Chapter 15: Just a Four-Letter Word

“Well, dear, I must say this was a brilliant idea,” Rarity said. She and Twilight were on Twilight’s bed in the middle of the Everfree Forest, which had been teleported there earlier. They had also cast a magical sphere that would prevent the creatures of the forest from seeing, hearing, smelling, or approaching them. Twilight had stumbled upon the spell the other day and had decided that this was a good situation in which to use it.

“Thank you, Rarity,” Twilight said humbly.

“And it’s so romantic,” Rarity said. “I mean, just look at all those stars. It’s magnificent.”

Romantic? Twilight asked herself, confused. She decided to think nothing of it.

“So, um…what did you have in mind?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, dear, just stargazing for now. They really are quite beautiful.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Twilight said, gazing upon the stars and taking in their beauty. Twilight smiled, remembering what was on her cutie mark. Rarity snuggled close to Twilight and rested her head on Twilight’s shoulder.

“Recognize any of the constellations?” Twilight asked Rarity.

“Not really,” Rarity said. “They just look so pretty twinkling in the night sky, as if they were each their own little gem sparkling on a gorgeous black ensemble.”

“Don’t tell that to Spike. You’ll work up his appetite,” Twilight said with a giggle.

“I never quite got that,” Rarity said. “What nutritional value is there in the gems for dragons? I mean, how can they even digest them?”

“Dragons are made from tougher stuff than ponies,” Twilight said, “but otherwise I don’t know. There haven’t been any books written about the anatomy and physiology of dragons.”

“You know what, dear?” Rarity said. “I think you should study dragons and publish your findings. It seems there is a shortage of suitable material, so you might be tapping into a new market. Think of the money you could make.”

“Rarity, I’m a librarian, not an author. I’m nowhere near intelligent enough to perform such research. Besides, it would be dangerous.”

“Not if you used Spike as a case study,” Rarity proffered. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“Spike’s a baby,” Twilight said. “Any serious study of dragons has to span their entire lifetime.”

“Well, it’s a start, at least,” Rarity said.

“It would take a long time to finish,” Twilight said.

“Oh, what are we doing?” Rarity suddenly asked. “Babbling on about dragons when we really came here to mess around!”

“That’s unicorns for you,” Twilight said with a smile. Rarity laughed.

“I suppose we are rather geeky,” Rarity said. “It comes with the species.”

“It sure does,” Twilight said. She suddenly leaned over and gave Rarity a saucy kiss on the lips.

“Mm, that’s more like it…” Rarity whispered before returning the kiss passionately. Twilight’s hooves wrapped around Rarity’s neck as she pulled Rarity’s body closer to her. Rarity rubbed her hind hoof against Twilight’s hind leg, which prompted Twilight to spread her legs open. Rarity’s vagina then pressed against Twilight’s, and as Rarity flipped Twilight onto her stomach she started to hump her rigorously. Twilight let out gasps and moans that spurred Rarity on further, and Rarity used her magic to tickle Twilight’s insides, which Twilight found incredibly arousing.

“Don’t stop, don’t stop…” Twilight chanted in between gasps as Rarity thrust harder and harder. Soon Twilight’s gasps became cries of delight as she could feel her juices secrete onto her sheets.

“That’s it, Twilight,” Rarity said. “Am I making you come?”

“Yes, yes, OH SWEET CELESTIA YES!” Twilight cried as her orgasm started. Rarity did not relent until Twilight was completely spent. Rarity then leaned over and nibbled her ear.

“Was that fun?” Rarity asked.

“Yes…” Twilight whispered, exhausted.

“So when is it going to be my turn?” Rarity breathed into her ear.

“Not for a while!” Twilight said. “You tired me out!”

“Did I?” Rarity said. “Well, that isn’t very generous of you, and I think I know generosity.”

“You certainly do,” Twilight said. “Just give me a minute.”

“All right,” Rarity said. “Whenever you’re ready, dear.”

***

Rainbow Dash had been unable to sleep. She was now soaring through the night sky at breakneck speeds, trying to outrun her chasing thoughts, but she was losing that battle. Shouts of scolding versions of herself kept popping into her head, telling her that she was a liar and a cheat, even though she hadn’t done anything.

How dare you lie to Applejack about loving her?

How could you even think about cheating on her with Pinkie Pie?

Shame on you for being such a pervert!

“SHUT UP!” Rainbow Dash cried aloud as she flew ever faster. Tears were streaming in her eyes and clouding her vision. She flew through a crowd and nearly hit a high cliff side before swerving out of the way just in time.

I need to be more careful, Rainbow Dash thought. This is really getting to my head.

