I’m in the main area of the spa and I see the general stuff I’d expect from a human spa. A jacuzzi, a sauna, massage beds, mud packs, all that stuff. Granted everything is sized for a pony, so I’m a little big, but it seems like the spa sisters are going to do their best anyway. Lotus leads me over to another pony in similar attire. In fact, they’re completely identical, except this new pony has a pink coat with a blue mane. Even the colors are exactly the same, just swapped.

“This ees my twin sister, Aloe.”

“It ees vonderfol to finally meet you, mister Anthony!” Aloe greets me with a large smile. “I vill be giffing you your manecut.”

“It’s certainly nice to meet you. Don’t give me anything fancy though, just cut it short. I’m not big on appearances.”

One of the sisters clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Such a shame, it ees much to vork vith.”

“I’d rather not start fighting another demon and have my hair accidentally cover my eyes.”

“Still, it ees a shame nonetheless.” Aloe leads me to a chair that is just barely big enough for me, and Lotus brings out a stepping stool so Aloe can actually reach my head.

Despite having just hooves, she manages to use scissors just as easily as a person. It doesn’t take long before she is finished and I am brought a mirror. I take a look and it’s just as I requested. Rather short, not completely flat, but not a giant mass. Said giant mass is now on the ground, being swept up by another stallion.

Once that is done, the sisters take a few of the pony-sized massage beds and set them up next to each other, making a large table that could fit me. I lay on it, after being instructed to lay on my stomach. I hear heavy hoofsteps on the smooth tile floor, along with Aloe or Lotus explaining to whoever is to be giving me my massage the run-down on what to do.

A moment of silence, then the hooves move to me. A crackling like knuckles being popped echoed from above me, and I have no time to contemplate it before the first hoof hits my back.

However, it’s not a hit like in combat, but merely the sudden placement of a hoof on my back. It’s big enough to cover one shoulder blade entirely. The inside of the hoof, which I should take the time to learn some day, moved in ripples as it begins to massage my back. The hoof begins to move, pulsing and moving like machine designed for massages, another hoof beginning to do the same.

I can feel my muscles almost liquefying, knots in my back almost removing themselves.

Then, a series of careful, precise jabs along my spine seemed to almost shatter it - but after a second, I relax as I feel my spine settle into a relaxed, natural curve. I sigh happily.

Nearly fifteen minutes of being worked over later, the massage stops. Rolling over, I prepare to thank my masseur profusely, as they did an excellent job. I stop, when I realize I’m looking at Princess Celestia, but without any of her golden shoes or her chest thingy, and she has one of those spa headbands the twins have instead of her crown.

She smiles sheepishly. “Was it good?”

“Er... yeah. I uh... rather enjoyed it. I’m a bit confused though...”

“Well, royal life can get a bit boring, and I still like to find ways to help my subjects feel comfortable and welcome under my rule.”

“So, that was actually pretty nice... I feel like I should return the favor somehow...”

“Ooooooooh, Anthony this feels so good! Your fingers are ohhh incredible!”

“Enjoying yourself, princess?”

“Oh yes, yes! Right there oh, this feel so gooood... please, more!”

“Can’t you get treatment like this from one of your subjects?”

“A- are you crazy? Of cou- course noooooot! Nopony would even think of doing this for me!”

The spa twins are watching us and whispering to each other. I hear them say something about wondering if I would give them a turn.

“I suppose it wouldn’t work either way. After all, none of these ponies have fingers.” I grin mischieviously as I put more pressure into my ministrations.

“Ohhhhhhh I wish they did, this is fantastic. Yes, ohhhhh yes, Please, more, yes! Oh, right there again, please!”

Looks I found a sensitive spot. I put a bit more focus into the area around it, but not getting too close.

“Stop teasing me like that, Anthony!”

I sigh and run my fingers around the base of her wings, and then her wings themselves. I move my hands forward, making my way to the base of her neck. I’ve never had practice giving a massage to anyone, especially not a pony. But I guess having fingers help a lot, given the dexterity.

“Oh, can you scratch my ears again?”

I oblige with a grin, and she sighs contentedly. Ponies. They sure like getting petted. After a few more minutes, I stop and Celestia gets to her feet.

“That was wonderful Anthony. I think I’ll just send for you when my back itches.”

“Today was a freebie, next time it’ll cost you.”

“Fine, I suppose that’s fair. Anyway, I should be getting back to Canterlot. If I’m gone too long, the ponies might start to panic.”

“Yeah, they kinda act like you're their mother or something.”

“Oh trust me Anthony, I don’t act as a parent for these ponies, just a leader. Besides, you act childish enough anyways.” With a sly grin her horn glows and she teleports back to Canterlot.

Oh, I’m gonna show her childish! Later though, I need to strike back when she doesn’t expect it. For now, I head back to the library. I need to study a bit more about Wunderland before we go. I’m not going to put this trip off again, lest Cadence decides to follow through with her threat.

Next Chapter: Chapter 72 Estimated time remaining: 25 Hours, 23 Minutes