I awoke, a little groggily as usual, to the sensation of the wagon rumbling along slowly. I sat up and rubbed my eyes and glanced around, Ruby was nowhere in sight. I stood up, feeling the wagon passing over the road under it, was Ruby driving? I made my way out the wagon and poked my head out. Sure enough Ruby had fastened herself into the harness and was pulling us along, her tail weaving under the wagon and then behind it, she was clearly being careful to avoid getting it tangled in the wheels.

“Good morning.” I said hopping out of the moving wagon and pushing the door shut, trotting up to join Ruby.

Ruby glanced back at me and smiled “Hay Bolt, sleep well?” She asked.

“I was then realised my bed had slid off.” I teased and Ruby smiled faintly.

“That would work but I’ve been up for a while, it’s almost midday… Twilight and Rarity said goodbye as I left town but you were still asleep so I left you be.” Ruby explained and I smiled in thanks.

“Thank you Ruby… Shall I take over now?” I asked Ruby glanced at me and nodded, stopping and allowing me to get her out of the harness, before taking her place.

As we walked I kept glancing up at the sky, or the trees in the distance or along the road, or down at the gravel beneath my hooves… But never at Ruby. I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to do so.

“Bolt are you alright?” Ruby asked and I looked back at her for a few seconds then back down at the floor.

“Kind of…” I muttered.

“What do you mean kind of? It’s a yes or no question there is no kind of or maybe about it.” Ruby said.

“I mean I’m kind of okay, for the most part everything is fine.” I said.

“Keeping that secret?” Ruby asked with a slight smirk.

“Yes…” I looked over at Ruby and sighed “Ruby I promise… It’ll be so much more enjoyable for you if I don’t tell you, please just… Tell me you don’t mind. Truthfully.” Ruby smiled and looped herself around the harness so she hovered behind my head out of my sight.

“Just tell me and I will.” She giggled as I quivered “You’re so easy to tease Bolt. I’m fine with it, everypony has a secret or two and you plan to tell me this one and since it’s doing this to you and all these ponies being told, and the planning… It’s going to be a good one, I can bet.” Ruby said.

“Thank you Ruby that’s… A fair bit of weight off my chest.” I said.

“You’re welcome, you can distract me from my curiosity of this secret later with a lil fun.” Ruby cooed and giggled as I quivered again.

After a full day of traveling, with a faint lunch break in between, Ruby and I stopped for the night. It was just a quick meal as was customary for when we travelled now, With Ruby finishing curled up on my lap with her tail hanging around like the inner web of a messy spider.

We went to bed worn out, but Ruby woke me early, clearly she wished to get back soon to learn of the secret I was keeping. To pass the time travelling to Oakbark, Ruby took to sliding backwards in front of me, her eyes pulsing with colourful rings. She argued that on the way to the Queen a lamia might try to stop me and have their way with me, so she called it training. I would walk with serious tunnel vision, a constant blissful drowsy sensation in my mind and all over my body, and a collar of coils on. I quite enjoyed it.

Eventually Oakbark came into view as we made our way slowly up the hill we first passed over so long ago. I was being tugged along like a dog on a leash, smiling as I rested my head on the collar of coils, eyes only partially open, pulsing rapidly I imagine, when Ruby tapped my cheek to wake me.

“We’re here.” Ruby cooed happily and I managed to wrench my head up a little, Ruby’s tail falling down a little to hang around my neck like a heavy scarf.

Ruby released her hold on my neck and we descended into Oakbark. I was still seeing spirals if I turned my head to fast, and it made walking a little awkward, the scarf was also embarrassing because, now everypony knew Ruby, they found it cute how I wore her tail around my neck like I did.

My mum and brother, Digi, came out of the house as we made our way up and Ruby let go of me for their sake. My mum trotted up to us and hugged me before I could even get out the harness, then she turned and hugged Ruby, who was at least able to return the hug.

“It’s good to see you two back, you’re not stopping though are you?” My mum asked and we both shook our heads in union, my mum sighed sadly “Not even for lunch?” She asked hopefully.

I’d managed to get out the harness by now and I walked up and hugged my mum “Sorry mum, don’t worry we’ll visit when I get back from Ruby’s home alright, it won’t take long.” My mum hugged me tightly “Make sure you do, and you take care as well.” My mum said hugging my brother who rolled his eyes.

