King Sombra's Harem Conquest

Chapters

1 The dissatisfaction of Colonel Twilight Sparkle
9 The royal dressmaker
2 Allegiance
3 Butterfly behind bars
4 A moment of clarity
5 Flutterfall
6 Dashed loyalty
7 Pies in the hole
8 Raid on Ponyville
10 Apples fighting round the world. Or, at least, in the Crystal Empire
11 Between a rock farm and a hard place
12 Meeting in Canterlot
13 The Siege of Canterlot
14 The Fall of Canterlot
15 Epilogue

1 The dissatisfaction of Colonel Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Sparkle brooded over a table filled with statistics, inventory manifests and maps. The war against the forces of King Sombra had turned into a stalemate... Despite him fighting a two front war against both Equestria and Griffonstone, after one of his armies had invaded and conquered part of the latter.

She stared at the maps in front of her, showing the current deploymeant of Equestria's forces: The current frontline spread from forty miles south of Vanhoover, which had fallen in the first assault, in the west to to the Neighagara falls and then to north of Manehattan in the east. Sombra's troopes had reached nearly down to the San Palomino Desert in their first, massive assault, but after hard fighting they'd been pushed back north, losing most of their gains. Another line was drawn through part of Griffonstone.

The western army, in the Vanhoover area was lead by her brother, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and current general, Shining Armour. The forces to the east, in the Manehattan theater, were under command of Princess Mi Amore Cadenca, her former foal-sitter, and better known to her simply as Cadence. Then there were the forces stationed in Canterlot, commanded by Prince Blueblood, and if there was one thing positive about this tragedy it was that the prince had actually proven himself competent! Celestia knows how her nephew (many times removed) might've turned out, had he been able to continue to indulge himself as spoiled royalty! He had always had a gift for diplomacy, but in these dire times, he actually had been able to setp up and proof himself as reasonably competent commander of the home guard! Chancellor Neighsay commanded a small garrison in the Las Pegasus area in case there were any remnants from the first assault left, or any landing attempts were made in the area.

Meanwhile Twilight herself served on the staff of Princess Celestia who lead the central army in person. Unfortunately... Of course it was a great honor to serve as the Princesses chief of staff and head of logistics and, Twilight had to admit, she was excelling at this job, making sure the troops were well fed and equipped.

But... it was nothing that gained recognition... Ever since she'd failed her application test for Celestia's school, there was an urge in her to proof herself, to be recognized. And so, when the Crystal Empire had returned and King Sombra launched his invasion, Twilight Sparkle quickly pushed her studies to the side and enlisted. Despite her earlier failure, through hard work and talent, she'd still made still managed to get entrance to a number of Equestria's leading magical schools and many of her teachers were in awe of her talent and thirst for knowledge. But all the accolades couldn't extinguish that nagging feeling: What would've been, had that damned egg hatched? If she'd been good enough... talented enough... strong enough to make it hatch... Celestia still kept that egg around, even in her tent! As if to taun ther...

With her brother already serving as Captain of the Royal Guard, and quickly made full general once it'd become obvious that this was a large-scale invasion. With her own undisputable talents, Twilight got comissioned as second lieutenant at first, but then had risen quickly through the ranks. When she'd been made major, Twilight had been transfered to Celestia's army. Her talent for organization had shown early on and the Princess herself often was too busy to properly manage the supplies.

Her latest promotion to full colonel had been accompanied with being made chief-of-staff and, at first, it'd been a great honor to her. And, as any good military mind can tell you, logistics are one of the most important, if not the most important, fields in a war... Yet, logistics weren't the most glorious field of war either.

While her brother and sister-in-law, before taking their respective commands Shining Armor and Cadence had married, were generals leading their own armies against King Sombra's mind-controlled hordes, Twilight stood in Celestia's huge shadow. The ponies back home, as far as Twilight had heard, credited every victory, every report of how well the army was supplied, to Her Majesty, every victory and every successfull outmaneuvring of Sombra's forces.

And every error, set-back or defeat, every day of hunger or day without fresh supplies arriving was, directly or indirectly, blamed on her, Twilight! She knew it wasn't Celestia's fault, the Princess even tried her best to make sure those serving under her got their due, but... the ponies at home and the press didn't care. When Twilight last had gotten a medal for her exemplary work, one newspaper even published an article complaining about it due to those reasons!

Even her substantial contributions to strategy and tactics, two other areas she proved gifted in, were constantly swept under the rug by the war reporters! Every success! Every great plan! Celestia's work... Every failure? Twilight's fault! When she'd committed part of the reserve ad-hoc during a battle while the Princess and the troops around her were hard-pressed, pushing the enemy back and securing the perimeter for the time being, they even had the gall to write that they'd won DESPITE Twilight's action!

Celestia simply outshone everypony else... Beloved, wise, powerful... there was little to no way for anypony not a frontline warrior to make a name for themselves. Shining and Cadence meanwhile, leading their own forces, were celebrated heroes in their own right, and so were a number of the commanding officers in their forces. They didn't outshine them like Celestia did. And maybe it wouödn't have been that bad... If there wasn't that nagging feeling deep down inside of her that something was very wrong. Well, aside of Equestria fighting for its survival against the forces of King Sombra in what the press already called "The Great Crystal War". Somewhere, deep down, she knew that she should be... more? Should be respected... Should've been Celestia's pupil! Her gut told her that in no uncertain terms... Yet, something, at sometime, must've gone horribly wrong...

Twilight looked over the plans and maps, supply manifests troop movemeants and scout reports again. So far, everything seemed stable, but morale... The stalemate of the war was poison to everything! If there was movemeant, in either direction, there was something that could be done! Victories that pushed Sombra back and successfull defenses raised morale and galvanized Equestria! Even defeats and getting pushed back could fan the flames of resistence, causing more to flock to Celestia's banner... but this grinding stalemate? Nothing happening except for rising casualties?

She shook her head. Especially with a major issue they faced: Celestia cared about her little ponies. Sombra didn't. Celestia had to preserve as much as she could. Sombra just sent out the next wave. And any captured equestrian pony would get a helmet slapped on their head and sent against their former ally, while any liberated crystal pony would need a long time to be able to support Celestia... if ever. And even worse, it seemed that the mind-control spell that Sombra used on them was becoming more perfidious. Already there were reports of ponies that had their helmets removed still being under the influence of the spell, and of independent Crystal Empire commands harrying the supply routes... something that those mind-controlled automatons wouldn't be able to do without at least semi-independent leadership...

The unicorn grabbed the manifest of the latest supply shipmeant: Uniforms from Manehattan, weapons and armors from Fillydelphia's forges, hard tack and a variety of apple-related food stuff from Ponyville and Appleloosa. She had to admit, the Apple family was very reliable! Magical amulettes and such from Canterlot...

Looking at the numbers, Twilight's mouth twisted into a sardonic smile. The numbers looked good enough. Nearly enough, even! Some might say that they actually were very good and that the army was nearly as well supplied as if it was peace and ample of crops were grown int he fields! But Twilight new better It was never enough! At any point, they might have to move further away from the somewhat hastily constructed railway line to the front, or their routes might get interrupted, or... and in any such case, their supplies would dwindle sooner rather than later. If they even could take much of them with them. But it'd make due, for now. But those reports of Sombra Commandos working behind their lines were worrying...

Suddenly, the entrance of the tent opened and a gush of the cool night air hit her back. The unicorn turned her head to see who was entering. Then, she spun around her own axis, facing the entrant. "Your Highness!" Twilight snapped a parade ground salute.

Princess Celestia, general of the army and Commander-in-Chief of all forces of Equestria, replied the salute, but in more lax fashion, she always prefered a more informal environmeant, a certain tiredness in her face. "Colonel Twilight!"

Then, she let out a sigh, "At ease, please! How often do I have to tell you that you don't have to... that I'd appreciate you to be a bit more relaxed around me?"

Twilight, having removed her hand from her temple but still standing attention, replied as she always did when Princess Celestia asked her to relax more. "The regulations are clear on this, and the guidebook says, on page..."

"I know what it says, I had to approve it..." The Princess grumbled. "But life is not a guidebook situation. Out here, we're all comrades in arms, and I would appreciate it if you'd try to integrate more with the others!"

Now, it was Twilight's time to sigh. The general had told her that a number of times already, but... she just wasn't comfortable with it. The only ponies she really associated with on a regular basis, outside of service hours, were three mares that were the closest to what she'd consider friends: Minuette, Lemon Drops and Moondancer, The latter was quite similar to Twilight and her own skills in logistics were invaluable to the chief of staff.

But, she relaxed her posture. Twilight looked at Celestia. "General? What brings you here, if I might ask?"

"I just wanted to check how you're doing. I've been told that you haven't slept much the last few days?" The questioning tone sounded genuinly worried, but the way she said it made Twilight feel like the question was of rhetorical nature. She was proven correct when her superior continued in a stern tone: "I want you to take better care of yourself! Sleep deprivation can lead to horrible errors, in planning or in battle!"

"I know, your Highness, but...,-" She gestured towards the table, "-duty never sleeps!"

Shaking her head, Princess Celestia looked at the table, glancing over the documeants on it. "How does it look?"

"Well, so far?" The colonel shrugged, "Could be worse. If we can coordinate with Shining's army, we might be able to encircle a large part of the opposing forces here,-" She pointed at a place on one of the maps on the table, "- and here! Even with how Sombra throws his subjects at us, this should put a dent into his ability to replenish his troops... For a while, at least..."

The Princess answered with a short nod, showing that she understood. "And now for the real reason for my visit.." At those words, Twilight cocked her head in curiosity. So, there was more to it than just checking the situation? "You have heard the reports about enemy forces in our rear?"

"Of course!" Twilight replied. "I've already drawn up plans to detach units to secure the areas!"

"I am worried," The army commander told her, "These reports... If those units really are there and strike guerrila attacks on Equestria, it could cause a lot of problems!"

"If the reports are true, and especially if their numbers are currently underestimated, they might wreak havoc among our supply lines, true, but..."

"Or," Celestia interrupted, "it might be a ruse... A few units sent behind our lines to make themselves get noticed, so that we are forced to reduce the strength of our armies to protect the supply routes, while also reducing the speed with wihich the convoy can travel..."

"That is certainly a possibility as well," Twilight admitted, "and I have considered it. But under the current circumstances, I think it's of higher importance to keep the supply convoys safe and protected! If it ends up looking like a ruse, we can always recall the escorts back to the army!"

"That's not all, Twilight. I worry about them trying any surprise attacks on the camp, on forraging parties, on officers on reconaissance!" All of that would be annoyances at best or pin-pricks that might make the army bleed out at worst, Twilight had to admit, especially since... "And I know that you like to get an overview of the situations yourself, and often don't even take much of an escort with you! Your abilites are invaluable to the army... to me! Please, consider this!"

The colonel waved those concerns of, stating that, "Moondancer is more than able to take over in case something happens!" Partially to Twilight's pride, since she did consider her a friend and had instructed her on the matters, but also, partially, to Twilight's disgruntlemeant. She knew, or at least thought, that she was replacable... and even had helped that herself! "And I prefer to get an overview myself than to rely on potentially inaccurate reports, even if pegasi scouts have a better overview!" She rummaged through the papers on the table, looking for something. "I wish I had an assistant... Moondancer's too busy with other stuff..."

"Twilight..." The Princess said, with sadness audible in her voice. The unicorn looked up in surprise. "I wish all of this would've never happened..."

For just a momeant, it seemed that most of Celestia's regality dropped, and instead of the great Princess, there was a sad and tired mare, the weight of centuries and all of Equestria on her shoulders. She sighed again, and, in the saddest tone Twilight had ever heard from her, told the unicorn: "You have no idea how much I hoped you'd make it into my school all those years ago. I had such high expectations... probably too high for a little filly like you were... which is why I gave you the egg as test in the first place! I was so eager! Too eager! I didn't even consider what might happen if you failed... II had been such a fool! Often, I wonder how everything would've turned out if... "

Twilight looked down on her combat boots, feeling surprised and a bit shamed. As much as she felt that everything went wrong from that momeant on, despite her still having a good career, it seemed like the Princess regreted the outcome even more... "It is, what it is, your Majesty. We can't change the past after all!"

Shaking her head and letting out another sigh, the Princesses old regality returned. "True enough. However, because of the value you have to the army, I decided to assign a bodyguard to you!"

"A bodyguard?" Twilight was surprised. There were guards in front of the tent after all. And during battles, she had a squad with her anyway...

"Yes, a bodyguard!" The Princess reaffirmed. "She joined the army two months ago and has proven herself to be more than capable in leading her squad and a great fighter in hand-to-hand combat!" She turned around and called to the tent entrance, "Sergeant, would you please come in?"

"General! Colonel!" A tall, obsidian mare greeted them with salutes as she entered. Tall, but not huge. Probably a head taller than the unicorn she was apparently meant to protect, but noticeably smaller than the Princess.

Twilight noticed the broken off horn on her head. Maybe an injury from the battlefield? And now, Celestia wanted her in a position where the mare's magic probably wouldn't be needed? A safe place away from danger? But then again, she did look like quite a formidable opponent in terms of physique... Even through the armor she was wearing, it was noticeable that she was quite well built.

"This is Tempest Shadow! She's proven herself as one of our best fighters. And I want her to make sure that nothing happens to you in case something unforseen happens! Tempest, please introduce yourself! And be at ease. Twilight might be your superior, but you'll be spending a lot of time together from now on, so I don't want you two to only be distantly professional with each other!"

Twilight roled her eyes. Why was Celestia so interested in her making friends? She had three ponies she considered friends, even if they didn't really do a lot in their off-time! Well, whatever! Twilight offered her hand to Tempest Shadow. "I am Twilight Sparkle. Colonel in the Equestrian Army, chief logistics officer and chief of staff.

Tempest took the offered hand and shook it. "Tempest Shadow. I ended up here after travelling Equestria for a while and then, I found myself fighting and so it was only natural for me to fight Sombra's forces when I encountered them. Then, sometime ago, I ended up here and offered my services directly to Princess Celestia!"

To Celestia's pleasant surprise, the two actually chatted for a while, talking about their respective backgrounds, though she noted that Twilight, probably deliberately, avoided asking after Tempest's horn. All in all, it seemed like they'd get along together just fine, at the very least. Both were professionals, wich already was something they had in common.

After a few minutes, Twilight turned to her commanding officer and, with a slight smile, told her: "Well, your Highness, if this is your wish... I'll accept Tempest Shadow as my bodyguard!" Celestia replied with a smile, and a nod and Tempest smiled as well. Then, the general and the colonel bent over the table, talking about what to do next.

Neither of them noticed how Tempest's smile turned into a smirk and the faint, green glow with dark edges that flared up in her eyes...

Over the next few weeks, Tempest carefully began to use Twilight Sparkle's doubts and resentmeants to drive a wedge between her and Equestria, and get herself in Twilight's good graces, to get the colonel to trust her...

The army camp had been moved near some small, local mountains and scouts had even discovered a hot spring there. And, one evening, Tempest managed to convince Twilight to go vist them with her, telling her that she needed some relaxation, arguing logically that, without some pauses, her decision-making skills would suffer.

When they arrived at the springs after a 15 minute trek up the mountain and hidden behind some cliff walls, Twilight had to admit that this was a rather nice spot. Secluded, quiet... and the cool night air with the smell of mountains and of the forest that grew on the levels above. It made her think that the army must've been the first ones here, or at least, the first ones that included some ponies with business sense. Otherwise, there'd probably be a hotel here already...

Twilight and Tempest opened their backpacks they had brought with them and spread the towel and the fresh clothes out on the rocks next to the spring.After that, Twilight began to strip out of her uniform. Tempest eyed her as she did so, evaluating her body and had to admit, to a certain disappointmeant, that it was as unassuming as she had looked in her uniform.

Her body certainly might be considered "cute", but that was all one might say. Her tits and ass were small, her thighs unimpressive... the bookish face, on a more impressive body, certainly would've been great, but as is? Military training had left Twilight with a decent musculature, but even that was just "above average" at best... If she was attacked, she'd certainly need a guard if her magic couldn't handle the threat... Celestia certainly was wise in wanting a bodyguard for her. And, Tempest had to admit, there might still be ways Twilight could turn into a real stunner...

Now, it was Tempest Shadow's turn to strip. First, she removed her bracers and placed them next to Twilight's clothes. Next, she unfastened her armour's breastplate and put it down as well, followed by the greaves. This left Tempest's boots and uniform. Boots went first, then her jacket and shirt, and, apparently, a necklace of some kind, leaving her in her miltiary issue bra from the waist up.

Twilight stared at her bodyguard. She'd known that Tempest Shadow was... well developed, but seeing her like this? Especially as she bent over to remove her pants? Tempest had a truly amazonian build! Tall, her body well trained, large breasts that were just small enough not to hinder her even when unrestrained by her armor...

She probably was many a stallions wet dream, Twilight realized with a hint of jealousy. Few stallions had ever cared about her, even when she'd been in heat and surrounded by stallions in the army camp... She'd gotten it on with one or two despite that, but it hammered home how unassuming she was.

By now, Tempest had completely undressed and Twilight was cautioulsy dipping a hoof inot the hot water. Feeling that it was not too hot, she slowly let herself slide into the spring. Her body reacting to the water immediately and showing her that she'd been putting off rest and recreation for herself far too long. She felt how her muscles ached as the warm water began to caress them, felt, how, slowly, they began to relax. It felt good. She couldn't help but let out a happy sigh of content.

And then, Tempest Shadow joined her. "Oh, that's nice!" She cooed, "I think I could stay here forever!"

Twilight had to agree. "I didn't even realize how much I needed something like this!" As if to emphasize this, she stretched her arms and let herself sink further into the water, so that her her nostrils were barely above the surface. Truly, it'd been a good idea to listen to Tempest! Since she'd been assigned to her as bodyguard, she'd proven herself to be... as close to a friend as was possible for Twilight to consider a pony as friend. Even more so than Moondancer, Minuette and Lemon Drop! If Twi was honest, she had to admit that there were momeants where it felt like Tempest had tried to push herself between those three and her, but that was an utterly ridiculous thought!

As the two mares relaxed, they, as so often since their association started, got into making small-talk. And now, after weeks, Twilight just had to ask the question that'd been nagging her since she met Tempest, the question she didn't want to ask because it might've been too personal and potentially painful! "I... I am sorry if that's too personal, but... I want to ask you... What happened to your horn?"

Tempest ran a hand over the broken stump on her forehead and sighed. "No offense taken. I'm somewhat used to that curiosity by now, and I did notice how you stared at it every now and then. Since it broke, I've met too many ponies that were just as curious to think badly of them..." She answered in a somewhat sad tone. She let out a mirthless laugh as she continued, "And at least, you asked politely!"

She chuckled for a momeant and began to explain. "I'd love to say that I lost it in battle. An injury received while fighting off impossible odds against superior enemy forces, but... It was an accident that happened even before the war... and my so-called friends back then cast me out for it. But, I found a new place of belonging!"

Obviously the equestrian army, Twilgight thought. As long as she could fight, and she could do that very well, as Twilight had seen during training sessions, she'd be accepted.

"But now it's my time to ask a dark and personal question!" The unicorn with the broken horn told Twilight with a sly grin. Twilight half-expected this to be a joking announcemeant, that the question would be something innocent! But instead, the question shocked her to the core! "With how you feel undervalued here... have you ever thought about switching sides?"

That must've been a test! Maybe Princess Celestia ordereed Tempest to ask her this question, trying to see just how dissatisfied Twilight was with her position? Twilight's voice was shaking with shock and disbelief! "No! Never! How could I betray my home? My Princess? MY FAMILY?! My-my brother is fighting! My sister-in-law is fighting! My father WOULD be fighting, if..."

"The home that blames you for every failure? The Princess who receives all the praise that you'd deserve? The brother and sister-in-law who are considered the greatest heroes in Equestria just after Princess Celestia, while you dwell in obscurity?"

It stung.. Twilight loathed to admit it, even if to nopony but herself, but there was at least a kernel of truth to what Tempest was saying... They were gaining all the glory, all the adoration... while she golt left behind, feeling like... No! Knowing that somehing was wrong with her station in life. "What would I gain by joining King Sombra?" She asked, pointing out the obvious holes in the idea of joining Sombra because she was a bit displeased with her current position! "Getting mind-controlled and turned into a disposable pawn doesn't win you many laurels, recognition or respect, I assume! Everything I've seen so far about him tells me, that he's only interested in his own power, in his own gains, in his own glorification. In having a horde of mindless drones to worship him! Serving Princess Celestia at the very least allows me to protect and better Equestria!" Under her breath, she also added, "And to keep my free will..."

"True..." Tempest had to admit. "But, I've heard rumors that things changed quite a bit since the war started..."

Twilight couldn't help it but be intrigued. That was new information! "What do you mean?"

"I am surprised that you don't know about it, to be honest!"Tempest replied, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I'd assume that the equestrian military would keep taps on such things!"

"It's kind off hard to do a lot of information gathering via spies and informants on an enemy who mind controls his subjects..." Was the snarky reply.

"True enough, I guess..." The other unicorn shrugged. "Well, what I've head before I joined the equestrian army was that Sombra had changed his approach for some reason. The frontline grunts still get those helmets, but apparently mainly to ensure unit cohesion, discipline and swiftness of action. Other ponies however seem to be allowed to avoid such a fate, as long as they are loyal!"

Celestia's chief of staff stared at her bodyguard, a shiver running down her spine despite the warm water! "How... how do you know that?"

An eldritch glow started to appear in Tempest Shadow's eyes as she continued. "Well, if you'll allow me to explain... I might not have been totally honest about my sources..." I'll have to I tried to enlist when the war started, to proof that I could still help! But the enlistemeant office? They turned me away! Laughed 'What do we want with a unicorn that can't use magic? Can't fly, don't have the physical strength of a earth pony'!" At those words, she flexed her muscles, to show how wrong those examiners had been. "'We need everypony to do their duty!' They said! But I? I wasn't good enough for them! So... I decided to go out there and fight Sombra's forces as good as I could on my own... Beat some forraging parties, beat some raiding parties that attacked a village or two... But then, I ran into him..."

"Wait... you-you fought against King Sombra?!" Shock and disbelief audible in Twilght's voice! How could anypony that wasn't Princess Celestia take on that monster and not end up dead or as mindless slave?! Unless... Twilight tried to move away from her bodyguard, pressing herself against the wall behind herself.

Deciding that the jig was up anyway, Tempest decided that it was time to put the cards on the table! She rose to her hooves, a torrent of water running down her body, dripping off her tits. Staring down at Twilight, she began: "He trounced me... I've never fought a pony that strong! He didn't even use his magic! Still he defeated me without breaking a sweat! Sombra is stronger than any earth pony I've ever met! Maybe Princess celestia would be his match, or maybe even his superior, but who knows? I don't! He beat me, left me in the dirt!"

"How-" Twilight swallowed hard, her throat suddenly very dry, "-Did you escape?" She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the answer...

"Who says I did?" A rhetoric question as reply, Tempest began to gesticulate as her voice lowered to barely a whisper! "I was left there, lying on the ground. Beaten and battered. Sombra stepped over me and grabbed me by my throat! He lifted me, so that he could look me into my eyes. I must've impressed him, because he gave me a choice... Serve him willingly, or serve him as mindless slave... The one who took me in? It wasn't the Equestrian Army! The one who took me in was His Majesty, the great King Sombra!" Her voice turned more and more ecstatic as she said thi and the baleful light in her eyes shone brightly.

She composed herself again, continuing in a calmer town as she bent over in front of Twilight. "I want to offer you the chance to serve him. I've seen your talents, seen how good you are at magic and administration!"

"You are delusional, Tempest!" Was the not unexptected rebuttal by her, though it was a bit undermined by how she seemingly couldn't stop staring at Tempest's breasts in front of her face. "Sombra doesn't care for anything or anyone but himself and how he can dominate others! How he can enslave and rule everything!"

"At first, I thought so as well... but then, I saw what was really going on! When he first returned, yes, King Sombra wanted to turn all into his mindless puppets, but then... she returned!"

Twilight's reply was basically dripping with the need to know it! "Who? Who returned?!"

"His queen! Radiant Hope! And..." That name threw Twilight for a loop! She just couldn't imagine anypony with a name like "Radiant Hope" to be involved with that tyrant! Tempest continued, after she'd interrupted herself once she'd seen Twi's disbelieving stare. "Well, from what I've found out, been told... His Majesty grew up as a shunned outsider, and Her Majesty was the only one who really cared for him... In any case, she has returned to him, and, it seems, is a softening influence. She loves him, he loves her, but she also cares for their subjects, even if they had tormeanted him in his youth. Instead of turning everypony into a mindless drone, she convinced His Highness to find... other means."

Twilight couldn't help herself, her natural curiosity for feats of magic taking over. "What?"

"In the Crystal Empire's libraries, there are tomes of ancient magical writing, predating even the likes of Starswirl the Bearded!" Besides herself, Twilight nodded. Of course there were books of similar age in the library in Canterlot castle, but she only rarely had gotten permission to visit it during her studies... It made sense that the Crystal Empire also had them. Maybe even more! After all, it had disappeared for a thousand years! "Spells that, in in combined and modified form, would instill unwavering loyalty to His Highness! Ponies would be able to continue their normal lives, just completely loyal to King Sombra!"

"You mean..."

"That the whole world would live peaceful, well ordered lifes if King Sombra wins? That, and more. And those that serve loyally by his side will be rewarded. Radiant Hope herself promised it! She wants the best for her beloved Sombra, but she's also kind to her subjects. And she does her best to convince His Majesty to see that it is also in his own best interest. Together they cast a great spell over their kingdom, ensuring loyalty, peace, stability amongst their subjects!"

She hated to admit it, but Twilight had to agree that this sounded... good? A peaceful world, everything in ordered lines... All united in one goal? It did speak to that nagging OCD Issues she so often had to fight against... Everything in its place!

The green glow in Tempest's eyes bore their way into the other unicorn's as she made her offer: "Twilight Sparkle, I give you the choice: Join us, and become one of King Sombra's assets! Defy us, and I'll drag you before him to turn you into a tool of his will! Or, if you think you can beat me, crawl back to your princess to be nothing but a footnote in history!"

"I... I... I..." She stuttered, unsure how to respond, hating herself for being uncertain what to do! On the one hand, she knew what would be the "right" thing to do... but... was it really the right thing? With a ruler like King Sombra, most wannabe invaders most likely would be scared off. Celestia meanwhile? The return of Nightmare Moon and her re-banishmeant after she terrorized Equestria for months! Then the narrowly beaten back Changeling invasion during her brothers wedding!

"Serving has a number of perks..." Tempest now told Twilight as she bent down over her again, running her finger over Twilight's lips. Her staring at Tempest's tits obviously hadn't gone unnoticed. Twilight, despite not being very interested in carnal activities had to admit one more thing: Her body WAS rather frustrated! Andher next words dug even deeper...

"Admit it! You're frustrated! The stallions aren't all that interested in you!" "I've seen how they react to the other mares in camp and how they look at you! Heard what they say about you! Call you alright, but there are so many better in the camp... like that cute pegasus! What was her name? Rainbow Dash? Or those earth pony sisters! Or even your own pseudo-protege, Moondancer, the cute nerd! Join Sombra and you'll have your own harem, if you want! Who knows! Maybe he himself will have some interest in you! And I can tell you... he is... gifted! His libido and stamina are... truly impressive! And the queen herself admits too much for her to handle! She wants him to create a harem to satiate him, and more..." And, with a soft chuckle, she added "I bet your brother would make a wonderful toy for him! His Highness is somewhat open, as long as his urges are satisfied!"

She knew it was wrong, knew it'd mean to betray everything she'd stood for... but that nagging voice deep down in her mind...

"I... I... I'm...I'm in! You're right! Continuing as I do now will just mean that I'll forever be in Celestia's shadow! Unrespected! Unremembered! Held back! And... unsatisfied!"

"Atta girl!" Her bodyguard cheered her on! "You know, I'm actually happy that you decided to do so! I wouldn't have taken a 'no' for an answer!"

Tempest turned around, her private parts on perfect display for Twilight, and pulled an amulette of sorts out from behind her breast plate. It was an obsidian octagon inlaid with an emerald and Twilight could feel the magic radiating from it, now that she saw it! "Otherwise I'd have used this necklace to... well, I think you can guess... You choosing to come willingly makes everything easier!"

Slowly, Twilight'smouth curled into a grin... "I already have an idea for a little present for King Sombra!"

A few days later, Twilight Sparkle and Tempest Shadow stood in front of Princess Celestia's tent and argued with the guards. "Princess Celestia is currently inspecting the outer troop positions and in her abscence, no pony is allowed to enter her tent!"

Twilight snapped back: "And I have a report for the Princess. If she isn't here at the momeant, then I'm going to put in on her desk! Now, get out of my way, guard!"

"Nopony is allowed to enter!"

"I AM HER CHIEF OF STAFF!" This argumeant only reinforced Twilight's decision. Even Celestia's personal guard had no respect for her or her position! "Let. Me. In!" She pressed out between gritted teeth. "This. Is. An order! From the chief of staff!"

"Sorry, Colonel... You know orders are orders! You know that! If you really need to leave that report, you can give it to..."

"Sorry, Sergeant... confidential!" She snapped back with an uncharacteristic smugness. "It'd be against protocol to give it to somepony without proper clearance! Orders are orders after all. I'll be going on a reconaissance trip soon and the Princess most likely will want to see the report as soon as she returns! I certainly won't be leaving it lying in my tent! So, either you let me in, or YOU can explain to the Princess why she had to wait for it!"

"I... uhm... Well...." Then, the guard let out a defeated sigh. If push came to shove, he could at least try to blame it on being uncertain due to Twilight's role as chief of staff... He gave a sign to his fellow guard and, in sync, they raised their crossed spears.

Twilight replied with a nod and a terse "Thank you... was that so difficult?" As she and her guard passed the two.

Once they'd entered the large tent and were far enough from the entrance to be not easily overheard, Tempest gratulated her. "I am impressed, Twillight! Have to admit that I didn't expect you to force him to stand down!"

"Thank you for your confidence in me..." She snarked as she placed the, genuine, report on Celestia's overflowing desk. Then, Twilight turned to the blanked covered... thing? Maybe an incubator? That held the egg that had blocked her way so long ago. "This is the first time I'm taking a good look at it since many years... "

And now, after years of learning and gained experience, she realized what the egg was! "It's a dragon egg! That's an even better present than I'd expected!"

"And what is this?" Tempest pointed at the... thing the egg was in.

"I have no Idea!" Twilight admitted, though she wagered a guess. "It might be a sort of incubator. Not necessarily to breed the egg, though. Rather, to keep whatever life might be inside alive until Celestia has a way to hatch it! She wanted me to do it as the test for her school... and I failed... so maybe it needs a lot of magic? Or a specific type of magic?"

She contemplated for a few momeants, but then turned to Tempest again. "Doesn't matter for now. Let's continue with the plan! The chariot is parked right next to the tend. I'm going to put a few spells on the egg to protect it and keep it warm and then, we'll roll it out under the tent, hidden behind the wagon. Afterwards, we'll hide the egg under the supplies in the storage of the cart!"

Tempest let out a chuckle, "And you're really telling me, that you had no intent on switching sides before our talk? This sounds like you've planned it for a while!"

Once the preparations had been finished, Twilight gathered four ponies to pull the chariot and act as guards for them... and an additional gift to Sombra. Four new recruits...

Two hours later, Princess Celestia returned from her inspection trip, accompanied by Moondancer and a few other aides. She let out a tired sigh as she saw the pile of paperwork on her desk, wondering if Twilight and/or Moondancer might take some of that burden from her, when she realised that something was... amiss? Wait! The blanket on the egg container! The way it was placed on the container was different!

The alicorn princess hurried over, her eyes widened by worry. She lifted the blanket and... "Where's the egg?!"

But before Celestia could process this disappearance, a shout rang out from outside the tent! "YOUR MAJESTY! YOUR MAJESTY!!!" And again, this time closer, but shorter of breath! "Y-YOUR MAJE... YOUR MAJESTY!!!"

The general and her entourage left the tent and saw a captain bent over, his ahnds pressed against his knees and panting heavily. Moondancer glared at the stallion and, coldly, told him, “This is a camp of the equestrian army, and not a Manehattan farmer's market! Information is not—repeat, not—simply shouted in the general direction of its intended recipient. Is that clear?”

Celestia waved her protest off. Protocol was fine and good, but not, when it delayed the flow of, apparently, important information! "What is it, captain?!" She asked with tendrils of terror running up her spine.

Still panting heavily from exhaustion, the captain did his best to tell her the news. "A-a pa-patrol just found the carriage Co-colonel Sparkle used on her reconnaisance trip! It seems to have been attacked, and no traces of her, Sergeant Shadow or her escort were found!"

Celestia felt a knot in her stomach. And what he told her next made it all the worse...

"What was recovered, however, was this!"

He showed them one of Sombra's mind control helmets. Something had went terribly wrong, and Celestia just knew that she could blame nopony but herself... Another failure in her long, long life.

9 The royal dressmaker

The next morning, Sombra, Radiant and Fluttershy, sitting on a much less grand chair to the left behind Sombra, had the prisoners lead before them again! In Everfree Forest, the king had asked the ponies who they were, what they could do... Now, it was time to see if they could be useful to him, his wife, or Fluttershy.

The king crossed his arms across the chest. "Let us start with the pegasus and her filly. Better to get that out of the way quickly." Being honest, he hadn't really cared to memorize the prisoners' names. For one, he had servants for that. Also, it showed them how unimportant they were in the grand scale. He did, however, remember the basics of what they did, or could do.

"And having a young filly like her running around will probably help prepare the staff for our foals." Radiant smiled, cradling her belly.

Derpy and Dinky were lead into the throne room. Again, they were asked for their names. Dinky wondered why, Derpy just answered, prefering not to question the evil overlord who could do whatever he wanted to them at any momeant.

Again, she was asked what she could do, and again she repeated her prior answer. "Also," she added, trying to focus her eyes, "I guess I should tell you that I am... a bit of a klutz. In Ponyville I am somewhat infamous as one-pegasus-wrecking crew..." She looked embarassed and slightly downtrodden.

Fluttershy confirmed it to Sombra with a little nod as he looked at her for confirmation. She hadn't mingled a lot with the townsfolk, but enough to know these sorts of things. For a few momeants, the king, Queen Radiant and Fluttershy quietly whispered with one another. In fact, without her husbands knowledge, Radiant had gathered some informations on their new captives yesterday, mainly from what Fluttershy could remember, and what Barb and some of the soldiers had heard when they had escorted them back. It hadn't been much, but enough to get a good picture.

All of them seemed to be, at heart, good ponies, even if Tiara and Silver Spoon were spoiled brats. They could, and would, learn. More good ponies to surround Sombra with, more ponies to take care of his... needs. And Dinky? She would be educated in the castle, would become a useful part of the staff and be like an older sister to Sombra's foals. Though, judging how the younger captives acted, maybe not the oldest sister. Having some children around should liven up this place!

Her mother's clutzyness, however, made it a bit more complicated to find a good occupation for her. They didn't have much need for another post mare/massenger with Golden Hooves, though Derpy could probably take over for her if she fell sick. Radiant had healing magic, but healing stuff like a cold or a minor flu would be a waste of magic and, in the long run, unhealthy because the patients bodies wouldn't actually produce the needed counter measures. Having Derpy as a maid or in the kitchen might cause an annoying amount of incidents.

In the end, the three decided that Derpy would be used as a gap-filler. She'd help the staff wherever there was need for an extra hand. And she would be accompanied by a unicorn who could repair any damages.

Overall, Derpy was very relieved by her lot. Her daughter was safe, she herself was not being brainwashed into cannonfodder... It could have been worse. Much worse.

Both her, with her cute-clumsy ways and her daughter quickly made their way into the hearts of Sugar Belle and the others. And, in time, the enchantmeants on the castle and their warm reception, would make them more loyal than any direct usage of brainwashing magic would ever do. And once Derpy got a taste of Sombra's... affection... Dinky could use a little sister, or brother!

Now, Rarity got lead in by an uncharacteristically, if only slightly, flustered Barb. You wouldn't notice if you didn't know her, but if you did, she seemed a little nervous, a little bit embarassed, a little bit... needy. It was, apparently, a bit difficult for her to stop looking at the unicorn. Radiant and Fluttershy both had to admit that it was somewhat amusing to see have such an obvious crush on a mare she had known – after kidnapping her – for less than a day! And Barb probably didn't even realize how obvious it was!

Again, she had to introduce herself and did so with perfect upper-class courtesy, telling the king and queen about what she had to offer in favour of being put under a brainwashing helmet. This time, she went a little bit more in-depth: "I can do basically everything: Dresses and suits, both casual and for events, casual attires, swimwear, coats, hats, underwear,...," her eyes fixated on Sombra's groin area, not having forgotten his showing the day before, "and lingerie!" Collecting herself again, she added: "I also have credentials in interior design! This castle is truly a marvel, but I feel like it could use an extra touch!"

Fluttershy and Radiant whispered to Sombra. Stroking his chin, the king of the Crystal Empire then adressed Rarity: "My wife, and Fluttershy, do agree that we have use for a dressmaker." Hearing that, the unicorn relaxed a little. "But we have no proof of your claimed abilities." Her heart sank again.

Rarity had to admit that he had a point: She had nothing to proof her skills, which also, probably, had suffered from cranking out assembly line uniforms for so long! And without proof, should they trust her word?

"Therefore," Queen Radiant Hope continued for her husband, "we want you to make an outfit as proof. The materials will be provided by us, if available."

"It will be a little difficult without my glasse, but it should work out." The white unicorn felt somewhat ill-prepared when she said this after a few momeants of contemplation. "You don't happen to have any opticians and glasses stores here?"

"You wear glasses?" Barb was surprised! So far, Rarity's eyesight had seemed to be perfectly fine!

"Only for work. Sewing, drawing up designs."

Radiant cleared her throat, bringing their attention back to her. "You will make an outfit for yourself. And you will have two weeks, starting tomorrow, for that." Once they had a dressmaker, especially one passionate about her work, Radiant Hope expected that she would get a lot of requests, even discounting the ruling couple's needs. The timelimit was to see if she could provide in a limited timeframe. And, in time, she might be able to train some helpers. Or maybe they would, by chance, capture another designer.

But then, Sombra spoke up again! "No."

Oh no... maybe less than two weeks? Or maybe her talents wouldn't be needed after all and she would be locked away in a dungeon or

The queen looked at her king in surprise! "Make a dress for Barb as well! Maybe something a bit more... classy than she would usually wear?" A small, self-satisfied and amused grin was spread over his face. "You have two weeks for each dress, and in a month you shall demonstrate them. During this time, Barb is assigned to be your personal guard and supervisor and will help you to the best of her abilties."

Barb was split. On the one hand, no more fun fighting missions. On the other hand, she would be spending time with Rarity! And what did her king mean with "more classy than she usual wore"? She usually wore armor, customized guard uniforms or workout gear. Sometimes casual stuff like shirts.

"So, you two have also noticed that Barb has a crush on Rarity?" Fluttershy chuckled once the unicorn and the dragon had left.

"It is very hard to overlook." Radiant Heart smiled at her friend. "Although Barb probably thinks otherwise."

Two weeks had passed. Rarity, though mostly busy with her work, had managed to get to know most of the ponies here and, in general, they seemed to be nice enough... for servants of a viscious tyrant, at least. Her new glasses, looking the same as her old pair, had finally arrived.

She looked at the mannequin in the corner of her new work room and the outfit propped up on it. It wasn't her finest work but, all things considered, she thought it was decent enough. Starting at the hooves, there was a pair of purple horse shoes. Getting the metal into just the right shade, just painting it wouldn't have done it, had caused her to drive the supplier almost to madness!

What followed was a combination of a dress and a tailcoat, or something similar. If she was honest to herself, Rarity had to admit that the design looked almost forbidingly stern and conservative, but, at the same time, it felt appropriate for the service of an iron-fisted dictator like King Sombra.

Her legs were covered by a a high cut, dark blue, almost black skirt down to her ankles. With every step it would show off her legs and her flanks. Honestly, she had to make a few full dresses like this... Fluttershy would look truly divine when her assets were elevated by some of her designs! Tempest Shadow, Queen Radiant, Sugar Belle, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Spitfre, Pinkie, Zecora, Maud, Bon Bon and Lyra... all of them had great bodies! And it also was a great variety!

The stallions weren't too bad either. Thunderlane, Soarin and Flash were very much up Rarity's alley in their looks. Fit. Nice, but not pushovers. And well equipped, as she found out when she had walked in on some stuff. Yet none of them compared to King Sombra, and she had to admit: The idea of designing outfits for him gave her professional side a thrill!

Being honest, Rarity was almost a little jealous of Fluttershy! She herself had a refined beauty that needed care, needed to be cultivated. The pegasus, on the other hand, was all pure natural beauty that would probably never be tarnished! She probably had barely ever had to use any special care products in her entire life! And before she'd ended up here, she had probably never worn anthing that wasn't off the shelf clothes, and probably only stuff that wouldn't draw attention to that body of hers! Even now she preferred to wear simple, unassuming dresses, and even those that were more elaborate were rather subdued! Giving her something to really elevate her looks... Again, Rarity had to admit: it really drove her designer instincts on!

She looked at the final part of her new outfit: A high collared, pale blue blouse with a crescent moon shaped clasp near her throat. Over it, she wore a dress coat style jacket, its front open, of the same color as her skirt. Taking a closer look at the crescend moon shaped clasp on the high collar, she wondered if she hadn't been somewhat inspired by Nightmare Moon...

On her work desk were a pair of purple lace gloves to finish out the assemble as well as appropriate underwear. Lace, of course, but this time as white as her fur with black and purple being used for decoration alongside silver thread, causing the darker areas to glitter like the night sky. She also was contemplating potentially adding stockings and a garter belt when she had more time.

If the king and queen approved of her work, this might be her new work uniform. Of course she hoped that Celestia would win the war and she could go home, but better to get a reasonably arrangemeant for herself and Sweetie Belle than just suffer in the hopes of being rescued!

It had been stressfull to make, Rarity had to admiit, what with her only having two weeks and her mind already racing towards Barb's design. But, honestly, she had really enjoyed it! Despite her having less time to rest, she felt far more relaxed than after a week in the sweat shop, churning out uniforms! Finally, she could be creative again instead of pushing out the same hideous military uniform over and over! And even in her current situation, that was such a breath of fresh air! Also, somehow, working with Barb, gtting to know Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy just felt right! She knew she should be hating her current situation... but she could finally do what she enjoyed again, even if it was in the service of the pony that had been responsible for her being stuck in the sweat shop to begin with.

In any case, now she would begin to work on the next piece. "Time for Barb..." Taking someone so rough and giving her a more prim and proper, or 'girly' make over? That always was fun! Not rarely, those 'I am not wearing any girly stuff' mares found out that there was nothing wrong with wearing something 'girly' from time to time, or incorporating bits and pieces. They didn't have to wear it all the time, after all! It would be her first time designing something for a dragon, but the unicorn's tale was moving back and forth in excitemeant!

But she also had to admit that she was feeling a little bit... uneasy. Nervous. Not because of the deadline, but because of Barb. Not the fact that she was a viscious dragon serving the worst tyrant their history had known, but something else... something she couldn't quite put her finger on. When Barb talked to her, there seemed to be something different about her, something more affectionate and almost a little subdued: One momeant, Barb was all tomboyish bluster and fight lust, mixed with a splash of draconic superiority complex! Then, the next, she acted with a surprising amount of embarassmeant and hum and haw!

And if she was being honest, Rarity herself felt more nervous than usual! Was it because a lot was on the line for her? Because she didn't know how Barb would react to her attempt to pretty her up? Or was it because of something else...

To steady her nerves, she had emptied a whole bottle of fine red wine beforehand. She didn't know why, usually she was more than able to get what she wanted but, somehow, she needed some liquid courage. Luckily, she'd always been good at holding her liquor, at least in regards of wines.

Behind her, the door opened and Rarity turned around. "Sorry. I'm a bit late." The dragoness greeted Rarity, sounding slightly embarassed. Her snout was wet and that long tongue of hers was still flicking over it every now and then. Probably, the unicorn figured, she had had some fun. Maybe with one of the maids? Maybe Derpy? Or maybe one of her training buddies. Rainbow Dash or Tempest Shadow...

Rarity felt... To her own surprise, she realized that she was jealous! Was it because Barb was fucking so many ponies but ignored her, the pony she was, currently, assigned to, who, if she was allowed to say so herself, was positively gorgeous to look at? Or was it more? Rarity had to admit that she had taken an odd sort of liking to the dragoness, like there should be more between them... And Barb was rather attractive, in a reptilian sort of way.

"It's quite alright, darling." She was still surprised how instinctively she called Barb 'darling' or, for that matter, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Twilight or Fluttershy. Yes, it was a bit of a tick of hers to call others 'darling', but it usually necessitated a certain level of affection and knowing them. "I just finished the final touches on my own dress, if you want to take a look."

"Sure." Barb shrugged. "It does look... nice? Dunno. Fashion isn't something I bother with much." Not that Rarity was surprised by that. Then, the dragoness' face turned sly. "Maybe It would be easier for me if you would wear it?"

The unicorn contemplatd it for a momeant. "Maybe later. Now, if you would please undress and go there?" She gestured to an elevated spot in the middle of the room.

"Why do you want me to strip?" Barb was surprised. She usually was not shy about her body, but stripping in front of Rarity... the thought caused her to blush! "I mean, can't you take my measures through my clothes?"

"Usually yes, but this is my first time working with a dragon and I am out of practice. I need to see, and measure, right on the body with nothing to obscure it." Behind her glasses, Rarity's eyes narrowed. "Especially not a metal breat plate..."

She had a point. Barb hadn't even thought about the fact that she was wearing half her armor. "Would you..." The dragon sounded uncharacteristically embarassed, "would you please turn around?"

"I will see you nude one way or another, Barb. But if it comforts you."

"Thanky you, Rarity." Momeants later, a loud noise revealed that the dragon had removed her armor. After a few more momeants, the dragoness, as usual, wasn't wearing too much, she called over: "Alright. I'm done."

Rarity mustered her. It wa so unusual – granted, she knew her only for two weeks – to see Barb covering herself up! "Now, please step onto the platform." Rarity ordered her again, grabbing her measuring tape.

Now, she mustered the dragon's body, judging every inch with an expert's eye. "Hands down! I need to get a good look at everything!" And as soon as Barb's hands hang down at her sides, Rarity started to walk around her, to do analyze her body, ideas forming in the unicorn's head. Tape in hand, she stepped up to Barb, inspected her wings for a momeant and beegan to measure.

She started off professionally and normal, but quickly began to take advantage of the dragon's inexperience regarding fashion design. Slowly, once she had most of the measures, and she had to admit that Barb had a very nice figure, she actually needed, Rarity started to indulge herself by starting over. But now, she changed it up a little: Now, she pulled the tape tighter and started to measure areas that weren't really that important for the cut of the dress but were fun to play around with!

She started with Barb's tits, tightly wrapping the tape around them, front and back, and appreciating the look of the two mounds being compressed in the middle, causing the top and lower half to swell! Before the dragoness had a chance to react, Rarity then took the tape and wrapped it around their base in the shape of an eight... and pulled it tight, making them pop even more!

"Is... is that really necessary?" Barb sounded embarassed!

"Of course! And now shush. Let me do my work!" Rarity moved down, wrapping the tape tightly around the dragoness' waist, hips, thighs... and her crotch, leaving a wet trailer on it. Finally, she moved up again. "This will be a little bit uncomfortable now." She warned her, before closing it around Barb's throat. A collar would look good on the dragon, Rarity thought.

Maybe the alcohol was getting to Rarity, but... she wanted more! And the fact that Barb had tolerated the hijinx with the tape had made her grow bold! Who needed a measuring tape anyway? She let the tape fall to the ground and flexed her fingers. She wanted to explore her body properly! A second later, she squeezed down on Barb's breasts. They felt... surprising. Rarity had expected her scales to be hard and unyielding... But, in fact, they were surprisingly pliable and nice to touch! Probably still strong enough to resist most common equestrian weapons though...

Barb... didn't take too well to this, however. "Why are you feeling me up?!" She had to admit to herself that it was slightly hypocritical, considering that she herself could get a little grabby, especially with sexy new guys and gals. That Derpy had been fun to play with before she really settled in...

"I am just taking your measuremeants, darling!" Rarity was lying through her teeth. "It is very important that, for a perfectly fitted dress, I get a good feel how your body behaves under varying states of pressure applied to it..."

Once she was finished with Barb's breasts, for now, she worked her way down, feeling up her waist, hips, and then, to the dragoness' discomfort, her thighs and, finally, a brush over her dripping slit. "That's enough!" Barb pushed her away! Gritting her teeth, eyes flaming with fury, probably in part because she felt that it was she who should be doing that, she continued: "I do not believe that you need to finger me to make a pair of panties or whatever! Why are you feeling me up?"

Rarity didn't budge, despite the angry dragon in front of her! In fact, she was getting rather aggressive and almost obsessive! "You are flirting and fucking all those mares and stallions... and yet you ignore moi?" A certain bitter jealousy was palpable

Immediately, the It was a very unusual feeling for Barb, who usually was more than able to get her way! Instead, she stammered: "I don't know why... I would love to have fun with you, but... to me, just having some fun with you feels wrong... I want... I want more... It's weird."

"Barb....-" the unicorns rolled her eyes, closing the distance between them again. "-shut up and kiss me!" Then planted her lips on the dragoness'. As Barb began to melt, Rarity pushed her tongue past the dragon's lips. She felt her longue, thin tongue...

Fifteen seconds later, and they separated again. Barb stared at Rarity, then at the trail of spit between them and blinked. "What the fuck was that?!" Barb panted and the unicorn grinned at seeing how much she had blushed!

"Enjoyed that?" A very confidently grinning Rarity asked the recipient of the unexpected kiss.

"... yes." The dragon panted, her tongue hanging out of her mouth.

"Good." Rarity walked backwards until her ass met her desk, unbuttoning her top as she did so, and revealing that, except for her thighhighs, she wore nothing undernerneath, her pale body on proud display! Now naked and shooting her best seductive look over the rim over glasses, she beckoned Barb to come over! "If you want more... come and take it!"

Putting one foot after the other, as if in trance, Barb slowly walked up to her, her eyes fixed on Rarity's. She knew what she wanted to do, what she had to do! She wanted the unicorn, had to have her! Between them, she felt it, was a connection, even if neither yet knew what it was!

Coming to a halt in front of the pale pony, Barb let herself drop to one knee! She tossed Rarity's left leg over her shoulder and got to work. Licking over Rarity's thighs, the dragoness made her way to the unicorn's wet treasure. She almost tasted like the finest gemstones to her.

Stiffling her moans, Rarity bit down on a finger! She had expected that this would be very pleasing, but the dexterity and length of a dragon's tongue was something else, she had to admit! As greedy as, well, a dragon, Barb ate the unicorn out as she sunk her claws into her own wet snatch.

After about a minute, the unicorn squirted her juices all over Barb's face! With a satisfied grin on her face, the dragoness rose to her feet again. When her head reached the height of Rarity's, the mare's legs closed behind Barb's back as she embraced her, their breasts pressing against each other. Again looking deep into Rarity's blue eyes, Barb told her: "You... you are the most beautiful mare I've ever seen. Even more so than Queen Radiant!"

Rarity laughed the most pleasant laugh Barb had ever heard! "Come on, you beast!" She told her, running her perfectly manicured nails over the dragon's chest, her tone making it obvious that 'beast' was inteneded to be playful and enticing, "Carry me to my bed!"

Grinning even more wildly than before, Barb removed the legs from behind her back and lifted Rarity in a bridal carry! Easily, she carried the unicorn to a door, using her tail to open it. Behind the door was a small, but tasteful, bedroom.

She gently lowered Rarity onto the bed but held onto her right hoof, presenting the unicorn's damp lips. With a smile, Barb laid down on the other side of the bed, putting her own left leg below Rarity's right, pressing their nether regions against one another...

The next morning, when Barb awoke, entwined with the unicorn, she looked at her partner for the night, and finally realized what she had felt since seeing her for the first time. "Rarity? I think I love you."

Rarity, in response, cuddled herself closer to Barb. It just felt right!

"Sorry for keeping you from your work. I know you're on a time limit."

"It will be quite alright, darling. I will make you a great dress!"

Two weeks later, Rarity was set to demonstrate her designs. Sombra and Radiant sat on their thrones, Fluttershy again behind them, Rainbow Dash standing slightly to the left of Radiant's throne, Spitfire slightly to the right of Fluttershy. Twilight Sparkle was standing next to one of the side walls of the room, fingering the alicorn amulet around her neck. Tempest Shadow wasn't here, she was overseeing troop movemeants at the front.

They were curious to see the unicorn's work. The doors opened and Rarity entered, her mane and tail done into strict buns. Her dress accentuated her body with every step, yet she never looked in any form disreputable. Stern, conservative, and yet alluiring, teasing and tempting. Rarity spun around, showing her backside and letting her skirt fly around and then knelt in front of the thrones. She was aware of how to treat in front of the higher classes, and Barb had briefed her, yet she was a little insecure, considering what was at stake. "I... I hope everything was to your liking, your majesty!"

Sombra looked at his wife. It were dresses, not his type of clothes to judge. "I am very impressed by your work!" Radiant Hope conceded. But something, to her, felt off about the attire. She had, if she was being honest, expected something with more grandeur and this looked... a little different. "Considering the limited amount of time and available ressources..."

"I might have to explain: This isn't intended as a gala dress or anything like that. It certainly isn't one of my best works, considering the limitations, but I had it in mind more as a dress for work. If I am to take care of the castle decor and dresses, I need to look the part!"

"Oh? I would have expected that you would want to demonstrate your best with a grand dress!"

"I also wanted to show that I can do more practical designs!" Rarity explained, then sirked. "Also, I haven't presented Barb to you yet!" She gestured towards the doors, and the guards opened them.

Now, Barb entered... dressed almost like a fairy tale princess! She was wearing a seriously pimped out dress, the sides and back of the skirt down to the floor, the covering just about her upper thighs. Further up, the corsette that was worked into the dress put a nice emphasis on her breasts, furthered by a number of decorative gemstones. Rarity had foregone gloves for Barb, considering that her claws probably would've just torn though them. Her feet were clad in shoes with just a little bit of heel.

Rarity would have liked to give her higher heels, but it was hard enough to get Barb to move properly as it was! "Getting her into that needed a bit of convincing," She told the royal couple and Fluttershy. "The difficult part, however, was keeping her from snacking the gemstones."

Fluttershy and Radiant chuckled. They knew that Barb had a sweet tooth for gems! And Radiant remebered how, in Barb's first few weeks, they had to keep her from eating the castle!

"Well, your Highness? What do you think now?" The white unicorn smiled.

Indeed, it was far more what Radiant and Sombra had imagined and Radiant answered with a slight nod. Barb turned to Rarity and whispered something into her ear, before giving her a playful slap on the shoulder.

With a few movemeants of her hands, Rarity undid the buns and let her mane and tail fall down freely again. "Well, I guess I've convinced you!" She chuckled at the queen, then looked at King Sombra. "Now for King Sombra..." Rares grabbed the dragoness' hand and pulled her after her. "Barb told me how!"

Coming to a halt in front of the throne, Rarity and Barb fell to their knees. Fluttershy cocked her head a little as she took a closer look at the dragoness: "Barb looks a little... flustered?"

"I think she looks rather worked up!" Radiant chuckled. "How come? You usually look more exicted than worked up and flustered!"

"Usually, I don't have an active vibrator in each hole!" Barb pouted.

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spitfire, Radiant and even Sombra stared at Rarity! They would have expected Barb to have her way with the new unicorn, if anything, but instead...

Rarity and Barb used that momeant to reveal Sombra's dick! And, the unicorn had to admit, even in its flaccid state it was impressive, even more so than what she had seen when Mayor Mare had... well...

Quickly the two began running their hands along the shaft and just as quickly, Sombra began to harden. Close up, with his smells tingling in her nostrils, it almost made her drool already. But only almost. A lady didn't just start drooling! Though her pussy certainly had done so...

Once Sombra was fully errect, hands gave way to mouths and tongues! Rarity taking care of the tip, Barb of the shaft and balls. Every now and then, they even met each other and attempted to kiss each other around the dick between them! The unicorn had to admit that this was the greatest cock she had ever serviced, even if, out loud, she would never put it in those words.

Sombra lowered his hands and Barb began to coo when her king rubbed over her head. Rarity, in turn, was surprised at how gentle this large, strong hand could be! This hand that had been raised against her home... it felt so reassuringly warm against her head, then her cheek when it had moved down... Then, when he felt that he was getting close, he pushed the unicorn down his shaft, bulging out her throat! She let out a startled sound, before she felt his load hitting her throat and, as she pulled back, filled her mouth.

Rarity did her best to drink it all, but it was just too much! Once her mouth began to overflow, she pulled back and got cum splattered over her face, her mane and her chest The white liquid was hard to see on her white fur, but the streaks on her purple mane were all the easier to spot.

Sombra's hand slid down even further on the mare's face, grabbing her jaw and lifting it, so that he could look into her blue eyes, one closed by a streak of his jizz. Rarity opened her mouth, presenting the load to him, closed it, swallowed and again presented her now clean tongue!

The dragoness, meanwhile, took care to clean the leftovers from Sombra's dick and then cleaned Rarity's muzzle, her tongue flicking and darting around with impressive speed and dexterity! Something Rarity had already come to appreciate over the last few weeks...

Rarity needed a bit to catch her breath, idly whiping off some of the cum staining her purple mane and licking it from her fingers. She knew what she would do next. Part of her still reeled against the thought, knowing what Sombra had done, was doing in fact, but she also knew that she had to be in his good books if she didn't want to be turned into brainwashed cannon fodder... and his piece of equipmeant looked very much capable of satisfying the burning need in her dripping cunt!

Barb marveled at how quickly Rarity now moved to the next stage! She had had to do a lot of convincing over the last two weeks to get her to warm up to the idea, and now... In a matter of momeants she had climbed onto the King's lap and impaled herself on his cock! The dragoness decided to continue working with her tongue.

As Rarity was bouncing on Sombra's lap, a side door to the throne room opened. From there entered Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, the last three carrying trays with beverages and trays. When she recognized her sister, she almost let the tray drop from her hands! "Rarity?!"

"Sweetie Belle?!" She stopped her movemeants in surprise!

They both knew that the other was here, of course, but seeing the other in her current situation still surprised them! And, at once, both of them called out: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" And, unable to help herself, Rarity added: "And what are you wearing?!"

Her little sister, and the four mares, were wearing very simple white linen dresses, so short that, if they bent over, they assuredly would flash their private parts. Around their necks were... at the distance, Rarity couldn't quite tell if they were collars or chokers... Considering Sombra, probably collars.

Doing her best to keep the tablet she was carrying stable, Sweetie Belle hurried over to the throne! The pastries on it moved precariously, but none slipped. "The others and I were made- Woah!" She was interrupted when Sombra's horn began to glow! From the collar around Sweetie's neck to his hand a chain began to manifest. Slowly, the king pulled her closer to him and her sister. Again, she managed, barely, to keep the tray stable! "-we were given the choice to work as maids and stuff... Considering the alternative... And everypony has been pretty nice to us!"

Diamond Tiara and the others now joined next to Sweetie Belle. Tiara began to pour wines into the cups for King Sombra, Queen Radiant Hope and Fluttershy. Silver Spoon, meanwhile, began to pluck some grapes to feed them to the king.

Rainbow Dash looked at the beverages with some jealousy, but she knew: No alcohol during duty. Luckily, they had brought non-alcoholic beverages as well. She and Tempest would get plastered later!

Hearing that her sister had been treated well, overall, was a relief for Rarity. At the same time, however, she realized something else. "Sweetie, dear? You look unnervingly calm seeing your older sister..."

"Bouncing on King Sombra's dick?" The nonechalantness in Sweetie Belle's voice came a a bit of a shock to her older sister! "Not really. Honestly, I was kind off expecting that!" Sweetie chuckled a little as she saw the disbeleif in Rarity's eyes! "His Majesty is very-..." she licked over her lips as she handed Sombra a croissant, "-capable, isn't he?"

"Y-you as well?"

"All of us!" A red-maned mare with a country-accent, Apple Bloom, the youngest sister of the Apple siblings, if Rarity remembered her correctly, answered for Sweetie Belle. "It was a package deal..."

The white unicorn needed a momeant to compute that, but Sombra didn't let her have it! One of his strong hands grabbed her right breast and began to squeeze and fondle her, while his lower area gave her a thrust! "Sweetie Belle! Undress your sisters tits!" He ordered her younger sister!

Again, this surprised Rarity! But Sweetie Belle placing her tablet on the arm rest of Fluttershy's chair, did as she was told with a happy smile on her face as she undid her sisters clothes and pulled her breasts out, allowing Sombra to touch them directly and bounce oh so nicely!

The younger unicorn looked at Sombra and saw that, again, he wanted her to come over. Maybe he had a little reward for her? And indeed he had! A deep kiss! Her head began to spin and her legs grew weak! The king's attention always felt so good that she could hardly think! "Thank you, King Sombra!" She panted, once she had caught her breath again! She turned to Rarity again: Once you get to know everypony and get settled in, it's really not bad here! You were so busy with the dresses that you didn't really have a chance for that yet!"

Sombra gave Rarity another push, signalling her to start moving again! Now freed, her beautiful breasts began to bounce at every movemeant! And, on another signal of Sombra, Barb and Sweetie Belle started to play with her breasts! The fashion designer was hastening towards her climax now, driven on by the hard dick in her cunt and the two pronged attack on her tits!

She was finally pushed over the edge momeants before Sombra himself came and filled her up! It was but pure bliss, and she knew, she would serve King Sombra to the best of her abilities from now on...

