The three mares exited the portal proper, Skyward turning around to face it. She pulled out the Harp of Ages, and lighting her horn, struck the chords to the Sonata of Sealing. The portal wavered, then began to shrink, until it was reduced to nothing. The Haylian mare replaced the harp, shaking her mane out, then turned to Rainbow Dash and Rarity, who had been watching her close the portal.

“One must commend thou both. Both of thou, blooded warriors of Hayrule one is proud to call thee. Both of thou did exceptionally well.”

Rarity beamed, and Rainbow Dash extended her hoof for a hoof-bump, which Skyward returned, all three mares laughing.

“Wow! I can’t believe we did it! We helped save Zora’s Domain! And we got some cool weapons out of it too!”

“Let us hide these in my saddlebag. Oh! Speaking of which…we need to get back to the ranch-house!”

“Holy buck…she’s right! Look, it’s almost sunset!”

Skyward blinked, glancing around—sure enough, the sun was setting overhead. The landscape was painted in shades of ocher, brown, vermilion, and light gold as the celestial orb was slowly being lowered by Celestia in Canterlot. The desert scrub seemed to change shades of brown, red and orange as the sun slowly set in the west, the sky taking on the hues of twilight itself—pink, purple, dark navy blue, heralding the onset of night and Luna’s time to rule. The three mares took in the magnificent sight, watching as the sun was slowly sinking in the west. The Haylian unicorn mare removed her helm, gazing out at the beautiful sunset, taking a deep breath, and shaking her mane out.

Rarity came up beside her bluesteel coated friend. “Time passes so differently between realms…”

“Aye, it does. In Hayrule, two to three days hath passed, and yet, here in Equestria, only most of a day hath gone by. Interesting indeed.”

“Don’t tell Twi about this. I know for a fact she’d want to study this.”

Skyward snorted and guffawed out loud, slapping an armored forehoof against the rock beneath her hooves. “Aye, that she wouldst, Rainbow Dash! And that she wouldst not stop for anything until she found both rhyme and reason for it!”

All three mares laughed heartily, before Rarity shook her mane. “Well! Now that’s out of our systems, let us go back to the ranch-house, hmm?”

“But Rarity, what are we gonna tell them?”

The fashionista flipped her mane with a grin. “Why, it’s simple, Rainbow Dash. You just leave the talking to me. We searched for Skyward and you were the one who found her all the way up here in that small cavern here…”

The ivory unicorn lit her horn and fired off a blast of pale blue magic, creating a medium sized cave in which a pony could easily hide in.

“And Skyward, you were fighting dust devil wolves all day, but you are still likely quite upset about what Braeburn said to you…”

Skyward’s ears slicked backward and annoyance stirred to life anew within her. Granted it wasn’t the inferno of fury that had burned so high, but still. Due to their adventures, she had clean forgotten all about Braeburn and his stinging remark. “Now that thou mentions it…”

“Trust me, darlings. Leave the talking to me. Skyward dear, do you have anything to add?”

“Nay, one shalt not speak to Braeburn. One is…not as angry as before…still. The foal hath no right to talk to his own kith and kin in such a manner.”

The bluesteel mare huffed, shaking her head, and Rainbow Dash shook her head crossly. “Yeah, he reeeeeally crossed the line with what he said to ya. And you were just sticking up for a friend.”

Rarity shook her mane. “Oh, he is a handsome stallion, don’t doubt, but, yes. He should learn to watch his tongue.”

The trek back to the ranch-house did not take a lot of time—they would’ve liked to enjoy the sunset, but night was falling fast, and they didn’t really want to stick around to find out what the nightlife in the desert would be like. The ranch-house came into sight soon, lamplight shining from the windows and smoke curling from the chimney. Skyward spotted Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie milling in the front yard. She also noticed that Trouble Shoes and Braeburn were with them, and her ears folded to the side, lips thinning in displeasure when she spotted the amber maned stallion.

The orange farmpony looked up and beamed, cantering quickly over to the returning trio—but almost got knocked off her hooves by her amber maned and tailed cousin, who ran over to Skyward, his eyes bright with relief and worry.

