Special Case (Original EFNW Version)
"You are sure you wish to do this?"
Princess Celestia looked down at the unicorn in front of her. She had dealt with this unicorn before, and only once could she have remembered it ever turning out badly. Even then, it hadn't really been her fault--Grand Galloping Galas never turned out well. It was a known issue that Celestia was still unsure how to fix.
"More than sure." The unicorn gazed back upwards with a determined, but serene, expression. "Remember, Princess, we are ever in your service--and by 'your' I naturally mean all of the Canterlot royal house. In fact, I consider it beyond an honor that you're even considering my offer."
Celestia and Rarity walked, the former leading the latter down the halls of Canterlot Castle. "Yes, well, when Twilight told me of your offer, I was most surprised, but also most intrigued." Their walk led up several steps, into Celestia's chambers, until reaching a sealed, intimidatingly large door at the back wall. A small application of magic from the princess, and it opened without so much as a creak.
The castle vault, perhaps? No, Rarity mused. Something far more personal. It had to be, since it was in far closer vicinity to the Princess's inner sanctum.
"And while I would normally question her for divulging enough castle secrets for you to make this offer at all..." She trotted inside, and thirty seconds later, came back with an object floating beside her. "...I suppose this case is the very definition of special."
Rarity looked at the object... a rock. She would have felt a sense of sardonic deja vu, but as she took hold of her own magic and rotated it in the air, she knew she agreed with Celestia's words.
"A keepsake from when my sister and I were..." Celestia hesitated. "...first separated. A shame it doesn't work for either of us, I suppose."
Rarity levitated the rock out of the window, observing the effects as it floated in the night sky. A short time later, she gave a satisfied nod.
"It only has to work for one. And I can make that happen. On that, Princess, you have my word."
At that moment that Rarity and Princess Celestia met eyes and exchanged smiles--one confident, the other trusting.
"Then take it," said Celestia, "with my blessing."
Two nights later, Princess Luna answered a knock at the her room's door, and saw the same unicorn which had been in Celestia's audience now staring up at her. "Rarity, is it?" Luna looked at the unicorn quizzically. "Of Ponyville, yes?"
Rarity nodded. "Yes. I trust your night has been well thus far?"
"Well... yes and no. Normally I would be out and about, especially on full moons such as this--I enjoy them so--but Sister insisted..." She stopped herself with a sigh. "No slight against you, of course. I already owe you and your friends so many unrepayable debts." Luna gestured with a single hoof for Rarity to walk in.
"Think naught of it." Rarity did so, levitating a clear plastic bag behind her in a rigid upright position. "And rest assured, I would not have asked for your time if I did not think what I had to offer would be worth it."
Rarity saw Luna's muzzle curl into the smallest of smiles, and she froze for a second, wondering if perhaps that last sentence had come off as boastful. If it had, there was no taking it back now. Confidence, Rarity. Confidence. It was the only way she'd be able to move up in society, in her business... anywhere. She decided to continue along her present path.
"Your offer, then," said Luna, in a bemused, almost singing, tone of voice. "Please, share it."
"Twilight Sparkle related to me your misgivings last Nightmare Night. Your insecurities, if you will."
Luna's muzzle now curled in the opposite direction as she rolled her eyes. "The ones that were on display, or the ones I confided in her once I was done being humiliated in front of the populace?"
Rarity nodded. "Yes."
Luna was silent for a few moments. "Fair. Pray, continue."
"By my calendar, and everypony else's in Equestria, this year's Nightmare Night is in exactly one week."
Luna stepped to her balcony and looked up at the full moon, a baleful look crossing her eyes. "I may or may not have been trying to forget that very fact. I admit nothing, however."
Rarity rested the bag on the bed. "Twilight and I figured--correctly, it seems--that perhaps old fears might have carried over. To that end, I thought that perhaps before this Nightmare Night, we could help put them to rest."
Luna looked at her bed. "And I suppose what is in that bag has something to do with it?"
Rarity willed the plastic away, revealing an elaborate piece of fabric. "That is our hope. But whether it does or not, it is yours to do with as you please, now and always."
