Chapter 22: Finish What You Start

Lying next to Applejack’s sleeping form made Rainbow Dash feel incredibly relaxed. Yes, her feelings had been tense that night, but whether it was the alcohol or some other power, something had loosened the frustrations of the past and lifted them from their shoulders. Making love to Applejack tonight had been unreal, like something from a fairy tale, and in no way did Rainbow Dash ever want that to change.

Applejack stirred and opened her eyes groggily to find that Rainbow Dash was still awake.

“Aren’t ya ever gonna sleep, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“And miss this blissful feeling? Never. I don’t want this to end.”

“Well, it doesn’t have to,” Applejack said.

“What do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Applejack said quickly. “Ah didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Ah was just sayin’ you don’t have to worry about it endin’ if you don’t want it to.”

“Yeah, but you know there’s a problem,” Rainbow Dash said.

“What problem?” Applejack asked, suddenly looking at Rainbow Dash suspiciously. It took all of Rainbow Dash’s effort to keep from admitting what she had tried with Pinkie Pie.

“I’m talking about your family,” Rainbow Dash said. Applejack shook her head in acknowledgment.

“Ah know they’d prefer the straight and narrow way o’ things,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, and we can’t exactly keep this a secret forever. What’ll happen when they start asking where you were all night?”

“Ah’ll just say ah slept over is all. They don’t have a problem with that.”

“Not yet they don’t, but you know what your sister was up to with her friends. Sooner or later something’s going to slip.”

“Yer just bein’ paranoid now,” Applejack said. “You really ought to relax. Is…there any way ah can help ya with that?”

“Sorry, AJ, but I’m not really in the mood now. You’ve already done enough as it is.”

“Well, fine,” Applejack said, slightly put off. “Don’t say ah didn’t try to help ya.”

“I’m sorry,” Rainbow Dash said, “but all this secrecy is really getting to me and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Ah understand,” Applejack said. “Maybe ah tell my folks at some point. Ah don’t really know. Ah’m afraid they won’t handle it well.”

“You’re probably right about that. You know your family well,” Rainbow Dash said. “I just wish it didn’t have to be this way.”

“Me too, Sugarcube,” Applejack said, resting her head on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder and wrapping her foreleg around her in an embrace. Rainbow Dash kissed Applejack’s forehead and sighed to herself, feeling far less relaxed now. She hated letting stress get to her like this, especially when she considered herself so laid back. If only the world’s problems could be solved by flight; Rainbow Dash knew how to do that well, but she had no idea how to handle this.

“Is it still botherin’ you?” Applejack asked, looking up at her lover.

“I wish it weren’t,” Rainbow Dash said in exasperation.

“Ah know, Sugarcube,” Applejack said, and something about that pet name melted Rainbow Dash’s heart. “But ya can’t worry about keepin’ a secret. What would Pinkie Pie do in this situation?” The last thing Rainbow Dash wanted was to be reminded of Pinkie Pie, but obviously she couldn’t let Applejack know that.

“She’d probably be perfectly fine keeping this secret,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Take a page outta her book then,” Applejack said. “Pinkie Pie knows a thing or two about bein’ all private-like, and ah reckon privacy’s a little somethin’ we deserve.”

“When you put it that way,” Rainbow Dash said, “it doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Exactly,” Applejack said. “Does that help you feel any better?”

“It actually does,” Rainbow Dash said. “Thank you, Applejack.”

“No problem, Sugarcube,” Applejack said.

“Don’t ever stop calling me that,” Rainbow Dash said in all seriousness.

“Ah won’t, Sugarcube,” Applejack crooned, nuzzling Rainbow Dash’s shoulder. “Ah won’t.”

***

“It was dreadful,” Fluttershy said to her psychologist. She was in the middle of recounting a time in her childhood when her father would routinely criticize her lack of flight.

“Tell me,” Doctor Shrink said, trying to avoid the strong pull he felt toward a creature so weak and vulnerable. “Why was it so hard?”

“Because he kept calling me hopeless!” Fluttershy squealed. “I didn’t feel worthwhile as a pony to him. Every time I tried to take off, he would just shake his head and mutter under his breath, but I know what he was saying. Hopeless, worthless, loser. He spared no insult.”

“Fluttershy, I know this is hard,” Doctor Shrink said. “But I need you to try to relax. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth and see how you feel after a few moments.” Fluttershy did as she was told, closing her eyes as she did so. It took all of Doctor Shrink’s willpower not to check her out as she lay on the couch in front of him. After a few moments, Fluttershy was noticeably calmer.

