Changing Seasons

by wayward_pony

Chapters

Part 1 , Chapter 1 -- "Special Feelings"
Part 1, Chapter 2 -- "Ain't Actin' Right"
Part 1, Chapter 3 -- "Chivalry and Rivalry on the Road"
Part 1, Chapter 4 -- "Safe 'n Sound?"
Part 2, Chapter 1 -- "Tight Confines"
Part 2, Chapter 2 -- "Perfumes"
Part 2, Chapter 3 -- "In the Moonlight"
Part 2, Chapter 4 -- "The Morning After"
Coda -- "Rarity's Princess Celestia Letter"

Part 1 , Chapter 1 -- "Special Feelings"

Changing Seasons
By Wayward Pony

"Special Feelings"
Part 1, Chapter 1

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo raced towards the Acres, with Sweetie Belle not too far behind.

"Come on, Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom shouted through the warm country air.

"Keep up, slowpoke!" yipped Scootaloo. "You're making me wish I'd brought my wagon and scooter!"

"C-coming!" Sweetie Belle shouted from behind the two, panting. "You two are running so fast!"

Sweetie Belle lagged a good fifteen feet behind and was slowly losing ground. The farm house stood a mere half mile away. Normally she could make the run from Ponyville, but today... today, they weren't even out of Ponyville and she was sweating profusely.

She hadn't told any of her friends, she hadn't even told Rarity, but when she got up that morning she wasn't feeling very well. She couldn't explain what was wrong exactly, but that was why she'd decided to keep her mouth shut. It was Saturday, the Crusaders had the long weekend off school and they were going to have a sleepover at the Acres. If Sweetie Belle said she wasn't feeling well, that meant no sleep over, and she was really looking forward to this... so were Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

So, how wasn't she feeling well? Aside from the sweating and the panting, she'd had a stomach ache since late last night. She figured it must've been what she had for lunch; her mom had made her lunch instead of giving her a few bits to buy it, and she never liked her mom's cooking... she'd learned herself and improved it, after all. She was sure it was what she had eaten.

Even though her tummy ached, she still managed act happy... even while running. Her stomach felt so tight and bloated when she ran, like she'd soon have to go to the bathroom. She'd tried twice before leaving the house and just sat, doubled over while groaning. Eventually it went away and she left. It was back now.

The house was in sight. Applejack was outside in the bright sun bucking apples. She smiled and waved as the Crusaders passed her, noticing Sweetie Belle was lagging behind. She shook her head.

Poor thing's out of shape, she thought, turning around to buck the tree. Ah guess Rarity's love for bon-bons must be genetic!

Applejack felt bad having even thought that, as filly-hood obesity was no laughing matter. Still, looking at Sweetie Belle run, Applejack couldn't help but notice her round tummy looked a little more round than she remembered.

* * *

The three had made it to the Clubhouse. Sweetie Belle was of course last inside. The three Crusaders sat on the floor; Apple Bloom took role and Scootaloo played the drums, signifying the start of an official meeting. Sweetie Belle's head hurt as Scootaloo went to her extended drum solo, but she knew better than to interrupt. Scootaloo was having too much fun, even if it hurt more than usual. Must've meant Scoots was getting better.

It was time for the meeting to begin. In their maroon cloaks, The Cutie Mark Crusaders discussed the largest item on their agenda -- getting their Cutie Marks. It was time for them to lay out what they would be doing for the rest of the day. Time and time again, to every suggestion made, Sweetie Belle always had something to say right back...

"How 'bout Cutie Mark Crusader Kayakers!" Apple Bloom suggested.

"We'd need to rent canoes," Sweetie Belle grumbled. "They're expensive."

"I said kayaks," replied Apple Bloom, rolling her eyes. "But yer right... it's twenty bits just ta rent one fer an hour!"

"How 'bout Cutie Mark Crusader Magicians!" suggested Scootaloo.

"Where are we going to get a rabbit?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"We could borrow Angel!" replied Scootaloo. "I'm totally sure Fluttershy would be cool with that."

"There are times I'd like to make him disappear," said Apple Bloom, with a devilish smirk. "For a long while!"

"Me too," replied Scootaloo with a giggle.

"But we don't have any black capes or magic wands," said Sweetie Belle.

"We could make some!" replied Scootaloo.

"That we could..." Apple Bloom rubbed her chin. "Or we could wait 'til next week on this one, 'cause I get ma allowance then!"

"A magic act is pretty impractical without proper magic wands," said Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo nodded.

It went on, and on...

"How 'bout Cutie Mark Crusader Deep Sea Divers!"

"Remember what happened last time we went into Ponyville pond? We got chased by a squid."

"It was an octopus!"

"I didn't bother looking."

"Me neither."

"How 'bout Cutie Mark Crusader..."

* * *

After an hour's debate, the Cutie Mark Crusaders emerged from their clubhouse. It wasn't quite lunch time, and they had one idea: The Cutie Mark Crusader... bruised apple picker-uppers? (yay!) It was one of the few ideas all three of them found practical, even though Apple Bloom did it anyway a couple times a week. Scootaloo had had a few ideas other ideas -- one of the best being the Cutie Mark Crusader Kite Fliers -- but they'd have to leave the Acres on account of so many trees, so Sweetie Belle just said she didn't want to. It wasn't lunch time and she'd already had enough running for one day. Picking up apples was her idea... it was quiet, it was outside, and it was in a familiar setting; all unadventurous things that would appeal to the young filly at this time, even if she didn't know why.

Apple Bloom was okay with it... for now. She and Scootaloo were happy to be out of the Clubhouse. Sweetie Belle was acting like a real stick in the mud; neither Apple Bloom or Scootaloo even had to say that. They let her walk a few steps behind them while looking at each other, then back at her, almost as if saying "what's with her today?" They didn't know... and even though she was acting funny, they still loved her. For all the love they felt they didn't notice, however, that Sweetie Belle had stopped almost twenty feet behind them, staring at an Apple Family member.

Sweetie couldn't explain why... she couldn't explain what was different, but for some giddy reason Big Mac looked really cool today. He must've come out while they were in the Clubhouse. It had been a week or so since the filly had seen him, something must've happened during that time to make him look so nice. Sweetie Belle watched him bucking apples with just one leg. He didn't need to use any force on the skinnier trees, but when he got to the fatter trees, he squatted down and used both powerful, muscular legs... and the apples just poured down like rain. Sweetie Belle hugged her own sides, giggling at the sight. She felt her heart with her hooves... it was beating quite a bit quicker than it normally does.

"Wow," she said under her breath. Sweetie Belle said no more than that. Her voice said it all.

"Come on, Sweetie Belle!" shouted Scootaloo once they realized she was standing still now almost thirty feet from them. "What's the hold up?"

Both Crusaders turned around and stared at her.

"I- ... I'll be right there," Sweetie Belle said, shaking her head and trotting in their direction. "I just never realized how strong your brother is, Apple Bloom. He's really cool!"

Apple Bloom smirked.

"Ah always do feel safe with Big Mac around," she said. "He once bucked a Timber Wolf into more than two hundred-fifty pieces jus' for setting one paw on the Acres!"

"Cool!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "Did the pieces come back together?"

"How should Ah know," said Apple Bloom, her smile fading a bit as she watched Sweetie Belle walk. "Ah wasn't there... Granny told me when Ah came home from school."

Sweetie Belle continued to look at Big Mac as the farm pony wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. She imagined him kicking that wolf, pieces flying everywhere like apples... so strong. His blond mane blew through the wind as he stood before the defeated tree, much like he probably stood in front of the defeated wolf and smirked.

"Sweetie Belle!" snapped Apple Bloom. "If yer not careful you're gunna walk right into that tree!"

Sweetie Belle snapped back to reality. She was a few feet from smashing into a pretty thin apple tree. She imagined Big Mac would have no problem shaking all the apples out of it as she stepped around it.

"Do you think we're liable to get some good bruised apples where Big Mac is bucking?" asked Sweetie Belle. "Applejack could probably point them out!"

"Ah reckon on both counts," replied Apple Bloom. "But we're not doin' this for very long. It doesn't sound very... fun."

Scootaloo nodded.

"Anything to get our Cutie Marks, though," the pegasus filly added, polishing her flank.

"Anything to get yers," Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she led the fillies over to Big Mac.

To Sweetie Belle, the time it took from veering in his direction to actually getting there seemed longer than expected. Everything seemed to slow down. She didn't know why, but heading over to Big Mac felt right. It also felt really embarrassing, so she kept in the back of the group... again.

* * *

Big Mac didn't even look up as the three maroon-cloaked fillies came near him.

"We're just gunna pick up the bad apples off the ground, if that's okay with you," Apple Bloom said with a smile.

"Ee-yup!" replied Big Mac, loading up a wagon with the first of two big baskets of apples.

"Not too many with bad spots this time around," said Applejack, looking at the ground. "They're good enough to make a pie for desert tonight! Collect 'em and I'll set 'em aside just fer that."

