Strong Spirit loved going to Vinyl's club, since she played the best music in town. He went to just get drunk, dance, maybe bring home a mare or two. But all that will change when he meets a certain bookworm.
For Strong Spirit, Friday night means shower, brush, and get ready for a night in the club. One night he helps out a certain mare, and soon after they become good friends. But he wants to be more than friends, even if she isn't sure. What he doesn't know, is that it's more than just uncertainty.
Strong Spirit laid on his bed, a beautiful lavender mare snuggled beside him. Twilight Sparkle, a mare stallions would dream about. He gave her one last kiss before she closed her eyes, and he stared at the ceiling. It was funny really, how he met this mare… how he ended up lying here after the greatest sex in his life. Never did he think he'd actually fall head over hooves for some mare he barely knew. Well, that was until he met her, and then he hung out with her, then…
…let's go back to the beginning.
It was Friday night. Most ponies were heading home from late hour shifts, and those who turned in early were falling asleep. The air was cool, the moon was high in its arc, and the stars were twinkling beautifully above Ponyville. But as the last lights went out, only two remained. The first, was in the middle of downtown Ponyville. Vinyl's club, Remix. Various streaks of multicolored lights shot out in almost every direction, and ponies were lined up to go in. Inside was even brighter, and noisier. The DJ mare was turning tables, ponies were dancing, flirting, and some were starting what would be a very drunk and happy night.
The second, was on the more rural side of Ponyville. Inside was a built earth stallion by the name of Strong Spirit. His black mane was still wet from the shower, but he paid it no mind as he finished with the final touches on his tan coat. No, he wasn't going on a date. He was going to Remix, as he did every Friday, to dance, get drunk, and maybe bring home a mare. Or two. Whatever worked.
He slicked his mane back and looked at the mirror. "Perfect," he grinned. He winked at his reflection and headed for the door.
Within a few minutes, he was only a block away from the entrance to the club. "Strong!"
A cerulean stallion with a charcoal colored mane jogged over to him. "What's up, Lightning?" Strong smiled as he hoof bumped him.
"Ready for another night?" Lightning chuckled, nudging his buddy.
"Heck, yeah," Strong chuckled. "Brick."
The bouncer nodded to them both. "Hey, Strong. Go right in."
The music was already shaking the building as it blasted into their very core. Strong loved the feeling, and he also loved how many ponies were there tonight. He and Lightning split up as he went for the dance floor and his buddy went for the bar. Strong pushed through the crowd and greeted any familiar faces, which was about half the dance floor. Once he was in an open space, he let loose. He bobbed his head in tune with the beat and moved his hooves. The next beat dropped and everypony jumped all at once, cheering and laughing. Mostly because of the liquor in their systems, but that was aside from the point that they were having a good time. He moved in sync with the music, dancing with a few mares and shouting flirty compliments.
He saw the local school teacher, Cherilee, taking a body shot with Thunderlane. Everypony cheered them on like it was natural, and for now it was. The next mix came on and everypony started shaking it. He kept going, moving faster as the beat picked up and the noise only increased. Of course, he started flirting with the local twins, Cloudchaser and Flitter, while they danced together. When his legs were too tired for anymore of his constant moving and grooving, he went to the bar to get a drink.
"Flare!" Strong shouted her over the music.
"Hey, Strong!" she shouted back, giving him a wink and a smile. "Need a shot?"
"Not today! Just a cherry bleedout!" he said. She nodded and ducked under the counter, getting a small glass and filling it with the red liquid. The cherry juice turned blood red when the dark liquor mixed in. Strong dropped the bits on the counter, grabbed his drink and nodded. "Thanks, Flare!"
He worked his way around the crowd so he could climb the stairs to the balconies above. Usually, somepony he knew would be up there, but tonight it was filled with complete strangers. Well, ponies he'd seen or talked to once in a while, but no pony he was familiar with. He could see Lightning hitting on Roseluck from his seat, and in another minute they were heading for the exit. Lightning glanced up to him and winked, Strong returning the gesture. As his gaze wandered across the dance floor, something else caught his attention at the far side of the room. Three stallions were awfully close to a purple mare near the corner. He could see a pink streak cutting her violet mane in half.
From where he was, he could see they were trying to get her to come home with them and wouldn't take no for an answer. The mare was just standing around anyways, just watching everypony else dance. Strong knew these kinds of scenarios. Mare says no, guys say yes, mare ignores them, and then the guy gets wasted or tries to slip her some pure salt. One of his old friends was sent to the cells for doing that.
Deciding to see what exactly was going on, Strong went to see for himself. He left his drink and clambered down the stairs, then pushed through enough ponies so he could see and hear but mix in with them.
"I'm just fine here," he heard the mare say. The more Strong looked at her, the more familiar she looked.
"Come on, babe, gotta be lonely in the library sometimes," the green stallion chuckled. His buddies started laughing too, and what he said reminded Strong she was the librarian, but he swore he knew her name.
"I said I'm fine," she shouted over the music. Strong didn't see an end to this, and one of the stallions looked tipsy already.
Strong made his way over with an idea. "Hey, babe! I was looking all over for ya!" he said casually. He pulled her so that he was holding her below him and he quickly whispered, "Play along."
Without warning he pulled her into a deep kiss, with false passion of course. He cut it short and turned to the stallions with the bewildered, and albeit red faced, mare.
"Who're you guys?" Strong asked with his hoof around his "marefriend".
"None of your business," one of them snorted. They turned around and made their way back into the crowd.
Strong withdrew his hoof and waited for the inevitable slap, which came accordingly. "Why would you do that?! Who are you?!" she yelled.
Strong smiled sheepishly and gently rubbed his stinging cheek. "Strong Spirit, ma'am. Saw those guys giving you a hard time, so I thought I'd help! Sorry!" he laughed. She was red faced and fuming, but she calmed down some.
"You didn't have to kiss me," she huffed with a cross frown. Strong shrugged.
"Hey, had to sell it, y'know?" he chuckled. Now that he was closer to the mare, he could finally tell who she was. "Wait… you're Twilight Sparkle!"
She was surprised that he knew her name. "Um… yeah," she said.
Strong went shit faced. He just kissed the Element of Magic, and personal student of the sun princess. "Um, sorry! Just didn't want things to end up badly!" he said. "So what are you doing here?"
She groaned and walked further away from the crowd, Strong following. "A friend of mine told me I need to get out more, and she had a pass into here," Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. "I don't know what she could want me to do."
With a chuckle, Strong pointed to the crowd. "Y'know, we're practically shouting to hear each other over music. In a club. Where ponies dance, and drink," he told her.
Twilight rubbed her foreleg in anxiety. "I don't drink, and I don't really dance around strangers," she admitted. Strong chuckled and held out his hoof to her.
"Well how about we change that for one night," he smiled. "Come on, just move the beat… or the bass. That's what they're doing, and that's what I'm doing. Come on, maybe your friend was right."
She looked at his hoof hesitantly, but slowly she raised her own. "I… guess it couldn't hurt," she smiled nervously.
"That's the spirit!" Strong chuckled. He guided her into the herd of dancing ponies, pulling them both into a gap in the crowd. "Just move it to the beat. Watch!"
Strong lost himself in the music again, showing his anxious friend what he meant. She watched him dance, which she thought was pretty silly. He did a last jerk of his hoof and stood with his hoof pointed at her.
"See? Now you!" he said. "Come on, just like I showed you."
Twilight nervously started moving her hooves. Strong had to not burst out laughing at how awkwardly she was dancing. She sort of got the hang of it, but she still didn't look synced with the song. Strong knew just the thing.
"Stay here! I'll be right back!" he told her.
As Twilight tried to dance, Strong worked his way back to the stairs and to his old table. Surprisingly, his cherry bleedout was still intact. He brought it back to her and noticed she was doing pretty well, her flank swaying around in tune with her hooves. She was a pretty mare, he had to admit.
"Twilight!" She broke from her trance and looked at him. "See! You're getting it! Here, try some."
She took it in her magic grasp and looked at it with a suspicious frown. "What is it?" she shouted.
He pushed it closer to her. "Trust me! You need this!" he chuckled. She hesitantly put the drink to her lips and took a small sip. "What is that?!" she coughed.
Strong laughed as he forgot this mare never drank before. "It's not that bad, just drink some more!" he told her.
Reluctantly she put it back up to her lips and drank. Before she could pull it away, Strong tilted it so that she drank the rest of it. She sputtered a few drops out, but he could see it working.
"That's stuff's pretty good!" she smiled lazily. "C'mon let's dance!"
She pulled him forcefully to the dance floor, and immediately she started dancing drunkenly. She kept shaking her flank around, getting some attention from other tipsy and sober stallions, but Strong just laughed and kept dancing. Now and then she would stumble into him and laugh uncontrollably, to which he would just laugh as well.
Two hours, and several cherry bleedouts, later…
The club was empty, save for a very drunk mare, and an equally wasted earth stallion. They were both lying on the floor, giggling like idiots.
"So, then I'm like, 'everypony's crazhy in thish town!'" Twilight slurred. "No, no, okay. Okay sho I shaid 'everypony's crazhy in thish town!'"
"You… said that twi-twice," Strong hiccuped. "Are you drunk?"
"Hey, hey, I-I don't… drink," she giggled as she hit him lightly. "You're drrunk."
"Hey," Vinyl said. "Come on, Strong. Party's over. Time to go home."
Strong groaned audibly as he rolled onto his stomach. "Do I have to?" he whined.
"Yes, Strong, come on," she chuckled as she helped him up. He groaned and stumbled onto his hooves.
"Fine," he grumbled. "Come on, Twi, get up." She was snoring loudly on the floor, a small streak of drool running down her cheek. "Twi. Twi, come on. Ugh, fine, I'll do it."
He got his neck under her, then lifted her onto his back. They didn't call him Strong for nothing. He got the mare onto his back and started for the door. With a shove of his shoulder, he walked back into the town and started for his house, momentarily forgetting the mare on his back. The walk was long and bumpy, in his mind. He could've sworn he had something important to do.
Eh, I'll do it tomorrow.
After unlocking the door, he trudged himself into his home and shut the door behind him. A loud thud made him turn around, and he looked down to Twilight's prone form. He groaned as he remembered what it was that he had to do. Then came an idea, and his drunken mind acted first. He dragged the unicorn across the rug and pushed her onto the couch.
Content with his choice of bedding for this mare, he went into his own room to sleep.
Twilight felt her head pounding as sunlight stung her eyes. With an impatient groan, she forced herself up and rubbed the side of her head.
Ugh, it feels like a chariot ran me over.
She stood up but sat right back down when she felt her head start to pound. With some difficulty, she tried to remember what happened last night. Pinkie was talking to her about needing to get out more, then she gave her a pass to Vinyl's Club Remix. At first, Twilight considered not going, but Pinkie made her Pinkie Promise she would go just this once. She left Spike with the Crusaders at Rarity's house and went to the club. It was as noisy as ever, and the various ponies around her were dancing like crazy. She even saw the local school teacher Cherilee getting cider licked off her belly by Thunderlane, followed by a drunken wet kiss.
It was a revealing experience about her, but it showed her just how little she knew about others' night lives. But she could see Cherilee was having a good time, which was what Pinkie sent her to do. However, there really wasn't anything to do, that she knew of at least. What she ended up doing was standing apart from the crowd, watching them dance to the music DJ-P0n3 was spinning. They all jumped when the beat dropped, and many of them had a hard time getting back up.
"Hey," she heard beside her. A green stallion with green highlights in his white mane stood next to a brown and red one. "Wanna dance?"
"Not really," she shouted over the music. Instead of the three going away, they stayed and the green one started chuckling.
"C'mon, babe, loosen up," he smirked. Twilight wasn't very well affiliated with stallions, but even she could tell what he wanted.
"I'm just fine here," she said sternly.
"Come on babe, gotta be lonely in the library sometimes," the green stallion chuckled.
"I said I'm fine," she said more assertively, starting to glare at them. Before another word could be said, another stallion came over.
"Hey babe! I was looking all over for ya!" he casually laughed. He pulled her so that he was holding her below him and quickly whispered, "Play along."
Without warning, he pulled her into a deep kiss, making her face flush almost immediately. He pulled away and wrapped his foreleg around her, as her mind tried to process what just happened. She zoned out for a second as she tasted cherry and alcohol, and as the stallions left she turned to him and slapped him.
"Why would you do that?! Who are you?!" she yelled. The stallion chuckled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.
"Strong Spirit. Saw those guys giving you a hard time, so I thought I'd help! Sorry!" he laughed. She calmed down a bit, but she was still flustered.
"You didn't have to kiss me," she frowned.
Strong shrugged. "Hey, had to sell it y'know?" he chuckled. Twilight moved back as he looked closer at her. "Wait... you're Twilight Sparkle, right?!"
"Yes," she slowly answered, a bit surprised.
"Um, sorry! Just didn't want things to end up badly!" he chuckled weakly. "So, what are you doing here?"
She told him what Pinkie told her to do, and soon he offered her to dance. Even when she said she didn't know how to, he persisted and she found herself being dragged to the dance floor. She remembered him leaving and coming back with a glass full of liquor, which he made her drink. Twilight giggled as she remembered dancing with him, but not exactly how she was dancing. The rest of the night was a blur in her mind, and she didn't want to think with her hangover. Deciding to just clean herself up, Twilight went to move away from the couch, but she didn't count on the coffee table being in front of it, and hit her foreleg.
"Ow!" she yelped, rubbing her throbbing leg. "When did we get this... table?" She froze and looked around the room.
There was a fireplace across from the couch, and the coffee table her leg greeted. There were pictures of ponies she didn't recognize, and there was a single bookcase beside the entrance to another room. This was definitely not the library.
"Morning, sunshine." She jumped when the voice called from the stairs. "Whoa, didn't know a hangover could get somepony jumpy."
It was the stallion, Strong, from last night. "Where am I?!" she questioned, panicking slightly. "What happened last night?!"
"Keep it down," he groaned, "my head's splitting." Strong reached the bottom of the stairs and sat on the couch. "And we didn't do much, really. You danced, got drunk, and passed out on the dance floor," he chuckled. "I was going to carry you home, but I was messed up too, so here we are," he smiled, gesturing with a hoof to emphasize his house.
Twilight calmed herself, partly because her own shout was hurting her head. "Oh, um, thank you," she smiled. "I guess I'll just-" She was cut off by a low grumbling, and she flushed instantly.
"Wanna stay for breakfast?" he grinned. "I make a mean hay omelet."
"Oh, no, you don't need to," Twilight assured him.
"Don't worry, I need to go to the market today anyway," he smiled. "It'll be done in a sec, okay?"
He went into the kitchen to start breakfast while Twilight waited on the couch. She got curious and looked around his home, which was very well organized. It was a little dusty, which was something she was very picky about. She tried using her magic to bring the duster in the corner to her, but her headache made using magic painful. Instead she bit the handle and dusted as best she could.
Strong flipped the hay omelet onto a plate and smirked. He placed it beside the empty plate and grabbed it, trying to do the same as the first. Instead, the sizzling omelet landed on his head, making him yell as he threw it to the floor. Twilight dropped the duster and ran into the kitchen, running to Strong.
"What's wrong?!" she frantically asked.
He relaxed as the burning began to ebb. "Nothing... ugh, damn it," he grumbled, looking at her with an awkward smile. "Your food's ready." She deadpanned at his attempt to enlighten the situation, then looked at the burn on his face.
