The spell of destined love

by Aether Spark

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Princess Luna, Comedy, Sex, Anthro, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe
Length: 85446

A spell, meant to find ones true love, or so Twilight thought.

Pinkie brought Twilight a book, showing her that this book has the answer to the love-lorn group of mare's problems.

Twilight, interested in the prospect of learning new magic that nopony has ever recorded using, get's to work.

But when an accident occurs, they find that the spell has a much different purpose than they first thought, but can things be fixed? Should they fix it? Will our love-lorn group ever find love?

Published 2023-08-03 18:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-12-10 02:12:01 UTC

The effects of the spell

Twilight came running out of the bathroom panicked and yelled out to everypony else.

“GIRLS SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME!” Twilight shouted.

“Ugh… can you keep it down…” A male voice replied.

“Huh?” Twilight said when she saw a figure sit up from behind the couch.

Bearing the same rainbow mane and tail as Rainbow Dash.

“H-huh?!” Twilight backed away “Who are you?” Twilight demanded.

“What are you talking abou-” the rainbow stallion paused and coughed a little “Ugh, did the blast damage my throat or something? My voice sounds… deeper,” The rainbow stallion said.

“I asked who you are, why do you look like Rainbow Dash?!” Twilight said lighting his horn.

“What are you talking about? I’m Rainbow- Hang on who are you?” Rainbow said getting up.

Twilight noticed all the similar features this stallion possessed to Rainbow, save for the parts replaced by a studly male physique.

“I’m Twilight… wait a minute… if I woke up like this then…” Twilight paled “Oh no, you really are Rainbow Dash, and that also means-” Twilight spun to see a fancy white stallion with a purple mane exiting the pile of books.

A muscular orange stallion emerged from out of the corner of Twilight’s vision, rubbing his head.

A yellow stallion was on the ground near Rainbow still groaning but getting up.

And a pink stallion stepped out of the pile of books looking dazed as well.

“Oh no… no no no” Twilight stuttered.

“Huh? What happened, who’re yall?” Applejack demanded.

“H-huh? Aah!” Fluttershy scooted back on the ground from all the unfamiliar yet familiar faces.

“Oh…oh dear! What- What happened to me?!” Rarity cried.

“Huh… so it was this kind of fic, cool!” Pinkie said shrugging off the odd events like she always does.

“H-how- this wasn’t supposed to happen! What happened to us- ah!” Twilight tripped on something and looked up to see a dragonees clutching her head.

“Ooowww… what happened?” She muttered.

That was the final blow and Twilight passed out.

“Ugh…” Twilight came too and looked up and saw colorful blurry shapes.

“Oh hey girls… I had this weird dream where we all turned into guys and Spike turned into a girl dragon… weird huh?...” Twilight said.

“I wish you were right about this being a dream…” A male voice replied.

“Huh?” Twilight groaned and rubbed her eyes, clearing up her vision.

And a male Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and a female Spike were sitting over him.

“Its about time Twi,” Spike said in his airy girl voice.

“Huh?...” Twilight looked ready to pass out again but a smack to his face prevented that.

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy said offendedly.

“Hey she…he… whatever was about to fall asleep again, I’m not listening to his snoring for another hour,” Rainbow defended.

“Still,” Fluttershy said.

“Huh?!” Twilight said shaking the stars out of her eyes and remembering the events of the last few hours.

Waking up, she was he, they were he, Spike was she!? What is happening?!

“Oh no no more freakouts, or you get another,” Rainbow said.

“Ok ok!” Twilight said getting up and shaking his head before looking to everypony else in the room.

Fluttershy looked very uncomfortable in his own skin, he looked worried but being the kind soul he is he seems to be worrying about everypony else first.

Applejack was pacing in the background mumbling to himself that he should have seen this coming.

Rainbow just looked annoyed.

Rarity was looking in a mirror and looking completely distressed at his predicament.

Spike and Pinkie were the only ones that didn’t seem all that bothered by their situation.

“How did this happen?” Twilight asked.

“Beats me, I passed out when the ball exploded on my head, I'm just lucky dragons have tough scales or I’d be toast,” Spike said.

“The ball… yes it broke when you crashed into it, perhaps the magical overcharge being rapidly released did this?" Twilight said before looking uncertain. “But that doesn’t explain the effects, I mean, why did we all turn into stallions and you a dragoness?” Twilight asked.

“I dunno,” Spike shrugged her shoulders, making her chest bounce a little, something that didn’t escape Twilight’s notice and he couldn’t help but have a moment of bitterness that Spike has a bigger cup size than he had before the shift.

“Hello? Eqqus to guy Twi?” Spike waved her claw in Twilight’s face.

“Huh? Oh sorry,” Twilight said noticing he was staring.

“Excuse me?” Fluttershy asked tentatively.

“Huh?” Twilight turned to the yellow stallion.

“H-How long do you think it’s going to take to fix this?... I-I don’t like being like this,” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Ah agree, ah’m a mare, not a stallion,” Applejack said.

“I wish to return to normal as well, I’d be simply remiss if I am seen like this!” Rarity whined.

“Yeah, I kinda wanna go back,” Spike nodded.

“Everyone! Quiet,” Twilight said quieting the panicking mares turned stallions.

“We need to figure this out, now listen I need-” Before Twilight could finish a knocking sound happened.

“Huh?” The stallions exclaimed turning to the door.

“Oh crud, I forgot the book order I put in yesterday,” Twilight said nervously.

"Should we ignore it?" RD offered.

"No, it's a limited edition novel!" Twilight said firmly.

"I don't know if ya noticed but ya don't look like Twilight right now," Applejack said.

"I know! Let me think…" Twilight said, trying to think of how he could make the purchase without revealing himself before the knocking came again.

"Crap!" Twilight hurried to the door.

"Maybe you could reorder it we don't want to scare the mail pony," Fluttershy suggested.

"No time, gotta improvise," Twilight said.

"Hmmm…. Oh well must be busy," Derpy shrugged before turning to leave before the door opened slightly.

"Uh… hi!" Twilight raised his voice a few notches.

"Uh hey! You sound weird today," Derpy said.

"Yeah… uh," Twilight gave a few unconvincing coughs "I got a cold," he said.

"Ah, well get well soon, I just need you to come out and sign this," Derpy said.

"Um… I can't," Twilight said.

"Why?" Derpy asked with a head tilt.

"I don't want to get you sick," Twilight said thinking he had the solution.

"Oh don't worry about that I have a strong immune system,"

"There's always a risk," Twilight countered.

"Sorry but you gotta sign where I can see or I'll have to cancel, it's mailmare policy," Derpy said.

"Darn it, ok… promise you won't freak out then?" Twilight said.

"Why?" Derpy asked.

"There was a magic accident last night and… this happened" Twilight stepped out and revealed himself.

"Huh?!" Derpy exclaimed.

"Shh! Listen nopony can know until we figure this out got it?" Twilight said as he swiftly wrote his name and handed it back to Derpy before snatching the book and going inside

"Whew… it's alright girls…guys, disaster averted," Twilight said to his friends.

"She saw you, ah hardly call that averted," AJ said firmly.

"We can trust Derpy," Twilight said before hearing another knock.

Twilight opened the door again and saw Derpy holding out the form.

"You put the wrong name on the form," Derpy said.

"I did?" Twilight said.

“Yeah, easy mistake,” Derpy said handing it back to him.

“Uh, this is the right name, Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said.

“Twilight Sparkle? Who’s that?” Derpy asked looking confused.

Twilight looked stunned “...What did you say?” he asked.

“Are they a friend of yours?” Derpy asked.

“N-no, I’m Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight insisted.

“Really? Odd, I’ve always known you as Prince Dusk Shine,” Derpy said looking confused.

“What?” Twilight said looking lost as Derpy peeked over his shoulder and saw the others.

“Oh your with your fellow guy friends, I’ll just take your real name, whichever it is and leave then,” Derpy said handing him a pencil.

“Uh… ok,” Twilight said writing his new supposed name down and handing it back to Derpy. “But wait, if you think I’m a guy then why were you surprised earlier?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, your hair is very messy, must be that magic accident you mentioned, better fix it soon,” Derpy shrugged and left with a wave “Say hi to Barbra and the rest of the guys for me!” Derpy said as she left.

“Who’s…” Twilight was beyond stunned and just numbly waved back before going back inside and walking back to his friends.

“What the hay was that about?” Rainbow said looking surprised.

“I think the spell did more than we thought…” Twilight said.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“Derpy… she knew my male form and knew me by a different name, I think… reality has been warped somehow,” Twilight said before shaking his head “That’s impossible though, even the massive amounts of magic I put in that sphere couldn’t reshape reality,’ Twilight said.

“So… everypony thinks I’m a legit female dragon?” Spike asked.

“And us stallions?” Rarity said looking distressed.

“It’s too early to tell, we need to investigate this, and find a solution,” Twilight said before turning to his friends “Everypony, though it’s hard to say, we need to live like this until I can fix it,”

“NO! I’m not staying like this! I am a proper mare and I do not belong in this body!” Rarity said.

“Calm down Rarity, I don’t like it any more than you do, but unless we can find out the extent of the changes to reality that have occurred, we won’t know how to approach this problem,” Twilight said.

“As long as ah’m recognized ah’m willing to wait,” Applejack said.

“I want to return now,” Fluttershy meekly said.

“Woot! I can’t wait to spend the next few days as a stallion, I bet it’ll be fun!” Pinkie cheered.

“Just make it fast Twilight, this feels awkward,” Rainbow said.

Rarity just looked bummed.

“Okay, I’m going to go outside and see how things have changed while you all get acquainted with your current situation-” Twilight was about to leave when suddenly Rainbow Dash stopped him.

“You… may want to change clothes,” Rainbow said.

“Why-... oh,” Twilight noticed he was still wearing female clothes “So that’s the reason Derpy was surprised… not because of… yeah…” Twilight said sounding embarrassed.

“I can take care of it, Twilight dear can you teleport us to my boutique?” Rarity said.

“I’m not sure if my magic output has changed in this form,” Twilight warned.

“Then we'll just have to sneak there ourselves,” Pinkie suggested.

“I’m not going to be known as the guy caught in drag,” Rainbow snorted.

“But you were originally a girl,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Doesn’t matter, I'm a guy right now and if Twilight is right, everypony else thinks so too, I’ll be a laughingstock,” Rainbow said.

“We’ll we need new clothing somehow, Does Spike have anything in our size?” Applejack asked.

“Not calling you guys fat, but no,” Spike said.

“Then what-” Rarity was cut off by a familiar amused laugh and they looked around.

“Hey, I remember that laugh, Discord! Come out!” Rainbow called.

“Oh my dear friends, I am surprised you didn’t remember me, was the new situation that shocking?” Discord said appearing on an upsidedown couch.

“Hello Discord, I suppose you think we’re stallions too,” Twilight sighed.

“Oh no Twilight, I know your situation well,” Discord said.

“Huh? Wait, you remember?” Twilight asked.

“Of course, a simple reversion of reality isn’t going to brainwash this draconequus,” Discord said walking up to the group,

“Of course, why didn’t I think of it earlier?! Discord, can you change us back, surely a being as strong as yourself can pull it off,” Fluttershy pleaded.

“Sorry my dear, but no,” Discord said.

“What? Why?” Applejack demanded.

“I may be able to warp reality but this is ancient magic, as in Starswirl ancient, and the magic itself seems harmonious in nature, my magic won’t be able to work on it,” Discord said.

“How on Equus is this harmonious?! We have been robbed of our true selves!” Rarity snapped.

“Don’t ask me, Harmony magic is the one magic I don’t specialize in,’ Discord said.

The mares seemed saddened by this news before Rarity stepped up.

“Then can you please at least make some clothes for us? We’re kind of in drag at the moment,” Rarity asked.

“Oooh, the fashionista asking for my fashion opinion, that’s rare,” Discord chuckled.

“Please do it Discord,” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh very well stallionshy,” Discord chuckled before snapping his fingers and summoning a bunch of tape measures and the measures quickly began examining the group of stallions.

“Hey!” Rainbow yelped as one wrapped around his waist and lifted him in the air before dropping him.

“Hold still, I need every stitch to count,” Discord said as he made more measurements.

“Hey! That tickles!” Spike giggled as the measuring tapes measured his cup size.

“C cup nearly D, alright,” Discord mumbled, after some more measurements he made the measuring tapes vanish.

“I gotta say you all have decent builds too, thankfully I’ve done this before,” Discord said.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Nevermind that, here you all go,” Discord then poofed up a pile of clothing.

“Wowie Discord, you might be a quicker seamster than Rarity!” Pinkie said.

“Pinkie!” Rarity snapped sounding upset.

“Sorry but it’s true,” Pinkie said.

“Why thank you Pinkie Pie,” Discord said

“How did you make them so fast?” Fluttershy asked suspiciously.

The streets of Trottingham were in an uproar as six random stallions and one mare suddenly found themselves nude in public.

“A magician never reveals their secrets,” Discord said with a chuckle.

“Um Discord, can’t ya just teleport them onto our bodies?” Applejack asked.

“And deprive you all of the chance to examine your new forms? I think you’d enjoy the experience,” Discord chuckled before pulling out a watch that wasn’t there before “Welp, I got chaos to create, see ya!” Discord said before vanishing.

“Discord!” Twilight called after him and when he didn’t respond he sighed and turned to the pile and picked clothes out of them.

“Alright…. Let's get this over with,” Twilight sighed.

Author's Note

I know this is a bit of a departure from the norm, but departures from the norm are usually fun.

I will do my best to show you guys a fun story leading right up to the times when things get more romantic.

Till then, look forward to the next chapter. :pinkiehappy:

Observing the changes

"Alright…. Let's get this over with," Twilight sighed.

"If it's cool with you guys, I'm not changing clothes in front of you all, got a bathroom nearby?" Rainbow asked Twilight.

"In the bedroom section, there are plenty of bathrooms," Twilight said.

"Then let's get this over with," AJ said as he grabbed some clothes that seemed to barely fit and got ready to head out.

"I don't… I can't do it!" Fluttershy said sounding embarrassed.

"Fluttershy dear, you'll have to face it sooner or later," Rarity said.

"I can't, you know how I tend to… clam up when I'm near a male, I'm too nervous to look at myself in the mirror," Fluttershy said.

"Then don't look at the mirror," RD said.

"Fluttershy, ya got ya think of it like this, either suffer till it happens or rip off the band-aid now," AJ said.

"I-I guess," Fluttershy said quietly.

"I guess this gives me a chance to-" Spike said before Twilight cut her off.

"No Spike, your not going to use this chance to admire a naked female body, get changed and meet back here ASAP," Twilight said trying to prevent his brother-turned-sister from being perverse.

"Dang it," Spike muttered

"Alright get changed in private and then meet back here," Twilight strategized.

"Got it," everyone said as they split off into the castle restrooms.

Fluttershy entered the restroom.

'I wonder… Rarity told me I was quite beautiful as a mare… maybe…' Fluttershy thought as he spared a glance at the mirror but quickly looked away.

"No… I shouldn't, it feels like looking at another stallion bare," Fluttershy said uncomfortably.

She took a few minutes to work up the nerve before she started undressing.

Removing his shirt he was surprised to see some definition, as a female Fluttershy always had a toned frame due to his constant movement and interaction with animals, it seems that his frame benefited from this gender transition.

He pulled down his pants and shut his eyes to avoid seeing himself.

Afterward, he squinted a little bit to locate the clothes and slide them on.

As he was about to put on the pants and underwear he accidentally tripped.

Fluttershy managed to save himself by using his bigger wings as a cushion.

"That was close," Fluttershy said as he got up before accidentally looking in the mirror.

And beholding his body.

"Eeep!" Fluttershy squeaked, covering himself.

A small part of him admitted he was quite handsome. Toned body, shiny coat, handsome face, better wings, and a big…

Fluttershy nearly fainted and only didn't due to sheer will and he looked away.

After putting on his clothes he went back outside.

Applejack removed his shirt and looked carefully at the mirror.

He had to admit, his male physique definitely surpassed his female build, he flexed an arm and saw a defined bulge of muscle pop up from his arm.

“Maybe this won’t be all bad,” Applejack said feeling proud of his physique, he looked almost as strong as his older brother.

He then swiftly switched to pants and boxers, ignoring his new but large endowment.

“Ah hope what Twilight said is true, otherwise there’s gonna be some awkward conversations in mah future,” Applejack said slipping a tight grey shirt on.

Rainbow pulled off his shirt and paused as he looked in the mirror, with a smirk he pulled a few poses.

“Wow, gotta admit, I’m not half bad looking, I’d totally date me,” Rainbow said admiring his bigger hard as rock athletic muscles.

“...Y’know, I don’t know if it's the spell talking but, with a bod like this, I definitely won’t have problems finding mares… especially since…” Rainbow looked conflicted, wondering if he should tell his friends about his personal preferences.

“And now I wonder…” Rainbow said as he pulled off his track shorts… and pulled them back up.

“I’m an adonis…” Rainbow whispered.

Rarity looked at the handsome well-built stallion staring back at her in the mirror.

“...Look at you…what you’ve become…” Rarity said with disgust, he has no negative feelings towards stallions, one stallion wronging you is no reason to hate all stallions, but when he looks in the mirror, in his face.

He sees Blueblood… same coat color, same facial definitions, similar eye tone, the only real difference is the mane.

That wretched noble shattered his visions of marrying into the high life in the upper echelon of Canterlot, his dream since he was a little filly.

Not acknowledging his reflection anymore he put his admittedly horrid but wearable outfit on.

Pinkie Pie bounced off the walls… literally.

“WOO HOO! A few days in the life of a stallion, what mare can say she can experience this, maybe I’ll be able to go on many adventures and have fun and F.A.D, WOOT, first I gotta find a marefriend,” Pinkie said before stopping midair and landing on his hooves and swiftly getting his outfit on.

“Alright, next pony, move it along,” Pinkie waved at the audience.

Twilight was undressing and he picked up the clothes on the ground and he smelt it.

“Eugh… as I expected from Discord, these are stolen aren’t they?...” Twilight sighed before putting on the shirt and shorts, he turned to the mirror and took his first extended look at the mirror.

“Hmm,” Twilight noticed he wasn’t as plain as he thought he’d be if he were male.

Decent but not impressive muscles, this form must visit the gym sometimes, he lifted his shirt to see some abs.

If anything he looked like a decently built scholarly pony.

“I wonder if the magic thought of making us attractive in various ways when changing us… I’m not arguing it,” Twilight said before leaving.

Spike… didn’t listen to Twilight.

He was already bare and admiring herself.

“Oh yeah, I’d date me,” Spike said taking various poses, he had to admit, he was super attractive as a dragoness, luckily he hit his growth spurt when he was a drake, it clearly did him wonders in this form.

As Spike was going to continue wasting time, he heard a knock that startled him.

“Eek!” Spike yelped and quickly threw on the girl clothes before opening the door.

“Oh hey Twilight,” Spike said with a giggle.

“What did I say?” Twilight said with a raised brow.

“I didn’t do anything inappropriate!” Spike defended.

“Uh huh… And why did I hear moaning?” Twilight asked.

“...I stubbed my toe?” Spike attempted.

“Just come on,” Twilight rolled his eyes and walked away.

“Don’t pretend you weren’t tempted to do the same!” Spike said following him.

The group made their way back into the main room and sat down.

“Ok…so did everypony-” Twilight asked before everypony said ‘yes’.

“Ok, so here’s what I propose-” Twilight said before Pinkie cut him off.

“Your proposing?! To who?!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Nopony,” Twilight said sounding annoyed.

“Aww…” Pinkie said.

“Anyways, I’m suggesting we try to go back to life as normal, at least until I can fix this problem,” Twilight said.

“I suppose there’s no choice but to face the public and hope for the best,” Rarity said.

“Ah hope nothin else has changed,” Applejack said as he got ready to leave.

“I should go back to my home, my animal friends are probably worried sick,” Fluttershy said.

“Also we’ll have to go by our new names until then, so try to strike up a conversation with a pony while you're out and about,” Twilight said.

“Wait, nopony said we were changing names!” Rarity said hurriedly.

“Just for now Rarity, until I can get this fixed,” Twilight said hoping it would make her feel better.

“Fine, but please do fix this as soon as possible, I cannot bear being stuck like this,” Rarity said getting up.

“Alright, let’s try to adapt to this until then, good luck girls… I mean guys!” Twilight called to his friends as they left.

“Welp, I’m going to go take a walk, need to figure out what’s changed with me,” Spike said taking her leave as well.

“Well… ok, but be careful,” Twilight said.

“I will!” Spike waved him off.

“I guess I should write a letter to the princesses while I am at it,” Twilight said.

Fluttershy managed to avoid the crowd on his way back to his house, as he made it home he noticed his house had some different details.

There were still flowers but the flower arrangement was changed, and his front door was a different color, but the most alarming change was the sign he used to indicate his home which usually said ‘Fluttershy’s cottage’, now said ‘Butterscotch’s cottage’...

“Butterscotch?... is that my… new name?” Fluttershy said sounding very unsure.

Fluttershy walked up to his front door and gave the usual four knocks to indicate it was him to his animal friends.

The door opened and Fluttershy saw Angel who looked up at him and smiled.

“H-Hello Angel dear,” Fluttershy said.

Angel nodded and hopped inside and Fluttershy followed, he looked around to see the pictures on the walls have changed to accommodate this new persona of his.

It seems even family photos weren’t spared this change.

In all of them, this new stallion named Butterscotch was there, and he knew because in some of these pictures was his name written where his actual name is supposed to be.

“So reality really did change…” Fluttershy said nervously.

Angel tugged on his pant leg and he turned to see him.

“Oh, sorry,” Fluttershy went to go scoop Angel some food, and saw some of the decorations around the house have changed, but it was still home.

“At least that hasn’t changed,” Fluttershy said as he scooped Angel’s food, and then a thought came to him as to how he could figure out if his new name was known by the one who’s known him the longest.

“Angel?” Fluttershy asked.

“?” Angel looked up at Fluttershy.

“What is my name?” Fluttershy asked, Angel gave him a ‘seriously?’ look “Just humor me,” Fluttershy asked.

Angel made a few gestures and Fluttershy understood.

“So it’s true… in this reality, I’m named Butterscotch,” The newly minted Butterscotch said, thinking on it if he had to go with one, then that’ll do.

“I’ll take it, at least until things return to normal,” Butterscotch said.

Angel just looked thoroughly confused.

Applejack and Rainbow were on their way over to the farm.

Rainbow noticed a group of mares blushing and giggling as they looked at him, deciding to be playful he winked and the mares giggled some more.

“Seems yer enjoyin this more than before,” Applejack said.

“Well now that we’re studs, we can go after mares now without anypony judging, win win if you ask me,” Rainbow Dash said.

Applejack seemed a little troubled “Just know if we get the chance ah’m going back ta normal, ah may like mares as much as stallions, but ah ain’t going to give up on mah true self,” Applejack said.

“Well, till then, let’s strike while the iron is hot,” Rainbow said.

“Uh huh… any reason yer following me home?” Applejack asked.

“After the day I’ve had, I need your stiffest drink,” Rainbow said.

“Guess, ah could use one mahself,” Applejack said before they heard a deep male voice.

“Hey! Applejack! Rainbow Blitz!” The two looked to see Bulk Biceps approaching.

‘Mah name didn’t change?’ Applejack thought.

‘Blitz?...huh, fitting for me,’ the one now known as Rainbow Blitz thought.

“Can we help you?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah! It’s time to go pump some iron! The iron stallion trio always heads to the gym to exercise on Thursdays,” Bulk said.

“Iron stallion trio?...” Rainbow Blitz parroted.

“Yeah, c’mon, let’s hurry while there are still some mares in the dumbbell area,” Bulk said.

“Uh, actually could we skip that today? Lot’s happened,” Rainbow Blitz said.

“What? Why?” Bulk complained.

“We had a rough mornin and want to go relax with some alcohol fer now, Blitz is helping me with things,” Applejack said.

“Uh, yeah, what he said,” RB said.

“Huh, ok, like you always say I guess, bosom buddies before bosoms,” Bulk said, “See ya tomorrow then,” Bulk waved at them as he left.

“Bosom buddies before bosoms?” Applejack asked with a raised brow.

“Hey! I never said that, this reality did,” RB complained.

“Welp, let’s get going, we can talk about our issues over a cold glass of hard cider,” Applejack said with a shrug.

“Right behind ya!” RB said.

Rarity walked on looking bummed out.

“Why oh why did this happen to me? Not only do I change genders but I am forced to live with it for an unknown period of time,” Rarity complained.

“And to top it all off, I am stuck wearing this gross outfit, oh when I get back to the Boutique I will fashion myself a new…” Rarity trailed off when he saw suits in his display window instead of dresses.

“What happened to my dresses?” Rarity said running up to the window “Could it be that reality has changed my wardrobe? No!” Rarity looked at the other displays through the window and mainly saw fancy stallion suits.

“Oh it just got worse,” Rarity bemoaned and he walked through the door just in time to see Sweetie Belle coming down the stairs.

“Ah hi, Elusive! I was just heading out to find my friends,” Sweetie said.

“Elusive? Who… oh,” The pony now known as Elusive thought “I suppose it could resemble the fact that I am a stallion of mystery… yes, that will do,” Elusive thought.

“Uh, brother?” Sweetie Belle asked and Elusive was startled out of his thoughts.

“Oh sorry, got lost in thought back there for a second, here, why don’t you have some bits and go get yourself something at Sugarcube corner?” Elusive floated some bits over to Sweetie.

“Oooh thank you, brother!” Sweetie said hugging him before running out the door.

Elusive gave a sigh and went over to his fainting couch and sat down.

“This will truly take an adjustment period,” Elusive said.

Pinkie bounced into Sugarcube Corner, ever since turning into a stallion he’s noticed that bouncing into the air is less painful on the chest, curious…

“Helloooo ponies!” Pinkie cheered.

“Oh! Hi Bubble Berry! You’re coming into work later than usual,” Mrs Cake said waving at him.

“Darn, I owe Gummy five bits,” Berry muttered before ducking out of view and reappearing at the counter.

“Alright! Bubble Berry reporting for duty!” Bubble Berry said.

“Hi Berry, table five needs their ice cream,” Mr Cake said.

“Alrighty!” Berry said rapidly scooping the ice cream without needing to ask what the order was.

He pressed it up against him but nearly dropped the ice cream and caught it with his hoof.

“Whoops! Forgot I don’t have breasts anymore,” Berry said.

“Breasts?” Mr Cake asked.

“Oh yeah, I was a mare yesterday and a magical accident turned me into a stallion and you all think I’m a stallion,’ Berry said casually.

“Oooook?” Mr Cake said not believing him at all and walking away before he spouts more nonsense.

“Alright! Time to get to work!” Berry said.

Twilight or at least according to Derpy, Dusk, finished writing his message to the princesses, and he just needed Spike to come back and send it.

“Where did that dragon go?” Twilight wondered.

Deciding he needed to familiarize himself with the new world and locate his female dragon friend he decided to head out.

“I'll look for him,” Twilight said as he looked around for his scaly companion.

As he walked on he saw that everypony still looked the same, it seems they were the only ones affected by the reality shift… so why does he have a lingering thought he was wrong…

As he looked for his friend he came across Roseluck.

“Oh! Hello Prince Dusk!” She enthusiastically greeted him.

Twilight went into thought hearing his other name again ‘So it’s true then, our names have shifted with this reality, I guess I need to work with it until a solution can be found,’ Dusk thought before turning to Roseluck.

“Hello, what can I do for you?” Dusk asked.

“Um… here!” She handed him a flower and scurried off.

“...Ok?” Dusk said as he moved on, putting the random encounter out of his mind for now, he suddenly got the feeling he was being watched, and he looked around to see some mares giving him glances.

“Weird,” Dusk said as he moved on, before bumping into another mare.

“Oh! Sorry,” Dusk said, noticing the mare was Octavia.

“Oh don’t worry yourself, I wished to ask if you were free this Saturday?” Octavia asked.

“Huh? What for?” Dusk said obliviously.

“Oh you tease, for a date of course,” Octavia asked.

Dusk stiffened a little “A d-date?” Dusk said before he could respond Vinyl Scratch shoved Octavia aside.

“Hey!” Octavia said.

“Get in line for the stud,” Vinyl said.

“Stud?” Dusk said getting uncomfortable.

“I’ve been courting him longer than you!” Octavia said.

“And look at your success rate,” Vinyl bit back.

“Hey Dusk, did you like my flower?” Roseluck asked reappearing behind him.

‘Am I… a target for mares?! I gotta get out of here!’ Dusk said before teleporting.

The mares looked at the spot Dusk was before arguing again.

“Now looked what you did, you scared him off again!” Octavia said.

“Oh please!” Vinyl said.

“Maybe he doesn’t like hydrangeas?” Roseluck wondered.

Dusk reappeared in the spa, panting heavily from the nervousness.

“I should be safe here, what was that about?” Twilight said.

“Ah! Prince Dusk Shine!” Aloe said approaching him.

“Oh, uh hey Aloe,” Dusk said.

“Are you here for an appointment?” She asked.

“Uh, actually I fled here from some mares who were trying to…” Dusk said before Aloe finished for him.

“Court you? I must say, being a prince has its perks,” Aloe chuckled.

“What do you mean?” Dusk asked.

“Well, you being a prince, mares everywhere want a chance to become royalty,” Aloe responded.

For some reason, this made Dusk upset.

“So they… just want me for status…” Dusk said, admittedly this happened when he was a mare too, stallions asking her out and she turned them down because she could tell they were only interested in her status as a princess. Now that he’s a prince the opposite gender is trying now… it was a hollow feeling.

Aloe could see how upset Dusk was and she decided to do something about it.

“Tell you what, how about a massage?” Aloe offered.

“Thanks, that sounds good, maybe another time though, I’m looking for Spike,” Dusk said.

“Who?” Aloe said

“Oh yeah. I meant… my dragon companion,” Dusk said feeling sheepish, especially when Aloe looked a little judging.

“Whose name is?” Aloe said not liking that he doesn’t seem to remember his assistant's name.

“Um, look, it’s not that I don’t remember, it's that something happened last night and things… kind of changed up,” Dusk said.

“Barbra, or just Barb,” Aloe said plainly.

“Oh, that’s who Derpy meant…” Dusk said berating himself for making himself look like a jerk. “I swear I don't mean anything negative by not remembering her name,” Dusk said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aloe said before walking off, “Also your ‘dragon companion’ is in the massage room for females.

“Oh, uh, thanks,” Dusk was about to head that way when he remembered he wasn’t female any more.

“Darn it…” Dusk said before sitting at the entrance and waiting.

An hour later and Dusk saw Barb exiting the female section looking giddy.

“Thanks again everypony,” Barb waved.

“No problem!” Aloe and Lotus waved her off.

“Hmm? Oh hey, Dusk!” Barb said walking over to him.

“Hey Spike- er I mean Barb, how did you know my other name?” Dusk asked.

“You kidding?” Barb said as the two walked out of the spa “Your practically the talk of all the mares in there, the first alicorn prince in ages, they said you were handsome and high in prestige, sounds like a mares dream come true, becoming a princess to the first genuine prince, Me personally I was just there to observe,” Barb said.

“Of course you were…” Dusk said with some bitterness.

“What’s up? You seemed bummed,” Barb asked.

“It’s just… I figured at one point if I were a stallion things would be different, now I know that’s horseapples, I mean is it too much to ask for a pony who wants me for me? And not what I can offer?” Dusk asked.

“Yeah, when it comes to being a royal that kind of is, ponies can be selfish,” Barb said.

“I guess… anyways I need you to send this,” Dusk said offering Spike the scroll.

“Gotcha,” Barb said breathing fire on the message and sending it, “What was the message about?” Barb asked.

“It was just a request for an update on things, I need to see how much has changed so I can survey the damage, and find out how to correct it,” Dusk said.

“You sure, I mean maybe things can afford to go on like this,” Barb said.

“What are you saying?” Dusk asked.

“What if we take a group vote on whether or not we stay like this?” Barb offered.

“Absolutely not, I at least am not going to stay like this,” Dusk said entering the castle with Barbara behind him.

"I just… think, maybe this happened for a reason, what if the spell was meant to do this," Barb said.

"That's crazy talk, The spell was meant to show you your destined mate not rewrite reality so that the caster has been gender-swapped," Dusk argued back.

“Just saying, maybe you could find a marefriend here,” Barb said.

“...Well,” Dusk honestly wanted a good comeback for that comment but she had a good point, regardless, he cannot abandon his mission to get everything back to normal.

“Sorry Spike but I’ve got to try and fix this, some things don’t work out,” Dusk said going back into the basement.

“No need to be bullheaded about it…” Barb said.

Applejack and Rainbow Blitz made their way into the farm area and bee-lined for the cider storage.

“Forget one, I need seven, I mean to think just yesterday I was getting ready for my period, and now, I never have to worry about it again,” Rainbow Blitz said with a smirk.

“Ah will admit, that’s a plus, but this ain’t going to be permanent,” Applejack said.

“You know what? I’m sold, If we can’t go back to how we were before, I might be okay with that,” Rainbow Blitz said.

“Don’t ya dare jinx us, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack warned.

“Blitz. I’m Rainbow Blitz now,” Rainbow said.

“Ah still stick to mah point Rainbow, ah’d rather not be stuck in this body,” Applejack said as the two entered the cider storage and Applejack retrieved a couple of cups of hard cider.

“Ah, don’t worry about it, down the hatch!” Rainbow Blitz cheered clanking cups with Applejack just as they took a swig of cider suddenly a gruff female voice spoke out to them.

“There ya are Applejack,” Blitz and Applejack nearly did a spit take at the suddenness of the voice and they turned to look at the source.

And saw a tall muscular red mare looking at them with a bemused expression.

“...Who is that?...” Rainbow Blitz said.

Author's Note

What's this? A mysterious red mare appears, and the six discover their studs!?

Tune in next chapter for more. :raritywink:

Forming plans

"Ah'm watin', where have ya been?" The red mare demanded.

"Pardon? Who are ya?" Applejack asked.

The mare's eyebrow raised a little.

"Come again?" She asked.

"She looks kinda like Big Mac… but as a girl?" Rainbow Blitz whispered.

"Ah'm askin what yer doing on the farm, where's Big Mac?" Applejack demanded.

"That ain't a funny thing to say AJ, specially to yer sister, also who in tarnation is Big Mac?" The mare said.

"Sister?" Applejack said sounding surprised.

"You don't think the spell affected more than us after all, do you Applejack?" Rainbow Blitz asked.

"Ah… think yer right," Applejack said.

"Well?" The mare demanded.

"Uh… sorry about that, just a joke from two stallions, uh hey you don't mind joining us for drinks do you Mrs…." Rainbow said unsurely.

"You too Blitz? Ah ain't finding this joke funny, you know me," she said.

"Uh yeah, but I think I got so…" Blitz looked around for an excuse and spotted his cup. "Buzzed! Yeah, I got so buzzed that I seem to have forgotten your name," Blitz said as convincingly as he could.

The mare seemed suspicious but she gave a drawn-out sigh and responded.

"Red Gala, Applejack's older sister," she said sounding annoyed

"Oh that Red Gala," Blitz said quickly.

"Jest get back to work when yer done here Applejack and you better make yourself scarce Rainbow Blitz we don't need anymore raiding of the cider cabinets," The mare named Red Gala said before walking off.

"Well that was rude," Blitz said.

"Rainbow focus! Did ya see Big Mac? He's a she now, the spell really did affect more than us," Applejack said sounding nervous.

"What do we do?" Blitz asked.

"...We’ve got to inform Twilight next time we see him he'll want to know this," Applejack said.

"I'll go to him right now," Rainbow said.

"No, it's best we find out if anythin else has changed first, gather more Intel," AJ said.

"Good point, then I'll get moving" Rainbow said before flying off.

Applejack downed his drink and walked out to start his chores.

Berry popped into his room and looked around.

His room looked pretty much the same, save for some colors in the room were different, different wallpaper, and different stickers on the door.

"Hmm, Gummy!" Berry called out and Gummy appeared from behind a chair.

"Heeeey my Gummy Gums! Here's your bits and some pets," Berry said depositing five bits next to his pet gator and then giving him some head scratches.

Gummy just blinked slowly.

"So you know that I'm actually Pinkie Pie right?" Berry asked and Gummy just licked his eyeball.

"Woot! That saves about five hundred words on this chapter, so anything in the mail today?" Berry asked.

Gummy turned around and grabbed an envelope and passed it to Berry.

"Ooooh it's from Cheesie!" Berry said opening it.

He then went on to read it out loud.

"Heya Pinkie, did you do something to mess with space-time again? I woke up a mare earlier and am coming to see you, expect a surprise.

Love (apparently in this reality) Swiss Cheese." Berry gave a gasp.

"Cheesies coming here! Yay! I gotta get prepared," Berry cheered before darting around to get things prepped.

Butterscotch just finished his chores around the cottage.

Dinner time was rolling around and so Butterscotch went on to write up a grocery list.

"A veggie stew sounds appropriate for tonight, Angel dear, please watch the house while I am gone," Butterscotch said before getting his things together and walking to the door.

Angel lounged in his bed and casually waved Butterscotch off as he left.

“Bye for now,” Butterscotch waved back before walking away from his home and into Ponyville and he beelined for the market.

As Butters approached the front of a tomato stand he rang a bell and a mare walked up to the counter.

“H-hello, one bushel of tomatoes please,” Butterscotch said quietly.

“Oh sure, Mr. Butterscotch,” The mare said as she gathered up the tomatoes.

Butters didn’t know why but he felt eyes on him and it made him uncomfortable, he turned to see several mares staring at him before looking away as he looked.

“Odd,” Butterscotch said before the tomatoes were handed to him.

“There’s your tomatoes dear,” The mare said in a sweet voice.

“Thanks, how many bits?” Butterscotch asked.

“Oh no need dearie, they're free,” The mare said.

“What? Really? I-I don’t know what to say,” Butterscotch said sounding surprised, back when he was Fluttershy this mare always seemed a little dismissive of him, maybe due to his shyness, but right now she was giving him a weird look, it honestly made him uncomfortable…

“Th-thanks,” Butterscotch said as he wandered away from the mare, afterwards he made his way to a stand with more produce options.

“Pardon?” Butterscotch asked, a mare approached the counter and gave Butterscotch that same strange look.

“Can I help Mr. Scotch?” She asked.

“Uhm… an onion and three carrots please,” Butterscotch said, he’d never had problems talking to other mares, at least in comparison to when he tries to speak to stallions, but the new body language he was experiencing from the current opposite gender was off-putting…

“Sure thing and don’t worry about payment, we could work that out another way,” She suggested as she collected the produce and handed them to Butters who looked confused.

“Another way?” Butterscotch asked, surely she doesn’t mean…

“Oh don’t worry about it right now,” She said as she walked away.

“Uhm…” At this point, Scotch just wanted to leave but he still needed some celery, the recipe called for it.

For the first time, Butterscotch hoped the next stall had a stallion manning it.

And he saw one. Thank Celestia…

As Butterscotch approached however a mare cut in front of him.

“Um, excuse me, I was next,” Butterscotch said.

“Oh don’t worry, I’m getting celery too,” The mare turned and handed him some.

“H-How did-” Butterscotch stammered.

“You always order Celery here,” She giggled.

“Uum…” Butterscotch looked like a fish out of water, was she stalking him?!

“Anyways, are you available later? I wouldn’t mind getting to know the shyest stud in Ponyville,” She flirted.

Butterscotch went pale… she couldn’t mean…. ABORT!

“S-sorry! I have to uh, do something later at somewhere, bye!” Butterscotch yelped and flew off.

“...Was it something I said?” She wondered.

Butterscotch darted back into his house quick enough that it startled several animals near the door.

Angel shot up in his bed, looking grumpy that his sleep had been disturbed, before seeing the panicked Butterscotch.

Angel hopped over and asked through gestures what was wrong.

“The… mares… they were… hitting on me?” Butterscotch panted, while many thought him naive to such stuff, in reality, Butterscotch knew all about that stuff, and it scared him, being forced upon is right up there with feral dragons and the dark in terms of his fears.

Angel rolled his eyes and made gestures that asked ‘I thought we got past this whole fear of mares thing, these particular mares court you because your shyness practically guarantees them dominance in the relationship, and you being the element of kindness guarantees the relationship won’t sour,’ Angel said.

“But… I’m not interested in dating, I’m too nervous,” Butterscotch defended.

‘Then what’s that?' Angel pointed at his pants.

Butterscotch looked down…. And fainted.

‘...Guess it’s back to step one…’ Angel facepalmed.

Dusk had gotten the castle prepped for bedtime, he had just finished setting all of the lights to off and making sure the Library was in order.

As Dusk wandered into the bathroom that was in his room he took a long look in the mirror and sighed.

“Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll wake up tomorrow and this will all have been a bad dream,” Dusk said before brushing his teeth and opening his closet, finding male PJs, not surprised at this point he put them on.

Oh and if you're wondering he did eventually get that return message from Celestia.

She confirmed that nothing of note was different, and wished her fellow royal a good night's rest… she even referred to him as prince.

“If even Celestia is convinced everything is different then what do I do?” Dusk wondered.

Crashing on his bed Dusk got ready to sleep.

“I suppose if the princesses knew then we could fix this…” Dusk mumbled before shutting his eyes….and then he shot up in his bed.

“Luna! Of course! If she knew then I’d have somepony who could subtly help me fix things,” Dusk said with a fist pump, before acting on his plan and going to sleep.

Dusk dreamt of a time when he was Twilight Sparkle.

She was studying for a test when suddenly the world around her faded and Luna appeared.

"Just as planned," Twilight said turning to see Luna.

"I sensed a faint broadcast signal and found you dreaming of being a mare again eh, prince Dusk," Luna said sounding amused.

"I know this may sound weird Luna so just let me explain that I'm actually… wait… again?...are you saying… Don't tell me that you already know," Twilight said with surprise.

"I've known for a while," Luna said.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Twilight asked.

"I would rather keep things quiet for now, rather than risk a panic, imagine if Celestia thought you were a Changeling? This needs time," Luna explained.

"All right how did you know?" Twilight asked.

"Since my powers work from the dream realm, I happened upon you experiencing a dream after the initial accident that told me everything, I called Discord and had him explain the rest since I know he's immune to most phenomena," Luna said.

"I see… who did you tell?" Twilight asked.

"Nopony, we would rather not cause a misunderstanding before we knew the whole situation," Luna said.

"Makes sense, well it's good to have someone besides Discord knowing about this," Twilight said before using her magic to conjure a couple of chairs and sitting down.

Twilight went on to state what's going on, how she used to be a mare.

She explained from her perspective, the magic crystal ball and the accident that turned her and the others into stallions, and the facets of the spell.

And she finished asking Luna what she thinks would be the best course of action.

Luna seemed to ponder “Well, we are just assuming but what if you recreated the spell?” Luna offered.

“Recreate it?” Twilight asked.

“Perhaps recreating the incident will fix things?” Luna said.

“...That… might actually work!” Twilight said standing up “I never thought about making it happen a second time, if I can recreate the incident maybe it will switch things back to normal.” Twilight said.

“Indeed sir Dusk-err Twilight, sorry,” Luna chuckled at her mistake.

“It’s fine, thank you Luna,” Twilight said before she noticed her shape-changing and she was male again. “Well it was nice while it lasted…” Dusk said.

Luna’s subtle horn glow faded as she looked somberly at Dusk.

“Luna? Are you alright?” Dusk asked.

“Oh yes, I should be going now,” Luna said before getting up too.

“Alright, keep Celestia in the dark about this, hopefully, everypony’s memories will change back,” Dusk said.

“Yes, let us hope,” Luna said before vanishing and Dusk woke up, morning streaming in from the window, Dusk checked and found he was still male.

“Well, so much for it all being a dream… Let’s get to work,” Dusk said walking away.

Luna had just fixed another nightmare, this time involving evil gnomes or something… but she couldn’t get Dusk out of her mind…er Twilight… well right now he was Dusk, and she would hold onto that memory…

After all if this works, none of this would have ever happened.

The first prince in… ever! She had to admit even forgetting his regality, he was quite the stud too, and had wisdom far beyond his years… he was perfect.

But if everything she’s seen tells her anything, he wants to return to normal, and she must not impede him.

If only she could tell him, she loved him… maybe in another lifetime…

Author's Note

Sorry the chapter's short, work got ahold of me.

Meanwhile, we can see the story developing, and things will get even more interesting from here.

Adjustment

Barb skipped her way through the town, she had woken up earlier than usual so she could continue to enjoy this new body, before Dusk decides to remove it and return him to normal, she really wished Dusk would live in the moment.

“Barb! Hey Barbara!” A voice called out and Barb turned to see Derpy approaching.

“Hey Derpy, what’s the word?” Barb asked.

“The word is that Dusk visited the spa yesterday! I should have been there,” Derpy said.

“The mares around town really want a piece of him huh?” Barb chuckled.

“Can you blame us? He’s so handsome! And you know what the best part is if I become his marefriend?” Derpy whispered conspiratorially.

…Barb didn’t expect this, Derpy’s usually so lovely, why would even she be after Dusk’s rep?

“Uhm, what?” Barb asked.

“Come on, you know!” Derpy said.

“Um, I don’t what reason do you want to be with my dorky brother?” Barb said understanding now what Dusk’s sadness from the other day was.

“So you and I can become sisters silly!” Derpy giggled.

“Huh?” Barb said.

“Yeah, you're one of my only friends, and if I became Mrs. Dusk Shine, we could be sisters! And when you one day have foals, Dinky could play with them,” Derpy said

“You… aren’t interested in the money or power it would give you to be a princess?” Barb asked.

Derpy cluelessly responded “Wha? Nah, I’m comfortable in my current lifestyle, being a royal sounds boring…” Derpy said before resuming her speech about another benefit is limitless muffins or something…

“Holy… Derpy!” Barb said cutting her off.

“Huh?” Derpy said

“Are there any other mares who feel this way?” Barb asked.

“I’m not sure, never thought of asking,” Derpy honestly said.

“Derps, we gotta talk,” Barb said forming a plan.

Rainbow walked through his cloud home wearing a teeshirt and shorts, as he went into the kitchen and fixed up some cereal he saw Tank nearby.

“Hey Tank!” Rainbow Blitz said as he approached the tortoise.

“So… you remember our talk last night right?” Rainbow asked.

Tank nodded

“That I was a girl before yesterday, and that things may return to normal soon,” Rainbow stated.

Tank nodded, Rainbow may not be as good as Fluttershy at translating animal language, but he’s got a grasp on at least Tank’s mannerisms.

“Ok, well, I believe I got weather duty today so I’ll-” Blitz suddenly heard a knocking at the door.

“One second!” Blitz said heading to the door.

As he went to the door and opened it he was surprised to be glomped by a blue mare with a dark blue mane.

“Ah!” Rainbow jumped a little.

“Got you!” the blue mare said backing off.

“Uh, hey!...” Blitz had no idea who this was…

“Hey… what?” She asked.

“N-nothing, so what brings you here?” Rainbow Blitz asked deciding he must know her.

“Well, I was wondering if I can do one of my morning quickies with you before I go off to see Spitfire,” she said with lowered eyelids.

This stunned Blitz, morning quickie? She couldn’t mean… on one hand, she’s hot but… it’s a little soon to be thinking on that… how does he even… what should he do?!

“Um, Blitz? You ok?” She asked worriedly.

“Uh, yeah, hey, before we do anything can I ask that we skip today, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today,” Rainbow asked nicely.

The mare seemed to pout at this “Are you sure Blitzy? You don’t usually turn me away,” She said.

“Uhm… it’s just, nothing against you, I need to get some things together, but another time, totally,” Blitz said.

“Alright,” She shrugged looking a little disappointed but understanding “I guess I’ll tell the others today’s not happening.

“Thanks- others?” Rainbow said looking surprised.

“Well yeah, your one of the few studs in Ponyville able to bed multiple mares, and heat season is coming up, but we can wait until tomorrow, no prob,” She said.

“....Uh…” Rainbow’s brain shortcircuited, he really didn’t know what to say… is she saying he has flocks of mares wanting to be in bed with him?... it’s like a dream come true and a nightmare at the same time…

“See ya, and make sure to call, your favorite gal Soarin will get lonely without her call,” She said playfully before flying off.

….S-S-SOARIN!?

Rainbow slowly shut the door and slid to the ground.

“Either here I am braver with the opposite sex… or I’m a player in this reality… like a real field player,” Rainbow said looking both afraid and excited at the same time… not to mention, now that he thought of it, that mare was the same color of coat and mane as the Soarin from his original reality… so he’s become a mare and doesn’t notice anything.

Dusk needs to know.

Elusive had managed to craft several suits in a day, way less than usual.

Back when he was Rarity he mainly focused on dresses and mare needs, but it seems in this reality the opposite was true, and now the Carousel Boutique now caters more to the stallion crowd instead.

To remedy this, Elusive has put his personal spin on several suits to make them more… complex.

“Alright, that should suffice,” Elusive said finishing his latest suit, it had several unique features, including a unique hemline, a spontaneous color, and a unique cufflink attachment.

“Yes… this is as fun as making dresses…” Elusive said sounding more like he was trying to convince himself than others.

Noticeably mares seemed to be avoiding the Boutique right now, is it because his options are less widespread to mares now?

Elusive was about to get started on suit order number five when he noticed he was out of black string.

“Oh dear… I suppose this means I must pay a visit to the fabric store” Elusive sighed getting up and walking to the door.

“Perhaps a long walk will help me clear my head,” Elusive figured and he left the Boutique and decided to take the long way to the fabric store.

“At least it is a nice day,” Elusive said looking around and walking down the dirt road.

As he moved along he noticed several mares were intentionally getting out of his way, and several stallions were eyeing him.

“Odd,” Elusive thought and as he walked along he saw more ponies seemingly giving him the avoidant treatment.

“This is strange… I need to inquire about this,” Elusive said to himself before turning and beelining for the fabric store, whereas upon entering he saw that the ponies in the store seemed to be doing the same thing.

“Why is everypony avoiding me?” Elusive thought as he went to the section with black string and collected his materials.

As he entered the next aisle looking for more needles he bumped into a figure.

“Oh, sorry sir, I-” Elusive paused when he saw that it was Filthy Rich.

“Oh, hello there Elusive, I didn’t think I’d see you so soon,” Filthy said.

“Oh, um, why is that?” Elusive said honestly just glad somepony is talking to him.

“Well considering what happened and what occurred recently, I wouldn’t be surprised if you stayed in hiding for a while longer.” Filthy said looking concerned.

“...Hiding? Why is that?” Elusive asked.

“Oh don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, it only occurred weeks ago, unless, are you feeling alright?” Filthy asked.

“I am telling you I do not know what you mean,” Elusive said starting to wonder if he did something terrible without actually doing it.

“Surely you're not saying you don’t remember what happened between you and Scarlet do you?” Filthy asked.

“...Scarlet?...” Elusive pondered, he remembers the names of many of his clients and ‘Scarlet’ doesn’t ring a bell… he’ll have to play along. “Of course, I do remember her, but it seems that my memory is fogged, care to recant?” Elusive asked

Filthy sighed “If I must, you were set to date and possibly one day spend your life with a lower class mare named Scarlet, she wasn’t high life like you wanted but you cared about her for her heart, like the element of Generosity should, although everypony could see your relationship was more sibling-like than lovers.” Filthy said.

“Oh, yes, do go on,” Elusive said, honestly surprised at the direction this is going, he was engaged? To a mare he didn’t even love as a lover?... Sounds like the plot of a cheap romance novel.

“In any case when the Grand Galloping Gala came around, you sought to pursue the mare of your dreams,” Filthy continued.

“Mare?” Elusive thought about this, he pursued a mare at the Gala? But the pony he was after as Rarity was Blueblood… could this mean-

“You flirted and charmed her, and according to you it seemed to be going off without a hitch… until her husband arrived and saw you courting her.” Filthy said.

“Husband?!” Elusive exclaimed before remembering he was in public and he quieted “Are you saying I attempted to court Blueblood’s wife? He had one?” Elusive was so lost, but even more so when Filthy looked confused.

“No… why do you sound as though your hearing this firsthand when you experienced it firsthand?” Filthy asked.

“Oh uhm…. Nevermind, continue,” Elusive said.

“Well… when Fancy Pants saw you courting Fluer… it wasn’t pretty, and you two got into a bicker over her, if I remember right you said you were quite tipsy at the time, so you cannot be fully be blamed, at least in my opinion, and that was the reason you were kicked out of the Gala,” Filthy said.

‘I-i don’t believe it… I attempted to court a married mare?! Fancy Pants’s wife?!’ Elusive shouted in his head. “A-and how does this tie into Scarlet?” Elusive asked.

“After the backlash you received you were in a bit of a dark place for a time, when Scarlet tried to help you pushed her away until she just gave up and left, I for one understand that a stallion makes mistakes and is put in a dark place because of it, so at least I don’t feel any negative feelings towards you, but time will heal all wounds,” Filthy finished.

Elusive was taken aback, not only did he attempt to have an affair but with a married mare?! Disgusting! He would never! There had to have been a dirty ploy at hand, there just had to have been.

It was no wonder everypony was giving him the cold shoulder.

“Filthy… tell me it is all a lie,” Elusive begged.

“You must have hit your head and lost your memory or something if you truly don’t remember, do you need me to get you to the hospital?” Filthy said concernedly.

“N-no… I just… need to go now,” Elusive said taking his leave.

“The shock must have been bad for the poor stallion,” Filthy muttered.

Elusive left the fabric store after paying for the fabrics, but he was lost in his thoughts.

“The past me only ever pursued Blue Blood, but since I am a stallion in this reality I must have had a different target in mind… Per-perhaps I simply didn’t know…” Elusive said wandering to Sugarcube Corner with his head down.

Elusive entered Sugarcube Corner, determined to drown his sorrows in ice cream like he usually does.

Upon entry, he saw Pinkie sitting in a chair with a tub of ice cream open and a spoon in it.

“You know me so well Pinkie,” Elusive said walking up to his seat and sitting beside his friend.

“Hey Lucy, you seem down in the dumps,” Berry said.

“Yes, I am Pin- Lucy?” Elusive glanced up at Berry.

“Yup, that’s your name here, like how back in the Ponyville we knew your name was Rarie to me, now here it’s Lucy, short for Elusive,” Berry said.

“I…See, and do you, pray tell know the names of our other friends by now?” Elusive asked.

“Yup! I’m Berry Bubble now and the others are Dusk Shine, Rainbow Blitz, Butterscotch, and Applejack is still Applejack,” Berry said.

“Ah… good for Applejack…” Elusive sighed before eating some ice cream.

“So tell me, what’s got you all pouty?” Berry asked.

“Oh it’s this dreadful reality we’re living in, It has thoroughly done me in,” Elusive complained.

“Already?” Berry asked eating a giant sundae that appeared out of nowhere.

“Yes, it seems I made a poor judgment call and things happened quite differently at the Gala… I’ll be lucky if I ever live it down…” Elusive said.

“Yeah, we all make those,” Berry said eating half of the sundae in one bite.

“Not of this magnitude. I preyed on the wife of another stallion Berry…” Elusive said quietly.

“You did? Wow… that is bad, but you gotta move on, what happened happened,” Berry shrugged.

“I wish I could, but how?” Elusive asked.

“Perhaps clear the air with the ones you wronged? After all the one who did wrong wasn’t you, it’s the past of this reality,” Berry told Elusive seriously.

“...Your right,” Elusive stood tall “I am not the stallion I was in this re-written history, I am Rarity Belle! And I will-” Elusive paused when he saw Berry gesturing for him to sit and he realized he was making a scene when he saw the ponies staring at him, he sat back down and cleared his throat.

“Ah, never mind, go about your business,” Elusive said before turning to Berry.

“First off we need to visit Twilight Sparkle, see if she can fix this,” Elusive said.

