Who Rules?: Travels and Travesties

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Two

“Good morning, sister.”

Celestia’s eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings as she awoke. Standing above her, looking down with a smile was Luna. She had inevitably been up all night, as usual. Even on vacation primal natures cannot be ignored.

“Good morning,” Celestia replied, her mouth curling into a smile naturally. “How are you?”

“I am well, sister. Did you sleep in peace?”

“After last night?” Celestia laughed. “I think I could have slept through another Changeling invasion. You were magnificent, Mistress.”

“You inspire me,” Luna responded. “And you performed exceedingly well yourself. I actually took a brief nap with you.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stay up.”

“Don’t be. I put that time to good use,” Luna answered.

Celestia pulled herself up in the bed, gaining her orientation once again. They had only checked into the room last night, and she wasn’t completely familiar with it yet. The bed was large--though not as large as the one she and Luna normally shared--and rested before a large window that opened on the Las Pegasus strip. A separate room contained a couch and table, and even a small library of books. The colors in the bedroom were rich and dark, filled with lush reds and deep browns, while the sitting room was filled more with tans and lighter browns.

“Good use? What did you do?” Luna sat next to her in bed, a book levitating in front of her. She was reading without a single light source helping. Being the goddess of the night had its privileges.

“I have been studying,” she answered. “This hotel is kind enough to provide volumes explaining the best and most appropriate ways to win at the gambling tables. You said that you wanted to give them a try, so I thought proper preparation was a wise choice.”

Celestia shook her head with a smile, and then reached over and gently kissed her sister. “I’m sure they are giving you the best advice.”

“Actually, I am surprised. They tell me rather plainly that the odds are clearly in their favor. And what we could do as a patron to best try to compete against them.” Luna looked at Celestia with some confusion. “It is not wise to tell somepony that they are going to lose before they even try.”

“Well, no, I guess not,” Celestia agreed, “but this is a different situation. Everypony who comes here seems to think that they are the one who is going to beat the system.”

Luna put the book on the side table. “How foalish. Everypony loses eventually.”

“I suppose so,” Celestia said, “but I don’t really want to talk about that.”

“What do you want to talk about, then?” Luna raised an eyebrow suggestively.

Celestia laughed softly. “You know what I want to talk about. Don’t make me beg for it.”

“Maybe I want you to,” Luna replied.

Taking a deep breath, Celestia answered the dark alicorn. “Fine. Please, I beg of you, Mistress, may we take the time to...get some breakfast?”

Luna smiled. “Of course, but not until you have performed your morning duty. The night is almost at an end. The sun must rise.”

“I know,” Celestia answered playfully. “It has always been my duty. I never get to sleep in.”

“I gave you that chance once,” Luna stated. “You didn’t seem too happy with the idea of eternal night.”

Crawling out of bed, Celestia moved over to the window, staring out east. She wanted to laugh, but she was somewhat afraid that Luna wasn’t joking. “Your night is beautiful, Luna. I’ve always thought that.”

“I know. I just wish that others appreciated it as much,” she said.

“Well, you need to look out on this town,” Celestia said. “Come. See what I see.”

Rising from the bed, Luna moved to join her sister at the window. The lights from the strip still shone brightly, drowning out the illumination from the stars that twinkled in the dark of the heavens.

“Are you taunting me, Tia?” she asked.

“No, I’m not,” Celestia stated. “Look at them. There are hundreds of ponies walking the streets, in the middle of the night.”

“Because it is lit up like the day,” Luna stated. “They don’t care about the night at all.”

“Not true! Look at them. Playing and laughing. Some of them involved in, shall we say, romantic moments. All of them living in the moment.” She turned and looked at her sister. “This isn’t something that happens during the day. THIS is the gift that you bring the ponies of Equestria. The night is a special time when they let down their guard and share moments that are hidden from the light of the sun.”

She brought her forehoof up to gently turn her sister to face directly at her, their eyes contacting deeply.

“It’s beautiful,” Celestia said.

Luna brought her head forward, resting her muzzle nose-to-nose against her sister’s, letting her black horn rub gently alongside the alabaster one. “You’re so kind, always looking out for me--even in the most extreme cases,” Luna said. “You see the good in everypony.”

“I see the potential in everypony,” Celestia corrected. “The good is entirely up to them.”

Luna paused, looking over at the other alicorn. “Why? Why did you do it?”

“Do what?” Celestia asked, fearfully.

“Let me live,” Luna elaborated. “When I turned against you and began what can only be called a reign of terror on the land, you fought not to destroy me, but to redeem me. And when that failed, you banished me. Killing me would have been so much easier.”

“Easier isn’t better,” Celestia answered. “I did what I thought was best. For you, for me, and for the future.”

“But you didn’t know,” the dark mare replied.

“No pony knows, Luna. We are goddesses, but we are not omniscient. I trusted my instincts--and my feelings.”

“And what are your instincts telling you right now, oh wise Celestia?”

She smiled. “That for perhaps the first time in my life, I am truly happy. That I have finally found the one thing that was missing from my life, and it was always so close by.”

“You weren’t alone in that, Tia,” Luna said. “I never noticed what I saw every day, either. The moon watches the sun all night long, sister. That is where it gets the light.”

Celestia pulled back, her horn scraping along her sister’s in a gentle, sensual stroke. “I should raise the sun.”

“Yes, you should,” Luna stated. “I have a full day’s events planned for the two of us, and unless you get to work, they can’t happen. Now, step lively, mare! I have things to attend to!”

“Yes, Mistress,” Celestia answered, still unable to break her smile. “Whatever makes you happy.” In fact, she wanted everypony to be happy today, so along with the sunrise came a sensation for those that woke to see it of a warm, pleasant evening.

* * * * * * *

Cadance opened her mouth again and again, each time hoping it would somehow dislodge the moss that seemed to have grown over her teeth and tongue overnight. She kept her eyes closed, feeling the sunlight burning through them, afraid to open them up and see the sun sitting on the horizon like Celestia’s cosmic flashlight, shining down in judgment.

Reluctantly, she let her eyes pry apart a crack, and a hissing intake of air was her reaction. The sunlight burned her retinas harmlessly, but nonetheless painfully. She wanted to move, but the rest of her body was still objecting to the notion, apparently upset by the treatment it received the night prior.

She stretched out her left forehoof, feeling the flesh beneath it give way as she extended it. Suddenly realizing that it wasn’t her own flesh, Cadance fully opened one eye, looking down at the purple unicorn that was spooned against her body. Twilight Sparkle lay there in blissful slumber, even as both of Cadance’s eyes bugged out of her head looking at the mare.

The younger mare shifted, pressing herself against Cadance with a slight sleepy moan. Cadance could feel Twilight’s flank pressing against her groin and her mind began to race backwards.

She didn’t mean to push away from Twilight quite so forcefully, but the sudden shock of the moment startled her deeply. She leapt from the bed, landing on her hooves even as Twilight sprang awake with a start. Twilight’s head spun around, trying to help her gain her bearings in the situation. With about five stops before, her eyes finally locked onto Cadance, standing at the side of the bed with a stunned expression.

“Hi!” Cadance said a bit too loudly.

“Hi.” Twilight found her eyes wanting to close again and resume sleeping, but something about the mare standing next to her bed made her stay awake. And then she looked at the bed. Celestia’s bed, not her bed. And then over at Cadance. And then back at the bed.

She jumped out of the bed on the opposite side from Cadance, her heart racing and her eyes wild.

“Last night,” Cadance began, “we drank a lot.”

“I know!” Twilight responded.

“And we kissed,” she continued.

“I know!” Twilight confirmed.

“Did we do anything else?” Cadance asked anxiously.

“I DON’T KNOW!” Twilight said in a near panic.

To describe the silence that immediately followed as awkward does no real service to the level of discomfort that both mares were feeling. Neither of them turned and looked away, fearing that to do so would not just insult the other one, but possibly create some hitherto unknown magic that would turn your greatest fear into stark reality.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way,” Cadance said, sounding far more clumsy than she meant.

“Don’t mean what?” Twilight asked, trying not to sound defensive.

“That, you know, you aren’t... That you aren’t worth...” she rolled her eyes and shook her head awkwardly. “I’m married to your brother.”

“Uh-huh. I know,” Twilight responded. “I was at the wedding.”

“Right,” Cadance said. “So...”

“So, we never speak of this to anyone,” Twilight suggested. “Ever.”

“Good idea,” Cadance agreed. “Besides, it’s not like we did anything, right?”

“Right. I just have a warm, pleasant feeling from last night for no reason whatsoever.”

“Yeah, me too. Totally natural,” Cadance stated.

Twilight nodded and stood there, forcing a smile--for all of seven seconds. “MY BROTHER IS GOING TO KILL ME!” she screamed in full panic.

“No he’s not!” Cadance rushed over to her. “He’s not going to do anything, because we aren’t going to tell him!”

“Oh, that’s a great idea! Don’t tell your husband what happened. That’s not gonna come back and bite you on the flank!”

“Okay, okay! Good point,” she agreed. “So, then we have to figure out what happened last night. Until then, we shouldn’t talk to Shining Armor. Just...avoid him.”

“Right. Which means he’s going to be everywhere we try to go,” Twilight stated.

“Well, then, just go where he doesn’t go,” Cadance suggested. “And if he does go there, try not to talk to him. Not until we can get this worked out.”

“Oh yeah, that should be great.” Her mind raced through the inevitable meeting, which she acted out for Cadance’s understanding. “‘Hi Twiley.’ ‘Hi, BBBFF! I totally didn’t have sex with Cadance last night! How was your day?’”

“Okay, look, we didn’t have sex last night!” Cadance said.

“Didn’t we? DIDN’T WE?!” Twilight’s face went into full crazy distortion.

“No! I would totally remember having sex with a mare like you! And I don’t, so we didn’t!” Cadance insisted.

Twilight blinked. “A mare like me? What do you mean?”

“I mean...I don’t know what I mean! Stop reading things into what I say. Just relax, okay. It’s a new day, and we have things to do. Places to go,” Cadance explained. “Away from each other so that no pony thinks something odd happened last night.”

