She turned her head at a slightly awkward angle and pawed at her mane. It was thick and soft, hanging down on both sides of her collarbone. What did it matter if it was curly or straight anymore? If she ever got too proud of it, something silly would happen and she'd have to spend time in front of a mirror trying to put it all back. Why waste all that effort?

Beside her, Princess Twilight Sparkle rustled her wings and read the roll of parchment one more time. “Okay, you're going to be seeing double for a few seconds when you return. More scenery than ponies, just because you're going back in time and will see both where you were and where you are.”

Rarity nodded and glanced down at the Element of Generosity around her neck. “I don't believe I was wearing this when I saw myself. Would you take it off, please?”

“Ooh, good catch.” Twilight's magic surrounded her necklace and floated it away. It settled on a nearby shelf in the Canterlot Library (Star Swirl the Bearded Wing), safe until she returned. “Everything else the same?”

“Yes, quite. I must say, seeing myself with this manestyle was quite a shock.”

“And it will be again.” She grinned. “Lucky past you, getting to go through all that.”

Rarity smiled back shyly, wanting to keep the rest of those memories to herself. Well, her and Pinkie Pie. The two of them were linked now, inextricably and forever. As if they hadn't had enough history together as the Elements of Harmony. “I believe I'm ready. Shall we?”

“Yep.” Twilight read through everything again, then offered the parchment to her. “Do you remember the spells I'm supposed to hit you with when you appear?”

She twitched one snow-white ear. “You wrote them all down ages ago, dear. If I don't remember, you certainly won't forget.” Getting up onto her hooves, she gave a gloriously luxurious stretch and shake. “Let us do this.”

-*-*-*-

Two months earlier . . .

Rarity ignored the half-dozen high-kicking ponyquins as they pranced in a never-ending chorus line around her boutique. All her attention was directed over the rim of her teacup at Fluttershy`s flushed expression. Then she flicked her gaze up to the draconequus sitting there in a top hat, monocle, and bow tie, sipping at his own tea with the pinkie claw extended. “You cannot be serious.”

“It's not like Fluttershy to joke about this,” Twilight said, sitting between her and Pinkie Pie. “Discord? Sure. But I don't think he'd do it at his own expense.” She shot a side glance at him. “And could you please do something about those ponyquins?”

He grimaced, but snapped the fingers on his lion's paw. The boutique was enveloped in a flash of light and when it had vanished, all the dress forms had gone still on their stands, back in a neat line. “Ooof,” he breathed, no long wearing his outfit, “Somebody may want to look out the window, just in case it's started raining rhubarb.”

Pinkie Pie zipped from her seat to poke her head out the front door. “Nope! All bright and starry in the sky tonight!” She turned back with a pout. “But couldn't you conjure up one little chocolate raincloud? One with whipped cream this time?”

“Later, Pinkie,” Twilight said. “I don't think Rarity's got the patience right now.”

Rarity shook her head and whisked her teacup back onto the table. “You're quite right, Twilight.” She shuddered and checked to make sure that her fainting couch was nearby. “Of all the things I never thought I'd hear today, that Discord thinks I would be that sort of brood mare!”

Discord sighed as he snapped a bottle into being and poured some of its contents into his tea. “You don't think this isn't humiliating for me as well?” He considered the low level of liquid left in the bottle, then shrugged and ate the entire thing with a crunch of glass. “I don't even like asking. Chaos doesn't ask! It's not Chaos if it's permissible, you know! But my options are limited. With great stores of unused power comes great,” He hesitated, mindful of the slitted gleam in her blue eyes. “. . . frustration,” he finished. “And it's not as simple as snapping my fingers and dissipating all that tension. If I go out and indulge a little by dropping a city-sized pie on Vanhoover, Celestia will have me right back here with a blindfold and an exploding cigar, waiting for you Elements to put my cement overcoat on. I simply must bleed off some of this energy without catching too much of her attention.”

“And you think sex is going to solve this problem of yours?” She stuck her white nose into the air. “I don't believe I want to be part of this conversation.”

He grimaced and gestured with his paw. “Yes, yes. You've mentioned that you're a lady many, many times. And believe me, it's not like I go around suggesting to every single member of Equestria that they could be endlessly pleasured by the personification of Chaos himself. I wouldn't ask that of Fluttershy, even though she offered as much, in that endearing, shy way of hers.” He twirled his goatee like a baton and then stuck it back onto the end of his chin. “She doesn't have the imagination required for a liaison with a being such as myself. Artists, on the other paw, are wonderful examples of the sort of pony who do possess the skill and imagination needed. And you do consider yourself an artiste, do you not, Miss Rarity?”

“Well, of course. But that is still no excuse to so boldly proposition me like that!” She swished her tail demurely.

There was silence again, broken only by one of Rarity's ponyquins sticking its tongue out and blowing a raspberry.

Rolling her eyes, Rarity flung a pincushion at it. “And that's quite enough out of you!”

“Look, as silly as all of this sounds, Discord did come for help,” Fluttershy said, blushing. “He needs a partner with great imagination. It can't be Applejack or Rainbow. Twilight's a Princess and Celestia wouldn't allow it, either. And if I tried to take him home to my bed, I think Angel Bunny might lead a rebellion. I don't want any more fighting between Discord and my animals.”

“Oh, so it's Pinkie and I by default? How thrilling,” Rarity said dryly. “No.”

“I'm in,” Pinkie Pie chirped.

The other three ponies stared at her.

“What?” Pinkie asked. “You don't think I'm mature enough? Do you know how many parties I throw? I know what goes on when ponies sneak off from them! Plus I'd be able to marry back on the farm by now! Heck, I'd already have half a dozen foals.”

“That was an awfully quick decision.” Twilight ruffled her wings. Even though she had been a princess for a couple of months, she hadn't worn her crown and other regal trappings, knowing they meant little amongst her friends and even less to Discord. “You aren't even sure what it's going to mean for your life.” She looked up at him. “Tell us, how in Equestria is this going to work? And please don't say, 'I'm surprised a mare your age doesn't know, Twilight'. I'm a librarian. I know where the good books are.”

