Part One
Twilight smiles and waves at the crowd that’s come to welcome her to Cloudsdale. They’re all just so happy to see her. She’s not happy to see them. The next few days will leave her drained and miserable. But there’s a chance she can dig herself and Ponyville out of the hole that she’s dug herself and Ponyville into, so here she is, wearing her Princess face.
Her Castle Guard, a Pegasus stallion, lands beside her and leans close. “You were right, Your Highness. The Ambassadors have seen representatives from at least six other communities over the past two months and none of them have left unsatisfied. The Gendarmerie is certain they’ve been negotiating weather agreements.”
She smiles at one pony, waves at another, and asks out of the corner of her mouth, “Do you trust them?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Her Guard launches into an explanation of fraternities and favors owed between various companies that she mostly ignores. The conclusions her Guard has drawn feel correct. There was always the slim chance it was all a big misunderstanding. But the only way Cloudsdale can have that much positive weather to share is if they are pulling extra from another community—say, Ponyville. The Ambassadors have fucked her. It wasn’t enough that they humiliate and molest her in private—they just had to humiliate and molest Ponyville, too.
In public she has to be a Princess. In private, it’s up to her. She feels her concerns and apprehensions about acting nice and formal slip away. Honestly—being friendly all the time is just so exhausting. And she’s not friends with the Ambassadors.
They just happen to fuck her the way she needs.
“There’s more. The Gendarmes I met with are convinced Ambassador Shear’s wife is cheating on him. They can’t or won’t say with whom. His daughter is unhappy with him lately, too, though it may simply be a phase. Their dinners have been entertaining, apparently.”
Her smile grows more genuine. “I can work with that.”
She turns to face the Capitol Building, Cloudsdale’s center of government. Large marble columns support a tall building made of stone, rainbow, and cloud. Like the Rainbow Factory and the Colosseum, it was designed to be an intimidating, imposing structure. In its early days the ponies in charge weighed Cloudsdale down with so much stone and marble that it shouldn’t be able to fly, then made it soar in a display of mastery and might. Cloudsdale didn’t become one of the most powerful cities in Equestria by being gentle and friendly with its neighbors. Cloudsdale’s leadership is ruthless and manipulative. Twilight takes a deep breath. She’s about to meet three of Cloudsdale’s least friendly ponies and she’s starting from a position of weakness. It will be a difficult few days.
The Gendarmes open the Capitol Building’s large marble doors and Twilight and her Guard are led inside. A Clerk approaches and bows so low his chest scrapes the floor. “Princess Twilight. Cloudsdale is honored to receive you. This way, please.”
Twilight follows the Clerk deeper into the Capitol Building and tries to come up with some sort of plan. She asks her Guard, “Anything else?” Anything at all that can help her get an advantage over the Ambassadors.
“Wind Shear’s daughter is apparently a huge fan, Your Highness.”
---
Lux flits among the crowd, searching for a better view while trying to avoid the downdraft of the Pegasi above and the heads of Pegasi below. It seems like most of the city is out trying to catch a glimpse of the Princess. Lux can barely see what’s going on. How has this crowd assembled so quickly? The Princess’s visit was a surprise, even to the daughter of an Ambassador. It’s like she’s the last pony to find out.
“Mom! I can’t see her!”
Her mom says, from several Pegasi away, “I think she’s already gone, dear.”
“What? We missed her?” But she raced from school just to see her!
“I told you, dear, they aren’t going to make a public appearance just for a short visit. I think they arrived earlier.”
“But mom—”
If she hadn’t had to wait for her mom then she would’ve arrived earlier too!
Lux has wanted to meet a real Princess—any Princess—since she was young enough to believe in fairy tales, but Princess Twilight is special. Princess Twilight was a librarian, and an introvert like Lux, but she still went on cool adventures and saved the world. And she’s so pretty.
And today was Lux’s chance. And she blew it!
Her mother finally squeezes between two Pegasi and reaches her. “Lux, who do you think she’s here to see?”
“Daddy!” Lux gasps, and turns towards the Capitol Building, leaving a bewildered and slow to react mother yelling after her. Of course! Princess Twilight isn’t just here to show off. There’ll be boring meetings and negotiations, or something. And those always take place in the Capitol Building—where her dad works!
---
“Leave us.”
The doors close behind the retreating Clerk, her Guard takes up position just inside the door, and Twilight is left alone with three of the most perverted, cruel, sadistic ponies she’s ever met.
And just being near them is making her sweat.
She still remembers their touches. Their tastes. Their insults. Ambassador Polaris, an older Pegasus mare, made Twilight crawl under the table and eat her out in front of the kitchen staff. Ambassador Bristle, a massive Pegasus stallion who’s more of an Earth Pony with wings, preferred to come on her, not in her. And Ambassador Wind Shear, the worst of them all, made her call him daddy as he fucked her—as they all fucked her.
Pigs and cheats, all of them, yet they think she’s the whore.
Steady, girl. Easy. Be diplomatic.
“Hello, Ambassadors. I’m grateful to be here, thanks for inviting me, whatever. Where’s my fucking weather?”
Nice.
Shear doesn’t look too fazed. “Please, Princess. We’re all friends here. I’ll go talk to the Marshal and sort this all out.” He holds a hoof out in offering. “I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding.”
“Ponyville was promised an eighty-twenty split. So far we’ve averaged forty-three-fifty-seven. That sounds like a pretty fucking big misunderstanding.”
“My dear Princess. Did’ja really come all this way to complain about the weather?” Bristle asks, laughing. “Ah thought you were here to visit.”
“I have farmers and tourists up my ass about the skies. We’re about to have the worst harvest in a generation. You bet I’m not here to visit.”
“Twilight, part of being a ruler is managing your subjects. If they’re unhappy, that’s hardly our fault.” Polaris offers a sympathetic smile. “You’ve only just started. It’s a lesson you will learn with time.”
“Another part is honoring your commitments and earning the respect of your peers. You’ve clearly ignored that lesson.” Twilight feels a rush as she spits out the words. Diplomacy is addictive. Terrifying, but addictive.
Polaris scowls. “Let me see this commitment. Do you have the legal agreements properly signed?”
“You know it was a verbal agreement.”
