Archmage: Beyond the Crystal Mirror "Saddle Arabian Nights"

Tags: Erotic, Normal

Fair warning: These chapters do have erotic elements, up to and including sex. To be fair, the impact on the overall story has been reduced. You’re welcome to skip these chapters, and you won’t miss much.

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“Wait!” Emerald cried out to Twilight as she dashed across the dark courtyard, her hooves drowning out the sound of the fountains. “Wait! Dusk, please!”

“No!” Twilight returned, pouring on the heat. She hardly even reacted as the two guardponies loomed out of the dark archway. Her horn sparked a bright bolt of blinding light, throwing them both aside as she slipped through. Behind her, she could hear Emerald pounding across the dirt path, and she was gaining. Twilight ran from the pavilion – from Rarity – but she could not out-run Emerald. With a cry of triumph, Emerald launched herself through the air, tackling Twilight to the dirt road. They tumbled over a few times before Twilight landed on her back, Emerald standing over her.

“Get off!” Twilight’s horn sparked as she summoned what strength she could to push the earth pony off. She gasped with surprise when Emerald’s bracelet hummed intently next to her ear, loud enough to hurt.

“Woah! Alright, alright!” Emerald leapt off, her other hoof scrambling to pull her bangle off. She tossed it into the dirt, rubbing her foreleg with a grimace. “You didn’t need to use magic on me, sheesh…”

“Just leave me alone.” Twilight looked between the humming bracelet and Emerald.

“Why? What’s your problem? All I did was introduce you to my mother!”

“Oh by the heavens, I refuse to believe Rarity’s a whore in ANY world.” Twilight spared a hoof to rub the bridge of her muzzle exasperatedly. She was half a mind to make for the portal that night.

“What?” Emerald arched an eyebrow inquisitively.

“Nothing. Forget about it. Just leave me be.”

“Dusk, wait!” Emerald reached out just as Twilight was about to leave. “You’re from Equestria, and you know my mother. Please, don’t go.” Emerald was pleading now, and as much as Twilight hated herself for it, she couldn’t let such a pretty mare look so miserable. Besides, Emerald’s bracelet had her intrigued.

“Fine.” Twilight said with a sigh. “If we’re going to talk, we’re going to do it far away from here.”

“Your room at the inn, then.” Emerald suggested. Twilight pondered it for a few moments before nodding her agreement. She led the way, making sure Emerald retrieved the now-dormant bracelet before walking the shadowy path. Not many lanterns lit their way, but Twilight had been mapping Neighgrabah throughout the day, and she more-or-less knew the way back. Emerald followed quietly, though she did remain close. Twilight was tense and ready for her, just in case she tried to do anything else. Thankfully, she didn’t. The two of them slipped into Twilight’s room, where Emerald promptly jumped onto her bed and sat down. Twilight narrowed her eyes, but sat in a small chair opposite the bed. Before she could speak, Emerald cut her off.

“How do you know my mother?”

Twilight frowned at the question, but chose the high road.

“Rarity is well-known in Equestria. She used to be a part of a magic known as the Elements of Harmony. She and Twilight Sparkle, along with their friends, have done many things for Equestria. Those things have been very well-documented. I’ve read about her, that’s all.”

“So why did you react like that?” Emerald asked. “You bolted the moment you said her name. Why?” At that, Twilight didn’t really have a response. She furrowed her brow and scrambled to make something up.

“I… Well, shock, I guess.” Twilight sighed. “It’s… Rather difficult to explain. I guess I just read so much about Rarity that I had an opinion of her; I thought she’d be… I don’t know, I thought she’d still be in Equestria, at least.”

“Wow,” Emerald shook her head sadly. “You really know nothing of your homeland, do you?” Twilight scowled at her, but Emerald just shrugged it off. “I suppose I could tell you. Not many know this, so I’d appreciate it if you kept this a secret.” Emerald ran a hoof over her bracelet, which Twilight could tell was still faintly humming. She spun it in a gentle circle around her hoof as she spoke.

“I’m only half Saddle Arabian, as you could tell now that you know my mother’s name. But my father… Well, I never knew him. I didn’t really get the chance. He was killed before I was born. My mother fled, me in her womb, here to Saddle Arabia and his family. They took her in, and eventually she formed her own marem with my aunt. That same marem grew until it is what it is today, and I’ve joined in on it.”