“Yee-ees,” he agreed archly. “Well, it's not like I'm going to show up just anytime, toss my hat on a hook, and pull you ponies into the bedroom. Unless that's what tugs your tail,” he added. “But I'll know plenty of time beforehand if I start feeling held back. We can co-ordinate around your 'saving Equestria' and your other little life pursuits.”

“What would this do to them?” she asked. “If Pinkie and Rarity become your consorts, what sort of powers would be imbued in them?”

“Powers?” he echoed, looking blank. “Twilight Sparkle, it is not as if I carry the ability to bestow magical powers with my genitals. Or are you thinking that they might be a little more . . . carefree, afterwards? You'll have to admit, that's hardly possible in Pinkie Pie's case. As for Rarity.” He looked over at her and she snorted hard enough to blow steam from her nostrils. “Well, it's possible. A good 'consorting' does amazing things for some.”

As Twilight started to say something back, Rarity interrupted as she glowered across the table. “I will not be the next in a long line of Royal Court of Chaos floozies, Discord!”

“Oh,” he groaned, putting his chin on his paw. “Here we go with the mare judging a man's taste in companions. Have you seen any other draconequui around in the last millennium or so? I'm one of a kind, kiddo. And if your Princess Celestia would just let me have a 'Which Forest can Run Faster?' contest or something this weekend, we wouldn't even have to discuss this any more.”

“But I think we should discuss it,” Fluttershy said quietly. “You'd still be alone in the middle of your chaos with nopony to appreciate it. Wouldn't it be better to have a companion for a while again, so you'd have somepony to relate to?” She glanced around at every other pony looking at her and she shrank into herself a little.

Twilight frowned and used her magic to reach for the teapot. “Yes, Fluttershy said there was another pony, way back when. Who was she?”

Discord sighed and looked pensive. “She was a sculptor. Silver Lining. A visionary, able to do marvellous things with marble. A lot of those other statues in the garden where I was displayed are in her style. I can't prove anything, but I'm sure she petitioned Celestia to allow her to give me some company, even in stone.”

Rarity blinked, surprised at this sudden change in his personality. “And?” she prompted, suddenly curious. “What was she like?”

“Oh, Silver was a lovely, lush little thing. Earth Pony, surprisingly enough. Strong, flexible, and not at all squeamish about an inter-species affair.” He gestured and, for once, nothing chaotic happened. “You have to understand that most ponies detested me and my form, and many still do. Just the sight of me was enough for orderly equine minds to be roused to anger. But to those curious and creative enough? There was room inside them for inspiration.” He looked thoughtful. “I do hope Celestia let her live out her days and nopony blamed her for my rule. She was a consort, not a collaborator.”

“I can look in some of the history books,” Twilight offered. “Didn't you ever ask Celestia?”

Discord shook his head. “Your Princess and I still aren't at that sort of conversational level. It's more of a 'Stop making cotton candy out of my mane.'-style relationship at the moment.”

Rolling her eyes, she blew out a breath. “I should have known. Listen, every pony here is mature enough to make her own decisions and you really must respect them. If Rarity says no, then that's that and you and Pinkie can go 'party' to her heart's content.” Her wings marked the quotes around 'party'.

Rarity looked around the table at her friends. Fluttershy had her foreleg resting on Discord's griffin arm, talking to him. Twilight was sitting and calmly watching them, occasionally twitching a wing. And Pinkie Pie was eagerly speculating on just what flavour of cotton-candy Celestia's mane would taste like. “I need to think about this.”

“Of course you do,” Fluttershy murmured, getting up. “Come on, Discord. You're welcome to stay, but I should probably clear out a space in the eyrie. If you're with the bigger birds, Angel won't try to rally the rodents to swarm you again. Just don't go dyeing the hawk's feathers bright green.”

After the two of them had left, Rarity swept her fainting couch over and flopped onto it with as much effort as she could muster. “Oh, I don't think I could have taken much more of that!”

“Want to explain why you're so cranky about the whole idea?” Twilight asked. “I mean, other than 'it's not ladylike' and the fact that it's Discord himself?”

“Isn't that enough?” Pouting, she rolled onto her back and looked at her friends while upside down. “Can you imagine the ridicule I'd face in Canterlot if this was ever known?”

“Oh, hardly ridicule,” Twilight said, smirking. “They'd probably be utterly terrified of you, instead. Imagine: You, one of the favoured ponies of the Lord of Chaos, his consort and left-hoof. I could probably award you an imposing title, too.”

“Nevertheless, I am not some receptacle in which that horrid creature can relieve his base desires.” Rarity was determined to be unhappy about this, despite Twilight's suggestions. “And what would my title be: Rarity the Ravished?”

“Oooh, radishes could be fun,” Pinkie said, putting her hooves and head over the back of the couch. “Mind you, carrots would be a better shape . . .”

“RAVISHED, Pinkie Pie!” She huffed and sat up, unable to bear the direction this conversation was going. “Dear me, haven't you ever read a decent romance novel in your life? There is a certain art to seduction and this is not the way to go about it, in my opinion.”

“Rarity . . .” Twilight hesitated before going ahead. “You can want flowers and chocolate and I'm sure Discord will provide them, most likely as chocolate flowers. There might be silk and candles and all those things you love when there's romance going on. But also, you'll both be spending very intimate time with him as the most imaginative Elements of Harmony. Some incredible things could happen when you're together in that sort of situation.”

Squeezing her eyes shut in frustration, Rarity stretched all four legs out and arched her back, trying to dispel some of the annoyance she was feeling. “You could be right. But it could also be an utter disaster on so many levels.”

There was silence for a few seconds, then Pinkie's hooves thumped on the floor. “What if we could find out which one it was?” she asked.

“Oh, yes, wonderful idea. We could just go to the future and see how it all turned out.” She hadn't meant to sound so sarcastic, but she really was grumpy.

“Silly Rarity,” Pinkie chirped, ignoring the sarcasm as she always did. “We're already going to the future. We're just very slow at it. But maybe we could also ask the future to come back and tell us what happened!”

