“Now ask her to go on a date,” Cadence spoke softly to the shaking Cloud, his chest heaving rapidly, eyes quivering as he stared the Skylight.

“Um, I,” A harsh shiver rocked Cloud’s body, Cadence holding him steady with her hooves. Regaining his balance, he spoke again,” I’d like to, uh, I’d like to, like to.” Cloud’s legs gave way, a plume of dust erupting about him as his chest hit the dirt.

“I think it’s time for a break,” Shining said as he shook his head, the illusion of Skylight’s features fading from his face. “I’m getting tired from standing still for so long.”

Looking up at the high noon sun, Cadence nodded, licking her dry lips before speaking, “That’s a good idea, I could use something to drink.”

The trio stepped from the shade of the ancient building they were underneath, the sun’s scorching touch causing Shining to break into a sweat almost instantly. His tongue was lolling from his mouth, shoulders heaving, panting by the time they reached the tavern.

It was like stepping from a the midday heat of a desert into the thick warmth of a jungle, the moist hug of the air pushing a sigh from Cadence’s lips. “What do you two want?” She asked the stallions beside her as they neared the bar.

Cloud swung his eyes around the room before answering, “Just water please.”

“I’ll have the same,” He said between pants, mane was flattened with sweat.

Stepping up to the bench, the bitter smell of alcohol invaded Cadence’s wrinkling nose. Brown and red were spilled all across the wood that the pink-maned bar-mare stood behind. “Oh, you’re one of Skylight’s friends aren’t you?” She leant over the bar, pushing her muzzle toward Cadence’s ear, “Was she good company last night? I’ve never seen that mare with anyone before, I want to know what she’s like.”

Cadence took a step backward, her cheeks burning with red, “We didn’t do anything like that with Skylight actually, she was only helping us find a way off this mountain.”

The pink-maned mare winked, “Whatever you say sweetie, now what would you like to drink?”

“Just three glasses of water please.”

“Oh how boring,” She shook her head as her wings filled glass after glass. “If you and your partner want to have some fun before you leave, just ask. Where is he anyway?” Flicking her eyes across the crowded room, a smile filled her lips as she spotted Shining and Cloud. “Looks like you’ve found someone after all.” Azure wings pushed three glasses across the bar, “Have fun.”

Cheeks burning red hot, Cadence wordlessly grasped the three drinks in her blue glow before quickly stepping toward Cloud and Shining. “We need to get off this mountain as quickly as possible,” She said as she sat, passing the drinks around. “The ponies here are a little too open.”

“I thought you said we weren’t leaving till we helped Cloud,” Shining winced as the words left his mouth.

Cloud’s eyes fell into his glass, shoulders slumping, “That’s alright, if you don’t want to stay any longer I don’t want to keep you here. You’ve already helped me so much.”

A soft touch of blue lifted his chin, his eyes meeting Cadence’s warm pair, “Don’t be silly, I really want to help you overcome this issue of yours. I’m sure it won’t be more than a day or two and you’ll be able to face Skylight with ease.”

All three ponies drank their water greedily, Cadence ordering second and third rounds. Shining’s stomach called for food, the stallion devouring three times as much food as both Cadence and Cloud combined. “I think we’re ready to return to training,” He said by the time his stomach was tight, a satisfied smile on his lips.

The sun was less of a burden and more of a soft pleasure for the trio as the stepped back into its rays. Streets were empty, nothing but the soft sound of wind to accompany them as they strolled back toward the shade cast by a line of buildings.

“Now Cloud,” Cadence spoke slowly as she weaved the spell across Shining’s features, the tomboyish, blue face of Skylight slowly forming from the white. “Just keep your breathing slow, relax-”

“Why don’t you just pretend it’s someone else?” Shining butted in, earning himself a disapproving glare from Cadence.

“Well, his problem is fainting when he talks with one specific pony, Skylight. If he pretends you’re another pony what is the point of changing your appearance? He needs to learn how to talk to her specifically.” Readopting a smile, she turned to Cloud, “Why don’t you start?”

“Okay,” White wings extended, their tips jerked up and down as Cloud inhaled and exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders backward. Stepping close to Skylight, his rapidly blinking eyes met her steady ones, the excitement in his stomach sending shivers down his legs. “Uh, Skylight, would you like-” His knee buckled for a moment before locking back into place, the rate of Cloud’s breathing increasing.

“Would you like to have a drink with me some time?” He blurted before his body collapsed into Cadence’s waiting magical hammock.

Skylight tilted her head to the side, closing her eyes as she spoke with Shining’s voice, “I’d love to.”

“Good!” Clapping her hooves together, Cadence slowly lowered the drowsy Cloud to the dirt, the dazed pegasus falling limply onto his side as she released him. “Now we just need him to do that without collapsing.”

The bright blue sky slowly grew darker as Cloud repeated the same exercise over and over, his body and words growing steadier.

Glancing up at the starless sea of black above, Cadence sighed, “I think this will be the last one then we’ll finish for today.” She stepped alongside the pegasus, running one of her hooves along his back. “Imagine this is your last chance to ask her.”

Cloud gulped, a knot forming in his stomach as he imagined never seeing Skylight again, the short, white mane he loved so much. The soft blue eyes he never had the chance to stare deeply into. Come on Cloud, this is what you want isn’t it?

A slow breath left his mouth as he took another step toward Skylight, his muzzle bumping against hers. “Oh sorry,” He said, quickly retreating. “I was going to ask you something, but.” Pausing, he stole a glance at her features, the question lined across them beckoning him to continue.

Bright blue hair flew through the air as Cloud quickly straightened his neck, locking his eyes with Skylight. Emotion poured forth the instant his mouth opened, “I like you, maybe even love you, but I probably shouldn’t say that.” He winced before drawing another breath, “What I really wanted to say is I’d like to know you better, maybe we could get a drink some time?”

