Chapter 20

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Ember sat cross-legged in the grass and munched on a fresh apple that she’d picked on the way out to the pond earlier. She’d already had her fill of swimming and decided to take advantage of the mid-afternoon sun to dry herself off naturally while Apple Bloom, Spike, and Delmira continued to frolic in the water. By all accounts, she should have been content and relaxed. Yet… her deeply ingrained instincts as a huntress cautioned her to remain wary of potential threats.

She hadn’t said anything while they were still at the palace out of respect for Princess Luna, but the report about dangerous beasts straying from their natural habitat in the Everfree Forest and encroaching upon populated areas had made Ember feel uneasy. Especially now, since the very pond they were currently using happened to be right up against the edge of said forest.

Ember directed her attention towards the forest when she heard the distinct rapport of gunfire. A flock of startled birds took flight from treetops nearby, immediately followed by a resonating, guttural howl that sent a shiver down Ember’s spine. It was unlike anything she’d ever heard before. Some bizarre amalgamation of an owl’s hoot and a bear’s snarl. Without a second thought, Ember sprinted over to the edge of the pond and urged everyone to stop what they were doing.

“Hold on a second! What’s goin’ on? What was that sound Ah just heard?!”

Ember splayed her feet in a defensive posture. “I’ve never actually seen one in person, but I believe that call might have come from an owl-bear. I remember reading about them in one of father’s bestiary encyclopedias.”

“Ya can’t be serious! Owl-Bears only live in the deepest parts o’ the Everfree. None of ‘em should even be this far outside of the forest!”

“Not unless something or… someone disturbed it.”

Spike waded over to Apple Bloom and stood in front of her protectively. “I agree. Regulations on hunting within the Everfree are nearly non-existent since it’s such a dangerous, and largely unexplored place. And judging by how loud the shots were, whoever is out there has to be toting some high-caliber rifles. I hate to admit it, but there’s a pretty good chance that they’re poachers too.”

Delmira bit her lip. “Are we in any danger of being—”

Ember barely had enough time to brace herself as an angry, tawny-furred owl-bear came barreling out of the woods and straight towards her. Thinking quickly, she concentrated as much magical power as she could into enhancing the toughness of her skin, muscle, and bone. It was a physically demanding Wyvertii combat technique that took years of practice to master, but Ember was confident that her body would be able to handle the strain. Besides, it wasn’t as if she had much of a choice. Without an atlatl, spear, or sling at hand, her own appendages were the only weapons she could rely upon at the moment.

The owl-bear swiped his massive paw at the aggressive-looking female who’s ilk dared to startle him with their flashing thunder sticks while he was busy foraging away from the den. There would be no mercy shown to this intruder. He intended to kill the furless biped with a single blow, so that he could go back to finding some food to bring back to his mate and cubs.

However, Ember was prepared for the strike, so she jerked her head back, slid in-between his legs, and delivered a swift kick to the beast’s dangling scrotum. The avian hybrid roared in pain and slumped to the ground while he clutched his crotch. Clearly, the owl-bear was shocked that any creature would have the unmitigated gall to attack him there.

Spike winced when he saw the owl-bear curl up into the fetal position. He knew from first-hand experience how much strength was compacted into Ember’s legs. But his sympathy for the creature only lasted a moment. Ensuring the safety of the other two women present was a far more pressing matter that occupied his attention.

Apple Bloom shot the Dragon Lord a concerned look while he ushered her away from the pond. “Is Ember gonna be alright? That owl-bear sure looks like he means business…”

“Don’t worry, Ember’s about as tough as they come. She’s also had plenty of experience dealing with big predators like him. And even if things start to get hairy, I’ll be here to keep you safe.”

Apple Bloom nodded and hugged Spike’s arm tightly. “O-ok. Ah hope ya don’t mind if Ah stick close to ya. I’d rather we not get separated—ya know—just in case somethin’ bad does happen.”

The young Dragon Lord normally would have been far more reluctant about allowing another woman to press her bare flesh up against his own in such an intimate manner. But the fear he saw reflected in Apple Bloom’s eyes served to quell his reservations. Awkward feelings of attraction towards his (unquestionably matured) childhood friend aside, Spike shifted his focus on summoning enough magic to protect both of the girls from the enraged beast that was hell-bent on tearing them all to shreds.

Sensing an opportunity to end the fight quickly, Ember grabbed a jagged, fist-sized chunk of rock from the dirt and raised it above the owl-bear’s head. Her intent was to kill the creature with a single, decisive strike to the skull… until she was caught unawares by the bear smacking her in the stomach with the back of his paw. The blow had enough force behind it to send her careening into the trunk of a nearby oak tree.