"Cool!" Scootaloo said, bending over and picking up two forelegs full of bruised apples off the ground.

"Sweetie Belle thinks we might get our Cutie Marks doing this," Apple Bloom continued, picking up an apple as Big Mac set aside a small, metal basket and opened it up. "Ya know, what Ah do twice a week on this farm."

Applejack shrugged, motioning for Scootaloo to dump all her apples the basket.

"Who's to say this ain't Scootaloo's talent? Everypony deserves a chance at tryin' something new!"

Apple Bloom looked down at Scootaloo's bare flank.

"It ain't," she remarked, as Scootaloo looked down to confirm what Apple Bloom had just seen.

"You'll still get your pie," replied the farm pony with a laugh. "How 'bout Sweetie Belle?"

The two looked over at the small unicorn, who hadn't opened her mouth, much less picked up a single apple. She approached Big Mac slowly, timidly... blushing, smiling. Closer and closer she got... feeling this funny tightness in her chest and along her lower tummy.

She watched him set up the last two baskets beneath the tree and take a breath. He noticed she was looking and smiled warmly at her before kicking the tree almost full force with both legs. The explosive force caused the thick tree trunk to vibrate violently, most of the apples falling perfectly into the buckets, all except for a few... which fell directly on Sweetie Belle's horn, face, and back.

"Ouch!" she cried.

Applejack, concerned the little filly had been hurt being hit by so many falling apples, immediately took two steps in her direction. Apple Bloom got ready to take a step as well, while Scootaloo was looking to make sure everything was alright. Big Mac put his hoof up, causing all ponies to stop dead in their tracks and sigh.

Sweetie Belle swayed back and forth on her hooves, holding the sides of her head. She knew something had happened. She could hazard a guess, but she couldn't see due to the apple guts all over her face. Groaning in frustration, she tried to wipe away the moist bits of pulp when she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

"Shhh..." a deep voice commanded. "Ah gotcha. Yer alright."

Slowly the pierced apple was removed from the young unicorn's horn. Her eyes were wiped clean with a soft rag with more care than Rarity was known to show when Sweetie Belle got dirty.

"Okay. You can open yer peepers now."

The ivory unicorn opened her eyes and saw the two green eyes of Big Mac staring back. She stood there for a moment, smiling. The farm pony nodded, then waited for Sweetie Belle to say she was okay.... when he realized the cat had her tongue, he bit his lip, looking over at his two sisters, then back at the filly.

"Ya alright?" he asked point-blank.

Sweetie Belle nodded. "Uh-huh!"

"Ya... dun need anything more?"

"Nope!"

Big Mac pressed his two lips together. This was getting awkward.

"What'd ya say, Sweetie Belle?" asked Applejack.

"Thank you." the small filly said in a tiny voice.

Again, Big Mac looked at Applejack, then back at the filly, a quizzical look on his face. The mare put a hoof to her mouth and laughed.

"Sweetie Belle," she said. "You are too much! Come over here 'n pick up an apple or two with your friends, or else ya get no desert!"

Sweetie Belle did as Applejack asked, walking over and picking up a couple bruised apples... not exactly looking at what she was doing.

Part 1, Chapter 2 -- "Ain't Actin' Right"

"Ain't Actin' Right"
Part 1, Chapter 2

About a half hour passed in the orchard. The fillies had had enough apples in a matter of minutes, but they stayed because they were all having fun. The trio had actually helped the two farm ponies. Scootaloo picked up the most, but... still no cutie mark. Apple Bloom and Applejack talked while the two of them repaired a wagon wheel, Apple Bloom having had enough of apples after just a couple. Sweetie Belle kept her eyes on Big Mac for a while, then when he left, she laid down by a tree and watched him vanish over the hill. Applejack talked to her sister, but kept an eye on Sweetie Belle at the same time. She recognized the way the filly was laying... half on her back, forelegs in.

It can't be, she thought, staring at the little filly. She ain't even ten yet!

Once the wagon was fixed, Applejack and Apple Bloom loaded it up. Everything was about set.

"Apple Bloom, Scootaloo," said Applejack. "Y'all get back to the Clubhouse... make some new plans for the day."

"What about Sweetie Belle?" asked Scootaloo.

"She'll be along... Ah just want to talk with her fer a moment."

Apple Bloom looked to Scootaloo, Scootaloo to Apple Bloom. The two fillies shrugged, then headed for the Clubhouse at the opposite end of the Acres.

* * *

Applejack had seen a few signs something was different about Sweetie Belle -- slightly swollen belly, lethargy, the way she was staring at her brother, and now... this. The way she was laying on the ground, young as she was, was unmistakably... inviting in the most inappropriate ways. Applejack wanted to be sure before she acted, though.

"Hey Sweetie Belle," she said, sitting in the grass by the filly. "How ya'll doing today?"

"I'm fine," mumbled the filly in a low voice.

Applejack eyeballed the little unicorn's stomach.

"How's yer tummy?" she asked.

"It's a lil achy, but I'm okay!" replied the filly. "Really! I just ate something funny yesterday."

Applejack nodded, gears turning in her head.

"Sweetie Belle," she said, calmly. "Ah couldn't help but notice the way you were looking at Big Mac."

"He's really cool," she said, in a distant-sounding voice. "I like him."

"Some might call him handsome," Applejack laughed. "Ah know Ah would! Ain't nothing wrong with that."

Sweetie Belle blushed, playing with her hooves.

"I'm getting uncomfortable," she said, matter-of-factly. "Talking about this with a grown-up feels, well kinda icky..."

Applejack's smile quickly faded.

"Alright," she got up and stretched. "You just let me know if yer tummy feels any worse, okay? Either me or Big Mac'll take you home."

On the word Big Mac, Sweetie Belle's head turned towards Applejack.

"No, I'm okay... really!"

The farm pony walked off, towards the farm house.

"Get to the Clubhouse, Sweetie... Ah'm sure Apple Bloom and Scootaloo miss ya."

After Applejack faded from view, Sweetie Belle slowly hauled herself up off the ground and cantered off to the clubhouse.

* * *

During the walk Sweetie Belle learned that her tummy had gotten a lot worse, but as long as she was sitting, she was okay. Soon she was at the Clubhouse... laying on her side while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came up with new ideas. She felt very hot, but not like it was hot in the Clubhouse... or like she had a fever.

She sat silently, holding her tummy, waiting for the ache to go away. She didn't contribute anything this time and soon enough the two the fillies were really excited.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders -- yay!" their two voices thundered.

Sweetie Belle smiled as the two bolted out of the Clubhouse. She walked behind them.

Sure enough, Applejack and Big Mac were out again and saw the fillies running... and Sweetie Belle lagging behind, even more than before.

"Sweetie Belle!" Applejack bellowed. "C'mere!"

Sweetie Belle stopped, looking in the farm pony's direction.

"But I have to keep up with them! Can it wait until later?"

"Ee-nope!"

"I'll catch up with you girls," Sweetie Belle said as she slowly walked in the direction of the two ponies.

Applejack took a good look at her as she approached... very, very slowly.

"Sweetie Belle," Applejack said as the filly came within feet of her. "You're lagging behind your friends... it ain't like you. You're always so hyper."

"I'll be okay, Applejack," she protested. "Seriously!"

The two ponies looked at each other and nodded.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle," Applejack said. "Ah reckon you might need to go home. Ah think something's going on with ya and yer better off with Rarity when it happens."

"What?" Sweetie blinked her eyes, proceeding to sit on the ground in front of the two adult ponies. "No... y- you just don't want me around."

"That ain't true," replied the farm pony. "You're welcome at the Acres anytime. We'll even have a sleepover in a couple weeks to make up for this one."

Sweetie Belle crossed her forelegs and scowled, looking at the tree beside herself through misty eyes. It got more and more blurry, until Applejack noticed the tears falling to the ground.

"Aww, hey... don't do that now. Ah know you're disappointed and Ah completely understand."

"Lemme stay 'til Ah get sick then," Sweetie Belle mumbled, mocking Applejack's accent. "N-not like I'm going to or anything."

The farm pony chose to ignore it.

"You're goin' home and that is final," she said, firmly. "It ain't an easy decision to make, but you might be thanking me next sleepover for this."

"What're you talking about, Applejack?" Sweetie Belle said, through her teeth. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Ain't my place to say," replied the orange pony. "When it happens to Apple Bloom, Ah know I'll want her here. Wouldn't you want 'er here, too, Big Mac?"

The large red farm pony took in some air through his nostrils. Again, it looked cool to Sweetie Belle in a way she couldn't exactly describe... intense, fantastic. She wanted to be really close to him when he did that. The stallion chose to ignore Sweetie's expression, nodding to his sister as she looked over at him in a way that answered more than just the question she had asked... not that Sweetie Belle would have known.

"We're right to do this," he said, calmly, taking another breath through his nose. "Ah can smell trouble a-brewin'."

"Then it's settled!"