“But we’re SUPPOSED to be seen together. I’m supposed to be advising you or something, remember?”

“That’s not for two more days. Celestia arranged for us to have a couple of days to get ready for all of the pressure that is coming.”

“COMING?! You don’t think that this is pressure?” Twilight’s eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Cadance brought her hooves up to hold Twilight’s face, looking into it with calm reserve. “Twilight, relax. Look into my eyes. Everything is okay.”

Staring up into Cadance’s eyes, Twilight took a deep breath and answered calmly, “I think this is what got us into trouble in the first place.”

Dropping her hooves immediately, Cadance stepped back with a broken smile. “Good point! Okay, well, then let’s just go with plan-A. You go out and do something very natural--that is far away from your brother--and I’ll do the same. In a few hours, we won’t even remember that this ever happened.”

“Or worse,” Twilight answered, “we’ll remember EVERYTHING that happened!”

“Look, Twilight, just go out there and spend some time in the city,” Cadance’s voice was still level and even. “I mean, come on, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Somewhere, somepony felt the universe shudder at that question.

* * * * * * *

“I think that I am beginning to understand the mechanics of this game,” Luna said, looking down at the table. “The book made it seem so clear, but once you are here, there are so many options that it can seem somewhat overwhelming. I believe that is their goal, for you to feel overwhelmed and get caught up with the higher odd bets, thinking irrationally rather than simply playing the odds that favor you.”

“But that’s where the fun is!” Celestia stared down with wide eyes, putting a stack of chips on one of the more questionable wagers. A dozen other ponies put their chips down at the same time, waiting for the action to begin.

“Sister, this is exactly my point. You are ignoring the more reliable bet to put money on a foal’s wager,” she said, urging Celestia to reconsider.

“Shhhh. The dice are rolling,” Celestia’s smile was unnaturally large as she watched the two cubes tumble across the felt. Each twist told her of a new possibility of victory. Of celebration. Of jubilation.

When the dice finally stopped, two-thirds of the ponies gathered yelled in joy, while the remainder lamented their choices. And Celestia fell somewhere in the middle. “That was exhilarating!”

“I warned you that you would lose,” Luna chastised.

“Hey, lady, leave the mare alone,” a nearby stallion offered, “you’re killing her buzz.”

“Yes,” Celestia joked, “you are killing my ‘buzz.’ Why not join in?”

Luna looked at Celestia with a wry expression. “Because, I do not like to lose.”

“But you DO like to win. I know that for a fact. And you have always been willing to take chances before,” Celestia offered.

“Oh, I would say that I am still the more bold of us,” Luna responded. “I just prefer to be bold in ways that will not lead to my frustration.”

“Gambling isn’t frustration,” Celestia said, “it’s fun! Lighten up.”

“I do like to gamble, but only when the stakes mean something. Neither of us needs money, so this really does not provide me with a thrill of excitement.” Luna answered. “And I am truly not ruining the ‘buzz’ for you, either.”

“What’s worth gambling for then?” Celestia asked.

“Ah! Now that is a good question. Let me think...” She brought her hoof to her chin and rubbed it gently, the visceral action providing a stable point to form her thoughts. It only took her a moment to answer. “I have it!”

She looked over at Celestia, who studied her back with intense curiosity.

“Let’s get married,” Luna said with a smile.

Celestia’s head shot back with a start, the color of her eyes shrinking so small that it seemed her eyes were as white as her coat. The din of the room--a cacophony of bells, chimes and conversation--made her uncertain of her own ears. “I...we...what?”

“Let’s get married. Today. Right now, in fact,” Luna suggested.

“And...how is that gambling?” Celestia asked, still reeling.

“Are you jesting? Two beings joining together, swearing loyalty to each for the rest of their lives--it is the ultimate wager. And the ultimate stakes,” Luna suggested.

“Y-you’re serious,” Celestia answered.

“Completely,” Luna said as she lowered herself down on one knee. “I am asking you, Celestia, Goddess of the Sun, if you would take my hoof in marriage?”

A crowd of ponies, not hearing the words but seeing the gesture, began to form, watching the proceedings.

“That’s a big step...” Celestia felt the moisture in her eyes growing.

“Big step? We have lived together for thousands of years--minus the past millennia or so--and I think we know each other fairly well.”

“But we’ve only been involved for a few months. And publicly for far less than that.”

“So? Does that change your feelings for me? Or mine for you?”

“How long have you planned this?” Celestia asked.

“I did not plan it. I do not have rings or a direct course of action, just a feeling that I am willing to move on right this minute. And you still haven’t answered my question: will you marry me?”

Luna looked up at the white mare, the two of them seeing each other as they truly appeared, while the crowd that had surrounded them only saw two unicorns that were acting out the same scene. A hoof-full saw what was happening and passed by without a care, and a few left angry or in disgust by the thought of two mares acting like this in public, one pale gray mare kept her distance while watching with an intense interest, but the vast majority of the ponies waited anxiously, trying to overhear the answer but trusting their eyes to tell them the truth, words or not.

“Of course I will marry you.” A single tear broke from the corner of Celestia’s eye and raced down her cheek, falling down to the floor even as the mare lowered her muzzle down to place a kiss on the cheek of her new fiancee.

A cheer erupted from the crowd, as tears, applause, and laughter created a brief respite from the normal distractions offered by the casino. The two sisters turned with surprise, oblivious to the group that had been watching them, their faces tinting red as they both broke into a laughing smile.

Luna rose to her hooves, embracing Celestia briefly as they wordlessly decided to move away from this spot, trying to take the attention away from themselves for the moment. Before they could make it past the whole crowd, a middle-aged mare looked at both of them and spoke, “Celestia bless both of you. That was so romantic.”

Pausing for a moment, Luna looked at the mare. “I would not be a bit surprised if she did just that. Thank you.”

Leaning their necks against each other, the mares made their way to the doors of the hotel, and out into the daylight.

* * * * * * *

This trip had been planned for days. Well before Cadance was told that she was going to be in charge and definitely before the mess with Shining Armor started up. Which is what made this perfect and natural. And besides, these two were supposed to be amazing.

Arranging for Aloe and Lotus Blossom to come to Canterlot and set up a temporary version of their famous Ponyville spa wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t particularly challenging, either. They hated the idea of being away from their own place for a few days, but loved the idea that they would gain some powerful and wealthy clients. If they could win the favor of some of Canterlot’s finest, their reputation would shoot up, and their business would soar.

And with all the stress that was added to her in the past twenty-four hours, Cadance felt that she desperately needed this short pampering time. As she walked--with that same determined quickness that had become her norm--she was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by nothing but smiles of the people on the streets. Some even spoke in very kind and gentle tones. And it was always nice to see so many couples out enjoying the day, walking next to each other with obvious affection glowing between them.

By the time she actually reached the building, Cadance was already smiling, the mood of her surroundings warming her sour demeanor. A melodic chime signaled her arrival as she stepped inside the door of the unmarked building, the smell of patchouli and sandalwood instantly filling her nostrils.

“Good day. Welcome to our spa, princess,” a pink pony said with an accent as she stepped into the room. “We have already prepared for your arrival.”

“Thank you,” Cadance reviewed her memory of the very similar sisters in her head, “Aloe, correct?”

“Indeed,” she answered. “And I hope that you have had a pleasant day so far.”

“Well, let’s just say I’m glad to be here,” Cadance laughed.

“Then we won’t delay. Is there anything that I can get you to drink?”

“Oh no. Maybe some water later, but I had a bad bout with brandy last night, thanks to some stress with my husband,” she told the spa pony, waving her hoof in refusal.

“You say you drank brandy? But you’re a fine girl. What a good wife you have been!” Aloe said.

Cadance shook her head. “No. We’re not going there. Let’s just go on with the whole treatment, shall we?”

“Of course, please, walk this way,” the earth pony stepped through the same doorway she entered through, waiting for the princess to catch up. As she passed by, Cadance swore she heard a moan of approval come from the mare, but paid it little heed. If anything, it was a compliment.

The spa pony led her down the hallway to an open door, where Cadance stepped inside. “Oh, my. This is lovely,” Cadance said out loud as she saw the soft, inviting space. At least two dozen candles gave the room a soft flickering light that glowed a yellowish red on the deep tan walls. A massage table with soft blankets draped over it was sitting in the center of the space, a small table standing beside it with several differently colored bottles resting on it.

“I’m glad you like. Please, remove your crown and other attire and place it on the table in the corner and then lie face down on the bed. My sister and I will be in very shortly to begin your massage,” Cadance nodded in agreement, even as she noticed that Aloe’s eyes were roaming all over her body. Very flattering, indeed.

Doing as instructed, Cadance placed her crown, her harness and her shoes on the table, and then leisurely stretched out all her legs and her wings, in some anticipation of the coming massage. She crawled onto the table, noting how surprisingly comfortable it was for something that appeared hard and unforgiving. She quickly found herself relaxing in place, even as the door reopened and the two sisters came into the room.

Without a word they went right to work. One of them walked over to a music box and opened it, the gentle harp-like tones filling the room, while the other placed a small bowl of hot water on the table and immediately placed the bottles of oil inside it to warm. Cadance wasn’t really sure which did which, as she was trying to let them go about their business without stares from the client.

Soon enough, she felt a pair of hooves touching her on the back, just below her wings. Cadance spread out her wings, letting them fall to her side so that the masseuse had better access. Warm oil fell onto her back, making her smile. The combination of the warm fluid and the gentle pressure felt wonderful.

“This is apricot kernel oil,” one of the mares stated, Cadance thought it was Lotus Blossom. “In addition to helping with the massage, it will strengthen your coat and give it a healthy shine.”

“Though your coat is already very lovely,” the other one said.

“Thank you,” Cadance replied, taking it as a compliment.

Soon, two pairs of hooves were working on her back, one pair rubbing up near her wings while the other moved lower towards her flank. Cadance shuddered reflexively as the base of her wings suddenly began to be stimulated.

“Woah!” she exclaimed softly. “Not that it doesn’t feel good, but be careful. That is a rather sensitive area.”

“We will be very, very careful,” one of the spa sisters said, she thought it was Aloe.

