Broken

Chapters

Chapter 1: Cat Scratch Crush
Chapter 2: A Dark and Stormy Night
Chapter 3: Opportunity Knocks
Chapter 4: Three's Company
Chapter 5: The Dam Bursts
Chapter 6: Collateral Damage
Chapter 7: Mending
Epilogue: One Week Later…

Chapter 1: Cat Scratch Crush

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Chapter 1: Cat Scratch Crush

“Opal! You come down here right this instant you naughty cat!” Rarity yelled up into the tree that Opalescence had climbed up. The feline was too high in the tree to be retrieved with magic, otherwise she would have been brought down already. Opalescence knew this so she smugly looked down at her owner, yawned, and curled up into a ball to take a nap. Rarity’s face turned red with anger at her pet’s insolence. The unicorn pony kicked the tree with her front hooves to make sure the cat would not ignore her. “I need you, Opal! I have so much work to catch up on but nopony else can help me! Come down here before…”

“Mail’s here!” A voice rang out from behind Rarity.

“Before exactly that happens.” Rarity slumped to the ground in defeat. She had hoped to get a few more dresses done in time for the mail, but thanks to Opalescence’s defiance, she had failed. Still, there were packages that did need to go out, so Rarity turned away from the tree to talk with the mail mare. “Oh, Derpy Hooves, I have a few things…” Rarity was surprised to see that it was not Ponyville’s regular postal pony, but one of her best friends instead. “Rainbow Dash!”

“Hey, Rarity. Got some mail here for you.” Rainbow Dash landed gently as she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a number of packages.

“But why in Equestria are you delivering the mail?”

“Derpy Hooves flew into a hornet’s nest yesterday. I know, hard to believe, right?” Rainbow Dash said with a sarcastic grin and shoulder shrug. “So she’s off for today and Pony Express asked if I could fill in.”

“Well, please wait just a moment. I have some things that need to go with you.” Rarity grabbed her mail, rushed inside Carousel Boutique, and came back with her out bound parcels. “I’ve had a lot of work pop up recently. Business is normally slow this time of year, but lately I’ve received so many dresses in desperate need of repair.”

“Why?”

“Remember the Grand Galloping Gala last week?” Rarity remarked dryly.

Images of carnage and chaos came flooding back to Rainbow Dash’s mind as she let out a long “Oh”. It was a night that she would never forget, but not for good reasons.

“I was hoping to get more in the mail today, but it seems somepony wants to be a stubborn, selfish kitty!” Rarity exclaimed in the direction of Opalescence, who in return gave her owner a raspberry.

“I can get her down for you.” Rainbow Dash set her saddlebag at the base of the tree. She then flapped her wings and lifted off the ground.

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“Then don’t ask and I’ll just do it anyways.” Rainbow Dash flew up and reached out with her hooves to Opalescence. “Come here, Opal. Come to auntie Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus pony gently took hold of Rarity’s pet.

The next thing Rainbow Dash knew, she was on the ground, covered in scratches and holding onto a white furry demon that was clawing and biting her at every opportunity. The cat’s angry shrieks mixed with the cries of pain from Rainbow Dash at a volume so high the melee could be heard in Canterlot.

“Opalescence! Bad cat! Bad cat!” Rarity shouted, her words drowned out by the fray. Rarity knew she had to put a stop to it. She sprinted to her house, retrieved a hose, and pointed it at Opalescence. The unicorn pony turned it on full blast and while she tried to keep the nozzle aimed at her cat, there was no way to keep from hitting Rainbow Dash with the stream. Being deluged with a feline’s most hated substance, water, Opalescence quickly disengaged from the brawl and ran off.

Rainbow Dash remained on the ground, stunned by the ferocity of the small house cat and soaked by her friend’s rescue. Her whole body shook from both the water and her new found fear of Opalescence. She slowly stood up, water dripping from her mane and coat. Looking down at her legs, she saw that her many cuts were bleeding.

“Fluttershy makes it look way too easy.” Rainbow Dash said meekly.

“Oh! You poor dear! Quickly! Come inside with me! We need to get you dried off and bandaged immediately!” Rarity half-led, half-pulled Rainbow Dash inside Carousel Boutique, her unicorn magic bringing the Pony Express saddlebag inside and setting it by the door. She guided the pegasus pony to the fainting couch and helped her sit down. The snow colored mare then retrieved some oversized aquamarine bath towels and, using her hooves, began to dry her friend.

Rainbow Dash started to regain her senses as the soft unicorn-magic woven cotton towels touched her. They were incredibly comfortable and warm. The shock of the incident, along with the dampness in her coat, was taken away with each wipe.

“Thanks, Rarity. I think I can take it from here.” Rainbow Dash took over the chore and finished drying herself off. She felt refreshed until she noticed dull crimson streaks in the fabric. She had stained the towels with her blood.

“Don’t worry about those towels. They just went out of fashion so I shan’t be using them again.” Rarity said to Rainbow Dash, preempting the apologies that the winged equine was already trying to think of.

A first aid kit floated from a cupboard. It opened and out came anti-septic, cotton balls, anti-biotic lotion, and band-aids. Rarity took Rainbow Dash’s hooves in hers as she inspected the damage Opalescence had inflicted.

“These wounds need to cleaned and dressed.” Rarity opened up the bottle of anti-septic and doused a cotton ball with it. “This might sting a bit.” Rainbow Dash winced when the medicated material touched her cuts but she put on a brave face.

“This seems like a lot stuff you’re using for just some scratches.” Rainbow Dash mentioned to her hostess as her injuries were being tended to.

“It’s the least I could do after you tried to help me get Opal out of that tree. I’m so ashamed that she attacked you. You were being so considerate, you certainly did not deserve to be treated like that.” Rarity finished treating the cuts and put away the anti-septic. She prepared the band-aids by applying the anti-biotic lotion to them.

“It’s not your fault, Rarity. Besides, I sort of had to repay you. Remember when you put up with my crazy demands when you made our dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala?”

Rarity stopped what she was doing to look at Rainbow Dash when she spoke. “Which was nothing compared to when you saved my life during the Best Young Flyer Competition, especially after I almost upstaged you. I still feel like such a pony’s rear end for that.”

“Well, you kind of were, but…” Rainbow Dash was silenced by a gentle and well-manicured hoof that lightly pressed against her lips. She locked eyes with Rarity, who had a soft smile on her face.

“Please, Rainbow Dash, allow me take care of you. I owe you so much. I know that you’re a proud pony and don’t want to be fussed over, but you’re far too important to me. You were hurt trying to help me, which means that I must help you in return. Now just sit still and let me apply the band-aids, alright?” Rarity asked in a voice that was calm and demure, but it also conveyed that she would not take no for answer.

The hushed Rainbow Dash was surprised by the soothing effect of Rarity’s kindness. She wasn’t used to such tenderness and was certain that she should do what Rarity asked. She slowly nodded her head to let her friend know that she would do as she was told.

“There’s a good girl.” Rarity moved her hoof off Rainbow Dash’s lips to her cheek and delicately caressed it. The unicorn pony then returned to her work of mending the pegasus pony’s cuts.

A familiar feeling stirred inside of Rainbow Dash. Her pulse quickened and her breathing became faster. Warmth spread within her as she recognized the effects of her body being flooded with endorphins and adrenaline. It was the same feeling she had when she was flying her highest and fastest, a sensation that she enjoyed so much it was the reason she was the flyer she had become. But this time Rainbow Dash was having it on the ground. She had never felt like this before when she was still and she was wondering why. She looked at her friend and found that the longer she gazed at Rarity, the more the tingling inside of her increased.

“This can’t be right, I shouldn’t be feeling like this!” Rainbow Dash thought to herself. But she found herself noticing things about her longtime friend. Things like the blueness of Rarity’s eyes and the lushness of her mane. The melodious tune she was humming while she worked. Rainbow Dash remained in her trance until she noticed the band-aids that were being applied to her wounds, glitter sparkle band-aids.

“Aren’t they gorgeous?” Rarity asked as she affixed the last one, not noticing the disagreeing grimace on Rainbow Dash’s face. “They cost more than the usual bland ones, but they are so stylish that I simply had to have them. I know that you will probably hate them, but you must promise me that you will keep them on your scratches lest they become infected.”

“I…”Rainbow Dash stopped herself as she started to speak. She did hate the band-aids, but she didn’t want to offend Rarity. “I’ll keep them on. I don’t want to get an infection like you said.”

“Thank you, darling.” Rarity gave her friend a smile, but it quickly changed to a worried look. “Oh my, you’re becoming flush. Are you having a reaction to the ointment?”

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash glanced at a mirror and realized that she was blushing heavily. She tried to think of an excuse. “Oh, uh… it’s just that… I’m embarrassed…because…I’m running behind on my mail route! Yeah, that’s it! I need to get back to work! Lots of mail! It ain’t going to deliver itself!” Acting without thinking, Rainbow Dash bolted out the front door, but returned a few seconds later. She had forgotten her saddlebag. “I might need this.” She gave an uneasy laugh as she donned the mail sack and left without saying good bye.

“That was peculiar.” Rarity brought a hoof to her face and pondered aloud. “I wonder, does working for Pony Express make one absent minded?”

* * *

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” Rainbow Dash banged her head against the wall of her house in sync with the mantra. However, since her house was made of clouds, it didn’t produce the desired results of knocking sense into her. Recognizing the futility of her actions, she stopped and sulked her way upstairs. The pegasus pony was so sullen that she actually walked there instead of flying.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t stop thinking about what happened at Carousel Boutique. Her cuts had stopped hurting, but the fluttery feeling that she had in the pit of her stomach hadn’t gone away. She didn’t fully understand it. Rainbow Dash didn’t want to feel this way. Rarity was her friend and that was the way it should stay, shouldn’t it?

The winged equine tried to defeat the emotions that were developing by focusing on the ways that Rarity was different from her. That unicorn pony was so fussy and exacting, she was always trying her latest fashions out on her friends. She was also too prim and proper, detesting anything that was ill-mannered. But the more Rainbow Dash thought about those differences, the faster her heart beat. Rarity was fussy and proper, it was probably the reason why she was so beautiful and ladylike. Rainbow Dash struck herself hard in the face for thinking about Rarity like that.

It wasn’t that Rarity was a mare. Rainbow Dash was attracted to mares instead of stallions, she had long known that. It was because she never had such emotions about one of her friends before. She didn’t know if Rarity felt the same way as she did, or even if she could.

Rainbow Dash entered her bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotion. She looked to her left and eyed the nightstand that she had assembled out of clouds like her bed. She opened the drawer and saw the makeshift purse that was made out of an ornate cream colored cloth napkin that was taken from the Grand Galloping Gala. She had used it as a satchel to hold a cargo that was also from the palace in Canterlot. With full knowledge of what was in the ad-hoc bag, Rainbow Dash didn’t open it. Instead she just looked at the folded lumpy fabric, the chaos in her heart increasing.

Rainbow Dash turned onto her stomach, watching the sunset in the window. The fiery light from it made her band-aids shimmer. She touched them with her lips, remembering the care and attention that Rarity had put into mending her. She could fight her feelings no longer, and gave into the truth. Rainbow Dash was in love with Rarity.

Despite admitting it to herself, it didn’t bring the peace to her mind that she thought it would. Now that Rainbow Dash knew what the beautiful unicorn mare meant to her, she had no idea on how she should proceed. When she saw Rarity next, what should she say? How should she act? What should she do?

Fatigue gnawed Rainbow Dash. She tried to fight it as if a victory would bring her an answer. In the end, she succumbed to it by laying her head on the pillow, and falling into a deep yet troublesome sleep.

Chapter 2: A Dark and Stormy Night

The night in Ponyville was clear and still, not even a gentle wind to rustle trees was blowing. The only thing calmer then the weather was the sleeping inhabitants of the village, many of whom were dreaming.

However, at Sweet Apple Acres, there was one pony that was tossing and turning in her sleep. She wasn’t dreaming as much as reliving a vivid memory…

* * *

“Hey, Rarity, are ya asleep yet?” Applejack asked her bedfellow in a hushed tone.

“No, the storm keeps waking me up.” Rarity whispered back through the darkness of Twilight Sparkle’s bedroom.

“Same with me. This sure is one doozy of a downpour that the pegasus ponies made tonight.” Applejack thought back to beginning of the evening.

The squall outside had forced the two to take refuge in the Ponyville Library. This led to an impromptu slumber party, Twilight Sparkle’s first in fact. It had gotten off to a rocky start and then got worse through Rarity’s and Applejack’s bickering. However, after the quarrelling pair had cleared away the giant tree branch, they patched up their differences and apologized to Twilight Sparkle for their behavior. The trio of friends spent the rest of the evening playing games, drinking hot chocolate and ended it by going to bed. But sleep hadn’t come to Rarity and Applejack as easily as Twilight Sparkle.

The symphony of storm noises prevented the two ponies that shared the one guest bed from drifting to sleep. The wind howled and shook the hollow tree that was the library. The rain beat against the windows, making a pitter-patter sound. Then there was the thunder and lightning…

A simultaneous flash and boom scared the two into each other’s legs, their hearts pounding from the adrenaline rush of being frightened. The vice grip they had on one another loosened after a moment, but they were still in a hug when Rarity spoke.