Bristle clicks his tongue. “No signatures, no weather. How could we possibly shunt that much weather yer way without authorization? The other cities would be in an uproar.”
“I’m not even sure I remember such an agreement. You’ll have to forgive an old mare and her memory,” Polaris says with a kind smile. “Remind me what we were doing when we made this supposed agreement.”
Go ahead, Princess. We’ll give you your weather. All I want in return is one little kiss. Right here.
“You gave me your word.”
Shear levels his gaze at her. “Our mouths were a little too busy to make such bold gestures, as I recall.”
This is going well. “Fuck you,” she spits.
“Twilight. What has happened?” Shear asks, walking around the high table to stand in front of her. The others follow, surrounding her. “When we visited Ponyville you were so—so accommodating.”
No. Not here! Everypony’s watching! Wait—
“Now you’re full of bile and anger. I think being a Princess is bad for your health. Too much responsibility for a scared little filly. Wouldn’t you rather be a librarian again?”
Twilight would rather be anything other than a Princess, but she isn’t about to agree with the Ambassador.
Bristle circles around Twilight. “The Twilight Ah remember was so embarrassed after a night with us that she could barely speak.” His deep, colorful voice promises more nights where she won’t speak much. He touches her side and slides his hoof down her body, stopping to graze over her cutie mark. She looks over her shoulder, watching Bristle warily. He’s ogling her ass with the assurance of a pony who knows it’s his when he wants it. If he mounted her now she’s not sure she would try to fight him off.
Oh, fuck, Bristle. I don’t care, just quit teasing me.
Polaris reaches for Twilight’s starboard wing and inspects some of her primaries. “Well, the Twilight I remember could barely preen herself. Has some lucky Pegasus been giving you private lessons?”
Twilight’s Guard coughs discreetly from the far corner.
Twilight ruffles her wing but doesn’t pull it back, instead letting Polaris trail her hoof through her feathers. Fine. Twilight’s keeping her distracted. Just like she’s distracting Bristle by flicking her tail out of the way. Playing for more time. She didn’t expect them to approach her so quickly.
“Now, Princess,” Wind Shear says. “If you’re done complaining, maybe we can get to the real reason you’re here.”
Twilight huffs and sticks her nose in the air. “I’m not leaving until you produce documents for me to sign that ensure we receive the weather we deserve.”
Wind Shear steps way into her personal space, grabs her raised chin, and snorts. “You’re already getting better than you deserve.”
He tilts her head down, holds her still despite her struggling, and licks his tongue up her nose, over her forehead, to the tip of her very sharp horn, slobbering everywhere.
Twilight tries not to shudder. She hates Wind Shear and Bristle and Polaris, and hates that her horn is apparently the tastiest thing since spiced honey, but mostly she just hates herself for giving in so easily. She’s Princess Fucking Twilight Sparkle, possibly the second-most powerful pony in history. She could teleport them to the surface of the sun. She could scratch their memories and make them forget the families they’re about to betray. She could conjure forged documents so authentic that they would be forced to put Cloudsdale itself under Ponyville’s jurisdiction.
But instead she just wants them to fuck her like they hate her, needs them to help her forget her burdens as a Princess. It would be too easy—the moment one of them gets his cock inside her, it’s over, and her plan will be shot. She just needs to hold out a few more minutes until her guest can arrive.
“Disgusting,” she says through clenched teeth. “The ponies in Ponyville treat me with respect.”
“They don’t know you like we do,” Polaris says, before she bites down on Twilight’s wingtip. Twilight cries out and tries to keep her wings from flaring, tries to keep her hindlegs from buckling.
Bristle reaches between her thighs. She’s so busy not getting turned on by Polaris that she inadvertently spreads her legs slightly, then gasps as he spreads her lips and rubs her cunt. “They certainly wouldn’t respect’cha if they could see you.” He pulls his hoof out and says, “Oh, Twilight . . . yer not foolin’ anypony. Yer already soaked down here. You want this . . . ” He ducks his head and licks between her legs.
Twilight can’t stop the groan that rumbles out her throat. Her traitorous tail flicks him in the face as his tongue dances up her thighs and across her cunt. She could come if he wanted her to, but Bristle will want to tease and torment her before he fucks her, and she wonders just how long he could keep that up and whether she’ll beg first.
Polaris finishes sucking on her wing tip and spits it out. It’s sore and throbbing, feels so good. She can’t stop her wings from shivering.
“Do you like that, Princess? Do you want me to do the other one, too?” She pushes past Wind Shear and nuzzles Twilight’s other wing. Oh, but she does . . . she loves having ponies bite her wings, and only Pegasi know how to do it just right.
Bristle licks straight up from her cunt to her tailhole, then reaches for her hips, holding her still so that he can mount her. His hooves scratch at her flanks. His stomach settles on her back, such a pleasant weight. She can feel his monster erection pressing against her stomach, all the way to her navel. Her eyes bulge. Is that how deep he went last time?
Wind Shear pumps his powerful wings and rears up, presenting his cock to her face. “Princess, you’re going to take whatever leftover weather we send your way with a smile. Your precious farmers will just have to work a little harder.”
“Nnn—fuck you,” she gasps, clenching her eyes shut and twisting her mouth out of the way.
Polaris grabs her horn and holds her head still. “If you want better, you’re going to have to earn it.” She pushes Twilight’s face against Wind Shear’s cock. It smells, feels sticky and disgusting, and it’s drooling down her cheek. And, like they’re working together, Bristle notches his cock into place.
She doesn’t want to give in so early, but really—what did she think was going to happen? That somepony was going to rescue her? That they would want to constructively discuss Ponyville’s weather arrangements? No. Twilight is here to get fucked. Fuck it. Who cares if she’s a whore? Who cares if she lets these disgusting old ponies molest her? Who cares if her Guard is watching? It certainly won’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last. Once Polaris puts her other wingtip in her mouth, Twilight is going to explode. They act mean but they’ll take care of her. And unless they’ve lost their endurance in the past few months Twilight will keep coming all afternoon and into the evening—
Wait—
She’s supposed to keep track of time. Something’s supposed to happen soon, but what?
Shear’s cock surges into her mouth, just as Bristle thrusts inside her.