“Oh yes, very careful indeed,” the other assured, even as a pair of hooves began to work their way sensuously down her flank to massage her cutie mark.

The touch of the two mares was having a physical reaction in the princess. She could feel her heart beating and a dampness growing between her legs. “Uh, ladies, that’s a little close to being...you know?” Her voice was not as emphatic as her words.

“Trust us, we are professionals,” they said in unison.

“Right now, it’s sure not feeling like--” Cadance cut herself off, as a pair of hooves moved up her wing shafts, stroking them with the same gentle pressure that she had felt on her back. And more, another hoof had moved over her tail and was running down the inside of her leg. “Um...woah. Okay, this is very...nice...but I’m not sure that I--”

She cut herself off as she raised her head up to look behind her at the two spa ponies, trying to gauge the moment, only to discover that the sisters were not exactly paying as much attention to her as she first thought. At the moment, they were paying a great deal of attention to each other, their muzzles close together as their tongues played across the slight opening, dancing with each other in the flickering light of the candles.

“Maaaaaybe I should leave you ladies alone,” Cadance suggested as she started to scoot forward on the table.

“No!” Aloe stated, freeing herself from the kiss. “We want you to stay.”

“Yes, please,” Lotus Blossum pleaded, “we have many techniques that we don’t get to practice very often.”

“Yes,” Aloe continued, “and we thought that you would be the perfect client to share them with, considering.”

She waited for a moment, hoping for some clarification before Cadance replied herself, “Considering what?”

“Your appreciation of love, of course,” Aloe said, her hooves moving along the alicorn’s wings.

“We normally aren’t so bold, so we hope you will forgive us,” Lotus Blossom stated. “But since we woke up this morning, we’ve been so anxious. So...excited.” The mare’s hoof moved up between the princess’ thighs, stroking her most sensitive zone.

Cadance’s eyes shot wide as her body lurched forward, almost launching her off the table. “Well, I don’t mean to seem ungrateful,” she scrambled onto her hooves, backing away from the two sisters, “but I do have some other things that I should be attending to, now that I think on it. And besides, you two seem like a lovely couple--who are totally surrounded by the oddest aura right now.”

“But we need a third to practice our art,” Aloe insisted.

“Yes, please, we promise that you will feel pleasure,” Lotus Blossom said.

“Oh, I don’t doubt that for one moment. You ladies sure seemed to know the right places to touch, it’s just that--well, it was a little sudden, don’t you think?” Cadance lifted her crown and gear up off the table, willing to put it on later if needed.

“We’re so sorry!” Lotus said.

“Yes, it’s just that we can’t seem to control ourselves today,” Aloe explained.

“Oh, I can totally tell,” Cadance answered. “Why don’t you practice on each other? Maybe I can come back a little later once you’ve gotten all warmed up.”

“But we want to make you happy,” Aloe suggested.

“Please, give us a chance,” Lotus pleaded.

Candance had her flank against the wall, both literally and figuratively. The sisters had moved her into an awkward spot, far from the doorway on the other side of the room. She had to think of something, and fast.

“Well, you know what might get me totally in the mood?” She looked at the two mares, and stepped forward, as though moving to join them. “Watching you two. I am totally into that whole voyeurism thing. Watching two mares as sexy as you would be soooooo hot.”

“Oh,” Aloe smiled, “so you like to watch?”

“Oh yeah!” Cadance wasn’t really lying. She did enjoy watching two ponies in the act of love, but at the moment enjoying it was the farthest thing from her mind. “That would make me so happy right now, I can’t even explain it.”

“Really?” Lotus said, letting her accent take on a sultry tone. She moved over to her sister, and moved her muzzle up to caress against the pink coat of her sibling. Aloe turned and brought her muzzle up against the Lotus’ once again, and this time their lips met fully, pressing against each other in a passionate moment.

Lotus Blossom controlled the moment with her sister, moving her back towards the massage table. The pink mare fell against the side of the table, even as her sister’s hooves moved up along her body, lifting her up so that she could slide onto the table completely.

“Oh yeah,” Cadance said, shifting over to the side of the table, “I like where this is going.”

Aloe let out a gasp as Lotus began to kiss down the body of her sister, working her way across her chest and onto her stomach, her lips teasing and teeth nibbling all along the way.

“That is so hot,” Cadance informed the pair as she moved over to the doorway, carefully keeping herself facing the two mares. “Just like that.”

Lotus moved her head down to her sister’s sex, taking in the full aroma of her essence before lowering her mouth down to her marehood. Aloe’s eyes closed as her head rolled back, Lotus Blossom working her own special treatment out there on the table.

“Just like that,” Cadance repeated. “Now, don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

She backed out the doorway, and then turned to rush down the hallway, her wings providing just enough lift so that her hooves barely touched the ground, making her escape almost silent.

Her magic held the bell on the entrance door to the side as she stepped out onto the streets of Canterlot once more. It wasn’t until she was a full building away that she allowed herself to slow down, or really even breathe normally. Taking a moment, she stopped, a deep exhalation showing the effect that her relaxing massage created and started to put on her outfit.

“Are you all right, princess?” a kind voice asked. Bringing her head up, Cadance was presented with a unicorn member of the Royal Guard, dressed in full regalia with a concerned expression on his face.

“I’m fine, thank you,” she answered with a smile. “I was just...taken off guard.”

“I see,” he replied. “Well, if it would be any help,” he paused, raising an single eyebrow into an arch, “I know another guard you could help ‘take off.’”

From the way that Cadance’s jaw fell open, you would have suspected something was trying to come out. Whether it was words, a bolt of electricity, or even a small herd of penguins was quite unclear, but the size that her mouth achieved seemed capable of far more than the shocked silence that accompanied it.

On the other hoof, the sharp giggle that came from the nearby shop certainly caught Cadance’s ear, and her eyes traveled over to see a couple pressing up against the counter, with the stallion behind the mare looking far more amorous than is normally found in a candy store. A quick jerk of her head revealed another pair of ponies that were lying on the ground next to their table--well, she assumed it was their table anyway--at a casual bistro. The ponies’ lips were fully locked and they seemed very oblivious of everypony around them.

“Oh crap,” Cadance said softly.

The guard moved a step closer. “Are you sure I can’t help, princess? I’ve been told that I can be very...comforting.”

“YEP! Very sure!” Cadance’s wings unfurled as she sprung up into the air, giving herself a bit of a launch. “Gotta fly. See! Got wings and everything. So...bye!”

Flying up and away from the guard, Cadance scanned the ground below. Dozens or more couples--and sometimes more than couples--were very active all around the area. Very active.

“Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap,” Cadance repeated her new mantra as she flew back towards Celestia’s quarters, a slight tinge of panic on her face. “I gotta find Twilight.”

* * * * * * *

“Ah wanna thank both of you fine ladies for comin’ here today,” the stallion was dressed in a rhinestone bodysuit, his mane coiffured within an inch of its life, dark sunglasses covering his eyes. “It’s always a pleasure to see two such fine lookin’ mares here in my chambers.”

The chambers were, in reality, a small wedding chapel, decorated in the most delightful combination of blue and red. If, by delightful, you meant gaudy and loud. And that over-the-top display was part of what gave the chapel its character. That and the stallion in front of the two goddess-mares who stood in a room that couldn’t hold any guests if it wanted to, it was so small.

“Well, I want to thank you for seeing us so quickly,” Celestia said to the stallion, “my marefriend and I are very anxious to get this done.”

“Fiancee,” Luna corrected. “True, it might only be for a bit of one day, but I feel I deserve to be called fiancee a few times while I still can.”

“Well, hold it right there, darlins,” the stallion paused the conversation, “before we go on to the next stage, I feel it’s part of my duty as a registered representative of love, to cover this whole marriage situation. So, let’s talk about this whole fiancee business, all right?”

“What fiancee business?” Luna protested defiantly. “Are you telling me that I cannot be called fiancee by this mare? Are you against two mares being wed?”

“Ah never said that, missy, so don’t get yer britches all worked up into a bunch. The only requirement in my book for two of anypony gettin’ married is that they love each other and understand the commitment they’re about to make,” the stallion stated. “Ah don’t care if you’re two mares, two stallions, or a pony and a rock, all that matters to me is the feeling behind it, ya hear?”

“We do,” Celestia put her hoof up onto Luna’s shoulder, hoping to calm her sister down so the stallion could speak. “What was it you wanted to say?” Luna bristled momentarily, but calmed under her sister’s touch.

“Well, you two was sayin’ that you have only been able to call yourselves ‘fiancee’ for a bit of the day, which is tellin’ me that you most likely decided to get hitched a little earlier today. That right?”

“It is,” Celestia answered.

“Well, now that brings up a couple of concerns for me,” he said. “Namely, that the two of you might be rushing into something before you’ve really thought things through. That you haven’t given the proper time and care into considering what marriage really means.”

“And what does it mean?” Luna asks. “If you would be willing to share your wisdom.”

Ignoring her sarcasm, the stallion answered, “I’ve had my share of experience, ma’am. Both seeing what happens inside and outside of a marriage. Had two of them of my own, and brought together one-thousand nine-hundred and six other couples in my time. So, the first thing that I want to ask you two ladies: what is everypony else gonna think?”

“Wait, what?” Luna said in surprise.

“I’m afraid I don’t follow you,” Celestia answered.

“Well, just about everypony has friends that see the couple together, and I’m guessing that you two are about the same. That sound about right?” The two mares nodded. “Well, those ponies get to see things from another perspective. They get to see what the two of you are like from the outside. The two of you are gonna be blinded by your feelings, not really seeing the flaws and bumps that might be there down the road. You understand where I’m going?”

“I do,” Celestia said with a smile. “And I have to say that we are fully aware of each others faults and flaws. In fact, I would say that we’ve had more direct dealings with them than probably any other couple that you’ve met.”

“Yes, and I will add that our friends--our true friends--approve of our relationship and are happy for us,” Luna added.

“But are they gonna be happy to see you two ladies married? It ain’t the same as just bein’ together. If you get yourselves hitched, it means that you’ve put it out there for everypony. Are you prepared to be judged by the populous as a whole?”

