Luna stormed across the throne room, her wings flared and her horn crackling with power. She let loose an earsplitting howl, her eyes flashing as she roared out her rage.

Celestia cringed as Luna leveled a back kick at one of the stone walls, the thundering strike leaving a hoof-shaped crack in the marble. “Lulu, dear--”

The Moon Princess reared up, hooves pawing the air as she shouted, “DON’T CALL US LULU!” in a voice that thundered through the halls.

“ALL RIGHT, PRINCESS LUNA,” Celestia replied with even greater volume, “MAYBE YOU SHOULD CALM DOWN SO WE CAN MAKE A PLAN INSTEAD OF SCREAMING!”

“Oh.” Luna shrank back apologetically, though her voice still rumbled and echoed a bit. “We... I apologize. The moon is... important to me.”

Celestia sighed and dipped her head, her eyes shining. “I understand,” she said fiercely. “She has indirectly usurped the sun as well, leaving Equestria without it since her spell began! How could she have possibly done this?”

“The Elements of Harmony, ya royal majesty!”

Applejack was standing in the doorway, along with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy.

“My little ponies!” Celestia exclaimed in joyful relief, rushing from her throne to spread her wings over the exhausted mares. “Wait, where is Twilight? Is she on her way? This isn’t the time for careful scientific studies!”

The smaller ponies all looked away remorsefully before Rainbow Dash finally addressed the princess. “Your Majesty, Amber Dawn stole Twilight right from under our hooves!”

“WHAT?” cried Celestia, her eyes huge.

“Fair Twilight?” Luna asked in disbelief. “Impossible! Her magic was great before she became a Princess, and now exceeds that of our own in raw potential!”

“We tried to stop her, ma’am,” Applejack added, “but there was nothing we could do. She did something to Twilight that made her horn stop working right, then blasted us all away. Afore we could get up she teleported herself and Twilight off somewhere.”

Celestia swallowed. “Please, tell me everything.”

“Yes, please do,” said a new voice from the doorway.

Everypony turned to see the alicorn of love looking pensive as she walked in. “Princess Cadance!” Rarity exclaimed.

Cadance smiled warmly. “Shining Armor sent me from the Crystal Empire. Whatever is happening needs to be stopped immediately, and we can’t do anything without more information.”

“Well then, I think Fluttershy here is the best pony to tell y’all what’s going on,” said Applejack.

Every head in the room swiveled to the depressed yellow pegasus, who could only help but sigh.

---

Twilight groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Her whole body ached, worse than the hangover she had after her last birthday when she had five pints of Applejack’s “family special” cider. As her consciousness and memories returned to her she knew this had nothing to do with too many drinks.

She could feel that she was suspended by bindings on all four hooves, and the bright light shining close to her face made it difficult for her to focus as she squinted painfully. Eventually, though, she pushed past it to take in her surroundings.

She couldn’t see much in the room, as the ceiling lamp that shone in her eyes was the only source of illumination. She thought she saw brick walls not too far away with workbenches up against them, along with what she had to assume were various tools and a few books.

Shaking her head, Twilight took stock of her own situation. By craning her neck she could see that she was being held upright by a pair of chains pulling her forelegs toward the ceiling, while another pair of cuffs bound her rear hooves to the ground. The position was not comfortable, but the cuffs were not fastened on tightly enough to hurt.

There was a soft clip-clop of hooves from the shadows. “Awake, Princess Twilight?” said a familiar figure as she stepped into view, an exultant smile on her face.

“I hope you are happy, Amber Dawn!” Twilight growled. “You’re now the enemy of four alicorns, four elements of harmony, and one draconequus! Think you can handle all of that?”

“There was an old saying when I was a little filly,” Amber said bemusedly. “I doubt anypony still uses it, there was a lot of racism behind it. Anyway, the saying goes, ‘One unicorn with a good spell book can overcome a nation of pegasi warriors.’”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard a few of those. And I get your meaning, but I think you’re rather overconfident. You might be an experienced spell-caster, but Celestia and Luna are both older than you. And it took both of them and the Elements of Harmony to deal with Discord--”

She was interrupted by a loud, forced yawn. “My dear Twilight Sparkle, I have had nearly a thousand years to plan this second coup. I’ve had to adjust it a few times in the last decade thanks to yourself and the other Element users, but all of the variables are still containable. The plan is not only proceeding successfully, it is going better than expected.” Amber sighed dreamily. “A world without bigotry, just around the corner.”

