**Author's Note** Hello all, it's time for another warning here. There is a sex scene in this chapter that gets rough. No pony gets hurt and it is consensual. But you might not be able to tell that right away. I just don't want anyone to be negatively triggered. Thank you for following along this far and I hope you enjoy!**

The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Chapter 26 - As Peace Turns to Trouble

“Starlight you are being ridiculous! And why did you shove us into a broom closet?!” Twilight yelled, illuminating the cramped little room with her horn so they would not be talking in the dark.

“SHHH!” Starlight whispered even though they were a considerable way down the hall from the others with the door closed. “Because this is important and I couldn't wait to find another room to shove you into! Rayne is the source!”

Trying to pay attention while her wings were accidentally knocking buckets and mops over Twilight asked, “He is the what? He- oh for Celestia sake, hold on a minute!” Then there was a snap before she teleported them both to the privacy of her bedroom. After which she walked over and made a very obvious scene of locking the door. “THERE! Now will you please tell me CALMLY what you are so freaked out about?!”

"THE SOURCE!" Starlight groaned, feeling agitated that Twilight had not already caught on herself. “The problems with the map! The cutie marks going in and out! My idea that something is causing or delaying this from happening! IT'S RAYNE!”

Now Twilight finally become as frantic as her friend was and immediately looked Starlight right in the eye asking, “Tell me EVERYTHING you're thinking!”

Starlight nodded happy to see that she was now being listened to. “The cutie map started doing this four days ago right? Didn't Pinkie just throw a welcome party for him only three days ago?”

Twilight shook her head saying, “Pinkie got delayed from throwing him a party on the day he actually arrived. Which means the day that he did show up IS the day the map started acting strange. But, that's still just a coincidence.”

Starlight held up a hoof. “Oh no, I'm not done. Listen to this! Earlier when Rayne screamed out it was while you were talking about the snow starting to melt OUTSIDE the Crystal Empire. Wasn't your cutie mark also showing on the map just outside the empire? And doesn't it seem like too big of a coincidence for the map to suddenly become super focused on that one point only after Rayne freaks out about it?” Now Starlight was smirking confidently.

Twilight started pacing in her room trying to consider all possibilities. “That does seem like too many related variables for it not to have some kind of connection. It's definitely suspicious but it still doesn't tell us anything specific.” She complained, starting to agree that there was a pattern here but feeling like something key was still missing.

Now Starlight just closed her eyes and rose her chin in dramatic confidence. “Oh ho, I saved the best for last!” Twilight looked over feeling excited to hear that there was more. “And the kicker for this mystery, is that I watched... Rayne's eyes... move from near the empire on the map to right where Tartarus is shown JUST as Applejack’s cutie mark was officially called there!” Now Twilight's jaw dropped and she had absolutely no counter argument against this new evidence. “There is no way he could have known that was going to happen! I don't know if it was intentional or on accident but one way or another Rayne had control over where and when the cutie map was going to call the next pony!"

“But, but… how can anypony have control over where there is a friendship problem?!” Twilight stammered.

“I don't know.” Starlight admitted. “But it's obvious that there is something very important to Rayne outside the Crystal Empire! And I don't think it's making snow ponies!”

“No, you're right Starlight. This is too much evidence to ignore. Rayne is definitely connected to the mysterious behavior of the cutie map.” Twilight quickly pulled out a scroll and began documenting the information that they had gathered so far.

Trying to uncover as much about this discovery as possible Starlight followed up by saying, “Twilight, I would be willing to go Tartarus with Applejack or you or any of the girls because we're friends. We trust each other because we've built up that kind of relationship. And we did that over time with a long list of experiences that helped to bring us closer together. Rayne only just met all of us... Do you know ANY pony who would volunteer to a place like Tartarus for someone they hardly know?”

“No, I don't. Even Rarity isn't that generous. He didn't even seem to be afraid of it. He must want to go to Tartarus for some reason.” Twilight deduced.

