After about half an hour or so of walking through the everly busier growing streets that started to go from just people to even forms of magical equipment that moved large shipments of cargo. It reminded Zakia that not only was Cloudsdale big, it was also considered a port city despite being in the sky over a large body of land. The shops that littered the bustling area held a variety of options. Some seemed sold clothes, some sold furniture or small household trinkets. Others had opened fresh food restaurants that teased foods that were anything but commonplace among those that lived in the area. It truly was a melting pot of many species and cultures.

“And this is one of the busiest markets in Cloudsdale. It’s also the best place to get things for cheap, a lot of merchants will sell directly to avoid some of the fees that come with offloading to a merchant or warehouse directly.” Scootaloo explained, gesturing with her hands all around her. “Here, you can buy just about anything!”

“Just about anything? That is very impressive.” Zakia commented, rubbing his chin as he looked around again with a more careful gaze. There were a number of not just shops and outlets, but there were also a large amount of pegasi; pegasi who were looking at him with warm smiles. “Friendly too.” As he said this, an older looking male pegasus approached him with a smile.

“Welcome, you must be Zakia.” The pegasus commented, handing what looked to be a small, open box. Inside the box were what seemed to be treats. “Please, have one. These are called Cloud Cakes, a confectionary here in Cloudsdale.”

“Sure, they look delicious.” Zakia responded as he reached into the box, taking one of these Cloud Cakes. “How much?”

“Oh, for Rainbow Dash’s fiance, they’re free.” The pegasus responded with a kind, gentle smile. “Please, take as much as you’d like.”

“I wasn’t aware I was this well known.” Zakia said as he attempted a humble chuckle. “I know Windy Whistles loved to tell everyone the good news, but to be treated so kindly.”

“Oh, think nothing of it.” The pegasus replied, waiving a hand back and forth. “Here and Cloudsdale, we treat everyone with only the utmost fun and respect for the most part. We do have a few that like to be problematic in our little slice of paradise in the sky.” The pegasus stopped before they found themselves rattling on about something none important.

“But Windy Whistle has been gossiping a whole lot about you. She asked if we could make your time a bit more enjoyable. With how much she’s done for everyone in Cloudsdale, we’d be ashamed not to show a little bit of favoritism to her daughter's stallion-to-be.”

“I shall gladly accept your kindness then. Thank you so much. I don’t want to ever take such kindness for granted.” Zakia said, speaking a little louder as he saw more and more pegasi were listening in on this conversation. “Everyone I’ve met here in Cloudsdale has been nothing but so nice to me since I’ve arrived. I wasn’t expecting such a large community to have such a tight knit family bond. It is truly heartwarming to see the place Dashie came from is such a warm and welcoming place.” His mind was almost frying from trying to process everything. ‘These pegasi…just how much influence does that over energetic mare have?!’

They all looked at this as normal but the sense of unity in cloudsdale and how quickly and clearly they communicated just by gossip alone was terrifying. Looking around, Zakia could see only the smiling faces of these pegasi, as well as the numerous businesses they were running. The clothes shops looked intriguing, a mix of loose looking shirts and pants, with holes for the wings to easily fit in. The food was almost all desserts and treats. And there were numerous displays and furniture that looked like a hybrid of cloud and solid materials. But among the various things he looked at, something that seemed out of place in Cloudsdale.

It looked like a cat; a very pale, gray cat. Though it wasn’t some normal cat either, it was bipedal by what Zakia could tell with just a glimpse. Such a creature wouldn’t be able to walk amongst the clouds here. It was the size of a pony, maybe a little shorter, and more slender frame. Could such a creature even exist or was he seeing things due to the busy nature of the area and the flurry of movement and energy that never seemed to stop in this very busy section of the market? The color of its fur and clothes blended far too well with their surroundings for him to keep track of it. Even as Zakia was trying to get a better look toward this strange cat creature, a sudden tapping on his shoulder took his attention away.