“Is dad gonna say bye?” I asked.

“He’s… Out with his friends.” My mum said, avoiding my gaze.

“Alright, thanks mum, sorry we couldn’t stay but… We have to get moving.” I said.

“Of course, stop by and say hello soon though.” I nodded and strapped back into my harness and heard Digi jump into the wagon.

“Onwards!” He called pointing down the street we had to take, I raised an eyebrow at Ruby who was giggling madly.

“You heard the stallion, move it.” She ordered and I chuckled, complying.

When the sun set I unstrapped from the wagon, Ruby had gone in early and Digi had only come out to check we were okay around midday. I pushed open the door and wasn’t even faintly surprised to find Digi leaning over the table towards Ruby’s pulsing eyes whilst her tail curled under the table and up around his body. Digi was slack jaw in awe and his head was bobbing about as Ruby moved.

“And that’s to distract you as a lamia hypnotises you, it also works in time with a bit of constriction…” I saw Ruby’s tail contract and Digi groaned softly as he was pulled back against her tail more.

I walked over to the counter and began making tea for the three of us, we’d restocked in Oakbark before departing “And then, the lamia will lean close, cupping your head up and… You mind will go… Blank.” I walked over as Ruby finished, she sat back down and I glanced at the smiling, and faintly drooling, Digi.

Digi looked up at me as I passed by, then at the food I put before him “He looks like he’s high.” I said in a monotone voice then laughed alongside Ruby and Digi looked between us, happily oblivious, but he smiled a little wider from Ruby’s laughter. I sat down beside Ruby to eat, whilst Digi just stared at his.

Ruby ate her food in record time then began to feed Digi, folding her hooves under her chin staring at me with a faint grin “I’m next huh?” I stated.

“Only if you want to be.” She said.

“Now Ruby, I know you and you don’t care if I want to be hypnotised or not, you just do it when you feel like being playful.” I said and Ruby shrugged.

“Guilty as charged, oh well, you know what to do.” Ruby said.

“Look into your eyes?” I asked as she curled around my waist with her upper tail and pony body, sitting on my lap, her head overshadowing mine.

“That sounds about right Bolt.” She cooed and I looked up, eyes tightly close “Now that’s just cheating!” Ruby accused.

“I didn’t say I would go willingly like my brother.” I whispered.

“Oh! Hard to get huh? Well that can soon be sorted out.” Ruby pushed me back against the chair and I felt her magic grip my head, this was new.

Ruby turned my head around with her magic then held it up towards her, I then felt my eyelids being pushed in against by her magic as if trying to break in “H-hay Ruby that feels weird stop it!” I said.

“Eyes. Open.” She ordered and pushed a little harder before I complied.

I didn’t resist or hide from Ruby’s eyes from fear, more because she just liked it, putting up the effort to resist took more out of me than actually being hypnotised now, I’d gone under so much… I was so suggestible to Ruby’s words. Did hypnosis have side effects biased to the hypnotist? Well, either way, now it didn’t matter, because my eyes, locked on Ruby’s pulsing eyes, were a gateway to mindless bliss, and there was no room for worry within their colourful embrace.

“Under a minute, a new record.” Ruby said clapping her hooves.

“Congratulations Ruby. Thank you for this blissful experience.” I cooed smiling contently up at her.

“You’re welcome.” Ruby said as if she had just done me a small favour.

After that Ruby lay Digi down on the sofa to sleep and tossed a couple spare blankets for him to use, then, lifting me up over her head, Ruby carried me away to our room and I was soon smothered and buried under her coils under the covers with her.

And so this process became the norm as we travelled; I’d get up first, make breakfast and Ruby and Digi would get up groggily to eat, sometimes returning straight to bed afterwards or just dozing at the table whilst I pulled the wagon. Later Ruby would come out and continue my ‘training’ as she put it, using her tail like a leash to keep me moving when my brain began to shut down and my walking slowed.