“I’m sorry to keep doing that, it’s just that the thunder’s so loud that it startles me.” The unicorn pony apologized to her friend in a quiet voice.

“Oh, don’t ya fret any. It scares me too.” The earth pony replied in a sympathetic tone.

“I must say that I’m surprised to see you frightened by it. I thought the only thing that you were afraid of was formal attire.” Rarity said sarcastically.

Applejack chuckled at the quip. “And I thought that the only thing ya were afraid of was mud.” The pair shared a laugh until another thunderclap scared them again, making them tighten their grasps once more. Their fear soon subsided, but they didn’t undo themselves like before. A soft giggle came from Rarity.

“What’s so funny?” Applejack asked suspiciously.

“Nothing, it’s just that I always wanted to be in this exact situation. Only with a different pony is all.”

“What in the hay are ya talkin’ about?” Applejack replied indignantly. She did not like being the punch line of a joke.

“It’s just that I believed I’d be in the warming embrace of my dream stallion during a storm like this. He would hold me tighter each time the thunder sounded. I’d pretend to be more scared than I really was, just to have him pull me closer. He’d know that it was a ploy, but he wouldn’t complain about it. A gentlecolt never would.” A sigh escaped Rarity’s lips as she relished the most romantic image and storyline her mind could think of.

Remembering where she was and who she was with, Rarity giggled ever so slightly. “Oh, listen to me prattle on about such a thing. I’m sorry darling, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“It’s all right, sugar cube.” Applejack said in relief. “I know that ya really got yer heart set on meetin’ Prince Charming when we all go to the Grand Gallopin’ Gala in a few months.” The marmalade colored mare felt a soft hoof caress her cheek, making the hairs in her mane stand on end.

“Thank you for understanding, Applejack. To be honest, I hope that my Prince Charming is a little bit like you”

“Wha…Wha…Whaddya mean?” Applejack saw a twinkle in Rarity’s blue eyes form. The coy grin on the unicorn’s face grew wider as she started to talk.

“Well, you see a prince needs to be more than just handsome, brave, and rich. He needs to be honest and honorable, just like you were tonight. I knew that I should have helped you when the tree branch came crashing through the window, but I was angry at you for not listening to me in the first place. I wanted to teach you a lesson about being reckless. But when you swallowed your pride and pleaded for my help, you taught me that I was substituting selfishness for stubbornness.” Rarity squeezed her friend tight in gratitude.

Applejack was flummoxed by Rarity’s tenderness, she didn’t know how to react. She tried to defuse her confusion by inserting conversation. “I’m…plum grateful that yer willin’ to admit…” The hoof on Applejack’s cheek moved to her lips, effectively quieting her.

“Please, Applejack, just let me compliment you.” Rarity pleaded with her in a serene voice. “I know that you want to be modest, so you needn’t worry about offending me. I just want to let you know that my dream stallion should have some of the same attributes as one of my dearest friends.”

Applejack felt Rarity’s lips on her freckles before the earth pony had time to notice her friend had drawn herself in even closer than before. The kiss was quick and to the point. Thank you for being a friend. Still, Applejack’s heart skipped a beat, her stomach somersaulted and she had to remind herself to breathe.

Applejack reflexively touched the spot where she was kissed. The sensation that she had from before repeated itself, a little more tempered this time. She relived the experience in her mind countless times, until it had faded enough to the point that her brain could form actual thoughts again.

“What am I feelin’?” Applejack asked herself. She had never felt anything like it before. Such displays of affection were unusual to her. She had grown up on a farm. It was hard work. It bred hard ponies. She knew her family loved her, but they never expressed themselves like Rarity just had. In the Apple family, noogies and less-than-hard punches took the place of hugs and kisses. What Rarity had just done was alien to Applejack, but it caused her to feel something that she never had before.

However, as the elation from the kiss receded, uncertainty started to fill the thought vacuum. Applejack knew that she couldn’t have experienced the physical response she just had without emotion behind it. She tried to think of what emotion could cause this stirring inside her. When she realized which one, the farm pony disbelieved what her own heart and mind was telling her.

“It can’t be love. It don’t make sense. It was just a kiss among friends, it’s not what I think it is.” Applejack tried to convince herself. She tried her hardest to push the notion out of her head, but instead it grew with the speed and ferocity of a wild fire.

There was also the fact that Rarity was a mare like her. Applejack wasn’t attracted to mares. She liked stallions, that was why she dated them. But when Applejack thought back to the dates she had had, she remembered that they never amounted to much. There was always something missing, a spark that she had never felt before. Was what she felt just now that spark that had been missing the whole time?

Rarity snuggled her herself closer to Applejack. The unicorn pony had fallen asleep while Applejack tried to sort out her emotional quandary. Applejack wondered if her friend found herself so safe in the hard working earth pony’s legs that she could sleep soundly in spite of the storm. She listened to the slow and delicate breathing of Rarity’s slumber. She felt the softness of the ivory mare’s coat and detected the faint pleasant smell of lavender and lilacs.

Applejack didn’t want to think of Rarity in such a way anymore. She gently rolled onto her back, releasing her still sleeping friend from the embrace, even though one of her legs was still trapped under Rarity’s head. She was mentally exhausted from trying to sort out her feelings. “Yer just confused is all.” Applejack consoled herself as she closed her eyes, desperately wanting to sleep away the anxiety in her mind. “Don’t think nothin’ of that kiss. It’s just a fancy. It’ll be over before ya know it, AJ. Heck, it might even be gone by the time ya wake up…”

* * *

The croon of the Sweet Apple Acres’ rooster roused Applejack from her troubled slumber. She lifted her head off the pillow and looked out the window to see the orange rays of dawn as the sun started its ascent in the sky. The earth pony had slept fitfully, she always did when she dreamt about the time she had shared a bed with Rarity. The dream affected her so much that when she woke from it, she had been sleeping in only half of her bed. She had had it on and off for the past few months, but ever since the Grand Galloping Gala, she was now having the dream every night.

The Grand Galloping Gala…

Applejack had such high hopes for it, but it was a bigger disappointment then she could have feared. While being unable to sell her wares was bad enough, what happened between Rarity and Prince Blueblood was the worst part. Had the relationship been successful, Applejack was certain she wouldn’t be feeling this way. She would look at the two of them and be happy for Rarity’s sake. As it was though, Prince Blueblood turned out to be a louse, and Rarity chastised him for it. It was evident that Rarity would still be single for the foreseeable future.

It was that future that had Applejack’s mind muddled. She just wanted everything to make sense. She didn’t care about her own orientation anymore because she knew what Rarity meant to her. She desperately wanted to tell the gorgeous white mare about her feelings, but the fear of rejection trumped Applejack’s bravery. She didn’t know what she should do. If she told Rarity how she felt, would her affections be returned?

Applejack got out of bed, walked to her dresser and opened the top drawer. Among her socks and sweaters was a piece of violet felt fabric. It was a scrap of torn drapery that was taken from the palace in Canterlot. It had been folded to make it into a small sack, holding inside the other thing that Applejack took that night. She didn’t undo it, because if she did, her heartache would be even worse than it was now.

“I can’t keep doin’ this to myself.” Applejack whispered to herself. “I’m tired of havin’ my emotions eat me up inside. I’m fed up with all this uncertainty.” The mental block that she had tried to keep for so long finally crumbled, she could no longer justify it anymore. In the solitude of her bedroom, Applejack resolved that she would confess her love to Rarity, regardless of the consequences.

A pecking sound came from her window, snapping the tangerine mare out of her daze. She glanced over to see a bird tapping at her window with a piece of rolled paper in its beak. Applejack closed the dresser drawer, walked across the room and pushed the window open. The bird flew in and unfurled the paper, which Applejack saw to be a note.

“Dear Applejack, if it’s not too much trouble for you, I would like to have a pack of apple juice delivered to my cottage. I’m sorry to impose on you like this, but if you’re not too busy, I would like it as soon as possible please. Thank you so much, and again, I’m so sorry to be a bother to you. Fluttershy”

Giving herself only a moment to put on her Stetson hat, Applejack trotted out of her room to fulfill her friend’s request. Sprinting downstairs, the earth pony threw on her saddlebag and placed inside a cardboard carton filled with six glass bottles of her family’s homemade apple juice. She walked outside and headed in the direction of Fluttershy’s cottage. She was glad to have the momentary distraction, but she was still mindful of the promise she had made.

Chapter 3: Opportunity Knocks

Fluttershy emptied the rubber water bottle of its used tepid water and filled it with fresh ice. She returned the cold pack to Angel’s forehead when a knock came from her cottage’s door. Before she could answer it, the door swung open, and Applejack let herself in.

“Howdy, Fluttershy.” Applejack said her normal boisterous tone. “I got that order of apple juice here fer ya.” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a six pack of glass bottles with the Sweet Apple Acres logo on them.

Fluttershy flew over and paid her friend. “Oh, thank you so much delivering it as quick as you did, Applejack. Little Angel bunny woke up with a fever this morning, and I’ve just been so worried. I hope that this juice will help him fight whatever he has.” A soft cough came from the tiny bed where the rabbit was recuperating. “Oh, he’d better have some right now.”

Using her teeth to pop open one of the bottles, Fluttershy placed in a straw and brought the beverage to her ailing pet. “Here you go, Angel. Be sure to drink in slow sips now.” Angel did as he was told, drinking only a small amount at a time. After the bunny had enough juice, he laid back in his bed, and shut his eyes in hopes of getting some sleep.

Applejack lowered the volume in her voice to keep from disturbing Angel. “I’m sure that Angel will start gettin’ better real soon, Fluttershy. While our apple juice is packed with lots of vitamins, I reckon it’ll be the great care that he’s gettin’ from ya that will make all the difference.”

“I hope so, Applejack.” The pegasus pony walked away from the sleeping bunny with a distraught look on her face. “When I found out he was sick, the first thing I did was to have one of my bird friends take a message to your farm for the juice. Then I sent another one to Sugar Cube Corner, to have Pinkie Pie bake a carrot cake for Angel to have as a treat once he gets better. I was supposed to meet up with Rarity at the spa today, but it looks like I’ll need to send another bird to let her know I won’t be coming.”

Upon hearing the words “Rarity” and “spa”, gears of thought started to move in Applejack’s mind. It wasn’t long before she was struck with an idea.

“Hey, Fluttershy, since yer busy lookin’ after Angel, why don’t I go and tell Rarity that you won’t be able to make it to the spa today?”

The canary hued mare had a look of mild surprise on her face when she heard the offer “Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“Aw, heck, it’s no trouble. I’ll just swing on by there as I’m headed home” Applejack couldn’t believe her luck. In offering to help Fluttershy with one of her problems, she had found a way into solving one of her own. It was the perfect plan to spend some quality time with Rarity and maybe even confess her feelings.

“But the spa is on the other side of town, in the exact opposite direction from your farm.” Fluttershy commented, demolishing the meticulous daydream that the earth pony was crafting in her head. Applejack had not expected for reality to deal her a setback like this, but she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be alone with Rarity.

“Well, I’m sure that I could get on over there real quick like so she won’t be left waitin’.” Applejack said trying to salvage the situation. While she wasn’t lying outright, she was concealing her true intentions, which was difficult for her.

“Actually, she won’t be going until the afternoon, so you don’t need to rush over there.” Fluttershy had again crushed Applejacks hopes. But hope is a stubborn thing and refuses to stay down for long.

“Then I’ll just go to her place and tell her there.” Applejack was tired of misleading Fluttershy and so desperate to see Rarity that she decided to come as close to the truth as she could without revealing her motivation. “Please, Fluttershy. I really want to tell Rarity that yer lookin’ after Angel.” As if on cue, the sick rabbit had a coughing fit, which distressed Fluttershy. “It’ll be one less thing for ya to worry about.” Applejack said with a begging look on her face.

Fluttershy looked back at her pet, thought for a moment, and finally acquiesced to Applejack’s appeals. “Okay, if you really want to Applejack, you can tell Rarity that I won’t be joining her at the spa today.” The yellow mare trotted over to Angel’s bedside and returned to being a nursemaid.

Applejack tried as hard as she could to hide her sense of victory. “Thanks, Fluttershy. I’ll leave ya be, I don’t want to disturb Angel any more than I already have.” She made her way to the door, but before the earth pony left, Fluttershy spoke to her.

“Applejack, if you want to impress Rarity, you should do it more subtly. She likes it when she has somepony listen to her.”

Applejack’s jaw dropped while her brain went into panic mode. She whipped her head towards Fluttershy. The kind pegasus pony had a gentle, reassuring smile on her face and gave the marmalade mare an encouraging wink.

The hysteria in Applejack’s mind abated. Without speaking, she mouthed “Thank you”, gave a reciprocal smile to her friend, and walked out of the cottage.

***

The sound of rushing wind from flying did little drown out the confusion in Rainbow Dash’s mind. She had hoped that clearing the skies above Ponyville would do the same for her thoughts but it had not. Her heart still panged with her new found affection for Rarity. The only thing she had managed to do was get rid of the clouds and work up an appetite. Her stomach rumbled as she looked down at the town, spied her favorite sweet shop and figured it was a good a place as any to get something to eat.