"You hate me," Sweetie Belle pouted, again looking at the dirt while rubbing her aching lower stomach. "This always happens... big ponies want me to go away just when they start talking about interesting things or start being really interesting."

"Trust us, Sweetie Belle," assured Applejack. "We don't hate you. It- it's for the best, really. Big Mac'll be leaving in a few minutes. He's got a delivery goin' right past the Boutique and you can ride in the cart. Don't worry about your friends. I'll talk to 'em for ya."

Applejack noticed the small filly's head whip upwards on the words Big Mac. The stallion had already started his trip towards the barn to get the cart. As he walked off, Sweetie couldn't help admiring him... even from a distance, even his backside which normally looked really icky, seemed really nice.

Part 1, Chapter 3 -- "Chivalry and Rivalry on the Road"

"Chivalry and Rivalry on the Road"
Part 1, Chapter 3

Screechy-crack! Screechy-crack! Screechy-crack!

The warm country air whipped around Sweetie Belle's head. For such a slow, plodding stallion, Big Mac was really able to get a cart moving. Though the occasional bump hurt her stomach, for the most part it was a pretty smooth ride. She sat up, again admiring the view... but not for the reason she would have a few days before. This close, Sweetie could really appreciate the fine-looking muscles of Big Mac's flank, back, and rump in ways she couldn't from a distance. The stallion didn't look back, notice nor pay it much mind, as Sweetie Belle examined his powerful body at work.

"I'm really going home?" she asked, as Ponyville appeared in the distance.

"Ee-yup!" replied the stallion.

She sighed. This was no dream, but for some reason she wanted to keep Big Mac talking today. She knew he wasn't a stallion of many words, and because of that... that made her want to have him talk to her even more. It felt kind of fun.

"Big Mac? Can I ask you something?"

"Ee-yup!"

The filly thought for a moment, putting a hoof to her chin.

"What's your favorite color?"

The stallion didn't answer her right away. He was wide-eyed, taken aback from being asked questions about himself. It was an innocent question, but he knew from his time spent with other ponies that were in her state that sometimes innocent questions don't always come from same place they normally would.

"Red," he finally said, going back to his normal, leisurely expression.

"Oh...," he heard the filly giggle. "Mine's pink! Did you know they're related?"

"Ee-yup!" replied the farm pony as he plotted along. Ponyville was getting close and closer... part of him would be happy to drop off the first half of his delivery, but there was nothing wrong with entertaining a few questions in the mean time.

"Did you always want to be an apple farmer?" Sweetie Belle asked in a loud voice over the squeaking.

"Somethin' we Apples are good at," replied the stallion. "Never thought about it much."

"I think you're neat," Sweetie Belle said, blushing. "You must be really strong!"

"Ee-yup." replied Big Mac. "Strength ain't enough to make a pony neat, though."

Big Mac shook his head when he realized he was getting drawn into conversation with Sweetie Belle.

Juss drop her off. Everything'll be fine... ain't like it's urgent or nothin' yet.

Big Mac did his best to humor Sweetie Belle as he took her home:

"Is bad weather usually enough to make you stay inside during a harvest?"

"Ee-nope. 'less it's a twister."

"How long have you been harvesting apples for?"

"Longer than Ah can remember."

"Is it fun?"

"Can be."

"Can it be stressful?"

"Ee-yup!"

"Is it hard?"

"Depends on whether there's a deadline."

"I mean to buck apples!"

"Ee-nope! But between you an' me... Ah do get sore every now-n-then."

Big Mac was surprised when he realized this had gone from feeling like a chore to being fun.

"What's your favorite apple?"

"Too many to decide from... 'tween Applejack, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom?"

Sweetie giggled.

"I mean of those you harvest, silly!"

Big Mac looked back to see the little filly leaning on the edge of the cart, a very relaxed yet focused look in her eye as she looked down on him, biting her lip.

"Oh!" he said, laughing. "Ah like red delicious very much. You?"

"I like red delicious too," replied the little filly, looking at the farm pony. "Very much."

Big Mac turned back to the approaching town and smiled.

"What'd ya do when you're not bucking apples or making deliveries?" asked Sweetie Belle. "You know... for fun!"

"Ya know Ah sing for the Ponytones," Big Mac said, chuckling. "Also occasionally dabble in dad's old study. It's full of maps of Equestria and all this technical stuff 'bout apples and sales. He was a smart one when it came to business, now."

"Did you know him?"

Big Mac shook his head, glancing back again.

"Hardly remember him."

Sweetie Belle got silent for a moment, realizing even in her state, that their conversation had grown awkward.

"I'm sure he was really nice!"

"Ee-yup."

"When I grow up, I wanna be a Ponytone, too."

"Keep at it," replied the stallion. "You've got an awful pretty voice."

"Aww," Sweetie Belle blushed. "Thank you!"

"Ee-yup."

* * *

They'd finally made it into town. Sweetie Belle was dreading knowing that her ride was almost over.

"Hey Sweetie Belle!" a familiar, gravely voice bellowed. "What're ya doing in that cart?"

Sweetie knew who it was the moment she heard the voice.

"Button!" she turned to the side he was on, again feeling a slight ache in her gut as she stood up. There he was, unusually handsome today in his beanie. "I'm going home. Not feeling very well."

Big Mac smiled hearing that. At least she was no longer as moody about it as she had been back on the farm.

"Oh," the orange-maned colt sniffed the air and smiled as he plodded along next to the cart. "You were really excited about that sleep over! Almost as excited as I was when Joyboy released that patch making it so I could play my brother's old games on my new system!"

"I know...," Sweetie clicked her hooves together nervously. "I don't want to go... they're kind of making me."

"We're havin' another sleepover in two weeks ta make up for it," added Big Mac sharply. "Don't forget ta add that!"

"Oh," again, Button sniffed the air. "That's not too bad, I guess... say, something smells really nice in there! It smells kind of pretty, too. Like fresh, succulent fruit. Are there pies in there?"

"Ee-yup." replied Big Mac. "In insulated containers along with some dumplin's! Makin' a delivery."

"Oh. Neat."

Sweetie smiled down at her colt friend as she noticed two other colts -- Snips and Snails -- sauntering up behind him at a slower pace. They seemed to be looking at the cart.

"Those apples smell really good today, Big Mac!" said Snips, as Button Mash blocked the two from getting much closer.

"Hey, this is my conversation!" Button snapped, suddenly becoming unusually defensive, even for him. "Back off, you lowly cretins!"

Sweetie Belle adored what she was seeing, not that she could say exactly why.

"That's not nice, Button," the filly said, waving a hoof at her coltfriend. "They just want to find out what Big Mac has in his cart. Right guys?"

"Right!" the two voices said simultaneously.

"Pies and Dumplin's!" repeated Big Mac, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

"They smell good!" Snails said, redundantly. "Really good today."

Big Mac just kept his eyes forward and picked up the pace a tiny bit... not long, not long.

"Do you know what's wrong?" Button Mash asked his fillyfriend in a concerned tone. "Did you puke your guts up earlier this morning?"

"No!" Replied Sweetie Belle, gagging slightly at the thought. "I have a tummy ache and I'm all hot, so I'm going home."

"Wish it were that easy to get out of school," Snails said, making googly-eyes at Sweetie Belle. "I'd to it all the time!"

Not that any of the colts there were about to admit it, but they wanted to make googly-eyes at her too.

"I know what you mean."

"Ain't nice to play sick," said Big Mac. "There'll come a day where no one'll take ya serious if you do that too much!"

"He's right," said Button Mash, making sure Snips and Snails were still only behind him. "My mom won't let me stay home anymore if I feel sick, only if I am sick! She caught me playing games too many times."

"Serves you right," said Big Mac.

Sweetie Belle smiled down at Button Mash. He almost melted seeing that... he had been selected for her focus now and only him.

"Since I'm going home, that means I can't go anywhere. Big Mac and Applejack said nothing about having other ponies over, though... especially colts I love to play video games with. You wanna come over?"

"Sure!" Button Mash replied without hesitation.

Big Mac looked back at Sweetie Belle and the crowd following him. Another two colts, one orange with a blue mane, the other with a dark curly mane, were now following the cart as well. The farm pony began to speed it up again, hoping to tire the little ponies out... knowing what was probably fueling them, that would be easier said than done.

Surprisingly, Button managed to keep at the front of the now galloping group. Sweetie Belle had to sit back now due to the bumps hurting her stomach, but she was still able to focus on all the cool-looking colts following her.

"T'ain't a good idea, Sweetie Belle," Big Mac said, now sweating and panting. "Yer goin' home for a reason and it ain't to have a party at your place."

"But I want to have him over...," Sweetie Belle protested as Big Mac sped up even more. She turned in the stallion's direction again. "I- I really like him!"

"Can't always get whatcha want," Big Mac replied, now galloping.

Sweetie Belle looked back to see her friends disappearing over the hill. She knew they'd still be following her, all five of them... maybe even more. They'd find her. She felt special enough right now for that to happen.