“Dusk Shine, he’s Dusk Shine right now,” Berry reminded him.

“Regardless,” Elusive pressed.

“Ok, we’ll wait for my break,” Berry said.

“Wait, you weren’t on break just now?” Elusive asked.

“Nope! But I have somepony covering for me,” Berry waved at a brown mare who was bussing a table and intentionally leaning over too far, she waved back.

“Um… who is that?” Elusive asked.

“Cheesie of course!” Berry giggled.

“....I have so many questions…” Elusive said rubbing his head, feeling a headache coming on.

Applejack went inside for his thirty-minute break, he saw Granny Smith and Apple Bloom sitting at the table.

“So that didn’t change,” Applejack said before approaching.

“AJ, ah need a word with ya,” Granny Smith said.

“Alright,” Applejack said, already having a feeling what this is about, he sat down.

“Red Gala came in this mornin looking upset at a rude little prank you and Blitz played on her,” Granny said.

“Ah… well,” Applejack said trying to think of how he can word it as an excuse.

“Ya’ll pretended not to know her and it made her upset that ya’ll would do that, you know how much she cares about her family, and pretending ya don’t know her made her feel for a little bit as though you didn’t,” Granny said.

“Ah’m sorry Granny, ah suppose it was a crude prank, ah’ll apologize,” Applejack said.

“No need, ah assured her ya didn’t mean anything harsh, just don’t do it again, and on another note, ah’d relay this ta Blitz, he’s already on thin ice with Gala, she doesn’t need any other reasons to resent him,” Granny said.

“Huh? Resent him?” Applejack questioned.

‘Fer breakin her heart, ah still don’t get why Scootaloo praises him after what he did,” Apple Bloom added in sounding bitter.

“Ah… see, wanna talk about it?” Applejack asked, trying to investigate this.

“No, we don’t want to risk her overhearing it an gettin more upset with you,” Granny said.

“Got it,” Applejack said deciding to drop it for now.

“Now that we got that cleared up, let’s get back to work,” Granny said.

“Ok,” Applejack said getting up “And ah’m gonna visit with my friends later after mah chores,” Applejack said.

“Alright, but don’t take too long,” Granny said as Applejack nodded and left.

Butterscotch woke up on the couch, he looked around and saw his animal friends looking at him concernedly, save for Angel who looked annoyed.

“Oh, sorry to worry you all, I… didn’t get much sleep last night,” Butterscotch said sitting up.

Harry made a low rumble noise from his mouth and pointed at Butterscotch’s pants.

“I see, so I passed out because I saw my… erection… and I was freaking out because of a few mares hitting on me,” Butterscotch said before looking upset and turning to his friends with a worried look.

“Really I am fine, I will be visiting my friends today, so why don’t you all go and have a trip down to the creek without me today,” Butterscotch said.

The other animals looked conflicted but nodded and left… except for Angel.

“I suppose you are suspicious of my recent behavior aren’t you? That I may not be Butterscotch?” Butterscotch said reading Angel quite quickly. Angel simply shook his head yes.

“I suppose I can’t keep things from you, I am Butterscotch, but… it’s complicated… I was different a couple days ago until an accident made me like this… please don’t tell the others, I will tell them soon,” Butterscotch pleaded.

Angel made hand gestures that warned him that he was watching him before hopping off.

“...I suppose I need to get moving,” Butterscotch said getting up and leaving through the door.

Dusk had finished resetting all the materials and getting everything set up, perhaps if everything happens like it did before everything will be reset.

“Now I just need to make sure the formula is the same as before,” Dusk said as he went down into his lab.

Dusk went over to the lab table with a crystal ball and tried to fix it up like he did that fateful day.

“Alright, I need to go based on memory and begin measurements of magical output,” Dusk said before lighting his horn and flowing some magic into it.

“Alright, first step, begin by making the ball a magical conduit via filling it with magical energy, then-”

A sudden slamming of a door upstairs made the magic-charged crystal ball fall off of the table.

“Twilight! We need to talk!” Elusive called his friend by his female name.

“Calm down Rarity, we could be intruding on something,” Butterscotch said.

“Ah, don’t got long so we better hurry up with this,” Applejack said.

Rainbow Blitz simply looked like he was in thought and Berry was bouncing as usual.

“DUUUUSKY!” Berry called trying to get ahold of his friend.

The group entered and Applejack gave the door a light kick to close it, and wound up slamming the door.

BOOM

Every stallion turned their gaze to the basement door which opened and a slightly burnt Dusk came out.

“Ever heard of knocking guys?” Dusk coughed some smoke.

“Are you alright?” Butterscotch asked.

“I was until someone slammed the door so hard it broke another crystal ball prematurely, seriously I am starting to run low on those,” Dusk said dusting himself off.

“That was me,” Applejack said feeling embarrassed “Guess ah still don’t know mah own strength,” Applejack said.

“It’s fine, so now that we have time we should talk,” Dusk said using his magic to pull some chairs over and everypony sat down.

“So… have there been any changes besides us?” Dusk asked.

Everystallion looked at each other and nodded, Applejack went first.

“Mah brother is now mah sister,” Applejack said.

“What?” Dusk said looking shocked.

“Me an Rainbow here went to go get some hard ciders to ease the stress of the day, and we were approached by a red mare callin herself Red Gala, sayin she was mah sister and that she doesn’t know a Big Mac,” Applejack explained.

“I can confirm it since I was there,” Rainbow said.

“Your kidding… so there was more ponies affected than just us,” Dusk said before looking to his friends again. “Were there any others?” Dusk asked.

“Cheesie is a mare now, she’s called Swiss Cheese, she’s in Sugarcube Corner covering my shift,” Berry stated.

“I met Soarin as a mare, I mean how am I supposed to react to that?” Blitz said shaking his head a little.

“Ah… is that it… I’m starting to question if I picked the wrong spell when I made it,” Dusk said.

“You bet you did,” Elusive said rather gruffly.

“Huh?” Dusk said.

“This new reality is terrible! Ponies giving me the cold shoulder, a sordid affair, relearning how to use the restroom!? I wish to return to being Rarity again, at least my old life wasn’t so crooked,” Elusive demanded.

“Affair?” Applejack asked.

“Not right now, right now, I demand an immediate cure to my existential crisis,” Elusive said.

“Ah agree, things are just uncomfortable here,” Applejack said.

“The mares love me here, and there are a lot of advantages for me here… but I mean, it’s a little awkward, but if we can’t go back to how we were I can live with it though,” Blitz shrugged.

“Well, I’m not,” Elusive said.

“Just saying,” Blitz said with a shrug.

“Twilight, please tell me you’ve thought of something,” Elusive begged.

“Well, it’s theoretical but Luna suggested we retry the experiment, perhaps that will fix this,” Dusk said.

“Wait… Luna?! You mean you told her?” Applejack exclaimed.

“Calm down Applejack, she already knew, she saw our dreams after the accident occurred.” Dusk explained.

“Oh, then that means it’s okay I told Mr Cake and the twins about it?” Berry asked.

“You did what?!” Dusk said turning to his pink friend.

“Don’t worry, he didn’t believe me, and the twins are too young to understand,” Berry dismissed.

“Still, you shouldn’t tell others,” Dusk said firmly, Butters and Rainbow tried to smile innocently but Dusk could tell.

“Who did you tell?...” Dusk asked with a sigh.

“Angel, he promised not to tell anypony,” Butterscotch explained.

“Tank, pretty sure nopony will be able to tell what he’s saying if they tried.” Blitz shrugged.

Dusk sighed “When Spike gets back we’ll have her aid in the ‘repeat the experiment’ plan,” Dusk said “With all due hope, we can put things back as they once were with this,”

“Agreed,” Elusive said.

“I’ll send her a message and get things moving,” Dusk said floating a quill and some ink to himself.

“Daring Do books for me,” Rainbow said getting up and walking over to the shelves.

“I’ll make snacks!” Berry bounced into the kitchen.

“I suppose I will help,” Butterscotch said following the hyperactive pink stallion.

“S’pose a nap wouldn’t hurt,” Applejack said laying down.

“...” Elusive just laid back in his chair, waiting for whatever may come.

Author's Note

Things may get more tense in the following chapter, but things will get better, and in the future more lovey-dovey. :rainbowkiss:

But with who? You'll have to wait and see.

Retrying the experiment

Dusk Shine the pony formerly known as Twilight Sparkle was assembling the spell, and thanks to his photographic memory there were fewer crystal balls exploding in his face.

Meanwhile, everypony was sitting around enjoying their own personal distractions.

“Hey, Rainbow?” Butterscotch asked.

“Yeah?” Blitz asked.

“Do you… really want to stay like this?” Butterscotch asked.

Blitz seemed to go into thought “Well… I mean there are advantages, I mean…” Blitz leaned in close “Don’t tell the others but, I have always been a bit more into mares than stallions,” Blitz whispered.

“Ok,” Butterscotch nodded.

Blitz sat back “Plus now that I’m a handsome stud, finding a mare friend shouldn’t be too hard, and not to mention no more trying to be overly tough to fit in among the Wonderbolt stallions, no more estrus, and best of all, no more periods,” Blitz said happily.

“I… see, I must admit those are advantages,” Butterscotch said looking down.

“You alright?” Blitz asked.

“I just… I want to return to normal, Rainbow, can I be honest with you too?” Butters asked quietly.

“Sure,” Blitz scooted closer.

“I’m scared of stallions… Not that they're bad or anything, it’s just… I’m too shy to converse with them sometimes,” Butterscotch said.

“I know that,” Blitz said.

“But lately… I think my fears have reversed…” Butterscotch said.

“Huh?” Rainbow Blitz said sounding surprised.

“I’m still nervous around stallions… but now… the mares are treating me differently, it’s scary… and the worst part… a part of me…” Butterscotch took a shaky breath and resumed “A part of me…. Liked it,” Butterscotch whispered near the end but Rainbow still heard it.

“Whoa… I… are you saying mares scare you now? And yet you were… aroused by their attention?” Blitz said, he honestly would have laughed if Butters wasn’t looking on the verge of crying from his confusion.

“Yes, no… maybe?...” Butterscotch said confusedly.

Understanding the situation Blitz put his hand on Butterscotch’s shoulder.

“Hmm?” Butterscotch looked at him.

“Look… I’m not good at these things but…if it makes you feel better I just figured out I may be a bit of a player in this reality,” Blitz said comfortingly.

“A player? You?” Butterscotch said confusedly.

“Yeah… I guess in this reality I… frequently go at it with other mares, Soarin came in earlier asking for a ‘morning quickie’ and I got flustered,” Blitz admitted.

“Ah yes, you did say Soarin is a girl now… but I really don’t see you as the type to play the field like that,” Butters said.

“Well I guess I am… or maybe there’s something else I’m not seeing, but regardless, I plan to fix my standing so I don’t turn out to be a cheater or something,” Blitz said.

“I agree, and I need to figure out these feelings, but maybe after I return to my old self.” Butters said.

“Yeah, if I turn back I won’t be too disappointed, but if not I could live with it,” Blitz said.

“Thanks for the encouragement,” Butters said.

“No prob,” Blitz said.

“Hey, Lucy! Why so sad?” Berry asked.

“Hey, Berry…” Elusive said dismissively.

“C’mon, talk to me,” Berry said.

Elusive sighed and looked up from the fashion catalog he was reading.

“I was reading Pinkie,” Elusive said.

“Berry,” Berry corrected.

“I meant Pinkie, we’ll be returning to normal soon anyways,” Elusive said.

“Yeah but till then, let’s live in the moment,” Berry said.

“Sorry I don’t share your enthusiasm,” Elusive said.

“Why do you hate being a stallion?” Berry asked sitting beside him.

“I don’t hate being a stallion, it’s just… when I look in the mirror, I see a familiar face staring back at me… it just reminds me of that cur Blueblood. And besides, I was born a proper mare, and I won’t be cut off from my true gender by some accident,” Elusive said.

“Hmm… but I mean, if you only have this body for a while, shouldn’t you make the most of it?” Berry asked.

“Pinkie dear, I just plan to turn back and forget this ever happened, please understand,” Elusive said putting the catalog back over his face.

“Ok,” Berry said looking sad he couldn’t help his friend.

As he was about to go and find something else to do they heard a door open and they all turned to see Barb reentering.

“Hey guys!” Barb said waving at them.

“Hi!” Berry zipped up to her “You look like you’ve been busy,” Berry pointed out.

“What? These?” Barb said gesturing to her painted nails and make-up.

“You really seem to be falling into this girl dragon role Spike,” Blitz said.

“Eh, not that hard when you’ve been around mostly mares your whole life and remember, this version of me is Barbra,” Barb reminded him.

“Ah, sorry,” Blitz said.

“Anywho, I got the message, so Dusk thinks that repeating the accident will fix everything?” Barb said sitting down.

“Yeah,” Butterscotch replied.

“He’s not going to make me fall down the stairs again on purpose this time is he?” Barb said with a raised brow.

“No, I won’t allow it,” Elusive said.

“Thanks,” Barb said, finding himself giving a slight blush when he said that… odd.

The group waited around for another hour and a half before Dusk came up from the basement.

“Eureka! Again,” Dusk said before walking into the room with the others.

“Finally,” Elusive said.

“Quicker than usual,” Blitz remarked.

“I still had my old notes to go off of,” Dusk said before carefully approaching the familiar pedestal in the center of the room and setting the ball on the pedestal.

“I gotta know egghead, how do you know this won’t just make things worse?” Blitz asked.

“I don’t, but this is the most logical course of action,” Dusk said before noticing Applejack was still sleeping.

“Wow, heavy sleeper, can somepony wake him up?” Dusk asked.

“On it!” Berry said before going up to AJ and pinching his nose.

Applejack couldn’t breathe through his nose now and he eventually woke up startled.

“AGH! What in tarnation?!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Time to wake up sleepy head!” Berry said.

“Is it time?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah,” Butters added in.

“Then what are we waitin' for?” Applejack asked.

“Nothing, just gotta make sure parameters are set first,” Dusk said making sure that there are no distractions and things that’ll ruin the setup.

“Well, A part of me is going to miss this,” Blitz said.

“Don’t jinx us Blitz,” Applejack warned.

“I know I know,” Blitz said.

“Dusk are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, we could all still find happiness like this,” Barb asked her brother.

“Sorry Barb, but I want to go back and so do most of the ponies here,” Dusk said.

“What if I don’t want to?” Barb said.

“You're not planning on intentionally stranding us like this?” Dusk asked with his hands on his hips.

“I deserve an opinion too,” Barb said.

“Spike,” Elusive asked calling Barb by her original name “I do not want to stay like this, please,” Elusive begged.

“...Ok, fine, but you owe me,” Barb said.

“Ok, thank you, now I just need you to get to the top of the stairs and-” Dusk began but Barb interrupted.

“No, I’m not throwing myself down some stairs, I am going to go smash it with my own two claws,” Barb said pushing past Dusk.

“B-but what if the tumble was a factor?” Dusk tried to state his reasoning.

“And what if I break my neck? I highly doubt that my falling down the stairs was a factor, right guys?” Barb asked the others who nodded in agreement.

“Fine… just give us a moment to-”

“Yolo!” Barb threw the crystal ball down.

“SPIKE!” Dusk cried before another explosion enveloped the interior of the castle.

Dusk woke up with his back against a wall, he coughed a few times and got up.

“Am… Am I-” Dusk…Twilight? Heard a familiar tone to his/her voice and had a feeling it worked!

“YES!” The alicorn ran to the bathroom and looked into the mirror to see his old self… or more like his less old self…

“Huh?” Dusk said looking confused, seeing his male visage.

“But my voice-” Dusk suddenly coughed a few times and cleared his throat before continuing “was changed… oh… I just needed to clear my throat…” Dusk sighed before walking out to see his friends in similar positions as before and waking, when he saw them…

They still looked like stallions…

“Dang it! Maybe I got something wrong? Or maybe Spike really did need to fall down the stairs, or maybe-” Dusk said trying to rationalize it when he was tapped on the shoulder.

“Huh?” Dusk spun to see Discord.

“Aaah!” Dusk jumped a little at how close he was “Discord?! What are you doing here?” Dusk asked.

“I sensed a surge of the same magic you used to become like this and decided to pay a visit,” Discord said looking to the others who were getting up and looking at themselves.

“I-i’m still a stallion?” Butterscotch said looking distressed.

“What?! Why am I not fixed?” Elusive demanded.

“Had a feeling,” Blitz said

“Can’t be,” Applejack said.

“I knew it was too early in the story for resolution,” Berry said.

“Guys! Calm down,” Dusk said catching their attention.

“Discord?” Butterscotch said.

“Hello there my buttery friend,” Discord chuckled.

“Discord! You had something to do with this didn’t you?” Elusive said accusingly.

“Wrong, this is harmony magic remember, I had no hand in this,” Discord said.

“I- wait a minute, where’s Spike?” Dusk asked.

“Over here,” Discord said holding Barb up by her shirt.

“Hey! Put me down!” Barb wiggled out of his grip.

“Discord, what happened?” Applejack asked.

“Finally somepony asks nicely,” Discord snapped his fingers and everypony and dragon got set-up in chairs.

“Huh?” Elusive said.

“Sit tight my friends this’ll be hard for you all to hear…” Discord said pulling a screen out of nowhere and set it on a table.

“What’ll be hard ta hear?” Applejack asked.

“Let me explain, You see,” Discord pointed to a slideshow with a baton and it showed crayon drawings of the situations he describes.

“You see, here we got Twilight and the others having that accident that Spike caused that triggered the accident that swapped your genders and rewrote reality to suit it, and here we got you doing the same thing that happened before, only different-”

“Get to the point please,” Applejack said.

“Alright,” Discord sighed skipping like seventeen drawings and getting to the point. “I recently discovered what happened to you all,” Discord said.

“You did?!” Dusk said standing up.

“Sit sit, you’ll get your answers,” Discord said.

“Ok,” Dusk said sitting down.

“Alright, it seems when you made your spell you did everything right, and Spike tripping into the pedestal was the catalyst for this,”

“Your not saying-” Elusive said.

“The spell did what it was meant to do! Congrats Twilight! You performed a spell that few have managed,” Discord said.

“What? But the spells purpose was to help us find our potential lovers! Not genderswap us,” Dusk deflected.

“Ah, but it will, you all will gradually see it, you see, I knew I saw the spell somewhere but I didn’t want to get your hopes up, therefore I did some investigation, and found out it was once used frequently back in Starswirls time, it became forbidden and was labeled a theoretical spell to dissuade any potential users,” Discord said.

“Potential users?” Dusk muttered.

“Is this spell dangerous?” Butterscotch asked.

“No, but Luna worried it would cause spacial problems if used too much, so she is the one who outlawed it,” Discord said.

“How do you know this?” Barb asked.

“I chatted with her,” Discord said.

“So you knew she knew?” Dusk asked.

“Yep, I’m like a conversation ninja,” Discord said.

“So… the spell was meant to change one's gender?” Dusk said.

“Help them find their future lover,” Discord clarified.

“Wait a second, if she knew its true purpose then why not just tell us she knew?” Blitz asked.

“I asked that, she didn’t say…” Discord said going into thought for a second before shaking his head.

“Anyways, It seems like you and Luna made a grievous error,” Discord said grimly.

“What error?” Dusk said nervously.

“Ever heard about mutant spells?” Discord said.

“Yes, when a spell is layered with another spell too heavily it becomes a whole new kind of spell, why?” Dusk asked.

“...It seems your calculations were just a smidgen off, and so the imperfect merged with the perfect and made a whole mess of a spell,” Discord said.

“Whaa?” Blitz said.

“Discord that doesn’t make sense, Your saying the same spell made a mutant spell?” Dusk asked.

“Yes, that too was theoretical but you seemed to have proved that even being slightly off on a spell made a mutant spell, as a result, the formula to change back has irrevocably changed and become impossible to change,” Discord said.

“....Twilight?” Elusive scaredly asked “Surely he doesn't mean what I think he means… right?” Elusive asked.

“What?” Blitz and the others still not getting it.

“D-D-Discord, that’s not funny, you can’t seriously mean we’re-” Dusk started and Discord finished.

“You all may be stuck like this for possibly… eternity,” He finished before putting earplugs in.

Immediately afterwards chaos erupted…

Author's Note

I know it's a big cliffhanger, but I have been busy with work, but don't worry, I'll work to post the next chapter soon.

But it seems the Mane Six may be stuck like this longer than they thought and they heard more about the spell.

Let me know how you feel about what's been going on, and don't worry, I won't forget the romance, gotta story build first.

The aftermath

Elusive screamed at what he heard, he fell off his chair and began having a panic attack.

“NO! I cannot be stuck like this! I can’t!” Elusive cried.

Butterscotch too seemed to be hyperventilating.

“No…Nononononononononoo!” Butterscotch said looking distressed.

Applejack stood up “That can’t be true! Mah whole life is irrefutably changed?!” Applejack said.

Berry’s mane deflated at what he heard and he became scared at the idea that this all happened because he insisted they stay to see what happens.

Even Barbra and Blitz looked a little shocked.

Dusk just looked like he was struggling to accept what he heard and his hair began twanging as a panic attack was setting in.

“Guy? Guys!” Discord said trying to calm them but the stallions continued panicking, so Discord did the only thing that he would perceive as reasonable.

He pulled out a foghorn and blared it loud enough to startle the stallions into silence.

“I get that you're having existential crisis’s right now but we must not lose ourselves to it,” Discord said.

“What do you know?! You're, not the one who’s had their life upended! Your life is not plunged into drama and affairs, and now thanks to you not stopping Dusk before he came up with this awful plan, I am trapped in a web of deceit and problems as opposed to my original problem-free lifestyle!” Elusive finished his tirade.

“It isn’t Discord's fault,” Butterscotch said trying to defend his friend.

“Thank you, Butters,” Discord said.

“...Your right… I shouldn’t be casting blame on him… I should on the one who is responsible for this situation to begin with,” Elusive stood and faced Berry with a baleful glare which the pink stallion flinched from.

“You! Had you at least waited until Twilight tested it instead of dragging us all here to experience it firsthand, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this situation,” Elusive accused.

“I-i’m-” Berry attempted to apologize.

“Ah should have just left the castle when ah had the chance, stead ah let ya talk me into it,” Applejack said morosely.

“Guys, I get your upset but don’t attack Pinkie for something she didn’t know,” Dusk said.

“Why shouldn’t I? This never would have happened had she not coerced us all into it,” Elusive said before turning to take his leave.

“Where are you going?” Dusk asked.

“Thanks to Pinkie or as she is now known, Berry, I have many problems I need to focus on now,” Elusive said before exiting and slamming the door.

“Ah, gotta go too… there’s a whole lot ah gotta start getting used to now that ah’m a stallion,” Applejack said before taking his leave too.

Butterscotch just seemed to look depressed but chose to stay to help Berry with the fallout. Butters stroked his shoulders.

“I’m sorry… I am so sorry guys…” Berry said sadly.

“It's not your fault Pin… Berry, you couldn’t have known,” Butterscotch said.

“It is… I messed up, I gave Twilight the spellbook in the first place, I should have known something would have gone wrong,” Berry said.

“No… this is my fault, if I hadn’t tripped and fallen into the pedestal maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” Barb said comfortingly.

“If I hadn’t gotten the formula wrong I wouldn’t have made the situation irreparable…” Dusk said, sitting down beside him.

“It’s still my fault… This would have never happened if it weren't for me,” Berry said.

“Those two just need time to forgive and forget, the best you can do is help them out with adjustment,” Discord said.

“Yeah, in the end, this may have been unavoidable,” Blitz said.

“O-ok,” Berry said “I suppose we should be getting home then,” Berry said before getting up and leaving, still looking upset.

“I’ll go with you,” Butterscotch said as he followed him out.

“Me too, I got some stuff I need to think about now that this is permanent,” Blitz got up and followed them out as well, clearly coming along to help Berry out.

“And then there were three…” Barb said wryly.

“I need to go contact Luna and let her know what happened, You should probably go with Butterscotch too,” Dusk said.

“Probably,” Discord said before poofing himself away.

“Well, I guess it’s time to come to terms,” Dusk sighed and he went over to his desk.

“I suppose it’s time to tell you something I have been wanting to say,” Barb said.

“Not now Spike…er Barb, I gotta focus on this first,” Dusk said.

“Ok, tomorrow then,” Barb said with a sigh and she walked away.

Butterscotch and Blitz accompanied Berry up until he made it to Sugarcube Corner, afterwards they parted ways.

“Rainbow Dash, could we talk?” Butterscotch asked.

“Hmm? Ok, but since things have changed you should get used to calling me Rainbow Blitz,” Rainbow said sitting down beside him on a bench.

“I suppose…” Butterscotch said with a sniffle.

“What’s wrong?” Blitz asked.

“I don’t want to stay like this, but now that I have to I don’t know what to do,” Butterscotch said before going into full-on crying mode.

“Hey heey,” Blitz wrapped an arm around Butters to calm him.

“I hate this! I can’t even look in the mirror anymore without feeling awkward, this isn’t my body, this isn’t my Ponyville, Blitz what do I do?” Butterscotch asked.

“Try to adapt, and don’t let anypony take advantage of you, that’s what I’d do,” Blitz said.

“I don’t mean to trouble you with this but I… I think I’m scared of mares now, and the way they look at me now,” Butterscotch said.

“I feel what you mean, I got almost every mares eye on me, but I go with the flow like always, this is how things are now, we’ll have to get used to it,” Blitz said.

“....Ok,” Butters said looking sad still but also acknowledging Blitz’s words.

“Well, I guess you have a bunny to break the news to,” Blitz said.

“Alright, thanks for letting me vent,” Butters said.

“No prob,” Blitz said before walking off.

Butterscotch got up and began walking toward his cottage, along the way he cut through the town square and sat down by the fountain.

“How am I going to get used to this?...” Butterscotch said.

“Butterscotch?” A voice asked making the stallion ‘eep’ and nearly fall into the fountain were it not for a muscular hand grabbing him and pulling him back up.

“Whoa there, ya’ll alright?” The mare's voice asked.

“I-i…” Butterscotch stuttered upon realizing it was a mare and he slowly looked up…. And saw a pretty red mare.

“Who-...” Butterscotch was about to ask who she was but when he saw her green eyes and familiar red coat he quickly remembered that Applejack said that his brother Big Mac is now his sister Red Gala and she got mad when she thought he was pretending to not know her, realizing this he quickly shifted gears.

“Uh… I mean, hello R-Red Gala,” Butters said.

“Anything ah can help with? Ya seem more jumpy than a rabbit in a timberwolf den” Red asked.

“Uh’m, I was just out to gather my thoughts… I… recently had some bad news and now things have changed forever…” Butters said, lowering his head. One thing he appreciated is that she wasn’t giving him bedroom eyes like the other mares he’s encountered.

“Want ta talk about it?” Red asked.

“No, no offense but this is something best left unsaid,” Butterscotch said.

“Ah’ll respect that,” Red said turning to leave.

“Wait, what were you doing here?” Butterscotch asked.

“Just taking a walk, it’s mah day off,” Gala said.

“Ok… Uhm, have fun I guess…” Butters said.

“....Ya wanna… come with me? Just to talk?” Red said, sensing his anxiety.

“...Yes,” Butterscotch said before getting up and walking with her.

Blitz flew back up to his cloud home and entered.

“Hey Tank, got some semi-bad news, I-” Blitz said before slipping on something and falling onto his face, thank Celestia for cloud homes having soft floors…

When Blitz got up and turned he saw a stack of letters on the ground.

“Odd,” Blitz picked them up and saw they were from various mares he knew and didn’t know.

“Who the hay is Thunderstrike?” Blitz asked before opening them and reading them, it seems they were notes from his various ‘mare buddies’ asking where he was.

“Wow… the mares in Ponyville are thirstier than I thought, makes sense with the lower number of stallions I guess…” Blitz said before getting to the one that had Soarin’s name on it.

“Huh?” Blitz opened it and saw Soarin demanding to know why he keeps blowing her off and not calling her.

“...I think I am in hot water here…” Blitz sighed.

Elusive practically slammed the door open and walked in with a frustrated look.

“Curse it all… Am I meant to always be on the receiving end of social misfortune?” Elusive said before pausing in front of a mirror… and seeing his face.

In anger, he punched the mirror breaking it.

“I am not Blueblood! Nor am I a stallion!” Elusive said angrily before sitting down on his fainting couch and taking a few deep breaths.

“I have to focus, now that this troublesome situation is permanent I have to make the most of it… most of the town is giving me the cold shoulder, and I no longer develop dresses, I remind myself physically of Blueblood and I no longer have great standing with my apparent fiance or the royals at Canterlot… What do I do?...” Elusive said.

“Elusive?” Sweetie Belle asked from the stairs.

“Sweetie?...” Elusive said realizing his lashing out may have alerted his sister.

“Is everything alright? I heard a sound down here and thought somepony broke in,” Sweetie said approaching.

“It is nothing… I… slipped, and broke that mirror over there, I am not feeling very talkative right now Sweetie, please grant me some space,” Elusive said with a sigh.

“Is it about Scarlet again?” Sweetie asked.

“No…” Elusive said feeling a bubble of frustration coming to the surface.

“Did you and Barbra have a fight?” Sweetie said.

“No, Sweetie please just-”

“It’s about the Gala isn’t it?” Sweetie said obliviously.

“SWEETIE! I AM FINE, LEAVE ME ALONE!” Elusive said harshly and Sweetie looked startled.

“I-I…” Sweetie said.

“Forgive me, Sweetie Belle… I am under great stress right now,” Elusive said comfortingly.

“I… understand…” Sweetie carefully sat beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.

Applejack entered his room and sat down on his bed.

“Well, let’s go over… mah sis is Red Gala, ah am stuck a stallion and ah’m no closer to finding love… seems life is looking pretty down ain’t it?...” Applejack said before lying down and looking up at the ceiling.

“The comin weeks ah gotta do some quick adaptin to mah environments, or else ah will blow everypony's cover…” Applejack said. “At least my name is still Applejack, ah wouldn’t give mah name fer any other name out there,” Applejack said.

The door to his room opened and he looked.

“Ever heard of knockin sis?” Applejack said to Apple Bloom.

“I was jest wonderin when yer gonna come read with me?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Read with ya?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, ah asked you earlier and you said later, well, it’s later now, I wanna read Goldymane and the three Ursa’s,” She said.

“Oh,” Applejack remembered he was too lost in thought to hear what he agreed to, good thing it was just reading.

“Ok,” Applejack said following her down to the living room.

Berry flopped onto his bed with Gummy falling off a rafter to land on the other pillow.

“Oh Gummy… it’s all my fault…” Berry said.

Gummy just blinked.

“I changed everyponies lives, for better or worse, and now Elusive hates me…” Berry said tearfully.

Gummy tilted his head and scratched himself with his hind leg.

“I know… but I don’t know how to find a way to make him forgive me, Applejack at least is forgiving enough, so are Butters and Dusk but I know Elusive, he holds grudges, for example, Blueblood,” Berry said.

Gummy burped

“Hmm… good point… that could work! I wasn’t there to hear her name but I do know how to find out where she lives! Gummy your a genius!” Berry said.

Gummy just blinked.

“Alright, let’s get researching!” Berry said before glancing at the viewers.

“This requires me accessing super duper secret files, so I gotta end the chapter here, bye for now!” Berry waved before reaching up and typing the following words in the author's notes.

Author's Note

Hi viewers this is Berry! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and sorry about Lucy's negative reaction, I don't personally blame him.

Anyways, get ready because the next chapter has a bit of a one-week time skip and the encounters of the steamy kind you've been waiting for, keep in mind the author is a noob at this stuff.

Enjoy!

[Gee. thanks for the noob part Berry...]

Getting used to things

Elusive made his way through town, trying to find information regarding the recent events in his new life.

If only somepony would talk to him!

“Blast it all… I need to find somepony who knows and is willing to share, if I am to live this new life I must fix it the best I can,” Elusive said.

Elusive wandered through the crowd but only got noncommitted answers or avoidant responses, he was about to give up when he spotted Filthy Rich nearby.

“Oh blessed, somepony who understands,” Elusive said before he approached him.

At least he was going too until Berry popped up in front of him.

“Hiya!” Berry said with a hopeful look on his face.

“...” Elusive just narrowed his eyes and walked around Berry.

“Oh come on Lucy, I got something you may want to hear,” Berry said.

“Unless it is a way to fix this mess, I don’t wish to hear a peep,” Elusive said marching on.

“But I-”

‘No Berry! Just leave me alone,” Elusive said before noticing several ponies were looking at him with disapproval.

“Great… more unwanted attention…” Elusive said walking over to Filthy who was busy reading a book.

“Pardon me Mr. Rich, can we talk?” Elusive asked.

“Sure,” Rish said not putting his book down.

“I have been thinking that perhaps I need to take action to fix things, and to start things off I must inquire about the location of Mrs. Scarlet, in hopes of… reconnecting,” Elusive said.

“Can’t help you,” Rich said.

“Why?” Elusive asked.

“Because I’m not the person you should talk too,” Rich said.

“I… beg your pardon?” Elusive asked.

“I’m sure your friend Berry can help you, he wise and knowledgeable and has a very curly mane-” Elusive pulled the book down and saw Berry in a Mr. Rich costume.

“BERRY!” Elusive exclaimed.

“Heheh! I still got it!” Berry said.

“Where did Rich go?” Elusive demanded.

“I dunno, I was watching you from this bench the whole time.” Berry stated.

“But I saw you… forget it,” Elusive said getting up and Berry popped up in front of him.

“C’mon Lucy, lighten up!” Berry said casually.

“I will lighten up when this tragedy is over!” Elusive said walking around Berry.

“If you listen I can tell you that I know where Scarlet is,” Berry called after him.

“For the last-... oh of course you do,” Elusive sighed before turning to him “And where pray tell is she?” Elusive asked.

“In a town nearby called Rain Row, I can take you there,” Berry said.

“No offense Berry but I need alone time,” Elusive lied.

“No you don’t, you need a travel buddy to navigate,” Berry said.

“Berry I’m serious,” Elusive said.

“So am I, look I am genuinely sorry for what happened but being all grumpy isn’t going to fix it,” Berry said.

“Forget it, I will find somepony who knows,” Elusive said turning and walking away.

“Lucy! You are my friend and I won’t let you go through this alone, like it or not this barnacle is sticking to this ship!” Berry said.

“That didn’t even make sense,” Elusive said.

“Either bring me or I will…..ask again!” Berry said getting desperate to not let his friend walk out on him.

“....Oh fine…” Elusive said.

“YAY!” Berry cheered before Elusive put his hand up.

“But! I am in no mood to talk, so do me a favor and make small talk,” Elusive said.

“Just watch, you‘ll forgive me soon,” Berry said walking past him.

“Mmmh…” Elusive grumbled as they walked towards the train station.

Dusk had flown with Barb riding on his back.

“Pick up the pace,” Barb said.

“Not my fault you got heavier since your last ride,” Dusk said before getting a thump on the head.

“It’s rude to comment on a girls weight,” Barb reminded him.

“I was talking about your growth spurt since last time you rode on my back, I remember when you were the size of a toddler and then in the course of a week you sprang up,” Dusk remembered.

“Yeah, so?” Barb crossed her arms underneath her chest.

“Just let me concentrate,” Dusk sighed as he flew up to Rainbow’s house, when he got there he saw Greywind.

“Hey Grey!” Dusk called out.

“Hello Prince Dusk, Grey called.

“I told you to only call me Dusk,” Dusk said remembering when he was Twilight she would always tease him through letters by calling him various honorifics.

“I can’t help always teasing my cousin and hey Barbra!” Grey walked over and hugged Barb.

“Hey Grey!” Barb said hugging her back.

“… So… can you teleport us down? In case you forgot I have a problem with heights.” Grey asked turning to Dusk.

“You sure you don’t want a ride?” Dusk asked knowingly.

“Don’t even tease about it, please,” Grey sighed.

“Ok ok,” Dusk said as he teleported them and they were in midair, he was holding Barb by her hand.

‘AAAH!” Grey cried before she hit the ground, having only fallen seven feet.

“You never said how high,” Dusk teased back before setting himself and Barb down.

“Har har,” Grey said getting up and dusting off her skirt “Don’t do that again please,” Grey asked.

“Sorry,” Dusk chuckled as he gestured for them to follow him.

As they walked into the castle Dusk decided to ask the question nagging at him.

“What were you doing at Rainbow Blitz’s house?” Dusk asked.

“Remember when I said I was going to the spa and wouldn’t make it on the exact day I was supposed to arrive?” She responded.

“Yeah,” Dusk said.

“A mare named Soarin found me still stressed from that last book conference and convinced me to pay her friend with lots of benefits a visit… I admit I never experienced such pleasure… needless to say, he lives up to the rumors,” Grey said with a rosey-cheeked look.

“Ugh, please stop,” Barb sighed.

“Your old enough to appreciate a mare letting off some steam with a stud,” Grey said.

“Anyways, now that we got that covered, it’s time I talk to you about the reason I sent a message,” Dusk said.

“Figured it wasn’t just to say hi,” Grey said.

“Sorry… things have been busy ever since the wings… anyways I need your connections to set up something,” Dusk said sitting at a desk with Grey and Barb sitting at the other side.

“And that is?” Grey asked.

“I need you to set up a line of close communication with your friend Raven Inkwell, and provide a more secret commune with Luna,” Dusk said.

“...Wow… I mean, I’m flattered you need my aid for that but don’t you have Barb for sending messages? And besides, I’m just an author, a high-end one but still an author, I’m close to Inkwell but I’m not sure I can set up a communication chain with Luna,” Grey said.

“The messages Barb sends go to Celestia, I need a private means of communicating with Luna, we’re, working on something,” Dusk said.

“Is mister ‘prize for the mares’ aiming high as well?” Grey asked teasingly.

“Nono, I just need to… converse with her on an experiment, one Celestia can’t know about yet,” Dusk said.

“I dunno, going behind the princess's back like that sounds treasonous, I’ll think about it,” Grey said.

“Thank you,” Dusk said.

Butterscotch woke up on the right side of the bed, and went about his daily tasks, luckily nothing was severely changed in terms of schedule by the accident, and even though he’s stuck as a stallion he had a pleasant chat with Red Gala last night that made him feel… fuzzy inside.

“She looked at me… and not like she wanted to take advantage of me,” Butterscotch said.

He felt a tug on his pant leg and he looked down to see Angel looking up at him with an expectant look on his face.

Butterscotch’s happy feeling dwindled as he remembered what he was doing soon…

“I’ll tell everyone, don’t worry Angel,” Butterscotch said.

Angel nodded and hopped off.

“Better earlier than later…” Butterscotch said before moving on.

Around lunchtime, the animals were gathering in the living room and Butterscotch sat in a chair across from them.

Angel stood in the middle as a mediator.

Butters animals looked to him wondering what the meeting was about.

“This won’t be easy to say… but I would rather be honest with you all than go on deceiving you…” Butterscotch said.

The animals nodded understandingly.

“You heard the rumor going around that I am acting strange and have been distressed for seemingly no reason, right?” Butterscotch asked and the animals nodded.

“Angel suggested to me that I be straightforward, you see, he’s seen through me, and won’t trust me until I prove I am the pony he’s always known,” Butters said.

The animals looked confused.

“I’m not Butterscotch… I’m not even a stallion…” Butterscotch said.

The animals looked shocked and immediately started clamoring, some of them sending messages accusing him of being a Changeling.

Angel hopped onto Butterscotch’s lap and waved the other animals down.

“Thank you Angel… what I meant is that my real name is Fluttershy, and I am a mare who took part in a fateful experiment that Dusk whose real name is Twilight did that resulted in me turning into a stallion and everypony thinking I was always a stallion…” Butterscotch said.

The animals resumed clamoring about various things suggesting that they don’t trust him right now.

Only one way to prove he is who he is…

“Be quiet!” Butterscotch said doing the stare and every animal quieted.

“Would anypony else know how to use the stare?” Butterscotch said quietly.

The animals looked at eachother and then him and they shook their heads.

“What about this?” Butterscotch used a special hand sign that he they use to identify eachother.

The animals looked shocked and immediately bowed their head in apology.

“It is alright… I’m sorry for keeping this from you all,” Butterscotch said.

Harry made a noise.

“Since a day or two ago,” Butterscotch replied.

They nodded and approached Butterscotch, he braced for more accusation but instead they nuzzled him, Butterscotch was surprised before he hugged them back.

“Thank you, thank you all for not rejecting me,” Butterscotch said hugging Harry as he nuzzled up to him.

After the animals had scattered into groups to resume their tasks for the day, Angel hopped up to Butterscotch.

“Well, I did it… I hope that things will go on like normal,” Butterscotch said.

Angel patted him on the leg and pointed at the door “I guess your right Angel, maybe I can go see if my friends want to spend some time catching up,” Butterscotch said “Do you want to come Angel?”

Angel shook his head no and then he whispered something before hopping away.

Butterscotch turned a little red at the thought of what he mentioned he should do…

Sweet Apple Acres…

Applejack wiped some sweat off his forehead as he worked the fields. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans and his usual stetson.

“Ah gotta admit the extra strength is nice…” AJ said more to try and look at the positives of the situation rather than dwell on the fact he’s been forcibly genderswapped and there’s no way to go back.

“No more periods… or estrus… and ah can stand while taking a leak,” Applejack assured himself.

After finishing the fields he stood straight and wiped his brow, it wasn’t hot today but it was warm.

He glanced around and shrugged before going over to a fence post and removing his hat before pulling his sweaty shirt off, exposing his well-earned working muscles, he put his hat back on and wiped his brow again.

He didn’t even turn to the fields to resume when he spotted a flash of light in a nearby tree.

“What in tarnation?” AJ said.

Leaves rustled before settling, confirming there was an intruder.

“Either Rainbow is here to sneak some of the hard cider or somepony’s gotten brave enough ta try and rob us when ah’m on watch, better play it carefully,” AJ said before casually walking over to the trees, making sure to loudly speak his next words.

“Guess it’s time ta buck some of the trees,” AJ said before doing a spin kick and knocking some apples to the ground.

His kicks were a bit slower now but had more power behind them so he was confident he could pull off his little trick.

He went deeper into the trees pretending to buck them, and then when he was sure he wasn’t being observed he snuck over to the tree the intruder was hiding in and kicked it with all his might.

“WHOAAA!” A female voice cried out as a black pegasus mare tumbled out of the tree and onto the ground.

“Got ya!” AJ shouted as he jumped out and prepared to fight the intruder.

“Wait! Wait! I was just taking pictures of you! Nothing illegal I swear!” The mare cried out.

“You-huh?” AJ saw the mare, she wasn’t a mare he’d seen before but rather than voice it outloud he studied her carefully.

“I’m serious, I’m not here to rob or hurt you,” The mare said cautiously, she had a blackish-grey coat and a blue-silver mane.

“Wait a minute, Thunderlane?” Applejack said confusedly, the mares face mirrored his.

“No my name is Thunderstrike, we’ve met,” She said before getting up.

‘Either Rumble has a sister he never told me about or the swap happened to Thunderlane too,’ Applejack thought before speaking again.

“Why were ya taking pictures of me?” Applejack said.

Thunderstrike blushed red “Uh…………………. School project?” She lied.

“Ah can smell a lie,” AJ said.

“Uh… oh look at the time Rumble must be getting off from school bye!” Thunderstrike flew away.

“Weird… well as long as the situation is resolved,” Applejack shrugged before returning to work.

Elusive and Berry sat in the train silently, Berry making light humming noises to distract himself from the awkward silence.

“Please cease the humming Berry,” Elusive said.

“Sorry…” Berry said stopping.

They waited a few minutes and Berry wanted to make conversation but Elusive was still too grumpy towards him, what is a fella to do?

Maybe…

“Hey Lucy?” Berry asked.

“What?” Elusive replied.

“So about Scarlet-”

“I’ll stop you there, I don’t know Scarlet because I never met her as Rarity,” Elusive said.

“I was just wondering if you heard anything regarding the incident in this realities Gala?” Berry asked.

“What?” Elusive asked.

“Well, you got to admit you of all ponies causing a scandal is odd,” Berry said.

“Get to the point Berry,” Elusive said.

“What if something else happened?” Berry said.

“Like?” Elusive inquired.

“What if somepony made you do what you did?” Berry asked.

“Hmm… it is something to consider…” Elusive said.

“Well, I hope that helped,” Berry said.

“Somewhat,” Elusive replied.

The two sat in silence once again until they arrived at Rain Row, as they got out they found that the town lived up to its name, it was raining.

“Ok Berry, lead the way,” Elusive said.

“Alright,” Berry said bouncing ahead.

Elusive sighed “I hope I can at least settle things while I am here,” Elusive said as he followed his pink friend through the rainy streets using his magic to form an umbrella-like barrier overhead.

Author's Note

Things are picking up again, where will our stallion's journeys take them next?

Solving problems

Berry and Elusive walked through the rainy town and noticed alot of ponies were giving Elusive the side eye.

“Even here? Have I been utterly ruined by the other me’s actions?” Elusive asked.

“Don’t worry about them, their just being rude,” Berry said.

As the two wandered on they saw a town square and decided to sit under the rain roof there.

“Okay, now think, where does she live, did you figure that out Berry?” Elusive asked.

“Nope!” Berry said.

Elusive sighed and looked around the town “Then how about we split up, if you find her then let me know,” Elusive said.

“You sure Lucy?” Berry asked.

“Yes, it is best we divide and conquer this situation,” Elusive said walking off to the north part of town.

“Ok,” Berry said before running off.

Elusive approached a few mares who were chatting in a convenience store.

“Pardon me ladies, I need to know where a Mrs Scarlet is,” Elusive asked politely.

“Hmm? Elusive?” The tan mare said.

“Yes, I believe-” Elusive was cut off by the beige mare.

“What are you doing back in Rain Row? Didn’t her dad tell you to stay out of this town,” The mare accused.

Elusive winced realizing he must have hurt more than Scarlet with ‘his’ actions “Erm… Yes, but I-”

“Do yourself a favor and leave Elusive, it’s for the good of both of you,” The beige mare said before they walked off.

“Well… it just gets better…” Elusive sighed.

Berry hopped through the town splashing in each puddle and humming a song about rain.

“Pardon!” Berry asked a stallion who looked up from his umbrella.

“Yes?” he replied.

“I’m looking for a mare named Scarlet, for my friend,” Berry said.

“Friend? Why?” The stallion asked.

“He’s her old flame and he wants to settle the deal with her so that they can get back together,” Berry said.

“...So many things wrong with that, sorry but I ain’t a snitch,” The pony said before walking off.

“...Weird…” Berry said before bouncing on.

Elusive got rejected by yet another pony on the whereabouts of Scarlet.

“Oh curses…. I hate this new life!” Elusive mumbled sounding upset.

“Hey,” A voice said from behind Elusive startling him.

“Huh?” Elusive turned to see a dusty rose-colored stallion.

“Elusive?” The stallion asked looking peeved.

“Ah yes, finally someone who will talk to me, I need to know where a Mrs Scarlet is-” Elusive was cut off by a fist to the face knocking him down.

“Ah!” Elusive held his face in pain and looked up at the stallion “What in the hay are you doing?!” Elusive demanded.

“You stay away from my sister you scumbag, you broke her heart and drove her off, I got half a mind to hit you again.” He threatened.

“Wh-what? Sister?” Elusive questioned.

“Yes! Don’t play dumb, or did you forget the FU you gave me when I confronted you about the cold treatment of her?” The stallion said before leaving “Last warning Elusive, what’s broken is broken, leave,” The stallion said.

Elusive looked shocked before picking himself off the ground.

“That brute! Hitting a lady…er gentleman without warning!.... But still, what I did must have been more hurtful than I thought, just what kind of stallion was I before all this?” Elusive thought before turning and leaving the area.

Berry wandered having been turned away by several locals, he didn’t let it bother him, they were probably busy!

Berry skipped his way into the next area and found a white and grey stallion reading a newspaper under a rain roof.

“Hey! Helloooo?” Berry called out.

“Hm?” The stallion grunted looking up at Berry.

“Hi, I’m looking for Scarlet! I heard she lives here?” Berry asked.

“...What do ya need with her?” The stallion ask looking a little suspicious.

“My friend Lucy is looking for her to make amends,” Berry said.

His eyes widened and he stood.

“Elusive? Where?” He asked.

“This way,” Berry said looking a little intimidated by his height.

“Take me to him,” The stallion said.

“Why?” Berry asked.

“I have a few words for him…” The stallion gruffly said.

“Ok,” Berry shrugged and led the stallion away.

Elusive sat at the train dock looking upset, turned away at every meeting and hit by a stranger… it’s as if the world is against him…

“I wish I left the castle when I could, maybe then I wouldn’t be stuck in this mess,” Elusive said.

“HEY LUCY!” Berry called and Elusive looked to see his friend approaching him with a tall older stallion.

“Berry who is this?” Elusive quietly asked.

“I dunno, but he wanted to chat with you,” Berry said.

“Very well, and how are you si-” Elusive had the wind taken out of him by a blow to the stomach and he fell back in his chair.

“Lucy!” Berry cried.

“How dare ya come back here after what you pulled, I told you to stay out of this town!” The stallion barked.

“Ugh… I wish you lot would stop hitting me! I just need to talk to her!” Elusive said but the stallion grabbed him and hoisted him up.

“Do I need to teach you another lesson?!” The stallion yelled.

“STOP!” Berry said trying to ram the stallion but he was too sturdy and he just shoved Berry away.

“Sir, please! I am sorry-” Elusive said.

“If sorry could fix broken hearts there wouldn’t be a need for therapists!” The stallion said dropping Elusive back into his seat and raising his fist again.

“Elusive!” Berry called frantically.

“DAD STOP!” A loud female voice called and the stallion paused and turned around.

Elusive weakly looked around him to see a bright red mare with an equally red mane standing there.

“Scarlet? What are you doin here?” The stallion asked.

“Dad, please just stop,” Scarlet said before walking past him and up to Elusive.

“M-Mrs Scarlet?” Elusive said.

“Did my dad and brother do this?... ugh, really Elusive, you should have just called ahead…” Scarlet helped him up and stabilized him.

“Scarlet, I-”

“Save it dad, I get he did bad things in the past but that’s no reason to go ballistic on him like that, c’mon…” Scarlet said before helping Elusive along.

“Wait for me!” Berry hopped after them..

They entered a house and she helped Elusive to a chair, after sitting him down she went to a pantry and opened it while Berry sat down as well and her father stood off to the side.

“Here,” She brought Elusive over a first aid kit.

“Scarlet I-... I am honestly confused, I figured you’d be the one to loathe me the most based on the way…I treated you,” Elusive said as she filled up an ice pack with ice.

“Oh believe me… I didn’t forget… but you came this way at long last so I have hope you have a good reason, perhaps you finally came to your senses?” She said.

‘She is so kind despite what this realities Elusive did… I can see why I liked her…’ Elusive thought “I do… I-”

“Sis, why is he here,” All attention snapped to the red stallion from before standing at the base of the stairs.

“Garnet, please, I brought him here because he finally came out of his shell,” Scarlet said.

“I want him out, I won’t forget what he said.” the one named Garnet said.

“Garnet, he was my previous coltfriend, I get to decide what happens to him.

“Previous…” Berry mouthed quietly.

“...Fine, but the moment you start crying I kick him out.” Garnet said before going over to the table and sitting as well.

“Ok, Elusive? As you were,” Scarlet said.

“Well, I understand I did and said some things I shouldn’t have-”

“Yeah,” Garnet said but Scarlet shushed him.

“-But I am not that stallion anymore,” Not a lie “And I was hoping we could start anew, all of us,” Elusive said.

“Not happening,” Garnet said.

“What?” Elusive responded.

“You expect me to forget ‘take your sorry self out of here and take that annoying leech with you’? I don’t care if you were drunk at the time, nopony says that and is just forgiven like that, eff you right back,”

Elusive flinched “I said something terrible, but I wish to make amends,” Elusive tried.

“Well forget it, she already moved on to a better stallion,” Garnet said.

“Garnet!” Scarlet said.

“What?” Elusive said and Berry looked sad as his mane deflated.

Scarlet looked sheepish but she continued “What my brother meant was… I was lonely and sad after you kicked me to the curb, so… I met another stallion and we clicked… I’m sorry Elusive…” Scarlet said.

“I…see, well Good for you then, you deserve a stallion better than me…” Elusive said.

“Thank you for understanding, b-but we can still be friends,” Scarlet said.

“I understand,” Elusive got up “I wounded your heart and another comforted you where I didn’t, all I can ask then is your forgiveness and friendship,” Elusive said.

“Thank you,” Scarlet hugged him and he hugged back, Garnet looked ready to intervene but Berry stopped him.

After separating Scarlet leaned against the counter “So what brought on this change of character Elusive? If you don’t mind me asking,” Scarlet asked.

“Let’s just say… alots changed in the past few days…” Elusive said.

“Vague as always,” Scarlet chuckled “How’s Barbara?” Scarlet asked.

“She’s fine, why do you ask?” Elusive questioned.

“She is the one who took care of you while you sequestered yourself in the boutique,” Scarlet said.

“Oh…”

“You know… she is of age now, maybe you two can hook up,” Scarlet offered.

“What? I mean no offense but she’s still a tad young isn’t she?” Elusive said.

“Just a thought, do you… want to stay for dinner? I made ravioli,” Scarlet said.

“I…Yes, that would be lovely… but I fear we must return to Ponyville now, I have much to do,” Elusive said.

“Awww…” Berry said.

“Alright, then please, come back anytime,” Scarlet said.

“Thank you,” Elusive said before gesturing for Berry to follow and he did and they left out the front door.

“You did great Lucy!” Berry cheered.

“Yes… Say, Berry?” Elusive asked.

“Yeah?” Berry responded.

“I hope you understand why I am upset with you,” Elusive said.

“Yeah…” Berry said looking sad.

“But thank you…” Elusive said.

“Why?” Berry asked.

“For helping me find her and giving me company during this excursion, I do hope things will get better from here on out,” Elusive said.

“Me too,” Berry responded.

“Now let us get home,” Elusive said as they approached the train station.

Applejack had resumed his work after his odd encounter with the mare version of Thunderlane, he had finished the fields and went on to buck some more trees.

And yet as he worked he couldn’t get the thought of that mare out of his head… it was probably concern, let’s hope she doesn’t go on to tell anypony he was about to attack her thinking she was a thief…

Just as Applejack kicked another tree and made more apples fall into the buckets, he heard hoofsteps.

He turned expecting another mare taking pictures of him without his permission again but instead he saw Butterscotch.

“Flutters? What brings you here?” Applejack asked.

“I’m Butterscotch now remember?” Butterscotch said quietly.

“Ah yeah, sorry, still gettin used to that, what can ah do ya for?” Applejack asked.

“Uhm… well… I-i… would like to…” Butterscotch began to turn red and lower his head.

“You’d like to what?” Applejack encouraged.

“...come over for dinner…” Butterscotch said quietly.

“What?” Applejack asked.

“I’d like…to come over for dinner,” Butterscotch asked.

“Ah, why didn’t ya say so? It ain’t unusual for you to come over and spend time with the family,” Applejack said.

“Well… there’s a reason…” Butterscotch said.

“Like?” Applejack asked.

“...Red Gala…” Butterscotch said quietly but Applejack still heard it.

“Ya came over ta see Red?... Butters… answer me honestly, do ya… like her?” Applejack said with surprise.

“I don’t know….” Butterscotch began to whimper.

“Hey hey, c’mere,” Applejack gave Butterscotch a hug.

“I’m so confused Applejack…” Butterscotch said.

“Ah’ll help ya, come on, it’s gettin to be that time anyways,” Applejack said leading Butterscotch inside.

Blitz waved at another pony who exited his cloud house, two mares, an earth pony and a pegasus.

“Good one today girls! Thanks for everything!” Blitz waved them off.

