Love Potion No. 6

Chapters

Chapter One: A Night Out
Chapter Two: Table for two, please?
Chapter Three: Flashbacks, oh my
Chapter Four: Confrontation
Epilogue

Chapter One: A Night Out

Rarity paced in circles around her boutique, deep in thought. Several stray pieces of half-finished sketches littered the floor, sheets of fabric lie forgotten and thrown in every direction. The Boutique was an absolute mess, akin to its owner’s state of mind. Her mind strayed to several of her worries, but they would always lead to one conclusion. Usually such behavior was reserved for any difficulties when creating a new fashion line, but today was a little different. Tonight she had a date.

Rarity, despite her noble demeanor, was a simple pony at heart. She was more than happy living in Ponyville with her friends, even if it meant saving the world more than once or ruining a hooficure. As long as she still had a mane at the end of the day to style, she was happy. If she had to go to lengths to get her hooves on a particular rainbow mane, she would. Besides, she wasn’t in any hurry to move to Canterlot, not since the fiasco of a Gala that one fateful night.

Rarity paused, stopping to growl at the image that dare creep inside her head. In her mind’s eye she saw Prince Blueblood smirking at her with a rose in his smug mouth. An imaginary hoof punching the rose out of his jaws teased a smug smirk of her own. If only she could strike him in reality, imagine how royal his pain would be with a few missing teeth!

Her pacing ended at last. She sighed and sat down, wrapping her curled tail around her haunches. She had been at it for hours, just pacing. Obsessing.

Sweetie Belle was with her friends, crusading for their cutie marks like young fillies do. When will she learn that one’s cutie mark is not merely an activity, but a pony’s true destiny? After all, Rarity’s talent wasn’t finding diamonds, despite the flair they provided upon her flanks. Rarity didn’t mind her sister’s adventures, after all a new cutie mark was perfect to inspire a new line of clothes for her sister, especially if it had aesthetic appeal. Having an inkling of what talent may emerge from her sister’s heart, Rarity was more than excited in her wait. The sensation of discovering one’s destiny was more than worth waiting for, and not one Rarity was quick to snatch away from her beloved sister.

Rarity began humming, trying to distract herself with thoughts of her sister. She had quite a few hours to prepare, but had wasted them on fruitless paranoia. Her hoof began tapping to an unknown beat to an unknown song. Her anxiety began to bubble at the surface, until her mouth opened to belt out a heartfelt song….

“I took my troub-”

Bang bang bang bang bang

Rarity stopped mid-note, the magic of her heart’s melody abruptly ended. Further irritated, Rarity inhaled a few times to calm herself before calling out. “Coming!” She trotted across the room, fixed a loose lock of hair in front of her eye, and regained her posture before opening the door.

“Well hello, welcome. I am Miss Rarity and this is my Boutique,” Rarity greeted as she opened her shop’s door with her magic. In front of her stood a tall stallion, chest muscles slightly bulging out of his striped jacket. The stallion tipped his white fedora and allowed Rarity to show him in, Rarity recognizing him from previous business transactions.

The stallion had a dark coat, a black color that stirred feelings of subtlety rather than intimidation. He was wearing a black and white pinstripe suit to accentuate his natural colors. Rarity caught a lock of brown hair when he tipped his hat, but the fedora now covered his mane. His tall and lean appearance was more soothing to Rarity than regality. At least with this stallion she was treated fairly, no matter what deal was set on the table.

The stallion coughed before speaking. “Nice ta see you again, Miss Rarity. I can see your boutique has seen better days.” Rarity giggled and waved a nonchalant hoof.

“Oh, you know me. I just got in the zone, heh heh…” Rarity laughed, nervous. The stallion, noticing the twitching in the corner of her lips and the trails she traced with her hooves, recognized the classic signs of a nervous mare. He sighed and took off his hat, placing it on his chest. Rarity stopped her anxious cackling and stared at his mane. It was brown, but glossy.

“Miss Rarity, it’s alright,” the stallion reassured the mare. “I’m just here for the normal protection fees, after all. Purely consensual, I hope?” He raised an eyebrow at the frazzled mare. She was one of his top-clients, always paying on time. She was also one of the first to actually approach him for his services, ever since an incident with rogue Diamond Dogs. The rival gang was a pain in his flank, but he was more than happy to claim a key defensive point on his turf.

“Of course! I wouldn’t dream of being coerced into shady dealings, mind you. Here, I have the payment we’ve agreed upon, and then some for your excellent service.” She turned around and levitated a small wooden box and floated it toward the stallion. “I have all the gems you’ve asked for, perfectly cut and sorted by type. I hope it’s satisfying for your taste, Mr. Capo-”

“Please, Miss Rarity,” the stallion interrupted, placing a dark hoof on her shoulder. “It’s Alfalfa. Just Alfalfa.” Rarity, seeing the genuine look of concern in his hazel eyes, sighed and set the box down. Alfalfa rubbed a small circle in her shoulder before setting it down. “I assume you wanted to discuss something more than a small payment, neigh?”

Rarity sighed and her ears drooped. Without any adieu, her horn shined blue and brought forth a hidden bottle from a forgotten saddlebag. She held it in front of him and opened her eyes, a pleading glint shining from them. The pink bottle glowed before him, causing Alfalfa to hesitate before continuing.

“Ah, I see. Having second thoughts my dear? Love is a tricky business, much more than simple ledgers and balances,” Alfalfa suggested, scratching his head before placing his fedora atop it. Rarity flipped her mane, thinking of a decent response.

“Well, I’ve thought and thought about it until my little head couldn’t take it anymore. I love my darling, you understand, but I don’t know if I can go through with it. What if she discovered my treachery, and it tarnished our dear relationship? What if it worked too well, and she became a slave to my desires? I don’t know if our friendship could survive such an atrocity,” Rarity explained, pacing back and forth in front of Alfalfa. Now that Alfalfa’s attention was called to it, he did notice that Rarity’s mane lacked the luster it usually had. She had cared for it, as expected, but the careful curls weren’t as well-defined and the volume was reduced, as if she had forgotten to shampoo.

“Miss Rarity, I can reassure you that your worries are justified, but nothing to worry about. Just read the label, and I guarantee that the potion does what it says. Nothing more, nothing less. I’ll expect full satisfaction and nothing else from my best customer.” Alfalfa touched the bottle with a tender hoof, as to not disrupt her magic, and rotated it so she could read the label. Rarity silent mouthed a few words, taking in every line and possible meaning.

“I would never expect a bootleg, Mr. Alfalfa, but a lady must consider her options before taking such… drastic measures.” Rarity sighed, taking the bottle in her hoof and holding it to her side. Alfalfa placed a hoof on her shoulder again and gave a small shake. Rarity looked up and he forced eye contact, grabbing her attention.

“Look, Miss. The potion will work as intended, and I will claim personal responsibility if it doesn’t. Take it with you, in case you have second thoughts. If you don’t use it, bring it back and receive a full refund, no questions asked.” Alfalfa dropped his hoof and walked to Rarity’s door. He turned around and tipped his hat. “I bid you the best of luck on your date, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity threw up a hoof. “Wait, what about your payme-”

Slam!

She dropped it. She had intended to clear her conscience and just return the bottle to the kind businesscolt, but he had closed that door on her. Literally.

Rarity rolled her eyes, deciding to get out of her distress. She had a choice to make and she didn’t have the time to worry about it anymore. She threw the bottle into her fanciest purse along with enough bits for the night, and trotted upstairs to clean herself up.

