I sat on the porch of the Wyverns Tail, a rescued chocolate, a mug of tea and a sneaky pipe of tobacco. Well, what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her, right? I’d cut down at least. There was still a decent amount of Starbeard’s tobacco left and when I smoked it, I felt somehow a little nearer to him and our friends in the Withers. I did miss them at times, and at this time of the morning, with the family still in bed, I could enjoy the peace and cool air of the sunrise.

I closed my eyes and took in a mouthful of the pipe smoke, remembering Ember, Short Stride, Thorn…

The world ended in a loud ringing, light and sound disappearing into a black void of nothing. I never even felt myself hit the ground.

My thoughts came back to me in incoherent broken fragments. Memories cried out to me from the depths; images of castles, dragons, wars, it was all there like a giant jigsaw puzzle somepony had completed, then thrown on the floor, little pieces of pictures making up a whole. I was one of the pieces, as was Maroc, Arathea…all of us, one tribe…broken.

What was once whole was gone, buried in time…but maybe, maybe not completely lost. In amongst the shattered pieces of memory, Maroc’s image broke through in a blaze of white and blue, sending sparkling ice fragments into the darkness,

“Fairlight”

I tried to speak but it was so hard to concentrate,

“Fairlight, you’re in danger. You have to wake up.”

I tried to shake my head, but nothing was working the way it should, “Maroc? What’s happening? Where…where am I?”

He stepped closer, “Inside your memories, inside your subconscious. You’ve been hurt, Fairlight, and must awake…”

Fighting my way to consciousness was no easy feat. Smell, taste, sound, all my senses had been shut down and were only now coming back to me inch by agonising inch. With them came a dull ache, a thumping and jarring motion that made my stomach churn and my joints cry out in protest. Some things were immediately apparent; my legs were tied, damned painfully too, my magic had been locked away and I was gagged and blindfolded. By the terrible ache in the back of my skull, some bastard had given me one hell of a crack and here I was, once again, tied up like a carnivores Sunday roast.

One of these days I’d have to get myself fitted with wing mirrors. Having ponies sneaking up on me all the time had become a major problem in my life and some day would probably get me killed. Hmmm. Perhaps I shouldn’t be thinking about that right now? Where the fuck was I?! For that matter, where was my family?

I strained my hearing to try and pick up any sounds, but all I heard was the jostling of a cart, the smell of hay and my bones grating with the overly tight bonds. I’m sure some ponies paid for this sort of treatment, as for me, I just wanted out of here and the first chance I got, somepony was going to find I wasn’t a pony to fuck with.

The cart stopped, rocking back slightly before tilting and the hay being moved away from me. A slight amount of daylight peaked through pinprick holes in my blindfold, but I kept still. Let them think I was still out cold…

“This him?”

“Yeah, it’s him…now, where’s my money?”

“Wait while we check him out.”

A rough pair of claws pulled at me and I heard a piece of paper being rustled, “That’s him alright, look at the cutie mark and the scar. You sure he’s hornlocked and bound properly?”

Another voice answered, “He’s helpless, look at the state of him.”

“You’re not kidding, look at the mess you made of the back of his head. You stupid cunt, you nearly killed him! He’s no good to the mistress if he’s fucking dead.”

“You haven’t seen this guy in action, he’s a fucking killing machine. Beats me why you wanted him alive. I think we should cut his throat and have done with it. Cut his horn off at least, that way he won’t cause you any trouble”

“You’re not paid to think, Shrill, so shut the fuck up.”

There was a clink of coins, “Here’s your money now sod off. Remember, you say anything to anypony…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill”

I was pony handled into another carriage and dumped unceremoniously on the floor before the thing lurched up into the sky. This was definitely becoming a habit, perhaps so much so that I wasn’t freaking out the way I probably should have, particularly at the prospect of having my ‘horn cut off’. Thankfully, whoever the ‘mistress’ was, she wanted me in one piece. Somehow, I guessed the mysterious female wasn’t Luna’s alter ego in Equus.

I listened closely to my captors as we flew, but they kept silent for the whole journey, which by reckoning was at least two hours or so. Hard to say for sure, but we had at least one Pegasus with us and one other in the carriage with me. There were no windows either and I spent the whole, achingly uncomfortable trip in darkness.

We touched down, the carriage landing rather awkwardly on cobbles by the sound of the wheels hitting the hard surface. The door opened and a pair of hooves pulled me by my bindings out and onto what I could only imagine as some sort of stretcher and a blanket thrown over me. The background sounds of voices, horns and shouts reminded me of the city. Where the hell were we? I wracked my brains, taking in as much information about my environment as I could. There was always the chance I could get out of this and knowing where I was could be crucial later.

As the stretcher, trolley or whatever it was, was pushed along I caught glimpses of lights overhead. Was I in a hospital? There were noises I would certainly associate with one, but none of this made sense, why would they bring me here?

Finally, we moved through a set of double doors and into a lift that took us down to a quieter level, quiet except for the hum of machinery; probably the basement by the warm and muggy air. Pinpricks of light appeared through the blindfold and a gruff voice spoke into my ear, “I know you’re awake, freak. Any sign of trouble from you and you’re dead, but not before your family die…slowly. One. By. One.”