“Thank you Blitz!” The mares swooned before the Pegasus mare grabbed her friend and flew her to the ground.

Blitz walked back inside and took a swig of a water bottle before pouring the rest over himself to cool off.

“Whew! That was fun,” Blitz said with a smirk.

“You bet,” Blitz turned to see Soarin on the couch, as per usual in his house she was totally nude.

“Hey, so what now?” Blitz said pouring more water on himself.

“Oh don’t get me worked up again,” Soarin chuckled before laying back “Wanna cuddle?” She asked.

“Hell yeah,” Blitz said before walking over to her, climbing behind her, and wrapping her in a hug.

“Mmmmm, I could sleep like this,” Soarin said.

“Why don’t we?” Blitz asked with a kiss on her cheek.

Soarin snickered “I got practice tomorrow, and besides, you gotta think about returning in a couple weeks, your effectively using up your reserved vacations, and Spitfire will get impatient,” Soarin said.

“Good point, well can we spend the next hour like this?” He asked.

“Sounds like a plan,” Soarin said as the two laid there for a few minutes.

“Say… uh, Soarin?” Blitz asked.

“Yeah?” Soarin responded.

“Any chance we can talk eventually about the mares that seem totally crazy about me? They seem to be a little more insatiable than the normal mare,” Blitz said.

“You mean the flower trio? Don’t worry as long as their not like Petunia you’ll be okay,” Soarin said.

“Petunia?” Blitz said confusedly.

“Forgot about her? Thank goodness you asked then, she’s a crazy mare who is obsessed with you, she used to live in Ponyville but after the restraining order and legal trouble, she moved elsewhere, where too. I don’t know but the farther the better,” Soarin yawned.

“...Wow…. I uh, really was something for her huh?” Blitz asked.

“No kidding, she’d visit every day and run you ragged, not to mention she’s a gold digger, she was determined to be your only marefriend but when you began turning her away she got… crazier… just be happy you got that restraining order,” Soarin said.

“...Now I’m nervous, you sure she’s gone?” Blitz asked.

“Sure, haven’t seen her in a year,” Soarin said.

“Ok good,” Blitz said before hugging her tightly and Soarin hummed happily.

“I’ll bet she’s not even a quarter of hot as you anyways,” Blitz said.

“...You know what, I’m in the mood again, take me upstairs,” Soarin said.

“You got it,” Blitz said.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait, real life has been kicking my butt :ajsleepy:

Work, college plans and other stuff.

But I will try to get back in the motion to churn out the material you all love.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. :heart:

One week later

Applejack and Butterscotch were walking through the farm in silence, AJ took this chance to initiate conversation.

“So… mah older sis, ya really like her?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know… I like her as a friend but I have to admit… she’s… different,” Butterscotch said.

“Different?” Applejack said inquiring for him to go on.

“I mean, she seems to not look at me as a stud, she treats me normally,” Butterscotch said.

“Ah guess so, bein the center of mare attention is nice an all, but it would also be nice to have a mare you can just chat with without it turnin perverse,” Applejack said as he retrieved his shirt and put it back on.

“Exactly, I want… to pursue something here, I will admit, I liked your brother back when we were mares, maybe I can like him now that he’s a her?” Butters said as they approached the farmhouse.

“Indeed, let me go in an ask Granny if it’s alright,” Applejack said before entering the house, a few minutes later he came back out and gave Butters the thumbs up.

Butterscotch politely nodded and entered.

Butterscotch walked in and saw the table being set and Apple Bloom was seated, Granny was hobbling over to her seat and next to her… Gala.

“Butterscotch, ah’ll admit it’s rather sudden but a friendly face is always welcome,” Granny said.

“Th-thank you,” Butterscotch said nervously and they all sat down.

Butterscotch looked down and saw that the food was veggie chili, he liked chili so that’s good.

“So, what brings ya to the house?” Granny asked.

“Well… I wanted….t-to talk to…” Butterscotch looked flustered and began eating to calm his nerves.

Granny knows the shy colt so she didn’t rush him.

“Red…” Butterscotch muttered quietly.

“Red?” AB parroted.

“Y-yes,” Butterscotch said.

“Is everythin alright?” Red Gala asked.

“Yes… I just… wanted to talk to you again,” Butterscotch said.

Red Gala seemed a little confused but she nodded “We can chat again if ya want to after dinner,” Gala said.

“I’d like that,” Butters said.

“And the cornbread, Granny made cornbread,” AB chirped.

Applejack chuckled “Ah bet ya don’t want ta miss that,”

“Watcha gonna talk about?” AB asked.

“Now now AB no pokin yer nose where it don’t belong,” Granny said before looking at Butterscotch with an understanding look and she smiled.

If all goes right she may get those great grandkids sooner than she thought.

Grey walked out of the castle.

“Goodbye Barbara, Goodbye Dusk, I’ll send you a note sometime next week when OR if I can get that communication to Luna set up,” Grey said as she used her magic to levitate her luggage with her.

“Thanks again Grey, this will help me out alot,” Dusk said.

“That’s only if, remember, and um… one more thing…” Grey asked with a blush.

“Yeah?” Dusk asked.

“Let Blitz know I am interested in another time… before my next visit,” Grey said looking red in the face.

“I’ll… be sure to tell him,” Dusk said.

“Ok, thanks, I’ll be going now,” Grey said walking away.

“Bye!” Barb called before turning to her brother “So what now?” Barb asked.

“We work towards fixing this,” Dusk said.

“Dusk…” Barb said not liking that he’s still on this.

“I don’t care what Discord said, there has to be a way, and my line of communication with Luna will be my study method,” Dusk said.

Barb just sighed and went back inside.

“You’ll want to go back eventually,” Dusk said following her in.

Berry and Elusive were getting on the train and climbing through the people on board.

Elusive stumbled over a blue and pink mares hoof.

“Oh! Are you alright?” She asked.

“Yes, sorry about that mam,” Elusive said before moving on.

Elusive continued on and sat in the chair next to Berry and the two waited until the train began moving again.

As they sat they stole glances at eachother before Berry sighed.

“You blame me but… we’re still friends right?” Berry asked.

“Of course Berry, I suppose I need some time to wade through the stigma that is my life right now,” Elusive said.

“Understandable,” Berry said “So… are you thinking about what Scarlet said?” Berry asked.

“What do you mean?” Elusive asked.

“About… Spike… A.K.A Barb?” Berry insinuated.

“Berry! You should know I don’t see her like that,” Elusive said.

“Oh come on, Barb wants it, I want it, all the shippers want it, some of the people in the comments below want it, she’s of age now,” Berry said.

“I know but she’s…” Elusive tried to find the right words.

“A dragon?” Berry said looking a little accusatory.

“Nonono, I am not thinking like that, I just mean she’s…” Elusive once again quieted.

“Still too young?” Berry said.

“No!”

“Oh, it’s because you don’t like the color green is that it?” Berry asked.

“BERRY! For the love of Celestia! It’s because she’s too attached to me!” Elusive snapped.

“...Too attached?” Berry said confusedly.

“Don’t tell her I said this but… she’s a pretty young dragoness, but that is also the problem,” Elusive said.

“Why’s that?” Berry asked.

“Berry… how long do ponies live,” Elusive asked.

“Somewhere between eighty to a hundred years at the most?” Berry said.

“And dragons?” Elusive said.

“Hundreds maybe thousands of…. Oh…” Berry said getting it.

“Yeah, Oh… she’ll live longer than me by a long margin once she hits full maturity, before it was because she was too young, but now it’s because she can outlive me a hundred times over, how will she go on when my inevitable death leaves a hole in her heart? Will she go on a widow for the rest of her life because she has lost all but her brother? It tis the curse of longevity…” Elusive said.

“Maybe she’ll find love later, but now, now is a gift, she’ll be hurt either way, maybe at least give her a good first hundred, know what I mean?” Berry said.

“That sounds sweet on paper Berry but she should just stick to dating another dragon, at least their romance will last,” Elusive said.

“You need to at least talk to her, don’t leave her pining for you for the rest of her life,” Berry said.

“I suppose…” Elusive said.

While Butterscotch and Red Gala were chatting amicably in the next room Apple Bloom tried to sneak in and listen before AJ pulled her back.

“What are ya doing?” AJ asked.

“Just… goin ta ask if they want water,” AB lied.

“Don’t lie ta me sis, they need their privacy,” AJ said.

“Ok… does this mean their dating?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Not sure, we’ll have ta wait an see how it unfolds,” AJ said helping with the dishes.

“Ok…” AB said a little disappointed she didn’t get anything juicy.

Meanwhile Butterscotch was talking with Gala about various ways he can help out with the animals around the farm and new ways to herd the sheep.

“Ah admit ah didn’t think of that,” Gala nodded politely.

“A-and I can also pay a visit frequently to help organize the cow feed, make sure they get their nutrition,” Butterscotch said.

“Butters, can ah ask ya somethin?” Gala asked.

“Yeah?” Butterscotch said.

“Did ya really come here ta offer yer services or just to talk ta me?” Red Gala asked.

“.........Meep…” Butterscotch blushed.

“Ah figured, look Butters, ah don’t want to sound curt but ah think you might be feelin a certain way about me, am ah right?” Red Gala asked.

“......Yes….” Butterscotch squeaked.

Red chuckled at how cute he was “Ah admit, ah've had some similar thoughts about you,” Red said.

“Y-you do?” Butterscotch asked not expecting her to say that.

“Ah do… can ah ask this before we begin persuin anything?” Red Gala asked, looking a little uncertain all of a sudden.

“Sure?” Butters said wondering what it is.

“Can we wait?... ah… ah’m still recovering from mah failed relationship with Blitz,” Gala said.

“With Blitz?... ah… I mean… do you want to talk about what happened?” Butterscotch asked.

“Didn’t Blitz tell ya?” Gala asked.

“.....No?” Butterscotch said unsurely.

Gala sighed “And he said he would…” Gala said sounding disappointed.

“Maybe he did… but I forgot,” Butterscotch said in defense of his friend.

“Ah guess since it’s you, ah can trust ya, it wasn’t anythin super serious, Blitz was beginning to think of settling down with a mare an stop bein a ‘stud for hire’ as he called it. Didn’t work out, since a mare named Petunia ruined everything,” Red Gala said.

“Petunia?” Scotch didn’t recognize that name.

“That mare was a few screws loose, she wanted him all to herself, so she started spreading rumors, an he thought ah was the one sleepin around, we had a fight and he decided settling wasn’t possible for him, by the time he figured out the truth that she was crazy the damage was done, we agreed to find love elsewhere… he’s been seein that mare Soarin ever since and Petunia vanished, ah’m over him and he’s over me now, but… it still hurts,” Gala said looking glum.

“I see… I understand why you’d want to take things slow then,” Butterscotch said.

“Thank ya, yer the kindest stallion there is Butters, but ah would rather get back into the dating scene on mah own terms,” Red Gala said.

“Ok,” Butterscotch said without rancor, he seemed a little relieved actually.

“Well, ah should help close up fer the night, need any help gettin home?” Gala asked.

“No,” Butterscotch said as he got up.

“Then ah bid ya goodnight,” Gala said as she got up and walked out of the room and Butterscotch walked back into the kitchen.

“So? How’d it go?” AJ asked as Butterscotch walked up to him.

“We’ve… agreed to take it slow,” Butterscotch said.

AJ smiled and patted his back “Good job Butterscotch, yer braver than ya look,” AJ said.

“Thanks…” Butterscotch said turning to leave “I’ll take my leave now,” Butterscotch said.

“Ok, gnight,” AJ waved him off.

“Good night,” Butterscotch said as he exited the house, upon getting outside Butterscotch took a deep breath and took to the air, as he flew home he had to admit he felt lighter than ever, is this what love feels like?

Nighttime fell upon the town, and as everypony went to sleep Dusk decided to intentionally seek out Luna.

As he dreamed yet again about his filly self he felt the presence of Luna, he turned and saw the night princess and bowed respectfully.

“You need not bow to me, we are of equal status now,” Luna chuckled.

“My parents always taught me to be courteous in front of a princess, anyways did you get the communication record yet?” Dusk asked.

“No, what does this record entail?” Luna asked.

“I intend to form a line of communication with you in hopes we can fix this problem that has seemingly taken over our lives,” Dusk said.

“...You mean turn back into a mare? Dusk, didn’t Discord already tell you that that wouldn’t work?” Luna said.

“Yes… how did you know?” Dusk asked.

“He told me…” Luna said with a tinge of nervousness, thankfully Dusk didn’t notice.

“I guess word travels fast then,” Dusk said before going back to the topic “But I solved several magical mysteries and Starswirls spell, I can’t give up,” Dusk said.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just stay like this and perhaps… find a lover this way?” Luna asked.

“You sound just like Spike…” Dusk said with a sigh “I want to return to normal, and I won’t give up until then or I decide that it’s hopeless,” Dusk said.

“I suppose…” Luna said sounding disappointed.

“Anyways the letter should be arriving soon if my cousin gets to it, see you then,” Dusk said before vanishing.

“...” Luna looked down and vanished from Dusk's mind as well.

[One week later]

Dusk was reading a book, thankfully his magic output didn’t change so he didn’t have to make that adjustment period and risk magical surges.

Dusk glanced at Barbara who was reading a catalogue for various styles that were in.

Dusk wanted to chuckle, Spike’s really taken to his role as a girl in this reality, it has been a week since his conversation with Luna, and Barb has been a great help in organizing the fluctuation of letters between the two alicorns.

Speaking of which, Grey had come through for him, in the week since she had managed to form a connected line between him and Luna.

With reimbursement of course, he wouldn’t ask this and not offer Grey a benefit.

Blitz took care of that himself…

Rainbow Blitz seemed to be enjoying this shift more than anypony else, he’d recently gone back to Wonderbolt activity but that hasn’t deterred from that other activity of his, and I don’t mean weather patrol.

Rainbow is a local stud and enjoys it, especially with his marefriend Soarin who to everyponies surprise actually likes sharing her coltfriend with any thirsty mare who wants a piece of him, Dusk is still trying to figure out how that is…

Applejack seems to be adapting as well, he seems to be like Rainbow, enjoying the attention from mares he gets, although unlike Blitz he seems more interested in finding 'the one’ instead of offering himself up to anypony interested.

Butterscotch seems to be an interesting case as well, he seems to have adapted as well, he seems to have developed feelings for Red Gala as revealed during their last chat.

Berry is Berry, enough said.

The only one seeming to struggle with adapting is Elusive, which is understandable, given that he is still dealing with the stigma of his day-to-day life.

Most of the townsponies have started talking to him again but he still has yet to get over his problems, he is determined to find the reason he did what he did and refuses help from his friends, not wanting to drag them into his woes.

Dusk closed the book, having finished it and he walked up to Barbara who was reading the catalogue.

“Hey Barb?” Dusk asked.

“Yeah?” Barb looked up from her magazine.

“I’m going to write another message to Luna about receiving more books from the royal archives,” Dusk said.

“Whoa whoa whoa, the royal archives? That stuff's a little personal right?” Barb said.

“Yeah, but I have been stirring a theory in my head for the last couple days and perhaps if I can receive spell books based on Everfree phenomenon then maybe I can find a solution,” Dusk said already writing out his message.

“Dusk… you’ve been working on this project for a week now, isn’t it time to give up?” Barb asked.

“Oh not this again…” Dusk sighed continuing to write out the message.

“Even Luna has said that we’re stuck indefinitely, shouldn’t that be a sign we should just get on with life?” Barb asked.

“You can, I’m not,” Dusk said.

“But Dusk-”

“No buts, please send this to Grey,” Dusk handed the message to her.

“Ok…” Barb sighed hoping he gives up eventually, she walked out of the castle and headed for the post office.

“And I tell ya, the best part is that she never get’s tired of me, and do I blame her? No, i’m too awesome to not be her main squeeze,” Blitz bragged to Applejack who was just drinking his milkshake in front of Sugarcube Corner.

“Ah came out here because ah finally got ahold of ya to inform ya of Butterscotch’s situation with Gala, not hear of yer lustful endeavors,” AJ sighed.

“I already know, good for Butters, who knows he’s a good-looking guy, maybe he can go on to be a stud too?” Blitz wondered.

“Blitz that’s horseapples and ya know it, Butters is too shy for that line of work, he’d sooner sell his Hearths Warming ornaments than do that,” Applejack said plainly.

“I know I know, It’s just good to hear he’s found a marefriend is all,” Blitz said.

“They ain’t official yet,” AJ said “You alright Rainbow? Yer letting this stud persona go to yer head a bit,” Applejack asked.

“Pfft, as if, can’t go to your head if it isn’t deserved,” Blitz said.

“And arrogant, yer actin more arrogant than usual,” AJ said.

“So what if I am, I finally found my true self, a stallion who is a Wonderbolt, gets the job done, and is a hit with the mares, and don’t think I didn’t notice you getting flustered from all the mares measuring you up with their eyes,” Rainbow snarked.

“Rainbow!” Applejack blushed knowing he was right about that.

“Really you should come join the studs, with muscles like that you’d be-” Blitz began but AJ cut him off.

“Ya finish that sentence ah’m gonna buck you upside the rear end,” AJ threatened.

Rainbow held his hands up “Ok ok, not going to,” suddenly Berry popped around the corner.

“Hey guys! Watcha talkin about?” Berry bounced up to Blitz.

“Ah’m trying to stop Blitz from losing himself,” Applejack said.

“And I’m trying to convince Applejack to loosen up a little,” Blitz said.

“Coolio! Me and Cheesie are thinking of getting together for a date night soon,” Berry said.

“You and Cheese Sandwich? Hey! Good on ya Berry,” Blitz said.

“Ah think you should take it slowly, weren’t the two of you just friends yesterday?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, but a mare like Swiss Cheese takes things fast! And that’s how I like it! This spell worked out better than I thought,” Berry said.

“Beeerrryyy!” A feminine voice called “We need more streamers!” Cheese called.

“Coming!” Berry ran off.

“I swear things are moving too fast these days,” AJ said.

“You just need to get with the program, we’ve got different lives now,” Blitz said.

“Blitz ah swear ah-” Before Applejack could finish a loud voice cut him off.

“HEY!” Both stallions jumped in their seats and turned to see Bluk approaching.

“Hi Bulk, uhm… what can we do ya for?” Applejack asked.

“I waited for you two at the gym and you didn’t show up yesterday, what gives?” Bulk asked.

“Oh… yer talking about the iron stallion trio thing again aren’t ya?” Applejack said.

“Yeah! C’mon! We need to get moving while the iron is hot!” Bulk said.

“Look Bulk we’re kinda-”

“Thrilled to go!” Blitz declared all of a sudden.

“Huh?” Applejack turned to see Rainbow walk up to Bulk.

“We’d love to attend this time, heck, let’s go today,” Blitz said.

“Blitz, what are ya doin?” Applejack asked.

“Getting you off your rear end and having some fun of course,” Rainbow said “So how about it, give us a chance to go get changed and we’ll see you in an hour?” Rainbow asked Bulk.

“YEAH! Now we’re talking, I’m gonna lift so many weights today!” Bulk cheered before walking off.

“Welp, you heard Bulk, down the drink and get moving,” Blitz said before taking off into the air.

“BLITZ!” Applejack called after him before sighing, he’s clever he’ll give him that, he’d be dishonest to back out now… “Ah’m gonna kick his flank fer this,” Applejack walked home to get ready for the gym.

An hour later Applejack dressed in a tank top and exercise shorts entered the gym and looked around.

The gym is sparsely populated around this time usually, so it was interesting to see more mares than usual.

“Blitz no doubt…” AJ sighed and went to the locker room, only to get a lash on his backside.

AJ gave a yelp and turned to see who did that and saw Blitz with a towel.

“Bout time you got here,” Blitz said with a grin.

“Blitz! Ah’m gonna-” Applejack was about to shout at Blitz but Bulk intervened.

“No need to argue guys, c’mon, Blitz gathered us a crowd today,” Bulk said leading the two out.

As they exited they saw a bunch of mares working out but also stealing glances at the three buffest studs in Ponyville, Applejack felt himself blush.

“If you're blushing now, just wait,” Blitz said with a wink before turning to Bulk.

“Ok Bulk, wanna start us off?” Blitz said.

“Yeah! Let’s do some stretches, gotta loosen up before we hit the weights,” Bulk said before leading the group to the workout mat.

“Now stretch your backs!” Bulk said.

“Fine,” AJ said before doing some hands-to-hoof stretches and then tilting his back backward to get some cracks and pops.

“Now over the head,” Bulk said stretching his arms, Blitz and AJ did so stretching out and AJ’s ear swivled to catch some mare giggling but he chose to ignore it.

“Now drop and plank,” Bulk said doing just that and the other two stallions did so as well.

For the next thirty minutes the three did a series of stretches and poses and when it was over Bulk got up.

“Alright! Now we’re all warmed up! Let’s get moving onto the exercise,” Bulk said.

“Alright,” Blitz said with a grin before leaning in on AJ “Working out a s a stallion is so different right? You put on a good show back there,” Blitz said with a mischievous look.

“What do ya-” AJ was cut off when he heard more giggling and he turned and saw several mares watching them but they quickly turned and looked like they were busy with something else.

“Ya mean…” AJ said nervously.

“According to Bulk, it’s one of the main reasons we go here, let me know when you need to hit the showers,” Blitz snickered before walking off.

“Darn it Blitz…” AJ sighed, before walking over to the treadmill and just focusing on some jogging.

Blitz and Bulk on the other hand were at the weights area.

For the next hour AJ switched to various machines and proceeded to exercise without making it look like he was trying to woo the mares.

Unlike Blitz AJ intends to settle and not auction his body to any thirsty mare.

He just finished doing a lat row machine and decided to call it a day when he felt a hand grip his shoulder and he turned to see Bulk.

“Hey there AJ, yer heads not in the game today, why’s that?” Bulk asked.

“Ah’m just feelin a little off ah guess, ah think ah’m going to ‘hit the showers’ like Blitz said,” Applejack said.

“Nope, we’ve only been at it for an hour, you haven’t even done any weightlifting,” Bulk said.

“With all due respect Bulk-”

“C’mon, just twenty minutes, you won’t regret it,” Bulk said.

“...Oh fine,” Applejack sighed and walked over to the weights section and grabbed a set of dumbbells and began lifting them, he then put them back when he found them too light and grabbed more heavy ones, after some searching he found his new weight limit and began pumping iron.

“Look who’s finally getting into it,” Blitz said.

“What now Blitz?” Applejack asked.

“Don’t look now but there’s a mare watching you not so subtly,” Blitz said.

“That’s been goin on all day,” Applejack said.

“But this one is one you may remember,” Blitz said pointing at the mare and Applejack looked and his eyes widened a little.

“Thunderstrike?” Applejack said as he saw the mare in a sports bra and shorts doing a shoulder pull on a machine nearby, her cheeks were rosy and she was staring at him but quickly looked away when she realized he was staring back and she resumed her exercise.

AJ liked to think that he was not nosy but in that outfit, the mare seemed like a whole nother mare compared to the casually dressed mare from back at the barnyard a week ago.

She was stacked with toned muscles, and abs and a healthy figure… fitting for a Wonderbolt trainee, all in all she was actually kinda cute.

Applejack remembered Thunderlane and how he was a confident, slightly cocky and yet strong and cautious stallion, how did that personality translate into a mare?...

“Hey Romeo, you gonna stare at her all day or are you gonna ask her out?” Blitz snarked.

“Huh? Wha?” Applejack looked back at Blitz and looked embarrassed.

“Dude, you were so checking her out,” Blitz laughed.

“N-no ah wasn’t!” AJ said.

“Sure sure, let me know when your willing to go talk to her,” Blitz said walking over to the leg press machine.

“...Ah wasn’t checking her out… was I?” Applejack asked himself.

Author's Note

Romance is in the air, let's celebrate in the comments! :heart:

Sorry about the delay, I've been on a creative binge with Fusion Life, but I'm still going to make this.

Hope you enjoyed it. :twilightsmile:

A drag of a date, danger, and confessions!

AJ laid on the barbell bench after fitting it with two fifty-pound weights and he began pumping the barbell up and down.

After about twenty reps he paused and set the barbell back.

“That should do it, ah better go shower now,” AJ said before he saw Thunder again and she was not so sneakily examining a photo.

Getting a feeling based on what he saw before at the barn when they ‘met’ Applejack walked over to her.

“Hey, Thunder…Strike,” Applejack asked.

“Huh?” Thunder blushed a bit and quickly hid the photo “Oh! Uh, hi Applejack, what do you need?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Remember when we last talked, durin the time ah caught ya at the barn?” Applejack said.

“Uhh…. nope, don’t remember,” Thunder said quickly.

“Ah can smell a lie remember?” Applejack said.

“...Alright, yes, what about it?” Thunder asked.

“Ah… want to apologize fer nearly attackin ya, but to be fair you were trespassing,” AJ said.

“Um, thanks, I guess,” Thunder said.

“Ah remember however ya said you were takin pictures, without mah consent,” Applejack said.

“No I-”

“...”

“Ok yes, but listen, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just…” She looked like she was struggling to say it.

“Ah get what yer gettin at, ah’ve noticed various mares watchin me exercise,” AJ said.

“Really? Who's watching my stallion-” Thunderstrike said before slapping her hands over her mouth and blushing madly at what she just said.

“Yer stallion?...” AJ said, he suspected she liked him but to claim he was her stallion came as a surprise.

“G-gotta go!” Thunder darted into the female restroom and AJ watched with a blush.

“Dude, you so like her, and it’s clear she has it bad for you,” Blitz said from behind a corner.

“Will ya stop snooping!” AJ said honestly annoyed with Blitz.

“Can’t help it, when my friend is about to get a marefriend I wanna be there to subtly guide the scenario,” Blitz said before leaving for the showers.

“Ah swear this new Rainbow is worse than the previous,” Applejack said with a sigh before he headed for the locker rooms as well to shower off.

Not noticing a figure following him in…

Applejack finished undressing from his sweaty workout clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist and headed for the open showers.

Blitz was taking his shower in the next stall and Bulk had managed to squeeze into one on the other side, and to Applejack's disgust, they didn’t bother with the curtains.

Applejack sighed and removed his towel before slinging it over the side of the curtains.

Blitz glanced back.

“Hey there AJ! Finally decided to join us in au natural?” Blitz snarked again.

“Blitz ah swear, one more remark and ah’ll-” AJ threatened as he approached the shower.

“Just relax AJ, you know Blitz likes to mess with his friends,” Bulk chuckled.

“Ah know,” AJ said with a sigh and he entered the shower and closed the curtain.

“Aw come on, afraid someone will see you?” Blitz asked.

“BLITZ!” AJ said.

“Alright alright,” Blitz chuckled.

“Ah swear,” AJ then cleaned himself off with the water and some stallions conditioner and shampoo and after getting rinsed off he shut off the water and exited the shower to see his workout buddies.

Still naked…

“What are ya doin? Get dressed,” AJ said.

“Why the rush?” Blitz said putting his arm around AJ much to his discomfort.

“What are ya doing?” AJ asked.

“Nothing,” Blitz said with a smile.

AJ was about to say something but a giggle made him freeze and he turned to see several mares watching.

“WHAT THE HAY?!” AJ grabbed a towel and wrapped himself up.

“Easy AJ, sorry girls, AJ’s having an off-day,” Blitz said.

“Aww,” They pouted.

“What. the. Hay?” AJ demanded.

“Well according to Bulk, we managed to sneak some of the interested new mares in town in here to give them a view of what their options are,” Blitz said.

“Options?...” AJ asked nervously.

“YEAH! Blitz is always on board with showin off but you’ve been avoiding it, we’re not asking you to do something shameless, it’s all for mare charity,” Bulk said pulling a pose for the mares who clapped.

“This is wrong… very wrong…” AJ said shaking his head in frustration and he walked over to the locker and began putting on his clothes.

“C’mon AJ, we’re trying to get you to come out of your shell here, they want-”

“AH want to leave, you don’t dictate mah feelings, and ah don’t appreciate bein taken advantage of like this, ah’m goin home no if’s and’s or but’s about it!” AJ snapped at the two.

“But-” Rainbow attempted

“No buts!” AJ said sharply before slinging his workout bag over his shoulder and walking out.

“So… is next time canceled too?” Bulk asked.

“...No, I’m not giving up on him,” Blitz said.

AJ walked out of the locker room with a frustrated snort and he bumped into someone.

“Scuse me,” AJ grunted.

“Wait! AJ,” A female voice said but AJ was too frustrated to tell the difference.

“Ah swear Blitz! If ya don’t leave me alone ah will-” AJ spun to see a nervous Thunderstrike.

“Sorry…” She said.

AJ realizing what he did he took a deep breath to calm down “No ah’m sorry… it’s… Blitz,” AJ said.

“...Understandable…” Thunderstrike sighed.

“Huh?” AJ said.

“That shameless playboy was probably trying to force you into another one of his sex shoots in the lockerroom,” Thunderstrike said.

“Your not-”

“What? Crazy for him like every other mare around here? I was once I will admit, but it quickly wore off when I saw how he offers himself to any mare wanting him, he claims it’s to give every lovelorn mare the love they need but frankly, I think he’s just in it for the free sex,” Thunderstrike said.

“You too? Huh,” AJ calmed a bit, feeling a little more at ease knowing someone else was on the same page.

“You however won’t do that, you want a mare for the long haul, I think… that’s admirable,” Thunder said.

AJ found himself blushing a little “Well, ah appreciate it, ah… gotta go now, but maybe ah’ll see ya here again?” AJ asked.

“...S-sure! Oooor…” She said with a drawl.

“Or?” AJ asked.

“We could…. Meet up at some point… talk? Over a smoothie?” Thunderstrike asked looking like she was ready to bolt from how nervous she was.

Not wanting to leave on a sour note AJ nodded.

“Toooomorrow?” She asked.

“Sure,” AJ said.

“Great! Can’t wait!” She said before running off.

“That was weird… but… maybe this can go somewhere,” AJ wondered before leaving.

Thunderstrike rounded a corner and took a breath.

“Wow… that was… nervewracking,” She said before turning and addressing a mare sitting on a bicep machine.

“Thanks again, the rehearsing really helped, I’ll bet me an AJ will bond for sure!” Thunderstrike said cheerfully.

“Thanks, I’m just glad to help, by the way, did you see Blitz?” She asked.

“Why do you ask?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Oh no reason,” The blue pegasus mare said casually “Good luck on your date, now for the favor in return,”

“Yeah, you did say you wanted a favor in return,” Thunderstrike said.

“Can you tell Blitz to meet me on Tuesday at this place?” She asked showing her a restaurant card “I want to get together with him,” She purred.

“Ugh, you too huh? Alright, you helped me I guess I can help you,” Thunderstrike said.

“Thanks!” She said before leaving.

“What was your name again?” She asked.

“Oh, just an old flame of his, call me Rose,” She said gleefully before walking away.

“What an odd mare… she kinda reminds me of somepony,” She said before shrugging and leaving.

Dusk was writing out another theory on the Spell of destined love when Barb entered his room.

“Huh?” Dusk turned to see his assistant.

“Heya Dusk, can you come with me for a bit?” She asked.

“No, I am researching,” Dusk said.

“C’mon you do that all day, why not come with me somewhere, like Sugarcube Corner?” Barbra said.

“Like I said I’m busy, Maybe another time-”

“Come on!” Barb grabbed his arm and dragged him out of his chair.

“HEY!” Dusk managed to get his arm out of her grip “What gives?” Dusk asked.

“I am not letting you waste your days trying to fix the irreparable, we’re going to Sugarcube Corner whether you like it or not!” Barbra said firmly.

“What is with this obsession with going there?” Dusk demanded.

“Oh fine, I want you to meet somepony,” Barb sighed.

“You interrupted my work for a set-up? Barb,” Dusk sighed and pinched his nose.

“Your not getting out of this,” Barb said.

“And if I say no?” Dusk asked.

“I didn’t want it to come to this buuut, If you don’t go I’ll tell everypony you…” Barb glanced around and whispered conspiratorially.

Dusk gasped “You wouldn’t dare!” Dusk said with narrowed eyes.

“Oh I would,” Barb said with a glare.

“I swore you to silence about that!” Dusk said.

“Well it’s about to become vocal, unless you agree to a blind date, right now!” Barb said.

“.....Fine… BUT, you won’t bother me again after this, will you?” Dusk asked.

“I won’t,” Barb said.

“Fine, let me get ready,” Dusk grumbled and he walked to the nearest restroom.

“Whew… he bought it…” Barb sighed in relief.

Dusk walked out of the castle in his nicest casual wear with Barb at his side.

“Alright, trust me you’ll be surprised when you meet her,” Barb said.

“Alright,” Dusk sighed.

“Try not to kill the mood with that sour attitude of yours,” Barb said.

“Fine,” Dusk said.

As they made it to the pastry shop they entered and Barb pointed Dusk to a table nearby.

“Ok, go over there, I will make sure nopony interferes,” Barb said.

“Alright,” Dusk said.

“And cut it with the one-word responses!” Barb whispered harshly before going over to Mr Cake who nodded and went over to a mare sitting in a corner and he whispered to her, she got up and walked over to the table Dusk was at.

“Um… Hi?” Dusk asked more than said.

“Hiya!” Derpy squealed as she plopped down.

“Derpy? What are you doing here?” Dusk asked.

“Silly! We’re dating right now!” Derpy giggled.

“Oh… so you're the mare Barbra is setting me up with?” Dusk asked.

“That I am! Dusk, I want to ask if we can be marefriend and coltfriend,” Derpy asked.

“...Rather sudden, we hardly know eachother,” Dusk stated.

“I don’t have much to hide, I love muffins, I can fly left and right without trouble, and I love-”

“What I mean is we need to know eachother for a long period of time before thinking of that,” Dusk said before conjuring a checklist “I’ll also need to know whether our schedules are compatible, your experience with advanced language and a whole list of other things, if you’ll take twenty minutes to fill it out I would be appreciative,” Dusk said as he handed it to her and Derpy looked at it confusedly.

“...Why do I need to fill out a checklist of things to see if we’re compatible? Shouldn’t we just spend time together?” Derpy asked.

“This is quicker, also I have five more if you aren’t doing anything today,” Dusk said, conjuring a stack of parchments.

“....Uhh…..” Derpy said, looking a little overwhelmed.

“Question one, what is the definition of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?” Dusk asked.

“.....I dunno…” Derpy said getting uncomfortable.

“Doesn’t know…” Dusk wrote down.

“Why are we doing this? We should just get to know eachother upfront,” Derpy asked.

“When you’ve been approached by opportunists as often as me, you tend to be guarded,” Dusk said.

“I’m not an opportunist though, I just wanna be your very special friend,” Derpy said.

“I’m not calling you one, but I have to be sure,” Dusk said

“...” Derpy looked upset.

[Thirty minutes later]

Dusk and Barb left, Dusk was writing something down and Barb looked upset.

“What. The. Hay. Was. That?” Barb asked.

“It’s perfectly logical to examine and perform a checklist on your potential date to see if they are trying to take advantage of you or not,” Dusk said.

“You know Derpy! She shouldn’t have had to prove herself to you!” Barb shouted.

“Calm down Barb, if you’d been taken advantage of and approached by opportunists half as much as I am you’d do it too, I don’t want to be taken advantage of because of my position in the government,” Dusk said.

“I get that but you literally quizzed her until she made an excuse to leave!” Barb said.

“Excuse? It sounded reasonable to put off the quiz,” Dusk said.

“She said ‘I left my muffin in the oven, let’s do this again some other time’ Total excuse, you drove her away on purpose didn’t you?” Barb said.

“No, I simply wanted to know if she was the one, drop it Barb,” Dusk said taking his leave.

“You are so entitled sometimes!” Barb yelled after him.

“Oh? I’m entitled? At least I didn’t threaten the other into something they know they're uncomfortable with!” Dusk bit back.

“I was trying to help you!” Barb said.

“Want to help, don’t set up any more dates! I have more important things to do!” Dusk said before walking away.

“....ARGH!” Barb kicked a rock and stormed off.

Elusive walked out of the Boutique and took a deep breath.

“Ok… today is the day I tell her,” Elusive said before heading off to Dusk’s castle.

Upon entering he found that Barbra wasn’t around.

“Barbra! I… need to talk to you about something!” Elusive called, but no response came.

“Hmm, where is she?” Elusive asked as he walked through the castle, suddenly he heard grumbling and rustling noises.

Looking towards the kitchen he saw the pantry door open and he walked over to there.

“Um… hey Barbra… I need to talk to you,” Elusive asked.

“Mhm…” A voice grunted.

“You see, it’s time I came clean... about us,” Elusive said.

“Mhm…” the voice grunted again.

“You see, I have been unfair to you as long as we’ve known eachother, and I apologize, I thought if I acted distant enough you’d give up and find someone of your own species… not saying that you and I being together is bad or anything, but…. W-what I am trying to say is… I think it’s time we both moved on, and hear me out, I do like you, before you were a cute kid with a puppy love I was sure you’d move on from, but then you grew up and I found that my feelings shifted… I always imagined a prince when I was a filly, but then I began to see you,” Elusive began his tangent.

“Mhm…” The voice grunted again.

“And now that things have changed and we’re both swapped for life, I saw you in a different light again, you….. I think I love you Spike… or Barbra… and that is why, it is best we part ways here, I am a pony I live only a hundred years if I am lucky, you are a dragoness, you live for much much longer, you understand where I am coming from right?” Elusive asked.

“Mhmm…” The voice grunted again sounding a bit more annoyed.

“I think… it’s best we…. Barb? Are you listening?” Elusive asked finally catching on that something is off.

“Mhm…”

“Barb can we speak face to face?” Elusive demanded.

“What is it!?” Dusk stood out from behind the pantry door and looked surprised to see Elusive “Elusive? What’s going on?” Dusk asked.

“What the? Were you the one I was talking to this whole time?” Elusive asked embarrassedly.

“I… wasn’t actually listening, I was busy gathering supplies for a trip to Canterlot,” Dusk said.

“For what?” Elusive asked.

“To hash things out with Luna directly, a problem arose in my last attempt to send her a letter, why do you need to talk to Barbra?” Dusk asked.

“I…” Elusive blushed a little “N-Never mind that, have you seen the dear?” Elusive asked.

“We… had an argument and I said some harsh things, I decided to give her time to herself for now,” Dusk said.

“I see, I will continue looking for her then,” Elusive said as he walked away.

“Ok, have a good day Elusive,” Dusk waved him off.

Elusive exited the castle and began searching for her, he visited all her usual spots and some he’d suspect she’d be at but noponies seen her.

“This is odd, where did she go?” Elusive asked as he walked away from another nail salon.

As he walked on he saw Berry and Cheese at a restaurant and he decided to pay a visit.

“Hello Berry,” Elusive called.

“Oh! Hey!” Berry jumped and waved.

“Heeey!” Cheese waved as well.

“I’m sorry, who are you again?” Elusive asked Cheese.

“Cheese Sandwich, or in this reality Swiss Cheese,” Cheese said with a smile.

“I see, I wish I could say I am surprised that you retain your memories of…” Elusive looked around before leaning in “Being a stallion,”

“Ah it’s no biggie if anything me and Pinkie have been having lots more fun now that we’re gender-swapped!” Cheese said.

“Shh! Nopony can know!” Elusive whispered harshly.

“Oh yeah,” Cheese said.

“And what do you mean more fun? I haven't noticed any new parties around here,” Elusive said.

“Oh we’ve been partying all right,” Berry chimed in with a giggle.

“.....What?” Elusive said looking surprised.

“Your surprised? Everypony ships us, we might as well,” Cheese said with a wink.

“...I’m now uncomfortable,” Elusive said.

“You’ll warm up to the thought yourself eventually,” Berry said.

“Ok, leaving now… no wait, actually, can I ask your help?” Elusive asked.

“On?” Cheese asked.

“Locating Barbra, I simply must talk to her,” Elusive said.

“Finally worked the nerve?” Berry waggled his eyebrows.

“Berry!” Elusive growled.

“Jk jk,” Berry chuckled before turning to Cheese “Let’s test out the new sense maneuver we worked on,” Berry asked.

“Number forty-four or number eighty-seven?” Cheese asked.

“Better go with eighty-seven,” Berry nodded.

“What are we talking about?” Elusive asked.

“Oh, through our combined senses we’ve constructed multiple ways to use them ranging from zero to a million,” Berry explained.

“And this one can help us locate our friends anywhere within a town-wide radius,” Cheese said.

“Well get on it then, I am starting to worry,” Elusive said.

“Very well, Cheesie,” Berry said and the two started making out.

“....What are you two doing?” Elusive asked and other ponies began to stare.

“Onfffe Sefond!” Berry said while kissing his marefriend.

A minute passed and ponies were beginning to murmur.

“Berry! Can you hurry this up, I feel awkward!” Elusive whispered loudly, Berry held up his index finger to ask for his patience.

Another minute passed and they stopped kissing.

“The kiss told us everything about pickles, raspberries and the location of Barbra,” Berry said.

“...I’m not even going to grace the first two with a response… where is Barbra?” Elusive asked.

“She’s in the Everfree forest… odd, why would she be there?” Berry asked.

“She’s where?! At this hour?” Elusive exclaimed.

“Relax I’m sure she’s fine, let’s go check it out,” Berry said

“Very well,” Elusive said.

Berry nodded before putting bits on the table and following Elusive along with Cheese.

As the three ran to where Berry and Cheese located Barbra they eventually reached the edge of town and paused upon a startling sight.

Drag marks and small drops of blood.

“BARBRA!” Elusive ran to the scratch marks in the ground and examined them.

“What the hay happened?” Swiss asked.

“I don’t know, Barbra might be in trouble!” Elusive said looking out towards the forest and standing.

“I have to investigate!” Elusive said feeling oddly more panicked than ever.

“It’s too dangerous!” Berry said.

“Forget the danger! She’s in trouble!” Elusive said before running into the forest following the tracks.

Berry turned to Cheese “Find and tell the others! I’ll help him!” Berry said to Swiss Cheese who nodded and ran off while Berry ran after Elusive.

“LET ME GO!” Barb cried as she wriggled in the bindings and tried to shake off the blindfold.

“Stop shaking or you get another hit!” A familiar male voice said loudly.

“...Wait a minute, I remember that obnoxious voice!” Barb said.

“Shut it!” The voice said as she was tossed onto the ground and the blindfold was removed.

She looked up and saw Garble and some dragons she didn’t recognize.

“This the dragoness you were talking about?” A blue fat dragon asked.

“She’s a pretty one, real pretty,” Another darker blue one said with a lick of the lips.

“Yeah yeah, you believe me now?” Garble said.

“Yeah, we believe you met a pony lover,” A green dragon said with a wave.

“And your gonna watch me get my payback right now,” Garble said with a grin.

“Just as long as we get a turn,” The dark blue one said.

“Can do,” Garble said before hovering over her.

“Y-your not going to-”

“Yeah, I’m going to show these losers-”

“Ahem,” The green one coughed.

“I mean… cool guys how a real dragon dominates! Call this penance for what you did,” Garble said.

“Did what?! I didn’t want to murder an innocent baby phoenix and I showed you up, so what?” Barb said.

“What? I’m talking about busting my left ball!” Garble said.

“What?” Barbra asked.

“Yeah, I tried to get you on my crew but then your stupid pony friends stepped in and when I hurt one you kicked me in the crotch, well guess what? You busted me! I’m a laughingstock among other dragons now! Well, now that you’ve grown up nicely I think it’s time to take some payback!” Garble said before moving forward to remove her clothes.

“Hey hands off! HELP!” Barb cried.

“Scream all you want, but any pony would be a real idiot to get between a dragon and what he wants-” Suddenly a rock hit him in the head and he grunted in pain and turned to see Elusive and Berry.

“Then I must be quite stupid,” Elusive said.

“Elusive!” Barbra cried in joy.

“Who are they?” The green dragon asked.

“Oh just her stupid pony friends, here’s an idea, how about I beat them up in front of you, then take you,” Garble said before walking forward.

“Stay away from her!” Elusive said firing magic at Garble who took it with a step back from the force of the attack.

“Hah! Was that your best?” Garble asked.

“No, but it made a decent distraction,” Elusive said.

“Huh?” Garble questioned when suddenly Berry came down from the tree above and smashed a rock into his head.

“OOOMPH!” Garble fell over and rubbed his head.

“Curses, that didn’t knock him out,” Elusive said squaring up for a fight.

“Oh your getting it now,” Garble said getting up and breathing fire at Berry who jumped into a bush avoiding it.

Garble got up and rushed at Elusive.

Elusive punched at Garble but his fist glanced off of Garble's chest and Garble rammed him off his feet and shoved Elusive onto the ground.

Elusive rolled out of the way of a stomp and fired more magic into Garble's face and Garble stumbled to the ground.

“Berry! Get Barbra out of here!” Elusive said.

“Got it!” Berry said as he jumped out of another bush and grabbed Barbra and ran off with her.

“HEY! Come back with our good time!” The blue dragon shouted and they chased after them.

“NO!” Garble cried and he turned to Elusive.

“Oh that was a mistake!” Garble said getting up and stomping over to Elusive.

“Bring it on!” Elusive said getting up.

Berry ran with Barbra over his shoulder.

“We have to go back! Elusive is back there!” Barbra yelled.

“Elusive made me Pinkie Promise not to turn back!” Berry called.

“I don’t care! Garble will kill him!” Barbra said.

“Help is on the way, I know Elusive! He’ll do whatever it takes!” Barry said before one of the dragons flew overhead and landed in front of him and the other two surrounded him on the other sides.

“Give us the dragoness and we’ll only punch you and not use our claws,” The fat dragon sneered.

“Not happening!” Berry shouted.

“I love it when the ponies act tough,” The green one laughed.

“Hey how about whoever gets her first get’s first round?” The darker blue dragon said.

“I-I’ll tell Ember on you all!” Barb threatened.

“Good luck doing that, because after we’re done with ya we’ll just toss ya into Ghastly Gorge,” The darker blue one laughed and they began closing in.

“What are we going to do?” Barbra asked.

“Duck,” Berry said.

“What?” Barbra asked.

“DUCK!” Berry dropped to the ground with Barbra and immediately a powerful magic beam struck the light blue one sending him flying.

“AH!” The blue dragon cried.

“Huh?” The other two turned to see Dusk, Cheese, Applejack and Rainbow Blitz.

“Oh great, more?” The dark blue one got ready.

“Excuse me,” The dragon turned and stumbled back in surprise when he was face to face with the stare.

“Go away!” Butterscotch said.

“What the heck?!” The dark blue one said.

“Leave my sister alone!” Dusk said before firing another magic blast at the green one and he turned and ran.

“It’s too crowded here! Run!” The green one said.

“She ain’t worth it! Let’s book it!” The dark blue one said as he grabbed his friend and ran for it.

“Barbra!” Dusk said running up to her.

“DUSK!” Barb said as they ran up and untied her.

“Where’s Elusive?” Blitz asked.

“He’s back there! Fighting Garble!” Berry said.

“Crap! Hang tight Elusive!” Blitz took to the air and zoomed off.

“Wait here! We’re going to help! AJ, Cheese, Butterscotch, stay here in case the dragons come back!” Dusk said before running off.

“Got it!” AJ and Butterscotch said.

“Thank you guys… thank you…” Barb sobbed clearly having been frightened.

“It’s alright sugarcube,” AJ said giving her a hug.

Elusive impacted a tree.

“Ugh!” Elusive grunted.

“You thought you could fight a dragon? Things don’t go like they do in stories, dragon beats pony, easy to understand,” Garble laughed.

Elusive grunted as he got up.

“Why risk your life for her? She isn’t even the same species as you,” Garble asked.

“A gentlecolt never leaves a lady stranded,” Elusive said before throwing another punch but Garble just took it and shoved him down.

“I’ll bet my buds have caught her already, shame I won’t be first, but I’ve had my fun of pony thrashing, time to start with the fire,” Garble opened his mouth and prepared to breathe fire on Elusive, Elusive winced as he prepared for the heat.

But something tackled Garble away.

“AGH!” Garble spouted flames upward as he was tackled off his feet and they landed on the ground.

“Leave my friends alone!” Blitz said punching Garble in the face and the two struggled.

“Guys!” Elusive said getting up.

“Stay down Elusive, we’ll take it from here,” Dusk said before charging another blast and firing at Garble who shoved Blitz off and the blast hit him sending him skidding.

“Ooof!” Garble grunted.

“Don’t EVER come back!” Dusk said his eyes lighting up and his horn charging a ton of magic before he fired and Garble ‘eeped’ and braced himself, only for the blast to rip through the foliage to his left.

Garble looked to see a smoldering hole in a big tree next to him and he gulped.

“Next one I aim will be at you if you don’t leave NOW!” Dusk said angrily and Blitz walked up next to him.

Garble held up his hands in surrender “Ok ok! I’m not gonna fight an alicorn over her! Goodbye!” Garble got up and scurried away.

Dusk panted and returned to normal before turning to Elusive and helping him up.

“Are you ok?” Dusk asked.

“Yes… he mainly just tossed me around, Is Barbra ok?” Elusive asked.

“Yes,” Dusk said before Elusive swung his arm around Dusk and Blitz’s shoulder and they proceeded to carry him back to the others.

Ponyville hospital

Elusive lay in a hospital bed and his friends surrounded him.

“I swear I’ll be ok, in fact the doctor said I’ll be out of here by twelve, just minor bruises, I was lucky that he only toyed with me, had he been serious with me from the get-go this would be different,” Elusive said.

“Rarity… I mean Elusive, you risked your life for me back there… how can I thank you?” Barb said with tears in her eyes.

“Nothing dear, I simply did the right thing for a friend,” Elusive said.

“Well, we better get moving, who’s gonna stay with him overnight?” Blitz said.

Applejack turned to him noticing the hint in his tone.

“I suppose I will, I need to make sure that-” Dusk said before Barbra interrupted.

“I will,” Barb said.

“But Barb, you should be in a bed too if anything, you were almost-”

‘I’m staying with him!” Barb said before turning in her seat.

Dusk sighed and looked to the others “Very well, we’ll come to check on Elusive at the Boutique tomorrow, Barb, are you ok with taking care of him?” Dusk said.

“Yes,” Barb said as she remained sitting by him.

“Then I suppose we should leave,” Blitz said already ushering Butterscotch out.

“Huh? Why leave right now?” Butterscotch asked.

“I’ll tell you later,” Blitz said and one by one the group filtered out until eventually there was just the purple dragoness and Elusive.

“Elusive, I want to say that-” Elusive put a finger over her mouth and shushed her.

“I should tell you before you say anything….” Elusive said.

“What?” Barb asked.

“...Barbra… I had intentions to talk to you when I was looking for you earlier, it was… going to be a sad talk indeed, but what happened there in the forest… it changed things for me,” Elusive said.

“W-What do you mean?” Barb asked heart beating faster.

“Barbra, You are an amazing dragon, those other dragons that nearly had their way with you, were nothing but thugs and brutes, but you, you were raised with the gentleness of a pony, and that is a gentleness I wish to pursue something with…” Elusive said.

“Y-You mean,” Barbra began to cry happy tears.

“Spike or Barbra, whichever you spend the rest of your long life as, I would like to ask you, can we be more than friends? Can we be… in love?” Elusive asked with a smile.

“YES! Yes, I do! I-I mean will, I mean can… I mean-” Barbra stuttered over her words, overwhelmed by the situation. Elusive chuckled and pulled her in for a kiss.

It was the happiest moment of her life.

Author's Note

Is Dusk being entitled or cautious enough given his circumstances? Let me know your opinion.

Also hooray, the ships are sailing one after another.

Also, hooray Elusive has realized his love for Barbra [Who I will remind is the legal age of consent in this story]

Also clop is coming soon, if you want I'll take opinions on whether or not I do that with the rest of the story.

Also, I hope you guys had a fun time with this chapter like I did, let me know what you thought in the comments as well. :twilightsmile:

Love can be crazy [clop]

Barbra and Elusive exited the hospital and Barbra supported Elusive as they walked.

“Really Barbra, I can walk fine, it’s just a couple of bruises,” Elusive said.

“I don’t care, I’m your nurse until your better dear,” Barbra said firmly.

“Dear eh? I suppose since we are official now we could come up with names for eachother, isn’t that right darling?” Elusive chuckled.

“Oh you,” Barb giggled as the two made their way back to the Boutique.

They approached the doorway and Barb knocked.

“Don’t bother, Sweetie Belle is spending the night at Scootaloo’s,” Elusive said.

“Oh, perfect,” Barb said as she opened the door and guided Elusive to a chair.

“You're still covered in dirt, let me get a rag,” Barbra said as she moved to get one but Elusive held her hand.

“No need, I was planning on taking a shower anyways, but why don’t we sit and chat for a bit,” Elusive asked.

“That’s odd, the clean freak Rarity wanting to stay dirty?” Barb chuckled.

“Har har, come now, sit sit,” Elusive said and Barbra did so.

“So, watcha want to talk about?” Barb asked sounding a little sure of where the conversation may go.

“Um… how are you?” Elusive asked.

“Almost got taken against my will, but apart from that, I’m fine,” Barb said with a giggle.

“I cannot think of a mare, or dragoness who giggles on the same sentence that such a traumatic thing occurred,” Elusive said honestly.

“I’m fine, really, what I’m more concerned with is where you are going with this conversation?” Barb asked.

Elusive winced “Am I that transparent?” Elusive asked.

“Yeah,” Barb chuckled.

“...Very well then, no beating around the bush, Barb I am going to ask a serious question and I want you to be honest,” Elusive said.

“Alright,” Barb said with a nod.

“...Do you know how long ponies live as opposed to dragons?” Elusive asked.

“...I was afraid that’d be your first question… yeah, Ember told me, dragons live anywhere from one to ten thousand years, give or take those ‘blessed’ with longevity…” Barb sighed.

“And ponies don’t even live a quarter of that,” Elusive said.

“So… what are you getting at?” Barb asked.

“...When I inevitably pass from old age, I suggest having a drake in mind to-”

“No…” Barb said.

“Barbra, you don’t understand,” Elusive said.

“No you don’t, I’m going to be honest, I’d have a really hard time finding a drake whom I could see myself laying a nest of eggs for… dragons don’t like ponies, they’re mean to each other as well, and if earlier was proof of anything, I’m likely to get attacked if I go back to the dragon lands, maybe I should find a way to help you live longer?” Barb asked.

“That is not an option,” Elusive said.

“Who knows, we found a spell that did this to us, maybe we can find a spell that makes you live a long time, o-or turns you into a dragon too… or an alicorn or-”

“Barb, stop,” Elusive said and Barb did “I cannot live forever, I merely wish to help prevent you from becoming a widow for life after I’m gone,” Elusive said.

“I don’t want to lose you, I don’t want to lose anypony,” Barb said with a tear rolling down her cheek, Elusive wiped it away.

“I know, but time is an enemy nopony can beat, I want you to promise you won’t dedicate the remainder of your long life to me once I am gone, dedicate it to a drake who can be with you for the long haul,” Elusive said.

“...Ok….” Barb said.

“I am holding you to it, I want to be with you Barbra, but I don’t want to be the reason you plunge yourself into the depths of loneliness,” Elusive said.

“I understand,” Barb said.

“Let us enjoy the time we have right now,” Elusive said.

“Ok, so, got anymore questions?” Barb asked.

“Just if you want to talk about more things regarding stuff I should know about dragons, since you are friends with Ember, has she imparted any info you didn’t previously know?” Elusive asked.

“Just eating habits and proper scale care,” Barb shrugged.

“Ok, have any for me?” Elusive asked.

“...Do you know if dragons and ponies can reproduce?” Barb asked, Elusive’s eyes widened and he looked like he didn’t know how to respond.

Barb realized what she said and blushed madly “I-i didn’t mean we should right now! B-but I mean, I’ve always been curious,” Barb said.