Ember cried out in agony while she struggled to get back up onto her feet again. Even though her augmentation spell had effectively dampened the worst of the damage, it did not make her invulnerable. She could already tell that her entire backside was covered in dozens of cuts, bruises, abrasions, and possibly even a few splinters. She was not looking forward to dealing with all of that once her mana pool finally ran dry. There would be time to take stock of her injuries later. At the moment, Ember had more immediate concerns. Like how to stop a ton of feathered fury from goring her to death with its beak and claws.

The owl-bear snapped his mighty beak at the female’s face. He was surprised at how strong and resilient she was for a biped. Regardless, he planned to distract her just long enough to move in and crush her fragile windpipe. Then he would head straight back to the den where he would make sure that his loved ones were, hopefully, still safe. It would not do any good remain at this place while her furless kin lingered nearby. The risk was far too great, even though he currently had nothing to show for all of the time he had spent foraging.

Rather than be intimidated by the owl-bear’s fearsome attack, Ember dug her feet into the dirt, wrapped her arms around his neck, and put him into a tight choke hold. The creature let out a long, snarling hoot while he thrashed around, trying desperately to break away. Even though it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep him in place with each passing second, Ember held tight and slammed the owl-bear into the ground, knocking the wind out of him instantly.

Panting and exhausted, Ember picked up the rock she had dropped earlier and held it above the owl-bear’s head. “I won’t let you to… harm my mates…. or anyone else… ever again!”

Before she could bring the owl-bear’s life to an end, Ember paused and looked over her shoulder when she heard someone scream.

“WAIT! STOP! PLEASE DON’T KILL ALBERT!!”

Strangely enough, it was a dainty-looking woman with long, pink-colored hair wearing a yellow sun dress and carrying a wicker basket full of what appeared to be an assortment of berries. What confused Ember even further was when the woman placed herself between them, and started affectionately petting the owl-bear’s feathery head.

“Shhh. It’s ok, Albert. I’m sure this all just one, big misunderstanding.”

Ember stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Excuse me, but what the ACTUAL FUCK do you think you’re doing?! That thing just tried to kill all of us!”

“Oh… um—sorry, miss. Albert didn’t mean to attack you. He got frightened by the gunfire and was trying to protect his family. Owl-Bears aren’t very good at distinguishing one person from another, I’m afraid. I hope you understand.”

“Never mind that. What possible reason do you have to be out here?”

The pink-haired woman pointed to her basket. “Well, I was picking some wild berries for my animal friends to enjoy. I could ask the same thing of—Spike, is that you?”

“Hey, Fluttershy! It’s nice to see you again. Although, I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances...”

Fluttershy nodded in agreement. “Now that Albert’s had a chance to calm down, I believe he recognizes that all of you aren’t the same people who were trying to shoot at him before. He says he’s sorry for attacking you, and hopes that you can find it in your hearts to forgive him.”

Ember squeaked in surprise when she felt Albert begin to nuzzle her as an owl-bear form of apology. While she appreciated the gesture, it was incredibly awkward because he was inadvertently tickling her privates with his feathers. The huntress stoically endured the sensation for a few more moments, but was forced to push Albert’s head away when he started licking a shallow cut she had received along her inner thigh. Ember was not about to subject herself to the indignity of experiencing accidental cunnilingus by an overzealous owl-bear.

“Ahaaaaaha—take it easy with the tongue, big guy! I think you’ve done more than enough to show me that you’re sorry. Apology accepted.”

Fluttershy giggled. “Owl-Bears can be quite affectionate once you’ve gained their trust. But—um—they aren’t entirely aware of how sensitive to the touch exposed skin can be. You know, since most of their bodies are covered in feathers and fur.”

“It’s ok. I know he meant well. I’m just glad that we don’t have to fight each other anymore.”

“Me too. And to think: this whole unfortunate misunderstanding could have all been avoided if those darned treasure hunters had just been more considerate towards the animals of the Everfree, instead of shooting first and asking questions later.”

Spike cocked his head. “Treasure hunters?”

“Technically, they called themselves ‘Adventure Capitalists’. Their leader, Dr. Caballeron, might have been ruggedly handsome a-and very charming, BUT… none of them had me fooled for a second! The only thing those… jerks cared about was turning a profit, not preserving historical artifacts or respecting the local wildlife. Oh, I’m so peeved right now that I could just scream!”

Spike rubbed his chin in thought. “You don’t think these guys are responsible for causing all of the disturbances that have been happening around town recently, do you?”

“I would bet all of the bits I have on it, Spike. Not only have I personally heard the gunshots myself on several occasions, but many of my animal friends have complained about them too. Particularly, the birds. The poor dears are already naturally skittish and the noises scare them so much that they can’t get any sleep. It’s terrible!”

“I should probably just let mom send out a detachment of the Equestrian Rangers but… who knows how long it’d take her to get them organized and supplied. Ember and I are quite capable of handling ourselves out in the wild, so I think we should be the ones to go into the Everfree and investigate what’s going on.”