Before Rarity could recover, Barb scooped her up in a bridal carry! Her face was so close to the unicorn's that their muzzles almost touched... "And now, you and I will spend the rest of the day together. In bed!"

Rarity thought about it for a very brief momeant! She had to admit that she had really come to like, maybe even love, Barb, like the dragoness had confessed to her... But she didn't want only her... "Mind if we invite a few stallions?"

"Maybe later. There are some very nice studs in the palace guard.... Or..." She turned around, "Hey, Fluttershy? Mind if we borrow Thunderlane and Soarin later?"

"Of course!" Was the answer. Watching them leave, looking her gaze fixed on Rarity's face, Fluttershy felt happier. Just as with Pinkie Pie, Barb, Rainbow Dash and Twilight, having Rarity near, maybe becoming a friend, felt right! And, when they went to bed, Rarity and Barb joined her, Sombra and Radiant for the night... Barb didn't say that they'd spend the rest of the day in either of their beds the whole time!

When they were gone, Radiant called for staff to clean the cum stains from the ground.

New servants for the castle

takes place between the first and second halves of the prior chapter.

A few minutes after Barb and Rarity had left so that the unicorn could begin her work, Aloe and Lotus Blossom were lead in. They, just like Rarity, were smart enough to recognize their situation and try to make the best out of it by offering their services. After the twins had 'serviced' Sombra, and proofen their skills by giving massages to Radiant Hope and Fluttershy, they were assigned an area of the castle that was to be turned into a spa as well as the labor and material to do so. They would also teach their craft to new staff. And provide 'happy endings'.

Zecora had already been broken in, which had, luckily, cured her of her rhyming addiction. When she had been lead before Sombra and rhymed every sentence, it had grown annoying to him rather quickly. Now, she entered the throne room to be assigned her new duties: To work with Twilight and Starlight, to brew potions to the benefit, and pleasure, of King Sombra's Crystal Empire! And, like the spa twins, teach her craft to others.

Last, but not least, the six youngest ponies, Derpy Hoove's daughter aside, were lead in. Rumble, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Again, they had to introduce themselves again. The king took his chin into his hand as he contemplated what to do with them... Apple Bloom, the earth pony with the red mane, looked like she should be able to bear strong children that would make excellent workers and soldiers...

But, at the same time, he had a feeling that keeping the unicorn, the pegasus and her together would be a good call... Not to meantion that Radiant and Fluttershy had been begging him to avoid sending the prisoners there, and it was just so hard to deny those two... Sometimes he wondered if the Umbrum hadn't been wrong about getting rid off Radiant... But then, he felt her caress, her love for him, and now also Fluttershy's, and those thoughts were dispersed! All the power and cold-hearted pragmatism wouldn't have been able to fill the desires left by his foalhood. Affection, it seemed, could. And so far, not turning everypony into mindless automatons to be thrown away had served him rather well with Starlight, Twilight and the others!

And now, Fluttershy started to whisper into her King's ear. "Rumble is Thunderlane's little brother, King Sombra!" The prisoners watched on, unable to hear what the pegasus was saying, but they did notice how the dark unicorn king's eyes fixated on the stallion of their group. "Can I have him, please? He's cute and I want a third stallion! I would also keep him and his brother together, allow him more easily fit in!"

Sombra's expression changed ever so slightly as he listened to Shy's pleas... She had become devilishly good at getting her way, using her kind and innocent personality, her big eyes and cute appearance to its fullest extent! He had to admit, it had become very hard to deny her something when she put her mind to it, and she could be far more assertive than her usual behavior suggested, something his wife took advantage of on a regular basis!

Right now, he really had no mind for this! And considering Fluttershy's demeanor, she was probably set on getting her way. In a hushed tone, inaudible to anypony not in the direct vicinity of the throne, he told her, "Alright. Take him."

With a soft yet mischivious smile on her face, Fluttershy rose to her hooves, the lower part of her dress gently falling down, dragging over the floor as she walked up to the young ponies. Coming to a halt next to Rumble, she took a closer look at him, then shot him a gentle smile.

Looking into her eyes, the young pegasus stallion began to blush! And it got worse when, without saying a worse, Fluttershy put placed a finger on his cheek and slowly had it slide down his face!

"Wha-..." He was cut off when her finger moved over his mouth! And after a few momeants of resting there, it moved again, tracing down his chin and throat until, finally, her whole hand came to rest on his shoulder.

"Follow me, please." Fluttershy told Rumble in a pearly voice that managed to put him at ease. He didn't react, however, unsure about the whole situation! So she grabbed his wrist and gently pulled as she began to walk towards the doors.

Now, he started to move, not daring, or maybe not wanting, to resist. Trotting behind her, passing through the doors, his gaze was firmly fixed on the swaying motions of Fluttershy's shapely rear! Her pregnancy hadn't done anything to lessen her beauty! If anything, it might have even added to her motherly temptation! And for the young stallion it caused a pinch of jealousy!

Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had watched this without saying a word, confused at what was happening and worried what might happen if they stepped out of line! Now, they looked up at the king and queen of the Crystal Empire, wondering what their futures would bring...

"Now, you five," Radiant Hope spoke up, "I am Queen Radiant Hope, King Sombra's consort." For the ponyvillians, the queen came as something of a shock to them. She lad looked nice enough, though they knew that looks could be deceiving, but she also sounded nice and pleasant! "Now, what should we do with you? Do you have any special talents?"

All five of them exchanged looks. "As we said yesterday... we're blank flanks." The unicorn indicated herself, the pegasus and one of the earth ponies. "So, we don't really know what our special talents are!"

Apple Bloom thought about it for a momeant, then shrugged. "Well, my family owns a farm, so I'm pretty good at carpentry from helpin' to fix stuff."

"I can sing a little and I've picked up a thing or two about style from my sister..." Sweetie now added, Bloom's reply causing her to realize that she could at least tell them what she knew that she was good at.

"And I can do tricks on my scooter!" Scootaloo sounded surprisingly chipper.

"Silver Spoon and I have our Cutie Marks," Diamond Tiara now spoke up, sounding far more insecure than her behavior yesterday would have suggested, "but... Well... I've always been good at making ponies do what I want them to..."

"And I have some baking skills." Silver pushed her glasses up.

Radiant whispered into King Sombra's ear. She had a little gut feeling about the three that hadn't found their calling yet. To her, it was as if there was an unrealized bond between them! A bond, that probably would never be realized to the level that it should be... Not, without help... A help, that would tie them to Sombra, if Radiant had everything play out her way!

The king's head rose ever so slightly, fixing the five in his piercing gaze! "Well, I guess we can always use more maids and such...Especially with,-" he lifted his hand and moved it over to his wife, gently brushing over her baby bump, "-my offsprings on the way!" The queen let out a little chuckle and gave him a peck on the cheek. "But first," he continued, "I will need to inspect you." He rose to his full, impressive height and, followed by Radiant, slowly, menacingly, walked towards the young mares, his cape dragging behind him.

Instinctively, the five mares took a step back as he closed the distance! At the same time, however, all of them had to admit that there was something about this cruel tyrant... Before, they had only seen him slouched, sitting in a throne, and fucking Mayor Mare, but seeing him in full, there was no mistaking that he was a very handsome hunk in the prime of his life, yet with the traces of his almost impossible age giving him, and none of the five wanted to admit it, an almost slightly.... fatherly appearance?

"Undress!" Sombra's voice rumbled through the throne room when he had almost reached them! They didn't comply immediately, too shocked at the demand. "Either do it, or else..." he growled, letting the unspoken implications stand for themselves.

This had the intended effect: All five stripped out of their clothes and Radiant began to inspected their nude forms. With both, hand and eye!

It was embarassing for the young mares, not only that King Sombra watched their nude forms, but also how Radiant 'inspected' them...None of them even had had any sexual experiences with anypony but themselves yet, but she was very... thorough with how she checked every inch of them! At the same time... Their bodies quickly began to appreciate the attention! The hands of the royal couple moved with a lot of experience and dexterity, feeling their musculature and their erogenous zones. All of them, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who had seemed rather spoiled, seemed to be fit enough to put in work.

After a few minutes, Radiant Hope stopped. "Very well! All of you are in excellent shape physically!" She declared, looking at Sombra. "Time for your part!" Again, she let out a pleaant laugh and began to strip her dear husband. Looking on, the prisoners couldn't help but start biting their lips! Sombra had looked attractive before, all clothed, but now... In Apple Bloom's mind, he compared not unfavorably to her brother in physique! And that as a unicorn, not a hard-working earth pony! She had seen him naked, or at least semi-naked, often enough, after a hard day of farm labor, when they washed the grime of the day off... And after the queen's touch all of them felt a burning need in their loins, and Sombra made it worse.

Then, Sweetie Belle noticed something... Or rather, the lack of something! "King Sombra's a blank flank like us?!" She turned to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with disbelief on her face!

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon exchanged a quick glance. They suddenly got an even worse feeling in their guts. Tiara was about to speak up, wanting to try to get herself and her friend out of they had dug themselves into yesterday... She doubted claiming that they didn't bully the three for being Blank Flanks and that their short burst of laughter the day before had nothing to do with that... But before she could say a word, Radiant Hope Radiant grabbed Tiara and Silver Spoon by their shoulders and led them a distance away from the others.

The other three, meanwhile, couldn't tear their eyes from Sombra's crotch! None of them had ever thought that their first time would be with one of the greatest threats Equestria ever faced! Apple Bloom's best guess for her first time had been a cute farm hand that her older siblings would have hired for a season, after a hard day's work of bringing in the harvest, maybe a few glasses of cider, and one thing leading to another, culminating in a tumble in the hay!

Sweetie Belle, influenced by her sister, always had imagined to find a gentlecolt... Or, maybe, somepony at a nice party to rail her in a quiet corner once they both had gotten a little bit tipsy.

And for Scootaloo, she had never really thought about it. Maybe at a club, maybe after a few drinks, or maybe just spontanously if she ran into a cute stallion... Maybe she could've asked Rumble, now that she thought about it?

Well, now it would be King Sombra and his big, fat cock! They wondered if they could even enjoy sex with... smaller stallions afterwards? But at least, to them, it felt weirdly appropriate that they would have their first time at the same time.

"Attend me!" Sombra thundered at the three, tearing them out of their thoughts and causing them to wince! To their, he raised his arms almost invitingly, gesturing them to come closer with this fingers!

Slowly, insecure and blushing heavily and flagging their tails, the three walked over. They had no idea what the king expected from them! What would happen if they were unable to please him? Well, they had reached him, too late to think about it any further! The three would have to trust their instincts...

And following them, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, as if they had coordinated with each other, placed themselves next to Sombra's left and right shoulders, running their hands over this chest, feeling his well-developed muscles. Sweetie Belle placed herself between them, her left hand joining the other two's endeavors, her right pressing against his belly button and moving down. She felt Sombra's dick hardening in her grasp, warm and pulsating.

The way they moved told King Sombra that they were inexperienced, but it wasn't bad. Insecure, unsure what to do, yet despite that, and their fear, there was an eagerness, born from their arousal, an excitemeant at the situation that they couldn't quite repress despite it! He had a feeling that they were an untapped talent that he, his wife, and his servants would help to blossom... Grinning broadly, his arms closed around the shoulders of the mares on either side, then turned down, allowing his hands to grab their asses!

They squealed in pain at how roughly he treated them, but they didn't dare complain either. Better to endure than to risk his displeasure! But then, his index finger brushed over their slits from behind, and they couldn't help themselves but moan! It felt different than when they had played with themselves! More intense! More naughty... Shivers ran down their spines and Sweetie Belle, feeling jealous, began to kiss the king's muscular chest as she stroked his length!

Noticing the budgeoning animosity between the three mares, King Sombra let out a dark chuckle! All of them were torn out of their thoughts and they looked up. "Now, my little fillies, no reason to get jealous!" Sombra told them, his usual usually stoic tone now having an audible hint of smugness and lust. "Look at me! Put your heads together and look at me!" He commanded!

The three did as they had been told. "Now, stick out your tongues." That was surprising, and confusing, but again they obeyed. Out of fear, and instinct. A part of them wanted to obey, do as he told them, and reap the rewards... And so, Sombra lowered his head until he was almost level with them, let his tongue slip out of his mouth and began to make-out with all three of them at the same time! He dominated their inexperienced tongues with ease!

After about a minute, the king pulled back, grinning to himself as he saw how the three didn't even notice it and instead continued to make out with one another! That surely was a sight he would enjoy from now on! "I think you are ready now! Turn around and get on your knees! Now, I will make you mine!" He growled, and the shiver these words sent down the three mares' spines was only one thing: the thrill of pure, unadulteraded pleasure!

"Y-yes, King Sombra!" They obeyed in unison, their bodies pressing against each other! He eyed their pussies from behind and, oh yes, he was going to enjoy this! As satisfying sex with his wife, Fluttershy, Twilight and the others was, there always was a little bit extra in breaking in new servants!

The king started with Scootaloo, the tomboyish mare being on the left of the group, Apple Bloom on the right and Sweetie Belle in the middle. The young pegasus was pushed over the edge quickly, squirting her juices over the carpet. Sombra enjoyed her for a short while more as she added her drool to the strains, turning her brain even more to mush, and then capped her first time off with a cream pie!

Apple Bloom followed next! Judging by how she moaned, she really enjoyed being taken from the rear! Like Scootaloo, she climaxed quickly and her head landed on the carpet. And now, it was time for Sweetie Belle! But before he'd quench the fire in her loins, if there hadn't been carpet underneath her, her juices would probably have created a small puddle by now, he would also get her partners worked up again! He knew his wife had already applied the cleaning spell on them, and so, he lubed his hands up in Sweetie's juices and shoved three fingers in Scootaloo's and Apple Bloom's asses!

Hearing the other two begin to moan again, he pushed into Sweetie Belle! His fingers began to loosen the assholes of the other two for the future as the unicorn moaned as much and loud as her lungs allowed! These three mares, they didn't care anymore! How could it be wrong to serve him, when it made them feel so good? Were they now ruined? Unable to enjoy any other stallion? Considering the cute guard studs they had passed by, they almost hoped they weren't, at least not toally...

Now the king was taking his time, teasing Sweetie Belle as the other two slowly regained their composure despite the sensation of Sombra's fingers!

Apple Bloom, Sctooaloo and Sweetie Belle had again begun to make out with one another again when Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Queen Radiant Hope returned. The queen had her arms slung around the younger mares' hips as she lead them back to the group, and truth be told, for all fve of the new ones it felt a little awkward.

Radiant looked at the two mares at her side. Giving them a gentle smile she told them: "Go ahead."

Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara looked embarassed. Not because of the situation, but because of what they had done in the past! Tiara was the first who, slowly, was able to speak up. She began to tell the three how of her mother's expectations, how she was raised to look down on anypony 'below' her, and how she tried to cope: "I think I started to bully you three so that I could tell myself that I didn't want any friends, and I roped Silver Spoon into it as well and... What I- We want to say is..." She paused, taking a deep breaht to steady herself. "I... I am sorry." The earnestness in her voice was hard to overhear, and she quickly corrected herself: "We are sorry! Can you forgive us?"

Silver Spoon, pushing her glasses up her face, gave a similar apology. Honestly, it felt weird having this rather serious conversation as Sombra was fucking the ponies they were talking to...

The three put their heads together and began to whisper. After a half a minute, Apple Bloom answered them: "Diamond Tiara? Silver Spoon? We accept your apology."

"Let's let bygones be bygone!" Sweetie Belle agreed!

"We are starting a new life," Scootaloo added, "so there is no reason to keep silly old grudges!"

Tiara and Silver Spoon looked at one another, unable to believe that those three would accept their apology so easily! These three were more forgiving than they would probably have been in their stead or, in the current situation, deserved.

"And we don't think His Majesty would appreciate us fighting all the time!" Sweetie added happily as King Sombra plowed into her, obviously enjoying the carnal attention she got!

Suddenly, Apple Bloom realized something! "I just had an idea!" All heads turned to her, Sombra's with a benignly bemused smirk. "Diamond Tiara said that she is good at getting others to do what she wants... And we know she's pretty good at doing that!" The other mares looked at AB with bewildermeant at what she was getting at. "What I mean," she continued, "is that... maybe she misunderstood the meaning of her Cutie Mark? So far, she usually wanted to lord over others, but... maybe it means that she's actually good at leadership?"

The two next to her realized now what she meant! Swetie wondered... "You mean, her talent is actually motivating ponies to do their best?"

"To guide them to achieve their goals and so on?" Scootaloo added.

"Yes!"

Tiara thought about it for a momeant... She liked the sound of it! It felt... kind of right!

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo began to glow as they realized that helping Diamond realize the meaning of her Cutie Mark! And as this began to happen, Sweetie cried out in pleasure! "OH YEEEES!!!" The King had finally brought her to her climax!

On the hips of the three mares something began to appear! Three small shields, split into three parts, one red, one light pink and the last a pale purple. On that shield, Sweetie Belle had a purple star and a pink note, Scootaloo a wing and thunderbolt in the same colors and Apple Bloom an apple and a heart, also in the same colors. And each of their Cutie Marks had a small, black lock in its center and filigrane black chains bound them, showing how those three ponies were now King Sombra's property! Around their eyes were traces of the mind control magic to hammer that point home even further.

"What do you think this means?" Tiara asked her friend.

"Maybe.. " Silver Spoon uttered slowly, still thinking about it. "Apparently, their special talent, now, is to serve him, to aid him... and, maybe, to help others to do so as well..."

As they talked, Sombra pulled out of Sweetie and looked at them. They stared back, at his cum and mare juice covered cock. Their mouths turned into grins and they licked their lips.

A while later, all five Ponyville mares lay in a heap, cum dripping out of their well-fucked cunts, streaks of the white stuff over their tits. The king took in his handywork with quite a bit of satisfaction! "I have made up my mind what to do with you!" He spoke up.

His wife raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Oh?"

"You five will be maids, will help out where needed and attent to the needs of me, Radiant, Fluttershy and the other high ranking ponies, and dragon. Diamond Tiara will be in charge of you and responsible for getting everything done!" Sombra told them. If Diamond Tiara's talent was leadership, this should get her up to snuff with it quickly. "Have them a room assigned to them!" He told his wife as he turned away and grabbed his cape and put it over his shoulders..

The young mares' minds worked through what they just heard, feeling very happy about it, Celebratory, they started to make out again, as the queen smiled at her husband. "You are leaving, honey? Anything important?"

"Not quite sure yet." He was thinking about paying a visit to Twilight, Starlight and their newest partner-in-research... "Rainbow Dash! Tempest!" He called to the two guards next to the thrones, "Come with me!" Or, maybe, he would see how Fluttershy was doing with that young pegasus stallion... Rainbow Dash had been eying him a little. "Have fun with them, Radiant, I know you've been wanting a piece of them since we started! But make sure the carpet gets cleaned afterwards!"

"Of course!" Radiant replied as she let her gown slip to the floor and joined the five.

"But first, clean me up."

--- Meanwhile in Fluttershy's room---

Fluttershy had just reached her own room with Rumble in tow. The young stallion had been pretty impressed with what he had seen of the castle so far, after having seen barely anything the day before! "What do you think of my room?" She asked him.

Rumble looked around. It was nice enough, but... "It's a bit... austere?"

He was right. A, admittedly large, bed, a nightstand next to it with a bell and some other little things, a sofa, a shelf with books, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair, some decorative plants... "Yes, it is a little bare. But then, I don't spend too much time here!" With a chuckle, she added, "And not even that many nights."

"Whad do you-... Oh." He cut himself of when he realized what she was implying... Rumble took a deep breath and asked her: "Why did you bring me here?"

"Because I want you as my attendant!" Shy told him bluntly. "I could use a personal attendant! The others I share with Radiant, which can mean that they are too busy when I need some help." Also, Rumble was cute, and having a boy toy nearby when she was feeling a little bit needy and the king wasn't available? It was a nice thought.

"Attendant?" The young stallion was surprised and bewildered.

"Yes. You would take notes for me, deliver messages, do preparations for me... Help me in all sorts of matters, great and small!" She explained, turning around to show her back to him, lokoing over her shoulder. "Of course, you would also be rewarded for good work..." Fluttershy let her dress fall to the floor and turned around. Rumble's wings went stiff and popped out to the sides as he was left speechless at Fluttershy's beauty! But Fluttershy misinterpreted his silence, despite the wing boner! "I know, my pregnan-..."

"You're beautiful..." He interrupted her., sounding almost entranced by her! "The most beautiful mare I have ever seen!"

"Oh you!" Shy laughed happily! "How nice of you to say this, to make a pregnant mare feel good!"

"I mean it!" Rumble reiterated fiercly!

She smiled at him: "Well, you deserve a reward for the effort!" With two steps, Fluttershy had closed the distance between them and pulled the younger stud into a kiss.

As they were making out, her right hand moved down Rumble's back, gently brushing over the stallion's wing roots, letting him already moan a little! Her hand went even lower and, finally, grabbed his firm ass! Her left hand, at the same time, brushed over his chest, grabbed his right hand and lead it to her left breast for him to grab, and then followed her right hand down. Down to his crotch! Quckly, she undid the zipper on his jeans and undid the button. Removing her other hand just long enough to push his pants down, she quickly dug it into his ass again.

Fluttershy then also pushed his boxers down, allowing his length to spring free! She couldn't see it, but her hand could certainly feel it! And what she felt wasn't disappointing at least... When she touched him, she felt how his cock twitched in excitemeant! Probably a virgin, considering how quickly he melted... But he wasn't a bad kisser! Maybe he had fooled around with the fillies back home?

The lithe, gentle touch of Fluttershy's fingers almost pushed Rumble over the edge immediately! But he managed to hold on! Even when she began to gently stroke him! Her kissing, her touch... Her large breast, so soft and nice to knead... But his hand felt a little moist? Was that her milk? It had t be! Her tits were leaking because of him! He got an idea!

His other hand imitated what Fluttershy had done before to him! Moving down her back and then grabbing her ass! Good! He is growing bolder! Fluttershy was happily surprised. She had almost feared that she would have to lead him on for everything!

But as much fun as this was, It was time to move on for Shy! Her lips parting with Rumble's, and the two had caught their breaths, the mare looked down on her partner. "Not bad..." She whispered, barely audible to Rumble. It wasn't as impressive as King Sombra's, of course, or even as Rumble's older brother, but it was large enough. "Not bad at all... Let me take care of you!" She dropped down to her knees and closed her lips around his dick!

Again, Rumble barely managed to keep himself from blowing his load immediately! It was a herculenean effort, but for some reason he didn't want Fluttershy to think of him as a lightweight... As she did her work on him, he could see how the floor underneath Fluttershy was slowly getting darker! Her pussy had to be leaking quite a bit from her own arousal!

Rumble was surprised at how greedily the dainty Fluttershy was swallowing his length! It was almost like a starving pony gorging down on a carrot! Bobbing her head up and down, her tongue moving along the stallions cock like a snake, one hand playing with his balls, the other again digging into his ass... Despite his best efforts, he just couldn't last...

Letting out a groan, Rumble shot his load into Fluttershy's mouth to the brim! Looking at her, he was in disbelief at how easily she dealt with it, though some had escaped her lips and stained the fur of her face! "Tasty!" She told him with a smile after she had swallowed the load!

He couldn't believe that he was still errect after how hard he'd just cum! Usually, when... taking care of it himself, his little friend went flaccid rather quickly after relieving himself, but now, he was as hard, and maybe even more eager, than before!

Licking her snout clean, Shy stood up, walked a few steps and let herself drop down on her bed! "Now come to momma!" She beckoned him to come over, inviting him with her arms outstratched towards the young pegasus stallion! "But becareful with my little one!"

Driven purely by instinct, he followed suit! Momeants later, he was in her embrace, pushing his member into her wet, waiting folds!

Rumble couldn't believe it... He had cum inside Fluttershy twice already, and his body was pistoning away like they had just started! Fluttershy had locked her hooves and arms behind him, making it impossible for him to pull out... not that he wanted to!

But now, Shy removed one of her hands from behind his neck and grabbed the little bell on her desk. After giving it a short ring, she tossed it away, locked her legs and arms even tighter behind Rumble and, to avoid any questions, kissed him.

Behind Rumble, unbeknownst to him, the door quietly opened and two stallions sneaked in. Both weren't wearing anything, and one of them was carrying a bottle of lube. One had white fur and dark mane, the other dark fur and a bright mane. Soarin and Thunderlane. As Fluttershy had arranged beforehand.

Thunderlane looked over his brother's rear side. And smiled. Rumble had always been a smidge feminine looking, just enough to make him attractive even for many stallions that usually didn't swing that way. Including Thunderlane, if he was being honest. There had been that time he had accidentally come into his brother's room when Rumble had been changing, wearing jogging shorts and a tight t-shirt, giving him a very tomboy-girly look. And if Rumble hadn't been, well, his brother, and a stallion...

But with what had happened since he had come here, his services to King Sombra, the latter barrier had broken down already, and the former... if Lady Fluttershy wanted him to, who was he to disagree?

The two were already running a hand up and down their shafts to get ready for what Shy wanted them to do. Soarin climbed onto the bed behind her, in front of Rumble! The mare ceased her kiss with the young stallion, and this allowed him to focus on what was in front of him... Or rather, what just slapped against his cheek.

The face he made almost made Fluttershy laugh! He was so confused! And yet, in his aroused state, he looked almost entranced by Soarin's member! He wanted more! More pleasure! And now, Fluttershy pulled herself up a little and whispered into his ear: "Everypony has to be able to please King Sombra's needs, be they mare or stallion! And that includes you, Rumble! Show that you're willing to do whatever it takes to please your new king!"

A small voice in his head tried to caution Rumble, tried to hold him back! Maybe it was him generally not being interested in stallions? Or maybe it was the love to his home and Equestria as a whole? But it wasn't able to prevail against the haze of lust that clouded the young stallion's mind, the needy lust... Before he knew what he'd done, he was slobbering all over Soarin's length!

At the same time, he could faintly hear how the stallion behind him began to lube up! The squelch of the tube, the wet sound of the gel... And then, two gelled up fingers were pushed into his pucker! If Rumble hadn't already started sucking off the pegasus in front of him, his tongue would have started to hang out!

After a few very thorough momeants of lubing up his ass, the fingers retreated. It was almost disappointing! But then, he felt a pair of hands on his hips... and felt oddly familiar about these hands... Maybe if they weren't covered in lube, he would have been able to put his finger on it.

Not that he cared for long, once he felt his ass being pushed open by something far larger than a pair of fingers! Melting into bliss, he lost all sense of time. After a while, the stallion in front of him asked the one behind him in a rather smug tone: "How are you enjoying your little brother, Thunderlane?"

Suddenly, Rumble's mind was all too clear! Thunderlane?! HIS BROTHER WAS FUCKING HIM?! Why was he even here? Wasn't he supposed to be fighting under Princess Celestia? Maybe he had just misheard everything in his lusty stupor? "Soarin? If I had known what an ass Rumble has," indeed, it was his older brother's voice! "I would have fucked him much sooner!"

His own brother even... Why even consider resisting this? He should just... serve. Serve King Sombra and Fluttershy and be rewarded with bliss! These and similar thoughts went through Rumble's mind as he fucked and was fucked in return! The stallion in front of him, Soarin, pushed his length down Rumble's throat...

For the young stallion's first time, Soarin mused, he wasn't bad.

A while later Soarin blew his load and filled Rumble's mouth. He led it slide out of the younger stallion's mouth, wiping it off against the fur of his cheek jizz-bloated cheek.

It was... weird. He never had expected to enjoy something like this. Yet... he did! Quickly, he swallowd much of what was in his mouth, but before he could drink it all, Fluttershy's filigrane hand grabbed his face! "Don't you dare drink all of it just now! Show it to us!" Rumble slowly opened his mouth, presenting the thick cum on his tongue! "Good colt!" Shy purred. "Now, kiss me!"

As Rumble and Fluttershy were sloppily making out, the room's door opened again and King Sombra and his companions entered. Very much pleased with what they saw.

A few days later, Apple Bloom was carrying a tabled with snacks and drinks to the lab. Around her neck was a mix between choker and collar, and she wore a simple, yet good looking servants attire. "Mistress Twilight? Mistress Starligh? Zecora? I'm bringin' you,-!"

"Thank you, Apple Bloom." Twilight cut her off, not even looking up from a microscope with which she was inspecting something. "Put it over there!" With a gesture of her hand, she pointed at a little table in the other corner of the room.

After placing the tablet on the table, Apple Bloom watched what the others were doing. And especially Zecora's work caught her interest, as she mixed ingredients together to create a potion! "What is that?"

Zecora turned to look at the younger mare. She was surprised to see her show an interest in her potion craft, considering how Ponyville and its inhabitants had always avoided her! And now, this ponyvillian mare wanted to know what she had brewed?

"One of my potions, young one." Zecora answered. "Brews combining a variety of ingredients with magical and non-magical effects."

The earth pony grabbed a glass flask with a light blue liquid inside and eyed it curiously. "What can they do?"

"Some can heal, others change, yet others still can hurt. Some are temporal, others permanent."

"Could you teach that to me?" Apple Bloom asked Zecora, making big, pleading eyes as she put the flask back to its place!

A pupil? The zebra had to admit, the idea had something! Twilight and Starlight were learning a little bit about potioneering, but mostly as a side effect of working with her, and they were far too preoccupied with and focused on their magic to really get into brewing. Apple Bloom seemed honestly interested however. And as an earth pony, she had a connection to plants and such. Hmm... a mare from the town who spurned her...

But Zecora had to make sure that Apple Bloom really intended to pull through with it. And maybe have some fun. And, at the same time, she could test another potion she had just brewed. "Little one..." She told her slowly, grabbing a bottle with a bright pink liquid, "Let me test you with this. And if you pass, I will take you as my pupil."

Waiting only long enough to see her nod, Zecora drank some of the liquid. As she felt her heart beat speeding up and her body getting warmer, she offered it to the two unicorns. Curious, they too drank it. After a minute of not necessarily pleasant physical changes, three big dicked and horny futa mares surrounded the youngest of the apple siblings.

Bloom licked her lips. In less than a week, she had gone from an unexperienced virgin to somepony who was more than eager to indulge her newly awakened urges! And she was all too grateful to King Sombra and his followers for it! Now, indulging these urges, would allow her to learn something very interesting...

2 Allegiance

A few days after this fateful decision, Tempest Shadow lead Twilight, the four masked stallions and the egg that one of them was carrying through the Crystal Empire's castle.

Their plan had gone without a hitch! Twilight doing her own reconnaisance meant, that nopony would've been surprised! And with Celestia's heightened interest in her safety, the additional ponies and provisions also didn't appear strange. She and Tempest then just had to stir the chariot towards the premediated ambush spot and, as the guards made ready to defend them, the two mares had used Tempest Shadow's amulette to control their minds and have them don helmets!

It'd been almost too easy! Ah, the looks on the guards' faces when they realized that Twilight was about to use a mind control spell on them, when they'd turned around in utter shock and disbelief! For a momeant, she'd had a flicker of doubt... but then, there'd been only certainty! The certainty, that she'd made the correct choice!

Especially when at least some of Tempest's claims were proven correct once they'd gotten further away from the frontlines! The mind control helmet use reduced more and more, though a similar model without enchantmeant was used by guard units all the way to the capital, and ponies seemed generally happy and content... the hints of eldritch magic around their eyes not withstanding.

Over all, the ponies seemed well fed and living in decent enough conditions, with many depriations attributable to the needs of war, rather than maliciousness by Sombra and his troops. Some pillaging and looting aside, but that accompanied too many armies as to put too much blame on the king.

The guards in the capital meanwhile didn't even wear those helmets. Instead, they wore a far nicer looking replacemeant that didn't make them look like something straight out of a nightmare! The city, in general looked nice and clean and surprisingly peaceful.

Twilight was torn from her thoughts as they came to a hold in front of a large door, flanked by guards, obviously the entrance to the throne room. "Guards! Open the door!" Tempest ordered them. "I am bringing a present for His Majesty!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The guards replied in unison while saluting. Quickly, they opened the two massive doors and the throne room revealed itself to Twilight. Guards lined the the walls to the left and right and, at the end, there was a dais with two thrones, again flanked by guards.

For the first time in her life, Twilight Sparkle gazed upon King Sombra. To his right, in the other throne, sat a heliotrop colored unicorn mare with arctic blue mane, a diadem on her head. That had to be Radiant Hope, Sombra's consort! Though even without the throne or diadem that wouldn't have been hard to figure out, considering how she stretched over her throne over to Sombra and cuddled herself against his arm.

King Sombra himself was, as much as Twilight could tell from his slouched posture on the throne, huge, probably nearly rivalring Princess Celestia. He obviously was well built, muscular, nearly brutish looking, betraying the fiendishly sharp mind housed in this body. Yet he didn't quite look as buff as a bodybuilder might. Despite all of his mass, there still was a certain... sleekness to his build as well.

His legs were protected by armored boots and greaves and his chest by a beautifully crafted cuirass. All pieces of armor were made from dark gray steel. His arms were unarmored, only covered by wine red sleeves, possibly part of a tunic, that was visible also underneath the breast plate. His groin might've been armored, however it was covered by a sort of... loin cloth? Tabbard? Fashion wasn't Twilight's field of expertise at all! Even the quality of the fabric was hard to judge, but it probably was very expensive.

Over his shoulders, she saw what probably was a red cape with a white fur trimming with black spots. Missing gauntlets and arm protection aside, he was the very picture of the evil overlord and looked exactly how anypony in Equestria would imagine him. Especially with the baleful green magic oozing from his eyes.

However, unlike how he looked in many of the publications in Equestria, his face wasn't all that cruel and monstrous, the fangs aside! He actually looked quite... handsome?

The king's dark red, curved horn proudly portruded from his forehead, topped by a circlet of iron, his crown as ruler of the Crystal Empire! His dark face looked surprisingly young for a being over a thousand years old, but then again, so did Celestia. It was framed by short, black sideburns that went down to around the height of his eyes. Next to his fangs, those, of course, were the most tell-tale sign of his nature. Red eyes, with little to no mercy to give, the eldritch green glow and the purple streaks of magic oozing from them. Something she'd seen, in varying levels of intensity, on every pony in the conquered areas.

In any case, his build did cause Twilight to get a bit... worked up. And why shouldn't she? He looked like somepony from the cover of a cheap romance novel, a picture of virility and strength! From a purely logical standpoint, physically alone, he'd make a great donor of genetic material, then add his undeniable intelligence and, especially for a mare with her brains and talents, and they'd probably produce highly gifted foals! And his physique and achievemeants also promised more than adequate pleasure while the... donation was being processed.

Their steps echoing through the hall, despite them being muffled by the carpet, King Sombra looked up at them, just before one guard announced: "TEMPEST SHADOW, CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARD, HAS RETURNED FROM HER MISSION!"

They were still too far away from the thrones to accurately see it, but Twilight had the feeling that Sombra just rolled his eyes at the procclamation. He obviously had seen it already...

Coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs to the dais, Tempest dropped to one knee and Twilight and her companions emulated her. "Your Highness?"

"Yes, Tempest Shadow?" King Sombra bent forward, supporting his face on one fist as he replied to her. His voice was deep and booming, but in a surprisingly pleasant way. It was that kind of voice that, depending on the way one spoke, could be be reassuring, calming, kind... or auhoritarian and oppressive. It also had something hypnotically calming to it. Maybe it was because of the magic that was constantly emitted from him, but it might've just as well been a natural side effect of it

"As you can see, I have returned and fullfilled my mission. This is Twilight Sparkle, former chief of staff to none other than Princess Celestia herself!" Tempest told him and asshe looked up, she saw him give her a short nod of acknowledgmeant. It was all she needed. Tempest hushed a short "Your turn!" to Twilight.

Twilight swalloed hard. She'd been thinking about what to say, and how to say it, all the time on the way here. Now, as she knealt before King Sombra however, she stuttered from nervosity. "Y-your H-highness! King Sombra! I am Twilight Sparkle, colonel in the equestrian army... formerly. I-I have come to s-serve you!"

"Rise!" He told her.

"Yes, your Highness!" She snapped, military reflex kicking in. Next, she tried to tell him about what she could offer him, "I... I am... I have expertise in logistics, tactics and strategic planning! I also am learned in magic and history..."

She was interrupted by a wave of his hand. Sombra didn't need to hear it. He already knew more than enough about her, Tempest having sent many reports. He knew what an asset she would be... But first, her convinction needed to be tested, her loyalty steeled, bonds forged. Magical bonds. "Tell me. Why did you decide to betray your Princess?"

"Because... because..." She steadied herself, and as she now began, pent up frustrations began to gush out of her mouth! "Because I have been working my ass off in her service! I have given her my best and in return I got nothing but scorn from the ponies of Equestria! For any defeat, any setback I got the blame! For every victory, she got the credit!"

She took a deep breath before she continued, "My brother and sister-in-law both are adored heroes, while I..." The unicorn swallowed what she'd wanted to say there, but the bitterness had been audible in her voice. Instead, she changed changed her angle a bit. "Also, the last few years, Equestria faced, not including the war with you, King Sombra, an attack by Nightmare Moon, who turned out to be be Celestia's own sister, Luna!" She took a deep breath and continued... "Then, barely a year after that, we got terrorized by Discord, the spirit of chaos they'd sealed away a thousand years ago! And after that Queen Chrysalis and her changelings! Their invasion occured during my brothers wedding no less! She'd kidnapped his bride, took her place, hypnotized Shining Armor and nearly got me to kill Cadence!"

Twilight felt actual anger creeping into her voice now! It was nothing but the truth. In less than what? Three years? Equestria had faced three existential threats and was fighting the fourth one! "Each time, the attack was beaten back only by mane's breadth... And with how the war with the Crystal Empire is going, this one might the fight Celestia can't win! I want to bring order, stability and peace back to Equestria, and if that means turning my back on Celestia and serving you instead, your Highness, so be it! I believe that you are capable of bringing these things back to Equestria and to keep it save!" And, with grim determination, she also added: "After all... who would dare to stand against the great King Sombra once Princess Celestia is defeated? Chrysalis? Maybe, but with the combined might of the Crystal Empire and Equestria, even her hive should fall in the end!"

All of that was true! And with newfound determination and a calm, steady voice full of conviction, she finished: "I, Twilight Sparkle, swear to serve you, King Sombra, with every fibre of my body. I promise to further your goals with every breath I take, to be loyal to you for as long as I live!"

She saw how his lips parted in a satisfied grin, saw the white sparkling teeth and fangs in his mouth. "Twilight Sparkle..." Sombra's voice echoed through the throne room, surprising Twilight by having a certain warmth to it. "I accept you into my services! However... I want to test how far your loyalty actually goes..."

The turncoat swalloed hard, dreading what it might be! Maybe she'd have to kill one or more of her escort? She would go through with it, but it might still be a tough thing to do, she'd known them for quite a while now... Then again, it wouldn't be a test of loyalty if it was easy for her...

His command was a single, simple word: "Strip!"

"What?" The request had utterly surprised Twilight. It even took a few momeants for her to really understand what he just had told her. When the coin dropped, she repeated her previous question... just far more shocked! "WHAT?!"

"Strip!" Sombra repeated and, on a whim, decided to tell her why! "How could I trust somepony who, after swearing to do EVERYTHING to further my goals, is unable to comply with such a trifle?"

Radiant Hope giggled. Ah, Sombra... you and your libido! It was good that she had made plans to find suitable candidates for a royal harem...

Twilight blushed heavily as she began to take off her uniform, but she did so with the speed of a soldier following an order. First, her boots went, quickly followed by her fatigues and finally her underwear. Now, she stood there, naked, in front of King Sombra!

He looked her body up and down. Certainly not unattractive, but awfully bland... Well, luckily there were ways to fix this. "Come closer, Twilight Sparkle!"

"Y-yes, my King!" She answered as she slowly, uncertainly moved towards the throne. When she reached it, she came to a hold directly in front of Sombra, and from close up, he seemed even larger! He was only half a head shorter than Celestia... if that! And then, the king revealed that no, his groin wasn't covered by armor as he flipped back the fabric that had hidden it. His stallionhood was on proud display, and that pride had good reason.

Twilight stared at the obsidian-colored flesh pillar between Sombra's legs and it was easils the largest she'd ever seen. Well, some drawn or animated internet porn aside, but the large stuff there usually was more silly than anything else! And she could feel something else... He looked like a unicorn, but there was something... Off... Like, he wasn't truly a pony?

She looked over at Radiant Hope, her body not too dissimilar to Twilight's. Rather slight over all. Certainly didn't look like she could take a dick like Sombra's, so maybe, there was something more going on here than just pure physical size... Maybe some sort of magic?

The king looked at Twilight. "Tempest Shadow told me that you are rather... frustrated? I do reward good service, and to test your committmeant as well as an advanced paymeant..."

"You... you are offering me to... to..." Twilight's pussy was drenched already at the thought of it. So long she'd supressed her body's needs as much as possible, or any relief she could give it to it was unsatisfactory! But now? Now this prime specimen of a stallion, a true stud, offered himself to her, as test, and reward, for her services? "Offering me to service you with my body?"

"Yes."

Her eyes transfixed on his gential, Twilight breathed her reply. "Thank you, my king!" and began, for the first time, to service somepony with her mouth. The few times she had had sex had been solely to quench the heat-caused lust. No foreplay, just a quick rut. But now? She had to make it good for her sovereign!

It was very obvious that she was inexpierenced, starting with the first, tentative kisses on shaft and flare, but the enthusiasm was there. However, that wasn't what Sombra wanted. "Stop the foreplay. I see that you yourself are more than ready! Come, climb into my lap!"

Twilight did as she was told. Sitting in Sombra's lap, and if she ignored his cock between her ass cheeks, somehow reminded her of when she was younger... But why would she want to ignore the feeling of that hot, hard piece of meat?

A large, dark hand waved in front of her face as Sombra told her "You may begin!"

"Yes, your highness!" That came out with more excited eagerness than she'd expected! Twilight raised herself up and placed Sombra's flare at the entrance of her pussy and then, she lowered herself. Slowly, she felt the king's rod push into her and was her earlier assumption was proven correct: There was some sort of magic at work! His cock, despite its size, slipped in with little additional pressure needed and filled her out perfectly! It stretched her out enough to make her feel full, but not so much as to hurt!

Twilight had lowered herself far enough to feel his medial ring press against her labia. Already, she had a rather demeanted grin on her face, teeth gritted and eyes mad with ecstasy.

Letting out a lusty giggle she bottomed out, feeling his tip pressing against her womb! "That... that's certainly a... cock worthy of a king!" Twilight panted, her hand running over her abdomen, feeling it bulge out slightly from the size inside of her. Then, she slowly started to move.

Sombra smiled. No! He grinned! It was a very satisfied grin and then, his horn started to glow in a baleful light. Twilight felt his magic hit her, felt it encase her own horn and seep into her body and very soul.. And it felt good!

As this had gone on, Radiant Hope had done nothing but observe, a small smile on her lips, but now, she too had something to say. "You may be wondering what the king is doing right now? My beloved has found out that his magic produces a far superior effect when done during states of heightened excitemeant and arousal. It digs far deeper into the recipient!"

But Twilight barely paid attention. Every time she rose and let herself fall down she called out one part of a sentence. "I! AM! YOURS! KING SOMBRA! MY HEART!! BODY! AND SOUL!"

Radiant suddenly rose from her throne and let out a pearly laugh as she told Twilight, "You are a keeper!" She turned to her husband and ran a finger along his cheek. Sombra turned to look at her, and the two kissed. "Come on, honey! Finish her!"

Sombra returned her prior gesture, his own finger running over Hope's cheek and then her mouth. His other hand, meanwhile, grabbed Twilight's head and pulled her towards him, her chest pressing against the breast plate of his armor.

There was a common expectation that evil overlords didn't care for banalities like "kissing", but only about getting off and, maybe, driving their partners to climax as a show of potency. Sombra however considered sex something to be sampled. Why rush it? Of course, quickies could be fun in their own ways, but way rush it when you had all the time you wanted to? Why not sample a pair of luscious lips? No! Sex was something that should savoured to him!

And so, Twilight found her face right in front to King Sombra's, a situation that a short time ago she would've seen as nearly impossible at best and her worst nightmare at worst! And now, she was turned on like never before! Slowly, Sombra's face closed the little gap between them and, before she knew, their lips met. Her eyes closed as she got more and more into the kiss, as Sombra's tongue pushed into her mouth and dominated her own.

At this momeant, she knew that she'd do everything King Sombra would ask from her, and do it gladly! She finally had a chance to gain recognition, he could satisfy her for the first time, she felt the spell increase her magical power and ensure her loyalty to him.

When her eyes next opened, the same baleful glow that was seen on Sombra's other servants was in them. And then, she screamed as her orgasm roled over her. A momeant later, Sombra came as well, his cum filling her womb

As she panted heavily, basking in the after-glow or her orgasm, she didn't notice Sombra making a hand gesture to one of the guards behind his throne. The pony stepped forward and handed something to him. He bend forward and placed it around Twilight's neck.

She looked down at herself and saw, above her breasts, an amulette showing a black amulette inlaid with red gems. It had the shape of a triangular shield with an alicorn on top, but, strangely, it seemed to have been put in chains... "What... what is this?"

"This is the alicorn amulette! A powerful magical artifact that will amplify your might! To allow you to be a better servant for me!"

Radiant Hope also chimed in, "However, it's been enchanted to reduce its power, for multiple reasons!"

"Those would be?" Twilight asked automatically, her actual attention still firmly fixed on the necklace.

"Well..." Hope started, tapping her cheek with her index finger, "We aren't stupid enough to give you enough power to challenge the king! But also, the alicorn amulette has the somewhat nasty side effect of driving its wearer mad with power! Forgetting the motivation that got them to put on the amulette in the first place, underestimating their opponents, proceeding to use utterly disproportional retribution... That sort of stuff! The spell put on it, the chains you see on it, does not only limit the power, but also reduces that effect!"

Sombra placed a large hand on her ass, groping and squeezing it. As his other hand grabbed his wife's ass, he spoke again. "It will also intensify the loyalty spell that I've put on you! And if you try to betray me... you won't like what it'll do to you!" Here, a foreboding chuckle escaped his throat "However, it won't keep you from plotting, only from enacting those plots! You may wonder why, but the answer is easy: Some of the ideas you come up with might be useful for my purposes!"

By now, Twilight felt the amulette's magic seep into her, felt how it changed her body.. She felt her body lengthen, her breasts and hips grow! She felt her musculature strengthen and began to approach the size of Tempest's! And then, a pair of dark, narrow wings with a line that glowed faintly blue on their upper side, sprouted from her back. Twilight had turned into a sort of pseudo-alicorn! A very self-satisfied smirk crossed her lips...

Slowly, still a bit unsatisfied, she climbed off of her new overlord and nearly fell to her knees when her hooves hit the ground. Her knees were shaky after orgasm, and she was unused to her new height and proportions!

She also felt a steady trickle of cum running down her legs. Twilight catched some of the spunk runnning out of her cunt and licked her hand clean. "Your majesty.... you are delicious!"

Sombra turned his head to her. "This is not the only present have for you! In her reports, Tempest-" The mare seemed to show a hint of pride AND embarassmeant on her face as the king apparently saw her choice in Twilight to have been a good one, -"told me that she believes that you have a lot of potential, and from what I have seen in you, that's been confirmed. I took the liberty to order a new set of clothes to be made for you, more fit to my new court mage!"

Again he gestured to the guards behind the throne, again a guard approached, carrying a quite small bundle of clothes. Twilight took it, hastily looked it over and put it on.

It certainly was emphasizing her her new body nicely! A pair of short boots made out of soft, purple leather and gold covered her calves, her legs otherwise bare. Around her hip was a metal belt, the front holding a strip of purple cloth, covered in golden embroidery that kept her private parts from undeserving eyes. In the back there was a sort of half-skirt that reached nearly to the ground.

Greaves of purple leather and gold covered her forearms, and something similar also protected her upper arms. Covering her neck and shoulders were similary looking leather plates, forming a sort of cross between collar and pauldron. And her breast was "covered" by a pseudo bra of similar style, two plates strapped to her body by being tied to her upper arm coverage and her shoulder guards, as well as on her back. And probably magic, since the cups weren't connected on the front.

Twilight looked down at herself, wishing there'd been a mirror nearby... "Just momeants ago, I never would've dreamed to wear something like this... too revealing, too unfitting for my former body... But now? It feels like the only thing to do with a body, and powers, like mine! Showing everypony what I have and they will only get if I want them too! The things that are the propery of you, your highness!"

Sombra smirked as Twilight was just about to turn around and walk back to her group, when suddenly Radiand Hope spoke to her teasingly: "Didn't you forget something? Maybe... to thank somepony for allowing you to fuck her husbands fat cock?"

"Of course! I'm so sorry, your highness! I'm truly, truly grateful for your generosity to share his Highness with but a humble servant!" A startled Twilight hastily added, internally scolding herself for not showing her queen the proper respect.

As Twilight turned to walk down the stairs from the dais, Radiant gave her a playful slap across her backside. "Good girl!" She cheered, watching as Twilight walked away.

Twilight looke d over her shoulder, smiling back at the queen. "Thank you, your majesty! I am glad you approve of me!"

As she came to a halt next to Tempest, noticing how, despite their mind control, the guards she'd brought with her were getting hard, Twilight did a 180° turn to face Sombra again. Again, his voice echoed through the hall. "And now, I have one last gift for you, General Twilight Sparkle!"

General? That had such a nice ring to her ears! Finally! FINALLY she got what she'd been denied for so long!

Another guard moved up from behind the throne and handed the gift to Twilight: It was a staff and she could see that it too was a powerful magical artifact.

Made out of a dark, nearly black wood, inlaid with silver, its top crowned by a large, polished amethyst "grabbed" by four prongs emerging from the staff it certainly looked like something one would expect from an evil sorcerer!

Twilight took it in her hands and slammed the bottom end onto the floor. The echo in the throne room was supported by a flare of magic coming from the gem! Oh yes, this was certainly powerful! Staff and amulette together might even amplify her strength to approach the levels of King Sombra and Princess Celestia! And in any case, the staff certainly was solid, and heavy, enough to bash someponies head in.

"I..." She struggled to find words to express her gratitude, "I am truly honored, your majesty! In less than an hour of serving you, I have received more recognition than in my entire service for Equestria! Please, let me present my own presents for you!"

Stretching out her arm and pointing at her "escort", Twilight procclaimed, "These four stallions had been made to accompany me on reconnaisance trips by Princess Celestia herself. When I defected, Tempest and I put them under the mind-control spell. Do with them as you like!"

Sombra scratched his chin. More soldiers, even in small numbers, certainly always were welcome, however there probably was a better use for those four guys than to put them into his army... Of course! "I'll allow you to keep them, as your personal guard. As a matter of fact, you may choose some of the guards in the throne room to add to them as well!"

Twilight's eyes fell on an orange pegasus. Well, one choice was certain already. And five more, to keep it a nice, round number... Yes. Him, then another stallion and four of the mares...

She walked up to the pegasus and barked at him, "Guard! What is your name?!"

"Flash Sentry, ma'am!" He replied, snapping to salute.

"Good..." Her hand started to rub his thights and then moved up from there. "Oh my... Flash! Your balls feel so heavy... You haven't gotten off lately, have you?"

Flash swallowed hard. "N-no, ma'am!"

"How long has it been since your last time?" A sultry tone that surpirsed Twilight herself entered her voice.

"G-giving, or receiving?" He asked.

The pseudo-alicorn's eyes widened, "Receiving? You mean..."

"His, nnh.." The pegasus groaned as Twilight fondled his balls, "His Majesty sometimes.... sometimes uses... uses whatever pony strikes his fancy for the momeant to relive himself of his load..."

"So his Highness fucked your slutty ass?" She teased him, "Ravaged that tight hole of yours? Pumped his royal load into your anus?

"Yes..." Flash answered, feeling how his cock stiffened at what she was doing.

Twilight further prodded him, "How long ago?"

His answer sounded a bit uncertain, "A few weeks, maybe? And... while I was allowed to orgasm, he used magic to keep me from... relieving the pressure!"

"Oh, Flashy~" She cooed into his ear. "You're going to be a good colt for me, yes?" Slowly starting to jerk his half-stiffened cock as she asked him that.

"Y-yes, ma'am..."

"I'm so going to edge you..." Twilight whispered into his hear in a husky tone as she intensified her movemeants along his shaft. "You and three others! And you will be allowed to cum only once a month, to give me a nice, large... thick load! Unless his Highness decides to have his way with me, then that might be delayed! Then you'll have to wait a while longer..."

Somewhat surpirsingly, his answer came with firmer voice now, more decisive! "Yes, ma'am!" Maybe he found that he wanted to be her plaything? Then again, how would that be surprising, now that she had a body that would give many stallions an errection just by looking at her? The allure of power, sex-appeal and danger, some of the benefits of her new appearance...

"Good..." She nodded, more to herself than anything. Pointing at a few other ponies, she said: "I also want him, him, her, her and her! Form up with the others!"

The ponies she'd called out formed up behind the original four guards, when... "And my other present! Show him!" She snapped at one of the guards she'd brought with her. He stepped forward and presented the egg. "It is a dragon's egg!"

Sombra was actually suprised by that claim! Curious, he leaned forward, his chin cupped by his right hand. That certainly was something! If they could hatch the egg, a dragon would be a most useful asset! Flying, fire breathing bricks with claws like spears and teeth like daggers!

"Princess Celestia has had it for years! It was my entrance test for her school... I have no idea why she kept it around, especially in the military camp. Maybe, she had hoped that some day a pony would come along that might hatch it?"

Radiant Hope raised an eyebrow! "So, it was in her possession for nearly two decades at least and the egg hasn't hatched?"

Twilight shrugged. "I Maybe this egg needs just the right kind of magical input to hatch? Would explain why she wanted me to use magic to hatch it in the first place!"

What she heard next surprised Twilight, and basically everypony else in the throne room. Sombra rose from his throne and told them, "Let us try together, Twilight Sparkle! Let us treat this as your final test! And this time, unlike with Celestia, you will succeed! You are more experienced than when you were a filly, I have given you powerful magical artifacts to amplify your substantial abilities and... I will aid you personally!"

Suddenly, Twilight Sparkle felt insecurity rise again... She'd failed this as a filly, and now, in front of her new liege? And he'd participate in this himself?! If she failed... what would happen to her? She swallowed hard, knowing that there was no way for her to back out! It was Do... or Die!

She commanded the guard pony to place the egg a bit to the side of the throne, and thenm she began to concentrate. The egg started to be engulfed in a purple glow. So far, Sombra didn't interfere... Maybe he waited for the right momeant? Wanted to let herself try and find a good angle?

Twilight put more magic into it, the aura around the egg intensifying, a stream of magic from her horn flowing into it! She felt that something was going on inside of the egg... What she was doing actually had an effect!

She closed her eyes and ever increased her magical output, when, suddenly, she felt another kind of magic mix with her own... Slowly, Twilight looked up and saw how King Sombra had begun to help her... help her more than Celestia ever did! His dark magic poured into and mixed with her own, flooded into the egg!

And then... The egg! It cracked! It was working! Yet they didn't reduce the stream of magic! No, instead they increased it! Where there was one crack, more quickly followed! A small hole appeared and swiftly widened! And they saw movemeant between the egg shells!

A small, spade-shaped tip of a tail poked through... and started to grow! More and more of the egg got pushed away! They could see something through the holes that were created, writhing and growing!

But then, the movemeant stopped! And, for a minute, nothing happened. Twilight even began to worry that, maybe, the magic could've been too much for the organism inside? Hopefully, King Sombra would understa...

Suddenly, the intact rest of the top half of the egg burst apart, and a dragon arose from the remnants of the egg. At least as tall as Twilight herself,if not a bit taller! The dragon's scales were of green and purple, a trail of spikes ran down her spine and its physique was rather... attractive. As the dragon turned around, it became obvious to Twilight that she was a dragoness. And a pretty thicc one, with very shapely hipps!

Her upper body wasn't quite as impressive but nice to look at nonetheless, and she was certainly rather muscular, though that was difficult to judge with dragon musculature. From what little she'd read, there was a good amount of dragons were far stronger than their lithe shape would suggest!

She didn't even care for anypony in the room, instead doing some moves to... loosen up a bit? A handstand with splits, really showing off her ass, a leg raised up vertically, that sort of stuff.

Twilight and the others just watched, partially from surprise, partially from shock, partially due to enjoying the show of the nude reptile performing gymnastics! But then, it finally sunk in with Twilight! "It worked? It worked! IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!!" Twilight laughed! FINALLY! Finally, her old failure, her old shame had been corrected!"

The dragoness turned around to face them, standing at an angle to have both, Twilight and King Sombra, in her field of view. She looked from Twilight to King Sombra and back, and asked them, nonchalantly, "Sooo... what's my name?"

Both the king and Twilight were a bit taken aback at this."How about... hmm.. those Spikes on your head, back and tail... Spike does sound too masculine for you though! How about 'Barb'"? Twi cautiously suggested.

She thought about it for a momeant, then, Barb smiled broadly! "I like it!"

"Excuse the curiosity, but,-" Twilight cautiously asked, "-why... why can you talk?"

Barb looked at her in confusion! "Why shouldn I be able to talk? Do you think dragons are mindless brutes that communicate by growling at one another?"

"NO!" The pseudo-alicorn hastily replied, "I mean, because you just hatched!"

The dragon shrugged. "No Idea!" "But when you pumped all that magic into me, it did more than cause me to grow! I think that, maybe, without wanting to, your didn't only age me up and infuse me with magic, but also with your knowledge?"

That... was possible? Certainly would be somethign that should be researched! Better to change the topic! "Also... aren't you... wouldn't you prefer to wear some clothes, instead of standing around bare naked in front of everypony?"

"Well, maybe it's a sort of genetic knowledge, or a side effect of the magic or whatever, but...-" Barb paused for a momeant, her tone sounding uncertain, "-as far as I feel... know, dragons aren't all that big on clothing. Living in a hot environmeant, bathing in lava and just having steel hard scales makes it kind off superflous! I'm not opposed to it, but don't really see any need for it just now!"

Now the dragon giggled as she had a thought! "Though on the topic of nudity... Anyone up for some sex? I'm really horny!"

"What?" Twilight, Tempest, Radiant and, at least so they thought, even King Sombra, were surprised at the dragon's sudden

"I'm pretty fucking horny right now! Like, I really want to get my cunt pounded! Or eat somepony out, or have some hot cum shot down my throat, or..." She noticed how most of the ponies in the throne room stared at her. "Hey! Don't look at me like that! I mean, you were pumping me full of magic, education and what do I know what and what that stuff did to me! So I think my libido falls back on you and the king!"

After a minute of uncomfortable silence and neither Sombra nor Twilight wanting to admit to have anything to do with Barb's sexual urges, the king cleared his throat, changing the subject. "Now then, Twilight Sparkle, after all this has been taken care off, there's one more pony you should meet..." His voice magically amplified, he called, "STARLIGHT GLIMMER!!!"

A few minutes later, another mare entered the throne room. She had a pale pink coat and purple mane with light blue highlights and wore a rather conservative dress underneath a labcoat. She gave a quick bow to Sombra. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Meet your new superior!" He told her.

For a few momeants, Starlight stared at him in shock. Then, she found her voice. "My... new... WHAT?! You're replacing me as head of Magical Research?!"

Head of Magical Research? Twilight liked the sound of that! Before the war, she'd seen some interesting theories, spells and other things which hadn't been tried, either due to a lack of ressources, participants, or, as she now mused, too many ethical concerns. But considering who her knew ruler was, those concerns might not be concerns for much longer... A dreadful shine creeped into her eyes!

"Yes! I think your replacemeant is far more suited for that job than you are!"

Starlight raised her voice to as close as a shout as was possible without actually shouting, anger and indignation clearly audible! "I was the one who did the work on improving the brainwashing spell! Spent countless hours searching through the library, reading through ancient tomes and cross-referencing and checking dozens upon dozens of all the books in the whole castle!" Clearly fuming, she continued after taking a deep breath, "I am the one who found the right combination and adjustemeants for that myriad of spells that were necessary for the spell to get where it is now! And now I'm being cast aside for your new toy?!"

"Not at all... But she is far more powerful than you, Starlight, as you should have noticed! I want you to work for her! You two probably could achieve great things together!" Sombra let out a dark chuckle, "Or, you'll resist this change in arrangemeants and suffer the consequences!"

"Are you threatening me, your Highness?!" Of course, Starlight had known that this was a chance, that she'd outlive her usefulness... She had some contingency plans, but... Enacting them now might be an issue.. She tried to appeal to him. "After all I've..."

"I wasn't talking about what I would do..." He cut her off, his voice scaringly calm, but with a hint of smug self-satisfaction. "I was talking about Twilight!"

Suddenly, Starlight felt very uneasy as she noticed the look in Twilight's eyes! As if it'd been a signlar for Twilight, she took a few steps and stood behind the other mare, seeing how Starlight's fur stood on edge!

The tone of Twilight's voice turned Starlight's guts into ice. She sounded sultry, but with a barely hidden edge to it, a threat of things to come to anypony that was to stand in her way! "We can do that the easy way... or..." She licked over Starlight's neck. "I'll turn you into my prime candidate for some experimeants I'm cooking up in my mind right now!"

Something cold ran down Sunset's spine as she heard her trail of thought. And then, Sombra joined in again. "Alternatively, you might want to share the fate of that failed traitor? What was her name again?"

"Cozy Glow!" Radiant Hope putforward and Sombra nodded in agreemeant.

Starlight Glimmer knew that objecting further would be foolish, and maybe working for her wouldn't be so bad after all! This Twilight Sparkle... It felt like there was something to her! Yes! Together, they might be able to reach unthought of heights! And in any case, if anything went wrong... the bit stopped with the boss! And then, maybe, Starlight would get her old post back! "I... I accept my new role!" And then, turning to Twilight, she added, "I hope, that our work together will bear great fruits for His Highness!"

