A Stud about Ponyville
Chapter 1 - The Royal Prerogative

A crisp, early spring wind blew through the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, swaying the limbs of the apple trees to-and-fro steadily, and causing the emerging buds and leaves to cling on desperately for survival. The strong gust went on to sweep past the cracking wooden walls of the farmhouse, rattling the loose shutters of the only illuminated window in the entire Apple household. The few candles still burning in the kitchen were nothing more than a sliver of wax and a fragment of wick, but the two ponies sitting at the large farm table were oblivious to the slowly dimming light. In fact, the only things that commanded their attention within the room were an old canvas-bound ledger book and heirloom abacus that occupied the space in front of them.

"I'm tellin' ya AJ," said Big Macintosh, letting out an exasperated sigh, "no matter how many times you run them numbers, it ain't gonna change the amount of bits we got in the savings chest."

"And I'm tellin' ya big brother we gotta be overlooking something," replied Applejack, stubbornly flipping the pages of the ledger, "now let's start from the top."

"Alrighty," responded Big Macintosh with a wry smile, "but we're hittin' the hay right after. We both got chores in the morning, and I know ya need yer beauty sleep."

"Fine by me," answered Applejack, returning her brother's smile with a smirk, "now hush up with yer sass and work that contraption while I read these figures out to ya."

Ever since Twilight Sparkle arrived in Ponyville and Applejack subsequently became the element of honesty, Sweet Apple Acres always seemed to have some sort of grand adventure or farcical event take place on its premises. The barn had to be rebuilt four times within the last year, and Applejack still cringed that the latest incident had been her fault. Happier memories of the Apple family reunion soon soothed her embarrassment, but financially those construction projects had taken their toll. Of course, the Zap Apple harvest had been a huge monetary boon for the family's coffers, but the stunt that the Cutie Mark Crusaders pulled during Hearts and Hooves Day resulted in Big Macintosh destroying several pieces of property in town with his prodigious strength. The repair bill for those damages had not been cheap, as Apple Bloom's chore load for the following month reflected in spades. Finally, the overall crop harvest had been good and the cider season had started off smashingly, but the appearance of The Flim Flam Brothers and their infernal machine caused the family to work to the point of exhaustion, a physical fee that affected their productivity for weeks after. Overall, it hadn't been a terrible year, but it certainly hadn't been a bumper crop, blue-ribbon season either.

"And we sold those last few jars of Zap Apple Jam to Filthy Rich for fifty bits," noted Applejack, who watched Big Macintosh slide the final few abacus beads across its wooden frame, "I always feel like we are gettin' the short end of the stick when we deal with that fella too."

"Eeyup," replied Big Macintosh, noting the final tally on an already well-used piece of scratch paper, "but Granny Smith's got ties with the Rich family going way back, and she ain't willing to change anything about that now."

"So," asked Applejack hopefully, "how much of a goldmine did we miss the first two times through? And don't use yer fancy mathematics to muddy the issue!"

"Four bits AJ," answered Big Macintosh, reaching for the solid wooden chest that had been tucked under his chair, "the same four bits that I showed ya earlier in this here chest."

"Dagnabbit Big Macintosh," exclaimed Applejack, swiftly rising from the table in frustration. She walked over to the to the window and rested her palms on its sill, standing absolutely still for a few moments. Then, after drawing a tenuous breath, she turned to look over her shoulder towards her brother. He could see she was battling back a year's worth of tears, and her usually cheerful voice came out as a coarse whisper when she finally spoke, "what are we gunna do?"

That had been the million bit question that both of them had been trying to answer for the better part of a week. Sadly, they were no closer to a solution then when they started, but Big Macintosh would say anything and everything comforting to assuage his sister's fears. He couldn't stand to see her cry.

"Come on now AJ," said Big Macintosh soothingly, standing up and walking over to the window, "we'll think uh something. We always have before. Ain't no family more resourceful than the Apple family."

"Ain't no pony disputing that," responded Applejack, turning to rest her back against the window while wiping away the single tear that had managed to escape, "but this old house needs more paint and nails than four bits can buy, and what if Granny gets sick? What if Apple Bloom gets hurt on account of hur Cutie Mark Crusaders shenanigans?"

"Ya know darn well that Nurse Redheart said Granny was as spry as evar tha' other day," answered Big Macintosh consolingly, wrapping his arms around his sister for one of his patented bear hugs, "and Apple Bloom is tougher than a two bit haysteak."

"Ya always know what to say to make me feel better big brother," said Applejack, returning her brother's hug, "I just...I wish Ma and Pa were still here. They'd know what to do about these money troubles, no question about it."

"Eeyup," agreed Big Macintosh, "but I know we can figure out something too. We do got one whole brain 'tween the two of us after all."

Applejack laughed at her brother's hackneyed joke, and took a deep breath to calm herself. The smell of kitchen spices and Big Macintosh's apple-and-earth scent were a familiar panacea for her frazzled nerves, but a very unexpected feeling also wormed its way up from the depths of her consciousness. Applejack locked her gaze onto her brother's face, and a small blush slowly spread across her cheeks. Big Macintosh stared down at his sister quizzically, not quite understanding why she was suddenly looking at him so intensely. After the staring contest became too awkward to bear, he cut his eyes to the side and broke the silence.

"Umm...AJ," asked Big Macintosh carefully, "Are ya feeling okay? Yer face just got redder than a tomato, and yer looking at me like I just grew a horn and a pair uh wings."

"Wha..." murmured Applejack dazedly before her eyes shot wide, as if she'd just awoken from a deep trance, "I uh...of course I'm alright sugarcube, was still just a little flustered from earlier."

Applejack clumsily stumbled out of Big Macintosh's embrace, brushing off her plaid button-up and daisy dukes, as well as resetting her trademark Stetson hat. She headed straight for the kitchen doorway and walked out, but then immediately poked her head around the doorframe to look back at her bewildered brother.

"We should both turn in," said Applejack with a nervous titter, "Gotta get up bright and early and tend to them chores."

Big Macintosh was still very confused by his sister's very strange and abrupt shift in behavior, but he soon chalked it up as nothing more than frustration due to hours of fruitless accounting.

"Eeyup," answered Big Macintosh with a smile, "sweet dreams AJ."

"You too big brother," replied Applejack, whose head swiftly disappeared once again into the dark hallway.

Big Macintosh listened to her hurried footsteps as she raced up the staircase, and once again, he couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into her. After putting up the old ledger and abacus, as well as blowing out the few still-burning candles, he too slowly made his way into the pitch-black corridor and headed towards his room, eagerly anticipating the comfort of his soft bed, fluffy pillow, and warm quilt. However, what neither pony noticed while standing near the window was that an oddly-colored star had appeared just to the left of Ponaris in the night sky. It glowed with a vibrant crimson aura that oscillated wildly, and if anypony were to stare at it for any reasonable length of time, they would certainly swear that it was getting bigger.