“Hey, Zakia. Rumble and I will be right back.” Scootaloo commented, gesturing to the nearby clothing shop that had a very humble appearance for a storefront among the dozens of others around it. “We gotta grab a few things for later on, so we’ll be back in a few minutes okay?”

“That’s fine.” Zakia replied rather blankly, his thoughts still lingering on what he saw before and less so what Scootaloo had to say. Looking back towards this cat creature, only to see whatever it was, it was already gone. Sighing a little, his eyes looked for wherever it could have gone, but happened to notice a different shop that had a sense of familiarity to it in the strangest and most homely way. This one seemed to have various objects from places beyond Cloudsdale. “I’ll be heading over to that shop in the meantime, meet me here if you can’t find me.”

Nodding and taking off, Scootaloo dragged Rumble off to the clothing store in question. Zakia ventured to this new and strangely welcoming store. Opening the door, he was correct. There were objects, artifacts, relics, and other forms of knick·knacks from not only Cloudsdale, but all over Equestria, and even some things from beyond Equestrian borders. Vases bearing images of large, hairy, two horned creatures seemingly stomping or smashing things. Bronze bowls that held imagery of griffons, and even some tea sets that were set in beautiful patterns.

“A customer? Welcome, welcome!” Shouted the voice of the owner of this shop. Looking to the source of the sound, Zakia saw this was a somewhat short and portly pegasus stallion. He was dressed in a flowing, but worn looking loose shirt and pants. The type of attire one would wear if they spent all their days inside their home. “Welcome to Gustavo Gust’s Emporium! I am Gustavo Gust, and please let me know if anything catches your eyes.”

“I am just browsing for now. You have quite the collection of things from all over, being so close to merchants and trade helps I bet..” Zakia commented, looking more at the various objects. “Though I must admit, I’m not sure where all these things are from. Could you tell me?”

“Of course! A well informed customer is a well paying customer.” Gustavo bellowed, smacking his round belly with a hearty laugh. “Let’s begin with this!” Walking over, he gestured to the vase. “This is a vase made from mud only found in Yakyakistan, a mountainous range far to the north, where the Yaks smash rocks to powder, mix with water, and bake the mud into such beauty displays.”

“Yaks you say?” Zakia asked, raising a curious eyebrow as he looked at the vase. “I didn’t know such a place existed in Equestria.” He then pointed to the bronze bowls. “These are griffon made, correct?”

“You have a good eye, my friend!” Gustavo nodded with a toothy smile, showing off two or three gold teeth. “These are incense bowls made of pure griffon bronze, mined and minted by the banking counsels. A rare find indeed.”

“Interesting.” Zakia nodded along, using this shopkeeper to learn about other cultures. “I’m curious…do you have anything from my homeland?”

“The Zebra lands? Let me see…” Gustavo replied with a curious rub of his stubbled chin. It was clear he hadn’t been asked such a question before. “Well, no disrespect to you, but authentic zebra merchandise is very, very rare. And even the best imitations are hard to come by. But I think I have something you might like.” Moving over to his counter, he rummaged through some things until he pulled out a small box. “Here we are! I found them.” Going back to Zakia, he presented the box. “I got this so long ago, and no one ever asked for these, so I’ve kept them in the back.”

Opening the box, Zakia’s eyes only went wide as he took in what he saw. These were earrings, clearly of zebra origins based on how the metal was etched and ornamented with the most detailed of stripes. As well as this, it attached to small chains to ear cuffs that would clip to the higher part of the ears. But what really set it apart from any other zebra jewelry, was the stone that hung from it. It was a deep, dark blue, as if the most remote and abyssal point of the oceans were collected in a crystalized form. Zakia was speechless, mouth nearly agape from this.

“You like it huh?” Gustavo commented, seeing the look on Zakia’s face. “Well I have no doubts you can tell the quality. That is pure silver, with a flawless sapphire set in. The perfect gift for your fiance, if the rumors I heard were correct.”