As Alfalfa left the boutique, he failed to notice the two hidden ponies waiting in the alley. Two pairs of eyes followed him as he passed. He paused, wondering if he was alone, but shrugged and continued. Once he was out of sight, the two shrouded ponies stretched their wings and flew toward the sky, landing on the Boutique’s roof, where they began their vigil.

Rarity, in a bout of inspiration since her meeting with Alfalfa, had finally remastered her appearance. A good brushing fixed the curls and volume of her mane and tail, a small amount of mascara brought out the dazzle in her eyes, powder for blush, and just a light touch of lipstick for that alluring yet classy air around her. Rarity blinked a few times, ensuring no makeup had gotten into her eyes. Making sure her lipstick wouldn’t smear and having a little fun, Rarity practiced her kissy faces and pretended to flirt with her reflection.

A quick glance to the clock reminded her it was time to move on. Rarity slipped into her evening dress, a simple tight-fitting red gown with frills. Rarity posed in the mirror, observing every curve of her body and ensuring each was accentuated accordingly, maximizing her appeal. Her form was slender, carefully treated and cared for through proper dieting and exercise. The dress was sure to remind everypony of that. Tonight was the night where everything may change, and Rarity wanted to look her best at the very least.

Downstairs somepony began knocking on the door. Rarity quickly adjusted the straps of her dress and decided she looked absolutely fabulous for the night, and hastily trotted downstairs. Behind her door, she took a few deep breaths to calm down. Everything was hanging in the balance, and she wasn’t going to let a little nerve ruin it for her. She levitated her fancy pink purse and placed it over her flanks like a saddlebag. Without any lingering doubts, she used her magic and pulled her door open, revealing her date and lover.

“Hello darling. Are you ready to have a delightful night?” Rarity asked, fluttering her eyelids as she spoke. Her date blushed in response, almost choking back a reply.

“O-of course, Rarity! Third time’s the charm, right?”

“Excellent. Shall we?” Rarity offered a hoof to her partner, who gingerly took it. “We must be going, or risk being late. A lady should not loiter, especially with such an important reservation at an important establishment.”

Her date giggled as they walked outside the Boutique. “Of course, our carriage awaits us for this reason. After you, Lady Rarity.”

Rarity blushed at the compliment, her cheeks warming in the crisp autumn air. Their third date together, and possibly last. If only I can prevent it.

“Why thank you, Princess Twilight.”

Chapter Two: Table for two, please?

The line for the The Voluptuous Volte was long, filled with everypony who was anypony. The recently opened restaurant had drawn a large crowd and was popular with the nobles, one of many reasons Rarity had chosen to hold a reservation there. It was more for Twilight’s appearance than hers, even if Twilight didn’t mind getting hayfries at a local pub like last time. Rarity refused to tarnish the princess’ reputation, even if it meant shelling out a few extra bits.

Rarity had stared at Twilight during the entire carriage ride as the wind flowed through her mane. She wondered if it would ever grow like the other princesses and assume a more ethereal appearance, or if that was a trait unique to the Solar and Lunar princesses. Either way, it inspired several designs she wished to try upon Twilight when given the chance.

The dark night sky greatly complimented Twilight’s appearance; her strapless dress was similarly themed to most of her situational wardrobe, a lovely midnight blue with azure star constellation designs decorating near the hem. It hugged her body snugly, but remained decently modest. Rarity felt it fit Twilight quite well, a subtle beauty without drawing too much attention. She could do with less modesty, but a humble princess was much more appreciated than a haughty one. Her experience at the Gala spoke the same for princes.

The carriage that held Rarity and Princess Twilight softly touched down beside the line, with barely a jolt. Rarity levitated a couple bits as tip for the hired pegasi, who then saluted the two mares and flew off, leaving them alone on their date. The two began trotting toward the end of the line, hoof in hoof, but were interrupted by the waiting ponies in line. Several insisted that the princess and her date be seated immediately, to the point some refused to budge. One of the waiters, sporting a sleek black jacket and matching mustache, came to investigate the sudden hold-up.

Recognizing the princess, he too insisted she be seated immediately. Twilight, in her modesty, tried to wait in line like everypony else, but was ushered off by the waiter before her reservations could be heard. Rarity huffed, forgotten. Fortunately the bouncer recognized that she had arrived with the princess, and politely showed her the way in and profusely apologized. He moved back into the doorway to block the entrance of two pegasi, each handsomely dressed in pinstripes and cutting in line.

Rarity caught up with Twilight when she was just being seated by the waiter, her chair being pushed in as she sat down. The waiter gave Rarity a surprised look, worried that he forgot the princess’ date! Rarity merely rolled her eyes and sat down herself, facing Twilight. The white tablecloth was simple, yet elegant. Rarity and Twilight mirrored each other as they set their napkins on their laps. The waiter appeared again, placing a vase with roses as the centerpiece and lighting the surrounding candles. Despite his initial mistake, he was trying to appeal for it by adding atmosphere to the date.

The restaurant was quite fancy, or the quality an establishment at Canterlot would require. The walls were painted a light blue color that glowed in the dim lighting. Inside were round tables covered in white tablecloths; ponies of all fame were seated and received prompt and excellent service from the varied wait staff of all races. Near the opposite side of the chamber-like room was a stage for the musicians, a classical theme featuring stringed instruments was currently playing. The soothing melody and dim lighting provided a romantic air to each pony’s dinner.

Menus were carefully placed in front of them. Twilight and Rarity lifted them with their magic and began flipping through the pages, looking at each item in shallow curiosity. Their eyes skimmed each line carelessly, already knowing what they were to order. Having spent several nights drinking in taverns together as friends, they both knew that Rarity would begin her evening with a glass of red wine, while Twilight would order a salted appletini.

Twilight sneaked a peek over her floating menu, gazing at her special somepony’s focused face. Her sapphire eyes fluttered ever so slightly as she drew a small breath, her pale ears flicking subtly in concentration. The gently applied makeup’s care was evident in the lighting; Rarity’s artistic expression extended to her own beauty as her complexion glowed under the candlelight. Many ponies had pinned that on appearance or vanity, but Twilight recognized it as Rarity’s expression of her talent: coaxing beauty out and into the world.

At that thought, Twilight squirmed in her seat. Rarity’s life was centered around beauty, but she was carrying a dirty secret. Twilight feared that her secret would upset the mare, or worse. The princess held her breath, her thoughts turning to possibilities. Rarity, or any of her friends for that matter, would usually forgive her with open hooves for small mistakes she was prone to make, but something like this was much more grievous. Twilight was sure Rarity would never forgive her, possibly even leaving her. She shuddered at the thought, a frosty chill sinking into her hallowed chest.

Her eyes flickered back to Rarity, who was completely oblivious to Twilight’s plight. As her lavender eyes lay their sight upon her, Twilight began to calm down. She began peeking again, taking in Rarity’s appearance as much as she could. Her mane was styled as usual, but the curls were much more carefully pronounced. Twilight took in the sight for a moment, before her gaze drifted down toward the red dress. The frills were elegant, yet simple. Twilight didn’t know much about fashion, but figured Rarity’s dress screamed subtlety despite the obvious contradiction. Now that she was observing it, she began to notice how the dress hugged Rarity’s supple curves…

“Any drinks for the fine mares this evening?” the waiter asked, returning with a carefully folded towel on a raised foreleg. On it was a printed image of a mare’s silhouette, the restaurant’s official sigil. His appearance startled Twilight, causing her to jump in her seat. Her wings shot out, eliciting a few raised eyebrows from nearby tables. Rarity gave a sheepish smile, trying to be supportive of alicorn physiology.