___________________________

Almost a week had passed since the Apple sibling's awkward midnight episode, but any lingering unease between Applejack and Big Macintosh had been mostly overshadowed by the appearance of the strange red light that grew brighter with each passing night. Naturally, the community turned to Twilight for answers within the first days of its appearance, and after, as she put it, conducting an extensive scientific mission of astronomical exploration, the mysterious object was declared to be a large comet. The citizens of Ponyville breathed a collective sigh of relief that the celestial object was only a passing visitor instead of an imminent threat, and Pinkie Pie even held a comet-watching party, as well as another, less-attended party the following day to commemorate the first comet-watching party, to celebrate its approach. However, even though everypony seemed to be settling back into his or her daily routine, Big Macintosh noticed that the local mares were exhibiting increasingly peculiar behavior.

Of course, while the younger colts and fillies of Equestria were mostly unaware that mature females were prone to go into heat during this time of year, every stallion who comes of age eventually grows accustomed to receiving attention from groups of giggling girls, as well as a few subtle glances of appraisal, when spring rolls around. However, the usual harmless sighing and coquettish behavior had been replaced with much more forward displays of affection as of late, and Big Macintosh found himself attracting quite a few followers when he went into town on farm-related business.

His latest foray into the city limits had brought him to the Cakes' bakery for some much needed sacks of sugar and flour to make apple fritters. However, after slinking around the alleyways of Ponyville to avoid any unwanted female attention, Big Macintosh found himself face-to-face with a barely dressed Mr. and Mrs. Cake after slipping through the building's back door. Several awkward apologies and comments about the weather were exchanged afterwards while the couple clothed themselves and prepared the baking goods, and Big Macintosh decided to skip the covert route back to Sweet Apple Acres in favor of the more direct path through the middle of town. In hindsight, he would come to view that choice as an obviously stupid decision due to the harrowing gauntlet he had to traverse.

"Well look who we got here Bon Bon," said Lyra Heartstrings, strutting over to the encumbered stallion with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "say...did you ever notice that Big Mac has a pretty good looking flank?"

Big Macintosh adjusted the large sacks on his shoulders to hide his flushed face while increasing his pace to put some distance between himself and his new admirers, but the two mares matched his speed, one moving to his left, while the other took up position on his right.

"Now that you mention it...he certainly does," answered Bon Bon, running her eyes up and down Big Macintosh's body, "and look at all those muscles. You think if we ask nicely he might help us out with some heavy lifting?"

"I don't know," replied Lyra wantonly, edging closer to Big Macintosh so she could place her hand on the small of his back, "what do you say Big Mac? I'm sure a nice guy like you wouldn't leave two ladies in distress, right?"

A visible shiver traveled from the base of Big Macintosh's spine to his brain, and both Lyra and Bon Bon turned towards each other at the exact moment to exchange cheeky grins. This insistent teasing continued until he reached the edge of town, and after being assailed by several more cat calls, wolf whistles, and giggle fits from several other mares along the way, he immediately dropped his cargo off in the kitchen, ran cold water from the sink over his head, and went out to the orchard to employ the Apple family's time-honored, stress-relieving technique: strenuous manual labor.

That had all took place over an hour ago, and after finally feeling the burning in his cheeks starting to subside, a female voice calling for him in the distance immediately put him back on the defensive. Still, there was something awfully familiar about that voice...

"Big Mac," yelled Ditzy Doo, shielding her eyes from the sun as she scouted around the expansive orchard, "where are you? I've got a really, really, really important looking letter for you!"

"I'm over yonder Ditzy," replied Big Macintosh, arranging the last loop of a rope around a dead apple tree stump, while simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief that his mare caller was only the town's derpy, but lovable, mailpony. He placed the rope securely over his right shoulder just as Ditzy touched down on the ground beside him, and then with one might pull unearthed the stubborn piece of flora in a shower of dirt and roots.

"Oh wow," exclaimed Ditzy Doo, eyeing Big Macintosh's handiwork with wide-eyed admiration, "sometimes I forget how strong you are Big Mac."

Big Macintosh felt his cheeks grow warm from Ditzy's compliment. He wasn't a complete stranger when it came to dealing with mares since he had grown up in a house full of them, but most of the time his shyness got the better of him when he received praise. Especially the very promiscuous praise Lyra and Bon Bon had lauded onto him earlier.

"Eeyup," replied Big Macintosh sheepishly, clearing his throat in an attempt to steady his nerves, "so what can I do for ya Ditzy? I think ya said something 'bout a letter?"

"Oh right," answered Ditzy Doo, "here you go Big Mac. I had to hand these out to a few of the other ponies in town, and you're the very last one I needed to find."

The envelope she removed from her mailbag was made of expensive, ivory-colored parchment, and the wax seal on the back was a brilliant golden yellow. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the calligraphy on the front of the letter was beautifully written, as well as how the emblem pressed into the wax resembled a majestic sun.

"Ya sure this is for me Ditzy," asked Big Macintosh incredulously, "usually Applejack is the one who gets the fancy letters like this."

"Absolutely positive Big Mac," said Ditzy Doo enthusiastically, "I was given very specific orders from my boss about who wasn't supposed to receive these letters, and you definitely weren't one of those ponies."

"Don't ya mean he told ya who is supposed to get 'em," asked a slightly confused Big Macintosh.

"That's what I said silly," replied Ditzy Doo with a smile, "now open it, open it! None of the other stallions would let me see what was inside."

Big Macintosh briefly wondered what Ditzy meant by other stallions before breaking the wax and carefully removing the letter's contents. The first thing he noticed was what looked like an invitation printed on thick card stock. Its inscription matched the ornate script found on the front of the envelope, and it read as follows:

To the recipient of this summons:
Her royal highness, Princess Celestia, requests your
presence in Canterlot on the night of the
first new moon of spring. You will find one
train ticket enclosed within.

Big Macintosh read the invitation three more times to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, and Ditzy let out a squeal of excitement once she finally managed to catch a glimpse of its message.

"That's so amazing Big Mac," exclaimed Ditzy Doo, flapping her wings in excitement, "I didn't know you were friends with the princess. I mean I knew that Applejack was because of Twilight, but...wait, does that mean all the stallions are friends of the princess?"

"I don't rightly know Ditzy," answered Big Macintosh slowly, still trying to process this very unexpected situation, "but I can't leave the farm to go to Canterlot. I got too many chores, and..."

"Oh no Big Mac, no, no," said a shocked Ditzy Doo, "You have to go to the princess' party. What if she wants to give you a special muffin and you don't show up? She'd be so sad."

Although the gravity of such a regal request didn't escape the befuddled stallion, something just didn't quite add up about this situation. Why him? It was always Applejack who went off on fantastical errands by royal decree. And why now? Certainly things were becoming strange in Ponyville, so did this gathering have something to do with that? Despite all of the new questions cropping up in his brain at an exponential rate, a realization of cold dread soon fell over him upon closer scrutiny of his train ticket.