Rainbow Dash landed and sat on top of the cliff, trying to figure out what was causing her sudden attraction to Pinkie Pie. At first she thought it was strictly physical, that she preferred a more rounded pony to Applejack’s lean frame. But this seemed terribly superficial and highly unlikely, so Rainbow Dash turned to better explanations.

Perhaps Pinkie Pie represented a relief from Applejack’s personality. She seemed to be everything Applejack was not―impulsive instead of uptight, flexible instead of stubborn, happy-go-lucky instead of stressed out and worried. Rainbow Dash was a lot more like Applejack, but she found a nice balance with Pinkie Pie that couldn’t be present with the orange-colored mare. She was reminded of the cliché “opposites attract” and realized that some clichés have meaningful origins.

But this was crazy, Rainbow Dash thought. She’d only known Pinkie Pie as a friend, while she had been dating Applejack for nearly two weeks. Wow, Rainbow Dash thought, two weeks and I’m already thinking of jumping ship. Am I really that afraid of a commitment?

Now Rainbow Dash had stumbled onto the real problem. Ever since being dumped back in flight school, she had become afraid to grow to close to another pony for fear of having her heart broken when said pony inevitably dumped her. This implied that she considered herself unlovable, but Rainbow Dash didn’t know herself well enough to come to that conclusion. She merely observed that she was afraid to fall too deeply for somepony. If that were the case, then Pinkie Pie in this scenario was Rainbow Dash’s escape hatch.

I’m a terrible pony, Rainbow Dash thought, burying her face in her hooves and starting to cry. It was only when she reminded herself that nothing unfaithful had actually occurred that she began to calm down.

I am the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash said to herself proudly. There’s no way I’m going to cheat on Applejack. I think I should admit the truth to her, that I don’t really love her, at least not yet, and see how she takes it. Odds are it probably won’t be good, but hey, what can I do?

Feeling better about herself, Rainbow Dash returned home and slept soundly, oblivious to her nerves about revealing her feelings to Applejack.

***

“Ow!” Fluttershy cried as Pinkie Pie whipped her rump.

“Beg me to stop!” Pinkie Pie demanded.

“Um…stop?” Fluttershy asked. Pinkie Pie whipped her again.

“I couldn’t hear you!” Pinkie Pie screamed before cracking the whip again.

“Stop.”

“Louder!”

“STOP!”

“LOUDER!”

“GUMMY!”

“Oh, no! Are you okay, Fluttershy?”

“No, Pinkie Pie, I’m not okay,” Fluttershy said with tears in her eyes.

“Did I hurt you?”

“Only a little…”

“Then what’s wrong?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“It’s just…this is too much,” Fluttershy said.

“Too much…?” Pinkie Pie asked, unsure of what to think of Fluttershy’s change of heart. Just a week ago Fluttershy had taken relish in tying Pinkie Pie’s limbs to her bedposts and eating her out with relish.

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, “it’s too much.”

“Well, can I do anything to tone it down?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“I don’t think so,” Fluttershy said. “I think we should just stop…”

“Are you sure?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I’m having so much fun…”

“Are you?”

“Huh?”

“Is it really fun for you? Or are you just saying that?”

“I…well…” To be honest, being so aggressive against poor Fluttershy really felt wrong to Pinkie Pie. At first the wrongness had made it more alluring, but now it left Pinkie Pie with an ill feeling in her stomach that she just couldn’t shake.

“I guess I kinda just said it,” Pinkie Pie explained. “It feels wrong to keep hurting you like that, even when you tell me you like it, so I guess I’m glad you asked me to stop.”

“It’s not that I want to stop forever,” Fluttershy said. “I just think I want to take a break for now.”

“I understand,” Pinkie Pie said. “But it was definitely fun while it lasted.”

“Maybe,” Fluttershy said.

“Now, hold on,” Pinkie Pie objected. “How long have you felt this way?”

“I don’t know, ever since, well…” Pinkie Pie didn’t need Fluttershy to finish her statement.

“Still have daddy issues, huh?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I understand. It’s no fun when you’re reminded of your mean old drunk daddy beating you up when you were just a filly.” Fluttershy started to tear up, and Pinkie Pie gave her a hug.

“There there,” she said. “It’s okay. You don’t have to pretend to like it anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said through her tears.

“Don’t be. I’m the one that should be sorry.”

“But you were only doing what I said I wanted,” Fluttershy said.

“Still, I should have known you were just faking it for me.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m good at being fake…”

***

The morning after Twilight and Rarity’s fooling around in the forest, Rarity had returned to the boutique. She had allowed Sweetie Belle to help her with her work, as Sweetie Belle was staying over today and Applebloom was busy on the farm.