Digi had started a new picture laptop and artist pad, which he’d brought, and, upon passing the screen, I noticed it was a long open field that appeared to be swirling sideways with colours mixing together, one of those pictures that moves if you look long enough, it was actually pretty good… And if Digi ran out of ‘inspiration’ he would come out of the wagon and stand beside me… And watch Ruby’s eyes. He denied it and I was never in a state to check, but I knew he was lying because Ruby always smirked, and when he did watch he was brought along the same way I was, with a coil leash. Ruby was like a Shepard and Digi and I had become her sheep.

Finally though we made it, the border where we had to cross from the badlands to Equestria had changed, it looked as if they were building a wall within the pass between two mountains, a massive wall of granite, but for the moment it was just large piles of stone and wood with a bunch of tents and a few temporary watch towers with a little checkpoint in the middle.

As we approached Ruby had to tap me a little harder than normal to wake me “You sure it’s safe hypnotising me so regularly and for so long?” I asked rubbing my dizzy head, Ruby smiled faintly at my question.

“Course there’s no harm, you’ll be dizzy but I’ll only stop once you tell me that secret. This is my way of remembering.” She said and I chuckled, then kicked the wagon.

“Digi, we’re here get the letter would you?” I called and heard a muffled reply, which I hoped meant yes.

I looked back towards the camp and as we approached I noticed, between the various ponies in the Canterlot guard uniforms, there was an occasional lamia within them. About ten in total, six of them appeared to be helping the guards, both by keeping watch and by carrying the stones around with ease, their tails lifting them overhead whilst a small squad of ponies was needed to move a single one by hoof. They were certainly showing their worth. I also saw Pickaxe and Shovel, the two twins Ruby and I had met when we’d first arrived, they were hanging out with a lamia I didn’t recognise, who appeared to have caught Pickaxe and Shovel was playfully trying to free her as she was coiled up as well. Those three wouldn’t be helping out for a while. The other four I wasn’t quite sure what they were doing, then I realised they were waiting for clearance to leave and go into Equestria. One of them was checking the small bags they’d brought along, one was reading a letter then spinning it a little nervously, another was being comforted by a guard. It seemed she was worried she wouldn’t be accepted into Equestrian society. The guard hugged her and it seemed to help because she hugged him back and her sobs subsided a little. Guess even lamias can get nervous. The last lamia was talking to a guard’s pony who had his helmet off.

I recognised the last two, the lamia AND the pony. West was fidgeting in his armour constantly, adjusting then readjusting it and Midnight was smiling at his silly display, finally she adjusted it for him and pulled his helmet on over his head and kissed him lightly on the forehead, I think I heard her called West a ‘goofball’ and he blushed. Then Midnight saw us and the smile faded… But she didn’t scowl, she just looked ashamed.

West looked over and waved then glanced at Midnight and grabbed her hoof holding it up and she covered her face in embarrassment, red on black, was actually a little cute seeing West laughing at her expense. He’d pay for it I could tell.

Ruby and I made our way over to the checkpoint, the pony on point was also in the royal guard armour, but with an officer’s badge on, and was sat behind a table with various notes. He looked exhausted. As Ruby’s shadow passed over him he didn’t glance up.

“I’ve told you Midnight wait with West until I get clearance from Canterlot, let me deal with Amber first.” He groaned rubbing his temples.

“Erm, I’m not Midnight.” Ruby said and the guard look up, then he looked back down groaning “Hi Sergeant.” Ruby said cheerfully.

“Not. A. Word.” He groaned.

“How’s the Lieutenant?” Ruby asked with a wide grin.

“What do you want?” He asked looking back up, with just a ghost of a smile.

“We’re heading to Ruby’s home town.” I said and Digi passed me the blue seal off Luna.

The Sergeant briefly scanned through it “Yeah… Leaving is so much easier than bringing in for these lot. Your Queen has started off with five as a test run, I’ve only got one out so far. Getting the paperwork is a pain.” He said.

“And they make a habit of hypnotising you when you’re working?” Digi asked.

“Bang on the head kid… Say who’s he? I don’t remember this one.” The Sergeant said sitting up.

“He’s my brother Digital Canvas, he’s going over to the lamia city to get some work done.” I explained.

“Like that reporter fellow?” Sergeant inquired.

“Paper’s gone already? Huh, well, yeah like him.” Ruby said.