Celestia and Luna slowly turned and looked at each other. At first, there was only a small smirk on Celestia’s lips, but it quickly moved to her sister, who snickered. And then giggled. Which made Celestia giggle until she softly laughed. And then Luna laughed. And then they fell against each other in full on convulsions.

“Sir,” Celestia paused long enough to speak, “may I ask you how private you keep these ceremonies?”

“Well, I have to report all marriages to the Royal Registry, but other than that...well, I have a reason to respect secrets myself.”

Celestia turned to her sister. “Let him see.”

“What?” she responded, still giggling.

“Let him see the truth,” she clarified.

“Are you sure? I thought we were traveling in secret,” Luna stated.

“We are, but this is a special occasion.”

“If you say so...” Luna’s horn glowed midnight blue, and the world around them shimmered.

Light shined into the small chapel through a window that was placed above the podium where the stallion performed his ceremony. At first, he thought what he was seeing was a trick of the sunlight. So much so actually that he lowered his sunglasses down his muzzle, looking over them with his blue eyes. What he saw caused him to raise a single eyebrow in shock.

“Your Majesty!” He fell to one knee, lowering his head in respect.

“Rise good sir,” Celestia commanded, both she and her sister now standing before him in their full glory. “I will not have you standing on ceremony at a time like this.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. That’s very kind of you,” he said as he rose. “And let me say how honored I am to have you here in my humble chapel. And that goes for you too, Your Highness,” he directed at Luna.

“I should say so,” Luna retorted.

“Luna!” Celestia shot back at her sister. “We are guests here. Show a degree of respect yourself.”

Luna responded with a snort and a half-hearted nod towards the stallion.

“I truly did not mean any disrespect, Your Highness,” the stallion stated, his tone wavering as he spoke to the night goddess, “but...well, my question still holds. Are you prepared to face what the people of Equestria are gonna say if you two tie the knot?”

“I...” Celestia hesitated.

“What they think does not matter!” Luna interjected. “They will learn to accept our love!”

“While I agree that is true in part, Luna, he has a point,” Celestia replied. “Tell me, sir, what do you think of the idea?”

He paused a moment, considering his words, turning to one side to think before turning back to look at the two sisters.

“I’ll tell you what I think,” he began. “I think that if you two love each other enough to come here, to my little place, and show me the truth, then you deserve to get married. It woulda been easy for the likes of you two to have some highfalutin ceremony that didn’t ever come down to the common pony. But you didn’t. You’re right here where nineteen-hundred other couples stood wanting the same thing that you are, and in my mind that makes you just like them.”

He smiled at the two mares, his rakish looks charming the pair. “I would be proud to marry the both of you here today...assuming that it’s legal to marry two sisters.”

“You have to have special dispensation from the crown, and I can promise that will happen. At least in this one case,” Celestia answered. “Oh, and if it is any help, all of our closest friends support the both of us.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute, ma’am,” he said. “And I gotta say, I wasn’t so sure about you two until I met you and talked to you, but now that I see for myself, well, I feel good about it.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said.

“No, ma’am, thank you. Thank you very much.”

* * * * * * *

Books. If there was one thing that helped calm Twilight down, it was books. It was also one of her brother’s biggest banes. Which made the trip to the library her first and best option. At least in her mind. She would feel safe, and there was no way he was going to come wandering in here.

Fortunately, she knew the Canterlot Royal Library like the back of her hoof, and it only took a few minutes to find a few volumes that she had been meaning to read. And with them sitting next to her, she was ready to dive in and lose herself in the printed word.

If only she could get a little peace and quiet. “Excuse me! But this IS a library. Can you keep it down?”

She hadn’t seen the noisy pair, but she had certainly heard them since she first got there. Giggles, laughs, and just-slight-too-loud conversations kept echoing through the room, distracting Twilight just enough so that she was having trouble focusing on the books.

Instead, her mind kept wandering back to the previous night. Thinking about what happened--or maybe didn’t happen. That was the problem, she still didn’t know. And she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know. She was hoping that nothing happened at all. That it was just a simple kiss and nothing else. That she was innocent of any wrongdoing. She didn’t want anything happening like that when she couldn’t control what was going on.

Her eyes popped wide. That sounded wrong in her head. Like she wanted something to happen with Cadance when she was in control. When both of them knew what was happening and went through with it. That would be a real nightmare. She was already worried about what to say to her brother for what might have been. Imagine what she would say to him if she did things on purpose. How could she respond?

“Hi Twiley,” Shining Armor said.

“Oh, hey BBBFF,” she replied automatically. And then her whole system locked up. Her eyes froze, her body became statue-like, and her thought process seized up. There was her brother, right in front of her.

“I thought I might find you near books,” he said. “It’s always been your home away from home.”

Twilight could say nothing. She remained in a near-catatonic state her eyes watching as her brother paced back and forth, nervously talking to her.

“I don’t know if she told you, but Cadance and I kinda--well, we had an argument. And I know that you and she are kinda close, so I was wondering if maybe she had a chance to talk to you. I was wanting to see her, and I don’t know where she ended up.”

Her eyes wandered back and forth, following him as he strode before her, speaking with her about his wife.

“I mean, I know that I should give her space, and I’m really trying to do that, but I get so worried that I’ve done something that she just won’t be able to forgive. I’m a little scared, you know?” he confided. “So, have you seen her lately?”

She sat there, seeing every possible outcome of what was about to happen. All of them involved her being ostracized by her family and friends, or possibly simply being sent away to live with a new family until she could learn to behave properly as a lesson. Of course, that all hinged on him finding out about what had--or possibly hadn’t--happened between her and Cadance. So, above all else, she needed to remain calm.

“Twiley?” he asked after she hadn’t responded for a full minute. “Are you okay?”

“FINE!” she screamed, causing him to jump backwards. “COULDN’T BE BETTER!”

“You, um, seem a little tense,” he answered, stepping forward again.

“NO! Uh, I mean...no. No, I’m fine,” she nodded repeatedly and quickly. “How are you?”

“I just kinda covered that,” he answered. “Remember? I was hoping you had seen Cadance. Have you?”

“Seen Cadance? Um, sure, I’ve seen her. Lots of times. There’s nothing unusual about me seeing Cadance. We’re good friends. We like to see each other.” Her eyes bugged. “I mean, not see-see. But just see. Not that we have seen each other. Or anything like that.”

“You’re...kinda not making any sense, sis,” Shining Armor said, raising an eyebrow. “Are you hiding something? This is sort of how you act when you’re about ready to freak out.”

“No!” She popped up from her chair and took a few steps backwards. “I’m not hiding anything! Nothing at all! I’m not a hider. All out in the open with old Twilight!”

Shining Armor moved around the table, a softness in his eyes as he looked at his sister. “It’s okay, Twilight. I’m not asking you to betray a trust that you have with Cadance. If she asked you not to tell me where she was, I understand.” Her eyes softened as his words soothed her fears. “Just...well, just tell her that I’m sorry, and I would really love to see her.”

Twilight turned away, not wanting to look her brother in the face as she spoke. “I...I will. And I’m sorry, I just...” she fumbled for the right words. “It’s complicated, okay.”

She turned back around to see her brother smiling at her. She smiled back, reflexively.

“Wow,” he said gently.

“Wow? What wow?” Twilight asked, cocking her head a couple of degrees to one side.

“Just...wow. I’ve never noticed how beautiful you grew up to be,” he said.

“Thanks, BBBFF,” she said in reply.

“It’s really sexy,” he said.

“Um...thanks,” she replied with a little less certainty.

“No, I mean it. You’re beautiful,” he said, stepping towards her. Raising one eyebrow, she stepped back to meet his every advance. “Your mane, your eyes, your body--especially your flank--it’s really amazing. I don’t know why I never noticed this before.”

“I do!” Twilight answered with a shout. “You’re my brother! You’re not supposed to notice stuff like that! So...stop noticing stuff like that!”

“I didn’t notice it until you looked away. Something about the way the light hit your face and the innocence of it, it was just breathtaking,” he explained with ardor.

“Okay, we’re getting a little close to creepy stuff here,” Twilight said. “Let’s step back away from this.”

“Sure, sure. No, I agree completely. I’m just saying that, well, if you weren’t my sister...” his face turned into a smirk.

“Ewwwwww!” her face scrunched up into disgust.

“What? I’m just saying,” he said with an implied thought behind the statement. “It’s not like it’s a horrible crime to think about those things, right? I mean...not unless you were thinking about them, too?”

“EWWWWWW!” Twilight screeched.

“Okay, okay. Calm down,” Shining Armor said with a smile.

“Well, you just can’t come in here and say stuff like that. I mean, this is a library.” Twilight turned her head to make sure that no pony was staring at them, and almost dropped her jaw with what she saw.

Moving away from her brother had given her a new perspective on the room, literally, and she could see between the shelves at the back of the library. Directly, she could see a couple that was taking that space and putting it to very personal use.

A large, black stallion earth pony was mounted onto a pale green mare unicorn, pounding away for all that he was worth. She was taking it, her head down and her rump in the air, pressing back against him as he thrust deep into her. Both of them were lost in the moment, she tossing her head wildly, while he pulled back on her mane with one hoof.

The noisy couple was now revealed.

“Gah!” Twilight exclaimed, pulling her head back in shock.

“What?” Shining Armor rushed to her side, ready to defend her from any harm. He stopped upon seeing the assaulting image, his demeanor softening and a slight chuckle coming from his throat. “I wouldn’t worry, Twiley. I don’t think that they’re interested in you right now.”

She spun around to stare at her brother. “Of course not! But...but...look at them! Their doing it right here in the library! The LIBRARY! That’s wrong! And I’m pretty sure illegal.”

“Oh, it’s not a serious violation,” he stated calmly, still staring at the couple. “And besides, don’t you find it a little...inspirational?”

Twilight turned back to the couple. The stallion had lowered his head down and was biting her ear as her horn dug into his cheek, his hips still working her like a piston.

“Uh, no.” Twilight turned to look at her brother again, doing her best to keep her eyes on his face. Which was proving to be exceedingly difficult at the moment, since a large, throbbing organ kept showing up in the periphery of her vision. “Definitely no!”

