

"I'm disappointed in you."

The message did as intended, striking Trixie like a knife to the chest. Immediately, her face flushed with regret and fear, as she saw the path she had taken to come here unravelling before her. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach, and her resolve weakened.

Starlight immediately wrapped her hooves around Trixie's shoulders and pulled her in close, rubbing her back and gently swaying. "Why don't you head upstairs, love? I'll join you in a minute."

Trixie nodded, in tears as she left the room. She didn't know why it hurt so much, but it had, and she didn't know what to do. At least she had Starlight to comfort her.

Starlight marched right back over to Cadance and smacked her, hard. Grabbing the princess by the jaw and pulling her back to attention, she glared into her eyes. "I love that mare. I will not let you harm her. If you hurt her again, I won't stop myself. Do we understand each other?"

Cadance smirked. "Do we?"