Xy Chromosome

XY Chromosome

Chapter eighteen: Crystal Empire part 1

(I began to wonder why I kept putting the word ‘biological’ in the title, so I’m going to take it out)

One Month Later:

“Dan…Dan, it’s time to wake up.” The soft whisper of Nightmare tickled my ear.

“Meh…” I slurred, covering my head with a pillow.

“C’mon, get up.” She ripped the pillow from my grasp.

“No…” I childishly stated, grabbing another pillow.

“Fine…, but you leave me no choice.” Her voice trailed off.

“What’re you gunna do, suck me ag-…ACK!!!” I heard my spine crack as Nightmare jumped on me. “Ni-Nightmare!”

“You left me no choice.” Her bust mashed against my back as her hands dug under the crease where my chest and bed met. Squeezing me, I felt her cold breaths send shivers down my neck while one of her hands strayed down to my crotch. “It’s funny how you always seem to wake up with a throbbing length.” Nightmare groped me.

“Maybe b-because you’re in he-here.” I strained, trying to keep myself from succumbing to her weight.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Nightmare said, shifting herself so that I could roll over onto my back, but even then she straddled herself onto my chest.

Though I relieved the pain Nightmare caused my backside, I actually enjoyed having her smother me. “Since when are you so concerned about my time frame?” I asked.

“Because as much as I love doing things to you while you sleep, it gets boring in here and I can’t leave this tower without you.”

“Well, if you’re so eager to get out of the tower, then why are you on top of me?”

“To wake you up.”

“Then would you mind getting off.”

“Depends, are you going to stay awake, or go back to sleep?”

“Since you nearly crippled me for not getting up, I think the assumption is obvious.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, now get off. I want to take a shower.”

“I don’t know, maybe I like being on top of you.” She deviously smiled.

“Nightmare…”

“How about you say Ni-”

“I have to pee.” I interrupted.

“Ughh, fine.” She lift herself off me and stood by the bedside.

Instead of throwing the covers off myself and jumping for the shower, I instead carefully removed the blankets and crawled out; I didn’t want to cause my spinal cord anymore pain by just hurling myself out of bed. “Get comfortable, I going to be in there for awhile.” I said, grabbing the door handle to the bathroom.

“What for?”

“Maybe it’s because Crimson changed my schedule to an eighteen hour shift, so I don’t have that much ‘me time’."

“So, your ‘me time’ is spending time in the bathroom?”

“Basically.” I shut the door behind me, and turned the knobs to the shower.

“He didn’t have to pee.” Nightmare listened as the shower turned on. “I bet he’s jerking off!”

-

The Past Month’s General Info While Daniel Showers First person:

I was hoping I would find more information about Celestia’s and Luna’s parents, but with the hours in restoring the population I never got a chance to go to the archives, but now I had a week off and I would possibly be able to access the restricted section…with Nightmare’s help of course.

My relationship with Nightmare has sort of grown through the past few weeks since I met her. She was a bit more charismatic and ‘playful’, in a sense, with me. Time to time she would conduct petty pranks that were quick to annoy me. It wasn’t often, but she sometimes asked me how she looked in comparison to other mares, especially compared to the princesses, and my answer was always the same, ‘You look fine’.

Molestia and I met several times after my encounter with her on my first day working, and every time we did we would have our session of satisfaction as well as her enlightening me with more tips about sexual behavior. My last encounter with her, Molestia said that ponies’ ears are sensitive, so she told me that if I wanted to hurry things along it was best that I nip them there. Though, having tried it on Molestia first thing it did what she said, however in turn she splurged out extra orgasmic fluids that she gladly lapped up. Her attitude was still the same with me; only having that sexual drive to make me rut her, but I wasn’t complaining.

Celestia and Luna, they both had their feelings towards me. Celestia was more passionate than Luna, but her attitude towards her younger sister still got on my nerves, while Luna…, it was the usual, she had her bipolar moods; one second she would be below me enjoying the moment, the next she would threaten me with a sword she had taken off the wall. However, I think their occasional heat ended after my third week here, because for one I haven’t had sex with them for an entire week, possibly eight days, and they aren’t as emotional, however as shameful as it is to wish this I didn’t get both of them in bed with me because of their bickering, but whose to say it won’t happen next time.