Twilight's startled neigh made both of them jump. “Pinkie! Are you thinking about the time spell? Why didn't I think of that?”

“Because we hadn't reached that point in the discussion yet?” she asked, hopping around the couch. “If it helps Rarity make an important decision, it's as good a reason as you coming back in time to tell yourself not to worry. Even though you didn't get your point across and worried all week anyways!”

“You're telling me.” Twilight looked interested all of a sudden and her wings flared. “It could work. I mean, I can't come back again, but Rarity certainly can. And I don't even have to sneak into the archives this time.”

“Ahem?” Both ponies looked over at Rarity. “You want me to go through time?”

-+-+-+-

Rarity shifted on her hooves, waiting to hear from herself. Realizing that she was standing just because she was nervous, she made herself sit down, tucking her curly purple tail up against her flank.

Upstairs, she could hear Pinkie Pie giggling. Thank heavens it was after hours and no customers would be looking for fashions this time of night. She had no desire to even begin to explain the goings-on in her home and business.

Fluttershy put a hoof on her shoulder and leaned in to nuzzle her neck. “I'm very proud of you, Rarity.”

She puffed a nervous breath out and shook her head. “Patience, Fluttershy. We don't know yet if I've gotten to Canterlot. I don't know what I've decided to do.”

“Yes, you will,” she insisted. “Whatever Future-Rarity says, I know you're going to make the right decision.”

“I certainly hope so.” She looked around at her beautiful boutique. All her talent and energy. All the time she had put into this business. She had been assured that none of this was going to change, but that was so like a man, wasn't it? Things always changed after a relationship, even if it was supposedly strictly physical.

“This has got to be a first,” said Twilight, all her nervous energy being put into hovering just off the ground. Rarity was privately grateful that her friend had gained wings in this case and wasn't putting a groove in her floor by pacing. “We're actually actively aiding future events. And present events based on the future! Well,” she added, “it's possible. I still can't believe it.”

Rarity agreed with her in that disbelief. There were a dozen reasons for all of this to go horribly wrong and blow up in her pristine-complexioned face. Not the least of which was that this idea had been Pinkie Pie's in the first place. But still, even after a great deal of research, Twilight had had to concede that the reasoning was sound and this could actually work.

Then she felt the first stirrings of a breeze in her curly mane. A quick glance around the shop showed that all the windows were still closed. “Oh, my. I believe we're about to make contact.”

As a ball of light began to form in a cleared space in the centre of the boutique, every pony put a foreleg up to shade their eyes. Twilight yipped as she landed on the floor, ducking a shower of magical sparks. “This is what happened when I went back in time! This is it, all right!”

The light grew and expanded, the increasing wind making some of Rarity's spare odds and ends skitter across her worktables. Then, suddenly, the brightness disappeared and a whole lot of wooden spools of thread hit the floor with a clatter.

Everypony uncovered their faces and saw another white unicorn crouched in the middle of the room, her purple mane in disarray. As she straightened up, she blinked long eyelashes and nickered. “Goodness, that does feel disorienting.”

“Umm, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked, sidling forward. She looked back at Twilight and her own Rarity. “How can we be sure it's her?”

The future-Rarity looked over at Twilight as well. “You're about to cast a changeling-reveal spell, an anti-fugue spell, your friendship spell, and then you're going to dangle a giant emerald in front of me to see if I pounce on it.”

Twilight Sparkle hesitated, then nodded. “That's right. But I'm going to do that anyways, just to be sure.” She lowered her head as her horn glowed hot pink, then a succession of magical waves enveloped the new unicorn, one after the other. Finally it all subsided and she nodded again. “Okay, forget the emerald; it's her. It worked. And she hasn't been corrupted by Discord's influence.”

“That's what you think,” Rarity muttered, eyeing her future self's glossy, thicker coat. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear her fetlocks were going unshorn.

“Now, I obviously don't have much time,” future-Rarity began. “But you have to ask me what you want to know, just so I don't accidentally reveal information you shouldn't have.”

“Like what we're planning to ask in the first place?” Twilight snarked. “Right. Go ahead, Rarity.”

She approached herself, taking in her surprisingly loose mane and tail. She could tell the journey back in time hadn't undone her curls, but that they'd been out for quite some time. “A new style, I see. Does this mean I should take up his offer?” The sudden, satisfied smile on her opposite's face made her flush hotly. Oh, as if she'd smiled like that in the last few years. What in Equestria would she be doing?

“He said nothing would change,” future-Rarity said, “He was right, in a lot of ways. Equestria is still safe from chaos and his powers remain under Celestia's command. But your own lives will be a teensy bit more . . . interesting than they have been.” That smirk grew and Rarity suddenly wanted to know much, much more. “The offer is good. I wouldn't pass it up.”

“Even with . . .” Rarity gestured, knowing her future self would know, because she would have already asked the same question.

“Oh, yes.” She winked a blue eye. “I always suspected we had it in us, too. It's worth it for her as well.”

“But it's only been two months ahead for you. What about a year from now?”

Her other self looked a little annoyed. “Well, obviously we can't think that far ahead. But we're very content so far. There has to be some mystery left, shouldn't there?”

“Oh, always,” Rarity agreed. “Just . . . one other thing, then. How is Sweetie Belle? Is she missing us?”

“Hardly. You two are as close as ever. You may want to keep an eye on your washing for the next while, though. Just as a tip.” Future-Rarity gave a dramatic roll of her eyes.

Fluttershy came up between them, smiling. “I'm happy for you, Rarity. And you too, future-Rarity,” she said, wrapping her wings around both of their shoulders in a hug. “Thank you for coming back to tell us. I know it's a big load off of Rarity's mind.”

Future-Rarity grinned as the sparkles began hissing and spitting once more as the bright light returned. She leaned in beneath Fluttershy's chin and her shining muzzle found Rarity's ear. “But there's going to be a wonderfully big load on your back very soon,” came the teasing whisper. Then she disappeared in a pop of light and sound.