“W-well… I imagine they can, generally, most races can… procreate, if ours can I am not sure,” Elusive said.

“Haha… yeah, guess we’ll know if that ever happens,” Barb said internally cursing herself for making it awkward.

Dusk made his way into the castle and sat at his desk once more.

“Maybe I’ll have a chance to finish this message to Luna, then I gotta take this to the post office,” Dusk said as he finished writing up the message about his plan to visit Luna, afterwards he got up and made his way to the post office.

“Maybe I should talk with Luna in my dreams some more, one thing I can appreciate is that we’re both on the same page alot, and she always cares about our time together,” Dusk said fondly.

Dusk made his way past Rainbow Blitz who was exiting a pub, looking a little tipsy.

“Whew! Thanks guys for the…the quick drinks!” Blitz said as he stumbled towards Dusk “Hey! You look like my friend Dusk…” Blitz slurred.

“Rainbow? Why are you not home… and drunk?” Dusk said.

“Whaddya mean… I’m not drunk… yer drunk…” Blitz said.

“How did… we literally just left the hospital, did you go right here and down their strongest drink or something?” Dusk said.

“You psychic or somethin?... that’s totally what I did!” Blitz snorted.

“...Ok… take you home first and then deliver this, c’mon,” Dusk said grabbing Blitz.

“Ged offa me…” Blitz complained.

“Come on Blitz, you need to rest, and maybe get a coffee in the morning,” Dusk said as he tried to fly with Blitz in hand.

“I don’t need yer help! I’m a pro flyer, a Wonderbolt…” Blitz said.

“I didn’t want to do this but…” Dusk used a sleep spell on Blitz and Blitz quickly passed out “For your own good,” Dusk said before flying the stallion home.

…

….

…..

A blue mare exited the pub and grinned at the two flying away.

“Got 'em, you’ll be mine again soon…” The mare said before unfolding her wings and flying after them quietly.

Barbra finished making tea for Elusive as he finished picking out his night clothes.

“Hey Elusive! Made your favorite earl tea!” Barb said approaching.

“Oh, thank you darling, but you didn’t need to,” Elusive said as he took the tea and blew on it.

“Nonsense, I love you, so I’ll take care of you,” Barb said.

“Barbra?” Elusive said noticing what she said.

“I also fluffed a blanket and warmed it a little with my fire breath, without torching it,” Barb said.

“Barbra,” Elusive said setting the teacup down.

“And if you want, I’ll cook some pancakes in the morning for-”

“Barb!” Elusive said a little more firmly.

“Yes dear?” Barb asked.

“Why are you acting like that?” Elusive asked.

“Acting like that?... That’s an odd way to say thanks,” Barb said.

“I am thankful for your efforts, but I am beginning to wonder how you see yourself in our relationship?” Elusive asked.

“What do you mean? I love you, so I’ll be at your beck and call, dear,” Barb said.

“I don’t want that,” Elusive said.

“What do you mean?” Barbra asked looking upset.

“I deeply appreciate that your being so nice, but I wish for our relationship to be equal, if your waiting on my beck and call, then are you my marefriend or my maid?” Elusive said as an example.

“...I guess… I mean not to sound bitter but Dusk and I have always had an assistant relationship on top of being siblings… is that not normal?” Barb asked.

“...I suddenly want to question Dusk about his labor practices,” Elusive said.

“Don’t, I really am okay with helping out, being helpful is my nature,” Barb said.

“Well with me, we stand equally,” Elusive said, Barb seemed happy to hear that.

“Can… I still help out?” Barb asked.

“Of course dear,” Elusive held out his arms and Barb hugged him tightly, after pulling away slightly she looked him in the eyes and then kissed him on the lips.

After a minute of kissing the two separated.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for the longest time, and now I can do it anytime I want… life is good,” Barb said.

“Indeed, well I need to get moving, have to shower before bed,” Elusive said standing up and Barb stood back.

“Ok, I’ll be waiting in your bed,” Barb called after him and Elusive stumbled a little.

“What?” Elusive asked.

“Well what? Would you rather your precious dragoness sleep in Sweetie's room?” Barb asked playfully.

“Fair point… I’ll be… showering,’ Elusive said blushing a little before going up the stairs.

“Oh that stallion, I’m going to enjoy this,” Barb said with a giggle.

AJ returned home and sat down in his kitchen with a sigh.

Hearing heavy hoofsteps he turned to see Red Gala entering and she spotted him.

“Evenin sis,” AJ said.

“Evenin to you too,” Gala said sitting next to AJ.

“Gala… can ah share something with ya?” AJ asked.

“Eeyup,” Red said.

“Ah… think ah may be seein someone,” AJ said.

Red Gala’s eyes widened a little briefly but she shook her head “Mk?”

“Problem is ah don’t fully know her… what if she isn’t the one?” AJ said.

“Ah dunno,” Gala shrugged.

“Ah had a feelin… ah guess ah’ll just play it by ear,” AJ said.

“Eeyup,” She said.

“Ah hope this works out…ah don’t want to be lovelorn anymore,” AJ said.

“What do ya like bout her?” Gala asked.

“She’s… very attractive fer one, she’s got a right toned figure and she is pretty,” AJ said.

Gala nodded.

“Ah… hard ta say but let’s just say ah knew somepony like her at one point and ah had feelings fer hi- her too to a degree, but ah never acted on it because our personalities were just too different, but… maybe it’d work, like they say, opposites attract?” AJ said.

“Ah s’ppose,” Gala said.

“And this… other pony is similar to her, but maybe it would work out regardless? Ah don’t know… tell me about you an Butterscotch,” AJ asked trying to change the subject.

“Not much ta say, ah’m plannin on giving him a chance at some point,” Gala shrugged.

“Jest remember his gentle heart, ah don’t want him bein rejected,” AJ said.

“Ah’ll remember, if it doesn’t work out ah’ll let him down gently,” Gala said.

“Ah’d appreciate it,” AJ said.

“And likewise don’t make Blitz’s mistake,” Gala said taking her leave.

“Ah won’t,” AJ said.

Barbra sat patiently on the bed looking out at nothing in particular, it was so surreal… to think that yesterday she was still pining for the mare-turned-stallion of her dreams, and today, she got him.

She felt the bed beneath her, so soft, bouncy…. Barb leaned in an drew a deep breath.

Strawberries, just like the perfume she used everyday… before the shift.

Barb honestly wanted to think he’d come out of the bathroom ready to take her virginity right then and there.

But no, she’d take this at his pace, she shouldn’t be greedy, after all he chose her to be his lover, she shouldn’t be picky on how far they go on the same night… right?

But then Barb noticed something on the nightstand…. His towel!

Barb blushed deeply at the thought that right now he is naked in the shower right now… her brain tried to war on itself… on one hand… she couldn’t let him leave the shower without a proper towel to dry off with, it is rather cool in the room after all.

On the other… she’s walking in on him… would he be disgusted? The trouble with not having a romantic relationship until now is that she doesn’t know what is acceptable and what strays into thirsty freak territory.

On the other hand theirs a handsome stud in there without a towel…

Unable to argue with that thought Barb collected the towel and moved to open the door…

The steam-filled bathroom made her wince as she made her way carefully through the bathroom, she noticed some interesting things here, but what her attention was mainly on was the stallion shape behind the curtain.

Deciding to not surprise him and risk a bathtub slip she knocked on the door daintily.

Elusive jumped a little “Hello?” Elusive asked.

“U-uhm… hey Elusive! It’s Barb…. Y-you forgot your towel,” Barbra said.

“...Oh… I did…” Elusive said nervously “Could you toss it over the curtain?” Elusive asked.

“Uh sure… or…” Barb said with a deep breath.

“Or?” Elusive responded.

“Or I could hand it to you…” Barb said nervously.

“...Ok…” Elusives voice said and the curtain pulled back slightly hiding the lower half of his body and he reached out for the towel.

Barb gulped and walked forward and handed him the towel.

“Thanks,” Elusive said with a bit of a lidded look in his eye.

Barb gulped again, blushing and she turned away “I…uh… save lots of hot water for me please!” Barb turned and began to walk out before the bathroom was magically closed.

“Huh?” Barb questioned and turned to see Elusive’s horn glowing.

“Barb, what did you really come in for?” Elusive asked knowingly.

“.....” Barb looked like she was ready to run.

“Don’t be scared darling, if anything, I dreamed of such a thing happening between me and my lover…” Elusive said with a smile.

“...Y-you mean you want to-” Barb stuttered.

“Why don’t I clean you darling, unless you’d rather showering alone?” Elusive said with a smile.

“....................” Barb looked like she was gonna burst into flames with how embarrassed she was, and so very very aroused…

She’d never thought about falling for a stallion when she was Spike, but her new body yearned for him like dog in heat.

So is there any other way to answer?

She immediately pulled off her shirt and bra and dropped them to the ground, then her pants and undies hit the ground after.

She stood there fully bare to him and she stiffly walked to the tub.

“My oh my, you look simply divine dear,” Elusive said before opening the curtain fully and Barb nervously entered the tub and felt the cold water hitting her scales.

“Yikes! That’s chilly!” Barb yelped.

“Oh! Sorry dear, here,” Elusive then switched it to hot water and Barb hummed as the hot water poured over her, she can bathe in lava so this temp isn’t even notable, but with the stallion she’s sharing it with, she feels hot as the sun!

Speaking of which she was too focused on her nerves before and didn’t notice the stallion next to her, like really notice him.

Toned muscles, not athletic but definitely a well-built figure for a noble stallion. A shiny white coat, and sparkly blue eyes… not to mention the part of him that has her staring…

He was twice the size of when Barb was a drake, which a part of her felt annoyed with but the rest was eager as all get out.

“Done measuring me up dear?” Elusive said with a smile.

“Uh! Y-yes! Sorry,” Barb stuttered.

“Don’t be, I must say, I like what I see too,” Elusive said grabbing her and pulling her close so that her chest was smushed against his chest.

“I-i…” Barbra stuttered.

“Let us show eachother the affection we’ve denied eachother for so long,” Elusive said before pulling her in and kissing her passionately.

Barb froze before hugging him back and kissing him hungrily rubbing her claws down his back and feeling his firm butt.

Elusive pressed her against the wall of the tub and they deepened their kiss a normal and forked tongue danced.

As they parted they panted heavily.

“Do you want me dear?” Elusive asked.

“Yes… more than life itself… I’ve wanted you for so long Rarity,” Barb said dreamily, accidentally referring to Elusive by his original name.

“And though I never realized it until now, I wanted this, I love you Barbra,” Elusive said before moving in to kiss her on the neck.

“Ah!” Barb wasn’t prepared for the sensation and she shuddered in his grasp.

“Want me to stop?” Elusive asked.

“NO!” Barb cried.

“Very well m’lady,” Elusive said before licking and biting her neck.

“Oh sweet Celestia!” Barb cried and she grabbed his hands and brought them to her chest.

Elusive got the hint and he began fondling them, they were… different then normal mare teats.

He would know since he had them at one point…

Hers were firmer, the scales had an interesting texture to them, yet in a strange way they were still soft.

Regardless he know he was doing the right thing as she was full on crying out and he held her tightly.

What happened next however Elusive didn’t see coming…

Her eyes sharpened and she grabbed him before biting him on the shoulder.

He cried out in a mix of surprise and pain and it felt like a burning venom was filling him.

The bite was deep enough to draw a little blood but not damage anything else, afterwards he tried to pry the dragon off of him but she wrapped him in a fully body grip and he fell over, she used the back of her hand to protect his head as they landed on the bottom of the tub and Elusive grunted in pain.

“What are you doing Barb! Stop!” Elusive cried, but it was like something primal had taken over Barbra and she held tight and the feeling like he was internally on fire continued, he felt as though he was going to burst into flames and then…. Coolness… he blacked out.

Elusive groaned as he woke up and he looked around, he found himself in his room, looking under the covers he saw that he was naked and a little wet, was that all a dream and the wetness is sweat, or did he really go shower together with Barb and then…. What happened… his mind was blank on the last part…

The door to his room opened and he looked up to see Barb with tear streaks on her face entering with a medkit.

“Barbra? You're here? What happened?” Elusive asked.

“Elusive? Elusive!” Barb dropped the medkit and ran over to him and hugged him crying “I’m so sorry!” She wailed.

“I-it’s ok… shhh,” Elusive calmed her even though he didn’t remember why she was sorry.

“I don’t know what came over me! I was feeling more pleasure than my mind was ready for and then… I lost control!” She sobbed.

“What do you mean?” Elusive asked.

“Y-you don’t remember?” Barb looked at him surprised.

“My mind is blank… we were making love in the shower and then… something happened but I cannot remember,” Elusive said.

“...I…can’t lie to you… I bit you,” Barb said.

“What?” Elusive said and he felt a sting on his shoulder and he turned to see his shoulder bandaged up… the memories came flooding back.

“Ah!” Elusive jumped a little upon remembering the bite.

“I-I’m so sorry… I don’t know what came over me, I should leave…” Barb said.

“...I…” Elusive suppressed his instinctual desire to flee and took a deep breath before grabbing Barb and looking her in the eye “Listen dear, I don’t know what happened either but I am not mad, a little rattled but I won’t look at you differently because of this,” Elusive firmly told her.

“Y-you mean it?” She asked.

“I mean it, you clearly couldn’t control yourself back there,” Elusive said.

“Elusive… thank you…” Barb hugged him “But what happened back there? I don’t normally lose control like that,” Barb said.

“I am not sure, but we can question Dusk tomorrow,” Elusive said.

“Ok,” Barbra said as she got up to walk home.

“And where are you going?” Elusive asked.

“Home, why?” Barbra asked.

“Being that we’re lovers now, don’t you want to sleep together?” Elusive asked with a smile.

Barb blushed and looked down “I…what if I do that again?” Barb asked.

“Then we’ll deal with it then, but I don’t want you leaving feeling so guilty,” Elusive said.

“Thank you Elusive,” Barbra said as she turned and crawled into bed with him and got under the covers and Elusive wrapped her in a hug.

She hummed happily, feeling lucky she was able to finally complete her dream of being with Rarity, even as a genderswap.

Dusk entered the cloud house and found Tank's terrarium.

Tank shook his head in a displeased manner.

“I agree,” Dusk said catching what the turtle was trying to say before carrying Blitz up the stairs and setting him in his bed.

“Ok, Rainbow, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Dusk said before leaving… not noticing a mare climbing in through the window and staring down at the unconscious stallion.

“Ah, so many memories here…. And more to be made… my precious stallion,” The mare giggled before getting out a burlap sack.

“You're mine now,” Petunia said.

Author's Note

Surprise extra chapter!

The clop isn't as prominent here as it was in Blitz's chapter for lore purposes, but trust me, there will be more in the future. :rainbowkiss:

Next chapter [or two] will get a bit dark for this story, but I hope that doesn't kill the joy this story brings.

See you next chapter! :pinkiehappy:

Saving Blitz [Very dark chapter warning]

Author's Note

As the title says, this is a darker chapter, if you aren't into the darker side of romance then you should skip this chapter.

And know that despite making this chapter I feel really bad for what Blitz goes through....

So just know I made this chapter to get through the darker tones of the story which was inevitable in this kind of story.

This wrapped up the Petunia arc in one setting.

Will Blitz ever be the same? And how will things move on?

Saving Blitz [Very dark chapter warning]

Dusk turned the note into the Ponyville post office and headed home.

“One negative about the shift is Rainbow is starting to lose himself in the pleasures of the role… I should talk to him when he’s lucid tomorrow,” Dusk said before reentering his castle.

As he entered he made his way up to his bed and laid down.

“Alright Luna, time for another conversation…” Dusk said going to sleep.

The sun rose on a new day.

Butterscotch had woken up and done his usual routine, brushing his mane while looking in the mirror. Thankfully now that he’s come to accept his new life as Butterscotch he’s found he can even look at his new body bare and not flinch away anymore.

He was on cloud nine these days now that he’s found his love to be.

“Oh Butters are you sure you want to date that mare? Maybe things can work out still between us?” Butterscotch’s reflection said dramatically.

“Discord…” Butterscotch said with a bemused expression.

“Hahaha! What can I say, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery,” Discord exited the mirror and sat on the counter “So my buttery stallion, how goes life? Now that things are like this?” Discord asked.

“Oh it’s great, now that I have a chance with Red Gala I don’t have to worry about being nervous anymore, that’s why I am going to go visit her later,” Butterscotch said.

“Well you may need to think about some things before you start anything with Red Gala,” Discord said.

“What do you mean?” Butterscotch asked.

“Well think of it, you both live on opposite ends of the town, you can’t expect the other to make the long trip to the other side every day, one of you will have to either move or give something up,” Discord said.

“...I didn’t think of that…” Butterscotch said.

“Just being realistic, and I hate being realistic, it’s boring,” Discord shrugged.

“Why tell me this now?” Butterscotch asked.

“Just thought of it, but hey, this will make for a good conversation,” Discord shrugged.

“I suppose…” Butterscotch said “Perhaps I can go out to visit Rainbow Blitz and convince him to come,” Butterscotch wondered.

“Why? I thought Gala wasn’t a fan of him,” Discord said.

“Exactly, I can repair their relationship as friends,” Butterscotch said before walking out of the house, Discord floating behind him.

“Knowing Rainbow Dash and her not-newfound sense of ego he might try to get back together with Gala,” Discord wondered.

“Discord! He would never, not knowing I am looking for a relationship with her,” Butterscotch said.

“Just saying, she’s gotten a taste of the good life, he may make a mistake down the road,” Discord said as he followed Butterscotch who took to the air.

“Well unless that happens I don’t want any assumptions,” Butterscotch said as he could see Rainbow’s house from where he was, he flew up to it and paused seeing a familiar face.

“Soarin?” Butterscotch asked.

“Hmm? Oh hey Butters, hey Discord, maybe you can help me out,” Soarin asked.

“Huh? With what?” Butterscotch asked.

“I’ve been looking all over for Blitz but I can’t find him, I rang his doorbell like a dozen times and peeked in his window, he’s gone,” Soarin said.

“That’s odd,” Butterscotch said confusedly.

“Maybe he finally went on that journey of self-discovery?” Discord chuckled.

“Focus Discord, this is serious,” Butterscotch said.

“Right, have you checked where there’s a bunch of mares or a pub or something?” Discord asked.

“All his usual haunts, nowhere,” Soarin said.

“Discord, can you find him?” Butterscotch asked.

“What do I look like a radar specifically meant to keep track of you six?” Discord said turning into just that before turning back “Yes, yes I am, one sec,” Discord extended his neck and looked around.

“Hmm… odd, I don’t sense his magical signature in Ponyville,” Discord said turning back to the other two.

“Then where the hay is he?” Soarin wondered.

“I’m getting worried, let’s find out,” Butterscotch said before plucking a feather and using it to pick the lock.

“Since when do you pick locks?” Soarin asked.

“My dad taught me, just in case I get locked outside of the house, my parents were quite paranoid about my safety,” Butters said before opening the door and he looked around.

“Hmm… doesn’t look like anything’s been touched since last night,” Soarin observed.

“Let’s see,” Discord said flying around and landing back next to them when he was done “Yep this place is abandoned…” Discord said.

“Not completely,” Butters said before walking over to a terrarium and a turtle poked his head out of his shell.

“Excuse me, Tank, did you see or hear where Blitz went?” Butterscotch asked.

Tank seemed to think about it for a few minutes but then an idea popped into his head and he nodded.

“Go on,” Butters said.

“Can you tell what he’s saying?” Soarin asked Discord.

“No that’s why I use my magic to make them speak to me,” Discord said.

“Ah,” Soarin nodded.

“What?.... Odd… what did the figure look like? A mare?” Butters mumbled as he talked to Tank and then he stood and turned to his friends.

“This is bad, somepony was in Blitz’s house last night,” Butterscotch said.

“What?” Soarin said in surprise.

“Let’s go,” Butters said and they went upstairs and into Blitz’s bedroom.

“Whew… it stinks in here, does he ever clean the mattress?” Discord asked.

“Not now Discord, I need you to show us what happened in this room last night,” Butterscotch asked.

“Ok,” Discord said and he focused his magic and suddenly the room morphed back to how it was last night.

They saw a transparent Dusk bring Blitz to bed and leave and then a mysterious mare entered and stuffed Blitz in a sack and left out the bedroom door.

“The figure Tank saw, they kidnapped Blitz!” Butterscotch said in horror.

“Wait! Scroll back to when the figure entered,” Soarin said.

“Ok,” Discord said and he rewinded and paused on when she entered.

“Can you clear up her face a bit more,” Soarin asked.

“I can’t clear up if I didn’t see it,” Discord said.

“Then how do we… wait a minute,” Soarin picked something off the ground and examined it, a fake nail… “Discord can you do anything with this?” Soarin asked.

“As a matter of fact yes, I can us it to learn what I need if it has her DNA,” Discord said before levitating it and scanning it with his eyes closely.

“...Say’s it’s from a blue and pink mare names… Petunia?” Discord said.

“....Oh dear Celestia no…” Soarin when white as a sheet when she heard that name.

“What?” Discord asked.

“Petunia! That psycho is back?! I thought we drove her off!” Soarin began to panic.

“Petunia…” Butterscotch remembers Gala mentioning that name, she’s the reason her and Blitz aren’t together anymore.

If she kidnapped him then time is of the essence!

“We need to alert Dusk!” Butterscotch said before the group ran downstairs, Butters taking a moment to collect Tank and they left.

Dusk walked out of the castle and went towards the train station.

“Ok, Barb can hang out at Elusives until I get back, and the castle is locked up, Luna and I had a pleasant chat, now we just need to-”

“Dusk!” Dusk paused and saw Elusive and Barbra approaching.

“Ah there you two are, I was about to send a message to Barbra,” Dusk said.

“Never mind that, we need your help with something really quickly,” Barb asked.

“Alright… what?” Dusk asked.

“Y-you see, last night me and Barbra… things got a bit heated and we-” Elusive began.

‘DUSK!” Dusk sighed and turned to see Butterscotch, Soaring and Discord.

“Hello? What’s with the panicked looks?” Dusk asked.

“I’m sorry but we were talking about something that may be important,” Barbra said.

“Rainbow Blitz has been kidnapped!” Soarin said loudly.

“What? He’s been kidnapped?!” Dusk said dropping his luggage.

“What?” Elusive said sounding surprised.

“That’s… alot more serious than my news…” Barb admitted.

“What happened?” Dusk asked.

“We suspect it was a mare named Petunia,” Butterscotch said.

“Ok? We need to do something then, let’s inform Celestia, Barbra, take a letter,” Dusk said gathering his luggage and running back to the castle.

“Why do these things keep happening?” Barb asked as they ran to the castle as well.

“Ugh… my head…” Blitz groaned as he shook his head, he looked up and his vision cleared… and he wished it hadn’t.

There was a mare sitting in a chair across from him, staring at him.

“Uh… hi? Who are you?” Blitz asked cautiously.

“Who am I?... Insulting much, although I did dye my coat blue to keep suspicion off me so I guess it’s understandable… but blue became my favorite color when I first saw you,” Petunia said standing up.

Blitz gulped seeing she was wearing one of those dominatrix outfits, just like the one Soarin occasionally brings over.

“Lady, I don’t know what’s happening but I’m not into dom play unless it’s with Soarin, so if you’ll excuse me I’m going to-” It was only then he realized he was chained to a wall with only a little movement enabled.

“Oh so tough… I love it! But sadly I gotta break you in if I’m going to have you as my toy for life!” She giggled and slapped a bullwhip on the chair.

“...Lady you're starting to scare me, let me go!” Blitz said trying to escape his bindings.

“Why would I do that? You're mine Blitz, only mine, and I won’t let that blue hussie have you, come on, don’t tell me you forgot about little ole Petunia?” She knelt in front of him.

“...Petunia…?” Blitz froze up, remembering that name from the various horror stories he was told by Soarin.

“Oh don’t you remember those nights we shared ourselves? The passion? The connection we had? Your perfect Blitzy, too perfect to lose to some cheap Wonder wannabe,” Petunia said.

“Hey! Don’t talk about Soarin like-” He was slapped with the whip right in his side “AGH!” Rainbow grunted in surprise.

“I have rules for our new relationship, one no talking about or saying the names of other mares, except mine,” She growled.

“Lady your insane!” Blitz said trying to headbutt her but she was quick enough to backstep it and she whipped him in the same spot.

“Rule two, only do what I say! And Rule three, love ONLY me!” Petunia snarled.

“Go to Tartarus! Didn’t I have a restraining order against you!” Blitz said.

“Oh a restraining order is just a paper, it can’t keep us apart,” Petunia said with a giggle.

“Let me go!” Blitz demanded.

“NO! You're mine and mine alone!” Petunia shouted before kicking him in the chest.

“Ooof!” Blitz grunted.

“I love you Blitz, Only you, that’s why I am doing this, for love!” Petunia said.

“Soarin was right when she said you were a lunatic-” Blitz got several more hits from the whip.

“I SAID NEVER SAY ANOTHER MARES NAME!” Petunia said angrily.

“Agh…” Blitz had a few welts on his body after that.

“Oh dear, look what you made me do, now you have those ugly welts on you,” Petunia said with mock disappointment “Guess you’ll have to be careful from now on, less I ruin that perfect body of yours more,” She giggled “I’ll go buy us some food, don’t move,” She winked and walked away.

“...I’ll be saved… I hope…” Blitz said.

Dusk wrote out his emergency letter to Celestia and handed it to Barbra who sent it.

“We can only hope she gets it, soon,” Butterscotch said.

“Discord, I need you to begin a search, your powers are our best bet in finding him quickly,” Dusk said.

“On it,” Discord said before teleporting away.

“Guy’s we need to get searching, Barbra your with me, I need to be able to write a response to Celestia if she sends one,” Dusk said.

“Ok,” Barbra said nodding at Elusive, silently communicating that they’ll tell Dusk later.

“Butterscotch, can you find Applejack? The more hands on it we have the better,” Dusk said.

“Ok,” Butterscotch said.

“Let’s move! Blitz is counting on us,” Dusk said.

“Right!” Everypony said as they ran off to begin searching.

Dusk flew up to Blitz’s home with Barbra in hand and he went inside and began searching.

“This had to happen today of all days…” Dusk grumbled but Barb heard it.

“Oh yeah, how dare he be kidnapped today, maybe he should have put it off till tomorrow,” Barb said disapprovingly.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean it like that,” Dusk defended as he went upstairs and began searching Blitz’s room while Barbra searched downstairs.

“Why did this happen?” Dusk asked.

“I heard about this Petunia lady from Derpy, she’s a madmare from what she said” Barb called up the stairs.

“Great…” Dusk said as he rifled through Blitz’s room looking for anything.

“Concentrate… think….” Dusk said using his magic to probe the room for anything he can use.

He found something, a hair.

“There!” Dusk said grabbing the hair and he ran back downstairs.

“What? What did you find?” Barb asked.

“This!” Dusk said holding up the mane hair.

“...You found a hair, sweet,” Barb said with a deadpan.

“No! It’s DNA, we can use this,” Dusk said.

“Alright then, let’s head back,” Barb said.

“Ok!” Dusk took off out the door.

“Excuse me!” Barb called after him.

“Oh… sorry,” Dusk said flying back and picking up Barb and flying back to the castle.

As they reached the ground at the same time Barb burped up flame and was holding a scroll.

“Here,” Barb handed it to Dusk, Dusk then opened and read it.

Dear Prince Dusk Shine

What you have told me is quite troubling, we had thought the mare Petunia had learned their lesson via the jail sentence we handed out, but we were mistaken.

We are currently on our way to your location via transport to aid in the matter.

We must make haste, we have no idea what a mare in her state would do.

Sincerely

Princess Celestia

“What does it say?” Barb asked Dusk.

“Celestia is helping out, our chances have gone up,” Dusk said as they ran back into the castle.

When they got back inside they saw Applejack and Butterscotch.

“Guys, what did you find out? Were there any witnesses?” Dusk asked.

“No, she was clever enough to do it at night,” Applejack said.

“And the ponies at the local bar said they didn’t see anything,” Butterscotch said.

“...Bar… of course! Blitz came out of the Iron Hoof Bar!” Dusk said before turning to leave.

“Where ya goin?” AJ asked.

“To the bar Blitz came out of when I encountered him, maybe there’s a hint there!” Dusk said.

“Ok, ah’ll come with,” AJ said.

“Us too!” Barb said with Butterscotch nodding.

The group ran through the town, looking around ponies seemed uneasy, Dusk could imagine Soarin spreading the word that a kidnapping happened not too long ago…

The four made it to the Iron Hoof Bar and entered quick enough that the door slammed open.

“Whoa! Careful, that door isn’t cheap,” The bartender said.

“We need to find a trace of what happened,” Dusk said as the group spread through the bar.

“Yer friend was already in here,” The bartender said.

“But I have a means to find out what happened,” Dusk said.

“Oook? How?” The bartender asked.

“What’s your name?” Dusk asked.

“Shot Glass,” The Bartender said.

“Shot Glass, I need every glass you served last night,” Dusk said.

“I already cleaned them out,” Shot Glass said.

“Give them anyways, maybe there’s a trace,” Dusk said.

“Alright,” Shot Glass set a bunch of cups on the counter.

“Ok, stand back,” Dusk said before activating his magic.

“What are ya doin?” AJ asked.

“A spell Celestia taught me to search for various substances that are harmful,” Dusk said as he examined every glass.

After his thirteenth glass he found one with a strange substance on the outside of the glass.

“Here,” Dusk said picking up the glass and examining it closely with his magic.

“Well? What is it?” Butterscotch asked.

“...What I feared… Rohypnol,” Dusk said.

“What’s that?” Barbra asked.

“Oooh, best you learn that before you go on dates,” Shot Glass said.

“It’s a drug that relaxes a pony dosed with it, knocks them out at higher doses, but this one seems specialized, as if it was meant to enhance the effects of alcohol, whoever used it is good at the use of medical chemistry, and so that’s why Blitz was so drunk then,” Dusk said.

“How does this bring us closer ta finding Rainbow?” Applejack asked.

“Sir can I have this?” Dusk asked.

“Sure, go ahead, Prince Dusk,” The bartender said.

The group left the place and headed back to the castle.

“Ya didn’t answer mah question Dusk,” AJ said.

“I will in time, for now we have to wait for Celestia to get here,” Dusk said.

“The longer we wait the sooner she could be doing something to him,” Butterscotch said.

“I know, we need to begin searching as soon as Celestia arrives,” Dusk said.

“Maybe while we’re there we can talk about what happened at the Boutique?” Barb asked.

“Not yet, we need to focus on Blit’s situation and preparing for the Princess's arrival,” Dusk said.

“Ok…” Barb sighed.

The group arrived back in the castle and Elusive was there sifting through some books.

“Did you find anything guys?” Elusive asked approaching.

“Yes, we got a DNA sample, some evidence and the tool Blitz was kidnapped with, hopefully we can fix things soon,” Dusk said.

“I agree, what now?” Elusive said.

“We wait for Celestia,” Dusk said.

The group sat down and patiently waited for what they hoped would be the solution.

An hour later

Blitz had been woken up in the dark cellar and looked to see Petunia walking to him with a tray of veggie stew.

“Bliiiitzy! I finished cooking for you!” Petunia called.

“Great, go to heck,” Blitz said angrily.

“Oh if you don’t want food that’s alright, but I’ll give it anyways since I love you so…” She said with a smile and she sat beside him.

“Look, I don’t know what happened to make you this way, but I don’t want this, please just stop and I won’t say a thing to Celestia,” Blitz asked.

“Why? Why would I let my stud go? Your my world Blitz and love it or not we will be together, forever!” She cheered before taking a ladle of soup and trying to feed him “Say ahh,” She said sweetly.

“Not happening, you probably drugged it,” Blitz said.

“Oh where’s the trust?” She asked.

“Your asking the stallion you kidnapped and locked up in a dark cellar?” Blitz snapped at her.

She grabbed his face and pulled it in.

“This is your reason for living, pleasing mares, and now you please only me… SO EAT!” She shoved the ladle against his mouth and forcing him to eat it.

“AGH!” Blitz spat “What did….did you…” Blitz sputtered feeling himself heat up.

“Oh what did I make the soup out of? Carrots, celery, potatoes, love…. And homemade aphrodisiacs, my personal talent is chemistry, and I’m good at making drugs,” She giggled.

“You… you…” Blitz growled.

“Like or not, anything you eat under my roof will have some kind of drug to really rev your motor,” She flirted “It’s either that or starve,” Petunia giggled.

“Stop…” Blitz groaned.

“Now, time to revisit our passionate nights,” She said before climbing onto him and kissing him.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as kissing her was like kissing dry ice, he just hoped he escaped soon…

Dusk sat outside twiddling his thumbs, waiting for Celestia was never so nerve-wracking before.

He was about to have Barb send another letter when he heard wings flapping and he turned to see Celestia arriving in her chariot.

She didn’t even wait for it to stop before she exited and approached Dusk.

“Celestia,” Dusk said getting up.

“Prince Dusk, my pupil, it has been awhile since we last talked, I wish it was under better circumstances,” Celestia said.

“Me too, come on, I should get things moving with our investigation,” Dusk said walking into the castle with Celestia by his side.

“Huh? Celestia!” Everypony present curtsied, except Discord.

“Hello my friends, come let us get down to business,” Celestia said.

“Yes, we were currently searching for Blitz when we found evidence of what happened,” Dusk said.

“Let me see it,” Celestia said.

Dusk gave Celestia the hair and glass with the drug on it.

“Thank you,” Celestia said before using her horn to scan it and she found trace bits of what was used, after a few moments of scanning she turned to the group.

“I see, the mare who did this was definitely Petunia, we ran a case against her for her actions a year ago and we were sure she was gone, it seems she used homemade drugs to poison Blitz,” Celestia said.

“We know that,” AJ said.

“She must be somewhere nearby, we need to find out where, however, was there anypony who encountered her when she first got here?” Celestia asked.

“I don’t know,” Dusk said.

“We need to ask around, somepony must have been there when she arrived on the train,” Celestia said.

“Ok, fan out guys, we need to ask around for anypony who saw her,” Dusk said and the group nodded.

“I will remain here to see if we can glean more intel from the evidence,” Celestia said.

"I'll help," Discord said.

“Ok, Rainbow is counting on us, let’s hurry!” Dusk said as the group left the castle.

Everypony in the group went around town asking various ponies if they saw who arrived on the train.

Dusk and Barb asked the train conductor about the schedule but apparently, he was on break during the last train schedule, but he did say he noticed a blue mare carrying a sack on the train.

AJ and Elusive asked ponies around the town but many ponies didn’t know.

“Ah don’t get it, how did she slip into town and nopony noticed her?” AJ asked.

“I have no idea,” Elusive said before wincing as his shoulder throbbed.

“You ok there partner?” AJ asked.

“Y-yes, I’d rather not talk about it for the moment,” Elusive said before moving on.

“Blitz needs us, where did you see….” Elusive heard Barbra’s voice and he turned but didn’t see her.

“Odd?... am I hearing things?” Elusive asked.

Butterscotch had entered Sugarcube Corner and to his surprise and lack thereof he saw Berry had set up a bulletin board detailing Blitz’s possible whereabouts.

“So you knew?” Butters asked.

“Yeah, I’ve been canvasing the area and no sign of him,” Berry said.

“We could use your help then, if anypony can find a distressed friend it’s you,” Butterscotch said.

“I will, an independent investigation, trust me!” Berry said ushering Butters out.

“But Berry!” Butterscotch said but Berry closed the door.

“...I hope he knows what he’s doing,” Butters said before leaving.

AJ walked through town before he bumped into another pony.

“Scuse me,” AJ said.

“Oh hey, fancy seeing you here!” Thunderstrike said.

“Huh?” AJ turned to see his potential marefriend.

“Where were you? I was waiting at Sugarcube Corner all day,” Thunder asked with crossed arms.

“Oh…” AJ said having forgotten their ‘date’ “Sorry but ah needed to take care of somethin,” AJ said.

“Like?” Thunder asked.

“It’ll be hard to hear this but Rainbow Blitz has been kidnapped by some crazy mare named Petunia,” AJ said seriously.

“....What?...” Thunderstrike said in shock.

“Yeah, ah’m asking around if anypony seen a blue and reddish pink mare,” AJ said.

“....B-blue?... Pink… Oh sweet Celestia…” Thunderstrike said paling.

“What?” AJ asked.

“I saw a mare like that! She’s the one who helped me set up our date!” Thunderstrike exclaimed.

“What?!” AJ exclaimed.

“I swear I didn’t know she was Petunia, she had a blonde coat when I last saw her, I met her at the train station and she offered to help me ‘get my colt if I help her get hers’ I swear I didn’t know,” Thunderstrike defended.

“You met her at the station?” AJ said.,

“Yeah,” Thunder replied.

“Follow me, Celestia needs ta hear this,” AJ said.

“Celestia’s here?! I’m… not in trouble am I?” Thunderstrike asked nervously.

“No, but you could provide valuable info,” AJ said.

“O-ok,” Thunderstrike said following him as they ran off to tell the others.

Blitz woke up feeling sore all over.

“Ooohh… what happened?...” Blitz asked only to realize he was still in the attic.

Petunia was in a corner showering off from a hose in a corner.

“Oh hello Blitz, glad your awake,” Petunia said as she walked over to him.

“What did you do to me?” Blitz demanded.

“Oh I forgot to mention that I also laced some of that soup with a slow acting tranqualizer, so you’ll be a bit sluggish, after all I plan to make sure we have fun all day every day, by the way, you really had your way with me earlier,” She giggled.

“What?!” Blitz demanded.

“The aphrodisiac silly, we had so much fun, well when you were conscious at least, but soon we can do this everyday when we’re off the radar, then that pesky Prince and your friends can’t get between us ever again!” She smiled creepily.

“For the last time lady, I hate you, let me go!” Blitz said.

“Oh your harsh words just make me want you more and more, by the way, have you tried my newest concoction?” She asked presenting a sandwich to him.

“No way am I eating what you make!” Blitz snapped.

“So be it, I’ll leave it here in case you get hungry,” She shrugged “I’ll have to hurry and get you out of here by Monday anyways, being that an investigation is likely underway," Petunia said.

"Where even are we?" Blitz asked.

"My safehouse, hidden where I live, it’s our love den, and you will be my toy for life, seeing as how you cruelly started rejecting me over and over again,” She said bitterly.

“That’s only because you went crazy and couldn’t learn boundaries!” Blitz said only to be smacked.

“It’s clear I need to break you down some more, here… try this instead… I made it myself,” Petunia said presenting Blitz with a pink liquid.

“Eff off lady! I won’t drink-” Petunia responded by punching him in the gut and while he doubled over she grabbed his mouth forced the beaker in and tilted his head back and he swallowed it.

“AGH!” Blitz spat and tried to cough it up but he began to feel dizzy “What… diished…. Yoush… give me…?” Blitz said.

“I call it Love Blitz, it’s like a highly addictive drug, and tranquilizer rolled into one! Now… your mine…” Petunia smiled sinisterly.

“Shtop….” Blitz wheezed as he found himself unable to resist.

“All mine…. Mine…” She whispered as she climbed onto him.

“And that’s it…” Thunderstrike said while trembling, everypony was gathered back in the lobby area of the castle and Thunderstrike finished her recalling of events to Celestia.

“This… is hard to hear…” Celestia said.

“I’m not going to jail am I?” Thunderstrike asked.

“No, if anything your intel should prove quite helpful in locating Rainbow Blitz,” Celestia said “Tell again which station she arrived at and where she was going last you saw?” Celestia asked.

“She said she was going out of town after her visit with her ‘coltfriend’ she didn’t say where, but I saw her get on the boading for…. What was it again?...” Thunderstrike wondered.

“Dig deep, we need to find him,” Celestia said.

“Come on! You gotta remember!” Soarin said audibly stressed.

“Calm yourself Soarin,” Celestia said.

“...River Stead…. That’s where she was going...” Thunderstrike said.

“We don’t know if she’s still there, but we need to look, guards!” Celestia turned to her guards.

“We must get looking in River Stead, Go ahead of me, and search every inch of that town, a stallion's life is at stake,” Celestia said.

“I’m going too!” Soarin said.

“No, you aren’t,” Celestia said.

“WHAT?! He’s my coltfriend!” Soarin complained.

“You're too close to this case emotionally, we can’t risk Petunia recognizing you and fleeing the town with Blitz,” Celestia said.

“I don’t care if you're the princess! I’m going!” Soaring said before Dusk held her back.

“We got this, Soarin, please, just stay behind,” Dusk said.

“But-” Soarin said.

“We’ll find him, I promise,” Butterscotch said.

“....I… please… just get him back,” Soarin said with tears in her eyes as she turned and walked away.

“Let’s go! Time is of the essence,” Celestia said.

“Should I come?” Thunder asked.

“No, you’ve done enough,” AJ said.

“...I don’t like Blitz, but I don’t want to be the reason he ends up a cold case,” Thunder said before turning to AJ.

“Look, I know we didn’t get our date, but… be careful ok?” Thunderstrike gave AJ a quick peck on the lips.

AJ’s eyes widened and he found himself blushing a little as she walked away.

“Alright, now let us work on strategy,” Celestia said.

“Strategy?” Dusk parroted.

“River Stead is a series of towns in the northern part of Equestria, we need to hit each town in teams,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Dusk said and the others closed in to hear their roles.

“Barbra, you and Elusive take the northern part, Applejack you and Butterscotch take the eastern, Berry, Dusk you both take the western, and I will search the southern, we work and search everywhere,” Celestia said before leading the others out of the castle to the chariots.

“Ok!” Everypony said.

“The guards will aid by watching the exit borders, making sure she doesn’t leave, if she’s there,” Celestia said.

“And if we’re wrong?” Butterscotch nervously said.

“....Then Blitz will be lost,” Celestia said quietly.

“Then failure ain’t an option,” Applejack said.

“....More….” Blitz croaked, he was dizzy, he had been abused and taken for hours, and he felt thirsty… and for some reason, water didn’t cut it anymore… just that… ‘Love Blitz’ stuff.

“Oh you want more? Say please,” She taunted dangling the juice in front of him.

“More…please…” He grunted as he tried to grab it.

“Now beg, like a dog,” She said with a sadistic smile.

He hardened his expression and leaped at her but the chains held him back.

“Oh naughty naughty, that’s not how dogs beg,” Petunia snickered.

“Give it! I…I’m so thirsty…” Blitz said.

“Then beg,” She said.

Blitz felt utterly humiliated but he got down and begged with his hands raised like a dog.

“Good boy!” She chuckled and she handed it to him and Blitz downed it in one gulp, immediately he fell on his back looking dazed.

“Now you get the true nature of our relationship, keep me happy, and I’ll keep you happy,” Petunia said.

“...More…” He murmured.

“Let’s try dog with belly rubs now,” She said getting another bottle.

“We’ve arrived!” Celestia said, landing at the edge of River Stead, rain poured down around them as the group exited the chariots.

“Let’s get movin then!” Applejack said and the group gathered at their designated areas.

“Good luck to you all, if you find Blitz, alert the guards!” Celestia called after them.

In the northern part of River Stead, Barbra sniffed the air for Blitz’s familiar scent.

“Barbra dear, do you think you’ll be able to pick up his scent out here while it is raining?” Elusive asked.

“It’s our only hope,” Barb said.

“It’s rather cloudy out, I do wonder if we can locate him in this weather,” Elusive asked.

“We gotta try!” Barb said as she sniffed around the pathways in the town.

Some ponies stared at the searching dragoness and Elusive shoo’d them away.

“Nothing to see here, official investigation is in motion,” Elusive said.

Butterscotch took to the air and flew around looking for any sign of the rainbow-colored mane of his closest friend.

“Blitz! If you can hear me call out!” Butterscotch called.

Meanwhile, Applejack questioned the ponies on the ground and asked them if they saw a specific mare.

Most said no, but one didn’t.

“Wait… blue coat and pinkish-red mane? I think I saw a mare who matches that description,” A stallion said.

“Yeah?” AJ said.

“She’s a cotton candy salesperson over by the wharf.” The stallion said before going into thought “Or was that a different pony…” He wondered.

“Never mind,” AJ said not wanting the guessing games to go on.

Berry popped in and out of various hiding spots looking around for his friend.

Dusk meanwhile made a cursory scan for Blitz’s magic signature.

“Blitz!” Berry called out as ponies just stared at his antics.

“Careful Berry! We don’t want her knowing we’re searching for him,” Dusk warned Berry.

“We can’t worry too much about that, we got coverage!” Berry said before jumping in a trashcan and coming out of a chimney on a nearby roof.

“BLIIIIITZ!” Berry called.

Dusk sighed at Berry’s obliviousness.

Celestia and a squad of guards searched through the southern part of town.

They questioned multiple ponies and none of them saw a blue mare with a red mane.

“Where is he?” Celestia said before walking to another pony to question.

The group searched for hours but found nothing so they met up at the chariot again.

“Please tell me you found something,” Celestia asked.

“A whole lotta nothing,” Berry said his mane limp.

“I failed in locating him,” Elusive said.

The others just shook their heads.

“I don’t get it! Where did she hide Blitz? I ran a cursory search of practically the whole town and no sign of her!” Dusk hit the side of the chariot in frustration.

“We were unable to locate him… I fear what this could mean…” Celestia said looking sad she couldn’t find him.

“We need to find him, let’s look through the town again and-”

“In our dreams… we searched everywhere!” Barb threw her hands up.

“We can’t give up-... dreams…. Wait a minute… I GOT IT!” Dusk said and he conjured a paper and quill.

“What? What did you think of my student?” Celestia asked.

“If we can’t find him physically then we can find him via his dreams!” Dusk said.

“You don’t mean… Of course! I will send the message,” Celestia said.

Dusk finished writing out his message and handed it to Celestia and she sent it.

“Ok, now use a sleeping spell on me,” Dusk said.

“Why?” Celestia said.

“No time to explain, do it!” Dusk said.

“...Very well,” Celestia charged a spell and shot Dusk with it and he fell back, Barbra catching him.

“Why did he need that?” Barb asked.

“I do not know but I trust my student's judgment,” Celestia said.

Dusk and Luna flew through the dream realm, Luna seemed to have gotten the message quickly and she picked Dusk up from a dream.

“Why did you need to come with me?” Luna asked.

“So I can inform the others of Blitz’s location, now we need to find him, hopefully he’s not awake,” Dusk said.

“Agreed, give me a moment,” Luna said and she lit her horn and searched… and she pointed a distorted-looking dream “There!” Luna said and they flew into it.

They arrived in what appears to be a room resembling a prison cell. They looked around and saw Blitz chained against a wall asleep.

“Blitz! Blitz! Wake up!” Dusk said as he ran over to Rainbow Blitz, who looked up at him wearily.

“Duuusk….” Blitz slurred.

Dusk gasped a little at the poor state he was in, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days, his eyes were bloodshot and he was covered in welts.

“Where are you… I’ll tear that mare apart for this!” Dusk’s eyes lit up but Luna calmed him by putting her hand on his shoulder and she walked past him.

“Rainbow Blitz, we are looking for you to save you, but we need something, anything, is there something you can tell us about where you are, anything?” Luna asked.

“P-Putenia… she’ll punish me…” Blitz wheezed “I need more…” Blitz begged.

“Please, Blitz. If there’s anything you can tell us, a sound, a sight, anything,” Dusk said.

“....Pretzel cart….” Blitz whispered.

“What?” Dusk asked.

“Elaborate,” Luna demanded.

“A jingle, every two hours, can hear it through a window outside my room… two mare voices downstairs, and somepony shouting “Yeah! Pretzel time!… or some stupid thing like that…” Blitz said.

“Yeah?.... Pretzel time… a jingle… wait…. Oh no…” Dusk said.

“What?” Luna asked.

“Send me back to the waking world! Time is of the essence,” Dusk demanded.

“O-ok,” Luna tapped Dusk and he flew out of the dream realm.

Dusk shot up gasping and he looked around before turning to his friends.

“Did you find-”

“We need to go back to Ponyville! He was never here!” Dusk said.

“What?!” Everypony said at the same time.

“But Thunderstrike-” AJ said.

“She lied!” Dusk shouted.

“What?!” AJ said in shock.

“What do you mean?” Celestia said.

“I’ll tell you on the way,” Dusk said.

Blitz woke up with a start when he saw Petunia entering the room.

“Please… let me go…” Blitz begged.

“Oh no more fire in your tone? Not as sexy, but trade-off’s I suppose,” Petunia shrugged off before approaching “I have good news!” She cheered.

“Your-”

“No, I’m not releasing you, we’re moving!” She said.

“What? Y-you said that was-”

“A few days later, but it seems its been given a big shove into now, especially since your stupid friends involved the princesses, so now we gotta get moving, thankfully I got somepony to throw them through a loop,” Petunia gestured to somepony entering.

“....No…” Blitz said.

“...I’m sorry Blitz… I’m so sorry…” Thunderstrike said with a sob.

“HOW COULD YOU!?” Blitz screamed at her.

“She was going to kill Rumble if I didn’t pretend and send everypony away! I didn’t have a choice!” Thunderstrike said.

“You did your part, go collect the brat and leave, but know I will escape the moment things go south, so no telling, and the first one I’ll kill when I come back is your kid brother,” Petunia threatened.

“...Ok…” Thunderstrike said.

“Thunder…” Blitz said before turning his rage on Petunia “You monster! Why involve a kid in this!?” Blitz demanded.

“Insurance, don’t you love that everypony becomes more agreeable when something they care about is threatened?” Petunia laughed.

“...I’m sorry Blitz…” Thunderstrike said before turning to leave.

“No! Don’t leave me!” Blitz shouted but Thunderstrike disappeared down the steps.

“Now, just to keep you complacent and get you out of here before your friends figure it out, have some more,” Petunia produced more Love Blitz.

Blitz’s fear vanished and his attention shrank to his new addiction and he tried to grab it.

Petunia kept it out of his reach for a little bit before giving it to him and he guzzled it down and collapsed looking content.

“Highly addictive, makes for highly agreeable too,” Petunia said before pulling out another sack and moving to put Blitz in it.

The group didn’t even wait for the carriages to stop before exiting and running out into Ponyville.

“Ok! Everypony, we’re looking for Bulk Biceps in five minutes exact, if things go correctly we’ll find Blitz,” Dusk said as he took to the air.

“Guards! Spread out!” Celestia ordered and the guards did so

"Discord! Keep on the outskirts near the forest! Just in case she tries to run that way!" Dusk strategized and Discord nodded before heading off in that direction.

“We got you Blitz!” Berry called as he ran into the crowd.

Butterscotch and Barbra ran around town, they ran past Quills & Sofas and looked around.

“Barbra! Is it time?” Butterscotch asked.

“Yes!” Barbra said and they paused and looked around.

“Where is he?!” Barbra asked… before her keen dragon ears picked up on something. “Huh?” Barbra listened closely… and heard a jingle of a food cart.

“Follow me!” Barbra ran down an alleyway and they rounded the corner narrowly avoiding a mare pulling a cart with supplies.

“Hey!” She shouted.

“Sorry mam!” Butters called as he made his way past several more ponies.

“Over there!” Barbra pointed and they saw Bulk Biceps walking by a house.

“YEAH! Pretzel time! Get your own fresh pretzels today!” Bulk called out to the crowd.

“It’s here!” Barbra said and she ran up to Bulk.

“Huh? Sheesh, you want a pretzel that bad?” Bulk asked with a chuckle.

“Bulk! It’s a matter of life and death, do you come by this area every two hours?

“Sure, I go where the crowds are,” Bulk said with a shrug.

“Then it’s here… Bulk! Is there a red and blue mare living in this area, have you seen anything?” Barb asked.

“Well actually yes, she comes out only once every few hours, mostly to get food, she even bought a pretzel from me,” Bulk said.

“Where?” Barbra asked.

“In that house,” Bulk pointed at a gray house across from them “Why?” Bulk asked.

“Bulk you're a lifesaver!” Butterscotch said.

“Thanks,” Bulk said still a little confused as the two ran up to the house.

“Should we alert the others?” Butterscotch asked.

“No time, we gotta hurry!” Barbra said before kicking the door open.

It was empty… no furniture or stuff.

“Look around for an attic,” Barb said as they ran upstairs and searched the empty rooms.

Butterscotch walked around and paused when he smelt something…. He looked up and saw an attic door.

“Barbra! I found it!” Butterscotch said.

“Ok!” Barbra ran in and saw Butterscotch pulling it down and the stairs unfolded.

They carefully went up the stairs and peeked into the dark room.

“Rainbow Blitz?” Butterscotch carefully asked.

Barbra was ready to breathe fire the moment somepony jumped out… instead…

There was nothing…

“What?!” Barbra exclaimed as they went into the room, they saw blood on the walls and other stuff.

“What did she do to him…” Butterscotch whimpered.

“We must have missed her… but where?!” Barbra thought Butterscotch tried to think as well… and then he thought back to the mare toting the supplies in the cart…

She was going towards the train station when all carts are generally taken to the market, which is in the opposite direction, he didn’t think of it sooner but… maybe…

“We ran past her…” Butters said in shock.

“What?” Barb asked.

“Barbra! We need to hurry! She’s trying to leave Ponyville!” Butterscotch shouted and he ran down the stairs and towards the door, Barbra following close behind.

“Where do you think she is!?” Barbra asked.

“The train! There was a cart headed for the train area!” Butterscotch said as he took off into the air.

The mare approached the train and the pony at the train station stopped her.

“Sorry mam, no carts beyond this point, you’ll have to run your stuff through the checkout area,” The stallion said.

“You don’t understand sir, I’m in a desperate hurry,” Petunia whispered harshly.

“Sorry, but it’s protocol,” The earth pony said.

“How about dying, is that on your protocol?” Petunia said drawing a knife and holding it to his neck.

“Whoa!” The stallion backed up.

“If you value your life, get this train moving,” Petunia said before grabbing the sack with Blitz in it.

“B-but we’re still boarding-”

“NOW!” Petunia yelled swiping at him.

“Ok! Ok!” The stallion said before running into the train and Petunia entered as well.

The stallion got on the radio and spoke “A thousand pardons, b-but due to complications we’re taking off now, sorry for the inconvenience,” The stallion said before the knife was put to his throat.

“Now…” She said venomously.

“That will be all…” The stallion shivered before activating the train and setting it to take off immediately.

“W-where too?” He asked.

“Somewhere far from here, where the princesses will never find us,” Petunia said.

“O-ok…” The stallion said.

Butterscotch and Barbra flew through the air, Barbra riding on Butters's back.

“THERE!” Barbra pointed and Butterscotch saw the train taking off much to the chagrin of the ponies at the station.

“We have to catch that train!” Barbra said.

“Ok!” Butterscotch said as he swooped down

Dusk flew high up in the air and he saw Butterscotch and Barbra in the air and he wondered why they were flying out of Ponyville, and then he saw they were chasing a train.

“Oh no… I have to help!” Dusk said before flying as fast as he could after the out-of-control train.

Butterscotch and Barbra flew after the train, thankfully the train hadn’t picked up enough speed yet so they had a chance and they swooped down and landed on the roof.

“Ooof!” They grunted.

“I got it!” Barbra crawled over to the nearest train car and climbed down, helping Butters do the same.

Petunia heard the two land on the train and she turned.

“Sonofa… keep this train moving, or your next,” Petunia threatened.

“Ok! Ok… just don’t kill me,” The train conductor begged.

“Good,” Petunia said before entering the previous cart.

Barb slowly opened the train cart and looked in carefully.

“Anypony there?” Butterscotch asked.

“No… it’s too quiet…” Barbra said as they entered the cart, they slowly made their way through and checked every possible hiding spot.

“Be ready for a fight Butters… I get the feeling she won’t let Blitz go without one,” Barbra said.

“Ok,” Butters said tensely.

They made their way into the next train cart and looked around, no sign… next cart none… but they remained ready as ever.