There’s a knock at the door.
“What?” Wind Shear snaps.
School day. Afternoon. Huge fan. Right . . .
The door opens just enough to allow the Clerk inside. “Ambassador Shear,” he says, ignoring the obscene spectacle in front of him. “Your daughter is here.”
---
The Clerk makes Lux wait forever before finally letting her in. Lux throws open the huge marble doors and rushes into the Chambers, letting out a whoop. Then her eyes adjust and she can finally see what’s going on in the darkened, intimidating room. When they receive guests, her father and his fellow Ambassadors usually sit at their high table, trying to unsettle whatever pony is unlucky enough to want something from them. Today, though, they’re standing in the middle, and they look angry. And out of breath. Have they all been yelling?
And—oh! It’s the Princess, who despite the heavy, oppressive atmosphere looks absolutely perfect. Calm. Feathers and coat unruffled. Bored, even, except for a pique of interest at the new arrival. Lux feels Twilight’s gaze land on her, and her smile is so pleasant that Lux can’t help but return it. Ponies that pretty are angry and bored at the world, Lux finds, but Twilight has a shine in her eyes that makes Lux feel pleasant inside.
For a few moments no one says a word. Then Ambassador Wind Shear steps back from the Princess and says, “Lux? Where’s your mother?”
“I’m here,” her mom calls out, out of breath from racing after her daughter. “Come, Lux. There will be time to meet the Princess later.” She stands between Lux and the delegation and starts herding her daughter back outside.
“But mom—!” Lux definitely doesn’t whine.
“Excuse me,” says a friendly voice. “You’re Lux, aren’t you? Ambassador Shear’s daughter?”
Lux gulps. The Princess knows her name? “Yes, Your—um, Your Highness,” she says, leaning past her mom. Should she bow? Or curtsey? Mom never taught her how to curtsey.
Before she can unstick her brain, the Princess shoves her way past the ponies surrounding her and steps up in front of Lux. She’s tall, but she isn’t posturing or prancing. Just a tall mare. A beautiful, dashing mare. With a horn and wings. Beautiful wings. And a horn.
“Um—hi,” Lux says, lamely.
“Hi, Lux! I’m Twilight.” Princess Twilight bows low in front of Lux. Her horn looks sharp, but she keeps it pointed above Lux’s head. “Your father’s told me all about you. Well, not all about you, I’m sure. But I’m glad to finally meet you.”
Lux can feel herself blushing. “Um—yes. I know. I mean, me too. Meet you, that is.”
The Princess giggles, standing back up. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to embarass you. It’s just nice to see a friendly face.” Twilight lets her gaze wander over Lux, then she smirks. “But Wind Shear! You liar,” she says, turning to face Lux’s dad. “You said I look just like her. Remember? When you came to visit? But she’s far prettier than I am. Were you just trying to flatter me?”
Lux scowls. Of course he did. Every opportunity, he’s talking about her. Building her up and reducing her at the same time. She hates having a reputation as the Ambassador’s daughter.
But something odd happens. Instead of smiling back—instead of teasing back like he does with all the mares who visit—Wind Shear’s face drains of its color. He almost looks worried. Maybe angry. But about what? Lux doubts the Princess could escape her daddy talking about her. And Wind Shear never lets his emotions get out of control. He’s a skilled diplomat, no denying it, even if it bores Lux to death. So why is he unsettled?
Daddy gawps like a fish for a few seconds, before noticing mom. He puts on his best boss voice and says, “Princess Twilight, may I introduce to you—”
“A little late for that, dear,” her mother says. She curtseys at Twilight—a complicated motion involving all four legs that Lux never could quite pin down—and smiles. “Ione, your Highness. A pleasure to meet you.”
Twilight curtseys back. “You must be Lux’s older sister.”
“Oh, come now, your Highness. Now who’s the flatterer? That line’s older than I am,” mother says, rolling her eyes, but there’s a grin there, like they’re sharing a joke. “I’m sorry for interrupting your meeting. You must’ve only just started.”
“Today’s just the introductions. We weren’t sure when we’d arrive. The actual negotiations are tomorrow. I’m not sure, but I’ve got a good feeling about them.” She looks back at the Ambassadors, who’ve managed to regain some formal poise. It still feels tense in the room, despite Twilight’s cheery attitude and beaming smile. Daddy’s guests usually have lots to argue about. “I think we can adjourn for the day. Unless there’s anything else?”
Wind Shear says, “No, I think that’s fine. A Gendarme will escort you to your guest quarters for the evening.”
Twilight arches an eyebrow. “You’re going to keep me locked up in my room until tomorrow morning?”
“Of course not, Your Highness. In fact, Ione and I—” He grimaces, like whatever he’s saying tastes awful. “—Ione and I would be delighted if you would join us for dinner tonight.” It’s clearly mom’s idea, not dad’s.
Twilight scoffs. “I would of course be delighted to join you for dinner. But I only caught a glimpse of the city when I flew in. I think I’ll just find somepony who can give me a tour of Cloudsdale. Somepony who can keep away from the tourist traps—”
“Oh. Oh! Princess Twilight!” Lux exclaims. “I can show you around.” She puffs out her chest. “I know all the cool hideouts.”
Twilight claps her hooves and smiles. “Wonderful. I can tell we’re going to be good friends.”
Wind Shear clears his throat. “Your Highness. We’ve scheduled a tour of the Capitol area for tomorrow morning. Atlas is a fine guide—”
“And Lux isn’t?” Twilight smiles, walking up and standing beside her. Lux feels the Princess’s wing drape over her back and give her a short squeeze. She squeaks, but Twilight doesn’t even seem to notice. “Ione, would it be appropriate for Lux to show me around? She will be quite safe with me and my Guard.”
Guard? Lux looks around. She hadn’t seen—Oh! Standing well out of the way, at the entrance, is a very dashing young Pegasus stallion dressed in full armor. He notices her attention and gives her a quick wink and a grin. She flushes and looks away, feeling his gaze on her.
“Unless she has homework, of course,” Twilight adds. “It is a school night.”
Lux gasps. “No! I don’t have homework, mom, I promise! Please?”
“Please?” Twilight asks, mirroring Lux.
