Liquid Pride

RIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG!

Shining's hoof swung blindly through the air, knocking the alarm clock from his night stand. After a moment he sat up in his bed, staring through the darkness across the room over at Twilight's bed. It was still empty. She was still in Ponyville. He turned and looked out the window to the east over the dark, pre-dawn Canterlot.

In twenty seconds the sun would come up. Just as it did every day. Exactly one minute after his alarm went off. The city clock tower chimed dawn.

"Happy Summer Sun Celebration." He said to himself. "And... three... two... one..." Shining squinted in preparation. But no glare came. The clock tower finished chiming.

"Late?" Shining asked aloud, rising to his hooves. "The Princess is never late," he said, an air of panic in his voice. He checked his clock again. It was now well over a minute. Now two minutes past.

"In a thousand years, the Princess is NEVER late!" He flew around the room gathering his guard uniform.

KNOCK KNOCK

Shining rushed downstairs, still half dressed, and answered the door. It was another of the Princess's royal guards, of the Pegasus division.

"Lieutenant Armor, there's been a mass recall. The Princess has gone missing!"

"I'm on my way. What do we know?" Shining asked, finishing the last of his buttons.

"The report just came in from Ponyville sir. I'll brief you on the way."

Shining boarded the chariot pulled by two other Pegasi.

"She must have gone missing some time during the night. She didn't make her appearance at the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. Her personal guard attempted to engage a 'Nightmare Moon'."

Ponyville. That's where Twilight was.

Shining pushed the thought from his mind. Twilight was a smart mare. And strong. Whatever was wrong, she would stay away from it and be safe. But it was up to him and the rest of the royal guard to see to the Princess's safety. That was their first priority.
___________________________________________________

"Lieutenant, I have made myself clear on the matter!" the Commander of the Royal Guard barked at Shining. "You are to head up the team sweeping the castle and its grounds for any clue as to the whereabouts of Her Highness."

"But sir, it's just that her last known location was Ponyville. It only makes sense that I go there to-" Shining tried to counter.

"A team has already been dispatched to Ponyville for its own search and rescue sweep. You know this!"

"Sir, it's just that... my- sister is there."

"Lieutenant Armor, do not let your personal feelings in the matter cloud your judgement. You have your orders. Now see to them!"

"Yes sir! What of Princess Cadence?"

"She is secured and is being escorted to the castle as we speak." The Commander said.

That was a relief at least.

He continued, "Just see to it that the castle gets a thorough search. She could still be on the grounds playing one of her elaborate- pranks."

Shining knew the Princess was always a bit of a trickster. But this was too big even for her.
____________________________________________________

Team Alpha was headed by Captain Anne Tan Kneel. She was the current Captain of the Royal guard. She did her job well, for neither the title or the pay, but for the love of the work. Her term was nearly up however. Many hoped that she would go on to succeed the Commander. But she chose retirement instead. It was no secret that Shining Armor was the leading contender for the position.

Team Alpha searched the West Wing of the castle, which held the highest tower and the Princess's personal quarters. It was known for being fraught with long staircases and hidden alcoves and secret passages. Shining did not envy their task.

Lieutenant Shining headed up team Bravo, searching the East Wing of the castle. It had the second tower, and the royal Library. But most of the wing was unused these days and had fallen into neglect. There were many areas that hadn't seen the light of day in some time.

And if they couldn't find the Princess, never would again!

Shining's team fanned out. Each of them moved in pairs. With him was Low Key. He was a unicorn with a bit of a checkered past with a series of B&E's. But he never stole anything, just rearranged the furniture. Shining was actually in the jury for his trial.

"Your honor, you just don't understand. The Feng Shui of those rooms were seriously throwing off my Chi!"

His dream was being an interior decorator. But his talent was locks. After a bit of community service, Shining talked him into joining the Royal Guard. They needed someone with a knack for quiet breaching rather than brute force opening doors. And tonight was his night to shine.

As they worked their way up the height of the castle, they were mostly greeted with a series of empty rooms inhabited by nothing more than the odd spider web. They finished their sweep, leaving just one last door at the top of the spire.

"Huh? Wow!" Low Key said, feeling around the door with his magic.

"What? What is it?" Shining asked from over his shoulder.

"This door, it's- it's different."