“He left the second we started letting ponies leave for the town, a fair few more have gone with him as well, he passed these lot by as they came over, those five the Queen sent to help us out best they could, they mostly just help with construction, good at it too, the black edgy one came back with an old vet we thought we’d lost… One isn’t far without the other now.” The Sergeant said, hoofing me a slip “Give us that back when you return you can leave faster than these lot… Probably still be one or two here when you get back as well.”

“Slow going?” I asked.

The Sergeant gave a humourless laugh “Yeah, they have to get a picture taken, which is difficult because they have a tendency to go for the photography every time. Then we need them to fill out some forms and a few of them can’t read or write because they were never taught how to. Then it has to be sent to Canterlot, a second sheet comes for them to fill with their bio, history, parents, former job and what they plan to do to benefit Equestrian society… Only Amber has an idea what she wants to do… She’s also the only one who can read so she’ll be leaving once her passport returns, the others are stumped, most were hunters or guards, so they had to be given an idea of the various jobs they could take. The one who left wanted to be a courier though and Pegasus express snatched them up second we told them, she’s doing alright apparently despite being grounded, Pegasus express… You know, normally only employing Pegasi, but she keeps up.” The Sergeant said.

“Have there been any problems?” I asked.

“Gonna give the Queen a run down? Might be a good idea. Yes, but nothing major,” He nodded to Pickaxe, Shovel and the other lamia “A couple of them have a tendency to ‘play’ with the guards and staff, they disappear for hours on end and return too tired to work, but because nothing is happening most of the time, the distractions seem to be keeping the moral up for them all… So I let it slide mostly. We have had one solider get eaten for a dare and a joke… One guess.” His expression gave it away.

“Who was it?” Ruby asked giggling.

The Sergeant leaned back and pointed to a cement grey coloured lamia helping with the building “She’s called Granite Walls, she’s a little tougher around the edges and doesn’t back down from a challenge, I spar with her when there’s nothing to really do… I haven’t won yet.” He didn’t seem upset.

“Thanks for the catch up glad it’s going, for the most part, okay.” I said.

“Ah don’t worry about it kid, it’ll get easier down the line, it’s just the first initial set ups are always awkward.” As he spoke we all noticed a soft glow and then a flash of light, sitting squarely on a sheet of paper with the name ‘Amber Fragrance’ on top was a small rectangle passport with the Canterlot banner on, an Equestrian citizenship.

The Sergeant picked it up and opened it, checking it briefly like our pass from Luna “Finally.” He muttered then stood up and called “Amber Fragrance, Corporal Point, you’re clear, come get the papers!” He sat back down and started sorting the papers on the table for them.

The lamia who had been reading the letter slid over, I finally had a good look at her. She was deep orange and had a dark brown mane all the way down her back and to the top of her tail, noticeably, behind her neck, was a pair of what looked like chopsticks in an X shape keeping her mane in place, then I realised they were scented sticks, like the ones you light in your home, before I saw no candle, but could smell their aroma faintly. Her tail, of course, matched her fur and mane like any other and she had the same purple eyes too. I could only guess it was Amber. She was also an Earth lamia, as she had no horn.

The pony who joined her, Corporal Point as he’d been called, was a deep sea blue unicorn with a deep black empty mane cut short and spiked at the top, his tail was also short and spikey, he looked like an oddly coloured hedgehog, though his sea blue eyes looked a lot more serious than he appeared.

“Yes sir?” He asked and Amber stood at a small distance from him, nervous. I noticed Point raise an eyebrow at her then looked back to his superior, who hoofed him the set of papers.

“Amber, Corporal Point here with escort you to Ponyville, he’ll later show you where your new employment will be and return to the home you’re staying at and help you get settled, he’ll be leaving after a month which should be long enough for you to have settled in, are you okay with that?” The Sergeant asked, Amber nodded a little and Point saluted and nodded “Very well you may leave when you are ready,” The Sergeant allowed a small smile for Amber “Good luck.” He said softly and Amber smiled in thanks.

Amber then turned and began to walk away with Point, she stopped and glanced at us “Thank you Ruby… I look forward to seeing Equestria and you and your coltfriend made it possible.” She said in a soft, gentle voice, then slid over to the waiting Corporal Point, curled her tail around the two of them in a circle and they disappeared in a flash of light.

