Ch01 - To Start at the Beginning

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While walking home one afternoon, when I hear a whooshing noise from an alley between two buildings. I look at the origin of the noise to see what it is, but also strap off my back-up incase of unexpected attackers

Inside of the alley is a softly glowing orb, all the colors of the rainbow shimmering across its surface.

"What is that?"

The orb continues to glow, sitting on top of a small pile of garbage bags. It looks like it fell. I walk on over to pick up the orb carefully, reaching for it with curiosity.

“Huh, I wish I could find out what this thing does.”

As my fingers explore the glassy surface, a strange energy begins to stream through my body, making everything from my fingertips to my toes tingle.

Moments later, I pass out, only to awaken in a bed.

My eyes flutter open, and the light is soft. The bed I am laying in seems more like a comfortable pile, soft and plush. The walls of the room seem to be in are made of some white, cottony substance, and as I look about, I realize that the 'bed' I’m in is also made of this stuff.

I-is this... Is this clouds? I think it is. Only makes sense with all of it being the same. I look around the room, trying to ascertain where I am.

A small window shows a beautiful vista, with a sprawling valley below. There appears to be furniture of some sort, sculpted of the same material as the rest. I hear a soft, feminine voice from nearby, speak.

"Hello? Are you awake?"

I turn, and see what appears to be a pony walk into the room, bouncing slightly off of the floor as she moves. I assume it’s a she by the voice, and she just moves in a feminine way. As she walks past the window, a bright gleam catches my eye, and I see that she has a magnificent pair of beautiful, awe-inspiring, lovely wings, in a similar style as a butterfly. In shades of gold, green, and orange, they stand out as the sunlight glints off their glossy facets.

The mare herself is a soft, butter-yellow, and has a flowing green mane.

I lay there looking at the perfect sight before my eyes. The beauty leaves me in a trance mixed in with the perfect timing of the sun. All I can do is attempt a response at the wondrous mare in front of my eyes.

"Yes... Who are you?"

I say in a soft voice not wanting her to move away from the perfect pose. Her wings flutter slightly as she steps closer, and her kind face now just a short distance from my own.

"I'm Breeze-Heart. I saw you yesterday, laying in the Valley. You looked hurt, and I couldn't bear the thought of another pony being hurt, so I brought you back here."

Her voice is melodious, and soft, and the breeze from her wings is just heavenly- but wait, what did she mean, another pony? I'm a human, right?

"Uh... Wait, a pony? No I'm a human male. I just found this orb and ended up here. How can I be a pony?"

The closeness of her face sends my cheeks into a light blush

"O-oh, I'm sorry, I've never heard of the Human clan of pegasi. I-I didn't mean to offend."

She shrinks back from me, looking a bit worried. I look down at my own body out of shame hoping I wasn't a pony as I panned my head down slowly

Sure enough, she's right. I appear to be a pony, with a light purple coat, and you can see a few strands of white and cream hair from what I have to presume is my mane. On top of all that is a set of wings, the feather's color fading from light purple to near-white at the tips.

"Uh...."

I can’t say much at the sudden change in body

"I am sorry there Breeze-Heart. I didn't realize I was an actual pony"

I move my front forehooves around. She looks at me quizzically.

"Uhm, I'm sorry. A-are you well? D-do you need some help with anything? I-I'm sorry I don't know where your clan is, I'm not very good at keeping track of the pegasi. My mother says that we should be careful around you, but you don't look too dangerous."

She eeps as she realizes what she just said.

"I-I-I didn't mean to insult you! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!"

She is now rearing back on the cloudy floor, obviously scared of either me or my reputation I suppose.

“I'm not in any clan."

My body carries me over to the now hiding mare that makes land on the cloud floor. A hoof of mine extends to pat her back gently and reassuringly that I am no threat.

Unfortunately, as I try to walk, all of my joints feel weird, resulting in my painful collapse to the cloudy floor. As I try to untangle myself, Breeze-Heart hurries over and untangles me, apologizing profusely.

"I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to be so inhospitable. J-just please sit down, I don't want you to get injured!"

She seems awfully frightened for a mare with a nearly handicapped colt in her home.

"How did I get like this? ow"

"I-I tried to get you home, but I wasn't strong enough, s-s-so I used my fluttermagic to help. I'm sorry, I know it's against the treaty, but I was just trying to get you safe!"

She looks to be on the verge of tears. All I can do is look at her and nearly make my own tears.

"P-please don't cry. Whenever I see other ponies cry, I tend to as well."

Deciding not to push the treaty part...

"I would give you a hug if I could."

She looks at you, still looking a little fearful.

"A... A hug? I... uhm, o-okay, j-just don't take my family away!"

She says the last part in a rush, and hugs you, burying her face in your chest.

"There, there. Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise" My forehooves try to hug her back

She just sniffles.

"A-as you say. I-I'll do whatever you want, just please... don't hurt my family."

She continues to shiver in your grasp, until she knocks me over, landing on top of me.

"Please?"

I pull her close, and just hug her. Though she seems to think there's more at ha-hoof, she soon settles into my embrace, her wide, sparkling wings waving slowly as she drifts to sleep. Strangely, I feel tired as well, yawning and falling asleep with her.

The next morning, you awake to find that Breeze-Heart isn't in the room with me.

I take in a deep sigh an attempt to get up again.

"It was the right thing to do Zach..."

Again tumbling off my legs as I try to stand on limbs with joints that work entirely wrong, forcing me to struggle to get up. Several minutes later, I've finally figured out how to stand and get up on my own, though walking still has not yet revealed its secret to me.

As I try standing again, I hear a gasp from one side of the room, and see that a previously blank wall had been pulled open into a door.

Standing in the doorway is Breeze-Heart, along with a slightly older looking mare, also with butterfly wings, and a similar coloration. The only difference is that her wings are in gold, blue, and green.

I look over at the two beautiful ponies

"Hey there."

"Greetings, scout of Clan Human, in the name of our village. I am Whispering Wind, and you've already met my daughter, Breeze-Heart. I trust she has been as accommodating to your desires, sir?"

The older mare's voice is calm, but I can detect an undercurrent of mild fear, or perhaps merely apprehension.

"Consider no debt incurred, sir, we have no wish to hold you to our village if you want to leave."

"No.. no, it's fine here. I wish no harm to be done here either to such a lovely place. You're daughter has been harmless, so everything is in order"

The older mare nods.

"As you wish. I assume you will need a resupply. My daughter mentioned that she is unsure of where your clan is roosting, and I must admit that I hadn't heard of your clan before today, either. May I ask when you are, ah, intending to leave?"

"Um..."

I go blank on what to say.

"N-no... I'm thinking of staying here for a little while. Change and scenery and all"

I try to smile sincerely at the two mares. The older mare's expression is stony, but Breeze's is stricken, like she isn't sure if she should run or not.

"As you wish, sir. As the treaty states, we are at your service in interim. Whatever you need, merely ask."

The older mare states this all with an emotionless voice, before turning and stepping out, her wings fluttering slightly as she walks.

"W-will you be needing-"

Breeze gulp in the middle of her sentence.

"-anything?"

She still sounds scared in spite of how nice I was. What is going on here?

"Uh... a-another hug!"

I just stand there still unable to hug yet wince at my somewhat harsh commands I yell at her. Breeze fearfully steps up to you, wrapping you in an embrace. She smells nice, like kiwi fruit. Several hours later, after she has brought me food, fruits and vegetables arranged in spectacular arrays. She asks a question, though it’s obviously bothering her.

"Would you like any of the... specialty? The stuff for the pegasi only, I mean."

"The stuff for only pegasi? What is it exactly? This seems fine to me."

I start to eat at the fruits first, and she lets out a breath she had evidently been holding.

"N-nevermind, it's unimportant, sir. I hope you enjoy the food, it's the best we can offer."

I continue to eat the food but see there is far too much for me on my own.

"Care to have some?"

She looks torn, as if she's supposed to say one thing, and wants to say the other.

"Uhm, only if you want me to, sir."

I pat a hoof on an empty spot.

"Come join me, there is too much for me to finish"

I smile at her warmly

She smiles shakily back, then climbs onto the spot next to you cautiously. Settling in, in a different way than I did (realizing I sat like a human entirely by reflex. Maybe that explains Lyra?) Breeze tentatively reaches for what looks like and orange, already peeled. She brings it carefully to her mouth, delicately nibbling at the fruit. She peeks adorably over the round top of the orange.

I reach over for a few grapes and eat them individually slowly. I then look over at Breeze-Heart and blush at how she is action so adorably. I soon forget my appetite and only look at her. She blushes, and tries to hide behind the half-orange remaining.

"Y-yes? What is it?"

"You look so cute. Why are you action like that?"

"C-cute?"

She squeaks the word like it's a threat.

"I-I'm just trying to be a-a-accommodating."

She shrinks down behind the orange some more, no longer nibbling the fruit.

"Oh... I'm so sorry if I scared you... c-can you please keep nibbling on that orange?”

I go back to eating in an attempt to show the mare I am not a threat. She jerkily goes back to eating the orange, her eyes never leaving you as she sits there. Soon growing full after a few minutes of eating the fruits, I look back at her. She's working on a seventh orange, and clearly hasn't been eating any of the other food.

"I see you really like oranges there."

"Uhm, as you say, sir."

She really seems timid, and half the words she says now are whispered. I can only look at the display and smile at it.

"Enough with the sir stuff... call me Zach."

"Of course, Scout Zach. It shall be as you say."

"And... enough of that as well. I am just a hu-pony. I do not own you. You can say as you feel."

"Y-yes si- uh, Zach. M-may I be excused, then?"

"...What did I say? Enough with that stuff. Be open."

"Uhm, you ordered that I not address you by rank or title, Zach. I shall try to do better."

"For now on, you do not take commands from me."

She just looks confused.

"S- Zach?"

"Yes?"

"I-I don't understand. I-Isn't that a command? So, wouldn't I have to disobey that by obeying your orders?"

She just looks perplexed, and is fidgeting nervously. I sigh as I try to explain.

"You are free, you do not take order from me"

"I-I don't understand."

She sniffles, and turns, rolling off the cushions and fleeing the room, a confused glance over her shoulder as the only recognition. She's crying.

"Ah crap"

I slowly walk following her trail now feeling guilty on the inside. As I begin wandering the cloud-house, I realize how hard it is to find anything when the doors look like walls and the the walls all look the same. In fact, I can't find anything but my own room, as that's the only room with its 'door' still open. I can only walk into it being there there is no other option to head to

"How do they navigate this place?"

After waiting for several hours, the sun finally begins to set once more. Breeze still hasn't returned. All I do is lay on the bed crying softly.

"W-what did I do wrong?"

Eventually, I cry myself to sleep. The next morning, I’m awakened to a stern-looking Whispering Wind standing in the doorway.

"I wish to apologize for the actions of my offspring, and the displeasure she caused you. To repay the insult, her life is now in your hooves, sir, to do with as you please."

A scared looking Breeze peeks out from behind her mother, and trots to me.

"As per the code, she is no longer Breeze Heart, and is now merely Breeze. May she serve you better this time, sir."

Whispering Wind bows deeply and steps backwards out of the room, closing the 'door' behind her with a flap of her wings. Breeze turns to me, head and ears down.

"Oh no... I-I'm so sorry Breeze."

I open up my hooves to invite her into a hug. She apparently doesn't see my gesture and continues to sit there. I also realize that all the color has faded from her wings. So I instead get up and hug her myself

"I'm so sorry"

I just hold her in my hooves as comforting as I can be, She leans against me slightly, then does the oddest thing.

She kisses me, out of nowhere, and wraps her hooves around my shoulders.

My eyes go wide at the feeling of the twist. Instead of fighting back, I push against her to kiss back. She pushes me onto my back, still locking lips with me. I feel an odd sensation as I hear a twin "FWUMP!" sound. Looking fromt he corner of my eye, I realize my wings are straight out at either side of me.

Her wings, dull gray, begin filling with color, a soft purple and a pale cream, like the colors of my coat and mane.

I look at her wings curiously and wonder why they are changing suddenly, but I can only still kiss her. Finally, she breaks off the kiss, and rolls carefully onto her back, her wings spread beneath her.

"Anything you wish of me, is yours. I am entirely at your disposal."

Her voice cracks partway through, but she seems less scared now.

"Why are your wings changing."

I ask with my cheeks rosy red. She turns her head to look at them, then turns back.

"A Flutter-Pony's wings match her family colors, and I am now yours. Unless, that is, you would prefer me to be gray-winged?"

Her wings have regained their shiny coloration, and are now a light, metallic violet, with cream symbols in them and white arcs outlining them.

"They look so beautiful like that Breeze. So... are you ever going to be with your mother's family again?"

I crawl on over to her still staring at the wings. She turns her head away, but embraces me.

"I don't have a mother now. I'm yours, nopony else's."

"Wow... You have an interesting society here."

I use a hoof to pull her face to face my own, locking my eyes straight with hers.

"And it's a wonderful one here."

She looks me in the eyes, still unsure, then simply kisses me and closes her eyes. I feel something warm inside. More than anything, I feel the need to protect her, and to keep her safe from anything.

My own eyes close as well, and I wrap my hooves around her neck as this strange feeling sets in my heart. I still hold the kiss as determination takes hold of me to keep this mare safe. Another warm feeling overtakes me, this one a bit more external, as one of her hooves strokes my wing, and my feel something stirring.

The wing she stokes shakes in excitement. My mouth and tongue feel an urge to get more of her own. I press down harder upon the mare and force my tongue into her mouth. She squeals, and presses harder against my body, and I feel her back legs hook around my own. As my newly-acquired stallionhood attests, I definitely feel something for Breeze.

She breaks the kiss to speak.

"Whatever pleases you, sir, is yours, by my own free will."

Her forehooves then stroke my wings and flank, causing pleasant sensations to race through my mind. My breathing goes irregular for the first few moments of her sensational stroking. My mouth moves down to kiss her neck as I feel more sensations building up in my body.

A forehoof of my own travels down her left wing and it stroke it as I kiss and lick as her neck in slow but passionate patterns. She winces and jerks away from the touch at her wing, but then she moans at my ministrations. She casually pulls at my flanks grinding my now-sensitive and exposed member against her belly.

"I-I may not have a-any right to d-demand, but p-please don't tease me much longer."

Her breathing is tight and erratic, and she's moving sensually across my body as I continue my performance on her neck.

Deciding to give in to her demand, the lower half of my body pulls away from her belly. My erect member now aims directly at the open crevice of her slit and slides in with ease.

During that time, the ministrations on her flank continue on along with the pleasing on her neck showing no end in sight. When the shaft enters into her however, everything takes a sudden motion of hardness as I twitch upon breaching her inner sanctum.

She squeaks, and winces with pain for a moment, before softening into my embrace. While her wing seems to be bothering her slightly, she gives in, sliding fully onto my erect member, whimpering as I bottom out in her.

She then begins moving in tandem with me, and, for a moment, I could swear I felt my heart and hers beat in time with each other. She pulls I close to her as I begin my movements, and she strokes my mane and left wing.

My eyes open with the pure bliss of her feeling, and they look into hers deeply to make sure I get approval to continue on. I soften the ministrations on her flank.

She shudders, though with fear or ecstasy, I'll never know, as she embraces me and takes me in stride. With a grunt, she thrusts her tongue into my mouth and holds me close, the thrumming of our two hearts perfectly synchronized.

Seeing the approval in her embrace and sudden kiss, my hips begin to make a motion of slow and long patterns that send pleasure, not only through my body, but her as well. My tongue dances around with hers as I keep going.

Slowly gyrating against me, and squeaking softly into my mouth, her hooves holding her tightly to me. My body shivers over as I feel the wonders of her insides, her tongue, body, everything about her. Those motions I made earlier with my hips soon grow a little harder, and just a tiny bit faster over the course of two minutes

She responds in kind, and I feel a tickling sensation, heralding a climax, all too soon. The shivers return once my climax is reached very early on in the process. For a good long while, I still continue my motions of thrusting but they don't grow, which in turn don't increase my pleasure. I stay like this wondering if I should continue on or just stop altogether.

Strangely, after you climax, you don't feel any more tired for the feelings of filling her. She gasps and burrows her face into your shoulder, heralding her own climax, as she continues to move against me.

My face turns red after I fill her, but I still push forward now going in harder, calling to climax again within her.

Seeing my blushing face, she licks your cheek, wraps her legs around me, her rear legs locking my hips to hers as she shudders and begins thrusting against my hard, and I feel myself coming close to another climax.

The lick only increases the blood flow into my own cheeks. The feeling of everything she does to me which makes me shudder in pleasure. That is the final kick needed until I climax into her again.

She moans as I fill her again, and this time I feel my seed beginning to leak from her. She's moving faster now, wriggling underneath me as she holds me tight to her. Just this movement prompts another cascade from me,though, and I feel my shaft pulse as the climaxes begin to mesh together, the rest of the time feeling like a blur, as I ride from one crest to the next.

Finally, the two of us collapse, the slick of our combined juices soaked into the clouds below us and filling the air with the pervading smell of sex.

She is somehow on top of me now, but I can't remember when, or how many times we rolled over. All I know is that I’m still buried to the hilt in her, and she doesn't seem to mind.

I lounge the cloud bed with my wing still spread out and my breathing hard. All I do is look into her beautiful eyes and give her a, deep kiss.

She kisses back weakly.

Even though we started around noon, the stars are out now, and the moon is providing the light for the room.

Within moments, Breeze is asleep. Her gentle breathing is a comfort, but a few things keep nagging at me: why the sudden turnaround? And what was that about a treaty? It sounds like the pegasi around here have some type of agreement with these butterfly-ponies, but it doesn't sound too fair for the butterfly-ponies.

I only watch her sleep and wonder in my thoughts. One thing is clear though. I make a promise in my heart to fix the relations between the two tribes of species for the greater good of ponykind.

Slowly drifting to sleep myself, I thankfully bear no dreams of my own, and rest peacefully. During the night's slumber, my wings fold in automatically as I sleep. When the sun rises the next morning a gradually open my eyes

Around the room, I see that Breeze is still in my embrace, and that, at some point, I pulled out, as my member has returned to its sheath. Along with this, my seed has spilled out, and coated the ‘bed’ in its sticky spread.

Breeze mumbles something in her sleep, and snuggles closer to me.

I smile at the feeling and keep her held there for the longest of time, not caring of the residue on the ‘bed’. I look around the room to see if anything has changed at all, though it hasn’t. Or, wait...

The view outside has changed, and it’s much closer to the valley than I remember. I look at the view strangely.

“What the? How did we get there?”

She sounds frightened and evasive.

“No, no. It think we’ve moved a little from out last spot. Look outside.”

I point a hoof out the window to show a valley. She simply glances out, then wraps her forelegs around me.

She sounds desperate, like she expects me to do something, or realize something, or be angry about something.

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

I look at her.

“Unless the cloud houses move, this isn’t normal. I’m curious as to what is going on outside”

I look out the window again to see if anything else has changed, but there’s nothing I can tell that is different, beyond the height and the lack of any other clouds nearby. As I turn around, I see that Breeze is sitting, an ashamed look on her face.

“Please, if you must, blame me. It was my ignorance that was the insult, and I simply did not wish my family harmed. I- I am yours to punish as you see fit.”

She looks almost defiant, but also immensely sad.

“Why on earth would I punish you Breeze? I blame myself for making you cry. But still, that doesn’t answer for the fact why we are changing the view on the valley”

I hug her dearly in an attempt to comfort and reassure her.

“There is no way I could ever punish you Breeze.”

She sniffs.

“A-as you wish, sir. Sorry, Zach.”

I only sigh at her display

“Come on, let’s get some air and a little bit of a cleaning.”

I break the embrace gently and stretch once I’m on all fours. As I stumble around, trying to find my balance, Breeze trots over and gently braces me. She guides me to the corner of the cloud room, the part with a darker ceiling.

She reaches up and taps the section of cloud sharply, causing water to pour down. She carefully helps me in, and steps in as well, her wings drooping in the wetness. She picks up a sponge in her teeth, and starts gently wiping me down.

I feel a blush start rising to my cheeks, and as she brings the sponge close to my back legs, I feel something start to react to her presence. With a sensation rising and my sword unsheathing I turn my body around and wrap my hooves around the back of her neck, pulling her into a deep kiss. She moans passionately into me, and I feel her voice as it vibrates along my tongue.

Suddenly, she ducks, and passes under me. I gasp as I feel her tongue swipe across the tip of my member, and I can intimately tell that it has a flared end. Not sure how to stand, I place my hooves carefully on her shoulders as she takes the tip into her mouth.

My body shivers as I feel her hot mouth envelop more along my shaft. An automatic response of mine is to rub her shoulders while she works wonders along the my member.

She twitches, and I feel her tongue swirl around the flared rim of my tip, and she starts humming, the gentle vibrations making me almost slip as my muscles turn to jelly. She pulls away, and I carefully step down. Then, she pushes me down, onto my back, and resumes putting her mouth to work on my member.

My teeth jitter at the sudden change in position Breeze forced me into. Happily accepting it though, I stroke her back, trying to maintain my composure through the sensations. As she pressed up, I feel my vocal cords release her name in pleasured tones.

She moans back, the vibrations sending shivering pulses of pleasure up my spine. I find myself grabbing her flanks and dragging her hips closer on instinct. Something about her scent is absolutely irresistible.

I tell her to move her mouth away from my throbbing shaft. She doesn’t seem to hear me, though, and simply dives further onto it, and I feel my tip touch the back of her throat... and keep going.

The sounds my mouth releases only rises in volume as I feel my first climax near, and she simply laps wildly with her tongue at the middle of my shaft, the tip buried in her throat, where she’s trying to swallow, the contracting movements bringing me closer to exploding.

I feel the motions carry me over, and I feel my throbbing stallionhood finally release its load deep down her throat, which makes my voice cry out her name in an ecstasy of pleasure. She simply swallows, then comes up for air as you peak again from the motion, finishing all over her face.

I feel the blush in my cheeks rise again as I look at her dirty face. My breathing goes hard as well. Once it catches up to a normal pattern, I picked up her body and begin to scrub her down very slowly with the sponge she used on me. Her aroma filled my nostrils, and she wiggles enticingly as I do so. After several more minutes, the two of us are finally clean, with Breeze providing a careful tongue bath for my still erect member.

She lays on top of me, the shower cloud now off, and she settles carefully onto me, the tight walls clamping furiously to my shaft. Then, instead of pumping, she simply lays on me.

