To Twilight's lack of surprise, her disappearance was the talk of Canterlot. Celestia had covered for her at first, but a search of the magnitude that had hit the castle couldn't be fully hidden. It would be wise for her to make a few further public appearances, just to reassure everypony there wasn't anything wrong. Twilight just couldn't wait.

All of that had been a distinctly secondary concern, however, compared to the way she'd been swarmed by her lovers when she made it back. Rainbow had not only gotten back and told everypony, but had then doubled back and escorted Twilight the last few leagues home as the sun had risen. Her slaves were caught between wanting to rush her and reassure themselves she was safe, and not daring to touch her because of her injuries. Celestia had had the best healers in Equestria waiting to tend to her the moment that she landed, using the perfectly serene Princess expression that told Twilight she'd been just as worried as everypony else. Twilight had gently but firmly placed Rainbow in the care of the healers as well, to make sure she hadn't over-strained her wing muscles.

Then, once her wing had been carefully bound rigid - she might have cracked something, but it seemed more like a bad wrench - she got to see everypony else. Cadance and Shining had been immediately at her bedside, and her parents the next in line. Twilight talked until she started to fall back asleep, despite herself. After that, the healers had insisted that she be allowed to get some rest and kicked everypony out, including lovers, family, the other five Elements and all three Princesses. Twilight had admittedly felt exhausted, and gone along with it without demur.

Though, that didn't mean that she was alone. Her guards hadn't come to visit her, it was just that one of them was going to watch over her for a little while, on duty, and wouldn't you know it, some small matters happened to come up which meant a new guard replaced them every half hour or so.

When she woke late in the afternoon, they each seemed to have something to say to her as well. Despite it being something of a breach of protocol, Zephyr and Obscura, as her two fliers, tried to apologise for not being able to keep up with the rescue party. Twilight carefully accepted their apologies, while soothing their feelings. Argent, her unicorn, was visibly itching to ask about what had happened, and so Twilight indulged him by describing the way her teleport spell had gone wild, and asked him if he would mind doing a little research into any similar incidents for her. Naturally, she wanted to do that herself, but he could surely make a start for her, and he seemed about to burst with pride at the request. Autumn simply remarked, in tones of rolling thunder, that it was good to see her hale and well.

That left Diorite, who had let all of the others go first before she made an appearance at the door and relieved Argent. Diorite's expression was very composed, but not up to the standard of Celestia's perfect calm, and Twilight could sense a certain amount of turbulent emotion under the guard captain's perfunctory, "Good afternoon, Princess."

Twilight assessed herself. She was stiff, and sore, and felt a distinct guilt about having imposed on Daisy and Spruce the way she had. Not to mention the way she'd scared everypony. But paired with that was a certain excitement - she had a brand new magic project to research! She also had to learn to fly, when her wing recovered. Rainbow could teach her. All things considered, then, she was feeling no worse than she might expect, and a lot more clear-headed now that she'd rested. Enough so that the prospect of gently toying with Diorite's unacknowledged attraction to her was quite tempting.

"Hello, Diorite. Could you come over here?"

Twilight smiled as the golden armoured mare walked over. The memory of Diorite's pale grey, dappled body and large, round breasts was vivid, and a sight Twilight very much wanted to see again. Using the charm to get control of her was cheating, but no one ever said anything about seduction. Diorite was a professional guard, though, and if Twilight was going to get anywhere, she had to plant some seeds now, and tend to them with patience.

Diorite stopped at her bedside, and saluted. "Yes, Princess?"

"I did ask you to call me Twilight. Could you give me your hand, please?"

"You did, Princess," Diorite replied. She reached out with her right hand, plainly anticipating Twilight leaning on it to get out of bed.

Instead, Twilight took Diorite's fingers in hers, and guided the back of the guard's hand to press against her smooth cheek. Diorite froze, and Twilight asked innocently, "Is my skin too hot, Diorite? I was wondering whether I was coming down with something."

There was a pause. Diorite successfully hid her reaction, simply replying after a moment, "No, Princess, you seem to be a normal temperature. Would you like me to summon the healers?"

"That's okay. I wanted to talk to you about something private, actually." Twilight let Diorite's hand go, holding back a playful smile. "I've done what I can to keep things discreet, but I think you should know what's going on in my life, romantically, so you can be best prepared to deal with things as they come."

"I appreciate it, Princess. The more I know, the better I can protect you." Diorite straightened slightly, in a posture that clearly signalled her full attention trained on her Princess.

"I am currently in a special relationship with nine ponies, Diorite. That number may change in time. It's not just special because of being a herd relationship, either. I don't know if you've ever heard of relationships where two ponies choose to... one of them takes on more authority, and the other pony prefers to please them? Well, all of my lovers obey me and serve at my whim. It was kind of new to most of them, but they've gotten to really appreciate it."

Twilight had to stop herself grinning as she saw Diorite's expression solidify, her lips parting slightly before closing again.

"I see, Princess."

Twilight mentally awarded Diorite a point for maintaining her composure. Well, it was sensible to let the Guard Captain know, wasn't it? And if knowing that happened to make the dreams Diorite had been having become a little more intense, then that really didn't trouble Twilight at all. "The nine ponies involved are the other five Element bearers, Zecora, Trixie... and both Princesses, Luna and Celestia."

That got a little reaction. Diorite hadn't known about the Princesses. "I know it's a little, um, unusual, but we're all very happy," Twilight added earnestly.

"It isn't my place to judge, Princess. I am your guard captain. It's my duty to ensure your safety."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, Diorite. I'm very grateful that you volunteered to be my guard captain, and I trust you completely." All of that was true, and Twilight meant every word sincerely. All the same, she paused for a few seconds, then added matter-of-factly, "If I choose to have somepony on duty within the room while I'm spending time with my lovers, I'll want it to be you."

With barely a pause for the mental image that conjured up, Diorite replied, "I'm ready to serve however you need, Princess."

This time, Twilight couldn't help the grin spreading across her face, and after a second, Diorite's cheeks slowly flushed darkly as the unintended implication of her words floated free. Twilight let the suggestion linger unspoken in the air, before she finally said lightly, "I won't forget that, Diorite. Thank you."

And you won't forget that, either. Twilight smiled, allowing Diorite to retreat back to the doorway, and settled back into her bed.

Diorite was going to need some time to think about everything Twilight had told her before she'd be ready for the next nudge. It might well be that she never got to the stage where she'd accept sleeping with Twilight; she was a very professional pony after all. That was okay. It was enough to tease her with the option. But if Diorite needed time, there was another pony Twilight had an eye on that could be counted on to move much faster. She was renowned for it.

But still, even before that, there was something else she needed to set in motion. Fun was fun, but this was important. It was time to take some responsibility.

"-course I'll accept earth ponies and pegasi as well. Pegasi can travel huge distances, and I've known a great many earth ponies who were experts in old literature," said Twilight earnestly.

Celestia looked down at the table thoughtfully.