Twilight meanwhile told her, "I hope that you and I will get to know each other very well! And that we get along great for our work!"

Again, Starlight looked at Twilight, taken aback again, but only for a momeant. It wasn't like she wasn't used to it... in her old village, well... And since she served King Sombra, the King had had his way with her a few times times... and a number of the palace guards were quite handsome! All in all, it could be worse. Much worse!

Radiant Hope cleared her throat, trying to get their attention. "Twilight, we have prepared chambers for you, near the library and the laboratories! I hope they'll suit you! They include a small lab of their own!"

Then, she turned to the dragoness. "We didn't expect you, so it will take a while to prepare a room for you, Barb. I hope that's not an issue?"

"Not at all, your Highness!" She waved her off, "I just need to find something to do to pass the time!"

"Hmm..." Twilight made herself noticed again, scratching her chin. "Maybe a dragon's resilience could be quite useful... And I guess I could use an assistant, at least as long as the king has nothing else for you to do!"

Barb's ear-fins perked up as she heard that, the suggestion of being Twilight's assistant making her strangely happy! "I'll be the best assistant you can imagine!" Somehow, Twilight found the dragons enthusiasm endearing and, having her around, happy to be her assistent, for some reason made her feel like the world was one step closer to how it should be...

Radiant rang a bell to call a servant in, telling him, "Prepare another room, one suitable for a dragon! And near the one that had been prepared this morning!"

With a quick bow, the servant quickly retreated.

As Twilight, Starlight and Barb prepared to leave, Sombra interuppted them: "Once you're done helping Twilight, Barb, report to the armory to get an armor made for you! Your scales might be tough, but If you're going to serve in battle, I want you properly equipped!"

"Yes, your Highness!" She agreed.

Twilight meanwhile turned to the mare that had brought her to the Crystal Empire! "Tempest? Could you accompany us? There's something I want to try..."

Tempest was surprised to hear that, not knowing what she might want! "What?"

"How you taste and how good YOUR tongue is... If I'm honest, I wanted to know that since the spring!" Twilight laughed!

The four walked down the hallways of the castle, Starlight leading them to the lab. Twilight's staff echoed through everytime its butt hit the ground as they chatted about random stuff. But then, Barb just had to ask them about something: "Could one of your first things to make in the lab be a potion that keeps partners in bed ready and eager for the whole night?"

"Barb..." Twilight looked at her, "You're surprisingly thirsty for someone who just hatched..."

"I was hatched by magic full of your supressed sexual desires and King Sombra!" Barb shot back with a smug grin, "Sounds pretty pot and kettle to me!

Twilight glared at her for a momeant... And then tried to change the topic, asking Starlight: "How did you come to serve His Highness?"

For a momeant, Starlight Glimmer just stared at her hooves. She sighed and started to explain: "When I was a filly, my only friend got his cutie mark... It showed that his special talent was related to magic, he'd always had a knack for it, and he ended up going to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He ran out on us playing together and was off to school... Never saw him again after that..."

"Yikes! I know why I never cared about friendship..." The last part, Twilight muttered under her breath.

Barb meanwhile had harsher words for that: "What an a-" But she was cut off before she could finish.

"Don't."Starlight shot a glare at Barb. "Let me continue, please!" She took a deep breath and... "For quite a while, that left me in a very bad place meantally, twisted my view on Cutie Marks and friendship and caused me to take some rather... extreme measures!" It seemed to the others that she blushed in embarassmeant as she said that last bit.

Twilight scoffed. "Please, it can't have been anything too bad!"

Chuckling in embarassmeant, Starlight decided to explain a bit more: "Weeeeell... I gathered a group of ponies and started a cult, trying to get rid of Cutie Marks and make all ponies 'the same', because differences and stuff only tear friendships apart! We even had our own town in the middle of nowhere!"

"OK... that DOES sound a tad extreme..." Twilight had to admit!

"But... shortly after the war started, I received a letter from him... from Sunburst, my old friend... " Starlight sounded rather glum as she said this.

"What?" Tempest asked, "After what? Years?"

She nodded. ""It started by saying that, if I receive this letter, it meant that he's dead..."

The others stood there in stunned silence and after a few momeants, Starlight continued, "And, he explained what had happened: It turned out that his talent had been related to magic, but THEORETICAL magic, learning about magic, rather than applied magic. He... didn't do well in school and then ended up being so embarassed about this, that he couldn't bear meet me again... He considered himself a failure!"

Again she paused for a momeant, letting out a sigh. "When the war started, he volunteered, considering it his duty to help protect Equestria, to support Princess Celestia, wanting to proof his worth after all! And it caused him to make up his mind... if he survived, he wanted to meet me again, appologize and explain, but in the case he didn't, he wrote the letter..."

Barb swallowed heavily. "My condolences..."

"Mine as well!" Twilight agreed.

Tempest just added a heavy nod.

"The last information in the letter was that he was serving with some other magically gifted unicorns under Celestia and was soon to move out..."

"Must've been before I got promoted into command..." Twilight mused. "But... how did this lead to you joining his Highness?"

"After I read the letter, I... well, I guess you can imagine that I was in a rather bad place meantally?" The unicorn shrugged, "Sunburst never reconnected with me because he was ashamed because of his perceived failure, not because of his Cutie Mark or any reason I had imagined and here I was running an equality cult... I grew even more bitter than before, but the target of my resentmeant had changed! Now, it was Princess Celestia!

Twilight stared at her for a momeant. Maybe she wondered why? But then, Starlight continued: "And then, King Sombra lead a raiding party into Equestria and stumbled across our town... And... he offered us to come and live under his rule... Well... offered... I take that you can imagine the actual choice? Seeing my chance to take revenge on Princess Celestia for Sunburst, and having a bit of a change of my point of view, I convinced my friends to accept. We joined, I became his head-scholar... until now... Sugar Belle heads the castle's bakery, others joined the palace guard..." Then, she trailed off.

The group continued down the corridors in silence after that. At least until Barb whined "I'm hungry..."

The others were actually happy for that rather sudden and extreme change of mood, though it did give them some whiplash! "I mean, you just hatched, so I guess that makes sense?" Twi hazarded.

"Well, the castle better stack up on gems for eating, otherwise I might end up eating some of the walls! They do smell tasty!" Barb told her, licking her lips with her long tongue!

"Hmm..." Starlight had an idea! "We could stop at the bakery for a snack! I'm sure Sugar Belle has something for us, and it's next to the main kitchen in any case!"

3 Butterfly behind bars

A few days after she joined Sombra's forces, Twilight, as a test, lead her first raid against Equestria: An attack on the very supply lines for Celestia's army that she herself had organised just a short time before!

On this, she was accompanied by Tempest Shadow and Barb the Dragon, together with a handful of soldiers! Barb was wearing the armor that had been made for her, a worty inauguration for it! However, when she'd first shown it off to King Sombra and the others, they had reacted a bit... confused about certain design choices demanded by the dragon...

Specifically, the fact that her armor kept her private uncovered. Her armored boots covered her legs up to the thighs but ended just below her groin. Meanwhile the breastplate actually covered her breasts, but was shaped in a way to still show them off, but ended just above her groin, leaving a strip a few inches wide that was completely uncovered!

When the others had expressed bewildermeant, the dragoness had been a bit miffed! "What? My scales are basically immune to most weapons anyway! And those, that might get through wouldn't be stopped by armor either! And the effect of my opponents losing their cool because they see my cunt? Especially if I dive down on them? Not giving that up, even if it's only to see their faces before they get a face full of dragon cunt as the last thing they see!"She also pointed ou that, "In any case, I'm still more protected and better armored than Twilight!"

The pseudo-alicorn however had shot back with this reply: "I am a wizard! I'm not meant to get into close quarters combat! And I can use magic to increase my defenses!"

After half an hour of useless squabbling, everyone had decided "Who cares?" and put the topic to rest, considering the argumeant to be a waste of time.

Now, they lay in ambush, hidden behind the shrubbery at the borders of a forest, overlooking the route the supply wagons were taking from the railway station to the army camp. Barb and roughly half of their troops were stationed in the center, while Tempest with one quarter were placed to cut off the way forward. Twilight and the rest meanwhile would cut off the convoy's line of retreat!

After an hour, the convoy came into sight! Twilight put a pair of binoculars to her eyes and examined it: A long train of oxen-pulled wagons with only a small escort, probably assuming that the hinterland would be safe... fools! But what was this? There was a pink-maned pegasus mare scurrying from cart to cart, apparently checking, and, judging by her gestures, calming down, the oxen! Maybe the draft animals had been getting skittish and they brought her in to keep them in check? Especially considering the parts of the trek that were closed to cliffs?

Twilight was torn out of her contemplations when Tempest contacted her, using a magical necklace that allowed those not able to use magic to stay in contact with one another. There was a certain edge to her voice... "Twilight! Princess Celestia and a small contingent of her troops is nearing to link up with the convoy! Do you want us to abort?"

"Negative!" The reply sounded grim and determined. "We can do this! The goal of this is to disrupt them, to force them to put more troops on escort duty, not to take out the whole convoy!"

At this point, Barb chimed in, "Alright, just tell me when you want us to start!"

A momeant of silence, then the answer: "Tempest, I want you to cut them off once Celestia has linked up with the convoy! Once the way is barred, Barb will charge the center!"

"And you?" The dragoness asked.

"I'll act when the time is right!" She shot back, considering this to be neither the time nor the place to talk about her plan! Twilight had put good work into it, after all. They just had to trust her! "And now, quiet!"

"'I'll act when the time is right!'" Barb aped her after the connection was cut. "Sure, we do the dangerous stuff and she sits back! Well, at least more fun for me!" She turned to her troops.

She turned to the leader of her group of soldiers. "Captain?"

The earth pony snapped a reply. "All are ready to go as soon as the signal is given!"

The dragoness replied with a short nod.

Twilight observed how the convoy and Celestia's group slowly edged towards each other, flanked on one side by the forest in which the Crystal Empire's troops hid, and by a cliff on the other. Celestia left a handful of her escort behind, guarding the narrowing path they'd just exited.

"Go!"

Tempest's troops were the first to engage, followed by Barbs and, lastly, Twilight's.

It was a bit of work, and the equestrian troops fought hard and valiantly, but the numbers of Sombra's forces were superior, quantity was a quality of its own and, Celestia aside, their commanders more powerful. And Twilight did a good job negating Celestia's spells despite staying hidden. Although that probably had something to do with the princess not having expected a strong caster to be with them!

In general, however, it was still a minor skirmish with few castuallties on either side. But it still was the first one that Fluttershy experienced! She was barely able to keep her wits about her and avoiding panic as she tried to keep the draft animals on track. Shy turned her head, looking towards the forest from where the last wave had appeared.

It was a good distance away, but... it seemed like somepony else now appeared from there. A sole figure, and it was very hard to gauge but it looked like it was a unicorn. That meant... magic!

Princess Celestia passed by the pegasus, hurrying her troops and the wagons on for a breakthrough towards their camp! She didn't notice something that Fluttershy did see: She saw the purple bolt of magic that shot from the unicorn in the distance and towards the alicorn!

"Princess! Lookout!" Fluttershy called out!

"What?"

Acting purely on intinct, the usually so shy pegasus tackled Celestia out of the path of the magical projectile! And got herself hit in the process. Unconscious, she crashed to the ground!

Rising to her hooves again, Celestia gave a worried look to Fluttershy. She was breathing, though the magical blast had torn her clothes and showed a nasty mark on her body, and she was bleeding from her head, probably from the fall! The princess was about to pick her up to carry her to safety... when she looked to where the blast had come from! And she saw... "Twilight?" The words left her mouth barely audible, if anypon had heard it, the disbelief would have been obvious! But it was Twilight! Changed, but still recognizable!

In her shock, she forgot about what was going on around her! Even Fluttershy at her hooves... It felt like hours were passing between each step Twilight Sparkle was taking, but it were mere momeants, when one of the unit commanders ran up to Celestia! "Princess Celestia! We need to move! We managed to punch a hole through the units that blocked our way back to camp and we need to get as many supplies as possible through! Please, your highness!"

Two more guards appeared, urging her to hurry! The princess looked at what was going on and, with a sinking heart, decided to retreat... "COLLECT OUR WOUNDED! GET THE CARTS MOVING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE! WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR WAY TO THE CAMP AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!" Sadly, she added to herself, "Twilight... I am so sorry that I couldn't help you... I can't imagine what you are going through, under the control of Sombra... I have failed you... just like I failed Sunset,... And my own sister!"

Hurrying to stabilize the breakthrough, she didn't notice how the guards overlooked the pegasus mare lying on the ground as they hurried after her. When she remembered the brave little mare that had pushed her out of the way later, and noticed that she wasn't with them, she added her to the list of ponies she had failed. Despite her advisors telling her that the situation didn't really allow her to think of the mare.

Watching on as the equestrian forces fled, Twilight scoffed! So many that got away... But the objective was still fulifilled and it was about sending a message rather than total inflicted casualites, but still... It could've gone much more nicely! "What's our status?" She grumbled into the magical connection to the others.

"We've had minor losses," Tempest Shadow reported. "Mainly some injuries, though a few are dead. The Equestrian forces also lost a handful of troops, including the three that were incinerated by Barb. They managed to recover most of their injured, but a half a dozen unconscious guard ponies were left behind..." She trailed of a little as she saw a yellow pegasus lying on the ground. She was, if Tempest was to say so herself, gorgeous! Broad hips, large breasts... A natural beauty! Though her injuries, the blood running down her face, marred the picture a little.

Tempest knelt down to check her. Good. She was still alive!

When a shadow fell over Tempest, she looked up and saw Barb and Twilight standing next to her. She had trailed off part-way through her status report... "And this mare, along with three supply wagons!"

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Barb asked the other two, looking at the pegasus.

"A present for his Majesty?" Twilight asked, receiving nods as reply. "We'll take them with us... The wagons, the injured and her."

"What do you think was she doing here? She doesn't look like a fighter!" Barb wondered.

"Beats me. Guess she was a civilian attached to the supply train. Maybe she was in charge of the freight and to make sure really everything arrived?"

"Well, she won't be delivering this one in person!" Twilight concluded dryly.

A burning sensation spread on her forehead, as Fluttershy returned to her senses. But she kept her eyes closed. Both, from weariness and from not wanting to see where she was. She felt tired, her body hurt all over, and the way the air smelled told her, that she wasn't in a tent or still outside on the grass, but rather underground.

Again, something touched her head, spreading that same sensation again, but more intense this time! There also was a smell of alcohol... This time, she couldn't say quiet. "Ow!"

"You're awake?" An unknown, female voice asked her. It sounded... kind and trustworthy. "How do you feel?"

Fluttershy felt her arms being carefully touched, examined, and every now and then a seering pain hit her when the mare, well, probably mare, hit a bad spot. "Like I was run over..." She answered as she slowly started to open her eyes.

"Doesn't surprise me! You took a nasty hit back there!" The speaker was a light purple unicorn with a light gray mane. "One broken and a few bruised ribs, a partially broken wing, a sprained arm and ankle... Not to meantion the bruises! Also, a mild concussion."

Shy sat up. looked down at herself, and lifted the blanket that covered her body. She had kind off expected it, but it still was an unpleasant shock to see her torso covered in bandages, her left wing fixated and bound, and a pair of panties on her bottom region that weren't hers! She gasped, but the unicorn seemed to ignore it.

Finally taking a momeant, the pegasus looked at her surroundings: Bare stone walls, a very simple bed, a toilet... and, to her left, a wall, and a door, made out of metal bars. In Fluttershy's gut, an icy feeling was spreading. "Who are you? Where am I?"

The unicorn walked over to her. "Don't worry. I changed your clothes and bound you. No stallion saw you naked. You will need a shower sooner rather than later though. Your mane is still covered in dirt and blood." She sat down next to her. "My name is Radiant Hope!" Despite everything she was just seeing, Fluttershy couldn't help but feel... comfortable? Trusting? To the mare's voice, and her name even sounded like somepony that could be trusted! But it also created an even sharper contrast to the surroundings. "And your name is?"

"F-Fluttershy. My name is... Fluttershy."

"A nice name," Radiant Hope smiled at her. "To answer your other question, you are in the dungeons underneath the castle of the Crystal Empire."

Somehow, Fluttershy had known it.This hadn't looked like an equestrian field hospital! But it still came as a shock to her... She didn't know what to say as her breath started to quicken. She wanted to cry but couldn't... After a minute of silence, she finally managed to get something out: "Why? Why am I here?" Her tone was one of utter depression. She hadn't been brainwashed and sent out as cannonfodder... as far as Shy knew, this meant nothing good. "And why are you here?"

Radiant looked at her with a curious expression: "Well, Fluttershy, after you got injured and brought here, I've been tending your wounds! That laceration on your head did look rather nasty, and your wing was in rather bad shape."

"But why? Why wasn't I just left lying? Why was I stuffed into a cell?!"

"Well, our forces rounded up everypony left lying and alive. You didn't look like a soldier-..."

"I am not. I was with the convoy to keep the draft animals calm..." Fluttershy's voice was barely audible.

"That explains that... Well, our unit commanders found you lying, and since you didn't look like much of a fighter, but not willing to leave you lying there, in obvious need of medical assistance, they delivered you to me. And you are still a prisoner of war, sorry. At the same time, it keeps my walking distnaces short!" She smiled reassuringly. "Healing is my specialty!" Now, she wanted to shift the topic however, to make her patient feel a little bit more at ease! "What is yours? If you don't mind that I ask."

"N-not at all, Radiant. I can talk with animals! And I am very good at taking care of them. Before... all of this started, I was living quietly in a little cottage near a little town called Ponyville, just a few hours away from Canterlot, next to the forest, taking care of my animal friends!" Fluttershy was surprised by how openly she talked to Radiant Hope, not only because of the situation, but also because of how, well, shy she usually was! Radiant felt... trustworthy. More quietly, she added: "I wish I still was..." Finally, tears began to well up! "Why can't it all go back to how it used to be?! Without ponies fighting each other for life or death... Just a peaceful, happy time..."

"I know what you mean..." Radiant gave her an understanding smile. "Maybe it can go back to this, once-..." She interrupted herself when hoofsteps neared.

The newly arriving ponies stopped in front of the cell. There stood... not only ponies! A green dragoness was part of the group. So was a purple unicorn, radiating magic... and, standing in front of them, Fluttershy saw a big unicorn with a curved horn, but most of his features were hidden in shadow. She didn't need to see anything more to identify him as King Sombra!

Fluttershy's heart beat increased rapidly! She began to hyperventilate, to tremble uncontrollably! Her good wing was pressed to her body in an attempt to make herself as small as possible!

"Fluttershy!" Radiant looked at her with a worried, nearly also panicked, expression! "Fluttershy! Calm down! Breath! Breath!"

She managed to calm the pegasus down after a few minutes, though Shy pressed herself against the wall, trying to keep as much distance between herself and Sombra as possible.

"Radiant? How is our... guest doing?" He asked Radiant Hope in a deep, scary... yet somehow also pleasant voice.

"She was doing better before you showed up with Barb and Twilight." She told him sternly, surprising Fluttershy! How could anypony talk to this... this monster like that! "You nearly frightened the poor thing to death!" Radiant shook her head for a momeant before continuing: "But for her physical state: She has the worst behind her and now only needs peace and quiet to recuperate, followed by physical therapy for her wing."

"She looks so cute, I could gobble her up!" Barb laughed, her sharp teeth blinking!

Fluttershy quickly pulled her blanket up to her eyes. "Barb! Cut that out!" Radiant snapped!

"Wh-who are th-the..." Shy stammered.

"The others? Twilight Sparkle and Barb. The two newest officers in our army. Maybe I'll tell you more about them in time."

Twilight had expected Fluttershy to ask "The Twilight that was on Princess Celestia's staff?!" or something like that. The fact that this pegasus didn't recognize her just reinforced Twilight's conviction that she had made the right call! She should have been recognized at least as a high profile turncoat! But no... again, nobody knew about her contributions to Equestria's war effor. Glumly, the unicorn glared down the corridor.

Radiant Hope left with them, leaving Fluttershy alone for the time being. Alone with her thoughts, her fears and worries... She took a deep breath and, for the first time now, really looked at her cell. It was rather roomy and, it seemed, her toilet had been set up to allow her to have at least a modicum of privacy.

Her furniture was as spartan as was expected, but still more than one might have thought: Next to her bed, there was a chair and, judging by its placemeant, Radiant Hope had set on it while taking care of Fluttershy, and even a table. But on the other end of the cell... It was dark, but something shimmered there.

Slowly, Fluttershy stood up and, on shaky legs, walked closer. She found, suspended from the ceiling, five thin, golden chains, their ends holding hoops, most likely to restrain a victim. On the wall were levers and wheels. Most likely to control the position.

As nice as Radiant Hope had been... this really hammered in that Fluttershy was a prisoner in the castle of one of the worst tyrants that Equestria had ever seen...

Over the next few days, Radiant Hope, as she had introduced herself to Fluttershy, had become a, or rather, her only, regular visitor, checking up on her healing progress and chatting with her. And bringing her fresh clothes. Hope even had ordered that a tub and hot water got delivered into the cell so that the pegasus could take a bath and finally clean her mane! She made sure that the pegasus got treated well, and Shy began to develop a certain liking of Hope. Sometimes, at least for a few minutes, she was accompanied by King Sombra and, she had to admit, after a while it did remove some of the dread she felt for him.

As Radiant was changing Fluttershy's bandages, she couldn't help herself: "When I treated your wounds, I couldn't help but take notice of your body! Those hips... your breasts..." She chuckled. "It's like you were made to bear children!"

"I always wanted to be a mommy..." Fluttershy admitted with a little smile on her muzzle and pressing her back against Radiant Hope's body.

"Heh... you could be a great breeder indeed..." The unicorn chuckled, more to herself than to Shy. "Yes... your body would make for good breeding material..."

"B-breeding ma-material?!

Radiant sighed. "It's distasteful, I know, but... we need soldiers and the population necessary to keep the agriculture and industry going. So... volunteering mares are grouped up in facilities and get impregnated by the best studs in the Crystal Empire. Sure, it won't help much in the short term, but considering how the fighting drags on..." Another sigh. "But once the war is over, or at least once Celestia has been driven back enough, we'll be able to close them down. I'll make sure of it! And all of them will be able to live normal lives!"

"That's..." Fluttershy shuddered and struggled for words. However, the expression on her face told Radiant Hope everything she needed.

"They are just doing their duty to their king! And nopony forces them to do it!"

"Considering they are being mind controlld, I don't think that's a good justification!" The pegasus couldn't quite help herself.

"It is more complicated than this." Radiant disagreed, trying to shift the topic from something she personally wasn't all too pleased with either, "Maybe I will explain this in time."

A few weeks now had passed, Fluttershy's recovery was going well! Even her wing didn't need any support anymore! And, she had seen King Sombra so often that she could look somewhat beyond the terror that he was... Now, less of a boogeyman and more of tall, dark stud of a unicorn that would stand in front of her every now and then. You could probably get used to anything with enough exposure. Maybe she could even get used to living with a dragon! In any case, finally she realized a question that had been nagging her for quite a while: "What is it between you and Sombra?" She finally asked Radiant Hope.

"I'm his wife and queen."

"What?" Even with her peeks behind what Equestria saw, this was nearly unbelievable to Fluttershy! That this beast, bent only on conquest and domination, could have this gentle healer as a bride? And, it seemed, out of her own volition? Was she mind-controlled?

"Maybe I should tell you about the origin of King Sombra?" "I've known him since he'd been a colt. And... I was his only friend."

She told Fluttershy everything. About how Sombra had been ostracized by other ponies, how Princess Amore had failed utterly at helping him, how in despair he had embraced evil, his parting cruelty to her... And last, but not least, about the Umbrum. "Once he had returned and secured his hold over the Crystal Empire and it had become known, I had hurried here as fast as I could!" Her face darkened now, however... "But then, the Umbrum began to whisper into his ear. I'm kindhearted, not stupid. I've heard what they whispered... that I, and my kind and gentle heart, were holding him back! That he could be an even greater king and conqueror and that I, due to the flaw of being nice, would inevitably turn against him! That they would bring him victory... But the momeant I had heard their voices now, rather than when I had been with the Umbrum, I realized their true nature! I knew what their actual goals were! They would've turned against Sombra, whom they only ever considered a tool! They would've brought darkness over the lands and who knows what they'd have done to its inhabitants!" Her grim face lightened again with a gentle smile! "I managed to convince Sombra to not listen to the Umbrum. To keep them imprisoned."

For a while, Fluttershy was speechless. The cruel king Sombra had once been a pony who had just wanted to be... well... normal, but the world hadn't wanted him? She couldn't help but feel bad for him! After all, she'd been constantly picked on as well, but at least she hadn't been shunned by nearly everypony. And had Princess Celestia been nearby when something like that had happened? Her bullies would've gotten a talking to that would've probably caused them to run to their mommies crying... Just for the princess to give them a gentle cheering up that would've reinforced the lesson. King Sombra had had nopony but Radiant Hope to help him...

Maybe... Fluttershy felt a feeling spreading in her stomach. That cruel warlord... and yet.. she felt pitty for him? "Radiant?"

"Hmm? Sorry! I drifted off a little! You know... since your healing process is going so well... Would you like to get out of this cell?" The unicorn asked her.

"Are... are you serious?!" Fluttershy was surprised! "But... I am a prisoner, am I not?"

Radiant laughed! An honest, bright laugh! "Of course I'm serious! You won't recover properly here! And I want to show you around! I will talk to Sombra about it and will come back to you tomorrow!"

The next day, Radiant Hope indeed was able to take Fluttershy for a walk! Although Sombra had insisted that the pegasus would wear magical bracelets, greaves and a collar as insurance to keep her from trying anything stupid: IF she got too far away from the castle, or the presence of Radiant Hope, King Sombra or any other potential companion, say Twilight, Barb or Tempest Shadow, the enchantmeants would lock Fluttershy's body up and sound an alarm.

The collar was an especially nice piece. All of the parts were made out of gold, but the collar also had a black velvet backing and polstering, to keep it reasonably comfortableto to wear. Fluttershy could have maybe even seen it as an accessories other ponies might have liked to wear as a choker, since the stuff did look somewhat aesthetically pleasing! The disc on the front, with a large "S" spelled out in blood red rubies aside.

Barb accompanied the two on their walk, to act as guard and because, after Radiant, she had been the most common visitor to Fluttershy. For some reason, the dragoness had taken an interest to the pegasus! Maybe it was because her shy nature was such a contrast to the brash Barb? Maybe it was just that Fluttershy was so damn nice, and that was something Barb enjoyed? Maybe it was just because... it felt right to her?

Twilight Sparkle had the same feeling and the two had a little chat about that, but so far she'd been too busy. Maybe she would find the time to make Fluttershy's personal acquaintance soon?

Over the next few days, Radiant showed her around the castle, the city and even a hospital where she regularly looked after the injured. And then, she gave another present to Fluttershy: An actual room of her own, with a big, comfortable bed, a filled wardrobe and a whole bathroom for herself!

Fluttershy was almost forgetting about the fact that she was still a prisoner! And Radiant was such nice company! The two had many pleasant talks! And everything looked pretty nice, and not every, the majority, in fact, pony was a mindless slave!

What disappointed the pegasus, however, was the lack of a forest with animals. The fields and grassland surrounding the city probably had some animals like rabbits, but it just wasn't the same. And Radiant Hope listened to that woe and had made plans of trying to, once the war was over, have a forest planted!

Fluttershy honestly began to consider her... more of a friend than a benign and kind captor!

One evening, after another tour and dinner, Radiant accompanied her to her room. "Fluttershy?" She spoke to her, "I would like to ask you for something."

Yes, Radiant?"

"I would like you to become my handmaiden."

Shy was surprised! "You want me... what?"

"My handmaiden. It means a servant of mine, though you would be more of a companion for me. And, by extension, Sombra." Her cheery face turned serious: "And I hope that your kindness can help me help Sombra. To make him a good king to his subjects... To, maybe, even allow him to be truly happy..."

For a momeant, there was only silence, so Radiant continued: "Sombra needs a light to keep his darkness in check, to keep him save from the influence of the Umbrum. And, maybe, if he has more good-hearted ponies around him, it would do him good, make him a king Equestria and the Crystal Empire deserve."

Fluttershy had never been the most confident mare, and this whole situation hadn't changed it. "You really think that? That I would make a good handmaiden and be a good influence on Sombra?"

"Yes indeed! Even if you aren't great at the usual duties of a handmaiden, I have other servants for that. I mainly want you as a confidant and friend-..."

"Friend? You, the Queen of the Crystal Empire, see me as a friend?!" Shy was surprised!

"Why, yes!" Radiant was just as surprised as the pegasus! "Haven't you noticed that? I would have hoped you also see me as a friend!"

She thought about it for a momeant. "I think...," Shy realized, "I think I do!"

Radiant hugged her new friend! "I am so happy to hear this! And I hope, we can also nourish the good in Tempest, Twilight and Barb!"

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. Less so for Barb, since she had gotten to know her better by now. Over all, she had appeared to her less like a fearsome war-leader and more... like a teenager all too eager to show off and brag and such! Which probably wasn't quite as much of a surprise considering what the pegasus had heard about her origins!

"Well, you have gotten to know Barb, and for Tempest and Twilight... both are bitter for their own reasons... And Twilight's envy and lack of recognition has gnawed badly on her... But they all have good deep inside of them! And I hope we can bring it out!"

"If I'm honest... Despite how little I've seen of her... it did feel like I wanted her to be my friend!"

"Good!" Radiant perked up! "There would be another thing I would like your help with, however!"

"Yes?"

"Sombra... He's insatiable and I think he needs a harem!"

Fluttershy's face turned red as an apple as she heard that! "You- wha- You want me to-..." Shy stammered on for a while, never getting further than a few words! Finally... "You want me to sleep with your husband?!"

"Of course! As I said: Sombra's stamina is out of this world, and so is his sex drive! And he is a very... gifted stallion!"

"But I'm-..." She mumbled something inaudible.

"What are you?" Radiant played coy.

"I... I'm still a virgin..."

"Oh, that won't be an issue! Sombra will take good care of you!" However, the unicorn remembered something! "Also, I have a little present for you!" She handed her a little package.

It was a new dress! It was almost as plain in general looks as the linen clothes she had worn so far! However, it was made out of a far more expensive material, and had some adornmeants that worked nicely with her collar, having dropped the greaves and braces by now. It really looked like just another accessory! It also was cut a bit more... daring. Showing off quite a bit of side boob and off her nice ass! But it wasn't so much that Fluttershy would have been about to faint if she wore it!

Now, she was accompanying Radiant for most of the day, even when she had time off, which, otherwise, she primarily used to get to know the staff and other ponies, or to explore the area more. With Twilight and Tempest, Shy had managed to get to a reasonable good relationship by now! The two now even gave her genuine little smiles when they saw her! Otherwise, she spent time on the top of the castle, talking to the birds that gave her company every now and then.

The ever more time spent with Radiant Hope, especially now that she wasn't giving her tours, also caused Fluttershy to get ever more acquainted with Sombra. And if he wasn't brooding or commencing serious business, she finally had to admit even to herself: He was a very attractive stallion! And when he wasn't dealing with servants, he even seemed to be genuinly, relatively, pleasant, if taciturn. And if that was what Radiant wanted to foster, Shy would like to help! There always was that underlying... aura of him, but... it kind off added to the appeal by now!

Finally, the time had come when Radiant Hope wanted to offer Shy to her husband. As a mistress, a concubine... a lover! She had told Fluttershy to wait in their bedroom tonight and had even given her a new dress! A truly tantalizing piece covering even less than her

"Sombra! I have a present for you!" She heard Radiant giggle from the hallway! "Here!"

The two big doors to the bedroom chamber opened and the light from the hallway fell on Fluttershy, sitting on the huge bed and striking a pose! It was a little awkward, but was showing off her assets well enough. After all, she wasn't wearing any underwear right now!

"Radiant?" Sombra looked at his wife with a little smirk.

"My present is a concubine for you!"

"Your new handmaiden? The prisoner?"

"I asked her and she agreed!" Radiant ran her finger over her her dearest's chest! "And you are always so eager... I alone just can't keep up!"

Now his gaze turned to the pegasus: "What was your name again?" His deep voice put forward.

Shy winced a little. Yes, she was more used to him, and he wasn't as scary anymore... but it still was a bit... well... "Fluttershy, your Majesty! My name is Fluttershy!"

"So, my wife dragged you into this?" The way he said this almost sounded like a genuine chuckle! "Are you really fine with this?"

He cared about her consent? There'd been... stories about him. Maybe it was because she still was his wife's friend? Because she was sticking around at the castle? Or was it truly genuine? After all, a stud like him probably wouldn't have had much of an issue seducing mares even without his powers and the fact that he was the king of the Crystal Empire. "Y-yes!"

"Be gentle with her, Sombra! It is her first time!" Radiant teased both of them.

"Is that so?" He rubbed his chin with interest on his face. "Let me introduce you to a new world then, little pegasus!"

Radiant Hope undressed her husband, dropping his cape to the ground, followed by his clothes and a clatter when the few pieces of armour, mainly greaves and bracers, hit the stone floor. Then, Radiant rushed ahead to join Fluttershy on the bed, to guide her through her first time. And maybe to have some fun herself.

Sombra slowly walked up to them, his impressive member already hard! However, his wife had told him that the pegasus was unexperienced, so it would be better to start slow, to make her feel good! It would probably surprise most ponies, but Sombra didn't mind making it worth a mare's time before he got going.

He came to a halt at the foot of the bed, right in front of Fluttershy and Radiant Hope. Radiant now gently pushed the pegasus down to the matress, allowing her husband to grab Shy's hooves and pull her towards him, her legs on his broad shoulders, her pussy inches before the edge of the bed, and, once he dropped down to his knees, in front of his face!

It was time... Gently, Sombra rubbed his right index and middle fingers over Fluttershy's pussy and clitories, and the inexperienced pegasus began to moan and her arousal quickly became obvious as her folds got ever more wet! The first time Fluttershy ever was touched by another pony down there, and she hadn't even touched herself a lot.

On the other end meanwhile, Radiant was doing her best to guide Fluttershy through the experience. Carefully, she moved the straps of the dress so that Fluttershy's ample attributes were laid bare! And maybe she gave them a little test before her husband got to them.... There were benefits to everything.

Now, it was time to up it a little more... And so, Sombra's tongue gave a gentle lick over Fluttershy's waiting slit. The effect was instantaneous as her back arched! Radiant chuckled! "You like getting your pussy licked? Naughty!"

"I-I-..." Shy tried to say something, maybe dispute Radiant Hope's teases, but instead, she just moaned.

"Just enjoy it, Shy!" The unicorn told her as she ruffled her mane. "Considering how Sombra is eating you out, you must be a real tasty treat!"

And enjoy it, she did. It was surprising how much good work Sombra's tongue was putting in, considering, well, what kind of pony he was. Even with her having seen more behind the outer shell of him, she still had expected him to be... more interested in his own gratification than making a partner, especially one like her who wasn't his wife, feel good.

Then, out of a sudden, Sombra's tongue retreated. "Noooo! Don't stop! I was-..." Fluttershy called out in desperation before hastily slapping her hands over her mouth!

"You were what?" It was Sombra who teased her, not his wife, which surprised Fluttershy!

"I... I... was about to... c-cum..."

"Yes, he likes to tease!" Radiant Hope looked at her husband, seeing the fur of his face matted by the pegasus' juices. And Shy's head also raised a little to look at him, but she didn't see his face! No, she saw the large obsidian rod sprouting from his crotch! And then felt it rubbing over her folds... It was big, hard and hot, and each time it touched her, it sent shivers down the pegasus' spine!

The unicorn meanwhile moved her face closer to her husband... "Fluttershy!" She cheered after kissing him, and licking some of the pegasus' juices off of his face! "You really are delicious!" Then, she turned a bit more serious again: "Are you ready? He is pretty big, so it might hurt for a bit."

"I guess?" Fluttershy wasn't sure at all, but figured that the choice was, over all, out of her hands anyway. And a part of her was excitedly looking forward to her first time! If she was being honest to herself, she had always feared dying as an old virgin a little, even if she just wasn't somepony who was going out of her way to find partners attracted to her. Even if she was somepony who didn't realize how many stallions would be attracted to her natural beauty and kindness. Or at least her beauty.

She felt Sombra's strong hands grabbing her legs, his fingers sinking into her soft flesh, and then, finally, the tip of his dick beginning to spread her apart. And indeed: it did hurt! But, at the same time, it felt good!

Radiant hugged Fluttershy, and that feeling helped to further force the pain out of her mind. And slowly, Sombra filler her out ever more until he finally hit her womb! "How does my hubby feel, Fluttershy?"

"It hurts!" The pegasus blinked a few tears away and smiled! "But... He feels great!"

They heard a satisfied snort from Sombra, who stayed idle for a while to allow her to get used to his size. And, to distract her even more from the discomfort, Radiant kissed Fluttershy! Long and deep! And their tongues kept dancing even after their lips parted ways!

"Enjoyed the kiss?"

"Ye-yesh! Ye-..." Her answer was cut off when Sombra, slowly, began to move... Once she composed herself again, as well as she could, she added: "It was my first real kiss!"

Radiant chuckled. "Then I'm glad that it was with me! Now, enjoy the sensation..." She put an emphasis on this by giving Fluttershy's left tit a a light squeeze, causing her to, at first, yelp and then moan. "Oh, your tits are sensitive?" An evil smile spread on Radiant Hope's face... "This is going to be a lot of fun!" The unicorn moved her body a little, so that her head was level with Shy's great attributes, her legs hanging over the edge of the bed. And she began to play with them to her heart's content! Squeezing, pincing, twisting, and most of all: Licking and sucking them! And it really seemed like they were Fluttershy's most sensitive part! Then again, considering how large they were, it wasn't a surprise.

And now, Sombra picked up the pace! Still gentle at first, but, over the minutes, his thrusts became more viscious, more powerful, more... satisfying! To her own surprise, Fluttershy enjoyed it! The pain had now almost completely been superceded by pleasure! If she had know that sex felt like this? Maybe she would have tried to, despite her shy nature, find some nice stallion once in a while...

And when Sombra bent over and pressed his muzzle against her neck! Oh, it was delightful! How he kissed her neck before moving to her face! And when he pressed his lips against hers, his tongue greedily pushing inside her mouth, dominating her own...

And the things Radiant Hope was breathing into her ear weren't helping. Nor, for that matter, when she moved down and began to play with the pegasus' tits with her mouth.

A while later, Fluttershy had already cum three times... and Sombra not once. But his breath had started to become more ragged. "He's close..." Radiant Hope whispered into Fluttershy's ear before licking over the pegasus' cheek. She sat up and her fingers traced their way from Sombra's dick, over the bulge visible on Fluttershy's belly up to her womb. "Come on! Fill her up!" This, she said to her husband.

"B-but... If... If he c-cums inside..." the only half-conscious pegasus tried to protest!

"You worry about getting pregnant?" A small nod confirmed it. "No need! I've put a contraceptive spell on you!" Radiant told her reassuringly. "Just enjoy it!" And with that, she climbed on top of Fluttershy

And, when Sombra came, she did! Fluttershy had never thought she would enjoy sex this much and had been proven wrong already.... and now, that his hot jizz was filling her womb, she probably wouldn't be able to live without sex anymore! Oh, the warmth spreading through her body as he pumped her full...

For a few momeants, Sombra and Fluttershy were just breathing heavily as Radiant Hope let herself drop off of Shy's back, her fingers idly playing with her own clit. But, after getting his breath back, the stallion grabbed the pegasus' left arm and turned her around, so that she lay on her belly! Her left arm in his left hand, her right in his right, Sombra pulled her back, so that her back arched and her tits bounced a little! And he began to thrust again, keeping them bouncing!

"Somby~!" His wife purred. "Don't you think you're a little too rough on her? It's her first time after all!"

"Oh, she can take it..." His deep voice sounded amused. "She's stronger than she looks!"

"So you noticed!" Radiant chuckled as she moved her face next to Fluttershy's to kiss her...

"S-sooo... full..." Fluttershy sighed, surprising herself with how happy and content she sounded, after Sombra had blown his third load into her cunt... She was tired. Happy, but tired and about to drift off into sweet sleep.

She heard Radiant whisper lustfully into her ear: "I will teach you how to service a king!" Then, Shy fell asleep between Sombra and Radiant Hope, her face nestled against the king's chest. Radiant's breasts were pressing against the pegasus' back... It was warm and cozy.

4 A moment of clarity

The next morning, Fluttershy felt a very pleasant sensation in her nether region when she was woken by a stray sun beam coing through the window. "Five more minutes..." She mumbled, still enjoying the warmth of the bed and that sensation. Then, she realized what she was feeling underneath the sheets! She tore her eyes open and sat up before rapidly pulling the bedsheets away!

From between Shy's legs, a chipper looking Radiant Hope greeted her: "Good morning, sleepy head!" Streaks of white were on her muzzle. "You still had some of Sombra's cum inside of you and I just couldn't let it go to waste!"After a momeant, her expression turned cheeky... "I think you should try some..."

Before Fluttershy could say anything, Radiant's tongue licked over her folds, then dove deep into them! The pegasus' moans filled the room again, and she let out a disappointed whine when the tongue disappeared again. Despite the night prior, that disappointmeant still felt weird for her...

She was catching her breath still when Radiant almost jumped up to her and pressed her lips against hers! She tasted Sombra's cum, Radiant's saliva and her own pussy juices... And had to admit: it was delightful!

"Sombra had to get up early to go and inspect one of the army bases," Radiant explained to Fluttershy after a few minutes of relaxing cuddling.

Right. The whole war was still going on... Every time the pegasus remembered, she felt a of guilt and regret. Guilt at her being a captive in a gilded cage and yet, she was liking it! She wasn't even thinking about the cruelty that was happening, the ponies that suffered at Sombra's iron grasp... And she was here, in bed with his wife and cuddling! After having been his willing bed fellow the night before! But then, when you got to know him a little... he wasn't a total monster either! There was a turmoil inside of her...

Her contemplations were interrupted when Radiant rang a little bell and a few momeants later, two mares entered the bed room. "Honeysparkle? Golden Hooves? We will have breakfast in bed tonight." She told them.

Fluttershy saw the traces of Sombra's magic around their eyes. Hints of purple and green... But on their faces was nothing but happy devotion as they disappeared again.

They reappeared twenty minutes later, carrying trays with food: Apples, grapes, pears, cereals, fresh bread rolls, butter, cucumbers, coffee, milk, water, juices, pancakes, honey, jams, syrup... More than enough for a good start into the day!

It was delicious! And, to her own surprise, Fluttershy ate like somepony who was starving! She hadn't realized how much energy last night had taken out of her. All of this food was doing wonders!

Once most of the food had been devoured, and again with that sly smile on her face, Radiant put a grape between her lips... and kissed Fluttershy, feeding it to her! "What-..!?"

"Sorry. I couldn't resist!" The unicorn chuckled before repeating what she just did! "You are just so much fun to tease, and kiss!" As she said this, she ran her index finger over Shy's mouth. "I told you last night: I will show you how to satisfy my husband's desires! And we will start today!" From below the bed, she pulled out a little box.

And the contents made Fluttershy blush: Dildos, a strap-on, vibrators and butt plugs. Radiant eyed the butt plugs, adding that, "Believe me. You wouldn't want to take his cock up your ass without preparation."

"In my... my... But... It's dirty!"

"Nothing a little magic won't solve. And it will feel good!" Radiant patiently explained. "We could start with some blowjob or titjob basics with the dildo, but I have another idea... To ease you in, we'll start with you eating out my pussy, to train your tongue's dexterity!" If she was being honest, Radiant just wanted Fluttershy to eat her out.

It was very obvious that Fluttershy hadn't had any experience, but at the same time, she also wasn't the worst amateur Radiant had experienced. She was certainly material one could work with...

Over the next few weeks, Radiant educated Fluttershy, and whenever Sombra was available, had her proof her progress to him. The pegasus, for her part, began to grow bolder, her first night with the king having flamed a fire she hadn't known about! At first, she was just an ancillary to Radiant, letting the unicorn queen guide her, but after a while, she began to flirt with ponies she considered attractive, the first time it happened, it really surprised Fluttershy when she had noticed what she had done!

Shy began to experimeant not only with guards and other staff, but also with Twilight Sparkle and Barb, who, as Radiant had told her, did show that both of them had a softer, nicer, more likeable side. She had also tangled with Starlight and Sugar Belle a few times... Starlight and Twilight had, in one of their experimeants, concocted something that had caused Twilight to, temporarly, grow a dick and she had used that on Fluttershy...

A handful of times, Fluttershy had even gone so far to move short distances with her upper body uncovered! It was always embarassing, but also... thrilling! And everypony she encountered had been very appreciative of the view! And the feeling of having them bounce unhindered at every step, it was an experience.

And from all she heard, the 'training' was paying off. Radiant and Sombra both told her that she had improved a lot, and her other partners praised how good she had become! But, for her own part, whenever she went for a few days without sex now, she began to feel antsy.... Needy... And only Sombra himself was able to subdue this fire completely! Other stallions, like Flash, were able to take the edge off for a bit, but they just didn't compare!

It was now probably in the third or fourth month of her captivity and Fluttershy had truly stopped feeling like a captive. She had befriended Barb, Twilight and the others and had many pleasurable nights with Sombra and Radiant! The ponies in the capital seemed all nice enough... She had almost completely forgotten about the war raging on! Yes, it was there in the back of her head, somewhere, but... it felt distant. Unimportant. A minor nuisance.

Until, one day, she stood on the top of the castle, just enjoying the breeze on a sunny day and the view of the rolling grasslands and fields, and the beginnings of the forest Radiant had began to plant for Fluttershy. But then, she noticed a long column nearing the outskirts of the city. Fluttershy was curious and took the binoculars she had taken with her in the hopes of, maybe, spotting a few birds to watch, and took a closer look.

They were still too far away to make out much, but it seemed like it was a column of prisoners! Suddenly, the weight of the world came crashing down on her again! And... she just had to see what would happen to them... When she had asked Radiant or Sombra about what happened to prisoners of war, they had always avoided the topic....

After a few minutes, Fluttershy landed behind a building the prisoners were being lead to. All the windows on the ground floor, however, had been blocked. The ones on the second floor on the other hand... Again she took flight, and now she could see what was happening.

What she saw... It shouldn't have been a surprise for Fluttershy. She had known that this was happening! But, after all she had experienced with Radiant, Sombra and the others... Maybe she had just put up meantal walls to isolate herself from this? Not wanting to believe it any longer? Just wanting to have a happy and peaceful life like before Sombra's return? Had Radiant, maybe, not been quite honest to her?

Inside the building, lines of equestrian guards got King Sombra's mind-control helmets put onto their heads. The dark, controlling magic for a momeant illuminating the insides as they were being put under his control. Momeants later, the pony that had just received the helmet, like an automaton, moved to get the rest of his, or her, new armor...

Radiant had told her that this was only temporary, and that they'd regain their personality after a while... but was that really the case? The doubts, the feeling of betrayal, gnawed on Fluttershy.

The suspicious and defiant part of her that had never been completely silenced by her benevolent treatmeant was stirring up again! The part that had reared itself every time when she remembered that the fighting was going on! What else should she have expected? They had been upfront about it, and it was known in Equestria! The only one to blame for her ignorance was Fluttershy herself who had cozied up with the King and Queen!

Fluttershy was disgusted with herself now and, worried that she might get spotted, hurried back to the castle. On the way, she made her decision: She would flee! Flee and return to Equestria and do her best to help Princess Celestia to bring the war to a good end! She knew the city well enough and the castle even better! Maybe she could give valuable intel to her? Maybe even get a hold of some of Sombra's plans?

Over the next few days, the pegasus was trying her best not to let anything show, but secretely, she was gathering supplies and warm, sturdy clothes for the journey! It was warm now, but she had no idea how the weather would turn out during it. She knew the rough direction, but not the proper way, and only knew that it would be a long time to travel. Many days at best, weeks or months at the worst. Especially since she would walk most of the distance! She had never been the fastest or most enduring flier, and there weren't many pegasi in these lands from what Radiant Hope had told her. Flying a lot would be suspicions, while a lone pony travelling would be far more easily dismissed.

One late evening, while looking for possible valuable informations, she happened to stumble over a large map, showing the current frontlines. She couldn't take it with her, but it helped to give her an idea how to travel. She also found a few papers with potential offensive and defensive measures and tried to keep as much of that in her mind as she could.

One week later, on a clouded, new moon night, she made her escape. Standing on the roof of the castle, she removed the dress she'd been wearing and replaced it with clothes she had managed to pilfer when nopony was looking. They were fitting reasonably well and seemed sturdy enough for the journey: A pair of black boots from one of the guard rooms, a pair of jeans, a white tank top and a shirt with fatigue colors as well as as a warm jacket. On her back a large backpack carrying food and water for a few days, some tinder and a box of matches, a tarp and some poles to make a tent, a blanket and some additional, warm clothing. It had been a bit of a hassle to make everything fit with her wings, her shirt and hoodie had needed a few cuts, but it would make due.

When she had seen herself in a mirror, wearing all of this, Fluttershy hadn't been able supress a little amused smile: She looked like some sort of action survivor or resistance member from a TV show or something! Never had she thought she'd look like this!

And now, she took flight. The weight of the backpack was a hinderance, but she didn't need to fly very long. Just far enough to get a good head start for walking without leaving any easily followed tracks in the vicinity of the city!

Fifteen minutes later, she landed in the grass and began to march. Until she remembered one thing... She still wore the collar! And Radiant had told her about the enchantmeants on it... How it could lock her up, how it could alarm her and Sombra... Fluttershy's hands grabbed the collar, wondering how much work it would be to remove it, to keep it from holding her back... And, to her great surprise, with some pressure it simply snapped open! The only thing that had kept it around her neck this whole time had been her unwillingness to remove it... She let it drop into the grass and moved on.

Radiant Hope expected Sombra to be angry! Only because of her pleading had Fluttershy been allowed all these freedoms, and it had seemed like even he had liked her, started to trust her... And now this? Had she misjudged Fluttershy's character? Had they given her too much leeway too quickly? She looked at the collar in her right hand, her left on the railing, as her husband was staring at the horizon from the top of the castle.

But instead of being angry, the king of the Crystal Empire was calm and collected. And... was that a smirk on his face? "Don't worry about her, Radiant." He told her, putting his own hand over hers. "A good slave forges her own chains..."

"What do you mean by that, Sombra?" Radiant looked at him, confused and surprised! Whatever he meant, this did, however, also show that he still had issues seeing other ponies than her as more than enemies or servants...Despite her tempering influence, it showed that Sombra needed more... moral encouragemeant. Oh, Fluttershy... that was exactly why you should have been around...

"You will see... I have a very strong feeling that we haven't seen the last of her.

Radiant's hand slipped from her husband's grasp and brushed over her stomach. She would have liked to tell Fluttershy exciting news...

Fluttershy was now in the second week of tracking through the wilderness, avoiding any pony she could see. Every now and then, she flew a short distance to cut time and have a better overview over her surroundings. This was made easier, unfortunately, by her backpack having gotten a whole lot lighter.

So far, the weather had been relatively kind to her, only once had she been caught by rain, though that had been a rather nasty night. The tent had done a decent enough job, but until she had it set up... and without a fire... It hadn't been a nice night, but at least acceptable through gritted teeth. And, luckily, she could at least change the clothes.

Every now and then she happened to come across some field mice, bunnies or birds and some of those even had been nice enough to help her find some eadable roots and similar things ,as well as water, to stretch out her dwindling supplies.

After a few more days, she finally reached a change of scenery: a great forest. After days walking through the grasslands, it was a welcome sight. And the trees would help her hide from unwanted attention! She had seen a few patrols, or at least groups that she had assumed to be patrols, that might have been looking for her. And it would be nice to have some shade and protection from rain.

Additionally, in the forest she might have more luck in getting new supplies. The hunger, thirst and the generally dire situation aside, she had to admit that, with some friends, and preferably no war, this could have been a nice, even enjoyable, trip.

Picking up a sturdy branch as a walking stick, Fluttershy walked on. This time not quite alone: A few of the forest animals had decided to keep her company, at least for some time. But while the air in the forest was nice, fresh and cool, and when it rained the leaves of the trees did provide an appreciable amount of protection, the undergrowth was doing a number on Fluttershy's clothes, leaving her jacket torn in many places.

More time had passed during which Fluttershy trudged along, hoping to find equestrian civilization soon. By now, she had lost track of how many days had passed, but it must've been at least a month she'd been travelling. The weight of her body, diminshed by weeks of hardships and deprivations was supported by her walking stick as she forced herself to walk on. The pegasus broke through the next bush, the tatters of her jacket hanging off of her, scratches and small cuts from brushwork on her face and arms, leaves and little twigs had gotten caught in her mane and tail.

The next forest lay behind her, the next grassland before her as she dragged on... But, after a few minutes, she halted again! She had seen a group of ponies! And, if her eyes weren't deceiving her... They were wearing Equestrian Guard armor! She had made it! It She just had to have made it! "HELLO!!! OVER HERE!!!" She called out, her voice weak from exhaustion but still audible enough!

She saw how the guards' heads turned and did her best to rush towards them, saw, how they began to move in her direction! She had made it! She had really made it! Even as she had set out, she had had her doubts that she could do it... And yet, she did! But, finally, the exhaustion overcame her. Her legs gave way and she fell onto the hard ground, her staff clattering down next to her.

Fluttershy tried to force herself back onto her hooves, but she just wasn't able to. She felt how her consciousness was fading away... But, not knowing how much time had passed, she suddenly heard voices! She noticed how a shadow fell over her, blocking out the sun. "... you... -right?" It was a stallion's voice.

"Y..yes." Her voice was weak, but she managed to get that out.

The voices continued. "Let's turn her around! Give me a hand!"

"You push her up and I'll let her down gently! Alright, Soarin?"

"Yes. Ready, Spearhead?"

"Ready! On three!"

Fluttershy felt her body being turned over, and when she was on her back, wearily opened her eyes.

"Hey?" One of the stallions, a white pegasus, asked her. "Who are you?" Judging by the voice, that was Soarin.

Fluttershy could only groan. "She looks bad." A brown earth pony, probably Spearhead, added.

"Let me take a look!" A red pegasus mare now pushed herself in front of both of them. She gave Fluttershy a very quick and rough check. "She seems to be fine over all, but probably didn't have much, if any, good food, or proper rest, in a while. Exhaustion and overexertion as well, if I am any judge." She told the rest of the unit. Next to her and Soarin and Spearhead, there were also one unicorn and one more earth pony who's names hadn't been meantioned.

"Who are you?" She asked Fluttershy urgendly.

"F-Fl..." But Fluttershy ended in a tired groan instead of saying her name.

"Where were you going?" This was the voice of Spearhead.

"E... questria..."

A short pause. Soarin looked at her. "Where do you come from?"

The pink maned pegasus managed to press the answer out with the last of her strength: "Crystal... Empire..."

Soarin stared at his companions. Then, the last thing Fluttershy heard, was him shouting: "Get her to the base! Quick!" As she was being lifted up, she lost consciousness.

When Fluttershy woke up, she felt almost as well rested as back in the Crystal Empire, though her hooves were sore, he legs hurt from all the walking, and some of the scratches still stung a little. And she was hungry!

"Oh! You're awake! Very good!" A white mare in a nurse's uniform hurried over. "I am Nurse Redheart! I've been taking care of you while you were in the field hospital!"

"How... How long have I slept?"

"Two days straight! You must have been really tired." There was a slight amusemeant in Redheart's voice, but also a warm compassion. "I'll run a few tests and then call the princess! She wanted to be informed asap once you regained your consciousness!"

Thirty minutes later, Princess Celestia sat next to Fluttershy's bed. Redheart's checks had confirmed that, over all, Fluttershy was fine. She had lost weight during the her journey and was a bit dehydrated, but the infusions during her sleep had helped and would regain a more healthy weight after some time with regular, decently sized meals. Otherwise, she just needed more rest. Redheart would have liked to grant the pegasus that rest, but the Princess' inquiry tolerated no delay.

For a few minutes, Celestia just sat next to Fluttershy, looking her all over, and Fluttershy didn't dare to speak first. Finally, the ruler of Equestria began to speak: "You are that pegasus that pushed me out of the way of that magic blast during that ambush."

"My name is Fluttershy, Princess Celestia." Shy's reply was quiet, surprised that this powerful alicorn remembered her!

"I am sorry that I left you behind." Regret was audible in her voice. "There was so much going on and I had thought somebody had picked you up... I can't imagine what you went through..."

Fluttershy's answer surprised Celestia: "If I am being honest? It wasn't that bad."

"Not that bad?!" The Princess was in disbelief. "I have no idea how you even are still yourself! I did a magical check on you to see if you are under the influence of Sombra's magic, but that was negative! But you tell me, that being abducted by the worst tyrant we've known since that abominable draconequs a thousand years ago... was not that bad?

Fluttershy began to tell her story. And it left Celestia speechless. Shy did leave out the raunchier stuff and some bits and pieces she felt were either too private or too unimportant, but, in general, she gave an accurate account of her time. She told Celestia even about Radiant Hope and how she hoped to reign Sombra in.

"I wish that this Radiant Hope had come to me... maybe we could have worked something out." Celestia shook her head. "I knew Princess Amore back in the day... She had a good heart, but often was just too shortsighted. And from what you tell me, if she had taken a more responsible approach with Sombra, all of this might have been avoidable. If he wasn't lashing out at the world like this, I would feel bad for him."

She sighed. But now, it was time to move to the next topic that had peaked her interest. One that lay heavily on Celestia's mind. "You... You talked with Twilight?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Twilight told me what happened. And why. She... she felt underappreciated. As if every mistake was placed on her, every triumph on you. And then, Tempest Shadow... She worked for Sombra when she came to you."

"And I kept her in the background exactly because of how important she was! Because of how much I valued her! I feared that, if a spotline was put on her, she'd put even more pressure on herself and, additionally, would become a prime target for Sombra!" She buried her face in her hands. "And instead I just hurt her, made her vulnerable to a mole..."

"I had great expectations for her. When I had first seen her as a young filly, I could see that she was a very special unicorn... But then, I expected too much of her too soon. I had a dragon's egg I should have given her something easier... She took her education elsewhere, to other renowned branches of academia, and I always kept an eye on her, but... it seems like that episode had had a negative impact on her. Even when I invited her to join my school later, based on her merits, she denied the offer. I did manage to convince after a while, but she wanted it to be in a way that made it clear that she wasn't a 'proper' student of mine... I never figured out why exaclty, but now... maybe it was because she felt like she didn't deserve it while being resentful about the test when she was a filly... I made so many mistakes..."

The bedridden pegasus was in disbelief as she heard Celestia speak. It... It did not fit with what she, what all of Equestria had seen, were seeing, of the Princess! For her whole life, she'd seen Princess Celestia as this beacon of strength, their wise and benevolent ruler, who always knew how to fix a situation, how to steer the right course! And now, she saw a side nopony in Equestria, except maybe for her most trusted companions, knew... One that was plagued by every mistake she had ever made in her long, long life...

These momeants of contemplation were interrupted when another pegasus mare entered the tent! "Princess?" The rainbow-mane before being shushed by a passing nurse. The patients needed calm! To Fluttershy, the new arrival felt... oddly familiar. As if she'd met her before... Coming to a halt next to the princess, she added: "The emmisary from Griffonstone has arrived!"

Celestia snapped out of her bout of insecurity immediately and, with a gentle smile and a curious look in her eyes, turned to the pegasus! "Oh? Already? Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash replied to the thanks with a relaxed salute and a cocky grin. "She is an old friend of mine. Her name is Gilda. She came alongside an aid, Gabby I think."

"Excuse me, Fluttershy." The alicorn told her as she rose to her hooves. "I enjoyed our talk, but now, I have to deal with this war again."

As she turned away, Fluttershy knew that she should do something to help her... And she also knew what she could do. "I... I know the castle very well." Celestia and Rainbow Dash looked at her, confused at what she was trying to say. "Maybe... Maybe I could guide an infiltration unit?"

Celestia was speechless at the suggestion! This little pegasus, who now was hiding her face under her blanket after this courageous offers, looked nothing like somepony with the talents or personality necessary for something like this, but, at heart, sh eseemed brave. Maybe more brave than many of her battle tested veterans? Could she deny such a soul's offer?

The other issue was that, just like with Tempest Shadow, this pegasus could be a double agent... She wasn't under a spell, Celestia knew that, and from their little talk, she seemed nothing but earnesty, but the possibility still existed! Celestia's heart, however, told her that this brave little thing was honest. And it would be an unforgiveable insult to deny her. Maybe she shouldn't accompany the group that could be sent out, but her knowledge certainly would be valuable.

"I will think about it." She told Fluttershy. "Do you have any wishes?"

Shy blushed at the mundanity of it: "Could I please get something to eat? I haven't had a real meal in ages!"

"We can arrange that." Celestia smiled. A few minutes later, Fluttershy was brought a hot bowl of filling potato soup and fresh water to drink. She was sated after the fourth serving.

A few days later, Fluttershy was fit enough to leave her bed, and she was allowed to walk the camp. She ahd, in fact, been given a small tent of her own when she left the hospital. It was nice to be able to walk outside again, the fresh air did wonders for the pegasus, and to have the company of other ponies again! To be able to talk to others! She'd always been quiet and introvert, avoiding company of anyone but her animals a lot, but now, after a month, or more, of tracking through the wilderness, having others to talk to was a blessing!