Cadence gasped as one of his legs buckled, her horn instinctively lighting to catch him. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as his body righted itself, Cloud hyperventilating but still standing.

The voice that came from Skylight’s lips caused Cadence to burst into laughter. Her speech was littered with high cracks and sudden lows, Shining’s best attempt at a mareish voice, “Of course I’d love to.”

“Good,” Cadence spoke between pants, her hoof stuffed against her lips, trying to suppress her giggles. “We’ll, work on, the rest, tomorrow.” With deep breaths she slowly calmed her lungs as Shining wiped the illusion from his face.

“The rest?” Confusion covered Cloud’s face, his jaw hanging open in an unsaid question. “I thought all I needed to do was ask her on a date?”

Shaking her head, Cadence leant into Shining’s waiting hug, “Well, asking her is only the first step, after that you actually have to entertain her for a whole evening. Do you even know what she likes to do?”

“Uh,” Cloud cast his eyes downward, kicking at the dirt. “No, but isn’t that what a date is for? Getting to know her?”

“It helps if you have at least one thing in common,” Cadence’s eyes met Shining’s, the couple sharing a smile. “Don’t worry about it for now, just go get some sleep. We’ll meet back here tomorrow.”

Turning their backs to him, Cadence and Shining walked down the dim street toward the building that housed them the previous night. Their saddlebags and glowing mattress waited inside, untouched.

Collapsing onto the blue construct, Cadence giggled, pulling Shining down beside her with her magical grasp. His forelegs wrapped around her, she sighed, “Do you think he’ll be able to say the same words when he’s facing the real thing?”

“I’m sure he’ll do fine,” Shining’s words we muffled as he nuzzled the inside of Cadence’s neck. “With your help he’ll have her falling in love with him by tomorrow.”

A giggle burst from Cadence’s lips as Shining nibbled at her ear, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Pulling away away from his hug, she flipped over to face him and pressed her lips into his, breathing the air from his lungs. “You make the cutest little mare,” She whispered as they broke apart. “Maybe you’re willing to reconsider my offer?”

“I thought you didn’t know how to transform me completely yet?”

“Well, I don’t yet, but maybe today has changed your mind about the whole ordeal? Maybe you’d like to be my test subject when Celestia teaches me the final spell?”

Shining closed his eyes, the last week’s dream flooding back into his thoughts. Instead of Celestia this time, it was his blue mane between Cadence’s teeth, his white cheeks flared with pink as a high pitched moan flowed from his lips.

Shaking the image away, Shining opened his eyes again, “My answer is still n-” A yawn cut him off, drawing his final word out into one long syllable, “Oooooooooooo.”

Giggling, Cadence rubbed her snout against his, “I think it’s time for some sleep, we’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

The morning came quickly for Shining, his muscles still aching with sleep by the time Cadence’s voice called him from the dark mists of sleep. “Come on,” She shook him as he groaned, turning away from the intruding sound. “I’ve already given you an extra hour of sleep, you can’t stay in here all day.”

“Yes, uh, Shining. I know Cadence would appreciate it if you accompanied us.”

Shining’s eyelids flew open at the strange voice, the eyes beneath them finding a timid-looking white pegasus standing in the dim glow. “Cloud? What are you doing here?”

“Well,” Cadence said. “I told him we’d meet at the same place by mid-morning, and I wasn’t going to let your laziness stop me from keeping my word.” Taking a step toward the door, she looked back over her shoulder, a sly smile on her lip, “Now why don’t you get up? I’m sure you’re hungry.”

The grumbling pain in Shining’s stomach was stronger than his tired mind. Taking command of his body, his hunger fueled legs trailed Cadence out into the noon heat and toward the tavern. The pink-maned serving mare’s jaw dropped at his order before her lips twisted into a grin, “You know, they say things about stallions who love their food.”

Cadence’s foreleg was pulling Shining away and toward the table before he could hear the second half.

“What is with the mares in this place,” She grumbled under her breath as Shining poured bowl after bowl of roasted peanuts down his gullet.

“Ahh,” A satisfied gasp from Shining’s lips signified the end of his meal, Cadence looking to her side to find his hooves rubbing an overfilled belly. “So what are we doing today?”

“Well,” Cadence’s eyes rolled into her head, teeth chewing at her cheek as she thought. “Cloud already overcame his major problem yesterday, so we’re going to test him a few more times on that before moving onto the next step, giving him something to do on a date.”

Much to Shining’s disappointment, Cloud had lost some of his confidence overnight, forcing him to once again stand still in the sun, face cloaked in illusion..

“-And I’d really like to get to know you better.” Cloud stared into Skylight’s eyes tall and proud.

“Good,” Cadence clapped her hooves together, a smile on her muzzle. “That’s three times in a row now, I think you’ve gotten over your collapsing issue. Why don’t we take a short break?”

Cloud stood statue still as Cadence and Shining strolled round the corner, his eyes staring into nothing as his mind worked. “I,” He whispered to himself. “I got rid of it.” The corners of his mouth curved upward, eyes widening. This time he yelled, “I got rid of it!”

Darting round the corner after the couple, he dove between them, wrapping one foreleg over either neck, pulling both ponies to the ground. “I can’t believe I did it. Thank you both so much.”

Instinctively lighting his horn, Shining suspended Cloud in midair as he climbed to his hooves. “Sorry,” Shining said as he lowered the surprised pegasus to the ground. “You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.”

“Oh, no, it’s my fault.” The magic seemed to have sucked Cloud’s confidence away, his eyes returning to their usual downcast position. “I, I shouldn’t have done that.”

Dusting herself off, Cadence chuckled, “Don’t worry about it, love is an extremely exciting thing, it’s natural to go a little crazy.” Turning herself back toward the tavern, she nodded at the door, “Come on, it only gets better from here.”