“Oh, come on,” he said in a sly voice, “don’t you find it sexy to see two ponies getting it on like that? It sure gets me worked up.”

It may not have been physically possible for the whites of Twilight’s eyes to become larger, nor for her pupils to become smaller, but that didn’t prevent her body from trying make that happen. Unfortunately, her eyes were also unable to keep from finally looking down directly between her brother’s legs and seeing a raging hard penis standing at full attention. Pulsing and seeming to point at her directly with a very clear intent, Twilight thought for a moment that the penis was smiling at her, which was bad enough, but the moment that she swore she saw it wink at her was a bit too much.

“WAAAAAAAHHH!” The echo of Twilight’s scream was left in the aftermath of the implosion of air indicative of her successfully teleporting away from the scene.

* * * * * * *

“She is truly amazing.” Luna sat in her seat, staring up at the stage where a very familiar show pony was performing for a packed house. Hundreds of ponies sat in amazement as the show continued, with amazing feats of levitation and seemingly impossible displays of magic cascading among a razor sharp light show and a half dozen dancing mares.

“Well, of course she is,” Celestia leaned over and whispered, “I would think you would know that. She was your student, after all.”

“Hmm?” Luna seemed confused. “Oh! Oh, yes, Trixie is very talented.”

Celestia turned to look at her sister, and then followed her gaze back to the stage. “And you aren’t paying a bit of attention to Trixie right now, are you?”

“What?!” Luna spun and looked at Celestia with the expression of a filly with her hoof in the cookie jar. “I--I was just watching the show!”

“Uh-huh. If by ‘show’ you mean that dancer up there,” Celestia spoke with a faux tone of condemnation. “You would rather look at her than your own wife. And we’ve only been married for a few hours. Tsk, tsk.”

“Well,” Luna caught on quickly, answering with a smile, “can you blame me? She is very young and vibrant, and you are thousands of years old. Far past your prime, I would think. I prefer mares who are still young and able to keep up with me.”

“Oh, is that it? Well, I suppose I should tell you that you are likely to get in trouble with your friends, then. She is Applejack’s cousin, after all,” Celestia explained, nodding towards the dancer in question.

“You jest!” Luna sputtered. “That dancer cannot be a relation to that farm-pony. She is so elegant and graceful. And her beauty would give Fleur a pause.”

“She is quite the looker, isn’t she?” Celestia turned and took in the view, watching as the dancer spun and kicked her way across the stage, all set to the driving music and magical show going on around her. “Apple Bottom.”

“Foresooth!” Luna agreed, turning to look at the dancer’s flank as she turned on stage.

“No, no. That’s her name. Apple Bottom. If I recall correctly, that is,” Celestia explained.

“And a more appropriate name a pony has never had,” Luna stated. She turned and looked at her new wife, staring directly into her eyes. Magenta and teal met, and no other pony existed in all of Equestria for that one moment. “Unless it is Celestia, because if there was ever a slice of heaven given to this world, it is you.”

The edge of Celestia’s eyes fought to hold back the water that gathered there as the words sunk into her ears. “Luna, I--I’ve never heard you speak like that.”

“I have never been married before today,” she answered. “But I have always felt that way about you, even before our current relationship. But now I see you in a new light, from new eyes in many, many ways, and I find that my love for you is at a level I could never have predicted.”

“That’s true of both of us,” Celestia blinked back tears, “and something that will be true for the rest of our lives.”

“But tonight is the first night of our new lives, and one that I intend to see through to the fullest,” Luna added.

“Well, we’re doing that. You wanted to come see Trixie perform--and she is very entertaining, I must say--and then we are going to pay her a surprise visit afterwards, before moving on to whatever we decide after that,” Celestia stated.

“No.” The reply was direct and terse, with a tone that Celestia had come to recognize.

“What?” Even still, she was a bit surprised. “But this is what you wanted--”

“Wanted,” she interrupted. “Past tense. It is not what your Mistress is wanting.”

Celestia smiled, even as her eyes shot back and forth to see if anypony overheard her words. “Well, what is it that you desire, Mistress?”

“First, I desire that you address me--for this one night--as either Luna or Wife, is that clear?” Her eyes stared directly into those of her sister.

“Yes, My Wife,” Celestia smiled.

“And secondly, when this performance is finished, I shall to take you back to our room for the most intense night of pleasure that we have ever experienced together. That is what I desire.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, lost together in bliss. The stars and sun mingling in a shared glance to create a perfect universe. The music pounded through the arena, but the two of them could only hear their mutual heartbeat--until Luna spoke aloud.

“But I also want to stare at that mare’s ass some more,” she said with a huge smile.

“Of course you do,” Celestia answered dryly.

“You are fortunate that we are on our honeymoon, Tia, or else we might need a slightly bigger bed for activities tonight,” Luna replied, staring up at the stage.

“Oh, like you could score a mare like her,” Celestia teased.

Luna turned her head slightly, just enough to see her sister out of the corner of her eye. “Oh, you shall pay for that slight, wife.”

On stage, a blue mare stood at the center of the stage, fireworks exploding on both sides while dancers posed perfectly behind her. “Trixie thanks you! You are an excellent crowd. And I also want you to know that the best is yet to come!”

* * * * * * *

Cadance paced back and forth, occasionally stopping to stare out the window to make sure that no crowds carrying implements of destruction and farming were forming outside the castle gates. Or worse, that a crowd was forming outside the gates carrying implements of sexual pleasure--and farming.

There was almost no light in the room. The sun had set and Cadance kept only one candle lit, trying to minimize what other ponies would see if they glanced up at the royal bedchambers.

She glanced over at the door to the chamber. Celestia’s room was one of the most secure places in all of Canterlot, meant to be a defensive position should the need ever arise. Thankfully, it never had, at least not for her aunt. She thought it was a good idea to put the security locks in place for now, though, making her locked inside from any normal avenue. She did leave a couple ways open just for her own mindset. The first was the windows, so she could fly out if desperately needed.

An implosion of air spun her head to the side, seeing a lavender unicorn materialize next to the large bed. That was the other way in: teleportation.

“Cadance!” Twilight ran over towards the mare, a wild, desperate expression on her face.

“Twilight!” She moved to meet her halfway, a look of relief coming over the alicorn.

“I’ve been looking all over for you. I was in the library, and--” Twilight began.

“I know! I know! It’s happening all over the place!” she finished for her.

Twilight twisted her head curiously, one eye closing halfway as she stared at the princess. “Um...really?”

“Oh yes, it happened to me at the spa,” Cadance explained.

“Well, I can understand it happening to you, but...at the spa? When?” she asked.

“Oh, it was early this afternoon. I was given quite a show, actually,” Cadance said.

“Yeah, well, I think I got too much of that show, myself,” Twilight said nervously.

Cadance laughed. “I try not to judge, myself. Before the wedding, I might even have been tempted to jump in and join them,” Cadance said.

“Them? Wait, what?” Twilight’s mane started to fray as her brain tried to wrap around what was happening.

“Yes, you know the twins from the Ponyville spa? Aloe and Lotus Blossom? They were there and, well, they got more than a little frisky, so I had to back off and let them have their fun together without me,” she explained.

“WITH MY BROTHER?!” Twilight’s eyes suddenly crossed, trying to imagine the scene that she thought was being described.

“What? No. Shining Armor? What makes you think that he was there?” Cadance’s face twisted up as she stared at her friend.

“Because that’s what we’re talking about! My brother has become sex crazed!” Twilight shouted.

“Oh no! I mean, of course he has, I just hadn’t thought about that. I just didn’t--wait a second, are you saying that you had an...encounter with Shining Armor?” Cadance asked as the conversation sank in.

“Oh yeah!” Twilight said. “He was hitting on me pretty hard.” Her face went pale. “I want to rephrase that if I could.”

“Why do--oh. Oh no,” Cadance said with a gasp.

“Oh yes,” Twilight answered demurely, unable to meet the other mare’s eyes. “Right there. Out in the open. Just...standing up.”

“Oh, Twilight,” the alicorn moved over and wrapped her wing over the unicorn in sympathy. “It’s okay, he can’t help it right now.”

Twilight’s whole body shuddered. “Well, you said that he was at the spa--doing that--while you watched.”

“No! No, not at all. I haven’t seen Shining Armor since yesterday. The twins were hitting on me, and then just took matters into their own hooves while I got away.”

The words of her brother came back to the unicorn as she listened to Cadance’s explanation. “Wait, he came to the library looking for you. You’re right! He hadn’t seen you.”

“Well, yeah, I just said that,” Cadance assured.

“So why the HAY was he all...and stuff? And with me?!” Twilight’s expression became more rigid, though her eyes were still different sizes.

“Um, I think,” Cadance slowly looked around the room, and then brought her face back to look at Twilight directly, keeping one eye closed. “that might be our fault.”

“Our fault? I didn’t hit on my brother!” she protested.

“No, no, not that way. I mean...well, come here.” Cadance walked over the window, looking down at the street below, Twilight right by her side. “Look. Look down there.”

Twilight stared out the window, her mind still racing around what happened with her brother a few hours earlier. “What? It’s the street.”

“No. Look at the ponies.” Cadance pointed out the window towards a couple in an alleyway.

“Okay, so I’m--” Twilight’s voice stopped. It didn’t trail off or sudden redirect itself. It stopped. As though all sound had been removed from her by the unseen hoof of a goddess.

“Twilight?” Cadance asked softly.

She didn’t answer. Her eyes watched as the two ponies copulated in the middle of the street. No regard to what anypony else would say or do. Then her eyes shifted to another corner, where three ponies were in the earliest stages of amorous action. And then she saw another couple. And another. And then a small gathering of at least four ponies, but she wasn’t sure of the exact number because that was when she slowly started to back away from the window.

“Twilight?” Cadance asked a little more forcefully this time.

“SWEET HEAVENLY CELESTIA! Has everypony in town gone sex crazy?!” Her eyes were unblinking and unfocused.

Cadance ran over to her, grabbing her by the withers and holding her in place as she stared into her eyes. “Deep breaths! Slow, deep breaths. Everything is okay.”