Part 1, Chapter 4 -- "Safe 'n Sound?"

"Safe 'n Sound?"
Part 1, Chapter 4

The Sugarcube Corner and Library whipped by in a blur. Big Mac didn't look back anymore.... he had a destination in mind. All he could hear was the breeze, and Sweetie Belle's occasional request that he slow down a tiny bit. That wasn't happening.

Finally the two had arrived at their destination. Big Mac stopped and dismounted from his harness, quickly turning around, going to the back of the wagon and grabbing Sweetie Belle.

"Hey!" the little filly yipped as he grabbed her tightly around the waist. "Gently!"

Though she hit him on the shoulder he chose to ignore it, gently throwing her on his back. He turned towards the boutique and trudged right inside unannounced, with dirty hooves and no respect for the place's atmosphere.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique," said the mare behind the counter, briefly glancing up from behind her red reading glasses while she sorted beads. "My name is-- Big Mac? Why ever did you bring Sweetie Belle here?" She got up and approached the two as Big Mac panted. "Not that I mind having my little sister back, but... she's not in trouble, is she?" Big Mac shook his head. Rarity looked into the eyes of her little sister. "She's not... sick, I hope?" Rarity put a hoof to the back of Sweetie Belle's neck. She felt very warm. Big Mac still shook his head. "Well... then what is it?"

Big Macintosh stretched, allowing the little unicorn to gently slip to the floor. She landed on all hooves, but immediately laid down on the carpet, looking up at the two as they looked back at her, her hooves held in the front of her body. Rarity immediately recognized the posture and thin smile on her little sister's lips, as well as her slightly swollen lower gut and opened legs. Big Mac and Rarity looked at each other. The mare raised an eyebrow at the stallion.

"Ee-yup," he said

"Oh, no, no, no, no," Rarity replied, in a cheerful tone. "She's much too young for that. For Celestia's sake, she's barely nine! I was thirteen when it happened to me."

"Well, the group 'a her coltfriends Ah had to deal with made me think otherwise, Miss Rarity," replied Big Mac, as he turned towards the door. "See y'all 'round town."

"Good bye then," Rarity said, distantly as she looked down at her sister. She examined her closely... it certainly did look like her first estrus, as much as Rarity didn't want to admit it. "Sweetie Belle... oh, what am I going to do with you?"

Sweetie Belle just looked up at Rarity, smiling and hugging herself again.

* * *

Outside Big Mac approached his cart and looked around. No signs of the colts. He approached the harness slowly, preparing to put it back on, and let out a sigh.

"Where's Sweetie Belle?" asked the familiar, gravely yet high-pitched voice from right behind the stallion.

Big Mac turned around and looked up to discover all five of the colts heads peeking out from the cart.

"Y'all know where she is. She ain't feelin' well," he said, matter-of-factly. "Now Ah need you outta there so Ah can go on with ma delivery. Shoo... go on, get."

The five colts stayed where they were.

"Can we at least get a pie?" asked the curly haired colt, continuing to smell the air. "They smell so good!"

Big Mac gritted his teeth, about ready to lose his patience.

"If'n Ah give you one pie on me, will you leave Sweetie Belle alone and not follow me around?"

The colts nodded in perfect sync. Big Mac grinned.

"They must smell pretty darn good to you then. You're lucky Ah got extra."

"No, you're lucky," replied Snails, giggling like an idiot.

Biting his tongue hard enough to break a bit, Big Mac watched the colts spill out of the wagon one-by-one, then once the last one was out, the one in the beanie he knew as Button, he leapt up high through the air and landed inside. True to his word, rather than taking off, he opened the extra box, the Just-in-case Case... one more to have, in case something went wrong, such as being stalked by a herd of colts.

"Here," he said, pulling out one of the still warm pies. He gave it to the beanie-wearing Button before closing the container, leaping back onto the ground and putting on the harness.

Before the colts could even thank him, not that they would, Big Mac took off like a shot. The six stared at the pie.

"Hey! This don't smell like what I was smelling," said Snails, taking a whiff.

"No, they don't," agreed the orange colt.

"Certainly they taste like it?" suggested the curly haired one.

Button Mash, who had on him a small screwdriver to repair his Joy Boy, used it like a knife and divided the pie into fifths... no longer interested in competing for it for some reason. When each colt had a piece spread around, together they took a bite... half excited as they had been but still holding out hope.

"Oh," said the curly-haired colt. "It just tastes like pie."

The others nodded and frowned. Why didn't it taste like they were expecting it to?

* * *

"Rarity, I'm fine, really!" Sweetie Belle protested as Rarity led her upstairs. "I don't need to go to bed! Just take my temperature... you'll see!"

Feeling that she was causing her younger sister stress, Rarity stopped and sighed.

"It's not that I don't believe you, Sweetie Belle. For goodness sakes, I don't believe you even have a temperature! It's just... I'm noticing your voice has gotten deeper and-"

"Why are you making me go to bed?" the filly whined. "And what does my voice have to do with anything?"

"Sweetie," Rarity sighed. "Come upstairs with me and I'll explain everything."

"Why can't you just explain here?"

"Please, Sweetie?" Rarity looked out her window to the faces of a few very intrigued-looking colts peering in. "We are closed!" she bellowed, before turning back to her sister. "The longer we wait here, the worse it's going to be for me... trust me. Darling, have I ever led you astray?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Come along then, Sweetie! Double time it for me!"

The little filly did exactly as she was told, heading up the stairs. Rarity was right behind her, ready to push if she needed to. Surprisingly, her sister was compliant.

Oh, why isn't she always like this? the older unicorn thought to herself.

Once Sweetie Belle was up the stairs, Rarity began to shut the door.

"Just give me two minutes, Sweetie. I'll be right up... promise."

"Okay," Sweetie Belle replied, as Rarity shut the door between the two.

The unicorn quickly darted down the stairs, seeing the colts still staring through her window. There was clearly a scuffle going on outside. She heard the sound of colts shouting, saying very nasty words too unladylike to even think of right in front of her shop. The door opened and in stepped Button Mash, removing his beanie. Rarity smiled warmly, despite the fact that she did not want him there at the time.

"Is Sweetie Belle home?" Button Mash asked, in a very bashful voice. "I- I'd really like to see her if she is. Okay?"

"My, my, Button," Rarity replied softly, holding her foreleg out in perpetration to push Button Mash along. "Where's your confidence gone? You remind me of Fluttershy! We are closed and she is in no state to see anypony right now. Please come back in a couple of days. Ta-ta!"

"Can I see her just for a little bit then?" the colt asked, putting his hooves into the carpet and scowling. "Please?"

Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Please go off and play somewhere else, Button," she said more firmly. "She is in no state to see you right now."

"She looked fine to me," Button grumbled out loud, still standing his ground. "I-if anything, she looked better than she normally does!"

Looking out at the hungry colts gathered outside, Rarity bit her lip.

"You have to go, Button," she said plainly. "Same goes for all your friends."

"But, I-"

"Please leave my shop Button Mash!" Rarity finally snapped, opening the door with her magic and firmly pushing the colt out. He landed on his rump, his beanie having flown from his hoof and still inside. Rarity locked the door with her aura before she noticed his lucky hat. She looked at the colt through the port. He looked dejected, as did all the rest. She opened the small port with her magic, then threw the beanie through it... latching it and the surrounding windows tightly. Button Mash was thwarted like the rest, but at least happy to have his hat back.

She used her aura one more time to adjust the sign from open to closed, and that was that... the business was really closed. For now, at least.

Part 2, Chapter 1 -- "Tight Confines"

"Tight Confines"
Part 2, Chapter 1

Clip-clop! Clip-clop! Clip-clop-clip!

Rarity entered Sweetie Belle's room and looked down at the filly, who was laying upside down on her bed.

"Sweetie Belle," she began, glancing under the bed. "Do you remember that old cot mom and dad gave you for sleepovers?"

"Uh-huh," Sweetie Belle replied, straightening herself up. "You said it was 'quite icky' and you didn't want me or anypony else sleeping on it until you fixed it up."

The older mare bit her lip as her horn glowed, pulling the green object from under the bed.

"I think this time I'll make an exception." Rarity looked down at the exposed cot, dusting it off with a hoof. It had a few holes and looked a bit stretched out. Sweetie Belle slipped off the bed. "Funny, it doesn't look half as bad as I remembered..."

The filly got close and breathed in the dust. She sneezed twice... hard and loud.

"I'll... spruce it up a bit," Rarity said, turning away with a nervous grin.

"Rarity!" the little unicorn whined. "Why do you want me sleeping on this!?"

Hearing her sister's distressed, high-toned voice put Rarity's shoulders all the way by her ears.

"Sweetie Belle," Rarity responded calmly, turning around to face her sister. She got down on her level and sighed. "I think... with what's going on in your body, this is the best course of action. It will only be for a couple days at best, but hopefully not that long... Please understand."

"What do you mean what's going on with my body?" The filly gritted her teeth. "What's everypony not telling me?"