“Your father…” Twilight mulled those words over. “You say he was killed?” ’Impossible. Regal lived. Shattered his horn, but he still lived…’

“Murdered, really. My mother tells me that he was a strong stallion, bold and passionate about what he believed in. He was trying to help Equestria, to restore something called the… Uuh… The Preservation Charter-“

“Society.”

“That’s it.” Emerald shot Twilight a look that said ‘you know more than you’re letting on,’ but she continued anyways. “He was trying to restore the Preservation Society when he was killed.”

“How?” Twilight asked. Her question sent a flash of pain across Emerald’s face, and she nearly took it back. But something was amiss in this world, and Rarity’s presence in Saddle Arabia, to say nothing of her daughter, was disconcerting. What’s more, Rarity had a child with Regal. She must have completely alienated Cross Stitch after she left him. A quick pang of sadness and guilt shot into her, but Twilight shook it off. Emerald took a deep breath before looking Twilight dead in her eyes.

“Princess Celestia murdered him.”

Twilight heard a thump from just outside of the room. Her eyes flickered to the door, and then back to Emerald.

Who was still twirling her bracelet.

“Emerald, no-!”

*CRASH*

In a rain of splinters and dust, the door to Twilight’s room blasted inwards. She dove off of her chair and made for the balcony, but Emerald was in the way. She was body-checked to the side. Her magic sparked, to try and recover, but the bracelet screamed out loud. Emerald quickly tossed it onto the bed, still standing in the way of the door. By then, Twilight was surrounded. Three unicorn stallions surged into the room, their horns blazing intensely. Twilight squared off with them, the bracelet still humming loud enough to hurt her ears. These three stallions all wore similar bracelets, and Twilight knew she didn’t stand a chance against them. Not without harming them, anyways.

“Alright.” She huffed. “I’ll go peacefully. No need for more violence.”

“Clever girl.” One of the stallions pulled his bracelet off, advancing towards her with it. As she watched, the thing shrunk until it was about the size of her horn. “Put this on and we’ll be going back to the pavilion.”

“Do what you will with me, but I’ll not have my magic locked off.” Twilight growled, her anger rising.

“Just do it, Dusk.” Emerald pleaded. Despite her treachery, she looked pleadingly at Twilight. “Don’t make them take you by force. It isn’t pretty.”

Twilight looked at the golden ring, the three stallions, and then Emerald. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and lowered her head.

“Fine.”

“There we go.” The ring slipped onto her horn, and Twilight collapsed. She fought the encroaching blackness for as long as she could, but it came over her in the end. The last thing she saw was Emerald, and the tears in her eyes.

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“Wake up, Dusk Hoof.” Twilight whimpered as the voice came to her as if from a great distance. She felt warm, and surprisingly soft. “Easy, now… Don’t do anything rash.”

It was Rarity’s voice. Twilight’s eyes flickered open at last to reveal the same lounge from last night, though this time it was absent the multitude of ponies talking and making love. Twilight was laying wrapped in a warm blanket on one of the softer-looking booths. Rarity sat opposite her, a soft smile on her face.

“There we go, no need for violence, see? Your magic has been returned. Aah.” Rarity lifted her hoof, revealing another bracelet. “Just don’t do anything to me. These things can be awfully noisy when they fight strong magic.”

“What are those?” Twilight grumbled, rubbing her horn tenderly. It wasn’t sore, but having her magic locked away had been an awful experience.

“Just a little device of my own making,” Rarity waved her hoof nonchalantly. “Gold embedded with enchanted jewels. They offer limited protection against spells and strong telekinesis. But, as you can see…” Rarity’s own horn glowed as she lifted three bracelets from beside her. Each of them were ruptured at four points, the jagged edges of the metal blackened. “They’re imperfect.”

“What happened to those?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Well this one,” Rarity hovered the first one over to her, and Twilight hesitantly took it. “Was Emerald’s. After you tried to throw her aside at the balcony in your room, this happened a few minutes later. These two,” Rarity presented the others. “Belonged to my guards, whom you unceremoniously threw against the wall. You overpowered their bracelets.”

“I see.” Twilight frowned. “Imperfect indeed. Was anypony harmed?”

“No, not at all. The discharge is actually quite harmless. The gold’s still valuable, but the gems have all shattered. Such a pity, Emerald’s had the cutest little peridot in it…” Rarity set all three bracelets aside and looked to Twilight intently. “But that brings me to why I had you brought here. I’d have asked this last night, but you foolishly ran off with my Emerald.”

“Ran off? She followed me.” Twilight complained.