"Hold on a second...today is the first new moon of spring," shouted an surprised Big Macintosh, "when were ya supposed to give me this letter Ditzy? The train leaves in less than an hour!"

"I'm so sorry Big Mac," replied a now sullen Ditzy Doo, "When I was flying over here this morning I stopped to get a muffin at the Sugarcube Corner, but one muffin wasn't enough, so I flew back and bought a second, but then I thought I should buy a dozen muffins because..."

"Whoa, alright, simmer down Ditzy," said Big Macintosh comfortingly, "I ain't mad at ya, but I guess I gotta hurry if I'm gonna make it."

After sprinting back to the farmhouse, the only pony Big Macintosh could find was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. After showing them the letter and explaining the situation as best he could, he told his littlest sister to tell Applejack and Granny Smith not to worry, and that he'd be back as soon as he could. After throwing on a clean shirt and washing his hands and face, Big Macintosh bolted out the front door in a mad dash towards the railroad tracks. He arrived right as the train engine released a gust of steam and its running gear slowly began to turn, which gave him just enough time to hop onto a passenger car near the caboose. Once inside, a conductor stamped his ticket, and after acknowledging Quake, Thunderlane, and several other stallions he recognized from Ponyville, Big Macintosh's eyes settled on a face he hadn't expected to see.

"Braeburn," asked Big Macintosh in amazement, "what brings ya all the way up here?"

"Cousin Big Mac," replied Braeburn enthusiastically, "who-wee it's good to see another familiar face on this here train. As for the reason I'm here, I imagine it's the same reason ya are. Heck, every fella on this here train got one of those fancy invitations from Canterlot. Me and a couple of boys from Appleloosa got on board yesterday morning, and been riding it ever since."

After looking around at all the passengers seated in the car, Big Macintosh did indeed notice two things everypony had in common. One, they were all stallions, and two, none of them were more than a few years apart in age. Something definitely wasn't right with this picture, and even after night fell and everypony bunked down in the sleeper car, all he could do was stare out the window at the strange red comet and wonder what in tarnation was going on in Equestria.

___________________________

When the train finally arrived in Canterlot on the evening of the next day, a small attachment of royal guards meet the disembarking stallions and informed them that Princess Celestia wished to see all of them immediately. Big Macintosh, Braeburn, and the others were somewhat taken aback by the seriousness of their escorts, and after making their way down several dark streets and crossing the castle's drawbridge, everypony was shuffled into a large audience chamber located off the main courtyard. A large group of stallions was already gathered inside, so Big Macintosh's group had to shamble in slowly and find room at the back to stand. Once everypony was inside, two of their escorts began to pull the room's large gilded doors closed, shutting off the only light source that had been illuminating the chamber. However, just as several anxious murmurs began to escape the mouths of the more uneasy stallions, a series of giant braziers lining the chamber's walls burst into flame, moving in sequence towards the opposite end of the room and revealing a truly jaw-dropping sight.

A raised platform stood at the far side of the hall, on top of which sat an alabaster throne covered in intricate carvings of suns, stars, and moons. Even though that piece of furniture represented the pinnacle of Equestrian craftsmanship, it was its occupant that had captured the attention of every stallion in the room.

"Welcome gentlecolts," said Princess Celestia gracefully, flashing her audience a brilliant smile, "I thank all of you for coming to Canterlot on such short notice, and welcome you into my home."

Of course, every pony in Equestria could instantly recognize the radiant princess of the sun on sight, but compared to her usual attire of white and gold dresses made of billowing material, the outfit she had on at the moment left the males gathered in the room speechless. Sitting on her throne, snow white legs crossed, pastel hair flowing freely on an unseen wind, was their beautiful ruler, garbed in a sleeveless white dress that showed off her ample cleavage and ended just above her mid-thigh. The gold crown and jewelry she wore was polished to a brilliant sheen, and several audible gasps escaped from a few of the more taken aback onlookers.

"I've brought you all here to discuss a very serious matter," exclaimed Celestia, still smiling softly, seemingly unaware of the strong affect her appearance had on those gathered, "As I'm sure you've all come to know, the red light in the night sky comes from a rather large comet that is approaching our world. However, what you don't know is that this visitor has graced Equestria with its presence before, and at that moment a special event was created to honor, and utilize, its presence."

This last comment brought on a rising tide of nervous conversation that steadily rose in volume, but when Celestia raised her hand the crowd once again descended into a hushed state.

"This celestial traveler has graced us with its presence every 333 years," continued Celestia, her eyes narrowing slightly, "and during each of those visits I noted that it possessed rather peculiar magic properties. You see, my dear gentlecolts, the comet has the power to ensure the healthy birth of any colt or filly conceived under its light. Of course, upon confirming this discovery, I decreed that the ancient practice of pairing strong studs with healthy females would be revived for the duration of its visit."

Absolute silence descended over the chamber. Everypony was simply too paralyzed by their sovereign's last few words to even muster the energy to blink, and almost an entire minute passed before a rather distinguished looking white stallion stepped forward and began to speak.

"Excuse me, your majesty," said Fancy Pants, twirling a finger through his mustache nervously, "and really do forgive me if this sounds a bit impolite, but doesn't this seem a tad bit extreme as a course of action in today's times? Surely there is no need to..."

"Oh, but the need is greater now than it ever has been in the past," interrupted Celestia calmly, "tell me, my dear loyal subjects, what is the current ratio of mares to stallions in your cities, towns, and villages?"

A few mumbled conversations began to take place in the audience again, and after overcoming his own incredulousness at his ruler's question, Big Macintosh seriously began to formulate an answer.

Let's see, thought Big Macintosh, envisioning all of his female family, friends, and acquaintances from Ponyville, there is Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Cheerilee, Nurse Redheart, Ditzy Doo, Lyra, Bon Bon, Silverspeed, Cloudchaser, Flitter...

After rambling off dozens of more female names in his mind, Big Macintosh then began to compose a list of all the town's male residents. It was at the exact moment that he found himself floundering around the fifteen-name mark that a startling realization dawned on him.

"There's about ten mares to every one stallion in Ponyville," said Big Macintosh aloud, and at a much higher volume than he intended. Of course, his voice carried to the front of the virtually silent chamber, which caused Celestia to immediately lock her eyes onto him. He could see the usual kindness and warmth in her gaze that everypony in Equestria knew so well, but there was something else reflected there too...an unidentifiable, yet somehow familiar, glimmer he had seen all too recently in the eyes of mares.

"Excellent deduction," complimented Celestia, leaning further back in her throne, "and very true, I'm afraid. Just as the clever red stallion in the back surmised, we are facing a potential crisis of imbalance in the near future due to the dwindling number of stallions and increasing number of mares that compose our population."