"What were you doing?" she asked. Strong chuckled as he pointed to the mess of an omelet on the floor.
"I uh, tried to flip it." Twilight shot him a look of disbelief, and he smiled. "Messed it up, but hey, yours came out fine!"
Twilight cast a small chill spell over the burns before they could get worse. Strong stood up and went to the sink to rub cold water on it while Twilight ate.
"So what exactly happened last night?" Strong laughed as he recalled the many embarrassing things she said about herself and some friends.
"Well, after I gave you that cherry bleedout," Strong began, "you started dancing, and then you wanted another drink, and another, and another, and you started talking about some of your friends."
She swallowed the food in her mouth and tilted her head. "What did I say?"
"Something about Applejack liking mares," he chuckled. "Fluttershy liking Big Mac, Pinkie was in an-" He was cut off as his mouth zipped shut from Twilight's spell.
"You can't say any of this to anypony, okay?" she sternly told him. Strong nodded. "No, you have to Pinkie Promise that you won't say anything."
Strong went through the motions and the zipper vanished. "Alright, so why did your friends send you to the club?" Strong inquired. "If you want to meet somepony you could just go to a coffee shop or something."
"That's exactly what I said!" Twilight exclaimed. "But Pinkie gave me this pass and made me Pinkie Promise to go. The girls say I've been studying too much... and I haven't gotten out of the house much."
Strong could understand why, since she was Princess Celestia's student. Just missing glasses, and with that thought, he thought she would look better with glasses.
"Well, guess you have me now," Strong joked. "You have no idea how hard it is to carry somepony when you're drunk."
"It feels like you dragged me here," Twilight told him with a laugh.
"I might have dropped you on the way in," Strong nervously admitted. "I would've taken you to the library, but like I said I was kinda drunk too."
Twilight giggled as she stood back up. "Well, thanks for giving me a place to sleep," she smiled. "And sorry for making you carry me."
"No problem," he smiled back. "Guess I'll see you around?"
"Sure, my friends would love to meet you," Twilight chirped. They didn't realize they were staring at each other, until Twilight remembered something else she needed to do. She flushed slightly as she walked past him. "So um, I, guess I'll see you around?"
"Sure, see ya," he said.
Twilight navigated her way to Rarity's Boutique, the sun already high in the sky. Her headache had gone away slightly, but she felt she could use some coffee. Magic was not an option right now, since her head would only throb if she tried it. At the very least, the Boutique wasn't far from Strong's house. She had actually passed it many times on the way back from the market. She trotted up the trail to the shop and pushed open the door.
"Rarity?" Twilight called.
"Be down in a minute!" Rarity's voice carried from her room. Twilight took a short glance at the mirror and saw her messy mane.
I've been walking around like that?! And of course Strong didn't say anything.
Her thoughts were voiced when the seamstress came down. "Twilight! You went around Ponyville like that?!" she shouted in horror. Twilight found herself lifted into the air and seated in front of Rarity's mirror. "I cannot believe you let your mane stay so disheveled!"
"Well, I didn't exactly have a normal morning," Twilight grinned.
"Did Spikey burn your brush again?" Rarity questioned as she brushed Twilight's mane into its usual style.
"No," Twilight said. "I just-"
"Does it have something to do with last night?" Rarity cut her off.
"Yep," she giggled.
Rarity's curiosity, and urge to gossip, got the best of her. "Oh, how did it go?" she questioned eagerly.
"It was really fun, actually," Twilight smiled.
"Did you meet anypony?" Rarity asked.
A small smirk crossed Twilight's muzzle. "I did actually," she said. "We had a lot of fun, from what I heard."
Rarity was taking out the final knots from Twilight's mane. "Oh, and what was her name?"
"His name was Strong Spirit," Twilight smiled.
Rarity nearly tore a piece of Twilight's hair off when she heard that. "You met a stallion?! Oh, what was his... I mean, what did he look like?!"
"He was tan with a black mane," Twilight recalled. "He was very handsome, actually."
"And what was he like?!" Rarity was sitting beside the lavender mare as she spoke about Strong.
"He was really fun, he danced well, he was... strong," she giggled. "And he was really kind. I was having some trouble with a couple of stallions. But he took care of it."
"Did he fight them?" Rarity asked.
Twilight blushed slightly as she recalled his 'plan'. "He... he, um... kissed me," she said, whispering the last part softly. Rarity leaned in to show she didn't hear. "He kissed me so they could think I was his marefriend!"
Rarity's jaw dropped, then she began to giddily squee. "He sounds like such a charmer!" she giggled like a school filly. "A kiss on the first night... will you see him again?"
"I don't know," Twilight laughed. "Maybe. He was kind enough to let me sleep in his house."
Rarity's jaw dropped again, until she pulled it back up. "You slept with him?!" Rarity shouted, practically bouncing in place. Twilight immediately regretted her wording.
"No! Of course not!" Twilight exclaimed, her cheeks flaming red. "I passed out and he let me sleep on his couch!"
Rarity sighed in disappointment. It would have been exciting to hear her bookworm of a friend had actually had a fling. "He could have at least let you have his bed," she commented.
"We were both intoxicated, Rarity," Twilight laughed with a roll of her eyes. "I don't think I would have even taken him home if he fell asleep. And he at least made me breakfast."
"Twilight?" The ponies turned to the doorway and saw Spike in front of the Crusaders.
"Aww, is Spike leaving already?" Sweetie Belle whined.
"Can 'e stay Twilight? We were jus' about t' go Crusading!" Applebloom added.
"Yeah! We need Spike to be the dragon for number 56!" Scootaloo pushed through. "We can't let this chance slip!"
Twilight was about to tell them they needed to go clean the library, but Rarity smacked her hoof over her mouth. "Yes, yes, run along now! Twilight and I have much to discuss!" she quickly shooed them away. "Have fun!"
She slammed the door behind them and turned back to Twilight. "Why did you do that?" she asked.
"Well, you have met a fine stallion, you've kissed him before properly knowing him, and he carried you to his house," Rarity smiled. "I'm sure a proper date could be set up."
Twilight reared her head back. "What?! No! We're not, I mean, sure he's good looking but, I don't even know him!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing a bit. "We're... friends, I guess."
Rarity frowned and looked at Twilight. "Just friends then?" she asked. Twilight nodded her head quickly. "Are you sure?"
"Rarity, I barely know him. Besides, none of you have even met him yet," Twilight smiled. "Maybe he can join us at the picnic on Saturday."
The frown quickly disappeared and a small grin grew on her face. "Oh, that would be a nice way to meet him!" Rarity smiled. "We'll have him with us on Saturday, don't forget to tell him!"
Twilight stood up and nodded as she made her way to the door. "I won't, Rarity. Bye."
Rarity waved as Twilight left her shop, but only one thought crossed her mind.
I must tell the others. Pinkie could help me find out more about this stallion.
Strong walked out with his saddlebag as he headed for the market. First on his list was coffee; Celestia how he needed it. Next: eggs, because he was hungry, and then some carrots, some lettuce, maybe some hay, and some non-alcoholic drinks. As he walked down the road going over what he needed, a bush with two sets of eyes rustled. He paid it no mind as he went into the market district. A black suited figure rolled behind a tree, and then climbed into the branches.
"Pinkie," Rainbow whispered. "Do ya see him?"
Pinkie Pie popped out of the leaves and pulled down her mask. "Yup!" she said louder than intended. "I mean, yup!" she whispered, "See him!"
Rainbow looked to where Pinkie was pointing, who was apparently Caramel. "You sure? Rarity said he was, I don't know, bigger?"
"No not him!" she harshly whispered. "Him!"
Caramel dropped his bag and fumbled to pick the groceries up. The pony he bumped into helped him also. "Sorry about that," the stallion chuckled. "Guess I gotta look where I'm going."
"No problem," Caramel smiled. "Thanks, Strong."
"Whoa... he is pretty... big," Rainbow murmured, staring at the stallion. Pinkie glared at the mare and pulled her into the tree.
"We're here for Twilight!" Pinkie reminded her. "He may be super cute, but you have to remember why we're here! Got it?!"
"Fine!" Rainbow silently shouted. "I still thinks he's cute."
Pinkie rolled her eyes and took out a pair of binoculars from her hair. "Now, let's see," Pinkie said as she stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth. "Strong Spirit, tan and black, tall, muscles, blue eyes, saddlebags, coffee beans-"
"What are you talking about Pinkie?" Rainbiw asked.
"I'm taking notes!" she hushed. "Obviously! How else are we gonna find out about Strong?"
Rainbow thought about something else besides taking notes on Strong, but both included him. "Whatever," she chuckled.
Strong got the coffee beans and thanked Caffeine Bean for them. He trotted off to the other stands to get the food and drinks he needed for the week. Just as he got to the stand for eggs, he noticed a commotion going on, and he hurried to see what was up. The mares noticed as well, so they took another position on top of a building to see what was going.
"What do you mean you're closed?!" a stallion shouted. "You were open five seconds ago!"
"Look, buddy, the sign says closed," the vendor said as he began to load the carton of eggs onto his cart. "Just wait for the afternoon."
"So you can't bucking open it for another five seconds?!" the stallion slammed his hooves onto the counter.
"Buddy," Strong said from behind him. "The guy says it's closed then it's closed. I'm sure it isn't that important."
"And who the buck are you?" the stallion said as he walked closer to Strong. Strong stood his ground as the stallion made his way over to him.
"First, relax the language," Strong warned, "and second, I'm Strong Spirit. Remember that if you want to keep things nice."
"Oh, big stallion over here," the stallion sarcastically laughed, shaking his hooves. "Look, idiot, buck off and mind your own business."
Strong pulled the stallion back by his shoulder. "My friends are my business," Strong said sternly.
The stallion punched Strong across the muzzle and wiped his shoulder. "Don't touch me," he sneered.
"Hey!" the vendor shouted. "I'm getting the guards!"
Strong spat off to the side and turned back to him. "Y'know, my name isn't just for show," Strong chuckled.
He copied the stallion and brought his hoof across his face. The stallion fell to the floor and Strong came closer, locking him into submission. The stallion bucked around like mad to get out as the unicorn guards galloped over. They separated the two and held them on the ground.
"Wait, sirs, it was just-"
"We'll take it from here," the first guard said. "You're both under arrest for fighting in public and disturbing the peace."
Rainbow and Pinkie got down from the building and galloped over to the scene. "Wait! Strong didn't do anything! He started it!" Pinkie pointed to the other stallion.
"Yeah, that guy was making a big problem about the stand being closed!" Rainbow added. Strong was confused as to how they knew him, but he was forced away by one of the guards.
"He still fought in public, and caused quite a swollen cheek on this stallion," the second guard said.
Strong and the stallion glared at each other as the guards pulled them away. "Sorry, Greens," Strong said to the vendor. "I'll pay for the damage when I get out."
"Damn it, son," Greens sighed. "There has to be some way to get him outta there."
Pinkie hopped into the air as a lightbulb appeared over her head. "I know!" she exclaimed. While Rainbow tried to find out why the lightbulb appeared, Pinkie pulled her down the road.
Twilight was busy dusting books while Spike reshelved them. That was, until Pinkie knocked down the door, using Rainbow as a battering ram. "Ow!" she shouted.
"Twilight! Twilight!" Pinkie cried as she shook the mare. "You have to help!"
"What?! What is it?!" Twilight asked. "Is somepony hurt?!"
"Yes! Well, sort of. Strong's being sent to jail!" she said. "The other guy hit him first and he was just trying to help Mean Greens get rid of him but he-"
"Wait wait wait," Twilight shoved a hoof in Pinkie's mouth. "How did you girls know about Strong?"
"We were spying on him for Rarity," Rainbow admitted without a second thought. "But that's not the point! The guards dragged him off when he wasn't supposed to be! You have to get him out! You're the princess' student!"
Twilight had never used her status as protegé of the princess like this. "I don't think that'd help," Twilight said.
"Just try!" Rainbow huffed as she dragged Twilight out of the house.
Spike stood on the sidelines, oblivious to what they were talking about. "Maybe my bed's still warm," he murmured.
Twilight galloped alongside the other mares as they headed for the Ponyville Jailhouse. The guards in front stopped the mares. "What do you need?" one asked.
Rainbow nudged Twilight in the ribs and nodded to the guard. "Ahem, I am the princess' personal student," she said as formally as possible. "I'm asking you to release a stallion by the name of Strong Spirit."
They gave each other unsure looks, but nodded for them to follow. With a sigh of relief from the mares, they followed the guards into the building and into the cell blocks. There wasn't much crime in Ponyville, as could be told by the many empty cells. There were only two that were occupied, one being the stallion from the market, and the other being Strong. He was throwing a rock against the wall of his cell as he waited for his three day sentence to be over. When he heard several hoofsteps he turned around. He recognized the two mares from the market, and smiled when he saw his new friend.
"Hey, Twilight," he grinned. "What brings you to Paradise?"
"Quiet inmate," one of the guards said. "This the one you needed?"
"Yes," Twilight nodded. "What is he charged for?"
"Fighting in the streets and damage to property," the guard said.
"I said I'd pay for it," Strong sighed.
"And he didn't even start the fight!" Rainbow said. "He was just waiting for you guys to get there!"
The guard ignored Rainbow's protests and floated the keys into the lock. "You're released under the princess' student's authority," the guard told Strong. "Don't do it again, ya hear?"
"Yes, sir," Strong saluted, turning to the mares. "Nice seein' you again, Twilight. They brought you here?"
"Yup!" Pinkie smiled. "I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"Rainbow Dash," the mare told him, flipping her mane to the side.
"They're my friends," Twilight said. "They came to get me when you got arrested. Why did you anyways? I left not three hours ago and you're already looking for trouble?"
Strong chuckled as he shook his head. "Nah, but that other guy was apparently," Strong smirked. "He was making a scene so I tried to stop him before he hurt somepony, and he tried to."
It was only now that Twilight saw the swollen cheek. "Oh my gosh! Does it hurt?!" she asked as she looked closer.
"I'm fine, mom," Strong laughed. "But seriously, I'm fine. Just gotta..." he face-hoofed at the realization. "...get my bag from the market. If it's still there."
"Don't worry!" Pinkie smiled. "I got it!" Pinkie pulled out his saddlebag from her hair and handed it to him.
"Um, thanks," Strong said as he looked for any stray hairs. "Well, guess I better be going now."
"Yeah, me and Pinks got a day o' pranking ahead of us," Rainbow sighed. "Come on! Let's see if Applejack's doing anything."
The pair zoomed off, leaving Twilight and Strong alone. "You're sure you're okay?" Twilight asked. "It looks like it hurts."
Strong rubbed it a little, chuckling the whole time. "Don't worry about it," he smiled. "I've had worse." He showed her the scar on his foreleg. "Me an' a friend of mine tried juggling knives."
"Please tell me you were drunk," Twilight deadpanned.
"That's what I told, Lightning," Strong laughed. "Yeah, and one more thing. We're even."
Twilight raised a brow in curiosity. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"I carried you home, and gave you a place to stay, and you got me out of the slammer," Strong said. "That would be really bad for me at my job."
"Well, try not to get sent there again," Twilight giggled. "I don't think being Celestia's student really lets me do things like this."
"Alright," he smiled. "So, I'll see you some other day?"
Twilight rolled her eyes, then snapped them to attention when she remembered something. "Actually, me and the girls were going to have a picnic on Saturday. Wanna come?" she asked.
Strong rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmm, sure. Just uh, make sure it isn't early. Friday's reserved for Vinyl's club," Strong said.