“Skyward, there ya are! Hoo-wee, we were worried sick about ya…”

But Skyward stalked past Braeburn without a word, clearly not wanting to have anything to do with the light gold coated stallion. Her ears were laid back flat against her helm, and she averted her head, not wanting to make eye contact with him either. Noticing this, the Mane Six surrounded her, clearly relieved to have their friend back, Applejack guiding her back into the house and Fluttershy getting her a cup of cider. Though the amber maned stallion couldn’t truly hear what was being said, a stream of excited and angry chatter streamed from the opened windows.

Heavy hoofbeats behind the downcast Apple stallion warned him of another stallion’s presence. Looking up, the light harlequin green gaze of Trouble Shoes glared down at him.

“Ya owe her an ‘pology, Braeburn. Whut ya said t’ her wuz downright cruel, an’ she wuz jest stickin’ up fer a friend,” Trouble Shoes scolded, and Braeburn’s ears drooped visibly.

“Ah know that, Trouble Shoes, but look at her! She won’ even let me git near her, an’ Ah’m certain if Ah try t’ get close, she’ll blast me!”

“Cain’t say ya don’ deserve it. Ah said it t’ th’ cider ponies an’ Ah’m goin’ t’ say it t’ ya now: ya don’ treat a lady like that! She’s no ‘beef-headed crowbait’ as ya so kindly put it,” the bigger stallion growled, and Braeburn shot up, glaring up at him, his bright pistachio colored eyes blazing with irritation.

“Ya don’t think Ah don’ know that? Ah rightly screwed up an’ Ah’m stallion enough t’ admit it,” he snapped back, and Trouble Shoes snorted.

“Yeah well, Ah ain’t th’ one ya need to say it ta. An’ right now she don’ want ya near ‘er. Never mind she belted ya a good one right ‘cross yer muzzle. Ye’re dang lucky she didn’ bust ya jaw, ‘specially since she’s wearin’ armor.”

Braeburn rubbed his chin with one hoof—his muzzle didn’t hurt as much anymore but he had one hay of a bruise where she’d slapped him. Trouble Shoes moved past him to enter the ranch-house himself, and Braeburn went after him. Inside the ranch-house, the six mares were clustered close to Skyward, Trouble Shoes also standing close to the bluesteel unicorn mare. Skyward’s ears slanted back when Braeburn approached her, removing his hat in her presence. She was still annoyed with him for his unkind words—while it might have been none of her business, she wasn’t going to stand for a friend’s feelings being hurt, and he had ended up insulting her instead.

“Where were ya, Skyward? We’ve been lookin’ all over yonder for ya,” the light gold and amber maned stallion asked her, anxiety in his pistachio colored eyes.

“She’s been chasin’ off dust devil wolves all day is whut she’s been doin’, Braeburn,” Applejack snapped at her cousin as she got in front of Skyward, cutting off her cousin’s approach.

She could read the Haylian unicorn’s mood and Skyward looked worn-out—she wasn’t in the mood to talk to him at all. That and Rarity had pulled her aside earlier while the two stallions were outside and laid out the plan proper.

Trouble Shoes frowned at this and glanced out of the window. “Dust devil wolves? Dang varmints…they’re near impossible t’ git rid of.”

Rarity nodded her head, tossing her mane. “Apparently there were quite a few of them lurking in the vicinity and she got rid of every one of them. Poor dear needed a rest after her battles, so she made a neat little cave at the top of a high ledge…”

“And that’s when I spotted her! The setting sun flashed off her armor, and she was taking a nap! Pretty good place to take a snooze, juuuuust big enough for a pony and it’s nice and cool in there!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Though after fighting those howling pains in the flank one needs a bath sorely,” Skyward muttered as she got up, wincing a little. The fight with the Angler-Eel had been more exhausting than she had thought, and she was a little sore. Swimming really took it out of a pony, fin, or no fin. Noticing this, Trouble Shoes came forward, looking concerned.

“Ya look plumb tuckered out, Sky. Ya look lahke ya could use a good rest.”