“A-are you sure you want to go outside right now? It’s plenty comfortable r-right here”

She looks at me with huge, round eyes, and I simply can’t say no to that face. especially not after what that face has done for/to me. So I simply hold her, and we sit on the floor, slowly drying together.

Ch02 - On the Ground

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Laying together on the absorbent floor of the room, Breeze and I eventually disentangle. Breeze rolls over carefully so as not to damage her wings, and asks,

“Would you like me to bring you some food, master Zach?”

“I’m not your master Breeze, but yet I would like a little bit of food.”

I look right at her eyes as I asked my simple request. She bows in response, and replies, “Yes master. As you say. But I am a part of your family now, and you are the stallion, making you my master by default.”

“That may be true, but I prefer to be called ‘Zach’ alone.”

She bows again, and ducks out of the room, leaving me alone for several minutes. afterwards, she comes back in, carrying a plate with a wreath of roses and a pile of fruits inside it, on her back. She carefully lifts the platter and sets it in front of me again, as before.

My mouth drools out about the sight of the fruits and roses. My mind does question why roses were on there, but I wasn’t about to complain about her cuisine. My hooves goes after an apple first. I marvel at the delicious taste my tongue perceives. It’s a bit like an apple as I remember it, but a more tart than the red skin would suggest. I find myself devouring the entire thing, core and all, and spitting out the seeds, which pass harmlessly through the cloud.

Both of my hooves move to the platter again to pick up a peeled orange, the whitish remnants of the peel still clinging to it. It’s juicy and sweet, with a tiny edge of bitter that brings out the rest of the flavor. Looking up from my half-eaten orange, I see that Breeze is just standing there, not joining in.

“Breeze, surely you’re hungry as well. We haven’t ate anything this entire morning, come and join me; this food is so delicious.”

She looks at you, then nods and steps daintily over to the platter, cautiously nibbling a rose from the edge. She sits down, pony-style, and reaches carefully for a lemon, lifting it with only one hoof. She carefully half-peels it with her teeth, and then eats the lemon through that.

“How did you do that with one hoof? That’s not physically possible!”

I stare at her in bewilderment, it’s not possible to lift an object with only one hoof that has no way to pick things up!

“I-I just picked it up. C-can’t you?”

Breeze whimpers, and back away from the table. My guilt hits me at her stammering and it sinks me further at the whimpering.

“N-no I can’t. I didn’t mean to sound so rude Breeze. It just looks impossible to me.”

She looks at you with concern, then looks back at the half-eaten lemon in her hoof. Unsure of what to say, she returns to eating it.

I also resume my eating at the orange once she returns to eating. My head was now begging to know how it was possible to pick up object with one hoof. I look closely at the hoof, maybe it could give me a hint. Unfortunately, this inspection of my hoof does not provide any answers, though the orange is tasty.

“So... Where are we?”

I look up from my orange and gaze directly into her beautiful, sky blue eyes.

“Uhm, we’re- uh, we’re, uhm...”

She’s nervously looking back and forth, refusing to meet my eyes.

“We.. uhm...”

“We’re um what?”

She hunches her shoulders and ducks her head, looking away from you.

“We’re... descending into the valley. The village left, so that they can be safely away, in case your clan seeks to take them. P-please don’t be angry... They just want to be safe.”

She looks up at you, her eyes watering slightly and her ears flat against her head.

My body carries me over to hug the mare dearly within my hooves.

“I’m not angry Breeze, please don’t cry. Can I visit this village? I promise no attack is in order.”

She shakes her head. “I-I can’t. I don’t know where the village is headed, I wasn’t t-told.”

She’s starting to cry anyways, and wipes her eyes.

“I-I’m sorry, master Zach, I’m t-trying not to cry.”

Seeing her tears shatters my heart in every way, worse knowing it is my fault at the same time. All I could do was nuzzle her cheek reassuringly that I am not angry at Breeze.

She nuzzles you back, and even kisses you on the cheek, before looking away again.

“I-I should probably tell you... Uhm, we only have a little more food, no more than four or five meals worth, even if we b-both didn’t eat much. Uhm, this means... we’ll have to go to,” she gulps, and starts breathing a little faster, a panicked look in her eyes as she turns to face me, “the ground.”

“W-what’s wrong with the ground? It’s nice down there... I think.”

I’m not sure myself, I am in a new world after all. I still didn’t even know how to walk without help.

“C-can you also teach me how to walk again?”

She looks at you oddly.

“Y-you can’t remember how to walk? Oh, I’m so sorry! I n-never even thought to ask if you were alright!”

She squeals, and carefully nudges me, helping move the platter as she helps me stand. I clamber to my hooves, and stand shakily, as she nudges and nuzzles my legs into the right position, and it quickly becomes easier to stand.

After that, she spends the rest of the evening alternating feeding me and helping me learn to walk, though I still have trouble moving any faster than a casual trot, and that’s really tiring. And I still don’t have any clue how my wings are supposed to work, Breeze just flaps her wings and she rises, it’s obviously some kind magic.

“Alright, that’s all I can teach you today. We... we should get some sleep, the cloud house isn’t going to stay up much longer, and we need to rest after all this.”

My eyes look at her in shock. The house not being here much longer?

“What’s happening Breeze? What do you mean by that?”

“The house is going to continue drifting down, until it hits the ground. Then, it’s going to fall apart. We need to leave before then, and we only have until about noon tomorrow.”

She shuffles her hooves a bit.

“Well... once we do hit the ground, where would we go? I’m not familiar with this part of the country.”

I walk over to her with a bit of concern. She nuzzles me cautiously, and helps me over to the bed.

“I-I’m not sure. The Flutterkin rarely go to the ground any more, and our village moves a lot. We’d been here for a while, though, because there was a lot of fruit trees around here. I think I know where a stream is.”

She kisses me on the ear, a surprisingly sensitive spot, and continues.

“But don’t worry about that. I’m sure we’ll be fine. For now, let’s just be together.”

She snuggles up close to me, laying on my chest and fluttering her wings slowly as she slowly starts to sleep. Just before she passes out, she kisses me deeply on the mouth, and I savor the moment. Eventually, we both sleep.

The following morning comes around, with the sun breaching into my closed eyes. I open them up and squint seeing that the sun was beaming into them. My head turns to the side and they open again to show the cloudy house was nearly at the tops of the trees, a pine and deciduous forest below me.

Seeing as how Breeze wasn’t on me anymore, my eyes dart around to search for her anymore. Panic rushes through my body. How can we be so close already!?

“Breeze!”

“Yes, master Zach?”

Her voice rings out from another part of the cloud house, but I’m not sure exactly where. Looking around and climbing to my hooves, I slowly make my way to the door, and put my hooves up to try opening the wall. To my surprise, the cloud parts easily, with just a bit of resistance, like pulling apart the fake spider-webbing from Halloween. On the other side is another opened doorway, with a bag of some kind held in her mouth.

You recognize its coloration, being exactly the same as your backpack, but the shape is all wrong.

“That looks like my bag. How did you get a hold of it?”

Not that it mattered anyway since it only held things related to school... and my laptop.

“Y-your bag was next to you when I found you, as well as your scouting garments. D-do you need help putting them on?”

Breeze says, as adorably flustered as usual.

“Y-yes actually please”

I have no idea what I would use the contents for, but maybe it will come in handy soon. The laptop would probably score me all the mares! Or at least convince them I’m a wizard.

Breeze steps forward, and fishes something out of the bag. Oddly, it looks my clothes, but not quite the same shapes. She tugs and pulls, and eventually the shirt is on, a plain blue t-shirt I had been wearing. With a little help, she also gets my jacket on me, and I’m surprised again when I find that there’s holes in the back for my wings.

Then comes the underwear and pants, and she seems very... eager... to help me put them on. Tugging with just her mouth, pulls them into place, and I blush furiously at the attention. Afterwards, she helps me put on the jeans, and I find that there’s a button set on the back to hold it over my tail. In the end, I’m mostly covered, and it does feel kind of like being armored after not having them on for so long. The once-a-backpack has somehow turned into a pair of saddlebags, my school supplies nestled safely within as Breeze helps tie them in place.

I must admit that I felt much warmer being back in my old clothing. Never realized how much colder it was getting. My head turns to see Breeze still clothless and showing off her silky coat and wings.

“Do you need any clothes? It’s getting a little cold.”

“W-what? N-no, I’m fine. I wouldn’t want any confusion about my station. A-anyways, we should get off the house soon, before it’s too dangerous or dark.”

“Agreed there. How do we do that?”

I ask, looking straight at her. She looks out a window, a lonely, tall pine’s tip just reaching the window.

“Do you remember how to fly?”

‘Uh... no, I don’t. I hit my head really hard when I crashed.”

She looks at you with concern, and thinks for a moment.

“Alright, then here’s what we’ll do, master Zach. If you’ll allow me to use my magic, I can carry you down. It’s only a few hundred hooves to the ground now.”

They have magic now? What’s next, Unicorns that can float themselves?

“That would be fine Breeze, I could really use it.”

She nods and gestures to her back.

“P-please be gentle, my wings are really fragile.”

Finally being able to walk, I climb onto her back. She squeaks softly when one of my hooves accidentally touches a wing, but I manage to avoid them for the most part. She trots over to the edge of the house, and stands on a balcony-like structure, and I can see that the trees are right under the house now. Her wings flutter, and a puff of glitter rises from them. The glitter, in violet and white, settles onto my coat, and begins to tingle.

Breeze leaps from the deck and begins fluttering towards the ground, and everything feels so slow as she carries me down. Moments later, we arrive on the forest floor, and look up. There isn’t much of the cloud house left, and it’s becoming vaporous and transparent.

“Alright, you can get down now, if you want, master Zach.”

Being extra careful this time around, I got off of the Flutterkin without managing to touch her delicate wings. The ground feels strange on my hooves after the days on the cloud. Looking around, I see that the forest is still well-lit, and the sun is nearing the middle of the sky, directly overhead.

“We’re in a forest, so... shelter wise... you have any idea Breeze?”

My head looks around. Trees. Trees, and even more trees. Certainly was nice out here I must admit, wouldn’t mind settling down out here.

“I-I don’t know anything about the surface, just that this is where food comes from, when the village’s gatherers leave to collect it.”

I begin to walk. exploration would surely get us to some form of shelter. Plenty of daylight was left and no dangers were in sight, how hard could it be? The answer comes rather quickly, when I smack into something I can’t see. Trying to pull away does me no good, however, as I seem to be stuck.

“Wh-what’s going on?! Why can’t I move?! Breeze! Help me please!”

I start shaking. Fear rushes into my body as I struggled to move. My breathing also picks up it’s speed. I’m in a panic attack! Breeze rushes to my side, then gasps, and screams.

“Oh no! Please! W-we didn’t mean to trespass! Please let us go!”

A menacing voice whispers out from the shadows.

“Little butterfly, stuck in a web.

Can’t escape, gonna be dead.

Why, little fly, would you wander into my home, unless you meant to be lunch and dinner?”

“Web...”

My face looks down to see what’s containing me within it’s grasps. A thick cord of white material is sticking to the front of your shirt, but you might be able to simply tear it away. Turning your head, you see a massive, black-and-green spider, easily bigger than a tank, crawling down the trees towards Breeze, who is standing between you and the spider, rather than running.

“Little fly, why do stand between me and my little birdie snack? Do you wish to be devoured first, then?”

Breeze is visibly trembling.

“I-I don’t want to be eaten, and I don’t want him to be eaten, either! We’re not big enough to be meals, just let us leave? Please?”

My legs move back. I feel the shirt around me grow tense against my back and I see it stretch out. After a few step, I hear the satisfying sounds of my shirt tearing away from my body. I am free now, but that brought along new problems. Looking back at the monstrous spider, I realize that all its movements are slow, and deliberate, so it might not be able to turn if we run under it and escape that way. I may not be very good at running yet, but I can still try.

A hoof of mine grabs Breeze’s and I take off, dragging her behind me. She yelps and follows, but you can feel her terror.

“The little birdie-snack wishes to be devoured sooner? How gene- wait, stop! Come back!”

The spider’s voice loses its calm as Breeze and I dart under the thing’s legs, avoiding another strand of webbing as we run. The sound of the spider slowly turning behind us is a relief, as at least my assumption was correct. After several minutes of terrified running, I nearly collapse from exhaustion. Breeze falls on top of you, and you two lay, panting, on the ground. She embraces you, and gives you a long, meaningful hug.

I return the hug to her.

“T-thank you.”

I barely manage to get out from my deep, yet constant breathing. She saved me from something I would never have seen. I make sure I can repay her somehow in the future. In the meantime, she kisses me deeply, her tongue swishing against my own. She moans softly into my mouth, then pulls away.

“S-sorry, please forgive me being so forceful, m-master Zach.”

I felt my cheeks blush and return the gesture by giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

“It’s quite alright Breeze. Do you wish for us to do something here?”

“Uhm, sorry, I-I was just c-caught up in the moment. W-we should probably find somewhere to camp, for the night.”

My hooves gently push off Breeze and I get up onto all four of my hooves. Looking around, I notice there is a cave not too far from my right, the sides glistening with water. That’ll work for me.

“Will a cave suffice for us Breeze? It looks cozy enough. There’s also water there. I am quite parched myself.”

I ask, looking towards her. She nods, smiling as the two of us walk towards the cave. Walking feels much more natural now, though I’m still tripping on nothing every now and then; the habits of a lifetime of walking on two legs won’t die quietly.

We walk to the cave, and look inside. There are gemstones glimmering in the walls, and the floor is fairly smooth. A tiny, trickling stream fills a little groove in the rock at the base of one wall, the water clear and smooth as glass. The groove seems to widen further on, and the crystals are keeping the cave lit and oddly warm.

‘Wow... I’ve never seen a cave so... bright and filled up before. This place is beautiful.”

Breeze simply nods, and looks around the beautifully lit cave. she stands a little closer to me, as I begin walking further into the cave. The gentle turn and barely noticeable slope makes it difficult to gauge how far we’ve traveled, both down and away from the exit, as the cave twists and turns gently as it goes further into the earth, though at best guess I’ve traveled only a few hundred feet from the entrance. Suddenly, the groove lets out into a massive cavern, the roof studded with crystalline spires and a small, circular pool in the center.

“A pool too? How massive is this hollow? And better yet, why is it so full of crystals?”

My eyes were just glowing at the wide spectrum of the gems’ beauty, the sparkling pool. Breeze steps forward tentatively, and she steps over to the little stream, lapping at the water. She looks over at you, smiling widely.

“It-It’s delicious!”

Her voice squeaks with delight as she goes back to drinking from the tiny stream. Maybe drinking from the pool would be easier, though, and likely easier for you to get to without licking the stone floor.

Seeing as how she was enjoying it, I could too. I walk on over to the pool, and bend my head down to get a little drink of water.

As my lips touch the water, though, the water stretches up and presses a pair of lips against mine. Jerking back from the startling development, I see a portion of the pool heave itself out and onto the stone floor, taking the shape of an attractive mare. She stands up and begins walking towards me, a sultry look in eyes.

I back up away from her and towards Breeze. I really don’t want some... something coming up to me with that look in her eyes. I need Breeze, I need help, I need some water!

Breeze turns around, and sees the water-pony stalking towards me, looking horrified. She tries stepping between me and the water-mare, but the pony from the pool simply collapses into a pool of water.

Breeze sighs, evidently glad that the threat is gone... until the water mare reforms on the other side of her, directly in front of me. The clear pony has already slid over my back legs as I try backing away, still facing the creature as it pours up my pant legs, the garments sliding off of me.

Breeze turns around and screams in either fear or rage, it’s a little difficult to tell with a mare made of water pressing herself against me. Tiny vibrations and tender, fleeting touches massage my inner thighs, drawing and involuntary gasp from my lips. Through the watery mare’s form, I see Breeze leap in our direction, only to hit the back of the water mare on me and stick with a wet slap! noise.

The moist form of the mare slides around me, and presses her lips against mine, and a trickle of pure, delicious water slides down my throat, and her ‘hooves’ begin stroking my wings pleasurably. At about this time, I hear a moan from above me, and see that there’s tendrils of some sort holding her, and touching her. The sight is indescribably erotic, and the combination of the view and the vibrating massage of my crotch causes me to become erect, my member sliding from its sheath directly into the mare above me.

Her tender innards grasp me firmly, and ripples of material massage me and tighten in rhythm. The delighted moans of Breeze caress my ears even as the water-mare caresses my shaft.

This is too perfect! The pleasures of my wings and member at the same time mixing in with Breeze’s enjoyment, along with finally getting a drink! How could this get any better? The gooey mare continues to press against me, and I feel her cool body slowly warming, as the pulsations around my body begin to build.

With this situation, I feel myself reaching climax, as something like a tongue begins to work its way around my tip. Everything at once builds to a crescendo, and I begin to buck my hips as I blast into the confines of the watery mare on top of me. Several explosive orgasms later, she’s finally slowing down, and I look down, exhausted, so see that Breeze is being set down next to me. Reaching over, I set a hoof on the Flutterkin’s shoulder, and she rolls to me. We snuggle together as the water-pony slides on top of us, providing a warm blanket to sleep under.

Giving Breeze a good long kiss on the muzzle, I feel my eyes slowly become heavy with the combination of exhaustion and warmth provided by this water-pony, and close to fall into a deep and relaxing sleep.

Ch03 - Destiny and Disaster

View Online

Slowly cracking my eyes as I wake up, the gentle light of the crystals in the cave and warmth of the moist blanket and the pony I was snuggled with making it difficult to wake up fully.

I manage it however, despite how much I was against it. My eyes look around to see the same cave, with its beautiful interior and gentle flowing river. The watery pony still lays across me and Breeze, stretched out to cover us both. Now that I have more time to look, I see a large, white stain in her, probably from me. There’s also a ball-like structure, currently rather squashed, in her middle.

Carefully pulling out of the blanket and Breeze’s grasp, I stretch out my hooves. The things still felt a little awkward to walk on, but they were working with minimal trips over myself.

Looking around the cave, I look back to the pool. Curious to see if there’s anything else in the pool, I cautiously lean over it again. Nothing leaps out at me, so I carefully drink the water. Suddenly, my mind is clear, all traces of sleepiness wiped from my mind, a faint hint of lemon taste on my tongue.

Just as suddenly, I feel the world twist and fall away, and I see a group ponies standing on a mountainside, each of the six of them bearing some sort of trinket, and a rainbow beam swirls and pours forward, smashing into the form of a larger pony. The light dies away, and the larger pony-shape is left behind, a statue of an alicorn rearing back.

The vision fades, and I’m back in the cavern with the pool.

“What the? Am I high or something? That vision looked so... real...”

My voice echoes in the chamber, and I hear the sounds of Breeze stirring awake.

My vision turns towards Breeze underneath the blanket. I trot on over to her, still slightly confused as to what that vision meant or why I get got in the first place just for drinking water.

Breeze yawns and rolls over, disturbing the goo-pony, who reforms. Breeze looks around for a moment, before looking at you and blushing, turning away again.

“I-I’m sorry, I hadn’t meant to get so, uhm, carried away by th-the moment.”

She looks utterly ashamed, as if enjoying herself isn’t allowed.

I move over to her smiling.

“Breeze, it’s okay to enjoy moments like that. Do you trust me?”

I say the last sentence picking up her chin in my hoof and looking warmly into her eyes. She looks you in the eye, her brilliant, sky-blue eyes radiating trust. She nods.

“Good. Now I have a niche for exploring this place more. There’s something more to this place since I got a vision from drinking a little bit of water.”

I look towards the pool that gave me such vivid imagery. What’s hidden away here?

“A-A vision? B-b-but, all the Seer Pools were destroyed!”

“Seer pools? What are those?”

Breeze looks at you.

“Sh-shouldn’t you know? It was the pegasi that destroyed them, after all.

I look back at her still confused. These Pegasi sound real nice.

“I’m afraid I need a refresher Breeze. The crash and all.”

Breeze looks unsure, and turns towards the pool.

“A long, long time ago, before the treaties and before the taming of the lands, the Flutterkin tended the flowering plants of the valley, and learned of their natural magicks.

“Some of them, gifted with the ability of Foreknowing, could tell the future as it stood, when given the opportunity by the gods, back when they were still just myths. In an attempt to induce the power, some flutterkin created crystal grottos, with a reflecting pool in the center, from which they could gaze into and know the future at any time.

“Then, a god came down to the valley below, and forbade the flutterkin from using their powers of foreknowing again. The flutterkin told her ‘no’ and fought back, but the god was too powerful. She commanded a legion of Pegasi to demolish every one of the Seer Pools, and to slaughter their guardians. Many Flutterponies died; for we are not a race of warriors.

“The pegasi gave us an ultimatum, that either we would surrender ourselves, surrender our homes, and surrender our freedoms to them, we would be wiped from the world. Another demand was placed, this by the god herself, Tenebrous, that we never use our magic again, save in extreme emergencies.

“And for the last five thousand years, we have kept our word.”

Rage. Pure. Uncensored. Natural. It flows through my body after I hear that tale of oppression. I simply breath hard through my nose, each breath becoming foul knowing why Breeze was fearful of everything I said. I know this isn’t right; that whole thing wasn’t right. What am I going to do? I’m only a pony with wings... I look at Breeze and only hug her.

“You... You have no reason to fear me Breeze. Hearing that makes me angry. That’s not fair to your people at all. I-I want to stop it, make things right for all Flutterkin. D-do you know how I can stop this from happening? Stop this oppression?”

Breeze looks at you, and so does the goo-pony.

“Th-there’s no way. The treaty is signed by all six of the living gods, and they hold it as law. It’s one of the few times they’ve all agreed on the same thing. Even the least of them is too powerful for an army to stop, let alone just a few ponies.”

“Maybe there are more of these Seer Pools around here that can help me. We’re going exploring now Breeze.”

She nods, and walks towards you. The goo-pony mimics her, even as she nuzzles me, causing me to be sandwiched for a moment between two mares.

I blush slightly, but brush it off quickly. There are much more important things to do. Determination fills my head, and thoughts of liberating these poor ponies. As I turn to leave, I feel something grab my rear leg. Looking back, the goo-pony is holding onto me, no longer crystal-clear but tinted a delicate lime-green. She’s looking at me with a sad expression.

I can only assume she wants me to stay by the looks of it.

“We’ll be back goo-pony-thingy... I promise, but I need to find a way to help these Flutterkin. This isn’t right at all. I’m going to set the scores even.”

The goo pony simply continues to gaze at me with soulful eyes, before snapping into a fully formed mare, and standing next to me. She makes strutting motions, like a pony marching.

“Um... Breeze, what is she doing?”

“I think she wants to come with us.”

