Chapter 8

Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville

Dusk Shine was busy doing the monthly book sort. All the books in the library needed to go through this process so that they could be properly accounted for. It was neither a very glamorous nor exciting process, but a process that needed to occur. The entire day had been strangely quiet, due to the fact that Molestia was away taking care of whatever business she had. Dusk found himself at a loss, because he usually liked peace and quiet but the library now seemed so lonely without the boisterous alicorn. It helped that Owlicious was here to keep him company, since Spike was fast asleep in his room.

Dusk sighed. “I wonder when Molly will be back. I hate to admit it, but it’s kind of boring around here without her.”

Owlicious cocked his head. “Whoo.”

“You know Mol…oh yeah you’re owl hehehe.”

The owl rolled his eyes. “Whooooo!”

“I’m sorry buddy I know you’re a smart owl. I just keep forgetting that you don’t speak Equestrian.”

Owlicious flew over to Dusk and landed on his back, giving him an affectionate nuzzle.

“Thanks for trying to cheer me up. You’re the best owl a stallion could ask for.”

Owlicious puffed up his chest feathers in pride and then rotated his head towards the sound of a knock on the door.

“Hmm I don’t normally get many visitors at this hour, I wonder who it is.”

He opened the door to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders all looking at him with beaming smiles. Dusk allowed a small frown to creep onto his muzzle. When those three looked like perfect little angels, they were up to no good.

“Hi girls, what brings you to the library?”

Apple Bloom smiled. “Howdy there Dusk, we actually wanted ta see ya ‘bout somethin’.”

“What, pray tell, would that be?”

Sweetie was the next to speak. “We wanted to know if you’re available this evening.”

“Available for what?”

Scootaloo buzzed her wings. “Available for an awesome date!”

Dusk coughed. “A d-date? With who and where? I don’t remember agreeing to this!”

“Ya didn’t agree ta nothin’. We decided ta help ya out with yer Cheerilee problem.”

“Oh no, you’re not using any love potion on me! Didn’t you girls learn anything from that?”

Sweetie blushed. “We know it was wrong, but we’re trying to do it the right way this time.”

Dusk patted Sweetie on the head. “Look, I know you’re just trying to help me and I appreciate that but you can’t go around town trying to force ponies to be with each other.”

“Now see here Dusk, we ain’t forcin’ nopony into anythin’! You like Cheerilee right? So what’s the problem?”

“It’s certainly true that I like her, however I’ve never asked her on a date before. I have no idea if she’s even interested in me.”

Scootaloo hopped onto Dusk’s back. “That’s not a big deal at all. We’ll just ask her.”

“NO! I mean…I don’t think this is the best way to approach the situation.”

Sweetie’s lip quivered. “Don’t you want a very special somepony?”

“Well I suppose so but I never really…”

“Ya ain’t gonna find out by stayin’ in the library all the time. Trust us Dusk, we got yer back.”

Dusk felt his stomach tie into a knot. “Ok…I’ll give you one chance. Oh Celestia am I going to regret this…”

All three of the fillies jumped into the air. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS DATING SERVICE YAY!”

“This can’t possibly end well.”

Molestia chose that very moment to appear on the veranda. She noted how excited Ponyville’s resident troublemakers were as they trotted off with a bounce in their step. The alicorn hopped off the veranda and landed next to Dusk with huge smirk on her face.

“So sunshine, what has those three all riled up?”

Dusk rubbed his head. “I may have agreed to let them help me with a certain…issue of mine.”

“Oh, well it’s impolite to keep a lady waiting. Do tell.”

“They’re trying to help me erm…set up a date with Cheerilee.”

“*squee* Isn’t that just wonderful dear! Just think you have a nice dashing suit to wear and you’ll know what flowers to bring. Although if I were you I’d bring daises, since she has them on her fla-cutie mark.”

“Hmm you know that might work. Good thinking Molly.”

“You do realize that I can be tactful when I want to.”

“Yeah under very specific circumstances. By the way Molly, what is that creature on your back?”

“Oh his name is Sullivan. He’s my new pet sloth. I got him while I was over at Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“A sloth…really? I thought you’d go for bird or something like that.”

Molly rubbed her chin. “I was having the most awful time trying to pick out a pet, since none of them seemed to stand out. Just when I was about to give up, I spotted this handsome creature. I devised a test for him and he passed with flying colors!”

The creature on Molly’s back gave Dusk the sloth equivalent of a thumb’s up.

Dusk nodded at the sloth. “He certainly seems comfortable with you.”

