Sunlight poured into the bedroom slowly through the drapes, gradually brightening her vision as she laid on the bed and stared upward at the ceiling.  Twilight Sparkle had awoken in the early hours of the morning from a dreamless sleep and with little movement.  Her mind coming out of a cloudy haze and slowly beginning to register everything around her.  When she was aware of how early it was the librarian decided to simply lay in the comfort of her bed.  Her muscles ached slightly but the pain had been lessening with Zecora's medicine applied to her body.  All with the help of the person that laid beside her.  

Spike was sleeping quietly, both of them naked from the previous night.  When he was asleep like that he had such an innocent expression, one she always enjoyed being able to witness.  A comfort from being reminded of the strong bonds of love and friendship between them.  It made her heart swell and ache all at once in a ball of confused emotions.  She wanted to cuddle up against him, hold him close against her chest like a little girl with a stuffed animal or a mother with her child.  Though she didn't move for fear of waking him.  Neither were in a state of dress that made her think an embrace like that would lead to anything innocent.

She'd removed the sheet from her body and laid exposed to the air.  Wondering when exactly things had gotten so confusing with their relationship.  At what point did physical contact become something she had to fear instead of enjoy?  How did she get to the point where she was inviting the boy she loved like family into her bed at night, naked and pleasuring himself with her body?  Twilight Sparkle had always been in control of things, even things that were chaotic in nature.  Directing their flow towards positive ends all in an effort to help and protect the people who were important to her.  But now she was capable of making mistakes that filled her with shame and she did them repeatedly.  Why was that?

Was it for sex?

That seemed like the most logical answer at face value.  She was using Spike to fulfill her physical desires because he wouldn't refuse her when she asked for it.  But with the question posed to herself Twilight felt like it was wrong.  It was true she'd enjoyed their one real time making love in the heat of the moment but something about it had still felt wrong.  Or at the very least as if she'd rushed into something they shouldn't have done so soon.  If not for Rarity's encouragement they probably wouldn't have done it at all.  

Rarity.  She'd been the spark where things had gotten out of hand.  It was true Twilight had pushed the boundaries herself as she'd become curious, using her mouth to pleasure Spike and kissing him when he started talking about his interest in other girls.  But to her at least there was still a line that hadn't been crossed.  Using her hands to give him relief at night had become just another task to make him feel better and she'd rarely thought anything more of it after she'd help him get to sleep.  When Rarity had decided to take things to the next stage Twilight panicked and began questioning everything about herself.  Which lead to a three way with two of her closest friends in her bedroom.  Which lead to Spike sleeping in her bed, naked, with her.  But did all that start with Twilight's need for sex?  She didn't even feel that much of a need to be honest.  The acts they'd taken up to this point were more for his satisfaction than her own.  

Was it jealousy?  

It was scary to consider but this one felt more accurate than the previous reason.  Up until Spike began showing his signs of maturity with that impulsive fire he would exhale she'd never considered her old fashioned hand remedy to be something he wouldn't want.  When Spike had turned her down that night and instead asked for the medicine something went off in her mind.  Something that scared her enough to make her lie to Spike and make him pass up the medicine for her own treatment.  She'd even become aroused when he was forced to accept her over the medicine.  An act that had felt strange even to her at the time but she'd embraced it regardless.  

Believe it or not the idea of Spike having a girlfriend didn't bother her.  Spike dating a girl his own age actually excited her when he first began to explore those options for himself.  She wanted him to be happy and if dating someone made him that way then as long as they didn't do anything inappropriate she didn't mind.  But then Rarity ended up being the one to take both Spike's heart and his virginity.  Twilight didn't think Rarity would hurt him and she didn't wish ill on her friend but the idea of the two of them together scared her.  So much could go wrong and frankly it already had.  What if things get worse?  On top of that when Rarity had taken this action on her own Twilight had felt completely betrayed.  Was it that she was jealous of her beautiful friend or just scared they'd end up hurting each other and her eventually?  She didn't want anyone to feel pain.  

Was it for power?  

This was even worse to consider, making Twilight curl up on the bed as she processed it in her mind.  Spike was loyal to her, now and forever.  He was his own individual and had his own likes and dislikes.  They even argued at times but rarely ever fought seriously.  Still no matter what if she had asked Spike for something he would do it for her.  It was a terrifying power to have over someone, especially one that you loved.  Making a person follow your wishes against their will didn't sit well with her.  

She would never force Spike into something that would hurt him.  Twilight wanted to believe that in any case.  That she'd sooner sacrifice herself than let harm befall any of her precious friends.  So she didn't believe that the events that had taken place between them were motivated by anything as vile as a desire to have power over another.  Perhaps at times she was a bit too heavy handed and arrogant in what she thought was right, but outright forcing someone to do something against their will didn't make her feel good.  Besides if what she remembered last night was any kind of an indicator Spike wasn't unwilling to feel pleasure when she was involved.  

Was it for love?  

That was the question that put the most stress on her heart.  Twilight's hand clutching over her chest as she questioned this of herself.  Yes she did love Spike.  She loved him so much she couldn't even think of a life without him in it.  But was this a lustful love as Rarity had proposed?  A desire to use Spike as a replacement for a romantic love she yearned for like Cadence had suggested?  Or was there something more to it beyond all of this?  