“I’ll have the red wine, good sir.” Rarity smiled at the waiter before turning to Twilight. She was frantically scanning the alchohol menu, searching for a suitable drink.

“Is there a problem, princess?” he inquired, nervously pulling on his tie. A bead of sweat condensed on his forehead, and began rolling down his brow. Twilight scanned the menu once more before daring to ask.

“I’ve noticed that there’s no appletinis on the menu. I was hoping to get one, salted,” Twilight admitted. She wasn’t much of a wine drinker, being a lightweight compared to her friends. Even Fluttershy could down more glasses of scotch than she could.

The waiter didn’t hesitate. “Of course we do princess! Coming right up!” He snatched the menus from the mares’ grips and dashed off before they could react, running straight to the restaurant’s bar. He burst behind the counter and whispered in the bartender’s ear. “We need a salted appletini, stat!”

The bartender flinched back from the intrusion in his personal space. The waiter’s hooves were on his shoulders, shaking him. The ‘whisper’ was more like a shout. The bartender slowly pushed the waitor’s hooves off before erupting a response. “We don’t serve that here, and I’m not being paid to go hunting for ingredients!”

“Alright. How does being banished to the moon sound instead?” the waiter hissed back. The bartender gulped, and readjusted his tie.

Well that certainly changed things. “V-very well. The princess’ wish is my command.”

During the waiter’s odd reaction to Twilight’s comment, the pinstriped pegasi finally entered the fancy restaurant. A violin case was strapped to both of their backs. They began heading toward the backstage after shooting a narrow-eyed glare toward the table seating Twilight and Rarity.

Now equipped with new menus, the two refined mares began selecting their dishes. One caught Rarity’s eye, hoping to reignite their lost spark.

“Darling, what do you suppose of the Lover’s Surprise?” Rarity asked, fluttering her eyelashes as she did so. Twilight responsively shielded her eyes with her menu, refusing eye contact. She fauxed interest in the menu, somewhat rattled by Rarity’s choice.

What if she knows? No, Rarity would never do that, she would never play me like a foal. But what if she did? Oh Equestria… Twilight’s thoughts buzzed from one image to another, from Rarity dumping wine over her to Rarity throwing her off the carriage mid flight in anger. Paranoia was a known concern for her mental state, but there was little she could do when possible danger was imminent. Twilight liked Rarity, but some things were too heavy to carry alone.

The waiter returned with their drinks, stifling a pant he developed after personally galloping a mile to a nearby tavern for the appletini. The ladies thanked him, Twilight politely (and nervously) refused the appetizer, and returned to their menus.

Rarity peeked above her menu and noticed Twilight’s anxiety. She squirmed in her seat, her right eye had begun twitching, and her wings lightly fluttered from their sides. Rarity’s left foreleg dropped beneath the table, her hoof grasping the purse she hung on the back of her seat. Her hoof lightly brushed a vial and rested on it. It was warm to the touch and pulsed, as if an actual heart rested in her hooves. Come on Rarity, just a little slip of your hoof and Twilight will remember how much she loves you! Twilight was distracted, and would hardly notice a drop or two falling into her beverage...

“Have you made a decision?” the waiter popped seemingly out of nowhere next to Rarity.

“No!!” the two mares shouted in surprise, their thought jarred from the intruding stallion. The waiter leaped back and cowered, covering his shaking head with his towel in fear; Lunarisexiliumphobia was a rising health concern in Canterlot since the return of Princess Luna. Rarity and Twilight blinked and shook their heads, and turned to the paralyzed waiter. With a shrug and an awkward apology, another staff member managed to haul the waiter to the kitchens.

The new waiter, a teal unicorn mare wearing a similar silken waitress dress, took their order. After much consideration and nerve, Rarity managed to order the Primula Pulmenti. Twilight took another minute, but finally managed to stutter the name of the infamous dish, Veneficus Misceo. The waitress calmly wrote down their order on her notepad using her magic, and hastily scurried away.

Between Rarity’s indecision, and Twilight’s withheld confession, both mares were stressed beyond their normal constraints, leading to them quickly downing their glasses. After slamming the glasses on the table, the two mares exchanged blank expressions. Nervous electricity in the air was felt by both, but neither could pinpoint the reason why. Reckless drinking was a clear sign of anxiety, but the reason why was still unclear as silence came between them.

The two pegasi stallions were sitting on tables backstage, peaking through the curtains and eyeing the two mares through their endeavors to order their meal. The princess losing control of her wings in public, the two jumping when the waiter surprised them, the awkward glances the two shared… it was obvious there was something between the two. The two pegasi were counting on it. A heinous plan had been formed, and it’s execution would be horribly insidious. Almost evil, delightfully evil.

Unaware of the events to unfold, Rarity felt caught in a web of awkwardness around her marefriend. The journey to the restaurant had been calm, but since their arrival in Canterlot everything had been one accident after another. Rarity felt for the potion once more, feeling a soothing calm after reassuring herself it was still there. Twilight seemed to be losing interest as of late, her awkward demeanor was a clear sign of clueless attempts to continue a doomed relationship. The potion was Rarity’s one chance to reclaim their magic, the magic they made together. Deciding to break the ice before absolutely seducing Twilight, Rarity parted her lips.

“Twilight, darling. Do you remember how ‘we’ came to be?”

Chapter Three: Flashbacks, oh my

The two suspicious pegasi watched the two mares as their dinner was served. Other staff had supplied them with sandwiches, a perk of posing as a musician. The tables weren’t as comfortable as the two mares’ appeared to be, but it had to do. The smaller, tan stallion finally broke the silence as he scratched his rugged brown mane.

“You sure about this? The boss is going to be mighty mad if he finds out we’ve been messing with his best client.” The stallion’s voice was laced with caution and a hint of fear. The boss was a nice pony, but incredibly fearsome when angered. The last pony that pissed him off by shorting him on a bargain ended up in the Everfree Forest. It took several weeks for the weather team to find him, and by then he had reverted to a feral state and required months of therapy to recover. Ponyville learned its lesson that day: You do not buck with Alfalfa Capone.

The larger, dark grey stallion laughed. “Stop worrying so much, ya filly! Once we get our hooves on the prize, we’ll be rolling in so many bits the boss will be kissing the clouds we walk on!”

“I-I guess…” the stallions’ attention turned back the the dining mares.

“Oh, well, of course!” Twilight flinched at the sudden question, breaking their silence. Her anxiety turned into guilt as she mulled over Rarity’s question. She barely reacted as the waitress arrived with their dinner, deep in thought. The last couple months worth of memories were muddled with her anxiety over her secret, making it hard to recall what exactly Rarity was inquiring about. Twilight’s hoof played with the hem of her azure dress under the table, independent of her thoughts.

Twilight’s silence stuck a wedge into Rarity’s composure, wearing down her confidence. Rarity poked at floating daisy petals in her soup with her spoon as she stared at the expensive dish. Does Twilight… not care at all anymore? To Rarity’s knowledge, Twilight had a very acute memory because of her studious lifestyle. However, Twilight’s memory only seemed to come into play when it involved magic or when the situation called for it. Not remembering something as simple as this when directly asked only worsened Rarity’s worries.

