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Aon ground her teeth together painfully, her hooves doing the same on the cold, hard, uncaring stone floor. She winced with each shock, but kept her noise to a minimum as she forced breath shakily through her nose.

"No cries or moans? Come now, where is our fun in that? Cry for me slave!"

Feeling a excruciatingly sharp pull on her tail, Aon let out a yelp and attempted to move her body backwards to lessen the force of the pull. All that achieved was making the next thrust harder and more painful, much to Nightmare Moon's amusement.

"Tell me, filly, do you enjoy my ministrations? Don't they make you realize how truly lucky you are? You have the eye of the queen after all, what more could you want?" the dark alicorn laughed cruelly. She knew exactly what her slave wanted. Not that she expected to hear what the pitiful silvery white furred mess really wanted. She was trained well after all.

"Nothing Mistress Moon. Ah....Everything I...ow....need or want is...ugh...provided by you." the mare, self named Aon, replied dutifully. She let out a sigh of relief as she felt her treatment end. Nightmare Moon's hoof landed inches from her face with a resounding crack.

"You are expected to accompany me from now on. You have made a good maid-slave, but after today, you are now elevated to royal consort. I do this because I think you have a most enjoyable ass, and you have served me well. Now, your mistress has dinner with an important group of ambassadors tonight. As such, you will be dining with me at my side. I expect you outside my chambers for a dress fitting as soon as you stop bleeding."

Aon wrinkled her nose in confusion. True, her first treatment had been rough and unwanted and her rear felt like it had been torn, but was she bleeding? Casting her gaze up to Night Mistress Moon, the mare's eyes grew in shock and worry. Nightmare Moon held in her magic a coil of thin gold wire, a needle, and what appeared to be a ring piercing of some sort.

Night Mistress Moon looked down on her with a grin that made Aon shudder.
"To ensure you remain pure until I wish to deflower that part of you, and also to show my ownership of you..."

~^~^~^~

Aon was staring at her reflection in the silver platter that sat on the table before her. Light mint green eyes looked back at her, surrounded with whitish-silver fur akin to the colour of white gold. There, seated almost invisibly behind her platinum mane, was a small circular scar where she, as a slave of the Night Mistress, had had her horn removed negating magic use. Suddenly words cut across Aon's train of thought.

"Consort, why do you not seat yourself at my side as is your duty?" Night Mistress Moon half snickered.

Aon shifted uncomfortably before slowing lowering herself to a seated position, hissing from the pain that shot up from between her legs. She also just noticed her hiss had gotten the five ambassador's attention.

"Do not mind my consort, she was given her new position just three hours ago and is still becoming accustomed to it." the alicorn laughed.

Across the table a white stallion with a blonde mane stood and gave Nightmare Moon a small bow before speaking.
"And a most glorious consort you have found Queen Night Mistress Moon. Pray tell if it is not to forward to ask, did she not handle her first well?"

The way the stallion smirked made Aon want to be sick, but she settled with flushing red and worrying at the seat with a hoof.

Night Mistress Moon just laughed loudly.
"If it were any other I would have them imprisoned, but you have been ever so helpful since my return Blueblood, so I will say, I have not plucked her flower quite yet, but I have claimed her as my own as per ancient custom, so she is most likely a bit tender. Oh, but none of you know the ancient custom. Consort, turn abo-"

*BANG*

The doors to the dining hall suddenly slammed open with a resounding crack as a group of soldiers, led by a grizzled and scarred commander, strode in. With them were two chained and shackled ponies, one a mare, one a stallion.

"Commander Garrotte, I trust there is a perfectly reasonable FUCKING explanation for this interrauption. If not, I will see you at your execution tomorrow."

The commander stood at attention.
"Queen Night Mistress Moon, I present to you Captain Shining Armour, and rebel leader Applejack!"

Sure enough, held fast by chains, there stood Shining Armour, bruised and beaten, and the Element of Honesty herself, complete with her Stetson.
Applejack locked eyes with Nightmare Moon.
"Listen miss, if we ain't got anything else to talk about her..*pft*...then go 'head an' kill us here an' now."

Nightmare narrowed her eyes at the loogy the farm mare had spat mid sentence before she realized she now had a chance to be exceptionally cruel. Turning to her ambassadors she gave them a smile.
"As I was saying, consort, turn around and show the ambassador's your ownership marks!"

Aon started at the thought, her mind reeling and confused for the precious seconds it took her to realize Night Mistress Moon meant for her to reveal herself to everypony in the room. Despite wanting nothing more than to disappear in to the floor, Aon did as instructed, blushing furiously as a couple of wolf whistles rang out.

"Good, now that that's been exemplified, show my ambassadors what happens to ponies who threaten my rule."

Again the poor mare was left with precious little to do other than what she was told, and quickly found a ornate knife hovering next to her mouth for her to use. In desperation to get out of the task, Aon cast a panicked glance at everypony in the room, but only one responded.

"Ah kin see ya don' know what ta do, so let me tell ya. Take that knife, an' stick it right at the base o' me an' Shinin's skull. Not a lot a blood, not a big mess. Quick'n'clean like."

It was Applejack, giving the mare a sympathetic smile. Aon just shook her head fearfully. She couldn't do it! Hell, five hours prior she was just a maid, and now she'd been sodomized, violated, mutilated, and now was being told to kill! The knife dropped to the floor with a clang as tears began to flow from her eyes.

Night mare Moon just spat angrily at the mare. Moving past the consort, the alicorn used her magic to kill the two prisoners before turning to Aon.
"You have failed me for the first time, consort. I must ensure you know never to do it again."
With a shriek of rage, Nightmare Moon delivered a powerful kick to the mare's nethers, causing her to scream in agony as it connected with her already traumatized body. Aon fell and passed out.

~^~^~^~

Three weeks had passed since Aon had become the royal consort to Night Mistress Moon. Her life for the time being had consisted of eating meals with the Queen, servicing the Queen, and leaving the Queen the hell alone when thrown from her bed each morning when the sun was raised. Other than that it was just stay out of everyponys' way and do what your told.

Well, except for this day.

Today, or at least at this exact moment, Aon was stepping off the Queen's carriage in Ponyville. It was time for the sixth annual 'Parade Celestia's preserved severed head and skinned of cutiemarks through Ponyville to incite rebellion again' day. There was an official name for it, but Aon had never bothered to remember.

As the proceedings and the march began, Aon did as was expected and fell into step behind Nightmare, for once thankful she was being made to wear a fancy dress. Aon hated dresses with a passion, but with her piercing as well as her 'proof of purity' she had a habit of drawing unwanted attention.

On the note of unwanted attention, she seemed to be getting a fair amount of it, most likely because she'd never been seen around the Queen before.

As the group carried on Aon noticed that many of the ponies looked like they didn't want to be out watching the 'parade'. In fact a number of them seemed downright angry. It was about then that it happened.

A single rock flew over the crowds of ponies and landed harshly against Nightmare's cheek, scoring a small gash.

"Guards, find the perpetrator of that attack!" the alicorn roared.

Just as Nightmare gave her orders, a horde of armed rebels came pouring out towards the guards, and Nightmare took to the skies.

It was then Aon realized she was alone in the middle of a battlefield. Following instinct, she took off towards the edge of town praying she'd make it out alive. As she ran ponies were dying all around her, a fact that disturbed her greatly, but she didn't let it get to her, she was nearly free of the town!

"Well look at this boys, the Queen-bitch's bitch." a menacing voice taunted.

Aon stopped short when she realized a group of rebels had stopped her up short and cut off her escape.

A second stallion slowly pulled a sword from its scabbard.
"So what, you use the tyrant, and as soon as you can, cut and run. Meanwhile real families and ponies have to work and slave under her whip for scraps?"

Little did they realize that that was essentially her job in a nutshell, but the semantics didn't seem to be what they were interested in. Instead Aon began to back away slowly until she realized that three more rebels had come up behind her.

"So then, what do you say we show this consort how to do her job?" one of the stallions jeered.

Aon immediately flushed and huddled close to the ground.
"P..pl..please, no...I just...want...to go away..please..."
Her words did nothing to deter the soldiers though, and one of them gripped her dress roughly, tearing a shoulder strap. Just as he made to tear it more, a cyan hoof collidded with his jaw, then a orange blur slapped him in hoof cuffs.

"Dis-fucking-graceful! We are the true Equestrians, yet you think raping a prisoner of war is acceptable. If this is how you're all going to act, then go join Nightmare Moon. Otherwise get to the wounded, and once back at base I expect to see you all doing extra pt to start!" a pegasus mare roared at the soldiers. She then turned to Aon. "And now that that's out of the way...Scoots, take this mare to our h.q. and I'll take that stallion in."

With a couple of nods, Aon was left with an orange filly about 2 inches taller than her, and a hell of a lot more muscled.
"So, queen's consort...fancy-" Aon winced at the expression but said nothing. "-, anyway come on."

~^~^~^~

Aon had been following after Scootaloo for what seemed like hours. They had entered a forest a while ago and the pegasus was only just now slowing down.

"Entrance is up here. Try not to look imposing or sca..." The filly trailed off as she looked back to see that Aon was acting like Fluttershy used to. "Never mind."