I couldn’t have said anything for the gag in any case, but I tried to remember the voice. This bastard was one who sounded like he’d carry out his threat, and probably enjoy it too.

Still incapacitated, they undid my bindings carefully but quickly replaced them with metal cuffs and chains, leaving me suspended painfully from the ceiling from my forelegs. My hind legs, barely touching the ground, were splayed out and similarly chained. Aching already from my journey and head trauma, my spine and muscles felt like they were on fire. With no way to access my magic, at least not without Maroc’s help, I was all but helpless. There had to be some way to get this damned hornlock off…

The sound of hoof steps moving away and a heavy door slamming shut had me wondering what these scum had in store for me next. In the now complete darkness, I hung there. No sound, no light, just pain and that constant discomfort that I could never quite relieve. Somewhere inside, deep down, my magic waited for me but with the hornlock it was as if I were looking at it through a pane of glass. It was there, so near, so tantalisingly near and yet not matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get to it.

Minutes, hours…I lost track of time completely, it didn’t exist here. I’d given up fighting against the pain and simply hung there, enveloped in it.

The door opened and my ears twitched. There were two ponies…one heavy, one light on their hooves. The lighter one came closer, their breath close to my muzzle, I could even sense their body heat. A hoof touched my chin and a feminine voice laughed with a musical quality I’d heard once before, only once…my blood ran cold.

“My, my…dear Captain Fairlight”, the voice was soft, lilting, “I have you at last, my fine stallion.” She laughed. In any other circumstances, it would have been quite exotic. As I was now, I could feel my heart hammering in my ears. It was her, it had to be.

“Wondering where you are? Why you’re here?” she walked around me slowly, occasionally trailing a hoof over me, “Such a fine specimen. Well muscled, toned…what a fine legacy you would leave.”

What the hell was she talking about?

The mare stood before me. Even in the darkness I could sense her presence, her scent, like wild lavender.

“You know who I am, don’t you Captain? Yes…of course you do.” I heard the sound of a drink being poured, “Such a wonderful thing, magic, wouldn’t you agree? Nothing quite like it on my world.”

She drew closer again, “Thirsty?” The mare held up the glass to my lips in her magic but teased me with it before taking it away, clucking her tongue, “Not yet, no…you need a little more ‘training’ first I think”

Training?

The mare turned around and put the glass down, “You see Captain, on my world, ponies…horses, aren’t as ‘eloquent’ as you and I. They’re nothing more than animals, beautiful creatures to be sure, but dumb animals nonetheless. I’ll confess they are really quite wilful creatures, strong in spirit, body and mind.”

She moved closer again, leaning up to my ear, “Do you have a strong spirit, Captain? A strong body…and mind?”

The mare giggled, “We ride ponies in our world. Saddles aren’t just for decoration there. Back home I had many horses, champion race horses…studs. I could ride them all, even the wildest of stallions. Some humans used to ‘break’ their horses, break their spirits, using pain to train and reprogram their minds to obey through fear.”

A rod of some kind was dragged up my stomach and chest until it was under my chin.

“I don’t like those methods,” she said in a seductive voice, “I find it best to leave something of the wilder spirit behind. You see Captain, all a horse needs, is the right kind of…motivation.”

The rod slid back down to my haunches and tapped me firmly on my cutie mark, “One must be sure a mount is safe and obedient before they can be ridden”

I didn’t know what to think, my mind was in a blur with possible scenarios. She wanted something from me, but what I had no idea.

“I’m going to give you a little treat now, ‘stallion’, a taste of what you could have if you…behave yourself. Are you ready?”

The other pony pulled off my blindfold and a dim light assailed my eyes. It took a little while to regain my focus, but there, lying in front of me on a red velvet lounger was one of the most beautiful, graceful unicorns I had ever seen. The first time we’d met, she’d ordered the killing of my friends, the second, she was in the company of that bastard Velvet Cream. This was the human bitch who had the blood of dozens, if not hundreds of ponies on her hooves. It didn’t stop her being a feast for the eyes though, and she knew it. Her pure white alabaster coat, long horn, the lustrous golden mane and tail, all combined made her look like the lost sister of Celestia herself. Tall and elegant, and hating myself for it, it was hard to take my eyes off her despite my current predicament.

She giggled behind a gold shod hoof, speaking in a sultry voice, “Like what you see?” The white mare eyed me with those deep azure eyes from under long flowing lashes, “I know you do…”

The mare looked me up and down from nose to tail, “I’m not averse to partaking of ponies, in a more, shall we say…intimate manner, Captain. If you’re a good boy, maybe you’ll get to have a little sample yourself, a taste of something…forbidden?”

I was desperately trying to think of something else, anything else.

“Nothing to say, Captain? Oh!” she held a hoof to her mouth in mock surprise, “You can’t speak can you? Not with that horrible thing in you mouth.” She waved a hoof and the male trotted back to untie the gag.

