Alone in her inspiration room, concentration present in her face and posture, Rarity worked. She was set an incredibly important task, well, more of a self-assignment really. She had seven orders to complete for this year's Grand Galloping Gala. Once again, she had the pleasure of being invited, along with her five very best pony friends, and her one best dragon friend.

“Why can't we just wear the same ones we wore the last time we went?” They asked. Well, Rarity simply couldn't allow that. It was a complete conflict on both her generous nature and her prissy conduct. Never would she be seen in the same dress twice in her life, and neither would she let her friends. Even Spike would be getting a new tuxedo tailored, and colts, stallions and drakes only need new outfits when their old ones no longer fit. He had tried to convince Rarity of this, but she had insisted over and over until Spike gave up.

The piece she was working on required intense concentration. No average pony could muster the skill required to stitch without a machine. Not even some of the top unicorn designers could stitch by horn. Rarity, however, was avid at horn stitching. There would be occasions where she found it difficult, even occasions where she had to remove stitches and re do them. It was a small price to pay for being a perfectionist.

All of a sudden, right in the zone of her immense concentration, the door knocked loudly, and her little sister, Sweetie Belle, came barging in without waiting for Rarity's invite.

“Sweetie Belle! Have you not heard of knocking?” The elder sibling scolded.

“I did knock,” the younger sister retaliated.

“But you're supposed to wait for me to allow your access, not just come breaking in after you knock,” the elder sibling softened her tone slightly. “Now, what is it you need?”

“Well, Applebloom and I found something in the Everfree Forrest and we...”

Rarity's eyes widened in horror. “You and Applebloom went into the Everfree Forrest? On your own? Sweetie Belle, there's a reason that forrest is feared. There had better be a good reason behind this, otherwise I shall have no choice but to ground you, and tell Applejack so she can deal with Applebloom.”

“There's something more important to it, Rarity. We found something. It was a living thing, and I'm sure it's not a bad thing.”

Rarity briefly pushed the scolding to the back of her mind. “Darling, I believe Fluttershy would be the best pony to ask about these kinds of things.”

“Actually, I don't think Fluttershy would be able to help. I've never seen one around Fluttershy's cottage before,” replied Sweetie Belle.

Rarity thought briefly, “Twilight? I'm sure there will be a book in the castle library somewhere.”

“I didn't think of that,” Sweetie Belle admitted .

Rarity scanned over the work she had done. “Well,” replied Rarity. “I think I've done enough to earn a break. Why don't we take this creature to Fluttershy?”

“I just said, I don't think Fluttershy can help.”

“Fluttershy deals with all sorts of creatures, it's certainly worth a try considering she lives near the forrest.”

“We brought it out. It's just outside.”

“Just how do you know that you haven't put the entire town in danger?”

“It's just so small,“ replied Sweetie Belle. “It's a young version of whatever it is for sure.”

Rarity glared at her younger sister for a few seconds. “I shall take your word for it. Let us see what Fluttershy can tell us, and perhaps on the way, you can explain what brought about this forrest endeavour.”

Rarity and Sweetie Belle left the boutique where Applebloom and Scootaloo were waiting, a small basket present between the two. Rarity peered inside the basket to see the creature that her sister and her friends had found. Rarity immediately realised the truth behind her sister's words. This creature was tiny, and it was obvious that it posed no threat at all, and in fact, appeared to be fast asleep. The majority of the figure was covered by blankets, but a small head was present.

“Oh my,” said Rarity. “This is just the most adorable thing I've ever seen. We must not delay. Let us find out what this thing is. Now perhaps, the story?”

“Well...”

***

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom sat inside the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse. Many unsuccessful crusades had been performed and the trio of mischievous fillies had decided to throw in the towel for crusading for the day, and instead, opted to play a game of truth or dare.

Naturally, being young and innocent led to most of the dares being easy for the average pony to complete, and the truth questions weren't very hard to admit to or dismiss as the case may be. Scootaloo, however, was about to make a dare that was a little more challenging.