The muggy air inside was somehow cooler, the sounds of pleasure that filled the room muffled by the excitement that buzzed in Cadence’s ears. “Why don’t we have a little something to celebrate?” She said when the bar-mare asked for her order.

Shining’s wide eyes and lolling tongue spoke more than any words, Cadence’s muzzle splitting with a grin as she ordered, “What do you have in the way of chocolate?”

To Shining’s dismay, the army provisions lacked any real chocolate, so they ended up with a bowl of chocolate dipping sauce for a matching plate of strawberries. Regardless, the stallion wolfed the pink fruits down, leaving Cadence to simply sip water and watch.

Cloud had ordered a tankard of cider for himself, by Cadence’s recommendation. The container sat still almost full before him.. “What is the second part of the training you mentioned?” He asked after some time, distracting the giggling alicorn from the clown of a stallion tossing strawberries into the air and catching them in his mouth.

“Oh, sorry,” Cadence’s eyes lit up at the question, gathering herself before she continued. “Well now you’ve worked up the courage to ask the initial question, you need to have something prepared to the date.” Noticing Cloud’s lips part, she added, “Something she’ll enjoy.”

“And what exactly would that involve? I really know nothing about her.”

“As far as I can tell, she loves flying,” Her eyes traced the large form of Cloud’s wings, brow raising. “I’m sure you’ll be a natural at it with wings like those.”

Peeking back at his wings, Cloud shuffled lower in his cushion until the feathered appendages were hidden below the table. “Uh, yeah. I can fly, but I don’t like to do it near others.” Cadence’s questioning stare prompted him to continue. “They’re, they’re a little too strong. To the point where I lose control sometimes.”

“Oh,” Cadence nodded, a smile stretching her muzzle until her cheeks hurt. “I think they’ll be perfect for Cloud. Why don’t you show me exactly how powerful those things are.” Without waiting for a response she stood and stepped across the room. Both stallions shared a look before following.

Swallowing the final morsels of strawberry, Shining walked beside Cloud. “I can see you’re a little nervous about this, and I know it’s hard to convince Cadence once she’s got her mind set on a plan. So if flying is too much for you, I can talk her out of it.”

“Are there any other options?”

“I-” Shining held his tongue, the words I’m sure there’s plenty stuck in his throat. “To be honest, I don’t know. Some mare’s have certain paths you have to take to get to their hearts, and flying could be Skylight’s one and only.”

Cloud’s eyes fell to the ground for a moment, his head shaking as a small smile touched his lips. “If I can overcome one challenge, how bad can another be?” His neck straightened as he spoke, eyes meeting Shining’s.

Patting the now grinning pegasus on the back, Shining couldn’t help but smile himself, Cloud’s fresh desire for love filling him with his own want. A want to explore new reaches with Cadence, Maybe being a mare for a night wouldn’t be so bad? He shook the thought from his head and stepped out into the fading sunlight, Cloud close behind.

They found Cadence waiting at the tower’s base, her head swinging this way and that as she gazed up at the sky. Following her eyes, Shining found a barely noticeable sky-blue pegasus against the identically colored backdrop, her white mane and tail the only tell she was there.

“Skylight,” Cloud breathed as his own eyes found the pony of interest. White legs jiggled for a moment before steadying, Cloud breathing steadily as he followed her through the sky, a smile pulling at his lips.

“Well, I couldn’t have asked for a better moment,” Cadence nudged Cloud with her wing. “Why don’t you get up there and show us, and Skylight, what you’ve got?”

Nodding, Cloud tore his eyes from the sky and glanced back at his wings, their feathers twitching with anticipation. It took him a few moments to extend the beastly things, twice his size and rippled with muscle they cast a shadow over Shining and Cadence.

Mouth hanging open in awe, Cadence shook her head, “How in Equestria do you keep those things looking so good if you don’t fly?”

His cheeks aflame, eyes downcast, Cloud pawed the ground, “I said I don’t like flying, but I still do. My mother always told me to keep my wings in good shape, so I just fly at night when no one can see me crash.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine this time,” Shining said a smile, draping a foreleg over Cloud’s withers. “Now get up there and don’t faint mid-air.”

“Yeah,” Cloud nodded, giving his wings a test flap before leaping into the air. The wind exploded beneath his wings as he beat them, like a dragon’s they moved slowly, but their power made for it, rocketing him into the air.

“I think he’s exactly what Skylight wants,” Cadence breathed, eyes wide as they followed the monstrous winged creature across the sky. One of his wings came down out of sync, sending Cloud spiralling through the air for a moment before another movement corrected his path. “I just hope he can keep himself calm.”

Soaring above the tower, Cloud trailed Skylight as she looped and twirled through the air, unaware of the company. One turn and her eyes met his, her features briefly lit up with shock as she passed over him before being replaced by a playful smile. Skylight gave one last glance backward before speeding away, Cloud following as best he could.

The pair disappeared out into the distance, looping and twirling through the clouds like two blue and white moths circling round the lantern that was the sun. Cloud’s slow beats drove him faster than Skylight, but agility kept her constantly out of reach.

Still chasing and running like hunter and prey, they zoomed overhead, a cloud of dust erupting as they passed. The pair turned for another pass, this time even faster, Cadence barely able to keep track of them with her eyes.

Crack! The tower’s spire splintered off as Cloud’s wing clipped it. He spiralled toward the ground, soundless, jaw agape, limbs motionless, in shock at what happened.

Thump! A burst of blue collided with Cloud, snatching him from the perilous fall and lifting him back into the air.

“Are you okay?” Cadence rushed over to Skylight as she landed, Cloud limp in her arms. He groaned as she set him down, his the tips of his wing twisted the wrong way, white feathers matted with red.

“I’m fine,” Cloud gasped, rolling onto his hooves, and unsteadily standing. “Nothing that hasn’t happened before.”

