Games continued with each day that passed, but to the lament of the populace, the week almost reached its end. In a couple days, it would be over until next year. Queen Cadance worked her spells to blot out her activities with an illusion, where in her stand she opened another bottle of spiked wine and slowly emptied its contents over her massive melons. Thunder Storm and Snowy Blizzard, already naked like their queen, lapped at the drink, licked circles around her areola, latched into her erect nipples and pulled on her breasts in a contest to see how far they could distend her flesh.

At the same time, Shining Armor, also stripped, went down on her, the queen's thighs tenderly closed around his skull. “You're all so bold now~,” she giggled as his tongue traced her folds. “Oho, I've trained you all so well!” She rubbed her husband's mane. “How about you punish me later?”

“Always a pleasure,” said Thunder, his horsecock already rock hard in anticipation to ruin her.

Jousts were carried out by the fastest and toughest stallions, who'd run across the battlefield in the arena and meet with lances and shields. Usually a favorite of Shining's, who'd opened the first match, smashed his opponent, who'd been taken away with minor wounds to recover, then after the crowd's cheers he'd swiftly returned here to savor his wife and the married couple's attentions.

Fiery Kickstart was up. This match took place in mid-air, with another pegasus, the 'Third Sword' shirtless, with more small burn scars on his chiseled musculature. When the twins had asked him where the scars came from earlier, after they'd made love, he'd brushed their manes and told them.

“A stupid mistake,” he explained, and rubbed a burn scar on his face. “It's more like a lesson. Learned this trick I'm capable of.” He'd oiled up his blade a little, and with a flick of his wrist and a swipe, set it ablaze. Just as quickly he snuffed it out. “Torched myself. And my chest later, as I practiced and learned to consistently do it. A 'trump card' in case I'm ever in trouble.”

The twins felt their hearts swell at the intimate secrets he'd shared with them, as Wet Nurse's love for him affected Foal-Bearer too, and they asked as one, “Do you want to know our real names?”

He'd smirked and cupped their cheeks. “Maybe later.” After he married them, he decided. Snowy had moved on from him a lifetime before. He needed to somehow accept that, too.

The twins watched from their own stand and Wet Nurse blushed and clapped. “He's so dreamy~!”

“He has many admirable qualities,” seconded Foal-bearer, with her own thin flush. “I used to think he was a mere thug, but he's surprisingly tender once you break down his walls. But I wonder, where's Ocellus?” Her words were almost lost as Fiery broke his opponent's shield to cheers.

“I'm sure she'll turn up soon!” When Fiery scanned the crowd, and smiled at her with a wink, Wet Nurse dared to pull down her top and shake the bare tits she flashed at him.

“Careful! We can't afford to be seen,” warned Foal-Bearer, yet she also stood, flipped her skirt up, and pulled her panties aside so he hopefully saw an eyeful of her moist coral pink snatch.

Sweat-lined the mustard-colored stallions barrel chest, so confident in his skill and power he didn't wear armor like most competitors, however he did carry the required shield. After he was certain the crowd was focused on the next match, and he'd reached the lovely twins, he took a famished handful of Foal-Bearer's ass and Wet Nurse's titty, which he kneaded with a chuckle.

He traded kisses with both of them when he sat down. “I'm lucky to have you two.”

Ocellus observed the arena from the topmost portion of the stands, unseen by anyone. Her days of happiness here were almost over. On the last day, amidst the celebration, she'd been ordered to make her move by Chrysalis. “Spike the punch. Then we can invade,” her queen had told her.

A tear rolled down her cheek. There was still time to turn back...were she to abandon her clutch.

Midnight, Moonlight, and Lightning also sat to witness the contests with their fellow cadets. Before they'd left, an invitation to Moonlight's parents had been extended, whereupon Night Blade and Moonflower talked it over. “We'll try to make an appearance on the last day,” he'd decided.

“I have to make certain my flowers won't die out while I'm away,” explained Moonflower. “Plus, you know how rare thestrals are! Someone's very likely to make the connection between us!”

“Let them,” decided Moonlight. “I'm through with hiding who I am! Try and let anyone take me hostage! I'm proud to be the daughter of the 'Fourth Sword'!” She'd embraced her parents, hopeful that they'd keep their promise and take the risk to see her, and damn the consequences!

They'd decided not to talk about their little trysts, unsure why they acted so crazy. With the last of their drink supply exhausted, most of their inhibitions returned, although Midnight's hyper-stallion side still left the once innocent boy now a curious stud. He looked at the crystal maids in a new way, almost tempted to try his luck and hit on them, but doubted they'd date a cadet!

Unfortunately, their incestuous mishaps also made it awkward with Moonlight, who he now realized had crushed on him since they'd met. Yet he'd once seen her like a sister, too.

He hoped this too would pass. That he'd be able to properly date Moonie in the future!

As for his sister, surely she'd find a decent stallion of her own, with her Wonderbolts showmare skills? Sobered up, instead they shared a bucket of caramel-smeared popcorn.

And deep below the earth elsewhere, Queen Chrysalis made her daily visit to the clutch of Ocellus, voluptuous and nude while she dripped from her latest bath. Her shadowed face peered down on the rows of ovums. “Finish the task, Ocellus. You know well the price of treachery!”

Sunset fell on the Crystal Empire. Tomorrow would be the fated day.

Blissfully unaware, the celebrations continued, with explosions of fireworks that screamed over the vast cityscape. Queen Cadance retired to her bedchambers with husband and married couple in tow. The pair of studs pounded their mares, like their lives all depended on it, nearly until dawn.

Business finished, Night Blade and Moonflower flew hand-in-hand when they left the solitary mountaintop of 'Nocturne's Peak', the botanist satisfied her flowers could survive a day unattended. Her husband adorned his ancient armor and sword, to make an entrance.

Gray-clad in his hooded robes that hid the drake-like man's leather-skinned countenance, a figure unseen watched the Crystal Empire, his snout drawn. Grayscale Carnifex, ancient founder of the reaper order, once more bore witness to another history event. “What a shame my ability to intervene is limited,” he mused. “But I sense these peace times are nearly at their zenith!”

He chuckled darkly to himself, a custodian of order, his followers like him neutral entities that would beset battlefields like vultures and ferry the souls to their places in the afterlife.

“Times are different. Worlds fall and entire universes collapse. All I can do is stay under the radar and try to buy the survivors time!” With a wave of his hand, the air rippled, and he called survivors he rescued from another doomed planet. A hundred Valkyries, harvesters of souls.

“Be ready. But don't interfere unless a paradox occurs,” he commanded.

He was far from the only one that meddled with the multiverse. Beatrix Belladonna's blunders were trifles compared to the unseen, unknown architects of the Apocalypse that vexed him, and continued to unravel the complex tapestry that connected each universe.

At best he could block their pawns, such as the 'Cult of the Nemesis', albeit behind-the-scenes. He dared not show his hand yet, and make it known someone was aware to oppose the true masterminds. Whoever they may be. To act directly, he'd draw a beacon to himself.

Covered from neck-to-toe in armor that emphasized their physiques, the beautiful Valkyries arrived on armored steeds that sailed the starry skies, and traveled the rainbow bridge from a cosmic storm that connected planets, albeit briefly, each armed and with eyes akin to cool steel.

The last day commenced, quiet and peaceful, the calm before the storm.

Author's Note

This story will continue in a sequel, which will be far darker since it follows the fall of the Crystal Empire. Stop here if you want to imagine everyone has a happy ending.