"Of course," Twilight giggled with a roll of her eyes. "See you next week then."
They waved each other off, and Strong glanced back to Twilight. He had to say it again, she was a really pretty looking mare. Some glasses would do the trick though. He chuckled as he turned back around, and no sooner did he turn back did Twilight look behind to see him. She told Rarity, but he was really handsome. And kind of funny too, but he was still nice. She could feel something else inside, like a weird rush in her chest. Whatever it was vanished when she turned forward again.
As Strong woke up from his hangover, he remembered he had a picnic to go to. Groaning to himself, he flopped onto the floor beside the bed and dragged himself to the bathroom. He went through his usual morning routine: brush, floss, mouthwash, then shower. Instead of a good breakfast, Strong decided to put the beans to good use and make coffee. He listened to the dripping of the caffeinated drink as it fell into his cup, which already had its three blocks of sugar. He mixed it up with a spoon and drank a portion of it.
He glanced out the window of his kitchen and saw the sun nearing its high point. There was still some time to get to the picnic, which in his mind meant more time to drink his coffee. He chuckled as he remembered the last Saturday's events, and how it was he was going to this picnic. With a shake of his head, he drank the last of his coffee and went to the pantry. Twilight had told him a day later he would need to bring something, so he offered to bring hay, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. He got to work preparing a dozen of them, then packing them in a small box.
Before he left, he glanced at his reflection, then slicked his mane back. "There," he smiled.
Putting the keys in the box, he rested it on his back and made way for the open fields near the Acres. It was a short trot before he spotted Lightning walking towards him. "Strong! What's up?" he smiled.
Strong bumped hooves with his buddy and shrugged. "Eh, going to a picnic," he grinned.
"A picnic?" Lightning said with a brow raised and a smirk. "Finally met a mare worthy of you."
Strong slugged him playfully in his shoulder. "Dude, just relax. We're friends. 'Sides, I'm not sure somepony like me can really date," he sighed with a roll of his eyes. "So, where you headed off to?"
Lightning smirked as he walked past him. "Some of us do have marefriends," he said in a gentlecoltly fashion. "Some of us new more than others."
"Congrats, then," Strong said in the same accent. "Do be a good chap and tell her I said g'day.
"Aye, sir," Lightning chuckled. Strong laughed as he continued his way to the fields, but something in the sky caught his attention.
He saw a rainbow streak zooming through the sky, and below it, he saw Pinkie, Twilight, Fluttershy, and two mares he didn't recognize. The rainbow streak turned out to be Rainbow Dash, of course, and she slowly descended to sit with them. He chuckled and made his way closer to them.
"Hey, girls," Strong called. They all turned to him, and three of the six faces smiled back.
"Hey, Strong!" Pinkie waved madly.
"Sup," Rainbow said coolly.
"Hey, Strong," Twilight smiled. "Glad you made it."
Strong sat between Twilight and Fluttershy on the quilt. "Um, Fluttershy, right?" he asked. She hesitantly nodded her head, and hid behind her bangs. "My friend Thunderlane said thanks for taking care of his pet goldfish."
"Oh, it was my pleasure," she smiled softly.
"So, you're the stallion Twilight spoke about," Rarity smiled. "I am Rarity."
Applejack reached over and shook his hoof with a strong grip. "Name's Applejack," she winked.
"Strong Spirit," he nodded with a strong shake of his own.
Applejack smirked as she felt her hoof being the one shaken. "I like you already," she chuckled. "So, what was all that chat about you gettin' arrested?"
Strong sighed and smiled at the same time. "Oh, yeah. Um, y'know Mean Greens?" he asked. The mares nodded in unison. "Well, he was closing up shop early, and there was this guy complaining. Greens is kinda old, so I didn't want for him to deal with that mess. So I tried to calm him down by talking to the guy."
"A lotta good that did," Rainbow huffed.
Strong nodded. "Yeah, well I guess he got pretty offended when I touched hun," he said. "He hooked me, I did the same, then I tried to keep him down 'til the guards came, and they thought we were just fighting."
"So you were just helping Greens?" Applejack asked. "Ah know the guy. He helped mah farm out when I was a filly."
"Then Twilight, Rainbow and me went to go help him!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Remember?"
Strong nodded. "Yep, and thanks again, Twilight," he said to the mare. "You cannot believe how much I would have heard from my boss."
Twilight smiled sweetly. "It was nothing. I don't think I'm even allowed to do that, but it was just a misunderstanding," she said, giving him a small smirk. "I was only gone for two hours before you got into that mess."
"Well, maybe I just wanted to see you again," he teased. Twilight's cheeks flushed as her friends giggled. "But enough gossip. Let's crack open the goods!"
They all agreed together, and Pinkie Pie opened the box of muffins she brought. Strong opened the box with HLT sandwiches, and Fluttershy brought regular sandwiches. They ate and spoke together, and asked questions about Strong Spirit, which were asked by Rarity most of the time.
She asked about his hobbies, his job, what kind of house he lived in, his interests, and basically anything she could ask about. Strong answered each, of course, but they were oddly specific. At least, for somepony he'd just met. As she spoke, he couldn't help but notice something unusual. After another slew of questions, he decided to get an answer.
"Okay, Rarity," he smirked. "Why in Celestia's name are you wearing a hat when it's, what, 80-something right now?"
She smiled and gently pushed the brim of her hat up. "Well, darling, a lady, such as myself, should always looks fabulous, rain or shine," she countered.
Strong forgot that she was a dressmaker, but it made some sense. At least, her answer for having the hat, not why she was wearing it in this weather.
"So, I heard a couple of days from now there's supposed to be this huge storm," Strong said to the pegasi of the group. "What's it for? I thought you guys were up to date with the downpours."
Rainbow shrugged. "I guess it might be to help refill the reservoir," she shrugged.
"Well there was a large amount before Cloudsdale used it for the rain this season," Twilight reminded them. "It would make sense since after Manehatten next year it'll be Ponyville again."
Rainbow shrugged once again, then got up on her hooves. "Hey Twi, could you help me with this trick? It's super complicated, and I was wondering if you could score me with Flutters and AJ," she said.
"Ooh! CanIhelpcanIhelpcanIhelpcanI-" Pinkie rambled on as she hopped in place wildly.
"Okay, okay!" Rainbow said as she shoved her hoof in Pinkie's mouth. "But you can't always give me tens like last time, got it?"
"Mhm!" she squealed through the hoof.
The five of them went to go watch Rainbow Dash practice, leaving Rarity and Strong on the blanket. "Aren't you going?" he asked as he stretched his hooves back.
"No. Rainbow Dash's stunts may be amazing, but I think I'll rest for now," she smiled. Strong nodded and turned to watch Rainbow Dash doing a few stunts.
Rarity looked at him, running her eyes down his fit figure. It wasn't all muscle, that much was clear, but it was just as obvious that he still packed quite a punch. What made her smirk was that she noticed his gaze falling from time to time. Her gaze went down, and she gasped softly as she looked to his flank. Where his special talent was supposed to be.
"Strong," she called to him. "What happened to your cutie mark?"
Strong turned to her, then used his tail to cover the scar. "It was when I was little, just an accident," he said in a flat tone.
"What's your special talent?" she asked.
Strong shut his eyes and took a deep breath. "I don't know," he muttered.
Rarity scooted closer to hear better, making him sigh once again. "It's alright if you don't feel like talking about it," she said softly, placing a hoof on his shoulder.
Strong nodded softly and exhaled. "Thanks. The past is the past," he sighed. "So, what's the real reason you're so interested in me?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, feigning an innocent tone.
"I've been with enough mares to know when they're here for somepony or another," Strong smirked. "So many questions, you did a poor job of acting like you were impressed with me."
Rarity smirked and sat back. "Well, I am searching for a stallion that could meet my standards," she giggled, winking at him. "But you're very perceptive. And here I was thinking you were all bulk and no brain."
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Strong chuckled. "So who're you asking these questions for?"
Rarity glanced to the judges of Rainbow and saw they were still occupied with her stunts. She scooted closer to Strong and gestured for him to come forward. "What do you think about Fluttershy?"
Strong chuckled. "Crazy mare, but I know she's real friendly. She threw me that welcome party a couple years ago like she does with newcomers," he smiled.
"And the others?"
"Rainbow's pretty cool to be around, I guess. Applejack's... well, she's a dependable pony, and she's got a thing or two about her looks," he grinned. "You're, how do I say, sophisticated."
Rarity giggled some. "How so?" she grinned.
"Well, I can't really get a read on you," Strong smirked and shook his head. "But so far I can tell you're very helpful, and like your Element says, generous."
Rarity nodded her head with a smile. "And what about Twilight?" she asked with a grin.
Strong looked away in thought, then smiled warmly.. "Honestly, she'd look way better with glasses," he chuckled. "I don't know, ever since I met her I've thought about that. Still, she's got a way with her looks. And her hooves." He chuckled at the last part, thinking back to the nights ago. "Seriously, she needs to loosen up more. I can't imagine what her coltfriend has to do to-"
Strong arched a brow at her. "Really? Because, aside from you, she looks like she has stallions lining up practically," Strong said. "She's seriously single?"
Rarity nodded sadly. "I said the same thing. She certainly catches stallions' eyes, and I daresay a few mares," she giggled. "But she always turns them down, and she never says why. Even Big Macintosh mustered up the courage to ask her, but she let him down easy."
Strong was surprised somepony like Big Mac got shot down. "Really?" he said a little lower. "Like, no coltfriend, or marefriend?"
Rarity shook her head. "None."
"Wow... so... do you think she... never mind," Strong chuckled.
"What?" Rarity asked a tad eagerly.
"Nothing," Strong waved his hoof. "Nothing, Rarity."
"Strong Spirit," she said a bit seriously. "What did you have to say?"
He sighed before shrugging. "Don't you wonder why? She's a good-looking mare, but she doesn't want to date. It's weird" he chuckled. "But, if Mac got shot down, there isn't another pony that could take his place."
Rarity's flat mouth curved into a smile. "I'm sure she'd have to give it some thought, should the right stallion ask," Rarity grinned. "You were the only pony she ever danced with, and you've kissed already."
Strong laughed softly. "Yeah there's that," he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Did she say she smacked me?"
Rarity giggled but nodded. "I would have done the same if it means anything," she smiled. "But you're the first stallion she's ever really taken notice to."
Strong's eyebrows rose, and he went to speak just as Rainbow shouted, "And that, is how it's done!" The mares watching clapped their hooves and stood back up. "Okay, I think I need a shower."
"Ooh, it's so smelly!" Pinkie laughed. "Gummy loves smelly mud! But then when he gets in the house the smelly mud makes a muddy mess, then the Cakes get mad at him for making a smelly muddy mess, then I have to clean up the smelly muddy puddles, and take Gummy a goodie smelly soapy bath!"
"You've gotten better though," Twilight commented. "The last time you tried that triple loop corkscrew you crashed. You barely grazed that puddle."
"Oh yeah," Fluttershy added. "You were almost perfect. It would have been better if you missed that puddle, u-unless you weren't trying to."
"And next time, try not to get mud on us," Applejack chuckled.
Strong and Rarity shared knowing looks, then retreated to their original positions. "That was some good flying ace," Strong smiled. "But you need a shower, big time."
Rainbow shrugged boastfully, flaring her wings and getting some mud on him. Rarity practically used him as cover from the mud. "And now so do you, dude," she laughed.
"C'mon," he groaned playfully, "I just got this coat clean."
They laughed a little and looked at the mess of the picnic. "I think it's time to go home," Twilight said. Her horn fired up and lifted the leftovers into the basket, while the quilt folded itself. "We're really glad you came Strong."
"Yup," Applejack tipped her hat.
"Yepperooni!" Pinkie smiled.
"It was nice meeting you, Strong."
"See ya later," Rainbow waved.
Strong and Rarity gave each other knowing nods and waved each other off. "Bye Twilight," Strong called after the lavender mare.
"See ya in the morning, boss," Strong said as he put on his coat.
"Strong, wait up." His boss, Rolling Stone, came over to him. "Strong, before you go, I need to give you something."
Strong raised a brow as he turned back. "What is... it." Strong could see what he was being given, but he just couldn't believe it. "Aw hay no, no."
"I'm sorry, Strong," Rolling said as he handed Strong his final payment. "We're laying you off."
"Stone, come on! There has to be twenty other guys that deserve to lose their jobs, so why me?!" Strong questioned in frustration.
"Look, Strong, don't make this harder than it has to be," Stone sighed. "I don't decide who stays and who goes. You know how these upper class flankholes work. More money for you means less for them. Just... I'm sorry."
Strong huffed as he snatched the check and his paperwork. Without another word, he flipped on his hood and went out into the downpour. He battled through the harsh winds and the rain that felt like pins against his exposed hooves. The coat didn't do much but keep his back dry, and his papers were getting soggier by the second. It was a long trek through the market to get to the outer rim of Ponyville, and the enormous puddles, freezing rain, and powerful gusts only made it worse for him.
"It had to be today they laid me off," Strong grumbled. "And after a third shift, damn flankholes."
A runaway branch tangled between his hooves, and when he jumped from the sudden thunder his face met a very shallow puddle. Cursing, Strong pulled himself up and rubbed the sore spot on his snout. The tickling feeling of blood began to travel through his snout, which in turn mixed with the rain and mucus accumulating. He sneezed a mix of the three and trotted the rest of the way to his house. He fumbled with the keys for a moment before he could find the right one, and in the back of his mind wondered why he had so many keys.
The lock unlatched, and Strong stepped in and slammed the door shut out of partial anger and eagerness to get out of the rain. The tiring trot back home made him slump against the door, and with a sigh he fell all the down to the floor. He had worked at the Stone and Hammer Construction & Demolition company for eight years straight. He was manager of construction jobs and pony resources. There were no other jobs in town that could replace it, and upkeep his house.
Deciding to hold off job hunting for tomorrow, Strong threw his coat on the rack and went to the bathroom. The blood in his nose hardened from the freezing winds so all that was left to do was clean it out and take a nice warm shower. He was absolutely tired from the three shifts his boss made him go through, and the jog back home only tired him out more. Drying off went quickly, and he jumped into bed. The check would keep him in the house and buy him food for another week or so, but he needed a job before then.
"Damn it, Rainbow," he chuckled. "You said it was going to be a storm, not a damn hurricane."
He shook his head and shifted onto his side, catching a glimpse of lightning arcing through the sky before he shut his eyes. The thunder boomed over his house, and he couldn't help but smile as he remembered the times as a colt he would hide under his pillow. Now, though, thunder was just plain awesome and sometimes funny to get scared by. His mind began to drift away from the memory, and soon he was losing consciousness. Sleep overtook him, and his mind receded for some rest.
But it was only an hour later when he woke up coughing. His breathing came out ragged and suppressed; almost like he was choking, although he wasn't. He gasped as he looked around his room.
The whole thing was ablaze.
Smoke hit the ceiling and made a cloud not too high above his bed. He threw himself out of bed and got low to the ground, still coughing badly. The ceiling began to collapse on him as he trudged on the rug of his home, which would soon catch fire from the walls. A chunk of debris crushed his bed behind him, and more began to destroy the cologne and knick-knacks on his dresser. Once he was out of his room, he pushed himself onto his hooves and galloped down the stairs. He was about to leave before he remembered two things he needed to get.