It was a small, round table, covered in Twilight's notes. To her left stood Spike and Argent, the guard pony looking particularly pleased with himself, while Trixie pressed closely against her from the right. Celestia faced her, considering the sheet of parchment in front of her.

"Forty ponies," the Princess of the Sun finally murmured, "to hunt down lost and forgotten magic across Equestria. It sounds like a worthy cause, Twilight. I'd be very interested to see what they return to you with."

"If I can find that many to volunteer. And they wouldn't just be hunting for lost or unusual magic, but also looking for - well - magic being used dangerously. Magic that could get somepony hurt, or make them do things they might not want to do." Twilight flushed slightly. Her own use of the want-it-need-it spell would have certainly qualified, and that was before the discovery of the charm. But knowing such a powerful charm existed meant that she should be watching for signs of other ponies discovering anything similar, always. She saw the flash of understanding in Celestia's eyes, and the elder alicorn nodded her agreement.

"I will have the declaration drawn up for you, and you may amend it, Twilight, before it is proclaimed. I'm sure that many ponies will be very excited about the idea of working with you." Celestia's eyes moved to Argent, who was rigid with mingled delight and nerves at talking to the two Princesses about something other than his guard duties. She smiled.

"What about the Great and Powerful Trixie? What is she going to do?" Trixie was blocked from using her usual degrading language by the presence of Spike and Argent, and Twilight found she missed it slightly. It didn't stop the powder blue magician from pressing herself against Twilight as she spoke, however.

"You're going to help me coordinate all of the findings, as they come in. I'll want to look at everything, but I won't have time - you'll need to help figure out what's most important and bring it to me, with your thoughts on it. It's a really important job, Trixie, and I want to trust it to you. Show me that you can work with other ponies."

Trixie's eyes sparkled as she looked up at Twilight, and spontaneously pushed herself up onto her toes to kiss her. "Yes M- Twilight! I'll show you that I can be trusted, I promise! Trixie is going to be so useful that you'll never want to let her go!"

Spike watched Trixie's show of delight and enthusiasm with deep suspicion, drumming his claws on the table. "Uh, Twilight? Are you sure that's a good idea? Trixie could find all sorts of dangerous stuff in there, and she's not exactly got the best track record in doing the right thing."

Immediately, Trixie twisted towards Spike, while keeping one arm possessively around Twilight's waist. "Listen, you pint-sized pain in the tail, Twilight trusts the Great and Powerful Trixie, as she should, to do the best possible job with this inflow of complicated magic. Magic that might be a little hard for somepony your age to understand."

"Hey! I've been working with Twilight since I was an egg. I know her better than anypony, and I've been her number one assistant always. And I still am. Right Twilight?"

"Well, prepare yourself to make a nice shiny new badge that says 'second-best' on it," retorted Trixie, sticking out her tongue.

"Trixie! That's not a good example of getting on with other ponies. Is it?" Twilight looked sternly at Trixie, desperately hoping to avoid having to answer Spike's question - he probably still was, but announcing it one way or the other would hardly improve matters between the two.

"But he said-"

"He didn't call you a pain in the tail."

"He cast doubt on the Great and Powerful Trixie's character," she muttered, but in a tone of defeat. Letting go of Twilight, she turned fully towards Spike and said with slight exasperation, "Trixie apologises."

"Well... okay," replied Spike, crossing his arms across his chest huffily. Looking back to Twilight, he added, "But what am I doing? Shouldn't I be looking after this? It's exactly the kind of work I've always helped you with!"

"You're going to be my personal scheduler," Twilight replied firmly. Oh, please don't let this be a mistake. "I'm going to have half of Equestria trying to arrange to see me, and I'm really worried about how to handle it. I need you to talk to these ponies, understand what they want, and try to let the most important ones through. You'd better write down notes on the ones you turn away, too, just so I know what's going on. It's a position with a lot of responsibility, and it might not be fun to have to turn ponies away on my behalf. Do you want to do it?"

Spike straightened up and gave a rushed, amateurish salute. "Personal scheduler to the Princess? I'll do it! Don't worry, Twilight, I won't let anypony bother you that I don't think deserves to."

That's what I'm afraid of. "Thank you, Spike. I've got a lot to learn about being a Princess, and having a personal scheduler was one of the first things Diorite suggested to me. You'll have to talk to her, as well, about my schedule."

Celestia smiled to herself. "How are you finding Diorite, Twilight? I believed she was ready for promotion to higher rank."

Twilight gave Celestia a sideways look. The Princess of the Sun gazed back entirely innocently, and naturally, there were things Twilight couldn't mention in front of the others. "I'm very glad of her, actually. I'm sure that she'll do well as the Captain of my personal guard." There. Not a crack in that statement for Celestia to insert a smirk.

"I'm sure she'll serve you with devotion, Twilight, if you allow her to."

Haystacks. She was trying to be good! She did not need Celestia encouraging her bad impulses. At this rate, she was going to need a weekly lecture from Luna to remind her why enthralling anypony she felt like was bad.

Ha. Pencil that in, Spike.

"I really believe she will. But I may have to ask her to adjust her rota for Argent, slightly."

Argent looked up from the table, dropping his pretence of not listening to their discussion about his commander. "She will, Princess?"

"Yes. I'd like you to be part of the vetting process for volunteers. The guard has to do this for new recruits, right?"

"Yes, Princess, of course. Some ponies, despite their best intentions, aren't suited for the life of a guard, and it is best to catch such candidates early. It will be my profound honour to carry out your wishes regarding your volunteers." Argent drew himself up to attention.

"Okay, everypony. Spike, please meet with the schedulers for Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, they'll help you get to grips with your task. Princess, if you could have the draft announcement drawn up, I'd be very grateful. Trixie, we're going to need a storage area organised for the proceeds of the research - please talk to the castle librarians about arranging a space with comprehensive bookshelves and be polite. Argent, please speak to Diorite about setting time aside for this from your rota, and then work on setting up the vetting process in whatever time she gives you."

"You shall not be disappointed in Trixie's work!"

Spike saluted again, nodding rapidly. "I'll get right on it!"

"I'm honoured to be of assistance, Princess Twilight. I will speak to Captain Diorite directly."

Celestia nodded once. "Very well. What will you be doing, Twilight?"

Twilight smiled at her. "I have to have some conversations, too."

Twilight and Rainbow Dash stood huddled in the corridor. Twilight's voice was too soft to be heard clearly, but her playful tone carried.

Rainbow Dash's scratchy voice rose in surprise. "What, seriously?"

A low murmur from Twilight.

"Well, yeah, I've always wanted to, but-"

Murmur.

"Buck, yes, I'm in."

Murmur murmur.

"Hey, I'm fine. I didn't need to go to the healers, even before you had me dragged in there and checked out."

Murmur.

"...yeah, okay. I'll wear it. But she does too, okay?"

Twilight grinned.