“And he made it pretty obvious that he wants to go to the Crystal Empire too." Starlight added. "Hmm, wait... What were the other locations that the map had been showing?!” She asked urgently, realizing there might be a longer set of connections here.

“Uh, let me see if I remember. I know it was Applejack alone at Tartarus while Rarity and I were supposed to be at the empire. I definitely remember that Rainbow Dash is supposed to go with Daring Do to Griffonstone. That was a shocker. But I can't remember if it was Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy who was supposed to go to the Changeling Village.”

“I think it was both.” Starlight said as she reached out to stop Twilight from pacing. “I don't know about you but I am going to make a prediction right here and now. I am willing to bet that when the cutie map sends Dash or the other girls away, it will only be AFTER Rayne has expressed interest in wanting to visit those locations."

Twilight started holding her forehead as she struggled to comprehend this. “Yes but… WHY?!”

That was when Starlight's confident smile faded. “I… I dunno Twilight. I'm sorry, I haven't figured that out yet. Is there anything special about all of these places? Or anything they have in common?"

Twilight thought for a moment. "Well special yes, but more in that they are all unique. I can't think of anything that the Crystal Empire, the Changeling Village, Gryphonstone and Tartarus have in common with each other. They are all so different! And remember, those aren't the only places that the map pointed out. It's been showing activity all over Equestria. It is just those places that the map kept coming back to repeatedly."

"That's... actually kind of scary. What could he possibly be connected to that would be so big that it evolves almost our entire know world?" Starlight asked, taking a step back as a wave of nervousness swept over her.

Now the princess put a hoof on her friends shoulder. She spoke gently and with a concerned voice, “Listen, Rayne is somehow deeply involved. That can be accepted as fact. But we don't know how or why yet. It's suspicious but it doesn't mean it's a bad thing. You told me that he shared with you about him being a pleasure pony. Rayne is a nice guy! He hasn't done a thing to show that he has any ill intent. He just wants to make friends and be flirty which isn't really my taste but that doesn't automatically make him a villain either. If we accuse him of something and we turn out to be wrong, I don't want to be responsible for killing him. So maybe let's just keep this discovery between us until we know more for certain, okay?”

Starlight nodded and looked like she was about to agree. But suddenly her face showed a horrified expression as she screamed, “WHAT?! KILL HIM?! TWILIGHT WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! I DON'T WANT TO KILL HIM, I JUST HAD THE BEST DATE OF MY LIFE WITH THE GUY!”

Immediately Twilight grimaced and looked up with a guilty expression. “Oops. He didn't tell you about that part, huh? Uh, Starlight come here and sit down with me. I have something important to tell you about Rayne and you're really not going to like what I have to say.”

- A Little Later Back in the Map Room -

The two missing mares eventually walked back to rejoin the others. Twilight seemed to be okay but Starlight was clearly forcing an uncomfortable smile while avoided eye contact with Rayne for the rest of the morning. Meanwhile everypony else seemed to be entertaining themselves while having waited for the two to return. Pinkie had given Rayne a cupcake which he seemed to be enjoying and Applejack looked annoyed at her for some reason. Rainbow Dash had moved over to sit on the table in front of Rayne and had her legs draped down right in front of him. Meanwhile Spike and Rarity were of course in their own little world together. What surprised Twilight the most was that Discord had apparently shown up while she was gone and he was now giving Fluttershy a shoulder massage. Meanwhile he, Dash and Rayne were thoroughly engrossed in a conversation together. But the Draconequus gave a nod to Twilight as she returned which caused them all to return to their regular seats.

“Alright everypony…” Twilight began. “So it seems that we all have a journey ahead of us. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike. All of you will come with me to the Crystal Empire. Applejack, you take Rayne with you to Tartarus to see why the map would be calling you there but please try to return us as soon as you can.” The two of them nodded but then Discord looked to Twilight strangely, not having been informed of recent events. Before he could question though Twilight turned straight toward him asking, “Discord, I actually have a favor to ask of you if you don't mind?”

