Luna’s Story: Curse of the Black Stallions
Part 6: A Grand Ball

The city of Cloudsdale was a flurry of activity that night. An arena had been constructed out of the darkest storm clouds that the poor pegasi could pull together. They’d worked for weeks on it, all for this startling occasion. Princess Luna was holding a tournament, a rather violent one at that, amongst her personal guard. The winner would receive the title of leader of the Lunar Stallions, and the Princess’ favor. Rumor had it she might kiss the forehead of the stallion that came out on top.

A massive tournament bracket had been set up, showing the hundreds of stallions that had entered. It was one round, single elimination, and only the strong survived. The rules were simple enough, only the strongest of the two combatants would be able to claim victory. Whether your opponent gave up, was unconscious, or otherwise—it was pretty much up to the two of them as soon as they stepped into the arena together.

Princess Luna, fiery eyes gleaming with toxic glee, watched the event from on high. The royal box was flanked by a pair of black stallions, heavily armored and motionless as statues. She’d been looking forward to this for weeks. Of course one couldn’t have all the hundreds of rounds the tournament would have all in one night, so she’d elected to watch the elite eight fight to the finish. For the honor of the highest form of combat, she’d commanded the arena be built in the clouds, and only allowed a stark few to attend. Now, finally, it was time for the final round. “COMBATANTS!” Her voice concussed the night, and the thunderclouds around them rumbled dangerously. “STEP FORTH!” A pair of armored pegasi stepped forward, bat wings open and intimidating to any who looked upon them. Slathering a bit and muscles coiled, their golden eyes glittered intelligently up at her Majesty. The gathered crowd, mostly Lunar Stallions, roared and cheered. Two crowd favorites had made it to the final round. The pair looked around, inflating their chests to look more impressive. Civilian mares swooned, and even the Princess herself felt a stirring in her more feral heart. The pair of them were the pure picture of masculine glory. Muscle and cunning and sharp teeth, anything a mare might want between herself and her enemy, or in her bed. Luna gave a black chuckle, reaching out with her hooves to silence the crowd. “YOU HAVE DONE WELL TO COME THIS FAR, AND MUCH HONOR IS ALREADY HEAPED UPON YOU!” she blasted the sky with her voice, sending shudders down many spines. “BUT IN THIS LAST ROUND ONLY ONE STALLION MAY WALK AWAY VICTOR!” she lifted her hoof, looking from one to the other. They faced each other with savage snarls, wings snapping open and muscles coiling. “---LET THE FINAL TOURNAMENT ROUND BETWEEN CINDERBLOCK THE IMMOVABLE AND PIP--”

No no, Pip, you’re not allowed to change the story.

“—CINDERBLOCK THE IMMOVABLE AND PITCH DARK THE RAVAGER… BEGIN!” she thrust her hoof forward and both pegasi launched themselves at each other. The crowd roared in delirious excitement, hooves pumping and voices shouting. The pair of them dashed back and forth across the sky, their clashing of hooves and armor shuddering the air like thunder. Luna watched in rather open admiration, smirking on one side of her muzzle. They threw themselves at each other, over and over, savagely beating the tar out of each other. Feathers were flying, hooves were denting armor, and teeth were scratching across bare fur. By the time the battle reached its climax, both of them were bloodied and gasping. Pitch Dark roared ferally, leaping forward and crashing into Cinderblock’s chest again. The big-chested stallion weathered the hit, shuddering and digging his hooves into the thundercloud he was standing on. But, he didn’t expect Pitch Dark to wrap all four legs around his body and sink his fangs into his neck. They struggled, flailing about and whinnying. Pitch got into his deathgrip, avoided the artery and squeezed. Even Princess Luna was shocked at his brutality, and watched him choke the other stallion into unconsciousness with his teeth. When Cinderblock went limp, the gasping Pitch Dark planted a huge hoof on his chest, heaved a great breath and roared ferally at the crowd. They roared back, flailing and cheering. Cinderblock lay there bleeding, eyes rolled into his head while the medics rushed onto the field.

