Author's Notes:

There will be brief descriptions of sex in this chapter, skip the first few paragraphs if that isn't your thing.

How can I describe what it was like? Making love to a Goddess? I don’t know if I have the words. But I’m sure going to try.

We crashed into her bedroom like a tornado, our lips never parted as we pulled each other’s clothes off, in a flash she was naked before me, eyeing me hungrily as I stripped out of my boxers. Her eyes never left mine as she backed up, settling on her sinfully soft-looking bed, reclining on her pillows, opening her legs wide and trailing a hand from her collarbone to the inside of her thigh. When she made contact with her soft, moist flesh, a gasp slipped past those perfect lips.

“Hurry.” She whispered

I was across the room in an instant, hands all over her, and she answered in kind, dragging her nails across my shoulders and down my back. I trailed kisses along her collarbone, up across her neck, finally recapturing her lips. She pulled away and looked into my eyes, “I have been waiting so long for this moment.” She reached in between us and guided me. We both moaned softly as I slipped inside her burning depths, bottoming out a moment later. A kiss and I was moving, sliding in and out of her effortlessly. Her moans and gasps rising in pitch, I increased my pace, plowing into her now, unleashing all of those pent up feelings, which she eagerly returned. She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me in, I lost it a moment later, calling her name as I came deep inside her, her own orgasm following close behind. The room turned into a sauna, and light bathed us as Celestia shook, moaned, and glowed in the throes of ecstasy, every light in the room blowing out in unison.

I collapsed next to her, sweat pouring off me, desperately trying to catch my breath, before embarrassment flooded in, “Sorry, it’s been awhi-“

She rolled on top of me and silenced my excuses with a deep kiss, “For me as well, but now we have all the time in the world. You were wonderful, now…let us continue.”

Hours later, we finally collapsed, exhausted, “Holy hell.” I whispered.

“Indeed,” Celestia answered, cuddling up to me as I draped an arm around her. A smile never leaving her face, “It’s been too long since I felt so satisfied.”

I watched her close her eyes, looking tired and serene, I leaned down and kissed her, unable to help myself. “I love you, Celestia.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and her smile got wider. For a moment we just stared at each other, relishing the feelings passing between us.

“And I, You.”

My heart felt like it was about to explode. I wrapped my arms around her, “Music to my ears. God, I want a smoke, but I absolutely cannot leave this bed.”

A flash of magic later and I had a cigarette screwed into my lip, Celestia ran her hand across my cheek, her fingers gathering motes of light and lighting my smoke in one smooth motion. “I always liked the way you smelled after a smoke break.”

Oh, be still my beating heart.

I pulled on the cig, the tip glowing in the dim light before she reached up, plucked it from my lips, and took a drag herself before handing it back to me. “A little strong compared to the tobacco of my youth, but passable all the same.” She finished with a wicked grin, her purple eyes glowing in the darkness.

I was toast. It was over, thanks to everyone else for coming out. I rolled over and grabbed my phone out of my pants, firing off a quick text to Raven and Scott.

Not gonna make the ‘Tack tonight guys, Sorry for canceling so late.

I forwarded Raven's number to Scotty so they could still bring her along. Poor thing needed some levity.

Setting my phone down, I took another drag, relishing the taste, “How do you think everyone will take this? I’m a little worried about Luna, to be honest.”

I could hear the smile in Celestia’s voice, “What anyone thinks will not be an issue, I am a Princess of Equestria, who I fall in love with is my concern and mine alone. And Luna? She encouraged me to confess my own feelings months ago. Who do you think lowered the Sun in my stead?”

“Really? Months ago?”

“ Mmm. She was adamant.” She chuckled, and then spoke in an impressive impression of Luna.”The depths of Thine cowardice is only eclipsed by the size of Thine rear-end Dear Sister.”

I reached down and grabbed her ass, “Thank God for small favors.”

“Hush, You. In short, she’ll be thrilled. All else is ancillary.”

I looked around for an ashtray, but in a flash, the smoke vanished into thin air. “Well that’s one way to do that I suppose,” my eyes getting heavier and heavier, Celestia wrapped her arms around me, then started humming. Softly at first, and it was a song that I didn’t recognize, but it spoke to something deep inside me, it felt like she was calling to my soul as my eyes drifted closed and sleep finally came.