Despite all the sexual acts between them Twilight still thought of him as her baby brother.  As the little one in her life she needed to protect and keep safe.  Of her constant companion she could turn to him for help with the many things that she wasn't skilled at herself like house work, cooking or cleaning.  The mind that she could speak to and get an honest answer back from.  Yes she loved him but he wasn't who she thought of when she thought of a husband or a boyfriend.  He simply was love in a pure form to her.  So why had she done the things she'd done before?  A hand job at night to put him to bed wasn't the issue, neither of them had given it much thought past the first time.  It was all the things that had built up from a certain point.  

From the time he'd been with Rarity?  It seemed likely.  From the time he'd begun to show his issues with his fire breathing problem?  That was a clear point of Twilight's weakness beginning to show.  From the night they'd first kissed?  That seemed so insignificant and so long ago.  Most would probably call that act taboo but Twilight didn't feel like that was the moment that changed their relationship.  Though... she'd decided to give him a blow job directly afterwards.  Why take things that far?  Why feel so threatened by Rarity when she wanted Spike to find happiness with other girls?  

Was she scared of being left alone? 

She looked at Spike's sleeping face in the morning light and studied it.  He looked so much older than when she thought about him in her mind.  They'd lived in the village for years but she never stopped to consider how much time had passed since they day she first arrived and made all of her wonderful friends.  They were all so young back then but now they were older, getting older still, growing up.  Spike wasn't an exception and he was going to become a man one day that would have his own life to live.  Would that life have her in it?  That question alone scared her and she didn't want to know the answer.  She wanted to reach out and hug him.  To wrap her arms around him and press his face to her breast so she could feel his warmth.  Feel the security of him always being there with her.  

But she refused herself that comfort.  She couldn't ask that of him while she was in this kind of emotional state and off the cusp of what they'd just done the night before.  Twilight had to determine something for herself if she was ever going to be at peace with the way their lives were headed.  Raising her hand Twilight used her magic to find a shirt to throw over herself and sat up slowly in bed.  Spike had seen every part of her more than once now but she wanted to retain a little modesty if she could.  Getting out of bed and onto her feet she heard Spike grumble a little and roll around towards her.  "Twilight?"  He asked in a tired voice, eyes still closed which the girl appreciated since she couldn't locate any shorts to cover herself.  

"Morning Spike."  Twilight said and found she sounded just as tired despite having been awake for a while now.  "I'm going to take a shower first, okay?"  

"Okay."  Spike said and yawned.  After a moment he spoke up again.  "Do you want me to start breakfast?"  

"No, I'll get that too.  You just rest up, okay?"  

"Okay, if you're sure..."  Spike said leaving it open for her to accept his offer still if she desired.  But she'd made up her mind.  

"Yeah, I want to get cleaned up and I'll get it ready while you're showering.  No worries."  Her voice became a bit cheerier and Spike relented to her energy, still not awake enough to argue who should do the chores for the other.  Twilight managed to get into the bathroom without Spike seeing the show she'd put on below the waist and threw the shirt off for all the good it had done her.  Turning the water on to give it a chance to heat up she looked over her back.  There was still some bruising around her shoulders and neck but it wasn't the horrible blacks and purples it was just days ago.  She really owed Zecora a lot for helping Spike get that medicine for her.  With any luck Applejack and Pinkie were having just as rapid results.  

Stepping into the shower she let out a relieved sigh feeling the hot water hit her skin.  There were a lot of hours until tonight when she needed that medicine applied again.  By that time she needed to figure out how to approach the situation with her assistant.  With him going over to Rarity's tomorrow she didn't have another opportunity to figure this mess out in her own head before he was off to spend the night in another woman's bed.  It was an uncomfortable situation to be sure but like all past problems they'd faced Twilight would make sure to solve it.

**********

Spike had laid in bed long after he was truly awake but kept his eyes shut and still as it was just too comfortable to get up.  Not that there was a reason to, Twilight was still using the bathroom and he might as well stay where he was till she was done.  Thankfully the drapes kept the sun out just enough to let him enjoy the remaining darkness left of the morning to be lazy in.  When he heard the shower stop and Twilight come out of the bathroom Spike kept still and laid in place.  Predictably she went back inside to get dressed, most likely in her robe when she had emerged.  After some more time had passed Twilight came out of the bathroom again and walked by the bed, petting Spike's hair.  "Okay, it's all yours."  

"Don't you know it's dangerous to wake a sleeping dragon?"  Spike asked and he felt Twilight ruffle his hair more.  Not that he minded, her fingers felt great against his scalp.  

"Last I checked you were only Dragon-Blooded."  Twilight said happily.  "I'll see you downstairs."  

"Okay, thank you Twilight."  Spike yawned out as she exited the room and closed the door behind her.  He figured it was about time to start moving if she was already up and around so Spike forced his body up and swung his feet around to the edge of the bed.  His body felt like he'd been laying there for close to four years now with how little it wanted to do anything.  Still he fought the powers of laziness to make his way to the bathroom and closed the door behind him.  Using a towel to clean off the steam on the mirror to get a look at himself.  "Oh yeah... I'm naked."

He'd kind of forgotten that he'd spent last night completely in Twilight's bed after applying her medicine and then applying some of himself to her back.  It was kind of hard to believe that all of that had happened so casually.  Maybe it shouldn't have been shocking with everything they'd been through up to this point but he was constantly off balance as to what he was supposed to be doing with the women around him.  Their encouragement usually swaying him towards where ever it was they wanted him to be.  Was he weak willed or just that confident what he was doing was the right thing?  The fact he kept most of it a secret from everyone didn't seem to indicate it was the latter of the two options.  Regardless he got in the shower and dressed himself quickly to follow Twilight downstairs.  