“Well?” she said questioningly, “Still nothing to say?”

“Go fuck yourself”, I spat glaring at her.

“Hah!” she clopped her hooves together, “Such spirit! Oh Captain, I’m going to enjoy breaking you…enjoy every moment.”

My goddesses, she was drooling, actually bloody well drooling!

The ‘mistress’ walked up to me, swaying her hips, “I know all about you, you know…that’s right, lord of the four winds, your magic, your mares and your foals. You can’t keep secrets from me, Captain”

I stared my hatred at her, this bitch had it coming. Threatening me was one thing, but my family was all I had…I wouldn’t risk them again. The mare levitated over the rod from earlier,

“You know what this is? It’s a riding crop, we use it to ‘encourage’ our mounts in my world to obey us. You, my find piece of horse flesh, will find that soon you’ll enjoy its sting, want it…need it. Do you like the thought of that?”

“What do you want from me?” I growled.

She looked back me from over her shoulder, “Oh dear! What a way to speak to a lady!” Her magic flared and the crop thwacked across my haunches making me jump. The movement pulled on the chain that in turn hauled on my joints adding a flare of burning pain to my increasingly desperate situation.

“I’ll tell you what I want from you in due time, my stallion” she whacked me hard across the legs and back, grinning menacingly, those beautiful eyes filling my vision, “By the time I’m done with you, I’ll be able to ride you wherever I want, make you do whatever I want and, Fairlight? You’ll be begging me to do it”

“Fuck off”

“I thought you’d say that! Such a dirty mouth too!” She nodded to the male in the room, “He stinks…give him a wash”.

“With pleasure, Mistress”, the stallion growled, lifting up a fire hose from the floor. It was then I noticed the drain below me and knew what was coming next. The water hit me like a freight train, the ice cold blast chilling my body and half drowning me. I tried to breath, to fight back, but I was completely in their power. What the hell could I do now?

I hung there for a day, maybe two. Shaking and hungry, I was desperate for water and some sort of relief, any relief, from the pain. I’d hoped Maroc would rush in to save the day, but of my elusive saviour from my trip to the bottom of the ocean, there was no sign. Every moment I railed against my situation, desperately trying to find the magic and keep what little strength I had left by sleeping when I could. But here, time meant nothing. There was no respite, all there was, was pain, pain and misery.

The mistress walked back into the room and my eyes snapped open. From the complete darkness, to see her was at least something different, a break from the cold, hunger and misery.

“Hello stallion, how are you this morning?”

I kept quiet, hanging from those accursed chains. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of…

She poured a glass of water out, sparkling and cool. I could see the ice in it, hear it cracking and moving in the liquid. I was so thirsty…

“Water”, She said holding the glass up, “Something so simple…so necessary for life, so…delicious”. She took a sip and moved to me slowly waving the glass in front of me.

“I know you want this, my stallion. Tell me…tell me you want this…”

I nodded slowly and she held the glass to me lips and I took a mouthful of the blissfully cold fluid in my mouth, before spitting it in her face.

“I said, go fuck yourself you bitch”, I croaked.

The mares’ cheeks flushed red, dripping with water and she raised the crop to strike me, “You!” Her expression suddenly changed and she laughed, returning it to the table.

“No…no I don’t think so.” The white unicorn chuckled as she wiped the water off her face with a towel, “I thought you may do that, so…I thought I’d explain a few things to you.”

She grabbed my head in her forehooves, her muzzle close to mine, her breath fragrant and sweet, “Don’t think your friends will come charging in here to your rescue, Captain. This room’s shielded, both physically and magically. I know about your ‘bond’ with your followers. I also know where your family live and one of our, ‘friends’ lives there, one who loves bits far more than he loves his ‘lord’. All it would take is one call, one simple sentence, and your family would…well, lets leave it at that shall we?”

“You fucking rat!” I gasped, “You touch my family and I’ll kill you, I’ll kill all of you!”

“Yes…I’m sure you would if you could” she shook her long golden mane, the way it shimmered in the light was like a golden waterfall, “I know what you did to Gates, and poor Melon Patch too. Not that I cared for those murdering rapists. I’m still a mare you know, Captain.” The mare walked slowly around me, her scent tickling my nose, “My fur is soft, my skin is supple, this…” she ran rubbed her flank up against me, “…could all be yours.”

“Don’t flatter yourself”

“Oh Captain, your words say no, but your body…” she looked down at my nethers grabbing me with a forehoof, a feeling of shock running through me, “…your body is a lot more honest than your mouth”.

My head dropped. I was so tired…what did she want from me? If she’d just do something…anything!

“Kill me, if you’re going to, just…just get on with it. But leave my family alone, they haven’t done anything to you.”

“You’re not in any position to ask me anything, are you now?” The mare walked away slowly, “I think I’ll leave you to think on your behaviour, stallion.” She placed the glass of water back on the table before me, “Think about how much you want that water, Captain…and how much you want…me”.

With a flick of her tail, the mare left the room, the door slamming shut with a heavy finality. Total silence once more engulfed me, the lamp on the table highlighting the glass of water sitting tantalisingly just out of reach.