Aon just ducked her head lower and kept following Scootaloo. Eventually they happened across a door hidden amongst some brambles and disappeared down it. As Aon came down the stairs she entered a room that held a number of important ponies that she'd heard tales of and knew Nightmare hated. It also scared the daylights out of her. The lavender mare stepped up first.

"Scootaloo, you're back! Dash got here just five minutes ago. I take it the attack went well? Oh, and who is this, a new recruit?"

Scootaloo gave the mare a warm smile.
"Course I'm back Twilight. Can't keep me or Dash down. The attack went really well, we only have nine out of thirty ponies wounded. Nightmare ran, and finally, well, maybe I shouldn't be the one to explain who this is."

Scootaloo's cryptic answer caused the group to study the mare's face, but nopony save Rarity knew her. The fashionista mentioned then powered up her horn with a snarl.

"Nightmare's consort, its Nightmare's consort!"

Immediately almost everponjy in the entrance room dropped to some sort of battle stance while Aon settled with cowering in the nearest corner.

"I'm sorry, I'll leave! Don't hurt me please!" the silvery mare cried.

It was like an off switch. Everypony stopped their aggression at this point. They had expected the consort to have been a high level mage or warrior, but here the consort was cowering in the corner trying not to cry. Twilight felt it would be prudent to find out more about the filly.
"Hey, I am Twilight Sparkle. As long as I'm here, nopony will hurt you, okay? Now, why don't you tell me why you're here?"

Aon gave a slight sniffle and stayed in the corner, but she looked up and responded.
"Scootaloo told me to follow her, so I did."

Twilight cocked her head at this.
"And you didn't think to ask where she was taking you?"

Blush building up, Aon dropped her head down and pressed her ears flat. The mare was beginning to just wish she could crawl in a hole and make every go away. No ponies to hate her, no Night Mistress to hurt her.
"I'm not supposed to question things..."

This immediately threw up a couple of obvious signs that the mare had not chosen the role of her own free will.
"Well, you are free now, and can do what ever you wish. First, why don 't you and I go with Rarity and see about getting your dress fixed?"

Aon nodded dumbly, but then she realized who Rarity was and froze. Twilight noted her fear an immediately tried to smotth it over.
"Relax, Rarity won't hurt you, she was merely being cautious. We feared that Nightmare's consort was a skilled warrior. As it turns out, you seem like the decent type."

~^~^~^~

"I want her back, Garrotte! There is a reason I chose her, there is a reason I want her, and that means you will find her and bring her back! The little filly...mmm...yes that specific filly, I don't just want her, I need her! Well, why are you still here? Go get her!"

~^~^~^~

It had taken Rarity but seconds to mend the torn seams, and though the mare had offered to store it Aon wished to keep it on, fore personal reasons. After that she'd pretty much taken to following Twilight around, her practice making the mare constantly forget Aon was there.

As for Aon, well she was simply enjoying the surroundings. Sure, not many ponies paid attention to her, but unlike in Nightmare' service, the ponies that did would give her a smile or a nod. The mere acknowledgement was nice. Eventually dinner time came up though, and that was where ponies finally began to notice Aon.

"Still following me? You do realize you could have done whatever you wished, right Aon?" Twilight smiled.

Aon just scuffed the ground with her hoof.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it bothered you. I, uhm, I got used to following ponies..."

Twilight softened her smile a bit and nodded.
"Well, as long as your happy. I forget your situation. Anyway its dinner time, so why don't we head that way?"

Aon nodded and started off after Twilight, this time the lavender mare making a point to talk to her. After about a five minutes walk Aon was shocked to find herself a buffet of amazing looking foods, the likes of which she'd only ever seen Night Mistress Moon or the ambassadors eat. She was still staring about a minute later when Twilight nudged her.

"Take all you want, as long as you don't waste it."

"I...I...I'm not supposed to take my own food...." Aon finished lamely as she turned her gaze to a spot between her fore hooves.

Twilight just gave the mare a soft pat on the shoulder.
"That's fine, I'll get you some food, you just sit here, okay?"

Aon gave a nod and watched Twilight canter off towards the food. As she waited a familiar looking stallion with what appeared to be healing lashings across his back started moving her way. It wasn't until he had flipped her over and slammed her on her back that she recognized him as the gardener that Nightmare had made her whip four days ago.

"You little bitch, what are you going to do now? Yeah, you were big tough and scary when Nightmare had your back, but what are you now?" the stallion growled as he pushed a fore hoof harshly against her chest.

"I..I'm sorry..."

Before the stallion could drive a hoof into her muzzle he suddenly backed off of her in disgust. In her fear Aon had peed herself and the floor.

"You sick little..." the gardener stallion roared as he lifted up to drive both his forehooves into Aon's face.

There was a flash of purple, but that's all she knew as her vision faded to black.

~^~^~^~

"-I'm just saying its obvious nopony wants her here Twilight, and there isn't a good chance that that specific detail will change any time soon. When she wakes I think we should just erase her memory and send her on her way!"

"Really Rarity? Really, that's so generous. I think you fail to remember that I know first hoof the sick pleasures Nightmare enjoys taking from us ponies and-"

"I..Twilight, I didn't mean to bring that up, darling."

"-and I know for a fact that she probably won't attempt anything but to hide from all you ponies due to how you treat her. Let me tell you, it was six months Rarity! Six months before I could sleep without fear, six months before I wouldn't flinch when a pony came near me, six months before I could bear to show my face to you girls due to the shame of what I'd suffered! I still ache on the inside some days, and you want to just abandon somepony who's gone through that!? I suffered for four hours before my escape, she's suffered three weeks of depravities!"

Aon was clinging to every word. She did not know Twilight had been hurt by Nightmare Moon. She thought she was alone, but no, she wasn't. It gave the mare an odd sense of comfort, knowing that despite what she'd been forced to endure, there was another who had grown stronger for it. It gave her a sense of hope.

"I understand Twilight, and you are right, but we still need to figure out where Applejack and your brother got off to."

Aon let out a light noise at the mention of Applejack, and immediately sympathetic sorrow raced through her body at the realization that their friend and brother were both dead. Her gasp had also drawn the two ponies attention.

"Aon, you're awake!" Twilight smiled cheerfully whilst Rarity just stood further back. "I was worried about you. When you passed out after I slammed the oaf into the wall I was worried he'd hurt you."

For Aon's part she just shifted uncomfortably at the thought of somepony actually protecting her. The she shifted her hindlegs a second time as her eyes grew wide. Wrenching off the sheets that lay over her body the mare let her hindlegs fall wide to see that the gilded wire that had held her closed was gone.

Twilight continued looking at Aon's face, ignoring her splayed legs.
"She'd done the same thing to me when she caught me that first year. The only difference is that there's an enchantment I couldn't get past on the piercing, but other than that you should be fin-urk!"

The mare's words were cut off abruptly as Aon threw her hooves around Twilight, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Tears flowed straight from Aon's chin and onto Twilight's shoulder as the mare sobbed against her. With a smile Twilight wrapped her own hooves gently around Aon and patted her back.

"There there, you're going to be okay."

Slowly Aon's sobs settled into shudders as she took in long ragged breaths. It was then that she realized she had hugged Twilight without permission, but a part of her mind kept note on how the mare hadn't cared in the slightest.
"Thank you so so so much Twilight...I just...I've not been treated like a pony since I started working for Night Mistress Moon a year ago, and these past three we...weeks...I ..."
Aon devolved right back into her sobs as shame and self loathing washed through her body like a flood, but one thing kept her mind rooted in a more rational state.

Twilight was still holding her close, humming a soft tune in her ear and telling her it would all be okay.

Some how, some way, Aon felt that Twilight was right. It would all be okay.

Is or Isn't with Her...Objectively

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Aon followed close behind Twilight through the cavern passage ways. She's been receiving nothing but dirty or suspicious looks, but after Twilight had splattered the last pony to threaten her across a wall nopony had the balls to speak out against her, not with Twilight near anyway.

"So, any questions? Concerns? Comments?" Twilight asked as they headed towards the dining hall.

Aon looked just about everywhere but at Twilight. There was on thing truly bothering her but she hadn't the gall to ask.

"Come on Aon, there has to be something."

"Well...There is one thing Twilight...but I'm worried it will upset you..."

Twilight just looked back at Aon with a smile.
"Fire away."

"I heard you say Nightmare Moon hurt you..."

Twilight let out a long sigh and dropped her shoulders slightly.

"..I'm sorry...uhm...forget I asked...please..."

"No, no its fine, I just don't bring it up often." Twilight acknowledged. "Here, I know this bugs the cafeteria staff, but come sit at this table."

With a flash of magic a number of foods appeared on the table.

"Dig in, and you can get your own food Aon, no pony can stop you." smiled the lavender mare as she seated herself. "Now as for my story. Well, it actually started back when I was still a filly. Shining Armour was taking care of me for the most part, on leave from the guard until my parents, also part of the guard, returned. Anyway, the day it started was the day I went to pass a magic test. When it was my turn, I walked up on stage, but just then my brother, front row, got a letter. A letter in a black envelope with the guard seal on it. I may have been a filly, but I knew what it was, and then a second showed up right afterwards. 'Shining...where are mommy and daddy?' I had asked. Not that I needed his answer, I could see the tears in his eyes. Then that dumb bitch of a judge mouthed off. 'If you wish to join our school, take the test, but if you don't take the test, you don't want in, and need to leave.'"