Rarity could see the dark, irritable circles under Sweetie Belle's eyes... she was acting uncharacteristically short-tempered. Rarity screwed up her face, not knowing how to answer (much less wanting to)... even though what Sweetie Belle had just asked was perfectly legitimate.

"Sweetie, what's going on in your body happens in every young mare's body... it's a sign you're maturing. Growing up."

Sweetie Belle's eyes glowed with momentary excitement.

"Does this mean I'll get my Cutie Mark?!"

"A-hem. Not exactly..." Rarity chuckled nervously. "In fact, I was hoping you'd have your Cutie Mark well before this... happens."

Sweetie Belle cocked an eyebrow.

"What exactly is happening, Rarity? All I have is an upset tummy and everypony's making a big deal about it!"

Again, Rarity chuckled nervously.

"Mom and dad haven't told you anything yet, have they?"

"Nope!" Sweetie Belle leaned back and began rolling her hips in a playful motion, her pelvis tilted upwards... towards her sister. Rarity shuttered, recognizing the posture. "What about?"

"Hhmmm..." The unicorn sighed. "Guess I'll be borrowing a book from Twilight later today! But for now," she grabbed the cot, "this will be my emergency project! Just lay in bed and try to relax. When I come back I'll let you have ice cream with lunch!" The filly stared back at her big sister, continuing to rock. "Well, yes, uh... ta-ta for now, Sweetie Belle!"

Putting the small cot on her back, Rarity quickly trotted away... leaving her confused sister in the small bedroom, alone. Sweetie Belle -- achy, irritable, and missing out -- sat back on her bed, forelegs now crossed, waiting for her sister to return. Hopefully the trip wouldn't take too long.

* * *

Rarity diligently worked on the cot downstairs while Sweetie Belle stayed upstairs... confused and uncomfortable. Rarity cleaned it, patched it up, and had it looking almost good as new before bringing it back upstairs and setting it on Sweetie's floor. The entire ordeal took just fifteen minutes and made her feel good -- she had done something nice for her sister, to help keep her bed clean, and now she was going to be the adult and help her by, err... making her more comfortable.

Sweetie Belle lay on the cot, looking up at Rarity. The rough canvass wasn't anywhere near uncomfortable as it looked, almost slick against the filly's rump. Freshly patched up, Sweetie Belle laid back and continued to rock while Rarity brought her lunch "in bed," ... cantering away for another fifteen minutes to get it. As promised, Sweetie Belle was given some vanilla oat swirl for desert. Though she hardly enjoyed it, for some reason it soothed her aching tummy. Rarity excused herself yet again:

"I'm off to Twilight's!" she said in a sing-songy tone. "I'll be back with a book that will explain everything!"

Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes, hugging her sides tightly as her sister prepared to trot out.

"Um, yes... Be good! I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail!"

Just like that she was alone again.

On the cot, all alone while Rarity was out... Sweetie Belle began to sweat.

She lay there for what felt like hours, but reality it was just under seventy minutes. Her temperature seemed to rise and fall every few minutes, and worst of all... the cramping was getting worse and worse, going further south than just her tummy. She doubled over, clutching her lower gut and groaning. Everything felt so tight and now almost itchy in that one spot. She hugged the blankets... it made sense to hug something warm. She rubbed them against her face... that felt nice.

Little did Sweetie Belle know, she had an unusually bad case of the bloats... something Rarity could put into context for her if she was up to describing what was going on. Applejack had an opportunity earlier and would have been better, but she knew it wasn't her place... and just thinking about it made her feel all kinds of wrong. Their mom would have been best, but the reason Sweetie Belle was on this side of town to begin with was because her parents were on vacation. Even without adult intervention, the problem would reach its apex soon enough, so perhaps for the time being... Sweetie Belle could ride it out. After all it was only this bad because of all the running the fillies had done earlier in the morning. Surely it would get better before it got any worse?

Sweetie Belle tossed and turned, turned and tossed, gripping herself and the blankets, squeezing the extra-large pillow. She found herself biting her pillow... pretending it was Button's ear. She didn't know why, but she really wanted to snuggle with him right now. She felt like he could make it all go away... or at least make her feel better. So close, cuddling, even kissing (something told her he wouldn't shout "cooties!" this time). Sweetie Belle wanted him to climb up the side of the Boutique... and break in. There was something neat about picturing Button breaking the glass and forcing the window just for her.

Not far off, Button Mash had Sweetie on the brain. Even several blocks away, he knew where she was, though he couldn't see her. He looked up at the boutique and sighed, his tail between his legs... The colt didn't want to play his Joy Boy, he didn't want to hangout with his friends... all he could think about was Sweetie Belle and how he knew, for some reason, she was in distress... and he couldn't stand it. He wanted to make it better -- inject his humor into her and make her smile. Many colts which had been around during the chase felt the same way... the only ones truly distracted were Snips and Snails, who shortly thereafter heard somepony mention The Great and Powerful Trixie, and that was enough to completely derail their focus.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside; the piercing jingle of what Sweetie Belle could only assume was the pipe attached to the rain gutter. It was followed by a thud... like a fat blue jay hitting the roof by her window. She got up, scarcely able to believe what her imagination was telling her it had to be. The sound grew louder, scraping along the shingles towards her window.

"Button?" she asked, peering out.

Whatever it was made itself known before Sweetie Belle could blink. The face of the curly-maned colt appeared right by her window, almost blocking out the sunlight. His eyes were happy and wide, his smile large and distorted. He breathed steamy breath on the glass:

"Sweetie Belle..." she heard him hiss as he struggled to keep balance. "Let me in."

Seeing him there made Sweetie Belle smile. He was not the pony she was hoping to see, but he'd do.

"Please... open your window."

"Okay!" Sweetie Belle replied, placing both hooves on her window pane and opening it wide.

There wasn't much room for balance, opening the window was just enough to cause him to stumble. He slipped backwards and though Sweetie Belle would have helped him, it happened much too fast. Down he went, nearly twenty feet through the air, taking a number of loose tiles with him. When his body disappeared, Sweetie Belle put a hoof to her mouth. There was a long period of silence after he vanished.

"Are you okay?" the filly called out into the warm air. "Um... Hello?"

She saw the colt's curly mane peeking out as he got up by the Boutique and shook off the debris. Dazed and wobbling, he looked up as thin streaks of crimson began to form on his rump and flanks. Suddenly he felt very sore; he glanced down at his new injury, eyes wide... then padded off in the other direction fast. That nasty spill -- which he had barely survived by falling into Rarity's rose bushes -- was enough to deter him.

Sweetie Belle frowned seeing this, and she began to feel angry with him... so much for his determination. The colt glanced back, under her judgmental glare, as he disappeared over the cobblestone hilltop above Sugarcube Corner. Normally Sweetie would have felt sorry for him, but not today.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Sweetie Belle lay back down on her cot. Even after opening her window, the room felt like it was shrinking. She had a tiny bedroom to begin with... so small, yet the ceiling seemed to sink lower and lower. The unicorn buried her head in her pillow and let out a small groan. It did no good. All she could think about was Big Mac, Button Mash, Shining Armor... Noteworthy, Carmel, Thunderlane... mostly large, fully-grown stallions (some younger and awkward). She liked the way they all looked most of all, yet... there was something nice about the lingering smell of that colt, too... as it gradually dissipated.

After a while, Sweetie Belle heard the door to the shop open up, followed by the sound of light hooves stepping inside.

* * *

"Thankfully she's not entirely aroused, Twilight," Rarity repeated, shutting the door to her shop and sighing. She scowled. "Just in the very end stages of heat. You do have something to help... right?"

"Of course, Rarity!" Rarity imitated her Alicorn friend almost to a tee. "I have books on all sorts of fillyhood conditions. Follow me!" She sighed. "Twilight, you are, at times, much too enthusiastic."

That had been the most awkward conversation she'd had with anypony all year.

Fortunately, it was just Twilight there. She got the book just fine and came back to her shop without stopping to so much as smell the roses along the way. A young, frantic-looking colt with a curly mane and rosy rump passed her headed in the opposite direction of her boutique... she was fine with that. The further away from Sweetie Belle the better. She was too focused on the book, anyway:

It was a small pink book, labeled "Your Body and You! (fillies)". Pretty generic title, but it would suffice. Rarity had briefly hoofed through it... it was full of tasteful prose about young bodies getting ready to carry foals, developing breasts, voices getting deeper, more mare-like... and special feelings. The narrative would make this easier, or so she thought... and she had even learned a few things which could prove helpful. She brought it upstairs, along with an ice pack from her freezer.

"Sweetie, I'm here!" she said, opening the filly's door.

"I know," Sweetie Belle grunted from the cot.

Rarity gave her the ice pack, and set the book by her head.

"This... reading material should help you understand what's going on with your body."

The filly picked up the book, pressing her belly against the cool ice.

"'Your Body and You?'" She opened it up and looked inside.

