They’d been going at this for an hour. At first, they’d simply been lying in the bed, when Celestia had nudged Lieia’s shoulder softly. She’d returned the gesture by scratching Celestia’s neck gently. That’d gotten a giggle out of her and moments later she’d felt the alicorn’s warm, soft lips pressing against her cheek. In response, she’d glomped the unsuspecting mare and now they were rolling around in the bed, giggling, kissing, and generally not acting sensibly.

Lieia fell on her back, panting.

“That’s the fifth time already. You’re certainly not running low on stamina.” The alabaster mare chuckled softly, pulling Lieia to her chest, soaking up the warmth from each other’s bodies.

“You’re a hard one to figure, Cel.”

“How so?”

“You never asked, you never even questioned how I came to be interested in you.” Celestia smiled a bit, sitting up, and pulling Lieia up with her in a wing hug.

“All that matters to me is that I know you love me.”

“Celestia, you have been pouring your soul out to me. I have to tell you. I wouldn’t even deserve your attention any other way.” She sat down more comfortably.

“Well, you know about my life. How I lost it all. Joined the Corps. Became an EXO, a ruthless one at that. You were saying the truth when you called me a war-mongering savage. I-“Celestia interrupted then, kissing her softly.

“Lieia, I had no right to say that. You fight for a just cause. You wish to return peace, freedom and justice to your worlds. Those are noble ideals, ones that every warrior worth his word should strive to uphold.”

“That’s like the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, Celly. Well, to put it simply, you’re my sanctuary of sorts, a place where I can take a break from the war. And, at the risk of sounding too sappy, you’re my everything.” She poked Celestia in the chest softly.

“You always make me feel safe and welcome, Cel. That’s why I love you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Celestia smiled, laying on her back and pulling the woman on top of her.

“It warms my heart to hear you say that, Lieia.”

The doors to the room opened, presenting a griffon who was staring in surprise at the two of them, in particular at Lieia, who had grabbed her sidearm from somewhere, aiming it at the new guest.

“Princess Celestia? What’s happening here?” The griffon demanded, puzzlement written across his face and the alicorn was hit by recognition.

“General Stonefeather? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you, Princess.” He gestured at the unmoving woman straddling her. She was still pointing the bulky revolver at his head.

“Lieia, he’s a friend. There’s no need for alarm.” Hesitantly, she lowered the gun, climbing off Celestia to find her trousers.

“I’ll be with you in a few moments. And then we’ll have a conversation, the three of us.” She wandered inside the bathroom. Moments later, music started blaring from the room, with Lieia belting out the words in earnest.

Gunfire from the hill

Will bring the overkill

We're born to fight with a heart of steel

Comrades follow you

That's what we'll always do

One for all no one stands alone, no…

Stonefeather glanced at Celestia quizzically, who shrugged in response.

“It’s a long story.”

“I guessed as much.”

General Stonefeather was a close friend of Celestia’s. He was the liaison officer between Equestrian Republic and Griffon Empire and often travelled between the two states. In the past few weeks, strange and worrying rumours had filtered down to the Emperor’s council about otherworldly visitors. Of course, Stonefeather had been dispatched immediately, on the account of his good rapport with pony folk. He’d been delighted, of course. Celestia and Luna were good leaders. The Griffon Empire could learn from the Equestrians in the ways of peacetime ruling.

That and he loved Sugarcube Corner cupcakes. It was his only weakness.

Lieia emerged from the bathroom, sufficiently refreshed, her hair once more in the signature ponytail with a fringe.

“Right-o, I’m here. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Her steely gaze met Stonefeather’s, who bowed his head slightly.

“I am General Stonefeather of the Griffon Empire. I was dispatched a couple of weeks ago to learn more about these aliens that arrived on Equestria. I presume you’re one of them?” Lieia nodded in response, unconsciously straightening out a bit.

“Indeed. Captain Lieia Aladara Grisova, Coalition Marine Corps Special Forces, 3rd EXO Company.”

“Your middle name is Aladara?” Celestia piped up in surprise. Lieia shot a wry grin in response.

“You never asked, Cel. Okay, back to business. Y’might want to sit down, General.” Celestia climbed out of the bed, shaking her mane.

“I need to freshen myself up, Lieia.”

“By all means. We can wait, right, General?”

“Indeed.” The stoic griffon agreed, though internally, he was feeling rather impatient.

Celestia returned several minutes later, clean and resplendent. Now they could proceed with explaining the situation to the suspicious griffon, which took the better part of an hour to do. Once they’d finished, he could only shake his head in amazement.

“Well, now I’ve heard everything. At least I’ve got what I came for. Perhaps you could show me around the base, Captain?”

“I see no harm in that. Follow me.”

“The base was rather small when I began the training. Only a hundred ponies. When I finished training those, I took more in.”

“How many are you aiming for?”

“A thousand. They’ll have the best weapons and armour I can provide. Care to take a look at our armoury?”

“You’ve got me intrigued, Captain. It’s not every day I’d get a proposition like that.”

Once outside, Stonefeather flinched as three K-52 dropships passed overhead, followed by a pair of twin-rotor gunships. A pair of P-19 medium tanks rumbled out of the garages, heading towards their patrol routes, followed by several Jackal LRVs. The training grounds were bustling with ponies exercising under the watchful eyes of drill sergeants. The whole base was thrumming with activity. Celestia noted the griffon’s eyes widen as he nodded appreciatively.

