THE TEACHER, THE SORCERESS, AND THE WONDERBOLT

Chapter 19: The Decision

Rarity awoke to the sound of a woodpecker, just outside. Wait, a woodpecker at this time of year? With a groan, she opened her eyes to find the night sky only just beginning to give way to the morning sun, still too dark to truly be called twilight. She was about to get up to throw a slipper at the offending bird, or whatever it was, when she felt a pair of forelegs tighten around her abdomen, the forelegs' hooves resting on her pert breasts.

“Mnm, Rares, love yah.”

The white unicorn smiled at the sound of Applejack's sleepy proclamation. Turning her head, she took in the sight of her lover spooned up behind her. She snuggled in just as the woodpecker started again. This time, she was awake enough to realize it wasn't a woodpecker at all, but someone trying their level best to turn her front door to splinters by knocking. I suppose there's little chance of them going away if I ignore them, is there?

Sighing, she got up after gently prying herself loose from the earth pony's grasp. She gave her a kiss then started down the stairs to eliminate the disturbance, one way or another. I swear, if somepony's mane isn't on fire and only my glorious presence can put the flames out, there may just be a new patient in the burn ward before breakfast. She reached the door and threw open the top half of her dutch door, hissing out, “What! Ponies are trying to sleep here!” Rarity paused when she found Twilight standing on her doorstep, looking more than a little panicked as she danced in place and bit her lower lip. “Twilight? Whatever's the matter, darling?”

“Rarity, I... I need to talk to you.” The hunted look in her eyes gave Rarity pause. “Some... something's happened. Something great. Terrible, but great.”

Rarity opened her door fully, pulling her friend inside. “Come in, Twilight, come in.” She took in the lavender mare's frazzled mane and twitchy eye, and feared that another breakdown was imminent. “You look positively dreadful dear. Please, tell me what's wrong.”

They sat on a divan in the private section of her shop, with Rarity gently rubbing Twilight's back in an effort to calm her down. Twilight worked her mouth silently for a moment before sound would come out. “They... I mean... I never expected... but all of them...” She turned to her friend and looked her in the eyes as she put her hooves on her shoulders. “All of them, Rarity. What do I do?” Twilight stood and began pacing in front of her. “How do I even choose? I mean, yeah, I made a mental list of pros and cons for each of them; but it got so muddled because I like them all for so many reasons, many of which overlap; and then I thought I'd try to quantify each thing I like and dislike about them, but how do you assign a value to 'looks cute with her mane mussed up in the mornings'?

Twilight plopped into a sitting position on the floor and pulled her tail around so she could pet it like it was a small animal. “It's great that they like me, well, more than like me, more than great when it comes down to it, but you know what I mean. They practically said the 'L' word to my face! I think one or two of them actually did! How do I deal with a single confession like that, let alone three? This is an impossible choice because no matter whom I choose, two of them are going to go away hurt, and probably never speak to me again, and I just couldn't deal with that if it happened; it would be just awful! How could I call myself an expert on the magic of friendship if I can't even keep friends from never wanting to see me again, it's driving me crazy!” She looked to Rarity again with a a disturbing smile and her eye twitch going into overdrive.

Rarity sat down on the floor beside her and nuzzled the frazzled librarian's cheek with her own. “Oh, you poor dear. You were certainly right to come to your friends for this. What are we good for, if not to offer comfort and advice when needed?”

“Rarity, what's goin' on?” Applejack came down the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

The fashionista glanced over to her lover and smiled to herself, wondering how she came to be with such a wonderful mare. “Applejack, good morning. Could you be a dear and put the kettle on? Twilight here needs to talk to us, and she looks like she could do with some tea.”

Ambling over unsteadily, the farmer asked, “Twi? S'wrong, Sugarcube?”

“I'll explain once we sit down at the kitchen table. Now, would you mind, sweetheart?” Rarity batted her eyes at Applejack, knowing that the earth pony had little resistance to her feminine wiles.

Nodding, the orange mare wandered off, followed shortly by the two unicorns. While she was finding the kettle, Rarity explained, “It seems Twilight is in a bit of a conundrum.”

“A con-whatsit?” Applejack asked.

“A conundrum, Love. It means she's in a tight spot, so to speak,” the white mare said. “It seems our dear, sweet Twilight has had three mares ask for her heart.” She swooned in her chair as she thought of the romanticism. Twilight just sat there, her head in her hooves as she wallowed in misery.

Applejack set the kettle on the stove after filling it with water. “So what's the big deal, then? Jus' say yes to-”

“Applejack, darling, real friends wouldn't tell her whom to date!” Rarity interrupted. “That would just be... rude.”

Rolling her eyes, the farmer replied, “Well, excuse me for bein' all concerned, like. There's no harm in jus' tellin' a friend to be with the pony what makes your heart go all pitter-patter.”

Rarity graced her with an adoring look, but was preempted by Twilight from replying. “That's just it, Applejack! All three of them make me feel that way. They always have! From almost the first moment I laid eyes on them, I felt a stirring in me for them. Worse yet, I can't tell which one I feel more strongly for! It's like... like...” She struggled for an analogy the farmer might understand. “Like choosing which apple trees to save from a plague of fruit bats! You know you can't get them all, but if you don't act, you'll be left with nothing!” The desperation plain in her voice tore at the other two mares who gave her a helpless look.

The kettle chose that moment to cry out shrilly, and Rarity used her magic to levitate it over three mugs without getting up. Applejack pulled a chair over next to Twilight and sat closely to her. Rarity did the same as she floated the mugs over to them, noting that Applejack had put a coffee packet in her mug instead of the the Sunrise blend tea in theirs. The fashionista wrapped her forelegs around Twilight's abdomen, snuggling in close to her, as Applejack leaned in and offered her shoulder to the distraught mare.

Accepting the silent offer, Twilight laid her head on Applejack's strong shoulder and heaved a great sigh. “And now all three tell me that they want to be more than friends, almost one right after the other! I just don't know what to do. I've never been at such a loss. I mean, usually, I can somehow relate my problems to something I've read before; but in all the stories where a situation like this comes up, the protagonist chooses one and the story ends. You never find out what happens to the others not chosen.” She looked up at the farmer with tears in her eyes. “How can I choose one but keep the others' friendship? How can I even choose one when they all mean so very much to me?”

Applejack tried to come up with something to say, but was at a loss as well. She kissed the mare's forehead. “Ah... Ah don't rightly know, Twi. Ah guess Ah've been lucky enough to never have this come up afore.”

Rarity sighed into the mare's purple coat. “I'm afraid I too am sorely lacking in helpful advice, darling. It would be one thing if you had a clear idea of whom to choose, but if the choice itself leaves you like this...” She let the sentence trail off, mentally kicking herself for her impotence.