At this point Aon noticed a couple of small tears sliding down Twilight's cheek. On a whim she moved forward and brushed them of, receiving a kind smile from the pained mare in return.

"Thanks, well anyway, I didn't get sad, I got mad. How dare my parents not come back like they promised, how dare they not come see me again, and how dare that judge mouth off to me. So I thought of the two things I wanted most. The end results before Princess Celestia herself came in to stop me was my illegal use of high level necromancy, which I didn't even know before hoof, was half revived parents and turning the judge into an actual female dog, a bitch. My parents got to say goodbye after all, and then Celestia, part out of sorrow for my loss, and though she'd never admit it, part out of fear of my power. Anyway, Celestia became a surrogate mother for me and taught me all I know about magic. Now seven years ago Celestia warned me of her sisters return, and we began to work on getting the elements working. In her knowledge, she recognized the need for my friendship to make the elements work, so she sent me to Ponyville with my half-brother Spike, who I'd accidentally created from scratch back during my magical outburst, to make friends. I did, and when I returned to Celestia to tell her of my friends...." Twilight trailed off as a lump formed in her throat.

"She was there, wasn't she? With Celestia...oh my...Twilight, I am so sorry I brought this up!"

Twilight just shook her head.
"No, I need to tell you this, because until you see how I got better, you might not be able to. Anyway, in my anger I attacked Nightmare, but anger burns through magic faster than any other emotion, love actually boosting magic duration and reserves. Due to this I burned right through my own reserves and Nightmare took me captive and spent the next four hours using me. I did everything to ignore it, then got an idea and pretended it was somepony I wanted to rut me. After that I used my own orgasm to increase my love and through that super charge a spell to teleport me away, replacing myself with a skunk. Still wonder how the skunk felt when the poor guy got licked. From there I spent the next six months in seclusion, too ashamed to go see my friends. Eventually though, I realised that my friends not only needed me, but they would not blame me for what happened, as it wasn't anything I could control." I came back to my friends, formed the resistance, and honestly am pretty damn happy right now." Twilight finished with a large authentic smile that filled Aon with hope.
"So what about you Aon, how was your past?"

Lowering her ears Aon scuffed the ground.
"She wiped my memories....so if I escaped I couldn't go home...It was to make us dependent on her."
The silvery mare felt a hoof wrap around her shoulders.

"Then we can start you remembering things now. Remember when that one mare stood up for you when you first got here?" Twilight grinned, trying not to giggle but failing.

"I..yeah...and how she decided to be nice and help me..." Aon chuckled a bit herself.

"See Aon, you don't need quantity when quality does so much more. Now, how about we go make sure you have a great set of things to remember, eh?"

"M'kay, but may I fifnish eating? I'm starving."

~^~^~^~

Princess Cadence had just gotten back from her scouting mission to find Rarity sitting in the main hall watching Twilight and a pony she didn't recognize chatting across the way. Both seemed to be enjoying themselves, and when the alicorn reached out with her magic, she felt a budding love between the two.
"They seem happy, don't they Rarity?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, but I'm worried about it. The new pony is Nightmare's former slave/consort. I say slave/consort because it wasn't anything she willingly did. Anyway, I just have a worry about it."

Cadence seated herself next to the unicorn.
"I think its for the best. Especially after what I've found our."

Rarity raised and eyebrow at the mare.

"Shining Armour was captured and executed."

Rarity's heart immediately went out to the alicorn, but Cadence stayed her.
"I am an Alicorn, and while it hurts, my heart is built to handle such burdens, such is immortality. Twilight though...her parents, her mentor, her dignity and innocence, and now her brother...I fear for her."

Rarity nodded understandingly before freezing up.
"And Applejack?"

Cadence shook her head slowly and made to put a wing over the mare's back, but Rarity batted her off and rose to her hooves.
"I have things to attend to."

As the unicorn trotted away Cadence reached out with her magic and caught the shortest of glimpses of a down to earth farm mare and a fashionista spending a night together.
'Oh Rarity, I'm so sorry.'
But she did not voice anything, as Cadence knew there was no way to comfort the mare. Rarity'd hardened her heart too much already.

~^~^~^~

Twilight got up with a groan, attempting to pop her back and loosen up her muscles in a futile attempt. Giving a second groan she twisted about, but still to no avail. Suddenly soft hooves pushed her back down to the ground and began kneading at her back gently.

"You know Twilight, you could have told me your back was sore."

Twilight's mind was slowly catching up to what was happening before widening.
"Are you messaging my ba...oh wow that's amazing! Where did you become so good at this?" the mare cooed in comfort.

"With the Queen."

Twilight immediately sat up and broke the message.
"You don't have to do it then, I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Aon pushed Twilight back down and started up again.
"Not a problem. I preferred to message Night Mistress Moon's back. She'd not touch me when I did, and she always fell asleep during the process. Now I'm good at it. Besides, I'm learning to remember what matters most, just like you said."

Aon continued kneading her hooves until slowly but surely Twilight feel into a deep relaxed sleep. Satisfied with her work Aon did what she always did after giving her messages and laid down next to the mare's side to join in her slumber.

~^~^~^~

A fluttering of her eyes and a yawn later and Aon was slowly waking up. It was odd, Night Mistress Moon still held her close. Usually she was on the floor wheezing in pain or some such at this point. Then she remembered she wasn't under Nightmare's control any more. Shifting slightly Aon managed to get a look at a purple hoof that had wrapped around her waist at some point whilst she had slept.

'Umm, do I pull away or- eep!'

In her sleep Twilight had nibbled softly on the back of her neck, causing a tingle of pleasure run down her spine. The mare blushed furiously, but then did something even she didn't expect. She twisted around and wrapped her own hooves around Twilight as well.

'If Nightmare caught me doing this....but, I'm not with Nightmare, and Twilight is a friend...but is this how friends act? I don't know what to do!'

'Then just enjoy the moment young one. You mean more to Twilight than she even realizes right now.'

Unsure of where the voice came from, but not really caring, Aon nuzzled her head in the crook of Twilight's neck and dozed off again.

~^~^~^~

As Twilight awoke she was shocked and worried to find she had wrapped her hooves around Aon and started to pull back. As she did a voice came up from its place tucked into the crook of her neck.

"You're awake. Was wondering when you'd wake up...I guess you want me to let go..."

Twilight blinked a couple of times before answering.
"Um, I do have a tendency to cuddle things in my sleep, but I thought this would upset you."

Aon just shrugged whilst still holding Twilight.
"I've never just slept with another ponies company...it was nice...and it made me feel a little better....sorry, I'm being dumb." Aon finished, beginning to flush and pull away. She got about a hoof length away before the mare held her fast.

Twilight looked into Aon's eyes, recognizing the hurt, the fear, the insecurity hidden behind the mint green orbs. She also recognized a similar look she once held for another pony. The same want of attention and want to please, and the same hope for reciprocation.

Then Aon did something...

~^~^~^~

The idea was flip flopping in her mind as Twilight's beautiful purple eyes. She could say anything, or do anything, but her body actually wanted something. It was a foreign feeling she was unaccustomed to. Then she ducked forward and quickly pressed her lips to Twilight's before pulling back, face red with embarrassment.

"Did you just...kiss me?"

Immediately regretting her brash and most likely absolutely stupid decision, Aon turned and ran into the depths of the underground base, leaving Twilight confused where she sat.

~^~^~^~

Aon ran and kept running, tears beginning to flow from her eyes as she tried to rationalize what she'd just done, but the only thing her mind could come back to was Nightmare Moon pinning her to a wall and groping her as the alicorns tongue probed her mouth.

Disgusted with herself for her actions she kept on running until she hit a dead end, and then in her grief and self pity began slamming her hooves against the wall. She slammed them repeatedly until they began to bleed, and then once that happened she just curled up and cried.

She'd forced a kiss onto Twilight. It was non consensual, and she was no better than Nightmare. She wanted to die.

In one final vent of frustration she slammed a rear hoof into an odd mirror that had been stowed away at the end of the tunnel and shattered it.

Utterly filled with self hate and loathing, the mare slipped into a fitful slumber after laying back down.

~^~^~^~

Aon was awoken be a few relatively gentle pokes and prods to her side. After squirming a bit to try to get away and failing at the endeavour the mare opened her eyes to find Twilight glaring at her.

"You're an asshole..."

Tears building in her eyes from both shame and sorrow, Aon curled up and stared at the ground before her. Twilight would have none of it though, and gripped her chin firmly but gently and forced her to look at her.

"I said you're an asshole, but you didn't let me finish. You see, I have spent every year since my time with Nightmare feeling nopony could ever see something special in me again. That I was just an item to be used. Sure, I got back to being me, but romance? It was so far gone from my mind I didn't even realize when it had returned. Then you kissed me. And then you decided to be an asshole."

With that Twilight leaned in and pressed her lips gently on the tip of Aon's nose, giving it a light peck.