She saw the book to be full of diagrams and scientific words... Rarity had seen different, but because of how Sweetie Belle felt, that's all she saw. The filly was hardly in the mood for anything remotely school-like; she closed the book and set it by the cot. Buried in there were words which could actually help her, but the young filly couldn't focus enough to find them.

"Thanks," she said, insincerely.

"Sweetie, you didn't even attempt to read it!" Rarity exclaimed. "I got it to help you... why, we can go through it together!"

Sweetie Belle just sat there, forelegs now crossed.

"Oh, dear..." Rarity sat right beside her.

The filly looked up at her:

"Why can't you just tell me what's going on?"

Rarity sighed... she could always try:

"Sweetie, do you remember before Opal had that operation how she would roll on the floor and carry on every once and a while? How... unusual it was?"

"Yes. It was annoying!"

"Yes, well... a similar thing is happening inside your body, and-"

Sweetie Belle's eyes went wide. The older unicorn bit her lip, dreading what she knew was coming:

"Does this mean I'm going to have to get an operation!? I-I don't want to!"

"No, of course not, dear!" Rarity tenderly rubbed her sister's mane. "But it does mean once a month you'll have to put up with this for a few days."

"Every month!" Sweetie Belle clutched her gut. "Rarity, I hate this already!"

"It is much... less awful after the first time. Yours seems it might even be a bit accelerated, which means you'll probably be over it sooner! That happen sometimes to fillies your age... it is rare, but it happens." Rarity winked. "Trust me, Sweetie Belle -- it will all be over shortly, and what's important is I'm here for you... and I always will be."

"Then why do you keep leaving me?"

The filly looked up at her sister, scowling. Rarity tried to keep a positive expression, but knew this time would not be fun.

The sooner we get over this the better, she thought.

Rarity gently smoothed out Sweetie's frazzled mane again as she sat back... rocking on the cot, inviting Rarity to alleviate her symptoms physically. Rarity did not bite, but rather recoiled... causing her sister to frown.

"Why do you hate me, Rarity?"

"Sweetie Belle! I-I don't hate you," she sighed, feeling guilty. "If anything, I love you more than I can possibly show."

Part 2, Chapter 2 -- "Perfumes"

"Perfumes"
Part 2, Chapter 2

Rarity had done her best. She had tried hard to prepare Sweetie Belle for the wondrous events going on in her body, yet she found herself getting distracted by the more emotional aspects of all this. Besides... it was icky. It was going to end sooner or later, though... probably sooner judging by Sweetie Belle's state. Rarity did not know what to do, and in the grand scheme of things... the harder she tried, the more she set up for failure.

The afternoon went on and Rarity found herself locked away in her Inspiration Room... distracting herself with a project. She heard the sound of Sweetie Belle rolling around upstairs and thought her sister must've been having a dance party. At least there were no loud crashes -- signs of hormone-fueled colts trying to get in (Rarity chuckled at the thought). She sighed... why did her Inspiration Room have to be right underneath Sweetie Belle's bedroom? Rarity found she couldn't work... so perhaps other ponies could provide a more suitable distraction?

She went into the main room of her shop, where the sounds would be less intense... though she could still hear each little movement through the floor. Looking back and forth outside for the colts (and grateful they were long gone) Rarity switched her sign back to open. She then sat at her counter and resumed counting the same beads she had been sorting through when Big Mac came in. After a while a few customers came and went, seeming unphased by the noise... except for a couple:

"Say, what's going on up there?" a Pegasus stallion asked alongside a colt.

Rarity looked at the flying colt. He had a far off, excited look in his eyes... they darted around the shop manically, as though he'd just been given a six-pack of Wonderbolt Cola. He sniffed the air, wings fluttering.

"I like it here, Dad," he said. "It smells nice!"

The Unicorn chuckled nervously, sniffing the air... she could smell it, too:

"We have some... rearranging and cleaning going on in the domicile part of my establishment," she lied. "Nothing to do with business... sincerest apologies for the disturbance."

"It's quite alright," replied the stallion, ruffling his son's mane. "Normally he's whining that he wants to go when I take him out shopping for his mother." He sniffed the air along with his son. "Say, what's that fine perfume? It smells... almost... youthful. I'd love to get some for my better half!"

"Quite," Rarity replied, biting her lip. "All of our perfumes are over on the other side of the shop. If you'll allow me to take you there, perhaps we can pick out one you'd like?"

"Works for me."

Rarity took the stallion and his boy to the other side of the shop, where her line of perfumes waited in full supply. The Unicorn knew what they were smelling, and simply wished to cover it up. She picked a strong bottle and spritzed it in the air:

"Perhaps this Single Floral Spray is something the lady might like?"

The Pegasus smelled the mist along with his son:

"That's not what I'm smelling."

Oh," she put the bottle down, picking up another in her aura. "Then, perhaps could it be this Chypre Mist?"

She made sure to spray a few more times, throughly saturating the air.

Again, the stallion sniffed:

"Now that's more like it!" he said, looking down at his boy, who was also sniffing.

"Yeah," the colt added, looking up at his dad. "Can we get this?"

Rarity rapidly blinked her eyes. She was... surprised by this turn of events to say the least, though she could still smell it. It was distant and severely diluted, but strong.

"How the devil are you smelling that in-" she whispered under her breath while sniffing the perfume. She stopped herself.

"Jetboy," said the stallion, patting his son on the head. "I think we're going to get this one."

"As you wish," Rarity said, taking a new bottle from her supply with her magic. "And you're sure this is the one you would like? I've got a myriad more where that came from."

"Positive! This particular perfume and a certain dress I saw. It was one with red trim."

"Very well then, but... because your order is more than just one item," Rarity bit her lip... she couldn't take advantage of this, it just wasn't in her nature. "Please accept the perfume on the house as a token of my generosity." She looked down at the colt and smiled. "I've never seen such a well-behaved colt in my shop before, you must have done a fine job raising him."

The stallion's eyes went wide... he grinned:

"Thank you, Miss!"

"Oh, it is no problem at all!" Rarity said, watching the stallion head back to pick out the dress. "And it's Rarity... don't be afraid to use my name. I consider it flattering!"

Rarity sighed in relief. The stallion was rung up and practically out the door, with a new found spring in his step. He was older than Rarity, yet the attractive smell in the air was making him move like he was much younger. He turned back to the mare, halfway out the door, still smiling:

"I'll be coming back here!" he said. "I'll recommend this place to all my friends. Your generosity must be what's gotten me in this fine mood."

"Oh, you're too kind," Rarity replied, giving a wave. "Ta-ta for now! Please do come again!"

The stallion closed the door, pulling along his son... within a few seconds Rarity heard him whine:

"But I want to go back in there!"

* * *

Rarity shook her head. That felt... dubious to say the least. She sighed. She was alone now, no other pony in her shop. It was silent... how long had it been that way? Well, perhaps she'd close up shop early? She could still smell her little sister over the perfume; this was not a good day to run her shop.

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle whined from up the stairs.

Slowly, she turned to the stairs to see her sister's head peeking out.

"What is it, Sweetie Belle?"

"I'm really thirsty!" she exclaimed. "Can you bring me a glass of water?"

"Certainly, I'll be up in a few-" Rarity paused, thinking for a moment. "Sweetie, exactly how long have you been standing there?"

Clicking her hooves together, Sweetie Belle smiled nervously:

"About maybe five minutes?"

Rarity face hoofed... that's why the smell was so strong.

"Sweetie, go back up stairs please."

"But I-"

"Sweetie Belle!" The unicorn finally lost her patience. "Don't argue with me. Go back upstairs... now please!"

The filly pouted, turning tail and slamming her door. Rarity felt bad, but she couldn't let that happen again. She walked up to the main door of her shop and let out a sigh.

"So much for business today."

The mare turned her sign from Open to Closed... it was only right.

Right before Sweetie Bell had gone back to her room, a flying colt had been peering into her window with a very impatient stallion motioning for him to come along.

"Come on Jetboy," said the father quietly. "That is creepy and a bit rude. You wouldn't want to disappoint Miss Rarity, now, would you?"

Rolling his eyes, Jetboy turns back to his father and flew off towards Cloudsdale alongside him... however, while he was there, the smell was so concentrated. It was a smell he felt like it was his destiny to be around, so much stronger than in the shop.

* * *

After bringing Sweetie Belle a glass of water (and being quite grateful there were no more over the top antics to accompany her request) Rarity sat down at her counter, now idly counting the day's bits from her register. She heard a knock at the entrance.

"We are closed!" Rarity shouted in the direction of her door. "Please come back tomorrow!"

She looked carefully... squinting her eyes she saw pink by her window.

"Uh... Rarity?" a gentle voice called. "It's me."

"Fluttershy?" Rarity got up and walked towards her door, now seeing the pink-maned mare standing in her door way. "What in Equestria is it? I'm in no state for company right now, I can assure you of that." She opened the door. "Yes?"

