Luna’s moon hung high in the sky, her glistening stars providing navigation to the sailors and swashbucklers at sea, and a light source for owls and other creatures of the night as they hunted for their meals. While those things had withstood the test of time, the bustling nightlife of the Crystal Empire far to the north was a more recent development. With the Crystal Heart being the only thing separating the city from the raging blizzard that the dreaded windegos called home, the citizens of the Empire was viewed as an oasis in a frozen wasteland, To the crystal ponies that had spent their whole lives in the Shield of Love, and to those who settled in retirement, it was home. A beacon of warmth and love protected from the dangers Equestria faced on a seemingly-weekly basis. In contrast, there were also those who settled solely on business endeavors with the intent to capitalize on the tourism boom and incorporate the Empire with its neighbor to the south.
Despite the initial hesitence from both the crystal ponies and Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, those with genuine intentions were soon welcomed. Flim and Flam were the first to get approval, having started up a mining business to get raw materials out of a nearby cavern system at the very edge of the Empire and refine the crystals into enchanted diodes for a new invention they called the Ponyvision. The project was supervised by Twilight and, after seeing the notorious tricksters had genuinely turned over a new leaf, soon spread the word to other areas of Equestria to boost their operation and create buyers for their project.
It was not just the Empire’s infrastructure that boomed, with DJPON3 and Octavia Melody opening the Crystal Minx nightclub with Lyra and Sweetie Drops to give everypony a way to kick back, let loose, and drown out the day’s troubles with a few pints of Cider or Threshire’s finest Moonflow brew. Shining Armor loved the place, not only for the food and beverages, but also for the entertainment the establishment provided, entertainment that he was determined for his wife to see first hand…
“I can’t believe that you did this to me,” The Princess of Love huffed, crossing her arms as she waited in line beside her dear husband. Ever since the plan was proposed she had been against it, her concerns digging deeper as she was greeted with the familiar mix of alcohol and sweat. On the right side of the interior was the bar, a smoothly-polished marble in front for easy glass sliding, and a seemingly endless array of wines and spirits from distant lands. To the left was the dance floor, with Octavia playing a track featuring a bass-amped cello and ponies dancing to the beat while the bar was vacant. However, what really got her was the stripper pole that was in the middle of the back of the club that took both center stage and Cadence’s ire. “Great, they even allow stripping, such a cheap display of a mare’s body…”
“Cheap yes, but also effective.” Shining said, avoiding his wife's eye roll and pointed look as he ordered a couple of drinks to open the tab. "Shoot, you could go up there and bring the whole house down."
"And ruin my reputation in the process?" Cadence raised an eyebrow, trying her hardest to cut through her husband's defenses on the matter, but when he merely shrugged she decided to switch tactics. "Ok Shiny, lets say you had a figure like me or Flurry, would you sully yourself in a place like this?"
"Without a second thought," Taking the drinks that he had ordered, he took a long sip through his straw while placing Cadance's on the bartop when she shook her head at the offered beverage. "If I was proud of the body I was given, I would show it off at my leisure. A place like this could not care less about reputation dear, in here, everypony is equal. Did you not notice that nopony commented on us standing in line nude? You seemed to enjoy that conversation that you had with Sonata, and not a single remark was made about your looks while we stood there, whispered or otherwise, everypony was doing their own thing."
"Fair," For the first time this evening, Cadance allowed her mask to slip as she observed the crowd. True to Shining's defense, nopony even cared that she was the ruler of the nation, opting to stay in their own friend groups and chat about anything and everything. "You seriously would do a striptease dear?"
"Yeah, why?" Shining was perplexed, though he could tell that his wife was plotting something as she cut her eyes at him. "Thinking about doing one yourself?"
"Me? Oh heavens no," Cadance giggled as she lidded her eyes, her horn lighting with the don't glow of her magic as it enveloped her husband. "But since you seem so sure, why not give you the mare perspective?"
"The ma-" Shining's hands went to his face at how high his voice had become, feeling the lump in his throat that had given him his deep baritone shrink and fade from existence. His body felt like puddy, flowing and reshaping as his muscles gave way to slender curves, his chest expanding into a healthy set of E cups with a rear to match. His cock throbbed and his nipples ached, and groping himself only intensified the inferno in his stomach as he cummed, his cock and balls being replaced by a set of velvety lips and a throbbing clit. "C-Cady?"
"Show me you are a mare of your word," Cadance smirked, finally taking a sip of her beverage and actually finding the fruity cocktail pleasing to her taste buds. "So, are you still going to do it, or are you going to back out?"
To Cadance's surprise, Shining got up from her seat and started to stroll towards the back. All eyes were on the unicorn, and multiple erections soon grew from lust. However, Shining took it all in stride, arching her back to make her bust more pronounced while giving her rear a shake. Multiple catcalls echoed in response, and it was not long before a large crowd soon gathered around the stripper pole to eagerly await her performance.