Rainbow Dash flew inside Sugar Cube Corner, the door chime signaling her entrance. She decided to buy something steeped in chocolate to fill her stomach and help lift her spirits. She came to the sales counter and saw Pinkie Pie behind it, humming to herself while putting the finishing touches on a cake.

“Hey, Pinks!” Rainbow Dash said to her friend as the last of the decorative frosting was applied.

“Hi, Dashie! I’ll be with you in two shakes of my tail.” Pinkie Pie shook her tail twice and zipped over to the counter. “What can I do you for? Oh, wait that came out wrong. Hee hee! I do you for something, that’s crazy. Although, hmmm…” The earth pony brought a contemplative hoof to her chin and thought for a moment. “I suppose that I could turn you into cupcakes, but that wouldn’t be very nice of me. Also, I’m sure you wouldn’t like it either, What’s more, how could somepony even make pony cupcakes?” Pinkie Pie stopped her inquisition and looked at Rainbow Dash as though the pegasus pony knew what went into making pony cupcakes.

“Pinkie Pie…you are so random.” Rainbow Dash replied dryly instead. She then returned the conversation to the reason why she was at Sugar Cube Corner in the first place. “I’d like a double chocolate chip muffin, please”

The bubblegum colored pony reached into the display case and pulled out her patron’s order. “That’ll be six bits.” Money exchanged hooves, and Rainbow Dash, not one to waste time when it came to food, ate her muffin voraciously.

After throwing her muffin wrapper in the trash, Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie Pie placing the cake she had just worked on in a box. “Is that a special order, Pinkie Pie?” She inquired.

“It sure is. A little birdie told me to make it. Well, not literally, but a little birdie did show up at my window this morning with a note in its beak from Fluttershy. It said that Angel was sick and Fluttershy asked if I could make a carrot cake as treat for when he recovers.” The smile on Pinkie Pie’s face quickly turned into a frown. “I feel bad for Rarity, though.”

Rainbow Dash’s ears perked up at the mention of Rarity’s name, but she was confused by the usage. “Wait, why would you feel bad for Rarity if Fluttershy’s pet is sick?”

“Because this is their spa day together, duh.”

“How do you even know that, and what does it have to do with Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked skeptically.

“Because they always go to the spa together today, and if Fluttershy is busy taking care for her sick bunny, she won’t be able to meet up with Rarity at the spa. That means that she’ll be at the spa all by herself today, which doesn’t sound like fun if you ask me.”

Pinkie Pie became distracted by something shining in her eyes. She looked to see that Rainbow Dash had strips of glittering fabric on her forelegs. She then realized that they were actually band-aids. “Say, how did you get those band-aids?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Rainbow Dash looked down at the garish band-aids that Rarity tenderly applied yesterday. “Oh, I got scratched up pretty bad when I tried to get Opal out of a tree by Carousel Boutique. Rarity felt bad about it, so she patched me up.” Her mind went back to yesterday and how Rarity cared for her.

“That was really nice of her.” Pinkie Pie commented

“Yeah, it was really nice of her.” Rainbow Dash said dreamily, half to Pinkie Pie and half to herself. Rainbow Dash continued to gaze at the glinting bandages, not realizing that a small smile formed on her face and that her cheeks were reddening.

Pinkie Pie saw the look on Rainbow Dash’s face and couldn’t stop herself from teasing her friend. “Dashie’s got a crush on Rarity! Dashie’s got a crush on Rarity!” Pinkie Pie bounced around as she chanted. The taunt snapped Rainbow Dash out of her daze.

“I do not!” the cyan pony replied furiously.

“Yes, you do! I can tell because you’re blushing!”

Rainbow Dash looked at her reflection in the display case glass and saw that she was indeed blushing.

Pinkie Pie broke out into rhyme. “Dashie and Rarity! Sittin’ in a tree! K-I-S-S-S-S…S, wait, how do you spell kissing?”

A polychrome bolt pounced on the hyperactive earth pony, pinning her to the floor. Pinkie Pie thought that maybe she had gone over the line with her goading and made Rainbow Dash just a little too annoyed with her.

Instead of being angry, however, Rainbow Dash had a look of desperation on her face. “Please, Pinkie Pie, you can’t tell anypony. I’ve just figured out what Rarity means to me, but I don’t know what she thinks. I don’t want to risk losing her.” Feeling hot water build up in her eyes, Rainbow Dash released her friend and turned away so Pinkie Pie wouldn’t see her cry.

Pinkie Pie was surprised. She thought that she was just teasing her friend, not uncovering a secret crush. She had never seen Rainbow Dash act like this before. Rainbow Dash was always so confident, so brazen. But now the bold pegasus pony was hiding her feelings and even her face in embarrassment. It was so unlike her.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash…I was just teasing…I didn’t think…” Pinkie Pie tried to apologize, but she couldn’t find the right words. Rainbow Dash just kept looking away, rubbing her eyes to try and stop the developing tears from flowing.

Pinkie Pie hated seeing ponies sad, so she racked her brain to come up with a solution. It wasn’t long before inspiration hit her. “Hey, Dashie! You know what you should do? You should go to the spa and hang out with Rarity.”

Rainbow Dash stopped rubbing her eyes and looked back to her friend. “What?”

“Rarity’s going to be at the spa by herself, it’s a perfect time for you to get close to her.” Pinkie Pie bounced as she spoke, hoping her enthusiasm would be contagious. It was.

Rainbow Dash’s expression gradually changed from distress to hopefulness. Pinkie Pie had delivered the solution to her conundrum. She pounced on the earth pony once again, but only to deliver a powerful hug.

“That’s a great idea! Thank you so much, Pinkie!” She squealed with alacrity while she embraced Pinkie Pie with all of her might.

“If you go now…you might just…beat…her…there!” Pinkie Pie tried to speak, but her friend was squeezing the breath out of her.

Rainbow Dash realized she was suffocating Pinkie Pie, and released her from the powerful bear hug. She gave a hasty apology before she beat her wings and went out the door like a shot. She returned a half-second later, with had a sheepish grin on her face. “I’ve forgotten where the spa is, could you remind me?”

Chapter 4: Three's Company

Chapter 4: Three’s Company

Rarity used the magic in her horn to affix the “will reopen tomorrow for normal business hours” signs to the front glass display windows at Carousel Boutique. She made her way outside and locked the door as she left. She turned in the direction of the spa, but found Applejack standing in front of her.

“Oh! Applejack.” Rarity stopped herself from running into her friend. “You startled me. What brings you here, pray tell?”

“Well, Rarity, it seems that Angel bunny has gotten sick, so I’m here to tell ya that Fluttershy won’t make it to the spa today.” Applejack tried to grimace while she delivered the news.

“Really? That is most unfortunate.” Rarity lamented upon hearing she was deprived of her favorite spa partner. “I remember the last time that I went to the spa by myself. It was so dreadfully boring, I had no pony to talk to and share the experience with.” She let out a sigh as her head momentarily dipped to the ground. She then brought her head back up in a proud posture. “Still, I must go to the spa. My beauty needs demand it. Even if it will seem more like a chore than a treat, I must maintain my image for all of Ponyville’s sake.”

“It’s funny ya should mention that, Rarity.” Applejack started in an uneasy voice. She had gone over what she was going to say next innumerable times, but now that Rarity was standing right in front of her, she found it difficult to speak. “Since, well… ya don’t like going to the spa alone and all…and I got nothin’ else to do today… I was wonderin’ if…I could go to the spa with ya?” The wanting smile that the earth pony gave to her friend was even more awkward then the question she just posed.

“You want to go to the spa? You of all ponies?” Rarity asked with a sense of disbelief in her voice that was rivaled only by the puzzled look on her face.

“Yeah.” Applejack replied back meekly. She had failed, she just knew it. “Why’d I even bother with this?” Applejack asked herself. She knew what would happen next. Rarity would start laughing at her. She could hear in her mind what the beautiful mare was going say. “I’d never let such a beast like you near me! Of all the creatures in Equestria you have to be the most boorish, crass, uncouth, ill-kempt…”

“That sounds like a marvelous idea, Applejack!” Rarity replied, snapping Applejack out of her nightmare fantasy world. The smile of excitement on the unicorn pony’s face was unmistakable, which gave an indescribable lift to Applejack’s heart. It took every ounce of the earth pony’s self-control to hide her joy that she would be spending the rest of the day with her secret love.

They started to walk in the direction of the spa together. Applejack wasn’t sure if she should say something, but then she remembered what Fluttershy had said about Rarity liking it when somepony listened to her. She decided to do just that.

“I must say that I am surprised that you would want to go to the spa, but it certainly is fortuitous for me.” Rarity glanced over at Applejack. “What made you decide to accompany me to the spa?”

“I, uh…” Applejack tried to think of answer, but Rarity cut her off mid-thought.

“Oh, who cares? It’ll still be fun none the less. I haven’t had a new spa companion in forever and wouldn’t mind a change to the normal routine. Now don’t get me wrong, Fluttershy is a wonderful pony and all, but the most she ever talks about is her work with the animals. Of course, the most I ever talk about with her is my work at the dress shop, so I guess we’re even, but still…” She droned on about the details of the many visits to the spa that she and Fluttershy had shared, leaving Applejack smiling as the earth pony took in every word Rarity said.

***

Aloe and Lotus were alarmed by the calamitous noise that came when a rainbow streak burst through the front door of their spa. When the momentary commotion subsided, they were baffled. The two resplendent ponies had only once ever seen Rainbow Dash inside their establishment before, and the brash manner that she entered with was even more unnerving.

Looking around, Rainbow Dash spied the front counter and galloped up to it. “Has Rarity shown up yet?”

Aloe (or was it Lotus? Rainbow Dash could never remember which pony was which) quickly found her voice. “No, Miss Rarity has yet to arrive, but she should be due any moment now.

“Yes! Made it!” Rainbow Dash said triumphantly to herself. As soon as she had had the thought she heard a familiar graceful voice.

“My word, why is the door ajar?” Rarity inquired upon stepping through the spa’s entrance. She received another surprise when she noticed a pegasus pony with a polychrome mane and tail.

The winged equine zipped over to Rarity by flapping her wings and lifting herself off the floor by a hair. Rainbow Dash would allow herself to smile, but not let any other physical symptoms reveal her emotions this time. “Whoa, what are the odds of seeing you here Rarity?” She said in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh, better than average I should think, but why are you here?”

Rainbow Dash started to think of some funny story she could give as an explanation, but instead thought better of it and decided to be truthful. “Well, I heard through Pinkie Pie that Fluttershy would be looking after her sick bunny today instead of coming here with you, so I decided to come in her place so you won’t feel so lonely while you’re here.”

Rarity was left speechless, but the smile she had answered for her. Rainbow Dash was elated and did not think that anything could bring her down from the joy she was feeling. That was until another familiar voice spoke.

“That seems mighty kind of ya, Rainbow Dash.”

The pegasus pony looked to see Applejack behind Rarity. She had a neutral expression, but her eyes seemed fixated on Rainbow Dash. The earth pony then looked down and noticed the band-aids on the winged mare, a look of puzzlement now on her face.

“What’s she doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked herself, instantly becoming suspicious and resentful towards the interloper. “I could say the same thing about you, Applejack.” Rainbow Dash returned the gaze that Applejack gave her, starting an impromptu staring contest as each tried to discern the other’s motive.

Oblivious to the tension in the room that her friends were creating, Rarity reveled in the opportunity of having another cohort join her at the spa. “Oh, what luck. Instead of having only one pony join me at the spa today, I have two. This going to be so much fun.” She faced Aloe and Lotus and called out to the pair. “The usual!”

The twin proprietors flashed smiles at their most valued customer and disappeared to the back to prepare her regimen. Rarity returned her attention to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Any thought on what treatment you two would like?”

The competitors forgot about their duel when they heard the question. Neither of them knew exactly what a spa treatment entailed, so they weren’t sure how to answer. Rarity saw the confused looks on their faces, and believed she should choose for them. “Why don’t I just decide for the both you?”

“Thanks, Rarity.” The reply came in concordance. While they were annoyed they had both given the same answer, they were delighted that Rarity was being thoughtful.

“Oh, and my friends shall have the same as well.” Rarity yelled out into the back

“Yes, Ma’am.” Said another pony who worked at the spa as she walked into the lobby from the back. She ushered the three patrons into a changing area with robes and towels for them. Rarity used her magic to put on her personal robe complete with a monogramed initial. Applejack put her forelegs through the sleeves of her own robe and tightened the sash. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, had a difficult time of trying to put on her robe. There were no holes in it for her wings and it felt odd for her to have them wrapped up in a way she couldn’t use them.

Rarity saw her friend’s trouble and felt the need to help her. “Here, Rainbow Dash, allow me.” Using her magic, she straightened up the robe on the pegasus pony and secured it as well.

“Thanks, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said in reply, making sure that Applejack noticed the kind gesture. The scowl on the earth pony’s face was proof that she had and Rainbow Dash returned it with a smug look.

“Oh, let me wrap your mane for you, Applejack.” Rarity took off Applejack’s stenson hat and undid her hair. After letting it fall free, she wrapped it in one of the spa towels. “You need to protect your mane from the heat of the sauna.”

