Tickling is Magic

by Player 4

Story 1: Stress Relief

Celestia flutters to her bedside, her wings barely able to even make it there as they radiated with painful burn. "Oof. This day was really exhausting, Lulu." Celestia says as her reeling body finally meets its comfort zone. "And that's saying something when you hold the positions that we do."

"I know." Luna says. "I really was determined, but, uh, yeah."

"We pushed ourselves too far?" Celestia infers.

"Thou be correct." Luna says.

"And I can't stop thinking about tomorrow!" Celestia says. "There's another royal breakfast, then I have a meeting with Ember the Dragon Lord, then a royal dinner, then I'm attending the Wonderbolts show... ugh!" She shoves her pillow into her face.

"I mean, not like those activities aren't fun, they most certainly are, but geez. Being a princess sure can be stressful."

"Thou has said it." Luna responds. "Maybe we could use some help."

Celestia glanced over at her sister. Luna wouldn't typically be the pony to say something like that. While definitely kind-hearted, Luna has always been the more pompous princess compared to Celestia's "Oh, shucks" attitude towards compliments. Such extended to receiving help. Celestia has always acknowledged when even the ruler needs some comfort and loves ponies' offers to help her, whether it be through words, petting, etc.

Luna, she gets rather embarrassed to ask for help, unless it's from Celestia.

"I agree. And what a surprise to hear you say that." Celestia giggled.

Luna rolls her eyes, but can't fully bring her normal attitude back. "Today was different. I feel so tired and so unable to stop torturing my mind about what is to come tomorrow. I feel like I cannot solve this myself."

"Neither can I." Celestia says. "So we should get help."

Luna took a breath. "I think thou right."

"Twilight and Spike are probably sleeping right now." Celestia said. "But tomorrow morning, let's make sure I send out that letter."

---

The next day, Twilight, Spike, and Starlight are eating breakfast together, digging into Spike's cream-coated pancakes. "It isn't just Pinkie Pie who can do this stuff." Starlight commented.

Spike intended to respond... when he started feeling something coming up through his throat. While used to that, usually knowing what was coming, the timing of events couldn't help but make him wonder if he was choking on his meal. That wasn't the case though, and out came the letter that Twilight then unraveled.

The alicorn's eyes widened out, followed by her sporting a stressed, worried look as she read the letter more carefully. "Uh, something wrong, Twilight?" Starlight asked.

"It says here that the princesses are feeling really stressed out and want somepony to help them relax. 'Our annoying brains just won't stop telling us about everything that we're apparently supposed to be stressed about! I'm starting to actually think we need hypnosis.' Celestia writes here."

Starlight giggled. "Ah, princess life."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Riiight." she sarcastically said. "And then at the bottom, it says... oh! Starlight, they want you to do it!"

The entire room cricketed as Starlight wasn't ready to process what she just heard. "Me?"

"Yes, you!" Twilight beamed. "You can cast a hypnosis spell, can't you? I mean, it's on one of the lowest skill levels of magic. Even ponies who aren't unicorns can induce hypnosis, right?" Twilight gave her pupil an encouraging smile.

"Well, I-I suppose I can, but what exactly am I supposed to do with the hypnosis?" Starlight asked. "Like, if I'm supposed to be relieving their stress, how do I do it?"

"Don't worry." Twilight said. "They'll guide you."

Starlight still felt pretty weird about being the one to do this; it seemed like a really delicate situation that only ponies whom Celestia and Luna could really trust would be allowed to do, such as Twilight.

But they said in the letter that they wanted Starlight. She couldn't exactly argue around it.

I guess I'll just ask them once I get there.

---

Twilight had made sure the guards of Canterlot Palace were aware of what was about to happen, so Starlight had no trouble entering the building. And thankfully, she wouldn't have to look for the correct room, as the two princesses were already there, standing right in front of her!

"Hello, Starlight." Celestia said gently. "You are probably confused, and that's okay. We shall explain."