I’ll confess they all were starting to grow on me, though I’ve only been here for a short while. However, Cadence already being engaged, she tried to seduce me more than once while staying here at the castle. Luckily for me, I would either talk her out of it or slap myself out my masculine desires and escape her room before she would try anything. I could tell with every passing day Cadence didn’t have her way with me she became more and more frustrated, but I was trying to do her a favor, because I didn’t want her to break it off with her fiancé, Shining Armor. It was strange because of how long she stayed here at the castle, because instead of just staying here for a few days like she intended, it was an entire month with me to blame as her reason.

-

Getting up and out of the tub, I dried off, then checked myself in the mirror for blemishes. It was a routine I gotten used to because of my teen years, for when I entered puberty I had a serious case of acne that caused other pupils in my class to make fun of. So, to stop the teasing I coated my face with various acne treatment products before I would leave the bathroom, which in turn did their job of restoring my complexion, but as always the accursed teenage plague came back.

Seeing how there weren’t any zits or blackheads that needed to be rid of, I wrapped the towel around my waist and opened the door…, only I didn’t expect Nightmare to be on her knees waiting for me to exit. “Right now? Are you serious?” I tapped my foot.

Not replying, Nightmare just shrugged and undid my towel. Getting a quick taste from the glans, she wrapped her dark lips around my length glided them up and down my member.

“Don’t you ever get tired of that stuff?”

She shook her head side to side momentarily before continuing to suck. Sighing, I stood there and waited for her to finish, but by the time she would breakfast would be over.

*Knock-Knock*

“Who is it this time?” I rolled my eyes.

Nightmare, grumbling out of annoyance, dove down my throat and waited for whoever it was to leave.

“Daniel, it’s Cadence, I…I want to speak with you about your week off.”

“Uh-huh, sure you do.” I uttered to myself. “It’s open Cadence!” I yelled.

Opening the door, Cadence stepped inside and watched as I put on a pair of whitey tidies.  “Now, what about my week off?” I asked.

Staring at my groin, Cadence shook herself out of her trance, and tried her best to look me straight in the eyes without her pupils straying for some quick glares down below. Though, not all the blame could be put on her as my eyes always strayed below the neckline.

“Well, I’ll be going back to the Crystal Empire today, and I thought that since it’s your week off, you could come back with me and I can give you a tour.”

“ A tour…uhh…okay, will Shining be there?”

“Of course, and if you come I’ll introduce you to him.”

“…Hmm, I’ll think about it.” I scratched my chin.

“It’s something to be considered, but anyway, I’ll leave you to get dressed. Oh, and you better hurry if you want breakfast, it’s about to start..” Cadence said, heading for the door.

“They’re still cooking?”

“We noticed that since you had your work schedule changed, you’ve been barely eating, so the castle staff has extended meal hours.” She walked out.

After closing the tower’s door, Nightmare slithered back out with her arms crossed. “She always has to bother you at the wrong time.” She huffed.

“Not always.”

“Usually.”

“Yeah, but what do you think about her being here for the past month?”

“Cadence?” Nightmare’s brow raised.

“Uh-huh.”

“There’s nothing to think, she is here because she’s horny as Tartarus.”

“That’s probably the twentieth time someone said that word, what does it mean?” I questioned.

“Tartarus? Surely you know.”

“I just asked you what it meant.”

“It’s the Nether Realm of Equestria.”

“A Nether Realm?”

“It’s where evil and dark creatures roam, basically it is the corrupted form of this land.”

“Then why don’t they just waltz right into Equestria and wreak havoc.”

“They could, but first they would have to get passed Cerberus.”

“Cerberus? Isn’t he a giant dog with three heads?”

“Indeed, and he guards the entrance to Tartarus.”

“There’s a lot of mythology here.” “So, has anything ever gotten out?”

“There have been a few cases where some of the creatures managed to get passed Cerberus, but only to be torn to shreds shortly after they got out. However, there was believed to be one incident that happened right before Luna was banished.”

“What happened?”

“Well, I’m not sure if it’s entirely true, but it was rumored that a stallion actually came from Tartarus.”

“Was he evil?”

“I assume so since he was from there. Anyway, after word got out about the stallion, something strange started to happen.”

“And?”