I woke up softly, perfectly, Celestia’s arms still wrapped around me along with one of her snow-white wings. Yesterday came rushing back, and I smiled, in my wildest dreams, I’d never imagined how amazing she would be, how full my heart would feel, realizing my feelings were returned. I hadn’t been this happy in a very long time.

“Good morning, My darling.” I hadn’t even felt her stir.

“Darling, huh?”

She smiled into my chest before raising her head and looking deep into my eyes, “It applies.” She stretched, and I admired the things it did to her body. “I almost wish I had done this much sooner, for all the time we’ve lost.”

I smiled, pulling my eyes from her chest. “All it means is that we have a lot of catching up to do.”

She kissed me with a small purr, “And catch up, we shall, but for now, breakfast?”

“Absolutely.”

Celestia sniffed the air, “But first a shower, I think. Might be too much too fast for my little Ponies if we walk down together, reeking of the act.”

I laughed all the way to the shower. The hot spray washed over us as we held each other, I never wanted to let her go. It seemed she felt likewise, her grip never loosened for a moment except to grab a bottle of shampoo, she spread the soap with gentle strokes all over me, I felt like a conquering hero receiving his reward, and in a way, I suppose I was. Every touch was electric. If I had any doubt that I loved her, it was gone now, washed away in a tide of vanilla perfume and now, lavender soap. I reciprocated, running my soap-laden hands all over her body, admiring her curves, the softness of her skin underneath a fine coat of fur, and back, over her wings that fluttered at my touch. “I love you,” I whispered.

“And I love you. It may be selfish, but I don’t think I ever want to leave this shower.” She sighed as she laid her head on my shoulder, her arms curling around me again. We stood there for a long time, lost in each other. Until she stirred against me. “We are going to be late for breakfast.”

I held her tighter, “Fuck breakfast.”

She giggled, but when she spoke, her voice was low and sultry, “Well, if a certain Human hadn’t ridden me so hard, I might not be as in dire need of a good meal.”

Oh, sweet Jesus, the horse puns I could make right now if all the blood in my brain hadn’t migrated south. “Well, I can’t argue with that, I was pretty spectacular.”

She threw her head back and laughed, a sound that I’d never get tired of hearing. “Undeniably, shall we?”

“Let’s.”

A few minutes later, we were dried courtesy of Celestia’s magic and dressed. She kissed me quickly before we stepped out into the hall. “We might want to keep this quiet for now, I would hate to compromise your work or put you in danger by thrusting you into the spotlight.”

It broke my heart a little, but I nodded, “My whole job rests on me NOT being well-known, I want to shout this from the rooftops, but I agree.” I rested my hand on the doorknob, my other found her cheek, “I love you.” I needed to get my fill of saying it before I had to check the room first.

She blushed, “I love you, so very much.”

Another sweet kiss, and we headed down to breakfast.

Luna was smirking in a very knowing way as we ambled down the stairs, “Hello Sister, Zack. I trust your meeting was…athletic.”

I balked, “Don’t you mean productive?”

“I am aware of what I said.” She giggled as Celestia squirmed, blushing.

I couldn’t help it, I cracked up as Celestia whapped me in the shoulder. “That is not funny!” But a smile broke across her face all the same, and before too long she was laughing with us.

The Chef was really confused as he wheeled in a breakfast cart to see us cackling like idiots, “Breakfast is ser- what’d I miss?”

After our laughing fit subsided, we enjoyed the spread the chefs had prepared. Celestia had her duties for the day, and Luna had yet to rest. So I was heading out, Celestia caught me at the door, and after checking the area, we shared a deep kiss.

“I’ll be counting the moments until I see you again,” she whispered breathily. “Think of me?”

“Try and stop me.”

I walked down the hall heading for the main gate when a voice called out from behind me. I turned to see Luna making her way towards me. “Before you go, Zack, We, I have to tell you something. I have lived alongside my sister for thousands of years, and Maker willing, it will be thousands more. Rarely have I seen her so happy. No matter what happens, you must come back alive. Her grief would be unbearable.”

“You have no idea how happy it makes me knowing that I’ve made her as happy as she’s made me, I can’t promise anything Luna, but I will give it every fiber of my being.”

She seemed satisfied, “We expected as much, the promise of a Stallion and not a Colt. For what it is worth, I approve of you.”

I bowed for what seemed like the first time in a long time, “It means more to me than I could begin to tell you, Luna. Thank you.”