“Did she now?” Rarity glanced to the side, where Twilight spotted a meek-looking Emerald between two shadowy pillars. The earth pony melted back into the shadows, hoping not to be seen. “She always likes to play the victim. I told her not to lie, especially about these sorts of things. No matter, I just suppose an apology is in order.” Rarity turned back to Twilight with a soft smile. “I misunderstood. Had I known Emerald went with you willingly, I’d not have sent three of my best after you. But, when she activates her bracelet like that, we really have no choice but to scramble.”

“Activates it?” Twilight frowned. “So they have more than one use?”

“Indeed. If spun about the hoof four times, the bracelet will call out to any other nearby holders, directing them to its position. It’s a handy little ‘save me’ feature.”

“I see.” Twilight had to admit, it was an ingenious bit of magic. Rarity had out-done herself. Then again, her specialty always had been in gemstones. It’d make sense that she would engineer some neat devices with gemstones embedded in metal. To anypony else, the bracelets would seem like a fashion statement. To any members of Rarity’s marem, they were a defense against unicorns, and a nifty way to call for help.

“Now, about this proposition.” Rarity leaned in a little, smiling at her. “I hear tell you studied in Equestria for quite some time.”

“Thirty-six years.” Twilight nodded. “Specifically, enchantments.”

“So you know all about imbuing devices with magical properties.” Rarity surmised. She shuffled her hooves a bit before settling to look at Twilight seriously. “I’d like you to join my marem, Dusk. You’re obviously powerful, having overpowered three bracelets thus far. Furthermore, if Emerald is to be believed, you know a lot about Equestria and its society. That’s a damn sight more than I can say for anypony else in my harem, save perhaps myself.”

“You want me to join your marem?” Twilight furrowed her brow at Rarity.

“I’d be honored if you would.” Rarity nodded with a smile. “Your skills would be very valuable to us. When the day comes you no longer feel like helping, I’ll buy you your home, anywhere you please.” Rarity sat back, waving a hoof dismissively. “You’re welcome to deny me and walk out, of course. But I’m a very adamant pony, Dusk. I will pursue your skills. I won’t force you to join us, but I will pester you about it.” Rarity gave her a teasing wink. Twilight mulled it over for a few moments.

“I’m guessing Emerald neglected to tell you I’m promised to another.” Twilight grumbled, laying her hoof on her pendant.

“Oh? You are? I suppose she did.” Rarity sighed. “Such a shame… Though you know we’re awfully open about that sort of deal. Your partner is welcome to join-“

“She’s Equestria.” Twilight cut Rarity off. Rarity blinked before frowning intently.

“I don’t care much for Equestrians anymore, to be frank. Still, I could really use your skills. Should your partner be willing to travel out here, they’re welcome to join as well-“

“Rarity,” Twilight sighed, shaking her head. “I’m not going to join your marem. I love somepony else.”

“I couldn’t ask you to love any of us, tempted as I may be…” Rarity spared a moment to look Twilight up and down very pointedly. “But I have an idea. You see,” her horn glowed, and Twilight’s saddlebags emerged from behind the lounge cushion. The flap opened, and the bracelet Twilight had purchased yesterday floated out. “One of my own.”

“Is it now?” Twilight asked, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. It was different from the relatively plain golden bracelets the other ponies in her marem wore, in that the gem was large and set on the filigree, rather than embedded inside the metal. “It’s not enchanted, is it?”

“No, not at all… Not yet, anyways.” Rarity beamed at Twilight, hefting the bracelet gently. “Would you like to learn how?”

Twilight very nearly scoffed at her. She could enchant gems a hundred times better than Rarity could ever hope to. She didn’t want to let that on, though. There were ways to improve the bracelets her marem wore, to make them even more powerful in defending against magic. But Twilight rather liked the idea of keeping the bracelets weak. Giving Rarity even more tools to use against whatever rivals they might have didn’t sit too well with her.

Instead, Twilight kept her cool and glanced between the bracelet and Rarity.

“I think I already know how to enchant gemstones.” A playful smile tugged at Twilight’s lips, and she cast a half-lidded gaze to Rarity. “What else can your marem offer me?”

“Offer you?” Rarity seemed shocked. “I… Usually, it’s the pony who offers something to the marem-“

“You know full well what I can offer.” Twilight’s horn glowed as she lifted the bracelet from Rarity’s grasp. She turned it over a few times before closing her eyes. She ran through the formulas for a hydration spell, but she weaved a little bit of synthetic magic to help it meld better with the metal of the bracelet, and rooted the whole equation with a bit of earth magic to make it all more stable. Getting water and earth to mix was tricky, but Twilight pulled it off well. When she handed the bracelet back to Rarity, it was with a warm smile.