Twilight gulped down her tea in one swallow, not even bothering with the honey set out on the table. “Well, thanks for listening girls. At least I don't feel like tearing out my mane in frustration anymore.” Wriggling free of their grasps, she hopped down to the floor. “I better get going. I want to see the others, and I think that Fluttershy is up by now to start her feeding routine.”

Rarity walked her to the door. “We're so terribly sorry we couldn't be of more help, Twilight.” She cast a worrying glance her way when all she got in return was a small nod. The white unicorn turned around to find Applejack standing there looking dejected. She ran to her and fell into her powerful forelegs, blinking back tears. “Oh, I feel like such a foal! Here I was trying to arrange for her to fall in love with the pony I feel like she should have, and all this time she loved them all!”

“We both deserve a slice o' that humble pie, Rares, so don't go hoggin' it all.” Applejack's words brought a out a resentful chuckle from the unicorn in her grasp. “Twi's... Twi's got probably the biggest heart out of any pony Ah ever done met, an' Ah ain't just shuckin' corn, neither. Ah guess it only makes sense that she'd be the one to fall in love with more'n one pony.”

Looking up into the earth pony's eyes with a steely resolve, Rarity said, “Cancel your plans for work on the farm today, love. We have a friend in desperate need, and if we can't help her, then we must find the one who can.”

(\ /)
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Twilight slowly walked down the street, her mind working in circles on solutions to her problem. Every time she believed a train of thought was headed toward a solution, it was derailed by self-doubt, or worry that one of them would take it badly, or some other, unforeseen disaster. Her mind was currently running a scenario wherein a hydra, riding on the back of an Ursa Major, accompanied by a flight of dragons and a parasprite swarm ran roughshod over the town while the mares told her that she didn't deserve to be with any of them, and they were leaving to chase after Iron Will. Princess Celestia had just landed to inform her that her services would no longer be needed when a voice broke through her thoughts.

“Twilight!”

The librarian nearly jumped her entire height in surprise. Gasping for breath, and with a hoof over her heart, she saw Rainbow Dash and Pinkie-Pie standing next to her with concerned looks on their faces. “Rainbow! Pinkie! You scared me!” she wheezed.

Sighing, the pegasus looked to her fillyfriend. “Looks like you were right Pinkie.”

The baker ran up to Twilight, grabbed her as if she were a stuffed doll, and glared at the cyan mare. “Of course, I was right. I may not have recognized three hoof taps, a tail smack, and itchy eyelids, followed by licking my own nose as Pinkie-sense for 'Twilight is about to have a mental breakdown' the first time it happened, but nopony says that Pinkamena Diane Pie can't get with the program.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and held up her hooves placatingly. “Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Don't drop your cupcakes.” She looked over to her friend and said, “So, you going to tell us what that was all that about? Or were you just practicing your crazed mutterings and standing high jump?”

Twilight laughed a little, then broke out into full-blown giggles. Unfortunately, it didn't last, and quickly devolved to tears and outright sobbing. Pinkie-Pie did her best to calm her down by holding her and petting her head, while Dash looked around uncomfortably. After a couple of minutes, she got herself under control. “I- I'm sorry, girls,” she sobbed. “It's just that seeing the two of you together always makes me smile, but then I remembered that you're together, which reminded me of my own problems...”

The pegasus rolled her eyes. “I told you she wanted in on this, Pinkie. Nopony can resist the thought of the two of us together. We're like chocolate and peanut butter, the ultimate combo!” She turned around, presenting her flank and smacked it. “I mean look at that! You could bounce a bit off of that!”

The earth pony smacked her flank as well, but with a glare. “Dashie, think with your head and not your candy!” She tilted her head with a smile. “Hey, that rhymed! I'm a poet and didn't know it!” She shook her head again and put on a serious face again. “Twilight needs our help, not our mind-blowing sex.”

“I thought that was helping,” Rainbow Dash replied in confusion.

Pinkie-Pie tucked the lavender mare under her foreleg like a package and huffed. “You know very well that she isn't in love with us like that. She's got more than enough on her plate without us muddying the issue.” She set Twilight down on her hooves again and brushed some imaginary dust from her shoulders. “Now,” she said in a motherly voice, “Tell your Auntie Pinkie and Auntie Dashie what's wrong, sweetie.”

Twilight gave a light chuckle which worried her friends again before launching into another explanation of the situation in her love life. Both of them gave each other sad, worried looks. “Twilight, I-” began Rainbow Dash before being interrupted by Pinkie-Pie.

“Twilight!” the party pony said as she grabbed the librarian's head in her hooves, forcing her to meet her eyes. “You know who you should be talking to about this.”

Uncertainty crept into the mare's eyes. “But... what if she...”

Pinkie-Pie shook her head sadly. “When have you ever known her to think badly about you, ever? Besides, you know that friends don't care who you love, as long as you are loved by them in return.”

“I...” Twilight's pause stretched on for felt like eternity. Finally, she hung her head in shame. “You're right.” She gave her a quick hug. “Thanks, Pinkie, Dash.” She ran off down the street before teleporting away.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Pinkie-Pie said, “They grow up so fast.”

Rainbow Dash walked over to her and draped a foreleg over her withers. “I have to say, Pinks, you may be about the goofiest pony ever, but you sure have this friendship thing down pat.”

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves rounded the corner, followed by Applejack and Rarity. The unicorn appeared to be out of breath, so Applejack asked, “Have either y'all seen Twi anywheres? We gotta tell her that Princess Luna is comin' to talk to her.”

“Stay thy tongue, good yeoman. Princess Luna hath arrived.” They looked up to see not only Princess Luna, but also Fluttershy landing near them in the street. “Hark, ye. Whence hath Twilight Sparkle gone?” She looked around in confusion, not seeing her anywhere.

Winking exaggeratedly, Pinkie-Pie answered, “She went to see the one pony she trusts more than any other, of course.”

(\ /)
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Twilight stood before the palace gates, taking in the fantastical architecture. She breathed in deeply and let out a satisfied sigh. Just being here gave her a sense of stability and tranquility. She walked up to the massive gates and nodded to the guards there who smiled and nodded in return.

“Morning, Lady Sparkle,” one of them said as she walked past.

“Morning,” she said as she continued on. Trotting through the halls, she felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Little had changed since she had last walked these halls, beyond a new painting or sculpture here and there. Turning a corner, she entered the living area of the palace and headed to where she knew the Princess would most likely be at this time of day. Stopping in front of a pair of tall double doors, she approached one of the guards to the side of them. “Excuse me, sir. Would you mind terribly telling Princess Celestia that I need to speak with her?” she whispered in his ear.

He nodded sternly. “Of course, Lady Sparkle.” He stepped inside, only to return a moment later. “Her Highness will receive you in her study after she concludes her breakfast, Lady Sparkle.”