"About time sleepy head."  Twilight said as she was preparing some pancakes for their breakfast.  He could see the glint of small gems in the one she was making and licked his lips at the sight.  

"You added some gemstones for me?"  Spike asked happily.  

"Well that is the way you like them."  Twilight answered and used her magic to easily transport the pancake to a plate.  Carrying both over to the table she sat with Spike as they ate breakfast.  "Hope I cooked them all the way through.  I don't think I can actually burn gems of their flavor."

"Nah, I can smell it.  They're great, thanks Twilight."  

"My pleasure."  After passing around some syrup and jam for the toast she'd already brought to the table and the two began to settle in and Spike decided to start the morning conversation. 

"Going to go see Pinkie and Applejack today like you were thinking?"  Spike asked curiously.  

"You know I think I will."  Twilight answered.  "It's not till after lunch so I'll stick around here until then with you if that's okay."  

"Well yeah, you live here too."  Spike answered with a laugh.  "I'll head out at that time too, I'm gonna go out to eat for lunch."  

"Oh?  Did you want to join us?"  Twilight offered and while hanging around those three pretty girls was usually fun he had something else to take care of.  

"I would but I want to make a stop somewhere else on the way back, so I'll be fine on my own.  Don't want to be a third wheel... or is it fourth in that case?  I guess then it's just a normal set of wheels so that wouldn't be a problem?  Unless it was a tricycle that-"  

"It's okay, I get it."  Twilight answered with a smirk.  "Alright then, sounds like a plan to me."  The librarian answered and Spike kept eating happily.  Despite the odd but pleasurable night before things were going really smoothly this morning.  She seemed so relaxed and even happy.  This was exactly what he'd been wanting to see ever since the madness had started forever ago.  Things returning back to normal in some way no matter how much they had changed.  

**********

"Ah just wish everything could go back tah normal."  Applejack said out loud as she held her face in her hands.  "Apple Bloom was mah sweet, darling, pure lil' sis'.  Completely innocent and naive tah the world."  

"Well I wouldn't say completely innocent, darling."  Rarity replied as she poured her some coffee at her table.  The two sharing an impromptu breakfast get together when Applejack had shown up on her door this morning looking for someone who could give her advice on a very unusual and delicate matter.  "I mean if she was trying that then I'm sure it's not her first time enjoying herself."  Rarity reasoned and she heard Applejack make a sound somewhere between disgust and despair as she pondered that.  "You're very worked up over something that's completely natural.  I mean you've done it before too, haven't you?" 

"Well... yeah, ah reckon ah have."  Applejack admitted as she lifted her head up.  "Ah just never thought about... y'know..."  

"Someone else in your family doing the same thing?"  Rarity asked as she sat across from her friend and delicately ate at some fruit she'd assembled on their plates.  

"Crikey Rarity, ah walked in on it.  She fell off the bed she was so spooked."  Rarity covered her mouth and did her best to hold back a laugh at the idea.  Applejack gave her a stare and she cleared her throat quickly. 

"Sorry!  I'm sorry it's just picturing it was too funny."  Applejack sighed and Rarity regained her composure.  "Well it seems like this behavior is unavoidable at her age.  Has anyone had a talk with her about these sorts of things yet?"

"Granny gave 'er the run down on the birds and the bees if that's what yer askin'."  Applejack replied, making a face that showed she remembered that talk herself and how uncomfortable it was.  Thought that didn't quite strike what Rarity was trying to get at.  

"Well it's good that she's educated but I was referring more to, let's see how to phrase it?  The relationship between a boy and a girl and what it should be?"  

"Oh, well ah guess we've never really talked about anything like that before."  Applejack admitted as she considered it.  

"Apple Bloom is a smart girl but she's still young.  It might be a good idea to really talk to her about sex and what to avoid in case some boy decides to swoop in on her and convince her to try something like a roll in the hay."  Rarity watched Applejack's eyes changed from wide eyed fear to horror to anger at the idea of some boy taking advantage of her little sister.  

"Positively, absolutely not gonna happen!"  Applejack declared out loud for all it did to help the situation. 

"All the more reason to have the talk with her."  Rarity replied and Applejack grumbled, looking away still upset.  "I know it's not comfortable but it might go better than you think.  I already talked with Sweetie about this and she responded to it more maturely than you'd think."  

"Really?  So it was that easy?"  

"Well... easy isn't the word I'd use."  Rarity replied remembering that morning.  "In fact she hit me with a lot of questions that nearly knocked me out of my chair.  But we at least covered what was proper behavior.  Not too soon either, apparently there's a boy that fancies her and she's been wondering what to do about him."  

"You don't think Apple Bloom has a boyfriend too do ya!?"  Applejack asked with more concern than was probably warranted, but Rarity tried to stay sensitive about the subject despite how amusing her overreactions were. 

"Well it's possible..."  Rarity noticed Applejack's eye twitch a little at the suggestion.  "Or not.  Has she expressed any interest in boys to you?"

"Not a once.  Ah can't remember her ever talkin' 'bout anything like this before."  Applejack said with a sigh.  "Ah dunno, ah'm not cut out fer this kinda stuff.  But ah can't leave it alone now, y'know?"  

"Well... considering she's already 'active' so to speak there's always something you could do to possibly head off any future behavior with boys."  Rarity suggested but was trying to hide the hesitation in her voice.  Not sure how Applejack was going to respond to what would come next.

"Ah could try hosin' her down but ah don't think that's the best way to handle things before school every day."  Applejack suggested and Rarity couldn't tell if it was a joke or not.  Instead she just pressed forward. 