“Darling…” Rarity called softly, coaxing Twilight back to reality. The pondering alicorn had been poking at her dish, a purple noodle dish with special spices that sparkled in the candlelight. Twilight blinked rapidly, pulling out of her thoughts, and slowly brought her gaze back to Rarity’s. Without a word she smiled, her eyes affected by a nervous twitch. Rarity noticed her left ear was bent at an awkward angle, twitching. Rarity eyes widened, but she saved face and returned the sheepish smile with her own.

Her ear… that means she’s hiding something. In the two months they’ve been dating, Rarity had picked up on physical cues that Twilight subconsciously gave off. It irritated Twilight to no end, having been forced to hire Pinkie Pie just to surprise her with a romantic gift in her stead. Though, being able to read your partner like a book had its perks. Rarity smiled at a memory that bubbled at the surface...

”Oh no, oh no, oh no!” Twilight paced around the library, frantically reshelving books with her magic. Spike was currently on vacation, having decided to sleep over at Sweet Apple Acres with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, unable and unwilling to help her. Her stress overtook her rationality, forcing her to decide time was of the essence and began shelving books at random. She could sort through them later. Her wings fluttered from their sides as her horn glowed brightly with stress. Through her endeavor, Twilight failed to notice the oak door imbue with a sapphire glow and open as a white mare pranced inside.

“Darlingggg! I made dinnerrr- Oh my! What in Equestria happened here?” Rarity stopped her dreamy trot and held a pale hoof in front of her muzzle as her eyes took in the sight in front of her. Twilight’s appearance was absolutely horrid; her mane was disheveled to the point her pink highlight was incomprehensible, her wings were frayed and unkempt, and there was scorched wood and books spread throughout the room. “Did Spikey-wikey..?”

Twilight turned around, meeting Rarity’s concerned gaze. Her magenta eyes were damp with tears, the same tears running down her face. She tried to take flight, but the ungroomed wings refused to give lift. “H-he found out.”

Rarity’s face fell. Her concern melted to sympathy and shame. She walked over to Twilight and wrapped her forelegs around her neck. “I’m sorry it turned out this way. You didn’t tell him?”

Twilight sniffed. “I was going to, but he… he saw the picture of us. The one from the photobooth.” Rarity let go, her mind going back to the day of the carnival. Their first real date. The small photoshoot had started innocently enough with friendly poses, but devolved into a make-out session between two heated mares. In their defense, it WAS summer. But now poor Spikey-wikey had been exposed to such… uncouth behavior.

“Poor Spike… he’s just a baby. He shouldn’t have been exposed like that.” Rarity dropped her head. “Darling, I have no regrets, but I must apologize.” Rarity stood up and moved to turn around.

“Don’t.” Twilight shook her head, using her magic to lightly pull on Rarity’s hoof. “He’s cooling off with Applejack and the Crusaders right now. He’ll only get angrier if you seek him out.” Twilight turned her head to peer out the window.

Rarity nodded. If she couldn’t help poor Spike, she could at least ease Twilight’s suffering. While she was distracted, Rarity crept forward and placed her lips on Twilight’s neck. A shiver ran through the mare’s skin, but she made no move to stop Rarity as the soft pair of lips crept up. Rarity pulled back once she was high enough to stare into pools of magenta. Twilight’s drooping ears slowly rose as her wings followed. Rarity took that as a sign to continue, placing her hoof under Twilight’s chin and leaning forward. Their lips met, heat radiating through Rarity’s body as she…

“Um, Rarity? Are you alright?” a voice called beyond the abyss, snapping Rarity out of the memory. Rarity leaned back and shook her head, dispelling arousing thoughts as she felt the heat leave her body. She couldn’t believe she had lost herself in a daydream in the middle of a date! And an important one as well. Twilight had made little progress with her magic noodles, merely poking them with a levitating fork. Instead of eating, she was staring at Rarity.

Rarity waved a nonchalant hoof. “Of course, darling. I was just thinking about…” Rarity looked away in shame. Spike had eventually forgiven them, but the scars of betrayal will forever remain on him. Spike didn’t blame her, like a true gentledrake, but the rift between Spike and Twilight remained.

“Spike?” Twilight whispered, staring down at her plate. Her ears twitched and she snapped her attention to Rarity, now nodding. Twilight sighed, her spirits low. The mood had been great until after the carriage ride, and now it was depressing. She was never going to be able to tell Rarity at this point. Perhaps a change of subject was in order. “You said something about ‘us’ earlier?”

Rarity snapped her eyes to Twilight’s in surprise. She remembers? “Why, yes. I asked if you remembered how ‘we’ came to be.” Rarity couldn’t help but smile at her partner, who returned the favor. Her heart, previously sullen, began to beat excitedly. Rarity held her breath as Twilight opened her mouth to speak.

“I remember reading a book on Starswirl’s life. I believe it was called Starswirl: A History. You were doing that fashion show, right?” Twilight’s mind racked for details, her anxiety muddling the specifics. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle. “Yes, Rarity?”

“Oh darling, you’re merely stating facts,” Rarity teased. “Just relax, Twilight. Slow down and reminiscence.” Rarity held up a hoof and inhaled deeply, demonstrating the calming technique. Her life as a fashion designer had proven that technique incalculably valuable. Twilight followed suit and took in a calming breath, and then let it out before continuing.

Twilight was reading her hero’s historical biography as Rarity flit from one end of the Boutique to the other. Twilight’s horn glowed occasionally to turn the page, completely oblivious to her surroundings. Rarity had invited her to keep the fashionita company in preparation for an upcoming show. Apparently it was important as the spinster hadn’t spoken a word since their greeting, instead running to and fro with a flushed and scrunched expression. A musky smell filled the room, probably a new candle scent Rarity was fond of.

A bell rung. Twilight’s eyes shifted to peer over her book. The lavender door swung open, revealing a hazel-coat unicorn stallion levitating folded clothing.

“Hello Miss Rarity. I was hoping you could repair my-”

“Get out get out GET OUT!!” Rarity screamed, turning around from her stitching machine. Her bloodshot eyes, unkempt mane, flushed complexion, and snarling expression gave her the appearance of a she-demon. Her horn glowed with energy as she lifted various forgotten objects off the floor and prepared to throw them at the stallion. The unicorn, sensing impending danger, took the hint and dashed out of the Boutique and shut the door behind him. Rarity sighed and set down the objects, moaning. She placed her forelegs beside her sewing machine and rested on the table, lightly panting.

“Rarity, what’s the matter?” Twilight sensed her friend’s distress. This was beyond normal stress, something else was bothering Rarity. She would never chase out a customer in such a rage. Rarity sighed and let her ears droop to the side before facing Twilight.

“I’m sorry you had to see that Twilight. It’s just… “

“It’s okay, Rarity. You can tell me.”

“I know Twilight, it’s just… just…”

“Rarity…”

“I’m in estrus.” The room went silent for a moment as Twilight processed this information. Rarity usually kept her business private; being so straightforward was unusual for the refined mare. Chasing out a stallion made sense now, at the very least. Pheromones could wear down even the most resilient of ponies.

Rarity breathed deeply and continued. “I’m in estrus and can’t find any release, Twilight. A lady must keep herself occupied in turmoiling times, but lately I’ve felt rather… unfulfilled. I hate to thrust this upon you, but my uncouth behavior toward that poor stallion was uncalled for, was it not?”

“Unfulfilled?” Twilight parroted, her curiosity clouding her judgement. It was no secret to everypony she had been ogling the refined mare during her own estrus cycle, but Twilight had too much studying to do than to flirt with a mare out of her league.