“I am the greatest!” Pitch Dark shouted to the crowd. “I am the best!” he reared and flailed his hooves, showing off his impressive wingspan and masculinity. The crowd stomped their hooves and cheered wildly while he stood there soaking in the glory. He’d done it! He was the mightiest of the mighty! The strongest, most powerful Lunar Stallion! Suddenly, the crowd hushhhhed, for Princess Luna herself had risen from her seat and come to the lip of her box balcony. Pitch Dark turned, his lungs still heaving from the brutality of his final deal. Full of adrenaline and the thrill of battle, he rushed forth to be away from his fallen opponent. He only wanted her to see him, not Cinderblock (“the immovable” indeed! Hah!). Planting his hooves, he looked up at her expectantly. The crowd stilled as Luna raised her hoof, parallel with the ground. She looked around to be sure everypony was paying attention. There was a long, frozen silence. She turned her hoof up.

The arena exploded with cheering, and Pitch Dark was showered with flower petals and given a golden wreath of victory upon his head. A quad of pegasi appeared with a litter to bear him away in glory, and he hopped onto it with his chest thrown out and his wings open to show off. Falling onto his belly in fatigue, he contented himself to wave to the crowd and smile with blood-stained teeth. It was official now. He was her Royal Majesties most powerful, most cunning, and most---- everything, pony! Neigh, stallion! Ha-hahhhh!

That Night…

Pitch Dark grunted with effort as he forced Luna over her own writing desk to claim her virginity. The alicorn had rather frankly commanded that she preferred a powerful stallion to slake her heat. It wasn’t as though the stallion were about to turn down this once-in-a-lifetime activity. He was her champion, after all. He hadn’t expected virgin’s blood, though. The scent of copper in her bedchambers was just as heavy as sweat. He rutted her furiously, watching ink bottles pitch themselves over and shatter on the floor.

“Yes! YES! Ravage us, thy beast!” Luna bellowed, clutching desperately at the desk until it began to buckle under her. The pain of her ripped hymen stung badly. Feeling the wood splinter-- the heady, muscled Pegasus flung her from it and over the bed. Diving upon her, he relished in her lustful shriek when he sank his teeth into her neck to tame her. She would go nowhere while he had his way. Her back legs stuck into the air as her mane bannered about. The stink of salt and sweat accompanied his furious grunts of effort as he thrusted into her waiting marehood. Gasping over and over, Luna relished in the feeling of being overpowered. It took a powerful stallion to dominate a true alicorn in the bedroom, and she’d put over five hundred to the test to find just the right one. The coil of muscle, the shriek of battle and broken bone, it had all been worth it. How often did somepony, anypony get the chance to rut the brains out of a Princess? Neigh-ver, he was willing to bet!

Luna growled, eyes flickering with a green serpentine gaze as she fought him. She turned over, lifting her tail as he dove upon her again. The bed groaned dangerously, but he coiled and arched his back without mercy. The alicorn cried out, violently tearing the sheets with her teeth. Her virgin’s blood stained the bed sheets, along with her sweat and feminine nectars. She moaned rather pathetically when he held her down, spending himself deep within. Unable to help it, Luna purred, squirming a little.

His strength spent, Pitch Dark flopped down upon her, gasping. After a few long moments of breathing, Luna turned and eased him over the sheets for pillow talk. “Tell us, Pitch Dark—my champion.” She said while stroking his rock-hard, erect wings with a hoof. “Dost thou relish in the thought of thy actions?” Pitch Dark murred softly, looking at her as a bead of sweat worked its way across his flank. He nodded a little. She smiled, the green serpentine of her eyes flickering once more. “Power can corrupt, we assure thou.” Luna said. “But we’ve a greater plan for thee and a select few Lunar Stallions, if thou wilt but listen.”

What do you say, Pip?

“Anything you wish, your Majesty.” Pip said aloud, suddenly in Pitch Dark's place. “I would follow you anywhere. Anywhere.” He put his hoof on her breast, his eyes flickering a sickly gold and green while Pitch Dark pulled the strings of his mind.

“And suppose I descended into darkness, stallion, would’st thou follow me?” Luna pressed, her voice terse and demanding. He recoiled for a moment, but then leaned and rather erotically dragged his fangs across her shoulder. She shuddered a little, draping a massive hoof around him to feel his muscles.

“My life it meant to serve you, your Majesty,” Pip flicked his eyes upon the mess on her sheets and loins. “In all capacities.” He smirked at her. “Even into darkness.” He dragged his tongue across the little love bites he’d given her, rewarded with oily purrs and petting.