A few more gasps of astonishment and frantic conversations erupted between the stallions gathered in the room, but Big Macintosh's attention was drawn to the sound of hoofsteps above him. After turning around and staring up through the darkness that shrouded the upper chamber, he spotted a cloaked form leaning against the railing of an overhead balcony. Once his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he immediately recognized the pony as Princess Luna, and was surprised to see that she too was staring down at him. Once their eyes met, Luna tilted her chin up with a smirk, leaning on the balcony's railing while using her free hand to haughtily flip her hair over her shoulder. However, just as she completed the traditional royal Canterlot gesture of preening, the arm she had on the railing slipped, causing her to ungracefully tumble for a second before she caught herself. After standing back up, she looked down to see Big Macintosh staring up at her with concern, which slowly transformed into a small grin when he saw that she was unharmed. This display of genuine worry and relief caught Luna completely off-guard, and after a moment of blushing and fidgeting nervously with the sides of her dress, she retreated behind a nearby curtain, leaving a very taken back Big Macintosh staring at the space she once had occupied.

"As I was saying," exclaimed Celestia, the commanding tone in her voice causing Big Macintosh to turn around instantly, "in order to address this imbalance, it is once again time to employ studs, but on a much larger scale than I ever have before. That is why I've summoned you all here today. I wish to know who among you will heed my call and surreptitiously volunteer your services for the future prosperity of Equestria."

The room erupted into chaos. Each stallion turned to his neighbor and began asking if they would acquiesce to Celestia's request. Soon, their voices grew so tumultuous that she had to stand up and magically amplify the sound of her hoof beating against the dais to restore order.

"Please my good gentlecolts," implored Celestia, settling back down into her chair once more, "I realize I've presented you with a difficult question, and I don't expect an immediate answer. All of you will stay at the palace tonight as my guests, and each of you will inform me of your choice in the morning. Do rest assured though that the potential mares will be given the same choice I have just given you, and that the royal treasury will provide a stipend to help raise the foals born during these unions as well."

This last declaration by the princess must have been the signal for the guards outside to open the chamber doors once more, and several more armored ponies appeared at her side, guiding the mass exodus of stallions back into the courtyard and towards their sleeping quarters. Big Macintosh quickly found himself pressed against the back wall of the antechamber, and decided he could do nothing but wait patiently for his turn to exit. However, as he was standing there, a gentle force began to press against the left side of his chin, prompting him to turn his head back towards the platform where Celestia had addressed them moments before. The sight that greeted him was simply overwhelming.

Celestia's eyes were ablaze with a sultry fire, and the spell she casted onto Big Macintosh had him absolutely paralyzed on the spot. While biting her lower lip, she slowly uncrossed her legs, spreading them apart for the briefest of moments before once again crossing them in the opposite direction. The brief glimpse of inner thigh and gossamer, black lace lingerie suspended the higher functioning of his brain, and it was only after a guard jostled him back into a semi-consciousness state that he realized he was the last stallion left in the room. Still, his eyes remained captive to Celestia's form as he was led outside, and it finally occurred to him where he had seen that unidentifiable glimmer before. Back at the farmhouse, there was an old book about the predators of the Everfree Forest that his family had owned for generations. On one of its pages was the vivid image of a pack of timber wolves who had managed to corner a hapless hare, their eyes gleaming with the same voracious light his princess had just exhibited. Although he knew it was futile, Big Macintosh began to wonder if those poor critters ever escaped from those predicaments...

___________________________

Sleep didn't come any easier to Big Macintosh in his guest room than it had on the train, and after a stint of fitfully tossing and turning under the sheets, he hoped that a shower would help him forget about all of the tantalizing experiences he had endured as of late. After a time, the hot water did wonders to relax his muscles, but the recurring mental image of Princess Celestia's brazen display was beginning to stiffen another part of his anatomy quite handily. Closing the valve on the hot water while furiously spinning open the tap of the cold remedied that problem almost immediately, but the now shivering stallion was even farther away from a restful night's slumber than when he started. To make matters worse, right as he was stepping out of the bathroom and slipping on his pants, a rapid series of knocks assailed the entryway of his suite. Although almost every neuron in his brain screamed at him to take the safest course of action and pretend that he was fast asleep, years of practicing good manners prevailed. A gentlecolt simply did not refuse to answer when somepony came calling, especially when that somepony was rapping so frantically. After hopping over to the door from the far side of the room, all the while pulling up and securing his trousers, Big Macintosh opened it just enough to poke his head out into the hallway. A cute little yellow mare with a blue mane and green eyes was waiting outside, and he immediately knew something was ahoof.

"Please sir," implored Masquerade, fidgeting nervously from side to side, "you must come with me right away. You see, the princess is in dire straits! Yes, dire straits, and she needs help immediately."

"We gotta find the guards then," stated Big Macintosh warily, although still perking up at the sound of potential danger, "and shouldn't ya be askin' them first instead of just some ol' random stallion?"

"Oh, but the guards have already answered her majesty's summons and are defending her now," replied Masquerade imploringly, "it was such a terrible sight to see...but I knew the guests of her majesty were staying in this wing of the castle, and your room was the first I came upon. Please follow me. We haven't much time!"

Big Macintosh knew deep down in his gut that this little wisp of a mare was trying to pull wool over his eyes, but even the slightest possibility of Princess Celestia or Princess Luna being in danger was enough to spur him into action. After grabbing his work shirt off the back of a nearby chair, he hastily threw his arms through its sleeves and burst into the hallway next to Masquerade. Acknowledging his cooperation with a thankful smile and a nod, she took off at breakneck speed down the long, door-lined hallway. Big Macintosh began to follow, and after turning down deserted corridor after deserted corridor, his initial doubts about Masquerade's sincerity were replaced with a growing sense of dread. Where were the servants? More importantly, where were the guards? It was unquestionably very late, but surely there had to be some guards patrolling the grounds, right? All of these questions caused Big Macintosh's mind to race and his adrenaline to flow, and after another series of rapid twists and turns, he saw two large oaken doors covered in sun and moon carvings before him.

"The princesses are behind that door," explained Masquerade, slowing her run to a trot "Now come with me quickly...hey! Wait!"

Big Macintosh could no longer hear her. He looked like a crimson blur sprinting down the hallway, and when he was only a few steps away from the sealed entryway he shifted all of his weight into his right shoulder, blowing the doors clean off their hinges in an explosion of splinters and masonry.

"I'm here to..." shouted Big Macintosh, before his voice tapered off into an sheepish mumble, "...help ya'll..."

Big Macintosh had crashed his way into the foyer of Princess Celestia's private chambers, and sitting just beyond the wood and stone shower he created were the royal sisters themselves. Luna had risen out of her chair and assumed a defensive posture, her horn glowing with an intense radiance, ready to blast any dangerous intruder into dust. However, when she recognized that the intruder was none other than the same scarlet pony she had primped for during the assembly, her mouth hung agape for a few moments before she could compose herself. Sitting back down with all the serenity she could muster, Luna began to dart her eyes between Celestia, the mystery mare in the doorway, and the extraordinarily strong stallion who had just smashed their door. Her sister had arranged for this to happen. She just knew it.

