Balloons and Diamonds

by HurricaneSplash

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Romance, Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh, Slice of Life, Berry Punch, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Comedy
Length: 4205

Deep down, Pinkie Pie has always wanted a special somepony. When Rarity helps cheer her up, she starts to think a little more about the gem-loving designer.

Deep down, Pinkie Pie has always wanted a special somepony. When Rarity helps cheer her up, she starts to think a little more about the gem-loving designer.

What will Rarity think of this? And what does Berry Punch have to do with anything?

My first ever fanfic! Cover art by Liquid_Flames

Has RariPie and RainbowMac

Published 2013-07-21 19:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-29 17:41:56 UTC

Chapter 1

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Tears could sometimes be funny. They were so random at times. They can be from laughter, happiness, and even pain.
But usually sadness.
Sadness was not fun at all. Not for Pinkie Pie.

Rarity rushed to her home, the Carousel Boutique. She had to get ready. She had gotten an invitation from Pinkie Pie to come to Sugarcube Corner, and she would never dream of missing a party by one of her best friends, especially Pinkie Pie. Parties were great, but Pinkie's parties were on a whole new level. When she finally got inside, she gasped in horror.

"Sweetie Belle! What have you DONE!"

The entire boutique was covered from ceiling to floor in glue. A very nervous Sweetie Belle was sitting in the midst of it all.

"Um, well, you see, sis, we were trying to get our cutie marks in paper mâché, but–"

"Nonononono! What-wha- MY DRESSES! You've ruined each and every one of them! EVERY LAST ONE!"

Sweetie Belle, in the middle of Rarity's panic attack, had snuck out of the boutique, leaving Rarity to 'wallow in pity.'

"Oh my... I suppose I'll have to miss Pinkie's party to clean all of this up... Well, I'm sure she'll understand."

Sighing in resignation, Rarity went to get her mop.

Pinkie diligently waited by the door, her friends all looking at her with concern.

"Sugarcube, wha aren't ya enjoyin' yer party?" asked Applejack.

"I'm waiting." Pinkie replied.

"For what? Rarity hasn't shown up after an HOUR, there's no way she's coming!" snorted Rainbow Dash.

"I'm waiting." Pinkie replied.

"O-oh, Pinkie, I-I'm sure she, um, has a good reason. She loves your parties. I-I mean, if that's okay with you..." Fluttershy whispered.

"I'm waiting." Pinkie replied.

"Pinkie Pie, please?!", begged Twilight. "I'm sure she's just running late, maybe, um, Opal is sick? I don't know where she is, but it's not healthy to sit on the floor for that long. Your circulation to your legs will get cut off and–"

"Okay, that's it! Pinkie if you don't get up by the next ten minutes, then we're all leaving." exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie broke down in tears. "I-I'm s-so sorry! B-but I can't just have f-fun without her! It-it's just... Ugh!"

"Pinkie Pie, we're your friends. You can tell us anything." Twilight said gently.

Rainbow Dash went over and gave her a hug. "Pinkie, I'm sorry for yelling at you like that, but Rarity wouldn't want you to just sit there waiting."

"But Dashie, Rarity said that a gentlecolt always waits!"

Twilight laughed. "But Pinkie, you're not a gentlecolt!"

Rainbow Dash had an odd look on her face. "Girls, can you... Wait outside for a moment?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Whut for sugarcube?"

"Pinkie and I just need to talk for a moment." Rainbow replied nervously.

"Um, sure thing Rainbow," said Twilight, "Just tell us when you're finished."

"I will. Later girls."

Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight left the room. Rainbow turned around to Pinkie Pie.

"You like her, don't you?"

"Ugh! Of all the bad things that could happen, this is THE WORST POSSIBLE THING!"

Rarity's new dress had been ruined by the glue.

Fluttershy walked in the front door. "Um, Rarity? I wanted to tell you– Oh! Are you busy? Oh my I am so sorry for interrupting I was just–"

Rarity put on a forced smile. "Oh no darling, it's quite alright! What do you need?"