Lux’s mother cocks an eyebrow and looks at Wind Shear with an exasperated grin. “Well, dear?”
Her father isn’t able to invent a reason to keep Lux and Twilight apart. He nods, as gracefully as he can. “Of course, Your Highness. Cloudsdale welcomes you for as long as you like. Please consider a Gendarme or two for an escort.”
Twilight ignores his suggestion. “Thank you, Wind Shear, Ione. I will see you in a couple hours with an appetite.” She dips her head and gestures to Lux.
Lux waits until the Princess is a few steps away before running up to her mom. “Thank you!” she hisses, giving her a quick hug before hurrying after Twilight.
They leave the chamber. Twilight’s Guard falls smoothly into step behind them. Lux is about to thank the Princess for letting her join them when Twilight beats her to it. “Thank you for getting me out of there. It’s so tense in there. I don’t think your dad likes me very much.”
Lux can’t disagree, but she also can’t imagine why. Twilight is easily the friendliest Princess that Lux has ever met.
Well, she’s the only Princess that Lux has ever met. But still!
“Come on, Princess! I know just where to go!” she cries, running ahead.
---
Twilight waits for her Castle Guard. “You pervert. She’s just a filly.”
“Your Highness?”
“I saw you ogling her. You want to fuck her, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Twilight watches the young Pegasus stop at the large marble doors and wave back at her, eager to start her important tour, like she’s been waiting all day.
“I won’t be able to convince the Ambassadors to give us the weather we deserve without paying a fortune for it, and in that case we might as well build our own factory, which is far too dangerous anyways.” She smiles. “But Shear’s got more than enough clout to convince the other Ambassadors for me. He’s got only two weaknesses that I can see. First is the weather: Cloudsdale has a monopoly on weather marshalling. And the second is his family.”
Twilight looks over her shoulder at the Guard. “You’re going to help me seduce them. And in the process, you may well get your wish.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Twilight scowls. “Is that all you can say?”
“No, Your Highness.”
---
“It’s beautiful. Where are we?”
“Well . . . “
Lux tries to remember the trivia she’s picked up over the years, but she rarely gives her hometown a second thought. So much for knowing all the cool spots. It probably doesn’t matter where they are or what they’re looking at. The Princess doesn’t really look like she’s listening. That’s okay. The view is pretty. The structures have a history. And there’s color everywhere.
While Princess Twilight is half listening, taking in the vista, Lux takes in the Princess. Supposedly she was once a scrawny Unicorn mare; she certainly isn’t now. She’s tall, strong, and lithe all at once. Her mane and coat highlight her youthful curves and shapes. Her mouth is gently open, and Lux could get lost in her eyes.
“Lux?”
Lux starts, looks away, furious at herself for getting caught gawking at the Princess. “What? I mean—”
“You trailed off.”
“Um, it’s just—well, I’ve never met a Princess before.”
Princess Twilight blows a bang from her face. “Well, you still haven’t. Not really. I’ve barely been a Princess for a year. And already I’m screwing it up.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugs. “I’ve been a scholar and a librarian my whole life. I don’t think I’m a very good diplomat.”
Oh. “Don’t worry about daddy. He’s always grumpy. He’s just used to getting his way.”
“Of course he is. Your father is an exceptionally skilled leader. He’s looking out for his subjects.” The Princess shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to show me around just so I could whine about my job.”
“I don’t mind. And I know what you mean. He’s really bossy.”
“He’s in a tough position. He and the other Ambassadors promised Ponyville very good weather for our crops and fields. Our farmers depend upon Cloudsdale’s weather service; it’s too expensive to run our own. But so do the other towns in the region, and Cloudsdale’s weather service can only make so much good weather.”
“Um . . . Who told you that?”
“Your . . . your father?”
Lux shakes her head. “Well, that doesn’t make sense. Can you see the diffusers?” She points at the tall finned stacks in the distance. “The Rainbow Factory takes neutral atmosphere and splits it into good and bad weather, roughly. All the good weather is collected and the bad weather is sent off to the badlands. It’s a slow process, and really dangerous if not done right, though the newer designs are much more efficient and safe.”
“What’s your point?”
“Well, look at them. They’re quiet. The diffusers are responsible for getting rid of the bad weather. Lightning, dust, excess humidity, low pressure. They belch out these great big black clouds and send them wherever they won’t harm anypony. But the diffusers have been on their gentle cycle for months now. They’ve got spare capacity, anypony could see that.”
The Princess is quiet for a moment. Lux realizes a beat later that she’s basically just insulted her. “Princess, I’m so sorry—I just meant—”
“You’re really smart, Lux,” Princess Twilight says with a smile, suddenly very focused on Lux.
“Oh—well,” Lux stammers. “It’s just cloud sculpting. All Pegasi study it in school.”
Twilight shakes her head. “But when you talk about it all your nervousness goes away. I’m sure most of your classmates think it’s terribly boring, or beneath them.”
She’s right. “Everyone else in school focuses on culture and sporting. Cloud sculpting is something old ponies do.”
“Ha! You know that’s not true. Plenty of young ponies like learning how the world works. Cloud Sculptors and Weather Marshals literally make everypony’s day. And—” Twilight leans close “—I know some very old ponies who would rather spend their time chasing after young fillies than worrying about the rain,” she says with a wink.
“Ew!” Lux laughs. “You’re talking about my dad, aren’t you?”
Twilight shrugs. “Most ponies in positions of power wind up pretty perverted.”
“Gross.” She kicks at a fluff of cloud, then asks, “Do you really think I’m smart?”
“I really do. It sounds like you’ve got a keen sense for the weather. More than most Pegasi. Is that what you want to do when you grow up? Cloud sculpting?”
Lux shrugs. “Maybe. I dunno. My mom and dad want me to enter public service.”
Twilight nods sagely. “Government is a noble calling.”
“It sounds boring.”
“It’s super boring,” Twilight agrees, sticking her tongue out. “Not like cloud sculpting. Oh, I’d hate to see those on their angry cycles.”