Fluttershy poked Spike’s chest. “Not like that you aren’t, mister! Um… Ember, was it? She’s clearly still injured from her tussle with Albert. I know that minor cuts and abrasions might not seem like a big deal, but they can easily become infected if they aren’t cleaned properly. Please, at the very least, come back to my cottage and allow me treat her wounds before the two of you head out into the forest. You may even take some of my supplies with you... if you think it’ll help.”

Delmira whimpered and bit her lip. She knew that she was practically useless in a fight so long as her spirit was bound to this soft, fleshy vessel. To make matters worse, she couldn’t even tap into the divine power she naturally possessed while in her draconic form. Basic casting and healing were about the only types of spells she could effectively make use of right now. It went without saying that her physical strength was greatly diminished as well. Such was the price the goddess had to pay if she wanted to continue enjoying the intimacy she shared with her beloved mates.

Sure, the time she’d spent ravishing Spike in the barn had been every bit as sweaty and satisfying as she could have possibly hoped for. But it didn’t change the fact that Delmira had put her own selfish desires ahead of everyone else’s. What made the goddess feel even worse was how brave Spike and Ember had been when the pair protected her and Apple Bloom from the threat of the owl-bear. They’d selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way without so much as a second thought.

On top of all that, she was starting to feel guilty over how dismissive she’d been towards Spike’s adoptive culture, now that she’d had some time to reflect back upon her behavior. It wasn’t easy for a goddess to suddenly get in the habit of observing a particular set of mortal standards when she’d always followed her own standards (or lack thereof) for the past few thousand years.

And as much as Delmira hated admitting it (even to herself), she recognized her utter lack of tact when it came to understanding Equestrian society’s concepts of modesty, morality, and sexuality. It was really quite simple: she needed some help empathizing with their point of view. Even if it meant asking Princess Twilight to teach her about such painfully boring topics as: reading, writing, and culture.

Apple Bloom let out a tired sigh. “Ah think I’ve had mah fair share of excitement fer the day. If it’s all the same ta y’all, Ah think I’m gonna head on back ta the farmhouse now.”

“I believe I shall accompany Apple Bloom back to the farm. The two of you are much better off exploring the forest without me. I’d only end up… weighing you down if I tagged along. Roughing it in the wild just isn’t very appealing to a pampered goddess such as myself~” Delmira confessed with a forced laugh.

Apple Bloom wrapped her arm around Delmira’s shoulder in a half hug. “I’m glad ya decided ta come with me, Miss Delmira. Ta be honest… I’m still a bit shook up from what happened earlier. Ah reckon that havin’ some company along the way’ll help put mah mind at ease.”

“Oh—ah—think nothing of it. The pleasure is all mine. Perhaps we could even indulge in some more of your family’s delicious apple cider upon our return?”

“Darn tootin’! Wouldn’t mind havin’ a mug or two mahself. An’ don’t cha worry ‘bout findin’ a place ta rest in the meantime. Yer more than welcome ta stay in our guest room if ya like.”

A light blush colored Delmira’s cheeks while she shuffled her feet in the grass. “There are a few… urgent matters that I must discuss with Princess Twilight personally, so I accept your offer. You have my gratitude, young Apple Bloom. If there’s anything I can do to repay your kindness, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Aw shucks, ya don’t have ta get all formal ‘bout it. Any friend—err—girlfriend o’ Spike’s is a friend o’ the Apples. C’mon, let’s get a move on! Ah reckon that mah siblings are already workin’ on gettin’ supper ready. Ya can help us prepare some o’ it if you’d like.”

Ember was slightly perturbed that Spike had insisted on carrying her around piggy-back style, but she honestly couldn’t say that she completely disliked her current mode of transport either. Truth be told, the aftermath of the fight had drained her mana reserves and left the huntress utterly exhausted, causing her body to divert the meager energy it had left towards healing all of cuts and bruises that she’d received along her backside. Practicality aside, Ember actually enjoyed being pressed up against the reassuring warmth of her mate and wasn’t in any hurry to be placed upon her feet again.

While she rested her head in the crook of Spike’s shoulder, the heady scent of his pheromone-rich sweat flooded her nostrils. Despite her fatigue, Ember still managed to feel the heated glow of excitement gradually begin to build within her loins. Spike had done an admirable job carrying her as gently as he possibly could thus far, but the uneven terrain they were walking on caused his back to constantly rub up against her mound.

Ember clamped her mouth tightly as she desperately tried to stifle a mewl of pleasure from escaping her lips. Ever since her body had matured into womanhood nearly seven summers ago, the teenager recognized that her genitals were highly sensitive to any kind of stimulation. Even the slightest whisper of a touch could, in fact, cause her to become aroused.