Twilight nodded. “Thank you.” She slowly made her way to Celestia's study, only to be overtaken by the mare she had come to see by the time she had reached the door. The Princess silently nuzzled her as she ushered her in to her private sanctum.

As soon as the doors were closed however, she swept up the unicorn in her embrace, cooing to her. “Oh, my poor, poor Twilight.”

Twilight just sank into the warm embrace, enjoying the feel of the alicorn's limbs wrapping around her in a protective cocoon before looking up at her. “Princess?”

Celestia gently smiled down at her. “Your friends, Rarity and Applejack had Spike send me a letter this morning telling me about your distress. I had replied that since Luna was already there she could either start talking to you while I prepared to come to you, or bring you here, but I didn't expect you to come directly here alone.”

“Oh, I see.” she replied. Then something struck her as odd and she tilted her head to the side in confusion. “Wait, what was Princess Luna doing there this early in the morning? Isn't she usually here getting ready to set the moon at this time?”

Celestia smiled as she ran a hoof along Twilight's cheek, righting her head. “That's a matter for another discussion, another time. Right now, we need to discuss your... ah, predicament?”

Twilight nodded in agreement. “You're right, Princess. If I don't figure out what to do, I think I may go insane!” Already, a twitch was developing in her eye again as she paced in front of the diarch.

The alabaster alicorn halted her movement with an outstretched hoof, causing the unicorn to look up at her. “Twilight, come sit with me,” she requested as she went to the cushions placed by the fireplace. She took the larger of the two, and patted the one next to her after moving it closer. The librarian complied, letting her forelegs drape over Celestia's the way they used to when she was just a filly. Celestia nuzzled her and whispered into her ear, “Close your eyes, Twilight.”

Clearing her throat, Twilight did so after shooting her a glance of confusion. Celestia's horn glowed a soft, golden hue as she closed her eyes as well and touched horns with the unicorn. When she opened them again, they stood side-by-side in a wide, grassy plain. The wind bent the tall stalks of green grass, creating waves that crashed against their legs with a tickling sensation, carrying with it, the scent of a coming shower. The afternoon sun beat down on them, warming them from the early autumn chill, and the cicadas chirruped out their last hurrah for the year. Celestia smiled down at Twilight who beamed up at her with blushing pride. “It always amazes me the level of detail that goes into your dreamscapes, Twilight.”

Twilight blushed a little deeper and squeaked out a meek and humble “Thank you.”

Celestia stood tall announcing, “Now then, my faithful student. It's time we...” She drifted off as she noticed Twilight holding her hoof to her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. Smiling, the Princess asked, “What is it this time, Twilight?”

The lavender unicorn couldn't respond for fear of outright laughing at her mentor, and she would never be so disrespectful. Instead, she pointed at the mare, who looked down at herself over her half-moon glasses. Wait, glasses? Celestia looked carefully at herself, and noticed that instead of her normal regalia, she was now wearing her mane up in a ridiculous bun, pencils jabbed into it, holding it in place. A skirt covered her royal flanks and her rear legs sported stockings and shoes, while her chest was covered by a button up blouse. A pointing rod tucked under one wing completed the look.

Celestia smirked and arched an eyebrow at her. “So is this how you really see me, Twilight?”

Stifling a guffaw, Twilight responded, “I'm sorry, Princess. It's just that after all these years of 'my faithful student', I finally get to see this with my own eyes.” She sobered as the outfit was replaced by the Princess's normal attire. “Not that I ever want to stop being 'your faithful student', but that phrase can't help but bring to mind certain... connotations.”

With a twinkle in her eye, Celestia smiled at her. “It's fine, my faithful student, “ her smile turned into a grin, “but understand that this stays between us. Clear?” At Twilight's nod, she continued her instruction. “As I was saying, we are here in order to help you determine your true desires, so you can go about acquiring it.”

Nodding again, Twilight asked, “So how do we do that, Princess? I don't even know exactly what I want.”

“I want you to picture in your mind, the happiest moment in your life you can imagine,” Celestia answered. “It could be anything from getting your cutie mark, to the thought of getting married, to imagining what it would be like to have your first foal. Anything at all is possible here, so take advantage of that.”

Immediately, granite walls grew out of the ground like weeds with a stone grating on stone sound. Marble pavers choked out the grass until none was left. The walls began arching over to join together in a ceiling, blotting out the blue sky. Every few hooves, a window spiraled into existence from the walls, letting in the light of a cold, wet, rainy day. Groaning and creaking, wooden rafters grew out of the walls to support the ceiling, resting on marble pillars, and enormous bookcases sprouted from the floor. A rustling sound filled the air as books flew onto the shelves, arranging themselves to Twilight's aesthetics and plush red rugs emerged from the floor like mold growing. The area was lit by lamps that popped into existence in sconces littered everywhere. As a final touch, a fireplace with a roaring fire formed out of the wall, and several wing backed chairs and end tables bloomed in front of it.

All in all, it was in impressive library, but not overwhelming. It gave the two ponies a sense of quiet comfort, especially in light of the storm going on just outside. Nodding appreciatively, Celestia said, “Cozy. I rather like it.”

Twilight gave her a wry grin. “You should, it's styled more or less after your own private library in the palace.”

Celestia returned the smile. “I noticed.”

All conversation was halted as Twilight, that is, another Twilight walked into view, horn alight with her purple aura of magic. She was humming as she walked, and the book held in her magical grasp floated in front of her as she read it on the move. The other Twilight trotted over to the chairs and settled into one with a satisfied sigh.

It didn't take long for the silence to be shattered by the wail of a newborn foal. Other-Twilight sat bolt-upright, book dropping to the floor as another mare walked into the room, crying unicorn infant held in her rose-hued magical aura. “Twilight, love, Trixie must insist that you take your turn at changing little Moonlight Sparkle. Research for the Princess or not, there is simply too much going on for one of us to slack off on her duty.” Trixie kissed the lavender mare on the lips and hoofed the baby off to Twilight's magical aura.

“I'm sorry Trixie. You know I get when I'm really getting into a subject,” Twilight said with a sheepish grin.

Celestia lowered her head to rest cheek-to-cheek with the real Twilight. “Well it seems that your mind is already-”

“Twilight, where's the pickle flavored ice cream?” The voice interrupted Celestia, who looked at Twilight in mild shock, who also appeared a bit surprised. Cheerilee trotted into the room, well, perhaps not trotted. Waddled may be closer to the mark, seeing as she was very clearly pregnant. She held up an open box and turned it upside down. “Also, we're out of cheese crackers. Again.” This last was aimed at Trixie who affected nonchalance.

Trixie looked to the side and turned her nose up. “The great and powerful Trixie cannot help it if a certain pony cannot control her urges for snacking at all hours. A thump was heard from the back of the room, which got everypony's attention. “Speak of the daredevil.”

