Daring Do and the Temple of Maresogynus

by errant

Rating: mature
Tags: Daring Do, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Porn, Fetish, Non-consensual, Sex
Length: 15466

Daring Do struggles through erotic, and kinky, peril in an ancient cursed temple.

Daring Do, intrepid adventurer, heads into the distant reaches of the Crystal Empire in search of a lost temple dedicated to the worship of ancient, dark gods and potentially filled with dangerous magic artifacts. She finds the temple, sure enough, and within it lies a labyrinth filled with magic designed for one purpose - to bind, degrade, and break mares like her to submission!

As she fights her way to freedom, she finds herself struggling against her own desires as much as against the temple itself.

Content Warning: Nonconsent, bondage, tentacles, piercings, forced orgasms

Published 2024-02-29 15:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-02-29 15:20:00 UTC

Chapter 1

Daring Do ducked low under a branch and brushed some hanging lichen moss out of her face as she maneuvered through the densely packed pine forest. The terrain was rough - all gnarled roots, loose rock, gravel, and uneven earth. This far north, deep into the uncharted regions of the Crystal Empire, she was well and truly into the wilderness. The scent of the air, so clean and crisp that her lungs ached for joy and her wings fluttered instinctively at her side, brought her the traces of pine and a coming frost, the sweet smell of flowers, and something else . . .

Daring slowed, sniffing, then stopped, dropping to all fours, her hooves sinking a little into the damp, mulchy loam. The sudden, cloying scent of heavily fragrant incense was unmistakable and she was certain, from the strength of the smell, that it was nearby. She crept forward slowly, keeping her body low and her steps quiet. She was close, very close, to her quarry: a temple dedicated to the worship of the old, dark gods of this harsh land who had ruled before they had been banished long ago by the Crystal Heart. The temple, hidden away from prying eyes, was really only the first objective; her ultimate goal was to secure any dangerous magical artifacts housed within and make sure nopony else could find and misuse them.

The smell of the incense, the heady aroma of sandalwood, patchouli, and other exotic and rare aromas, hung thick in Daring's nostrils as she crept forward slowly, ears flicking as she listened intently for any sound. Her eyes, sharp and alert, darted this way and that as she peered between the tall trunks of the trees, scanning the shadowy gloom for any sign of the temple or ponies who might be guarding it or robbing it. Nothing made itself known and, after a few moments, she came to the edge of the tree line. Beyond, a craggy cliff rose skyward, dotted here and there with clumps of scrubby bushes. A jagged tear in the mountain opened a passage further into the earth, a passage wide and tall enough for two ponies to walk side by side, and this was where the incense seemed to waft out of.

She hesitated for a moment, her hoof resting on the ground. If she went inside the passage, she'd be vulnerable to whatever could come at her and would have to rely on her wits and her reflexes in case of any danger. She grinned to herself - Daring Do excelled at doing exactly that. No little cave was going to scare her away! With that, she stood, shaking her mane out of her face and headed towards the mouth of the opening.

Her hooves made no sound on the cool, packed earth of the floor and her tail swished lightly as she kept her eyes peeled and ears pricked for the slightest noise. The passage curved around sharply after about a dozen or so strides and the strong, musky scent of the incense became nearly overwhelming.

Rounding the corner, Daring had to shield her eyes from the sudden, bright light that flooded the corridor. Torches, each one aflame, lined the walls at intervals. Their light cast flickering, dancing shadows that made the whole corridor seem eerie and unnerving. The corridor ended in a massive stone portal, carved by skilled craftponies into the stone, and thick slabs of rock barred entry beyond it. Sharp, angular sigils and intricate forms decorated the sides of the gate and, in the shifting torchlight, they seemed to dance slightly in place.

Daring, taking a deep breath and letting her eyes adjust to the sudden brightness, approached the portal. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled the scent of the incense and her skin prickled lightly with a slight chill that wasn't caused by the cool air. Seeing no danger lurking, she pulled out a rolled scroll from her saddlebag and studied it, comparing the symbols carved on the stone to those she had copied down on the page.

"Bingo," she said to herself softly, grinning as she put the scroll back. "This is the place." She looked up, staring at the stone doors. There had to be a way to open them, some sort of switch or mechanism. Her attention turned to the carved symbols, mouth moving as she slowly translated the ancient cumareiform writing.

"'Freedom is a lie. Only by submitting will you be free,' huh?" Daring snorted and shook her head. "These guys were real winners." Her hoof touched one of the carvings, running along the ridged surface. She felt a tingling warmth spread from the point of contact and her skin flushed lightly. Daring blinked, her breath catching, and a sudden, unexpected rush of arousal flooded her senses. "What the hay?" she muttered, blinking her eyes and looking at her hoof, which had stopped its motion, but was still touching the symbol. She could feel her heart pounding and her blood coursing through her veins. Every breath, every slight movement, made her clothes feel tight and constricting and the fabric seemed to rub her distractingly. She breathed deeply and forced herself to focus, yanking her hoof away. Immediately, the warmth faded and the flush receded.

Daring stared, then swallowed hard and took a step back. She felt her heart hammering and the sudden surge of adrenaline that came with danger narrowly missed. She wasn't entirely sure what had just happened, but she knew she wasn't going to risk it again. Instead, she turned her attention to the rest of the walls, searching for a lever or handle that might open the portal. After a few moments, she found a small alcove in the wall, set between two torches, and in it was a lever. Taking a deep breath, Daring grasped the handle and pulled.

With a heavy scraping and grinding, the stone doors slid open, dust rising from their surfaces. Beyond the door was a massive chamber, easily the size of a cathedral, with a high ceiling supported by pillars and thick walls. A series of large, round braziers sat evenly spaced throughout the chamber, filling the room with flickering firelight, and the incense was so thick that it almost hung like fog in the air. At the far end of the chamber was a raised dais, upon which sat a sizable statue, larger than her, carved from solid obsidian. It was a pony, a unicorn, and she was kneeling on her haunches, her front legs splayed out. Shackles bound her limbs together and a heavy collar hung around her neck. The expression on the pony's face was serene, but the cutie mark, a length of chain, spoke volumes.

Daring's mouth was dry as she stepped into the chamber, her hooves clicking quietly on the stone floor. She could feel her heart racing in her chest, her breathing shallow and fast, and her skin flushed again. The heat inside her belly had grown, spreading to her loins, and her lips swelled slightly, aching and itching for something, anything, to rub them. She felt her wings twitching, fluttering against her sides, and her mane seemed to stand on end, almost electrically charged. She was light-headed and her legs trembled like jelly.

"Stop it," she hissed to herself, shaking her head. Her voice sounded strange, echoing off the walls. "Keep it together." The statue, the image of the shackled and submissive unicorn, filled her with a mix of fear and arousal. Something was wrong, something was very wrong.

The stone doors slid shut behind her, making her jump, and she glanced over her shoulder at them. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel her pulse beating a staccato rhythm in her throat. Forcing herself to calm down, Daring turned her attention back to the chamber and the statue.

"Okay, let's get to work and get out of here."

Daring approached the statue slowly, her hoofsteps echoing on the floor, her heart beating in time to her steps. She stopped at the foot of the dais and took a moment to study the figure.

The obsidian carving was life-sized, a perfect match in size and shape to a real pony. It was clearly the work of a skilled sculptor, with incredible detail and care taken in creating the features and form of the subject. She examined every inch of its surface, even briefly fluttering above it, and her searching eyes found no trip wires, pressure switches, or other traps. Satisfied that it was safe, she lowered herself to the floor and continued her inspection, studying the joints and creases, looking for any sign of a compartment or hidden cache. She found nothing.

"Guess we gotta try the hard way," Daring said. She turned and stepped away from the statue, then spun quickly, launching a hoof kick. The blow hit the statue squarely in the chest, the force of the impact sending a shudder through the sculpture. As soon as her hoof struck the obsidian surface, she knew she had made a mistake.

A powerful, dizzying wave of arousal shot through her, making her gasp aloud. It was stronger than before, more intense, and the sensation lingered, washing through her and sending her reeling. It accompanied a jolt of fire, exquisite and agonizing, that coursed through her like lightning. She moaned aloud, her eyes fluttering shut and her knees buckling. She was dimly aware that she was falling, her wings flapping weakly, and she landed on her side on the floor. Her mind reeled, and her body felt like it was melting. Her clothes were too hot, too constricting, and she wanted nothing more than to rip them off. She could feel the slickness between her hind legs, a trickle of her wetness staining her inner thighs, and the throbbing of her clit as it twitched and pulsed.

"O-oh, no," she groaned, forcing herself up to her elbows and knees, her wings limp. "No, no, no . . ." Her breathing was fast and shallow, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. She felt like she was going to pass out. "I've gotta get out of here . . ."

She tried to stand, but her legs shook, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Come on, come on!" she said, growling and clenching her teeth. She rolled over, her hind legs splayed, her belly and groin exposed. The cool air against her nether regions sent a shiver of pleasure up her spine, and she whimpered, biting her lip. "P-please . . ."

She tried to roll onto her side, then crawl, but her wings were too weak to support her. Her limbs refused to obey her commands and her body trembled and twitched. Her head felt light, like it was filled with cotton, and her vision blurred. As her chest rose and fell rapidly, her pulse felt like a hammering train. Darkness encroached on her sight, narrowing it to tunnels. She was aware of the fact that she was losing consciousness, but she didn't have the strength to resist. She could only lay there and stare at the statue, her eyes focusing on its features as the darkness swallowed her.