When she finally worked up enough courage to broach the embarrassing topic with her father (she adamantly refused to discuss it with anyone else at the time), he chuckled and fondly recalled that Ember’s late mother was exactly the same way. Torch had even gone so far as to reassure his little girl that she was fortunate to possess such a trait, as it would allow her to climax faster and with greater ease than most women. Supposedly, he added, it would make sex a far more intense and satisfying experience for her as well.

For a hot-headed tomboy like Ember, her “mother’s gift” always seemed like it was more of an annoying hinderance than an advantage during the course of her teenaged existence. Her status as the Dragon Lord’s only daughter, short temper, and muscled physique tended to prevent any romantic interest from sparking between her and any potential male suitors in Brimstone. Until a certain spiky-haired doofus managed to work his way into her heart, that is. Ember was extremely grateful that she’d finally met a man (her father notwithstanding) who loved and accepted her unconditionally. That and she appreciated all of the effort he went through to ensure she felt comfortable and fully satisfied whenever they made love together.

Ember shook her head violently, trying to focus her mind on anything other than the tingling heat building between her legs… but her efforts only offered a momentary distraction. She sincerely hoped that Fluttershy’s cottage wasn’t too much further or else she might very well end up soaking Spike’s back if their little trek continued any longer.

Spike’s pupils shrank to pinpricks as he felt a droplet of incredibly warm liquid begin to trickle its way down his spine. In the back of his mind, he suspected that a substance as viscous as that couldn’t possibly be just sweat. Ember wasn’t one to randomly lose control of her bladder either, even when she was pushed to the brink of exhaustion.

The Dragon Lord’s suspicions were confirmed mere seconds later when his nostrils caught wind of the sweet, musky odor of Ember’s arousal. Spike spared a downward glance at his waist and realized (much to his chagrin) that he was already ¾ of the way to getting a hard-on. It was times like this that made him question if ‘Spike Jr ®’ truly had a mind of its own.

The influence of Wyvertii pheromones was not be discounted either. They were some of most potent aphrodisiacs that Spike had ever encountered during his short life. It worried the young man that some primitive concoction of chemicals could have such a profound effect on both his body and mind. From a purely biological standpoint, he understood the logic behind the function of pheromones. It was simply nature’s way of encouraging procreation between healthy pairs of males and females. Unfortunately, they did so with about the same level of subtlety as a sledgehammer.

“Spike!” Ember hissed, “How much further is it to… the cottage?”

“Umm… honestly, I don’t exactly know. Would you like me ask Flut—”

“NO! And before you ask: Yes, that wet spot on your back is exactly what you think it is. You’d better not mention a word of it to Fluttershy either or I’ll… bite your shoulder or something, got it?” Ember whispered harshly.

“Aww geez… that’s—how?”

Ember’s face flushed beet red. “Goddess you can be so incredibly dense sometimes! Everything down there is extremely sensitive to any kind of stimulation. I can’t help it, alright?! I inherited it from my mother.”

“Wow, that—ah—actually explains a lot. So… you’ve basically been humping my back this entire time? Why didn’t you say something earlier? I would’ve gladly offered to carry you a different way if I’d have known that going piggy-back was making you uncomfortable…”

Ember let out a frustrated huff. “Because I was… I was too tired, you idiot! Don’t you dare lie and try to convince me that the smell isn’t obvious either!”

“Fine, then. I won’t lie. You do tend to give off a pretty distinct smell whenever you get excited, but not necessarily in a bad way. I happen to think it suits you.”

Ember hungrily eyed Spike’s now fully erect manhood and witnessed a tiny bead of precum already beginning to form at the tip. “Seriously? You’re critiquing my bodily functions when you’ve got a big, fat boner like that?! I swear, you think with your dick more than your brain sometimes…”

Ironically enough, at that very moment, Fluttershy timidly announced that they had arrived at the cottage. She hadn’t really been paying close attention to Spike and Ember’s conversation or what they’d been up to for most of the journey, so she was completely shocked to discover the sordid state they were in when she decided to turn around to check up on the young couple.

Now standing on her own two feet, Ember reached around and rolled the head of Spike’s penis in-between her fingers in order to encourage a little bit more of his natural lubricant to come out. Once she felt satisfied that her fingers were sufficiently coated, Ember gently grasped her mate’s shaft and began pumping her hand up and down his length repeatedly in a slow, steady motion. When she heard Spike utter a muffled groan of pleasure, Ember pressed her entire body up against him and planted several tender kisses along his neck.

“Now you know exactly how frustrated I’m feeling right now.” Ember whispered while she nibbled on his ear.