“Yeah, I don’t get that,” Twilight quipped. “Equestria is bigotry free! If you’ve followed our history for the past six hundred years, you would know that.”

“A wall covered in mold is still a wall covered in mold, even if you paint it white,” Amber retorted sharply. “Tell me something, are you familiar with Earth Pony marriage traditions?”

The Princess of Magic blinked. “As opposed to... any other marriage tradition?”

A smile full of false pity crept onto Amber’s face. “I thought so. Even a slight majority of Earth Ponies are ignorant of the ‘old ways.’ I believe your friend Applejack is still chaste, yes?”

“To my knowledge, yeah. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, in the days of the separate tribes, before Clover the Clever, there was a rule that all family members were property of their family, specifically under the charge of the household’s head. This property,” Amber snorted in disgust at the word, “was exchanged through the act of marriage for the sake of creating alliances between households, duchies, etc.”

Warming to her subject, Amber took on a lecturing tone. “Before Clover’s Charter brought some unity to the races, this was the most basic way that ponies maintained any sort of coherent organization. In any event, this exchange of ‘property’ had a requirement: The ponies to be married had to be virgins. The premise was that if you were to bring two ponies together into forced matrimony, better that they had never had a chance to share their hearts beforehoof so as to keep them faithful.”

Despite her captivity and mistrust of Amber Dawn, Twilight was curious about what she had to say. She had read about the pre-classical era, but these details were new to her. Her subjects of interest had almost always been the great pony magicians like Starswirl the Bearded or Clover the Clever. “So you said everypony did this back then. What happened to make this an Earth Pony tradition?”

“A lot of things,” Amber continued, “but the founding of Equestria itself was the big one. The integration of the three races promoted, or rather necessitated, social experimentation. Marriage for its own sake was championed by the pegasi initially, and then eventually spread to lower class unicorns and city dwelling earth ponies. Rural earth ponies and upper class unicorns stuck to the traditional marriage system, and in cementing their power they further enhanced the emphasis on virginity.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, wondering at the didactic tone that was so at odds with Amber’s usual approach as her lecture continued. “The latter two demographics came together as a coalition, and it was ultimately their influence that led to the criminalization of homosexuality and bisexuality. It was their belief, admittedly correct, that allowing such behaviors led to sexual exploration and the pursuit of love-based marriages. Though the laws have changed and the demographics of Equestria have evened out, you can still find the same tendencies occurring amongst the nobility of Canterlot and in places like Appleloosa and Dodge City.”

Twilight stared at Amber Dawn skeptically. “You know quite a lot about Equestria’s history and its current social structure for somepony who has been in exile for nearly a millennium.”

Amber’s expression saddened. “There was... a family of pegasi,” she answered heavily. “They were particularly loyal to myself and even more so to the cause of equality. When I was exiled, they sought me out and pledged their lineage to aiding my efforts. All I actually had them do was keep me appraised of what was going on in Equestria and sometimes send me literature. However, a decade ago, the last of their direct line died of old age without an heir or any other relatives loyal to my cause. As a result I was forced to exert my influence on the Equestrian ambassador the Holy Felonian Empire to get what I needed.

“But it has all been worth it!” she exclaimed vehemently, startling Twilight. “The sacrifices of that family, the thousands brutalized throughout history, my own work... soon, they shall all be avenged once Celestia is toppled, the nobles are imprisoned, and traditional marriage erased!”

“This is totally insane!” Twilight shouted, forgetting the danger of her situation. She thrashed ineffectively in her chains. “Equestria has put the worst of bigotry long behind us! There is no reason why we can’t just all live in peace.”

Amber’s eyes narrowed, and her voice filled with disdain. “Have you ever had to sacrifice anything close to you? Anypony close to you? Have you actually experienced genuine loss? How about betrayal?” She stalked closer, fury and pain making her eyes gleam. “Twilight Sparkle, you may have endured dark forces and for that Equestria is in your debt, but do not think for a moment that you have actually suffered in any real form.”

Her voice a low purr full of knives, Amber leaned in nose-to-nose with Twilight. “Everything has always worked out for you, just like it does for your friends, and their friends and family, and the vast majority of Equestria. None of you know what it is like for society to invalidate your existence, to torture and maim you for who you are.” The knives were sharp now, and were accompanied by a venomous hiss. “And I doubt you know what it is like for your own lover to betray you in front of nearly everypony you respect.”