“What happened with Scootaloo?” Rarity asked.

“I’m not sure. I told her Rarity’s gonna be busy so we should go to her house, then she kind of mumbled something and told me it couldn’t happen. So I guess I’m hanging out with you today, huh, big sis?”

“I suppose you are,” Rarity said. “The only thing is, have you ever been invited to Scootaloo’s house?”

“Actually, no, I haven’t,” Sweetie Belle said. “We usually just hang out at the clubhouse. But without Applebloom, it doesn’t feel right to hang out there.”

“I see,” Rarity said, though she wasn’t quite sure if she did. “In any case, I’m glad you’re here to help me today. I have a big order, and it’s very helpful to have you get me my materials when I ask for them.”

“I wish I could help more,” Sweetie Belle said. Rarity giggled in spite of herself; Sweetie Belle really was a disaster when it came to sewing. If only she had Fluttershy here also. Now there’s a mare who could make my work go by twice as fast! she thought.

“Sweetie, you’re being very helpful,” Rarity said.

“So, look,” Sweetie Belle said, “I know we’ve been kind of pushy lately when it comes to finding out about Applejack and Rainbow Dash. I just want to know why everypony’s being so secretive about it.”

“Secretive?” Rarity asked. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Applejack and Twilight both said it’s none of our business, and Rainbow Dash freaked out when we asked her,” Sweetie Belle said. “Why’s everypony gotta act so mysterious?”

“Well, dear, I wish I could say more, but it’s a little complicated,” Rarity said, “too complicated, in fact, for a young filly to comprehend. Maybe when you’re older, you’ll understand.”

“I’m not a little filly…” Sweetie Belle muttered.

“Of course you’re not, dear,” Rarity said, rubbing Sweetie Belle’s head. “It’s just that there are some things in this world that are difficult to understand.”

“But if you told me, I could try to understand,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Now, now,” Rarity said, “that’s enough, child. If Applejack says it’s none of your business, then she has every right to her privacy.”

“I know…” Sweetie Belle said.

“Now, be a dear and pass me that green fabric over there.”

“Yes, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said, dejected as she helped her big sister with the fabric.

***

Twilight had made a lot of headway on her assignment for today, so she decided a nice stroll through the town would help her clear her head and allow her to tackle the rest of the assignment that afternoon. Telling Spike where she was headed, she left the library and began walking through the town. Along the way to the marketplace, she saw Applejack’s brother carrying a basket full of food on his back. Twilight went over to say hello.

“Hi, Big Mac,” Twilight said, inexplicably flustered to see him.

“Hello, Twilight,” Big Mac said, and something about his voice made Twilight subconsciously swoon.

“Whatcha got there?” Twilight asked, rather dumbly in retrospect.

“Food,” Big Mac said, being his usual muted self.

“I can see that,” Twilight said with a nervous giggle. “What’s the food for?”

“Eatin’” Big Mac said. Twilight stared at the stallion with confusion.

“Am…I missing something?” she asked.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said with a chuckle. “Ah suppose ah’d best explain mahself a little better. We grow plenty of crops at Sweet Apple Acres, but to make the food we want we have to buy some at the marketplace, ’cause our fields ain’t no good fer growin’ some of that stuff.”

“Oh, I see,” Twilight said. “You don’t mind if I join you while you’re shopping, do you?”

“Nope,” Big Mac said, and Twilight followed him as he walked to the display of cabbages. “What brings ya hear, Twilight?”

“Oh, I just needed a break from my studies, that’s all.”

“Whatcha studyin’?”

“Um…” Twilight said, not sure how much Big Mac knew about Princess Celestia’s assignment. “Actually, I’m studying friendship.”

“Eeyup, mah sister said she kinda got hog-tied into joinin’ you, too,” Big Mac said with another chuckle. Twilight loved the sound of his laugh.

“Hog-tied?” Twilight asked.

“As a matter of speakin’” Big Mac said. “She actually really enjoys it.”

“Well, that’s good,” Twilight said, hoping that Big Mac was telling the truth.

“Hey,” Big Mac said, “you live in that there library, right?”

“Yeah, I do,” Twilight said.

“That’s cool. I ain’t never been there mahself. You got a lot of interestin’ books?”

“Oh, we’ve got tons!” Twilight said, suddenly excited. “If you like Daring Do, we have the whole series. Rainbow Dash can’t get enough of those. And there’s a whole section devoted to the history of Equestria, including one book about Grannie Smith and the origin of Ponyville. There’s also spell books if you’re interested in reading that sort of thing. I know you’re not a unicorn but it’s still fascinating, and I also have―”

“Okay, okay, ah get it. Ya have a lot of books,” Big Mac said. Twilight flushed.