“Of course, it goes without saying, if you break your heart, I will teleport you somewhere between this very castle and the Moon, you may make it all the way there if I’m feeling generous.” She smiled evilly.

I swallowed hard, “Message received Luna. No worries there.”

“Very well, until next time, my friend.”

I was damn near skipping as I crossed the castle grounds before I got that shit under control.

You are a highly trained Intelligence Officer, you will not skip like a schoolgirl with a crush.

I may have skipped a bit.

I pulled out my phone, dialing Scotty’s number, he answered groggily after a few rings. “H-Hello?”

“Hey Brother, what's the good word?”

“Not so loud man, Jesus, after you didn’t show, the guys, plus Raven, and I headed to the ‘Tack, we got so drunk I’m pretty sure I could hear colors.”

“Well, I’m right outside your apartment about to head up. So you better sort yourself out. Grab some coffee?”

“Ah shit, um, give me a minute, I’ll meet you downstairs.” The nerves in his voice plain as day.”

Now I was taking the stairs two at a time, this was gonna be good. Scotty just wasn’t a guy who got nervous. “Okay, I’ll just hang in the lobby.” I hit Scott’s floor, turned a corner and caught Scott with his tongue down the throat of a very familiar-looking Mare, wearing one of his shirts.

“Raven?”

They jumped apart like they’d been electrocuted. “Zack I..fuck.”

I could feel myself grinning like a lunatic, “Oh, this is fucking awesome.”

Scott looked murderous, “Not a word dude, not a fucking word.”

I was already taking pictures. This was too good, Raven squeaked and ducked back inside the apartment.

Scotty wheeled on me, eyes murderous. “Delete. Them. Now.”

I turned and booked it, laughing all the way to the lobby.

Life… ah, life. It continued like that for a time. One long unbroken thread of happiness, Raven and Scott became an item; after that night at the ‘Tack, it had taken off pretty quickly. I would never let Scott live it down, taking up with the feisty, bookish Secretary, but she calmed him down and kept him there, turned out to be precisely what he needed. As for Celestia and I? We kept up our clandestine romance, stealing kisses in between patrols, making furious love on those nights when I was in town, and we could manage it without getting caught. Work was on fire, I had a network of Luna’s agents, led by Silent Step, keeping an ear to the ground on the EQ side, and Frank was feeding me intel from Chang.

Now it was time for the hat-trick, which is why I was sitting in a bar in the town of Amonsdale on the Griffon Isles, talking things over with a very nervous looking Griffon by the name of Victor, a high-ranking member of the hierarchy and the President of a majors arms manufacturer. A patriot who hated the direction his country was taking, my kinda guy. I’d flipped him with minimal effort. He’d called an hour ago, saying he needed to meet, so here I sat, notebook in hand and tape recorder on the table, (my cover for this turn was an AP Journalist).

“What’s the word, Vic?”

He dabbed at his sweating brow. “You told me to get in touch if I had anything, I have something, something big.”

“Alright, lay it on me.”

“Our Government is preparing for war with Equestria.”

I struggled to keep the shock off my face. “And you have evidence of this?”

He nodded, “I don’t have it here; it’s nearby, though, I didn’t want to risk getting caught by the Guard.”

My heart pounded in my chest, “Vic, you have to be sure that things are going to get dicey if I take this back with me.”

“On my children, I’m sure. Can you get me out?”

I was a million miles away, The Griffons were getting ready to do what I’d hoped to God they wouldn’t. Russia and China might not be far behind.

“Andrew?”

I snapped up at hearing the cover name, “Yeah? Sorry, Vic, I can get you and your family out, but I need the evidence.”

He jerked his head at the door, “Let’s go.”

We walked out with a nod to the bartender, and onto the hard-packed, snow-covered streets of Amonsdale proper. Griffons and the odd Minotaur walked the market, though there wasn’t much to be had. I hated the poverty here, kept that way of course, by the Red’s and their puppet regime. It was more conducive to controlling the populace if you could take it all away at a moment's notice. As Vic and I walked, I felt more than saw the tension on these people's faces, everyone was scared and on edge, never meeting your eye for more than a moment, heads down, the posture of a people with no goal other than survival. I was broken out of my musings by a tug on my pant leg, I looked down to see a Griffon girl, about ten, clearly emaciated, her blue-grey plumage was patchy, but her big green eyes were hopeful. I motioned for Vic to keep walking and took a knee, “Hey sweetheart.”