“We best head off, or we’ll be a bother to the Sergeant soon.” Digi said, but I knew he just wanted to get going.

I nudged Ruby and returned to the wagon “Later Sarge… Say hi to Fluffernant for us.” I called and the three of us sprinted of, Digi following when the Sergeant started shouting as we ran howling with laughter.

Ruby didn’t use her hypnosis in the badlands, instead her tongue darted out regularly and she appeared to be trying to look everywhere “Easy Ruby we’re not in any danger, we can still see the checkpoint.” I said trying to reassure her.

“And besides, the guards would set up patrols between here and your home, same with your kind right?” Digi said and Ruby nodded.

“Yeah that makes sense but… It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.” Ruby argued, still looking around.

But Digi and I were proved right, just a little before the checkpoint became too far to see, we noticed a pair of wooden poles with little bits of purple fabric like flags tied around them, blowing in the soft breeze, they were several feet apart and a couple meters tall, easy to see at a distance, which proved correct as further ahead we could see another pair.

“Must be the path.” I said softly.

“Follow them?” Digi asked and I nodded.

“If they’re wrong Ruby will know.” I said and Ruby nodded, so we followed the marked wooden poles.

Ruby seemed to be eyeing the markers suspiciously as if they had done something wrong to her, but, as the sun began to set sending the sky a deep orange and we had changed to forest instead of desert I nudged her, nodding to the next ‘marker’. Ruby looked up and her mouth turned up into a wide smile.

The lamia town had hardly changed, though I noticed a few differences, there was a new large wing of buildings and the wooden spike wall had been cleaned to the point it looked as if they’d just put it up, it had also been extended outwards for wagons to park inside, the lamia guards had gotten new clean armour instead of the old oddly coloured lot they had before and I saw a few normal pony guards between their ranks, the doors were also wide open and not closed. It felt much more… Welcoming.

We trotted up and several lamias climbed down to greet us like old friends, Ruby was the most surprised, but seemed determined to battle through them, Digi and I could only follow, I turned and parked the wagon hastily next to another then kicked the harness off and galloped to catch up with my brother and fillyfriend.

I didn’t catch up as Ruby weaved over the bridges and past houses, but, as we passed under the overhang of a double story building, I knew where we were going. Diamond was stood at her door, having heard the commotion of Digi and I running and she held her hooves out, crying, when she saw Ruby who jumped into her hug, I slowed to a trot and joined my brother beside him, glancing at him then back to Ruby. She looked so happy.

The pair remained in their own world for a minute before Diamond pulled back, wiping her tears away, then she saw me “Oh Bolt, it’s good to see you again, come give me a hug… Come on I don’t bite.” Diamond said baring her fangs. Digi looked a little pale but I stepped up and hugged her and chuckled.

“You’ll scare my brother doing that.” I whispered as Diamond pulled back.

“Oh is this is your brother, Bolt? Hello, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Diamond Cross.” She said.

“Digital Canvas.” He said holding out a hoof, which Diamond grabbed and pulled into a hug, Digi cried out in surprise but was unable to escape the strong hug.

“So why you three here?” Diamond asked inviting us in and leading us to the living room.

Once again, I sat on Ruby’s coils like so long ago and Digi dodged around Diamond despite her making a clear offer “Well Bolt and I are back for the monthly thing Sunny wanted, But Bolt also wanted to ask you something before he went to see Sunny. Oh and Digi’s here to get some ‘inspired artwork’. By that he means, get hypnotised a lot and draw what it looks like as the world fades into colours.” Ruby explained, and Digi made no effort to deny this.

Diamond chuckled “Well seems you’re all rather busy, so I shall not keep you all for too long, since it’s getting rather late. How’s about you two head upstairs, Ruby your room, Bolt will join you soon and Digi head into the room next door.” Diamond offered.

“Actually I’ll head to Sunny’s and be back later Ruby, okay?” She nodded and smiled whispering ‘good luck’ in a thick seductive way “And Digi can sleep in my wagon.” I said to Diamond.

“Why can’t I sleep here?” Digi asked.

“She’s offering to share her room with you.” I said flatly and Ruby giggled.

“Is this true?” Digi asked looking at Diamond.