"Different... how? Like, good for us or bad for us?"

"Well it looks like somepony went through a LOT of trouble to see to it that this door never be opened."

"Bad for us."

Low Key kept feeling around the borders of the frame, meticulously inspecting every inch.

Shining asked, "So, is it dangerous? Defensive wards? Booby traps?"

"I don't think so. It has some pretty old magical locks on it. Definitely her work. But there are quite a few mechanical deterrents as well. Pads, deadbolts, tumbles. Damn, even the tumbles are enchanted!"

"Wait, you mean to tell me you can't get this door opened?" Shining asked.

Low Key rolled his eyes. "No. It just means it's going to take a minute. Keep your panties on Lou."

Shining stood by, waiting impatiently. After a series of thuds, creeks and metal scraping on metal, the door crept open on tired hinges. He stepped inside. The air was dank and heavy, making breathing a chore. Moonlight poured in through the large window panes. The light cast long shadows on the furnishings inside. It was a bedroom.

It was nearly the size of Princess Celestia's personal quarters. It had a massive bed and all manner of lavish bureaus and dressers. The curtains and tapestries adorning the walls were all of a night time theme with stars and crescent moons in cool themes of blues and blacks.

But perhaps the oddest thing of all, there was not a speck of dust anywhere in the room. Everything was spotless, perfectly kept. Though it was obvious that nopony had been in here in decades, centuries even. 'More magic,' he assumed. Somepony, Princess Celestia no doubt, wanted this room kept just as it was when it was sealed. Waiting for somepony.

A cursory sweep around the room satisfied him that the Princess was not here. Shining left the room, and began heading back downstairs, calling back over his shoulder.

"Seal it back up. Just as it was."

Low Key nodded and turned back to the door pushing it closed. But just before he could seat it in the frame, a small pressure of air pushed back for a moment. From the darkness of the stairway, he peered inside through the crack in the doorway.

The window opened silently. A blue wisp of smoke flew inside, snaking around the room. Tendrils reached out, feeling along the edges of the ancient mattress. Suddenly there materialized a black alicorn on the bed with ethereal blue smoke for a mane and tail. She rolled off the bed and stood in front of the dresser, looking at herself in the mirror. The Alicorn mare in the mirror was much smaller, of blue fur and a light blue mane. She looked sad and scared. The black Alicorn reared up and punched at the mirror with an armored hoof, shattering it. Bits of glass showered onto the floor.

The glass fragments slowly floated up from the floor, replacing themselves in the frame. The cracks in the glass melted away, leaving the mirror completely restored. The small mare continued to stare back at her. The larger alicorn fumed.

"Low Key, are you coming!?" Shining shouted up the staircase.

The black alicorn turned suddenly to the noise from the doorway, seeing Low Key there. In a flash, she lunged at him, her teeth turning to long fangs. A spell slammed into him like a truck.

FORGET!

In an instant, Low Key blinked. The room was empty. The window was closed. He was alone. His pulse was racing, but... he couldn't even fathom as to why. He casually closed the door and reset the locks and wards, just as ordered. He turned to join the Lieutenant downstairs. But he just couldn't shake that slight nausea that had suddenly washed over him. He dismissed it as skipping breakfast again. Yeah, that was it.
_________________________________________________________________________

Low Key regrouped with Shining and the rest of Team Bravo in the throne room. The other teams had also assembled there, their respective searches completed. The throne room had been transformed into a headquarters for the castle search.

"ROOM 'TENCH HUT!"

The royal guardsponies went to rigid attention as the Commander entered, escorting the Princess. Princess Cadence, that is.

"Commander, I think this may be a bit too preemptive." She said to him as they walked. Ponies bowed as she passed them.

"Your Highness, sunrise is now several hours late. The citizens are starting to panic in the streets. We need to act now to avert total catastrophe!" The Commander advised. "Forgive me for forgoing the usual coronation procedures. But you must try to raise the sun yourself!" They turned past the throne toward the West Castle courtyard balcony. "We need order. You must try!"