Squeaking, Rarity folded her forelegs over her nose, trying to stop her blushing before she lifted her head and everypony would see her. Oh, heavens, her future self had turned into some sort of hedonist! She wished she had asked if any of her fashion designs had taken off, although if future-her had spent all that time being satisfied, she would hate to see just what she may have designed in the meantime.

Turning her face away from both Fluttershy and Twilight, she looked up the staircase. She knew what awaited her up there, but she had wanted to know if it would be the right decision.

“So?” Fluttershy asked behind her, “what are you going to do?”

Rarity took a deep breath and put one hoof forward. “I believe I'll listen to myself for once.” Halfway up the stairs, she looked back. “Ta, darlings. Don't wait up for me.”

She took her time the rest of the way up, trying not to let doubts creep into her mind. From the looks of things, her future self was satisfied. Oh, did she ever look satisfied. She had always hoped to find somepony to spend time with . . . not always in that way, but she had looked forward to being intimate at least once or twice in her lifetime. Now that option had appeared in the most unlikely place with the most unlikely pony (and draconequus). Was she thrilled to take it up? Should she even be? She didn't know the right answers to those questions. Not yet, at least.

But she did know who she was. And she wouldn't let herself do something so completely stupid that it would hurt her family. She had asked about Sweetie Belle because if there was a problem, it would reveal itself in her relationship with her sister. But everything appeared to be fine there, other than the usual mess with the washing. Well, that could wait for now.

Stepping into the hallway, Rarity made for her spare room, where she usually kept bits and bobs of this and that, her hooves clopping lightly. She almost wished she had put on some pieces from her latest outfits downstairs, as walking into a seduction without anything to remove seemed even more scandalous than a tasselled bridle and a sheer bow tied around her dock.

As she reached the room, she steeled herself for whatever sight might greet her. It was very possible that Pinkie Pie and Discord had . . . already begun. But a flash filled the doorway and Discord appeared, dressed in a eye-wateringly loud shirt and lounging in a hammock attached to the frame. “Have you consulted your oracle, Miss Rarity?”

She took another deep breath and nodded. “I'm going to try this. If I get uncomfortable, you will stop, correct?”

Discord lowered a pair of sunglasses that hadn't been there seconds earlier. “I'm not an animal. I can respect a lady's wishes.”

“You showed no evidence of that before, either in the Canterlot maze or in Fluttershy's home. So you can understand my reluctance to put my body at your disposal. However,” She whuffed softly and reached out to prod the hammock, making it sway. “I understand that that was Chaos. And I'm willing to give you this chance. Shall we?”

“Very well.” The hammock and shirt vanished and Discord stood there, offering her a claw. “There may be a bit of chaos when things get a bit heated, but ignore it if you can. Nothing will be permanent. You and Pinkie Pie will be safe.”

For the first time and to her complete surprise, Rarity felt a little twinge of anticipation. Oh, dear. She hoped this didn't mean she was kinky. She tentatively put her hoof into his hand and allowed him to guide her into the room.

Pinkie Pie had been busy, as Pinkie was wont to do. Rolls of silk and satin had been draped around the windows and the lamps to cover the room in hues of purple and red. Cushions were tucked beneath spare sheets to form a very comfortable bed. Rarity gazed at the makeshift boudoir, her magic involuntarily sparking to trim an edge here and and stitch a seam there. “Oh, very well done, Pinkie.”

“It's just party planning for three!” Pinkie said, giggling as she hopped over. “I'm glad you're here. I mean, it would be fun with two of us, but three should be even better!”

Giving her friend a sidelong glance, Rarity cleared her throat. “Yes, well . . . I suppose that we're about to see each other in a more intimate way than we're used to. Shall we try not to be awkward about it afterwards?”

“Why would it be awkward?” She blinked. “It's never been awkward when I see other ponies around town after I've tumbled out of bed with them.”

Well, file that under 'things one never would have thought of about Pinkie Pie'. Rarity coughed delicately. “Nevertheless, Pinkie. I'm unaccustomed to this, so I'm trusting you to be gentle.” She looked over at Discord. “I have a request, if you feel up to granting it.”

He glanced up from clipping the claws on his griffin hand. “My dear Rarity, you are the Element of Generosity itself in acquiescing to my needs. If it be the largest, truest diamond capable of being created, you shall have it.”

Rarity sat down on the impromptu mattress and patted the spot beside her. “Tell me more about Silver Lining, if it's not too painful. How did you meet her? You couldn't have been hurting for chaos back in the middle of your reign. Why take a consort?”

He hesitated, then came over and curled in on himself, sitting cross-legged beside her as Pinkie immediately nestled into his other side. “Oh, that was a time.” He gestured grandly with his paw. “Picture it: Equestria, two thousand years ago. Ponykind was mostly unified back then. There were occasional flare-ups between the races, but nothing as serious as the time of the Windigoes. I had been in power for a rather long time and it was the Year of the Carnivorous Stamp-Collection, if I recall correctly.

“I had just engineered one of my classic cardboard city collapses, when I remember noticing something unusual. There was an Earth Pony watching me. Not only that, but she was sketching. Most ponies either hid from my presence or just went about their miserable little lives, doing their best to ignore the chaos around them.”

Rarity mmmphed and settled her head against his shoulder, letting her interest in the story guide her closer. “Sometimes artists can't help themselves, even in the middle of chaos.”

“Do you know, that's almost what she said when I loomed over her, with the whole lightning and thunder motif in the background. Well, her exact words were, 'Stop moving around, you idiot! I'm running low on charcoal here'. But I assume the gist was the same.”

“So it was her bravery that drew you to her?” she asked.

“Oh, hardly. There were many brave and foolish ponies who tried to confront me over the years. She was drawn to me, it seemed. I learned that when she reappeared days later, in my own castle, of all places, and asked me to take her in. She wasn't the first pony to ask that, either. But I had never allowed any of them to stay before. They were a nuisance, back then, mere toys.”

Rarity nickered quietly. “Why her, then? Why was she different?”