Twilight frowned and bit her lip in frustration. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t know any of that. I really have no idea how much you or other ponies like yourself suffered back then. So I only have one question, Amber Dawn.” She looked deep into Amber’s blue eyes. “Is this all worth violating Rarity’s mind and breaking Fluttershy’s heart?”

Taking a step back, Amber stared back at Twilight for a long time, her self-righteous expression unchanging, though her tail twitched once. Finally, “...yes.” She turned her head away slightly. “But barely.”

Twilight nodded. “I guess that’s that then,” she said wearily. “Obviously you believe in what you’re doing. I can’t change your mind, so the only thing I can do now is... well, whatever I possibly can to stop you.”

Amber’s smug smile returned. “On the contrary, I’m hoping that you will assist me. You were right in saying that I am facing some difficult odds. Four alicorns, four Element bearers, and one demi-god is quite a problem.” She closed the distance between them to stand over her captive.

“Now, I can always just keep you here. This room is actually part of a somewhat larger private dimension, one in which only my magic functions. I was taught the technique by Celestia herself and spent several centuries constructing it... very slowly, I might add, as my broken horn limited my ability. You would be totally contained if I just left you here.”

She leaned close, frowning as she stared into Twilight’s eyes. “But that wouldn’t give me a greater advantage, now would it? No, here you’re just one less chess piece off the board. I would much rather have another queen to take the king.” Amber’s brow cleared as a predatory gleam came into her eyes. “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”

Twilight swallowed and set her jaw. “The Element of Magic.”

A maniacal expression consumed Amber Dawn’s features and her horn began to glow. Twilight gasped as her heart began to race, bringing a flush to her face and a tingling sensation to her nethers. “You’re a smart mare, so you know exactly how I took the other elements,” Amber crowed. “You know the mechanism I used; it is the same one I will use now.”

As she stepped away from Twilight, Amber’s eyes danced in anticipation. A variety of golden constructs started to coalesce in the air around her, their shapes more than suggestive. “I am going to stimulate your erogenous zones and feed your pleasure right back into you. You will experience an infinite orgasmic loop, and I will only stop it when you vocally and emotionally surrender yourself to me. I will know if you are lying or are committing yourself half-heartedly, and I won’t stop for anything until you experience the orgasm that delivers me... the Element of Magic!”

Twilight glared at her captor, her jaw set. “Try me.”

Amber’s eyes widened, then narrowed again. “As you wish.”

Twilight jerked in her restraints as Amber’s horn glowed more brightly. The golden tongues and toys finished materializing around her, their glow seeping into her senses. As it spread through her nerves her eyes slowly closed, and a long, low moan rolled out of her throat.

---

“...and then Amber teleported away with Twilight,” Fluttershy finished, concluding the long tale. For a while naught but silence filled the air.

“That’s when we grabbed the remaining Elements, found Rarity, and got here as fast as we could with Twilight’s hot air balloon!” Applejack volunteered. She touched the jeweled band around her neck. “As y’all can see, we have the Elements right now, and Spike is waiting outside the castle with the balloon.”

Celestia nodded, sighing as she processed everything she had been told. “So that’s how it is,” she muttered as Cadance rejoined the mares with a second round of tea. “This is quite the mess Amber Dawn has put us in. We have a lot to do.”

She turned to Luna. “Sis, I need you to ensure that the sensitive areas of the castle are on lockdown. Keeping the assorted relics in safe storage must be a priority. Also, we’ll need you to be running interference between the rest of us here and the rioters outside.”

“That’s it?” Luna exclaimed, clearly incensed as she trotted back and forth. “My moon has been usurped and you want to put me on guard duty? I know I don’t have the power your precious student does but I am still an alicorn and a princess and I--”

Celestia held up a hoof. “The fact that you are an alicorn and a princess is why I need you to do this. Many of the artifacts are volatile and require a discerning eye. And furthermore, if Amber Dawn shows up, our lookout needs to be able to hold her own.” She looked at Luna intently. “Our lives will be in your hooves. Mine in particular, as I am the subject of this coup.”

