The Rise of Passion

Ocellus thought back to what Zecora had said when they picked up the potion. It was a variant on the love poison that had taken over Big Macintosh and Cheerilee several years ago. Of course, she hadn't been around for that, but she'd heard stories. What made this one different was that it did not work on its own. They wouldn't fall on love immediately upon seeing each other, nor would they even be attracted to each other. They needed somepony to drink the potion in conjunction with another to spark the effect, and everypony that had taken just the potion on its own would immediately be attracted to the one who'd drank the catalyst.

Of course, Gallus was the one carrying the catalyst. He was going to come in, drink the potion with the two teachers, then swallow down the catalyst. That would make them fall deeply in love with him, and he would move them out of the way. Trixie would help fill in the gaps for why they disappeared suddenly, or if things went slightly wrong, would start working on a cure that would take a long time to put together, possibly with Zecora's help.

Or at least, that was the plan. Just as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash brought their cups to their lips, the door opened and in walked the fly in their ointment.

"Flutterbutter! Dashie Do! How it is, my two favourite mares?"

Rainbow let out an exasperated grunt, while Fluttershy turned to look at the intruder. "Zephyr, what are you doing here?"

Zephyr Breeze pulled her in for a hug she was not willing to reciprocate. "Do I really need a reason to drop in on the mares who love to see me the most?"

"No, you don't," said Rainbow. "Why don't you go find them? They're not in here."

"Deny all you want, sweet Dashie. Keep acting tough, but I know you want some lovin' from the Breeze."

As Rainbow made a gagging motion, he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. At first, Rainbow was trying not to spill her potion, but with the hug lasting more than a few seconds, she very clearly and intentionally dumped it over Zephyr's head. "Oh, no," she said, completely deadpan. "You made me spill my delicious sports drink all over you!" She pulled her legs free and started pushing him out of the room. "Looks like you need a shower. Make sure to scrub really hard and use lots of soap, and remember to soak for at least a few hours, or it'll stain your coat, and we couldn't want that, would we?"

Zephyr rolled out of the push and shook his mane, spattering Rainbow with the drink. "All fixed up!" He turned to Rainbow. "I see the mental image of me being in the shower has you all riled up and sweaty," he chuckled.

"Zephyr, school grounds are for students and staff only," said Fluttershy, stepping between him and Rainbow before she turned violent. "You're disrupting a private student-teacher conference with your interruption. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"No can do, Flutterbutter." He flashed a day pass that was hanging from a lanyard around his neck. "I've been brought in to do my own job as an outside aide. Three students and a teacher need their manes done up for tonight's performance of... Well, I can't remember the name of the play, but it's the one with the nun and the assassin that fall in love with each other."

"Then perhaps you should go take care of that, and let us do our own jobs?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed. "The play doesn't start until nightfall!" He pushed past her toward Smolder and Ocellus, who were stricken with confusion and unsure how to proceed. "What do you have here?"

"Drinks to serve at buckball events?" answered Ocellus, shrinking down.

"And we were doing a very good job until you showed up," added Rainbow. "So, if you wouldn't mind leaving, we can finish."

"Ha! You're looking at one of the best buckball players in Equestria!"

Rainbow turned to Fluttershy. "Yeah, there's a real buckball MVP in here, alright..."

Fluttershy sighed. "If you promise to stop distracting everypony, you can help try the different beverages. We have other things we need to do today, and we can't spend the whole day babysitting you."

Suddenly, Gallus burst through the door, rushing up to the wagon. "Sorry I'm late. Somepony locked the main door, and we had to go find the groundskeeper to unlock it."

"That's okay," smiled Smolder. "We were distracted by this guy. We were about to drink that tea. Care for some?"

"Gladly," smiled Gallus, stepping forward.

A new cup was poured for Rainbow and then two more for Zephyr and Gallus. Zephyr wasn't on their list, but moving him out of the way was Gallus's job, and by allowing him to drink the potion, Gallus was complicit in having Zephyr be dealt with in this way.

"It has a very earthy flavour," noted Fluttershy. "It might help increase focus as promised, but I wonder if the players are going to like it."

"I certainly wouldn't," admitted Rainbow bluntly. "You should put in some kind of sweetener. Honey and lemon, or something."

"Yeah, it's kind of crap," sneered Zephyr. "You two are terrible at mixing lemonade."

"I hate to say it, girls," sighed Gallus, "but I don't think this is what the players should be drinking."

Gallus was intended to say he didn't like it, no matter what was said otherwise. This would give him an excuse to pull out a small bottle with the catalyst to "cleanse his palate."

"Thanks, little buddy, I needed that."

Before he could object, Zephyr had grabbed Gallus's potion and chugged it down. As he pulled it away from his lips, all four drinkers were suddenly overcome with the effects of the potion. Fluttershy began to lust after her brother. Rainbow Dash, while still hating him, couldn't help but to find him very alluring. Gallus began to wonder what his cock tasted like. Zephyr, having taken the catalyst, was able to feel to attraction, but also capable of resisting it if he wanted. But why would he want to?

"We're done here, right girls?" panted Fluttershy, unable to take her eyes off her brother. "We tried your different drinks, and they're all fine..."

"Great!" Exclaimed Rainbow, grabbing Zephyr's hoof. "I need to take this one to my office for a... quick discussion!"

"I'm coming, too," shouted Gallus, following them. "He's my manedresser!"

"Family first!" squeaked Fluttershy, flying after them.

Smolder and Ocellus looked at each other. That was not how this was supposed to work out.