But there also had been a downside. Just a tiny issue regarding to a certain odor in the air. The smell of... stallions. For the last few weeks, Fluttershy had been too busy trying to get to her goal, to survive the journey and all that without being captured by Crystal Empire patrols to really think about it, then, she'd been stuck in a bed to recover. But now... She thought that she could have almost felt her uterus twitch when, during her first tour of the camp, the smell of so many stallions, and quite a few probably quite pent up, had reached her nostrils. It awoke feelings and desires she had thought to have been left behind when she had departed her captivity...

Fluttershy was horny. Very horny. At times, she was thinking about just going into a random tent, tear off the clothes she'd been given and fuck every stallion that hadn't left by three. Luckily, her usual reservedness prevailed. For now.

But right now, there were other things on her mind! This evening, Princess Celestia had summoned her to join a war council this evening, where the possibility, and if agreed upon, part of the details of a raid of Sombra's castle would be discussed. On her way to Celestia's tent, passing behind another tent placed near the outer areas of the camp, Fluttershy passed by some sort of box with two holes, one on either end, about large enough to fit a pony. She had passed that crate a few times, always wondering what its purpose was. She shrugged and continued.

The guards at Celestia's tent let Fluttershy pass and she entered. Around the large desk inside the tent was an array of ponies. Next to Princess Celestia, there were Rainbow Dash, who she still felt like she knew from somewhere, Soarin, an orange pegasus mare and a dark furred pegasus stallion with his light green mane. Alongisde the pegasi were two earth pony mares: A pink one, her mane hanging down over her face, and a gray one who looked... rather disinterested.

Alongside them were two griffons. A brown one and a gray one. Judging by how they stood, and what Fluttershy had overheard a few days prior, the taller brown one probably was Gilda, the smaller, gray one Gabby.

Gilda looked a bit... abrasive, but then, next to Equestria Griffonstone was the nation most under pressure by Sombra's forces. At the same time, she also shared Rainbow Dash's cocky expression. Gabby looked like a pleasant person however.

Celestia backoned her to come over and join them. "Hello Fluttershy. It's good that you're here. Rainbow Dash and Soarin you know already, at least a little, from seeing them, if I am not mistaken?"

"Yes."

"The others with us are Spitfire,-" the Princess pointed at the orange mare, "-Thunderlane,-" the stallion, "Pinkamena Pie and her sister, Maud,-" the pink and the gray mares, and Fluttershy already figured which one of the two was Pinkamena, "-and, finally, the emissaries from Griffonstone, Gilda and Gabby. I have invited them to join this council."

Fluttershy gave a brief recap of what she had experienced to the assembled crowd. Rumours about her had already spread in the camp, due to bits and pieces that had been overheard when she had talked to the Princess. Some, for example, said that she was leading a major insurrection in the capital of the Crystal Empire! It would be better if any of these false expectations would be put away quickly.

Once her tale had ended, Celestia took the word again: "And now that you know the real story, instead of only rumors. Fluttershy offered to put her knowledge of the Crystal Empire at our disposal."

A gasp went through the room. Rainbow Dash had known about it as she had overheard it back then, but Celestia had sworn her to the utmost secrecy. This could be what could decisely turn the tide. "And," Celestia continued, "suggested that this could be used to launch a surprise commando raid on the castle itself, potentially allowing us to assassinate Sombra himself or, at the very least, gain access to valuable informations on his plans, numbers, equipmeant, installations and so on."

Rainbow Dash immediately raised her hand. "Princess! I volunteer for this mission!" Spitfire joined in, and a momeant later, Soarin and Thunderlane did as well.

"I expected as much." The princess smiled. "Fluttershy, please. Tell us everything you know about the capital of the Crystal Empire and the castle."

She did, doing her best to explain the layout as well as she recalled. It was a fairly in-depth description, but also one that made clear that she hadn't explored the it all that that much, didn't have access to detailed maps or anything. Not that it was surprising. But it also made it obvious that she would probably have to accompany the the squad to guide them.

It did, however, allow them to draw up a rough map of the city and castle, and that was a start. "Pinkamena? Maud?" Celestia turned to the two earth ponies, "I have called you to this meeting because I thought that, maybe, we could tunnel into the castle. I would like to hear your opinion on that matter." And, explaining to Fluttershy, she added: "Pinkamena and her sister Maud grew up on a rock farm, and are probably some of the best diggers we have. They can break through huge bolders in seconds, for example. Maud also has a rocktorate and is excellent in estimating the ground for digging."

Pinkamena skipped over to Fluttershy. The pegasus couldn't quite help a feeling that she should know her... And that, despite her face having a generally happy expression, the earth pony looked somewhat deflated. "You can call me 'Pinkie Pie', or just 'Pinkie' for short!" Pinkie offered her hand.

It certainly was shorter than Pinkamena. "Fluttershy." She took the offered hand.

"You know..." Pinkie leaned her head a little to the left as she mustered the pegasus, "It feels like I should know you... Want to be my friend?"

Fluttershy was taken aback by that frank directness! "Uhm... Sure."

"It is nice that you want to be Fluttershy's friend, Pinkamena, but could we please come back to the main business?" Celestia brought her back to the here and now.

"Okie dokie! Sorry for interrupting!"

"It's alright. Nice to see that you want to make Fluttershy feel welcome." The princess turned back to Maud and pointed at the castle drawn onto the rudimeantary map. "What do you think?"

The gray mare answered in a monotone voice. "If what Fluttershy said about the surrounding geography is correct, it should be possible to tunnel into the basemeant of the castle relatively fast."

"Can you give me an estimate?"

"If we can support the tunnel properly, maybe using magic? About three weeks? Four in a worst case scenario? That is only a guess, of course, until I can examine it myself. And assumes we have to start a distance away from the city itself. If we were able to get into the city, maybe an abandoned building, the time needed would diminish accordingly."

Pinkie agreed. She wasn't as well versed in rocks and such as her sister but you didn't grow up on a rock farm without learning a thing or two.

Celestia smiled a little. She hadn't even asked Pinkamena and Maud if they wanted to accompany the group. But for the two, it was self-evident that they'd plan and handle the tunneling! "I can assume then, that you two will also join the strike team?"

"Indeed."

"Of course!"

Rainbow Dash and Spitfire whispered with one another for a few momeants. "Princess Celestia?" Dash turned to her, "We think that we know the other candidates. Fleetfoot, Misty Fly and Blaze for additional mobility and reconaissance. And all of the pegasi are strong enough to carry non-fliers plus luggage, at least for a while, in case we need to flee." Spitfire nodded in agreemeant. The two knew their fliers well, so Celestia trusted their judgmeant. "Additionally: Lyra Heartstrings to provide us with some magical support, and maybe support the digging with it, and Bon Bon. She is one of our best infiltration experts after all."

"Alright. I trust your instincts in that matter." Celestia reaffirmed with a nod. "Tomorrow, you four will call the others and explain everything to them, and hammer it into their skulls that this is of utmost secrecy! I wish I could accompany you all, but I have to stay."

They understood that. Celestia just disappearing would raise red flags, both at home, potentially causing panic, especially with Prince Blueblood, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor being bound elsewhere, and at the enemy, who would most likely suspect foul play.

They spent about an hour more, working through details, cover stories, what supplies would have to be prepared, how they'd train for the mission and so on. In the end, it also was agreed that they'd leave in a months time. Then, finally, Celestia dismissed the meeting, though they didn't leave leave immediately, which she didn't begrudge. This meeting had been a lot to swallow after all.

Rainbow Dash had finished some chit chat with her griffon friends when she walked over to Fluttershy: "Sorry, we haven't had time to talk yet. I am Rainbow Dash,-" She offered her hand and Fluttershy shook it, "-and... Sorry that I ask, but... do I know you? You look familiar..." She knocked a fist against her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "Maybe... I think we were in a flight camp together? As fillies?"

"Yes!" It came to Flutterhsy! She had known that Rainbow Dash had felt somewhat familiar and now she remembered! "You tried to stop those guys from bullying me!"

"Yes! You are right! Though... that didn't end that well, did it?" She looked a little embarassed, obiously she would have preferred to perform a more stellar rescue.

"You tried, and that is what counts."

"Maybe we can catch up about what happened in the month before we leave?"

"Maybe."

A few minutes later, everyone but Celestia left. Not knowing what to do for now, Fluttershy just kinda followed Soarin and Thunderlane at a little distance. She wasn't intentionally following them, but having nothing better to do just fell in line behind them. They weren't bothered, if they even noticed.

After a few minutes, they were joined by another stallion: Spearhead left a tent and walked up to them.

"Sorry, Spear. It's need to know."

"If it's need to know, then it's need to know." He shrugged, before beginning to talk about other stuff. After some general talk, the newest rumors from the camp and other parts of Equestria, the topic hit rather close to home for Fluttershy: "That Fluttershy is a real hottie, isn't she?"

"A bit scrawny for my taste," Soarin replied, "but then, she's spent a long time on less-than-basic rations. It was lucky that we came across her when she did, considering how exhausted she was. She might've starved there! Maybe she'll put some weight back on!"

"If she wasn't so shy, I think I'd try to hook up with her, at least for a one-night stand." Thunderlane shrugged, his voice giving away hints of his desires. "But I wouldn't want her to run around, screaming her head off because I'm hitting on her. Would be pretty embarassing for both of us."

"Can't argue with either point. I'd love to-..."

Hearing that didn't do Fluttershy's somewhat agitated sexual need any favors. Three studs talking about how attractive she was... The only thing keeping two of them from trying to seduce her was them worrying about her reaction. And, being honest, she couldn't disagree. As needy as she was, she probably would react like that if asked out by ponies that were strangers to her!

She heard a few ideas that Thunderlane and Spearhead had if they'd get to bed her, and they sounded rather tempting. At the same time, however, she knew that she wouldn't be able to ask either of them now, because it might give away that she had overheard them!

"Maybe I'm just pent up again..." Spearhead sighed. "Wanna see if a mare is in the box?"

Soarin laughed! "Spitfire would kill me if I waste a load on some mare behind a glory hole instead of of her! She told me to meet her in a bit!"

"Lucky bastard!" Thunderlane grumbled jokingly. "The only one of us to get a girlfriend in camp, and then it's even his superior officer!" That wasn't exactly allowed by regulations, but as long as it didn't lead to any troubles, or unplanned parenthoods, Celestia was willing to turn a blind eye on any relations in camp, kept the moral up. The dark pegasus turned to Spearhead: "I'll come with you. I need to bust a nut just as much as you do..."

"Have fun, you two! I'll go and meet Spitfire!"

The box? THAT box? The use of it finally dawned on Fluttershy! She had heard of this kind of thing before, when she'd been a bit curious and browsed the internet and, after about five sentences, had closed the browser with a flushed head and buried herself underneath a blanket. IT was a glory hole! A pony would hide inside, unseen by others, and offer sexual services to those interested! This was probably how most here sated their needs!

Fluttershy figured that the spell Radiant had cast on her probably was still active. And even if it wasn't, it was highly likely that whoever had set up this... relief opportunity had placed a spell to that effect on it. Otherwise, there would have been trouble already.

She turned around and did her best to get there before the other two, hoping that nopony had entered it yet! She moved as quietly as she could until she was at a safe distance, then rushed!

To Fluttershy's great relief, the box was empty! She opened the lid and inspected it. Seemed like it could be locked from the inside, which made sense to avoid anypony from taking an unwanted look, but there was an emergency release on the outside as well, probably in case something blocked the internal mechanism. The ground was covered by a blanket and a few pillows that looked reasonably comfortable and clean. They probably got cleaned regularly. She at least hoped so.

Not knowing how much time she had before anypony, especially Thunderlane and Spearhead, arrived, Fluttershy stripped as quickly as possible out of the clothes she'd been given and put her top and pants under the blanket to keep them clean, and luckily she'd been barehoof already, so shoes or boots weren't a problem.

She hurried into the box and closed the lid. Once inside, the pegasus unclasped her bra, enjoying the feeling of her tits being freed, and pulled down her panties. Finishing just in time for her to hear approaching steps, she pressed her ass against the rear hole while trying to catch a glimps of whomever might try the front.

"We're lucky!" That was Thunderlane! "It's not empty!"

"Thank Celestia!" Spearhead's voice came from her rear. This got him thinking... "Huh...You think the Princess ever needs relief like that?"

Thunderlane grunted. "Interesting question... Are you implying that, maybe, Princess Celestia has gotten herself off in that box?"

"Just saying that, if she did, nopony would know!"

Fluttershy saw the pants in front of the hole she was looking through drop to the ground. "I wonder who's inside right now. Maybe it's one of the griffons? That Gabby was kind of cute!" Thunderlane was now rubbing his cock.

"Who knows?" She heard from behind alongside another pair of pants falling down. "But I doubt it. I see a little bit of fur here and, while I can't quite tell the color, I don't think it's gray, or Gilda's brown."

"Sometimes I wish the box didn't have a soundproofing spell on it. Maybe we could guess who's inside by the moans!" The other stallion replied. "But then, it probably would make everything a bit more uncomfortable for a lot of ponies here..."

That soundproofing must have been a one way spell then. Considering that the camp had far more stallions than mares, which was rather rare in Equestria, that also kind off made sense. No need for a two way proofing if the amount of options for the other half is so much larger.

Momeants after that, Fluttershy managed just about to avoid the hard member that Thunderlane thrust through the hole! The smell of cock hit her nostrils and she felt how her pussy went from moist to dripping wet in a heart beat! And Spearhead rubbing his... spear head over it made it even worse. "She is like a waterfall!" He told Thunderlane! "What a needy bitch!"

For a few momeants, Shy just stared at the meat rod in front of her, but Thunderlane was getting impatient! A small movemeant of his hip, and his cock hit her cheek! This caused Fluttershy to snap out of her stupor...

At first, she only gave gentle kisses along the length of the shaft, starting at the hole and working her way down before finally reaching its flared tip. A little bead of pre-cum was forming there already. Fluttershy licked it off. "Mmh~" She heard Thunderlane hum. "Soft lips and a nice tongue!"

Spearhead laughed! "If her lips feel anything like those down here, I'll believe that in a heartbeat!"

"You're rubbing against her pussy?" The pegasus sounded surprised.

"Yeah, lubing up a little, enjoying the feeling... It almost feels like her pussy is trying to clamp down on me before I even put it in!"

"If she's as wet as you say, you shouldn't need any lubing up!"

"True, but as I said: I'm enjoying the feeling. And I'm waiting for her to get started on you properly! I wouldn't want to accidentally push your cock into her eye!"

"How caring of y-..." Thunderlane's half-mocked appreciation was interrupted when he felt her mouth take his length in! "She started! Damn! The slut's hungry!"

Fluttershy had heard everything! And the only thing that had kept Spearhead from stopping to tease her and instead start fucking her had been that she should start sucking of Thunderlane?! She didn't need any further encouraging to finally get to work properly! After all, she'd been drooling to get a taste of Thunderlane already!

One last time she ran her lips down his length and then opened her mouth wide. Almost she would have wished that he could have seen her like this: Her big, blue, innocent eyes pleading, full of lust, her mouth open, hungry... Oh, it was time to dig in!

Her mouth began to take in the pegasus' length. He tasted so good! Fluttershy quickly began to pick up the pace...

Thunderlane moaned in pleasant surprise: "She already started deep-throating me! That might be the best throat in the camp!"

"What a slut..." Spearhead chuckled. "Well, guess I'll get started now too." After a few attempts, his cock lined up correctly and he felt how her pussy parted and let him enter without any hinderances. The stallion let out an impressed whistle! "She is even more wet than I thought! And her pussy is so hot! Damn it! She's clamping down on me already like she's trying to milk me!"

For Fluttershy, it was pure bliss! As pent up as she had felt before, now that she was getting fucked she realized that it had been even worse than she had thought!

It took the edge off of her and would help her stay, well, sane and functioning. But... she wanted more! She wanted to bury her hands in the ass of the stud she was blowing, wanted to feel her fingers dig into his firm ass as she pressed her head against his crotch when she drank his jizz! She wanted to feel Spearhead's hands grab, knead, spank her ass! She wanted to lie on the box, not be inside, as she got used... Maybe they would write nasty things on her fur? "Camp slut"? "Free use"? "Fill me up"? Oh, what had happened to her to think such things...

It was over all too soon for Fluttershy's taste. She didn't realize that they had fucked her for quite a while. First, Thunderlane shot his load down her throat, before slowly pulling out, filling her mouth and then leaving a few splatters on her face. Then, Spearhead filled her pussy to the prim and left a few white streaks on her ass and back.

Spearhead let out a satisfied sight as he rubbed the tip of his cock against the mare's ass to wipe of some more spunk. "Let's swap! I'll get her mouth now, and you..."

"Eh, not in the mood for sloppy seconds tonight."

"You could also fuck her ass." The earth pony suggested.

To Fluttershy's great disappointmeant, the other pegasus again denied: "No. Also not in the mood for that. Maybe because of the briefing. The stuff is kinda stuck in my mind."

"Yeah, I understand that," Spearhead agreed, "When we talked about it in the tent, it was one thing, but the realization of the weight of it all set in only once it was over... But this was a nice distraction from that."

"True." Thunderlane put two fingers through the hole in front of him to brush over the mare's face, hitting some of his cum. Whoever was inside happily licked his fingers clean, however. "If you want her to blow you, sure. But, I think I'm calling it quits now, get a snack and then go to bed."

"Nah, I'm good. You're right, we should go to sleep. Spitfire and Rainbow Dash will probably drum us out of our beds before sunrise for drills anyway. Guess I just wanted to spend a few more moments in blissfull denial!" He let out a hollow laugh.

As she heard them leave, Fluttershy let out a disappointed whine, before scooping up as much of the cum on her as she could and drank it ouf of her hands. That had been what she needed! Her body, burning with need before, had calmed down a lot! But, after a few minutes of basking in the afterglow, an uncomfortable realization hit: They had been good. Very good. But, they didn't compare to... him... And she still wanted more!

Shy stayed for another hours, but only three other ponies showed up. And one of them had wanted to get into the crate herself! The mare ended up eating Fluttershy out, and had the pegasus eat her out, so that had been nice, but it wasn't quite what Shy had wanted.

5 Flutterfall

The preparations for the infiltration and commando raid were indeed taking up the better part of a month. Rainbow Dash, Spitfire and Princess Celestia had come up with a variety of cover explanations for the groups training sessions, in which Fluttershy did participate, as well as she could. Then, there'd been planning sessions and the stocking of supplies.. Fluttershy had suddenly found herself with far less spare time than before.

Fluttershy had visited the box every couple of days to blow off some steam. Some days, she was too late. Some times she didn't have much traffic. Other times she looked like a porn actress after a gang bang shoot. On those days, she slept the best.

But she had to admit: These sessions never really scratched that itch inside of her that had been left by the pleasures brought upon her by King Sombra and Radiant Hope! Maybe it was the anonymity? It added a certain buzz, but at the same time also a lot of the direct affection. Maybe it was the fact that, in the castle, she'd ended up rather content and happy which amplified her experience? Maybe there'd been some enhancing magic in the castle? Some sort of drugs in the food that now caused intense lust due to withdrawal? Or... Sombra and Radiant had been just too good and she'd been ruined for any other stallion? Well, maybe not quite that far, but still... Maybe something else? Or a combination of various factors?

Over the month, Shy and the others got to know each other better. After their time in the flying camp, Rainbow Dash had moved up to weather control, and eventually actually also moved to Ponyville, though, despite being a small town, the two had never run into one another, or at least never really noticed each other. With Fluttershy's general introvertness it wasn't massively surprising to be fair. The brash pegasus had been working to join the Wonderbolts when the war broke out and, befitting her nature, had been amongst the first to sign up.

Spitfire, Soarin and Thunderlane had actually been Wonderbolts before the war and early into it, the unit had been kept together, after all they were the best fliers in Equestria! But since Sombra had not much of an air force to speak off, their superior flying skills were, after a while, found to be wasted if they were kept together the whole time and so they had been split up to a few pegasi with their extraordinary abilities in all the major units.

Blaze, Fleetfoot and Misty Fly, three other mares, had also been part of the Wonderbolts. Luckily, including reservists and retired members that were still fit enough to work there had been enough members to be distributed to the major armies in the field plus a few strategic areas, like Cloudsdale, Manehattan and Canterlot. For one, the legendary Wind Rider was commanding the pegasi in Shining Armor's army! Celestia's army, as the primary force that was trying to check Sombra's primary army, had the largest contingent however.

Pinkie Pie and her elder sister Maud, well, most of their story had already been told to Fluttershy. The contrast between them was interesting though. Maud was introvert and taciturn to a fault, and, so far, looked like nothing would ever surprise or shock her. She looked almost bored at everything! Pinkie, on the other hand, was far more sociable. And to Fluttershy it seemed, as if there was an even more outgoing part of the pink maned mare that was just waiting to burst out! Though, maybe part of what was holding her back was her father... When the war had broken out, Igneous Rock Pie, despite his preferance for his rock farm, had seen it as a duty to volunteer and...

Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon had met in the army. Lyra was from Canterlot, one of the students at Celestia's school even, and Bon Bon had, like Shy, lived in Ponyville. In fact, she'd seen her a few times, though had never talked to her much. Apparently before the war, she'd been an agent for some secret governmeant organization tasked with dealing with certain dangerous creatures, but that was all they'd gotten out of her. And only after Celestia authorized this reveal of the barest minimum. Lyra and Bon Bon had come to know and love one another during the fighting. Even in all the cruelty that is war, love could bloom. It was almost heartwearming.

The month had passed. At first, it had seemed to Fluttershy like the days wouldn't pass at all.. and then, they had passed, faster than she had thought! Early in the morning, before the first rays of the sun showed, Celestia had summoned the group. They had had the choice of either starting in the evening and march though the night, or in the morning. However, they figured that, in the end, it would be easier to move during the day, rather than to sleep at day and walk at night, especially through forests. And moving during the day might make them easier to spot, but so would resting during the day if the guard post fell asleep.

Twelve ponies stood in front of Princess Celestia. Elven of them stood at attention with military precision. One of them just stood there, and looked quite tired. Shy had barely closed an eye over night, so nervous she had been.

She had expected the Princess to give them some sort of roaring speech, about how the fate of Equestria and beyond lay upon their shoulders and depended on their success. But Celestia did no such thing. Her soldiers and even Fluttershy knew that already. The many planning sessions had made it hard to dismiss from thought as well. Instead, and rather surprisingly anticlimatically, she only wished them good luck on their mission.

Fluttershy had been given one of the army uniforms to wear instead of the rags that her previous clothes had turned into. All of them carried great backpacks, stuffed with rations, water, survival gear and other equipmeant on thier backs. As the strongest of the group, Thunderlane, Soarin, Rainbow Dash and the earth ponies carried even larger packs with even more supplies, and even some equipmeant to, if necessary, or maybe rather possible, disguise themselves. All of them had stuffed ration bars, protein bars or similar stuff into every available pocket. On her trip to the camp, Fluttershy had been close to starvation and now, they were a larger group. They would need all the food they could get.

To Fluttershy's surprise, despite the weights on their backs and the larger goup, it seemed to her like they were making quicker progress than when she'd been alone! Maybe the prior march and the training sessions had helped? They did fly more often, and the stronger pegasi really seemed like they were able to carry the earth ponies and the unicon for a while, so maybe it was that? Or just having company made it all fly by faster?

This company, and her new state of mind, however, also made the journey a bit more difficult in other regards. And not only regarding the supplemeanting of provisions via foraging. They were ten mares and two stallions, but two studs were enough to get her Fluttershy bothered. And the mares weren't unattractive either.

It had really started when, after a few days of their journey, they had passed by a creek and the group had decided to use that chance to freshen up a little, to wash their clothes, dry them in the sun and take a bath. None of the other ponies seemed to have many inhibitions to stripping down in front of one another... Well, Soarin and Spitfire apparently had something going, and most mares weren't as shy as Fluttershy in front of other mares, and Bon Bon and Lyra were an item... But for the others? Well, maybe it was due to the bonds forged during drill, survival training and in the fire combat? Or, at least, afterwards in the field hospital? Not much reason for inhibitions when everypony has to remove soaked through clothing, or gets stripped down to check for injuries, or wakes up in the hospital, almost naked in front of their friends.

Fluttershy had already seen Thunderlane's member, not that he knew, but seeing it on the stallion, and Soarin next to him, caused her to blush heavily. And the other mares didn't help either. Neither did Spitfire and Bon Bon teasing their lovers. Or Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie teasing Fluttershy for how embarassed she seemed. Which then caused the attention of the others to be directed at her, once she'd stripped down. And she immediately became the envy of most of the other mares with her gorgeous tits and ass. And Soarin and Thunderlane, judging by the looks on their faces, also appreciated the view.

Afterwards, Fluttershy hid behind a bush for a while, until Rainbow Dash and Pinkie had brought her her dried clothes and apologised for their behavior, explaining that, to cope with combat stress, most of them had developed a rougher, and, often, rather dark and grim sense of humor. And both of them were known to be amongst the bigger pranksters in the camp. They further told her, again apologizing, that most of them were used to seeing each other in various states of undressing and so rarely had been in company of non-combat personal, or even more so civilians, that they had, well, a bit forgotten that this wasn't the standard everywhere. They were truly sorry, and Fluttershy accepted the apology. They couldn't know about her... issues regarding what she'd seen...

Not helping the matter was that after the bath, the two couples in the group also started needing to blow off steam. On the night after the bath, Fluttershy woke up to the sound of Spitfire riding Soarin, who was supposed to keep watch. The night after that, Lyra was lying between Bon Bon's legs. Again, Bon Bon was supposed to keep watch. Apparently, whoever was keeping watch might use that to have a go. Shy hoped that it wasn't impeding their watchfulness, or that they'd at least stop once they got closer to territory definitely under Sombra's control.

Other nights, she heard how some of them pleasured themselves, once even, between almost clothed eyes, watching as Thunderlane rubbed one out... so much creamy, delicious cum wasted.... It was such a shame!

Their journey really went faster than Fluttershy's had! Not having to forage for food as much had probably helped. After about three weeks they had reached an area that, Fluttershy was failry sure, was just a few more days away from Sombra's castle! Compared to her journey to Equestria, they seemed to have saved almost one and a half weeks! Which might just proof that, on her own, Fluttershy hadn't travelled very efficiently, or might have ended up taking some unnecessary paths by accident, which the more well oriented soldiers avoided.

In any case, a day later they already saw the absolutely massive castle in the distance, another day later the lights of the city in the night. Rainbow Dash took Fleetfoot with her on a reconaissance trip, flying so high that it was unlikely that any non-flier would spot them. They only had to hope that that none of the few pegasi under Sombra's domination, or that dragon, were flying around. Or the turncoat Twilight Sparkle, if those magical wing things, that Fluttershy had described to seeing, made her capable of flight.

The two had to admit: the city was impressive! It was probably about the size of Canterlot and the castle, as they had already seen, absolutely massive, dwarfing Canterlot Castle. Rainbow Dash shook her head. If they had ever come here for an all-out assault, the city itself would've probably been reasonably easy to take, the gruesome hand-to-hand house fighting aside... But the castle could probably hold an army, and and stocks to supply it for months, if not years! And considering the mind-control powers of its despot, it was not impossible that Sombra would have been able to bend a besieging force to his whims, given enough time.

On a more positive note, the two saw an area on the western outskirts where there seemed to be less traffic, so that might be a good entrance into the city for them. Which they would most likely need, because it didn't seem like there was a good place to start digging in the surrounding area, even if the soil was appropriate for that. Maud was still checking and making some small tests. They needed a place where they would be hard to spot.

Their reconaissance done, the two returned to their camp and reported their findings. While Maud ran her estimates and tested the ground, the others agreed that they would have to explore the part of the city on the ground. Bon Bon knew that this was her specialty, was why she had come here. And Fluttershy would accompany her. She was not too familiar with the area, but more so than the others.

They exchanged their uniforms for civilian clothing, and Fluttershy also died her fur and mane. Now, she had a green mane and tail and gray fur, but the dying agent wouldn't last for more than a few days. Her wings were hidden undeneath a jeans jacket. If something went wrong, it would be her duty to alert the others, while Bon Bon did her best to keep potential pursuers busy.

Three days later, Fluttershy returned. No major run-ins. "Bon Bon and I found an abandoned building on the outskirts, and she thought it might be usable as a hideout for us." Fluttershy was fairly sure that Bon Bon had called it "Base of operations", but wasn't so sure anymore. "She stayed behind to make preparations for us."

Rainbow Dash and Spitfire nodded. A place inside the city boundaries would, at least for the infiltration, be preferable than having to act from the countryside. They might even be able to scrounge food from buildings around their hideout, conserving their precious left over rations. And it would probably taste better, if Sombra's subjects got proper food instead of some sort of nourishmeant combination that was, well, nourishing but bland or whatever. Doing something like that was very much imaginable to the equestrian soldiers.

During their absence Maud had finished her evaluation and used this chance to brief them. In her usual monotone that, in a school lecture would've caused most students to drift off, she explained: "From my observations, the ground seems reasonably suited for our plan. Not perfect, and I would prefer a rocky ground, but workable. Unfortunately I haven't been able to test the castle walls, so they might be a problem if they stretch below the ground. From here, at least, they don't look like normal rock or crystal, unless the castle has been hewn out of one gigantic piece or grown like this. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to analyse it. Yet." Her usual neutral expression twisted ever so slightly, leading Fluttershy to believe that this had been intended as a somewhat joking note to end on.

This night, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire slept little, too busy talking about what to do next. And the next morning, Dash told it to the others.

"Like Fluttershy and Bon Bon before, we will change into civilian clothes. Then,-" She pointed at their improvised map, "-we will hide all of our stuff that we can't take with us without being suspicious here. Most likely by burying it."

Now, Spitfire took the word: "Then, we will split ourselves into multiple groups. Rainbow Dash, Lyra and Fleetfoot will, before they hide their wings under clothes, fly around the city and enter from here!" She indicated the side opposite of their current position. "Misty Mane, Blaze and I will enter from the east. Pinkie Pie and Maud will come from the south-west and Lyra, Fluttershy, Soarin and Thunderlane will take the direct route from here." Lyra was their magic support, Fluttershy the one who knew this place the most. She wanted them accompanied by their strongest members who, if necessary could evacuate them. The others would have to fend for themselves, and should be able to.

After a short exchange of glances, Dash took over. Now came the part she liked the least: "We expect your arrivals until 22:30 at the latest. If you haven't arrived until then, we have to assume that you have been captured." She didn't add the implications: If you arrive later, we will assume that you've been turned by Sombra and treat you accordingly. Ithe possibility of Bon Bon having been caught in the interim she didn't even dare to entertain. If she had been, they would be doomed anyway.

As it stood, they all made it in time. Unfortunately, a lot of their rations had been part of what they had to leave behind, but, during the time she had to make everything a bit more accomodating, not that it was exactly 'nice', Bon Bon had also managed to scrounge some reasonable looking food when she explored the surrounding area. It wasn't great by any means, but they would make do. And they had had worse places to sleep.

They had no idea what this buildings former purpose was, before it had been boarded up. It somewhat looked like a warehouse, but if it had been one, it hadn't been a large one, and only used normal entrance doors, no large gates. Bon Bon had also found a trap door leading to a basemeant. They'd probably never find out.

In any case, Maud had been pleasantly surprised, 'happy' would be too strong a word for the stoic mare, at their discovery of the basemeant. Would save them a little bit of digging and meant that they wouldn't, at least for a while have to worry about getting rid of the removed earth to avoid drawing attention in case anyone looked through the windows.

Unbeknownst to them, Fluttershy's current physical... distractions were getting worse, though she did her best to hide it. There'd been enough rooms so that everypony was able to have at least some privacy, and she spent most of the time she could afford to be alone to... relax. She had even thought about using her current disguise to hook up with some random pony on the streets for some quick sex, but reason had won out over that. For now, at least.

Pinkie and Maud took turns leading the digging of the tunnel. Eight hours Maud, eight hours Pinkie, eight hours pause for resting, reconnaisance, stress relief. Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Spitfire and Thunderlane, in turn, took shifts as guard posts and lookouts, sometimes supplemeanted by the other pegasi, when they weren't supporting the digging operations. Lyra used her magic to support the tunnel's structual integrity.

Fluttershy marveled at the digging speed demonstrated by the Pie siblings! Then again, she had been told that the two could chew through a massive boulder in seconds, so, some dirt was probably not an issue. She didn't meantion that to Maud, however, fearing a lengthy lecture about the differences between rock and soil and so on. Maud hadn't anything like that yet, but considering her field of interest and the potential of Fluttershy having majorly misunderstood that stuff...

The Pie sisters estimated that they'd reach the castle in about one to one and a half weeks at their current work speed. If the parts underground were square with the visible building and they didn't end up breaking into any basemeants, sewers systems or other subterran nuisances. Soon, however, they would have to find a place to dump the earth to, which would be a bit of a hassle. Maybe they could find a decent spot and Lyra could teleport at least some of it there?

After nine days, when they had, by Maud's estimates, gotten close, the digging speed slowed massively. Now, Maud and Pinkie were leading the digging together. They had to be slow and careful, to avoid accidentally tripping any potential intruder alerts. Tough if there was any sort of magical alert in place, they'd be screwed anyway, but so far, Lyra hadn't found anything, though considering Sombra's strength, and who knew how powerful Radiant Hope was, that wasn't necessarily saying much.

The closer they got, the more nervous Fluttershy became. The more needy she became. She had no idea why, but it was almost as if part of her body, part of her mind, was excited to return to the castle! She wanted to get it over with and return... home. Leave it all behind. No matter how much of a success or failure this mission was: her usefulness ended once it was over. The others would know enough about the Crystal Empire to make her own experiences superflous, and so she would be able to return to Ponyville and do what she did before all of this happened.

She, and most of the others, were resting as the digging continued, mainly dozing. At exactly 22:36, Rainbow Dash entered, opening the door in a way that startled them all, then she solemly told them: "It's time. Maud and Pinkie are convinced that they are about to meet the castle walls soon. Gear up."

After five minutes of a hasty rush, everypony was in their uniform. Fifteen minutes later, they were hurrying through the tunnel to meet with Pinkie, Maud, Spitfire, Bon Bon and Lyra Heartstrings. They were hunching over, the tunnel not being high enough to allow a grown up pony to stand upright. It was just good that Lyra's magic kept the walls stable and air supplied, though she was showing the strains of keeping that much magic stable. At least, she wouldn't have to for much longer. It would end tonight.

23: 43. The whole unit was now standing in front of the current end of the tunnel. Pinkie and Maud were slowly digging their way further. And, finally, the earth and stone that made up the ground gave way to a solid wall of blueish crystal.

Maud looked impressed, or as impressed as she could look, when she saw the material the castle was made of up close. "Interesting... When we break this, I will take some of it with me to analyze it."

"If we can break it." Bon Bon sounded less certain about it. "I know that you're the expert, but this looks... Not like normal crystal or whatever."

"True. But I'm somewhat certain that we can break through. I will just have to take a closer look, find the right spot..." She inspected the wall with an expert's eye, even pulling out a magnifier to take a really close look at its structure. After ten minutes, she turned around. "Pinkie?"

Her sister jumped over and gave her a joking salute! "Yessir?"

"I would like to hear your opinion." Maud handed Pinkie the magnifier. "Especially here, here and here." She pointed at a few spots on the map that, for the others, looked just like the rest of it.

"You're the expert, but to me... It does look like fissures?"

Maud nodded. "I thought so as well. Then this is where we'll break through." She pulled out a pen and marked the places she had pointed to before. "Ready, Pinkie?"

"On your signal!"

"Now!"

And in a dazzling display the two sisters started to do... something to the wall! Fluttershy could barely see what they were doing, but it seemed to work! Tiny cracks started to show up, growing, widening, until the whole surface between the indicated points looked like it had been covered in cobwebs! Then, Maud hit the center with a final punch, and it crumbled onto the ground.

Spitfire let out an impressed whistle at how the siblings demolished the wall. Then: "Let's go."

As the group entered, Maud quickly scooped up a handful of the crystal shards and put them away, for later analysis.

They entered a dark hallway. The orange pegasus turned to their expert: "Fluttershy? Where are we?"

It took a momeant for her eyes to get accustomed to the light. The tunnel had been kept bright enough via flashlights and some of Lyra's magic, but they had extinguished them to avoid drawing any more attention than needed. The area was all too familiar to the pegasus. "It-It's the dungeons!"

"Damn it." Dash cussed quietly. "I had hoped we'd end up in a storage area. Instead we end up in the place we WILL end up in if this goes south!"

"If we are lucky..." Misty Fly added glumly.

Thunderlane continued: "Otherwise..." He didn't dare continue, knowing all too well that hte others knew the potential other options they had.

"Fluttershy?" Soarin turned to her. "You take the lead. Find us one one of the staircases that run through the pillars!"

She replied with a shy nod and took point. She would have preferred to trail behind the group, especially due to her current... situation. That her heart was pounding like crazy? Nervosity was something she had expected! But rather than nervous, she felt... excited! Almost happy! And other parts of her body acted on that! Her nipples were hard, her pussy wet and she had to force herself to breath calmly instead of panting like... like a bitch in heat! .Why? Why was she getting so excited?

To her, it felt like time was stretching. Every second felt like almost a minute! She had, in fact, started to count her steps. If she hadn't been doing that, she would've thought she'd been going for thiry minutes instead of three! By now, she felt like her heart could jump out of her body at every step. It was beating that hard.

A few minutes later, after passing at least a dozen same-looking cells per side, they reached a crossroad. Rows of cells stretched on in each direction.

Shy halted, thinking about where to go next... When she let out a quiet whimper as her private pars clenched. She didn't know why it happened... She knew that her legs were getting wobbly, however, and so the pegasus bent over and supported herself by putting a hand against the wall. Leaning against it, she felt how her pussy juices drooled all over her thighs. "Just... Just keep going that way!" Shy gestured "I-I will catch up!"

"Is everything alright?!" Rainbow Dash and Lyra hurried over to help her.

Maud just raised an eyebrow, an incredible expression of emotions for her, and said: "You aren't sounding terribly sure about where we are going."

Fluttershy's head snapped around, looking at them with an almost crazed expression on her face! "I forgot, alright!?" The usually so quiet mare snapped at them! Then, she collected herself again and, like normal, told them: "Oh... Uhm... I-... I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me! After I was let out of my cell, I didn't spend much time down here! I just need a few momeants to orientate myself, but the way I pointed you to should be the right one. I will catch up with you in a bit. Just... keep going. Alright?"

Spitfire and Rainbow Dash and the others objected fiercly! It was too dangerous and she was the only one with first hand knowledge of the castle layout, though she had done her best to describe the basic layout to them. But they couldn't convine her and, instead, she was able to convince them that them staying here was the worse option!

Once the group disappeared down the hallway, Fluttershy looked up, looked into the cell she had leaned next to. In the dark, she saw something glitter, and it was then that she realized it. It was not just any cell. No, she realized that it was more familiar than any of the others they had walked past! It was her cell. She just knew it.

Opening its door, Fluttershy's calm expression slowly twisted into a smile as she walked up to the chains. As if in a trance, she stripped out of those awful military clothes and realized: "I am home!"

A few momeants later, the sound of the chains moving filled the hallway. This is what she wanted! Where she wanted to be!

"An alarm in the dungeons? But how!? Nopony's down there!" Radiant Hope asked her husband and she hurried down the castle floors next to him, Twilight, Tempest Shadow and a squadron of guards. Barb would've come along as well, but she was relaxing by flying around a little.

His reply was ominous. "I have an idea..." His wife didn't hear the hint of expectation in his voice.

The equestrian unit stopped dead in their tracks when the hallway was suddenly illuminated by pale white light. "What in tarnation!?" Misty Mane's head spun around, looking down where they came from!

Fleetfoot swallowed hard. "You don't think this means what I think this means?"

"Shut up, you two!" Spitfire barked. "And watch what comes out of your mouth, Misty!"

"As if you don't have a much fouler mouth than me..."

"I said: SHUT UP! And, regarding what Fleetfoot just said... I have the bad feeling that this means exactly what we all think this means..."

"An alarm got triggered." Rainbow Dash said it, a serious expression on her face.

"Let's move!" Thunderlane hurried them on, but not back to their entrance/exit. "If we hurry, and maybe find some stairs, we might be able to slip through and fullfill at least some of our goals in all the chaos, or get our and escape! If we turn back, I am sure we will just run into a mass of guards!"

"But how?" Dash wondered as Soarin gave her a push. Then, she remembered somepony! "You don't think..."

"Fluttershy? FLUTTERSHY!?" Radiant Hope was beyond joyful as she saw the pegasus in her former cell! "IS THAT YOU!?" Running up to Shy, the unicorn queen was in disbelief! "You're back!" Almost she shed a tear of happiness.

Somehow, the pegasus had managed to put herself into the chains and pull the lever. Now, she was suspended in the air, and in a rather vulnerable position aswell. "Yes. I am." Radiant hugged her and Shy began to sob! "Radiant... I-I am so sorry for running away! I was so stupid!" As Radiant stepped back, Fluttershy's eyes turned to Sombra, tears were rolling down her cheeks. "Please! Your Majesty! I am so sorry! I will do anything! I will be your slave! Just... don't send me away! Let me be by your side! Please!"

Sombra's strong, gauntled-clad hand caressed her cheek, and the feeling calmed Fluttershy. It was pleasant. Reassuring. But then, in a heartbeat, his caress turned into something else: He grabbed her face, roughly! His fingers digging into her cheeks! It hurt! But , to her, it was a good pain. A deserved pain. She had run away, betrayed their trust and affection! Let their enemies to their door step! She would endure all the pain they saw fit to punish her for her transgressions! And then, he kissed her. Doninating and deep. And the pegasus melted into it immediately!

The King's gauntlet brushed over Fluttershy's throat. It felt dangerous... and thrilling! To breath his scent again was bliss! She thought she couldn't get any wetter than before, but that was proven wrong!

Sombra grinned a predatory smile. "If you promise, swear, that you will never repeat this, and that you will stay with Radiant and me, and that you are going to be a good mare, you will be forgiven."

"I promise! I swear!" Shy almost shrieked! "Your Majesty, I am yours! Your propery! Your slut! Whatever you and Radiant want me to be! Yours with mind, body, and soul!"

"Fluttershy!" Radiant kissed her friend on the lips! "I am so happy that you've come to your senses and returned to us! I've missed you!"

Tempest Shadow looked doubtful, Twilight annoyed at how easily the traitor was forgiven. Her quiet grumbling aroused Sombra's attention. "Tempest, Twilight... Take the troops and corner our guests. Radiant and I will follow you in a momeant." Better to allow them to get their annoyances out on their intruders, rather than Fluttershy. "Corner them. Do not engage yet. Fight back only if they attack you, or if their escape becomes a real possibility."

"You have lost weight!" Sombra realized as his now un-gauntlet-clad hand brushed over Fluttershy's side and hip.

"I was travelling for two months and spent one month in an army camp. Good and plenty food was not something I had a lot of..."

"We need to get those pounds back on you!" He grinned. "You are more fun if you are a little softer!"

Fluttershy was surprised! Despite her treason, her king seemed, if anything, to be more open to her! Maybe because, finally, he could be sure of her loyalty? Maybe she finally proved to him that she would never truly turn against him? All of these thoughts became unimportant when she felt his hands dig into her ass.

"You are drenched." He saw with amusemeant, dragging a finger over her pussy. "Have you had no sex since you've left?"

"I... I found no pony that could compare to you, your Highness! Nopony could quench my desire for your cock! At first, I didn't understand... then, I didn't want to belief. But once I was here, I realized it... They were able to help me function, but..."

"Tell me... what do you want, Fluttershy?" The amusemeant in Sombra's voice was audible.

"I want your cock, your Majesty! I want you to fuck me! That you fuck me enough to make up for the time I foolishly spent away!"

Grabbing her hip firmly with his right, Sombra leant forward and spoke directly into Fluttershy's ear: "Let me indulge you..." And, without any further warning or foreplay, he shoved his cock into her.

The pegasus' eyes rolled into the back of her head due to bliss! Her mouth hang open

Sombra's left hand closed around her head, firm, yet genlte. His index finger was above her brow, his middle finger just below her eye. His ringer, wet with her juices, brushed over her lips and he gently pushed it into her mouth.

Shy immediately began to lick the inside clean and, momeants later, Radiant kissed her, licking over the other side of Sombra's finger. "Mmmh!~ I've missed your taste!" She told the pegasus after their lips parted!

"A dead end?!" Pinkie Pie cried out in shock as they saw the end of their way.

Soarin wasn't any more pleased: "I thought the path Fluttershy showed us would have a way up!"

"She did look a little distracted when she told us where to go," Blaze theorized as she came to a halt a few meters away from the wall. "Maybe she accidentally gave us the wrong direction?"

"Can you two dig us a way out?" Spitfire asked, directed at the Pie sisters.

The older one of them declined. "Even if we can, we would slow down to a crawl and any pursuers would have an easy time catching up to us. We better prepare ourselves to fight our way out."

"How did this alarm even start?!" Thunderlane growled.

Dash shrugged. She didn't want to contemplate the other option. "Maybe Fluttershy triggered a hidden alarm we didn't find and got captured?"

"No Id-..." Lyra interrupted her reply. "Quiet! Are those hoofsteps behind us?!"

Sombra had gently let the cum-dripping mare down from her chains. Now, basking in the afterglow, kneeling on the cold floor, she was panting heavily. Pure bliss was on her face.

Radiant walked up to her, gently pressing Fluttershy's face against her stomach. "Fluttershy, I also have a little surprise for you!" She told her excitedly as she opened the front of her dress. Her belly bulged a little! "I am pregnant! I am carrying Sombra's foal!"

Fluttershy's fingers cently caressed the bulge. "Oh! Radiant! I'm so happy for you!" Then, her mood turned glum. She even shed a few tears out of regret and guilt! "And I missed it... I missed it because I ran away..."

"It's alright, Fluttershy," Radiant told her reasurringly, petting her head. "You are back, here, with us. And that's what matters!"

"Thank you..." It consoled the pegasus.

"I have something for you!" Radiant's horn began to glow and something materialized in her hand. Fluttershy's old collar. She handed it to the pegasus, who took it with a happy little smile... And then snapped it shut behind her neck. Now the unicorn understood what Sombra had meant back when he had said "The best slaves forge their own chains."! Fluttershy had forged her own chains by becoming close to her and her husband, by becoming their friend and confidante and lover! She had had this experience and didn't want it to end.

As it snapped shut behind her neck, a pleasant shiver ran down Shy's spine. Then, Sombra added something: "But, as a punishmeant..." He said, his horn glowing, offering her a hand. "You will add this to the collar." A leash manifested itself in his hand. "At least for tonight."

Fluttershy took it... and attached it.

Tempest and Twilight, meanwhile, had cornered the intruders. Both of them were annoyed that they weren't allowed to blow off some steam, or boredom, on those fools. Tempest especially thought that that rainbow-maned pegasus might make for a nice fight! Or that orange one... Or the earth ponies.

They outnumbered the equestrian troops two to one, had them cornered even... And yet, they had to wait for Sombra, because his Highness was banging that traitor! What an annoyance! But... what was that? Were they hearing hoofsteps? Was he finally coming?

Twilight looked over her shoulder. Indeed! Sombra and Radiant were coming! And next to them, on a leash, walking on all four like a bitch, was Fluttershy! So, they probably had forgiven her. She whispered into Tempest's ear, and the mare with the broken horn shook her head. Well, no sense in holding a grudge against Fluttershy now, so they may as well make up with her once this was over.

The eyes of the unicorn, that was with the equestrian ponies, widened when she saw the three new arrivals!"That's... King Sombra..." She swallowed. But then, she saw the pegasus behind Sombra's forces. "Fluttershy!" The unicorn called out! "So, you've been captured! Come on! Help us!"

"What do you want her to do, Lyra?!" The cyan blue pegasus mare snapped at her. "She's been captured! Do you think she can take Sombra hostage or something?" She faced Fluttershy. "Come on Fluttershy! If you can, come over here!"

Apparently, they hadn't noticed the leash? Did those fools not wonder

Instead, to her and her companion's shock, Fluttershy crawled over to King Sombra and... struck a pose? Or something similar. Her righ arm snaked around his leg and she spread her own, revealing the filling he had given to her. Her let hand pushed up her tits. And she giggled. "I was stupid! To think I could leave this behind! I thought I did..." She laughed, sounding embarassed at her stupidity, rather than her appearance! "But I realized: I am King Sombra's concubine and will be so for ever! Sorry, Rainbow Dash!"

"Fluttershy! What are you talking about?!" Rainbow Dash was in utter disbelief.

"Don't you get it, Rainbow Dash? She's one of them! One of Sombra's slaves!" The orange pegasus shook her, trying to get her out of her stupor! "Maybe she's been the whole time.. But, judging by what she just said, she... relapsed?"

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had reconnected during their time together. They hadn't been friends as such during their time in the flight camp, but Dash had thought the two had become friends... And now...

"If you fight, you will die or, at least, be maimed. Surrender, and you can avoid that." Sombra told them with an authoritative voice. And a certain, vexing, smugness.

Rainbow Dash itched to fight, but she had a responsibility. And so did Spitfire. The two exchanged glances. As much as they hated it... their looks hit the ground, their shoulders slackened... "We surrender." Spitfire grumbled towards the Crystal Empire forces.

Except for Rainbow Dash, all the others around here were in disbelief! They had been in tight spots before and never surrendered to Sombra's forces! And now, Spitfire surrendered?! They began to argue, Thunderlane, Blaze and Soarin first amongst them!

"We have no choice..." Dash begrudginly agreed. "We're outnumbered, Tempest is a great fighter as far as I know. Twilight a powerful unicorn that can, at least, negate Lyra. If not overpower her... and then, Sombra and whoever that other unicorn is! We have no choice!" She repeated.

"What did you just say? I couldn't quite understand you!" Sombra taunted them.

"I SAID..," Spitfire spat through gritted teet, "WE SURRENDER!"

"Very well then. Tempest!"

"Slowly walk over to us! One by one! We will take your gear and bind you. You will tell us your names. Then lead you to your cells." Tempest Shadow told the. "And, take this advice: don't try anything stupid, or you will regret it!"

And one by one they were put into enchanted shackles, Lyra also receiving a magical inhibitor ring. Each pony, when it was their turn, was required to give their name. When it was Rainbow Dash's turn, however... "That blue pegasus!" Twilight Sparkle interjected herself! "Remove her prosthetic! She shouldn't get any ideas..."

"What?!" Now, Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she began to panic! "NO! NOOOO!!! DON'T TAKE MY WING! PLEASE! DON'T!!!!"

But it was of no use. The prosthesis was taken away.

"When you put them into cells," Sombra ordered, "put them far away enough from one another that they have a hard time to communicate. In fact... spread them out all over the dungeons." He stopped Tempest as she passed by him, leading the prisoners. "You don't have to keep all of them from talking to one another. Keep some close enough that they can. But far away enough that they can't do so unnoticed. And guards nearby to overhear them."

Tempest nodded. How Spiifire and Soarin looked at one another, the two had a thing going. She'd keep them close... Just to see how frustrating it would be for them being unable to satisfy each other. The pink one and the gray one had the same last name, so they were probably sisters. She would split them up.

Reaching the upper areas of the castle, Fluttershy was still trodding ahead of Radiant, still naked and on a leash, but at least no longer on all four. As they passed through one of the doors, a green and purple dragoness, stark naked, stumbled over them. On her face spread, after a momeant of surprise, a big, happy smile!

"Fluttershy? FLUTTERSHY!? YOU'RE BACK!!!" Barb lifted the pegasus easily and spun her around. That her head, while doing that, sunk between Fluttershy's tits was purely coincidental. That was at least what she'd tell anyone asking. "Everyone will be so happy to have you back!"

"Starlight, Golden Hooves, Sugar Belle and all the others, yes..." Fluttershy said quietly, feeling a warmth spread through her.

"Barb?" Radiant turned to the dragoness. "When Tempest and Twilight are done with our new prisoners... Bring the two to our bedroom. Tonight, we will celebrate!"

"Will do, Queen Radiant!" She saluted. Then, when the others had left her behind, she realized that Radiant had just said! "Prisoners?"

In the royal bedroom, Fluttershy was making out with Radiant, Sombra enjoying the show as his the formerly oh so shy pegasus stripped his wife out of her garmeant. The two were kneeling on the large bed He saw how his queen whispered something into her ear... The two, in fact, had been whispering quite a bit on the way here.

"Your Highness..." Fluttershy turned to him, bowing in her kneeling position. "King..." she caught Radiant Hope's look. An encouraging, but slightly reprimanding look, which caused her to pause for a momeant. "Sombra... I-I have a request!"

Radiant rolled her eyes in amused annoyance. Obviously, Sombra thought, she had wanted Fluttershy to be a bit more aggressive. Curious, raising an eyebrow, he answered her: "Yes?"

"Sombra," she repeated, now obviously adressing him only by his name. Maybe that had been what Radiant was annoyed about? She wanted Fluttershy to become closer to Sombra! "Breed me... make me a mommy! Like Radiant! Please! I want to have your foal!"

Sombra had a big grin on his face as Radiant lifted her spell on Fluttershy! "Fluttershy..." He cupped her chin with his right thumb and index finger. "Your wish is my command." Again, he kissed her. And by the time the others joined them, he was pretty sure she was already knocked up. But you could never be too certain...

6 Dashed loyalty

A few days later, Fluttershy woke up as well rested as she hadn't been in a long time! She woke up next to Sombra and Radiant, not having visited her old room one time since her return. Soon, she'd return to it and not sleep with Sombra every night, though that didn't count the day, but for now, she had still had steam to blow off! During breakfast, she explained to Radiant: "It is as if even the sex with other ponies feels more fullfilling here! Maybe it is just because of how... at home I feel here."

"That is nice to hear! Though..." Radiant told her with a smile, "maybe it is just the fact that you have been having good sex every day now! I mean, you probably haven't had much of that since you left!" The unicorn chuckled.

"Maybe." Shy contemplated as Sombra held a fork full of pancake in front of her face, his left hand massaging her nipple. "I mean, I did spend over two months without sex and one with irregular visits to a glory hole!" She took the offered bite. "Mmh~ I've missed breakfasts like this! Though it could use some more syrup..."

The next bite she was offered didn't have any syrup at all. Instead, Sombra had put some into his mouth and kissed her with it. "Much better!" She chuckled afterwards, moving her hips a little on her comfy seat. "Unfortunately, I think I should take a shower and get dressed. We've spent the last few days in bed!"

With a disappointed sigh, Fluttershy rose to her hooves, letting Sombra's cock slip out of her. "Have a nice breakfast still!"

"Do you mind if I take her seat?" Radiant Hope smiled innocently at her husband when she had left.

Sombra grinned.

A few hours later, freshly showered and wearing a new dress, Fluttershy was accompanied by Barb, Tempest Shadow and two guards. Unlike the dresses she'd been given previously, which had been rather simple, light and with short skirts, like a servants dress, this one covered far more of her body. It still showed her assets, since it was cut very tight to her body. But it did not restrict her movemeant, or her breathing, much. Fluttershy liked how the long skirt could be opened at bits, either on the sides to make it easier to move, or in the front or rear for some discrete fun. The same counted for her bust. It was a rather dark, almost black, dress. Almost goth-like.

Fluttershy and the guards were moving through the dungeons, passing one of the equestrian prisoners every now and then. Most of them tried to ignore her, a few hissed or shouted things like "Traitor!" after her. She ignored those shouts. If it made them feel better...

They came to a halt in front of one specific cell. Behind the bars, the blue, rainbow-maned pegasus inside was sitting on her bed. She had pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them with her arms, the shackles on her forearms and ankles visible, as she depressively stared at the ground before her. Her one good wing was feebly hanging down.

"Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy cautiously spoke to her.

"What do you want?" It was obvious that she tried to have some venom in her voice, but couldn't muster it. Instead, she just sounded depressed and defeated. It was a stark departure of her usual brash, combative and "I can take on the whole world and come out on top" meantality.

Fluttershy felt a pang of guilt. She continued calmly: "King Sombra wants to meet you. In the throne room."

Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes hit Fluttershy's big, blue ones. For a momeant, there was a fire in them, a momeant of her old, stubborn rebelliousness... Then, it was gone. "Whatever." Slowly, Dash rose to her hooves and walked up to the cell door.

It hurt Fluttershy. That pegasus had helped her, well, tried to help her, in flight camp. And over their time together recently, they had gotten somewhat close! It had felt... good! Felt right! Like, they should be close friends! And now, seeing her like that... It just felt wrong. She just hoped that, maybe, Rainbow Dash would, maybe, come around? See it from their perspective?

One of the guards accompanying Shy unlocked the door and as Rainbow Dash stepped outside her cell, magical chains appeared and connected the shackles together. They were custom made for 'special guests' in the dungeons.

A short time later, the chained Rainbow Dash stood in front of Sombra's throne. For now, she had blocked any and all attempts at conversations, or interrogation, with disinterested, or downbeat, whatever you want, versions of "Yeah?" or "Whatever..." or similar things.

After about five minutes of that, Radiant rolled her eyes, stood up and walked over to her. "It seems like we aren't getting anywhere this way." Dash just shrugged. "Can I take a look at your wing?"

This surprised the pegasus. Sure, after the wing had been removed, and before she'd been given the prosthesis, the crippled limb had drawn attention, but usually just pitying stares. Nopony had ever asked if they could look at it. "Sure. Whatever it does for you."

Radiant Hope inspected both of her wings. Her good one for reference, and then the stump. Her touch was gentle, yet the stump that was left was still sensitive and hurt! For somepony usually doing her best not to show any weakness, Rainbow Dash let out a lot of painfull whimpers.

The unicorn was less than pleased with what she saw on the remnants of Rainbow's wing! In fact, she began to get angry! "Who treated this?!" She asked rhetorically, the tone of her voice barely hiding disdain, if not disgust, towards whomever treated the limb! "And who did the surgery?! A BUTCHER?!"

Rainbow Dash did answer this question! She wasn't doing so enthusiastically, more mumbling to herself, but Radiant heard it well enough! "Well, in the field hospital there wasn't much time with all the other wounded. And it looked horrible... Amputation was considered the safest way of saving my life."

"Well, whoever treated this was an incompetent moron!" The amount of vitriol in her voice was quite uncharacteristic for Radiant! She must have had a really low opinion on the handiwork she was looking at!

"You're one to talk!" Dash hissed, some of her old defiance and even testiness returning to her! "I lost this wing because of you and your husband!"

The queen either ignored that shot or didn't pay any attention to it, engrossing herself in her check-up again. "How did you feel walking up here?"

"Well... My balance is off, thanks to..." She spread her remaining wing. "But otherwise... fine?"

"Good... Good..." The unicorn sounded like she was more occupied with something in her mind. After a few more minutes of general check-up, and an appreciation of how well in shape Rainbow Dash was, Radiant shook her head again as she adressed the pegasus from beind: "I don't want to sound arrogant, but I am pretty much convinced that I could have saved your wing."

"Well, that helps a lot..." Dash scoffed, her eyes fixed at some point on the ceiling.

"And," She added, a gleam in her eyes, "I think there might be a way for you to recover it." With how abruptly Rainbow Dash's head spun around to face Radiant, Fluttershy had almost expected her to accidentally snap her own neck! "Though it wouldn't be feathery anymore."

"Regrow... my wing?!" Rainbow sputtered incoherently. "That's impossible! All of the miltitary doctors told me that there is no way that... Even Princess Celestia looked into the matter and..." She didn't finish either sentence.

"My dear Rainbow Dash! Healing is my specialty! And the library of the Crystal Empire holds tomes not in the Royal Library of Canterlot!"

"That is true!" Twilight Sparkle called over from another part of the throne room. "Some quite interesting reads, I have to say!"

Rainbow Dash's heart filled with a mix of hope and dread. Hope at being able to fly again! Fly with her own two wings and not a metallic prosthesis that felt nothing! Dread at what she might have to give up... at this, potentially, just being a cruel joke from the queen of the Crystal Empire. "You... You are serious?"

"Hmm... Yes. I think I can regrow them. But your wings would be changed. As I just said: They won't be feathered anymore."

For a few momeants, there was a fierce war inside of Rainbow Dash. The desire for being able to fly again, the desire for freedom, for why would she offer to do something like that if they'd just lock her up again, fighting against his loyalty to Equestria, to Princess Celestia and pure self-preservation... Could this come with anything but slavery? A loss of herself?

In the end, somehow helped by Fluttershy obviously not having become a completely brainwashed slave, and Radiant just not really seeming the type to do something like that, Rainbow Dash spoke up again: "Please. Please regrow my wing!"

"Very well. Please, move over there." Radiant pointed at a spot in front of the steps to the throne. "You will have to undress your upper body."

Rainbow Dash blushed, surprising Rainbow Dash and Radiant! They had thought she'd be less inhibited about it. Though maybe it was because of who the company was. Either the fact that they were, technically, her enemies. Or because Fluttershy, Radiant, Tempest and Starlight Glimmer were more busty than the pegasus. But really, she had nothing to be ashamed off! Her breasts were small, but they suited her! Larger tits for her wouldn't have fit at all!

Most of the ponies in the throne room appreciated the view, though it was slightly marred by the missing wing. The well-built, sporty pegasus, with her rainbow colored mane, the scar over one eye, still wearing her military pants and combat boots was certainly easy on the eye.

"Twilight? Sombra, dear?" Radiant adressed the two most powerful unicorns in the room, "I think I could use your help here." It was mainly about having enough magical energy to see the transformation through... and to make Rainbow Dash's mind more accepting to the changes. "Are you ready?" She asked the pegasus.

A last time, Dash stroked over the feathers of her wing. She would miss this feeling. Then, she nodded.

"Very well. Take deep breaths, please and try to stay calm. And be warned: This will probably hurt. A lot. Sombra? Twilight? Let me guide the spell, just add your energy to it. This will be a bit tricky, since it's a transfiguration spell mixed with a healing spell." Twilight and Starlight were very intrigued by this! They would have to research that later!