Comprehension dawned on Luna’s face. “I... I see your point,” she said, swallowing her pride. “Thank you, sister, for trusting me to keep you safe.” With a nod that was almost a bow she turned and galloped out the door.

Celestia smiled in satisfaction. “Now then, Amber Dawn. This will be a uniquely challenging fight, everypony. No threat to Equestria before was comparable to what we will face.”

“Aren’t you exaggerating just a bit?” asked Cadance with a frown. “These ponies fought Discord and Nightmare Moon and stood up to Chrysalis and Sombra. All of those enemies had comparable power and abilities!”

“But not the same sort of talent and knowledge of magic,” Celestia replied. “Amber’s studiousness has only been exceeded by Twilight’s. Both have spent long hours alone with far too many spell books. Amber Dawn was capable of inventing sex magic because she is an academic master in both magic theory and pony biology.”

Celestia sighed and paused to look out the window before continuing. “Most tellingly, especially in comparison to our previous battles, she has had literally hundreds of years to expand her knowledge, find allies and potentially other aid, and study under foreign experts. She has managed to use difficult magic even with a broken horn, and now that it is restored she has added the raw power of two Elements of Harmony. Her persuasive powers not that of an ordinary pony either. Given what you’ve told me I suspect she has augmented her vocal abilities to the point where she can convince almost anypony to act against their best instincts.”

Rarity glanced over at Fluttershy, a pang shooting through her. She swallowed but said nothing, quickly looking away with a sour expression.

“And the worst of it is that she a true zealot.”

“Zealot?” Rainbow Dash repeated.

“Yes. She genuinely believes that what she is doing is the right thing for Equestria, and therefore that for her plans, the ends really do justify the means. The Elements, even if we had all of them in our possession, would be ineffective.”

“But how could that be?” cried Pinkie. “Aren’t they all about harmony and making things work better? That’s not what Amber is doing! Her party’s no fun at all!”

“The Elements most likely cannot reach her because of the true source of her motivation,” Celestia replied with a grimace, “her sense of betrayal. This is nothing like the resentment that turned Luna into Nightmare Moon. I... genuinely hurt Amber Dawn, for what I thought at the time were the best of reasons. But I still hurt her. The Elements must concur with her sense of injustice, her righteous anger at me.”

Another heavy silence settled into the room, broken only by Cadance sipping her tea as quietly as possible.

“In any event, many of our best resources are not available to us,” Celestia continued. “However, we are certainly not disarmed. Twilight has been captured, but we have three alicorns here. Even with the power of two Elements and her ability to negate magic, she will be hard pressed to hold us all off.”

Celestia turned to the mares from Ponyville. “And of course, we have the five of you. Your individual resourcefulness is legendary. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie: I think it would be an acceptable risk to bring you three to the battlefield.”

Pinkie Pie tugged her helmet down firmly and made a grand salute as a flag of Equestria rose behind her. “I will serve honorably!” she pronounced, her legs stiff at attention.

“Uh, Princess?” Rainbow interjected. “I can understand why you would want me and AJ to fight, but... Pinkie?”

“Silly Rainbow!” the pink mare giggled. “I have CANNONS!”

The pegasus rolled her eyes. “Uh, last I checked, those where party cannons.”

Pinkie rolled an iron field gun out from behind the flag. “Nuh uh! I have REAL CANNONS!”

Every eye in the room turned to stare at the party pony, looking back and forth between the huge gun and her even bigger cheery smile. Finally Applejack muttered, "Aw, it's just Pinkie being Pinkie!" and everypony chuckled and smiled, if a little nervously.

“Rarity, Fluttershy,” Celestia continued, “the two of you have been subject to extensive amounts of Amber’s magic. I doubt she would waste time implanting you with any hidden spell triggers or other such traps, but all the same I want you both to see Cadance and have her look you over, as well as purge any leftover magic still in your systems.”

Both mares nodded, still not looking at each other.

“Once all of that is completed, I will be casting a spell of my own. It will shield all of you from the more subtle effects of Amber’s magic, which will be helpful in case she attempts any other mood or biochemistry changes. Distractions like that will only give her another advantage.” She pursed her lips, then asked, “Any questions for me?”

“I got one!” said Applejack. “Why the heck were we unaffected by the spell on the moon? None of us have gone crazy!”