Spitfire landed into the room, grasping a giggling toddler pegasus as she tried in earnest to fly out of the mare's hooves. “Gotcha!” The Wonderbolt placed the tiny filly on her head, who giggled even more as she walked into the room. “Twi, Hon, I think we're out of zwieback again, so I was going to run to the store with Firelight. Do we need anything else?”

Cheerilee poked Other-Twilight's side with a hoof. “Yes. We need an answer as to when it's your turn to 'get one in the oven', and who gets to be first,” she said with a feral grin.

Twilight, the real Twilight had covered her face with her hooves and was blushing so hard, Celestia could feel the heat radiating from her. “Please tell me when it's over,” she begged her mentor.

Celestia replied, “It's over.”

Twilight uncovered her eyes to find all four dream-mares exchanging kisses with each other. “Gah! Princess, that's not funny!”

The alicorn was laughing so hard, tears formed in her eyes. “I'm sorry, my faithful student, but I simply could not resist,” she said from behind her hoof. Regaining control over herself, she turned the mare around so she was no longer facing them. This apparently caused the area to dissolve back into the grassy field.

Twilight cautiously peeked and breathed a sigh of relief. “I guess I know now just why I was so... confused. I'm a horrible pony.”

“Twilight Sparkle!” Celestia's stern tone snapped the unicorn's attention to her. “You are not a horrible pony! You are a wonderful, kind, loving, caring pony, who happens to be in love with three mares. That does not make you horrible, it makes you equine.” She sat down next to her and draped a wing over the mare's shoulders.

Looking up into her mentor's eyes, Twilight asked, “Doesn't it, though? Make me horrible, I mean. What I want isn't exactly fair to any of them, is it? Asking them to split their time with me so I can bask in the love of all three? Sounds awfully selfish to me, Princess.” She laid down on her belly in the grass and began pawing up clumps of it. “I mean, what kind of pony does that? It's cruel to make them share something that should be theirs outright and unconditionally.”

Laying down beside her with her wing still draped over the smaller pony, she contemplated a ladybug's trail across her hoof. “Twilight,” she began softly, “what we saw back there wasn't the base desires of a selfish pony. All four of you loved each other equally, at least as far as I could tell. Besides, love isn't a set quantity within a pony. Love is limitless, and there will always be more, regardless of how many and how deeply you love.” Celestia placed her hoof next to Twilight's and let the ladybug transfer over to her. “In any case, one does not kiss a pony with that much passion if one does not love one's partner deeply. I need only look at their faces to see that they cared as much for each other as they did for you.”

Twilight could not meet Celestia's gaze, and instead watched the ladybug hunt for aphids among the grass again. “But Princess, that was just my dream, no, not even a dream, a fantasy. I doubt they feel that way in real life.” She finally looked up to see Celestia studying her. “Trixie especially. I don't mean to speak ill of her, but she... she has a lot of anger and trust issues stemming from her childhood and...”

The Princess nodded. “I know. I had some ponies look into her past when I discovered that she was staying with you. I know what happened to her parents.”

“Princess!” Twilight exclaimed.

Celestia nuzzled her student's cheek. “Forgive an old mare her vices, Twilight. I did it out of concern for you.”

Twilight considered this for a moment before returning the gesture of affection. “I suppose I'd do the same in your position.” She looked up at her sternly. “But no more of that, okay? There has to be a level of trust between myself and the ponies in my life, and that precludes background checks.”

The alabaster diarch merely nodded, keeping to herself her council on the matter. “So what about you?” She smirked at Twilight's confused expression. “Do you think you could devote yourself to three mares like that? Dividing your time among them, plus your duties would require a lot of patience, not just from them, but you as well.”

“I... don't know.” Her quiet response was almost lost on the wind. She looked down at the ladybug again, shame filling her heart. “I love them all, and I want to make all of them happy, but I am left wondering if I am even good enough. Who am I to do this to them, to make them 'take a number', so to speak.”

Celestia tilted her head at her curiously. “Can you see yourself living with just one of them and the others relegated to being mere friends?”

Heaving a great sigh, Twilight replied, “I can see it starting out that way, but I know it wouldn't last. I would always be left wondering 'did I make the right choice?', 'would life have been better with one of the others?' 'are they okay?' 'what will the mare I'm with say if I went to see them, just to talk?'. It's the 'what if' that would tear me up inside. And that's not even considering the fact that the others might be so hurt that they sever all ties with me. Heh, 'might'. I know they would leave. I know I couldn't stand to see the mare I love in the arms of another and know that I can't do a bu- er, blasted thing about it,” she caught herself before cursing in front of the mare whose opinion of her matters most. Looking to the horizon, she said, “Now... now that they're in my life- this deeply, I mean, I simply can't imagine going on without any of them. They would leave far too big a hole in my heart should they go.”

Twilight looked up at Celestia again. “Have you ever faced a decision like this, Princess? Surely, you have some advice for me.” Tears formed in her eyes as she pleaded. “Please, Princess. I don't want to lose any of them,” her voice choking up at the end.

The alicorn smiled at her lopsidedly. “I believe I can do one better for you, my faithful student.”

(\ /)
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Rainbow Dash could not take her eyes off of the scene in front of her, so she whispered out of the side of her mouth to Applejack, “This is like, ten kinds of creepy. How long have they been like this?”

The farmer also sat, transfixed beside her. “Spike said he found 'em like this ten minutes ago.” She gulped. “No tellin' how long they was like this afore now.”

What had them and the rest of Twilight's friends so stunned was Trixie, Spitfire, and Cheerilee sitting all in a row on the pallet on which all four of them normally slept. They stared forward, pupils contracted so small as to almost be invisible. Luna stepped forward and clapped her hooves just inches away from Cheerilee's ears, to no effect. She peered closely into Trixie's eye, then reared back again. “Zounds! Yon mares hath been ensorcerled, We daresay. E'en now, they cavort in the Field of Dreams.”

“How did that happen to all three of them, Luna?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

Her horn alight in a blue glow, the Princess of the moon nodded. “Verily, We sense Our sister's influence o'er them. If what We believe doth be true, then we needst only wait for them to wake.”

Rarity looked up at the alicorn of the night with concern. “What is it you believe happened, Princess?” she queried.

“Consider the facts afore us, Our little ponies,” the Princess said. “Firstly, naught canst be found of Twilight. Secondly, Good pony Pinkie-Pie hath directed her to Our sister. Thirdly, We find Twilight's suitors enspelled within the Field of Dreams. Sooth, the most logical of conclusions is that they are discussing the matter of distress with Twilight in the place where words matter most: the heart.”

Rainbow Dash looked at her like she had just grown a second head. “Huh?”

