The Rule of Law

by dirty little secret

1 - The Needful Proclamation

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Luna looked down at the ancient, tattered spellbook laid out on the table of the palace’s tightly warded magical workroom with no small amount of disdain. This was not her idea of a wise way to spend the evening. “I know you are desperate to have what you so desire, Sister, but this … this is old magic, older than me, even older than you. We do not know much about it, and that makes it dangerous.”

Celestia looked up at Luna, taking a short break from the tome. “I know, I know. And I cannot deny that there is some measure of risk involved. But you know as well as I do that gain rarely comes without risk.”

Twilight Sparkle seemed to ignore them both completely, though. Twilight was entirely engrossed with poring over the ancient text, studying every minute detail of the page. Even if Twilight Sparkle now was the ‘Alicorn Princess of Magic’ as Celestia said, it did not assuage Luna’s worry much to see her so obsessed. She was obviously so enamored with the chance to study and practice ancient ritual magic that she was blind to all else … especially the very important question of whether this was something the three of them should be meddling with at all.

“Sister…” Luna looked at her sternly.

Celestia sighed. “Come now, Luna. We’re the two oldest alicorns, with thousands of years of experience each. And we now have Twilight, the Alicorn of Magic. Who in Equestria could possibly be better suited to this challenge than the three of us?”

“It is not our abilities that I doubt, Sister.”

Celestia looked back at her with a pained expression. “Luna…”

It was a struggle to hold back any sign of the frustration and worry she felt. This was wrong. She could feel it. They shouldn’t be tinkering with spells they didn’t fully understand. All in a desperate attempt for… “There are other ways, Sister. Other ways you could have what you desire.”

“No there isn't.” Celestia shook her head. “We’ve tried everything, Luna. Every spell, every medical procedure, every potion, every witch doctor. They’ve all failed. It’s been so long since I … since I brought new life into the world. Everypony we ask says I’m simply too old. But I can’t take it anymore. I miss those days. I miss them terribly. Seeing Cadance with Flurry Heart has reopened that old wound, and the only way to make it stop bleeding is to finally mend it, once and for all.”

“And you believe long-lost ancient magic can do such a thing?”

Celestia nodded slightly. “The Wish spell is said to be one of the oldest and most powerful magics in all of recorded history. Or even recorded myth and legend. They say it always gives you what you ask for, no matter what. I didn’t even know we had anything this old in the palace archives. For Twilight to have finally found it there, just as we ran out of other options … it seems nothing short of a stroke of fate. We were meant to find this spell, meant to use it.”

Luna frowned. “Many things are meant to happen, Sister. But that does not necessarily mean the force behind that intention is benevolent. We must take caution, lest we—”

“Okay, I think I’ve got it,” Twilight said suddenly.

“Excellent!” Celestia gushed.

Luna, however, was still leery. “You think so?”

Twilight blushed a little. “Well, uh, I mean. It’s hard to be completely certain with something this old. In order to make any sense of these runes, I had to translate it into Old Ponish, and then translate it again into modern spellcasting script. And you never really know if some of the nuance may have gotten lost in translation.” She shrugged. “But I’ve gone over every detail at least three times independently. And the instructions are very clear. The only thing that can possibly go wrong is for the spell to simply not work – dysfunction, rather than malfunction. The worst case scenario is that it simply does nothing.”

“Then let us begin immediately!” Celestia trotted happily to the center of their magic circle, her wings flittering as she went. “Please, Twilight – initiate the spell!”

“Stay, Twilight! We must be certain before we—”

Twilight ignored Luna, going to the preordained spot in the traced spell matrix while levitating the ancient spellbook – and her loose-leaf notes – in front of her. The glow of her horn was already increasing, already feeding magic into the spell.

Celestia looked to Luna earnestly. “Sister, come. Please – we need your magic for this as well! It’s the only way we’ll have enough power.”

Begrudgingly, Luna took her place on the opposite side of the magic circle. She fervently hoped Twilight Sparkle was right about this spell…

Once she fed her own magical energy into it, the tracings on the floor quickly ignited into brilliant white light, showing their full complexity. A slight shuddering feeling ran through the entire castle, shaking its very foundations as if it were being rocked by a hurricane. But it was an eldritch wind, not of the physical world. Any pegasus or earth pony in the castle would be completely oblivious to it, though any unicorn in Canterlot could surely feel something happening here.

“It’s ready!” Twilight shouted breathlessly. “Now it’s your turn, Princess! Step into the circle and state your wish!”

In turmoil near panic, Luna shouted in vain: “Take caution, Sister! Heed how it might be interpreted!”

Celestia took a deep breath and slowly stepped into the circle, strangely serene in the heat of the moment. Though she was facing away from Luna – toward Twilight – Luna could still tell how oddly, completely calm her sister was. She envied that. Worry and doubt twisted within her own chest, gnawing at her from the inside out, insisting that they had gone too far this time…

“I wish,” Celestia said, loudly and clearly, “that for the first time in thousands of years, I will be the cause of new foals being birthed into Equestria!”

Instantly, a blinding flash emanated from Celestia’s body, forcing Luna to shut her eyes.

When she blinked them open again, Celestia was gone. In her place was a small, glowing sphere. Radiant like the sun, it bore Celestia’s cutie mark in miniature. The sphere was not calm and serene as Celestia had been just a moment ago. It darted to and fro fretfully, as if searching for something. Gradually, its explorations widened.

When it became clear that it was not contained by the bounds of the magic circle, Luna knew for certain that this had gone too far. “Twilight!” she shouted, “Cancel the spell!”

“I … I can’t! It doesn't need my magic anymore! It's self-sustaining!” Twilight leafed through the book and her notes like mad. “There’s … there’s no counterspell here! This spell was written before any spell safety regulations! It seems to be using Celestia’s own magic to…”

“To what?” Luna would have blasted the orb with her own magic, if she had been a little less wise. But she knew from long experience that such things often only worsened the situation.

Before Twilight could answer, the sphere suddenly went absolutely still, hovering in the air just in front of Luna’s face. It turned its sunburst cutie mark toward the south. Had it finally located what it was seeking? After a moment like that, it shot off in that direction, no more than a brightly glowing blur. The castle wall didn’t slow it down in the slightest – a small explosion of masonry burst into the room as the sphere blasted its way out.

When the dust settled, all that remained of Celestia was a small circular hole in the wall where the sphere had punched through.

Both she and Twilight simply stared for a long moment. Luna resisted the urge to say ‘I told you so.’ Instead, something of more practical and immediate concern: “Can you trace where that sphere went?”

Twilight's horn glowed for a moment. Then she shook her head. “Not magically. But it seems to be headed south from here. Towards Ponyville maybe? Or the Everfree Forest. Hm… Let me stop by the Canterlot civil engineering office for some tools. If I can measure that hole in the wall accurately enough, we may be able to predict the trajectory and narrow down our search area.”