"Well rather than try to quell the behavior it might be best to re-direct it in a way that's more appropriate.  You said that when you caught her in the act she was using a pillow?"

"Certainly wasn't practicing her rodeo skills, ah'll tell you that."  Applejack said looking down at the table, not pleased to recall that image.

"Okay, that thought aside, she's obviously experimenting to try other things.  Maybe getting her a toy that's meant for this will keep her satisfied before she decides to turn to a boy for her desires?"  

"A... toy?"  Applejack asked looking confused.  "Rare, ah think Apple Bloom's a little old for me buyin' her toys and just forgettin' all her problems."  

"No no no, not that kind of toy.  I mean... Applejack, have you never used a 'personal assistant' to please yourself?"  Rarity asked genuinely surprised and the farmer blushed and pulled her hat down over her face. 

"Now we're gettin' in tah what ah do in the bedroom?"

"Well it is a little surprising you don't know.  Then again I guess you are a little innocent yourself.  It's really an adorable trait you have."  Rarity complimented and Applejack just kept hiding behind her hat.  

"Well ah might not be as worldly as yerself but ah know stuff!"  Applejack said in a fluster.  

"Just a moment, deary."  Rarity said and left the table, heading upstairs.  When she was gone Applejack gulped down some of her coffee and looked to get a grip on herself.  It was embarrassing but Rarity was right, Applejack really wasn't that good when it came to sex or relationships.  That kind of stuff was just so alien to her considering she spent so much of her time on her work and her family.  She wasn't completely ignorant of it but of the few times she'd ever gotten "physical" with another man they often didn't stay together for long.  She was just too busy for a relationship and so many boys were so needy.  When Rarity returned she was carrying something in her hand that was both a familiar in shape to her and not at all with how she was holding it.  "Here we are."  

"Well uh... that's.. er..."  Applejack looked for the words to describe the purple phallic shaped object in Rarity's hand.  It was translucent so when the sunlight hit it through the window it had an almost pretty glow to it.

"This is a dildo, Applejack."  Rarity said clearly.  "Mine to be precise.  Can't say I ever expected to show it to anyone but here we are."

"And... you're showing it to me because?"  Applejack asked grasping at straws here.  

"You should get one for Apple Bloom."  

"Do what now?"  Applejack asked, her eyes completely wide from the shock of the words she was hearing and the things that were in front of her.  

"I'm serious.  Sit her down, have a talk with her about boys and let her have one.  It's a lot safer than letting her use any object she can find around the house or looking for another person to experiment with."  

"Hoo boy.  I mean... you're suggesting I really give something like that to my little sister?"  Applejack asked completely flustered, her eyes transfixed on the object in Rarity's hands.  The seamstress began to slowly move it back and forth, watching her friend's green eyes follow along.  When Applejack noticed the huge smile on Rarity's face she looked away to her coffee and grumbled.  

"Oh my goodness I am so glad you came over this morning."  Rarity said nearly laughing out loud.  

"Ah'm startin' tah regret it."  Applejack responded but sobered up.  "Maybe you're right.  Ah can't just ignore what's goin' on.  She's my baby sis but she's a growin' woman too.  Just... she's gettin' too big too fast."  

"I understand completely.  The same thoughts about Sweetie Belle go through my mind these days too."  Rarity agreed, putting the toy under the table so it wasn't so present during their morning meal.  "But as big sisters we have to do our best to help them through it.  Give them guidance where we can."

"Yeah, yer right.  Thank you for talkin' 'bout this with me Rarity.  Ah really needed a friend's ear to bend on a tricky subject."  

"Of course, any time!  After all as a fellow big sister there isn't many other girls I can talk to about Sweetie Belle either."  Getting up from the table again Rarity went to get a piece of paper and pen, writing something down and bringing it back for Applejack.

"What's this?"

"The address for a store that has the kind of item you need and is very discreet about who they sell them to."  Applejack noted it was a place where she'd shopped before for all sorts of knickknacks and she'd never seen anything like this in there before.

"Wait a tick, are you sayin' they sell those things there!?"

"That's right."  

"Granny shops in there all the time!"  Applejack said in shock as if that was supposed to mean something.

"Well a lot of people do, though I doubt they shop for those kinds of products.  Just ask the girl at the counter for what you're looking for and she'll help you.  Also I'd look into getting one for yourself."  

"F-f-fer me!?"  

"Oh certainly, it really helps during those dry spells."  Rarity said with a smile that let Applejack know she knew exactly what she was talking about. 

"Well... ah guess ah could."  Applejack said with a blush.  "And they fer sure won't go blabbin' about it?"

"If they did you'd have known about mine a long time ago."  Rarity said with a wink.  "Mind helping me clean up?  I'll need to open the shop soon."  

"Sure thing, ah'll be headin' out myself."  Applejack and Rarity got up from the table and took their dishes to the kitchen to clean up.  "This has been one heck of a morning."  

"I bet it'll be one heck of a night too."  Rarity said with a giggle.  

"Ah didn't say ah was gonna get one fer me!"  Applejack said with a blush as red as any apple.

"Didn't say you wouldn't either."  Rarity remarked and the farm girl grumbled but didn't dispute her.

**********

After a mostly uneventful morning of returning books to their places on the shelves and helping a handful of people in the library Twilight and Spike were finally out of the building for their lunch break.  As promised Spike broke off from Twilight about half way to her destination and headed towards Sugar Cube Corner instead.  She wasn't sure what Spike had planned to get there but maybe he had a sudden craving for sweets?  Twilight just hoped he didn't plan to spend his entire lunch in the bakery as that would lead to an upset stomach tonight and he was old enough to know better than to eat himself sick.  