The goo-pony nods at Breeze’s answer.

“Come with us huh? Well... I guess since there is no town around here at all.”

I look at the two mares before my eyes.

“We’re going to make this ‘god’ and the Pegasi pay for what they’ve done. By what means is to still be determined, but it will happen. Got it?”

The goo-pony just nods, and hugs you, but Breeze seems unsure.

“It isn’t just one god, even, but all six. Eosos, Tenebrous, Irroro, Medius, Perfuro, and Rubeum would all have to be convinced or defeated to nullify their part of the bindings on the treaty.”

Her voice is calm, but her eyes dance with terror.

“And they each have armies at their disposal. Each one is incredibly powerful, even the weakest of them, and many ponies worship them.”

As she speaks, the goo-pony is still nuzzling you.

“Then by peaceful means or trickery, but we will let the scales even out to let the Flutterkin free again.”

Breeze nods, then hugs me as well, sandwiching me again between the mares.

“Okay, I trust you, master Zach.”

I turn my eyes towards Breeze.

“No... no longer master Breeze, not since my race is controlling your species like that.”

“This is not related ownership, but rather rank. You are, by default, the leader of this group, and as such master to us all. Both. As such, I shall refer to you as ‘master Zach’ whenever it is needed, including when introducing you to others.”

“I see... well, let’s get out of this cave and find something that’s more civil. Hopefully no huge spiders this time around.”

Both of the mares nod, and let go of me, following me as I trek to the entrance of the tunnel. As I look back into the tunnel, wondering how I could hide it, I see that the cave is dark, and ends not far behind me.

“W.. wait girls... the tunnel is gone...”

They turn around, and look at the suddenly small tunnel in confusion. The goo pony simply turns back to me, sitting down and letting her back legs turn into a puddle around her. Breeze, on the other han-hoof, is inspecting it with a bewildered expression.

“B-but it was right here! Th-that’s not possible! If it were an illusion, I’d be able to go through it, but it’s really gone!”

Not sure of what to think, I simply walk towards the forest again. Breeze and the goo-pony quickly catch up. They follow along as I walk along. It’s early morning once more, and I’m fairly hungry. To my luck and surprise, we come across a grove of trees, bright fruit visible on the branches.

“Oooh, looks tasty!”

I hear my stomach growl at the sight of the delicious fruits and I smell their scent in my nostrils. So sweet! I begin to trot faster towards the trees. As I walk, I see that there’s a patch of strawberry plants on the ground, with luscious red strawberries in it, and even several apple trees and orange trees growing in a wide circle.

“So much food!”

Being a fan of apples, I let my legs carry me over to the apple trees first. As I look, I see that they’re all out of reach, even if I was still human and had a step-stool. Turning back, I see that Breeze is standing nervously outside the circle of trees, and even the goo-pony hasn’t entered yet.

“What’s wrong with you girls? It’s food!”

“It’s mine.”

The voice comes from over my shoulder, prompting me to turn around. A clump of grass and vines have risen up, into the form of a pony. A strawberry plant is entangled in the plant-pony’s body, forming a pair of eyes from the ripe berries, shielded by leaves and brambles.

“What right have you to trespass on my orchard, lone conqueror.”

This place just keeps getting stranger

“Uh... well... I-I didn’t know this was your property uh... sir...”

The leafy eyes narrow.

“Sir?! How dare you! You trespass on my land, and seek to steal my fruits, and then you insult me as well?”

The plant pony is nearly screaming now, and I can finally hear that the voice is, sort of, feminine. She paws at the ground like a bull, thorny spears of wood jutting suddenly from her head and shoulders as she prepares to charge.

My eyes go wide with horror and I lock up like a startled Fainting Goat. The plant pony charges me, and slams into me, only to go flying as a gust of wind knocks her away. The wind carries sparkling purple-and-white glitter, and throws the attacking pony away from me. Breeze hovers over me, and I feel a soothing warmth as the goo-pony envelops me, carrying me slowly from the battle.

This is new, I guess this goo-pony is tougher than I thought. And Breeze’s magic is strong. How did they lose with magical abilities like that?

The question is soon answered as the plant pony growls, and sharp roots spike up from the ground, one of them spearing through Breeze’s wing. She cries out in pain as she plummets, the roots retracting into the dirt once more. The plant-pony charges again, and knocks Breeze towards me, a short distance out of the grove.

“Do not return, or I shall kill you all!”

The plant pony shouts this last parting shot as she blends into a tree, disappearing into the bark like a ghost.

I run on over to Breeze’s side to examine the wing. There’s a massive gash through it, and a bright red, runny blood is oozing from it. The tissue of the wing is slashed all the way up for almost a foot, and Breeze is weeping, her sobs making her shake.

“Goo, can you possibly stop this bleeding?”

The goo pony looks at me with a tilt to her head. I gesture at the damaged wing, and she seems to get the idea, flowing around the damaged limb, though Breeze shrieks from the pain. The goo fills in the gash, tinting the goo red.

“It should stop the bleeding Breeze. I have no idea how to fix a damaged wing however. I think we should keep moving until we find more Flutterkin somewhere here. Where do Flutterkin usually live?”

I look around at my surroundings. A forest, mountains, where would they move to and settle down if they were hiding from the ones that owned them? If they lived on clouds, they could be anywhere. Maybe finding someone else who can help would be easier, but who could?

In the meantime, Goo carries Breeze, carefully transporting the flutterkin over the ground at a startlingly quick pace, matching me perfectly as I scramble through the woods. Thankfully, it’s all old growth forest, so there’s little in the way of plants on the ground, just roots and huge tree trunks.

The tough material of my pants and jacket help keep me safe from the few thorny bushes clinging to the ground, and we keep running, hoping desperately to find someone who can help.

Without warning, I suddenly burst from the treeline, into a the bright light of day. Ahead of me are rolling fields, and a town, nestled between two large hills over a stream.

“There, we can get help there. Come on, let’s not slow down!”

With haste, my legs go back to their full on gallop towards the now visible spot of civilization. My mind is in relief that there is a chance Breeze could get her wing healed up.

Upon reaching the edges of the town, I spy that there are fields of waving grain all around. Carefully circling around to find a road, I guide Goo and Breeze toward the small settlement.

At the entrance, a gate in a wooden wall, an earth pony in leather and chainmail armor tells us to halt, looking at us with suspicion.

“What is your business here, pegasus?”

The guard is a mare, but her voice is still gruff.

“W-we’re in need of medical assistance. Some creature tore a gaping hole in my marefriend’s wing, and I need it patched up.”

“Well, we don’t give charity to sky-landers, or their pets. If you want medical treatment, you’d better hope you have the coins to pay for it. Ah well, you may pass.”

The guard steps aside, and I step into the town, looking around. The houses are made of simple gray stone or red brick, and have thatched roofs. Looking around, I can see that most of the ponies here are earth ponies, which I know of well, but also a few ponies with extra legs and lots of fluff, and a unicorn wandering around. Another of the plant-ponies is sitting in what looks like the town square, playing an instrument from a bench.

My eyes lock onto the unicorn. Okay, unicorns do exist. I walk over to it.

“Excuse me?”

The unicorn, a fancy-dressed stallion, looks down his muzzle at me.

“Get out of my way, you ruffian, I have no time for talks with military types.”

Military types? What? How does that even happen?

“Uh sir, I’m not military. I’m looking for the medical building.”

“What are you blathering on about? Get out of my way at once!”

The unicorn shouts, pushing past me. I turn my vision towards the plant-pony thingy then walk on over to it. I also approached with trepidation as well.

“H-hello?”

The plant pony turns towards you and smiles calmly.

“Yes, winged one? Do you wish to request a particular song?”

“N-no, I’m actually trying to find the medical building so my marefriend can get a little treatment.”

I am now getting worried. What if we didn’t have any coins at all?

“I’m afraid there is no medical building. This is just a small town, after all, but there might be an apothecary who might be able to sell you some healing potions. Or perhaps one of the town healers...? I suppose either one would be expensive, but the healers would likely be the cheaper and more immediate.”

The plant pony speaks with a gentle, calming voice, but it isn’t helping my mood as the meaning of the words sink in.

“W-well, is there anywhere I could get a job? I really need the treatment for Breeze here, but have no funds to pay for it.”

The plant pony shakes her head slowly.

“I’m sorry, but I doubt there’s any place you could get coins quickly, unless you have something of value and someone to sell it to.”

Could we use the gems in the mine? No... we’d need to drill those out. Dang it.

“Well, thanks for the information anyway ma’am.”

My voice is now more saddening. How am I to fix Breeze’s wing?

“Fair Weather and Open Roads, winged one.”

The plant mare goes back to her playing, strumming the strings with a set of roots growing from her hoof. Trekking through the town, I ask around some more, but find no-one who can or will help, and things begin to feel hopeless.

Deciding to check one more place, I walk up to a small shop, the sign entirely ambiguous. Stepping up to the door, Goo and an unconscious Breeze behind me. I rap on the door, smacking it with my hoof three times.

For a moment, I hear nothing, am disappointed, but then the sounds of things moving and pots slamming together as hoofsteps head towards the door. After a moment of waiting anxiously, the door opens, a crystal pony with a triple-colored mane and a pink coat answers the door.

“Y-yes? How can I help you?”

She sounds tired and a little confused.

“I-I’m looking for a little work Ma’am”

My own voice sounding tired as well.

“Work? Whatever for?”

“I need a few coins for some potions for my marefriend here. Her wing got busted up badly and needs it.”

“What?! Oh no, that’s awful! I can do something about that, actually, bring her in!”

The crystal mare shuffles inside and begins winding around piles of stuff, making obvious the clutter of the small house. The house smells like home, and a little... spicy. You’re not sure what it is, but something smells really good in here.

Goo carries the unconscious Breeze inside, carefully maneuvering her wings safely through the door. Stepping past the stacks of stuff, I find myself in a relatively clear living room, and see the crystal pony picking up a mug of something steaming and setting it on a table with only three legs, the fourth corner being held aloft by a stack of books and a vase on top of them.

“S-sorry, I was making some hot chocolate when you arrived, I find it helps in my current- uhm, right, anyways, you mentioned your marefr- Oh, my.”

She cuts off as she sees Breeze, and steps closer.

“I-I thought she was another pegasus! I haven’t seen a Flutterkin in all my life! And a Slime-pony, too!”

She begins rambling, listing off observations and ideas as she circles Breeze. I stand awkwardly off to the side as the crystal mare seems to snap out of it, rushing off into what you presume is the kitchen.

I look over to Goo with worry in my eyes.

“Is it me, or is this pony sort of scaring you?”

Goo just looks at me. Suddenly, the crystal mare returns to the room, now wearing a green sweater and carrying a bottle of glowing pink fluid. She sets the bottle down and turns to me.

“Can you wake her up please? She needs to drink this as soon as possible, before scarring and permanent damage sets in.”

As the mare speaks, you notice that her mane and tail are now done in a smooth, simple style, the three colors laying perfectly next to one another. Her coat literally gleams in the soft candlelight, and something about her just seems... intoxicating.

“S-sure thing ma’am”

I move my body over to Breeze’s and tap on her lightly, being delicate to not touch her wings at all.

“Breeze, wake up. We have somepony that can help with your wing.”

Breeze shudders and turns slightly in Goo’s embrace, and through more coaxing I finally wake her. Her eyes are dull with pain, and she doesn’t speak, but she’s awake enough to take the potion.

Upon downing the glowing liquid, she winces again, and holds herself, moaning in agony as the wing visibly repairs itself, stitching back together before my eyes. She screams hoarsely as the last of the tear seals shut, nothing but a twisted black line showing where the injury was. Goo, now very red from all the blood, carefully helps the shivering flutterkin to her hooves, and she leans against me.

“She should rest, I have a guest bedroom upstairs. Then, if you’d be so kind, I’ll need to discuss payment with you, please.”

The crystal pony speaks in a calm voice, with a reassuring smile on her face. After helping Breeze to the room, the crystal mare takes me aside to another room, bringing the cup of hot cocoa, and introduces herself as Rose Quartz, and I introduce myself as just Zach.

“Please, drink, you look exhausted. Can you explain what happened?”

I take the drink with thanks, and begin to explain my tale, except for the part me being human, as that would only make the story more confusing, rather than less. She nods and gestures when I pause, and when I get to now, she nods and smiles.

“I was wondering what was going on, with a pegasus helping a flutterkin, but I suppose if you really do care, it makes sense.”

All this time, I’d found myself sitting closer and closer to her on the bed.

“But please, I’d like to know just one thing. While I’m not going to charge you for saving that mare’s life, I would like to ask a favor. If that’s alright?”

Her eyes sparkle brightly in the low light, and her coat looks so luxuriously soft, and she smells so good...

“Go ahead and ask for that favor, I feel I owe it to you since you helped me and Breeze out”

Her smell fills my nose again which makes my cheeks burn a crimson red. Why was I getting even closer to her now on this bed?

“I-I would l-like it if y-you could... could...”

She simply leans forward and plants a kiss on my muzzle, her tongue sliding into my mouth. Strangely, this doesn’t upset me, and I can feel a need to remove my clothes. I pull away from the kiss and tell her I need immediate removal of my clothing.

She eagerly darts forward, her teeth catching on my waistband as she pulls at my pants, and I feel her hot breath on my sheath. Her quick movements prompt my wings to open on their own with a soft ‘pomf’. She giggles, and her breath causes my spire to rise from its sheath, the purple-based tube of meat mottling to pink as it raises above her, and she finishes removing my pants. Instead of helping me remove my shirt and jacket, though, she simply gets onto the bed, and leans forward, her rump in the air.

“P-please, take me!”

She’s moaning in anticipation, and her sparkling tail raised and twitching to the side. The delicious aroma of her plot wafts into my nostrils, and I take a deep breath on instinct. My wings held out to either side, stiff as boards, I prepare to mount her.

I rear up to my hind legs which felt more natural to me then standing on all fours and proceed up behind her, putting my forehooves onto her shoulders and giving her neck delicate kisses and licks to warm her up.

She moans and presses against my belly, and I can feel her warmth all along my underside, even through the jacket, as she wriggles her rump enticingly. As I kiss her again on the back of the neck, I feel her thrust against me, grinding her flower against me, my shaft under her as she rubs against its length with her delicate folds.

The teasing of my member sends a little chill through my entire spinal cortex. Moments later, my resistance gives out and I slide myself straight into her crevice, the tight wraps of her crystalline insides gripping me perfectly, firm and strong.

She moans and bites the pillow as I press into her, and I feel the suction of her flower pull me back as I exit and return, slamming into her again. The steady rhythm builds and builds, and she groans into the pillow as I pump in and out of her, her body clenching and holding me even as I pull away, only to come back fill her once more. We move in perfect tune with each other, animal grunts and moans our only communication as lustily help each other to climax.

And climax we do, in perfect tandem, and I fill her tight tunnel, flooding her with my seed. She gasps and clamps down on me, and I climax again, pumping her full of my warm, flowing essence. We collapse together, many climaxes later, and simply bask in each other’s presence, as I feel my member slip out of her.

“Th-th-thank you, Zach. I-I needed that... so bad...”

She nuzzles against me, and we fall happily asleep together, her form spooned up against my chest.

Ch04 - Ever Onward

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I wake up in a warm embrace, a silken coat brushing against my nose and a curtain of soft hair over my face.

My eyes open up to see a field of purplish-pink. Leaning my head back a little, I see that there’s soft fur all across it, shimmeringly bright.

I poke at the fur. Surely this thing was Rose Quartz laying in front of my face. The soft, firm flesh of the crystal mare yields under my hoof, and and she murmurs something, then wiggles close to me again.

Wait. What?! I pull myself away from the pony. Why was I next to her, and this close too! Where was Breeze? Where was Goo? What is going on?! Memories of the previous night slowly filter back as Rose yawns and stretches. What did I do?! She calmly sits back up, until she catches sight of me, then yelps.

“W-wait, what’s going on?! Oh-oh no, did we-?”

Rose seems almost as confused as I am, but she looks a little scared, too. Her brightly shining fur dulls, and her mane falls flat, her octagonal irises going tiny.

“I-I.. I think we did!”

No fury, only fear within my body. What if Breeze found out? I don’t want to lose her. Not after everything I promised to her!

Rose suddenly collapses to the bed, crying.

“I-I- I’m so so-o-o-rry!”

She sobs out her words, choking as she tries to speak.

“I-I should’ve... should’ve been m-m-more carefu-fu-full!”

I suddenly feel my heart sink at her sobs. My forehooves lift out of the air to hug the mare tightly. I hate seeing ponies cry.

“Hey, don’t cry. Nothing bad came out of it” I hope.

She just sniffles in my arms, and I pat her on the back.

“I- I suppose n-not.”

She’s obviously trying really hard to keep herself together.

“J-just... please... d-don’t leave me alone. N-not after that.”

She looks up at me with those beautiful, sparkling eyes.

“I-I won’t... but I need to keep going. You heard my plans.”

How could I say no to those eyes?

“Th-then take me with you! I-I understand that Breeze is your Lead Mare, but I can still help you! Please, I know how to brew potions, and can help a lot, please?”

Well, that could come in handy later down the road.

“I guess you can. Just expect a lot of traveling. I want to find the village first off and get as much information as I can about these gods and the pegasi nations.”

This was not going to be easy. How am I suppose to tear down a nation and free an entire species?

“The living gods? I have a book on them! It’s not the most informative, but it should be able to help a little. Here, let me go get them!”

Rose jumps off the bed and races to the door and down the stairs, her bright coloration returning again. Strange. Why did it change like that? Oh well, more important things. I follow after Rose. This might help out more, even if only slightly.

Upon stepping onto the landing, I see that the door to the room Goo and Breeze are in is still closed. I hope they’re alright in there.

Trotting down the stairs, being extremely careful not to fall, I’m greeted at the bottom by a beaming Rose, who has a book in her mouth, held out to me.

I walk on over Rose and take the book in my mouth mouth. Taste is purely bland once I feel my tongue touch the binding. Carrying it over to the dining room table, I set it down, and Rose opens it.

The title is in gold and the book has a picture of six alicorn silhouettes on the front. Inside is carefully written text, but I can’t understand a word of it. Even though I recognize it as writing, I can’t actually read it.

“W-what does it say Rose? I forgot how to read.”

I see her head turn towards mine in confusion.

“I hit my head really hard.”

“So you used to know how to read? Huh, I thought pegasi don’t teach their foals to read. Anyways, not important, uhm, you should probably go back upstairs and get your lead mare, while I pack up to go. Somepony else will take over this dusty little shop. I’m going on and adventure~!”

She makes a little ‘squee!’ noise as she grins at the last part, and begins rushing around the shop.

I laugh a little at the display. She sure is excited about joining me no doubt, though, I feel a little bad knowing it won’t be fun and games ever... well, maybe sometimes. I head on up the stairs to Breeze’s room. Clambering up the stairs again, I carefully open the door, and look in. Breeze is laying, splayed out, on the bed, Goo laying across her like a blanket of lime jelly.

“Breeze? I think we’re ready to go now. Rose will be joining us as well.”

I walk up to the bed, speaking softly to the sleeping fluttekin. Setting my hoof on her shoulder, I shake her gently. She moans and rolls onto her side a little, and Goo raises her own head.

“Breeze, we need to be going shortly.”

Breeze yawns, and blinks owlishly up at me. She smiles and blushes.

“O-oh, master Zach! I-I’m so sorry, after you saved me last night, I... well, I was so stressed, and, uhm, Goo here was so warm, and, uhm, ah... well...”

Breeze stammers a lot as she speaks, and blushes a furious red.

I smile at her and nod my head in understanding.

“Don’t worry about it Breeze. We need to get going soon though, still have a long way to go to find the rest of your kind. Hopefully, someone knows about where they went to.”

She shakes her head.

“It’s alright. I’m a part of your clan now, I can’t go back to that village, or they’ll have to stone me.”

My ears droop at the news, this ruins everything now.

“Okay, so... I think I’m out of ideas now. I was planning on asking them if they did want to be free. I need a new plan then, if you are banished from visiting.”

She rolls over and sits up, putting a hoof on my shoulder.

“Really, master Zach, it’s alright. You were my first, and I will follow you anywhere.”

I smile at her. Maybe this wasn’t blown out of the water after all. But then I frown as a thought enters my head: Rose Quartz.

“One thing though Breeze. I... I uh... well... she did smell good... I sort of nailed Rose... our host...”

Breeze’s brow furrows in confusion.

“You did what? I-I don’t understand.”

My heart plummets. I was going to have to explain it to her?!

“I-I... I had sex with Rose...”

Breeze’s ears go back.

“O-oh... Alright. I, uhm, guess that’s alright, master Zach. Y-you are the master, after all.”

Breeze’s voice is low, and she isn’t meeting my eyes.

“D-does this mean...?”

She lets the question hang in the air for a moment.

“W-what are you trying to say Breeze?”

Down goes my soul, and my stomach churns in despair.

“A-am I your Lead Mare, then?”

The question throws me off, as her voice holds a ring of hope in it.

“What’s a Lead Mare?”

Breeze looks at you in utter confusion, her ears drooping.

“B-but- you- but!”

She sounds completely lost, and her voice is tinged with despair.

“Breeze... I have no idea what a Lead Mare is...”

I really need to look at a book about Flutterkin traditions.

“Th-then, just say I am, and I- I’ll take care of everything!”

Breeze sounds a little desperate, and she’s just a short distance from my muzzle. I can see into her sky-blue eyes.

“What. Is. A. Lead. Mare?”

Breeze pulls me a little closer.

“A-a lead mare is the closest companion of a colt, and the leader of his herd. She oversees the others and makes sure that everypony gets along.”

She’s breathing a bit harder as she gazes into my eyes.

“Yes Breeze, you are my lead mare.”

I put a hoof on her cheek and stroke it lightly before placing a small kiss onto her lips. She wraps her hooves around my neck, however, and kisses me deeply in return, pushing me back a bit as Goo also joins in on the hug.

When she pulls back from the hug and kiss, she looks me in the eyes giddily. We both turn as there is a rapping on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Rose Quartz! May I come in?”

“Come on in Rose, we’re just about ready to move.”

The door opens up, and Rose, still in her happy-state, crystalline and shining like a glass ornament, is standing in it, a double-saddlebag on either side of her. I realize I’ve forgotten my own saddlebag and pants in her room, and blush.

“W-we’re almost ready to go. How about you three get to know each other while I fetch some things.”

I almost feel my hooves take off after saying that. I really need my pants, especially when there’s three hot mares surrounding me!