Cadence stepped out onto the balcony, looking to the east. Aunt Celestia had explained once before about her connection to the sun. Cadence tried to remember what she had said. She closed her eyes and reached out with her magic, trying to emulate the connection herself. She felt the sky above her, the earth below her, the mountains in front of her. The the sun was beyond her grasp. She could feel its distant presence, weak, and hidden. Imprisoned. But she failed to touch it.
___________________________________________________________________________

You see Nightmare Moon, when those elements are ignited by the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element. The element of MAGIC!
____________________________________________________________________________

Cadence felt the magic plane of the world shift. She was lurched from her feet as though thrown from a suddenly stopping cart. Powerful magic had just happened somewhere. She took to the air, wings outspread. The sun rose with her above the horizon. The other ponies behind her looked on in awe, kneeling before the new Princess of the Sun. Princess Cadence of Equestria.

Cadence landed back on the balcony. She looked to the sun beaming from the east.

"I didn't do that." She whispered to herself. Her train of logic ran down the possibilities, arriving at one final conclusion. Auntie Tia was back. All would be well. She smirked. She was such a prankster. The magnitude of this would be an academy record for her. Fine, if you want to play, I'll play your game.

Cadence turned back to the throne room. Walking tall and proud. She had wanted to do this for a long time. She would enjoy this. She marched confidently to the throne and took her seat. The rest of the ponies knelt before her.

"Behold the new Princess of Equestria!" One shouted out.

"Behold!" The others echoed, "Long live the Princess!"

"Lieutenant Armor!" Cadence called out into the room. "Front and center!"

Shining Armor scurried to the front of the throne room, kneeling before the Princess.

"Captain Anne Tan Kneel, front and center!" She commanded. The captain joined Shining at the foot of the throne.

"Attention to orders!" She continued, "As acting Princess, I do hereby decree Captain Anne Tan Kneel retired from duty with full honors and retirement benefits for a term of Captain of the Royal Guard very excellently served." She said, tapping the Captain on the shoulder with her horn.

"I do further decree," Cadence tried to keep a straight face. This was too much fun. "That Lieutenant Shining Armor be promoted to Captain of the Royal Guard! In honor of service very excellently rendered." Her dirty mind wandered to an entirely different kind of servicing she enjoyed from him. Her smile was unreadable. It was simply of a Princess proud of her troops. And definitely not from anything else.

"I present to you all, Captain Shining Armor, and Captain retired, Anne Tan Kneel!" She said at last. The assembled crowd stomped their hooves in ovation.

"Now, let's get this celebration started. Bring forth the royal cake!" Cadence shouted. Cheers erupted from the crowd.
____________________________________________________________________

Princess Celestia wasn't sure what to expect when she returned to her castle with her sister. She anticipated finding a castle full of worried ponies. But she would never have guessed that she would walk into her throne room to a- PARTY!?

She threw open the great doors to the throne room. Balloons and streamers were everywhere. Thumping music blared from the DJ booth. Tables lined the walls with all manner of food and drink. Ponies of all kinds were cutting a rug in the middle of the Day Court floor. The guard ponies had shirked their armor, busting moves on the makeshift dance floor, clearly inebriated from what overpoweringly smelled like very strong cider.

Cadence laid recumbent in the throne, ponies in togas on either side of her hoof feeding her grapes. Nopony even noticed the royal sisters in the doorway. Luna turned to her elder sister.

"Tia, be this a bright and glorious feast in honor of our return?" She asked.

"I'm sorry Luna, it seems they've started the celebration a bit early..." Celestia answered. She turned back to the room.

"PRINCESS MI AMORE CADENZA! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Celestia shouted across the room in full Royal Canterlot Voice, throwing the needle from off the record, killing the music. The room went stalk still in shock, before immediately falling into a hush kneel.

Cadence galloped across the room, curtsying quickly. "Auntie Tia! You're back!" She said stumbling, slightly tipsy.

Celestia glared at her. Cadence was wearing one of Celestia's royal Helms of Office. She grit her teeth and asked in a hushed growl away from Luna. "What is going on here?" eyeing her Helm. Cadence realized she was still wearing a set of Celestia's royal jewelry. She started peeling it off from herself, replacing it with her own, small tiara and smiling nervously.

"Um, hehe. Uh, dress up?"
________________________________________________________________________

After a hushed discussion behind the throne, the trio reappeared a few moments later. Cadence stood in front of the throne, with the Royal Sisters above and behind her.

"Um, everypony? It is my great honor to welcome back our beloved Princess Celestia and her estranged sister, Princess Luna!"