“She means that they are talking this out in their dreams,” Fluttershy answered.

“Oooh...” The cyan pegasus replied.

Luna looked down at Fluttershy. “Ist that not what We said?” Fluttershy just looked up at her and smiled and gently patted her hoof.

(\ /)
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All color drained away from Twilight's face as Celestia stepped aside, revealing three very familiar mares. Trixie, Cheerilee, and Spitfire stood there, looking very embarrassed and an uncomfortable silence descended over the five of them. As time stretched on with nopony speaking, an eagle could be heard giving out a plaintive cry overhead.

Twilight gulped and asked, “H- how long have you...”

Before any of them could answer, Celestia stepped forward. “I brought them here from the beginning. They could not speak, nor be seen by you before this moment, however. Do not blame them, but they needed to hear this from your own lips, and you would not have been able to find the words when staring them in the eye, er, eyes.”

With head downcast, Twilight peeked up at the three mares for whom she had come to feel so strongly. “I... I know I don't have any right to say this but... I guess there's no putting the windigo back in the bottle. You've all heard what I said, and I'm sorry that I can't choose between you. You all deserve somepony special who will devote themselves to you and you alone.” She cast her eyes downward again, unable to bear watching them any longer, even through the shield of her bangs. “I've never had any pony feel this way about me, and I've never felt this way about any pony before.” The lavender mare kicked at the divot of grass upturned before her nervously. “I honestly don't think I could live, knowing I was the pony who hurt any of you by turning you down.” She laid down on the grass and choked out a miserable “Please forgive me...”

The three suitors looked to each other and nodded, albeit, reluctantly. They came forward and sat in the grass in an arc in front of Twilight. Spitfire stroked her hoof through the navy mane. “Hon, there's nothing to forgive. The heart wants, what the heart wants.” Twilight looked up at her with cautious hope. “To be honest, the three of us have been... talking. Before this, I mean.”

Trixie nodded. “Indeed. We talked about a great many things, and over this short time, it seems we became...” The azure mare seemed a bit at a loss for words, but fortunately, somepony came to her rescue.

“Friends,” Cheerilee finished for her. “Well, it may be a bit too strong a word at the moment. Perhaps... friendly rivals?” She shook her head in frustration. “Our... relationship is a bit difficult to quantify right now.” The maroon mare saw the look of worry in Twilight's face and quickly amended, “But we are definitely heading towards it, right girls?” She looked at the other two suitors encouragingly.

“Oh, yes, indeed! Trixie could not agree more!”

“Definitely! No doubt!”

Twilight twiddled her hooves as she stared down at them. “Sooo... Where does that leave us?”

Without hesitation, Spitfire replied, “Here.” And with that, all three leaned forward and kissed Twilight on the lips.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

Unseen by Twilight's friends, Luna smiled widely. She had been peeking in on their conversation, which was no big feat for her, seeing as it was conducted in the Field of Dreams. Verily, We doth feel relief that 'Tia was able and willing to help her “faithful student”. E'en against this confounding, puissant mare, none know just the right kind of pressure to apply and when, near half as well as she. She saw the suitor's eyes return to normal and begin blinking. “Hark, We doth believe that yon mares wake anon.”

The others gathered close and watched them blink, trying to clear the muzziness of sleep. The three looked around, a bit confused, when Luna felt a pressure that could only mean one thing. “Mark ye well, Our sister doth come amain. Gather usward, Our little ponies.”

A bright light could be seen streaming in through the window, bathing the room in its brilliance. It became near unbearable as a globe of blinding light made its way in through the window and dimmed away, leaving Celestia and Twilight standing in the center of the room. Immediately, before any of the ponies could bow, Twilight ran to the three mares, and to her friends great shock, pulled all three into a hug which was eagerly returned by all.

Before any of them could say anything, the Princesses quietly ushered them out of the librarian's bedroom, and outside altogether. The town was just starting its daily bustle, so there weren't many ponies out and about to pay them any attention. Naturally, Rarity was the first to ask, “Princess? What happened? Were you able to help Twilight?”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, I was Rarity. I just needed to show Twilight what she already knew in her heart.”

“Well, if'n it's not too much trouble, would you mind tellin' us who she chose?” Applejack asked.

Leaning down to her eye level, Celestia said, “Don't you think it's Twilight's story to tell?”

Applejack doffed her Stetson and looked properly contrite. “Mah apologies, Princess. It's just... yah see, we all were sorta rooting for one pony or t'other to come through in the end, so's we're all a might het up about this.”

The Princess took note of the many ponies that were looking their way stopped, all with ears perked, straining to hear their conversation. “I understand Applejack, but I refuse to discuss Twilight's affairs with other ponies, and you should all respect her privacy as well.” She looked down at the small, purple dragon at her hooves and said, “Spike, I think Twilight has a few things she needs to sort out here in private. Would you...” She let her words trail off suggestively.

Fortunately, Rarity took the hint. “Oh, Spike! Would you mind terribly coming over to the boutique? All this running around today has inspired me, and I could really use an extra paw around.”

“Sure, Rarity! Always glad to help.” Despite his earlier protestations to himself, the little dragon's eagerness to help the unicorn were very telling.

Applejack leaned in and whispered into Rarity's ear. “What about us? You said after we helped Twi with her 'problem' we'd... yah know.”

Turning her head, the fashionista whispered into her fillyfriend's ear. “Love, I think that Twilight needs a little time to 'yah know', herself.”

Blushing, Applejack jammed her hat on her head so that it covered her eyes completely.

“Now that that's taken care of,” Celestia announced, “there's a few things which require my attention, here in town. Luna?” she asked.

The mare of the moon shook her head. “Neigh. We shall join thou anon in Canterlot. We hath... other matters which demand Our own attention.”

Nodding, Celestia cantered off, and in a flash of light, was gone. “Well, I suppose we should get going too, Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash looked back at the party mare who was looking off in the distance towards the edge of town. “Pinks?”

Pinkie-Pie turned around with a knowing grin on her face. “Come on, Dashie. We need to get back to the bakery. The cakes need help before the morning rush, you know.” She started dragging the rainbow-maned mare home with her by the hoof.

“Well, Ah suppose Ah oughta be headin' home mahself. Need to get started on the back forty if'n we're gonna have enough apples for the cider rush this year,” Applejack sighed. She kissed Rarity on the cheek and started off down the road. “Come on, Fluttershy. Ah'll walk you home Ah guess.” She looked around when there was no answer. “Fluttershy? Luna, you seen-” she turned to ask the alicorn, but noted that she was missing as well. “Huh. Ah, well. They're grown mares. They can handle themselves, Ah reckon.”