“There were a few mares that disappeared from their homes in the middle of the night, not ever to be seen again. Some ponies say it was the stallion from Tartarus that foalnapped them in their sleep, but it’s doubtful, as communities back then weren’t as big, so hungry predators would sometimes snag a pony if they could.”

“Do you believe there was a stallion that came from Tartarus?”

“I’m a bit undecided actually, because after the abductions Celestia deployed Canterlot troops there, and a family of manticores were found hiding near the town the mares were abducted from.”

“But another part of you thinks it wasn’t them?”

“Yes, because the mares were taken from their homes, they weren’t outside. There have been cases where predators would come into pony dwellings, but that was extremely rare.”

“Were there any more abductions?”

“No, and that’s what makes me indecisive, because after the manticores were warded off there were no more abductions.”

“Hmm, someone probably just got spooked and started telling stories.”

“Perhaps…, but it’s nothing to worry about, it’s just a thing of the past.”

“Right, so…umm, are you hungry?” I shrugged.

“Are you actually offering me to drink? That’s a first.” She chuckled.

“Actually I meant do you want to have something to eat, as in not my sperm, but breakfast perhaps.” I awkwardly smiled, hearing my stomach growl. “Besides, doesn’t it get old.”

“I don’t know what you mean, it always tastes delicious.” She got back down on her knees.

“Well even if it does, which I doubt, don’t you think you should have something else…like…, I dunno…apples, bananas, cucumbers, y’know, stuff like that.” I joined her as I knelt.

“Things that represent the male groin?” She teased, amused to see that I was trying to stop her.

“It doesn’t have to be those things, I mean for all I know you could eat meat…, in a wholesome perspective that is. I mean you have cuspids, so I assume you use them other than for looks.”

“I don’t eat meat, as for my fangs they are just for looks…I think. About your concern for my diet, I suggest you leave it alone and allow me to consume whatever I desire.”

“Fine, but I’m going to the keep. I haven’t had anything decent to eat for awhile.” I got up from my knees and walked to the door.

“Hope you like straws of hay, because that’s what you will be getting.” Nightmare informed, turning back into a mist and diving into my mouth.

“Pfft, please, like I’ll eat hay. Stuff is disgusting, how can you ponies even eat it?”

“That’s like me asking how can you eat meat?”

“True, but I’m not eating hay! If I’ll be the one to have to cook my own, it’ll be lots of scrambled eggs, butter toast, and jelly…, and if possible…bacon.” “Ooooh, how I miss bacon.” I shut the door, then traveled down the tower to the keep.

-

“So, I take it that you had a good night’s sleep?” Celestia asked as she, Luna, Cadence, and I sat at a long dining table.

“It was the best night since I started…” I replied, fiddling with my silverware as we all waited for breakfast to be served. However, as I sat Nightmare was enjoying herself below with her lips wrapped around my member.

“Well, our expectations for your progress were higher than what you’ve been giving, even with extra hours working you still don’t meet the requirements.”

“It’s harder than it looks.”

“Ohhh, that makes me wet.” “That’s something you’ll have to overcome, because if it continues on you might be assigned there twenty-four hours everyday.”

“I don’t like the sound of that." "Crimson will murder me if that happens!” “And not pay any attention to you?” I raised a brow, seeing Celestia sigh as she sheepishly twirled a few strands of her mane around her fingers.

“Tell us Daniel, what are thou going to do over thy break.” Luna asked to the right of me.

“Well, that’s to be decided; I could stay here, or maybe go to Ponyville and see Flu-…the other six.” I shrugged, but then I saw Cadence clear her throat as she took a glance at me. “Oh, uhh…, and Cadence suggested that I tour the Crystal Empire.”

“She did?” Celestia questioned, turning her head to her niece.

“Just for a few days Aunt Celestia, he’ll be back before he starts repopulating again.”

“Do you hear that Tia; Cadence wants Daniel for a week of bucking.” “Hmm, I think that decision will have to be decided by Daniel and I.” Celestia stated.

“I think I’m allowed to choose my own decisions.” I replied, adjusting my seat so that Nightmare could have more room below as she continued sucking. Though, feeling the urge that I couldn’t help I allowed one of my hands to creep down and grope one of her breasts, causing her to groan. The Princesses all looked at me suspiciously as I coughed, assuring them that it was my stomach growling.