One of the advantages of having a Princess-sized suite of rooms was that there was always a nice empty room to meet somepony privately in. Twilight sat by a tall, arched window, sunlight falling warmly across her, and the delicate white dress she wore. It now actually fit her - Rarity had been busy. Rainbow Dash lounged, cat-like, across a well-stuffed armchair.

Twilight's gaze slid again towards a large cabinet, a solid thing of oak and rosewood. She was tempted to check once again everything was there, but firmly desisted. After all, it was time for her guest to arrive.

The second hand of the clock on the wall was just curving up towards the hour when a quick double knock rang out. Exactly on time, though that was almost certainly more down to nerves than devotion to accuracy.

"Come in," Twilight called without getting up.

The door swung open, and a familiar pegasus entered the room. "Lightning Dust reporting for duty, Princess!" she reported crisply.

Twilight regarded her for a moment. The junior Wonderbolt wore her costume of sharp blue and yellow, clinging aerodynamically to the firm body beneath. With a lingering gaze, and a little imagination, it wasn't hard to imagine what the mare looked like naked. Lightning Dust had always had something of a rebellious, casual streak, so if she was being formal, it was because she was nervous. The sharpness of her salute could have sliced bread, too. Definitely on edge. Well, that wouldn't do at all.

"Hello, Lightning. Won't you have a seat? And please call me Twilight. Don't worry, this isn't a formal thing."

"Oh. Okay, sure." Lightning sounded a little puzzled, but she relaxed a little and dropped onto the end of the couch where Rainbow sprawled. "So what did you need me for?"

Praise Celestia, there actually were ponies that would stop addressing her by title when told to. Twilight leaned forward, and spoke warmly. "I'm impressed by you, Lightning. I was impressed when I first met you at the Wonderbolts Academy. Not many ponies can go one for one with Rainbow Dash like that."

"Well - yeah. I did do pretty well," Lightning agreed with cautious satisfaction.

"And then, I chose you to be part of the Wonderbolts team to fight the incursion in the castle. You did well again. Now you helped find me and bring me back to Canterlot. You can be reckless at times," Twilight added, intending to deflate the pony a little before she got totally carried away, "but Spitfire has done a good job of teaching you to rein it in."

Lightning leaned forward a little, glancing at Rainbow Dash. "Yeah, I was pretty happy when you asked for me specifically, and then Rainbow pulled me in for the search. I'll take on anypony in the air, you better believe it."

"I do believe it, and I was glad to see you arrive. So, Lightning, I asked you here because I wanted to ask you a question."

Lightning's burgeoning confidence overcame any natural wariness, and she grinned. "Oh yeah? I'm listening."

Twilight raised a finger. "Before I can ask you the question, I need your permission, Lightning. I want to cast a little charm on you. It will mean you won't tell anyone what we talk about, after. Is that okay?"

The pegasus blinked, a little of her self-assuredness leaking away. "Uh. Seriously? Sure, whatever."

"If you're sure?" Twilight coaxed. Her heart was hammering in her chest, a shivery arousal tingling in her body. Lightning was sitting there, close enough to reach out and touch, so nearly in her grasp that it made her ache. Her gaze fastened on the pegasus's lips. Say it.

"Yeah, do it. I want to hear this question, already."

"Thank you, Lightning." Twilight smiled; a slow, secretive smile. Rainbow Dash sat up, ready, as Twilight said with gentle precision, "Obey your Empress."

Under Twilight's hungry gaze, Lightning's orange eyes emptied of all independent thought. She slid off the sofa, Rainbow duplicating her movements beside her, and the two hit the ground on their knees. Twinned voices rang out, drained of all their customary attitude and defiance, in flat, blank monotone.

"This slave obeys."

"Yess," hissed Twilight beneath her breath, barely aware she'd spoken. "Lightning. Rainbow. You will rise to your feet."

"I'll stand up," echoed Lightning blankly, Rainbow adding her own mindless affirmation beside her. Slowly, with mechanical smoothness, they stood.

Two perfect, obedient dolls, side by side, ready for her orders. Twilight reached out and ran a slow, caressing hand over Lightning's stomach. The pegasus radiated warmth through her thin costume. Slick fabric over soft, smooth skin, and beneath that, the firmness of toned muscle. Twilight's other hand moved gently up Rainbow's body, slowly, possessively. "Mmm. You'd make a wonderful pair of slaves for me," she murmured.

"We would make wonderful slaves for you," Lightning echoed blankly.

Twilight giggled, sliding her hand up to cup Lightning's cheek. The mesmerised mare gazed back at her with perfect, absolute focus. "Oh, dear. I seem to have spoken a little too loudly. Lightning, have your opinions changed?"

"Yes," Lightning answered simply.

"In what way?" Twilight coaxed. Both of her hands were sliding over Lightning's body now, her face inches from the other mare's. She could feel her own nipples aching stiffly beneath her white dress.

"You deserve more than my service. You deserve my absolute, unquestioning obedience. You deserve Rainbow's absolute obedience. I want to be your slave. I will be everything a slave should be."

Twilight leaned forward, pressing her body against Lightning's, a shudder of convulsive lust running through her. The pony's smooth, matter-of-fact words and her blank, empty expression fired Twilight's arousal in ways she could barely stand. "And - and what should a slave be?"

"Obedient. Devoted. Skilful. Completely loyal."

Just for a moment, Twilight considered waking her up just as she was. But no. No, that wasn't what she was meant to be doing.

Backing away a step, Twilight gazed at the ceiling to remove some of the temptation, and said carefully, "Both of you. You feel, believe and remember everything you did at the moment you entered this trance today. Undo any changes that have occurred."

The two confirmed her orders, their words overlapping, and Twilight let herself breathe just a little easier. "Lightning, go to the sofa, and resume the position you were in before you were enthralled."

"I will sit down."

Twilight's hand reached out and brushed over one of Lightning's small breasts through her suit, before she quickly pulled her hand back. This was only meant to be a preparation, not the real thing. Moving beside Rainbow Dash, she breathed into her ear, "I am satisfied."

Rainbow's empty pink eyes unfocused for a moment, then a little shiver ran through her body. Turning to look at Lightning, a low whistle escaped her lips as she saw her sitting motionless on the couch. "Oh, man," she whispered, "when did you even do that?"

"There's no need to whisper, Rainbow. She can't hear you. Go and fetch our outfits from the cabinet, and bring them to me."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Pulling a piece of parchment from her pocket, Twilight unrolled it and began to read. "Lightning Dust, these orders are for you. The only ponies that are allowed to know what happens between us today are myself, Rainbow Dash, and any pony I specifically add to that list, which I can do at any time. For all other ponies, you will not communicate directly, or indirectly, anything about events from just before the point where I asked your permission to charm you, until you leave this room. You are fully aware that this block is my magic, and it will not worry you."

"I won't tell anyone but you or Rainbow what happens between us from here until I leave, I'll lie if I have to, it's your spell and I won't worry about that."