Alone in his room, Pip squirmed on his bed and moaned loudly. One of the guards posted outside turned and peered in at him, only to be rewarded with an eyeful of something he REALLY didn’t want to see. He slammed the door, and wouldn’t tell the other guard what the Black Stallion was doing with himself at the moment.

=----=-----=-----=

Stalwart Hide grumbled to himself while the other Lunar Stallions chit-chatted and compared formalwear. All of them were in their armor, yes, but each had chosen an accessory or other bit to make themselves stand out. Aegis Shield had been given a golden circlet to wear over his ears, for example. Stalwart Hide had a humble black bowtie around his neck, and even that was mostly hidden by the lip of his chestplate.

The scene was thus: No Lunar Stallion was allowed to enter the ballroom without his escort (male or female, it did not matter), so they were all piled at the entry-hall waiting. They were to await their escorts, and parade past their fellows into the room beyond. When everyone was inside, the other attending parties could enter and the ball could begin after Princess Luna’s speech. “St---Stalwart Hide?” a timid voice floated through the rows of gathered stallions. He turned his head, perking his ears. There was a ripple of interest from the gaggle of soldiers and other officials.

Archmage Twilight Sparkle finally emerged into Stalwart Hide’s view, and she was gorgeous. Her mane had been done up in a beautiful loose bun, and her face touched only lightly with make-up. She’d elected to wear silvery stud earrings, but that was nothing compared to the dress. She was adorned in what must’ve been a work of art by any other name. It was thin and jet black, hugging her body like a glove. The frills of the train flirted with the floor, but never quite touched it. Flecks of silver dotted it, looking very much like the night sky. Silver trim and a pair of bracelets on one hoof completed the ensemble with flair. The plush shoulder bits accented the attractive piece, and Stalwart Hide felt his jaw hanging a little. She was breathtaking.

The purple mare stopped in front of him, smiling shyly as she watched his eyes travel her up and down. He’d definitely groomed, trimmed his fetlocks and such, but the Lunar Stallions hadn’t been allowed to dress up very much. It was a military ball, they had to be recognizable. Her eyes darting back and forth, she tried to think of something very clever to say to him. Something… something dashing, and perfect, to start the evening with. Her mouth quivered a little when she found his eyes were resting on hers. They looked at each other for a long few moments. “H… Hi.” She managed after a long time.

“Hi…” he said in the same rather dreamy tone. Both were too afraid to make the first move. Off to one side behind Stalwart Hide, a grizzled Panzer Hoof kicked his Captain in the flank, startling him forward. The massive stallion nodded sagely as his leader finally got the idea and shouldered up next to Twilight Sparkle. The pair of them paraded into the ballroom, past their fellows, as was expected. “You look… nice.” Stalwart said carefully, smiling at her with a warmth in his cheeks.

“You too.” She said, looking anywhere but him. Her brain was going a mile a minute, trying to come up with meaningful conversation. She’d taken the dance lessons, she’d gotten the dress, she’d been sagely-advised by both Princesses—now what? She was just here as a friend, wasn’t she? Her eyes glazed over a little as she recalled to her mind’s eye the scene of Stalwart Hide leaning over a mound of books, studying. She gulped a little, trying not to stutter-step as they entered the grand ballroom.

There was a small orchestra already playing, banners with symbols of the moon everywhere, and servants mingling in the crowd with hoof-food and drinks. Walking side-by-side, Twilight and Stalwart weren’t sure what to do with themselves. What did one do at a ball? Just hang out? Nopony was dancing yet, so… hmm… They both peered about, puzzled. Lunar Stallions were starting to leak into the room one at a time. Panzer Hoof with his solar guard wife. Pen Maker and his marefriend. Falling Storm and red stallion Stalwart didn’t recognize. They were all there, eventually. Twilight had fun just seeing who was who and who they’d come partnered with. She felt a few eyes on herself as well, and tried to look dignified. “Uhm…” Twilight said, drawing her escort’s attention. He looked at her, smiling gently. Twilight! It was Rarity’s voice in the back of her head. A lady does not slouch! Stand up straight! Gulping, Twilight jerked upright like she’d been slapped on the butt, smiling and throwing her chest out a bit. Stalwart Hide leaned back like she was about to bite him, then smiled coyly. “I… I think it’s great that Princess Luna is having this ball.” Twilight managed after a few awkward moments of silence. “The Lunar Stallions don’t get nearly as much thanks as they should. With this academy, I’m sure your numbers will swell as well!”