Fluttershy gulped. "Well, you see, Pinkie Pie is kind of upset that you missed her party and she's–"

Rarity gasped. "Huh?! Oh– Is she still there? Oh dear I hope she's alright; You see, Sweetie Belle had covered my boutique in glue and I was trying to clean it all up and then I found that my new dress was ruined and I was trying to fix–"

"Rarity!" exclaimed Fluttershy, "Calm down! I think she's alright, just a bit upset."

Without any further delays, Rarity teleported to Sugarcube Corner.

"You like her, don't you?"

Pinkie Pie froze in place. There was no way she liked Rarity. Only as a friend of course. Right?
She thought of all of the times when she thought about her. How she had been visiting Carousel Boutique every day.
Her eyes widened. How upset she had been when Rarity wasn't there.

"Um, Dashie?" she said in a tiny voice, "I'm not really sure, but if I do you won't tell anypony, will you?"

Rainbow Dash smiled gently at her. "Of course not Pinks. Not a word."

"You Pinkie Promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Rainbow said, doing all the motions

Suddenly there was a flash of light blue and Rarity popped out in front of them.

"Oh my, I didn't miss the party Pinkie, did I?"

"Rarity, you're here! I was so so soooo worried that something happened to you!" exclaimed Pinkie.

Rarity grimaced. "Glue."

"Okay then," piped up Rainbow Dash, "I'll go get the others. Later, guys!"

Rainbow flew out of the room, winking at Pinkie Pie.

"Soooo... Hey, want some cake?!" Pinkie cheerfully asked.

Rarity smiled and went over to the table. She could clean up the Boutique later. Right now, she would enjoy some time with her friends.

Chapter 2

Pinkie Pie giggled. She was having so much fun! She and her friends had played Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Pony, they had bobbed for apples, and they had eaten cake to their fill. Now they were going home, all except for Rarity. She had agreed to stay as an apology for missing the first half of the party. They were going to have so much fun!

"Pinkie, darling? Do you happen to have a mane-brush on you?" Rarity asked.

"Yup! It is on me!" Pinkie Pie pulled a mane-brush out of her mane, "Do you want it?"

Rarity grimaced as politely as she could and replied, "Erm, N-no thank you dear."

"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie smiled.

The she frowned. "You know, you should really be getting home soon. Sweetie Belle's gonna miss you and be sad, and you don't want her to be all frowny-grumpy-ish, do you?"

"Oh my, you're right! Ooh, but it's so dark out!" Rarity replied nervously, "We don't know who's out there..."

Pinkie Pie proudly grinned, and spoke in a perfect Manehatten accent. "Leave it to me, my lady. None shall harm you under Pinkie Pie's watch!"

Rarity's jaw dropped.

Pinkie Pie skipped towards the door.

"Well," she asked, "Are you coming or not?"

Berry Punch slid her hoof into the window, jiggling the lock until it snapped open. Looking carefully around, she saw her.

"Rarity will be mine today... And nopony can stop me!"

Suddenly, she heard... Laughter? Somepony else was there? She twisted her head a bit to the left and saw...

"Pinkie Pie!", she hissed.

No. She would not let that sorry excuse for a pony get her love. Rarity was hers! All hers!

She had to find a way to get rid of that annoying pink menace. That... thing, that horrible thing, didn't deserve Rarity.

Only Berry Punch did. She would make Rarity love her... no matter the cost.

"So, yeah, that's pretty much why I sent you guys out." Rainbow Dash finished explaining the case to her friends.

Applejack frowned. "Sugarcube, wha didn't ya let her tell all o' us? We wouldn't mind."

Rainbow Dash sighed. "I wasn't sure whether she would be comfortable talking about it with more ponies, ya know?"

Twilight smiled. "Oh, its fine Rainbow Dash. Well, I'd better get home. Owlowicious has the feather flu."

Applejack blinked. "Ah thought that only happened ta pegasus ponies?"