“You heard correctly, but respectfully, you’ve made a small error.” Zakia explained, still staring at the earrings. “These are platinum, not silver. And the stone isn’t sapphires, but tanzanite. I’ll be honest, any collector would spend several life savings for such a thing.”

“Then keep it with my blessing.” Gustavo said, showing a moment of seriousness across his face. “Anyone who can tell the quality, and clearly knows the value of such craftsmanship deserves it.”

“Really?! T-thank you!” Zakia exclaimed, handing the box back for Gustavo to wrap it up for him. ‘Maybe Zecora would like these. They’d be perfect for her.’ Once the box was back in his hands, he turned to leave the shop. “Thank you again, I was beyond impressed!”

“It’s no problem, and remember, Gustavo Gust is always looking for more things to sell.” Gustavo cheered as Zakia left the shop. Once the zebra was fully out of both visual and ear shot, the pegasus’ face faded from its friendly salesman to one of someone far more jaded and uncaring. “So that’s the guy?” Looking over to a nearby corner, a faded silhouette, previously hidden from sight, nodded. “He’s got a lot of rough edges, he’s fortunate that lady luck follows him around so closely. But like all things, it will run out.” The silhouette nodded before leaning back, remaining in the dark.

Leaving the shop, Zakia pocketed the small box and gave the marketplace another look around. There was something peaceful, something calming, something…almost village-like. Taking in a deep breath, he felt, even for the briefest of moments, as if he was back home. The sights, the sounds, the sales, and the haggles and barters. It gave him a flickering memory of his time as a young colt, walking through the marketplace. Sniffling a little, he quickly wiped any tear that may have shed in his eye, wanting no one to see such an expression on his face.

“Zakia?” Called the voice of Scootaloo, approaching her master, with Rumble in tow. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Zakia responded, paying with his hands in his pocket. “I happened to find this interesting shop where I picked up something special.”

“Oh? That’s good to hear.” Scootaloo commented, giggling as she could only imagine what her Master had bought. “I found a fun place in the market, come on!” Not giving Zakia a chance to respond, she headed off ahead. With a small sigh, the zebra followed, Rumble all but clinging to his side.

Walking a few blocks, Zakia took in the sights of more shops and stores, but while they walked, he started to notice something about Scootaloo. There was something about her denim short shorts. They were obviously shorter than what was considered “decent” by most Equestrians, but he was certain her string thong wasn’t as visible as it was now. As well as this, the three of them were walking less towards any notable shops, but more towards what appeared to be private locations.

“Scootaloo? I trust you’re doing this for my benefit?” Zakia asked, realizing there were less and less pegasi around. “Or did you want me alone?”

“A little bit of both…Master.” Scootaloo’s words only seemed to trail as she spoke to Zakia, wiggling her round, tight ass to him. “I just needed to get you alone…to show you this!”

Once the mare had brought Zakia and Rumble around a corner and into a clean alleyway, she turned to show what else had been done to her short shorts. The denim had been heavily modified in which her front was all but fully exposed, and her thong was so thin, it was practically useless. Spreading her legs, she waived herself at her master, cooing in pleasure as she wanted to entice Zakia to fuck her. Rumble took a step back from his master, seeing a cocky smirk running across his lips.

Believing he would be in the same position as before, the femboy moved towards the end of the alley, to keep watch, as Zakia approached Scootaloo. The zebra didn’t seem to mind this behavior. Given his new experience with pegasi culture over the past few days, he had come to expect anyone walking by to stop and walk. Zakia was certain no one would try to stop him, but he was in no mood for spectators. To him, Rumble made the right choice, and should be rewarded for such a service; later on.

Zakia wasted no time, pressing his lips against hers as she melted and moaned in his mouth. Scootaloo wrapped her arms around her master’s neck, allowing him to easily lift her up and against the solid cloud wall. With ease, he took his cocks from his pants, angling both at the mare’s holes. Hearts filled Scootaloo’s eyes as she could feel the hard cockheads pressing against her drenched pussy and asshole. Swallowing hard, she cooed as she was begging for it.