The Draconequus seemed to light up with surprise. “Oh, oh me? You need my help with something?” Now he stretched up proudly and gave her a big smile. “The Princess of Friendship needs MY help? Oh well this is so exciting! I promise that whatever it is, I won't let you down.”

Ignoring his antics Twilight said, “Thank you Discord, I trust you.” He positively beamed at that. “I need you to stay here in my castle and keep an eye on the cutie map for us while we're gone. I know that doesn't sound very exciting but it's important that I have someone keeping an eye on it. It's been behaving strangely of late so if anything happens that looks important, with your magic you’d be able to let us know faster than anypony else could.”

Discord suddenly snapped into a soldiers uniform and he gave Twilight a salute. “You can count on me!”

“I hope you're not forgetting about me?” Starlight asked with a chuckle.

“Of course not.” Twilight smiled but Starlight then found out why the princess had saved her for last. “You're going to stay here and keep poor Discord company so that he doesn't get lonely by himself.”

“Hey!” Starlight yelled out feeling extremely disappointed. But Discord just wrapped an arm around her picking her right up out of her seat.

“Oh come now, I'm loads of fun! I think that you and I can have a splendid old time!”

“Let me go Discord!” She yelled, wriggling in his grasp before teleporting herself back down to the ground. She looked up at him scowling but eventually eased up realizing there wasn't much choice in the matter. “Okay, okay. I don't really mind hanging out with you Discord. I just wasn't expecting to get left behind.”

Twilight thought to herself for a moment. “Well, I suppose that Sunburst would always be happy to get a visit from you.”

But suddenly their conversation was interrupted as Fluttershy whispered out. “Um, Twilight? I know that we are all in a hurry but if we really are all going to travel to the Crystal Empire then could I maybe take a quick trip back home to make sure that all of my animal friends will be okay while I'm gone?”

Right about then Pinkie raised a hoof and said, “Uh yeah, now that you mention it I should probably go tell Mrs. and Mr. Cake that-"

But Twilight interrupted, “Okay, okay! Why doesn't everypony run home for a minute and take care of whatever they need to. But then meet back here as soon as you're finished! Is that understood?” Everyone nodded in agreement as Applejack mentioned about checking on the farm and Rarity spoke about changing the water for Opalescence. Although as soon as they all started heading towards the door Twilight shouted out, “Spike! Rarity doesn't need you to go with her to change her cat's water dish!” He gave a chuckle and sighed as he hugged Rarity before walking back in. “Come on Spike, you can help me in the library before we go.” Twilight said while gently ruffling to his scales.

As Discord and Starlight were left in the room they quickly noticed that Rainbow Dash was still in her chair. “What? I've been already excused from Wonderbolt practice for as long as Twilight needs me and I've raised Tank to be self sufficient.” Then she dropped her head to the side and immediately fell asleep to just nap away until every other pony returned.

- Not Much Later in the Everfree Forest -

“AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!’ A shrill cry echoed through the trees of the Everfree forest. Creatures scurried away from the sounds of screaming that ricocheted off branches and stones. Deep through the treeline heavy sobs continued to ring out from within a small wooden cottage. There inside a zebra gave a whimpering shout as her hooves clattered against the floor beneath her in rhythmic succession. “AAAHH RAYNE! PLEEAAASE!” She frantically pleaded. Inside the small dwelling, the wailing enchantress lay upon her back with her thighs spread held wide apart with no room for them to move. However what leaned over Zecora was not a stallion or any kind of pony at all. “RAYNE, YOU MAY THINK THAT I CAN TAKE IT BUT MY PELVIS DISAGREES!” Zecora whimpered as she banged her hooves futilely against his oversized shoulders.