Stopping for just a quick nibble at a sandwich stand the girls enjoyed they were all soon off towards Fluttershy's place for the welcome wagon of exotic creatures.  By the time they had arrived Fluttershy and Zecora were already welcoming in monsters that were being unloaded from steel cages that had been rolled in off the train and into a caravan of carts.  It was an unusual system of delivery and one that had attracted a lot of attention from the locals but thankfully nothing had gotten out of hand so far.  All of the monsters behaving and waiting their turn to be unleashed and escorted to the forest entrance.  When Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie Pie had arrived Zecora and Fluttershy were seeing off a giant snake that had been part of the parade of monsters Fluttershy had gathered to battle King Devour.  Pinkie was understandably afraid and kept her distance while Twilight was taking the time to admire the creature before it was sent on its way.

"So you've been doing this all morning with each individual monster?"  Twilight asked Fluttershy and Zecora.  

"Oh yes, it's important to let them all know the rules before we let them go into the forest.  I don't want any of the monsters to misunderstand things and get in trouble again."  Fluttershy explained happily, seeming right in her element with this work.

"I find it isn't too much to be asked.  We both live in the forest so it is a necessary task."  Zecora replied, having just as much reason to be here as Fluttershy did if not more.  The next cage coming up next had a wolf like monster in it with a large snout and long fangs hanging past its bottom jaw.  The two guards that were moving the cart forward that held the cage let down the back door of the cart and unlocked the cage door to swing it open, allowing the creature the freedom to exit.  Standing at attention at either side of the cart they kept a close eye on the creature as it exited and looked around cautiously before being called over by Fluttershy's voice.  As if magically drawn it ignored everyone else and approached her first.  

"What is that thing?"  Twilight asked curiously of the monster.  

"It's a Chupacabra."  Fluttershy explained at the beast came closer and sniffed her hand.  "He was one of the first monsters I met in the maze.  Aside from this little one."  Fluttershy said as she motioned to the imp on her shoulder, her hand now petting the beast.  "There should be some wild rams near the mountains for it to feed on so I do think he'll want to stay close to the village."  

"Fascinating."  Twilight said as she watched the monster.  "Wait I just realized, Rainbow Dash isn't here."  

"Our weather controlling friend got called into work."  Zecora explained.  "By the look on her face she seemed very irked."

"It's okay though."  Fluttershy said.  "I'll be seeing her tomorrow to spend some time with her.  I think she was more worried about something happening than actually seeing the monsters.  But there's nothing to be concerned about."  The young lady explained as she motioned for the beast to go off into the woods, the creature smelling the ground and air as it took careful steps forward and past them both.  "I'm happy you all came by to visit too.  It's nice you're willing to be here when they leave for their new lives."  She was praising them for their group support but Twilight wasn't sure if Fluttershy understood everyone's motives.  Truth be told all the girls had agreed to come out here to see more than monsters but really only two were making good on that group decision.  

Pinkie Pie was chatting up the guard that Twilight remembered was named Spearhead.  In fact both the guards that had flown them to the castle during the incident involving these monsters being freed from stone were here.  As far as Twilight could remember Pinkie had made quite a first impression by giving the guards some of her delicious muffins for breakfast.  Now she was currently showing off her "muffins" with about the lowest cut tank top Twilight had ever seen the girl wear.  When questioned about it at lunch Pinkie had just replied that if you wanted to bake a cake with someone you had to show you had the right ingredients.  Seemed like it was working for her.  

"Soooo you bring in all these monsters by hand?"  Pinkie asked as she kept step with Spearhead, looking up at him as he and his partner were pushing the cart back to the road to get the next one.  "That's really impressive, it must take a lot of strong muscles to push and pull all these carts by hand."

"Well it was by order of the Princess Celestia herself."  Spearhead said, doing his very best not to look at the cleavage that Pinkie was very proudly displaying.  "So we're simply following our orders, nothing really out of the ordinary for us guards."  He said trying to sound as professional as possible.  His partner less concerned with that sort of appearance. 

"Are you trying to be humble or bragging?"  Iron Guard asked his friend as they pushed the cart back, Applejack walking along next to him.  They were almost the reverse of the other two, the farm girl not really sure what to say but trying her hardest to engage socially with someone of the opposite sex for once.  Thankfully Iron Guard seemed to enjoy talking so it made it easier for her.  "I have to say having you ladies accompany us is a real pleasure.  I never thought we'd get to meet the elements of harmony more than once in our lives.  Outside of Miss Twilight that is."  

"Aw shucks, we're really nothing special in our day to day goin' on's."  Applejack explained trying to stay humble but confident.  "Ah'm just a regular old farm girl when ya get down to it."  

"Nothing regular about it.  You and families like yours are what keep this whole kingdom fed."  Iron Guard replied as he and Spearhead finally got the cart back to the road.  "My uncle's a farmer in another village to the south.  I know how hard of work that can be."  Applejack seemed pleased with his appreciation for her craft but tried not to let it show too much.  Pinkie and Applejack backed away as they spun the cart around to rejoin the caravan of cages that had been half emptied by now, most of the monsters laying down and resting as they awaiting their turn to come next.  Spearhead and Iron Guard worked together to attach the empty cart behind the one in front of it.  "If I remember right your friend there was a baker, correct?"  