Carefully sliding off the bed and snaking past the pink-and-cream mare I dart into Rose’s room, searching out my pants and saddlebags. Finally locating them (how did my pants end up on the dresser?!) I carefully pick them up and drag them back to Breeze’s room, intending to ask for help putting them on. Once there, I see that Breeze is nuzzling Rose.

I only smile at the display.

“I see you two are getting along quite nicely. Good to see because we have a long way to go before we find the Flutterkin. Everybo-pony ready?”

Rose and Breeze nod, and I see that Goo is stretched between the two of them, providing a hug for both.

Rose smiles brightly, making that adorable ‘squee’ noise again in the process.

“I’m honored to be accepted into your herd, mister Zach, especially after last night. I-I really hope you don’t hold it against me, I never meant to force my way in.”

Okay, I’m starting to feel left out, so I walk on over and join in on the hug.

“It’s not a problem Rose, the more the merrier.”

I break off from it after a few moments.

“But, it’s time to move now. We are losing time by the second here.”

Rose nods eagerly, and Breeze is still smiling from before. Goo just seems happy to be there with all of us.

“Oh, uh, also, can one of you ladies help me get my pants on? And my saddlebag? I’m having a little trouble...”

The mares grin harder, and I blush as I realize they’re both going to try to ‘help’ me. And, after several awkward, blush-filled minutes of Rose and Breeze pulling my pants on eagerly with their teeth, tongues seeming to ‘slip’ out and touch me every few moments, I’m fully dressed again, and Breeze helps put my Saddlebags onto my back.

I take in a deep breath and exhale all of its contents. This was it, no more fun and games from this point forward. It’s time to set things right between three species. These gods. The pegasi. And finally getting the Flutterkin the freedom they deserve.

The four of us, me, Breeze, Goo, and now Rose, walked out of Rose’s front front door, and Rose locks it behind us.

“I might not return for a while, but there’s nothing in there that’ll spoil in the next ten years or more. It’s a good thing I own this land, too.”

Rose smiles up at the two story building, with its sagging facade and deceptively small appearance.

“We should be back there soon, but we have a long journey ahead of us. Right now, we need to find the Flutterkin and talk to them about becoming free. From there, I think we find a way to bring down the gods and the Pegasi, maybe even put the pegasi on our side.”

This wasn’t a bad idea actually. More troops to take down six angry gods. Or we could just come to peace and have nopony get hurt. I think that works better. Rose nods as we begin to walk out of the town. There’s a different guard on duty this time, and she nods at us as we walk out, though there’s confusion evident in her eyes.

We begin walking down the road, sun at our backs as trek onwards into the unknown. Several hours later, as the sun reaches its zenith, we stop to rest. Rose pulls out a bottle with a muddy-brown liquid inside. She takes a pull at it, then offers it to Breeze, who looks at it curiously and sniff the top.

“What in the world is that Rose?”

“It’s a meal-in-a-bottle, a special type of potion. Its flavor isn’t too great, but it’s filling and good for you. Just take a single drink, that should be enough to keep you going.”

Breeze cautiously takes a swig, and grimaces. She hands it to me next, and I takes a little drink as well. I almost spit it on out. That tasted horrible. I look at Goo and hold the bottle to her now. No way I’m drinking that unless I really needed to, but there’s no other food as far as I know.

Goo accepts the offered bottle gleefully, and swigs as well, a brownish cloud mixing into her like a drop of ink in a glass of water. She seems perfectly fine, and even offer the bottle back to me, though I decline and hand it back to Rose, who puts it away.

We sit around for a bit more, catching our breath and basking in each other’s presence. Standing up and stretching, we get ready to get moving again. Moving out once more, we continue to follow the road, until I finally realize that I have no idea where we are going.

“Hey, uh, Rose? Where does this road lead?”

Rose looks at me for a moment, stumbling slightly.

“I-I thought you knew where it leads. It goes directly to the lands of Lady Rubeum. The Caverns of Stone Spires is her realm, as she’s the Living God of the earth.”

I stop dead in my tracks, causing Goo to bump into my rear, as I hadn’t realized she’s following so closely.

“T-the god? We’re heading straight towards a god?!”

Now fear was rushing through me at an intense pace. Here we are, with a flutterkin by my side, a slime-pony following us, and now this crystal pony as well? This is a recipe for pure disaster on all our ends!

“Y-yeah... I thought you meant to go there, as she’s one of the two least of the Living Gods, at least according to the book.”

Breeze looks at me.

“I-I think she’s right, I’ve barely heard anything about Lady Rubeum, just that she’s connected to the earth and is in charge of a legion of ghost-ponies and giant, mutant monster-bat-ponies! B-but that’s just rumors... right?

Breeze stammers and stumbles over her words, standing a little closer to me now.

“So... monsters, angry god that brought down Breeze’s species, and is in charge of a powerful legion? Nope! We are not going there this early on! But, let’s just... keep going... might as well see what we’re all going against. Have any of you seen a god before?”

Rose and Breeze shake their heads no, but Goo grins and nods her head really fast, bit of her gooey form splattering the rest of her.

“Okay Goo, what does she look like since you’ve seen her?”

Goo stops for a moment, before squishing down into a thick disk, before beginning to rise, long, shapely legs forming beneath the blob as it rises and thins, forming into the shape of a tall, stately mare, with a drifting mane and tail, wings, and a long, spiraling horn. Goo shivers, then collapses back into a puddle.

“That’s cool and scary at the same time. So, who wants to visit her? She sort of looks like Princess Celestia, might be friendly enough.”

Goo forms back into her normal form, and raises a hoof, smiling broadly. Neither of the other mares do, though, instead looking at me in confusion.

“Princess who?”

Rose turns her head as asks the question, raising an eyebrow as well.

“Y-y... Dah. Princess Celestia is the ruler of this land right? You know, Equestria?”

Rose wrinkles her nose.

“Uhm, this is Imperium Sol, and is ruled by King Eosos, the one who raises the sun.”

“What?”

“King Eosos, one of the Living Gods? He raises the sun, even regulates the seasons, to a degree.”

“Okay... so not in Equestria, bad news. Okay, so I say we visit this Rubeum. It’ll give us an idea on... something.”

Rose nods, looking a little reluctant, but Goo just jumps for joy. Breeze just stands beside you. Eventually, all of us decide to move on, continuing to follow the road. Continuing along the road, we walk until the sun begins going down, illuminating the the mountains surrounding one side of the valley in orange, pink, and violet.

Rose pulls out a tent-set, begins setting it up, with Goo and Breeze’s help, but I feel kinda useless, because I can’t really manipulate anything anywhere near as well as they can. After several minutes, the tent is set up, and the sun’s light is almost gone as I’m ushered into the small tent, just enough room for the four of us to sleep in it, as long as we don’t mind being very close.

Which we don’t.

Snuggling up against my special someponies, I reflect on how wild the last several days have been, and I realize, it’s only been about a week since I arrived in this world. How the hell did all this happen in a week? I ask myself this as Goo settles in over us all, acting as a warm, form-fitting blanket as we fall into a peaceful slumber, and I get a kiss from each mare surrounding me as I drift into my dreams.

Ch05 - Ghost Story

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I wake up in the arms of two mares, and the liquid grasp of a third. Snuggling closer to them, not wanting to wake up, I clench my eyes tightly shut. However, I knew it couldn’t last forever; there was work to be done. So I open my eyes to look around.

The warm embrace of Breeze and Rose tickles my nostrils as some of Breeze’s fluffy mane drifts across my nose. Goo is draped across all three of us, warm and soft.

I look over at Breeze and give her a light kiss on her nose. She scrunches her face up adorably, her brilliant blue eyes fluttering open at me. She smiles and gives me a kiss on the nose, too. Afterwards, she gives me a true hug, yawns, and carefully begins waking up.

The movement disturbs Goo and Rose Quartz, causing them to start wake up, as well.

“I see everypony is awake. Good, we need to keep moving. I really want to see this Goddess for myself and learn more... if she talks to us of course.”

Rose nods, and Breeze just smiles at you. Goo, as usual, is already chipper. Rose yawns and stretches, reaching into her bag for that ominous brown bottle again.

“Well, drink up everypony, let’s make sure we’re all fueled up for the day!”

Everyone groans, except for Goo, who accepts it eagerly. After everyone has their drink (and Goo tries for a second one) we begin to pack up the tent, the cool morning air brisk and refreshing. The fields of grass are coated in dewdrops, a shining, shimmering sea of rainbows.

From behind me, Breeze speaks up.

“It’s beautiful down here. I- I’d never have known how beautiful it was without you, Zach. Thank you.”

I feel a blush rise in my cheeks and I nod to her.

“When I first came down to the ground, I was a little afraid as well. Being in a whole new world is terrifying! But, you’ve been with me the whole way, my beautiful Breeze. I love you.”

I lean to her as I feel her press against me, and we just sit for a few minutes, looking out over the dew-covered fields in silence. I feel her tail wrap around mine as she nuzzles me, and we watch the sun rise over the mountains in the distance.

On some kind of instinct, I find my wing wrapping around her back, pulling her close. We sit together for several minutes, until Rose finally gets our attention.

“Hey... uhm, if we’re going to reach Rubeum’s domain, we need to get moving. Otherwise, we won’t get there by nightfall, and that supposedly when the bat-monsters come out to hunt in that area.”

My wing lifts off of Breeze’s shoulders as I turn to look at Rose.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. We should keep moving forward. Problem is, I forgot where Rubeum’s hive is.”

“Just along the path, remember? C’mon, then, we should get moving.”

Sighing and following, the group and I start along the path again. Around noon, we stopped, and drank lunch. Getting up and continuing along, we walk for many hours. After so much practice, I’ve gotten the hang of trotting along, without tripping or stumbling.

Along the way, we come across another group. It’s an Earth Pony stallion and two mares, one an Earth pony and the other a unicorn.

The earth pony mare is the first to greet us, stepping forwards from the small group.

“Hello, it’s rare to see a pegasus on the ground, even a scout.”

Breeze takes the initiative, oddly, stepping forward to look at the earth pony mare.

“H-hello, we’re just travelling to Lady Rubeum’s realm.”

“Oh, alright. Well, have a nice day, dears.”

Breeze nods firmly, and the trio continues on. It was an odd exchange, but it proved that there was other ponies in this world, rather than just in the towns.

“They just allow us to enter into there just like that? I thought they would protect this Lady Rubeum with everything they got!”

“Honey, I think they were just travellers.”

Rose is looking at me a bit weird.

“Well, I thought after what Breeze told me, they would all be defending the six divine beings.”

“That would be the army of each domain, master Zach, not the random ponies just travelling around.”

Breeze sounds a bit admonishing, and I feel my ears go flat in embarrassment.

“Sorry...”

Breeze and Rose nuzzle my neck to make me feel better, and it lifts my spirits considerably. We continue walking along the road, the four of us merrily following the path towards Rubeum’s lands.

I start to think of what we should expect when we reach Rubeum’s domain. The vision I got from the pond gave no hints. Would it be more giant spiders? I feel myself shiver upon remembering that moment. The size, Breeze ready to give her life, I didn’t want to go through that again. But what was to be expected? Zombie ponies! No, no, that’s impossible... right?

As I think, a song begins invading my mind, and I find myself humming out loud. A few moments later, Breeze picks up the tune as well. Barely a second after that, Rose is providing three-part harmony for the song, as all three of us burst into spontaneous song.

Just an old fashioned love song

Playing in the concert ha~all...

And wrapped around the music, is the

sound of someone promising

“they'll never go~oo”.

You'll swear you've heard it before,

as it slowly rambles on and on.

No need in bringing 'em back,

cause they're never really gone

Just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

coming down in three part harmony.

That's just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

one I'm sure they wrote for you and me,

to weave our dreams upon.

And listen to each evening,

when the lights are lo~ow...

To underscore our love affair,

with tenderness and feeling,

that we've come to kno~ow.

You'll swear you've heard it before,

as it slowly rambles on and on.

No need in bringing 'em back,

they've never really gone!

Just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

coming down in three part harmony.

That's just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

one I'm sure they wrote for you and me!

Just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

coming down in three part harmony.

That's just an old fashioned lo~ove song,

one I'm sure they wrote for you and me...

My eyes shut as I enjoy the harmonious sounds filling my ears. My mind shuts out the rest of the world, simply reveling in the moment. Somehow, the music helped guide all three of us along the path, the music carrying and bolstering us and our spirits.

As the song slowly faded away, I realize that I had actually heard the music, not simply imagined it. And the day, in spite of the sun being further down in the sky, was a little brighter, somehow.

“H-how did you girls know that? I was just humming random stuff and, it turned into a song.”

I look at each mare, confusion along with a little bit of shock is etched on my face. Rose looks at me, looking slightly puzzled, but still smiling. It’s Breeze, interestingly, who responds.

“All ponies have songs in their hearts, and it’s that music which binds us together, and promotes the harmony within us.”

Breeze’s voice is confident as she says this, all of us still walking along (except for Goo, who has transformed into a saddlebag-like blob on my back)

“But... I just made it up and you two just seemed to know it off the top of your heads.”

“It wouldn’t be very harmonious if we couldn’t all share the music together.”

That makes no sense at all. However, I’m not going to press the issue.

“I see... well, it certainly is interesting like the rest of this world. How far are we from Rubeum’s?”

“Actually, we’re here.”

Rose Quartz points up at a cave part way up the mountainside. The entrance has a pair of glowing lights embedded in the walls, making it easy to see.

“Okay, well, who’s first to enter into the freaky cave that has a bunch of glowing lights and is owned by a god that hates the Flutterkin?”

I look at each mare and smile, hoping one of them goes first. They each look at me, however, obviously expecting me to go first. Sometimes, it sucks being the guy in charge...

With a gulp, I step up to the cave, clambering over rocks and up the steep incline, only noticing the path up that the mares are taking when I reach the top. Sighing, I look into the cave itself, and steel my resolve.

“Hello?”

I hear my voice reverberate off the walls when I finish saying my formal introduction to the occupant. I also poke my head in closer, along with pushing my legs forward to head into the cave.

The cave is well-light at first, pale green orbs lighting the way deeper into the tunnel. A soft breeze pours out from the cave mouth, carrying the scents of stone dust and water.

I nearly jump out of my skin when a hoof is placed on my shoulder, and I only even begin to calm down when I see it’s Breeze, Rose and Goo behind her.

I feel a little bit of comfort knowing I’m not alone, but it doesn’t help my nerves in the slightest. I turn my head to view the brightly lit cave. Each step I take sounds like a freaking jet engine within the cramped walls. There was no doubt that Miss Rubeum knew we were here, so why wasn’t she or her apparent ‘army’ coming out already?

Cautiously stepping further in, I walk down the gradual slope, the twisting, turning tunnel lit along only one path, but dozens of off-shoot dot the walls every once in awhile. Fearing for the safety of both myself and my girls along the way, I walk with almost exaggerated care, peering cautiously around every hairpin turn and sudden curve, watching every dark side-tunnel with suspicion.

At last, though, we find ourselves at what seems like the exit to the tunnel. It’s dark outside, and I can’t hear any insects or night animals moving, but that might simply be because of the location. Looking up, I can see incredible constellations, thousands of tiny, flickering points of light in the sky, clustered together.

In the gloom, I can see a ways ahead of me, a tall, pointed spire rising from the ground in the distance. Oddly, I find myself whistling in the near-dark, wishing I had a flashlight or something.

I note that my breathing turns a little harder with each step I take. The combination of darkness, creepy surroundings, and the fact I was whistling for no reason set up a perfect combo to produce fear within me. I look to my mares to see their reactions, hoping they were faring better than me.

[Area Theme]

From what little I could see of them in the gloom, They both looks a bit scared, though it was hard to tell with Goo, who was still stuck to my back.

I rotate my head around to look at the spire again. My thoughts were mixed with where we ended up, along with the obelisk in the distance. There is it, just standing there. What was it for?

“U-uhm, R-r-rose? Do y-you have anything for lights? I-I’m afraid of the dark!”

Breeze sounds almost paralytic in her fear. I walk myself closer to Breeze to comfort her, even though I’m feeling the same fear.

“Breeze, nothing has happened, but do you have light Rose? I want to see what’s up with that spire along with be able to view the rest of the room.”

Rose murmurs something, then holds up a faintly glowing, dark purple bottle.

“I have a few of these, but they only last about eight minutes. They’re night-vision potions.”

Seriously? Night-vision potions? What’s next, X-ray vision potions? Potions that make you grow wings? Oh wait, I already have some...

Rose passes one of the potion bottles to me, and I drink it. It tastes bitter, then it turns sweet, then it becomes tangy. Suddenly, all the world is bright, but it’s not hurting my eyes. Looking around, everything is fairly uniformly lit, but it’s a dismal view. Rocks and broken bits of stone litter the ground, and wavy ridges of stone, like something liquefied it and turned it solid again later, cover the land. Chancing a look up, I realize those aren’t constellations up above... those are tiny lights on stalactites.

“Okay, artificial lighting on the roof of stalactites that is inside a cave. Just great...”

My vision turns towards the spire, seeing it for what it is: a massive tower of stone, rising to a point. Far, far above it is another spire, inverted, with its point facing down. As I watch, tiny green lights dot into view on the massive stalagmite.

“And now lights on the spire! What’s next!?”

“You must flee.”

The voice is soft, like an autumn breeze down an empty street. The lights on the spire begin to lift from it, streams of pale green light slowly rising into the air and beginning to move in my general direction.

I stop in my place, locking up completely as a shiver runs through my spine.

“Please, flee! Anywhere but here!”

The voice is quiet, but insistent. I hear a squeak from behind, and it sounds like Breeze.

“Z-z-zach! Th-there’s a g-g-g-g-ghost behind you!”

Now I normally don’t believe in ghosts, but I never believed in magical talking ponies either until I came here, so, knowing how honest Breeze is, there was a ghost right behind me. I take a deep breath and slowly turn my head behind me.

Floating in mid-air is a pale green mare, glowing softly as she bobs in the air. I can mostly see through her, as basically all of her, except her bones, is translucent. A slowly waving mane, composed of vapour or ethereal magic, floats out from her head, a calm, soothing pale blue, like Breeze’s eyes.

“Please, follow me, I will lead you away from them.”

Wait for green lights to get me or run with a ghost pony? Yeah, I think I’ll run.

“Go!”

The glowing mare nods, and I wait to make sure that Breeze, Rose, and Goo are safely on their way (or on my back, in Goo’s case) before dashing after the ghostly pony. The lights from the spire are getting closer, and I can see that they are actually dozens, or maybe hundreds of ghost ponies, each one with a different mane, but the same green bodies and visible bones.

Unlike the mare I follow, however, these all bear angry expressions, their jaws distended into fanged maws. Her face was normal, even beautiful.

Did I just call a ghost beautiful? Who cares!? Keep running on Zach! That’s what my hooves do, always trying to keep pace with the transparent pony.

As we run, my vision begins flickering. The potion must be wearing off!

We run through what appears to be a boneyard, acres of discarded bones laying on the ground. Suddenly, the ghostly pony stops in front of a smaller stalagmite, only the size of a large house, and gestures to me and the girls.

Hoping we can trust her, I follow, and see a concealed door that the ghostly mare opens. I, being the last one in line, barely get in before she closes it, and my vision returns fully to normal. What I had expected to be a cramped cave, is instead a cozy little home, decorated with furniture and even a carved fireplace (though there doesn’t seem to be a chimney) and other such things.

The ghostly mare is hovering in the center of the room, her glowing aura illuminating things quite nicely.

“W-what are you? And why is there a fireplace in here?”

“I am a Spectral Pony, and I made the fireplace because I wanted this to look like a real house. I- I’ve never been in a real house though.’

“A s-specter? Like a ghost?! She’s going to eeeaat uusss!”

Breeze is crying and curled up in a corner, sobbing her eyes out as she rocks on her side in the fetal position.

“Uhm... I- I’m not going to eat you... and I’m not a ghost. I- I’m sorry if I’m scaring you, but I didn’t want the others to hurt you. They’re really territorial, but I- I warded the walls here, w- with special minerals, that Spectral Ponies can’t phase through, so we’re safe here. You’re safe here, I mean.”

I find myself trotting over to Breeze and sitting next to her. My thoughts were centered around comforting Breeze, but part of me wanted to know more about these Spectral Ponies. They look like ghosts, but they talked! And interacted with us! As I sat down to ask questions, I was able to figure out how to wrap my wing around Breeze. Rose, though seems to be taking this all in stride.

“What’s your name?”

My first question is answered immediately.

“Restful Slumber, though the colony just knows me as 17 of 50.”

That name doesn’t sound inviting at all. Next question!

“How are you, um, there?”

I gesture to her position, floating in mid-air.

“Oh, I’m just levitating. All Spectral Ponies can. I read once, from a book that fell from the roof, that pegasi can, too. You’re a pegasus, right?”

“Yes, I am a pegasus. What I meant by that was, how do you exist? And what is your history?”

“Well, when a Spectral mare is in heat, she puts out pheromones that makes the nearest male find her, and then they have sex, until she conceives. Then, a few months later, a Spectral foal is born.

“As for history, I don’t really know, Spectral ponies don’t really keep history. I had to teach myself how to read, once I realized what writing is.”

Slumber shrugs, obviously not understanding the first part of the question. Rose is looking at you with a bemused look, as if to say, ‘What were you expecting to happen?’

“What do you like to do Restful Slumber?”

“W-well, I like talking, since I can’t very often, and I like reading, but I only have a few books. I... I also like dreaming. I read about it. It’s where you rest, and you think about things. I like to think about the sky. It- it must be so beautiful.”

Her quiet voice is full of longing, and lone, ethereal tear rolling down her cheek.

A tear. No tears shall be shed on this day. I get to my fee-hooves, walk over to her, then place my hooves around her neck to hug her.

“Hey, you will be able to see the sky. I promise. Do you wish to come along with me on a journey?”

Breeze sniffles along with Slumber, and I feel her hooves join mine in hugging the spectral pony, Rose’s and Goo following suit.

“Th-that would be lovely! Oh, thank you!”

The glowing hooves of the spectral mare embrace me and the girls, and another pony enters my herd.

“We should all get some rest. Are you sure we are safe within these walls Slumber?”

“O-oh course! Uhm, there’s only one bed with a real mattress, though. I- uhm, had to carve the others. Those aren’t too uncomfortable, but I don’t know how well more... corporeal beings care about stone beds.”

“I don’t care much for comfort, I’ve grown use to sleeping on the grass. I’ll sleep on the stone bed. Breeze? Rose? Goo? Could you three please sleep on the regular bed while I take care of Slumber for the night?”