Here, time had no meaning. The constant pain, sleep deprivation, starvation and dehydration were taking their toll me on. One day swirled into the next, with no light to go by and seemingly random visits from the ‘mistress’, I could feel myself drawing closer towards death. The mistress however, would never quite let me pass on. Whenever she felt I was drawing close, she’d have me fed a small amount of a tasteless gruel and hose water. One day, earlier on…I don’t recall when, I’d spat the food back in the face of the mare and she’d gone wild, whipping me until I bled. She’d been steaming and panting with the effort until, in a rage, she’d thrown the crop at me then stormed out ordering the male to clean me up. He’d done as she’d ordered, with a bucket of stinging liquid and yet more hose water.

Goddesses, I wanted to see my family again, it was all I could think of to focus on. I tried to keep my mind together, to retain my sanity…even just a tiny piece, to lock it away and protect it from this madness, but the pain…the torture continued.

The door opened and the mare trotted in happily, “I have a special treat for you Captain!” she cooed, “look! I had it specially made for you too, and its even got you name embroidered on it. Beautiful, no?”

She lifted up the saddle and reigns in front of me. It was purple and white with silver trim, a small ships wheel sewn into the corners and sure enough, on the harness was the name ‘Captain’ in swirling script. So…that was my name now…’Captain’.

The mistress walked over, “Come on, I want you to try it on!” She lifted my head and looked into my eyes, “You poor love, you’ve been through it haven’t you? Are you thirsty?”

My resolve quavered, my body screaming for relief, “Yes”.

“Yes what?”

“Yes Mistress”

“Good boy!” she clopped her hooves together then trotted to the table and collected the glass of water, “And good boys get rewarded.” The mistress moved closer, tilting my head up, “Open your mouth now”

I did as she commanded and she tipped some of the liquid in. I choked; my mouth was so dry I could barely swallow. She clucked her tongue and shook that beautiful golden mane, “No. That won’t do, that wont do at all! Here…”

She took a mouthful of the water and lifted her mouth to mine, slowly dribbling the water into me. Goddess forgive me, I let her. I was starving, beaten and broken down, my body crying out for water, even just the tiniest sip. I opened my mouth and she leaned in, the water slowly entering, along with a tantalising taste…the taste of a mare.

The mistress stroked my chest slowly, smelling my coat and whispering in my ear, “Do you want more?”

My body was on fire, demanding the cooling fluid, “Yes…”

“Yes what?”

“Yes Mistress”

She leaned closer, “Ask me…”

“Mistress…please…water”

“Good boy, very good boy”, she lifted the glass, “Good boys get rewards”. She lifted my muzzle and gave me another mouthful of the amazing drink, it was so good. I could feel life filling me again.

“That’s enough for today I think.”

My eyes opened wide, she was going already?

She gave me a wicked smile, “Don’t worry, Captain, I’ll be back tomorrow and then you can try on your saddle. If you’re a good boy that is.”

No! She was leaving me! In the cold and dark once more. I couldn’t stand it, I had to have water, light…I had to have her touch, I needed it…oh goddesses, what was happening to me? WHAT?!

“Meadow, Tingles, Shadow” I murmured, “Forgive me…I love you so much, I want…I want to go home…” For the first time in I don’t know how long, I felt tears well in my eyes, pouring down my cheeks, “I want to go home…”

I was a foal again, lost in the crowd at the local supermarket, calling for her, needing her there. The place was so big, giants walking around me tutting at me to keep out of their way. The shelves seemed to go up to the sky, the aisles to the horizon. I was so scared, I wanted my mum, I wanted to go home! I ran up one aisle and down the next, but I didn’t recognise any of the ponies there, no smiling faces, no help for the little grey unicorn foal.

One foal in a trolley rumbled past, pushed by his mother, “Look mummy!” he pointed down at me.

“Come away Lime, don’t stare, it’ll follow us”, the mother walked on barely sparing me a second glance.

I’d been reduced to an object, an ‘it’. The world was quickly becoming a terrifying and cold place. I looked around frantically for help, calling for her, “Mummy! Mummy!” but no answer came. Colours, shapes and bright lights pressed in on me, forcing me into a ball of grey fur, too frightened to open my eyes.

“There you are! Where did you wander off to, Silly? Don’t you ever do that again!”

The familiar voice of my mother snapped me out of the black hole I was falling ever deeper into. She was here! Thank Celestia! I smiled up at her through tear filled eyes, those big azure eyes in that pure white coat gazed down at me with such love, such tenderness. Mum had always had such a gorgeous golden mane, the other mares were jealous of how good she looked and the foals envious of me for have such a wonderful mother!

“Come on you! Up you come”.

Mum picked me up in her magic and plopped me onto her back where I rode like a king, smirking at the other foals. My mum was the best pony, and I was her best foal too!

“I love you mum”, I said in my squeaky voice.

“I love you too Captain”

Freezing water hit my body, washing away the sweat and waste produced by bodily functions. The shock of it brought me round, the male roughly towelling me off afterwards. He never spoke, never made eye contact. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, all my attention was on the door…waiting for her.