"Well now, look who is finally loosening up," Cadance turned her head to her opposite side, revealing Sonata in all her glory. Her F cups had large, dark blue areola with nipples that were perfect for sucking. Being a siren meant she had no fur, but her smooth skin and toned body did well to give her a figure that suited her needs. "You looked extremely grumpy outside during our talk so I figured that I would try to chat a bit more to see how you were doing. Color me pink when I get through the crowd and order my drink to see that you turned your husband into our eye candy."
"Don't blame me, she issued the challenge," Cadance said, mentally frowning at the fact she referred to Shining as a mare without a second thought, making her rethink how strong she had made the spell. "But seeing as how she took it like Twilight to a book, it seems that I already lost before it began."
"Seems so," Sonata shrugged, eyeing her mug of spiced cider and giving it a little swirl. "Anyway, as I had said, what had you so on edge? You looked like you were ready to fight the first pony who gave you a funny look."
"This is why," Cadance said, gesturing with an open palm to the duo's surroundings. "This club almost never existed to begin with because I opposed it from the start. Alas, I finally caved when Shiny would not stop broaching the topic to me, so I finally gave the ok. My biggest issue was that it gave Chrysalis a ticket to be here in the Empire, seeing as how Vinyl and Octavia had hired her as a promoter."
"You still harbor anger." Sonata said, blindsiding Cadence with how blunt and open she was about it. The changeling queen herself was easily visible near the front door, having not a care as she chatted away with a few off-duty guards. "I may be cheating here by using my nature, but I want to assure you that I feel nothing bad coming from her. It is my opinion that you two bury the hatchet."
"I know, I know," Cadance sighed, downing the rest of her cocktail and requesting another. "It is just hard for me to do considering all that occurred all those years ago. Tried to hijack my wedding, had me captured and locked away… Its just, hard for me to imagine that same mare can now be in the same space as me and not even bat an eye of suspicion."
"I know how that feels," Sonata paused to take a long swig of her cider, downing half the mug and letting out a satisfied 'ahh'. "It is part of the reason I came back to Equestria actually. Me and my sister's had a massive disagreement, and I decided to move here to be free of their constant negativity. Sunset had the foresight to let Twilight know via her journal, so when I stepped back through the portal Celestia immediately intercepted me and I had to prove my reformation. She even went as far to visit Sunset personally, shows how serious she was."
"Auntie let Equestria and went through the mirror?" Cadence was shocked at that bit of information and the confirming nod, knowing that her aunt only left Canterlot if it was absolutely necessary. "Wow, that is a shocker, so what did Auntie have you do to prove your innocence?"
"Work release program, but it backfired in her face," Sonata smirked, a light giggle escaping her lips that Cadance actually found adorable. "There is a Mexicolt restaurant on the corner of Hitchington and Marenola that had trouble retaining cooks. The owners had a long-standing relationship with Celestia since most ponies thrown in the program ended up begging to be thrown back in the cells due to their boss' strict commitment to authentic cuisine."
"Yeah, La cabaña de seis cuerdas, correct?" Cadence had heard of the place, and had visited it frequently in her youth, but thought it absolutely humorous such a nice mare and stallion could break anyone who was stupid enough to be thrown in the dungeon. "Good food and rather cheap, and it is funny seeing how many confused ponies are between not knowing if they were insulted or given a compliment due to not knowing the native tongue."
"Princesa correcta," Sonata knew that she had the princess relaxed just from watching the alicorn's shoulders drop and a slight smile pursed her lips. "Anyway, seeing as how I worked in the mirror world's version of a Mexicolt restaurant, I took to it like a fish to water. Pun not intended. Shocked them both that I knew the cuisine and language, and it wasn't long before I was given a little longer leash. Started showing them different spice blends, a few test meals and boom! I now own the place."
"Wait, you are now the owner?" Cadence blinked, surprise after surprise being revealed to her and her brain was having trouble keeping up with processing it all. "Well, good for you I guess? I figured the pair were getting up in age by now, but you really must have made an impression for them to entrust their business to you."
"Oh trust me, I tried to refuse it at first," Sonata said, wrapping an arm around Cadance's back and leaning I'm her shoulder. "I didn't think I was suitable for the task, but I even proved myself wrong. Redid the entire menu, added a few dishes I created myself, and changed the hours so we now offer Mexicolt language lessons on the weekends. Enough about me though, the point was to show if even a siren like me who got banished from this realm entirely could be redeemed, so can someone like Chryssy."
"Fair enough," Cadance turned her attention back to her long-time an enemy, who had apparently finished her conversation and was writing notes on a long clipboard. "Alright, I will go talk to her, and thanks Sonata for helping me sort through those difficult emotions."