"Thaaat's right!"  Pinkie said happily as she bounced over on her feet and bounced again with her pink curls of hair and then for a third time with the contents of her shirt as well.  The act even catching Applejack's glance and making the farm girl roll her eyes with such a blatant display for attention.  "I made the muffins last time!  Did you like them?"  

"Oh yeah, they were great."  Iron Guard said then looked at his partner with a smirk.  "Matter of fact Spearhead here couldn't stop talking about them after we dropped you ladies off.  Seems he was really interested in getting another taste."  

"What!?"  Spearhead asked in surprise as his partner left him with a knowing smirk and Pinkie approached him with a smile of her own.  

"Oh really?  Sooo you like my muffins a lot?"  She asked with a big grin.

"Uh... y-yes.  Yes I did.  They were very delicious."  

"Great!  When you're all done you can come over to Sugar Cube Corner and I'll make you some more.  A special treat from me to you."  Pinkie said with a wink that left the guard completely at a loss for what to do next.  The baker really seeming to enjoy her flirting catching him off guard.  Applejack wasn't able to be as smooth about this as Pinkie but at least Iron Guard was easy to talk to and seemed nice.  He began unhooking the next cage on his own while Pinkie chatted up his friend.  

"Did ya want a hand?"  Applejack offered and Iron Guard declined.  

"I appreciate it as I'm sure you're more than capable to help us out with labor as easy as this, but it would be against the rules for me to allow a citizen to perform this task."  Iron Guard explained.  "Though your company has been a real treat."  

"Oh!  Well... glad tah help."  Applejack said shyly.  "Don't want ya gettin' bored on the job."  

"No way I could with someone like you near by."  Iron Guard complimented.  "So if I've heard right your family is the one that supplies the Zap Apple Jam?"

"Well holy horse feathers ya'll just caught me by surprise."  Applejack exclaimed.  "Ya'll know about Granny's Zap Apple Jam in Canterlot?"  

"Are you kidding, that stuff is the best!"  Iron Guard said as he moved to the back of the cage and unhooked it from the caravan.  The two tailed cat monster inside the cage rather disinterested with their conversation as he was just happy that things were moving along and watching them lazily.  "We make sure to pick some up every year for the castle.  I can't ever get enough of it."  

"Well now there's something tah be proud of, knowing we're making the royal guard happy with our wares.  Say now since ya'll have helped us out twice here in town ah reckon ah could get ya a jar of yer own."  Applejack said proudly and Iron Guard stopped what he was doing. 

"You're being serious?"  The guard asked in amazement.  

"We'll ah'm the element of honesty y'know."  Applejack said with a smirk and Iron Guard leaned on the cage for support as if he might fall over.  "Uh... ya'll alright?" 

"This is the best day!"  Iron Guard exclaimed.  "Miss Applejack, that would mean the world to me.  I'd gladly pay double the price for a jar of my own from you."  His appreciation caught Applejack off guard and somewhere in the back of her mind she was realizing that maybe she was landing this flirting thing pretty well.  

"Well... shucks, it ain't no trouble.  And fer you, ah'll get it at half price."  She tried to give that cute wink that Pinkie did earlier.  She wasn't sure if she nailed it or not but Iron Guard seemed to appreciate it.

"Honest and generous, this town has some amazing women living in it."  Iron Guard said happily, looking back at Applejack's green eyes.  Things seemed to stand still for a moment before a voice brought them back to reality. 

"Ahem."  A man spoke up as both Iron Guard and Applejack turned their heads to see Spearhead and Pinkie Pie were staring at them.  "So did you get the back lock undone yet?"  The guard asked and even the cat monster in the cage seemed to be staring at them waiting for this show to get started.  Applejack backed up with a blush as Iron Guard went back to work and unhooked the cart from the others to pull it with his partner towards a waiting Fluttershy.  As they moved forward Pinkie hung back to talk to her friend. 

"Looks like you froze him for a second there."  Pinkie said with a giggle.

"All ah did was offer him some Zap Apple Jam when we make it this year."  AJ admitted.  "Is that flirtin'?  Ah feel like ah'm just bein' friendly."

"Coming from you I think that's enough to make a guy feel like he's being flirted with."  Pinkie complimented.

"How 'bout ya'll two talkin' with each other?"  Applejack asked motioning to the other guard and Pinkie giggled again in a more devious way.  

"Oh he's gonna get a cupcake later.  Real sweet."  The way she said it AJ couldn't figure out if she was being literal or not and decided to leave it at that.  The guards were hard at work opening the cage again and letting the occupant out, the monster glad to finally be free after the delay.  The leopard sized cat stretched out its legs and yawned, showing off the claws and fangs on display as it did.  Lazily it approached the other three girls by the forest entrance and stopped, sitting down for Fluttershy to give her speech. 

"Welcome to the Everfree Forest." Fluttershy began in her cheerful and calming tone. "Now I know you're concerned what with moving to a new home and all but I assure you this is the very best place you could be. You'll be able to roam free and-"  Her words were cut off however as the cat beast suddenly jumped up to its feet and raised its tails as if it were to pounce.  The guards at the sight of this drew their swords in an instant but no one moved as the monster wasn't looking at them or Fluttershy.  Instead it was facing away from them all at another spot of the forest.  "Is... something the matter?"  Fluttershy asked as she placed a hand gently on the cat beast's back and looked the same direction.  Twilight couldn't see what it was responding to, maybe one of the other monsters hadn't left like it was supposed to when it was released?  However the one thing she did notice was that when the cat's head had turned Zecora's head moved at the exact same time to the exact same place.  As if they had both sensed something.  