“There you go,” Doctor Shrink said. “Now, listen to me, Fluttershy. I don’t care what your father told you. You are not a loser, not worthless or hopeless. You are a wonderful pony with a fantastic gift for animals, and even if you cannot fly like the other pegasi, why should that stop you from shining with your true talents? There are ponies who would beg to have the kind of compassion you have with your animals.”

“There are?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m sure of it,” the doctor replied.

“Oh, thank you so much for saying so, Doctor Shrink. I just hope you’re right.”

“I know I’m right,” Doctor Shrink said. “I’ve been in this business for much too long, so I know this is true.”

“Doctor?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but you’ve been staring at me for a while now…”

“I have?” Doctor Shrink asked. “I’m terribly sorry, Fluttershy. The last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable.”

“It’s all right,” Fluttershy said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this relaxed, not for a long time.” Doctor Shrink could feel the arousal in his loins and chastised himself for it. Fluttershy, however, did not notice anything amiss.

“Is our time almost up?” she asked.

“Why, it seems to be,” Doctor Shrink replied, looking at the clock on the wall. “I suppose I’ll see you in a few days, Fluttershy.”

“Okay. Thank you so much, Doctor Shrink. I really appreciate all the help you’ve given me so far.”

Doctor Shrink once again had to suppress his urges. “You’re welcome, Fluttershy,” he said. Fluttershy offered him his payment and left the office. Doctor Shrink sat down at his desk and let out a long sigh. Staring at the window, he began to debate with himself his struggling emotions.

What am I supposed to do about this…this feeling? he asked himself. It wouldn’t be the last time he’d ask himself that question.

***

Twilight awoke lying next to Big Mac, who was still asleep. Memories of the previous night titillated her, and while she didn’t want to have full-fledged intercourse this morning, she felt that she was in the mood for a little fooling around. She nudged Big Mac gently on his side with her head, and the stallion groaned groggily. Twilight giggled and nudged him one more time, and this time he groaned in protest.

“Wake up, silly,” Twilight said, nudging him a third time.

“Leave me alone,” Big Mac mumbled.

“Oh, come on. Aren’t you feeling even a little bit frisky?”

“No,” Big Mac said before turning and facing Twilight. “Wait, what?”

“You aren’t in the mood for a little fooling around?” Twilight asked.

“What do you mean?” Big Mac asked. Twilight giggled again and leaned close to Big Mac’s ear before whispering something dirty to him.

“Oh, ah get it now,” Big Mac said. “But ah reckon ah’m still tired.”

“You’re no fun,” Twilight said. “Here I am, throwing myself at you, and you’re complaining that you’re too tired.”

“Sorry, Twilight,” Big Mac said. “Guess ah like to sleep late after you’ve kept me up all night.”

“I didn’t keep you up all night,” Twilight protested.

“You sure did,” Big Mac said. “Not that ah didn’t enjoy it. It was a lot of fun.”

“And you aren’t in the mood for a little more fun?” Twilight asked.

“Well, ah will be in another few hours,” Big Mac said. “Ah’m tired, Twilight.”

“Come on now, Big Mac, you really ought to finish what you start,” Twilight said.

“What did ah start?” Big Mac asked.

“You were the one who wanted so badly to sleep with me.”

“Come now, that ain’t true at all. You came on to me, if ah recall.”

“Yes, but you were the one who practically wanted to do me out in the fields before we even got to the library.”

“Ah reckon ah was just a little bit excited when ya started talkin’ dirty.”

“Whatever you say,” Twilight said. “I don’t know why I’ve been trying to talk your way into messing around when I could just as easily get started without you.”

“What?” Big Mac asked, but before he knew it Twilight had shifted her head close to Big Mac’s member and started sucking on it. Big Mac was jolted awake in surprise at the sudden move, but as Twilight continued to work he felt utterly delightful.

“Why was ah givin’ you such a hard time?” he asked Twilight. Twilight couldn’t answer as her mouth was occupied. Big Mac felt his penis grow stiff with excitement. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, enjoying the sensation of Twilight’s tongue on his tip. She was licking him as she sucked, and the dual sensation was incredibly erotic.

“Please don’t stop what you’re doing,” Big Mac moaned.

“Stop what?” Twilight asked, removing her mouth from his member. Big Mac whinnied in frustration.