Rainbow Dash did as she was told and pressed her teeth together in expectation of a seering pain. When the magic first hit, there was nothing special about how she felt. Then, a slight tingle started in her wing roots, more so in the missing one.

The magic began to lift Rainbow Dash into the air, levitating her in place... And then it started to hurt! A seering pain spread from the roots of her wings over her whole back! And, after a few momeants, the pain was too much to bear for the pegasus! She began to scream! Scream so loud that it almost felt like it was shaking the foundations on the castle!

A bead of sweat dripping from her brow as she tried to keep the spell working as it should, Radiant urged the pegasus on: "I understand that it hurts! But you have to endure it for the spell to work!"

Her remaining wing began to loose all it's featers as the stump of her missing one slowly grew in size! The more it grew, so did the pain! But then! It did form into a wing again! Not a pegasus wing... but one that almost looked like a bat's wing. And the other one had changed to mirror it.

The magic rescided, the pain grew weaker. Rainbow Dash, panting heavily, slowly floated back down on to the ground. There was still a slight burn around the wing roots, but, all in all, she felt great! Better than since a long time! She spread her new wings, more on instsinct than anything... And it felt good! It felt natural! This is how it should be for her! No cold, unliving metallic prosthesis but flesh and blood!

She just had to give them a try! Needed to know if they would be able to grant her flight again! And so, with a powerful motion of her wings, she hovered a few inches above ground for a momeant. Then, she began to smile! Broad! Almost maniacally! And she began to chuckle, knowing how she could repay them! Kneeling in front of the throne, she was the first to speak up. Speak the words she had never thought she'd say, but which now felt so right! "King Sombra... my loyalty is yours!"

Fluttershy rushed over to her! "Are you sure? You want to join us?!"

"Yes, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash replied calmly. "I don't know why, but it just feels right. I was given back my wings thanks to you all... I can't really describe it, but I want to serve King Sombra-..." Before she could say anything more, Fluttershy kissed her. And, with a snap of Sombra's fingers, her shackles fell to the ground.

"I am so happy that you see reason! You won't regret it!" She told Dash afterwards, dragging her behind her to the throne. "But to really show that you're one of us now..." Shy, with a few, well practiced motions, revealed Sombra's cock, "You'll need to service the King." With a few strokes, Shy got him hard.

Rainbow Dash felt her body heating up, her pussy growing moist. She had seen Sombra before, from a distance, commaning his army... But now, she realized what a picture of a stud he was! And so well endowed... She had thought Thunderlane and Soarin were impressive, but...

She joined Fluttershy, kneeling next to the king, and began to kiss Sombra's obsidian rod. Without much prodding she transitioned to licking, and then sucking. This time, Fluttershy joined her. The king let out an agreeing grunt and placed his hands on either pegasus' head.

After a bit, Fluttershy pulled back, spit matting the fur around her mouth. "What do you think, Dashie?"

"Wow..." She managed to moan as she herself pulled back, gasping for air. "Best. Cock. Ever!"

"Just wait until he gives you a hard rutting!" Shy chuckled. And, despite what had just happened, Rainbow stared at her with disbelief! It just seemed so unreal that this shrinking violet talked about another pony like this! But if what she said was true...

Sombra nodded at her, and Dash took that as a confirmation and invitation. She stood up and lowered herself onto him. And indeed, he was better than any stallion she'd ever been with. And Sombra seemed to enjoy her pussy as well!

Afterwards, Radiant walked up to Rainbow Dash again and instructed her: "Don't overexert the wings yet. They won't be strong enough to carry you for longer than a few seconds and you will have to go through riguorous training to return them to their old strength. And you will visit me for regular check ups!" And, with a smile, she told her: "Get yourself a new armor in the armory, let yourself be let to your new room... And tonight, you shall join us in bed."

"Yes... My queen!" Dash agreed with a smile, a hint of magic playing around her eyes.

"Hey!" Fluttershy sounded offended! "Tonight was the first night I wanted to sleep in my bed again! That's unfair! I wanted to have some fun with Rainbow Dash since I've met her at the camp!"

"Well, I guess you will just have to postpone your return to your room for another night then." Radiant chuckled. It wasn't a bad suggestion, Shy admitted. And, from the looks on their faces, Barb, Twilight and Starlight would join as well!

When most of them had left the throne room, Sombra looked at his wife. "Radiant? I have to admit, the idea of putting that mind-weakening spell on the castle as an extra layer of security was a very good idea."

"Thank you, dear." After Fluttershy's escape, Radiant had suggested to add another layer of security spells. One of them had the effect of reducing the will power of ponies hostile to the king and queen. It wouldn't break them, but make them more pliable. And once they had been... convinced, it would seep into the them and make them loyal for ever. "It's is amusing, isn't it? We started off with barely any pegasi in our ranks, and now we have two superb ones that are loyal to the core... And soon, we might have even more."

A week later after Rainbow Dash had joined them, Fluttershy had cuddled herself to Sombra and Radiant again. Dash, or the others, weren't with them. After her check up, Rainbow had gone to train alongside Tempest Shadow and Barb! She was very determined to get back into flying shape as soon as possible! Radiant even had had to call her off a few times because she feared the pegasus was overdoing it!

But she enjoyed the work out company and a healthy friendly rivalry had developed between the three. The fact that they all enjoyed each other's company on more than one level, and that they sometimes worked out in the nude, helped.

In bed, the topic of the conversation between Sombra, Radiant and Fluttershy had turned towards the other prisoners. "If you want, you can keep some of them as your own guards." Sombra told Shy.

"Soarin, Thunderlane, Spitfire! She and Soarin are together and I don't want to split them up... And... how about Blaze, Fleetfoot and Misty Fly?"

"Aren't that nearly all? Are you getting greedy?" Radiant chuckled. "I think that leaves the three earth ponies and the unicorn!"

"I just thought that three guards would look a bit weird if they walk behind me when I need guarding." Fluttershy had to laugh herself. "And with the other three, it would be an even six." She looked at the two with big, innocent puppy eyes!

Now Radiant laughed heartily! "That's not fair, Fluttershy!"

And Sombra joined: "She knows how to get what she wants! Alright, you can have them!" If he needed their combat prowess, he could call on them anyway.

Over the next few weeks, the others followed. First, she chose Soarin.She had had an eye for him since a while. He was cute, yet also a stud! And if she got him, Spitfire would most likely follow. When she and Barb lead him past her his lovers cell, he stopped for a momeant and looked at her. "Spitifre? The next time we meet, I might not recognize you! So, I wanted to say: I love you."

Barb rolled her eyes... Oh, how very melodramatic... The next time you'll meet her, she thought, you will recognize her and want her to join you!

He was surprised when Fluttershy lead him into her bedroom. He had had an interest in her since they've met. She was a very attractive mare after all. With Spitfire, of course, he hadn't acted on it, though she usually wasn't too upset when he blew off some steam with another mare, unless she called dibs on a load.

In this current situation, Fluttershy had a lost some of her appeal, he had to admit. He also had to admit that it wasn't very much. Especially when she told him that she was interested since the army camp! Figuring that he might as well enjoy his last few hours of free will, before being turned into mindless cannonfodder, he

Soarin's face when Sombra began to fuck his tight pucker! Fluttershy almost had to laugh! At first shock... and then, pleasure. That truly made him pliable to Sombra! Being put into his place by a stronger, bigger, more powerful stallion apparantely had an effect on Soarin's mind.

Then, Spitfire followed. When she saw Soarin waiting for her in Fluttershy's room, she was surprised. When stuff got steamie, she was schocked! When Sombra joined in and she got her ass and pussy stuffed while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy kissed her and played with her tits, she was convinced. Happy to be with her boyfriend again.

Thunderlane was shocked when Fluttershy told him that she'd been the hungry whorse in the glory hole! He had been so interested in finding out how she was in bed, and then he'd already known! And now, getting to fuck her properly... And then, Soarin, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire joined in! And, of course, Sombra.

Misty Fly, Blaze and Fleetfoot followed, finally seeing the greatness that was Sombra and his rule. All of them, as well as Rainbow Dash, got rooms near Fluttershy's.

As, over time, Radiant's baby bump was growing, so did Fluttershy's begin to show. And everypony had to admit: it suited her very well!

7 Pies in the hole

"Which of your friends do you think should be next?" Sombra asked Fluttershy one morning during breakfast. Of course, the choice was between Lyra, Pinkie, Maud and Bon Bon.

"Pinkie Pie!" She answered immediately! "The pink one! She... She's very energetic, usually and needs to have ponies around her. Being imprisoned and all alone must be the worst for her... Maud, her sister, is the opposite. She's very introvert and is probably coping much better!"

"Very well then. I'll let you deal with her."

An hour later, Fluttershy, this time alone and wearing one her lighter, more airy dresses again, was walking to Pinkie's cell. She worried about the state she'd find her in and, if anything, Pinkie Pie looked even worse thant Rainbow Dash had! It did make sense though, considering how much more sociable she was: She was sitting on her bed, not unlike Dash had, her back turned to the bars, and was whimpering quietly.

"Pinkie?" The pegasus cautiously asked her.

Immediately, it seemed, Pinkie's mood was improving!"Fluttershy?!" She turned around and rushed to the bars! "You have come to visit me? I never got any visitors since I got here! And the guards that come to me don't ever talk to me!" She motor mouth'd for a bit, until she remembered why she was stuck in the cell in the first place! Now, Pinkie put on an air of defiant peevedness. "Why are you here? Do you want to make fun of me?"

"Oh no! I'd never!" Fluttershy was hurt at the insinuation! "I wanted to tell you that, maybe, you could be released from this cell."

The previous negative air was gone in a heartbeat! "REALLY?!"

"Yes! I want to show you around the castle and introduce you to everypony! Believe me, even Twilight and Tempest can be very nice once you get to know them!" New friends to make! New things to explore! Pinkie was overjoyed! Finally, she could get out of this cell! She didn't even think about any potential costs! "But, you have to promise that you won't try to run away, or attack anypony or anything like that!

"Pinkie swear!"

"Pinkie swear?"

"Yeah! It's, like, a super special promise that I'll never break! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" The pink pony accentuated that little sing song with some weird gesticulation. Shy just shrugged. The earth pony had always been a bit weird and hyperactive. If this meant that she would behave, it would do. As Pinkie left the cell, the pegasus immediately took of her restraints.

Then, Fluttershy noticed something else... "I think, before we start the tour, you should take a shower and get some fresh clothes."

As Fluttershy lead Pinkie up into the castle, the earth pony noticed the small bulge of her belly. "Did you put on some weight? I mean, it doesn't look bad on you! I thought you looked rather skinny before!"

"Oh no! I am pregnant!" She explained. "Although, I did add some weight. Mainly the one I had lost during my journeys."

Pinkie Pie bounced, obviously very excited! "Congratulations! I can't wait to meet the little one! Who's the father?"

Fluttershy looked at Pinkie for a momeant, not quite sure what to make of her. It should've been obvious! "King Sombra, of course!"

"Makes sense! Silly me!" She gently slapped her own forehead, as if to lamphade her obliviousness! "Still! Congratulations!"

They reached one of the staff showers and Fluttershy told a passing maid to bring clothes for Pinkie.They didn't have her measures, but a rough eyeballing should be good enough.

Afterwards, Fluttershy lead Pinkie to the throne room, introducing her to Sombra and Radiant. At first, Pinkie was actually a bit cowed by their presence, but after a minute or so, that passed. It should have been surprising, but, somehow, it wasn't. She was zipping across the throne room, looking at every corner, talking to every every guard and servant inside, the skirt of her clothes fluttering around and, more than once, flashing her thighs and panties.

Even when talking to Sombra and Radiant , she lacked any particular respect or tact. But it was that, what made Radiant laugh! It was a breath of fresh air! And she was amusing! Sombra, who most of the time, in public at least, was rather dour, also cracked a smile!

Then, they move on and ran into Barb, naked, a towel slung across her shoulders. She was coming out of the showers. The dragoness eyed Pinkie with curiosity. And Pinkie eyed her assets for a momeant, before she introduced herself. And immediately, she began to do some weird stuff.

Barb began to chuckle, then burst out in laughter! "You are funny!"

"Well, I try at least!" Pinkie giggled.

"You have a nice body, you know that?" Barb's look turned predatory as she mustered Pinkie Pie. "Can I feel you up a little?"

"Sure!" Apparently, despite Fluttershy never seeing her engage in this sort of stuff, she was was uninhibited about her body. Then again, considering her generally energetic nature and need for personal contact, it wasn't that surprising.

Indeed, Barb began to feel her up! She started at her soft thighs, a short brush over her pussy, then squeezed Pinkie's ass. A cute little moan escaped Pinkie's mouth, and the dragoness moved on, her hands following the curvature of the earth pony's hips. Finally, she reached her tits. Fun things to play with.

"Come on! Give my fun bags a squeeze!" Pinkie encouraged Barb. Fun bags, huh?

"You know..." Barb told her, sounding horny, "if you join us, I think we could have a lot of fun!" She followed this up by giving Pinkie a deep kiss!

Pinkie's eyes went big after a momeant! And, when she was free to speak again... "WOWIE! How long is that tongue?!"

"Find out..." The dragoness teased her, licking Pinkie's salive off her lips.

As Fluttershy and the earth pony moved on, Barb ran a finger over her slit. "I wonder where Tempest and Dash are..."

The next stop was the lab! And it seemed like Pinkie was growing ever MORE energetic. Which, all things considered, was a little bit scary. Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer were not pleased by having an enemy lead into their little realm. But it was as if meeting, and connecting, with Barb, Twilight and Starlight was powering the pink mare! And for Fluttershy, having her around also felt... just right. She didn't know why, but it felt like it was meant to be! That there was a group of ponies, or more than ponies, that she should be a part off, and it was coming together!

After Twilight and Starlight were formally introduced to Pinkie, they tried to explain some of their experimeants. None of the more important, secret ones. Just some minor ideas. But, momeants later, Pinkie made a mess! Again, she was zipping through the room, looking at everything, laughing at some of the stuff she saw... And then, she grabbed a beaker and poured its contents into another one to see what would happen.

The pseudo alicorn's eyes went wide! "DON'T DO THIS, PIN,...-" Twilight wasn't able to finish her sentence before the the new liquid began to bubble... and then explode, leaving a hole in the table, a small fire, and everypony covered in soot, their manes in all shapes of dishevlmeant!

"Fluttershy! GET HER OUT OF HERE!" Twilight barked as she and Starlight tried to get the situation under control again!

As the pegasus gently, but firmly, maneuvred Pinkie out of the door, the earth pony called over her shoulder: "SORRY!!!" When they had left, Twilight and Starlight looked at one another and began to laugh! She seemed to have a talent for that!

Fluttershy and Pinkie heard the faint laughing from behind the closed door. Pinkie was relieved that the two would, probably, not hold a grudge against her. But the explosion had left Pinkie's formerly straight mane and tail a puffy mess!

"I think I need to fix my main..." Fluttershy said, looking at her reflection in a window. "And you as well!"

Pinkie shook her head so that most of the soot just fell out of it. "Honestly? I like it! It feels right to me!"

After Fluttershy had gotten her mane fix, and Pinkie the rest of the soot removed, they ran into... "Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" At first, she sounded ecstatic at seeing her friend, but then doubt mixed into her voice! "Wait... you have two wings again?! And you're wearing Crystal Empire armor?!"

Falling into step next to them as they continued to walk, Dash lifted a curious eyebrow! "Hi, Pinkie Pie! I see they left you out of your cell as well?" A short, but intense nod followed. "A few days after we got captured, Fluttershy,-" at her name being meantioned, the yellow pegasus stared at an indefinite spot on the wall, "-brought me before King Sombra and Queen Radiant Heart... The queen was able to regrow my wing, though the process changed them as well." She spread them out to demonstrate what she meant! "I am training them hard to get them back to old strength!"

Pinkie looked truly happy for Rainbow Dash! But then remembered her second question! "And the armor?"

"You think that, after a gift like this, I wouldn't feel indebted for life? I serve the Crystal Empire now!"

"So, you joined them?" Pinkie thought for a while as they moved. Everypony, and dragon, she had seen so far seemed surprisingly nice and fun to be around off. But at the same time, the Crystal Empire was responsible for so much pain and suffering, for the death of her dad, and for the enslavemeant of so many ponies! Was it all just an act? Was this how Fluttershy had felt when she arrived here a prisoner? But... they felt honest about it. Mabye she should just forgive them? Carrying this grudge forever probably wouldn't be very fun... She was torn from her thoughty by a mouthwatering smell that hit her nose from one of the doors they were walking past! "Oh! This smells good! What is this room?"

"It's the castle bakery!" Shy told her! "The kitchen is a bit further down the hallway." Then, with a smile, she added: "Are you hungry?"

"YES! Can we have a little snack?"

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had to admit that they were also feeling a little peckish...

"Fluttershy? Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" Sugar Belle came up to them a few momeants after they entered. Her apron was covered in flour. "And who is this?"

"We are a little hungry." Rainbow Dash shrugged. "And since we were just passing by..."

"That's Sugar Belle, our baker!"Fluttershy told Pinkie who offered her hand. "Sugar Belle, this is Pinkamena Diane Pie. One of our... guests from Equestria." Prisoner was such an ugly word...

"Just call me Pinkie Pie! Or Pinkie!" She told Sugar Belle as she energetically shook her hand! Sugar Belle felt like her arm was about to pop out of its socket when she was finished!

Hearing that they were hungry, the baker told them wth a conspiratory smile, "Well, I do have some snacks fresh out of the oven, if you want..."

They all enthusiastically agreed!

After the snack break, Pinkie watched as Sugar Belle and her staff were preparing other things. Breads, buns, pies and cakes... She followed the work with curious intent! And when she saw how Sugar Belle was kneading some dough and walked over! "Can I try?"

Thirty minutes later, Pinkie was covered in flour. And, her arms crossed across her chest, Sugar Belle turned to Fluttershy: "She seems to have a knack for baking!"

"Do you think she could be of help here?" The pegasus replied.

"I always have use for talented help! Baking for the whole castle is a lot of work! We're still better off than the kitchen staff, however..." Belle chuckled.

Rainbow Dash called Pinkie Pie over and Fluttershy asked her: "Do you want to apprentice under Sugar Belle?"

"I'D LOVE TO!"

"You do know," Dash told her friend with a serious expression on her face, "that this means that you will become a subject of King Sombra, right? A loyal servant?"

Pinkie thought about it. Her agreemeant just now had been a spur of the momeant decision. Becoming a baker? Working with Sugar Belle? It felt right to her. Being friends with Fluttershy and the others felt right. If everything felt so right, how could joining Sombra be wrong? "Sure! Why not? But... could we please get my sister?"

On their way down, they ran into Barb and Twilight Sparkle again, and they tagged along. Now, they stood in front of Maud's cell. Pinkie's sister looked surprisingly unaffected by her time alone, with only a guard to pay her any company. Apparently, she had passed the time by doing her best to analyze the stones in in the cell walls, and the fragmeants of the castle wall she had taken with her. Or maybe it was just because of her introvert and reserved nature.

Seeing Pinkie and Rainbow Dash with Barb, Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy however did cause her to show more surprise than she'd usually show! "Pinkie? Rainbow Dash? Care to explain this?"

Pinkie at least had the decency to look a little embarassed, while Rainbow just grinned arrogantly. "Well..." her sister started.

"We changed sides. Radiant even regrew my wing!" Rainbow told Maud straight away, spreading her wings. "Honestly? It's not that bad!"

Maud looked unimpressed. Then again, that was her default expression."And you're sure that you weren't just brainwashed?"

"I was just hired as an apprentice in the castle's bakery, Maud!"

"Why?" Maud, with her usual blank expression again, asked her younger sister.

Rainbow Dash interjected herself. "The war isn't going all too well for Equestria, now is it? I lost my wing and Celestia's forces are barely holding where they are, much less being capable of beating Sombra's forces back!"

Maud stayed silent this time. Now, Twilight took the word: "Think about what happened before King Sombra's return! The Summer Sun Celebration? Nightmare Moon returned and Celestia didn't have an easy time banishing her again! Then, that spirit of chaos, Discord, showed up and we barely managed to petrify him again!" Then, with vitriol in her voice, she added: "And, finally, a changeling invasion DURING MY BROTHER'S WEDDING! What a hassle that was to sort out after Celestia got herself blasted by that bug!" Sardonic laughter followed. "From my point of view, Princess Celestia hasn't been doing a good job keeping Equestria save for a while now. King Sombra, on the other hand, can create a stable and well organized governmeant and would keep Equestria save from potential threats from the neighboring regions. The yaks, the griffons, the dragons... Once they are under his hoof, we all can look towards a better future!"

"A future without free will, where everything only goes on because, and in the way, Sombra wants to." Maud shot back! She and Twilight discussed for probably two hours or more, the others even leaving during it, the whole thing getting too much for them.

In the throne room, Fluttershy and Radiant sat on Sombra's legs. The pegasus on his left, the unicorn on his right, Sombra's arms embraced them around their midsections and gently caressing their baby bumps. Pinkie Pie was between the two and paying her tribute to the King.

"Hmm... sloppy, but enthusiastic." Sombra surmized her blowjob.

"She will learn, darling!" Radiant cuddled herself against her husband and kissed him on the cheek.

"You are probably right." He smiled. Then turned to the other mare. "Fluttershy? I've decided that you can have the other two as well. Maybe as maids Or Handmaidens for you and Radiant?"

Before Fluttershy could answer, Twilight Sparkle entered the room. She looked a little... drained. But, a few momeants later, behind her appeared Maud! Sounding parched, Twilight told them: "I did manage to convince her, using logical argumeant and sound reasoning Now excuse me, I need something to drink"

Pinkie spun around, leaving a trail of spit on the King's member! "Is it true, Maud?! You're joining us?"

"Yes, Pinkie." Maud's voice was as monotone as always. "Twilight managed to convince me."

"Come over and join me! It seems like it is a sort of welcoming ritual that new mares have to service the king! And his cock is delicious!"

Maud walked over and, as she knealt down next to her sister... "By the way, Pinkie... What happened to your mane?"

"It's a funny story! With explosions and stuff!"

A while later, the Pie siblings laid on the ground, panting, kissing and covered in cum. "Deary?" Radiant turned to Sombra.

"Radiant?

"I was thinking about the future, when our foals have been born. And, well, I doubt that we will have as much time as we'd like to take care of them. Even Fluttershy! And I also doubt that you will be satisfied with knocking us up only once. Or only us." At this, her look turned to the Pie sisters. "There are many mares here that would love to carry your foals..."

"You want me to see if there are any ponies that could give you a hand in that regard?"

Pinkie Pie, by now recovered, sat up! "Our mother raised four daughters. Maybe she could help? Sure, she had dad helping her, but.."

"Four daughters? You two have more sisters?" Sombra sounded interested.

Maud looked a tiny bit disturbed at the fact that Pinkie just sold out their mother like this. She was probably, as usual, not really thinking about what she was doing. Pinkie Pie, meanwhile, just continued on: "Yep! My twin sister, Marble, and our eldest sister Limestone. Marble is a bit like Fluttershy, and Limestone can be a bit rude, but, deep down, she's real sweet! She is running the business of the rock farm!"

"Hmm... what would you say if you two, and a few guards, would invite them to join us? Life on a rock farm must be very hard, and here they would have no worries!"

"Mom will probably take some convincing. She's rather old fashioned!"

Maud facepalmed. Her sister was, apparently, not even thinking about a number of other reasons why convicing Cloudy Quartz and Limestone and Marble might be difficult. They were very attached to the rock farm, for one... And, oh yeah, they were inviting them to join the guy that had launched a war of invasion which had gotten their father killed! Well, might as well help to bring this to a good conclusion.

"I am sure we can arrange something..." Sombra contemplated. Then, he turned to Fluttershy: "You said that the town you lived in was close to Canterlot?"

"Ponyville?" Shy was surprised by this sudden change of topic. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

A smirk spread over Sombra's face. "I think it is time to send a message to Equestria. Tell me about the area."

"Well, there is the town, the nearby farm with its vast apple orchards, Everfree Forest and the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Before Canterlot Castle was built, this is where Celestia and her younger sister lived." Suddenly, a cold feeling spread from Shy's gut. "You... you don't intent to hurt the ponies there?"

"I can't promise that they won't be hurt, but it's not the goal of my idea." He told her. "Just a small raid, some damage to the buildings, maybe capturing a few of the inhabitants. The inhabitants of Canterlot should start getting nervous, rather than feeling secure about the war being a long way off. It might force Celestia to weaken her forces by detaching units to further secure Canterlot and other major cities."

8 Raid on Ponyville

A few days later, Twilight and Starlight had prepared a spell that would create a portal: If their estimations of the coordinates had been accurate, end inside, or at least near, the Castle of the Two Sisters in Everfree Forest. Pinkie Pie's visit home would have to wait for a while. But then, Radiant's birth wasn't due until a few more months, and Fluttershy's was even further away.

As it turned out, the calculations by Twilight and Starlight were very accurate, and Sombra's forces, lead by the King himself and accompanied by Fluttershy, Barb, Twilight and Tempest Shadow, made their base inside the ruins.

On their way to the town their scouts had run into a zebra living in the woods. Tempest and Barb had easily captured her and, when brought before the king, she had revealed that her name was "Zecora". At first, she was just bound and guarded, while the scouts explored her hut.

And judging by what they'd seen in her hut, she was a potioneer of great skill! This was something of interest to Sombra and Radiant! Starlight and Twilight were very talented, but Zecora's knowledge of the crafting of potions probably eclipsed theirs! And, maybe, a combination of magic and potions could allow Sombra to impregnate more than just ponies... Radiant certainly wouldn't have minded that; The more little ones around, the more there was to help Sombra from falling to his dark side! And Barb, at times, looked a little jealous of Fluttershy and Radiant! Though, of course, it would be a while before any of his fighters would be ready to bear his offsprings!

Zecora was brought before Sombra and given a very simple choice: Join them, or be locked away in the dungeons until she would either die or join them out of desperation anyway. Her decision was quick, but obviously not one she took with much pleasure. Luckily, Sombra's prowess could add that to it, as well as reinforce her conviction at joining him.

It had probably helped that she didn't have a good relationship with the townsfolk. Anytime she had visited Ponyville, she'd been avoided, as if the town was afraid of her! Even Fluttershy, when she'd been living there, had only heard stories about an "evil witch living in Everfree Forest" and might have had only seen her from afar.

Tempest Shadow and Barb led the attack on the Town itself, a day after their arrival. Fluttershy, Sombra, Zecora and Twilight remained in the castle ruins with about a quarter of their troops.

They moved up to the town as quietly. A few times, they had to avoid some young ponies daring each other to go deeper into this eldritch forest. When one of them got away too far from the others, a young, white pegasus, they snatched him up and, bound and gagged, sent one of their group to carry him back to Zecora's hut. They had decided to use it as the place they would gather before returning to the king after the attack. And it was comfy enough.

When their friend didn't return, the group hurried out of the forest! They wanted to ask some of the older ponies to help them find him! Apparently, the pegasus was called "Rumble".Followig them, they waited for a few minutes in the undergrowth at the forest's edge. Then they burst out of the forest and rushed towards the town.

At first, the ponies of Ponyville didn't even realize what was going on, wondering who this group of ponies, coming from Everfree Forest, was! Then, slowly, all too slowly, they realized who they were and panic spread! Screaming started as the townsfolk of Ponyville began to ran.

Some tried just to hide, others tried to help others to get to safety and a handful of them even tried to fight the attackers off. Most of them were quickly overwhelmed and left lying in the dirt, however.

Barb was chasing a gray pegasus. with a bunch of bubbles as her cutie mark, through the air. Constantly, she skirted obstacles by the breadth of a hair! She was either one of the best fliers in Equestria... or one of the worst and just very lucky. Honestly? It was getting on Barb's nerves...

This changed, when they heard a cry rise over the noise below! "Mommy!!!" Barb took a momeant to look. A guard had caught a young unicorn filly, desperately looking at the pegasus!

The pegasus stopped dead in her tracks! Her head turned, looking for the source of the voice! "Dinky!!!" Not caring about her pursuer, the mare charged towards the soldier holding the filly. And was caught by Barb.

"Gotcha! Finally!"

"Please! Let me go! I-I will go with you! Peacefully! Just let me go to my daughter!"

"That almost takes the fun out of the catch..." Barb grumbled. Then, she noticed the pegasus' eyes. "How did you even evade me with your eyes all crossed?!"

"No idea. I usually crash into half of the stuff that gets in my way."

With the mare and her daughter being walked to the woods by the same soldier who had caught the young unicorn, Barb took to the air again, looking for other interesting candidates. She saw Tempest Shadow dragging a gray-maned looking mare, probably in her late thirties to early fourties, out of a building. She looked like some sort of town official. Maybe the mayor?

Again, her attention was drawn by shouts! "SWEETIE BELLE! COME QUICK!" Barb's head turned, looking towards from where she had heard the voice. Then, she froze in place! The voice had come from a very pretty mare with a white coat and purple mane.

The unicorn put an arm around the shoulder of another, younger, unicorn mare. She also had white fur and what looked like a pink-and-purple mane. Most likely a younger sister?

Behind them were to other young mares. An earth pony with a light coat and red mane and a bow in it, and a purple-maned pegasus with smaller than usual wings. The older mare half lead, half dragged the three to a boarded up building, looking surprised at the other two for a momeant. A sign on the building, dusty and faded, said "Carousel Boutique."

A few momeants after the door had closed, two more mares, two earth ponies, one pink, one gray and wearing glasses, almost crashed into it! "What about us?!" The gray one called out, desperately banging against the door!

"Please! Let us in!"

The door opened again for a momeant and the two disappeared into the former boutique.

Barb grinned. Time for some amusemeant! Sure, ripping out the door would be easy enough for a dragon... But where was the fun in that? Instead, she knocked. No answer. She knocked again, louder this time. Again, no answer. "Open the door! I know that you're in there!" She called, amusemeant in her voice!

She shook her head when she still didn't get any response. Apparently, those ponies thought she acted just on a hunch and would leave when it became 'self-evident' taht nopony was inside. "Come out! Come out!" Barb called again. "Or do you want me to smoke you out?" Now, her voice took on a tone of grim amusemeant. She didn't often get the chance to set something on fire!

Then, a little noice! Had that been a little yelp from behind the door? "You want it the hard way then?" The dragoness laughed! She moved a a bit and easily ripped off the wood planks boarding up the window. She took a deep breath... and melted the window glass, her flame continuing on into the dusty interior, setting fire to the building! It quickly spread over the ground floor but would leave a way to the door. Which is where Barb hurried to now.

"Come out and surrender yourselves to me, or..." She allowed the implications to remain unsaid.

A few momeants later, and between some coughing, the voice of the unicorn she had first seen came though the door! "We're coming! We're coming! Just don't hurt us!"

"See? It wasn't that hard after,-..." Barb was about to taunt them, when she took a closer look at the unicorn. "You really are the most beautiful pony I've met..." The pristine white coat, the gorgous, well maintained purple mare... deep, blue eyes... The dragoness felt her face warming up! Was she blushing?! Why was she blushing because she was looking at some random, if very pretty, unicorn?!

Instead of appreciating the complimeant, however, the unicorn spat out: "Save the breath, you hideous monster!" Barb was almost a little hurt!

"Please," the younger unicorn, probably the aforemeantioned Sweetie Belle, and probably the unicorn's younger sister, spoke up, "Rarity, don't make her angry!"

Rarity? Barb thought... What a fitting name! Honestly? She felt oddly familiar.

Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle and the others. "You are right... Scootaloo! Apple Bloom! Diamond Tiara! Silver Spoon! Stay with me!" Then, she was distracted by a loud howl coming from the upper floor of the building! "OPAL!"

"Mmh~... Opals..." Barb had to admit, she was feeling a little peckish, and an opal would be a nice sna-...

"MY CAT! OPAL SHE IS STILL INSIDE!" Oh. It was her cat. Rarity turned to the dragoness! "Please! Save her!" Ah! Suddenly she wasn't a hideous monster not good enough to talk to her. Now she was good enough...

Barb grumbled a little, but went to rescue Opal anyway. She wondered why. There must have been something about that Rarity, her beauty aside. Something inside of her wanted Rarity to like her! Maybe... maybe she had fallen in love? Love at first sight? Ridiculous! But at the same time... a little... romantic?

The smoke that had engulfed the first floor made seeing difficult even for Barb, though, of course, did little more than inconvenience her. After two minutes, she found a white ball of anxious fur in a corner! The cat did its best trying to claw into Barbs arm. But when her claws did absolutely nothing to her scales, Opal just stared dumbfounded.

Landing next to her group of prisoners, she handed the cat over to her owner. Who, apparently, was used to dealing with her pets claws. By now, the other troops were withdrawing. A few of the soldiers set fire to some buildings before leaving, another group was leading a pair of mares, who looked like twins, away. Well, it was time to leave.

After some time of marching, Rarity spoke to Barb. She knew that the dragoness didn't have to save her. That she had done so anyway... "Th-thank you for saving Opal. Uhm..."

"Barb. My name is Barb."

"Thank you, Barb." She petted the cat in her arms. "I am Rarity. And this is my sister Sweetie Belle. The others are Scootaloo, Apple Bloom,Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. They are all in the same age range. "

Barb was surprised. This really was quite the turnaround! And, judging by their expression, the other mares shared Barb's confusion. Rarity noticed. "Well, darling, I figure that, right now, there isn't much I can do about the situation." She had no idea why she had just called the dragoness 'darling', but it did feel... strangely appropriate! "I might as well try to make this reasonable amicable for me, my sister and her friends. And you did save Opal, so I have to guess that not all of this villain's helpers are simple ruffians and brutes!"

The five other mares exchanged looks. Friends? They were acquainted and class mates, but friends? Well, Tiara and Silver Spoon were, but the other three? On the other hand, now that they heard them being called 'friends', something told them... that they should be! Especially Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom!

"Most of us ain't!" Barb half laughed, half grumbled. "You should meet some yourself. Especially Fluttershy and Her Highness, Queen Radiant Hope!"

"Queen Radiant Hope?" Rarity was surprised! The name alone already sounded trustworthy, nice and kind. Very much unlike the tyrant... The name Fluttershy also sounded vaguely familiar, but then again, it probably wasn't a unique name and she had spent most of the war in a large city. You heard all sort of names there! "King Sombra has a wife?"

"Of course! From what I know, she knew him already when they were both fillies!

"But that would mean that she is.. over a thousand years old!"

"Don't ask me on the details." The dragoness shrugged. "Maybe Sombra or Radiant will tell the story to you at some point. Or maybe Twilight, or Fluttershy. They were interested in that sort of stuff. Fluttershy especially, considering she's the queen's best friend. I usually ended up droning those stories out."

Some time later, the Castle of the Two Sisters had already come into sight, Barb turned to Rarity again: "From what I've heard about Equestria, you have a very one dimensional image of King Sombra!"

"I take it that you think otherwise?"

"I mean, the ponies from Equestria that have joined us in the castle are pretty happy. Fluttershy, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash... And he is basically my father. Helped Twilight to get me out of my egg and all."

Rarity's eyes got bigger as she heard that! And even her sister and her friends were intrigued! "So... you are a princess?" And while that stuff was of a more direct and pressing interest for her, there was something about those names she had just said. It was as if those four ponies... were important to her, somehow. And Barb as well...

"Not really. Technically, he might be my father... but with how that all went down, all that magic and so on... It's complicated." She scratched the back of her neck. "At least, I don't consider myself much of a princess, and I don't see myself anywhere in the line of succession. Especially considering that the Queen is a few months into her pregnancy. And I have no interest in ruling either."

"A real princess... huh..."

Finally, they arrived at the Castle. Rumble and his guard had been picked up on the way and the pegasus joined in with the other ponies of similar age. The prisoners were now being herded into a medium sized room to wait until they would be lead in front of King Sombra.

Sombra, meanwhile, had made himself comfortable on the remnants of a throne and was getting titfucked by Zecora, showing minor signs of his magic around her eyes – which also had cured her of her incessant rhyming - and Fluttershy. He wasn't shy about that and in general wouldn't have minded them seeing him like this, especially any good looking mares in the group, and maybe some of the more handsom stallions, but he wanted to make a good first impression on the citizens of Ponyville. One that really struck awe and fear into them.

Also, there might be minors in the group, and he was a ruthless tyrant bent on controlling them all, not somebody who'd expose a little filly to... these sorts of pictures. Also, Fluttershy and Radiant would get really annoying if he'd let that happen, especially with both of them pregnant with his foals...

On the topic of Fluttershy... her breasts had started to grow even larger!

Once the two mares were done, Zecora disappeared into the background, wiping some cum of her face. And now, Fluttershy standing slightly behind the throne, Sombra had the captives brought in front of him.

Seeing the little unicorn filly clutching the leg of a mare, probably her mother, told him that he had made the right call to have his entertainmeant finished before he met them. However, he still didn't want the little one here with the older ponies. Not now.

He turned to the pegasus at his side, who bowed slightly to get her head closer. "Fluttershy? Would you please take care of the filly?"

"Of course, your highness." The gray pegasus, Fluttershy couldn't remember her name at the momeant, pulled her daughter closer to herself. "Don't worry! I promise that no harm will come to her and that I will take good care! You will see her again as soon as this is over."

"Wait. I remember you!" The other pegasus realized! "You are that mare that lived near the forest, taking care of all the animals! Fluttershy, right?! Why are you with them?"

Fluttershy had been a bit too reclusive... She knew most of Ponyville only from sight. And she'd been gone for quite a while now! So, instead she rather avoided that a bit when she replied, with a gentle smile, "You will hear about that later. Let me take care of your daughter for now, alright?"

The gray mare wasn't happy about it, but realized that, given the situation, there was worse company for her daugther than shy, kind Fluttershy.

"And you are?" Fluttershy asked the filly as they disappeared, her mind working to remember the pegasus' name... What was it again? Muffins? Ditzy? No... but something like that... OH! RIGHT! Derpy!

"Dinky Doo!"

Sombra looked over his captives. The first one was a middle-aged looking mare, wearing a formal, black attire, blazer with a white blouse, something tied around her neck and a short skirt. She looked like a dignitary of sorts. And so, he would save her for last. Instead, he started with the elder looking of two white unicorns.

He gave a slight nod to Twilight and indicated the pony. He wouldn't be the one to adress them first. He was the king! He had servants to do so! "You there!" Twilight turned to the unicorn. "Name and occupation!"

"Rarity." The unicorn answered, eying Twilight curiously. Just like the dragoness, she felt familiar... "I used to be a fashion designer before... all of this happened."

A fashion designer? Sombra had an almost imperceptible smile on his face! That was very good! They could use somepony with a hand for these matters! Radiant and Fluttershy could use some new dresses... and Barb, Twilight and the others maybe something else as well. And, if he was being honest, a few new dress uniforms and such might not be the worst idea either.

Twilight turned to the other unicorn. "And you?"

"Sweetie Belle. Her younger sister."

Unprompted, the younger of the two pegasi imares n the group and an earth pony spoke up: "Apple Bloom. My family has a farm and orchard near Ponyville..."

"Scootaloo."

"No specific talents or occupations?" The pseudo-alicorn with her ethereal wings asked them.

The three lifted their skirts just enough to reveal their lack of cutie marks. "We're blank flanks." Apple Bloom added, unnecessarily.

They heard a snort. "Very classy, Diamond Tiara." Apple Bloom grumbled.

Unnoticed by them, Sombra's look turned stony. He hadn't forgotten how he'd been insulted and shunned, in part because he didn't have a cutie mark! A thousand years later, but some things didn't change, it seemed.

To her credit, Diamond Tiara looked actually embarassed. "Sorry." And, rather maturely, she added, "I know that we are in this together." Then, she turned to Sombra and Twilight. "Diamond Tiara. I am the daughter of Ponyville's richest pony. I do have my cutie mark, but... honestly, I don't know what it means for me yet." She showed her mark, a tiara as befitting her name.

"Silver Spoon. Diamond Tiara's friend." The last one said.

The young pegasus stallion now spoke up: "Rumble. Also a blank flank."

Deciding that they were still young enough to find out about what they were good at, what they were meant to do, Twilight decided not to push them any further. It would be a waste of time anyway. Instead, she turned to the cross-eyed, light gray pegasus whom the little filly had clung to.

"Derpy Hooves. Dinky Doo, the little filly with Fluttershy, is my daughter. I work as Ponyville's mail mare."

Not that they needed another messanger right now, but maybe in the future. Maybe she could be useful otherwise. Perhaps working in the castle?

Next were two earth ponies that looked suspiciously like twins. One pink with a blue mane, the other looking basically like her, just with the colors swapped. "Aloe-..."

"-... and Lotus Blossom."

"We run-..."

"-ran-," her sister correcter her. The fact that they managed to continue each others' sentences like that was proof enough that they were twins, if any further proof was needed.

"-, Ponyville's spa."

They had run a spa? That sounded intriguing! For both, Twilight and Sombra! A pair of professional relaxation experts would, most likely, be appreciated by everyone back home! Two pretty mares giving them nice, relaxing, treatmeants and massages... Happy Ends. They could probably teach some of their staff as well.

Finally, Twilight turned to the one looking like a dignitary or something in that vein. "And now, for you. You look like you are somepony holding an office?"

"I am the mayor of Ponyville. Mayor Mare." She told them. Talk about 'dressing for the job'... The mayor took a deep breath to steady hersef, then stepped forward. "Please. Don't hurt them!" She gestured towards the other ponies. "I,-" she swallowed, "-I am willing to cooperate, to fullfill any demands that are in my power to fullfill, in exchange for you promising me that you are not going to hurt them!"

How very convenient! She had nothing major to offer to them, they knew that, the mayor probably as well, but they also had no intention on hurting any of them to begin with, and with the message sent, Ponyville was of middling interest. However, Mayor Mare offered them an easy way into her mind, to make her one of Sombra's servants. And with this, Ponyville could, at the very least, be very easy to integrate once the Crystal Empire's forces got there.

"You demand that no harm may come to them?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why not ask for us to just go and leave everypony behind? Swear to never come to Ponyville ever again?"

"Because I have serious doubts that you would agree to anything in that case. This way there is a chance of you treating them well, and maybe sparing Ponyville further harm."

"Clever pony." Sombra chuckled, his deep voice sending a shiver down the spines of the prisoners. "I agree to your conditions. Come to me, Mayor Mare."

Again, the mayor swallowed, then moved, climbing up to the throne. "What do you demand... King Sombra?" She sounded resigned to her fate.

"Twilight? Show her."

With a smirk, Twilight walked up to the king. The mayor had no idea what she had gotten herself into... Twilight grabbed the mayor's hand, causing her to look confused. Then, the unicorn moved moved it to the king's groin.

Seeing how Mayor Mare reacted was a blast! At first, she was surprised, but that quickly turned into shock, fear and shame. And, when she felt him hardening, and his size, and she hated herself for that, a tinge of lust. On instinct, she grabbed the cloth. The unicorn used that chance to have her lift the fabric covering King Sombra's pride.

All of the prisoners stared, even Rumble. The young stallion, so far, had never had any attraction to males, but something made him unable to look away. Derpy and Rarity let out small whimpers. With everything that was going on, Derpy caring for her daughter, Rarity working shift after shift in a factory churning out uniform after uniform, they hadn't had a lot of sex in a while. The younger mares and Sombra, as intimidating as he was, even in a flaccid state, looked very... gifted.

Twilight's smirk grew wider as she told the earth pony what her part of the deal would be. Not that it wasn't obvious already. "You will serve the king... with your body."

Mayor Mare was aghast! She didn't know what she had expected, but... not this! Twilight placed the mayor's hand on Sombra's dick, and it felt like lightning ran down her spine! The warmth, the mass... Subconsciously, she started to move her hand... When was the last time She had done something like this? Probably before she'd been elected mayor?

Soon, Sombra's cock hardened. As the mayor marveled, Twilight, with her left, began to squeeze the older mare''s breasts, while her right lifted Mayor Mare's skirt over her ass, revealing her panties to the captured citizens.

"Get to work properly!" The unicorn told her once he was fully errect! "Put your hand... or hands, around the shaft! And don't forget the lube!" Mayor Mare did as she was told. She didn't have much of a choices in any case, both with Twilight next to her and the offer she had made. "Don't forget his balls... You know, better just start sucking off, while your hand takes care of them!" Twilight mockingly guided her.

And, as if on autopilot, the mayor followed her words. Her head lowered towards the King's scepter and its musk filled her nostrils. It was... mesmerizing! This smell alone made her feel like no stallion had ever made her feel! Maybe giving him a blowjob wouldn't be that bad after all! In fact, she managed to lose herself in the act!

It felt like just seconds had gone by for Mayor Mare, but, in fact, it had been a few minutes, when Sombra's load filled her mouth. Taken by surprise, she let his length slip from her mouth! Another splurt covered her face, smearing her glasses. Then, a last one hit her top! It tasted good... and it was so hot against her fur... her body was burning!

Almost reluctantly the mare swallowed the load in her mouth. She wanted to enjoy the taste for longer! "Was... was that all?" She half hoped, half dreaded.

She heard Twilight laugh. "Of course,-" the unicorn ran her tongue over Mayor Mare's face, scooping up some of the cum and swallowing it, "-not! Now, you will ride him." The king's mage pulled the mayor's panties down and ran a finger over her slit! "Oh... you're really needy, huh?" Then, she turned to the others: "I hope you are enjoying the show? You know, you can get yourselves off, if you want to. But I guess that would be too embarassing for you!" For now, she chuckled internally.

For the mayor, shame had already given way for desire as she opened her top and her blouse. Rising to her hooves, she pulled her bra down, letting her puppies pop out. When Sombra grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap and unto his cock.

It was a delightful feeling of fullness, something, she just realized, she'd been missing in her life! Mayor Mare's hips began to move almost immediately! She didn't even care for the stares of the other captives, imagining how they looked on in disbelief! Disbelief... and jealousy!

They watched as as their mayor rode him. Her face was now close to the king's and he took advantage of it, kissing her! Mayor Mare felt King Sombra's magic enter her! Felt how it wormed its way into her mind, how it changed her... and how she liked it!

The best fuck in her life was over far too soon for the mayor's tastes, but at least it ended with a bang. "Now, Mayor Mare, are you satisfied with the conditions of the deal?"

Mayor Mare's face now showed a completely different expression from before: Her mouth was twisted into a big, lust-filled smiled and her eyes showed a fanatical devotion, enhanced by the traces of Sombra's magic., which would subside shortly. When she answered Sombra, her voice trembled with joy! "Yes.. my king!" She was so full with his cum that she was certain that he had knocked her up... And it filled her with joy! To carry King Sombra's foal!

The captives stared on, even more disbelief on their faces if that was possible! She... she hadn't just called Sombra 'HER King'?! Then, they noticed the tracess of Sombra's magic hovering near her head, around her eyes. What came next, however, was worse.

His right index finger caressed the mayor's jawline, "I will keep my promises. And I will also promise to not attack Ponyville again. In turn you will return there,-" Mayor Mare looked very disappointed and on the verge of protesting, "-and prepare it for my return. When I come back to Ponyville, I want it to join me willingly."

"You... You intent to return here, your Highness?" To the discomfort of the captives, the mayor almost squealed with happiness!

Sombra's hand moved lower and twisted Mayor Mare's left nipple, causing her to howl in pleasure. "Once Celestia is cornered and me and my forces stand before Canterlot."

It certainly wasn't a picture that Rarity and the others liked, despite her prior statemeant about making the whole thing reasonably amicable for her. "King Sombra, I hope that this day will be soon!"

"And I trust that you can make your return believeable to your townsfolk?"

"I will claim that we were attacked by one of the creatures of Everfree Forest, maybe a timberwolf or two, or maybe the forest itself, and that I either slipped away or was left behind in the chaos. I will probably have to rip up my clothes a little, get some twigs and dirt stuck in my mane and tail, and that should be enough!"

"Very well then. Barb? Take some soldiers and escort her back to Zecora's hut. From there, she should be able to find her way back to Ponyville with little danger to herself. And bring the left over potioneering equipmeant back!"

Mayor Mare already had ideas. Maybe she should go after Cheerilee? Getting the town's teacher for her king would help to slowly turn the younger ponies... Flitter and Cloudchaser would make for a nice present... But, she remembered, first she had to find a stallion to spend a night with. After all that happened, wanting a night of intimacy probably wouldn't seem to strange to the others, and she needed a cover for her pregnancy, if Sombra indeed had knocked her up.

Some time, maybe two hours, after the attack, Applejack, Big Mac, Hondo Flanks and Cookue Crumble were running through the devastated Ponyville! Applejack and Big Mac had been busy at Sweet Apple Acres, overseeing the productions of more food for the troops. Hondo and Cookie had been on a stroll before the attack happened, and when they had seen the smoke rise had hurried to the farm to get aid from two of the strongest ponies in the town!

"Apple Bloom!" APPLE BLOOM! WHERE ARE YOU?!" The Apple siblings were calling out for their younger sister as their hurried down the main road.

"Rarity!" The parents of the two unicorn sisters followed behind the Apple's, calling for their daughters. "Sweetie Belle?!"

Behind them, slowly, more and more of the townsfolk rallied as they got confirmation that Sombra's forces really were gone! Most of them, however, stayed together in a clumb, relieved that they had been spared from whatever fate the evil king had planned for them. Some of them looked at the damage their homes had suffered.

Applejack and the others stopped when they heard a faint voice calling out: "Help! Help!"

The four ponies looked around, trying to make out from where the voice had come, trying to make out who it had been... it was faint, they couldn't quite make out who it was, maybe... But no, now they were able to hear that it was a stallion. "I'm stuck here! Under the rubble!"

Their heads zeroed in on a half-collapsed building. "Please! Get me out of here!"

Big Mac and Applejack did the heavy lifting, while Hondo and Cookie used their magic to keep loose rubble and other debris from falling down. After half a minute, they dragged a very battered stallion out of the leftover pile that used to be a house.

Applejack, maybe a little bit too energetically, gave the stallion a few claps to dust him off! "Dr. Whooves? Are you alright?" Hondo asked him.

Dr. Whooves coughed some dust up, then let out a little whimper. "Ow..." But, after a few momeants to get his bearings again, he turned to his saviors. Massaging his ribs, he spoke to them again: "Thank you four for getting me out of there. I was trying to help when a spell hit the house and it collapsed onto me!"

Then, he really realized who was in front of them! Whooves had seen what had happened to their relatives: "I am sorry to say, but...they took Rarity and Sweetie Belle!" He told Hondo and Cookie, who had to support each other to not fall to their knees.

"No! My little girls!" Cookie sobbed quietly, tears starting to run down her cheeks.

Then, Whooves turned to the Apples: "And I also saw Apple Bloom with them!"

Applejack's expression was one of pure, unadulterated fury. Pulling her hat down, so that it covered her eyes, the anger in her lowered voice was clear: "This. Won't. Stand!" She began to march to wards Everfree Forest. "AND IF WE HAVE TO SEARCH THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN FOREST AND BEAT UP ALL OF SOMBRA'S FORCES!" But then, she noticed that her brother was still standing with the other ponies, even helping to console Cookie and, even if he didn't quite show it, Hondo. "Big Mac? Why are you standing there! Let's get going!"

"Sorry, sis! I don't think that's a good idea!" Her older brother called back. Dr. Whooves looked at him, a little surprised, since Big Mac never talked much. It was probably a sign of how dire the situation was that he now spoke as much as he did: "The ponies here need help, and, hate to say it, we probably won't be able to find them in time. They probably didn't walk to Ponyville."

AJ hated to admit it, in this situation, but her brother was right. And just charging into them, all fired up but without a plan, probably would have just ended up with them getting captured as well... "Damn it! You are right! Let's help the folks here first!"

The five began to drum up all the ponies they could find, administering first aid where needed and to the best of their abilities. Now it was a bit unfortunate that Nurse Redheart had joined to help the war effort and they didn't know where Doctor Horse was. Some reported that he had been captured, but others said that they'd talked with him earlier and that he was taking a lengthy walk. They all hoped for the latter, since they could use medical expertise...

Cloudchaser and Flitter were racing to Canterlot to call for help. Doctors and medical supplies, building material to rebuild the houses, maybe a small garrison?

Applejack, Big Mac, Dr. Whooves and Hondo gathered a number of the most able and uninjured ponies around them, among them Cheerilee, the Cakes, Bulk Biceps – there had always been a little been some surprise he wasn't at the front lines, but then again, Bulk was a big softie at heart – and Davenport. This group now searched for more ponies that had evaded the assault, but might be in need of help. First, they combed through the rubble of the town, finding a few more ponies in varying states.

Once they had been brought back to the others, and luckily Dr. Whorse had finally returned, they then started to search through the area surrounding Ponyville. Cheerilee found some parents with their children hidden at the school, for example.

Afterwards, those that could started cleaning up the town, at least so much that it wasn't as much of an obvious aftermath of an attack anymore. It would make the night a tiny bit easier. Carting off another load of rubble, Cheerilee noticed a distraught, scruffy looking pony coming out of Everfree Forest! "Mayor Mare?!" Cheerilee was surprised! But that was quickly supplanted by joy as she shouted to the ponies: "It's the mayor! She's back! Mayor Mare is back!"

In a matter of momeants, all of the townsfolk that was able to had crowded around her! Immediately Mayor Mare was pestered with questions by her townsfolk! How had she escaped? How many other ponies had been captured with her? Where had they gone? Would they come back?

But Cookie Crumble and Applejack fought their way to the front! "What is with our daughters?!" Cookie cried at the mayor!

"And my sister!" AJ added, elbowing an unfortunate ponyvillian into the side.

Big Mac and Hondo Flanks followed somewhat less aggressively.

"Calm down! Everypony! Calm down!" "One thing after the other: My escape was nothing but plain luck! They were driving us on through Everfree Forest, to where I don't know, when we were attacked by some timberwolves! They were able to beat them back, but I got trambled to the ground and tossed into some bushes! When they started to move again, they either hadn't noticed that I was missing, or didn't care!"

A murmur went through the crowd. It made sense. Timberwolves were dangerous, and trying to fight them off, even as the forces of King Sombra, probably would be rather distracting. The Mayor was pleased how her excuse was accepted so easily!

"I was captured alongside twelve other ponies!" She continued.

That made thirteen, which accounted for most of those missing, if you gave some leeway for ponies that might just be on a walk or who left for a while earlier in the day without anypony noticing, or who ran away so far, or hid so well, that they hadn't been found yet. Of course, the reassurance for some ponies caused uncomfortable confirmations for others.

Cheerilee raised a hand: "Thirteen?"

Mayor Mare nodded. "The zebra that lives in the forest was also captured."

"The witch?!" Twist burst out!

"Now, Twist!" Mr. Cake looked at her. "The poor thing must be just as scared as our friends! Even if she is scary, and maybe an evil witch, she didn't deserve this."

"And," the mayor turned to the four ponies standing closest to her, moving the topic along, "as you probably have already feared, I have to confirm that Apple Bloom, Rarity and Sweetie Belle are among the captives, together with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,-" Filthy Rich let out a scream of anguish! Even with all his money, he had been unable to protect his daughter or her friend. Spoiled tried to comfort him. "- Scootaloo, Aloe, Lotus Blossom, Rumble and Derpy and Dinky."

The mood deflated noticeably.

"On the brighter side: From what I heard on the way, they probably won't be returning any time soon. They used a magical portal to teleport here and would have to leave as soon as we got back to their camp. They also talked about that 'the message to Canterlot should be clear now', and how Princess Celestia would have to withdraw troops from the frontlines to improve the defenses of Canterlot itself. So, I guess we won't have to worry about any further attacks for now."

A sigh of relief went through the whole town when they heard that. Fools, Mare thought. You won't have to worry about any attacks... And once Sombra's forces are near enough for that to no longer be the case, most of you will want to join him! She had to hide her a grin. But then, instead, she used it! Showing a smile, she continued: "But for now, I am just happy that most of you seem to be well!"

Now, an agreeing murmur went through the townsfolk. Even with the injured and those taken captive, the damage to the town, this could've been far worse. "We can and will rebuild the town!" Mayor Mare thundered! "We will show Sombra that Ponyville won't be cowed so easily!"

Cheers arouse around her! The mayor wasn't quite sure if it was just her oratory, or massively boosted by the flood of relief.

"But before we rebuild the town... how about we have a little celebration tonight?" Loud agreemeant all around! They needed to blow off some steam, and a night of revelry would help them to relax after a far too tense day...

A lot of them got a little tipsy on cider that Applejack and Big Mac provided for the party. But Mayor Mare had something better! In her office, undamaged by the devastation, was a bottle of high proff Apple-family brandy! And with that bottle, she got Dr. Whooves drunk and dragged him off to bed. The next morning, she would just claim that she had no idea how it happened...

During the same night, Applejack and Big Mac packed their belongings. They would get Apple Bloom back, no matter the cost! And if it meant marching all the way to the Crystal Empire and fight their way through to her!

"Winona? Take good care of the farm while we're gone!" Applejack said to her dog. "We will be back in no time, but make sure the farmhands keep the work up!"

The dog whimpered sadly, having a bad feeling about all of this.

Meanwhile, in the Crystal Empire, before the evening, Barb and Twilight were leading the prisoners to their rooms. No cells for them, at leas no normal ones. They seemed to have some able ponies. Zecora already had been assigned quarters near the lab where she would help Starlight and Twilight with their experimeants and add her potion skills. It was good that she had been broken in quickly!

The others would get nice rooms and, until they had turned to Sombra, guards placed in front of them. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle got one room together. Rarity got one for herself right next to theirs, and the same was the case for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The Spa Twins of course also got a room and so did Rumble and Derpy and her daughter.

Rarity looked at in awe at the hallways and rooms they were lead through! This place certainly was something! But then she looked at the dragoness and, unable to repress a hint of surprise, asked her: "Aren't you going to saw of my horn or something like that?!"

"Why would we do that?" Barb wondered.

Now, the unicorn really was surprised! There were many stories about how unicorns were treated under Sombra's iron fist. And pegasi, for that matter.

"That would be incredibly, and needlessly, cruel and a total waste of magical powers!" Twilight called over. "We have better things to do than waste ressources!"

Passing by a crossing of corridods, unnoticed by the group, they passed by Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and two of Shy's guards. One of them was very surprised seeing one of the captives and leaned forward to whisper into her ear: "Fluttershy?" Originally, they had adressed her as 'Lady' after they'd been assigned to be her guards, but she ended up prefering a less formal adress. "That white pegasus... is my brother!"

"Is that so?" Fluttershy looked at Thunderlane, surprised and intrigued. "I will have to talk to King Sombra about this..." She brushed over her baby bump.

10 Apples fighting round the world. Or, at least, in the Crystal Empire

A few months had passed since the raid on Ponyville and its effects had been a small, but noticeable, decrease in the size of the units in Celestia's forces.

Queen Radiant Hope would soon give birth: Fluttershy wasn't all that far behind and now spent most of her time without a top on! Her breasts had become too sensitive and were so often leaking milk that it wasn't comfortable and anything she wore would be soaked ina a matter of minutes anyway! At first, it had been slightly uncomfortable with all those stares, but aafter a while, she had gotten used to it.

At the same time, many miles away, Applejack and her older brother had passed the old borders of the Crystal Empire. It had been a long and hard journey, especially as they had attempted to avoid King Sombra's patrols whenever possible. Fighting them was a waste of time and always carried a risk, even though, as the siblings had to admit, it also was a very good outlet for some pent-up frustrations! Yet, the closer they got, the more important it'd be to avoid raising any alarms.

They did not realize that they triggered a magical alarm Twilight had prepared shortly after she had joined King Sombra. His Majesty, curious as to whom would dare, or be able, to try to sneak their way into his realm had sent out Barb, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire to find out! Equipped with new magical binoculars that would help them find the intruders as well as project their image to the throne room!

The three were flying high. So high that, from the ground, they were at best pin pricks in the sky. Putting the binoculars to their eyes, they scanned the ground.

Back in the throen room, Sombra and most of his closest attendants and confidants looked at the magical disc showing what the two pegasi saw. Twilight had conjured it shortly after the two had left.

Apple Bloom gasped! "Big Mac! Applejack!" All heads turned to her. "Yes, Apple Bloom?" Sombra's deep voice was smooth as silk as he, half purring, asked her: "I take that you know these two intruders?"

The way his voice sounded was enough to make most of the girls in the throne room very hot and very bothered! These promises of pleasure beyond imaginagining... "They are my older siblings!" In a swift motion, Apple Bloom turned around and prostrated herself in front of King Sombra! Her head pressed against the ground in front of his hooves, she begged him: "Please! Please King Sombra! Your Majesty! Please don't kill them! They are very strong! They can be useful to your cause!" She had started to cry! "They can help you! Please! Don't-..." Before she could continue to beg, she felt the King's strong hand on her head, surprising her by gently brushing through her mane. He didn't need to say anything.

"Twilight? Can you contact our three scouts?"

"Of course!" Twilight smirked. Her tone, however, was one of almost bored annoyance at the question! King Sombra made a meantal note to put her into her place again again later. A few seconds later... "A meantal connection has been established, just speak up!"

"Can you hear me?" King Sombra had to admit: it did feel a little weird to talk into an empty room, even if they had a picture of the ponies the group was watching.

"Your Majesty? Is that you?" Rainbow Dash's voice echoed back through the throne room.

"Twilight created a direct connection from the castle to you three." He explained. "Now listen! Spitfire, you will continue to watch them. Rainbow Dash and Barb, I want you with me and Tempest Shadow!" Sombra turned to Twilight and Starlight again. "Open a portal. Tempest, grab a few additional guards!" And back to the fliers, "Is there a place we can meet you nearby?"

Barb looked around. "There is a small forest, about a mile from here."

"Show it to us!" Starlight called out! A small, but dense, patch of trees and bushes showed up. "Perfect!" The two mares' horns glowed up and momeants later, the portal was stable. Just in time for Tempest to show up with the guards she had drummed up.