“Hello, sir.” She sniffled, and I could hear her chest rattling, “Could you help me? My mother is very sick…” She took a breath, there was that rattle again. “No one will help me.” Now tears were starting to fall.

Fuck.

I pulled a few Griffonian Soldos from my pocket and pressed them into her tiny talon. “Go buy some food and wait for me here. What’s your name, honey?”

She seemed to calm down a hair, “S-Sonia, Sir.”

I gave her a smile, “ That’s a beautiful name, I’m Andrew.” I reached down and gave her shoulder a squeeze, Jesus I could feel her bones. “Wait here, okay? I’ll come back.”

She nodded, though those tears never left her eyes, she was breaking my fucking heart.

I gave her one last look and hustled to catch up to Vic. I found him down an alley, he turned, starting a bit, at my approach.

“By the Gods! You scared me half to death!”

I chuckled while gazing past him to make sure the alley was clear, “Relax Bud, you’ll live a lot longer. Where is it?”

Vic motioned to a trashcan, I lifted the lid to see a plain manila envelope taped to the underside, folding it quickly and tucking it into my jacket. “Alright, once I get this back to my people and we get it verified, we’ll get you and your family out. I-“ At the end of the alley, a trio of Griffons turned the corner, all wearing the Guard's red armband.

I didn’t think, I just moved, drawing my gun from the small of my back and firing two shots into the dirt, grabbing at Vic, “Give me your fucking cash!”. I lowered my voice, “Say hi to the kids for me.” Now the Griffons were charging down the alley, swords out. I ran like the devil was chasing me, legs pumping as I tore back the way I came, the market emptied by the shots, except for one little Griffon girl.

“Sonia!” I shouted, “Where’s your mother? Show me!”

She nodded and darted in between the buildings, I followed, the Griffons hadn’t caught up, but I could hear them closing in, Sonia was moving as fast as she could, and I was right on her until we came to a boarded-up house. Sonia slipped a slat open, and I dove through, rolling into a cloud of dust, she climbed through and closed the slat as my pursuers rounded the corner.

Neither of us breathed as the Griffs searched the street, eventually settling on our hiding place. Sonia grabbed my hand and led me deeper into the house, it was clear no one had lived here in years, dust-covered every surface, broken glass littered the floor, and a large fireplace sat unused, or so I thought until Sonia walked me over to it and slipped inside. The false back revealing a tunnel. The Griffon’s voices were getting louder as I dropped to my stomach and crawled after her, trying not to choke as the dust-filled my lungs. After what seemed like a minute, the voices behind me got softer and softer. Until I popped out into a dimly-lit room, a curtain-covered doorway led deeper in what looked to be a refuge, spartan in appearance, a few cots here and there populated by sleeping Griffons. They all looked like they were on the verge of starvation. I finally felt safe enough to whisper, “Sonia?”

The kid poked her head through the curtain, “Mother is this way.”

I swept the curtain aside and was greeted with abject misery. A Griffon barely acknowledged my existence, moving between the many beds, offering comfort to Griffons that were so close to death they could see the Reaper himself. Sonia, led me through the charnel house, heading towards one of the beds, a deathly ill-looking Griffon female was splayed out, patchy fur, missing feathers, I could see her ribs as she struggled for breath.

“I-I brought help, mama…”

She barely lifted her head, hell I doubt she could if she tried. “Sonia, baby?” She reached a weak claw out, searching. Sonia bounded forward and grabbed her outstretched talon. “There’s my good girl.” A wracking cough split the air, and I knew she didn’t have long.

I waved the circulating Griffon down, “Do you have any medical supplies?”

He scoffed, “Human, I haven’t seen so much as a band-aid for months, I have nothing for these people.”

I nodded, “Had to ask.”

He sighed, a sad look overtaking him, “I’m supposed to be a doctor, and I can’t do anything for them.” He choked back a sob, clearing his throat, I pretended not to notice for both our sakes. “You’re American, right? Can you help us?”

This guy was kindred, someone who was giving his all to help people who couldn’t help themselves and failing, through no fault of his own. “I can try Doc, but I can’t do anything if I can’t get out of here. The Guards are looking for me.”

“You can go at night, stay here for a few hours, you can take my car, there isn’t much gas in it, but it should get you to Benral.”