"Oh, it happens to all feathered creatures," replied Fluttershy, "You'd best be getting home soon Twilight. I have to go too. I left poor Angel all alone with Discord... Oh, my! I hope he's alright!"

"Angel or Discord?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Both." replied Fluttershy as she flew off to her cottage. Twilight teleported away.

"Well, it's sure been nice talkin' to ya sugarcube. But ah gotta watch the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They're havin' a big slumber party." said Applejack.

"Later AJ," replied Rainbow Dash, "Try to survive."

Applejack chuckled. "Ah will."

Then, Applejack turned around with a smirk. "By the way, Ah hope you have some luck with Big Macintosh."

Rainbow gazed dreamily towards the farm.

"Yeah... Wait, WHAT?! APPLEJACK, GET BACK HERE!"

She was too late. The cowpony had already reached the farm, and Dash couldn't go in there.

Then she would meet HIM.

"So that's when I was all like, 'Ooh, pie!'" Pinkie Pie and Rarity had just reached Carousel Boutique. The white unicorn turned to her pink friend.

"I can't thank you enough for what you did for me today Pinkie Pie. Would you like to get together again some other time?"

Pinkie's smile literally stretched from ear to ear. "Of course! You're one of my bestest-bestest-bestest friends!"

Rarity smiled. "I'll meet you at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow night then!"

Berry Punch smiled from a high tree branch in Rarity's front yard.

"Sugarcube Corner, huh? I'll be there all right... Yes I will..."

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie popped out of a clump of leaves.

"Ooh! Hi Berry Punch! Why are you in a tree? Ooh, are we playing hide and seek? Sorry, I forgot to count! One! Two! Thr-"

Berry Punch glared at her. "Shut up you featherbrain! You think you're so smart hanging with Rarity, huh? Well I'll show you smart!"

Berry pushed Pinkie out of the tree. Then she climbed down next to her.

"I'll see you at Sugarcube Corner Pinkie. Rarity will see who's better then."

With a flourish of her tail, Berry Punch stalked off to her home.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Tears could sometimes be funny. They were so random at times. They can be from laughter, happiness, and even pain.
But usually sadness.
Sadness was not fun at all. Not for Pinkie Pie.

How was she going to get Rarity now! Berry Punch was so much better than her in every way. She was smarter, prettier, and probably even more fun than she was.

"But... No one's more fun than Pinkie... Right?"

She collapsed back onto her floor, sobbing.

"Maybe she is more fun..."

Rainbow Dash flew around Ponyville, trying to find Pinkie Pie. She hadn't seen the pink party pony in hours.

She decided to check Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie was probably there, right?

When she walked inside, it was oddly silent. Where were the Cakes? And where was Pinkie Pie?

Suddenly, she heard a whimper. It sounded like it came from the bedrooms.

She went upstairs to check. Which door was Pinkie's again?

Oh. Duh. The bright pink one.

She walked in, and gasped at what she saw.

"Pinkie," she whispered, "What have you done?"

Author's Note

Sorry for the cliffhanger! I just had to!

~HurricaneSplash

Chapter 3

Rarity tossed her mane and looked at herself in the mirror, admiring every inch of her beautiful dress.

"I look absolutely FABULOUS! This dress really did pay off! Pinkie Pie is sure to love it!"

The dress was ocean blue, with a hem of light blue lace around the edges. It was made of a soft, silky material which added even more grace and elegance to the unicorn's already dainty demeanor. It perfectly accented the dark blue color of Rarity's eyes, and gave her a delicate, balanced look.

The unicorn's royal purple mane was pinned back into a small and simple bun at the base of her neck. Lastly, she had polished her hooves and her horn until they nearly glittered. At that moment, Rarity felt that she was the perfect example of beauty and elegance.

Suddenly, the door swung open. Rarity whirled around iny surprise.

"Darling, I'm terribly sorry, but my shop is closed today– Berry Punch?"

The purple mare smiled with false sweetness. She had brushed and tied her mane, and had even put on some mascara.