Towering above her was a massive figure of velvety black fur. A muscular body flexed itself into the loins of the zebra making her cry out with every thrust. Large paws adorned with sharp claws held the zebra's throat in place as the beastial figure continued hammering the hips of the mare into the floorboards. "Pretty, pretty, little filly. How delightful you are... so fragile, so helpless against me... Look how your hooves kick, so frightened, so desperate... pretty, pretty, little filly..." His voice rumbled deeply with the weight of heavy lungs within his chest. Most noticeable though were his fangs, reflecting the light in the eyes beneath him.

Tightening his grip upon her the dark creature savored how she squirmed as he dug himself inside her. He could almost see his erection extending her stomach outward from the inside. She flailed in his grasp feeling her marehood being pulled apart by the oversized girth she was not designed to withstand. Rayne seemed to gloat, only being encouraged to grind into her harder as she kicked and twisted feeling her insides being brutally displaced within her.

"EEEYYYAAAHH! YOU'RE HURTING ME!” Zecora screamed as her insides were pummeled with the full weight of the beast on top of her. She shivered in fear, watching his monstrous jaws opened wide. His large tongue slid across her throat caressing all the way up to the side of her face. She did not miss how his fangs came within inches of her fur, knowing he could end her life in an instant if he had wanted to. He licked her once more, tasting the fear swesting through her fur and loving every minute of it. “Please Rayne, let us shift... just a degree?” She pleaded out, knowing how helpless she sounded at that moment. A rumble of pleasure purred out from within his chest. He leaned down again greatly enjoying how her body quaked in terror as his fangs trailed gently against of her face.

However, the ebony fiend eventually ceased his thrusting and then slowly began lifting his weight from atop her. She groaned feeling circulation return to her lower extremities and she held her pelvis in her hooves whimpering at how sore it now felt both inside and out. His black whiskers curled over his white fangs as his deep voice declared, “Remember that it was you who asked to feel me in this form instead of my pony body.” Down below his long slender tail curled back and forth over Zecora's lower hooves. "Having second thoughts my dear? You asked for me to scare you... to show you what it would feel like to be taken by a predator. But one who you knew wouldn't really hurt you... But if you are not receiving the satisfaction you had wanted... then I can stop at anytime."

Now that she was no longer pinned to the ground Zecora began to slowly lift her front end from the floor. Her hooves were shaking and her mouth was panting with the force of her racing heartbeat. But despite the shock that her body was going through, she quickly gave him a very sultry smile and whispered out, “I know and I do not regret my decision. You have more than satisfied that fantasy's vision.” She was still quivering a bit but had started regaining control of herself as she reached out to take hold of one of his large paws. She noticed how it took both her hooves just to hold it and she inspected each of his clawed nubs in fascination.

"You didn't want to be hurt, you don't want to meet your end..." He began, slowly pulling his paw back out from her hold. "But you wanted to feel hunted and captured. You wanted to feel like prey, to feel that danger." She watched with lusty eyes as he gently trailed those claws along the soft fur of her chest. She whimpered and nodded as she was almost humping air while he toyed with her. "You want to know that you COULD be hurt, and to feel that there is nothing left but the trust you have in me to stop that from happening to you..." Suddenly he lunged down wrapping his fangs around her throat. She screamed even knowing he would not hurt her but that did not stop her natural instinct of becoming terrified. The rush of her heart was enough to push her over the edge to yet another orgasm as she dangled in the air from his jaws.

She gave absolutely no resistance as Rayne eagerly grabbed Zecora by her hips to rotate her into a face down position beneath him. “There now, is this angle any better?” He asked as he wasted no time plunging his oversized length back into her swollen vaginal passage.

Zecora quickly took a sharp intake of breath feeling herself being skewered alive as she clung onto the floor boards for support. Her slit was raw, making his entry sting as he stretched her open once again. Looking back over her shoulder she winced in pain as he gripped her ass and penetrated all the way in. But in an alluring voice told him, “Oohhh yes, thank you...” He purred out over her back as resumed his brutal thrusting. “MMMM Rayne, aauhhh you are wonderful at being gentle, but I certainly enjoy it this way too.” She teased, stroking underneath his feline chin affectionately. Now Rayne grinned and shoved her down by her shoulders. He saw an excited grin on her lips at feeling his sharp claws prodding into her shoulder. He was loving how moist it made her to feel threatened like this.