“Look… Ember, I’m really sorry, o-ok? I know I probably should’ve have been pa—aaah—ying closer attention to you earlier, but I-I honestly didn’t know because you never told me how you were feeling! Please, just let me know how I can make it up to you…”

Ember used her index finger to massage the patch of skin located just underneath Spike’s head. She knew for a fact that this particular spot was extremely sensitive and it drove her mate wild whenever she licked or caressed it. Today was no different. Ember could feel Spike clenching the muscles of his butt cheeks together against her belly while she continued to rub his cock. It was a sure sign that he was on the verge of cumming right then and there.

Unwilling to allow her mate to waste his precious seed on the grass below, Ember abruptly ceased her hand job, laid down on her stomach, and lifted her rump ever so slightly into the air. Once she was confident that she had Spike’s undivided attention, Ember began to spread her legs apart, finally revealing the glistening folds of salmon-pink flesh nestled between them.

Even though Ember had spent nearly every day of the past eighteen years living amongst her people without so much as a stitch of clothing, the tomboy still felt intensely self-conscious about exposing herself to anyone she didn’t trust while she was in such an obvious state of arousal. However, it was the most comfortable position she could manage without further aggravating the injuries to her backside.

She was also acutely aware of the fact that Fluttershy (a virtual stranger to her) was standing only a few steps away and would easily be able to see her and Spike making love to one another. It was hardly the ideal time or place for intimacy but… Ember knew that she didn’t have enough willpower left to resist the satisfaction she so desperately craved for even a moment longer.

“What the fuck are you waiting for… a written invitation? Get your ass over here and start mounting me already!” Ember groused.

Although Spike was slightly taken aback by the bluntness of his mate’s request, he certainly didn’t need to be told twice. Within seconds, the Dragon Lord was already on his knees and scooting across the grass to attend to Ember’s needs. Spike grasped the base of his shaft and slowly started to tilt it forward, so that he could properly insert himself into Ember. However, after several failed attempts, his rigid member stubbornly refused to be manipulated from its upright position without causing him a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.

Spike vented his frustration by violently slamming his fist into the ground. Just when he’d reached the point in his life where he was beginning to feel like he’d finally found his place as an adult, a stupid problem like this had to rear its ugly head at the most inopportune moment and make him start second guessing everything. Loathe as he was to admit it, this was not the first time he’d struggled with this particular issue.

During the early stages of his adolescence, Spike discovered that his privates were noticeably more… developed than any of the other boys his age and his penis seemed to behave differently whenever he got excited. These revelations only served to make the young Wyvertii feel even more isolated from the rest of his Equestrian classmates because he hadn’t been able to get a straight answer from either Twilight or Celestia when he’d asked them why his body was so different from everyone else’s.

Fortunately for Spike, both Delmira and Ember understood how sensitive he was about the nature of his erections and always tried their best to be encouraging, accommodating, and supportive of their mate. Especially since they knew how much embarrassment it caused him whenever complications arose during sex.

“Are you alright back there?” Ember asked with concern.

“Well—uh—yes and no. Just… hang tight for a second, I’ll find a way to make this work somehow. I promise.”

Tears began to well in Ember’s eyes. “Oh, Goddess! This is all my fault, isn’t it? I-I was in the heat of the moment and I wanted to get you excited, b-but I ended up ruining the mood by making you feel uncomfortable instead. Spike, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have even tried to—”

Ember didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence. Before she could even utter a single word of protest, she felt her mate’s thick, throbbing cock slide into her all the way down to the root. She involuntarily cried out in ecstasy; the sensation of being filled so suddenly and completely was indescribably satisfying after holding back for so long.

Spike sighed contentedly as the velvety soft walls of Ember’s pussy enveloped his manhood in its entirety. Although he was quite pleased to have found a position that allowed him to penetrate her with relative ease, it came at the cost of not being able to move as quickly he would have preferred. This was because he had to concentrate a considerable amount of effort on maintaining the balance between his hands and knees, as he had to prop himself up in a push-up like stance to distribute his weight evenly.

After some experimentation, the Dragon Lord eventually fine-tuned the rhythm of his thrusts to better accommodate the needs of both himself and his mate. Strange as it was, Spike no longer felt the urgent need to cum as he had before. Whether or not it was due to the deliberately slow pace of their love-making, or the copious amount of semen that Delmira had managed to squeeze out of him during their wild romp in the barn earlier, he honestly couldn’t say. Regardless of the reason, he wasn’t in any hurry to do so and wanted to enjoy pleasuring Ember for as long as possibly he could.

Even while in the throes of her third consecutive orgasm, Ember noticed how eerily quiet the surrounding forest was around them. In her limited experience, the tomboy came to learn that sex was always a noisy, messy affair, no matter where it happened or how hard you tried to make it otherwise. This time, of course, was no exception. Two things stood out to her though: Spike’s rhythmic panting and the occasional, soft slapping sound his balls made whenever they lapped up against her ass.