"U-ugh," Daring Do muttered, awareness slowly returning. She winced, a sharp, throbbing pain lancing through her head. She blinked, her gaze slowly focusing, and realized that she was on her back, her legs spread and her hind hooves hanging limply off the side of a stone platform. Her clothing was gone, and her chest rose and fell slowly, her heart beating in a slow, steady rhythm. Her wings stretched out, with the tips brushing against the cool, smooth stone, and her mane was damp with sweat. "W-what happened? Where am I?"

She sat up, blinking her eyes and looking around. A different chamber than the one she'd seen before greeted her. Small, square, and formed of hewn stone that glistened with moisture and overgrown in parts with lichen, it was barely large enough to accommodate her and the platform she rested on. Torchlight flickered against the stone, casting a warm, orange glow over everything, and the scent of the incense was absent here. Instead, she could smell the cool, damp stone, the rich, earthy scents of the lichens, and a sweet, pleasant fragrance she couldn't place.

The platform on which she sat was a smooth slab of stone, with no engravings or decorations. Groaning, she levered herself off of it, but stopped, eyes wide as she noticed something amiss. Trembling, she looked down at herself and found a small, silvery metal ring piercing the nub of her clit; a tiny pink pendant of crystal dangled from it by a short chain.

"What the -" she gasped, staring at it, then yelped and jerked as a low hum filled the chamber and the ring and the pendant both began to vibrate, sending powerful pulses of pleasure coursing through her.

"Ah - aahhh!" she moaned, falling back against the stone platform, her wings stretching out and her hooves scrabbling against the surface. She arched her back, her hind legs trembling, and her clit pulsed and swelled, throbbing with need. "S-stop!" she gasped, her voice echoing off the walls. "Oh, please, stop . . ."

Her eyes squeezed shut, Daring writhed on the stone, her legs kicking and her wings flapping helplessly. The humming sensation filled her body, setting her nerves alight and making her tremble. She could feel her heart beating a frantic tempo in her chest and her breathing was fast and ragged. The sweet, musky scent of her arousal filled the air, and she was deeply aware of the slick wetness coating her lips and staining her inner thighs.

"Aaaahhh!" she gasped, her head thrown back, her wings stiff. Her legs trembled and kicked and her tail thrashed violently. Her hind legs thumped against the stone, her hooves flexing and curling. The throbbing in her clit was unbearable and the vibrating ring sent waves of exquisite ecstasy rolling through her. She could feel the orgasm building, coiling inside her, her belly tightening. She tried to fight it, to resist it, but the sensations were too powerful. With a desperate cry, she went taut, her body spasming, and came.

The moment of release rocked her, her hooves kicking helplessly, her legs shaking. The sweet, delicious release flowed through her, making her moan, and her clit twitched and pulsed, the silver ring humming softly. She collapsed, panting, her tongue hanging out of her mouth. She lay there for a moment, her hind legs still trembling slightly, her wings twitching and quivering. The sensation in her sensitive nub faded and, after a few moments, the humming stopped.

Daring moaned, her forehooves coming up to cover her face. "Oh, Celestia," she groaned, her body trembling. "What's happening? Where am I? And what's with this . . . this thing?" She dropped her hooves to her crotch, touching the ring, but flinched back as it vibrated and the pendant started glowing. "A-ah!" She shuddered, feeling her clit begin to throb and pulse again. A wave of dizziness and warmth swept over her and she could feel her nipples hardening. "Stop! No more, please, no more!" As if mocking her, the vibrations intensified. "Nooo!" she cried, throwing her head back, her hind legs kicking helplessly. "Aaahhhh! Please!"

She twisted and writhed on the platform, her forehooves scrabbling at the stone, her wings fluttering and her limbs flailing. The pendant dangling from her clit swung back and forth, bouncing against her lips and sending shivers of ecstasy up her spine. She could feel her arousal dripping from her, sliding down her legs and soaking the stone beneath her. Her heart hammered and her blood rushed in her ears, roaring like the ocean. Her breath was hot and ragged, and her eyes squeezed shut.

"Stop, please stop!" she begged, her voice breaking as another climax spilled over on top of her. She convulsed, her whole body spasming and jerking, her hooves drumming on the platform, her wings flapping helplessly. "Ooohhh!"

After what felt like an eternity, the vibrations subsided, leaving her lying on the stone, gasping and panting, her skin flushed and damp with sweat. She wanted to move, to roll off and crawl away, but she couldn't. Her body ached and burned and her clit throbbed, the sensation making her squirm and moan.

"C-c'mon, get up," she told herself, her voice shaking. "Get off this stupid thing." She forced her front hooves under her and lifted herself up, then slowly, carefully, pulled her hind legs off the edge. "Okay, now you're off. Good. Now, get outta here."

Her legs were shaky and wobbly, and her wings felt weak and floppy. Taking a deep breath, she tried to walk, and managed a few steps before she lost her balance and had to catch herself against the wall. The muscles in her legs trembled and her wings hung limply at her sides.

"Okay," she whispered. "Okay, c'mon, let's go." She pushed away from the wall and tried again, walking slowly and carefully, her limbs still trembling as she made her way towards the door.

Beyond was a hallway, the floor and walls made of the same roughly hewn rock, and it was lit by torches set into sconces in the wall. The ceiling was low, low enough that she could fly up to the roof in two flaps, and the hallway curved to the left and right. There was no sign of anypony or anything, no sounds, no movement, and she had no idea which way to go.

"Well, right or left," she said, her voice soft. "Better make a decision before that thing starts going off again." She decided to go right, and started walking, her hooves clicking softly on the floor. The hallway was long and straight and ended in a T-intersection. Left or right again. Daring sighed, then picked a direction and headed left.

The corridor ended in another T-intersection, and she cursed. "Great, this place is like a maze." She ducked a wing into her saddlebag and pulled out a piece of chalk, which she used to quickly make a mark on the wall to show where she'd come from. Frowning, she swiftly backtracked, marking her turns back to the room she'd woken up in. That done, she hurriedly trotted back to the turn where she'd originally paused. "Let's try right this time."

She trotted along the corridor, marking every turn with chalk and keeping an eye open for any sign of doors or passages that led somewhere else. So far, there was nothing, and the only things that she could hear were her own hoofbeats and the crackle of the torches. She was getting worried that this hallway was a dead end and was considering turning around when the hallway took a sharp right turn and opened into another corridor, with a single wooden door set into one side.

Daring breathed a sigh of relief and approached the door, her heart pounding. She pressed an ear to the wood, listening for any sound. It was silent, so she tried the handle and was unsurprised to find that it was locked. "Of course," she muttered, scowling. "That would be too easy." She dug through her back until she pulled out a trusty lock pick, a tool no adventurer should be without. "Now, let's see about getting you open."

The door clicked after a few moments of effort, and she pushed it open. Beyond was a small, square room, lit by a single, flickering torch, and there was no sign of anyone. It had the appearance of a shrine, with an altar set against the far wall, and a statue of a pony, a pegasus this time, its wings bound. No sooner did she lay eyes on it did she hear an ominous clicking sound from the door frame.

"Oh, no," she whispered. Her body went rigid, her muscles locking in place so that she couldn't move. "Not again!" Her limbs froze and her wings became stiff. She couldn't even close her eyes. She could only stand there and stare at the statue as the pendant attached to the ring in her clit vibrated to life.

"Aaaaah!" she moaned, shivering and twitching as the pulsations coursed through her, making her nipples harden and her sex tingle. "S-stop, please stop . . ." She was already on edge, her marehood sensitive from the orgasms forced on her before, and the stimulation was pushing her dangerously close to another peak. "Please, no, no more," she begged, her exhausted body quaking. She couldn't move, couldn't even shift her hooves, and all she could do was stand there, shaking and quivering, as the pressure in her loins grew stronger and stronger. "Ooooh, oh Celestia, oh please, stop!" Her voice rose, her cries echoing off the stone walls, her legs trembling. The vibrations were almost painful, making her whole body shudder. Her wings fluttered and her tail lashed, and she could feel her arousal seeping out of her, her juices dripping down her thighs and staining her fur.

"Nnnn, ahhh, oh Celestia!" Daring Do felt the pressure building inside her, the orgasm coiling and knotting, the delicious tension growing and growing, until it snapped, making her cry out in ecstasy, her whole body spasming, her eyes rolling back and her legs shaking. The vibrations didn't stop, and they didn't slow down. If anything, they seemed to get stronger, the intensity mounting as she stood immobile and helpless. "Ah, ah, aahhhh!" Her moans echoed off the stone walls, the sound bouncing and reverberating, the sound filling her ears. Her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest and her skin was flushed and hot, sweat running down her fur. "Ooooh, stop, oh, ahhhh!" The need built within her again and she could feel the crescendo rising like the tide, ready to crash over her.

She tried to hold it back, but it was impossible, and her body was responding without her input, her hips rocking, her hind legs shaking. "Oh, no, aaahhh, please, n-noooo!" Her world waved as she hit her peak again, the climax exploding through her, causing her to gasp and scream. The ring kept humming and her cries grew higher and higher, until she could barely breathe. "Oh, p-please, stop, s-stop!" She was losing her mind, her senses, her awareness. All she was aware of was the ring's insistent touch and all she could hear were her own cries, her screams, and her gasps. Finally, after long and agonizing moments, she slipped below the surface and blackness engulfed her. The unseen force released her and she slumped bonelessly to the ground, the pendant still humming, to twitch and whimper slightly as she fell fully unconscious.