“Who’s my impatient slut?” Zakia asked, seeing how the mare trembled from not even the first inch slowly moving its way in her holes. “Who loves being fucked like a whore?”

“I-I-I do…I love being fucked…” Scootaloo moaned in Zakia’s mouth, shivering as she was slowly taking the twin sizes. “Fuck me Master, fuck me like the dirty, cum loving slut I am-aaahh!”

Zakia didn’t let her finish as he rammed his cock in her pussy and ass. Both holes eagerly took in both lengths, down to their halfway point. Her belly bulged as both girths stuffed her body, making her moan out in pleasure, all while she and Zakia continued to make out. Scootaloo’s body was surging with pleasure, the feeling of having her Master’s cocks inside her was only driving her further and further to orgasm.

“Come on Master, fuck me, fuck me!” Scootaloo panted and moaned as she kissed Zakia's lips and neck. She hugged him closer as more and more of his length buried themselves in her. “I want it, I want it. I love your dicks. Please fuck me like you did with Spitfire.”

“I don’t think we have the time for that.” Zakia chuckled, but his eyes only seemed to give off a small glow as his lips curled into a smirk. “But I think this should hold you over for now!”

Adjusting his motions, Zakia rammed himself in Scootaloo, pressing her back even harder against the cloud wall. She moaned out, holding and hugging her Master tighter. She was panting as she felt the hammering, humping motion of both cocks in and out of her pussy and ass. Her bottom holes were being stretched and stuffed by fat, zebra cocks; and she loved every second of it. It was an addiction, she needed to be fucked or she’d go crazy.

“You’re so tight. But so wet…you wanted this, didn’t you?” Zakia commented, smirking as fucked faster and faster, his hips smacking against Scootaloo’s crotch. “You wanted me to fuck you since we left Windy’s house?”

“I did, I just wanted your dicks. I wanted to feel them inside me.” Scootaloo moaned out in pleasure, hugging her Master in a loving embrace. “Please fuck me full. I want your cum, Master!”

“Well, you did show me some good sights. So you should be rewarded.” Zakia groaned, feeling his balls tighten as his cum was bubbling inside him. “So I’ll make sure you’re nice and full. Then I’ll be sure to give you what you deserve.”

Fucking faster and faster, Zakia was set to fill Scootaloo’s body with his cum. His cocks rubbed along her inner folds as her holes were stretched as she moaned over and over again. She wanted it, she needed to feel the thick warmth of her Master inside her. He was close, she could feel it, and she was already soaked in anticipation, wanting to cum right at the point of release. Moaning and panting, she was getting there, so closer…closer, and closer, and closer. Both of them were about to cum.

Scootaloo moaned out, feeling as she was getting just to the point of orgasm, her mind only raced with thoughts; or what could pass as thoughts. Sounds and moans, echos of pleasure raced and surged within her mind. The mare could only savor the feeling of the thick sizes buried deep inside her. She loved the sensation, and it had been so long since she felt her Master inside her like this. As well as the pleasure, a tremor of eagerness and pride coursed through her. Zakia looked so content, so happy, and to be rewarded by him only made Scootaloo feel more and more ecstasy.

‘It feels so good…’ Scootaloo thought, shivering as Zakia continued pumping in and out of her pussy and ass. ‘Master feels so good, he’s rewarding me. I’ve been a good girl…I am a good girl. Please keep fucking me, fuck me like I’m a good girl!’

Rumble couldn’t look away from his Master and Scootaloo fucking like such passionate animals. The way her body shifted and flowed with each motion Zakia made as his cocks hammered in her. It was clear, he was about to cum. Swallowing hard, Rumble felt a tingling spread throughout his own body, but did his best to hold it all in. It wasn’t his place to try and ask for such services from Zakia; at least, that’s what he felt.

“Here it comes, you little slut!” Zakia hissed, fucking as he was ready to blow. “Take all of it!”

