Emerald

As soon as Spike and Emerald had left, Rarity smiled.

“So what did you want to talk to me about Twilight?” She asked.

“You know what I want.” Twilight said sternly. Rarity’s mouth stiffened at the edges and she began to trot off the station platform with Twilight in tow behind her.

“A lady does not talk of such things.” Rarity said. “Knowing the father of my precious Emerald is none of your concern.”

“Actually, it is. Longmas haven’t been born for over a thousand years and the last time, nopony knew genetics worked like that. There have been only three recorded Longmas in history. She’s a big deal! Nopony knows what kind of powers she has or anything! She is special. She’s the only one of her kind in this century.” Twilight explained quickly as she grew more and more excited about the chance of a lifetime of meeting and learning about a new species.

“So what? You want to study my daughter like a lab rat? That’s not going to happen, Twilight.” Rarity said as a drop of rain landed on her nose. “She’s my gem.”

“Well, her father is obviously a dragon. Her powers will depend on the dragon and I’d like to know the daddy in case she has the potential to burn Equestria or something!” Twilight exclaimed, ignoring what Rarity said and only thinking of the most wonderful and worst possibilities.

“Oh, so you only care about Equestria, huh? What if she can? Are you just going to lock her away and throw away the key? I’m not interested in telling you and if we were really friends, you wouldn’t care!” Rarity said heatedly. “I think being the big hero of Equestria with the elements has gotten to your head, Twilight! You’re looking for crimes before they even happen!”

Twilight cringed. A raindrop hit her nose and she looked up at the sky as it began to rain. It was only a slight drizzle. She knew Rarity was right. Emerald wasn’t a thing to study. She was a pony too and Twilight couldn’t treat her as if she was just another one of Twilight’s experiments.

“We’d better get back.” Twilight said.

“That’s very kind of you, Twilight, but maybe my daughter and I should stay elsewhere.” Rarity said, still worked up over the argument.

“No. Look, I’m sorry.” Twilight apologized. “I shouldn’t be acting like Emerald is some kind of test experiment. She’s your daughter, not my lab rat.”

“It’s ok.” Rarity said without a smile.

“Let’s get back.” Twilight said and they began to trot off the train station and make their way back.

“Rarity!”

Applejack came trotting over with a smile. She gave Rarity a hug and grin.

“Ah can’t believe you’re back! It’s been so long!” Applejack exclaimed. “Well, minus all the visits to see ya.”

“Oh yeah.” Rarity said with a smile.

“You visited Rarity?” Twilight asked. Applejack gave her a look.

“Ah know you were trying to repair Spike after she left him, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t visit your friend.” Applejack said.

“I wrote her letters!” Twilight said.

“How’s Emerald?” Applejack asked as she quickly changed the subject. “Is she ok?”

“She’s fine.” Rarity said.

“No more sickness?”

“None.”

“What sickness?” Twilight asked. “I didn’t hear about this one.”

“Emerald got sick. But it was much weirder than any old foal sickness…”

***

Rarity smiled at her daughter. Emerald was an adorable little filly with a small fat dragon tail slapping the floor in happiness. She rolled the ball towards Emerald and Emerald rolled it back. Suddenly, a knock came to the door. Rarity rushed over and opened it. Princess Celestia grinned and stepped inside.

“I wanted to see how Emerald was doing.” She explained and looked at the tiny foal who smile back at her. “It seems she’s well.”

“Well, yes, but she has this terrible cough that worries me.” Rarity said. “I don’t know what kind of sickness it would be because like you said, she’s a bit different.”

“Not different. It’s just that longmas haven’t been born for a while and many have forgotten they exist.” Princess Celestia explained. “How are you, Emerald?”

“Tia!” Emerald said happily. She laughed then began to cough badly. Rarity patted her back. Emerald swallowed whatever it was that she coughed up and continued to smile up at Celestia before she got distracted with the ball again.

“See? I don’t know what the problem is.” Rarity said.

“I’m sure it’s just a cold.” Princess Celestia said. “She should be fine.”

“Alright.” Rarity said as Emerald crawled over to Celestia and hugged her leg.

“Tia!”

“That’s right.” Princess Celestia said. “Huh?”

Emerald started coughing again, but this time she shuddered and coughed it up onto Celestia’s leg. Unlike normal vomit or mucus, it sizzled on her leg and the smell of burning hairs came up as Celestia realized it was acid. Rarity quickly scooped up Emerald who was now crying. She quickly wiped the acid off her leg with a swipe of magic and looked at Rarity.

“I think there might be something wrong with her.” Princess Celestia said. “I’ll call up Spike-”

“NO!” Rarity screamed. Celestia raised an eyebrow and she blushed.

“I mean, Spike wouldn’t know anything. Emerald’s a filly...” Rarity said and rocked Emerald in a magical aura.

“I guess, I could take her to Fluttershy.” Celestia said. “She knows about… dragons.”

“Alright.” Rarity said, handing her Emerald. “Here.”

***

“And when I got Emerald back, she was all better.” Rarity explained. “I don’t really know how Fluttershy did it, but she did.”

“Well, that’s an impressive story.” Twilight said. “Well, I guess we’re here.”

Applejack had trotted off in the middle of the story, leaving Twilight and Rarity in front of castle in the rainstorm.

“It’s been a long while.” Rarity muttered. “Too long.”

They opened the door to find Spike sweeping away at the floor. He took one look at Rarity and stalked off in the direction of the kitchen.

“I’m sorry he’s so rude.” Twilight apologized.

“It’s ok. I understand.” Rarity said. “He’s not a friend anymore anyways.”

“Spike?” Twilight called. Spike stuck his head out of the kitchen.

“Yes Twilight?”

“Could you show Rarity to her guest room?” Twilight asked.

“Why don’t you do it, Twilight?” Spike asked. “I’m busy, unless you don’t want a dinner tonight.”

Twilight frowned. Spike wasn’t normally so rude, but she knew it was the fact that he didn’t want to spend time with the mare that broke his heart. Either way, he didn’t have a choice at this point.

“Spike, I’m making dinner tonight.” Twilight said and went into the kitchen. She saw spike wrapping something in some dough. “You’re showing Rarity and Emerald their rooms.”

“Fine!” Spike said and stomped out. Twilight sighed and looked around. How hard could it be to make some dinner?