The Haylian mare removed her helm, giving him a tired smile and nodding her head. “Mmm…one shalt take thine advice, Trouble Shoes…sleep sounds wonderful right now…”

However, her stomach chose that moment to let out a very loud growling noise, much to her own embarrassment; her cheeks darkening in a blush.

“Pfft, not until you’ve eaten at any rate,” Twilight Sparkle playfully scolded and Skyward rolled her eyes in good-natured amusement at the purple unicorn mare.

“Aye, Mother,” she joked, and the other ponies busted out laughing as they went inside for a long-awaited meal.

Dinner consisted of cornbread, a rich bean, potato and onion stew, hay bacon, slices of cheddar cheese, tomatoes and fresh lettuce, more brown bread, and butter. There was also mashed prickly pears, orange and apple slices and spiced and roasted pumpkin chunks mixed with more wheatgrass and toasted nut salad. To drink, there was fresh milk, prickly pear juice and cider. There was apple cobbler for dessert with freshly made vanilla ice cream.

Thankfully, the meal was an uneventful affair, though Skyward knew the other mares were fit to bursting to ask her what had happened this time, minus Rainbow Dash and Rarity, anyway. That would have to come for another time—Braeburn was still trying to get close to her to deliver an apology, and the Haylian unicorn was not in the mood to have him near her, at least not yet.

After dinner, Skyward helped with the dishes—or would have if Applejack hadn’t pushed her upstairs. Knowing that Braeburn was likely going to try to make his move after they’d eaten, the orange farmpony was trying to fend off a likely shouting match, given how tired and irritable Skyward was.

“Ohhh no, ye’re goin’ upstairs, missy. Ye’re worn out an’ anypony can see it. G’wan with ya, git!”

Chuckling, Skyward turned and went upstairs. Once inside, she put her sword and shield against the wall and flopped onto the bed with a PFFLLUFF-CLACK, given the fact she was still wearing her armor. She sighed as she pulled her helm off and buried her muzzle in the pillow.

It had been one hay of a day.

And things only promised to get better, sarcasm totally intended. The Haylian unicorn mare huffed out a weary sigh as she curled up on the bed. Her mind drifted to recent events, and she had to chuckle quietly to herself, but her smile soon faded when she glanced over her shoulder and noticed faint bruises forming on her hind legs. They could be explained away as battle injuries…but she could just barely make out the shape of hoofprints on her hindquarters and her eyes slitted in anger.

Ruyan.

She scowled darkly, bowing her head and putting her muzzle in her hooves. She hadn’t even seen him coming, and she should’ve figured his plan the second he had mentioned Zora Armor to her. The fact he had put his hooves on her—nay, not just his hooves. He had violated her even if he hadn’t mounted her proper, and she cringed, shivering. Though she would not soon forget the fiery, pleasurable ache betwixt her hind legs when he had licked her sex…

But the point remained that she did not desire him, much less love him. She idly wondered what Sheik had in mind for the foolish Zora prince…then shook her head. Either way, the bucking lustful plothead was the Sheikah clan’s problem now.

She would have to be careful, nonetheless. Ruyan likely did have followers, spies…he might become a liability and need to be ‘dealt with’ if he became a problem. She sighed as she pressed her muzzle into the pillow, slowly succumbing to the bone-weary ache that spread through her body, sleep beckoning her into its peaceful embrace…

A knock sounded on the door, and it woke her from her light doze. Skyward’s ears pricked towards it, a frown forming on her face. If it was Braeburn…well.

She wasn’t helpless. She could bucking well sleep outside if she had to.

“Enter,” she called, and the door edged open, revealing a pair of butter yellow ears, a long, soft cotton candy pink mane, and a pair of wide teal eyes in a gentle looking face.

“Umm…may we come in?”

Skyward smiled, nodding at Fluttershy as she pushed open the door with one hoof, followed by the other members of the Mane 6. Spike had decided to go to sleep earlier, belly stuffed full of food and turquoise sprinkled apple cobbler and ice cream. The six mares made themselves comfortable and the orange farmpony turned to regard her Haylian friend.

“Sooo…”

Skyward pricked her ears at Applejack, then nodded in understanding. She lit her horn and a bubble of silver light covered the entire room.