Luna winced. “Our … search?”

“Our search to get Princess Celestia back before sunrise.”

* * *

Dicey Morel was a simple stallion; he didn’t need much. Or at least he’d told himself so, after the world passed him by and tossed him aside as if he wasn't wanted. All he needed was his little cabin on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. All he needed was the little mushroom patches in this vast, tree-spotted field, the patches only he knew about and only he could harvest from. All he needed was a mare who’d…

Well, nevermind about that. Not going to happen. It would take a miracle for any of them to notice the plain-looking brown and beige stallion who sometimes opened up a mushroom stall in the market. Mares in Ponyville spent more time looking at the fungi in his cart than looking at him.

So he’d just be content with what he could get. It was probably the royals’ fault anyway. After all, most things were. Discord? He’d heard reliable rumors that Princess Twilight turned him loose. Changelings? Only ever showed up after Princess Cadance was crowned. Luna? Did ponies somehow forget what Luna had done – she’d gone full monster and tried to make eternal night! And Celestia! The worst of the bunch! She kept making the sun too hot and putting it at weird angles so that it’d shine on his mushrooms and wither them up. He knew she was doing it to personally spite him – he was too close to the truth, and somehow she knew it. The royals had spies everywhere. She was probably withering his mushrooms so that he wouldn't be able to impress mares with them, taking away the last chance he had.

It was the kind of thing they’d do.

On this lovely and cool night, though, he didn’t worry himself a whole lot about that. Only the usual amount of precautions, such as wearing his lucky horseshoes. He’d never once gotten spied upon while wearing the lucky horseshoes he’d bought from that friendly stallion in town. Other ponies called him crazy for believing in such things, but Dicey knew better. He was the special kind of pony who was smart enough to see things for how they really were.

He was just about to get around to his best, most productive patch of his namesake Morels when it happened. A brilliantly golden shooting star shot in from the northeast, almost lighting up the whole sky as it flew. Seeing shooting stars during his nightly checkups wasn't unusual – maybe other ponies would have dismissed it. But not him. He was too smart for that. He knew there was something special about this one, and he kept his eyes on it the entire time it flew across the sky.

Unusual indeed! It streaked down to the ground not far from him – not far at all! Off in the direction of the always-looming Everfree Forest.

Well, the Morels could wait. This was something special. It had to be.

* * *

Dicey had been inside the Everfree Forest before. Despite what the ponies of Ponyville often said, it was possible for ponies who went in to come back out … as long as they were careful and kept their wits about them.

That said, it was an especially threatening place at night. He normally wouldn't go until sunrise, not even for the rarest of mushrooms. But this was no rare mushroom. This was something very special. He could still see the faint glow of it somewhere up ahead. Was it gold, maybe? A huge pile of bits just for him? Why … if he got rich from this, maybe then the mares would…

No. Best not to get ahead of himself. And definitely best not to get caught daydreaming – or nightdreaming – inside the Everfree Forest. That was a quick way to end up as one of those ponies the others warned about, the ones who never come back.

The light ahead was getting brighter … he must be getting close now…

And there it was!

Surprisingly small for how brightly it had been glowing. And it sure wasn't a huge pile of golden bits or anything. If it wasn't so shiny, he probably wouldn't even consider it valuable. Already, its light was fading, but it still shone almost too brightly to look at, like the sun. It was only a small sphere, though, slightly bigger than a walnut. But it glowed brightly with a sun symbol on the surface of it, almost like a freshly appeared cutie mark.

What was it? Who knew? Who cared? It sure looked valuable, so Dicey took it. Actually wasn't hot at all when he picked it up, though he’d been afraid it might burn his hoof. And then into the saddlebag it went, as if it was just another mushroom to be harvested.

Speaking of that, he still had a long night ahead of him. Better get going again.

* * *

The next day, there wasn't one. The old clock on Dicey’s wall said it was the next day, but it was still dark as midnight outside.

Weird. But whatever. Good for his mushrooms. He’d have a good crop this month, maybe make some extra dough and have enough to make some much-needed repairs to his little cabin on the edge of the forest. Not enough to repair the leaky roof, probably, but enough to fix the drafty window and the finicky door latch. Or maybe he’d spend it on another trip to the Ponyville Spa. Those twin sisters were mighty alluring, even if the only thing they really offered was overpriced hoof-jobs. Still, it was about as close as he was ever likely to get to what he really wanted.

Why was his mind on such things so much lately? Ever since he’d stashed that glowing orb under the floorboards of his woodshed, he just couldn't stop thinking about mares, mares, mares. Even though he knew he ought to spend the extra – if there even was any extra – on cottage repairs, deep down he already knew he’d made his decision. He was looking forward to the next trip into town already, and for all the wrong reasons!

* * *

When it finally came time for that trip into town – for the weekend market – it was still nighttime. Nopony had seen so much of a glimmer of the sun since the last time it had set, now a whole four days ago.

Definitely something wrong. For sure. But also not his problem. For sure.

He was just a simple mushroom gatherer, after all. Giant cosmic calamities tended to come and go, but for him, routine went on as it always had.

As he’d predicted, the mushroom harvest this time had been huge. And that should have been all the better for him because most of the other produce vendors had seemed to be doing quite poorly without any sun on their crops. Having a bumper crop and less competition than usual should have meant enormous profits for his humble little mushroom stand.

Unfortunately not, though. Most ponies seemed to be preoccupied with the darkness, too busy panicking to go grocery shopping. Despite having so much to sell and so little competition, he was still having a slow sales day. Just his luck. Looked like he could kiss that trip to the spa goodbye. Oh well, probably for the best anyway. He always ended up spending way too much money there, and usually regretting it afterwards.

Mostly, he just amused himself by watching all the passerby in the marketplace and listening to what they were all chattering about. To take the Ponyville residents’ word for it, Celestia was gravely ill, Celestia was dead, Nightmare Moon had returned, Discord was up to something, Celestia was on strike and refused to do her job until her royal allowance was increased, Celestia had turned into an apricot and shot off into the distance, Celestia and Luna had simply forgotten to do their royal duty, the sun itself was dead and would just be a black void if Celestia raised it, Twilight Sparkle had taken over the sun-raising duties and she was very bad at her job, the days had accidentally been a few minutes too long for centuries and now the princesses were making up for it all at once, or perhaps all the clocks had been running exceptionally fast and everypony still hadn’t had the usual twelve hours of darkness yet. Each theory more ridiculous than the last. It made him chuckle.