Luna looked at the fabric on the bed, then back at Rarity, who was wearing an expectant grin, and sighed. "Rarity, I appreciate the thought. I truly do. Tales of your generosity have been told far and wide and I am flattered that I can finally witness it firsthoof. But any personal problems I may have with this year's holiday of the night? I can deal with them. Really."
Rarity shook her head. "Yes, yes, I am aware that you 'solved' your problem last year by allowing the myth of the monster you once were to become one of the star attractions." She met Luna's eyes. "But what of the mare, Princess?"
Luna's face instantly fell--subtly, but just enough for Rarity to notice when she'd found an opening. "How is it fair that the Princess herself not also get the attention she deserves, simply for being the Princess? I know you've you've mastered one side of yourself." Rarity levitated the fabric in front of Luna, the planet's gravity unfurling it to reveal a frilled black and navy dress in the princess's exact size.
"Allow me," said Rarity, "to help you master the other."
A changing screen materialized in front of Luna, who took the dress and stepped in from the right. Several seconds, ruffles and magic sparkles later, she emerged from the left in an outfit which, to both mares' surprise, left Luna gaping and near-breathless.
"Rarity, I must admit... this is beautiful." She ran a hoof over the fabric. "The texture, so soft, the frills, light in the breeze..." She closed her eyes and slowly twirled, a jubilant exhale escaping her lips. "In my youth, I would see Celestia wear elaborate pieces such as this." The small smile was back. "Only in far brighter colors."
"Your sister did collaborate with me during the design process. If I may..." Rarity placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder. "...she loves you more than words ever could say."
"Which is why she always appears afraid to say them." Luna sighed.
"Being able to read appearances is important," said Rarity. "It lets one know when one must take the initiative themselves." Silence ruled the room until Rarity decided to pull back this time. "Forgive me. I may have spoken out of turn."
"No, no," said Luna, shaking her head. "Not only are you generous... you are wise as well. Thank you, Rarity. I shall place this dress in a safe place until the appointed time-"
"Wait." Rarity held up a hoof. "There is one last thing."
Luna stopped. "Which is?"
Rarity's smile now matched Luna's of minutes past. "Will the moon."
"Will it?"
"Well, I'm not sure how you do it. But use your magic. Will it to move, to shine... anything."
"Oh. Um... well..." Luna looked the very definition of flustered. "...'tis an odd request, but..." Her horn glowed. The moon outside shone brighter than usual upon Equestria, to the point where the balcony might have had a chandelier directly atop it.
And then it happened. White stars and curved designs appeared everywhere along the navy lines of Luna's new dress. Again, Luna was speechless, which gave Rarity room to flourish.
"I call it Moonglow Fabric," the unicorn said. "For, uh obvious reasons. Ground up material from the very moon itself, salvaged from a different time, and woven into what you wear now. I do hope it is to your liking. As has been said before, we're glad you're back. The night just wasn't the same without you."
Silence ruled the room once again as Luna looked directly at Rarity, unblinking, but her eyes shaking just the same. Then, without warning, Rarity found herself levitated to face's level with the Princess of the Night. She was only able to let out a quick "Princess, I-" before being enveloped in twin, fabric-covered forelegs.
Finally came the whispers in her ear.
"Before tonight," uttered Luna, "I knew you were Equestria's grand heroines. As of this moment, however, I realize you have always been far more. You are gems, pure and genuine. Let none--not even any silly notions of 'modesty'--tell you otherwise. So your Princess demands." Luna firmed her hug, just in time for Rarity to return it.
"I will do my best," said Rarity, "so long as you tell your sister exactly what you just told me."
Luna chuckled. "Twilight always told me you were a shrewd businessmare. 'Tis a deal."
Author's Note
Hello, dear reader!
I hope you enjoyed this piece! This was written for Everfree Northwest 2013's Iron Author Competition, the details of which you can peruse here. And it won! I'm so happy! I was up against a lot of talented folk.
That said, the restrictions put into place meant that this couldn't undergo the polishing one of my stories would normally have. There are quite a few elements (descriptions, word choices, emotions, etc.) which simply had to be cut in order to get it submitted within the time limit (2 hours!). For purposes of integrity I have uploaded the entry in its original state (with minor pieces of duct tape--typo corrections and such).