Benral held a diplomatic mission, it wasn’t an Embassy, but once I crossed the threshold, I was safe. “Thank you Doc, I’ll do everything I can, I promise.” I stuck my hand out, and he shook it.

He opened his beak to speak when a horrible keening wail split the air, I turned to see Sonia weakly shaking her mother.

“Mama! Mama, please wake up!”

My heart broke right there, I crossed the room and wrapped the little Griffon in a hug, “I’m sorry sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” She buried her face in my shoulder and sobbed, and it wasn’t too long before I joined her.

I awoke a few hours later to the Doc gently shaking me, Sonia was curled up against my side, using my coat as a blanket. “It’s time.”

I nodded blearily, plucking the envelope out of my coat pocket, I left Sonia wrapped in it, poor little thing could do with something good. We made our way out the back door of the warehouse, the streets were eerily deserted, and the Doc led me to a broken-down sedan, “Keys are in it.”

I shook his talon again, “Doc, you’re saving a life tonight, I’m gonna bring help, one way or another.”

He nodded with a smile that stopped just short of his eyes. “I hope so, for all of our sakes, and don’t worry about the little one, I’ll take care of her.”

“Thank you, Doc.” I slid into the driver seat, casting one last look back, started the car, killed the lights, and pulled off into the night. The drive was uneventful, the Griffons tended to keep to their towns. Still, therein lied the issue, the entrances to these towns were heavily patrolled, checkpoints of Griffons and Humans, either Russian or PRC, were set up at every intersection.

I’d pulled off the road a mile out, ditching the car and continuing on foot. I couldn’t let the patrols see me, they’d search me right off the bat, and if they found the envelope, I was fucked with a capital “F,” car batteries and wire hangers were in my future. My boots crunched on the newly fallen snow as I kept walking, my thoughts kept going back to Sonia, she was alone in the world, just a kid, caught in a game the didn’t understand, played by people who could care less about her life. Rage shot through me, cold that had nothing to do with the temperature, I was going to make this right. No matter what.

I crept through the woods, getting close now, I could hear laughter coming from the checkpoint ahead, two Russians were lounging by the fire, while a Griffon kept watch. I kept to the perimeter, trying to stay out of sight, I was only about fifty yards from town, once I was there, I could move through the buildings to the Mission. I broke through the trees behind the Observation Post, dropping to my stomach and crawling through the snow. So far so good, I kept going until a voice shot through the darkness, “HALT!”

Fucking hell.

I pushed myself off the ground and was about to make tracks when something heavy slammed into my back, knocking me about twenty feet. I gazed up at the sky for a half a second before rolling to my feet and running for my life, rifles chattered behind me as I bolted and something burned its way into my calf. I was hit, I had no idea how bad, but thankfully shock was numbing the pain, alarms were sounding all over town as I made it to the cobblestones streets. I limped my way forward, the flapping wings of a Griffon right behind me, I timed the sound and dropped to my uninjured knee, the Griff shooting over me and crashing through a window. Russian voices were shouting, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I was getting tired, and my leg wasn’t working right, but I kept pushing, using a light post to slingshot myself around a corner… To see the Mission dead ahead, Marines posted at the entrance, fingers on triggers, as their NOD’s swept the darkness.

“AMERICAN!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, I was still a hundred yards away, limping steadily. “I’M AN AMERICAN, HELP!”

The Marines rushed forward, “HANDS UP!”

I raised my hands, I was going to make it. Then something slammed into my side, hurling me to the ground, ribs breaking from the impact. The Marines were only a few feet away, weapons raised, shouting something I couldn’t hear through the ringing in my ears. But I sure as hell saw the Griffon claws straddling my prone form, keeping himself between he Marines and I. I reached weakly for my pocket, pulling the envelope out and hurling it at the closest Marine, who snatched it out of the air.

“Well, that’s done.” Was my last thought before I blacked out.

A bucket of water to my face woke me up… consciousness screaming back. Pain, sharp and breathtaking was all I could feel, my eyes cleared, and I realized I was tied to a chair in someone’s basement. A man stood in front of me, his lips moving, but I couldn’t hear him for a moment through the pain and shock.

“-re being charged with espionage against the Griffon Empire.

I closed my eyes again, my worst nightmare had come true. The first rule of Intelligence?

Do. Not. Get. Caught.