“I’ve seen it,” Lux whispers. “They clear out all the Pegasi downrange for miles. There’s massive static discharges. Powerful winds. Oh, and the thunder!” Lux gestures with her forehooves. “Big rolling clappers. And then, at the end, when Cloudsdale lines up perfectly, a giant rainbow shoots out towards Canterlot or wherever. The pressure builds and builds and when the pressure’s too great, there’s an explosion, and a great big dusty cloud pours out and covers the badlands for days.” Remembering it sends shivers down Lux’s spine. “All my friends were told to stay inside but I snuck out and watched from right over there.” Lux points at a nearby bench. “I got in so much trouble.”
It’s a moment before Lux realizes the Princess is watching her intently. She squeaks.
“That’s what you want to do someday, isn’t it?” The Princess smiles. “You don’t want to be a Cloud Sculptor. You want to run the Rainbow Factory.”
Lux inhales. Run the weather? It’s crazy. Weather Marshals are heroes. The Princess just doesn’t know what she’s saying. “Oh, no. No way. It’s far too dangerous. And there have only been, like, three Weather Marshals in the past hundred years. And you have to go to school for like a decade. And even when a pony does want to be a Cloud Sculptor, it’s a competitive field. There’s a saying, these days: Cloud Sculptors make the best coffee.”
“Oh, Lux. That’s not going to be you. I’ve only just met you, and already I can tell you’re ambitious, smart, and driven. If you want to run a Rainbow Factory, then that’s what you’ll do. Even if you have to make coffee for a while.”
Lux looks at the Princess. She looks so certain. “But—my summer apprenticeship with the Senior Clerk?”
Princess Twilight leans in close. “Lux. I’m building a super secret Rainbow Factory near Ponyville. Would you—”
“Yes! Yes I would! . . . Oh.”
“There you go.” Twilight touches Lux’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about your parents, Lux. They care about you and want what’s best for you. But only you can find your own path.”
Oh, crap. And she was doing so well. Lux has spent the past few months coming to terms with her apprenticeship, and now Twilight has ripped that bandage off. She tries not to think too hard about it, tries to pretend the princess hasn’t divined her wildest dreams. “Twilight—”
Twilight nuzzles Lux. “I believe in you. Just give it time.”
“Thanks.” Lux looks away, blinking furiously. “So. Yeah. Cloud diffusers. Um, but I don’t know why Ponyville isn’t getting good weather. I’m sorry.”
Twilight messes her mane. “It’s not your fault. Slip-ups like this happen all the time. I’m here to fix it and make everything better. Don’t you worry about it.”
Up here, it tends to get windy. Lux watches Twilight’s hair whip and flutter in the breeze. Lux shivers. One of Twilight’s wings drapes over Lux and squeezes her close. She gasps, freezes, expecting Twilight to push her away again, but it doesn’t happen. Lux can feel Twilight’s breathing, slow and steady compared to Lux’s shallow breaths. The Princess is radiating heat like a furnace, and Lux feels that heat suffuse through her. Sweet Celestia. And she’s not pushing Lux away. The silence stretches on. Is Twilight waiting for her to say something? If she does, she’ll break whatever spell is holding them together, but if she doesn’t it’s going to get awkward.
“Are—” Lux gulps. “Are you here for long?” Please don’t leave right away. There’s so much Lux wants to show her.
Twilight shifts beside Lux, rubbing shoulder to shoulder. Her coat is so soft. “Just for two nights. Not nearly enough time, of course. If even the outskirts of Cloudsdale look this impressive I’m going to have to return.”
“We can go somewhere else, if you like. It gets kind of boring here. You know. When the diffusers aren’t on their angry cycle.” Lux laughs, cautiously shifting beside the Princess.
“I like it. It’s calming.”
“It’s a little cold,” Lux admits.
“It’s a little cold,” Twilight agrees, and her horn glows. A gust of warmth slides past Lux’s face, along her body, and through her tail. Suddenly the cold is a little less present, her muscles a little less achey. “Better?” she asks, tightening her wing over Lux’s back.
Lux nods happily. “Thanks. Hey! That was a chinook! What do you need us for?” she laughs.
Twilight rolls her eyes. “It’s very localized. It won’t last long. I’m no weather engineer—not like you.”
“Stop it,” Lux whines. “But, um. Thank you. Most adults—most ponies don’t . . . Well.”
Twilight slides her wing over Lux’s back, then tucks it back into her side. Lux feels colder. But the Princess doesn’t step away. Instead she turns to face Lux with a gentle smile and eyes that radiate kindness, staying just as close. “Thank you for sharing with me,” she whispers with a quick nuzzle that leaves Lux tingling. Lux can’t help but drink down the affection. “Your dreams are special. You make me feel special.”
Lux stares into deep, endless eyes. “I—but you are!”
“Hold still,” Twilight whispers. Those eyes trace over Lux’s face.
“O—Okay?”
The Princess tilts her head in and kisses Lux.
“Princess!” Lux squeaks.
“Shh,” Twilight whispers, her breath hot on Lux’s face. “It’s okay.”
Lux stands frozen. None of her limbs seem to be working, just shaking, and her wings are flared out like she’s falling. It feels like she’s falling. The Princess kisses her lips, then her cheek, then her chin. “You’re so pretty,” Twilight says. “And so strong.”
“Ha—oh, wow . . . ”
Twilight presses forward, kissing her again, putting her off balance. Lux feels her limbs give way, but Twilight catches her and lays her down on the soft cloudwalk. Her horn glows softly and another chinook washes over them both, leaving her sweaty and relaxed. Twilight slides across Lux, her body larger and sleeker and stronger. Her coat is softer than the clouds holding them up. Her face is bathed in sunlight and her wings span from horizon to horizon. Everything about Twilight is just so much more than anypony else. Her forelegs hold Lux tight, offering something real to hold on to.
Lux takes it desperately. “Twilight . . . ” she whimpers.
Twilight smiles down at her, runs her hoof through Lux’s hair. “Don’t be scared.”
“I’m not!” Lux insists. She really isn’t. Even though she knows Twilight’s Guard is watching. And even though she’s sure somepony will come around and see them like this. The Princess is intimidating, but not scary. And she thinks she wants this. “I’m not scared!”
“Show me,” Twilight breathes. Her lips graze Lux’s.