Last time I posted an Iron Author piece, the top request was for a polished/enhanced version. So I wrote one. If you want to check it out, all you have to do is click over to the next "chapter!" It's pretty nice on its own, but if you've read issues 5-8 of the IDW comic, I think it'll prove to be that much more special. 
Enjoy!
~Bookish
Special Case (Hyper Drive Edition!)
"Are you sure you wish to do this?"
Princess Celestia looked down at the unicorn in front of her. She had dealt with this unicorn before, and could only remember one time when doing so had ever turned out badly.
Even then, it hadn't really been the unicorn's fault — Grand Galloping Galas never turned out well. It was a known issue that Celestia was still looking into how to fix.
"More than sure." Rarity looked back up to Celestia with a determined yet content expression. "Remember, Princess, we are ever in your service. And by 'your', I naturally mean all of the Canterlot royal house. Indeed, I am beyond honored that you are even considering my offer."
The two ponies walked, with Celestia leading Rarity down several of Canterlot Castle's hallways. "Honestly, when Twilight told me of it, I was at first quite surprised. Then I thought about it, and it did not take me long to understand." She stopped and looked back at Rarity. "Given past events, you certainly have your reasons for this, don't you?"
Rarity stopped as well, letting out a slow breath. "I do, Your Highness. And I have a feeling that you already know what they are."
"Indeed. Anypony who had been there would." Princess Celestia nodded, and Rarity could see her expression soften. "And I find those reasons not only sound, but very brave under the circumstances."
"Princess, I..." Rarity trailed off, her face showing worry despite her best efforts. Seeing this, Celestia knelt down to Rarity's level, and placed a hoof on her cheek.
Due to the late hour, Celestia had foregone her golden horseshoes, and Rarity could feel the softness and warmth of that hoof the moment it made contact. It brushed and soothed in the cool of the evening, exactly what she needed right now to keep herself at ease.
"But those circumstances cause me to ask again. Are you absolutely sure you wish to do this? And not out of any sort of fealty to the Royal House of Canterlot either, but out of duty to Rarity the Unicorn, who I consider far more important at this very moment."
Rarity's face visibly flushed. "Princess, it's hardly as serious as all tha-"
Celestia's eyes darted to meet Rarity's in an instant — and in that instant, she saw the same tinges of sadness and regret that had overtaken them scant few months ago.
A few months ago... when Rarity had been on the other side of the issue.
Rarity sobered, redoubling her resolve. "Y-yes, Princess. It's time both she and I put this behind us. I've seen her try to cope by herself for months, yet never known just how to help until I at last walked a mile in her-"
"Shhh." Celestia's hoof moved ever-so-gently from Rarity's cheek to her muzzle, quieting her. "There is no need to delve further into painful memories. You've already convinced me."
Celestia stood, and their walk resumed, leading up several steps, into Celestia's chambers. Further into the room they went, until reaching an intimidatingly large sealed door etched into the back wall. With a small application of magic from the princess, it opened without so much as a creak, revealing a darkness Rarity's vision simply couldn't penetrate.
The castle vault, perhaps? No, Rarity mused. General-purpose storage would hardly be housed within Her Majesty's inner sanctum. Whatever this was, it had to serve a far more personal agenda.
"While I would normally question Twilight for divulging enough castle secrets for you to make this offer at all..." Celestia trotted into the darkness, and thirty seconds later came back with an object floating beside her. "...I suppose this case is the very definition of special."
Rarity looked at the object — a rock. She would have felt a sense of sardonic deja vu, but as she took hold of the rock with her own magic and rotated it in the air, she knew she agreed with Celestia's words.
"A keepsake from when my sister and I were..." Celestia hesitated, taking a single moment to choose her words. "...first separated. A shame it doesn't work for either of us, I suppose."
Rarity levitated the rock out of a nearby window, observing effects which became apparent as soon as it was allowed to float freely in the nighttime sky. A short time later, she gave a satisfied nod.
"It only has to work for one. And I can make that happen. On that, Princess, you have my word."
Rarity and Princess Celestia met eyes and exchanged their first smiles of the night — one confident, the other trusting.
"Then take it," said Celestia, "with my blessing."
"Special Case"
(Hyper Drive Edition)
A My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Fanfiction
by Bookish Delight, 2012-2013
All characters and referred properties belong to Hasbro.
