Night Terrors

This had to be the best night of Rarity's life. Finally, she had a chance to show all of Equestria her art. At last, she will join the ranks of Canterlot society like she always dreamed.

The fashionista stood backstage of a grand theater. She could hear the crowd ooh and ahh beyond the curtain at her most marvelous creations. She couldn't hide her grin as models wearing her best designs returned from the stage one by one. They were all so beautiful in every way. The birthday dress she drew up last year was perfect in its intricacy, Her shimmering fabric line shone like an Aurora Borealis, and her own latest work were completely in the now.

The crowd outside quieted down as the MC began to speak, "ladies and gentlecolts I hope you've enjoyed the show as much as I have. Clearly these pieces will define this decade, no, this century of fashion. Now let us give a warm round of applause for the creative genius behind this fabulousity. The paragon of her generation. The queen of culture. The pony everypony should know. Welcome, Rarity!"

Rarity cried out in joy as her name was called. She was ready to make her grand entrance, but when she tried to step forward she couldn't. Something was weighing her leg down. She turned her head to find her little sister wrapped around it. "Sweetie Bell? What in the world are you doing?"

The little unicorn looked up to her with big, green eyes, "Rarity guess what? I'm starring in the school play. You gotta come please, please, pleeeease?"

Rarity bit her lip. Her eyes shot back and forth between her sister and the stage entrance. The MC called for her again, "Miss Rarity? Madam that's your queue."

"I'm sorry Sweetie Bell, but I have to go."

"But you have to come. Your my sister."

"And this is the most important night of my life. My lifelong dream is about to come true Sweetie," Rarity returned a pleading look, "please let me have this. I'll make it up later, I promise."

Sweetie Bell did not look convinced. Instead she tightened her grip on Rarity's leg. The fashionista gasped as her sister's hooves turned into an iron shackle. She tugged against it but the metal dug deep into her flesh.

The MC called to her, "Miss Rarity tardiness is unacceptable for a true lady. If you wish to be recognized for your work you must come now."

Rarity screamed, "No! Wait! I'm Co-ack." Her words were cut off by a putrid green scarf with pink polka-dots wrapping around her neck and choking her. She looked back to find her parents holding the scarf with their magic.

Her mother waved to her, "hey hon, you've made quite the life for yourself haven't ya. Well you better bundle up if your going up to Canterlot. The air is might thin up there."

Rarity gasped, "Mother, your killing me with this silly sash!"

"Oh don't be so dramatic. Why with this here scarf, I bet you'll be the talk of the town." Her father finally let go of the scarf, but she was still suffocating. She struggled to free herself from her familial bonds.

The audience outside groaned at her absence. Photo Finish's voice spoke up, "Zis is unacceptable. How dare she behave so rudely?"

"She may act like Canterlot noble, but at the end of the day she is still a small town filly from nowhere," pointed out Hoity Toity.

"I guess she's not as sensational as I was led to believe," said Sapphire Shores, "I should have trusted my instincts with that girl."

"I say we leave this peasant where she belongs. She is clearly not one of us," said Prince Blueblood.

"Hear, hear," the others responded.

"No," screamed Rarity. She dragged herself towards the stage. She could hardly breath and her leg felt like lead. What's more was it seemed every step took her further and further from the stage. It was like she was trying to walk up a cliff.

The unicorn felt a sharp tug on her abdomen. She was now going backwards at the harness of a runaway diamond cart. In the cart all her friends were sitting around chatting over a few mugs of cider. Twilight took a gulp and gave a little burp, "excuse me."

Applejack laughed, "no sweat sugarcube. It's better out than in I say."BURP!

Rainbow slammed her mug down, "Ha! You call that a belch? Check this out." Buuurp! He friends laughed like idiots.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURP! Pinkie belched so loudly Rarity's ears hurt.

Rarity couldn't believe it. Her friends were behaving like uncultured hicks and they were dragging her down with them. The rusty harness bit into her sides, drawing blood. The cart gained speed as it dragged Rarity out of Canterlot and down the mountain side. She tried to fight it the weight was too much. There was no stopping her descent.

The mountain became vertical. Without the friction of the ground Rarity was in free fall hundreds of feet in the air. She screamed in terror. She never felt so burdened in her entire life. Everypony she loved needed or wanted some thing from her. In doing so they were dragging her down, down, down to the ground. Far away from her hopes and ambitions. Far away from her happiness.