"Oh hello Rarity! Wow you look really beautiful in that dress! Would you like to come with me on a walk by the lake? I even brought some of my special champagne that you love. I'm sure it's much more important than anything else you have."

Rarity smiled apologetically.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry darling! Actually I was on my way to meet Pinkie Pie. She invited me to Sugarcube Corner for a get together of sorts. I surely can't just leave on such short notice."

Berry hid her anger behind a forced smile and an exaggerated eyelash flutter.

"Oh, that's no problem. See you tomorrow, then, hopefully!"

Rainbow Dash had gotten Pinkie cleaned up and ready for her date. When she had arrived, Pinkie had been a mess, hysterically sobbing and screaming. Dash had finally gotten her to go downstairs to wait for Rarity. After that, Rainbow left Sugarcube Corner through Pinkie's bedroom window.

She breezed through Ponyville, and headed to her favorite place to rest; Sweet Apple Acres. She hoped to catch a glimpse of Applejack's brother, Big Macintosh on the farm also. Although she would never admit it, she had a small crush on the muscular workhorse. However, so did every mare in Ponyville. He had turned down mares she thought were much, much prettier than herself. What chance did she have, then? Besides, she was too cool to date.

Finally, she reached her destination. She dragged over a nearby cloud and waited for Macintosh to eventually appear. She didn't want to seem stalkerish, so she usually just stayed in one place. The Apple Family knew she was there, and she didn't really want to have to hide anything, including herself. They could sniff out lies better than she could scent cider.

She waited for a few minutes, but he didn't come. Well, a nap wouldn't hurt. She would just close her eyes for a few minutes...

Soon, she was gently snoring.

Macintosh finally was able to drag the heavy apple cart over to the barn. He saw a shadow nearby, and remembered that Rainbow Dash took her afternoon naps nearby. He chuckled. He figured that she slept so much because of her constant rushing. That mare needed to relax once in a while.

He often wondered why she slept here so often. She always just used clouds anyway. Maybe the smell of fresh apples– He didn't know.

There was something comfortable in her gentle rhythmic snoring, but he could never place what exactly it was. He always had liked patterns ever since he was a colt. He remembered the puzzles that his Granny had given him when he was younger– he had solved each and every one of them back then. Applejack had called him 'Celestia the Second'. He smiled. He actually could be pretty smart when he wanted to be. Well, now was not the time for dillydallying. He had some apples to buck.

Rarity swung open the door of Sugarcube Corner.

"I hope I'm not too late, darling! It's so good to see you again, Pinkie Pie!"

Pinkie Pie smiled happily, "Nope, Rarity! You're right on time! Yay! We can have so much fun now! We can watch movies and eat cupcakes and talk and do hooficures and–"

Rarity smiled and walked closer to Pinkie.

"Here Pinkie, I brought you a present. You were so very sweet the other day, I just had to thank you!"

Pinkie gasped in delight, saying, "Oh, thank you thank you THANK YOU! I love presents! And you make the best ones!"

Rarity blushed, and said, "Your welcome dear. It's just a dress, and I'm SO sorry if you don't like it. Oh dear, maybe I should have gotten you something else..."

Pinkie smiled. "No worries! I love any present from you!"

Rarity blushed and smiled. "Thank you darling. I really appreciate that!"

Little did the two ponies know that they were being watches all the while by an angry magenta mare. A very, very angry magenta mare.

Rainbow Dash woke up to find her cloud drifting away. In her panic, she accidentally kicked it, causing it to disentigrate.

"Uh oh."

Rainbow Dash fell, screaming for help. Still sleepy, she couldn't get her stiff wings to move. She was doomed.

She saw Apple Bloom and Applejack rush outside. But they were too far away to help.

Oh well, she thought, At least I'll die near him...

THUNK. She had landed in somepony's arms. As she turned around to thank them, she blinked in surprise.

Looking at her, his muzzle inches from hers, was a certain orange maned, green-eyed, red-coated stallion.

She fainted on the spot.