“A permanent hydration spell. Now dear Emerald can cross the deserts without complaint.” She crossed her forelegs in a very business-like manner as Rarity surveyed the bracelet with a dumbfounded expression on her face.”

“Dusk Hoof…” Rarity breathed, her eyes wide. “That’s amazing… I thought… I thought I knew a lot about enchanting… I couldn’t cast a hydration spell of this caliber, even without attaching it to an object!” She looked back up at Twilight. “Anything. You name it, I’ll do my best to give it to you. Please, Dusk… We need your skills.”

Twilight looked at Rarity for a long while, working over the possibilities slowly. Rarity still felt like a dear friend to her, even if she did give a child to Regal and flee Equestria. Then again, she didn’t exactly know everything about Regal’s death. As far as she knew, Rarity could have lied to everypony about it. Regal very well might still be alive in this world. Or he may truly have been killed by Celestia. He did try to take her life, after all, and the amount of force exerted on his horn back in her world had been monumental. Anypony could very easily have succumbed to such a wound. That Regal survived mostly intact was a miracle in and of itself.

Still, Twilight found it difficult to believe Regal was any less nefarious in this world. One way or another, he had made Rarity leave Equestria. Either that, or Rarity truly had fallen for him and forsaken Cross Stitch entirely.

’Then again, Cross Stitch very well might not exist in this world. There’s no telling how much is different. I’m going to have to have a discussion with Luna when I get back… Preferably with some rope and a few vibrators involved.’

“It’s clear to me…” Twilight began slowly, choosing her words carefully. “You need my assistance. Your bracelets are imperfect, though useful. And you’re as close to another Equestrian as I’m going to get. My own homeland seems foreign and mysterious to me. Associating myself with you might help me… Ease into it, so to speak. And I hear tell you travel frequently. It’d be good to see more of Saddle Arabia.” Twilight sighed and reached a hoof out to Rarity.

“I’ll join your marem. Just don’t expect me to take part in any orgies.”

“Don’t expect me to give up the hope that you will.” Rarity beamed at her. “Emerald, fetch another bracelet for Dusk. One of the good ones, from the third rack if you will.”

“Yes, mother.” Emerald trotted off happily, casting a warm smile back at Twilight before disappearing into a shadowy archway. She re-emerged hardly a minute later, carrying a smooth golden band. Rarity took it from her and carefully slipped it around Twilight’s hoof.

“I doubt I have to tell you what all the bracelet does, since you’re bound to find out on your own.” Rarity let go of it, and the bracelet shrunk as Twilight had seen it do before. It hugged her foreleg snugly, but without being too tight. She could slide it up and down her leg with ease, and she found its weight rather reassuring. It seemed to pulsate a little bit, too, almost as if it had a heartbeat. She’d have to take a closer look at it that night.

“I’m unsure if there’s any other tradition involved in joining a marem,” Twilight blushed a little. “Are there any words I have to say, or…”

“Usually the deal is sealed with a kiss.” Rarity waved a hoof. “Though I’d be willing to let that slide. Just this once.” She winked playfully, but Twilight felt a slight blush creep up onto her cheeks. The past few days were beginning to catch up on her, and she felt a slight twinge of regret at not accepting Emerald’s advances before she knew so much about the beautiful mare.

“I… Well, a kiss would be okay…” Twilight mused, glancing between Rarity and Emerald. Luna’s words came back to her then. ”I’m just saying, Twilight, don’t be afraid to live a little. Saddle Arabia is… Different. I think you’d enjoy your time there if you weren’t so traditional.”

“Very well.” Rarity blinked but seemed to be okay with it. She leaned in a little, but Twilight raised a hoof.

“Is… Is it tradition that it be the head mare?” She was okay with ‘living’ a little, as it were… But ‘living’ with Rarity was probably the furthest thing from her mind. In another world, the two of them had been friends. While Twilight still cared fiercely for Rarity, no matter which world she might be in, kissing her wasn’t the highest on her list of priorities.

“Not necessarily,” Rarity mused, leaning back. “It’s usually whomever you have the closest connection to. In this case, that’d be-“

“Me!” Emerald butted in, beaming wide. “That’d be me! I’m the one who found her. She’s mine.”

“So you did. Well then,” Rarity rose to her hooves with a languorous stretch. “Just as soon as Emerald here seals the deal, your things will be moved here. We’re in Neighgrabah for a week before venturing to the Sapphire Shores, followed by Diamond Bay and the Saffron Providence. After that, we’ll move through the grottolands back here.”