“I hope so.” Stalwart Hide smiled, bobbing his head a little.

“I bet you’ll get to oversee a lot of the new recruits, being a Captain and all.” Twilight smiled dazzlingly. Stalwart Hide nodded a few times. “I know they’ll be in good hooves.” His cheeks colored bashfully when she said it to his face. “I mean, your strength and endurance levels were off the charts.” She started to deviate into her science and facts, and he deflated. “You could probably run across a desert if you wanted to, built like that!” she poked his chest plate a little. They chit-chatted for a long time, eventually getting their hooves on a pair of strong wine glasses. Liquid courage helped to ease the tension a bit, and they deflated into more normal conversation after that.

“Oh look it’s Princess Luuu-ohh-my.” Stalwart Hide’s eyebrows rose until the lip of his helm hid them.

Princess Luna, escorted by Aegis Shield, had entered the ballroom. She’d chosen to be fashionably late to try and slip in, but the room hushed a bit when she entered. Her belly was round, very very round. The Lunar Stallions around the room whispered to their dates. They’d been briefed on the gestation period an alicorn had. Two weeks was blindingly fast to create a new life and bring it into the world. But, it also meant that signs of the pregnancy were going to show very, very quickly. She’d announced her pregnancy on Nightmare Night five days ago, and she’d known before then so she was… what… halfway to giving birth? More? The dark alicorn hunched just a little bit, running her hoof over her belly when something inside shifted. Was the foal kicking? Her gasping and wide-eyes said so. But that’s not the only thing that had changed. Princess Luna’s mane, usually vibrant and starry, had dulled. No longer did it flow with a breeze that was not there, or sparkle like the night sky. It looked like a powder blue wig with flecks of glitter in it. It was no surprise when half a dozen on-loan solar guards emerged into the room with her, eyeing the crowd suspiciously. All of the Lunar Stallions had escorts to worry about, so she’d taken the initiative to have others look after her that night. She doubted she’d do much dancing, as bloated as she felt, but it was the thought that counted. “Good evening, everypony.” She said in a rather soft voice. She sounded thin and a little reedy, the vibrant force of her voice gone. The foal, it seemed, really did sap an alicorn of her powers. This new version of Luna looked positively… mortal.

Aegis Shield took Luna to a table in the sitting area, where she held her abdomen and gratefully took a seat where she could see most of the room with ease. He sat loyally next to her and called for wine and food. “Whatever you want, Luna, have it. You’re eating for two.” He chuckled a little coyly, smiling and making sure to sit very near to her.

“I do not think wine would be best while pregnant, my stallion.” Luna said with a bemused sigh. “Perhaps juice would be better?” she cocked her head and a servant vanished to make the sprint to the kitchens. Feeding and watering a pregnant mare was way different than doing so for a rowdy group of soldier stallions. Thankfully, the head chef was not a complete moron, and had stockpiled a special refridgerator for just such the occasion. Sparkling apple juice was brought to the Princess in a wine glass, drawing a grateful chuckle from her. Sure, it was just juice and seltzer water, but her little ponies had thought of everything to care for her and the foal. It touched her, and she began to tear up as she stared at her drink. “You all take such good care of me!” She mewled softly, tears going down her cheeks. Aegis Started to panic a little, then she smooshed him into a hug and rubbed his mane happily. “Ohhh, my love and heart! Forgive my outbursts! The hormones make me giddy.” she sniffled and released him, taking deep breaths and trying to compose herself. Hunching a little, rather embarrassed at her mood-swings, she sipped her glass daintily. Aegis smiled sympathetically and stroked her mane.

The ball continued for a few hours of socializing, mingling, eating and drink. The Princess was approached by many well-wishers and curious bystanders that wanted to get a look at Aegis Shield just as much as they did Luna’s pregnant belly. The dark alicorn was a little embarrassed at such intimate attention when one of the mares innocently asked if she could listen at Luna’s belly. Seeing no harm, she lifted her silvery silken dress a little and leaned back in her chair. The mare wasted no time and knelt on all fours while others looked on. She held her breath, pressing her ear gently to the Princess’ swollen belly. Something shifted, then rather visibly kicked her. “Oh! Feisty!” she chirped, pawing at the foal with her hoof. Luna giggled, ticklish. The foal shifted again, and she cupped herself with a breathy moan. “Have you thought of any names yet, your Majesty?” the mare asked, getting up while Luna fixed her dress.