The sloth shifted his arms a bit and snuggled into Molly’s coat. “Isn’t he precious?”

“I don’t even want to know what test you devised so he could prove himself worthy of your affection.”

Molly waved her hoof. “It was simple my dear. I had him try his hand at acting. Long story short, he gave Fluttershy a nice raspberry to the teats.”

Dusk blushed. “WHAT? How could you Molly, he’s an innocent creature!”

“I don’t think he’s that innocent Dusk. Fluttershy wasn’t harmed in any way and it was adorable how she jumped into the air. I swear her squeaks could give me a heart attack.”

Dusk stared in disbelief as Sully slowly grinned and winked at him.

“Ugghhh! I can’t believe this. Of all the animals you had to bring home, you picked a perverted sloth!”

Molly petted Sully with her wing. “And that’s why he’s perfect. Now would you like a chocolate covered banana Sullivan?”

Molly produced the confectionary delight from nowhere and levitated it above the sloth. With a surprisingly quick motion, he grabbed it by the popsicle stick and started nibbling on it. Molly gently placed him on the couch where he continued to eat.

“So when are you having this date of yours?”

“Tonight I guess, but the CMC weren’t very forthcoming as to what time specifically.”

“We don’t have a moment to waste! I must prepare you for your date.”

“I’m grateful that you want to help Molly, really I am but I think I’ll pass.”

“Nope, I’m not taking no for an answer, little sunshine! You’re getting my help even if I have to drag you along forcefully.”

Dusk rolled his eyes. “It’s so nice to have choices in life, isn’t it?”

“Mhmm and I’m choosing not to give you a choice. Life is so grand!”

Molly teleported Dusk’s suit onto him within a second, leaving the unicorn to wonder how she knew where the suit was and why it fit so comfortably.

Molestia nodded in approval. “You look very handsome in that suit, Rarity really outdid herself. Now you’ve got the look down but how are you with conversation?”

“Well…Cheerilee likes books we could talk about those.”

“No no no, that won’t do. You need to compliment how she looks first. Tell her that her mane is well groomed or choice of attire is stunning. Mares will melt like putty in your hooves if stroke their ego.”

“Umm…ok I’ll try that first.”

“Good, then after dinner you must find a romantic spot to take her to.”

“But isn’t the whole dinner date thing romantic already?”

“Yes dear, but it’s only a means to an end. Once you find the said romantic spot, you caress her cheek and wrestle tongues for a minute.”

Dusk cleared his throat. “Hold on a second! I can’t just skip to Prench kissing on the first date.”

“Pfft of course you can dear. How old fashioned are you?”

“I’m not that old fashioned and excuse me for having standards!”

“Yes, extremely boring and tepid standards. You should probably do this in a park, preferably during the dead of night.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, once you start making out you certainly won’t want to stop. If you make out in a park you can just go fuck in the bushes when the mood strikes you. It’s common sense Dusk, really.”

Dusk’s face flushed with embarrassment. “*squeak* Y-you mean s-sex?”

“Of course I mean sex dear. Whatever did you think I was alluding to?”

“You can’t just have sex on the first date, that’s…against the rules.”

“What rules sunshine? I’m not aware of any such rule.”

Dusk shuffled his hooves. “Most mares don’t to have umm sex so soon. It makes them look like a w-whorse.”

“Who says that? Dusk you really need to learn how mares think. Sex isn’t something that should be restricted. It is natural part of any relationship. If two ponies like each other, then it’s ok. Why deny yourself some fun?”

“Look I don’t have anything against sex. It seems rather forward is all.”

“Indeed it is Dusk, why I’d say there is nothing more forward in the entirety of Equestria. I still fail to understand what point you’re trying to make.”

“What if Cheerilee doesn’t want to you know…do it with me?”

Molly sighed. “That shouldn’t be a problem. You are a perfectly healthy, handsome stallion. Any mare would be foolish to refuse you. What’s the real problem?”

“Real problem? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Molly crept closer so she could whisper in his ear. “You’re not telling me the t-r-u-t-h.”

Dusk’s ears drooped as he let out a whimper. “Ok, I’ll tell you. But you can’t mention this to anypony. NOT A SOUL!”

“My lips are sealed…or at least one set of them.”

“Come on Molly this is serious!”

“Yes, of course dear. Now what is it?”

“I’m not sure if I know how to…”

“BY CELESTIA’S SACRED SNATCH YOU’RE A VIRGIN! HAHAHA!”