As they went up to the conductor's room however they had a feeling she was there, they opened the door slowly and… it was just the train conductor and a sack.

“Huh? Oh thank Celestia! Help me!” The conductor said turning to them.

“What happened?” Barbra asked, not noticing a luggage cabinet opening..

“A psycho mare tried to hijack the train and I… LOOK OUT!” He cried and they spun to see Petunia behind them with a knife in hand and she swung to stab one of them and they both dodged to the side to avoid it.

“YOU!” Barbra cried.

“GET AWAY FROM MY BLITZ!” Petunia screamed as she lunged at Barbra who caught her swing and she breathed fire at her forcing her to get back.

“Let my friend go!” Butterscotch said moving in to grab her but Petunia elbowed him and vaulted him onto the floor.

“Drop dead! He’s mine!” Petunia swung her knife for Butterscotch’s head but Barbra tackled her into another seat.

Dusk flew after the train but the train was going at unsafe max speeds and Dusk knew they would derail at this point.

“I have to do something!” Dusk said before seeing in the window near the front Barbra being thrown against the window and Petunia grabbing her by the neck.

“BARBRA!” Dusk called before deciding to attack, so he charged up a shot and fired it at the train hitting the side of it and causing commotion inside.

“Ooof!” Butterscotch grunted as he impacted the side of the train and Petunia stumbled out of the seat she was strangling Barbra in.

“NO!” Petunia screamed and she crawled and grabbed her knife before getting up, she turned and saw Barbra getting up and she moved to finish the dragoness off.

“Get away from her!” Butterscotch shouted and he jumped onto her back and grabbed her hand that had the knife.

“GET OFF!” Petunia swung her other arm around and Barbra got up and saw the conductor frantically taking cover and dropping the shovel he uses for coal.

Barbra ran forward and grabbed it.

“I SAID GET OFF!” Petunia shouted and she used her wings to throw herself back against the wall hard and Butterscotch grunted in pain and fell to the ground.

Petunia spun and raised the knife.

“Blitz is mine! Go to hell all of you!” Petunia screamed as she swung the knife down and Butterscotch caught it and tried to hold it back but she was surprisingly strong despite her frame.

The knife was getting closer to Butterscotch's chest and just when it was going to enter Petunia was hit in the head with a shovel.

“AGH!” Petunia stumbled to the ground.

“Barb!” Butterscotch said happily.

“Give us our friend back you maniac!” Barbra shouted as Petunia got to her hooves and she swung the shovel again and Petunia dodged back and swung her knife which Barb dodged.

Suddenly the train rocked as another of Dusk’s blasts hit the side of the train.

“Whoa!” They both stumbled but Barb recovered quicker and struck her hand with the shovel making her drop the knife.

Barb swung again but Petunia caught the shovel and held it back, before swinging it back into Barbra’s face.

Barb hit the ground groaning and Petunia swung the shovel down, Barbra blocked it with her arms as Petunia tried to beat her to death with the shovel.

Petunia then turned the shovel downwards and got ready to plunge it into Barbra.

“No!” Butterscotch tried to get up but he wouldn’t get there in time.

Petunia gave a shout as she plunged it down, only for the train to rock again as Dusk shot the train again and she stumbled.

You stupid alicor-” Petunia was about to shout at Dusk before Butterscotch successfully rammed her and she stumbled forward and fell over.

“Are you ok?” Butterscotch asked.

‘Yeah,” Barbra said as she got up and they turned to the psycho pony who was gone.

“Where did-”

“HELP!” The voice of the conductor cried and they turned to see her in the conductor's room, exiting the room with him, holding a secondary knife to his throat.

“Let him go,” Butterscotch demanded.

“No! I’m not gonna let you take him away from me!” Petunia snarled.

“Why? Why are you like this? Why are you hurting so many ponies just to get Blitz?” Barbra demanded.

“I love him, I love him more then life itself! He’s the ONLY one who made me feel like a mare and not a hopeless filly!” She growled.

“Is this love?! You’ve kidnapped him, hurt him, used him against his will! That’s not love that’s psychosis! You need help Petunia!” Butterscotch pleaded.

“Shut up! SHUT UP! Get off this train or the train conductor gets it!” She threatened, not noticing something behind her.

“Ok! Ok! We’ll leave, just please let us take-” Butterscotch tried to plead with her but she interrupted.

“NOW! GET OFF THIS TRAIN AND CALL OFF YOUR ALICORN FRIEND NOW! OR HE DIES!” Petunia yelled.

THAWCK!

Petunia stumbled forward onto the ground with a yelp of pain as something rammed her from behind and she and the conductor hit the ground.

“Huh?!” The two were surprised to see Blitz there, looking dazed and weak but like a zombie he lurched at her and before Petunia could get up he pounced on her and grabbed her neck.

“Blitz!” Butterscotch said in surprise before noticing he was actively trying to kill her.

“Bl-Blitz… stop…. I love you…” She choked.

“I hate you…. I hate you!..... GIVE IT TO ME!” Blitz began throttling her harder and Butterscotch ran over and managed to pull the crazed stallion off of her.

“Blitz! Stop!” Butterscotch cried and Blitz angrily kicked her as he was dragged away.

“Give it… to me…. I need more….” Blitz whimpered.

“Blitz?... What did she do to you?...” Butterscotch held his friend closely and Blitz just started crying.

“Barbra! Butterscotch!” They heard Dusk calling from outside and Barbra ran to the window and waved at Dusk and gave him a thumbs up.

Dusk nodded and he flew back.

Petunia coughed some more and struggled to her knees “Blitz… you tried to kill me?.... I thought you loved me!” She cried.

“HE HAS EVERY REASON TO HATE YOU!” Butterscotch yelled at her.

“What?” She asked looking like she didn’t understand.

“Your warped visions of love may have broken him for good!” Butterscotch sobbed hugging his friend.

“B-but I-”

“SHUT UP!” Barb yelled and Petunia turned only to get punched in the face by Barbra and knocked out.

“Sir?...” Barbra panted.

“Y-Yeah?...” The conductor asked.

“Stop this train…” She ordered.

“O-ok!” The conductor turned and ran and got to work on slowing and then stopping the train.

It took awhile but with the conductor's help, the train was put back in Ponyville station.

Ponies gathered around and saw the guards going into the train and helping the ponies out of there.

Butterscotch and Barbra exited the train looking a little banged up but alright otherwise.

The ponies cheered for them but they kept walking.

The ponies quieted and gasped when they saw a familiar blue stallion being escorted out in a blanket.

He just kept shivering and mumbling as they took him out of there.

They then turned to see the mare responsible being carted out in handcuffs.

“LET ME GO! HE’S MINE! MINE! We-we just hit a snafu, we’re still deeply in love! LET US BE TOGETHER!” Petunia screamed.

The ponies looked on in disgust for the twisted pony and as the group was being escorted to Celestia a pony came out of the crowd.

“Blitz? Please tell me he’s alright!” Soarin asked.

“S-Soarin! Y-You shouldn’t see, right now he’s-” Butterscotch tried to explain but Soarin shoved past him and came up to Blitz who looked at her with widened eyes.

“Blitz?” Soarin asked with tears in her eyes, seeing the condition he was in.

“....More…” He turned away and mumbled.

“What?” Soarin asked.

Suddenly Blitz turned and grabbed her by her shirt surprising her.

“GIVE IT TO ME! I feel like I’m dying without it! GIVE IT TO ME!” Blitz shouted.

“Blitz! Stop! Your scaring me!” Soarin cried.

“Blitz! Stop!” Butterscotch managed to pry him off of her and he shrunk back mumbling some more.

“Blitz… what did she-” Soarin was crying now when they heard psychotic laughter and they turned to see Petunia on the ground having broken free from the guards and she was trying to scoot towards Blitz.

“Hear that Soarin! He doesn’t love you anymore! Just what I was giving him! And you can have more if you get me out of here! Promise!” She yelled to him.

“More?...” Blitz turned to her and tried to run to her but he was grabbed by Applejack who held the broken stallion back.

“Stop Blitz! She’s trying to trick you!” AJ said frantically.

Seeing this Soarin’s temper boiled over and she screamed in anger.

“YOU MONSTER!” Soarin yelled and she jumped on Petunia and began punching her repeatedly until the guards were able to pry her off.

“STOP!” A thundering voice echoed through the area and they all turned to see the princesses approaching.

“More….” Blitz whimpered.

“Guards, get him to the hospital and treat him, he’s suffering from clear withdrawal symptoms,” Luna ordered.

“Yes, princess,” The guard said before they grouped up and dragged Blitz off.

The princesses approached Petunia who looked up with her bruised eyes and bloody lip and she chuckled nervously.

“Take this maniac to the Canterlotian dungeons… we’ll deal with her later,” Celestia ordered.

The guards grouped up and dragged the now limp Petunia away.

“Everypony, I imagine it will be hard but go on with your day, there is nothing to see here any more,” Celestia ordered.

The ponies numbly nodded and walked away.

Celestia and Luna walked over to the group who looked very upset over everything that just happened.

“Celestia… give it to us straight… will he ever be the same?” Applejack asked.

“Only time will tell,” Celestia said.

“For now, let us tend to him, we’ll find the best caregivers we can to help him,” Luna said.

“...Ok…” Dusk said sadly.

“If anything we owe the saving of Blitz to you all, thank you,” Celestia said.

“Did we save him?... Or just his shell,” Butterscotch sniffed.

“Again, time will tell,” Luna said “Now go and rest, you all will need it,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” The group nodded before taking their leave.

Barbra however saw one pony not leaving… Soarin who was holding the blanket Blitz dropped and crying.

Barbra wanted to approach Soarin but Celestia stopped her.

“We’ll talk with her, and reassure her the best we can,” Celestia said.

Barb looked sad but she walked home with her head low.

The next few weeks would be the hardest of our groups new lives…

Healing Blitz

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

The sad part about dragon pony relationships

Elusive laid in bed, looking ill.

“Hmm…” Elusive sighed as he felt his stomach growl again, he’d been unusually hungry too, but for some reason, he wanted... gems?... Odd… very very odd…

“It is a shame indeed that I am not a dragon, at least then I could sate this strange craving I have,” Elusive mumbled.

“Like I said, we can always ask Dusk what we should do,” Barb said as she took the wet rag off of Elusive’s forehead and went to go rinse it.

“I am starting to wonder as well dear, perhaps Dusk Shine can help,” Elusive said.

“Alright then, I’ll head his way after the soup is ready,” Barb said before Elusive coughed loudly again.

“Oooohh…” Elusive groaned miserably.

“It’s odd, we called Nurse Redheart over the other day she said she’s never seen this set of symptoms in one illness or such strange cravings, makes me wonder if you caught something from me,” Barb questioned.

“I doubt it, dragons don’t usually get sick in the first place, and I cannot imagine many illnesses they catch can transfer to ponies,” Elusive before he sneezed loudly.

Barb felt his forehead and gasped a little.

“Elusive, your burning up, more than before, that cinches it, I need to get you some professional help,” Barb said.

“Oh alright, I suppose my illness needs attention asap,” Elusive said.

DING

“Hmm? The soups ready, wait here Elusive,” Barb said.

“Alright dear…” Elusive groaned.

Barbra went down the stairs and saw Sweetie Belle in the kitchen making some burnt toast.

“Hey Barbra, you think Elusive likes his toast this burnt?” Sweetie asked.

“Yeeeah, maybe just pitch those, I know my stallion and he likes brown toast,” Barb said.

“Ok, your really getting into this marefriend role,” Sweetie said as Barb poured some soup in a bowl.

“Well… I love him,” Barbra said with a blush.

Elusive groaned as he laid in bed, looking like he was struggling to not vocalize his discomfort.

“Where is she…?” Elusive said before hearing her voice as if in his head.

“Well… I love him,”

“Barbra?” Elusive looked around but didn’t see her “Great, I’m hallucinating now….” Elusive said.

“I honestly hope things work out, you two make such a cute couple,” Sweetie said.

“Indeed,” Barb said “Well, I gotta get this soup back up to Elusive,” Barbra said.

“Ok!” Sweetie said before walking away.

Dusk made his preparations, he was going to ask Barbra to send another message, but she got called over to Elusive’s as his friend had fallen under the weather.

He wanted to come with, honest, but Elusive didn’t want to risk infecting his friends with… whatever he had.

So, to rectify this, while he’s in Canterlot he’ll ask Luna about any remedies she knows of for Elusive's conditions.

Blitz has been doing better since the Petunia incident, he’s practically back to his normal self, Blitz revealed his engagement to Soarin and asked him to keep it quiet until he’s ready to reveal it to everypony.

This… has left Dusk conflicted, if he finds a cure for their gender situation… does this mean the wedding is off?... Blitz would hate him for it…

Dusk decided he’d mull it over with Luna, for now he has to get moving.

Dusk approached the door and opened it.

Before having his face knocked upon like a door.

“Ow!” Dusk grunted and he looked to see it was the last pony he thought he’d see… or dragon…

“Oh hey, sorry about that,” Ember said amusedly.

“Huh? Ember? What are you doing here?” Dusk asked.

“Am I not allowed to visit my friend Barbra while I happen to be investigating?” Ember asked with a raised brow.

“What? No, I mean yes, I mean… Investigating what?” Dusk said getting turned around.

“A mysterious marking event, I need to find the poor sap whose been marked before they literally die,” Ember said getting serious all of a sudden.

“What? Marking? Death? What are you talking about?” Dusk asked.

“I’m talking about mating stuff, a dragon mating occurred and I need to bless it before the marking causes the dragon who was marked to literally burst into flames,” Ember said.

“The more you explain it the more confused I am… Mating? There is only one dragon in Ponyville, how do you know it isn’t one of the dragons in the dragon lands?” Dusk asked.

“I’ve spent a week asking around and searching and any dragons who needed a Dragon Lord blessing don’t match the marking that I was alerted of, so I started searching outside the dragonlands, and I’m still not having any luck, The Bloodstone Scepter pointed me here, and we’re running out of time,” Ember said.

“...Wait… how is this ‘marking’ done?” Dusk asked.

“No time, do you or don’t you know where Barb is?” Ember asked.

“She’s with Elusive,” Dusk said.

“Oh great, that pony she loves, I honestly don’t see them working out if you ask me,” Ember said turning to leave.

“Well actually they started dating a little over a week ago,” Dusk said.

“...What?” Ember turned to look at him with surprise.

“...Yeah… they did, are you alright?” Dusk asked.

“They started dating? Please tell me they haven’t conceived yet!” Ember said looking a mix of concerned and angry.

“No they, to my knowledge, haven’t… don’t tell me your opposed to their relationship Ember, I thought you were better than that,” Dusk said.

“Dusk! You don’t understand! Their in danger!” Ember said before running off.

“What?” Dusk said before looking at the running Dragoness “I don’t know what’s happening but I need to find out…” Dusk looked back at his luggage and sighed before running off to follow the dragoness.

“Uuugh…” Elusive coughed heavily.

‘Elusive please! Just try to hold on,” Barb said worriedly.

“I didn’t think he’d puke up the soup you gave him,” Sweetie said cleaning it up.

“That does it, I’m alerting the hospital and Dusk, his fever is off the charts!” Barbra said worriedly.

“I…ugh….it hurts…” Elusive whimpered.

“I’ll be right back, just watch him, Sweetie,” Barbra said before running out of the room.

“Ok! Hurry!” Sweetie called.

Barbra ran to the door and she opened it before dashing forward right into a tall blue figure.

“Ooof!” Both of them grunted as they tumbled.

“Sorry! I’m in a hurry- Ember?” Barbra looked surprised and helped Ember up.

“Barbra, where’s Elusive?” Ember asked seriously.

“Upstairs but why do you-” Barbra was cut off as Ember ran inside and she glanced at her running in “Ember!”

The two ran upstairs and Ember entered Elusive's bedroom.

“Whoa!” Sweetie stumbled back in surprise of the Dragoness’s entering the room.

“Ember? What are you doing?” Barb demanded.

Ember sniffed the air and nodded “It’s here,” Ember said before brandishing the Bloodstone Scepter.

“Ember!” Barbra said getting in front of Elusive “What is going on? Do you know?” Barbra demanded.

“Out of the way or your mate will die,” Ember said.

“What!?” Barbra said mistaking the warning as a threat.

“He’s dying Barb and If I don’t do something, your mate will literally die by immolation!” Ember shouted.

“He’ll what?...” Barb questioned before Ember pushed her aside and held the Scepter over him.

“Dravauga Noor Zegzeild,” Ember said as the scepter lit up and began sprinkling red magic all over Elusive and he glowed.

“What’s going on?” Barb asked.

“I Dragon Lord Ember approve of this mating, by heart and soul you two I bind!” The scepter glowed brightly and a small beam blasted both Barbra and Elusive in the chest.

“HUH?!” Barb gasped as she glowed as well and magic flowed out of her and into the Scepter and then into Elusive and he glowed as well. One more great flash overcame the room before everything dimmed and Ember panted before turning to Barbra.

“It is done, I arrived just in time,” Ember said.

“Elusive!” Barbra ran over to Elusive and saw that his fever and illness were gone and he looked like he was just peacefully sleeping now.

“You… healed him, thank you,” Sweetie cried hugging Elusive’s side.

“Leave him, he needs rest for now,” Ember said.

“O-ok,” Barbra pulled the covers over him and they went downstairs with the others.

And Dusk chose that time to pop in.

“What happened?! Did I make it in time?!” Dusk asked.

“Not to worry, I finished the process, your friend will wake up later feeling more refreshed than ever,” Ember said looking a little miffed.

“Ok, can you please explain why-”

SMACK

“AGH!” Barbra stumbled a little as Ember smacked her “What the hay was that for?!” Barb demanded.

“For mating with a pony! Do you not understand the implications?” She said harshly.

“What? That’s what your upset about? I didn’t think you were racist,” Barb said sounding upset.

“I’m not, I’m just certain that your hubby won’t like that he’s gonna live a dragon's lifespan now!” Ember snapped back.

“He’s-….what?” Barbra asked looking surprised.

“What?” Dusk and Sweetie looked just as surprised.

“What are you talking about?” Barbra asked.

“Tell me first, when you two were mating, did you bite him?” Ember asked.

“You mated with Elusive?!” Dusk looked shocked.

“Later! Answer now,” Ember demanded.

“....Yes… but I didn’t mean to, I lost control for some reason and I couldn’t stop, even when he was telling me to,” Barb said.

Ember pinched the bridge of her nose “There’s a reason ponies and dragons don’t mate, your just lucky he survived the bonding process, or even this long without my aid,” Ember said.

“What do you mean?” Barb asked.

“It’s because your still young, your only in the late years of your teenhood, and as a result, you couldn’t handle the surge of desire during a mating process and you inflicted a bite that injected your draconic DNA into Elusive, and because he’s a pony and not a fellow dragon the incubation time for the DNA was worse on him than with another dragon, now that he’s legally bonded with you via the Bloodstone Scepter your both mates for life,” Ember explained.

“...What… I don’t…” Barbra stepped back a little shell-shocked.

“What’s more, during the bonding the two dragons can mutually agree to share their soul energies to promote a long healthy relationship, because a ponies soul is weaker than a dragons he was unable to agree or disagree, he’s bonded to your soul now, and now he’ll live a loooong pony life,” Ember said.

“He will?... So… Elusive will live as long as I do?” Barb asked.

“No, he’ll live as many years as you would naturally as a dragon,” Ember said.

“That’s… a great thing right?... we can be together longer! And we can-” Barb was cut off as Ember sighed loudly.

“No, it isn’t! Tell me, can a pony really handle living that long? Dragons get used to it because dragons don’t generally forge lifelong relationships except with their partners like ponies do… Tell me, can Elusive handle watching his loved ones die one after another until he’s only got you?” Ember asked.

“...Oh….oh no…. Ember, please tell me there’s a way to-” Barbra attempted.

“No, there isn’t, you two are bonded at the soul now, you two will spend the rest of your lives together, at least until one of you dies,” Ember shook her head in disappointment at the situation.

“...No…. no! Ember, we need to do something! I can’t let Elusive spend the rest of his life losing his loved ones!” Barb said desperately.

“I can’t… I’m sorry,” Ember said.

“....Why didn’t you tell me sooner?...” Barbra sniffled.

“What?” Ember asked.

“If you had just told me I never would have pursued him!” Barbra said with tears in her eyes.

“I thought Celestia already told you things about being a dragon! How was I supposed to know your puppy love would become sexual?!” Ember snapped.

“...I never should have fallen in love with Rarity…” Barb said.

“Who’s Rarity?” Ember asked.

“Nevermind… if you’ll excuse me…” Barbra said before taking her leave.

“My brother… is gonna outlive me?...” Sweetie Belle asked looking shocked.

“No…” Dusk looked away, he already had to bear the burden of longevity, and now one of his friends was cursed with it too…

“I should go… now that my business is done with,” Ember said turning to leave.

“Wait… we need to talk,” Dusk asked.

“About?...” Ember questioned.

“About the future between those two, and… about teaching Barbra everything she needs to know,” Dusk said.

Barbra walked through town, staring numbly at the ground.

On one hand she had all the time in the world with Elusive, who is now apparently her soul-bonded mate.

On the other… he'll live his life making friends and then losing them to time…

“If only there was a way fix it,” Barbra sat down at the fountain and sat down sighing.

She didn’t hear the talking until she felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned to see Swiss Cheese and Red Gala.

“Huh?” Barb glanced at them.

“Hey Barby!” Swiss said.

“What are ya doin just sittin here,” Red Gala asked.

“...I messed something up so badly that I think I’ve effectively ruined someponies life…” Barb said.

“Huh?” Swiss glanced at Gala who shrugged and they approached and sat beside Barbra.

“Tell us about it,” Gala said.

“I… look it went like this…” Barb went on to explain the whole thing Ember explained.

At the end, the two mares looked like they had a grim understanding of the situation.

“Barb, it ain’t yer fault,” Red said.

“Yes it is, if I'd never-” Barb said but Swiss cut her off.

“No it isn't, like Ember said you are overwhelmed by emotions and lost control it was something natural you couldn't control,” Swiss said.

“Yeah, an you did what ya did because you cared about Elusive, now you can spend yer lives together like you wanted,” Red said.

“But now he's got to spend his life watching his loved ones grow up and die and their loved ones and their loved ones children and theirs… it's not fair, why couldn't I have just been born a pony?... I don't care about living so long, just a regular lifespan with Elusive is enough…” Barbra asked.

Swiss and Red looked at each other and hugged Barbra.

“You'll get through this,” Gala said

“Thanks girls… hey on a totally unrelated note why are you guys conveniently out here?” Barbra asked.

“Shopping! Now that I'm a mare I want to shop for new clothes for me and my gal friends,” Swiss said.

“Ah still don't get what he means by ‘now that I'm a mare’ but she wouldn't stop insisting,” Red shrugged.

“So you and Elusive need to talk this out then,” Swiss said.

“What if….he hates me for trapping him like this?” Barb asks.

“Then ah’ll set him straight,” Red said.

“...Thank you girls,” Barbra said hugging them back.

Elusive cracked his eyes open and looked around his room.

“Ugh… I feel… better?” Elusive thought but in truth he felt more than okay he felt amazing like he had just come out of the spa only much better.

Elusive got up out of bed and stretched.

“Barbra? Are you there?...hm?” Elusive noticed his shoulder didn't hurt anymore either, he decided to undo the bandages… and he was fine with no scratches or markings on his shoulder it's as if he'd never been bitten.

“This is very strange… last I remember I felt as though I was dying, now I feel great,” Elusive smiled and he got up and put a shirt on before making his way downstairs.

Sweetie Belle saw him as she was going up the stairs to check on him, her eyes widened.

“Brother! Your awake!” Sweetie Belle cheered and ran up to him hugging him.

“Haha, yes indeed and I feel full of energy, I am searching for Barbra, have you seen her?” Elusive asked.

Sweetie Belle quieted and looked a little conflicted it's best that Barbra be the one to tell him.

“Sweetie?” Elusive asked.

“She went to take a walk, she'll be back soon-” Sweetie was cut off when the door opened and Barbara entered she looked at Elusive and begin to tear up.

“Oh Barbra darling, I was just looking for you, I'm not sure what medicine you used but let's stock up on it,” Elusive said with a chuckle.

Before Barbra tackled him with a hug and she began sobbing.

“Barbra? What happened, are you alright?” Elusive asked.

“It's all my fault! I'm sorry Elusive!” Barbra cried.

“What is?” Elusive asked.

“I-i can't….” Barbra sobbed some more, she cried until Elusive brought her to the fainting couch and sent her down stroking her back until she calmed.

“There there… have you calmed?” Elusive asked.

“Yes…” Barbra said.

“Now what happened to cause such crying?” Elusive asked.

“I don't want you to hate me,” Barbra said.

“Why could I ever hate you dear? I love you,” Elusive said.

“...Do you remember when I bit you, in the shower?” Barbara asked.

“Indeed,” Elusive said.

“Turns out that's the reason you got sick, I injected dragon DNA into your body and it caused you to get sick,” Barb said.

“Oh…I suppose it makes sense for you to be sad about that but I forgive you,” Elusive said.

“That's not all…” Sweetie said.

“What do you mean?” Elusive said.

“There was a secondary effect apparently we're now mates, Ember came in earlier and approved it herself,” Barbra said.

“...I see, well better sooner than later, I suppose, we are an item now aren't we” Elusive said.

“That's not what I'm afraid of,” Barb said.

“What?” Elusive said.

“You remember how long dragons live right?” Barb asked.

“Yes,” Elusive said.

“... Because of the bite and the spell Ember put on you to bond us as mates…That's how long you'll live now…” Barb said sullenly.

“.....What?” Elusive said his eyes wide.

Sweetie Belle got ready to intervene the moment this goes nuclear.

“It's true you'll be around as long as a normal dragon would due to the bizarre nature of our relationship…” Barbra said.

Elusive sat there for a few seconds wondering if she was kidding but when she didn't say anything he sat back with a deep breath.

“That's…. Alot to take in,” Elusive said.

“I understand if you don't want to be near me anymore,” Barbra said looking ready to take her leave.

“No no no, listen, I am admittedly shaken to hear this…. Yes, I will admit that my newfound longevity will take some getting used to but don't think for a second that I hate you for what happened,” Elusive said drawing her into a hug.

“You…. Don't hate me?” Barb asked with tears in her eyes.

“We’ll work together and find a way to make it work, I will admit I need some time to work out this revelation, but if I am to live a long long life, I may as well live it with somedragon special,” Elusive said.

“Elusive….” Barbra started crying loudly and hugging him back, and Sweetie Belle joined the hug.

Author's Note

Looks like Elusive has a long life ahead of him.

Coming up next Dusk and Luna finally meet face to face, and will Butters be successful at getting the mare Red Gala? And Elusive gets a visit, but from who?

Dates all around

Butterscotch was taking a shower, it honestly felt so different with a male body than with a female.

And there were fewer places to wash, so that was a plus.

Butterscotch exited and wrapped a towel around his waist before exiting his bathroom and he went into his bedroom.

Seeing a few birds and squirrels cleaning up his white shirt and jeans.

“Thank you darlings, I’ll take it from here,” Butterscotch said and the animals left.

He proceeded to get dressed and look at himself in the mirror, he had to admit, he was handsome.

“Maybe Red Gala would like my mane brushed a little more?” Butters wondered before brushing it again.

Butterscotch wondered what he’d do next before visiting Gala before getting an idea.

“Maybe Elusive will aid me, I’m sure he knows a fashion choice I can make,” Butterscotch wondered before he made his way downstairs and towards the door “Angel dear, please watch the cottage for me, I’ll be gone for a while,” Butterscotch said.

Angel waved Butters off as he relaxed on a sofa.

“Thank you, darling!” Butters said before exiting and making his way to Ponyville.

Butterscotch made his way through town and noticed more mares than usual watching him, he’d pretty much gotten used to it, but something was different today.

He could see the Boutique by the time a mare approached him, she had an orange mane and brown fur, Butters had seen her before as Fluttershy, a mare named Wind Chime.

“Hello?” Butters asked.

“Hello… so hey, me and the other mares in my group were wondering if you were busy later?” She asked.

“Uhmm… yes actually, I was visiting Elusive and then I would be going to Sweet Apple Acres,” Butter said looking to go around her but she stepped in front of him.

“Oh, um… would you rather spend time with us? Heat season is fast approaching and we were hoping that-” Her voice faded out as Butterscotch internally sighed.

This has been happening frequently lately… Ever since Blitz announced his retirement from studding, the mares he used to service a lot have been desperate to find another male who could take his place, especially since heat week was almost here.

And he was one of their targets, he’s turned away like five now.

“I’m very sorry, but I have a marefriend already, well, more like soon to be, and only if she says yes, I won’t judge her if she says no, but still, I won’t take Blitz’s place, sorry again,” Butterscotch said.

The mare pouted “I heard, you and Gala, come on, I get she’s got muscles but I actually came here from Canterlot, isn’t that better?” She asked.

Butterscotch looked a little offended at the way she put that.

“I care about her heart not her body, and I don’t care where she came from, now I must be going,” Butterscotch said going around her.

“Hmmph, element of kindness eh?” She huffed as she walked away.

Butterscotch made it to the Carousel Boutique and entered.

“Elusive! I have something to ask you,” Butterscotch said as he entered.

Elusive was just measuring out a suit order when he heard this and turned to see Butters approaching.

“Oh hello darling, one second,” Elusive put his materials down and approached Butterscotch “How may I be of service?” Elusive asked.

“I… wish to approach Red Gala today… and ask her if she’s thought about it, and I want to look nice for her,” Butterscotch said.

“Say no more dear, I have just the right outfit,” Elusive said before heading to the back.

Butterscotch sat down and let his eyes wander, skimming the various suits and imagining himself in them.

His eyes paused at a paper on the couch saying ‘My plans for the next thousand years,’

“Thousand years?” Butterscotch asked, naturally he’d think this paper was Barbra’s if it didn’t clearly have Elusive’s handwriting.

“Maybe he wrote it for her?” Butterscotch couldn’t help his curiosity and he got up and grabbed it before reading it.

“Now that I’m going to live as long as Barbra will… What?” Butters said before continuing his reading “Part one, find a new line of fashionable suits to cater to the next few hundred years worth of taste in Equestria…” Butters wanted to read more but Elusive came back in with some neat fashionable casual clothes and saw him reading it.

“Ah! That’s mine!” Elusive snatched it back.

“Elusive… what was that?” Butterscotch asked.

“...Oh dear… I suppose there’s no hiding it then since you’ve seen… you see, Barbra and I got rather… passionate one night and she… um… anywho, I am now… gifted… with longevity compared to a dragon,” Elusive chuckled dryly.

“Oh dear… that means… you’ll outlive us all… Elusive I-” Butterscotch began but Elusive shook his head.

“Except Dusk and Barbra and Discord and all the rest of the princesses,” Elusive said.

“That doesn’t matter Elusive, you’ll be so sad without all the rest of your friends,” Butterscotch said sounding sad.

“Do not worry Butterscotch, let us work with today and face this tomorrow,” Elusive said.

“Ok…” Butterscotch said before Elusive grabbed his arm and pulled him into a dressing room.

“Go on now, change into your outfit and come see me,” Elusive said.

“Ok,” Butterscotch said taking off his current outfit and putting on his new ones.

After coming out of the dressing room Butters was dressed in much fancier clothes that complemented his coat and mane.

“Voila!” Elusive said.

“Y-you think she’ll like it?” Butterscotch asked.

“She will, now go on and charm the mare Butterscotch!” Elusive ushered him to the door.

“Wh-what about payment?!” Butterscotch asked.

“We’ll work that out thru watching Opal,” Elusive said closing the door.

“Thanks then,” Butterscotch said before walking away, wondering why he was so eager to get him moving.

Elusive finished tidying up the Boutique, in preparation for the guest, he heard from the rumor grapevine a noble from Canterlot was taking his time to visit, and whoever it was, they were high up in the chain,

KNOCK KNOCK

“Coooomiiiing!” Elusive sang and he went over and opened the door and saw Barbra.

“Oh Barbra dear! I am glad you are here,” Elusive said.

“Glad to be here,” Barbra said before leaning up and kissing him on the lips, long and firmly.

After the two parted Barb skipped into the Boutique.

“So, word is that we’re expecting a noble?” Barb asked.

“That’s right, now I’m not sure who it could be so… be careful,” Elusive said.

“I’m aware there are nobles with prejudices against me being a dragon, but you know what? Forget them, they can’t pass judgment on this gal,” Barb said.

“Indeed,” Elusive chuckled

The two went on to make tea and crumpets for the visit.

“I do hope it is Sapphire Shores or Fancy Pants, I seek to clear my name amidst the nobles, and those two will be opportune,” Elusive said.

“Makes sense, but I imagine Fancy is still probably bitter over you flirting with his wife… sorry, shouldn’t bring that up,” Barb said.

“No worries, I need to tackle my problems head on,” Elusive said before hearing another knock “I got it,” Elusive said approaching and opening it “Welcome to the Carousel-...Boutique…” Elusive said trailing off as soon as he saw who it was.

“Hmmph… greeting me like a commoner?” Blueblood scoffed.

“Blueblood… to… what do I owe this unexpected pleasure…?” Elusive said looking like he was forcing himself to smile and not lunge at the prince.

“If you must know I am coming to address some things about your entry into the fashion industry,” Blueblood said.

“So… you're the noble I was expecting, great…” Elusive said sounding a little disappointed.

“Yes yes, now let’s hurry, the mere air of this backwater town has me sick,” Blueblood said entering and going over to the chairs and sitting down.

“...Well… this’ll be fun…” Barb sighed as the two went over to the table, Elusive sat across from Blueblood and Barbra began to sit in the chair next to him when Blueblood coughed.

“Hmm?” Barb turned to see him looking disapprovingly at her “Problem?” She asked.

“Yes indeed… I just need… a warm towel, dragon, do pick one out for me, and take your time,” Blueblood more ordered than said.

“....Ooook…” Barb said honestly wanting to toast this prince with her fire breath but held back and she went off to find the towels.

“I do hope she isn’t sticking around,” Blueblood said when she was out of earshot.

“I do not appreciate your treatment of her,” Elusive said with a light glare.

“I don’t remember caring, anyhoo, let us get down to business, I am willing to make you a grand deal, one you cannot resist,” Blueblood said.

“What?” Elusive said with a raised brow.

“You are quite the seamster, your suits have charmed the stallions of Canterlot since the Gala, and I am willing to bet that you can become so much more than a mere peasant, in fact, I can see you becoming a grand royal seamster,” Blueblood proclaimed.

“I… thanks I suppose,” Elusive didn’t expect Blueblood of all ponies to be tossing compliments his way.

“I have an offer in exquisite detail if you are interested,” Blueblood said.

“Go on,” Elusive said getting anxious all of a sudden.

“I want you to picture this tasteless crumpet here as your future,” Blueblood said scooting the crumpet closer and Elusive looked down at it.

“Do you see something wrong with it?” Elusive asked.

“As a matter of fact I do, it has no toppings, no taste, it is mundane and normal… but… with butter or jelly, it can become a treat! And thus… my analogy is complete,” Blueblood said.

“What is the meaning?” Elusive asked.

“The crumpet is you, no, your future, I have quite a lot of influence and can help you rub shoulders with the greatest fashionistas in the nation, you can become, immortal, popular and in every sense of the word, grandiose!” Blueblood said.

“Grandiose…” Elusive said seeing visions of himself as beyond popular in the fashion industry… he’s right, with his help he can become the fashionista of the century!

“You seem content with the idea already, let me just tell you, this crumpet here, representing your future as the biggest name in fashion, you can do anything with it… except one thing,” Blueblood said with a glint in his eye.

“One thing?” Elusive asked.

“Yes,” Blueblood said drinking some tea.

“What-” Elusive said before Blueblood set the cup down firm enough to startle Elusive but not break it.

“Share it with the dragon,” Blueblood said firmly.

“...What?...” Elusive’s visions died as he said that.

“I imagine it’s not that difficult of a decision, just ditch the lizard lady and I’ll make you the biggest name in fashion, cannot have a dragon tainting any big names in any industry you know,” Blueblood said.

“...” Elusive looked shocked, Blueblood is offering him the world but he has to… abandon Barbra?...

Meanwhile, Barbra was standing behind a wall holding her breath… she wanted to run out there, to yell at that racist heathen and throw him through a window… but a part of her held her in place… she wanted to see what decision Elusive will make.

“Come now, chop chop, that crumpet would look better with jelly, or might I suggest, cinnamon butter, go ahead and eat it, eat it and show your conviction to your job,” Blueblood said encouragingly.

Elusive looked down at the crumpet and envisioned his future as the greatest fashionista… his dream… his…

I love you…

Elusive looked at the wall Barbra was hiding behind and somehow he knew she was there…

“Eat it, the future awaits,” Blueblood said with a grin.

“Don’t do it…” Barbra muttered quietly.

“...I….” Elusive picked up the crumpet and stared at it.

“Now take a bite,” Blueblood said.

“...” Barb shut her eyes waiting to hear chewing.

“I…” Elusive was warring with himself, a long life of ruling the fashion industry… or the dragoness he bonded with…. In the end… there was only one decision to be made…

“Yes? No?” Blueblood looked like he was getting impatient.

“You…” Elusive said.

“No…” Barb was ready to run away crying… before hearing what was said next.

“YOU SCUM!” Elusive smashed the crumpet in his hand and threw it at Blueblood.

“AGH! NO! Crumbs all over my new outfit!” Blueblood said hurriedly dusting himself off.

“You wish to hear my answer, I REFUSE!” Elusive said firmly.

“You what?!” Blueblood stood from his chair.

“Elusive…” Barb said with wide eyes.

“I knew you had an angle the whole time, but I never imagined even you could stoop this low, threatening me with my future all because you don’t approve of me and Barbra? Sickening!” Elusive said.

“You do understand what I am offering you right?! Why toss your future away for that… thing!” Blueblood sneered.

“She’s more of a pony than you ever will be, NOW GET OUT!” Elusive said.

“...Have it your way… cannot say I didn’t try to wrest some talent from a dreg such as yourself,” Blueblood turned and was met with the sharpened eyes of Barbra and he jumped a little.

“Leave… or I’ll burn you to ashes,” Barbra said with a hiss.

“Y-you wouldn’t! I’m royalty!” Blueblood hurried around her and exited the doorway “And you! I do hope you will be happy being tied to her because she’ll be the very thing that keeps you in this backwater town as long as I see fit!” Blueblood yelled at Elusive.

“GET LOST!” Barb yelled breathing fire at him and Blueblood eep’d and ran away.

Barb panted heavily before calming, she then ran into Elusive's arms “ELUSIVE! THANK YOU!” Barbra cried hugging him.

“If anything I should be apologizing to you, for just a moment I considered it…” Elusive said hugging her back.

“I forgive you! I love you…” She sobbed hugging him tightly.

“I love you too Barbra,” Elusive said.

Blueblood walked back to his chariot with a huff.

“Darn that Elusive, DARN THEM BOTH! If it’s the hard way they want, then that is what they’ll get!” Blueblood said before grabbing out of the chariot an envelope and he approached a random pony.

“You!” Blueblood said alerting the stallion, he gave him twenty gold bits.

“Whoa!” The stallion said.

“Twenty now twenty when you deliver this letter tomorrow, to Elusive’s, and don’t open it, or else,” Blueblood said before walking over to his chariot.

“Y-yes sir!” The stallion said elated at the money.

Butterscotch entered Sweet Apple Acres.

After approaching the farmhouse he saw Red Gala making some coffee through the window, taking a deep breath Butterscotch knocked on the door.

Red Gala soon answered it and saw Butterscotch and smiled.

“Hey there Butters, ya’ll seemed well dressed today,” Red Gala said.

“B-Because I wanted to look nice… for you, Are you busy today?” Butterscotch asked.

“Well ah am, but if you come back later then ah could-”

“Nonsense, go on git,” Granny’s voice said from the living room.

“But what about the fields today?” Red asked.

“Ferget the fields fer now, yo can do’em when you come back,” Granny said approaching.

“Thank you Granny Smith,” Butterscotch said.

“Well, ah guess ah’m free than, let’s get goin,” Red said and they left for town.

Dusk boarded the train with his luggage, FINALLY.

“No problems today? No interruptions? I’m finally doing what I want to do for a change. Thank goodness,” Dusk said and the train left the station.

As he sat in his seat waiting to arrive in Canterlot he went over his list of questions.

“If we’re lucky we can leave this dimension and go back to our normal lives… even though everypony seems happy here…” Dusk looked conflicted “No, I need to focus, maybe Luna can shed some light on this,” Dusk reasoned.

Dusk waited the long wait as the train eventually arrived in Canterlot.

Afterwards Dusk went on to beeline for the palace, he made it to Canterlot Castle without any problems and he approached the guards at the front gate.

“Prince Dusk Shine?” The guard asked.

“Yes, I am here to visit Luna,” Dusk said.

“We’ve been expecting you, go ahead.” The guard said and Dusk walked in and proceeded to the hedge garden.

As he sat and waited he soon heard the clop of horseshoes and turned to see Luna approaching.

Dusk wanted to blush, it seemed she got dressed for the occasion, wearing a nightdress that showed her long legs and jewelry in her mane.

“I’ve caught you staring Dusk Shine,” Luna said playfully.

“Sorry, I have trouble in this body when I see… a-anyways, welcome to this meeting Luna, I wish to go over my recent findings,” Dusk said.

“You certainly earn the award for persistence, not many ponies would persist with trying to fix an irreparable situation like you,” Luna said.

“Please don’t say that, I want to return everything back to how they were,” Dusk said.

“Why are you being so persistent with that?” Luna said sitting beside Dusk.

“Because before I was Twilight Sparkle, I was a princess, I was born a mare, but this accident took my true self, I want to return everything,” Dusk said.

“Even though your friends have come to accept their new identities?” Luna said.

“...I’m sure everything can be done again when we’re back to normal, it’s not like anything is super different here,” Dusk said.

“Well… I wouldn’t say that,” Luna said.

“Hm?” Dusk looked at her.

“Your you, no matter what pony you are, perhaps you can move on like this,” Luna offered.

“....I can’t-” Dusk said but Luna interrupted.

“You can stop letting your ego get the better of you,” Luna said firmly.

“You just don’t understand, just like them,” Dusk said getting up and walking away.

“Dusk Shine, do not walk away from me,” Luna said standing.

“If you were stuck in another body and everything changed, then would you want to stay like that?” Dusk demanded.

“I would accept that there may be no way to go back,” Luna said.

“...” Dusk sat down again and sighed sadly “I want this Luna, just humor me for a few hours more,” Dusk said.

“...If it’ll get you to see reason and stop being stubborn, then very well,” Luna said.

“Thank you,” Dusk said and she followed him to the library section.

Thunderstrike sat at a chair at Sugarcube Corner.

She was drinking a smoothie and looked all around depressed, on one hand Applejack forgave her and so did Blitz, and so did most of Ponyville… then there’s the rest…

She can see, some ponies giving her the side-eye.

Yes she did lie to the princesses and risk Blitz getting trapped in a toxic relationship for life with that madmare.

But what would those ponies have her do? Leave her brother to die? One mare even had the gall to say it’s her fault Blitz is retiring.

The few who blame her wouldn’t understand unless they were in a similar situation…

Well, Applejack was coming here right now to talk, and hopefully about their developing relationship.

She can’t even think about that stallion without blushing.

His perfectly muscled body, his no-nonsense attitude, his maturity, his work ethic, his handsome face…

“I wonder what he’s like in the bedro-”

“Pardon?” A voice startled Thunderstrike out of her reveries and she turned to see AJ.

“U-uh… nothing… heeey so how about the weather today?” Thunderstrike said trying to change the subject.

“It’s fine, anyways, that’s not what we’re here for,” Applejack sat down.

“Correct… so… did you give it some thought?” Thunderstrike said.

“Ah did,” AJ said.

“Well? Don’t leave me in suspense, are we… a thing?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Ah want ta say yes, but we need ta get to know eachother a tad more, so ah propose this, a date,” Applejack said with a hint of nervousness.

“A date? With me? I’m honored, and thankful that you are willing to give me a chance after what happened to Blitz,” Thunderstrike said looking a little shy.

“It wasn’t yer fault, you were looking out for yer family,” AJ said.

“Yeah, I value Rumble more than anything, so got any plans?” Thunder asked.

“Well, perhaps we can go fer a walk and meet up at the bar, you can drink right?” AJ asked.

“Course I do, I drink with the guys at Wonderbolt practice all the time,” Thunder said proudly.

“Well good, let’s get movin then,” AJ said and the two got up and began their walk.

“So, how are ya this fine day Butters?” Gala asked.

“I am doing lovely Red Gala, the bunnies in the burrows have been having children left and right, I can barely keep up with all of them,” Butterscotch said.

“Really? Ah suppose rabbits are the fastest when it comes to populating,” Gala chuckled.

Butters blushed, wanting to get off the concept of fornication, for now, he changed gears.

“How have things been on the farm? Any need for assistance with the animals?” Butterscotch said and he went on to lead Gala down the middle roads of Ponyville.

“None so far, the animals have been right as rain since ya came and helped a while ago,” Gala said.

“That’s good to hear, I think that the trick to healthy cows is-”

“Oh hey there!” Butterscotch turned to see Applejack and Thunderstrike.

“Oh hello!” Butterscotch said.

“What are ya doin all the way out here?” AJ asked.

“I’m… taking Red Gala here on a… date,” Butterscotch meekly said.

“Heeey! Good on ya!” Thunderstrike gave Butters a slap on the back.

“Eeep!” Butterscotch yelped.

“Easy now, don’t wanna give the poor fella a heart attack,” Gala chuckled.

“Hey, here’s an idea,” Thunderstrike said winking at Gala who nodded.

“What’s that?” AJ asked.

“Double date!” Thunder said confidently.

“D-double date? But I was… kinda hoping to just have alone time with Gala,” Butterscotch said.

“Don’t worry, if anything having an extra on the date may help improve your confidence,” Thunderstrike said, “What do you think dear?” Thunder asked.

“Ah ain’t opposed to it,” AJ shrugged.

“...Ok…” Butterscotch said.

“Well then, where we headin?” Red asked.

“We were just taking a walk, and maybe we can hit that new restaurant downtown, Chez Brie, or something like that?” Thunderstrike said.

AJ winced “Ain’t that place expensive?” AJ asked.

“Don’t worry, I can hoof the bill, I make plenty on a Wonderbolt trainee salary,” Thunder said.

“I’ll pay my own, and Gala’s,” Butterscotch said as they started walking.

“Ah appreciate it,” Gala said.

Dusk And Luna were in the library and they were setting up the process.

“This is the culmination of my research, I’m going to test it on myself to see if it will work,” Dusk said.

“I still think this is foolish,” Luna said.

“Watch this,” Dusk said before setting the crystal ball on the pedestal.

“Are you certain Dusk?” Luna asked.

“Yeah! I can return to normal and I’ll have the solution! Now ready the blast shields,” Dusk said.

“Ok,” Luna shrugged as she raised the barrier and Dusk deliberately knocked the crystal ball off.

An explosion filled the bubble along with Dusk’s shout of pain.

“Dusk?” Luna said lowering the shield, when the smoke cleared she saw something.

“Huh?” Luna said.

Dusk got up and groaned “Did… it work?” Dusk coughed and cleared his throat, it still sounded feminine.

“Did it work!?” Dusk ran to the mirror and saw… Twilight Sparkle!

“YES! YESYESYES! I told you to trust my judgment Luna! I’m back!” Twilight cheered.

“I admit I was wrong,” Luna said.

“Now I just need to show the others and they’ll see a way to fix this! Now to send some messages.” Twilight said excitedly

“You misunderstand, I was wrong about you coming out of your desire for this,” Luna said shaking her head.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Try waking up first,” Luna said flaring her horn.

“What do you me-EEAAANN!” Twilight suddenly fell back and hit the ground, when she came to… she was still Dusk Shine.

“Huh?! What happened?!” Dusk demanded before looking at himself and seeing he was still male.

“You must have hit your head when the explosion occurred, perhaps this is where you realize your not reversing this,” Luna said.

“...B-but… it worked… I thought,” Dusk muttered.

“You were dreaming,” Luna said.

“Darn it! What is wrong with this spell!?” Dusk said getting up.

“I think your the one with the problem,” Luna said approaching.

“What do you mean?” Dusk demanded.

‘Dusk, you need to acknowledge this can’t be fixed, all your doing is hurting yourself and others at this point,” Luna said firmly.

“No! I-” Dusk was smacked.

“Snap out of it! Dusk, this isn’t the end of the world! Why do you wish this so incessantly?!” Luna demanded.

“....I just… I miss how things were originally,” Dusk said.

“Elaborate,” Luna said.

“As girls we had a deep bond that made me happy, as guys… things are different, everypony is finding their significant other and we don’t do the things we used to…” Dusk said getting up “And this reality hasn’t been kind to us either, Elusive is in trouble with the nobility, Rainbow Blitz got kidnapped and traumatized by a madmare, and other things, we… need to return to the way things used to be,” Dusk said.

“You cling onto the past because you are afraid that you and your friends are going to drift apart? That is crazy, and granted there has been some negative occurrences with you and friends but that is no reason to reject this reality, there are better things that could occur as a result,” Luna said.

“And what is that?...” Dusk asked.

“Us!” Luna shouted before pausing.

“What?” Dusk said looking surprised.

“....Yes… I have put it off enough, Dusk Shine, I… I wish to be with you,” Luna said.

“...Luna… how long?” Dusk asked.

“In this reality, since I met you,” Luna said.

“Even before-”

“Even before the wings,” Luna confirmed as she approached.

“B-but… I’m not a real stallion,” Dusk said.

“I do not care, I love you Dusk, and I… wish to pursue you, so I plead, just give up on this need to return to your original form,” Luna said.

“...I…” Dusk looked conflicted.

“Please,” Luna asked.

“.....Ok…” Dusk said.

“Really?” Luna asked.

“Yes… It’ll be hard but I’ll remain this way for you,” Dusk said.

“Thank you,” Luna hugged him and sniffed happily.

Dusk hugged back and looked in the mirror… maybe there’s a way to move forward with this after all…

The group entered the big restaurant and sat down.

“Oooh, self-seating, I like it!” Thunderstrike said.

“Yeah, ah like choosing mah own chair,” AJ said

“It is nice here, what do you think Gala?” Butterscotch asked.

“Ah like it, but ah’d rather somewhere simpler, like a bar,” Gala said, before hearing a voice and turning to see Berry and Cheese in the corner “they're here too?” Gala asked.

“Seems like they're everywhere these days,” AJ said before noticing the waiters in the corner talking with one another and pointing at them.

“Odd,” AJ said.

“Well, what are ya havin?” Gala said.

“Maybe the garnished beets?” Butterscotch wondered.

“Ah wouldn’t mind that either,” Gala said.

“Ah’ll get the apple salad,” AJ said.

“I’ll get the rutabaga soup,” Thunderstrike said and everypony looked at her “What? I like rutabaga” Thunder said.

“Alright, let’s wait for the waiter,” AJ said.

It took a few minutes but the waiter arrived, he seemed posh, like a Canterlotian.

“Hello, we’ll have-”

“Yes yes, I do believe you all have the appropriate change?” The waiter asked.

“...Um… yeah?” Thunderstrike said.

“Then might I suggest the patio, it’s a lovely day today,” The waiter’s neutral expression didn’t vanish.

“It’s like eighty-nine degrees outside,” Thunderstrike said.

“Mam, don’t use that tone, I am merely suggesting,” The waiter said walking away.

“Sheesh, what’s with sticks for tail over there? I didn’t even raise my voice,” Thunder asked.

“Ah think we should go elsewhere…” Gala said.

“Why?” Butterscotch asked.

“They don’t want us here,” Gala said watching the ponies watching them.

“Why?” AJ asked.

“Ah’ve been in this situation before, an uppity Canterlotian not wanting farmers in their restaurants,” Gala sighed.

“But we’re not in Canterlot,” Butterscotch said.

“Their restaurants are still picky,” Gala said.

“Pardon,” They all turned to see the waiter had returned “I couldn’t help but overhear that you are dissatisfied with our service,” The waiter said “In which case we would appreciate you vacating the premises,” The waiter said.

“What the hay?!” Thunder demanded.

“B-but we didn’t even order,” Butterscotch said.

“You and the other pegasus can stay, the other two must leave,” The waiter said.

“Now hang on there, that ain’t fair,” AJ said standing.

“Don’t come near me, sir,” The waiter said.

“Let’s just leave, this guy ain’t worth the time,” Gala said.

“Fine, we ain’t coming back,” AJ said turning to leave.

“I would prefer it that way, farmers,” The waiter said.

“Oh now you asked fer it,” AJ turned to approach the waiter when he saw Berry behind him.

“Sir, if you touch me I will call the-”

“Then allow me!” The waiter turned and a pie was shoved in his face.

“Berry?” Gala said.

“Bubble Berry!” Butterscotch exclaimed.

“LET’S BOOK IT!” Swiss Cheese called and they ran for it, the others followed shortly after.

“YOU- HEATHENS! COME BACK HERE!” The waiter lost his cool and ran after them but slipped on the pie cream on the floor and landed on the table, the table collapsed and he hit the ground.

“Hahaha!” Thunderstrike laughed at the waiter as she ran out the door with the others.

The group ran for a while, when they all stopped and saw they weren’t being followed they all burst out laughing.

“Ah admit, ah didn’t expect that,” Gala laughed.

“Ah can’t breathe,” AJ chuckled.

“That was golden Berry,” Thunderstrike laughed.

“Showed that racist what for!” Berry said proudly.

“Your welcome,” Cheesie giggled.

After calming down the group looked to eachother.

“Well… what do we do now?” Butters asked.

“Let’s just go to that bar,” AJ suggested.

“Ah’m fer that,” Gala said.

“Yeppers! Let’s go!” Cheesie said.

Afterwards the group went to the local bar in Ponyville, as they entered they all took places at the bar.

“Hard cider all around,” AJ said with a smile.

“I-I’ll have water,” Butterscotch said meekly.

“Whaa? Go to a bar for water? You need to be more adventurous, he’ll have hard cider as well,” Berry exclaimed.

“B-but I don’t drink!” Butterscotch said.

“Well you are tonight, think of it, you’ll be one of the guys!” Berry said, honestly just curious what kind of drunk Butters is, angry, sad, partying, brave, sick, destructive? The night has endless possibilities!

“O-ok… just one,” Butterscotch said quietly.

When the bartender returns with the drinks he hands them to each.

“Word of advice, drink slow, too fast and you’ll get very buzzed very quickly,” The earth pony stallion said before walking away.

“Ok,” Butters nodded and he sipped the alcohol and immediately wanted to spit it out, it was so strong, but wanting to seem brave in front of Gala he swallowed it “It was good,” Butters smiled.

“Don’t force yerself,” Gala said with a chuckle as she downed her drink quickly.

Berry was somehow on drink three already and so was Cheese.

“WOOT! PARTY!” Berry said looking a little red in the face.

“WOOT!” Cheese said.

“Heh, well that took no time,” AJ said drinking his cider quickly.

Thirty minutes later

A glass hit the counter.

“Ah’m ready ta tap out,” Gala said with a slight slur.

“Yeah, at least one of us has ta be able to take the others home,” AJ chuckled looking to see Berry and Cheese cuddling in their chairs and snoring loudly.

“Whoo!... I better not fly tonight, or I’m likely to crash,” Thunderstrike said looking tipsy.

“Ah second that,” AJ chuckled.

“Come ta think of it ah havn’t checked on Butterscotch in a while, hey Scotch, how’s it-” Gala was cut off as a glass of hard cider hit the counter and Butterscotch with a lowered head stood up.

“Butterscotch?” Gala asked.

“......Yeah babe?” Butterscotch asked and he looked to her with a confident smirk.