A nice, succinct summary. Twilight nodded her approval. "When I release you from your trance, you will remember a flash of light from my horn. Everything that has changed in the room and in yourself since the trance began, you will ascribe to that flash of light. Do you understand?"

"There was a flash of light. Everything that changed is your doing," Lightning droned mindlessly.

"Very good. Lightning Dust, I am now talking to Rainbow Dash, and you will wait to be addressed by name."

"You're not talking to me until you say my name."

Oh, stars above it was tempting to play with her mind a little. Twilight turned to Rainbow, who'd stripped naked while Twilight worked, and was watching with interest. "I look like that when you've put the whammy on me?"

"You do. I find it... I like to see it," Twilight replied, her cheeks gently pink. "I like to see you, all perfectly enthralled, and toned, and naked, completely ready to obey me..." she trailed off, as she noticed Rainbow's eyes were lingering on the way her nipples pushed through her sun dress. "Give me your slave outfit, so I can dress you."

"You're such a pervert, Twi, you know that?" Rainbow teased. Setting down the bundle of fabric in her arms, she straightened her back, and presented her naked body to be decorated.

Twilight moved closer.

"I am satisfied."

Lightning blinked, once, then twice, and her eyes refocused on the scene before her.

Her jaw dropped.

Rainbow Dash was sat on the floor, one arm around Twilight's leg, with her cheek pressed against Twilight's knee, grinning with smug satisfaction. She wore a tight black tank top, with an attached collar buckled firmly around her neck. Oval cut-outs bared her small, smooth breasts and rigid pink nipples. A small padlock dangled from two hoops set into the top, locking it in place on her body. Beneath, she wore only thigh-length boots of glistening black. She shifted slightly, revealing a hint of her bare, shaven sex.

Then, there was Twilight. The Princess of Magic sat in her chair as though it was a throne, her hand resting on Rainbow's multicoloured mane possessively. A long black cloak fell from her shoulders, the ties descending to criss-cross her chest, framing her breasts in a diamond pattern of thin rope. Beneath that, she wore a fishnet crop top that hid nothing while heightening the presence of her bare tits. Below her waist, like Rainbow, she wore nothing but thigh-high boots, though hers lacked the straps Rainbow's boots had that could allow them to be tied together. Her stiff nipples jutted through the mesh.

"Wha-" croaked Lightning, pinned to her chair in shock.

Twilight smiled, stroking her fingers slowly through Rainbow's mane. "I think you understand now why I wanted to be sure you didn't talk about this. Rainbow and I have a special kind of relationship, don't we, Rainbow?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Rainbow replied with husky sincerity, looking up at Twilight briefly before settling back to gazing at Lightning.

"What-" managed the stunned pegasus.

She'd gotten all the way to the end of the word that time. Well done. Twilight gently stroked her free hand down her own cleavage, feeling the strands of the mesh beneath her fingers, her body simultaneously thrumming with arousal and twanging with tension. "Rainbow is... I think the best way to describe it is that she's one of my consorts. Obedient. Loyal. Sensual. I know you've been interested in Rainbow, Lightning. Look at her, please. I want you to look at the body you've imagined touching, now that you can really see her."

That was a bit of a gamble. If Lightning had never been interested in Rainbow, not only was this not going to work, but she might have to actually wipe the pegasus's memory to hide how badly she'd misjudged the situation.

Lightning's eyes moved to Rainbow's body, her gaze travelling up and down her, and a small, disbelieving whimper fell from her lips.

Ah. "I want you to think of the way she acts towards me as... as though I were her commanding officer. Can you picture that? I do know you're trained to obey orders, aren't you, Lightning? The academy teaches you to use your judgement, of course, but when Spitfire gives you an order, you carry it out. You've pictured what would happen if Spitfire ordered you to strip and get between her legs. You'd carry out your orders."

"Ghng." The inarticulate sound didn't convey much, but Lightning nodded slowly, as though unaware she was doing it.

Twilight smiled. That had been another gamble, but if Lightning was attracted to mares, it was hard to imagine she wouldn't have fantasised about Spitfire, her truly delicious commanding officer. Twilight continued speaking, soft and encouraging. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You could just look at us and then go, if you wanted to. You could look at me." Twilight's hands rose to her chest and gently squeezed her breasts together. She felt the mesh tugging at her stiff nipples, and a low little groan escaped her lips.

"I, mmh, found my body was different after I ascended. I was taller. My breasts were larger. And I had these wonderful, sensitive wings... I've really enjoyed exploring how they feel. My skin feels really nice, too." She giggled once as she palmed her breasts and crushed them together again, making sure to show them off between her splayed fingers. "If I didn't have so much to do, I'd just walk around naked all the time. So I'm very happy for you to look at me, Lightning. Both of us, as long as you want. But, if you remember, I invited you here to ask you a question. No, no. Don't look up. Just nod."

Lightning's gaze rose towards Twilight's face, then flicked down to her revealed body again. Her lips parted, and she managed, "But - Princess, you're -"

"I invited you here, Lighting Dust, to ask you this." Twilight paused, enjoying herself immensely. There was a rich, darkly hot satisfaction in watching the pegasus quiver, trapped, unable to move or escape, held by nothing more than a few soft words and the spectacle before her. "Lightning. Do you want me - do you want us - to fuck you?"

"Buh - but you're a Princess! And what happened? I was just sitting here, and there was a flash, and then you were - how did you do that?" Lightning blurted all at once. Half-rising from her chair, she sidled back around it, putting it between her and Twilight. "Look, okay, I'm gonna - this is way too -"

Oh, darn it. She'd come on too strong. Should have spent more time seducing, before the shock of the reveal. But Lightning wouldn't, couldn't tell anypony, and maybe in time, she'd come around...

Rainbow lifted her head and gave Lightning a challenging look. "What's the matter, Lightning? Too chicken to take me on?"

Lightning stopped. "Hey. All I'm saying is-"

"Guess all those looks in the shower room were just looks, huh? Not got the guts to back them up now you've got the chance?" Rainbow turned her head towards Twilight, adding, "Sorry, Ma'am. Guess when I told you that Lightning would be a worthy fuck, I was totally wrong. We can ask somepony else. You know, somepony with a spine."

Unmoving, half-turned away from them, Lightning's body visibly tensed under the taunting. "Rainbow, I'm going to come over there and kick your ass."

"How about Fleetfoot?" Rainbow suggested to Twilight innocently.

Lightning snorted. "Flatfoot? Come on, like that mare would go for this."

Rainbow Dash, you are a genius. Twilight gazed at Rainbow, lazily stroking a hand up and down her own thigh, watching Lightning Dust from the corner of her eye. "You're right. She got hurt fighting with us to take Canterlot Castle, and she's quite shapely for a pegasus. She deserves to be rewarded with the opportunity, now that Lightning has refused her place."

Lightning Dust stomped back across the room, standing squarely in front of Twilight. Her amber eyes were hot with nervous defiance. "Hey. I did not refuse anything. You want to see how a full-time Wonderbolt fucks, you'll see it. What do I have to do?"