“Good morning Captain!” she chirped, trotting in and looking me over with a critical eye, “Hmmm, you’re too thin by half. I think you need to put a little weight on those bones, don’t you?”

“Yes, mistress”

She clopped her hooves together, “Excellent, Captain! You’re making your mistress very happy, and when I’m happy, you get rewards.”

My heart beat faster in anticipation, she had something for me?

“Today, I’m going to…aw, wait and see!” she trotted back over to the door and knocked, speaking to the male beyond it who entered, following her to my side.

“Are you sure mistress?” he asked her. The alabaster unicorn span in an eye watering blur of speed, the crop slashing across his face,

“How DARE you question ME?! I know my horses better than anyone and certainly a lot more than some mangy worm like YOU!”

The stallion was all but crying, prostrating himself before her, “I’m sorry mistress! Please, please forgive me…please!”

He was a gibbering wreck of a pony, gasping and sobbing. The mare picked up her crop and pushed it under his chin, tilting his head up, “I know, Pickles, I know. It’s alright…shhhhh, just do as I say and you’ll get a treat too. If you’re a good boy.”

I hated Pickles, how dare he upset the mistress?! I glared at him and strained against my chains. The mistress watched me with a bemused look in her eye and tapped me on the nose with her hoof,

“Now, now, I wont have any of that my stallion. All in my stable must behave themselves and you’re no exception. Mind you…it depends on just how ‘good’ you are.”

She smiled at me, a smile that made my loins burn and my heart ache, “You are a ‘good boy’ aren’t you, Captain?”

“Yes mistress!” I replied excitedly. She was pleased with me!

She nodded to the male who disappeared off into the darkness, and after some clanking and metallic creaking noises, I suddenly dropped bodily to the floor. The shock and pain made me cry out. Muscles, skin, tendons and bones long held in that unnatural position, burned like fire when I hit the ground. The mistress walked over, picking my muzzle up in her hooves,

“Oh Captain! My dear, dear Captain…what have they done to you? Don’t worry, it’s alright now, I’m here for you, I’ll protect you. Nopony will hurt you while I’m here...” She stroked my untidy mane, “Shhhh….quiet now my stallion, mummy’s here for you, you’re safe…”

I felt tears of joy burning in my eyes. I was safe, safe at last, she’d make all the pain go away. I was so happy I didn’t know what to say or do, but it didn’t matter so long as I could see the smile on her face.

The chains were re-adjusted. I was still secured, but now I had enough room to stand on all fours and move a little, if only I could get off the floor. I could move my legs though; days, if not weeks of hanging from the ceiling had caused damage that was preventing me from reaching the mistress as I should, from making her happy. I was so angry with myself! I tried to rise to my hooves, struggled and fell. She reached out and stopped me,

“Don’t struggle now, it’s alright, you’ll get your strength back soon. Here…”

She waved a hoof and the male brought over a sack which he carried in on his back. It was a long bag of sorts with straps which the mistress placed over my head and strapped behind my ears. A sweet, yet malty smell hit me from the bag…food! I stretched out my tongue and tasted it…it was food, and good too!

I looked up to her, unsure of what she wanted me to do. She nodded, “It’s alright Captain, go ahead, I made it just for you…its mummy’s secret recipe”

Not wasting another moment, I took a mouthful of the mixture, one after another, greedily taking it all in. Tears streamed down my face as I ate, it was so good…so good…”

Afterwards, the mistress removed the nose bag and walked around me before shaking her head in disappointment, “It’s no good, your muscle tones lacking and your coat and mane are a mess.”

“I’m sorry mistress!” I cried, desperate for her praise.

She tapped the riding crop against her side in thought, “You need a bath, Captain, and tomorrow…well, we’ll see.” The mistress smiled, “Do you miss me when I’m not here?”

“Yes!”, I nearly shouted. How could she think I didn’t? The mistress was everything to me, everything!

She smiled and ran her hoof down my spine, sending shivers along it despite my pains, “Until tomorrow then…my Captain”

The door banged shut with a terrible finality. I so desperately wanted to go after her, to be by her side. To see her smile was all I desired, to gaze into those azure eyes so big and bright was like heaven! I lay back on the cold hard floor, trying to get my legs to work, my muscles to function. It was so difficult though, nothing seemed to be working the way it should, but I had to do it…tomorrow she’d be back…tomorrow.

Hours, maybe days passed before the mistress returned. I was thirsty, hungry and every second she’d been away had been like an eternity of suffering. If there was a hell, being without the white mare was surely it. The door stayed open as she walked in, two males following close behind carrying a large porcelain bath tub which they placed next to me. Soon after, they began bringing in buckets of hot water, bottles of heavily scented oils and soaps, towels, I couldn’t believe it…was this all for me?

The mistress smiled at me and my knees went weak, would she be happy with me? The mare tapped my neck with the crop, tilting her head on one side, “You’ve done well…I didn’t think you’d be able to stand so soon. Oh, Captain…they’ve been so cruel to you, but don’t worry, mummy’s here to make you better…”

Her horn glowed and the locks on my chains popped off. The sudden release made me gasp as blood flowed back around the areas the tight fitting shackles had held. The other two males remained in the room, watching me closely, but I didn’t care. My mistress was here and her happiness was all that mattered.