“Was there another portal?” Twilight asked, her tri colored tail flipping back and forth, and Skyward nodded as she curled back onto the bed she was on.

“Aye, there was. The portal led right to Zora’s Domain this time.”

“Weird though how it didn’t deliver us to the beach where the Ocean Gate Fortress was, though,” the polychromatic pegasus mare muttered, scratching her head with one hoof.

“Oh, I’d say we avoided quite the mess, Rainbow Dash,” the fashionista replied with a ladylike snort, tossing her head. “Or do you remember the—ahem—rather bloody spectacle we saw further down the beach?”

“Wait…you two WENT through the portal with Skyward? Ohhh that had to be sooo scary,” Fluttershy gasped.

Skyward nodded, giving the butter yellow pegasus mare a comforting smile. “Aye, they did; but fear not, they held their own, seasoned warriors both, one can attest to this. As one said, all of thou shalt get thine turn to come with me. There…there wilt be other portals. Mine trials art far from over.”

Seeing her friend’s ears drooping and the weary expression on her muzzle, Applejack flicked her blond tail, coming to rest a comforting hoof on her friend’s withers. “Lemme guess. Ya’ll ran inta Sheik, an’ that’s what he told ya?” the orange coated mare asked as she sat down on her rump.

Skyward nodded. “He said that the next time a portal opens to Hayrule, one wouldst have all the answers one seeks. One is frustrated about not being able to pry more out of him, nonetheless, at least he gave one some part of the puzzle…”

“Oh my, he is quite the handsome stallion to be sure! Those lovely red eyes and that deep voice of his…” Rarity gushed.

Skyward sputtered and tried desperately to hide her guffaws in the pillow, shaking her head: just wait till she told Sheik about this, that he had two Equestrian mares on his tail! Ohhh she was going to enjoy his reaction if she could see it past those wrappings of his…

Rainbow Dash was already laughing loud enough to cover her own laughter, rolling in the air and gesturing at her friend.

“Geez Rarity; ya took one look at him—well, what ya can see of him and ya already wanna jump him?”

Rarity tossed her head. “Oh please, Rainbow Dash—you cannot tell me you were not interested in him,” the ivory unicorn mare shot back. The rainbow maned and tailed cyan mare snorted, but the blush painting her cyan cheeks made the other girls crack up laughing.

“Ooooohhh…somepony liiiiikes somepony,” Pinkie Pie singsonged, and Rainbow Dash snorted. “Ah, buck off—c’mon, you guys can’t tell me you wouldn’t be interested—sure he’s a unicorn but…”

She whistled long and low, and the others snickered at her.

“Girls, Ah’m thinkin’ we need t’ continue this conversation tomorrow,” Applejack suddenly cut in, waving a hoof at them to be quiet.

“Aww, but whyyyy? It was just getting interesting!” Pinkie Pie whined, only to be shushed with a hooftip from Applejack. The orange coated mare pointed at the bed—Skyward, during the other girls’ giggling and carrying on about the mysterious Sheikah stallion, had fallen asleep.

“Poor dear—oh she fought extremely hard today, make no mistake,” Rarity murmured.

“She should get out of that armor first—I mean, it can’t be that comfortable to sleep in,” Twilight Sparkle mused as she glanced at Fluttershy, who was nearest to their friend. The butter yellow pegasus mare drifted closer and lightly nudged her dozing Haylian friend…one royal eye blue opened and blinked sleepily in response.

“Might not wanna sleep in yer armor there, sugarcube,” Applejack chuckled, and Skyward sat up, rubbing her eyes with one hoof, nodding her head tiredly.

“Hey, do you ever sleep in it?”

Skyward yawned and nodded her head. “One hath done so…(yawn) from time to time…nay, ‘tis not as comfortable as thou might think, Rainbow Dash. Mine thanks, Fluttershy…one apologizes if one startled thee…”

Fluttershy shook her head, giving her a hug, which the Haylian unicorn mare returned.

“Speakin’ of apologies…sooner or later Braeburn’s gonna want t’ have his say.”