“Yes, unfulfilled. No decent stallion stands in Ponyville, and my bed has been cold every night. Since the incident at the Gala, no mare will consider me. Not even for a quick lay.” Rarity rested her head on the table, her horn barely touching the cold sewing machine. It felt soothing to the heated horn with estrus raising her body temperature. Rarity wasn’t the type of mare to ‘put out,’ but this year’s cycle was pushing her limits.

“I’ll do it.”

“Thank you darling, I appreciate the sentiment. I’m sure I’ll find my special somepony someday…”

“Rarity.”

The fashionita paused and picked herself off the table. She turned her head toward Twilight, the alicorn setting down the book and adjusting her laying position on the soft couch. “Yes, darling?”

“I said I would do it.” Twilight’s cheeks flushed with blood, her confidence never so high. Rarity’s eyes flickered over Twilight’s body for a moment, seemingly forever, before abruptly leaping from her chair and pouncing on the admiring mare.

“...and then that happened,” Twilight finished with a blush. Rarity did not have the benefit of a darkly colored coat, her blush shining clear through her white fur. Their first night together had been rather heated; and at the end, satisfying. Rarity had been alone since the fateful Gala, and the release had been much appreciated. It wasn’t uncommon for mares, particularly friends, to ease each other’s stress during their cycles with the skewed gender ratio in some parts of the country. It was certainly less awkward than actively searching for a stallion every season. Afterwards, when they were cuddling in Rarity’s bed under the covers, Twilight confessed her feelings for the generous artist. Rarity almost attributed it to pillow talk, but confessed similar feelings herself. Having harbored genuine feelings for each other, they decided to go to the carnival together. It would be their first date in a week’s time.

“Two months,” Rarity broke the silence. “Two months we’ve been together. Two months I would never take back, not as long as I have you.” Rarity raised her red wine. Twilight clinked her glass of salted appletini. Together, they drank. Rarity downed her glass and set it down, smiling at Twilight. “Not a single regret.”

Twilight froze. Her mind shifted to the harbored secret. That was definitely a regret, and now she regretted holding it to herself. Twilight shook her head as Rarity reached a hoof toward her. “I’m sorry, excuse me for a moment.” Twilight adjusted her strapless azure dress and hopped out of her seat, and headed for the washroom. Rarity tried to say something, but forced her jaws shut as she watched her lover walk away without another word.

“Oh Rarity, there goes the mare of your dreams…” Rarity sighed as she leaned on her right hoof. Her woes overwrote her manners as she placed her elbows on the table, sighing as she watched Twilight walk across the large restaurant. Between the crowded tables and staff running around, Rarity finally realized she didn’t even know what color the carpet was. It was a nice sage color. A dress appeared in her mind, something she could sew for Applejack at some point.

Rarity raised a hoof, calling a waitress to the white-clothed table. A cream unicorn with a pink mane approached.

“Yes, my lady? How may I serve you?” The unicorn gave a small bow. Rarity couldn’t help but chuckle. Nearly two years ago she would’ve dreamed of moments like this, but now she couldn’t care less.

“I would like you to refill our drinks, if possible,” Rarity requested as she gave the mare a warm smile. The unicorn inhaled nervously, preparing for the long run to the only bar serving salted appletinis. The waitress assured her that the drinks would be on their way shortly before leaving. As she watched the waitress leave for the kitchens with her order, Rarity reached into her purse. As her hoof brushed against the love potion, a memory surfaced.

”Are you sure about this?” Twilight whimpered as Rarity towered over her. Twilight squirmed on the bed as her love smiled. It was their first time out of their cycles, making the deed much more intimate.

“Of course,” Rarity breathed. Her tongue hissed the last syllable seductively. She stared into the eyes of Twilight and whispered as she leaned down. “I love you”

Rarity winced at the memory. That must be the reason why Twilight was going to leave her. Rarity, the most refined and noble lady of all of Ponyville, had put out too early. Now she was a used-up mare that Twilight had tired of. A one-trick pony. Twilight, being a princess, had a near limitless number of prospects to choose from. Given the choice, she would never have to sleep alone.

Rarity grinded her teeth at the thought. She grasped the potion and slipped it under the table, hiding it from any watching pony’s view. It was unlike the potion her sister had made before for Hearts and Hooves Day to bring Big Macintosh and her teacher together. It would only bring to the surface the love Twilight already had for her, not conjure up an illusionary obsession. At least she hoped.

A single drop should do it. Rarity uncorked the pink bottle and quickly brought it to Twilight’s empty glass. One tip of her hoof and a single pink drop fell into the glass, resting at the bottom. It was virtually unnoticeable. Rarity shoved the potion back in her bag and wiped her brow, now laden with sweat. I wonder how she’s doing…

Having watched the princess leave her date behind, the two suspicious stallions finished their gourmet sandwiches and picked up their cases. They had prepared, planned, and encouraged themselves for days leading to this night, and they were not going to mess it up. The dark grey stallion with a much lighter mane took point, hovering to the opposite side of the room as the tan pegasus trotted toward the table that Rarity was waiting at. The mare looked up as he sat down, distracting her from noticing his friend eyeing her hungrily.

“Hello there. How may I make your acquaintance?” Rarity asked, rolling her eyes at the stallion. Even though she was an item with a princess, stallions still wouldn’t leave her alone. The stallion sheepishly grinned and reached out a hoof.

“Hi, I’m Crescent. Crescent Moon.”

Twilight was not doing well. She was in a communal washroom, leaning on the marble counter and staring at her reflection. Her dress was still neat and snug, her mane was still styled, and her (minimal) make-up hadn’t run. Her overall appearance had not suffered in the night’s run, but her psyche had. Holding the secret inside her soul was having detrimental effects, and Twilight was about to burst with the pressure.

Twilight sighed and stared at the marble. “Applejack would never have this problem. Why can’t I just tell her?” She looked up and returned her reflection’s pouting expression. “She’s so happy, living life. Rarity wouldn’t want this. No, not one bit. She deserves better than a stupid mare like me! If I tell her, she’ll leave me. If I don’t, I’ll have to leave her! Oh, I wish Princess Celestia was here!” Twilight banged her head on the marble, causing her horn to ache. Rather than return to the mirror, Twilight rested her throbbing head.

”Nice spell, Rarity! You have to teach me it sometime!” Twilight complimented her lover as Rarity cut off power to her spell, dispelling the enchantment and dropping the previously living ribbons from before. The two mares were worn out after a rough night together. They had just finished their second date, three weeks after their first, and it had ended like most days they’ve spent together. The lover’s tango. The horizontal pony bash. Earth pony cloud-kicking. The list could go on and on, but Rarity was spent.

“Indeed Twilight, indeed. You’ve worn me out, a first I must say.” Rarity admitted her shortcoming, panting for breath. For a unicorn, Twilight had quite the stamina.

“My turn!” Twilight giggled as her horn glowed. “Mind if I give you a little ‘pick-me-up’?”

Rarity smiled at Twlight, remembering the spells they’ve been researching. “Of course, darling.” She closed her eyes and waited for the spell.

“I trust you.”

Twilight whipped her head up, staring at the mirror. Ever since that night, she’s forced a dry spell on her poor partner! Twilight was furious at herself for her petty actions; she gritted her teeth and punched her reflection, causing the mirror to crack. She was a princess now, she could pay for it. Breathe in, breathe out. The alicorn princess had made a decision. Rarity had placed trust in her, and now it was time to come clean. Buck the consequences, she had a mare to confess to!