But also, more than usual, he had an eye for the mares darting to and fro through the marketplace. Of course he always liked to keep an eye out for pretty mares on market days – or nights, as it were – but usually they didn’t distract him this much. Applejack’s firm, rippling flanks as she trotted by to check on her brother’s cart. The prime view of Lyra’s little mint-green teats as she reclined on a bench. The way Pinkie Pie’s generous ass cheeks jiggled with every bounce as she pronked right past his stall. He always had an eye for such things, but now he could barely tear his gaze away from them, even when he had a customer. He was struggling to even keep his pride tugged inside his sheath – something he hadn’t had problems with since he was just a young colt catching a whiff of filly pheromones for the first time. What was wrong with him? Something about that orb. Everything had gotten so odd since he picked that thing up. Unnatural, it was. Maybe he ought to get rid of it…

“Have you seen any mysterious magical artifacts suddenly appearing lately?”

That question meshed so perfectly with Dicey’s own thoughts about the orb that for a moment he questioned if he was hearing things, just making things up in his head.

But no, there it was again, the same question. “Have you seen any unusual magical artifacts? It’s vital that we find it so we can get Celestia back and raise the sun.”

Two royal guards, going from pony to pony, asking the same thing. They were asking Lyra now, on the bench across the market from him. She shook her head no and shrugged her shoulders. He might have noticed the guards earlier, if he hadn’t been so distracted by mares lately. Even now, his eyes strayed down between Lyra’s hind legs. Goodness, those little teats of hers looked so soft and supple…

No! He shook himself, forcing himself to watch the guards instead. Maybe this was important!

Pony after pony they asked, seemingly at random, asking anypony who’d stop to talk to them. And never getting the answer they wanted. Always about getting Celestia back. Was she truly gone? Of course, they never asked him, even though they walked right by his stand more than once. Dicey was well-accustomed to the effect. He was all but invisible to anypony except those shopping for mushrooms. Nobody cared about the weird, musty-smelling mushroom guy unless they wanted what he was selling, did they?

Still, though… Could it be? Celestia disappeared, sun not rising, mysterious glowing orb with the mark of the sun on it

Nah, it couldn't be. Things like this didn’t happen to him. He was just the mushroom pony. The plain-looking, lonely, sexless, mushroom pony that nopony cared about.

Unless

What if he had found something incredibly valuable? Something Equestria literally couldn't function without? Ponies would have to pay attention to him then, wouldn't they? Mares would have to pay attention to him! He might finally… But no. That was stupid. Maybe he’d be in the spotlight for a day, maybe a princess would write him a letter thanking him, maybe Pinkie Pie would throw him a silly little party or something. And then they’d forget. Merely finding a lost object wasn't enough to make one an eternal hero of Equestria, not even an object this important. It was just dumb luck that he’d been the one to find it, and ponies would realize that. Handing it over to the guards would never get him what he really wanted.

Maybe there was another way to take advantage of this, though… They didn’t know where it was, and they desperately needed to. He knew where it was, he was smart enough to get his way, and he didn’t owe those snooty royals anything. Why … they’d trade anything for that orb, wouldn't they?

If anypony had been paying attention to him – which they never did – they might have been unnerved by the maniacal grin that suddenly spread over his face. Oh yes. The plan was already forming. He’d sell off the rest of his crop all at once at Barnyard Bargains first. For a terrible price compared to what he could get here in the market, but it would be more than enough to cover a one-way ticket on the next train to Canterlot…

* * *

As it turned out, he made it to the station just a bit too late to catch the last train to Canterlot that day. Even though there weren’t any days anymore and the conductors might have just as well run trains at any hour, they still refused to deviate from their normal schedule. And no he was not interested in the ‘overnight express’ to Appleloosa, thank you very much! So with an eye-roll and a muttered curse to all bureaucrats and the royals they answered to, he’d bought a ticket for the next morning train and waited.

That was a long, long night, even just judging by the clock, not even counting how morning would literally never come. It seemed like his seven thirty train departure time would never come, either. He couldn't get a wink of sleep that night, not with visions of every mare he’d ever seen dancing before his eyes every time he closed them. Would this really work? Would he finally get to go all the way with a mare? Any mare he wanted? Well, only time would tell … but why oh why did time have to pass so slowly?

* * *

If Dicey had thought Ponyville was going crazy, Canterlot was on a whole different level. Ponies ran through the streets as if the city was on fire. A few places in the city were on fire, though at least the pegasus fire crews were still responding and trying to put it out with hastily-delivered rain clouds.

Canterlot Castle – his destination – was the absolute center of all the mayhem. That posed a problem. It wasn't quite as easy to get a royal audience as he’d thought it would be. The castle gates were closed tightly, with a huge crowd of ponies – both standing and flying – clustered around the drawbridge, every last one of them clamoring to be let in, shouting their various justifications, some very sensible, others absurd. But the line of Royal Guards blocking the gate weren’t listening to a word of it. They merely pushed back anypony who got too close.

It took him ages to shoulder his way through the crowd to the gate. Lots of time and a bruised hoof from where some fat stallion had stepped on him. He screamed at the fat stallion, but it only got lost in the riotous din; the other ponies didn’t even seem to notice one more scream.

And neither did the Royal Guards, once he’d finally made his way to the front of the unruly crowd. “Let me in!” Dicey shouted. “I know where Celestia is! I found her!”

But no matter how loudly he shouted, it never seemed to get through to them. It was as if they couldn't hear him at all. Maybe they couldn't. All the other ponies were yelling so loudly too… As much as he tried, it quickly became clear that he wasn't getting through to them, no matter what. In the end, he had to retreat away from the gate. Who could stand that much noise and commotion for so long? Just before he was about to give up hope and maybe go home and try talking to the Guards in Ponyville, the gate opened, and out came a pony he actually knew: Shining Armor, former Captain of the Royal Guard. Even Dicey had heard of this suspiciously fortunate stallion!

“Next shift coming in, keep up the good work,” Shining Armor said over the ruckus. Apparently he’d resumed duties as Captain? “And remember – nopony gets in until we’ve found a solution for this crisis.”

Seeing his chance, Dicey jumped at it – literally jumping back to the front, almost close enough to earn him another shove backward from the Guards. “Shining Armor!” he cried out. He seemed to have gotten the Captain’s attention thank goodness. Now to capitalize on it! “I need an audience with the princesses! I know where Celestia is! Just let me talk to them!”

Shining Armor shook his head. “Princess Luna isn’t taking audiences today. Come back tomorrow.”

Now that the Guards lining the door had switched places with fresh ones, Shining Armor turned and headed back inside as well. Dicey thought that was it – of course a pony so closely associated with the royals would be a complete ass! – but no, not quite. Just before the giant doors closed, another pony peeked out. The unmistakable purple face of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.

“You know where she is?” Princess Twilight asked.

Dicey nodded vigorously.

“Where?”

“I have to tell Princess Luna directly!”

Shining Armor came back to the door. “It’s some kind of scam, Twiley. Half the ponies here claim to know where she is, but they’re just saying that to get inside.”