This is getting to be regular, but I wasn’t complaining. I am actually blushing already. Breeze smiles and nods, giving me a deep kiss on the way to the bedroom that Slumber points out. Rose kisses me on the cheek, and Goo just gives me a hug.

“Uhm, the... the couch is probably softer than the stone bed... I-if that’s alright with you, that is.”

There was a couch?

“Uh, yeah sure, that sounds a lot nicer than a stone cold bed!”

A calm smile alights on her face, and she hugs me, the force of her tackle-hug pushing me backwards onto something soft and comfortable: a worn-in couch, covered in most of a quilt. The feather-light feeling of her near-invisible coat pressing against mine alights a fire within, as Slumber nuzzles my chin.

“So soft you are.”

It is surprising considering she was made out of... something! I place a kiss onto her forehead and steadily work my kisses down to her muzzle. She moans softly as she brings her face up to mine, and I feel a hunger to her that the other girls didn’t have.

“I- I’ve only been taken once, during my first heat. I... I don’t know much, I’ve always hidden here when the heat takes me... Please... Will you teach me?”

“S-sure... I-I think I can.”

I feel my wings unfold, and envelop her, their feathery embrace a good trick that I’d have to figure out how to do on command at some point.

She moans softly again, her voice barely audible. Her ethereal mane wafts past my face, cool and soothing like an ocean breeze, as she presses her lips to mine, and her tongue flicks into my mouth.

My tongue pushes up to fight against her own, and hers wraps around mine. I feel her hooves grasp me, pulling me hard against her as my member snakes out of its sheath, brushing up against her soft belly.

A short gasp escapes from my lips at the sudden pull she makes, but it’s followed by my lips pressing against hers again in a deeper kiss than before. As she holds me against her body, I feel myself beginning to lift from the couch, and I open my eyes to see that she’s pulled me into the air, and is now under me.

Even the bones visible through her body sparkle softly in the glow from her transparent flesh, glimmering like jewels as I run kisses down her neck. She gasps and arches her back, and my hooves scramble to find a purchase on her. As she curls back towards me, my throbbing tip finds her entrance. Pressing against the tight walls of her cleft, I slide slowly into her, and she gasps in pleasure.

Looking down, I realize with a start that I can see myself in her, my hard shaft embedded in her flesh as I begin to thrust, slowly at first, but building to a greater tempo.

Not wanting to view myself work on her, I gaze my eyes back into her own, finally being able to differentiate between the natural green glow of her body and the bright, sparkling yellow of her eyes.

My own groans of pleasure rise to a crescendo, as her match mine, but quieter. Her mouth clamps down on mine, before letting go and moaning as loud as she can, which isn’t very loud. I feel myself beginning to spasm, and my gaze returns to her belly as I begin to fill her, and I watch in fascination as my seed defines her walls as they clamp down on my shaft, her own climax bringing my second, and we shudder as we lay together, floating in mid air.

We begin moving again mere moments later, the second round going much as the first, and I watch again as I pour into her, the seed beginning to spill from her as the rest sits inside the cradle of her hip bones, her second climax of our second bout forcing even more to spill from her.

Finally, we collapse back onto the couch, weary, but happy. She snuggles close to me as my member slides from her, slowly retreating back into my sheath. I slowly fall asleep in the gentle glow of her body, laying across her on the couch.

Ch06 - Poor Expectations

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Waking up in the warm, glowing embrace of the spectral pony, Slumber, I snuggle close, feeling her soft, lustrous fur so comfortable. Opening my eyes, just a crack, I see the dimmed light of her sleeping figure, her bones illuminated a stark black against the translucent, green flesh the rest of her was made of.

Her warm form and my barely conscious mind makes my muzzle press onto her nose. A sound of kissing escapes my lips. She wakes up with a smile, kissing me back, and pulling me close, her tongue beginning to wrestle with mine.

The taste of spring water and sweet berries meets my tastebuds as her tongue passes over mine, wrapping around mine. After a little bit of tongue wrestling, I pull my face back and smile at Slumber.

“Good morning. How was your sleep?”

Slumber nuzzled me affectionately, her body still pressed against mine, as she whispered into my ear. The noise and the closeness of her cheeks made my ear tickle and twitch.

“It was amazing, Zach, thank you. Can we do it again?”

She really is beautiful, the way her mane flows in the rocky terrain, her sparkling eyes, the whisper that begs for more; I want to do it right on the spot. I can’t however, there is work to be done. First off, I needed to get out of this cave alive and not get slaughtered by these spectral ponies. Then comes the Flutterkin liberation and getting everything equal.

“I can’t, there is too much to be done now.”

“I think the other girls should decide.I think they’d want to be in on it.”

Now my face is burning brightly along with my ears perking up. I really should get going...

“Y-you go ask them...”

Why did I just say that? Either way, the glowing mare bounces off the couch, gliding over to the door to the bedroom.

Okay, she did that. I really don’t want to go through with this idea. Right now, there are millions of ponies being oppressed by a species along with Gods that agreed to enslave them in the first place. Why am I wasting time pleasuring mares!? I should be out there, exploring, nego-

My train of thought was interrupted, by a group of mares stepping through the door and surrounding the couch with broad grins on their faces. Breeze spoke up first.

“Oh, thank you for agreeing! I promise we’ll do our best to make sure you enjoy it too!”

I yelped as Goo slid up the couch, her soft, gelatinous body beginning to massage my tense muscles. In spite of my reluctance, I felt myself beginning to rise from my sheath, and I saw length, its base a soft purple, while the half nearest the tip was a pale cream in coloration. Already, traces of precum were forming, almost against my will.

“I- I didn’t agree t- to anything!”

Unfortunately, my argument was muffled behind a thick portion of Goo’s mass, negating the effectiveness of them. Breeze then straddled my torso, her forehooves on either side of my head, resting on the arm of the couch. The soft, pink folds of her crevice were presented to me, already glistening with her juices, the strong, attractive smell hitting my senses like a hammer.

My nerves shiver as I intake a large gulp of the smells of all the mares around me. I am ready for this! I wonder what Breeze tas- No! I must fight this off! I wiggle around to break free, moving sharply to make them stop, until I feel the unmistakable sensation of a mouth at the tip of my spire, and I gasp.

My movements only serve to provoke the mares, Goo holding me tight to the bed and massaging both my balls and my sheath, all the way to the base of my shaft. Whoever is licking at my tip is an expert, swirling and swiping with her tongue.

As she continues to work, Breeze slides closer, Goo moving out of the way to let the Flutterkin mare place her deliciously-scented folds over my lips, and I instinctively reach with my tongue to taste the fluids.

It’s like drinking honeyed tea, so sweet and warm, and I shudder with a wave of ecstasy. Another mouth joins the first at my length, running a tongue along the width of it. I feel a tiny nip on my shaft, the sensation causing another wave of pleasure to run through my body, as I drink in Breeze’s warm nectar.

I can feel my wings straining to pull themselves erect, constrained by Goo and the couch, the sensation oddly erotic, driving me closer and closer to climax. As I feel a tongue dive into my flared tip, it pushes me over, and I feel a blast of my semen fountain out, the warm sensation of it running around my shaft telling me that the first mare had enclosed my tip in her mouth entirely.

Working my own mouth equally, I press my muzzle into Breeze’s soft lips, making her moan in response. Her sweet nether nectar runs over my lips and nose, sliding down my throat. Taking a daring chance, I lean a little further up, my lips sealing around one of Breeze’s nipples, making her squeal delightedly.

My heart hammers in my chest, and my hips begin to move of their own accord, thrusting slightly at the two mares busy on my shaft. So much sensation sends me spiralling out of control, splattering another round of cum to wherever its destination might be, inducing moans of pleasure from between my legs.

The sensation at the tip stops, only to be replaced by the feeling of a mare spreading herself over my tip, sliding half onto my length with a moan. I moan into Breeze’s cleft, having abandoned her teats for the warm opening between them.

I feel her press herself onto my muzzle, driving my tongue deeper into her, and I continue to feel the tongue on my shaft accompanied by the mare speared upon it.

I feel myself blast into her, and hear a chorus of moans and the slick noises of our congress, my mind slipping from cohesive thought as Goo continues to rub and massage me all over, filling in any gaps in the armor of pleasure the other mares are surrounding me in.

I think that the mares on my shaft switched, but I can’t tell, my mind screaming at me to continue until they are all satisfied, my cheeks warm from a blush and my body from the exertion. I felt another burst fly from within me, filling the mare on me as I continued to eat out Breeze.

Slowly, everything devolved to nothing, just a swirl of colors, tastes, and sensations, my gasping, shuddering exertions fading to the background, my mind overtaken by the silent urge to fill them...

I wake up, my mind absolutely lost as to where I am, what I should feel and why I feel so damn warm. I turn my head and I get my answers with my four mares laying around me, every single one in a snuggle with my body. Now I remember, I had a freaking orgy!

While normally, I’d be celebrating and jumping for joy and stuff, but I’m sore and achy all over, and my jaw hurts, though there’s a lingering, sweet taste in it, like milk and honey. My fur is matted with all sorts of juices, and so is theirs, minus Goo, who doesn’t have fur.

I can see a pair of white sock-shapes in Slumber, where I had left behind a cream-filling in both her holes. Rose had smears of white crust down her face and chest, and Breeze was laying the opposite direction from everypony else, her back knees on either side of my head.

How am I going to get out of this mess? I’m trapped within four mares, each one completely dirty with my semen. I take in a sigh, I was suppose to be out of here by now... Oh well, I can do it now! I hope I can.

Moving my shaking hooves to push the mares off of me, I feel and hear the crackling of dried cum in my fur, as I find that I’m stuck to the mares in a few places, and have to pull myself from them. The whole mound moves sluggishly, until finally I have enough room to wriggle out.

Once I am out of the... sticky situation, I look towards the door. I know this is a risk, but there were plenty already. My hoof pulls the door slightly open to produce a tiny crack. My eyes drift through the crack to see what is outside waiting for all of us.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten that the cave outside is literally black as can be, with only the faint light from Slumber’s sleeping form behind me barely revealing the field of bones on the other side of the door.

Probably not a good idea to go out there, so I close the door without making a sound. My thoughts drift to ones of a list. One, get out of the caverns alive. Two, find where the Flutterkin live and talk to them. Three, bring down Gods and pegasi at the same time. How was that going to work if I couldn’t even talk to this Rubeum!?

Sitting down and heaving a sigh to calm down, I prepare to work on finding out what I need to know. My thoughts, however, are derailed as a hoof drapes over my shoulder, and a warm body presses against my back.

“Hello, Zach. You did really well last night.”

It was Rose Quartz, her face still covered in the remnants of last night. I feel my cheeks fill with blood at the interesting complement.

“Well, thank you Rose. I personally did not want to do that though...”

My face looks down to the ground, with my ears going flat. My face burns even hotter as she nibbles one of them, murmuring around it.

“Mmm... sorry, just needed that. I’m sure you understand.”

“I do understand, because we are all going to be in danger from this point forward. We need to escape this cavern alive, then find a mysterious society and so much more.”

“Mysterious society? What are you talking about?”

Rose’s hoof stroked further down my chest.

“The Flutterkin of course. Except for Breeze and her mother, I have never seen another one of their species out here.”

“Well, that’s likely because they were afraid you would demand to have your way with each and every one of them, and then order them to burn themselves alive. It wouldn’t be the first time a pegasus has done something like that before.”

That... That is terrible. The tears forming in my eyes agree to it as well. Burning themselves alive on order? What type of fucked pegasi are they!?

“I need to stop this now!”

“And how do you plan to do that? You’d have to get Lady Rubeum to consign the treaty, as she is the keeper of it. I guess if you could defeat her or convince her to give it up... but why would she? You’re just a buck.”

Rose’s hoof begins stroking my belly, sending distracting waves of pleasure through my body, her other hoof stroking one of my wings.

“I have no idea Rose. These Gods are powerful from what I hear. And could you please stop that?”

“Stop what?”

“Stroking my wings and rubbing my belly.”

Rose just hmphed and snuggled closer, not responding. She’s still rubbing me, and it’s very uncomfortable, while also very soothing and pleasant. I try to pull away from her, but the effects she was having on my body were getting too pleasant to fight. I sit my rump onto the ground and let her work.

“That’s better.”

She slowly slides around me, her coat rubbing against mine. Her lips lock onto mine, and I moan into her. Her sweet tasting lips pressing on to mine sending waves of blind lust through my senses.

She pushes me to the stone floor, pressing herself on top of me, tongue swiping across mine. As I lay there, feeling a reaction start in my loins, I hear movement elsewhere, and see the light beginning to increase, a sign that Slumber was awakening.

Maybe there was a chance for this to stop with her waking up. The glow slowly drew closer, and Rose looks up, a strand of saliva connecting our lips. Slumber looked down at us sleepily.

“You two already going again? Can I join in on this?”

Have a threesome or go explore? It doesn’t seem to be a choice I’m going to be given, as Rose shuffles around to sit on my face, Slumber floating over to lick my tip. I watch as her transparent mouth engulfs me, and I shudder as Rose settles onto my mouth.

I try to fight off the urge to continue, as I seek to get free and continue my quest. Slowly, I fade from conscious thought, and run on autopilot, finishing the two mares. We lay in a panting mess, a thick smear of white marking out Slumber’s throat and stomach.

“Now, all we need is Breeze to wake up, then we can move.”

“Someone said my name?”

Breeze’s voice is quiet and groggy.

When did she get up?

“Well, looks like we are all ready.”

“Mmph, we going again? That was really nice last night, Zach. You did well.”

“I- I really don’t want to girls.”

The three active mares looked at me, each one quirking an eyebrow. Rose and Slumber shrug and clamber off of me, and Breeze steps over to me. She looks down at me, her wings fluttering softly.

“Alright. But if we’re going to keep going, we need to do some planning. Zach has the drive, but we should figure things out for real.”

The other mares nod, and I feel kinda left out.

“Well, first part of the plan is getting out of this cavern. Any ideas?”

Slumber looks at me, a little confused.

“What do you mean? I thought we were trying to get an audience with Lady Rubeum first?”

“I am, but there are those things that are trying to get us. Do you know how to get to her Slumber?”

“Yeah... she’s in her castle, on the roof of the cavern. Where else would she be?”

“Can you lead us there?”

“I- I suppose... But why are you asking this?”

“He thinks he’s in charge. It’s really cute. So, how do we get to the cavern roof?”

Breeze answers for me, and I feel a little insulted. Thinks I’m in charge? I thought I was in charge, she’d never acted like this before! I inject my view on this.

“What? No, we head to the Rubeum to find out what’s wrong!”

Saying I wasn’t in charge? How dare they!

“Honey, I know you want to feel like you’re contributing, but with your, ah, ‘condition’, you should probably just sit this one out.”

Breeze speaks softly, drawing me into her embrace, stroking my mane as she tries to settle me into her lap. No way! I walk backwards, not caring if I smash into anything! I need to get out of here!

“I am not sitting down when there is a race to be liberated! Your race, Breeze! I’m trying to free them!”

“Please, honey, you’re going to hurt yourself. Just sit down, and let the mares talk about it.”

“Goo! Restrain them!”

The goo pony simply stares at me, and I can only scream in frustration as the mares move closer to me. None of this makes sense! How does it make sense that the mares are ignoring me? Stepping backwards, I tripped on a rock, and I’m half ready to scream, barely keeping it civil as I talk.

“H-how about we talk this out?”

“We will, honey, and you just need to sit down, while we do.”

No point in arguing now, so sit down I do. I must say, cave ground is not the best type of seating or the most comfortable.

“Okay... I’m sitting.”

Breeze reaches over to me, putting a hoof on one shoulder. She pulls me in, and embraces me tightly, her scent comforting in spite of the situation.

“Alright, you can just sit here, while the four of us figure out what to do. Slumber knows this place better than us, after all.”

“Do I get a say in the matter at all?”

Why was I feeling shame growing within my heart? Maybe I’m not as intelligent as I thought...

Breeze just chuckled, and began stroking my mane, mumbling things like ‘there, there’ and such, as Rose and Slumber also drifted in for a hug. Finally, Breeze responds.

“Please, Zach, you don’t need to get all wound up. We can take care of this just fine.”

I accept the kiss on my forehead grudgingly, despair sitting over me as the four mares begin to talk and plan, leaving me out of it like a small child.

It makes me feel alone all over again. Same thing happened during my childhood. I was naive and childish. I grew up and became a better person. I mean, I just want to save a race of enslaved beings that are being used for who knows what! And yet... I cannot even bring myself to speak to the only four mares I have.

What was I doing? Being a child, being naive, being a failure. So what does any failure do? They hide or run. I begin to crawl away from the group as stealthily as I can. Hopefully I could silently weep in a corner.

“Hey, who’s got Zach?”

A chorus of ‘I don’t know’ s were the response to Breeze’s question. I look up from my hiding spot behind the broken, aromatic couch, and see three confused, worried-looking face searching for me, and Goo, who’s a little hard to gauge.

Oh just great! Even more shame!

“I feel so left out... Like a child that has done wrong. I just want to help your kind, Breeze.”

I can feel tears come to my eyes. This hurt. It was like a stab in the heart, getting left out of the conversation. Did they actually care for me? Oh dear, that thought hurts my heart. I lift my head up to view the mares, waiting for their response. I really hope it would be caring.

Breeze sighs, and stands up, walking over to me.

“Zach, we just want you to play to your strengths. And, well, thinking has never really been a thing for colts. Hence why most places let the mares do the work. It’s only natural, after all.”

Breeze nuzzles me as the words begin to sink in.

“I...I just want to help all of you though.”

“And you’ve helped immensely, dear, but this is a mare’s job, taking care of the stallion. It’s what herds are for.”

Okay, mares are leaders, I get that. What I don’t get is why I led for this long and then it suddenly changes once we meet Slumber. Maybe it has something to do with these Spectral ponies infecting the minds of everyone here. What if they are in my head!? I need to get out of this cavern now!

“Okay, it’s your job. Why did you let me lead for all that time then? I mean, I understand I made a few mistakes, but you took over entirely now.”

“Uhm, all you did was point in directions and start walking. At first I thought you were a pegasus advance scout, but your words at Goo’s cavern dispelled that thought. Then, we just sort of started wandering off.”

Rose nodded, and added in her own point.

“Uhm, yeah. I really only followed you because it’s your baby, and colts take care of the kids once they’re born. When we tried to figure out which way to go, we only went this way because you were the only one with any preference.”

Goo just shrugged. Wait, did she say... baby?

“Did you say baby?!”

She said baby, I’m sure of it.

“Well, yes... that’s what happens when you have sex while a mare is in heat. Why did you think I was so freaked out that morning?! I took advantage of you, and I was really sorry!”

Okay, my eye is twitching right now! How could they do this to me!? How could Rose use me like that and force me into something I have never wanted!? Well, sometimes wanted! Okay, rather wanted on several... wait, I thought it was all mutual?

Also, Rose really does look sad. She’s even gone all dull-coated again, and her usual mane do is gone, replaced with that limp look that they have when really... depressed. Okay, now we really needed a plan.

“Okay... Okay, let’s... How about we just figure out a plan on to escape these caverns with our lives intact. Slumber. Do you know of a way out of here?”

Because if she didn’t, I have no idea how I could survive without blowing up into a fireball and having my mane turn catch on fire. Or, wait... can pegasi even do that, or is that a unicorn thing?

Slumber looks uneasily at me, her eyes darting back and forth.

“Well, not to get out... but I do know how to find Rubeum! There’s a Pillarstone not too far away from here. It goes all the way to the top of the cavern. There’s probably a way the outside from there.”

There is a way out, that’s great! I stop to think for a moment, the smile I had forming falling away.

“But from there, we run the risk of getting attacked by the other spectrals...”

Slumber just stares for a moment, and I feel Goo wrap around me reassuringly.

“Actually, they don’t go near the populated areas. The earth ponies around there are really good shots with the chunks of electrum ore. That’s the stuff we can’t phase through, by the way.”

The smile was not coming back, but at least we have a few safe areas around here. Now if only we had a wall of the electrum ore.

“How close is the nearest populated area?”

“The pillarstone is only about two spires away, no too far”

Slumber’s response is quick, as though she’s figured this out before.

“Perfect. Now that leaves one problem. How do we get out of this place and reach these spires?”

How are we going to avoid these remaining spectrals? Wait... Could she get into this populated area?

“Slumber. Can you get into the populated areas?”

She nods, and I realize that they’ve all moved closer, except Rose, who is still sitting sadly off the side, silent, as Slumber continues talking.

“As long as I’m with you four... and I wear something to cover myself. You should too, it’s rare for ponies to be unclothed in the Pillarstones or when in the Roof.”

Now where did I put my clothes? Wouldn’t they be near the couch? Looking around, I see my pants on the far side of the room, in the carved fireplace, my jacket under a chair, and my saddlebags draped casually over an open door.

“Okay, how in the holy name of the world did my clothes end up everywhere!? I could have sworn it was just on the couch!”

A few moments later, my could feel the heat in my cheeks rise. I should really be careful as to what I say in front of four mares.

The four look around, Goo included, their eyes going wide as they too realized where everything had ended up.

Finally, Breeze spoke up.

“I have no idea how that’s even possible... I was virgin until I met you.”

Rose mumbled something about her second, Goo shrugged, and Slumber looked relieved.

“So I’m not the only one who started as a virgin with him? Phew, that’s good.”

Okay, wow. I even took their virginities!? What is wrong with this place!? I seriously need some air now. Where is that exit? Where is the plan? How did we get into this awkward topic!?

“Right... so, can we get back to planning a way out of here? I seriously want to feel the sun again.”

“I’ll be honest, I think his tush is the cutest part of him.”

The other mares nodded their agreement with Rose. I facehoof. Do these mares have one-track minds or what?

“Well, it’s a nice butt. However, I think his tongue is the best part.”

“Nope, his lips are better.”

“Tongue.”

“Tush.”

“Would you stop talking like I’m not right here?!”

The three mares had the dignity to look ashamed.

“Right, girls, we should get ready to go. Slumber? do you have anything you need to pack? No? Then help get his clothes on him, me and Rose will gather our things from the bedroom, and find something to wear. Goo... uhm, find, ah... Just try to... Uhm, can you clean him off?”

I was jumped by the slime mare at this request, making the others giggle.

“Goo! I don’t need to be cleaned! Get off! Please!”