But when his heavy panther lungs roared at her threateningly, he saw her eyes instinctively shrink to fearful slits. Simultaneously her passageway constricted around him tightly as he told her, "I want to hear you scream again..." He chuckled, digging his claws in just a little further. Her hooves scratched at the floor as she wondered how far he was going to with her request. But when he suddenly used her hips like a handle bar to drive his erection through her insides, it made her scream like she had never know she could before.

- Several Orgasms Later -

Just under an hour had passed before Zecora was now lying lazily on the floor watching as the dark stallion was trying to rummage through her potion vials. She admired his muscular form and attractive mane but she definitely appreciated his secret other self even more. He had shown her new heights of pleasure to which the orgasms were a state of trauma to endure. She knew that never again in her life would she be able to experience what Rayne could make her feel and she cherished him for it. But now that their passions were over she giggled at the way this adroit male now fumbled. “Zecora, are you sure you it is on the second shelf? Can't you come over here and help me look for this?” He teased, looking back over his shoulder.

“No, I cannot move you brute!” Zecora tried sounding angry but she could not help but laugh at the same time. “I cannot crawl or even scoot!” He looked over to give her a smirk and she relented with a smile of her own in return. Zecora knew that no matter how she tried to hide it, that Rayne could see right through her. She ran her hooves across her stomach and abdomen. Caressing over bruises hidden only by her fur, she sighed blissfully remembering how only moments ago he had made her feel full like never before. She now lusted for him no longer out of guilt but just for her own unending pleasure. But a sudden shout from the stallion brought her drifting mind back to the present.

“Ah ha, found it!” He suddenly shouted, levitating up a small dark blue vial. “Now you're sure this will do the trick?” He asked her.

The zebra nodded. “Only two drops is needed to change one's mind and you may leave a memory redesigned. It is though a request of a rather odd kind. I certainly hope that you don't have a crime in mind?" She asked with concern.

Rayne carefully placed the vial behind his ear as she had shown him earlier how to do. “Don't worry Zecora. This is for self preservation purposes only. You know, in case I get found out. I will only need it the once and I won't ask you for this kind of thing again.” She nodded trusting him. However Zecora knew that trust had nothing to do with why she was helping him. Rayne was the one pony she would still feel responsible for helping even he directed stated he intended to act with malicious purposes. She looked down to her hooves questioning herself, knowing full well that this stallion could lead Equestria into total chaos and still she would stand by him. But Rayne washed the worried expression from her face as he stepped over to kiss her tenderly upon the lips. She clung to his kiss, wrapping her arms around him with longing. But when he pulled back and walked out the door she knew that nothing she did would ever be good enough to convince him to stay with her.

- Back at the Castle of Friendship -

It didn't take too long for everypony to finish their to do’s and make it back before much time had passed. Twilight ended up anxiously waiting outside for them all to return while Starlight and Discord debated magical friendship theory behind her. Once the group had reassembled the alicorn wasted no time in getting them all on their way. “Alright, I'm glad you're all back. It's time to start heading out. The train for the Crystal Empire will be leaving soon. Applejack, Rayne, I can teleport you two most of the way to help save you some time. But you will have to get back by your own power. Discord, I am trusting you to look out for any important changes on the cutie map. Please alert me right away if anything should happen. And the rest of us..."

But now she stopped and Applejack realized Twilight was giving her a worried expression. The earth pony just smiled back at her and said, “Aw now shucks Twilight. Don't get like that. I'll be alright, it's not like I'm gonna be trapped or nuthin’. And I trust Rayne to keep me safe.”

"I really feel like I should be going with you but... okay." The princess nodded. Everypony waved to them before Rayne and Applejack were teleported away from view.