Grunting outwards, Zakia rammed as hard and deep as he could. Bottoming out in the mare, her head arched back as she gasped in orgasm. Her wet release sprayed over the stallion, while his cum pumped in her body. Her belly bulged out further than before, looking as though she was full from a several course meal. Holding himself in place for a few moments longer, he let out the last of his spurts in the mare before eventually pulling out.

“There we go. Nice and full.” Zakia commented, slowly lowering Scootaloo to the ground, while is cum soaked cocks slipped from her fucked open holes. Looking over the mess, his eyes looked back to Rumble. Gesturing with a finger, he pointed to his half erect cocks. “Clean up.”

Rumble hesitated for a moment, but the look in Zakia’s eyes were more than enough to cause him to nod and approach his master. The way this strong zebra was looking at him, it was overpowering. Swallowing hard, Rumble wasn’t fully sure what he meant by “Clean up”. Did he want him to wipe the cocks clean with his clothes, or to suck him off? He didn’t dare ask for clarification, it should be obvious what Zakia wanted, even as Rumble continued to doubt his actions.

Once he reached Zakia, Rumble looked up to him with timid eyes. Swallowing hard, he nodded as he dropped to his knees. Reaching out, he grabbed both cocks, feeling the slick, sticky, wet warmth along his fingers. Taking a moment, he positioned them to be closer. Licking his lips, he opened his mouth and took in the first cock. Sucking it as he slid it along the inside of his mouth, Rumble couldn’t help but moan a muffled sound as he bobbed his head up and down.

Zakia said nothing, only staring down as the femboy sucked him off. Despite his timid demeanor, this twink was surprisingly assertive with his oral worship. Rumble only continued to do what he believed his Master had ordered. The femboy continued to suck and move his mouth over the cock, deepthroating for a moment to reach as far as he could, only to then slowly pull himself off the cock. The results were very impressive. Despite not being able to get the full length down his throat, Rumble managed to clean almost the entire size.

“Impressive.” Zakia complimented, but then pointed to the other one. “But you still have the other to do.” Rumble only cooed, sucking down the other cock to clean it. The zebra smirked. “You like that, don’t you? Are you enjoying this?”

“Y-yes…” Rumble said, though this came more as his muffled, moaning sounds as he sucked and bobbed his head. “A-am I doing good?”

“After doing doing so well today, I believe you deserved to have a little taste, a fitting reward for your services.” Zakia commented, smirking down at Rumble. The femboy continued to clean off his Master, letting the zebra savor the feeling. “But you will need to clean me off quickly. Once Scootaloo recovers, we’ll have to continue our little outting. But don’t worry, someday, I’ll give you a much more proper fucking. Just like her.” Rumble seemed cheerful by these words, doubling his efforts as he sucked off and cleaned the zebra’s cock. ‘He’s not bad. But needs to work on this hesitation of his. But that’s for another time.’

Once more, Zakia sat in front of a large desk littered with various dossiers and intel he had to review. And was becoming more and more overwhelmed with how every week that passed, more seemed to pile up. What choice did he have? He had to manage this all; it was expected of him, or so he believed.

“Goddess, give me strength, so I can vanquish the foul beast before me.” Zakia grumbled as he began reviewing the reports of the last few weeks. He had to be more thorough than ever after realizing just how badly things had been handled with Cloudsdale.

The following weeks after Zakia’s return from Cloudsdale had become busier than ever, though extremely beneficial for the Siri. It did not come without criticism from within the Siri and self-reflection of his own actions. Zakia had to improve the way he handled things. He had realized how little control he actually had compared to what he believed he had.

Windy Whistle showed him this more than anything during his stay in Cloudsdale and was still showing her influence over Cloudsdale. Not to mention how little the Siri themselves knew about the city in the sky. Cloudsdale was not just some small town or a quant city in the sky. No, Cloudsdale was big enough to contend with the likes of Manehattan. It reminded him of icebergs that showed only a fragment of its real vastness. Cloudsdale was obscured by the very clouds it rested both on and in. It was frightening if Zakia was honest with himself and it was a shared feeling among The Siri as well.