“I’m just kidding,” Twilight said before resuming her work. Big Mac neighed pleasurably as he could feel his loins begin to tighten. He knew he was close now, and it was only a matter of time before¬-

Big Mac gasped as his seed flowed out of him into Twilight’s mouth. The mare enthusiastically swallowed the salty substance before licking her lips and letting some of the semen drip down Big Mac’s crotch. Twilight panted, trying to catch her breath, and then she planted a big kiss on Big Mac so he could taste himself. Big Mac smiled as Twilight lay next to him.

“That was incredible,” he said.

“I try my hardest,” Twilight said offhoof.

“That’s pretty obvious,” Big Mac said, “and you do a good job.”

“I appreciate that,” Twilight said. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Oh really?” Big Mac asked. Twilight nodded in anticipation, ready to feel the pleasure she had just provided for her lover.

“Hold on tight, missy,” Big Mac said before plowing into Twilight’s crotch clumsily with his mouth. Twilight giggled, as the feeling was quite ticklish, but she soon gasped as Big Mac lapped at her folds, moistening them with his saliva. He stuck his tongue into her opening and managed to lick at her clit. Twilight moaned as Big Mac worked her vagina, licking at it haphazardly but with gusto. It didn’t take long for Twilight’s legs to tighten up as she thrust into Big Mac, urging him to continue through soft whispers. Big Mac soon had her screaming for him to continue, and Twilight was thankful Spike had not been disturbed by her shrieking. Big Mac felt Twilight’s juices squirt into his mouth, and he continued until Twilight was brought to an earth-shattering orgasm. Totally spent, Twilight slumped back onto the bed as Big Mac removed his tongue from her folds and gave her a kiss on the mouth.

“Mm…” Twilight said, tasting her own juices and smiling contently. “You work fast.”

“Ain’t that a good thing?” Big Mac asked.

“Oh, absolutely,” Twilight said. “Sometimes a mare just wants to get to the point, you know? Although I don’t mind going slow, either.”

“You don’t seem to mind much when it comes to this kind of thing.”

“I am pretty open-minded,” Twilight said with a wink. Big Mac shuddered excitedly at the prospect of what this sentence suggested.

“Ah reckon ah should wash up now,” Big Mac said.

“Ooh, can I join you?” Twilight asked. Big Mac chuckled.

“Whatever you want, Sweet Pea,” he said. Twilight crooned as she followed Big Mac into the bathroom. As Twilight filled the bathtub with hot water and soap, she gave Big Mac her most seductive glances, batting her eyelashes and smiling at him. It made Big Mac’s heart melt to see his mare flash such heated looks at him.

“It seems strange, doesn’t it?” Twilight asked. “Who’d have thought getting clean could still seem so dirty?”

“Hey, I ain’t complainin’,” Big Mac said.

“Oh, me neither. In fact, I prefer it that way.”

“Twilight,” Big Mac said with a sigh, “you sure know how to woo a stallion.”

“I do?” Twilight asked. “I never thought I was very good at it.”

“Well, ya definitely are, and don’t let nopony tell you otherwise. Not that anypony else should be telling you that…”

“I know what you mean,” Twilight said. The tub now full, Twilight and Big Mac eased their way into the water. Once they had grown accustomed to its warmth, Twilight swam over to Big Mac and lay next to him, snuggling up against his shoulder with her head. Big Mac leaned down and gave her a saucy kiss on the mouth, his tongue exploring her parted lips and licking her teeth. Twilight moaned as she accepted the kiss, and she placed her hooves on Big Mac’s shoulders, wrapping her forelegs around him.

“Why don’t I scrub you down?” Twilight asked, levitating her scrubbing brush tantalizingly over Big Mac’s form.

“That sounds mighty fine,” Big Mac said. Twilight lovingly stroked Big Mac’s fur, working to get any residual dirt and dust out of his hair. Big Mac closed his eyes and grinned as Twilight worked her magic. The feeling was one of pure relaxation, a wonderful cool down from decidedly hot foreplay in bed.

“That feels really nice,” Big Mac said.

“I hope so,” Twilight said, “because it’s about to get better.”

“How?” Big Mac asked. Twilight needed not say anything, as she started to scrub Big Mac’s crotch. Big Mac moaned as the brush passed gently over his member. Twilight took care not to stroke too roughly, as she knew it would hurt if she did so. Big Mac relished the sensation in his loins.

“That feels so good…” he whispered. Twilight smiled and started to scrub his thighs, which tingled as they were brushed.

“You’re a miracle worker,” Big Mac said. Twilight finished scrubbing Big Mac and told him to turn around so his back was facing her.

“What are ya doin’?” Big Mac asked. His question turned to a smile as Twilight began to give him a sensuous massage, kneading his back with her hooves. Big Mac carried a lot of tension in his shoulders, and the massage was doing wonders working out the kinks in his back. The warm water and soap on Twilight’s hooves only made the massage feel warmer.