“I don't know,” he murmured. “It may have been because the inspiration she drew from chaos had altered her life. Her work had changed, for the better and for the bizarre. Nopony could look at her new sculptures without being simultaneously fascinated and horrified. That was why she came to me. She'd been expelled from her town, the forest life was cruel to her, and she needed materials before she went mad from the whole situation. She was being driven to create and I would have been the only audience who could appreciate it.”

Taking a deep breath, she stretched her neck up and made the first move, giving the side of his muzzle a soft lick. “And so she stayed?”

“She did,” he confirmed. “It was enough for her to have a space to work and a place to be. Later, though, she did become my consort, simply because she was lonely. I could understand that, if little else.” He looked down at her and she felt his tail slide beneath hers, resting against her flank. “That's all I should say for now. I don't consider it a dishonouring of her memory, but it's not right to think of her when I'm about to do this.”

Rarity nosed at him, even as he sighed and leaned into her nuzzle, his antler and her horn clicking together softly. “Well then, let's leave it for now.” She raised up onto her forelegs some more so she could get at the tender spot behind his ear, hoping that he liked that sort of thing as much as she did.

Pinkie Pie, for her part, was squirming around so she could slither into his lap, her own forelegs wrapped around his lion's arm. She had her muzzle pressed against his nose and was giggle-snorting softly. “So, got any special moves?” she asked, her tail lashing from side to side. “Lots of ponies have them. And you've been around for a lot longer.”

He dipped his head to meet her. “I'll have to think on it,” he said. “I have been stone for more than fifteen hundred years. My body will probably remember before my mind does.”

Rarity took advantage of his lowered position, pushing her nose into the crest of his mane and starting to groom him, nibbling and tugging at the thick, coarse hair. To her immense satisfaction, this produced a deep groan and an undulation of Discord's whole body, the draconic parts of him reacting to her efforts. “Oooh, there we go,” she purred, feeling pleased with herself. “Just let me work for a bit, dear.”

His head swung around and his big yellow eyes gazed at her. “You mean . . . just give you control?” he asked quietly, one side of his mouth quirking up rather dangerously.

She didn't skitter backwards, as much as those eyes made her want to, but Rarity leaned in instead and daringly planted a hard kiss on his mouth, giving him a swipe of her tongue and feeling the sudden shock as it met his. Both of their heads jerked back in surprise and his gasp mirrored hers.

“That wasn't you doing that, was it?” she asked uncertainly, the base of her tail quivering as it threatened to hike itself up. Oh dear, that had been quite a jolt. And she was afraid that she wanted another.

“I should say not,” Discord told her, looking just as put out.

“Pinkie?” Rarity murmured, sidling over until she was pressed into the side of her boudoir, shivering at the touch of silk against her coat. “Do me a favour, would you? Be a dear and let Discord kiss you, please?”

Obligingly, the pink pony reached over to grab his head in her hooves, pulling him back around. She mashed her muzzle against his, enthusiastically enough so that Discord's wings flared and he flailed for balance, eyes comically wide.

Rarity's own eyes widened as she remembered some of the more interesting things Pinkie had been able to do with her tongue over the years . . . and then she recalled Discord once using his own tongue as a red carpet. The thought of what could be going on in those mouths made her suddenly begin fanning herself with a front hoof.

Pinkie finally let him go and both pony and draconequus drew back, panting heavily. “Whooo!' she yelped. “That was better than a rainbow! Same jolt, but not as spicy!”

Discord's wings were shot straight out and he seemed to be in disbelief as he lay propped up on the bed. “Incredible,” he breathed. He looked over at Rarity. “Did you know she could do that?”

She took a delicate step towards him, smiling. “I don't believe anypony knows half the things Pinkie Pie is capable of,” she said. “Not even yourself, although you're certainly capable of appreciating them, it seems.” She moved closer until she could get at his ears once again, resuming her nibbling and light tugging. “Mmmm.”

She continued to take her time as she explored all the lovely little tension points on his head. His antler and horn bases were very much like her own and she took advantage of that, using the pressure of her chin to rub deeply into tender spots, causing him to groan once again. Working carefully, she came around to the side of his muzzle again and gave him another lick, this one slower and more deliberate. “I believe I'd like another one of those kisses,” she whispered to him, sitting down and letting her curly tail brush against his griffin arm.

He cupped her head in his paw and she felt her mane suddenly straighten, falling in a thick wave around her shoulders. “If you like,” he said, drawing her down slowly. “And that does become you, with it down like that.” He let her anticipate just a little longer, then she was being kissed with that devilish tongue once more.

Rarity couldn't help it. Her tail twitched and she felt herself suddenly 'wink' back there. Oh. Ohhhh. . . perhaps it has been far too long. For the both of us. Her spine suddenly relaxed and she leaned into the kiss. And while she was so distracted, she barely noticed the flash of pink in the corner of her vision.

Then one of her ears was gently seized in a hot, wet pull, eliciting a surprised squeak that Discord swallowed, responding with a swirl of his tongue that invaded every fibre of her being, making her melt even more. As the kiss was broken, Rarity flopped helplessly on the bed, panting as she was rode down by Pinkie Pie.

“There we go,” Pinkie whispered into her mane, worrying softly at her ears and tugging the other one, causing her to whimper as tension flowed away. “Just relax, Rarity.” Warm weight settled on her hips and she felt a fluffy tail tangle with hers as Pinkie draped herself right over her. Rarity tried to protest with another little whine, but she was feeling far too good to try and buck her friend off. She vaguely remembered her future-self's satisfied expression, though, and some of those regrets about her loss of control subsided.

Her face was cupped by Discord's hands and she felt Pinkie's vibrating giggle as both of them kissed her at the same time. “Pinkie Pie is fine,” his warm voice told her, vibrating through her muzzle. “I haven't done anything to her, just like I haven't done anything to you.” A caress along her ears made them perk. “Feeling good?” She whickered up at him. “Excellent.”