“Not yet, no. Though, I imagine I should. T’won’t be long until the birth.” Luna said with a blushing smile. She’d not given one single thought to the foal’s name yet! She looked at Aegis Shield for aid, but he looked just as lost. Name somepony? How could they know what might be a good name? It was a big responsibility. The foal would be stuck with whatever name they picked for life. “Perhaps later.” Luna finally amended. “Let us enjoy the ball.” She smiled and he nodded quickly. After a time, she saw the ball room was filling up and the dais had been set up for her speech. “Well, excuse me, I must go speak.” She bade her lover and current conversation companions. Rising with a good deal of effort and holding herself, the very pregnant Princess made her way slowly across the room and to.

“Shhh, shhhh! The Princess is going to speak!” somepony said. The ponies in the room began to gather ‘round the large dais, some taking the opportunity to sidle up to their dates and nicker softly.

Princess Luna stood erect, and tried to call upon the Royal Canterlot Voice to address the entire room. But, she found she couldn’t do it. The concussive force of her magical voice refused to come to her. She rubbed at her throat a little, looking shocked, then swallowed embarrassedly. A few murmurs came from the crowd, but Luna quickly salvaged it by holding her hoof up. There was instant silence, and a Lunar Stallion or two scolded his date into complete quiet. This made it much easier for the Princess to be heard. “Welcome to the Lunar Stallion Academy Ball. Here, I have erected a military academy similar in every way to the solar counterpart, but different in several important ways.” Luna spoke for a long time, occasionally stopping for breath. She spoke of the limited number of graduating stallions, that the necklaces they wore would only accept the truly worthy—and a stallion less than worthy would probably be crushed under the weight of the disappointment of their ancestors. The Lunar Stallions in the room nodded gravely. They knew of such trails. (Twilight Sparkle stood a little closer to Stalwart Hide, gulping a little.) The Princess spoke of the high expectations the school would have, and that the drillers and teachers would be among the finest instructors bits could bring to the grounds. After all, with a graduating class of forty-six, in the end only the most potent of warriors could rise to be amongst their lunar brothers. “And with that,” Luna concluded, smiling and gesturing to the orchestra tucked in the corner of the ball room. “I invite you all to approach your partners for the first dance. I think I need to sit down.” She cupped her belly and finished the lengthy speech with a joke. There was a good-natured chuckle as Luna labored off of the stage and found her place with Stalwart Hide again, at a table to rest. She found that, during the speech, her table had become weighted down with healthy, tasty treats, and smiled. Aegis picked one up and, much to the delight of a few onlookers, fed it to her. Luna blushed, but did not deny him.

Elsewhere in the crowd, Twilight Sparkle had set her brow into a concentrated look of serious-face-ness. Gulping a little, she looked over at Stalwart Hide. The stallion was leaning with interest over a table that was covered in fancy crackers and cold cheeses. Which one to try? His Lunar Stallion belly just didn’t know which to try. Hmm… oh! All of them! Of course! He chuckled, leaning down with his mouth open and his piranha teeth out. “You wanna dance?” Twilight Sparkle blurted behind him, a little red-face.

“Hamph--?!” he startled at her words, missing his cheesy goal entirely and setting his fangs over an arrangement of flowers that had also been on the table. When he turned to look at her with startled eyes, there was a blood-red rose clenched in his fangs. Twilight startled back at him. How smooth was he, wow! She gulped, but she hadn’t taken those dance lessons from Rarity for nothing.

The pair of them walked slowly out towards the dance floor of the ball room while a hoof-full of other couples did the same. The orchestra was still playing background music, waiting for a reasonable amount of ponies to join. Soon enough, the conductor saw that almost all the Lunar Stallions had taken their partners out to dance. Nodding to himself he tapped his music book a few times, and struck up the orchestra. “Oh my. Aegis Shield. Look at that.” Luna gestured with her muzzle. The Lunar Stallion Captain turned his head, spotting Stalwart Hide out on the dance floor. “I must see this…” The Princess chuckled, sitting regally and staring at the pair on the dance floor.