Daring groaned, her head aching, and opened her eyes slowly. She was lying on the floor, the cool of the stone surprisingly nice against her flushed body. She could smell the scent of her own arousal thick in the air and she could feel the slick moisture on her thighs. Her whole body felt warm and tingly, her skin prickling lightly, and her nipples were hard. The ring gently pulsed through her clit and her belly and groin were tight.

"Mmm," she moaned, her head still fuzzy. "Oh, my . . ." She lay on her back, her hind legs splayed. As the haze lifted from her mind, the events of the last few hours came back to her and she sat up, blinking. As she did, she quickly became aware of a new sensation. Looking at her sides, she found that leather sheaths encased her wings, secured to her sides by straps that ran across her belly.

"What the -" she said, her voice shaking. She flexed her wings, flapping them, but the sheaths held them tight against her body, preventing her from being able to open them. A wave of panic swept over her and she tried to pull her wings out, straining against the straps and buckles. She struggled, pulling and tugging. "Let me go! Let me out!"

She tugged and strained, her hooves scrabbling at the straps, but couldn't get them loose. The leather was tough, and the buckles were well-made, with small keyholes set into them, and she couldn't get her teeth close enough to gnaw at the restraint. After a few minutes, she stopped, panting, her chest heaving and her wings sagging limply.

"Okay, Daring, don't panic," she whispered to herself. "Don't panic. Just take a deep breath and calm down."

The leather was supple, and the fit snug, but it wasn't tight enough to cut off the blood flow to her wings, and it wasn't chafing her skin. It wasn't uncomfortable, per se, but the feeling of being trapped, of not being able to spread her feathers and fly, was terrifying. She'd never been afraid of heights or much of anything, but the idea of being grounded was unnerving. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. There had to be a way out of this. She wasn't a helpless damsel, and she wasn't going to be stuck here forever.

Looking across the room, her eyes narrowed as she glared at the statue. The mare it depicted had a beatific expression, as if she adored having her wings secured. She didn't share the feeling. With a grunt, she got her hooves under her and pushed herself upright.

"Okay, let's see what else is here," she said. She scanned the room, looking for something, anything, that might help her. There was a small table against the wall, and upon it were a number of objects: a pitcher, a goblet, and a plate containing the dessicated remains of some sort of fruit, presumably once left as an offering. There was a book, old and worn, its leather binding cracked and peeling. She approached, picking it up and flipping through the pages. Text written in the same cumareiform script she had seen elsewhere in the temple caught her eye, prompting her to instinctively begin translating it. "'Hail to the Lord of Submission, who takes from us the false freedom and replaces it with the true freedom found in restraint. Hail to the Lord of Submission, who lurks in the heart of every mare. Hail to the Lord of Submission, and praise the name Maresogynus.'" Daring shuddered, a chill running down her spine, and her clit gave an involuntary throb. "Ugh," she muttered, frowning. She turned the page, reading another passage from the text. It was a hymn extolling the virtues of ever-more-restrictive levels of bondage. "Creepy," she said, shutting the book and putting it back down. She wasn't going to learn anything useful from it.

There were no other objects on the table, and no signs of any other doors or passages. The chamber was a dead end. She cursed, then turned back towards the entrance. There had to be a way out of the temple, and she'd have to try another route.

She stepped back into the corridor, taking a moment to make a chalk mark on the door frame so she could find the chamber again. As she was about to head off down the hall, the pendant on her clit gave a gentle vibration, and the hum filled her loins.

"A-ah!" she moaned, her body going rigid. "Oooh, no, not this horseapples again . . ."

It was different this time, though. Instead of a steady, constant hum, the vibration seemed to be at random, pulsing and throbbing and stopping and starting. It was maddening, and her legs quivered and trembled. She still felt sore from the last few times, and her clit throbbed and ached, but the sensations sent a tingle through her that was almost painful in its intensity. She stumbled, her hooves unsteady, and leaned against the wall for support.

"O-oh, Celestia, please, n-no . . ." Her words trailed off into a whimper as the vibrations intensified. Her pierced nub of flesh twitched, and her wings flexed, straining against the sheaths that held them. After a few more seconds, however, the humming died and the sensations ceased. Daring gasped, her chest heaving, and her eyes were wide. "Okay, Daring, c'mon, get a hold of yourself." She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then headed down the corridor, walking as fast as she could. She could feel the ring, heavy and tight against her lips, and the weight of the pendant bouncing freely, but the stimulation didn't come again and she was able to move relatively easily. "Alright, I need to get out of this place," she muttered to herself, turning right and heading down another corridor. The hallways were all the same - rough-hewn rock, the ceiling low, the walls narrow, and the only illumination came from torches set into wall-mounted sconces. It was like a maze, with branching hallways and T-intersections. At each junction, she paused to mark her way, and the chalk marks began to form a trail that led deeper and deeper into the bowels of the temple.

The vibrations came intermittently, randomly, and the intervals between each attack grew shorter and shorter. Daring had to fight to keep upright and several times she stumbled against the wall, her hooves weak and trembling. The pleasure that rippled through her was incredible, and the sweet ache of her swollen clit was exquisite, but the sudden and unexpected attacks were making it hard for her to keep moving. After the third or fourth time, she found herself standing in the middle of a hallway, her wings trembling and her eyes rolling back, her chest heaving as her legs shook and her hindquarters quivered. "O-oh, no, j-just a little bit f-farther," she whimpered, her voice trembling and breaking. "C'mon, just a little bit farther . . ."

It was exactly the wrong place to stop. Her ears twitched as they caught a wet, squelching sound from above her. Her gaze snapped upward and she realized that there was a large, gelatinous mass attached to the ceiling. It was roughly spherical, with a diameter of a few feet, and it was the color of sea-foam green. Before her eyes, it seemed to ooze out of the narrow cracks between the chunks of rock that formed the ceiling. The thing dripped, like melted wax, and its surface bubbled and undulated. Daring's eyes widened, and she scrambled backward, her legs shaking.

"Oh, shit," she yelped as it fell, its bulk slamming into her back. It was slimy and cold, and it covered her, enveloping her in its sticky mass. The touch of it on her was like being plunged into a thick jelly. It oozed and dripped, seeping into her mane and fur, covering her body in its clammy slime. Her knees buckled under its sudden weight and she went down. She couldn't see clearly and the thing left a bitter and sour taste in her mouth. She tried to move, but it was too heavy and her hooves scrabbled uselessly on the floor. The vibrations hit again and she moaned, her voice muffled and distorted by the slime covering her face. Her wings twitched and flexed in the leather that imprisoned them and her tail lashed frantically. The gelatinous creature, whatever it was, seemed to react to her moans and it rippled, pressing down against her harder.

She could feel its mass shifting and its shape was changing, reforming itself. The slimy, gooey substance that surrounded her was conforming to her, pressing against her, rubbing and caressing her. It was growing, expanding, and the weight pressed in on her, pinning her to the floor. It was all she could do to gasp for breath, her body straining against the weight, her wings twitching.

She could barely breathe, the slime filling her mouth and nostrils, and she could feel the creature shifting and undulating against her. Soon, she felt it pressing against her marehood, the pressure and coolness of it sending a tingle through her. She tried to wriggle, to writhe, but the creature pinned her securely. With no warning, the creature slid inside her, its thickness and girth stretching her and making her whimper and moan, her voice muffled.

"Mmph!"

It penetrated her, sliding deep, the pressure and fulness causing her to tremble and twitch. She could feel it thrusting and grinding, and her body responded eagerly. Desperately, she tried to writhe free or kick her hind legs at it, but the thing was relentless and her kicks were ineffective. Its thrusts grew more vigorous, its rhythm increasing, and she reacted, her hips bucking and her belly tightening.

"Mmf, mmff!"

Her eyes rolled back, and her mind went blank. Her clit was throbbing, the vibrations sending waves of ecstasy through her, and the creature's thrusts were pushing her closer and closer to orgasm. She tried to resist, to hold it back, but it was futile. The sensations were overwhelming, and the thing's weight kept her immobile. She could feel her climax approaching, her muscles tensing, her whole body quivering. She was going to come, and she couldn't stop it.

"MMMFFFF!"

Daring went rigid and she thrashed and kicked, her hooves flailing. Her hips jerked, her hind legs kicking and her bound wings twitching and flapping. The creature continued its relentless pounding, driving her to new heights of pleasure, and the slime that surrounded her muffled her screams. The creature seemed to swell, and the thrusts grew harder, deeper, the weight bearing down on her. After an eternity, the climax faded and the creature slid out of her, leaving her twitching and shuddering, her breath ragged.

For a time, Daring lay on the floor, gasping and panting, the slime coating her and making her fur sticky and damp. She felt her heartbeat hammering in her chest and her skin was burning hot. She could feel the creature withdrawing, its mass shrinking, and within a few moments it had disappeared, oozing back into the cracks in the stone.

Daring moaned and lay there for a moment. She was sore and exhausted, and her legs were trembling. The onslaught had stopped, but her marehood felt raw and tender. She stayed there, recovering her strength, until the ringing in her ears had subsided. After a few minutes, she felt strong enough to get up. She was wobbly and shaky and she had to lean against the wall for support. She was exhausted and drained, her body aching, and she could feel the wetness between her thighs, her arousal seeping down her fur.