Murmurs of 'sister?' moved through the crowd. Cadence continued in a forced tone, trying to lead the crowd.

"THEREFORE, I am very GLAD that we put together this celebration FOR THEM!" she said, with emphasis, winking to the crowd. "I present to you all Princess Celestia and Princess Luna returned!" Cadence announced, moving aside for them and stomping her hooves loudly, with a large, forced grin, trying to lead the ovation. The shocked crowd joined her after a moment, clopping their hooves on the floor.

Princess Celestia stepped forward, "Thank you Princess Cadenza for arranging this celebration for my sister, Princess Luna."

Luna stepped forward with her, "Thank you, citizens. We did not expect to have been remembered after all this time." she said, starting to frown.

"Of course not Luna," Celestia said loudly, "We never forgot about you. Isn't that right?" She said at the crowd. A smattering of response came back.

"Oh, of course not."
"We remember."
"Hail Princess Luna!"

"HAIL PRINCESS LUNA!" The rest of the crowd echoed.

Luna smiled, bringing a glass to herself with her magic, raising it in front of her. "Then let the festivities resume!"

The music started up again. Ponies began to dance again. Crisis averted.

Shining Armor made his way across the room toward Cadence. Luna pounced in front of him.

"Fair Captain, may we have this dance?" Luna exclaimed excitedly. Shining glanced over her shoulder at Cadence, giggling to herself, waving him off.

"Of course, Your Highness." Shining said with a polite bow. "It would be my honor."
___________________________________________________________

Many ponies danced long into the afternoon. There was perfect freedom in dancing. There was no distinction of class or rank. The maids danced with the guards. The handmaidens danced with the grounds keepers. Some of the guards danced with each other when the Village Ponies songs came on.

Others kept to the sidelines, watching the spectacle on the dance floor. For all the dancing and intermingling, all kept a wide berth of Princess Luna. Dancing had evolved a great deal in the past millennium. And her wild gesticulations and flailing resembled less a modern dance, and more a poor pony suffering a violent seizure. Shining did his best as her brave dance partner to mirror her moves, trying not to get accidentally pummeled to death.

His attention kept wavering to the sides, watching as Cadence turned down several offers to dance. She instead opted to remain at Celestia's side, watching in amusement as the hapless Captain struggled to keep up with Luna's seemingly inexhaustible energy. Shining looked back on his days of running for miles with full saddlebags in Basic Training with envy as sweat poured from his brow on the dance floor. Finally, the Princess of the Night relented.

"We thank thee for a most wonderful dance fair Captain. Would thou be so kind as to escort us to our quarters?" Luna asked.

"Of course- huff Your Highness- pant. Just let me- gasp inform the others- cough that you are departing." Shining wheezed, still trying to recover.

"Save thy breath Captain. You seem like you surely need it. Besides, we need not report to our sister. We are our own authority." Luna said, slightly perturbed

"Yes- pant Your Highness." "Just- just give me a moment."

"Very well..." Luna sighed.

Shining hobbled over to Cadence, whispering. "Hey, Princess Luna asked me to show her to her quarters. So I'm just going to walk her upstairs." Cadence just nodded in acknowledgement.

Shining escorted Luna through the castle. He had a good idea of where they where going. But it mattered little as Luna kept the lead with her long stride and brisk pace. He was used to Cadence being taller than most other mares. But Luna, though smaller than her sister, still positively towered head and shoulders over the Captain. Cadence's slender figure was one of her appealing features to Shining. The lovely Luna took it to a whole other level. It was actually quite intimidating to him. And the trek up the tower stairs kept her at quite a revealing angle in front of him in spite of her voluminous tail. He tried his best to avert his eyes. He tried at least.

At last they arrived at her door. Luna felt the ward her sister had placed upon it. What had taken Low Key several minutes, she casually brushed aside with a wave of her hoof, as though removing a mere cobweb. Her horn glowed for a moment, accompanied by the sounds of several locking mechanisms opening at once. The door swung open, revealing her room, just as it was a thousand years ago, untouched by the passage of time.

She strolled in and collapsed onto her bed. The fatigue of the long night and vigorous dance finally became evident in the Princess. Shining waited just outside the door, waiting for any further command before he bid her good night- er, day. He was about to close her door and take his leave when she called to him.