Twilight Sparkle squared her shoulders. She could do this. It was just a dance. Just a dance. Taking a deep breath and trying to clear her mind, she did her best to wipe her I’m-concentrating scowl off of her face. It wasn’t very attractive to scowl at your dance partner after all. While the orchestra played a slow, tinkling tune involving chimes and many smooth wind instruments, the purple mare called up her lessons with Rarity.

Stalwart Hide watched curiously as Twilight walked a quick, quiet semi-circle around him, flicking her tail just once. Mare inspects the stallion, Rarity called it. She approached with precisely five steps, touching her nose to his for a moment. He leaned into her, lifting a hoof to bow to his partner. Bashfully, she silently reflected his greeting by crossing her front hooves in a dainty, feminine way. She made eyes at him for a few moments, then stepped forward to press her chest against his. How strong is the stallion, again from Rarity. All the moves had names. Stalwart Hide could not resist her, and pushed back with the weight of his chest. The rocking motion made him giddy in his stomach, his muzzle was pressed lightly against her mane. The tickling scent of honeysuckle touched his nose. They rocked back and forth a few times, until Twilight turned away with a new flick of her tail, swatting his muzzle with disinterest. Rose still clutched in his teeth, he moved about her, offering a hoof which she took. He pulled her close once more, and they smiled at each other.

“My my my…” Luna said, chuckling behind a hoof and lifting her sparkling apple juice to her lips. “I do not know where Twilight Sparkled learned that dance, but she certainly has Stalwart Hide’s interest now.” She winked at Aegis Shield, who chuckled and watched with her.

Stalwart Hide ran the tip of his muzzle down one side of Twilight’s face, then the other. She pressed to him once more, lifting her hoof to embrace him with both front hooves. He walked gracefully backward while she held on. Her back hooves squeaked lightly against the marble. Stallion supports the mare, from Rarity. The dance was designed to lead the stallion along, but also let him play the 'stronger' role. He didn’t need to know the dance to participate. The mare’s moves were meant to entice graceful reaction. After Twilight had slid forward a few feet, she closed her eyes and fell forward a bit. He picked her up using his muzzle, and she rather unashamedly nuzzled him. Pressing up against her chest with his own, they rocked back and forth a few times again. He felt her nodding into his mane, heaving a quiet and happy sigh. Opening his wings at her in a coy display of masculinity, he smiled a rather heady smile. She was good. She was really good. He hadn’t pegged the scientist-slash-scholar-slash-archmage to be such an excellent dancer.
Twilight rocked back and forth with him, closing her eyes and smiling broadly. She was so happy, she didn’t want the moment to end. When the song flourished and threatened to end, though, she slid up against him T-ways and extended her neck. He obliged with a quiet nuzzle, planting the red rose in her mane with a rather romantic nip of her ear. She looked up at him, smiling shyly. It didn’t take either of them long to notice the other was panting a little.

Scattered applause drew them out of their staring at each other, and the pair looked around. The dancers had parted into a wide circle, given Twilight Sparkle and Stalwart Hide plenty of room to dance alone. This, of course, had made them the center of attention for many other ponies. Both of them blushed, looking at each other then back at the crowd. A woof-whistle sounded from somewhere, and the pair of them slunk towards the sitting area to catch their breath.

Princess Luna sipped her sparkling apple juice with a bemused smile, and Aegis Shield felt a familiar tickle on the back of his neck. This smelled of alicorn mischief. “Did you plan that? The two of them, I mean?” he asked, cocking his head.

“If I recall, you were the one to suggest Stalwart Hide to Twilight Sparkle.” Luna smiled, daintily putting the glass down on the table. “It is my experience that if you put two ponies close together for long enough,” she paused and smiled at him lovingly. “They do one of two things: kill each other, or fall in love.” Aegis Shield smiled wryly at his Princess, then returned his attention to the dance floor. He’d lost track of the pair. If he’d looked to one side, though, behind a column-- he may have spotted the Archmage and the Lunar Stallion Captain sharing their very first shy kiss.

End of Part 6

Next Chapter: Intermission Estimated time remaining: 33 Minutes