“You are free to make your own decisions, however the Crystal Empire isn’t entirely secure yet from what Cadence had told me, because there’s a certain relic that protects the empire from invaders, and since Cadence isn’t there to form a barrier to surround it anyone can waltz right in.” Celestia spoke.

“We agree.” Luna added. “If our peasant was captured, there is no telling when he will be found.”

“I’m sure no evil has entered the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor and several other knights have been patrolling its borders, and if something were to get in, I would’ve been notified immediately.” Cadence stated in her own defense.

-

Deep within the Everfree First person:

“If I may my Queen, but can you repeat what you just said?”

“Ugh…of all changelings why is it her?” “Get the chitin out of your ears Jynx, this is an important mission that cannot withstand the simplest of failures!” I decreed.

“I understand.” Jynx saluted

“Do you?”

“Yes my Queen.”

“Then why am I repeating myself for the third time?”

“Well, you know the old saying…I think; Third time’s the charm.” She shrugged sheepishly.

“You will go to the Crystal Empire, and gather any information you can from the ponies residing there, understand?” I growled, hoping that I wouldn’t have to repeat myself yet again. “And before you ask, I don’ t mean reveal yourself, then ask whoever it is, you are to stay incognito until your mission is complete.”

“Yes my Queen.” Jynx saluted again.

“Good, but before you go take this.” I gave her a small mirror.

“What is it?”

“…It’s a mirror.” I face-palmed myself.

“Ohhhh…, why do I need a mirror?”

“After you’ve become acquainted within the Crystal Empire, you’ll use it to contact me.”

“Right, so when must I return?”

“Before the end of the week.” “Or never, either case works.” “You should leave now, the more time you waste a less advantage we will have.” I pointed to my chamber’s exit.

“Yes my Queen, I’ll be back before you kn-” Jynx saluted before she finished her statement, but when she did the mirror flew out of her hands and hit the wall causing it to break.

“This is why your name is Jynx.”

“M-my Queen, I-I didn’t mean to br-”

My horn glowed before she finished; Jynx watched as the mirror magically floated into the air and repaired itself before her eyes. “I forgot to mention, but don’t break it.” I gave it back to her, my eye twitching from anxiety.

“I won’t, I promise.” Jynx saluted yet again, but gripping the mirror as she did. “But what happens if it breaks again?”

“Just go.” I rubbed my forehead, watching her head for the chamber entrance.

“Oh, my Queen, I forgot to mention, but I chopped off that big branch below the dungeon that kept making that annoying creaking sound.”

“YOU DID WHAT!!?” I shouted.

“Mhmm, it kept waking me up at night, so I decided to do something about it.” Jynx smiled.

Staring at her dumbstruck, the only thought going through my mind right now was ripping Jynx’s wings off and force feeding them to her. “You have one minute to leave this hive.” I bared my fangs at her.

Seeing a look of fear cross her expression, she was quick to zip out of my chamber and presumably out of the hive.

“Excuse me my Queen, but out of all of us, why Jynx?” One of my chamber guards approached me.

“…As ironic as it may sound, Jynx is my best spy.”

“What!? Erm…I’m sorry…uhh…how?”

“Because passed her…ermmm…‘derpy’ self, she, unlike the rest of you changelings, has a more prominent gift for alluring others into her trance and absorbing their emotions…, as well as having an obsession with vanilla ice-cream.”

“How?”

“She’s brought more stallions to this hive than any other changeling here, but I have pretty good idea how she does it because everystallion she brought back had a nosebleed.”

“Have there been others like her?”

“Never, and I’m glad too, because if there were more changelings like her I wouldn’t have the serenity of knowing this hive won’t crumble over night..” I had expected for what was about to happen to commence later on, but right after my sentence there was a large rumbling followed by a loud crash. Standing there pokerfaced, I watched as a startled changeling entered my chamber.

“My Queen, the dungeon, it ju-”

“It fell didn’t it.” I interrupted, but still I had to look on the bright side of things; Jynx was gone for the time being, and that was all I needed.

-

“Daniel just eat it, it’s not going to hurt you.” Celestia insisted.

“No…” I immaturely stuck my lip out and crossed my arms like a child as the breakfast served to me was what Nightmare had said it would be, hay.