The young pegasus looked intensely between the two of her friends, wondering who to give the dare to. Undecided, she opted to single one of the two out with some “eenie meenie.” As she inwardly recited the words, motioning her forehoof between the pair, she eventually landed on Sweetie Bell.

“Sweetie Belle,” Scootallo declared. “I dare you to go in the Everfree Forrest

Fear instantly lit her expression, as her earth pony friend, Applebloom face show an expression of concern. “Ya can't make 'er do that on her own,” Applebloom argued.

“Fine!” Scootaloo snapped. “Then I dare you to go in with her.”

At this point, fear made it's self known in Applebloom's face. “How far?” Sweetie Belle asked, voice laced with the same fear shown on her face.

“As far as you dare,” replied Scootaloo.

Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle considered whether to accept the dare or not. “Fine,” Applebloom replied, somehow instantly switching her initial fear to confidence. “Ah'll do it. Who knows? Maybe we'll get out forrest exploration cutie marks.”

“Then I guess I'm doing it to,” replied Sweetie Belle, still feeling nervous. The three left the clubhouse to go and fulfil the dare.

***

By the time Sweetie Belle had finished her story, the four were near Fluttershy's cottage. “So, are you mad at me?” Sweetie Belle asked nervously.

Rarity considered the question carefully. “I suppose I should be. I'm more concerned than I am angry, but I must say something did come out of this.”

“Really?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well yes,” her older sister replied. “Just look at this adorable thing. I'm certain that if you hadn't have found it, it's life could have been in serious peril. It just looks...so defenceless.”

“So, I'm not grounded?” Asked Sweetie Belle.

“And you ain't gonna tell mah sister?” Applebloom added.

“And I'm not grounded from Sweetie Belle forever?” Scootaloo finished.

“I will let this one slide this one time,” replied Rarity. “But you must take more responsibility for yourselves. If you must go into the Forrest, at least get and adult to escort you. Preferably myself, or Applejack, or maybe Rainbow Dash.” The three nodded in confirmation. “Well, here we are.”

Rarity knocked on the front door of Fluttershy's cottage. A minutes or two passed by before Fluttershy slowly cracked open the door just enough to peer through. Once she identified her visitor as Rarity, she opened the door fully. “Oh, hey, Rarity. Do come in.” With that, Rarity entered, and Fluttershy noticed the three young fillies. “You three, too.” With that, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo entered. “What can I do for you, Rarity. Is it the dress? Do you need me to watch the fillies?”

“No, Fluttershy, nothing quite like that. I was actually hoping you may be able to identify a species for me,” replied Rarity.

It is at this point Fluttershy noticed the basket for the first time. Rarity lifted the basket by the handles and set it on the table allowing Fluttershy to take a look. Fluttershy let out a delighted squee. “Oh, my. That is so cute.” Slowly, she removed the blanket with care, so as not to wake it and to get a better look at the creature as a whole. “Hmmm.”

“What is it, dear?” Rarity inquired.

“I don't know. It looks like nothing I've ever seen before. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help,” Fluttershy replied.

“Are you certain it doesn't look like anything you've ever seen before?” Confusion spread across Rarity's face. She was almost sure Sweetie Belle had been wrong about Fluttershy. She thought identifying this creature would be right up Fluttershy's street.

“I'm afraid I haven't. Maybe you could ask Twilight,” Fluttershy suggested.

“Indeed, I'm sure she will be able to tell us something. That was our back up solution,” Rarity said. She lifted the basket up with her teeth and placed it on her back. Fluttershy looked at her, confusion apparent in her gaze. Rarity immediately knew why this was. “I don't know if I should use magic on it, so I'm not going to risk it.”

“Well, I could tag along with you to see Twilight if you want,” Fluttershy stated.

“That would be nice. After all, If Twilight can't help, she will most likely suggest asking you. Let's go.”

***

The walk to Ponyville Castle had been much the same as the walk to Fluttershy's cottage. Fluttershy had asked the trio of fillies how the discovery of the creature had came about, and they had explained it as Sweetie Belle had to Rarity.