At her instruction, I climbed into the bath and sank into the hot water. The heat and steam seemed to melt the pain away and I could feel myself becoming more pony again, clean and alive. Her delicate hooves picked up the sponge and she began working the lather into my coat, my mane, combing through the tangles, wiping and rubbing. It was the most unbelievable, heavenly experience I could have ever had imagined. Her hooves were the touch of an angel, her eyes looking deep into mine…I wanted to be with her forever, that beautiful, precious unicorn.

The mistress smiled at me in that motherly way, washing and lathering, washing and lathering…heaven, simply heaven. Ultimately, she instructed me to stand and the males brought over more buckets which were used to rinse me off. I had to chuckle at their jealous gazes; the mistress was paying attention to me, me! I smirked at them and one of them glared back at me…he knew, he knew I was best pony.

A hot air blower was brought in and switched on, the mistress turning me with prods of her hooves, brushing and curry combing me until I was satisfactory. She nodded her approval and stood back admiring her work, “Good…not excellent, but good. I think we need to do something about your eyes, colouring and cutie mark though. Then…then you’ll be perfect.”

I nearly hopped in anticipation, perfect? Yes! She said perfect!

Mistress clopped her hooves together in excitement, “I nearly forgot! Your present!” She wandered over to the table and picked up the saddle and reigns which she checked over and brought to me.

“Have you ever worn a saddle, Captain?”

“I…I don’t know mistress”

She shook her flowing mane, “No matter, there’s a first time for everything.”

The saddle floated over to me and landed on my back, the unexpected sensation making me buck slightly in surprise. I received a disapproving look that made me drop my head and ears flop,

“I’m sorry, mistress”

“Don’t worry, Captain, I’m not upset with you, not at all. You look so wonderful, I just want you to look your best. You…you do want that…don’t you?”

She looked away shyly, unsure. My heart leaped and my eyes went wide, “Of course, mistress!”

“Good”, she said suddenly turning a beaming smile on me, “Come then, lets get that settled on you and we’ll have you spick and span in no time.”

Straps and belts in place, halter and tack set and secure, the mare tapped a hoof in approval.

“Something’s missing, she muttered, “Ah!”, she clopped her hooves and opened a bag one of the males brought over. Held up in her magic, a metal device appeared with a ring at each end and a long strap slung between them.

The mistress walked over to and brought her muzzle close to mine. I could feel my heart rate accelerating,

“This is a bit, a simple one. We call it a snaffle bit in my world. This one…I’ve brought especially for you though…Captain. Do you want it?”

“I…” I looked at the thing. Something about it caused alarm in my mind, somewhere deep in the recesses of my tortured brain. But the mistress’s eyes…they filled my vision, and my soul. How could I doubt her?

“You…you don’t want my gift?” she sniffed, eyes glistening. I stepped forward eagerly, “No…yes! Please…mistress, I want your gift! Please!”

She turned her head back to me and spoke softly, “It goes behind your teeth, my stallion. Here, let me show you…open your mouth now, nice and wide.”

I did as she ordered and she magicked up the bit into her own mouth. Slowly, bringing her mouth up to mine, using her lips and tongue, she pushed the bit into my mouth. The mistress’ tongue brushed against mine nearly making me cry out in pleasure and excitement, her scent and taste exotic beyond imagining. She positioned the bit in place and withdrew, tossing the reigns up and over my head onto my back. The smiling mare stood back, nodding,

“Excellent. You are a good boy, Captain. Did you enjoy your treat?”

“Yes mistress!” I wanted more, but I couldn’t be impulsive and disobey her, I was a good pony after all.

One of the males brought over a large cushioned blanket. “You’ll sleep on this tonight, my stallion, and I want you to keep the bit in and the saddle on, understand?”

“Yes, mistress, thank you.”

She leaned forward and nibbled my ear causing me to nearly pass out in pleasure, “You’re welcome. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, Captain, so I want you well rested. Will you dream of me tonight? Please?”

The mistress’ plea made my heart nearly burst, “Yes! Mistress I will!”

I stood erect, my ears pert and my tail straight, I wanted her to see how willing I was, how I would make her proud of me. She kissed me on the cheek, barely a brush but it was electrifying.

“Sleep well, my stallion.”

I awoke with the clang of the bolts on the door opening and the mistress trotting in with my breakfast. She was virtually glowing with energy,

“You’ve kept it on! And all night too, well done Captain! I’m so proud of you.”

I shuddered, standing tall and straight for her. The saddle had been a little uncomfortable during the night and the bit made my mouth a bit sore too, but for her…I’d do anything, endure anything. She didn’t bother with the nose bag this time, rather placing the food in a bowl and holding it in her magic while I ate, the glow from her horn tingling my nose. She moved around me, brushing my coat and mane, taking out the tangles from my tail. I risked a glimpse at her flank, no cutie mark, just pure unmarked white…like cake frosting. I wanted to…

A tap on the nose stopped those thoughts, “Naughty! And so early in the morning too. You’re quite eager today Captain, aren’t you?”