Lux lifts her head and kisses her. The groan that slides out from deep in Twilight’s throat is primal and desperate. Lux slides her hooves across Twilight’s back and hugs her tight. Every part of her is smooth. When Twilight pulls back she’s panting, her cheeks on fire. Did Lux do that? To a Princess?
“Beautiful,” Twilight mutters, staring at Lux.
A goofy grin that Lux just cannot stop spreads across her face.
“And you’re good at kissing. I bet you seduce all the Princesses you meet.”
“Oh, Celestia,” Lux groans, covering her face with her hooves.
Twilight laughs and ignites her horn. A tangle of magic grabs Lux’s hooves and pulls them up and out the way so she cannot hide. “Do you have anything else to show me, Ms. Tour Guide?” Twilight asks, as she starts exploring Lux’s body with kisses.
Lux couldn’t care less about Cloudsdale right now, and she figures Twilight won’t mind either. “More, please.”
“If you want,” Twilight whispers, looming over her.
---
Compared to their exciting tour of Cloudsdale, dinner at Ione’s home starts positively boring, so Twilight makes sure to hold her glass of wine in her magic to hide the small caresses she’s giving Lux from across the table. Nothing too intimate; she doesn’t want to scare Lux, so instead she settles for squeezing her shoulders like a masseuse would, and scratching between her ears like Lux was a pet.
Despite his animosity towards Twilight, Wind Shear is the perfect dinner conversationalist. He engages Twilight about Ponyville and her life, without once mentioning the weather or their impending harvest. A little wine loosens him up and he even teases Twilight a little. Ione is a wonderful host, playing the part of diplomat-wife better than Twilight could. Twilight compliments them on their modest home. And Lux sits quietly in her own cloud of happy Lux noises and eats her salad with a silly grin, enjoying Twilight’s covert touches and trying not to squeak every time her Princess gestures excitedly.
Really, if it weren’t for, well, everything else, Twilight could easily befriend this family. Instead she has to keep in mind that everything Wind Shear says is calculated and tactical; this his wife is cheating on him; and that Lux is horribly infatuated with her. Oh, and if she’s not successful her best friend will need a loan to keep her family’s farm afloat this year, and it will be all her fault.
Which is why she’s going to be successful. She has Lux; now she needs Ione. Together the two of them can convince Wind Shear to formalize their verbal agreement.
Well. It’s not all bad. Twilight shifts her weight and casually looks in Lux’s direction when she slides her ghost hoof down Lux’s back to tug at her tail. Lux drops her salad fork and it’s several seconds before she thinks to pick it up.
“I’m fine!” she squeaks, without being prompted.
All in all, dinner passes easily. Too easily. Lux barely says a word. Ione is quiet, for some reason. And maybe Wind Shear is only a bastard when he’s with his peers. Or, more likely, he’s very practiced at playing nice. Probably the latter.
Ione wipes her lips then says, “Lux, it’s time for bed. Go clean up.”
Lux gawps. “But it’s so early!”
“We want to talk with the Princess in private, dear. Go to your room.”
Twilight perks up at this. If she’s going to try and seduce Ione, having Lux out of the way makes it simpler. All Twilight needs to do now is separate her from her husband.
Lux drags her hooves through the dining room door, turning to look at Twilight for just a moment. The door closes shut behind her.
Twilight smiles at Ione. “Dinner was lovely, Ione. Thank you.”
Ione sits back in her chair and watches Twilight. Her eyes narrow. She doesn’t say anything, even as the silence stretches uncomfortably.
Wind Shear frowns, looks at her, but doesn’t interrupt whatever Ione is doing.
Something heavy falls in Twilight’s stomach. She knows about Lux and Twilight. Or, rather, knows about Twilight on Lux. “Ione, about today—”
“So, Princess. How was fucking my husband?”
Oh. Oh, fuck. “I didn’t—”
“Please respect me enough to not lie to my face, Princess. I can tell when my husband gets his dick wet. I can also tell when a pony is trying to seduce me. I do not like being manipulated.”
So, maybe Twilight laid on the flattery a little too hard. It’s not exactly her forte. She takes a deep breath. “Ione, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to find out—”
“I knew it. You little whore,” Ione snarls. “You act like royalty but the moment you’re alone with my husband you lift your fucking tail. Home wrecker.”
Another deep breath. Twilight finds panic and anger mixing in roughly equal amounts. She’s very aware that she’s trapped in their dining room, and that Lux is right above them. “Your husband came onto me, Ione.”
“Of course he did. He’s a stallion. You, on the other hoof, are supposed to be a Princess.” Ione shoves her chair back, leans over the table at her. “You’re supposed to be the most powerful pony this side of Canterlot. And you can’t keep one single pony from making a move on you? I bet you didn’t even try.”
“No, she didn’t,” Wind Shear says. “Actually she started begging once Bristle got his nose under her tail.”
Ione gasps. “Both of you?” she asks, her voice low and breathy.
Oh, shit.
Wind Shear presses up beside his wife. “All three of us. She let Polaris ride her face while Bristle was fucking her.”
“That little slut,” Ione groans. “And she’s turned on already. I can smell her . . . ”
Fuck me. Twilight swallows a mouthful of spit and says, “I didn’t let anypony do anything—”
Ione slams her hooves on the table, rattling her wine glass, and looms over Twilight. “No? Then I suppose three mere Pegasi overpowered you.”
Fuck you. Twilight makes bad decisions when she’s angry. “Of course not,” she snaps, looming right back. “Three mere Pegasi cannot overpower me. Yes, I fucked your husband. Several times, in fact. We didn’t actually get to much business when they visited Ponyville. It didn’t take much to seduce him. And I was about to suck his cock when you arrived this afternoon. Can you imagine bursting in to see him coming in a stranger’s mouth?” Twilight licks her lips, almost close enough to kiss Ione. "Or on my face?"
Ione shudders. Twilight presses forward, well aware that she has no endgame or way out when Ione recovers. “I already sucked Ambassador Bristle’s cock. And I’ve gone down on Ambassador Polaris more than once. I’m very good with my tongue. Want to find out?”
Maybe this is how she gets to Ione: with blunt force. It seems to be working. Ione is panting, eyes unfocused. Her anger is still there, but it seems to be mixing with hormones and arousal. Just like Twilight’s. The best part is that Wind Shear won’t be able to stop Ione if Twilight does seduce her.