"I bucking hate this place," she muttered, her voice cracking. She staggered down the hall, her steps uneven and unsteady, and had to stop a few times to rest. "Just keep going, Daring, just keep going," she admonished herself, her legs trembling. "You can do it." She was close. She had to be close. The halls had to lead somewhere. They couldn't go on forever. "Okay, okay, c'mon, almost there," she panted, her breath ragged. "Come on, come on." Turning a corner, she found herself at the end of a long, straight corridor, and her heart sank. The hallway ended in a blank stone wall. "No," she groaned, her eyes stinging. "No, no, no, no, no, no!" Her legs gave out and she collapsed, her hooves giving way. She slumped against the wall, tears leaking down her cheeks. She was too tired to keep going. The tears ran down her face, and her shoulders shook. "I can't - I can't do it anymore." Her throat was hoarse and raw, and her chest heaved. She had nothing left. No strength, no energy, no willpower. "I can't, I can't, I can't . . ."

She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes.

She didn't know how long she sat there, her head resting against the cool, damp stone.

Her eyes snapped open as a faint trickle of cool air tickled at her fur, ruffling her mane and tickling the tip of her nose.

"Huh?" she said, frowning. The draft was coming from a crack in the opposite wall, a thin gap barely big enough for her to fit her forehoof into. She blinked, staring at it, and got to her hooves. Staggering forward, she peered through the crack and saw a narrow shaft beyond, with a tiny sliver of light at the end. Her ears perked up, and she grinned. "I'm not beaten yet!"

It took a bit of effort to squeeze a hoof into the rough opening, but once she did she quickly found a hidden lever and wasted no time pulling it. The wall parted, sliding open, and revealed a small, narrow tunnel of packed earth shot through with the occasional root or bit of rock. A cool breeze blew through the passage, bringing the scent of the outside world, and she grinned. "Ha, you can't keep Daring Do down!"She wiggled into the tunnel, turning around long enough to operate the lever again and close the way behind her as a form of security. As the door slid shut, the torchlight in the chamber behind her went out, plunging her into darkness. "Great," she muttered, blinking her eyes and waiting for them to adjust. "Dark, enclosed spaces. My favorite." With a slight shiver, she made her way into the confines, crawling slowly and carefully. The walls were close enough to brush her sides and wings, and she could feel her clit brushing the dirt and roots. "A-ah," she gasped, biting her lip and feeling her cheeks flush. "C'mon, don't stop now."

With a quiet grunt, she crawled forward, ignoring the throbbing in her loins and the slick, wet feeling between her legs. She moved slowly, feeling her way, and could see the distant light growing larger as she drew nearer. The walls of the tunnel felt cool and hard-packed to the touch, and the dirt emitted a heavy, damp, loamy scent mixed with a faint hint of moisture. Daring's mouth was dry, and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was tired, and her limbs felt like lead, and she was painfully aware of the tightness of the leather straps and the weight of the ring in her clit. Despite all of it, she pushed on.

The light grew brighter, and after what seemed like an eternity, she reached the end of the tunnel. Her hooves scraped at the dirt and she pulled herself into the open. "Whew," she breathed, flopping onto her belly. She was panting and sweating, and her wings ached. She could feel her fur clinging to her body, and her mane and tail were a mess. Nonetheless, she looked around. She'd emerged into a spacious, octagonal chamber made of the same stone as the hallways, though they seemed more finely and carefully shaped and laid in place. The floor had a rusty iron grate set in it, and a set of wooden stairs spiraled downward below it. Above her -

Daring spat out a venomous curse as she found the source of the breeze; high above her, a similar metal grate set into the ceiling showed the night sky beyond its bars. "Oh, come on!" she snarled. "Seriously?" She wanted to scream. She'd made it all this way, only to be faced with the knowledge that the only exit she'd found was useless to her with her wings still bound. Sitting there, her jaw clenched, she glared up at the grate. She'd been so close to freedom! She'd come so far, and it had all been for nothing.

The vibrations hit her without warning, and her back arched, her teeth clenched, and she screamed, her eyes rolling back and her body going taut.

"Ah! Ahhhh!"

Her legs kicked and her wings twitched. The leather straps dug into her fur, and the ring was humming against her lips. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't move. She could only lie there, her hooves scrabbling against the stone, her tail lashing, her hindlegs shaking.

"Ooooh, no, no, ahhh, no!"

Her voice was a moaning cry and she could feel the vibrations growing stronger, more intense, the hum of the ring and the pendant pulsing and throbbing. Her belly tightened, her groin tingling and aching. The tension grew, a coiling knot of need and desire inside her. She wanted to cry, to scream, to beg, but she couldn't. She could only lie there and twitch, her wings flexing and fluttering, her hind legs trembling.

"Please, please, no more, ahhh, no more, oooohhhh!"

The pressure was building, and she could feel the heat and wetness between her legs, the sweet, delicious ache, the slickness of her arousal coating her inner thighs and matting her fur. The orgasm was building, rising, coiling inside her, ready to break.

"Ah, ah, ahhhh!"

With a desperate, primal cry, Daring came, her body convulsing, her legs kicking and her wings trembling. Her wide eyes stared up through the barred ceiling, fixated on the freedom that was so close and yet completely unavailable to her. The orgasm washed over her, making her whimper and moan, her mouth opening and closing, her tongue hanging out.

Mercifully, the vibrations stopped soon afterward, and the pressure inside her eased, leaving her a gasping, twitching mess.

"Haahh . . . haaah . . . hhaaahhh . . ."

She lay there, her chest heaving, her heart pounding, her blood roaring in her ears. She felt the cool air on her body, the sweat cooling on her skin, and the throbbing in her groin.

"I hate this place," she croaked, her voice hoarse and raspy. "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!"

Slowly, agonizingly, she rolled over and tried to force herself onto her elbows, only to falter and slump back to the floor. Her own limbs betrayed her, burning with weakness and exhaustion. She could barely move, her body shaking and quivering. She'd pushed herself to the limit, and had nothing left to give. In the corner, she spied a small pile of dirt that looked slightly softer than the ground. "Guess I'll . . . have to . . . rest," she muttered, forcing herself up enough to crawl slowly towards it. It was humiliating, degrading, and yet she couldn't summon the strength to care. The cool earth was soothing, and her aching, sore body sank into it, the soft texture comforting against her fur. Within seconds, her eyelids were heavy, and her mind was drifting away, and within moments she had slipped into unconsciousness.

The next time Daring opened her eyes, she was lying on her back, the soil against her bound wings and spine. She blinked and lifted her head, wincing at the bright sunlight streaming in from above. It took her a few moments to remember where she was and what had happened. Her whole body ached, her muscles stiff and sore, and her brain felt fuzzy. "Ugh," she groaned, letting her skull fall back against the dirt. "Buck me, this sucks."

She lay there for a moment, staring up at the sky, and took stock of her situation. She hurt, and her mind was foggy, but she felt noticeably less tired. She was also a mess. Her clothes had stains and tears, her mane and tail were tangled and matted, and her fur was damp with sweat, grime, ooze, and her own fluids. Her joints creaked and her throat burned for a drink of water, but she was conscious at least.

"Alright, c'mon, get your hooves under you," she muttered, gritting her teeth and forcing herself to stand. It was difficult, and her legs didn't want to cooperate, but she managed. With a groan, she stood up, her wings flapping futilely in their sheaths, and brushed some of the dirt and grass from her coat. Her mouth was dry and her stomach was empty, but she was determined to leave this accursed temple. She'd been defeated and humiliated, but she hadn't given up, and she wasn't going to now. "Okay, Daring, just get moving," she said. "Find an exit, get the hell outta here."

She made her way towards the stairs, her gait uneven, her steps unsteady. With a brief longing glance at the sky above her, she swallowed and descended. The stairs were ancient and eaten through with rot, and the wood was soft and spongy under her hooves. As she moved, the stairs creaked and groaned, and more than once she was convinced that they would give way and send her plummeting into the abyss. However, they held, and after what seemed like an eternity, she stepped down onto stone at the bottom. She was in another large, open room, with stone columns and arches and a domed ceiling. Torches lined the walls, and there was an altar set against one wall while a corridor led off to the right, deeper into the bowels of the temple.

Daring approached the altar, and her eyes widened. An array of implements and tools covered it. There were straps, harnesses, bridles, and bits, along with collars and other restraints. Some were leather, and some iron or bronze. Others were made of silver or gold, or even jewels and gems. The sheer variety was stunning, and the thought of how long the objects had been sitting here, gathering dust, was unnerving.

"These ponies were messed up," Daring muttered, stepping closer and examining the items. There was an array of gags, including a leather bit gag with a strap that would buckle around the pony's muzzle. As she stared at, her fur suddenly stood on end as a field of static electricity passed over her, prickling at her skin and making her teeth itch. "Whoa!"

A flash of light flared and she shielded her gaze, then gasped as the leather gag levitated, hovering in the air in front of her. She stumbled backward, her eyes wide, her wings flapping uselessly. The gag flew towards her and she ducked, dodging out of the way.

"What the hell!" she yelled, spinning around. The gag swooped at her again and she dodged again, her hooves scrabbling against the floor. She ran, the thing flying behind her, chasing her. After a few heartbeats, mid-stride, the ring started humming again and her breath caught. "No, no, not now, not now!"