This slime pony sure did feel good across my coat, but I want air and openness! This was not helping that at all! Unfortunately, my cries are drowned out by the gooey mare enveloping my face, as she did a... *ahem* thorough check-and-clean. As she pulls away from me, I stagger from the spin cycle, feeling vaguely like a freshly dried shirt.

“I-I think I need to sit down for a s-second. I... I fee- feel kinda d- dizz-”

Ow! Well. That was an unexpected fall to the ground. Jeez, Goo sure does know how to make me dizzy... Why do I feel I said that in the wrong way? Well, at least I’m sitting. I think. I might be laying on my side or back, it’s a little hard to tell right now.

Slumber walked up to me, looking like she was standing sideways on the floor. Or maybe the ceiling. Again, hard to tell. From the looks of things, Goo was just retreating from cleaning her, too, but she didn’t seem dizzy at all. How the hay was that fair?!

“Well, you look alright, even if you are sitting on your side. Here, lemme help you get your pants on.”

Oh, Celestia please don’t make her do anything to my lower areas! This was not fair at all! I just want to get out of this cave full of freaky spectral ponies! Why must I be cursed... well, not cursed, more of stuck with four horny mares. I seriously need to find something that won’t make them hot for me. Maybe I should grow a beard. Wait, do ponies even have beards?

Slowly, Slumber fumbles the pants up my legs, her warm breath exciting across my now-fluffy coat. As she tucks the pair of jeans into place, I feel myself beginning to react, and do my absolute best to quash the feelings before it goes to full size. I breath a sigh of relief as she buttons the loop over the base of my tail, and brings my jacket over.

Helping me shrug on the heavy coat over my natural one, I happily embrace the now-soft and fluffy ghost-pony, being met with a contented sigh of her own. Then, Goo jumps up and joins in, ensnaring us both in a giant hug and nuzzle.

“Now this is nice. I wish moments like this could last, but we really need to get going. I’m sorry if I made mistakes. I’ll try to do better next time such as now. For now, let’s just get out of this cave and into some fresh air. I could really use it after all of that break down.”

Gosh, have I ever smiled this large before? Hey wait, where’s Rose? It doesn’t feel as warm.

“Has anybody seen Rose?”

Slumber looks towards the bedroom.

“I thought she was in there, packing up your stuff.”

“Could you go look for her Slumber. She needs to be in this hug.”

Now that I think about it. Did I make her feel that bad that she wouldn’t even hug us? Either way, Slumber floats over to the bedroom, looking in. I hope Rose isn’t feeling too bad... maybe I should’ve apologized for my outburst. She should be fine, though, she’s able to take care of herself.

“Wait, where’s Rose?”

Well... shit.

Ch07 - Ostracision

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“Wait, where’s Rose at, Breeze?”

Breeze didn’t reply for a moment.

“I- she said she was going out there to help you three?”

Okay, frustration and anger is back. She went out there... where there are spectrals that want to kill us slowly and Breeze knew about it? Let’s see. Should I yell? Cry? Charge out there to find Rose? All I know is that I am concerned.

“Now you three listen. We are going to find Rose. Now!”

“Zach, stop for a moment, and calm down. There’s no need to panic. She’s probably just upstairs, right Slumber?”

“A-actually, I haven’t finished the upstairs yet, it just ends at the top of the stairs.”

“What does that mean? What do you mean they just end!?”

“W- well, I’ve been carving this out for a while, a-and I never got around to finishing the upstairs yet! It’s just ends at the top with a blank wall.”

“What other areas are in the house, Slumber?”

Slumber shakes her head and shrugs.

“There isn’t, really. I just have a bedroom and the living room done. I’ve been doing this all with those bones outside, so it’s slow going. I- I’m not sure when I started, but I know I was a lot shorter back then.”

I really hope she isn’t outside.

“Check the top of the stairs. If she is not there... then we need to look outside.”

Why would she even go outside? Doesn’t she know the dangers? Why must she make me worry so much!

The other mares nod and Breeze rushes over to the stairs, looking up them. She looks back, and shakes her head. I sigh, looking to the door.

“Guess our only option is to check outside. You sure we checked everywhere in the house, Slumber?”

“I- I think so. She’s not at the top of the stairs, nor in any of the other rooms down here. D- did we scare her away?”

“I- I don’t know. Slumber, how do we get past the other Spectral Ponies if they are still out and about?”

I really hope they weren’t if Rose just went outside. Maybe they only wanted me...

“Uhm, run? Really fast? That’s what I usually do. I always try not to fight if I can avoid it.”

Slumber sounds unsure and distracted. I hope she doesn’t blame herself. It was probably my fault Rose ran, maybe we can get her if we hurry. I take in a deep breath. Why must things be so complicated here?

“Okay, so we run, try to find Rose, get back here before getting devoured, and try to come up with a plan on how to get out of here. Sound good?”

Breeze steps over to me and rests her head on my shoulder.

“Yeah, Zach, we can try that. C’mon, girls, let’s get moving. Grab our supplies, and let’s go.”

I really hope this works out for the best. I turn my attention towards the door and look at it. Out there was danger, and Rose was most likely in it. Why would she go out there? She’s pregnant for pony’s sake! Why would she endanger her life and the child’s as well? I turn my attention back to my group and simply wait. Every second that passed by, I was growing more concern over Rose.

The three mares (well, two mares and Goo) stepped in, each hefting a heavy pair of saddlebags. Goo just had a large sack stuck to the back of her form.

“Alright, Zach, let’s get going.”

Without another word, the four of us depart the little house, and are greeted by the swirling miasma of a swarm of Spectral Ponies, hovering in a massive spiral not too far away.

Instinct alone could’ve told me that Rose was at the bottom of it, but my gut clenches as I hear the sound of her screaming in fear or agony. I can’t tell the difference right now, and it’s terrifying me.

As the four of us begin to the charge the column, the mares mainly doing it in an attempt to catch up with me, I can see the twisted, horrifying faces of the spectres above and ahead. Each one is a sickly off-yellow, and their faces remind me of something from the lightless depths of the ocean, all elongated teeth and snapping jaws.

All I can simply do was keep away and hope the others were keep pace. These things certainly do have terrifying faces. I just need to reach the spiral and get Rose and the rest of us out of this mess. I don’t want to be stuck down here with those things.

Nearing the bottom of the funnel of ghostly monsters, I could see Rose. She was huddled under the brilliant light of the swarm, covering her eyes. Her coat gleamed a vivid shade of her normale light pink, and I saw one of the spectrals dive down, only to glance off.

Her eyes snap open as I charge in, and I see the confused, almost scared expression she wears as I, without thinking, grab her and continue my gallop. I may not know how to use my limbs perfectly, but adrenaline was guiding my hooves well enough. The horrible screams of the spectral swarm chase me as I went in the only direction I could think of as I stumble over ridges in the once-liquid stone.

The tiny, glowing lights of the Pillarstone give me the barest point of reference, and the ground seems to be bright enough lit for me to stop stumbling as much.

Wait, bright enough not to-

I spare a single glance back, and see the swarm almost upon me, my herd several yards to one side to avoid pursuit. I quickly turn my gaze away and pace on as much as I can. I can only pray the others are in safety. Rose’s hooves, wrapped around my neck and barrel as they are, are holding on for dear life, but her weight is much more than I’m used to.

While I cannot, will not, let her go, I can feel my steps faltering, slowing, even as the Pillarstone looms into view. I can feel my breath coming short and ragged as I continue to carry Rose’s not-inconsiderable weight onwards, up the gentle stone slope of the cavern floor.

Just need to keep going. I can’t give in after snatching Rose like this. I try to block out any physical feeling and direct my focus on running and keeping my mares safe from this horde. I still do feel my breathing, but I feel it as determination to get to safety.

Then, I trip.

I can’t help it, my leg just... gave out. I can feel Rose tumble from me with the sound of heavy chunks of crystal or glass sliding across tile, and and I see her look back to my crumpled form. I can’t keep back the pain. Everything hurts, from my lungs to my legs, even as I can feel, but not see, Rose lift me onto her own shoulders and begin galloping onwards.

Not much else is clear to me as I feel the jerking, bouncing sensation of being carried, and consciousness escapes me...

Vague, blurred sounds and feelings numbed by shock and pain filter slowly into my mind. Flashes of faces from the deeps of some oceanic hell haunt my waking nightmares, and I can feel something weigh down my thrashing limbs. All I can do is try to scream, but I cannot in this liquid-like embrace, as if the air itself has become thicker.

As I slowly sink back into the dark depths of my own unconsciousness, I can hear someone screaming my name.

Whoever they are, they sound really far away...

Slowly, I fade back into consciousness. My head hurts, and I can feel something wrapped around my head. Whatever it is, it’s itchy and rough, and covers my eyes. I seem to be laying on my back, and something is next to me.

It feels familiar, and warm, which is a nice contrast to my oddly cold belly. I keep feeling a vague breeze pass by, and it chills my stomach greatly each time.

“H-hello?”

I just knew who was beside me, where I was, and what happened exactly. As a response to not being able to see, I move a forehooves around. Maybe I could feel something familiar and give me a hint to my questions.

The someone next to me moved with a soft moan of exhaustion, and I can feel them move closer. They’re situated awkwardly, though, like they aren’t on the bed with me. As one hoof of mine reaches up to pull off the thing over my eyes, I can hear her wake up.

Rather suddenly, I am pulled into a tight hug, and I can hear the pony holding me sob and weep into my shoulder as she cries, tears soaking into my coat.

“Rose... thank you.”

She just continued crying into my shoulder,holding me tightly. No words, no gestures of any kind. Just several minutes of her refusing to let me go as my coat was soaked with salty tears.

After several minutes, I finally felt ready to say something.

“Where are we, Rose? And... I- I’m sorry about exploding earlier. It wa-”

“N- no... it was m- my fault. I’m so, so s- sorry for forcing you... I- I didn’t r- realize you didn’t n- know what I meant... I’m so sorry... I- I underst- stand if you d- don’t want me in your herd...”

She choked out the words in anguish, barely able to say a thing as she drew gently away. She sounded utterly distraught, and sounds like she could barely breathe. I have to do something before I lose her, I just know it.

“Rose, I could never stay mad at a pony like yourself for long. You’re unique and... well, I don’t know a lot, but I know you have a good heart. Plus, why would I want the mother of my child to leave my herd? That would be insanity if a pony actually did that.”

“It- it wouldn’t be the f- first time that had ever happened...”

Her words were grim, but her tone held hints of hope.

“Well, whoever those ponies are do not have a heart or care for the life they made. I’m sorry, Rose. Please don’t leave us. I need all of you.”

I could feel the mare press herself back to my shoulder and hold me tight. I held her back in my hooves.

“I am deeply sorry, still. I know this is silly, but you forgive me, right?”

I know she probably does, due to the fact she’s hugging me, but I need to make sure she has. I can feel her nuzzle my chest from where she’s sitting or whatever, and it feels great.

“I- I forgive you, Zach. Do- do you forgive me, too?”

“Yes, Rose. I do forgive you.”

I smile towards Rose. She’s a nice mare, a caring one. I don’t know how this kid business will go down, but I’m glad it’s happening with a mare like Rose.

Rose slowly quiets her sniffles as I hold her, and we simply take the moment to calm down.

“Now, Rose, where are the others?”

I feel bad for ruining a special moment like one such as now, but I need to know where the others were. They were behind me after all. Then the Spectral Ponies are on my tail, (almost literally) and I can’t remember the rest.

“Oh, they’re in a guest room. They, uhm, let me stay with you because, well, they felt I needed to talk with you. A- are your eyes feeling better?”

Now that she mentions them, I realize that my eyes are actually a bit sore, like I got some sort of grit in them or something.

“They feel irritated, but it’s manageable. How did you even know about what I was feeling in them?”

“Uhm, well, after what happened...”

Those five words sat on my stomach like an icey brick.

“W- what did happen, Rose?”

“I- I couldn’t get you in time, and one of those... those monsters took a bite at you. I- I tried to get away, but it- it gave you a nasty cut across one eye. We, uhm, weren’t sure how bad it was...”

Her voice trails off, and I feel her hoof tracing slow circles on my chest in dismay. As nice as the feeling is, it also calls attention to my oddly-cold stomach region.

“I- it’s okay, I’m not blind in it I believe. But, I do feel this really unusual feeling in my stomach. It’s cold. Do you think the Spectral Pony caused that too?”

“Ah, actually... that’s where we shaved you.”

I stop for a moment. I- I’m not too sure what to say to that, but I can certainly try to say something.

Anything, really.

If, y’know, anything comes to mind.

...

Anything at all?

Finally reaching an idea, I blurt out the following.

“What do you mean by ‘shaved’ me?”

“W- well, you needed some, uhm, ‘minor surgery’... and, ah, well, hair would’ve been bad to get in the wounds... and, uhm, you were losing a, ah, lot of blood, so, uhm, we had to check if anypony was compatible... Uh, their blood, that is.”

There’s some nervous shuffling to the side of me, where Rose is sitting, and the hoof is still circling the same spot on my chest. It’d be adorable if I hadn’t just learned I’d needed surgery and some of the girls had donated some blood to me, but as it stood...

“Aaand, well, it turned out the only one with a compatible blood type...”

Oh shit, please don’t be going where I think this is.

“Was kinda, uhm... me.”

God-damnit! I hope she’s alright...

And what the hell did I need surgery for, anyways?!

“Okay. Why did I need surgery? Are you alright after the donation of blood? Who performed the surgery? What was the surgery? And, better yet, where the holy name of pony kind am I?!”

I didn’t mean to yell, but concern, confusion, and frustration about this place had to come out sometime soon. I try to look Rose straight in the eye, and wait for response.

“W- well, we didn’t want your intestines to drag on the stairs-”

“Wait, what!?”

“Ah, right, one of the spectres kinda, uhm... got you? It tore you up pretty badly. It, uhm, it’s why we’ve been here for the last week.”

“...It’s been a week!?”

I can feel her shift awkwardly next to me.

“Well, actually, it’s been three. You were in really bad condition; we’ve been out of the emergency ward for the last week, though.”

“I was in the freaking hospital too!? How badly was I injured!?”

“P- pretty bad... I- I’m sorry, Zach... I d- didn’t mean for you to get hurt... I- I just thought...”

She breaks off with another round of sobbing, and I immediately feel awful for berating her like this.

“H- hey. D- don’t cry. It wasn’t your fault- mostly. i don’t mean to explode like that, but... t- this is all so new. I- I’m sorry, Rose.”

I try to signal her into a hug. I seriously need to cool down next time surprises are shot at me at a million miles per hour. The mare continues to sob into my arms, and the next thing she says almost breaks my heart.

“I- I th- thought it’d be b- better if I just w- went away... So I wasn’t a problem... I’m so sorry...”

Naturally, I tightened the strength I had her enveloped in. I would be lost if I lost Rose and my unborn child.

“Rose, that would’ve shattered my heart into tiny fragments if you left. I never want you to go, not when we are a family. You also bear my child. If you left with it...”

That thought alone pains my heart. I may not have wished for the child, but it’s still my child, and I will do what I can for him or her.

In the meantime, Rose just drapes herself across me, and I can feel her face near mine, at least near enough that I can kiss her if I wanted. And... I do want to, and I will.

With the lightest of touches, I pulled her close and pressed my lips to hers. She stiffened, but only momentarily. Then, she melted into my embrace, and kissed me back in full. I could feel her fur slide along my chest as she moved closer, and I am prepared to give in to her, if only to make her feel better.

Up until her hoof drifted across my stitches, that is. The sudden flare of pain in my gut killed the mood, and she ends up spending the next fifteen minutes or so calming me down from the spasms of pain.

“S- sorry, Rose, wasn’t expecting that.”

“I- I didn’t mean to hurt you, oh, I’m so sorry... Oh, I’m going to be a terrible mother...”

“N- no it’s fine. I’m sure it was accidental. You’re going to be a great mother with that caring attitude of yours.”

“I- I suppose... C- can I just lay here, then? J- just for tonight, that is. This chair isn’t very comfortable, is all.”

“Of course you can, why would I ever reject that?”

“I- because you don’t want me to hurt you?”

“I don’t think laying next to each other will hurt me. I promise that. Just keep away from the stitches, is all.”

Rose nodded, and I feel her climb up as well. She’s not showing yet, but I’ve got to take care of her. If not because I really do like her, then at least for the baby’s sake. Or foal’s, I suppose.

I can feel her snuggle close to my side, and a hoof drapes carefully across my chest. The warm appendage is soothing, and I find myself passing back out, tired from the exertion of speaking for these last several minutes.

Several days of recuperation later, the bandages over my eyes had come off, and I’d found that I couldn’t see out of my right eye fully any more. And, apparently, there isn’t much that can fix an eye - it’s too complicated an organ for even magic to heal. I could still see, sorta, but my right eye’s sight would be blurry for the rest of my life.

I suppose I should be happy I can still see out of it at all, considering I got a look in a mirror and saw that the horizontal gashes across my face, now turning to scars, had nearly removed my eye initially. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the doctors, I wouldn’t have a functioning right eye in any capacity.

A full week after I’d woken up that first time, I’m finally reunited with the other girls, as more than one visitor are allowed in. I’ve gotten used to the ever-changing nurses, I think I even saw some ponies with bat-wings, and some that looked like they were part spider or something, in addition to the normal earth ponies and unicorns.

The ones that really caught my attention, though, were the changelings, of which several did, in fact, seem to work at the hospital. Nopony else commented on them, and they all had blue carapaces instead of the usual green.

In one of the other beds in the room I’m in, as there is four beds in total in each room, was a pony with round, pebble-like scales forming pale cream-and-pink stripes. The pony had many lizard-like features, including sharp-looking teeth and a long, thin tongue that darted out. Also, a long, whip-like tail with a poof of fur at the end replaced the more normal tail most ponies had, but I’d been too timid of the obviously carnivorous pony to ask any questions.

As it stands at present, my herd was sitting around me. They’d apparently been information hunting while I’ve been bed-ridden, so I listened as they explained that we’d need to climb the Pillarstone via a series of stairs to reach the capital, which is on the roof, apparently strung between some of the largest pillars and stalactites.

“... anyways, that’s what we’ve found out. It should take a week of travel to reach the roof, as not all of us can fly. We’ll need to stop every few hundred floors to sleep and eat and such. It’s going to be grueling. Thankfully, there’s folks living on literally every stage along the way, so we should be able to barter some of our surface goods for food and the like.”

Breeze finished her lecture, then realized that everypony was looking her way. She blushes, and ducks to the side a little, looking adorably abashed about the attention.

“So, I just recover, then we go, right? I really want to meet this Lady Rubeum and talk to her about your race. Slumber? Did you say the Spectral Ponies are tied in Rubeum as well?”

“Uhm, not that I know of... They just sort of live here. I don’t think they’re tied here or anything, and they sometimes send out raiding parties. I- I don’t like what they bring back, though.”

That perks my ears.

“Raiding? They raid too?”

Okay, now that is a major issue that has to be dealt with. Being alive and guarding your home is one thing, but raiding? Now I wish there was a faster way to get to Rubeum’s palace or whatever she had.

“Yeah, they have to get fresh meat from somewhere, right? I’ve tried living off of mushrooms, but even I need to eat a cave rat every now and then.”

Slumber had taken to wearing heavy cloth wraps all around herself to conceal her luminous nature. It worked mostly, but her mouth still gave her away when she talked, so she now includes a thick length of cloth like a bandana over her muzzle most of the time. Her eyes still glow, but there’s a bunch of races here, apparently, that also have glowing eyes.

Still, that comment, it made me feel more confused about the Spectrals. Maybe they weren’t an issue if they are just eating a cave rat.

“Of course, they usually bring the prey back alive to be devoured like that, but I always tried to end their suffering if they were. Nopony deserves a death like that.”

Slumber shudders and so do I as I understand the implications. Live, sentient prey, likely ponies stolen from their homes. They were definitely a problem, but I can’t think of anything short of committing genocide - by killing them all somehow - would stop them.

“So finding this Rubeum may help solve that problem as well as the Pegasi dominance over the Flutterkin. When can we move out? I don’t want to waste time rotting here on a bed.”

“Uhm, I’m not sure those two correlate... but we can be moving in a just another week, doctor’s orders. Can you hold out until then, Zach? There’s a lot of stairs to climb, and we don’t want you injuring yourself further, honey.”

Breeze motions for caution as she strokes my mane. It’s a very soothing action, and I can tell she’s doing it to try to get her way without actually doing anything to force me.

“I’ll be fine. I understand it’s for the best since I got injured pretty badly.”

That was an understatement. From what I’d been told, the four of them had rushed me in, Goo barely holding me together as Breeze had done everything she could to sustain me. While I had been upset with Rose for giving blood for me, I’m still very grateful anyways. It was an incredibly generous thing she did, and it means even more now that I know I would’ve died if they hadn’t been able to find another donor.

“However, I still do want to get out and climbing as soon as we can. Any idea on what we’ll be facing while we are climbing? You did mention there are other ponies there to help us along the way, Breeze.”

“Well, I don’t know about facing them, but there’s likely to be some Changeling and Arachnite colonies on the pillar, and we’ll probably need to pass several Nightwings. I- I hope not, though, they scare me.”

Breeze quails at the thought of those types of ponies, for whatever reasons known only to her. Rose and Slumber shiver at the mention of the Nightwings, however, and I’m guessing they’re the bat-ponies. It’s the only thing that makes sense in this context.

“Okay so try to avoid these Nightwings, got it. Is there anything I can do besides lay here? I at least want to be a little productive while I’m recovering.”

“No, no, honey, it’s alright. You just try to get better. I’ll see if we can find some sort of games or something to play. Do you like dolls? I know a lot of colts do, but you’ve said you’re a little different...”

As much as I love Breeze, there are times I want to smack her. Not anything violent, just a tap on the head hard enough to be felt. Only sometimes, though.

“Uhm, not really, but some games sound like fun. Maybe I can figure out how to use my wings for moving stuff...”

Ch08 - Stair Master Supreme

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A week had passed, and we’d run out of games and such to play. Well, minus the time I’d woken up to find Rose Quartz trying really hard to hide that she really needed to get laid. That was awkward in the extreme, but Goo helped ‘fix’ that particular issue.

Thankfully, behind a different screen.

The reptilian pony had left by then, and a day later a Changeling with a missing wing was in one of the other beds.

It was the first time I’d seen a Changeling up close, or as up close as across the room could get, and I had to admit, she/he/it was fairly interesting. The relatively smooth sections of chitin on its back were a shiny, polished-looking citrine, like an orange gemstone. Its fur was, however, a deep midnight-blue. In all, it wasn’t too similar in anything but build to the ones I’d seen in the show.