“Thank ya kindly, Rarity.” Applejack told her friend, giving her own smug expression to Rainbow Dash in reciprocity.

All three of them were led into the steam sauna and sat down in relaxed postures in the hot and humid chamber. Lotus was already pouring water onto the hot rocks causing clouds of steam to billow. The heat in the room quickly became oppressive and wasn’t long before until beads of sweat started to form on their coats.

The unicorn member of the three felt right at home in the sweltering vapor, while Rainbow Dash and Applejack felt like vegetables in a cooker. They were used to sweating through work and exercise, but the sweat that clung to their bodies from just sitting was too much for them. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and wiped the moisture from face with her leg. When she opened her eyes, a strip of glitter was hanging from her muzzle. She looked at her legs and saw that the steam of the room was causing her band-aids to unglue themselves, the same band-aids that Rarity had affixed to her.

“Oh no, the band-aids!” Rainbow Dash blurted aloud. Rarity saw the reason for her friend’s grief and came to her aid.

“It’s alright Rainbow Dash.” She said, taking the pegasus pony’s hooves in to hers like she did yesterday. The alabaster mare gently peeled the glittering strips off of her friend and observed the wounds. “It looks like the cuts don’t need the bandages anymore. Besides, I think you would find this preferable to ripping the hairs out of your coat.” The band-aids found their way into a trash bin, and Rarity returned to her previous spot. She let out a gentle laugh. “It’s ironic when you think about it, I was the pony who put the band-aids on you and now I’m the one to take them off too.”

“Whaddya mean you put them band-aids on?” Applejack interjected suspiciously.

“Oh, well Rainbow Dash was thoughtful enough to try and get Opalescence out of a tree yesterday. Unfortunately Opal scratched her all up, so I brought her into my shop and treated her injuries.”

Applejack did her best to keep herself from going into a panic until Rarity spoke again. “I think it would be best if we stop our steam right here. Rainbow Dash is becoming red from the heat.” Applejack looked and saw the crimson on Rainbow Dash’s embarrassed face. The earth pony quickly and correctly surmised that the pegasus pony’s blushing had nothing to do with the heat.

The air outside of the sauna welcomed the three ponies with a cool breath. Each was given a towel to wipe away the sweat from their faces, and then they were shown to a luxurious lounge where they all sat as Aloe produced a cart with a tub of facial mud and cucumber slices on it. A healthy coating of the mud was spackled to each of the mares’ faces and garnished their eyes with the cucumber slices.

“Now, Applejack, you must promise not to eat these cucumbers like you did that night of the sleep over.” Rarity quipped. Applejack gave a slight chuckle as she reminisced to the faux-pas she had committed months ago, delighted that Rarity would remember such a minute detail from that night.

Rainbow Dash’s mood turned guarded. She could not see because of the rounds on her eyes but still faced the direction where the voices were coming from. “What sleep over?” She asked in tone lightly laced with jealousy.

Rarity answered. “Well, it was the night of that large rain storm you and the other pegasai created some time back. Applejack and I were unlucky enough to be caught far from our homes when it started. Fortunately, we were very close to the library and were able to ride out the storm with Twilight Sparkle. It became a slumber party, and while we weren’t the most gracious of guests in the beginning, it took a turn for the better later on. It ended up being a very enjoyable evening.”

“It sure was.” Applejack added with an underlying inflection of satisfaction in her voice. “Why, we even shared a bed together that night, didn’t we Rarity?”

Rarity gave a vociferous laugh in embarrassment. “Oh, Applejack! You make sound as if we were engaged in some kind of indecent activity! Such a tease you are!”

Rainbow Dash’s jaw unclenched as she heard Rarity dismiss Applejack’s taunt with a laugh. She was glad that they couldn’t see, otherwise they would have noticed her teeth barred in anger.

As suddenly as Rainbow Dash had gone blind before, the cucumber slices came off of her eyes and she could see again. A towel found her and rubbed off the mud mask until her face was as clean as though it had never been covered in the pasty substance.

The spa customers remained where they were as Lotus brought out a file and began to buff Rarity’s horn to slight shine. Aloe interrupted the rasp that filled the room with a question.

“Excuse me madams, but it seems that one of our regular masseuses is running late today. Would you mind if your massages were saved towards the end of the treatment before you all bathe?”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were unsure of how this would affect their visit. They didn’t particularly care if it went out of order, but they were also concerned that to say yes automatically might be a breach of protocol. Once again, Rarity spared their mental energy by reaching a decision for them.

“It’s a bit unusual, but there are so many unordinary things that have happened already today.” She glimpsed at her normally tom boyish friends with a sly grin on her face. “What’s one more deviation from the norm? It will be quite alright.”

The single proprietor smiled in relief as the other finished the horn filing. They then relocated their clients to shallow pools of fragrant water that only covered their hooves. After a short soak, three of the spa’s attendants produced clippers and small files, and started the pedicure.

A thought occurred to Applejack to try and monopolize Rarity’s attention. “Ya know, Rarity, it seems like a shame that you do all this prettifyin’ fer yerself when ya don’t have a special somepony. I’m sure that if ya had somepony, they’d be real appreciative of ya if they knew all the trouble ya went through to keep up appearances.” Applejack said.

Rarity turned her head towards the earth pony in puzzlement. “Why, whatever do you mean darling?”

Rainbow Dash inserted herself into the conversation, not liking the way that Rarity had used the word “darling”. “I’m sure that what apple head here is trying to say is that a beautiful, proper, and elegant mare like you doesn’t deserve to be all alone.”

The unicorn’s face turned from a slightly perplexed look to a decisively stern stare. Her lips puckered as though she had just bit into a lemon, and her brow furrowed to form a ridge on her face. The two rivals realized that they had upset their secret love, but were not sure how.

“So, that’s what brought you two here today.” Rarity said in vexed voice. “I should have been suspicious from the start. After all, why would the two least likely ponies in all of Ponyville want to join me here at the spa today?”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood as still as they could while their minds imploded in shock. They did not know how Rarity had figured out about their affections so suddenly. Their thoughts raced and tried to think of how to continue to hide their secret. Unfortunately, they could not think as quickly as Rarity could speak.

“I am thoroughly ashamed of you Applejack, and you too Rainbow Dash. You have no idea of just how much I disapprove of what you’re doing.” Rarity continued to berate them, her words cutting like a knife into them each time she spoke. “You two are supposed to be my friends, but this is not how friends act and you two should know that.”

Their worst fears were being realized. It was horrible enough that Rarity had deduced their intentions, but to reject their love, deny them her friendship was an unimaginable tragedy. Plus, to have it happen at the spa compounded their humiliation. The spa was the epicenter for gossip in Ponyville. By the time Applejack and Rainbow Dash would return home to hide in shame, the entire village would know about how their hearts were shred to tatters.

The spa personnel, finished with tending to the nails of their patrons, backed away from the emotionally charged scene under the pretext of going to prepare the next part of the regimen. Rainbow Dash and Applejack wished that the pedicure sinks they were in were deep enough so they could drown themselves in penance. Since they could not, they shut their eyes in preparation for Rarity’s final strike.

Rarity leaned towards the ponies that were the object of her scorn. She spoke in an indignant voice so that they would understand just how disgusted she was.

“You tell whatever stallion or stallions that begged to have you name drop themselves to me that I have no interest in the likes of them!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s eyes opened in surprise and looked at Rarity, who seemed to have calmed down slightly. As she continued to speak, her temper continued to lessen. “Using a go between to inquire about how another pony feels is just so immature. It’s something that I would expect my sister to deal with, like I did when I was her age. But to have an adult do it is just so childish that I would laugh if it wasn’t so infuriating for me.”

The pegasus and earth pony slowly sighed in relief as they returned to the world from their self-concocted horror. Never before had either of them been so glad that their friend had jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Aloe and Lotus reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere now that the drama had subsided. They once again led the group, this time to a different set of baths filled not with water, but mud that was even thicker than the kind used for their facials.

Before either Applejack or Rainbow Dash had chance to ask what these were for, they found themselves being bound in strips of kelp. The two were amazed at not only the strength of the seaweed they were being tied with, but also the strength of the spa employees that were tying them up. After they had been thoroughly wrapped in the kelp, they were unceremoniously plopped into the mud which covered them up to their withers.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked over to Rarity, who was already swathed in green leaves of seaweed, and entered the mud bath with more poise and grace than her friends did. She let out a long “Ah” as she settled in the murky tub. She then faced her friends looking crestfallen.

“I’m sorry that I berated you two that way. I’m sure that it was just something nice you were doing for somepony you know. I guess that I’m a little miffed at you because my parents have also been badgering me to find a special somepony. Ever since they found out about the disaster that was the Grand Galloping Gala, they’ve been pressuring me to try and be more realistic about my dating life.”

“What do you mean when you say ‘realistic’?” Rainbow Dash inquired.

Rarity sighed before she answered, she was about to reveal a personal lament.

“Well, you see, I’ve always thought about marrying a prince ever since I was a little filly. When I read about all the wonderfully brave and kind princes in my story books, I was convinced that being married to a prince would be a dream come true. It was then that I committed myself to become a bride fit for a prince. I learned all I could about etiquette, fashion, and Equestria high society so I could be able to impress any potential suitor. Why, I’d even toss a bit into a fountain and wish that one day my prince would come. I held it in my heart for many years, and I thought that I would have my chance at the Gala.”

“But after meeting that cad, Prince Blueblood, my illusions were shattered. I realized that princes aren’t always the heroes that you read about in stories. Some of them can be quite detestable, if not outright inelegant.” Rarity gave a slight smile. “I guess that’s why they label those books ‘fantasy’.”

A thought occurred to Applejack. “So, yer sayin’ that ya only have eyes for princes, is that what yer trying to tell us?”

Rarity shook her head. “No, Applejack. I’m saying that I only had eyes for princes. It’s not easy to give up on ones fancies like that, but that encounter with Prince Blueblood taught me something. I shouldn’t just limit myself to princes, but broaden horizons to include others as well.” A quiet giggle came from the unicorn. “So long as my parents stay out of my love life. Still, mother and father notwithstanding, I now think that anypony could be my special somepony. Provided, of course, that they have the fortitude to be direct about it.”

“So, when you say anypony could be your special somepony, does that include mares as well?” Rainbow Dash asked without thinking, causing Applejack to gloweringly shoot her eyes at the pegasus pony.

“Oh, of course you would ask such a question Rainbow Dash.” Rarity replied nonchalantly, referring to the open secret that was Rainbow Dash’s personal preference for mares. “One never truly knows the course that their heart will set for them. I never really gave the idea much thought because I don’t wish to pigeonhole myself. I won’t speculate the matter, but neither will I dismiss it.”

Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s hearts simultaneously skipped a beat. While they were both puzzled as to why Rarity had failed to pick up on the undertones of the questions they were asking her, the fact that she said wouldn’t instantly reject to being in a relationship with a mare eclipsed all remaining doubts they had. The mere possibility of such a relationship made it difficult for them to talk because their minds were so clouded with emotions right then.

Fortunately, their spa attendants reappeared and snapped them back to reality. They helped pull the three ponies out of the sludge, blasted them with a high pressure hose to remove the mud, and peeled off the seaweed from their bodies.

“Ya know, Rarity, if ya really wanted to, ya could come and wallow in the mud at my place sometime.” Applejack suggested with a smile on her face.

“Or I could make it rain over by your shop and create your own personal mud bath for you.” Rainbow Dash countered.

“Oh, girls, while those sound like wonderful suggestions, I don’t just come here for the mud, but for the whole treatment. While I’m sure that the mud you could make would be quite fine, I’m not as sure if you would be comfortable with giving me a massage.” The unicorn replied in jest, not noticing the faces of Applejack and Rainbow Dash turning red at the idea of being so intimate with Rarity.

Now the patrons were guided into another area of the spa, this one with high beds for massages. A large and muscular stallion now appeared and spoke with a thick baritone voice.

“Many apologies for my tardiness, Miss Rarity. I do hope that I did not inconvenience you much.”

“No need to apologize, Quake. Although, since you’re here now, I assume that we can commence with the massage.” Rarity commented.

“But of course.” Quake gestured Rarity to one of the massage tables and she laid on it. He then deftly maneuvered his hooves and started to work his craft. The stallion rhythmically thumped Rarity as though she were a drum, causing her voice to sound silly.

“Um, so do we just wait fer Rarity to finish and then it’s our turn?” Applejack asked Rainbow Dash, who was just as unsure as the earth pony as how this was supposed to work. Lotus settled them matter for them.

“Oh, you do not have to wait, my sister and I will each do your massages.” She said in her ethereal accent. The answer caused Applejack and Rainbow Dash to burst out in laughter.

“You two? But you two are so small, do you think that you can give us a massage as strong as Quake over there?” Rainbow Dash asked with no hint of irony. Applejack couldn’t stop herself from laughing long enough to actually talk.

The faces of the twin spa owners grew serious. They were not amused by their clients’ humor and displeased by their doubt.

“I assure you, you will receive very strong massages if you so desire.” Aloe replied causally. The sisters guided Applejack and Rainbow Dash to their own massage tables and they laid down on them. The spa ponies gave each other a quick nod and went to work.

Yells of pain shattered the tranquil atmosphere of the spa. The gentle demeanor of Aloe and Lotus had concealed their adeptness at the art of massage. The two aestheticians actively sought out, found, and ground every muscle knot and nerve cluster that existed in Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s bodies. The customers had asked for strong massages and Aloe and Louts were more than willing to accommodate them.

“This sort of discomfort is normal, madam. When you wake up tomorrow, you will feel incredibly limber and energetic.” The blue pony that was working on Applejack said. The tangerine mare’s mind was so clouded from pain that she couldn’t remember whether it was Aloe or Lotus.

“You have built up so much tension in your bodies over time that this sudden of a release is called for.” Rainbow Dash heard the words from the pink pony that was torturing her.

While the massages were agonizing for them, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were both too proud to ask for a reduction in the pressure of the massages. They laid there and endured the pain, both of them silently thinking the same thought.

“When they say love hurts, they weren’t kidding!”

***

The ivory unicorn walked out of the spa feeling invigorated and rejuvenated. Her two compatriots, however, could barely stand, let alone walk. The soreness from the massage had not left them yet, and it did not seem as if would leave anytime soon. They only had enough strength in them to put one hoof in front of the other, and even that was as struggle. Despite their lameness, neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash regretted the experience. They had spent time with Rarity and had certain doubts wiped away. It was more than either could have hoped for.

Rarity thought back on the day, thinking how fun it was to have Rainbow Dash and Applejack as spa partners. She had been too enraptured by her own massage to notice the suffering being inflicted on her friends. Quake’s hooves had the ability to make a pony forget about the real world. But as Rarity thought harder about it, the more she noticed that there seemed to be an undercurrent during the day trip that she could not put her hoof on. It was as if Rainbow Dash and Applejack were vying for her attention, like they were almost jealous of the other and wanted to have Rarity all to herself.

“A foal’s notion. I really should learn how to get over myself.” Rarity thought. “They were merely trying to best each other like they do at everything. The only prize this time was my courtesy. It’s only their competitive natures getting the better of them.”

As enjoyable as the day had been for her, Rarity knew when to bring things to a close. A lady always did.

“Well, I’m afraid that I must bid you both adieu for the day. I still have a great deal of work to catch up on, so I must be off back to my shop. Though, I must admit, I had the most wonderful time. I do hope we can all do this again soon.”

Applejack was the first to respond with a cringe that tried it’s best to be a smile. “Likewise, sugar cube.”

Rainbow Dash could only muster a single word in agreement. “Ditto.”

“Until then girls, Au revoir.” Her duties to etiquette fulfilled, Rarity trotted off to her abode, leaving the adversaries alone to sort things out.

The two rivals looked at each other menacingly. Gathering all the strength they had left in their beings, Applejack and Rainbow Dash confronted one another by standing as erect as they could and touched muzzle to muzzle in challenge. They made boastful statements, which they did in unison.

“What do you think you’re doing? Me? Don’t change the subject I asked you first! Listen, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Rarity! Why should I listen to you? If you don’t butt out, you’ll be sorry! Oh yeah! Well, I’ll show you!”

The pretense that the other saw Rarity only as a friend was gone now, their suspicions confirmed. Their passions were in full control of their actions. They braced themselves for the ensuing battle, taking fighting stances, flaring their nostrils, and filling their eyes with anger. Applejack and Rainbow Dash knew that this moment would be decisive. They made their opening moves.

But no sooner had they raised their hooves up did they both slam down to the ground on which they stood. The day had already proved too much for them, and their bravado siphoned the last of their might. They stayed down for a while, panting from exhaustion and reflecting on the situation.

Applejack was the first to break the silence. “Ya wanna… settle this… another time?”

“Sure.” Rainbow Dash stuck to her one word answers.

Slowly but surely, the two ponies picked themselves up. Rainbow Dash tried her best to take off into the sky, but could only manage a low hover above the landscape. Applejack walked one hoof at a time back to her farm.

Each pony knew that the truce was only temporary as they limped towards their homes. It was all right. They knew how to top their foe and capture Rarity’s heart. They only had to grab what was in the drawer of their bedroom.

Chapter 5: The Dam Bursts

Rarity awoke to the sound of chirping birds as the sun started to peak through her bedroom window. She gently wiggled herself from under the covers and made up the bed, the first part of her morning ritual that included a shower with a thorough shampooing, brushing her mane and teeth, and finishing with a proper breakfast.

The first of her daily habits complete, she went down to the sales floor of Carousel Boutique to ready it for the day. She prepared some of the blank mannequins by adorning them with her designs and also laid out fashion booklets and magazines for her customers to peruse if they needed ideas. Ready for business, she used her unicorn magic to raise the blinds of the store front windows and unlatch the door. The instant she did Rainbow Dash barged in holding something in her mouth.

“Rainbow Dash! I must say that you surprising me is starting to become a regular routine for us.” Rarity chuckled at her own whimsy.

However, she soon saw that the look on Rainbow Dash’s face was solemn and somber. The pegasus pony approached Rarity and came close enough that the unicorn noticed tears starting to form in the corners of her friend’s eyes. She also noticed the bundle in her mouth, a lavish napkin that Rarity knew to be from the palace in Canterlot, but it seemed to have something inside of it. Before the unicorn pony could ask any questions, Rainbow Dash placed the parcel at the ivory mare’s hooves and started to speak.

“Rarity, this is for you.” Rainbow Dash motioned to the swathed object. The pegasus pony was so close that Rarity felt her friend’s breath on her face. “But before you open it, there’s something I need to tell you.” Rainbow Dash tried not to choke on emotion as she spoke.

The alabaster mare had never seen her friend so perturbed before. Whatever Rainbow Dash had to say was causing her so much distress that Rarity was compelled to comfort her friend. She looked at the winged equine, focusing her attention on the polychrome mare instead of the gift.

“What is it, darling?” Rarity asked with her voice drenched in concern.

The use of the word “darling” made Rainbow Dash’s mind stumble. She had wanted to confess her feelings in a gracious manner, in a way that Rarity might prefer, but she quickly forgot all that and decided that now was the time to be direct. Rainbow Dash locked eyes with Rarity and focused on the beautiful blue eyes that were filled with empathy. She gulped her fear long enough to say the words that were in her heart.

“I…I…I’m in love with you.”

The world around Rarity quickly disappeared. The suffocating stillness of the moment lasted for a small eternity until Rarity was able to utter a single quiet word in reply.

“What?”

“I’m in love with you, Rarity. I love you. I love you!” Rainbow Dash admitted, her voice increasing in volume each time as though the louder she spoke the more her affections would be returned.

As it was, Rarity was stunned by what she heard. She wasn’t sure what to think. She knew that Rainbow Dash liked mares, but she also knew that Rainbow Dash liked to play tricks. “Rainbow Dash, whatever you’re trying to pull, I don’t find it amusing.” She said sternly.

Rainbow Dash vigorously shook her head with her eyes shut. “It’s not a joke, I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for the longest time, I just never knew it.” She returned her gaze to Rarity. The pegasus pony needed to speak her heart now because she knew she would never get another chance to convince Rarity that her love was genuine. “You’re everything I’m not. You’re understanding, forgiving, graceful, tender, and beautiful. I never knew just what you meant to me until the other day when you cared for my wounds. ” Rainbow Dash reflexively touched her nearly healed cuts but did not break her eye-lock with Rarity. “Nopony’s ever taken care of me like that before. I’ve been so used to taking care of myself that I never realized how it felt to have somepony look after me, how warm and soft it could be. How it could feel so wonderful and natural.” Gentle tears started to drip from Rainbow Dash’s eyes, she was no longer fighting to hold them back.

Rainbow Dash picked up the bundle that she had brought Rarity and placed it in the unicorn’s hooves. “I don’t know how you feel about me, or even if you can love me, but you need to have this. It’s the only thing I can give to you…to prove that I love you…” Her voice trailed off into indiscernible words as her eyes pleaded with Rarity to accept the gift.

It took a moment for Rarity to shake off her shock enough to look. She carefully unfolded the cloth to revel its contents, shards of clear azure glass. Her first thought upon looking at the proof of Rainbow Dash’s love was confusion.

“I don’t understand, Rainbow Dash.” She remarked as she prodded the glass pieces with her hoof. “Why would you bring me…” Rarity gasped loudly as she brought her hoof to her mouth in amazement once it dawned upon her on what she was holding. They were the remains of the glass slipper she had crushed when she fled the Grand Galloping Gala.

“I know that I’m not the prince you wished for…or even deserve…but the least I could do was prove to you that I’m sincere…” The emotional outpouring finally overwhelmed Rainbow Dash. She collapsed to the floor, crying like she never had before, worried that the only thing she had accomplished was to make a complete foal of herself to Rarity.

As Rarity looked at her crying friend in front her she searched her mind and heart to help bring sense of it all. There was no doubt that her longtime friend was being truthful about the affections she had just professed, which meant that it was now up to Rarity to be honest about her own feelings. She thought back on the many memories that had Rainbow Dash in them and noticed the reoccurring similarities within. Each time she had been in the presence of the pegasus pony, Rarity had always felt light-hearted and at ease, but the unicorn pony wasn’t sure if that constituted love. However something stopped Rarity from dismissing her friend’s love outright.

The unicorn remembered the time when Rainbow Dash saved her life during the Best Young Flyer Competition. Thinking back to that day made Rarity’s heart beat faster from reflex, but as she looked at the fragments of her slipper that Rainbow Dash had brought back, her heart beat became even more rapid. She began to feel heat buildup in her checks from blushing as her affections for Rainbow Dash started to become clearer.

Rarity reminisced to the Grand Galloping Gala and the catastrophe that it had been for her. When her slipper fell off of her hoof Pinkie Pie remarked that “now her prince was sure to find her”. The distressed unicorn pony then purposely shattered it because Prince Blueblood was the last pony that she ever wanted to see again. In fact, she never wanted any prince to return her slipper.

But instead of a prince returning her slipper, Rainbow Dash had obviously gone through great lengths to recover the remnants and deliver them to her. It was better than any tale out of a storybook because not only was it happening for real, but because it involved somepony that was already important in Rarity’s life.

Her mind and heart made up, Rarity crouched down and joined her friend on the floor, smelling the aroma of crisp cool air and fresh rain that permeated Rainbow Dash’s hair. She lightly took hold of the crying mare and gently rubbed the tears away from the face of her friend.

“I know you’re not a prince, Rainbow Dash, but you’re wrong about one thing.” Rarity softly said.

Rainbow Dash’s heart sank when she heard her own words repeated in that way. She was certain that the next words would be the rejection of everything she had just done. She shut her eyes tight enough that ugly lights appeared, the only thing she could do to steel herself for the final blow to her heart.

“I do deserve you because you’re better than any prince I could have wished for.” Rarity’s kiss was more than anything Rainbow Dash could have imagined it to be. It was so soft and light, but full of love and care, saying more than words could. Ironically, it caused the pegasus pony to cry more than she had a few moments ago, but this time out of joy instead of emotional uncertainty.

“Thank you, Rarity… Thank you, Rarity…I love you so much.” Rainbow Dash squeaked out between her sobs, grasping her love tightly as though she could still slip away from her.

“Even if I’m not twenty percent cooler?” Rarity asked with an impish grin, trying to lighten the tone of the moment. Rainbow Dash chortled and sobbed at the same time “You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”

“Not on your life.” The couple enjoyed a mutual laugh as they lifted each other off of the floor. They gazed into each other’s eyes and gently stroked each other’s mane, both feeling so foalish for never knowing the truth that was in front of them the entire time. They shared another kiss, this one more passionate and longer than the first they had. After breaking the kiss, they touched foreheads and held each other in a warm embrace, thinking that this moment was their whole world and that there was nothing that could ruin it for them.

The front door of Carousel Boutique slammed shut, shattering their perfect world. They were no longer alone. Applejack stood just inside the doorway, clutching some kind of violet bag in her teeth. It wasn’t clear how long she had been standing there, but both Rainbow Dash and Rarity knew it had to have been long enough. Her face was contorted with jealously and anger, but also wet with tears spilling out of her eyes. Time stood still as the earth pony glared at the couple, disquieting them and filling the shop with palpable tension.

Rarity ended Applejack’s deafening silence with a question. “Applejack, is there something I can help you with?” She asked cautiously, not wanting to upset her friend any more than she was now, as she was unsure of the reason for the earth pony’s behavior. The unicorn gently pulled away from Rainbow Dash and slowly approached the tangerine mare. Applejack’s face softened as she looked at Rarity by herself without Rainbow Dash. The earth pony calmly placed her satchel in her own hoof so she could speak.

“The door was open, so I let myself in.” She answered in reply to Rarity’s question. She outreached her leg with the violet bundle. “I came to give ya this, Rarity. It’s...It’s something I should have given to ya fer a while now.”

Rarity, without taking her eyes off Applejack, reached out with both of her front hooves and grasped at Applejack’s offering. She found that it was actually a piece of torn felt fabric that had been folded to make a purse. After unfolding it, she inaudibly gasped in stunned disbelief. Inside the scrap of drapery were more shards of clear azure glass.

“I love ya, Rarity.” Rarity looked at her friend’s lovelorn face as she spoke. Applejack tried to keep her voice still but it still cracked with heartache. “Ever since we shared that night together…that night ya kissed me…I fell in love with ya. I stopped myself from tellin’ ya because I didn’t want to believe it. I knew it would only muddy our friendship if I tried to tell ya how I feel. Also, I didn’t want to ruin any chance ya might have at finding yer prince at the Gala…” She choked back a sob as tears poured down her face. “But once I saw that ya were alone…my feelings couldn’t contain themselves…I needed to tell ya how much I care fer ya. But I didn’t know what words to say, so I can only give ya this.” Applejack gestured at the remains of the slipper that she had brought. “I’m so sorry, Rarity…so sorry that I’m such a coward and couldn’t tell ya sooner…” Losing the will to talk or even to look at Rarity, The earth pony hung her head in shame while she continued to cry over her failure.

Gentle hooves cradled Applejack’s face, surprising her. When she looked up, she found it was Rarity that was holding her. The loving expression she had had when she was holding Rainbow Dash was replaced by one of empathic worry. The unicorn pony looked at her friend with apologetic tears in her eyes as she spoke.

“No, Applejack. You’re not a coward. I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. I had no idea that you felt this way and I should have realized it sooner.” Rarity began to gently caress her friend’s cheek, the same way she did that night which did not seem so long ago now. The pleasant fragrance of apples and cinnamon wafting from Applejack sent Rarity back to that night. She remembered the tight embrace of Applejack’s strong legs, the intimate whispered conversation they had shared and the kiss that she had gifted Applejack with. When she had kissed her friend on the cheek that night, it was meant as an afterthought, but now even Rarity wondered if there was more meaning to it now.

Whatever impetus drove Rarity’s actions that night, the kiss had clearly meant something to Applejack. So much so that it had brought her to confess her latent love which was so difficult for the earth pony that she broke down crying during the act. Rarity could not stand to see Applejack so afflicted and remedied the situation by doing the only thing she could think of. She reached down and kissed the freckles on her friend’s cheek.

Applejack stopped sobbing instantly as Rarity softly lifted her lips off of her freckles. The two ponies locked eyes, taking the place of words and actions as the means of communication at the moment. Their tears began to wane as their gaze grew more intense. Applejack took hold of Rarity who could not think of reason to protest the action. They grew closer together, slowly yet naturally, their lips coming together in an inevitable and delicate kiss.

A rainbow wedged itself between the two, grasping Rarity while pushing Applejack away. Rainbow Dash glared with rage and hatred in her eyes at the thief that was trying to steal Rarity from her.

“Butt out Applejack! Rarity and I are together!” Rainbow Dash greedily clutched the unicorn pony to prove her point. “You said it yourself! You couldn’t tell Rarity how you feel and now you’ve lost out! Get out of here and leave me and Rarity alone! We’re a couple now!”

Applejack reciprocated Rainbow Dash’s animosity with her own. “That’s not fer ya to decide! It’s Rarity’s choice to make!” She turned her attention to Rarity, but her face and tone did not soften. “Did RD tell ya how she got the pieces of yer broken slipper?”

The question caught Rainbow Dash off guard. She replied with an awkward answer. “I…well…I got them as we escaped out of the Gala.”

“Wait, how did you two end up with the remains of my slipper if you both were running ahead me?”

“I’ll tell ya how it happened, Rarity.” Applejack interjected, eager to shed light on the situation. “After we left the doughnut shop in Canterlot, I managed to sneak back into the castle. I grabbed a piece of a torn curtain and got the stair where you had lost your slipper. I started to collect the pieces of it, but before I could finish, I heard somepony a comin’ and had to vamoose. I thought it might be a guard or somethin’ but guess who it was instead.” The earth pony turned her head and glowered in the direction of the winged equine in the room, silently answering her own question. She followed up with another question, this one meant for Rainbow Dash. “Do you remember what ya said when ya pickin’ up the glass bits and placin’ them in that napkin ya got?”

Rainbow Dash did remember, but she didn’t want Rarity to hear what she had said that night. “No! Applejack! Don’t say it! Please!”

Despite her appeals to Applejack’s sense of forgiveness, Rainbow Dash’s words fell upon a hard heart. In her best impression of Rainbow Dash’s voice, Applejack echoed what the pegasus pony had said that night. “Hee hee, this will make fer a good prank on Rarity someday.”

“Don’t listen to her, Rarity!” Applejack shouted out. “I gathered up them pieces too, but I didn’t do it as a joke! I’ve been in love with you longer than Rainbow Dash has! Rainbow Dash doesn’t deserve you!”

“Shut up, Applejack!” Rainbow Dash became incensed when her rival used the word “deserve”. Her wings instinctively spread themselves out in a show of intimidation. “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t say that again!”

Dared by the statement, Applejack punctuated her words by poking Rainbow Dash with her hoof. “You…don’t…deserve…Rarity!”

That was the trigger that unleashed all of Rainbow Dash’s anger and frustration. She lunged herself at Applejack, knocking the earth pony to the ground. Desperate to end her rival’s chances of trying to claim Rarity, the pegasus pony pounced on her adversary to make sure that she would stay down.

However, instead of being incapacitated, the mandarin colored mare was not only alert but also gave her enemy one of the powerful kicks that she had devolved from years of apple bucking. It sent a rainbow streak across the room into one of Rarity’s dresses on display, tearing it to tatters.

Undeterred, Rainbow Dash picked herself up and flew full speed at Applejack, this time delivering a powerful punch that caused the earth pony to crash into a different dress, destroying not only it but also the mannequin that wore it. The pegasus pony went to follow through on her assault but instead caught a powerful hoof square in her jaw. It sent her off course and into Rarity’s jewel chest, scattering its glittering and resplendent contents all across the floor of Carousel Boutique.

Rarity watched in complete disbelief at the scene that was unfolding before her. The fight was decimating her shop and she was utterly helpless to stop it. She used her magic to try and hold Applejack at bay, but it only turned the earth pony into a stationary target for Rainbow Dash. The unicorn pony tried a new tactic, pleading. She begged her two friends to cease their fighting but they were so engrossed in the battle that they just ignored her.

The animus that Rainbow Dash and Applejack had for each other was all consuming. They had come to Rarity’s home to confess their love for the gorgeous alabaster mare, but now their minds were clouded with hate and vitriol so much that they could only focus on the enemy before them. Hooves flew and teeth gnashed, blooding both opponents. The violent acts they committed did not wound their opponent as much as they destroyed the interior of the fashion shop. The destruction in Carousel Boutique only ended when Rainbow Dash flew Applejack through a window and into a tree outside.

Despite the change in location the brawl continued unabated. Both ponies were equally matched in strength and skill, leaving each to try and take any advantage they could find. Each time Rainbow Dash tried to fly, Applejack bit or punched at her wings, making it impossible for her to lift off the ground. When Applejack revved herself for a kick, Rainbow Dash made certain to dodge it, negating the earth ponies most powerful attack. Each of them gave all of their strength and might into every action of aggression they could against their adversary, but they could only inflict glancing blows or strike air instead.

A crowd began to gather making an impromptu circle for the fight. The onlookers were drawn by the commotion and wanted to see what the cause of it was. At first it was just a small number of ponies, but as the fight protracted itself, it seemed as if every citizen in Ponyville became a spectator. The first few of the bystanders to arrive actually enjoyed the brawl for a while as it proved to be exciting, but their indulgence quickly turned into dread when they realized they were not watching a mere scuffle among friends but a battle steeped in pure acrimony. The wounds that the foes had sustained were a testimony to their malice. Rainbow Dash was covered with bruises and bite-marks while Applejack had a black eye and had blood dripping out of her mouth.

It took well over an hour until the fight ended and it ended, ironically enough, the only way that a fight against two equally matched competitors could end, fatigue. Their attacks grew feebler with each swipe, draining a portion of their stamina each time. Rainbow Dash tried to body slam her opponent, but she was so spent that she might as well have been a pillow when she hit her target. The earth pony was the last to exert any effort when she used a weak kick to push the rainbow mare off of herself. Both tried to pick themselves up to continue the duel, but instead succumbed to their lassitude. They panted heavily for breath and were too tired to even talk. They meekly turned their heads around, finally noticing the large herd that had gathered out of curiosity. Applejack and Rainbow Dash searched the crowd for the only face they were looking for, Rarity’s. When they did find her, their hearts sank as they were wounded more by what they saw than what they had just endured.

Rarity was crying, her face full of horror at what she had just witnessed. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked just behind her and saw that Carousel Boutique had been thoroughly thrashed. Viewing through the window they had shattered they could see the full extent of the damage they had caused. Dresses and mannequins were shredded and ruined. Jewels and gems littered the floor, their color belying the tragedy that had just unfolded. The walls were cracked and, in some spots, full of holes from where they had slammed into them.

Realizing that their feud had not only failed to produce a winner, but effectively razed the home and business of the one they loved, Applejack and Rainbow Dash felt ashamed. The day had begun with such promise for them, but it had turned into a catastrophe for not only themselves, but for the mare they loved as well. The two tried to muster the very last of their strength to go and comfort Rarity, to apologize and try and make amends for their actions. But instead Rarity turned her flank to them, went inside the ruin that was her home, slammed the door, and drew the shades closed. The sobs and wails that came through the broken window make it clear that the unicorn mare did not want to see either of them.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked around at the rest of the crowd. Everypony had expressions of shock and disbelief. They did not see what had started the fight, but it was clear to all of them why the two ponies had been fighting. The assembled equines murmured gossip amongst themselves and while Rainbow Dash and Applejack could not discern any words, they knew exactly what was being said.

Applejack had had enough of her disgrace being whispered around her and willed her beaten and battered body to rise. She wanted the crowd to stop talking and made them do so by speaking an obvious truth.

“Go home folks, show’s over.” She said with a crestfallen voice. The earth pony then turned in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres and walked as fast as she could towards it. However, since she was so exhausted from the fight, her fastest speed was a snail’s pace.

Rainbow Dash did not bother to address the crowd as Applejack had. Instead she flapped her wings as much as she could to lift herself off the ground. She was so tired and hurt that she could only fly limply to her home on the outskirts of Ponyville.

There were a few more mutterings from the crowd of onlookers as the two belligerents headed for their corners. The group pondered on whether or not this was just the first round of what could be a protracted match. While there was much speculation on the matter, there was no clear consensus on what would happen next. Without knowing, the assembly of ponies cautiously dispersed to return to their own lives, wondering what would come to pass.

Chapter 6: Collateral Damage

Sweetie Belle was glad that the crowd was now dissolving with only a few ponies still milling about. She had come to visit her sister at Carousel Boutique today but instead found a huge gathering in front of the shop that blocked her from getting there. She had wondered why there was such a mass of equines there, but between the banter of the ponies in the back she heard what sounded like a fight. Now that the group had broken up enough to the point that the unicorn filly could walk around, she actively sought out a familiar face that could help explain to her what had just happened.

As she looked around, she spied not only one fellow filly, but two, her friends Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, who helped her to form the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were talking with each other and had yet to notice Sweetie Belle. Eager to find out what had drawn so many spectators, the young unicorn ran towards her compatriots.

When Sweetie Belle came upon them, however, she saw that they were not talking, but instead yelling at each other.

“Who does your sister think she is? Fighting dirty like that with Rainbow Dash isn’t fair!” Scootaloo shouted at the straw colored filly.

“It was Rainbow Dash that was fightin’ dirty! Tryin’ to fly so she could ambush my sister ain’t right! Rainbow Dash was tryin’ to be a cheat!”

“You take that back!”

“I will not!”

Sweetie Belle was confused. From what she was hearing, it sounded like Apple Bloom’s sister, Applejack, and Scootaloo’s mentor, Rainbow Dash, were the ones that were fighting. While a fight between the strong earth pony and the brash pegasus pony would be something to behold, the reason why they would do so eluded Sweetie Belle.

“Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, what happened? Why are you two arguing?” Sweetie Belle inquired. While she had hoped to be a calming influence on her friends, she instead became the object of their scorn. The quarrelling fillies turned their attentions to the young unicorn pony that had just arrived.

“It’s all your sister’s fault!” Said the flightless pegasus with an angry hoof pointed at Sweetie Belle.

“Yeah! She’s the cause of all this!” The bowed filly shouted in agreement.

The vehemence in the voices of her friends shocked Sweetie Belle even more than what they had just said. It took her a moment to process the fact that her friends had just rebuked Rarity.

“What? Applejack and Rainbow Dash are in love with my sister? ” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. She was even more confounded then before. While this raised even more questions in the mind of the pearl colored filly, she decided to focus on the reason for the spat between her friends. “But I still don’t understand why they fighting? What does it have to do with Rarity?”

Apple Bloom answered with her conclusion based on child’s logic. “Because yer sister drove them to fight. She bewitched them with her charms into lovin’ her, but she didn’t choose one so they would fight each other fer her enjoyment.”

Scootaloo injected her own opinion that was formed from the limited facts that she knew. “That’s right. From what I saw, Rarity just watched the fight and didn’t try to stop it at all. She just cried, ran, and hid herself in her shop when the fight was over.”

She failed. She wasn’t sure whose hoof was whose, but one smashed into her nose and another found its way into her left eye. Both blows sent her crashing to the ground, cutting a gash on her right cheek. At first, Sweetie Belle didn’t feel any pain, but she began to cry once the stinging from her wounds started to manifest. A metallic taste touched her tongue as the blood from her snout flowed down her face.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo paused their struggle and looked at their crying friend. Any other time they would have gone to comfort Sweetie Belle and help tend to her injuries, but the loathing that had blossomed between the coral hued pegasus and the flaxen colored earth pony eclipsed all other emotions they had. Neither wanted to continue the quarrel now, but they also could not stand to be anywhere near each other either.

Scootaloo was the first to say anything. “Forget you two! I’m sick of hanging around with a hick and a crybaby! I’m leaving!”

“Fine by me!” Apple Bloom responded. “I never wanna see either one of ya again! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are over!”

The words broke Sweetie Belle’s heart, causing her to cry even more than she was already. She picked herself up and tried to talk to her friends but the words could not get past the lump that formed in her throat from crying. After Apple Bloom and Scootaloo hurled the final rounds of vicious insults they both departed, leaving the bloodied, dirty, and crying Sweetie Belle alone.

* * *

Rarity was in chaos as she sat sequestered in the dark solitude of her workshop on the top floor of Carousel Boutique. The only thing that she had managed to accomplish after she stopped crying over the fight was to board up the window that Rainbow Dash and Applejack had crashed through. She had left the rest of the shop in its state of disarrayed destruction. Holes adorned the walls of her shop. Headless mannequins wore shredded and ruined dresses. Gems and jewels littered the floor, their colorful glint mocking Rarity with their cheerfulness. Repairing Carousel Boutique would be a long and arduous task.

However, her heart felt that none of it mattered compared to the decision before her. The cause of the fight was more pressing to her than the damage that her home had sustained. The glass pieces of her shattered slipper were her whole world now. They were emblematic of how she felt, shards that could never again become whole. She divided her thoughts and gazes between the twin mounds of broken glass, thinking what a deeper relationship would be like with the either of the ponies that were vying for her affection.

Rarity stared at the pieces that Rainbow Dash had brought back to her, contemplating what the brazen pesasus pony truly meant to her. Rainbow Dash had said that she herself had only found out about her own feeling towards Rarity the day she took care of the winged equine’s cuts. Rarity herself found it surprisingly natural to care for her friend. The unicorn pony knew with polychrome mare’s daredevil lifestyle, Rainbow Dash would need more tending to for injuries, and the idea of Rarity being a nurse for her friend generated a warm feeling of fulfillment. Taking care of her friend was so comforting to Rarity that she knew she could easily find happiness with Rainbow Dash.

As soon as the elation came, it was quickly eclipsed by remorse. Rarity gradually turned her head and looked at the fragments that Applejack had returned to her. The alabaster mare supplanted the image of Rainbow Dash at her side with Applejack instead. The industrious earth pony was the opposite of Rarity in so many ways, yet those differences were her most endearing qualities. The tangerine mare cared very little for her own appearance, so Rarity would find the task of maintaining her friend’s image to be a chore, but one that she would relish immensely. There was also the fact that Applejack had contained her affections for so long for Rarity’s sake. The unicorn pony knew that she could not dismiss her friend’s love so easily that it pained her to even think of such an act.

Rarity’s stomach growled at her in rebellion, snapping her out of her constant emotional back and forth. She realized that she had not eaten anything since breakfast, and it was now well after sunset. She did not want to leave the shattered slipper and the issue that it had brought back to her unresolved, but Rarity knew she had not come any closer to reaching a decision. After a moment’s pause to reflect further on the matter, she left her desk and workshop to head down to her kitchen.

When she came to the bottom of her stairs that lead to her kitchen she heard an indiscernible whimper in the room. At first, Rarity did not see what the cause of it was, but as she followed the sound, she came upon the whining’s source.

Rarity saw her sister, Sweetie Belle, sitting with her rump on the floor and eating out of a tub of chocolate ice cream that she held in her legs. She was crying while she ate, seemingly trying to drown her sorrows with the frozen dessert.

“Sweetie Belle, what’s wrong? Why are you here and not at mother and father’s?” Rarity asked her forlorn sister as she walked over. Without saying anything, the filly looked at the elder unicorn pony, revealing her swollen and bruised eye, a nose stuffed with blood drenched cotton, and an amateurishly applied bandage on her cheek. Her face was also covered in dirt with clear trails running through the grime made by her tears.

Rarity gasped in shock. “Sweetie Belle! What happened to you? How did you get these injuries?” Rarity crouched down and joined her sister on the floor, meticulously inspecting the dressings that Sweetie Belle had clearly administered herself.

Sweetie Belle pushed the ice cream away from her and tried to speak past her crying, but all Rarity heard was blubbery gibberish because of the cotton in her sister’s snout. The older sister pulled out the crimson stained stuffing and asked the unicorn filly to start again. The immature equine did, with her sister being able to understand her now.
“My friends hate me.” She said meekly, sniffling as she spoke. Rarity was confused, but
she had an idea of what Sweetie Belle meant.

“Your friends did this to you? Why would they do such a thing?”

“It wasn’t their fault really.” Sweetie Belle shook her head as she defended her friends that had struck her. “They were fighting each other. I tried to stop them by getting in between them but they ended hitting me by mistake instead.”

Rarity used her unicorn magic to grab the first aid kit and a wet towel while she listened. She took off the bandage that Sweetie Belle had put on herself, wiped the dirt off with the towel, and properly affixed a fresh band-aid on the cut.

“Why were Apple Bloom and Scootaloo fighting though?”

“They were insulting each other because they saw the fight between Applejack and Rainbow Dash.” Sweetie Belle blew her nose in the towel. She looked at Rarity with eyes desperate for answers. “Is it true that they’re both in love with you?”

Rarity sighed before she answered. “Yes, it is true. It’s a long story, but it is true.” The ivory mare draped a leg around her young sister. “Still, that’s no excuse to beat you up. Your wounds must be so painful to make you cry like this.”

Sweetie Belle’s tears started flow in rapid succession. Her injuries had stopped hurting a while ago. “That’s not why I’m still crying…” She said between sobs. “It’s because… It’s because… It’s because they broke up the Cutie Mark Crusaders…And they never want to see me again.” The pearl filly started uncontrollably sobbing anew as her personal anguish again erupted inside of her.

Rarity embraced her sister as hard as she could, shedding her own tears in sympathy. “What hath this feud wrought? Sweetie Belle doesn’t deserve to be hurt like this.” The crying of her younger sister reanimated her own heartache from earlier in the day. Through water logged eyes, Rarity looked at her grieving sister. “How much wider will the suffering spread?” She wondered to herself.

With Sweetie Belle in her legs crying from the travesties beset on her from the larger problem that was plaguing the ivory unicorn mare, Rarity reached a decision. The choice before her was made as clear as crystal by her sister. A plan started to form in her mind, and while the entirety of it was not yet completed, she knew the first step to take.

“Sweetie Belle, I want you to listen to me.” Rarity spoke to her sister in a calm and authoritative voice. “Everything is going to be all right. I’m going to correct all the wrongs done to you and everypony else today.” The unicorn filly’s tears started to wane as her sister spoke confidently to her. “Now, you can have one small bowl more of ice cream, but then I want to go upstairs, wash up, and get into bed, understand?”

Sweetie Belle choked back a sob and nodded in agreement. “Can I sleep with you in your bed?”

A slight smile formed on Rarity’s face as her sister’s pain started to ebb. “Yes, you can, but I won’t be able to tuck you in tonight. I have to go see some of my friends right now, but once I return, I’m going to curl up right next you and sing to you while you’re asleep, alright?”

“Okay.” Sweetie Belle meekly agreed. “Who are you going to see? Are you going to see Applejack or Rainbow Dash?”

Rarity shook her head. “No, I’m not going to see them tonight, but we’ll both see them tomorrow I hope.”

“What do you mean?”

“It will be clear to you tomorrow, but for right now, I want you to do as I’ve told you. Understand?”

The words that Rarity said were unquestionable and soothing. Sweetie Belle silently nodded in agreement to her sisters instructions. Then the two sisters shared a strong hug and kissed each other on the right side of their horns, the way they silently shared love for as long as Sweetie Belle could remember.

The younger of the sisters was the first to break the embrace as she went to grab a bowl from the cupboard. The immature unicorn was not able to use her magic yet and had to do the task of putting the ice cream in the bowl by hoof. She ate it this time without tears as Rarity left out the back door of Carousel Boutique.

After finishing the ice cream and placing the bowl in the sink, Sweetie Belle realized how alone she was in the house and doubt crept into her thoughts. “I wonder what Rarity is doing. Is she trying to fix things? How is she doing it? What if it doesn’t work? What if it makes things worse?” The opaline filly started to tremble. She did not even want to contemplate on how worse things could get.

As uncertain as she was, her sister’s promise echoed in Sweetie Belle’s mind. “Everything is going to be all right. I’m going to correct all the wrongs done to you and everypony else today.” Even though Rarity was gone now, just remembering her voice was more than enough to assuage the young unicorn pony’s fears.

Finding new strength to go with her confidence, Sweetie Belle went upstairs, brushed her teeth, and washed her face while being mindful of the band-aid Rarity had applied. She then went into her sister’s room and went under the covers of the large opulent bed.

“I’m going to stay awake until Rarity comes home, so that way I know that everything’s alright for now.” Sweetie Belle promised herself. However, because of the stress of the day, sleep found her too easily. Her eyelids drooped shut, sending the unicorn filly into a fitful slumber. She awoke when then bed creaked and the sheets shifted. Familiar legs grabbed her and pulled her close into a tight hug.

“Rarity, is that you?” The filly asked drowsily.

“Shh, Sweetie Belle, go back to sleep.” Rarity whispered to her sister through the dark of the room. Then, true to her word, the ivory mare started to sing. “Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head…” Sweetie Belle could not remain awake for even the first refrain to finish.

Chapter 7: Mending

Rarity and Sweetie Belle nervously waited on the sales floor of Carousel Boutique. The shop was still in shambles. The younger of the sisters thought that they should try to help clean up the carnage from yesterday, but Rarity had already decided against it.

“I want to leave it like this for when our friends arrive. I need it to help me make a point to them.” Rarity explained in a firm yet gentle voice. While Sweetie Belle’s thoughts were troubled by the prospect of more vitriol being spewed among friends, her older sister’s confidence eased some of her uncertainty.

A knock came from the shop’s front door, prompting Rarity to open it with her unicorn magic. Twilight Sparkle walked in with a worried look on her face.

“Hello, Rarity, Sweetie Belle.” She said with her voice full of anxiety. Her eyes widened in amazement at the destruction that had been unleashed within the walls of the dress shop. Twilight Sparkle decided to take her mind off of gawking by focusing on reason why she had come. “I’m not too late, am I?”

“No.” Rarity answered, shaking her head slowly. “You’re the first one to arrive so far, but I’m sure that the rest will be here before too long.”

“Do you think this will work?” Twilight Sparkle asked in reference to the plan that Rarity had thought up last night. The student librarian had heard of the fight between Applejack and Rainbow Dash and knew that Rarity must be in turmoil from the struggle. That was why when the ivory mare asked her to come to Carousel Boutique in the morning and perform a simple spell, Twilight Sparkle did not hesitate in agreeing to do so. Still, the periwinkle mare had her reservations about the plan. The magic involved would be easy, but the outcome that her fellow unicorn pony wanted was not guaranteed.

Sympathizing with Twilight Sparkle’s worries, Sweetie Belle looked up to Rarity for an answer.

“Of course it will.” Rarity said to Twilight Sparkle. She then lowered her soft and kind gaze to match her little sister’s. “It will work because it has to work.” Content for now by the alabaster mare’s words, the two other unicorn ponies waited for the rest of the invited ponies to arrive.

They did not wait long. Fluttershy walked in a few moments later, ushering in Scootaloo with Rainbow Dash right behind them. The canary hued pegasus pony had not heard about the fight yesterday until Rarity had shown up on her door step and explained the entire situation to her. Once she was finished recounting the awful events of that day, the unicorn pony then asked the Ponyville animal caregiver if she could fly to Rainbow Dash’s cloud house and Scootaloo’s home and ask them to meet at Carousel Boutique with Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and of course Fluttershy herself. While Fluttershy was normally a timid pony, she did not seem at all scared when she agreed to do so.

Shortly after the arrival of the pegasus ponies, The Apple sisters were escorted in by Pinkie Pie. The normally jubilant cotton candy colored earth pony was surprisingly somber and restrained this morning, just like last night when Rarity had visited her. Fortunately, Pinkie Pie had already heard about what had transpired between Rainbow Dash and Applejack that day, saving the unicorn pony the pain of once again trying to recite the horrid event. Rarity requested that Pinkie Pie deliver the same message to Applejack and her sister. The confectioner earth pony was not sure what the beleaguered unicorn pony had in mind, but Pinkie Pie knew she could not say no to her friend while she was in dire need of help.

The adversaries eyed one another with mutual distrust, as did their young wards. However, they would temper the malice they had for each other. They had decimated the home of the mare they both loved and she had been gracious to invite them back in spite of everything. They did not want a repeat of yesterday to occur, and besides, one of the conditions for coming today was that there was to be no fighting.