Pinkie and Rarity were in Pinkie's room, watching a movie. It was one of those famous, yet somehow sleep-inducing films, which Pinkie somehow happened to have in her closet. Rarity had snuggled up against Pinkie Pie and had eventually fallen asleep. Pinkie was thankful for her pink coat, which hid her blushing well. She started to feel sleepy also. Maybe she could curl up with Rarity and sleep too. Just a few minutes...

Berry Punch giggled. Perfect.

She wasted no time in running to Carousel Boutique. Kicking open the door, she ripped fabric, smashed gems, and trashed the whole house. She then took everything that was pink and arranged them to form some words. Two, to be exact.

Pinkie Pie

Chapter 4

Rainbow Dash groaned. Her head was throbbing and her nostrils were filled with he smell of apples. She looked around and found the she was in Applejack's bedroom. Just then, the orange farmer herself walked in with a hot bowl of spiced apple soup.

"How're ya feelin', sugarcube? You've been out fer 'bout two days." Applejack shot her friend a concerned look.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Oh, of course I feel fine. Being dropped from, say, sixty feet in the air is perfectly normal for me."

Applejack sighed. "Please tell me how ya are Rainbow. Ah'm a touch worried 'bout you."

Rainbow sighed. "I'm not going to say I feel fine, because I don't, but I think I'll be able to go back home now. Thanks for everything AJ."

Applejack smiled, and then smirked. "Ah'm sure you're fine Rainbow. Especially after how Big Macintosh caught you and ya fainted on th' spot."

Rainbow's eyes went wide, before narrowing. "I didn't faint. Uh... My eyes, they, uh... went into an eye coma! Yeah, that's it! Definitely an eye coma! Heh!"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Yeah, ah'm sure they did. Now, ah'm goin' out fer some applebuckin'. Drink up yer soup and leave whenever ya want."

Applejack started to walk towards the door when she stopped and winked at Dash.

"Ah'm leavin' mah brother to take care of you. Now, no funny business, y'heer? Even though he's *cough* bein' yer nurse *cough*."

Applejack ran out the door snickering, earning a pillow to the head from an annoyed blue pegasus.

At the Golden Oaks Library, Rarity was raging at a bewildered Twilight Sparkle.

"Oh, you should have seen her! Being so 'kind' and 'sweet' and 'caring'. And then going behind my back after everything we've done together!"

Twilight frowned. "Rarity, for all we know, somepony could have framed Pinkie Pie. She would never do that to anypony on purpose!"

"But–"

"No buts, Rarity. You said that you both fell asleep together during the movie, right? You were on her shoulder and her face was in your mane, I believe. Now, how could she have done something then? We all know you are a light sleeper, so there was no way that she would have been able to do something like that without you noticing."

Rarity looked at Twilight with tears in her eyes.

"I believe you Twilight. There is no possible way that Pinkie could have done such a horrid thing. But then, who did it?"

Twilight thought for a moment. "Rarity, has there been anypony who has become closer friends with you in the past few days?"

Rarity bit her lip. "Well, Berry Punch has, but it couldn't possibly be her, she's such a sweetheart–"

"Rarity!", exclaimed Twilight, "Berry Punch is, well, the most alcoholic pony in Ponyville! We have to observe her for a few days and–"

"Twilight," said Rarity firmly, "First I must find and apologize to Pinkie Pie."

Rainbow Dash was awake and was helping Apple Bloom repaint a part of the barn. She had to admit, that filly was pretty good with tools. Both ponies were chatting idly as they worked, until Apple Bloom asked Dash a question.

"When're you and mah brother gonna git married?"

Rainbow nearly choked on the paintbrush in her mouth. "W-what!"

"Ah said, when're y–"

Rainbow cut her off. "No no, I heard you, it's just, um, we're not getting married..."

Apple Bloom tilted her head to the side. "But ah thought that if two ponies really liked each other, they git married?"

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Yes, yes they do... Apple Bloom, can you keep a secret?"