Chuckling, Skylight turned away, extending her wings once again, rear legs braced for lift off. “You have some nice wings there colt, meet me in the sky when they’re ready to use again.” The ground seemed to shake as she leapt into the air, a cloud of dust blowing up into the remaining trio’s faces.

“Did she just-” Wincing, Cloud shifted his broken wing. “Did she just ask me on a date?” His muzzle held a smile, yet his eyes were laced with pain, each movement eliciting a gasp from his lips.

“I think so,” Cadence replied, her eyes following the sky-blue pegasus as she melted into the sky. Turning back to Cloud, she stared at his injury, “I think we should get your wing fixed up first, it looks pretty painful. Is there a medical building on this mountain?”

“There is one stallion who’s assigned to the duty, but so little happens on this mountain I don’t think he knows how to cure anything more than an alcohol overdose.”

They found him with one mare squirming on his snout and another bouncing above his groin. The mares appeared to be twins, both with identical silver coats and night-blue manes, the only difference their cutie marks, one a bright white cloud, the other a grumbling grey one.

“Are you Blister?” Cadence’s words were swallowed up by the overbearing sound of groaning and the wet sound of organs sliding against each other. “Are you Blister?” She yelled this time, catching the attention of the closest mare.

Stopping her movement up and down his shaft, she fluttered open her eyelids and wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth before speaking. “Why do you want to know, you’re not trying to take him away from us are you pinky?” Her voice was harsh, words quick and untrusting.

“No, no, no,” Cadence shook her head as she wrapped a foreleg over Shining’s withers, and pulled him close. “I’ve already got my own stallion. I was just wondering if Blister can put his medical talents to use, Cloud here has broken his wing.”

The mare took one look at Cloud’s weak smile before narrowing her eyes, “Blister is busy, you’ll have to wait till we’ve finished our appointment.”

“Oh come on Stormy,” A cheery voice pulled Cadence’s attention to the other end of Blister, her eyes found the other mare grinning at her. “That poor stallion look hurt, and kinda cute, we should give him some tending to.” Her final words bought a small fire to Cloud’s cheeks.

“What’s happening up there Sunshine?” Blister’s voice was gruff, muffled against a silver rump, they sent its owner into a giggling fit.

“There’s a cute looking stallion who wants some attention,” Sunshine said once she had recovered, locking eyes with Shining as she spoke. “He looks tasty enough to help.” Running her tongue along her upper lip, she beckon him closer with a hoof.

She can’t mean me? Shining felt his face catching afire, tongue fumbling for excuses. “Oh no, it’s not me who’s hurt, it’s him,” A white hoof pointed toward Cloud. “He’s the one who needs attention.”

“Oh, so you two come as a package?” Her silver wing extended, feathers brushing against Shining’s cheeks. “Don’t worry, I’ve got enough room in me for both of you.”

“Enough,” Cadence roared, pulling Shining away from Sunshine’s touch, horn ringing with blue as she lifted both sisters off Blister. “We came here because Cloud’s wing is hurt, can you fix it or not?”

Growling, Blister rolled onto his stomach and climbed to his hooves, wiping the juices from beneath his hard grey eyes with a soft-brown wing. His mane was a darker brown, like wet dirt, streaked with grey. “Fine, but let’s make this quick, I’ve got important duties to fulfil.”

They found themselves as four, crowded around one of the tavern’s corner tables. It was crammed with medical supplies, bandages, spools of thread and a box of needles, but most of all, trays and trays of two different potions, one yellow-green, the other white.

“Now let me have a look at that wing.”

As Blister handled Cloud’s injury, Shining’s eyes roamed the medical table, his blue glow plucking one of the white vials from its resting place. “What’s this for?”

“There are stallion’s round here who have trouble maintaining their hardness all day,” Blister growled without turning away from his work. “A swig of that will keep your cock hard till you fall asleep.”

Cloud gasped as Blister straightened his feathers out, the rough application of a soaked bandage making the white pegasus squirm in pain.

Taking one of the vials in her own magical grasp, Cadence held it up to the light, trying to deduce the contents. I’ve never seen any potion like it. “What is in this Blister?”

Grunting, Blister pulled the wrapping tight with his teeth before speaking. “Most of it is just some herbs we import from those zebras, but I always need to add my own special ingredient. Some fresh stallion seed directs the magic toward the right area of the body.”

Shining’s magic cut off, the potion he was holding falling to the ground, shattering against the wood. “Are you saying that you-” His lips flailing, Shining was lost for words as he backed away from the table.

“Yep,” Blister chuckled, amusement burning in his eyes. “And all these young stallions drink it as if it were fine wine. Anyway, your friend’s fixed up, and I need to get back to my girls.” His soft laughter faded as he walked away.

“Would you like a little drink Shining?” Cadence waved a white vial in Shining’s face, inching it closer and closer.

Knocking the mixture from the air, Shining winced as it shattered against the ground, some of the liquid splashing at his ankles. “No, let’s just get out of this building.”

The cool air outside was a refreshing break from the sweaty heat they had left. A long shadow sprouted from the tavern as the sun sank behind it, another day falling asleep.

“I think I might head back to my quarters,” Cloud announced after they had stood silent for some time, allowing the fresh breeze to cleanse their bodies. “If I want to get this wing healed I’ll need all the rest I can get.”

“Uh, yeah,” Shining answered after some delay, his eyes on Cadence as he expected her to reply. “We’ll see you tomorrow if you’re feeling healed enough.”

Cloud nodded, waving as he stepped toward the small lean to into the tavern’s side. It would not have been able to hold even a tenth of the ponies that resided on the mountain and functioned more as a home for the few ponies without partners rather than residence for the entire squad.