The first was in the kitchen, and he ran as fast as he could through the blazing fires. The fur on his hooves got singed as he jumped through a wall of fire to get to his kitchen. The fires had just reached it, so he was given a short break from the intoxicating fumes. He quickly rummaged through the drawers and tossed out the utensils and plates as he searched madly. He finally found the priceless antique.
His mother's horseshoe.
He bit it and jumped back into the fires of his living room. The shelf of books was being turned to ash, and the smoke was finally getting to him as his vision began to blur. Steeling himself and taking a deep breath, he galloped back up the stairs and to his room. There were beams of burning wood all over the floor, and he hastily went around them and to his nightstand. The check that would keep him going for however long it took was somewhere in it. Just as he reached it the ceiling collapsed on top of it, and crushed the entire thing.
Strong cursed mentally and stomped his hoof angrily as he made his way back out. The fires had destroyed most of the hall, and he knew it wouldn't be long before the gas lines were affected. With that in mind, he let go of the breath he had been holding and made a final effort to gallop down the stairs. The door was right next to the loft, and right after he bucked the door down a large mass of smoldering wood fell on his back. He screamed and flailed under it as his skin burned and his body pressed into the ground. The horseshoe bounced into the street, out of harm's way.
Strong turned under the pile of wood, burning his side and stomach in the process, and got his hooves under it. They too were burned as he pushed with all his strength to get it off. He was far too tired and lightheaded from the smoke, but he managed to get it off his body enough to give him room to shimmy, and soon he was inching his way out the door. With a quick push, he escaped his would-be coffin as it collapsed, along with the threshold. Strong once again found himself in the freezing cold rain, and he could only stare at his burning home one last time.
Sounds of metallic clanking reached his ears, and no sooner was his house caving in on itself. He moved away as blazing pieces began to fly off from the miniature explosions in his home. He bit the horseshoe and got back onto his hooves, limping a little from the pains. His leg had a number of splinters in it, and he was sure something wasn't right, but for now he worried about shelter. The only place he could go was Lightning's house, which was on the other side of town. He gasped as he remembered another friend who could help. One that wasn't as far away as his buddy.
Please be awake, Twilight.
He started his limp to the library. He wasn't sure how, but the storm had gotten worse than it was before. The rain pelted him mercilessly, and the winds pushed him around like overgrown stallions. The freezing conditions made him shiver and his teeth chatter. It did nothing to shake the drowsiness of overworking and his first journey home. Now, though, he had to go slower so as to not damage his hind right leg completely. Each step elicited a grunt from him, and a shocking pain from his midsection.
He was strong, but not super strong. He was nothing like Big Mac, who could probably shake this off like nothing. He was battered, burned, tired, and as of now, homeless and jobless. His body went on autopilot as he passed by houses and bending trees that looked as if they would snap from any more powerful gusts. With each step he grew weaker and weaker, the rain drenching him and drowning his hooves in ice water. As it did in the winter, the below-freezing temperature froze the water on his face, locking it into an endless shiver. Even as storm rocked his body in force, he looked up and saw the overgrown tree in sight.
A weak smile came across his iced muzzle as he willed his body forward. He dragged himself the last block down and stood in front of the door. The lights were off inside, but that didn't deter him one bit. Raising his trembling hoof, he finally knocked on the door. The seconds ticked on and there was no answer, but that still didn't discourage him. He brought his hoof up again, and this time knocked harder and more consistently, cringing with each hard knock.
Upstairs, Spike was snoring when he heard the loud wooden knocks over the beating rain. He smacked his lips a few times as he sat up, unsure if the knocks were just his imagination or if they were real. When they came again, he groaned and slunk out of his bed. He stumbled over to Twilight's bed and tugged her mane gently. The mare mumbled incoherently as she shifted her position on the bed. Spike tugged harder on her mane, and in response her tail smacked him. He sighed as he stood at the foot of her bed.
"Twilight, the princess has a test for you," Spike said loudly. The mare leaped out of bed and frantically looked around.
"B-but I haven't studied yet! I can't-" when Twilight took a moment to look around the dark room, she sat on her haunches. "Spike, don't do that. What is it?"
Spike yawned as he climbed back into his small bed. "Somepony's knocking on the door," he mumbled.
"Spike, it's pouring outside," she reasoned. "No pony would be... outside right now." She yawned a second time as she made her way back to bed, but she stopped when she heard the loud knocks.
"Told you," Spike sleepily said.
"And you couldn't get it?" Twilight groaned.
"You're the one who said I can't be up when it's this cold out," Spike countered. Twilight groaned and slipped into a nightgown before heading down.
Who in their right mind would be up right now? It's pouring and...12 o' clock. This better be really important.
As she went down the stairs the knocking started coming again. "I'm coming," she called grumpily. "Okay, what do you-"
She stopped dead as she saw Strong standing there, soaked to the bone, and freezing with his teeth clattering. He fell forward and into her home as the last vestiges of his strength petered out.
"Strong!" Twilight shouted. She dragged him inside and shut the door behind him. She quickly looked over his burned back and the splintered leg. "What happened?! Strong? Strong?!"
Spike, who had heard Twilight's frantic shouts, rushed down to see what was happening . "Twilight what's... who is that?" he asked as he came down.
"Spike! Get me a blanket, some towels and the first aid kit!" she frantically told him. "Hurry!"
"Okay!" He ran back up the steps to retrieve the required items.
Twilight levitated Strong onto the couch and rested him carefully on the cushions. "Oh Celestia, what happened?" she whispered. He wasn't responding, and it was worrying her. There wasn't a single hospital or pediatrics she could go to at this hour.
"I got'em!" Spike shouted as he came down. He set the items down next to Twilight. "What happened to him?"
"I don't know," Twilight sniffled. She immediately got to work removing the charred splinters from his body, and she noticed his leg had a bone sticking out of place. "Spike, get the bandage wrapping."
The young drake nodded as he hurried off to find them. Twilight wiped the tears away from her eyes as she worked to try and fix him up. The burns he had were nothing like the ones from the omelet, but she still casted a few frost spells to keep them cool. Spike threw away the bandage wrappers Twilight used for his splinters and started a fire for him. Twilight had some knowledge on first aid assistance, and she was only doing what Fluttershy did for a deer once with a broken leg. She cringed every time she heard him grunt and wince in pain from the tightening of the bandages.
"Please be okay," she whispered. "Please be okay."
"Twilight, who's he?" Spike asked.
"His name's Strong Spirit," she sniffled. "Spike, thank you for helping. Just go to bed."
"You sure you don't need any more help?" Spike said as he came closer. Twilight nodded and put Strong's leg on a pillow.
"I'll be fine, Spike," she smiled past the tears. "Just go to sleep."
Spike gave her a reassuring hug and did as she told. Twilight looked over Strong's battered body again, much of his fur singed at the ends. She looked at his face, which was just as burned as the rest of him. From the corner of her eye she noticed a glimmer by the door. She levitated the object closer and saw it was a horseshoe. It was too small to be Strong's, and Twilight didn't have a hoof big enough for it. She decided to leave it on the desk on the other side of the room.
The thunder boomed outside, and Twilight stayed where she was. Until sleep finally claimed her.
The next morning, the first thing a crowd of ponies noticed was a heap of charred wood and stone. A group of guards had cut the area off from the crowd, and some were already searching for any bodies.
"Somepony's luck, am I right?" a stallion in the crowd sighed.
"I hope no pony was in there," a mare said.
A certain green stallion with a two toned green mane held a neutral gaze. "That'll teach you to lay your hooves on me," the stallion muttered under his breath.
Not too far from the sight, the Golden Oak's Library still hadn't opened yet. Inside, Strong struggled to keep sleeping, but the pain in his leg and the weight on his chest were too much for him to ignore. His eyes trembled open, and the first thing he saw were books. The whole room had shelves carved into the walls to hold the thousands of books stored there. He could see a fire still burning in a fireplace, and the flames jump started his mind.
The fire... my house. I went... to Twilight's house.
He could feel his leg aching, and as he went to look at it his snout bumped into a horn. Confused, he moved his head back and wriggled his way into an elevated position. Lying on top of him, and snoring, was Twilight. He instantly remembered passing out in front of her, and with his bandages he guessed she must have fixed him up. As he tried to move his way out from under her, he grunted loudly from the pain that shot through his leg. Twilight's ear twitched, she gasped, and within a second she pushed herself into a sitting position.
"Strong!" she exclaimed. She clutched him tightly and while he laid there; confused. "You're okay!"
"Yeah," he grunted. "Twilight, you're-"
"Sorry!" she quickly said as she got off of him. "I was so worried about you! What happened?!"
Strong sighed and sat up, causing the horseshoe to slip of his chest and onto the floor. "Crap, ngh... pass me that," he pointed to the metal shoe. Twilight levitated the object back to him, and he let it rest on his chest.
"So, what happened last night? Why were you outside? And like... this" she asked.
Strong sighed again as everything came back to him. "I was sleeping when I woke up and just started coughing. My house caught on fire." Twilight gasped after he said this. "I tried to get out, but I ran back in to grab this and my pay. Before I got out the door a chunk of wood fell on my back, and I had to lift it off me so I could escape. I didn't know where else to go... so I came here."
"Doesn't your home have a magic lightning rod?!" she exclaimed as she sat beside him on the couch. "You could have died!"
"I know," he sighed. "As for the rod... maybe it malfunctioned or something, I don't know. But now I don't have a house, and my boss chose the perfect time to lay me off."
He lowered his head and fiddled with the horseshoe to calm his nerves. "I'm so sorry," Twilight said as she put a hoof on his shoulder.
"Don't be," he sighed. "So, no house, no job, and no check. How in Celestia's name am I gonna pay for a broken leg at the hospital without that check?"
Strong would have thrown the horseshoe if it didn't mean so much. "I could help you," Twilight offered.
"Twilight, I couldn't," Strong said. "You've already done enough by helping me."
"Strong, you said it yourself," she said resolutely. "You can't pay for it, and as a friend it wouldn't be right to leave you like this. You can have your leg fixed, and you can stay here until you're better."
"But-"
"No but's," Twilight said. "It's either this, or Pinkie will make you sleep in her spare room."
Strong knew about Pinkie's wild parties, especially at night. He sighed in defeat, and smiled at Twilight. "Alright. Thanks, Twilight," he smiled.
"You're welcome," she smiled as she gave him another hug. After realizing what she did, she quickly flushed a bright scarlet and pulled back. "S-so, um, let's get you to the hospital!"
Strong nodded and sat up slowly. "Yeah, come on, help me up," he grunted.
"Oh good, you're awake," Spike said as he came down. "Twilight did a good job of taking care of you, huh?"
"Yeah, thanks again, Twilight," Strong grinned. Twilight blushed less profusely this time and smiled back.
"I just did what Fluttershy showed me," she smiled. "Now come on, we have to get your leg checked out."
"Damn." Lightning stared off as he replayed the information in his head. "So, no check?"
"Nope." Strong adjusted himself so his bad hind leg didn't have much pressure on it. "I barely got out with my fur and my Ma's old horseshoe."
Lightning sighed as he stood up and walked over to his room. "If ya need a place to stay I could fix up the bedroom upstairs," he called. "Until you get better and all that."
"It's fine," Strong said. "Remember that mare that turned down Big Mac?"
"What about 'er?" Lightning said as he walked back in.
"She's letting me stay in her house until I'm back on all four," Strong smiled.
His friend gasped and dropped his jaw. "The mare that even BM couldn't get asked you to stay?" he asked in disbelief. "My colt, you are one lucky sonuva-"
"It's not like that!" Strong laughed. "We're just friends. And besides, she looks like a mare that wants a relationship."
"And you wouldn't want that?" Lightning chuckled. "I mean sure, you like to spice it up a bit, but ever thought of settling down or sticking with a mare?"
Strong's amused grin faded. "A relationship's too strict," he said. "Why not just meet other mares?"
Lightning shrugged, then pushed his mane back. "Hey, me and Rose are hooking up," he smiled. "Maybe you should too. She seems like a worthy mare."
Strong glared playfully at Lightning, who smirked happily. "I'm not picky, dickhead," he chuckled. "She's just not for me."
Again, the blue stallion shrugged and opened the front door. "I gotta get going. Don't forget to lock the door on the way out," he said. "And think about what I said."
Strong rolled his eyes as his buddy left for his job. He grunted as he got on his front hooves, then planted his good back leg on the floor. Twilight had casted a balancing spell so he didn't have to be kept in because of the one hurt limb. It hung limply in its sling while the magic replaced its roll. Locking and closing the door, he walked back into the streets and made his way back to the library.
It had been weeks since he was allowed out of the hospital, but Twilight still told him to stay home so he didn't endanger his leg. He had to beg her to let him out of the house to speak with Lightning. She reluctantly allowed it, on the promise that he wouldn't move around too much. While he didn't like sitting around, he made a deal, and here he was walking back to the house. At least Spike was a good cook.
Golden Oaks Library
"That's awful!" Rarity gasped. "Is he alright?!"
"He's fine, Rarity!" Twilight assured her. "I took him to the hospital a few weeks ago. He'll recover in some time, but for now he's staying with me and Spike."
Said dragon was currently helping the Crusaders with their crusading. "I do hope he gets better," she smiled. "At the very least he'll have you for company."
Twilight was going to speak, but Rarity's smirk made her think briefly of the real meaning. "What do you mean?" Rarity shook her head playfully, her smirk growing.
"I mean, that I think this is a good time to get to know him," Rarity grinned. "He seems very gentlecoltly… even if his coat could use a little touching up. You should go to dinner once he recovers!"
Twilight blushed as she choked on her tea. She coughed out the tea, which she spluttered onto the floor, and widened her eyes. "Wh-What?!" she forced herself to say. "I can't just ask him! We barely know each other!"
"Which is why it would be a perfect opportunity to date him!" Rarity squealed excitedly. Twilight's face grew hotter, and she slipped on the spilled tea. "He's already staying in your home. And you haven't seen any stallions."
Rubbing her sore rump, she shook her head. "First, I'm helping him recover. And second, I don't need to date to be happy," she argued. "I'm just fine without a special somepony."
The door clicked as Strong unlocked it and entered the tree. "Hey Twi…light." He stared at the sight of Rarity in the middle of clapping her hooves and Twilight sitting in a puddle of-
"Tell me that's tea." Twilight's face reddened and she quickly got onto her hooves.
"What else would it be?" Rarity giggled innocently. "It was a lovely visit, but I believe I have to get going! Orders and whatnot. Remember what I told you, Twilight!"
She strutted past Strong, who was debating whether or not he saw a wink come from Rarity to Twilight. The door shut, and the stallion raised a brow at Twilight. She in turn smiled sheepishly and laughed.
"Need any help?" Strong asked.
"It's fine," she quickly replied. Her horn chimed as a rag teleported onto the puddle and soaked it up, another spell scrubbing down the area. "Done."
Strong nodded and sat down on the couch of the room, rubbing the side of his head softly. "So what was Rarity talking to you about anyway?" he asked.
A faint blush returned, but she forced a smile. "Nothing much. Just what happened with some of her orders." She sat down beside him and removed the bandaging from his back. "And why-"
Strong hissed as the open air stung his healing wounds. "Celestia damnit!" He grimaced as Twilight cleaned it with yet another spell she learned from Dr. Needle Point.
"Hey, it's either this or an infection," she said. The burns were healing nicely, and some of his fur was starting to grow back.
"An infection-ngh-is starting to, shit, sound better," he grunted painfully. Twilight changed the bandaging and moved onto his head. "So what were you saying? 'And why' what?"