"Art thou not going to join us?" Luna said, as she turned onto her side.

"I- I beg your pardon Princess?" Shining could almost not believe what he had just heard.

"Art thou not going to join our Majesty in bed for a rut?" Luna asked again. "Does thou not find us attractive?"

"Your Majesty, please! With respect, this is incredibly forward!" Shining said, trying to remain polite.

"Forgive our directness. We would like to circumvent the formalities of courtship. It- it has been a very long time for us since anypony has..." She rolled onto her stomach, arching her back, displaying her marehood to him. "We are not seeking a relationship, we just- need this!" she moaned. Her folds glistened in the low light, wet with both sweat and wanton desire. Shining could not deny their appeal. The Princess was indeed divine in her beauty.

"Your Highness, do not misunderstand. I do find you very attractive and I appreciate the offer. Truly I do. Any stallion would kill to be so lucky to receive such an offering. But I must confess, my heart belongs to another." Shining said. Luna frowned.

"We know. We can tell that you are in love. Our niece is not the only specialist in the arena of Love." She paused. "It would be our secret if- you would please us. We each have much to risk in this tryst." She bargained. Shining stood firm, trying with every once of his willpower to resist her siren song. "Would it help if we took the desire of your heart's form?" She asked. Before Shining could even answer, Luna's form shimmered, shrinking and morphing shape and color. He didn't know if her would be able to remain so resolute if she changed into Cadence.

Which is why he was thrown completely off guard when he saw Twilight's form laying on the bed before him.

Luna looked at her new form in the mirror. "Our sister's student? A fine choice. She is a lovely mare. We can see why you like her." Luna said in Twilight's voice. Shining's mind reeled.

"I- how- how did you-?" He struggled.

"We looked into your heart and found your greatest desire and took its form." She answered matter-of-factly.

"I- I shouldn't. We shouldn't. It wouldn't be right." He tried to protest, even as his hooves began to move on their own, bringing him closer to the lavender mare on the sheets.

"Fear not, fair stallion. Your marefriend needn't know." Luna encouraged.

"She- she's not my marefriend." Shining mumbled.

"We are not privy to details in the arena of emotion. We looked only to your heart and found your desire." She said, rolling onto her back, spreading her hind legs. She began rubbing at her purple folds with her hoof. "Come, indulge in your desire..." She purred.

Shining's mouth went dry. All thoughts of protest evaporated from his mind as his hooves continued to slowly move on auto-pilot, inching him closer to his sister's form. He could smell her scent filling the room, Twilight's scent. His body betrayed his last scrap of will as his repressed arousal became very evident, throbbing beneath him. She scooted herself so her hind legs were at the edge of the bed. Shining fell to his knees before her. His head rested against the soft fur of her inner thigh, as he soaked in the image of his sister's sex, mere inches from his face. He had dreamed of this moment for so long now. A tiny whisper escaped his lips.

"I'm so sorry."

Luna's body was electric as Shining moved along her thigh. Her anticipation was palpable as she enjoyed her first intimacy in over a thousand years. She could feel his breath on her loins as he continued to close the distance. His breathing was ragged and hot, as his mouth opened to taste her. Every nerve in her body came alive as he finally laid his lips on her hot pussy. She gasped as his tongue slowly lapped along her slit, parting her lips slightly.

Shining was in absolute heaven. He pressed his muzzle deeper into his sister's pussy, lapping greedily into her. His long tongue probed her love tunnel, drinking the sweet nectar within. His nose bobbed into her slit, rubbing against her swollen clitoris. His senses were flooded with Twilight's essence. He was drunk with arousal as his hooves ran along her legs, thighs and supple flanks.

Luna writhed beneath him. There was no pretense in his action. No nervous stilted motions of a guard trying to not disappoint a Princess. His was the love making of pure, unadulterated lust. She reveled in his carnal ministrations. She reached down with her lavender hooves, which were shorter than she was used to, and ran them through his ragged mane. She took a gentle hold and pressed him into her a bit more forcefully.

Shining was so pleased that his sister was enjoying his efforts. His licking became more rapid and wild, unpredictable. He alternated between her honey hole and her clit, flicking it with his tongue, but holding back just enough from putting her over the top. Luna's hips bucked in time with his motions as she rolled in bliss and agony, her much-desired orgasm repeatedly denied. She simultaneously resented, and was grateful for, a lover who didn't just try to get her to cum as quickly as possible.