“...What? Butters you alright?” AJ asked.

“Oh am I alright?” Butters ‘hiccuped’ before unbuttoning the front of his shirt, exposing his toned chest and stomach and he swept his mane back a little “I feel *hic* fantastic, like I can take on the world!” Butterscotch said with a laugh.

“...Ah think I realize why he never drank now…” AJ said looking a little uncomfortable.

“Hey Gala?... My sweet sweet apple, let’s ditch this joint and find a motel, just you and me…” Butterscotch flirted before hiccuping again.

“...Ah’ll admit if ah was extra buzzed ah would say yes, but ah’m not goin anywhere with this version of you Butters…” Gala said equally uncomfortable.

“Ah don’t be like that, I’m the best version of Fluttershy…” Butterscotch said accidentally referring to his former name.

“Who?” Gala asked not knowing a Fluttershy.

“Uh… ok! Let’s pack up and leave before he does somethin he’ll regret later on,” AJ said grabbing Cheese and Berry and slinging them over his shoulder and Thunder followed closely behind.

“Alright, let’s get you home Butters,” Gala said.

“My home eh?... *hic* sounds great dear, let’s go all night long,” Butterscotch said as Gala dragged him off.

“Eenope, AJ, ah’m gonna have ta take him home, mind taking those two home?” Gala asked.

“Ok,” Applejack said and the two went their separate directions with their drunken quarry in tow.

Author's Note

This was a fun chapter to write. :pinkiehappy:

There are several references in here, can you guys find them?

Also Butters is a confident drunk, who knew?

The Gala

Dusk woke the next morning feeling relaxed.

He had to admit, Luna had a darn good mattress, he’s gotta find where she got it.

Dusk got up and gave a jaw cracker of a yawn and looked for Luna, she wasn’t in bed.

“Luna?” Dusk asked.

“Yes dear?” Luna asked walking into the room with pancakes and fruit.

“Whoa, did you make those?” Dusk asked.

“No, but I brought them from the table to here, best eat them while they are fresh,” Luna said.

“Thanks,” Dusk said taking the plate and enjoying some pancakes.

“So, I had gotten word that Fancy Pant’s is hosting a gala to celebrate his turning forty-five, and he had high hopes we’d both attend,” Luna said.

Dusk coughed a little and looked at Luna apologetically “I am sorry Luna, but all the recent events as of late have kept me from my friendship studies, I have to resume them,” Dusk said.

“Are you certain?” Luna asked.

“Yes, I was never a fan of Canterlot parties anyway,” Dusk said.

“Well if you change your mind, do let me know,” Luna said.

“Ok,” Dusk said.

AJ woke up and saw Thunderstrike cuddling him closely, AJ smiled a little, she may be a little rough and tough, but in his arms she was content, it honestly made him wonder why he was hesitant last night… and why he had suddenly changed his mind, he didn’t understand.

Thunderstrike yawned a looked up at him.

“Morning handsome,” She joked.

“Now we’re name callin eh?” AJ joked.

“It’s true,” Thunderstrike said.

“Well let’s get up, ah gotta get to work soon,” AJ said.

“Aww, do we have to move right now?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Unfortunately ah do, ah got a job to do today and so do you,” AJ said.

“Crap, your right, I didn’t go into weather duty yesterday,” Thunderstrike said with a sigh.

“Alright, let’s move then before your boss comes knocking at the door,” AJ said and the two got up and went to get ready.

“The time was eight at night, right?” Barbra asked trying out different dresses.

“Yes dear, but are you certain you wish to go? I fear the nobles will try to harm you” Elusive said as he was making a fresh dress to compliment Barbra’s scales.

“Yes, sooner or later we gotta face the public that we’re an item and the sooner we can tell off the masses who hate it the better,” Barb said.

“I suppose, just be ready for anything,” Elusive said before Barbra burped up a letter.

“Oh, it’s from Dusk,” Barb said examining it “He’s coming back to Ponyville and has been invited too but he’s declining to come, shame, I was hoping my bro would attend with us,” Barb said.

“Does he know we’re going?” Elusive asked.

“He’s not giving that hint, so perhaps not,” Barb said before walking off and writing off the message and sending it to Dusk “There we go,” Barb said.

“I do hope he comes, It would do me some comfort if he came with, just in case this is a setup,” Elusive said.

An hour later Dusk was approaching the train with Luna by his side and she was about to say something when a message arrived and Dusk opened it.

“Huh… so Elusive and Barbra are attending?” Dusk asked.

“All the more reason to attend, I am not sure if you are aware but Fancy and Elusive had a rather… harsh falling out,” Luna said.

“Hmm, good point, I need to be there unless things go awry,” Dusk said before turning to Luna “I will be going in that case,” Dusk said.

“Excellent! In that case, I will get things prepared,” Luna said before teleporting back to the castle.

Dusk meanwhile sat down at a local bench and wrote out a response and he sent it to Barbra before walking back to the castle.

Barb just tried on the newest dress and looked impressed, it was bright yellow and violet to complement her scales.

“I love it, I feel so-Uuuurp!” Barbra coughed up another scroll.

“Not at the dress!” Elusive cried.

“No problem, I missed the dress,” Barb said.

“Ok good,” Elusive said with a sigh of relief.

Barb read the message and smiled “Looks like he’s coming after all,” Barbra said.

“Ok good, I will need a friend posted for this event, and it will be good to have Dusk as my guide,” Elusive said.

“Well, I’ll go change back and-” They heard a knocking and they turned to see a message slip through the mailslot.

Blitz was feeling better, he had just finished with practice early and he was on weather patrol, with Spitfire’s permission Soarin was able to aid him this time, not that he needed help, but time with his fiancee is always welcome.

Soarin and Rainbow circled each other in a corkscrew and split off in the sky clearing the clouds.

The other weather ponies were amazed to see a Wonderbolt taking the time to help them with their unscheduled storm today.

Blitz and Soarin landed and wiped their brows.

“Nice job babe,” Blitz said holding Soarin close.

“Thanks,” Soarin chuckled.

“Let’s take a break together,” Blitz said as they walked over to the nearest small restaurant.

As they sat down Blitz could almost feel a dozen or so eyes on them.

“We’re being watched again,” Blitz sighed.

“I don’t mind, those other mares can be bitter as much as they want, you're my stallion now,” Soarin said.

“I know… it’s just that…” Blitz glanced back at the staring mares who casually looked away.

“Calm down, none of them are like…That mare we don’t say the name of,” Soarin said.

“Let’s hope they don’t get desperate enough to become her,” Blitz said.

“If they do I’ll kick their flanks,” Soarin said.

“Hey guys!” They turned to Berry and Swiss Cheese.

“Hey Berry, what’s up?” Blitz asked.

“I was told to deliver this,” Berry said handing them a message, when they looked back up Berry was gone.

“I’ll never understand that stallion or the mare that is his marefriend,” Soarin said.

“Neither will I,” Blitz said before reading the message.

“What’s it say? Another mare inviting you to her house?” Soarin asked casually.

“No, it says Red Gala wants to see both of us tomorrow,” Blitz said looking at Soarin confusedly.

“Didn’t you two have a falling out?” Soarin asked.

“Yeah, wonder what she wants,” Blitz said before getting up “ We can get out of the public eye for now at least,” Blitz said.

“Heh, never thought I’d hear you say that,” Soarin said as they walked away.

AJ and Thunderstrike exited the house and turned to each other.

“Well, I gotta admit, that was one of the best nights of sleep I’ve gotten in a while,” Thunder said.

“Yeah, ah admit Thunder ah think ah’d like ta meet again fer another date,” AJ said.

Thunderstrike smiled at that “I would love it, well I gotta jet, see-”

“HOLD IT!” They both jumped hearing a loud voice and they turned to see Red Gala marching up to them.

“Hey Red… is somethin the matter?” AJ asked seeing her upset look.

“You bet there is,” Gala said stopping in front of him.

“Red is everything-”

"Yer excused, this is a family matter,” Gala told Thunderstrike.

“Now hang on-”

“Just do as she say’s,” AJ said recognizing that Gala is not happy right now.

“...Ok, I’ll see you later then,” Thunder said before walking off.

“What was that? Ya don’t just chase off yer friends like that,” AJ said.

“Ya don’t lie ta family either, and you’ve been lyin alot,” Red accused.

“Ah… ah better hear good reason fer bein called a liar,” AJ snorted.

“Tomorrow we all talk as a group, mare to mare,” Gala not so subtly hinted before walking off, leaving a stunned AJ in her wake.

“Mare to mare… she found out didn’t she…?” AJ said with dread in his voice.

Hours later

Dusk and Luna entered the gala room and looked around at the finished decorations and the ponies setting it up.

“I do wonder if this will be a good place to announce our relationship,” Luna said mischievously.

“Not a good idea, I imagine it’d upset the birthday colt,” Dusk chuckled.

“No problem, we have all the time in the world,” Luna said.

“Hmm? Is that Fancy Pants?” Dusk asked looking to see Fancy talking with a butler.

“Indeed, he’ll want to hear the good news,” Luna said as they walked to the stallion.

Elusive stepped off the train and helped Barbra off of the train.

Elusive was wearing a truly spiffy tuxedo and had done up his appearance nicely.

Barbra was dressed in her yellow and purple dress with white-gloved hands, her scales seemed to glow in the night air.

“Darling, in the lights of Canterlot, or anywhere, you are simply glowing,” Elusive complimented.

Barbra blushed at those words and giggled “And a stallion like you is more precious than any gem, a true, rarity,” Barb winked.

“Nice one darling,” Elusive said before guiding her towards the mansion.

After receiving the mysterious letter and reading it, they were troubled to say the least that Red Gala figured everything out, but that is tomorrow, tonight, is attending the gala, fixing his relationship with Fancy, and giving Barbra a good time.

“Fancy Pants!” Luna called and Fancy turned to see them both.

“Oh happy day, I had hoped that the princess of the night and the prince of magic could attend, granted I had hoped Celestia could attend too, but I understand being busy, but regardless I’m sure the presence of you two will truly liven things up… suggesting this gala doesn’t end up like the Grand Galloping Gala…” Fancy said, remembering the disaster of a gala that was.

“I assure you, this will be your best birthday Fancy, especially since Elusive plans too-” Dusk said before Fancy cut him off.

“Do NOT mention him,” Fancy firmly said suddenly, surprising the two.

“What? I had heard you two had a falling out but you invited him to mend things right?” Dusk asked.

“...What? Did you say I invited him? I have no recollection of doing anything of the such! Why is that hooligan coming here!? Blueblood!” Fancy called Blueblood and he walked over.

“Yes?” Blueblood said.

“You were in charge of the invitations, I figured Elusive would be the last one you’d invite,” Fancy said with a glare.

“But sir, I didn’t, he… oh dear, so that’s what happened,” Blueblood said with a concealed grin.

“What is?” Luna asked getting a sneaking suspicion.

“He must have sent that dragon to steal an invite while I was distracted! No wonder I couldn’t find Countess Silver Mirror’s invite!” Blueblood said with fake chagrin.

“That snake,” Fancy said.

“Hold on a second, there’s a lot wrong with that, one that dragon is my assistant Barbra, two she would never steal, three Elusive isn’t the stallion who sneaks his way into private parties,” Dusk defended his friends.

“Indeed, accusing the element of generosity of all ponies would be a stretch if I ever heard one,” Luna said.

“Baseless, I remember his honeyed words oh so clearly, besides, how do we know you aren’t defending him simply because you are, friends? Fancy, I suggest you go and banish that pauper and his lizard before they ruin this event,” Blueblood said.

“What did you call my little sister?” Dusk said looking mad but Luna stopped him.

“Act with tact Dusk, he has eyes everywhere,” Luna said, cursing herself deep down that she didn’t anticipate Blueblood plotting this.

“Banish I will, come,” Fancy said gesturing to a burly guard to follow him.

“Wait!” Dusk said before several ponies got in front of him.

“Oh Prince Dusk Shine, may I have a word?” The nobles asked one after another.

“Out of the way!” Dusk said trying to get past them but they didn’t let him, Luna glared at Blueblood who smirked victoriously before heading that direction as well.

Barbra and Elusive walked in, having shown the guards outside his invitation.

As they made their way inside the mansion they saw multiple ponies in fancy clothes.

“Wow, so fancy, I bet at least half these stallions are wearing your suits!” Barb said excitedly.

“Indeed, come Barbra, time to show you the splendors of high society,” Elusive declared.

“Right behind you,” Barb said as they moved on towards the buffet tables and approached some nobles.

Barb felt a little self-conscious as she was the only dragon there, and she could definitely feel some eyes on her, and some nobles were giving her the side eye.

But with Elusive there and Dusk elsewhere, she felt safer.

“And I wonder what about your… date? No judging but I do admit bringing a dragon to a Canterlot birthday gala is a first,” A noblemare said.

“She’s more than my date…” Elusive said fondly before feeling something in his pocket “You can say we’ll be together for awhile,” Elusive said with a smile.

Barb smiled happily.

“A pony and a dragon, once more that is a first for me,” The mare said before walking away.

“I feel weird here to be honest, I stick out like a sore thumb,” Barb admitted.

“Just stick by me and we’ll be fine,” Elusive said before approaching a stallion and conversing with him.

After a minute of conversing Elusive popped the question “Where’s Fancy Pants by the way? I was hoping to clear the air with him,” Elusive said.

“To be honest I am surprised you came at all, considering what happened at the last gala,” The stallion gruffly said.

“I know… I was hoping we could… fix that, so where do you believe he is?” Elusive asked.

“As a matter of fact he’s coming this way right now,” The stallion said pointing at that approaching stallion and guards.

“Why does he have guards?” Elusive asked.

“...I’ll just… leave now,” The stallion said taking his leave knowing that stuff is about to go down.

“Elusive, I don’t like this, somethings up,” Barb said.

“I’m sure he’s just-”

“ELUSIVE!” Fancy roared making the partygoers clear away for him to get through.

“Uhm… hello, Fancy I wanted to-”

“Silence!” Fancy said.

“What?” Elusive asked.

“You have some nerve, not only to show up to my birthday but to steal an invitation in the process,” Fancy said.

“What?!” Elusive exclaimed.

“He didn’t steal it, it was delivered to-” Barb tried to defend him.

“Be quiet dragon! I will have you removed first!” Fancy said before turning to the shocked Elusive “I expect you to take your date and take it elsewhere, and write a formal apology to Countess Silver Mirror for taking her invitation!” Fancy shouted and the crowd gasped.

“I swear nothing you have said is true! I received it through the mail! You must believe me!” Elusive begged.

“Like I’ll believe the stallion who preyed on my wife, even when she tried to assert that she was married!” Fancy spat.

“I don’t know how that happened, but I am not that kind of pony, sure, i got inebriated but I would never knowingly pursue a married mare!” Elusive shot back.

“And I suppose challenging me to a fight afterward for her was just another effect of the alcohol?” Fancy said.

“...” Elusive doesn’t remember the events of that day because they happened before he came into this version of reality, how does he defend himself here?!

“No defenses? Then I suppose he is guilty,” A voice said and Elusive turned to see Blueblood casually sipping a glass of wine.

“Blueblood… of course, you were behind it weren’t you!” Elusive accused.

“Oh this is just desperate, pointing fingers at me for what you did,” Blueblood chuckled.

“Elusive! You’ve caused enough of a problem here, just leave,” Fancy said.

“Yeah!” The ponies around them called.

Elusive looked down, knowing he had no way to prove himself so he grabbed Barbra’s shaking hand and turned to leave.

“Let us go, if these heathens refuse to see the truth then we will take our leave with our dignity still intact,” Elusive said.

“I’m sorry Elusive…” Barb said.

“You have nothing to-” Elusive said as they were approaching the door before they heard the Royal Canterlot voice.

“WAIT!” Luna called.

“Luna?” Elusive said looking at her with surprise.

“What?” Blueblood looked to see the princess and prince walking down the hall to them.

“Princess? What is the matter?” Fancy asked.

“I cannot allow this to go on,” Luna said.

“How did they-” Blueblood wondered what happened to the ponies he paid off to keep them busy.

The butlers heaved the last of the ponies onto the chairs, all of them having been put under a sleeping spell.

“Whatever do you mean?” Fancy demanded.

“They are my fellow aids in this ball and to kick them out would be unruly,” Luna said.

“Your aids?” Fancy said in confusion.

“Indeed, and if they are to leave then so will we, seeing as how I am still learning the ways of the modern world,” Luna said.

“And because that dragon is my sister and that pony is my friend, I came mostly because I was looking forward to showing them around and having them rebuild their shattered bond with you Fancy, if they go, so do I,” Dusk said.

“Dusk, Luna,” Barb said with surprise, not just that, they were holding hands!

“Preposterous, you're threatening to leave over a flimsy excuse such as that? Go on Fancy, kick them out as well,” Blueblood said with a smile.

“...Very well… you two can stay,” Fancy said.

“What?!” Blueblood said.

“Hah!” Barb said to Blueblood.

“Oh thank you,” Elusive said graciously.

“But they-”

“Silence Blueblood, If the Prince and Princess leave other attendants may leave as well, I don’t like it but they can stay,” Fancy said before turning to Elusive “But mark my words, prey on my wife again, and I will be the end of you!” Fancy said before walking away in a huff.

“It seems your plot failed Blueblood,” Elusive said before walking off to visit with his friends.

“...It seems I have no choice but to go to plan C…” Blueblood said before walking away.

“Thank you guys again, you really saved us,” Barb said.

“Indeed, I was certain that we were done for back there,” Elusive said.

“No problem, but what happened back there?” Dusk asked.

“It seems Blueblood is up to his usual antics, he’s determined to force me to cave into his demands and stay under his thumb, and he clearly has it out for Barbra, his determination to get rid of her is surprising,” Elusive said.

“Not really, considering he’s such a jerk,” Barb said.

“I will keep an eye on him, and my horn alert for magic, we cannot risk him sullying your reputation any further,” Dusk said.

“I agree,” Elusive said.

Over the next hour the group mingled around and enjoyed the party… as well as they can after that situation back there with Fancy Pants.

“I’m not getting in trouble, so please leave me alone,” Another noble said leaving Elusive.

“...Well, this is unfortunate… How can I clear the air if nopony will talk to me?” Elusive asked looking to see Luna and Dusk keeping their eyes peeled for Blueblood and Barbra going over to the punchbowl.

Elusive was about to go over to Barbra when he heard a cough and spun to see Fluer.

“F-Fluer?” Elusive said nervously.

“Hello again Elusive,” Fluer said.

“Wh-what are you… on second thought we shouldn’t be talking to one another, we have to keep our distance,” Elusive said.

“Because my husband said so?” Fluer said stirring her cup around.

“Yes… if we are seen together and he see’s I do wonder what he plans to do,” Elusive said.

“Don’t, I wish to talk,” Fluer said.

“I can’t…” Elusive said.

“Trust me, if he makes a scene I’ll calm him down,” Fluer said.

“...Ok,” Elusive said waving Barbra over.

The group sat at a table and Fluer ordered margaritas for the table, when they arrived the group sat back.

“So… your not bothered I’m a dragon right?” Barb asked.

“No, some of these spoiled nobles may be but thankfully I am not,” Fluer said.

“Ok, good,” Barbra said before sipping her glass “Wowie, that’s strong,” Barbra said.

“Not a drinker?” Fluer chuckled.

“No, just not this strong,” Barb said.

“All my friends know I have quite the resistance to alcohol,” Elusive said.

“Indeed… so last time you must have drunk quite a bit,” Fluer said.

“...Yes, I promise I didn’t mean to prey on you… I… become a bit more unruly when I fall off the wagon so to speak,” Elusive said taking a swig.

“Indeed, so, I just wish to say I understand your struggles I just wish Fancy didn’t get so jealous so quickly, I swear, he once clocked another stallion for brushing up against me, accidentally might I add,” Fluer chuckled.

“I see…” Barb gulped a little.

“And I would probably do the same if I thought another-” Elusive grunted as another stallion bumped into him and knocked over his drink.

“Oh so sorry!” The stallion said.

“It is fine, none of it got on my suit,” Elusive said.

“Here, you can have mine, I feel myself getting a tad tipsy anyways,” The stallion handed it to him.

“Oh, thank you sir,” Elusive said as the stallion walked away.

“That was odd,” Barb said.

“Mmhmm, yes, that would be nice,” Fluer finished conversing with a waiter who distracted her.

“Is everything alright?” Elusive asked.

“Oh the chef was just wondering if we have any concerns regarding the drinks, which is odd because I already assured him about my pineapple allergy,” Fluer said.

“Oh, very well then,” Elusive took a long swig of his drink before setting it down.

“So Elusive, are you mainly a proprietor of stallion-wear or are there mare items as well?” Fluer said.

“I do suppose I can begin making mare wear,” Elusive said.

“And I could model?” Barb hoped.

“I wish dear, but dragon proportions are different from pony, I will need someponies help…” Elusive said before shaking his head a little, he could feel a headache coming on for some reason.

“You ok hun?” Barb asked.

“Yeah, just a slight headache,” Elusive said.

“As you were,” Fluer said.

“Where was I?... Ah yes, I hope that once me and….and….Fancy put things behind… us…” Elusive’s vision began to blur a little.

“Elusive? You alright?” Barb asked.

“I… need to use the powder room really quickly, be right back…” Elusive said before hurrying off.

“I do wonder if he has bad luck at gala’s such as these,” Fluer wondered.

“You’ve got no idea sister,” Barb nodded.

Elusive made it to the restroom only to puke into the toilet.

Elusive coughed a few times and managed to compose himself before heading back out.

“Last time I take drink from a stranger,” Elusive said before bumping into Blueblood.

“You… to what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?” Elusive said holding his stomach.

“My my, you seem quite ill, something you drank?” Blueblood chuckled.

“You… you're trying to sabotage me, aren’t you? Why?” Elusive demanded before he gagged a little.

“Because no stallion's reputation should supersede my own, go back with your dragon wife and the rest of the riff-raff,” Blueblood said.

“I will not… be looked down upon simply because I am of lower class, you aren’t a noble stallion, you never were!” Elusive said pushing past him but Blueblood stepped in front of him again.

“I think you are mistaken, that wasn’t a request, it was a demand before I do to you what I did last time,” Blueblood threatened.

“What do you-... no… you were behind my intoxication at the gala?! How? Why?!” Elusive shouted.

“I needed to lower your reputation… just a bit, after all, how long before other ponies saw your being an element of harmony as being more significant than my being a prince, a simple intoxication charm and you did the rest,” Blueblood said.

“You vile serpent!” Elusive raised a fist and Blueblood turned his face as to prep for the hit.

…But Elusive put his fist down.

“Hm?” Blueblood said.

“No… I will not sink to your level, if you wish to be scum, continue being scum away from my wife,” Elusive said.

“Wife?... you mean the lizard?” Blueblood asked with a raised brow.

“She’s a dragon! And yes, I planned to propose to her after we get home, seeing as how we’ll be spending the next thousand or so years together, I figured tying the knot sounded best,” Elusive said.

“You aren’t kidding are you?...” Blueblood sighed “I didn’t want to do this again, but I suppose you’ve forced my hand,” Blueblood said before lighting up his horn.

Elusive lit his horn in defense “I will not let you brainwash me again!” Elusive said.

“Oh I wouldn’t think of it, see ponies surprisingly enjoy your dragon friend, I do wonder what her type is,” Blueblood said approaching the door.

“NO!” Elusive tried to stop him but he opened the door and subtly fired a magic bolt at Barbra and it hit her.

“Ahh!” Barbra fell out of her chair.

“Blueblood you maniac, dragons lose control when they become intoxicated!” Elusive said.

“I know, won’t it be glorious?” Blueblood said.

“Barbra!” Elusive ran to her and helped her up “Ignore it, we need to get you out of here now!” Elusive said.

“Elusive? Is everything alright? I saw a magic bolt and then-”

“Fluer, you need to leave!” Elusive said dragging his dragon companion away.

Before she tugged back.

“Barbra?” Elusive turned to see her stumbling around dizzily and she hiccuped.

“Lusive…. I don’t… feel good… mine…” Barb said.

“Barbra, hold your instincts back,” Elusive said.

“Barb! What’s wrong?” Dusk said approaching with Luna.

“Blueblood intoxicated Barbra! She’s about to-” Suddenly Barbra began to growl and she looked up and her eyes were slit.

“Oh no!” Dusk tried to cast his magic but Barb suddenly got on all fours and spun tripping him with her tail, she then breathed fire and lunged at Luna who raised a barrier and Barbra rebounded off of it and ran on all fours into the mansion.

“Barbra!” Elusive ran after her.

“BLUEBLOOD!” Luna spun to see Blueblood walking out of the bathroom with a fake look of shock.

“Oh dear! What happened?!” Blueblood asked.

“You know full well, fix this before somepony gets hurt!” Luna said.

“Oh auntie Luna, the only thing getting hurt is them,” Blueblood gestured to Elusive before turning to the crowd.

“RUN! The dragon is on a rampage!” Blueblood cried and several ponies began to panic.

“No! You are being lied to!” Luna said to dissuade the ponies from rioting.

Meanwhile Elusive chased after Barbra.

Elusive entered a ballroom and saw ponies fleeing as Barbra was attacking ponies and taking their jewelry.

“Mine!” Barb snarled ripping a brooch off of a panicking stallion and eating it.

“Barbra!” Elusive arrived in the room and Barb turned to see him.

“Grrr!” Barbra growled low and got ready to pounce.

“This isn’t you Barbra! This is Blueblood’s magic!” Elusive said.

“Barb want!” Barb said approaching.

“Barbra…” Elusive said.

“ELUSIVE!” Elusive turned to see Fancy Pants storming up to him “I have half a mind to call the royal guard on you!” Fancy said.

“You don’t understand Fancy! Blueblood-”

“Blueblood nothing! I knew this would happen and I still allowed it! Misfortune follows you like a plague Elusive!” Fancy said.

“....Perhaps it does…” Elusive said bowing his head before turning to Barb who was still on a rampage.

Blueblood rounded the corner and prepared to watch.

“Either you renounce her or live in infamy,” Blueblood silently said.

“MINE!” Barbra roared seeing jewelry on Fancy Pants and she charged at him.

“Oh dear!” Fancy cried as he saw her going to tackle him but a barrier protected everypony and Barbra rebounded off the barrier and stalked back.

“Luna?” a pony whispered and everypony turned to see Luna approaching with her horn lit.

“Get back, I will restrain her!” Luna said.

“Restrain? You should slay it!” A pony from the crowd shouted and the crowd began chanting for Luna to do it.

“NO! I will not kill her!” Luna said but the crowd refused to back down.

“...Let me through,” Elusive said approaching the barrier.

“Elusive?” Luna said even as Barbra paced back and forth like a predator.

“Do it!” Elusive said.

“...Very well,” Luna said, she opened the barrier briefly to let Elusive through.

“Barbra!” Elusive called to get her attention and she turned to him with a growl.

“Listen, you are not in the right state of mind, please, wake up,” Elusive said.

“Just going to get yourself killed,” Blueblood chuckled.

“I want… everything!” Barbra snarled.

“I know… but you have everything you need, friends, family, your love,” Elusive said.

“L-love?...” Barb said, flinching.

“Yes, you love ponies, not hurt them, that sets you apart from those dragons who bullied you, you have a ponies heart,” Elusive said, retrieving a box.

“Know what this is?” Elusive asked, getting on one knee.

“Jewel…Barbra want…” Barbra said with a slur.

“It is… Barbra…. I will live as long as you and I will be content as long as we are together, Barbra… will you marry me?” Elusive said.

Barbra’s eyes widened when she saw the jewel.

“Tasty….no….Want jewel….NO!” Barbra fought the urge to consume the ring “You… want… marry… me?” Barb gritted.

“Yes, Barbra, accept this ring, not as a snack, but as yours,” Elusive asked.

“...Min… no… I… Elus… sive…” Barb began crying and she turned and breathed fire at the middle of the ballroom, it came out in a large blast that scorched a wall.

And afterward, she collapsed.

“Barbra!” Elusive ran over and held her.

Luna began to lower the barrier but the fear of the crowd advancing on Elusive and Barbra made her keep it up.

“Open it for me,” Dusk said and Luna did so and he walked in, but before she closed the barrier Blueblood slipped in.

“Blueblood!” Luna yelled.

“Elusive, Barbra, are you alri-” Dusk was pushed past by Blueblood who ran over to them.

“Oh dear, are you two alright?” Blueblood asked in a clearly exaggerated tone.

Not trusting this Dusk said “Back away from them!” Dusk fired a magic bolt and it missed Blueblood.

“How dare you! I am a prince!” Blueblood said.

“This was your doing! Don’t pretend! You were planning to zap them both when you got up to them weren’t you,” Dusk said.

“Does your cruelty know no bounds?!” Elusive said walking up to Blueblood.

“I was not!” Blueblood said before speaking quieter so the crowd wouldn’t hear him while backing the two up.

“You and your friends are getting in my way! Yes, I zapped that dragon to make her go crazy, yes I did zap Elusive to make him come on to Fluer, I do not care if you resent me for it, but I refuse to let that dragon enter Canterlotian society! Everyone saw the beast she is today, and now they think so too! Now you have no choice but to kick that reptile to the curb or risk eternal infamy! Should you refuse I will tell this lot that you threatened me with worse! I am the center of Canterlot! I am the true prince! And I…. wait… does anypony else hear an echo?...” Blueblood said before noticing the two smirking “What are you smiling about?” Blueblood demanded.

“Did you bother examining what magic I shot at you earlier?” Dusk asked.

“....What?” Blueblood looked over their shoulders and saw a magical rune on the wall… one for enhancing voices…. “Oh no…” Blueblood paled.

“While you were making your plans, so were we,” Dusk said.

Blueblood turned to see the whole crowd giving him judgmental glares and Luna with a victorious smirk.

“Checkmate, dear Blueblood,” Luna said.

“No… nonononono! I-it’s a lie! They-” Blueblood attempted.

“BLUBLOOD!” Fancy cut him off and stomped up to him “I don’t believe my ears, you mean what happened before was your fault?! You vile deceiver!” Fancy said.

“Y-you don’t understand, I’m being framed! I didn’t-” Blueblood attempted.

“SILENCE!” Luna said approaching with some guards “Guards, take the prince to his abode for now, I will deal with him later,” Luna said and the guards did so, cuffing Blueblood and dragging him off.

“NO! YOU CANNOT DO THIS! I AM A PRINCE!” Blueblood yelled as he was dragged off.

“Good riddance,” Elusive spat before turning to Barbra who got up woozily.

“Ugh… what happened…” Barbra wheezed.

“We happened Barbra, so what is your answer?” Elusive asked.

“For what?” Barb asked.

“If you wish to tie the knot with me,” Elusive said.

“....What? Y-you mean… me and you… we’re….” Barbra stuttered.

“Yes,” Elusive said.

“I DO I DO!” Barbra pounced on him hugging and kissing him.

“Haha! That is good darling!” Elusive chuckled.

“That’s going to be us one day,” Luna said with a coy smile.

“...Y-you mean-”

“Relax, I intend to show you how I am in bed first, dear,” Luna said.

“...Meep,” Dusk squeaked.

After the whole debacle, Fancy stood outside with Elusive and Barbra, Luna, Dusk, and Fluer.

“Congratulations on your engagement, I was once judgmental of dragons… but I know better now,” Fancy said with a bow “Can you two forgive me for the way I treated you both?” Fancy asked.

“All is forgiven, you were fooled by that scoundrel Blueblood,” Elusive said.

“Believe me, I will never associate with that hoodlum again,” Fancy said.

“It makes so much more sense that Blueblood was the scoundrel instead of you, he was never likable around here, if it weren’t for his status he’d be on the receiving end of everypony in Canterlot’s ire,” Fluer said.

“We have to get going now, but thanks for the help,” Elusive said.

“Very well then, I have a party to get back in order, have a pleasant night both of you,” Fancy said.

After leaving with a wave the group went over to the train back to Ponyville.

“Leaving so soon?” Luna asked Dusk.

“Unfortunately, I got to get home and help with the surprise involving Barbra and Elusive’s wedding planning,” Dusk said.

“Wait for the others…”

“Actually Dusk, we'd like to take care of the planning, perhaps wait a little bit, why not stay with Luna,” Elusive said.

“What? Why-” Dusk said before Luna hugged his arm tightly.

“Didn’t you know, heat week is next week,” Luna said.

“...Oh….b-but we-” Dusk said nervously said.

“Ah ah, we already are getting things ready, you need to be there,” Luna said.

“Oooh boy…” Dusk said before being led off by Luna.

Now that they were alone the two headed to catch the late-night train.

“So Lucy… is it true… I mean, I would have thought you’d want to date a prince or a princess, are you sure you want to settle with a dragon?” Barb asked.

“I am certain, especially if that dragoness is you,” Elusive said.

“Oh Elusive,” Barb said kissing him on the lips.

Author's Note

I'm a romantic at heart, and I love writing romance.

And this was a sweet chapter to write, just one more to write, and then we speed the story up some more.

The truth comes out

The next morning arrived and Elusive and Barbra had gotten home and gotten some sleep.

Not enough as they heard a knock at their door and Elusive sighed as he got out of bed and walked downstairs.

As he got to the door he looked half asleep.

“Wakey wakey, hay bacon and shaky,” Soarin said.

“Why hello there… And to what do I owe this early hour waking?” Elusive asked with a yawn.

“Dude, it’s twelve thirty,” Rainbow said.

“Oh, I see, must have slept in, it was a long day yesterday,” Elusive said with a chuckle.

“Well get ready, we’ve got a visit to the farm,” Rainbow said.

“Ah yes… you know, perhaps Soarin can miss this one, she may not be able to handle the… truth,” Elusive whispered that last part.

“What?” Soarin said.

“If Soarin loves me, then she’ll stay with me,” Rainbow said.

“Yeah, whatever it is can’t be that groundbreaking right?” Soarin asked.

Elusive and Rainbow just glanced at eachother uncomfortably.

Red Gala sat with Butterscotch, and she was glaring at Applejack who was shifting uncomfortably.

“Gala, you shouldn’t go through with this, what if this wrecks their relationship?” AJ asked.

“Then it’s wrecked, better than lying to yer loved one until the day they find out on their own accord,” Gala said.

“Rainbow needs Soarin by his side, he’s in no emotional condition to-”

“Ah’ll take responsibility, Blitz lied ta me too, so ah need the truth from him too, and ah’d rather that poor mare not live a lie,” Gala said.

“...Are you sure?” Butterscotch asked.

“Yes,” Gala said.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Ah’ll get it,” Gala said and she walked to the door and came back with Elusive, Barbra, Rainbow Blitz, Soarin, Berry, Cheese and Thunderstrike.

“This better have been important enough to pull me from weather duty,” Thunder said.

“It is,” Gala said.

“Hi guys!” Berry said, but paused when he saw the somber atmosphere “What’s wrong?”

“Do ya even know why we’re here?” AJ said.

“Yeah,” Berry said “So what? Cheesie already knows,” Berry said.

“Ya do?” Red Gala said with wide eyes.

“Yep, sorry Gala,” Swiss Cheese said.

“...Alrighty then,” Gala sighed and sat down “Suppose we can begin since Dusk is unreachable at the moment, ah’m glad ya’ll came today, now we can clear the air with the lies that have been told,” Gala shot a look at AJ who flinched.

“Lies? What lies?” Thunder asked sitting beside her coltfriend.

“Gala please,” AJ said.

“Ah take no joy in this AJ, but she’ll find out sooner or later, best get it out now,” Gala said.

“AJ… what does she mean? What have you been hiding?” Thunderstrike said worriedly.

“....She’s right… ah am a liar, me the element of honesty, but know that ah have been battlin that urge to confess,” AJ said.

“That’s even worse,” Red said.

“...Supose so…” AJ said before turning to Thunderstrike “Thunder… ah used to think ah’d never get used to the way things are now, but meeting you ah felt somethin that ah never did as the old me, considerin ah liked the idea of dating mares more than stallions,” AJ said.

“...Why is that so weird to you, you are a stallion,” Thunder said.

“...No ah’m not,” AJ said with his head bowed.

“.....Come again?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Ah was born a mare, and got turned into a stallion during an accident,” AJ said finally.

“.....Hahaha, and I thought you weren’t a jokester like Berry,” Thunderstrike said.

“...” AJ looked at her seriously.

“...Yer not laughing…” She said.

“Ah’m not kiddin,” AJ said.

“Ok, jokes getting old, what’s the real problem?” Thunderstrike said.

“Ya know the way ah act when ah’m lyin… am ah acting that way?” Applejack said.

“.....No way…. M-maybe you got better-”

“Ah am a mare!” AJ said not wanting this to go on all day.

“Your… not kidding are you? Well that is a surprise then… who would have thought you were a mare… but you don’t even look like one,” She pointed out.

“It’s complicated…” Blitz said.

“Blitz, you knew?” Soarin asked.

“I do…” Blitz said.

“How did Applejack turn into a stallion?” Soarin asked.

“We got caught in a magical explosion during an experiment that Twilight-”

“We? And whose Twilight?... don’t tell me, you were a mare too?” Soarin said.

“...Yes… my real name is Rainbow Dash, it’s been Rainbow Dash since birth up until a couple months or so ago, and as for Twilight, that’s Dusk’s real name,” Rainbow said.

“....No way, the stud of Ponyville was a mare?” Thunderstrike said in disbelief.

“Dusk’s… as in Prince Dusk Shine? And he was… I’m getting a headache,” Soarin sighed.

“And me,” Berry said “I was Pinkie Pie,” Berry said.

“And me… I was Fluttershy,” Butterscotch said.

“Slow down please, my heads spinning,” Thunderstrike said.

“It’s true, the elements of harmony here were originally six mares, and thanks to a magical accident, they all became stallions,” AJ said.

“Even Elusive…” Soarin said.

“I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore, I lied to you Soarin, I was just scared you’d abandon me,” Rainbow said.

Soarin hugged him “I would never leave you for that Blitz,” Soarin said.

“Thank you,” Blitz said.

“Now that that’s all cleared up, why not tell the rest of it?” Gala said.

“Rest of it? There’s more?” Thunderstrike asked.

“RED!” AJ said firmly.

“The Apple Family doesn’t keep secrets AJ, it’s our code,” Gala said.

“What else could there be?” Thunderstrike asked.

“It is best I take over here,” Elusive said standing.

“Go on,” AJ said.

“...We… weren’t the only ones who changed,” Elusive said.

“What do you mean? Who else-.... No…” Thunderstrike said realization dawning on her.

“....You, Soarin, Cheese, Barbra, Gala… you all went from stallions to mares, and-”

“NO!” Thunderstrike stood “Your saying my whole life has been a lie?!” Thunderstrike demanded.

“...I am afraid so dear…” Elusive said.

“Oh…my… gosh,” Soarin stumbled back a little in shock.

“Who… who all knew?” Thunder asked.

“I did, I was there during the accident,” Barbra said.

“Barb?” Soarin said.

“So did I… simply because I’m weird like that,” Swiss Cheese said.

“Luna knows too, and Discord, and now, you guys,” Blitz said.

“Hoooly…. I need a few minutes,” Soarin said sitting down.

“I… need an hour,” Thunderstrike said walking into the kitchen.

Barbra sighed “In all honesty that went better than expected,” Barbra said.

“....Ya satisfied now Gala?” AJ said bitterly.

“Ah’m not the badguy here, the bad one here is you AJ, fer lookin me in the eye mah whole life an lyin, ah’m just setting everything straight,” Gala said.

AJ got up and walked into the kitchen as well.

Soarin was sitting back against the wall trying to make heads or tails of what she’s heard.

“It’s alright Soarin,” Blitz said sitting beside her.

“Will it?...” She asked.

“We can move past this,” Blitz said.

“I hope,” Soarin sniffled.

“Thunderstrike, please don’t go,” AJ said.

“Why? One I just found out my life is a lie, and two I find out you’ve been lying to me about it,” Thunderstrike said.

“Ah had to, ya think ah can just blurt out ‘yer a stallion in a former reality’ an it make a lick of sense?” AJ said.

“I get it, but it still hurts knowing that I used to be a stallion and you didn’t trust me enough to say it, imagine if the roles were reversed, would you be happy to hear this?” Thunderstrike said.

“No… and ah’m sorry, ah didn’t know how ta tell ya,” AJ said sadly.

“...” Thunderstrike sighed and sat down at the table “I… I get it, just look, next time something of this magnitude comes up, please just tell me,” Thunderstrike said.

“Ok, promise,” AJ said.

“To think Barb was a guy dragon this whole time… we showered in the same spa room!” Thunderstrike growled.

“Ah get the feelin, but she is a girl dragon now,” AJ said.

“I need a stern word with her on boundaries,” Thunderstrike said.

“Ah agree,” AJ chuckled.

“It just… makes so much sense now, you forgetting Petunia, the sudden lapse in your second profession, how awkward you were in the restroom,” Soarin said.

“Yep, look Soarin… I hope we can still be together, I need you,” Blitz said.

“And… I need you too Blitz… er Dash,” Soarin said.

“Just call me Blitz now, I can’t go back to Dash even if I wanted to,” Blitz said.

“Heh, that’s my stallion,” Soarin said kissing him.

“Gala?” Butterscotch said.

“Yes Butters?” Gala said.

“...I was hoping that now that we have all confessed if you’d be willing… to give me another chance,” Butterscotch said.

Gala sighed “Ah will admit mah heart is hurt over yer lies, but… sure, ah can let ya off this once,” Gal chuckled before picking the stallion off the ground and setting him on her lap.

“I appreciate it,” Butters said before hugging her.

“Well Berry, seems it’s all done now, wanna go get a triple extra sugary chocolate banana split?” Cheese asked.

“I say what took you so long to ask?” Berry laughed and the two walked away.

As the group continued their conversations they didn’t notice they were being watched…

“Looks like everything is falling into place, ready for heat week coming up?” Discord asked.

“Yes, dear,” Another voice said.

After everything Red called everypony back into the room.

“Alright, ah do hope my actions don’t break anything between ya’ll, ah’m just hoping that yer relationship can prosper now because of yer honesty,” Gala said.

“Ah get it…” AJ sighed.

“I will admit… this will take some time to swallow but, I still want to be with Applejack here,” Thunderstrike said.

“Me and Blitz aren’t breaking up,” Soarin assured.

“That’s good,” Well then you can all get back to yer days now, heat week is coming up and so we need to be prepared,” Gala said.

“We will!” Everypony said before getting up and heading for the door… before Thunderstrike grabbed Barbra’s shoulder.

“Juuust a second there Barb… we need to talk,” Thunderstrike said visibly peeved.

“Oh crud…” Barb said getting a feeling what this is about.

Luna and Dusk Shine watched this all from a crystal ball.

“I still can’t believe you have a sight crystal, those are rare,” Dusk said.

“Being a princess has its perks,” Luna said.

“Well, Spike certainly has her work cut out for her now that everypony knows she’s a he, and he’s been peeping,” Dusk said.

“Tis the fate of perverts I suppose, and speaking of which, know what next week is?” Luna asked.

“...Ooooh boy…” Dusk blushed a bit.

Author's Note

Sorry about the small chapter, but coming up next is a much longer and frankly perverse chapter.

Those who don't like Clop may want to skip that chapter, those who do like it, I will try my best to provide you all with a quality story.

I'm hoping I can cut down some length on the overall story in this next chapter.

Until it's made I hope you enjoy and I appreciate you guys always. :pinkiehappy:

Heat week [WARNING: multiple cases of clopping]

Heat week… The bane of all mares…

A whole week where mares feel the need to breed and locate potential mates. When Blitz was a stud this wasn’t as big of a problem…

Nowadays, it is.

It was day two and stallions were being hounded by hot and bothered mares.

One reason Dusk was happy to be in Canterlot for this, not to mention being a stallion meant he wasn’t spending the week plagued with unwanted needs and using heat reduction spells to make it easier.

“One of the perks of staying like this I suppose,” Dusk said as he walked through the castle hall leading to the throne room.

Having been called there by Celestia, Dusk trod lightly, knowing Celestia is affected too, and while she is a beautiful mare he sees her as more of a mother figure than a potential lover.

“Hope the heat doesn’t change that,” Dusk said before entering as the two guards stood aside, Dusk noticed out of the corner of his eye a mare guard who looked like she was panting from the strain.

“I wish I could say that I feel her pain, but that would blow my cover,” Dusk said as he arrived in the throne room and saw Celestia.

Surprisingly fine?

“Hello my student,” Celestia said.

“Hello Princess Celestia… you seem oddly chipper on a day like this,” Dusk said.

“Indeed, I am,” Celestia said.

“Aren’t you feeling bothered right now?” Dusk asked.

“I am, but you forget I am many years old, I am practically used to the effects of heat, besides, I have plans today to attend to it,” Celestia said.

“What kind of-”

“Ah ah ah, a mare doesn’t kiss and tell, speaking of which, Luna is looking for you,” Celestia said.

Dusk gulped a little “I-I get that…” Dusk said.

“Have you been avoiding her since yesterday?” Celestia said.

“I… yes… and don’t think it’s because I don’t care about her! It’s just that… I’m… new to this kind of thing,” Dusk said, technically true considering that he usually waited until the heat passed instead of hooking up with a stallion, she now he was… technically a virgin.

“I see, there’s nothing to be worried about Dusk, I heard she was great in bed back in the day, she can show you how we handled heat back in the old days,” Celestia chuckled.

“....I get that but… I feel like things are progressing way too fast, we only started dating like a week ago,” Dusk said.

“And in that time you two have proven to be a true power couple, back in her day it was normal for ponies to take it fast,” Celestia said.

“Well, this isn’t the old days,” Dusk said.

“You worry too much Dusk Shine, Luna knows you have reservations about relationships but you need only to remember she isn’t a filly, and she is known to be quite determined to get what she wants,” Celestia said.

“Right…. I guess your right, I should talk to her first,” Dusk said before turning to leave.

“Enjoy your day, and don’t tell Luna I told you this but she has a present for you later,” Celestia called.

This just made Dusk even more anxious.

Thunderstrike walked into Sugarcube Corner looking positively antsy.

“Hey Mr Cake… I… need an ice cream,” Thunder said.

“Comin right up,” Mr Cake said getting to scooping it.

“Oh man… I got it bad this year…” Thunder sighed.

“I heard, the mares are really feeling it this year, could be the seasonal shift-”

“Now please!” Thunder sighed loudly.

“On it, sorry, I forgot the heat makes you irritable as well,” Mr Cake said hurriedly putting the ice cream on the table and Thunder began eating it “Aren’t you and Applejack dating now? He should be able to help you,” Mr Cake said.

“He was too busy yesterday, and Gala, she somehow has it worse than me, Celestia help Butters if she loses control,” Thunderstrike said.

“I understand, just be careful,” Mr Cake said before walking off.

“Wait, where’s Berry or Cheese?” Thunderstrike asked.

“...Theeir… upstairs,” Mr Cake said carefully.

“Got it,” Thunder said catching what he means before focusing on her ice cream again “I need to approach him today, i’m not sure how much more I can take, man I wish I was a mare before the switch happened…” Thunderstrike cursed.

Berry and Cheese laid on the bed panting, wearing clown costumes for some reason.

“Whew! That was a good round Berry! Let’s try fornication as astronauts this time!” Cheese said.

“I love it!” Berry said before noticing the audience “Oh hi! We’re doing cosplay, come back later!” Berry said before throwing Gummy up and Gummy grabbed the scene transition and moved it to the next scene.

Butterscotch was hiding under his bed.

Angel sat there looking annoyed, with gestures he asked why he was under there.

“I went out to go see Gala… for… not pervy reasons and the mares surrounded me… they weren’t taking no for an answer,” Butters said.

Angel asked why he can’t just invite the mare he’s crushing on to come here.

“I could do that… b-but what if she tries to take me… I’m not ready!” Butters panicked.

Angel facepalmed and gestured saying it was obvious that he wants to see her so he can help with her heat, he’s just too shy to admit it.

“N-no I don’t!” Butters squeaked.

‘Yeah you do’ Angel gestured.

“I…I’m scared,” Butters said.

Angel sighed and hopped away, wrote a letter and approached a bird who was feeding her chicks and explained the situation to her, the bird nodded took the letter and flew off.

“Ya’ll sure your ok Gala?” AJ asked as he kicked a tree and made it rain fruit.

“Y-Yeah… I… I’m doin fine,” Gala sighed in exasperation as her body was practically aching from the heat.

“You got it real bad this year Gala… ah know he may not be prepared for it but maybe you can pay a visit to Butterscotch,” AJ suggested.

“No, ah can power through this, sides the crops come in, be a shame to let it go bad this year,” Gala said as she carried a large wheelbarrow with her.

“Gala, ya’ll look ready to collapse, you need relief,” AJ said.

“AH’M FINE!” Gala snapped before sighing “Sorry, heats gettin to me,” Gala said.

“At least you don’t have to turn away like a half dozen mares tryin to bed ya all day long, fer once ah’m almost starting to wish Blitz never gave up bein a stud,” AJ said.

“Trust me, ah’d rather be Big Mac right now than a mare in heat,” Gala said.

As Gala put the wheelbarrow away she heard flapping and turned to see a bird carrying a note to her and dropping it in her hands.

“Huh?” Gala read it and saw that Butters want to see her “....Ah see…” Red Gala said before going back to work.

“Huh?” AJ took the note and read it “Gala this is a good thing ain’t it? He’s inviting ya over,” AJ said.

“Ah ain’t goin…” Gala said.

“But why?” AJ asked.

“Ah’m just gonna end up hurting him,” Gala said.

“What do you mean?” AJ asked.

“...” Gala said nothing.

“...Ah think ah know, yer scared you’ll lose control and injure him wont you? Yer a strong mare and yer worried he’ll get hurt,” AJ said.

“It’s happened before… a stallion helped me with mah heat once and ah wound up hurting him durin the process,” Gala said.

“You got too excited, that ain’t on ya, please just talk to him at least,” AJ said.

“Ah care about him, the last stallion was just a fling, but him, what if ah ruin another relationship?” Gala asked.

“He’s the element of kindness, he’ll understand,” AJ said.

“Ah won’t go, ah don’t want to-” Gala said before a voice whispered in her ear.

“Go to him, you won’t regret it,” The voice said.

“Gala? You ok?” AJ said.

“Y-Yeah… that was odd, ah spaced a bit…” Gala said, before noticing her hesitance from before was gone.

“Well at least go an tell him why you don’t want to risk anything happening between you two,” AJ said.

“...Yeah… ah think ah’ll do that,” Gala said before dropping everything and walking away.

“Odd, ah expected more of an argument-” AJ said before a voice whispered in his ear this time.

“Mind your own business, except when your lover comes to you,” The voice said.

“Never mind, it ain’t mah business,” AJ said before going back to work.

Gala walked down through Ponyville and saw the individual mares looking around for a stallion willing to help them.

And then she bumped into Thunderstrike.

“Hmm? Oh hey there Thunder,” Gala said.

“H-hey… know where AJ is? I reeeally need to talk to him,” Thunder said.

Gala got an admittedly mischievous idea and pointed back at the farm.

“Thanks,” Thunder walked that way.

“Same,” Gala said before walking on.

“It’s times like this I’m glad I’m not a pony,” Barb said looking at the bothered mares through a window.

“Indeed, heat was never fun, but now neither of us have to worry about it,” Elusive said as he was making a suit.

“...Even though I’m not in heat like every other mare… does it mean we still can’t… enjoy ourselves today?” Barb asked hoping it wasn’t too invasive.

Elusive looked back at her and smiled.

“Oh no worry dear, when we’re done, you’ll be satisfied,” Elusive said.

“...Meep….” Barb squeaked and walked back into the kitchen to continue preparing lunch as Elusive chuckled and he resumed making the suit.

Hopefully, Barbra will like it…

Dusk sat in the garden and waited, knowing Luna will find him eventually, and find him she did.

“Hello my lover,” Luna said and Dusk looked up to see her sitting upon a statue’s arm.

“How’d you know?” Dusk asked.

“This garden is where I started to convince you to accept your new life, why else would you come here if but to wait for me?” Luna said as she hopped down.

Dusk sniffed the air and blushed.

“You… haven’t been using heat-blocking spells have you?” Dusk asked.

“Not once, because we’re a couple now, and I have pined for you for so long,” Luna said.

“Even though I am actually a… mare,” Dusk whispered the last part.

“Even then, thinking back to it, I found your mare form attractive too,” Luna sat by him.

“Really? So… back then you wanted me?” Dusk asked.

“I imagine so, but that isn’t what we came to talk about, are you ready?” Luna asked.

“....Not really… no offense Luna, but this is all too sudden,” Dusk said.

“Back in my day, it was quite common for the mare to make the first move,” Luna said.

“I know,” Dusk said.

“Celly told you? Never could keep her mouth shut,” Luna huffed.

“Indeed… I… want to be with you Luna, but… I don’t think I’m-” Dusk was about to say ready when a voice whispered in his ear.

“You are, stop lying to yourself because you are nervous,” The voice said.

“....I….Ok…” Dusk said.

“You are certain? I do not wish to drag you into this,” Luna asked.

“Yeah… i’m lying to myself… I care about you Luna, and I am willing to give it a try if you are willing,” Dusk said.

“Tonight then, we share our passion,” Luna said.

“Ok,” Dusk said and the two got up and walked away… but Dusk couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off… there was strange magic in the air…

Blitz and Soarin were wrapped in eachothers embrace inside the shower.

Not kissing, feeling or anything, just holding eachother.

“This is nice,” Soarin said liking the cold of the shower and the warmth of Blitz’s body.

“What’d I say? This is the best form of cuddling” Blitz said.

“Are you ready? Or do you need more time?” Soarin asked.

“I am,” Blitz said turning off the shower and lifting Soarin up in a hold.

“Ahh!” Soarin laughed as he carried her to bed, he set her down on the bed and leaned in to kiss her.

“Your so beautiful,” Blitz said admiring all her features.

“And your my handsome stallion,” Soarin said before going into thought “Hey Blitz, I got a question,” Soarin asked.

“Fire away,” Blitz said.

“Did you have the same feelings for me as a stallion? Or more so now as a mare? No judgments,” Soarin said.

“...Wow… I don’t know how to answer that, one thing for sure,” Blitz said before climbing onto her and kissing her.

“What’s that?” She asked breathily.

“I love you, in any body,” Blitz said grabbing her firm large chest and squeezing it drawing a moan from Soarin.

“I know we took care of my heat like yesterday, but when I’m with you, I need you, like bad,” Soarin said before hugging him close to her and kissing him.

“I love you,” Blitz said.

“I love you too,” Soarin said before they began again.

AJ just finished kicking the last tree and getting the apples from them.

Applejack picked up the last bucket before hearing flapping noises behind him.

“Ah already told ya ah’m not-” AJ turned and saw Thunderstrike “Oh, hey Thunder, what are ya doin here?” AJ asked.

“I think you know,” Thunderstrike panted.

“...Look, Thunder-”

“Nope, I seriously feel like I’m about to burst into flames here, please AJ?” Thunderstrike begged.

“...Can it wait until after-”

“No! I’m sorry but… I want this now,” Thunderstrike said.

“...Alright, l just need to talk to Granny fer a bit,” AJ said.

“Alright,” Thunderstrike said and AJ walked off and Thunder fist pumped, “It worked!” Thunderstrike said.

Applejack entered the farmhouse looking for Granny and he saw her taking a nap on the chair.

AJ cleared his throat and Granny Smith woke up with a snort.

“Huh? Wassat…? Granny looked to see AJ “What can ah do ya fer?” Granny asked.

“...Granny, ah need advice…” AJ said.

“Go on,” Granny got up and hobbled over to AJ.

“Thunderstrike… just asked me to-”

“Say no more, ah say go with it,” Granny said.

“B-but Granny Smith, ah’ve… never done it before…” To his knowledge involving this realm.