She vaguely felt Pinkie shift her weight around, but paid it no mind as her ears continued to get rubbed, the massage easing some of the pressure that came with the heavy base of her horn. Then a sudden, warm breath in a sensitive spot made her blink and realize that her tail was up. But she couldn't look back because of the slow, deep rubbing that was keeping her head down. She couldn't tell who was there, looking at and breathing along her most intimate folds. Helpless, she simply quivered and gave a nicker as her inner labia 'winked' again at the thought of being examined like this.

The first lick caught her by surprise, drawing out a deep, shocked breath at the sensations that flowed along her hindquarters. “Aaahhh!” She braced her forelegs and pressed her hind legs deeper into the cushions, wanting to squirm, but worried that whomever was back there would be drawn off-track.

“It's okay,” came Pinkie's voice. “Just lie still.” Then there was another twitch of her tail and she guessed that earlier tangle was why she was so exposed. Pinkie had tugged her up and open.

Another lick sent those thoughts out of her mind, though, and she dug her muzzle into her foreleg, muffling the squeaking sound that she made. And then, as if that was the permission needed, the lapping began in earnest, up and down the full length of her folds.

Rarity couldn't buck, couldn't brace properly. She could only lie there and cry out softly as she was, for lack of a better phrase, eaten out with gusto. She rolled her head from side to side, eyes squeezed shut in pleasure as she rode the teasing tongue that was playing such havoc with her.

Then, in the middle of a rolling of her hips, she half-opened one eye and caught a glimpse of a sight that almost made her forget to breathe.

Ohhh-hhho, she thought, eyeing the thick, blue-shaded length in front of her. Discord obviously had a sheath like most stallions and now he appeared to be aroused as she was. His upper half was out of sight, as flexible and reptilian as he was, but his lower half was very much within reach. He looked weighty and slightly imposing. Oh, there was no doubt in her mind that he'd fit, but now she wondered if she could . . .

Before she could arch her neck or even make a move towards him, there was a humming sensation and the sudden nudge of something firm against her newly-unhooded clitoris. The hot spark of contact made her inhale sharply and her eyes crossed, losing sight of the delicious treasure she'd been eyeing.

“Oooh,” came Pinkie's pleased chirp, followed by another slow press and grind against her clit, which dismissed her thoughts of draconequus cock and left Rarity in mind for only the mounting pleasure.

A few more soft swipes, along with whatever it was nuzzling her, sent sparks up along her spine, and Rarity gave a half-muffled yelp as something caught in a near-magical flare. She shuddered beneath Pinkie's slow pressing, the stretching on her ears, the hot, wet, tonguing, all of it swirling together and blowing through her in a scorching orgasm. Now she bucked and rammed herself back against whatever was there, wanting the pressure and riding against it as she came. “Nnnnn! Nnnnggg! Haaaaahhhhh!”

When she finally opened her eyes again, panting, Rarity licked at her muzzle, afraid that she had been drooling. Then she caught sight of Discord and his cock at full mast once more as he reclined on the pillows at the top of the bed. Well, if she hadn't before, she was drooling now. “It is amazing,” she said, groaning as she sat up, “what a little lust can do to a mare's brain. We're supposed to be doing this for you, aren't we?”

“I talked him into it,” Pinkie Pie said, stretching out beside her contentedly. “We figured a good orgasm would make you into a much less cranky-Rarity.”

“You horrid cheaters,” Rarity said affectionately, glancing back and seeing the curl gone from her tail as well. She arched her neck over and nipped at one of Pinkie's floppy ears. “Well, then, would you like some attention? Or might I suggest Discord take a turn of his own?” She gave him one of her best eyelash-flutters and put her head on one side. “After all, I assume that one load will not be enough to ease all the chaos in the world.”

At his nod, she wriggled closer to him, even as he coaxed Pinkie Pie to turn herself around and pushed her tail up and over her back. Rarity dared to glance over as she settled in, though, and caught a glimpse of Pinkie's own glistening sex winking at them. She was obviously very much in the same mood as herself.

Discord himself was half-coiled draconically. His lower half was on its side and he had stretched out his upper half to get at Pinkie. Rarity sidled as close as she could, lying on her side beside him and slipping her head underneath to nose at his impressive cock. It was blunt and shaded violet and blue, with a ring and sheath like a pony stallion had. Beneath his shaft, two heavy, furred balls were nestled up against his groin and she lightly reached a hoof beneath his scaled lizard leg to stroke them, curious.

Pinkie gave a sudden giggle. “Whatever you're doing, he's breathing hot!” she called. “Oooh, don't stop!”

Suppressing a grin, Rarity kept the pressure on there, even as she slipped her pink tongue out to test his weight. Her teasing lick made him bounce, and she took her time, rubbing her white cheek down the side of the shaft, her hoof still circling back and forth. Reaching back a little further, she could sense the soft ridge behind his sac and was rewarded with a sudden jump of his cock. Ahhh. She smiled, secretly pleased at being able to find his pleasure point.

Licking her muzzle, she didn't waste any more time. With a soft little welcoming noise, she opened up and slipped him right into her mouth. The first suck make him arch and she settled her other foreleg against his abdomen, easing him back down so he either didn't push right down her throat or stab himself on her horn.

Thus free from choking or injuring him, Rarity began bobbing her head up and down on his cock, slow and steady. He was full and hard, filling her mouth except when she lifted her head up to let her tongue swirl in slow patterns along the flat tip. Each time she did that, there was a muffled groan from somewhere above and behind her. If her ears were tilted back, she could hear Pinkie's own pleased noises as she was obviously getting the same treatment from Discord.

Rarity blew him gently, fondling him with one hoof along his sheath as the other busily massaged him behind his sac. There were some very intimate secrets in all those novels she read and she had longed to try out one or two over the years. With a chaotic being like Discord, they wouldn't be too out of place, she reasoned.

She pulled her head back and let him slip free, slithering her tongue along his crown and getting a taste of salt as he was now streaming fluid in arousal from all her attention. Content with her work thus far, Rarity lapped at him some more and rubbed her cheek along his tip, being rewarded with a damp patch along her muzzle.