“They are all put through the same training regimen as the average Coalition marine, but slightly modified. I have some experimental equipment made to fit the ponies’ physique. For example, a scaled-down grenade launcher that can be carried around on the pony’s back. Or, a harness for pegasi that provides us with rapid-response air support when needed. There’s a lot of room for improvisation and new tactics when I’m working with ponies.” A Behemoth Mobile Base Vehicle roared to life, moving ponderously away from the base. Celestia recognised it as one of the five such vehicles she’d seen on her first visit of the base.

“Lieia? Where are the other four?”

“Out on patrol. They’re mobile Forward Operating Bases. Well, what do you think of our base here, General?” The griffon thought on that for a moment.

“It certainly is impressive. You have done a good job of training these ponies. But I have a request, if you will, Captain.”

“Shoot.” Lieia looked at him somewhat suspiciously.

“If it isn’t a trouble, could you consider training a unit of griffon warriors? Even though our troops are renowned as the best available, I am not so sure anymore. I’d like to see if you can teach us some new tricks and tactics.”

“That’s doable. We might need to expand the barracks a bit, but that’s not really a trouble. I’ll take a hundred of ‘em. Deal?” She extended her hand to shake and Stonefeather obliged.

“We’re agreed then, Captain.” His grip was strong and steady, the mark of a good, reliable soldier. Lieia instantly took a liking to him.

“Feel free to look around while you’re here. I have something I need to deal with.” She winked slyly at Celestia, who responded in kind. Stonefeather shifted uneasily.

“…Right. Good day to you both, then. Until next time.” With that, he took off, heading towards Ponyville, eager to purchase some cupcakes.

“Well, now that that’s over with, what do you want to do now?” Lieia whispered in Celestia’s ear. A moment later, the alicorn pulled a nearby door open, pushing Lieia inside and locking the door behind them.

“Oof! Cel, what are you-!” Lieia managed to utter before the mare kissed her fiercely. The kiss lasted for quite a while, with both participants exploring each other’s mouths as much as they could. Lieia managed to pull back for a moment, though.

“What’s the hurry, Celestia?” No answer, just more kisses.

“Cel. Really! Calm down.” Reluctantly, her lover stopped, gazing at her sadly.

“I really don’t want you to go, Lieia. It would tear my heart apart.”

“I feel the same way, Cel. I’m not going to enjoy leaving you.” She sighed wearily and Celestia craned her head down, until their lips were a hair’s breadth apart.

“I am yours, Lieia.” Celestia’s words made Lieia smile and she cradled the mare’s cheek gently, reaching up and kissing her.

“You’re full of surprises, Cel. Look, I’ve got a bit of routine check-up to do in half an hour. Would ya like to come along, give your troops a surprise inspection?”

“I’d love to.” She pulled Lieia upwards.

“In the meantime, I think we can stay here.” She pushed Celestia down on her back gently, lying down on top of her, popping a piece of candy in her mouth before kissing Celestia again. After a few moments, Celestia could feel the sweet, sugary taste seeping past Lieia’s tongue and she tried to coax the small, sweet chunk out of Lieia’s mouth. She succeeded eventually, surprising Lieia.

“You stole my candy.”

“I didn’t see your name on it.”

“You’ll pay for that.” Lieia reached up, wrapping her fingers around Celestia’s horn, giving it a rub. The mare shuddered, and the candy dropped out of her mouth, sticking to Lieia’s cheek.

“L-Lieia… You d-don’t have any idea w-what you just did…” Lieia hastily drew back her hand.

“Oops. Sorry.”

“It’s just about the most sensitive place one can touch. But, if there’s anypony I have complete trust in, it’s you. I know that you will be careful.” She lowered her head, letting Lieia plant a gentle kiss on her forehead, at the base of her horn. Celestia moaned softly and received another kiss.

“How many sensitive spots are there on your body?”

“Ah… well… Wings, horn and my cutie mark.”

“Your what?”

“It’s on my flanks.” Immediately, Lieia rubbed the marking on Celestia’s right flank, receiving another moan from her lover. Her other hand was busy with Celestia’s left wing, while her tongue was licking the mare’s horn. Celestia’s moans got louder and longer as Lieia’s hands explored her body, making the mare shiver with pleasure.

“Oh, Lieia! I… I… AAAH!” Celestia cried out, lunging at Lieia, ripping her clothes off.

You can guess what they did next.

Twenty minutes later

“Well, we did it again.” Lieia muttered, caressing Celestia’s neck.

“We did. Oh, it felt so good.”

“Didn’t we just have sex yesterday?”

“You started it this time.”

“You were the one who locked us in here.” She scratched Celestia’s ear and the mare nickered softly.

“Well, I hope you won’t hold it against me.” Lieia turned her head sideways, gazing in Celestia’s expressive, magenta eyes, kissing her.

“No. I won’t, even though you tore up my fresh clothes.” Celestia felt Lieia’s naked body press up against her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teleport us to your bedroom.” A flash of gold filled the small storeroom and the two lovers vanished.

Celestia cantered up to the flier, somewhat curious.

“What is this machine, Lieia?”

“A tactical strike aircraft. Tyker Industries V-14. We call ‘em Shrykes. Real useful for strafing runs.” She gestured at the two turboprop fans on either side of the craft.

“Why not take a dropship?”

“I want to show what this baby is capable of. C’mon. Strap yourself in.” Lieia leapt in the pilot’s seat, pulling the canopy closed. Celestia got in the small passenger compartment, and the door slid close with a hiss. The jet powerplant came alive with a whine. A minute later, the Shryke took off, heading towards one of the Behemoth MBVs.

“Lieia?”

“Yep?”

“I’m bored.” She received a sigh in response, and then heard a click.

All of your life you've tried to survive

You're working so hard to get a real good start

You won't be a loser, you will be the first one

You can't break free, that's your destiny… Next Chapter: Chapter 24 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 55 Minutes