//------------------------------// // Target Acquired: Cadence [1 Of 3] // Story: Target Acquired: Tickle Time! // by NightFurySpeedey8156 //------------------------------// It was the next morning on the train to Canterlot, ponies already starting to get the gears turning for the day ahead. And Night Fury was no different. If it weren't for his body practically forcing him to sleep, he would have been out the door at the crack of dawn. But, being a cat and all, he couldn't resist the thought of being lazy. He eventually did wake up and got some well deserved breakfast before heading back to his room on the train to check the journal he kept as a mini version of his planning board for on the go use. “Alright, let's see here. Twilight: Already done and dealt with. Next up: The three other princesses. Let's see… let's go from youngest to oldest, that oughta be good.” Not to mention, buy me some time so other ponies in town don’t get too suspicious.” Fury said to himself. He is and has been good friends with the elder princesses ever since they first met. They bonded over jokes and past experiences and the occasional bit of gossip. He may not be a mare, or a pony at all for that matter, but he had to admit, the drama was juicy around these parts. He had especially grown close to Cadence, not only because they were around the same age and had much in common, but by the fact that she was the one who gave him the chance to come and live in Equestria when he got an airdropped invitation to her wedding after the defeat and surprising reform of the Changelings and their queen. “Never a dull moment here,” he said to himself. “Oh! Here already?! Time flies when you’re occupied.” His train pulled into the station in Canterlot, allowing him to step off and take in the smell of the surroundings. Canterlot was much more on the high society side of things as this was the Capital of the nation. Many high ranking officials, celebrities and other well-known figures resided here. But there were only three that mattered to him as he walked along with his journal in paw, marking Cadence with a circle to confirm. “Target Acquired.” – Princess Cadence had just retired to her room. It had been a long and stressful day, setting new trade deals, settling border disputes, among the many other duties of being royalty. “Ugh! I feel so tight.” She whined, as she took off her regalia. “I wish Shining were here to help me relieve some of this tension. Perhaps a hot bath might help me think of something else to do in the meantime.” Just then, she hears noises. “OoOoOoOo…” The noises sounded ghostly and echoed. “Who’s there?!” She yelled, summoning a rod to defend herself from a possible intruder. “Be not afraid, young one. For I am but a friendly ghost. A ghost of childish delight and endearment.” “And… how do I know I can trust you?” She asked, showing the benefit of the doubt, but still keeping her guard up. “Where are you?” “I am nowhere. I am everywhere. I am what is and isn't. What is happy and what is sad. You say you have a certain tightness within you. Pain from the overabundance of work as a Royal figure perhaps?” The voice asked. Now she was suspicious. Just who was in the room with her? “And… you’re not trying to blackmail me, or anything?” She asked, cautiously. “But of course not, my dear. Please, lay down your weapon. I am not armed, and I have no ill will towards you.” The voice answered. She did as she was asked and remained still, keeping a passive eye on the darker areas of the room. Meanwhile, below the bed she was now sitting on, Fury was trying his best to not laugh and give away his position. “Man, this ghost trick is working beautifully. Alright, time to make my move.” He whispered, continuing the facade. “So, my ghostly roommate, what exactly brings you into the mortal realm?” Cadence asked, keeping her guard up. “If you aren’t here to attack, why have you come? And what do you want with me, exactly?” “Why, I have come on my own accord to give you relief. You see, in a previous life, I was a fan favorite for my experience in making ponies laugh. I was known as the best friend everyone wanted and needed. And I believe you are another that requires my expertise, even in the afterlife.” The voice said, its “physical form” now climbing up behind Cadence and setting its appendages next to her