As for Celestia, she hadn't even flinched when the wall exploded. Only her eyes had moved towards the disturbance, and Big Macintosh once again felt his heart skip a beat when her gaze settled onto him. Swirling a glass of dark red wine in her hand, she took a generous sip and then smiled before speaking.

"I see you brought the helper I asked for Masquerade" said Princess Celestia elegantly, "still, I didn't expect his entrance to be so...surprising."

"I'm sorry your majesty," implored Masquerade, "I told him to stop, but he just kept running like a madcolt..."

"No need to apologize," continued Princess Celestia, rising out of her chair, "it was a very exciting spectacle to witness. Of course, I will reward you later as promised."

"Oh, thank you, thank you your majesty," squealed Masquerade, appearing as if she was struggling to contain herself, "when...when can I expect you..."

"Soon enough, my dear," answered Princess Celestia, "now please leave us. I must attend to the special guest you brought me."

Masquerade performed a very quick, yet elegant curtsy before disappearing back down the hallway in a flash, leaving Big Macintosh alone with the two most powerful ponies in all of Equestria.

"Welcome Macintosh Apple," greeted Princess Celestia warmly, setting her wine glass down as she took several small, hip-swaying steps towards him, "I trust your family is doing well in Ponyville. The last time I saw Applejack was when she assisted Twilight in the Crystal Empire."

"Yes ma'a...I mean, yes yer highness," replied Big Macintosh nervously, "Applejack is doing just fine...wait, you know my name? I mean, um, I..."

"Yes, I'm well aware of who you are," laughed Princess Celestia soothingly, "Twilight is quite thorough in her accounts of life in Ponyville, and of course Applejack has told me of you before."

"I, um, dun know what they could say about meh that would be too interesting," murmured Big Macintosh, "I'm just a simple earth pony who works in an apple orchard. Ain't nothing that much to tell."

"Hmm, I don't think simple is the right word," corrected Princess Celestia, placing a hand on Big Macintosh's bare chest, "intriguing is what comes to my mind. Wouldn't you agree, Luna?"

Big Macintosh looked down once he felt Celestia's soft hand resting on his sternum, and he quickly realized that in his earlier haste to be a hero, he hadn't bothered to button up his shirt while following Masquerade. He took a quick step back and began to rectify that oversight, but didn't even manage to pull the two sides of it together before a glowing force stopped his hands dead in their tracks.

"Oh no need for that," whispered Celestia huskily, her horn pulsing with the same light that was enveloping his hands, "I rather like the way you look now. Luna? You haven't answered my question."

"He...he is just a plain stallion," said Princess Luna dismissively, now darting her eyes between the floor and the room's furniture, "We doth not...I mean, I do not see anything remarkable about him."

"That wasn't what you told me earlier," teased Celestia, turning her head to look over her shoulder, "what was it you said? I believe it was something about how empathetic ponies like him are rare in these times, and how you could tell he possessed a gentle soul..."

"THOU ART SPREADING SLANDER AGAINST US," bellowed Luna in the traditional Canterlot voice, immediately covering her mouth in embarrassment when she noticed Big Macintosh's stunned expression, "we...we mean I, no, I mean I..."

"Now Luna," admonished Celestia, tracing her index finger in idle circles on Big Macintosh's chest, "there is no reason to get so upset. Look at how your little outburst shocked our guest."

"I am deeply sorry for my...little outburst," quipped Luna, not caring for her sister's chiding tone, "but...but I know you are up to something Celestia! Tha-that mare and this stallion coming to our quarters at such a late hour..."

"I asked Masquerade to fetch Big Macintosh because I want to make a...special request of him," stated Celestia, her eyes narrowing and mouth transforming into a mischievous smirk, "but if you are too exhausted to help entertain our guest, I completely understand. In fact, I even arranged to have a new set of nightclothes made for you. You'll find them in the bedroom near the closet door."

"You prepared 'nightclothes' for me," repeated Luna dubiously, "and you know very well that I need no sleep. The night is my domain! I have no need for slee..."

Before Luna could finish her declaration of nocturnal supremacy, she was cut short by the look of total authority emanating from Celestia's face. Deciding that a tactical retreat was in order, she spun on her heels and headed for the bedroom, intent on proving that she could handle whatever outfit her elder sister threw at her. Big Macintosh had had more arguments with Applejack than he cared to remember, but he had a growing suspicion that he might get caught in a firework show of arcane sorcery if he didn't excuse himself soon. Certainly the best course of action to escape the dueling sisters was to complete whatever task Celestia had in mind for him and then quickly and quietly return to his room. Surely it couldn't be too difficult...right?

"Now," stated Celestia huskily, looking back towards her handsome subject, "where were we? Ah yes...Applejack has told me several times how you are surely the strongest stallion in all of Equestria. As it so happens, I need to call on your strength to solve a dire problem."

"Yes ma'am, I mean, yer majesty, I'd be happy ta help," answered Big Macintosh maladroitly, while still breathing a sigh of relief that it was only some physical task. He could handle that. He was an Apple after all.

"Excellent," continued Celestia, turning her back towards Big Macintosh while pulling her vibrant hair over her shoulder, "you see, the zipper of my new dress is stuck, and none of my attendants have been able to so much as budge it. Would you mind trying your hand at it?"

Crickets. Tumbleweeds. Silence.

Surely, thought Big Macintosh, I just misheard my benevolent sovereign. She must be pulling my tail as a practical joke. Still, Granny Smith had taught him it was rude to pretend you knew what somepony wanted if you didn't hear them clearly the first time.

"Ma'am," said Big Macintosh, rubbing the back of his head, "I don't think I heard ya correctly. It sounded like you said pull down your zippe..."

"Oh, how silly of me. Here, let me clear up any confusion," replied Celestia, using her magic to pinch his pointer finger and thumb directly onto her zipper, "now pull..."

Time slowed to a crawl for Big Macintosh. He watched his hand descend in a trance-like state, every link of the zipper visibly unclasping without any resistance whatsoever. No fabric or thread was bunched up in the teeth, and not a single tooth was warped or broken. The mechanism was fine. The dress was fine. All of these realizations struck Big Macintosh like a ton of bricks, and even though other ponies said he was too shy and quiet frequently, nopony ever said he was stupid. In fact, he was actually very intelligent, and the moment the zipper stopped moving near the small of Celestia's back, he had more than an inkling of what was coming next. Still, if a member of the Apple Family was anything, they were resourceful, and Big Mac knew he needed to choose his next words carefully in order to escape.

"Glad I could help ya, yer highness," said Big Macintosh cheerily, placing his hands behind his back while turning towards the doorway, "We Apples are always glad ta lend a hoof, but it's late, and I know ya and yer sister want some peace and quie..."