Two guards stood outside the front of the castle, each of them looking exactly the same. They were large stallions, both pegasi. Each had a white coat, blue manes, tails and eyes. They were pretty much the same as Celestia's royal guard. The only differentiating factor was the armour they wore. Whilst Celestia's guards wore golden armour, these guards wore lavender armour as fitting to the princess they guarded. “Ahh Miss. Rarity, Miss Fluttershy, welcome,” the one on the left spoke.

The guard on the right observed the three fillies behind Rarity and Fluttershy. “Now as you are aware, as part of the Federation of Friendship, Any member of the Council of Friendship have unprecedented and unrestricted access to the castle, but I'm afraid, as guards, we must ask the business of the visitors you bring.”

“That's quite alright,” replied Rarity. “I understand you are doing your job. You see, my sister and her friends happened across a small creature. Not to go into all the details, we are here to ask Twilight if she may know anything about it.”

“You're in luck,” the guard on the right replied. “I believe Princess Twilight can be found in the castle library.” The two stallions moved slightly to allow the five ponies to pass.

“Thank you sirs,” Rarity replied before entering, followed by Fluttershy, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The five ponies walked across the corridor into the library, which Twilight strategically made a room close to the entrance into. She had insisted that the castle library be accessible to the public as long as they were escorted to the library by guards. She didn't want such a seat of learning to be accessible to only a few.

On entering, Rarity was able to quickly identify Twilight, and made her way to her. Twilight was currently speaking with a mint green unicorn that Rarity recognised, but forgot the name of. She knew she was a lyre player though. Apart from Rarity and her group, Twilight, and the other unicorn, the library was empty. On seeing two of her best friends, Twilight's face lit up.

“Good afternoon, Twilight, good afternoon...” Rarity briefly thought about the other unicorns name “...Lyra,” Rarity said, clearly unsure of herself, almost in a fashion that she was asking a question rather than speaking.

Lyra, however, didn't notice the uncertainty in Rarity's tone. “Hey, Rarity, hey Fluttershy, hey fillies.”

“What brings you girls here?” Asked Twilight.

“Oh it can wait a minute,” Rarity replied. “Wouldn't want to steal you away.”

“That's okay,” Lyra said.

Rarity thought for a second. “Well, if you insist. I apologise for the intrusion though, Lyra.” Lyra simply nodded. “You see, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom found a creature in the Everfree Forrest that even Fluttershy here isn't able to identify. We were hoping that maybe you would know something, or perhaps one of your books may hold the answer.”

“Well, I suppose I can try,” replied Twilight. “But I can't guarantee.”

Rarity removed the basket off her back, and placed it in front of Twilight. Twilight didn't even need to speak.

“Could it really be?” Lyra asked, just quiet enough to be asking herself, but just loud enough for Rarity to here.

“Do you know what it is, Lyra?” Rarity asked.

“Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, I believe this is a human,” replied Lyra.

“A what?” Rarity, Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo asked all at once.

“A human. Homo sapien by scientific species name. Descendant of homo erectus.”

“How do you know all this?” Twilight asked. “I mean, I've seen them myself in another dimension, but I thought aside from myself, Spike, and one other, no one had been through the gate.”

“A life of studying them as a pastime. Not many ponies believe they exist, but I did, and now I'm seeing one for real.

“How are they looked after? And fed?” Fluttershy asked.

“They are much like ponies. They grow up needing their parents, then they learn. They learn how to walk, how to talk, how to feed their selves. They learn things at educational facilities just as we do, then as they grow up, they become independent, they make friends, get jobs to make money, eat, drink, sleep. In many ways, they're just like us.”

Rarity looked down at the small form in front of her and couldn't help but feel pity. She knew it wasn't meant to be here in Equestria. Through no fault of it's own, it had been placed somewhere it just wasn't meant to be. “How old would you say this 'human' is?

“I'm not an expert on the ageing process of humans, but I'd say he's no older than two months,” Lyra replied.

Rarity was able to do little else than stare at the child, deep in concentration. Lyra's words constantly repeated in her mind. “They grow up needing their parents.” With each passing second, her sympathy for the human grew.