"I can go check it out."  Twilight offered but Zecora put her hand up.  

"Please everyone remain where they are.  I shall go inspect but not travel far."  Zecora explained and walked forward, the cat monster walking with her as if it understood what needed to be done.  Fluttershy watched from a distance and suddenly her black imp friend chirped into her ear from her shoulder.  

"Is he saying something?"  Twilight asked Fluttershy curiously, everyone watching Zecora and the monster inspect the edge of the forest for something no one else seemed to be able to sense.  

"It's still a little hard to understand him but... he says there's something dangerous."  Fluttershy explained to Twilight.  

"One of the monsters we let out?"  Twilight asked and the imp chirped again as if to answer her.  

"No."  Fluttershy answered.  "Whatever it is, it wasn't something we brought here."  That was more concerning than Twilight would have thought.  They'd already unleashed dozens of monsters into the Everfree Forest that Celestia herself had deemed too dangerous to let wander free.  What would be out there that even they were concerned about?  After some time had passed Zecora returned with the cat monster, explaining that while they shouldn't stop what they were doing it was best everyone stay on their guard.  No one ever really understood what had caused her to react this way but somehow they all knew if she was concerned they should all be.

**********

Scootaloo never really thought she'd be the kind of girl to get a guy's attention before a few days ago.  Aside from trying to impress Rainbow Dash and keep up with her grades to make her mom happy she usually didn't think much about anything other than spending time with her friends.  She couldn't be blamed for feeling out of place in the position she was in now.  Back up against the wall of a fast food restaurant she'd visited with Rain Catcher while he was over top of her and kissing her lips.  Her own arms around his shoulders as she tried her best to keep up with the passionate exchange.  

It wasn't that she disliked it.  In fact kissing a boy felt really good and she sort of enjoyed the feeling of his body pushing against her own.  But it was scary at the same time and she kept wondering if he was going to tell her she was doing something wrong or decide that this wasn't working for him.  Instead his hands seemed to keep moving around on her.  Sometimes on her back, sometimes down onto her butt.  Feeling his fingers grip her was exciting too but she wasn't sure if she should be allowing this.  Her body was reacting but her mind was telling her this might be dangerous.  Every time his hand seemed to brush between her legs or over her chest she tried to redirect him somewhere else.  When the kiss broke she was looking up at his eyes and they seemed almost predatory with hunger.  

"You taste better than the dessert here."  The line was corny but she liked the compliment.  He complimented her a lot, sometimes too much it felt like.  As if he wanted to be sure she was happy being with him.  Scootaloo's friends didn't trust him but they didn't understand how much she liked that someone was giving her attention.  Giving her compliments like this.  Even if he made her feel a little uncomfortable sometimes that was okay, wasn't it?  This was the sort of thing boyfriends and girlfriends did together.

"So do you."  Scootaloo said shyly, trying to sound sexy but feeling out of her depth.  Not that it deterred Rain Catcher as he leaned in to kiss her again, this time his lips trailing away from her lips and onto her neck.  She took in a gasp of air as she felt his lips on her skin.  It was really good and made her body shake, the feeling of desire building up inside her in an intense and hot way.  Like something she could fall victim to at any moment.  His hands were moving over her body again, gripping her ass and trying to slip between her legs.  Pressure there would probably feel really good.  But they were in public, she was being stupid just letting him do this to her out in the open.  "Rain... we shouldn't."

"Why not?"  He asked against her neck as his body pressed her more against the wall of the building.  

"Because... someone will see."  Scootaloo said.  

"So?"  He replied not stopping in any way.  Her hand reaching down and grabbing his wrist that was trying to explore further along her body. 

"Rain, stop please."  He didn't, in fact his hand seemed to move forward with a greater strength.  "Rain, please."  Scootaloo pleaded but it didn't deter him as he slipped a finger up against her thigh.  "I said stop!"  Scootaloo shouted and used her arms to push him hard off of her, Rain Catcher backing up and looking completely shocked.  "Didn't you hear me!?"

"Well... Yeah but... I thought you were just playing?"  

"Just playing!?"  Scootaloo said in disbelief.  "I said stop so you should stop.  Why would you think that doesn't mean what it means?"  

"I thought we were having fun together is all."  Rain Catcher said, still smiling and looking like he wasn't bothered at all. 

"Well I wasn't."  Scootaloo said as she leaned over to pick up her book bag and began to walk away from him feeling upset that he didn't understand her feelings.  She only got a few steps down the alley between the buildings that had taken them to their little back area secret spot before Rain Catcher caught up with her and grabbed her by the wrist. 

"Hey hey, hold on."  He said, still keeping a hold of her arm.  "Look I'm sorry, okay?  I just thought you were as into it as I was and wanted to make things seem more... kinky or exciting."  

"When a girl says no she's not being kinky or exciting."  Scootaloo explained. 

"Sometimes she is.  I mean you've never played around before like that?"  He asked her with that same confident stance, Scootaloo feeling small and out of place in this conversation. 

"You know I haven't.  I told you that you're my first boyfriend."  Scootaloo said in a quiet and unsure voice.  Was she really the one in the wrong?  Did she lead him on somehow?  

"I know, you're right.  Maybe this was all too much for you.  I'm sorry.  If you don't want to do things like this anymore then I guess we don't have to."  Rain Catcher said letting the grip on her arm go.  The tone of his voice sounded like a warning.  Scootaloo recognized it the moment he said he was sorry.  He was letting her know that she wasn't keeping up with him and she understood what that meant.  