"But then again, so am I sometimes."

Aon just sat there for a moment, shocked at what had just transpired. Then she saw Twilight tilt her head slightly to the side and move in close again.

It wasn't a demand.

It wasn't an order.

It wasn't forced in any way.

It was an invitation, an understanding, and all Aon needed to lean in and kiss Twilight, gently at first, but a bit more firmly before they separated, heat rising in their cheeks.

Aon was the first to speak.
"I...I don't have any memory of ever having kissed somepony because I wanted to...that was...it felt right..."

Twilight could only nod, a sense of pride that somepony could find love, or even just friendly lust, for her. She wanted to feel it again, but apparently so did Aon. They both leaned forward again at the exact same moment and reacquainted their mouths while Aon hugged Twilight close and Twilight ran her hooves gently through Aon's platinum mane.

They spent the next few hours ensuring that neither of them would ever believe that nopony cared for them again.

~^~^~^~

Nightmare Moon was enjoying her little stroll, watching as her shadow played and flickered across the decorations in the hall. She also watched as her second shadow drew nearer and nearer to her.

Just as the second shadow reached her, Nightmare turned and blasted it with magic but felt a sharp pain in her back. Twisting around the alicorn found Rarity with a blood slicked dagger held in her magic.

"Come now Nightmare, you didn't really think I would have been that obvious, do you? I've played match maker for years now, I had to be at least somewhat stealthy."

Nightmare just smirked.
"Unlike that blundering hick Applejack. Stumbled right into my trap. Screamed for mercy when I killed her. Said she'd do anything...and I mean anything."

Rarity's eye twitched in anger, but that's all she allowed herself before firing her own barb back.
"Really now, because that's not what little Aon told me."
Rarity smirked as Nightmare's eyes grew wide.
"Yes, she is quite the little charmer. Anywho, she told us all about how Applejack spat in your face and called you out."
A lie.
"And how Shining had to be beaten by many a soldier before they could even get him in chains."
Another lie.
"So in the need, we have your whore, and we've taken your dignity. Now I will take your life!"

Rarity felt confident. Rarity felt smart. Rarity didn't realize how close to the painful truth she was with her lies.

After Nightmare Moon's scream of rage and anger fueled attack, Rarity would feel no more.

~^~^~^~

Aon was again awoken by a hoof, but it was not gentle this time. A sharp pain shot through her ribs as somepony kicked her harshly. As the mare's eyes snapped open she was appalled to see Twilight manacled and fitted with a magic ring that halted her own magic. Then terror gripped her as Garrotte's sneering face filled her vision.

"So, the consort finally does something useful. You know, there was a one time tracking spell on that ring in your cunt, and you managed to lead us to this haul! Twilight mother fucking Sparkle of all ponies! Oh, and I see you still can't get enough sex."

Just then Twilight got a hoof free from her manacles and drove it into the jaw of another pony but was immediately stopped by magic. Aon had half gotten up, but froze when Garrotte's eyes turned back to her. Then flashed down to her hooves, then to the mirror fragments on the ground.

"Shame you broke that magic focusing mirror. Twilight might have been able to use it to aid her magic, but now she's off to see the queen and either be executed or have that horn removed like yours was. Oh well, I'l be going now, can't wait to see what the rebels think of you leading us here!"

Aon just laid there as tears began to flow. For the next five minutes all the pain and loss flowed through her mind until one memory came up. Twilight telling her to make good memories. Then it all changed. Aon remembered Twilight standing up for her, remembered the mare staying by her side, even when the rebels wanted her gone. How Twilight hadn't left her side once in the past five days, or how the mare had come looking for her not four hours prior. She thought of their shared kiss, and then of their love making.

She wouldn't let that be for not.

She couldn't let that be for not!

The mare went to get up when she nicked herself on a shard of mirror that Twilight must have missed when she cleared a spot for them earlier. She was about to smash it when she noticed her reflection made the shard look like a horn...and then remembering that it was a magic amplifying mirror.

'This will either work or it....it will have to work!'

Griping the shard in her hooves, Aon closed her eyes tight and bit down on a clod of dirt as she braced for what she was going to do next.

~^~^~^~

After spending the past fifteen or so minutes stumbling along tripping over this and that due to the manacles Twilight was finally allowed a reprieve when the guards stopped moving. As she sat she noted how the stallion kept giving her lewd looks, and also noted how when she glared at them they laughed it off as if to ask what a mare could actually do to them.

Then a hoof landed on the small of her back and started sliding down.

The mare did the only thing she could.

Putting on an extremely sultry look, Twilight turned and winked at the soldier.
"If you want to play, you have to let me have a taste first."

Smiling stupidly and nodding his head eagerly the stallion leaned back and allowed Twilight full accesss. The mare did only just enough to ensure 'the flag was at full mast' before wrapping her manacle chains around the disgusting thing and twisting cruelly, the sharpened links meant to discourage ponies trying to remove them instead removing something else entirely.

As the was slammed down and detained the unicorn snarled.
"So any pony else want a happy ending?!"
The result was Garrotte putting a cloth gag in her mouth.

Garrotte then pulled a large but finely honed blade.
"So, you removed my soldiers pride? Well time to do the same to you."
The stallion held Twilight's held still and began moving the blade towards the mare's horn while she struggled in a futile manner, tears beginning to build up.

This was it, she was going to lose her magic...

~^~^~^~

The soldiers all watched as Garrotte cut that first millimetre of flesh, then they all screamed as agony and pain racked their bodies. White/purple fire raced up their legs and over their backs, consuming them like parasprites would a cake. As the soldiers immolated and the forest around them began to burn in the same eerie fire Garrotte removed his attention from Twilight and turned it to a form stepping out of the flames, unharmed and uncaring for their fiery caresses against her hooves.

"Good thing I broke the focusing mirror...somepony needed to use it in their escape..." a soft voice mocked.

The commander's eyes grew wide as none other than Aon walked casually from the flames.

"You know, I lost my cutie mark when the Queen-bitch took my memories, but I think I found a new one. Turns out that I have a thing for fire, just like you have a thing for wire." Aon chuckled oddly as she stepped down on an unburnt piece of grass, only for it to catch flame seconds later.

Garrotte's jaw simply dropped.
"But...I left a full platoon in those caves! How are you even alive? I told them about you, you stupid snivelling whore!"

Aon just smiled serenely.
"You're right, they knew all about the poor wretch that was afraid of everything, but they knew nothing of me. You see, I'm a selfish mare, Commander Garrotte. I have had my taste of freedom, of joy, and of love...yes, I am a selfish mare, and I will not allow those things to slip from my hooves."

That's when Garrotte saw it.

A shard of the mirror, embedded into the mare's skull near perfectly on the imaginary bisecting line of her face.

"Turns out that you could take my horn, but not my magic...funny, just like you could take my freedom, but not my heart...I think I'm going to kill you now."

It wasn't cold, nor callous. It wasn't hate filled nor said with malice. It was but a simple statement of fact from one who had grown weary of another's presence.

Aon took another step forward, more grass igniting, when Garrotte threw his knife with deadly accuracy at the mare only to watch it incinerate within an inch of Aon's face.

She didn't even blink.

The mare suddenly darted forward driving a hoof upwards into Garrotte's chin. The stallion tried to get his own hit in, but had to pull his hoof back due to the intense heat pouring off the mare. This promptly earned him a second hoof to the jaw, letting loose a loud pop as the joint came loose. Garrotte hit the dirt.

"P'eash, do'n 'ill 'e! Ah 'ow 'ere 'or h'amily i' a'!

"That's funny, you sounded like you said you knew where my family was at. Silly, I have no family, your Queen saw to that!"

Garrotte died instantly as a blast of fire carved a hole through the bridge of his nose and out the back of his head.

Immediately after the deed was done Aon rushed over and started freeing Twilight, but her hooves were beginning to shake and her eyes stung terribly from the blood that was trickling down her brow. As soon as Twilight got loose she gave Aon a quick hug and started healing the lacerated skin around the shard of mirror.

"You fool, they could have killed you, you could have just left, what were you thinking?" the lavender unicorn fretted.

"I was thinking that...thinking about you and...and...*blergh*"

Twilight quickly moved closer to Aon and lifted her mane back as she emptied her lunch onto the ground.

"I killed them...I'm no better than her, because I killed them....what have I done?"

Again Aon emptied her stomach contents onto the ground before her as her legs started shaking. Without proper weight support Aon fell to the ground and started sobbing hysterically. Twilight was just about to bend down to help her when the sound of clanking armour reached her ears. On instinct the mare threw up her shield just as eight soldiers stepped out of the woods, followed by eight more.

"Oh, I see. you can't fight a mare one on one, yet your military consists of only males because mares are 'weaker'...you do realize your queen is a mare, right?" Twilight sneered at the growing number of soldiers outside of her shield. Then she broke into action.

Her spherical shield expanded in a flash knocking back the closest soldiers then disappeared. The soldiers still standing immediately charged, but were thrown back as the' vanished' shield rose up from under ground spinning around the mares like a mace.