Oh. Well then! No need for questions yet. Starlight sure liked that.

Luna carries the explanation itself. "The two of us have gone through some bad mental pain lately. It is due to all the stress of our roles. So many things have been going on for us that we can clearly feel the burnout, yet we feel we must stay on our hooves as we accept any and all invitations."

"What Luna said." Celestia continued. "We cannot truly relax, because the next obligation is always on our minds."

"Eesh. That doesn't sound good." Starlight said. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, you will be able to help us! That is what we have called you in for." Celestia said.

And here's when Starlight remembers. "Uh... yeah, about that. Why me, specifically?" she questioned.

"Ah, because thou somepony we have not spent a lot of time with, yet thou is the student of Celestia's student. We wanted to get to know you a bit better." Luna explained.

"Basically that." Celestia continued. "We just had the urge to go the extra mile and try it with somepony different. And like my sister said, with you being the student of my student, you're the one that came to mind."

"Ah, okay." Starlight said simply. "Well, I shall let it be known that I am very happy to help. You two want hypnosis relaxation? I'll do it for you."

"Great! Just follow us, Miss Glimmer."

Starlight blushed at that formality, but not for long as the walk was much shorter than she anticipated. The trio soon entered the room where this special session was to take place. It appeared to be Celestia's bedroom, with a large sun image being visible on the top bed blanket.

"Uh, just out of curiosity, why are we doing in this your bedroom, Your Majesty?"

"Because it's so cozy." Celestia said, rubbing the carpet with her hoof. "Perfect environment for relaxation."

"Well, I can't argue with that." Starlight said as she felt the carpet too. Yeah, it was pretty fluffy. "But anyway, you say you want me to hypnotize you two, is that correct?"

"Yes." Luna said. "I know it is awkward. But my sis and I truly believe it is the only way."

"Mm-hmm." Celestia said. "No matter how hard we try, we just cannot get our minds to stop torturing us with every upcoming responsibility in the book." The princesses sit down on the carpet in front of Starlight. "Alright, are we ready now, sister?"

"I believe we are." Luna said. "Do it, Starlight. Remember, we want this. Just cast a spell the same way you always do. Think of us being hypnotized, and it will work."

Starlight took a deep breath. "Alright. Well, here goes nothing." she said, her body still shivering. She works her horn and mind muscles, shooting out the magic at the two princesses.

...

Starlight's perceived delicacy of this situation prompted her to look away to another side of the room, as she panted in fear. Eventually deciding to brave it and looking back at the ponies she supposedly has mind control over, she notices their complete lack of movement and flat facial expressions that stare directly at her.

She then waved her lavender hoof across Celestia's face, imitating a pendulum. She does the same to Luna; yep, eyes follow perfectly. Starlight is in control.

But how does one relax them, though? Darn it, that was a question she totally forgot to ask. She groaned at the realization. That was the missing piece of the puzzle that never got addressed earlier. Now what?

Well... there looks to be a sign of hope. Looking elsewhere in the room, Starlight happened to notice a feather sitting in an ink jar. A quill, that Celestia must use to write things.

That very moment was when the emotional sun of hope rose and shined brightly.

"Hear me, Your Majesties. I know how to help you two. I shall tickle you!" Starlight said.

"As you wish." Celestia nodded.

"You say it works, I takest thou's word for it." Luna said.

"Alright then. Could you two kindly lay down on your backs?" Starlight requested as she giggled and snorted.

The hypnotized princesses followed that to every word, backing up and lowering their bodies, then unraveling flat.

"Alright. We are waiting!" Celestia said.

"Tickle us, Miss Starlight." Luna said.

"Oh, I already know by now that you two will love it." Starlight announced. Okay, now she loved being in this role. That sure was a quick turnaround!

Here we go. With the princesses laying back-down, eyes-closed, hypnosis confirmed to be active, it was time. Starlight summoned a red feather with her magic and waved it on Celestia's right side. She reacted by swaying her body in the other direction a bit, not to mention the full-on laughing already. Not just giggling.