Two nights later, Princess Luna answered a knock at the her room's door.
Upon opening it, she saw the same unicorn which had been in Celestia's audience, now staring up at her. She looked at the unicorn quizzically... then her face lightened. "Rarity of Ponyville? This is a pleasant surprise."
Rarity smiled. "The honor is mine, Princess. Pray tell, how are you this lovely night?"
Luna pursed her lips, letting forth a wistful exhale. "The night is indeed lovely — and therefore, so am I." She walked towards her balcony, stopping at its arch, and looked up at the sky. "I simply wish I could be out in it. Behold the moon, right now at its fullest. I do so enjoy when this is the case. However, Sister insisted I stay indoors until somepony of 'great importance' arrived."
Rarity willed herself not to blush.
Luna turned back to Rarity. "Though now that I see who that somepony is, I am inclined to agree. I already owe you and your friends so many unrepayable debts." She gestured with a single hoof. "Please, enter."
Rarity did so, levitating a clear plastic bag behind her in a rigid upright position. "My apologies for taking up your quality nighttime — but rest assured, I would not have asked for that time if I did not think what I had to offer would be worth it."
Rarity saw Luna's muzzle curl into the smallest of smiles, and she froze for a second, wondering if perhaps that last sentence had come off as boastful. If it had, there was no taking it back now. Confidence, Rarity. Confidence. It was the only way she'd be able to move up in society, in her business... anywhere.
"Your offer, then," said Luna, in a bemused, almost singing, tone of voice. "Please, share it."
Rarity didn't skip a beat. "Twilight Sparkle related to me the many... insecurities, if you will, which you harbored last Nightmare Night."
Luna's muzzle now curled in the opposite direction as she rolled her eyes. "The ones that were on display for all to see, or the ones I confided in her once I was done being humiliated in front of the populace?"
Rarity nodded. "Yes."
Luna was silent for a few moments. "Fair. Pray, continue."
Rarity hesitated, took a deep breath, and did so. "And some time after that... well..." she lowered her head and closed her eyes. "I came face-to-face with my own, and got a first-hoof taste of what you might have gone through."
"And then some, if I recall," Luna replied.
Rarity nodded silently. When she opened her eyes, she nearly jumped back at the sight of Luna, kneeling at her level, just as Celestia had done before.
"Rarity," said the princess. "Listen to me, and listen well."
Her mane sparkled in the moonlight and wafted in the breeze, trailing across Rarity's face, soft as satin to the touch. "Princess Luna..." Rarity trailed off.
"Do you remember the changelings which invaded our fair kingdom? Do you remember how they operate?" Luna's voice was soft as well. "They look into your heart, become that which you most love, and feed off of your joy, your elation, your happiness. The more you indulge, the more power you afford them, which makes them formidable foes. But even in the face of all that, the nightmare forces are far worse.
"For they take that which you love, that which defines you... and subtly push you, until you yourself have constructed a world where it feels as if that is the one thing about you which nopony cares about... or worse, the one thing everypony despises about you. And when your sadness becomes deeper than any sadness you've ever known... only then do they they truly strike."
"An all-reaching consumption," Rarity whispered, trying not to sniffle.
"Yes. The greatest fear a pony can have — the fear that you have absolutely no place in this universe, regardless of what even your cutie mark tells you — is the exact fear they use as their portal. It is also the greatest lie a pony can believe, but it took centuries for me to realize that. You? Days. You are to be commended."
"Thank you, Princess," Rarity uttered softly after a long silence.
"You're quite welcome," Luna replied. "So, if you were wondering: no, I do not blame you one bit for what happened back then. Nor do I blame you as you struggle to forgive yourself even now. I only hope you've learned from it. The healing will happen in time. Speaking of which..." Luna's sly smile returned as she stood back up. "...it's strange. I thought you were here to help me."
"I... oh! Yes, of course!" With deep breaths and a couple of shakes, Rarity stood back up. Once at full composure, she continued her presentation as planned. "R-right, then. By my calendar, and everypony else's in Equestria, this year's Nightmare Night is in exactly one week."