Oh, ouch. That jab was intended for Rainbow, and Twilight felt the pegasus twitch under her hand.

"No mare can come close to screwing other mares the way I do," said Rainbow hotly.

That was enough of that. Twilight sat up a little straighter, levelling her gaze at the pegasus before her, and injected pure steel into her voice. "Lightning Dust, you will stand to attention." Instinct took over before conscious thought could catch up, and the pegasus before her stiffened to a straight-backed posture, hands clasped behind her, head up.

Good. Good. She just had to keep Lightning reacting, rather than worrying. Twilight gave Rainbow's head a final caress, and rose to her feet. "Lightning, until you leave this room, you're going to do as I instruct. You don't have to worry about what to do; all you have to do is exactly what you're told. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Princess!" Lightning blurted, her gaze skittering away from Twilight's and flicking up and down her exposed body.

Twilight drifted forward slowly, gazing into Lightning's eyes. Her warm hand rose to stroke Lightning's cheek, sliding down to gently caress the rigid woman's neck. She could feel a subtle tremor under her fingers; Lightning was quivering on the spot with nervous tension. Without breaking her gaze, Twilight commanded softly, "Rainbow Dash, I'd like you to stroke her wings, now."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Rainbow hopped onto her feet with a flap of her wings, and sauntered behind the captive pony. Lightning's tense expression slowly gave way to something softer and more yielding as the other pony's skilled hands began stroking and teasing her feathers. Her wings inched half-way open, gradually fanning out.

"That's very good, Lightning," Twilight murmured intimately. "I'm very pleased with you. Watch my lips, please. That's right. Rainbow's wanted to touch you for a while, and doesn't it feel nice to let her? That's good. I was very interested in you, too, Lightning. I think you're capable of wonderful things. Shhh. Very good. Don't move. Just stay exactly where you are, and let me touch you."

Twilight's hand slid slowly down Lightning's flank, feeling the warmth of the other pony radiating through the thin material of her suit. Her heart was beating so quickly that she felt dizzy, drunk on the rush of power. Lightning's eyes half-closed, and Twilight watched her lips part in a soundless groan.

Moving a step forward, Twilight let her bared breasts press gently against Lightning's body, biting her own lip as she felt the mesh tugging and squeezing her stiff nipples. Rocking her body slowly, she gently rubbed her chest against the other mare. Her hand ran over Lightning's thigh, then cupped her firm, toned ass, and squeezed gently.

A pink flush was rising in Lightning's cheeks, a vulnerable look of half-disbelieving arousal on her face. "Hnn..." she groaned softly as Twilight caressed her ass.

"That's very good," Twilight soothed her again, leaning in to nuzzle her cheek against Lightning's. Turning her head slightly, she began kissing the soft, aqua skin between words. "It feels nice to be touched, doesn't it? My breasts, my tits, feel good pressed against you."

"Yesss..." breathed Lightning, nodding slightly. "Can't believe this is happening. It's like a dream."

Perfect. Lightning was definitely letting her guard down; the brash pony would never normally say something like that. Twilight's hand slid up to capture one breast through the flight suit, and kneaded slowly. "You can think of it that way if you like... a wonderful, sexy dream. All you have to do is carry out your instructions, and good ponies are treated very well. Rainbow? Don't stop teasing her wings, but you can touch the rest of her too, now."

"Mmm. Sure thing, Ma'am." Rainbow pressed forward, letting Lightning's feathers tickle and caress her bare tits where her slave outfit exposed them, and began kneading her toned ass. "You have a really nice ass, you know that?" she added to the pony under her hands. "Feels just as good as I always thought it would."

"Rainbow. Help her out of her suit, please. Lightning, help her strip you."

Lightning's eyes flickered at that command, but before she could really react, Twilight caught hold of one of her hands and lifted it to rest on her mesh-covered breasts, letting the pegasus feel the thin netting and the heat of her bare skin under her palm. Lightning shuddered and began squeezing Twilight's breast, murmuring thickly, "Yes, Princess," as Rainbow undid the suit zipper.

Oh, yes. Lightning was so pliant, so easily controlled. Twilight wanted to enthrall her again, and use her as a mindless, obedient automaton, but right at this moment, the pegasus seemed half-entranced anyway, so carried away by what was happening to her that she could barely think straight.

The suit parted, baring Lightning's small, high breasts and wiry, toned body to Twilight's hungry eyes. Her fingers immediately moved between the mare's legs, caressing her pussy through the haze of golden fur. Lightning shuddered, doubling over slightly, and Twilight's smile widened.

"Oh, goodness. You're so very wet. You're so turned on you don't know what to do. But you do know you want to be fucked. That you need to be fucked. Isn't that right?"

"Y-yes, Princess," Lightning groaned, body quivering as Rainbow's blue hand slid around her and began tugging and twisting one stiff nipple. "Just - tell me what to do. I'll do it."

"Well, you can start by stepping out of your suit... that's right, let Rainbow pull it all the way off... there. Good girl. Now place both your hands on my breasts... that's it, you can squeeze a little harder, I won't be hurt. Mmmh. Yes, that's right... stroke my nipples. You can pinch and tug them a little, just keep listening and I'll tell you if you do something wrong. That's right. I'm very pleased with you."

"You are?" asked Lightning softly, looking up at Twilight as her hands moved over the Princess's body. There was a yielding uncertainty, a need to be guided, that Twilight wouldn't have expected of her.

"Yes, Lighting. You're doing just what I want you to do. Close your eyes. That's right, just let them close all the way down... good. There's no need to be tense. Just take a deep breath, and let it go. Yes, just like that. Relax." Twilight continued to gently soothe Lightning, speaking softly, as her hands drifted over the aqua pony's thighs and caressed her cutie mark. Attentive to the tone of Twilight's words, Rainbow's touches became a little less aggressively erotic, more soothing, though she continued to caress the base of Lightning's wings and stroke her fingers across the other mare's toned curves.

Little by little, the remaining tension in Lightning's body faded. Her nipples stiffened, standing out tautly, and small groans and sighs fell unselfconsciously from her lips. Even the renewed touch of Twilight's hand teasing slowly up and down her glistening pussy only urged a louder sigh of enjoyment from her.

Twilight smiled to herself. She had Lightning literally in the palm of her hand. Keeping her voice soft, she murmured, "I'd like you to just keep breathing soft and slow. Just listen, and agree. Spitfire has taught you the importance of obeying orders, hasn't she? Everypony has to work together."

"Uh-huh," Lightning breathed distractedly, nodding once.

"This feels wonderful, doesn't it? You're feeling relaxed, and calm, and tingly, and you just want this to go on and on forever. It's really important that you follow my orders, Lightning. You'll obey my orders. Won't you?"

Eyes still closed, Lightning replied softly, "Yeah. I'll obey your orders."