“Daniel, don’t make me force feed it to you.”

“Why are you treating me like a child!?”

“Maybe it’s because you’re acting like one.” She raised a brow.

By Celestia’s expression I assumed she meant my childish look when I turned my nose away from what was presented before me.

“I’m not going to eat something that I don’t like, if not eat at all because humans don’t eat hay.”

“Then ask for some fruit.”

“You know what, tell the staff to stop making my meals. I’m going to make my own food.” “Not in the photosynthetic way.” Reaching below, I forcefully removed Nightmare’s mouth from my dick and stuffed it in my pants, then disappeared out of the dining room and into the kitchen.

-

“Royal Breeder, what are you doing in here?” The same mare from a month back that gave me cinnamon roles stood before me, still just wearing a baking smock.

“Why oh why don't women dress like mares?” “I don’t mean to offend you, but I’m getting tired of being served hay every morning as well as fruit.”

“Oh, would you like something else then?”

“Actually, I was thinking that I could cook my own breakfast.” I said, tapping my foot and leaning against the kitchen’s large refrigerator.

“That's not necessary, I am one of the royal cooks, so if you want something different you have but to just ask.” She smiled.

“Really? To be honest I thought you’d be upset to know I’m not fond of eating the same thing you and the rest of the staff prepare everyday.”

“Well, I will admit it is surprising to see someone actually come in here and ask for something else.”

“How?”

“No pony has done it before, everything we serve is always consumed. Anyway, what is it you want me to make for you?”

“Hmm, how about some scrambled eggs with some bacon and graded cheese along with toast and some grape jelly…, or better yet, change bacon to sausage.”

She stared at me blankly for a few moments before shaking herself out of her thoughts. “Umm…, I…I-I can do that.” She said nervously.

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, it…it’s just that you want me to prepare sausage for you.”

“Please don’t tell me this is going to be sex related.” “What’s the matter with sausage, it’s good.”

“To predators it is, but I j-”

“You’re uncomfortable with it aren’t you.”

“Y-yeah…, that and the kitchen doesn’t have any meat products.”

“That’s fine, I can do without it.” “Dammit!”

“Okay, I’ll get started immediately.” I moved out of her way so she could access the fridge. “It should be done in just a few minutes.” She stated, bending over to grab a carton of eggs as I couldn’t help but just lean over and get a look at her underside.

“Great, I’ll be at the table.” I told, exiting the kitchen. “Well then, so much for making my own food.”

-

“Did they kick you out?” Celestia asked.

“No…, I just told them to make me something else.” I sat back down, and quietly unzipped my pants for Nightmare. She quickly went to work with it, but she purposely nipped my tip with one of her fangs, probably because I got up and left her without warning.

“Were you nice about it?”

“I don’t see why I would be mean.” I replied.

Celestia nodded, then began talking with Cadence about me going to the Crystal Empire. I didn’t see any potential danger coming my way, because if I were to go I know Cadence would keep an eye on me, but she wouldn’t be able to try anything because her fiancé would be with her. However, through their conversation Nightmare started to become rowdy with her groans and slurps. Her ever so light licks on my tip and her smooth most lips gliding along my shaft were heavenly, but I had to improvise by coughing to drown out the noise she was making.

“Daniel, are you alright?” Cadence asked.

“Yeah, I’m f- *cough* fine.”

“You sure, because you’re coughing excessively.”

“Oh-no, *cough* I’m perfectly fine…*cough*.” I cleared my throat, lightly kicking Nightmare’s leg for her to stop.

To my dismay, Celestia began looking at me dead straight in the eyes as I began to perspire. “Hmm, I wonder.” She spoke, and immediately to my horror she grabbed the table cloth and lifted it as she peered under the table. “Daniel, why is your length sticking out?” Celestia brought herself back up and dropped the table cloth.

“To be honest with you I have no idea.” I shrugged.

“Really, so your erection pierced your pants’ fabric?” She raised a brow, not believing me while Cadence and Luna took glances under the table, and came back up blushing.

“Well, when one is surrounded by fo-THREE gorgeous mares it’s hard not to get one.”

“Hmm, then would thou mind if we asked who is the prettiest?” Luna asked.