"It takes someone of similar experience to help relate," Leaning in and giving Cadance a quick peck cheek, the siren then leaned up and whispered hotly in the alicorn's ear, a smirk on her face. "I would totally be down to an orgy later, your lust is delicious."
"I-um, uh," Stammering at being called out, Cadance leapt to her feet, ear flicking in embarrassment as she made her way across the room. The walk was only minorly interrupted by accidentally bumping into the occasional patron, but there was nothing more than apologies exchanged before she got to the changeling who had caused her so much pain. "Chrysalis, do you have a moment to chat?"
"Hm?" Snapped from her thoughts, Chrysalis blinked at Cadance for a few seconds as her brain switched gears, a look of surprise being framed behind her bright red glasses. "Ah, hello Your Highness, I suppose that I have a few moments to spare. Did it need to be here, or would you rather talk in my office where it is quieter?"
"That would be the better option, considering what I need to discuss with you," Mental alarm bells rang at Chrysalis' suggestion for the two of them being alone, but Sonata's words made her push those troubles back as the duo weaved through the crowd and an offset hallway. Arriving at a rather ordinary door, the changeling opened it to reveal a standard office consisting of a book shelf, filing cabinet, desk, and a couple of chairs. The rather plain interior caught Cadance by surprise, having expected Chrysalis to have wanted full lavishness as they both took a seat, door closed. "So, where to begin…"
"Perhaps an icebreaker?" Chrysalis said, placing her clipboard on her desk and propped up her feet. Her calm and relaxed composure showed that she had been waiting for the two of them to be alone, and she was going to take full advantage of it. "Do you remember what happened when I had you captured? What the two of us did, I mean."
"Can't help but," Cadance's ears went flat, her head lowering but eyes cutting up to Chrysalis' cock, which hung at half mast even now. "After you told me that you and Shiny had made love with you wearing my face, I asked you to fuck me so that he would not have to share in carrying that burden."
"So no traces of my magic remain, good," Chrysalis could feel the emotional torrent that was in the alicorn. Anger, regret, a hint of lust, and more swirled in a violent maelstrom, but there was something else there that grabbed her attention. "So tell me, how has yours and Shining's marriage been after all this time? The love you two have is unbreakable, I know from experience, but have you both been eyeing others as well?"
"Yeah," Cadance knew better than to lie to a creature who could feel her emotions, and as much as honesty hurt, she knew that it was the best course of action. "No matter what the two of us do, it just is not enough anymore. It was while we were dating, but after the wedding-"
"Or, more specifically, after I entered your lives?" Chrysalis' interruption made Cadance freeze, but a moment of recentering got a nod in reply. "Well then, let me start by saying I am sorry for being responsible for that, and before you ask, there is nothing I can do to fix it. I had to use extremely potent layered magic to keep you both at bay, which by the sounds of it actually changed the chemical makeup of your brain."
"That's a, wow…" Cadence was surprised that Chrysalis not only apologized, but also seemed to have genuine guilt while giving the explanation. "That explains a lot honestly, and I wonder if they is why my subjects report feeling hornier here than if they travel abroad. Same goes for those visiting here, I have heard tourists make the same sort of remarks."
"You both are connected to the Crystal Heart," Chrysalis said, idly rubbing her right nipple while giving a light hum. "That longing for more excitement could be detected by the Heart, so it is trying to give you both what you desire. You do realize that Flurry and our daughter both work here right?"
"P-prism Shadow?!" Cadence froze like a foal being caught with her hand in the cookie jar. While she had been the result of that secret rut session, and Shining Armor had raised her like his own, she was the best-kept secret she had ever managed to weave a story for. While she had owed Prism's hybridized features to the lingering traces of changeling magic that was in her husband, Prism knew the truth. "Does Flurry know?"
"Oh yeah, she knows," Chrysalis smirked, playing with a ring on her finger while Cadance teetered on the edge of an emotional break. "Relax, will ya? Flurry swore to keep the vow of silence for your sake, though she demanded that I try and make peace with you in return."
"As did Sonata with me," Cadance chuckled, only to see the look of recognition got both her and Chrysalis at the same time. "We got set up, didn't we?"
"Yep," Chrysalis' answer was fast, a slight bite at the edge of her tone that quickly turned into a grimace. "To think that I had my own therapy techniques used against me, that is lower than dirt!"
"And you using my love of Shiny wasn't?" Cadence snipped, making Chrysalis recoil and advert her eyes. "I'm sorry, that was unfair of me to say. We did get a daughter out of that, so I guess it wasn't all bad huh?"
Chrysalis didn't say a word.