“I think I can explain that,” Cadance piped in, setting her cup down. “Amber’s spell spreads its effect over a wide area - pretty much the entire continent - and is only attuned generally to ponykind, not to any specific ponies. Resistance can come from a variety of sources, either inherent or due to previous experience. Alicorns are naturally immune, and due to the influence of the Crystal Heart, nopony native to the Crystal Empire was affected. Though you should know, Celestia, that the guards you posted there, well...” She paused for another sip of tea, looking apologetically at the Sun Princess.

“To continue: Shining Armor, having been directly mind controlled by Queen Chrysalis, was able to resist because he built up a tolerance and is himself a very powerful unicorn. As for you five, the Elements of Harmony that you still possess,” Fluttershy and Rarity squirmed, “will naturally protect you, and I think your time under Discord’s influence may be enabling you to resist such a widespread effect.”

Applejack nodded, surprised and pleased that she was able to follow the mechanics of magic so readily. She certainly appreciated that Princess Cadance was a plain speaking mare. “Okay, I think I get this. But Celestia here needs to put a spell on us, ‘cause a direct spell from Amber would be more effective and all.”

“Well thought out,” Celestia said with a nod to Cadance and Applejack. “Any other questions?”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Where’s she taken Twilight? In the name of... well, you, we should find out so we can rescue her!” The other mares murmured in agreement.

“I don’t know. But I... do have a way to search for her,” Celestia murmured, not quite meeting the gaze of the ponies around her.

Cadance’s eyes widened and she ruffled her wings, then smiled one of her most knowing smiles. “You almost sound reluctant,” she said gently, “but I think it is important enough..."

“I know,” Celestia responded quickly, then sighed. “Forgive me, please. The last time I did this I was rather startled by the result. Or perhaps I was startled at my startlement... but never mind. You’re right, Cadance; this is important.”

Looking around at the ponies that relied on her, and who she relied on more than she had ever believed she could or should, Celestia felt a peace, a safety that had long been missing from her life. Funny that this conflict should help me find such comfort, she mused as she settled onto a cushion and began taking long, deep breaths.

Celestia closed her eyes and let herself fall into a familiar trance. Her senses spread out, and she recoiled at the strange stink of the corrupted moonlight; no wonder Luna was so upset! It almost broke her concentration, but she kept her focus and stretched herself further.

“Is... is she okay?” asked Fluttershy as Celestia trembled where she lay on the cushion.

“Shhh...” said Cadance softly. “She’ll be fine; I’m watching her.”

Above and about the land she cared so much for Celestia opened her heart to the truth she had finally allowed herself to accept. She sent forth her desire and once more breathed out her wish, this time knowing who she would see: Show me the one I seek. Show me my love.

Searching through the mist, Celestia’s heart sank. It neither varied nor parted, and the blank sense of nothing she felt in response to her call filled her with a numb emptiness. With an anguished cry she awoke from her trance, her eyes tearing up.

“She’s... nowhere,” whispered Celestia in a voice that rang of the void.

“Nonsense,” said Cadance matter-of-factly, making Celestia jump and turn to stare at her with wide, frightened eyes. “I can still feel your love for her, and you can trust that I would know the difference if she were dead or gone.”

With an effort Celestia calmed herself, nodding her gratitude to Cadance. She slowed her breathing and gathered her wits, settling into the cushion as she sorted through a long lifetime of memories, seeking patterns and references... “Oh for... of course!” she said in annoyance and relief. “She must have taken her into some pocket dimension or similar. I taught her that magic myself!” she growled, her horn flaring, then fading as she regained control.

Cadance nodded in understanding. “Well, then unfortunately all we can do is wait for her, or Amber, to return.”

Rarity was shocked out of her depression. “WHAT? Leave her in the clutches of that... madmare? How could you even suggest such a thing?”

Celestia’s sudden laughter caused another ripple of shock to go through all the assembled mares. They looked at her as if she had gone mad herself, shuffling their hooves as they looked uncertainly at each other. Finally her chuckling subsided and she said with a strangely relaxed smile, “Ah, forgive me, but in this you will all just have to trust me. I know Amber Dawn and her methods very well, and... heh... I know Twilight, too.”

She met the eyes of each of the ponies around her in turn. “Believe this: for once, Amber has bitten off a bit more than she can chew.”

Cadance blushed slightly, having a vague idea of what Celestia was implying from one of their previous conversations. The other ponies still looked confused, but their trust in Celestia was strong, so they simply shrugged and let it go.