Ione gulps. “Is that all you were going to do today? Whore yourself out?”
“Ask your husband. He didn’t even hesitate. And right in the middle of the building, where anypony could’ve wandered in and seen. Can you imagine the spectacle, if ponies found out what your husband does at work?” She snorts. “It’s a good thing his Clerk is patient and discreet. How much would he have hurt Lux if she’d snuck in—”
Ione gasps and storms over the table at Twilight, knocking glasses and silverware everywhere. Twilight scrambles back, her wings flailing uselessly. She falls on her rump, turns and kicks to all fours only to find herself forced into a corner. Ione rears up behind her and shoves her face into the wall, rattling their family photos.
“How dare you bring my daughter into this!”
“Let go—” she grunts.
Ione presses her body against Twilight, grinds her hips against her. She’s warm, soft. Twilight’s tail is pinned between her back and Ione’s stomach. If Ione had a cock it’d be digging into Twilight’s thigh. She wishes Ione did. “Is that what you were doing today? With Lux? You fucking bitch. She’s just a filly. If you so much as touched her—”
“She touched me,” Twilight sneers. “I just stood there and let her.”
“She doesn’t know better!”
“She does now—”
Ione grabs her horn and slams her face into the wall. Lights sparkle across her vision for a moment. “I’ve never punished a Princess before,” she whispers into Twilight’s ear. “I’ve never wanted to until now. And when I’m done fucking you, you’re going to thank me and ask for more. Understand?”
Mentioning Lux was probably a mistake. “Fuck you,” Twilight hisses, kicking back at Ione.
Ione knocks her head again. “Good. I want you to fight,” she breathes into Twilight’s ear. Angry or not, Ione is hot for Twilight. She pulls Twilight’s head back, steps her forehoof onto Twilight’s back for balance, and runs her tongue up Twilight’s horn.
Whatever Twilight was going to say dies in her throat, replaced with a deep groan that she can’t hold back. Ione’s tongue is hot and wet and Twilight’s horn is so sensitive after teasing Lux all evening. When Ione wraps her lips around the tip Twilight feels like she might collapse, but Ione holds her in place as she starts fellating Twilight’s horn. It’s obscene. It’s so brazen. Twilight can feel Ione’s palate slide over the point. And Twilight’s horn is sharp. She can practically feel how close Ione’s throat is to the tip. One wrong move and Twilight will gore her like a bull. But Ione keeps an iron grip on Twilight’s head even as she presses herself against Twilight, rubs her body against Twilight’s.
And Twilight, unwilling to injure Ione like that, is going to hold still and let her. Even using her magic is out, unless she wants to char Ione’s throat. Instead she has to crouch and hold still and try not to enjoy her hot, wet, moving mouth too much. Not easy, given Ione is pressing all of Twilight’s buttons.
“My wife is a bit of a pervert, Princess.” Wind Shear’s voice shatters her focus. She groans and scrapes her hoof down the wall, trying to stay upright. “I don’t dare stop her. You’re just going to have to let her tire herself out.” She can’t look back at him, but she feels his tongue on her neck, feels it slide up her cheek.
“Fuck . . . fuck you,” Twilight pants.
Ione slides her mouth off of Twilight’s horn and smacks her lips. Twilight groans from the shock. “Not likely. She’s so pretty. So young. I could touch her for hours.”
“Mmm, me too. We did, in fact. Twilight dragged us into her bedroom as soon as we arrived and didn’t let us leave until long after midnight.”
Ione scoffs. “Poor stallion. I’m sure you were so helpless,” she mutters. A hoof reaches down her front and rubs from Twilight’s stomach to her abdomen.
“Ohh . . . Ione . . . ” Twilight groans. With her horn free, she could use her magic and stop this, but she makes bad decisions when she’s horny, too, so instead she leans her head back, hoping Ione will take the hint. Ione ignores her and reaches down between her legs, rubs at her cunt. Twilight cries out, crunches her abs. Her horn aches and her crotch is burning and she just needs to come. “Please, Ione,” she whines. “You’re . . . you’re going to make me come. Just—just suck my horn. Please.”
Ione breathes in her ear, “Well, if my Princess commands it.” Ione wraps her lips around the tip and gives it a quick kiss that sends shocks down Twilight’s nervous system, little tingles that break her concentration. Her horn is like a raw nerve connected straight to her cunt via a flood of chemicals. Wet heat slides down from the top to her scalp, then slides back up. Ione uses her tongue and drools saliva all over Twilight’s mane. In short—one of the best hornjobs she’s ever gotten. Ione is either a natural or an expert.
“I’m gonna come,” she pleads. “Don’t stop!”
Wind Shear grunts beside her. “You can’t come now. I’ve seen you come. You can’t control your body. You twitch. What if you injure my wife?”
“No . . . ” Twilight whines. She’s so close. But he’s right, Twilight’s a twitcher, so she clenches her abs and holds her neck as still as she can, feeling a short and unsatisfying orgasm spread through her. She gasps, as moisture drips down her thighs and sticks to Ione’s abdomen.
“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ll rescue you.”
Twilight can’t see what’s going on, but she can feel Ione’s weight increase suddenly. Wind Shear has reared up and is resting his bulk over Ione’s backside. He’s going to fuck her. While she’s fucking Twilight. Fuck it. Twilight doesn’t want either of them to stop. Who cares about fixing Ponyville’s weather? Who cares about seducing some naive, underaged filly? Her teaser orgasm wasn’t nearly enough, and now Twilight’s going to get fucked . . .
A sudden shove, and Ione’s hips press into Twilight’s rump. Her abdomen smears across Twilight’s cunt. Ione groans, and the tip of Twilight’s horn slides dangerously back towards her throat. Another thrust. It feels like Wind Shear is fucking Twilight through his wife. Twilight has the strength of an Earth Pony but she’s still having trouble supporting their weight.
Ione grunts like an animal, grips Twilight around her barrel and holds on as her husband fucks her. He’s erratic, out of position. It doesn’t matter. Ione is groaning around her horn, holding her tight while her husband hammers at her backside. It’s so rough, so fucking hot. But she can’t move. She clenches her abs and holds her neck as still as she can and whimpers as she watches another orgasm slip through her hooves.