He didn't even bother to finish his sentence. The scattered doors, hinges, stone fragments, and wood splinters were all magically rising off the floor, perfectly recreating the entryway he had previously smashed to pieces. Of course, noting Celestia's earlier flair for the dramatic, the very last part to be reassembled was the iron deadbolt, which Big Macintosh watched oh so delicately slide over into its locked position. The trap was sprung.

"Oh I'm well aware of the Apple family's willingness to selflessly aid others," whispered Celestia amorously, "and I'm sure Applejack has told you how much I love rewarding good deeds."

"I can't rightly recall," answered Big Macintosh, finally finding the courage to slowly turn and face his captor, "I, um, don't suppose ya could reward me in tha mornin..."

"I think now is perfect," interrupted Celestia, swishing her tail slightly to the side, "hmm, but how to reward you...yes, I'm quite sure you will enjoy this."

The first thing that registered in Big Macintosh's mind was the sound of fabric hitting the floor. Naturally, his eyes were drawn to the source of this audible disturbance, but from there they wandered up Celestia's shapely legs to behold a sight that was, without a doubt, his payment.

"Eeyup, that'll do..." whispered Big Macintosh, overawed by the view of his ruler's incredibly supple-looking butt. The black, tie-side thong she wore created the perfect contrast with the pristine white of her flesh, and the way she cocked her right hip...

"You look quite pleased," observed Celestia, flashing him a self-assured smirk, "please have a seat. I have something else I wish to discuss with you."

Big Macintosh could only nod his head in slack-jawed affirmation before sitting down on the nearest piece of furniture, occasionally sneaking a peak from the corner of his eye at Celestia's body as she walked towards an ornate changing screen. He wasn't exactly sure what a pony was supposed to say during a situation like this, but his gut told him that even a small amount of conversation would steady his furiously beating heart.

"Princess Celestia," said Big Macintosh, his tongue fumbling a bit as he struggled to recover his ability to speak, "I want ta say I think it's right honorable of ya to be so concerned about tha future of Equestria. I...I'm sure plenty of fellas will help with yer plan, and, I, um, guess I will too, seeing as how its tradition and all...what with the comet..."

The laugh that emerged from behind the screen didn't have a trace on condescension in it, but Big Macintosh still felt like he had just said something really foolish. Celestia let her laughter trail off as she emerged from behind the screen, and he got his second eyeful of spectacular beauty for the night. Celestia had put on a diaphanous negligee of black silk, completely exposing her nude form underneath to his, once again, enraptured gaze. Her breasts could easily fill his large hands, and combined with her toned stomach and well-rounded thighs, her figure was simply breathtaking. For the second time that night Big Macintosh felt his pants become uncomfortably tighter.

"Please don't be upset," cooed Celestia, sauntering over to take a seat next to him on the large, plush couch, "I was laughing at myself just now, not you. I'm afraid I was not entirely honest with you stallions tonight concerning the nature of the comet's power."

"I don't understand," stated Big Macintosh, staring at his sovereign questioningly, "If it don't help a couple, ahem, make healthy foals, what does it do than?"

"Oh, it certainly does do that, in a manner of speaking," continued Celestia, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, "Tell me Macintosh, have you noticed any mares in Ponyville acting strange? More flirtatious? More promiscuous?"

"Eeyup," confirmed Big Macintosh, thinking back to his latest encounter with Lyra and Bon Bon, "I reckoned it t'was just them being in a bad way with their heat though."

"Ah, I knew you were clever," complimented Celestia, leaning over to place a hand on his cheek, "yes, many mares are beginning their estrus cycles, but I'm afraid it is much more complicated than that. Would you like to guess what I named the comet after its first visit to our world?"

"I don't rightly know ma'am," admitted Big Macintosh, tapping out a nervous rhythm on his thighs due to Celestia's touch, "the happy-healthy-baybee-star sounds is about as gud a guess as I got at this point."

"Ha, not quite I'm afraid," laughed Celestia, leaning back against the sofa's cushioning before donning a serious expression, "Its name is Éroskometes, which translated into our modern pony tongue means the Comet of Passionate Loving. Put simply, it has the ability amplify the latent sexual desires and needs lurking in the hearts of all ponies."

"I...I don't understand," said Big Macintosh, thinking about his latest experiences with other ponies, "I haven't seen a single stallion act more forward towards a mare. It's always been tha other way around."

"Oh, it has always affected stallions in more subtle ways than mares," explained Celestia, allowing her hand to slide down from his cheek to his chest, "also, my 'grand tradition' of calling on willing studs and mares was actually a little white lie. You won't find it in any historical records because it refers to nothing more than my private attempts to catalog the range of the comet's influence with a few volunteers. It is much worse this time though. In fact, I can't say with absolute certainty that my own sense of judgment hasn't been...compromised, by all the factors conspiring against us. You might call the situation we're in a perfect storm."

"Hold on now yar highness," said Big Macintosh, his voice trailing off as he began to connect all the loose ends she had laid out for him, "yar telling me that while all the mares are going into heat the comet is gonna make them..."

"Incredibly unruly, to put it mildly," finished Celestia, smiling softly "another fine conjecture. However, I'm afraid there is a third player that is going to make this situation even more troublesome."

"I ain't nothing special," declared Big Macintosh, blushing profusely from Celestia's compliment, "and I sure as hay don't know what could make this situation any worse."

"The moon, my shy stallion," answered Celestia, leaning forward while pushing Big Macintosh onto his back, "tonight was the first new moon of spring, and my sister has informed me that it will be full when the comet is at the apex of its approach. Isn't that right, Luna?"

Big Macintosh had been backing up towards the edge of the couch as Celestia bore down on him, but now he stopped his shuffling to face the same set of curtains she was staring at. After a few seconds of waiting, Luna's head finally emerged from behind the drapery, but she tenaciously clung a large swathe of the dark mauve fabric tight against her body.

"That...that is not important right now," exclaimed Luna, pulling the cloth closer to her chin, "what is important is this...this...this ridiculous outfit...it is indecent!"

"Oh Luna, don't be such a prude," teased Celestia, turning her attention back to the now straddled Big Macintosh, "and you've been hiding there for far too long. Why don't you come out from behind the curtains and show our guest? I'm sure he'll have no complaints."

"WE SHALL NOT YIELD, WE SHAL...AHH!" shouted Luna, once again reverting to the traditional Canterlot voice before a loud, fleshy pop silenced her, "did...did you just..."

"Spank you," answered Celestia bluntly, the glow around her horn subsiding, "why yes, I did, and I'll do it again if you don't stop being so stubborn. In fact, maybe I'll give you another anyways..."

"No!" pleaded Luna, her grip on the curtains relaxing, "we shall, I mean, I will come out."

When Luna stepped out from her hiding place, Big Macintosh had to bite his tongue from letting out a low whistle of approval. Although she was still using her wings to shield some of her body from sight, the fact that she had put on an elaborate ensemble of white lace lingerie was impossible to conceal. Her long legs were sheathed in silk stockings that ended at her mid-thigh, held in place by the delicate clasps of an intricately patterned garter belt, and the snow white brassiere pressed her ample breasts together in a very enticing way. Big Macintosh also noticed she was wearing the same tie-side style thong as Celestia, and her flustered mannerisms only served to enhance the sexual spell she was inadvertently weaving.