Rarity watched Applejack with a hungry look until the earth pony disappeared around the corner. Shaking herself from a daydream, she turned, saying, “Come along, Spike. Lots of dresses to make!” she cried out in a sing-song voice.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

The gray mare adjusted her flatcap as she peered around the corner, watching the ponies in front of the library disperse. “I must say, that you've certainly gotten better at timing the flash and invisibility spells, Your Highness,” she said quietly.

“I have you to thank for that, Plain Sight,” replied a disembodied voice sounding suspiciously like Celestia behind her. “I hope you don't mind if I stay invisible for a bit. No need to drop it when I'll just need to do it again later.”

Grinning, Plain Sight turned to “face” the voice, and bowed low. “It was a pleasure knowing I could teach you something new, Ma'am. I honestly thought you would have come up with a trick like that by now on your own.” She rose again. “So, would you like a full report now, or would you rather wait for me to send it in?”

“Hmmm...” contemplated the voice. “I believe I can wait. However, could you step up the security around the library for a few hours? I believe they should want some extra privacy for a bit.”

The earth pony nodded. “Aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait.”

There was a rush of wind as the voice faintly said, “Then I shall say adieu.”

Plain Sight trotted over to a unicorn hiding behind a trash can. “You heard the Lady. I want a sound bubble put up around the tree, pointed inward. Sound goes in, but not out. And I want an mirror illusion set up on the balcony and all windows as well. Don't want any unauthorized ponies getting an eyeful or an earful, do we?”

The unicorn mare nodded, and set about her task. The gray mare herself grinned as she considered the library. “By Celestia, I love my job.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

As soon as the door closed behind her, Twilight's lips locked onto Spitfire's. She was surprised when the pegasus's tongue pierced the barrier of her lips, but eagerly welcomed the invader. For many long minutes, they dueled for dominance, neither one ready to give in. The feeling was a novel one to Twilight, who relished a dream come true that was more than five years in the making. Finally, they parted to take a breath, a single string of saliva connecting the two still. “Wow,” said the librarian quietly.

“You can say that again,” Spitfire replied.

“Wow.”

Spitfire was about to go in for seconds when an azure blur knocked Twilight to the pallet on her back. Trixie smashed their lips together in a fierce kiss of passion. This kiss didn't last long however, as she made a point to nibble along Twilight's jaw, traveling downward. The lavender mare shivered under her assault and wrapped her forelegs around the showmare, holding her tightly against her body. The grip tightened when Trixie made it to Twilight's throat, and alternated between nibbles and licks, eliciting moans of pleasure from them both. “Ah... T- Trixie... Ah!”

Twilight's cries were changed to muffled moans when Cheerilee gently kissed the noisome mare. Every kiss ended with one of Twilight's lips being gently nipped by the teacher's and pulled up until it escaped, whereupon, she started the process all over again. Cheerilee wrapped her forelegs around Twilight's head as if cradling it and stroked her mane gently.

By this time, Trixie had moved further down, and was nipping and licking Twilight's belly button, allowing Cheerilee more room, who took the opportunity to turn herself around so that her chest lay partially on top of Twilight's. Spitfire moved to lay down by Twilight's head and gave her horn a few tentative licks. She had read that if done just right, it could be one of the most erotic experiences for a unicorn. Just a few licks was all it took to make the mare beneath her blush beet red, confirming that Twilight was among the lucky few who were sensitive enough to receive pleasure through their horns.

Spitfire took a deep breath... and pictured herself soaring among the clouds. Performing stunts, chasing birds, and just cavorting among the clouds. She opened her eyes and looked to her wings, noting that they were erect for flight and shivered now and then in anticipation. She then brought one wing forward, and gently caressed Twilight's horn with it. Using the lightest of touches, she stroked the horn with her primary flight feathers. Both mares shivered as their auras brushed against each other. Even Cheerilee and Trixie felt a tingle of erotic magic pass through them. The room was filled with four distinct cries of ecstasy.

Spitfire continued to brush her wing against Twilight's horn, sending all three mares into spasms of blissful fervor. Catching on to what the pegasus was doing, Cheerilee went from her lover's mouth, to kissing the side of Twilight's horn, licking it, then she simply put her lips on it and hummed. The effect this had on the mares was something akin to setting a vibrator on low against every erogenous zone on their bodies. The earth pony almost stopped humming, she was so lost in the feelings, but managed to keep going.

Through great effort, Trixie looked up at them with crossed eyes to see what was causing such... bliss. It took a moment for her befuddled brain to grasp what was going on, but it immediately brought to mind the time when her magical aura mixed with Twilight's. With a rapturous smile, she focused her magic on Twilight's horn, enveloping it in a pink glow. Instantaneously, the lavender mare's magic responded to the telekinetic field by gently pushing against it. The redoubled effect that Cheerilee and Spitfire had begun, was again redoubled, then yet again in a resonant feedback loop that sent all four mares over the edge, all without touching a single sexual organ.

The four of them lay there on the pallet, covered in sweat and panting for breath as if they had just run a marathon. “That...” Twilight managed between gasps, “was... the most... fantastic thing... ever!”

Heaving for breath on her side, Spitfire replied, “I... knew it could... be great... but that...” She paused for a long moment. “I mean... something like that could only happen if...” she trailed off.

Cheerilee moved her head just enough to glimpse Spitfire's face. “If what?”

The golden pegasus had recovered enough to sit up and did so. “Now remember that what we just did has been attempted before to mixed results. It's been speculated that getting what we just experienced would take...”

Trixie lifted her head from Twilight's stomach where it had fallen. “Oh, for Celestia's sake, just say it. We're all adults here. Or at least I hope we are after that.”

Everypony gave her an arched eyebrow, as it was the first time they had heard her crack a joke. Spitfire shook her head after a moment and explained, “The experts who wrote the book I read about this in, speculated that it would take lovers to get what we just had.”

Cheerilee rolled onto her stomach and looked at her in confusion. “Isn't that what they used? Lovers?”

Spitfire shook her head. “No. All they could find to make the attempts were ponies they hired. They weren't... lovers.”

The maroon mare gasped and covered her mouth with a hoof. “Do you mean to say...”

“You can't be serious,” Trixie added. “I mean, I respect you all, but Twilight is the one I...”

Twilight sat up on her elbows and looked down at the unicorn still laying on her abdomen. “That's where love begins, Trixie, with respect.” Her small smile spread into a grin. “You can lust after a pony all day, but that doesn't mean you love them. It's only when you come to know them, that you can respect them, and with respect, love can truly bloom.”

Trixie looked down sadly. “I... I never thought...”

Gathering her up in her forelegs, Twilight hugged her close to her chest. “Trixie?” The mare looked up at her, tears in her eyes. “You haven't noticed? You haven't used the third person since the dream.” Twilight's grin threatened to engulf her face. “You respect them enough to let them in here,” she said as she touched Trixie's chest where her heart lay. “The magic that we just performed is proof of that.”