With a smirk, Sombra's armoured frame rose to his hooves. As he moved towards the portal, Tempest and the guards fell in behind him and they passed through the portal.

In the forest, the group met with Rainbow Dash and Barb and they set out to intercept the intruding earth ponies. The guards were there mainly to keep them from running away once they caught up with Apple Bloom's siblings and Barb and Rainbow would make sure the two would not be able to escape beforehand. And Sombra had to admit... he was looking forward to this! He hadn't had a good fight in ages and when he took the field, he was usually more busy coordinating and, if she showed up, fighting Celestia to a magical stand still! But that earth pony stallion looked like he'd make a nice scrap! Not a real challenge, of course, but moreso than the average grunt of the equestrian army!

The king and his group were on course to intercept Applejack and Big Mac. The two had spotted them and were trying to escape, but Spitfire, Rainbow Dash and Barb cut them off! When it came to fighting, Rainbow would take on Applejack. And, if it got too tight, the others were allowed to interfere. There was no reason for Sombra not to put the odds in his own favor!

A few minutes later, the guards had encircled the two earth ponies. The siblings stood back to back, Applejack facing Rainbow Dash, Big Mac raising his fists and glaring at King Sombra! "You ain't taking us without a fight!" AJ declared defiantly! "We're here to take back our little sister!"

Back in the throne room, they watched the events unfold. In anguish at what was going to happen, Apple Bloom turned away! "I can't watch this!" She cried out! She didn't want to see them fighting! She didn't want to see any of them, her king, her new friends or her family, get hurt!

Fluttershy looked at her. With compassion in her eyes, she had a suggestion: "Why don't you come here and suck on my tits a little? They are so full and I could use some relief. Maybe it will help you to calm down!"

Bloom nodded and crawled up to the pregnant pegasus.

Big Mac and Applejack looked at each othe over their shoulders and nodded. With one swift movemeant, they let their backpacks hit the ground! If they were going down, they would go down swinging! And maybe they could break out... It was a miniscule chance, but a miniscule chance was better than no chance.

Grining, Sombra let the armor on his upper body fall to the ground. It was an unfair, and unnecessary, advantage and giving the earth pony a tiny bit more of a chance would make it more interesting. And he didn't need it anyway, especially since the two weren't carrying any weapons. He really was impressed with the earth pony stallion! About as tall as Sombra himself, maybe even a tiny bit taller, and most of it muscle! He would make a valuable asset...

On the other side, Rainbow Dash shot a cocky grin at the mare across from her. She had a feeling like this would be fun! The earth pony looked strong and, physically, she might even be stronger than Rainbow, but she could most likely equalize that with agility and speed!

The king's smile widened as he took a few steps toward Big Macintosh. Positioning himself broadlegged and with slightly hunched over, Sombra stretched out his right arm towards the tall, red stallion. His hand turned so that its inside showed was turned to the king, and as if to say "Bring it on!", his index finger curled inwards!

His eyes narrowing, Big Mac began to charge. He knew that Sombra was just goading him, but it wasn't like he and his sister had any better idea what to do next. Also, if he played his game, maybe his goons wouldn't interfere and he wouldn't just use his magic to screw them over! Behind him, Applejack followed suit and charged at the pegasus...

Rainbow Dash avoided her opponent's first strike with ease! Sloppy, obviously not militarily trained for fighting! But, to her surprise, the earth pony handily blocked her counter attack! Apparently, she had more fighting experience than Dash had expected. Maybe from brawling? Maybe with her brother? Well, whatever. Seeing the pegasus' surprised face, Applejack shot her a very confident grin. And Rainbow Dash felt herself getting a tiny bit angry! THAT WAS WHAT SHE HAD WANTED TO DO, DAMN IT!

This distraction allowed Applejack to get a bit of distance between herself and Rainbow! And now, instead of a punch, she delivered a powerful kick that the pegasus dodged only by the breadth of a hair! She felt the air the mare's leg pushed brush over her face even! Rainbow Dash swallowed hard! She might have underestimated the earth pony! One good hit from one of her kicks and... Well, if it hit her head, it probably wouldn't be pretty. In fact, if she was hit bad enough in her stomach, she feared she might get disemboweled!

King Sombra meanwhile had caught Big Mac's first attack and now the two were locked in a test of strength! And the king had to admit: The stallion was very strong! Probably his physically strongest opponent yet, Princess Celestia aside! He was even managing to push the king back, a small pile of earth appearing behind his hooves! Time to put a stop to that at least!

First, the king put more strength into the struggle to bring it to a standstill again! Again, he smirked into the earth pony's face and then stepped to the side, causing Big Mac to stumble past him! Their arms still interlocked, Sombra used this to put his opponent into a choke!

Big Macintosh knew that he was in a bad spot and that he needed to get out of this as quickly as possible! He twisted and writhed around, but Sombra's grip was like iron! So instead, he used his legs and kicked against the king's knee!

Sombra grunted in pain as a sharp pain rushed through his leg! For just a momeant he let Big Mac's hands go, but it was enough! Yet, he collected himself again immediately and put the stallion into a standing rear naked choke!

But now that his arms were free, Mac had a much easier time to fight back properly! He raised his right arm... and smashed his elbow into Sombra's side! Big Mac heard the villain groan, and his grip loosened, but only slightly! He repeated his attack once! Twice! A third time and Sombra stumbled back, letting go! Time to fight back! Big Macintosh turned around on the spot and used the movemeant to put additional force into his counter attack!

A powerful right hook hit Sombra on the cheek, causing him to stumble backwards, almost falling down! Finding his balance again, the king spat out and saw saliva mixed with blood! He also started to taste it in his mouth and with his right thumb he brushed over his lips to see that he was bleeding on the outside of his busted open lip as well! Sombra began to grin! This really was fun!

At the same time, the fight between the mares had turned into something of a stalemate. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were evenly matched! The earth pony had the strength advantage, but the pegasus was faster. Yet she hadn't been able to land any major blows against her opponent, who, if she got caught, would be able to deliver a bone crushing kick that could possibly end the fight that very momeant! But Rainbow Dash would have to take a risk to end this fight! So far, she hadn't used her greatest advantage!

Dash spread her wings and began to flap them, kicking up clouds of dust that made it hard for her opponent to see anything! Then, she soared up a few meters, fixed her target and prepared to dive bomb onto the earth pony! Rainbow Dash turned over, propelled herself with a few hard flaps of her wings and charged down!

She missed. Applejack had side stepped her and instead, the pegasus took a hard back kick against her right arm! There was a nasty crack... Dash hoped that it was at least a clean break, and, maybe, that the adrenaline held on long enough for her to get some painkillers or proper medical treatmeant. Preferably from Queen Radiant Hope herself. As she fell, her left instinctively grabbed Applejack's leg and tore part of her jeans off. Apparently the pair of pants had suffered a lot during the journey... Then, carried by the momeantum, she crashed to the ground.

Pushing her hat back. AJ looked at the fallen pegasus with a cocly smile! "Ya think that's dusty? Shoulda se-...!" Before she could finish what she wanted to say, Applejack was hit in the back by an explosion! She crashed to the ground and the last thing she saw was Tempest Shadow's armoured hoof closing in on her head at a high speed.

Tempest glared at both, the knocked out earth pony and the fallen pegasus. As she was helping Rainbow Dash up, she told her, in an icily serious tone, "We will put in some special training sessions..."

Rainbow Dash shuddered a little. Once her arm was good again, she would probably be put through a training gauntlet that would be more grueling than fun. But then, considering what had just happened, maybe she had gotten a bit too cocky for her own good?

These events distracted Big Mac, and Sombra took full advantage of that: A powerful blow to the red stallion stomach caused him to double over! The king followed it up with a backhand blow to Big Mac's head, leading to him turning around, so that his back was facing his opponent! And then, to finish him, hit him with a brutal double axe handle blow to the upper back! Gasping for air, Big Macintosh crashed to the ground.

Sombra's horn glowed as he cast a sleeping spell on his opponent, just to be sure. Wouldn't do for this behemoth to get his wits back when he wasn't around... The king looked at his troops, fixing Rainbow Dash, who was clutching her damaged arm, for a momeant, causing her to whince. Then, he gave his orders: "Chain them, bathe them, wash their clothes and then, bring them to the throne room."

They returned to the throne room and Radiant quickly hurried over to check on Rainbow Dash's arm! She glared at the pegasus for the foolishness of her action, which frightened Dash even more than Sombra's glare just before! But, in the end, her broken arm wasn't too bad. Well, for a broken arm at least. Radiant patched it up and used her magic to enhance Rainbow Dash's natural healing abilities. In two or three weeks, everything should be as good as new!

A few hours later, the freshly bathed prisoners were lead into the throne room. They didn't seem any worse for wear after theiri fight, so that was promising already! Apple Bloom, meanwhile, hid herself behind her friends, not wanting to face her siblings just yet.

Applejack and Big Mac stood there, glaring defiantly at King Sombra, who considered this rather amsuing. He mustered them closely now. Indeed, both of them were prime specimen! Especially the mare... With the left leg of her jeans now missing right below her nether region, giving her a fashionably assymetrical appearance, her well-developed legs were accentuated very nicely! And the shirt she had tied into a knot just above her belly button put a lot of emphasis on her other assets...

Well, now it was time to deal with the two. And King Sombra knew how he'd start... And Applejack confirmed his train of thought when, not waiting for him to begin, she shouted: "WHERE'S OUR SISTER?!"

Sombra smirked evily. "Your sister is right here!" He declared as he cast magic and a glowing chain appeared in his and. He gave it a tug and Apple Bloom stumbled into sight! It was obvious that the situation was rather uncomfortable for her, but it would be far easier to break her siblings down this way. "She is one of my servants now."

"H-hello, Big Mac! Applejack!" Apple Bloom greeted her family, looking more than a little embarassed. It wasn't only the general situation. The dress she wore today barely covered her privates. Which was by design.

The siblings' eyes widened as they saw her! "Apple Bloom!" AJ called out. "Are you alright?! Has that monster done anything to you?!"

Before Apple Bloom could answer, Sombra gave her another tug. This time, it forced her to her knees. Right in front of his crotch. She knew what he wanted and obliged as her siblings watched on in disbelief . With a few, by now well ingrained, movemeants, she freed the King's scepter.

Her siblings saw how she licked her lips in eager anticipation! "Bloom?! What are you doing?" Her oder sister's eyes moved a few times from her Apple Bloom to her brother and back wanting to see Mac's reaction, if he also saw what she was seeing or if it was just a hallucination! But, judging by how he looked, it was the truth. Big Macintosh looked furious! She had never seen him that angry!

Applejack saw something else, however. She saw how well-endowed the king was. She had seen Big Mac naked often enough, and the king was up there with him... Absent minded, AJ bit down on her lip, feeling how her own nether regions were starting to heat up. Maybe she should have had a little tumble in the hay with a farm hand before they left... Or gotten herself off more often on her journey, but she wanted to avoid to inconvenience her brother with the smell of horny mare juices... Though, there even had been times when she had thought about, maybe, she and her brother...

"Apple Bloom! Stop it!" Applejack called over as she watched how her younger sister serviced the obsidian meat pillar of the evil that attacked Equestria!

For a while, Apple Bloom just ignored her. But then, Sombra used the magical chain to pull her back from his length until only the tip remained in Bloom's mouth. She looked at him with big, pleading eyes not to force her to stop. The king could see the green glow in her eyes. He gave her another tug and, with a disappointed mewl, let go.

She turned around and looked at her siblings. "I am happy! I have friends! I even finally got my Cutie Mark!" She declared defiantly declared to them, dropping her dress and squeezing one of her breasts! Giving Sombra's dick a sloppy kiss, she added: "And I am having a whole lot of mind-blowing sex! I love serving MY king! Together with my friends! The streaks of Sombra's magic around her eyes were very visible right now as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle quickly moved to her side!

A mix of rage and hopelesness welled up inside the two siblings! Rage at everything about their current situation and at what had happened to their younger sister! Obviously she was mind controlled by that evil fiend! And hopelesness because they knew that they couldn't change a thing. Applejack also hated herself for another thing: A part of her wanted to join Apple Bloom! Oh Celestia, she needed a good cock!

While Apple Bloom continued to service Sombra, a young mare the two knew from Ponyville, Silver Spoon entered, carrying a tablet. She was followed by a pink mare with a fluffy, pink mane, whom Applejack had a very weird feeling she should know... And another pink mare with a purple mane. The three knelt down, then placed the tablets in front of Sombra and his partners.

"Thank you, Silver Spoon, Pinkie Pie and Sugar Belle." He told them.

As the three turned to leave again, Sugar Belle's eyes fell upon the tall, hunky prisoner. She was immediately smitten! And judging by how he had stopped looking at his sister and was staring back at Sugar Belle, so was he! She remained behind, standing there and staring at him. With her not moving, Pinkie and Silver Spoon also remained.

And Sombra noticed this. He did after all want that stallion as one of his subjects, and if the two fell for one another? That would be something to leverage against Big Mac's mind! His gaze glared a hole in Sugar Belle's back, and she noticed it. Slowly, her head turned around. She caught Sombra's eyes and understood. Smiling, she turned back to muster Big Mac's well muscled frame more.

"Apple Bloom?" The king adressed his servant.

She looked up from his cock, slick with her saliva. "Hmm?"

"This will do for now." Apple Bloom let out a disappointed noise as she let go. Then, she saw the grin on her master's face. "And now, I want you to undress your siblings." He also handed her a key. "Take their chains of as well. I don't think they will need them for now."

Happily, Apple Bloom skipped over to the other two members of her family. For a momeant, she looked at them and thought whom to start with... Her being wet and horny as tartarus didn't help making the choice! Finally, she made the call to start with her dear sis.

First, Bloom unlocked the shackles binding her arms and legs."Just relax, Applejack!" She whispered to her sister when she noticed how AJ stiffened when she undid the knot in her shirt and removed it from her. Licking over her lips, she added: "Yer going to enjoy this very soon, sis!"

Next followed Applejack's bra, letting her tits bounce free. Apple Bloom always had thought that her sister had a nice pair... Maybe... Yes! She just had to do it! For just a momeant, Bloom gave in to her urge and pinched her big sis's nipples! Before AJ realized what had happened, she had already let out a cute moan. In disbelief, she stared at her younger sister! And she was just so darn horny!

Bloom swiftly moved lower, untying and removing her sisters boots before opening her belt and pulling down her jeans and panties. Now, Applejack was naked in front of King Sombra's court! And she was dripping wet.

Her arm in a sling, Rainbow Dash watched the whole thing with a lot of interest. Now that the adrenaline had subsided, the pegasus realized that, during their fight, she had taken a liking to Applejack! Maybe, after a whiile, the earth pony would recipocrate? At the very least, she really had a banger body!

Now, Apple Bloom ran a hand over Applejack's folds, drenching her hand. Slowly, she lifted it to her face, took in the smell... The smell of a needy mare, her own older sister. Oh, it was sooo sweet... Well, tiime for her brother!

As she walked over to Big Mac, she rubbed her slick hand through her own juices as well! Oh, she so wanted to give her older brother a try! But instead, she'd at least make him smell his sisters' arousal...

She came to a halt next to her brother and just had to tease him first! Or, at least, tease him slightly differently first... Turning around, she bent over, showing her wet cunt off to him... and began to flag her tail so that the scent would hit his nostrils.It certainly seemed to have an effect, as much as he might like to avoid it. His breaths became deeper and his pants, well...

Time to stop playing around then! Apple Bloom walked up to Mac and began to grind herself against her shy brother, then got onto the tips of her hooves and rubbbed the hand she had coated in the juices of two aroused mares over his face, paying especially close attention to his nose!

He groaned as his mind fought with natural instinct, as he felt his pants get ever tighter... The need to breed a fertile cunt... He didn't even notice that Apple Bloom had moved on, had stripped him of his shirt! What got his attention again, however, was her calling out: "Sugar Belle? Care to help me here?"

The reply didn't wait and was filled with happy eagerness: "Sure, Apple Bloom!" Sugar Belle hurried over and joined the younger mare in undoing Big Mac's pants. They pulled them down and had reached his knees when the massive bulge in his boxers sprang before her eyes! "Oh my..." Belle let out absentmindedly. The two hurried to take off Macintosh's boots and jeans and then, finally, his boxers.

Sugar Belle didn't know where to look at: At Big Mac's package? At his farm-work hardened body? Or at his handsome face?

As the two prisoners stood there, now stark naked, Sombra rose from his seat, his own length on display. He walked past Apple Bloom, Sugar Belle and Big Mac towards Applejack. He saw how she tried to not to look at his body and he grinned in amusemeant at this.

Applejack stood as stiff as one of her apple trees as the king walked around her, taking in her body, breathing in the scent of her arousal. He grabbed her face and brought his muzzle close to her ear. In a husky tone, Sombra whipered into it: "Just like your sister, you and your brother will serve me. And you will do so gladly!"

Her head spun around and she glared at him! "Never! We will never serve you! We will get our sister ba-..." She got cut off when he pushed three fingers into her cunt! They slipped in easily and made her moan in pleasure, her knees growing week. Had Sombra not held her in place, she might have fallen to the floor.

Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Sugar Belle watched them. Bloom and Belle grinning. And now, Belle took her next step, gently brushing a hand over Big Mac's length... She had seen it in her king's eyes. He was fne with her and Big Mac, as long as he gained a good servant and she would still fullfill his desire... "Poor you..." She cooed, audible only to Mac and Bloom. "So hard. So pent up. You left your home to save your sister to then hear that she doesn't want to be saved. Left somebody at home, waiting for you..."

"Big Mac's single!" Apple Bloom interrupted her, staring at Belle's hand around her brother's dick. "He hasn't found his somepony yet!"

It was something that was slightly embarassing to him. He knew that he was considered very attractive, and desirable, by the mares in Ponyville, had dated Cheerilee for a little while... But he was still single. When his father had been his age, he had already begun dating Buttercup and married not long after. His heart yearned for somepony to love him, but his shyness, the general situation of the farm and Equestria and other stuff had often hindered it.

Getting onto the tips of her hooves herself now, Sugar Belle whispered into his ear: "Maybe I could be your special somepony?" Big Mac so wanted her to be his somepony, but not like this! Not as Sombra's slaves! But her hand felt so nice, and how might her pussy... She kissed him. Long and deep. Instinctively, his hand moved to her hip and he pulled her into an embrace.

In the meantime, Sombra's fingers had continued to stir Applejack's insides! Oh, she was so wet, so needy... But as suddenly as he had pushed them into her, he pulled them out again, causing her to, instinctively, let out a sad whine... And quickly slapped a hand over her mouth as she realized it! She hated that she had let out this noise! Hated that she wanted him to continue! Her mind protested what her body craved! His big, obsidian black dick inside of her!

"Let me show you what I can offer if you serve." His low voice tingled Applejack's ears as he stepped around to stand face-to-face with her. She felt his hands on her ass and, to her surprise, the ground disappear from below her hooves! He really was strong, considering he seemed to be not in the least strained by the effort! Momeants later, almost gently, he lowered her dripping cunt onto his length.

It was everything Applejack's body wanted, everything her mind had feared. Maybe it was just because of how pent up she was, but at least at this very momeant, it was the best sex she had ever experienced! The way his hips were pounding his dick into her... She didn't even notice how her hooves crossed behind his back!

She also didn't notice that, after a while, she was moaning like a cheap whorse. "You're enjoying yourself a lot, aren't you?" The mocking smugness in Sombra's voice cut into AJ's mind!

"I-I am not enjoying this at all!"

"You are a terrible liar, you know that?" The king replied, amusemeant taking over now. "You didn't even notice that I stopped moving my hips, yet you are pounding away like this!"

"You lie! I am not-... Mmmh~" Her protests were cut-off when Sombra kissed her. At first only on her lips, but very quickly his tongue pushed its way into Applejack's mouth.

Sombra shot a quick glance at the others in the throne room. Twilight, Starlight, Barb, Rainbow Dash, Radiant Hope, Fluttershy, Silver Spoon, Pinkie Pie, Spitfire, Soarin, Tempest Shadow, Rarity, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle. All of them had made themselves... comfortable and were blowing off some steam themselves. Most were just masturbating, but Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were suckling on Shy's breasts. And Apple Bloom and Sugar Belle were servicing Big Mac. Sugar Belle blowing him, his sister standing behind him and running her hands over his chest and arms.

Everything was going well. And, while kissing her was fun, especially how her tongue didn't quite know if it wanted to play along or fight against him, now it was time to have fun with her bust!

Pulling his head back, he left Applejack's tongue hanging out of her mouth, then lowered his head and gently bit down on one of her nipples. His ears perked up, however, when, instead of a moan, he heard the earth pony say something, "...ride.."

He looked at her again. "Hm? A little louder, please?"

"Let me..." She panted, her facial expressions now fully taken over by lust as her hips hammered away, "Let me ride you! Please!" Answering her only with a low chuckle, Sombra carefully lowered himself to the floor. Once down, Applejack placed her arms to the sides of his body and started to do what she had announced. Seeing her tits jump around was very nice.

As she vigurously bounced up and down, the king turned his head a little. "Apple Bloom!" He called out, the young mare looking up from her brother's body. "Come over here!" Bloom rushed to her king immediately. "Have fun with your sister."

For but a single momeant, Apple Bloom wondered what he meant... Then, she got an idea! She moved up very close to her sister and put a hand on the back of Applejack's head! Bloom moved one leg over her AJ's shoulder and began to grind her pussy against her sister's face! After a few momeants, Applejack started to lick. And Apple Bloom enjoyed it.

This continued for a while, until Apple Bloom wanted to change things up again! Now, she was sitting on Sombra's chest, her juices darkening his fur and made out with Applejack. Her hands were playing with her sister's bust. Neither Bloom nor Applejack had imagined how much they could enjoy kissing each other so deeply...

But then, their bliss was interrupted! "That will be enough for now." Sombra told them after a some time. "Have some more fun with your brother and Sugar Belle." After Apple Bloom had left, he focused Applejack again: "You! Clean up the mess your sister made!" Without complaining, Applejack lowered herself and licked all of her sister's juices off of Sombra's chest.

Apple Bloom now crouched beneath her brother! Big Macintosh had thrown Sugar Belle's left leg over his shoulder and begun to plow her and now his little sister was licking his balls and shaft a the same time!

Once Sombra's chest had been cleaned of Apple Bloom's juices, Applejack rose up again, put her arms on the ground behind her and arched her back in bliss! One of Sombra's hands reached out and squeezed down on one of her bouncing tits. He squeezed so hard that it hurt a little, but it was a good pain for AJ, a pain that caused her pussy to clamp down even more! But then, a shadow fell over her face. A shadow and a wet cunt, surrounded by cyan fur!

Breaking my arm...," Rainbow Dash glared down at the moaning earth pony and smirk began do creep on her face. "I'll show you! Come on! Eat me out!" With her good left arm, Dash forced AJ's face into her crotch, like Apple Bloom had done before! "Oh, she isn't bad!... Damn! I might start liking her!"

A few minutes later, the king felt how his magic was doing its malignant work! He focused Rainbow Dash! "Let her speak." Sombra told in a quiet, yet authorative voice. The pegasus followed immediately, even if disappointed, and removed herself from Applejack's head. Now, the dark stallion fixed the earth pony with a hard, cold stare and continued in the same voce that stll somehow managed to carry across the room: "Tell me..."

"I-..." Applejack moaned.

"-serve-" Big Mac continued for his sister, his plowing into Sugar Belle not slowing down for a momeant as the dark magic did its work on him.

They finished it together: "-King Sombra!" And as the siblings spoke these words, both came.

For some reason, as they watched, Twilight, Barb, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity felt elated at having Applejack join them. It was as if it had been meant to happen! And Apple Bloom couldn't have felt happier! She served the king and now, so did her beloved siblings! And, as it seemed, Big Mac had finally found himself his special somepony! He and Sugar Belle were hugging each other happily.

A few momeants later, King Sombra shot his load into Applejack. Slowly, the exhausted mare began to topple to the side, the cock inside her slowly slipping out! But before she could fall onto the hard ground, Rainbow Dash caught her! Apparently, she had really taken a liking! "Once she has recovered," she asked King Sombra, "can I show her around?"

11 Between a rock farm and a hard place

A few weeks later, Applejack and Apple Bloom were talking in a hallway. The sisters had run into each other while Bloom was running some errants and, having not had a lot of time to talk over the last few days, had some catching up to do! Neither of them noticed another pony walking up behind Applejack. Until AJ felt a hand on her ass, grabbing very tightly!

She turned and saw Rainbow Dash, her right arm still in the sling. "There you are!" The pegasus grinned. "I've been looking for you! It's time for your training!" More than one sort of training, judging by Dash's lusty expression.

The pegasus pressed Applejack against the wall, her good arm lifting the earth pony's right leg, then kissed her. After a momeant of surprise, Applejack's grabbed Dash's face with one hand and her ass with the other! "Sorry, I got caught up in a chat with my sister!" She sounded a bit sheepish once she was able to talk again.

"Can I join you?" Bloom interjected herself! She was curious how the training would look like and, she had to admit, was a little bored.

Rainbow Dash's head spun around and her eyes sternly fixed themselves on the younger mare! "No!"

The answer was a disappointed whine. "Ooh..."

Immediately, Dash felt bad for the way she had just told her off! Her expression turned apologetic and, before Applejack could admonish either of the. "Don't you have enough on your platter, what with your duties with your friends and your studies under Zecora?" She asked Bloom more softly. Aside of not wanting her around during their training, at least for now, she also didn't want the younger pony to put too much onto her platter! And, with a sly grin, she added: "I think Rumble has a few hours off. Why don't you ask him if he wants to fool around?"

Apple Bloom seemed to honestly consider what she had just been told. And Dash was right, she shouldn't try to do too much at the same time. In the end, she would probably end up doing a lot, but nothing fully comitted! She was about to agree, when, suddenly, something happened that let all of these concerns take a backseat!

"EVERYPONY! EVERYPONY!!!" A pink lightning whizzed past them! When she belatedly noticed that she had just passed a few ponies, a screech and some smoke showed how hard she had pushed her hooves into the ground to stop, just about managing not to tumble over and faceplant to the ground!

"Pinkie Pie? Why are you shouting?" Rainbow Dash was covering her ringing ears!

The three were walking to where Pinkie had coe to a standstill. Applejack had another question: "And why are you running like that!?"

The pink pony was excitedly bouncing up and down where she stood! "Queen Radiant has just given birth!!! Most of the others are already with her and King Sombra! I'm getting the ones that don't know yet!" Pinkie turned around and was about to run off again! "Twilight and Starlight for example! GOTTA GO!"

Apple Bloom, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were stunned! They had known that the queen was close, but... Rainbow Dash just remembered to call after the earth pony: "WHERE ARE THEY?!"

Pinkie's answer echoed back through the hallway, and the three hurried off!

"Quiet, please!" Fluttershy tried to calm the throng of visitors in front of the room down as the three arrived! Basically everypony important was there, Big Mac, Sugar Belle, Spitfire, Soarin, Rumble, Thunderlane, Zecora, Derpy, holding Dinky's hand, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, behind the open door they could see Tempest Shadow, and so on, except for the few Pinkie was away to get. "Queen Radiant is sleeping! The birth took a lot out of her!"

It worked, for the most part. The shouts died down to a murmur. "And the young one?" Derpy asked.

Sugar Belle immediately followed up on the question: "Is it a filly or a colt?"

"It's a colt." Shy replied with a soft smile.

It was Diamond Tiara''s turn to make herself audible: "Does he already have a name?"

Before Fluttershy could answer, King Sombra stepped out of the room, a little bundle in his arms, causing the mass of ponies to split. He looked unusually somber and... almost soft and almost a little insecure? The king turned the bundle around so that everypony could see the sleeping baby. "And his name is Sombra II."

Immediately, a lot of "He looks just like his father!" Silver Spoon gently brushed over the baby's head with a finger.

"And his mothers' eyes!" Fluttershy added, chuckling brightly. "A strong pair of lungs as well. Radiant put a soundproofing spell on the room before it really started. Oh! He's waking up again!"

As Tiara. Silver Spoon, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were the first to crowd around the newborn, Pinkie Pie, Marble, the Spa twins, Twilight and Starlight arrived. The energetic pink mare turned to her sister and whispered: "What do you think?"

Maude answered in her usual, neutral manner, her face showing but the barest hint of something going on inside of her. "I think it is time."

At evening next day, the two sisters, accompanied by a squadron of guards, lead new arrivals into the throne room. It had been the time for them to make their mother and sisters King Sombra's subjects! They already had suggested their mother to help with raising the children and it had been natural to take Marble and Limestone along when Twilight and Starlight created the portal for them!

When the two had arrived at the rock farm, it had been a surprise to their family. The surprise quickly gave way to shock and disbelief when they had recognized the Crystal Empire armor they and their soldiers were wearing!

Maude had done most of the talking, laying the matter out plainly in her blunt style. Plainly laying out the facts, she'd told her family how she and Pinkie had come to serve King Sombra, how they had been accepted into his service... And why they wanted Cloudy Quartz to accompany them back! That they wanted her to help raise King Sombra's heirs.

Their mother and sisters had pleaded with the to see reason! To remember their real home, why they fought Sombra... and their father, Igneous Rock! But Cloudy and her two daughters didn't manage to get through to Pinkie and Maud. So, faced with the decision of either going to the Crystal Empire or trying a futile showing of resistance, the rock farmers finally surrendered.

Limestone, Marble and Cloudy Quartz had said theird goodbye to Holder's Boulder and their farm, something that was especially hard for Limestone. So did Pinkie and Maud. And with this, all of them left their old lifes behind for good.

Maud and Pinkie led their family into the throne room, other guards crowding behind them. Today, Sombra alone sat on his throne. Radiant Hope was in their bedroom together with their newborn colt and Fluttershy. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, together with Derpy, were currenty assigned to look after all their needs only!

The king mustered the new arrivals. Each of them was attractive in her own way: The harsh and abrasive looking Limestone Pie. Marble Pie who, if anything, seemed to be even more shy and withdrawn than Fluttershy when she had first arrived... And the sternly conservative looking, middle aged, yet tempting milf, Cloudy Quartz.

While her daughters were dressed rather averagely, if somewhat rustic, Cloudy was dressed in a far more old-fashioned style. gray dress down to her ankles, a black overshirt with a dark gray collar and a golden necklace. As if she believed that this attire was enough to be proper in "mixed company", it was, surprisingly, cut very close to her body! Littl e was left to the imagination about the assets on her upper body...

Her gray hair was tied into a stern bun on the back of her head, Cloudy looked over her pince-nez at the dark ruler on his throne as she stepped forward to place herself between her two daughters and him, looking very stern. Yet this conservative sternness just added to her very enticing physical appearance and made the milf all the more attractive and tempting!

"You are Cloudy Quartz. I assume?" Sombra's voice was almost smug as he asked this rhetorical question. "Pinkie and Maud told you why they brought you here?"

She nodded. "They told me that you wanted a mare with experience of rising children around. And the choice fell on me, so my daughters were sent to get me."

Rising from his throne, King Sombra slowly walked towards the mare while looking at Pinkie and Maud. "Almost correct!" He stepped around Cloudy, his hand brushing over her shoulders. As his breath brushed against her ear, a shiver ran down her spine. "I did want somepony with experience in raising foals." His voice, his breath... She could feel her body getting warm... "But it was Pinkie Pie's idea to get you."

The three stared at Pinkie. Him ordering her to bring her family in was one thing, but her herself suggesting? Pinkie shrugged. "What can I say? I missed you all and wanted you to join us!" It seemed like this didn't have any major smoothing effect on her mother and sisters, however.

"Maude!" Sombra's head turned as he called his servant. He didn't have to say much more. She knew what he wanted from her.

A faint smile , almost invisible, on her face, Maude stripped out of her clothes. While Marble tried to look away, but was catching a glimpse every now and then, Limestone Pie was almost transfixed as she watched her middle sister undress...

There was something subtly different in how Maude move towards her mother and her king! Barely noticeable, but her family, who knew her through and through, saw it clear as day! Her tail wagged slightly, as if excited, her hips swayed just a little, her eyes had a certain gleam to them. The fur on her thighs was slightly moist... She stopped next to her mother and Sombra. "Yes, your Majesty."

Cloudy was unable to keep herself from staring at her daughter. So vulgar... so uncouth... so unlike how she had been raised! Maud had always been quiet and introverted, to see her act like this... A short, needy whimper hit her ears and then she realized that Sombra's fingers were rubbing over her daughter's slit. She was lost for words.

Suddenly, Maud's mother felt Sombra's right hand on her jaw, felt his thumb press against her lips! And, for some reason herself didn't quite understand, she acquiesced, opened her mouth and kept it open when she he held his other hand in front of her eyes. His other hand with its index and middle finger drenched in her daughter's juices. "Clean them up!" He whispered to her.

The eyes of the Pie family matriarch widened! Licking up her own daughter's... naughty juices?! That It was not proper! It was not morally right! That was wrong! That was so wrong! Yet, she was unable to resist him! Her mouth was open and when Cloudy Quartz didn't do anything, he just pushed his fingers into it!

Why did Maude taste this good? Her tongue was moving around Sombra's fingers, removing her daughter's love juice... and she enjoyed it! It wasted so good! It was her first time tasting not only another mare's arousal, but a mare's arousal period! Cloudy and her husband had always been fairly conservative in bed, and she had never dreamed about doing anything like this! And she got lost in it.

Limestone Pie, in the meantime, was utterly mesmerized watching her mother! Ever since she'd been old enough to do so, she had had a leading hand in running the rock farm. In fact, even when her father was still around, she had basically taken over the running of the farm! But now... Seeing how King Sombra was bending her mother to his will like this, it made her... What did it make her? Limestone wasn't quite sure, but it felt like she finally wanted to let go from all of this responsibility. The farm was gone. So was Holder's Boulder. All the things she had valued, her family aside, were things of the past now! Maybe... maybe she should just let go of the past and embrace the future? Maybe she could use her managemeant skills from the farm at a less boring and dreary occupation?

Unlike her sister Marble's gaze was not transfixed by what was happening to her mother! She registered it, but instead, she had noticed a tall hunk of an earth pony stallion entering the throne room. He was wearing armor, but it didn't do much to hide his frame!

"You're interested in Big Mac?" Pinkie had immediately noticed the center of her twins' attention! Not waiting for an answer, she immediately skipped over to the stallion to talk to him. Marble's hand was grabbing the air behind her, just about missing her chance to hold her back and unwilling to speak up in front of so many strangers!

All too soon, Cloudy felt King Sombra's fingers retreating. Despite the fact that Maud's juices had been cleaned off thoroughly, she had started to enjoy licking the two digits... The tips lingered between her teeth, keeping her from shutting her mouth. She wondered why he did this... And suddenly, his face was in right in front of hers! Cocked slightly to the side, she felt his tongue brush over her lower lip, seeking for entrance! Now she understood why he hadn't pulled out his fingers completely! A momeant later, and his tongue had pushed in, and his fingers were gone. And he kissed her more intensely than Igneous had ever done. Dominated her. And, she hated to admit, she enjoyed every momeant of it!

Once the kiss stopped, to 4Cloudy Quartz' great dismay, she noticed that they had moved up to the throne! And that Maude had undone her skirt! It was laying on the ground where she had stood, near Marble and Limestone! That meant... her daughters could see her in her underwear! Her gray lace stockings and garter belt and her panties! It should have been embarassing, and it was, but... it was more exciting than anything she had ever done in her life so far! Which kind off put into perspective what kind of life she had led so far...

The king sat back down on his throne and Cloudy noticed the black rod now emerging from his groin! Maude must have... must have pulled it out while they had kissed! Was he going to? In front of her daughters?! Before she could really fathom the thought, Sombra had grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his lap, her back pressed against his chest, his cock pressing against her panties!

Marble's eyes were torn between watching what was happening to her mother and Pinkie talking to the red hunk, Big Mac. Her heart sunk when a mare came in from a side door and intimately hugged him. It seemed doubtful that she would have any chance, despite her twin talking to them...

She looked at Marble, who, as if in trance, was slowly walking up to their mother, King Sombra and Maud. Suddenly, a voice startled her! "Big Mac and Sugar Belle want to get to know you!" Without noticing it, Pinkie had hurried back and began to drag Marble to Big Mac and the mare that was with him.

Sombra had begun to fondle Cloudy's breasts! He was rought, but for the milf, it was thrilling! It was so different from her times with Igneous! Sex had felt good, yes, but both of them had been raised that it was for procreation first and foremost and she had never wanted any more! With her husband's death, Cloudy had settled into the role of the matronly widow, doing her best to keep the farm afloat and barely even thought about carnal things... But now... Her body began to crave these sensations again! No.. craved more than them! She felt how her panties were getting damp...

The king looked at Maud, giving a small indication with his left hand. A short nod, and Maud pulled her mom's panties down. Cloudy Quartz crossed her legs, doing her best to obscure as much of her private parts as she could! Still, she felt the king lift her up! Very easily even! She felt his tip press against her folds! Cloudy drew a sharp breath as Sombra penetrated her!

Since her husband had gone to war, she hadn't felt this way! No! She had, in fact, never felt that way! He was so much larger than Igneous Rock... And he filled her out so well! A little moan escaped her lips.

Maud looked at her mother, and got an idea! Moving up to her mother again, she unbuttoned her shirt, undid her bra and, for the first time since she was a baby, began to suck and nibble on one of Cloudy's tits, Sombra's hand on the other.

By now, Cloudy was moaning in ecstasy and drooling through gritted teeth! When Sombra's voice hit her ears, she tore her eyes open! His voice carried easily to every pony in the room as his hips moved, as he lifted her a little and let her drop down again... "Tell me... who satisfies you more? Your husband? Or me?"

Maybe it was because of how long it had been, or the way they had had sex back in the day, maybe there was magic that was influencing her, or simply because it was the truth... "You! You I have never felt like this before!!" Cloudy Quartz cried out without a momeant of hesitation! "Much better! SO MUCH BETTER!" And she wanted more!

Her words had been enough to tear Marble away from Big Mac and Sugar Belle, so unexpected, so exceptional had they been! Both, Marble and Limestone stared at their mother. And they realized: it was fine to give into the urges that had built up since they had gotten here! Sugar Belle had already told Marble that she would be willing to share her hunk with her, as long as she was a good girl! Of course, the two wouldn't be exclusive to Big Mac... King Sombra could claim them any time he wanted and quite a few of the other mares tried to get into Big Mac's pants, which was something Marble would have to work though.

Limestone, in the meantime, realized what she had been missing out in the years in which she had basically run the farm for her parents! She'd been obsessed with protecing a rock! And now, her mother was moaning and panting on a magnificient cock belonging to a magnificient stalion! Maybe she should have left the farm for more than just business every now and then... Maud had seen more of the world than her, for crying out loud!

As Cloudy's pince-nez bounced with her movemeants, Limestone grabbed one of her mother's legs and moved it, spreading her legs, showing off her penetrated pussy for all to see! She took deep sniff of the smell of the arousal. "Limestone! Stop! I didn't raise you like thi-..." Her mother wanted to protest, but she was interrupted two fold: Limestone began to lick over her slit, and Sombra pushed his fingers into her mouth again!

Maud noticed what her older sister was doing and moved to join her! As she made herself comfortable next to Limestone, she told her, in her usual monotone voice: "Lime? You are now underneath me. We will both serve King Sombra, and you will listen to me."

For a short momeant, Limestone glared at her younger sister! But then, she submitted, realizing what Maud meant: She had been in service to Sombra for a while now. Limestone was the new one... Pinkie and Maud would show them how to serve. And for now, that was how to lick his cock, and their mother's honeypot.

Now, the king had a little ide: With a few movemeants of his hand, King Sombra undid Cloudy Quartz' bun and let her mane fall down freely! It certainly gave her a different appearance, with the hair covering her shoulders... But, at the same time, the bun had given her a certain allure...

And with her two daughters working on them, it was soon time for both, Cloudy Quartz and Sombra to hit their climax!

Maud and Limestone looked at their mother. Rarely they had seen her with her hair open, and now, they saw her not only with her hair open, but as a panting, drooling mess on all four! King Sombra had risen to his hooves again and she had slipped down to the ground, cum running out of her cunt, her pince-nez lying next to her on the carpet... It was a side of her they had never thought to see... and it suited her very well!

The sisters each had streaks of pussy juice and cum on their faces as the king's gaze fell on Limestone! She noticed that he was still hard, and he saw the needy desire in her face. "Turn around." Limestone did, and Sombra grabbed her hips, lifted her up and began to plow her into the carpet.

As Marble watched, Sugar Belle's hand began to explore the shy mare's body.

A while later, a well-fucked and cum-filled Marble fell back to the ground. Marble had began to rub her cunnie, but neither she nor Big Mac or Sugar Belle had gone any further. Sombra gestured at Pinkie and Maud, and the two did their best to get their mother and sister somewhat presentable again.

In time, the two had recovered, and Cloudy Quartz had even managed to get her mane into her bun again! Luckily enough, they were just in time! A few momeants later, Radiant Hope and Fluttershy came in, with the baby! Little Sombra II was happily sucking on one of the pegasus' tits. Accompanying them were Derpy and Dinky as well as Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

All members of the Pie family, alongside the king and Big Mac and Sugar Belle formed a half circle around them as Radiant took her son back. Seeing the little colt, Marble spoke up for the first time, at least the first time Sombra could hear it! "He is so cute!" Surprising even her family, she quickly stepped up to Radiand and bent over the colt! With her right index finger, she brushed over his forehead. Quickly, the little Sombra grabbed the finger with both hands, laughing happily, and brought it to his mouth, beginning to suck on it.

"He's a greedy little one!" Radiant chuckled. "Must have gotten it from his father!" King Sombra decided to indulge his wife by putting up a slightly embarassed look with his eyes.

Even the usually abrasive Limestone seemed to be won over by the young one! But then, Marble's mind realized all the strangers around! Everything that had happened had managed to repress her usual shyness for a short while, but now it came back with a vengeance! She blushed and began and seemed to shrink!

Fluttershy immediately realized what was going on, all too familiar with this from her own experiences! "Oh dear! I think you might be even more shy than I am, or at least was, before I got here!" She smiled gently, putting a supportive hand on the earth pony's arm. "Don't worry! Do you want anything?"

"Uhm... I-... I would like to..." Marble stammered, tugging Big Mac's arm.

"What Marble is trying to say," Sugar Belle spoke up, giving her a reassuring look, "is that she has taken an interest in Big Mac and would like for me to share him with her. She's crushing on him." Marble, if that was possible, blushed even more and buried her face in her hands. "But with everything that happened, she isn't sure if that's OK for her."

Sombra gave them a short nod. It didn't cost much to be generous in such a situation, and he'd get to try her sooner or later anyway. In any case, a stallion like Big Mac would, with good mares, certainly produce off-springs that would be valuable assets to his forces, even if they wouldn't be part of his army but instead work as bodyguards for his children.

Now, Cloudy looked at the little one. "So, he is the one you want me to help you raise?" As she asked, Radiant offered to hand her child to her, and Pinkie's mother carefully picked the baby up. Feelings she hadn't experienced since Pinkie's and Marble's baby days hit her like the proverbial rock!

"Him, and many more." King Sombra told her, putting one arm around his wife's hips, the other around Fluttershy, his mistress. "And maybe you will bear one as well..."

Surprise caused her to interrupt her playing with the prince! Her eyes widened in disbelief! "An old nag like me?!"

"You are still very attractive. And you have proven to be a mare that can give birth to very impressive fillies..." He gazed over Maud and Pinkie. "And I don't belief that you have passed the childbearing age yet."

Cloudy Quartz blushed nearly as much as Marble had! It had been so long since anypony told her that they found her attractive...

"Once you are finished here," Sombra continued, "Pinkie and Maud will show you your rooms. And introduce yourselves to Rarity so that she can make you new clothes."

12 Meeting in Canterlot

Weeks later, Princess Celestia had called a council of war in Canterlot's castle. The war wasn't going all too well for Equestria, and Sombra's forces had slowly been gaining ground, and every captured equestrian subject was one more soldier, one more piece of cannonfodder, for Sombra's army!

Around a table sat the Princess along with about two dozen of the foremost minds for strategy, tactics and logistics, as well as the delegates from the griffons, Gilda and Gabby. Gilda was especially concerned what might have happend to Rainbow Dash...

To her right was the only other alicorn in Equestria, Cadance, and to her left was her new Chief of Staff, Moondancer. Celestia wished so much that Twilight would have been with them. Her knowledge and skills would have been a great boon, but she had fallen into Sombra's clutches, and by who knew what means turned into one of his tools... It still pained her so much...

In general, the meeting just reiterated what everypony already knew. A few new plans were suggested, new angles of attack, more wartime measures, some of which would be discussed further at other meetings. While some of it was promising, the mood in the room was rather glum and once not much of substance was added to the conversation anymore, Celestia adjourned the council, to be reconvened when needed. However, the Princess had asked her most trusted, and capable, commanders to remain behind: Her own niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadance for short, Cadance's husband, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and Twilight's older brother, Shining Armor, and her nephew, Prince Blueblood.

The latter had come as a bit of a surprise to much of Equestria! While the qualifications and skills of Cadance and Shining Armor were beyond any doubt, Blueblood had often been seen, even by Celestia herself, as nothing but a stuck up, self-absorbed wastrel and a bit of a playboy. But these grim times had proven them wrong! For example, he had explained to his aunt that at times he put on a little act, to see if a suitor was really interested in him, or his position in society. He would act like the most oblivious, self-absorbed, pompous prick and expect to be catered to like a royal love interest in a cheap romance novel. Most gold diggers were unable to stand that for more than one evening, when they realized that it wasn't them who would be getting waited hand and hoof, and they quickly left him alone. It might also keep mares with a genuine interest away, but, so far, he had seen it preferable to having to deal with wannabe social climbers all the time. And once the war was over, there had been a mare in his army that had seemed to be genuinly interested in him. Right now, of course, he couldn't act on his interest in her, even with the more lax standards currently, but once most of them could return to civilian life, maybe?

While he didn't compare to Shining, or Cadance, in raw power, fighting prowess or strategic genius, he was a capable enough in these areas and had a sharp tactical mind. He also was one of the greatest equestrian diplomats of the era, something that his aunt had had to admit even when she had looked upon him with disappointmeant at his behavior, a talent that had helped to strike the alliance with the griffons! And now, this talent would be what was needed most!

Equestria needed more allies to stem the tide! And fast! Yet the lands surrounding it were inhabited with a variety of races, and none of them had had much of a (positive) relationship with Equestria in ages. That the griffons were the first to ally with the ponies, even taking them being attacked by Sombra as well into account, was saying a lot! There were the dragons, the yaks and the hippogriffs,... and of course Queen Chrysalis' changelings. Equestrian scouts had recently finally found her hive!

Each of these races could be the next target for King Sombra once Equestria fell! Especially the dragons and the changelings, since he would probably, and accurately, see them as the biggest threatsd his rule... One by one, they would fall to the Crystal Empire's assault, would swell its forces and make the next conquest easier. But if they worked together, allied with Equestria, they were assured to finally be able to beat Sombra's forces back and free the Empire from his grasp!

One major issue was their locations: The dragon lands, in which most of the dragons dwelled, were easy enough to reach, if not to pass through, especially if some more cantankerous dragons intercepted the massengers to the Dragon Lord, which apparently still was Torch. The issues with approaching the changelings were self-evident. Yakyakistan lay BEHIND the Crystal Empire, so any massenger to there would have to either sneak through enemy land, or find a way to circumvent it, maybe via a boat over the North Luna Ocean, though it was highly likely that this would still necessitate avoiding enemy patrols.

Finally, there was Mount Aris, where Hippogriffia, the home of the hippogriffs was located, behind the Badlands and the Bone Dry Desert. A long and arduous journey, not helped by the stories told about the inhabitants of the desert.

"I want to send all of you on diplomatic missions!" Princess Celestia told them in her private chambers. "We are in dire need for more allies, and once Equestria falls, Sombra won't stop. Even if they don't know it yet, the dragons, yaks and hippogriffs, even the changelings, are in danger!"

Shining's eyes narrowed as Celestia meantioned the insectoid shapeshifters that had kidnapped his wife and invated Canterlot on their wedding day. "Why should we care about what happens to Chrysalis?" He snarled.

"It's less about caring what happens to her," his wife explained to him, "or even the other changelings."

"Indeed. It's about the safety of Equestria first and foremost. This is why we need more allies. And the changelings would be potent allies indeed, Chrysalis or not!" Blueblood explained further. "But if Sombra decides to attack them, and managed to defeat them, their infiltration abilities could be lethal against us."

Celestia nodded in agreemeant and Shining Armor also had to admit that they were right! He couldn't allow himself to get blinded by his hatred for what Queen Chrysalis and her changelings had done, even if it would be difficult. Equestria was more important! He did wonder why he was here, though. He was the Captain of the Guard and general of an army, not a diplomat. Princess Celestia herself adn the others were more qualified for these things!

"Cadance? Blueblood?" The ruling Princess turned to her very distant family, "I want the two of you to go to the Dragon Lands together! Try to speak to Torch, the currently reigning Dragon Lord. Afterwards, Cadance will proceed to Mount Aris, south of the Badlands, and you will come back here, get a small escort proceed to the North Luna Ocean, take a boat and try to reach the mountains of Yakyakistan."

The two nodded in agreemeant, but Shining had a question! He got a very bad feeling in his stomach... "Why are you not sending me with Cadance?"

"Because I have a different duty for you!" Tia told him with heavy heart, "I am sorry that I have to ask this from you, Shining Armor, but... I want you to visit Queen Chrysalis."

The bad feeling turned worse... "What?! Why me?"

"Of all of us, you know her the best, even if she had been masquerading as Cadance. And she seemed to have become fond of you," Celestia explained her reasoning to him. "Maybe she will listen to you. Even she won't want King Sombra to take over Equestria! Chrysalis is smart enough to know that he would consider her a threat to be eliminated! Either by breaking her and turning her into one of his puppets, or by extermination. Maybe we can convince her that Equestria as is is preferable as a neighbor and future opponent to an Equestria under King Sombra's domination."

It made sense, especially considering how the war was going, but there was one argumeant Shining could make: "But won't it be difficult for you to coordinate the war and lead the armies at the same time when all of us are gone?"

"I will manage, Shining Armor. I didn't rule over Equestria for a thousand years because I don't know what I can, and can't, do. And I do have others that will, at least for the time being, be able to take over for the three of you."

Shining Armor let out a long sigh. This was going to suck, but he couldn't disagree, especially not given the direness of the current situation... Well, tomorrow they all would have to make preparations for their journeys.

A further few weeks later in the Crystal Empire, Fluttershy had also finally given birth! A little filly they had called "Umbra". And amazingly, to the surprise of all of them, she was an alicorn! Like Princess Celestia! That had been a major shock to everypony! None of them had even known that this was possible!

Umbra's horn curved like her father's and half-brother's, and in general she looked, wings aside, like a female version of Sombra II. Maybe she was a bit more powerfully built, but that was hard to gauge considering their ages. She had originally seemed to be as quiet as Sombra II, but then, instead, had turned out to be a little wild thing! At times, when she had a tantrum, she could be frightening to anyone not able to hold her back! Or when she felt slighted, or decided to just be mean to her brother!

It was a bit of a surprise that Cloudy Quartz, an earth pony, managed to put up with her so well... But then, considering some of the things her daughter Pinkamena could pull off, maybe it made more sense than it seemed at first. The Pie family matron even was pretty sure that, once the two were old enough for it, she would be able to instill a good measure of discipline and good behavior into both of the young ones!

However, Fluttershy, Radiant. Sombra and Cloudy Quartz had also noticed that, when she felt unobserved, Umbra at times turned almost affectionate to her older brother! Apparently, she had a softer side, but didn't like to show it...

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief when she had found that out. She wouldn't have liked it if her daughter would have been just a fight happy brute.

Dinky loved playing with them, almost seeing them as little siblings! At least when Umbra wasn't throwing a tantrum. After the first few, her parents had fitted her with a magical inhibitor ring until she could be taught how to contol her magic. In general, however, the two little foals did liven up the live in the castle to the benefit of most of them!

They also had a new arrial: A while ago, during a raid on a small equestrian army camp, they had captured a unicorn introducing herself as "The Great and Powerful Trixie", apparently a stage magician. Even frightened by what might happen to her, this Trixie couldn't help her boasting. It actually was somewhat entertaining, and she had been offered to perform for the king, and if she managed to impress, she would be allowed to leave!

The chance to perform in front of royalty, even if it was the king currently invading her home country, did grip her by her pride as a professional performer! Trixie delivered what she considered her best performance so far! And the court had had to admit that she was good! The very attractive, espcially with her stage outfit had helped, they had to admit: short boots, semi-transparent, blueish-purple thighhigh socks, with stars and moons on them, framing her legs, a white corset pushed up her very nice breasts, and underneath it she wore a gold-rimmed, purple leotard that, if the corset had not been closed, would show off a lot of cleavage. Rounding off her ensemble was a cape and wizard's hat with a similar design as her socks. It was easy to see why a braggart like her was a welcome sight in many army camps, her skills at entertainmeant aside.

Despite the roaring success, or because of it, Trixie didn't leave! At least for now, she told them, she could put on other performances for them, and she could always claim her reward of being allowed to leave later. She had been impressed by the reception she had gotten, and how especially the younger ponies had cheered for her! And that dragoness' face of awe at her magic tricks! And then, there was that other unicorn... Starlight, who over time had befriended Maud, somehow had come to like Trixie, and the reverse was also true! Despite how their personalities were very much different! There were even rumors now that they had become lovers!

Radiant just wondered why, if it was true, they kept it at rumors? The worst that would happen would be others wanting to join in from time to time, maybe the two could service her husband after another one of Trixie's shows? Maybe they could also bear his foals? Well, they wouldn't be the only ones...

It had turned out that Zecora had had a lot of success in her attempts at brewing a potion that would allow the king to breed non-ponies. A little bit too much success, in fact, and it had been so strong that Radiant had been forced to improve her contraception spells before every one of her husbands' lovers got knocked up! As it was, the zebra herself was pregnant, and so were Rarity, Twilight and Barb! There also was the suspicion that Diamond Tiara and Derpy had been knocked up!

It was lucky that they had, somehow, managed to avoid knocking up more melee fighters than Barb, who could just breath fire from above, and might be tougher than a pony even pregnant! If Tempest Shadow, Rainbow Dash or Spitfire or the others had become "inconvenienced" it would have been a bit a nnoying. Twilight could easily fight using just her magic, and her the bump that was beginning to show was aluring yet also somewhat amusing with her rather revealing outfit.

Apparently, Big Mac had also gotten a sip of it, since Sugar Belle and Marble Pie were also showing signs of pregnancy.

Oh, once Canterlot was his, before they'd begin the next phase of conquests, he'd make sure that Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, all the Pies and the other members of Rainbow Dash's old unit would bear his foals! Maybe even Starlight and Trixie! Afterwards, they may as well cary their lovers', but their first child would be his...

And while this was happening, the preparations for King Sombra's most daring strike were in motion: To strike against the capital of Equestria itself! His forces had gained ground on a broad front and were nearing a position which would allow them to split Equestria in two, isolating the west coast from the capital and the east coast with its population centers of Manehattan and Fillydelphia among others!

And if the capital was put under siege, was isolated from the rest, it would make communications even harder for the commands in other areas! And Sombra would lead the assault on Canterlot himself. In person and from the front! Of course, he wouldn't go alone... most of his harem/palace staff would come along, except for Tempest Shadow, who would stay back to coordinate the war on the other fronts, where other competent and loyal, if brainwashed, subjects would lead the troops. As the war was going, he figured it was better to have his best troops aligned directly against Princess Celestia rather than her underlings. Even if they were able to push back his forced in other places, once Equestria's proverbial head had been cut-off, mopping up the rest wouldn't be much of a challenge. Time consuming, maybe, but nothing else...

Now, if only he could find Barb! Most of the forces had already gathered and Twilight and Starlight were only waiting to create a large portal that would allow them to launch their strike against the heart of Equestria! But the dragones, usually always so eager to get into action, was nowhere to be found!

Neither was Rarity for that matter... Were they fooling around? Now? They knew what would happen today! "BARB! WHERE ARE YOU?!" The king shouted angrily as he paced through the corridors, opening random doors to see if he could find them! "RARITY! BARB! GET HERE!" His heavy steps echoing alongside his voice, the palace staff did their best to avoid him. When he was in a mood like this, nopony wanted to cross him.

Suddenly, passing through an empty corridor, a door to his left opened and at least one of those he'd been looking for stood in front of him! Rarity was pressing a finger against her mouth... "Hush!" She almost whinced as the king glared at her! How could she dare to shush him?!

"What are you doing here?" Her hissed, trying to reign his anger in. "We are about to depart for Equestria! And where is Barb?!"

"Barb..." The unicorn took a deep breath to steady her nerves, "Barb is laying her egg!"

Sombra's anger rapidly disappeared! "What? Why didn't she tell us?"

"I don't think she expected it to happen today or soon. We don't have much of a frame of reference for dragon pregnancies either! When it started, she grabbed me and a bunch of pillows and rushed into a random room! I think she didn't want anypony to see her so vulnerable! Before I left her, she was squatting over a pile of pillows, her eyes glassed over, whimpering..."

He put a hand on Rarity's shoulder. "Lead me to her."

Indeed, like she had told him, Barb was squatting over a pile of pillows in an almost dark room. Panting heavily, she tried to press the egg out! Rarity hurried to her girlfriend and put a reassuring hand over her back, between the wings! "Where- where have you been?" Barb asked her.

"Sorry, darling! I had to step outside for a momeant!" The white unicorn told the dragoness with an apologetic voice. "Breath. Try to relax."

"Maybe... Maybe I shouldn't have skipped Cloudy's lessons..." Barb joked, letting out a pained chuckle. "But then, I doubt that birthing lessons for ponies are really 1:1 applicable to dragons..."

"Shh. Just concentrate on laying your egg..." The mare whispered into her ear again. At the same time, she gestured towards Sombra to come over as well. The king knelt down behind Barb and put his left on her shoulder, the right around her hip, and also began to calmly talk talk to her.

"I... I think it's about to come out!" Barb cried out a few minutes later! Another cry, more calming words from Rarity and King Sombra. In the gloom of the room, Rarity saw how the egg was beginning to appear! More enouragmeant to keep going was offered until, finally, it fully slipped out!

Softly, the egg landed on the pillows. Carefully, Rarity picked it up and held it in front of Barb's eyes. Immediately, the dragoness snatched it from her hands and pressed it against her chest! She shot the unicorn a frightening glare... "Mine!" She hissed, and Rarity took a step back! But a momeant later, Barb was back to normal. In fact, she seemed like she herself was startled with what had just happened! "Sorry! I-I don't know what just came over me..."

"Motherly instinct, I guess?" The mare carefully suggested.

"Maybe..." Barb calmed down again, loosening her grip on the egg a little. Dreamily, she added: "If it is a boy, I'll call him 'Spike'!"

Rarity smiled. It somehow felt... appropriate? A nice name....

Sombra eyed the egg. It very much looked like Barb: purple with green spots. "I hate to interrupt you two, but we might need something to keep it warm?"

This tore Barb out of her contemplation of her egg and what to call her child once it hatched! "King Sombra!? When... when did you get here?!"

"He was looking for us and shouting through the castle. When he passed by, I thought it better to stop this infernal ruckus!"

"Honestly? I think I'm happy that he was here when it happened..." Barb turned to him again: "Your Highness? Do you have any suggestions how to keep it at a high temperature at all time?"

"I guess Twilight and Starlight should be able to build something that will be able to keep the egg warm. Maybe based on the design Celestia used to keep your egg warm."

13 The Siege of Canterlot

A few days later, the siege ring had been closed around Equestria's capital! The preliminary steps this highly defensible city off had been rushed through in a night attack and it had taken a bit to lay the proper means otf interception. Taking Canterlot, however, would indeed be a daunting task. It had, according to Twilight, been provisioned to withstand a siege for months, if not years, and with its position on the side of a tall mountain, multiple river arms running through the city as well as a strong wall around the city and another one around the castle itself.

Adding to that was that most of population was made up of unicorns! Yes, they weren't as physically strong as earth ponies, nor could they fly, but they provided a powerful magical deterrent! Especially since they now would be trained for emergency fighting... And then, there was a strong garrison of the Equestrian Army alongside the elite Royal Guard detachmeants protecting the castle and Princess Celestia, both beefed up after the raid on Ponyville. Not that Sombra hadn't known about it, that had been part of the intended effect of said raid afterall.

There also was a powerful magical barrier engulfing the ctiy! Twilight recognized the shield! It was a spell her brother had shown a particular affinity for! Apparently, Princess Celestia was proficient in it as well! Or, maybe, her brother had put an enchantmeant down and Celestia was just fueling it with her own, impressive magical might..

At the same time, this strength could be turned against Celestia... So many ponies cooped up in a relatively small area! A perfect target for a great spell! A great spell that would turn them into loyal subjects of the Crystal Empire, loyal to King Sombra!

Twilight and Starlight were already preparing the ritual, and they estimated that it would not take too long. Once the preparations had been finished, the king and them would cast their magic...

For their experimeants, the two had a separate tent, while most of the staff and Sombra's guard shared the king's ludicrously huge, and exquisitely furnished, tent. Rarity had surpassed herself when she had supervised its creation and outfitting! She truly had a magnificient touch with those sorts of things!

In the entrance to the tent, which doubled as the assembly room where Sombra spent a lot of time, the egg-warming device had been placed. Based on what Twilight had seen in Celestia's tent, it had been refined, and featured a burning fire in the basis to add extra warmth. Barb never moved very far away from her egg, stoking flames every now and then with her own breath! If need be, she'd leave the tent, but unless things to serious or the final push commenced, she wouldn't move from it!