"White suits her quite well, don't you think?" whispered Celestia roughly, her hot breath brushing against his ear in an oh so invigorating manner, "so tell me truthfully Macintosh Apple...will you help your princess satiate the approaching tempest? I have a very special group of mares in mind for you, and though it will certainly be a demanding adventure at times, I can guarantee you won't regret it..."

"Spec...Special group of mares?" asked Big Macintosh, his mind starting to race at all the possibilities that statement entailed, "what do ya mean...wait, not..."

"That isn't important now," replied Celestia, nibbling gently on Big Macintosh ear, "what is important is your answer..."

Without a doubt, the last few days had been the most trying time of Big Macintosh's young adult life. All the teasing, all the enticements...he finally felt as if the wall of good manners and self-control he had built around himself was reduced to a pile of rubble at this point. He was at his breaking point, but that didn't seem like such a bad thing anymore. After all, he was a young, healthy stallion, and whether it was the comet, his hormones, or an imagination that was starting to run wild, Big Macintosh was ready to embrace the fiery feeling in his chest and act on it. Of course, he knew just where to start...

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh confidently, leaning forward to kiss Celestia deeply, pressing his tongue past her lips while moving his hands to fondle her luscious bottom.

Celestia's eyes shot wide, and a surprised whiny escaped her lips at the newfound boldness her once-timid captive was now showing. She quickly recovered from this initial shock though, and began returning his kiss with vigor, moaning into his mouth while closing her eyes so she could better enjoy the sensations of his tongue and touch. Her hands hurriedly moved from his chest to untie the thin cord of her dressing gown, letting it drop down her shoulders in a cascade of dark silk. Celestia then swiftly set about removing his plaid work shirt as well, tossing it to a far corner of the room with reckless abandon. She pressed her bare breasts against his well-muscled chest, inhaling loudly at the sensation of her naked flesh finally coming into contact with his own. This intense back-and-forth duel continued until a loud moan from behind the sofa drew the attention of both impassioned combatants. Celestia and Big Macintosh looked over to see Luna, her bra now discarded on the ground, gently pinching and pulling one of her small, dark nipples. Her other hand was totally hidden under the white lace of her panties, but the outline of her fingers working vigorously was easy enough to discern. It took a moment for her to realize they had stopped their escapades to ogle her erotic display, but once she did her wings quickly folded around her body as she let out a startled gasp.

"I...I wasn't..." stuttered Luna, refusing to make eye-contact with her now-smirking audience, "I...I was only..."

"I think the time for shyness is quite over, little sister," said Celestia, rising up and strutting towards the room Luna had disappeared into earlier, "if you would be so kind Macintosh, please help my little sister into the bedroom. I sure we'll all be much more comfortable in there."

"I do not need any hel...AH!" yelled Luna, her arms, legs, and wings flailing from the surprise of Big Macintosh laying her over his shoulder, "THOU WILL UNHAND US THI..."

Her traditional Canterlot objection was cut short by the whoosh of his palm descending onto her bottom, causing a loud, fleshy pop to once again reverberate throughout the chamber. Luna felt tears of pain and pleasure form in her eyes from the sting, but soon the soothing sensation of Big Macintosh kneading the flesh of her reddening flanks elicited a loud series of submissive moans from her throat. She started to protest again when she felt him undoing the ties of her thong, but the imminent threat of another spanking reduced her objections to stifled whimpers of acquiescence. Now bare to the world, Luna felt her embarrassment and arousal grow ten fold. The probing fingers of the large, domineering stallion didn't help matters either, tantalizingly brushing and spreading the lips of her most sensitive spot. She knew it was only a matter of time before her current status became apparent, but at this rate her mental resolve to resist the urges of her loins would crumble as well.

What Luna didn't realize was that Big Macintosh had already discerned she was in the early stages of heat, having filtered out her more powerful, distinctive aroma from the usual scents of arousal filling the room. It had a much more primal air to it, and he felt the gears in the deepest, most instinct-driven part of his brain begin to turn in earnest. His pulse began to race as he approached the center of the bedroom, doubly so when he noticed Celestia lounging invitingly on a large, luxurious four-poster. Big Macintosh took Luna into his arms and placed her carefully onto the bed, undoing the clasp of his trousers and letting them drop to the floor before climbing onto the plush mattress after her. Luna felt something very soft beneath her and something unmistakably solid above her, but she was still too disoriented to piece together exactly what was happening. Her clarity started to return when she felt Big Macintosh nuzzling and kissing her neck, and the cerebral fog completely dispersed when he captured her lips with the same intense kiss he had shared earlier with Celestia. Luna placed her hands against his chest and pushed in a final shot of frail resistance, but soon found herself wrapping her arms around the large stallion in an effort to pull him closer towards her body. One of his large, rough hands had wandered down to her marehood again, and she felt his calloused fingers trace the line of her slit before pressing firmly against her clit. Her grip on his back reflexively intensified, her nails digging deeper into the muscled flesh for better purchase, as moan after moan escaped from her mouth into his.

Celestia had been enjoying her turn as a spectator immensely, her own hands vigorously wandering up and down her body as she watched the unbelievably strong earth pony ravage her little sister into a stupor. She knew the second she had laid her eyes on him during the assembly that he was a prime specimen...nearly a head taller than his next closest competitor, and certainly more muscular by leaps and bounds. More importantly, the fact that he possessed a discerning mind fascinated Celestia to no end. She had always had a soft spot for intelligent individuals, and with that thought she decided that simply watching was no longer good enough.

"As the eldest member of the family, I'll be exercising my royal prerogative for the first taste..." whispered Celestia, reaching over to take hold of Big Macintosh's steadily growing rod. He turned his body from the profoundly panting Luna to give Celestia better access, a reprieve that the princess of the moon gratefully used to try and collect herself. Celestia brought the head of his stallionhood to her lips, kissing the tip delicately and slowly lapping up the pre that was beginning to flow. Once his shaft had hardened to its very impressive full-length, she hungrily opened her mouth and began to press it down her throat, swirling her tongue along its surface as she descended. Big Macintosh inhaled sharply, placing one his hands on her horn to steady her descent. It was almost excruciatingly tight, but she showed no apparent signs of struggling with his girth as other mares had in the past. Her most impressive feat though was not stopping until she reached the base of his shaft, and the look of smug satisfaction she shot him from that vantage point almost brought him to climax. After bottoming out, Celestia slowly began to retract his length from her throat, making sure to press her tongue hard against its underside while moaning softly. When she reached the very top, the whole process began again, only much swifter with each successive trip. Big Macintosh had been reduced to a state of shock-induced bliss...and it was superb.