“Cadence?” Shining turned back to the silent alicorn, standing completely still as the light breeze played with her mane. “Cadence?” He repeated, this time draping a foreleg around her, brushing his lips against her cheek.

“Oh, yeah.” She sighed, leaning her body into Shining, nuzzling her cheek against his. “I was just thinking about Cloud and Skylight. They don’t really need my help anymore do they?”

“Why do you say that Cadence?”

“Well, she just asked him to meet her when his wing’s healed, and, I don’t know.” A deep breath left Cadence’s lungs, pink limbs folding as she sat, bringing Shining down to the dirt with her. “I kind of want to help their relationship grow, be with them every step of the way. Watching love blossom, it’s the greatest feeling in the world, I want to water and weed their love, like a gardener. I want to see the beautiful fruit that results from my work.”

Shining chuckled, pulling her closer, kissing the inside of her ear. “Cadence, I know you enjoy helping other ponies like this, but you can’t babysit them.” He paused for a moment, staring at the ever-darkening sky as he thought. “Imagine how hard our relationship would be if we had some pony organizing everything for us? If you want to see the depths of love it needs to be in our relationship.”

Her brow raised in question, Cadence giggled, “Does that mean you want to take our to the next stage?”

“Cadence, we’ve already got plans for marriage, what else could we do?”

“Well there is that, but I wasn’t talking about anything we’d do publicly.” Cadence swept her eyes around, checking for company. Satisfied with the lack of it, she leant close to Shining, pressing her muzzle into his ear. “Are you ready to become my little mare?”

Shining’s lips instinctively twisted into a grimace, even though his mind was feeling otherwise. Is this really as bad as I think it is? If this is really something she wants to do, why don’t I just let her try it once? What if it turns out to be fun? Scrunching his eyes shut, he shook the invasion of thoughts from his head, the image of his mane between Cadence’s teeth, a scream pouring from his lips filling his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“What took you so long to decide?” Cadence questioned, the hint of humour in her voice. “Were you thinking about it?”

“N-” Stopping himself, Shining turned to Cadence. Her playful eyes, beautiful mane, soft snout. How could I lie to a face like this. “I was, but promise me Cadence, if I ever say yes to your question, refuse me.”

A grin stretched Cadence muzzle, her body shaking as she held back laughter, “Not even if you come to me begging Please Cadence, I want to be your plaything. I want you to fill my body with your seed?”

Shining felt red warming his white cheeks as he lowered his eyes, unable to look directly into hers. “Cadence, please, this isn’t funny. Stallions are born stallions. They aren’t supposed to be filled with, you know.”

“Well maybe you need to expand your way of thinking,” Cadence said, her smile now hurting her cheeks as it grew wider and wider. “There’s plenty of stallions in that tavern who seem to enjoy that kind of thing.”

Pulling away from Cadence’s grasp, Shining stood, a shudder rolling along his back. “Can you stop Cadence,” He winced, his words coming out louder than he had intended. “Sorry for yelling. I’ve just had a lot of confusion about this thing recently, I’d like it if you didn’t make it harder.”

“Oh, I didn’t realise.” Cadence stood alongside him, wrapping her foreleg over his withers. “Sorry, I was just teasing you. If you really don’t want to do it, I won’t force you.”

Shining nuzzled his cheek against hers, breathing in her comforting scent, “I know you wouldn’t. It’s just, I think I might want to be your, uh, little mare, and that scares me.”

“Don’t worry Shining, by the time you’re ready, it won’t scare you anymore.” Shining’s eyes widened at the words. “I’m just joking, sorry.” Cadence giggled, the contagious joy spread, infecting Shining.

The pair stood, leaning against each other, the combined laughter filling the quiet evening with sound. “Do you want to get something to eat?” Cadence said eventually, her own stomach feeling pained.

Shining’s grin shrunk into a small smile before he brought his lips to Cadence’s cheek, “You always know how to cheer me up.”

A small bowl of berries and an apple satisfied Cadence’s appetite, Shining’s stomach requiring twice the serving to silence it. “Do you think Cloud will be fine?” Cadence said after wiping the red juice from her mouth.

“I’m sure he will,” Covering his mouth with a hoof, Shining suppressed a burp. “He was lucky he only broke a few feathers and didn’t snap a whole wing off. I just hope he doesn’t lose his confidence after resting for a few days.”

“Even if her reverts to his old self, we can always train him back up, right Skylight?” Shining chuckled softly as Cadence rubbed her hoof under his chin, wiping away streaks of juice. “I wonder how long it’ll take for his wing to heal?”

They found Cloud waiting for them outside the tavern the next day, staring at his hooves, unaware of them as the stepped closer.

“Cloud,” Cadence put her hoof under his chin, softly lifting his eyes to meet hers. “I didn’t think you’d be out of bed so soon. Is your wing okay?”

Smiling, Cloud backed away from Cadence’s touch. “I only injured my wing, that really isn’t enough to keep me in bed. Besides,” He tilted his head, glancing backward at the tavern. “I can’t get what Skylight said out of my head. I just have to talk to her again.”

Stepping forward, Shining patted Cloud’s shoulder, “I know exactly how you feel. Let’s just hope she’s inside so you can get another chance to speak with her.”

Cloud’s legs sprang into action the moment they stepped inside, his eyes spotting Skylight sitting in her usual dark corner, tearing into an apple. “Easy there,” Blue encapsulated Cloud as Cadence spoke, her magic pulling the stallion back beside them. “I don’t think Skylight will like a stallion dashing at her full speed, just take it slow.”

They stopped by the bar to order food and drink first, the barmare taking a moment to peel a stallion off her before stepping up to the counter. “What would you like cutie?”

Cloud bounced around impatiently as Cadence questioned each of them, “Well Shining’s going to have two apple pies, what do you want Cloud?”