Dusk blushed. “Not so loud! I’ve never had a marefriend ok, so of course I’ve never…had sex.”

Molly wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t be making fun of you, I just couldn’t resist. Why didn’t you ever ask one of your friends to help you with that? I’m sure Pinkie wouldn’t have minded having you as a fuck-buddy.”

“I was embarrassed and it would have made things get weird.”

“Dusk things only get weird if you let them. I’m sure Pinkie wouldn’t have told a soul if you made her promise.”

“I know, she’s great at keeping secrets. I just…couldn’t do it alright!”

“You are a strange stallion, Dusk Shine. No matter, we can make up for it then.”

“Make…up…for it?”

“Yes dear. What I mean is you can practice with me.”

“P-p-practice right NOW!?”

Molly shrugged. “Sure, why not? Spike’s asleep and I doubt the animals will mind.”

Dusk began hyperventilating. “I don’t think I’m ready.”

Molly surrounded Dusk with her magic aura and made his suit disappear. She then shot a spell towards his waist with an ever widening grin. Dusk winced expecting something strange to happen, but oddly he felt nothing.

“What did you do?”

“Just a little spell I cooked up for long nights. It should be taking affect any second now.”

Dusk still felt nothing but then it hit him like a freight train. He felt a surge of energy and heat in his loins, the likes of which he’d never felt before in his entire life. The lavender unicorn looked down and noticed that his stallion-hood was standing at full attention. Immediately he grabbed a pillow off the couch to cover himself.

“D-damn it Molly! It’s going to take forever for me to calm down enough for this to go away.”

“It’ll take a lot more than that dear. I’m afraid there’s no calming down, you have to get rid of it another way.”

“You mean I have to clop? Oh shit…this isn’t good. The CMC could be back at any moment.”

“Clopping is one way, I suppose. But my spell is designed to enhance your…soldier so he can breach the gates with more…gusto. It increases your stamina tenfold, so it would be quite time consuming and dare I say painful to try and rub one out.”

“You mean I might have this boner for several hours?”

“That’s very possible. I suggest we take care of the problem right away.”

“Oh no, you must mean I have to take care of the problem.”

“Afraid not, I did mean we. Preferably you should just rut me silly, that’ll take care of your problem the quickest. However, I believe a blowjob would work too.”

Dusk whimpered. “This can’t be happening. I wanted my first time to be with my special somepony…not because of some stupid spell.”

Molly frowned. “Dusk…there is something else I can do.”

“What?” he mumbled into a couch cushion.

“I can reverse the spell.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place? You put me through all this embarrassment for nothing!?”

“No…I wasn’t trying to embarrass you, I wanted to help you.”

“Fix your spell and get out, just leave me be until my date is over. Go anywhere but here.”

“But Dusk I…”

“JUST GO! YOU’VE HELPED ENOUGH ALREADY!”

Molly fired another beam of magic at Dusk’s waist. He instantly felt the heat and pressure evaporate. She gave him one last pained look and flew out the door towards the Everfree Forest.

Dusk sighed in relief. “Finally, maybe now I can have a normal evening.”

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Ponyville Schoolhouse, Ponyville

Cheerilee was sipping a cup of coffee, while correcting some tests. While most of her students seemed to do extremely well, there were a few exceptions. Take Snips and Snails, for instance. In Cheerilee’s opinion they could barely figure out how to get out of a wet paper bag, let alone achieving some kind of academic competency. She brightened up considerably when she thought of the CMC. Those fillies might have been troublemakers, but they did very well with their school-work. Especially Apple Bloom. That filly had a knack for math, the likes of which Cheerilee hadn’t seen in years. Pounding noises interrupted her reverie.

Cheerilee opened the door, three fillies greeted her. “Why hello girls what brings you to the classroom so late?”

“Hiya Ms. Cheerilee, we were wonderin’ if ya might have some free time this evenin’.”

“Now girls we’ve had this conversation before. You can’t use potions to help find a stallion’s or mare’s special somepony.”

“Ah know and we’re sorry for what we did, honest! We were thinkin’ ya might want ta go on a date.”

Cheerilee narrowed her eyes. “You’re starting to sound like my mother…”

Sweetie looked confused. “What was that?”

“Oh nothing Sweetie. I guess I’m up for a date, not like I have much going on tonight anyway.”

Scoots bounced up and down. “That’s awesome cause we thought you’d say no…uhh I mean cool.”

“So…who’s the stallion you want to set me up with?”

All three fillies answered. “Dusk Shine!”