“How long will this trip take us?” Twilight asked. She had to find a way to make for the Crystal Kingdom and the mirror in a week or at most two.

“About ten days.” Rarity shrugged. “After we leave here, that is. I have business in Diamond Bay, but not until we stop at the Sapphire Shores. After that, the most direct route back here is through the grottolands. Have you ever been?”

“No,” Twilight shook her head. “I lived in Neighgrabah my whole life before moving to Equestria.”

“Oh, darling…” Rarity sighed wistfully. “You’re in for a treat. Well, I’ll leave you two to it. Emerald, Dusk. Good day.” Rarity hopped up and out of the cushioned lounge, smiling back at the two of them before disappearing out of the double doors leading to the courtyard. Twilight watched her go before turning back to Emerald.

“So about that kiss…” Emerald leaned in, laying a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I know you love me. Just because you relieve some stress with somepony else doesn’t change that. Not even a little.” Luna’s words came back to Twilight once more, even as she inhaled the slight, almost spicy scent of Emerald’s mane.

’Best not to think about it too much. Remember, this world has no bearing on your own. And Luna said she’d be okay with it… Besides, it’s just a kiss, right?’

Twilight closed her eyes and leaned in, meeting Emerald halfway. It was almost like opening the floodgates. Relief like a wave washed through her, loosening all of her muscles and relaxing her beyond measure. Emerald’s lips were soft and petite, curling beautifully underneath Twilight’s own. She was the larger mare, but seemed almost passive in her assertion. The kiss ended with a soft moan shared between the two of them, and Twilight’s eyes fluttered open with a slight blush on her sandy-colored cheeks.

“You’ve no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that.” Emerald breathed, her lips curled in a giddy smile. “That was amazing, Dusk… May I… Have another?”

“S-sure.” Twilight’s blush intensified as she leaned in once more. The second kiss was just as good as the first, even as Emerald gingerly pulled Twilight closer. Their chests pressed close, and Emerald’s lips parted just a little. Twilight accepted the invitation, her tongue sliding out to greet the lusty earth pony’s. The dance started, swirling back and forth with practiced ease. Emerald was an incredibly skilled kisser, each subtle movement of her tongue making Twilight whimper and squirm a little.

“Okay. Okay.” Twilight broke the kiss with an almost explosive breath, panting a little as the blush intensified all the more. “Let’s not… Get too carried away.”

“Aww no fun.” Emerald pouted. She leaned in and took Twilight’s ear between her lips, playfully licking the very edge. “Getting carried away is the best part…”

“Uuuhhn…” Twilight closed her eyes with a soft moan. ’Damn these ears of mine, they make me hornier than I’ve any right to be.’ “Emerald, we’ve got all the time in the world before us…” Twilight pulled away, sending a brief flash of pain through her skull as Emerald’s teeth pinched her ear just a little. She closed her eyes and shuddered at the divine feeling. “Let’s just… Take it easy.”

“Suit yourself, Dusk.” Emerald chuckled and kissed her cheek. “But you’re in the marem now. There are many others who’ve had their eye on you since last night. Just think,” She leaned in, whispering into her ear now. “You could do much more than kiss every single one of them…”

“Haah…” Twilight gasped. “Okay. Alright. Noted. Thank you.” Twilight stood up, her tail curled tight around her haunches. “I’ll see you around, Emerald.”

“Goodbye, Dusk.” Emerald winked at her, even as she leaned back in the lounge. She idly traced a hoof over her stomach, giving Twilight just a peek of what lay nestled between her thighs. “I’ll see you around.”

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Twilight was, very thankfully, able to avoid most interactions with everypony else in the marem. Rarity put her to work enchanting everypony’s bracelets with the hydration charm, so that they might have it on them no matter where they went. It was a tricky bit of magic, considering Twilight had to calibrate it so the enchantment could be turned off to avoid freezing the wearer during the chilly nights. She had settled on spinning the bracelet twice in the opposite direction they spun it to alert nearby wearers. It was a rather time-consuming process, and between that and reading the book she had bought from the gryphons, her schedule was rather full.

She had been given a rather nice room at the pavilion. She even had her own private balcony to look out on the market from. That, along with a private bathroom and a wonderfully-large bed, Twilight was rather happy there. For the first three days, she remained busy enchanting everypony’s bracelets as they came to her room, and they thankfully didn’t pressure her as Emerald did. They understood she was working on an assignment straight from Rarity, so they came, got their enchantment, made a brief introduction, and left. For that, Twilight was thankful. But now, on the fourth day, Twilight was finally able to explore the pavilion.