"She… she wanted to know why I haven't been… dating any stallions." She did her best to ignore Strong's gaze, focusing on the burn near his temple.
"So why haven't you?" he questioned. She sighed softly, apologizing when it stung his wound.
"I… I…" She shook her head softly, but he persisted anyway.
"Come on," he chuckled, nudging her playfully. "It can't be that bad."
Can't be that bad. If he had any idea…
In the end, a simple lie would suffice. "I… don't know how dating really works," she mumbled.
After placing a new wrap on his head, she met his smirk. "Really? That's it?" He shook his head and laughed softly. "I bet Rarity could've helped you with this."
"She's pretty backed up on dress orders," Twilight laughed weakly.
Strong scratched his chin, then an idea popped into his head. "Well, maybe I could show you," he chuckled. "There's nothing for me to do anyway, so maybe I could show you!"
Twilight blushed profusely. "No no no no no no!" she laughed briefly. "That's not necessary!"
"Come on! I'll have you making stallions putty in your hooves!" he laughed, wrapping a foreleg around her. "You already have all eyes on you! Now you just need somepony to help you!"
"No!" she shouted. "Strong you can't-"
"Twi, c'mon!" he laughed. "Just try it. For me?"
She glared at him, but he gave her that same smooth smile. He wasn't about to let this slide, both of them aware of the fact. Twilight sighed, a bit of pink flushed onto her cheeks.
"Fine."
"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Strong laughed as he shook her lightly. "Alright. We'll have a practice date. I'll show you everything I know about how to get a stallion to be your lap dog! 8:00 sharp, Madame Twilight!"
It was 7:57, and Strong waited at the bottom of the steps for his "date." He slicked his mane back, and wore a modest amount of cologne. And took a shower, just to make it as real as possible. He glanced at the clock, arching a brow as it read 7:58.
Where is… she… Celestia's cheeks.
Twilight flipped her mane to the side as her sparkled dress flowed behind her, an intentional tear giving a shy view of her thigh and cutie mark. His jaw dropped as he gazed at the completely changed mare. Hot was an understatement, more like so damn sexy and arousing even Spitfire didn't hold a candle to her in that flight suit of hers. His eyes widened as he saw the makeup giving her normally cute face a touch of seductiveness and beauty beyond the mares he'd seen.
She stopped just in front of him, a slight blush forming when she saw his dumbfounded expression. He looked pretty handsome too. More so than she was used to. His mouth closed and he cleared his throat, laughing weakly.
"Is it too much?" Twilight nervously asked.
It took a moment for him to realize he'd been asked a question. "Uh… ahem. Maybe for a first date," he smiled sheepishly. "But… where'd you even get something like… this?"
She blushed with a giggle and looked off to the side. "Rarity gave me a magazine about fashion." She brushed a lock of her brushed mane to the side, almost sensually. "I followed Scarlet Flash's details to the letter. I-I don't think it suits me."
He could smell perfume, stimulating her appearance even further. "What are you talking about?" he laughed. "You look ho-! I-I mean… you look, really really pretty."
The other word caused her to blush strongly, but she cleared her throat and stood fast.
No turning back now, I guess.
"So, what are you gonna teach me?" She asked nervously.
Strong shook from his stare and returned to their original task. "Right! Okay, ahem, so I'll act like I'm coming to pick you up and take you to dinner," he began. "So, you don't wanna come off as too strong or too shy. When I knock, you want me to be nervous about seeing you. You've got the looks, so now you just need to show faith in me, like I'm the stallion of your dreams!"
She rolled her eyes, and he laughed. "Alright, Poneo," she smirked. "Go outside."
Strong saluted and trotted out the door. Giving Twilight a second to get ready, he knocked on the door twice. "Just a second," she called.
Nice. Almost like she's singing. Alright, let's see how she does.
The door opened after a few minutes, and Twilight leaned sexily against the door, her eyes half-lidded. "Here already?" she teased.
Damn, I'm a better teacher than I thought!
"Alright, good!" he smiled. "Now, follow me."
She closed the door behind her as she walked beside him. "Wait, we're really going to a restaurant?" she asked.
"Of course not!" he laughed. "This is the part where we walk together and chat. Y'know, small talk!"
"Oh, I see." He suppressed a smirk as she teleported a scroll beside her and some writing tools.
"Twilight, this isn't something you can memorize," he said, pushing the scroll aside. "Not every stallion falls for this act. So you have to adjust. If you walk a few blocks and nothing's been said, then odds are it's awkward for the both of you, and everything crumbles from there. If he doesn't talk, you talk. If you don't talk, he'll talk."
"Got it," she nodded.
"Shall we?" She giggled and walked past him, walking around the side of the library. "So, how's your day been?"
"It was nice," she sighed. "It was longer since I couldn't see you."
Good! Good!
He kept silent, even as they rounded past the door. "So what do you do?"
There we go!
"I work at a welding shop," he mused. "Y'know, tools, a few chariots for Celestia at times."
"Oh really? You know, I've actually tutored under the Princess."
"Wait wait wait," Strong said. "No disrespect, but saying that to a stallion would likely make him hesitant. Remember, you're showing that it's just you and you alone. Have faith in him."
"Right. Sorry," she nodded. They resumed their walk, deciding to move to another topic. "Have you ever been to this place?"
"A couple of times," Strong shrugged. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll love it."
Strong moved closer to Twilight, causing her to gasp.
"When they make this move early, it means they just want a quick lay," Strong warned. "You have to keep a short distance, but do it casually. He'll see you don't want that, and it could end up in one of two ways."
"Okay," Twilight said. "The stars are beautiful tonight. And the moon is so bright!"
She shied away from him, slowly and nonchalantly. "Yep, Princess Luna must've gotten up early," he said. "Guess we're here!"
They went back inside, heading straight for the kitchen. "How are we going to fake a restaurant?" Twilight questioned.
"Just come on," he said. "Okay, so you'll have some more small talk before you wait. And make sure you don't strain his bits, even if he says it's okay."
Twilight nodded, then gasped as she looked upon the meal before her. Lasagna with cheddar cheese and lavender and orchid filling. As a side: lettuce, tomato, beets and peppered with salt, a weird sauce, and garlic. The steaming meals reached her snout, and she could practically feel herself drooling.
"This is amazing!" Twilight exclaimed. "Where'd you learn to make something like this?!"
Strong grinned arrogantly as he held her seat open for her. "Did I tell you my Ma was Prench?" he mused. "Taught me and my brother and sister how to speak it, and cook some food from her home."
Twilight scooted forward and took a deep whiff of the banquet. "This smells delicious!" Strong nodded and dug into his food, fork and knife first.
After a few bites, and some sips from their "wine", Strong crossed his hooves and moved the plate to the side. "So, this is the part where he tries to see what you like, what you don't, and basically get a feel for you. If he asks a few that aren't very general, he's looking for a quick lay."
Twilight nodded, then pushed the salad aside. "So what does a welder do, mostly?" Twilight asked.
"Well… um… damn it Twilight, I'm not that good!" They laughed for some time before moving on to other usual topics. Mostly about her time in libraries, her favorite activities, and Strong was surprised by some.
Not only did she like reading, but she was also interested in window shopping and sun sets. She also liked looking at the new night sky, even without a telescope. The more he learned about her, the more he was reminded of his brother and sister, Silver and Blossom. She sound more like Blossom, but her passion of jazz and some classic violin and cello sounded a bit like Silver. He was always pretty calm, and Blossom liked to get a little adventurous.
Once their meals were finished, Strong led her back outside, where they began their walk "back home". "Alright. The walk back is the most important part," Strong said. "We'll have more chat, mostly about the restaurant, and a bit about how much you liked it."
They rounded the library for a second time. "The dinner was great," Twilight smiled. "Thank you."
"Anything for you," he nodded. Though she knew this was being staged, she couldn't help but blush. "It's a favorite of mine. Did you see the ponies across from us?"
She raised a brow questioningly, then nodded as it finally came to her. They went on about the nonexistent couple that had a stallion with a terrible mane style, a big snout, and a mare with old-fashioned hair and way too much makeup. Even as they rounded the library a fifteenth time, they went on about the other couples, about some of Ponyville's newest sights, and a little teasing here and there. The more she opened up, the more she seemed like somepony he could relate to.
His left hind leg, however, was wearing out from the continued stroll around the tree. He stopped in front of the door, gesturing for Twilight to stand in front of it. "Okay. So when you get here, this, is the moment of truth."
He stepped closer, and Twilight felt her heart jump for the second time that night. "Wh-What do I do now?"
"If he asks you to come in, he's definitely looking for sex," Strong told her. "No matter how it comes out… well… if it's shaky and he stutters, consider it. But only if you're okay with it. If he stares at you, smiling like an idiot, it means he's not sure whether to say goodnight or kiss you goodnight. If it's like that, invite him in if you feel content, or wait till next time."
He guided her inside, and they sat down on the couch. "Alright. The dress is too formal, so you might want to go change," he said.
Twilight nodded and quickly trotted back upstairs. She came down in a while, her dress being discarded and her mane being brushed to its usual self. But she didn't take off the makeup. She sat down beside him, and he gently wrapped a hoof around her shoulder. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat as his strong foreleg flexed against her neck. He smelled… nice.
He really went through the trouble of helping me.
She pushed the thought aside and paid attention. "Okay, so cuddling might be a good way to go," he smiled. "You'll talk about some more personal things, and a bit of laughs for both of you."
And that was what they did. They made up all sorts of ponies they both knew, sharing embarrassing stories about themselves and even some of their own personal ones. He couldn't get over the fact that she actually made her brother, who was Captain of the Royal Guard, do a silly girls' dance in front of his marefriend. What was equally as amusing was when he was little and he got stuck in a tire swing that he and his brother and sister made. It took their father four magic spells to wriggle him out of there. Strong glanced at the clock, which read 11:18.
"What's wrong?" Twilight giggled, very much enjoying their pretending.
"Okay. So by now… you'll both be tired," he yawned. "See?" Twilight laughed softly, moving closer to him. "Now, you still have two choices. End it right here, and send him home with a smile, or give him the golden ticket."
He pulled her just a bit closer, staring right into her deep, violet irises. "S-So… do I kiss him?" she quivered, feeling the full extent of his muscular body.
"Only if it's what you want," he whispered. "You go in slow, giving him the okay, and he'll be waiting… right here."
She could feel his breath blowing across her quivering lips. Twilight did her best to suppress a shiver, and she blushed madly as he closed his eyes, parting his lips slightly. She moved forward, unsure of how close to actually go. She breathed in his smell, her senses going wild as the touch of his lips were so close she could just imagine what they would feel like.
Strong was doing his best to keep it platonic, but the inviting presence of her muzzle just a centimeter from his was much too difficult to ignore. Her breath overpowered the masculine smell of his, and the perfume swam through his nostrils once again. He was doing his best not to pull her closer and just do it. He was just teaching her, nothing more. She needed to learn how to go out with stallions. She was just a-
"-!"
Strong's eyes widened as Twilight's lips made contact. At first it was subtle, but she pressed harder into him, her horn brushing into his mane. This was supposed to be pretend! Not that she was a bad kisser or anything… and the best way to learn was through hooves-on experience. That was the point of this exercise… so it wasn't bad if he showed her the ropes? Right?
Twilight's tail flicked excitedly as she felt him push back. She tilted her head to the side, going deeper into the kiss. Strong's other hoof caressed her cheek caringly, and Twilight wrapped her hooves around his broad frame. She was careful to not touch the burns as she stroked his mane gingerly. His tongue prodded at her lips, and she moaned into him as his muscle worked its way into her.
Years of seeing all kinds of mares made his techniques refined. He gently stroked the sides of her own tongue, occasionally allowing her to explore his own mouth. What she lacked in experience, she made up for in enthusiasm. Her leg draped over him, and his foreleg moved to run down her back. She rocked on top of him, tilting her head to the opposite side as he did the same.
Strong's mind was lost as everything about Twilight's slim, curvaceous body sparked his interest. He'd been with curvier mares and thicker mares, but Twilight's modest body and supple flank appealed to him. Her tongue began rubbing against the roof of his mouth, eliciting a small grunt from him. Strong countered by flicking the tip of her wet muscle teasingly, and he relished in the shudder she responded with.
Their mouths separated, a strand of saliva connecting the two, as the need for oxygen overid their growing lust. They lost their gazes to anywhere but the other's eyes. Hoarse panting was the only thing audible as they watched each other with flushed faces.
"H-How was that?" Twilight panted. Strong wiped his mouth, chuckling nervously.
"Th-That was… pretty good," he gulped. "Y-You're sure you haven't done this before… Twilight?"
She giggled softly, her face flushing even brighter as she realized where she was. "I-I-I… it's like… I said," she stammered, doing her best to ignore her position. "N-Never dated… before."
Strong was curious to her eyes darting down then back to him. When he looked down, his eyes dialed down when he noticed she was sitting on his lap. "S-Sooo," he quickly said. "Good job, Twilight!"
She nodded sheepishly, clambering off and smiling nervously. "Yeah! Thanks!" she forced a smile. "I'll, just head to bed then!"
As he stood up with her, they bumped muzzles, each of them freezing right after. "Uh, g-goodnight, Twi," he nodded hastily.
"Yeah! Night!"
She galloped up the steps, wiping away the eyeshadow and blush she applied. Slamming the door shut, she trotted shakily into bed and covered herself.
What had come over her? One minute she was being taught, the next she was practically straddling him! His muscles did feel nice, and his mouth had to be the most wonderful thing to ever touch her own lips but… That wasn't the point!
The burning between her legs wasn't helping. She tried blocking out the thoughts of Strong's masculine chest, and the feel of his tongue making her head go in circles. Her hoof absentmindedly slipped under the covers and slowly rubbed circles over her dripping slit. Suppressing a moan with a hoof, she thought back to the couch, and her imagination elaborated from there. She could imagine them slobbering like lustful beasts consumed by their carnal desires. He'd lay her on the couch, bury his muzzle into her needing marehood and just give her the tonguing of her life.
Twilight bit harder on her hoof, her other starting to rub against her clit. She whimpered quietly as she rubbed harder, imagining Strong's mouth roughly pulling and pushing on it. She'd have her hooves on his head, begging him to go deeper and lick her dry. And when she orgasmed for the first time, he'd be hard as ever and gently ask her for permission. Twilight moaned louder than she expected as her hoof slipped back down to her slit, just passing her nether lips.
His rock hard member would slide along her entrance, teasing her like the idiot he was. Then she'd moan as his head pushed past her lips and plunge into her. She would scream his name as he pounded her for all she was worth, groping her flank and planting kisses and nibbles on her neck and ear. She'd wiggle her rump as she pushed back, hilting him inside of her. His whinny would be music to her ears, and she'd find herself getting rammed by his elongated cock. After fucking and getting sweaty and close, she would slam her hips down and moan as his balls slapped against her and emptied into her soaking pussy.
"Strong!" she moaned into her hoof.
The flood of cum splashed over her hoof and onto the sheets beneath her. Her back arched as her walls clamped down on her hoof. She stayed that way as she rode out the throes of her orgasm, throwing her head back and panting loudly. Her hoof came up to her mouth, which she licked absentmindedly. Sweeter than she imagined, but Strong would enjoy it.
She drifted off to sleep, a content smile hanging on her lips.