“I’m not lying! I really know where she is!”

Princess Twilight stared at him for a moment, as if trying to judge the truth in his eyes. Eventually, she turned to Shining Armor. “We have to try, just in case. If he’s lying, we’ll kick him right back out again, okay?”

Shining Armor sighed, but acquiesced. With a series of shouted orders, he had the line of guards allow Dicey through while keeping the rest of the crowd back – this seemed to make all of them even more agitated.

The exact millisecond Dicey was inside, the doors slammed closed again, each door pushed by a pair or Royal Guards, who then quickly placed a locking bar across the entrance. It was strange. Even though he could still hear the crowd outside, the interior of the castle was oddly serene. If anything, the muted sound of the near-riot outside only added to the effect. Or maybe it was just because of the sharp contrast from the chaos Dicey had just left.

“Come on,” Princess Twilight told him. “The throne room is this way. Luna should still be there.”

“I’m coming too,” Shining Armor declared.

Princess Twilight looked back at him. “Huh? I thought you needed to organize the—”

“I don’t trust him. I’m keeping an eye on this one.” Shining Armor turned to Dicey. “What’s your name? And why do you have to tell Princess Luna directly? Why can’t you just tell us instead?”

“I’m Dicey Morel. And, uh…” He realized he didn’t have a good explanation for the rest, so he just let it hang. Shining Armor’s eyes narrowed at that.

“Come on!” Princess Twilight said again. “There’s no time to lose!”

All the way to the throne room, Dicey couldn't take his eyes off of Princess Twilight's rear. To the point where he saw very little of the castle’s interior. Normally, he’d be fascinated with the unfair decadence that the royals lived within, but for some reason, all he could focus his eyes on was the decadence of Twilight's sweet little ass. She was fairly small and slim, especially for an alicorn, but her cheeks still had a really sumptuous deep curve to them. They were especially enticing as she climbed the long flight of stairs upward – Dicey’s mouth watered as he watched the Princess’s curves sway gently side to side. And oh! The flippantly casual way she held her tail so high! It was absolutely impossible to avoid catching glimpses of her pert little vulva. It jiggled ever so slightly every time one of her hind hooves touched the floor.

Of course, the direction of his gaze hadn’t escaped Shining Armor’s notice. Even without looking at him, Dicey could feel the other stallion’s fiercely protective glare. But still, Dicey couldn't stop staring under Princess Twilight's tail. It was like some kind of hypnosis…

He was so absorbed in the view that he didn’t even notice that they’d entered the throne room. Apparently, thanks to Princess Twilight's privilege, they were able to enter without any fanfare or waiting whatsoever. The only thing that was able to snap Dicey out of it was when Twilight turned around and waved a hoof in his face.

“Hey, are you okay?” she said. “This is the throne room. Princess Luna is right up there.”

Dicey looked where Princess Twilight pointed, and indeed Princess Luna sat there on the throne. There was already somepony in front of her, a yellow and orange pegasus mare wearing a dazzling flight suit and messenger bags. “More reports of crop failures already,” the pegasus said. “Without the sun, temperatures are getting much colder than usual this time of year. Places that aren’t used to the cold weather – like the farms outside of Las Pegasus – are already losing some crops to the frost. If this keeps getting worse…”

“I know, I know,” Princess Luna said dejectedly. “It appears we are due for a famine. Has the report from our emergency warehouses come back yet? How much food supplies have we stockpiled?”

The pegasus shook her head. “They’re still counting the inventory.”

“Well, if counting takes them this long, perhaps that is a good sign. Hopefully we’ll be able to provide enough relief efforts until … until, well…” Princess Luna gave a long, heavy sigh.

The pegasus cleared her throat. “Uh… Princess? Some of the other Wonderbolts were talking, and they made me promise to ask you… Why don’t you just raise the sun yourself? Princess Celestia was able to take care of the moon while you were … uh … gone, and that seemed to work fine.”

Princess Luna shook her head. “The sun is nothing like the moon. It is far more massive, and it is … unruly.” She sighed again. “Believe me, my dear Captain Spitfire, I have tried. I have tried so many times. But I fear it is beyond me, even with the assistance of the other two alicorns. I have worn myself out until my magic falters and I have yet to get that intractable thing even close to the horizon.”

“Oh…” The pegasus mare looked down. “I guess I’ll be on my way, then, Princess. I’ll get these messages delivered faster than the wind flies!”

“Fear not!” Princess Luna paused the pegasus mare’s departure with those words. “Though the art has long been lost, our best magical researchers have been hard at work reconstructing the old ways, before my sister and I. Though it may take a hundred unicorns a day and cost them dearly, we shall see the sun again.” Quietly, to the side, she added, “So long as our supplies last in the meantime…”

Finally, she seemed to notice the new arrivals. “Aha! And here comes one of the best magical researchers in all the land! Please tell me, Twilight Sparkle, that you have good news to deliver! Have you uncovered the ancient spells for raising the sun?”

“Not that, I’m afraid,” Twilight said. “But I may have other good news.” She nudged Dicey forward. “Go on, tell her!”

“Here we go…” Shining Armor rolled his eyes.

Princess Luna’s eyes finally settled on Dicey. “And who might you be? For I do not recognize your face nor your cutie mark.” As usual, he’d been invisible to everypony – especially mares – until specifically called for. Well … maybe all of that was about to end.

He cleared his throat. “I’m, uh, Dicey Morel … Your, um, Highness.” It felt weird to talk to a royal on her throne … and even weirder to do it so … respectfully.

Utter silence reigned in the hall. If he’d been expecting some sort of response or greeting, none was coming. Princess Luna merely stared down at him, waiting for him to continue.

Well, he might as well just come out with it. “I know where Princess Celestia is.”

That earned him a gasp from Princess Luna. “Where?

“And I’ll tell you, uh … for a price.”

Shining Armor groaned. “Of course.”

Princess Luna, though, simply raised one eyebrow. “Your price?”

Phew… This was getting intense. The tightness in Dicey’s chest made it hard to even breathe. His legs were shaking! He knew what to do, but he’d never thought it would be so difficult to do it! And the betrayed look Princess Twilight was giving him… No! He had to persevere. It was the only way. “I, uh… I’ll tell you where Princess Celestia is if you make a royal decree giving me absolute authority over everypony in Equestria, allowing me to order them to do anything I please. Including, um…” Whew … okay, deep breath. “Including … sex.”

Oh, the look of utter disgust on Princess Luna’s face… “BEGONE WITH YOU! THOU FOUL LIAR! THOU PERVERSE FOOL!” she shouted, in her full deafening Canterlot Voice.

Shining Armor rushed at the opportunity, grappling Dicey in his magic and quickly hauling Dicey away.