"That's right. Do you like Rainbow's outfit? She looks lovely, doesn't she. Athletic, and exposed, and very ready to please."

"Mmmh," Lighting agreed, with a soft moan.

"I'd like to dress you up the same way. I think you'd look really pretty. When you're dressed up, displayed and revealed, it's very easy to just do as you're told. You can stop thinking, and just experience everything your body is feeling." A little husky sincerity leaked into Twilight's voice, remembering the tight little shirt and short skirt she'd been ordered to wear to the hallucinatory dance in Ponyville. The way she'd felt bent over Vinyl's turntable, feeling hands moving over her body, the bass vibrating through the speakers and tingling against her nipples. "So intensely. Isn't that right, Rainbow?"

Rainbow obviously had fond memories of her own slave outfit, too. Nodding in answer, she murmured throatily, "Oh, yeah." Pressing closer, she kissed the back of Lightning's neck, nibbling down the gentle curve of her shoulder.

Lightning quivered, a flush colouring her cheeks, lips softly parted, her amber eyes unfocused. Her hands tensed and relaxed at her sides with each pleasurable nip of Rainbow's teeth, her wide green-blue nipples standing out rigidly under Twilight's fingers. It took a second for her to swallow, and whisper, "Okay. Sure."

Oh, Celestia, it felt so good to control other ponies. Each whispered surrender strummed some deep chord within Twilight, far deeper and more primal than any desire she could have once believed she possessed. Pressing her body against Lightning, Twilight slowly curled her uninjured wing around the trembling pegasus. "Rainbow, fetch Lightning's outfit, please."

With a flash of reluctance, Rainbow slid her hand up Lightning's inner thighs and stroked her heated pussy in a parting caress, before moving over to the cabinet.

"You... had clothes for me to wear?" Lightning's voice was soft, her arms winding around Twilight and holding on tightly.

Leaning down, Twilight nuzzled her cheek against the other mare's face reassuringly. Her hands slid up and down Lightning's back, from the base of her wings down to the gentle curves of her ass. "You're a pretty similar build to Rainbow, and I picked something that's adjustable. I really did hope you'd want this, Lightning. You're impressive, and you're pretty. You're special."

"Well... yeah, I am pretty great," Lightning mumbled into Twilight's body, in an instinctive attempt at her customary bravado. Her embrace tightened a little.

"Got everything, Ma'am. She's gonna be a real sight to see."

"Help her into it," Twilight commanded softly. "Lightning, you'll cooperate with Rainbow as she dresses you."

Lightning's murmur of compliance was muffled as Twilight leant down and kissed the shorter mare, exploring her mouth with gently possessive firmness. The pegasus barely seemed to notice Rainbow sliding her feet into long, knee-high boots that matched the ones the other two already wore, the straps around them tightening to clench the boots snugly against her skin. Dark, gleaming material slid around Lightning's body as Rainbow guided shoulder loops over her arms, then buckled three wide straps around her, the topmost just below her bare breasts, the lowest around her waist. A final pair of loops went around each thigh, chromed rings dangling from them. Studs gleamed in the vertical strips holding the straps together. The effect was several rings of horizontal belts, hugging her body and shaping her like the skeleton of a corset, while exposing absolutely everything.

Twilight held out her hand, and said softly, "The cuffs, Rainbow." Accepting one, she took Lightning's hand in both of hers, then gently wrapped the cuff around her wrist and buckled it. Guiding Lightning's arm down to her side, she snapped the clip dangling from the cuff onto the ring on her thigh strap, trapping her arm there. Lightning's eyes flicked open, seeking reassurance, and Twilight murmured, "It's okay, just relax... relax, that's a good pony. There. Now I'm taking your other arm... and the cuff is nice and padded and comfortable, it doesn't hurt a bit... and there. It's okay that you can't move your arms. It's all okay."

"It's all okay..." echoed Lightning, her shoulders relaxing slightly, and her eyes closing again.

"That's right. Good pony." Twilight carefully stepped back towards her seat, drawing Lightning with her. Placing one hand on Lightning's shoulder, she gently pushed downwards, murmuring, "Down, now. Down on the floor. Kneel. You'll kneel. Good pony. That's right..."

Lightning slowly sank to the floor, settling into a kneel without opening her eyes. Knowing what was expected of her, Rainbow moved to thread the straps on the calves of the boots through the buckles on the thighs and buckled them firmly, locking Lightning's legs in a kneeling position. As her fingers moved, she said softly to the captive pony, "You look really good like this, Lightning. I was watching you in the locker room, too. Not like I meet somepony that can keep up with me every day. You are really fuckable. But I am the best at fucking. Just wait 'til I get between your legs. You're going to cum so hard, you don't know what day it is."

Maybe these two would want to strike up a relationship after this. The thought struck Twilight belatedly, as she sat down on the edge of her chair and parted her thighs widely to expose her glistening, shaved sex. After a moment's thought, she decided that she would be okay with that. As long as Lightning was still happy to come along with Rainbow and play, sometimes.

She reached out, and cradled the back of Lightning's head in one hand. The pegasus's eyes slid open, a faintly dazed look in them.

"Lean in, and lick me," Twilight ordered softly.

Lightning's lips parted, and an uncertain look flashed across her face. Twilight kept her tiny flash of impatience from showing, and added, "Rainbow, guide her please. No pony is better at this than you."

"You got that right. Okay, Lightning, just lean in, and stick your tongue out. You ever seen a cat lapping up cream? Do that. Lots of quick flicks of your tongue, upwards, like you're trying to drink her. Yeah, that's it. Keep your mouth open a bit, and look up at her as you're licking, ponies really get off watching somepony looking up at them while you eat them out. Mmm. Your tits are really nice." Rainbow pressed herself against Lightning's back as she spoke, her hands sliding around the bound pony and kneading her slim, high breasts. Her nipples were wider than Rainbow's, with broad areola, and Rainbow seemed to take delight in teasing them with her short nails.

Twilight's breaths came short and quick as Lightning yielded to the gentle pressure and let her head be guided between Twilight's thighs. The first brush of the other mare's tongue tingled all the way through Twilight's body, a small whine of pleasure escaping her, and her fingers tightened on the arms of her chair. Letting Lightning watch her, she cupped her own breasts through the mesh and began kneading them slowly, brushing her fingers back and forth over her nipples where they jutted through the netting.

"That feels... really wonderful, Lightning, your tongue is just... perfect. Oh, mmmhh..." she groaned breathily. "Oh! Oh, yes..." Lightning had responded to her words by licking harder, her tongue probing Twilight's glistening pussy more deeply, and Twilight felt herself grow a little dizzy with delight and enjoyment. She'd always thought that you'd be surprised what you could achieve with a word or two of encouragement. Squirming pleasurably, she let the athletic pony lap at her for a few moments, feeling her improve little by little as Rainbow guided her, before she decided it was time to let Lightning have a little reward of her own.

