Chapter 9

Near the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, Equestria

Molestia was lying on the soft grass near a small pond she had found whilst flying towards Fluttershy’s cottage. It wasn’t that she had particularly wanted to see the buttery pegasus; she just needed a general direction to fly in. Molly’s eyes were bloodshot and red from crying for the past half hour or so. She sighed tossing another rock into the pond with her magic. The alicorn was about to toss another when she heard something rustle the grass behind her. She turned around with a surprised look, to find none other than Dusk Shine.

Dusk looked down at his hooves. “Hey Molly…what’s up?”

“What in the seven hells are you doing here?”

“Well I came to apologize for being such a jerk earlier…amongst other things.”

Molly grabbed him by the fur of his neck. “You fool! you should be enjoying your date with Cheerilee not wasting your time with me!”

“I did…at least for a time. Look I said some really stupid and hurtful things to you. I couldn’t leave it at that, it was tearing a hole in my stomach.”

Molly huffed. “Yes what you said was indeed hurtful…but I overstepped my bounds. For that I apologize as well.”

Dusk chuckled. “I forgive you. Just so you know Cheerilee was everything I hoped for, everything I dreamed she would be.”

“Ha, I figured as much. You two seemed like you were destined for each other. I knew she’d like you.”

Dusk tossed a pebble into the pond with his magic. “Are you ok? You look like you’ve been crying.”

“Ye…oh what’s the use in lying to you? I was crying, for quite some time in fact. It was about a lot of things.”

“Do you mind telling me?”

“I could but it might change our relationship. I…I don’t want us to drift apart. If I tell you there’s no going back.”

Dusk patted her on the back. “I promise that I shall remain your friend no matter what.”

Molestia sighed. “Very well, but remember that you asked for it.”

Dusk sat in the grass with his legs tucked in, trying to get comfortable. This could be quite a long conversation, but it was one he was prepared to stay for.

Molly looked at him with a pained expression. “Do you know why I tease you so often?”

“Because it amuses you?”

“Yes, that’s partially the reason. I did that because in some way I wanted you to notice me.”

“In what way exactly?”

“I wanted you to see me as a mare not…like Celestia. I know it sounds selfish but I wanted you to well…desire me.”

Dusk coughed. “Wha-really?”

“Yes, it’s entirely true dear. Tia always saw you as a surrogate son and perhaps my desires stemmed from that pure feeling of platonic love. At least…that’s what I thought at first. I realized as time went on that it wasn’t her feelings that drove me, it was my own.”

“Wow I had no idea…”

Molly let out a sad chuckle. “That was the idea sunshine. You weren’t ever supposed to know. The day you told me about how much you adored Cheerilee, I knew I had no chance. From that moment onward I vowed to help you anyway I could, regardless of my own personal desires. I sincerely hope Cheerilee is a forgiving mare, since I ruined your date.”

“So that whole thing with Rarity…was that because you were jealous?”

“I was jealous, but I realized she might ruin your chances to be with your dream-mare. It wasn’t how she spoke or how she talked. It was her eyes Dusk. They practically glowed with desire. She eyed you like a hawk eyes a mouse. I know those eyes well dear. I had to let you have your chance.”

“Thanks Molly, I can’t express how grateful I am that you were giving me a chance.”

Molly smiled. “You’re quite welcome. Since you’re here already, why don’t you tell me how the date went?”

“Cheerilee was wonderful. We talked and had a picnic under the stars. I might have…even kissed her.”

“Sounds like you have an excellent very special somepony.”

“She’s amazing but…not as special as the mare in front of me.”

Molly squeaked. “WHAT!?”

Instead of answering Molly’s question with a response he grabbed her muzzle and gave a soft, but passionate kiss to the lips. She looked a bit shocked but otherwise happy.

Molestia blushed. “B-but how I…I thought you wanted Cheerilee?”

“I did at one point. However, even though Cheerilee was what I considered the ideal mare…it always felt strange to be with her. It was almost like it was…unreal.”

“When did you start to…like me?”

Dusk laughed. “The night that you gave me a bath. I know it sounds funny, but you showed me that you had a loving and compassionate side. I knew you could feel emotions other than lust. Well and…you looked really damn sexy in that maid outfit.”

Molly started to tear up. “Ha ha ha so you liked the show did you? I’ll have to do it more often! Dusk I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say. You chose me over Cheerilee!”