The dark grey pegasus’ eye narrowed as he watched the princess leave the washroom. He was in position, and now it was time to give the signal. He lifted a grey wing and ‘accidentally’ smacked a waitress’ behind, earning him an angry growl and glare. Crescent saw the short spectacle and said his goodbye to Rarity, grabbing his violin case just as Twilight arrived to take his seat.

Twilight, now confident in herself, sat down and faced Rarity. The scarlet dress nearly distracted her, but she regained her train of thought. Courage bubbling up, she opened her mouth to speak. “Rarity, I-”

“Darling, why don’t we have a drink first before ordering desert?” Rarity suggested, holding up the menu with her magic as she lifted the wine with a hoof. Twilight nodded, deciding she was going to need sweets either way.

Crescent waited until his partner began to approach the table from the opposite direction. As soon as each was merely a pace away from the mares, they each sat at a vacant table and threw their violin cases on top. Before anypony could look their way and question their actions, they unlatched the cases and threw them open, revealing the contents within.

The metal casing shined in the dim candlelight, the dark gray metal shimmering in the darkness. The two pegasi lifted their weapons and opened fire on the crowd.

Chapter Four: Confrontation

The sound of fire echoed through the chamber-like restaurant, rousing panic in the crowd. Ponies stood up to run, but were mowed down by the pegasi’s shots. One pegasus tried to fly to the ceiling, but one shot fired turned his jacket a sickly scarlet and the pegasus spiraled downwards, unconscious. Somewhere, a mare screamed. The mob mentality shifted from panic to fear as some ponies cowered underneath their tables instead of trying to escape. Unfortunately none of the unicorn nobles were proficient enough to combat the gangsters, and nor were the pegasi staff speedy enough to rush them.

As soon as the gangsters revealed their true pinstriped colors, Rarity used her magic and shoved Twilight underneath the table, dropping down to meet her. They lied on their stomachs, listening to the panicked cries of the nobles as the gangsters thinned the crowd.

“What are you doing? We have to do something!” Twilight hissed as she tried to break free from Rarity’s magical grasp. Rarity narrowed her eyes, desperately strengthening her magic. Due to the tablecloth obscuring her view, Twilight had no way and no room to teleport. She struggled for a moment before glaring at her lover. “Why?”

Rarity peeked from under the tablecloth. Nearby lay a noble, his mint jacket tarnished by a large circular scarlet blemish, oozing red liquid and pooling on the ground. The noblepony moaned in pain, his eyes rolling in their sockets. They briefly focused on Rarity, long enough for the noble to whisper for her to save herself and then he fainted in shock. Rarity dropped the tablecloth and noticed the red sticky liquid had reached her. She leaned down and sniffed it; the scent was ghastly.

“Twilight, darling. It seems like we’re under attack,” Rarity explained. Twilight gave her an unamused glare.

“Thank you Rarity. We still need to do something!” Twilight’s horn glowed, attempting to counter Rarity’s magic. Rarity intensified her spell, knowing it wouldn’t be long until the powerful mare overtook her.

“Twilight, stop! These are mobsters! If you draw attention to yourself, they’ll try to capture you, the princess!” Rarity warned, concerned for the safety of her lover. Twilight met her gaze, frowned, and finally cancelled her magic. The two mares stared at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. The panicked noise had died down and no more shots were heard.

The table began wobbling. Twilight and Rarity looked up as light reached their eyes; the table was rising! The two pegasus gangsters lifted the table high into the air and tossed it to the side. They hovered, flapping their wings menacingly and staring at the crouching princess. Their weapons gleamed as they aimed them at the princess, threatening to shoot. The larger grey stallion jerked his head, motioning for the princess to come forth.

“Darling, no. Sudden. Movement.” Rarity whispered, barely moving her lips to speak. The pegasus began cautiously lowering, heading toward the ground to land. Twilight answered through a crack in her frozen frown.

“Now can I?”

“Yes.” Rarity nodded. Twilight leaped toward her, her forelegs outstretched. She wrapped her legs around Rarity and her horn flared, charging the spell. The gangsters reactively fired, but the two entangled mares disappeared in a bright flash.

“Eek!” Rarity screamed as she pushed Twilight aside, saving her from a streaming pool of red. Twilight rolled her eyes. Rarity saw her lover’s bemused expression and complained. “You mustn’t stain your dress so casually! It took me weeks to get the constallations perfect!’

“Rarity!” Twilight stomped her hoof and spat, driving Rarity to silence her whines. “I think we have bigger concerns than a little fashion mishap!” Rarity followed the pointing hoof to see the pegasi gangsters flying toward them. Teleporting across the chamber had been a tactical maneuver, but it only delayed the inevitable when your assailants could fly.

“Darling, now!” Rarity cried when the pegasi lifted their weapons. Just as their hooves pulled the triggers, Twilight grabbed her and blinked out in time, the table shielding them ripped apart by the oncoming projectiles.

This time they landed on the stage, filled with abandoned instruments and a few collapsed musicians. One brown earth pony screamed in agony about her ruined dress, soaked with dripping red liquid. The pegasi opened fire at the disorientated mares. Twilight pushed Rarity and they rolled under the piano, which began absorbing the projectiles. Due to the recent stress of the night’s events, Twilight felt too spent to cast any more magic.

The alicorn panted in Rarity’s embrace, her body heated with exhaustion. Rarity placed a white hoof on her back, massaging and rubbing circles tenderly. Magical exhaustion was no stranger to her. Rarity helplessly watched as the gangsters lifted the piano from above them and threw it to the side, off the stage.

Rarity began shaking, ice creeping into her veins, as the pegasi aimed their weapons at the still mares. Twilight lifted her head from Rarity’s shoulder and looked at the gangsters with an empty light in her eyes. As the pegasi’s hooves pulled back on the trigger, a fire ignited in Twilight’s eyes. Her wings shot out and flapped brutally, sliding her and Rarity across the stage and away from the firing barrage.

As Rarity laid on her back in shock, she watched Twilight push off her and into the air. As she did so, a small white stick fell from the folds of her dress and fell onto the floor, forgotten. Rarity reached for it, but froze as Twilight engaged the gangsters.

Twilight had received lessons on flight propulsion and stability from Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, respectively, but she was still nowhere near as skilled as them. Despite her lack of natural talent, Twilight’s rage allowed her to outmaneuver her opponents’ fire as she returned it with magic beams of her own. The three winged ponies weaved and dodged around each other, their aerial combat fraughting the restaurant with collateral damage as ammunition and magic alike ripped apart fancy furniture.

One shot fired was easily dodged by Twilight, but Rarity’s mind raced, her reflexes slowing the projectile until she could see the ball casing flying straight at her. She flinched, ready for the pain to come. A second passed. She opened her right eye and saw the ball casing embued with miasmic energy. Twilight, having stopped it in time, threw it to the side as she reengaged the gangsters. She was a princess now, and she would protect her subjects.

Especially Rarity.

Rarity’s heart fluttered as she watched her princess protect her from the gangsters. She swooned as magic energy knocked the smaller tan stallion from the air. She gasped when Twilight’s wing was clipped by a stray shot. She held her breath when the two came close and nearly grappled. And lost it when the stallion punched Twilight, knocking her out of the air, and dramatically lowered his weapon toward the downward spiraling mare. Her azure dress fluttered in the fall.

Rarity’s mind blinked out of the present.

It was the night of their second date. It was just as fun as their first, but a little less casual. Rather than prance around like fillies at a carnival, the two had gone to see a play at the Ponyville’s schoolhouse. The colts and fillies performed a play in Twilight’s honor after she had put out a building fire with the water tower, similar to how she defeated the Ursa Minor.