“Ember, I don’t think I can… last too much longer. Gonna… cum soon.” Spike rasped, the strain evident in his voice.

With what little strength she had left, Ember squeezed her legs together, tightening the grip she had around Spike’s cock. She then began pumping her hips back and forth as quickly as she could, providing further encouragement for her mate to pour his seed into her down to the very last drop. Her efforts paid off almost immediately, when she heard him cry out and felt a familiar warmth fill her belly.

Utterly spent, Spike carefully extracted himself from Ember and rolled over onto his back, taking a moment to catch his breath. He was sweaty, stinky, and covered in bits of grass where grass had absolutely no business being… but he did not regret making love to his mate. An adorable giggle escaped Ember’s lips while she cuddled up next to him. Such a wonderful sound could only mean that she shared the same sentiment.

“Spike, I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position… but I seriously needed that.” Ember admitted while she ran her fingers through his pubic hair.

“Yeah, I know. And you don’t have to apologize, by the way. Part of my responsibility as your mate is to make sure that I’m paying attention to how you feel about certain things. Clearly, I’m at fault for not recognizing your frustration. I’m the one who should be saying sor—”

Ember leaned over and silenced Spike with a kiss to his lips. “Sure, you can be a real bonehead sometimes, but don’t think for a second that means you haven’t been a good mate to me. I’m still getting used to this whole relationship thing and dealing with all of the complicated, emotional stuff that comes with it. So, let’s just consider this a learning experience and move on, ok?”

“Uh… sure. I think I can live with that.”

A tomato-faced Fluttershy shuffled over to the reclining couple and cleared her throat. “Um… excuse me, Ember. I hate to interrupt such a tender moment but… I really think you should have those wounds tended to. Sooner rather than later. I’ll even draw up a nice, hot bath and help you get cleaned up. So… if it’s not too much trouble, could you please follow me inside?”

Ember idly poked at the rubber duckie floating in-between her legs. She stared at its cheerful expression for what felt like an eternity, somehow expecting the toy to give her advice as to how she was supposed to strike up a normal conversation with the pink-haired woman sitting across from her in the bathtub. What kind of explanation could you give to the person who’d just witnessed you getting rutted like an animal, right out in the open, and all without showing the slightest hint of regret in doing so? Certainly not a reasonable one. Ember knew that for damn sure.

To make matters worse, Fluttershy possessed the kind of beauty and grace that few women could ever hope to match. Long, slender legs, curvaceous hips, skin smoother than freshly skimmed milk, and a pair of bountiful, bouncing breasts. Everything about her screamed that she was a paragon of femininity, the ideal woman to satisfy a man’s desires and bear his children. The tomboy gnashed her teeth and swatted the duck until it bobbed underwater.

Ember hated herself for the feelings of angry and jealousy she held towards her host. Especially when Fluttershy had done nothing to earn either of them. If anything, the timid woman deserved her gratitude and respect. The wounds on her backside had been healed with such expert care that they hadn’t even stung when she sank her body into the soothing, hot water. By now, Ember had practically forgotten that they’d existed in the first place.

Ember rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. “Ok, so… I think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot. What happened out there—umm—well… I don’t want you to get the impression that the Wyvertii are all just a bunch of wild, sex-crazed savages.”

“Oh, I didn’t get that impression at all.”

“I know it’s hard to believe based on—wait, you don’t?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “Calling people savages just because they choose not to wear clothing or have a different set of societal values isn’t very neighborly. In fact, it’s downright hurtful. I don’t think it’s fair to assume things about someone without getting to know them first.”

“You have no idea how refreshing it is to meet someone who doesn’t get all judgmental over our customs! Not that I’m complaining, but… you seem to be a lot more open-mined than most of the people around here. Is that why you didn’t immediately freak out when you—uhh—saw us?”

Fluttershy giggled. “Yes, that’s one of the reasons. Twilight briefed all of us on what to expect when she found out that Spike was coming back for a visit. Of course, one of my best friends also happens to be an avid nudist and I’m… not particularly fond of wearing pajamas to bed myself. I guess what I’m trying to say is: I understand the appeal of your lifestyle.”

“What are puh—jaam—ahs? I’ve never heard of that term before.”

“It’s something you wear when you go to sleep. They’re usually made of soft, flexible fabric like cotton or silk. Pajamas are designed to be comfortable and keep you warm.”

Ember furrowed her brow. “I don’t get it. Isn’t that what bedsheets are for?”

“When you put it that way, pajamas do sound kind of pointless. Umm… some people just prefer wearing them, I suppose. I’m sorry, Ember. Fashion trends aren’t really my strong suit. You’d probably be better off asking Rarity about that kind of stuff.”

“Still doesn’t make any sense to me, but whatever. Who’s Rarity though? I don’t think I’ve ever heard Spike mention anyone by the name before.”