I nodded, “Yes mistress”

She laughed, giving me a drink of cool, refreshing water with a hint of something minty in it. I smacked my lips and she smiled, her eyes sparkling,

“I’ve given you a little extra for your breakfast today. I need you to be a little, ‘fizzy’. Are you ready to play a game with me?”

A game? Of course I was!

“Yes mistress”

“Good! Then we’ll begin”

The two males entered, and the chair, table and other accoutrements were taken away. The mistress clopped her hooves and the room was suddenly bathed in a blinding light. I took in a sharp breath as the unfamiliar light hit my eyes and made me flinch back, but soon, after a few blinks, I was able to make out the sheer scale of the room we were in. It was massive.

The white mare trotted over to me, carrying a long rod with a sort of streamer attached to the end. With a glow of magic from her horn, she connected a longer reign to my existing one.

“This is how I train my horses at home, Captain. I don’t think we need to try too hard with you, so we’ll take things…” her voice dropped, “…nice and slow.”

My mane bristled in anticipation. The mistress took up the long reign and rod, “Now, I want you to start walking in a circle around me. Not too fast, not too slow, I want you to listen to my voice, only my voice. You understand?”

I nodded, “Yes mistress”

She grinned then clucked her tongue, tapping me with the long rod thing. I walked, my muscles ached like they were on fire, burning and making me stumble a little,

“You’re doing well, Captain, keep going”.

I nodded my head and, determined to keep the tempo, kept my eyes forward, concentrating on the tension on the reign and the tap of the rod. I circled her and she turned with me, a light touch against my hind legs made me kick a little and she tutted at me, “No bucking now, Captain, be a good boy”

I couldn’t disappoint her, “Yes mistress”

Round and round I went, feeling my muscles warming up, the ache starting to leave me. She must have sensed it and clucked her tongue again, giving a firm tap with the rod and shake on the reign, I picked up speed to a trot.

Round and round, another tap, into a canter, round and round. I was enjoying this, I was warm, my muscles straining, my blood pumping. I felt good! The mistress laughed, “Now Captain! Let’s see how fast you can go!”

She wacked me on the rump and I increased speed to a full gallop, round and round, faster and faster. The artificially lit world was a blur with the focus of it my mistress, watching me with that smile of hers, the one she gave me alone. I was her stallion now, not those other males, I was the best pony.

The mistress pulled on the reigns, making a different noise now, but I knew what she wanted. I slowed, bringing down my speed in a gradual decline until she pulled me up to a halt.

Walking over to me, she eyed my steaming coat, the slight foaming at my muzzle. I watched her respectfully, whilst she checked me over,

“Good”, she nodded to herself, pleased, “You’re doing well Captain. Keep this up and I may have another treat for you. Would you like that?”

I nodded, “Yes mistress!”

“Good boy!” She held up something to my mouth and popped it inside, it was…delicious! A sweet, fresh minty taste enveloped my mouth. I’d never tasted anything like it.

“There’s more where that came from”, she laughed, “For now, let’s get you unsaddled and brushed down. There’s much, much more we need to do, my Captain.”

Days more like today were to come and I relished them, relished the time I could spend with my mistress. Sometimes I would stumble, but she’d simply correct me and we’d carry on. I would do anything to see her smile, all I needed to do was obey her. It was all so, so simple.

I’d been working hard one day and she’d had me washed down and even had my hooves trimmed and oiled until they shone. I had to admit, I looked fantastic as I admired myself in the mirror she held up for me. The mistress was called out on business but returned a little later, smelling of elderberry wine,

“Captain…you’re to be…’changed’ tomorrow”

“Changed, mistress?”

“Yes”, she walked around me, drawing a hoof across my coat, along my spine, flank and…

“Tomorrow, we’ll have to have you looking like a different pony.” She sounded hurt, she didn’t want this!

“Does this make you sad, mistress?”

She looked up at me through those long lashes, pausing in her stroking, “Yes. But you’re still my stallion, Captain. So, tonight, because you’ve been so good, I’m going to give you a treat”.

“Thank you mistress”

“Yes…” she shook her mane, “Follow me, Captain, don’t lag behind now”

I didn’t. I was fit, clean and able. I trotted after her, full of vigour and energy, my mistress was going to give me something and I couldn’t wait to see what it was.

For the first time, we left the room. I was almost reluctant at first; what lay beyond here? It was like leaving my world behind and stepping into the unknown, but, so long as she was with me, the future held no real terrors. We walked down corridor after corridor, pipes running along the walls and ceiling, the smell of steam and damp running through the complex despite it appearing clean and well kept. Baskets of items sat here and there awaiting collection or delivery, rows of large blue bins were lined up along the walls that had something written on them. I paid them little heed, my mistress was my only concern. She turned a corner and I was hot on her heels, still keeping a respectful distance though. I was so happy! I didn’t even need reigns any more!