“Uh,” Cloud’s eyes flicked around the room frantically, his mind searching for something to say. “Skylight!” He blurted, wincing as he realised what he had said. “No, I mean, water, I’ll have some water.”

“Ohhh,” The barmare cooed, pulling Cloud closer with a look. “Are you all flustered about miss too-good-for-everyone?” She leant across the bar, whispering right into his snout. “Don’t get yourself stuck up over her, there’s a lot of mares who’d love to get their hooves on your cute piece of meat.”

Stepping between the two, Cadence forced the bamare back with a stare, “We just want our food, nothing else.”

Narrowing her eyes, the barmare stepped away, her wings automatically pulling ingredients from the cupboards.. “Fine, if you have to ruin my fun. Go sit down at your table, the food will be out soon.”

The rate of Cloud’s breathing increased with each step they took toward Skylight’s table, the huffy sound overbearing by the time they stopped. “Hey Skylight,” Cadence greeted the unaware mare with a smile. “Do you mind if we sit here?”

“There’s room,” She grunted without raising her eyes, her hoof gesturing toward the other side of the table.

Shining and Cadence slid in beside each other, the seat barely fitting both their bodies. Still standing, Cloud froze for a moment, looking to Cadence for guidance.

“Uh, Skylight,” Cadence cleared her throat. “Could you maybe shuffle over a little to make room for Cloud?”

Looking up, Skylight winced as she saw Cloud standing over her. Devouring the remainder of her apple in a single bite, she stood. “I was leaving anyway, you three can have the table to yourselves.”

“Wait, Skylight,” Cloud called after her, the sky-blue mare stopping her in tracks. “Don’t you recognize me? I thought you said you wanted to talk again?”

Teeth gritted, Skylight stared at Cloud’s begging face for many moments before recognition dawned in her eyes. “You’re that colt who’s been buying me drinks for the last few months, why would I ask to talk with you?”

Cadence felt Shining’s hoof cover her mouth as she opened it to speak, his voice reassuring in her ear. “He needs to do this by himself Cadence, you can’t babysit him.” Sighing, she closed her lips and allowed the events to unfold before her.

“No, that’s not me, I mean,” Cloud paused, his eyes briefly rolling into his head. “It is, but don’t you remember me from yesterday?” He lifted his injured wing, wincing as he spread the bandaged feathers. “You were flying with me when I hit the tower spire, and afterward you told me to speak with you when I was healed.”

Disgust faded from Skylight’s features, a small smile replacing it as her eyes traced the outline of Cloud’s wing, her grin growing. “I’d never forget those wings, but you can’t be the same colt I flew with yesterday, he seemed so alive.”

“Yeah, I’m the same colt, same wings.” Pain crossed Cloud’s face as he folded his wing back into its resting place. “You said you wanted to meet me again, do you still want that?”

The instant Cloud’s wing shrunk away the smile vanished from Skylight’s face, her usual hard expression replacing it. “You remember it wrong, I said to meet me in the sky, not at the tavern.” She turned and stepped away, stopping after a moment and twisting her head back, eyes lit with playfulness, “The offer does still stand if you were wondering.”

Cloud slumped into his seat, “I’m extremely confused Cadence, one moment it feels like she’s showing affection, then the next like I’m some scum.” He allowed his head to rest against the table, a sigh escaping his lips.

“I don’t know,” Cadence mumbled, staring at the tabletop for answers. After a moment she stood, “I’m going to go talk with her, find out why she’s acting so strangely.” Her hoofsteps faded into the ever present audible wall of pleasure as she stepped away, Shining and Cloud left with nothing to do but eat and wait.

The sound of wings beating caught Cadence’s ears as she exited the tavern, her eyes finding Skylight lazily corkscrewing up into the sky. “Wait!” Leaping from the ground, Cadence sped after her, panting by the time she had caught up. “Skylight, can we talk?”

Turning her head, Skylight looked at Cadence with unfocused eyes, a few moments passing before they readjusted. “Cadence? Why are you here?”

“Well, like I said I want to talk. Talk about Cloud.”

Groaning, Skylight pulled away from Cadence, forcing the alicorn to exert herself. “Why are you helping him?” Skylight questioned as Cadence came alongside her once again, annoyance written across her features.

“Can, we just, stop, somewhere, and talk?” Cadence spoke between pants, her face a whole shade darker as she struggled to maintain Skylight’s pace.

Without responding, Skylight pulled up and circled back for the tower. Thank you, Cadence thought, tired wings lugging her heavy body toward the resting place.

Cadence collapsed the instant she landed, her body heaving. Watching her, Skylight waited patiently, eyes tracing the shaking pink form. “You should exercise your wings Cadence, it’s sad to see a pegasus so out of shape.”

“I, know,” Cadence responded many moments later, her body recovered enough to shuffle into a more comfortable resting position. “I’m learning a lot of things about myself during this trip, but that’s not why I came to talk.”

“You came to talk about Cloud.” Skylight’s face was emotionless as she spoke, as if she cared nothing for the topic. The slightest hint of a smile on her lips gave her away however.

“Well yes, but also no.” A smile spread across Cadence’s face as she watched confusion crease Skylight’s brow, a mad pony’s joy to block out the throbbing pain of her wings. “I wanted to talk about how you’ve been acting around Cloud recently. Why is it that one moment you seem to like him and the next you’re cold towards him? It’s confusing both him and I.”

Skylight’s gaze dipped, her eyes studying the roof’s tiling as she breathed noisily. Eventually she lifted her chin and spoke, “Being a pegasus, I’m sure you’ve heard of this. There are some pegasi who love wings, and I’m one of them.”

Opening her mouth, Cadence paused before speaking, Has she really not noticed I’m an alicorn? “First of all, how does this relate to Cloud? And second, I’m not just a pegasus.” She lit her horn, magically pulling a loose brick from the rooftop and holding it before Skylight. “I’m a unicorn as well.”