Fluttershy blushed and started twirling a strand of her hair. “She’s umm… oh ponyfeathers! Me and my big mouth! Spike really should be the one to tell you about her, not me.”

“Why?! What’s the big deal? How’s come you can’t tell me?”

Fluttershy bit her lip. “Oh, well… it’s not that I can’t tell you, per say. But—umm—more like it would be presumptuous of me to do so without giving Spike a chance to tell you first. Let’s just say that the two of them have a complicated relationship and leave it at that.”

Fluttershy’s unwillingness to elaborate further on the matter created yet another long stretch of awkward silence between the bathers. Ember tried her best to remain calm and not jump to any conclusions, but the way Fluttershy had phrased “relationship” made her begin to wonder if Spike was hiding something. It only took a little more than a minute until her (extremely limited) reservoir of patience finally became depleted, then Ember suddenly rose out of the water, gripped the edges of the tub and stared down balefully at her hostess.

“Complicated relationship my ass! What’s that even supposed to mean, huh?”

Fluttershy sunk deeper into the water, clearly intimated by Ember’s gruff demeanor. “Please calm down, if… you don’t mind that is. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to upset you. When I said relationship, I didn’t mean to imply that Rarity and Spike are romantically involved with each other. It’s just that—umm—well… Spike’s always had a special place in his heart for her.”

“This… woman, what is she like? I want to know why Spike thinks so highly of her.”

Fluttershy pointed towards a picture frame sitting on the counter. “Rarity and I had that taken about two months ago. Aloe and Lotus were offering free commemorative portraits to all of their customers that day to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the spa’s grand opening. I think the photo turned out quite lovely.”

The first thing Ember noticed about Rarity was the air of sophistication she exuded. The clothing she wore looked (from what Ember could tell) expensive and was probably tailored from the finest materials available on the market. Her violet locks were impeccably coiffed in a style similar to those Ember had seen from the pages of a high-end fashion magazine she’d perused while aboard the HMS Silver Shadow.

Not that Ember was particularly interested in putting the slightest modicum of effort into styling her hair, dressing up in fancy clothes, or smearing her face with all of those itchy, irritating cosmetics like the Equestrian models did. She just happened to be bored at the time and the fashion magazine was something she found lying around to help pass the time. The tomboy reluctantly admitted, at least to herself, that she had also been somewhat curious about how women in Equestria typically presented themselves, and what they considered attractive.

Even if one stripped away all the layers of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and cosmetics, Ember could easily tell that Rarity was a natural born beauty. Her proportions weren’t quite so curvaceous as Fluttershy’s but her physique, nonetheless, radiated a certain aura of delicate femininity and grace. Ember’s stomach churned as she found herself feeling jealous of yet another woman all over again. It was an ugly emotion that Ember wanted to bury deep within herself and never let it see the light of day… but one that was nearly impossible to ignore.

“She’s something else, alright.” Ember choked out.

“Ember, what’s wrong? You sound like you’re about to cry. If you’d like to talk about what’s bothering you, I’d more than happy to lis—”

“How could you possibly know what I’m feeling right now?!” Ember spat.

“Well, I-I’m not sure since you haven’t told me yet. But… maybe if we discuss what exactly it is that you’re feeling right now, it’ll help you sort things out. Umm… o-only if you want to, that is…”

Ember slid back down in the tub and sniffed. “Fluttershy, I’m… sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. Especially when you’ve shown me nothing but kindness since the very first moment we met. What did I do to repay that kindness? Act like a complete asshole the whole time. Ugh! I don’t even know where to start.”

“At the beginning is usually a good place.”

“You’re gonna think it sounds stupid…” Ember mumbled.

“Whatever’s on your mind can’t possibly be stupid if it’s effecting you this much. I promise I won’t laugh or make light of your situation. Go on, take as long as you need to explain it.”

Ember took in a deep breath through her nostrils. “I’m extremely jealous of you and Rarity.”

“Umm… I don’t mean to be rude but whatever for?”

“Because you two epitomize the traits men look for when they’re searching for a good mate to settle down with. Both in terms of physical beauty and temperament. I’ve never met Rarity before but she looks like she’d be well-mannered… or am I way-off the mark?”

“No, you’re correct. In fact, Rarity is one of most generous and polite people I know. I’m sorry… but I still don’t quite understand what it is you’re jealous of. Could you try being a bit more specific?”

Ember let out an exasperated sigh. “Your breasts! Your butt! Your hips! Nearly every part of you is eye-catching and perfectly suited for childbirth! And don’t even get me started on that submissive personality of yours. I’m sure most of the male population around these parts are practically tripping over their own dicks to claim you as their mate.”