Ione doesn’t have to hold back. She groans into Twilight’s horn, humps her hips at Twilight’s rump like a stallion, and twitches over Twilight’s back. Twilight can feel every spark of Ione’s orgasm just by how she reacts: leg kicking, breath hissing, forelegs squeezing, throat growling. It feels like a good one. Twilight’s so jealous.
Ione pops off of Twilight’s horn and gasps for air, drooling down Twilight’s ear. “Good . . . good little Princess,” Ione pants. “So good.”
Wind Shear grunts. “I’m going to come in my wife, Twilight. Maybe if you’re good she’ll let you suck it out.”
Ione shudders, squeezes Twilight. “You’re such a pig. I just came, and she’s so desperate. Fuck her.” She leans close and breathes over Twilight’s horn, “Breed her.”
Twilight whimpers, nods frantically. “Please. I need it. Fuck me.”
Finally they all agree on something.
Wind Shear growls and pulls himself free from his wife. Ione’s small enough that with an awkward hop she can sit on Twilight’s spine and still reach Twilight’s horn. Twilight’s tail gets caught between her back and Ione’s crotch. She can feel a blaze of heat down her back. Twilight has to brace herself against the wall to keep balanced and still, especially when Ione reaches around her neck with one hoof and balances against the wall with the other. She’s not even holding Twilight’s head in place anymore; she knows Twilight won’t hurt her. She wiggles and adjusts her weight until she’s humping Twilight’s spine, riding her like Twilight’s a beast of burden, and resumes sucking Twilight’s horn.
Wind Shear squeezes up behind them and his cock presses against Twilight’s thigh, then up under her stomach. His bulk squeezes Ione between them. Twilight tries to angle her hips so he can penetrate her, but Ione’s mouth is making it hard to think, and her cunt on Twilight’s spine is making it hard to shift her balance. Instead he has to shove her legs apart.
“Fuck me,” Twilight pants. “Just do it. I need it!”
“Shut up,” he grunts. Wind Shear finally notches his cock into place and thrusts, nearly knocking them both over. Twilight gasps and twitches. He presses forward, spreading her thighs wider, shoving his cock deeper inside her. With her legs spread apart like this all the weight they were supporting is now shoving her down his cock to the root. Two adult ponies weigh a lot when they’re stacked on Twilight’s back, and they aren’t holding particularly still. She desperately grasps at the wall, trying to hold Wind Shear and Ione up.
Ione sucks her way to the top of Twilight’s horn and pops off with a squelch. “You’re in for it now. My husband can come forever. Oh, but you already knew that, didn’t you?”
It’s all gonna go inside, her, too. Wind Shear is going to pump Twilight full of Pegasus cum. Twilight pants, “Not as much as Bristle could.”
“What a whore,” Ione mutters, licking up Twilight’s horn.
“Ah!” Twilight cries out.
Wind Shear grabs her hips and pulls her down his cock, splitting her open.
Ione tightens her grip around Twilight’s neck and chokes her, blocking her air.
Twilight loses her balance, pressing her weight down Wind Shear’s cock. She gurgles, snaps her head back, feels her horn tickle through Ione’s mane. Her orgasm finally crashes over her and she spasms, squeezing and clenching her core and gripping at Wind Shear’s cock. Every part of her feels hot and amazing. Wind Shear’s hips hitting her ass. Her own juices running down her thighs. Ione’s hoof around her neck. The stars creeping across her vision. “Can’t—breathe—”
Wind Shear whinnies. His cock flares and spits inside her, splashing her with hot cum. He squeezes them both and thrusts again, trying to get as deep as he can. Another splash of cum. Twilight can feel it squirting out around his cock, can hear it splattering on the floor. Again and again he comes inside her. He bucks so hard he wrenches free, pulling at her insides. His cock doesn’t seem to notice, and he humps forward and slides his cock under her stomach, spraying her front with spunk.
Without his support Twilight’s legs finally give way and she pitches to the side, narrowing avoiding Ione with her horn. Ione’s hoof slips from her neck and she gasps for breath, coughing hard. The two mares collapse in a sweaty, cummy pile, as the last of Wind Shear’s orgasm streams down on them. Twilight’s lower body, from her navel to her knees, is speckled and streaked in his spunk, while her back is soaked with Ione’s juices.
The room is silent, except for their ragged breathing.
Wind Shear reaches for his wife and pulls her to her hooves. “I love you, dear,” he says.
“Polaris? Really?” she snarls. “How would you like if I slept with Sirocco, huh?”
“Bristle, too,” Twilight offers, rubbing her sore neck.
Ione slaps him. He reels back, clutches his cheek. She steps right into his personal space and shoves her face in his. “Can you imagine how badly it would have hurt Lux to find out?”
Ione tries to open the dining room door, but it’s stuck. She gasps and rounds on Twilight. “Did you lock us in?” she shrieks.
Twilight can’t remember doing so, but probably yes. She croaks, “Sound dampening spell.” Her horn shimmers and the door sizzles and unlocks. “For Lux.”
Ione marches up to her and snarls, “Stay away from my daughter.” Then she sticks her nose in the air and leaves, pulling Wind Shear behind her.
Twilight locks the door behind them with a sizzle. Finally it’s quiet. She rolls onto her back and waits for her heart to slow and her breathing to relax. The remains of her orgasm simmer and mix with shame and regret. She misread Ione. She’s lost Lux as a potential ally. And she’s given Wind Shear more leverage.
“Help me up,” Twilight mutters, reaching a hoof in the air.
Her Guard approaches and helps her to her hooves.
“This is all your fault,” she says, glaring at her Guard. “She wasn’t cheating on Shear.”
“No, Your Highness.”
She scrapes the cum from her chest and forelegs, flicking it on the floor. She can feel more oozing down her thighs, dripping down between her hindhooves. She needs a bath. And whoever cleans their house is going to have a challenging day tomorrow.
“It’s going to be a challenging day for all of us,” she mutters.
“Your Highness?”
“I’m going to fuck them. I’m going to fuck this whole fucking city.” She glares at him. “I’m going to get my split.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She scowls. “I think I pulled a muscle. Help me home.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”