But not before Dicey could shout out, “It’s a glowing sphere, about this big”— he held his hooves just slightly apart —“and it glows with a golden light like the sun – it has the mark of the sun on it, just like Princess Celestia’s cutie mark!”

“Hold!” Princess Luna called out, halting Shining Armor just at the throne room’s door.

“Princess?” Shining Armor questioned.

Princess Luna took a deep sigh. “He has indeed seen the sphere which my beloved sister has become. Please, Captain, set him down.”

It was much more comfortable standing on his four hooves again. Dicey shook himself.

Princess Luna looked at him earnestly. “Please, Dicey Morel, I beseech you. Withhold not your secrets. We must have Celestia back. Already, our crops are failing and the cold is coming in. It as if the ghost of Nightmare Moon has come to torture me and all of Equestria as well, with the foolish dream I wanted so badly when under the spell of that madness. Please, kind stallion, please help us retrieve my sister so that we may save Equestria from this doom! You will have my undying gratitude. Myself and all of Equestria!”

Wow… She was so earnest like that. Any other pony might have fallen for it – even Dicey almost did – but he knew the royals too well to believe them even for a moment. She was simply putting on an act to get what she wanted, like they always did.

“I will,” he said, “once you’ve given me the price I asked for.”

Shining Armor came toward him again. “Why you no good son of a—”

“No, Shining!” Twilight blocked him with a quick magical shield. “Please. We have to hear him out. I’m sure we can negotiate something, right?” She looked back up at Princess Luna.

Stomping one hoof down scornfully, Princess Luna scoffed. “We will not be held hostage to the demands of a treacherous, lecherous stallion!” She marched down toward him, her eyes glowing white. “FOOL! Did you think you could hold an entire nation hostage? Did you think us so weak? Nay! You will sooner find yourself caged in Tartarus! Chained in the lowest dungeons! Your petty secrets shall be flayed from your mind with arcane spells you have not the wit to comprehend! We should feed you to the beasts of Tartarus merely for having the temerity to speak such insults to crown and to country!”

As much as he'd intended to stand his ground, Dicey nevertheless found himself backpedaling away from the angry Princess. She was just so much taller than him, obviously so much more powerful!

And yet ... at this point, what did he have to lose? She'd already threatened him just for saying it. Even if he gave in now, they'd probably still throw him in the dungeons. And even if they were merciful, even if they let him go ... could he really live with himself if he'd come this close, only to give in to their threats? Could he really just go back to mushroom farming after this? Unthinkable. And besides, he knew that these royals lied constantly. How do you know if a royal is lyin'? Dicey's grandpapa had once told him, Her mouth is movin'!

No! Screw it. He wasn't going to back down after coming this far! He'd call their bluff and hope against hope that they really were bluffing. He shook his head. “You won't. You wouldn't do that even to the worst villains Equestria has ever faced!”

She was right in front of him now, the the point where he could feel her seething breath. “Do not test us, pathetic stallion! We will offer you this one chance – one chance only – to recant your absurd request and beg our mercy.”

“Princess Luna!” Twilight cried. “We can't do that kind of thing! It's not—”

“Shush, Twiley!” Shining Armor shoved his hoof against his sister's mouth, shutting her up.

But it was too late. Any fear of retribution and torture that might have been clawing at Dicey's heart now wafted away. Princess Twilight had all but confirmed it: this was a bluff. Right from the mouth of a royal herself. “You're bluffing!” he said, with confidence still somewhat feigned. “No ruler of Equestria would ever do that kind of thing to a fellow pony.”

“You know nothing of what we are capable!”

Even as she'd said it, Princess Luna's threat sounded hollow. Dicey huffed, almost daring to laugh at her. “You're wasting time, here Princess! The sooner you agree to my terms, the sooner Equestria can be back to normal. But if you deny it, that will only delay things and make the problem worse. Just do it already!”

Princess Luna backed down and breathed a deep sigh, shaking her head. “It is impossible. What you ask for, Dicey Morel, is not mine to give. I could not, in good conscience, make such a demand on my subjects, on the citizens of Equestria.” She paused for a long moment, deliberating. “I am, however, prepared to offer you anything which is mine to give. You may take anything you desire from the royal storehouses, including the treasury. And, if it is pleasures of the body you seek, you may have ... me.”

“Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted in shock.

The Princess held up her hoof, silencing Princess Twilight. “Please, stay your concern, Twilight Sparkle. In my long years, I have done worse for less reward. Having once before tried to force this very same endless night upon Equestria, I believe it my duty to do anything in my power to put an end to it now.” She looked back to Dicey. “So this is my offer, kind sir. I offer you everything which is mine to give. I cannot offer more.”

Once again, Dicey might have been convinced … if he didn’t already know so much about the royals and how they worked. She had the power to do more, of course she did. The royals controlled everything! She was just using this as a dirty tactic to bargain him down and get what she wanted for cheaper. No different than an old granny haggling for truffles in the Ponyville market square. Oh yes, he’d heard that ‘this is all I have’ line before. And then watched the same pony go right up to the next stall to buy something else, using the same line there too. No, he wasn't buying it. He wouldn't budge.

“Sorry,” he said. “That isn’t what I asked for.” He turned to leave.

“Wait!”

He knew it! He paused, but didn’t turn, turning only one ear rearward to hear what she had to say.

“Though it pains me greatly to thus abuse my authority…” She sighed. “I will grant you what you ask.”

“Princess!” both Shining Armor and Princess Twilight shouted at once.

“Be still!” Princess Luna shouted in return. “It is with a heavy heart I come to this conclusion, but yet I must. Dicey Morel, you will have what you seek, you have my word. Now I beg of you, tell us where we can find Princess Celestia.”

“Not so fast,” Dicey told her. “I know how you royals work. As soon as I tell you where she is, you’ll just lock me up in a dungeon for even having the nerve to ask what I asked for.”

“Oooh! Good idea!” Shining Armor said quietly to himself.

“Not helping!” Princess Twilight hissed at him as she prodded him with a hoof.

“No no no.” Dicey stomped his hoof down. “I want seven days. Seven full days to do whatever I want, whoever I want. And then I’ll tell you where Princess Celestia is.”

Princess Luna gasped a little … probably because he’d seen through her plan. “To think I should live to see such temerity…” She shook her head. “Have you not seen the state Equestria is already in? I fear we may not last seven days. It is too much.”

Well, true… And of course Dicey wasn't an evil pony. He didn’t want everypony else to suffer and starve. “Okay…” He shrugged. “How about five days?”

“This is still too long. Please, think of the suffering which will unfold over the land! Though I fear to delay even so long as this, I will offer you one day.”

One day?” Dicey scoffed. “Come on! That’s practically nothing!” He started walking toward the throne room doors again. “Send a messenger for me when you’re finally desperate enough to really negotiate!”