“Well, is it a problem? We can share a bed can’t we, it’s not a crime… And I can help you start on that art piece.” Diamond asked her eyes flashing.

I saw Digi’s eyes relax and in the moment of weakness his mouth and neck was coiled up and he was forced to nod “Excellent, I’ll head up after Bolt and I have this chat. How’s about you head up first.” Diamond said, Digi blushed but nodded, disappearing out the room, I heard him climbing the stairs slowly.

“I’ll let you two be alone.” Ruby said uncoiling me and kissing me goodnight “Sunny is rough.” Ruby warned and I nodded in understanding.

Diamond watched Ruby leave the room then turned to me “So what did you want to ask me alone? Did my daughter not live up to your needs? Don’t deny you two did it… I can smell it on you, both of you. Ruby knows it.” Diamond said grinning, I blushed but shook my head.

“I’m not here to talk… About that with you, but it is about Ruby…” I tapped my hooves then stood up and walked over to the window, staring out at the leafy canopy of the massive trees outside.

I glanced back at Diamond who was sat patiently watching me, I glanced at the door, checking it was shut “Has Ruby gone upstairs?” I asked.

Diamond let her tongue dart out then nodded “Yes her scent is upstairs, what are you keeping from her?” Diamond asked excitedly.

“Diamond… You remember you once said love is blind and I would take back what I said about not loving Ruby.” Diamond smirked folding her hooves under her head as I spoke.

“Yes.” She said simply.

“Well… You said something else… About Ruby and I…” I said and I looked back outside, in the window’s reflection I could see her smile turn to open mouth shock. I rested my head against the window and spoke before I could stop myself “I’d like your blessing.” I said softly.

I opened my eyes and looked back at Diamond who had her mouth covered, eyes twinkling, she then whispered “Will… Will I call you ‘Son’?” She asked and I nodded.

“If you would allow it. But don’t tell Ruby… I… Have a surprise ready for when I propose.” I said.

“You’re really are serious… So what did you need to ask me?” Diamond asked.

“Lamias… Do their marriages… Have any differences to pony marriages?” I asked.

“Well… I know what a pony marriage is like and a lamia one, I had both it’s what me and my husband decided on, doing both, I assume you would like to do the same with Ruby?” I nodded “Very well, lamia and pony weddings are almost identical, with somepony uniting us with all the boring book stuff, there is also the proposing, however, the ring, for a lamia, goes on the tail tip about here,” Diamond touched a little down her tail indicating the spot, it was a little thinner than her hoof in terms of girth “I will get you some measurements off her, I can do it without suspicion. And also, afterwards, the pony and lamia would go out into the wild for one night and the lamia would coil up their new partner to keep the warmth of their partner in to protect them both from the cold, you would also need to be hypnotised that night down to your subconscious and marked by the lamia. Whenever another hypnotises you they would feel a bit of Ruby within you, so they know you belong to somepony else. That’s it.” Diamond said smiling.

I smiled in return “Thank you Diamond.” I said softly.

“May I ask, when do you plan to pop the question, as it were?” Diamond asked excitedly.

“When we get back to Equestria I plan to go to our Capital, buy the ring then head for Ponyville, I’ll ask her there. About a week, tops.” I said.

“Good best not to keep her waiting… Now I believe you have somewhere else to be?” Diamond said nodding to the dark sky.

“Yeah, later Diamond… Thank you.” I said at the door.

“You’re welcome… Son.” And with those words I left.

Though the concept of me marrying Ruby kept my spirits high… I was still scared when I reached the massive doors to Sunny’s temple. The guards were gone… Only thing to do was knock… The sound echoed, it didn’t help.

Author's Notes:

And in this episode the 'big secret' That everyone totally guessed is revealed. Bolt's planning a Spring cleaning! :D Wait... Wait no... No I miss read that, hang on *Ahem* Bolt is planning a wedding! God that was embarrassing On the way we see some old friends and I set up a few characters for some little short stories.

Amber, the lamia we saw go off in this chapter, is gonna get her own story, possibly a short arc! :D A lamia settling into a life with ponies has a lot of possibilities for me, it'll be fun!

For now enjoy this chapter and get hype for Sunny's debt collection! >:)