"Indeed it is." Luna stepped fully onto to her balcony this time and looked up at the full moon, a baleful look crossing her face. "I may or may not have been trying to forget that very fact. I admit nothing, except perhaps my surprise that we did not have this conversation earlier."
"Quality takes time, Your Highness." A now calmer Rarity rested the bag on the bed. "Twilight and I figured — correctly, it seems — that perhaps old fears might have carried over from last year to this. And my experience certainly couldn't have helped matters. To that end, I thought that perhaps before this Nightmare Night, we could, well, do something about all of that."
Luna looked at her bed. "And I suppose what is in that bag is key?"
Rarity willed the plastic away, revealing an elaborate piece of fabric. "That is our hope. But whether it does or not, it is yours to do with as you please, now and always."
Luna looked at the fabric on the bed, then back at Rarity, who was wearing an expectant grin, and sighed. "Rarity, I appreciate the thought. I truly do. Tales of your generosity have been told far and wide and I am flattered that I can finally witness it first hand. But any personal problems I may have with this year's holiday of the night? As I've just told you, I can deal with them."
Rarity shook her head. "Yes, I am aware that you 'solved' your problem last year by allowing the myth of the monster you once were to become one of Nightmare Night's star attractions." She met Luna's eyes. "But what of the mare, Princess?"
Luna's face fell — subtly, but just enough for Rarity to notice when she'd found an opening. She pressed further.
"How is it fair that the Princess of the Night herself not also get the attention she deserves, simply for being the Princess of the Night? The one who moves the moon, guards our dreams, and keeps us safe in our most vulnerable of hours? Why shouldn't she be celebrated, rather than feared?"
Both ponies shivered in the cool of the autumn night. Luna's muzzle, however, took on an extra quiver as she inwardly struggled to maintain calmness in the face of Rarity's words. When she spoke, her voice was soft again.
"You ask these questions, knowing full well the road they once led me down."
Rarity stood her ground. "I do."
"Even now, after having been where I have."
"Even so. And while what I've experienced still sometimes haunts, I've also had time to think on how to respond to it. In the end, I decided to do so the only way I know how. Because we wish for your healing as well."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "'We'?"
Without a reply, Rarity levitated the fabric in front of Luna, the planet's gravity unfurling it to reveal a frilled black and navy dress in the princess's exact size.
"Since your return to Equestria, I know you've mastered one side of yourself. Please allow me," said Rarity, "to help you master the other."
A changing screen materialized close to Luna, who took the dress and stepped in from the right. Several seconds, ruffles and magic sparkles later, she emerged from the left in an ensemble which, to both mares' surprise, left Luna gaping and near-breathless.
"Rarity, I must admit... this is beautiful." Luna ran a hoof over the fabric. "The texture, so soft, the frills, light in the breeze." She closed her eyes and slowly twirled, a jubilant exhale escaping her lips. "In my youth, I would see Celestia wear elaborate pieces such as this." Her small, genuine smile had returned. "Only in far brighter colors."
"Your sister did collaborate with me during the design process. If I may..." Rarity reached up and placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder. "...she loves you more than words ever could say."
Luna sighed. "Which is why she always appears afraid to say them."
"Being able to read appearances is important," said Rarity. "It lets one know when one must take the initiative themselves." Silence hung over the room until Rarity decided to pull back. "Forgive me. I think I may finally have spoken out of turn."
"No, no," said Luna, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Not only are you generous, but you have proven your wisdom as well. Thank you, Rarity. I shall hang this dress in a safe place until the appointed time-"
"Princess?" Rarity held up a hoof. "There is one last thing."
Luna stopped. "Which is?"
Rarity's smile now matched Luna's of minutes past. "A mere request. Use your magic, and will the moon. To move, to shine, anything you wish."
"Hmm?" Confusion crossed Luna's face. "But my moon is already in perfect position and brightness."
"Please," said Rarity. "Humor me."
"Hmm. Well, 'tis an odd request, but..." Her horn glowed. The moon outside shone brighter than usual upon Equestria, to the point where the balcony might as well have had a chandelier hung directly over it.
And then it happened.
White stars and curved designs appeared everywhere along Luna's new dress, causing its wearer to let out a gasp louder than either party in the room had ever expected. "Rarity, this... this is...!"