“Three days!” Princess Luna shouted before he could reach the door. “I offer you three days. I dare not offer more. If too many crops fail, it may result in famine severe enough to put an end to Equestria, with or without the return of the sun. Please, Dicey Morel, be realistic! You must see how desperate is our need! Every day we go without the warmth of the sun does more harm to Equestria!”

For a long time, he just stood there, thinking about it. Honestly, three days of having his way with anypony he wanted … that sounded pretty good. And he was willing to go for it. But, since it was already working so well, he was kind of hoping that if he waited long enough, Princess Luna might offer four

Apparently not, though. Even after the silence stretched out much too far for comfort, Princess Luna still didn’t make another offer.

Alright then. Dicey turned around. “Okay. Three days. You have to command everypony in Equestria to do whatever I say, enforced by the Royal Guard if necessary. And if anypony disobeys me, the deal is off. Three days after you give that command, I’ll tell you where Celestia’s sphere is. Deal?”

Twilight interjected, “But Princess! What if he wants to—”

Again, Princess Luna held up her hoof, silencing Princess Twilight. Though the royals often talked about equality among princesses, it was entirely clear who was in command here. Princess Luna grimaced and sighed. “Very well. The crown agrees to your terms, Dicey Morel, with the exception that you are not to make any order resulting in the death or permanent injury of any pony. I trust this is agreeable?”

Dicey nodded.

She glanced to Shining Armor now. “Send word to the Messenger Corps and to all nearby. We shall hold a public audience with an important announcement to all of Equestria as soon as may be done. Bring all who may be gathered into the throne room immediately.”

“Yes, Princess!” Shining Armor shot off a snappy salute before darting out of the throne room, already yelling to relay Princess Luna’s orders.

“You … you can’t be serious,” Princess Twilight said quietly toward the throne. “Something like this… It’s an abuse of power. It’s unheard of. It’s … well, it sure sounds like it’s going to be … rape.”

Princess Luna sighed deeply. “I know, dear Twilight Sparkle. I know all too well. But unless this stallion should relent, it seems this is our only option.” She looked at Dicey; Dicey frowned back, making it clear he wouldn't be swayed. Princess Luna shook her head. “I am sorry, Twilight. And I apologize in advance for what is likely to come. But I see no other way. A ruler must sometimes make difficult decisions, and oft must make the choice of which disaster to endure. No matter what this stallion asks of us, Equestria will survive. But if we turn him down, we very likely shall not. Be brave, Twilight Sparkle. Once again, we must make sacrifices so that the world may be saved.”

* * *

Princess Celestia’s throne was actually pretty uncomfortable. That struck Dicey as odd. Surrounded by all this opulence and wealth, couldn't the royals at least afford a better cushion? But ah, whatever. It was worth a little discomfort to see the inquisitive and baffled looks on ponies’ faces when they saw him on the throne next to Princess Luna’s. He’d considered standing on the podium next to the thrones, or among the crowd until the time was right … but something told him that this would set the proper tone and make sure ponies knew he was serious about them doing anything he said. Now if only he had a crown to go with it…

“Is he supposed to be the new Princess?” he overheard one pony in the crowd ask a little too loudly. “They could have found a better-looking pony, at least.”

“Should have been a unicorn,” another disdainful voice said, before being lost to the general mumble of the gathering crowd.

The throne room was getting packed full of ponies. Everypony must have wanted to know what was going on, everypony must have been hoping that this announcement meant the return of Princess Celestia and the return of the sun. Including the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, all six of them. All of them except for Princess Twilight looked eager and hopeful. She must not have told them yet. Well, in a way, the ponies were right to be hopeful, right about this being an end to the long night. This announcement would herald the return of Princess Celestia … after three days. Until then… Well, soon they’d find out how a regular pony like him was able to sit upon the throne of a princess. He could hardly wait!

Once the room was full and couldn't feasibly fit any more ponies inside, Princess Luna stood from her throne. It was starting! It was starting!

She winced and cleared her throat. “To the ponies of Equestria,” she said, a touch of the Canterlot Voice making her easily heard even in the huge, crowded room, “I hereby bring thee a most urgent announcement. In exchange for his aid in returning my sister, Princess Celestia and saving our fair country from this endless night, the stallion you see here, Dicey Morel, is to be granted this boon: until further notice, all citizens of Equestria are to take this stallion’s word as law, and his every request is to be enforced by the Royal Guard and any loyal Equestrian, until further notice. This supersedes all other orders, and all requests must be honored, even … unseemly ones. However, he is not granted the right to cause injury or death to any pony or creature. From this point on, you are all to treat him as if he is the absolute monarch of Equestria, superseding even the word of princesses such as myself. I do not grant this boon lightly. It is an unfortunate necessity required to save our kingdom and our world from certain doom. Thank you all for your sacrifice and your endurance for the sake of Equestria. I apologize to you all.”

When Princess Luna sat back down, complete silence echoed through the huge room, not even broken by a cough or sneeze. Every pony in the audience – save one, Princess Twilight Sparkle – was glancing around, looking bewildered. Many looked as if they thought it was a joke, but they didn’t dare laugh until somepony else did first.

He’d need to demonstrate to them that Princess Luna was entirely serious. But that was okay. He’d figured it would be like that … and he’d been looking forward to it.

Dicey looked over at her. “Princess Luna.”

“Yes?”

Hm… That wouldn't do. “Please address me as ‘Master’.”

“Yes, Master Dicey?”

His heart thudded in his chest at the sound of those words from Princess Luna's mouth. Finally, he was able to forget about self-control and let his cock begin to slip out of his sheath … right in front of this huge audience. And speaking of Princess Luna's mouth... “Princess Luna, it's time to…” He paused. No, he didn’t need those honorifics anymore, did he? “I mean, Luna, it's time to seal the deal ... with a blowjob.”

Gasps echoed throughout the room, and a few outraged shouts, but Dicey tried to not let that distract him from the beautiful mare in the next seat over.

“Of course, Master Dicey.” More gasps rang out at Luna’s acquiescence. She bowed her head slightly. “Would you prefer to retire to my chambers first, or perhaps a suite in the castle could be prepared for—”

“No,” he said. “Right here. Right now. In front of everypony.”

Luna grimaced and sighed … but she rose from her throne once more. She wore a look of profound resignation as she came around to the front of his throne, but she did come … much to the shock and dismay of the audience.

Dicey slouched back in the uncomfortable seat, putting his half-emerged cock on full display. Normally, he’d feel nervous exposed in front of so many ponies … but the innate lack of consequences took that nervousness and turned it into something near elation. Even though Luna hadn’t so much as touched him yet, his cock was already stiffening and sliding the rest of the way out of its sheath. He’d … he’d never actually done this kind of thing before. Never anything more than a hoofjob at the spa. And for the very first pony to ever do it with him to be a princess

She looked up at him from in front of the throne, the look in her eyes more irritated than anything, but also with a heavy dose of resignation.