Welp, thought Big Macintosh hazily, finally recovering from the initial mind-numbing pleasure, an Apple always gives as good as they get...

His hand, guided by his sense of touch alone, slowly slid down Celestia's back towards her nethers, caressing her flank tenderly before teasing her lower lips apart with his fingers. Celestia cooed loudly at the new sensation, and doubled her current efforts in a burst of enthusiasm. Big Macintosh knew he wouldn't last long at this rate, but the final blow came sooner than expected when Celestia unleashed a loud moan that vibrated through his flesh. He thrust his hips forward as he came, and he could see that his princess was swallowing hastily in an attempt to keep up with the steady torrent he was pumping into her belly. Once his orgasm finally started to subside, Celestia removed his stallionhood from her mouth with a wet pop, marveling at how a few smaller spurts of delicious goo were still erupting from his rigid member.

"I must confess," declared a breathless Celestia, laying back against an array of plush pillows, "I had assumed you were a cherry-colt, but it seems you do have some experience. However, it appears as if Luna requires more convincing..."

Big Macintosh turned to look down at the dark shape of the moon princess, whose voyeurism had, once again, caused her idle hands to become quite active. Luna saw his eyes roaming up and down her body, but instead of retreating within the folds of her wings as before, she more meekly draped her arms over her breasts and marehood.

"We do not...I mean, I need no further proof," claimed Luna, anxiously rubbing her thighs together, "I...I was quite satisfied with the...exhi...exhibition I just witnessed, so...w-wait, mmph!"

Big Macintosh silenced her with a fervent kiss, moving atop the dark-haired monarch while slowly pushing apart her legs with his own. His tongue danced around the inside of her mouth, but unlike earlier she responded in kind, pushing against his much stronger organ with as much force as she could muster. After breaking his embrace, Luna was left gasping for air as he began lavishing a trail of kisses on her neck, breasts, and stomach. Once he reached his destination, the scent of her heat-induced arousal stirred him into a primordial frenzy, and without a moment's hesitation he pressed his muzzle against her soft skin and began to ardently lap at her wetness. A small orgasm immediately rocked Luna's body when he made contact, and several more, each one more potent than the last, crashed over her in waves as Big Macintosh's tongue relentlessly flicked and prodded her responsive nub. The pleasure was intense, but it wasn't enough to sate her...she needed more.

"Ah...please, I...I!" stammered Luna, a pleading gleam clearly visible in her eyes, "I need...something bigger to...ah...quell...mmm!"

Big Macintosh was more than happy to oblige her request, slowly sliding his body against her as he positioned his stallionhood against her soaked folds.

"I won't," grunted Big Macintosh, feeling the head of his member slip inside her, "keep ya waitin' any longer than Miss Luna."

Yes. This was it. The emptiness in her stomach was fading, replaced by the joyous feeling of being full...full beyond her wildest imagination. A few sudden gasps escaped her lips before she unleashed a loud, throaty moan, unable to believe that the stallion mounting her had yet to sheath his entire length into her. She could feel him sliding further and further inside, and just when it seemed as if he would never stop, his rod slowly began to retreat. She mewled that the once fulfilled void within her was returning, at the horrifying prospect that the barren feeling would never go away...

Then, the first thrust came. Luna's world simply went white. Her perception of sight and sound was obliterated by the sensation radiating from the base of her stomach, sending shuddering waves of pleasure up to the very tip of her horn and down to the bottom of her hooves. Big Macintosh steadily increased his pace with each thrust, and before long he was rutting the beautiful mare lying under him with an intensity that made even Celestia writhe in jealous admiration.

However, while it was true he was no greenhorn when it came to rolling in the hay, it had been far too long since Big Macintosh had bedded a mare to maintain such a frenzied tempo. The numerous orgasms that were rocking Luna's body didn't help matters much either, and soon the pulsing and squeezing of her walls was pushing him dangerously close to climax as well.

"Ma'am," said Big Macintosh tersely, trying to contain himself as best he could, "I'm awful close...I need ta pull ou..."

"NO!" shouted Luna, wrapping her arms and legs tightly around his muscular frame, "no...we, I mean...I...inside...it has to be inside..."

"I can't," continued Big Macintosh, trying desperately to remove himself, "Yer in heat...it'll..."

"I...ah!" exclaimed Luna, refusing to relinquish her hold, "I order...ah, you...please...I-I have to...ah...I want...it all!"

Big Macintosh had reached his limit. With one final thrust, he buried himself into the deepest part of Luna he could reach, unleashing a flood of warmth into her body. Luna arched her back sharply off the bed, tossing her head from side to side as her lungs struggled to draw in breath. The raging fire that had been burning mercilessly in her abdomen was finally quenched, and after what seemed like eons, all the orgasmic tension in her body melted away as a deep sleep claimed her.

Seeing that Luna had passed out from total exhaustion underneath him, Big Macintosh gently untangled himself from her limbs, all the while pulling out his now softening shaft. He, with as much grace as he could gather, rolled over onto his back, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, feeling the fatigue from the night's strenuous activities washing over himself as well. He was quite astonished though when he felt Luna unconsciously nestle up against his side, and even more so when he felt Celestia slide beneath him so he could rest his head against her chest.

"You did quite well Macintosh Apple," said Celestia comfortingly, running her hand through his thick blonde mane, "you exceeded all of my expectations, and it looks as though even Luna has taken quite a liking to you."

"I, um, thank ya kindly, Princess Celestia," replied Big Macintosh, now noticing Luna's content grin as she snuggled her body closer, "I dun right know what to say about all this now that it's over..."

"Oh it isn't close to finished, my little stallion," stated Celestia mirthfully, "in fact, I believe you'll have to wait for the next train to Ponyville in three days time."

"But, uh, I reckoned," questioned Big Macintosh, furrowing his brow, "I was gonna leave with tha rest of tha stallions in tha mornin?"

"Oh no," answered Celestia with a roguish smirk, "I told you I have a special group of mares in mind for you, and I feel obligated to turn you into a stud amongst studs...for their sake, of course."

Big Macintosh eventually felt Celestia move out from below him, her warm body being replaced with the almost-as-soft support of a large pillow. She was walking towards a set of sliding glass doors that lead to a balcony terrace, and he watched sleepily as she slipped on a gold robe of much more substantial material than her discarded black negligee.

"I'm afraid I must go raise the sun," asserted Celestia, turning to cast a final look at the bed's occupants, "but please, do get some rest. We have another long night of...preparation, ahead of us."

Despite the alluring, borderline-scandalous images starting to materialize within his imagination, Big Macintosh felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier with each passing second. His final thought before the veil of slumber enveloped him was how much of a talking-to Applejack would give him if she ever heard about this...

To be continued...

Author's Note

Although Big Macintosh doesn't speak much during the show, I know we've all watched scenes where, when something important needed to be said, he can be quite the chatty stallion. Thus, I hope that the amount of dialog I've given him doesn't seem too out of character.