“Well, yeah,” she said lamely.

“It’s okay. Ah reckon ah should stop over sometime.”

“You totally should!” Twilight said. “I could give you a tour!”

“Oh, hi there!” a pony called from the distance. Cheerilee then ran over to greet Twilight and Big Mac.

“Hi, Cheerilee,” Twilight said. “Enjoying the summer off?”

“Yes, Twilight. I love the foals to death, but it’s nice to have a break from them for a few months. It helps me keep my head for the next class of youngsters. Have they been taking books out of the library?”

“Well…” Twilight said, thinking, “to be honest…not really.”

“Oh,” Cheerilee said, “well, I knew they wouldn’t. They are foals, after all.” Cheerilee chuckled.

“Oh, um, Twilight,” Big Mac said, “ah was gonna get lunch with Cheerilee today. Yer welcome to join us if it ain’t too much trouble.”

“Oh,” Twilight said, and then suddenly realized that she would feel like the third wheel of the group. “It’s okay, but I really have to continue studying. Thanks for the offer, though. You two have fun.” Twilight walked away feeling surprisingly crestfallen. Cheerilee looked at Big Mac, who shrugged his shoulders.

“She doesn’t think there’s…something going on between us, right?” Cheerilee asked.

“Beats me,” Big Mac said.

***

When Spike saw Twilight looking so downhearted when she returned to the library, he immediately went over to her to ask what was wrong.

“It’s nothing, Spike,” Twilight said, though she felt sad and confused all of a sudden.

“Come on, Twilight, you can tell me anything,” Spike said.

“It’s…oh, Spike, I’m so confused.”

“Huh?” Spike asked, surprised that Twilight was actually choosing to confide in him. He guessed she just needed someone to talk to.

“What’s confusing?” Spike asked.

“Well, I just got back from seeing Big Macintosh, and I felt like a little school filly with some huge crush…”

“A crush?” Spike asked.

“Yes, Spike, like when somepony meets somepony else who makes them feel―”

“I know what a crush is,” Spike interrupted. “Believe me,” he added, thinking about Rarity. “So what’s the problem?”

“He’s taking Cheerilee to lunch as we speak,” Twilight said.

“Oh, I see…wait, maybe I don’t.”

“As in a date?” Twilight said.

“Oh…” Spike said, realization dawning on him. “Wait, how do you know he’s taking Cheerilee to lunch? You talk to Big Mac about his love life?”

“No, we ran into Cheerilee and then Big Mac invited me.”

“Wait, he invited you to his date?” Spike asked.

“Well…yeah, I guess,” Twilight said.

“Well, that’s two possibilities right there, Twilight. Either it’s not really a date, or Big Mac’s trying to score a threesome. Knowing Big Mac, I’d go with the first option.”

“Oh, well that makes sense now…” Twilight said, mentally kicking herself for not realizing it earlier.

“Don’t sweat it, Twilight, there’s always next time,” Spike said.

“I suppose you’re right, Spike. Hey, have you talked to Ruby today?”

“I’ve been cleaning the library all morning, like you asked me to,” Spike deadpanned.

“Oh, right! Sorry,” Twilight said.

“Hey, I still don’t know what to do about her,” Spike said.

“Well, do you like her?” Twilight asked.

“She’s a good friend,” Spike said, “but it’s weird that she followed me all the way to Ponyville. I don’t think I’d even do that for Rarity…”

“Spike.”

“You’re right, I totally would do that for Rarity, but I’m like crazy about her. But doesn’t that mean Ruby’s just as much in love with me?”

“Probably,” Twilight said.

“Then aren’t I just leading her on?” Spike asked.

“I don’t think you should really worry about that, Spike,” Twilight said. “After all, you were clear about how you felt, right? I say hang out with her like good friends do and see what happens. Who knows? Your feelings might change over time.”

“I guess that makes sense…” Spike said, thinking.

***

As Rainbow Dash flew to Sweet Apple Acres, she saw Applejack busy watering the vegetables. Applebloom and Grannie Smith were nowhere in sight, so this seemed like the perfect time to swoop down and talk.

“Consarn it, RD, don’t scare me like that!” Applejack cursed as Rainbow Dash landed right in front of her. “Ya almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry,” Rainbow Dash said. “I just really needed to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?” Applejack asked, noticing how fidgety Rainbow Dash was and guessing that whatever she had to say couldn’t be good.

“Well, it’s gonna be hard to explain, so I need you to hear me out.” This definitely wasn’t good, Applejack thought.