“Oh, that's very good. Very nice. But even Chaos can't last forever,” came his deep, soft voice from above. Claws raked gently through her mane and Rarity flicked her tail in acknowledgement. She wriggled at the subsequent thrum of want that surged through her dock. The thought of lifting it up and letting herself be filled was tempting, but she knew that it could wait just a bit longer.

So, letting herself be guided gently back down onto him, she allowed his hips to thrust up just a little bit into her mouth now. “Hmmm. Mmmmmph. Mmmm.” Her head bobbed down with each push, taking it slow and deep. Her hoof dug into him some more too, rubbing that soft ridge that would send ripples through him, pressing up and coaxing him to finish strong and thick in her throat. And before too long, there was a quiet grunt of warning and she obligingly took him deep in one last, stretching suck. Her sensitive hoof-pad felt him tighten, then pulse as he swelled in her mouth and gave it up to her.

Rarity accepted his first load in one swift swallow, much to her surprise. The next gush filled her mouth and she gulped that down, too, swallowing again and again as his warmth filled her. It seemed to continue for ages, but then she felt one last little pulse spatter on her tongue, and she curled it up and swallowed that as well, and he was very hot and soft, slipping out of her mouth as she finally lifted her head again.

Pinkie Pie was flat on her stomach, panting and looking very pleased with herself. Discord was coiled around her at least once, also looking rather dazed. And, not to her surprise, all her pillows had turned into giant croissants.

“You,” Rarity panted as well, wriggling her hooves free and rolling over, “are a menace to good, pure ponies everywhere.”

Pinkie gave a tired giggle. “I think he already knew that. Ohhh.”

She managed to sit up, still a bit dizzy from the enthusiastic pumping her face had taken in those last few, enjoyable moments. “So, has that at least taken the edge off?”

Discord turned his head the wrong way around before righting himself. “Ooof. It must have. I think I saw the Crystal Empire when I came.” He paused. “On the other hand, I heard that reappeared, didn't it?”

Rarity smiled. “Quite recently. But you didn't transport yourself there. You were in my mouth the whole time, believe me.” She shook her mane back and groaned softly as she felt her pussy wink again, demanding to be filled. Oh, she was so far gone. And she was still far from being satiated. “I do hope you don't need too long to be ready again.”

“That's one thing about having nearly infinite power.” Discord needed a couple of tries to snap his fingers, but soon he clicked them together and the flash of power caused him to rise anew. “Ahhh, a skill so many stallions wished they possessed,” he said, sighing as he uncurled from Pinkie Pie. “but one that only appears in horrid romance tales.” He reached over to gently pat Rarity under the chin, the mare cooing and nuzzling his wrist as she was caressed. “I gather that your eagerness for me to be back in action means you'd like to be the first?”

She nodded and slid off the bed to stand in front of it, facing away from them both. “Pardon my greediness, Pinkie,” she said apologetically as she lifted her tail and put herself on full display.

“It's okay.” Pinkie Pie hopped over and pressed her nose up against her muzzle. “If anypony deserves to be cream-filled, it's you.”

Rarity's half-embarrassed squeak was interrupted by a firm kiss from her friend, the quick swipe of a pink tongue against her mouth making her squirm, even as she felt her hind legs being spread apart even wider, her stance lowering as she shuffled her hooves further and further apart.

“That's a good girl,” Discord told her, his paw massaging her cutie mark as he coaxed her lower and her hind legs wider still until she was nearly crouched down. “Now then . . .” Rarity could feel him gently winding beneath her, embracing her white body as a sea serpent would surround a ship, swirling around her barrel and up between her forelegs. There was a tug on her mane and she lifted her eyes to see Discord's nose just inches from hers. And she could feel the head of his shaft pressing in against her folds from behind, rocking back and forth as he thrust slowly, not sliding inside just yet, but making her want him to push into her. “Ready for your next adventure?”

She was all wrapped up in his coils; nowhere to go. And she wanted to be plundered. She wanted that cock inside her. She wanted that tongue teasing hers. All she could do was nod, feeling her head held tight in the grip of his claws. “Take me on,” she breathed.

“I honour a lady's wishes,” he growled, pulling her head back and swooping in from both sides.

Her unladylike grunt at being penetrated was swallowed by his hot mouth and tongue. The first inch slid in and her pussy stretched in welcome. If she hadn't been sopping wet already, it would be too much, but as tight as she was, she wanted it and she was so slick that the next few thrusts were sheer bliss as she rippled down his length. Inch by inch, he sank into her, making her yelp with each push.

It took forever and there was so much of him inside her, but finally there was nothing but scales and goat hair against her haunches. Rarity squirmed as she took his whole length, panting because she could barely stand, but was tangled up with the draconequus so much that she wasn't sure where she ended and where he began. Her mouth was being plundered just as much as her pussy and she was sparking from sheer sensation all up and down her body.

Then he began sliding out again and Rarity's moan vibrated through both of them. Thus the pace was set. It was slow and deep and the white unicorn found herself being delicately pounded, if she had ever imagined such a thing to be possible. The slap, slap of his hips meeting hers filled her boudoir as he rode her, their spread legs hooked around each other, muzzles brushing and gasps intermingling.

It went on and on, Rarity's bucks barely visible around his coils as she roiled her hips up and down, orgasms shuddering through her. Then, just as it had started, there was a tightening in his shaft and Discord's low, deep groan in her ears, followed by a hot rush just inside her and she felt the thrum of his climax, each deep thrust accompanied by a pulse that filled her up. “Unnngghhhnhh! Nnn! Nnn! Nnn!”

Both of them were frozen in the moment, her hips jerking softly against his as he pushed even deeper than she though possible, all slippery and slick as he kept coming inside her. And then Discord rolled over, bringing her with him. Lost on her back, Rarity arched her neck for yet another kiss, panting as she kept taking his fading thrusts. Even though he was long spent and semi-hard, he kept working her, eventually sliding out and spattering her white belly with one last twitch before going limp.