“Really?” Standing, Skylight stepped closer, examining Cadence’s horn with narrow eyes. “I thought it was your colt-friend doing the magic, and the pink thing was part of your mane. Are you some kind of mutant?”

“No!” Cadence winced at her own harsh tone. “I mean no.” Averting her eyes, Cadence bit her lip as she stared out into the sky, “I’m a princess.”

“A princess?” Skylight snorted with laughter as she stepped backward, falling onto her rear as a wave of giggling overcame her. “What would a princess be doing in a no name place like this?”

Holding up her hooves, Cadence yelled, “Listen!” Snapping Skylight from her giggling fit. Happy with the attention it garnered her, she continued in a softer voice. “We can have princess conversation another time. Right now I just want to talk about you and your strangeness around Cloud.”

“It’s like I said, I like wings more than the average pegasus.”

Cadence felt her brow furrowing at Skylight reasoning, How does that explain anything?

“And that colt has some fine wings.” Skylight’s focus drifted as she spoke, a smile spreading wide across her muzzle as images of Cloud’s colossal wings flashed through her mind.

“Oh.” Shaking her head, Cadence chuckled softly, How could I not have seen that, it should have been obvious all along. “Well, just incase I misunderstood, you’re saying that the only reason you’re attracted to Cloud is his wings?”

“Yes,” Skylight’s smile faded away, her eyes sinking to stare at her hooves. “And I know it makes me a bad pony, like all those creeps who hang around in the tavern, but I can’t help it.”

Standing, Cadence stepped across the roof to sit beside Skylight and wrap a foreleg over her. “There’s nothing wrong with liking how a pony looks Skylight. I fell for Shining because of his massi-” She bit her tongue. “His lovely snout, yes, and he was first attracted to me because of my,” Looking downward, Cadence muttered the final word under her breath. “Flank.”

“You two have other things in common, but with me and Cloud, I just like his wings.”

Cadence shook her head, “How can you say that, you barely even know him. Just give him one chance, one evening to prove to you that he’s worth your time, and if after that you say no then he or I won’t bother you again.”

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Standing, Skylight spread her wings and stepped to the roof’s edge, forelegs bending in preparation for takeoff. “Tell his to meet me here, tomorrow night.” With that, she sprung into the air, wings catching the wind with ease.

“Wait!” Cadence called after her, climbing to her hooves and reaching out for the fading pegasus. “Cloud’s wing is still broken, how will he get up here?”

Turning back, Skylight came to hover above Cadence. A playful grin filling her muzzle. “If he really wants it he’ll come.” Cartwheeling backward, she dove down the tower’s side, picking up speed before pulling up and zooming off into the distance.

Shaking her head, Cadence stretched her still sore wings, peering over the edge as she worked up the energy to leap off.

“You’ve got a date,” Cadence exclaimed with a grin as she shuffled in beside Shining.

Cloud’s eyes bugged out, his chest heaving as he fumbled for words. “How, wha-, why?”

Giggling, Cadence leant forward and placed a hoof on the excited pegasus's lips. “I know this is unexpected, but I had to make a few promises to get this to work. One, this is your only chance with Skylight, if she deems this date a failure I said neither you nor I will bother her for a date again. And secondly, you have to meet her on the tower rooftop tomorrow night.”

“No,” Cloud whispered, a hoof coming up to support his falling head. “This is my only chance? Tomorrow?” He shook his head, muttering indiscernible words to himself. Blue hair flew through the air as he jerked his head up, locking eyes with Cadence. “What about my wing? How will I get to the tower top with such an injury?”

Sighing, Cadence fell sideways into Shining’s comforting grasp, nuzzling her head against his neck. “Well, I don’t know. I asked her and she said If he really wants to come he’ll come. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” As he stared at the wall behind Cadence, a smile grew on his face. “In the last few days you’ve gotten me closer to a relationship with Skylight than I ever would have done in a lifetime by myself, so thank you.” Shifting out from the table, he stood. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Where are you going?”

Cloud turned side on to the couple, half-opening his injured wing, “To see how well I can fly of course, if I don’t make it to the rooftop any other preparation is pointless.” Hoofsteps sounded along the wooden floor as he stepped away, Cadence outstretching a hoof after him.

“D-” A white hoof silenced her.

“Just let him go,” Shining whispered in her ear, pulling her foreleg down with his own. “Besides, we haven’t had a night to ourselves in a while.”

Cadence felt herself grinning. Ideas flashed through her mind, possibilities for what the coming night could hold. “Well now that you mention it, I have been wanting a little stallion recently.” Pulling herself out of his grasp, she stood before turning back to Shining. “You go to the house we’ve been staying at, I just need a little time to prepare some things.”

As she stepped away, Shining called after her, “As long as it isn’t a spell to turn me into a mare.”

A smile was pushing its way out the sides of her face as Cadence turned around, “I assure you it’s quite the opposite.”

The opposite of turning me into a mare? A picture of Cadence flashed through his mind, her legs widespread, a lengthy chunk of meat hung between them. No, that was just a dream. He thought as he stood, slowly walking toward the door.

Sitting inside the stone building, Shining’s stomach squirmed with tension when he first heard Cadence’s echoing steps against the floor. A casual pace, each one heightened his nerves, building his anticipation for what was to come.

“Are you thirsty Shining?” Cadence questioned as she rounded the corner, a glass of pale orange liquid held in her magical grasp. “Because I bought something for you to drink.”

Taking the glass in his own magic, Shining shot a questioning stare at Cadence, “So no crazy magical spells? No other ponies? Just an ordinary drink?”

Cadence averted her eyes for a moment, “Just a drink.”

Sniffing the liquid, Shining found the smell a surprise. “Orange juice?” He took a closer look, “No, this is too pale to be just orange juice. What else did you put in here?”