On the third day of the siege, Sombra paid a visit to Ponyville. He was curious to see how the seeds he had planted had grown... On this trip, he was accompanied by Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Maud, Spitfire and her unit as well as his former Ponyvillians...

For Applejack, Apple Bloom and the others, it was a bittersweet event. They had missed their homes, yet at the same time, they feared what had happend to their families, or their farm... And meeting their friends again after they'd been kidnapped, or gone to retrieve their family, but then ended up joining King Sombra instead! They worried how they would be received... Especially, Applejack and Big Mac, who hadn't been told what the king had done with Mayor Mare!

They first passed by Sweet Apple Acres, in part because the farm would certainly be useful to supply food to the besieging army but also because the Apple siblings wanted to see how it was doing.

When they got there, it seemed to be in decent order, though the workers were lazying about! Seeing the Apple family return, with armed soldiers, however quickly motivated them to get back to work with redoubled effort. Getting some nice new helmets fitted on them also helped, though they would be allowed to remove them once the conditioning was finished. Right now was not the time to take it slow and easy with turning them to Sombra's cause.

Fifteen minutes later, they reached the town itself. Apparently, they had either been spotted by a pegasus, or maybe somepony taking a stroll, or the town has been on high alert ever since the siege started, since all the adults of the town had gathered to meet them. This time, they wouldn't be taken by surprise!

Mayor Mare stood in front of the assembled town as they expected King Sombra's arrival, defiance on her face. In her arms was a baby unicorn colt. The king had to supress a grin, wondering how much of the townsfolk already were on his side, and how many would be in for a very nasty surprise...

From the point of view of Ponyville, they outnumbered the small group that accompanied King Sombra by a decent amount. However, even with the army garrison that had been stationed in Ponyville after the raid, the Crystal Empire forces on average still were more experienced fighters and more well equipped... But the numbers advantage certainly bolstered their morale, and they had probably trained for such an occasion.

Mayor Mare took a deep breath and steadied her nerves.. Standing there, undaunted and with her foal in her arms, she cut a daring figure of defiance! "So you have returned, Sombra!" She called out! "The first time you came here, you took us by surprise! You burnt our houses and took our friends and family away! But this time, Ponyville is prepared to deal with your army and whatever your plans for us are!" Her loud voice caried easily over both, Sombra's forces and Ponyville! Cheers rang out from behind her back in support! "But know that you will not find these ponies wanting in their dedication to their home and their ruler!"

More cheers, as well as some shouting of 'For Princess Celestia', or 'For Equestria and Ponyville!' filled the air.

The mayor continued defiantly! "The ponies of this town-," she paused for but a moment, then dropped down to one knee and bowed her head, magic drifting around her eyes, "-swear their undying loyalty to you, King Sombra!" Slightly lifting her head again, she looked at him over the rims of her glasses.

The momeant these words left her mouth, about a quarter of the ponies behind her turned on their fellows! Petrified by shock and surprise, and with Sombra's forces joining in, the rest couldn't muster much resistance. Swiftly, all of them were captured. The fact that there had been no fatal casualties came to a relief to both, Mayor Mare and the locals and the former Ponyville citizens that now lived at Sombra's court.

As the the prisoners watched, King Sombra stepped up to the treacherous mayor! Looking down at her, an amused smile on his face, he spoke up: "Well done, mayor." His hand caressed her head and face, causing Mayor Mare to coo happily! Her king had praised her work! "I didn't expect it to go this well!"

"Thank you!" Holding her colt with one arm, she grabbed the king's hand and kissed it! "Thank you for your kind words, King Sombra! All this humble servant wants is to serve you!" Rising to her hooves under the calls of 'traitor!' and jeers and hisses from the captured ponies, she presented the foal to him: "Your son, Your Majesty!"

Carefully and gently, Sombra took his third-born in his arms. "I named him 'Onyx Star'! Your Highness, I know it is a bit mundane, but I had to keep it local enough that it wouldn't cause anypony to wonder, so I hope that you approve of the name."

A short nod answered that question. As the prisoners, and the inhabitants of Ponyville that had had not tried to fight but instead had hidden in their homes, fell under Sombra's spell, he laid out to Mayor Mare what the future would bring, what would happen with Ponyville, which she would rule for him, and how she should raise the foal! It finally culiminated in: "Once he is old enough to rule over Ponyville as governor, I want you to come and join me." Mayor Mare was elated!

At the same time, Sombra's servants that hadn't seen their hometown in months took a stroll. Pinkie accompanied them, very much curious about the place. "You know," Applejack told the others, "I think Twilight would like the old library..."

A week later, the great spell was almost ready! All they needed now was a little orgy between Twilight, Starlight, Trixie, King Sombra and Radiant. Maybe Tempest Shadow as well! OK... Technically that wasn't needed. But Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer were rather horny and were in the mood for a nice orgy...

The day after however, Sombra, Twilight and Starlight began the great spell! Their magical power combined and began to take shape! Slowly, but steadily, a great field of purple-colored dark magic began to engulfe Canterlot's protective shield! And then, it began to constrict around it...

At first, the shield held fast! But, after a while, slowly, it began waver! Cracks started to show! And then, finally, even Celestia's powers couldn't hold it against the power of the three unicorns and the magical powers they had prepared! The shield began to constrict! Step by step, the protective dome gave way, shrinking, exposing more and more of the city to Sombra's forces! And any pony it left behind, to the magic that pushed it away. Here and there were bubbles, apparently created by gifted unicorns, that kept the spell away. Twilight was curious.... She wanted to see what ponies were able to resist her work! Or, alternatively, at least for how long they were able to do so!

Many hours later, the shield had been reduced to Celestia's castle and the parts of the city near to it. There, it had stabilized and now held firm. Most likely this was the area that Celestia could protect against the magical onslaught without needing to use too much of her powers, as to still be able to fight when needed! The area was probably overflowing with the ponies that managed to evacuate before the spell caugh them! Even if most of their supplies were stored in the area, the massively increased amount of ponies per m² would, sooner or later, lead to internal conflict...

But Twilight was still curious as to whom might have been able to shield themselves from the spell, at least temporarily!She dispelled her magical wings, put on a cloak, grabbed her staff and set out to investigate, unworried about any potential dangers, even in her current state. The magical powers King Sombra had bestowed on her with the Alicorn Amulet meant that anypony short of Princess Celestia, or maybe Twilight's own sister-in-law, would hardly be a threat!

She wandered through the streets of her hometown, and each time her staff hit the ground, it echoed through the eery, unnatural silence. Everyhwere she saw ponies whose minds were slowly being reprogramed to serve her king, the spell had to work slowly, for otherwise it would have just fried their brains. Every now and then, a few of them would get up and stagger towards the camp to declare their new allegiance. Twilight allowed herself a satisfied smirk. She had done good work, and, maybe, would get rewarded for it...

Oh, who might those ponies be that dared to venture through the magic? They had to be quite gifted to sustain the shield so well... Maybe... Yes! Maybe it was her older brother! As Captain of the Royal Guard, such a rescue action would be something Shining Armor would be chosen for! Or, probably, volunteer for. He had exceptional skill with the shield as well! It would make sense!

Twilight hoped that it was Shining! Her Big Brother Best Friend Forever! Since a while now, whenever her thoughts had drifted to her family, she had begun to think about him in a different way. He was a very handsome and well built stallion, and his magical prowess, while nothing compared Twilight's own, or Cadance's, was substantial! He certainly would make an excellent candidate for further children... Maybe her BBBFF could become a BBBBF? A Big Brother Best Breeder Forever? Be it with her, and their foals would certainly be something special and might form, one day, the guard for the crown prince, or with other mares!

After a lengthy stroll, she finally came upon what she had been looking for! A few unicorns and earth ponies! One of the unicorns, a blueish stallion, cast something like the shield spell around them, protecting them from the brainwashing magic and allowing them to retrieve ponies that had been trapped. As long as the magic hadn't affected them too much, or if a strong enough counterspell was evoked, say by Princess Celestia, it was reverseable. Or if King Sombra undid the spell... or died... He was the lynchpin of this magic after all.

Twilight grinned as she took a closer look! The stallion aside, she saw a gray unicorn mare, a yellow unicorn mare and... All together, it seemed like seven members of the rescue squad and ten to twelve ponies they were trying get to safety. And she had recognized some of those ponies! Oh! This was too good!

The stallion who kept up the shield was the first to spot the hooded figure! He immediately had a bad feeling, seeing how whoever this pony was, they apparently were unaffacted by the spell... And since he wasn't seeing any protective shield around whoever that was, or some sort of protective artifact or whatever, it was pretty likely that she was part of Sombra's forces! "Who are you? What do you want?" He called over to the unknown pony, but received no answer.

He shouted a warning to the others, though it probably hadn't been needed. They had heard him adressing the stranger. Immediately, they gathered near the stallion, many of the rescued ponies still visible out of it, just a few able to move at a normal pace. If they wanted to make a getaway, they would probably have to carry some of them. And maybe even leave others behind...

"Let me take care of this!" The gray mare declared grimly as her horn began to glow!

They saw a slight glow underneath her cowl, alongside a gesture with the left hand, and the spell harmlessely gathered around the hand and just... fizzled out. The stallion couldn't help but notice its purple fur, how hadn't he noticed that earlier? The pony's righ thand had been in plain sight, around that weird staff...

The top of the staff began to shine as another glow appeared underneat the figures hood! Moments later, a massive magical blast shook their shield! It held. Barely. The stallion whinced at the impact... He had to make a call he rather didn't, but he doubted that this hit was all the other pony could muster! And they had to get their charges back to safety! "V! Take the others and go! I will hold that guy off!" He shouted towards the gray mare, then turned to the yellow unicorn! "Lemon Hearts! You take over the shield spell!"

"But, without the spell, you will..." Lemon Hearts sounded unsure. They hadn't expected to run into enemy fighters so soon!

"I'll be fine! I just have to be quick enough to get the spell back up, or get back to the castle in time!"

"Alright!" She didn't quite sound unconvinced.

"Night Light!" V snapped at him! "I WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE THAT GUY ON ALONE! I already lost my daughter to to King Sombra! Celestia knows where Shining and Cadance are! I-.."

"DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! GO!" He angrily shouted back, before calming down a little. He sounded almost... sad as he pleaded with her: "Please, Velvet! Get the others back safely! This is more important right now!" Realizing that further arguing wouldn't change anything, Velvet gave her husband the saddest imaginable look before she gathered the others around her. "I love you..." He whispered quietly, looking over his should and seeing them disappear around a corner.

Night Light took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, to steady his nerves. Slowly opening his eyes again, he breathed out. "Well... Just you and me now... I'll warn you: I might not be as strong as my son or daughter, but I'm no pushover either!" The only answer was a female-sounding chuckle. A chuckle that sounded oddly familiar... As he wondered who it reminded him off, Night Light's opponent, in the blink of an eye, shot a magical blast at him!

He barely managed to dispell it! Its force had been unbelievable! And the speed with which it had been cast... Another shot, Night dodged! And now, it was his turn to shoot back! But, to his great dismay, every single of his attempts, be they with magical projectiles or levitated debris or whatever else he could think of, was easily thwarted as his opponent almost casually closed the distance between them!

Finally, the enemy had, to Night Light's dismay, gotten close enough that he could tell that it was a mare! What little he saw through the shadows of her cloak left little doubt! Annoyingly, it was obvious that she was toying with him... Seeing more in the shadows now, he really felt like he knew her... Wait a moment! Did she look like...? No! It was just his mind playing tricks on him... He unleashed another barrage!

Grinning confidently, not that Night Light could see it, Twilight easily dispelled his spells, adding some dashing flourishes with her staff! With her free hand, she opened a little bag. Carried on aon a string around her hip and pulled something out. It was one of Sombra's magic blocking rings. She should be getting close enough for him to recognize her now...

"No!" Night Light called out, as if on command when his opponent was just a few steps away! He froze, and stopped his assault. "Please tell me you're not..."

Twilight closed the distance with a few final steps and threw her coat to the ground, revealing herself completely! "I can't wait to show you your grandfoal, daddy!" The last word, she breathed into his ear...

"Twi-... Twilight?" Her father stammered! He hadn't expected to see her here! Not like this! And not dressed so... sparingly! "Is... is that you?"

"Yes, dad!" She chirped innocently, a stark contrast to her her previous behavior, and her appearance!

He couldn't notice any sort of magic to change appearance or anything like that, but maybe he was just too out of it, or already under the effect of Sombra's magic. "But... how? Why?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. Before she continued, she used his confusion and uncertainty to slip the ring over his horn. Now, he was hers to toy with, and he hadn't even realized it yet... Better hurry, before the magic did him in completely... that would take a lot of the fun out of it! "I joined Sombra! I guess Princess Celestia didn't tell you and mom? Though... I guess she didn't know it either, probably thought that I got kidnapped!" Still not realizing that his magical powers had been cut off, Night Light stared at his daughter, unable to speak. He wouldn't even have gotten the chance as she began to rant about how unappreciated she had felt! "Celestia had assigned me a bodyguard who, you won't believe it, was actually a spy working for King Sombra! And there, I finally got what I deserve! But enough about me..."

Finally, Night Light seemed to get his wits back, her implication that she would now turn her full attention to him apparently snapping him out of it! He tried to use his magic to push her away! But nothing happened... Chuckling again, She ran a hand over her father's chest! "Sorry, dad. I had to keep you from doing anything stupid with your magic... Until I remove that ring from your horn, you can cast as much magic as an earth pony..."

Her father swallowed. He was trapped. But maybe he could work something out? He just had to keep her busy for a while to think! Or maybe another rescue unit would run into them... His eyes wandered down her scantily clad body, she looked like some evil, seductive sorceress from an old story, and saw the bump. Immediately, he remembered how she had greeted him! Grandfoal? "So... you are pregnant?"

Gently, she stroked his right shoulder. "Yes. With King Sombra's foal."

Night shuddered at the mere thought... his little filly? Serving Sombra, happily carrying his seed? It was like a nightmare! Worse than when Celestia had told him and his wife that Twilight had been captured... His gaze moved up again, almost against his will! Oh, sweet Celestia, when did his daughter become that hot?

This time, his eyes stopped on her breast! And sweet Celestia, what breasts! Twilight had always been a bit... more slight than her mother, though that had changed... But wait! What was that pedant?!

Finally, Night Light saw the amulette around his daughter's neck, nestled between her breasts. He wasn't as well educated as Twilight, but he and his wife were well off. While not nobility, both their families were affluent enough to have allowed a comfortable status of living, and education for their children, allowing both him, and his wife, to follow their interests, rather than having to work for get through! In case of Velvet, it would have turned out well either way, as she had become a very successful author! Night Light instead had always had a certain interest in books, something he had passed on to his daughter, and had learned how to restorate them. He had opened a small shop near some of Canterlot's most important, and renowned, book stores, all equipped with sections full of antique books. Most work was smaller, less important stuff, but he also had handled some real treasures!

Once, a customer had come to him, asking to have an old book about magical artifacts rebound. Night Light had read a few pages, and this one, he recognized, had been in said book! An Alicorn Amulette. Very old, very rare, very powerful – it is was said, apparently, that it could make one the equal of Princess Celestia, though he assumed that this was probably an overstatement – artifact! and very corrupting, making the wearer prone to hybris, erratic behavior and more! Maybe that was the reason for how she looked? And why she served Sombra? He had fastened this evil thing on her? The fact that his daughter wasn't showing any of these effects meant that, either, she was playing a very long con, or Sombra had found a way to keep these downsides in check... "Twilight? What is that around your neck?" He asked carefully.

Twilight grabbed it and held it in front of her father's face. "You mean the Alicorn Amulette?" She talked about it like it was nothing special. But that she knew what it was... "Don't look so surprised! Of course I know what it is! King Sombra gifted it to me when I started to serve him! Naturally, he has taken precautions against its more... detrimental effects! The megalomania, the hybris... It is a connection between him and myself!"

Before Night Light could respond, she proceeded to change the topic: "Enough about me, for now! Let's talk about you! I have to say, dad, you are pretty attractive... Especially for a stallion your age! Mom really is a lucky mare..." She had a dreamy look on her face now, he could see that! "It will be so nice to see the two of you serve King Sombra by my side. And once we get them, Shining and Cadance as well!"

Serve him? Did she mean... physically? Wait! Why was he even thinking that?! She was probably talking about menial labor, or fighting... Night Light started to feel a bit... dizzy. And air-headed! It became harder and harder to concentrate, and his daughter's voice sounded so... tempting! It was as if he wanted to hear her give him commands he could follow...

"Let me lead you back to our camp. There, King Sombra will truly make you into one of his servants! You must have seen those that you and mom couldn't get to in time? When they begin to move, they have only one thought on their minds: 'Serve Sombra!' All of them march to our base so that the king can put the finishing touch on them! But don't worry... you won't turn into a stupid drone until you meet him!" With the snap of her fingers, all of Night Light's clothes, except for his shoes, disappeard. "I've made sure of it." With another snap, a very delicate looking chain appeared on Night Light's body, fastened to his neck, arms and ankles with a choker, bracelets and greaves. All of it was golden, but, as bad as his mind had gotten, he knew it was more than that. It was magical, probably almost unbreakable. The chain's end was in Twilight's firm grasp. Smiling, she started to lead her father away.

Luckily for Night Light, it was a very warm and beautiful day, so he wasn't cold. Unfortunately for him, his body reacted very... excitedly about the whole situation, especially how his daughter's backside swayed in front of him! And the pleasant weather just made it worse as Twilight lead him past ponies in varying stages of the spell's effects.

They entered one of Canterlot's market squares. Twilight remembered it fondly. When she'd been a little filly, Night Light, after closing down his shop for the day, or while taking a break, had often taken her there, sometimes her mother and brother accompanied them. They bought some groceries, did some window shopping, looked at new books at different stores, and then, he had always taken her out for lunch!

Happy memories... Maybe they could repeat some of that, once Sombra's conquest was complete? She turned around and looked at the nude form of her father. "Well, that stiffy of yours must be very uncomfortable, and I am not in a hurry to return... So, what do you think, dadd?" Leading him to a little fountain she had often sat on while eating ice cream. "Do you want to fuck your little filly here? Where we had so many nice memories?"

Night groaned! It was wrong to see his daughter as that attractive and alluring, even if she was dressed like somepony from a fantasy movie porn parody...

Twilight undid the clasps holding her bra and skirt up, letting them fall to the ground, pushing her panties down right after, and bent herself over the fountain's broad stone frame! Lying on her side, her right leg planted on the ground, she grabbed her left and presented her dripping cunt to her own father. But he didn't react! "Oh?" For a moment, Twilight was confused! After a short contemplation, she realized the reason, however! "Oh! Of course! You're conflicted because I am your daughter! But daddy, I'm also a sex-loving slut! You have no idea how much I've been fucking around since I joined King Sombra! Maybe you could pretend that I'm mom? I mean, we almost look the same!" She suggested. When Twilight continued, she had lowered her voice a little, to sound more like her mother: "Come on, Night Light! Just a quickie! Ever since I've gotten pregnant with our second foal, I've been just soo horny! And Shining's foalsitter is payed for another two hours..."

"V-Velvet..." He groaned, as, in front of his inner eye, a picture of his wife began to overlay his daughter. His wife and daughter ruly looked similar, their fur colors aside. At times, Twilight Velvet and Twilight Sparkle had even been confused for sisters! Although, in fairness, sisters with an age gap of at least five to ten years... The smell of her aroused nethers was pushed against his nostrils by the flicking of her tail... He was unable to restrain himself any further! The next thing Night Light knew was, that her right leg was thrown over his shoulder as he was fucking her, making her tits jiggle at every thrust!

After a while, they shifted their positions and Twilight rolled onto her belly as Night took a firm grip of her hips! Groups of groggy ponies past by them, but either didn't notice them, or didn't care for them, on their way to King Sombra.

Next, Night Light sat on the fountain's edge, his hooves in the water as his daug-... wife sat in his lap, his cock up her ass. He nibbled on her ear, kissed her neck, played with her tits as she bounced happily. Her moans, so sweet... He and Velvet hadn't had done it in weeks, and now his wife was kinky enough to do it outside, during a siege! Or was it his wife? The colors of her mane seemed to constantly shift between his wifes' and his daughters'!

Yes! That was right! He was fucking his own daughter! His own, pregnant daughter! Pregnant with the tyrant that was brainwashing him and conquering Equestria! His wife had left with the others, and when his daughter had suggested to imagine her as Velvet, his mind had done so... It-it must have been the magic messing with his mind! It was wrong, yet... Why did it feel so good?! And if it felt that good... Why stop?

They had changed their position again, Twilight was laying on her back on the frame, one arm idly splashing in the fountain's water. Night Light was plowing into her, his left hand clasped around her waist, his right squeezing one of her tits! Her hooves were crossed behind his back. His face was mere inches away from Twilight's, that intoxicating scent of hers filling his lungs.

"Kiss me, daddy! Kiss m-.." Before she could finish, her father's lips silenced her! When they broke, both their tongues hung out of their mouth, a trail of spit between them! "Good daddy! Knows how to make his little filly happy!" Twilight moaned.

"Twilight! I'm about to cum!" He groaned a few moments later!

"Yes! Yes! Fill me up! Fill your daughter up!"

"I'm cumming in my own daughter!" He called out, half ashamed, half exhilerated, as he emptied his balls into her cunt! "And it feels good!"

"So much cum... Either you're more virile than I expected,-" she scooped some of his jizz up and then licked her hand clean, moaning ever so slightly, "-or you and mom haven't been busy in a while. Or maybe both!" Both of them embraced and basked together in the afterglow and the warmth of the day.

Once they had recovered, Night Light used the fountain to wash himself, but Twilight only cleaned her face and upper body. She would take a nice, hot bath later! However, she had tired of walking, but with her father in tow, she couldn't just fly back. No, she had a better, more fun idea! "And now, you will carry me on your shoulders like you did when I was little!" She commanded him. And he obeyed, getting down to one knee to allow her to climb onto him, then raised himself up.

She was lighter than Night had expected! Maybe she was using a spell to make herself lighter, so that he could carry her more easily? Or had this been part of the alicorn amulette's effect? Well, it didn't matter to Night Light as he began to walk. Her father felt his own cum trickle down his back... He didn't care.

After a while, Twilight spoke up again. There was a question that she was quite interested to know the answer of: "Say, dad... do you know where Shining Armor is? I would love to play with him like I've played with you!"

Two sides of Night Light fought in his head. One wanted to tell his daughter dearest everything, not that he knew much. The other wanted to tell her, and King Sombra by extension, nothing! Slowly, but inevitably, the first managed to win out, but his answer was not without interruptions: "I think... he is on a mission... for Princess Celestia."

"And what might that be?"

"I don't know."

"Hmpf..." He could've been a little more helpful... "Could you walk a little faster?"

King Sombra grinned on his throne! The spell had been an astounding success! It hadn't taken all of Canterlot, true, but it had taken a good part of it and it had forced the protective shield to constrict... If indeed it was Celestia who was sustaining it, then exercising continous pressure on that shield would tire her out over time... And every now and then, groups of ponies arrived to serve him. All of them were not yet completely under his control yet, the spell had basically put them on a sort of autopilot for now with their personalities repressed, but once enough were there, he'd give them the finishing touch. Then, they could go on and live normal lifes... as his subjects.

Originally, he had wanted to use the citizens of Canterlot as an example for the rest of Equestria. Surrender, or become mindless drones! But Radiant had convinced him otherwise. However... maybe he should keep them in this robot-like state until the siege was over? Unquestioning, obedient laborers would, for now, be far more convenient. Yes. For now, they wouldn't regain their minds, and if Radiant Hope objected, he could honestly tell her that it was for miliary expediency!

Twilight had returned an hour ago, bringing another pony with her. As it had turned out, it had been her own father! Bringing her own father before the king to be made one of his pawns... Twilight had truly become one of his best servants, and he greatly enjoyed how she thought at times... And this Night Light seemed to be a reasonably useful subject in more than one way. A number of his mares, and Barb, also seemed to be somewhat interested in him, and considering that his children were the Captain of the Royal Guard and Twilight, maybe he should allow the stallion to make a few more?

A few days later, inside of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia was pacing up and down, a stern expression fixed on her face. Some of her best unicorns were struggling as much as they could to maintain the shield so that she could rest for a while. Rest, and think. They wouldn't last long, and sooner rather than later, she would need to take over again. With all the pressure exerting on the shield, it was even more tiresome now than when it had protected the whole city. Before that, rotating the unicorns powering it functioned well enough.

The last message she had received from the three ponies she had sent out had been that Shining Armor was on his way to the changeling hive, while Blueblood and Cadance had finished their audience with Dragon Lord Torch and begun their journeys to the yaks and hippogriffs respectively.

The old, gigantic dragon, to their surprise, had sympathized with them and seemed to understand that Sombra would, sooner or later, come after the dragons as well! However, despite the usual powers of the Dragon Lord, there were issues that prevented him from simply ordering the dragons from raining fire from the sky onto the Crystal Empire!

For one, if he just ordered it, a lot of dragons would be rather unhappy about having to get involved in pony business. Best case? They would be bored and do the bare minimum. Worst case? They'd "accidentally" not care about what, or who, caught fire, maybe even pretend to have been unable to tell if a group of ponies had belonged to Sombra or to Equestria! And Celestia would have preferred freeing those poor soulsf rom the mind controlling magic, if possible, rather than to kill them!

Additionally, Torch's reign was nearing its end! He knew it! It wouldn't be long until he'd call for the Gauntlet of Fire to decide the next Dragon Lord, and if the wrong dragon won, Equestria would wish that the dragons had stayed out of the conflict... Sombra wouldn't have been happy, but if Equestria and the Crystal Empire both got turned into smouldering heaps of ashes, nopony would be happy. Most of them probably wouldn't even be alive.

Now, she wouldn't receive any further news. The shield kept the usual ways of magical communication out. Damn it, the princess shook her head as all of these thoughts and more raced through her mind, she needed some fresh air!

Celestia threw open the glass doors leading to the balcony adjacent to her room and stepped outside! It was dark, and the air pleasantly cool. She could see the dark houses of the city. Due to the the current situation, power had to be limited. In Sombra''s camp, she could see the camp fires burning, could faintly hear the training drums...

She thought about the whole siege again: So far, they had focused on defense, had counted on the shield being able to keep Sombra off until reinforcements could be mustered and, maybe, new allies be made. Gilda and Gabby were still with them, and maybe she should send the two griffons home, for their own safety and to, maybe, come back with a unit of of griffons to relieve the city. Before the siege had started, the had already tried to have Gilda return home, but she had denied this. "Not until I find out what happened to Rainbow Dash!" the griffon had said.

Maybe it was time to rethink the current strategy... Perhaps it would be good to be a bit more aggressive. Instead of waiting until relief arrived, a concentrated assault against Sombra himself might end the whole war then and there! Or at least force him to pullback again. Perhaps, she mused, they should've done that from the very beginning.

Yes. Tomorrow morning, she'd order the preparations to commence...

The preparations were complete. Arrayed in the throne room, Princess Celestia and unit of hand-picked volunteers were dressed in the best armor available and equipped with the most potent weaponry stored in the castle's armory! Enchanted weaponry, collected over centuries... Celestia herself was carrying a spear, and a sword as a back-up.

They were but a few dozen, split between unicorns, who were especially tasked with providing protection against Sombra's mind control spell and general support, earth ponies and pegasi, who would be the ones focusing on fighting. Maybe they could rescue some ponies before they were completely brainwashed... And if everything went well, the siege, at the very least, might be lifted.

Early in the morning, they slipped out of the castle and the protected area. Keeping a low profile, they made their way towards the main siege camp. The Princess herself took point, leading them. Seeing so many ponies at best half-conscious, many of them walking like zombies through the streets to the very same monster that had put them into this state to begin with, it almost broke her heart! And made her angry... How dare he?!

Finally they reached Canterlot's outer wall. To ease movement, Sombra's forces had breached the walls in multiple locations, damage that would have to be repaired later. A few sentinels were stationed in the cleared field between the walls and the camps' defensive trenches and other defenses...

And then, Celestia and her troops saw something that made their blood run hot! Groups of the freshly brainwashed ponies had already began to errect a huge statue to honor their subjugator! Some of them, the princess had recognized! Members of her own guard she had known for years! Pupils, and former pupils, of her school for gifted unicorns! Palace staff! While the siege was still going on! As if that thrice damned King Sombra wasn't even taking this seriously!

Even the usually so calm and collected princess could feel how rage began to bubble up inside of her! How dare that monster! HOW DARE HE?! He had not even won the siege and already was doing this! Celestia was almost frothing with rage and her voice trembled as she shouted: "CHARGE!"

Shouting war cries, the unit surged forward over the field, dumbfounding the sentinels and swept them away! Just a few managed to get away. Celestia and her unit had managed to take them by complete surprise!

A few of Sombra's units were already equipped and they hurried to form a defensive line! Many more were scrambling to get their gear! King Sombra and his personal retinue was amongst the latter! He cursed himself for having been so complacent! After everything had gone so well, and with the magic surrounding the shield, he'd thought he could afford to have the troops rest a little more than usual, so that they would be well rested once potential assaults against the shield would commence!

Apparently, that had been a miscalculation... Hastily, he strapped his armor onto his frame, Radiant helping. Tempest Shadow had foregone most of her armor and instead had only hastily put on her breastplate and helmet. Spitfire, Soarin and Thunderlane were away in Ponyville to organize the next delivery of apples. Rainbow Dash was armored and hurriedly rallied her pegasi, with Flash Sentry hurrying to join in. Barb had never taken off her armor since they'd gotten here. She fanned the flame keeping her egg warm and hurried outside.

Big Mac was already fully equipped and expected them, alongside Twilight and Applejack. His sister, unfortuately, didn't have time to put on any armor, and so was sent back to guard the tent, Radiant Hope, Fluttershy and the young ones together with Pinkie Pie and Maud.

King Sombra and his retinue hurried to the frontline, which was worryingly close to his tent. Tempest stayed close to him as the others fanned out to take command of the rest of the units. Against this onslaught, they would be needed to bolster the grunts and keep them steady.

Equestria's forces had just managed to route the first, haphazard defensive line and were about to break through the camps defenses! Just in time, the Crystal Empire's had been drawn up to receive them! Driving into the camp, the attackers regrouped and prepared another charge! Across the field, the eyes of king and princess met.

Inside of Celestia's heart, a burning hatred, fueled by everything her little ponies had to endure because of that vile monster, kindled a fury she had never felt before! Her ethereal mane turned into blazing fire, the white of her eyes turned black, and her purple irises became the red of boiling magma! Her face, in better times almost always featuring a gentle expression, a soft, reassuring smile, and during these hard times usually a beacon of stoic resolve that showed that, no matter what, Equestria would endure, turned into a wrathful grimace that frightened her allies just as much as Sombra's forces!

Leading the charge of her forces, Princess Celestia tossed her weapons away. Uncaring of the fight happening around her, not thinking about magic, she charged at King Sombra! The armour she was wearing seemed to be on the verge of melting off of her body as it glowed red from the heat she was radiating! With every step she took, her speed increased!

The line of the Crystal Empire braced itself to receive the charge! Sombrat stood in the center of the formation, the lynchpin, the foundation of his forces, not hiding behind the wall of flesh and steel. He had to set an example, and he was the only one among them, except maybe the amplified Twilight, but considering her situation... It would be better if she wasn't put into a physical contest with Celestia. The king prepared to receive her chage as she lowered her head, glaring at him through burning, hate-filled eyes.

The king slouched over, prepared to receive the charging princess, to force her into a one-on-one fight so that she wouldn't be able to use her magic to break his lines! Moments before they met, however, and too late to act, he realized that he had misjudged the situation! The furious alicorn evaded his attempt to grab her and instead her blazing horn pierced through the king's armor!

Sombra's eyes widened in shock, as he felt the searing spike pierce his flesh! For now, he didn't feel any pain, the adrenaline supressing it, but he knew that it was a nasty wound! He saw the ground shift, realised that Princess Celestia was lifting him over her head! The strength of an alicorn was truly magnificent!

The princess threw her head around and flung the king off of her head. With a heavy thud, and the clatter of armor, he crashed to the ground. The heat was gone, replaced by an icy cold. Sombra was breathing heavily, and he tasted blood in his mouth. But then, his attention was taken by something else...

"SOMBRA!" He heard Radiant anguished cry! Echoing loud and clear over the battle, it caused everypony, and one dragoness, to stop their fighting and look. The unicorn raced over the field, passing Princess Celestia without care.

The queen knelt over her wounded husband, inspecting the hole in his gut. As she was taling to him, others joined her: Barb was the first, followed by Twilight, Tempest Shadow, and Applejack. Her brother stayed with his unit. And from the tent itself came Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Maud. Rumble, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara! Those idiots shouldn't even be on the battlefield!

All of them crowded around the tyrant with sorrowful expressions. Shy took his head into her lap and tried to talk to him as she caressed his sweat-drenched face. She looked at Radiant, who had gone very pale. "We have to get him into the tent immediately!" The unicorn told them!

Barb and Applejack carefully lifted their sovereign, and Radiant supported them with her magic to keep him as steady as possible. As they began to move, the battle started anew.

Celestia watched them. Seeing her former aide-de-camp, the members of one of her elite unit, a dragon she instinctively knew had been hatched from the egg that had been in her posession, the pegasus that had taken a blast meant for Celestia and some ponies she didn't know but just knew had been free and happy citizens of Equestria before Sombra had returned... Seeing them worry about the pony responsible for their enslavement and brainwashing... It almost broke her heart! The heated fury inside of her was extinguished with ice cold despairr

The flames died down, and her mane became normal again. In fact, it seemed to have lost its usual ethereal splendor! Her purple eyes were filled with anguish as she stared on... And she hadn't noticed that her shock unit started to get overwhelmed by their enemies' superior numbers! Her troops, however, had realised that they had to retreat especially after the princess seemed to have lost the will to fight! Two of her Royal Guard ponies grabbed her, each hooking their arms under one of her armpits, and pulled her away. She let them, without resisting.

Back in the king's tent, Radiant hurried to treat his wound!First, she put a sedating spell on him, so that she could walk in peace. "Quick! Remove the armor and the clothes underneath!" Cloudy Quartz, and Starlight, who had joined them by now, hurried to obey her orders. They didn't untie the straps holding the platees to Sombra's body and just cut them off and the same happened to the clothes underneath.

Moments later, little Sombra and Umbra came stumbling in! All the commotion had woken them up, after they had been left asleep in the bed. The two, who had developed shockingly fast for newborn fillies, tried to get to the king, but Fluttershy held them back! They let out an excited excited chatter of syllables, but the meaning was clear to the assembled crowd: "What is wrong with daddy?"

"You two! Go back to the bedroom!" Radiant shouted, more aggressive than she had intended, the stress getting too her. She did her best to calm herself down and "Cloudy! Pinkie! Rumble! Starlight! Please, take care of them!"

Giving a short nod, the four grabbed the little ones and brought them back into the bedroom, trying their best to calm them down.

With something approaching calm returning to, the queen a closer look to the hole in her husband's body! Radiant was working for well over an hour to examine the wound and take care of the worst of the bleeding! She let out an audible sigh of relief! "It could have been much worse! Celestia missed his stomach and, by nothing else but sheer luck, it seems to have missed, and, at worst scratched, other organs. Adding to that, it's as if the heat Princess Celestia had been giving off cauterized a lot of the wound! But even with the best of my healing magic, this will take a while... and leave another scar."

She turned to the assembled crowd: "Somepony, bring me fresh bandages! A lot of them!" Adding a long list of other medical supplies she needed, or at least would appreciate to have, she started to patch the wounded monarch up, while Barb, Twilight and Applejack hurried to get what she asked for.

As she she had predicted: Despite her magical healing prowess, the wound was taking time to heal. Two weeks later, King Sombra, his midsection heavily bandaged, sat on his throne. It still hurt like a bitch, especially shortly before Radiant had to renew her spells on him. Thinking about it, he heard his wife call out: "Sombra! Come here! I have to change the bandages!"

He grumbled but knew better to argue with Radiant Heart on the topic of medical needs. And when she was in that mindset, she was more than able to get one over on him. Especially since it was obvious that Fluttershy and the others would support her.

So far, everything, except his goring, had gone as planned, but soon, time would start to become a problem... "The longer this drags on, the greater the chance that either armies or volunteer forces will attempt to relief Canterlot."

They hadn't had sex since his wounding. Yes, they had given him hand- and blowjobs, but those only went so far... Even Rumble and Flash had refused to offer their puckers for his relief! Neither of them had ever dared that! The younger pegasus in particular had been nothing but an attentive servant to Fluttershy and, by extension, Sombra and Radiant. Almost femcoltish, always eager to please and serve, and be rewarded by his superiors... And now,despite looking flustered, he replied with: "Queen Radiant explicitely told all of us not to! If we put any stress or pressure on your wound..." Radiant had also made very clear that she, and Fluttershy, would be very angry with whomever disobeyed that order. None of them wanted to risk to find out what the consequences would be...

Once he was fit enough, a whole lot of holes would be filled by him... Beginning with his wife and Fluttershy,... No! He'd make the two and Rumble watch while he fucked the others! Only when they begged him he'd grant them release! That would be his little bit of sweet vengeance!

Well, better not make her wait.

14 The Fall of Canterlot

The king sat on his throne and contemplated the situation, fighting down the urge to scratch his wound. By now, reports were arriving that a not insubstantial relieve force was mustering in Manehattan. The siege had to be ended soon.

His most trusted servants were arrayed In a half-circle before the throne. Each of them provided ideas how the shield might be circumvented in time. Some were more useful while others, like Pinkie's suggestion of a trojan partywageon, were less so. Through all of this, Twilight had been suspiciously quiet, and hidden behind her magical wings. Apparently, she had been whispering to her father, however.

Finally, she spoke up: "Your Majesty? If there is one pony that can match Celestia... it is her own sister! The mare-in-the-moon! Princess Luna... Nightmare Moon!"

Applejack's ears perked up and she looked at Twilight. "But she was banished to the moon, wasn't she?" The summer sun celebration where Nightmare Moon had returned had been held in Ponyville, and so AJ and her family had had a front row seat to that fiasco.

"Re-banished, yes," the unicorn admitted. "but if she could escape once, maybe could bust her out! She knows Celestia better than anypony here, and she is an alicorn herself! Her strenght, even if she isn't equal fo Celestia's, would be a valuable addition!"

"She will try to betray us." Radiant said, entering with Fluttershy while carrying their foals. They had overheard the last few pieces as they had neared the curtain

Sombra was contemplating the suggestion. He had heard stories about Luna, both when he had been young, and the stories newer – but had only come into the Crystal Empire via a chain of ponies 'having heard about' – and when he had returned, the stories had become legends, told to fillies and such.

Princess Luna had felt slighted and unappreciated by her subjects, something that Sombra could relate to on some level. She had made a deal with an evil power to gain the strength to stand up to her older sister, and become Nightmare Moon. They fought, and she lost to the power of something called "The Elements of Harmony", though apparently they had lain dormant ever since. During her return, she had managed to imprison Celestia, but she was still weakened from her exile on the moon and so her older sister, with some help from Princess Cadance and Captain Shining Armor had been able to send her back.

"Very good! Twilight! Get Starlight and Begin with the preparations! Take what you need, recquisition all the aid that is necessary!" In quiet, Sombra contemplated what to do with her and her sister later... Sure, their powers, and Celestia's knowledge, would make them very well suited for an active role in the field, but something made him question that. Maybe it was just greed, his desire to dominate, but he had something special in mind for his enemy, and her younger sister...

In her private chambers, Princess Celestia stared at her image in a mirror. It was herself, just as she stood there. But before her inner eye, she looked at somepony else. Somepony very different. Different, yet the same. In front of her, the princess looked on her own darkness taunting her!

She saw the crowned red-and gold helmet around her on her head and around her horn, wreathed in the fires of her mane, saw the blazing eyelashes above her eyes like magma and the fangs of her muzzle, twisted into an arrogant, evil, sadistic, psychotic smirk!

Beneath her head, she beheld the little protection she deigned to need: Each of her shoulders was defended by a pauldron with a sun-shaped besagew in front of her armpit.

A red metal, split into three and with a blazing sun engraved on it, stretched down from her neck! One prong was nestled between her breasts, the other two bands were a broad metal band covering her nipples! Beneath her tits, the three pieces flowed back together again, ending in a point that seemed to guide an onlookers attention to her pussy!

Around her hips, she wore a short half-skirt, leaving the front open for easy movement. Something which looked like thong armor covered her privates and armored boots reached up to her thighs, giving them a dangerous yet tempting framing.

When Celestia had fought King Sombra, she had tapped into this power, and the experience of giving into her fury had badly shaken her! Almost... almost she had turned into a force she knew was more than capable of stopping Sombra and, maybe, even all of his forces and henchponies... But at what cost? If she unleashed this power, gave in to its temptation... If she proved unable, or, ultimately, unwilling, to seal it again... She would become something worse than King Sombra or Nightmare Moon!

Her dark side. The temptation of finally cutting loose, to no longer hold back her powers, to give into her most base desires! To become... Daybreaker! Princess Celestia knew: if she opened this door just a little, especially with nopony to pull her back, she would be consumed by the burning passion. Sombra wanted to rule... Daybreaker? She too wanted to dominate! But what if she grew bored of ruling and finally elate only in destruction!? Would she burn the world? And what then? Maybe she'd keep a personal harem around? There was the mirror... Daybreaker would find a way to use it and either conquer, or burn, whatever world, or worlds, she came upon...

No. Even if this power could end the war then and there, the risk was too great. Equestria would have to brave... No! Would brave this challenge without it!

After two days, the preparations to free Nightmare Moon were complete. All they now needed was a full moon! And as luck would have it, this night? This night was a full moon! They had prepared a summoning circle, infused with the king's magic.

And now, at midnight, Twilight and Starlight began their summoning. The two, plus Sombra and Radiant Hope, stood around the circle, one pony north, south, east and west! Their magic combined above the circle and turned silver. Ominously, it proceeded to form a sort of cage around its borders.

A few moments later, a ball of darkness hit the ground! Swathes of shadow poured through the bars of light. When they receeded, all that was left was a stunning, dark-furred alicorn, clad in blue armor. Or at least something very fetishistic that might somewhat approach being called "armor"! Nightmare Moon's head and neck were covered in a skull cap with a hole for her horn! Her arms were covered up to her shoulders, including pauldrons, and her legs were armored up to her thighs. But her torso was left very unprotected! She wore something that almost looked like a corsett. If corsetts were open to the front! Both of her breasts was covered by what semeed like three metal claws swooping up from below, making it look like they were being grabbed. Her nethers hidden from sight by a half-skirt like Twilight's, together with a very expensive looking loincloth, dark and covered in stars.

"I HAVE RETURNED!" She announced in a voice so loud that it almost felt like it shook the surrounding area! "NIGHTMARE MOON IS FREE AGAIN! AND THIS TIME, NOPONY, NOT EVEN MY SISTER, SHALL HINDER ME!" Then, she noticed what was going on around her, and continued in a more reasonable volume: "Who are you? What do you want?"

"We are the ponies that have freed you." Twilight replied, trying to hide a little smile. It had actually worked! She had been confident that it would, but at the same time, she figured it was at best a 50/50 chance, since she had no idea how the magic Celestia had used for the banishment worked!

Obviously, the former princess' ego didn't take too well to the insinuation of having needed help: "Freed me? I have escaped on my own!"

"Look around, please!" A strong, deep, very confident voice came from behind Nigthmare Moon. Obviously a stallion. And if she could judge by the voice, a pony that would make for a very pleasant partner... or a very unpleasant rival. Well, she would not give him the pleasure of turning around to look at him just yet. Later, when it wouldn't look like had made turn around. "You are in the center of a magical circle that we used to call you back from the moon." She barely moved her head to take a look. Indeed, there was a magical circle.

"For your first escape, the stars aligned. It would have taken another thousand years for that to repeat, or longer!" The alicorn's eyes now fixated on Twilight, as if only now deigning her worthy of her attention. Seeing how the mare-in-the-moon looked at her, the unicorn, even empowered by the alicorn amulette and King Sombra, felt a shiver run down her spine! There was something incredibly greedy and possessive in it.

Nightmare Moon licked her lips. That unicorn looked like a tasty little morsel! Oh, she wanted to have her! Celestia had managed to banish her back to the moon before Nightmare Moon had even had the chance to start looking at stallions and mares for her harem! Her dear sister had no idea how pent up you were after a millenium on the moon...

Almost imperceptibly, she swallowed a little before she continued, "My assistant and I worked the last few days to create this spell. On the orders of our ruler, King Sombra." Twilight gesticulated at the stallion behind Nightmare Moon.

This time, she turned around. Slowly, and as if the title of 'King' didn't mean anything to her. His looks certainly convinced. Maybe, once she had her revenge on her sister, he would fall to her? "King Sombra, I presume?"

"Indeed, Princess." The smile on his face was a weird mix. Half-smug, half-charming. His voice carried with an easy confidence of somepony who always got his way. And who knew how to get his way if the other didn't just want to acquiesce. And indeed, he was quite handsome! Certainly a pony to keep in mind for later... "I had Twilight Sparkle summon you back from the moon to offer you to work for me."

Twilight Sparkle was her name? Certainly a fitting one. "Why should I work for you? I am Nightmare Moon! Princess of the moon! Ruler of the Night! And the true ruler of Equestria!" The last one, she spat out in vitriolic hatred of her older sister!

This time, his voice was far less cordial. "Because, for one, we could banish you back to the moon right now."

"I was able to wait out 1,000 years!" Nightmare Moon scoffed! "I can stomach another millenium if I have to!"

"True," Sombra's voice was devoit of any emotion, "or you could stay in Equestria and work for me to get revenge on Celestia."

The ancient mare raised an eyebrow. "What is your business with my sister?"

"She is an obstacle that I want to eliminate. And since you know her like no other pony and have powers to rival her own,..."

"Why should I help you?"

"Because twice you were unable to defeat her on your own. We considered it a reasonable proposition to offer: Help us and get your revenge."

"What would you have from that? I doubt you would free me without wanting something for yourself out of it."

"Celestia would be gone. And you, if you accept my deal, would work for me."

Nightmare Moon broke into hysterical laughter! "You upstart! Why should I work for you once my sister is gone?!"

"What would you do if you beat her?" He countered.

"Banish her to the moon! And then, I will show the ponies to beauty of MY eternal night! They will learn to love it!"

"And after you plunged the world into eternal night? What then?" Twilight shot back! In her mind, there was a massive flaw in the princess's plan that any sane pony should have noticed! "Sooner rather than later all the plants would start dying off. And that would, by extension, mean all ponies, maybe even all life, would die!"

"I will use my magic to keep them alive!" Nightmare Moon replied, spinning around! The young one had fire! Even better! It would be fun to break her in... Apparently, this king wasn't great at making his subjects obedient little things...

"Until the exhaustion does you in. Even an alicorn as powerful as you would fall to fatigue sooner or later! And then everything else would start to die! Not to mention the psychological effects of an eternal night!" Like depression...

This sort of foolish contriarianism annoyed the princess... "Alternatively, I could fly off, go and help my sister and then turn against her! Or find pawns elsewhere!"

"That would mean that she would have to trust you first! Also, do you have any idea where we are?" King Sombra's sardonic laughter sounded like mockery to Nightmare Moon! "We are standing in front of Canterlot! It is under siege and Celestia is holed up in her castle! And you won't be able to leave the summoning circle until we allow it!" Now, his voice turned ice cold: "This I offer to you: Serve me! Get revenge on Celestia... and become the ruler of a vasallized Equestria!"

Hearing that, Nightmare Moon took a closer look at the city behind the self-procclaimed king! It did seem to be Canterlot, though she hadn't seen it in a thousand years! And indeed, there was a castle now. It seemed like two huge magical forces were at a constant struggle around it... "And what if, say, I were to go against your wishes? What could you do to stop me?" She asked, apparently honestly contemplating the offer. Inside, however, she was fuming and already planning a way to turn everything against this upstart ursurper! As if she'd serve some self-proclaimed wannabe king! This world was hers to rule! Hers alone!

"Nothing. Well, nothing except to wage war against you, like I am doing against your sister right now." It was a blatant lie, but she didn't need to know that. None of the others did.

Tooherself, Nightmare Moon had to admit that this was probably the best deal she could hope for. It would certainly beat being sent back to the moon again! "Alright..." She faux-grumbled. Sooner or later, she would find a way to turn everything on Sombra! Well, now it was time for the fun part... She pointed at Twilight! "But I want her as part of my reward!"

"An acceptable condition. Twilight will start working for you tomorrow afternoon. Until then, I still have a few things she has to do for me."

Twilight was shocked at how he had just traded her away! As they left, and Nightmare Moon took flight to take a look at how Canterlot had changed since her banishment, she turned to Sombra and pleaded with him! "Your Majesty! How... how could you just pawn me off like that?! Have I displeased you?"

"Twilight, Twilight, Twilight..." Sombra shook his head, slightly amused. "You don't really believe I would give one of my best slaves away just like that? One carrying one of my children at that!" He gently cupped her face and stared into her eyes. "I expect that Nightmare Moon would try to backstab me sooner or later-..."

"I'd never allow that!" She quickly reassured him!

The king began to grin dangerously as he whispered: "I know. But I took precautions. When you cast the spell, I added a generous helping of my magic. Not just to assist the summoning, but to add a little... extra."

"Oh... Clever! I should have thought of that!"

"I expect that, around the time we are in control of Canterlot, Nightmare Moon will be a submissive slave. Or at least very close to it, needing only a little push. Maybe we will even see her original personality. Wouldn't it be nice to reconnect two estranged sisters as my pets?"

"My king... you're making me sooo wet right now." Twilight cooed in amusement.

"Then let's have some fun tonight," He suggested, gently rubbing over her belly, "before you start serving Nightmare Moon... for the time being."

Three days later, Twilight was happy that the siege would soon be over! Attending to the power mad alicorn's whims was not a job the science and magic-research minded unicorn appreciated. At least for now, she was being used like a maid! Also, Nightmare Moon had shown an unhealthy obsession with when she was going to give birth... Either because of her body, or because of the potential of the foal... Then again, Sombra would most likely demand his child back anyway... Twilight had a feeling that the former princess that it was the former anyway. Nightmare Moon wanted her, maybe as a good little pet...

Well, soon she'd be diappointed. Very soon, Twilight grinned to herself. King Sombra had recovered enough to get active again, the wound still hurting, but having healed up. Tonight, it was time for the final assault!

Nightmare Moon's knowledge of her sisters' mind had been a valuable asset to the preparations, though it might not have been needed after all! The shield seemed to have weakened further, retreated a little... As it was now, Twilight, Starlight, Nightmare Moon, Radiant Hope and King Sombra would focus a magical blast on a part of the shield. It should create a hole large enough for at least part of the king's forces to pass through before it could recover, and once the princess was engaged in combat, she soon would have to decide if she was to fight, or keep the defensive measures up!

Now, it was time. Sombra's forces were lining up at the base of the shield. Tempest Shadow was in overall command of the troops. Rainbow Dash lead her fellow pegasi, ordered primarily to keep the nummerically superior equestrian pegasi in check. Twilight, who had given them a detailed description of the castle's layout, and Starlight would lead one of the contingents, Applejack and Big Mac another. They couldn't split up too much.

The plan was very simple: Sombra and Nightmare Moon would gun for Celestia. Lob off the head, and the body dies. The others, in the meantime, would cause chaos, bind reinfocements and just generally try to keep as many ponies from escaping, or trying to escape, as possible!

Sombra, Twilight, Radiant Hope and Nightmare Moon prepared to unleash their combined magic against the base of the shield! After a few moments, a hole began to open! This was it. The endgame. If they failed, if they misjudged Celestia's strength and the strength of the forces behind the shield, even if they escaped, they would take a serious lashing, if they could escape at all If they won, the war was as good as over.

The troops hurried through the opening, before it began to close again. While they were ordered to cause chaos, they were under strict orders not to destroy too much of King Sombra's future property. They had chosen a spot that was close to the castle and would avoid much of the populated, overcrowded part of the city that was protected by the shield. The later they'd be noticed, the better.

Once the fighting began, they knew, many of the ponies outside would do their best to surge into the castle to help the defenders. It had to be quick.

And the stealth would end about now. They had reached the castle walls. They had been built with representative function as a primary concern, rather than their defensive value, but they still were broad enough for three ponies to walk shoulder-to-shoulder on them, with room to spare! Letting out an evil cackle, Nightmare Moon volunteered to blow a hole into it. The first little step towards her vengeance on Celestia.

Her horn flashed, and moments later, a large explosion blew a hole into the wall! AS the dust settled, Nightmare Moon laughed maniacally, screaming "CHARGE! CHARGE!!! LET'S SHOW MY SISTER!!!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. Ham it up some more, she thought, annoyed. No wonder Celestia beat her twice, if that was how she always acted. Probably was too busy cackling and shouting to fight her off...

As they poured onto the castle grounds, the troops split into multiple groups. Most of the pegasi took to the air, but a small number remained to be distributed to the other groups. Tempest Shadow lead the main part of the force towards the throne room, drawing as much attention as they could. Big Mac and Applejack focused on another area, and Twilight and Starlight would take care of the archives and library.

It was impressive how quickly the defending forces rallied, with even the staff joining in.

Letting their unit, in their masked helmets and armor, run wild, Twilight, her father, Starlight, and a small guard unit, strolled through the corridors. Night Light himself had been stuffed into a full suit of armor, minus the face mask, and a modification in the groin area. He still had a chain around his neck, however, with which his daughter led him. Twilight had decided to keep him as her bodyguard, at least until everything was over. If she was being honest, she was looking forward to a future of quiet servitude to her king, and magical research. She would get the glory she had craved, and a peaceful life with her family. Her old, and her new family. At least until the next war came, which it would sureldy do. But for now, a little vacation was just right.

Then, she saw a very familiar face at the head of a small guard squad, hurry down the corridor towards them! She grinned and, amused, yet with more than a hint of malice, she greeted her former companion: "Hello, Moondancer!"

Moondancer was almost speechless when she realized that her former compatriot, and even friend, stood in front of her. With an armed squad. "Tw-Twilight?!"

"Huh..." Starlight chuckled, taking a good look at hte other unicorn, "when you told me about her, I didn't expect her to be so cute!"

"Who-who's that?" A shiver ran down Moondancer's spine as she heard the other unicorn talk about her like that. Her guards pushed forward and formed a protective wall.

"Starlight Glimmer?" Twilight shrugged "Basically... Your replacement. She is doing the same things for me that you did, and more."

Ouch. That one stung. Moondancer had thought that there'd been a genuine friendship between them, and that Twilight had valued her contributions. "Are you pregnant?"

"Yeah. With King Sombra's foal."

"A cute, little wallflower!" Starlight turned to Twilight... "Maybe we should help her bloom later?"

"I like the idea. Hey! Moondancer! If you want, you can work for me again!" Moondancer was uncomfortable and blushing heavily.

They were interrupted when another female voice came from one of the side corridors that lead into the one the two groups were standing in. It was a voice, two of them were all too familiar with: "Night Light?! TWILIGHT?!"

Something stirred in Night Light... "V-Velvet..." He managed to force out of his mouth.

"Oh, come on! Really?! 'True love' and that shit?!" Twilight was very much annoyed at how just hearing her mother's voice apparently managed to get her dad to fight against Sombra's magic! It actually made her worry that, if they failed here, Celestia might be able to reverse their spells... Pulling her dad closer to her, she turned to face the new arrival. "Hi, mom! Nice to see you again!" Shooting a glance down at her dad's crotch, she added: "And dad is also happy to see you!"

Once the night was over, it would be a little family reunion! Missing only her brother, and sister-in-law... And she'd have a new assistant! Twilight smirked to herself. Serving King Sombra had given her plenty of rewards already, and she'd only receive more! Unlike the thankless work for Princess Celestia! Or, maybe, she already was Princess Slutlestia?

Meanwhile somewhere else, Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, Thunderlane and Soarin hovered around one of the castle's towers. They observed the shadows they saw.

Inside the tower, one griffoness was calling for another: "Gabby!

"Yes, Gilda?" The grey griffoness hurried to her superior!

Gilda Griffon grabbed the younger griffon at her shoulders and sternly looked into her eyes! "Go!" She told her, while pointing out of a window.

"What?!"

"GO!" The brown griffoness repeated! "Go back to Griffonstone and tell the others what happened here! Warn them!"

"But-..." Gabby struggled for words, surprise, confusion, duty and loyalty warring with each other.

"I'll stay behind and cover your getaway!" Gilda told her, stuffing important-looking papers, maps and more into a messanger bag. "Just remember to get through that spell as fast as possible, before it manages to affect you! Once you're past the shield, do not. Slow. Down."

"But... wouldn't it make more sense for you to go, while I hold them off?" The other one suggested. "You are my commanding officer! It's more important for you to get away!"

"I am the better fighter... And responsible for you. Also, you're faster, that's why you're the designated messanger!" The older griffon threw the bag over Gabby's shoulders. "Let's go!" Gilda opened the large window and jumped!

After a moment, Gabby followed, and the two griffons spread their wings. They soared towards the tip of the shield protecting them, when... "Huh... Didn't expect griffons!" A tall, dark pegasus stallion cut them off, trying to grab Gabby!

"Leave her alone!" Gilda shouted, about to rush their opponent! The stallion seemed familiar, but, she couldn't quite put her claw on it...

But before she could reach him, a cyan blue obstacle appeared between her and the pegasus! A very familiar voice, in a mocking tone, told her: "Ahahah! Not so fast!"

"Rainbow Dash?!" The griffon looked like she was staring at a ghost! "Why...? How...? What...?" She stammered, before noticing what was behind her: "Your wings?!"

"Hello, Gilda!" Dash smirked. "Yes, I have wings again! King Sombra gave them to me... A reward for me joining him!" Her smirk turned face-splitting when she saw Spitfire quietly appear behind her old friend! "And soon, you will also serve him. Together with me!"

However, as if warned by a sixth sense, Gilda managed to dodge Spitfire's assault! The fiery pegasus crashing into Rainbow Dash, hindering and disorienting both of them for a few moments! This opened the way for her to free Gabby! She propelled herself forward with fierce, powerful thrusts of her wings! Thunderlane was distracted by trying to keep the struggling griffon locked into his grasp! He didn't notice Gilda soaring towards him, until it was too late! She crashed into him, and they both began to tumble towards the ground!

The moment she was free, the younger griffon dashed off! Rainbow Dash and Spitfire had recovered, and dove after them! Thunderlane and Gilda herself got a hold of themselves now! As she was getting mobbed by the three attackers she used to work alongside, one of which she had considered a friend, Gilda called after her young companion: "GABBY! GO! FLY! FLY AND DON'T LOOK BACK!"

Tears of guilt of leaving Gilda, and Equestria, behind like this streaming down her face, Gabby flew like she never had before. She only stopped after many hours, when the sun rose.

As all of this went down, King Sombra, Radiant Hope and Nightmare Moon, together with an elite detachment of their guards, rushed through the corridors! They were hurrying towards Celestia's private quarters... According to some guards and staff they'd captured and interrogated, she should be there, trying to rest a little. Apparently, the shield right now was held up by a group of unicorns instead of herself.

In her room, Celestia had been woken from an all too shallow sleep by an explosion! She jumped out of her bed and quickly threw a gown over before she hurried to the balcony on the outside of her chambers! What she saw made her guts freeze! Scores of enemy troops were rushing through a breach in the wall!

Not even one night of sleep she was allowed... She felt drained... The sally had left her shaken to the core and Celestia had only just started to really regain her composure... Wasn't she allowed at least a good night's sleep?

Taking a deep breath, the princess shook these thoughts off! It was just the pressure, and the exhaustion, she told herself! She needed to be strong, and composed, for the good of Equestria! Barging back into her room, she hurried to put on her armor, but without calling for some help to do so, it would be slow.

At least she knew that the colts and fillies were in a secure location... That was a somewhat reassuring piece of knowledge, since it would mean that Sombra's forces wouldn't be able to use them as leverage!

The leg armor was the easy part! But now, she started to hear fighting in the hallway, and when the door got flung open, she had just managed to armor her arms! She had almost expected that this would happen when she'd seen their forces... But when Celestia turned to face her enemies, she was left petrified by shock! She had expected Tempest Shadow, Twilight Sparkle, or King Sombra himself!

Well, King Sombra was there alright, together with an unicorn mare... But both of them stood behind somepony she hadn't expected to see again. At least for a very long time... "Hello... Sister!" Nightmare Moon hissed angrily! "Surprised to see me?"

In her distress, Celestia wasn't able to fully control herself! She seemed almost insecure! "Luna?! But I-..."

"Banished me back to the moon? Yes, Tia, you did!" Nightmare Moon tried to seem calm, collected, superior. But she couldn't quite hide the venom in her voice! "And King Sombra freed me!" An evil grin spreading, she continued: "He did more for me than you ever did, sister dearest! He's been more generous than you!"

Everypony in the room knew it was a lie. But that didn't make the remark sting any less. Celestia had blamed herself so much for not having found another way to deal with her sister's issues, not even when she had returned... Now, hearing her own sister so smugly declare that this tyrant had done more for her...

"You look tired, princess... Exhausted even!" Sombra laughed sardonically, and his taunting didn't stop there: "Are you sure, that you want to fight us? You could just surrender and save all of us a lot of time!"

Anger flared in Celestia! "SILENCE!" She shouted, flinging a spell at Sombra and the mare as she fought down the urge to give into it, her mane almost turning into flames again, before she managed to supress it!

Both, Sombra and Radiant, had been prepared to defend against Celestia's attack. But, to their surprise, Nightmare Moon actually took that upon herself. She handily dispelled the attack, weakened by her sister's inner turmoil. "YOU CAN'T TRUST HIM, LUNA!"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" The younger alicorn snapped back! "I AM NIGHTMARE MOON! YOUR LITTLE SISTER IS GONE, AND ONLY I REMAIN!"