One stallion, faster and more nimble than the rest, managed to get close but a blast of pure magic burned through his chest armour and dropped him dead in an instant. The other soldiers used this to their advantage and pressed forwarcd, but Twilight erected another shield, this one cutting straight through some of the soldiers and leaving only two alive inside, which lasted for all of two seconds.

With the slight reprieve the lavender mare turned an eye down to Aon, who lay directly underneath her. Bending down and placing a light kiss on Aon's forehead Twilight smiled. When she looked back up, she realized a unicorn fireteam had arrived and they set about chipping away at Twilight's shield.

'This is it...' Twilight noted sadly. 'I can't fight all these ponies by myself...its over.'

Just as Twilight's shield reached it breaking point green flames suddenly swirled around it viciously tearing at all save the two under the lavender dome. Just as Twilight fell from exertion did two large purple and green claws reach down to scoop up the mares.

But Maybe...You Never Needed to Choose

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Like waves rhythmically crashing against the shore, or the steady natural tempo of a heart beating inside one's chest, did pain assail Aon's head as she awoke. She looked up to find blindingly bright white lights pouring into her eyes. As she attempted to raise a hoof to stop the light something stopped her. Then she felt a gentle tugging at her forehead, and a blinding flash filled the room. Everything went black again.

~^~^~^~

Twilight sat impatiently in her chair. She had woken up two hours prior and hadn't left the bedside of the mare who had inflicted such self harm to save her. The knowledge that had the shard been driven a millimetre deeper or a millimetre more shallow would have meant death or failure to connect to the ley lines in the mare weighed heavily on her.

To make things worse, she was the one that had missed the tracking spell on the ring! The tunnels had been found because of her mistake, and Rainbow's life, given to buy Scootaloo enough time to fly to Fluttershy, now meant that the same death weighed on her shoulders. Finally there was the news of Applejack and her brother....

Laying a head gently on Aon's breast, Twilight began to cry, wishing only for her new friend to awaken unharmed.

~^~^~^~

She loves you, you know that? She won't admit to it mind you, to you, herself, or anyone else. After her parents...her mother, Celestia, and now her brother too... She fears losing you, she fears for everypony she loves. Applejack is gone, as are Rainbow Dash and Rarity. As if to rub salt in her wounds, many others she has called friend have died. I know not how you feel for her though, but I plead with you to be good to her, as she will soon need you more than she ever has before. Please take care of her...if not because you care, but at least because she cares for you.

~^~^~^~

Fluttering her eyes, Aon became acutely aware of a soft pressure on her chest. Looking down, the mare realized she was in a hospital bed with Twilight snoring lightly while a bit of drool dampened the sheets that covered her lightly shining fur. A soft, serene, smile graced Aon's lips as she leaned forward and pressed them gently to the lavender mare's forehead before blowing playfully on her ear.

"Wake up Twilight...wake up, your drooling haha."

All Aon managed to achieve was Twilight shifting slightly and twitching her ear. Feeling a little more playful, especially after the last time they were 'asleep' together, Aon licked a hoof and rubbed it on the inside of her ear.

"WAAAH! Wawasat!" the now awake mare yelped loudly shooting her head left and right to look for the perpetrator. Her eyes then fell on the giggling mare she'd been napping on. What was that for?"

Aon just put on a playful smirk and stuck her tongue out.
"You wouldn't wake up. I wanted breakfast. Um, if you didn't mind that is...sorry, that was really forward of me..."

Twilight just giggled lightly.
"Well I'm up now, so I might as well lead you off to breakfast. Come on."
With a lighting of her horn Twilight pulled the covers from her friends form and helped her up. As they neared the door Twilight gave the handle a gesture.
"Care to test your magic?"

'Magic, what magi-oh yeah!'
Grinning a manic grin, Aon reached up to her forehead and rubbed a hoof lightly over the edges of the shard of enchanted mirror she'd driven into her skull.
"How long ago was it? I've been asleep."

Twilight faltered slightly at this.
"Four weeks. The doctors didn't know what to do with you when you first showed up. They attempted to remove the shard, but there was a large magical outburst. They had to replace the shard as precisely as possible, and even when they did, they said that you...tha..." Twilight trailed off as she squeezed her eyes tight, a couple tears leaking out onto her cheeks. "They said you were going to die..."

At this point the voice from before flashed through Aon's mind reminding her of Twilight’s suffering for the past four weeks. As Twilight slowly devolved into sobs Aon wrapped her tight in her arms as the lavender mare wept. And it hurt. It hurt Aon to know that Twilight was so pained. They didn't know how long they sat there, nor how long they cried, but they knew they were not alone.

~^~^~^~

“So uh, this is Spike....er, hi Spike” Aon squeaked. She had never seen the dragon before, but seeing a massive green and purple drake for the first time certainly gave Spike an imposing visage. The dragon let out a deep rumbling laugh as he reached down and rubbed a claw tip gently against Twilight's nuzzling cheek.

"I've missed you mom, and I'm happy to see you're still okay. I'm sorry about the girls...I...I've been...Sweetie Belle is okay, and so are Applebloom and Scootaloo, they've got each other. As for you..." the large drake trailed off as he turned to regard Aon carefully. The mare took a instinctive step back as Spike moved a claw to lift her chin, moving her head to the left, then to the right. "..You saved my mother, and for that I am bound by my Dragon's Code to ensure that should you ever need anything, I will owe you. On another note, I am glad that you are safe, I have heard you are quite the mare from a very reliable source."

Both Twilight and Aon ducked their heads, the former about to voice a joking protest when a message appeared before her. Twilight read it quickly before her eyes steeled.
"Aon, I know you trust me, and I trust you the most out of everypony here right now, outside of Spike. That being said, if you're up for it, I need to run on an extremely hush hush mission. Nightmare Moon is transporting an extremely important prisoner, and I'm going to go get her. I was ho[ing you would come with."

With a bob of her platinum mane Aon nodded, following after Twilight.

~^~^~^~

Twilight and Aon prepared themselves, ensuring every trap was ready and set and that they were properly hidden. Once that was ensured Twilight turned to Aon.

"Are you positive you want to do this. We will have to kill ponies."

Aon sat silent for a moment staring down at her hooves before looking up with fierce determination.
"I'll not sit idly around while you risk your life. If this pony needs saved then we're saving her. Besides...I can't leave you...I...this is probably a terrible time to bring this up, but I think I might be in love with you..."

Twilight's jaw dropped, but as soon as it clacked back into place the tell tale sounds of a carriage reached their ears.

"They're coming!"

Both Twilight and Aon's eyes narrowed in focus as the caravan drew near. They held their breaths in unison as they waited for the tell tale whistling of the first trap. And there it was, followed by agonized screams. With purpose the two mares stepped out from their hiding spot and began their assault.

Twilight immediately put up a shield to protect from incoming spells while tell tale purple flames began to lick at Aon's hooves again. Moving forward steadily Aon and Twilight killed any approaching guards simply before moving to the door of the prison carriage. Being the first to reach it, Aon wrenched the door open but immediately froze as an alicorn with midnight blue fur stepped out.

Paralysed with fear Aon could do nothing as the alicorn stepped forward.

~^~^~^~

Twilight was still crying out against the goods of the worlds as she desperately attempted to cradle the hard, scaled head of what had been her son. Aon could do little other than hold her tight as memories of what had happened flashed through her mind.

"Ni...Nigh....Night M..Mi...Mistress Moon! Please, I am sorry!" Aon yelped as she dropped into the 'consorts bow', meant for easy of access to the consorts privates.

The midnight blue alicorn just looked distastefully at the mare's position as Twilight came up behind Aon and lifted her into a standing position.

"Aon, you need not fear her. This is Princess Luna, the one true princess of the night. Luna, allow me to introduce you to Aon, a dear friend of mine. Luna, Aon may fear you, for she was Nightmare's consort for a time an-"

"And will be again!" Nightmare bellowed from the sky as she descended towards the trio. As she came down further she powered up a spell and fired it, but before anypony could so much as blink a jet of emerald green fire consumed the spell. Turning, Nightmare just barely managed to dodge being snapped up in Spike's strong jaws.

The drake just spun about and eyed up the monster before him.
"Nightmare Moon...you're shorter than I expected...about as ugly though."

The Queen snorted in anger.
"Spike Pendragon, I should have known you would have caused me problems eventually. So, is it true what they say about the dragon race...that they can alter their body to accommodate anything. I might have to try it."

Spike just gave a smirk.
"Sorry, but I have this rule against anything that holds sadistic pleasure in harming my friends or family, besides, I still owe you for what you did to my mother."
With that said the dragon threw himself forward breathing jets of emerald flames as he went.

Nightmare teleported behind Spike immediately firing a powerful blast into the drakes left hind leg, completely severing it and cauterizing the wound with immense magical heat. Roaring in agony Spike returned with his own blast of immolating flames scorching the fur off of Nightmare's right flank causing her to shriek in agony.

The two continued to fight for what seemed like hours more, but eventually Spike's own size played against him as Nightmare took advantage of it as one giant target. Bleeding from a thousand wounds and missing half of his tail, his left hind leg and a good portion of the scales on his stomach having been seared off the brave young drake finally succumbed to his wounds and fell from the sky.

Nightmare Moon fled.