And she's even more ticklish than I thought. Starlight giggled to herself.

For Luna, she summoned another feather, this one yellow, and tickled her left back hoof, revealing the sound of her deep, royal laughter. She then moved that feather to under Luna's left foreleg, as the side tickling on Celestia continued. Hey, yeah! I can tickle them both at once!

"Alright, now we are getting serious with this." Starlight summoned two larger, faster feathers to tickle Celestia's tummy with, as well as two thick, extra-soft brushes tickling both her back hooves.

"Hahahaha! Hoohooheehee! HAHAHA! That tickles!" the sun princess laughed out loud, her voice taking on a much higher, and frankly adorable, pitch from the formal tone her tickler knew.

Starlight smiled. There was just something oddly satisfying about sending the ruler of Equestria into a squirming mess of laughter. How many ponies will get to do this? And of course she couldn't leave out the other one. She magically sent a four-pack of feathers in pairs towards Luna's two under-forelegs and back hooves, doubling the amount of laughter in the room.

Now I am very glad they asked me to do this. Starlight thought.

"Alright, so that's all for the feathers." She poofs them away. "Hmm, what can I do without my magic?" Starlight announced. "Oh! I know!" She turns her body around, facing her pointy tail towards the alicorns. Celestia jolted and giggled already at the sight, which Starlight noticed.

"Heehee, you're reacting already!" she teased. Starlight tickled her back hooves using her tail, alternating between the two hooves in a few seconds' time, with vigorous, fast stroking.

"Ooh! Hahahahahaha! Ah-haha- you-hu-hure good at this, Starlight! Ahahahaha!"

"Thank you." she says.

She could now feel a new technique coming on. Starlight turned around and blew raspberries on Celestia and Luna's bellies, going one each for a short second.

"Hahaha-- tha-hat was only a little bit, Starlight." Celestia said. "Think you could do more than that?"

Starlight smirked. "My pleasure." Taking a deep breath beforehand, she gave Celestia another raspberry, then even more. Switching from a big, long one, Starlight now moved her head all around the area as she blew half-second raspberries over and over again and again.

"Hahahahaha! Sta-ha-harlight, that really, really tickles! HAHAHAHA!"

"And do you like it?" Starlight asked.

"Hahahahaha- yes! I lo-hove what you did there!"

"Aww! I'm really happy to hear that!" Starlight exclaimed. She blew a few more raspberries.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Starlight herself couldn't help but laugh as well. This was so much fun and so sweet.

An amount of fun that wasn't evenly distributed, though. Starlight looked at the blue princess on the other side, who gazed into her eyes while still laying the common tickle areas visible.

"Oh, yeah. I haven't tickled you much, have I, Luna?"

She hadn't. Calculating the past few minutes, Starlight did come to the realization that she had been focusing on tickling Celestia.

"Well, here I come!" Starlight says. "How about a brush? I've only brushed Celestia."

Luna nodded. "Yes please! Makest the princess laugh!"

So adorable. Starlight, holding it in her hooves this time, brushed up, down, and all over Luna's right side, alternating with the back-and-forth and circular motions as surprise-heavy as she could.

"Hahahaha! Tha-hat is the ticket, Starlight! Hahaha!"

It definitely was about time for Starlight to satisfy Luna's desire. Well, a desire that Starlight hypnotized her into having, but hey. As she continues her pattern on the night princess's right side, she adds the left to the mix, scrubbing vigorously in a small area, to create a different effect.

"Hahahahahaha!" Luna sure couldn't stop laughing.

Starlight could only figure that Luna wanted more tummy tickling, as she had seldom done that on her; only that one little raspberry. Comparing that to the double-feather and raspberry attacks she delivered on Celestia, Starlight moved both brushes inward and swerved them all around Luna's belly in fast circles, as well as various other directional movements. Luna kicked her back hooves out and shook the brushes themselves with her laughter.

"I think some princess is ticklish." Starlight teased.