“IT IS?!” Foam started to form at the corner of Twilight’s mouth, her body only minutes away from complete shutdown. “I don’t see what makes that okay. What has gotten into those ponies?!”

“Um...I afraid I know the answer to that,” Cadance answered warily. “It’s...us.”

Twilight finally blinked, many times in fast succession. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“It’s us. We did this,” Cadance answered softly.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I sure as heck didn’t start telling ponies to get busy with everypony in public!”

“No, we didn’t, but we did sort of set this off,” Cadance explained, letting go of Twilight’s shoulders to step back.

“HOW?!” Twilight was still in a bit of shock.

“Do you remember last night?” Cadance asked.

Twilight’s head started shaking vigorously. “No! No, that’s the problem, remember? You and I...I mean we...NO! I don’t remember!”

“Okay, not...that part,” Cadance said, taking a deep breath. “Right before we kissed. We were in bed, and we were talking about Celestia and Luna. Do you remember that?”

Twilight’s eyes started dashing about wildly, looking for a hidden memory to latch onto. “Wait. Wait a minute. I--I do remember that. You went to the window and you cast a spell--no, you started to cast a spell, and decided to help you.”

“Right!” Cadance affirmed. “And we wanted everypony in town to love each other.”

“And they are,” Twilight understood. “They are loving the hay out of each other. Everywhere.”

“Exactly,” Cadance nodded.

“Wait, why aren’t we having that problem?” Twilight’s mind went immediately into analytical mode.

“I don’t know. Do you remember the details of the spell?” Cadance asked.

“Uh...no. I don’t even remember what I did to help out. I’m sure it was an assistance spell. Something that gave you a bit of my magic, but...maybe not. I might have tried to layer my own spell on top of yours. Do you remember what you cast?”

“Nope. Which puts us in a bit of a bind,” Cadance said. “So, I think we might have to layer even MORE magic on top of it, since we don’t know what it is right now.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!” Twilight mocked.

“Do you have a better suggestion?” Cadance said firmly, stepping up to the smaller unicorn.

Twilight backed off a little, startled by the sudden aggressive action from the normally passive alicorn.

“I’m sorry!” Cadance immediately softened. “I just...this is my first time being in charge, and I’m already screwing up.”

Twilight stepped up to her friend, placing a hoof just above her wing to comfort her. “It’s okay. You’re doing the best that you can. And, well, I don’t think anypony expected something like this to happen.”

Cadance smiled, her body visibly relaxing. “Thanks. That means a lot.” She bent over and nuzzled her friend’s neck in thanks. She paused there a moment, enjoying the closeness of the lavender mare, and Twilight let her, enjoying the feeling of her warm breath on her neck. The moment lingered, the two mares relaxing for the moment. Maybe lingering a bit too long.

“Uh...” Twilight didn’t move away, but she kind of pulled her head to the side. “Not that I’m complaining, but we don’t want to get in trouble here. Again. Maybe.”

“Oh! Right!” Cadance pulled her head back quickly, her cheeks slightly more pink than usual.

“So, what kind of spell did you have in mind?” Twilight asked, quickly changing the mood.

“Okay, hear me out,” Cadance said, pulling her head back to give a speech. “Right now the ‘mood’ that is hitting all these ponies has no direction. It’s just going around causing havoc in the streets. And businesses. And...well, everywhere. So, I think the first order of business is to redirect that emotion.”

“Sounds logical. Where should we direct it?” Twilight asked, her mind in full magic geek mode.

“Okay, here’s the tricky part,” she hesitated. “I think we should direct it towards us.”

Twilight’s eyes bugged out again, her mouth opening but no sound coming out.

“Wait, wait! There’s a reason,” Cadance put up a hoof, trying to stop any oncoming panic attack. “Like I said, hear me out. If we direct all of that emotion towards the two of us, we can prevent anything too bad from happening to innocent ponies. And, we have complete control over who sees us and what can happen. This is Celestia’s room. Her haven. There isn’t a more secure room in Equestria than this place. We direct all of the attention to us, and then lock ourselves in here where no pony can get to us until the spell passes. We’d be totally safe.”

“Until the spell passes?” Twilight asked, narrowly avoiding any emotional breakdown. “And when does that happen?”

“That’s the other thing we add on. We make another alteration to the spell that causes it to be burned out by sunlight. We can’t directly burn it out ourselves, but if we use the magic of the daylight, we can cause the spell to decay in the light of the sun. One sunny day, and we’re good to go! Everything is fixed, and no pony gets hurt.” Cadance’s eyes were filled with confident desperation. She knew this was the one crazy idea that just might work.

Twilight’s mind went into overdrive. She ran the concept through her head again and again, trying to figure out a simpler, better way to remove such powerful magic, but without either Celestia or Luna here, there was no pony powerful enough to do anything to this spell. It really was up to her and Cadance, and, as much as she didn’t like it, the alicorn’s idea made sense.

“I--okay,” Twilight answered. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, okay. Let’s give it a try.”

“Oh, thank you!” Cadance hugged the pony tightly. “This is going to work. I just know it!”

“I hope so,” Twilight answered from the hug. She pushed herself away from the alicorn and nodded. “Let’s get to work.”

* * * * * * *

“Stand still, mare. Eyes down, tail up.” Luna’s tone was strict and commanding. She circled Celestia, who did as she was told, inspecting the royal alicorn with a dutiful eye. Floating beside Luna was a long buggy whip, black with a silver handle.

“Legs wider,” Luna demanded from behind the goddess, who immediately obeyed. She couldn’t see her sister’s face, but the night goddess grew a wide smile. “Very good, mare.”

She stayed there, staring at the gap between her sister’s legs. A sheen of fluid glistening as it ran down Celestia’s thigh, with Luna watching her sister’s legs tremble. The normally proud and strong alicorn was weak with desire, which only made Luna’s own lust grow.

“This is what shall happen,” she spoke in a cold, authoritative tone. “First, thou art going to pleasure us, as we direct you. Any hesitation or variance from our commands will lead to immediate discipline. Then--IF thou performs at an acceptable level--we shall...consider thy reward. Is that clear?”

“Yes, My Wife,” Celestia’s voice wavered, her breath already coming in ragged gasps.

“Excellent,” Luna began to circle the standing alicorn once more, stopping briefly beside her. The buggy whip moved under the left wing of the white goddess, pushing it up. “Keep thy wings straight, mare. We like to see them fully erect and pointing to the sky, understood?”

“Yes, My Wife. I will try,” she answered.

“Try?” Luna’s voice trailed off, her head turning towards the lowered muzzle of her sister. “Try has no part of what we told you, mare. Thou shalt DO what we say!” A whistle of air set the tone before the crack of the whip struck Celestia on the flank. The sound echoed off the wall of the room even as the sun goddess suppressed a whimper.

Luna walked around to the front of the mare, and, using the whip, brought the submissive mare’s face up, allowing her to stare down into Celestia’s eyes. “Thou belongs to us. Thou art ours to do with as we please. Bound by thy word and ours. Do not disappoint us, mare, and thou shalt find that we can be a very kind Goddess.”

“Y-yes, My Wife,” Celestia answered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desire that drove Luna’s lust.

“Excellent.” She smiled and turned away from her sister. “Thou may kiss our flank in gratitude.”

An alabaster neck stretched out, placing soft lips upon the coat of Luna’s flank, just beside her cutie mark. She pressed hard enough to make sure Luna knew she was there, but hoped it wasn’t too hard. She wanted--no, needed to please her.

“Again,” Luna directed with a purr. “Thou dost that well.”

Celestia let a small smile slip onto her lips as they pressed once again against the dark goddess’ flesh. She let her kisses roam, spreading further apart and more frequent than the single acknowledgement from before. Soon, they had moved around to the back of Luna’s flank, near the tail. She gingerly kissed the zone, moving down slightly in hopes of getting a positive reaction.

“Mmmmm,” Luna moaned, lifting her tail up and to the side. “Proceed.”

Her marehood was exposed for Celestia to see, engorged and dripping with libidinous juices. She darted her tongue out to grab a drop of nectar that escaped and was falling to the ground, thankful that the precious fluid did not go to waste. Without delay she followed up, licking up the slit of flesh, pushing the lips farther apart than the lust already had done. A full taste of Luna’s sex filled her mouth, causing her own body to shiver in delight, her own marehood responding with ardor and a wanting desire. Luna, in turn, responded with a guttural growl, showing that she too wanted this as much as Celestia.

“Get thy muzzle in there!” Luna grasped Celestia’s head with her magic, pressing it against her sex with some degree of force, covering her mouth and nose. Cut off from air, Celestia did the only thing that she could, and extended her tongue to the fullest, intent on ravishing the cunt that encased her airways.

The soft gentle touch was gone, replaced by a combination of magical force pressing Celestia’s face into Luna’s sex, and Celestia’s tongue trying to free herself by causing Luna to climax.

Shoving her tongue as deep as it could go into her sister’s pussy, Celestia swirled it around, lashing out against the walls of the orifice, while letting her lower lip trail down to brush against the hardened clit that jutted out from the hood at the top of the labia. She could feel the dark mare start to shudder with each thrust of her tongue, and knew that she wouldn’t last very long, but would she last longer than Celestia’s need for air? The sun goddess did not want to pull away, the desire to show her sister-wife that the compulsion to please her was stronger than any need for breath. But she could feel the burning starting at the back of her mind, that primal instinct to fight for survival. She wanted to beat it back, so she concentrated with more intensity on bringing the mare to orgasm.

Luna was fighting to hold off her climax. She was already excited before Celestia had touched her, and had no intention of letting her perform on her so immediately, but the touch of her lips was intoxicating. And now she wanted to hold onto the feeling that was growing inside her, but she knew it was a losing battle. Soon enough she was going to explode, but not before Celestia had to pull away for breath. This was a battle of wills, and one that she had no intention of losing.

She could feel the walls of her sister’s pussy clasping against her tongue as Celestia thrust in and out as fast and hard as she could manage without actually moving her head. Fighting against the burning in her lungs, she pushed down the need to actually breathe, instead choosing to sustain herself on the taste and texture of her sister-wife’s marehood. Flickers of light began to appear in the corners of Celestia’s vision, even as Luna’s breathing began to become a hoarse cascade of gulps of air.

