“Aura, you know how ponies are the only species whose base mana isn't differentiated by sex?”

“Yes?”

“What if it's not supposed to be like that?”

“Oh.”

There was a brief pause.

“So, the spell residue ...”

“... Permanently altered the base magic of stallions to be more like mares, yes that seems to be the case.”

“That's ...”

“... awful? Yes, it is.”

“... fascinating.”

Twilight sighed, “Aura ...”

“I mean, we have dozens of theories about what a near-critical spell residue would actually do, but we have never been able to test them, for obvious reasons. A complete reconstruction of a pony's base magic ... this is a massive discovery. We could learn so much about the structure and significance of base magic, it could lead to breakthroughs in half a dozen different fields ...”

“Aura!” Twilight barked out.

“... uh, what Sparkle?”

“If I'm right, that means that every single stallion in the world – excluding me, of course – currently has the base magic of a mare.”

“Oh ... that's bad.”

“Yeah, it's bad.” It was well known that ponies – all living things really – are at their best when their body, mind, magic and soul are all in concordance. It was the reason why polymorph spells – spells that temporarily changed the form of the body, and only the body – were so dangerous; a disagreement between body and soul would cause confusion, severe dysphoria and – in extreme cases – ego death. Many a mage had taken their own life, or been left without a will of their own, after abusing them. There was a reasonTwilight had not used them to hide his transformation, expecially considering how his recent of the change would make him extremely vulnerable.

“So, in that case, it appears that a base magic discordance is a lot less catastrophic than soul/body discordance, considering the entire population of stallions haven't managed to off themselves.”

Twilight sighed, “Oh, it's not as bad as one of the worst things that a mage can do to herself, that's such a relief.”

Aura chuckled darkly, “Oh, my sweet summer child, Polymorphic Dysphoria is far from the worst thing a mage can do to herself.”

Twilight rolled his eyes, “Aura, take this seriously.”

“Okay, fine. You want serious, here's serious for you. I don't have the faintest clue what base magic discordance would do; nopony even knows it's a thing. As – baring those with an obvious magical ailment – everypony's base magic is roughly the same. Everypony, that is, except you. That put's you in a unique position; go out, meet other stallions, compare them to yourself and you may just figure out what's wrong. I mean, it would just be anecdotal data, which isn't great, but it's we've got here.”

Twilight was silent as he contemplated Aura's words.

“So your alicorn magic is looking good, stronger than the last scan, and it appears to be strengthening all your other magics, which is just unfair. Unfortunately, there are no scans of any other alicorns to compare you to, so much of this is incomprehensible. It's rather frustrating considering that alicorn magic appears to just be a mutation of a pony's Talent. Which is weird, and has interesting philosophical implications.”

“Princess Celestia says that an alicorn is a pony so in tune with their Talent that they are paragon of ponykind.”

“So you're telling me that if a pony studies their Talent enough, they just go poof and are suddenly an alicorn.”

“If that were that easy, we would have far more than just four alicorns. I think there's a lot more involved with it, it took more than just studying for me to become an alicorn and the princesses are rather tight lipped about how they became alicorns.”

“Yes, yes, 'it was a combination of the Elements of Harmony, Starswirl's Unfinished Spell and friendship magic' – whatever that is – that did this to you. I hope you know just how absolutely bucking ridiculous you are.”

Twilight rolled his eyes, “Sure, whatever. So are we done here? I want to get back to my friends. It's not that I mistrust Spark, but ...”

“... they might just die of boredom. I know, I've been on my little sis's 'patented' tours before.”

“What, no, it's just that the manor is dangerous.”

Aura snorted, “Not like Spark would ever take them anywhere actually dangerous, such things are 'classified' after all.”

“I just worry, though.”

“Then go, find your friends. I don't need you here anymore.”

Twilight got up and left the lab.

“So Spike, I haven't seen you since you were a tiny hatchling;don't think you would even remember me.”

“I, uh, don't.”

“So I am Twilight Aura, good to meet you again. I'm sure you heard everything and know why a called you here.”

“Uh, hello. And yes, I understand.”

“Do you have any questions?”

“No, I don't think so.”

“Good, let's get you ready.”

It took a couple minutes to get him ready

“So, trouble in paradise?”

“Eh?”

“You didn't seem to be happy with Sparkle.”

“Oh,” Spike blushed, “It's just he and Rainbow ... they broke the door ... and they were loud ...”

Aura's eyes widened, “Sparkle and Rainbow was it? How interesting.”

Spike winced, realizing the mistake he had just made, “Uh, I shouldn't have said anything.”

“Oh, no, no, no. Please do go on, I insist.” Aura said with a manic smile. “Tell me everything.”

---

Pinkie Pie woke up, bound, and instantly knew she had been kidnapped. After all it was hardly the first time that it had happened. Either scientists who wanted to study her or psychologists who wanted to 'fix' her. Pinkie hoped it was the former, the scientists tended to be less mean, and some of their tests were even fun.

“Ah, Pinkie Pie. Heard much about you, have I. Not much sense, makes it.” Said the deranged looking mare as she stepped into Pinkie's vision.

Oh, it's a mad scientist. Those were the worst. “What do you want with me?”

The mare scowled, “Questions, why all mares, ask questions? Why not understand, questions mine?”

'All mares'? What is she talking about? Pinkie's eyes widened, remembering where she had been before. Thirty degrees blue, fifteen pear, fifty-seven joy, and pop. “What did you do to my friends?!”

The mare staggered back in fear, “What, how did you get out?! It should be impossible to escape those bindings, especially for an earth pony!”

Pinkie hopped in place, “I don't believe in impossible, silly.”

Velvet was silent.

“Now, we can do this the easy way or ...” Pinkie Pie pulled a cannon out of ... somewhere. Aiming it at the mare.“... or we can do it the hard way. It's your choice, meany.”

But Pinkie never got the chance to deliver on her threat as the mare flashed her horn, rendering the Earth Pony once again unconscious.

“Troublesome, but interesting, so.”

---

My mind is my own, Rainbow silently thought as she kept watch of her remaining friends, My mind is my own. My mind is my own. My mind is my own.

Twilight Spark had dragged the four mares through the maze of hallways to a couple other empty rooms, talking about the various Twilights who had expanded the chaotic knot of tunnels known as Twilight Manor.

To be honest, Rainbow hadn't really been paying much attention, it was all terribly boring – the mare was outright refusing to talk about anything she deemed 'secret' – and Rainbow had far more important things to focus on. Keeping watch of her surroundings and repeating her mantra.

Whoever is responsible for this spell is pushing it far beyond it's intended design, so they are a very powerful mage, be careful. It took much too long for you to appear, I would be displeased if you got yourself killed and I needed to wait another 1500 years for my next bearer. If there even is a next, I’m not even sure why you are my bearer.

And then a confused Pinkie Pie was in the room.

Rainbow tensed instantaneously, knowing that the mage was in this very room, looking for their next victim. That victim – based on the past behaviour – would either herself be her or Fluttershy. Kidnapped for some unknown – likely nefarious – reason and then wiped of all memories of what transpired.

And then it happened a cloaked mare cast some spell on Fluttershy – causing the yellow mare to go limp – and stuffed her in a burlap sack.

Rainbow made to follow ...

... And fell to the ground in pain. iT's NoT mY pRo ... LIKE BUCK IT ISN'T. The pegasus gathered all her will – strengthened with both rage and protective instinct – and smashed it against the foreign thought invading her mind.

And then with a snap it's influence stopped, broken against her.

Well that's one way to do that, my bearer; you may curse yourself in the future for it though.

Rainbow, ignoring the start of a migraine, took off after the suspicious mare.

Twilight Sparkle walked into the room to find four mares. Spark and three of his five friends. “Spark, where are Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?” He asked unamused.

“Who?” Spark asked in confusion.

“Two of my friends, who you promised nothing would happen to them.”

“Oh, yes, your friends. Did you know that they're from Ponyville?”

“What ...?” Twilight looked skew-eyed at his cousin. “Yes, of course I know they're from Ponyville, I've lived there for the last couple years.”

“What, and you didn't inform us?!”

“It was public knowledge, the newspapers reported on it.”

“Yeah, we knew you had moved to a Ponyville, but we didn't know it was that Ponyville”

“You didn't know it was that Ponyville?” Twilight shook his head, “No, that's not important, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are missing, after you promised to watch over my friends.”

“What are you talking about? All your friends are still here, all five of them.”

“Yet I only see three of them here.”

“What? No there's, one, two, three ...” Spark looked around in confusion. “... what? How did I not notice this?”

“Some sort of perception altering spell? But I know for certain that the manor wards protect against such magic.”

“Sparkles,” Spark hissed in offence, “Don't speak of such things near outsiders, especially ones from Ponyville.”

Twilight rolled his eyes, “My friends aren't going to try to siege the manor, and I don't know what your problem with Ponyville is, but I have more important things to worry about, like the fact that two of my friends are missing after you lost them.”

“Lady Velvet took them.”

“What, Umbra, how do you know that?”

“Isn't it obvious? She's the only pony with complete access to the ward bypasses. She has means, motive and opportunity.”

“Motive?”

Umbra shrugged, “She's bucking nuts.”

Twilight sighed, “As much as I disagree with my mother on most things, you can't just blame everything on her.”

“We also saw her dragging a what looked like an unconscious pony in a burlap sack.”

“Hay, I thought you said we didn't see anything?”

“What, why didn't you start with that?” Twilight turned and galloped out of the room.

---

Rainbow galloped through the labyrinthine halls, barely aware of the secret guiding hand telling her exactly where to go. Left, right, right, left, left, left, left, right, this place is a nightmare to navigate.

I think that may be deliberate, my bearer, although I'm more interested in the existence of properly built geomantic leylines in a unicorn manor, geomancers are notoriously cagey around others – even other earth ponies – yet alone unicorns.

Finally Rainbow approached a door, built of solid stone with the words 'Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here' engraved above it and a sheet of orange craft paper taped to the door with “kEEp ouT” crudely scribbled in crayon, complete with what looked like a small foal's drawings of a skull and crossed bones.

Just charming, I somehow suspect this is not the gates of Tartarus. But have caution regardless, you are entering the sanctum of a powerful mage, and juvenile does not equate to incompetent, unfortunately.

“Ah, Vexiquin, mine. Accept, apology, your, I, must.” Twilight Velvet levitated the ratty stuffed wild-cat up from the pile of junk it had landed in. “Together, shall we, bring, to it's knees, the world. But first ...” The mare turned to the unconscious Fluttershy “... we interogate.”

Then the door exploded.

Rainbow stood, stance bipedal with wings extended, holding Iridescence in both her forehooves. As the dust cleared it revealed a lithe muscular middle-aged unicorn mare strongly resembling Twilight Sparkle. Of course, given the location, such resemblance was neither unexpected nor helpful. Rainbow's keen eyes picked up subtle scars through her fur, the remains of significant injuries expertly healed, this was not a mare inexperienced in combat. The Twilight's – for it was obvious she was of that house – horn glowed lightly with magenta – meaning she was likely of arcane alignment – as she levitated the miserable rotting carcass of a cat next to her. No, it's wasn't a carcass, it was stuffed, poorly. Then Rainbow's eyes flit to behind the unicorn, where Fluttershy's unconscious body was tied to a dentist's chair?

“Lady Twilight, thou wilt release mine companion, or thou wilt suffer the consequences of thy transgressions.”

The mare laughed darkly, “That's Lady Twilight Velvet the Mad to thou, thy peasant, for sooth.”

So this was Twilight's mother? Rainbow couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed, she had expected more from such an infamous figure. Do not underestimate her. “I wilt not ask again, thou wilt release Fluttershy from thy delightful presence, or I wilt remove you from hers.”

“Thy wilt try, peasant, we won't fail to the likes of thou.” Her horn flashed brighter for a second as a peculiar two-hoofed sword (or perhaps a sabre?) appeared in front of her, with a softly curved blade, a long straight hilt, a small oval cross guard and a complete lack of a pommel.

What kind of degenerate makes a sword without a pommel, how would it's bearer ever end their enemies rightly? The strange voice spoke in the back of Rainbow's head.

“For this sword art forged of the finest Nipony steel, folded a thousand times – that art ten times ten times ten for thou peasant mind – it can cut straight through lesser swords.”

What the buck is this lunatic talking about, there's no way a steel sword could cut through even an raw iron sword. And folded a 'thousand times',what possible reason would there be to do that, even if Nipony is backwards enough that their 'finest steel' was just pattern steel, such steel only benefits so much from folding, it's just a waste ...

... pay attention my bearer.

“Thy Vexiquin, tear out thy peasant's throat.” Velvet telekinetically threw the stuffed cat.

Rainbow snapped out of distraction and reflexively bisected the cat with a flick of her left wing.

“Vexiquin, NO. Thy wilt pay for thine, peasant.” Velvet charged the pegasus with an overhead chop.

Rainbow moved to block with Iridescence, edge to edge. A bad habit that made her inner swordsmare cringe, but she was curious and Iridescence was almost completely indestructible. Her curiosity was not unrewarded, for Iridescence bit into the lesser sword well over a couple centimetres deep as Rainbow was pushed a step back. Twilight Velvet was strong.

“What? Impossible ...”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and twisted Iridescence, exploiting her opponent's vulnerable weapon, breaking it in two.

Twilight Velvet stared silently at the broken stub of a weapon she has thought unbeatable.

Rainbow raised a hind-hoof with a snap kick that caught the mare in her barrel, sending her tumbling into the far wall. Twilight Velvet was strong for a unicorn but Rainbow was stronger than most earth ponies.

The unicorn mare lit her horn, surrounding herself with a magenta barrier. She picked herself off the ground smirking, “Now what, peasant. Thy art out of options.”

Rainbow didn't respond, she merely flapped her wings, launching herself forward, crossing the distance in a fraction of a second with Iridescence thrust out ahead.

Twilight Velvet remained stationary as the pegasus approached her, trusting her abjuration to protect her. But her confidence was misplaced, as Iridescence dove through the shield like it wasn't there, parting the magic for Rainbow.

Rainbow felt Iridescence bite into flesh before the mare before her disappeared in a bright flash. Rainbow turned around to find the mare laughing with disturbed joy.

What the actual buck was that my bearer; I know that wasn't an illusion, I tasted her blood.

Rainbow snorted, that's right, Twilights could teleport, that was going to be annoying.

I'm sorry what exactly is a 'teleport'? Oh forget it, not like you can even hear me, my thickheaded bearer.

Great, now the voice in my head is insulting me.

“Ha, ha, ha. Thee artst full of surprises. But thy won't ...”

Rainbow didn't let her finish before flicking her left wing, launching a single feather blade at the infuriating mare, “Just bucking shut up, and stop mangling our noble tongue.”

Velvet one again disappeared in a flash, but not before taking another shallow wound, the feather blade wobbling before hitting the wall and clattering to the ground.

With another flick of her wing the blade returned, her aerokinesis moving it as easily as a cloud – far easier than cloudsteel – and Rainbow marvelled at the enchantments. Where wingblades were cloudsteel, at least partly, out of tradition, feather blades were cloudsteel purely out of necessity. No other metal had the right magical properties to be used in such a way; after all, metal was of the earth, not of the sky (well starmetal was of the stars, but the distinction isn't important to a pegasus). But apparently, unicorn magic could bridge th0at gap somehow, something that Rainbow was completely unaware of. Unicorns were unlikely to make a weapon that could only be wielded by pegasi, and pegasi were even less likely to use such a weapon.

“Aha, thee artst some underhoofed cretin, have at thou.” The mare launched three magic missiles at the pegasus.

I don't think she's taking this very seriously, Rainbow thought as she cut the three spells down in one broad stroke – each making a soft 'pop-fizz' as they were torn apart- launching another feather blade from her right wing partway through the motion.

Velvet – this time expecting the attack – disappeared with another flash before the blade could draw more blood.

But Rainbow was ready for this as well, and she launched herself backwards and to the right in a spiralling back-flip, blades arcing towards the re-appeared mage.

Velvet disappeared almost as fast as she appeared – but not before taking several more shallow cuts – reappearing outside outside the room. “Thy wilst hast try better than that.” She taunted.

“Rrragh!” Rainbow roared as she once again flew at the mare keeping up the attack. The worst thing one could do when fighting a battlemage is cede the initiative.

Velvet laughed as she teleported further down the hall.

She's trying to draw you somewhere, following her could be dangerous. Rainbow narrowed her eyes, I don't have a choice.

---

“Well I think we can safely say your marefriend's already been here. Here passes Rainbow Dash, The Dread Bane of Doors.” Shadow said, inspecting where the door had been torn from it's hinges and shattered. “Quite the kickers on that filly, I wonder how you ever made it out of her with your pelvis intact, Sparkles.”

“I was on top.” Twilight responded without thinking, Why the buck did I just say that?

“Ooh, a bottom bitch, kinky, rutting like the ancients.”

Twilight growled loudly at the mare, “What did you just call her?”

Umbra looked thoughtful, “You know, Sparkle, I think you should get that checked out. Ponies aren't even supposed to be able of making those sounds, yet you do it on concerning regularity.”

“What?” Twilight looked at Umbra in confusion.

“You were growling, actually growling, like a bucking wild animal. It's actually really alarming.”

“Bucking creepy is what it is.”

“You're not helping Shadow.”

“Wait, I growl?”

“Yep, every time somepony manages to make you angry – which is a lot – you growl at them like you're going to tear out their throat. That sound was never meant to come out of pony's muz ...”

“Quiet ...” Twilight interrupted Umbra. “... I hear something.”

There was a brief silence that was broken by soft mumbling from within the room.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight galloped into the room lighting his horn in a diagnostic spell. He halted next to the pegasus. “She's asleep; that's ...”

“... Ooh Twilight, what are you doing? ...”

Twilight went still.

“... I'm just an innocent filly, you're such a powerful, brutish stallion ...”

Twilight's eyes widened.

“... You can do anything you want to me, and there's nothing I can do to stop you ~” The unconscious mare stated with a soft, adorable, arousing moan.

Twilight stared at the restrained sleeping mare. Suddenly aware of how revealing Fluttershy's position was. His ears splayed back as he blushed incandescently, his loins screaming at him to take her. “Fluttershy ...” He breathed out as he approached the helpless mare.

Fluttershy's eyes fluttered open and she squeaked. Her breathing became heavy as she stared at the imposing stallion, “It's actually happening ...”

Twilight breathed in deeply, savouring the scent of arousal, of fear and of a fertile mare just entering heat.

“He's so big.” Fluttershy spoke in awe, her stare revealing that it was not his stature that she was speaking of.

Twilight took another step forward; towering over the smaller, helpless mare. Staring at the mare's most intimate parts. He leaned in bringing his muzzle just centimetres from her nethers. Nostrils dilating as the scent drove his mind beyond thought, overwhelming him with ancient instinct.

“Oh, Twilight, t-t-t-take m ...”

“Ah-hem, that's quite enough of that.”

Twilight whirled his head around to stare at the impudent mare had so rudely interrupted his conquest, growling.

“This is neither the time nor the place for this, uh, intercourse.”

The stallion started stalking forward towards the insolent interrupter, wings spread as the growl escalated into a snarl.

The mare took a step back, eyes wide. “Uh, Sparkle? You okay?”

The stallion made no sign of recognition as he approached the mare at a sinuous predatory gait. Stopping much to close for comfort.

“Oh, buck this bullshit.” Umbra swore, before lifting her right forehoof into kick that connected with the underside of the stallion's horn, making a loud ringing sound.

Twilight took a couple steps back, disoriented. He went cross-eyed for a second, staring at his own, still humming, horn before turning his attention to the mare in front of him. This time his eyes widened in recognition, “Oh, buck, Umbra. I'm so sorry.” He said as he backpedalled until his barrel hit something soft.

'~Twilight.” Fluttershy spoke in a breathy moan.

Twilight turned his head to see the shivering mare and immediately felt a wave of horror flow through him. There was a bright flash and suddenly he was on the far side of the room, shivering in a faetal position.

“Sparkle are you okay?” Umbra asked as she approached the stallion, only to be blocked by a magenta barrier.

“No, don't get any closer, I'm a monster.”

Umbra stared at the stallion, and sighed sadly

“Cockblocker.” Shadow whispered into her sister's ear.

Umbra glared balefully at her twin, “Are you bucking serious?”

“It was hot.”

“He's our cousin.”

“I know.” Shadow pouted, “And it bucking sucks, what did I do to deserve that?”

“Shadow ...”

“Fine, I'll be serious. You try to talk down Sparkles and I'll let his new marefriend out of her bindings.”

“So, Sparkle, like I was saying. Just because you are some kind of lusty rapacious beast, that doesn't mean that you're a bad pony.”

“I'm pretty sure that's exactly what that means. I'm a danger to everypony around me.”

“Sure but so are many interesting ponies.”

“Like who?”

“Um, uh, lots of ponies. Like that Starswirl guy, didn't a number of his apprentices horrifically disfigure themselves with dangerous magic?”

“That's apocryphal, Starswirl the Bearded never took a single apprentice.”

“How about Princess Celestia, I've heard that she's so radiant that she blinds all who look upon her.”

“That's poet speak for 'beautiful'.”

“It is? Huh. Why don't they just say beautiful?”

“They're poets.”

Umbra paused for a second, “Oh, I know. What about Nightma ...” Umbra was cut off by being shoved out of the way

“Stop it, you're not helping,” Fluttershy said to the mare before turning to Twilight, “Twilight, you're not a monster.”

“I am.” Twilight whimpered.

“No, you're not.” Fluttershy stated firmly.

“I attacked Umbra, I almost r-raped you.”

“No, you didn't.”

“What? You were tied up, helpless, and I was going to have my way with you. How is that not rape?”

Fluttershy inaudibly mumbled something, shyly hiding behind her mane.

“What?”

“I said ...” Fluttershy took a deep breath and centred herself, “... 'you can't rape the willing'.”

“What?”

Fluttershy looked down at her forehooves, “I'm an awful pervert. I always have been. I've always wanted a big, powerful, domineering stallion to come into my life and take charge, to not take 'no' for an answer, to do anything he wants to me ...”

Twilight looked at his friend, he had known that the mare wasn't nearly as innocent as many ponies thought. After all, she was the author of a modestly popular series of borderline pornographic romance novels. This, however, was completely unexpected.

Fluttershy met Twilight's gaze with a manic stare, “... so you don't get to mope and feel sorry for yourself for being my perfect stallion.”

Twilight suddenly felt a metaphysical weight lay upon him, and found himself unable to move, even magic failed to respond to his call causing the shield spell to collapse.

Fluttershy trotted forward timidly, towards the immobilized stallion. “I'm so sorry for being so ... forward, I shouldn't have said that.” Fluttershy looked away for a second “I know it must be horrible to be difficult such an unfamiliar body, but please don't hate yourself because of me.”

Twilight gave the mare an odd look, and sighed, but he did not push her away.

Fluttershy rubbed a hoof through the mane of the stallion. I wish I was as fast as Rainbow ...

“Oh ho ho, what hast we havest here.”

Twilight shuddered, and turned his head to face the dreaded voice, “No.”

“Whatfor thee sayeth no for mine son?”

“I know you, mother. You will drop your stupid manufactured verbal tick and speak normally, or we won't speak at all. I have no patience left for your nonsense at this point.”

“Fine.” Velvet pouted, “Oh, my dearest son Twilight Sparkle. Why, it's been so long.~ Why one could almost think you were avoiding your dearest mother.” Twilight Velvet looked different than usual, she was sweaty, panting with exertion, covered with dozens of shallow cuts and – most terrifying of all, she was smiling.

Twilight was taken aback, his mother smiling was never a good sign “I was.”

“So rude. Just like a certain rainbow maned pegasus; she smashed my door off, you know ...”

Twilight was off the ground in an instant, horn lit balefully, wings spread in a threat posture, and a deep rumbling growl coming from his throat as he stalked towards the mare, “What did you do to her?!” His voice boomed deafeningly as it reverberated through the room.

Velvet chuckled, “Nothing. You needn't worry about your marefriend. I didn't hurt a hair in her cute little mane.”

“Then, where is she!?” The stallion put the tip of his long and very sharp horn right between his mother's eyes.

Velvet snorted, seemingly completely unconcerned about his aggression. “Oh, she's around, somewhere. I led her on a merry chase around the manor halls. Persistent one, she is.” The mare took a slight step back and trotted around the stallion and hummed appreciatively. “And a lucky one too, you really are an impressive example of a stallion. Hardly surprising considering that you're my son, but impressive none-the-less. Your transformation is rather quite fortuitous, although it has made me a very busy mare. I have arranged nearly a dozen potential wives for you, although I doubt that will be enough, looking at you now.” Velvet ran a hoof down Twilight's muscular forehoof.

“No. I don't want to have anything to do with any mares you approve of.”

“Oh, don't be like that, you haven't even met any of them yet. I have been very thorough in finding only the best quality mares for you, individuals that are strong in mind and spirit and spell. Something that you have been less than careful about on your own circle of minions. Although, I can't fault your diligence, not even a week and you already have your first mate.”

“Rainbow's not my mate.” Twilight lied defensively.

“Do not lie to me, Twilight Sparkle.” The mare spoke with brief intensity before returning to a more happy countenance, “But worry not, I approve of the match. In fact, I quite like her – far more than your other minions – she's probably the best match a Twilight's brought home in a long time, despite being only a pegasus.”

Twilight's eyes opened in horror, “Oh Rainbow, what did you do?!”

Here's chapter 20, sorry for the wait.

Merry Christmas everyone.