“That may be, but ah know love when ah see it, that mare is ready and willin to take the next step to becomin a member of the Apple Family, ya turn her away now you’ll never get a chance like it,” Granny said.

“Ya mean ah won’t ever get married?” AJ snorted.

“Not what ah meant, you love her too, can see it plain as day, you pass this up and you may never get another chance with her,” Granny said.

“....Ah… guess yer right,” Applejack said.

“Have Gala take over for now,” Granny said.

“She’s gone to visit Butterscotch,” AJ pointed out.

“...Ah see, in that case, ah’m given ya’ll the day off, now go on, git,” Granny said with a smile.

“Ok ok,” AJ said walking away.

“...Heheheh, mah wish is almost granted,” Granny said before returning to her chair and sleeping.

AJ exited the house and approached Thunderstrike who was walking around taking deep breaths, when she saw AJ she darted over to him.

“Well?” Thunderstrike said hoping he didn’t reject her.

“We can do it, and not because ya need help with yer heat, but because ah… really care about ya Thunder, You are an amazing mare, yer funny, your pretty your hardworking, ah like that,” AJ said.

“Wow… nopony’s ever called me pretty outright like that, well my turn, your the most handsome stallion I know, and contrary to what those spoiled nobles say, your a very smart guy, you value your friends and family and I know I can trust you to never stray, I love you AJ,” Thunderstrike said following him inside and up the stairs.

“Ah… deeply appreciate it,” AJ said with a smile.

“And it helps you have such a fine butt,” She said squeezing his butt making him jump a little.

“Y-yeah, thanks,” AJ said through his nerves.

Butterscotch had just come out from under the bed and he sat on his bed taking a few breaths.

“Ok… here’s what I will do… I will go visit her at night when everymare is asleep… but then she’ll be asleep too, won’t she? T-then maybe I should send a message? But I don’t have Barbra…” Butterscotch paced back and forth trying to think of how he can get together with Gala and simply talk, not do anything perverse…. Right?

Before he could concoct another idea a loud knocking was heard and he eep’d and looked towards the hall downstairs, carefully he walked downstairs and peered through the window.

And he eep’d again as he saw Red Gala.

“She’s here! Aaah!” Butterscotch panicked a little and then he felt a tug on his pants and he looked down to see Angel and a bird giving him a wink before leaving.

“Angel….” Butterscotch sighed before taking a deep breath and opening the door.

“Hello Gala,” Butterscotch said.

“Hey Butters, got yer message, can I come in?” Gala said.

“Oh um… you can’t because… I forgot to vacuum the floor?” Butters said.

“Oh don’t worry about me, c’mon” Gala came in and sat on the couch.

“S-so… want some tea then?” Butterscotch asked.

“Wouldn’t hurt, want me to get it?” Gala asked.

“Nono, I can,” Butters said with a blush and he walked into the kitchen and went back to the wall looking scared.

“She’s in heat, I can smell it… and it’s making me… dizzy,” Butterscotch said before taking a deep breath and going to make the tea.

Afterwards he went out to see Gala fanning herself with a florist magazine.

“Sorry Butters, ah’m a bit under the weather,” Gala said.

“Yeah, it’s heat season…” Butters nervously said.

“Eeyup,” Gala said.

“And… you're in heat,” Butters said.

“Eeyup,” Gala said.

“Here,” Butterscotch gave her some tea and he sat down.

“So… what did ya need?” Gala asked.

“...Meep….” Butters said.

Gala nodded “You were plannin on ‘helpin’ with mah heat?” Gala said.

‘I-it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s…. The message actually came from Angel, he wrote it and sent Mrs, Tweetie to deliver it,” Butters confessed.

“Ah see… so this was a setup by yer pet rabbit,” Gala sighed.

“It was, b-but you shouldn’t have to leave after just getting here, we can… just talk,” Butterscotch said trying to ignore the smell of her heat that was trying to overwhelm his reason.

“Butters, be real, a mare in heat and a stallion in the same room just talking? We both know where we’re headed…” Gala said standing up.

“B-b-but….” Butterscotch said.

“Ah’m sorry, but ah need to leave before ah do anythin,” Red turned to leave.

“Wait!” Butterscotch jumped up and tried to catch up to her but his hoof caught on the carpet and he fell forward and Gala turned just in time for his lips to connect with hers.

“Mmmph!?” Gala grunted.

“Hmm?!” Butterscotch squeaked and he backed off hurriedly “I-i’m so sorry Gala, I don’t know what happened, I-i’m not ready, you can leave, goodbye!” Butterscotch turned to leave but Gala grabbed his hand and he looked back at her and she smiled a little.

“Butters?” Gala asked.

“Y-yeah?” Butterscotch asked.

“...Do ya really want me? Even though ah’m such a big an strong mare? Bigger than you?” Red Gala asked.

“....Yes…” Butterscotch squeaked.

“Yer so cute,” Gala pulled him in for a hug and Butterscotch felt less tense in her embrace.

After her coltfriend calmed Gala and him locked eyes… and then they kissed, deeply.

Butterscotch found himself kissing with a passion he didn’t know he had before, and he found his tongue mingling with hers.

He felt a certain something down below and Gala moaned a little before they parted.

“Butters?” Gala asked.

“Yeah?” Butterscotch said breathlessly.

“Let’s go to yer room, if you want to,” Red said.

“....Yes,” Butters said as they walked hand and hand towards the stairs.

Meanwhile a hi-five/paw/wing occurred nearby.

Barb had managed to cool off by sitting outside and when she went back in she saw that the lights in the Boutique were off.

“Huh? Elusive?” Barb asked looking around before spotting a gem on the ground, she picked it up and examined it, finding that it had a paper with an arrow pointing somewhere, Barbra looked around and found another and another and another and it led her to the stairs.

“Oook, I’m a little freaked out but somehow I get the feeling that this is part of Elusive's plan,” Barb said before eating the gems and going up the stairs following the rest.

She got to the top hallway and followed the gems until she made it to the door to Elusive’s room.

“Alright Elusive, game on,” Barb said before smelling the air and smelling a perfume of sorts… it made her head a little hazy and she wanted to smell more of it, so she reached forward and opened the door.

And what she saw made her jaw drop.

AJ and Thunderstrike entered his room.

“A-alright, can ah have a few to get ready?” AJ asked.

“Sure thing, care to see what you have to look forward to?” Thunderstrike said sultrily.

“What do ya-” AJ went ridged as he saw he pull off her shirt, revealing her sports bra covering her decently large sized chest, and her abs. “Ready for round two?” She asked with a smile.

“Whoa there, ah need to get ready,” AJ said with a blush and he turned away and tried to steel his nerves.

“Ok AJ… your about to do it fer the first time as a male… how different could it be…?” AJ said before something hit him in the back and he turned to see that it was Thunderstrikes sports bra… and looking up she wasn’t wearing anything else to cover her top.

“Like what you see farmboy?” Thunderstrike stretched out to show off her assets.

AJ felt like his face was going to burn off, like Soarin she had a well-built figure, but hers seemed to turn him on much more for some reason.

“Now that I’m topless, how about you get topless?” Thunder asked, the heat was more intense than ever but she wanted to savor this.

“Ah…um…” AJ looked unsure of what to do.

“First time with a mare huh? Let me show you what your missing,” Thunderstrike said before walking up to him with a sway of the hips.

“W-wait, I still need to-” AJ was cut off as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

AJ was blown away, the feelings rushing through his body urged him to give in… and give in he did.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, smushing her breasts against his chest.

“Now we’re talking,” Thunder whispered before lowering her arms and grabbing his shirt and pulling it off.

Exposing his muscular upper half.

“Oh I love that bod, and the pony who owns it,” Thunder giggled.

“Yer bod ain’t half bad either,” AJ said before the two resumed tongue wrestling and hand grabbing.

Berry and Cheese were now wearing cowboy outfits and were… bouncing and riding? Odd…

“Wooot!” Berry cheered.

“Ride’em!” Swiss cheered.

“Sorry crowd, but antics are what me and Cheese are best at! Let’s check on Butters next!” Berry said before Cheese flung him off with a buck.

“Whoops!” Cheese giggled.

Butterscotch was pressed against the wall of his room and their lips were pressed together in passion.

“Butters… ah’m tryin…” Gala said.

“Trying to what?” Butters asked.

“Control mahself, ah don’t want to hurt ya,” Gala said.

“I’ll be alright, let it go,” Butterscotch said.

“Are you sure?” Gala said.

“I’m stronger than I look, I’ve wanted this for longer than even I knew, so take me, now,” Butterscotch said.

“Ok,” Gala said before shoving her mouth against his and kissing him with a fiery passion, unexpectedly Butters held his own and hugged her close as they kissed passionately.

With a growl Gala grabbed his white shirt and ripped it off, she turned and practically threw him onto the bed.

“Ooof!” Butters said before Gala stomped up to him and grabbed his jeans and tore them off with a rip, Butterscotch was now exposed and he reveled in the beast his beauty can become as she pulled off her own shirt and bra, exposing her muscular build that would intimidate any stallion.

But Butters knew what to do and as she closed in to come onto him he grabbed her and rolled until her back was on the bed.

“Huh?” Gala said.

“I can be beastly too…” Butters said with a smile before he removed her pants for her.

“Scotch… you mean your not-”

“No, your perfect, let us take the day to really let loose, no more repressed emotions,” Butters said before pouncing on her.

Barb wanted to shut the door and run but the part of her that wanted this held her in place.

Elusive was wearing a suit that seemed to be modified in some ways, being almost inappropriate for working.

He was also resting atop a pile of gemstones, arranged so that none were jabbing him.

“Ah I see the dragoness has returned to her horde,” Elusive said with a smile.

“...Lucy?” Barb squeaked.

“Let me help you,” Elusive lit his horn and fired a magic blast at Barb who squeaked again as it hit, it didn’t hurt and when she looked she was now bare and her clothes were neatly folded on the side for her.

“How did-”

“De-clothing spell… Dusk isn’t the only smart magic user,” Elusive said with a grin.

“Lucy… you mean your ready? I-I mean-”

“Enough words my bride to be, let us consummate our love today,” Elusive said.

“Elusive… I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself right now… what if I hurt you again?” Barb asked.

“I thought ahead, come find out if your curious,” Elusive said.

Curious indeed Barb went over to Elusive and poked an exposed area of his leg, and her claw didn’t leave a mark…

“H-how did-”

“Invulnerability spell, I may have snuck into Dusk’s castle to find that little thing out, it means you can go all out,” Elusive said.

“....Awesome,” Barb said before taking a deep breath and opening her eyes and her pupils slit “Don’t have any regrets about the outfit?” Barb asked.

“Not at all,” Elusive said.

“Bring it on then…” Barb said before jumping onto him and she began tearing the suit apart, desperate to get to the hunk underneath it.

As she tore the outfit apart Elusive was exposed to her and she wasted no time impaling herself on him and gripping him tightly.

“Oh dear… your so warm,” Elusive sighed happily before hearing her grunt in pain “Are you alright?” Elusive asked.

“AGH!... Forgot about that…” She waited for the pain to be over before she faced him and let go of all restraints.

She was like a wild animal, and thanks to the invulnerability spell, Elusive wasn’t torn to shreds in the process.

She rutted up and down like a dragoness possessed while rubbing her claws all over him, admittedly in her primal lust she tried to bite him a few more times but thankfully the spell protected him.

All in all, both felt complete at that moment.

AJ pressed Thunderstrike against the wall and kissed her passionately, She rose and descended repeatedly, grinding her chest against his and he panted from the sheer lust rocketing through him for her, was this what true love felt like?

“AJ!” Thunder cried out as he bit her neck and then licked the spot.

“Thunder… ready for whatever comes next?” AJ asked.

“Bring it on farmer,” Thunderstrike said lustfully and AJ set her down and he gripped his pants and pulled them down.

She looked down to gaze at her prize and then she felt herself being picked up over his shoulder.

“Aah!” Thunder giggled as she was placed on the bed and AJ kissed her right on the lips, he led his kisses down to her chest and then to her abs and then to her pants and he grabbed them and pulled them down along with her underwear.

He gazed down at his exposed beauty and smiled.

“W-well, aren’t you going to say something?” Thunderstrike asked with a blush.

“Sorry, just admirin ya, yer so beautiful, every part of ya, and ah knew it,” AJ said.

Thunderstrike blushed and looked away.

“You're pretty hot yourself…” Thunderstrike said.

“Thank ya,” AJ said.

“Your so cute,” Thunderstrike said as they closed in on eachother and AJ climbed on top of Thunder and they kissed fervently.

Thunderstrike ran her hands along his chest and abs while AJ grabbed her chest and fondled it.

“AH!” Thunderstrike gasped.

“Now fer the main event,” AJ said and Thunder nodded and wrapped her arms around him and he lined up before entering.

“Hoooly… your… so big!” Thunder gasped.

“And yer quite… tight,” AJ said before managing to shove the whole thing in with one thrust.

“OH!” She cried as he began thrusting “Yes! Take me AJ!” Thunder cried.

“Ah’m on it!” AJ said.

Butterscotch thrusted deep into Gala and she was crying out, but once again like an animal vying for dominance she managed to flip them and she began riding him.

“You can't handle this much mare!” Gala shouted.

“Watch me!” Butters said flapping his wings and flipping them once again and he wrapped her in a feathery embrace as he ran his arms along her muscles and breasts.

She ran her hands along his abs and gripped one of her hands around his firm butt.

“Ah,” Butterscotch said before kissing Gala deeply.

“Ah won’t quit!” Gala said standing up while holding Butters and she rammed him against the wall.

“Ooof!” Butters grunted as she began riding him against the wall as Butters wrapped his legs around her.

Barb breathed a gout of flame as she came for the third time.

Thank Celestia Elusive thought ahead and fireproofed the room….

“My my, you are a lustful one,” Elusive said as he had her pinned and was thrusting into her.

“So many years of yearning, I WANT IT NOW!” Barb said as Elusive thrusted faster.

“As you wish milady,” Elusive said.

“AJ! I’M… I’M GETTING CLOSE!” Thunder yelled.

“So am I! Get ready!” AJ grunted.

“Give it all inside! Please!” She begged.

“Alright,” AJ said as he picked up speed.

Butterscotch managed to shove Gala back onto the bed and he pounced onto her again and they rutted like crazy at this point, just wanting nothing more than release.

“I’M…I’M…”

“Do it!” Gala cried out.

“Barbra!” Elusive cried out.

“Yes Elusive! I want it inside! Hit me with all you got!” Barbra screamed.

At last… they could bear it no longer… and the town of Ponyville was shaken by cries of joy as the fated moment happened.

“YEEEESSS!” Barbra cried as Elusive unleashed the deluge.

“APPLEJAAAACK!” Thunderstrike cried as Applejack came inside her with one last thrust of the hips.

“SCOOOOOOTCH!” Gala cried as her orgasm hit and she was filled with an unexpectedly large amount of semen.

Elusive and Barbra flopped to the ground panting heavily.

“Elusive…?” Barbra asked.

“Yes?” Elusive responded.

“That was… the best moment of my life, thank you,” Barb said while panting.

“It was nothing dear, we are to be married soon, so expect more soon,” Elusive said.

“I can’t wait,” Barb said with a smile.

Butterscotch slumped forward onto Gala, both sweaty and panting.

“Scotch…?” Gala asked.

“Yes dear?” Butters asked.

“Don’t let anypony ever call you meek again… cause what ah saw back there, was a hidden beast,” Gala said breathlessly.

“Ok,” Butterscotch said hugging her tightly.

“Butters, ah got to go all out an ah didn’t hurt ya, ah’m so glad,” Gala said managing to sit up and Butterscotch sat on her lap.

“I am too… Red Gala?” Butterscotch asked before looking away as if he was deciding if now was the time.

“What is it Scotch?” Gala asked.

“....I really love you Red Gala, and I want to be with you, to do… unrepressed things together, forever… and so… can I ask….” Butterscotch got up and knelt before her and she gasped a little.

“I know this is sudden and very early in our relationship, but I’ve had dreams, dreams of our future, so please, let us make that future, Red Gala… will you marry me?” Butterscotch asked.

Red Gala looked shocked, she didn’t expect him to bust out that line so early, Butterscotch of all ponies! But in the end he was right, as they shared themselves with eachother, and thinking back on their relationship thus far… it made her feel complete in a way that Rainbow didn’t make her feel.

She loved him, she wanted to….

“Yes,” Gala said with a smile.

“R-really?” Butters said looking surprised.

“Yes, ah agree, we’re close, and we’re dear to one another, ah say we should be just fine together,” Gala said scooping him off the ground and hugging him close.

“Thank you… I was so scared you’d say no,” Butterscotch whimpered.

“It’s alright,” Gala said.

Applejack rolled off of Thunder, as he turned to look at her he noticed how her chest rose and lowered with her breaths.

“That… beats a vibrator anyday…” Thunderstrike said.

“Ah imagine, never used one mahself,” Applejack said.

“How unfortunate,” Thunder laughed a little.

“Hey… Thunder?” AJ asked.

“Yeah?” Thunder asked sitting up.

“Thanks, fer getting me out of mah shell,” AJ said standing.

“Oh no problem,” Thunderstrike said.

“If ya want, we can do it again another time,” AJ said.

“I’ll take you up on that,” Thunder giggled.

Blitz and Soarin laid on their bed, covered in sweat and most likely other stuff.

“That was… undoubtedly the best one yet, I am so happy we’re getting married Blitz,” Soarin said hugging his arm to her chest.

“Same here, hey Soarin?” Blitz asked.

“Yeah?” Soarin asked.

“I love you… alot, maybe, it is time to tell everyone about our… engagement,” Blitz said with a smile.

“I would love that,” Soarin said.

“Me too,” Blitz said with a smile.

Berry and Cheese were wearing a mix of clothes but they were now passed out and sleeping.

They had fornicated so many times in multiple different costumes it was a surprise neither passed out sooner.

Night had fallen and Dusk had walked through the castle.

He knew where he was heading and he was nervous but he decided he needed to be there for Luna.

He heard a sound and looked up at a window and heard Celestia’s cries of pleasure from within.

“I don’t know who the lucky stallion is, but I hope she used protection,” Dusk said as he walked up some stairs and approached a castle tower and made his way up there.

As he reached the top he saw Luna’s door and he sighed before he opened it.

And he looked on at the princess of the night lounging on her bed staring at him with serious bedroom eyes.

“Luna…” Dusk said as he entered and locked the door.

“Hello my princely lover,” Luna said.

Dusk blushed as he saw her multiple spell wards to block sound from escaping the room.

“You thought of everything eh?” Dusk said as he approached… And found himself stuck in place.

“Huh?” Dusk looked around and saw that he stepped on a movement ward.

“Got you!” She giggled.

“Luna?” Dusk asked.

“Do not worry, this is one of the many desires I have, to show you… true beauty,” Luna said as she got up and walked over to him.

“L-Luna, I don’t think it’s appropriate to-” Dusk trailed off when Luna hugged him and looked him in the eyes.

“Forget ethics tonight, tonight, we join in passion,” Luna said with a smile and before Dusk could respond she pressed their mouths together.

Dusk was instantly submissive to her whims.

She kissed with an experience and passion only a master in the bedroom could master. So lost in the pleasure he felt he didn’t even notice she had magically undressed him until she broke away.

“Huh? When did-” Dusk said before Luna used a hand to guide his eyes back up to hers.

“Celly did tell you I had mastery of bedroom skills didn’t she?” Luna teased before backing off and before Dusk’s eyes she unhooked her regal dress and it fell revealing… everything…

“L-L-Luna…” Dusk said breathlessly as he saw her bare body, her perfect curves, her shapely plot, her long legs, her perfectly sized chest, her toned frame, her perfect… everything!

“I’ve caught you staring my sweet Dusky,” Luna said.

“I-I can’t help it… your… so beautiful,” Dusk blushed shyly.

“Your quite the stud as well, I will enjoy this,” Luna said walking with a casual gait, swaying her hips while approaching.

“L-Luna… I don’t know if I am ready,” Dusk said.

“Well I am, I will however give you a safeword, should you find the situation become too much for you, kumquat,” Luna said.

“That’s… an odd safeword,” Dusk said.

“It’s ours,” Luna said before kneeling before Dusk and kissing his strong thighs as she moved in.

“Luna! I-I-” Dusk gasped.

“Say kumquat if you want me to stop,” Luna playfully said.

“Kumquaaaaa!” Dusk didn’t get to finish as she took him all at once, he didn’t think such pleasure was possible, he cried out loud enough that he would have woken up half the castle if it weren’t for the sound barriers around the room.

It wasn’t long before he came.

Luna got up and smiled.

“Alicorn virility goes well with a stallion,” Luna said.

“Luna…” Dusk panted and he was about to say it again but she kissed him and wrapped him in a full body hug, pressing all of her against all of him.

He had lost all restraint at this point and leaned into the kiss as well and ran his hands along her shapely body.

“Glad your finally getting into it,” Luna said before she teleported them to the bed and Dusk was on top with her plot aimed at him.

“Let us go old-fashioned before enjoying the night together as modern ponies do,” Luna said.

“Ok,” Dusk said at this point giving into the pleasure, he grabbed her thick plot and squeezed it and she moaned before he lined up his phallus and pressed into her.

“Oooh… so big… I do wonder if you’ll be even bigger than this in the future,” Luna said.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Dusk said through gritted teeth.

“Alicorns grow at a different pace to normal ponies, and our bodies become the pinnacle of beauty at full maturity, I have still yet to reach that stage like my sister, but I do wonder how an alicorn stallion looks when he get’s to that stage… regardless, I love you anyways,” Luna winked at Dusk.

Dusk blushed “And I love you too Luna,” Dusk said as he thrusted harder and harder before he felt the second rush coming… and he wanted to face her for it, so he exited and used his magic to flip her and he wasted no time descending into her again.

“Oh! A fan of the front are you?” Luna chuckled.

“Yes!” Dusk cried as he finally unleashed his second load, and it somehow doubled in force and quantity.

“How-”

“Alicorn virility,” Luna gasped as she felt delightfully full… and yet she wanted more.

She grabbed Dusk and pulled him into a full-body embrace as she parted their lips she looked him in the eye.

“So… still want to say the word?” Luna asked.

“What word was it again… I honestly forgot,” Dusk said.

“Oh you,” Luna pulled him in for another deep kiss.

Their passion lasted through the night and into the morning.

Dusk cracked his eyes open and got up in Luna’s bed, feeling relief and relaxed.

“Wow… that was… some night,” Dusk said before noticing Luna was sitting up as well… still bare.

Dusk looked away blushing but she guided his face back into a kiss, after she looked him in the eyes.

“Was that or wasn’t it a great night indeed?” Luna asked.

“It… was the best night ever…” Dusk admitted and he attempted to stand but Luna helped him down.

“Not yet dear… there’s something else I wish to show you,” Luna said.

“I appreciate and really want to accept but I’m thinking we need to-” Dusk began but Luna put her finger to his lips and she turned to the nightstand and retrieved a small box.

“Luna… is that,” Dusk asked and she opened it and presented it to him.

“Prince Dusk Shine, I declare you fit to be my consort,” Luna said.

“Declare? Fit to be?” Dusk questioned and Luna giggled.

“It is how we royals did it in my day, and usually the mare asked, these days however I suppose I simply ask you… will you make me the happiest Princess and be my beloved?” Luna asked.

“I… This is so sudden…” Dusk said.

“I understand if-” Luna was cut off as Dusk kissed her before looking at her with a smile.

“But I want this… more than anything,” Dusk said.

“Dusk… do you mean it?” Luna said with a teary smile.

“I do, I didn’t realize what being here meant, but now I do, I love you Luna,” Dusk said.

“I love you too,” Luna put the ring on his finger and pulled him into another kiss.

Discord was sitting on a hilltop eating popcorn and peeping through a telescope.

“Ah, what a show,” Discord said before noticing that the audience was there and he hurriedly knocked a telescope over.

“Oh hey! I wasn’t peeping! Anywhoo, I hoped you enjoyed this riveting clop chapter, I do believe the author is almost done, anywhoo, see you next time,” Discord said before vanishing with a laugh.

Author's Note

Whew, never wrote that much clop before, but I hope you all enjoyed it.

We're nearing the end of the story, and be ready for a surprise. :pinkiehappy:

For now though tell me how I did and tune into the next chapter, coming soon.

The announcment

A week later

Dusk looked out at the passing town in thought.

To think there was a time he was a princess and he and his friends formed a club of lovelorn mares… One magical accident later and she’s now a he and he is engaged to Luna, life is funny that way.

Now how is he going to tell them?... Well, it’s suitable to call a meeting and announce it, undoubtedly Berry will want to throw a party.

As the prince arrived home and exited he beelined for the castle.

As he was on his way he was thinking about sending Barbra a message when he tripped on something.

“Ooops! Sorry- Dusk?” A familiar female voice said.

“Huh?” Dusk looked and saw Derpy, he had tripped on her tail, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Oh hey Derpy,” Dusk said getting up.

“Whatcha doing?” Derpy asked as they walked together.

“I am in the process of making my way to the castle and sending Barbra a message, what about you?” Dusk asked.

“Paying Sugarcube Corner a visit, they got a sale on blueberry muffins today,” Derpy said.

“Ah… say Derpy?” Dusk asked.

“Hmm?” She asked.

“I have been wanting to say sorry about last time, you can understand as a royal I have to be careful about who I end up with, not because I think I’m better than them but if they want to use me to their advantage, it’s been like that my whole life,” Dusk said.

“No prob, I understand, what brought this on?” Derpy asked.

“It’s been on my mind since that incident where Barbra got kidnapped,” Dusk said.

“Yeah, but hey, I’m sure you’ll find a good mare one day,” Derpy said.

“I….kinda already did,” Dusk said and Derpy gasped.

“OMG, Who is she-” Her mouth was magically held shut.

“Shhh! I don’t want anypony finding out, yet,” Dusk whispered.

“Oh, ok!” Derpy said.

“I’m doing a reveal at the castle, if you can gather everypony for me you can be there for it,” Dusk said.

“I’m on it!” Derpy said before flying off.

“Ok,” Dusk said before entering the castle.

An hour later Dusk had set up the guest room when there was sudden knocks on the door.

“Come in!” Dusk called and he turned to see the door open and his friends and their lovers entered.

“Hey egghead, what’s up?” Blitz asked.

“Ah keep gettin dragged away from work,” AJ said.

“Ah don’t worry AJ, I’m sure if the prince needed us then it’s probably important,” Thunderstrike said.

Elusive and Barb were holding hands, Butterscotch was walking in with Red Gala and Discord, Berry and Swiss were bouncing in, and Derpy walked in looking excited.

“Hello guys, glad you could come, please take a seat,” Dusk said and everybody did so, Dusk stood in front of everypony.

“I get the feeling of what is going to be said but I’ll let you speak your piece,” Discord said casually.

“What do you mean?” Butters asked.

“...You all knew me as a shy bookworm, but last night the most amazing thing happened, I found it guys,” Dusk said with a smile.

“Found what? Don’t keep us in suspense,” Soarin said.

“My reason for stopping my research,” Dusk said.

“So you're finally going to live in the moment and accept that this is the way things are?” Barb asked.

“Yes… because the reason I found was Luna, she and I…. shared ourselves last night,” Dusk said.

Every jaw dropped.

“What?” AJ asked.

“You laid with a princess?!” Thunder said looking almost jealous.

“Bout time you got laid,” Blitz chuckled.

“I did, and now… we’re set to be-”

“Married,” Gala said with a smile and Dusk and the others looked at her in surprise.

“Hey! I was going to say that,” Dusk complained.

“Who cares! Dusk is getting married! We’re not alone!” Berry cheered.

“I care because I-.... wait… not alone?” Dusk questioned.

“We kinda beat you to the punch,” Blitz said.

“All of you?” Dusk said.

“Yep,” Blitz said.

“Yeah,” Butterscotch said.

“You bet!” Barbra said.

“We all kinda got engaged, save for Berry and Applejack,” Elusive said.

“Me and Cheesie are getting married actually,” Berry said.

“What? When?” Dusk asked.

“About three chapters ago, the author didn’t write that part out for some reason, but oh well, me and Cheesie are going to be a couple!” Berry said flashing a candy ring.

“...Well, then what about you Applejack, have you and Thunderstrike tied the knot?” Elusive asked.

“U-us? As husband and wife?” Thunderstrike blushed.

“Ah mean… we… already did it,” AJ said.

“I… wow, this is sudden, buuut…” Thunderstrike said before hugging AJ and kissing him before looking him in the eye “I would love that, besides, we don’t want to be the only ones not getting married, are we?” Thunderstrike said.

“Ah mean… it is kinda sudden… ah almost think-”

“You should, she’s the one,” The voice whispered in his ears.

“Ah… think we could talk with our parents about it first, but yeah, ah would love it as well,” AJ said.

“I love you AJ,” Thunderstrike said before kissing him again.

“Well, then it’s official! MASS MARRYING COMMENCE!” Berry cheered.

“Hold on Berry, we need to set things up and inform the populace and-”

“Or we can timeskip,” Berry said “Cheesie! Take it away!” Berry said.

“On it!” Cheese said before pulling up a time card and putting it on the screen.

One week later

A stage was being set up, now that the Elements of Harmony and Barbra were getting married they decided to set up a stage and announce the news to Ponyville to settle any rumors that were being circulated.

Berry hopped up to the stage where the chairs were being set up.

“Annnnd resume!” Berry said.

“Resume what?” Applejack asked as he was setting up with the others for the announcement they're going to make for their multi-marriage ceremony.

“The time skip, duh, from a week ago,” Berry said.

“You mean that thing where you had Cheese throw a time card at nothing?” Elusive asked as he took his seat on the stage.

“Yep! Sure wish you guys could see the fourth wall too,” Berry said.

“I wish I could see this fourth wall you speak of too,” Elusive sighed as Barbra sat beside him.

After everpony was sat the mayor came up and silently voiced her approval for the news they shared with her.

Afterwards the mayor turned to address the crowd that gathered.

“I’m a little nervous,” Barb said.

“Don’t worry darling, I will do the talking if you are nervous,” Elusive said.

“Ok,” Barb said.

“And with that said, I turn things over to the local prince,” Mayor Mare said as Dusk got up and approached the stand.

He could see it, the glint in the eyes of some mares, eyeing him… they wanted him, and his rep… but no more!

“I will get to the point, the reason you were all gathered here to be informed of some news, we all have been the most eligible bachelors in Ponyville, as said by most of you,” Dusk said and some of the ponies nodded along.

“But I come here bearing some news for you all,” Dusk said and the ponies glanced at eachother.

“We are now officially in relationships of our own, and they have developed to the point we are ready to tie the theoretical knot,” Dusk said.

Many ponies including most of the mares gasped.

“Yes, I am afraid we are no longer ‘on the market’ so to speak, we have chosen the ones we’ll spend the rest of our lives with,” Blitz said joining Dusk up front along with the others.

“Who?” A mare stood asking the stallions.

“Sit please,” Dusk told her and she did and he turned to his friends and nodded.

“I am sure you all know already but for those who don’t, her name is Soarin,” Blitz said and Soarin flew from her seat to Blitz’s side and Blitz hugged her, several mares eyed her jealously.

“My beloved is a mare named Red Gala,” Butterscotch said and Red Gala walked up the stage to Butterscotch’s side, more jealous looks.

“Ah recently decided to become husband to a mare named Thunderstrike,” AJ said and Thunderstrike climbed onto the stage with AJ’s help and stood by him, she waved almost mockingly to a few mares who looked ready to leave.

“It is against customs but I have found love with a dragoness named Barbra,” Elusive said hugging Barb to his side and she smiled.

“Me and Cheesie sittin in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, happily!” Berry said and Swiss Cheese ducked out of view and reappeared at his side.

All eyes turned to Dusk who stared out at the crowd, many mares had their fingers crossed he at least considered them.

“Although she is probably not here at the moment, I think you all know her well, we met as enemies and today, I announce that we’re together! And that mare is Luna,” Dusk said.

Silence… not what Dusk expected.

“Huh?” Dusk said noticing a bunch of mares with negative looks on their faces.

“Your kidding! You went with a princess! Were we not good enough!?” A random mare said before leaving.

“Royals, stick together…” Another mare said before crying onto her friend's shoulder.

“I should have been more aggressive,” A member of the flower trio muttered.

“Now now, I get that you all are disappointed but such assumptions are uncalled for, me and Luna simply found common ground,” Dusk said.

“What about us? Is Blitz not going to be there for us?” Somepony shouted.

“I never got to spend a night with Butterscotch!” Another pony said.

“I don’t get it!” Another sobbed.

Back on stage everypony shifted uncomfortably.

“I don’t like this… are they going to riot?” Thunderstrike asked.

“We should let them cool off,” AJ said.

“Selfish, are they seriously going to whine and moan over the eligible bachelors getting married?” Barbra asked.

“I feared this would be their reaction…” Elusive said.

“Everypony!” Dusk called but everypony was dispersing looking unhappy.

“ENOUGH!” A booming voice shouted and everypony turned to see a figure descending upon the group and they all backed away as she landed.

“Huh?” Dusk said before seeing it was Luna.

“What is she doing here?” Thunder said in surprise.

“I cannot believe your selfishness, here we have the ponies who saved your flanks from multiple calamities, and when you hear they are no longer open to other relationships you turn on them?” Luna said making the ponies flinch.

“B-but Blitz used to-”

“He was traumatized! Now he wants to settle! Is he a villain for that?” Luna said.

“But I wanted-”

“What about what they want?” Luna said.

“Does he think he is better than us-”

“SILENCE!” Luna said silencing the stallion who spoke “He chose me because I wasn’t after anything but his love, can you all say the same thing?” Luna said and the ponies began to look ashamed of themselves.

“Think about your actions before committing them, otherwise that is just selfish,” Luna said before turning to the others and walking to Dusk and hugging him.

The ponies understanding now watched on as the group left the stage.

“Luna, you're a lifesaver,” Dusk said.

“It was no problem,” Luna said as the group made their way into the Mayor’s office.

“How did you know to come here? And how did you get here so quickly?” Butterscotch asked.

“Thank Discord, he came to me when things began taking a turn for the worse and teleported me here,” Luna said.

“I see, I suppose we owe him then,” Dusk said.

“Indeed, and now that I am here, I suppose it is time to start thinking of our next move,” Luna said as they entered the office and Mayor Mare hurried to her seat.

“Princess, It is such an honor to have both you and Dusk here, and hear of your marriage,” Mayor Mare said.

“Indeed Mayor, I request your aid in planning a wedding comparable to the one held in Canterlot,” Luna said.

“What?” Blitz asked.

“Well, there is going to be seven couples getting married so it makes sense we do it all at once to save money and get things on,” Luna said.

“Ah was actually hoping fer a small wedding,” AJ said sheepishly.

“The elements are getting married all at once, it sounds like an event of the century, can’t we?” Luna asked.

“...Well… ah suppose,” AJ said and Thunder chuckled.

“Married in the same wedding as royalty, mares will be jealous for a while,” Soarin said.

“Ah imagine,” Red Gala said.

“I will take care of the wedding outfits,” Elusive said already dreaming of the outfits he’ll make.

“Alright!” Blitz cheered.

“Well Dusk Shine, shall we?” Luna asked.

“Why not,” Dusk chuckled.

“Alright, well a wedding of this magnitude will need lots of preparation, well need a couple of months to get everything set up, I suggest that we-” While Luna chatted with Mayor Mare Dusk looked to his friends and smiled.

“Looks like we’re not lovelorn anymore,” Dusk said.

Author's Note

A short and slightly rushed chapter, but the next chapter will be longer.

What we have been waiting for, is a grande-sized wedding! Stick around and get ready.

Because the next chapter has a twist I am sure nobody saw coming. :coolphoto:

Marriage and truth

A couple of months later

Dusk gave a stressed sigh as he and the other stallions in his friend group rode on the train to Canterlot for the biggest wedding ever, their brides-to-be are taking an alternative route.

“Calm down Dusky! Today’s the day! The most epic, most awesome, most weddingest wedding EVER!” Berry cheered.

“I k-know… it’s just… I never thought this day would come… imagine, me and Luna… up there getting married.” Dusk said.

“Pre-wedding jitters, understandable, I do wonder what my filly self would say if she knew she would one day marry a dragon instead of a prince, I bet she would be in shock,” Elusive said with a chuckle.

“Ah agree, ah need ta think of this as me continuing the family legacy as well as me marrying the mare of mah dreams, makes it easier,” AJ said.

“Me and Soarin tying the knot is predictable, we go together like bread and butter,” Blitz chuckled before turning to Butterscotch “What’s up Scotch? You seem oddly quiet, I figured you’d be bouncing off the walls like Berry here,” Blitz said.

“I-I-i’m so nervous… I’m not good with crowds,” Butters said.

“Gala is, just follow her lead,” AJ reassured.

“Yeah, this wedding will go differently remember? She’ll be by your side,” Blitz said.

“I-I guess,” Butterscotch said.

“Alright, we’ll be there soon,” Dusk said.

“Ok!” Everypony said.

Barbra drummed her claws on her lap nervously.

“What’s got ya Barb?” Gala asked.

“This is the day… I’m finally becoming Rarity’s significant other… cept she’s now a stallion…” Barbra said.

“Is that a problem?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Not at all, I just think that fate is fickle, I wanted her now I have him, I’m worried, will we even be able to have kids? What if my future kids get bullied?” Barb said needing to fan herself.

“And what if the world detonates tomorrow, don’t subsist on if’s, live in the now, if Berry has taught me anything,” Luna chuckled.

After arriving at the carriage landing the group followed Luna to the bridal area.

“Alright, good luck girls,” Barbra said as they went into their areas.

Dusk and his friends were sitting in various areas of the wedding, steeling their nerves for what was to come.

“I hope they don’t get nervous,” Dusk said thinking of his friends, after writing the group vows and sextuple checking it over for errors he got up and saw his family and Cadence over at a table and he walked over.

“Guys!” Dusk called and the group got up upon seeing him.

“Bro!” Shining said getting up and hugging him.

“Hello Dusk Shine,” Cadence said.

“Cadance,” Dusk said hugging her too, and then they performed their ladybug song.

“Haha, I’m glad you remember that, it’s been a while since we did that,” Cadence said.

“I’d never forget it Cadence,” Dusk said before turning and hugging his parents.

“Our young scholar is getting married, I had looked forward to this day,” Twilight Velvet said.

“Two princes and their marrying princesses, and one lucky dragoness marrying the love of her life, I’d say we’re very proud parents,” Night Light said.

“I’m glad,” Dusk chuckled.

“Mom! Dad!” Blitz said hugging his parents who hugged him back.

“Our Blitzy is getting married to a Wonderbolt! It’s a dream come true for you,” Bow said.

“I could kiss you all day,” Windy said.

“Moooom Daaaad,” Blitz whined when ponies started to stare.

“I hope things go well,” Bow said releasing his son.

“I do too,” Blitz said.

Mr and Mrs Shy turned to see their son approaching.

“Oh dear, Butterscotch, I am so excited,” Mrs. Shy said hugging him.

“I am too,” Butters said, meanwhile Zephyr was sitting silently, Butters noticed and went over to him.

“Is everything alright Zephyr,” Butters asked.

“I…. yeah…” Zephyr said.

“I heard… sorry for taking the mare you had a crush on,” Butters said.

“It’s fine, you didn’t know,” Zephyr said hugging Butters quickly.

“Oh don’t be like that Zephyr, Butters loves her too, you’ll find another,” Mr. Shy said.

“I guess so, thanks for inviting me,” Zephyr said.

“No problem,” Butters said with a smile.

“If it isn’t our soon-to-be married son,” Hondo said proudly.

“Hello Mother, Father, Sweetie Belle,” Elusive said hugging Sweetie Belle.

“I was admittedly a little skeptical when you said you and Barbra were getting married, but knowing how happy she makes you, I couldn’t be happier,” Cookie said.

“I can’t wait for Barbra to be my sister-in-law!” Sweetie cheered.

“Nor can I wait for her and me to become partners for life,” Elusive said.

“I do hope we can get grand foals, not to sound selfish,” Hondo said.

“No problem, I will do research,” Elusive said.

“And I could help,” Sweetie said.

“Ok Sweetie,” Elusive chuckled.

AJ approached Appel Bloom and Granny Smith who had to sit for a while.

“Hello Granny, hello AB,” Applejack said.

“AJ!” AB cheered and she ran up to him and hugged him.

“If it ain’t the wedding boy,” Granny said.

“Ah’m a tad nervous if ya can’t tell,” AJ said.

“Do ah still get to be a flower girl?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Course, in fact, ah’m sure the other flower girls are lookin' fer ya,” Applejack said.

“Yay!” AB cheered and she ran off as Granny approached.

“You an Gala gettin married, ah’m glad to have lived long enough to witness it,” Granny said with a tear in her eye.

“Yer gettin that great grandfoal no matter what,” AJ said with a smile.

“Ah’m glad ta hear it,” Granny Smith said.

Berry bounced over a table and landed beside his sisters.

“Heya! Guess who's getting married! Me!” Berry said hugging Maud.

“I am so glad….” Maud said flatly.

“I hope you don’t forget us with all the parties you’ll have Berry,” Marble said.

“Worry not! This Berry will never fall too far from the family tree,” Berry said as he went over to his parents.

After some time passed everypony was seated and awaiting the main event.

According to Celestia, the wedding will go slightly different than the usual wedding, because there are so many grooms and brides they will come out in groups and walk eachother to the altar and they will do a mass vows reading for them.

As everyone was seated they looked to see Celestia who is being the officiant for the wedding.

“Friends, family, and all others, let me be the first to welcome you to the biggest wedding of the century, a marriage of eleven ponies and one dragoness, of those who have protected and those who have led, let me take this time to introduce-” As Celestia went on the ponies of the current events were getting ready.

“Whew! Pre wedding jitters… I got them bad,” Barb said breathing into a paper bag.

“It will be okay darling, we’ll go down the aisle together,” Elusive said as he and Barbra stood at the entrance hall.

“And what are the odds Chrysalis will strike again?” Barb asked.

“Surely even she wouldn’t be so predictable,” Elusive said.

“Ooooh… do we have to go first?” Barb asked.

“Trust me, do you trust me?” Elusive asked.

“With my life,” Barb said feeling reassured.

“And would you look at the flower girls go!” Celestia’s voice called.

“It seems the time is near,” Elusive said “Marriage in Canterlot, my dream come true,” Elusive said.

“Let’s go then,” Barb said and they heard the wedding music playing, and so they exited the hall and entered through the door and walked down the hall.

“And there they are, our first known Canterlot wedding between a dragon and a pony,” Celestia said.

As they made their way to the altar Elusive looked to see his family tearing up and waving at him.

Barb noticed the same with her family.

As they got up there they looked out at all the ponies watching them.

Barb squeezed Elusive's hand a little and Elusive gave it a reassuring squeeze back.

Applejack and Thunderstrike stood in the hall next.

“I am so happy…” Thunderstrike said tearing up a little.

“Ah am too, thank ya Thunderstrike,” AJ said.

“Thank you too,” Thunder said.

Soon they walked out into the wedding room and everypony looked to them as well.

As they walked down the aisle Thunder noticed her parents and Rumble in their seats.

She smiled knowing they accepted AJ.

Applejack noticed Granny smiling proudly in her seat.

They arrived at the altar and stood beside Barb and Elusive.

“I hope you're ready for this,” Soarin said.

“I still got butterflies of my own, but I’ll be clipped if I let my wife down on her biggest day,” Blitz said.

The two exited the doorway and saw Bow and Windy standing and giving a loud applause and Soarin’s parents too.

“Ugh, parents,” Soarin said embarrassedly.

“Same,” Blitz chuckled as they walked down the aisle and stood by their friends.

“I-I’m scared,” Butterscotch said.

“Don’t be, ah’m right here,” Gala said comfortingly “Come on, let’s show them we’re a power couple,” Red Gala said before they went down the aisle together.

They saw their respective families looking happy and waving to them.

They soon made their way to the altar as well.

Berry and Cheese didn’t exit the door, instead when the door opened a flurry of balloons came out.

“Huh? Where did they go?” A random pony asked.

“I know my brother, just wait…” Maud said flatly.

Suddenly the balloons surrounded eachother and formed a ball before both Cheese and Berry descended out of the balloon pile and landed on the altar.

“Whoa!” Barbra yelped in surprise.

“Berry, must you do something like that on your wedding day of all days?” Elusive asked.

“Sure! Weddings are just big ole parties,” Berry said.

“And lastly the moment I have been waiting for, put your hands together for my beloved student Dusk and my sister Luna!” Celestia said.

Dusk gulped a bit and his hands trembled but Luna put her hand on his and smiled at him.

“It will be alright my prince, come let us show them how we take the stage,” Luna said before they made their way up the aisle as well.

Ponies cheered and Dusk saw his family waving at him… but Cadance… odd, she just looks like she has a headache.

But he can inquire about this later.

As they made their way to the top of the altar they stood with the other grooms and brides.

Dusk handed the group speech to Celestia and she approached the podium and began reading.

“Friends, family and all others yet to be befriended, we gather here today to celebrate the bonding of twelve souls, in matrimony and in heart, we came to this world as strangers and grew connections from the problems of our past, and we became ever stronger because of it, we are not only joined in love, we are joined in friendship, a deeper than ever friendship, from now until the day of our passing, we are, Harmony,” Celestia read out.

The crowd applauded.

“Nice one dude,” Blitz remarked.

“No problem,” Dusk chuckled.

“And with that speech out of the way, we will now say our wedding vows, may the ring bearers come forth, as to this unique wedding,” Celestia said and several mares and stallions came forth to present the rings.

As they stood with their beloveds, they took the rings and placed them upon the fingers of their loved ones.

“To all the mares and dragoness present, do you take these gentlecolts, in health and sickness, till death do you part, as your husbands?” Celestia said.

“I do,” They all said without hesitation.

“And do you, gentlecolts, take these fine mares and dragoness to be your beloved, wedded wives?” Celestia said.

“I do,” They all said without hesitation.

“Then by the binding of the Sun and Moon, by the power of Magic and through the seal of love, I hereby declare you all, husbands and wives! You may now kiss the bride!” Celestia said proudly.

And they did… they kissed and the crowd erupted in cheers, everypony made their joy known.

And to the mares and stallions on stage, it was their most fulfilling moment.

Celestia turned to the couples and said “Butterscotch and Red Gala, AJ and Thunderstrike, Rainbow Blitz and Soarin, Elusive and Barbra, Bubble Berry and Swiss Cheese, Dusk Shine and Luna, it is my eternal joy to-”

…

……

……….

……………..

…………………..

When Celestia didn’t finish everypony paused and turned to her.

“To what?” Blitz asked before noticing the cheering had stopped.

“Um… does anypony else notice that everything is quiet or is it just me?” Barbra asked.

“I did too…” Elusive said before turning to see the crowd was frozen in time… not only them, the confetti was frozen in place, the noise was gone, and even a bird that was outside the window was frozen mid-flight.

“What the? Luna, what is- Luna?!” Dusk exclaimed seeing she was frozen too, in fact, save for Barbra, all of the brides were like statues.

“Wh-what’s happening?” Butterscotch asked nervously.

“It’s like time is standin still, cept fer us,” Applejack said looking at the frozen Thunderstrike.

“Ok, guys, I’m getting a little freaked out here,” Barbra said.

“What’s happening? Is anybody else here!?” Dusk said.

“Oh dear, didn’t think the spell would do this,” A familiar voice said and they turned to see Discord approaching.

“Discord! Of course, it was you, of all days to pull your constant shenanigans, why would you-” Elusive began before Discord interrupted.

“Wasn’t me,” Discord said.

“Discord, unfreeze everything please,” Butterscotch said looking a little miffed as well that the moment was ruined by him.

“I’m serious, it wasn’t my doing,” Discord said.

“Then who? Who else could freeze time like this?” Dusk demanded.

“That would be her,” Discord said gesturing to Cadance who stood up.

“Candance? You can move?” Dusk said running over to her “What’s happening? Is a threat coming?” Dusk asked cursing himself for not seeing that something like this could be happening right-

“Be not afraid Prince Dusk Shine,” Cadance said in a robotic tone.

“... Cadence?” Dusk said backing up.

“No,” Candace walked from her seat and stood next to Discord.

“What… what the hay is going on?!” Blitz demanded.

“Simple really, the spell wishes to speak with you now that its purpose is fulfilled,” Discord said.

“What?” Dusk said before looking to Cadance… or whatever was possessing her, Dusk got defensive “Who are you? Where’s Cadance?!” Dusk said.

“I said be not afraid,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“You gotta admit this is pretty left field for them,” Discord told it.

“I suppose my timing could be worse,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“TELL ME!” Dusk said, lighting his horn and the others readied themselves for danger.

“Very well, I am The spell of destined love, or at least an avatar created in which to communicate with you all, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing her for the moment,” ‘Cadance’ said.

“What? What do you mean?” Dusk asked.

“I am the spell you cast, in order to find your destined loves, I found them, but as things were, it wouldn’t work, so I rearranged reality so that you can find your true love, and now my mission is complete, are you satisfied with your current relationships?” The voice said.

“...I… I don’t get it… what is happening?” Butterscotch said.

“Since the beginning, during the accident, I came into being, that is the function of the spell, to create me whenever it is used to aid the pony or dragon in question in finding their true love and to rearrange reality should current conditions remain unsuitable for the subjects of the spell,” The voice said.

“Wait… so you were behind this?” Dusk asked in shock.

“Mostly, I aided in a few ways,” Discord said.

“You Discord?” Butterscotch asked.

“Indeed, I could not rewrite his mind like the others, so I communicated with him to work with me on this, and together, we helped you complete your objective,” The voice said.

“B-but why swap us? And them!” Dusk asked pointing at the other swapped ponies.

“The current conditions were unsuitable for you, you all wished to be stallions and if that were the case you would fall out of love with your current loves, and you wouldn’t pursue them as mares, so I saw fit to change their genders as well,” The voice said.

“We wished to be stallions?” Dusk asked for clarification.

“In your own ways, Rainbow Dash wanted to stop struggling to fit in with her male companions in the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy felt too unconfident in her own body to go after Big Mac, Rarity wanted to show up the stallion Blueblood and prove chivalry isn’t dead, Pinkie always wanted to try a stallion form, Applejack felt that she’d rather have a marefriend than a coltfriend and was scared she’d be shamed for her preferences, Spike felt like he didn’t fit in amongst females due to being a male, and you Twilight wanted to see if mares would target you for status just like the stallions, I helped you in that regard and organized situations where your love for your significant other would grow,” The voice said.

“So… because of that, you changed our genders?” AJ asked.

“And Petunia… were you responsible for-”

“No, Petunia’s actions were her own, evidently rewriting reality has consequences, such as mares ruled by their desires for a studly stallion,” The voice clarified.

“Why didn’t you approach us sooner? Or in fact why did Discord tell us-” Dusk said before Discord spoke.

“I am sheepish to admit I fibbed when I mentioned the mutant spell, in reality things just needed to run their course,” Discord said.

“Discord! You lied to us?” Butterscotch exclaimed.

“For good reason! If I had said the truth then all this will have been for nothing,” Discord said.

“Do not blame him, I am the one who convinced him,” The voice said.

“He still went with it, and you, I knew I sensed strange magic when I was with Luna, these sudden moments where we were suddenly compelled to change our minds… you were behind that too weren’t you?” Dusk demanded.

“I was, I needed to push you in the right direction, to-”

“SO IT WAS ALL A LIE!?” Blitz shouted suddenly and he marched up to the possessed Cadance who looked at him without an expression “Even if you didn’t make her do it, the fact you put us in this version of reality is what led to my getting hurt by Petunia! IT’S YOUR FAULT!” Blitz looked like he wanted to fly off the handle but Dusk held him back.

“I do admit what happened to you was unfortunate, but It was unforeseen, I didn’t create or change Petunia, and in the end, would you trade away all your experiences, including those you spent with Soarin in return for solace?” The voice asked.

Blitz paused “What?”

“All I merely did was plant you all in a rewritten version of reality and subtly guide you when you needed it, the connections you formed were real, you just needed to be given the chance,” The voice said.

“And… why reveal yourself now?” Barbra asked.

“Because my mission is complete, you all have experienced true love, and found your mates, I now ask you all, are you satisfied with your current situation, or shall I return you to how everything used to be?” The voice asked.

“What?...” Dusk said in shock, everyone's expression mirroring his.

“Yep, like I said, it just needs to run its course, and now that it has, you are given a choice, stay in your current reality, or go back to how things were,” Discord said.

“You have all the time in the world to decide, but know this, once your decision is made, it cannot be undone,” The voice said.

“What do you mean?” Dusk asked.

“When my job is done I will cease to exist again until somepony else uses the spell, and if you go back, you will never be able to use the spell again, the same goes for if you all decide to stay as is, you all will be stuck either way, the question is, do you wish to return to being mares, or stay as stallions?” The voice asked.

“....So there was a way after all… guys! We have a way to-” Dusk turned but paused when he saw everyone looking hesitant “What?” Dusk asked.

“Dusk… I can’t do it, I love my new life, I love being a stallion, and I love Soarin,” Blitz said.

“I can’t… leave Red Gala, not when I learned how to live as Butterscotch and not Fluttershy,” Butters said.

“That thing is right… ah wanted to date mares but was too scared mah family and friends would reject me, but now that barrier is gone, ah’m stayin as is,” Applejack said.

“Me and Barbra have formed a bond as we are, I am fine with whatever Barbra chooses,” Elusive said.

“I… wanna stay like this,” Barb said.

“Berry?” Dusk turned to Berry who shook his head “Me and Cheesie have too much fun like this, we’re staying,” Berry said.

“...” Dusk turned to the possessed Cadence, “I can return to being a mare right? And stay here?” Dusk asked.

“Yes, but do you truly wish that?” The voice asked.

“What?” Dusk asked.

“You’ll be the only mare in a group of stallions, not to mention you will never have foals with Luna, in the end, I see only disadvantages, knowing this, do you wish to continue?” The voice asked.

“It’s one way, remember,” Discord said.

“....So then, I have a big choice to make,” Dusk asked.

“Yes,” The voice responded.

...Dusk Looked to his friends and then to Luna and he walked past his friends to the statue-like Luna and he looked at her beautiful blue eyes.

“...I…” Dusk looked like he was struggling with his response.

“Yes?” Discord said.

“...I… want to be with Luna forever, and… I want to help her bear foals,” Dusk walked back to the possessed Candance and nodded.

“I wish to stay as I am,” Dusk said.

“That… was the right answer,” The voice said with a smile before turning to Discord “Thank you for your aid, I will now take my leave and await the next users,” The voice said before going back to Cadance's seat and she bowed her head.

“Better get back in place,” Discord said and the stallions nodded and ran back to their spots they were in before the time stop happened and when time resumed it was like nothing happened.

“-announce that this wedding has concluded and we will now move onto the party that follows, everypony if you’ll make your way to the celebration room!” Celestia finally got to finish.

The crowd cheered and went to the reception after-party and the stallions and their brides went to follow.

“Did something happen? I noticed you had a slight look of concern on your face,” Luna said.

“Nothing is wrong… not anymore,” Dusk said with a smile as he hugged Luna close and he went to the after-party with the others.

Author's Note

And here is the moment we've all been waiting for, hope you all enjoyed it, I was thinking of one more chapter before declaring this done.

Let me know what you think.

The destined love's future.

Autumn, a beautiful time of year.

And this autumn a great gathering commences to celebrate the wedding of the century, and these days, there are more ponies than usual at the celebration.

“Caramel Apple! Put your sister down,” Butterscotch called to his son who was lifting his younger sibling too high.

“Sorry, Dad!” Caramel Apple said putting his toddler sister down, his sister Butters decided to name after his old self.

“Com’ere Fluttersky,” Red Gala beckoned her daughter over and she waddled over to Gala who scooped her up and held her.