“Hmm really? Well, this might work out better than I thought.”

Sweetie’s eyes lit up. “Really? I knew he could be your special somepony.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Sweetie. It’ll only take about ten more minutes before I finish grading these papers. I suppose I better dress up and do my mane. Oh and where are we going?”

Apple Bloom grinned pulling out a basket. “Ah got ya covered Ms. Cheerilee! This here is a picnic basket and ah packed a bunch of food to yer likin’. Y’all can have a nice romantic dinner under the stars.”

“Thanks Apple Bloom, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

“Yer welcome. We’ll just head on outside, have fun Ms. Cheerilee!”

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Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville

Dusk finally had managed to put his suit back on and combed his mane. No sense in looking like a slob. He looked in the mirror at himself, no wrinkles in the suit and his teeth looked fine. Dusk herd Cheerilee’s voice at the door. The unicorn let out a nervous sigh and steeled his nerves. When he opened the door, the stallion was greeted by a very beautiful sight. Cheerilee stood there with her mane all straightened and styled into curls on the end. She also was sporting a pink shawl around her shoulders, along with some dark purple eye-liner. Dusk’s throat tightened up as his heart tried to crawl its way up.

“Hi Cheerilee, how are you?”

The school mare smiled. “I’m doing very well thank you. Are you to be my date tonight?”

“Umm…Yes, I am. Is that a picnic basket?”

“It certainly is, the girls thought it best that we take a stroll through the park and have a picnic. How does that sound to you?”

Dusk’s ears drooped. “That sounds lovely…”

“Dusk are you ok?”

Damn it I shouldn't be feeling guilty, not at a time like this. What if I really hurt Molly's feelings? Cheerilee is who I've always wanted so...then why do I feel so terrible? “Oh yeah, I just zoned out a bit. Let’s get going shall we?”

Cheerilee grabbed Dusk’s hoof. “Lead the way.”

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Puddinghead Park, Ponyville

The two ponies were enjoying the remaining pieces of bread left in the picnic basket. Apple Bloom had even provided them with a small jar of Zap Apple jam, which they both thought was a nice touch. Once Cheerilee finished her piece she looked up to the sky.

“Wow, tonight’s sky is extremely clear. I can see all the constellations. Why I think that one’s Virgo.”

Dusk took a look. “Yeah sure looks like it. You know I used to look at constellations all the time when I was a colt. If I have time, I still look at them.”

“I’ve never met a stallion who likes astronomy as much as I do. Most of the stallions I’ve met think that their ideal mare needs to be some dainty thing with a full plot and no brains.”

“That’s ridiculous, I think you’re a wonderful mare Cheerilee. Any stallion that dumped you is missing out. I for one, like it when a mare has some brains. It makes for some interesting discussions.”

Cheerilee blushed. “That’s wonderful Dusk. I’m so happy you feel that way. You know, when the girls first approached me about this I wasn’t expecting much out of it. I’m glad that they set it up.”

Dusk laughed mirthlessly. “Me too...I guess. Now I owe the CMC huh?”

“Dusk could I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

"You seem really distracted tonight am I boring you?"

Dusk frowned. "Oh no you've been absolutely wonderful it's just that I...have a lot on my mind. Don't mind me, it's not important."

"Dusk if something is bothering you, I want you to tell me. I promise I won't get upset."

"I'm fine really, let's continue with the date."

“Dusk, if you don't mind could I…possibly kiss you?”

“Huh? Oh…well sure if you want to. I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

Cheerilee giggled and slowly brought her hoof up to caress Dusk’s face. She continued to get closer to Dusk’s muzzle until they could both feel each other’s breath against their necks. Dusk took the initiative and pulled her in, giving her a slow, passionate kiss. They pulled apart a minute later, their faces flushed. The purple unicorn should have been ecstatic, but had a sad look on his face.

“Dusk what’s wrong didn’t you enjoy that?”

“I did, immensely in fact.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“I hurt somepony earlier, and I didn’t apologize.”

“I see. Is it somepony you care for?”

“Actually…yes, she’s very special to me. I just didn't realize how much she meant to me till now.”

Cheerilee smiled sadly. “Go to her Dusk.”

“Cheerilee I’m so sorry. You’re everything I dreamed of and more. As much as I want to be your special somepony I…can’t.”

“I had a wonderful time Dusk, so don’t apologize for that. You just needed to sort out your feelings and clearly you have. Make her happy…for me.”

Dusk grit his teeth. “Don’t worry I will, I swear it. Molly please forgive me…”