During this time, he had received reports from those within his ranks and even some from his teacher. His teacher was not someone he expected to get such a report on. It told him one thing though… His teacher was still very much aware of his activities. Regardless of this, Zakia knew his teacher was not one to cut corners or leave things subpar when they could be done better. The report clarified that the presence of Celestia’s influence was not only all but none existent. Which was baffling to The Siri leader, it sparked many conversations among the higher echelons of The Siri. Some question even the validity of the report and once it was confirmed, most were left baffled by this. Celestia has always had such an iron grip on most of the known world. Yet a place so close to her own home was abandoned as far as they were aware.

But the good news came to follow it all had settled down, with the influence that Windy Whistle held over the populace. Zakia was pleased to learn she had not yet realized the social power she held, which was also a great surprise. To the blue mature mare, her actions and words were never done with ill intent or seeking power to control others. He had doubts at first, with how she handled the guards the first time he had met her. During his time in Cloudsdale. Zakia had learned many things about the culture of the city and found that it shared many of the same values that The Siri held. Sex was not something to be shied from or treated as something oh so scared. It was casual and open.

The drug he was previously believed to have had a major impact on the city had anything but an impact on the residents of Cloudsdale. It had resulted in many being just a lot more sexually active, but that’s it. Zecora gripped at a small trinket that Zakia had brought her from his little adventure to Cloudsdale and she’d be lying if it wasn’t effective at keeping her anger at bay when it reminded her so much of the home she yearned to see again after this was all over.

Making her way to a large room that acted as both a study and a record archive, Zecora was greeted with the sight of her other half, slumped in his chair, snoring, as a dozen different folders from what she count at a quick glance were open, The most notable one that caught her eye was one about new building space being got in Cloudsdale. Though that didn’t matter to her at this moment, Zakia had many exceptional qualities, but he had a few flaws that were becoming a detriment to his own wellbeing and despite having attempted to address them. It seemed they were still falling on deaf ears.

He kept trying to do so much on his own and still had time to indulge himself in either her own body or another’s. It was becoming a growing concern among those that followed Zakia’s well-being closely. He was just too ox-headed to ask for help. He had to do so much on his own out of some self-imposed expectation he set for himself that went far beyond what his people expected of him.

“Why is it so hard for you to ask for help?” Zecora thought to herself as she brought up a chair behind Zakia’s own and her hands glowed a soft lime like green glow once again and caressed his collarbones, her magic seeping into the tense muscles in Zakia’s body. Zakia’s head had no longer slumped forward but was raised, his eyes closed still as he took a deep breath that was relaxed. His hand reached to grasp at one of her working hands before gripping it somewhat tightly. Shaking it gently in his hand before letting it go and letting her proceed forward once more.

“Doing so much on your own again? We talked about this, have we not? Why not ask for help with so much to do?” Zecora asked, Zakia giving no response, as he knew this conversation all too well.

”Because I can’t afford to do any less. I should do more than I am now.” Zakia said, as he felt a firm grip on his shoulders that displayed Zecora’s disapproval with his words.

“Is that so… and if I disagree?” Zecora asked. This was a loaded question, and they both knew it. Zakia didn’t respond, but he let out a deep and exasperated sigh. ‘Zecora, please, not today. Please, not today, my love. We both know how this is gonna end.“ Zakia muttered in his own mind,

“Nothing to say?” Zecora dug in with her words.

The silence that followed spoke louder than any words between the two. “I’ll be stationing several work aids again…You are not to dismiss them. If I have to reach out to Ishtar, I will.” Zakia flinched at her words but still silenced prevailed from the Siri Leader. He knew this was a battle he’d lose if he spoke up and silence reigned supreme.

‘I pray I don’t have to, but you are not leaving me much choice anymore, my other half. I hope you can forgive me for doing so if that time comes, Zecora thought to herself, but what else could see do at this point?