“Like my situation isn’t already awkward enough.”

“Actually, that is something I want to know, Daniel. Which one of us do you prefer, that includes Cadence too.” Celestia’s ears perked as well as her eyes.

“Aunt Celestia?” Cadence tried to hide her blush.

“Oh wow, umm…can I get an easier question?”

“You have to answer this one.”

“Ahh Christ…uhhh…all of you.”

“Thou can only pick one.”

“Uhh…is everyone at this table included?”

“Yes.”

“Then the answer is obvious.”

“Then who is it?”

“Me.” I stated.

“YOU!!?” They all shouted simultaneously.

“It can’t be you!.” Celestia began.

“Yes it can. You just said that everyone at this table was included, and I’m sitting here at this exact table, soooo, it’s me.”

“But it can’t be you, we asked you which one of us you thought was prettier than the others.”

“Well, an unfair question is going to give you an unfair answer, but if you really want to know…”

“Yes!?”

“It’s-….Oh look, breakfast is here.” I quickly changed the subject as the cook emerged from behind Celestia with a platter just for me.

Setting the platter down, she lift the lid off it and a cloud of steam arose from a pile scrambled eggs grated with cheese, and four pieces of toast, each having butter or jelly. “That’s more like it!”

“You’re going to eat eggs?” Celestia exclaimed, surprised to see what was under the lid.

“Why, you want some?”

“No.”

“Oh right, you want them sunny-side-up.” I joked, watching Luna and Cadence giggle as the sun goddess crossed her arms, unamused.

Ignoring her, I was quick to scoop some eggs on a piece of toast and enjoy myself.

-

*Burp* “Ahem, sorry, excuse me.” I apologized as I finished the last piece of toast.

“Now, about our question?” Celestia reminded.

“That was pretty good, I should order that often.” I ignored her request.

“Daniel!” Celestia barked.

“Ohhh right, the question at hand. Hmmm…” Trying to come up with an excuse, a light bulb flashed in my head. “If I’m going to tell you whose the most beautiful, then you all have to turn around.

“What for?”

“I’m only seeing your front and sides right now, I need to see the back too.” I grinned.

“Of course our peasant does.” Luna huffed as she and the others stood and turned around.

“Now give me a minute, I need to get a good look at all of you.” “Oh Jesus Christ, I want to slap all their asses!” Staying as quiet as I could, I tiptoed out of the room and started down the hall back to my tower.

-

Third person:

“Anytime Daniel.” Celestia told, still facing the opposite direction. “…Daniel?” Looking over her shoulder, Celestia saw that Daniel had given them the slip. Turning completely around with Luna and Cadence, Celestia’s cheeks burned with passion as well as Luna’s. Cadence, however, just stared at her Aunts, twiddling her thumbs as she sat back down.

“You know Aunt Luna, I think that was an unfair question.”

“Why?”

“Because what if he thinks we’re all beautiful…, and if that’s the case then wouldn’t it be a faulty question?”

“Perhaps, but our peasant is like any other mortal, he will always favor something or someone over another.”

-

“Pfffthahahahaha!” Nightmare was dying of laughter as she roll on my bed. “Celestia, she’s so gullible!”

“They all are since they fell for that.” I stated. “However, what was with you and making all that noise? You were almost caught!”

“Remember that I can access your body through any opening. So, once I felt your emotions get struck with emergence, I-.”

“Don’t tell me, just keep it to yourself.” I interrupted, the thought of her going through my male organs still made me feel slightly nauseous.

“So…” Nightmare started.

“So what?”

“So who do think is the prettiest?”

“Didn’t I just run away from that question?”

“It’s Molestia isn’t it.”

“…Maybe.” I simply stated, my eyes shifting left to right.

“It is!” Nightmare proclaimed. “But what’s your reasoning?” She smirked.

“Since you’re sounding rhetorical I take it you already know why.”

“Whose to say.”

Sighing, I sat on one of the chairs in my room opposite of the bed. “Alright I confess, I’m a sucker for large breasts.”

“Don’t you mean huge?”

“No, no, we’re just going to leave it large.”

“But it’s an understatement.”

“Very large then.” I rolled my eyes.

“How about colossal, or better yet, how about gigantic!”

“Nightmare…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m kidding.”