She stumbled, her legs giving way, and it flew at her. She convulsed, momentarily distracted by the pleasure, and it swiftly wrapped itself around her skull, pressing the leather bit into her mouth. With a deft flick of magic, the straps buckled, locking it in place. The ring kept vibrating, sending waves of ecstasy through her.

"Nnn, nnngghh!" Daring moaned, her voice muffled by the gag. The thing pressed down on her tongue and the taste of old oiled leather filled her mouth. The straps were thick and broad and the buckles were solid and strong. She could feel the leather rubbing against her cheeks, and the bit pressed between her teeth, preventing her from biting down. The straps ran over the top and bottom of her muzzle, and the buckle was on the back of her head, and no matter how hard she pulled or strained, she couldn't free herself.

Her hooves scrambled at the gag, scraping at the leather. She could feel the ring in her clit humming, sending pulses of ecstasy through her, and she moaned and cried out, the sound muffled. It grew hotter and hotter and the vibrations increased, making her legs shake. Her wings fluttered, and her hind legs kicked. She couldn't stop it. It was driving her mad and the newly added gag effectively silenced her pleas. The only sounds were her moans and cries and the hum of the vibrating piercing.

Then, as if mocking her, the ring fell silent. The vibrations ceased and the heat faded, leaving her panting and twitching. She slumped against the floor, spent. After a few moments, she lifted her head, blinking and squinting in the torchlight. "Haaah, ahh, haaaah," she panted. Her saliva was dripping from the corners of her gag. She felt the drool running down her chin, and the straps of the gag were soaked. The bit tasted like an old saddle, and her jaw was starting to ache. She moaned miserably, ineffectively pawing at the gag's harness. "Guh," she grunted, her words garbled and muffled. "Grrrnngghh!" She struggled for a few minutes, trying desperately to loosen the straps or unlock the buckle, but her attempts were fruitless, and it remained firmly in place. "Aarrgh," she groaned, sitting back. Defeat washed over her as she sat back, groaning. All she could do was sit there and pant, her mouth held open by the bit, her saliva dripping from her lips.

After a few moments, she rose shakily to her hooves and, with a wary glance at the altar, trotted into the branching corridor, currently the only way out of this room.

This new passage resembled the previous ones she'd seen, and she followed it, finding no turns or other choices to make. This tunnel ended in another chamber, this one a perfectly shaped square. In the middle, a deep pool of water brooded in a hollow in the floor. Daring's mouth watered at the sight of it, and she rushed forward, plopping down in front of it. Cautiously, she leaned in for a closer look - it was clear and appeared uncontaminated, and it moved slightly with an unseen current. It must be fed from an underground spring, she realized, and her spirits soared. A fresh water source was a fortunate find!

She lowered her muzzle and darted her tongue out from beneath the bit. Eagerly, she lapped up a bit of moisture and sucked it into her mouth. It was cold and refreshing, and the water soothed her parched throat. She drank greedily, swallowing mouthful after mouthful, until her belly was full and her thirst quenched. Sighing with contentment, Daring sat up and wiped her muzzle, taking a moment to look around. The room was a perfect square, the ceiling a good fifteen feet above her. There was a door leading out on the opposite wall and Daring resolved to keep moving.

Before she could do so, however, a slimy, fleshy tentacle slithered out of the water and wrapped around her hind leg. With a sharp tug, it yanked her backwards, pulling her towards the pool. Daring screamed and dug her hooves into the stone, but the tendril was strong and her legs scrabbled and slid uselessly on the floor.

"Mmph! Mmmfff!"

The tentacle pulled her into the pool and the water engulfed her. The liquid was cool, but not icy, and it felt oddly pleasant against her fur. She struggled and squirmed and managed to push herself back up to the surface, breaking the water's surface and taking a breath. She kicked and struggled, her hooves slicing through the water. Her wings flapped uselessly, the leather sheaths binding them to her sides. It had a firm grip on her hind leg and wasn't letting go. It pulled her towards the bottom of the pool and, with a gasp, she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air before it pulled beneath the surface again.

"Mmph!" she squealed, kicking her legs and flailing her hooves. As she watched in horror, more tentacles joined the first, snaking around her limbs and pulling her down. She twisted and turned, fighting and thrashing, and her struggles caused her attackers to tighten, their grip growing stronger. They held her securely, wrapping around her forelegs and hind legs and even coiling around her barrel. She could feel the smooth, slick texture of their flesh, and the strength in their rubbery muscle. The water was dark and murky from the silt kicked up by her struggles and the only light was what filtered down from above, creating a hazy gloom that was disorienting. Her lungs burned with the need to draw air into her mouth. With the panic rising inside her, the tentacles' grip tightened, squeezing her tighter and tighter. She felt the suction cups on their undersides, clinging to her flesh and fur. The pressure built in her head, her vision growing blurry, and her sight began to fade when the tendrils suddenly lifted her out of the water.

Daring gasped and sputtered, coughing and choking, water streaming from her coat. The tentacles still bound her securely, their grip as tight as a vice, and she could barely move. She shook her mane, clearing her eyes and vision, and looked around, her ears flattening against her skull. They held her aloft and their grip was unbreakable. Her heart hammered in her chest as she felt their strength closing around her. She dangled in mid-air, her legs splayed and marehood on display, while being suspended above the water. She watched in apprehension as a new tentacle broke the surface of the pool, undulating slowly as it moved towards her loins.

"Nnnn," she groaned, struggling against the appendages restraining her. The thing moved slowly, almost teasingly, and she could soon feel the cool, slimy flesh brushing against her marehood. She shivered and bit her lip, her wings trembling in their sheaths. The tentacle's slow, deliberate movements were tantalizing, and her belly was knotting and tingling. Its suction cups brushed against her lips and clit as it stroked her, sending tingles of pleasure through her. "Ah!" she moaned, her head falling back.

The tentacle touched her again and again and her resistance was fading. Her heart pounded, and her breath was quickening. The suction cups felt like dozens of tiny kisses, and she could feel the moisture leaking from her marehood. She tried to hold back, to resist, but she couldn't, and her body reacted instinctively. Her hips twitched and her wings flexed. Her tail swished and her hooves curled. She was powerless, completely and utterly helpless, and the realization sent a shiver down her spine.

The tentacle's movements grew more insistent, its tip teasing and caressing her slit. Daring could feel her marehood tingling, the sensations growing more and more intense. The suction cups were a sweet torture. She could feel the pressure building inside her, and her pussy ached, her clit throbbing. She was on the edge, teetering, ready to fall.

"Nnnngghh, nnn," she groaned, her voice muffled by the bit gag. Her eyes rolled back, and her legs trembled. She couldn't think, couldn't move, couldn't speak. All she could do was twitch and writhe.

Teasingly, the tentacle slithered away from her marehood and curled around her teats. The tip flicked against her nipples, teasing them and sending little sparks of pleasure through her.

"Aah!" Daring cried, her body shaking and quivering. The tentacles tightened their grip, and she could feel the suction cups clinging to her fur, sucking at her skin. Slowly, with agonizing insistence, the cups caught her erect buds, pulling them gently and stretching them. Her breath was coming faster and faster, and her hind legs kicked weakly. "Ahh, ahh, aaahhh!"

The sensation was exquisite, the feeling of the tentacles pulling at her teats, the suction cups tugging at her nipples, the tentacles' cool flesh caressing her. It was maddening, and she was utterly overwhelmed.

"Oh, oh, oooooh," she moaned, her voice muffled by the gag, her words distorted and muffled.

The tentacle continued teasing her teat, and a second joined it. She could feel the two of them working in concert, the two tips brushing and stroking and caressing her breasts. Her nipples tingled and her belly was a knot of anticipation.

"Mmmm, nnnngggghhhh," she groaned, her eyes rolling back, her hind legs trembling. She was no needy, hovering on the edge and waiting to fall off. But the tentacles had abandoned her marehood and seemed content to keep teasing her. "Ah, aah, ahhhh," she whimpered, her body shaking. She needed release, was desperate for it. To her despair, though, the tentacles refused to relent and their gentle caresses were driving her mad.

Daring had never felt like this before. She had never experienced such incredible sensations before, and she was utterly lost in them. She could feel the pressure building inside her and the tentacle was moving, sliding along her belly and down her flank.

"Mmmm," she moaned, her eyes wide, her legs trembling.

It brushed against her slit, its tip tracing delicate patterns on her lips and clit.

"Oooooh," she groaned, her wings trembling.

It moved back, its tip teasing her clit, flicking and stroking. She could feel her marehood aching, her juices leaking from her. She couldn't think. Her mind was blank. All she could do was feel, and the sensations were exquisite. The tentacles continued to tease her, their tips stroking and flicking. They repeated the same cycle over and over, first bringing her to the bleeding edge of climax, then abandoning her and returning to gently teasing her nipples.

"Ah, ahh, ahhhh, aaaahhh," she moaned, her words muffled by the gag.

The cycle kept repeating over and over again, driving her to the brink of insanity. Her mind was blank, her body tingling, and her marehood was aflame. She needed to cum. She was desperate for it. But the tentacles kept her at the brink, teasing and tormenting her, denying her the release she craved. She was powerless. She was helpless. And she loved it.