Either way, it seemed to be healing at an incredible rate, and I could see, from across the room, the slowly-reforming wing build itself over the course of three days. I hadn’t been able to work up the courage to ask it anything, but it kept looking over at my little group quite often.

Finally, while the girls were off doing something else, they wouldn’t tell me what, I decided to ask the Changeling something, just to strike up a conversation. It had also been moved a little closer, with just a single empty bed between me and it.

“Uh... Hey there, uh, Changeling. What’s your name? I’m Zach and, uhm, how are you this fine, uhm, ‘day’?”

The Changeling looked over at me and cocked its head to one side.

“Chrrrp?”

The noise was somewhere between a cricket’s chirp and a cat’s purr. And the Changeling’s almost luminous green eyes continued to stare at me. Its head was turned at almost a ninety-degree angle, like an owl trying to get a better look at something.

“Okay... that’s an interesting way to turn your head. I certainly like the way your chitin looks. Never seen anything like it before from where I’m from. So, uhm, what’s your name?”

“Chrrup.”

Okay, still in the cat+cricket noise range, though this time more like a cat. Now that I had a better look at it, it shifted its head again, and I could see the fin-like protrusion it had in place of a mane. The spines holding it aloft curved smoothly, as if to mold flat to its head. I wondered idly what it could be for, before getting ready to ask another question.

“So, Churp, what do you like to do here?”

“Chrrrp.”

The Changeling then made a sort of clicking noise and tilted its head again at me. I was more than a little at a loss, the show had not prepared me for anything, having only shown the Queen having any sentience. Maybe this one wasn’t intelligent? Saying that might be insulting, though.

“So, can you say anything beside that cricket sounding noise?”

The Changeling blinked once, then tapped its chest. A faint green glow formed around its horn, and a wash of green energy, like electrical arcs, covered it over. After a moment, a near-perfect copy of myself was laying in the bed one over.

“Sorry, this one not remember not-hive no speak hive.”

“This one not what? I guess you are not connected to this ‘hive’ then?”

How was anypony suppose to understand that mess of words?

“No-no-no! This one forget not-hive, you, not speak in hive-speak. You speak over-speak.”

“So I don’t speak this hive-speak, huh? Well, can you speak this over-speak you mention?”

“Speak over-speak now. You speak over-speak, this one take face, this one over-speak.”

The Changeling spoke fairly rapidly, a lot more quickly than I normally did, but it had my voice. The conversation would’ve been a lot more confusing if it didn’t have those odd speaking mannerisms.

“Okay, so back to one of my original questions, what is your name in over-speak?”

“This one not-name, this one drone. This one work, not think. Overseer think, overseer yes-name.”

“So where is this overseer of yours? Shouldn’t he or she be here for you since you’re injured?”

“Overseer busy, drone not important. This one good lucky get help, not be removed of hive. This one lucky get big food here, you friend-friends very love you.”

“Alright then, fed off of our love. Lucky you indeed. So now that you are all healed up mainly, do you plan to return to the hive?”

“Yes, this one go hive soon, wing not-fix yet, soon.”

“Well, that’s great. It’s always good to be at your home. I feel a little bit homesick myself, but I like this place a lot better with the mares I have.”

“Friend-friends tasty.”

I stopped short for a moment at the comment, having to carefully remind myself that Changelings probably just went into things for the tastiness of love, not for the emotion itself.

Either way, the Changeling seemed quite happy with itself, beaming at me with my own pearly whites.

“Impressive smile you have there, Churp. Is there anything you would like to discuss while we have the time?”

The Changeling just shrugged. I watched as his/its form wavered, and then dispersed in a shimmer of green energy, revealing the orange-and-navy-blue Changeling beneath.

The changeling yawned and snuggled under its covers, closing its eyes once more. Apparently, I made it tired. It quietly, it called another chirrup over its shoulder, in what sounded like ‘good-night’ sort of tone. It had been up before me, and I had no reason to suspect it hadn’t simply been awake for long enough to be going to sleep now.

Well, having no company around, I decided to just sit back like I have been for the past week. All I could effectively do was think. When was I suppose to get out of this place? It’s been a week so far, so I should be fit to leave sometime soon.

I also did not have the ability to fly yet. It irked me that I’ve been here for this long and still don’t know how to use my wings for anything besides grabbing stuff (which was mildly painful at first, I had to spend most of the last week working on getting more flexible)

In all, I was in no way sure how useful I actually was. I had no local knowledge, I was still a bit clumsy, and there were even times when I was an actual detriment to the family I’d built. They were friends, all of them, but I had to wonder if it was actually a good thing I was leading them towards.

Morosely, I thought about what I was doing. I hadn’t had this much time to think about my situation since I’d arrived. It’d been so busy, from one mini-adventure to the next, that some of the events had blurred together, like wax sculptures melting and twisting together on a hearth.

And then, there were the times when weird thoughts would pop into my head, little things like looking at some pony and thinking ‘they look delicious’, and not in the way that was associated with bedrooms and closed doors.

On top of that, what little I’d heard about the pegasi meant that I really had no place in this world, unless I carved one out for myself. And that would make me almost as bad as the pegasi raiders I kept hearing about.

I sighed, mulling over the dark thoughts swirling in my head. The nurses had brought me some fish-based foods while I was here, saying I had started to suffer from malnutrition. It seemed that pegasi, even ground-bound ones, need protein in their diets or it makes them waste away and/or go crazy from hunger. Or both, in the opposite order; crazy, then dead.

And all the time I’d been sitting here in my bed, I’d felt the need to get up and roam around, but I couldn’t it was driving me almost as crazy as meat-deprivation would. I felt the acute need to just move, as if every muscle in my body was going stir-crazy. The only reason I didn’t, though, was that the mares I cared so much about would be upset or even angry at me for endangering myself like that.

A twinge of pain in one of my rear legs, brought me out of my thoughts for a moment, and I looked up to see that my herd had showed up. They all had big grins on (even Goo) and were supporting a small, round piece of wood with...

A cake! They’d brought me a cake! I hadn’t had a cake yet, as a pony, and they’d brought me one! I- I had to fight back a squeal of delight that bubbled up unexpectedly at the sight.

“Here you are, Zach! The doctor said you were getting out today, so we thought a cake would be a good way to celebrate.”

Rose’s words made me smile.

“I- I paid for it myself, because I seem to be the only one who actually has any money. Anything for the herd, right?”

I couldn’t help but smile at my herd. They certainly are some of the nicest mares I know, despite making a few problems of their own from time to time. And never mind that I didn’t actually know all that many ponies, period.

Everypony cuddled in for a short group hug, and then they set about cutting the cake. I got the largest piece, and was very happy for it. I was a little surprised to see that each of them had differently sized pieces, with Breeze getting the largest of them, and Slumber getting the smallest.

Breeze nibbled gently at the cake, eating it delicately, while Rose almost face-planted into hers, eating huge chunks of it gleefully. Goo simply took the entire thing into her, and it sat in her head, like a chunk of fruit in a batch of jello.

And Slumber ate hers cautiously at first, but devoured it gleefully after she’d had a taste. After seeing that none of them bothered with forks or other silverware, I decided to try just taking a bite out of the cake.

After the first bite of the dessert, I was hooked. Every one of my tastebuds lit up like a redneck neighborhood on the fourth of July. I had never had something so delicious in my life, it brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.

And that was all from a plain, vanilla cake, no icing.

“Where’s the icing at? This thing is so delicious without it! Is icing even available down here in this cavern?”

Rose just looked at me, along with the other mares.

“Icing? Uhm, what is ‘icing’?”

Breeze’s question would’ve knocked me off my hooves if I’d been standing. They had never heard of icing?! I was having to call my Pinkie Pie-induced instincts to panic at the thought, but it still made me reel from shock at the idea.

The three mares (Goo was still sitting serenely, a bastion of calm, yet happy in the sea of confusion) all began to look back and forth in dismay. It was pretty obvious that they were trying to figure out if they’d made some cultural faux pas by not having this ‘icing’ thing I’d mentioned.

In the meantime, I just sat there, basking the happy from the after-effects of the delicious cake. Sooo... good.

“So, Zach?”

Breeze said the statement like a question, dragging my attention away from the delicious cake in my mouth.

“Yes, Breeze?”

“A- are you ready to go? The nurse said we could go as soon as you were done eating. She even told us where to go to find some dried m- meat for you and Slumber.”

Did she really need to add that last statement? I don’t want to eat meat as a pegasus! Or any other kind of pony, for that matter.

“Yes, Breeze. I’m ready to go right now. Thank you for the cake by the way.”

Breeze just blushed and muttered that Rose bought it. I couldn’t help but pull her into a hug, she was just so cute when she got all shy and flustered. She leaned into the hug, and the rest of my herd all snuggled in for it.

“I love you all, so much from the bottom of my heart. Together, we can get through anything.”

The snuggles were wonderful, and they all helped me get my clothes on, though my jacket was missing an arm and the bottom had been frayed completely. It looked as though someone had tried to make the other arm match, taking it out and turning the whole thing into a sort of hoodie-vest. It was interesting, to say the least.

The pants, though... they were ruined. The attack that had opened my belly up had shredded my pants, and if it had gone just an inch or two further ‘down’... The thought alone made me shudder. There were even scars on my back-left leg, where a stray claw had nearly split it like an overcooked sausage.

Most of my fur had grown back, thankfully, so I could walk around without my tummy feeling all weird. That had been a strange sensation, to be sure.

After all my stuff was back on, such as my backpack/saddlebags, we were prepared to leave. All five of us looked at the curved, somewhat steep stairs, and groaned, realizing how long we’d need to climb.

At least it wouldn’t be too bad, right? It’s not like we had to climb for forever, after all.

We had been climbing for forever.

Or, at least, that’s what it felt like. We’d been making progress every day for nearly three days or so of effort, ending up tired and exhausted after every hundred floors or so. At the very least, however, I was treated to a nice view of Breeze and Rose’s rears, swaying quite enticingly as they marched up the stairs in front of me. The only reason those two were up front, though, was so that someone would be available to catch Rose if she fell, what with the baby and all. Also, she was the only who (aside from me, technically) who couldn’t fly or stick to the floor/wall.

And since the stairs were, for whatever reason the architects had, on the outside of the spire as we rose, the threat of falling was a very real danger. I at least could try to catch myself, and have time for Breeze to help me, and Breeze and Slumber could both fly, and Goo stuck to anything she touched like a blob of used gum (and moved like something out of a fluid motion game).

Everypony in the group was exhausted though, as we reached our five-hundredth floor passed, out of around two thousand. It had been four days, and we could not go on for a while. Rose was sick, Breeze had taken to flying because it was easier, and Slumber had done the same.

Only Goo seemed not to mind the exercise.

Stepping into the main floor we’d arrived on, we saw that, to our incredible luck (or maybe really good foresight on the part of the builders) that the floor hosted both a market and an inn. Considering we were more than a mile away from the cavern floor, it was incredible anything even wanted to live here, but we had passed ponies living on every single story.

On this one, though, it appeared to mostly be Changelings and some sort of spider-ponies. As well, a few unicorns and even some of the bat-ponies lived here, the bat ponies becoming more and more prevalent as we went farther up the Pillarstone.

“H- hey, Zach? Y- you wanna go with Rose to find a- an inn? Me and s- Slumber are gonna go to the market. S- see what’s there.”

Breeze sounded utterly exhausted as she landed with a wince. The entire herd needed new shoes, except for me, as my sneakers were still going strong. though, they had started looking frayed around the edges.

“That sounds like a good idea, Breeze. I was thinking about finding some jobs as well to increase our funds for the future. If there is a job here, we may want to stick around for it for a week or so, maybe even a month. I know things are bad, but we need to be prepared, right?”

The girls all nodded their heads, except Goo, who just flowed up my legs to settle onto me, like a suit of greenish, clear armor. I could feel her nucleus-heart pulsing softly on my chest.

“Goo, must you always do this when we’re in public? It’s embarrassing.”

I admonished her, sure, but her warm presence was very comforting. And it wasn’t like she was doing anything inappropriate. Yet. That would likely happen once we weren’t in public.

I felt the urge to try going to the market instead.

Shaking it away, I felt Goo slide off of me, looking a little sad. She was always trying to put a smile on our faces, even going so far as to purposefully look silly just for our sakes. Still, she got a bit clingy at times, and it was mildly annoying sometimes. She’s nice, but a little too close at times, I suppose.

“Alright, you can come with me and Rose, but just try to stay your normal self and off of me, please.”

She nodded solemnly, and made the Pinkie swear motions, which I’d taught her while I was in the hospital. The others thought it just silly, but Goo understood its seriousness.

Then she glomped me, before sliding off again, but that’s just because she’s as bubbly as a can of cola.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go find us a place to stay. Breeze, please keep an eye out for jobs. I know you know, I’m just reminding, alright?”

The timid Flutterkin nodded and pressed close to me for a moment, and I gave her a tender kiss on the forehead. We decided to meet back here, at the landing of the stairs, in two hours. She and Slumber then wandered off, leaving me and Rose to achingly begin our own search for the inn.

“So, Zach? Where should we try first? That road says it goes to the ‘Quint District’, while the other says it goes to ‘Belle Quarter’. Do you have a preference?”

I had long ago mentioned that I can’t read their language, and Rose had volunteered to read for me when needed. And with the Pillarstone still being almost a mile in diameter here, there was plenty of room for a city to grow through it.

I thought for a moment, weighing the possibilities. that ‘Quint District’ looked a little less lit, but the ‘Belle Quarter’ looked way more crowded. I finally made my decision, and told Rose.

“Let’s go to the Belle Quarter for the fact it just looks more safe than the darkness at Quint.”

I really hope the names also had a clue. Belle just sounds like a place I would sleep in compared to Quint. What does Quint even mean?

The three of us began to wander down the road/tunnel carved into the stone of the massive pillar. It was relatively level, with the buildings just being carved into the stone up to the roof, which was about twenty or thirty feet above. The rippled, milky stone of the pillar made interesting banded patterns, and the wall were smoothly bored.

We kept passing Changelings, more of the ones a little smaller than me, the drones. They rarely looked up from their work or travels to look at us, and never commented on anything. The dull hum and susurrant chitters of the hive of Changelings made an almost comforting background noise.

However, the ones we saw all had gray-green coats and electric-blue chitin, unlike the orange-and-blue of the Changeling from the hospital. It was a little baffling, as they all looked almost perfectly alike.

A few larger ones, along with the bat ponies, spider-ponies, and even unicorns and earth ponies, also wandered around, visible simply by generally being bigger than the Changelings.

Storefronts and the entrances to mostly unmarked buildings dotted the walls of the tunnel-road, and I saw more types of ponies than I’d ever even thought could exist. And they were all so high above the ground, too!

There were some ponies that were tall and lithe, with green coats and brown, shrouded in simple tunics and clothes that made them stand out almost as much as the fact that they were almost a full head taller than the others.

A trio of lizard ponies, like the one from the hospital, wandered by at one point, covered in black, pebbly scales and soft, orange fur, forming intricate striping. They had sharp teeth and spoke quietly, and I only caught the barest flicker of a flat, rectangular tongue, with a forked tip like a pennant.

The bat ponies were fairly common, and I even saw a few youngsters, adorable little bat-foals scampering around and playing games like tag, or follow the leader, ducking under the adults and squealing happily. A few of the much smaller changelings, probably much younger than the other drones, joined them in silence, observing and mimicing the other players.

One pony that gave both me and Rose pause was a much, much larger pony with armor-like plates down his back and legs, and a pair of clawed arms sticking from his shoulders, a bit like a pegasus’ wings. In addition, he had a large, barbed scorpion tail, arched menacingly over his shoulder. The other ponies gave him a wide berth, but many mares kept stealing looks at him. He was gigantic, too, and looked really strong.

There were even some crystal ponies, in all sorts of gemstone colors, including a nice young mare with emerald-toned skin, who was rather obviously flirting with me until Rose pointed out that I was already in a good-sized herd. She pouted a bit, but stopped hitting on me. It had been getting really awkward, and I wasn’t sure I liked having every mare hit on me just because I was a male.

Another truly stunning pony had been a dragon-pony, and she was gorgeous. She had tiny, shield-shaped scales, in a deep, royal purple. A ruff of turquoise fur traveled down her head and neck like a mane, then split and covered the tops of her shoulders. A pair of elegant, curved horns, each looking razor-sharp, topped her head like a crown, and her tail was long and muscular, with a soft-looking frill of that turquoise fur at the end.

She was standing near a fountain (how did they get that installed? Where did the water come from?) and singing. She stood on her hind legs, which I saw had claw-like hooves, and her front legs terminated in splendid-looking claws.

I realized I’d been standing, entranced by her looks and singing voice when Rose bit my ear to drag me away. I blushed so hard, feeling embarrassed that I’d just sat and gawked at the mare.

And throughout all this, we still hadn’t found an inn. It had been nearly a full hour, meaning we only had another hour to find one before we were scheduled to meet up with Breeze and Slumber again.

“We’re never going to find the inn at this rate. All I’ve seen so far is shops, different types of ponies I never knew existed, and a really, really gorgeous singer. I mean, is the inn in plain sight? If I just turn my back, will it be there?”

Rose huffed, and set an arm around my shoulder, comfortingly. Goo also settled closer to me, though likely just to keep from being trampled.

“We might’ve simply gotten the wrong place. We should ask one of the locals, they should know.”

“Rose, you know how much I want to smack myself in the head right now? I always make things overly complicated. Ugh!”

“Oh, please calm down. It’s alright, it’s not your fault. I understand you don’t want to be treated as an invalid, but thinking really isn’t your strong suit. You’re much better at being charismatic. Okay?”

“Yeah... Yes, you’re right. I really should improve on the thinking aspect. But, yes, let’s ask a local. Maybe the singing dragon-pony?”

“Oh, I’m sure you want to do more than ask her something.”

Rose smirked playfully and nuzzled my nose playfully. I knew she was just teasing me, but I still went bright red in response. Goo also joined in on the sandwiching, and and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Which was great, because I was warm and fuzzy on the outside, too.

“C’mon, let’s ask a shopkeeper, she seemed busy anyways. I can still hear her from here, so let’s let her be.”

I nodded numbly in response, still a little sheepish over the whole thing.

We found ourselves in front of the store of a stand set up, and I was shocked to see a pair of pegasi behind it. They were selling jerky and meat, of all things.

“Hello, my fine crystalline missus, is there anything of our fine ware that interests you or your handsome young buck this evening?”

The first pegasus salespony was a male, which was a bit awkward with the layers of praise he was heaping on me but Rose took it well, tittering like a schoolgirl in response. She nudged me subtly, a signal I chose to take as ‘stay quiet and play along’.

She smiled grandly at the salescolt and flirted right back, and the two began a rather friendly banter back and forth. I was rather shocked that Rose, who was normally pretty introverted, was being such a flirt, but it was certainly effective.

Finally, she’d bought a few pieces of salted fish (for me and Slumber to share) and convinced him to part with the location of a cheap-ish inn he and his sister used while they were in the area, located in the Quint Disctrict.

On top of that, she’d also pried from him that he wasn’t from the valley; He and his sister had come from the lands nearer the coastline of the Forever Sea, near the territory of the Imperium Sol. They loved to fish around there, apparently, using clouds instead of boats because they were pegasi, and had decided to start fishing in the large underground lakes to sell in the Pillarstones.

It was a great entrepreneurial idea, and it made them a lot of money, meat being something hard to get around here.

Rose thanked the two and we left them with a wave, and I was thankful and relieved to hear that not all pegasi were pony-eating monsters.

Finally, we made our way back to the landing to meet with Breeze and Slumber, waiting happily for their arrival.

Around an hour later, we were still waiting, and now, we were worried.

Ch09 - Panic Button

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“Uhm, Zach? We were supposed to meet them here, right? I’ve got a good memory, but I could be wrong...”

Three hours had passed, in total, and both of us were very worried. Slumber and Breeze hadn’t come back yet, but we hadn’t wanted to leave, in case they showed up. However, that event was seeming vanishingly unlikely as time went on.

“I know this is the place as well, but where could they be? Is this town that big or something?”

They might have gone down to that one dark area, or in a different direction from where we are standing right now. Maybe we should split up and cover more ground? But what if we find more diverging paths? Ugh! We would all be lost.

“Okay, how about we follow in the direction they went? Maybe they are walking back or just lost. At least we’ll be lost together.”

“Alright Zach. Let’s just find them though. They said they were heading towards the markets, and I think they went this way...”

Rose pointed towards the other street, which I vaguely remembered Breeze trotting down. Nodding, I got up, and the three of us set out towards this market.

“Maybe they’re stuck in the market and bargaining? Is it even possible to get held up like that over bartering?”

“Uhm, I guess so... but they don’t have any money, or anything of much value. I- I thought they were just trying to give me some time with you...”

Rose seemed disconsolate at the thought of their kindness to her being the cause of some mischief to them. Rose pressed against my side for comfort, and I returned the warm gesture. I found my wing wrapping gently around her, like a hug.

“They may have been, but I’m still worried for those two. Three hours is a long time to be stuck in the markets, let alone in a foreign town. I am extremely worried for their safety, especially after seeing the darker corner of the town. And if they are really just giving the three of us time to ourselves, they are extremely generous.”

There wasn’t much else I could say. My worry for Breeze and Slumber was growing with every minute that passed. Less and less Changeling drones wandered by as we continued towards the markets, most of them carrying heavy loads or pulling two-wheeled carts.

More common at this point were the spider-ponies. Thick, long coats of metallic-looking fur covered their gleaming exoskeletons, and dozens of pairs of eyes seemed to follow my every movement. While built in a similar style as the other area’s architecture, many of the stone walls were covered in spiderwebs, and those webs were filled with crates, boxes, sleeping spider-ponies, and many other things I couldn’t identify.

There was nearly thirty spider-ponies and a more than a dozen representatives of half that many other pony races scattered about, either tending to their little shops and stands, or buying from those same shops and stands.

I should have been able to see Breeze from where I was anywhere in the relatively small area, her wings were quite visible, but I couldn’t see her. My panic jumped up a notch as I surveyed my surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Stepping into the open-air bazaar, I looked about for any sign of them, even if it was just hearing mention of them. I had no real choice, keeping in constant contact with Rose and Goo along the way to avoid being separated.

I nearly jumped as a soft voice spoke almost directly into my ear.

“Greetings, traveller.”

The voice, whispery and quiet, held a hint of menace that made me want to either run away or take a punch at it, and I turned to observe its source as I tried to decide which.