Again, she felt something stir inside of her! Maybe... Maybe she should just use it? Show those fools a power they stood no chance against, burn them to cinders... No! She should not... COULD not give into it! "I don't believe you!" Her voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet. But not without some warmth, hope, promises... "I know that the real Luna is still inside of you! Hoping that I can end this nightmare of hers!"

"Tia..." Her sister whimpered.

Radiant raised an eyebrow! Nightmare Moon suddenly looked small, almost like a scared little filly who's parents had just told herhow disappointed they were that she had done something stupid, and dangerous. But also, how they know that she could do better, and that they believed in her! The queen couldn't help but to feel moved... She didn't have any siblings, but how Celestia must have suffered because of what she had to do to protect Equestria... If she was being honest, part of her almost wanted the princess to get through to her sister...

Sombra didn't like it. If the two alicorns teamed up, even with his magic in play, they could be able to turn the tables on him!

"Luna! Please! Fight against her! Fight against the Nightmare Force! Fight against Nightmare Moon! Come back to me!" Celestia implored her little sister! And it seemed to work! Nightmare Moon was clutching her head, apparently having an internal struggle!

The king prepared a spell. But moments later, the dark alicorn began to laugh! It started as a cackle, and quickly devolved into a vile, mad, taunting laugh! Her hands still pressed against her head, Nightmare Moon began to speak again: "Sorry to disappoint you, Celestia! THIS is the true me! I am in control! The old me was weak and pathetic! I am strong! I won't let myself get overshadowed by you any longer!!"

Still laughing, Nightmare Moon lunged at her sister!

Sombra looked at his wife. They had originally planned to fight Celestia together, but, apparently, Nightmare Moon's hatred ran deep enough for that sort of thought to take a backseat. At least when aggrevated.

Radiant just shrugged. If they tired each other out, that was fine as well.

Despite being confined to Celestia's, admittedly very spacious, chambers, the battle between the alicorns was impressive! Dazzling displays of magical might interspersed with impressive physical prowess! Seeing those two amazonian beauties wrestle, sweat glistening on their furs, made Sombra mentally take a note to have them do that as entertainment for him later... Maybe with some adjustements...

Being honest, Sombra was surprised how well Nightmare Moon held her own against her older sister! Either, she was stronger than he had assumed, or the plot they had come up with to wear Celestia down had had some success, considering she had won against her younger sister twice already! Be it physical exhaustion or mental anguish at everything that had happened and having to face her younger sister for a third time, but the princess didn't seem quite as formidable as usual!

However, the fight couldn't be allowed to drag on for too long! For one, if the garrison managed to rally and fight back, worse, if the ponies of Canterlot rallied and began to reinforce the garrison, it might get a bit... unpleasant. Worse! The magical attacks between the sisters began to grow less and less focused, and it wouldn't do if they levelled Sombra's and Radiant's new castle without even noticing! Without speaking a word, just by looking into each others' eyes, king and queen knew what to do next...

As the sisters were locked into single combat, distracted by each other, Sombra and Radiant Hope started to move. Carefully, they avoided stray blasts and anything that might draw attention at them! They got into position just as Celestia was charging a powerful blast... And the two followed suit.

Nightmare Moon, seeing the destructive power her sister was gathering, panicked! Without thinking, she shot a blast at Celetia! The moment it went flying, she knew it would be far too weak to be anything but a minor inconvenience! It would hit her, and just fizzle out...

Instead, when the blast hit Celestia, it created a major explosion! To Nightmare Moon's own surprise! The blast must have had more power than she had thought... SHE must be more powerful than she had expected! Then again, she was Nightmare Moon, the queen of the Nightmare Force!

Sombra and Radiant watched as Celestia toppled over like a chopped down tree. The smell of burned fur filled the royal couples' nostrils as they looked at the wisps of smoke rising from a scorced patch on her back.

"I DID IT!" Again, Nightmare moon laughed like a maniac! "I FINALLY DID IT! CELESTIA LIES DEFEATED AT MY HOOVES!" She knelt down and grabbed her sister's head. "Soon, I will show you what kind of a miserable existence it is to be stuck on the moon!" Still laughing, she rose to her full height again! "Now that my sister is dealt with,-" Nightmare Moon turned around, panting heavily, the laughter fading and her voice turning cold and serious, "-It is time to renegotiate our deal..."

That mare really had an overblown sense in her own superiority! Here she was, exhausted, almost defeated, and yet she wanted to fight the rested, if still slightly hurting, King Sombra? Maybe she thought that her pathetic spell had defeated Celestia! "I beg to differ." The king replied coldly.

"You beg to differ?" She laughed mockingly!" You BEG to differ?! My sister lies beaten at my hooves! You are nothing compared to her, or me! Instead of my sister's willing weakness, BEHOLD THE POWER OF AN ALICORN UNLEASHED!"

As Radiant Hope watched, Sombra chuckled. It was as cold as his words had been before. "Kneel!" He commanded even icier.

"I will never-..." Before she could finish her defiant reply, the princess' body lowered itself to the ground! Nightmare Moon was in utter disbelief of what had just happened! "What... Why am I-...?! My body isn't..."

"You really thought I'd leave somepony like you without precautions?" Sombra scoffed, taunting her! "You lost the moment you were summoned... Princess Luna."

Fighting against her own body to rise, she shot him hate-filled stares. "DON'T CALL ME THAT! I AM NIGHTMARE MOON!" The alicorn spat out! "I defeated my sister! I will not surrender to some upstart mongrel!"

"Without our help,-" the king pulled his beloved wife to him, "-you wouldn't have been freed. Celestia would have beaten you again. You would be rotting on the moon."

"Bow. Down." Radiant added, her tone almost as cold as her husband's! It was almost a surprise even to her husband. She so rarely dropped down so far...

Again, Nightmare Moon went down to her knees! Again, she struggled to rise again! But this time, she was unable to. A defiant, hate-filled glare levelled at him, Sombra pulled the alicorn's helmet off, and slipped one of his inhibitor rings onto her horn. "Time to make make you obedient..."

Sombra blasted her with his mind-control spell! Tired, and exhausted, even if Nightmare Moon would have never admitted how much everything had taken out of her, the princess's will gave way slowly, but steadily. And there was that small part of her mind that, since aeons, had fought against the darkness inside of her, that so wanted to return to her sisters side! And the more Nightmare Moon's will retreated, the more the darkness of her fur receeded. More and more of her normal fur colors showed...

The beaten Celestia raised her head. "L-Luna?" She whispered weakly.

A few minutes later, Sombra's work on Nightmare Moon was almost done. Or rather, his work on Princess Luna, for this was who was kneeling in front of him now. She was obedient now, but not fully loyal. Bent, not broken. That would come soon! And Sombra would enjoy it. A lot. Adressing his wife, he told her: "Her Nightmare Moon persona is still there, but supressed. If need be, we can have her switch back to it." Radiant nodded. She knew what he meant. In both regards. "And now, I think it's time to proclaim our victory. And end the fighting!" He grinned.

"Yes, dear!"

Slipping another one of his rings onto Celestia's horn, he again turned to his wife: "Give me the collars."

On his command, Radiant pulled out two jet-black collars. Each was fitted with a blood red stone, in the shape of a star, on the front. The king snapped them around each of the sisters' necks, then conjured a magical chain.

Sombra dragged the sisters after him as he stepped onto a balcony, overseeing the chaos outside. His horn glowed as he cast a spell to amplify his voice. It also would slowly subject everypony that was listening to the effects of his mind-altering magic. This alteration had been very complex, and Starlight had truly outshone herself! "PONIES OF CANTERLOT! ROYAL GUARD!" He thundered, his voice now easily carrying over the castle grounds and the free parts of Canterlot! "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! YOUR PRINCESS HAS FALLEN! And so has her sister. SURRENDER YOURSELVES AND STOP THE UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION!"

Elsewhere, the fighting stopped. The equestrian fighters out of shock, surprise, or plain confusion, the Crystal Empire forces because they had been ordered to, when the king announced his triumph. However, very quickly a lot of the equestrian forces resumed their fighting, with Sombra's troops now on the defensive! They didn't believe, didn't want to believe that their princess had fallen!

With a harsh tug on the chain, Sombra pulled Celestia into his projection. Tired, beaten and broken, she made for a pitiful appearance. Her partially armored night gown was torn, barely hiding her dignity.. And now, to break her and her ponies, King Sombra would make them all watch as he plowed their beloved princess... As he broke the remainder of her resistance and made her his servant, his slave, his pet, and his brood mare!

Easily, the powerful unicorn lifted the tall alicorn up, so that anypony that was looking at the balcony could see them, and, thanks to his spell, everypony who couldn't see them would be able to hear them. Radiant, with a few, swift hand movements, pulled her husband's piece out, without Celestia noticing.

"Who are you?" King Sombra asked her gruffly, Radiant giving the chain a little tug.

Her eyes flashing with anger, she replied, through gritted teeth, "Princess Celestia of Equestria!"

Immediately recognizing her voice, many equestrian's lost heart hearing her respond to Sombra. For others, it just fanned the flames of anger. But for now, they all just listened.

"Whom do you serve?" The deep, dark voice of Sombra continued.

The reaction was not what Sombra would have liked... "NOT YOU!" She barked defiantly back at him! "THE ONLY PONIES I SERVE ARE MY LITTLE PONIES OF EQUESTRIA!"

Hearing this, all of her forces, and the ponies in the city, found new heart! The lul in the combat ended when they attacked Sombra's forces with redoubled effort!

These words hadn't been what he would have liked. It had been, on the other hand, what he had expected. Being honest to himself, he preferred it this way... His right hand moved up, stopping for a moment to give one of her large tits a little squeeze, before grabbing her jaw. "Now, I will break you!" He whispered into her ear. "Once and for all. And after you, it's your sister's turn. Then you both can serve me together. Admit it, you want to be reunited with Luna."

An annoyed, slightly scared, groan was the answer. At least until he lowered her onto his waiting dick.

Sombra had to admit: The princess' pussy was divine! Honestly, anything less just wouldn't have been appropriate for Princess Celestia!

And Celestia had to admit: King Sombra's dick was divine! Probably the best she had had in over a thousand years! Even better than Mirror-Sombra, his good counterpart in an alternate Equestria, with whom she had had a doomed affair a long time ago! He had been suave, and kind, and, when she had been in a bad place, a comforting, consoling shoulder to rest on. Until... things happened and she couldn't visit him anymore.

And yet, this version of him, this villain... When he had penetrated her, it was like nothing she had felt before! His cock filled her out so well, and the whole situation, demeaning and distasteful as it was, somehow made everything just more exciting for the princess! It was... weird. On the one hand, she hated what was happening! But on the other, being used like this, it was just unlike anything she had experienced before. Any time she had needed to satisfy her sexual needs it had always been with ponies that almost worshipped her, nervous, grateful, worried about doing anything wrong! And, she had to be that honest, usually not quite her match, the issues of being an alicorn. As such, she had almost always ended up being the natural domme, and the few times she hadn't dommed, it had been more in the ballpark of equals.

Sombra, however, was taking her like a whorse! Like a needy slut who'd sell her last shirt for a fuck! It was... kind off refreshing? The unicorn had no restraint as he was plowing her, he knew what he wanted, and had no issue just taking it! It was the best sex Celestia had ever had... And she felt her mind slip, felt how the dark overlord's cock and magic did their work on her! Worst of all, a part of her welcomed it! Pleasure, peace... no more responsibilities, no longer having to carry the weight of Equestria on her shoulders, no hard choices to make... Just pleasure... She didn't even realize that he'd been fucking her for several minutes now, with no sign of slowing down!

Hearing her moan, feeling how she squaled, and how her pussy clamped down on his shaft, the king asked her, "What do you love?"

"COCK!" The word had left her mouth before Celestia's mind had even realized the question! But it had felt... good to say it? It was as if aeons of pent up desires began to unload themselves, bursting a dam she hadn't even known to have errected.

The protective barrier around the last free corners of Canterlot began to fade away. Either Celestia, or whatever other ponies had been feeding it with magic, had stopped keeping it up. Maybe the spell itself had fallen apart. In a matter of moments, all of the equestrian capital was engulfed in Sombra's magic!

"Whose cock, whore?" Sombra roughly asked her now...

If everything so far had been bad enough for the ponies of Equestria, hearing Sombra talk like this to their beloved princess was worse! And yet, it would get worse still...

"YOURS!" She cried out!

"What are you?" He continued, egging her on!

"I am Princess Ce-... I am King Sombra's slave! His fucktoy! His cumdump!" As she screamed these words, Celestia's face had taken on a lewd, submissive expression, her tongue hanging out of her mouth as she panted like a bitch in heat.

As the magic began to do its work, the fighting was slowly dying down again. More and more ponies, in the process of being turned into Sombra's subjects, gathered in front of the castle, on the castle grounds, and wherever they could watch how their princess was defiled...

More and more ponies began to kneel, as heir gazes were fixed on King Sombra claiming their princess. Nopony knew how much time had exactly passed, but it felt, at the same time, as if he'd been fucking Celestia for a few minutes, and a whole eternity. A shiver ran down their spines as they heard him ask: "What do you want?"

No longer holding anything back, Celestia let shouted her desires into the night! "Cum! I want to cum! I want to be filled with cum! I want to serve!"

She asked, and she received. Never before she'd been fucked like this. Been used like this... And, as much as a tiny, steadly fading voice in the back of her head tried to convince her otherwise, she never didn't want to go back to when she hadn't known this pleasure!

With a little smile, Radiant, for now, lifted her contraception spells on everypony. For now, it was probably time to consolidate, rebuild and make new plans... Then, as husband let Celestia down onto the balcony, she offered Princess Luna to him. Gently, Radiant Hope gave their new pet a head pat, and the way Celestia reciporated by pressing her head against her hand... It was proof that she was now theirs.

"Ponies of Canterlot!" The king adressed his new subjects as he bent Luna over the railing! "Your princess has fallen! So has her sister, whom you know as Nightmare Moon! You have resisted me long enough!" And they would no longer. The vast majority of them already had succumbed to his magic, and for the others, it would be but a matter of minutes. "We had to siege you for weeks! My troops need to b low off some steam! So, all of you should offer yourselves to them!"

As their new sovereign commanded, most of the remaining ponies, abased themselves almost immediately before his forces! Stallion or Mare, it didn't matter! And the soldiers gladly took the offer... Plowing the former Nightmare Moon to his heart's content, and later having Radiant, and Celestia, join, Sombra enjoyed watching the orgy on the castle grounds.

So did Twilight Sparkle and the others. They already had their partners, however. Thinking back, she had to admit that Canterlot society had always been pretty stuffy and boring! Well, that would no longer be the case.... Especially with her mother and father drinking from her milk-laden tits.

A few days later, the great spell had fizzled out, no longer needed, and the worst of the damages had been reasonably well repaired. It would take a while for Canterlot to shine in its old glory again. Or rather, its new glory! Sombra's new subjects had quickly returned to their homes and continued their lifes with their families, some casualties not withstanding. It was like always... just under new management. Colts and fillies returned home from their secure hiding places... And nopony would ever dream of trying to go against their beloved king!

In King Sombra's new castle meanwhile, Rarity had a surprise for all of them! She had, with some help, made new outfits for all the female members of Sombra's inner circle! Two outfits for each mare/dragoness! Exotic dancer outfits, based on Saddle-Arabian designs she had seen a long time ago, as well as harem costumes! Well, now she wanted to make new ones for Gilda, apparently an old friend of Rainbow Dash, and Celestia and Luna! And maybe some other designs?

When they had celebrated their victory in earnest, all of the girls had dressed in the dancer attires and performed for the king. To everypony's surprise, Cloudy Quartz had been the most impressive! It was as if her previous life had held her back!

15 Epilogue

Months had passed since Sombra's conquest of Canterlot. The city had quickly recovered from the damages of the siege and most of Equestria was now under his iron rule! Most. Not all of it. The heavily populated eastern coast, centered around the major cities of Baltimare, Fillydelphia and Manehattan, was, thanks to its industrial power and populations, still able to put up a dogged resistance!

Down south, Appleloosa had been captured, but most of the population had dispersed into the desert, and allied with the buffalos, old grudges paling in comparison with King Sombra. They were waging a very annoying guerrila war, the important supply lines in the arid, empty wastes of the region an easy target.

On the west coast, the picture was not dissimilar. Most population centers had been captured, though a few major ones still held out, while irregular warfare was waged in other areas. The pacification was just a matter of time, but it was an annoying distraction, binding a not-insubstantial amount of troops. Especially since the griffons seemed to be gearing up their forces...

For now, though, there was an uneasy peace along the borders to the Griffonstone. In general, pacification of unruly areas aside, King Sombra and his advisors were making plans for the future... The next enemy would, most likely, unless the griffons or anyone else attacked, be Queen Chrysalis and her changeling hive!

For one, she and her changelings, with their abilities of infiltration, were simultanously a great potential asset, and one of the biggest threats, next to an all out dragon invasion, to the king! And unlike the dragons, who, for now, lacked a unifying will to go against him and were individualistic, they were a unified force who followed their leader without question. Their shapeshifting abilities would allow them to act as spies, as assassins, saboteurs without any difficulties, as long as they did their homework on their targets...

And then, Queen Chrysalis was as power-hungry and controlling as King Sombra himself. Who knew what she was planning to do right now? What she might be plotting with, or against, probably both, Shining Armor? If she hadn't already brainwashed him again... The changeling queen was the biggest active threat to him now that the Princesses of Equestria were laid low, and would have to be dealt with soon, because sooner or later, she would try to gun for him, maybe even try to replace parts of his harem, or even Radiant! And there was only place for one queen that was his equal in Equestria. And Queen Chysalis it was not...

Also, Twilight insisted on getting back her "BBBFF" from that vile, villainous seductress! She wanted her whole family around for her to indugle in, and that included Shining Armor and his wife... And from what Sombra knew, Shining would be a decent asset.

The king sat on Canterlot's throne, contemplating the situation as servants fanned him, and his wife to his left and Fluttershy to his right, fresh air. Celestia and Luna, now his slaves and very pregnant, , had their collars currently chained to his arm rests. Celestia was chained to his right-hand side, Luna to his left-hand side.. They lounged lasciviously before the throne, Celestia's own former throne, abased themselves, fed him treats, or, as right now, serviced him. Wearing skimply slave outfits, they had become such good pets... Sometimes they accompanied Radiant, and/or Fluttershy or others into town, going to the market... And for each of them, being able to participate in normal, every day life like this... There was a part of them, deep down, untouched by Sombra's brainwashing, that elated in it. No more responsibilities. No more burdens of government. The only things they had to do was raise sun and moon. Servitude was bliss. Obedience was happiness.

On the topic of pregnancy... Two weeks after they had moved into the new castle, and after she had managed to set up permanent portals between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire, as well as the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters, which Sombra planned to rebuild, Twilight had given birth! Helped by her mom and dad, she had given birth to a healthy little colt! His name was "Dusk Shine", and he looked like a male version of his mother...

Rarity hadn't been been far behind. A few days later, she gave birth to Elusive, another unicorn colt who looked uncannily like his mother! And at about the same time, Barb's egg had hatched, adding the little dragon Spike to their group.

It was almost a little uncanny how much the boys looked like male versions of their mothers... But something told King Sombra that the young ones would be as interesting and talented as their their mothers. And considering that his seed was in the mix, maybe even more so!

In general, much to Radiant Hope's and Fluttershy's delight, family life had helped to mellow King Sombra out substantially! Their love and devotion for him helped to sooth the pains of his past, and his umbrum heritage, and his love, yes love, for them, and his children, helped as well. They all knew, however, that the nastier parts of his personality, his desire for total control, conquest and domination were only restrained, not overcome. If bad things happened, the king would become his worst self again, like a thousand years ago...

Adding to the recent births, Silver Spoon, Zecora were, at most, a month or two away from adding their foals to the family. And during the victory celebrations, the king had also knocked up Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy (again), Diamond Tiara, Limestone, and Cloudy Quartz, as well as a few members of the staff, including the Spa-Twins.

And they weren't the only new pregnancies either! During the consolidation of their situation, Applejack,Rainbow Dash, Tempest Shadow, Maud and Pinkie, and Spitfire had also gotten pregnant!

Applejack was wearing a shirt reading "Breed me more!" that barely covered her tits and didn't even approach to hide her pregnant belly. Together with her knee high boots, and her daisy dukes she didn't bother to zip up, it gave her a slutty country mare look that she very much rocked. When she wanted to look a little bit more representable, she just wore a very loose fitting dress. And she had started to call the king "Daddy". Sombra found it actually kind of charming, considering he was much older than her. She claimed that it was family tradition to call the male head of the family "daddy" and that the main reasons she never called Big Mac that was because their grandmother had effectively been the head of the family while she was alive, in part due to her stubborn nature, and because they weren't that far apart, so it would have felt weird to call her a few years older brother "daddy".

The king, however, had the feeling that this was just an excuse and that the early death of her parents had left her with a few daddy issues.

Applejack, Tempest Shadow, and Rainbow Dash had had the idea to put on a nude wrestling tournament in which the winner would get bred by the king. Pinkie and Maud had participated, as had Lyra and Bon-Bon, as well as some of the other mares in his forces and even some of the palace staff. Of course, the latter had washed out fairly quickly, though not without putting on a nice show.

In the end, the semi-finales had, to the surprise of nopony, been Tempest Shadow, Ranbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, after Maud had let her pass in the prior round.

Rainbow had faced off against Pinkie and won, not just by skill, but also by intelligence. She had managed to distract the pink pony by claiming that there was a party about to start behind her. It had been a little embarassing.

Applejack's superior strength had won her her match against Tempest. And, after a long and hard-fought match, it had done the same in the finale. King Sombra had bred her then and there! And, since he had been in a very good mood due to the superb entertainment, the runner-up had been knocked up as well!

The tournament had been a one-and-done deal, but every now and then, for entertainmen, an exhibition match was still put on. It didn't help that, by now, all of the big competitors, had gotten pregnant.

Tempest had come into the king's chamber the same night, wearing a very lewd set of lingerie, very fine work by Rarity, and basically demanded that Sombra breed her as recognition for her deeds. He had obliged.

Pinkie Pie had organized a party to celebrate the pregnancies and births and slipped some aphrodisiacs she'd gotten from Zecora into the food. Sombra had knocked her up at the party. Together with Gilda. As a punishment, Pinkie had had to do the cleaning all alone. Under the stern gazes of her mother and sisters.

Spitfire got knocked up by Soarin later. Marble and Sugar Belle were pregnant with Big Mac's children. After his victory, and considering his value, and good service, he had given him the privilege to have her bear his children first, before the king himself might get in the mood.

Hopefully, the children of his fighters would be born before major fighting resumed. If he was being honest to himself, Sombra actually worried a little if he could raise his children well... But then again, he had ample of help, especially with Twilight's parents now being able to help alongside Cloudy Quartz!

In other regards, Rarity had been pestering King Sombra for a while now to make certain ways of dressing punishable on pain of death, or at least prison and a beating. For example, wearing shoes that did not cover the ankles together with pants that also leave that area free... To quote her: "if you want to show off leg, do it properly! DO NOT COMMIT SUCH A SIN AGAINST TASTEFUL FASHION!"

Also, she wanted an assistant. Before the war started, and afterwards in the uniform sweat shop, she'd been working with a mare called Coco Pommel. She had shown them a picture of her, and she really was a cutie! Unfortunately, she seemed to stay in Manehattan, so it would take a while for her to join them. But once they got her... There also was a Suri Polomare, a well-respected designer...

Twilight Sparkle meanwhile had a little personal project cooking on the side! Working with Moondancer, Zecora, Starlight Glimmer and, when they weren't paraded around as Sombra's trophies, even the Royal Sisters, she was trying to find a way to allow all of them to live as long as King Sombra would! That they would all stay together! All of them belonged to their king, and Twilight wanted this to be for all eternity! None of the others disagreed. Their lives belonged to him, and they wanted it to last for as long as possible!

As many of them were gathered in Canterlot's throne room, King Sombra contemplated, Twilight's mind worked through theories how to achieve this goal, Celestia and Luna serving, and so on, an intruder arrived in the castle! Not from outside, but in one of the rooms!

In a room, that neither Sombra, nor Radiant, nor Twilight nor any of the others knew about, except for Celestia, of course, but they never asked her about this room. It was just a room, after all. In that room, however, stood a mirror. It was called the "Crystal Mirror" and, every thirty moons, opened a portal to another world for a few days.

An orange unicorn, wearing knee high boots, an orange skirt with a purple and yellow stripe on the right, a purple t-shirt and a black studded leather jacket, stepped out of the portal... and got entangled in a bed sheet or something, which had been used to cover the mirror! When she got ouf the sheet, she saw that she had was in a dark and dusty room. Her name was Sunset Shimmer, and a few years ago, she had left her home behind after her personal teacher, Princess Celestia, had denied her her wish: Ascension to an alicorn princess!

She had always been a good student, done everything, and yet, Celestia had denied her this wish! So Sunset had turned inwards, had become cold, cruel, and scheming! When she had still been unable to achieve her goal, she had instead decided to try something else. Reading old tomes in the library, even sneaking into locked off areas.

Bit by bit, she had pierced together the secrets of the mirror she had seen. Princess Celestia had already told her about when, and for how long, the portal opened, during private tutoring sessions. Sunset managed to find some old tomes. Apparently, some ponies had explored what lay behind the portal.

Apparently, it was a world without ponies, at least sentient, bipedal ones, griffons and so on. Instead, it was ruled by a bunch of bipedal, hairless apes, called "Humans". And when they had passed through the portal, they themselves had turned into "Humans". But despite this major difference, it seems to have been not too dissimilar to Equestria, though there was no magic, apparently, which had been rather fascinating.

Without her teacher noticing. Sunset had explored the human world, the exit was next to a school of all things, and made her preparations. And when the final break between them had come, and before she could be ejected from the castle, she had loaded a few bags with gemstones, packed some supplies, and sneaked to the mirror. She passed through it, and began a new life. A life as the top bitch of a high school, yes, but a new life nonetheless. And, if she was being honest, being the top bitch of a high school, where she could manipulate basically everyone to dance to her fiddle, was not too bad at all!

And now, it was time for her to return home and see what had changed. And maybe find a way to bring some magic into the human world... If nobody but her had magic, oh the possibilities. Maybe she'd also finaly find a way to ascend...

When her hooves, oh, having hooves again felt almost as weird as she had felt when she had gone to the human world for the first time, hit the smooth castle floor again, she immediately felt that something was off! There was a weird magical aura about the whole place. The room itself also was dark, and dusty. Before, it had always stood in a bright, airy room, one of the rooms Celestia had used for private teaching sessions! Her fur was on edge, call it a sixth sense or whatever, and this place just felt off...

For a few minutes, and as quietly as possible, Sunset explored the room, looking for any sort of indication where in the castle she was. In general, it seemed like a rather random room, filled with a few shelves with books, a few more with random knick-knacks.... All in all, apparently, it was really just a room in which whatever had to be stowed away as placed, at least until it could be moved somewhere else, or was forgotten about.

"Why is the mirror here?" She quietly asked herself, the bad feeling in her gut another warning sign that something was wrong. Well, whatever, she was here, she had plans to enact, and the least she could do was to investigate!

Carefully, Sunset opened the door of the room a little and glimpsed into the hallway. To her luck, it was an inward opening door, and she was very quiet! To the left and right of the door were two guards! Guards in types of armor she had never seen before, wearing fearsome masked helmets! Their armor was nothing at all like the beautiful pieces the EUP Guard wore which, in the human world, most likely would've been called "greek-inspired". Instead, they looked like they were designed to remove as much identity as possible from the wearer and to frighten any potential opposition! Well, at least the helmets seemed to make it a bit harder for them to hear a door being opened, even if quietly, right behind them.

Why were they here? What had happened while she was gone? Why were they stationed right in front of this fucking door?! Did they know what the mirror was? Or was it just bad luck? All these questions, and more, went through Sunset Shimmer's mind, when she heard steps coming down the hallway! And voices! Opening the door just a tiny bit more, she tried to see who was walking...

As luck would have it, she did manage to sneak a peek at the three figures coming closer! It were a dark pegasus stallion, wearing a similar, but more elaborate, armor as the guards, but without a helmet, a heavily pregnant rainbow-maned pegasus mare, with the same kind of armor, though apparently more designed to show off her body, and... a pregnant griffon?! Wearing a dress uniform? Or at least, a heavily customized one that showed her body off...

"I wonder when King Sombra is going to move against the changelings..." The tall, dark pegasus said. "Honestly, after so much fighting, I really enjoy this stretch of peace and quiet!"

The mare replied, a laughing a little, "I hope not before I pop this one out, Thunderlane! Wouldn't want to miss fighting Queen Chrysalis' forces! Some peace and quiet is nice, but I wanna fight again!" She looked at the griffon now. "Especially now that Gilda's fighting by my side!"

The griffon let out a cocky laugh and slapped the mare on the back! "That's right, Rainbow Dash!"

King Sombra? Changelings? Queen Chrysalis? What the fuck had happened since she'd left?! And what had happened to Princess Celestia?! Sure, the princess and her hadn't gone their separate ways on good terms, but... Apparently something had gone were wrong? Again, her mind raced, struggling to find a reasonable avenue to approach this utterly uexpected situation! Maybe she should just return to the human world and leave Equestria behind forever? Preferably somehow smash the mirror behind her, so that nopony could follow her! She had a small fortune from the gemstones, and had made some good business arrangements that had her set for a while, maybe for life.

With her magic, before she'd moved over, she had forged herself ID papers that would hold up to any and all test - at least she hoped - and had an additional enchantment that, if it worked properly, would make anyone sceptical, or checking other records, guess the records were wrong, not her papers!

Yes, maybe this would be the best call! As interesting as it might be to find out what had happened, who this King Sombra was, what Celestia's situation was, self-preservation took over! After all, she could hardly sit here for who knew how long until the guards left, and they'd probably just be replaced by new guards anyway! And anyway, the three were about to pass by the door! Wait a moment.. Rainbow Dash? Thunderlane? Two of the students at Canterlot High had those names as well! These here must've been their pony counterparts! Like Principal Celestia was to Princess Celestia! Well, no time to dwell on that!

As quietly as she could, she closed the door again. Reassuringly, it snapped shut almost without a sound! Time to prepare her exit...

"What was that?!" Gilda asked, stopping on the spot and her head spinning around to look at the guards! "Sounded like someone closed a door..."

Oh shit... Sunset's heart sank, and an icy feeling spread in her gut. She wanted to rush to the mirror, but caution prevailed! Right now, maybe, if she didn't panic, they'd just move on, dismiss it as imagination!

"I didn't hear anything?" The pegasus stallion replied, calming Sunset down a little.

"Griffons have better hearing than ponies, I think, Thunderlane!" Rainbow Dash replied. "Something to do with them hunting for prey at times. They do eat some meat after all."

"Yeah. But maybe it was just my imagination."

It certainly sounded like they were about to go away! Sunset Shimmer let out a sigh of relief! Well, now she could see if there was anything useful in the room, and then plan her esca-...

These thoughts came to an abrupt end when the door was kicked open and the knob hit the unicorn in the back, knocking the wind out of her sails and causing her to crash to the floor, gasping for air! For a moment, everything whent black!

When she could think again, she tried to crawl away! They had put on an act! The three had tricked her! When the griffon had heard the door, they had acted like it was nothing, but instead had sneaked up on the door! Damn it! She should have just rushed through the mirror! Even if she hadn't been able to destroy the portal behind her, she would have had an advantage! She knew that there was no magic there and no flight! She knew the area, and, more importantly, she knew the people! All she would have had to do would have been to scream for help, that three were trying to do... bad things to her and a bunch of people would be rushing to her aid! Stupid! STUPID!

She felt a strong hand around her ankle, pulling her back! Turning around, she saw the stallion, Thunderlane, holding her. He really looked like a somewhat older, more buff pony-version of the guy at school... Then, finally, she remembered her magic! She really had spent too long without it! Sunset charged a blast that would, at least, send him crashing against the wall on the other side of the floor!

But when she wanted to fire it, nothing happened... "Wanted to use your magic, did ya?" Rainbow Dash grinned smugly at her. "What a luck that I just happened to have one of His Majesty's rings with me. It fit really nicely on your horn, bitch!" She turned to the door way and shouted: "YOU TWO! GET SOME CHAINS FOR OUR UNINVITED GUEST!" The guards immediately hurried away.

With a few quick movements, Thunderlane made sure that the unicorn couldn't escape! He put her into a rear naked choke with body scisscors to keep her from moving. He wasn't choking her just yet, but if she tried anything stupid...

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Rainbow Dash barked at the intruder.

"My... my name..." She stammered, but was interrupted before she could finish!

"Hey! Dash!" Gilda colled out! "Come here! That mirror looks a bit strange, don't you think?"

"Something feels off about it..." The pegasus agreed. When Gilda stretched her hand out, however, she stopped her! "Don't touch it! Let Twilight and the other magic nerds take a look at it first! Maybe it will suck you in and you'll end up imprisoned inside of it!"

"You're right," the griffon agreed. "Better to let the egg heads deal with this thing. Let's get back to our guest..." As they came to a halt next to Sunset, Gilda knealt down next to her and grabbed her mane. "Well? Who are you?"

"My name is-..." Again, Sunset got interrupted. This time by the returning guards and the clatter of chains.

Dash put a hand on her the griffon's shoulder.

"I-..."

"Save it for later!" The pegasus snapped! "You can tell that to King Sombra himself!"

If she was being honest, Sunset was getting a bit annoyed. THEY asked her for her name, and constantly interrupted her!

Walking behind the unicorn, Thunderlane held the chains that were locked to shackles on her wrists and ankles. To her left and right, Sunset was flanked by Rainbow Dash and Gilda. She recognized the hallways, but some things had changed, new tapestries had been hung from the walls, and seeing these unfamiliar guards everywhere... It made for a very weird, uncanny experience. It was like she had just been transported to, say, a different world, or timeline, where just one thing had gone different, and it changed everything. Changed everything, yet kept it surprisingly similar at the same time...

A pair of guards threw open the doors to the throne room! For a single moment, everything seemed to be normal, but then, she picked up on the differences! The stained glass windows were changes, the guards different, there were more ponies around the throne... in fact, there were three thrones now! On one sat a huge, powerfully built unicorn stallion, dark of fur, a curved horn on his head... There was no other explanation, this had to be King Sombra! To his left sat a unicorn mare in a regal gown, wearing a little crown. To his right, and slightly behind him, sat a kind, and timid looking pegasus, wearing a well made, expensive, yet still rather simple dress.

And worst of all, seeing what, or rather who, was knealing in front of the throne, made her stomach churn! In front of Celestia's throne, occupied by this Sombra, knealt Princess Celestia! Pregnant, wearing some slutty clothing, and looking like she had no other worries in the world than to service the dark unicorn's, admittedly impressive, cock.

It truly The two had gone their separate ways after a huge spat, but still... She never wanted this for her! She was still somewhat grateful for all the things Celestia had taught her... Well, maybe she would have wanted the princess to beg for forgiveness for not giving Sunset Shimmer her deserved reward, but she didn't want her as a cock-addicted slave! That was too much even for Sunset's rotten mind! Though, for a moment, the image of Celestia eating her out was strangely arousing.

There was another alicorn... A little bit smaller than Celestia, and of a much darker color. She had seen the windows before she left, she had read the stories! That could be none other than Nightmare Moon! Or, since she didn't look anywhere near as viscious as somepony called "Nightmare Moon" should look like! Maybe it was her true self? Princess Luna?

Again: What in Celestia's name had happened while she had been gone?!

Rainbow Dash explained what had happened, causing the ponies in attendance, at least those not standing attention, to eye Sunset with a curious interest. It was obvious what thoughts went through their minds: How had she managed to get into the palace? Who was she? What did she want? What to do with her? Might she be useful?

Princess Celestia seemed not to care about anything, too engrossed in serving, and servicing, the ursurper on her throne. Honestly, Sunset was kind off relieved. If Celestia would identify her now, in this situation, maybe even introduce her as her former student... It would probably feel very awkward!

Finally... "Who are you?" King Sombra's low voice rumbled, a malicious undercurrent audible. His mind already worked through theories! An unknown unicorn randomly appearing in a room? No trace of a tunnel? Did she teleport? Or might she be a changeling who had snuck in? Maybe when she had been spotted, she had transformed into a random unicorn out of panic? But why did she look so confused?

She swallowed hard. "My name is Sunset Shimmer."

At hearing the name, Celestia's head twitched a little! Did she recognize it? Or her voice? Both? Or was it just joy at serving that rock hard pillar of meat in front of her? It certainly looked like it could hit all the right places... Damn it! Why was she thinking of that! Maybe she should hook up with Flash again after all? He hadn't been a bad lay, and she'd been on a bit of a dry spell... Her plans had been more important than physical gratifications lately.

"Sunset Shimmer..." He said, fixing her with his gaze. It was very much obvious that she wasn't one of his subjects, but, it also seemed like she was more surprised, worried and nervous about the situation than deadly afraid. In fact, it appeared like she didn't even kow who King Sombra was! So it was unlikely for her to be a saboteur, assassin or spy from the unconquered areas of Equestria. "If that really is your name..."

Well, she shouldn't be surprised that he didn't trust her.

"And you are a unicorn?" She nodded. "A unicorn, and not, say,-" His voice lowered to an ice cold, barely audible whisper, "- one of Queen Chrysalis' changelings? Sent here to spy on us, or worse?"

"I don't even have any what changelings are!" She called out quickly! And managed to astound them...

The unicorn mare at Sombra's side, by Sunset figured her to be his wife, put their collected disbelief in words: "You... You honestly think we're going to believe that?"

"Yes? I honestly have no idea what changelings are!" The way they stared at her, the genuine sounding disbelief... The orange unicorn got a feeling that she had missed something important, and her lack of knowledge about these events might give away her what she had been doing!

Sombra made a slight movement, as if he sighed, then exchanged a short look with his wife. Sunset Shimmer's reaction seemed genuine. But that just created more questions, after all, news of the changeling invasion had spread like wildfire into every corner of Equestria!

"Your Highness?" A unicorn stepped forward from the sidelines. Sunset didn't know her, which wasn't a surprise, but the way she looked... Almost like an alicorn! Wearing a very revealing outfit, with an amulette radiating magical power around her neck, she had a pair of almost ethereal wings! Almost like a sort-of pseudo-alicorn! Jealousy began to gnaw on Sunset! This was a power that should have been hers! Who was that bitch?!

"Yes, Twilight?"

Twilight... She'd remember that...

The mare called Twilight continued: "We've been working on ways to undo a changeling's transformation abilities. Zecora had some ideas regarding her potions, while Starlight, Moondancer and I are looking at magical means. Maybe we could test some of them on her? If she is a changeling, and if one of our current theories works, we would make a major step!"

"Go ahead." He told her.

She turned to a pegasus guard behind her. He felt somewhat familiar! "Flash? Go and fetch the others." Giving a short nod, he hurried away.

Oh. So this was Equestria's version of Flash Sentry! That's why he felt familiar! Well, not bad looking. Well built, not quite a hunk, quite cute.

As they waited, Twilight walked up to the bound unicorn. Mustering her closely, as if she was hoping to spot spme sort of evidence about who Sunset was, she ran a hand over her shoulders. "You know...," She whispered into Sunset Shimmer's ear, "we have some fun ways of getting the informations we want..." That was true, rather invasive ones as well, though in most cases, King Sombra's magic did the job well enough. "Why don't you just safe yourself the trouble and stop acting dumb?"

"I am telling you the truth: I have no idea what changelings are!" Sunset growled back, unwilling to give up anything about the human world until she absolutely had to. Maybe there was a way to escape and return, and if that was the case, she certainly didn't want any indication of where she might have escaped to!

Twilight shrugged, apparently not wanting to dig any deeper just yet. "Oh well, I tried it the nice way..."

Starlight Glimmer, Zecora and Moondancer arrived after a few minutes. The zebra had a bowl with some sort of paste in it with her, the others nothing, probably intending to use magic.

For half an hour they worked on her! Trying spells, Zecora smearing her paste on her face, but nothing happened. Finally, Twilight conceded: "Either, she really is a unicorn, or it doesn't work."

"I AM A UNICORN!" Sunset snapped! The attempts to detransform her had reached from the annoying, Zecora's mixture, to the irritating and even very uncomfortable, the magical attempts. "And I have no idea about what has happened here because I haven't been in Equestria for quite some time and I just returned!"

Now King Sombra interjected himself again. His tone of voice was almost dangerously cordial right now: "Then, please, explain how you got into a room in my castle, unnoticed by all my guards, including the ones stationed at its door. Our security systems didn't detect any teleportations, there were no tunnels..."

"Maybe it could be because I didn't teleport or walk into the castle? Ever thought about that?" Was Sunset's snippy reply! It wasn't a great idea to act like that, she knew, but being interrogated in a world that, for all intents and purposes, had gone mad from her point of view, she just had to blow off some steam... And she realized that she had already said too much.

"Well, that makes it an interesting riddle, doesn't it..." The king let out a mocking laugh before turning stone-faced serious. "Let's cut to the chase: Either you'll just tell me everything I want to know, or I will break you down until you tell me everything I want to know, everything you didn't think to know, and everything you have forgotten since you were a filly!"

Honestly, while the threats were unnerving Sunset, this whole situation was very annoying, since she couldn't proof her answers anyway! Except for maybe showing the portal... "Why don't you ask the slut whoring herself out to you?"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SLUT?!" Most of the mares in the room immediately called out! Including the rather timid looking yellow pegasus!

The orange mare's answer was dry: "I was talking about Princess Celestia..."

All eyes turned to the debased princess. Noticing the attention on her, with an audible 'pop' she let go of the cock she was servicing. "She is a former student of mine!" Celestia told the assembled crowd, sneaking in a lick or kiss to the cock every now and then! "I tutored Sunset until a few years before your return! Then we had a falling out, she wanted me to make her an alicorn princess and I told her that princesshood is something you have to earn, not demand, and if you demand it, you are not ready. Sometime later, she disappeared..."

Sombra gave a rough, angry tug to her chain! "Why didn't you tell me that when she had been led in?" He growled in displeasure.

With big, innocent eyes, and an air of obliviousness nopony would expect from Celestia, she answered: "I was too busy worshipping your cock, master!"

"Oh! I just remembered something!" Rainbow Dash called out suddenly! "There was a weird looking mirror in the room!"

"Ah, yes! The Crystal Mirror! It connects our world to another one!!" Realizing what she had just said, putting two and two together, Celestia shot a stern look at her erstwhile pupil!! Then, she started to lecture her! "So that's where you went! Sunset Shimmer! You careless mare! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? If the balance between that world and Equestria is damaged, we ha-..."

Sombra cut her off by making her choke on his cock. Thirty seconds later, he pulled her off again. "Why did you not tell me that?"

Gasping for breath, Celestia answered: "You didn't ask, master!" Grumbling internally, the king contemplated that, maybe, just maybe, he should allow the sisters a bit more self-initiative...

Now that the cat was out of the bag, Sunset figured she could tell everything. If she did so without being prompted, it might be interpreted as her, finally, cooperating. Maybe it would gain her some clemency. She proceeded to explain how time apparently flowed differently in the other world since, as a human, she was younger than as a pony, how she had fled to the human world, what she had done, how she had driven a wedge between her so-called 'friends', and why she had returned.

King Sombra was very intrigued by her report. He snapped his fingers, and Thunderlane removed Sunset's shackles. "Very interesting, Sunset Shimmer!" He told her, his voice now warmer, and promising. "How about you work for me?"

"Say what now?" Sunset was taken aback! She didn't know what she had expected, but at least not this!

He chuckled ominously. "You obvioulsy are an intelligent, and magically skilled, unicorn. You have devious mind and a craving for power." She nodded, having to admit to the latter. No reason to deny it in any case, Celestia had already reported on their spat. "I can give you power. If you serve me. Maybe not quite alicorn level, there was only one alicorn amulette, but power nonetheless. Especially if you work with Twilight and the others. Although..." He looked at Celestia.

Letting go of his cock for a moment, a sad expression on her face: "Sorry, King Sombra, I know what you are thinking about, but... After you beat me... I don't think I am capable of elevating ponies to alicornhood anymore!"

Considering her state, Sombra decided not to question her. She wouldn't be able to lie about something this important to him. He turned back to Sunset: "Well, anyway... Your story about that other world intrigued me. I want it. And you know it. You are familiar with it." Sunset realized where this was going, what he was going to tell her. And honestly? It was working. "Work for me, prepare my conquest of the human world, and, if you do do good work, you will be my governor for them!"

"Interesting proposal..." She cautiously replied. In her mind, she was basically ready to agree, but she knew how steep the challenge would be, especially without magic... "But isn't this a bit much for one pony?"

"I will give you access to my powers, allowing you to make others subservient to you, gain lackeys that way and you will use that to start building the foundations for my take over!"

"But there is no magic there!" Sunset protested. "It would be useless!"

"No magic?" Twilight gasped! It took the whole room by surprise. Imagining a world without magic, for them, was almost impossible. For the earth ponies it was a bit easier, but even they had their strength and connection with nature!

"None that I can tell, at least. There might be some sources of it, but even that's doubtful. And as a human, I am unable to access it."After a moment of pause, she added: "At least in the same way as a unicorn."

"You can't use magic there, but magic itself might still work!" Starlight suggested.

Twilight looked like she was already contemplating the matter. "Hmm... Yes!" She agreed! "Magical artifacts might still work! As long as they don't need you to use magic to activate, you should be able to draw upon the magic that resides in them!

A grin spread on Sunset's face! She had assumed the same, looking for some potent artifacts having been one of the reasons for her to return, but she hadn't been sure. Now, it was still not a confirmed thing, but having handled it this way, it meant that they'd be almost glad to help her overcome this hurdle!

Bowing, she told King Sombra: "Well, your Majesty, you have yourself a deal."

A low chuckle rumbled through the throne room. "Very well then!" He turned to his court mage. "Twilight? How long do you think it will take for you and your girls to prepare the artifacts?"

She shrugged. "A week, or maybe two!" It was always difficult to gauge this sort of stuff.

"Good." He turned back to Sunset. "That gives me enough time to arrange for the mayor of Ponyville to come here. She did something not too dissimilar in her town, and might have some advise for you."

Sunset Shimmer doubted that she'd need that help! After all, she had played the cliques of Canterlot High School like a fiddle! But better to take the advise and seem at least a bit humble. Her mind was already working on how to proceed... She would have to get Applejack and the others back together... Yes! She already had an idea how! And then, she could let herself be celebrated as the one who helped them make up! Then, she'd take over the school and find the human world's version of Twilight to add her as well...

"Now then... time to seal our alliance!" King Sombra grinned, pushing Celestia and Luna away. Sunset was attractive, and to make her enjoy herself might help to keep her mind focused on pleasing him. Also, it didn't hurt to make sure she wouldn't have any stupid ideas, like deciding that things weren't going so well and it might be better to change sides! Oh no, that wouldn't do. Like all the others, except for his wife, she, too, would be subjected to his magic!

"Honestly? I am," Sunset grinned lustily, pretty fucking horny!" Her eyes were fixed on his cock as she walked up to him. "Since I saw that piece of yours, in fact! Those humans don't compare..." It was the truth, but then, as a human her body also was different. A pony cock would probably tear her in half in that case!

Many years later...

Prince Sombra was finally an adult, since a few months even. And so was his younger sister Umbra! Soon, Dusk Shine, Spike, Elusive, Rainbow Dash's son Rainbow Blitz, Butterscotch, Fluttershy's second child, Pinkie's so Bubble Berry, and Applejack, jr. AJ hadn't been very creative, especially after Big Mac's son already had been named after their father, Bright Macintosh.

And, of course, the others as well. The children of Zecora, Derpy, Scotaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon...

However, for the young prince, there was something that was rather embarassing for him. His father was very virile and sexually active. Most of the mares he grew up around where his fathers' lovers, after all! Yet the prince himself was... still a virgin. Despite how promiscuous the king's lovers were not only with him, but among each other and selected attractive folk from outside their inner circle!

Honestly, especially in the recent past it had become harder and harder when he just happened to overhear sensual moaning, or when he accidentally ran into, say, Rainbow Dash getting eaten out by one of her rookies!

The prince probably could have had any of them for his first time, but... He wanted it to be special. With somepony very close to him. In fact, for a long time, he had thought about giving his first time to his younger sister, Umbra. The feisty alicorn was his closest sibling, after all, and a real tsundere, trying to act cold, distant, superior... but then cuddling to him and so on. And in their closeness lay the issue: He wanted HER first time to be special, to feel good, and he worried that he wouldn't be able to deliver! He needed somepony to guide him!

And so, he now was in his room, talking to his old nanny, Cloudy Quartz. Thanks to the efforts of Twilight Sparkle and the others, she had barely aged a day! Even after having had more children in addition to her original four, she looked like the very picture of a MILF.

"Cloudy? Can I talk to you about something... private?" He asked her.

"Of course, Prince Sombra!" Cloudy gave him a gentle head pat like in old days, "You know that you can ask me anything!"

The prince let himself drop onto his bed, then tapped his hand onto its edge. "Thank you... Please, sit down!"

Eying him curiously, Cloudy did as he asked. "Well, what's on your mind?"

Sombra II. sat up again, and moved to her side. Letting out a sigh, he looked at Cloudy Quartz... "I-... I want you to teach me about sex!"

Cloudy was taken aback! Only after a few moments of silence, of mentally making sure she hadn't misheard, she slowly spoke up: "But... I am sure that you were taught about that!"

"Of course!" He sounded weary. "Mom, dad, and Aunty Shy and the others taught me and my siblings. Also gave me some tips... But that's all theoretical... I-.." He blushed! "I was thinking about something more... hands-on!" After a moment of awkward silence, he added, "Some... practical experience..."

"But Prince Sombra! I'm just an old nag!" Cloudy sounded flustered, flattered and shocked! "You shouldn't waste your first time on me! Why don't you ask Umbra? You two were always so close, and your father didn't oppose Big Mac knocking up Applejack that one time!" And, she remembered, King Sombra had talks with Radiant, Fluttershy and others about the topic, considering how well all the foals developed. And the other mares, and stallions, well... you could see it in their eyes, in their body language, that sooner, or later things would happen! "I think she has a thing for you!"

Sombra gave her an embarassed smile. "Honestly? I... I know that. And I want to do it with her, but... I want to give her a good time, not awkwardly fumble around... " He took a deep breath to steady himself. "That's why I am asking... I want to be able to take care of her during her first time... I don't want to disappoint her, or hurt her. I know she's always so tough and so on, but... deep down, she's vulnerable, and-..."

"I know!" Cloudy laughed, holding a fist in front of her mouth. "I've raised you two! I know you very well! And it is nice to hear how much you want Umbra to enjoy herself! But... do you really think I am the right p ony to ask? You could ask Derpy! Or Dinky!"

"I did think about them, Auntie Shy, and Auntie Barb... But Derpy and big sis... I don't know, it just didn't feel right..." Sombra II. told her. "Neither did asking Auntie Shy for help in getting ready to have sex with her own daughter, though she would have probably helped... And Barb, well... You know she can be a little rough at times..."

"But there are so many other mares, and stallions, you could have asked for help! Why me?" Cloudy was still very curious on that matter! But also flattered....

"Because... Well, because you helped raise me, I guess. Next to mom and Shy, you're the pony who did the most in raising me.... My other aunts helped, Dash, and Tempest trained me in combat, but you... Well... You know. And, honestly? I think I have a little crush on you since puberty..."

She let out a little "Oh..." And she wasn't sure what meaning her own reaction had!

The prince stood up and pulled his pants down! "Look how hard I already am!" He told her as his boxers slid to the ground! He really came after his father in general appearance! He was less muscular in shape, but down there, oh dear... Cloudy Quartz felt her own arousal grow! "Because of you!" Well, her and a not having relieved himself in any other way since he had started contemplating to ask her! "Cloudy, you're a gorgeous mare! Please, teach me how to make a mare happy!"

"Damn it..." Cloudy Quartz cursed! He knew what buttons to press! And Sombra II. was just such a nice stallion, always had been. A bit introverted, but with a good heart, always ready to help, really like a mix of his father and mother, maybe with some influence from Fluttershy... "You know I can't say no to you when you're like this! And I'd be lying if I'd say that hearing that a young, handsome stud like you wants me to teach him how to please a mare wasn't flattering!" She started to undo the buttons of her blouse. "A young thing like you, an old mare like me... That I'd be taking someponies virginity at this time, who would have expected that?"

This was the first time in ages that the prince saw his former nanny's breasts in her bra! Discounting bikinis and bathing suits during the family vacations, the last time he had been in the same room as her when she was in her underwear.... It must have been before his tenth birthday! He also noticed additional nubs next to her nipples, and a little thing blinking in her navel... "When did you get piercings?"

"Ehehe..." She laughed, embarassed. Cloudy still valued her conservative appearance, generally... "Pinkie convinced me. I think I also was a little buzzed then. But I kind off like them. Now,..." She gave him a coy look, "How about you undress your sex-ed teacher?"

Sombra carefully grabbed her blouse and did his best to remove it as gentle as possible. Then, he pulled her skirt down, getting a whiff of her aroused nethers. His dick twitched... He managed to keep himself together and undid her bra, letting her breasts gently sag down a little, then removed her panties. The smell... He almost wanted to lick her slit... But a hand on his forehead stopped his attempt!

"Not yet!" Cloudy Quartz told him! "Let's start with kissing... Then, you can work your way down! Come, sit on my lap!" He sat down, and she held him in her arms. "Now, Sombra, follow my lead..."

She started by giving him little pecks, and had him repeat it. Slowly, she worked her way up to deep kisses, playing with his tongue. It was kinda exciting to be the one in control for once! And he was a fast learner... Soon, his tongue was playing with hers as much, or even more, as the other way round! And then, he started to use that skill to get in control Purely on Instinct! He really was his father's son!

When they stopped their latest deep kiss, Cloudy giggled like a schoolgirl! He was a natural! "I guess," she panted, "your kissing is good, for now! Time to go lower! But do so, while kissing your way down!"

He followed her instructions, kissing her chin, her neck and her collar bone on his way down. Then, the prince kissed her breasts!

"Oh~!" Cloudy purred, motivating him to work a bit more on them, to nibble on her nipples and suck on them! "Still as greedy as when I was one of your wet nurses!" She laughed, feeling his tongue play with her hard nubs!

Pulling back, replacing mouth and tongue with his fingers, pinching and flicking her nipple, he Sombra II. looked at her... "Was I that bad?"

"You were an insatiable little colt!"

"Sorry..."

"what are you sorry for? You were a baby!" Cloudy Quarrtz chuckled! "And, honestly? Having you drink from my tits felt good! But... back on your lessons!" She pointed further down...

And so, he moved down to her private parts...

It took him a while to get the hang of it, but, as said before, he was a fast learner! Soon, his teacher was a moaning mess as Sombra's tongue dug deep into her folds! Honestly, it was a bit unfair to let herself be pampered like that by the prince, selfish even! And not appropriate to their respective social status! But then, the prince didn't mind... "I'd love to return the favor," She told him, moaning happily, "but I want to keep you nice and hard for the main event!"

"Hmm?" He had only heard part of it.

"I think it is about time, to be honest! You can stop eating me out!"

As Sombra pulled back, Cloudy Quartz repositioned herself, lying herself down in the middle of the bed, arms and legs spread upwards, ready to embrace her young lover/pupil!"Missionary. Not the most exciting, but I think for our current needs more than appropriate."

The prince had to use all of his willpower not to cum the moment his cock pushed into her wet, waiting pussy...

"Oh my! You almost feel like your father!" Cloudy cooed... And the prince didn't know if he should feel flattered or awkward at the comparison.

Minutes later, he had managed to hold out for a decent while, despite his current state! He hadn't jerked off for a while before he had talked to her, it was his first time, and all his body wanted right now was to shoot his load into his old nanny's womb! "Cloudy! I am sorry!" He called out! "I... I can't hold it any longer!" The prince felt embarassed... more than once he had, accidentally, overheard his father, and his lovers usually either came with him, or before him! Sometimes even multiple times! And he had seen the same in porn!

"It's alright!" Cloudy told him kindly. Even if she hadn't climaxed, he had made her feel good, and even improved a lot in that short time! It would probably take a while to really get the hang of it, but it wasn't a bad start! "Let it all out!"

He groaned and wanted to pull out... And found himself locked in place by Cloudy's legs and her old-fashioned, knee-high laced-up boots! "Inside!" She told him! "It's alright! Just fill me up!"

For the fracture of a second, he worried about knocking her up... Then he just gave in to the feeling and let nature take its course.

Even if she didn't climax, Cloudy Quartz enjoyed the feeling! So much cum... It had been a while since King Sombra had wanted her to let off some steam, but his first born son certainly had the potential to get up to his father's level! "You did good for your first time!" She praised him, her hand caressing his mane as they lay together! "With some more training, I think you'll be able to make anypony, mare or stallion, a panting mess! Just like your father!"

The prince thought for a moment and decided that he just had to tell her: "I think I would be more comfortable if you wouldn't bring him up in situations like this..."

"Why? If you're feeling a little bit... lesser, remember, you're just start-..."

"It just feels a little bit awkward!" He interrupted her attempt at cheering him u!" "To hear about dad... Doing this, and how I compare... And then my mind starts playing pictures of dad doing it with mom, Auntie Shy, the others... you... It's just a bit uncomfortable!"

Cloudy made a mental note! She would have to talk to the king about that! They had to make sure that the prince and his siblings wouldn't be uncomfortable with these things! The youngsters shouldn't be more prude and uncomfortable with their bodies than herself! Maybe... Oh, she was getting ideas! "Alright, no more mentions of your father!" For now... "How about we rest for a bit, maybe get something to drink, and then continue your... lessons?"

"Sounds good to m-..."

Suddenly, the door opened!"Here you are, Sombra! I've been looking all over the pala-..." The entering alicorn cut herself off when she saw the situation her brother was in! "WHAT! THE! FUCK?!"

"UMBRA?!" Her older brother sounded like he had just been caught by his wife, cheating onher with her sister... "Why can you never knock at the door?!"

Cloudy, meanwhile, had a different question: "Why didn't we lock the door?"

"You fucking asshole!" Umbra shouted at him as she turned to charge off!

"UMBRA! WAIT!" Sombra tried to stop his sister! "Listen! Let me explain!" It worked in so far that she didn't run out of his bedroom... But instead, she started to pelt him with whatever objects her magic grabbed!

To Sombra's, and Cloudy's luck, she was so angry that she didn't really notice what she threw, so it was mostly small stuff, or pillows. The stallion hurried through the room, doing his best to dodge the projectiles as he used his magic to keep Cloudy somewhat protected! Now, all those hours training with Rainbow Dash and the others payed off... He managed to avoid most of them, but not all...

Passing his sister, he closed the door behind her, and turned the key this time! "Please calm down, Sis!"

"Unlock the door!" She hissed at him!

"Please! Calm down and listen to me!"

"Open! The! FUCKING! Door!" Umbra repeated!

Cloudy was tempted to yell out "Language, young lady!" but decided against it.

"If you will just listen to us, I will give you the key the moment we have explained this!"

"Alright..." Calming down a tiny bit, she told him through gritted teeth! "I wanted to be your first... " Umbra continued, hints of tears showing in her eyes! "And you know that! I told you! I had hoped that we'd share our first time!"

Some vestige of her old prim and properness reared itself in Cloudy's mind, but she quickly buried it again... She herself had ended up doing it with her daughters, and Prince Sombra, who was like a son to her, after all!

"I know!" Her brother told Umbra, as he tried to hug his sister, but she pushed him away! "I only gave her my first time, because I wanted to make sure that your first time would be good!"

"You what?!" She herself wasn't quite sure what part in specific she asked it about!

"He wanted me to teach him how to make a mare feel good, Princess Umbra!" Suddenly, both of them found themselves embraced by Cloudy! Her warmth felt comforting, calming... "Now, you two, calm down!" Seeing Sombra looking at her, she added. "Yes, both of you! You two got yourself worked up... Umbra, Sombra wanted to make sure that, once he and you... that he'd be able to make you feel good, take care of you during your first time. It is not always only pleasant, if you know what I mean. And Sombra, maybe you should have thought a little bit more about how Umbra would feel!" She told them as led them back to the bed and sat them down.

Finally, they managed to explain everything to Umbra, and she actually listened and processed what was being said to her. And indeed, the young alicorn did calm down. She still seemed to be very disappointed, though. Apparently, she had really wanted her brother and her to have their first times together...

Now, Cloudy got an idea... The prince had come to her to be able to have his dear sister have a good first time... Why not teach Umbra as well? Why not try to smooth things over by having her join the two of them? "How about we have a threesome?"

"HUH?!" The two siblings stared at her.

"What? Sombra, you wanted to learn how to please a mare, Umbra in particular. Why shouldn't Umbra learn how to please a stallion?" In her thoughts, Cloudy added: And maybe an old nag like me... "Let me guide you, Umbra. Let me teach you how to edge your brother until he's a mess begging to cum! That could be your little bit of payback!"

The prince suddenly got a very bad feeling about this... But since he started it all, he probably shouldn't complain.

"I'll teach you how to use your body to drive him mad, then grant him heavenly release!" Cloudy promised Umbra, who had started to listen very intently! "And, if you want, I can show you the same for mares..."

Imagining her brother squirming, begging for release? Umbra had to admit, that had something, at least as payback. And then, she thought about Butterscotch, her younger younger brother, full brother, always so shy and introverted... Hearing him beg for her to make him cum, maybe finally breaking out of his shell? Yes, that did sound like fun! "Alright! Deal!"

"Very good!" Cloudy clapped her hands together in joy! "Now, Umbra, I'll teach you how to do a blowjob!"