They continued their gentle teasing, their movements slow and methodical. Her pierced nub was tingling and her nipples were on fire. Her heart was hammering, and her breath came in ragged pants. She could feel the tentacles moving, their tips circling her clit, flicking and caressing. Her mind was spinning, and her vision was blurry.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally stopped their gentle teasing and focused their attention on her clit. The tip of one moved slowly, rubbing against her sensitive spot. The other was circling it, the suction cup's soft surface stroking and massaging her sensitive, inflamed nub.

"Ooooh," she groaned, her head falling back. As turned on as she was, it only took a few seconds for her climax to start, and it hit her like a ton of bricks. Her body went rigid, and her back arched, her wings fluttering ineffectively and her legs kicking. Her whole body shook, her muscles spasming, her hooves scrabbling against the air. The tentacles held her firmly, and the suction cups clung to her fur and skin. She could feel herself twitching and the wetness between her thighs. The orgasm washed over her, and she moaned and groaned, her voice muffled by the gag. Wave after wave rushed over her, and her eyes rolled back, her frame trembling.

After a few moments, the climax faded, leaving her exhausted and panting. Her vision was unfocused and blurry. She slumped in the tentacles' grip, her body trembling. Just when she thought it was over, though, they resumed teasing her. The one rubbing against her clit began stroking and massaging her again, while the one circling it slid between her lips and slipped into her marehood.

"Mmm, mmm, mmmmmm," she moaned, her words stunted. The tentacle moved slowly, its tip stroking her insides. She could feel its slimy flesh against her and the sensation was incredible.

"Oooooooh," she groaned. Her head fell back and her eyes closed as she surrendered to the bliss.

The violating appendage slid in and out, its movements slow and deliberate, its suction cups clinging to her inner walls. It felt incredible, and she could feel her muscles quivering. She was powerless, utterly at the tentacles' mercy, and it was a blissful, heavenly sensation. The tentacle's tip rubbed against her g-spot and her eyes widened.

"Mmmm, ahhh, ahhh, ahhhh, ahhhh," she moaned. She jerked as if struck be an electric current and came, hard and fast. Her whole body trembled and the tentacles clenched around her. The orgasm was powerful and her vision went white. Instead of stopping, the tentacle continued, pleasing her ceaselessly even as she rode out her peak.

It kept moving, its movements steady and slow, and Daring moaned and whimpered, her words distorted and muffled by the bit gag. She came again, and then again, and each time the slimy appendage continued, never stopping. Seamlessly blending together, her climaxes formed an unbroken stream of ecstasy that swept her away like a riptide. Her world narrowed down to a pinpoint, her entire universe becoming the fullness inside her and the sweet, delicious ache of her arousal. Her body was no longer her own and her mind was a blank. All she could do was moan and cry while they continued their relentless teasing. After what felt like forever, they finally slowed down and lowered Daring into the water. She was released, the tentacles letting her go and disappearing beneath the surface.

She lay there, her hooves and sheathed wings floating at her sides, and her whole body felt light and weightless. The pool was cool and soothing, and her mane floated languidly around her head. She could feel the waves of bliss radiating out from her loins, and her muscles were weak and shaky. Her mind was a haze, and she felt oddly distant from her surroundings. After a few moments, she swam to the edge of the pool and pulled herself onto dry land. She flopped down on her side, her limbs unresponsive, her body spent. Her eyelids were drooping and heavy exhaustion pressed down on her. She wanted to sleep, to drift away into blissful oblivion. But she didn't dare, not with the creature lurking unseen in nearby. Though, Daring had to ignore a part of that whispered darkly that it might not be so bad to let it take her again . . .

With a low moan, she sat up, her legs wobbling. Her whole body was tingling and water soaked her. With a grunt, she rose unsteadily to her hooves and trotted towards the opposite wall and the door that was set in the stone. As she crossed the room, she glanced back, her gaze falling on the water. She couldn't see anything under the surface, but the thought of the tentacles that had ensnared her sent a shiver down her spine.

With a slight tremor, she stepped through the doorway and into the darkness beyond.

Daring crept down the dark corridor, her hooves soft and silent on the stone floor. Her fur was damp and her coat was sticky, but she forced herself to keep moving. Against her will, her mind kept drifting back to the tentacles she'd left behind and the bliss she'd experienced in their grasp. Stop it, she lambasted herself, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Stop thinking about it, damn it!

"Grrrk," she grunted, her muzzle contorted in a frown, the leather of the bit gag digging into her cheeks and jaw. She was still sore and her body ached, but she knew she had to keep going if she ever wanted to get out of this cursed place. Her tail twitched nervously and her ears flicked. The sheaths binding her wings to her sides made her feel vulnerable and exposed, and she was alert for any further danger.

She could feel her arousal leaking from her marehood and trickling down her inner thighs, and the wetness seeping into her fur. It was humiliating and degrading, but she couldn't deny how much her treatment was turning her on. This isn't what I'm here for, she thought bitterly. I'm a damn adventurer, not a . . . a . . . Her cheeks burned. A bucking slut.

Onwards, she trotted, eventually crossing through a portal at the end of a hallway into a soaring, vaulted room supported by rows of pillars on each side. It was vast, easily large enough to accommodate a herd of ponies, and lit by a surplus of torches all around the outside edge. Opposite her, a wide, encased stone staircase led upwards at an angle, only to be blocked by a heavy iron gate a dozen steps up. She trotted towards the stairs, her hooves echoing loudly in the silent room. Slabs of smooth, polished marble made up the floors and walls, and the air smelled musty and stale. She reached the bottom step and paused, her eyes scanning the stairs and the gate. Carved in the same script she had seen elsewhere in the temple, three words were visible above the barred portal itself: TRIAL OF SUBMISSION. She had no idea what the phrase meant, but it didn't sound good. She was about to turn away when the gate suddenly ground open, the metal screeching against the marble. An icy breeze wafted through, the scent of fresh air making her nose twitch. "Huh?" she muttered. She hadn't expected that. She stood frozen, unsure what to do. If this was a trap, it was a rather obvious one. On the other hoof, if this was the way out, she had to take it. "Alright, I'm going for it." Taking a deep breath, she trotted forward.

As soon as her rump cleared the gate, however, it slammed shut with a resounding clang. She was standing on a small landing built into the staircase, solid stone forming its walls and roof, another closed gate in front of her. Before she could react, her fur stood on end again as the same eerie feeling she'd encountered back at the strange altar passed over her.

"Mmf!"

She squealed, and the vibrating ring around her clit sprang to life. It buzzed and hummed, sending a shockwave of pleasure through her, and her legs shook.

"Grrnng, nnng, mmf, mmmmf," she moaned, her head falling back. She was already horny and ready, and the sudden vibration was too much for her to handle. She collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. As soon as she was on the floor, a series of bright flashes of light sparkled around the small room. Daring looked up just in time to see a levitating blindfold place itself over her eyes, rendering her vision completely black. She squawked in surprise, her wings flapping in their sheaths, the vibrating ring still buzzing against her.

"Hhmmmm!" she protested, the blindfold tightening to hold itself in place.

Next came a pair of leather sleeves that slipped over her elbows, pressing her forelegs tightly against her upper limbs, binding them together with sturdy straps. Another set, identical to the first, followed, doing the same with her hindlegs, immobilizing her.

"Mmfff, mm, mmff!"

The bindings were snug and secure, holding her limbs fast as she tried to move. Her heart was pounding, and her body was trembling.

"Nnn, mmmm, mmmm," she moaned, the bit gag reducing her words to muffled moans.

She lay there, unable to see or move, her legs splayed, her marehood wet and aching. Quickly, however, a pair of iron dildos zeroed in on her and sank into her, her body's natural lubrication helping the toys penetrate her.

"Mmf, mmm!"

Her eyes went wide behind the blindfold, and she could feel her walls stretch around the invaders. Seconds later, she felt cool metal wrap around her hips as a chastity belt buckled itself into place, locking the phallic objects inside her. The belt was tight and restrictive, and the lock dug into her flesh.

"Guh," she grunted, trying and failing to move her legs or wings.

A final piece of equipment, a simple metal collar, fitted around her neck and locked in place.

"Ah," she gasped, her throat working. "Ah, mmmm, nn."

The room was quiet, save for the sound of her breathing and the low, constant hum of the vibrator in her clit. Soon, however, it too fell silent, leaving her alone. She lay there, bound and helpless, her breath coming in quick gasps, her heart hammering. The conflicting emotions of terror and arousal left her feeling dizzy. She didn't know what to expect, or what was coming next.; she could only lie there, waiting, dreading, and anticipating.

Even though she waited for several minutes, nothing happened.

"Mm, hmm, hmmm, nnn, hmmm," she moaned, the sound muffled by the bit gag. She shifted her position slightly, the leather sheaths binding her forelegs and hind legs flexing and creaking. She could imagine how she would look to somepony else - bound and plugged, pierced and gagged. The image made her cheeks burn, and she squirmed slightly. "Hmmmm," she sighed, her voice rising in pitch.

She lay there, stuffed full, helpless and waiting.

And waiting.