"Oh dear," Cadance felt bad. While she had intended to talk about the two of them making up, her defensiveness had finally came back to bite her. Standing and moving around to the other side of the desk, she leaned down and gave Chrysalis a hug. "I'm sor-"
"Don't be," Chrysalis said quietly, making Cadance look at her confused. "I see now, for the first time, how I made you feel when I had you captured. Weak, powerless, having things thrown in my face with no way to respond. I may be a licensed therapist, but I feel absolutely miserable, is there anyway I can make it up to you and Shining for what I did to the two of you?"
"Uhh…" Cadence was not expecting the Queen of the changelings to be the one having the apologies, let alone be the one begging. A tiny voice in her mind lept for joy at finally defeating her for, but that voice was quickly snuffed when she realized just how sincere Chrysalis was being in the request. "Just, just keep doing good?"
"Deal," Chrysalis said, smiling as she stood and gave Cadance a hug, the fingers of her left hand digging into the soft plush of the alicorn's rear. "Mmm, softer than I remember."
"I am still a growing alicorn you know," Cadance huffed, a blush coloring her cheeks as Chrysalis continued to knead her ass. "I am not likely to get as big as my aunts, but still."
"I see," Chrysalis mused, giving Cadance a few nibbles on her neck but pulled back when the low thump of music started to reverberate through the halls. "Sounds like they are about to begin the show, we better hurry unless you rather I 'put another pastry in your oven', as my wife puts it."
"You married Pinkie Pie?" Cadence raised an eyebrow, surprised that Chrysalis had decided to settle down with the most energetic mare in Equestria. She could feel multiple leylines of love traveling from the bug, one of which was centered on herself, but she chose to focus on the two that were in Ponyville. “So you have Pinkie as your wife, but I wonder who is the other that I can feel has captured your love?”
“Rarity,” Chrysalis sighed, a dreamy smile crossing her face and her eye taking on a light glint. “I model for her on occasion when she has a new inspiration or wants to do experimental palette testing. Never in my life have I come across a mare that could be so… creative in bed. Still, she is Pinkie’s best friend, and it was my dear wife that suggested we have an open marriage considering where you come into the fold.”
“Me?” Cadence tilted her head, a light bit of confusion returning as she tried to figure out what her former nemesis ment. Then it hit her, and she could not help but facepalm when she realized how simple the answer was. “Right, me and you have a daughter out of wedlock. I can see where that would complicate things, but I hope that she did not make too much of a fuss about it.”
“The complete opposite actually,” Giving Cadance’s clit a quick, soft rub before backing off from the extremely flustered alicorn. “Pinkles absolutely adores her, and on days where the club here is closed she is helping out at Sugarcube Corner baking and keeping the place clean. On rare occasions Prism keeps her company if I have a particularly tough case in Canterlot, so that she always has a extension of me with her at all times for comfort.”
“The two of you really do love each other huh?” She knew the answer from how strong the leyline was to her vision, but hearing how everyone had bettered their lives made her look at her own in reflection as she made for the door. “Well, I am glad that you have someone you love, and I wish nothing but the best for you two.”
“Cadance, wait,” Chrysalis said, walking over and putting a hand on the princess’ shoulder, stopping her from exiting the partly-open door. “Did I say something wrong? Your mood soured quite a bit, and jealousy tastes like really flat and over carbonated soda.”
“I’m fine,” Cadence flinched, only to sigh as she put her head against the door. “Truth be told? No, because while it seems like everyone else went and improved their lives, I have been stuck in the same old rut.”
“The cost of the crown is heavy on our heads,” Chrysalis said, letting go of Cadance;s shoulder but continued on when her companion did not immediately leave the room. “I felt it when I was constantly trying to come up with plans to conquer and feed my drones. Celestia and Luna have been ruling for a long time. Twilight is still young to being a ruler but one day she is going to have to bear the weight of Equestria all by herself. So, yes, it is a rut, but it is a rut that you have to hold with an air of pride. You and Shining Armor have the entire Empire counting on you, so stop being jealous of us having the freedom to do as we please and instead hold your head up high that you have carried the nation through both peace and war.”
“I suppose you got a point there,” Cadance could find no fault in the changeling’s words, instead embracing them and allowing herself to smile. “Yeah, you are right. I am the leader of the Crystal Empire, and I will carry them until my dying breath!”
“That is the spirit,” Chrysalis chuckled, stepping around Cadance and into the hallway, leading the duo back towards the dance floor. Something that caught her attention was that the crowd was being a bit more rowdy than normal, and the sound of bits being thrown was unmistakable. Normally, there were a few hundred bits that were spared on a given night, but on this occasion it sounded like an avalanche. “What the-”
Words ceased, and the two could only stare in shock at the show that was on stage. There was Shining, wearing a see-through skirt, being double teamed by Prism and Flurry Heart. Sonata, having seen the pair return from the office from her spot at the bar, was quick to bring them each a shot of vodka.
“You know what,” Cadance said, downing her shot before taking Chrysalis’ as well. “How about the three of us compete against her?”
And it was a competition indeed.