His careful strategy was soon rewarded as he could tell her plateau was nearing a peak. Her hips bucked much more erratically. She sucked a sudden breath and went rigid as her legs clamped down on his head, holding him in place as her pussy spasmed, soaking his face in her juices. Luna cried out in a subdued whimper in Twilight's voice. Her orgasm struck her with such force, her mind became a black hole. She lost all focus, leaving her with just the feeling itself. Twilight's form melted away as her magic veil dissipated. Her form morphed and grew back to her original body around Shining.

She felt a sudden struggling between her hind legs, and she was returned to the present moment. Her legs were still clamped on the poor stallion's head. She released him as he gasped for breath. The adrenaline of near-asphyxiation shocking him back to full consciousnesses. He looked up at Luna's satisfied face, still from between her legs. His sudden shock robbed him of his aroused stupor.

"I- I should go." He said nervously, backing away and bowing politely before turning to leave. Just as he reached the door, the Princess spoke one final time.

"Oh Captain," She said, as he looked over his shoulder. "Thank you. Though you may want to freshen up before you return to the festivities." She smiled coyly. Shining put a hoof to the slick mess that was his face and mane. Its scent was no longer that of a certain lavender unicorn. But it was no less obvious in the source of its aroma.

"Will do, Princess." He said, closing the door behind him.
_____________________________________________________________________

Shining washed up and returned to the throne room. The wild dance party had completely transformed in his absence. The haphazard 'Welcome Home Luna' banners were replaced with the much better prepared 'Summer Sun Celebration' tapestries. Cadence saw his return and trotted across the room. She had to refrain from embracing and kissing him in the official setting.

"You were gone for quite a while." She said.

"Oh you know," He tried to explain. He had rehearsed an explanation that was bulletproof on the way there but his mind went blank trying to recall it now. "Royal Princess requests." he said, somewhat truthfully, "Took a little while to cater to them." He said. Celestia joined the pair a moment later.

"Well, this has certainly been an event!" She said. "It is a shame that Twilight couldn't make it." Shining's hair stood on end at the mention of her name.

"Wha- what?" He studdered.

"I said, it is a shame that your sister, Twilight, could not attend the Canterlot Summer Sun Celebration. As I understand it, her dancing rivals my sister's in... entertainment value." She said with a playful smile. "She is going to remain in Ponyville, pursuing her advanced studies in the magic of friendship."

"Perhaps she could attend the Grand Galloping Gala later this year?" Cadence suggested.

"Yeah," Shining agreed, "You should totally send her a ticket!"

"Hmm, that is a splendid idea! Tomorrow I'll send her two. Just in case she wants to bring a dat- er, a friend." Celestia corrected herself in Shining's presence. No brother wanted to hear that sort of thing about their sister after all.

Cadence yawned. "Speaking of tomorrow," she said, looking at the setting sun out the window, "it's been a long day, after an even longer night. I'm about ready to retire, myself." Her contagious yawn spread to Shining who joined her in the sentiment.

"Yeah, I should probably be heading home myself... Princess Celestia," he bowed, "if there is nothing else you require of me, I will take my leave."

"You are dismissed Lieuten- I mean, Captain." Celestia said.
___________________________________________________

RIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG!

Shining's hoof swung blindly through the air, knocking the alarm clock from his night stand. After a moment he sat up in his bed, staring through the darkness across the room over at Twilight's bed. It was still empty. She was still in Ponyville. He turned and looked out the window to the east over the dark, pre-dawn Canterlot.

"Gah. What a weird dream." He grumbled to himself.

In twenty seconds the sun would come up. Just as it did every day. Exactly one minute after his alarm went off. The city clock tower chimed dawn.

"And... three... two... one..." Shining squinted in preparation. Celestia's sun rose over the horizon. The clock tower finished chiming. He fumbled for his clock on the floor, placing it back on his nightstand. The morning light illuminated a small card that was not there when he had laid down to sleep last night. He opened it.

Captain, thank you for a wonderful time.

- L

The memories of yesterday's events came flooding back Shining felt his face turn crimson.

"Oh my."