The two were laughing at a joke Twilight had just told, enjoying each other’s company. The sound of wings flapping drew their attention, drawing them to look up into the night sky. A dark carriage carrying the Princess of the Night descended, landing and rolling toward the mare’s side. As the two greeted Princess Luna, Rarity eyed the mud puddle the carriage was about to run over.

A bright flash blinded Rarity, forcing her eyes shut. She opened them a moment later to see Twilight with her regalia and fur completely covered in mud.

“Princess Twilight, we are truly sorry for our intrusion! We did not mean to dirty the royal body!” Princess Luna apologized, flying out of her carriage. Twilight just laughed and glanced over her shoulder toward Rarity.

“It’s perfectly alright, Princess Luna. I just didn’t want Rarity’s new dress to get dirty, that’s all."

Rarity snapped back to the present, hormones pumping in her body. She cares about me! She still loves me! The pegasus’ hoof was slowly pulling on the trigger, his speed slowed to a crawl. She could count the individual feathers on his beating wings as he floated in air. Far behind him the restaurant’s windows were clouds of floating glass as the batpony SWAT team had been called in for the emergency.

Rarity, faster than Rainbow Dash would ever give her credit for, dove into her bag and grabbed the bottle. She turned to the stallion, the trigger nearly pulled all the way. Rarity narrowed her eyes in rage as her horn glowed sapphire, brighter than Twilight’s had and illuminated the room in mystic beauty.

Rarity was nowhere as powerful as Twilight, and nor would she ever be. She may be a simple seamstress, but even a lady must protect the one she loved. Her horn charged and she closed her eyes. For Twilight, it was as easy as breathing. For Rarity, it was the hardest endeavor she’d ever faced.

Her horn flashed, releasing energy. Rarity opened her eyes to see the ball casing leaving the weapon, floating toward her with a small white motion cone coating it. The stallion had an evil grin on his face, believing he held victory. The corner of his smile began lowering as his mind began to comprehend the newly teleported obstacle in his way. Rarity snarled and threw the bottle, leaving her hoof in a slowed motion.

Rarity, her talent at magic already pushed to its limit, could only watch as the ball slowly approached her. She began to feel the pull of gravity as the ball made impact on her chest, the force traveling through her body. It felt as if she had been tackled by Rainbow Dash after performing a sonic rainboom. Suffice to say, it hurt.

Time sped up once more. Rarity’s casualty propelled her backwards, causing her to land on the ground a couple yards away from Twilight. She lay in her dress as the red puddle poured from underneath her still body.

The bottle uncorked on the stallion, splashing him with pink liquid. He spat, some of the strange potion entering his mouth. The bottle did not break, instead falling to the ground with nothing but a single bounce. He wiped his mouth and pointed his weapon at Twilight once more.

Twilight shakingly stood up, and turned her attention Rarity. She ignored the pegasus as she limped toward her lover. No shots were fired at her as she approached the still, pale body. She nuzzled her partner’s head, trying to wake her. With no response, she poked with her wet, snot-covered muzzle as tears ran down her face. “R-Rarity? Rarity!?”

The pegasus laughed. “How tragically romantic! Now Princess, you’re coming wi-”

“RARITY!!” Twilight screamed to the heavens, rearing her head up in anguish. She whipped around and faced the stallion, her eyes narrowed and biting her lips in anger. Her horn charged with scarlet energy as her coat turned white and her mane enflamed…

Meanwhile at Canterlot Castle...

“Thank you, sister. This tea is quite delectable,” Princess Luna praised as she lifted her pink cup with her magic, taking a delicate sip. Princess Celestia nodded and closed her eyes, taking in her sister’s praise.

“Your welcome, I toiled over it with love. Say, Lulu, I heard you visited Ponyville the other day. How was your visit?” she asked, taking a sip of her own.

Luna smiled. “It was quite fun. During my visit, I was-” Luna glanced out the window behind Celestia. This window was quite fascinating, having the greatest view of the shopping district. A new fancy restaurant had opened and her reservation was for next week, and unfortunately she could tell she wasn’t going to be able to enjoy it. A mushroom cloud of fire and smoke erupted from the restaurant, shocking Luna. ”BUCKING DISCORD!”

“You did what?!” Celestia spat out her tea, surprised by her sister’s use of the ancient canterlot royal voice. “What did I tell you?! Hooves off my man!”

The entire restaurant was in shambles. Fortunately, nopony was hurt. Severely, at least. The cruel, grey pegasus was caught dead-center in the blast. He barely survived, but his entire body was pink for his fur and feathers were completely burnt off. His pink stubs flapped pathetically just before gravity embraced him. The pegasus suffered first-degree burns and pain seared through his body as he hit the floor. Masked batponies flew to him and placed hoofcuffs on his damaged pink nubs.

Twilight, exhausted from her raging excursion, limped back to the body of her lover. She stood over her dramatically, her mane being blown by an unknown wind. Tears dripped down her face, landing on the red-soaked mare. Rarity was tragic, still and silent in her red dress. Twilight stared into space contemptlatively. Emotional and dramatic, just how’d she want it. What will I do without her?

A pony wearing a white hospital uniform bumped past her and began rolling Rarity’s body over. Twilight fumed and snapped. “What are you doing?”

The white mare, her scarlet mane pulled in a bun, blinked. “Miss, I’m just checking the victims for injuries.”

“Injuries?!” Twilight’s vision began blurring with tears. “She’s d-d-d-” She stopped, holding her face as her speech turned into sobs. She couldn’t finish the sentence, she just couldn’t.

“Princess…” The nurse placed a hoof on the distraught mare’s shoulder. “She’s not dead.”

“I’m so sorry, Rari- Wait, what?” Twilight dropped her hooves, wide-eyed. The mare jerked her head at Rarity. Twilight’s eyes traveled across the folds of the scarlet dress as they lightly rippled, revealing that Rarity was breathing. “Wait, then how? The blood! How?”

“This isn’t blood, the gangsters were armed with markers,” the nurse explained as she dipped her hoof in the red liquid. She brought it up to Twilight’s nose, allowing her to sniff it. It smelled familiar, like…

“Paint?” Twilight scoffed. “All these ponies are fainting because of paint?”

The nurse shrugged. “What can I say? These are nobles we’re talking about. They’re fussy about the smallest things.” As if to prove her point, several bodies began moaning in agony.

“My dress!”

“I just had this suit dry-cleaned!”

“My custom-fit! RUINED!!”

Twilight smiled meekly, thanking the mare. With the nurse’s help, Rarity began to stir.

As her eyes opened, Rarity’s sight filled with the face of her lover staring down at her own. Rarity smiled, weak from the fall’s impact, and reached up to caress Twilight’s cheek. Twilight smiled, and leaned down to peck Rarity’s horn.

“That was impressive magic you cast, dear.” Twilight’s eyes began to wet again, but she stifled the incoming sobs. Her heart was heavy, heavier than it had been before and wracked with guilt.

“Twilight, darling…’tis was only a red dress. However,” Rarity tried to stand, but failed and continued to lie on the ground. “ I have a confession to make,” Rarity whispered, her sides tight and finding it hard to breathe. Twilight nodded, holding Rarity’s head as she lifted it. Rarity’s horn glowed with a dim blue light, levitating the forgotten bottle toward her. Twilight took it in her own magical grip. The bottle was half-empty, the pink liquid angrily sloshing within its confines. Twilight mouthed the words written on the side.