Not wanting to leave solemn faces on his friends it was actually Discord who spoke up next. “Oh now don't worry everypony, I'm sure it will work out in the end.” However as Discord had a talent for doing, his reassurances usually came off sounding more like a ill omen. Trying to further ease the tension he added, “Come along Starlight, maybe we can use the Friendship Map for a pingpong table or something.” He jested, much to the annoyance of Twilight. Putting it aside though she leaned in to give her friend a hug good bye before turning to walk back with the rest of the group to the train station.

They hadn't traveled more than a few feet before Twilight heard a voice speak up to her. “So you're being pretty generous.” Looking over she saw Spike walking beside her instead of being up with Rarity holding her hoof.

“Huh, what do you mean?” She asked him.

“You know, letting Discord look after the map like that. Asking him to look after something that important to you.” He pointed out.

But Twilight just stared ahead and smiled as they walked together. “Discord has made a lot of mistakes in his past but he has really come around. He's earned some additional respect from us and I feel that it's about time that we show him that we trust in him as our friend.” Several of the ponies nodded back in agreement and Fluttershy was giving an especially happy smile.

However that was when Fluttershy suddenly changed to a very confused expression and asked, “Um, everypony? Why does it look like Starlight is chasing after us with a worried look on her face?”

"Ooooh! It's because she is! She is chasing after us with a worried look on her face!" Pinkie cheered excitedly.

Looking behind them they all saw a panicked Starlight Glimmer running full speed towards them and yelling. It was just then that they realized that ground around them was starting to get darker. That was when they could make out Starlight screaming, “LOOK OUT!”

Each of them looked up to the sky in fear as a massive figure came down from above. They all screamed and scrambled in different directions to avoid being crushed. Meanwhile from the outskirts of town they could hear loud shrieks coming from ponies in the streets. Looking around they noticed that there were now dragons in Ponyville zipping about all over the place. The girls all shouted fearfully as Torch, Ember’s oversized father, stepped forward almost crushing them a second time. “PONIES OF PONYVILLE, WE DRAGONS ARE HERE!!!!” He roared out. Ponies all through the town fled for the safety of their homes and young foals could be heard crying in fright as their parents held them.

“What is going on here?! Why have you dragons come?!” Twilight shouted up to Torch, still looking shocked to see him standing in their town. Large scale dragons were walked through the streets while smaller ones climbed across rooftops looking in through windows. The princess and her friends were all in a panic and none of them knew what to do.

But just then another voice called out from a dragon that flew down from atop Torch’s shoulder. “Where... is… Spike?!” Ember yelled furiously while wielding her Bloodstone Scepter.

Instantly the little purple dragon hid behind Twilight who also extended a wing over him protectively. “What do you want with him?! Why have you all come in force like this?!”

Ember landed down in front of Twilight looking her sternly in the eyes. “Because we're, going, to, EAT HIM!” She growled. Instantly Spike screamed and all of the ponies gasped. But Ember wasn't able to hold her straight face for very long before her and all of the other dragons started laughing. “Oh come on Twilight.” Ember said much softer now. “We’re friends. Also dragons don't eat each other. They just eat, well everything else.” Just then another dragon felt it appropriate to take a bite out of a building causing Pinkie Pie to scream in complaint. Ignoring this, Ember went on to say, “I'm asking because we just want to talk to Spike, that's all.”

Peaking his face out from behind Twilight, Spike asked, “Really?! All these dragons, just because you want to talk?”

As soon as he had poked himself out both Twilight and Rarity shouted for him to cover back up. But neither of them were fast enough to grab him before Torch reached down with his giant claw and lifted him from the ground. Ember continued by saying, “Yes don't worry, we just want to talk to him… about possibly using forbidden dragon magics and having to face judgement for dragon crimes if being found guilty. Oh and we are taking him back to the Dragon Lands to have said talk where if found guilty the punishment could include but is not limited to… my father swallowing him whole. But not for eating purposes, only for sentancing purposes. You know, if it comes to that. So I guess maybe there is a little bit of cause for worry. Well anyways, we’ll see you around. Bye!” And with that all of the dragons began flapping up into the sky with Spike screaming as he was being carried away.