"Lightning, mmm, stop for a moment, please." Lightning's head lifted, and Twilight felt another thrum of arousal speed through her at the dazed look in her eyes, and the shiny wetness on her lips and chin. Spreading her thighs more widely, Twilight purred, "Rainbow, undo the thigh straps. Lightning, lean up and rub your cute little tits against me. Suck my nipples."

"Yes... yes, Princess!" Lightning managed, leaning up as the straps came loose and trying to manoeuvre her small breasts to stroke against Twilight's sex. She hesitated a moment, staring at Twilight's breasts as though she could hardly believe what was happening, then abandoned her hesitation and began licking and sucking eagerly. Muffled whimpers escaped her mouth.

Twilight groaned loudly as her slave's soft, pink tongue went to work again, delighting in the gentle pressure of Lightning's stiff nipples against her wet folds. Tilting her head back and arching her back to push her breasts into Lightning's face, she added throatily, "Rainbow, I'd like for you to lie under Lightning and lick her out, please."

"Finally! It's about time." Rainbow pulled her hand from between her legs, licking it clean with a lazy sensuality that showed she was the sexy pegasus slave around here, before she rolled onto her back and pushed herself under Lightning's quivering body. "Get ready to be amazed," she breathed into Lightning's body, then pushed herself up on an elbow and thrust her tongue into the other mare.

"Hhnnmmmgfff!" Lightning tensed up, whimpering into Twilight's body. Her teeth caught Twilight's nipple lightly, nipping, and she lifted her head with a little shiver. "Sorry, I didn't-"

"Hush, Lightning," Twilight murmured with soft approval. "You're doing very well. That didn't feel bad at all. You can nip me a little, if you're gentle." Her hand smoothed through Lightning's short mane of vibrant orange hair, back and forth, as if soothing an animal. The pegasus nodded softly and fastened her lips to Twilight's breast, sucking gently on her rigid nipple and quivering under the eager assault of Rainbow's skilled mouth.

"That's very good, Lightning. Just keep grinding your cunt against Rainbow's mouth, just like that. She's very, very good, isn't she? No pony I know is quite as good at that as Rainbow Dash. It feels really nice to lick my soft tits and hard nipples, doesn't it? There's something so nice, so right, about kneeling in front of me, bound and tied, pleasuring me and being pleasured in return... this feels wonderful, doesn't it Lightning? You can answer now."

"Oh, ohh yeah, yes, yes Princess, it does. Mmmph! Keep doing that, Rainbow, oh fuck, Princess, ohh..." she trailed off, panting, her hips shifting convulsively as Rainbow's tongue danced over her molten cunt. "Never felt anything like this, not ever..." she breathed, eyes half-lidded, before urgently seeking out Twilight's breasts again with her lips. Her arms tensed against the cuffs, hands balling at her sides, a faint sheen of sweat on her skin.

"Rainbow? No more fooling around, please. Bring her over the edge," Twilight ordered pleasantly. As Lightning's knees buckled under the sudden surge in the intensity of Rainbow's tender assault, Twilight reached down and captured the pegasus's stiff nipples, pinching and gently twisting them.

A sharp whinny broke from Lightning's throat, shuddering as if a live electric current was flowing through her from Twilight's hands to Rainbow's tongue. Her hips bucked frenziedly as her head fell forward, and a shaky cry of release rang out. It seemed to go on and on, sharp and high pitched enough to make glass shiver, before abruptly, the sound stopped. Lightning sagged, her head sinking into Twilight's lap, panting in short, sharp breaths.

"You can come up now, Rainbow," Twilight murmured in the sudden quiet, cradling the Wonderbolt against her. "I think she needs a moment."

With an affectionate parting kiss to Lightning's inner thigh - Lightning shivered slightly - Rainbow slid out from under her and sat up. Crawling forward to sit beside Lightning, Rainbow rested her head against Twilight's knee and rolled her eyes. "Psh. She hasn't even finished getting you off. I could have ridden out six of those and still been ready for more." She casually flicked Lightning's fringe with a finger, adding with affectionate playfulness, "You hearing me? I guess it was your first time riding the greatest tongue in Equestria."

Lightning nodded dazedly, agreeing, "Yeah, first time..."

Twilight's hand paused in mid-stroke, and she leaned to the side slightly to get a better look at Lightning's face, where it rested on her lap. "You mean it was your first time riding Rainbow's tongue, don't you?"

A flicker of self-consciousness danced over Lightning's expression, and she replied more coherently, "Uh, sure. Yes." Lifting her head from Twilight's lap, she avoided looking directly at the alicorn, a blush beginning to rise on her already flushed cheeks.

"...and your first time with mares." Twilight searched Lightning's expression, picking up the slight wince that sped guiltily across her features. "Your first time, at all?"

"No!" Lightning Dust lied, immediately and unconvincingly.

Twilight's jaw dropped open.

Rainbow filled in the momentary pause, with her customary lack of tact. "You've never had sex before? You're a Wonderbolt! We talked in the locker room, you said-"

"Well - I haven't gotten that far! Not this far, anyway, okay? Everypony assumes I have somepony, so that's how it is." Lightning sounded defensive now, her arms tugging at the cuffs again.

Twilight struggled to overrule her own shock, trying to think of the right words to soothe the pony between her legs. Lightning had never - never this before? So her first real experience, her first proper experience, was a bondage three-way with a perverted Princess and her chief rival. The first time, the one she'd remember always, and it was that. Even if she could tell other ponies, they wouldn't believe her.

Okay. If this moment had a greater weight than Twilight had realised, that was alright. The thing that mattered now was making it a good memory.

Twilight's arms moved around Lightning, and she gently urged her to kneel up higher, drawing her head to rest between Twilight's breasts. "You're beautiful, Lightning Dust, you really are. You're toned, and athletic, and I'm so impressed with your skill and speed. I want you to know that this isn't something that happens with just anypony. Only the most special ponies in the land, ones that I admire." One hand moved back and smoothed through Lightning's feathers soothingly. "I'm really honoured that you'd choose to be with me for your first time. Me and Rainbow."

Some of the tension in Lightning's body leaked away, her muscles relaxing more with every stroke of her wings. "Princess," she murmured into Twilight's body. "I'm - yeah. Thank you."

Twilight lifted her head and caught Rainbow's eye. The pegasus nodded, and crawled forward, sitting behind Lightning and pressing warmly against her back. "What Twilight said. You're pretty great. Not as great as I am-" she prodded Lightning in the ribs, "-but pretty great. This is good."

Lightning lifted her head slightly, glancing back towards Rainbow. A little more energy in her voice, she replied playfully, "Big words from somepony that hasn't been at practise, slowcoach."

Rainbow spluttered with indignation. "Only because I've been busy saving Equestria." Her hands shifted down Lightning's flanks and began tickling with a vengeance.

"Stop it! Stop, no fair!" Lightning squirmed, tugging at her cuffs. "Princess!"

