A New Ruler

Chapter 12: The Cutiemark Crusaders

Me and Rarity made our way back to Ponyville.

“Um, Ella, could I tell you something I’ve never told anyone,” she asked.

“Sure,” I said, “You know I can keep a secret if I want to.”

“Well, you know all those tuxedos I wore back home,” She asked.

"Yeah, what about them," I said.

“Well, I kinda made them.”

I stopped and turned to face her. “You made your own tuxedos without me knowing,” I asked with superise, “Even the ones in kindergarten?!”

“Even those,” she replied, lowering her head, “I’d always looked up to Rarity like an idol ever since I was two, and did everything she did. And now I’m my version of her! This all feels so strange, you know?”

I nodded, “The change does feel wierd, but once you get to know other ponies, it seems better.”

She smiled at me, which made me smile back. Truth be told, Marcus was actually my little brother, but he’d inherited the family fortune and moved out when he graduated, leaving me, his big sister, behind. It appeared he missed me as much as I’d missed him.

“You know you could have just bought them,” I said.

“I know,” She replied, “But mom and dad would’ve said no, and it was funner to make them myself.”

We were just arriving in town when three fillys came running at us. I recognized them immediately, because it was hard to mistake the Cutiemark Crusaders when they were wearing their cloaks. The three of them stopped in front of us.

“Hi Rarity,” said Sweetie Bell, “Wait, weren’t you just back at home?”

Rarity looked at me expectantly, but for once I was at a loss for what to say.

“That’s not ‘er,” said Apple Bloom, “She’s one o’ them doppelganger things.”

“You mean a look alike,” asked Scootaloo. “Yeah, that,” Apple Bloom responded, “Anyway,we came ta see ya, Princess.”

“Me,” I repeated quickly and nodded. I turned to Rarity, “You go find Twilight, okay?”

Rarity nodded and galloped off towards Twilight’s treehouse.

“Who was she, princess,” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Coincidentially, her name is Rarity,” I said, “She’s my little sister.”

“What is all this commotion about,” asked Rarity as she came out of her shop.

I must admit, two Raritys was going to be a bit confusing, but it’s not unheard of for two people with the same name to live in the same place. Unfortunately, there is usually a last name.

“Nothing too important,” I said to Rarity, “Just introducing these fine fillies to my sister, whose name is also Rarity. Weird, right?”

“I must say darling, your parents must have been very professinonal ponies to have given one of their daughters such a fine name,” declared Rarity, “I'll see you all later.” She went back to her shop, no doubt to work on the next big thing in Equestria.

“So, I suppose you want to know how to get your cutiemarks,” I asked, turning to the three fillies. They all nodded excitedly.

“Truth be told, it’s not simple,” I said, “You must figure out what it is on your own.” They all lowered their heads, thinking I couldn’t help them.

“But, I will do my best to help you figure out what your cutiemarks are not.” They all yelped with glee and ran off.

“See you all tomorrow,” I called after them.

“See you tomorrow,” Scootaloo called back.

I proceeded on to Twilight’s treehouse. I knocked on the door.

“Oh, hello Ella,” Spike said as he opened the door, “Twilight and Rarity have been waiting for you.”

I followed Spike in. Twilight and Rarity were in the study talking.

“You really had to pick Rarity as a name,” Twilight asked.

“In my defence I do look exactly like her,” Rarity defended, sounding like the real thing.

“You’re starting to talk like her too,” I said as I entered the study.

“Really,” Rarity asked, “I didn’t even notice!”

“It’s fine,” I said, “As long as nothing changes mentally, Starlight should consider herself lucky.”

“Indeed,” Twilight said, “I hope you’ve been practicing your magic.”

“Of course I have,” I answered, “What abou you, Rarity?”

“I have been experimenting since I got here,” She said, “And did a few spells without even a book.”

“Like what,” asked Twilight.

“Well darling, the most noteable would be the one that turned Trixie into an alicorn until I figured out the spell to undo it,” Rarity said.

“Wait, and alicorn transformation spell,” asked Twilight.

“Yep,” Rarity replied, “Trixie still doesn't understand how you can stand being so tall.”

We left a while later. It was getting dark so we hurried back to manor.

When we arrived, we found the door slightly ajar.

“Stay close,” I said to Rarity.

We slowly entered the manor and looked around. There was nothing out of place, except some kind of liquid on the floor. I examined it more closely, and raced away, following the path it made.

It was blood.

It led to the living room, where we found Winter and Luna. Luna was covered in blood and holding Winter, who looked like he was under a great amount of pain, with her forehooves.

“What happened,” I asked.

“It wasn’t Starlight,” Winter said, “It was never Starlight.”

Suddenly I heard a crackeling as Winter and Luna looked out the window.

Me and Rarity turned, a look of terror passing over our faces as the windows shattered, the flames flooding through.

Equestria was burning. And there was nothing I could do.

I closed my eyes, accepting the inevitable.