Rolling her eyes, Cadence sighed, “Well, if you have to ruin the fun of it. I took one of the white vials from Blister’s table and mixed it in with the juice. I just want to see what it will do.”

“Doesn’t that have Blister-”

She pressed a hoof to Shining’s mouth, silencing him. “Please just give it a drink, I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

Pushing Cadence’s hoof from his face, Shining sighed, “Fine, I’ll give it a sip, but if this tastes bad I’m not going to drink it.” Closing his eyes, he brought the drink to his pursed lips, opening them a fraction to let some of the liquid through.

At first his eyes scrunched up, face wrinkling with disgust. Slowly Shining relaxed, the lines on his face fading as he swallowed. “Not as bad as I thought it would be.” Bringing the cup bag to his lips, he drank another mouthful. “It’s just like orange juice, but thicker.” He drained the remainder of the cup with his next gulp, gasping as the drink slipped down his throat.

“Well, it looks like it works just as well as Blister said it would,” Cadence said with a sultry voice, her hooves tracing the Shining’s curves as they moved down his body. “I’ve never seen you this big.” She grasped the pillar of meat between her hooves, watched it twitch as she stroked slowly up the pink length.

“Cadence.” Shining winced as her hooves made another journey from tip to base, his shaft throbbing, as if he were orgasming without any seed exiting his body. “Can you just let it rest a little while? It hurts when you do that, like it’s going to burst.”

“What about if I-” The rest of her words were a mumble as Cadence wrapped her lips round Shining’s hot, flared tip, swirling circles round it with her tongue. The frenzied movements of his member continued, twitching inside her mouth, an uncontrollable beast.

Shining gasped again, clenching his eyes closed tight. “It still hurts Cadence. It’s so tight, and I can feel your teeth banging against it whenever I move it.” His groin spasmed as he spoke, shaft thrashing inside Cadence’s mouth.

Drawing herself off his length, Cadence wiped the excess saliva from the sides of her mouth with a hoof. “Well, if that isn’t working, maybe I’ll have to calm that thing down another way.” Climbing to her hooves, she spun in a half-circle, mane and tail flying around her.

She backed into Shining’s throbbing member, her tail a snake as it coiled itself around the length of meat, holding it still as she directed the tip toward her wet lips. A sigh of relief exploded from Shining’s lips the instant his shaft touched Cadence’s entrance.

“It’s like taking a cold bath after a hot day,” He whispered, leaning his head backward and hips forward, his body wanting more of the cool sensation. “Please Cadence, I need you so badly.”

Chuckling at his desperate movements, Cadence allowed her hips to fall, lips spreading as she cooled Shining’s burning length. Bending and straightening her hindlegs, she pumped her rump up and down his shaft, the soft squelching sounds of flesh against flesh mixing with both ponies’ moans.

Gyrating her hips, Cadence continued to empty and fill herself with Shining’s member, the added movement raising the volume of his moans. His body lifted to meets her downwards strokes, driving himself deeper into her, coating the insides of his legs with her juices as they splashed from her lips.

“I think-” Shining grunted as he thrusted into Cadence agaisnt, the tightness in his groin reaching what he knew to be his limit. “I’m nearly there.”

“Good.” Flashing a grin backward, Cadence increased her pace, squeezing her inner muscles as tightly as she could around him. “I want to see how well this potion works.”

Her rapid movements left little time for guessing, Shining’s shaft tightening as it prepared itself for orgasm. The upward thrusting of his hips stopping, groans echoing off the walls as he released himself inside Cadence while her hips still bobbed up and down above his.

Seed coated both Shining’s chest and Cadence’s rear as her movements splashed the white liquid from her lips, the sound akin to someone running through a puddle.

His sack aching, Shining looked up to find Cadence still pumping herself up and down his erect length. “I think the potion worked.”

“It’s amazing,” Cadence cried, her head tilted back, tongue lolling from her mouth. “The feeling of you filling me with your seed and fucking me, almost as good as that spa.” The semen that coated Shining’s length allowed Cadence to move even faster, the sound of slapping filling the air as her plump rump bounced against his hips.

Pushing himself into sitting position with his front legs, Shining grasped Cadence’s rear, slowing her pace and easing it off him. “Can you let me stand?”

Shooting a wicked grin back at Shining, Cadence pushed her lips down his length one final time before pulling herself from his. “What do you have planned?” She breathed as she stood, relishing in the feeling of seed dripping from her winking entrance.

“This.” Rearing on his hind legs, Shining climbed atop Cadence, his rock-hard shaft slipping easily inside her sopping wet rear. Listening to her soft groans, he stepped forward until his hips dug into her squishy cheeks.

Their bodies moved as two separate parts of the same machine. The position familiar enough that they rocked back and forth by instinct, eyes closed as both concentrated on the ecstasy that filled their hips.

Leaning his neck down, Shining tasted the tip of Cadence’s ear, grooming her silky fur with his tongue. “I know it doesn’t seem like it,” He whispered, the warm breath from his lips sending shivers down his spine. “But I really love this sex-crazed side to you.”

Twisting her snout up to meet his, Cadence grasped Shining’s lips between hers, brushing her tongue against his. The sound of wet flesh popped into the air as they pulled apart, Cadence’s crazed grin shrinking into a small smile. “Does that mean you want to be my little mare?”

“Cadence,” Shining gasped as she squeezed around him, the devious smile returning to her lips. “You know what I said about this.”

“I know, I’ll ask you tomorrow.”

A chuckled rumbled through Shining’s body as he pulled his head away from Cadence’s, hips thrusting forward as his weight shifted.

Back and forth their bodies swayed, moans and groans filling the stone walls long into the night. Spasms of pleasure overcoming both ponies until they collapsed from exhaustion, Shining’s shaft still locked between Cadence’s lips, a key stuck inside a keyhole.