Celestia pulled her head back, gasping in a huge breath of air just as a torrent burst forth from Luna’s sex, covering the both the sun goddess’ face and the night goddess’ legs, as well as creating a mess on the floor. Her lungs greedily took in the air even as her tongue tried desperately to catch the second and third burst of fluid that splashed out onto her face from her sister’s pulsing cunt.

Both sisters stood there, panting and regaining strength. It was Luna who turned and spoke first. “Thou lost.”

“I’m sorry, My Wife, but you are mistaken,” Celestia answered. “I was released from your grip as you began to cum.”

“No, thou escaped our grasp, and our orgasm was lessened because thou didst not complete thine duty,” Luna countered.

“I do not--”

“Is that our cum on thine face, whorse?” Luna spun around, her strength coming back to her quickly. “And art thou arguing with thine Mistress?”

Celestia’s eyes trembled. “No, My Wife! I wasn’t trying to--”

“Thou were! Thou art a disrespectful mare, and deserve to be disciplined.” She moved up on Celestia, forcing the white alicorn to fall back onto her haunches. “And that is our cum. So, thou wast not attached to our cunt when we came.” She glanced at the ground, one eyebrow raising. “And thou even failed to catch all that fell out of us.”

“I tried to get it all, but there was just so much,” Celestia said softly.

“A gift that thou squandered. We gave thou that much and thou chose to let it go to waste,” Luna’s tone was hard and sharp. “We had considered letting thou choose the method in which we would pleasure thee as a wedding gift, but now we’re not even sure that we shouldn’t just let thou wait another day.”

“No!” Celestia pleaded, dropping down to Luna’s hooves, kissing them fervently. “I beg you, My Wife, please let me make it up to you. I want pleasure from you so very much.”

“Of course thou dost,” Luna said dryly, “but that doesn’t mean thou deserve it.”

“What can I do to prove my worth to you?” Celestia begged.

Luna paused, staring down at her sister-wife licking her hooves, pushing down the smile that so wanted to burst out. “Stand up!” she commanded.

Instantly, Celestia rose to her hooves, careful to keep her head lower than Luna’s. The dark mare stared at her, and then brought her hoof up, raising the sun goddess’ face up slightly. Luna let her tongue come out and lick across Celestia’s face, tasting her own cum on the coat of her sister.

“Sweet,” she said with a smirk. “We think that, since thou disappointed us so, we should simply allow ourselves to use thee as a toy for our gratification once again. If thou get some form of pleasure from it--which thou should, since it is coming from us--then that is thine own responsibility. Open your mouth.”

Celestia obeyed, letting her lips part and tongue fall slightly out of her mouth to demonstrate complete access. A black bridle with silver spikes and bit appeared in Luna’s hooves. “Thou will wear this,” she instructed, as she started to strap it to her sister’s muzzle. “It isn’t the most comfortable of things, but if thou had been more respectful than thou wouldn’t need it. So, the blame for this lies only with thine self.”

Whimpering slightly, Celestia allowed the black leather to surround her face, a special ring to go over her horn to position it, and the cold metal to invade her mouth. She had never worn such a thing before, and found that her tongue was having trouble moving around the piece that pushed against her mouth. Luna tightened the straps down, locking the device firmly in place.

“There, now thou look like a proper slave,” Luna stated. “Stay still.”

The dark mare paced around Celestia once again, stopping behind her sister and remaining silent for a moment. “Lift your tail. We do not want it blocking us,” Luna said coldly, and Celestia did as she was told.

The weight of the bridle changed, and Celestia glanced down to see reins appear, attached to the bit in her mouth. Before she could even respond, something bound her wings together, and she clearly got an image in her mind of black leather-like straps surrounding them, locking them in place. And at that same moment, Luna mounted her sister from behind, bringing her head up to rest beside her sister’s ear.

“Now, whorse, we once told thou that we were saving a certain plaything about thee for special occasions. And what is more special than our wedding night?”

Celestia’s eyes shot wide in recognition of what was being said. “No! Tha’ wash Nighmare Moon! Nah you!” The mare’s words were slurred by the bit that played in her mouth.

“We ARE Nightmare Moon, whorse! Do not EVER forget that! Every time we feel thou beneath us, we revel in our power. We enjoy knowing that mighty Celestia has succumbed to her greatest enemy willingly, nay, lovingly!” The horse cock that Luna had grown from her clitoris positioned itself at the tailhole of Celestia, pausing there as she waited for effect. Celestia could feel a cool, slick liquid suddenly covering her ass. “We don’t want a rough ride, now do we?”

“Be--be gentle,” Celestia begged.

“We shall be whatever we desire,” Luna whispered into her sister’s ear. “And this is just the start. We have something new that we wish to try tonight.”

“Wha-wha-aaaaaaah!” Celestia couldn’t form words as Luna pushed her massive cock into her ass slowly, guiding it in inch by inch to let the lubricant spread across both herself and her sister’s passage. It took a full minute before the organ seated itself, Luna’s hips finally resting up against her sister-wife’s flank.

“We are going to fuck you, wife,” Luna growled, pulling back on the bridle, causing Celestia’s head to tilt straight back towards her. “First slowly, and then harder than thou hast ever been fucked in your very, very long life. And before we cum, thou will be screaming our name in ecstasy. We promise thee that.”

She pulled her cock out of Celestia’s ass slightly, and then gently pushed forward again, making sure that there was enough slickness to easily accommodate the motion. It moved smoothly and easily, encouraging the dark mare to pull out further, and push in harder than before. Each time she moved, Celestia moaned, first in some discomfort, but increasingly in passion as the experience changed sensations.

Soon, Luna had built up a rhythm, driving the milk-white mare forward with each and every thrust of her powerful hips, even as she pulled her head back each time on the reins. Celestia soon began to counter the motion, pressing back against the thrusts as Luna moved forward, meeting the tempo with one of her own. Her body was trembling and the low sounds from her throat were nothing but pure pleasure.

“Thou likes this, mare? This is nothing. We have something that will show you a pleasure you have never felt before,” Luna’s voice was calm and level as she spoke. “Now...”

Something prodded against Celestia’s sex. Luna’s magically grown penis was still driving into her ass, but something was now slapping up against the outside of her pussy--and it felt to her like another cock.

“Wha? How are you doin’ this?” Celestia asked.

“Are we not the mistress of transformation? Is there anything that lies beyond our will, mare?” Luna chided.

“Nay, My Wife,” Celestia spoke as clearly as she could, the drool filling the corners of her mouth and slavering down her cheeks as Luna rode her. Her tone wasn’t as unclear as her words. She craved what was about to happen.

“Then thou should not be surprised that we have more than one cock to fill thine holes,” Luna said as she pulled almost completely out of her sister’s ass. Her second cock pulsed up as Luna’s excitement rose, causing it to throb against the opening to Celestia’s cunt. She moved it back and forth, slicking it up against the juices that streamed from her sex. And then she felt it pierce the outer lips and she paused, a huge smile growing on her face, and then pushed forward with all her might, plunging into Celestia’s depths.

“Yesssss,” Luna hissed, yanking back on Celestia’s reins, reveling in the moment.

Celestia’s eyes rolled back into her head, as her sister’s twin cocks attacked her ass and pussy simultaneously. A deep guttural sound gargled out of her mouth, not even attempting to approximate words. Luna felt Celestia go weak beneath her as the lust overpowered her strength--which only made her drive into the mare harder and faster than ever.

Everything became a blur to Celestia. Each thrust sent her further and further down a path that was new to her. Her muscles contracted and relaxed against both of Luna’s cocks, even as she could feel them rubbing against each other through her vaginal wall. Her mental pleasure threshold was beyond its limits, and she had no desire to see it stop, but her body had other ideas.

“LUUUUUUNNNAAA!” She reared her head back, thrashing it about as she came.

“Yes! Yes! Scream our name!” Luna’s own passion peaked, causing her to violently thrust against her sister-wife with new found authority. The heavy contractions of Celestia’s internal muscles worked their magic on the twin cocks, and soon enough, Luna wasn’t able to stop herself from filling both of her sister’s holes with magical cum. Each spurt was accompanied by a short, sharp thrust as she fought to keep the sensation going, even as Celestia’s ass and cunt milked the cum from both penises.

Luna collapsed in a heap, landing on her sister’s back, forcing the mare to the ground. Both of them waited a moment, their breath labored and deep, their coats matted with sweat. Reaching forward, Luna kissed Celestia on the cheek, just as she dismissed the magical bridle, bit and bindings on her wings.

Turning around to look at her directly, tears of joy streamed from Celestia’s eyes, her smile not allowing any confusion from her sister. Luna slipped from atop the mare, moving to lie next to her directly.

“Are you all right?” Luna asked, still wanting to make sure. “I did not hurt you, did I? I listened for your safeword, but no sound you made approximated it in the least.”

Celestia shook her head, the smile the only words that she could speak.

“I thought it might be interesting to try something special tonight,” Luna said, her breath slowly going back to normal.

The only response was a sharp nod from the sun goddess.

Luna stared for a moment, waiting for Celestia to say something. And eventually, she did.

“I love you.”

“And I love you,” Luna answered softly. “Do you need to rest?”

Celestia nodded, her body completely drained of strength. She closed her eyes and curled up against her dark sister.

The shadows of the light played along the white mare’s body, but to a pony who embodied the essence of night she seemed to be fully lit by the brightest of beacons. Luna watched as Celestia’s breathing eased and then her chest began to rise and fall with perfect regularity as the depths of sleep took over for her. She brought a single hoof up to trail it along her mane, now resting lightly on the ground, the magic that kept it in motion also sleeping. She twisted her head, letting this moment sink into her memory, making sure that nothing could ever change it or remove it from her being.

“You can come out now,” Luna said gently, just loud enough to not disturb the sleep of her beloved.

A pale gray mare with a black mane stepped out of the shadows. “You knew?”

Luna nodded. “I saw you this morning, and...I knew. Thank you for letting us have the rest of this day.”