The yellow mare smiled sheepishly. Beside her was her rabbit Angel. She had a wicker basket laying beside her:

"I heard Sweetie Belle is... well, I'm sure you know what she's going through."

Rarity nodded.

"How kind of you to stop by... you're here to make sure she's alright?"

Fluttershy nodded slowly.

"That, and to give her some ginger candy for her cramps." Fluttershy opened the basket, passing a small, white paper package to Rarity. "It's worked for all the girls in my family."

"Thank you very much, Fluttershy." Rarity held it in her magic, setting it aside on a display. "Would you be... willing to come in and talk to her?"

"A-about what's going on in her body?"

"Yes please."

The yellow mare's pupil's constricted:

"Oh, no!" She looked down at Angel, who patted her on the hoof. "I could never do that. I'm much too shy..."

"Well, I'm... sorry I asked then, Fluttershy," Rarity replied, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, don't be... it's completely understandable to want somepony to talk to her. I know I wouldn't be able to in your place."

Quite.

"Do you have any advice?"

"Well," Fluttershy looked over her head as if she wanted to go, but ended up sighing and turning back to Rarity, "when it comes to my animals, who I can't possibly explain what's happening to... I let nature run its course and when it's does, I'm there for them. I'm also there to keep all the males away, but that's a separate issue entirely."

"One me and Big Mac have already dealt with today."

"Oh, my..."

Rarity smiled at her friend:

"Thank you, dear Fluttershy. You've given me some... ideas that might work."

"Oh, no problem, Rarity." the mare turned around, preparing to pick up the basket. "I do hope she's okay."

"She will be... it's just a matter of time."

Part 2, Chapter 3 -- "In the Moonlight"

"In the Moonlight"
Part 2, Chapter 3

Rarity beamed a smile down at Sweetie Belle on the cot, passing her an occasional piece of the yellow, sugar-covered candy Fluttershy had brought her. She'd been with her for a little over an hour, wanting to tell her what was happening, but being unable to work up the nerve. At least she was there this time.

"How are you feeling, Sweetie?" she asked.

Sweetie Belle looked up:

"Better."

"Then maybe we could look through that book I brought you and-"

"No!"

That... idea had ended rather abruptly. Sweetie Belle scowled up at her sister. All was silent now. The sound of a young filly's laughter could be heard from down the street... she was having fun, what Sweetie Belle should have been doing. Rarity cleared her throat.

"Very well, then, Sweetie Belle." She got up, passing her sister the package. "It's going to be getting dark in a couple hours. I'd best put everything away and start dinner. I'll make you something simple tonight. Not too elegant, quick to eat...," Rarity looked down at her sister's swollen gut, "and with a double helping of vanilla oat swirl."

For the first time in what seemed like all day... Sweetie Belle smiled. Seeing that melted her sister's heart.

A small aww escaped Rarity's mouth as she bent down and gently gave her sister a hug. She then stiffly got up, turned around, and left her sister in the upstairs of her shop. She could hear Sweetie Belle groan as she descended the staircase and shut the door.

Poor dear.

* * *

Even more time passed in a blur, Rarity's magic perpetuating her towards completing her tasks.

Dinner was served (quickly this time), with a double-helping of ice cream at the end, as promised. It didn't take fifteen minutes both ways for Rarity to get Sweetie Belle her food. She was doing the dishes now... the mare had eaten only a hoofful of lettuce, a few carrot sticks and radishes. That would be enough. Her mind was stuck on one thought, after all: how the devil do I tell her? Now that Sweetie Belle was alone, Rarity felt less urgency (and therefore she could think), but she knew things were no less urgent. It was not right for her to be doing what she was doing to her little sister. As the adult, it was her duty to tell her the truth, just... why now? Her baby sister was just a baby, after all. For once, why couldn't she just be as crass as Rainbow Dash? It may run the risk of scarring little Sweetie for life, but at least she'd know.

... if Rainbow was there to help, however, Rarity knew she would bolt. Crass, at times, yes, but quite immature. Icky or not, this was all on her.

The toilet flushed, signifying that at least Sweetie Belle could still get out of bed. Rarity smiled. Hearing this kept her from feeling too bad, as she knew of others who had had their first estrus and were in such distress they would've been unable to get up even if the building was on fire. She sighed in relief.

Rarity had one more item on her agenda.

Once the dishes were done, the tired mare made sure everything was locked up and away, then slunk slowly towards her Inspiration Room. Sweetie Belle's tossing would serve as motivation for completion of this one final project. Even now, away from the staircase, she could smell her sister's estrus. In front of the chair by her drawing board, Rarity debated whether or not it would be a good idea to go upstairs and nail shut Sweetie Belle's window...

But she's in such discomfort, the unicorn thought. With the window shut, she probably won't even be able to sleep!

Rarity shrugged, as she used her magic to pull out the chair.

"If I hear a racket that sounds like two young ponies, then I shall simply have to get my broom and go up there. He may go into her room for one thing and one thing only, but something tells me I'd at least hear his voice before that happens."

She rationalized it out perfectly, sitting and picking up the pencil with her magic. Opalescence growled as Rarity pulled a sheet of paper out from under her plump body.

"This is the best I can do for now... deadline looms as Sweetie Belle blooms, after all." She chuckled. "I'll be here all night if I have to... Fluttershy, your suggestion really is ingenious in its simplicity, I must say."

* * *

Outside it was dark. The full moon hung high, causing the starlit sky to glow a deep, piercing purple. Sweetie Belle tossed and turned in moonlit isolation, her discomfort reverberating throughout the boutique, perpetuating her sister's work downstairs. She had eaten her vanilla oat swirl, along with all the rest... the bag of candies were empty, even the sugary crumbs were gone. The filly was ignorant as to why Fluttershy would give her candy, but it did help. The moon shined brightly through her window, illuminating everything in a soft blue glow. She wanted to be in the tree house with her friends, enjoying pie, scary stories, and sleepover fun... but that wouldn't be happening for a couple weeks now because of this.

Even in the cool Equestrian night, Sweetie Belle's temperature began to rise. She felt almost feverish. Evenings were always worse for a filly in her state, not that she'd know. Parts of her body had become swollen and uncomfortable to move, parts which usually generated quite a bit of friction. It didn't hurt so much as feel bloated and sensitive to the touch. They were places which felt buried and deep inside. The filly kept on her back, even the old canvass was serving as an irritant. She sweat everywhere... the places that were hottest sweat the most, adding to her restlessness.

She rubbed her tummy, hoping to sooth the ache, but it did no good. She groaned and sat up, wiping her brow... straddling her pillow in hopes that the coolness might transfer to the rest of her bloated stomach. She stretched, feeling tired but too intense to sleep. She slid forward on the bed, still straddling the pillow, and once she slipped backwards something... unusual happened.

It felt almost like a tickle, but far more delightful. It came from where the pillow was in contact with her body, most intensely emanating from the parts of her body normally deep inside. This exciting feeling seemed to wash over Sweetie Belle in a wave, so she repeated the same motion, and...

Sweetie Belle felt the beginnings relief from this awful condition. She knew -- she didn't know why she knew, but she knew -- what she needed to do to make it all go away now. Everything seemed so natural, so perfect all of the sudden.

Scooching her bottom forward again, then slowly backwards... Sweetie Belle kept the pillow where it was, leaning over it and burying her face into its soft, cool presence. She felt the same sensation, now cool and sleek. Every time she did this, her discomfort seemed to slip away a little bit more, replaced by this wonderful sensation. She began to rock rhythmically -- much like she had done in front of other ponies earlier -- back and forth, cuddling the pillow tightly between her legs. It felt nice, and kept getting better, and more intense... so she rocked faster and more intensely.

Sweetie Belle's mind flashed a millions thoughts as her body stiffened and she bit down, thinking of all the colts and stallions she knew... how they looked, their distinct smells, and what she liked best about them, when suddenly...

Everything seemed to grow tight. Her breathing started to pick up as sensitive parts of her body started to clench, giving off a sensation that would have made her cry if it wasn't for it being so overpowering. Instead she was frozen in place, almost wincing. As this overpowering feeling reached its apex, she clenched her teeth and almost fell to the floor. When she was finally released, every muscle and joint in her body felt relief... a tear ran down her cheek.

She still felt bloated, she still felt lethargic, but all that high-strung tension simply had evaporated. With the pillow still between her legs, she drifted to her side and soon was asleep.

* * *

"I have to tell her," Rarity thought aloud, hearing a very loud thud upstairs as she stitched together her project by hoof.

Now's not the time. Focus on this for the time being or you won't get it done tonight.

"Besides, she needs to sleep." The mare sighed. "In the morning would be best, then... no need to keep her up with gross thoughts. Yes, I shall tell her all about it then!"

Approach it from a wondrous standpoint, because it is wondrous... not relying on books or friends to do so.

"Yes, that seems most appropriate. Oh, why would I ever think of bringing in outside sources to discuss something I myself have already been through?"

Then it's settled.