When Luna dipped her head down and licked his shaft, ponies all throughout the throne room gasped loudly. Dicey gasped as well. He knew it would feel good, but he hadn’t expected it to feel like this! Luna’s tongue was so soft and tender as she slid it up his length. And she wasn't holding back, either. Even though she obviously didn’t want to be doing this, for some reason she was still putting effort into it. Some sort of weird professional pride, maybe? Or something more? It suddenly made him wonder if she’d ever sucked anypony else’s dick in her long life … who that might be, and why…

As she took his tip into her mouth, though, all extraneous thoughts flittered away. He was barely even aware of the audience looking on as she so slowly slipped more of him into her mouth. He shuddered, scarcely able to breathe. This was like a dream! How many times had he imagined something like this while getting stroked off in the spa, or when doing it himself because he couldn't afford the spa again? And yet, here it was, in real life, the incredibly alluring and mysterious Princess Luna, diligently working on swallowing his cock down her throat!

She must have done this kind of thing before – she was so good at it! She got all the way down to his medial ring before she went back up, starting to bob her head in his lap and redoubling his pleasure with every motion. He throbbed harder than ever, letting out a slight moan, despite his intention to keep his composure and assert dominance.

Surprising him, Luna let out an answering little moan of her own. He couldn't really hear it over the dismayed sounds of the crowd, but he could feel the vibration deep in her throat. Was she … was she enjoying this? Or was it just a sound of her struggling to make it fit? Either way, he found it immensely alluring, and not just because the subtle vibrations felt good.

Maybe a bit more, though? As incredible as this felt, he had a profound urge to go deeper. And what better way to demonstrate to all those ponies watching that he really was the one in control?

“Go deeper,” he commanded, loud enough for at least some of the audience to hear. And he placed his hoof on Luna’s head, running it through her lustrous, glowing mane for a moment before gripping her horn and pushing downward.

That certainly got a reaction from the crowd! The room was abuzz with their collective outrage at seeing a beloved princess treated so roughly. At this point, though, Dicey didn’t even care about them. The way it felt when his cock slid all the way down Luna’s throat was beyond his wildest dreams. Not only the slick, supple gliding against every list bit of his cock, but as Luna began to cough and gag, he felt the convulsions of her throat as if it was deliberately milking him!

And he wasn't far off, not with this kind of treatment. He wasn't used to this! It might be a poor showing to finish so quickly in front of so many other ponies, but if she kept up like this much longer, he simply wouldn't be able to hold himself back from—

A sudden burst of Luna’s magic tore his hoof away from her horn. She shot up off of his cock, sputtering and gasping. “My … my apologies—” she coughed again “—Master Dicey. But I… I must breathe.” She did at least keep her hooves working up and down his now-slick shaft, proving that she was still dedicated to her task.

Honestly, Dicey was happy to have a moment to catch his breath as well. Oh what a sight Luna was, sitting down there with her drool-covered face in his lap, his cock dripping pre-cum onto her muzzle…

All he could think about was getting his cock back inside her. Deep, deep inside her. He’d never experienced anything like this before, and he wanted to savor every moment. Ah, but what if she interrupted him with another gagging fit? She was obviously more skilled than one might expect a royal to be, but taking the whole thing seemed to be too much of a challenge for her. If only…

His eyes went wide with sudden realization; seeing the look on his face, Luna slightly backed away from him, though she still stroked him with her forehooves.

He’d meant for this to only be a blowjob, to only be a demonstration of his authority. But … after all, why shouldn’t he? Why couldn't he? This could be it – the first time he went all the way with a mare! And with a beautiful princess, no less! That would get him as deep inside her as he could possibly wish, and no breaks for a breather… Did he dare? Did he dare order her to do that?

Well, he hadn’t gotten here by being a timid stallion…

Just as Luna put her mouth back to his cock, he gripped her horn again and pulled her upward instead of pushing her down. She looked up at him questioningly, not trying in the slightest to break his grip, though with her alicorn might, she surely could have.

He leered down at her hungrily. “Get up and turn to the side,” he ordered, “and get ready to be mounted.”

There was a slight hint of a wince in Luna’s eyes, but she did as she was told without hesitation. She must have understood what he wanted, because she turned to the perfect angle for the whole crowd to see exactly what he was about to do to her.

Licking his lips at the sight of her, Dicey slipped off of Celestia’s throne and approached Luna from behind. Dutifully, she raised her tail and spread her hind legs slightly. Goddess above, she was gorgeous! If she often gave ponies a view like this, he might almost understand how ponies came to be so fond of the Princess, so ready to do anything she asked of them. Almost. Because now it was time for the tables to be turned. He gazed hungrily on the pristine blue curves of Luna’s ass, their contours heightened by the large black splotch around her cutie mark. Her thighs looked firm and surprisingly muscular, bringing to mind the old legends warrior princesses. Before, he’d dismissed that as fanciful propaganda, but now that he looked at her closely, he could kind of believe it. And right there in the middle, nestled deeply between those chiseled curves, was the crown jewel: Luna’s surprisingly small and delicate looking vulva. It was not the black of the fur splotches around it, but rather a slightly deeper blue than her coat. It looked so incredibly petite and dainty, pouting there between the cheeks of such a mighty rump. As he stared at it … it winked!

The sight literally took his breath away. Princess Luna – no, Luna – she’d … she’d just winked for him! At least at some level, Luna was getting turned on by this. She wanted this!

Propelled by blind lust and deeply ingrained instinct, Dicey rushed forward, his cock springing up as his forehooves left the floor, ready to conquer this mare and breed her the way her body was begging him to!

Only … there was a bit of a problem. A matter of height that he’d been too lust-clouded to think about in the heat of the moment. He … simply wasn't tall enough for her. He was able to get his forehooves around the glorious curves of her ass, but her pussy winked against his chest fur, and his cock sprung up between her thighs. Maybe if he stretched to his utmost, he might be able to get his tip to kiss against her pussy lips, but this obviously wasn't going to work…

And what was worse, the crowd was watching. A murmur spread among them, thankfully falling short of laughter, but he got the sense that they might have been laughing, if they hadn’t been so appalled at what they were seeing. Only one little giggle-snort could be heard in the vast hall … from Pinkie Pie, of course.

This wouldn't do. He looked ridiculous. He needed to show all these ponies who was boss! If only he had something to stand on, or if Luna could… His eyes hit upon the edge of the low dais they stood upon. It was just about the right height…

“Go to the edge of the dais and stand for me just off the side of it,” he commanded.

Luna, like the good obedient royal she was, did exactly what he said without complaint, without even any snide comment. She slipped out from under him as she walked, but she did not lower her tail as she went. Dicey was drawn along after her like a moth to the flame, staring as her ass cheeks flexed and her pussy winked again between steps.