“Now then, I think everypony should take an hour to rest and recover,” Celestia stated. “Rarity, why don’t you go with Cadance and get Amber’s remaining magic removed. Fluttershy?”

“Eep!” the yellow pegasus squeaked. “I mean, yes, your Majesty?”

“Please stay where you are. We have much to discuss.”

“...okay....”

Everypony else filed out the doors, leaving Celestia and Fluttershy alone. As the entrance shut, Celestia brought a hoof to her temple and rubbed it. “Oh Fluttershy, what am I going to do with you?” she sighed.

“Um, exile me and throw me in a dungeon in the place you exile me?” Fluttershy replied, laughing nervously. Celestia stared at her in stony silence, though, and Fluttershy sighed sadly. “I know, this is not funny.”

Celestia shook her head. “No, it really isn’t. From what you said earlier I think you are at last starting to grasp the severity of your actions.” She shook out her mane and groaned in frustration. “Equestria has strict laws against this sort of thing. You are technically guilty of conspiracy to mental rape.”

The words cut into Fluttershy and she gasped as if struck. “Mental... rape....” she whimpered.

“That’s right,” Celestia said. “You made an economic transaction with another pony, in this case an enemy of Equestria, to have Rarity’s sexual urges altered without her consent. It is precisely for this reason that the sale of love potions and similar magics is strictly regulated, and Amber Dawn’s spells are taught only to the most trustworthy of ponies.” Her eyes narrowed. “The punishment for this crime ranges up to life in prison, here at the Canterlot dungeons.”

Fluttershy whimpered even more loudly, though given how she felt she had little objection to such a sentence. She forced herself to keep looking at Celestia, though tears shone at the corners of her eyes, and she shook with the effort of staying in place, of not shrinking away from the Sun Princess, of not giving in to her almost overwhelming urge to collapse and hide under her mane.

Celestia nodded grimly. “Yes, I think you understand. Now, I did say that Amber Dawn likely has very powerful persuasive abilities thanks to her magic. It is unlikely that you knew you were being influenced. I must also take into account your exemplary service record. Converting Discord to the cause of Harmony is only the crowning achievement of your time as the Element of Kindness, and Twilight does keep me informed of even your most minor acts of service.

“However, even if Rarity declined to bring charges against you, I would be obligated to have you prosecuted to the full extent of law. But because of the circumstances and your record, I believe it justified to grant you a Royal Pardon when the need arises.”

“Your Majesty!” Fluttershy squeaked, wide-eyed at the offer of mercy. “That is far more than I deserve!”

Celestia looked at her sternly. “Please prove those words false, Fluttershy.” Her expression softened. “You love Rarity, don’t you?”

“Yes, your Majesty. I do.”

“Then you should do everything you can to make this up to her,” said Celestia, “starting immediately with an apology. Understood?”

Fluttershy nearly swooned with relief as she responded with great sincerity, "Yes, your Majesty!"

Celestia smiled. “Then get to it!”

---

Discord was profoundly disappointed.

At first, the sight of Canterlot, as well as the rest of Equestria, consumed by riots and orgies was some of the best entertainment he had experienced in years, especially after he had been prohibited by his new friend from turning the continent into a paradise of random mischief. However, the point of chaos, inherently, was that it was not predictable or repetitious, and it had become quickly apparent that Amber Dawn’s spell was both.

Granted, there was some variety to how the ponies were decimating home values through vandalism and public displays of fornication, but that was all that was happening. It was a consistent, dutiful task he was witnessing, not a true display of chaos.

“Well this has been a waste of my time,” he grumbled to himself, sipping down the last of the popcorn along with the bag.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pink and yellow dart race across the castle courtyard. If he didn’t know better he’d have thought it was... “Fluttershy?”

---

Fluttershy was normally a reluctant flyer at best, and the tension of the day had her holding her wings so tight against her body they might have been just a pattern in her coat. So she galloped full tilt through the halls, up staircases, and along the parapets, dodging around the occasional knot of guards and servants frolicking in alcoves or openly on the floor.

Coming to a screeching halt in front of the door to the chamber that was always kept ready for Cadance, Fluttershy stared at it while she caught her breath. She thanked her lucky stars that the guards in the area were all “busy” elsewhere.