“About Molestia, or the fact you like gigantic boobs?”

“Okay, I have a limit on how big they can be, and what if I were to say the most beautiful mare was you?”

“Me!?”

“Uh-huh, you.”

“You’re joking, you’re joking, right?”

“I might be, but it just occurred to me that perhaps your reason behind asking the same question the princesses did is because you want me to say you are.”

“Nooo.” Nightmare said charily.

“Mhmm sure…, but in reality it’s a question I can’t answer.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s too general, everyone’s prettier than another in some way, like you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I chose Molestia because I think she has the prettiest figure. I chose you because you have the prettiest personality. I choose Luna because she has the prettiest coat, and I choose Celestia because she has the prettiest face. As for Cadence, well, she has the prettiest mane.”

“So none of us are perfect?”

“I don’t believe in perfection.” “Unless it’s God!” “Because no matter how good, or how pretty something or someone is, it or they can always be improved.”

“So, when I blow you, you don’t think it’s p-.”

“Off the subject of perfection, how about trying to find some info on Celestia’s and Luna’s parents.” I quickly changed the subject and reminded Nightmare of our small goal.

“We’re not going to find anything up here unless we go to the royal archives.”

“Is that part of the restricted section?”

"It is the restricted section."

"Oh, for second there I thought it just another name for the castle archives."

"The archives comes by many names, that of which I can't say because it'll take too long, as for accessing the library you need a card signed by Celestia or Luna.”

“Easy enough.”

“Yeah, but that’s the easy part, don’t forget about the Canterlot guards patrolling it, and the only way to get into the royal archives is if you have a special key.”

“And where might the key be?”

“Not here in Canterlot.”

“What, but how are we supposed to open it?”

“Well, you see, in order to access the royal archives, you must be an alicorn.”

“And that’s where you come in.”

“That, and I also have to take care of the guards, but being an alicorn isn’t all that’s required.”

“What else is needed?”

“A dark crystal, which are actually found in the Crystal Empire to this day after the fall of Queen Sombra.”

“Okay, but what’s so significant about the crystal?”

“Well, I would open the royal archives without it, but being banished for so long has taken its toll on me, and I’m actually still recovering.”

“So, the crystal is like some sort of enhancement?”

“Exactly, and with it I should be able to open the royal archives.”

“Alright, sounds like we got a plan then.”

“Indeed, but like I said you need to have a library card from Luna or Celestia, or the guards won’t let you in.”

“Then lets get moving.” I got up from my chair.

“This means you’ll have to go to the Crystal Empire with Cadence, Daniel.”

“I know, I just hope she doesn’t take it the wrong way when I agree to tag along for a few days.” I exited the tower and began my short journey to find Celestia.

-

Celestia First Person:

“Don’t you think it would be good for him though?” Cadence asked.

“I’m sure it would, but the Crystal Empire, as you said, it isn't completely secure.” “Oh come now Celestia, we both know why you’re so reluctant for him to leave.”

“But he won’t be at its borders, he’ll be safe in the city, and I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on him, also, doesn’t he have a private escort?”

“Perhaps your eye will be too close.” “I’m sure you will watch him, and yes he does have a private escort, but understand that Daniel is too important for our cause, and if anything happens to him…it…it’ll be over.”

“But nothing will, I assure you he’ll be safe and sound, besides it will just be a few days.”

“There’s a reason why she extended her stay Celestia. I warned you she was eyeing him, and now she wants to take Danny away.” “I’m sorry Cadence, but I can’t allow that.”

She was about to retort in trying to persuade me once more, but before she could say anything we both saw Daniel coming our way. Since he failed to answer my question at breakfast I was more than eager to know why he wasn’t trying to avoid us.

-

“Have you come up with a decision yet?” Celestia asked.

“Can’t you just let that question go, it’s like asking me would I rather kiss Luna or you…dyuhh, not that it comes to mind of course.” I sheepishly scratched my head. “Don’t take that offensively, I…y’know, I have a question.”

Celestia and Cadence blushed, seeing how I stuttered and completely skipped on to something a bit more private. “And I might have an answer.” Celestia spoke.

“I don’t suppose you could give me a card to the castle archives?”

“I suppose I could, but what are your intentions?”

“To check out a book, what else?”