“I want a massage in return from you, and not too rough. I know you don’t know your own strength sometimes, Mac.”

“Ah would never hurt you, Twilight,” Big Mac said.

“Good,” Twilight said before nipping at his ear. Big Mac shuddered with delight as Twilight started to kiss his neck. She kissed her way down his soapy back and continued to massage as well. The kisses tickled Big Mac, but he tried not to shake too much and he also stifled his laughing. Twilight was teasing him and he knew it.

“Come now, Twilight. It’s mah turn to massage your back.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked.

“Positive,” Big Mac said.

“All right, do your work,” Twilight replied, turning around so her small back faced Big Mac’s front. Big Mac dug his hooves into her upper back, which felt incredibly tense. Twilight moaned as Big Mac kneaded her back with circular strokes of his hooves. Twilight’s hind leg started to twitch with stimulation as Big Mac rubbed lower and lower down her back. Feeling mischievous, Twilight flicked her tail and splashed Big Mac with some water.

“What was that for?” he asked, chuckling.

“I don’t know, I just felt like it,” Twilight said.

“Well, ah hope you feel like gettin’ wet!” Big Mac stated. He pushed Twilight’s head underwater and held her down for a few seconds. When he let go, Twilight rose from the water and gasped for air, her mane dripping water down her face.

“What was that all about?” Twilight asked in a mixture of amusement and outrage.

“For splashin’ me, remember?” Big Mac asked.

“I think that’s a little uncalled for,” Twilight said.

“No it ain’t,” Big Mac said. “You splash me, ya get dunked, plain and simple.”

“Well now that I know that, I know better than to splash you, don’t I?”

“I hope ya do,” Big Mac said. The two of them finished their bath with little event and rose from it. Twilight drained the bathtub as Big Mac draped a towel around her small body.

“Ah really enjoyed that, Twilight. Thank you,” Big Mac said.

“Anytime,” Twilight responded. “It was my pleasure.”

“Ah suppose you should be checkin’ up on Spike now,” Big Mac said.

“I suppose I should,” Twilight said before giving Big Mac a deep, passionate kiss. Big Mac pulled away after about thirty seconds and chuckled.

“You keep that up, missy, and ah’ll never want to leave.”

“That’s the idea,” Twilight said with a wink. Big Mac smiled and beckoned for Twilight to go downstairs to wake Spike up. Twilight sighed and went down the stairs.

“Do you want breakfast?” she asked Big Mac.

“Sure,” Big Mac said as he followed her downstairs. Twilight found Spike in his bed and woke him up. He moaned groggily before rubbing his eyes open.

“Morning, Twilight,” he said sleepily. “I think you woke me up later than usual.”

“I had my reasons,” Twilight said. Big Mac followed Twilight down the stairs.

“What’s he still doing here?” Spike asked. “Why is he coming downstairs from your room-? Oh…”

“You were always too smart for your own good, Spike,” Twilight said. “Now get to the kitchen. You and I are going to make breakfast.”

“We are?” Spike asked.

“Yep, we’re making breakfast for the three of us. Does that sound all right?”

“Sure. It’s nice to have company around here for a change,” Spike said. “It’s usually just the two of us.”

“Well, I think it’s going to happen a lot more frequently from now on,” Twilight said, giving Big Mac a wink when Spike wasn’t looking.

“Sounds all right with me,” Spike said. “Maybe we can talk over a few things with Big Mac here? I’m still unsure about the whole Ruby situation, and it might be nice to get a stallion’s opinion on a few things.”

“If that’s all right with you, Big Mac, do you mind helping Spike out?”

“Not at all,” Big Mac said. “Ask away, little dragon, and ah’ll help as best ah can.”

“Great,” Spike said. “Do you want pancakes?”

“Pancakes sound wonderful,” Big Mac said.

***

The pegasus guards had just seen what had happened to the statue of Discord and feared the worst. They decided that speaking to Princess Celestia immediately was the best course of action. They flew directly to her chambers and rapped on the door in earnest.

Celestia was in bed with her sister, feeling quite content until she heard the knocking on the door. Fearing an emergency, she rose from the bed and approached the door, opening it just a crack.

“Your Highness,” one of the guards said, “we have a situation.”

“What is the problem?” Celestia asked.

“Um…is it all right if we came in to talk about this? It’s very serious,” a second guard said.

“Why don’t I step out?” Celestia suggested, and she did so when the guards nodded.