The yellow filly straightened up "Yis ma'am!"

"Pinkie Promise?"

Apple Bloom did all of the motions. "Cross mah heart an' hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye!"

Rainbow Dash sighed and leaned closer to the red-maned filly. "I actually do have a crush on your brother. Just please don't tell anypony else."

Apple Bloom squealed. "Ah knew it!"

Rainbow blinked. "It was that obvious?"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Enope, ya silly filly, we tested out our Cutie Mark Crusaders Telepathy Device on you, remember!"

Dash shook her head. "If you already knew, then why'd you ask me?"

"Ah didn't ask ya. Ya told me." The filly's face got serious. "Besides, that was the Beta Version. Plus, now ah know fer sure."

"An' ah know too," called a deep voice from the far end of the barn.

No way..., thought Rainbow, Oh no...

Slowly, she turned around to come face to face with a large apple red stallion with clear green eyes and a short orange mane.

"Uhhh... H-hey Mac! N-nice weather we're, uh having?"

Mac chuckled. "Yer cute when yer flustered. Ah wouldn't mind tryin' ta date."

He left the barn, leaving Rainbow Dash standing there with her mouth hanging open.

Apple Bloom, tired of this, smacked Rainbow Dash's jaw closed with a flick of her tail.

"Git up an' movin' mah future sister! We've gotta lotta chores left!"

"YEESSS!!! HE SAID YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"

Rainbow Dash zoomed out of the barn, leaving a disgruntled Apple Bloom to the chores.

"She could'a at least've stayed fer brunch..."

Pinkie Pie sobbed quietly with tears running down her cheeks as Berry Punch yelled at her.

"Don't you dare even go near Rarity! She's mine, and mine alone! A stupid pathetic pink fillyfooler like you shouldn't even be near her!"

Pinkie sniffled and looked up at Berry. "B-but you're a f-fillyfooler t-to?"

Berry huffed in annoyance. "There's a difference between you and me. YOU are just an idiotic fluffy mess up that ruins ponies' lives. I am a model for everypony to follow and love. Also, I love Rarity while YOU just want to use her."

Pinkie protested. "Th-that's n-not true..."

Berry Punch rolled her eyes. "Guess I'll have to hammer this into your tiny head the hard way."

The purple mare walked over to Pinkie Pie when suddenly, an angry voice called out from the door.

"Don't you dare touch one hair on her adorable poofy head or I'll RIP YOU TO PIECES!"

A furious and graceful purple-maned white mare stormed inside, followed by a lavender alicorn mare with a mane the color of dusk.

The alicorn frowned and looked straight at Berry Punch.

"Berry Punch, stop. I hate using my title, but as a princess of Equestria I order you to leave at once."

Berry panicked frantically and threw a pleading glance at Rarity.

Rarity coldly glared back at her.

"Don't even think about asking."

Twilight marched outside with Berry Punch, leaving Rarity alone with Pinkie Pie, who had fainted.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash flew in through the window.

"Rarity, guess what? Big–"

"Darling, it can wait. Let's just get Pinkie to the Boutique."

Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie's unconscious form, held by Rarity's levitation.

"Jeez Rarity, I didn't know mares could go at it that–"

That was how Rainbow Dash earned a lovely bruise on her ribs.

Rarity paced up and down in the room. Her friends had left, all promising to come back later. Only she and Pinkie remained in the room.

It had been hours, and Pinkie still wasn't awake. Rarity was getting worried.

"Pinkie, dear, please wake up. I'm really sorry about everything I said to you. Please, just wake up."

Rarity hugged the unmoving pink pony and started to cry, not caring that her mascara was ruined and her mane messed up.

The pink pony opened one eye. "Aw, it's okay Rarity! We're still the bestest bestest bestest friends!"

"PINKIE!" shrieked Rarity, "You're awake!"

"Well, duh! I'm talking to you, right?"

At that moment, Rarity planted a big kiss on her friend's lips.

Author's Note

Finally, done! Does anyone want a sequel?