Skyward backed her ears but huffed out a sigh; she knew the blond maned and tailed mare was right on the mark about that. She couldn’t keep avoiding him forever, especially not when this was his house. “Was…was one in the wrong for standing up for thou, Applejack? One wilt not tolerate how he spoke to thee—aye, kith and kin do fight at times, still. What he said, that looked like it wounded thee deeply.”

Applejack tossed her head. “Are ya kiddin’? Ah’m glad ya stuck up for me, Skyward. Yeah, the last Apple Family Reunion didn’ go as well as Ah’d thought at first. But ye’re right. He didn’t have to be rude t’ ya an’ stickin’ up for friends is second nature for all of us.”

“Let’s discuss this tomorrow—Skyward looks like she’s about to fall asleep on her hooves.” the purple unicorn mare murmured, noticing how Skyward was struggling to keep her eyes open.

“Right. Nighty night, Skyward!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, waving one hoof as she bounced out the door with her usual exuberance.

Skyward waved one hoof at the other mares as they took themselves off to their beds. She removed her armor, and after putting it aside, she curled up on the bed and fell asleep.

***************************************************************************************************

The sound of the cuckoo clock striking eleven o’ clock was what roused Skyward from her slumber. The bleary eyed bluesteel unicorn licked her lips and looked outside…

Night had fallen proper, it looked like.

She nosed at her armor, sniffing at it—swimming around in the water had cleaned it out fairly well, and her armor was enchanted against rust from encounters in salt or brackish water. But she knew she was in sore need of a bath and she winced at the scent coming off her and her fur and mane felt stiff due to the dried sea salt in her fur, mane and tail. She knew there was a river close by to Braeburn’s ranch-house, and she didn’t want to wake up everypony by running a bath…

Donning her armor, Skyward slipped out of the dark ranch-house and made her way down to the river—she had cast a Silent Whisper spell on herself so her armor wouldn’t click and give her away. The river wasn’t too far off from Braeburn’s house, and she thanked the Goddesses for small favors. She stripped off her armor piece by piece, laying it on the bank, and glanced around, pricking her ears, and listening for any sign of enemies.

Finding none, she removed her sword and shield, and laid them on the bank as well. Shaking herself out, she stepped into the water—finding it cool, but not cold. She had left the Mer-Pony Medallion back at the ranch-house, so she did not become a mer-pony upon contact with the cool liquid. She leaned back against the large rock she was settled on, letting the water run through her fur, mane, and tail. She floated on her back, staring at Luna’s stars high overhead, the half moon shimmering down on her from high above. She swam a bit back upstream since she had been carried down a little bit by the soothing current.

Here, the water was a bit more forceful in flow, and it massaged gently against her teats, her exposed pussy, and she sighed, moving her body so she could better feel the delicious pressure against her tender mareflesh. Before she knew it, she found her right hoof pressing against her pussy, gently rubbing, stroking…

She fetched up against a submerged rock in the water, two blunt ledges beneath the water bumping into her flanks and hindquarters, but it was enough to jolt her mind to the assault Ruyan had inflicted on her.

She sat up ramrod straight, lighting her horn and shot to all fours, aiming her horn at the water, breathing heavily and eyes wide with fear and anger…

And saw nothing there.

Nothing but her own reflection.

She facehooved and forcefully put thoughts of the cruel Zora prince out of her mind, shaking her head and swimming to a flat rock that was half in, half out of the water. Yet the smoldering burn between her legs was undeniable, and it had nothing to do with Ruyan. She closed her eyes, clearing her mind, then she lit her horn and focused on her teats, letting her aura mold perfectly to her teats, and her flesh tingled pleasantly at her aura’s touch. Her left hoof moved slightly, brushing over her sensitive flower, and she drew in a slow breath. She continued to fondle and stroke however and she felt an unfamiliar but pleasurable feeling rising in her body. Her nipples perked up, and when her hooftips glided over them, she bit her lip at the little jolt of pleasure that shot through her.

Her aura continued to massage, stroke, caress her teats, one of her hooftips gliding over her erect nipples, each brush sending a hot jolt of sweetness through her body.