Dusk rubbed the back of his mane. “Hehe yeah I know it seems kind of corny…”

Molestia flew at Dusk tackling him to the ground, while smothering him with kisses. She then wrapped both of her wings around him in a pegasus-style embrace, while driving her tongue deeply into his mouth. Dusk broke off thirty seconds later, accompanied by a thin trail of saliva. Both ponies’ faces were flushed as they lay next to each other in the grass. Dusk nuzzled her neck, then they snuggled.

“I know it’s taken me a while to feel this way but…I love you Molly.”

Molly smiled. “Love you too my little sunshine.”

While it was a tender moment, both of them realized that staying outside the whole night might be a bad idea. In the interests of safety and comfort Molestia teleported both of them back to the library. Dusk found that they had appeared in his bedroom. He shook his head in amazement at how accurate her teleportation spells were. She was an alicorn after all, but that didn’t detract from her amazing accuracy. Molly gave him another quick kiss to the lips, when he put a hoof on her wing.

“I know you want to ermm…rut right now but I want to take this slow. Would you do that for me?”

Molestia groaned. “Oh fine I was patient before so I suppose I can wait a bit longer. However you are NOT making me wait more than a week dear. Otherwise I will take matters into my own hooves, whether you’re conscious or not.”

“Ehehehe yeah ok. I get it. Let’s just sleep for now alright.”

Both of them snuggled into Dusk’s bed, it was a bit cramped due to Molestia’s size but they both fit. Besides that meant that they could enjoy each other’s warmth and soft coats in such close proximity. Molly wrapped her hooves around Dusk’s barrel and sighed and soon enough she began to snore softly. Dusk blushed a bit but found her sent relaxing; it reminded him of a mixture of vanilla and roses. With a soft sigh, he too drifted off to sleep.

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Zecora’s hut, Outside the Everfree Forest

It was early morning and Zecora had already been awake for several hours, as she liked to hunt for herbs before breakfast. She set down her herb basket and started to brew a pot of tea. Once the tea was ready she scrambled herself some eggs and poured a bowl of Pony Puffs Cereal. About midway through her meal she heard a knock at the door. She cocked her eyebrow in surprise, not expecting company this early. While Apple Bloom occasionally visited her, the little filly rarely came over this early in the morning. Crunching on a bite of cereal she opened the door to find a fully cloaked pony in sunglasses staring back at her.

Zecora stared at the pony. “Hello pony whom I greet. Do you wish to come inside and eat?”

“Oh yes hello, sorry to interrupt you so early in the morning Ma’am. You see I’ve gotten a bit lost and I need directions to somepony’s house.”

“In your words I sense no deceptions; lucky for you I am excellent with directions.”

“Errr…right. I’m in a bit of a hurry so I’ll try to get out of your mane as quickly as possible.”

“No need to worry, come in and rest. After all you are my guest.”

The cloaked pony’s stomach growled. “Oooh are those Pony Puffs?”

Zecora giggled. “Indeed they are, so crunchy and sweet. It is my favorite cereal to eat.”

The pony sat down and started crunching on some cereal. “Thanks for the food, I didn’t get a chance to eat at the barracks…I was kind of in a hurry.”

“In the barracks life is hard, am I to assume you are a guard?”

“Yes a lunar guard actually. My name’s Nightwing.”

“A pleasure to meet you I must say, my name is Zecora by the way.”

“Mind my asking but why do you rhyme all of your sentences?”

The zebra grinned. “Mostly for fun I suppose. I don’t really have to rhyme; it just makes me seem more mysterious.”

“I guess. Say do you happen to know where Carousel Boutique is?”

“I do, but before I answer your question could you answer one of mine?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Why are you wearing a cloak and sunglasses?”

Nightwing frowned. “I’m sensitive about the way I look.”

“You know I used to wear a cloak because the townsponies were unfamiliar with my kind. Now, they are used to me and treat me as a friend. Surely you do not look so bad.”

“Heh yeah I guess they wouldn’t since zebras don’t usually come this far north.”

“Indeed, most of my kin prefer hotter climates. I moved here because I needed to make a name for myself, away from my tribe.”

“I’ll take it off if you promise not to scream or freak out.”

Zecora gave him a simple nod. He whipped off the cloak and stretched out his bat wings. The enchantress just grinned at him and continued to sip her tea.

Nightwing’s jaw dropped. “How are you so calm? Most ponies have never seen a thestral before!”

“I am not most ponies. I do not judge a stallion by what he was born as.”

Nightwing’s ears sagged. “If only there were ponies like you in the world.”

“The ponies of this town are understanding and kind; they are not as close minded as those in Canterlot.”

“So who is this mare that Luna sent me to stay with? The only thing I have to go on is that she’s some kind of famous designer.”