“Remember when you told me you loved me?” Rainbow Dash asked. Applejack’s heart sunk.

“Don’t tell me…” Applejack said.

“Look, Applejack, I still really like you, it’s just―”

“Nope, ah don’t wanna hear it, Rainbow Dash. Ya lied to me and there’s nothin’ else to it. Ah can’t tolerate bein’ with someone who can’t be honest with me.”

“Please, Applejack, I can explain―”

“Explain what? How ya used me for sex? Dear Celestia, ah can’t even ask that without feelin’ sick to mah stomach. Yer unbelievable, Rainbow Dash, ya really are.”

“It wasn’t like that, I swear! Look, I have a commitment problem.”

“Yer darn tootin’! You can’t even tell somepony ya love ’em without doublin’ back, ya dirty coward.”

“Hey, do not call me a coward! Do you know how much bravery it took to even bring this up to you?”

“Ah really don’t give a fuck, Rainbow Dash! Ya can’t just swoop on in and drop a bombshell like that and not expect me to be fuckin’ pissed!”

“Geez, can you tone down the language a little?”

“Oh, ah don’t believe this. No, Rainbow Dash! This is mah fuckin’ farm, and ah’ll fuckin’ say whatever the fuck ah want, ya cunt.”

“Whoa! That was uncalled for!”

“So is lyin’ to me, you bitch.”

“Oh, I don’t have to listen to this,” Rainbow Dash said before taking off.

“Yep, go right ahead, Rainbow Dash! Just dump on me and leave! That’s what ya do best!” As Rainbow Dash flew out of sight, Applejack let the tears fall. She couldn’t believe her own friend could betray her trust.

But was it a stupid thing to be upset about? After all, love was just a four-letter word. But no, not to Applejack it wasn’t. To her it meant a deep commitment, exactly the thing that Rainbow Dash was afraid of. And it wouldn’t even bother Applejack if the two of them weren’t having sex.

It’s that Applejack had been used and manipulated that really made her upset. She had thought only the cruelest of stallions would think to stoop so low. She never expected that from one of her best friends. That Rainbow Dash had been so close and known her for so long, only to blatantly lie about loving her, was almost too sickening to stand.

But stand she would anyway. Applejack wouldn’t let heartbreak like this slow her down. She was too strong for that, or so she thought.

***

“Luna?” Celestia asked, knocking on the bedroom door of her sister. “I know you’re about to fall asleep for the day, but I wanted to talk to you.” A dark blue aura surrounded the doorknob, and Luna opened the door for her sister and let her in.

“What is it, Celestia?” Luna asked.

“I…well, this is a little awkward, but…I wanted to apologize for writing you off the other day when it came to…you know…”

“Oh,” Luna said. “Well, I’m sorry for bringing it up. It really wasn’t a very good idea.”

“See, that’s what I thought at first, too,” Celestia said, “but then I thought about it.” Luna perked up, listening attentively. Surely she didn’t mean…?

“Well,” Celestia explained, “first of all, we beings are some of the only immortal creatures in Equestria. If we were to try to be with anypony, we might as well pick another immortal, as all the mortals will eventually have to leave us. Does that make sense?”

“Yes,” Luna said, stomach boiling with excitement.

“Second, I at first thought the idea would be looked down upon, but then I remembered that we, as the rulers of Equestria, are the ones to set the moral standard. I think that exempts us from any judgment from the other ponies, don’t you think?”

“Uh-huh,” Luna said, not sure if she could believe her ears.

“Finally,” Celestia said, “I won’t lie to you, Luna, I did find the prospect intriguing… Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that before we write this off as a terrible idea, we should at least be open-minded enough to try something.”

“What…what did you have in mind?” Luna asked, practically salivating at the thought of her wildest fantasy coming true.

“Something small, maybe some light kissing,” Celestia said.

“Okay!” Luna said, failing to repress her excitement. Celestia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Luna leaned forward nervously, but then Celestia closed the gap and their lips touched. Sparks flew within their bodies as their lips met, enticing each of the alicorns to sink deeper into the kiss. Celestia took charge and explored Luna’s mouth with her tongue, which Luna found unbelievably delightful.

The two of them kissed for a while before breaking apart. Celestia gazed into Luna’s eyes in a way that she never had before, and it made Luna quake with excitement.

“How…how was it?” Luna asked.

“Good,” Celestia said, “very good. We may have something here.” Celestia turned to trot away.

“Wait!” Luna cried. “Aren’t we going to…”

“I don’t think I’m ready yet,” Celestia said. “Perhaps some other time, dear.” Luna accepted this as Celestia walked away. She went to sleep imagining just what that other time would entail, and as she slept she let that imagination run.