She stopped in front of a nondescript wooden door and opened it, beckoning me in after her. Inside, the room was quite large with a scattering of chairs, tables, a bar area and a large bed. It was stunningly feminine; the walls covered with paintings of…ponies? No…not ponies, horses, and not quite like the ones I’d seen either. These were…different, somehow and all looked a bit, dull witted?

The mistress saw me looking, “Horses, from my world. Not the same as Equestrians, Captain. Certainly…” she stroked a hoof through my mane making me gasp, “…not like you.”

I faced her, rather impetuously I feared, but she didn’t seem to mind. She took a glass of wine and passed it to me. I was very good at holding things in my hooves, I wonder why? The Mistress laughed and poured some into her mouth, moving up to me smiling. Taking my muzzle in her hooves, she placed her lips against mine and I opened my mouth to the influx of sweet elderberry wine mixed with her breath, and her tongue.

Automatically, I reached up and touched her neck, gingerly at first, not wanting to cause offence. My hooves, no matter how polished, weren’t worthy of touching that pristine white coat of my mistress. She didn’t object as I’d feared, in fact she gave a deliciously soft moan and moved into me, nibbling my neck and sending little bursts of excitement through me.

She worked her way down, increasingly urgent, nibbling becoming biting, her moans now loud gasps as I stroked, nibble and caressed her in return. Suddenly, she pushed me away and climbed onto the bed, holding her forelegs out to me in invitation, “You love your mistress, Captain?”

“Yes, mistress”

“Show her. Show her how much you love her”, her eyes half closed, she drew my mouth down her body and between her haunches.

The smell of femininity hit me like a sledgehammer. Before me, her marehood lay exposed, warm and fragrant. I wasn’t sure what to do; had I done this before? But no matter, I had to do something to please her, so I let my instincts have full reign. My tongue snaked out, running up and down her, eliciting stifled moans and a little cry of pleasure. I was ecstatic, my mistress was happy with me…I gave her more.

She pulled me further into her as I worked, hind legs gripping me and her fore hooves pushing me down. It was a little hard to breath, but all my attention was focussed on satisfying her. Those other stallions weren’t as good as me, I was the best one here, I was the mistress’s favourite, and I would give her my best performance.

Her cries echoing around the room, she began to shake and shuddered once, twice, three times before letting out a cry of passion and pushed me away suddenly. Had I done something wrong?

“Mistress?” I asked in concern.

“Oh, Captain…you’re such a good boy. Now…now its time for your treat.”

Another treat? I thought that had been it! I stood there waiting, but she just looked at me, “You don’t know, do you?”

“I’m sorry mistress”, I hung my head.

She clucked her tongue and leaned forward on the bed, taking my stallionhood in her forehooves, “You want to do something with this thing don’t you?”

A surge of emotion and desire ran through me, my loins burning. Surely she didn’t mean? I looked at her shyly, “Mistress…I…yes”

“Good boy. Now…do what comes naturally, Captain.”

She sat back on her haunches and guided me forward to her, onto her. I could feel her warmth, her heat below me. I felt my member touch her marehood, the moist warmth seeping from it. This felt so…wonderful. The mistress smiled up at me, her azure eyes pulling me in as much her body was, “Now…give yourself to me, my stallion. All of you.”

I reached down and pulled her up slightly, making her gasp in surprise before I pushed my hips forward and entered her smoothly. I kept pushing until I was hilted fully inside. The mistress cried out, digging her forehooves into my shoulders, her eyes shut tight, “Fuck…yes! Captain…do it, now! For god’s sake, now!”

I obeyed and withdrew, pushing forward again. She hissed and groaned, gasping and writhing but I kept my grip on her, ploughing away in increasing strokes, leaning down to kiss and nibble her as we made love.

The mistress shook and moaned beneath me, her feminine noises helping to bring me closer to the edge of release and I felt myself begin to shake as I peaked. The white mare beneath me cried out, “Do it! Inside me, Captain…for gods sake…do it…”

Panting, and with an animalistic grunt, I unloaded everything I had into the wet heat of my mistress. Her chest rose and fell, breath steaming as much as our bodies in the cool air of the room. She looked up at me with wet eyes; was she…crying?

“Mistress? Have I been bad?” I was suddenly panicked.

“No…” she shook her head, “You’ve made your mistress very, very happy. Now, lie next to me and hold me. I want to feel you against me.”

I did as she commanded and the two of us lay there, side by side. I ran my foreleg over her and sniffed her mane, taking in her perfume…she smelt of lavender…it was wonderful…and yet somehow, vaguely familiar. My mind began to reel slightly before I was drawn back by a stifled sniffle, my mistress was crying.

Before I could say anything, she whispered, “I’m sorry…don’t pay me any heed, just…just stay with me…please? I don’t want to be alone.”

“Yes mistress”, I said, holding her in my forelegs and snuggling closer. The smell of wild lavender filled my nostrils, feminine and strong. For some reason it felt so right to be here with her, and yet…mistress…

I fell asleep with her curled up beside me. To my eyes, she looked like a lost and frightened foal.