A brief shiver went through her from nose to tail, and she glanced out a nearby window, searching the night sky with a frown. Seeing nothing, she took a deep breath and knocked on the door, entering quickly when she heard Cadance call out an invitation.

As Fluttershy came into the room she saw Cadance standing next to a wide cushion on which Rarity lay, seemingly asleep. Cadance looked up, the glow on her horn fading, her eyes full of sympathy as she met Fluttershy’s gaze.

Walking slowly up to Fluttershy, Cadance studied her with a practiced eye. “By the Heart,” she said softly, “you really do love her.”

Even the near-paralyzing fear that encompassed her could no longer keep that truth trapped in Fluttershy’s heart. “I do,” she whispered, “no matter what I..."

“Shhh, shh,” Cadance urged her, a small smile on her face. “I understand.” She looked back at Rarity and sighed. “I know why you’re here, and this isn’t going to be easy, nor quick... and it may not change a thing. But first, let me cleanse you as Celestia suggested.” Her horn lit up with a gentle glow.

The process did not take long, as Fluttershy’s mind and body had not been as roughly treated by Amber’s influence as had Rarity’s. She shook out her wings as a bit of tension she hadn’t been aware of left her. She offered a weak but genuine smile to Cadance, who nodded in response.

Turning back to the still form of Rarity, Fluttershy took a hesitant step toward her. “May I?”

“Of course,” Cadance replied. “And it may seem odd for me to say this to you, but... be kind. To her, and to yourself.” She stroked Fluttershy’s mane with a wingtip, then left the room, shutting the door carefully behind her.

Fluttershy approached Rarity slowly, her head down. From the cushion came a ragged sigh.

“I’m awake, you know,” said Rarity without lifting her head.

“I thought you might be,” whispered Fluttershy. “I..."

“I don’t know if there is anything you can say to me,” interrupted Rarity, finally turning her head to stare balefully at Fluttershy.

“Rarity, I..."

“You lied. You misled me.” Rarity raised herself up from the cushion to stand almost nose to nose with Fluttershy. “You... you tricked me into thinking I could love you.”

Fluttershy could only nod. “I’m so sorry! I just... I’ve loved you for so long, and... and I wanted..."

“You wanted what? To use me? To just... take me? To have me whether I wanted you or not?”

“I didn’t know... she made it all seem so simple, and..."

“Oh no!” Rarity was shouting now, her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward to spit her words out. “You can’t push this onto anypony else. You, Fluttershy! You made the choice to... change me, to force me!” She was shaking now, magnificent in her rage, her mane almost sparking.

No longer able to stand straight, Fluttershy cringed and shrank, though she managed to keep her eyes on Rarity. “Yes! I did. It was my fault. It doesn’t matter that I barely knew what I was doing, or that Amber was pushing me into it.”

She finally dropped her gaze and whispered, “I made the choice. I asked her to do it.”

Now Rarity’s horn started glowing, though she didn’t seem aware of it. “Why? Why would you do such a thing? Tell me, Fluttershy, WHY!?” She was only an inch away, her voice echoing off the walls.

Fluttershy’s heart pounded in her chest, and she breathed out the only thing she had left. “Because I love you.”

“WHAT? How can you say that?”

“Because it’s true!” sobbed Fluttershy as she raised her crying eyes. “I love you, Rarity! And I hoped... I wished... I dreamed... that maybe I was worth loving, too.”

Rarity almost stumbled as Fluttershy’s pain hit her, and her eyes went wide. She snorted angrily and shook out her mane, pawing the ground as she growled out, “That doesn’t give you the right..."

“No,” Fluttershy was barely able to speak through her sorrow. “It doesn’t.”

Her voice stilled by Fluttershy’s admission, Rarity found herself unable to respond. In the loud silence, Fluttershy took a great shuddering breath and let it out in a rush, her wings drooping to the floor. She turned away from Rarity, her mane falling over her eyes, and walked to the door.

“Maybe you’ll never speak to me again,” said Fluttershy from very far away, “and you may never forgive me. I wouldn’t blame you.” Still not turning back, she opened the door and paused once more. “But I will always love you.” And with that she left, the door closing quietly behind her.

Almost, Rarity followed her, but she stopped herself at the threshold and sat down, leaning her head against the wood. “This certainly isn’t the story I imagined for myself,” she said bitterly. With a heavy sigh she stared at the floor, alone in the silent room.