The short, quick breaths punctuating Luna's words let Rarity know that she'd gotten her exact desired effect. It was now time for the clincher.
"I've been thinking for days now how best to word my thoughts on the matter you and I share, Princess. But in my heart of hearts, I knew Twilight always had the right idea."
As Luna remained in stunned silence, Rarity closed her eyes once more.
"Dear Princess Luna: you and I have something in common. While that something may not have been our first choice, it still affords us a most unique bond."
Rarity opened her eyes, pacing around Luna and her dress. Her horn lit, shifting some of the lights along the navy fabric, prompting Luna to try the same. The Moon Princess's eyebrows shot up as she realized the full extent of the power she had over the dress's aesthetic even after completion.
"I understand," Rarity continued, "how it feels to be deathly scared of being taken advantage of. To be taken for granted. I know how it feels to forever want to live up to one's station, but never quite know if you truly are."
Crescent moons, hearts, swirls, stars, anything she wished. The full beauty of the night, now closer to herself than ever before... Luna's eyes quivered as she created design after design, doing her best to swallow the lump in her throat.
"But whether or not my generosity — my greatest strength, my element — one day proves to also be my greatest weakness... I can't not do what I do. And now more than ever, I know that if I tried to stop doing what I do, I would be far from the only pony who suffered."
Rarity, having now made a complete revolution around Luna's frame, stood up on her hind legs, and placed her own hoof on Luna's cheek, wiping away half-formed tears. "No matter how anxious it makes us, neither of us can stop doing what makes us special, can we?"
Luna simply smiled in reply. It was a large, radiant smile, saying far more by its mere presence than words ever could. Satisfied, Rarity stepped back onto all fours, and took one step away from her Princess in final presentation.
"In light of things, I attach to this letter a gift — the one which you currently wear. I call it 'Moonglow Fabric,' for obvious reasons. Ground up material from the very moon itself, salvaged from a different time, and woven into a one-of-a-kind dress. I do hope it is to your liking. As has been said before, we're glad you're back. The night just wasn't the same without you.
"Sincerely, Rarity," she finished with a slight bow.
A thick silence ruled the room as Luna looked directly at Rarity, unblinking, her eyes still shaking just the same.
Then, without warning, Rarity found herself levitated onto Luna's back.
"P-Princess?" Rarity managed — a full second before Luna took off in a gallop onto the balcony, jumped off, and rendered the both of them airborne with a mighty flap of her wings.
Higher Luna flew, and lower became the angle required for Rarity to crane her neck to get a view of the moon above. When Luna finally stopped, the moon was closer than ever, but when Rarity looked down, she could see all of Canterlot, and several neighboring territories besides.
"Earlier," said Luna, "I told you that I was at my happiest when closest to my moon. As reward for your deeds, and your friendship... I wish to share that joy with you now. And with no changelings about," she added with a wink.
"Princess..." Rarity said, marveling at how closely the moonlight matched her own coat's hue. "It's beautiful. All of this is."
"As are you. Before tonight," said Luna, "I knew you and your friends were Equestria's grand heroines. As of this moment, however, I realize you have always been far more. You are gems, pure and genuine. Let none — not even any silly notions of 'modesty' — tell you otherwise. So your Princess demands."
At those words, Rarity was levitated in mid air, and to direct face's level with the Princess of the Night. She was only able to let out a quick, "Thank you, I-" before being enveloped, and cuddled, in twin, fabric-covered forelegs.
This close, Rarity could see the glitter of the fabric she'd crafted. Between her mane and dress, the Princess now blended almost perfectly into the infinite sky. To think, then, that the sky could possess such a warm, gentle touch.
As Rarity settled into it, the sky brought forth whispers into her ear:
"This is the first time I've ever said this to somepony and been glad to do so... but welcome to my world."
"I am glad to be here." Rarity returned the embrace. "I shall be ever willing to keep you company in it if you so wish. And so would another certain somepony, if you're willing."
Rarity cast eyes back down at one of Canterlot Castle's towers. Luna followed, to see Twilight Sparkle standing on a balcony... as well as Princess Celestia, returning her sister's gaze with a longing smile.
Warmth washed over Luna as realization came from all sides.
"Yes," she said. "I think I'd like that."