“We’re almost there, be patient,” Butterscotch said kindly to his family as they made their way to the castle.

As they approached the castle they paused as they saw some familiar friends descending from above.

“Rainbow Bwitz! Soawin!” Fluttersky squealed as she saw her other friends arriving too.

“Look out! Hot stuff coming through!” Soarin and Blitz’s son Zoom swooped down and Gala had to duck.

“Zoom! Get back here and apologize to Red Gala, you almost hit her,” Soarin called.

“Yeah, you don’t see Flash nearly mowing ponies down,” Blitz gestured to his other son.

“So uncouth,” Flash said as he was reading a book mid-flight.

“Pay attention sweetie, or you’ll crash,” Soarin said.

“Hello guys,” Butterscotch said hugging Blitz as they landed.

“Hey there, Scotch, and I see you got my future trainee there, hey Sky,” Blitz said tickling Fluttersky’s hooves and she giggled.

“We were about to head in if yer ready,” Gala said.

“Bring it on!” Zoom said.

“Just behave around your friends Zoom, you too Flash” Soarin said.

“Ok,” Flash said.

“I will I will,” Zoom said.

Then Butterscotch opened the door and they entered a party.

Running past their parents Caramel Apple went over to a pair of kirins who were hanging out with their parents.

“It’ll be alright Ruby, I know you don’t go to many parties but I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself,” Barbra told her daughter, Barbra had grown quite a bit, she wasn’t that much bigger than a typical dragon her age however.

“I-I know, this is a judgment-free zone, unlike Canterlot,” Ruby said nervously.

“Oh quit being so shy, wanna come play tag with the rest of us?” Sapphire her more confident sister asked.

Ruby smiled “Okay, as… long as I’m not it,” She said as she followed her.

“I must say, our daughters are like night and day,” Elusive said.

“Makes me wonder how the next few kids will be,” Barbra quipped rubbing her rounder tummy.

“Let us wait until they're born,” Elusive chuckled.

Thunderstrike was rocking a baby earth pony filly to sleep as her other two pegasus colts Red Wing and Cloud ran around playing with Barbra and Elusive's kids.

“Let’s hope they don’t break anythin,” Applejack said sitting by his wife tiredly.

“They running you ragged?” Thunderstrike asked.

“Definitely,” Applejack sighed looking at the blue and red pegasi playing tag in the play area with Ruby and Sapphire.

“Can’t wait until this little ball of energy can walk,” Thunderstrike said cooing at her daughter.

“Ah agree, then we’ll have three rowdy little ones,” AJ said with a chuckle.

“Tag your it!” Red Wing cheered as he tagged Ruby.

“I-I said I didn’t want to be it!” She said.

“Come on, it ain’t too hard,” Red Wing said as he ran and Ruby sighed and ran after him past Berry and Swiss who were making balloons with their son Lil Cheese.

“Woohoo! Balloon balloons!” Lil cheered as he made a pink one fly.

“Yay! Now let’s get this one blown up,” Swiss Cheese said as she handed him a green one.

“On it mom!” Lil began blowing into that one as well and with several puffs of air, another balloon joined the rest.

“He’s a little ball of energy alright, totally our son,” Berry chuckled as he somehow inflated three balloons at once.

“He’ll be a great party planner in the future,” Swiss said as Lil threw another balloon into the air.

“Whoohoo!” Lil cheered.

Observing the party were two alicorns one a filly with a pink mane with purple lines in it and a dark blue coat and another a colt with violet fur and a starry mane.

“Why aren’t you taking part?” Luna asked her daughter and son.

“I’m scared they want to be my friend only because I’m an alicorn…” Starry admitted.

“I’d rather read,” Evening Glow said as she was reading.

“Oh come now, there is more to life than books, and sweet but shy Starry, you’ll never get anywhere just sitting around, go and play, I am confident they will accept you,” Luna said.

“Ok, mama,” Starry said before getting up and walking off to join the party.

“More to life than books? Don’t let dad hear you say that,” Evening chuckled.

“Go on Evening, your only young once,” Luna said and Evening sighed before putting her book aside and walking to join the others in their game of tag.

The party was a success, everypony had a fun time, and the best part is Lil Cheese was the one who set it up, he certainly is his parent's child.

As everypony played and chatted a voice called and everypony turned to see Dusk.

“Hello everypony, let’s gather around,” Dusk said as they did so, Luna walked up beside him.

“I remember many years ago this day everything changed, I still can’t say what yet kids,” Dusk said which drew a disappointed ‘awww’ from the fillies and colts “But thinking back on it, I’m glad it happened, because thanks to it, you all came to be, and we’re no longer lonely, we became one big happy family,” Dusk said.

“Indeed, I remember a time when my beloved husband tried to ‘fix’ it too, but in the end he decided against it, and it made our future ever brighter,” Luna said.

“I want to say, if it weren’t for that accident, we’d never be at this point, and I’m glad that we are,” Dusk said with a smile “Now, is there a cake or what?” Dusk asked drawing a laugh from the crowd.

“I got it I got it!” Lil Cheese exclaimed before running off.

“Hold on there Lil Cheesie!” Berry ran off to help.

"Haha, I guess we'll need some extra cakes if just to feed the dragoness," Barb said with a giggle.

"Come now dear, I think a few slices will be adequate," Elusive said.

"We'll see about that dear," Barb chuckled.

"Oh don't worry, we bought in bulk for today," Cheese said before running off to join his family in prepping a new set of cakes for all the party ponies and dragon.

After the party, the group sat together at a row of chairs with a screen behind them.

“Alright, kids up front, Zoom stop pushing,” Dusk told the young blue colt.

“Alright, let’s do this!” Zoom cheered getting in front.

“I swear,” Flash sighed sitting beside his brash brother.

I-Is it ok for me to sit this close to the front?” Ruby asked.

“Come on!” Sapphire said bringing her sister out.

An orange colt held his sister “Ah got her,” Caramel Apple said.

“Come on Evening, you can read later,” Luna told her daughter.

“Ok ok,” Evening sighed.

“Starry, sit by me,” Luna told her son and he did so.

Lil Cheese bounced into the mane of his dad and poked his head out.

“Woot! Take the pic take the pic!” Lil cheered.

“Not yet honey,” Swiss cooed.

Thunder held Apple Blossom as Red and Cloud sat at her hooves.

“Alright, let’s make another memory,” AJ said holding Thunderstrike close.

“I’m booooored,” Red Wing complained.

“Be patient honey,” Thunderstrike said firmly to her hyperactive son.

“Alright everypony, think of something funny and look at the camera,” Dusk said activating the camera and running into place next to Luna.

Suddenly the camera slanted.

“Oh no!” Lil cried.

“I got it!” Discord said appearing and righting it.

“What about you Mr Discord?” Evening asked.

“Already there!” Discord said from the crowd.

“WOOOT!” Lil cheered and the countdown reached its end and they all posed and smiled as the camera went off.

The picture was put in the memory book along with all the others, closed and Dusk and Luna smiled at each other before laying back in bed with their son and daughter sleeping peacefully in bed with them.

“Goodnight my beloved princess,” Dusk said kissing Luna.

“And to you my beloved prince…. Say Dusk?” Luna asked.

“Yeah?” Dusk whispered so as not to disturb his children.

“You told me what happened on the day of the wedding eventually… do you still have any wish to return to normal?” Luna asked.

“We’ve been over this,” Dusk said.

“But I have seen your dreams,” Luna said.

“...Oh… Luna I want you to listen, I care deeply about you, and though I may dream of the past… I have a new future to look forward to, and I will never regret my choice to remain as I am,” Dusk said kissing Luna again.

“I see, I am glad to hear that, I hope we can enjoy more nights like this,” Luna said with a smile.

“Me too,” Dusk said.

“One more question and I won’t judge you, but when you came into this reality, was there another mare you thought of before we became a thing?” Luna asked.

“Luna, let me say this much,” Dusk said magically shutting the curtains and lying down with his family.

“I don’t need any other mare, when I have, my destined love,” Dusk said as the group drifted off to dreamland and awaited the next day in which their new lives may continue.

Author's Note

Annnnnd done! Whew, this was a fun write to make, I hope you all enjoyed and thank you for sticking by the story for so long and giving it positive attention.

I will resume Fusion Life before going on to prep the next set of stories and remember...

Somewhere out there is your destined love, so search and you will find. :heart:

Thanks and have a great day!

The accident that changed everything

The spell of destined love…

Said to grant one the vision of their true love when submersed in its magic…

But some legends….can be a bit…stretched.

“TWIIIIILIGHT!” Pinkie called waving her hands from the front of the Castle of Friendship.

“What is it Pinkie?!” Twilight irritably said coming out the front door.

“You won’t believe what I found!” Pinkie said.

“Was it something so important you had to stand outside my door screaming my name? At 7:00 AM?” Twilight sighed.

“Yep!” Pinkie said.

“Alright, what is it?” Twilight asked.

“Do you remember that book you loaned me yesterday?” Pinkie whispered conspiratorially.

“Spells of the everfree, why?” Twilight asked.

“I found something cool!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“You mean to tell me you woke me out of my dream, to talk about a spell?” Twilight sighed.

“Yep! I figured you would have wanted to hear of it, especially since we’re all love-lorn mares,” Pinkie said.

“Pinkie!” Twilight blushed.

“Oh come on Twi, we all came out to eachother awhile ago, we decided to form a Bi-club!” Pinkie said.

“It's not a club! It’s a sophisticated gathering on the talk of future relationships within the grou- we’re getting off track here! What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until later?” Twilight demanded.

“I found the answer to our problems!” Pinkie pulled a thick book out of her mane and flipped through it at great speed before stopping it on the dot and she pointed at a spell.

Twilight admittedly curious approached and examined the spell she was pointing to.

“Spell of destined love? Pinkie, isn’t that spell theoretical?” Twilight said, eager to get back to bed.

“Yeah, says so right here,” Pinkie pointed at a sentence that said just that “But you’ve done theoretical spells before, what’s different here,” Pinkie said.

“Well one, alot of these ingredients come from the Everfree, also there’s more to magic than just gathering ingredients, we need to measure usage, find out if there are any drawbacks that may not even be listed, it’s too risky,” Twilight said.

“Twilight, we know a pony who lives in the Everfree, Zecora! She could get what we need, and you got the magic, you solved Star Swirl’s spell for Pete's sake, and we could finally meet our matches! Think of it, no more lonely nights, no more heat season getting us down, no more-”

“Pinkie, can we please talk about this later,” Twilight asked.

“Oh I guess so, but I’m bettin' on ya Twi!” Pinkie said leaving the book in her hands and taking off.

“Alright…” Twilight yawned and walked back to her room, as she walked she couldn’t help but think…. Pinkie had a point… after all, she had done theoretical spells before, and Zecora could help…

Twilight thought about how she was close to getting her wish for a coltfriend when she met Flash Sentry.

But alas, the life of a princess and a high school kid from another world could never intersect.

But if she were to complete this spell, maybe… On second thought, focus on that when your brain is more awake…

Spike had set up Twilight’s and his own breakfast by the time she came downstairs.

“Hey! Twilight!” The teen dragon waved.

“Hello Spike,” Twilight yawned as she arrived at the table and sat down.

“Made your favorite sandwich and a fruit bowl,” Spike said getting his bowl of gemstones and milk from the fridge.

“Thanks Spike…” Twilight said sounding distracted.

“And the book order you put in is coming in much later than we expected,” Spike added.

“Uh huh,” Twilight mumbled.

“Hmm? I know that tone Twilight, that’s your dreaded ‘Twilight has discovered a new spell and wants to test it’ tone.” Spike said with a sigh as he expected it to involve him in some way.

“What? How did you know? And what do you mean ‘dreaded’?” Twilight asked with a huff.

“Everypony knows. You have at least seventeen known voice tones and expressions known around town, so the ponies know when to take cover when they see a bad one,” Spike said eating a spoonful of gems.

“What?! Am I-...Am I really that predictable?” Twilight said looking embarrassed.

“Yep,” Spike said.

“Gee, thanks…” Twilight sighed.

“So what spell caught your eye this time?” Spike asked.

“A spell for helping one see their destined mate,” Twilight said.

“Ah, interesting, I probably won’t need it, already know my destined mate,” Spike said.

“Rarity?” Twilight guessed.

“Yep,” Spike said.

“Are you sure there are no dragonesses you have your eyes on?” Twilight asked.

“Nope!” Spike said.

“Well, okay,” Twilight said. “But if she finds her lover because of this spell and it’s not you, don’t get mad at me,” Twilight said.

“It’ll be me, it has to,” Spike insisted.

“Alright,” Twilight said before resuming her eating.

Twilight’s evening was spent gathering materials and setting up her workstation in her lab.

If she was going to learn and cast a spell based on theory, she needed to be as close as possible.

She also paid Zecora to fetch her the ingredients she needed, and like clockwork, she succeeded in under two hours. Everything was going smoothly.

“Haha! I’ve done it!” Twilight cheered before finishing her homemade mocha.

“And now onto the experiment,” Twilight said “Now to begin testing theory-based magic you need to examine it thoroughly, otherwise it may fail,” Twilight said.

“So you decided to go through with it anyways? Good on ya Twi!” Pinkie said popping up behind her.

Twilight jumped a little and wound up shocking herself with an electrical probe, after unfrizzing her hair she turned to Pinkie.

“Pinkie what are you doing here? This is delicate work,” Twilight asked.

“Why to help of course, when my friends need help Pinkie’ll be there!” Pinkie cheered.

“As I’ve said this is delicate, go outside and wait for the result,” Twilight said magically ushering Pinkie out the door.

“How long will that take?” Pinkie asked.

“I don’t know!” Twilight shut the door behind her.

“Hmm, Okay! While I’m alone I might want to let everypony else in on this,” Pinkie said darting off to look for Spike.

Twilight was setting up the magical conduit, a crystal ball, one of many that she uses for stuff like this.

She had all the ingredients set up and now, to use the magic potential she’s known for.

“Now! To make the theoretical!....Un…Theoretical!” Twilight said before using her magic on the crystal sphere.

Pinkie ushered her friends in, having had Spike send in the invitations explaining that she’ll tell her friends the miraculous discovery she made.

He went upstairs to read while waiting for the final results.

“Pinkie, I do hope this was important enough to make me close early,” Rarity huffed.

“Yeah, I was in the middle of my midday nap,” RD said.

“And me durin work, ah hope this isn’t a trick to get us to come to some party,” Applejack said.

“Trust me, this is gonna be big!” Pinkie said.

“Um… how bi-” Fluttershy said before jumping along with everyone else, when a loud BOOM alerted everyone turned to see smoke coming out of the basement.

“IM OK!” Twilight called.

“She’ll be a little bit, so who wants to talk about their day?” Pinkie asked.

“Ah’m not here to hang out t’day Pinkie,” Applejack said.

“Please AJ, this surprise will be worth it, Pinkie Promise,” Pinkie said.

“Oh alright, but if ah get in trouble, yer the one who does the explainin,” Applejack said.

“Yay!” Pinkie cheered.

“So, what’s Twilight doing?” Fluttershy asked.

“Its a secret, for now at least,” Pinkie said.

“C’mon, don’t keep us in suspense Pinks,” Rainbow said.

“Oh alright, you convinced me, it’s a spell that’ll help us get colt/fillyfriends!” Pinkie cheered.

“...” Everypony just stared at her.

“What?” Pinkie asked.

“Find or create?” Rarity asked confusedly.

“I don’t need a spell to find a date,” Rainbow said indignatly.

“Ah’m goin home,” Applejack said turning to leave.

“Wait!” Pinkie got in front of Applejack.

“Pinkie, ah got work an no time for this hoopla,” Applejack said.

“Just give it a chance!” Pinkie said with sad eyes.

“Pinkie,” Applejack sighed.

“C’mon, what do you got to lose?” Pinkie said.

“If this turns out ta be a dud than ah’m not goin ta be happy,” Applejack said before sitting down.

“Yay!” Pinkie said.

“Why are you so eager for a spell that sounds so… sketchy,” Rarity asked.

“I’m excited to get things moving along for us all!" Pinkie cheered "just imagine the parties I can make when this works, birthdays, weddings, multi dates!" Pinkie rambled on.

"Weddings?" Fluttershy said sounding flustered.

"Ah, well I guess I'm intrigued if these will work," Rarity said.

An hour passed by and the group was kept alert of Twilight's continued testing based on how many explosions were going on downstairs.

Is she gonna be done soon?" Applejack said impatiently.

"She should be any minute now," Pinkie said.

"Eh give the egghead a break, maybe it takes time," Rainbow Dash said while reading a Daring Do book.

Another hour flew by and the girls started to get even more impatient. At least the explosions stopped for now.

"Alright, ah'm headin home, let me know when she's done," AJ said as she got up.

"AJ-" Pinkie said.

"Oh no, ah ain't waiting all day, ah'm heading home," Applejack said marching to the door.

Only for a slightly burnt Twilight to open the basement door with a glowing purple crystal ball in her hand.

"Eureka! I've-" Twilight was cut off by AJ walking into her and they fell over each other and the crystal ball flew through the air.

"NOOOOOO! Twilight shouted in slow motion as the ball fell to the ground.

Only to be caught by Rainbow Dash who dove and caught it.

"Gotcha!" Rainbow said.

"WOOT go RD!" Pinkie cheered with pom poms.

“Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked Applejack and Twilight.

"Yeah," AJ said getting up and helping Twilight up "Sorry bout that Twi,"

"It's ok, as long as the experiment is okay," Twilight walked over to Rainbow and grabbed the crystal ball.

The group gathered around the crystal ball curiously.

"So that's what you've been working on, what is it?" Rarity asked.

"Because the spell itself has never been done, I use the listed ingredients and the closest magical measurements to formulate-"

"In English egg head," RD sarcastically said.

Twilight sighed and chose simpler words.

"I did my best to get as close as I can to the spell as I could with my current materials," Twilight said.

"So, what exactly does it do?" Rarity asked.

"If I followed the formula right it should show us our destined lover and not explode like the last ones," Twilight said.

"Ulp… explode?" Fluttershy said nervously.

"Don't worry, so long as nopony drops it everything should be ok," Twilight said assuringly.

"Ok," Fluttershy said taking a breath.

"Okay girls, follow me," Twilight said, leading the others to the center of the room where a pedestal was set up.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Spike?” Fluttershy asked.

“He wasn’t very interested to start, besides, maybe it’s best to see if it works first before we go around using it for others,” Twilight explained her reasoning.

“Ok,” Fluttershy said.

“Oh oh do me first! I wanna see!” Pinkie said hopping up to the pedestal.

“Alright, no more horsin around, let’s see,” AJ said.

“Alright girls, let me see if I can activate it, you may want to get some distance, just in case,” Twilight said.

“Ok,” Everypony said, taking a few steps back.

“Alright, now to charge it,” Twilight began pouring magic into it and it glowed.

“Oooh,” Pinkie said, liking the pretty colors.

“Alright, so far so good, now I just need total concentration to not oversurge and-” Twilight began before they heard claws clicking on the crystal floor and turned to see Spike.

“Huh? Hey! You girls started without me? I’m going first then!” Spike said hurrying down the stairs… before slipping and tumbling down the stairs and rolling into the pedestal.

“SPIKE! OH NO!” Twilight cried trying to stop the crystal ball but it fell off the pedestal and onto Spike's head spine.

Crack!

The fragile magic-charged crystal ball cracked and began to glow brightly.

“RUN!” Twilight yelled, as the others tried to follow suit.

But they didn’t get far enough and a magical explosion ripped through the castle.

“Ooooh… my head…” Twilight thought as her vision returned to her, and she looked up and saw a rainbow tail sticking over an overturned couch and a purple mane in a pile of books, and a pink hoof sticking out of another pile.

“Is everypony-... ahem… what happened to my voice?” Twilight wondered before getting up slowly and moving over to the bathroom.

“I need water…” Twilight stumbled to the bathroom in an awkward gait, her body felt… off somehow.

She stepped into the bathroom and put her hand to her head to ease the headache.

She turned on the sink and splashed water on her face.

“What happened back- agh, seriously what’s with my voice?” Twilight said shaking her head before looking up at the window to see if the explosion had injured her at all.

And saw a purple stallion staring right back at her…

“....Huh?....” Twilight’s addled brain tried to process what she was seeing right now.

Then it clicked when she stood straight and raised a hand to her face.

“Wh-what the?...” Twilight said tugging at her cheeks, it hurt alright, she tried other things, sticking out her tongue, nodding, speaking, even examining her more masculine hands.

“Wh-wh-wha….” Twilight stuttered.

She was he.

A manly but still high-pitched scream echoed from the castle that night…

Author's Note

And here it is, my first crack at a clop story, reviews and constructive criticism welcomed.

And I hope you all enjoy as I give my all to make the best romance I can make. :heart:

Blitz's first time...again? [clop]

Author's Note

Welp, here it is, my first written clop, and I did pretty well, If you don't like strong clop or stuff like it then I advise skipping this chapter, if you are into that stuff please read on.

This chapter also introduces a new pony as well.

I'm also rescheduling the one-week time skip or maybe reconsidering it.

I want you all to enjoy my full efforts, so please comment.

Till next time, :pinkiesmile:

Blitz's first time...again? [clop]

Rainbow Blitz woke up in his bed, he looked around.

“Ugh, what happened last night?” RB asked.

“Surprised you don’t remember,” A female voice said.

“AH!” Blitz jumped as he turned to see a naked green mare lying beside him.

“U-uh, hi?” Rainbow Blitz blushed.

“You ok? I mean we did go hard but not that hard,” She said.

“Hard?” Rainbow Blitz thought in his head and then he heard a noise and turned to see Soarin with a towel wrapped around her body walking in from the restroom.

“Ah, awake already eh?” Soarin flirted.

And then the memories came flooding back.

Rainbow had decided that skirting around the issue was only going to get him in trouble with the many mares of the town.

“Ok… I need to just pretend I’m a total beast in the bedroom to satisfy some mares, Sure it’s not very loyal to sleep with multiple mares but they offered… does that make it better? No… no it doesn’t, are any of them even in a relationship already?” Rainbow asked himself before turning to the dinner set-up.

“Soarin said she’s bringing a buddy, does this mean a threesome? Voyerism? Or is she just coming to have dinner? And more importantly, am I a pervert for jumping to that conclusion?” RB asked himself.

Tank shook his head no and gestured for him to breathe.

“Your right… It’s just… this’ll technically be my first time with a mare… as a stallion,” Rainbow said taking some calming breaths.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Panic reengaged!

Tank gave him a look that told him to chill out before going into his terrarium cave.

“Y-yes, just be cool…” Rainbow said before straightening up, he was stuck a stallion for life, better make the most of it, Rainbow approached the door and he opened it, and saw a surprising sight.

“It’s about time!” Soarin snapped jovially.

“Can we come in? Heights scare me,” A green and yellow unicorn mare said.

“Uh hi Soarin and uhm…” Rainbow said feeling ashamed he didn’t know who this was, though it wasn’t really his fault.

“Oh yeah, you never met her, this is Greywind,” Soarin said as she sauntered past him with Grey behind her.

“Her name is Greywind? And she’s a unicorn? And she’s not falling through the clouds?” Rainbow said confusedly.

“My parents were pegasi, I know the cloudwalking spell and please call me Grey” Grey said in order of his questions.

“Yeah, she hates it when ponies who know her call her by her fullname, it just sparks questions, anyhoo, nice to see you come out of your funk Blitzy,” Soarin said.

“Uh, yeah, I set up dinner,” Rainbow said closing the door.

“Oooh a bit of a meal before dessert, love it!” She cheered.

“Um, yeah,” Rainbow said blushing a little.

“You ok?” Grey asked.

“Oh yeah, I mean… let’s eat!” Rainbow said as he walked over to his chair.

“Um, you forgetting something?” Soarin asked cheekily.

“What-” Blitz turned around and immediately went red in the face as Soarin’s dress hit the floor… and she wasn’t wearing anything underneath it…

She was naked, and he had to admit, she had a good body, a large chest, shapely curves, a great butt, and good muscleculture, he could see her well-earned abs from her Wonderbolt training.

Grey wasn’t far behind, with her shirt, skirt and underwear on the couch nearby.

Her figure wasn’t nearly as impressive as Soarins but she was pretty nonetheless.

“....Wow…” RB said with a flushed expression.

“Well? Off with the outfit!” Soarin said.

“B-but what about dinner?” Blitz asked.

“Silly, we’re going to eat it, just in our birthday suits, like always,” Soarin said.

“He’s alot shyer than you told me,” Grey said.

“Yeah, its odd, he’s usually tossing compliments by now,” Soarin said.

Not wanting to further their suspicions he quickly spoke “I-i’m just wowed by you two, I mean you get prettier everytime I see you Soarin, and you Grey, I’m doing my best not to hop in bed right now.” RB said hoping to pacify their worries.

Grey blushed when she heard the compliment “Th-thanks, I don’t get told I’m pretty very often…” She stammered.

Meanwhile, Soarin looked a little suspicious “Hmm,” Soarin hummed before shrugging “Alright, maybe it's just my nerves, anyways… Do we get a show or what?”

“Of what?... oh well, you ladies want some, here it is,” Rainbow said hoping it wasn’t a cheesy line and he began slowly taking off his shirt, after removing it he intentionally struck a pose to show off his muscular body.

Grey looked red in the face and Soarin nodded approvingly.

“Oh yeah, that’s the stallion I fell in love with… now where’s treat number two?” She asked.

“Coming right away,” Rainbow said feeling oddly brave all of a sudden, he then grabbed his pants and undid them before pulling them down, and then he removed his underwear.

As he stood exposed to the two he suddenly felt a mix of jangled nerves and confidence. He could be arrogant about his good looks, and it would be deserved, and the best part, now that he was a stallion, he doesn’t need to worry about the label, ‘fiesty mare’ anymore, he could be cocky and own it.

Grey looked away blushing madly.

“You said he was big but… I didn’t expect that,” She said in a whisper.

“And why risk ruining the surprise? Well now that everypony is in the correct state of dress, let’s eat,” Soarin said.

“Cool, I made some salad and mac for dinner,” Rainbow said.

“A good means for energy,” Soaring said trotting past Blitz and giving him a smack on the butt “You’ll need it after tonight,” She said before sitting.

“U-uh, yeah!” Grey said scurrying to the chair as well and Rainbow sat down.

What he liked was that the table was low enough that their chests practically sat on them.

“So Blitzy, when are ya returning to Wonderbolt duty? You’ve been gone awhile and Spitfire is getting impatient,” Soarin started off on a high note.

Blitz nearly choked on his salad before resuming “Wonderbolts?” Rainbow said.

“Yeah, remember? You joined a little over a year ago, and you took a few weeks off, but Spits can only wait so long,” She said.

“I’m a part of the Wonderbolts here?...” RB said quietly, in his old reality he was signed up to join, but he wasn’t technically one of them yet. It seems in this reality he joined earlier… wonder why…

“Well on that note there’s the fact that with your name becoming more known maybe you can expand your network of loyalty?” Soarin said.

“My what?” Rainbow asked.

“Your network, you know, your presence as the greatest stud in Equestria?” Soarin said with a grin.

“...” Rainbow looked a bit down at this.

“What’s up? I figured you’d be happy,” Soarin asked.

“It’s just… I need your personal opinions…” RB asked.

“Sure,” Soarin said and Grey nodded.

“....Am I a good pony?” RB asked.

“What?” Soarin asked.

“What do you mean?” Grey asked taking a bite of her mac.

“I sleep with countless mares, I have a network of mares, I… am I a stud or a playcolt…?” Blitz asked.

“What brought this on?” Soarin asked.

“Things… changed recently, don’t ask how, and now I realize some things about my life,” Wasn’t technically a lie.

Soarin just started chuckling.

“Hm?” Blitz looked at her.

“What kind of question is that? Your the embodiment of a loyal local stud,” Soarin said.

“I am?” Blitz asked.

“Yeah, you don’t make love to many mares to be selfishly perverted, you do it to help them,” Soarin said.

“Help them?” Blitz muttered confusedly.

“Yeah, from what I know, you only go for single mares, you get to know them and only do it consensually, especially during heat week, The mares across Ponyville would be hot and bothered and living with unrequited love without you, you even offer advice and help for mares looking for a lasting relationship, if anything your like a one stallion charity,” Soarin said “I didn’t think I’d have to remind you of this,” She added.

“I’m… not a playcolt…” RB said in his head and with that he smiled, relieved to hear that.

“Are you sure your alright?” Grey asked.

“Yeah, I am, I was just needing confirmation,” RB said before noticing something and smirking “Also it seems we’re done with our meal,” Blitz said standing up.

‘Huh?” Soarin looked down and saw her empty plate before smiling and looking up at Blitz.

“Indeed, but I’m still hungry… care to fix that?” She asked.

“Indeed, you ready for this?” Blitz asked Grey who blushed.

“Yes,” she took his hand and they started towards the stairs.

“By the way, tell me about yourself Greywi- I mean Grey” Blitz asked.

“Nothing much, I’m a storybook writer, and I just happened to be in Ponyville at the same time as Soarin here and she told me how you could ‘loosen me up’... I admit I’m nervous,” Grey said.

“Don’t be, If I’m going to be honest one thing this change did was make me forget my sexual experience, so your not getting me at my best,” Blitz said.

“Odd, I wanna ask what this change was but I remember you telling me it’s private, oh well,” Soarin shrugged as they entered the bedroom and Blitz turned to the two naked mares.

“Alright, before we start, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your experience? Just to know if you still got… you know, don’t want to hurt you accidentally,” Blitz said.

“I have done it already… once, so… that’s taken care of,” Grey admitted.

“Alrighty, so, who wants to start?” Blitz said.

“Oh you, comere!” Soarin tackled Blitz against the wall to his surprise and pressed her whole body against his and began kissing him passionately.

Stunned for a moment he then gave into the pleasure and began kissing her back and he wrapped his strong arms around her, tracing down her back all the way to her firm butt and tail.

So lost in kissing Soarin he didn’t notice a second pair of lips pressing against his cheek.

“Hm?” Blitz looked a little surprise to see Grey pressing herself up against the two and she was kissing his cheek.

“How rude of me,” Soarin panted stepping to the side “I should share with the guest after all,” Soarin said.

“D-do you mind?” Grey asked.

“Come on, let’s get to know eachother more,” Blitz said.

“Ok,” Grey said before stepping into his embrace and she hummed as she felt his athletic muscles, she wished she could be his fulltime girlfriend like Soarin, but she could be content with this. She then pressed her lips against Blitz’s and began kissing him.

Blitz’s mind was on fire, the feel of her body, the tingling waves of pleasure coursing through him, the freedom to be himself. HE LOVED IT!

Blitz kissed her back and ran his hands all over her body, rubbing squeezing and pinching in various areas.

“Go lower… please,” She gasped.

“We can go all the way,” Blitz said before slipping his hand to her cute butt and sliding a finger in.

“Yessss,” She hissed as she began grinding her body against his.

Suddenly a pair of arms scooped around her and grabbed Blitz’s erection, which was smushed up between their abdomens.

“AH!” Blitz grunted.

“Don’t worry honey, just me, I was getting antsy waiting to participate…” Soarin said sultrily as she began stroking him.

“Oh please keep going you two,” Blitz said at the double grind going on.

“I need you Blitz!” Grey called getting hot and bothered.

“Hear that? She needs you,” Soarin whispered.

“Don’t move too fast your gonna… make me-” Blitz was cut off before he came, it was a stream that shot up between them, and even through the blinding pleasure of his first male cumming, Blitz was shocked at how much was coming out, can a stallion actually hold that much?!

When it ended Blitz panted and laid back against the wall.

“Sorry, guess I came faster than intended…” Blitz apologized.

No response…

“Huh?” Blitz looked up to see a sight that shot him straight back to hard again.

Soarin was cleaning a dazed Grey off with her tongue…

“Holy crap…” Blitz said… only he didn’t say crap…

“So… wanna go for the two ender?” Soarin offered.

“The two ender?... I uh, know what that is but can you explain it to make sure you remember?” Blitz said.

“Sure sure, you get the back, I get the front,” Soarin said without a shift in her tone.

“That…is so hot…” Blitz said before Soarin guided Grey to the bed.

“I-I’m scared,” Grey said.

“Oh trust me, your gonna be wet between the legs for life after this,” Soarin said.

‘Just hope I do this right,’ Blitz said in his head.

“Alright, put your hands on the bed and angle your butt like so,” Soarin instructed.

“Ok,” Grey said putting her hands on the bed and arching her back, Soarin then climbed beneath her and wrapped her arms around her thighs and positioned her head in front of her slit.

“Your up Blitzy, when you start, I will,” Soarin said.

“Ok, just um, give me a moment,” Blitz said.

“Take your time,” Grey assured.

It took about two minutes to work up the nerve and find the right position but he soon had his ram bumping her castle doorways if you know what I mean.

“Let me know when to start…” Blitz whispered.

Another minute passed before she nodded.

“I’ll be slow,” Blitz assured before entering.

He did NOT expect what he got, a surge of pleasure that almost made him fork over his mental control, but his willpower held strong and he pushed slowly.

“Oh!” She grunted and then her face tightened more when he pushed further in.

“Is… it hurting?...” Blitz asked through gritted teeth.

“N-no… it’s… goodness… how big are you?” She said before she eventually felt his hip connect with hers.

“Ok… I’m ready now,” She said after a minute of adjustment.

“Ok,” Blitz pulled out slowly and she cried out as he pushed back in, pretty soon she was crying out for him to speed up.

“Are… you… sure?” Blitz gasped.

“Yes! Do it!” She cried.

Hearing that he didn’t need to hold back anymore… he tensed his muscles and began thrusting harder.

Her cries doubled in volume when Soarin did her part and began eating her out.

With both ends being punished with a phallus and a tongue it wasn’t long before she came, hard.

Blitz slowed a little but Soaring slapped his knee and mouthed for him to keep going.

Nodding he thrusted harder and harder until she was screaming herself raw from the pleasure.

Eventually, she came even harder and she began to get weak in the legs.

Blitz felt his own roaring to the surface and he suddenly unleashed the building pressure.

It was so much, it wasn’t stopping, his output had somehow increased! When it was over she slumped onto the bed with a happy sigh.

“Ok, I think she’s spent,” Soarin wiggled out from under her and picked up the sleeping mare and put her in bed.

“I think…actually I still feel… good?” Blitz panted.

“Like I said, your the one of the only stallions in town who can bed multiple mares, and speaking of multiple… you ready for round three?” Soarin said with lidded eyes.

Blitz’s face was flushed at the thought of what happened last night… he had rutted the hell out of these two mares and still feels like he can go another round… was this natural?

“T-thanks by the way,” Grey said.

“For what?” Blitz said.

“For giving me such a good time, I’ll always remember it,” Grey said standing up and stretching her back, she seemed to showing off her figure intentionally.

“No prob,” Blitz said.

“If I’m ever in town again I’ll certainly consider this again,” She said before moving on to the door.

“Where ya going?” Soarin asked.

“I have a cousin to visit later today, remember?” Grey said.

“Oh yeah you did say you were originally coming here to visit a cousin, good luck then!” Soarin said.

“You too,” She gave Blitz a longing look before leaving to go pick up her clothes.

“Whew, that was the most amazing night of my life,” Blitz said sitting up.

“Oh it ain’t over,” Soarin said.

“What do you-” Blitz was cut off as Soarin leaped onto his abdomen, straddling it.

“I can use another quickie if your up for it,” She said sultrily.

On one hand, another free rut with a hot mare, on another hand… yeah he can’t see any downsides…

“You naughty filly,” Blitz said laying back.

“Get ready for more, my rainbow stallion,” Soarin said.

Grey sat in the living room with her clothes on, she had sent a message ahead to her contact, she had business to conduct, and a cousin to meet for the first time in a long time.

Pretty soon a message arrived and teleported into her hands, she opened and read it.

“Glad to see you in town again Grey, hope to see you soon, we got some things to discuss, I’ll be by to pick you up later.

Love, Dusk,”

“That’s my cousin, always punctual with the responses.” Grey chuckled.

Whispers and plots

Applejack had dropped off Berry and Cheese at Sugarcube Corner and he was heading home with Thunder in tow.

“Hey AJ…?” Thunderstrike said.

“Yeah?” AJ said turning to her.

“...I just wanted to say thank you again, for forgiving me, it really means a lot to me that you did,” Thunderstrike said.

“Course ah would, Blitz is fine now and so is Rumble, ah ain’t gonna blame you for protecting Rumble,” AJ said.

“Yeah…” Thunderstrike said and she stayed silent.

Some time passed when they were at the edge of the Apple Family property.

“Need any company back to yer house or are ya fine to walk home alone?” AJ asked.

“Hmmm… Well…. I was actually thinking… since I’m a little tipsy, and we don’t know if there are prowlers about-” Thunderstrike said before AJ finished.

“You… want to stay at my house?” AJ asked.

“Well since you asked,” Thunderstrike said with a giggle.

“What about Rumble?” AJ said.

“He’s actually at a friend's house, so I have nothing to do tonight anyways,” Thunderstrike said with a shrug.

“Well alright then,” AJ said and he walked with her up the path to the farmhouse.

Butterscotch’s house was always a welcoming sight.

Gala sighed as the lecherous drunk stallion she was dragging along was muttering more compliments.

“Usu-usually, ponies would expect the stallion to be the buff one, but I love that your the buff one in our relationship… it makes me feel protected from the badness of the world… *hic*” Butterscotch hiccuped again.

“We gotta get ya back to normal…” Gala said.

“Why? I love being… being confident, I love being ready and willing to be honest with you, as Fluttershy I was so sheltered, but I feel like a stallion now, not a mare,” Butters said.

“Ah still don’t get it, you’ve always been a stallion,” Gala said.

“Not up until the accident…” Butterscotch whispered.

“What?” Gala said turning towards Butters.

“Oh hey, Angel is waving at us,” Butterscotch waved at the window and Gala turned to see Angel shaking his head in disappointment instead and he hopped down.

A minute later the door opened and Angel gestured for the two to come in.

Once they were in Gala set Butterscotch on the couch.

“Ya got somethin to fix him?” Gala asked the rabbit.

Angel nodded and gestured for her to watch him before he hopped into the kitchen.

“What were ya sayin outside Butters?” Gala asked sitting down.

“Just, that before I was a stallion, I was a mare *hic* named *hic* Fluttershy,” Butters said.

“What…?” Gala said looking surprised.

“Yeah and my… my friends were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Spike and Applejack was still Applejack. We were all mares…. Hey do the stairs look weird right now?” Butters said his attention drifting.

“Butterscotch! Focus!” Gala said, “What do ya mean, this ain’t just some drunken rambling right?” Gala demanded.

“Nope! We had a magical accident… how long ago again?... don’t remember… anywho, we all turned into stallions and you became a mare,” Butters said with a giggle.

“...I was a stallion?” Gala asked.

“Yeah, named Big Mac… seriously why are those stairs moving like that? Discord is that you?” Butters asked.

Gala was still recoiling from her shock to help him regain his focus, naturally, everything he said sounded like hogwash… except she’s heard that name before… Big Mac.

And Butters even drunk off his hooves wouldn’t lie to her like Blitz and AJ were when they mentioned that name…

Something ain't right… and she’s gotta get to the bottom of it.

“Sooooo wavy…” Butters said still focused on the stairs.

“Yeah…” Gala said looking away in thought.

Pretty soon Angel hopped back carrying a green brew and he gestured for Gala to feed it to him.

“Why?” Gala asked.

Angel made a few gestures.

“Whoo, watch the potty mouth, Angel, she’s… my mare friend,” Butterscotch said.

Angel glanced between the two and shrugged before handing the bowl to Gala and hopping away.

Gala gave the medicine to Butters and helped him drink it down.

He wound up falling asleep and Gala was left to her troubled thoughts.

Dusk didn’t know how long he and Luna embraced but soon they were walking down the corridors together.

“I am glad you saw what you needed to do,” Luna said.

“Yeah… A part of me still wants to try but… I guess you're also right, if that attempt didn’t work how many more times will I have to blow myself up before it sinks in…” Dusk looked a little sad.

“Don’t be upset, you did your best, but your friends are happy here, I have seen it,” Luna said.

“How?” Dusk asked.

“In their dreams, their dreams used to be their yearning for their old lives back, but now… it’s of the future,” Luna said as they reached a room and entered.

Dusk was surprised to see that this was in fact Luna’s quarters…

“Um Luna, why are we here?” Dusk asked.

“No particular reason,” Luna said with a smile as she walked past Dusk and sat at a table on the balcony, and gestured for him to sit.

Determined to take his mind off the fact Luna was looking at him intently he continued the previous conversation.

“S-so, what did you mean before? What about the future are they dreaming of?” Dusk asked.

“Dusk, to answer that, I will ask a question of my own, have they found love?” Luna asked.

“Yes but what… wait, you don’t mean-” Dusk said before Luna took his hands and leaned in

“Touch horns with me and I will show you,” Luna said.

Dusk blushed “O-ok,” Dusk said and he leaned forward and they touched horn tips.

Luna used a spell and both experienced a vision.

Butterscotch had moved his hollow over to Sweet Apple Acres somehow… maybe with Discord's help, and it showed Butters sitting on a rocking chair, rocking a… foal?

“Luna is that-” Dusk asked.

“Just a facsimile of their foal but yes,” Luna said and she pointed to several more foals running around and having fun.

Butters looked up and saw Red Gala standing over him with a warm smile.

“Wow… I didn’t think Butters was thinking this far ahead,” Dusk said.

“He isn’t the only one,” Luna said before the environment shifted.

They were at the Boutique, everything seemed normal as they entered it.

Until they saw Barbra laying curled up over a clutch of eggs and Elusive sitting in a chair next to her, knitting something.

“Those two as well?...” Dusk said in amazement.

“Both their dreams are similar, I am quite glad to see Barbra finally get her stallion, and already she’s thinking of the eggs she’ll lay,” Luna said with a warm smile.

“Do dragon pony hybrids even come in eggs?” Dusk asked.

“I am not sure to be honest, maybe she doesn’t either, but it’s the thought that counts,” Luna said before bringing Dusk to the next one.

Swiss Cheese and Berry Bubble were having a party with their foals and celebrating the birthday of foal number… eight?!

Dusk tried to shout over the loud music “THIS I PREDICTED!” Dusk said loudly.

“I DID TOO, THEIR VERY COMPATIBLE, NOW LET’S GO BEFORE I GET A HEADACHE!” Luna called back before teleporting to another dream.

“Come to think of it, are any of them asleep?” Dusk asked.

“We’re seeing visions of past dreams,” Luna clarified as they were back at the farm.

They saw AJ approaching… a shadowy mare?

“Who’s she?” Dusk asked.

“It seems alas, Applejack knows that he wants to spend his life with a mare, but he’s unsure about the current candidate, he is stuck wondering if she’s ‘the one’ or not,” Luna replied.

“He always was a cautious one, considering the one he chooses would carry on the family legacy with their children,” Dusk said.

“And the mares shape is visible at least, so this means he knows he’s developed feelings for a specific mare,” Luna pointed out “Well… that finishes up, let us-”

“What about Rainbow Blitz?” Dusk asked.

“....Do you really wish to see?...” Luna asked.

“Sure, I'd like to know if he’s having thoughts of pursuing children with Soarin,” Dusk said.

“That’s not what he’s dreaming about,” Luna said and she shifted the environment and they were in his room, but instead he was tied up with countless mares surrounding him.

“LEAVE ME ALONE! I have Soarin now!” Rainbow demanded.

“I want you to fornicate with me next!” The mare to his left cried.

“He’s mine!” Another mare shoved her away.

“Stand aside and watch a real mare take care of her stud,” Another mare chimed in.

“Oh….goodness…” Dusk said uncomfortably.

“Blitz is having a hard time, for the short time he first experienced the freedom of being Rainbow Blitz instead of Dash, he’d been traumatized by that horrible mare and now he just wants to settle, unfortunately, the single mares of Ponyville won’t accept that he’s no longer around to help them with heat week,” Luna said.

“I didn’t think his genophobia would be like this,” Dusk said watching the scared stallion amidst the mare horde.

“Luckily there is a happy ending,” Luna said looking up and Dusk did too.

Suddenly a mare came down from above and grabbed Blitz.

“I’ll protect you Blitz, let’s go,” Soarin said before flying him away from the desperate mares.

“Soarin,” Dusk said in awe.

“She is truly his shoulder to cry on in this trying time in his life, like a guardian angel she will protect him from his fears,” Luna said with a smile.

Suddenly the vision ended and Dusk shook his head and looked around to see the sun had set and the moon arrived.

“Wow… how long were we in a trance?” Dusk cracked his back.

‘“An hour and a half, time is weird in the dream realm,” Luna said with a shrug.

“I see, so they really have formed new lives here,” Dusk said.

“And if by some miracle you find a way to put everything back to normal, would you take this away from them?” Luna asked.

“I… guess not… what have I been doing then… wasting time, that’s what,” Dusk said with chagrin.

“You did what you thought was right, and now you know better,” Luna said.

“I guess I do,” Dusk said before getting up “Well that was a pleasant evening but I have to think about getting back,” Dusk said.

“Why?” Luna asked.

“Well I have a hotel booked and I left my-” Suddenly Dusk was face to face with Luna.

"Why go back to the hotel when you can stay here?” Luna asked.

Dusk blushed brightly.

“L-Luna? Your not suggesting,” Dusk stuttered.

“Why not? We’re both royals, you don’t have to worry about me being out for anything to gain besides your love,” Luna said.

“B-but… we havn’t gone on a date, o-or filled out a list on our compatablities, or even kissed-” Luna pecked him on the lips.

“There! First kiss out of the way,” Luna said before laughing “No need to worry Dusk, I don’t intend to take your virginity… tonight,” Luna said.

“T-then what was that?” Dusk asked.

“A show of my affection, back in my day two ponies that liked eachother would do this to show their love,” Luna said.

“I-i see, I didn’t think you felt so strongly,” Dusk said.

“Well, you are handsome,” Luna said.

“And?” Dusk said asking his usual response on instinct.

“And smart, and caring, a good friend and as I said, unlike the spoiled nobles I stand only to gain your genuine affection and nothing else, I don’t want your money or fame, just you,” Luna said.

Hearing that Dusk’s heart throbbed hard… he’d never heard those words in such a genuine way, usually there was intent laced in it, not this time, she… genuinely wanted him for him.

Without thought Dusk kissed her and the two kissed passionately, after parting Luna looked at him with a wanting expression.

“How far do you want to take this right now?” Dusk asked.

“As far as you wish, it can be now, or some other night, like I said,” Luna said.

….
…..
……..

“Don’t take things, too fast,” A sudden voice silent to all but Dusk’s ears whispered.

“...Would you be okay if… we waited a little longer, I imagine you’ll need help on heat week,” Dusk sheepishly said as if on instinct.

“A fair point, heat reduction spells only do so much,” Luna giggled.

“Cuddling wouldn’t hurt,” The voice came again.

“Want to… sleep together at least? In the same bed I mean, nothing untoward,” Dusk said.

“As you wish,” Luna said and the two proceeded to bed, Dusk slid under the covers and Luna hugged him close.

Dusk couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t with the feel of her warm body pressing up against him, he felt flustered and almost regretted turning down the chance to be with her that night.

Is… this what love is?

Thunderstrike and AJ entered the farmhouse and after explaining the situation to Granny she wished them a peaceful sleep.

“Alright, you sleep her,e and ah’ll be upstairs if ya need anythin,” AJ said.

“What? I sleep on the couch?” Thunderstrike said with mock offense.

“Problem?” AJ asked.

“Well… I was hoping we’d sleep… together?” Thunderstrike asked.

AJ blushed a little hearing that, “we only went on one date,” AJ said.

“Not sex or anything, just… cuddling?” She asked.

“Well ah-”

“Go on,” Granny said hobbling into the room.

“Granny, ya’ll get what she’s askin right?” AJ asked.

“Sure ah do, but it’s rude ta deny a guest,” Granny Smith winked mischievously.

“I guess…” AJ sighed at his matchmaking granny and they went upstairs as Granny Smith sat down on the couch.

“Heheheh, not leavin this world till ah get mah great grandkids,” Granny Smith said.

AJ and Thunderstrike entered his room and as AJ was getting his bed set up Thunder was blushing like mad.

“I’minhisroomI’minhisroomI’minhisroom!” She shouted internally.

“Ok, ya’ll wanna take the bed and ah can sleep on the floor,” AJ said with a small blush, that there was another mare in his room with him.

“We can do that… or…” Thunderstrike said with a hopeful look.

“Or?” AJ asked.

“Or we could sleep in the same bed, not doing anything, but I… would love to sleep with you… in your bed! I mean,” Thunderstrike said hurriedly.

“Thunder, ah think it’s a tad too early in our relationship ta-”

“Just do it,” A voice whispered in his ear, and suddenly Thunderstrike’s plan didn’t sound so bad.

“Your right, I don’t know what I was thinking,” Thunderstrike said sheepishly before AJ patted the bed.

“On second thought, ah’m okay with ya bein here, ah guess ah’m just worried we may be proceeding too fast,” AJ said.

“Really? Wow, what a one-eighty, one I’m on board with,” She chuckled and she laid down in bed with AJ laying behind her and pulling her close as she pulled the blanket over them.

“Hmmm….” Thunder groaned happily feeling herself enveloped in his strong embrace.

“Just one kiss?” The voice whispered in AJ’s ear.

Without thinking AJ leaned his head down and kissed her on the head.

Thunderstrike blushed so hard she almost jolted out of bed but she held herself down.

“He just kissed me…omg…” Thunder shut her eyes with a happy smile.

As they went to sleep, a transparent being watched them.

“I’m almost done…” The being said before vanishing.

Morning

Butterscotch cracked his eyes open with a groan, usually, he had worse hangovers than most ponies, but it seems Angel provided him with that herbal medicine brew that Zecora had taught him and he’d taught Angel.

Fixes hangovers in an instant.

“Oooh… What happened?” Butterscotch asked.

“Ya’ll are awake?” Gala asked coming in from the kitchen.

“Oh hey Gala, good morning,” Butterscotch said with a smile.

“Yeah… good mornin…” Gala said putting some sandwiches on the table before directing Butters to sit.

“Is everything alright?” Butterscotch asked walking over to his chair.

“Yeah… jest… need ta talk to ya about somethin,” Gala said.

“I… did something embarrassing when I was drunk didn’t I?... I told Berry I didn’t want to drink because when I do I… become unfiltered… in a way, I get lecherous and-”

“That ain’t what ah want to talk about… Mrs Fluttershy…” Gala said with some accusation.

“Oh? Then what… do… you…. Oh dear…” Butterscotch widened his eyes when what she called him clicked.

“Based on yer expression everythin ya told me when you were drunk off yer hooves was true,” Gala said with a light glare.

“M-Mrs. Gala, i-if you give me a moment to explain-”

“What? That you’ve been lyin ta me since we met?” Gala demanded.

“....Yes… how much do you know?” Butters asked.

“Ah know it all, at least ah presume it’s all, ah even know ah’m supposed ta be a stallion, and don’t deny it, ah got the methods to know if yer lyin,” Gala said.

Butterscotch flinched.

“...It’s true… I am actually a mare named Fluttershy, and my friends, them too, that’s… why we’ve been acting weirdly for a while now,” Butterscotch said.

“And how am ah involved in this?” Gala asked.

“I don’t know, how you became a mare is something me and my friends still don’t know, Soarin became a mare as well and so did Thunderstrike… you were all stallions…” Butters said knowing he was in hot water right now.

Red Gala looked surprised before rubbing her head.

“Goodness… ah don’t even know where ta start… so AJ and Blitz have been lying as long as ah knew them,” Gala said.

“Not since you met them… more like… maybe a month or two ago…” Butterscotch said.

“That still means ah’ve been lied to… not just by you but by life in general, it’s all a lie…” Gala said.

“Don’t say that,” Butterscotch said.

“It’s true ain’t it…” Gala said.

“I’m so sorry,” Butterscotch said.

“How did this happen?” Gala demanded.

“A magical accident by Twilight… we can’t reverse it, we’ve tried,” Butters said.

“...So there’s no fixin it then… how do ah go on knowing ah’m dating a deceiver?” Gala shook her head and got up, Butters got up too.

“Red Gala, I’m sorry but we had to lie, imagine what everypony would say if they knew,” Butterscotch said with tears in his eyes.

“Don’t matter now does it,” Gala said turning to leave.

“Please! I care about you Gala, don’t leave like this,” Butterscotch begged.

“Ah ain’t a puppet to fate!” Gala snapped as she walked on.

“I’ll do anything!” Butterscotch exclaimed.

Gala paused “Anythin?...” She asked.

“Anything, yes, just please don’t hate me,” Butterscotch pleaded.

“...Butters, they need ta know, it ain’t right that they don’t,” Gala said turning to look at him.

“...You mean-”

“If yer friends are going to date these other ponies, they deserve ta know as well,” Gala said.

“B-but-”

“Ya said anythin, well ah want the full truth to be given to those mares,” Gala said firmly.

“....Ok…” Butterscotch said.

Barbra and Elusive slept under the covers together, ever since they became a couple they’ve spent more time together then she does with Dusk.

Not that he’s here right now, but even so she’s spent alot of time with her beloved, dreaming of their future together.

Barbra woke with a yawn and turned to see Elusive still sleeping, he looked so cute like this.

Barbra resisted the urge to mess with him and she went downstairs and went to prepare breakfast but then she saw an envelope at the door.

“Huh? Odd, I wonder if it’s from Dusk,” Barb said picking it up, it was red and had gold outlines, too fancy for Dusk, and it was addressed to Elusive so she turned to bring it to her stallion only to see him coming down the stairs.

“Hello dear, what do you have there?” Elusive asked with a yawn.

“Dunno, It looks like it’s from a noble, only they use such decoration on it,” Barb handed it to Elusive.

Elusive studied it and then opened it, he found that it had a message.

“You are invited to… a gala? You and one extra can attend in honor of Fancy Pant’s birthday,” Elusive read.

“Like the GGG?” Barb asked.

“No, that Gala isn’t for another few months, this one is meant to be held for Fancy Pants, and it seems he’s inviting me! Barbra, do you know what this means?” Elusive said excitedly.

“You and Fancy can bury the hatchet and you can finally bury the last demon under your bed?” Barbra guessed.

“Not how I would have worded it but yes! I am in the clear,” Elusive said.

“Yes!” Barb cheered “I’m making pancakes to celebrate!” Barb said and she walked off.

“I’ll help,” Elusive said.

In Canterlot a party was being set up and Fancy Pants was talking with a party planner when Blueblood approached.

“Hello Fancy Pants,” Blueblood said.

“Oh, hello there Blueblood, I was simply getting party room number three set up, oh it’s a shame I never got that number of that party stallion, he’d have it done in minutes,” Fancy griped.

“Be thankful at least that pauper Elusive won’t be coming,” Blueblood chuckled knowingly.

“Indeed, that scoundrel, getting drunk at my party and causing a massive scene, preying on my wife, getting in a fistfight with me over her… my word, I will never invite him again,” Fancy said.

“Word is that these days he’s bedding, and I kid you not, a dragon!” Blueblood laughed.

“A dragon? Oh I pity her, at least she’d have the excuse of being barbaric to cause a scene,” Fancy said.

“Indeed, well I should be going,” Blueblood said.

“Oh and do ask the prince what his allergies are, the last thing I’d want is to hurt him,” Fancy called after Blueblood and Blueblood nodded.

“Very good sir,” Blueblood said before turning away with a malicious smile.

“Sir, you did deliver the invitation, so he is coming, remember?” A noble asked as he followed him.

“Oh… I am aware,” Blueblood said.

Author's Note

Bluebloods plotting something...

Dusk finally acknowledges his reasons for staying like this.

And most mysteriously...

What is that voice that's silently commanding them?

Tune in for answers.