It was rather large, able to house all eighty-five of them individually, with plenty of rooms leftover for expansion. There were nightly congregations in the main lounge, dinner at the banquet hall, and several miniature grottos and gardens that helped grow their food, or were simply there for decoration. She discovered that two of the ponies in their marem stayed here permanently, to help look after the place while the rest of the marem was away. One of them was a rather eccentric unicorn who tended the gardens and minor repairs, and the other an older pegasus stallion who arranged a lot of the business deals in Neighgrabah while Rarity was away.

The rest of the pavilion consisted of private quarters and a few storage areas. It was near the back that Twilight stumbled upon the wagon train. There were twenty-eight of them in all, along with two more that seemed to be in repair at the time. A few of the wagons were large enough to hold anywhere from ten to twenty of them at a time, while the others were very obviously for storage. Poking around in interest, Twilight discovered lotions and salves that she assumed Emerald would have been in charge of. There were also crates of herbs and oils, bundles of wheat and other vegetables, enchanted so they wouldn’t spoil in the heat.

There were books and scrolls, clothes, rugs, fine fabric, and even three chests filled to the brim with precious gems, and another that housed gold bullion. Rarity seemed to have accumulated a rather large amount of wealth, and the wagons were busy being loaded with even more crates full of goods. Twilight helped load a few, given her magical lifting prowess, before returning to her room for a little light reading.

There were two days remaining until they left, so Twilight resigned herself to exploring Neighgrabah some more. Emerald insisted on tagging along as soon as she got wind, so Twilight let the bubbly mare escort her around the city. They visited the market, several beautiful grottos and gardens, and the capitol buildings of Saddle Arabia. These interested Twilight more than anything, but Emerald seemed bored beyond comprehension. Twilight understandably left the business and government districts largely unexplored, though she wanted to come back at some point.

Sooner or later, of course, they wound up back at the market, with Emerald insisting she buy some of the massage lotion from her first night at market. Twilight did so, but only because she was interested in seeing how Luna would like a nice, long massage when she returned. The return to the late-night market did stir her up, though, and by the time they re-entered the pavilion, Twilight was seriously considering Emerald on her offer.

Thankfully, she wasn’t the only one. Another mare by the name of Hemlock appeared, eager to have Emerald to herself that night. Twilight thankfully slipped into the shadows and made her way to her room. The night passed uneventfully, though Twilight did settle to some analog means of stress relief in the bathroom. Feeling at least like she had broken even, though still a little riled up, Twilight slept until the next morning. She had a mission today, and that mission involved Rarity.

“Hello, Dusk.” Rarity was where she could almost always be found, in the main lounge accompanied by a few other mares. “Glad to see you out of your cave.”

“Old habits.” Twilight shrugged nonchalantly. “I wanted to ask if you had anything you wanted me to do in preparation for leaving tomorrow?”

“Now that you mention it, I do…” Rarity stood from the lounge and beckoned her to follow. Twilight did, keeping an eye peeled for Emerald’s not-so-surreptitious ‘tackle hugs.’ They plodded the warm corridors of the pavilion until they arrived at the wagon train, where a bustle of activity greeted them. “As you can see, we’re very nearly ready to go. But, I’m also sure you’ve heard, we have a few rivals in Saddle Arabia.” Rarity glanced at her with a smirk. “Old habits and all. So, I know it’s not exactly what you joined for, but I’d appreciate it if you would help guard our valuables. Coming in, we were set upon by some of Scorch’s unicorns. We sent them packing smartly, but not before they damaged some of our goods.” Rarity gestured to one of the carts that had been under repair yesterday.

“I can guard our things.” Twilight nodded. Keeping watch was not unlike reading. It involved attention to detail and concentration. “But who is Scorch?”

“Another lead mare,” Rarity leaned against the archway with a soft sigh. “She’s one of a few who’s of the inclination lead mares need to be full-blooded Saddle Arabians. For ponies who’ve progressively embraced sexuality since the olden days, they can be awfully traditional when it comes down to it.”

“And they react violently?” Twilight asked.

“No, not towards us… They just want to harm our livelihood.” Rarity gestured towards the wagons. “None of us have been directly injured, and neither have any of them. But fending off the constant attacks is becoming tiresome. I’m hoping with somepony of your caliber we can send a message; one that I’ve wanted to send since Regal’s death.”