It was another spider-pony, this one a bit smaller than the others, and without the fuzzy coat. Instead, dull gray and brick-red stripes across its chitin made it difficult to see against the similarly colored stone.

The spider-pony stood in an alleyway, draped in a shawl. It was missing two of its six eyes, on the left side, with a thin stripe of pale scar tissue connecting them.

“I see you watch the crowds, traveller, perhaps you seek a fresh one to keep? Orglo has many fine, fresh ones to keep.”

“Fresh ones huh? If I get the general idea of what you’re saying, no. I do not need another companion for my party since we are already full as it is. Sorry about that, little spider foal.”

“Heh, traveller think Orglo hatchling? No, Orglo many old. You see small, think young. But the arachnoponies have many kinds and kin. But you say you full of... friends? Orglo have very pretty fresh one, very pretty wings. The traveller seems like a wings sort of pony. Very cheap. Orglo will give discount on first purchase, show Orglo isn’t... ‘foal’ to traveller.”

“Okay...? Well, since you’re offering, I might have to take a look at this ‘fresh’ one you speak of. But there is no promise that I will buy this pretty one.”

Is this slave trading or something similar? It certainly does sound like it coming from what I now presume is Orglo.

“Orglo very sure of sales. Everypony buys from Orglo, I have very good eyes for want.”

The smaller spider pony turned and began to move swiftly into the alley, skittering over small heaps of refuse and around abandoned crates. I followed cautiously, Goo heaping herself onto my shoulders to keep away from the muck strewn about.

The spider reached out a foreleg, the arm-like limb grasping a doorknob and twisting to open it. Stepping inside, ‘Orglo’ gestured to follow. I peeked into the dark expanse beyond as Orglo clapped twice, and dim globes attached to the ceiling lit up, barely illuminating the floor.

It also allowed me to see the ranks of iron cages arrayed across each wall.

“So, traveller, Orglo have many fine fresh ones available. Some not-fresh, but still live. You like wings, I guess, so I show you wing ones first.”

The arachnopony scuttled forward on his six legs, holding his two forelimbs up like a preying mantis. The claws on the ends acted like stiff fingers as he opened a door to one side further into the building. Trotting along, I saw pathetic, scared-looking forms huddled inside the cages, each trying desperately not to meet my gaze.

To say I was shocked would have been a colossal understatement. I was appalled at what I saw. But ‘pretty wings’ sounded an awful lot like Breeze, and I could only hope this spider hadn’t caught my butterfly.

Following Orglo became a trial of misery, until we came to a series of cells. Inside the first was a russet-colored mare with thick layers of blood dried into her coat. It looked like she’d been beaten repeatedly, but even as we looked in, she opened a bruised eyelid and growled at us menacingly.

“These cells for high-grade. And for unbroken. And for fragile. Those are best fun to break yourself, so I not break them for you.”

Stifling the need to vomit, I continued on, looking into each cell in disgust. The next cell was empty, but the one after that had a pegasus mare with a mangled wing, and her back right leg was twisted weird. She still glared at us as we passed, but seemed too weak to try attacking.

The next cell, however, had a stallion, and he slammed against the bars with enough force to echo throughout the building. He was frothing at the mouth, black and white stripes adorning his coat as he rammed himself into the bars and door repeatedly.

I turned away and couldn’t look. Orglo stopped at the cell after the next.

“Yes, this one is very fresh, caught this week. Very rare... you like?”

The word ‘like’ sounded greasy, as if the words themselves had been coated in slime. I looked into the cell, and, to my horror, Breeze lay unconscious on the floor within.

“O- oh my, she is fresh. I do like that one very much, and the others look so...good.”

I felt so sick for letting those words slide out of my mouth. This place is a horror show! Is this really how screwed up the world is? To let ponies be captured for the purpose of food and torture!?

“Ha! Orglo knew he have sale. Fourteen gold, and this one is yours. Very cheap, but she fragile, break easy. Almost broke a wing getting her here, would have made her worthless, nothing but lunch for Orglo.”

The spider pony laughed viciously, and I caught the sight of a thin strand of drool leaking from his mouth, evidently in hunger. He turned his four good eyes back to me.

“So, does pony have money now? Or does pony need to sell wingless mare for the winged one? Orglo does trade-in, after all.”

The way the little spider-pony spoke was like he was talking about cars, or possessions, not people, things. It made me want to retch, but I clung to my cautious expression.

“Rose, how much gold do we have? I really want to have this mare. She looks so weak a-and tasty for my cravings.”

Rose, having seen who was inside the cell, just nodded shakily and looked into her saddlebags.

“Oh, I should mention, she had some things, which Orglo might also sell to you, if you like them.”

“Hm, show me these things, please?”

“Of course, valued customer, just follow me. My... office is a little ways further.”

One of the prisoners from before shouted out a warning as he said this.

“D- don’t do it! that’s how he gets you!”

The spider pony snarled and called for the guards to shut the slave up. I heard banging, shouts, and someone screaming in pain.

“Orglo is deeply sorry, the not-fresh try to ruin Orglo’s business. If I captured every potential buyer, how would I make money? It makes no sense.”

“Yeah, that is true. Would drive away all potential recommendations to such a fine establishment such as this. Certainly does have a lot of variety.”

Celestia knows how much I wanted to smush this little spider thing, but all those Spider-Man movies have at least taught me some respect for how strong they are when big.

“May I ask in advance, but how much are these items of that pony?”

“Some are good, many copper, but some are not, few copper. A couple of items... several silver. In all? Orglo would have to count again.”

“Ah, I see. What of the others in those cages? I might have to come back soon when the fresh one is used up.”

“Ah, a repeat customer? Very nice. They are much cheaper, arrived broken. Sold by their herds for money to live by. Some born slaves. They often very vigorous. All are used, cheaper. Now come, business ahead!”

“Ooh, now that I think about it, do you happen to have any Spectral Ponies in stock? I think they would make fantastic guard-beasts if chained correctly.”

Orglo guffawed.

“Pony is astute, Orglo does have some. They difficult to hold, but easy to feed. Very cheap, but you responsible after payment.”

I followed the spider as he began to walk down the last hallway to his office, Rose close behind. Sometime during this, Goo had wrapped herself around me, forming shapes like translucent plates of armor.

“Ah, I see. Well, would you kindly show me the wares you have of them after I view these items?”

“Indeed, this can happen. You seem well-to-do, traveller, Orglo could see by your clothes.”

The spider entered the office, the door hanging open. Inside was a mess of cobwebs, both ordinary and massive. Pieces of junk, some shrivelled husks that I refused to look at, and some cabinets were mired into the webbing.

“So, you want the pretty-wing, and perhaps some of Orglo’s new merchandise, then? Orglo can arrange. Have new stock here, in crate... wait, where did crate go? Ah, there is crate.”

Orglo tugged a battered wooden crate free of some webs, and upended it onto his desk. The ancient wood of the desk thunked gently as all of Breeze’s possessions, including her saddlebags, toppled out.

I heard a slight ‘thud’ as the door to his office closed.

“Hey, shiny-pony, why close Orglo’s door? Orglo want door open while negotiating!”

I had barely enough time to duck as Rose, gleaming like a piece of polished marble, shot over my head and impacted the spider-pony with a sickening crunch. The spider-pony squealed in pain or fury, I couldn’t tell, but I could guess that his guards would arrive soon.

To accompany that thought, I also realized that keeping the door closed would be extremely beneficial to keeping them out, but it was only flimsy wood.

My eyes darted across the web-shrouded room trying to locate anything I could move to block the only entrance. The webbing, in some places almost as thick as my hoof, would likely serve well, if I could keep from getting stuck and if I could actually move it. Spider-silk was stronger than steel cables, right?

Yanking and tugging at the dirty-gray cables of webbing, hoping that those wouldn’t be sticky, like dusty tape, and began to pull them towards the door. The webs resisted, but began to stretch, even as I heard the strangulated screams of the spider pony behind me rise an octave or so with the sound of hooves thudding into flesh.

A grotesque crackling noise, like thick foam being bent too far, made me look back in time to see Rose pulling off one of his legs. Turning hastily back to the barricading process, I decided to leave Rose to her bartering efforts in peace.

What else could block this piece of wood from opening? I fretted for a moment before realizing the screams had stopped, followed only by whimpering. I turned back to look, fearing for Rose for a moment.

Only a moment, however, as I saw that Orglo was pinned to the desk with a gleaming Rose Quartz holding him down. He had locked his jaws onto her limb, only to break every tooth and fang he had.

“Alright, friend, you’re going to give me your keys, tell your guards to piss off, and I’m going to go get my herdmates back. Understood?!”

Rose’s scream of fury made my own ears go flat in terror. I’d never heard Rose even raise her voice, let alone yell, and that last words was nearly loud enough to be painful. From my position by the door, I could see her eyes shining with an internal light that was nearly volcanic.

“U- uh, yes what Rose there is saying. You will free my herd and get out of this place. And don’t get into this business again, you hear me!?”

Nothing compared to what Rose demanded, but I hope he still got my request in mind, especially the latter one.

The spider-pony, utterly cowed and bleeding a thick green-blue ichor onto the floor, just nodded his head. Rose released him with a shove, causing him to topple off the desk. I moved out of the way as he simply plowed through the attempted barricade, shouting for everyone to ‘flee! before she gets you, flee!’ at the top of his lungs. Rose simply picked up the keyring listlessly, speaking around it as she headed towards the cages.

“C- can you search his office? Th- there might be money and stuff here.”

She sniffled slightly and walked out.

“Sure. Maybe this sick spider thing has something valuable to loot.”

The desk was my best option to see if there was anything. Finding nothing but a stack of copper, silver and gold coins, not many of each, and an assortment of knick-knacks. Some pretty baubles, some toys, etc. Something at the bottom caught my eye. Two somethings, actually. The first was a book, dark blue leather and bound well, but very old. The second, which made me blush furiously, was what could only be a dildo.

Carefully grabbing just the book, I swept waves of dust off of it, which had settled onto everything in the drawer, indicating their utter lack of use. I kinda felt bad for whoever had been caught with one of those to be made into a slave.

The book, though, seemed pretty normal. Some gold sigils that looked like this world’s writing were embossed on the front, but most of the gold had flaked away. There was a heavy, metal padlock on it to keep it shut, however, so I just stuffed it into my saddle-backpack and grabbed Breeze and Slumber’s stuff. I also grabbed the money, figuring I might as well take what I can get.

Looking around, I saw the cabinet mired in the webs. Intrigued, I pried it open, the wood splintering and breaking in the process. The whole building must’ve been old and taken from the previous owners, I realized, and I pulled the old wood apart.

Inside was a whole lot of dust, a small figurine or sculpture of a leaping mare, probably worth something, and... a key! It probably went to the book I’d found. And if it didn’t then I could always try breaking the lock off later, anyways. I took it all.

With everything packed up into my saddlebag and Breeze’s, I strolled out of the room a little more happy with something that is valuable. Not only that, but there is a book that will haunt my curiosity until I can read or get one of the others to read it.

I nosed the door open once more, or what had remained of it after both Orglo and Rose had smashed their ways through it. I could feel the gluey strands of the webbing sticking to my mane in places, but not strongly enough to worry about. Brushing the strands away, I saw Rose unlocking a cell. Many other stood open already, and I could hear whimpering from inside them.

“We are setting them all free, right? I know they look in bad shape, but anything but being locked here.”

Rose just turned back to me and nodded. She still looked a little... off, I suppose. But, she was looking better. I peeked into one of the first cells, and saw that the pony who’d occupied it was still in there, shivering and hiding behind the pitiful, moldy bed. I could hear hushed sniffles, like someone hiding their crying.

“Hey, don’t be so afraid. We’re getting you out of here and free. Can you please come out from behind that bed?”

“P- please don’t hurt me.”

I could barely hear that she spoke, let alone what she said.

I know fear can do this to ponies, but a voice being that soft?

“Please don’t hurt me!”

The words weren’t much louder, but I could still make out her request this time. She raised her head just a little, a tangerine iris almost luminescent in the gloomy lighting. Just from the way the head of the pony moved, I could tell she was absolutely terrified of me, ducking her head back down.

“J- just leave me alone....”

“I promise not to hurt you ma’am. I want to see you out of here.”

I started moving towards the bed as I spoke, careful to be slow; with how afraid she seemed, I didn’t want to spook her.

“Just let me d- die...”

“W- what? W- why would you want that? There’s much to do. You’re no longer trapped here in this cage.”

“Please... Don’t hurt me... Just let me die...”

This constant mantra was wearing on both my patience and my nerves. As much as I wanted to help her, her pessimistic attitude wasn’t helping. In fact, it was severely creeping me out.

“I’m not going to hurt you at all. Please, just come out of hiding and leave this place.”

She looked up again at me with that one bright, copper-orange eye, still bright. I could hear her gulp in fear as she realized how close I’d gotten.

“Y- you bought me?”

Her eye just stared at me as she awaited a response. I thought for a moment, hoping that I could come up with the right answer.

“Uh, yes I did buy you from Orgle. I just decided to do ‘pick a random mare purchase’ option he had.”

That was an option he offered, right? I hope she didn’t know how those policies worked.

“Y- you don’t want me? Th- then you’ll kill me, right?”

Her voice had lost its strength again, but she sounded distressingly hopeful with her second question.

“I do actually want you for my herd. As for the second part, time will only answer that. I may or may not want to d- devour you for my hunger.”

“y- yes master...”

The pony immediately stood up, and trotted over to me, her face downcast and her ears drooping limply. Or, at least, her left ear was, as she didn’t have a right one. I inhaled sharply as I saw the extent of the injuries on her. The first mare I’d seen it he cells was covered in dried blood, yes, but this mare... she was covered in scars. The criss-crossed her back in thousands of lines, hundreds of little scars like bite marks or similar ran across her legs and sides. Her cutie-mark, or where it should’ve been, was nothing but a twisted, puckered scar, like a slow knife wound or a nasty chemical burn.

I tried not to gag as I continued surveying her, and I saw why she had only looked at me with one eye.

The other socket was empty, shredded, and coated in some sort of glistening fluid that didn’t look healthy at all. Her mane, now that I surveyed her face, was visibly cut very short, and I could see rope-burns on her neck. a ragged scar, like from a knife, trailed smoothly down one of her cheeks, forming a silvery shape like a spider-fang. From what I could guess, that had been Orglo’s mark.

As she stood there, motionless, I saw that her tail looked-half plucked, and also cut short. A starburst-pattern of scars spread away from the base of her tail, the implications of which were sickening. Smiling weakly, I prepared to pat her gently on the shoulder, stopping when she flinched at my raised hoof.

“It’s just a pat on the shoulder. Oh, what was your name?”

I was utterly speechless at the sight of how badly conditioned she was. The scars and burns along her just made me at a loss of words. I felt so bad for her on the inside, everything was telling me to hug her tightly, but I knew something like that would surely make her recess into that state again.

“I am sorry, master. I have whatever name you wish me to have, master.”

And that made my heart sink again. No name, either?

“Well... Uhm, I do not have one right now. Is there anything you like to do?”

“I live to please my master.”

Add to that. She didn’t have any hobbies either. All my sentiment was going to this mare.

“I see. Well, in that case, I will refer to you as...”

What’s a good name for a mare such as this? One that does not have interest or a name already.

“Origin.”

“Yes master. I will respond to that, master.”

She continued to speak in a monotone, refusing to meet my gaze.

“Could you please look into my eyes, Origin? I would like to see how they are along with the rest of your face.”

She looked up to look me in the eye, and I saw that she had cuts at the side of her mouth, making her lips seem abnormally large. Elastic-looking sutures kept the ‘wounds’ together, but the sides of her face had the look of someone whose jaw had been dislocated many, many times. In addition to her damaged eye socket, and the fang on her cheek, her face didn’t have much else in the way of damage to it. However, under her mane, I saw something that absolutely broke my heart to see.

It was the stump of a horn, broken near the base and crudely filed down.

I could feel tears forming at the sight of it! My hooves were quivering just to sprint up to her and hold Origin with so much comfort. A unicorn that had no horn. Do they even grow back here? Oh goodness, I needed to stop thinking like this unless I wanted to break the fortitude of being a ‘fearless master’.

“Okay, thank you Origin. We shall now depart from here and find the rest of my herd. I believe they will w- welcome you in.”

My head and body turned around quickly and I had to shut back the oncoming droplets.

“Yes master.”

Why did this happen to me? I would fix all of this soon enough. This whole world was screwed up beyond belief with these slaves. But, I am going to make it right somehow after seeing all this travesty! My hooves picked up painfully to take a few steps out of the cell. I just needed to leave this place and find somewhere private to break down at.

After exiting the cell, I started down the hall again. I looked into the next open cell, though it was empty of any ponies. The next one was, too. The one after that had the one thing that hit me harder than Origin had. In it was a small colt. He looked to be barely into his teens, at best, and appeared to have been a bat-pony, or nightwing. I say ‘had been’ because one of his wings was ruined, and the other missing.

He just lay on the bed, side barely moving, staring at the wall.

“Hey, l- little colt? Could you please get up?”

No tears, not right now. I needed to free these ponies and find the rest of the group. The colt didn’t move. For a moment, I thought about going in to get him, but thought again. A stray thought came by; maybe Origin could be told to get him. No, I’d get him myself.

“Origin? I want you to stay here and keep on the lookout for a Spectral Pony, or a Flutterkin. Got it? I’m just going to check in on this colt to make sure he’s alright to move.”

“Yes master, as you command.”

Origin didn’t move from her spot, not even sitting down as she looked blankly down the hall towards the other cells.

I stepped towards the colt facing the wall. The wing looked to have been healed at some point, but while broken. The ‘healed’ wing had set with the many long, finger-like bones in strange, unnatural angles. Other than the bandaged stump of his other wing, he looked unharmed from what I could see.

“Hello? Can you hear me?”

The top-most ear of the colt simply flicked once in response.

“Okay, so you can hear me I guess. Could you please sit up on the bed?”

The colt didn’t respond, except for another ear-flip.

“Uh... okay, so I guess that’s a no.”

Maybe I should poke him. Not a bad idea to try I guess. A light poke at his shoulder brought no reaction, however, not even an ear-flip this time.

“Oookay... Uhm, so do you have a name then?”

Still nothing. Maybe I should just pick him up and carry him, then, I thought.

“Well, you’re coming along with me then.”

Being careful to not harm the little thing, my teeth grabbed him by the back of the neck, hoping it was similar to a cat’s scruff. As soon as my teeth began to close, however, the colt sprang into action, twisting and smashing a small hoof painfully into my nose.

It hurt a lot, but not as much as his next more, where he slammed both hooves into opposite sides of my head. I reeled back and got a kick in the throat for it. Almost finding myself blinded by the wild swipes and kicks of the tiny colt. He made a low hissing noise as he stood on the bed, arching his back like a cat.

I massaged my pained throat, and just watched as he began to pant and lay down, looking exhausted. His dusky grey coat shone with sweat as he collapsed sideways onto the bed again. I could see his ribs showing and he tried to hiss again, this time much more weakly.

His soft, red-brown eyes were half-closed as he regarded me cautiously.

“I don’t want to hurt you. I was just trying to get you out of this cell and this whole place. But, I’m glad I made you awake somehow. Uhm, what is your name, young one?”

I sincerely hoped he could first of all, hear, and second of all didn’t take offense to being called that. That little colt sure can damage a pony.

The colt just continued to lay there and glare at me. He made a gesture with one hoof towards his neck. Looking closer (cautiously, he’d caught me off-guard once already) I saw a single, thick scar across his neck. The thick, pearly scar tissue shone against his dust-gray fur. As I watched, his eyes closed, and his breathing slowed to a more normal rate.

So that’s why he couldn’t speak. This makes things a little bit more difficult, but at least he could understand me.

“Origin. I could use some assistance in here.”

“Yes master. What do you need, master.”

“I need you to get this colt onto my back so I can get him out of this place.”

“Yes master.”

She stepped into the cell with a shiver, then gently picked the colt up and laid him across my back. I’d figure out why someone would do this to a child later, but I needed to get these ponies out of here for now.

Stepping back into the corridor with the sleeping colt on my back and Origin following me, I prepared for the worst with whatever else would be in the next cell... nothing, this time. I almost heaved a sigh of relief.

The next one was similarly abandoned, but the next one after that held a corpse. I could tell they were dead, as nothing survives a bite like the one that poor mare had. The fact that her head was still attached, however barely, was practically a miracle in and of itself.

Shaking my head sadly, I continued to the next couple of cells, each of which were empty. The one after that had held Breeze, but the cell was empty. Reigning in on my panic, I attributed her absence to her being with Rose. The next cell, though, had remained locked, with the dangerous, rabid-looking stallion still in it. On closer inspection, though, I saw that the door was merely closed... and that the stallion was happily gnawing on the body of a dead spider-pony; presumably a guard.

Moving quickly to the next cell, I found the badly mangled mare I’d seen on the way in. She was sitting near the door to the cell, trying to keep her back straight. She was still favoring the one leg, and she still had the broken wing, but she was upright.

As I looked, she raised one hoof in a shaky gesture, tapping her chest and straightening up. She coughed once, and spoke, her voice harsh and grating as she squinted with her black eye.

“Gree- *cough* greetings, comrade. I th- *cough* thank you for your rescue.”

She coughed a few more times, trying to maintain her composure, before doubling up as the coughs wracked her with pain.

“M- my apologies... I am unfit for combat, and unable to maintain proper at- *cough* attention. I- I am Private Skyward.”

She coughed again, this time into her hoof.

“Uh, I’m Zach. You may relax, Private Skyward. No need to sit up straight in that condition. Are you fit to leave this place?”

“F- fit to leave on your command, sir. I- I’ll try not worsen my condition.”

Well, one step forward had been made; she completed a full sentence without coughing.

“Alright then, Private Skyward. Follow me and we will meet up with the rest of the...group. Oh, and this is, uh, Origin, another rescuee.”

And with that, the matter was settled. After ordering Origin to assist the private, we made fair time limping out. Most of the ponies in the main warehouse area had already fled, and the rest were in the process of helping the others too injured to escape on their own. Many gave nods of thanks to me as I passed, and I was so very thankful I didn’t have to help any more of them.

I wasn’t sure if I could take another scene like the previous few times and not cry.

Wishing Star: Z-type

by Quantum_Shift

Ch01 - To Start at the Beginning

Ch02 - On the Ground

Ch03 - Destiny and Disaster

Ch04 - Ever Onward

Ch05 - Ghost Story

Ch06 - Poor Expectations

Ch07 - Ostracision

Ch08 - Stair Master Supreme

Ch09 - Panic Button