Twilight kept track of every day since her first 'lesson.' Ever since that night, things just weren't the same. And now that his body was all healed up, his large figure was something she constantly gawked at. She'd gone around with him to help find a job so he could get another home, all of which proved fruitless. He was getting less and less hopeful, and she couldn't stand seeing him that way. He rejected all offers for a job in the library, saying he wouldn't want to ask any more of her.
Just seeing him so frustrated made her even more determined to help. Now though, she was busy reshelving the library while he was out looking for a job, and at the same time helping around the markets. He took up the habit of being around the market for hours, getting what few bits he could. The tireless hours brought him home tired and worn out, and each day he came back more and more disappointed. Today was no different; Twilight's ears perked up at the sound of the door opening and slamming shut forcefully.
"Hey, Strong," Spike said. "Find anywhere to work?"
She heard his silence, meaning he had shaken his head. "Maybe I'll find something tomorrow," he said in a low tone.
The young drake walked into her study and went to his bed. "Strong's back," he sighed. "He looks worse than yesterday."
Twilight nodded and finished the last of the shelves. "I heard," she smiled. "Go to sleep, Spike. Rarity said she needed your help again."
Spike yawned slightly, a weary smile on his lips as he nestled into his pillow. Shaking her head with a giggle, she trotted down the stairs. Strong was sitting on the couch with his head on layed back. Her hoofsteps reached his ears, and he sighed as he turned to look at her.
Well, stare at her really. The 'practice' they had some weeks ago changed the way he looked at her. At first he was hesitant on continuing her lessons, since everytime he thought back to their kiss it just made him feel awkward. But as time went on, and she helped him as best she could, he realized what she really meant to him. Not a friend, not even a really good friend. Best friend was still irrelevant.
He wanted her. Not lustfully, but lovingly. There was no denying love, because he knew the signs from both seeing it and experiencing it. That kiss was just the tip of the iceberg with how he could show his love. But there were two problems. One of which was the fact that, like Rarity, Twilight wasn't as easily readable from body language. Sure, discomfort and embarrasment here and there, but that was to be expected since their little kiss.
The second, was his own fault: uncertainty. He did love her, more so than he knew, but he just didn't think he was ready for it. Not again… at least. All he was comfortable with was the idea of a quick lay, but he'd just be a scumbag if he did that to Twilight. And her behavior didn't really suggest that she was comfortable with such intimate things, not with somepony she'd known for a month, at least.
"How'd it go?" Twilight asked. He sighed again, rubbing his recently healed shoulder.
"No jobs open. But there have been a ton of heavy liftings for some merchants," he chuckled bitterly. "This is just pointless."
She watched him rub his shoulders painfully, no doubt he was doing this all day. Unsure of what to say or do, she could at least help him ease up instead of hurting himself. Walking up behind he couch, she moved her hooves beside his, then gently pressed on his shoulders. Strong's eyes widened momentarily, and a blissful sigh left him.
"Twilight, you don't have to-"
"It's the least I could do to help," she interrupted.
He sat forward, her hooves leaving his shoulders. "The least you've done is more than anypony's ever done," Strong countered. "You've given me a home, food, and a place to sleep. This is probably the most you could do."
She smirked, and used her magic to push him back against the sofa. "Then let me do the most I can," Twilight quipped, reaching a knot near his neck.
He hated when she got determined, but at the same time, he was enjoying the massage. Deciding to just let it happen, he sighed again as her hooves moved to the scarred parts of his shoulder. He couldn't feel her touch on his coat, but the knots easing up were good enough for him. Closing his eyes, he layed his head back, his muzzle mere inches from her own.
Even with his stress being relieved, the bulk of his shoulders showed just how fit he really was. She could have been massaging marble topped with fur and flesh for all she knew. Though it wasn't as hard, given how he had a constant need to keep himself clean and neat. It was like a subtle, male version of Rarity. And quite muscled as well.
Twilight soft hooves gently kneading his aching shoulders had to be one of his most pleasant experiences. Aloe and Lotus were extremely skilled, as he'd learned, and she wasn't as skilled as they. But the fact that it was Twilight rubbing him (not that way) just made it that more comfortable. It wasn't to say she was bad, because she was relieving many sore spots of their pain. Two particularly worn parts near the sides of his neck had Twilight's touch forsake their pain.
She blushed mildly as his peaceful sighs blew at her. "S-Strong," she stammered.
"Yeah?" He opened his eyes, looking into hers from his opposite position.
"Do… do you think, you could show those… lessons again?" Strong's feverish cheeks were nothing compared to hers.
"You sure?" he asked. "Not that, I won't do it but… do you want to?"
She nodded quickly, much more eagerly than she intended. "It's just practice, right?" she smiled sheepishly.
"Yeah. Just practice," Strong said. "S-So, where we last time?"
She pulled her hooves away and came around to sit next to him. "You were showing me… how to kiss my… date," she forced herself to say. "Should we start there? Or if you want to show me again…"
Strong would jump at the chance to have her lips against his own. And again, he had too much respect to force her into this. "We'll continue from there," he said. "So, if you're going to kiss and all that, remember, whether or not it gets more intimate is your choice. If he pressures you into it, he just wants sex."
"And if I want it, I should be the one to suggest it?" Twilight asked.
"Exactly."
She must've caught on since last time. Romancte eacher of the year!
"S-So, should we go upstairs?" Her words came out shakily, and a bit hesitant.
Strong took much notice to this. The first time he showed her the ropes, she had no problem acting seductively and professional at the same time. "Yeah. Remember, I'm the stallion, you're the mare. Show me to the room," he said, holding his hoof out.
Taking his hoof slowly, Twilight rose with him, walking slowly towards the steps. "If you're gonna persuade him, try swaying your hips." She did just that, except a bit exaggeratedly. "Not like that," Strong chuckled.
"Like this?" She placed a hind leg on the bottom stair, letting her flank dip slightly.
"Y-Yeah," Strong forced himself to say. His eyes were glued to the sight of her firm flanks teasing him, her tail going with the motion but not revealing anything.
Reaching the top of the steps, Twilight decided to guide him to an empty bedroom. Strong was going to question why she hadn't let him sleep here, but all he had to do was look at the room itself. Books were scattered in piles around the room, a thick layer of dust covering them. It was empty except for the single mattress near the far wall. There was a closed window to the right, and that was pretty much it. Twilight sat on the bed, Strong following suit with his hoof still holding the unicorn's.
"Make sure you use your room," he chuckled. Twilight laughed weakly, adjusting her grip on his hoof.
"W-What now?" Twilight quivered. Her hoof held his tighter, causing Strong's mind to delay for a moment.
Shaking from his momentary trance, Strong thought back to his lesson. "Uh, so, now that you've got him here, there's no turning back," Strong said. "Don't just rush into it. There's a bit of kissing, then foreplay, until you two start… messing around."
Twilight blushed profusely, scooting closer to him. "And I'm supposed to… give him the okay." Strong nodded, his eyebrows going into his mane as Twilight moved forward.
Their lips met for the second time. Strong forced himself to think that this was only practice, but Twilight's tongue sent that notion out the window. He parted his lips, letting her explore his mouth. She'd learned a lot from their last open-mouth kiss. Her wet muscle swirled around his, stroking it at times and never keeping the same pattern. His hoof made it's way up to her cheek, and hers resting on his shoulder. Seperating for a quick second for air, their calm pace elevated to a fervid degree, Twilight falling back with Strong following.
She moaned into him, wrapping her hind legs around him and pressing her lips harder. Forgetting their goal of the lesson, the two took in every detail of the moment. Strong's tongue deftly overpowered Twilight's, eliciting increasingly high moans and squirms. He savored her smell, but her taste combined with his was what he craved.
Twilight's hooves held him tighter as his skilled motions brought pleasure she never expected to come from her mouth. Her mind screamed for her to stop, since Strong was just helping her, but her brain was failing her miserably. And she couldn't be any more indifferent about it. Toppling him over on the bed, she forced his tongue back, wildly and messily wrestling around with it. The fire between her legs begged to be sated, causing her to grind herself into his crotch. The feeling alone broke Strong's last voice of reason.
Twilight moaned happily as Strong flipped them over, his hooves running down her back. Her eyes clenched when he came to grope her flanks. Finally parting lips, he planted a few kisses and nips around her neck. The lavender mare squirmed as his shaft slipped out of his sheath. He squeezed her ass tightly, breathing huskily beside her ear and groaning as his shaft rubbed up against her soft coat. Twilight's moans turned to grunts as she weakly tried wriggling away.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm not gonna hurt you."
"P-Please! D-Don't-AAAHHHH!
"You're… so fucking tight!
"Stop! Stop! He-Help! Please! S-Somepony!"
"No…pony can… hear you… oh FUCK!"
Strong's had to say. Before things got out of hoof he needed to tell her. He wouldn't do this without her knowing. He lifted himself to look at her, but a blast of magic sent him into the far wall.
"GET OFF OF ME!"
Strong shook his head, his vision clearing up as Twilight stomped over to her. Just as he opened his mouth, her hoof smacked him across his muzzle. He kept still in disbelief, looking at her and trying to understand her anger.
"DON'T EVER TOUCH ME LIKE THAT!" she screamed.
Strong watched as she galloped out of the room, leaving him to sit and wonder: What did he do wrong? Was he really that out of control? Did he hurt her? Or did she not want him to touch her like that because…
…she didn't feel the same way.
She didn't feel the same way.
She doesn't feel the same way.
Strong ran his hoof through his mane, his member long having since receded back into its sheath. "Idiot." He smacked himself harder, ignoring the greater stinging on the spot where she'd hit him. "Stupid, dumb, fucking, idiot!"
Of course she didn't love him. She probably never did. He stomped out of the room, went downstairs, and slammed the door shut as he left the library. A tiny puddle of a stray tear sat on the doorstep of the great tree.
Twilight cursed at herself for everything she'd done. Taking it as far as she did with him, not controlling herself, and for hitting him, above all. She did like him, more so than any stallion she had ever known. He was handsome, kind, willing to help her see other stallions, and even when he was agitated he wouldn't ever take it out on her.
But she couldn't… never…
"Never… again." She muffled her sobs into the pillow, her assistant's snoring helping drown them out.
Strong threw open the doors, taking a seat next to some green stallion and tossing a bag of bits onto the counter. "Give me one of however many this gets."
The bartender looked delightedly at the large bag, and quickly began filling mugs and glasses. Downing one by one, Strong planned to get himself totally wasted, then maybe move back to Canterlot for his parents' sake. The stallion next to him watched with amusement while he sipped his own mug. Strong waited for the next drink, mumbling curses and 'stupid' to himself.
"Rough day?"
Strong threw his head back, grimacing at the salt filled liquor. "Yeah. Fucking rough," Strong chuckled darkly. "You know what… fuck mares. This is why… this is why I… why I just fuck and go, y'know? Makes things so fu-fucking easier. No lovey dovey shit."
Strong looked at the stallion, his tipsy mentality recognizing him immediately.
"Hey… you're that sonuva bitch that fucked with Green," he slurred. "How's life, fuckface?"
The stallion glared at him, smacking his drink away from him. "I thought you'd learned not to mess with me," he sneered. "Now get out of here you big oaf. It's no wonder you came here in the first place."
Strong growled and smacked his drink away as well. "Fuck you!"
The green stallion punched him, causing him to fall back. "Hey! Knock it off!" The bartender came around to pull the two apart, but instead was bucked in the face by Strong.
"I thought putting you on the streets was enough!" The stallion punched him right in the muzzle, but Strong balanced out and swung his hind leg around.
"What'dya mean you…" The gears slowly turned, and Strong snarled fiercely. "You son of a BITCH!"
He tackled him to the ground, headbutting him continuously until a headache formed. Strong punched him multiple times before a guard came through the doors and tackled him off. The Solar Guard was tossed off as the enraged stallion went back over. It took another four guards, two of which being there when he was arrested a month ago, to pull him off and haul them away. Strong struggled the entire way there, even as he was thrown into a cell. Bucking pointlessly against the bars, he slumped back against the wall sighing as his mentality finally gave way.
He sobbed like a colt, sniffling in his drunken stupor. "Fuck you, Twilight… Fuck you… I… I love you…"
He would have kept crying, but when he felt a wing wrap around him, he looked up. Smiling softly, was the very princess of the sun, and co-ruler of Equestria.
"P-Princess Celestia?" He smacked himself again, only to realize he wasn't dreaming. "What are you… wait… did you hear that?"
She nodded, and raised a brow as he rose his hooves in defense. "I'm not going to hurt you," Celestia laughed softly, casting a sobriety spell on him.
Strong shook his head, feeling as if a bucket of ice water was thrown on him. "Ugh… thank you," he groaned. "Listen, I mean, I'm very sorry for what I-"
Celestia placed a wing on his lips, opening his cell and gesturing towards the exit. "Walk with me," she said. He nodded slowly, keeping up with the regal alicorn outside.
"Where are all the guards?" Strong questioned.
"I had them keep an eye on Green Leaf, in case he acted up," Celestia replied, looking up into the night sky.
Strong walked on with her in silence, until he couldn't hold his curiosity back any longer. "So… why are you here… Princess?"
"By now I would have been resting as my dear sister watched the night. But she came upon something… interesting." Strong gulped audibly, remembering exactly what he had said about her beloved student.
"L-Like?"
Celestia giggled softly, much to his surprise. "It's alright, Strong Spirit," Celestia said soothingly. "I've met your brother. You two are very much alike, and as such I know you meant none of what you said."
Strong sighed with relief. "Wait. You met Silver?" Strong asked. "How's he doing? Is he in Canterlot?"
She nodded, looking back to the sky. "Lieutenant Silver has earned himself quite the reputation," Celestia smiled. "But that's not why I have come. My sister had told me of certain memories of Twilight that had haunted her through nightmares, and to see the reason behind their sudden occurences I've…"
The slight look of hesitance threw him off. "You what? I mean, what's wrong?"
"I casted a spell to view a recollection of memories over the past week," she sighed. "I do my best to give my subjects their privacy, especially Twilight. But these nightmares were related to an incident in which she would only speak with her family. Not even I could get her to speak."
To think, that Princess Celestia, Twilight's mentor, and highly spoken of friend, couldn't get her to talk. "Did you… see what we did?"
Celestia nodded with a straight face. "I looked past the week and into the month. I was extremely proud of my student's willingness to give a friend a home," she said proudly. "And even happier when I discovered she had gone past her lessons of friendship and into the next step. Love."
Strong gasped, stopping to stare at the princess. "She… she loved me?" He had to know. He had to know now, not later, so that he could know whether or not he did the wrong thing in thinking he could be with Twilight.
"She does," Celestia said. "And I understand how much this meant to you."
"Did you-"
"I just wanted to know why you were so hesitant at first," she interrupted quickly. "I give you my word that nothing more was seen."
He sighed, having no choice but to believe her. "That was a long time ago," he sighed. "I'd… rather not remember it."
He walked away from her, deciding to just try wait for the next train to Canterlot. Celestia flew over him and landed in his path, forcing him to stop.
"Twilight loves you, Strong Spirit," she said much more powerfully. "Don't doubt this becuase of her outburst."
"So if she loves me, why did she hit me with magic then slap me in my face and tell me to never touch her? Explain that, Princess." He waited for an answer, more importantly, waiting for her to tell him some bogus reply.
"Twilight was raped as a filly."
…
…
…
Oh fuck.
Strong's jaw dropped in guilt, and he fell onto his haunches. "She… when she was… Damn it, what've I done?" He rubbed his temples roughly, once again cursing himself for it.
"Do not blame yourself, Strong," Celestia softly said. "Even her closest friends are unaware of the tragic incident."