"HAHAHAHA!" 'Yep' is all Luna could think in her head. It was embarrassing to admit, but she is very ticklish, and best of all, she was enjoying this.

As fun as it was, Starlight now figured the time was right to bring this session to an end. She gradually slows down the tickling until it stops, and reverses her magic to bring the princesses out of hypnosis.

The princesses had a delay in readjusting their minds; Starlight tried to help by saying "It's over." Luna turned her head and asked "You there, sister?"

"Yes. I am. And what I just had there... whew. That was... that was sure something."

Starlight giggled. "It really was. I had tons of fun with it. Did you?"

This question was nothing short of inevitable. So, did they enjoy the tickling?

"Honestly, I did, Starlight. Thank you." Celestia said. Starlight smiled.

"It not be something I expected to like. But I shall not lie." Luna says. "In another kind of sentence, I too find tickling fun. And shall give Ms. Starlight Glimmer here a piece of gratitude."

Starlight nearly blushed. How much sweeter could this get?

She tried to dodge that by going for the other important question. "How about the relaxation? Did I relieve your stress?"

"You did, Starlight. The hypnosis worked." Celestia said. "Paired with the tickling; yeah, I'm unable to feel anything but happy!"

"It sure does release all that tension and put a smile on one's face. I feel happy too." Appropriately, Luna was smiling. Celestia loved to see it; it was a rare sight.

At this point, Starlight couldn't resist. "Come here, you two. It's hug time."

Celestia looked over at her clock. "It is about bedtime now; how about you stay with us tonight and the three of us cuddle?"

Now that was a bombshell if there ever was one. Starlight stood in silence for a few seconds; she definitely never expected to get invited to have a sleepover with the royal princesses. But once she thought past that shock, she'll take it.

"Alright! Let's do it!" Starlight said.

"Excellent, Ms. Glimmer." Luna said, fluttering over to the well-large-enough bed. Celestia laid on the other side, smiling at Starlight.

"Here we go. I'm coming in." she said, giggling.

Looked like the princesses already had a position in mind, which Starlight accepted. She climbed in the center of the bed and shuffles under the blankets, laying on her back, between the two large alicorns, after which they both press their fluffy, warm bodies against her.

"Ahh, yes..." Starlight said.

The princesses settled into their position with Starlight snug in the sandwich... well, one more thing. Luna wanted to give her a goodnight kiss. But rather than delivering it to her cheek like normal, she leaned over and kissed Starlight's belly.

Starlight's eyes snapped open as she felt Luna's lips vibrate on her. "Heeheehee! W-w-h-what was that about?" she laughed.

"I figured you deserved a goodnight kiss." Luna said. "But on the heels of what happened tonight... let's just say I wanted to give you a bit of good old retaliation."

"Hehe. I see." Starlight said.

"Well, we may need to sleep now, but there's always tomorrow. I mean, I tickled you two, so if you're thinking what I'm thinking, I shall accept."

Celestia giggled. "We shall see!"

Author's Note:

It's finally here. superfun, thanks for this idea! It was a lot of fun to write and I hope I delivered on your expectations!

Now on to more magical tickling stories! Remember everyone, this is an anthology!

Comments

[TheHumanWriter]

"Hahahaha! Tha-hat is the ticket, Starlight! Hahaha! "

i.redd.it/ootizmbgn3121.png
I am confused by this sentence, do you mean "Tha-hat tickles, Starlight!" or something else?

Either way, this is a pretty cute chapter, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead for this story!

[Player 4]

11033101
Funnily enough, I first heard the phrase "that's the ticket" from a video game - Super Mario Galaxy. Characters would say it as a synonym for "Yes! I like that! You're doing well!" when you did something good to them. And I just felt like using it here.

And thank you! I'm also looking forward to more! Thank you for the follow too!

[superfun]

Finally managed to get around to actually reading this.
This was a great chapter

[Player 4]

11041081
Thank you! Good to hear!