sides. “Ooookaaaay. But… what’s that got to do with me? I’m still confused.” She stated, now tense and afraid. “Why do I have the feeling that you’re going to jump me?” “Oh, I am, Cady. Just not in the way you expected!” And just like that, Fury was on her and giving her the works.. “GYAAHHAHAHAHA!!” She screamed, as he began tickling her hips. Thankfully the room was soundproofed. Pinkie Pie could’ve done her one-pony-band routine in the room, and no other patrons would’ve heard a sound. “WAHAHAHAHAIT A MINUTE! FURY, IT'S YOUHUHUHUHUHUHU!” “Yes indeed,” he chuckled. “And you’re still just as ticklish as I remember.” He hopped off of Cadence and took a seat in a nearby chair, allowing the Alicorn to catch her breath. “You're no ghost… you little… sneak…” She huffed. “Of course not. I’m alive as can be.” He said with a chuckle. “Now… I heard you say that you felt tight. Did that loosen you up a bit?” Cadence stretched out her muscles, slightly. She was surprised to find out that she did, indeed, feel loosened up. “I… do feel an improvement.” she admitted. “But it's not as much as a full massage.” “Well then, looks like you'll need something a little more intense. Say, where do you feel the most tight?” Fury asked. “I'd say around my chest and my tummy. I've been holding back a lot of my strength with how… infuriating some of this job can be.” “Fair enough. Please, allow me to ease some of that tension for you.” Fury stated, as he sat himself next to her stomach. Then he noticed the look in her eyes. “Don’t worry. I intend to give you the best massage I can, it might tickle a bit in places, but I’ll be as gentle as I can. I promise.” Cadence took a deep breath, then nodded her affirmation before allowing herself to relax. After which Fury began his work, finding the tight areas in her stomach and gently kneading them to release the pressure. Cadence groaned as he did his work, releasing a few giggles when he hit the more ticklish parts on her stomach. “Starting to feel better?” Fury asked. “Yes, I- EEP!” Cadence tried to answer, when he hit a particularly sweet spot on her stomach. “Sorry.” he apologized. “No, no! It’s okay,” she reassured him. “This is helping a lot…(sighs deeply)… I’m starting to feel a lot better.” “Good.” … “Because I'm done playing nice. Kitchi kitchi koo!” “What?! Waihihihihihit!” Cadence attempted to say, before falling apart in her giggles yet again. “That never gets old,” Fury said to himself. “Come on, Cady, you know me. I never let an opportunity to mess with you go to waste, and this is no different.” He began to tickle her hips mercilessly as he said this. She couldn’t tell whether or not he was attempting a pun, but regardless, it was pretty funny. “FURYHEHEHEHEHE! Stop it! HAHAHAHAHA! I’M GONNA WEHEHEHEHEHET THE BEHEHEHEHEHEHED!” the pink Alicorn pleaded. “Uh oh! Don’t want that.” Fury panicked, abruptly ending the tickling. Cadence made a mad dash to the bathroom, but returned shortly thereafter. Crisis averted. “I apologize for that, Cadence.” Fury apologized. “I hope I didn’t go too far.” “No no, it’s okay.” Cadence reassured him. “I can’t tell you how many times Auntie Celestia did the same to me when I was a filly. Shining’s even tickled me to that point once or twice, Twilight too. So, it’s nothing that I’m not accustomed to.” “I see.” he said. “So… are you feeling better?” She nodded, affirmingly. Then she began to stretch her legs again, and a yawn escaped her lips. “That was very fun,” Cadence stated. “But… (yawn) I think it’s time to hit the hay. You’re more than welcome to stay the night, if you want. I have plenty of room, and I’d be happy with some company. Shining and Flurry are away on a Daddy/Daughter trip.” “I’d be happy to. Thank you.” the cat stated. And after arranging enough soft pillows and blankets on the bed, the two laid themselves down for the evening. “So… who else have you tickled recently?” Cadence asked curiously. “Only Twilight and you, so far.” Fury admitted. “Although, I do plan on getting Celestia and Luna while I’m here. And, when I return to Ponyville, get the rest of my friends, and… possibly a few others.” “Sounds like fun.” Cadence stated. “(yawn) Good night, Fury.” “Good night, Cadence,” Fury said. But before he fell asleep, he quietly got out his journal and crossed Cadence off, taking one more off the list. “Target Down. 1 Down, 2 to go.”