There was silence, except for the sound of Pinkie Pie munching on popcorn, and Rarity finally stirred, opening one eye. “I guess they will be calling me Rarity the Ravished,” she murmured, stretching her forelegs and yawning. “Ohhh dear. You utter beast. Was it good for you, too?” Discord gently unwound himself from her and she groaned as she felt herself slide against the base of his sheath, her cum-slicked folds slippery against him, even the barest contact sending shudders through her afterglow. He had given her a full load and she moaned softly at the thought of him slowly draining out of her. “Pinkie Pie . . . you simply must give him a go.”

“I plan to,” Pinkie Pie said from her perch on the bed. “That looked more fun than a waterslide!”

Rarity exchanged a mild look with Discord. “She did just compare you to an amusement park ride,” she commented.

“I heard,” he said, finally sounding somewhat spent. “I'll handle it. By the way. That? Was my move.”

With another groan of satisfaction, she wriggled over to a cushion that had spontaneously transformed itself into a jam-cookie and flopped her head down onto it. “Good move.”

-*-*-*-

Two months later . . .

The light flashed through the Archives and Princess Twilight Sparkle sat up a little straighter. In seconds, the ball winked out and Rarity trotted out of time and space. “How did it go?”

“Just as we remembered it going,” she told her. She picked up her Element with her magic from the shelf and slipped it back around her long, slender neck. “I should be heading up the stairs as we speak.”

“To be completely wrecked,” Twilight said with a chuckle.

“I do prefer 'ravished', darling. It is much more refined.” Rarity eyed herself in a nearby mirror and smiled as she tucked a stray strand back behind her ear. “Did you get all the research done that you wanted?”

Nodding, Twilight fell into step with her friend as they made their way out of the Canterlot Library. “Silver Lining did those statues, all right. The records are all there. Once Discord had been sealed away, her need stopped being so great, but she never forgot what she had done while inspired by him. Not a lot of ponies forgot either, though. Celestia and Luna had to put her under their protection and she stayed here until her last days. And even after that, she asked to be put to rest in his garden.”

The two ponies walked down the stairs and Rarity glanced over at the entrance to the maze where two ponies were reared up, frozen in marble. “I should pay my respects to her, even though we're nothing alike. Chaos has no place in fashion, even though a little disorder now and then doesn't hurt.”

Twilight laughed. “I've seen you create without Discord's influence. Disorder is putting it mildly. Be grateful you've got only a mild case of chaos compared to what she had.” She paused, then nudged Rarity's shoulder. “You should go and see her. You've both experienced something few ponies ever have.”

“Jealous?” she asked, smirking as they turned down the path towards the middle of the garden..

Her laugh got louder. “Are you kidding? Remember that time when you came downstairs with your mane transformed into purple snakes? And you didn't even notice until you went into the kitchen and they went after that bowl of wax fruit? The old you would have screamed loud enough to be heard in Appleloosa.”

“Yes, she would have.” Rarity shrugged lightly and swished her tail, surreptitiously checking to make sure she was reptile-follicle-free. She may not have shrieked then, but she had still been dazed after a particularly inventive threesome. Had she not just been fucked completely silly by the Lord of Chaos, she would have had a fit.

She and Twilight slipped through hedges and around other statues, many of which Rarity eyed curiously. “I know that many of these are supposedly great pony heroes, but did Silver Lining make them as well?”

“A lot of those ponies were after her time,” Twilight said. “Most are memorials. You can spot Silver's though. They're all the same pony, holding a scroll or a pennant. Visitors just assume they're placeholders or generic triumphant statues.”

Rarity stopped in front of one holding a scroll, just a short distance from Discord's old plinth. “I wonder if that's her likeness.” She looked around and shuddered. “Or perhaps one of them really is her, simply petrified, and she had it done to herself to be near him.”

“Celestia didn't say. And I didn't ask,” Twilight told her. “I think she was surprised at me even bringing it up. I didn't tell her that you and Pinkie Pie were shacking up with the personification of Chaos and that that was how I knew.”

“She probably knows,” Rarity said airily. “And it's all some part of a grand plan she's concocted to save Equestria at a future date. Although how she thinks great sex is going to do that, I couldn't begin to guess.” She stepped over to one of the figures.

“It's one thing to be an artist. It's another to have your art change so drastically,” Twilight said, frowning as she looked from statue to statue. “If her style under chaos was 'horrified fascination', then this had to have been her old style. Do you think it affected her cutie mark?”

Rarity shrugged. “If it did, then it's no wonder her village expelled her. They may have thought she had the Cutie Pox, especially if it drove her to create.” She patted a hoof against the base of the statue. “He's all right, Silver. He made it through,” she said to the stone. “And he hasn't forgotten you. Or the work you did.” She looked over at Twilight. “I wonder if any of her old work remains?”

“You are not thinking of a quest.” Her friend shook her head. “You have another crazy order from Sapphire Shores, your sister's staying with you next week, and who knows when Discord's going to get itchy from not being able to cause chaos again. And you want to go and hunt down works of art that would drive ordinary ponies mad?”

Nodding, Rarity turned back to gaze at the statue some more. “I want to know more about her. And I'm sure I can cover the adventure by telling Sapphire Shores that I'm going on another gem hunt for her. She has said she owes me for the little mishap we had with the Diamond Dogs a couple of years ago.” She grinned. “Secretly? She offered to take me to bed as recompense. Seems it's 'the thrill of a lifetime' for some ponies, according to her. I probably should have taken her up on it.”

Twilight shook her head sadly. “Oh, do not let Discord hear that. He'd probably figure she was creative enough to be his next consort and then we'd have the entire Pony of Pop fanbase after our flanks.”

Rarity grinned sweetly and sashayed past her, heading back to the palace. “Yep, you are sooo jealous.”

*+*+*+*

END

Author's Note

This came about because R5h on the #Fimfiction chat channel cracked that a "Disparity" OT3 would be Discord/Pinkie Pie/Rarity, and promised some useless fake Internet money to whoever wrote the first one.

Challenge accepted.

Belated thanks, with apologies, to hwrogers for his beta help in clearing the last few mistakes out of the manuscript. His service was invaluable and necessary.