"No… but still-"
"There are no but's when it comes to somepony else's secrets," Celestia chided reassuringly. "You could not have known unless she told you. And even though you unknowingly reminded her, I want to speak to you about your previous relationship."
"Shouldn't we be speaking to Twilight or something?" Strong asked. "She's remembering getting raped, isn't she?"
"She is being taken care of," Celestia smiled. "I just want to speak about you."
Twilight found herself in that same room, that same night, with the same stallion looming over her. His breath reeked of somepony with halitosis, but his powerful grip kept her small body down. She was helpless as he aligned himself with her underaged marehood, teasing it to get some lubricant.
"Why are you doing this?!" she sobbed, moaning against her will.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm not gonna hurt you." His member poked at her nether lips, his head gradually making its way in.
"P-Please! D-Don't-AAAHHHH!" She moaned and shrieked in pain as his adult penis spread her walls.
"You're… so fucking tight!"
"Stop! Stop! He-Help! Please! S-Somepony!" Twilight screamed, sobbing as the stallion started drilling her cunt.
"No…pony can… hear you… oh FUCK!"
Twilight yelped and sobbed as the rapist maliciously put small kisses near her neck and nibbled her ear. She buried her face into her forelegs, but looked up when a flash of light penetrated her eye lids. The stallion molester screeched as a beam of indigo mana blasted him, turning him into a cloud of black that whisked away in a nonexistent breeze. Her body grew back to its adult form, cleaned and unharmed.
A silhouette of an alicorn came closer, and as it did she could make out the princess of the night. "Good evening, Twilight Sparkle," she nodded.
Twilight rose from her position and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Princess Luna? What are you doing here?"
"I guard the dreams of each and every pony in Equestria," Princess Luna said. "Memories turned to nightmares are no different than regular nightmares."
Twilight looked to the white floor, sniffling some and wiping her eyes. "You saw all that?"
The princess of the night walked closer to her sister's student, wrapping a wing around her comfortingly. "Enough to understand, Twilight," she said softly. "And enough memory to know about this Strong Spirit. His brother is a fine guardsmen, and they both uphold their family's generous nature."
"I know," Twilight's voice cracked. "But… I just can't… I can't-"
"Twilight Sparkle, your past has nothing to do with your life now," Luna soothingly spoke. "It is in the past, as is your outburst."
Twilight shook her head. "Something like that isn't forgettable, Princess," she sniffled. "Traumatizing experiences can't be forgotten."
"But they can be ignored," Luna smiled. "And overcome. You cannot let this unfortunate incident interfere with your love for-"
"I don't love him!" Twilight yelled, forgetting who she was talking to. "This 'unfortunate incident' left me traumatized! I've never trusted anypony aside from my family and Celestia! I don't trust Strong like I do them!"
Luna brushed off the tone and wiped a tear from Twilight's cheek. "This is what I speak of," Luna sighed. "You are letting the negative overshadow the positive. You were molested and deflowered by a low-life criminal. When you were seven. Now, you are a beautiful, intelligent young mare with stallions' eyes watching you as if you were a prize for those worthy. Believe me, I've seen those same stares."
"What's your point?" Twilight asked softly.
"My point, Twilight, is that you are allowing this as a reason of fear for love. You cannot deny your love for Strong Spirit, and it is obvious he loves you." Twilight's eyes widened slightly, and she stepped closer to Luna.
"He does? He… loves me?" Princess Luna nodded, a smacking sensation hitting Twilight's mind as she remembered her actions.
"You are not the only one to be uncertain of a relationship," Luna continued. "Strong Spirit was very young when he had his heart not only broken, but battered until he tried suicide."
"Several times, but he was very fearful of death," she explained. "But that is for my sister to worry about. You must look past your fears to be truly happy."
Twilight lowered her head, sighing hopelessly. "It's not that simple, Princess."
"Please, Twilight. I prefer Luna over my regal name. We are friends, are we not?"
"I just… can't be with him, Luna. I can't go through it again." While Luna was patient, the fact that this mare was deliberately forcing herself to forget her own desires was withering that patience away.
"Then tell me, Twilight, what is your reason aside from your molestation?" She asked bluntly, and a bit irritably. "What could deny your true love more than this rape? Is it because of your Elemental duty? Or are you afraid?"
"No, I'm-"
"Do you think you are not worth him? Or he is not worth you? Answer me, Twilight. What is your reason?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" she screamed, her voice going beyond the Canterlot voice in her dream-scape. "I JUST CAN'T! DON'T ASK ME BECAUSE I JUST DON'T KNOW!"
Luna stared at the crying unicorn with an almost pitiful frown. "I can see it, Twilight. The reason you keep yourself away from a life of love," the night princess whispered. "You fear rejection from your actions, that is true. But… you fear your life after love. What will it be like? How will it be? Will your studies be delayed? Will you see your friends less and less?"
Twilight wiped another tear from her cheek, falling onto her rump. "I don't how I could continue learning about friendship, and be with Strong. And I shot him before I slapped him!" Twilight emphasised by throwing her hoof up.
Luna chuckled softly as she sat beside the mare. "Love is not always clear," she smiled. "Sometimes it can take years before love truly prevails. Do not let doubt and fear cloud your mind from this truth. He is not some stranger asking for your hoof in marriage. He is a loving stallion that wishes to be with you."
Her indigo wing wiped another tear beginning its descent. Twilight smiled softly and stood up. "Thank you, Luna," Twilight said.
"There is only one way to overcome fear," Luna smiled. "Give him time in the day, and when night falls he'll come to you. Don't let this incident plague your mind any longer. If you're to brave your fears, you must make love to him."
The serious expression on the princess' face deferred to her words. "You mean… sex?"
"No, I mean love. Sex is lustful and instinctual. Making love is what two lovers take part in," Luna explained. "Now, you must promise to make love to Strong tomorrow, during the full moon. Pinkie Promise."
Twilight shook her head with a laugh. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," she recited.
Luna laughed softly as her body became nearly transparent. "Do not forget, Twilight."
"Yeah! You Pinkie Promised!"
"Pinkie?! What-"
Celestia led Strong Spirit into Whitetail Woods. "What was her name?"
Strong sighed, glancing towards the tall oak trees. "Does it matter? The past is the past," he muttered. "And some thing's are better left there."
"But not if they interfere with your future," Celestia chided. "What was her name?"
With a defeated sigh, Strong looked ahead and practically spat the name out. "Sweet Treat," he chuckled darkly. "Nothing like her name says though."
Celestia looked at the sulking stallion with great pity, but she continued through the woods with him. "And how long did you two see each other?" Celestia asked.
"Four years, eight months, two days, and fifteen hours." He remembered… boy did he remember.
"Since your sophomore year in Canterlot, yes?" Strong nodded forcefully, a bit of anger rising in his heart. "How was it?"
Strong thought back to those days. He wasn't the same as he was now. No, when he was in high school, he was one of the biggest nerds, and a skinny colt. Girls didn't give him a second glance, except for when they were pointing out his acne covered face. He had a lack of eyesight as well, forcing him to wear bifocals. He was on his way to class, hurrying along so as to not be late. His quick steps caused him to trip and fall on the stairs, dropping most of the books from his back and mouth. Just as he reached for the last book, a pink hoof touched his. He gasped, glancing up to the other schoolfilly.
She was beautiful. Light pink coat, yellow mane with a red highlight down the edge, and she had the prettiest face. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"Y-Yes," he stammered, his hoof still touching against hers. "Th-thank you."
She smiled sweetly, causing his heart to flutter. "I'm Sweet Treat," she giggled. "I'm from Manehatten. Do you know where room 115 is?"
Strong stared idiotically at her, laughing weakly and nodding. "Yeah. Just past the cafeteria," he said. "Want me to show you?"
It was the first of many times he would walk her to homeroom. Soon, he was helping her with her homework after school and with some of her projects. He did all her work, but he was too focused on her hotness to mind a little extra work. He was teased constantly by Silver and Blossom, who wanted to meet the mare, but he refused. Strong remembered the day he first kissed her, in one of the less visited aisles of the Canterlot Library. Ever since then, they dated, going to restaurants, seeing movies, visiting dress shops, a few jewelry stores and a bunch of other places. His family's fortune gave him a large allowance, which he used to pay for all this.
As long as she was happy, he was happy. Graduation night, they had sex. In his father's private study she pressured him into it, and he loved bucking her brains out. From there, college was a breeze, since he had private tutors and Sweet to keep him going. Of course he still helped her, and by that he actually did her assignments. College work was very different, and as such he was up each night doing his and Sweet's work. Not only that, but she was actually borrowing hundreds of bits each week for something she needed. If it kept her happy, he paid no mind. Until he brought back her assignments one night.
She lived across the city, in the lower districts. By then, he had begun growing more muscle because of the 'games' Silver put hin throught. It was raining that night, so he was dripping wet by the time he got to her house. Going up the steps, he heard loud screams coming from her room. They sounded almost pained. He dropped the books and galloped upstairs, kicking open the door and running to find Sweet.
"Sweet, what-?!" He stared at the stallion balls deep in his marefriend, who was loopily staring at the ceiling in her post-euphoric state. "Get the fuck away from her!"
"And who the fuck are you, chump?" the stallion grunted, pulling out of Sweet. The disgusting sight of his semen slipping out of his marefriend made his anger skyrocket.
"Strong, what are you doing here?!" Sweet shrieked.
Strong could put two and two together, and it was made clear when Sweet stood beside the stallion. "You… you cheated on me?!" he yelled. The stallion punched him in the muzzle, knocking him over.
"She was with me the whole time, dipshit," he sneered. "Thanks for getting her through school, by the way."
The condescending tone mixed with laughter made Strong angrier. "You're too soft for a mare like me," Sweet laughed. "Just leave the work and get outta here. Me and Rock have some exercise."
Strong yelled as he slammed into Rock, punching him faster than the stallion could register. Sweet screamed for him to get off, but he bucked her back and continued beating him. Rock grabbed a lamp and smashed it over his head, dazing Strong. As he stumbled to get up, Rock slashed his flank, but the stallion spun around and bucked him into the dresser. The blow knocked him unconscious, and Strong was about to leave before Sweet hit him with a piece of burning wood from the fireplace. The blazing wood sent splinters into his right flank, along with burning the fur to all Tartarus. Strong screamed as he doused the flames, just before Sweet swung again. He ducked under it, tripped her up, then galloped for the door. Tossing her homework into the fires he galloped back for home.
Once inside, he went into his room, ignoring his brother's calls and locking the door behind him. He used his personal bathroom to take out the splinters and bandage it up, but he didn't fall asleep that night. He never wanted to know the feeling of being used or led on anymore. So, on that day, he vowed to never let another mare close to his heart. Continuing to build himself up, he learned many pickup techniques and lines from players around the area. He moved away from Canterlot to forget all about Sweet, and he ended up in Ponyville, where he bedded mares from time to time. But it was only quick lays, never a long term thing.
"It was a lesson for me to remember," Strong whispered coldly. "Never gamble with your feelings, because you'll always have bad luck."
"And good luck?" Celestia smiled. "That isn't entirely true, Strong Spirit. Some mares and stallions are very cruel, but you should not let their acts serve as a base for every other pony."
"Yeah? Well I gambled a second time, and you know what? I got cheated on, used, blasted with magic, slapped, cut, and the best part is I don't even know my own special talent," he said loudly. "Is there really a reason for me to go back? To not just have a small fling and move on?"
"That isn't love," Celestia said. "It's lust. And for the first time in your life, you've fallen in love with a mare for not just her looks, but her personality."
"And so what? She was raped, and because of that she's rejecting me? I understand she wouldn't want to have sex, but the hitting was harsh." He rubbed the swollen cheek, muttering curses.
"You're being very harsh, Strong," Celestia sighed with a shake of her head. "But only because you fear you face rejection a second time."
"You mean I was rejected a second time," he grumbled. "Maybe I'll see you in Canterlot after I move back."
He turned back, but Celestia's magic turned him around again. "Perhaps I will see you in one of my student's letters," Celestia laughed. "Strong Spirit, you can't let past experience dictate your decisions now. Do you love Twilight?"
"Princess I-"
"Do you love Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia interrupted. "It is a simple yes or no answer."
"Why is this so important to you?!" Strong groaned.
"Because, Twilight has gone through much for both herself and Equestria's sake. The advances in her lessons aside, she deserves to have somepony that cares about her as much as you. You opened her personality in one night, you showed her what a stallion could truly be like, and you showed her what love can be like." Celestia looked him in the eye, a small grin on her face. "Now, you will be the one to show her what love feels like."
Strong blushed strongly, narrowing his eyes. "How can you be so nonchalant about this? Or even support this?" he questioned. "If you were her prized mentor, shouldn't you be more motherly?"
"Then think of this as my early blessings," she giggled. "Please, Strong, think about this clearly. Put aside your fears, put aside the memories. What is it that you truly want?"
Strong looked at the ground nervously, taking a deep breath to clear his mind. No Sweet Treat, no bitterness, no barriers, just his deepest desires. "I… I… I want to be with Twilight," he said softly.
"You could be with her right now," Celestia told him. "What do you want, Strong?"
"I want to be Twilight's special somepony," he said. "To be with her whether it's rain or shine. Whether we're sick or healthy. I want to make the most of her days, and just be blown away by whatever she shows me. And I want to know that she'll be next to me when the sun sets and the moon rises. That's what I want. To be a real coltfriend, and have a true marefriend."
Glancing back up to Celestia, he smiled in return to hers. "Then make the most of her, and always remember what you've told me," she smiled. "I'll arrange for you to stay in the nearby inn."
"Shouldn't we speak to Twilight?" Strong asked.
"My sister is speaking with her," Celestia assured him. "For now, rest easy, keep away from the library, and go to it at 10:00 in the afternoon. Help her relinquish her fears, and love her as you've always wanted to."
Strong nodded, smiling genuinely at the princess. "Thank you, Princess," he chuckled. "For everything."
She draped a wing over him and laughed softly. "Of course, Strong," she smiled. "Silver spoke very highly of you, and I wasn't disappointed in his details of your behavior."
Strong shook his head with a laugh. "Goldie never could keep us a secret," he smiled. "But thank you, I think. If you ever get the chance, tell Silver I said hi. And I'm sorry."
Strong made his way back towards Ponville, and straight to the Mariot Inn. As he walked away, Celestia's horn flickered momentarily, as did the scarred areas on his flanks.
"When love comes to pass, and all is right
Let these wounds come to heal, and the mark come to sight"
Strong mumbled to himself as he anxiously paced around his room, glancing to the clock as it lingered around 10. His thoughts were running through his head without any notion of stopping, and his heart practically trembled in his chest.
I was straight up told to have sex with Twilight by the princess. She... she loves me... but what in Tartarus do I say?! Jeez, how do I even apologize for bringing that back to her mind?!
He groaned loudly and sat on the floor, running his hooves through his mane in aggravation. Sighing to himself, he chanced a look at the clock; just in time to see it turn a minute past ten. He felt surprise, anxiety, and hesitance all surface up at once. There was nothing that he could think of to try and work through the situation at hoof. Nothing prepared, nothing rehearsed, and nothing to guide him into a drivel of an apology. Or the... other matter.
He glanced up the clock once again, grimacing as he realized another two minutes had passed. Without another thought, he left his room and then the inn. It was near the center of Ponyville, so he would have some time to gather whatever logical thoughts he had left. There was barely anypony out on the street, save for a few partiers on their way to a good time. Strong chuckled as he amused the thought of joining them. Why wouldn't he? He had one giant mess he was on his way to deal with, and he always partied to forget everything.