After a few more minutes, her heart finally slowed and her breathing grew less ragged. Her thoughts were calming and her anticipation faded. She'd expected something, some kind of pain or humiliation or torture, but nothing was happening. She began to relax, her muscles loosening. "Hmm, hmmm," she sighed, her body slowly unwinding. She knew she should be worried about how she was going to escape, but . . . she had to admit that she was more preoccupied with enjoying herself. "Hmm, nnnn," she moaned, tingling all over. Her clit was aching, and her nipples were tingling. The plug was deep inside her, stretching her walls, and the chastity belt was firm and snug, pressing against her mound and marehood. The leather sheaths binding her limbs were soft and comfortable. "Mmm, hmm, hmmmm," she murmured. She felt her body melting into the ground, her muscles unclenching. Her breath came deep and steady and her mind was drifting. She was safe. She was comfortable. She was free. As her thoughts slowed down, she in turn relaxed. She could feel the pressure in her head easing, her mind clearing. "Hmmm," she murmured, her eyelids growing heavy. There was no need to fight or struggle. She simply couldn't remember the point. This was exactly where she deserved to be: bound, helpless, and vulnerable.

The sound of a gate opening woke her from her doze, and she lifted her head. At some point in her fugue, she'd flipped onto her back, bound limbs splayed as much as possible, as if in subconscious invitation for any onlooker to make use of her.

"Mmm, mmf, mmmff," she grunted, the bit gag digging into her jaws.

Her ears quivered as she heard the iron gate leading further up the stairs opening with a rough grinding. She grunted and forced herself to roll over onto her belly. Slowly, awkwardly, she wriggled forward, the chastity belt and dildos making her movements awkward. "Mmm, nn, mmf, hmm," she muttered, the blindfold preventing her from seeing what lay beyond the gate. She shuffled her way across the room, the bit gag digging into her cheeks, and her breath hot and heavy.

She wriggled past the doorway, her wings trembling. She heard another gate closing behind her and knew she was trapped again. Blinded as she was, she had no way to read the inscription over this portal: TRIAL OF DENIAL.

She stopped in the middle of another small room like the last one, with yet another gate leading onwards. She paused, heart pounding, unsure of what would happen next. After just a few seconds of waiting, the static feeling returned.

A set of chains unfurled from the floor like serpents, quickly securing themselves to the sleeves binding Daring's limbs and pulling them taut, forcing her onto her back with her legs spread and anchoring her in place so that she could do little more than wiggle slightly. "Mmmf! Mmmf, hmmf!" she protested, struggling uselessly against the chains. They held her securely, their grip tight and unyielding. "Mmm, mmmm," she moaned, her ears flattening against her skull. The ring began humming slightly, and the sensation wrung groans and whimpers from her throat. The phalluses inside her began to vibrate, and she whined, her spine arching. The vibrations were strong and powerful, and they pulsed through her. "Mmm, mmm, nn, mmm, ahhh," she groaned. The stimulation was intense, and it made her tremble and shiver. She felt her marehood tingling and the heat and pressure building. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breath was coming in quick, ragged gasps. The pulses struck rhythmically and she could feel her climax building, her body shaking and trembling. She was so close, she only needed a little bit more . . .

But the ring and dildos chose that exact moment to fall silent.

"Hmmmf!" she growled, her hind legs kicking weakly. "Grrnnngg, hmmm, nnn, grrrnnn." She lay there, panting, her marehood aching, her clit throbbing. The orgasm she'd been so close to faded and she slumped in her chains, her muscles quivering. Her breath was fast and whiny, and her heart was pounding. "Nnn, mmm, mmm," she moaned, her ears drooping.

The room was silent, save for her breathing and the occasional creak of the chains. After a few moments, the ring began humming again, and the phalluses inside her came to life once more.

"Nnnnggg," she groaned, her body tensing. The vibrations were powerful, and they made her legs twitch. "Mmm, nn, mmm," she murmured, her breath coming in quick gasps. The pressure was building, and she could feel her clit tingling, her marehood aching.

Just before the peak, though, the ring ceased its ministrations.

"Grrnng," she growled, her teeth bared, her legs kicking as much as the chains would allow. "Grnnnggg, ahh, nn."

Once more, the room was silent and she lay there, panting, her body tense and trembling.

The ring started buzzing again, and the dildos inside her vibrated to life once more. She gasped, her back arching, her wings flapping against their sheaths.

"Ah, ahh, ahhh, ahh," she moaned, her teeth clenched. The toys cruelly went inert right before she could peak. "Aaaaaahhhhh, ahh, ahh, ahhh," she yelped, her voice rising to a scream. She could feel the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes and the sweat trickling down her face. Her clit was aching and her heart pounded a tortured rhythm in her chest.

On and on the teasing went, the toys bringing her to the edge and then stopping just before she could climax, leaving Daring in an even worse state each time - a twitching, trembling mess with her mind in shambles. "Mmm, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh," she whimpered, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Her body glistened with sweat and her muscles throbbed in pain. Her mane and tail were matted and tangled and her fur was soaked.

Daring wasn't sure how long the torment went on, but before long she was a drooling, trembling wreck. The leather bit became soaked and her saliva ran down her chin and pooled on the floor. The blindfold was damp with sweat and her eyes burned. She pressed her ears flat against her head, and tears stained her cheeks. She wanted to cum so badly it ached, but she was denied time and time again. Her clit and nipples were raw and swollen, and her marehood was on fire. She couldn't think straight. All she could do was lie there and moan, her words muffled by the gag. The only sounds were her breathless cries and the hum of the vibrating ring.

Finally, after an eternity, the torment stopped, and the toys fell silent.

"Nnng, hmmm, hmmmm," she moaned, her voice soft and weak. She was exhausted, her body limp and trembling. Her head swam and her thoughts were a jumble. "Hmmm, nn, nnn, nnn," she groaned, the tears still trickling down her face. The tingling sensation returned and a sharp biting pain flared in both of her nipples. Daring squealed and jerked, her back arching and her eyes widening behind the blindfold. She could feel a ring like the one in her clit piercing each nipple, the metal cold and hard. "Mmmm, hmm, hmmm," she murmured, the sound pathetic and broken.

Her fresh piercings began to hum and vibrate, the rings sending waves of pleasure and pain through her. The vibrations were subtle, but enough to make her squirm.

"Hmm, nn, hmm, ahh, hmm," she groaned, her body shuddering. The piercings in her nipples, the one in her clit, and the toys inserted in her worked in concert to tease and deny her, bringing her to the brink again and again, only to let her slide back down. The cycle repeated over and over, and she quailed beneath the assault.

On and on the teasing went, until she was a twitching, trembling wreck. She was barely conscious, her flesh weak and spent. All she could do was lie there and take it, the pleasure and pain washing over her. Dark, sinuous thoughts swirled through her mind, whispering sweet nothings to her, asking her what it would be like if she stayed like this for days, weeks, years even. If this was the only life she was allowed. If her purpose was to be a plaything, a toy, an object to be used and enjoyed and discarded. To be kept in this state, bound and plugged and pierced, and nothing more.

And as the twisted thoughts danced through her brain, her body reacted. There was no escape and no reprieve. Just a constant stream of ecstasy and torment and a voice in her head telling her it was all she would ever know.

She lost track of time, the minutes and hours blending together. All she could do was writhe and moan. On and on it went and her only thought was the desire for release, to end her suffering, to give in. To stop fighting and accept her fate.

The voice in her head grew louder and louder, until it was all she could hear. Until she was lost in a sea of darkness and desire and there was no other option. She could not fight anymore, could not resist. There was only one way out, and that was to submit.

And with that final thought, Daring Do broke.

Her body went limp and she sagged against her restraints. Her resistance melted away, her mind growing fuzzy and distant. She could feel her inhibitions crumbling and her will fading.

No longer did she struggle and fight. Each denial was a blessing and every time she was forced to the edge and allowed to fall back from it was delicious. This was what she deserved, she knew. This was all she was good for.

The toys continued their torment, but now they had a willing and eager participant. Daring was no longer a prisoner, but a celebrant in this perverted rite. Her cries of frustration and anger had become cries of delight and ecstasy. She felt herself approaching her climax and she welcomed it, gleefully anticipating the sweet moment of denial when it would be stolen from her. It was the most wonderful feeling, the exquisite ache of being so close and yet unable to go further.

On and on the torment continued, until Daring was a sweating, drooling wreck. She didn't even want to climax anymore, just the sensation of being denied was enough for her.

Finally, the toys ceased their torment, leaving Daring a trembling, moaning puddle. The chains released her, the next gate opened, and some faint part of her urged her to roll over.

She staggered forward, blindly and without purpose, her body numb. She couldn't think, couldn't focus. All she could do was stumble and crawl forward, towards the next chamber, the next torment. The next trial, designated by the inscription as THE TRIAL OF PAIN.

She was dimly aware of the gate closing behind her, the room falling into silence. She felt the familiar static sensation wash over her and her heart raced.

"Mmmf," she moaned, her muzzle contorting around the bit gag. The first blow took her by surprise, the stinging smack to her ass making her squeal. "Nnnnn," she whimpered, her ears flattening. Another slap, and another, and her rear end was soon bright red, her flesh tingling. "Mmmm," she grunted, her teeth clenched. The blows kept coming, the stinging slaps ringing in her ears. Her butt was soon tender and sore, and her legs were trembling. "Hhmmmm," she grunted, her wings quivering.

After a few moments, the blows stopped, and the vibrating ring between her hind legs flared to life.

"Mmm, ahhh," she groaned, her eyelids fluttering. The unseen force rolled her over on her back and swiftly administered another stinging swat to her teat. "Mmf!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. Another swat followed, and another, and another.

The blows continued, and the stinging pain of her punishment made her squirm and writhe.

Unseen by her, a pair of iron clamps, marked by sharp teeth, descended towards her teats. While her hindquarters were being whipped, they clamped onto her nipples, causing her to squeal from the pain.