Twilight giggled. Resting one hand on Lightning's head, and the other atop Rainbow's colourful mane, she ordered, "Stop tickling my captive, Rainbow, that's too cruel. Lightning, are you needed for anything, for the rest of the day? I'm injured," she added soulfully, "and I should lie down. I would really appreciate it if you could both keep me company."

Lightning gazed up at Twilight, her eyes travelling over the soft, lavender breasts up to Twilight's warm, affectionate smile. "I'd have to miss practice. You'll have to put in a word with Spitfire for me later, Princess. But yeah, I can spend a few hours soothing your poor, injured body."

Looking from Lightning to Rainbow, Twilight felt a deep, gentle warmth well up in her. "I can't think of anything I'd like more."

The last rays of sunset streaked the sky with pink and gold. Twilight sat on the side of her bed - not her bed, the one from her childhood, but the big Princess bed she'd been increasingly thinking of as her own. The one with room for lots of other ponies to join her. She was naked, now, but for the white band around her injured wing.

She'd been somepony's first lover. Somehow, it had never occurred to her that was even a possibility. Lightning was like Rainbow, all arrogance and skill. But where Rainbow had had many lovers, Lightning...

Well. She was making up for lost time, now.

Muffled moans came from the pair entwined on the bed behind her, their heads between each other's thighs, groaning and gasping as they rolled back and forth, struggling to be the one on top. Lightning's voice panted indistinctly, "Gonna get you - first, this - time," immediately followed by Rainbow's breathy, "Dream on - dweeb!"

Rainbow was winning their little contest by a high margin. Lightning was definitely learning fast, though. Twilight absently stroked a hand up and down her thigh, a tingle running through her. Yes, in this particular arena, Rainbow was showing herself to be an excellent teacher.

She was going to have to refresh Lightning's commands before the pegasus left; leaving the audience room by the secret corridors had broken the seal of secrecy on what happened after that, and she not only didn't want Lightning bragging about fucking a Princess, she didn't want the passages to be more widely known either. But beyond that... it was becoming evident that if Twilight asked, Lightning would be very happy to come back and play with the two of them anytime. She was even willing to be tied up, and ordered around. All without needing to charm her.

All of that was true, and Twilight was going to have to work on her to persuade her to accept the charm anyway. It was as though Lightning wouldn't be finished, wouldn't be fully hers until she could trigger her at a whim into a blank-eyed fuckdoll without a shred of hesitation. Twilight considered the thought, weighing it. Was that actually bad? If Lightning didn't want to, she wouldn't push the issue, and she'd still be happy to let the lithe Wonderbolt into her bed sometimes. What more could Luna ask for?

But all of that could wait.

Twilight's hand smoothed along Lightning's back, who was currently on top, ruffling her feathers. Lightning groaned as her concentration was broken, followed by a shorter, sharper gasp as she instinctively ground her pussy harder against Rainbow's face in the release she'd been fighting to hold back.

"Nnhhh! Haaa... haaa... no... no fair!"

"Ha! I win - again," panted Rainbow triumphantly beneath her.

"Well you wouldn't, if you hadn't had help-"

"Sore loser."

"Yeah? How about I give you some payback, then!"

"Mmmfh! Yeah, okay... yeah..." Rainbow breathed, sinking back against the bed and letting Lightning renew her attentions.

Twilight shifted up to lie beside them both, continuing to gently stroke Lightning's back as the Wonderbolt pleasured the pony beneath her. Twilight had only intended to spend the afternoon with the pegasus. A little hard seduction, a wonderful session together, and an invitation to do it - to do them - again, sometime. A fun few hours, with no commitments after.

Except, as it turned out, Lightning was far less experienced than she'd expected. Under those circumstances, she could hardly kick Lightning out of her bed after a couple of hours. No, Lightning had to stay the night, and feel properly admired and treasured, otherwise she'd come to regret ever giving in to Twilight's offer. The thought of a pony regretting being with her, wishing it had never happened... no, Twilight couldn't let that happen.

That did mean not sleeping with all her other slaves for the night, though. All of them had to be going a little crazy, having worried themselves sick after her disappearance the day before, then being shut out of her room all day. She couldn't leave them alone for the night, either. But if she brought them into the bed with Lightning, she'd feel... overwhelmed, unimportant.

Every time she started sleeping with a new pony, her life got more complicated. There was an unsubtle lesson in there.

Beside her, Rainbow finally whimpered through a short, sharp little orgasm, panting into Lightning's body. The aqua pony rolled off her, settling into the bed at her side. "Can you pull a muscle in your tongue?" Lightning asked rhetorically.

Twilight smiled, reaching out to stroke her orange and yellow mane. Perhaps it was time to try honesty. It had worked before.

"I'm so happy you're here, Lightning. I'm really glad to see you and Rainbow getting on so well, too."

"I'll say we are..." mumbled Rainbow, her eyes closed.

"...but I have to make a choice, now. My other consorts must be really nervous, since I vanished yesterday and spent all day sequestered away. I need to see them, and let them cuddle up to me, so they know everything will be alright. But I'd like you to stay here, too. Either I can let them in, or if you like, Rainbow will stay with you for the night and keep you company until the morning." Twilight's fingers gently brushed Lightning's lips. "What do you think?"

There was a long pause, before Lightning finally sighed. "Hey, I really like the idea of sleeping with you, but maybe it's been enough new experiences for one day. Mind if I take the Rainbow option?"

"Of course not," Twilight said gently, and was quietly surprised to find she meant it. "Rainbow, do you mind?"

Rainbow's pink eyes opened, and she reached out to stroke Twilight's leg. "...nah. Yeah, I want to keep you, but we've fucked all day. Guess it's time to give the others a go. Besides. I'll still be tasting you by morning." She grinned, then pushed herself into a sitting position and flopped down the other direction, facing Lightning. "I'll keep you company. Dweeb."

"Slowpoke."

Sitting up, Twilight crawled over to the edge of the bed and stepped down onto the floor. Leaning back over the bed, she caressed Lightning's face one final time, then bent lower to kiss Rainbow. "I love you, you know. Please don't let Lightning go in the morning before I have a chance to talk to her. Use whatever measures you have to," she added playfully.

"Yes, Ma'am," Rainbow replied enthusiastically.

"Goodnight, you two. I'll see you in the morning," she told them fondly, moving to the doorway.

"Night, Twi."

"Goodnight, Princess! Thanks for - all of this."

The door shut softly behind her.

Twilight padded naked down the hallway. That was probably the best solution she could have chosen. Of course, that did raise another problem. Where was she going to find another bed as big and soft as her own?

"Good evening, Celestia."

"Good evening, Twilight. And Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy. Not to mention Zecora and Trixie. Is there something you need?"

"Yes, Princess. I need you to remove your clothes, and take us to your bed."

"...whatever you wish. Empress."

Author's Notes:

This was all originally part of the previous chapter, before I looked around and realised it had gotten entirely too large. Never mind! Double chapter update it is.