"I... I'm sorry.  It's not that I don't want to..."  She didn't know what to say to make it better.  

"Well if you're just not ready for stuff like this then... I guess we can stop it all."  There it was.  He was going to break up with her.  She just got a boyfriend and he was already going to dump her because she was too much of a kid.  She dropped her book bag on the ground and ran up to him, taking his hand in hers.  

"Wait, it's not that!  I just... I just need to go slower.  I promise I won't make things confusing again."  Scootaloo said, trying to appeal to him.  She didn't want to be broken up with.  To be left behind and alone like she was before.  Ever since Rain Catcher came into her life she was suddenly more accepted and desired by her class mates.  If he left what if all of that left with him?  What if no one would ever want her again because she was too much of a kid to be taken seriously.  Or worse yet some kind of burden.  "I'll be totally clear about everything from now on, I promise."  

"Well, okay.  I guess maybe I was in the wrong a little too."  Rain Catcher said and put his arms around her.  Scootaloo sighed in relief against his chest, the fear of rejection leaving her now that he was holding her.  She put her arms around his body as well and savored the hug more than everything else they'd done previously together a moment ago.  It felt so good to be embraced and feel wanted.  

"It's my fault, I let Diamond Tiara get into my head."  Scootaloo said as if to find some way to take the blame off of him and her.  As long as he wasn't unhappy with her then there wasn't any risk of him leaving.  

"Diamond Tiara?  What do you mean?"  Rain Catcher asked suspiciously, their hug breaking so he could make eye contact with her. 

"She told me that... that you two dated before.  That you were going to hurt me."  Scootaloo answered, not looking him in the eye.  "That's silly.  Right?"  She asked as she swallowed a lump in her throat.  

"Sheesh, for real?  I guess she's still mad from back when we broke up."  Well that confirmed things for her right there.  Turns out both Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara were telling the truth about them having dated in the past.  It was the other part that concerned her. 

"So... why did you break up with her?"  Scootaloo asked cautiously.  Not that Rain Catcher seemed upset by the question. 

"She was just so jealous all the time.  I mean she's been mean to you ever since we were kids right?"  

"Well... yeah, that's true."  

"So you know how she is.  She'd get really demanding of me and if I ever even talked to another girl she got all upset.  So I just had to end it."  

"That's all it was?"  Scootaloo asked trying not to sound too suspicious.  It was true that in the past Diamond Tiara had been nearly unbearable to be around but when her and Silver Spoon talked it made Rain Catcher sound like the villain.  This story didn't match with that at all.  

"Yep.  I guess it's too bad but I'm not really upset.  After all I'm dating a real cutie now."  Rain Catcher said and put his hands on Scootaloo's hips, making her shiver a little from the intimate touch.  He leaned in for a kiss and she gave him one in return.  It was a small peck on the lips, something that felt much more comfortable to her.  "How come you were talking to her in the first place anyway?"

"Oh, she invited me to a pool party with the other girls."  

"Really?"  Rain said sounding intrigued.  

"Yeah, Silver Spoon said she wanted to make up for everything from before.  I just hope that's true."  She wasn't really sure who to believe on what anymore.  But at least Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle would be there to support her if things went wrong.  

"So when's all of this happening?"  Rain Catcher asked seeming intrigued by the idea.  

"Oh it's just tomorrow night since we still have nice weather.  Nothing fancy, just all of us getting together."  

"Cool.  Cool."  Rain Catcher said as if he was pondering something with this information.  "Hey uh, thanks for coming out with me after school.  I really enjoyed getting to spend time with you."  

"Me too."  Scootaloo replied, even if things had gotten a little intense for a minute there.  But everything was good now so she didn't think any more of it.  They said their good byes with another kiss and hug, the two teenagers exiting the alley by the restaurant and heading their separate directions back to their homes.  So preoccupied with themselves that somehow they never noticed the other duo right near alley way they'd been talking in, just standing by themselves completely still holding milk shakes in their hands.  

"So... that was something, huh?"  Snips said to his friend after Scootaloo and Rain Catcher were long gone. 

"Yep.  Pretty amazing how you can just fade into the background if you don't move or speak."  Snips replied taking a sip of his dessert.  

"You heard what they said though, right?"  Snips asked excitedly. 

"Yeah, kinda sounded scummy.  Like he was forcing himself on her or something."  

"Oh... yeah, I guess that's true.  But that's not what I meant."  Snips replied.  "Scootaloo said tomorrow night there's going to be a girls pool party and Diamond Tiara's place."  

"Yeah?"  Snails answered.  "But neither of us are girls so what's it matter?"  

"It matters because if we can get close to that pool we'll see all the girls in their bathing suits."  Snips said as he imagined in his mind a variety of bikinis that were completely unlikely for any of these girls to wear casually while hanging out together.

"But we're not invited, how exactly are we going to do that?"  Snails asked.  "Besides if her dad catches us who knows what's going to happen after that.  You're already grounded for that party at Spike's."  

"Yeah, that's true.  BUT!  If we do go and we don't get caught we'll see a bunch of really cute girls in swimsuits together at a slumber party."  It was hard to deny that such an event was the pinnacle of every teenage boys dream short of being invited to attend such a thing.  "You in?"  Snips asked, Snails thinking about it for quite a while before giving a long sigh and nodding. 

"Yep."  He said as if he were resigned to his fate.  "This is going to end terribly."

"Or amazingly!"  One thing was certain to them both, there was no middle ground on those two possible options.  They were all in for whatever would come next.