"We will find her Twilight, and we will destroy her." Aon assured as she sat with Twilight, her own tears spilling forth.

Elsewhere that night Sweetie Belle was found to have hung herself, adding two fillies to the list of ponies who wished for Nightmare's destruction.

Because Deep in Your Heart

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Aon pulled her head back slowly, working her jaw to break up the hardened fur around her mouth. Blinking a couple of times at the specific spot she'd pulled her legs from she looked down to find Twilight sleeping in a similar manner. Getting up quietly the mare washed of her face, then did the same for her lover. Once satisfied with both their face's cleanliness Aon curled back up against her mare and nuzzled up under her chin before drifting back to sleep.

~^~^~^~

Twilight awoke to the feeling of warmth tucked under her chin and into her neck. She shifted ever so slightly but halted when she felt the sharp, but gentle, edge of Aon's horn on her neck. Reveiwing everything that had happened before they'd fallen asleep the lavender mare realized Aon must have cleaned her up. That wasn't even the biggest thing Aon had done for her either.

For the past three months Aon had been her rock. Her harbour in the storm. When Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow had died...When she found her brother lost to her...when Spike gave his life to protect her, and when both Sweetie and Pinkie proved to be unable to deal with the daily stress and pain. Essentially every time Twilight wished to curl up and cry, or to simply give up Aon had been there.

Personally Twilight didn't think the mare gave herself enough credit, and despite all her work could still be very skittish and introverted amongst others. Thankfully she'd managed to befriend Luna.

Yes, Luna. Somehow Nightmare had seperated Luna from her being, allowing her to kill Celestia without remorse. Having Luna on their side though, as well as Cadence and, now that Fluttershy's delegations had succeeded, the dragons meant that their odds were vastly improving.

Then Twilight;s thought circled right back to the that currently lay with her.

Aon was breathing lightly and as Twilight rubbed a hoof up the sleeping mare's side, she grinned as she felt the grip that held her tighten and Aon snuggle against her even more. This brought about a distinct pride and pleasure to Twilight, knowing simply that she was cared for by somepony, and that she too cared for that same pony. Twilight was about to close her eyes when the tent flap opened and Luna poked a head in.

"It is time..."

Twilight nodded understandingly as she watched the Lunar monarch leave and let the flap fall back into place.

~^~^~^~

Stirring from the incessant prodding Aon opened her eyes to find Twilight smiling at her. Returning the slightly larger unicorn's smile Aon gave Twilight a loving nuzzle as they both started to stand.

"Morning love. How was your night?"

Twilight gave an equally loving smile as she stretched out her hindlegs, wincing as the naturally 'glued' fur pulled and pinched.
"Need a shower, care to join me?"

Without answering Aon followed Twilight over to the large basin of water they had in their tent and lifted a damp towel, gently wiping at Twilight's nethers gently but firmly as Twilight did the same for her. It was a bit of a morning ritual at this point and both mares rubbed against each other sensually as they did so.

"One of these days we might get smart and just crawl back into the bed and keep going." Twilight quipped.

Winking Aon pulled Twilight forward and kissed her deeply whilst sliding a hoof down between her lovers freashly cleaned thighs just as Luna stuck her head back in.

"Are you two ready ye-oh my stars!"

All three mares let out cries of surprise but quickly found humour in the situation. Giggling madly both Twilight and Aon exited the tent behind Luna and headed for the command tent.

~^~^~^~

Luna stood resolute at the head of the war room, Scootaloo on the far end with Applebloom. Fluttershy was at the far corner of the table with a roguish looking bipedal dragon. That left Twilight and Aon at the corner closest to the entrance.

"From what I understand through my shared dream-link is that Nightmare is still suffering from the burns brave Knight Pendragon inflicted upon her. Due to this, her hold on the talisman that makes the Equestrian military see her as Celestia is failing. We attack, and it will break, leaving her with out support." Luna informed.

Scootaloo was the first to speak up.
"Oh hell the fuck yes! It's about time we took the fight to that bitch! We take out her support, then corner the bitch and blast the fuck out of her with the fucking elements! My marines are sure as fuck ready!"

Fluttershy nodded as her dragonfriend spoke up.
"With a considerably smaller amount of 'fuck's I agree. We attack the queen now, whilst she recovers from her wounds, and demolish her support. When that crumbles we shall then but simply need to corner her and deal with her in the proper manner."

"Kill her." Scoots deadpanned.

At this Luna turned the spotlight to Aon and Twilight.
"What do you two think of this?"

"I will do whatever Twilight wishes, but my opinion of how Nightmare should be handled is not one that can be voiced." Aon spat with a sharp edge to her voice.

Twilight didn't look much happier than Aon and simply nodded.
"She dies..."

"It is settled then. Mobilise our forces, we move out tomorrow at dawn." Luna commanded.

~^~^~^~

Aon was trotting alongside Twilight aimlessly, occasionally kicking the stray loose rock. Neither really had a destination but both were enjoying their time.

"Hey Aon...you know how we're supposed to be planted in Canterlot when the battle starts, and we're to cause a ruckus?"

Aon nodded.

"Well...I was wondering if you wanted to head there early. I heard of this bitching nightclub I wanted to visit."

"The great studier Twilight Sparkle wanting to go to what she describes as a 'bitching nightclub'? Well this day is certain to go down in the history books" Aon laughed giving her lover a nuzzle. "Sounds good. Have a bit of a party before the party."

Nodding the pair made their way to the ferrystone that would teleport them to Canterlot.

~^~^~^~

The bass reverberated to their core as the rises seemed to lift their fur to stand on end. It was a near magically feeling, and they could both feel the tempo making them want to dance wildly. Now to get past the bouncer and into the club.

As they stepped forward, the burly earth stallion blocked their path.
"Reservation?"

Both mares looked at eachother and shrugged.

"Then you aren't getting in."

Twilight was about to object when Aon took action. She sauntered forward playfully, rubbing up against the bouncer's side sensually before flicking her tail at his nose just barely enough to show a glint of the ring that lay at the peak of her treasure.
"Surely you don't require too much to let us in, I'm sure we can come back later and... relieve some stress."

The bouncer sputtered as his face turned red before motioning the two mares inside. As soon as Aon and Twilight were out of his sight, the silvery mare shuddered and shook her head.

"Ugh...no not doing that again...god that was disgusting."

Twilight just gave Aon a loving kiss.
"You are no whore, nor will you ever be."

Aon nodded and shook her head once more before smiling wildly as a new song started up.
"Right, lets go have some fun!"

~^~^~^~

Aon felt every pulse, every little waver, in the music both in her own body and through Twilight's as they swayed, hopped and danced, rubbing and grinding their sides together. A light sweat dampened their fur as they moved to the music. Despite being in a public area, surrounded by other ponies, both mares felt a moistness forming between their hind legs and shared more than a few deep kisses and shared saliva.

Neither seemed to notice the DJ paying them attention, or the creamy white mare in the corner staring. Neither did either notice the greasy looking stallion until he was right behind him. The stallion walked right up, noticing their arousal, and in his mind took it as full permission to reach up and grope them, specifically the 'cute little white on with the ring'.

With a cry of shock and outrage Aon spun around to find a disgusting looking stallion staring at her.

"Come on baby, you know you want me in that tight, sexy cunt."

Before Aon could say a thing a lavender feild of magic wrapped around the stallion's throat.
"Touch my lover again, and I'll tear your fucking legs off!"
With that said she threw the stallion over the crowds and into the far wall. It was only then that she realized the music had stopped. That was when the creamy white mare from the corner appeared through the crowd.

"Follow me please. The DJ would like to personally apologize for that stallion's behaviour and offer you a chance to meet her in pony."

Shrugging, Twilight and Aon followed the mare into the back before entering a room. As they did they both realized they'd stepped into some sort of magical field. Twilight was just charging up her magic when a white furred and blue haired blur shot out of the corner and hugged her.

"Cousin! Holy fuck you're alive!"

Twilight was stunned for a moment before recognizing who it was.

"V..Vinyl?!" Turning, Twilight realized their escort back was actually Octavia. "Tavi? But, we heard you two were dead?"

"We are." Vinyl smiled. "I'm Vee and that's Tavi. The fact that the guards never figured it out is an ode to their own stupidity, but I mean, holy fuck! You. Are. Alive! When I saw you hurl that fucker out there across the room it was all I could do to keep me from running down and hugging you. Oh and look at this! You've got yourself a marefriend!"

The lavender mare grinned at the fact that her cousin hadn't lost her exuberant personality.
"It's good to see you again too Vinyl. Oh, yeah, this is Aon, my lover. We've been through a lot together and at this point there is nobody I trust more."

"Cept for Shining, Spike and the girls, right?" Vinyl joked, but winced when Twilight's eyes fell to the floor. "They are still...no..please no..."

Knowing Twilight didn't have it in her to say it, Aon spoke up.
"Applejack and Shining were both executed by the queen. Rarity died attempting to take revenge. The base we were at was attacked and Rainbow died protecting Scootaloo. Spike died when we managed to rescue the real princess of the night, Luna, and when Sweetie found out she took her own life. Finally Pinkie also took her life a few weeks back, unable to cope with the sombre atmosphere and loss of friends. Lastly, Cadence has fallen terribly ill due to the lack of proper love in Equestria. It was the only thing keeping her alive, but with it fading..."
Aon just trailed off, unable to admit it. Her and Cadence had become good friends over the past months.