Her body began to heat pleasantly, her breathing slowing, becoming slightly labored as she continued to ‘fondle’ her breasts, her aura gliding, stroking, caressing, her hooftips tickling her nipples, making her whimper softly in rising bliss. The more she squeezed and tickled—she could feel a similar response between her legs whenever she brushed her nipples.

She let her eyes fall half closed, quiet moans coming from her mouth as she allowed herself to pleasure herself and shifted as she arched herself a little.

Unbeknownst to her, she had two watchers.

Two stallions, to be precise.

Both had green eyes, but one stallion was larger than the other.

One’s eyes were a shade different than the other.

Neither stallion knew the other was there, else, if they did, there would be a rather bloody battle over the sleek looking mare in the cool river before them. They were more intent on the magnificent bluesteel beauty bathing in the river—and pleasuring herself in front of them.

Thick cocks hardened, blood engorging the large organ as arousal stole over each stallion, heating blood, deepening breath and causing their balls to swell slightly. They settled back on their haunches, each one taking their cock in one hoof and caressing themselves, watching the indigo and royal blue unicorn mare rock herself against her aura and her hoof, her armor, shield, and sword lying on the riverbank.

She began caressing her soft orbs anew, her aura dancing over her flesh. The stallion that was off to her right watched her avidly, learning what she liked and how she wanted to be touched. He couldn’t stop grinning when he heard her sharp intake of breath when she covered her nipples and areolas with her aura and mimicked a sucking motion, albeit gently. He delighted in her breathy moans and soft sighs, watching her face contort with surprise mingled with ecstasy, eyes fluttering closed, half opening, her head moving from side to side…

She continued to tweak her nipples using her aura—still fondling them from time to time, but she was intent on her pleasure, and the obscured stallions knew from her whimpers, her sighs, her moans and sharp gasps…

She was enjoying herself very much, and from the way her hips were arching whenever she pinched her nipples…

Her breathing deepened further, her scent spiked, and the two unseen observers knew she was getting close. The concealed males licked their lips, smiling as they listened to her moans and whimpers rising…

“…oh…mmm…please…more,” she cried softly, and their blood surged, their large cocks stirring and hardening further at her calling for more. Eyes narrowed, hazed over with lust, tongues slipped out to lick their lips, breathing becoming labored as their pleasure mounted…

“…please…oooh…mmm…oh…”

Her body arched under her ministrations and they heard her cry out as she hit her peak, gasping and panting, moaning wildly, tossing her head from side to side…

Her horn pulsed with silver light before a single beam shot into the sky, her magic reacting to her orgasm. The two hidden stallions watched her face contort, hearing her cries of pleasure, music to their ears as she bucked and twisted under her hoof and aura; both hidden stallions were rock hard, their dicks pulsing, straining as they pleasured themselves, listening to her own cries, and muffling their own…

Both wanted to enter her, seal himself to her, make her cum multiple times and listen to her cry for more…

Silently, nearing their own peaks and fighting their own muffled cries of passion as they climaxed (not at the same time) both concealed males delighting in her blushed face and contented, dazed expression. The stallion who was hidden closest to her picked up not only her scent, but the scent of her marehood’s nectar. It filled his nose: he could smell the delectable, heady sweetness of her flower, the scent heavy in his muzzle, practically begging him to sample her…

His mouth watered, but he swallowed, forcing down the desire to descend between her legs and taste her; she had to make that decision.

He wouldn’t force her.

Not like some other dang fool stallion he knew.

Skyward panted as she slowly descended from her peak, feeling incredibly relaxed. She smiled to herself, eyes half-lidded with contentment as she submerged herself in the cool, clean river water, scrubbing herself down before she walked out of the river, water dripping off her. She shook herself dry, tossing back her mane, drops of water sparkling like thousands of diamonds thrown from a goddess’s hoof…

Or at least that was what the two males saw, anyway.

Once her fur was somewhat dry, she cast her Fashion Flash spell, straightening her mane, tail and fur, and re-donned her armor. ‘Picking’ up her sword and shield, she made her way back to the house, still unaware of the two stallions watching her leave.

Raw unadulterated lust burned in the eyes of the first.

But something else; different yet just as powerful blazed in the eyes of the second.