They were joined by Cheerilee and Spitfire, who hugged them both. After a long moment, Twilight lifted her head. “Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but there's a little bothersome thing that I've had for far too long, and I think this is a good opportunity to lose it.”

Trixie looked up at her in surprise. “You mean you've never...”

Twilight smiled ruefully as she shook her head. “The moment never seemed right. This moment, however-” She was suddenly silenced by Spitfire gently turning Twilight's head to face her and kissing her deeply. Trixie took advantage of the lavender mare's grip on her loosening to slide down and resume her trip to south of Twilight's equator. Cheerilee gently pushed Twilight onto her back with Spitfire following so that their kiss never broke. Trixie slid further down and licked at the purple teat in front of her. She was nudged and moved aside to let Cheerilee join her on the other.

With her rear hooves waving and flexing in the air, Twilight moaned into Spitfire's mouth. Their kiss broke and the librarian pulled the golden pegasus over so that she could whisper in her ear, “Please. I want to make you feel as good as you all are making me feel. Let me. I'll do anything. Lick anything. Just, please...” The desperation in her entreaty made Spitfire smile, and she licked the hoof holding her head. Twilight released her.

The pegasus stood over her lover's head and gave her one last look, asking if she really wanted to do this. A silent nod was all the prompting that was needed, and she lowered her rear end until it was just inches from Twilight. The unicorn reached up and pulled her down, letting the all too ready marehood land on her muzzle with a wet PLOP. It took her a moment to find just the right position that allowed her to breathe, while giving her tongue access to the wonderfully tasty honeypot above her. Spitfire shuddered as the inexpert tongue laved her petals, adding to the wet, sloppy sounds in the room. She looked forward to see what Trixie and Cheerilee were doing.

While Spitfire had been settling in to her new favorite seat, the earth pony and unicorn were taking turns. While one would gently nibble on the purple pearl and alternate that with licks; the other would lick, nip, and pull on Twilight's labia, alternating that with thrusting her tongue into her virgin depths; before switching spots. Their hooves were kept busy as well. One from each was used to hold open the slender, yet muscular thighs; while the others spent all their time and attention on their own marehoods. There was much rubbing of mons, squeezing, circling, and massaging. It all left little doubt that all four would soon be walking funny for the next few days.

While Twilight's inexperienced tongue accidentally kept Spitfire on the edge, who generously lubricated her muzzle; it was quite intentional that the other two mares kept Twilight walking that very same fine edge, backing off when she was about to boil over, then turning the heat back up again. Indeed, it didn't take them very long at all to recognize the signs when she came close. They played with her like that until she was left a shivering wreck, unable to do more than give Spitfire's lush flower a quivering lick every now and then.

Finally deciding to end it, Trixie and Cheerilee used their tongues to violently thrust into Twilight's depths; sliding along her channel up to and back down from the nubbin of flesh that was suddenly the center of her entire existence. They could feel their long tongues sliding up against each other, and fueled by the cries of ecstasy from the object of their affections; brought their lips together in an orgy of lust, and more importantly, mutual affection, both for each other as well as the mare on whom they lavished their attentions.

Twilight's cries to the very heavens would have been heard by the entire town were it not for the enchantment placed around the library. As it was, she lost control over her magic, a stream of pure, unbridled magical energy shot forth from her horn, scorching the floor and setting fire to the drapes that normally cover the balcony window. Luckily, the enchantments placed on the library detected the flames before much damage could be done, and extinguished them right away.

Set off more by the fact that Twilight had just come, Spitfire joined her in orgasmic release. Opting to let the poor mare breathe, she ground her clit on Twilight's chest, allowing the soft fur of her coat to stimulate her climax. Trixie and Cheerilee joined them as well, their lips still locked together as their tongues dueled within and without Twilight's marehood.

Once again, the four mares lay there heaving. It took longer this time around for anypony to catch their breath enough to speak. Surprisingly, it was Twilight who found her voice first. “Well...” she heaved, “if you're going... to lose something... that's the way to do it.”

Spitfire grinned at her from where she lay. “Look at you, little miss dirty filly. Mare of the world, now.”

“I certainly hope you enjoyed that, because we'll be doing a lot of that in future,” Cheerilee said.

Trixie brought her hoof to her mouth and began licking off her own juices. “Yes,” she agreed lazily, “the great and powerful Twilight will have many more days of this,” she said between licks.

“Great and powerful, am I?” Twilight asked mischievously. She rolled over into a sitting position on her belly and imperiously pointed a hoof at the azure mare. “As the great and powerful Twilight, I command you two to hold her down so that I might administer...” she licked her lips in anticipation, “a dose of noblesse oblige.”

“Wha-” was as far as Trixie got before Cheerilee and Spitfire rolled her onto her back and plopped down on her forelegs, pinning them to the pallet.

Spitfire winked down at the helpless mare. “Sorry, Trixie, but the mistress's orders are irrefutable.”

“Her very whim is our command,” agreed Cheerilee.

Twilight sauntered over to the pinned mare, her eyes half-lidded seductively. “What's this? A mare reluctant to submit to the great and powerful Twilight? We shall see about that.” With that, Twilight dove her face into the azure mare's sloppy sex, licking the savory nectar leaking from her heavenly font. Right away, she noticed that she had a much sharper flavor than Spitfire's savory juices. Trixie's was almost... tart to the point of sourness, but remained sweet enough to still be recognizable for what it was. Absently, she wondered if Cheerilee's will taste different from the others, and in what way.

Settling down to her belly again, Twilight noisily slurped away as if Trixie were some sort of heavenly water fountain. Every now and then, she would nibble her way up and down the inside of her thighs, leaving bite marks all over them. She even got a little overeager once, dipping down to her perineum. This caused Trixie to gasp loudly, then moan as Twilight went back up to her mons. I may have to revisit that again sometime in future if it gets a reaction like that.

Remembering what they had done to her, Twilight speared her tongue into Trixie's moist canal, surprised when she encountered resistance. She quickly realized that she had reached the unicorn's maidenhead and decided to leave it's sundering for another time. Instead, she relished forcing her tongue up against as far as she could without breaking it.

Trixie was writhing under Twilight's ministrations, causing Cheerilee and Spitfire to have to put their entire weight on her forelegs and chest to keep her from squirming free. With two of her limbs pinned to the ground, she let her rear legs wrap themselves around Twilight's head to keep her there, as if the librarian would ever want to stop what she was doing.

With Trixie's legs pushing her head in as it was, Twilight found her muzzle grinding against the button of flesh which quite literally opened the mare's floodgates. As Trixie was sent over the edge, Twilight had to push back against the legs holding her down just to catch a breath. Between the velvety soft flesh and the spend coming faster than she could swallow, she found breathing difficult.