Zecora snorted. “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?”

Nightwing whined. “Aww come on, just a hint pleeeeeassse!”

“You may bark like a dog or squawk like a pheasant, but surprises are better when they are pleasant!”

“Oh so now you rhyme again…figures.”

Zecora hands him a slip of paper with her mouth. “Here are the directions you seek. I bid you a pleasant journey sir. Please do drop by again if you find yourself near my hut!”

Nightwing waved goodbye and flew off towards Ponyville. Zecora was about to tell him he forgot his cloak and glasses but it was too late. The zebra shrugged and put the articles in her storage closet for when he would someday return.

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Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Apple Bloom was finishing up slopping the pigs. Although it was still early in the morning she was working up a sweat, thus negating the shower she took. The apple filly wiped her face with a rag and trotted over to the water pump to quench her thirst. It was rather bright out so she had to squint her eyes to see a blue colored lump flying amongst the clouds. The incoming projectile was too dark colored to be Rainbow Dash, and besides she would never be up before ten in the morning. Apple Bloom saw the bluish (what she assumed) pegasus land near a clearing in the west apple orchard. She immediately trotted towards the interloper.

Apple Bloom was greeted by a strange looking pegasus…or was that really the right word for it? It had little tufts on the top of its ears and leathery…bat wings? Most disturbing of all, the creature had fangs and creepy slited eyes. She very nearly screamed, considering she’d never seen an actual bat-pony.

Nightwing saw a little yellow coated filly approach him. She trotted slowly, almost looking afraid that he would bite her. A pity really, he hated looking so terrifying to fillies and colts. Nightwing folded his wings to look less intimidating and put on his best smile.

“Hello little one, I’ve landed to take a bit of a rest from flying. I mean you no harm.”

Apple Bloom shuffled her hooves. “H-howdy mister. Ah couldn’t help but notice ya land after ah slopped the pigs.”

“Would you mind if I took one of these delicious looking apples? I really need to build up my energy.”

“Help yerself, ah couldn’t call mahself an Apple if ah didn’t help out a pony in need.”

Nightwing chomped on the apple. “Oh by the way my name’s Nightwing, what’s yours?”

“Mah name’s Apple Bloom Mister Nightwing, nice ta meet ya!”

“I couldn’t help but notice that you’re staring at me…”

Apple Bloom blushed. “I’m sorry ah didn’t mean to. It’s just that yer so…different from any pegasus I’ve seen.”

“It’s alright I’m used to it by now. I’m a thestral, or a bat-pony. My kind are pretty rare nowadays.”

“Hmm ya don’t say? So what do ya do fer a livin’ mister?”

“I serve as Princess Luna’s night guard Captain.”

“That’s cool, so yer like Shining Armor?”

“Yeah for the most part, except I work at night instead of during the day.”

“Well it’s been nice meetin’ ya but I’m afraid ah gotta get back to the farm. Mah chores won’t do themselves. See ya later Mister Nightwing!”

“Thanks for the apple…oh and don’t work too hard now.”

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Carousel Boutique, Ponyville

Rarity had gotten up early to start a new project. She had decided to try her hoof at a new line of fashion for ponies, one that many would consider risqué. Ponies had taken notice of her designs since the gala and she was fairly well known at this point, but she felt that her designs and dresses were becoming…rather blasé. She needed a challenge, something new and exciting. So the fashion mare had been doing some research and decided to try and make socks and lingerie. While it might alienate some of her more conservative customers, it certainly would attract more in the long run. Rarity was sipping a cup of coffee while hunched over her desk, figuring out what colors would go best with frilly black lace panties. Since she was so lost in thought, the mare barely heard her sister trot into the room.

Sweetie was generally an energetic filly, but she was NOT a morning pony. She trotted into the workroom slowly, scratching her tummy. Her mane was frazzled and messy, a far cry from the neat curls she usually employed. With a yawn she poked her sister in the side.

Rarity squeaked in surprise. “Don’t sneak up on me like that darling, it is no good for my blood pressure.”

“Mmm-morning Rarity. *yawn* Sorry ‘bout that…you were in the zone so I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

“Don’t worry about it; I was just surprised is all. How did you sleep sister?”

“Ok I guess. Whatcha working on?”

Rarity waved her hoof. “Oh nothing terribly important. A new line of intimate wear for ponies.”

“Well it must be kind of important if you’re up so early.”

“You know how it goes Sweetie; inspiration can strike at any moment!”

Sweetie smacked her lips. “Whatever…I’m gonna go get some breakfast do you want anything?”

“I appreciate the offer darling, but I already ate. There are some croissants left on the table if you want one.”

Sweetie trotted down the stairs and spotted the buttery pastries sitting on the table. She absent-mindedly started nibbling on one, while looking in the fridge for something to drink. Rarity liked to drink tea and coffee but Sweetie wasn’t a big fan of either of the caffeinated beverages so she stuck to chocolate milk. The unicorn filly sighed realizing that she wouldn’t be able to do anything with her fellow crusaders today. Apple Bloom was busy with the harvest and Scootaloo was training with Rainbow Dash to get into the junior flight academy. She chugged the last of her milk and slumped to the floor, dragging her stomach along.

“SO BORED!”

Sweetie’s ear twitched when she heard the doorbell ring. “Sweetie darling could you get that, I’m busy right now!”

She opened the door to find a navy coated stallion staring back at her. He looked like something that came from a Nightmare Night party. The stallion had a smile on his face, but the calming effect it was supposed to have was negated by the fact that he had fangs. It ended up looking rather predatory.

“Hello my name is Nightwi…”

Sweetie squeaked in terror. “DON’T SUCK MY BLOOD!”

Nightwing frowned. “I assure you that I’m harmless, now if you give me a chance…”

Sweetie slammed the door and cowered in a blanket that was lying on the couch. Hearing her sister scream, Rarity rushed downstairs to see what all the commotion was about.

“What on Equestria is going on darling and why are you wrapped in a blanket?”

“T-th-ere’s a b-bat pony outside! He’s gonna eat ME!”

Rarity hugged her sister. “It’s alright Sweetie, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The stallion outside is a guest I’ve been expecting. Princess Luna sent him.”

“Really? He won’t eat me?”

“Heavens no! Why bat ponies aren’t even carnivores, they use those fangs to eat fruit darling.”

Sweetie’s ears dropped. “Oh…boy do I feel stupid. I acted like a total scaredy-filly.”

Rarity chuckled. “Can’t say I blame you, considering that you’ve never seen a real thestral before. Although, you best apologize to him.”

Sweetie opened the door once again and thanked Celestia that the stallion hadn’t run off. He smiled at her once again and she smiled back with a slight blush.

“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t mean to offend you…I’ve never seen a bat pony before.”

“Ah it’s alright I get that a lot. My name’s Nightwing.”

“Hi, I’m Sweetie Belle!”

“Nice to meet you. Say, do you happen to be Rarity Belle’s sister by chance?”

Sweetie nodded. “Mhmm. You must be the guest she was talking about. You’re lucky because she just happened to stop working on her new fashion line right now, so she can talk to you.”

Rarity trotted over to the door. “Why hello darling, you must be Captain Nightwing. My name is Rarity, a pleasure to meet you!”

Nightwing stared at what he considered the most beautiful unicorn he’d ever seen. Oh yes Luna had mentioned she was pretty, but words didn’t even do this mare justice. She was practically on goddess level. He was already feeling nervous and it was compounded by the fact that she was wearing frilly black panties and matching black socks. Nightwing immediately started to blush.

Rarity scrunched her eyebrows. “Is there something wrong darling, you look like you have a fever.”

“I-I…haaahunngh. Y-you’re…the socks! GLORIOUS LUNA THOSE PANTIES! *pomf*”

Rarity witnessed the stallion’s wing boner on full display. She blushed as well, firstly because she realized that in her rush she had forgotten to take off the lingerie. Secondly, because Nightwing had a rather…impressive wingspan. She knew he was a bat pony but that didn’t stop him from being extremely good looking. He was toned in all the right places, no doubt due to his guard exercises and his eyes were simply…mesmerizing.

“Oh my, I’m terribly sorry! In my haste I forgot to ermm…take these off.”

Nightwing desperately tried to calm his wings. “Hahaha yeah funny thing that is. I umm…well I’m sorry about the wings. Honestly I can’t help it you're just so…damn sexy.”

Rarity blushed harder. “Why thank you, I’m flattered really. Ehem, you look rather dashing yourself.”

“I do?”

“Oh horse apples! I’m letting my libido get the better of me, completely unacceptable for a lady. I’m sorry for being so rude, it shan’t happen again darling.”

Nightwing sighed in relief realizing that she was going through the exact same thing as he was.

“No problem, why don’t we both wait a few minutes to make ourselves decent and then we can start fresh. How’s that sound?”

Rarity chuckled. “That sounds marvelous darling.”

Nightwing laughed. “I think I’m gonna like it here.”