...
...
He always partied... to forget everything.
...
It wasn't to forget everything... just her.
Strong's pace slowed, and he lowered his head to stare at the ground.
So that's what I've been doing with my life... trying to forget all that junk. Heh, who wouldn't... who wouldn't...
His hoof knocked into something, and he glanced down to see what it was. It was a charred piece of wood that seemed old and brittle. He knew where it had come from, and he picked it up gingerly. His home wasn't the first thing that popped to mind. No... he imagined the piece of wood when it had been burning. A danger to anypony on the receiving end. Just like he had been many years ago.
I can leave... I can just hop the next train out of here and forget this ever happened.
He slowly smirked, then chucked the piece of wood as far as he could.
Too bad I can't do that to her... jeez, am I screwed.
Before he did anything else, he galloped into Ponyville and searched through the market for a certain shop. Once he found it, he bolted to the stallion closing it.
"Lens! Mr. Lens!" Strong said loudly. The old stallion glanced to him and rolled his eyes.
"Did ya damage those lenses I gave ya last month?" he questioned angrily. "Now I told ya to be-"
"I have them on, Lens. Listen! I need a pair of glasses." Lens squinted before raising a brow.
"I thought you were a prettycolt, Strong. What do ya need 'em for?" Strong laughed and shook his head and handed Lens a small pouch of bits.
"Call it a change of heart," he smiled. "They cost the same as these contacts, right?"
Golden Oaks Library
Twilight sighed as she peered up at the clock above her door. It was nearly ten minutes past ten, and still not a single knock on her door. She'd sent Spike to stay with Applejack for the night, knowing how the night was supposed to end, and now she waited on her couch. She'd already sped through over a hundred books over the day, even a few special novels, and as the minutes ticked on she only felt more and more anxious. Luna never said when Strong was supposed to come, or if he was going to at all.
She just said she wants me to have sex with him... at night. Am I supposed to go look for him? Or wait? Ugh.
She thought back to what Luna had said about Strong. She knew his brother, and their family seemed to be nobles of some sort. On top of that, she said his heart had been broken before. She'd always read about stories with the concept, but would he really come to her after what she did? And after what happened to him?
*Knock Knock
Twilight froze, holding in her breath to keep silent. She waited for another knock, unsure if it had really happened.
*Knock Knock
She scrambled out from the mess of novels laying on her sofa and used her magic to organize them quickly. The most she could do was pile them up and out of the way. Taking a deep breath, Twilight walked over to her door and held the handle, but she couldn't find her voice. Until a particularly hard knock startled her.
"Who is it?!" she practically yelped.
She heard a familiar chuckle, then, "Who else?"
His voice sounded... at ease. Actually, it was like he was standing in front of her and smiling. She opened the door at last and, sure enough, there he was. Smiling like an idiot.
Like he always did...
Except...
...
"Why are you wearing glasses?" she asked softly, grinning at the sight of him.
He laughed nervously, then rubbed his head. "Well, reason one is: I knew it would be a good way to break the ice." Twilight rolled her eyes playfully, and Strong laughed again. "Reason two: I kinda need them."
She rose a brow, but he gestured towards her couch. "Oh! C-Come in!" Twilight exclaimed, smiling sheepishly as he walked in.
He sat on her couch, then watched as she followed after and sat at the opposite end. For a short time, they kept silent, awkwardly glancing around.
"So... why do you need those?" Twilight asked, looking over to him.
Strong sighed and took them off, staring at the lenses to picture himself in high school. "I can't see without them," he admitted, cleaning off a smudge. "I wasn't always like this. I wore glasses, I was scrawny, a nerd... the opposite of what I am now."
Twilight couldn't imagine what Strong looked like without... everything that he had now. "Really?" Twilight giggled. "You act like you've always been this way. What changed?"
She noticed Strong's smile dim, but he still held it. "There was this... filly, back in highschool. I thought she... loved me." He fiddled with his glasses as old wounds ached once more. "Turned out... she just need a ticket to college... and I was a geeky, rich sucker. I never wanted to feel that ever again... so I changed myself until no one could hurt me again."
He felt her hoof touch his shoulder, and he placed his hoof on her's. "You didn't deserve that, Strong," she whispered. "I know you didn't."
He shook his head softly and wiped his eyes, clearing up any moisture. "I was scared of letting another mare close, so I tried sleeping with mares left and right... but then you came along," he laughed, looking up at her. "I didn't want to take you home and bed you. I wanted something real... something I lost. But... I couldn't tell you."
She nuzzled his cheek, receiving a weaker one from Strong. "I've never loved somepony before," she told him. He glanced up at her, incredulous to hear such a thing. "I've never been interested in any of that, so when I met you it was kind of weird."
She fiddled with his hoof, her cheeks glowing a gentle pink. "Well... you're Celestia's Student, after all," he reminded her.
"Still," she smirked, "I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if it was because you're the first stallion I met by myself, or if it was just a crush... it kind of is, actually."
Strong laughed with her, watching her press their hooves together. "I guess it is."
She settled beside him, then lost her cheerful mood. "After... after what happened... I was scared of any colt or stallion," Twilight quietly said. "I could only trust my dad, my brother, and Celestia's guards. I practically ran home every day."
Strong held her hoof firmly. He could see the suffering she'd gone through just by watching her. She struggled to keep her tears at bay, but eventually a droplet found its way down her cheek. He reached around and gently guided her close, causing her to gasp silently. It wasn't a powerful grip... it was a gentle embrace. And just the feeling of it made her tears fall freely.
"He used me... like I was some... thing," she sniffled. Strong nuzzled her cheek, hoping she could overcome her pain. "He ruined everything I think about stallions... that's why I didn't want you."
She pulled away from him, putting a hoof on his cheek. "Twi... I won't let anypony wrong you like that... not anymore," he told her. "I... I love you... I love you, Twilight."
Her heart raced just from hearing those words, and her smile made him grin equally as happy. "I won't hurt you, Strong. Ever." She leaned closer, looking into his hazel eyes without fear. "I love you, too."
Strong's smile grew until he was sure he couldn't smile any bigger. And she laughed. As if they didn't spill their guts out to each other, they laughed softly. When they stopped, only one thing remained for them to finish. Strong moved closer to Twilight, and she did the same until there was no space between them. Their lips touched, gently pressing against each other with a subtle passion.
It wasn't hungry and sloppy like Strong was used to, but it felt much more satisfying than any kiss he'd had. Twilight pulled away slowly, her eyes lingering shut for a moment until the exhilarating feeling died down. She met Strong's eyes, and she smiled as he looked at her... lovingly.
"That was... interesting," he laughed, earning a playful nudge.
"Yes, it was," Twilight smiled. Before she said anything else, Luna's request popped into her mind, and her cheeks flared bright scarlet. "So... did the Princess say anything... other than my-"
"Yeah," Strong cut in, hoping to keep the mood upbeat. "I... take it that Luna said something about it to you, too?"
She nodded quickly, and Strong smiled as he put a hoof to her cheek. "We don't have to if you-"
"I want to," she interrupted, startling Strong. "I don't want to be afraid anymore. And if I'm going to get over this, I want you to do it, Strong."
His own face burned with embarrassment, and he laughed nervously. "So, how about we finish your lessons?"
She rose a brow at first, but then her expression changed and she smiled knowingly at him. "Where were we?" Twilight asked seductively, giving Strong her best bedroom-eyes.
"Somewhere around... here." He connected their lips once more, guiding her deeper while running his hooves along her sides.
Twilight shivered under his caresses, gently pressing against his broad shoulders and up his neck. She grinned as his tongue poked at her lips, asking for entry before she met it with her own. He teased and pleased with his technique, which still made her head spin.
"Now... you wanna... take him somewhere... comfortable," Strong panted between each kiss.
Twilight pulled away, giving him another grin. "Follow me, then." He took her hoof as she guided him eagerly up the stairs.
Strong grinned at her bravado, then noticed something... interesting. With each step,her flank swayed to either side, her tail giving teasing glimpses of her holy grail. lt was better than the last time, and he only drooled over the sight of her supple rear's hypnotic trance.
"Guess you remembered to tease," he murmured. She peered over her shoulder and flashed an innocent smile, just before riding her tail up to his chin.
Her scent filled his nostrils, along with a more... welcoming smell. They reached the top of the steps, and Twilight led him into her bedroom. Strong wasn't surprised to see it surrounded with bookshelves. She sat on the bed, and Strong moved over her as they locked lips, resuming their battle of tongues. Twilight toppled them over, feeling his hooves reach down to her flanks again. She squirmed slightly, and Strong noticed. He slowly moved his hooves, but her magic pushed them back down.
"It's okay," she huffed, pushing herself against his crotch. "It feels nice."
Complying with his mare's wishes, he kneaded her plump flank meticulously, earning sighs with every grope. She pulled away and voiced her pleasure, moaning quietly as she grinded herself harder into him. He grunted with every sway of her hips, handling her flank a bit rougher with every groan. His shaft was working it's way out of its sheath, and Twilight squeaked when she felt it slide past her marehood.
Strong sighed at the feeling of his member rubbing against her warm lips, but he looked up when he noticed her body had frozen. "Twi... maybe you should let him take the lead," he whispered. "He probably knows what to do."
She smiled through the pleasure and fear, then let him roll them over so that he was on top. He nibbled on her neck fervidly, tasting every inch of her lavender coat. Her pleasured sighs urged him on, taking attention away from his shaft laying on her nether lips.
"I-It... feels big," she moaned, moving her head to the side as he kissed her neck lovingly.
"Maybe for you... but trust me... it's normal," he said. His journey ended at her lips, savoring her taste as her tongue danced with his.
He pulled away from her, then placed his hoof over hers. They panted breathlessly as Strong looked down at her, then lower to her marehood. Twilight stifled a moan as he slid it along her dripping lips, grunting audibly as he imagined being buried in her. But he pushed that aside and waited for her.
Twilight could feel his pulsing shaft tirelessly slicking over her entrance, but she only grimaced at the familiar feeling. She clenched her eyes shut, resisting the urge to cry as an unwelcome voice popped into her head again. Strong could easily bury himself in her and she would be too stunned and pleased to stop him. It was just a matter of waiting.
"We don't have to." She opened her eyes and looked up to him. There wasn't a menacing grin, or lust-crazed eyes. It was just Strong... just a concerned stallion that wouldn't dare force her into something like this.
"We can try when you're ready," he told her. He went to move away, but Twilight wrapped her hind legs around him and pulled him in.
They both gasped as his head poked into her entrance, just barely spreading her. "I am ready, Strong," she said in her most assuring voice.
He gave her another grin and nodded. "Okay... just... let me know," he grunted.
Her grip tightened as he pushed into her, and she cried out when his mast penetrated. Strong groaned with her moans, then slowly pushed deeper. Twilight moaned louder with every inch that entered, and she prayed he wouldn't stop.
"Is... that it?" she questioned. He answered with a sharp thrust, and sheathed the other half into her waiting marehood.
She practically yelled at the ceiling, reaching a sense of euphoria a hoof could never bring. His member lodged to the base in her only brought one word to mind.
Full.
Blissfully, deliciously, full.
"T-Too much?" Strong panted, groaning with every twitch of her fiery walls.
Twilight wrapped her hooves around his neck, then forced herself to say, "Move."
He smiled goofily, then pulled out of her. She squealed softly with his slow thrust, then moaned into his ear as he worked up a pace for her. Strong's mind swirled with every pump. Her needy snatch gripped him desperately, begging him to keep himself hilted in her. And stars above, was he planning on doing just that.
"Don't hold back," she mewled, gasping as he hilted himself again.
With her consent, he let go of his previous concern and focused on one thing. Bucking her to the moon and back. He picked up his pace and slammed himself into her, their thighs slapping louder and louder, but her voice drowned it out. Twilight cried out in ecstasy, clinging to her stallion as he drove into her. Her horn lit at the tip, sparking erratically as she let out her moans.
"I'm... getting close..." Twilight squealed, feeling an alien sensation building. "Am... am I-"
"Yeah," Strong grunted, his nostrils flaring as he continued humping her. "I'm... I'm almost there..." Twilight squeezed her legs to keep him buried deeper than before, then guided his gaze to her.
"Don't... don't move," she gasped, moving her legs to his front. Strong eyes kept glued to her ass as she turned, with him still hilted, and presented herself to him. "Rarity... told me it's... better like this."
Strong felt himself throb as he stared at her modest flank. Then, he climbed over Twilight and planted his hooves firmly on her bed, his front snuggling up to her back. He placed a hoof over hers, then resumed his pace. The wonderful sound of his waist smacking her ass only fueled him to keep going, and Twilight gasping underneath him brought him closer to the edge.
The buildup was at its peak, and Twilight didn't know how much more she could take. "Strong... don't stop!" she screamed, moaning sharply to each pump. She slammed herself into him, pushing his shaft deeper than ever.
He couldn't hold it any longer. "Twi... I'm gonna... cum..."
With one final thrust, Twilight screamed into her covers as she let loose. Her walls spasmed wildly, covering Strong in her marecum. He finally tipped over the edge, and slammed himself into her as his head flared. Twilight moaned when his hot seed shot into her womb, filling her to the brim without any sign of stopping. She quivered as it overflowed and trailed down her legs, pooling with her own fluids on the bed.
When they fell from their orgasmic high, they fell forward, Strong supporting himself to keep from squashing her. Twilight panted harder than ever before, feeling Strong's breath on her ear as he did the same. She craned her neck back and pecked his lips unexpectedly, then sighed contently.
"That was amazing," she said to him, holding his hoof.
Strong smiled and nuzzled her cheek. "I'm glad," he panted. He groaned as he pulled himself out, letting their concoction of semen and marecum flow out of her.
"Mm." She knew just how much of a mess they'd made, but it felt too good to complain. "N-Now what?" she asked playfully.
He grinned once more, then guided her to the head of the bed. She snuggled up against him, and he pulled the covers over them.
"Now... you sleep with him, and think about keeping him or not," he instructed, kissing beside her horn.
Twilight dreamily giggled and yawned. "I'll keep him... and never let go."
Strong closed his eyes, and rested against her head.
And neither will he.
Present
Strong sighed softly as he remembered the best love session he'd ever had. Aside from the fact that this was his only love session. The sun rose high in the sky, beaming light into his eyes and into his lover's. Twilight murmured softly before waking up, stretching her hooves out and glancing to Strong. He smiled down at her and kissed her lips, just as they tasted their morning breaths.
"Aw, gross," Strong laughed.
"We're never doing that again," Twilight told him, giggling softly.
The two sighed, then snuggled for a while before they decided to wash up. Before Twilight did, he grabbed her and said, "Wait! Don't move."
He reached down beside the bed and grabbed his glasses, then gestured for her to come closer. "What?" she laughed.
He put his glasses over her eyes and moved back, staring at her with an enormous smile. "You look cuter with those on," he chuckled.
Twilight blushed crimson and looked off to the side. "Come on, we need to shower," she reminded him. He nodded and moved around the side of the bed, but something caught her eye. "Strong... your Cutie Mark!"
"Twi, you're kinda killing the mood," he deadpanned.
She shook her head, then fired up her horn and turned him to look at his flank. The scars had vanished. His Cutie Mark was no longer hidden by the mark of his past. He could see it, and just examining it made him laugh.