“Quite…”

“Then how about it?”

“Well, I don’t have any with me at the moment, but I’ll be sure to sign one for you when I do.”

“And how long will that take?” I questioned.

“Alright, what are you hiding, I know you want something.” Celestia eyed me suspiciously.

“I just want to be able to keep myself occupied while on the train.”

“Train? What train?”

“The train that’s going to the Crystal Empire. I decided I want to get away from Canterlot for a little while and explore.”

“You do!?” Cadence’s eyes lit up as a gleeful smile emerged.

“Why not, I’ve been stuck here for a month, so I might as well use the opportunity to go on vacation.”

“Daniel, I don’t think that would be a smart thing to do.” Celestia stated.

“Why’s that?”

“As I reminded Cadence before you came, the Crystal Empire isn’t entirely secure, you could be captured.” “She’s lying Danny, all she really wants is you here.”

“Yeah, like someone else would rather put up with me.” I crossed my arms in disapproval.

“Well, you are stubborn I’ll give you that.” Celestia commented.

“And that’s why if I’m captured they’ll bring me right back due to my lack of competence, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be watched the entire time I’m there since I’m the only one who’s repopulating.”

“Still, I won’t allow it.”

“If you let me go, I’ll tell you who’s the prettiest when I get back.” I bargained.

I saw Celestia’s eyes shift sharply, notifying that I caught her interest. It was rather amusing to know something simple as that would intrigue her…, yet kind of creepy. “And if you don’t?”

“You can pin me to a wall and stick a needle in my eye.”

“Hmm…, fine, but you won’t get your card till after you get back. The train for the Crystal Empire leaves in two hours.”

“Works for me.” I shrugged. “Work for you?” I asked Cadence.

“Yes, of course it does!” She nodded.

“Great, I’ll just get packed and we’ll go.” I said, walking away to go back to the tower. Though, I began to wonder why I didn’t pack earlier, it would’ve saved me the stress of going back up and down all those damn stairs.

-

One hour Later:

“Goodbye Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna, Daniel should be back in three days!” Cadence and I waved to the princesses once we departed from the carriage to go to the train platform.

“Bye, have a safe trip!” Celestia waved back. “I’ll be sure to know about everything once he returns.”

Once on the platform, we both waited on a bench till the boarding of our train. As the few mintues passed, Cadence began to lean on me again just like at the gala, and as every passing minute went by her weight was shifted more onto my side with her breast mashing against my ribcage. “Close much?” I said, awkwardly smiling at her.

“Hmm, oh, just daydreaming.” She continued to cuddle up to me.

“I’m sure you were.” “So, what is there to see in the Crystal Empire.”

“All sorts of things, the castle itself is actually made out of crystal.” Cadence informed. “ And the architecture of the buildings are older than the one’s seen here, so there’s much history to it.”

“Anything else?”

“Well, there’re the abandoned crystal mines too, though no pony has been in there ever since crystal heart was hidden.”

“Why?”

“That’s where Queen Sombra did all her evil magic, so there are bound to be traces of dark magic in there.”

“Then that’s where I need to go.” “Okay, but what about activities, you said there is lots to see, and you’ve informed me of that, now what’s there to do?”

A warm smile slowly graced her lips as she looked me straight in the eyes. “How about I tell you when we’re on the train.”

-

Celestia First person:

“I know this may sound like a difficult task, but I have a mission for you.” I glared at the cockeyed mare before me.

“A mission!? Is it to deliver muffins?”

“No, but as fun as that would be I have something better for you. I need you to board the train going to the Crystal Empire, and keep an eye on the Royal Breeder.”

“Keep an eye on him?”

“Yes, I want you to watch him, discreetly.”

“Discreetly…umm…what does that mean?”

“I want you to observe the Royal Breeder without getting caught by him.”

“Ohhh, I can do that!”

“Good, then you know the task at hand?”

“Get on the train to the Critical Empire, and watch the Royal breeder.”

“It’s the Crystal Empire, and I want you to spy on him.”

“…Right!”

“You don’t want to miss the train, so you should go now.” I pointed out the exit to the castle keep.

“Okay!” She exclaimed, flying towards the two giant doors.

“I think I should’ve petitioned somepony else…,and Daniel better tell me who’s the prettiest too!”