As for the rest of the group, they stared in awe at the damage that the dress shop had sustained because they had not seen it up close yet. They did not want to believe that two of their closest friends were capable of such ruination, especially in Rarity’s house where they had confessed their love to her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash hung their heads in shame as their friends looked on in astonishment as to what their unbridled anger had brought forth. Their hearts fell into their stomachs as they wondered why Rarity had used her other friends as proxies to summon them both here.

“I want to thank you all for coming here today.” Rarity spoke with her voice only slightly quavering. Sweetie belle stood behind her with most of herself out of sight in case things started to get out of hoof. All the eyes in the room focused on the hostess, each pair glazed over in bewilderment and ambiguity. “You are wondering why I asked all of you to come here today and the answer will soon become apparent. All I ask is that you please allow me to speak uninterrupted as I explain.”

No pony spoke up in objection to Rarity’s request, they were all eager for answers. The proprietor of Carousel Boutique continued with her monologue.

“We are all here because of what had happened yesterday. It may be difficult for us to confront the matter, but we need to do so for the good of all of us. We stand in what was once my dress shop, but now, it is a collection of debris made from frustration and rage. As you can see, there are holes in the walls, precious stones littered all about, and many of the dresses that I have made are ruined.”

Rarity’s horn glowed. A stylish and surprisingly undamaged dress appeared from a chest. The unicorn magic unfurled the garment in front of her friends to show it off in its full beauty. The dress was made from lightweight ochre fabric getting redder at the hem. It was adorned with rubies, and incorporated intricate lace and stitching. It made the ponies admiring it think of a warm summer’s sunset.

“This was one of the few dresses that managed to be spared form the violence of yesterday. I finished it the other day and I hadn’t had the chance to display it. It took me countless hours over many days to create the design, purchase the materials, cut the fabric to length, stitch it together, find the jewels, affix them, and put on the finishing touches. While I haven’t been able to price it, I think it would be safe to say that it could garner a hefty sum. I’m very attached to this dress because of all the effort that I have put into it.”

Without warning or hesitation, Rarity used her magic to manipulate the dress in a very rough way. She held one end of the collar up while she forcefully pulled the other part of the collar down. The fabric was stubborn for a moment, but it soon gave, causing the dress to split with a horrible tearing sound. Many of the gems on the dress came loose and fell to the floor, clinking as they landed amongst the rest of the clutter festooning Carousel Boutique. All of the ponies in the shop gasped at the act of Rarity purposely and unflinchingly destroying a dress that she had made, especially after speaking so affectionately of it.

“But in the end, it is just a thing.” Rarity said with no sign of pain on her face as she looked at the tattered remnants of the garment. She lifted her eyes back to her friends and continued with the speech. “Things can be repaired or replaced if need be. Everything you see here that is damaged or destroyed will be fixed because they are just things. The money from lost sales and repairs can be recouped. Such things are meaningless when it comes to ponies, particularly ponies that I care deeply for.” Rarity turned to face behind herself. “Sweetie Belle, could you please come out here?”

Sweetie Belle left the protection of being out of sight and came into full view of the group, She slowly lifted her head to see all of them. They were all shocked to see her with a band-aid on her cheek and one of her eyes black and blue.

It was now Scootaloo and Apple Bloom who were ashamed of themselves. They knew they had hurt Sweetie Belle, but the reaction of all the other ponies made the fillies aware of the severity of their actions. Their shame turned to fear suddenly, because they might be found out as the culprits that had hurt the immature unicorn pony.

“This happened to my sister not long after the fight.” Rarity explained, causing The earth pony and pegasus pony fillies to stand still, paralyzed with dread. “She was injured by her friends as she tried to keep them from fighting, but she ended up getting hurt instead. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were fighting because Applejack and Rainbow Dash were fighting, and they were trying to act like their heroines.”

The children’s heroines turned to their young admirers with scowls on their faces and anger in their eyes. They started to yell at them at the same time.

“Apple Bloom! Just what in the hay were you thinking?”

“What were you trying to accomplish by beating up on Sweetie Belle squirt?”

“Please stop!” Rarity exclaimed with the ponies that were currently trying to discipline the young equines. “Please don’t be angry with them. There has been enough anger already and they’re merely a symptom of a larger problem, the feud between two of my best friends.” The ivory mare draped a leg around her younger sister to comfort her. “Yesterday, it was my sister who was caught in the crossfire. Who will it be today? Or tomorrow? Or next week? If things continue at this rate, it could easily annihilate all of the friendships that we hold so dear.” The unicorn pony stepped forward from her sister and towards the rest of her friends. She lightly tapped in front of herself in a beckoning manner. “Rainbow Dash, Applejack, could you both come here please?”

The two quarreling friends had to muster all of their fortitude to stand before the mare they loved and had wronged, but as hard as it was for them, they did as she asked. They come today expecting to be berated for their violent acts, but seeing Rarity rip apart one of her own creations and the injuries to Sweetie Belle made Applejack and Rainbow Dash uncertain as to what would happen next. Their unease made them cautious and they were shivering from anxiety. Rarity walked up to both of them and gave each a long and seemingly impassive look, heightening the two’s panic. Suddenly, Rarity sat down, reached at both of her friends with her forelegs, and drew them into tight embrace.

“Thank you so much you two.” Rarity said to her stunned suitors, her voice full of sincerity. “I know that you both love me and its genuine love at that. When each of you confessed your feelings to me, it made me realize how much that I not only care for you as well, but also…but also that I’m in love with you two as well…” The unicorn pony’s voice cracked with heartache as her eyes began to well with tears, something she had tried to not permit herself to do. “Before you professed your love, I never thought that I could feel this way about either of you, but now, I don’t know of any other way to feel. I was so overjoyed until…until you two started to fight each other.” Rarity gulped her heart back into place, she needed to say this to end the suffering of everypony.

“After the fight yesterday, I spent the whole day trying to decide whom I should choose. I kept thinking what a life would be like with either of you, and found the prospect to be so wonderful. You both are already so important to me, and being with you would make me the happiest mare in all of Ponyville. But if I chose Applejack over Rainbow Dash…or Rainbow Dash over Applejack…the suffering for the loser would be unbearable to the point that the joy in the relationship would deteriorate so quickly. How could we be happy knowing that our love…our love would be built on the pain of the one not chosen?”

Rarity stopped trying to hold back her tears and instead focused all her concentration on what she needed to say next. “When I saw my sister hurt, it made me realize that not only…would there be more pain spread…but also that there was another choice that was before us. It’s the choice that I want to make…but I can’t speak for you…and I want to let each of you decide for yourself. I want us to remain friends…because I can’t bear the thought of hurting either of you so much. If we choose to stay as friends…it will hurt at first…but we can still be in each other’s lives…and our hearts will eventually heal…” Rarity had to pause because it was so hard for her to say this. She had already decided, but it was still difficult for her to hurt the mares that she loved.

Two hooves came up to Rarity’s lips and gently hushed her. She looked up to see that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were crying more than she was. Their faces were full of pain and acceptance. They understood Rarity’s decision.

“Rarity…” Applejack started. “I can’t stand to see ya hurtin’ like this because of what we’ve done to ya. I’m so sorry fer yesterday and I wish I could take back what I did.”

“Me too…” Rainbow Dash interjected. “If this is what you want to do…to go back to being friends…I’ll do it for you, Rarity”

The unicorn pony was so touched by her friend’s agreement that she started to cry even more. “Thank you…Thank you both…” She was so full of heartbreak that she could not say anything else. She needed to thank Rainbow Dash and Applejack properly, but she was unable to speak past her sobs now. It left her with only one option to show them her appreciation. She reached in and kissed Applejack and then Rainbow Dash. They were apologetic kisses, ones that tried to make up for the life of love together that they had all agreed not to live.

With her friends consenting to her wishes, Rarity moved to the next part of her plan. She used her unicorn magic to summon the two bundles that Rainbow Dash and Applejack had brought her yesterday. Once brought, they were placed in the center of the room and unwrapped, revealing the contents that had vexed them all so much. The alabaster mare then turned to face Twilight Sparkle, who was crying along with every other pony in the room.

“Twilight…if you could please perform…” Rarity couldn’t finish her sentence, but Twilight Sparkle understood. The plum hued unicorn pony’s horn started to glow. Everypony watched as the fragments of glass from the two piles started to levitate. At first they hung in the air without motion, then, piece by piece, they started to form a shape. When they were in place, they began to fuse to with their adjoining neighbors. Once finished with its transformation, the object pulsed with light, blinding everypony in the room temporarily. When it was over, the perfect, beautiful, and flawless glass slipper had been reformed. It floated down gently into the hooves of Rarity.

“I want this slipper to serve as an emblem of our compact. When it was in pieces, it drove us to jealousy…Now, since it has been made new again…I want it to unite us together in the friendship that we treasure…We are more than shards of glass. Please, just for me, say that you can return to and respect the friendship that we all hold so dear to our hearts…” Rarity could not stand it anymore and finally caved to her heartbreak. She collapsed onto the floor of Carousel Boutique, inconsolably crying, as though the act would purge all the pain from her.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack could not bear to watch Rarity like this and did the only thing they could to help. The two friends dropped to the floor and hugged Rarity as tight as they could, shedding their own tears to try and take as much of the anguish away as they could.

It was not long before the Cutie Mark Crusaders joined the three ponies, crying more than the elder mares were, eking out their own apologies to each other between sobs. Soon, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle joined in emotional scene, to let all know that they would help support their friends in their endeavor to repair the damage done by the brief, but deep, quarrel.

There, on the floor of the demolished dress shop, surrounded and uplifted by the affection and support of their friends and family, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash grieved at the loss of the love they had all chosen to deny themselves.

* * *

Dear Princess Celestia

Today I made a decision that I thought I would never have to make, and in doing so, I found out the true power that love can have on a pony. When another pony loves you, and you love them in return, it is the most fantastic feeling in the world. However, when two different ponies love you, and you have trouble deciding whom to choose, the results can be disastrous. Love cannot truly exist when it’s built on the pain of another, even more so when it’s a lifelong friend that you would be hurting. It would build resentment and hate to the point that the pain would spread to others that you care about.

I made the choice today to deny myself a life of fulfillment with another because it would have hurt not only another friend that I love, but the sister that I love as well. While the decision made my heart break, I know it was the right choice because it was the kind of heartache that will heal because all the ponies important in my life will still be friends in the end. Now, there will be no animosity between my friends, or the ponies that I love.

When love and friendship are in conflict, choosing friendship can be the biggest act of love you can make in your life.

Your Faithful Subject,

Rarity

Epilogue: One Week Later…

Rarity, using her unicorn magic, drew the red and white checkered tablecloth onto the table she had setup outside of her house. She then proceeded to lay out her best outdoor china, crystal chalices, and a bouquet of flowers that were fresh picked this morning. With the accoutrements ready, all that the party was missing now were the guests and the refreshments that they were bringing. The soiree was being held to celebrate the completion of repairs to Carousel Boutique.

For not the first time that week, Rarity found herself wondering if she had made the right choice. The pain in her heart had waned, but was not completely gone. Being in love for that brief moment had made her so happy that she now found herself melancholy without such affection in her life. She sighed as she looked out to see if her friends would be arriving soon.

To the credit of Applejack and Rainbow Dash, they were living up to the agreement. It had been difficult for them to try and go back to the way things were before, but they had done their best to try and put the animosity they had behind them. They had helped each other during the restoration, but most of their conversations were curt and had to do with whatever task was at hoof. While they were more than ready to forgive, forgetting was turning out to be the harder part for them.

“Rarity.” A demure voice called from behind her. She turned to see Sweetie Belle with a troubled look on her face. “I have a question for you.”

“Yes, Sweetie Belle, what is it?”

The young unicorn struggled to find the right words, but in the end failed, so she asked her query as plainly as she could. “Do I have to like fillies like you do?”

“What?” Rarity retorted, her mouth agape at the inquiry.

“Well, it’s just that I’m not sure if I’m supposed to like fillies or colts. I know that I don’t like colts because they’re icky, gross, and full of cooties, but I’m not sure I want to like fillies after everything that’s happened. I’m confused and I don’t know what I should do.”

Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle with a soft smile on her face. She knew she should not have been as surprised at the question as much as she had been. It was a natural reaction to everything that had happened, and Rarity already had an answer for her sister. She brought her head down and nuzzled her younger sister with her cheek.

“One day you will find a pony that is lucky enough to be loved by you, whether it’s a filly or a colt. But that day won’t be today, so you don’t have to decide now. Just know that no matter what, I will always love you. You are the dearest thing in Equestria to me and nothing will ever change that.” She kissed her baby sister on the forehead to the right of her horn. Sweetie Belle reciprocated by hugging her big sister.

After the moment of tenderness was complete, they turned their heads and saw that their friends were now arriving. They waved at them with huge smiles on their faces. Sweetie Belle broke away from Rarity to go meet her fellow fillies midway. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran to intercept the unicorn member of their trinity, their Cutie Mark Crusader capes fluttering as they sprinted. Rarity looked and saw that Rainbow Dash and Applejack were not only walking side by side, but talking and laughing together too.

There, in the shade of her rebuilt house, Rarity gazed at the ponies that she loved and cared for, and smiled at her healed world.

The End