“So it's a colt?” Asked Twilight. “How are you able to tell?”

“With humans, the young male is a boy, and a boy grows to be a man, not a colt and a stallion,” Lyra corrected. “However, much like stallions, I've heard boys have distinct facial features that set them apart from girls. Many of them are more prominent when they grow into men, but there are enough in sight to tell.”

“I'll do it” Rarity shouted suddenly, attracting the attention of everypony else.

Twilight was about to ask Lyra about the features that distinguished the genders in humans, but got distracted by her friends outburst. “Do what, Rarity?”

“Lyra, as you stated, what he needs is his parents right?” Lyra simply nodded, prompting Rarity to continue. “And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe his parents won't be in Equestria.” Once again, Lyra nodded. “So, if he needs somepony to look after him, and his parents can't be found, then he's going to need a step-in until we are able to return him to his biological parents, or they come to retrieve him, correct?” Once again, Lyra nodded. “Then I'll do it!”

“Rarity, that's a big responsibility,” Twilight added. “I'm not saying you can't do it, but, well...” Twilight thought briefly. “What you're essentially doing is becoming a mother.”

“I am aware of this, Twilight. I believe I am capable,” replied Rarity.

“But you hardly understand humans,” replied Twilight. “Look, I'm not saying you can't do it, but I just think maybe you should consider it before jumping straight in. I mean, Lyra seems to know her stuff about humans, and Fluttershy has experience with all sorts of creatures. I'm sure if you decide you aren't ready, there will be somepony to look after him.”

Rarity was sure this should have upset her, but it didn't. Twilight was looking out for both her and the child.

“I know my stuff about them,” said Lyra, “but I have no experience looking after the young, I've never really foalsat before. I'm not sure I could do it, I'm sorry.”

“I've never looked after a human before, and they seem nothing like any of the woodland critters, and I know I'm far too kind to be a mother right now,” replied Fluttershy.

“So, Rarity, are you sure this is what you want?”

Rarity considered for a while. “Well, I have foalsat before so I'm able to look after the young, and if humans are a lot like ponies, it can't be too much different. My occupation means I'm flexible and able to adapt to different needs.” Rarity fell silent for a second, and looked down towards the sleeping form, feeling the same sympathy again. Her heart melted. He needed somepony to look after him, and she would be damned if it wasn't her. It was like she was instantly connected to him, not by feeling it as her responsibility to look after him, but her desire to look after him, to give him a chance...To be a mother. She was unable to explain why, but she wanted this. “I'm sure.”

“Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, as you two found the child, I believe it's only fair you get a say. Think of his best interests. Would you deem Rarity as his step-in parent?”

Applebloom gave no thought, she approved immediately. “Yeah, Ah think leavin' 'im with Rarity is a good idea.”

“Besides, we're too young for that kind of responsibility,” added Sweetie Belle.

“Then it is settled,” announced Twilight. “Rarity will be looking after...”

Rarity noticed the abrupt ending of Twilight's sentence, she also noticed the five sets of eyes locked on her.

“Urmm. I think he needs a name,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Oh right.” Rarity looked down at the child, she tried to look for distinguishing features to name him after, but drew a blank. It was then she realised. This was the only human around. It was an extremely rare occurrence to adopt a human, and it was just as rare that a human would be found. I'm fact humans in Equestria were pretty much... “Elusive. He shall be called Elusive.”

“Rarity shall be the step-in parent of Elusive, I will alert Princess Celestia immediately.” Twilight finished.

Rarity knew she had took on a lot of responsibility. She knew raising a son that wasn't meant to be in this world wouldn't be easy, but regardless, Elusive was her son, and she was tartarus bent on being the best mother she could.

Author's Note

New fic.

I know Elusive is rule 63 Rarity, but since this isn't a Rule 63 story, it shouldn't matter too much.

[22/12/14] changes
some grammatical corrections done
changed “Elements of Harmony” to “Council of Friendship”
One instance of auto-correct changing Belle to Bell fixed to say Belle
One instance of auto-correct changing she to when fixed to say she
Added Twilight referring to EqG to conform to canon