Finally, Trixie came down from her plateau, releasing the mare between her legs. Twilight brought her head up, gasping for air. “We..” she said between wheezes, “need to work... on our timing. I almost... suffocated.”

Cheerilee grinned at her wolfishly. “But what a way to go, eh?”

Twilight shot her a sultry glance. “You're next, Miss Cheerilee. It's time for our private tutoring session.” The maroon mare only arched an eyebrow as Twilight sauntered over to her with a noticeable wiggle to her hips, and gently pushed on her shoulder until the teacher had rolled over onto her back. She kissed Cheerilee, sharing Trixie's taste with her, then pulled back. “What do you say we work on... multitasking?”

Before the earth pony could ask what she meant by that, Twilight whirled around so that they were now looking into each other's marehood. Leaning down, she gave Cheerilee a few tentative licks so that she'd get the idea, before settling down, letting her rump rest on the teacher's fore hooves.

As they began licking in earnest, Trixie rolled onto her belly to watch. I suppose that what Twilight said was true. I must feel something for them. Otherwise, I would be insanely jealous right now, instead of just a little turned on. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm a lot turned on right now. She was surprised when she felt forelegs envelope her in a hug from behind.

Spitfire rested half on top of the unicorn, and gave her a little squeeze of affection. “She certainly learns fast, doesn't she?” she whispered into Trixie's ear.

Touched by the gesture, she rested a hoof on the forelegs draped around her. Trixie turned her head just enough to see the face of the mare out of the corner of her eye, she whispered back, “I think she may have been doing 'independent research'.”

“But what would she have read?” the pegasus asked. “She obviously didn't know what the Ka-Mare Sutra was, or why it might be sticky when it fell off the bookshelf the other day.”

They looked at each other before grinning and saying at the same time, “Romance novels.”

Twilight groaned in ecstasy, not just from the skilled tongue-work going on behind her, but from the taste of the mare before her. Whereas the others had a sharpness about them that was distinctive, Cheerilee's honey was almost as sweet as, well, honey.

She also had a different approach to love-making from the others. Whereas Spitfire tended towards fast and rough, and Trixie used her acrobatically skilled tongue to pull off maneuvers she had never even thought of, Cheerilee went the slow and steady approach. It was a slow boil that could take a very long time, but it kept the escalation to a steady pace. If one could sum up the three of them in one word each, Spitfire would definitely be energetic, Trixie would be adroit, but Cheerilee would be... languid. It was the kind of sex that could be used to fill a lazy afternoon while a cool breeze blew through the open windows. No pressure would be exerted here, just, gentle caresses, leisurely kisses, and a relaxing day, spent entirely in bed.

As both mares were still exhausted from their earlier exertions, Cheerilee sped up more than she normally would have liked, and Twilight followed her lead. They rolled onto their sides, allowing each access while relieving the pressure each had been feeling in their forelegs. The finish came as a surprise to both of them, with Cheerilee starting them both off. Twilight's naïve tongue had pushed once too often, used just a bit too much pressure, and remained in one spot for just too long, surprising Cheerilee with her orgasm. This was enough to send Twilight into her own paroxysms of pleasure.

When it was all over, Twilight looked over to Spitfire and Trixie who hadn't moved from their position. Grinning at them, she received a smile from each of them. She looked down at the pallet with a bit of dismay. “Well, it's going to take a minor miracle to get these clean again,” she muttered.

Cheerilee hid a titter behind a hoof before her expression became serious. “Um, I may actually have a solution to the... er, space problem, here.” The other three mares looked to her as she traced a small circle on the pallet. “We could...” she gulped nervously, “maybe... this is just an idea, mind you, but we could perhaps build a larger bed to put up there?” she pointed towards the second level where Twilight kept her recently unused bed.

The others looked up to where she was pointing contemplatively, giving her the courage to go on. “We could even chip in for rent and perhaps... move... in... together?”

“What about your home, Cheerilee?” Twilight asked. “Don't you have a lot there? I'm not sure it would all fit in here along with Trixie's and Spitfire's.”

“Everything I own is already in my wagon,” Trixie said. She took in their looks of astonishment. “I... tended to travel light. For... various reasons.”

As much to break the awkward silence as to add in her two bits, Spitfire said, “I actually don't have much, since I live in a dorm right now.” She shrugged without taking her forelegs from Trixie. “It came fully furnished, so really all I have besides my work clothes are my trophies, some pictures, and a tiny collection of books.”

“Books?” Twilight perked up. “What kind of books?”

Spitfire laughed at her, but her answer was cut off by a quiet knocking at the bedroom door. “Twilight? Everything okay in there?” Spike asked as he opened the door. "The Princess said that-” He stopped as his nose was assaulted by an unfamiliar smell that pervaded the room. “What's that smell?” he asked, crinkling his nose.

“Nothing! It's nothing Spike!” Twilight quickly said as she and Trixie used their magic to open the windows in a vain attempt to air out the odor of sex from the room. 'What did the Princess say?”

The dragon stopped trying to sniff the air. “Oh, she said that she took care of work for all four of you for the next week. Something about having the mayor move the Running of the Leaves up a week.” He set out a sheaf of papers on to her desk saying, “Here's the entry applications for all of you. She said she's looking forward to seeing how you all place in it.” His feral grin threatened to take in his ears.

“Thank you Spike. Would you be a dear and send a note of thanks to the Princess?” Twilight asked. “We're going to be... er, busy working out the logistics of three extra mares living here permanently.”

The little dragon looked at her in shock. “You are? I mean, we are? I mean... what do I mean?”

Twilight had a foolish grin on her face as she said, “Spike, allow me to introduce you to my... fillyfriends.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

~Owari~

Author's Notes:

Well, this has been some ride (no pun intended), hasn't it? Now that the story is complete, I have a confession to make. This isn't the ending I had envisioned when I started this story. Nope. Originally, this was to be a CheeriLight story. That's right, I had just finished Romance reports, and was wondering where I could get some more of this pairing that had never occurred to me before. So I decided to write it myself. However, somewhere along the way, I grew to care for Trixie and Spitfire. It got to the point where just pairing those two off after having their hearts broken by Twilight just would not do. So I had a talk with my muse, and we came to an understanding. She wouldn't break their hearts, and I would continue to let her dominate... I mean inspire me.

Where do I go from here? Well, I'm not through with this series yet. I already have a prequel, three side stories, and a sequel(s) planned for this, so there's more to come. I hope you'll all rejoin me for their continuing adventures.

Oh, and Plain Sight was a total surprise to me. She came out of nowhere (as is her wont), and shows no signs of going anywhere. Perhaps I'll give her a side story as well. Who knows?

I don't own anything here, but the arrangement of the words, as well as Plain Sight. All else belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. It's their sandbox, and I thank them for letting me play in it.