“It has to do with the statue of Discord,” the first guard said. “It…it’s gone.”

“Impossible,” Celestia said. “Who could have discovered a way to move it?”

“We fear the statue may have been more than moved,” the second guard said. “We think Discord has been freed from his prison once again.”

“Of course,” Celestia said. “The situation is dire then. We’ll need to mount a force to search for him.”

“Absolutely,” the first guard said. “No telling what kind of chaos he’ll wreak on Equestria this time around.”

“Precisely,” Celestia said. “I think it prudent to tell Twilight Sparkle and her friends about this as well. We’ll need them to imprison Discord once again.”

“Shall I locate the courier?” the second guard asked.

“No, I’ll send a letter myself,” Celestia replied. “Get in touch with Shining Armor and tell him to gather his troops. The search for Discord should be his only priority right now. I’ll compose the letter to Twilight and her friends.”

“Affirmative, Your Highness,” the first guard said, offering a salute which the second guard quickly mirrored.

“Get going,” Celestia said, and she returned to her room and shut the door as the guards departed. Celestia noticed her sister had awoken from all the commotion, and she seemed quite distraught.

“What’s going on, sister?” Luna asked. Celestia wasted no time in levitating over a quill, ink, and parchment.

“Discord has been released again,” Celestia said. “We need to find and contain him as soon as possible, or he’ll wreak all sorts of chaos over this kingdom.”

“That sounds dreadful,” Luna said. “Is there anything I can do to assist you?”

“The guards are already forging a battalion to search for the god of chaos, and I am writing a letter to Twilight Sparkle explaining the situation. I think that’s all we can do for now.”

“Oh, all right,” Luna said. “I was just hoping I could be of some help.”

“I wish you could,” Celestia said, “but we both know your history with Discord and I can’t risk anything like that happening again.”

“I’m offended that you would bring that up, of all things,” Luna said.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t take any chances,” Celestia replied as she started to pen the letter.

“I think I understand,” Luna responded.

“Thank you,” Celestia said.

***

“So what is our plan going to be?” Chrysalis asked Discord. The two had been holding out for some time now in the cave, trying to plot a way to bring about the downfall of Twilight Sparkle and her friends.

“We need more information, as I’ve said countless times,” Discord said. “Chaos might be my specialty, but chaos does not imply randomness. We need a calculating plan to outwit those bothersome ponies.”

“And how, do tell, are we going to get such information?” Chrysalis asked.

“Through you, of course,” Discord said. “I’ll need you to disguise yourself as a common villager, that way you can sneak into Ponyville undetected. From there, observe the behavior of Twilight and her friends, and we may discover weaknesses that we can exploit.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Chrysalis said.

“I’m glad you agree,” Discord responded. “Now, let’s get to work on your disguise.” Chrysalis nodded and transformed before Discord’s eyes. He looked at the resulting pony, who was brown and weary-eyed and somehow covered in dirt.

“Too unkempt,” Discord said. “This isn’t the feudal ages. Try something a little more up-to-date.” Chrysalis nodded and transformed once again. This time, she was the image of royalty, with bright white hair and a dazzling tail that curled about itself gracefully.

“You make Rarity look like a commoner,” Discord said. “That might fly in Canterlot, but there’s no way your average Ponyville pony looks like that. Try again.” Chrysalis, now a little annoyed, transformed one last time. The resulting pony was yellow with a red mane and tail that had little shape. Discord shook his head, not even bothering to say anything this time.

Over and over again, Chrysalis tried new disguises that Discord continually disproved of. Fed up, Chrysalis returned to her natural appearance and sulked in the corner of the cave.

“What’s wrong, Chrysalis?” Discord asked.

“Nothing is ever good enough for you,” Chrysalis said.

“Oh, come now,” Discord replied. “That’s hardly the way to go about this. All you need to do is try a little more. How badly do you want to rule Equestria? We only have one shot at this, and we need to get it right. Keep trying.” Chrysalis sighed and transformed once again. The resulting pony was a pale shade of pink with a pale blue mane that curled upwards. The tail was the same pale blue and of a wavy shape. Discord began to applaud when he saw her form.

“Excellent work. I knew you’d eventually get it right.”

“Really? This looks acceptable?” Chrysalis asked.

“It’s perfect,” Discord said. “Now we can head out for Ponyville and start spying on those bothersome ponies. Our plan is coming together ever so smoothly.”

“That’s wonderful to hear, Discord. I can’t wait to bring those ponies down!”

“Me neither, Chrysalis. Me neither.”