“I, I’ve heard of this. Rarity, you were going to drug me with love potion?” she asked, tilting her head down to Rarity. The injured mare nodded. Rarity looked away from Twilight’s gaze before explaining.

“I thought you didn’t love me anymore, that you thought I had only put out because you were a princess. I thought you were done with me and ready to move on! I thought you didn’t care anymore!” Rarity cried as tears soaked her eyes and muzzle. Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but the hoof on her cheek slid over it and silenced her. “But, the way you defended me tonight. I saw how you reacted when I was hurt. You do love me, and I was a foolish spinster to not realize that. That is why I don’t deserve you. You deserve a true prince, not some foal.”

Twilight gulped, and decided it was time. “Rarity, I understand you might feel you’ve betrayed me. That potion, yes it is frightening, but it’s benign. You meant well, and we both know it. Besides, if anypony has betrayed her love’s trust, it’s me…” Twilight looked away, stifling a sob.

“Darling?” Rarity whispered, resting her other hoof on Twilight’s. Her sapphire eyes shimmered in the light, striking Twilight’s heart in a way she’d never feel from another mare. Twilight sighed, and dispelled her inhibitions.

Twilight scanned the room until she saw the small white stick she dropped. With her magic, she levitated it and brought it forth. Rarity stared at it as Twilight held it in front of her.

“H-how?” Rarity asked, staring at her love. Twilight threw the stick away and hung her head in shame.

“Rarity, I’m sorry. I-I-” Twilight tried to found the words, but couldn’t. She began to cry as Rarity patted her on the back.

“It’s okay darling, don’t force it out,” Rarity cooed.

“Rarity, I’m pregnant!”

The entire room fell silent. Everypony stopped doing anything. Nurses and doctors alike stopped their examination, armored guards stopped their patrols, even the nobles surprisingly stopped their whining to stare at the alicorn princess. Rarity stared, mouth wide open. The stick hadn’t lied, but it was much more surprising coming from Twilight herself.

“Darling, that’s wonderful, but how? Who’s the f-father?” Rarity’s question wavered as her bottom lip began quivering. Her spirits sank as the very thought of cheating came to mind. I bet it was that Flash Sentry! Or Soarin! Even with Twilight’s words, Rarity began to feel worthless again.

“You are,” Twilight answered, coldly. Rarity continued to stare at her.

“Really,” she deadpanned. “Darling, I’m sure you’ve read enough books to know that two mares canno-”

“Rarity!” Twilight hissed. “Do I have to say it? Don’t you remember that night? The one with Princess Luna?” Everypony in the room gasped, their minds racing at the implications.

“Well yes, of course. Princess Luna helped clean your regalia off after that nasty spell, and to make up for it she taught you that spell-” Rarity stopped, her eyes shot wide-open in realization. “Darling, please tell me this is a joke. You told me that spell wouldn’t….”

Twilight groaned. “It did. Rarity, it’s supposed to be stallion to mare because the womb resets. It’d take a month of sustaining the spell for any danger to be present!”

“And for… me?” Rarity asked, her mind racing to the event in question. It had been a truly… adventurous night. Twilight sighed deeply.

“Ten minutes. It takes a stallion ten minutes to ‘recharge,’ so to speak.” A pegasus hopped into the air several yards away.

“I can attest to that!” he shouted, grinning foolishly. A couple nurses tackled him and put him in a straightjacket before hauling him off. Rarity and Twilight stared, blinked a few times, and decided to ignore him.

“I’m guessing going at it the whole night didn’t help, right darling?” Rarity asked, confirmed by Twilight’s nodding. Rarity fell silent, deciding on how to address the news. “Twilight, I have no words for this.”

Twilight teared up. “I know, I’m so sorry!” It was her fault for not knowing the precautions of the spell! It was an old, out-dated spell and she should’ve researched male anatomy ahead of time. Thanks to her, she was about to force motherhood on her best friend and lover!

“As Applejack would put it,” Rarity spoke as her horn glowed, “I need a drink.” Twilight could only watch as Rarity rolled on her side and took the potion bottle in her lips, taking a deep sip. She gulped it down, shivering, and smacked her lips in a very unladylike manner. Once she finished, she licked her lips and turned to Twilight. “I know you're upset, darling, but I believe that should speak more volumes than I ever could.”

Twilight smiled and began to cry a river as their audience let out a collective ”aww…” Rather than speak, Twilight stepped over her so all four hooves brushed against Rarity’s side. She wrenched the bottle away and pulled it to her own lips, finishing the potion. She threw it, gasped as the warm sensation rolled through her body, and looked down at the mare of her desires.

Rarity stared up into Twilight’s magenta pools as Twilight stared into Rarity’s sapphires, several thoughts communicated without a word. As everypony in the room held their breath expectantly, Twilight crouched down and lay her lavender lips on white. Rarity wrapped all four legs around Twilight’s body, pulling her on top of her and moaning pleasurably as she deepened the kiss.

The guards surveying the area and arresting the gangsters decided to leave the two be, instead closing off the area with yellow tape to give the two mares their privacy.

Twilight pulled out of the kiss and gazed lovingly into Rarity’s eyes. Rarity’s heart melted as the wound within healed. Even- especially as a mother, she would continue to love Twilight. She was the Element of Generosity, and she would give everything for her love and her new life. For Twilight, for the foal, and for their life together. She had realized the truth all along as she brushed against a damp wing.

It wasn’t a prince I was looking for, nor a princess. A blessing no goddess could ever give, for I had been enlightened. Her name is Twilight, and she is mine as I am hers. Twilight, my love.

Rarity’s eyes closed as she gave into pleasure, realizing everything would be alright.

~end~

Epilogue

Alfalfa Capone, a black stallion often seen wearing a pinstripe suit and fedora, stepped inside the hut. In his huff, he threw his fedora onto the hat holder and collapsed on the floor. “Confound those idiots! I hope they’re happy in jail with each other!” He sighed, thinking about how two of his gang had overheard a conversation with his best client and actually stalked her. She was under his protection, and his own gang attacked her marefriend! She forgave him, of course, but he insisted on waiving the protection fee for several months to make up for it.

He should’ve noticed their suspicious behavior after the news of their relationship had become widespread. “Seriously, neigh. Trying to kidnap a princess for ransom? We’re talking about the student of a pony who can raise the sun! Can those numbskulls get any dumber?”

A zebra mare walked inside, having spent the day searching for herbs. She trotted up to her boiling pot and tossed an odd plant inside the mix. “While you were taking stress and tire, I alone searched for Heart’s Desire. While I do not approve of all your shady dealings, you might be better off hiring loyal changlings,” Zecora teased as she watched her old partner and recent lover sigh. The love potion she brewed was much more potent and benign than the one the Crusaders whipped up, containing the very essence of love itself. Changlings couldn’t get enough of it.

“Those fools… well at least they found love in each other. Fancy that?” He stood up and shook himself off. “I didn’t know they were into each other, and I suppose they didn’t either.” He trotted up to Zecora and affectionately nuzzled her face. “Your little rhyme wasn’t kidding, neigh?

Zecora grinned and recited the incantation she placed on every bottle of her brew. It was much more commercialized than she’d like, but it was too amusing to pass up.

When your bed is cold and needing a fix,
then you’ll need Love Potion No. 6!
If the spark is gone and the beast is tame,
there is a solution and nopony to blame.
With a single drop your lover’s lips unsealed,
a heart to heart and true love revealed.