Vinyl and Octavia were about to comfort Twilight when the mare looked up.
"That's fine though, because today it all changes! We take the Queen down today, and cousin, I promise to reimburse your club. For now though, we've got an hour left, and I want to make sure I have some fun, m'kay? So how about we get back out there?"

Finding no fault in Twilight's opinion the group moved back out to enjoy themselves, perhaps for the last time.

~^~^~^~

The bouncer, on on Vinyl's orders, started emptying the club of occupants under the guise of 'the DJ feeling ill'. Once the club was emptied of occupants Vinyl expalined to her staff what was going to happen, and if they wished, they could leave, and she would understand. They did leave, but nopony judged them. War was an ugly thing after all.

That left just the four of them in the room. With nothing better to do, Vin yl and Octavia started up the music again while Twilight and Aon began to dance again, waiting for the end to begin.

Right back to grinding together and doing other such things, the pair of dancers got themselves into quite the sam situation as before, the familiar burn between their own legs. They continued, not a care in the world as they dripped on the floor, kissing and nibbling on each other. It was just as the next song started that soldiers burst into the club, hearing from a 'reliable' source that Twilight was there, all according to plan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTvKbcibYmI

As the first two soldiers darted forward Aon and Twilight nimbly skipped around them, blasting them with magic and throwing them across the dance floor. Purple flames began to rise from Aon's hooves and platinum and slivery lighting began to arc over Twilight.

The next group came forward only to find that they could do nothing against the electricity striking them painfully or an oppressive blast of fire crisping their fur. Still dancing to the music, fire and lighting played amongst eachother as Aon and Twilight's fur rubbed against each other.

The mix of adrenaline and the rush from the closeness, the flat out love that they shared for eachother, managed to release itself powerfully.

They did not know over half of the stallions garrisoned in Canterlot were trying to rush into the club, but then again, those stallion never expected to be struck by a magical blast whose epicentre was two mare, panting heavily after their shared orgasm.

"Well...that was...a rush...huh, Twi? How...about we catch...our breath...then head to..the castle?"

Twilight didn't even have words, she just nodded, leaning heavily on Aon who was doing the same.

~^~^~^~

Scootaloo and Applebloom led the soldiers through the streets. This was their day for revenge, the day they could sit down and sigh in relief at the fact that Sweetie could rest in peace. But before all that, this was a different day entirely.

This was the day their enemies would crumble before them.

The hardened young mares tore through the lanes and alleys towards the castle.

On the other side of the castle Fluttershy and her dragon friends moved in from the east. Luna led the crystal ponies from the north, and, a little behind schedule' Twilight and Aon came up from the south.

The final battle was to begin!

You Always Knew, it was with Her.

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Devastation was the only word for it. Sure, Equestria had known death, but never before on the scale it did now. Nevertheless, the rebellion had managed to accomplish their task, and the Equestrian army was quick to side with Twilight and Luna. Those two ponies, however, were currently in their private tent discussing matters amongst the battles survivors.

~^~^~^~

Aon pushed the flap aside and entered just as the doctor turned away from Cadance's motionless form, shaking his head morosely. Twilight threw the scalpel tray across the room and Luna just bowed her head, a couple of tears dropping to the floor.
"We just brought in the last two marines...Scootaloo's unconscious, but going to be crippled...Applebloom is dead."

Letting out a second scream, Twilight then threw the table the scalpel tray was on to the other side of the tent. It upset a black body bag that lay there, revealing a hint of pink mane and custard yellow fur. It was all Aon could do from screaming in rage and instead holding Twilight close.

They were all they had.

"I...I......fuck this...its over...Nightmare ran to the old castle in the Everfree, but the girls are dead, and the elements are useless. I'm done now...I can't keep doing this..." Twilight cried in defeat.

Aon just pulled Twilight closer.
"You can't give up Twi. This is the final stretch. Finish strong, and the-"

"Don't you get it, I can't! I can't finish strong!"

Pushing past Twilight's outburst Aon continued.
"Is that what your friends would want? To see you come this far and quit?"

"My friends are dead!" roared the inconsolable mare. "My parents, my mother Celestia, my son Spike! Everypony I actually ever cared for is dead!"

Aon jerked back as if she'd been slapped, moisture gathering in her eyes before she hardened her resolve.
"Fine, if you won't fight, then I'll have to fight for you...and I'm not dead...but if that's how you feel..."
The silvery mare didn't even finish as she teleported from the room, leaving Twilight to realize what she had just said.

"Aon, wait!"

Too little, too late, Aon was gone.

~^~^~^~

More sure of step than ever before, and with her head raised at it's highest in her life's history, Aon marched up to the castle in the Everfree.

The tyrant had taken everything from Twilight, and that enraged Aon to no end. She was going to do something about it.

~You know you can't win this, right? Your lying to yourself if you think you can.

I know...but I can do something at least. Twilight's given so much for me, but this time I'm giving it all for her. I need to.

And if Nightmare Moon wants to take it all? Your dignity, your pride? Everything. What would you think?

Then it will hurt, but I'm doing this to try and protect Twilight. I can't let her know that Nightmare runs free, so maybe if I can hold Nightmare here, then Twilight will be safe. I won't leave her either, not in my mind anyway.

And when it hurts, and you just want to die?

Then I'll remember the times I shared with her. Those will keep me happy.

And your magic?

Twilight has hers, and it is beautiful. I'm done with you, shut up.

That is fine...~

Aon shook her head, realizing she'd been standing in place for the past five or so minutes.

Steeling herself, the mare began to move forward again.

~^~^~^~

Nightmare glared balefully at the mare that dared enter. She would have struck the former consort down immediately, but her magic was only strong enough for the basics.

"Come to kill me then, have you? To gloat, to rub your victory in my face?" she sneered as Aon entered the room.

"No."

"Then why have you come?"

Aon stared her former mistress in the eyes unflinchingly.
"You haven't the magic to kill me, and I haven't the magic to kill you. I have an offering."

Nightmare raised her eyebrow slightly.
"Go on."

"Twilight...Luna...Scootaloo...all the ponies I know, they just want to live life and be happy. They can't do that with you harassing them, so I offer you this choice. We duke it out now, and you probably win, but at great cost, or you agree never to leave this castle again-"

"Ha! Not likely."

"-in return for my servitude, unfailing, unending. I will be your royal consort." Aon finished, sounding a lot braver than how she felt.

This caught Nightmare off guard, and a sickening smile became apparent.

"I can agree to that. Now, slave, come and please me!"

~^~^~^~

Scootaloo came hobbling in, bloody bandages over her empty left eye socket, more bandages where her left wing should have been, and a bandaged stump where her right hindleg had been. The young mare cast a glance over to the two bodybags and gave a heavy sigh before turning to look at Twilight, weeping in the corner.

"I...who did we lose...aside from 'Bloom."

Rather than speak through her sobbing, Twilight used her magic to unveil Cadence and Fluttershy.

"A lump formed up in Scoot's throat as she dared to ask.
"Where's Aon?"

"I...sh...she..."

"I'm so sorry Twilight. To lose her..."

Twilight lost it then.
"I didn't, I let her go! She went to fight the queen, but I just...the elements are gone...no laughter, no loyalty, no generousity, no kindness, no honesty. its all gone now."

Scootaloo slapped the mare harshly across the cheek.
"Really?!"

Twilight just sat there, shocked that the young mare had just slapped her.

"Its all gone?! When it was just you and Aon, who made sure you smiled?! Who was always complimenting you and supporting you?! Who has never left your side once, excluding today?! Who has given everything she had, regardless of her own fears, to you?! That'd be Aon!" the Scootaloo roared in her drill instructor voice. "And when it got tough, and she stood strong for you and you gave the fuck up to cry?! How about you get your peppy ass out there, huh? You say the elements are dead, I say your a moron. Aon loves you, and she sure as fuck needs you, so move!"

~^~^~^~

The only thing that kept Aon from being violently ill as she felt liquid splash over her face was thar she was able to envision the thighs as a soft lavender rather than harsh black. Somewhere in the back of her mind her body registered that she was getting the same as she'd just given.

"Well my consort, you didn't tell me you'd removed the wire. I take it that means your ready...oh how fun this shall be." Nightmare crooned.

Aon, in her current state, mentally retracted from the world, didn't even register the words, nor the three hoof long and a half hoof wide hunk of smoothed and rounded marble being brought around to her nethers. It was then that reality began to encroach on her fantasy as a agonizing pain tore through the nerves settled in her abdomen. Unable to cope, a scream wrenched itself from Aon's throat as she felt warm blood flow down her thighs.

"Ah, so she does feel after all." Nightmare cackled as she watched Aon writhe in agony for a moment before settling back into her fantasy. Annoyed she hadn't gotten more of a reaction, Nightmare began to pump the object she held in her magic vigorously, but it was too late, and Aon was yet again lost in her imagination.