All of the ponies were shocked and Rarity immediately gave a mortified scream after hearing what they might do to him. “SPIKE! NOOOOOOO!!!”

Dash didn't waste any time in trying to fly up to save their friend. But Twilight managed to use her magic just in time to pull Dash back before she flew right into the firebreath of several of the larger dragons. “Rainbow stop! That isn't going to work!” She yelled. But then they all noticed the light gray mare racing off across the countryside. “OH NO! RARITY DON'T!” Twilight tried to plead with her but the purple maned mare shot back a furious expression that showed she was not going to let herself be stopped.

“I WILL NOT LET THEM HURT HIM!” She screamed in desperation while still running as hard as she could.

Twilight suddenly went into a panic not being able to comprehend what had just happened. She looked from Spike, to Rarity, then back to the dragons before dropping to her knees as she started hyperventilating. Starlight suddenly grabbed hold of her and held her tightly. Quickly whispering into her ear she said, “Listen, don't worry about this. I'll go chasing after Rarity and get Spike back. You take the others and still head towards the Crystal Empire. They're waiting for you!”

“But-" Twilight whimpered.

Starlight yelled to interrupt her. “There isn't time Twilight! Go! I've got this! Remember that time that you and I battled across time together? If I could keep up with you then I should be able to out magic a bunch of stupid dragons and maybe just one or two smart ones.” She gave a confident grin even though she was still a little unsure herself. Then without waiting for an answer she went racing after Rarity as fast as she could.

“Come on, let's go.” Pinkie Pie softly encouraged as Twilight's remaining friends started to pull her along. “Trust in Starlight. Between her and Rarity they won't let anything bad happen to Spike. But let's get out of here before something else happens to split any more of us apart from each other.”

Weakly Twilight was allowing herself to get pulled along towards the train station. She just couldn't manage to look away from the shadows of Torch and the other dragons flying away with her friend in the distance. “Spike….” Twilight whimpered as tears started to fill her eyes.

Author's Notes:

Okay so the big reveal about Rayne's alternate form has been made. The shapeshifting form that he got from Discord allows him to change into a black panther. Or it might be appropriate to call him a were-panther in this case. Needless to say, Zecora seems to be having a Beauty and the Beast complex with him. Again, don't worry. There was no unwanted sexual activity in this chapter. Rayne was just being rough, and even if it hurt her, Zecora liked it. However just because Discord and Zecora know, doesn't mean that any other pony is aware that he can shape change.

For those who remember, there was some foreshadowing in the beginning when Rayne appeared in Equestria. He thought he was panther because that is my fursona in the furry community.

And then, for the other big plot twist… First, all of the mane six are requested TOGETHER with Spike and possibly Rayne to be there. But instantly that gets broken up as Applejack gets called on a Friendship mission and Rayne goes off with her. Well five out of six isn't bad, right? But then Spike gets abducted by dragons with Rarity immediately chasing after him. Now the Crystal meeting is down to four of six with the two individuals responsible for the supernatural event no longer available. Furthermore, Spike seems to be off to a possible death sentence, no one knows why Applejack is going to Tartarus, and Twilight is most certainly having a melt down at this point. In a word, things have gotten… complicated.

I hope you like the changes! Remember, reviews help me know you enjoy the story! Thank you for reading!

A special thanks goes out to Jay Onagi for the excellent art!

**New events in season 8 or 9 of the show involving Tartarus will not change the events which take place in this story. Rayne and Applejack's visit will take place before Tartarus was "remodeled" as Celestia put it in season 8. Furthermore, no matter what happens in the show that might conflict with my story, I am clever enough to write around plot holes. Things in upcoming chapters WILL conflict with the series, but they will work themselves out in the end.