"Aaahhhh," she gasped, her eyes widening. She could feel her clit throbbing and her marehood tingling. "Mmmmm, ahhh," she groaned. The pain mixed with pleasure, the sting of the blows mingling with the ache of the clamps and the pulsing of the ring."Hhhmmm," she moaned, her hind legs kicking weakly.

On and on it went, the spanking and the torment, until Daring's butt and teats were a mass of bruises and welts. Eventually, it paused - but only to allow a set of iron bands to levitate over and close themselves around her teats before tightening cruelly.

"Mmf!" she yelped, her ears pinned all the way back against her skull. The new constriction was painful and her breasts ached. After a moment, the torment resumed, the blows raining down on her sore, tender flesh. "Aah, ahh, aah, ahh, ahh," she cried, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could feel the tears leaking from her eyes and the sweat trickling down her face.

Eventually, she felt the chastity belt unbuckle and slide off of her. A moment later, the phallic invaders were pulled from her body, leaving her empty and aching. She barely had time to register the sensation, though, before another blow landed directly on her mound.

"Mmmf!"

The flare of pain made her jump, her eyes stinging.

Another blow followed, and another, and another. The unseen force rained blows down on her, striking her pussy with merciless force.

"Mmmm, ahh, ahhh, ahh," she moaned, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. The blows were precise and relentless, the pain and pleasure mixing together in a perfect, agonizing blend.

"Mmm, mmmm, hmmm," she groaned, her head lolling from side to side.

On and on the torment continued, until Daring's marehood was as sore and tender as her hindquarters. After a few more blows, assault stopped and the room fell silent. The only sound was Daring's ragged breathing. She sighed wordlessly, part of her hoping for more, and another part dreading it.

"Mmm," she sighed, her muzzle working around the bit gag.

There was a moment of silence, and then a new, burning sensation. Daring gasped, her ears perking up, as hot wax poured on her from an unseen source.

"Mmmf!"

It dripped down her belly and between her legs, the heat making her squirm.

"Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh," she groaned, her eyes squeezing shut. The pain was exquisite, the heat stinging and biting. She could feel her body shaking, and her blood roaring.

On and on it went, the hot wax dripping onto her, the burning sensation causing her to gasp and moan. Soon, it zeroed on the sensitive nub of her clit.

"Aaaah!"

Daring screamed as a single burning drop fell onto it, her voice muffled by the gag. The burning was intense and the pain was incredible. But, somehow, the feeling was perfect. Her whole body was a mass of conflicting sensations, the hot wax on her mound, the clamps on her nipples, the piercings in her teats and clit, the lingering pain from her spanking and the pleasure from the vibrating ring all merged together into an indescribable whole.

The wax dripped onto her clit, the searing drops landing on her and making her tremble and shake. She could feel the pressure building inside her, the ecstasy and pain reaching a crescendo.

"Mmm, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh," she moaned, her voice rising to a scream. "Aaaaahhhh," she gasped, her head thrashing back and forth as she came. It hit her like a freight train as all of the sensations she'd endured as part of these trials bubbled to the surface and combined into one overwhelming, cataclysmic climax. Her mind went blank and her vision whited out. Her whole body shook and trembled and she felt as if her soul was being ripped out of her. The feeling was incredible and her ears rang as she climaxed what felt like a dozen times over. Every time she thought she'd ridden it out, another wave of bliss rushed over her and dragged her under again.

The feeling engulfed her, her mind floating away, her body twitching and shuddering. The orgasm seemed to go on forever, until it finally began to ebb, the sensations fading away. She slumped back against the ground, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps, her whole body quivering. A fog enveloped her and her body felt heavy. She lay there trembling, her thoughts slow and disjointed. She felt . . . good. It felt right, like she deserved to be punished like this.

After a few moments, the room fell into silence and she could hear the soft hum of the vibrating ring as it buzzed against her clit. The feeling was pleasant and she savored the sensation. She deserved all this - the restraints, the helplessness, the teasing and denial, and the pain. She needed it.

The thought made her shiver.

"Mmm, nn, ahhh," she moaned, her tail flicking, her hind legs trembling.

The pleasure was sweet and intense and she could feel her muscles relaxing. She closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the sensation, the vibrations making her tingle.

"Hmmm," she sighed, her mind drifting, the bliss washing over her. The humming of the ring made her feel warm and cozy, and she felt safe and secure.

Daring drifted along, her body placid, her thoughts calm and peaceful.

As her awareness slowly returned, she became dimly aware of the clamps and bands being removed, and her breasts ached as the blood flowed back into them.

"Nnnnggg," she whimpered.

As the rings around her nipples were pulled away, her teats tingled and burned, sending sparks of pleasure through her.

"Ooooh," she groaned, her breath catching.

The blindfold came off her next and her eyes snapped open, adjusting to the light. As they unbuckled and slid off her, the leather restraints released her limbs and wings. The gag followed, the harness unlocking itself and the bit sliding out of her jaw. Lastly, the ring in her clit detached itself and fell to the stone floor with a gentle tinkle.

She was free.

She was exhausted, sore, sticky, and her mouth was dry. But she was free. She could move her hooves and her wings. Her forelimbs tingled as she flexed them and her wings twitched and flapped spasmodically.

She sat up slowly, her movements stiff and awkward, her joints creaking.

Before her, one last gate rumbled open, revealing the open sky beyond, a snowy mountain range framed in the distance. The sun was bright and warm and the breeze carried the scent of fresh air.

Her way out.

Daring's hooves scraped against the stone floor as she shakily hauled herself upright, her hind legs trembling. As she took a step, she paused, a strange feeling churning in her gut. She glanced back at the clit ring lying on the floor and, flushing, hurriedly scooped it up in her hooves and slipped it back into place. She could feel it settle back in, locking itself in place, the sensation making her shudder and sigh.

She trotted forward a few more steps, her hooves clicking against the stone, and passed through the portal.

The first thing she noticed was the sun shining down brightly, its warm rays beating down on her. The next was the wind, blowing lightly and cooling her sweat-soaked fur.

"Oh," she murmured, her wings flapping weakly. She could feel the breeze ruffling her mane and tail, and the sensation was heavenly. Behind her, the gate slammed shut, sealing off the temple.

"I made it," she said, her voice soft and weak. She couldn't believe it, but it was true. Now that she had survived the trials, she was a free mare.

As she stood there, her wings twitched and flapped while she basked in the sun and wind. The cool breeze felt wonderful, and her muscles were beginning to loosen. She could feel the heat and the ache of her bruises and welts, and the dull throb of her teats and clit reminding her of her ordeals, but she didn't care. She was free!

As she exulted, the ring hummed softly to life, sending a tingle through her clit. "Ooooh," she moaned, her ears flattening. The sensation was exquisite, and she sank down onto her haunches before rolling onto her back, her hind legs spread, the sunlight warm on her fur. "Oooooh," she sighed, her eyes closing, the vibrations pulsing through her. She could feel her muscles relaxing, and her body melting into the ground. Her hoof drifted towards her loins but paused partway as a thought trickled through her brain.

She didn't need to do that. She could just submit to it and let the decision be made for her as to when she was pleasured, when she was teased and denied, and when she got to come.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine and she let her hoof fall away, the vibrations continuing unabated.

She lay there, the pleasure and pain coursing through her, the memories of her trials replaying in her mind. The pain, the sweet torment, the humiliation and degradation, and the submission. Her breath came faster as she relived the experiences, the sensations fresh and vivid in her memory.

"Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh," she gasped, her hind legs splayed and shivering, the sun warm and bright above her.

The orgasm crashed over her and she cried out, her body tensing, her legs kicking weakly. It was intense, and it lasted for several long, exquisite moments. When it was over, she lay there, pleasantly spent, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.

As the pleasure receded, a sense of calm washed over her and she basked in the afterglow.

"Oh," she sighed, her breathing slowing, her heart rate returned to normal. She stretched out there, soaking in the sun, her mind drifting.

After a few minutes, she rolled back into a sitting position, her limbs feeling weak and rubbery. She could feel her body slowly returning to normal, and the aches and pains beginning to fade. Glancing down, she took in the sight of the piercing.

The silver ring gleamed in the sunlight, its smooth surface glinting. It was beautiful, and the pink jeweled pendant was elegant and made a perfect adornment for her twitching clit.

Daring's hoof reached up, stroking the smooth metal and the glittering gem. "Beautiful," she murmured, her words soft and husky.

She knew she should feel ashamed, horrified, or something, but . . . the thought of removing it brought about a deep pang of loss that ached inside her. The ring had given her such wonderful pleasure and so much sweet, delicious torture, and now imagining being without it made her heart sink. It had become almost a companion, even a friend, in the way it teased her and tormented her, giving her release and taking it away, making her suffer and delight. The temple and its trials had taught her to submit and embrace the sweet torment, and now she had this reminder.

She looked up at the sky, the blue stretching on forever, the sun shining brightly, the clouds drifting lazily by. She felt free, freer than she'd ever felt. Free in the literal sense, and free from the illusion that she needed to be in control of what happened to her.

With a contented sigh, Daring Do turned and headed for home, the pendant swaying slightly with each step.

Author's Note

This took me almost a month to write, and another month to proofread. I certainly hope you find some enjoyment in it, as I had fun working on it.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and leave a comment if you're so inclined!