“What kind of message is that?” Twilight asked cautiously. Rarity looked her straight in the eyes.

“That I’m not to be trifled with.”

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It didn’t happen until nightfall. Twilight had spent much of the day atop one of the pavillion’s large walls, in a shadowy alcove of one of the towers. There were two entrances to the pavilion, one up front that faced the market, and another out back that led towards some of the other grottos and gardens, leading up to the sand dune bowl. The back entrance led directly into the wagon’s staging area, and boasted a road for ponies to come and go, and would supposedly be their exodus route. Watching the shifting fronds of palm trees and rippling waves on the water’s surface led to many false alarms, but Twilight was beginning to grow accustomed to what was a trick of the wind or the light, and what might be a pony moving through the dense vegetation.

At least until night fell. The chill air crept in upon her, and the shadows grew deep on either side of the road. There were still suppliers and traders coming to haggle down below, or to load goods that Rarity had purchased. Twilight didn’t watch them as much as she watched the gardens. She was beginning to wonder if anything would happen at all when a sudden bright streak of light shot out of the shadows. She grunted as her horn blazed to life, intercepting the particle with one of her own. The two met just in front of the wagon that had been targeted, erupting into a bright ball of blazing flame. The wagon was unharmed, as was the driver. But Twilight was too busy defending against the next two bolts to care.

They streaked in, low and fast, and she had to react quickly lest the wagons be destroyed. Shouts and screams of shock erupted into the night air, accompanied by the dull impacts of magic on magic. Twilight was on the defensive from the start. She could hardly cast her own spells before another would scream towards the wagons. Eventually, the shadowy attackers learned where she was. Three streaks of light shot towards the tower, and Twilight couldn’t block them all. She hurled herself out of the window, grimacing as the tower behind her erupted in fire and scintillating energy. She slowed her descent enough that she didn’t stumble upon landing.

’Alright, enough of this.’ Twilight growled as she landed, sprinting straight for the shadows. Her cloak flapped off into the night, and her horn blazed with brilliant purple light as she shielded two more bolts on the fly.

“Run!” She heard somepony shout from the shadows. As she approached, three figures materialized and began sprinting for the water’s edge. She followed after them, batting aside two more feeble attempts to throw her off. She was hot on their trail, sprinting through bushes and along garden paths on their tails.

“Stop her!” One of them cried out. Twilight heard the whispers of the night, and she smiled.

’Please don’t. They very nearly hurt somepony.’

“Oh did they?” The shadowy mare Twilight knew so well materialized beside her, floating through the vegetation with ease. ”Would you like me to stop them instead? Say, I don’t think I’ve seen you before…”

’You have, my friend. I’m known as Twilight Sparkle in another world.’

“Oh? A visitor? No matter, I’ll assist you…” Twilight grimaced as she heard a painfully audible snap and a pony cry out in pain from up ahead, followed by the scuffing sound of somepony stumbling into the dirt. ”Anything else?”

‘No, thank you. Though I appreciate the help. If you’re curious, we could chat sometime later tonight?’

“I’d like that very much.” The night smiled and disappeared, leaving Twilight to catch up to one of the assailants from before. Their horn sparked as she approached, but the feeble bolt dissipated moments before it hit her. She stepped over him, her horn glowing brightly.

“Your leg?”

“Th-the night! She left me!” The stallion whimpered, clutching his hind leg. “And then she… My leg! By the heavens, help me, my leg!”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Twilight sighed, picking the stallion up in a telekinetic field. “I think I’ll leave you like this, at least until Rarity’s done talking to you.”

The stallion whimpered, but fell silent. Twilight carried him back to the pavilion, and a waiting Rarity.

------------

“He’ll recover, and I’ll have him returned to Scorch in the morning.” Rarity slipped into Twilight’s room without a knock. Not that she minded; she’d grown accustomed to ponies entering with questions or requests the past few days. Privacy didn’t seem to matter much in marems. Understandably so.

“I’m glad to hear he’s okay, and that nopony else was harmed.” Twilight closed her book and turned to Rarity with a worried expression.

“I’m just glad you’re okay, Dusk.” Rarity wrapped her in a warm hug. “Jumping from the tower like that, and then chasing after three assailants? You’re either awfully brave or incredibly stupid, not to mention lucky.”

“I try.” Twilight chuckled, nuzzling Rarity affectionately. “The shipments are okay, too?”

“It was just a wagon of lettuce, nothing to worry about. But yes, they survived unhurt. Diamond Bay will thank us; they do love their salads.” Rarity pulled away from the hug with a smile. “You’re awfully powerful, and very resourceful, Dusk. I’d like you to ride with me to the Sapphire Shores.”

“I’m guessing Emerald rides with you as well?” Twilight inquired with a soft sigh. Rarity chuckled and nodded.

“You really ought to pay her a little more attention. She fancies you something fierce.”

“Would that I could return her affection.” Twilight grimaced, raising a hoof to her pendant. “She’s very beautiful, but… Well…” Twilight shook her head sadly. “Old habits die hard.”

“Well, keep kissing her as you have been, and I’m sure you won’t have a say in the matter.” Rarity winked and turned to leave. “The offer stands, darling. We’ll be leaving soon.”

“Thank you, Rarity. I very well may take you up on that.” Twilight watched her old friend leave with a soft sigh. She had been worried about Rarity recognizing the pendant, since in her world she had worn it while the two of them went to the library. But it seemed Rarity either didn’t recognize it, or she had never seen it in the first place. For all she knew, Luna had never given her one in this world to begin with. Though a question was raised about Rarity and the library. If things had happened similarly in this world, did Rarity go with her at all? Or did she flee as soon as Regal was killed? She didn’t seem to have the limp from the creature in the sandstorm, but that could mean she just managed to make it through unscathed.

With a sigh, Twilight turned to her saddlebags and began packing the remainder of her belongings away. She wouldn’t be back in Neighgrabah for ten days at the very least. That left her four to return to the Crystal Kingdom as soon as she got back. If not, she’d miss the portal and have to wait another week after that. As much as the curios and relics of Saddle Arabia interested her, Twilight did not want to be weighed down. She had very nearly finished the book from the gryphons, and the jewelry could just as easily be left behind. They were pretty, but she had little use for such things anyways.

When she left the room, she felt largely alone until she reached the wagon train. Ponies were singing and laughing, dancing in the dirt courtyard, or loading up for the long trip. Twilight was beginning to wonder how the wagons would be pulled when several members of their marem hitched up, each of them wearing canteens on their flanks. The bracelets they now wore would keep the hydration spell on them, but they still needed to drink water to have something to sweat out. Twilight wondered if she could engineer a spell that hydrated a pony from a container.

Nevertheless, Rarity caught sight of her and waved frantically.

“Dusk! We’re over here!”

Twilight waved back, smiling faintly as she made her way to one of the wagons that looked to be near the front of the train. Emerald and a few of the other mares that Twilight had seen accompanying Rarity peeked out curiously, giggling and whispering to themselves. Twilight ignored them as she pulled her hood up over her face and boarded the carriage. Inside, it was remarkably cool and laden with cushions. Rarity reclined against the front of the wagon, looking rather comfortable on her bed of pillows. There were quite a few all over, so Twilight made her own little space, close to Rarity, but opposite Emerald.

“Dusk, this is Peridot, Harmony, High Note, and Fig Leaf. They share Emerald and I’s profession.”

“Somehow I feel out-of-place.” Twilight blushed when she realized she had just hitched a ride with six whores. The other mares all giggled at her, even as they arrayed themselves in a circle upon the cushions.

“We’ll be at the Sapphire Shores in two days, where we’ll stop do some gemhunting.” Rarity explained, leaning a little closer to Twilight. “The sands there are chock-full of gemstones, some of the most beautiful diamonds and rubies you’ve ever seen. Not to mention the namesake for the beach, the sapphires. I once discovered one that was as large as my own head!”

“Ooh! Tell her about the one that was shaped like a heart!” The one called Fig Leaf, a seemingly young mare with a braided, black mane peeped up.

“Ooh, that’s my favorite!” Peridot echoed her.

“Well, it had been a long and hot day…”

Twilight zoned them out after that. None of them seemed to begrudge her for it, either. She simply opened her saddlebags, pulled the book from the gryphons out, and began to read. Meanwhile, the carriage began to rock and sway on its way out of the pavilion. Before long, they would be in the desert, on their way to the Sapphire Shores.

Despite the mind-numbing prattle, Twilight actually found herself smiling. Rarity seemed happy in this world, despite the dark reasons for her being so far removed from Equestria. She had a daughter and a successful business, not to mention a loyal following. Each of the mares and stallions in her marem were fiercely devoted to her, willing to even lay down their lives for the betterment of the marem.

For that, Twilight had to admire this world’s Rarity. The wagon left the city, swaying back and forth as they made their way out onto the sands, into the greater part of Saddle Arabia.