Once she was off the edge of the dais and presenting herself to him again, then she was just about the right height for him! Maybe a little short, actually … but that was okay, he was perfectly willing to bend down a little.

There was no hesitation, no foreplay. He knew what he wanted, knew what he needed, and he was going to take it. As soon as she was in position, he scrambled onto her back, his forehooves squeezing tightly for purchase. And after just a couple blind jabs with his cock, he felt sumptuous slick warmth against the tip. This was it! Long overdue, but he was finally about to lose his virginity with a real mare!

It was lucky for Luna that her blowjob had left his cock slick, because he wasn't gentle, nor was he slow about it. All he wanted was in, in, in … and that’s exactly where he shoved his cock. Thoughtlessly and recklessly, he pushed forward. The horrified gasp from the crowd was the perfect soundtrack to match the way he felt – utter nirvana. As if he was finally doing what he was born to do. He sank his cock all the way inside Luna’s sumptuous warmth. In a way, he was glad for the little snafu that resulted from being too short for her. If he hadn’t had that little breather, he probably would be orgasming already, after only one thrust.

As he pulled back, Luna stifled a moan. This time, despite her act, it was unmistakable – the sound of a mare in the throes of pleasure. Was he … was he really that good? His confidence soared as he pushed his cock back inside her.

“Yes! Take it!” He gave her another quick thrust. “I bet you’ve never had a simple earth pony commoner inside you before, have you? Somepony like you would never even look at me before, but now I’m going to fill you up like a backcountry broodmare…”

“No! Please!” Luna moaned, her voice quivering.

Was it just his imagination, or was the tone of Luna's voice saying the opposite of her words? He could swear it almost sounded like she was enjoying the idea...

Biting down on the nape of her neck, right through her glowing mane, he gave an especially hard push, until his balls bounced off of her thighs. “I’m going to enjoy getting you pregnant. I’m going to become part of the royal bloodline forever, and everypony here is going to watch it happen!”

He’d thought he was putting her in her place, but for some reason, it only made her moan harder. Was this a secret fetish of hers or something? Or could it be some kind of magic affecting her, the same kind of magic that had been pressing on him ever since he saw that sphere? He could feel her pussy pulsing and squeezing around his entire length, as if begging him for it. Her breeding instincts had obviously already made the choice for her. And so had his. Oh fuck, oh fuck! There was no going back now – this was really going to happen, wasn't it?

Dicey threw his head back, pounding into Luna’s welcoming pussy as hard and as fast as he could. “All of you!” he shouted to the crowd. “Don’t even blink! I want you all to see it when I … when I…”

The rest was lost in an incoherent moan as he jammed his flaring cock as far inside Luna as he possibly could, his out-of-control breeding instincts overriding all else. A sort of collective pained gasp rippled through the crowd as they all saw the base of his cock throbbing. They all knew what was happening. But Dicey … Dicey could feel it. He trembled in place, his forehooves locked so tightly around her body that he might have bruised her if she wasn't an alicorn. And in overwhelming, breathtaking rush after rush, his cum surged into her. Every pulse of it was like a gasp of air for somepony who had been drowning – suddenly, everything was right with the world, everything made sense. He was doing what he was meant to do. He came like he never had before, as if his body knew this was finally one that would count. He painted Luna’s insides white, filled her to the brim, and didn’t stop until the excess began to seep out past her winking pussy lips.

For a long moment, even after that incredible orgasm, he remained firmly latched onto Luna’s back, holding on as if for dear life. He never wanted this moment to end … even though, of course, biology had its limits. Eventually, his cock softened and slipped back into his sheath. He’d pressed himself to tightly against Luna that it didn’t slip out until almost all of it was back in the sheath. When that happened – thanks to the stunned silence of the crowd – he heard the splattering of his excess cum against the dais and the floor beside it. Had such a debauched thing ever stained the floor of this hallowed room before? Could his be the very first?

Finally, he slipped off of Luna’s back, retreating a few steps before he gazed, still somewhat unbelievingly at his handiwork. Luna still stood there in the classic breeding pose, her tail high and her hind legs spread. Her pussy winked feverishly as it dribbled out a gooey white strand of cum. She … she hadn’t gotten off, had she? Maybe he should have tried harder … it would have been so satisfying to give the serene Princess an uncontrollable orgasm right in front of all her royal subjects.

Oh well. Too late now. He’d need a breather before he could do that again. Luna would just have to take care of herself.

Briefly, he considered ordering her to clop herself off right in front of everypony … but nah. He’d already made his point, hadn’t he? Trying to rub it in even more would just be a waste of time. And he’d already gotten what he wanted. He wasn't a cruel pony. He didn’t want to humiliate Luna just for the sake of it. In fact … though he always viewed the royals with very healthy skepticism, he couldn't help but feel a bit of fondness for Luna now. Maybe it was just the sex hormones talking, but he felt like he … liked her. Of course he’d never want a real relationship with her! Royals were … were… Well, anyway, maybe Luna in particular wasn't so bad. Being with her had felt so amazing. And those moans she’d made…

The crowd was starting to get a little louder. Ponies were talking to each other about what they’d just seen. The murmur was quickly growing, heading toward offended outrage…

Time to get rid of them. The last thing he wanted was to be in the middle of a riot with conflicted Royal Guards struggling to protect him from the mob. That wasn't a good atmosphere for sex at all! So he stood at the head of the dais and yelled as loudly as he could, “Go home now, all of you!” But then his eyes fell on a few of the ponies in the front row. “Except you six, the element bearers.”

The audience didn’t seem to be all that amenable to being ordered around by him. Most of them milled about, seemingly not sure if they should leave or if they should try to do something. The six he’d asked to stay in particular – Princess Twilight and her friends – seemed especially agitated. “Such a disgrace!” he heard Rarity say.

“Who does this guy think he is?” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing her hooves together threateningly. “I say we teach him a lesson about—”

Please,” Luna interrupted, once again using her monumental voice to fill the room, above all the other clamor. She stepped to the front of the dais, regal again even if she was still dripping a little cum from her winking pussy. “Resist not on my account, nor any other. This must be done to save Equestria. All of you – do as Dicey Morel says! You must behave yourselves.” That last part seemed directed at Rainbow Dash in particular, given the way Luna stared her down.

Rainbow Dash still grumbled under her breath, but that seemed to be enough for most ponies. The great hall quickly began to empty. Quite a lot of ponies seemed eager for the excuse to leave, actually.

A few of the six he’d ordered to stay looked the same. Fluttershy, in particular, looked like she’d rather be anywhere else right now. But she stayed put as requested. All six of them did.

Ah! What a feeling! Complete freedom, complete power! He bit his lip a little wondering what – and who – he should do next…


Author's Note

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