Rarity felt a wave of relief wash over her body.

There were no other noises upstairs. The unicorn waited... poised, listening for the next rumble or thud.

"Must finally be asleep."

Rarity glanced at her clock. It was almost ten past eleven, a bit less than an hour to go before the new day starts. She'd have enough time to put this project together. She imagined Sweetie Belle would be up at dawn, as usual... perhaps sleeping a little while longer, most likely. She hoped.

Rarity had to hoof stitch this project anyway, to hear the sounds upstairs. There was a momentous racket just moments before; had it carried on much longer, perhaps Rarity would have risen out of her chair. Now it was silent... no other noises, just silence. Sweetie Belle was asleep and she would stay resting silently as Rarity prepared a special dress for her... one mares wore to completely hide the fact that they were just over estrus... everything would be tucked away in this one, tiny little pouch hidden between the legs in a part that resembled a unitard. Just a part of being a mare, and why most stallions left their appreciation of non-socialite mares (or those dressing up for no particular reason) to just compliments... usually compliments about the dresses themselves. Rarity always rationalized that they were just admiring her work, after all, which ticked her pink.

While working, Rarity's mind was mostly a blank now that the upstairs was quiet. Gradually, thoughts seeped in... new thoughts and ideas perpetuating her towards completion of her project. She reflected back on her own time going through this... hormonal change. She was older than Sweetie Belle, almost fourteen. A couple days off school, a stomach ache that started off no worse than the flu, yet both her mom and dad knew something was different.

Rarity's horned glowed deep as she cut the fabric, thinking about these things. She didn't realize it, but she was scowling.

How she hated missing school... attendance was always paramount, but her parents forced her to stay home, telling her nothing until she was "safely in bed." She felt isolated, that she could remember all too well. All her meals were eaten there, the bed covered in a sticky yellow plastic. How... icky it was to describe such things to her while she was eating; perhaps both her parents thought (using mom and dad logic) that food would help comfort her... she hardly needed to hear about tiny mare eggs, colt desires to relieve themselves, foals, and mood swings while looking down at her own scrambled eggs... which were covered in catsup.

Mom and Dad never focused on the feelings... more on what would happen, as opposed to what would happen to her. They downplayed the mood swings:

"Oh, you're liable to get a might irritable during this time, but we don't mind," said her dad.

"It's okay, dear," agreed her mom. "We won't even notice!"

"Perhaps I've simply been trying to give her what I didn't get," Rarity whispered in the faint light while delicately threading a needle.

Feelings are a very delicate thing.

This was true.

In the morning Rarity would do one better for her sister... she would describe what was going on, in very ordinary language, but at the same time she would describe how it feels. Not from the icky, personal standpoint about wanting colts and stallions to be close, but about liking and enjoying their company more than usual, yet why it wasn't a good idea to have them around... and why, after these feelings which never feel like they're going to go away suddenly subside, how awkward things might become.

That was best. Rarity had her project, she had her plan, and would get it all done... hopefully taking no longer than morning's first light.

Author's Note

I was unsure if I wanted to include the scene with Sweetie Belle, um, being... well, "all by herself," as Green Day once wrote back in the 90s. I ultimately decided to.

Frankly, if early puberty's anything like I imagine it might be -- getting washed over with feelings so intense... it makes sense that this would be where it would go.

Part 2, Chapter 4 -- "The Morning After"

"The Morning After"
Part 2, Chapter 4

Rarity lay snoring at her desk. Opalescence looked off to the side through the window as Celestia's sun began to peek over the horizon. The cat yawned, peering over at Rarity's finished project... indifferent to the night's labor, she covered her eyes and joined Rarity. Opal was a nocturnal animal, after all.

Rarity had done it. She's made a lovely dress for Sweetie Belle in every color that would compliment her mane and coat. This was the second ceremonious time in a young filly's life where she would have to wear a dress. Being Rarity's sister at least meant every month this specially designed dress -- serving Sweetie Belle's needs -- would be different. It was so elegant, it almost resembled the dress Rarity had first worn to The Grand Galloping Gala. She slept peacefully, having done a wonderful thing for her sister... it was only part of her plan, however.

* * *

Upstairs Sweetie slowly opened up her eyes. The yellow glow of the sun came through her window, illuminating her walls with a warm glow. She had survived the night, clutching her pillow tightly... it wasn't so bad in retrospect.

To say she was all better would have been a lie, though. She still felt bloated, achy and stiff, but it wasn't anywhere near agonizing as it was the night before. If anything, she felt almost... relaxed. Still quite irritable, yes, but much better. She shifted her weight, stretching, hugging her pillow. She rolled her shoulders, and...

Sweetie Belle felt a most unpleasant sensation, as though there was mud between her legs.

"Eww," she said, wincing at the sensation.

The filly remained still for a good, long while. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't sweat...

Her first thought was she had an accident, all the cramping had gotten the better of her in the middle of the night and that's why she felt better. She would have been able to smell it, though. Plus this was not exactly... far enough back for it to be that. It was still just as sticky and just as gross.

She sat for a moment, not knowing what to do. She looked at where it was coming from, dark and viscous... the pillow was covered in it, whatever it was. She silently debated calling for her sister... then she remembered the paper packing to the candy Fluttershy had given to Rarity to give to her. Sweetie Belle had to be careful. She didn't want to pull away only to have it get all over everything... even though she wasn't sure what it even was.

The paper crinkled softly as she picked it up, holding it up in the light... transparent and white. Slowly, she dabbed the mess between her legs with the paper and pulled it back up, a bit getting on her hooves. She could see through the paper again... it was almost rust-colored, crimson... dark red. Sweetie Belle's pupils shrunk as she began to grasp what this might be... she pulled away from the pillow to reveal a considerable amount of dried blood and sticky matter from her insides.

A mixture of tears and sweat ran down her cheek as the filly called out, pure fear in her voice:

"RARITY!"

* * *

Downstairs, Rarity bolted up from a sound sleep. She wasn't sure what had woken her, but she knew it was important. Rubbing her eyes, she heard it again, this time her brain processing the filly attached to the voice:

"Rarity! Help! Please help, it's awful!"

The mare bolted out of her chair now, running by the dress in a blur, knocking it off its support... what she had made the night before now meant so little. Sweetie Belle needed her right now.

Rarity went running upstairs upstairs, turning on the light with her magic so that she could see what was wrong. She saw Sweetie Belle... crimson on the paper, red on her hooves, and much between her legs all over the pillow. She was too late to prepare Sweetie for this most expected and... icky of events. At least it was clear sailing from there, as the horrible ordeal was wrapping up.

Still, Sweetie Belle's wide-eyed stare was enough to let Rarity know she had failed. She had failed Sweetie Belle as a big sister, a grown-up, and as a friend.

"Sweetie Belle," Rarity said calmly, looking into her sister's panicked eyes. "Lie perfectly still... you're going to be okay."

The filly's chest rapidly rose and fell as she looked up, trustingly into Rarity's eyes.

"I- ... I'm bleeding," she said.

"Not exactly," the mare replied. "I must help clean you up. This was exactly why I didn't want sleeping on your bed... what has happened is natural. It simply happened much earlier than I was expecting."

"NATURAL!? Rarity, what are you talking about!? I need to go to the hospital!"

The seamstress smiled weakly:

"Sweetie Belle... I've got so much to tell you. Please bear with me while I gather my thoughts." Sweetie's panic did not die down. "I assure you, dear, you're not dying. You're going to be fine. Trust me."

Sweetie Belle lay there, shivering, while Rarity looked around her room for any odd piece of cloth she might use to clean her sister. While she was too late, Sweetie Belle at least wouldn't go anywhere in this state. Now she had all the time in Equestria to clean up her sister... who was a complete mess.

Rarity would explain and Sweetie Belle would listen... after all, she was now there for her.

Coda -- "Rarity's Princess Celestia Letter"

"Coda
Rarity's Princess Celestia Letter"

Rarity looked out at her little sister from her bedroom window, Sweetie Belle in her pretty new dress. Button Mash stood beside her, the two laughed, on their way to the Sugarcube Corner. Rarity sighed... it was good to see Sweetie Belle was able to go outside and have fun again, without having to worry about what was going to happen.

The unicorn's horn shined bright as she picked up the quill by her desk. She began to write in fancy cursive on a special scroll given to her by Twilight, later to be sent off by Spike:

Dear Princess Celestia,

There are times in life when events happen we are not prepared for, and we would much rather have them happen later on. When those who rely on us start facing changes within themselves, it's our job to prepare them for the next step... especially if it's already happened to us. However, if we let our personal feelings get in the way and cannot move past them, we are doing the ponies who look up to us a great disservice. They will most likely forgive us, as a part of growing up is accepting those we look up to aren't perfect... and our hindsight may well be twenty/twenty after the fact. It is important that we jump on things while we still can, as there is always no time like the present.

Your Faithful Subject,

Rarity

THE END

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! This was a blast to write. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you.

Peace out everypony :eeyup: