//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten - Date Night, Ladies Night // Story: The Midnight Mares - Crazy Canterlot Catastrophe. // by Ausbrony //------------------------------// “And because of the past events regarding the attacks in the city, we have decided to postpone classes until further notice… we wish you all a good day and hope the best for all of our beloved students. Best Wishes… staff.” Pockets could not believe it. She had honestly expected yet another boring day in school, another day of listening to boring classes and doing boring homework… but this? Oh, this was just the freaking best! “So…” She hummed and turned to Midnight with a devilish grin that went from ear to ear, “Guess I have the day off, I wonder who I could spend it with…” “Beats me,” Midnight shrugged as she looked around the classroom. It’d been years since she’d been here… oh hey, the crack in the roof where she put a colt that had been teasing her was still there. She sat up and waved at an old professor that was passing by, wondering if he still remembered her. Ancient Tome looked at her with panicked eyes, before quickly hiding from sight. Yup, he still remembered her. Midnight sighed wistfully, those were good times... “Free day!” Pockets chirped with a giggle and hopped onto Middy’s back, hugging her batmare tightly, “So! Where are we going?” “You have free time huh?” Midnight’s smile grew wider. “Well, I was thinking of restarting your training regime. You’ve been slacking off, but I’ll whip you back into shape soon enough~” “This will either end in the training field or in bed… either way I doubt my butt will be thankful.” Pockets gulped, Midnight and whips were a terrifyingly sexy combination. "Yeaaah… what’s plan B?” “Oh, you don’t wanna be a guard anymore?” Midnight said and poked the mare’s belly. “Yes I do… but I don’t wanna traaain. Middy come on, we could rather be doing something else ya know, something really fun~” Pockets wiggled her eyebrows and winked several times to drive the point across. “Define, ‘fun’,” Midnight said as they walked towards the school’s entrance. “Fun as in… you, sexy me in sexy lingerie, a bed as far away from the training field as possible, some alone time for at least a few hours… y’know, fun~” Midnight paused, mulling that thought over in her head. Hmm, that was an awfully tempting offer… And Pockets still had something she bought last week from the Boutique that she hadn’t shown the bat. “Well, I suppose,” Midnight said, surprised at the words that left her mouth. “But isn’t there something else we could do? I’d rather not waste the day like that.” “Waste? And here I thought I was a fun mare in bed.” Pockets smirked tauntingly before going over their options, “Hmm… well there’s the annual Canterlot. Y’know, we could have a good ol’ cheesy fair date! I’d be up for that.” “A date huh?” Midnight had to admit, that sounded pretty nice. A nice, normal couple’s thing to do. “Well, it’s a date then~” “And then we buck?” Pockets asked bluntly with a grin akin to an excited puppy. “Stars dammit Pockets,” Midnight sighed and facehooved. The navy blue unicorn giggled as she hugged her little batty bat close, nuzzling her neck before kissing the thestral’s cheek, “You know you love me~” “Somepony has to,” Midnight sighed dramatically. “It’s a sacrifice for Equestria that I am willing to make.” Pickett rolled her eyes with a snort at this. Midnight could be such a dramaqueen... “Truly a misunderstood hero. Now let’s go! Let us part onwards to adventure!” She exclaimed and pointed ahead with a hoof. As far as Fair’s go. This was pretty standard. Lots of stands with all kinds of carnival food like candied apples and fritters, fairy floss cups of soda big enough to house a seapony. There were stands filled with rigged games and rides of all kinds for ponies of all ages. “Well, this looks… interesting,” Midnight said. She’d never actually been to a Fair before, so this was something pretty new for her. “Heck yeah! I used to go to Manehattan’s annual fair all the time, it was a blast!” Pockets exclaimed excitedly as she wondered where they could go to first, “So what’s your favorite fair game batty? I swear if you say Bobbing for Mangoes…” “They have mango games?” Midnight asked, her ears perking up and her tail wagging slightly. “I’ve never been to a Fair before.” Pockets’ jaw dropped, “You’re kidding, you’re totally kidding?” Midnight’s face said it all, “Oh you have NO idea what you’ve missed batty! No worries, Momma Pockets is gonna show you the time of your life! Go left, let’s start with a classic.” “Why am I suddenly afraid?” Midnight chuckled as she followed her foalish marefriend. “And you know you’re just feeding those jokes I have about you right? Well, as long as we aren’t up past your bedtime.” “You will never get over the small jokes now will you?” The unicorn deadpanned in response as they got near a rather small stand with a bunch of plushies hanging from the side. On the back of the stand stood a pyramid of perfectly stacked apples, and several balls of different colors just resting on the stand’s. A tall, slim, cream colored stallion was reading up a newspaper next to it, seemingly the one in charge of the game. “So… what’s the point of this one?” Midnight asked Pockets. “Well you see—” “Why glad you asked!” Came a chipper voice as the stallion just tossed the newspaper away and grinned at her, flashing his red moustache and motioning to his stand, “Welcome, welcome you beautiful mares to Flam’s Apple Tower Extraodinare! Do you think you have the strength, the accuracy, the will power of beating this game and earning some incredibly cute, state of the art, limited edition stuffed animals? Just knock the apple pyramid down and it’s yours!” He announced and squeezed one of the plushies with a hug, an incredibly cute brown bear that made a squeaky sound when hugged. “Awww, so cute! I want it!” Pockets said with a determined grin and placed a few bits on the table, “Let’s give this a shot!” “Three tries sweetheart, good luck!” The stallion announced and stepped back. Pockets hummed in thought with tongue-out and everything, narrowing her eyes to focus on the target. She drew her hoof back and prepared to toss, before launching the ball as hard as she could. Yet sadly, the ball was off by a few inches and just crashed against the back side of the tent. “Aww shucks! Come on, you have two more shots!” Flim announced and tossed her another ball. “Oh please, I was just warming up.” Pockets chuckled and grabbed the second one. She focused… she focused real hard… she had never focused so much in her life… and then she threw the ball aaand, out of the field. “Well buck…” “Final try?” Flim offered and gave her another ball. “Give me that!” Pockets huffed and picked it up. “Control your breathing,” Midnight said from next to her. “Visualize your weapon hitting the target. Remain calm and look at where you want to throw. Breathe in as you wind up, and release that breath when you throw.” Pockets nodded and followed her instructions very closely, relaxing, keeping her mind in check, locking unto her target, and breathing in… And then, she released the ball with a mighty battlecry, the wind whistling against the projectile as it flew by. And it hit… it hit the pyramid’s very center with force. And the pyramid did not fall down. “WHAT!?” Pockets shouted, “I… I totally hit it! Come ooon!” “Sorry missy, you didn’t knock it over, no prize.” Flam shrugged. “She’s right, she did hit it,” Midnight replied as she slammed her bits down on the counter. “Alright, give me a go then.” “Suit yourself!” Flam chuckled and picked up the payment, “Three tries, you better use them well!” Midnight pitched her hoof as the ball streaked at the pile of apples, striking them dead center. And once more… the pyramid barely moved? What was going on? “There’s one. Try adding a bit more strength into your pitch.” Flam grinned and threw her another ball. She caught it and pitched again, putting far more force behind it. And now the apples sported a… crack? Why would apples crack? Flam chuckled nervously and quickly hid the apples behind him, “That’s one heck of a throw Miss! You must be quite the sporstmare! The pyramid was totally knocked over, you win, hurray!” Midnight narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to the stallion, before he found her holding a Guard’s badge in front of his face. “My dear stallion,” Midnight said all too sweetly. “You wouldn’t be running a scam here would you? I mean, I have heard the dungeons are lovely this time of year~” Flam’s grin couldn’t have been more forced, it almost looked painful, “M-me? Oh please! I… I’m a completely honorable stallion, this isn’t even my stand! I… I must go. Thanks for playing!” He raised his hat before dashing away in an instant. Damn, he was fast when he feared for his life. “Oh look, I won,” Midnight chuckled as she handed Pockets the teddy bear. “For you my love.” “Don’t you think that was a bit too much?” Pockets asked with an amused grin as she took the gift and snuggled it, enjoying the face of sheer horror on the scammer’s face. “Was I not supposed to?” Midnight asked her, coming out of her Trance state. “I mean, they were wooden apples glued together. How was anypony supposed to knock them down?” One thing was clear now, one thing that made Pockets grin like a shark, “Oh this will be fuuun~” She giggled and grabbed the teddy, dragging Midnight along as well, “Now time for some more fun games with my supermare!” Up next, the strength test… which Midnight nearly broke. And then there was the ‘Shoot the ducks with water guns’ game, which Midnight somehow also nearly broke, setting a new record on the way. And up next, the legendary Apple Bobbing contest, Midnight’s final test. “Remember Middy, no cheating!” Pockets warned, “This game is tradition, legendary, it deserves respect.” “Yeah, yeah,” Midnight waved a hoof and looked at the mare in charge, a cute earth pony mare with a yellow coat and a green mane and tail. Midnight gasped and suddenly hugged her. “Fritter? Aww, I missed you!” “Lil’ bat?” Fritter blinked and hugged her back. “Well ah’ll be durned.” “Uhm… Midnight, hugging the one in charge of the game won’t give you a free win.” Pockets blinked in surprise. Did Midnight know every freaking pony in Canterlot or something? “Aww, I still remember bobbing for her apples~” Midnight cooed as Fritter turned a deep shade of scarlet. “Yup, that explains it.” Pockets chuckled and blew a strand of hair away from her face, before shooting Fritter a warm grin, “Sup? Name’s Pockets, former thief, guard in training, and bat whisperer at your service!” “Bat whisperer?” Fritter echoed with a small tilt of her head. “Y’know, like the dog whisperer, the guy who… nevermind the reference was just brutally murdered.” Pockets shrugged, “Anywho, besides being one of Midnight’s many former bed companions, who might you be?” “Well,” Fritter coughed into her hoof. This wasn’t awkward, nope, not at all. “Mah name is Apple Fritter. Ah run a small farm here in Canterlot, but mostly ah’m in charge of distributing the shipments from Sweet Apple Acres. And yeh, ah reckon ah know Middy a lil… intimately.” She held out a hoof to Pockets, and the unicorn saw Midnight rapidly shaking her head. Pockets chuckled and grabbed her hoof, shaking it with a shrug, “It’s okay. I’m the—” That was all she could get out before Fritter shook her hoof back. By the time the surprisingly strong mare released her, Pockets’ leg was still waving in the air “Strong mare… alrighty… totally didn’t need my bones.” Pockets said quietly before holding all the pain in and smiling once more, “Y-yeah… as I was saying, I’m the unfortunate soul who’s in charge of dating this crazy batmare. Nice to meet ya!” “Ahh, so y’all finally got a proper marefriend?” Fritter smiled and thumped Midnight on the back, the thestrals’ legs nearly buckling under the blow. “Well, good fer you Middy. Bout time really.” “W-What can I say,” Midnight groaned, Fritter was as crazy strong as ever. “I am who I am. Now, about this game…” “Easy, stick yer head in the water and try to grab and apple,” Fritter smiled and nodded. “Y’all get three tries.” “Ohhh, can I go first?” Pockets asked excitedly, “I’ll show ya how it’s done that way.” Midnight rolled her eyes and gestured towards the wooden tub. “By all means, do enlighten me.” Pockets gave her a cocky, confident grin and walked up to the tub. She took a look at it and hummed in thought, before closing her eyes and diving in. After what were like two seconds, she went back up and took a deep breath, spitting some water out, “Nope! Second try.” She went back in, her tail wiggling from side to side, before she went out for air once more, “Almost! Now observe me and my victorious victory!” And she dived back in… A second, two seconds, three seconds… And she went back out looking like a complete champ, a rather small yet shining apple on her maw which she held victoriously, water going everywhere and soaking Midnight’s mane slightly, “Got et!” She mumbled before placing the apple down, “Told you I could do it!” “Congratulations,” Fritter smiled as she tossed a fresh apple into the tub and allowed Pockets to eat the one she obtained. “Yer prize is a free treat from mah food stand.” “Woo! Free apple!” Pockets giggled and gave it a good bite, “Now your turn batty, I’m really looking forwards to this one.” “So, grab as many apples as I can?” Midnight asked and Fritter nodded, before the thestral doven her head into the bucket. Where it remained for almost a solid minute… “Uhm… should… should we pull her back? I don’t think we ever told her that it was just a quick dive.” Pockets said nervously and got a closer look, really hoping her marefriend hadn’t drowned in a tub of water, because that’d be really sad and kinda embarrassing. Then Midnight pulled her head up… And her long tongue had coiled around no less than five apples. The unicorn’s jaw dropped yet once again that day, and something told her that with this mare around, she should better get used to it, “Holy shit… I… is that even allowed?” Midnight dropped the apples as Fritter rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ah knew you’d do that,” she chuckled. “Rotten cheater.” “You never complained when I used it on your apple~” the bat chuckled, making the earth mare turn a pleasant-looking crimson. “Argh, jus’... Fine, y’all can have some treats from mah stand,” Fritter sighed. Midnight smiled and looked at Pockets. “Hmm, what’s wrong babe?” “I’m just doubting whether I’m dating a mare or a superhero, that’s all.” Pockets sighed and gave Midnight’s muzzle a boop, a playful smile across her muzzle, “You’re incredible, have I told you that yet?” “I believe so, but I do like hearing it,” Midnight smiled and kissed her cheek. “Promise me one thing?” “Anything.” Pockets nodded. “Try not to fall in love with Apple Fritter once you taste her cooking.” “Pffft!” Pockets snorted and waved a hoff, “I’m not that weak-willed, I doubt her cooking is that good.” “Famous last words,” Midnight sighed as they headed for the mare’s food stand. Said stand was filled with every apple-related item one could imagine. Apples. Apple pie. Apple fritters. Apple cobbler. Apple smoothies. Apple tarts… the list just went on. “This looks like every apple lover’s wet dream.” Pockets whistled and took a better look at the pies, “These all look hella nice.” Fritter raised an eyebrow at the mare’s choice in vocabulary, to which Midnight just offered a helpless shrug. “You two are made fer eachother,” Fritter sighed. “Well, what can ah get fer ya?” Pockets hummed in thought, looking the products over, “Hmmm, well let’s see if you live up to your name! I’ll have an apple fritter.” “Well, y’all are kinda cute, so ah guess ah don’t mind,” Fritter chuckled as she leaned closer, only to be pushed back by Midnight’s hoof. “Ah’m jus’ kiddin’.... sorta. Anyway, two fritters comin’ up.” She soon handed two of the deep-fried items to Pockets, the mouth-watering aroma wafting to her nose. “Hmm, alrighty, smells good so far. Time to see what all the fuzz is about.” She took the fried apple with her magic and gave it a good bite… One second she was munching on it… the next her eyes were sparking… the next she was drooling… and the next she was on Fritter’s knees looking at her with eyes wide open, “You… are a kitchen goddess…” Midnight groaned and facehooved. Apple Fritter’s cooking had enthralled another pony. at this rate, she could enslave all of Equestria. “Well thank you kindly,” Fritter giggled. “Ah take it y’all like mah food then?” “I love it!” Pockets groaned and quickly grabbed another bite, seemingly melting due to how good it was, “You got to teach Middy how to cook like this! This is a bajillion times better than the barracks kitchen’s food!” Apple Fritter paused and looked at the unicorn mare with a look of horror. “Has… Midnight cooked for you before?” “Nope! Usually when there’s no food on the barracks we go out to eat.” Pockets shook her head before quirking a brow, “Why?” Apple Fritter shuddered. “Don’t ever let her cook. It will only bring chaos, ruin and death.” “Please, she can’t be that bad.” Pockets chuckled and turned to Midnight, “Ain’t that right batty?” “Exactly!” Midnight scoffed. “It’s not my fault kitchens are so flammable. I mean, so I blew up one… or two… or ten…” “Eh don’t worry batty, we all blow up a kitchen or two… or ten. It’s normal!” Pockets giggled before turning to Fritter, “I’ll take enough of these for a lifetime, and also a life insurance if you have that.” “Hmm, well ah can’t offer ya the latter, but fer a few bits ah can give ya all the treats ya can eat,” Fritter giggled as Midnight folded her forelegs and pouted. “Wooo! I’ll take it.” Pockets said and brought up a rather large bag of bits, “Time to get wasted on apples!” “Y’all can’t get drunk on apples… unless you wanna try some of my sister’s cider,” she said and pointed at some bottles. “That stuff’ll get ya blinder than a bat in a blindfold.” Pockets hummed in thought and looked at Midnight with a cheeky smirk, “I betcha I can drink more of those bottles than you without getting drunk.” “Oh no, the last time we drunk, we got fillynapped by your former friend,” Midnight shook her head. “Sorry smolcorn. I’m not getting drunk in public for a good long while. Not with that butterfly bitch and those thieves still out there.” “Oh please, your friend’s gonna watch over us.” Pockets said and pulled Fritter into a hug, “Just imagine what all that strength would do if she bucked that bitch’s face!” “Ah… don’t like violence,’ Fritter said quietly. “Ah know I’m strong… but ah don’t wanna hurt nopony…” “Aww, that’s kinda sweet! Alright, no drinking then. At least that means we get to enjoy your incredible apple-based products!” Pockets said with an excited giggle as she already began to think on what she was going to devour next. “That we do,” Midnight nodded as she bought a candied apple and a small pie. She licked the apple and sighed. “Oooh, how I’ve missed your cooking Fritts.” “Well, now ah know why y’all haven’t come around lately,” Fritter chuckled. She looked at Pockets and smiled. “Still, y’all should swing by fer dinner sometime. And maybe… some dessert~?” Pockets blinked in surprise and quickly leaned down to whisper in Midnight’s ear, “Is she talking about what she think she’s talking?” “She’s talking about a great meal, then a lot of exactly what you’re thinking, yes,’ Midnight sighed. “Well you can count me in on the dinner then!” Pockets said with a wide grin and took a good bite of the pie, “Chu are mah new favorite earth pone mare!” She said without stopping her munching for a second. Fritter just giggled again as Midnight shook her head. “I can’t take you anywhere, I swear,” the thestral sighed. “So, Fritter, what’s you two girls’ story?” Pockets asked as she gulped down the meal, “How did you two meet?” “Ah caught her napping in one of my apple trees… and a ground littered with apple cores,” the earth pony said as Midnight blushed and looked away. “They were tasty and that tree was comfy,” she pouted. “So ah made her help around the farm all day as punishment,” Fritter chuckled. “Gave her some dinner… and learned y’all shouldn’t feed Midnight, cause you’ll never get rid of her afterwards.” “Are you implying that the respectable, admirable, exemplary Royal Guard, Midnight Song, invaded your property and ate your produce without your permission?” Pockets faux gasped, “Midnight would never do such things!” “No, I totes did,” Midnight nodded. “No regrets either. Those apples were delicious and I got to meet a cute mare.” “Yer impossible,” Fritter sighed and shook her head. Pockets chuckled and nuzzled her thestral, “She is, and that’s what makes her so amazing in my opinion. Say, Fritter,” She turned to the apple mare and hugged Midnight close, sporting her widest smile, “Do we make a good couple? Or should I just replace this stinky bat and buy a new one at the nearest market?” “Pockets…” Midnight said slowly, drawing back her lip to reveal her glistening fangs. “Have those bitemarks on your flanks healed yet? I have the sudden urge to replace them~” Pockets gulped and with a nervous giggle moved away a bit, “E-Eyup, that’s my totally innocent and harmless marefriend alright… please don’t. I couldn’t even sit right for like a week.” “Ah, I remember those,” Fritter chuckled. “Near bucked her teeth out the first time she did that.” Midnight rubbed her jaw. She was lucky to escape that with all her teeth intact. Pockets simply giggled and looked at Fritter, grabbing one final bite of her pie, “Well, this has been a blast Fritter! The food was incredible, the ambience was fun, and the service was ten outta ten, sexiest servicemare around. You know, you could totally tag along for the rest of the day and play some fair games with us.” “As much as ah’d love to, ah gotta watch mah stall,” Fritter nodded. “Sides, you two look like yer on a cute date, so ah won’t interrupt.” “Still, see you later?” Midnight asked and the earth mare nodded. “Cool. Come on Pockets, let’s see what other games I can break.” “Aww. alrighty. See ya later apple mare!” Pockets said as she followed after Midnight, waving her hoof happily. Fritter returned the wave before turning back to some fillies that approached her wagon to buy some treats. “Well that was fun! Ready to enjoy some more fair games?” Pockets asked the thestral as an excited grin stretched across her muzzle “I guess so,” Midnight shrugged. “What else can I break around here?” Pockets hummed in thought and looked around, “Well besides everypony in sight? I dunno… what about that one?” She pointed at a small stand near the fair’s fencing, it was a simple game of ring toss. Several metal pegs sat on a table and you had to flick a metal ring over them. “Ring toss! That should be pretty damn easy.” Pockets said and dragged the bat along with a playful giggle, “Hope your aim is on point batty!” “When is it not?” Midnight said, recalling the watergun game from earlier. “Well let's give it a… hey, does the guy running that stand look familiar?” The stallion in question was just seeing off some foals that failed to win anything, before seeing Pockets and Midnight. “Ahh, my dear ladies. Step right up and try your luck.” He looked at Pockets and grinned. “Wanna win your marefriend a prize little lady?” “Oh heck yeah I do!” Pockets nodded with a confident smirk and tossed some bits to the guy, “Let’s do this!” “Well the rules are simple,” Flim said with a smirk. “You get three rings. Toss ‘em, and if you get it around a peg, you win a prize.” “Easy peasy, now gimme.” Pockets said and grabbed the first ring, turning to the metallic rods and taking aim. She quickly remembered Midnight’s lessons, relax, breath in, look at your target and… *ping* The ring bounced off of the peg and onto the floor. “Oh, so close,” Flim said with an exaggerated tone. The unicorn narrowed her eyes and took another ring, “I was just warming up, come on Pockets, you can do this!” She took aim and relaxed once more, before tossing the ring with the mightiest, bravest of battlecries that would make a valkyrie proud. And failed once more. “What!?” She exclaimed in sheer rageful and frustrated shock, “Come on, not again!” “Aww, almost,” Flim chuckled. Pockets sighed before taking deep, calming breaths. “Ok Pockets, just focus and stay calm… you can do this, you can do this…” She grabbed the ring and focused all her might on it, before doing what could only be called a perfect shot. And still bucking failed. “I… but… I thought….” Pockets stuttered, before dropping to the ground and cursing herself for this. “Well kid, you tried. But hey, you still get a consolation prize,” Flim said and handed her a plastic guard’s badge. Pockets looked at the badge with the most unamused expression, taking the badge grudgingly and looking at Midnight with a disappointed sigh, “Let’s go batty, we can find another game I can be decent at.” “Hang on,” the thestral replied and stepped up to the counter. “Okay, let’s see if I can’t win at this game too.” “Well, best of luck little lady,” the unicorn stallion chuckled and floated her three rings. Midnight looked at them for a moment and her eye twitched. “Interesting,” she mused and tossed one. It hit the lip of a peg, before bouncing away and hitting the floor. “Uhm, do you need me to explain how this game works?” Pockets quirked a brow, “I thought it was pretty straight forwards.” Midnight said nothing as she tossed the second ring. It spun around the peg, before flicking up and bouncing off, hitting the dirt. “That… wasn’t supposed to happen.” Pockets pointed out and leaned down to have a better look at the pegs, kicking one of them lightly “Why did it just… uhm… I’m so confused.” “So tell me,” Midnight said as she looked at the stallion. “How is somepony supposed to win this game?” “Um, I’m sorry what?” Flim said with a slight chuckle. “This game requires some skill Miss. If you cannot win…” “Not what I meant,” Midnight replied and held the ring near Pocket’s neck. The thin chain necklace she wore started to rise of it’s own accord. Pockets blinked in surprise, opening her mouth to say something yet immediately closing it… actions were better than words after all, she had learned that from Midnight. Her horn flashed as a devilish smirk stretched from ear to ear, and in an instant… the stallion’s clothes vanished to reveal the cream colored unicorn’s true appearance, one that was almost exactly the same as the scammer they encountered before, “So… are you going around pretending to be different ponies just to trick as many as possible? Or is there something else going on like twins or some crap like that?” “I say twin,” Midnight said. “One has a mustache. Now…” She took out her guard badge, her very real guard badge. “We gonna do this the easy way… or the hard way. Please say the hard way, I haven’t broken any bones all day and I’m feeling… sadistic~” The stallion let out a very filly-esque squeal of terror and dropped a weak flashbang spell before running for the hills… Or the train station. “Oh look at him run! Now that’s a world record.” Pockets giggled and leaned on Midnight with a cheeky smirk, “You’re so hot when you’re being scary, ya know that?” “Oh am I?” Midnight turned and smiled. “Well now. I think I see something else I wanna play with~” Pockets eyes widened up and she turned around, looking at the fair with an excited filly-like grin, “Oh, oh! Is it the dart tossing? The milk bottle one? Rope Ladder climbing? Whack-A-Breezie?” Midnight’s smile widened and she licked her fangs. “No, I’m think something more… ‘Pocket-sized’~” The thief blushed and finally picked up on what was going on, “Oh… hehe w-well, I guess we could also do that.” She said with a cute nervous smirk that tried too hard to make her look cool. Yet both her and MIdnight knew that when it came to the thestral, the thief became a cute ball of nervousness, “I guess we could do that if you want.” She muttered with a sheepish grin, her blush only intensifying. She knew Midnight liked it when she was cute, and truth be told she liked being cute for her as well. Only with her though, she had a street cred to keep. “Excellent,” the bat chuckled and drew closer, wrapping her wings around her. “As much as I’d love to take you right here, there are foals present. So…” She wrapped her hooves around her waist and flapped her wings, lifting her into the air. “Now, let’s find somewhere, private~” “Well, didn’t Fritter say she had this farm here in Canterlot?” Pockets suggested, fiddling with her hooves, “Maybe we could—” “Say no more,” Midnight chuckled. “We’ll give Fritter something to come home to~” And with another flap of her wings, they were off. Honor… What was honor worth? A few smiles, faux respect, and not being seen as a complete and utter asshole. Heh… What good was honor when you could have power and respect? Heroes are always remembered, but legends? Legends never die. This was the philosophy of Sweet Aroma. She who was born with quite the particular magical prowess. Against all laws of order and nature, she had been born with enough magic to get most breezies jealous, even without being a direct descendant of the main Tall Tale mages line. Something that had never happened before. Still, both her mother and herself had always lived in the shadows of the bloody main branch. Mocked, ridiculed, frowned upon by the very same townsfolk that they swore to protect. With the main branch long gone, only her mother could keep the village safe. And yet… Those ungrateful little bastards… The plan was simple, find her cousin, she who held the power of Tall Tale in her blood. Steal her magic, kill the damn hornhead in the process… and make the entire village tremble beneath her feet! But then her damned cousin had to fight back. She and all her stupid friends! And now she had nothing. The magical amplification potion had run off and she barely had any magic to keep herself protected from the rain. She cursed her family, from her weakling mother who refused to use her magic to put the breezies in place, to her grandfather who refused to teach her the arts of the arcana, and her aunt and cousin, they who left the tribe behind, who let them all to die and yet are still seen as missing, misunderstood heroes! “GAH!” She shrieked, stomping on the mud with her tiny feet, creating no more than a nearly unnoticeable splash. Tears began to drip down her cheeks, her knees trembling as she fell to the mud, stagnant water around her, trying to break through her magical bubble which wavered as tears fell from her cheeks. “You know, a lady of your caliber just doesn’t fit in a place like this one.” A deep, smooth voice said from behind her as a large shadow loomed over her body, thunder hiding his figure from sight, “What I mean is, the one responsible for infecting dozens of stallions with a never before seen curse. Laying on a puddle of her own tears…” “Who are you and what the hell do you want!?” She shrieked, looking back to him with big, reddened eyes, “Get out of here before I turn you into a bloody frog!” “Oh but you can’t, now can you?” The stallion spoke, his vibrant red coat and white mane catching her eye. Yet she knew… this was no regular stallion. This was no pony even! “Bug…” She hissed, stepping back as her bubble shone brighter, “If you think you can feed on me you bloody brute then you are very much wrong!” “Oh, trust me little morsel, as delectable as you may be… I’d rather keep my brand new ally alive and on my side.” The changeling chuckled, kneeling down and lowering his head, “I am known as Valiant Heart, milady, leader of the Seven Deadly Sins and your new mean to he revenge.“ “Seven Deadly Sins… why you actually believe that old legend?“ the breezy snorted, a smirk growing oh her lips, “The Seven Demon Generals are gone. The amulets are— !“ Clink… “... lies.“ Aroma’s eyes widened, her gaze fixed upon the piece of jewelry Valiant had taken from his pouch, hanging from the tip of his hoof. Green in color, shaped like a diamond with multiple spikes surrounding it, a slitted, snake like eye testing on its center. She had seen that symbol before, in old history books from her tribe… The emblem of Naag, the great serpent of Envy. And this was no mere fake trinket either. The sheer power that it emanated, the dark energy that flowed through its core, Aroma could feel it I all. It was real. “I'm listening… “ Aroma growled out, narrowing her gaze in distrust, eyes fixed on the strange pendant. That pendant… it had enough power to take over her village, to annihilate the damned elder, to put those who mocked her on their knees! To end her cousin. “You see my dear. I still need two amulets, before the final part of my plan can be put in motion.” He spoke, grabbing hold of her attention with his smooth, almost hypnotic voice as his body seemingly flickered and his wings vanished from place, now replaced by a long, graceful horn that glowed a dark green hue, a hue that surrounded Aroma as he carefully lifted her to eye-level, “Help me, so I can help you. Bring your chaos and mischief to my side, and together? All of Equestria will kneel before us.” Aroma looked into his gaze with big, almost teary eyes, a devilish smirk, a grin of pride and revenge-filled desire arching her lips, “Tell me what to do and where to go, and those amulets will be yours~” They looked into each other eyes for a while, a soft chuckle escaping their lips, a chuckle that turned into a laugh, and in turn into a loud, devilish cackle. It was time to bring some madness into these foolish little ponies’ lives. After spending some time with their new favourite earth pony, Midnight and Pockets decided to stop by the bar for a quick drink. It was still early evening, and Midnight needed to rehydrate after having Fritter’s ‘apple pie’ for dessert. “Ah, Celestia damned I sure need a drink.” Pockets giggled as they made their way to The Belfry. “Just promise you’ll kick my butt if I go overboard again.” “I believe I have some more spanking stored in these hooves,” Midnight said and waved a forehoof at her. “Aaaand that’s my butt telling my brain to stay the fuck away from alcohol” The small unicorn grimaced as memories flashed through her eyes, very, very nice yet painful memories. The bar itself wasn’t as crowded as last time, most of the Night Guard pulling double shifts to cover for the injured Solar Guard. There were still a few present, including one thestral mare drinking with a familiar pegasus. “Well, if it ain’t mah favourite fuck buddies!” Stella called out from her table with Secure Lines sitting next to her. “What are you cunts doing here? Slackin’ off while we actually do shit?” “Don’t tell me you’re sleeping with them?” Secure deadpanned. “Shit no,” Stella shook her head. “They’re my buddies, and they fuck all the time. So, Fuck Buddies!” “That… was terrible, just like you!” Secure chuckled and gave Midnight and Pockets a lazy salute, clearly a little bit drunk yet not quite overboard, "So, how are the latest heroes of Canterlot doing? Enjoying the peace after the storm?” “Ergh, I just know the shit’s gonna hit the fan soon,” Midnight sighed as she slumped to the table. “I mean, just a little break. That’s all I ask for… well that and five minutes in a sealed room with that butterfly-winged skank.” “Knowing what you'll probably do to her once you find her… I almost feel bad for the tiny fucker.” Secure snorted and took a good sip of her drink, “Call me when you do, I wanna give her a good beating as well for what she did to me.” “So, you two dating or something?” Pockets’ cheeky, out of nowhere question came, her narrowed eyes and taunting smirk fired at the two mares, “Cuz I don’t know about you, but you have a bar full of friendly ponies and you two are all alone? And as far as I know this is mainly a thestral place, so unless Secure here has an amazing disguise just laying around, Imma take the bet and say Stella brought ya here.” “Well you’re right about the last part.” Secure nodded and raised her bottle. “But if you say we’re dating one more time, this is going straight into your ovaries.” “Agreed, I jus’ felt bad cause she’s one of the only Sol left. Their bar would be a lil lonely, and drinkin’ alone’s jus’ sad,” Stella nodded. “Ohh, so you still wanna have some fun with me and Pockets then?” Midnight cooed, drawing closer to Secure. “I saw the way you worked that shaft during battle~” Said shaft smacked Midnight’s head with a bonk, “Yeah, and I only work with shafts.” Secure huffed, “You mares are killing me, I swear. You’re almost as bad as that drunk pegasus who was trying to hit on us both.” She pointed her spear at the bar’s corner, where a rather familiar vanilla-colored pegasus mare was seemingly passed out, mumbling unintengible nothings loudly before her head dropped to the table with a loud thump. “Quickie?” Midnight blinked in surprise and got up, moving over to the corner. She looked at the barmaid and was hoofed a glass of ice-water. Ice water that was soon splashed in the pegasi’s face. “W-What th’ buck’s goin on in here!? I know karate, tae-kwon-do, jujitsu, and fifty other dangerous words!” She mumbled out while her eyes blinked rapidly, sore and tired and with a little bit of tears hanging from their base. She picked up on the two mares in front of her and narrowed her eyes, before chuckling and leaning back, puffing out her chest-fluff and doing a far-too-ridiculous eyebrow jiggle, “Oh why hello pweeties, com’ here often?” Goodness she was so incredibly drunk. “What the buck Quickie?” Midnight sighed and knelt down in front of the mare. “Why are you here, more plastered than the walls of a cheap apartment?” “Quickie? Oh buck… Midplan Wong? I mea… Midair Stunt… no… that ain’t right... Who are you again? You look buckin’ hot!” She chuckled… and then her face was planted on the table again. “And you said I drank too much,” Pockets snorted and shook her head. “Unbelievable,” Midnight sighed. “Look, let’s get a few bottles to go and bring this one back to the palace. In her condition, she’s likely to fly off the side of the mountain or something.” Or do something she’d really regret, with somepony that wouldn’t take care of her… “Buck off!” Quick Step grunted as she raised her head, “I’m perfectly fine… fuckin’, I don’t wanna go back to that stupid place. The assssstupid bird guy is in there! Buck him… buck him and that other bird, fuck birds! Fuck ‘m…” She grunted. Midnight paused, and she started to piece together this puzzle. “Okay, I think I see now. Pockets? can you help me here? We’re gonna go to my place instead.” Pockets nodded and smacked and tried to grab hold of Quick Step’s leg. Only to have her swat her hoof again. She tried grabbing her from the back. And she got a wing-smack. So… what did Pockets do? She created a large, ethereal bat… and hit the pegasus into unconsciousness with her magic. Smiling proudly, she turned to Midnight and chuckled… before noticing her face, and then shrugging, “What? You do know that she probably has some sort of deadly self-destruct weapon right?” “Oh for crying… does it look like she strapped explosives to herself?” Midnight sighed and smacked her marefriend with a wing. “Let’s just take her to your place.” Pockets mumbled and rubbed the sore spot, “We have a crap ton of work to do with this girl, don’t we?” “Unfortunately so,” Midnight sighed and looked at Pockets. “Sorry babe, looks like I’ll have to seduce you another night. So rejoice, your purity and innocence is maintained once again.” “Purity? Innocence? What are those, do you eat them or somethin?” Pockets smirked and kissed Midnight’s cheek, “It’s alright love, besides, you’re always seducing me with that body of yours.” “Is that your friend?” Secure called out as she walked up to them, Stella not far behind, “Oh damn, she looks even more wasted than before.” Midnight frowned at her greatness being ignored. “Yeah, her name’s Quick Step. And I think she might be a tad depressed over getting shot down by somepony she has a crush on.” The pegasus mare sighed and rubbed Quick’s back, huh, she was surprisingly soft, “Ohhh boy, hate it when that happens. So you’re taking her home?” “Yeah, she’s my pal and workmate. So I’ll look after her. Maybe even play wingpony if she wants to get back into the game…’ She turned and smirked at Secure. “And I know just who to come after first~” “First of all, buck off.” The guardsmare rolled her eyes in annoyance. This thestral had no off switch, did she? “Second, please tell me you’re taking her to her place and not yours. You of all mares should know that that’s a terrible idea. With like a dozen bastards after your tail and all.” Midnight paused. Oh yeah… there was that. “I… have no idea where she lives though,” the thestral commented. “And I can’t ask her, because some idiot knocked her out!” Everypony just turned to Pockets and glared at her, the unicorn just whistling innocently and looking away. “Ok, buck it. You’re coming with me tonight.” Secure nodded and signaled Stella to bring her bag for her, “I have plenty of spare space anyways, and it’s heavily protected so no worrying about idiots. What do you say?” “Your place?” Midnight blinked, genuinely surprised. “Well, sure. if you want to.” “Not a big deal you idiot.” Secure chuckled and grabbed the bag, smacking Stella’s shoulder with it, “We’re apparently having an impromptu sleepover at my place you bat bastard, wanna come?” “Yeh wanna have some fuckin’ filly sleepover?” Stella groaned and rubbed her head. “Fuck… there’d better be booze involved.” “You’ve been there before you knucklehead, you know very well my house is alcohol-free!” Secure poked Stella’s chest, “All that craps’ in the basement, you can sleep there if you want to.” “Is that an insult tae me bein’ a thestral?” Stella said and poked her back. “Go fuck a cloud Liney!” “Not drunk enough for doing that again.” Secure snarked back and flicked Stella’s muzzle, “Let’s go then you airheads, my place isn't that far away from Midnight’s old house. Wanted to stay on the same neighborhood.” “Wait, what was that about a cloud?” Midnight said, suddenly interested… but got swiftly ignored. “Oh come on!!’ Secure’s place was… Well for starters, it was freaking amazing. The whole place was incredibly modern-looking. Three floors high, made of sleek square shapes. large windows took up the front of the building, and Secure explained they were made of magically reinforced glass, capable of stopping a ballista bolt. She tried once. Or twice… or several times. The yard also had a nice above-ground swimming pool, lit by underwater lamps. the whole house was surrounded by a high fence, with the same enchantments that Midnight’s parents place had if not a tad more powerful. “Holy…” Midnight looked around and whistled. “How does a rank and file guard have a place like this!?” “My dad’s a weapons manufacturer, remember?” Secure reminded the thestral, unlocking the main gate and opening them up, “The business kinda boomed since Nightmare Moon’s return. With all these world-ending apocalypse events happening every damn week, the guard and licensed civilians began buying weapons like crazy. Oh! You girls want to see the latest in Ward Technology?” She quirked a brow with a small smirk. “Oh great, now the nerd comes out to play,” Stella rolled her eyes. “Seriously, get her started on her toys and she’ll never shut up.” “I have a few toys myself~” Midnight waggled her eyebrows. “Pockets really likes the dra—” “Wards! Yes sure, fun stuff!” Pockets quickly shut Midnight’s muzzle up with her hooves. No need for everyone and their mothers to know that: Secure chuckled and just looked at the gates. She cleared her throat, and… “Ward System, up. Level Threat, 4. Return fire only.” The pillars that surrounded the gates shone, and two large ruby-like gems hovered above them, glimmering with the moonlight. Secure picked up a rock, and taking aim, she threw it at one of the enchanted stones… Which quickly shot a beam of pure burning magic that vaporized the rock into smithereens. “Yeah… I doubt those pesky thieves will mess with you here.” She giggled, “And that’s just level four. Now let’s go inside to get you settled down.” “I think I just came,” Midnight shuddered as she watched the impressive display. “Please Miss, can I have another?” “Maybe for your birthday Middy.” Secure snorted and smacked the thestral with her tail. “Ladies and gentlecolts, my marefriend.” Pockets sighed dramatically and dragged Midnight along. The inside of the house was just as luxurious as the outside. With synthetic soft leather seats and paintings signed by some of the most famous artists around, it was obvious that Secure’s family was more than a little wealthy. “Try to not break anything. I have a few wards around that can easily clean the room up, but try to not overuse them alright? Oh, and feel free to grab anything from the kitchen. My place’s your place.” “Don’t steal anything,” Midnight said to Pockets. “But everything’s so pretty and cool!” Pockets pouted. “Found the booze,” Stella called out from somewhere in the house. “Holy shit! You got Griffon Ale?” Secure rolled her eyes. Well, it was good knowing her hundreds year old wines. “Get up here you alcoholic butt! And bring the freaking booze if you want, I don’t care at this point.” “You know you love me~’ Stella hummed as she brought up some Apple Family Cider and the stuff Midnight had brought from The Belfry. “And don’t worry, ah don’t intend to get as wasted as much as last time.” Secure blushed brightly and shot Stella a glare that could freeze up a dragon, “We do not talk about last time!” But the damage was done. When Midnight had placed Quick Step on the couch, she was now muzzle to muzzle with Secure. “Ooohhhh really~” she said with a wide, toothy grin. “I can set the wards to fry your ass, you know?” Secure huffed and shoved her off, “Alright mares. This house has one main bedroom, and two guest rooms. Midnight and Pockets, just because something tells me you might break the smaller beds tonight, you’ll sleep in the main room. The drunk girl can take one of the guest rooms, because making her sleep on the couch would be just straight up mean. And…” She blinked when she realized a major flaw in her plan, “Ooh boy…” “Hehehe, good job,” Stella chuckled. “Sorry love, but I bite~” She gnashed her teeth together for good measure. “Oh for Celestia’s sake… fine! I guess I’ll sleep with Stella if I have to.” Secure grunted, “But if your hoof dares to touch a place it shouldn’t, to the couch with you!” “I could just take the couch,” Stella replied. “Still comfier than the cots in the barracks. But I guess if you really wanna sleep with me…” “Oh buck off! I’m just being a good host.” She scuffed and threw herself on the sofa, “I slept with Midnight once at the barracks and you better believe I kept her on place. I’m immune to teasing.” “I was too tired from training and honestly didn’t realise she was there,” Midnight admitted. “That said… seems she didn’t realise I felt her up during the night. Dem flanks are just… muurrrr~” Oh that was a delightfully cute blush Secure was sporting. Pockets chuckled and glanced at Midnight and Stella, “You two together on the same house seems like a terrible idea. I like it!” Yep. Secure Lines just accepted her fate and shook her head, “I fear for my home… Anyways. I heard you two stopped that bastard mare, the one with the weird magic. I know you Midnight, and I know that when you’re angry you never let anything escape unless something happened. So… what happened?” Midnight frowned, her mood souring almost instantly. “She…” The bat growled and looked away. “Just forget about it.” “Alright, mood-killer, sorry.” Secure said and grabbed a bottle of cider, taking a good sip, “She kicked my flank too, you know? The lance, it went right through her and I just… froze. The whole zombie ordeal was my fault, and I bucking hate it.” “She took us all by surprise.” Pockets pointed out and grabbed a bottle of her own, throwing herself on a chair, “Nobody’s to blame. We’ll get her next time, I’m sure of it.” “Well, she didn’t do shit to me,” Stella beamed as she cracked open a bottle of cider. “Hell, I got to beat the shit out of a ton of Sol’s. It was fuckin fantastic!” The trio of mares just looked at her with a shared ‘For real?’ expression. “What?” Stella shrugged as she took a swig from the bottle. “M’glad ah got the day off tomorrow though. Shit’s been hectic since then. So ah guess ah’m pissed at her fer givin’ me too much work. Bitch.” “That’s the spirit.” Pockets chuckled. Secure looked at the bottle of booze and moved it in small circles, “Yeah… it’s been hard as hell lately. But it’s not like this is our first rodeo. You guys remember that one time when some random Diamond Dog tribe decided to dig their way into Canterlot and kidnap ponies? Damn Stella, as much of an asshole as you are, you sure did kick some major tail that day.” “Fuck yeah ah did,” Stella said with that rich Highlander accent of hers. “Fuckin’ mutts. Thinkin’ they could get away with shit like that.” “And of course, that one time when dark mages plotted to kill the Princesses, only for a certain solar thestral guard to stop them and kick those asses right into Tartarus.” Secure remembered with an amused chuckle. “Oh wow, you remembered that?” Midnight sighed wistfully. “I wish I’d gotten to keep those wingblades they’d let me use for that. I’d have kicked Butterfly Bitch’s ass all the way to Tartarus and back.” “And let’s not ferget,” Stella drawled and looped a forehoof around Secure. “I remember a certain cloudfucker here takin on a dozen of those love-suckin bugs when Queen Bitchalis attacked.” “Oh please. It was nothing really.” Secure waved her off. She knew that was kind of a sore spot for Midnight so she quickly changed the topic “ Oh! Remember that giant cockatrice attack? That was the last time we three worked together actually…” “Oh yeah… even Tia was helping out with that one,” Midnight said, glad for Secure’s topic change. Even now, her wings twitched repeatedly. “Ahh, good times. ‘Cure got the eyes, Stella here knocked ‘em out of the sky and I had the killing blow. Still, seeing Celestia fuckin’ vapourise one was hella cool.” “Damn right!” Secure chuckled. Pockets was just staying in place, trying to not look completely freaked out over all the things they had faced, and over what she would probably face at some point… She couldn’t freaking wait. “So yeah! One butterfly-sized mare? Come on girls, why are we even worrying?” Secure rose her drink and grinned, “We’re going to shove that thing back into whatever hole she crawled from!” “Mmm, I am good at putting things in holes~” Midnight purred as she hugged the pegasus mare. “Pockets can attest to that~” “Oh, she’s good. Better than a freaking stallion even.” Pockets sighed dreamily and hugged Secure as well, “You would totally enjoy it, ya know?” “Yeh know, ah reckon she just wanted us all here fer a big ol’ orgy~” Stella hummed as she copped a feel of those flanks. Secure’s deadpan was betrayed by her vibrant blush, “I fear for my sanity, for I have brought madness itself into my home.” The other three mares just laughed… somewhat evilly. Midnight sat on the couch, running a hoof through Quick Step’s mane. “Well now, what on Equus drove you to drink like that Quickie?” The pegasus sighed. Her head had somehow managed to work well enough to remember where she had left her anti-poisoning pills, the ones she had given Pockets the other day. Now, she was finally coming back to her senses. “It’s not important. I just… felt like drinking ok?” Yet her tone betrayed her words, her pained, angry sounding words. “Uhuh,” Midnight rolled her eyes. “And cursing out some very specific griffons was pure coincidence?” A blush took over Quick Step’s face, “I… oh gods how much did I freaking say?” She really hated it when she went overboard with the drinking, “Do you know how hard it is? To work alongside the mare of your dreams for five straight years, and yet not being able to be more than co-workers? We already broke the rules by bucking all the freaking time but... oh forget about it, I don’t need to worry you about my problems. You got plenty of those already.” “Yep, so worrying about somepony else’s is a nice distraction,” Midnight said with a small smile. “Look, remember when you flew off to save Pockets? I was attacked by Dead Drop again… And if it wasn’t for the insanely lucky fact that the filly I saved had freaky botany skills, I’d have died from a poison arrow, in the middle of a ruined apartment. I nearly died and nopony would have known…” That memory… it terrified her. “I… haven’t even told Pockets that. Nopony except that filly knows.” “That’s not true, you know?” Quick chuckled and looked up at her, “I’m sure Pickett would have rushed to help you as soon as we freed her, and if not, your guard friends would have gone looking for you. Me? I’m a spy… Cereza, or Sphinx, or however she’s called nowadays, she would have assumed I was dead, accept it, and move on. That’s how the business works. Yes, she would be sad, but that’s about it.” “That’s bullshit,” Midnight said. “I don’t know her all that well. But, you’re her best friend. At the very least, whoever killed you would have met a very slow, revenge-filled death, followed by a lot of crying and junk.” Midnight sighed and shook her head. “Look, be straight with me. Is this because of Ace?” Quick frowned, and simply nodded her response. “Thought so,” Midnight sighed and held Quick’s hoof. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on between them. they have a history that even I know nothing about. And now Ace adopts some kid randomly? I think his midlife crisis is hitting hard. I think your best bet is to talk to them…” She reached over and ruffled the mare’s mane gently. “Look, Pockets and I like you, and we’ll be here for you okay?” Quick sighed and nodded, closing her eyes and keeping herself close to Midnight, “So much for the cold, ruthless killer Quick Step huh?” “Well to be fair,” Midnight giggled and waggled her eyebrows. “I know you as ‘Cute little maid’ Quick Step… one with a love of collars and being punished~” “Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been punished by Mistress Midnight.” She grinned maliciously, before kissing Midnight’s cheek and hopping off, “But I seriously need to get some sleep, and even with the pill my head’s hurting way too much so… thank you Midnight, Miss. Pickett sure is a fortunate mare.” “Yeah… and you should be too,” Midnight said to herself as the pegasus left. She hated this, she hated seeing ponies she cared about upset, and not being able to do anything about it. Stella had gone to bed, tired after the day’s work and Midnight had no idea where Pockets had gotten too. “Dammit… what can I do?” “Be your best, and save us all.” Quickie said with a rather warm smile coming from the mare, having heard her little whispers, “I’ll get over it at some point, but I can’t if that Breezie idiot kills us all.” Midnight paused, totally not having a heart attack for realising that the pegasus was still there. Then she paused. “Wait… Breezie?” “Uhm… yes. That’s what the reports said. That deer you saw? It was an illusion, an elaborate one. That’s how the attacks just phased through her, and why she got away. It was smoke and plant fibre, plus a lot of illusionary magic.” Quick explained, “Something tells me fire would be incredibly effective, but… eh. We’ll talk later, alright?” “Yeah… sure,” Midnight said and waved her off. She still wished she could have cheered Quick up a little more. But the bat only knew one way and she doubted that Quick was in the mood. Hell, Midnight was barely in the mood. “I can help you out, you know?” Midnight blinked and turned ot the origin of the voice, only to find Secure leaning on a closed door, hidden in plain sight, and she heard it all, “Get rid of the breezie, take your revenge on her, our revenge.” “Wow… that doesn’t sound ominous in the slightest,” Midnight replied, putting a hoof to her chest. These damned mares were gonna give her a heart attack. “What can I say? I’m a little drunk, really frustrated, and I hate seeing you like that, always had.” Secure sighed and walked in, “Do you want to hear me out or what?” Midnight’s eyes widened. This… okay, this was new. had all her teasing finally broken the pegasi’s brain? “I could do that,” the thestral said and patted the space next to her on the couch. “Careful, I’m pretty irresistible with enough exposure~” Secure chuckled and pushed Midnight’s muzzle away, “Not that, I’m not that drunk. I’m talking about taking the Breezie down. I have something that could help you.” “Ah, so if I could get you drunk enough…” Midnight giggled and ducked the swing the pegasus threw at her. “Kidding. Okay, so tell me the plan Oh Drunken One!” “The plan! Is this.” She showed Midnight a small black leather bag with her father’s company’s logo on it. Inside was a small gray orb, seemingly divided in two parts by the middle. The orb was rather light, even if it seemed to be metallic, and easy to grasp by pony hooves. “That’s a magic bomb, a special kind. The Overcharging Magical Pulse, or OMP. Dad made it when I told him what happened. You get it close enough to her, and her magic goes numb for a minute or so. Works with unicorn magic, earth pony magic, pegasus magic, and thanks to dad’s contacts we even tested it on a breezie and you better bucking believe it worked.” Secure explained, “I want you to have it, it’s the only one we were able to make. But I have one condition.” Midnight looked at the weapon. taking something like this… it would probably get her in a lot of trouble with her higher ups… that being Celestia and Luna. And she was shocked such a straight arrow like Secure was even doing this. She could lose her job. Still… “What condition?” Midnight asked slowly. “It stays between us, and when you use it… you’ll make sure it’s worth it, you’ll make sure you kick her ass for me as well.” Secure said, “And that you’re as far away from it as possible. I care far too much about you to risk losing you, alright?” “Well, it only affects magic users right?” Midnight tapped her hornless forehead. “No need to worry about it then.” “Midnight, you of all ponies should know what I’m fucking talking about. Heck, of all of us you’re one of the most magically charged ones. Just… just listen to me on this one alright? Stay away, as far as you can.” Secure sighed and closed her eyes, “Dear Celestia all this stress is killing me.” “I know those feels,” Midnight said with a sigh. “And look… sorry for teasing you all the time. I know… I can be kind of annoying.” Secure quirked her gaze in confusion for a few seconds, before chuckling and shaking her head, “It’s alright. I… kinda like it in a way. It’s hard to explain but… your teasing has grown on me. You’re one of my closest friends, because Celestia knows that us dorks needed one another when we were fillies, so at this point I just look at it as natural, fun and… kinda sexy…” Her voice trailed off at that last part, to the point a normal pony wouldn’t have been able to hear it. Midnight was not a normal pony. But she also wasn’t sure if she should tease her about it… “Oh really~” the bat purred and drew closer. “You think… I’m sexy huh~?” The pegasus blushed and looked away, “N-No… yes… a little. I can say a mare’s sexy without being attracted to her alright? It’s n-not a big deal… even if I am… a little… attracted… damn is it hot in here or is that the alcohol speaking?” “Oh… I think it’s a rather cute pegasus speaking,” Midnight replied in a husky tone and drew closer, now straddling the mare as her lips drew closer to Cure’s. “I wonder what other noises I can get her to make~?” “Eep!” Secure squeaked out, sweating nervously, “Midnight… you’re a tad close there. I… I don’t know if…” She wanted to say it, she wanted to say she wasn’t comfortable like this. She knew all that was needed to stop Midnight was a ‘No’ but… why didn’t she say it? Then she found a hoof booping her nose as Midnight pulled back and smiled. “Have a good night… thanks for the gift~” And with that, she vanished down the hall. Secure just blinked, that blush still present on her face… and more vibrant than ever. It was little past midnight and things seem rather peaceful on Secure Line’s house. To be expected really, the place was as heavily guarded as Canterlot Castle itself! Yet… that didn’t stop a certain thief to try her hoof at it. The worst part? She didn’t even know what she was doing, As it turns out, once every full moon, or half moon, or every moon really it didn’t matter; every once in a while Pockets would just stand up and aimlessly walk around without any actual purpose other than for her body to play along with her dream. Sometimes she dreamt of cookies, so she’d go walk up to the cookie jar and eat some. Other times she dreamt with a certain bat, and would start mumbling cute compliments while hugging her sleeping form. Other times? Other times she dreamt of stealing some goodies from a fancy house. This… was one of those times. And so, the unicorn stimply moved out of the bed and mumbled, her horn flaring… and grabbing a painting with her magic. Because that? That’s how the Pockets do. Secure stormed into the room and grunted under her breath, her face red as a tomato. She looked at the bed, and threw her body onto it without a care in the world. She was bloody frustrated. “Okay, you have one fucking chance to explain why you just bodyslammed me,” Stella growled from under the covers. “Or I’m gonna rip yer fuckin’ wings off.” “Listen buddy, I am pissed, confused, and sexually frustrated like you have no idea!” Secure snapped and rolled over, her back facing Stella, “I don’t need this right now… bucking... “ Stella groaned and rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “Awright, what the fuck did Midnight do this time?” “Made me doubt my sexuality. Again.” Secure huffed, turning around to avoid the thestral’s gaze, “She.. that bastard! Something inside me just wanted to kiss her and buck the heck out of her! I… does that mean I’m gay now? I’ve never been attracted to a mare before! I… what is going on!?” Stella stared flatly at her. “Drunk night. Cloud. Secure, have you even bucked a stallion before?” The pegasus opened her mouth, then closed it. She raised her hoof, then moved it back. Mumbling and blushing she looked away, before shaking her head, “N-no… you… you were kind of my first…” “Of-fuckin’-course I was,” Stella sighed and facehooved. “Well, unless you buck a stallion and like it. Then yeh, you’re pretty gay.” Secure stayed silent, before sighing, “I should really be more frustrated than I am right now… I should be screaming, I should be hollering in anger! Why… why am I so ok with this? I’m not even sure if I’d enjoy having sex with a mare, the only time I did I was drunk and had no idea of what was going on!” “Well, yeh know I prefer stallions,” Stella said with a sly smile. “But ah ain’t above… helpin’ ya figure out where you stand~” Secure blushed, her wings shifting slightly at that, “I… I mean. Don’t get me wrong you’re pretty damn attractive b-but… are you sure about this? It’d be just to see if I’m r-really into mares, right? J-just for science.” Stella rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Yer a featherbrain ya know that? Now, where would ya like to start?” She gulped and turned a bit to have a better look at Stella. Well… if she had to do this with anyone Stella wasn’t a bad choice, even with their mutual teasing and taunting, they always had this weird friendship going on… a friendship that was going somewhere Secure had no expected in the slightest, “I… I don’t really know. I was drunk last time remember?” “Didn’t stop ya from goin’ at it like a rabbit in heat though,” Stella chuckled. “Ah still recall a few things ya liked though. Jus’... promise ya won’t get all weird on me eh?” The pegasus couldn’t help but chuckle at that, before nodding, “Alright. This will be just like friends, right? Friends helping each other. Nothing weird on that… at all...” Yeah she couldn’t lie to herself this got her pretty damn nervous, and it showed all over her cute face, “Let’s just get this over with.” Stella remained silent, a smirk growing on her face, a smirk Secure knew very, very well. Slowly, Stella began to crawl up towards her with the widest of predatory smiles, making the pegasus gulp as she moved back, her blush only becoming brighter, and brighter, and brighter… And she had but one thing to say as Stella finally reached her. “Meep!” “Ouch, ouch… ouch. You know you could be- ouch- a bit more gentle.” Pockets’ list of things she hated was pretty damn short. Ponies who threatened her life or the life of the ones she loved? She hated those. Pineapple on a pizza? She hated that. Ghosts and anything too spooky for her? She hated those with a burning passion. Being fried on the butt and having to go through a cleaning and healing session? It sucked. Even if Midnight was the one helping her with it, it still sucked. “So…” Midnight sighed as she rubbed a fur-regrowth potion. She wasn’t going to question why Secure had a small stockpile of the stuff. “Can you explain to me why you have no fur on your butt?” “Two words, dream-thieving.” Pockets muttered, blushing in embarassment, “I may… or may not have been dreaming with robbing this place, and while sleeping it… kinda happened.” “...Oh Stars,” Midnight shook her head. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear you…” she paused until she heard hoofsteps outside the hall. Another moment and she ascertained it was Secure. “Maybe if two ponies hadn’t kept me up half the night with their lovemaking…” she said loudly. “And didn’t even invite me!” “Buck off!” Secure grunted and with a mighty groan, just fell on the sofa. She did not expect her legs to hurt as much as they did. “Well she sure sounds happy.” Pockets giggled before hissing when Midnight applied the final drops of rubbing alcohol on the injury, “Buck my life… please tell me that’s it.” “Yeah, I think you’ll live, my sleepy little klepto.” Midnight raised a hoof and rubbed her head… before smiling wickedly. “Now I have a reason to tie you up in bed~” “I regret every decision I ever made.” Pockets sighed dramatically before getting up and stretching her back, “Ready to start another day batty? Something tells me school’s opening again today, so there’s that. Still, I think we had fun yesterday, don't cha think?” “It was pretty fun, especially that Apple dessert,” the thestral hummed. “Still, I really should get back to the castle. The guards are likely horribly understaffed, and that bitch is still out there.” “Aaand we’re back to our regular schedule. Yay…” Pockets said ‘enthusiastically’, before giving Midnight the cutest puppy pout and whimpering, “Can’t we just ignore the world and cuddle all day long?” “Nope, you have school,” Midnight hummed and then got a delightful idea. “Tell you what, let’s make a bet.” “This has bad idea written all over it, but sure. What is it?” She questioned, her hoof poking Midnight’s nose playfully. “If you ace your next test…” Midnight leaned in close. “I’ll get a schoolfilly’s outfit and you can be the teacher~” Pockets froze, unable to believe what she was hearing, “For real?” “Promise,” Midnight said and smiled. “But, you have to be in the top five of your class okay?” “Top five!? Please, I’ll be the best frigging student that academy has ever seen!” Pockets nodded before smirking devilishly, pulling Midnight close and rubbing Midnight’s Cutie Mark, “So you better prepare that cute butt of yours, love~” “If you get first place,” Midnight snorted. “I’ll even let you use my favourite toy.” Pockets’ eyes widened, “Oh you better bucking believe I’ll get number one now! That academy better gets ready, nothing’s gonna stop me now!” “We’ll see,’ Midnight mused and got up. “Well, your butt is bandaged, so now you get to put back everything you took.” “Already did right before I came back to bed.” Pockets said and pecked Midnight’s lips, “No time to lose. Gotta get breakfast and then study my flank off!” “Well, then I have some ponies to tease, if you’ll excuse me~” she kissed Pockets on the cheek and then glided out into the living room, and effectively pinned Secure to the couch before she knew what was happening. “Hello poppet~” she purred and licked her fangs. Secure eeped and blushed in surprise, before realizing what was going on and hitting Midnight’s shoulder and pushing her away, “You idiot! My bloody body hurts like Tartarus and you come here nearly breaking my bones… geez.” “Hmm, it hurts huh?” Midnight didn’t move though. “You see these?” she gave her ears a wiggle. “They’re very sensitive. So… guess what I heard last night~?” Secure’s eyes widened up. She knew exactly what Midnight heard. But there was no way she was going to admit having done that. “I… I don’t know. Your marefriend’s snores? Kinda heard them as well, they get pretty loud.” “Hmm, well Pockets’ snores can get pretty loud,” Midnight agreed. “But… I’m thinking… oh what was it again?” She cleared her throat and out came a surprisingly good impersonation of Secure’s voice. “Please Stella… spank me, spank me hard—” The pegasus couldn’t have been more pissed off at that, her raging blush and growling scowl shutting Midnight up, “One word, one word about this to anyone else and I’ll bucking shove my lance up your butt!” “Oooh kinky~” Midnight purred, her lips moving closer. “I like a mare that plays rough~” Secure groaned and facehooved, “You’re incorrigible. Don’t you have a marefriend to bother?” “Nope, she’s busy… besides,” Midnight mused and leaned closer, Secure could feel her breath on her muzzle. “My tongue is waaay more… experienced~” Secure could feel her heart skip a beat, “Midnight… I swear to Celestia… if you do this to me again...” “Oh?” Midnight smiled. “So, you really want me to kiss you hmm~ Well, maybe if you beg for it…” “Oh, I see how it is,” Stella huffed from the doorway. Secure squeaked and quickly pushed Midnight away, covering her own muzzle, “Uhm… I can explain?” Midnight smirked. “Aww, Stell’s jealous~” “Whut, now look here yeh fuckin’...mmph!?” she was cut off when Midnight kissed her, before Stella flipped her over her shoulder. “Bah, fuckin’ ‘ell Midnight. Go take a cold bath in Tartarus!” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Besides, it was a joke. It’s not like we’re marefriends or anythin’.” Secure felt so frigging stupid for acting like that. Then again, Stella took her by surprise with that comment, “Bucking hate you both… well, enough madness.” She hopped onto her hooves and dusted off her coat with her feathers, returning to her usual demeanor, “Hopefully we can make a decent breakfast fast enough to go to work.” Midnight picked herself up and the two bats moved either side of the pegasus mare. “You know…” Stella hummed. “…We don’t mind sharing,” Midnight finished. Secure gulped and tensed up, the idea being just ridiculous… and pretty damn arou— “NOPE!” She darted away and into the dining room.” Stella and Midnight stood there for a moment, before chuckling and bumping hooves. When they teamed up, nopony survived.