Fluttershy’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “Oh my goodness…”

“Me though? I’m anything but ideal. I’m better at hunting than making small-talk, I have a short temper, I lack feminine charm, and it’s difficult for me to get along with most people. My body isn’t all soft and curvy like yours either. I mean, it’s not as though I’m ashamed of how I look, but I just… find it hard to compete with women like you. Goddess, I sound pathetic, don’t I?”

Fluttershy grasped Ember’s hand and smiled. “No, I don’t think you sound pathetic at all.”

“You… don’t?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “To be honest, I’ve always felt that I look a little bit too chubby.”

“What?! No! That’s not true at all. You’re gorgeous!”

“For what it’s worth, thank you for the compliment. My friends often tell me the same thing, but I still have a hard time believing it. I suppose the old adage is true: Everyone is their own harshest critic.”

“Yeah, ain’t that the truth…”

Fluttershy gently placed her hands upon Ember’s shoulders. “I want you to know that I think you’re beautiful too, Ember. Although, not… exactly in the traditional sense. Oh, dear! That didn’t quite come out right. What I’m trying to say is: beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s a bit cliché, I know but still a good thing to keep in mind during your travels.”

“What makes you say that?”

Fluttershy chuckled awkwardly and blushed. “Well, I’m not exactly what you’d call expert on intimacy but… there’s no way Spike would have made love to you so passionately if he didn’t find your body desirable. That’s just my opinion though, based on what I saw…”

“Did you—I mean—how much did you see?!”

“Everything from the moment you began rubbing Spike’s penis. Believe me, I tried to be polite at first… but my curiosity got the better of me, and then I started watching you two—umm—go at it in earnest. I also might have gotten a bit excited myself at one point.”

Ember uttered a noise that was not dissimilar to a squeaky-toy being crushed.

Fluttershy waved her hands frantically. “Oh dear! Now I sound like some creepy, voyeuristic pervert! I-I swear, I wasn’t trying to invade your privacy or anything! It’s just that the both of you were right there and I couldn’t help—”

“Fluttershy, you don’t have to apologize,” Ember interrupted, “Granted, I’m not completely comfortable with the idea of you getting off to us, but… it’s water under the bridge, I guess.”

“I’m such a terrible, shameless woman.”

Ember’s cheeks reddened while she let out a frustrated huff. “Enough already! I get it! You feel bad about watching the two of us fuck. Now, can you please stop demeaning yourself and give me a chance to explain the situation properly?”

Fluttershy nodded meekly.

“Spike and I—well, we might have gotten a teensy bit caught up in the heat of the moment. It—uh—goes without saying that we weren’t thinking rationally at the time and became… preoccupied with satisfying our needs. It’s kind of a Wyvertii thing, ya know? Erm… the pheromones, I mean. Not the rutting like animals with reckless abandon part.”

“Oh, my goodness! I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for your people to resist such a powerful temptation. Especially, since it’s so deeply rooted in your biology. But I am confused about one thing: I don’t recall Spike ever acting that way while he was still living in Ponyville.”

Ember rubbed the back of her neck. “I guess you could say that. As for Spike: I think it’s because there weren’t any female Wyvertii around to affect him that way. Not… that you Equestrians don’t have any pheromones of your own, they’re just not as potent.”

“Mhmm. I understand completely. Pheromones play an important role in the reproductive process of many different species. My animal friends go through the same thing during their heat cycle. Umm… pardon me for asking such a rude question, but do the Wyvertii go through heat?”

“Not really,” Ember clarified, “We can make babies pretty much whenever we want, but motherhood is a commitment that my people take very seriously. That’s why a lot of women use a special heating spell to prevent themselves from getting pregnant when—Goddess, are we seriously having a conversation about the birds & the bees right now?”

“That’s alight. You don’t have to explain it to me any further if it’s an uncomfortable subject for you. I’m quite aware of how sexual intercourse works. Although, I have to say: that contraceptive spell of yours does sound pretty convenient.”

Ember nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it really is.”

“Have you ever considered becoming a mother at some point?”

Ember blushed. “Between you and me, I don’t think I’d mind starting a family. Not right now, of course! But… maybe after the three of us are done traveling and we’ve gotten a chance to settle down back in Brimstone. I’m sure my father would love to have a grandbaby to spoil rotten.”

“See? That just proves the strength of the bond you two share together. I know how difficult it can be to feel confident about yourself sometimes but after watching the two of you make love, I’m absolutely certain that Spike adores you, both body and mind.”

“Sure, I’ll—uh—try to be a bit more confident. Thanks, Fluttershy. I’m glad we had this talk.”

Fluttershy scooted across the tub and gave her new friend a firm hug. “You’re quite welcome, Ember. Let’s go ahead and get ourselves dried off so we head back out to the living room. I imagine Spike could use some company right about now, don’t you think?”

Author's Notes:

The full version of the new cover photo can be found here.