“You’re welcome,” the pony stepped forward. She was surprisingly slight for an earth pony, with a cutie mark of a black ankh on her flank, and she spoke with a slight accent. “I’m a bit of a sucker for a romance.”

“Even a short one,” Luna said.

“Aw, don’t look at it that way. You’ve both been alive for so very long now, I would think that finding a happiness like this would make all that time worthwhile,” she stopped moving and stared down at Luna, who still let her hoof run through Celestia’s mane.

“Yes, but it is that depth of time that makes this seem so short. So much wasted time,” Luna’s voice trailed off. “I’ve done so much to hurt her.”

“True,” the pony answered, “but you’ve done far more to make her feel special. And that’s what’s going to stick with her.”

“I wanted more time,” Luna said.

“You got a lifetime,” the pony stated.

She raised her head up, looking at the gray pony. She seemed so young and vibrant. “Why? Why now? Why is it over now?”

“Don’t ask me,” she said. “I really don’t make those rules. You know that. But I can tell you that mortal ponies aren’t made to survive the transformations that you’ve put yourself through. You lost your immortality and, well, that’s life.”

There was a long silence as Luna considered the pony’s words. With a deep breath and a resolve in her voice she broke the silence. “Should we go?”

“What? You don’t want to wake her up and say goodbye?” the pony asked.

“I do, but...I fear that she will be quite angry with you,” she explained.

“Oh pish-posh! Like one angry pony isn’t something that I’ve seen before!” she smiled reassuringly.

Luna smiled back. “This is no angry pony. We speak of an angry Goddess of the Sun. The most powerful being in the world.”

“Okay, yeah there’s that, but it still doesn’t change anything. And like I said, I’m a sucker for romance.”

The figure below her was still sleeping peacefully. She tried to imagine that the roles were reversed. Would she want Celestia to be gone without a goodbye? She knew the answer before she even asked herself, but she still hesitated. The pain that she had caused her sister was already so great, and she didn’t want to add to that even slightly. Still, there was no doubt what she needed to do.

“Tia,” Luna gently prodded her sister. “Tia, wake up.”

Blinking her eyes slowly, the alicorn stared up at her sister. “Hmmm? What is it?” she asked sleepily.

“I want to say goodbye,” Luna stated bluntly.

The words sunk in, and Celestia sat up with a shock. She stared at Luna, her eyes darting all around her body and face, looking for an answer that might reveal itself before she spoke. “Leave? What do you mean ‘leave?’ Where are you going? Did I do something?”

“No! No, you did nothing. I want to stay here forever, but...I do not have that choice,” Luna said, reaching forward and touching her lover’s face.

“What do you mean? Luna, what are you talking about?” her voice strained to find something.

“It is my time,” Luna said simply. “I have to go.”

“Time? What do you--” The gray mare in the room was suddenly obvious to Celestia. In a flash she was standing between her and Luna, her wings spread out to their fullest, her head down, horn ablaze with power, and an expression that could melt stone on her face. “Get. Out.”

“I can’t do that,” the pale pony stated. “She’s right. It’s her time.”

“She doesn’t have a time. And I will see you destroyed before I see you take her. I won’t warn you again. Leave now, or face my wrath,” Celestia’s voice shattered the air with its tone.

“Celestia, don’t be like this,” Death pleaded. “It’s really nothing that can be stopped.”

“We shall see, Death. We shall see.” Her horn flashed, a blaze of blinding white power incinerating everything in front of her, centering on the pale pony. When the light dimmed, the room was reduced to a char, it’s contents destroyed and smoldering. And Death remained unfazed.

“Told you,” she said with chagrin. “Instead of being angry, why don’t you spend these last few moments with her instead of fighting me.”

“You will NOT get to her. These are NOT our last moments! I will--”

The single touch of a hoof stopped her words. Celestia turned to see Luna smiling at her, her hoof resting on her withers, shaking her head slowly. “No. It is my time, Tia. She is right. I want this moment to be something good. Not something dark and regretful. There has been too much of that between us in the past.”

“Luna, no! I can’t lose you. I just found you! We just...we just got married.” Tears fell unbidden from Celestia’s eyes. No sounds of sobbing or sniffling came with them, just an honest expression of the moment.

“I know. I know.” Her hoof came up to her sister’s face, brushing away the sadness. “And I know that I will always remember this day, and the feeling that I have for you right now, no matter where I go.”

“You can’t leave me. Not now!” Celestia begged.

Luna smiled. “Would it help if I told you that I was plotting the best way to usurp your throne?”

Celestia shook her head. “You’re lying.”

“I am not, actually. I have been working on a way to dethrone you,” she answered. “Now, I was never going to actually DO it, but I was was figuring out the best way to make it happen.”

“Wh-what am I going to do without you?” Celestia asked.

“Keep your throne for one thing,” she announced, hoping to lighten the mood. “And you shall have to find a new arch-enemy. I recommend the changeling. I do not like her, and hope that you crush her like the bug she is.”

“Luna, be serious!” Celestia snapped. “You’re acting like this is nothing.”

Lowering her head, Luna tapped her horn against her sister’s, feeling the spark that arced out between them in her soul. “No, Tia, this is everything. This moment is the whole of our lives. The remainder of our being. What you will carry with you of me for the rest of your days.” She bent up, bringing her lips to Celestia’s, letting them linger for longer than a moment.

“And this is goodbye,” Luna said as she pulled back. “Close your eyes.”

“No! No, I don’t want--”

“Tia. Please, close your eyes. It is better this way,” Luna stated softly.

“I love you,” Celestia poured her being into those three words.

“And I love you,” Luna countered with equal feeling.

“I won’t say goodbye, Luna. This isn’t goodbye,” Celestia said, “but I will do as you ask.”

With painful slowness, the sun goddess lowered her eyelids, letting the image of Luna slowly set from her view. She stood there silently, her breath shallow and desperate, waiting to hear another word from her beloved. She waited what seemed to be a number of eternities before her patience could hold no more.

“Luna?” she asked softly.

“She’s gone,” the pale pony answered.

Her eyes burst open, scanning the room, and finding no sign of her sister. “Where--where is her...where is she?”

“It doesn’t work that way. There is no body,” Death explained. “She was a being of primal force. The essence of the night. What body could be left from that?”

Celestia nodded, falling back onto her haunches, her strength leaving her completely. The pale pony moved over to sit beside her.

“It’s going to be okay,” Death offered. “I mean, it’s not ideal, I know, but this is the sort of thing that mortal ponies deal with all the time.”

“We are not mortal ponies. I have become accustomed to you taking them from my life, but...this is different,” Celestia’s voice cracked.

“You made a mess of this room,” the pale pony stated, staring forward. “This is gonna cost you.”

“I don’t care. I don’t even know if I will ever leave this room. What is the point?” she replied.

The pale pony nodded. “Yeah, staying in a burnt out shell of a room sounds like a good future to me, too.”

“Do not mock me, Death. I may not be able to destroy you, but I am still not to be trifled with,” Celestia turned to look at the other pony in the room.

“I know. Just trying to lighten the mood,” she explained with a smile.

Celestia turned her head back to the ground, watching her tears fall one-by-one. “At least she’ll know peace in Elysium.”

“Uh...yeah. Or not,” Death answered carefully.

“What do you mean?” Celestia turned to face her again.

“Nightmare Moon was never going to make it into Elysium, Celestia. That’s not where she went,” she explained.

“What?” Celestia stood up with a start. “Are you telling me that she is in--”

“Tartarus. Yeah,” Death said plainly.

Her eyes lit up as Celestia stared at the incarnation of finality. Her neck straightened and her body rose to it’s full height. “Not for long.”

“Uh, that doesn’t sound so good,” the pale pony responded.

“I may not have been able to prevent her death, but I can prevent her torment. I will free her from Tartarus. By all that is holy, I swear she shall be saved,” Celestia’s horn lit up, signaling her binding oath.

“Okay, I know that’s not good.” Death stood up, dwarfed by the large alicorn. “Look, you can’t do it. What are you going to do? Drag her out of there and back into the land of the living? You won’t have time for that. Luna has to be here to serve as the avatar of the moon, or she will be replaced. At the next moonrise a new incarnation of the night will come into being. You will have a new sister. You know that.”

“It won’t be Luna. I want Luna back. I will not know that she is suffering.” Celestia turned and walked towards the window, Death right beside her.

“But the journey into Tartarus is long and difficult, as you know. You could never get there and out with her before the next moonrise,” the pale pony explained.

“You are wrong. I have more than enough time,” Celestia turned towards the pony and smiled. “Especially since I have no intention of raising the sun until I get her back.”

“Yeah, like nothing could go wrong there,” Death chided.

“I am the goddess of the sun. If I say that it doesn’t rise, then it will not,” Celestia said. She turned back to the window, and her horn once again came to life, a blinding light shooting out into the Las Pegasus sky as the window and wall in front of her was burned into ash.

“You know she’s not going to let her go easily,” Death stated.

“I do,” a somber tone echoed at the back of Celestia’s words. “But I will not let that stop me. Goodbye, Death. Pray that we do not meet again.”

Leaping from the hole, she took to wing, with hundreds of gathered ponies staring up with words of awe and wonder as their living goddess flew out into the night sky. Death watched her move towards the horizon, finally becoming a dot in the distance, no different from any other star in the night sky.

“Well,” Death said to herself, “that went even better than planned.”

* * * * * * *

Cadance and Twilight stared out of the window, watching the horizon with eager anticipation. It took them hours to cast the spell, moving the focus of the previous spell onto themselves and setting up the spell’s end, and they were both exhausted from the effort. But once finished, they were able to put all the seals and locks into place, securing them in Celestia’s personal fortress. No pony could get to them and no pony knew where they were. Now all they had to do was wait for the day to come and go. They sat in silence, as they had for some time, watching for daybreak.

It was already an hour past the point of sunrise. Or at least when the sun was supposed to rise, and the night showed no signs of changing. The stars were firm in their place in the heavens.

“Well,” Cadance stated with a sigh, “that’s not good.”

Twilight turned to look at the princess, her mane frazzled and frayed. “GEE? YA THINK?!”

...to be continued.