Aon's fantasy once again began to crumble as a second chunk of marble was felt pressing against her. Though scared out of her main, the mare went back to her thoughts with fury, desperately hoping and pleading it would be enough to survive the imminent onslaught of pain. But it never happened. Instead she felt the stabbing sensation vacate her senses and a pair of soft hooves wrap around her. Aon would have imagined they were lavender, but they already were.

"Twilight?"

Instead of any proper response, Aon received a hug from a heavily distraught mare. After a moment Aon began to decipher the words Twilight was saying.

"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry..."

In response, Aon lifted a silvery hoof to Twilight's chin and guided her lover's lips to hers.

"I love you Twilight."

"I love you too Aon."

"How disgustingly pathetic!"

Both mares turned to see a black alicorn pull herself from a hole in the wall where Twilight had just thrown her.

"It is cute and what not, but what are you going to do now? You're alone, the Elements lost and Love is dead, hahaha, you have failed!"

Twilight rose to her hooves adamantly.
"You claim the elements, kindness, generousity, loyalty, honest and laughter are dead. You think you've killed love because Cadence has passed, you are wrong!"
With this declaration a spark of electricity arced over Twilight's fur.
"When I lost my friends, one by one by one, one mare was always there to console me."
Electricity arced over again, faster and in more abundance.
"When I was ad and alone, one mare brought smiles to my face and always stayed by my side!"
Twilight's eyes began to glow white with power.
"That one mare has given me kindness, laughter, honesty and loyalty, and in doing that embodied generousity."
A tendril of magic stretched out to Aon and flowed over her, cleansing her stained fur and ridding her of her pains.
"And never failing, regardless of my actions, that one mare has given me love!"

Aon and Twilight lifted into the air, magic emanating from their very cores. The air crackled with electric bolts and the walls began to catch flame, purple fire lending an eerie lighting to the castle. Nightmare took a step back in shock.

Lifted and empowered with magic, Aon turned to face Nightmare.
"You see, you can defeat the body, and you can break the mind, but when it comes right down to it....true love and friendship never dies."

The Elements, embodied by two mares who had come to understand the ideals the Elements stood for far more than any other before, channelled the energy forward. As the raw power of Harmony struck Nightmare it seared away her flesh first, followed by her muscles and finally incinerating her bones.

Then it was done.

As power left Aon and Twilight they shared a quick kiss, but as the Element's power vacated Aon, her injuries came back with a vengeance. As Aon felt blood begin to run from between her legs again, her mind was overpowered and shut down from the overload of pain from her nerves.

Everything went black.

Epilogue

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The years pass long,
and lo do I turn and see,
that no matter the twists and turns,
my loved ones always there for me.

~^~Eleven Months After Nightmare's Death~^~

Commandant Scootaloo was limping her way along, using her right wing to offset her missing right hindleg. It didn't take her long to reach the large crystalline slab that stood as an eternal memorial for all who fought and died for Equestria. The battle scarred mare sat and scanned the names, quickly picking out those that meant most to her.

Rainbow Miriam Dashia~Element of Loyalty~Died to protect those she stood alongside~Survived by daughter Scootaloo and Twilight Sparkle

Applebloom Apple~One of the Three Original Equestrian Marines~Died protecting her fellow Marines~Survived by her comrade Scootaloo

Sweetie Belle Bedioun~One of the Three Original Equestrian Marines~Died of a broken heart~Survived by her comrade Scootaloo

Scootaloo took a moment to remember those three before she continued scanning the memorial.

Altion Imperius~High Drake Prince~Died with his life partner at his side~Survived by Twilight Sparkle and High Drake King Immortus Imperius

Fluttershy Imperius~Element of Kindness~Died with her Life partner at her side~Survived by Twilight Sparkle and High Drake King Immortus Imperius

Rarity Bedioun~Element of Generosity~Died for the mare she loved~Survived by Twilight Sparkle

Applejack Apple~Element of Honesty~Died defiant to the end~Survived by Twilight Sparkle

Pinkamena Diane Pie~Element of Laughter~Died of a broken heart~Survived by Lance Corporal Inkamena Pie, PFC Blinkamena Pie, and Twilight Sparkle

Spike Pendragon/Sparkle~Son of Twilight Sparkle and Champion of Equestria~Died putting family and his Dragon Code before all else~Survived by Twilight Sparkle

Prince/Captain of the Royal Guard Shining Armour~Brother of Twilight Sparkle and Husband of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza~Died for his country and family~Survived by Twilight Sparkle

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza~Princess of Love and Wife to Shining Armour~Died of broken hearts~Survived by Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna

Celestia Solara~Friend to all ponies~Died so that her little ponies may continue on~survived by everypony.

Scootaloo couldn't help but smirk at the last one. She remebered the fight Twilight put up to ensure Celestia was remembered as a loved pony, not as a princess. Standing again, Scootaloo snapped a quick salute before turning a smooth about face and marching off, singing a military song Sweetie and Bloom had come up with loudly and proudly.

~^~^~^~

Twilight awoke, finding herself alone in her bed. Memories of all her mistakes, all her foolish decisions, coursed through her. Tears began to build as she felt empty inside, wishing somepony was there for her.

And then there was.

"Oh love, we're telling Luna about those nightmares today. No more 'well she is too busy's or 'I don't want to worry her's." Aon assured as she held Twilight close. "Now dry your eyes, I'm here, and nothing can change that, I promise."

Twilight gave a nod and a few more sniffles before smiling.
"I don't know where I'd be without you. I love you Aon."

They pair kissed for a moment before parting.

"Now come, Luna wished to tell us something, and I know you hate missing breakfast." giggled the silvery mare as her horn refracted a flash of rainbow across Twilight's face. "But I heard there are cinnamon rolls, so..."

"No magic, race you down!" the lavender mare cried as she scampered past Aon.

"OH! You are on!"

~^~^~^~

Luna was going over the papers that lay stacked before her. The first was an official declaration from the High King Drake Immortus. Apparently Fluttershy and his son had married, and that meant peace and companionship between their nations. Luna couldn't help but smile, as her last memories of dragons had been of their constant assault on Equestria. That was in the past though.

The second paper was a full report on the crimes of the traitor Blueblood, who had sold out Celestia's position to Nightmare upon her return in exchange for power. Luna put that paper to her right.

The next few papers were casualty reports, reports on monetary and food based issues and reports on damages. After reading through another eight or nine Luna found the two she was looking for, couple with a pair of small boxes.

Lifting the boxes first, the alicorn opened them and noted the two circlets held in the larger box, one purplish obsidian with an amethyst gem in the crown, the second a white gold with an emerald in the crown. She then opened the second box to find two horn rings, granted one was more rectangular shaped, but horn rings nonetheless.

Upon the door opening Luna shut the boxes and placed them with the report on Blueblood.

"Ah, Twilight, Aon! a good morning to you tw....oh, you were just bolting for the cinnamon buns, they are quite delicious. Anyway, as I was saying, good morning. I have three papers for you both, as well as two boxes.

Luna stopped to note that both mares had turned to look at her attentively.

"The first is the list of Blueblood's crimes. His punishment is your choosing."

Twilight ground a hoof into the carpet, but a soothing rub from Aon's hoof calmed her.

"Next, I've received your legal documentation and rings! We can have the wedding whenever you wish it!"

Luna took a moment to let the pair giggle with joy and share a quick kiss.

"Now finally, you two know I put to vote amongst the ponies, a poll in each town, as to who they wished to lead the country. I gave them many options, and I have received what the ponies wished."

This was exciting news indeed, for it meant that the future of Equestria was now at a pivotal moment.

"I also gave the option of other as well as the option to keep the monarchy, but have a new ruler. The votes came in at a 50/50 tie. Half the nation wishes for me to step down...the other half wish for you two to lead our nation. The ponies have made their decisions, and as per custom since it was a tie, we must accommodate both. Therefore I step down as lone ruler of Equestria."

At this Twilight and Aon's mouths hung wide open.

"And take my place as one of the three Princess Sisters once again! Welcome Twilight, welcome Aon, and might I add, you two will most likely do better than I ever could!" Luna declared, drawing the two close in a sisterly embrace as she placed their tiaras upon their brows.

For their parts Aon and Twilight were speechless, but they knew one thing. They may not know what the future would hold for them, and they may not have had as much support as they might have had before the war, but they had each other, and that was enough.

Author's Notes:

Woooo! Got the epilogue/prologue done!

Yes, I made up some last names for the memorial wall, toguh shit(honestly, you do realize how many ponies have a variation of Sweet in their name or some shit like that?

Anyway I hope for a crack fic that I needed to introduce an alt universe it was decent and you all enjoyed it. I will now begin work on my original idea which will take place about two years after Twilight and Aon have started ruling with Luna.

The basis for it is somepony is trying to kill Luna, and its down to Aon and Twilight to stop it(cause if anypony else stopped it it wouldn't be dramatic enough lol)

Finally, for anypony wondering about the song Commandant Scoots sang as she marched away, well here's the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sam4lq2WHos

Because 'Ohh-fucking-rah', that's why!

One Pony

by Resurgent Wanderer

Your Place

Is or Isn't with Her...Objectively

But Maybe...You Never Needed to Choose

Because Deep in Your Heart

You Always Knew, it was with Her.

Epilogue